All language subtitles for Cover Up. Alfred E. Green (1949) in HD (1080p)_H264-128kbit_AAC. english

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COVER UP

- May I help?
- Thank you.

Here you are.

- Can I do something more?
- Oh I think I can manage. Thank you.

Oh!

That's alright, that's alright.
I'll get them.

Thank you.

Maybe you better let me carry the
packages. You just handle the bag.

- Alright.
- On board!

- Hello Anita.
- Hello Mr. Addison.

- Do I?
- Yes?

- All for Christmas?
- Are my surprising?

Why do surprise about Roger Phillips.

- Committed suicide night before last.
- Suicide?

Yeah. You guess did
see it in the papers.

- Awful.
- Yeah, you sure he was.

- Where to?
- A... same destination.

I guess you'll have to...

Thank you.
I don't know how I ever could manage.

Oh, you would manage.

- You mind if I sit down?
- If you wish.

I believe we road in
the same car the train.

Really?

Yes, yes I sat right across the aisle

from you as a matter of fact,
broad backwards all the way.

I'm sorry I didn't notice,
you see I was reading.

Oh, it's quite all right.

You shouldn't be the one
who apologized, I should do that.

You see I uh... I know I snore
pretty badly when I ride backwards.

Why, you didn't snore,
you never close...

I don't know why I
pretended I didn't see you.

Had you?

Well, isn't it obvious?

I wouldn't say obvious,
I'd say it was... nice.

Yep, that Phillips fella shot
himself right in his own parlor.

I don't understand it.
Mr. Phillips...

He had no reason
to commit suicide.

Some folks look at it like it was
the first good deed he ever did.

There she is. Hi Anita.

Oh, darling, it's wonderful to see you.

Mr. Donovan, this is my
mother, my father...

Mr. Donovan.

- My sister, Kathy.
- Hello, Kathy.

Mr. Donovan help me
with my packages.

I don't know how I would
have managed otherwise.

- Oh you're would manage it.
- That's exactly what I told her.

- Here, let me help you.
- Thank you Mrs. Weatherby.

Can I drop you
any place Mr. Donovan?

- No sir, I have hotel.
- Your dragon, across the street.

If anything I can do to make your stay
more pleasant why just say the word.

It's very nice of you but with any luck
I think I might be out of here by tonight.

Mr. Donovan is in insurance investigators.

Oh here on business?

Yes, yes yeah Phillips case.

Oh, Phillips case. His death
was a great shock to all of us.

Now in case you do stay over
the town gets kind of dull at night

when to stop by the house.
Anyone can tell where we live.

Y... yeah I may
take you up on that.

- Goodbye.
- Bye.

- Mr. Weatherby.
- Bye.

- Where did you pick him up?
- I didn't pick him up.

- I met him on the train.
- It's quite all right.

Yeah, that's funny. I met
your mother the same way.

Do you promise to
never tell what happened.

- Something on your mind?
- Of course not.

I'd like to see
the sheriff.

Come in.

- Sheriff?
- At least until the next election.

Sam Donovan, Federated insurance.

Federated insurance?
Oh yes, yes, yes are you, I...

figured somebody'd be around.

- Oh, why?
- $20.000 it's a lot of money.

Especially for a man like Phillips.

Oh, yeah? I need little help
filling out the suicide report do you mind.

- No, no. Not at all. Sit down.
- Thanks.

You got the coroner's report?

You know you smoke too much,
one cigarette after the other.

Yeah, yeah I know. It
saves a lot of time.

Now about the report.

Coroner's going to visit
his folks for Christmas.

Oh, that's convenient.
When he be back?

Oh some time next week.

Huh, yeah. I don't
suppose you've had

a chance to make out
any report of your own.

No I'll get around to it for long.

Yeah, sure show
you well no official report.

What kind of
a gun did he use?

You know, you were... try smoking
a pipe instead of all those cigarettes.

Well I'll let you in on a little secret.

I've got some stock can
in cigarette company.

How about the gun?

No gun.

I understood he shot himself.

- He did.
- Then where's the gun?

- Disappeared.
- Disappeared?

- Well, look sheriff...
- It'll turn up, it'll turn up.

It would be better.

What about the bullets at killing?

These city fellas
always in a rush.

I told you the coroner
will be back next week.

Now why don't you relax sit back
steal yourself a little rest wait for.

Sounds attractive sheriff,
but you don't know insurance companies.

Now... what about the bullet?

You know I bet if you ever
started smoking a pipe

you'd never be without it.

So I'll get a pipe.
Now can I see the bullet?

No bullet.

What is this sheriff?
No report, no gun no bullet...

maybe isn't even dead.

Hmm, you know, jollyberry
folks around here less or did.

Huh huh where's he buried?

Seems to me we held our last
funeral in the... cemetery.

Anything to be different?

Sheriff, I want to see that bullet.

Maybe it was buried with Phillips.

Why wasn't it removed?

Trying to commit suicide it's generally that.

Mm-hmm. Not in my book.

- No?
- No. No bullet, no pay.

Look... Sam... maybe the
beneficiary won't like that.

Maybe. There maybe she will.

You see if Phillips was murdered
there's a double indemnity clause.

My, my, what they will think of next.

Well they'll think of
a way to get the bullet.

It seems a shame that
Phillips is buried so deep.

You better start digging him up.

Ha, ha, ha.
I gotta take a court order.

So... I'll get a court order.

You know, mighty quick man with a shovel.

Thanks.

Why are you digging around down

there you didn't happen to
come up with a gun too, did you?

You know there's nothing
like a pipe to slow man down.

We're not slowed
down, we're stopped.

