1 00:00:11,245 --> 00:00:13,305 ♪♪ 2 00:00:58,258 --> 00:01:00,955 ♪♪ 3 00:01:03,764 --> 00:01:06,859 Oh, you've got that look in your eye again, Dickie. 4 00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:09,629 And the taste of salt water and bilge oil in my mouth. 5 00:01:09,770 --> 00:01:12,610 One tankard of ale, old sport. Then we'll get on with our business, huh? 6 00:01:12,739 --> 00:01:14,469 G... 7 00:01:14,608 --> 00:01:17,373 Well, all right, one pint, one peaceful pint, 8 00:01:17,511 --> 00:01:21,607 but, mind you, no trouble, Dickie, no scrums, no riots. 9 00:01:21,748 --> 00:01:24,980 Everything nice and civil-like and peaceful, eh? 10 00:02:12,099 --> 00:02:13,829 Give your name and address, please. 11 00:02:13,967 --> 00:02:18,166 Richard W. Durham, 890 Stanhope Road, Brentwood. 12 00:02:18,305 --> 00:02:20,103 - Brentwood? - Stanhope Road, my lady... 13 00:02:20,240 --> 00:02:21,435 Uh, Your Honor. 14 00:02:21,575 --> 00:02:23,635 An excellent address, Mister, uh... 15 00:02:23,777 --> 00:02:25,006 Durham. 16 00:02:25,145 --> 00:02:28,547 You are charged with being drunk and disorderly, 17 00:02:28,682 --> 00:02:29,892 and assaulting a police officer. 18 00:02:29,916 --> 00:02:32,977 - How do you plead? - Well, Your Honor... 19 00:02:34,121 --> 00:02:37,057 I wouldn't say I was as sober as a judge, 20 00:02:37,190 --> 00:02:39,853 but actually it was only a bit of a scrum amongst friends. 21 00:02:39,993 --> 00:02:43,361 - Guilty or not guilty? - A little of each, I'm afraid. 22 00:02:43,497 --> 00:02:46,763 For being drunk and disorderly, five days or $50. 23 00:02:54,908 --> 00:02:58,208 Would you accept a check, Your Honor? 24 00:02:58,345 --> 00:03:01,611 We prefer cash, Mr. Durham. 25 00:03:02,716 --> 00:03:05,982 - I see. - Next case. 26 00:03:24,237 --> 00:03:27,071 Oh, the Pollocks are coming down from Palo Alto. 27 00:03:27,207 --> 00:03:29,972 - Isn't that nice, Russell? - Hm? 28 00:03:30,110 --> 00:03:31,874 I said the Pollocks have accepted... 29 00:03:32,979 --> 00:03:35,039 for Paula's coming out party. 30 00:03:35,182 --> 00:03:36,480 Oh, she will be pleased. 31 00:03:36,616 --> 00:03:39,456 It would please me if she'd get down in time for breakfast some morning. 32 00:03:39,553 --> 00:03:41,631 She was out late last night, dear. 33 00:03:41,655 --> 00:03:43,055 She's out late every night. 34 00:03:43,190 --> 00:03:45,216 She's eighteen now, Russell. 35 00:03:45,358 --> 00:03:48,590 Being eighteen doesn't give her a license to run wild. 36 00:03:48,729 --> 00:03:50,994 Oh, stop sounding like a father. 37 00:03:51,131 --> 00:03:52,394 What is it, Helen? 38 00:03:52,532 --> 00:03:54,728 A gentleman's in here to see you, Mr. Durham. 39 00:03:54,868 --> 00:03:56,666 Who is it? What does he want? 40 00:03:56,803 --> 00:03:58,999 I really don't know, sir. 41 00:03:59,139 --> 00:04:00,505 Excuse me. 42 00:04:05,812 --> 00:04:07,474 Good morning. 43 00:04:07,614 --> 00:04:08,775 I'm Russell Durham. 44 00:04:08,915 --> 00:04:11,180 Oh, how do you do, sir. 45 00:04:11,318 --> 00:04:12,411 My name is Fothergill, 46 00:04:12,552 --> 00:04:13,576 Harry Fothergill, 47 00:04:13,720 --> 00:04:15,951 off the freighter 'Umber Bay out of Sydney, Australia. 48 00:04:16,089 --> 00:04:19,685 Well, I'm sure you didn't come all that way just to see me. 49 00:04:19,826 --> 00:04:22,523 Now, that's where you're just wrong, sir. 50 00:04:22,662 --> 00:04:25,461 You see, the plain and fancy truth of it is, we done just that. 51 00:04:25,599 --> 00:04:29,161 - We? - Yes, me and Dickie. 52 00:04:29,302 --> 00:04:30,736 Dickie. 53 00:04:30,871 --> 00:04:33,932 Yes, you see, there we was one fine day, sitting in a pub in Sydney, 54 00:04:34,074 --> 00:04:38,671 and all of a sudden he says to me... He says, "Lord Harry old sport..." 55 00:04:38,812 --> 00:04:39,989 That's the way he talks, you know. 56 00:04:40,013 --> 00:04:43,415 Anyway, he says, "Lord Harry, I've a brother in California 57 00:04:43,550 --> 00:04:45,781 I ain't seen in close to 20 years." 58 00:04:45,919 --> 00:04:48,821 He's here? Are you saying he's back? 59 00:04:48,955 --> 00:04:51,823 Well, almost anyway. 60 00:04:51,958 --> 00:04:54,359 You see, truth of the matter is 61 00:04:54,494 --> 00:04:57,953 that he got into a little bit of a dust-up in a pup down on the docks. 62 00:04:58,098 --> 00:04:59,532 And he's in jail. 63 00:04:59,666 --> 00:05:01,692 Dickie hasn't changed much, has he. 64 00:05:03,370 --> 00:05:05,396 Why did he come back? 65 00:05:05,539 --> 00:05:09,340 Now, I wouldn't be happy telling secrets out of school, now. 66 00:05:09,476 --> 00:05:12,776 Dickie will give you the old drill when he gets out. 67 00:05:12,913 --> 00:05:15,075 Just when will that be? 68 00:05:17,584 --> 00:05:20,383 Not till after the ship sails, I'm afraid... 69 00:05:20,520 --> 00:05:24,321 unless of course he can pay his fine. 70 00:05:24,457 --> 00:05:28,588 Oh, then he doesn't intend to stay in this country? 71 00:05:28,728 --> 00:05:30,594 Oh, Lord love ya, 72 00:05:30,730 --> 00:05:33,256 no, governor, no longer than he has to, no. 73 00:05:35,202 --> 00:05:38,297 Australia, now, there's the place of opportunity. 74 00:05:39,673 --> 00:05:41,471 He can't wait to get back there, you know. 75 00:05:41,608 --> 00:05:43,941 Well, I'd certainly hate to think of him missing his ship 76 00:05:44,077 --> 00:05:45,511 for the lack of a few dollars, 77 00:05:45,645 --> 00:05:47,341 if you're sure he's not too proud 78 00:05:47,480 --> 00:05:48,812 to accept help from his brother. 79 00:05:48,949 --> 00:05:50,440 Too prou... 80 00:05:50,584 --> 00:05:52,780 No, no, of course he ain't, governor. 81 00:05:52,919 --> 00:05:54,444 Thank you very much. 82 00:06:07,234 --> 00:06:11,797 Ah, there is sweet music that softer falls 83 00:06:11,938 --> 00:06:14,271 than petals from blown roses on the grass. 84 00:06:14,407 --> 00:06:15,705 Well, what are you selling? 85 00:06:15,842 --> 00:06:17,470 Dreams, my love, 86 00:06:17,611 --> 00:06:19,512 visions of tropical nights and golden days, 87 00:06:19,646 --> 00:06:22,115 of incense and ivory and peacock feathers. 88 00:06:22,249 --> 00:06:23,547 I'll bet. 89 00:06:23,683 --> 00:06:24,912 It's more like magazines. 90 00:06:25,051 --> 00:06:26,644 She takes me for a peddler. 91 00:06:26,786 --> 00:06:27,947 Oh, no, darling, 92 00:06:28,088 --> 00:06:30,182 I'm a wandering minstrel with a pack of songs 93 00:06:30,323 --> 00:06:33,054 of Gypsy campfires and caravan trails. 94 00:06:33,193 --> 00:06:35,219 You'd better sing them to my mother. 95 00:06:35,362 --> 00:06:37,456 She's the one who reads in this family. 96 00:06:44,137 --> 00:06:46,868 Mother, can you cope with charm this morning? 97 00:06:47,007 --> 00:06:48,305 There's a man outside... 98 00:06:49,309 --> 00:06:51,369 Well, he was outside. 99 00:06:51,511 --> 00:06:52,877 Start singing, minstrel. 100 00:06:58,084 --> 00:06:59,143 Dickie. 101 00:06:59,286 --> 00:07:01,755 The bad penny himself, or at least what's left of him. 102 00:07:04,991 --> 00:07:06,482 Nineteen years. 103 00:07:06,626 --> 00:07:07,685 Not for you, darling. 104 00:07:07,827 --> 00:07:10,353 I swear you've made time stop dead in its tracks. 105 00:07:10,497 --> 00:07:12,022 Not completely, Dickie. 106 00:07:12,165 --> 00:07:14,532 Paula, this is... 107 00:07:14,668 --> 00:07:18,070 - Uncle Dickie. - What a dreadful way of putting it. 108 00:07:18,204 --> 00:07:21,299 That's... That's for all the Christmas presents. 109 00:07:21,441 --> 00:07:24,536 Good heavens, I have lost track of time. 110 00:07:24,678 --> 00:07:27,011 You've forgotten. 111 00:07:27,147 --> 00:07:28,581 When I was a little girl, 112 00:07:28,715 --> 00:07:32,083 every Christmas, there'd always be one special package from Uncle Dickie... 113 00:07:32,218 --> 00:07:36,178 An ivory rickshaw or a Balinese doll, something carved out of coral. 114 00:07:37,490 --> 00:07:40,358 I'll bet you don't remember one present you sent me. 115 00:07:40,493 --> 00:07:43,395 - Uh... - Yes, of course he does, missy. 116 00:07:43,530 --> 00:07:46,261 One year it was a boomerang, wasn't it, Dickie? 117 00:07:46,399 --> 00:07:48,834 Boomerang? Oh, remember it like yesterday. 118 00:07:50,236 --> 00:07:53,832 Oh, ladies, may I introduce my old shipmate, Lord Harry Fothergill? 119 00:07:53,974 --> 00:07:55,738 Mrs. Durham, my niece Paula. 120 00:07:55,875 --> 00:07:58,435 It's a great pleasure, I'm sure, ladies, a great pleasure. 121 00:07:58,578 --> 00:08:00,103 Are you really a lord? 122 00:08:00,246 --> 00:08:04,274 Oh, cor, love, of course not. No, that's just Dickie's little joke. 123 00:08:04,417 --> 00:08:08,149 Well, we're very happy to see you anyway. 124 00:08:08,288 --> 00:08:09,765 They'll stay a while, won't they, mother? 125 00:08:09,789 --> 00:08:11,400 You take the words from my mouth, Colleen, 126 00:08:11,424 --> 00:08:12,868 but don't you put yourself out, my dear. 127 00:08:12,892 --> 00:08:16,590 Old Harry and I can doss down in any old spare guest room. 128 00:08:16,730 --> 00:08:20,758 Well, Paula, why don't you show Mister... 129 00:08:20,900 --> 00:08:21,959 Fothergill. 130 00:08:22,102 --> 00:08:24,003 Mr. Fothergill where to put his things. 