Original subtitles

- Come, boy.

Oh, Rusty, don't get so excited,

it's just a little rabbit.

- As I say, she'd only been visiting me

a couple of weeks this time.

She'd come up from New Orleans on a vacation.

- You and your stepsister weren't too close then.

- No.

I don't know what you mean, doctor.

I mean that she'd come and stay with me once a year or so.

Virginia liked to get away from cities, she said.

Dr. Robinson.

Whatever the cost is for Virginia.

Anything.

I'm only an artist, but I could get it somehow.

Whatever the cost.

- Your stepsister will receive the best of care

here at Highland, Mr. Weston.

The best of hospital care.

- And psychiatric care.

- Dr. Robinson, can't you let me see Virginia?

- In a few days perhaps.

Right now it wouldn't be good for you or for her.

- I, I want to see her.

- I had her placed in 23.

- What was your stepsister doing in New Orleans, Mr. Weston?

- She had a kind of a dancing job down there,

she really didn't tell me very much about it.

Why did it have to happen to her?

The way she stood there screaming.

I'll never forget it the rest of my life.

I didn't mean to.

I don't want to.

But the knife.

She never killed that maniac.

- She doesn't know what she's saying.

- Don't!

I don't want to!

Don't, please!

- It's a deep traumatic shock.

She's dissociated from reality.

- You're right, doctor.

I shouldn't have seen her like this.

The knife.

- Well, I I'd better be going now.

- Perhaps we'll have some news for you

by Thursday or Friday.

- Friday I have a sculpture class in the village.

- We're going to try something a little different

from the tests we made last month, Virginia.

Tell me what you see in it.

- An ink blot, doctor.

- Yes.

Well, what figures of people, or things?

- I see two men crawling.

They're crawling through with knives.

No!

You just want me to speak about it again.

I don't want to think about the knife.

- Don't think about the knife.

You never had the knife.

You mustn't feel guilty.

Virginia, listen to me.

You need help and I want to help you.

I want to do everything I can for you.

- I want to get out of this place.

How long have I been here?

- You can leave soon, when you're well.

I'm trying to help you be well.

Virginia...

Tell me you know I'm trying to help you.

- I know you're trying to help me.

- I'll do everything I can for you.

- You will do all you can for me.

- Shall we go back to your room now, Virginia?

- I know. I shall have my rest now.

Room 23.

- Take a letter to Charles Chapman Weston,

the address is in the files.

Dear Mr. Weston, I should like to give you a report

on progress of your stepsister

while she's undergoing therapy here at Highland.

In all frankness, I must state that any undue optimism

at this time would be most ill-advised.

- Highland Sanitarium.

I'm sorry, I cannot call Dr. Green

at his bungalow after 8 pm.

Could you call in the morning?

- I was sure his headaches were psychosomatic.

- Dr. Greenwood's spending plenty of time

with his new patient.

Keeping office hours in his bungalow now.

- Oh, I feel so good.

There's nothing wrong with me, is there?

- You're much better than you were six months ago, Virginia.

- Will I leave here soon and go back to dancing?

- Would that make you happy?

- Yes. How can I ever thank you for all you've done for me?

For letting me have so much freedom

and taking care of me so well.

- I'll always take care of you, Virginia.

- You need me and I n...

You need me, remember that.

You need me to look after you.

- Yes.

I know I do.

But I get frightened sometimes and think about that night.

- Don't think about that!

It's over.

It never happened.

- No.

It never happened, did it?

I had a dog once.

Did I ever tell you about my dog?

But I don't remember where.

I don't remember where it was.

Can I have a dog again?

- When we leave here, you can have anything you want.

- But you're not leaving.

You're a doctor.

Are you going to leave here too?

Please don't leave me.

- Do you trust me?

- Yes.

- Will you do anything I say?

- Yes.

I want to get out of this place.

Please don't leave me.

♪ Bam, bam, bamba-layam ♪

♪ Bam bam bam bam bam bam ♪

♪ Bam bam bam ♪

♪ Bam bam bam ♪

♪ Bam bam ♪

♪ Bam bam ♪

♪ Aah ♪

Cigarette.

- Hey, drink up, Barney, you're on an expense account.

My rent's clue.

Isn't that a beautiful specimen?

I built a career on heads like that.

And now boys and girls, the moment

you've all been waiting for.

And this, believe me, gives me

a great deal of pleasure.

I'm introducing to El Madhouse a newcomer.

And I'm sure you're gonna agree that once you've seen her,

she's gonna be around for a long time.

