Original subtitles

Extra! Extra!

Extra! Five star final...

[ Indistinct shouting ]

Mr. brannegan. One moment.

Evening gazette. Good afternoon.

Sorry, we can't give out race results.

Call the morning telegraph.

Evening gazette. Good afternoon.

Mr. Randall's the managing editor.

Sorry, lady, I'm not allowed to give out

The managing editor's residence telephone number.

Say, what do you mean

By letting those news dealers on third Avenue

Bury their gazettes under the other papers?

Now, get them on top, and get them on top quick!

Say, ain't you been told to keep them gazettes on top?

Listen, mister, I run my place the way I like.

What are you getting... rake-off from them other tabloids?

I ain't taking orders from no-goods like you.

Oh, let's give it to him.

Hey, now! Hey, cut it out, you dirty bums!

Help! Help!

[ Whistle blowing ]

Come on! Let's go!

Help! Help! Police!

[ Indistinct shouting ]

[ Whistling ]

Did you find Mr. Randall?

Nope. Hey, another conference?

Mr. French and Mr. brannegan are with him.

Oh, so the advertising and circulation department

Are in for another razzing from old hinchy, huh?

Arthur goldberg, is that the proper way

To speak of the owner of this paper?

Oh, I've heard Mr. Randall call him worse than "hinchy."

He calls him a s... Arthur!

A sultan of slop... That's what he call...

[ intercom buzzing ]

Shut up! He'll hear you!

Yes, Mr. hinchecliffe?

No, I haven't been able to locate Mr. Randall as yet,

But I'm still trying.

Arthur's been looking for him all over the building.

All right, miss Edwards, but please try and find Mr. Randall.

It's very important.

Now, Mr. French,

Here are the latest circulation figures...

302,000 on Monday, 301,000 on Tuesday,

And 306,000 on Wednesday.

That's 20,000 behind our figures for last year.

Well, Mr. hinchecliffe,

You know of what weather we've been having.

The same kind of weather they're having at the other papers.

What about these cancellations of our Saturday papers

From the small towns?

Well, you know Randall won't print

Pictures of girls in underwear in the picture section.

What I want definitely

Is an immediate lift in our circulation,

And I mean to get it.

I'll take this up with Randall.

I think it's time something was taken up with Randall.

This paper's been successful thus far

Because our policy has been, frankly, a sensational one.

Now, Mr. brannegan, I think you use the wrong word.

My policy has always been

To develop the human interest of life.

Call it what you like, Mr. hinchecliffe,

But Randall has seen fit to change that policy.

When there are cases every day

As good as the rhinelander or Browning cases,

Why are we printing cables from the league of nations?

French: That's right!

We can't sell this paper unless we have something to sell!

Randall's getting too swell for the chewing-gum trade.

What's the use of kidding ourselves, Mr. hinchecliffe?

We're not selling newspapers on park Avenue.

I think you're on the right track, brannegan.

Look at this stuff we're printing now...

"Love under the sea."

Our readers eat too much fish to get romantic about them.

Why can't we print stories about shopgirls, models,

Servant girls... something our readers know about?

Exactly what I've had in mind.

By the way, do you remember the Nancy voorhees murder case?

Yeah.

Why, every stenographer will eat up a story like that.

Miss Edwards, please bring in the voorhees serial.

Right away.

There's no question about it, Mr. hinchecliffe.

Our weak spot is the editorial department.

Randall needs a good jacking-up!

All right, gentlemen,

There's nothing more to discuss until Randall gets back.

Oh, thank you.

By the way, did you read it? Yes, sir.

What do you think of it?

Well, I think the part about the illegitimate child

Isn't made quite clear enough.

I'm kitty carmody.

Mr. hinchecliffe told me to see Mr. Randall.

Sit down. I'll be with you in a minute.

Mr. hinchecliffe says there's an opening for me on the staff.

He thinks I might take the job

Of some girl that was just let out.

Good heavens, don't they even let the corpse get cold?

Mr. hinchecliffe seemed to like me very much.

What I meant about Mr. hinchecliffe

Is that he knows I've had a lot of experience in Chicago.

Yeah, you look it.

I beg your pardon?

Look here, miss carmody, I'm not hiring you.

If you give me that letter,

I'll give it to Mr. Randall when he comes in.

I'm sorry.

I don't think you like me, do you?

Don't worry. You'll get the job all right.

So long.

Take care of yourself.

Gee, miss Taylor, you're pretty rough.

They fired Julia Murphy because she was flat-chested.

Now they're gonna put this girl on because she's...

And can vamp stories out of shyster lawyers.

Oh, gee, I like them that way, too.

Say, when's the boss gonna put me on the street?

What do you think you are, a woman?

Oh, lay off of the wisecracks, will you?

The boss said he was gonna make me a reporter in the Bronx.

[ Telephone rings ]

Mr. Randall's office.

Oh, yes, miss Howard.

No, Mr. Randall isn't in.

Will you call again?

All right, I'll tell him.

Suffering Moses,

But Mr. Randall's got a lot of women.

Arthur "goldboig," ain't you got no religion?

Gee, the way you say that, I ought to change my name.

Don't you do it, kid.

New York's too full of christians as it is.

Darn it, I wish Mr. Randall would get back.

I want to go home.

You'll get there... By midnight.

Here's the stuff the boss wanted.

Oh, you're here again.

You know, I could think of six reasons

Why you should be in jail.

Only two. Hey, schlemiel, put this stuff away.

What did the boss think of that layout

I gave him in the feature page?

He didn't even look at it.

Where is he? I got another big idea.

Mr. Randall isn't back yet, miss Taylor?

No, he went out after the last edition.

You think he will be back, though?

Oh, yes, Mr. hinchecliffe. He'll be back.

He always works very late.

Say, what's going on... Another powwow?

Yep, there's more huddles on this paper

Than on the notre dame team.

On the level, don't you know where the boss is?

On the level, I don't. But you might try corkran's.

Or maybe you've been thrown out of that speakeasy.

They don't throw you out of a speakeasy.

They carry you out.

[ Door closes ]

Say, what's Mr. Randall looking so worried about these days?

Well, Mr. Randall's worrying because the owner's worrying him

Because the owner's worrying over circulation.

Say, I think you're in love with him.

Now, listen, Arthur, you're a nice kid,

But cut that stuff.

Oh, honest, I'm sorry, miss Taylor.

But, gee, if I was the boss, I'd marry you tomorrow.

I guess I'm happier just being his secretary.

What in thunder am I talking about?

Get out of here, you pest!

[ Whistles ]

When I go out to get a story,

I don't like to pull the line "I'm from the times."

And if I don't say I'm from the times,

I get kicked out the nearest door.

Yeah, when anybody asks me what paper I'm on,

I got to say, "the gazette, and what about it?"

I thought the boss was going in for stuff on the up-and-up.

He better get a new owner, then. That's right.

Well, there's some guys that furnish the manure,

And there's some guys that grow the flowers.

Say, what the heck? Are you guys getting poetic?

Well, you know the gazette won't never be no Violet patch.

Have a drink.

One silver light, Jerry.

Boss been in here?

Yeah, he's in with the gents.

Washing his hands.

He washes them 50 times a day.

Maybe they get dirty.

Mine do, and I'm not hinchecliffe's managing editor.

How's your "June bride" contest coming along, ziggie?

It'll make out.

Him and his contests.

Hello, boss.

Some service. Thanks.

They've been looking for you at the office, boss.

Yeah? Well, let them look.

What's on your mind, ziggie?

How's circulation?

All right. Why?

Well, now, listen, you give me this job.

