Original subtitles

Where are you going?

I'm not playing anymore!

Why not?

I don't want to play soldiers!

You don't want to play soldiers?

No, no more war!

You don't want war?

No more war, no more war!

Okay, we'll play cops and robbers.

Who wants to be a robber?

Who wants to be a cop?

Fair's fair - we'll split up...

cops right, robbers left.

One, two, three - robbers, go!

One, two, three - cops, go!

Look at the funny man!

There's a man there, in the grass!

He got hit on the head! He's dead for sure!

- Are you kidding? - No, come look!

- Where? - Down there, by the fence!

Come on!

Quick - the police!

Who is it?

Could have been dead for a while.

Anyone recognize him?

- Ooh, gives me the creeps! - Then clear out!

- Looks like he was rich. - Crime of passion.

No, look at him - they were after his dough.

He was shot.

No, look, his head's bashed in.

That man knew him.

When did you see him last?

We parted ways at midnight.

There's been a murder over there!

Lay off, gramps, there's been a murder.

Stand back, all of you.

This morning at 8:10,

one of our men was informed that the body of a man, about fifty years of age,

had been found by one Darny, here.

The victim was Mr. Novion,

director of a factory at 22 boulevard de la Villette.

The doctor says that death occurred at about 2:00 a.m.

It was a cerebral hemorrhage

due to a fractured skull

caused by a blow with a large stone or the like.

A woman's glove with a cleaner's mark inside.

GIRL KNOWN AS “LILAC" OWNER OF GLOVE FOUND NEAR CORPSE

ALIBI OF “LILAC" CONFIRMED BY AMERICAN SAILOR

WITH HER ON NIGHT OF CRIME

A NEW ARREST

- “On the night of the crime the accused gave the factory watchman the night off." - I didn't!

- “When the watchman declined, the accused insisted he go." - I didn't!

- “It has been established that the accused had money troubles..." - I swear to you...

- “and that on the night in question Mr. Novion was carrying a large amount of cash." - I'm innocent!

- “The day after the murder the accused paid a large due bill." - I didn't do it! No, no, no!

Please, Darny, no unseemly outbursts.

You say you didn't do it and we're willing to believe you.

But what we'd like to know is:

where were you on the night the unfortunate Mr. Novion was murdered?

But I told you, Your Honor, my boss left me at midnight.

We had worked together all night.

I still had things to do so I stayed at the factory until 2:00 a.m.

There's just one problem: no one saw you.

You knew he had a large sum of money on him.

No, how could I have known that?

He gave you money. He took out his wallet - you saw a sheaf of bills.

Yes.

Why did you say no just a moment ago?

I don't know. I didn't understand the question.

You went home, still seen by no one.

Fine, bring him in.

The morning of the crime, you arrived at the factory at 8:00.

Yes. At 8:45, worried at not seeing Mr. Novion, I...

Your Honor, my apologies: when I received your convocation of May 4th,

the Bureau had me on assignment out of town.

Yes, sit down, I'll need your testimony in a moment.

You were saying, Darny...

I was saying that at 8:45, worried...

Yes, you were worried, you rushed to look for him.

I called his house. Mme. Novion told me...

Oh, here's something new! Have Mme. Novion enter.

I can't take it.

What do I have to do to make them understand?

I beg you, Counselor, explain, explain that I'm not a murderer.

Calm down!

I know, Madame, how painful this interview must be for you.

It's dreadful, Your Honor, dreadful!

I understand, Madame.

Please be good enough to tell us if the morning of the crime

you received a call from the factory.

Yes. This man...

Didn't you notice something unusual in the tone of Darny's voice? A nervousness?

Yes, I believe so. He spoke...

- Brokenly. - Yes, brokenly.

You're taking this down?

So you rushed to your boss's assistance.

He was a few minutes late and you were sure he had been killed.

Let me finish!

Without a moment's hesitation,

you went directly to the spot where the crime was committed.

