All language subtitles for False Faces (Lowell Sherman, 1932)

Hello, everyone.

My name is Paul Malcolm.

I'm a programmer at UCLA Film & Television Archive.

Welcome to the latest event in our virtual screening room.

We hope you're doing well.

While we are not at our year-round home

in the Billy Wilder Theater,

we are still present on the traditional ancestral

and unceded territory of the Gabrielino-Tongva peoples

and we are humbled to do work in this community.

Today, we're screening False Faces from 1932,

directed by Lowell Sherman who also stars.

The film's restoration of False Faces

premiered at our 2017 Festival of Preservation

and we reprised it in our special

Poverty Row program in 2018.

We're really happy to be presenting

this restoration here today.

I want to thank Packard Humanities Institute

and the Academy Film Archive

for allowing us to present the restoration.

And we're also really thrilled to have with us

the archive's Head of Preservation, Scott MacQueen,

to say a few words about the film and the restoration.

Take it away, Scott.

Thank you, Paul.

Hi, everybody, welcome.

False Faces is kind of a pre-code lover's wet dream.

Plastic surgery was unregulated

in the first half of the 20th century,

and a Russian-born self-styled plastic surgeon and quack

named Henry Schireson took full advantage

of the wild west atmosphere around the profession.

He had no medical degree and

his practice was littered with lawsuits.

He literally learned plastic surgery

just by cutting on people.

His big public PR breakthrough came in 1923

when Fanny Brice, the top comedian

in the Ziegfeld Follies decided to have Schireson

give her a nose job.

The New York Times reported in August

that Fanny Brice's nose is to be scaled down.

Now, Fanny was a big, boisterous, larger than life,

typical Jewish comedian of the period.

She sang songs, did jokes,

and like so many New Yorkers of her time and place,

she had a big schnozzle, a big Durante.

And the operation took place in the hotel room.

Schireson supplied before and after,

somewhat doctored photographs of the result

to show the improvement that Fanny had brought

by having her Jewish nose bopped.

She wanted more dramatic roles,

but it just made her less funny, apparently

and Dorothy Parker memorably quipped

that Fanny had cut off her nose to spite her race.

Other roaring 20s personalities who consulted Henry

were the notorious Peaches Browning,

a 16-year-old gold digger, many times married,

prone to be a little plump,

and she wanted some of her fat removed

in pre-liposuction days.

Then Lady Diana Manners, the famous socialite

and glamor queen, again many times married,

she was sued by him for nonpayment of fees,

which may have been as much to draw attention,

advertising is cheap.

And then in early 1928 came his most notorious event.

A 30-year-old stenographer named Sadie Holland.

She went to have a shoulder,

a burn on her shoulder treated with plastic surgery.

And Henry saw an opportunity as he looked

at the bow-legged stenographer and said,

you know, I can straighten out your legs for you.

And so he talked her into an $800 operation

to cure her bowed legs.

And he went in and began cutting.

And then by early February,

Sadie was riddled with gangrene

and in critical condition and she had to

go see other physicians

who amputated both of her legs above the knees,

hoping they could still save her life.

Well, they did manage to, and Schireson avoided

any penalty for this and he skated on through the 1940s

continuously doing this work,

which was unregulated by any medical or government body.

And he kept working this way until he was dead in 1949.

His great-granddaughter, Suzanne,

who is an excellent painter,

has revisited Harry's work,

and I'm going to show you a touch or two of that.

I'm gonna screen share it here.

And this is a scene from False Faces

with Lowell Sherman and Peggy Shannon.

Here is Fanny Brice,

the Serio-Comic Adventures of her Nice New Nose

as portrayed in Schireson-doctored photographs.

There is Schireson examining the proboscis in question.

Here's a still of False Faces

showing the dramatic counterpart of Sadie

with her amputated legs in the climax of the film.

And here's the king of quacks himself.

And that's more typical of how he looked by the 1930s.

"Resumes practice after prison term."

Very light slap on the wrist

and he's back out doing it again.

Here is one of Suzanne's paintings

and she writes about her paintings

that she uses herself as a model and it allows her

to anchor memory and invention with

the urgency of painting from life.

"I play all the roles, doctor, nurse, patient and friend.

My great-grandfather's surgical obsession

with the aesthetics of the hidden figure

fascinate me as a painter."

And so there she is dressed up in her white robes

of a patient to be put on the table

and now fantasizing herself having the surgery.

Lowell Sherman, who directed False Faces,

was no stranger to scandal.

Having presented at the...

Having been present...

Where is Lowell?

We don't have him handy here.

But we'll tell you more about him.

He actually is a friend of Fatty Arbuckle's

and he was on board

at the St. Francis Hotel

that famous weekend when Virginia Rappee died.

Sherman not only directs False Faces,

but he plays the counterpart

of Henry Sherman, Silas Brenton.

He was a stage and screen actor turned director.

Griffith had cast him memorably chasing Lillian Gish

over ice flows in Way Down East.

And as a director, he had just guided Mae West

through She Done Him Wrong and guided Katharine Hepburn

to her first Oscar in Morning Glory.

And he was now set to go on

to the biggest production of the period,

which was the first three color technicolor film,

Becky Sharp, which he started shooting

and then got double pneumonia and died in December of 1934.

There were some other tragedies,

tragic women especially,

who were associated with False Faces.

Lila Lee, who plays the receptionist-secretary-nurse,

who is actually loyal to the Lowell Sherman character,

had an early career that went sour.