131 00:08:24,137 --> 00:08:26,402 - All right. - Excuse me. 132 00:08:32,445 --> 00:08:34,209 Russell knows you're back, doesn't he? 133 00:08:34,347 --> 00:08:37,146 He was rather upset this morning, and he wouldn't say why. 134 00:08:37,283 --> 00:08:40,151 I can imagine it would give the old boy a nasty turn. 135 00:08:40,286 --> 00:08:43,779 Guilty conscience, I expect, for marrying my girl. 136 00:08:43,923 --> 00:08:46,415 - At least he did it legally. - Ooh. 137 00:08:46,559 --> 00:08:48,653 You mean our interlude in Tijuana. 138 00:08:48,795 --> 00:08:53,256 I had such good intentions to make old Russell jealous and all that. 139 00:08:53,400 --> 00:08:56,393 Well, he'd been such a clod about you, 140 00:08:56,536 --> 00:08:57,970 but then when I discovered 141 00:08:58,104 --> 00:08:59,629 the girl he'd been ogling from afar 142 00:08:59,773 --> 00:09:02,675 was the most beautiful creature in town, 143 00:09:02,809 --> 00:09:05,404 the most wondrous, magical... 144 00:09:05,545 --> 00:09:07,776 I was the stupidest fool in the world. 145 00:09:07,914 --> 00:09:09,712 How I ever could have lost my head over... 146 00:09:09,849 --> 00:09:11,545 Now, now, now, darling, 147 00:09:11,684 --> 00:09:14,279 I left you quick enough when the tears began, didn't I? 148 00:09:14,421 --> 00:09:17,391 And remember how it brought old Russell running to the rescue? 149 00:09:17,524 --> 00:09:22,292 Can you honestly say that you haven't been happy these 20 years since? 150 00:09:22,429 --> 00:09:24,523 I've been blissfully happy. 151 00:09:24,664 --> 00:09:26,326 I have my wonderful daughter, 152 00:09:26,466 --> 00:09:27,957 a beautiful home, 153 00:09:28,101 --> 00:09:30,332 and a fine husband, 154 00:09:30,470 --> 00:09:32,996 In that order of importance, no doubt? 155 00:09:33,139 --> 00:09:35,540 And I won't let anything destroy that. 156 00:09:35,675 --> 00:09:37,143 Do you understand me, Dickie? 157 00:09:37,277 --> 00:09:39,143 You're still the one, darling. 158 00:09:39,279 --> 00:09:40,577 Ten thousand women I've known, 159 00:09:40,713 --> 00:09:43,080 and none of them could hold a candle to you. 160 00:10:07,707 --> 00:10:10,040 Golly, I'd better get dressed. 161 00:10:10,176 --> 00:10:11,769 An impatient-type date. 162 00:10:16,249 --> 00:10:20,050 Well, I'll entertain Gil when he arrives. 163 00:10:25,758 --> 00:10:28,523 That coffee needs something to hold it up, gentlemen. 164 00:10:28,661 --> 00:10:30,960 Brandy. 165 00:10:31,097 --> 00:10:32,326 Brandy, gentlemen? 166 00:10:34,267 --> 00:10:36,930 Dickie, why did you come back? 167 00:10:37,070 --> 00:10:38,710 For the gathering of the clan, of course, 168 00:10:38,838 --> 00:10:40,466 and for Paula's coming out party. 169 00:10:40,607 --> 00:10:42,785 Nonsense. You didn't even know about it until you got here. 170 00:10:42,809 --> 00:10:44,004 That's true. 171 00:10:44,144 --> 00:10:45,944 Otherwise I'd have brought along proper dress. 172 00:10:46,045 --> 00:10:48,514 But you seem to have a good tailor, old man. 173 00:10:48,648 --> 00:10:50,207 Suppose I drop in on him, huh? 174 00:10:50,350 --> 00:10:52,148 By all means. 175 00:10:52,285 --> 00:10:54,686 Is there anything else I can do for you? 176 00:10:54,821 --> 00:10:56,983 Well, yes, there is. 177 00:10:57,123 --> 00:10:59,034 Lord Harry has his heart set on being a pub owner. 178 00:10:59,058 --> 00:11:00,803 And I told him you'd very likely finance it. 179 00:11:00,827 --> 00:11:02,193 You what? 180 00:11:02,328 --> 00:11:04,729 They're only asking 18,000. 181 00:11:04,864 --> 00:11:07,925 It's in Australia, you know, governor. 182 00:11:08,067 --> 00:11:11,936 - Of all the incredible nerve. - Why, don't you slope off, old sport? 183 00:11:12,071 --> 00:11:14,183 Maybe I better give the drill to big brother in private, 184 00:11:14,207 --> 00:11:16,176 old family business and all that. 185 00:11:16,309 --> 00:11:18,073 Right you are. Anything you say, Dickie. 186 00:11:18,211 --> 00:11:20,510 Well, peace to you, sir, 187 00:11:20,647 --> 00:11:22,980 and peace to you, too, Dickie, eh? 188 00:11:26,986 --> 00:11:29,455 - But what happened? - I hit him with a coffee cup. 189 00:11:29,589 --> 00:11:31,182 I wish I had brained him. 190 00:11:31,324 --> 00:11:33,987 He won't be satisfied until he's walked off with the furniture. 191 00:11:34,127 --> 00:11:36,926 Extortion, that's all it is, by my own brother. 192 00:11:37,063 --> 00:11:39,294 But why do you have to give him anything? 193 00:11:39,432 --> 00:11:41,196 Crystal, where is he? 194 00:11:41,334 --> 00:11:42,802 I went upstairs to wash my hand 195 00:11:42,936 --> 00:11:44,180 and then I had to call the office 196 00:11:44,204 --> 00:11:46,435 I'm afraid Dickie's gone to the Zebra Club with Paula. 197 00:11:46,573 --> 00:11:48,551 I thought she was going out with Gil Simpson tonight. 198 00:11:48,575 --> 00:11:51,602 I'm supposed to tell Gil to join them there. 199 00:11:51,744 --> 00:11:53,542 I'm afraid Gil is going to be hurt, 200 00:11:53,680 --> 00:11:57,845 Crystal, you've got to think of a way to get Dickie out of here immediately. 201 00:11:57,984 --> 00:11:59,316 Me? How? 202 00:11:59,452 --> 00:12:00,572 I was just about to ask you. 203 00:12:00,687 --> 00:12:03,054 I don't care how. Just get rid of him 204 00:12:03,189 --> 00:12:04,633 because if I have to talk to him once more, 205 00:12:04,657 --> 00:12:06,489 I swear I'll kill him. 206 00:12:12,532 --> 00:12:14,728 We lived in Bakersfield until I was almost 11. 207 00:12:14,867 --> 00:12:17,598 In that old Durham manse on the wrong side of the tracks? 208 00:12:17,737 --> 00:12:19,706 Well, it wasn't Stanhope Road. 209 00:12:19,839 --> 00:12:21,467 Daddy was still an accountant. 210 00:12:21,608 --> 00:12:24,669 And then came the first gusher, huh? 211 00:12:24,811 --> 00:12:26,643 Oh, Gil. 212 00:12:26,779 --> 00:12:28,441 Is that the boy friend? 213 00:12:28,581 --> 00:12:30,880 I hope I'm not intruding. 214 00:12:31,017 --> 00:12:32,781 Gil, this is my Uncle Dickie. 215 00:12:32,919 --> 00:12:35,479 I thought you wouldn't mind if he joined us tonight. 216 00:12:35,622 --> 00:12:39,218 It seems I'm joining you, if Uncle Dickie doesn't mind. 217 00:12:39,359 --> 00:12:40,952 No, no, make yourself at home, sport. 218 00:12:41,094 --> 00:12:42,892 Thank you so much. 219 00:12:43,029 --> 00:12:44,053 Gil, he's teasing you. 220 00:12:44,197 --> 00:12:48,362 Matter of fact, I wanted to have a talk with all of Paula's boyfriends. 221 00:12:48,501 --> 00:12:49,867 About what? 222 00:12:50,003 --> 00:12:55,032 Well, first thing, what do you do for a living, young man? 223 00:12:55,174 --> 00:12:58,076 He's an oil man, like daddy. I told you that. 224 00:12:58,211 --> 00:12:59,440 Oh, yes. 225 00:12:59,579 --> 00:13:02,572 What are your prospects for the future, my boy? 226 00:13:02,715 --> 00:13:05,207 I think this is hardly the place to discuss that. 227 00:13:05,351 --> 00:13:07,411 Well, if you're going to be dating my niece, 228 00:13:07,553 --> 00:13:09,647 like to know your intentions. 229 00:13:09,789 --> 00:13:12,156 Uncle Dickie, Gil's his own boss. 230 00:13:12,292 --> 00:13:13,590 Now, stop it. 231 00:13:13,726 --> 00:13:18,494 Yes, but is he serious, or is this just a business arrangement, 232 00:13:18,631 --> 00:13:21,965 a bit of social climbing? 233 00:13:22,101 --> 00:13:24,468 Listen, Durham, let's get a couple of things straight. 234 00:13:24,604 --> 00:13:25,924 Number one, my outfits that I own 235 00:13:26,039 --> 00:13:28,017 happen to be a lot bigger than anything your brother... 236 00:13:28,041 --> 00:13:32,411 Indeed. Those are pretty fancy words for any fly-by-night speculator. 237 00:13:32,545 --> 00:13:34,480 That's enough, because number two, 238 00:13:34,614 --> 00:13:36,708 Paula's parents fully approved my dating Paula. 239 00:13:36,849 --> 00:13:38,977 Well, you won't object, Mr. Simpson, 240 00:13:39,118 --> 00:13:42,384 if Paula's uncle casts a dissenting vote 241 00:13:42,522 --> 00:13:44,013 and backs it up. 242 00:13:44,157 --> 00:13:46,149 Anytime you say, 243 00:13:46,292 --> 00:13:48,761 any place. 244 00:13:48,895 --> 00:13:53,230 Durham, how would you like it if I punched you in the mouth right now? 245 00:13:53,366 --> 00:13:54,732 I'd be delighted, sport. 246 00:13:54,867 --> 00:13:56,245 - Fire when ready. - Gilbert., Uncle Dickie, stop... 247 00:13:56,269 --> 00:13:57,999 No, everybody. 248 00:13:58,137 --> 00:14:00,971 No, Dickie, this ain't no place for a scrummy. 249 00:14:01,107 --> 00:14:04,475 Just a small difference of opinion between gentlemen, Harry. 250 00:14:04,610 --> 00:14:06,610 No, no, no, no, no, you come along with me, Dickie. 251 00:14:06,713 --> 00:14:07,806 Excuse us, would you? 252 00:14:07,947 --> 00:14:09,506 Now, come on, Dickie. Come on. 253 00:14:13,252 --> 00:14:14,743 Listen here to me, Dickie, Durham. 254 00:14:14,887 --> 00:14:18,289 You haul your freight out of here right now, and I ain't going to tell you twice. 255 00:14:20,893 --> 00:14:22,156 Listen here to me, 256 00:14:22,295 --> 00:14:23,661 - I'm tired and sick... - Shh. 257 00:14:23,796 --> 00:14:26,231 I'm tired and sick of you making a bloody fool of yourself. 258 00:14:26,366 --> 00:14:28,301 I've a good mind to bash you right in the head. 259 00:14:28,434 --> 00:14:31,063 Oh, Harry, don't be like that. 260 00:14:31,204 --> 00:14:33,366 You're the finest shipmate on the seven seas. 261 00:14:33,506 --> 00:14:35,907 And you're a leaky tub. Now, I'm pulling you out of this. 262 00:14:36,042 --> 00:14:38,477 You're leaving this town right now, you got me? 263 00:14:38,611 --> 00:14:40,409 All in good time, your lordship. 