I give you, Yolanda.

Miss Yolanda Lang.

- Come on, everybody on their feet.

This gives us a good chance to empty the ashtrays.

Sweeney! The press!

They freeload

and they don't spell our names right,

but we love 'em anyway.

Love you too, Joannie.

Nice to see you haven't been raided yet.

- Yeah.

Paul, never give this guy a check, never.

Dropped in to catch my new cupcake, huh?

I tell you, Bill, she is the greatest thing

in the history of nightclub entertainment.

- Matches.

- What time- - Uh-uh-uh.

- Do you get off tonight? - Uh-uh-uh.

Don't touch the candy, junior.

Where, where did this chick come from?

- Out of left field.

She walked in here absolutely cold.

Would you like to meet her?

- Yeah.

I've got to go to work sooner or later.

- Well, come on.

Yolanda.

- Yes?

- I want you to meet a friend of mine. Bill Sweeney.

Does a nightclub column for the Times.

- How do you do?

- That's quite an act you have.

- Thank you.

- Oh, I thought tonight was the best ever.

- He doesn't like to be patted.

Lie down, Devil.

Well, maybe we could have that drink

after the show if tonight, Yolanda,

if you're not too tired.

- All right.

- And you can always mention me in that column of yours, honey

if there's any room left over.

Or at least El Madhouse.

- That's a promise, Joannie.

Yolanda Lang?

- Yolanda Lang.

Who made up a name like that?

- Does it matter?

- Not to me.

Even if your name was Suzie Schwartzkopf,

I'd uh, I'd like to take you out

and see what trouble we could find.

Oh?

- Pure research, you understand.

- Of course.

How tall are you, Yolanda?

- With heels?

- With anybody.

Me, for instance.

- With heels I'm 5' 10".

Without, 5' 7".

- And you're Norwegian?

Swedish.

- Originally.

- Nobody could ever accuse you

of talking too much, could they?

- I've never found it necessary.

Be careful!

- Sure.

What is it?

- It's just a figure.

- Weird-looking dame, isn't she?

Uh, you've never worked around here before, have you?

- Well, uh, just a little bit around-

- Yolanda.

- This is my manager, Mr. Green.

- Bill Sweeney, Mr. Green.

- You're the newspaperman.

- I like to think I am.

I cover the night beat.

Ride the police cars,

write about the messes people get into.

Everything from who's playing footsie with who this week

on up to who's murdering who.

- Well, Miss Lang doesn't give interviews.

Thank you, Mr. Sweeney.

Yolanda must change now.

- Everybody in this business wants publicity, Green.

- Surely it wouldn't do any harm to talk to him.

- Miss Lang doesn't need publicity, Mr. Sweeney.

Good night, sir.

- Suit yourself.

Maybe the Garbo routine can work again.

But I wouldn't bet my life on it.

Still a heck of a night, Yolanda.

Even without publicity.

- What did you tell him?

- I told him nothing.

Why can't I talk?

- You must do as I say!

Please don't talk to people like that.

You were better tonight.

You remembered almost everything.

Where did you get this?

I told you weeks ago to get rid of it.

I don't want you to have it.

You see yourself in it,

you brood over it, it disturbs you,

it brings back everything I want you to forget,

I don't know why you insist on keeping it.

I'm not going to take it away from you.

I want you to be strong enough to destroy it yourself.

I'm sorry.

I don't like to talk to you like that.

But you must let me decide certain things,

you must let me handle strangers.

- I know.

- In a little while, we'll have enough money

to go to Europe to live.

We won't have to hide anymore.

I can become Dr. Greenwood again.

There will be no more men staring at you.

Just the two of us.

With nothing to worry about.

- I hope so.

- I'm going by that little French restaurant

and get some supper.

I don't drink enough to obscure

the taste of Joann's cuisine.

You'll be ready to go back to the apartment

in about an hour.

- Joann asked me to have a drink with her afterwards.

- I'll pick you up about 12:00.

What happened?

Who called the cops?

- Me. I was looking out my window.

This blonde with the dog was waltzing by.

All of a sudden the dog starts growling at something.

There's some guy in the shadows

and he pulls her down there.

The dog goes for him and he takes off like a bat.

The next thing I know the blonde folds up like an accordion.

- Thanks for the ride, Mac.

- Be my guest any time.

Hi, Chuck. 401?

- Looks like it.

Sweeney, if this is the most excitement

you can find tonight, you're in trouble.

It's only a drunk.

- That's life.

- Somebody else called.