Having been Lon Chaney's leading lady

in The Unholy Three in 1925,

by the 1960s she was starring in

Cottonpickin' Chickenpickers,

just as her son, James Kirkwood, Jr.

was about to pick up his Tony and Pulitzer

for A Chorus Line.

Then there's a Catholic girl from Arkansas, Peggy Shannon,

a beautiful young red head,

beautiful and troubled,

who was billed as the new Clara Bow

and who was dead from alcoholism by age 34.

Then there's Nance O'Neil who plays

the unfortunate amputee, Mrs. Finn.

Well, she was a close friend and rumored lover

of New England ax murderess Lizzie Borden.

And finally, there's the mystery of the World Wide girl.

The World Wide girl was the moniker,

the avatar of the new World Wide Pictures company.

She had spectacular globes, that gal,

but she's no longer a mystery.

We now know that she was Claudia Dell

who was a minor player

in movies of the period.

She'd started at Warner Brothers

in two of their big technicolor musicals

and there from there, she just slid down

to appearing in things like The Lost City

for Sherman Krellberg in 1935.

Stupid.

She's still holding those globes

high as the World Wide girl.

Harrison's Report called False Faces

"fast moving but unpleasant entertainment,

but not suitable for children or Sunday showing."

It has everything one could wish for from a pre-code.

UCLA would like to thank David Stenn

for bringing the title to our attention.

Like most Tiffany Pictures, it was hanging by a thread

when our restoration team got to it.

Packard Humanities had the camera negative

missing several reels.

The Academy Film Archive had a nitrate print

covering several sections we needed

with much nitrate decomposition

but other pieces wouldn't turn up,

including the entire ending.

I missed buying the 16 milometer print

on the collector's market by two weeks.

And then David Stenn once again came to our rescue on it.

David took it upon himself to locate an early 1954 TV print.

It was going vinegar,

but we were able to gather those critical moments,

and what a few minutes they are.

So without further ado,

here is False Faces from 1932.

Enjoy.

(bright orchestral music)

(grand orchestral music)

(soft orchestral music)

(siren wailing)

Si.

Si.

Si, wake up.

Open those eyes wide.

There's work at hand.

Ah.

I knew there was a catch in your gesture of affection.

An emergency operation, Mr. Alfredo Hernandez.

So, you don't mind if I call him Al for short?

Are you assisting me?

No, Sully is.

Well, the operation's a flop from the start.

How about a little kiss?

The man is dying.

So am I.

See you later?

Not tonight.

Why not?

I saw you last night.

Well, so did I.

What's the idea?

You giving me the air?

Oh, don't be silly.

Come on, now, you better hurry.

All right, I'll hurry.

You know I'm on duty tonight.

Now, this case is serious.

No fooling.

All right, Honey, I'll tell you what we'll do.

We'll give Alfredo the full benefit

of modern science, pronto.

Is that it?

How about seeing you later?

I said no.

Then I don't operate on Alfredo.

An operation won't be necessary if you wait much longer.

Sure, I'll see you.

Mr. Hernandez is being prepared

for the operating room now.

Did you say Hernandez?

Your name Hernandez?

Yes.

Are you relatives of his?

She, my wife.

He, her father.

Well, he's a very, very sick man.

Could I see you a moment?

You don't mind, Mrs.

Here, give a name, please.

Manuela (sobs quietly) Hernandez

Did you tell Doctor Brenton to come right up?

Yes, I did, Doctor.

Thanks.

Well, when he comes, I want to see him alone.

Would you mind leaving now please?

Certainly, Doctor.

Hal's waiting for you.

I know.

Hi, Annie.

(knocks lightly)

Come in.

Hello, Doctor.

Hi, Doctor.

Brenton, how long have you been on the staff here?

Seven years.

I've been here going on five years.

The superintendent who preceded me

pointed to you with pride.

You were already an old-timer.

You had an excellent reputation, even then.

Both for your integrity and your ability.

I want to have a little talk with you.

Come in here.

Is this the doctor?

Yes.

All right.

Wait in there.

Manuela, Manuela, don't,

don't cry.

You see that little red building out there?

Yeah, the morgue.

Yes.

There's a person out there pointing his finger at you.

Lee, what do you mean?

Brenton, I could send you to the penitentiary.

This is a free institution

and you have been obtaining money here

under misrepresentation of the worst kind.

Unethical to the code of your profession

is putting it mildly.

I checked up on you quite thoroughly

and I know from A-Z the graft you're pulling.

I know that you have told unfortunate people

that a little money paid you would

procure for them individual skill,

purer drugs, good food, and a guarantee of rapid recovery.

Those poor people that just came in here

went to the morgue and asked for their $50 back.

Brenton, how can you be do devoid of decency and honor?

How can you take $50?

Fifty lousy dollars.

Why, they should jingle in your conscience

as long as you live.

You knew all the time that man couldn't live.

Why, you performed the operation on him yourself.

Brenton, that man's blood must have been

on your hands when you took that money.

Were I to turn this, and other evidence I have against you,

over to the authorities, you would be ruined for life.

They'd take your license away from you

and put you in jail.

Georgia.

Something's wrong.

Why?

Your boyfriend's up on the carpet.

He is?

Yeah, he's up there right now.

Now don't say I told you.

I won't.

You have a good eye for diagnosis.

And an unusual skill with your instruments.

Qualities that mankind is in sore need of.