264 00:14:40,546 --> 00:14:43,072 We came to get money, and money we're going to get. 265 00:14:43,216 --> 00:14:46,095 You're going to get your ticket punched. That's what you're going to get. 266 00:14:46,119 --> 00:14:47,678 Hah. By him? 267 00:14:47,820 --> 00:14:51,723 Listen here to me, Dickie. I'm serious. 268 00:14:51,858 --> 00:14:53,827 I heard your brother talking to his missus, 269 00:14:53,960 --> 00:14:56,259 and he said is how he'd like to do you in. 270 00:14:56,396 --> 00:14:57,887 Well, everybody wants to bash me. 271 00:14:58,030 --> 00:15:01,330 It's high time I made out my last will and testa... 272 00:15:01,467 --> 00:15:03,368 That's it. That's just what I'll do... 273 00:15:03,503 --> 00:15:04,903 My last will and testament. 274 00:15:05,037 --> 00:15:07,506 Last will and t... Listen here to me. 275 00:15:07,640 --> 00:15:09,541 It's not you that I'm worrying about. 276 00:15:09,675 --> 00:15:13,840 It's just that I'm not going to let you go on messing up people's lives. 277 00:15:13,980 --> 00:15:17,144 I hereby bequeath. 278 00:15:17,283 --> 00:15:19,582 That's what we'll do, chummy, first thing in the morning. 279 00:15:19,719 --> 00:15:20,896 Now, let's have a drink on it. 280 00:15:20,920 --> 00:15:22,081 A will? 281 00:15:22,221 --> 00:15:25,714 All right, Mr. Durham, tell me, 282 00:15:25,858 --> 00:15:28,384 have you ever had a will before now? 283 00:15:28,528 --> 00:15:30,053 Not that I can remember, Counselor. 284 00:15:30,196 --> 00:15:31,721 There was little reason for one, 285 00:15:31,864 --> 00:15:33,298 but now I've seen the light 286 00:15:33,433 --> 00:15:35,868 and remembering that the days of man are numbered, 287 00:15:36,002 --> 00:15:38,301 I want to provide for those I leave behind. 288 00:15:38,438 --> 00:15:40,930 Uncle Dickie, what is the point of all this? 289 00:15:41,073 --> 00:15:43,118 When I called Mr. Mason to get an appointment for you... 290 00:15:43,142 --> 00:15:45,062 You think it's only wasting the man's time, I am? 291 00:15:45,178 --> 00:15:46,237 Tut, tut. 292 00:15:46,379 --> 00:15:48,439 She's displeased with me today. That's all. 293 00:15:48,581 --> 00:15:51,642 Now, what facts do you need to know, Counselor? 294 00:15:51,784 --> 00:15:56,916 Well, the usual thing is to start with a list of your heirs, your beneficiaries, 295 00:15:57,056 --> 00:15:59,287 and the amount of each bequest. 296 00:15:59,425 --> 00:16:00,654 Well, let's see. 297 00:16:00,793 --> 00:16:03,627 There's Lord Harry here, the best buddy a man ever had. 298 00:16:03,763 --> 00:16:07,165 Look, I want nothing but our pub in Melbourne, and you know it, too. 299 00:16:07,300 --> 00:16:08,928 Ah, but it shall be no ordinary pub. 300 00:16:09,068 --> 00:16:11,970 You shall have golden spigots gushing forth pure nectar. 301 00:16:12,104 --> 00:16:13,849 What do you suppose that would cost, Mr. Mason, 302 00:16:13,873 --> 00:16:15,050 a quarter of a million, would you say? 303 00:16:15,074 --> 00:16:16,372 - Put that down... - But... 304 00:16:16,509 --> 00:16:18,808 250,000 for Lord Harry Fothergill, gentlemen. 305 00:16:18,945 --> 00:16:20,880 Now, is that messing up anybody's life? 306 00:16:21,013 --> 00:16:22,777 Is that wasting time? I ask you. 307 00:16:23,850 --> 00:16:25,614 All right. What next? 308 00:16:25,751 --> 00:16:27,447 Well, let's see... 309 00:16:27,587 --> 00:16:29,249 To my niece, my darling niece, 310 00:16:29,388 --> 00:16:31,186 for her to remember me kindly, 311 00:16:31,324 --> 00:16:35,420 a little gift of... could you make ends meet on 50,000, love? 312 00:16:35,561 --> 00:16:38,497 If I do my own housework. 313 00:16:38,631 --> 00:16:40,361 Please, isn't this sort of ridiculous? 314 00:16:40,500 --> 00:16:42,628 And there it is, sir. That's it. 315 00:16:42,768 --> 00:16:43,861 Very well. 316 00:16:44,003 --> 00:16:46,939 It will take Miss Street a few minutes to type this for your signature. 317 00:16:47,073 --> 00:16:48,833 Then, Harry, suppose you take my niece home. 318 00:16:48,941 --> 00:16:50,569 You have errands to attend to, anyway. 319 00:16:50,710 --> 00:16:52,430 I'll be here to discuss any further matters 320 00:16:52,478 --> 00:16:53,856 with the Counselor that may be necessary, 321 00:16:53,880 --> 00:16:55,075 while I'm waiting to sign. 322 00:16:55,214 --> 00:16:57,877 Uncle Dickie, what about Mr. Mason's fee? 323 00:16:58,017 --> 00:17:01,977 Fee? Oh, the fee. I forgot. 324 00:17:02,121 --> 00:17:04,181 It's usually a hundred dollars, Mr. Durham. 325 00:17:04,323 --> 00:17:07,054 Of course, and not unreasonable. 326 00:17:07,193 --> 00:17:08,388 Uh... 327 00:17:08,528 --> 00:17:10,656 if you'll be good enough, sport? 328 00:17:13,466 --> 00:17:17,164 I'll think of it as an advance on my inheritance. 329 00:17:18,638 --> 00:17:20,402 Mr. Durham? Mr. Durham. 330 00:17:20,540 --> 00:17:22,270 I say, Durham, where are you... 331 00:17:22,408 --> 00:17:23,603 Oh, there you are. 332 00:17:23,743 --> 00:17:26,577 I've been looking all over for you, I have. 333 00:17:26,712 --> 00:17:29,204 I just had a talk with your missus, 334 00:17:29,348 --> 00:17:31,783 and she told me that Dickie had come back to the house, 335 00:17:31,918 --> 00:17:33,614 but he's picked up and left again. 336 00:17:33,753 --> 00:17:35,073 Now, where is he? Where did he go? 337 00:17:35,154 --> 00:17:38,124 - What happened to him? - I'm afraid I wasn't there at the time. 338 00:17:38,257 --> 00:17:40,457 My wife had a talk with him. I don't know what was said. 339 00:17:40,560 --> 00:17:42,222 I wouldn't tell you if I did. 340 00:17:42,361 --> 00:17:44,728 Now, look here. I don't know what's going on with Dickie. 341 00:17:44,864 --> 00:17:47,095 He gets awful giggly sometimes, he does, 342 00:17:47,233 --> 00:17:49,225 but this much I do know, Mr. Durham, 343 00:17:49,368 --> 00:17:51,769 that his heart is in the right place, it is. 344 00:17:51,904 --> 00:17:54,464 Harry, I'll make you a bargain. 345 00:17:54,607 --> 00:17:57,771 If you can find Dickie and get him aboard that ship tomorrow morning... 346 00:17:57,910 --> 00:17:59,469 Any way you have to... 347 00:17:59,612 --> 00:18:02,673 Then you may give him this check for... what was it? 348 00:18:02,815 --> 00:18:05,614 - Eighteen thousand dollars, gov. - Eighteen thousand. 349 00:18:05,751 --> 00:18:08,949 He can use it to buy you a pub or for any other purpose he wishes, 350 00:18:09,088 --> 00:18:11,353 but if he attempts to cash it in this country, 351 00:18:11,490 --> 00:18:13,755 payment will be stopped. 352 00:18:13,893 --> 00:18:15,020 Is that clearly understood? 353 00:18:15,161 --> 00:18:16,254 Oh, certainly, certainly. 354 00:18:16,395 --> 00:18:17,863 Now, don't you worry, governor. 355 00:18:17,997 --> 00:18:19,797 I'll see that Dickie don't bother you no more. 356 00:18:19,932 --> 00:18:23,460 - Honest, I will. - Do it any way you have to. 357 00:18:23,603 --> 00:18:25,834 Uh, right. So long. 358 00:18:43,823 --> 00:18:46,918 Dickie. Dickie, old sport. There you are. 359 00:18:47,059 --> 00:18:48,925 I've been looking all over for you. 360 00:18:49,061 --> 00:18:50,222 Hey. 361 00:18:51,764 --> 00:18:54,233 Cor, you are a sight, aren't you. 362 00:18:54,367 --> 00:18:57,201 So help me, I thought maybe you was even dead, 363 00:18:57,336 --> 00:18:59,464 but here you are, hale and hearty, eh? 364 00:18:59,605 --> 00:19:01,198 Oh, well, now, what's up, chum? 365 00:19:01,340 --> 00:19:03,275 Hey, what happened? 366 00:19:03,409 --> 00:19:06,277 No matter what it is, don't take it too hard. 367 00:19:06,412 --> 00:19:09,314 See, I've got a little surprise for you here, matey, 368 00:19:09,448 --> 00:19:11,610 something that's going to perk you right up. 369 00:19:11,751 --> 00:19:13,947 Here, take a glim at that, eh? 370 00:19:14,086 --> 00:19:15,520 How about that, Dickie? 371 00:19:15,655 --> 00:19:19,183 That's what's going to put you aboard ship and then it's home and mother, Dickie boy. 372 00:19:19,325 --> 00:19:20,588 Oh, Dickie, think of it... 373 00:19:20,726 --> 00:19:25,994 $18,000, enough to buy our own pub at long last, eh? 374 00:19:26,132 --> 00:19:29,728 - No. - What do you mean, no? 375 00:19:31,771 --> 00:19:34,502 Maybe I'm not going back to Australia. 376 00:19:34,640 --> 00:19:36,666 Now, you knock that off. Do you hear me? 377 00:19:36,809 --> 00:19:37,902 You knock it off. 378 00:19:38,044 --> 00:19:41,776 Listen, he's fixed it so that no bank will take it in this country. 379 00:19:41,914 --> 00:19:44,383 Now, we're on our way tomorrow, or this thing is no good. 380 00:19:44,517 --> 00:19:46,713 You go, Harry. 381 00:19:46,852 --> 00:19:48,718 Maybe I'm going to stay here. 382 00:19:48,854 --> 00:19:51,847 You're going to stay here, eh? 383 00:19:51,991 --> 00:19:54,290 You just listen here to me, Mr. Dickie Durham. 384 00:19:54,427 --> 00:19:57,397 I've had me heart set on that pub for too long now 385 00:19:57,530 --> 00:19:59,123 to see it suddenly vanish like that. 386 00:19:59,265 --> 00:20:00,358 Listen here. 387 00:20:00,499 --> 00:20:02,611 There's the money for the pub, right in front of your eyes, 388 00:20:02,635 --> 00:20:04,746 and all you've got to do is endorse this scrap of paper, 389 00:20:04,770 --> 00:20:06,850 put your name on it right there, and the pub is ours. 390 00:20:06,972 --> 00:20:08,770 Now, come on. 391 00:20:08,908 --> 00:20:10,809 Oh, pickle your pub. 392 00:20:12,878 --> 00:20:16,474 No, no, not the police. It's all right. 