- I was upstairs, I heard a growl, I came down-

- Alright, everybody, stick around, please.

- What's the trouble here? - Down there, officer, a woman.

I don't know why us citizens

can't get better service for our taxes.

Don't get too near the dog.

- Oh, she's drunk.

- She's stabbed. - Look, she's been stabbed!

Somebody call the-

- Don't be a hero, Bill, a dog like that

can be a devil on wheels in a fight.

Call a waggon. Homicide.

- Don't shoot him, Mac. He's not mad.

Yolanda.

Yolanda.

Easy, Devil.

Easy, boy.

Yolanda.

- Keep talking to him.

He likes the sound of your voice.

Scottie, see if you can try and inch around behind him.

Protect yourself.

We may get out of this without too much trouble.

Keep talking.

- Four score and seven years ago

our forefathers brought forth on this continent

Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

There'll be a little change in temperature.

Fog, no clouds near the coast.

It's raining, it's raining, there's pepper in the box.

All the little ladies are putting on their frocks.

- Now, Scottie, now.

- Somebody get a blanket.

Here comes the waggon.

- The dog must have scared off

whoever it was before he finished.

- Drop you off at the paper?

- Yeah, thanks.

- What did you say her name was?

- Yolanda.

Yolanda Lang.

Let's see the file on Lola Lake, the last Ripper case.

Exactly one month ago.

Well, he wrote a good story, didn't he?

- Hm-hmm.

He attacked practically the same way.

Same cut across the belly.

I've seen that statue before.

- Hey, Sweeney.

- You're in the wrong morgue, aren't you?

- Mac, you know Captain Bline.

- Bline?

James Erwin. Homicide.

- You got that right, Mac.

Quite a file I have for you, captain.

- Why are you so interested in Lola, Sweeney?

She's last month's news.

- Any resemblance to the attack on Yolanda Lang

seems more than purely coincidental.

- I know you'd love to trade in that honorary police badge

for a nice shiny one like mine.

But what would you do without all the excitement,

glamour and frivolity of your upholstered sewers?

- I'll take a crime beat any day.

Even if it means running into you, Bline.

- Well, I wish you luck.

- Thanks, I'll need it.

Yolanda.

What actually did happen that night?

- I was walking.

Devil growled at something and pulled me down the stairs.

I saw a shadow coming at me.

Devil jumped.

But the man got away.

- Yolanda, where did you know Lola Lake?

- I don't know her.

- That's Lola.

The Ripper did a better job on her.

She's pretty, isn't she?

- She was then.

I'm afraid.

- You've got a right to be.

He'll try it again.

- You don't mean that.

You will help me, won't you?

- Maybe I can help you now, Yolanda.

Who sent you that statue?

- Statue?

- The one in your dressing room,

the naked figure, the frightened girl.

- I haven't got a statue in my dressing room.

- The one on the shelf you told me to be careful with.

- Sometimes...

I don't know how to tell you this, but...

sometimes I can't remember things.

Many things.

- Yolanda, listen to me.

I'm trying to help you.

- Yes, you are, aren't you?

I think you really are.

- I can't if I don't find out a few things.

- Please don't try.

- Why shouldn't I?

- Because...

Because I don't want you to get hurt too.

- By whom, Green?

- No, you're wrong.

- I gave strict orders the patient

wasn't to be disturbed at all.

Did Miss MacDonald say that you may come up here?

- That's right.

- Well she'd rather get her name in the papers, hm?

All right, then you must be through.

- Just one little question, Doc.

Are you married, Miss Lang?

- I'm not married.

- Thanks.

Hope you'll feel better.

You're getting hot pants for a real story,

aren't you, Junior?

- Maybe.

But I know there's gotta be a story

when two sexy blondes are knifed the same way

and both have the same taste in statues.

"Police traced Miss Lake's actions prior to murder.

Shopping, movie theatre,

Made a purchase at the gift shop

of Raoul Renard 731 Craig St.

at approximately 7 o'clock last evening."

- Ah, yes, I remember.

Fascinating group of characters Miss Lake associated with.

- Raoul Renard, who's he?

- Raoul loves beautiful things of all kinds.

- Can I go after the story?

- Let neither rain or snow nor uncooperative witnesses

keep you from a great story, William.

But don't forget,

wear some protection around your gut.

At least after dark, huh?

- Okay, Walter, I'll be careful.

- Well? Change your mind?

- A thought just occurred to me.

No guts if I back out now.

And maybe.

What did you call it?

- Mimi.

M-I-M-I, the girl's name.