So, I'm going to do something that,

perhaps, someday I will regret.

I don't know.

But I'm going to give you 24 hours to get out of town.

You're going to pay that $50 back.

I never want to see your face again.

I suggest that you go somewhere and start anew,

combining honesty with industry.

That's all.

Thank you.

Oh, hello, baby.

What's the trouble?

Nothing.

Come on, tell me, what's up?

No, no, nothing at all.

Well, where you going now?

Home.

At this hour?

Yeah, some things I have to do.

Why don't you come along?

How can I?

But it's important that I see you

at the apartment this evening.

But you know I'm on duty until morning.

You can slip away for a little while, anyway.

Then there is something up.

No, I can't tell you now.

You call at the apartment this evening.

I know, but-

And don't ask me any more questions.

All right, nurse.

Thank you.

Well, what'll you have?

What have you got?

Whiskey, whiskey, and whiskey.

I'll have whiskey.

Good.

What's all the shooting about, Si?

Yeah what's coming off here?

Well, boys, I'm leaving town.

It's fate.

My dear ole Uncle Joe kicked off,

leaving me the better part of a

cool quarter of a million.

I was informed of his death this morning.

He died of a heart attack, superinduced by uh, indigestion.

You know the Brentons were all hard eaters.

They're holding up the funeral until

the little, heir, Si, gets there.

What do you say we drink to dear old Uncle Joe

and his remarkable memory.

Uncle Joe.

What's the lowdown, Si?

Nothing, just leaving Bronx General, that's all.

What are you going to do now?

Oh, going to practice somewhere else.

What's the real lowdown, Si?

Well, they got me, that's all.

Hospital?

Old Hal turned detective.

I guess it's all up.

What are you going to do?

Go to Chicago and start over again.

I sure would like to go along.

What would you do with your own patient?

Well, he'll probably die anyway.

Listen, J.B., I'll do the missionary work.

If there's anything doing, I'll send for you.

How about the dough?

Got enough?

Well, I have some.

I wasn't in that racquet for nothing.

I haven't got what I should have,

but I have enough to give me a start.

General practice?

Sure, then I can do everything.

How about Georgie?

Well she knows that I'm going, that's all.

I don't want you to slip her anything I've told you.

You're telling me to do that?

I know your next line.

You'd have been in jail a long time ago

if you hadn't learned to keep your mouth shut.

I want you boys to clear out of here,

I'm expecting Georgie up in a few minutes.

How about a little drink before the handshake?

Well, you can sweeten mine.

No, thanks.

That's a good idea, I think I'll try it myself.

Well, John, keep the home fires burning.

Look after the women while I'm gone.

Follow in your footsteps?

Come on, Parker.

Goodbye, J.B.,

anything happens, I'll let you know.

All right, now, take care of yourself, hear?

You bet I will, goodbye, John.

And, uh,

Drop us a line once in a while.

Don't forget, you know?

I sort, I'm depending on you.

Okay, goodbye.

(loud knocking)

So glad you came, Honey.

Take of your coat and sit down.

Oh, no, I can't.

I broke away from the hospital without telling anyone,

just hope they won't miss me.

Yeah, but you can take your coat off

and stay awhile.

You're making it just that much tougher

for me to leave, Honey.

(sobs quietly)

Now, now, now you mustn't cry.

And I don't see why you have to go

if what you say is true.

Well, you don't doubt me, do you?

No, but, if there's nothing to it,

as you say, why not stay here and fight it out?

Because a change will do me good.

Oh, I know, Si, but.
Now, now, let's not

rehash all that, Dear.

You know, I should have left the Bronx General

a long time ago.

There's nothing they can teach me.

I've learned all they had to offer.

I've taught them a few things, too.

And don't you worry, Honey,

I'll send for you as soon as I get located.

(traffic sounds)

Has the job for the boy been filled yet, Doc?

No, how old are you?

Guess.

Oh, a comic.

No, sir.

Here's some letters of recommendation

from a few of the jobs I've had, Doc.

A few of the jobs.

I see.

Did you write these yourself?

No, Sir.

The reason I'd like to get this job, Doc,

is because it would give me prestige.

Well, when do I start?

You can start right away.

But you'll have to wear a uniform in this job.

Yeah?

Mmmm-hmmm.

Who buys it?

I buy it, but you take care of it.

That's okay.

Well, is there anything I can start doing now, Doc?

Yes, you can start calling me Doctor instead of Doc.

Yes, Doctor.

Now, make yourself at home here, Jimmy.

Clean up any rubbish you find hanging around and

there'll be some people here for me.

I've put an ad in the paper for a receptionist.

A what?

A receptionist.

A stenographer.

Oh.

Keep them waiting til I get back.

Yes, Sir.

All those dames are outside

for the stenographer's job, Doc, Doctor.

I know, the job's been filled.

When?

I said the jobs been filled

to everyone except the girl on the end of the bench.

The Doctor said the job has been filled.

I just thought

Yeah, I'm sorry.

You've dropped you handkerchief.

Why that's not mine.

I know.

The doctor wants to see you.

Oh.

This way, please.

How do you do?

How do you do?

You came in answer to me advertisement, I suppose.

Yes.

What is your name?

My name is Elsie Fryer.

How experienced are you?

Oh, very, Doctor.

I can operate both a Royal and an Underwood.

I have a smattering of double bookkeeping.

I know how to answer a telephone.

I'm 24.

I smoke, drink, I don't live with my parents,

I'm single and I'm not in love.