Oh, my pop always used to say
there's no pockets in a shroud.

What's the sense
of rushing so,

you go right past the thing
you'r looking for, take it easy.

Now you might
never catch up with it.

Nine-millimeter Luger, huh?

- Maybe.
- You've been a big help.

Thanks. What are
you doing my duty.

Who found the body?

Abby jewelry down
the street. Nice fella.

Yeah, I'm sure he is. Maybe
I better ask him some questions.

Just a minute

I'll take the bullet.

We don't want
to lose the evidence.

- I'll be seeing you sheriff.
- Any time at all. I'll be here.

So long.
Hey Pal.

You shouldn't talk so much.

That's beautiful. You
know, I think Emma would like it.

Oh, oh, there is
like goes my belt.

- Can I do something for you?
- Yes please I'd like to see mr. Abbey.

Certainly.

I'm afraid Mr. Abbey
doesn't need any insurance.

Oh, I'm not trying to sell it.

You see my company
insured Mr. Roger Phillips.

Oh. Well, just a moment.
I'm not sure he's in.

I'm sorry. He must have
stepped out the back way.

- I didn't realize that.
- Oh that's quite all right.

I'll, uh... I'll catch up
to him another time.

Oh, I forgot. I wanted
to buy a compa...

- Oh, you back so soon.
- I... I came in the back way.

- This is nice.
- Yes Mr. Donovan.

I understand that you
discovered the body of Phillips.

Yes I did.

You mind telling me what happened?

but I already told everything
that I know to sheriff Best.

I'll take this.

Any objections to
repeating them to me?

Nothing happened.

I just went up to his
house and there he was dead.

Is that all?

Yes but why are you so interested?

We insured Mr. Phillips.

When you saw him
was... the gun still his hand?

Why, I didn't see any gun.

- You're sure?
- I think I'm sure.

I see.
Oh, thank you.

- How much is that?
- 12,34 including taxes.

I'm sorry to have troubled you.

Sorry I couldn't be
of more assistance.

It's alright. I'm
getting used to it.

We had a lot of trouble
removing the powder burns.

There were no powder burns.

No powder burns?

And there usually are when
a man shoots himself.

Yes I know.

Don't worry about it this one didn't.
Well, thanks very much.

I'll be seen you.

See, I've got the caution gate
about keeping the place locked.

I just came from a
visit to the Undertaker.

He says there weren't any
powder burns on the body.

- You don't say.
- I saw your friend Abby too.

Didn't I tell you
he's a nice fella?

He says he didn't see her gun.

- So, what happened to him?
- I told you, disappeared.

Know anyone who
might have a Luger?

Lots of people in
this town got Luger's.

I got one myself.

- Fired recently, huh.
- Yep.

Two-three days ago.
Chicken hawk.

- Missed him.
- Oh, too bad.

Let's see... that's that's just about
the time that Phillips was killed. isn't it?

- Fingers slip.
- It's all right, Gabe.

Everything's under control.

We gotta have a little
more system around here.

You'd have made a pretty nice
target busting in here like that.

Gabe it looks like
progress is caught up us.

We're about to get
a lesson and hire ballistics.

Put away that gun. You don't
want to go killing anybody.

Not at Christmas time anyhow.

You were... you're
pretty good detective.

So, Luger, alright.

There's a mystery to you
up until now of course.

Nope.

I... uh... I don't suppose
you kill Phillips, did you?

Well, no, I never figured
much of myself as a suspect.

I'd better watch out
for my appearance,

I'm liable to get my picture
in the paper.

Sheriff, I work for a very funny outfit.

They insist on a
day's work four days paid.

Now that's darn
right inconsiderate of them.

One other evidence of you got
besides the Luger bullet me empty shell.

Well, let see now.

Yes it was a puddle
of water on the floor.

- Oh, that I've got to see.
- It's all dried up.

Where is the beneficiary live?

With her husband.

All new stuff in this town.
Burry dead people in the cemetery.

Husbands live with their
wives. What's her address?

Oh, why don't you ask me?

Nice little place over
on Elm Street 958.

Thanks.

If you're figuring on going over there
to see it, you're gonna have a long week.

She went out of town with
her husband right after the funeral,

we'll be back tomorrow afternoon 4:19.

Thanks again.

Look Sam.

Take my advice.

Don't be so all-fired anxious to
pay double indemnity in this case.

Why don't you forget about it.

Go on home and visit
your folks for Christmas.

Sounds great Sheriff,
only I... haven't got any folks,

and my... homes wherever
I happen to hang my hat.

Besides I've been looking
for an excuse to stick around.

I think now
maybe I found it.

- You know what I think?
- What?

I think you're gonna
be no end of trouble.

I'm, Blakely. I think I've run
onto something pretty important.

Looks to me like this
guy Phillips was murdered.

In fact the whole town knows
it and nobody seems to care.

Including their sheriff.

Well of his murder you
stay right there and prove it.

Now get to work, talk to somebody.

Talk to somebody? You want
to come down here and try it.

Talk to everybody in
town, nobody said a word.

Well stick with it Sam.
Prove it's murder

If I do that'll cause the
company an extra 20.000 bucks,

is a double indemnity clause.

So what? When the newspaper find out
we spend money to pay double indemnity

we'll sale 10 million $
of insurency.

Besides, maybe the
beneficiary killed him.

Then we won't
have to pay anything.

Yeah, you
would think of that.

Okay I'll stay with it I'm
still tomorrow anyhow.

Operator would you please connect me
with the Stewart Weatherby residence?

Yes.
Thank you.

A watch clock never moves, Anita.

There's a fella in town
on that Phillips suicide.