Screaming Mimi.

Obvious pun, of course.

The catalogue number is SM-1.

And an individual in the manufacturer's office

with a sense of humour, or the macabre,

decided that SM stood for Screaming Mimi.

- Who was the sculptor?

- That I don't know.

Exquisite little thing, isn't it?

Although, as I say, it never sold.

- Does anyone else in the city carry it?

- No. I have an exclusive on the line.

- You said there were three of them?

- Yes.

The other was sold the next day for cash.

For my own curiosity, I too wondered

who might have wanted the other one.

- I'd like to buy this one.

- Well.

I think perhaps I am a little weary of the lady.

If you like. It's $42 or $45.

Something under 50 I believe with the irksome taxes.

Oh, Jan, could you help us a moment, please?

- Certainly.

- Jan, Mr. Sweeney has persuaded me

to let him have the Mimi.

- Oh.

Gift-wrapped?

- Just plain, clear.

Good evening, Manor House.

- Miss Yolanda Lang's apartment, please.

They don't accept any calls.

She'll take this call.

I'm sorry.

Would you like to leave a message?

- No, skip it.

Well, honey bunch, I think we're one jump ahead of the cops.

All I have to do is find your sister.

Looks like I've got a case of opening-night jitters myself.

Can't seem to keep it steady at all.

How are your nerves this evening, Mr. Green?

Ten bucks you can't keep her from falling off.

Or does Yolanda have to make a 100

before you'll try 10 with me?

Green, there's a statuette of a woman screaming,

ever see one?

Is this your idea of a joke?

- It was.

You win the bet.

It was worth it.

I wouldn't have believed you.

But I do believe the edges of this piece of paper.

- Very clever, Sweeney.

Your own home-made lie detector.

No, your reaction indicator.

- You know about that?

- I know something about psychiatry.

As an amateur.

To your ill health.

- To yours.

- Happy hunting, Sweeney.

May you get to the Ripper, or vice-versa.

- Not with the feet, Ketti, we dance with the head.

- Hi, sexy.

- What brings you down here today, William?

- If I'm gonna write about you in the column, honey,

I gotta find out what's new.

Can I come in or shall we neck out in the hall?

What-what kind of perfume is that?

- A maiden-lady aunt of mine just visited San Francisco.

Brought me some incense from Chinatown.

- Don't inhale it too far.

- Hasn't bugged me yet.

- They sound like they rehearsed in separate buildings.

Um, how, how have you been, Joann?

- Till Yolanda gets back Friday,

I'll have to work an extra show each night.

How should I be?

How's your psychosis today?

- I uh, I just came up for a little gin and sympathy.

And to find out who sent Yolanda a statue

she had in her dressing room a few weeks ago.

- I didn't see it. What statue?

- A dame. A few clothes on.

Besides that she was practically nude.

You must have seen it, Joann.

You see everything.

- So all right, I'm a liar.

I tell you I didn't see it.

What's so important about a statue anyway?

- I wish I knew.

And I'd give a big red apple to know who sent it to her.

- Well.

Why don't you ask her?

Or is that too simple?

- I get the same lines from her I get from you.

She never heard of it.

Listen, Joann, give me the dope.

What's this Indian sign Green has over her?

- You're asking me?

For all I know, the way he looks after her,

you'd think her bosom was something unique.

- I thought you and Yolanda were real true-blue chums.

- I'm chums with everybody who works for me.

Interview over?

Sorry, girls.

I didn't realise it was just tea for two.

- Don't call us. We'll call you.

- Captain Bline thought you'd like

to sit at his table, Bill.

- Oh. - I'm sorry, sister.

Any damage to the chest we'd be glad to pay for the repairs.

- Brother, you couldn't even pay for the headlights.

- Sweeney, why I asked you to sit here.

Keep your eyes peeled, watch the faces.

See if there's anybody you remember

being on Leonard with you that night.

- Okay.

But why would anybody take a chance and show up tonight?

- In a crowd like this in the dark?

Maybe it's not so much of a chance.

And a killer who's tried it once

has got to find out how she looks now.

Find out and maybe finish the job.

- Ladies and gentlemen, with a certain amount of pride,

and a great deal of pressure, I mean, pleasure,

our employer, our friend, our own Joann Masters.