I believe this is yours.

You'll do.

(coughs lightly)

Have you ever worked for a doctor before?

No, but I've had my share of contacts with doctors.

One does get aches and pains sometimes.

You think you'll enjoy working for a physician?

Why, it shouldn't be difficult and I need the work.

Well, you can start tomorrow.

Thank you, Doctor.

Goodbye, Miss Fryer.

'Bout 10 o'clock in the morning?

Yes.

Not a bad work day's work, Doctor.

That'll be about all from you.

Don't ever touch these blueprints, Jimmy,

whatever you do.

Now, those connections will all be in tomorrow.

Goodnight, Doctor.

See you in the morning.

'S fine. Good night.

Good night.

Gee that guy's got an awful pan, Doctor.

There's a lot of 'em around.

Well, I'll se you in the morning, Jimmy.

If I had a face like that,

I'd have something done to it.

Good night, Doc.

Good night.

Telegram, please.

Dr. J.B. Parker,

42 Bank Street, New York City.

Now my idea is-

Oh, Jimmy, mind leaving us alone for a minute, please.

Sit down, J.B.

I want you to open an office

in one of the best downtown buildings.

I'm gonna set you up as a consulting surgeon.

From now on, you're known as

the famous Dr. J.B. Parker.

And I want you to do a little study on the side.

I want you to familiarize yourself with plastic surgery.

You know, there's no need of the both

of us getting a lot of headaches.

No fooling.

I gonna throw a lot of new words at you

cheiloplasty, stamoplasty,

That's enough, stop.

I want my fare back to New York.

What you want is a little snifter,

how about it?

Well how could I refuse on such an auspicious occasion?

Certainly.

Mr. Cornelius McCulloch to see Doctor Brenton.

Oh, yes, Mr. McCulloch, right away.

I get this from Detroit.

Oh.

(intercom buzzes)

Yes?

Mr. Cornelius McCulloch to see you, Doctor.

Oh, I'll be right out.

Now, listen, J.B.

Well, who, who's this?

The man I want to see.

Now I want you to play straight.

And don't say anything.

Just fix that, sit over there.

Why, Mr. McCulloch, how are you, sir?

Come on in.

I want you to know my friend, Dr. J.B. Parker.

Mr. Cornelius McCulloch.

How do you do, Doctor?

How do you do, Sir?

Sit down, Mr. McCulloch.

I suppose you thought it was strange when

you received a call from me.

Oh, not exactly.

We get a lot of funny calls

and we have to take a lot of strange cases.

No doubt, no doubt.

But you see, I have an advantage over you.

I know all about you, while you know nothing about me.

But I can explain my plans to you

in a very, very few words.

Well, if it's in my line, I'll be glad to help, Doctor.

Well that's splendid.

You know, Mr. McCulloch, yours is the

greatest detective agency west of New York.

And as you are the greatest detective,

I am the greatest plastic surgeon.

(clears throat)

You see, Mr. McCulloch, the only difference between us

is that your qualifications are known,

while mine remain unknown.

And that is where you come in.

I want you to do the public a favor by making my name known.

Sounds like a good-sized job, Doctor.

Just how would you suggest going about it.

You must have some idea.

Well, Mr. McCulloch, just as there are ethics

in your profession-

Darn few.

There are ethics in mine.

You see, I can't get up on a soap box

and tell people who I am.

In fact, I am not permitted to advertise.

Now, I didn't want to go hire a press agent,

use the old-fashioned method,

that's where you come in.

I want you to put at my disposal

as many operatives as you can.

Those who know people of distinction, standing.

People of the theater, people with wealth, position.

And to those people, I want you to make known the

name and reputation of Dr. Silas Brenton.

I get you.

At first it sounded hard.

There are a great many people, Mr. McCulloch,

in the world who would give everything they posses

to fight off the ravages of,

well let us be generous and call it middle age.

For those people I can work miracles.

I can take 20 years from a woman of 50.

I can remove battle scars from a pugilist.

I can remove scars of former operations from men and women.

For those that are able to pay,

I can restore youth and beauty.

I've read about that stuff, it started during the war.

Exactly.
Yes, yes.

Well, how does it strike you?

What do you think?

I think we can manage it.

Well, that's fine, when do you think you can get going?

You see, my rent has started here.

I'll start to work as soon as I get back to the office.

Well, that's fine, Mr. McCulloch,

a pleasure to have you over.

Very glad to have met you, Doctor.

I share the pleasure with you, Mr. McCulloch.

By the way, I'll be coming over

to consult you professionally one of these days.

Why, is something wrong?

Little growth here, back of my ear.

Take a look at that right now.

Not much, but I think it ought to be cut off.

What do you think of that, Dr. Parker?

Hmm, a simple angioma.

Verruca senilis.

Think you can remove it?

Any morning, any morning you come over

it'll be a pleasure, Mr. McCulloch.

Just stop in, it's a very simple matter.

And about that other thing now?

You'll hear from me just as soon

as I get everything lined up.

That's splendid.

You're a million miles ahead of me, Si.

What the matter, don't you like the detective idea?

If it gets results, who am I to object?

By the way, where are you stopping?

I'm not.

My bags are at the station.

Well, I'll have my secretary

phone right away to the Drake Hotel.

Does it have to be the Drake?

Nothing is too good for Dr. John B. Parker.

And tomorrow I want you to go downtown

and get a complete new outfit.

Something in keeping with the dignity of your position.