Yeah, after that last lot of rotten hooch you got for me.

That stuff would make me do anything.

Honest, boss, it's from Montreal!

They must have deported it. Have something, boys.

No more for me, thanks. I've had plenty.

I got to get back to the shop and knock off

Another 2,500 words on love under the sea

Before I go under.

Give me another, Jerry.

Come on, ziggie. What's worrying you?

Well, maybe I'm stepping in too deep.

Go on. Talk.

Listen, huh?

Give them the girls and all that slop

That hinchy calls human interest.

All this politics and tariff stuff is the bunk.

Nobody reads it.

Everybody thinks I'm trying to go highbrow, huh?

Well, I hear some talk.

Well, spread it around

That I've just been taking a vacation.

That's the stuff.

And listen, boss, I got another swell idea! Another headache for me?

No, a taxi contest...

Racing and relays from the Bronx to the city hall.

Give the winners new cash!

Yeah, and kill 100 people. All right!

But listen, boss, if you do that,

I guarantee you 40,000 more circulation...

Now, listen, boss, with this taxi-cab contest,

Every mug in New York running a cab will boost the gazette.

We'll get more circulation...

Get the sporting department.

I want to speak to O'Malley.

Oh, and tell Mr. hinchecliffe I'm back.

Yeah, get hold of O'Malley.

Oh.

I've been looking for you.

Yeah? I heard a rumor.

There's a miss carmody waiting to see you.

I'll see her later.

Good. Now, suppose we send for French and brannegan?

I'm very anxious to have all departments cooperate smoothly.

Get French and brannegan.

Now, Randall, what I like about you

Is your splendid fighting spirit.

You know you pleased me very much

During the formative days of the paper.

Thank you.

Hmm, you're inclined to be a trifle sarcastic,

Which is not good for the organization.

Are you asking for my resignation?

Now, now, my boy, don't be hasty.

You must learn to get along with people.

What all is prelude to circulation?

The lifeblood of a newspaper today is circulation,

And in our type of paper, we must have mass circulation.

The star is giving another lonely hearts' ball,

And the chronicle is having a "perfect back" contest.

Yes, and the news is running the confessions of Peggy Joyce.

And we're getting cancellations,

Especially on our Saturday paper.

And our "June bride" contest is a flop,

If that'll add to your happiness.

Now, ziggie feinstein... Ziggie?

Who is ziggie?

Why, zigmund feinstein, our contest editor.

He wants to run a taxi race from the Bronx to city hall.

But how is that possible?

We could do it in relays, obey all traffic rules,

Maybe only kill 100 people.

Hmm, very interesting.

I wouldn't object to your giving Mr. z... ziggie

A slight increase in salary.

That means a taxi-cab contest, huh?

We have become a little stale, Randall, a little stale.

Editors have a tendency

To put themselves on a pedestal above their readers.

If I sat on a cigar box, I'd be above ours.

Well, there you have it, Randall.

We cannot afford to become sentimentalists.

I think that we can lift our circulation

And, at the same time, raise sex to a dignified attitude.

By another constitutional amendment?

Well, for example,

Suppose a girl gets into trouble on an automobile ride.

I want a reporter to see that girl's mother.

I want the moral values of the story brought out.

If the mother has warned the girl

Against going riding with strange men,

Then it's a lesson for other daughters.

If she hasn't warned her, then it's a lesson for mothers.

Very well, Mr. hinchecliffe.

The gazette shall return immediately to its old ideals.

Splendid, Randall! A most sensible decision!

Oh, here we are. Come in, gentlemen.

[ Telephone rings ]

Sit down, please.

Now, Mr. Randall and I have agreed

That the paper of late has been a bit too formal.

Yeah, too much like a newspaper.

Now, what about our serials?

I'd like to pick up that eastside circulation.

Oh, that reminds me...

I've been discussing a new serial

With Mr. French and Mr. brannegan...

The inside story of the notorious Nancy voorhees case.

How well do you recall that murder, Randall?

I covered it for the old New York press.

She shot a man named bill Matthews.

He was called "the chocolate king."

It might be a good idea

To have Randall write the serial himself.

Yeah, and play a pipe organ around the office, too, eh?

[ Chuckles ]

Well, this story will certainly interest

A new generation who never heard of the case.

I've had a good writer working on it,

But I want it pointed up.

Didn't this Nancy voorhees have a child or something

After she was acquitted?

I think there was some such incident.

Now, Randall, that's where the moral lies.

I think we might get some minister

To write a series of introductions

Before each installment.

It would lend a tone.

Miss Taylor, send for isopod.

You know, no minister in the world

Would touch this kind of stuff,

But I happen to have a man

Who was kicked out of divinity school

For just such a jam like this voorhees case.

He didn't get shot, so he became a newspaper man.

Oh, I've used him on other similar stories.

Very good, Randall.

Now, for this serial,

There's a thought from St. mark for a text.

Uh, um... Uh, uh... Um...

Ah, good evening, my dear.

Hi.

Mr. hinchecliffe, this is Mr. isopod.

How do you do?

Isopod, we have a serial story

On the Nancy voorhees shooting.

You remember the case? Why, no, sir.

I thought not.

Nancy voorhees shot a man named bill Matthews

Because he refused to marry her.

The jury wouldn't convict her on account of her baby.

Got that? Yes, sir.

The moral is, Mr. isopod,

That working girls should not allow their employers to, uh...

What's the word, isopod?

Ah, yes, uh... Embrace them.

What are you doing to promote this serial?

I'm having it called "the love-mad stenographer,"

And we're sending out 100,000 postal cards

To all the office girls in New York.

Ah, very good idea.

Each card reads,

"Warning... don't fall in love with your boss,"

And ends up with the announcement

Of the serial in the gazette.

I like the idea of this serial, Randall.

I expect a lot from it.

Well, don't worry, Mr. hinchecliffe.

I'll give you the reddest display you ever saw.

That's what I like to hear. It's like old times.

That's all, gentlemen.

Isopod, I want you to use a text

To precede these voorhees articles.

Yes, sir, I'll make a note.

And it's right up his alley... Hinchecliffe the magnificent.

Hmm! The sultan of slop!

Miss Taylor, get me the night desk.

There's a miss carmody in the waiting room.

Bring her in here, and don't get fresh.

Miss Taylor, put a $5 raise through for ziggie.

He thought of a new way to kill 100 people.

Taylor: There's the night desk.

Hello, Jameson?

Say, send down to the morgue

And get the clips on Nancy voorhees.

What? Didn't you ever hear of Nancy voorhees?

Why, she shot a guy 20 years ago.

Yeah. [ Chuckles ] Find out where she is now.

I think she married after her trial.

How do you do?

Sit down.

You're from Chicago, huh?

They teach you to swipe pictures?

Well, I've done everything.

Randall: We'll find out.

I'll start you at $40 a week.

If you're a good little girl, I'll give you $50.

I'm gonna team you up with isopod.

Don't ride in taxis with him.

Here, pay attention, isopod!

I want you to go out and get yourself a black outfit...

Black hat, you know, stiff collar.

Ah, yes, just like the one

I used on the parkley case last year.

Yeah, same ki... hello? Yeah, I'm listening.

Yeah, just a minute.

Miss Taylor, take this down...

"Nancy voorhees married to Michael townsend,

"Assistant cashier, metropolitan national bank.

"Lives at 184 west 172nd street.

Daughter, 20."

That's great, Jameson.

Say, now, listen, isopod... You get yourself dressed up

And get an appointment with Nancy voorhees.

If you get a good interview, I'll give you a $50 bonus.

Here's a women who killed a man 20 years ago.