♪ When Mrs. O'Leary's cow ♪

♪ Kicked the lantern ♪

♪ In Chicago town ♪

♪ They say that started the fire ♪

♪ That burned Chicago down ♪

♪ That's the story that went around ♪

♪ But here's the real lowdown ♪

♪ Put the blame on Mame, boys ♪

♪ Put the blame on Mame ♪

♪ Mame kissed a buyer from out of town ♪

♪ That kiss burned Chicago down ♪

♪ Put the blame on Mame, boys ♪

♪ Put the blame on Mame ♪

Speaking of the devil.

- You wanted to see me, captain?

- Thought you might sit with us.

- Well, I think I'd better check on Pat.

How is she, Green?

- I think your men might have been a little more considerate

of her state of mind the last few days.

There's no reason to keep badgering her with questions.

- Do you want her slightly badgered or slightly dead?

- Hi, fellas.

I'm having a little welcome-home

party after the show for Yolanda.

You fellows like to hang around?

You too, Sweeney.

♪ Oh Genevieve, sweet Genevieve ♪

♪ The days may come, but they may go ♪

♪ But still ♪

- Oh, brother, the joint's loaded with talent tonight.

♪ The blissful dreams of long ago ♪

♪ Oh Genevieve, sweet Genevieve ♪

- I'll have another one, Paul.

- And don't shortchange my friend

like you do these other citizens.

Bill, not that I'm hacked about it,

but how come Joann allows all these characters here

to soak up the juice this way?

- You don't think this party is for laughs, do you?

Half these characters are here because Bline wanted them.

- You mean they're taking someone in tonight?

- I think so.

If Yolanda can identify them.

- Well now man, don't, don't give me that Tracy stare,

I can't even play mumbley pegs with a knife.

- Anything happening around here?

- For a while it was like being back on traffic detail.

Trying to keep out all the lushes

who wanted to get her autograph.

But it's quieted down now.

- Well, I'll see you.

- How goes it, Bline?

- Oh, ripping.

Do you mind telling me something?

Just as a friend, nothing else.

Your number one suspect, male or female?

- I'll make a deal with you, Sweeney.

I'll answer you that one when you answer the $64,000 one.

Who could have done it that had any motive?

Having a good time?

- Where's your star?

- Preparing for the grand entrance, I guess.

Her impresario is beginning to roll down the red carpet.

I told you to stay back there

and keep your eye on her!

- She's out here, isn't she?

I figured that when she left her dressing room

she was coming out here.

- Congratulations on your efficiency, captain.

- You want to help me find her?

Or do you want to make a speech?

Get me the department, I want to talk to McIntyre.

- Yolanda.

I was worried about you.

- I didn't want to stay there with all those people.

They're strangers.

- What brought you back here?

- Back where?

Devil and I were just taking a walk.

- This isn't just any street.

You were here before.

Let's forget about it.

- Strange I would be back here, isn't it?

Why would you be here?

- Just a crazy hunch.

- I'm glad you have your crazy hunches.

Please stay with me for a while.

- Can I tell you something?

- You can tell me anything.

- Green wasn't wrong when he said I was interested in you

because you were good copy.

- It doesn't matter now. We're together.

- No, listen to me, maybe the main reason was-

- I know.

Right now the only reason is I need you very much.

Why did you wait so long to tell me that?

People must be looking for you.

Don't you think we-

- I don't want to think about people.

Sometimes I wonder how much people think about me.

Don't wonder any longer.

My darling.

I don't care.

- It seems different when I...

I'm a different person with you.

Just for one hour.

- Don't go away.

What?

- I want you too much.

You'll start remembering like that.

- I won't go away anymore.

What can't you forget?

- We both promised, no questions.

We're happy together.

It is all that matters.

Please, darling.

No questions.

No questions.

Not even your real name.

I told you, I don't have a name.

I'm just a girl you found and missed one night.

Isn't that enough?

- You talk too much.

Much too much.

It's all right, darling.

I'm right here.

It was just a bad dream.

- Oh. Oh hold me tight.

Don't ever let me go.

- What was it?

What can't you forget?

Green?

You've got to get away from him.

You'll never be happy until you do.

- I want to, but, but I can't.

- Just leave.

Today, in an hour.

Don't tell him where you're moving.

It's as simple as that.

- Is it?

- Of course it is.

I'll help you.

- I wish I could be sure.

- You can be.

- Oh, you're so good to me.

- I'll be with you in a little while.

I'll put a lot of dots, dots, dots in the column

and pick you up at your apartment in about an hour.

- I will be ready. Apartment 3-1.

- I think I can remember it.

Keep her running, Ben, I'll be down in a few minutes.

You're gonna have another ride

with the most beautiful girl in the world.

Where's Yolanda?