I have a few more things to show you

that'll gladden the heart of a physician.

Oh, say, Si, did you hear that one about the girl

that went down to pay her income tax?

You mean the girl with the adhesive tape?

(laughs) Yeah.

When I first heard that, it really threw me,

I'm telling you.

Brenton, this is McCulloch.

Say, did you every hear of an actress named June Deering?

Oh, yes.

Yeah, she's playing here in a show called The Spring Song.

Yes, I saw it last season on New York.

Well one of my operatives, the best one,

the Miss Snyder, has got her very much interested.

Now, the show closes here in a week

and she can delay her departure for New York

for the time necessary.

Now you can't promise her too much, McCulloch.

If she looks 60, I'll maker her look 40.

If she looks 40, I'll make her look 20.

Okay, any time you say.

Well, it looks like we may expect

our first patient very soon.

Fine.

Well, how do I look?

Just what the well-dressed man would wear.

Splendid.

How about your office.

I just came from there.

It ought to be ready in a couple of days.

And I've ordered my stationery.

Your know, I think we should celebrate this

with a little snifter.

Will you join me?

Splendid, Doctor.

You're a scholar and a gentleman.

I see.

Why Miss Fryer, just in time.

Would you join two lonely men in a little libation?

Why certainly.

Is it an auspicious occasion?

Auspicious occasion?

It's the day my laundry came back.

I suppose this is to your success, Doctor.

Our success, Doctor.

But I have heard a great deal about you,

Dr. Brenton, and I have the utmost confidence in you.

Otherwise I shouldn't be here.

In a case such as yours, let me assure you

I feel a personal and a public trust.

You're an idol.

Your position on the stage and the esteem

in which you are held is such

that I wouldn't like to promise anything

that I wasn't certain that I could do.

Well, that's very nice of you to say, Dr. Brenton.

My caution, however, is a bit more personal.

Oh, well let me put you at ease.

Before we go any further,

I should like to have you consult a man

whom I admire and esteem, Dr. J.B. Parker.

Dr. Parker is very familiar with my work.

Oh, yes.

Well, my show The Spring Song closes next Saturday night.

Well, I'd like one day of complete rest for you,

so let us say Monday?

Monday.

At 3:00.

Fine, perfectly all right.

Oh, and another thing, Dr. Brenton,

the question of publicity.

But Miss Deering, your desire

for secrecy, privacy, and seclusion will be respected.

We will enter you in our hospital

under the name of Miss Jones.

Of course, I, I hadn't told you,

but I am a bit of an amateur artist

and while I've been sitting here,

I took the liberty of sketching you.

That, oh, that's not I, Doctor.

That's the way I looked years ago.

That's the way you'll look when I get through with you.

Well, I didn't know a physician had a sense of humor.

Well, it isn't a sense of humor,

it's a matter of vision and ability.

Ah, yes.

Well, you're looking splendidly, Miss Deering

and you're feeling better?

Fine.

Ah.

What do you think, Doctor?

A remarkable piece of work, Doctor.

My congratulations.

You're mighty fortunate, Miss Deering.

One of the neatest operations I've seen.

When will I be able to leave?

Well, let me see.

You've been here a week now?

Three or four days at the most.

Don't you think so, Dr. Parker?

Hmm, but I should recommend

that the adhesive be removed tomorrow,

then a day or two of gentle massage,

and Miss Deering should be able to go on her way.

Right.

I really think, Miss Deering,

that you've responded remarkably with the operation.

There's only one thing I want to press on your mind.

You must remember what I've told you.

The important part of cases like this

is the massage and the exercise,

and if you follow the instructions I gave you

I'm sure that youth and beauty will be yours again.

Well, rest assured, Doctor, I shall follow

every detail explicitly.

Now, ah, my fee.

It's $5,000 and the hospital charges are $720.

And there's also Dr. Parker's consultation fee, $3,500.

Oh, yes.

Shall I make out two separate checks?

NO, just one.

And that for Dr. Parker.

Why, I don't know what you mean, Doctor?

Well, you see, Miss Deering,

my work in this case has been a labor of love.

And I do not feel that I can place

any monetary value on my services.

Well, after all, Doctor, you know you can't

take artistry and professional pride to the bank.

Well, those are my sentiments, Miss Deering,

and, of course I realize that I can't profit

in any way by publicity in this case.

Exactly.

So you should accept payment.

Well, you send me an autographed picture sometime

and I'll shall feel amply repaid.

(laughs uncomfortably) Well, I don't know

what to say, Doctor.

Well, words are rather meaningless, Doctor,

to express my appreciation in a case like that,

but when you give that to Dr. Parker,

tell him that with it goes my love.

Lucky Parker.

Now, Miss Deering, you have a veil there, I believe.

Yes.

My car's waiting for you at the side door.

No one will see you go out

and if you'll just put that over your face

I'll give you a hand to the lift here.

Our nurse, Miss Sanders will take care of you.

Goodbye, Miss Deering.

Goodbye, and thank you Dr. Brenton.

Thank you.

Deposit this check in account number 2,

and get Mr. McCulloch on the phone for me.

Mr. McCulloch, just a minute.

(intercom buzzes)

Hello, McCulloch, this is Brenton.

How well do you stand with the papers and publicity?

You do, eh?

Well I have a little statement

that I want you to put in the paper for me.

I'll get it in your hands sometime today.

But I don't want it to break til tomorrow.

Fine, goodbye.