I mean he don't
think it's suicide.

- How do you know?
- I got ways I know I'm held it.

Is that friend of yours the
long-distance operator been listening

- in on calls again?
- Listening in man indeed.

Great kid wouldn't
do a thing like that.

- Oh, no?
- Not much she wouldn't.

Well, anyhow I know
about the insurance man.

We all know about it Hilda.

His name is Sam Donovan.

He phoned this afternoon
and said he'd be over tonight.

- And Anita has a crush on him.
- Kathy I have not.

Then what way you're
watching the clock for?

- Mother!
- Girls, no quarrels, please.

And you should have seen
her when she got off the bus.

Up to her knees and clouds.

You were up to
your neck in him

when I saw your simpering
in the dining room mirror.

Just settle
down you two.

I'll do what I'm
paid for around here.

- Good evening. Is Mr. Weatherbee in?
- Yeah, you are that insurance fella?

That's right. And I
interest you in a policy.

- Not enough to clean their shoes.
- That'll be all, Hilda.

Do he'll damn know as I
don't know he'd turn out human.

- Let me take your hat and coat.
- Thank you mister Wheatherby.

Mrs. Weatherby, Anita.
Well, hello Cathy.

- Hello.
- How are you.

Fine.

- Got a surprise for you.
- Oh what is it?

You look at it, it looks
right back at you.

- If I only could open it.
- Cathy, before Christmas?

Oh, it's okay Mrs. Wetherby.

- Let her.
- Thank you.

- Step in, make yourself comfortable.
- Thank you sir, I'd like to.

I'm really been
comfortable all day.

- Hi. How are you?
- Look, father!

Compact!

Compact, just another mirror
for her to stare into.

May I take it to
school mother?

You see?

Mm-hmm. Looks like I started something.

Oh, no.

Hilda's never happy
unless she's unhappy.

I was afraid you
might have a date tonight.

- No.
- That's not a very big town,

and there can't be very many beautiful
girls like you running around on loose.

That's your number two sales approach?

No, number one.

For you nothing but the best.

Well, business all
settled, Mr. Donovan?

No Mr. Weatherby. As
a matter of fact I didn't.

I'm stymied here until tomorrow.

So I'm taking the sheriff's
advice and just relaxing.

What can we do to start
with early excitement?

Here? In this town?

- Impossible.
- There's a good movie.

Wonderful. If it's all right with
your mother and father I'd love to.

- Yes, of course.
- Good. I'll get my coat.

- Can I go too?
- No.

Good night Mrs. Weatherby.

- Good night.
- Kathy.

- Good night Mr... Sam.
- So, you ran into a little difficulty?

I guess you could
call it that Mr. Weatherby.

I'm having a little difference
of opinion with sheriff Best.

I'm ready.

Good night, sir.
Don't bother.

Thanks for the present.
Look mother, isn't it beautiful?

It certainly is.

Rising from out of the clear
blue sea in the distance

can be seen the majestic
model of the South Seas.

Good, isn't it?

Sunset finders passing the
quaint fishing village of Manalua

with its myriad of fishing huts and boats

- Why you don't look at the movie?
- I already seen it twice.

- Shh,shh.
- See it again.

- It ain't that good.
- Sh, sh.

Why don't you kiss her?

- Why should I?
- She's pretty.

Thank you.

Is there another
movie house in this town?

Sure, right across the street.

Go see that picture.

Oh, I just remembered
I seen that one already too.

By any chance, are you
trying to get rid of me?

How did you ever
figure that out?

I got brains.

I like to bowl.

- We'll, go bowling than.
- Classmate.

- Happy bowling.
- Thanks.

- Come on, we have enough.
- Sh, sh.

Out of billowing clouds
and emerald mountain rises

I haven't done anything
like this for years.

Like what?

Oh, you know, movie, soda
in the corner drugstore...

walk a girl's home.
Kiss goodnight.

- Good night Anita.
- Good night, Sam.

You know something?

- What?
- That a little boy in the city tonight

He was right.

Margaret Phillips?

Well yes but I'm
Mrs. Baker now.

- I'm from Federated Insurance.
- I know, you're Mr. Donovan...

a... aren't you?

- Won't you come in?
- Thank you.

- Nice place you have here.
- Thank you.

- It belongs to my mother-in-law.
- Ah.

- How did you know my name?
- Oh, Anita,

Anita Weatherby called me.

- Oh, a friend of hers.
- Yes, we went to school together.

- Oh, I see.
- A... please sit down.

No, thank you. Mrs. Baker I came
here to clear on rather a routine matter

make out a report for my
company about your uncle's death.

However, I'm afraid
now that I'll need a great deal

more information
before I can do that.

But... why?

Because Mrs. Baker...
very probably your uncle was murdered.

Oh no. No, he
committed suicide.

If your uncle was murdered
the policy pays double indemnity.

I couldn't accept it,
it wouldn't be right.

He killed himself.

Did it's the first time in history that
the gun ever got up and walked away.

Please, he committed suicide.

Lady, I'm offering
you an extra $20.000.

I don't want it.

Do you know any enemies
that your uncle may have?

He wasn't murdered.

Who had reason to kill
your uncle Mrs. Baker?

He wasn't murdered.

Very well, that's
the way you wanted.

Looks like I'm gonna have
to prove it to you too.

Frank. Frank, darling,
did you hear what he said?

- Yes, I heard.
- He suspect something.

Well, there's nothing to suspect.

See here. You don't think... much
as I hated your uncle that I killed him?

We were at the station
the whole time together, remember?

We never left the station!

Oh, hi.

- Can I take you any place?
- Any place?

Nice place you have here,

the natives are so friendly, talkative.