You yourself discovered the body.

Admirable!

What brilliance!

You should have been a policeman, Darny!

I told you two days ago that I followed Mr. Novion to the factory gate.

I saw him go towards the fortifications and there - pick up a girl.

This is monstrous!

Darny, I forbid you!

Insulting the memory of my husband!

You have no right to forbid my client to defend himself!

By insulting his victim!

But, for God's sake, I've been accused, I've got to defend myself!

But you're defending yourself badly!

You did not recognize "Lilac" as the girl your boss supposedly accosted.

- But she wasn't the same girl. - Oh, it's intolerable!

Madame, I ask you to be patient a moment longer.

Let us admit...

Let us admit, Darny, that you once saw a girl accost Mr. Novion. Let us admit that.

Are we then to believe that this upright, decent man

picked up a different streetwalker every night?

I am not guilty.

You alerted the police.

Before they arrived, you found a woman's glove.

You told us you found it ten meters from the body.

Yes, about that.

“About that." You're fond of “abouts?

It was you, Mr. Andre Bardon, who picked up the glove.

Yes, Your Honor.

Will you tell us how many meters it was from the body?

One meter, roughly.

So,

between the moment you discovered this glove and that when the police found it,

it moved nine meters all by itself.

The creeping glove!

What a title for a serial thriller!

But I'm not absolutely sure, Your Honor...

it could have been three or four meters...

This glove was identified as belonging to one "Lilac,"

who was arrested, then released.

She had an alibi.

Exactly - several witnesses confirmed

that she was nowhere near the scene of the crime that night.

Send in the witness...

"Smith."

Madame, I will not trespass further on your time.

You may be sure, Madame, that your husband's reputation will be respected.

Witness "Smith"!

Smith, Jack;

profession sailor, aboard the "Virginia"; nationality American.

Will you tell us again from what time to what time,

on the night of May 3-4,

you were with "Lilac"?

I was with her from midnight to two o'clock.

Two o'clock.

Exactly when the crime was committed.

Are you sure of that time?

Would you swear to it in court?

I already said it once!

Thank you,

You may go.

What did he say?

He said if we needed him again,

his next pod of call would be Singapore.

Darny,

before ending this examination,

I must inform you that we have uncovered further information:

you were in financial difficulties at the time of the crime.

- Yes. - The following day, however,

- you paid a due bill for 3,000 francs. - That was the day it fell due.

- You paid it with Mr. Novion's money. - Yes.

- You paid it with the money from his billfold. - No!

- Darny, you killed him for his money! - No, he gave me an advance, I told you!

And with this advance your wife buys fine dresses!

My wife is only 26;

- I've always tried to give her pretty things. - Yes, yes, bring in Mme Darny.

What's the matter?

It seems to me, Madame,

that your clothing expenditures are hardly in line with your husband's finances.

What do you mean?

What are you suggesting?

I bought this on installment three months ago, I haven't finished paying for it.

And what does that have to do with anything? Does that make my husband a murderer?

He couldn't do anything like that,

I know him better than anyone.

No, no, no! He's innocent!

I beg you, Your Honor, save him, save him!

Please, Madame, you are in no condition to give evidence.

Remove the witness.

The investigation is over for today, we'll continue tomorrow.

Your Honor, if you'd allow me...

Are you still here?

Well, what do you think?

I guarantee it: within two days that fellow will admit everything.

I can't agree, Your Honor.

Oh really?

Well, you may go, young man.

I swear I didn't kill him!

I swear by the lives of our children!

But look here, chief, that man isn't guilty!

He's not guilty!

The evidence against Darny isn't conclusive.

If you had heard him protesting his innocence to his wife...

You're easily moved, my boy.

Listen to me...

the judge is in awe of the victim's connections.

There are points that haven't been cleared up.

The alibi for "Lilac" is flimsy.

We let her go too soon.

If you think it's easy to make these tarts talk!

They don't crack.