High crime at hand!

Read all about it!

June Deering sued by Chicago surgeon.

Georgia.

What?

Did you read the papers today?

No, why.

June Deering sued by plastic surgeon for facelift.

Why Georgia, I wouldn't have told it to you

if I'd known it was going to upset you.

It didn't upset me.

Telegrams for you, Doctor.

Oh, thank you, Jimmy.

(orchestral music)

Well, here we are.

Now, you two make a mighty good-looking couple.

That bald-headed guy at the next table there,

it's Al Feinberg, the lawyer.

I don't know him.

You will.

Can't read papers in this town long without knowing him.

Divorce lawyer, isn't he?

Gets his picture in the papers about three times a day.

Five times on Sunday.

The two girls with him are the Nation sisters,

you've seen them.

Oh, yes.

(girlish giggling)

(crowd applauds)

(musical introduction)

Ah, folks, here's your little host

to perform here for tonight.

I have some big surprises for you.

Before we start out with our regular floor show,

I should introduce a number of celebrities

that are with us here this evening.

And over at this table, not far,

is a famous cowboy star of the cinema.

Now, he hasn't his horse with him,

but I wonder if we can't have Mr. Ken Maynard take a bow.

(orchestral fanfare)

(crowd applauds)

Ah, but wait a minute, folks.

Over at another table,

we have a celebrated sister team.

The latest sensation in musical comedy.

Now folks, I think with just a little inducement,

we can get these two clever girls to come out here

and do one of their famous numbers.

Introducing Lottie and Dottie Nation.

(orchestral fanfare)

(crowd applauds)

Oh, help.

Play "I'll Remember" in C.

? I'll remember ?

? The day that we met ?
I think we better blow.

? I'll remember ?
Don't you want to see them?

I've seen them since I was a little boy.

? That day you'll forget. ?
Waiter.

? I'll remember... ?

Well, now that we've escaped those two sisters,

where to?

Home.

Your home or my home?

Mine, of course.

Well, why not my home?

Because your home's not my home.

We can't continue the party at your home.

Hardly.

Well, why not make my home, your home?

To continue the party?

In a way, yes.

(moans sickly)

Hush, want some more?

No, I don't want any more.

Nix.

It's 4:00, I want to go home.

That's a good idea.
Nah.

And I'll help.

You take care of the girls.

Aww, no, going home?

Yes, we're going home.

Let's go.

I'm gonna take this.

What, you're gonna take the liquor?

Yeah.

Good.

Which way?

You take that one, I'll get this other guy.

All right.

(motorcycles roar)

(siren wails)

Whoa, there.

Pull over there.

Hey, what'd you stop for?

Eh, pipe down, sister.

I'll do all the talking.

Oh!

Want a drink?

Hey, what's your name?

Oh, he wants to know who we are!

Why our names are plastered all over this town.

Yeah, plastered is right.

But what's the name?

Oh, go pay the paper.

It's 5:00, I want to go home.

What's your name, sister?

Say yah dumb egg, I'll tell you what my name is!

Jumping on my sister, you big dumb.

Sam, I wanna go home.

Yes sir, I think it's high time now.

Yes.

Here comes another cop.

Come on, I wanna go home.

Oh, shut up.

(drunken yelling)

What's going on here?

Whatsa matter, Frank?
None a your business.

Come on.

That little alley cat there cracked me over the head

with a bottle.
Oh, I did not.

She did, eh?

Well you're all under arrest.

He tried to shove me!

Can you make it, Frank?

I wanna go home.

I'm taking you first to town.

Come on, get going.

Well, we're not going, what do ya think of that?

We don't mean maybe, either.

Hello, hello, office?

Get me State-4192.

Oh, thank you.

Put it right there, it's fine.

Hello, McCulloch?

This is Brenton speaking.

Well I see your girlfriends that you pointed out

to me last night got into some trouble.

Yeah, you read the morning paper?

Do you know where they're stopping?

Well, I'd like you to arrange so I can meet them.

Oh you can, eh?

Who?

Oh, their lawyer, Feinberg.

Well I've a great idea and I'll,

I'll meet you in the lobby of their hotel in about an hour.

Okay.

Calling Mr. Werner, Mr. Werner.

Calling Mr. Werner.

Mr. Maryvale, calling Mr. Maryvale.

Eleven.

Calling Captain Werner, Captain Werner, calling Captain...

(muted conversation)

Newspapermen, follow me.

Oh, all right.

(loud knocking)

Oh, hello Tom.

Hi, Doc.

Hi old folks.

Why it's the three little maids from school.

Hart, Schaffner, and Marx.

This is Dr. Silas Brenton, Dr. J.B. Parker.

Well, hi, Doc.

Oh, Mr. Al Feinberg.
How's tricks?

Dr. Brenton.

I've heard of you.

Dr. Parker.

How do you do?

Want a little drink, Chief?

No thanks.

Why you, come here.

I wanna have words with you.

(simultaneous chatter)

Well now, what is it you had to say?

I just don't want anybody to hear.

Come here.

If you're the face-lifter, you better go see that cop,

cause he needs some new parts to his face.

Oh.

I got one of his ears in my pocketbook.

I'm gonna use it for chewing gum.

(mirthful laughter)

You girls spoken to anyone?

Not a soul.

Good.

We told 'em we were taking a bath.

That's good.

You better pipe down if you wanna get outta this jam.

See if we can't get in, sonny.

No, she beat the policeman up.