We're gonna fry this case over again and fry it hot.

I want you to go to the neighborhood people.

Ask the grocer, the butcher, the dressmaker, everybody.

See what they think of Nancy voorhees.

Find out what church she attends, where her daughter is.

What school did she go to? Was she ostracized?

I want to whoop this up, and I want pictures.

Yes, Mr. Randall, very good.

Miss Taylor, give them the address.

[ Door closes ]

You don't like this mess, do you?

I'm not paid for opinions.

I've been your secretary for four years.

There were a lot of things I didn't like around here.

What's your objection to all this?

I guess I just don't understand newspaper work.

They're all the same.

All the same.

I think you can always get people interested

In the crucifixion of a woman.

Gee, and I thought I was cynical.

It's not cynicism.

Oh, heck.

Say, if you want my opinion sometime,

Take me to a speakeasy.

I'm not working for you then.

Hello, police headquarters?

I want to speak to commissioner Donovan.

Yeah, this is the contest editor of the evening gazette.

Hello, Jim?

This is ziggie feinstein at the gazette. How are you?

Say, listen, Jim... I'm gonna run a taxi contest

From the Bronx to the city hall.

I want you to lay me out a route.

And listen, tell your cops to behave if we skip a light.

Yeah, and I'm gonna get 1,000 cabs

And start them four abreast.

Sure, best time gets the prize.

Sure, three new cabs,

And I'm gonna let an irishman, a Jew, and a wop win.

Give me the names of a couple of stuffed shirts

I can use for a starter and referee.

Yeah. Thanks, Jim.

Oh, say, listen. I just got a line of some swell new scotch.

I'll send you up a case.

Sure, it's cut, but what ain't?

Yeah.

Thanks, Jim.

What do you think of the taxi idea?

Yeah, keep it under your hat, will you?

I don't want the other tabs to cut in on me and beat me to it.

Yeah. All right, fine.

Oh, give my regards to your sister!

[ Bell rings ]

And a deuce.

That's game and rubber for us, Nancy.

I guess the kids are too excited to play good bridge.

Well, mother, do you remember what you told me

About the night before you married dad?

Darling!

I hope she didn't tell you everything.

Michael! What is the matter?

How are your father and mother, Phillip?

Oh, thanks, Mrs. townsend. They're fine.

Oh, Jenny, I forgot. We're famous.

The machinery age has a piece about us...

"Machinery man's son to marry."

Was that all it said?

Oh, yes, just a paragraph.

Poor mother... She sent announcements

To every society editor in town,

And it never got in a single paper.

I sympathize with your mother.

I tell you, mother's all right, except for this one bug...

That the social registry is her Bible.

[ Telephone rings ]

Nancy: Answer that, Michael, will you?

Wonder who it is.

Hello?

Yes, this is Mr. townsend.

Who?

I'm sorry. I don't understand.

Yes, thank you. Will you?

I-s-o-p-o-d.

Reverend t. Vernon isopod.

Oh, just a moment, please.

It's a clergyman, a Dr. isopod asking if he may call.

Is he the one that's going to marry you, Jenny?

I suppose so. Do you know, Phillip?

He's probably one of the assistant rectors.

I'll ask him to come up, shall I? Yes, do.

I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.

Yes. We will be delighted to have you call.

All right, that'll be fine.

Thank you.

He'll be here within an hour.

Now, how would you two lovebirds like to take a walk?

Your mother and I have a little plot

Which requires your complete absence for about five minutes.

What do you think they're trying to frame on us, Phillip?

Yes, well, never mind the wink.

Get out of here. Come along.

I saw that, you monkey. Go along with you.

Oh, Phil?

Now, please don't come back for five minutes.

Understand?

Gee, this getting married's pretty swell.

Come on, honey. Let's go.

Goodbye, darling.

Oh, Phil, will you bring back the newspapers?

The wall street editions? Attaboy.

This was a break, huh?

[ Laughs ]

Aha!

Playing post office again, huh?

That's not fair.

[ Laughter ]

Get off now.

Aren't they sweet?

Oh, yeah.

It's great to be in love, isn't it, sweetie?

Darling.

There.

Michael.

Yes?

That item Phillip spoke of in the magazine

Makes me a little nervous.

Oh, darling, it's silly to worry.

I wonder if the kids will like this.

I'll bet I could get San Francisco on this machine.

What would happen, Michael, do you think,

If we told Phillip and Jenny the truth?

I'd hate to have Jenny know that I was not her father.

So would I.

Michael, what do you think it might do to Phillip

If he knew that I was Nancy voorhees

Before I married you?

Oh, he'd stand up... But not his father and mother.

No.

I wonder if Phillip could throw over his family

The way you threw over yours when you married me.

Nancy... Come here.

I didn't lose a thing when I married you, sweet,

Not a thing.

Bless you.

And if you don't shut up, I'll insist that Jenny

Go and live with her mother-in-law.

Then she'll become a snob and won't even look at us.

[ Laughs ]

Well, I'm glad it's going to be

A quiet wedding in the vestry house.

It won't attract reporters and...

Listen!

[ Sort orchestra music playing ]

Do you remember what that is?

The theme song of our honeymoon.

You're the most blasphemous-looking thing

I've ever seen.

It's a miracle you're not struck dead.

I'd like your instructions, Mr. Randall.

I've got an appointment with Nancy voorhees in an hour.

You have? How'd you do it?

Why, I merely phoned and said

That the reverend t. Vernon isopod

Would like to call and see them,

And they didn't ask any questions.

That's strange. Did you speak to Nancy herself?

No, to the husband,

And he said he'd be delighted to have me call.

Hmm. Why should anybody be delighted to have you call?

Well, perhaps he thinks I'm the neighborhood clergyman.

No, they've been living there too long.

Just a minute. Get me Jameson.

Say, Jameson, what reason would Nancy voorhees

Have for asking an unknown clergyman to visit her?

Yeah, he's got an appointment.

Oh, that's all right. I've got him all dressed up.

Yeah, maybe somebody's sick.

Well, he'll have to feel his way.

He's good at that.

Listen, isopod, you've got a big chance to please me.

Now, hop up to Nancy's and let her do all the leading.

I want you to fish.

For some reason, she's not surprised at your phone call.

Whatever that reason is is news.

It's up to you to find out. You'll have to walk on eggs.

Yes, sir.

Hmm.

Oh, well.

You read your papers.

I've been invited for this dance.

Did you hear that order?

Better get used to that, young man.

Weather tomorrow fair and warmer.

What paper is that, Phillip?

This is the evening gazette. Haven't you ever seen it?

"Love nest raided." Ohh.

"First true story of the sensational Nancy voorhees case

"To start in the gazette Monday.

Turn to page 5."

You dance divinely, Mrs. weeks-to-be.

May I call on you some afternoon

When your husband isn't home?

Sir, I want you to know that I'm a lady,

And my mother was a lady.

"Beginning Monday, the evening gazette

"Will publish the first installment

Of the notorious Nancy voorhees murder."

My, my.

I'm going to be married to a man that reads out loud.

Come on, dad.

Go ahead, dear. Get another station.

That music is too slow.

All right.

"The first inside and authentic narrative

"Of the beautiful stenographer who killed 'candy kid' Matthews

Will be given to the readers of this newspapers."

Stop reading that, Phillip, and pay attention to me.

What time is it? It's a quarter of 8:00.

Oh, Phillip, we'll be late for the theater.

You kids run along.

I want to give this clergyman who's coming

The lowdown on you both.

Go on, now.

We'll meet that minister tomorrow professionally.