They are awfully Clanny jumped.

A person is considered an outsider
until he's lived here at least 20 years.

It doesn't take that long are you

Oh, no. I've been
exposed to civilization.

- Good.
- Finished your business?

No. I'll believe it in that I'm
looking for a Luger automatic pistol.

- Is that one of those German guns?
- That's right.

That should be easy. I'm
sure my father will land you his.

Did I said something wrong?

I don't know.

See, Phillips was
killed with a Luger.

- Well?
- It's an unusual gun.

Is it?

I need a Mr. Phillips was murdered.

What you gonna do?

Like to over and take
a look at the Phillips house.

Would you may
driving me over?

Well, not, of course not.

- How you gonna get in?
- Oh, we'll get in.

Sam the door isn't locked.

I've been living
too long in the city.

Well, well.

Looks like I'm gonna have to
rearrange my opinion of the sheriff.

I don't understand?

Marked out the whole story of the murder.

Someone get that all the time.

Phillips stood about
here when he was shot.

Snow or rain from the killer's coat

dripped on the carpet
there and caused that puddle.

Couldn't have shot
him from there only

because it won't any
powder burns on a body

Probably came in to
see if he did a good job.

And little mark over there
is where the shell ejected.

That means that the other set of
marks is where the murderer stood it.

You could see better if
you turn it on the lights.

Hello Anita, welcome home.

- Larry best.
- Hi.

You know, in this part of the country,
house breaking is against the law.

That was my fault Larry.
The front door was unlocked.

Yes, I know. I unlocked it.

I... I sort of expected callers.

Yeah, yeah since
you know all this,

why did you try to sell
me that phony suicide story?

Well, I don't like to be
hasty about these things.

Larry, what kind
of gun killed Mr. Philips?

Honey I believe the consensus
of opinion says it was one of those Luger's.

Are you sure
it was a Luger?

Oh now, look sugar, I know
what's in your mind, forget it.

Don't give it another thought,

well there's a lot of those
kind of guns around here.

As a matter of fact...
sheriff has one.

Yes, I sort of like him myself.

Well if you'll excuse me.
I really must be leaving.

Oh, what's the hurry?

I have to pick up my mother.

- Oh.
- Bye, Larry.

Bye Anita.

- See you tonight, 7:30?
- Sure, fine.

What kind of a scare have
you been throwing into that girl?

Her old man owns a Luger,
or hadn't you heard?

Well that's mighty convenient.

Maybe we can
blame it on old Stu.

You know I... I once read a book
where the detective was the murderer.

That's lucky, I'm a
sheriff not a detective.

Although I did have a
motive. I owed Phillips money.

No. No, you're just too
convenient for a good suspect.

Is it all right with you if
I close up the place now?

There's anybody home the
night Phillips was killed?

His niece lived with him but...
she was busy that night getting married.

Mm-hmm. Why wasn't
he at the wedding?

Maybe he didn't
know they eloped.

Maybe he knew they'd
eloped and didn't like it.

And maybe Frank knew about
that insurance policy and liked it.

I'm probably unreasonable
but it seems strange to me...

murder a man for profit and then
turned down an extra $20.000 on the policy.

I see your point.

I mean a rise on a fire pipe.
- You're all right Sam,

you just don't understand
small town folks.

We all live together
here and it's no good

throwing suspicion
and ruining reputations.

Smoke indicates fire.

Follow me as well pack up
and leave once talks starts.

I don't go in much for
autobiography Sheriff but...

I happen to be
a small-town boy myself,

born and raised in
Glenwood Minnesota.

I recognize a lot of
the symptoms here.

Oh then you should
know that too many folks

are anxious to assume a man
is guilty the minute he's arrested.

Why, it looks to me is that
the whole town hated Phillips.

You amaze me Sam.
How did you find that out?

Now look sheriff. I can take
a joke as well as the next man.

But murder is serious
even in a small town.

either we cooperate, or
I go out of my own way.

You'll be surprised
what I might find out.

So long.

- Hi, come in.
- Hello Kathy.

- The woman of that isn't it?
- Aham.

Everybody just stick to your own job
this household to be run more properly.

You know Mr. Donovan I'm just
fascinated by the insurance business.

- Really?
- Oh, yes just fascinated.

And just what is it that fascinates
you so about the insurance business?

- Well. I always did like mathematics
- Think you say. yeah I like it myself.

- Oh, yes they really intrigued.
- U-hum.

Would you care for
a cigarette Kethy?

Um... well, I... I don't think
so just now I don't feel like it.

No. Well, you don't mind if I do?

Oh, no, no,
I know lots of people who smoke.

Yeah how about you
do with that. Is Anita home?

- Oh, you want to see her.
- Yes, yes, very much.

Well she's upstairs.
I'll go call her.

You know, I think
I ought to warn you.

Anita was never
any good at math.

I'm taking advanced mathematics.

- Good evening Mr. Weatherby.
- Oh, hello Sam.

Are you making out
with a Phillips suicide?

Wasn't suicide, was murder.

He was murdered?

Yes, shot to
death with a Luger.

You know anyone in town who
hated Phillips enough to kill him?

Phillips? I'm afraid...
he wasn't very well-liked.

Oh, that's a masterpiece
of understatement.

However the Luger
now is it down.

Do you you know
anyone who owns a Luger?

Well not specifically. Of course
any number of ex-servicemen

might have brought one and
home with them from overseas.

Dad, what are you talking
about? You have a Luger pistol.

That Mr. Donovan is my own daughter
trying to send me to the electric chair.

Well, when I told him I didn't know
Mr. Phillips had been killed like that.