But the man is innocent, it's clear as day!

We must find the real killer!

You're crazy, my boy, what's it to you?

The Novion case is out of our hands now.

Chief, give me some time off.

And, if you'll let me...

When the sun goes down each day

We take our same old way.

Slowly pacing up and down

To do the oldest job in town.

Dodging coppers' eyes all night

Just a little cash in sight

Ladies on the stroll,

Lord, it takes a toll,

Tired feet and tired soul.

If we get a fussy gent one night,

The client's always right!

We say, “Honey, next time through,

I'll wear silk stockings just for you!"

When the sun has hid Our corner's waiting there

You can bet a quid We'll pull no millionaire!

When we come downstairs

We're never swinging ropes of pearls

Our threadbare affairs...

We're streetcorner girls!

Just to earn a crumb

We do the nastiest jobs!

We have to make a chum

Of the worst of all the slobs!

"Pretty boy, come on and take a flutter!"

He leaves you behind - and in the gutter!

Just another night For ladies on the stroll.

What kind of a dive is this?

The wind comes in through the panes,

the plumbing leaks, the bed squeaks,

and there's a ruckus all night long!

People breaking chairs over each other's heads,

you call that a decent hotel?

Catch me staying here again!

And I asked you to wake me at six o'clock!

It is six o'clock!

Six o'clock in the morning, not the evening!

Should have told me!

When you went to bed at half past four this morning,

I didn't think you'd want waking up for a roll in the hay with that one!

I wanted to wake him up, but I couldn't.

Why not?

I was sawing logs too!

What a dive!

You don't think you're leaving without paying your bill?

I lose a day because of you, and I'm supposed to pay too?

You must be raving!

What do I owe you?

Twelve francs.

Twelve francs...

and a ten percent service charge?!

Some service!

I'll give you eight francs, and be damned to you!

I'll knock off two francs, but you shut your mouth!

Forty sous?

I'd rather pay the whole thing and speak my mind.

A nest of whores and gutter rats...

Shut your mouth!

This is a hotel for decent people!

Decent people!

God save you for a liar!

Off you go, sonny boy!

Bandits!

Pardon.

I wasn't talking to you!

Good to know.

Is this Charigoul's hotel?

And I'd suggest you steer clear...

a nest of pimps, whores, and thieves!

Catch me staying there again!

Say, mine host, where's my hot chocolate?

- Having breakfast at this hour? - Yes.

Well, we're all out.

Madame was evil tonight!

Not evil...

just badly brought up.

You can talk!

Listen to the old bag!

Mind your own business, duchess.

Shut up!

Look, a new customer, poor bastard.

Could I have a room?

Certainly, sir, a guest just left.

Yes, and he was sorry to go.

Give number twelve to the gentleman.

I'll just have the sheets changed.

Will you take something while you're waiting?

Eugene! Change the sheets in twelve! Double quick!

A Picon-grenadine.

- Passing through? - Yes.

Say, Mr. Charigoul, are you kidding me?

- My room's still not made up. - I'll do it right away, Miss Lilac!

This dump...

She's in a foul mood today!

Today? And yesterday, and tomorrow!

She didn't even say hello.

She's been like that since her troubles.

Since she...

A little formality...

Oh yes.

Family name...

given name...

and profession.

Scrap metal dealer, eh?

How's business?

Could be better... the depression.

The depression, huh?

The depression!

Say, chief...

that girl on the stairs...

nice, eh?

Who, Lilac?

She's nice, sure.

You were saying she'd had some troubles?

Oh yes, but that's all over.

It was that old fellow they found croaked.

The papers said she had an alibi.

Alibis aren't hard to come by.

No, she's a good kid.

She may be bad-tempered, she may be rough,

but that's not to say she'd kill a man!

No, she didn't do it!

I'd stake...

my wife's life on it!

See the lady at the desk,

she can set things up for you.

About Lilac, Charigoul... she's changed.