Good night, Jenny.,

Good night, mother.

Bye-bye, dad.

Night, darling. Night, my boy.

Oh, Michael.

What are we going to do?

Now, don't worry, darling.

They don't know your name now.

They can't find you.

Michael, there must be something we can do.

We'll get out of town,

Stay somewhere till it's over.

Oh, no, they'll find us.

You can't hide from a newspaper, and how well I know it.

Maybe they could be appealed to

If they knew what this could do to us.

Oh, Nancy, I've got an idea.

If this Dr. isopod looks like an understanding man...

Oh, Michael, we couldn't.

Listen, darling, he is a minister and will help us.

If his church were to ask the editor...

[ doorbell buzzes ]

Oh, Michael...

Now, darling, everything's going to be all right.

Ahh, I hope I'm not intruding.

Dr. isopod? Yes.

Oh, come in, doctor, will you, please?

Dr. isopod. Mrs. townsend.

How do you do, doctor? Please let me have your hat.

Thank you.

Won't you sit down, Dr. isopod?

Ahh, you have a very cozy little nook here.

Just a modest little home, doctor.

Oh, you bankers...

You're so conservative and practical.

You are a banker, are you not?

Well, I work in a bank, doctor... the metropolitan.

Ah, yes, yes, I know.

And you, Mrs. townsend,

Do you find it easy to pass the time?

Why, I'm just a housewife. That's all.

Now, now, now, Mrs. townsend,

Judging from all that I have heard...

What have you heard?

Why, that you are a wonderful mother, Mrs. townsend.

[ Chuckles ]

Does your daughter resemble you or her father?

Why, her... Her mother, doctor.

Nancy, get that photograph of Jenny, will you, dear?

Jenny. Jenny.

Is that an abbreviation for Jeanette?

No, doctor, our daughter's name is just Jenny.

Isn't she sweet, doctor?

Oh, beautiful. Beautiful, indeed!

I wonder if I might keep this for our church records?

Won't she make a beautiful bride tomorrow?

The bride... ah, yes.

The reason I ask... We always try to keep

A photographic record of all our married couples.

There is no danger of Jenny's picture being published?

Published?

In the newspapers, I mean.

It's to be a very quiet wedding,

As Dr. bevins has probably told you.

Dr. bevins...

Ah, yes, yes, to be sure, Mr. townsend...

A very quiet wedding.

[ Clears throat ]

Dr. isopod...

May I ask you a great favor?

Well, I'm not a very practical man,

But if there's anything... Anything that I can do...

Many people come to you or to Dr. bevins

Or to someone in your church with their troubles,

Don't they?

Daily, Mr. townsend. Indeed, yes.

If someone were to ask your advice,

You would keep that secret?

Why, of course, Mrs. townsend.

Dr. isopod, I... I am in desperate trouble...

Not for myself, but my daughter.

Her happiness...

Why, I'm slightly bewildered.

Here is a newspaper,

One you probably have never seen in your church associations.

Look at that.

"Love nest raided."

No, not that... below.

I... I am Nancy voorhees.

Really? Really, Mrs. townsend?

My daughter doesn't know.

She thinks... she'd never even heard of the murder.

Will you, Dr. isopod, representing St. Gregory's...

Will you go to the editor of this newspaper

And ask him not to print this awful thing?

Oh, my dear Mr. and Mrs. townsend,

I'll go immediately.

I'll see what I can do.

Oh, Dr. isopod, we can never thank you enough!

There, there, my dear.

It just occurred to me that perhaps the bridegroom

Might have some influence... His name, I mean.

It often means so much to newspapers.

His name is Phillip weeks.

His father is a manufacturer in machinery. Just a moment!

I'll just keep this paper for the address.

Good night. Good night.

Michael, what were you saying?

Nancy... Didn't it strike you as odd

That Dr. isopod didn't know Phillip's name?

Why...

Why...

He didn't even know Jenny's first name.

He didn't...

Michael, what did we do?

Michael, what did we do?

Hello.

Get me wadsworth 37520.

Wadsworth 37520!

Hello. Is this... Is this St. Gregory's church?

Please let me speak to Dr. bevins, will you?

Michael! Oh, Michael!

Say, where the devil is isopod?

Well, send someone around to the speakeasy.

Listen, Murphy, we're starting this voorhees story tomorrow,

And I want it dressed.

What? Are you telling me it ain't news?

Oh, thank you, Mr. Murphy.

Well, maybe we can twist a headline out of isopod

If we ever find him.

Say, listen... put Nancy's picture all over the page...

Yeah, the one taken in prison.

What? Well, then paint bars on it!

Yeah, and send that carmody dame in here.

Where's isopod?

I don't know, Mr. Randall.

Well, then try and find him.

Well, what do you got?

Anything we can blow up to a ballyhoo on the first edition?

Well, I went around the neighborhood.

Everybody knows her as Mrs. townsend.

But I found out her daughter goes to hunter college,

So I hiked up there.

Anyway, I've got a reporter that's willing to work, yeah?

What did they say up there?

All I could get was that she had a good record,

Was very quiet, and, of course, was known as "miss townsend."

Looks like my idea was a dud.

By the way, did you see isopod?

Not lately.

Say, Mr. Randall, I don't balk assignments,

But I don't like working with that guy.

What's the matter?

I rode uptown in a taxi with him,

And I haven't any skin left on my knees.

What were you two doing, kneeling in prayer?

He was doing the kneeling.

I darn near went off the side of the cab.

[ Laughs ]

Well, I warned you, didn't I? Now, look here.

Write your story from this angle.

"Nancy voorhees, noted blah blah,

"Is one of the few noted women killers,

"Blah blah blah blah,

"Who faded immediately from the spotlight

"And found a haven of refuge

In the quiet, family neighborhood of blah blah blah."

Now, work in about the daughter and the contrast

Of her present life with that at the time of the killing.

I understand. All right, hop to it.

Hello? Get me Murphy.

Hello, Murphy? Got your layouts ready?

All right, I'll be right out.

I stand by anything I write!

[ Indistinct speaking ]

Here you are, Murphy.

Carmody will give you something for the first.

Put a five-column boxhead on it with a double bank.

Will you check these stories over, Mr. Randall, please?

Yeah, sure.

Say, I thought the boss sent you home.

I stopped at corkran's and got courage enough

To come back to tell someone

What they've been asking me to tell them.

I know... You're in love with the boss.

[ Laughs ]

The love-mad stenographer.

[ Telephone rings ]

Hello?

What?

Oh, isopod lily face.

Did the bad Mr. Randall give you a naughty, naughty job?

Say, if that's isopod, tell him the boss wants him.

Does it point a moral?

It's a great, big, wicked city. We can't be alone.

No, no, you can't take me home.

I live way up in the Bronx. Yeah, with my mother and father.

My father is buffalo bill.

Yeah, tell him he watches out the window

With a shotgun for taxicabs.

Uh, tell me, doctor,

What's the gazette gonna do with Nancy voorhees?

Believe it? I believe anything.

[ Gasps ] Say, what do you think?

He's discovered a murderess... A murderess trying

To marry her daughter to a young and innocent boy.

Can you tie that for a gag?

Tell him he better hurry over here.

Mr. Randall says for you to get over here darn quick.

Now, do you know what I think you are?

I think you're a big, yellow louse!

You know what I think Randall...

Oh, he rang off.

I wasn't half through.

Did you find isopod?

Yes, sir, Mr. Randall. He'll be right over.

Say, what are you doing back here?

What's the matter?

You sit there like a visible conscience.

[ Coughs ]

You've been to corkran's, haven't you?

Do you want to know what I think?