393 00:20:16,615 --> 00:20:18,277 It's all right. I'll handle him. 394 00:20:19,952 --> 00:20:21,750 Never you fear. I'll handle him. 395 00:20:39,205 --> 00:20:40,867 Well, he got it this time. 396 00:20:41,006 --> 00:20:42,998 He's dead. 397 00:20:58,524 --> 00:21:01,494 Off and on, we knocked around together for close to 17 years, 398 00:21:01,627 --> 00:21:03,357 every port in the Pacific. 399 00:21:03,496 --> 00:21:05,658 Oh, we had good times, Mr. Mason. 400 00:21:05,798 --> 00:21:07,767 We had good times. 401 00:21:07,900 --> 00:21:10,597 You heard him yourself... The best shipmate he ever had, 402 00:21:10,736 --> 00:21:13,797 so why would I kill my best chum, Mr. Mason? 403 00:21:13,939 --> 00:21:15,271 According to the police, 404 00:21:15,407 --> 00:21:17,774 that $18,000 check they took away from you. 405 00:21:17,910 --> 00:21:20,311 Yes, but the check was no good without a signature, 406 00:21:20,446 --> 00:21:21,566 and he signed it, didn't he? 407 00:21:21,680 --> 00:21:24,377 So why would I need to kill him? Now, answer me that, Mr. Mason. 408 00:21:24,517 --> 00:21:26,179 The bartender told them 409 00:21:26,318 --> 00:21:28,913 that Dickie got angry and walked out on you 410 00:21:29,054 --> 00:21:30,654 when you asked him to endorse the check. 411 00:21:30,756 --> 00:21:33,419 Yes, I know, but his signature is on it right now. 412 00:21:33,559 --> 00:21:35,119 You can see it for yourself, Mr. Mason. 413 00:21:35,227 --> 00:21:37,492 - When did he endorse it, Harry? - On the wharf. 414 00:21:37,630 --> 00:21:41,158 You see, after he left the pub, I followed him down the pier a ways. 415 00:21:41,300 --> 00:21:44,236 There he was, sitting all by himself, kind of lonesome like. 416 00:21:44,370 --> 00:21:47,169 Well, he cooled down by then, I suppose, because he says to me, 417 00:21:47,306 --> 00:21:49,866 "Harry, old sport, you're going to get your pub 418 00:21:50,009 --> 00:21:52,478 even if it won't have no gold spigots," 419 00:21:52,611 --> 00:21:55,479 and then he signed the check, and he asked me to leave him alone 420 00:21:55,614 --> 00:21:57,776 and says that he'd see me the next morning. 421 00:22:01,086 --> 00:22:03,817 I didn't forge his name, Mr. Mason. 422 00:22:03,956 --> 00:22:06,118 Is that what they believe? 423 00:22:06,258 --> 00:22:07,988 Well, I didn't, I tell you. 424 00:22:09,762 --> 00:22:13,494 I witnessed the signing, and so did my secretary Miss Street. 425 00:22:13,632 --> 00:22:14,895 How do they stack up? 426 00:22:15,034 --> 00:22:17,868 No doubt about it. Both were written by the same man. 427 00:22:18,003 --> 00:22:19,403 Well, Lieutenant? 428 00:22:19,538 --> 00:22:21,632 It does seem to knock out the motive. 429 00:22:22,708 --> 00:22:24,506 Mind if I have a look at the will? 430 00:22:29,548 --> 00:22:35,351 "To my old shipmate, Harry Fothergill, the sum of $250,000." 431 00:22:35,487 --> 00:22:37,232 Now, there's a pretty good motive, Counselor. 432 00:22:37,256 --> 00:22:38,417 Excellent. 433 00:22:38,557 --> 00:22:41,652 Unfortunately Durham didn't have enough money to pay his lawyer's fee. 434 00:22:41,794 --> 00:22:43,474 Then why did he make out a will like this? 435 00:22:43,529 --> 00:22:46,192 Oh, his idea of a joke. Maybe he was trying to impress his niece. 436 00:22:46,332 --> 00:22:47,800 She's in the will for 50,000. 437 00:22:47,933 --> 00:22:49,733 How do you know he didn't have hidden assets? 438 00:22:49,802 --> 00:22:52,169 He borrowed $18,000 from his brother. 439 00:22:52,304 --> 00:22:53,897 Borrowed or extorted? 440 00:22:54,039 --> 00:22:57,100 Andy, how does any of this 441 00:22:57,243 --> 00:22:59,576 affect my client's immediate release? 442 00:22:59,712 --> 00:23:01,772 All right, maybe you can have your Lord Harry 443 00:23:01,914 --> 00:23:04,008 just as soon as I talk to Durham's brother. 444 00:23:05,751 --> 00:23:09,017 Russell, I think you're getting much too upset. 445 00:23:09,154 --> 00:23:13,319 He was a wandering no-good you hadn't seen for 19 years, wasn't he? 446 00:23:13,459 --> 00:23:16,293 He was murdered, stabbed. 447 00:23:16,428 --> 00:23:19,296 They've found the knife now in the bay, too. They're trying to trace it. 448 00:23:19,431 --> 00:23:23,027 There you are... just a waterfront brawl, 449 00:23:23,168 --> 00:23:25,364 but it doesn't reflect on you. 450 00:23:25,504 --> 00:23:29,805 Quite the contrary. You gave him $18,000. 451 00:23:29,942 --> 00:23:31,342 But why, Frank? 452 00:23:31,477 --> 00:23:33,036 Suppose the police ask me that? 453 00:23:33,178 --> 00:23:35,704 Out of the goodness of your heart. 454 00:23:35,848 --> 00:23:37,407 I did it to get rid of him. 455 00:23:37,549 --> 00:23:39,916 No one's going to miss that implication, 456 00:23:40,052 --> 00:23:42,163 and you don't pay that kind of money unless there's pressure. 457 00:23:42,187 --> 00:23:44,486 Frank, I told you yesterday what Paula said 458 00:23:44,623 --> 00:23:46,524 about Dickie's going to see that lawyer. 459 00:23:47,726 --> 00:23:50,389 Suppose he talked to him about more than just a will. 460 00:23:50,529 --> 00:23:53,658 That was yesterday's worry, not today's. 461 00:23:55,868 --> 00:23:57,598 Now, get this straight, Russell. 462 00:23:57,736 --> 00:24:00,137 I'll tell you the reason you gave Dickie money. 463 00:24:00,272 --> 00:24:02,298 You did it to hang on to your wife. 464 00:24:02,441 --> 00:24:04,672 No, I couldn't do a thing like that to Crystal. 465 00:24:04,810 --> 00:24:06,210 I won't. 466 00:24:06,345 --> 00:24:08,246 You take money from the Rimrock Oil Company, 467 00:24:08,380 --> 00:24:12,613 so as far as they're concerned, that's your official explanation. 468 00:24:12,751 --> 00:24:15,721 Well, who do I talk to at Rimrock? 469 00:24:15,854 --> 00:24:18,255 I'm sick of just dealing through you. 470 00:24:18,390 --> 00:24:19,824 If I telephoned them in Texas... 471 00:24:19,959 --> 00:24:23,088 There is no room for argument, Russell. 472 00:24:23,228 --> 00:24:26,357 The police are here again, sir. 473 00:24:26,498 --> 00:24:28,160 Mr. Durham will see them now. 474 00:24:31,103 --> 00:24:33,436 Sorry to cause you so much trouble. 475 00:24:33,572 --> 00:24:35,598 Do you gentlemen know Perry Mason? 476 00:24:35,741 --> 00:24:36,800 Mr. Durham and... 477 00:24:36,942 --> 00:24:38,376 I'm Frank Warden, Lieutenant. 478 00:24:38,510 --> 00:24:41,571 Good morning, Mr. Mason. May I ask who you are representing? 479 00:24:41,714 --> 00:24:44,616 Harry Fothergill, Mr. Warden. And you? 480 00:24:44,750 --> 00:24:49,552 Oh, I'm not a lawyer, just another oil man. 481 00:24:49,688 --> 00:24:50,968 See you in the morning, Russell. 482 00:24:51,090 --> 00:24:53,753 - Don't go, Frank. - This is only going to take a minute. 483 00:24:53,892 --> 00:24:56,953 I'm interested in your brother's financial status, Mr. Durham. 484 00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:02,400 Well, there. 485 00:25:02,534 --> 00:25:04,162 That should give you an idea of it. 486 00:25:04,303 --> 00:25:06,704 Case of whiskey he thoughtfully ordered for me yesterday, 487 00:25:06,839 --> 00:25:09,070 socks, shirts he sent his friend to pick up... 488 00:25:09,208 --> 00:25:11,200 All charged to my accounts, you understand. 489 00:25:11,343 --> 00:25:12,971 Everything, all on me. 490 00:25:13,112 --> 00:25:14,740 He had no cash, you mean. 491 00:25:14,880 --> 00:25:17,975 Well, why do you think I gave him the $18,000? 492 00:25:18,117 --> 00:25:20,643 He was absolutely penniless, I tell you. 493 00:25:20,786 --> 00:25:22,652 But wasn't there property of any sort? 494 00:25:22,788 --> 00:25:24,347 Of course. 495 00:25:24,490 --> 00:25:27,392 Some old clothes, shoes with holes in them. 496 00:25:27,526 --> 00:25:30,496 I was thinking of inheritance, family holdings. 497 00:25:30,629 --> 00:25:32,063 No. 498 00:25:32,197 --> 00:25:33,631 No, Lieutenant. 499 00:25:33,766 --> 00:25:35,098 There's nothing like that. 500 00:25:36,635 --> 00:25:40,834 - Well, Andy? - Guess you win, Perry. 501 00:25:40,973 --> 00:25:42,999 Thanks, Mr. Durham. I'll see you later. 502 00:25:43,142 --> 00:25:44,371 Gentlemen. 503 00:25:50,082 --> 00:25:53,052 Do you have know your biggest trouble, Russell? 504 00:25:53,185 --> 00:25:55,177 You're a compulsive talker. 505 00:25:59,525 --> 00:26:01,494 - Hi, Perry. - Paul. 506 00:26:01,627 --> 00:26:02,890 Congratulations, Harry. 507 00:26:03,028 --> 00:26:04,394 Thank you, Mr. Mason. 508 00:26:04,530 --> 00:26:06,499 Now, I ain't going to forget what you done for me. 509 00:26:06,632 --> 00:26:09,152 Of course, I didn't keep my part of the bargain with Mr. Durham, 510 00:26:09,268 --> 00:26:12,067 so I can't very well cash his check, but don't you worry, now. 511 00:26:12,204 --> 00:26:15,106 Soon as I get me another berth, I'm going to start paying you off. 512 00:26:15,240 --> 00:26:17,937 Well, maybe we can find a ship for you. 513 00:26:18,077 --> 00:26:21,980 There's no rush, Perry. Anderson released him in your custody. 514 00:26:22,114 --> 00:26:23,241 He can't leave town. 515 00:26:23,382 --> 00:26:27,217 All right, Paul, what didn't Andy tell me? 516 00:26:30,689 --> 00:26:33,818 Huh? Oh, excuse me. 517 00:26:34,827 --> 00:26:37,092 Search me. I haven't turned up anything new. 518 00:26:37,229 --> 00:26:39,698 What about Dickie's movements yesterday afternoon? 