Well, that's all right Anita.
I... I did bring one back in 1918

No. You still have it?

Why, I...

You give that gun away long ago.

Yes, yeah.

Do you remember who you gave it?

Let me see, not quite sure...

You give it to Dr. Girote
before he moved to Fairfield.

- That's right, yes.
- Hmm.

- When was this?
- That's about five or six months ago.

Uh-huh. Where Phillips
and Girote enemies?

Well, regardless of that Dr. Girote
doesn't take lives he saves them.

Best doctor west of Chicago.

How far is Fairfield from here?

- Uh, five miles south.
- Would have been in position

if I asked to use your telephone?

Well, of course not
- Thanks I want to call Dr. Girote.

I'm afraid you can't do that.

The first thing Dr. Girote
did when he retired,

was to take the phone
out of his house.

Can't say I blame him for that.

- You can see him tonight.
- That's where?

That's where he's the one
that always liked a Christmas tree.

We're gonna get there in
time, we'd better get a move on.

Didn't realize it was so late.
Bessie, time to go.

Be right down.

- Kathy, you hurry up!
- You're going with us, Sam.

- I wouldn't miss it.
- All right Bessie let's get going.

You know, still I think you
are the only man in the county

with nerve enough to
wear that old log evening coat.

- I didn't know that things are.
- Not till I have my turn.

About this coat.

I say anything good enough for
my father is good enough for me.

That's exactly what your father
used to say about the same coat.

Sam.

Why do you have
to question Dr. Gerrow?

Well, I just have to
follow through, that's all.

Please, don't.
Just this once.

Why not let well enough alone?

- I've got some bad news.
- What's the matter, Larry?

Dr. Girote won't be able to light
the tree. He died about an hour ago.

Heart attack. I'm
going out there now.

That's quite a shock.
I can't believe it.

I have to tell
him something.

Folks we just received
some news about Dr. Girote.

I'm going to let
his closest friends Stu

Weatherby they tell you about it.

I don't know what I
can say that can soften

the shock of
what I must tell you.

Dr. Gerrow is dead.

He died peacefully
about an hour ago,

and so he won't be
able to light our tree tonight

or give out the
presents to the children.

To the youngsters, I suppose

it seems as if something
happened to Santa Claus himself.

But to the rest of you I can
only say what you already know

Dr. Gerrow was a
great man in our community.

Loved by all of us.

He brought half of
you into the world,

he helped us in times of sickness,

many times even
when we were weather

and he has left upon
our town an indelible mark

of his goodness and
humility and generosity

Although he can't be here
tonight to light our tree,

I know he'd like us
to keep right over.

So in the name of our
very good friend Dr. Peter Gerrow

I'll light our tree.

Sam sorry the ceremony
wasn't as gay they told him to be.

- Shame about the doctor.
- Too bad you didn't know him.

He could have been a
wealthy man, a famous man,

but he preferred to be
just a simple country doctor.

- Good night.
- Good night, Mr. Whiterby.

You know I couldn't help
seeing something besides sorrow

in your face when you
heard about the doctor.

Oh, Sam...

You didn't want me to
question him. Why?

- I don't know.
- Yes you do.

And I've got a hunch I
know what you were thinking.

But you're wrong.

If you're going on being
suspicious of the men in their lives.

I'm gonna get in a
lot of trouble later on.

I did neither.

- Goodnight.
- Goodnight, darling.

- Sam and I were...
- Cathy!

Did he kiss you again like
last night after the show?

What do you mean
snooping into my diary!

Get to bed. If ever I can't
you're reading my diary get up...

I'll tell Hilda.

Oh I won't read.
An honest I won't.

Why should I worry
about your silly old diary?

He doesn't mean
anything to me.

Just to make sure you better
find a different hiding place.

And then when I got over
there Gerrows house he was dead.

Heart attack.

Did you get the coroner's
report on Phillips?

You'll forget, it's Christmas
time, and this is a small town.

- Well, stick with it Sam.
- Ok.

Huh? Yeah, yeah I'm
going up the sheriff's office now.

I'll be seeing you.

Personally I think you're both lying.

I wouldn't advise
that Frank.

I'll tell you what
happened Frank.

The cold will tell us when
he caught you a little bit

during the corner you shot him.

that's why he won't take double indemnity
that's why you want the case stop.

Wait, we did
quarrel with my uncle.

And we eloped because
he didn't approve of Frank.

But Frank didn't kill him.
Sheriff Best knows that.

And just how does
sheriff Best know that?

Because my uncle
called him to throw Frank out.

Sheriff Best was there when we left.

Sorry Sam.

Al right, al right.

Tell me again, what happened
when you left the house?

We went to Abby's jewelry
store and bought the wedding ring.

Then we went to the bus
depot and caught the 8:14 bus.

But no one killed my uncle.
He committed suicide.

He committed suicide?
What happened to the gun?

Why weren't there
any powder burns?

I don't know.

Ok, so your uncle was
alive when your left him?

Yes. He were sitting at his desk.

And you Frank, you went
directly from the Phillips house

to the jewelry store and
then to the bus depot, right?

Yes.

Are you leave the bus
depot for any reason

before the bus pulled out?

No.

Did you Margaret and
you squirel before? (?)

No.

Ok, that's all.

Thanks folks.
I'll call you if I need you again.

Ok.

Not an alibi
and a whole lot.

Frank and Margaret
say they were the depot... alone

Abby and Mrs. Abby
say they were home...

alone and Stu... Stu says
he was out taking a walk alone...

Well, I'll tell you Sam...

you play around
with it for a while.

If you can't prove any of
them did it, you always have me.

It's a nice town.