I know what you think.

Well, I think if we lost our jobs,

We'd feel like a pair of tramps that have been disinfected.

You're suddenly full of skyrockets, aren't you?

Now, look here, Mr. Randall,

You've done a lot for me,

But all the time you've been doing something for me,

You've been doing something to yourself.

What are you talking about?

You're letting this rag seduce you with a lot of money.

Say, now, listen, I've been on enough newspapers,

And I've seen enough people to know

That ideals won't put a patch on your pants.

You think this voorhees story is a pretty filthy mess,

Don't you?

I think that woman's suffered enough.

She had a right to kill that man

For putting her on trial again.

Sneaking around about it

With morals and warnings to young girls.

Can't you see what this might do to her family?

Oh, you ought to be ashamed of yourself.

I've been in this game too long to be ashamed of myself.

I'm gonna be one newspaper man that gets out of this business

With enough money to give me a decent old age.

You sent for me, Mr. Randall?

I was just gonna write my story.

What story?

Why, the voorhees story, of course.

"Of course"? "Of course" what?

May I say something?

First you listen to me.

When I send you out on a story, what the devil do you mean

By not keeping keeping in touch with your desk?

Mr. Randall, I've got a big story.

Oh, you have, have you? Do you know what time it is?

Do you know how long it takes to make a picture in the shop?

Do you know what time picture layouts must be ready?

If you'll listen to me... Oh, go on!

I never yet saw a newspaper man who didn't have an alibi,

Including myself.

Mr. Randall, I've got a great story,

But I was under such a nervous strain...

That you needed what you call "stimulation."

Well, yes, to be Frank.

All right, then, stimulate me.

I've seen Nancy voorhees in her flat.

Yeah, get me Murphy.

Say, Murphy, hold up your first and third pages

And stick on the wire.

He's here and, miracle of miracles,

Not too stinko to talk.

Go on.

Nancy voorhees' daughter is getting married tomorrow,

And here is her picture.

Yeah?

Nancy's daughter's getting married, huh?

What's so hot about that?

Why, these people don't even rate our social column.

But, Mr. Randall, don't you see?

This woman, this murderess,

Is marrying off her daughter

To a young and unsuspecting boy.

This is really something for the gazette to take up!

I was shocked, Mr. Randall, shocked!

Ah, poop!

What do you think you are, a critic?

So that's Nancy's daughter, huh?

Yes, and probably as bad as her mother.

I didn't see her. She was out.

Infant damnation, huh?

Who's the man she's marrying?

His name is Phillip weeks. His father makes machinery.

Weeks. Weeks?

Hey, Murphy, go in with the edition the way it is

And let them run one off of the trains.

Yeah, then we'll replate it with this voorhees yarn.

Say, find out about a man named weeks who makes machinery.

His son is marrying into the voorhees family.

I've got a picture of the girl. I'll send it out.

Miss Taylor, give this picture to Murphy.

Oh, here... the girl's picture is to go in here

And the bridegroom in here if we get him,

And Nancy's here, and the rest where I've indicated.

If Murphy doesn't understand, tell him to call me.

And then do me a big favor and go home.

All right, Mr. Randall.

Now, look here, isopod...

I want you to tie up your story with the serial you're starting,

Something like this... "the daughter of Nancy voorhees,

"Notorious murderess of 20 years ago,

"Will be married today.

"Out of the silence of two decades,

"The woman who shot 'candy kid' Matthews

"Emerges today, only to add a new mystery

"To the many chapters of her sensational career.

"On page 3 of today's evening gazette,

"The first true story of Nancy's blah blah blah will begin,

"And readers of the evening gazette

Will thus learn blah blah blah blah."

Got it? All right, hop to it.

Let me see your lead when it's finished.

And don't forget a text

To precede "the love-mad stenographer."

Yes, sir. Is that all, Mr...

[ door opens, closes ]

Get me Murphy.

Hello, Murphy.

What's the matter with that fight story?

Well, put a couple of pictures on the last page.

And, Murphy, take a look at that dramatic page, will you?

Kanig has been handing the follies

The top of his column every day.

Find out where our dramatic editor is sleeping nights.

Dry dock 4070.

What do you mean, dials? There ain't no dials.

Listen, girlie, this is a newspaper.

Hello? Dry dock 4070?

I want to talk to dinky Ginsberg.

Yeah.

Hello, dinky? This is ziggie.

Listen, dinky, the circulation manager's

Got a job for you and a couple of the boys.

Hang your ear close.

Now, listen, we've been getting the raspberry

From some of them sixth Avenue newsstands.

Yeah, they're burying the gazettes.

Yeah. There's a guy owns a newsstand on 46th street,

On the northeast corner.

Yeah, you know, he's one of them wise arabs.

Yeah, take a couple of brass knuckles and do your stuff.

You know.

Yeah. Thanks, dinky.

Oh, how's your mother?

I hear she's gonna have another baby.

She'll wear herself out one of these days.

Is this the latest copy of the gazette?

Yes, ma'am.

The five star final won't be out until 11:30.

Thank you.

[ Cash register dings ]

I've sold plenty of those gazettes today.

[ Laughter ]

Hello, mother. Why are you up so late?

Hello, Mrs. townsend.

You say "mother." You've got to learn it.

Hello, mother.

Where's dad?

Oh, uh, he had to go downtown on business.

How was the play? Oh, it was terrible!

You know, I hate these plays that make heroines out of...

Ladies with a past? [ Laughs ]

Oh, I almost forgot... What did the minister want?

Why, the usual thing,

And if you wanted the word "obey" in the ceremony.

Well, I don't.

Oh, no? Well, you're gonna start in right now.

You're gonna walk out there to that door with me

And kiss me good night.

Yes, my lord. How long will it take?

Oh, about an hour. Come on!

Good night, mother.

Good night, my boy.

[ Jenny laughing ]

[ Door opens, closes ]

All right, honey,

Then I'll call for you early in the morning,

And we'll go right down and get that license.

I guess you think we're an awful superstitious family, darling,

But mother wouldn't hear of our getting the license

Until the last minute.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night, sweetheart.

Ooh, I love you!

Isn't Phillip a darling?

He's a fine boy.

I wonder why Michael is so late.

Why, mother, dear, you're crying.

Does my getting married make you unhappy?

Of course not, dear.

It's just because I'm so happy for you,

So proud,

And so glad you're getting so fine a man as Phillip.

And now, Jenny, dear,

Don't you think you'd better get some sleep?

There will be so much to do tomorrow.

I suppose so, dear.

That's a girl. Good night, dear.

All that I can hope, mother,

Is that I'll be as happy with Phillip

As you are with dad.

I'm sure you will be, darling.

Kiss dad good night for me, will you? Yes, sweetie.

Now give your stuff to Jameson,

Then beat it up to the voorhees home,

And tell Jameson to give you a cameraman.

But I don't know how I'm going to get in if...

Well, ask ziggie. Sure, ask me.

Tell him you're the society editor on the tribune.

Thanks. It's all right.

Well.

What's the matter? You got something in your eye?

You sent for me, Mr. Randall?

I want you to cover

The St. Gregory end of this voorhees wedding.

If anybody asks you any questions at the church,

Why, tell them you're the staff clergyman

Of the evening gazette.

That ought to fix everything. And get this story in on time.

Yes, sir.

Boss, I got another great idea.

Oh, death, where is thy sting?

What do you say

To a bathing-beauty race to Hollywood?

What do you want them to do, swim there?

All right!

Nancy. Nancy, dear.

Yes, dear?

Has Jenny gone?

You know she has. Why did you call me?