519 00:26:39,832 --> 00:26:41,562 Nothing but a lot more shopping. 520 00:26:41,700 --> 00:26:44,329 He managed to nick the R.W. Durham charge accounts 521 00:26:44,470 --> 00:26:45,980 to the tune of about a thousand dollars. 522 00:26:46,004 --> 00:26:48,564 - Nice guy. - But they sat still for it. 523 00:26:50,375 --> 00:26:52,139 - Perry. - Yes, Della? 524 00:26:52,277 --> 00:26:53,905 This just arrived. 525 00:26:56,615 --> 00:26:58,811 Mailed at 10:00 last night. 526 00:26:58,951 --> 00:27:01,614 What time was Dickie murdered? 527 00:27:01,753 --> 00:27:02,914 About an hour later. 528 00:27:11,163 --> 00:27:13,962 "Give her the big chunk and him the little. 529 00:27:14,099 --> 00:27:16,591 "Please have the lovely Miss Street type it up. 530 00:27:16,735 --> 00:27:19,466 "I'll be in Brighton early to sign it. 531 00:27:19,605 --> 00:27:21,039 Confusion to our enemies." 532 00:27:21,173 --> 00:27:22,232 Signed Dickie Durham. 533 00:27:22,374 --> 00:27:24,502 He really had a fixation on wills. 534 00:27:24,643 --> 00:27:27,155 Too bad he didn't live long enough to make out this new one out. 535 00:27:27,179 --> 00:27:28,909 What's the difference, Paul? 536 00:27:29,047 --> 00:27:31,642 This way Harry wouldn't inherit nearly as much as Paula, 537 00:27:31,783 --> 00:27:33,274 but that's still much of nothing 538 00:27:33,418 --> 00:27:35,683 and certainly no motive for murder... 539 00:27:35,821 --> 00:27:39,121 unless Dickie did have hidden assets. 540 00:27:40,459 --> 00:27:42,087 "Dickie Durham." 541 00:27:42,227 --> 00:27:45,095 "Richard William Durham," as I remember. 542 00:27:45,230 --> 00:27:47,665 - And his brother is "R.W." - Yes, same initials. 543 00:27:47,799 --> 00:27:50,200 Paul, I want some information in a hurry, 544 00:27:50,335 --> 00:27:52,361 on brother Russell's business dealings. 545 00:27:52,504 --> 00:27:54,370 What sort of business dealings? 546 00:27:54,506 --> 00:27:58,341 Oh, anyone he's ever written a contract with or a lease... 547 00:27:58,477 --> 00:28:01,208 - Yes, check on oil leases. - All right, I'll get right on it. 548 00:28:01,346 --> 00:28:02,939 Oh, what shall I do with his lordship? 549 00:28:04,249 --> 00:28:06,980 I wish I knew, 550 00:28:07,119 --> 00:28:08,712 but if what I suspect is true, 551 00:28:08,854 --> 00:28:11,289 it'll be taken out of our hands. 552 00:28:26,972 --> 00:28:29,999 Well, Mr. Mason, it was quite a surprise, hearing from you so soon. 553 00:28:30,142 --> 00:28:32,668 Surprise? Yes, I suppose it was. 554 00:28:32,811 --> 00:28:33,904 Mr. Warden, 555 00:28:34,046 --> 00:28:35,241 is it true that you handled 556 00:28:35,380 --> 00:28:38,612 the leasing of some oil property from Russell Durham? 557 00:28:38,750 --> 00:28:40,514 Well, not for myself. 558 00:28:40,652 --> 00:28:43,144 I did act as agent for the Rimrock Oil Company. 559 00:28:43,288 --> 00:28:46,156 My investigator says that Rimrock Oil 560 00:28:46,291 --> 00:28:47,623 is a small, out-of-state outfit 561 00:28:47,759 --> 00:28:50,024 that might be a little hard to pin down. 562 00:28:50,162 --> 00:28:53,257 However, the property we're concerned with is in West Texas. 563 00:28:53,398 --> 00:28:54,866 Isn't that right? 564 00:28:58,804 --> 00:29:00,670 Miss Burney, is Mr. Durham in yet? 565 00:29:01,807 --> 00:29:03,173 Yes, please. 566 00:29:04,243 --> 00:29:07,407 When you called saying you'd be over, I thought he'd better be here, too. 567 00:29:07,546 --> 00:29:09,845 When did Russell Durham sign that oil lease? 568 00:29:09,982 --> 00:29:13,248 About eight years ago, I think. I'll have to look up the exact date. 569 00:29:13,385 --> 00:29:15,718 Eight years is close enough, 570 00:29:15,854 --> 00:29:18,346 but Richard Durham had been out of the country 571 00:29:18,490 --> 00:29:20,686 for more than twice that long. 572 00:29:20,826 --> 00:29:22,920 What does my brother have to do with it? 573 00:29:23,061 --> 00:29:24,723 According to my investigation, 574 00:29:24,863 --> 00:29:27,298 your brother purchased that parcel of land in Texas 575 00:29:27,432 --> 00:29:28,866 some 22 years ago, 576 00:29:29,001 --> 00:29:32,062 and no transfer of title was ever made 577 00:29:32,204 --> 00:29:33,764 prior to the signing of that oil lease. 578 00:29:33,872 --> 00:29:38,435 Mason, are you saying that land is or was the property of Dickie Durham 579 00:29:38,577 --> 00:29:39,943 and not Russell here? 580 00:29:40,078 --> 00:29:41,808 Would that also surprise you, Mr. Warden? 581 00:29:41,947 --> 00:29:43,643 It certainly would. 582 00:29:43,782 --> 00:29:46,752 The name on that deed was R.W. Durham, 583 00:29:46,885 --> 00:29:49,855 and I negotiated the lease with a man by that name. 584 00:29:49,988 --> 00:29:52,348 Of course, you didn't know that there were two R.W. Durhams? 585 00:29:52,457 --> 00:29:53,720 Absolutely not. 586 00:29:53,859 --> 00:29:55,327 Rimrock may be small, 587 00:29:55,460 --> 00:29:58,453 but they've paid royalties of 16 2/3 % 588 00:29:58,597 --> 00:30:02,261 in good faith to R.W. Durham for the past eight years. 589 00:30:02,401 --> 00:30:05,599 That good faith must amount to a rather large sum, 590 00:30:05,737 --> 00:30:09,174 every cent of which belongs and always has belonged to your brother. 591 00:30:09,308 --> 00:30:12,005 I fail to see how that concerns you, Mr. Mason. 592 00:30:12,144 --> 00:30:14,306 My brother has owed me debts all his life 593 00:30:14,446 --> 00:30:16,540 that are so much larger than money. 594 00:30:16,682 --> 00:30:19,345 I'm not concerned with the implication of fraud, 595 00:30:19,484 --> 00:30:22,579 but I do intend to clear my client of any suspicion of murder. 596 00:30:22,721 --> 00:30:25,589 Well, it's a little late for that, isn't it, Mr. Mason? 597 00:30:25,724 --> 00:30:28,159 I certainly didn't kill Dickie. 598 00:30:28,293 --> 00:30:31,286 If you'll recall, the will he made out that day in your office... 599 00:30:31,430 --> 00:30:33,228 Russell, you talk too much. 600 00:30:33,365 --> 00:30:36,358 - The will you refer to... - Paula told me all about it. 601 00:30:36,501 --> 00:30:39,130 Harry Fothergill gets practically everything. 602 00:30:39,271 --> 00:30:41,103 That's why he murdered my brother. 603 00:30:41,239 --> 00:30:42,901 But did Lord Harry really know 604 00:30:43,041 --> 00:30:45,374 that your brother had any property to leave him? 605 00:30:45,510 --> 00:30:46,637 Did he? 606 00:30:46,778 --> 00:30:49,111 I think you're in for a surprise, Mason, 607 00:30:49,247 --> 00:30:51,113 several surprises, 608 00:30:51,249 --> 00:30:54,048 and in court because, for your information, 609 00:30:54,186 --> 00:30:57,350 the police just notified me they finally traced the murder weapon. 610 00:30:57,489 --> 00:30:59,981 That knife was purchased in Sydney, Australia, 611 00:31:00,125 --> 00:31:03,653 and by Lord Harry, of course. 612 00:31:10,769 --> 00:31:14,331 Now, officer, you say you were in charge of the operation 613 00:31:14,473 --> 00:31:17,170 which recovered the body of the deceased Richard Durham 614 00:31:17,309 --> 00:31:20,108 from the shallow water near the pier. 615 00:31:20,245 --> 00:31:23,579 Was this the first time you had ever encountered Richard Durham? 616 00:31:23,715 --> 00:31:24,774 No, sir. 617 00:31:24,916 --> 00:31:28,114 No, I had arrested the same man two nights before in a waterfront bar. 618 00:31:28,253 --> 00:31:29,881 He was fighting with two seamen. 619 00:31:30,021 --> 00:31:32,252 Was the defendant present at the time? 620 00:31:32,391 --> 00:31:34,917 He was there, but he took no part in the brawl. 621 00:31:35,060 --> 00:31:38,155 You mean that his friend was engaged in fighting two seamen, 622 00:31:38,296 --> 00:31:40,356 and he made no attempt to go to his assistance? 623 00:31:40,499 --> 00:31:41,539 None that I saw. 624 00:31:41,666 --> 00:31:43,794 - Objection. - Sustained. 625 00:31:43,935 --> 00:31:47,770 Officer, when the body was taken from the harbor, 626 00:31:47,906 --> 00:31:50,068 was the cause of death apparent to you? 627 00:31:50,208 --> 00:31:53,269 Well, there was what looked like to be a knife wound in his back. 628 00:31:53,412 --> 00:31:54,937 In his back. 629 00:31:55,080 --> 00:31:58,744 The assailant apparently wasn't a very brave man, was he? 630 00:31:58,884 --> 00:32:01,149 Objection, Your Honor. 631 00:32:01,286 --> 00:32:02,447 Sustained. 632 00:32:03,588 --> 00:32:05,420 Officer, I show you this knife, 633 00:32:05,557 --> 00:32:08,026 previously identified as having been purchased in Australia, 634 00:32:08,160 --> 00:32:09,753 by the defendant. 635 00:32:09,895 --> 00:32:12,888 Were you present when this knife was recovered from the water? 636 00:32:13,031 --> 00:32:14,761 Yes, I was, sir. 637 00:32:14,900 --> 00:32:16,528 The men from Homicide found it later 638 00:32:16,668 --> 00:32:18,102 at the same place I found the body. 639 00:32:18,236 --> 00:32:19,636 Cross-examine, Mr. Mason? 640 00:32:19,771 --> 00:32:22,263 No questions, Mr. Burger. 641 00:32:22,407 --> 00:32:23,807 You may stand down, Officer. 642 00:32:26,578 --> 00:32:28,578 I suppose I should have told you sooner, Mr. Mason, 643 00:32:28,613 --> 00:32:30,809 but how was I to know which sticker done him in? 644 00:32:32,050 --> 00:32:34,042 They'll prove you always carry that knife. 