What did they do to her at the courthouse?

She came out smelling like a rose.

A rose...

I wouldn't stick my nose too close.

Monsieur's nose is out of joint.

He's jealous.

A lot you know.

But you've been up before the judge yourself!

Didn't it get to you?

Me? It was as soft as it is here.

The magistrate here, the clerk there...

a bunch of other people...

Let's act it out, for a laugh.

Tiny, you're the lawyer.

You, Snowball, you're the clerk.

Troubles, you be the widow, you've got the pan for it.

You, Shrimp, you're Lilac.

And I'll be the magistrate.

But we need a guard...

hey, mister, help us out?

We need a policeman - that suit you?

Fine by me.

Some blinkers...

I'll ask Ma Charigoul.

Lend me your specs, would you?

Thanks, granny.

Clerk here, accused here, guard behind here.

Will you tell me, Mademoiselle,

what you were doing 15 years ago, 5 September 1915,

at two o'clock in the afternoon?

You don't know, I was sure of it!

Your Honor, I was finishing my lunch!

Hey, pipe the widow!

Oh come on, not like that!

You're supposed to be a widow!

But why, the day after the crime,

did you have a penny with a hole in it in your pocket?

That's evidence - clerk, write it down.

And, furthermore,

why on the day of Novion's murder

did you put two lumps of sugar in your coffee, when you usually take one?

So now what - a game of belote?

- Not with you. - Oh, you play like a foot.

So, what do the cards say?

Come on, play cards with us.

Madame is in a bad mood.

Even so, I'll ask you again nicely.

Do you hear me?

Does Madame wish she was back at the courthouse?

Madame doesn't want to answer.

Where you going?

Let go.

No.

I said let go.

I said no.

Let her go.

What's that?

Who's talking?

Someone who says you'll let her go.

Let go! Let go!

Fight if you want to, but don't break the glasses!

You hurt, kid?

I'm all right - he got my wrist, though.

Say, friend,

we'll be seeing each other again.

Any time.

Are you all right, love?

Oh, shut it.

Your room is ready, sir.

You know they were fighting over you, my pretty?

You've got a champion there...

and not bad looking, either!

It was Room 12 we gave him, wasn't it?

Say... that girl...

what's her name, Lily?

Lilac.

Lilac - has she been living here a long time?

A long time - more than six months.

- Here? - Yes, the room next door.

Thanks.

What are you doing?

Ah, I see.

You're very kind, but I wasn't expecting a reward.

I don't like sacrifices.

Don't be angry.

You shouldn't be cross...

I didn't mean to offend you.

Cat got your tongue?

Come on, say something.

I'll make you a proposition.

A decent one.

Let's go out tonight.

It'll cheer you up.

What do you think of that?

Not much, apparently.

Oh come on, let's not end it this way.

What would you say...

Oh, don't run away like that, Lilac!

May I?

Don't you want anything to eat?

This is silly, you'd think we were talking on the stairs,

one up, one down.

So what will you have?

What would you like?

Whatever you want.

Big Spender!

What are you doing around here?

I had business in the neighborhood...

but I'd be just as happy if nothing came of it.

Why are you looking at me like that?

You have pretty eyes...

not very happy, though-

You can't have a ball every day.

Have those eyes been crying lately?

Why?

Oh, just because...

nothing.

Go on, pal!

I've the cutest girl you know

Made of rubber head to toe

Elastic and truly fantastic.

She can tie her shoes with her nose

She can comb her hair with her toes

We're no sooner in bed Than she stands on her head

She's got googly eves

She's got corkscrew thighs

Just like that She'll lay herself flat

Then she flexes, convexes, and lands in your hat!

My sweet Rubber Doll

The things you can do with that girl!

She dislocates your private pans

She's the Queen of Heads

Wait until she starts!

My sweet Rubber Doll

She's a one, she's a funny old love!

You think she's below you and whoops! she's above.

That's Rubber Doll for you!