- She's here.

- Don't try and stop me, Green.

- I'd already have done that.

You have a visitor.

- Yolanda, what's the matter? Tell me.

- She evidently realised that she doesn't need you.

Is there anything else you want before you go?

- Yolanda, get your things and let's go.

What's happened to you since this morning?

- We said no questions.

Don't ask me.

- You've got to decide, darling, once and for all.

Well, it didn't last forever, did it?

- Please understand me.

Did I say what you wanted?

- Look at me.

You said what you wanted, didn't you?

- You're worried about me.

You haven't slept at all, have you?

- I don't know which was worse.

Not knowing what happened to you when you disappeared

or, or realising that you must be with him.

- You treat me as a child.

You watch me and you guard me.

You won't let anybody near me.

- Because I have to, you have to be watched.

Do you realise where you'd be if I didn't?

Locked up in some cell!

Not knowing the difference between what was real

and what you dreamed!

Yes, I look after you, and I watch you,

and I guard you.

I've given up everything for you.

- Don't I have a life of my own?

- No! Not without me!

You're nothing without me!

- I don't care. Just leave me alone.

- I can't.

I need you too.

- This came, Mr. Sweeney.

- Thank you, Mrs. Myers.

- Look, strangers can ask me

about anything else I've worked on.

But Screaming Mimi is personal.

How is it you know about it?

- Why shouldn't I?

I tried to sell it for you.

I'm Horace Sweeney of the Ganslin Art Company.

- Ganslin?

I'm-I'm sorry, Mr. Sweeney.

Usually the company sends Mr. Burke up here, you know.

You don't wan to make any more like it, do you?

- No. I uh, I just like it myself.

We've only sold about 40 altogether.

- They shouldn't be sold anyway.

You people shouldn't try to sell it

and I shouldn't have made it.

Too personal.

The way Virginia stood there screaming.

It stuck in my mind

until I had to make it or go crazy myself.

After I made it, I should have destroyed it.

It was like selling your own sister.

I stayed drunk a whole week.

- I don't blame you.

- She was a swell girl, you know, mister...

- Sweeney.

- Sweeney.

She was a little mixed up sometimes, but...

- Aren't we all?

- I guess I am.

They call me Crazy Charlie around here, you know.

They probably call me Crazy Sweeney

where I come from.

To craziness.

- To our kind of craziness.

The other kind...

- Who was Virginia?

- She was my stepsister.

She used to come and visit me here every once in a while.

One morning she was out there in the shower

and an escaped maniac came at her.

All bloody with a knife.

I heard her screaming, and I grabbed my rifle.

But the shock sent her to Highland Sanitarium.

A wonderful doctor took charge

of the case there for nothing.

Seven months later he wrote me the bad news.

She died.

- You didn't even want to go to the funeral, huh?

I can see how you wouldn't feel like it.

That's quite a story.

I can't quite figure it out, Charlie.

A girl was attacked some time ago, Lola Lake.

She had a Mimi with her.

A month later, another girl, Yolanda Lang.

But you've never heard of them, have you?

I didn't think so.

Well, a guy knifed Yolanda too.

And she had a copy of the statue.

Don't look at me, I haven't got the answers.

I'd hoped you would.

A part of it anyway.

- Thank you, Tracy.

I'm awful busy, junior.

- It can wait.

Mimi, meet Walter Krieg, Walter meet Mimi, Screaming Mimi.

- Charmed. Now get that thing out of here.

- Walter, listen. Listen good and fast.

Remember?

Lola Lake had one of these.

I showed it to you in the news shot.

It was splattered all over the alley.

- What the devil are you getting at?

- The Ripper.

He's got Mimi's sister.

I saw it in Yolanda Lang's dressing room

before it disappeared.

The Ripper went after Yolanda exactly the same way.

Now for the statue.

Mimi here was made by an old duck down the coast.

He made it after his stepsister

was practically killed in front of his eyes.

Walter, the Ripper and Mimi they go together

as sure as we're standing here.

How I don't know.

But I have got one wild idea that might give us an answer.

And make us look like real smart guys.

- The Ripper's got something like that?

- He sent it to Yolanda just before he went after her.

With a nice little morbid calling card.

- You think he stole it back from her

after he went for her and missed?

- Right. It was and is a fetish with him.

He wouldn't be without it.

- Lola Lake had one with her when she was attacked.

Yolanda was sent one just before she was attacked.

- I tell you it's gotta be more than just a coincidence.

- Keep talking.