645 00:32:34,186 --> 00:32:36,018 But like I told you, Mr. Mason, 646 00:32:36,154 --> 00:32:38,474 I gave it to Dickie same time as he was signing the checks, 647 00:32:38,590 --> 00:32:40,115 same place. 648 00:32:40,258 --> 00:32:41,836 He sort of had the shakes like, you know, 649 00:32:41,860 --> 00:32:43,123 sitting all alone in the dark. 650 00:32:43,261 --> 00:32:45,389 He says to me, "Hey, let's have your sticker 651 00:32:45,530 --> 00:32:47,726 in case I have to fight off some mermaids, you know. 652 00:32:47,866 --> 00:32:49,698 You know how he talked, don't you, Mr. Mason? 653 00:32:51,069 --> 00:32:53,470 Who do you think he planned to meet there after you left? 654 00:32:53,605 --> 00:32:54,605 I... 655 00:32:54,739 --> 00:32:57,231 I call Mr. Russell Durham to the stand, please. 656 00:33:01,580 --> 00:33:03,014 We were both born in Bakersfield. 657 00:33:03,148 --> 00:33:04,480 My brother was two years younger. 658 00:33:04,616 --> 00:33:06,244 I practically raised him. 659 00:33:06,384 --> 00:33:09,286 He knocked around in the Texas oil fields for a few years, 660 00:33:09,421 --> 00:33:11,287 then left home... and the country... for good. 661 00:33:11,423 --> 00:33:13,790 After a few years, I heard nothing more from him. 662 00:33:13,925 --> 00:33:16,326 Until he and the defendant moved into your home? 663 00:33:16,461 --> 00:33:17,485 Yes. 664 00:33:17,629 --> 00:33:18,790 Mr. Durham, 665 00:33:18,930 --> 00:33:21,263 in the strictest sense, 666 00:33:21,399 --> 00:33:24,392 it isn't entirely your home, is it? 667 00:33:24,536 --> 00:33:27,995 I suppose you could say it was partially Dickie's. 668 00:33:28,139 --> 00:33:30,005 Will you explain that for us, please? 669 00:33:30,141 --> 00:33:33,043 One of my sources of income for the past eight years 670 00:33:33,178 --> 00:33:34,271 has come from an oil lease. 671 00:33:34,412 --> 00:33:37,143 Technically the property belonged to my brother. 672 00:33:37,282 --> 00:33:38,409 Technically? 673 00:33:38,550 --> 00:33:40,712 In one of his rare letters in those early days, 674 00:33:40,852 --> 00:33:43,879 he enclosed the deed to a parcel of land in West Texas. 675 00:33:44,022 --> 00:33:46,753 Since he had borrowed money from me to leave home, 676 00:33:46,892 --> 00:33:50,954 I assumed the deed was meant to be a form of repayment. 677 00:33:51,096 --> 00:33:52,689 Anyway, years later, 678 00:33:52,831 --> 00:33:56,962 when I discovered the Rimrock Oil Company was interested in that land, 679 00:33:57,102 --> 00:34:00,004 I negotiated the lease myself in the name of R.W. Durham... 680 00:34:00,138 --> 00:34:01,766 The name on the deed... 681 00:34:01,907 --> 00:34:06,072 But I was really acting as an involuntary trustee. 682 00:34:06,211 --> 00:34:08,237 In other words, Mr. Durham, 683 00:34:08,380 --> 00:34:09,871 not only part of your home 684 00:34:10,015 --> 00:34:13,679 but part of your other property and assets 685 00:34:13,818 --> 00:34:15,650 actually belonged to the deceased? 686 00:34:15,787 --> 00:34:17,085 Yes, that's right. 687 00:34:17,222 --> 00:34:20,556 Would you mind estimating his estate for us, please? 688 00:34:20,692 --> 00:34:23,628 In the neighborhood of $200,000. 689 00:34:23,762 --> 00:34:26,129 Thank you, Mr. Durham. Cross-examine. 690 00:34:27,532 --> 00:34:30,024 Wasn't the value of the decedent's estate 691 00:34:30,168 --> 00:34:32,831 much more than $200,000, Mr. Durham? 692 00:34:32,971 --> 00:34:37,204 I have kept a full and complete accounting of every dollar paid in royalties. 693 00:34:37,342 --> 00:34:39,174 It was available to Dickie at any time. 694 00:34:39,311 --> 00:34:45,273 When he returned after this 19 or 20-year period away, 695 00:34:45,417 --> 00:34:48,444 how much in cash was actually turned over to him? 696 00:34:48,587 --> 00:34:53,082 He asked for and I wrote a check to him, in the amount of $18,000. 697 00:34:53,224 --> 00:34:55,201 Isn't it true that he moved out of your house 698 00:34:55,225 --> 00:34:57,093 during the afternoon preceding his murder? 699 00:34:57,228 --> 00:34:58,252 Yes. 700 00:34:58,396 --> 00:35:02,857 You mean he was leaving with only $18,000 701 00:35:03,001 --> 00:35:06,904 out of an estate of at least $200,000? 702 00:35:07,038 --> 00:35:11,066 - Now, why? - I really couldn't say, Mr. Mason. 703 00:35:11,209 --> 00:35:13,940 Perhaps my brother was more interested in just causing trouble 704 00:35:14,079 --> 00:35:16,048 than he was in getting his money. 705 00:35:16,181 --> 00:35:19,345 When I tried to talk to him about it... Work out some schedule of repayment... 706 00:35:19,484 --> 00:35:22,977 He just laughed at me, made fun of my embarrassment. 707 00:35:24,856 --> 00:35:26,722 Hm. 708 00:35:26,858 --> 00:35:28,970 Well, when Uncle Dickie made out his will that morning, 709 00:35:28,994 --> 00:35:30,360 we thought it was a joke. 710 00:35:30,495 --> 00:35:34,398 Lord Harry and I both thought that he didn't have anything to leave. 711 00:35:34,532 --> 00:35:35,932 I think you mean, Miss Durham, 712 00:35:36,067 --> 00:35:38,229 that you thought it was a joke. 713 00:35:38,370 --> 00:35:42,273 You can hardly say that you knew what the defendant was thinking. 714 00:35:42,407 --> 00:35:44,376 - Well, no, but... - Just answer me this. 715 00:35:44,509 --> 00:35:46,774 Was the defendant mention in that will, 716 00:35:46,911 --> 00:35:48,539 and if so, for how much money? 717 00:35:48,680 --> 00:35:50,057 For a quarter of a million dollars. 718 00:35:50,081 --> 00:35:51,258 Thank you, Miss Durham. That'll be all. 719 00:35:51,282 --> 00:35:54,252 - Mr. Mason? - Miss Durham, 720 00:35:54,386 --> 00:35:55,911 to your knowledge did anything occur 721 00:35:56,054 --> 00:35:59,991 that might've caused your uncle to feel that his life was in danger? 722 00:36:00,125 --> 00:36:01,559 No, I don't think so. 723 00:36:01,693 --> 00:36:03,525 Did you know at that time what caused 724 00:36:03,662 --> 00:36:06,791 your uncle's sudden decision to move out of your house the next day? 725 00:36:06,931 --> 00:36:10,800 No, and he was gone before I had another chance to talk to him. 726 00:36:10,935 --> 00:36:13,302 Thank you, Miss Durham. That'll be all. 727 00:36:14,906 --> 00:36:19,606 Mr. Simpson, Richard Durham's decision to leave his brother's house 728 00:36:19,744 --> 00:36:21,770 seems to be troubling the defense counsel. 729 00:36:21,913 --> 00:36:23,779 Can you throw any light on that, sir? 730 00:36:23,915 --> 00:36:26,578 Yes, I made it very clear to Mrs. Durham 731 00:36:26,718 --> 00:36:29,210 that his influence on Paula was an unhealthy one 732 00:36:29,354 --> 00:36:32,085 and it would be better all around if he left for good. 733 00:36:32,223 --> 00:36:34,385 Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Counselor. 734 00:36:34,526 --> 00:36:36,961 Are we to assume, Mr. Simpson, 735 00:36:37,095 --> 00:36:38,529 that it was Mrs. Durham 736 00:36:38,663 --> 00:36:40,393 who ordered her brother-in-law out? 737 00:36:40,532 --> 00:36:42,000 I think it's safe to assume 738 00:36:42,133 --> 00:36:43,601 she felt Paula's friendship with me 739 00:36:43,735 --> 00:36:45,346 was more important than Durham's feelings. 740 00:36:45,370 --> 00:36:48,738 How she accomplished his ejection, if she did, I couldn't say. 741 00:36:50,642 --> 00:36:52,508 I represented Rimrock Oil 742 00:36:52,644 --> 00:36:57,207 in obtaining the lease from R.W. Durham eight years ago. 743 00:36:57,348 --> 00:36:59,408 That was the name on the title, 744 00:36:59,551 --> 00:37:03,044 but I had know way of knowing there were two R. W. Durhams. 745 00:37:03,188 --> 00:37:05,555 When I learned this, just a few months ago, 746 00:37:05,690 --> 00:37:08,751 I immediately attempted to negotiate a new lease. 747 00:37:08,893 --> 00:37:10,521 Directly with the decedent? 748 00:37:10,662 --> 00:37:12,221 At first, yes, 749 00:37:12,363 --> 00:37:15,424 but the man had an exaggerated sense of values, 750 00:37:15,567 --> 00:37:19,060 so I wrote to the "buddy" he'd mentioned... Mr. Fothergill... 751 00:37:19,204 --> 00:37:21,901 Asking him to use his good offices, 752 00:37:22,040 --> 00:37:24,532 unsuccessfully, I'm afraid. 753 00:37:24,676 --> 00:37:26,076 But just how much of the situation 754 00:37:26,211 --> 00:37:28,373 did you explain in your letter to the defendant? 755 00:37:28,513 --> 00:37:31,278 Enough to suggest the amounts of money involved. 756 00:37:31,416 --> 00:37:33,408 In other words, Mr. Warden, 757 00:37:33,551 --> 00:37:35,281 the defendant was fully aware 758 00:37:35,420 --> 00:37:36,911 that his friend, Dickie Durham, 759 00:37:37,055 --> 00:37:38,921 far from being penniless, 760 00:37:39,057 --> 00:37:41,925 might actually be worth as much as $200,000? 761 00:37:42,060 --> 00:37:43,722 Yes, sir. 762 00:37:43,862 --> 00:37:46,730 That'll be all, Mr. Warden. Thank you very much, sir. 763 00:37:46,865 --> 00:37:49,630 - Counselor? To you. - One moment, Your Honor. 764 00:37:50,635 --> 00:37:51,728 Very well, Mr. Mason. 765 00:37:52,771 --> 00:37:53,898 Is that true, Harry? 766 00:37:54,038 --> 00:37:55,404 No. No, Mr. Mason. 767 00:37:55,540 --> 00:37:57,873 No, uh... Dickie tore up that letter 768 00:37:58,009 --> 00:37:59,910 before I barely laid eyes on it. 769 00:38:00,044 --> 00:38:02,309 I suppose I knew there was some money out to him, 770 00:38:02,447 --> 00:38:05,383 but it never occurred to me it might be honest. 