So, Madame is spending time with her hero?

Oh, don't give me that look, Lilac.

We weren't going to hurt him.

Watch out, you don't even know who he is.

Say... didn't you get it the first time?

Clear out, you're not wanted here.

Are you starting with me again?

- What's the matter? - Let go!

- They're just checking papers! - Let me go!

Excuse me - I thought it was the exit.

I thought you were a cop!

See your papers?

Your papers?

I must have left them in the cloakroom.

Hands off!

Home, James!

Two, for the end of the line.

I can't stand cops...

they're all brutes.

You don't know...

Some pretend to be pimps, just so we'll talk.

But they're informers.

But...

if you've done nothing wrong, what does it matter?

Please, don't stick up for them.

End of the line! Everyone out!

If you knew how they worked me over, for five days...

everything they thought up to make me confess...

Everybody out, please!

We made a mistake...

we wanted the other end of the line.

Another two tickets, please.

Oh, I wish there were no more cops.

I wish life weren't so hard.

I wish... Oh, I wish...

You'd better wish for a good night's rest!

In my hole at Charigoul's?

I'm in no hurry.

I wish...

Still not getting out?

You like this bus, don't you?

End of the line again.

Sir! Sir!

Wake up, it's six o'clock in the morning!

What's the matter?

Not a thing - I was just looking at your hands.

Poor clumsy baby...

you can't even use a knife!

I can assure you, Mademoiselle, this hat is perfect for you!

Is that me?

I look like a princess!

Not bad... not bad...

- Do you like it? - What do you think?

Just a minute!

What's that?

My old things.

What do you want with them?

You never know.

Aren't I stylish?

It's a flash!

A little respect, my good man! Call me Madame.

What? What?

What did you say? I can't hear you!

Tell me - tell me everything.

My lawyer - have you seen him?

The case must be going badly. He's letting me drop.

It's been four days! Four days!

My poor darling, calm down, they'll realize the truth...

- But when, when! - Soon, soon.

Be patient!

The papers say they're getting new evidence.

- They're going to arrest... - The girl?

No, another...

Visiting hours are over!

I'm going mad.

I'll end up confessing anything they want.

ISLE OF LOVE HOTEL

MODERATE PRICES FAMILY ACCOMMODATIONS

4:00 TO 7:00 DAILY SYMPHONIC CONCERT

It's you, Martousse!

Back from your little vacation?

Since this morning.

What can I say, they can't get along without me.

I favor them with my presence now and then.

But I had enough, so I cleared out.

What are you doing there?

Is Lilac moving out?

She left without a word, then this morning I got this, asking me to send her things.

"It's a new life beggining for me. I hope it will never end."

RING FOR THE BOATMAN

When you wed a woman who has thems and these and thoses

You know what's in view The birdies sing, "Cuckoo!"

Don't you shake your horns, your life can be a bed of roses

Play the hand you're dealt, if your bride's looks make men melt!

Don't be proud - you're not the first to suffer!

Luck is yours - your wife can open doors:

Don't complain if your bride is too beautiful to be true!

Too beautiful to be true!

Let the birdies sing cuckoo!

Don't complain if the men hang around her night and day!

Let them have their day!

You chose your bride that way!

If you wanted your bride to be for you and you alone

You'd have chosen the girl who sat all night beside the phone!

Don't complain if the bride is too beautiful to be true!

Too beautiful to be true! Let the birdies sing cuckoo!

Looks like I'll have to get our food myself.

Someone's impatient out there.

He can ring as much as he likes, the boatman's drunk by now!

Are you crazy? What are you doing here?

What about you?

Get out of here!

Not too happy to see me, are you?

Madame is lovestruck, she doesn't want to see her old pals.

Who told you where I was?

Never mind.

Martousse, I'm begging you, go away.

Lilac, why won't you come back with me?

I know I fouled everything up.

I'm asking you, please...

don't stay here.

And if you don't come in ten minutes...