(forceful knocking)

Hey, let us in just for a minute, will you, Miss Nation?

Aw, c'mon Miss Nation.

(officious knocking)

Well?

It's me Earl.

Oh, well wait a minute.

All right Earl.

(reporters clamor)

You know who that guy was don't ya?

No, who is it?

Earl Wyman, producer of the Nation Sisters' show.

Bet he's ready to tear his hair out.

Such troubles.

Hmm?

The papers are full.

You girls, get right in bed.

In bed?

Yes, come on.
Awww, why?

Feinberg, Feinberg, here.

You stand up there.

Mr. Wyman?

Never mind, you come here.

Now, quiet, now why don't you come over here?

Now Con, you go get those newspaper men over here.

But surely-

Never mind, I'll explain to you in a moment.

Whatcha gonna do?

Now look, cover them up.

Now, what I want you to do is-

(reporters chatter)

It's a crime, Doctor, a crime.

All right, hit it Harry.

(flash clicks)

Mr. Wyman, I thought you told me

that the policeman was smashed up or something?

I don't know.

(reporters chatter)

Gentlemen, gentlemen.

Gentlemen, I am Dr. Silas Brenton.

I was called in to attend these two young ladies.

And I find that they've been brutally beaten

by these policemen.

This is my friend, Dr. J.B. Parker.

Now boys, don't, don't tire these young ladies

by too much questioning.

And if you want to get in touch with me,

you'll find me at my office, Dr. Silas Brenton.

Good day, gentlemen.

(reporters chatter)

You should be happy, you made the papers again.

Is that all?

What would you like?

Well, do I have to tell you?

Have you got a little kiss for me this morning?

Anything else, sir?

No, that's all right now.

Tired, dear?

Hard day, wasn't it?

They're all hard days.

You know, I've been thinking about a radio broadcast.

I can't see why a plastic surgery hour wouldn't go.

With you at the microphone, anything would go.

You're such a help, Elsie.

You know, sometimes I think that

while everything that we are, I owe to you.

Little Elsie Fryer.

What's this we are?

You thinking of incorporating?

No, but seriously, I think it'd be a great idea,

a radio broadcast and I'm going to call Feinberg

in the morning and tell him

that I could be persuaded to do it.

And combine that with a daily article in the paper.

You know, the art of the care of the face,

plastic surgery by Dr. Silas Brenton.

Si, you're marvelous.

If you ever need any references, call on me.

Oh, I wish you'd stop fussing around and come here to me.

You want me to really appreciate

what a great guy you are.

Certainly.

Outside of your art, of course.

Exactly.

Well, you'd better get me out of that office of yours.

To be a man's secretary and still

think of him as a hero is a pretty tough job.

You really think so?

I'm afraid so.

You are, huh?

Well, it looks like a pretty good proposition to me.

The Aphrodite Face Cream Hour, with Dr. Silas Brenton.

It should be a sensation.

Remember, we're on a national hookup now,

and our network is second to none.

And the Department of Commerce has estimated that we

are the most powerful radio factor in the United States.

Of course, it would be ridiculous

to tell you what an advertising medium it is.

What do you think, Dr. Parker?

Well, I may be a little old-fashioned,

but it seems a bit unethical to me.

Hmmm, that's the one thing

made me hesitate accepting your proposition.

Why Doctor, the hour would be conducted

in the most dignified manner possible.

There wouldn't be the slightest thought

of advertising in it as far as

your profession is concerned.

You would merely be giving the women of the country

the benefit of your expert advice.

A sort of free consultation, in other words.

Well I hadn't quite looked at it in that light.

What sort of a program would you want me to give?

Well, that's up to you.

Well, suppose I were to lecture on aesthetics

and it's relation to plastic surgery.

Something like this:

Aesthetics is the science of the beautiful,

sublime, something we took from the Greeks.

It was not until the noblest period of art in

Greece had passed its zenith that any serious attempt

was made to ascertain the nature

of the beauty which art represents.

In the study of aesthetics, we learn that

appreciation of beauty is synonymous with its expression.

Plastic surgery is putting it in practice.

It is very, very satisfactory in some cases.,

but in my experience I've found elastic to be far superior.

Especially in, hmmm,

here's our friend again.

Oh, turn that faker off.

Oh, no, no, no, no, no I want to hear this fellow.

plastic surgeon

He's worth listening to.

unfortunates who were not vested

with facial beauty will not be forced

to walk through life without the adoration-

To think he's a member of our profession.

The worst of it is, we can't do anything about it.

Mrs. Jonathan P. Day.

423 Fullerton Parkway?

Yes, I will.

Ha ha, more fan mail.

I feel like Crosby, Columbo, and Valet.

It's all right if it doesn't get you into trouble.

Dr. Brenton.

Yes.

I thought this might interest you.

And who is Mrs. Jonathan P. Day?

Her husband's president of four or five banks,

a prominent clubman,

comes from one of the oldest families in town.

You read about Mrs. Day's automobile accident in the papers.

Oh yes.
Oh, yeah, hmm.

Well, they called here wanting to know if you'd see her?

So I made an appointment for you for 7:30 this evening.

Shall I confirm it?

Why, of course.

There's a break.

The Day's, one of the 400.

Better be careful, Si.

We may be stepping out of our class.

Don't be silly, we're just getting into our class.

It's like a break to me.

Well, not to me.

As to his general condition,

I will wager he'll be up and about in a month.