771 00:38:05,517 --> 00:38:07,679 You've got to understand, Mr. Mason, 772 00:38:07,819 --> 00:38:10,288 every time that Dickie got those happy giggles, 773 00:38:10,421 --> 00:38:13,755 it was like as if he wanted to hurt somebody, you know? 774 00:38:13,892 --> 00:38:18,262 He'd say, "All right, if they want to pay, let them pay, 775 00:38:18,396 --> 00:38:20,661 but make them pay double." 776 00:38:20,799 --> 00:38:23,325 Me, I was kind of... 777 00:38:23,468 --> 00:38:25,460 I'd settle for the pub, you know. 778 00:38:25,603 --> 00:38:29,335 I'd say, "All right, let's head for the pub and be happy." 779 00:38:29,474 --> 00:38:31,443 Della, get hold of Paul. 780 00:38:31,576 --> 00:38:33,442 I want him to go to Bakersfield right away. 781 00:38:33,578 --> 00:38:35,046 Right. 782 00:38:36,815 --> 00:38:37,874 Please, Mr. Mason. 783 00:38:38,016 --> 00:38:39,450 I ask you now. 784 00:38:39,584 --> 00:38:42,110 If a man's got a friend that ain't no good, 785 00:38:42,253 --> 00:38:43,380 what's he going to do, 786 00:38:43,521 --> 00:38:45,513 I mean ditch or stay with him 787 00:38:45,657 --> 00:38:47,455 and try and keep him from being so bad? 788 00:38:48,660 --> 00:38:52,620 I mean, there ain't none of us perfect, now. Is there, Mr. Mason? 789 00:38:56,034 --> 00:38:59,801 Mr. Mason, I'm not sure that it's ethical for me to talk to you. 790 00:38:59,938 --> 00:39:02,567 Is the District Attorney going to call you as a witness? 791 00:39:02,707 --> 00:39:04,539 I don't think so. He hasn't subpoenaed me. 792 00:39:04,676 --> 00:39:06,907 Then there is no ethical or legal reason 793 00:39:07,045 --> 00:39:10,106 why you can't tell me how you persuaded Dickie to leave your house. 794 00:39:10,248 --> 00:39:13,309 I simply told him it was best for all concerned. 795 00:39:14,485 --> 00:39:16,954 But why would he walk out on all that money? 796 00:39:17,088 --> 00:39:19,853 He never liked involved situations. 797 00:39:19,991 --> 00:39:21,482 I think he was happy to escape. 798 00:39:21,626 --> 00:39:24,528 From what was he escaping when he left 20 years ago? 799 00:39:24,662 --> 00:39:26,324 I don't know. 800 00:39:26,464 --> 00:39:29,366 He was always footloose. 801 00:39:29,500 --> 00:39:32,834 You were in love with him then, weren't you? 802 00:39:32,971 --> 00:39:35,839 Mr. Mason, I don't wish to discuss this any further. 803 00:39:35,974 --> 00:39:39,342 - Did you stay in love with him? - No. No, I didn't. 804 00:39:39,477 --> 00:39:40,638 Oh, before he came back, 805 00:39:40,778 --> 00:39:43,771 I suppose I had some middle-aged memories, 806 00:39:43,915 --> 00:39:46,350 but after I saw him again, 807 00:39:46,484 --> 00:39:48,419 he was so obviously dishonest. 808 00:39:48,553 --> 00:39:52,547 But Paula was very fond of him, wasn't she? 809 00:39:52,690 --> 00:39:54,716 She was too young to know. 810 00:39:54,859 --> 00:39:57,090 Oh, she'd remember the Christmas presents he'd sent her, 811 00:39:57,228 --> 00:39:58,787 and you know something? 812 00:39:58,930 --> 00:40:00,694 Dickie never picked out one of them. 813 00:40:00,832 --> 00:40:03,028 It was really Lord Harry who sent them. 814 00:40:03,167 --> 00:40:04,931 I made Harry admit it. 815 00:40:05,069 --> 00:40:08,471 You know, I keep finding that Harry's much more of a person... 816 00:40:08,606 --> 00:40:10,370 Oh, I don't care what he is. 817 00:40:12,510 --> 00:40:17,813 Was it because of Paula that you sent Dickie away? 818 00:40:17,949 --> 00:40:19,110 Please, Mr. Mason, 819 00:40:19,250 --> 00:40:20,650 I don't want to talk about it. 820 00:40:22,186 --> 00:40:24,985 I don't believe that Harry killed him. 821 00:40:25,123 --> 00:40:27,820 I don't think you do either. 822 00:40:27,959 --> 00:40:31,862 Would you want to see an innocent man convicted? 823 00:40:31,996 --> 00:40:34,864 I don't want to see an innocent girl convicted by public opinion 824 00:40:34,999 --> 00:40:36,558 for something that I did, 825 00:40:36,701 --> 00:40:39,694 something that was my fault. 826 00:40:39,837 --> 00:40:42,068 Mrs. Durham, 827 00:40:42,206 --> 00:40:45,608 was Dickie Paula's father? 828 00:40:46,644 --> 00:40:48,670 Yes. 829 00:40:48,813 --> 00:40:50,873 About a month before Dickie left Bakersfield, 830 00:40:51,015 --> 00:40:52,608 we were married in Tijuana. 831 00:40:52,750 --> 00:40:54,275 At least we went through a ceremony. 832 00:40:54,419 --> 00:40:56,479 It wasn't recorded right, or something. 833 00:40:56,621 --> 00:40:58,249 At any rate, when Dickie found out, 834 00:40:58,389 --> 00:41:00,620 he... he disappeared. 835 00:41:01,626 --> 00:41:03,322 And just after that you married Russell. 836 00:41:03,461 --> 00:41:05,828 He'd been in love with me for a long time. 837 00:41:05,964 --> 00:41:07,262 Does Russell know? 838 00:41:07,398 --> 00:41:09,060 Of course he knows, 839 00:41:09,200 --> 00:41:10,634 but not anybody else, 840 00:41:10,768 --> 00:41:12,634 not until I told Dickie. 841 00:41:12,770 --> 00:41:16,969 After that he... Well, he just went away quietly. 842 00:41:17,108 --> 00:41:19,907 I guess I hoped that for once he was going to do something decent. 843 00:41:21,346 --> 00:41:22,405 Oh, Mr. Mason, 844 00:41:22,547 --> 00:41:24,812 does all of this have to become public now? 845 00:41:24,949 --> 00:41:28,818 I'll try to prevent it. 846 00:41:28,953 --> 00:41:33,391 Thank you very much for trusting me, Mrs. Durham. 847 00:41:33,524 --> 00:41:36,619 If Paula found out, I don't know what she'd do. 848 00:41:36,761 --> 00:41:38,753 She loves Russell so... 849 00:41:38,896 --> 00:41:40,091 As her father... 850 00:41:40,231 --> 00:41:42,530 Do you know whether Dickie spoke to Russell about this? 851 00:41:42,667 --> 00:41:45,535 Did he perhaps threaten to tell Paula 852 00:41:45,670 --> 00:41:47,430 unless he was given what he'd come here for? 853 00:41:47,472 --> 00:41:50,067 Well, no. No, I'm sure he didn't. 854 00:41:56,647 --> 00:41:58,411 Are you ready to proceed, Mr. Mason? 855 00:42:00,018 --> 00:42:01,213 Your Honor, 856 00:42:01,352 --> 00:42:04,231 the defense requests the right to withhold cross-examination of this witness 857 00:42:04,255 --> 00:42:05,484 until a later time. 858 00:42:05,623 --> 00:42:08,422 I suppose that'll be all right, Your Honor. 859 00:42:08,559 --> 00:42:10,118 Call you next witness. 860 00:42:10,261 --> 00:42:11,889 I call Mr. George Coleman. 861 00:42:13,164 --> 00:42:17,192 All I know is they seem to be in a beef over some money. 862 00:42:17,335 --> 00:42:20,305 The next thing I know, the thin one... Durham, that is... 863 00:42:20,438 --> 00:42:21,736 Was stalking out, 864 00:42:21,873 --> 00:42:23,933 and the other guy... uh, him... 865 00:42:24,075 --> 00:42:25,509 He was lying on the floor. 866 00:42:25,643 --> 00:42:27,635 Right away I said to myself, "Here we go again," 867 00:42:27,779 --> 00:42:29,111 and I reach for the phone. 868 00:42:29,247 --> 00:42:31,978 Only then the limey... uh, him... 869 00:42:32,116 --> 00:42:33,311 Says not to call the police. 870 00:42:33,451 --> 00:42:35,044 He'd handle him good. 871 00:42:35,186 --> 00:42:36,654 He'd handle him good, eh? 872 00:42:36,788 --> 00:42:38,347 Now, let's go back for a moment 873 00:42:38,489 --> 00:42:43,826 to the time when the decedent Dickie Durham was sitting by himself, drinking. 874 00:42:43,961 --> 00:42:45,623 Did anything unusual occur? 875 00:42:45,763 --> 00:42:49,666 Well, he tapped me for some paper and an envelope to write a letter. 876 00:42:49,801 --> 00:42:52,965 Do you know to whom the letter was addressed? 877 00:42:53,104 --> 00:42:55,232 Yeah. He gave it to me to mail for him. 878 00:42:55,373 --> 00:42:58,775 It was to Mr. Perry Mason. 879 00:42:58,910 --> 00:43:00,470 Do you wish to cross-examine, Counselor? 880 00:43:00,511 --> 00:43:02,036 No questions. 881 00:43:02,180 --> 00:43:04,513 I call Miss Della Street to the stand. 882 00:43:06,284 --> 00:43:08,344 You may step down, Mr. Coleman. 883 00:43:08,486 --> 00:43:11,081 '...I'll be in bright and early to sign the new will. 884 00:43:11,222 --> 00:43:12,884 Confusion to our enemies." 885 00:43:13,024 --> 00:43:14,959 Signed, Dickie Durham. 886 00:43:15,093 --> 00:43:18,154 Thank you for reading the letter, Miss Street. 887 00:43:18,296 --> 00:43:21,425 Now, this part about Paula getting the "big chunk." 888 00:43:21,566 --> 00:43:23,797 Exactly what does that mean to you? 889 00:43:23,935 --> 00:43:27,428 That he wanted Paul Durham to receive $250,000. 890 00:43:27,572 --> 00:43:30,633 - Instead of the defendant. - Yes. 891 00:43:30,775 --> 00:43:33,438 But somebody conveniently murdered Dickie Durham 892 00:43:33,578 --> 00:43:36,412 before he could make such a change in his will, 893 00:43:36,547 --> 00:43:40,985 before he could manage to disinherit his erstwhile friend Harry Fothergill. 894 00:43:41,119 --> 00:43:42,781 Isn't that correct, Miss Street? 895 00:43:42,920 --> 00:43:44,752 Yes, but he still wanted to leave 50,000... 896 00:43:44,889 --> 00:43:48,348 I think we understand the implications here, Miss Street. 897 00:43:48,493 --> 00:43:49,756 You wish to... 898 00:43:49,894 --> 00:43:52,693 You wish to cross-examine, Mr. Mason? 899 00:43:52,830 --> 00:43:55,322 No questions. 900 00:43:55,466 --> 00:43:57,128 Your Honor, with the court's indulgence, 901 00:43:57,268 --> 00:44:00,170 I would now like to recall Mr. Frank Warden for cross-examination. 902 00:44:00,304 --> 00:44:02,170 Very well, Mr. Mason. 