- Yep.
- Nice people.

- Be a good place to live.
- Yep.

If you're on the
right side of the fence.

Yep.

Can you say anything but yap?

That calls for a pretty
obvious answer, don't it?

Yep.

Hey... where were you
the night Phillips died?

Thanks, Gabie.

- Going out so early?
- Just an errand Hilda.

- Oh!
- Hi.

It's not as scary?

- No.
- What's wrong?

Nothing. Maybe you did
startle me just a little.

What are you
doing you so early?

Oh, I couldn't get
here early enough.

Or... or could I?

There's no one home, and I'm going
on an errand. Can I drive you anywhere?

Sure. Thanks.

- You sure nothing's bothering you?
- No, nothing Sam.

I thought maybe you'd had a chance
to think about the way I said you goodnight.

Oh, no isn't that.

I guess I am a little jumpy.
Haven't had my coffee yet.

You know, I get a break I may
close this case this morning.

Feeling all along and Abbey's
been holding something out.

I've got a hunch he saw the
murderer when he discovered the body.

Or did it yourself.

You want to go
see Mr. Abbey now?

Yeah, that'd be fine.

You got any matches sugar?

No Sam, I never carry matches.

That's okay.

- It'll take about a week.
- Thank you.

- Hello Anita, welcome home.
- Hello, Mr. Abby, Mrs. Abby.

Mr. Abby there's a couple
more questions I'd like to ask you.

But I already told
you all I know.

- Maybe.
- If you'll come into my office.

I'll be here in a minute sugar.

- Well, Anita it's nice to see you back.
- Thank you. May I sit down?

Yes, of course.

Aren't you feeling well?
Can I get you a glass of water?

No, thank you.

- Well?
- Come on, sugar, let's get out of here.

Sam, what Mr. Abby say?

After hanging himself if he lied.

And those who did it?

Sam I've got to know.

Okay. Frank and Margaret lied.

- Oh, no.
- Yes. Way it looks now

is that Frank did leave
the bus depot that night,

double back and
probably kill the uncle.

Abby says he saw him running

from the direction of Phillips
house about the time of the murder.

But they didn't do
it. You can't accuse them.

What's the matter with you
Anita, what makes you say that? Why?

I've known Frank and Margot all my
life. They couldn't do anything like that.

You'd be surprised
who commits murder.

Oh Sam, before you came here,
our town was like a quiet little heaven.

There was never a hint
of anything terrible like this.

Now everybody's
a murder suspect.

Our lives will
never be the same.

Oh, Sam can you
please drop the case?

Well Anita, don't you understand?

It wouldn't make any difference
whether I'd dropped it or not.

Somehow, someway,
someday, somebody

else would pick it
up and follow it through.

Can't I make you
see what you're doing?

I think I do
know what I'm doing.

By down I have to
get over the Sheriff's Office,

face Frank and
Margaret with this...

find the murder gun tie it up
with them and wind this thing up.

You want to
take me over there?

- What happened?
- Frank claims an alibi.

Your father is Frank's alibi.

Anita...

I've got to go to the bank
and see your father.

- Will you want to go honey?
- No, no I'd rather don't.

I'll see you later.

Yes, I did see Frank.
I promised him a personal loan.

I know he was
taking the 8:14 bus

and when I got almost bus
time and he hadn't shown up

if I set up with a depot
to give him the money.

But I met him before he could
possibly have reached Phillips house.

What do you do then?

He told me he'd forgotten on the money
in the excitement of his elopement, and

then he ran back to
the depot to catch his bus.

What did you
do Mr. Weatherby?

I went back home.

I'd like to take a look at that
Luger that you gave to doctor Gerrow.

I suppose it if he still had
it in some place in his house.

Well, it's probably
their knees gun collection.

I don't know how you'll
get in. The house is locked up tight.

I'll get in.

- Thanks Mr. Weatherby very much.
- Glad to be of help you.

DR. P. L. GERROW
M. D.

I AM TAKING DR. GERROW'S
LUGER PISTOL WITH ME.

Here you are, son.

I think that loan will take
care of your personal worries.

Sure it will Mr. Weatherby. I can't
tell you how much I appreciate it

Thanks very much.

- Sheriff.
- Hi, Stu.

Sam. what can I do for you?

Want to borrow some money?

We'd like to see it
privately if we can, Mr. Weatherby.

Of course, come in.

- Sit down.
- Recognize this?

Mr. Donovan seems to
think this is your gun, Stu.

It doesn't look like it.

It probably is it.

He won't believe it but I
did give that gun to Dr. Gerrow.

That's where he found it.

You know, Mr. Donovan's
quite a detective.

He tested that Luger for fingerprints,
but found that there weren't any.

- And that mean something?
- Mr. Donovan seems to think so.

Means that this is the
gun that killed Roger Phillips.

And I was wiped clean of prints
and planted back at the doctor's.

Now Sam, don't disillusion
me about your ability.

We don't know that's
the gun that killed Phillips.

After all the doctor might have
wiped it off and put it back on the wall.

And then there's as... that
Luger of my own, you remember?

Yeah. So don't forget that I've got a

bullet out of that Luger of yours,
as you know.

This was the gun that killed Phillips.

Still stinks on cordite.

Chicago ballistics Department
can prove it with one test shot.

Wait a minute, Sam.

There's too many people in this
town wanted to see Phillips dead.

If I arrest the wrong man,
he may never live it down.

And you're not gonna send a gun to Chicago.

Not yet.

All right sheriff. Ok, if
that's the way you want it.

There's other ways
of smoking him out.

As you're finally saying
I'm quite a detective.

He's impulsive, isn't he?