- If we print the picture, somebody might recognise it

and remember where they saw it.

Then we'd nail the Ripper.

A bellboy, a landlady, a friend, an enemy.

Nobody can forget something that looks like this.

- Send Herb in.

- Are you with me, Walter?

- Front page.

Extra extra! Read all about it!

Slasher has the statue.

- "Somewhere in this city

a murderer is staring at this statue,

he is the murderer of Lola Lake.

The psychopath who tried to kill Yolanda Lang.

This statue is his trademark, his fetish.

Have you seen it?""

- Yeah, and just because Sweeney

likes to play with his typewriter,

we spend the night here in Yolanda Lang's basement

listening in and waiting for a killer to appear,

instead of playing pinochle at home like any sensible cop.

- Boy, imagination is a wonderful thing, isn't it?

And Sweeney is sure full of it.

- Not Yolanda's phone.

- Well, stick with it.

Anybody who tries to contact her

may give us just the lead that we need.

- It's about time, pal.

Well, Sweeney.

- Ah, we were just talking about you.

- Hi.

- I found him out on sidewalk looking up in her window.

I thought he'd make a good pigeon for Gin.

- Any objections?

- You don't expect to get an interview

with her tonight, do you?

I mean, one that you can print.

- I thought something might pop around here.

- Yeah, so I gathered.

You know, Sweeney, I think I've been letting you

ride around in these prowl cars a little bit too long.

- Next Christmas I'm gonna give you

the giant size do-it-yourself detective kit.

- Thanks, Dad.

Maybe it is a long shot.

But it might break this thing wide open.

- Look, you wanna write, write fairy tales.

Come on, sit down, shuffle the cards.

- Not a bad story.

- Have just a peachy evening, you all.

I'll be thinking about you in the sack.

- Anything?

- Blanks. Robert's staked out across the hall.

He said she came in an hour ago

and must have gone right to sleep.

- What are the odds on the Ripper

taking a crack at her tonight?

- I don't go for odds.

- Anyway, we're watching her like hawks.

- It's the house phone. From the the lobby.

Yes? Who is this?

I'm downstairs.

- All right. If you want, come up.

I was almost asleep.

What's the matter with you?

You look so strange.

- Pack a bag, we're leaving right away.

- I don't know what you're talking about.

We're not leaving until Sunday.

- Don't argue, we haven't much time!

- But I don't understand why you changed our plans.

- Your friend Sweeney has found out too much.

They're liable to find out everything before long,

all about us.

I didn't give up everything for you

just to have it end like this.

- How could anyone find out?

- I don't know how much you've told him

or how much you've lied to me.

We're in trouble and we've got to leave.

- But you told me I was all right.

You told me everything would be all right.

- I thought I could help you.

I didn't know that you'd disobey me and keep that fetish

and use it for some kind of ritual.

- I got rid of it.

- You still have it.

Your mania is fixed on it.

And if anybody else knows you have it, you'll be arrested.

Now get it for me.

- No!

- Virginia.

You were all right till you saw that thing.

And it undid everything

I'd been able to do to help you.

Because it represented perfectly everything that you felt

when, when the shock sent you to the sanitarium.

- I don't want to listen to you.

I don't have to listen to you anymore!

- You're lying! - You've got to listen to me.

I've got to make you understand.

You saw the statuette and it hypnotised you.

Only this time there was a transference.

You saw yourself in it but your mind

couldn't accept it again,

couldn't stand the horror.

This time you wanted to become the attacker,

the killer with the knife.

And when you followed Lola, you-

- Stop it!

What are you trying to make me say?

I didn't kill Lola!

And whoever did tried to kill me.

- Look at me.

Don't you know who attacked you?

- In the hospital

I started to wonder.

But I,

I was afraid to think so.

Did you do it to punish me?

- I knew that I could make only a surface cut.

It wouldn't really harm you.

I had to do something desperate, shock treatment.

I had to reverse your fixation.

- And you said you'd never hurt me.

You said you would take care of me.

And now you tried to kill me.

- I tried to save your life.

I'm still trying.

Now do as I say.

- Don't touch her.

- Virginia.

Do as I say.

Put on a coat and come with me.

I've always looked after you, Virginia.

I always will.

You trust me, Virginia.

Virginia.

Virginia, listen to me.

- You tried to kill me before.

Now you're taking her away from me.

Virginia.

Devil, stop it!

Virginia, stop him!

- Rush that waggon.

Miss Lang.

Are you all right?

Did he hurt you?

What happened?

- Looks like I'll make you a great story.