Oh, I... I don't know. I'm... I'm just nervous.

I wish I could take this collar off.

Why don't you, dear? We have lots of time.

[ Doorbell buzzes ]

I'll go.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Where's Phillip?

He has gone with Jenny for the license.

Won't you come in, Mrs. weeks?

Phillip and Jenny will be back soon.

Won't you sit down?

We've been trying to reach you on the phone all the morning.

We haven't been answering the phone.

I presume you know why we are here, Mrs. townsend.

I think we have a very good idea.

Mr. townsend, we should appreciate it

If you'd make matters as easy as possible.

Oh, don't beat about the bush, Arthur.

This marriage must be stopped.

No, you can't! You can't wreck...

I assume that you have not spoken to Phillip.

It's the proper thing

For the parents of the girl to break off matters,

Or rather, I should say, the parent.

But Phillip will do as he is commanded.

He will understand, of course, that marriage with a girl...

Arthur: Isobel, will you allow me to handle this?

Very well, Arthur,

But we are not here on a diplomatic errand,

And it's no use talking about what Phillip would like to do.

My son is not going to marry the daughter of a murderess.

Isobel!

I don't think there's anything more to be said.

I'm sorry.

Mrs. weeks, uh... We're excited.

Steady, darling, steady.

Oh, Michael, we must tell Phillip and Jenny.

Yes, I guess they'll have to know.

Everything I touch falls apart.

The thing Phillip's mother and father are afraid of

Is exposure.

If we could stop that newspaper,

Everything would be all right.

Michael, if I went to the editor,

If I told him what this means to us...

Oh, honey, they wouldn't listen to us.

We're not important.

Nancy... I'm going to St. Gregory's.

I'm sure Dr. bevins will try to help us.

It's the only thing left I can think of.

Hurry back, Michael, won't you?

I don't want to be alone today.

I feel as though I'm breaking up.

Now, now, now, now, now. I'll be back as fast as I can.

You try and rest, sweet, and... And wait for the kids.

Canal 10000.

Mr. hinchecliffe?

We've just signed the antisterility crowd

For 100,000 lines at 60 cents a line.

Canal 10000.

That's good. That's very, good.

But you know, brannegan,

I'm set against this patent medicine advertising.

I wish we could afford to drop it from the paper.

This isn't exactly patent medicine, Mr. hinchecliffe.

It's really a vegetable tonic.

Hold on till I get these figures arranged.

One moment.

Evening gazette. Good afternoon.

Mr. hinchecliffe, please.

Just a moment.

[ Telephone rings ]

Mr. hinchecliffe's office.

I want to speak to Mr. hinchecliffe.

I'll see if he's in. Who's calling, please?

Tell him Nancy voorhees is calling.

We got to be careful about our Harlem circulation.

Some of the stories are kicking.

Just a minute, brannegan.

Nancy voorhees is calling.

Find out what she wants.

Will you give me the message?

No, I must speak to him personally.

I'll take the matter up with Randall.

You'd better give me some idea of what it's about.

Please, please, he knows what it's about.

She says you know what it's about.

Tell her I'm not in.

This is very important. I must speak to him.

Will you please tell me how I can reach him?

I really don't know, Ms. voorhees.

I suggest you speak to Mr. Randall.

Just a moment. I'll switch the call.

Hello, operator? Operator?

Put this call on Mr. Randall's wire.

[ Telephone rings ]

Mr. Randall's office.

I want to speak to Mr. Randall.

I'll see if he's in. What's the name, please?

This is Nancy voorhees calling.

[ Telephone rings ]

Hello? Just a minute, Mr. hinchecliffe.

Who is it?

Nancy voorhees calling.

Yeah? Tell her I'm not in.

All right, what's on your mind?

Mr. Randall isn't in just now.

Please, please,

Isn't it possible for me to speak to him?

Hold the wire. I'll see if I can find him.

Brannegan tells me we have an excess of Harlem circulation.

Well, what of it?

He says it's hurting business.

You tell him I said we lost a lot

When we stopped printing Jack Johnson's love confessions.

Yeah, and we dropped some more

When we took the clearinghouse reports off the front page.

Mr. Randall is not in, Ms. voorhees.

Operator, we were cut off.

Canal 10000.

I know because my cook stopped buying the gazette.

Evening gazette. Good afternoon.

I want to speak to Mr. hinchecliffe.

Just a moment.

[ Telephone rings ]

Mr. hinchecliffe's office.

This is Nancy voorhees again.

Nancy voorhees is calling again.

Switch the call over to Mr. Randall's office

And tell the operator to cut her off

If she bothers us anymore.

Operator, put this call to Mr. Randall's wire,

And if that voorhees woman calls this office again,

Cut her off.

[ Telephone rings ]

Mr. Randall's office.

We were cut off, I think. This is Nancy voorhees.

Just a minute.

We can't keep the clearinghouse reports on page 1

Because we lose 10 minutes on the replate.

Well, talk to your friend brannegan about this.

Mr. Randall, Ms. voorhees is on the phone again.

You heard what I said. Mr. Randall, you can't.

It's too callous. Please speak to her.

Hold the wire, Ms. voorhees.

Hello?

Mr. Randall?

Yeah, this is Mr. Randall.

You know why I'm calling.

Mr. Randall, I want you to stop this story.

You don't know what it means.

I'm not asking for myself. Please believe that.

But you wouldn't punish an innocent person, would you?

I don't follow you.

Mr. Randall, my daughter is being married today.

She doesn't know anything about this.

If you print this story, it will ruin her life.

Will you make this sacrifice? Will you, please?

Miss voorhees, I would like to, but...

There's so many other things to print.

Mr. Randall, do you hear what I'm saying?!

Ms. voorhees, I can't do anything about it.

The story's published, and the paper's on the street.

I can't go on with this.

She calls again, you tell her I'm not in.

[ Gasping ]

[ Groaning ]

[ Metal clanking ]

Ugh!

You may rest assured I will get in touch with the gazette

And do everything possible to help you and your wife.

Thank you, Dr. bevins.

I'm deeply grateful, sir.

You're the first person who has given us a ray of hope.

Good afternoon, sir.

Goodbye, Mr. townsend.

Nancy?

Nancy?

Nancy!

Wait for us, will you?

I'll let you be extravagant just for today.

[ Chuckles ]

[ Laughter ]

Well, dad, the state of New York

Agreed to let us get married.

Oh, that's fine.

Where's mother?

S-she went out.

[ Radio stations changing ]

Needed something at the last moment.

Isn't that like a woman, Phillip?

You're a bad influence on Phillip.

He'll change his mind at the last minute.

Go on. I haven't got time.

You haven't seen the papers yet?

I should worry with papers on a day like this.

I'll go get them now. I got plenty of time.

No, no, no, no! No, Phillip, no.

There's no hurry.

I can get them on the way to the church.

I only wanted the market reports.

Phillip, you and Jenny must run along.

Your mother and father will be waiting for you at the church.

You must see them before the wedding.

But aren't you going to escort us, dad?

No, I'm going to join your mother.

We'll... We'll meet you there.

But mother will be back at any moment.

I want to see her first.

[ Telephone ringing ]

[ Up-tempo music playing ]

Hello?

Oh, Nancy!

Why, darling, I was wondering what had become of you.

Yes, the kids are here waiting for you.

What?

Oh, why, where, dear?

Oh, no.

All right, I'll... I'll be right over.

All right.

Oh, Jenny, darling, you... you must go.

Your mother's in the store down the street,

And she forgot to take any money with her.

Now... now I've got to go and join her.

Isn't... isn't that like a woman, Phillip?