- PACA win?
- Yeah.

I'm Sam Donovan.

I'd like you to run a
little item in the paper for me.

What is it?

I'm bringing an
expert in here tonight.

He's a scientist from the
Chicago Police Department.

He'll take up a section of
the carpet where the killer stood

put it under a microscope
and analyze it

if it was a jeweler saying it

stood there little tiny
particles of gold and silver...

things like that will be
in the water that ran off.

Even tell the material,
the color of the coat.

But won't the murderer read it
and tried to destroy the evidence?

I hope so.
Thanks again.

Gebels!

Replace to page one.

Oh, hello girls.

- Hello, dad.
- Hi.

- Getting everything ready, huh?
- The first time I can remember

usually you don't bring the
tree home until late Christmas Eve.

Oh, well, they're much
cheaper then, you know?

This one's beautiful.

Yeah, but the price was ridiculous.

Not that I put up
with all this nonsense,

but it does happen to
be Christmas price indeed.

Well it was all right then
for me to pay $12 for it on.

$12? You must have
been out of your mind.

Hilda, that is Christmas, you know?

Sam will be over pretty soon.

Well, your mother's downtown
doing some last-minute Christmas shopping.

I've got to pick her up in a
minute or two... then I'll be back.

It's even prettier than last year.

I like it.

You know, neither,
fathers are funny critters.

I don't think so.

I mean, the father goes on
for a long time loving his children

never really knowing
whether they love him or not.

Then something happens that
lets him know they do love him.

Something to you it's a
wonderful feeling, Anita.

What about mother?
You're gonna pick her up?

Did I am or someone
will have to pick me up.

- Brrr. Huh!
- She's here.

That's too bad lover.
I really cannot see you.

Wait a minute, my buckle was Julian.

Look Hilda, I'm just a
city boy trying to get along.

All I want to do is wind up this Phillips
mess that you people enjoy your Christmas.

Well, I didn't murder
him. I'm sorry to say

well the murderer
should get a prize.

Everybody in the whole
town seems to know who did it.

Police Chemist Arrives Tonight
To Investigate Phillips Death

Doubt Suicide Theory

Pretty big secret for
a whole town to keep.

Oh that's a
pretty tree, Hilda.

I can most taste
of Christmas dinner.

Oh, Sam.

Hi. I didn't quite get the reading of

that line was that
why Sam or why Sam.

I didn't expect you so soon.

- Look.
- That's me, Sam the unexpected.

Oh, Anita, that's very sweet.

A, a, a. Not until
Christmas twelve o'clock.

That's just a rub sugar, I don't
know what I'll be back by then.

- Back?
- Yes.

Looks to me like I'm gonna be
busier than Kris Kringle tonight.

I found that Luger
added Dr. Gerrow today.

That's the end of case?

No it doesn't.
Look to me like it was planted.

But if this works I think
I can wrap it up tonight.

Why Sam, this is
a deliberate trap.

Murderer set his own trap.

You mean this is possible?

Well, sure. Sure it is.
But that's not the point.

All I want to do is
draw him into the open.

You're going to be
wait him the Philips house?

I know you are.

But if he comes
there you'll expose him.

That's right.

Are you going through with this?

Anita, I have to.

- Hilda!
- You mind your business.

Anita! Anita!

It's dad's fur coat.
It's burning up.

Hilda! That was father's coat.

What you are doing?
Trying to collect the insurance?

- What happened?
- It was dirty.

I was cleaning it with some gasoline
the spot from the incinerator fell on it.

You cleaning that
coat with gasoline in the snow?

You're trying to destroy it.

You're right.
I did it on purpose.

But there's going
to be a new coat

for Mr. Weatherby under
the tree on Christmas morning.

He's going to wear it, if I have to
burn every other coats in the house.

- Anita, believe me I never...
- Don't forget to take your present.

I can't see you Sam,

but in case you're feeling
trigger-happy, it's me.

Sheriff.

- Didn't you expect me?
- Maybe.

Yes. Yes maybe I did.

You know, you're
making me mad, Sam.

I'm not exactly hilarious myself.

Why do you want to go
around making people unhappy?

No, I'm like Hilda, not
happy unless I'm unhappy.

Nobody's coming
to your party, Sam.

Nobody? Nobody else,
is that what you mean?

That's sort of what I mean.

We'll be in a nature
of a confession, would we?

If it is it puts you in
a sort of a tough spot.

Me?

If I'm your man I can't very
well let you leave, can I?

- Maybe you can't keep me from it.
- Which means you have a gun too.

But you wouldn't be
foolish enough to draw it.

I'm the sheriff, Sam, the highly
respected sheriff of Mono County.

When a man pulls a gun on me,
I generally take it he means business.

If you get me
first, that's murder.

But if I get you with
a gun in your hand...

What is that, sherriff?

Just a lot of votes
at the next election.

- Can I open my presents tonight, mom?
- I never heard of such a thing.

- I could sleep later tomorrow then.
- Yes, you will.

If I know my Cathy, you'd be
the first one up in the morning.

I've looked all over this house
I can't find that evening paper.

- You sitting on him?
- No, I haven't seen it.

Don't look at me. Was
right here on the table.

Wasn't it, Anita?

- Oh, yes.
- All right.

- What's happened to it?
- You so upset about Stu.

There's nothing in it anyway
except the usual sports results

and that story about that
police expert that's coming here.

What police expert?

I don't know, one they
sent for on the Phillips case.

I was reading
about it in beauty shop.

- Well, what about it?
- I don't know, hum...

something about testing
the floor with a microscope.

They seem to think that that a
rain from the murderers coat carried

some of the coats material with it.