- Where's Yolanda?

- She rushed out, not a scratch on her.

He made another try, but this time the dog

must have pushed him out the window.

All I heard was the yelling.

- Was she all right?

- He didn't touch her.

- Mr. Sweeney.

Sweeney.

Sweeney, you did get the Ripper.

I said you would.

She knew that the statue was a fetish with me.

I knew that

when she read your story,

she'd know I killed Lola.

And I tried to...

but Devil stopped me, again.

Sweeney.

Take care of her.

She needs help.

Be careful.

- Roberts, you stick around here and wait for her.

See that she's all right when she comes back.

- Okay.

- Well, I guess that about wraps it up, boys.

Shorter and sweeter than I figured it.

Oh, Sweeney, how long did you know about this statue?

Sweeney!

- Who opened?

How many?

- Five.

- How many?

- Well, another pigeon, boys.

Want to join the game, Sweeney?

Your dough I'd love to take.

- Has Yolanda been here?

- Yeah, about 10 minutes ago.

She breezed in here looking like the rabbit-

- What did she want?

- She wanted some dough.

- Anybody see her leave?

- Oh, she puttered around the dressing room

for a few minutes then she walked out.

Red hailed her a cab.

- Yeah, Sweeney, Ben was cruising, I hailed him.

I didn't hear where she told him...

- This where you dropped her, Ben?

- Well, she just said stop here and took off.

Last I saw of her and the dog,

they were headed down that way.

- Thanks, Ben.

- Good night, Bill. - Good night.

Did you see a beautiful blonde?

A great dame with a Great Dane?

At the Fleabag.

- Thanks.

- How long you want it for?

- The girl who just checked in, the one with the dog.

- Down the hall, 306.

- Who'd she tell you she was?

- I ain't the curious type.

Checked in about an hour ago.

I said I didn't take dogs, she said, "I'll pay you extra."

I let her.

- Thanks.

- Who are you?

What's it worth to you?

What do you want?

- Why are you running away?

- I'm not running away.

- You can tell me the truth.

Green did enough lying.

Before he died.

- What did he say?

- That you need help.

Somebody to look after you.

And you do, don't you?

Virginia.

- I'm Yolanda.

Yolanda Lang.

You know I am.

- It was a shot in the dark, but I hit it, didn't I?

You are Virginia.

Charlie Weston's sister.

How did you ever work it to get out of that asylum?

- It was a hospital.

I'm not insane.

Don't say I am!

- That Mimi was yours, wasn't it?

It had to be the way you told me to be so careful with it.

You bought it.

Nobody sent it to you.

Did you recognise yourself, Virginia?

- It wasn't mine.

He brought it up to the apartment.

I don't know where he got it from.

- Green was the Ripper?

He couldn't be.

He wouldn't attack you.

He protected you like, like a child.

- He used to.

In the sanitarium.

- Of course.

Green, your doctor.

He could sign the right papers to get you out,

lie to Charlie.

Protect you.

And he almost got away with it.

Right to the end.

Almost.

- He is guilty.

- He went to your apartment tonight to get the Mimi.

He knew you had it, knew you killed Lola.

He was as sure of it as I am now.

You shouldn't have told me he didn't know Lola.

That was one thing that wasn't up to check.

You once worked together in the same club.

You saw her go in to Raoul's and buy that statue.

Then you met.

Something clicked the wrong way.

You thought you had to kill her.

From then on you became wrapped up in that weird thing.

You went back and bought one on your own.

Took it home.

And Green knew he had to get it away from you

before anything else happened.

But the sight of him touching your idol threw you into...

Well, you told Devil what to do.

- Devil!

- Four score and seven years ago...

It's raining, it's raining,

there's pepper in the box.

Like I said, four score and seven years ago

our forefathers brought forth on this continent

a new nation conceived in liberty.

In liberty and they came to the proposition

that all men are created equal.

Watch out for the dog, Bline!

- You all right, Sweeney?

- Now that you're here.

- You didn't think I'd let you get very far away from me, did you?

Well, Miss Lang.

Yolanda.

- She doesn't even know what's going on.

You better stick here.

- Come on, Virginia.

It's all right.

Here she comes.

- It took me about five minutes

to spot those holes in Green's story.

- Later.

- Where is Rusty?

Why can't I have my dog with me?

Are you my doctor?

- That's right.

- You're not my doctor.

You haven't got a white coat.

I know.

I'll go and have my rest now.

Room 23.

- Can I drop you somewhere, Bill?

- No, thanks.