903 00:44:03,341 --> 00:44:06,436 You realize of course that you're still under oath? 904 00:44:06,577 --> 00:44:07,977 I know. 905 00:44:08,112 --> 00:44:12,311 Would you care to correct any of your previous testimony at this time? 906 00:44:12,450 --> 00:44:13,509 No. 907 00:44:13,651 --> 00:44:17,645 At any rate, let's review part of your testimony. 908 00:44:17,788 --> 00:44:21,122 To wit, "I had no way of knowing 909 00:44:21,259 --> 00:44:23,728 there were two R.W. Durhams. 910 00:44:23,861 --> 00:44:25,955 When I learned this, just a few months ago, 911 00:44:26,097 --> 00:44:28,464 I attempted to negotiate a new lease." 912 00:44:29,500 --> 00:44:32,629 - I see nothing wrong with that. - Don't you? 913 00:44:32,770 --> 00:44:34,261 Isn't it true that eight years ago, 914 00:44:34,405 --> 00:44:37,864 prior to accepting Russell Durham's signature on that lease, 915 00:44:38,009 --> 00:44:40,706 you made a long and extensive search for Richard Durham? 916 00:44:40,845 --> 00:44:42,177 Well, no, that's... that's not... 917 00:44:42,313 --> 00:44:43,747 Mr. Warden, 918 00:44:43,881 --> 00:44:45,975 would you please examine these. 919 00:44:47,051 --> 00:44:50,920 They are records of a missing persons agency in Bakersfield. 920 00:44:51,055 --> 00:44:52,535 You will find there a detailed report 921 00:44:52,590 --> 00:44:56,527 of the agency's effort to locate a Mr. Richard Durham, 922 00:44:56,661 --> 00:45:00,120 also the original letter requesting that, that search be made. 923 00:45:00,264 --> 00:45:02,893 Yes. 924 00:45:03,034 --> 00:45:04,696 I guess I hired these people, but I... 925 00:45:04,835 --> 00:45:07,862 And then rather abruptly called off their search. 926 00:45:08,005 --> 00:45:10,201 But they'd been so unsuccessful. 927 00:45:10,341 --> 00:45:11,468 Didn't you call it off 928 00:45:11,609 --> 00:45:15,102 because you managed to find Richard Durham yourself? 929 00:45:15,246 --> 00:45:17,715 No. No, I didn't. 930 00:45:17,848 --> 00:45:20,443 It was his brother who heard from him. It was Russell. 931 00:45:20,585 --> 00:45:24,147 Your Honor, may I interrupt 932 00:45:24,288 --> 00:45:27,258 the questionable testimony of this witness 933 00:45:27,391 --> 00:45:30,555 to ask these same questions of Mr. Russell Durham? 934 00:45:30,695 --> 00:45:31,311 Well... 935 00:45:31,335 --> 00:45:34,462 I'd have no objection to that, Your Honor. 936 00:45:35,733 --> 00:45:39,329 All right, yes, I did hear from Dickie eight years ago. 937 00:45:39,470 --> 00:45:42,929 He was in Spain at the time, and one of my cables caught up with him. 938 00:45:43,074 --> 00:45:46,135 I'd asked if he'd be willing to put a small lease on his land. 939 00:45:46,277 --> 00:45:48,974 And what was your brother's answer, Mr. Durham? 940 00:45:49,113 --> 00:45:52,413 "Don't bother me with songs from peanut vendors," he said. 941 00:45:52,550 --> 00:45:55,019 "When John D. himself sends a million, I'll sign." 942 00:45:55,152 --> 00:45:57,314 So you then went ahead with the deal yourself. 943 00:45:57,455 --> 00:45:58,582 Yes. 944 00:45:58,723 --> 00:46:00,589 And you signed your own name to those leases, 945 00:46:00,725 --> 00:46:02,489 making it look like Richard's signature 946 00:46:02,627 --> 00:46:05,859 so that no title search could or would disclose your fraud. 947 00:46:05,997 --> 00:46:07,431 Yes, I... 948 00:46:07,565 --> 00:46:08,692 I had to. 949 00:46:08,833 --> 00:46:09,926 Why did you have to? 950 00:46:10,067 --> 00:46:12,502 Because I was broke, 951 00:46:12,637 --> 00:46:16,165 because I owed money to Frank Warden. 952 00:46:19,477 --> 00:46:21,912 We only thought it was a short-term thing. 953 00:46:22,046 --> 00:46:24,311 Rimrock's a speculative outfit. 954 00:46:24,448 --> 00:46:28,613 We knew Russell was prepared to reimburse Dickie 955 00:46:28,753 --> 00:46:31,985 if there was oil and if he ever discovered that... 956 00:46:32,123 --> 00:46:33,557 The fact remains 957 00:46:33,691 --> 00:46:37,219 that you prevailed upon Russell Durham to sign a fraudulent lease. 958 00:46:37,361 --> 00:46:40,058 The fact remains that it was your idea and not his. 959 00:46:40,197 --> 00:46:42,530 No, it wasn't my idea. 960 00:46:42,667 --> 00:46:44,829 It... 961 00:46:44,969 --> 00:46:46,437 It came from the head office. 962 00:46:46,570 --> 00:46:49,335 The head office of a company who participates in fraud, 963 00:46:49,473 --> 00:46:51,442 of a company whose officers, I find, 964 00:46:51,575 --> 00:46:55,012 are all conveniently located in Texas or are out of the country? 965 00:46:55,146 --> 00:46:57,411 But I tried to negotiate with Dickie. 966 00:46:57,548 --> 00:46:59,428 Just several months ago when he wrote that he... 967 00:46:59,483 --> 00:47:01,076 You mean he contacted you this time, 968 00:47:01,218 --> 00:47:02,777 instead of vice versa? 969 00:47:02,920 --> 00:47:05,321 And once more, I suppose, you told his brother 970 00:47:05,456 --> 00:47:08,551 that matters had to be handled in a certain way. 971 00:47:08,693 --> 00:47:11,356 If I hadn't handled it, I would have lost my job. 972 00:47:11,495 --> 00:47:13,760 They were making me the fall guy. 973 00:47:13,898 --> 00:47:15,867 Dickie kept holding out. 974 00:47:16,000 --> 00:47:17,229 He'd found out somehow 975 00:47:17,368 --> 00:47:20,497 that Rimrock was in trouble if he pulled away those leases. 976 00:47:20,638 --> 00:47:23,073 So he wanted double value. 977 00:47:23,207 --> 00:47:25,073 Isn't that why he made out a will 978 00:47:25,209 --> 00:47:27,007 for more than his estate was actually worth 979 00:47:27,144 --> 00:47:28,984 because he figured he'd be paid that much more? 980 00:47:29,113 --> 00:47:30,479 He wanted half a million. 981 00:47:30,614 --> 00:47:33,675 That's why he wouldn't talk to his brother about the money. 982 00:47:33,818 --> 00:47:35,844 He knew Russell couldn't pay that much, 983 00:47:35,986 --> 00:47:37,454 but we couldn't pay it either. 984 00:47:37,588 --> 00:47:39,250 So the only way that Rimrock Oil 985 00:47:39,390 --> 00:47:41,935 could make sure of retaining the very lucrative rights to that property 986 00:47:41,959 --> 00:47:43,222 was for Richard Durham to die. 987 00:47:43,361 --> 00:47:46,820 No! I had nothing to do with death. 988 00:47:46,964 --> 00:47:50,196 I wasn't Rimrock Oil. I told him so. 989 00:47:50,334 --> 00:47:52,565 Everything had been taken out of my hands 990 00:47:52,703 --> 00:47:54,399 Taken out of your hands by whom? 991 00:47:54,538 --> 00:47:56,973 The guy behind Rimrock, 992 00:47:57,108 --> 00:47:59,737 the guy who calls all their shots. 993 00:47:59,877 --> 00:48:03,507 You said you'd take care of this thing, Mr. Simpson. 994 00:48:03,647 --> 00:48:05,843 You said I was getting too old. 995 00:48:05,983 --> 00:48:09,750 Okay, it's all yours now. 996 00:48:09,887 --> 00:48:12,186 Let's see you take care of it. 997 00:48:14,325 --> 00:48:19,127 I already did, Mr. Warden. I already did. 998 00:48:23,501 --> 00:48:24,730 You know, when I dated Gil, 999 00:48:24,869 --> 00:48:27,202 he'd never quite say where his holdings were. 1000 00:48:27,338 --> 00:48:28,897 Why, daddy didn't even know. 1001 00:48:29,039 --> 00:48:30,063 But Dickie knew 1002 00:48:30,207 --> 00:48:31,732 because Warden finally had to tell him 1003 00:48:31,876 --> 00:48:33,674 that Gil Simpson was the man to deal with. 1004 00:48:33,811 --> 00:48:37,111 Your uncle was putting on all sorts of pressure, I guess, 1005 00:48:37,248 --> 00:48:40,446 even to his coming up here so they'd know he was talking to a lawyer - 1006 00:48:40,584 --> 00:48:42,712 But Gil was just a little bit too tough for Dickie. 1007 00:48:42,853 --> 00:48:45,053 When they met on the pier that night to talk settlement, 1008 00:48:45,189 --> 00:48:47,749 Dickie made the mistake of threatening Gil with a knife. 1009 00:48:47,892 --> 00:48:51,351 They got into a fight, and that was that. 1010 00:48:51,495 --> 00:48:54,055 My Uncle Dickie really was a horrible man, wasn't he? 1011 00:48:55,599 --> 00:48:58,433 Well, now, I don't think I'd quite say that, Missy. 1012 00:48:58,569 --> 00:49:01,232 I mean, people are a lot of things, you know, 1013 00:49:01,372 --> 00:49:03,932 and after all he did leave you all his money, didn't he? 1014 00:49:04,074 --> 00:49:06,475 You mean the first will wasn't legal? 1015 00:49:06,610 --> 00:49:09,978 Of course it was, completely valid. 1016 00:49:10,114 --> 00:49:12,310 So Harry, as soon as it can be probated, 1017 00:49:12,450 --> 00:49:14,783 it's you who'll receive the bulk of the estate will go. 1018 00:49:14,919 --> 00:49:16,512 But... 1019 00:49:16,654 --> 00:49:17,952 Oh, no, you don't. 1020 00:49:18,088 --> 00:49:19,454 No, you don't, sir. 1021 00:49:19,590 --> 00:49:22,185 Now, Dickie ain't leaving me with no pack of trouble like that. 1022 00:49:22,326 --> 00:49:23,555 All I wanted was my pub. 1023 00:49:23,694 --> 00:49:25,322 Now, it's your money, Missy. You take it. 1024 00:49:25,463 --> 00:49:26,931 I certainly will not. 1025 00:49:27,064 --> 00:49:29,676 - Thank you for being so nice but... - And thank you very much, too. 1026 00:49:29,700 --> 00:49:31,340 Suppose we argue about this later. 1027 00:49:31,469 --> 00:49:34,029 Oh, that reminds me, Mr. Mason. 1028 00:49:34,171 --> 00:49:35,901 My mother sends her thanks. 1029 00:49:36,040 --> 00:49:38,509 I don't know exactly for, though. 1030 00:49:38,642 --> 00:49:41,635 I can't imagine, either, but my thanks for her thanks.