Go along.

You'll meet us at St. Gregory's?

Sure, sure. In the vestry, isn't it?

Why, yes, of course.

Phillip...

I'm going to call you my son for the first time.

Why, that's great, dad.

How about a little kiss, Jenny?

Why, dad...

You're... You're trembling so.

Is there something the matter?

No, dear, no, of course not.

Just... just a little bit upset, that's all.

You know, weddings are nerve-trying things.

Oh!

Don't be long, dad.

Goodbye, dad.

Goodbye.

Oh, Jenny, don't forget to give the right answers.

[ Laughs ]

[ Telephone ringing ]

[ Music continues ]

[ Gasping ]

[ Thud ]

[ Doorbell buzzing ]

Maybe they've gone to church.

I guess I had the wrong phone number.

It sounded like some nut.

You know what this means if we're caught?

Just a case of burglary.

Well, we've got the newspaper behind us, haven't we?

[ Gasps ] Ohh!

Shut up, you fool! Get that camera set!

Canal 10000. Canal 10000!

Snap out of it! Get that flashlight!

Evening gazette. Good afternoon.

Get me Mr. Randall quick.

Yes, Mr. Randall!

[ Telephone rings ]

Mr. Randall's office.

Miss carmody on the wire, Mr. Randall.

Hello?

What?

What?!

Hold the wire.

Get me Jameson.

Hey, Jameson,

Hold up your next edition and get ready for an extra.

I've got a call here from miss carmody.

Nancy voorhees and her husband are dead.

Yeah, suicide.

Put the best rewrite man you have on it.

I'll switch carmody to you.

Hello.

Hey, I'm gonna switch you to the city desk.

Give them all you've got, and then get back here quick

And write me a story for the five star final.

Man: Extra! Read about the big suicide!

Extra! Read about the big suicide!

Extra!

Read about the big suicide!

Extra! Read about the big suicide!

Man 2: Extra! Extra! All about the big suicide!

Extra! All about the big suicide!

Isobel: Frankly, miss townsend, there can be no marriage.

I must hear that from Phillip, not from you.

Man 2: Extra! All about the big suicide!

Oh, why, why doesn't somebody stop that boy?

Phillip will do exactly what we tell him.

If he really loves me,

He'll marry me in spite of everything.

If he doesn't, I might as well know it now.

Oh, please won't you go?

Please, please leave me alone!

Phillip! Phillip!

Can't someone stop that little boy shouting?

That paper! That paper, Phillip!

Why doesn't somebody kill people who print things like that?

Honey, don't. Don't.

We have just told this girl

That this wedding must be indefinitely postponed.

Oh, Phillip.

"We"? Just who are "we"?

Phillip, I don't like your tone.

When it comes to my marriage,

I'll settle that myself.

I don't like to make threats,

But unless you listen to reason...

You'll disinherit me, I suppose. Well, go ahead and do it.

You were willing yesterday for me to marry Jenny,

And she's the same girl today as she was then.

It's just your stinking snobbery that's changed your minds.

Phillip, don't be cruel.

I will not take into my family the daughter of a murderess.

I think you're the coldest,

Most brutal woman I've ever known.

Come, now.

Jerry, did you ever kill a man?

You're kidding, ain't you?

Did you ever kill a woman?

Oh, now I know you're joking, Mr. Randall.

You never killed anybody.

Say, I knew a guy once who killed his wife.

Yeah? Tell me about it.

Well, he must have loved her or something,

Because after he got out of jail,

He used to get drunk and cry.

Yeah? What happened to him?

Oh, I don't know. He ran out of money, I guess.

He stopped coming here.

Ran out of money, huh? [ Chuckles ]

Yeah, I never thought of it before.

Jerry, what do people do

Who are in trouble and haven't any money to buy liquor?

There must be lots of them in the world.

[ Chuckles ]

God gives us heartache, and the devil gives us whiskey.

I've been here three hours,

And not a member of my staff's been in.

No wonder the paper is rotten.

We need more drunkards.

[ Knock on door ]

What are you doing here?

Looking for you.

I think you ought to come back to the office.

I'm not drunk. I don't mean that.

I didn't think you did.

You're a human being.

Sit down and have something.

Same, Jerry.

So, you've been here before, have you?

Sure. A secretary only secs for pay.

Now, don't get fresh.

I don't get fresh with you.

I'm unusual.

Did I ever try to make love to you?

You said you weren't drunk.

I'm not.

I'm not drunk on liquor anyhow.

Listen, Mr. Randall,

Mr. hinchecliffe's called you five times,

And there's a police inspector waiting.

And I could be happy without either of them.

Who's the cop?

Inspector Donovan. It's about the voorhees picture.

You tell that flatfoot I've gone to China.

And as for hinchecliffe, well, I'll see him.

And when I see him, he won't forget it.

Why don't you go with another paper, a decent one?

Why not the hot seat at sing sing?

That's where they send murderers, isn't it?

[ Crying ]

Darling, what can I say?

Please go, Phillip.

I want to be alone.

I feel as though I were breaking up.

Jenny, don't. Don't.

[ Doorbell buzzes ]

I'm Mr. swartz.

You'll excuse me, but Mr. vogelsang, the undertaker,

Wants to know how many carriages you'll need.

Mr. vogelsang thinks that two will be enough.

The burial is to be in woodlawn...

Just a minute, please.

I want to get a check on the coroner's report.

Place of death... Borough of Manhattan,

184 west 172nd street.

Full name... Nancy townsend.

Report of death... B.K. Finkel.

Sex... female. Color... white.

Date of birth... June 4, 1892.

Age... 38 years, 8 days.

Name of father... Leonard d. Voorhees.

Name of mother... Geraldine Mason.

Date of death... Saturday, June 12, 11:30 A.M.

I hereby so declare

That the foregone particulars are correct...

Mr. French called.

He said the gazette would sell 100,000 more copies today.

He sent his congratulations to you.

Yeah?

Wasn't that sweet of him?

Give me the night desk.

Night desk.

Hello, Murphy?

Say, what did the other papers do with the voorhees story?

I've been away all afternoon.

They lifted the pictures, huh?

Well, let hinchecliffe sue them.

Now, listen, Murphy... I'm gonna drop it.

Leave what's left of that family alone, understand?

I don't want to be chiding, Randall,

But I think it was your place

To be in the office today of all days.

I think you'd better not say anything about it.

Miss Taylor, do you mind leaving us?

[ Door opens, closes ]

Now, what else have you on your mind?

Well, I've been thinking

That I might take a little trip to england.

My wife wants to go...

Why stall, hinchecliffe?

You and I have been thinking of the same thing all afternoon.

Well, I think your exploitation

Of the voorhees story was a trifle too... too...

Too expert?

Well, you were yelling for circulation,

And Frank says we're getting it.

Well, perhaps we should drop the voorhees serial.

No, no.

The horse is stolen, hinchecliffe,

Stolen by the undertaker.

Well, this is not the time for bitterness, Randall.

I want you to cooperate with me.

All right.

Then let's cooperate on a drink.

You know my principles against drinking.

Well, these are mine.

To Nancy voorhees, Michael townsend,

And our circulation increase.

I think I should like to consult French and brannegan.

Hello? Say, have French and brannegan come in.

You might ask them if the gazette should send flowers.

Now, my boy, don't be so bitter.

Naturally, we are both deeply touched

By this unfortunate affair,

But you know a great newspaper

Transcends the individual and sentimentality.

Yet we can't escape the fact

That those people committed suicide

Because we dug up that old story.

And the coroner's inquest may bring out that point.