I'll go and get you myself!

Oh, come on, give me my order!

Here I am!

You must be hungry, you poor darling!

Yes, it's me.

Surprised?

What is it?

- What's the matter? - Nothing, old boy, nothing.

- Lilac hasn't seen you, I hope? - Who?

Lilac!

Who cares? She doesn't know me.

That's true.

Say, you seem awfully interested in this kid.

Are you crazy?

How's the investigation going?

- She did it, didn't she? - She?!

No! I assure you, she's not the one.

When I think that I suspected her, even for one minute!

- If you knew... - I believe you, don't get excited!

But that's no reason to leave us hanging for a week.

The boss asked about you, twice.

Did he send you?

- No, I was doing some work on another case... - Andre!

A friend from the company where I work.

I came to tell him the boss expects him tomorrow.

You told me you were off until the end of the month.

It'll just be a day or two.

Won't you have something with us?

Please, I'll be right back.

This is even better than I thought.

You're shacked up together!

What do you want?

I promise I'll come back tomorrow, just let me have tonight!

Do you know who just dropped in on your fellow?

I'll tell you: he's a cop.

It's not true!

He's the one who questioned me at headquarters.

- I wouldn't be surprised if your boy was a cop too. - Shut up!

I forbid you!

You forbid me?

Tomorrow the investigation will be closed; Darny will go to trial.

I'm off; what do I say?

Tell the chief I'll be at headquarters tomorrow

and I'll give him a full report on the investigation.

What's the matter?

Are you trembling?

What did you say your friend's business was?

The same as mine, of course!

The same business as yours...

Yes...

scrap metal...

What's the matter?

Oh no, Andre, it's not true...

tell me it's not true...

Oops, sorry! A thousand apologies!

Private dining room!

Don't want to disturb the lovebirds!

Mademoiselle, my apologies!

We leave you to enjoy your happiness in private!

I wish I had been the one to tell you.

You understand, I'm new at this...

It's just that one day

I saw a man before the magistrate

and I was sure he was not guilty.

I was sure an innocent man would be condemned.

I thought that, through you...

You said, she did it.

- Lilac, I beg you... - Shut up! I don't believe you!

I don't believe you any more!

Everything you said was a lie!

When you said you loved me, it was to make me talk!

Fine, I'll talk!

Yes, I'm the one who killed old Novion!

Well?

You've got a bonus coming to you!

Lilac, it's not possible, it's not true.

Why should I deny it now?

I followed old Novion.

He was a beast, he disgusted me.

I was raving, I picked up the first thing that came to hand

- and hit him on the head as hard as I could. - Hush, hush!

You wanted the details? There they are.

Hurry up and make your report

A criminal...

and you a policeman.

Nice couple.

A perfect match.

You should turn me in.

Come on.

Turn me in!

- Let me go! - Hush!

- Lilac, all's not lost, we could still... - What?

Be happy together?

You could live with a murderess?

You could face your boss and say "Lilac's not guilty"?

Could you be an accomplice?

- I don't know any more! - A dirty cop!

A murderess's accomplice?

Could I live with an informer?

Is that the happy life we can look forward to?

Your age?

Get me the Bureau.

Your age, I said.

Twenty-five.

So you killed Mr Novion,

the manufacturer?

Don't listen to her, she doesn't know what she's saying!

Who is this man? Do you know him?

Search him.

Lilac, look at me.

Lilac, you know me!

Say you know me!

You can see she's not in her right mind!

Ah... should have said so right away!

Hello, Bureau?

What she says isn't true, it can't be true...

Of course not, since the guilty man is already behind bars.

Give me...

the head of the Bureau.

SKILLFUL INSPECTOR PROVES "LILAC" GUILTY

What's this? Are you nuts, petting a robber?

But he's hurt!

Tough, he's a robber!

But he's crying.

A cop can't have feelings!

Duty first!

Subtitles (c) Phoebe Green, 2015