I think I'll grab the
car and go get a paper.

All right, dear.

Hilda. What did
you do with my...

I haved a little accident
today with your beaver coat...

- What happened?
- I was cleaning it and it caught fire.

Burned up completely.

Dad.
Don't go.

I know where
you're really going.

I know you do.
I find your diary upstairs.

Dad, I know it's
a deliberate trap.

- He'll be there waiting.
- Yes, but must come out sometime.

- Where you going?
- Back in a minute.

- Can I go with you?
- No!

You know... our jobs
are a lot of like, Sam.

Just set be a case of two people
doing the same job in a different way.

I'd like to tell you a story
about that if you listen.

Why?

Well, it may help you to
see things in a different light.

Go ahead.

This story is about a
case I worked on once.

Right in this town, fella was killed...

under circumstances a
lot like the ones in the Phillips case.

Matter of fact the man
was about like Phillips.

You forget I didn't
know what Phillips was like.

Seems to me you should
have a pretty good idea by now.

Anyway this a man was a
mighty unpleasant individual.

I'm putting it mildly when I say
he was a blight on the whole community.

They lived through a
long time.

Seems that mean people
would live a long time.

You're predicting
a long life for me?

I'll let you know
after the story Sam.

I don't think there was a man,
woman, or child in the whole community

who wasn't hurt by this
man at some time or another.

And there was
another man lived here too.

Just the opposite.

He loved the whole
town and everybody in it.

And he watched
this man year after year

gradually destroying the
lives of everybody he loved,

until he couldn't
stand it any longer.

Then one night...
funny thing...

was just about
this time of year too.

Much time got
to do with murder.

It was Christmas
time, Sam, just like now.

Guess I should have made
my story a little shorter.

I hope with everything I
had that it wouldn't be you.

I kept telling myself it wasn't you.

But it couldn't
possibly be you.

I almost had myself
believing it now you show up.

Why didn't you stay
home where you belong?

I decided I had to come here

and try to tell you
what happened that night.

You don't you might have
to tell me Mr. Weatherby.

As well have had a
photographer here

no killing ever
looked less like a suicide.

When we take up
that carpet, it'll prove

that you stood
there that the coat

that Hilda accidentally burned
dripped and left your signature.

I know you can prove
that, Sam, but I will...

It wasn't your first stop.

Your first stop
was here.

The singe drape the ejected
shell proved that you stood there.

This is where the shot
that killed him was fired from.

I didn't stand there, Sam.

Think you'd make it
tough on me Mr. Weatherby?

You came in the door, then
you hid here, the prints prove that

you pulled your gun when Phillips got

out of the chair to see
who it was you shot him.

It wasn't you. It
couldn't have been you.

Only a left-handed man could
have fired the shot from this position.

A left-handed man, Gerrow.
Doctor Gerrow, of course,

the picture in his collection
with the gun in his left hand,

the pen set on the desk,
everything for a left-handed man.

Yes, it was dr. Gerrow.

Sam you sure stirred
up a mess of trouble,

but you didn't let me down
you're quite a detective.

- You know it was doc too?
- Yes.

I've known Dr. all my life, I
probably noticed he was left-handed.

And then maybe it helped knowing that
he was the last man to see Phillips alive.

Of course Sam here,
worked it out the hard way.

How did you know he was
the last one to see him alive?

Well Sam you forget I was
here when Margaret and Frank left.

I left myself shortly after
and as I was pulling away I...

I saw doc going in.

I suppose I should have come
to you right away Larry.

Yes, you should Stu.

What I guess it would have
turned out the same anyway.

You mean, you were
both covering for Gerrow?

- Oh looks like it.
- But why?

I told you once, Sam.
I wish you had known Dr. Gerrow.

He wasn't just a man in
this town, he was a symbol.

It's heart. You saw how the people
acted when they heard the news of his death.

I couldn't let them know
that he, he killed a man.

So, his last act
was for them.

I know he tried every other
way he could to get Phillips to stop.

Don't you see Sam no
matter how wrong he was,

in Dr. tortured mind what
he did was for them.

I guess she stopped thinking
of the problem as a man...

and took the medical point of view.

Seeing this malignant
growths strangling his town...

he decided to have
to operate to save it.

Then I came to town
and upset the applecart.

You were making things rather
uncomfortable Sam for everybody.

Margaret, Frank, Abbey, even me.

One dark dodge you really
were in a tough spot.

Your only witness dead.

You're right Sam,
I was in a tough spot.

You see that night
after meeting Frank...

as I passed by I
heard a shot.

I ran in I found Dr. Gerrow
with a gun still in his hand.

I took the gun from him didn't
realize till later it was mine...

I went over there to
see if I can help Phillips but...

I couldn't. Doc said,
well still call the sheriff.

Wanted to give
himself up right away.

But, well, I... I
talked him out of it.

- Until after the holidays.
- You're both covered for a man

so that the town
could have a Merry Christmas.

That's about the size of it.

Sam, doc is beyond any
punishment. We can give him.

Margaret once said that if
it turned out not to be suicide,

she liked your company to give
the extra money to some charity.

Doc had a lot of them.

Of course, you and I know how
this case will going to the books but...

does everybody have to know?

Just thought I'd mention it.

Dad. I beg you not to come.

You had to do it,
didn't you? You had to.

Oh, did you have
to come here at all?

Anita, everything's all right.
Don't blame Sam.

Anita, Anita, listen to us.
Your father's not any trouble.

He didn't do anything.
I... I've been wrong all along.

Like the sheriff is so fond of
saying... I'm not much of a detective.

- Merry Christmas, Larry.
- Same to you, Stu.

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