Oh, come in, gentlemen. I am anxious for a conference.

I need your advice upon a matter.

I want to congratulate you, Randall.

We had a larger sale today

Than when the United States entered the war!

Exactly what I've said...

Human interest is what the people want.

Uh, Mr. Randall and I were discussing the advisability

Of dropping the voorhees serial idea.

You're crazy!

We've got the biggest thing in years sewed up!

Has it ever occurred to any of you

That a story like this can be a boomerang?

If you're going to inject personal feelings

Into the editorial policy,

I'll start throwing tea parties for the news dealers.

That's exactly the idea

That I was impressing on Mr. Randall.

Now, there was a suggestion made today by Mr. isopod

That we change this serial

To Nancy voorhees' own authorized story.

How? By sending to the morgue for her signature?

Well, I...

I think Mr. isopod should explain his idea in person.

Send isopod in here.

French: Putting sentiment aside, Mr. hinchecliffe,

If we can hold this circulation,

We'll top every tabloid paper in town by October.

And by that town, no one in town

Will ever remember this voorhees case.

Hi, Mr. isopod.

I want you to explain your idea to us.

Well, it seems perfectly simple to me.

This poor voorhees child

Has probably been left entirely destitute,

And now that her mother is dead,

There isn't anybody to deny anything that we may print.

So I suggested that we give the poor child,

Oh, say, $1,000

For her permission to run her mother's own authorized story.

Oh, I think we could give the unfortunate daughter

A little more than that... Say, $1,200.

What do you think of the plan?

I think isopod's got a good idea.

It's a swell chance for us to cash in!

And you, Mr. Randall?

I'm not a crusader, nor an uplifter,

But this is the most filthy proposition I've ever heard.

I am saying flatly I won't run the story.

That's between you and Mr. hinchecliffe.

Why, just a matter of common decency!

And you should realize that every intelligent

Advertising man in town would be offended!

There's some things in life which transcend dollar grabbing.

For two cents, I'd smash your face in!

You'd do anything for two cents.

Gentlemen, gentlemen, I insist!

There's a young lady... A miss townsend...

To see Mr. hinchecliffe or Mr. Randall.

Well, I... I think that it would be much better

To see her at another time.

May I suggest...

I think it would be a big mistake to see her at any time.

You said you had a proposition to make to her, didn't you?

Yes, but I think it would be most unwise to see her now.

She's probably...

Hysterical?

Well... I'm going to see her.

Then count me out.

If I were you, I'd have her sent away.

Come on, French.

I hardly believe I'm needed.

No, you stay here. She'll be delighted to see you.

Bring miss townsend in here.

You know, Randall, you're making a mistake.

Well, you're going to finagle that serial

Into a first-person story, aren't you?

Well, here's your chance to put the offer to the poor girl.

I want to see Mr. hinchecliffe.

I... I am Mr. hinchecliffe,

But I'm very busy at the moment.

I suppose you know who I am.

You're Ms. voor... Miss townsend.

Yes.

I'm Nancy voorhees' daughter.

May I give you a chair, miss townsend?

I prefer to stand.

Listen, Randall...

Stop blabbering and tell this girl your proposition.

A proposition for me?

Miss townsend, I want to say how dreadfully sorry...

Dreadfully sorry we all are for your great misfortune.

But newspapers are only great mirrors

That reflect the world...

May I ask you a question, Mr. hinchecliffe?

By all means, miss townsend.

Mr. hinchecliffe, why did you kill my mother?

Why... W-why, my dear, I...

Your name is isopod, the reverend isopod?

Reverend nothing.

He's just a four-flushing, drunken reporter!

I didn't think any ordained minister of Christ

Could do what you did.

Why did you kill my mother?

My dear woman, my dear miss townsend...

And you... You own this paper.

You write editorials and sign them.

You attack everything.

You're a crusader in shining armor.

Well, answer me... Why did you kill my mother?

Miss townsend, you must understand

That I am not forced to listen to you.

What will you do?

I-I have told you how sorry I am,

That anything that I can do I...

You can do anything, can't you?

I read your newspaper. It solves everything.

It tells the president of the United States

How to stop war.

It tells women how to raise babies.

It tell us to shorten our skirts

Or Bob our hair or lengthen both!

Well, you omnipotent coward,

Raise my mother and father from the dead!

Miss townsend, would you be calm and listen to me?

Will you answer my question?!

Why did you kill my mother?!

Yes, I'll answer it.

We killed your mother and Michael townsend

For the purpose of circulation.

He killed them, and I killed them,

And the smaller fry abetted the murders

To sell papers to sell papers to a gang of dirty illiterates!

You think there's any difference in murderers?

Well, you've gotten the only answer I have.

Answer? Answer?!

Do you know that yesterday my mother and father were living?!

We had a future, all of us! We were happy and...

I feel just...

Do you think I care what you feel?

You've smashed us!

Where is my mother?! Where is my father?!

Why don't you answer me?!

Who are you to condemn people to death?!

My mother killed a rat, and I'm her daughter!

I can kill one, too!

They killed them, Phillip, these men.

Oh, Phillip.

Mother was so beautiful. I love her.

[ Cries ]

You needn't be frightened.

There won't be any more murders.

And it won't do any good to tell you what you've done.

You'll go on hunting down

Little, unimportant people who can't fight back.

You'll go on with your filthy newspaper,

Pulling the clothing off women

And selling their naked souls for two cents.

You've grown rich on filth,

And no one's ever dared rise up and crush you out.

But remember this...

If you ever mention my wife's name in your rotten paper again,

I'll hunt you down and kill you.

Why, Mr. Randall, I...

Now get out.

I'm all perspiration.

Perspire outside.

Hinchecliffe, what that girl said goes for me, too.

Now, listen, Randall...

I feel as badly as you do, but how could we foresee...

That we're nothing but a pack of backstabbing murderers?

You go too far, man! Too far?

Now you listen to me, hinchecliffe...

It'll be for the last time.

I'm through with your dirty rag, and I'm through with you!

Oh, I'm not ducking any of the blame for this thing.

You thought up the murder, and I committed it.

But I did it for smaller profit, for wages.

You did it for circulation.

You must be mad! Mad? Yes, I am.

All my life I'll be mad,

'Cause all my life I'll be seeing Nancy voorhees' daughter

Standing there and asking me why I killed her mother.

And I want you, hinchecliffe, to enjoy the picture with me.

I want you to wake up in the night

And see your own squashy, putrid little soul.

I want you to know that every human being that works for you

Knows what a diseased hypocrite you are.

We all know what you are, but we take your money

And do your work because we're afraid to starve!

You'll have my resignation and release of my contract

On your desk immediately.

But, Randall, don't be hasty.

Get out!

Miss Taylor?

Please sit down and write a formal resignation for me.

[ Telephone rings ]

Hello?

Night city desk, Mr. Randall.

Hello, Murphy.

Yeah?

Love-nest killing, huh? How many dead?

Wife shot them both? Then committed suicide?

[ Laughs ] Marvelous! Sure, it's a great story!

Sure, give her the works!

Plaster it all over the front page!

Say, paint it on the front of the building!

Tattoo it on hinchecliffe's chest!

I don't care what you do with them

'Cause I'm not working here anymore.

No, hinchecliffe's got to get himself a new head butcher.

I've had 10 years of filth and blood!

I'm splashed with it, drenched with it!

I've had all I can stand, plenty of it!

Take your killings to hinchecliffe with my compliments

And tell him to shove it up his...

[ Telephone rings ]

[ Indistinct shouting ]

Man: Evening gazette! Evening gazette!

Five-star final! Five-star final here!