Florence, Dr. Brenton, this is my daughter, Florence.

Oh, I'm delighted to know you, Miss Day.

How do you do?

It was due to Florence that I sent for you, Doctor.

Really?

I'll get your coat for you, Doctor.

Thank you so much.

Dr. Brenton, what we're really interested in is

whether or not Mother will be disfigured.

Well, time alone can tell.

But there is hope?

Well, when I say time alone can tell,

I mean that the scars, oh, that's a simple skin graft.

But the injury to the nerve,

causing the drooping of the eye,

that's something else again.

Thank you, Mr. Day.

Dr. Benton, our family physician was just as positive

as you were about the skin graft,

but you are no more definite about the eye than he was.

Yes, you see, Doctor, that's what worries us.

Well, you mustn't.

Let me assure you, Mr. Day,

that in less than six months,

your wife's eye will appear as it did before the accident.

Thank you, Doctor.

I place my wife in your hands.

That's a great honor, Mr. Day.

Thank you very much.

Good night, Doctor.

Goodbye Miss Day.

Good night.

Good night, Doctor, good night.

Now you see Dad, I told you I believe

in Dr. Brenton and he's going to do Mother

a lot of good.
I know.

And besides that, he's perfectly charming,

come on lets go up stairs.

All right, Dear, let's do that.

But Mother doesn't seem to make any progress, Dr. Brenton.

And it worries me.

But Miss Day, if your mother had come to the

hospital here originally,

I could have given her so much more

of my personal attention.

But it really hasn't turned out so badly.

Since I have to call at your house every day,

I see so much more of you.

Oh, Dr, Brenton.

I have a little surprise for you.

Stand over there.

Why, it's of Mother.

That is as your mother's going to look

when I get through with her.

It will be marvelous, Dr. Brenton.

If only you can.

I'm sure I can, I couldn't fail.

You say the most encouraging things.

Is that unusual for a doctor?

Mother will be so thrilled.

Are you going to let father see it?

Why, of course.

It'll do so much for him.

Raise his spirits.

You see, he's feeling rather low.

Oh, I understand, but don't you worry about that.

I'm feeling rather low myself.

No.

And I have an idea that you could raise my spirits.

How?

Are you doing anything right now?

No.

Well, what do you say we go to luncheon?

I'd love it.

You would?

Come on.

And now that I've found you,

I'm not going to let you go.

In fact, I'm going to rush you.

I really, I really should call you Florence for that.

I call you Dr. Brenton, but secretly,

I think of you as Si.

You do?

Well I should kiss you for that.

Oh, Si.

Not here.

Captain,

would you spread that napkin for me right there?

Like this?

Yes, just like that.

Yes, sir.

Thank you, so much.

Of course that was getting away with murder.

There's no question in my mind, Mrs. Stilton,

that I can do for you what I have done for many others.

Yes, I know, Doctor, but it worries me.

I understand.

Well, before I take the case,

I'd like to have Dr. Parker look at you.

Just one minute.

Uh, Dr. Parker?

If you're not busy.

Doctor, I'd like to have you meet Mrs. Stilton.

My friend, Dr. Parker.

Mrs. Stilton.

How do you do, Dr. Parker?

How do you do?

Well, Doctor?

Oh, yes, very interesting, Doctor.

There are a good many things we can do for Mrs. Stilton.

Most anything.

The appointment is for 11:30 Tuesday morning, Mrs. Stilton.

Goodbye, Dr. Parker.

Mrs. Stilton.

This way.

Until Tuesday.

Goodbye, Doctor.

Goodbye, Mrs. Stilton.

The next time you pull one of those,

I'd like to have a little warning.

(officious knock)

Come in.

Mr. McCulloch here to see you.

Oh, send him right in.

Come in, Con, how are you?

Hello, Doc.

You know Miss Snyder, one of my operatives,

don't you Doc?

I've never had the pleasure.

How do you do, Miss Snyder?

How do you do?

Miss Snyder, Dr. Parker, Miss Snyder.

Miss Snyder.
How do you do, Doctor?

You're the young lady

who contacted Miss Deering for me, aren't you?

Yes.

I've never had the chance to thank you.

Sit down.

Well, what's on your mind, Con?

Say Doc, can you straighten bow legs?

Wrong case, Doc.

Mine are all right.

My error.

Well, what is it, Con?

Oh, Miss Snyder has a bow-legged case for you,

if you can handle it.

You mustn't say bow legs, Con.

It's very unethical, isn't it Dr. Parker?

(murmurs agreement)

You must say leg straightening case.

Okay, well Miss Snyder has a

leg straightening case for you, if you can handle it.

Well, how much is there in it?

Well, it's funny case, that's why I came over.

There isn't much money in it,

but she will pay $5000.

It's all she has.

Well, if it's all she has, that's all we can get.

Who is she?

She's a Mrs. Finn.

She lost her husband and collected the insurance on him

and now she wants to get married again.

So I think she'll be willing to shoot the bankroll.

Well, that sounds all right.

Send her on Monday.

See what we can do.

Okay, well, let's be going.

Come along Miss Snyder.

Well, that looks rosy.

We're going too far, Si.

Straightening legs is not as simple as face lift.

Nonsense, you said the same thing about Mrs. Day's eye.

Which you're not through with yet.

You're getting feeble, J.B.

What you need is a little drink to brace you up.

And remember, there's nothing that Dr. Brenton can't do.

Telegram for you, Doctor.

Oh, thank you, Jimmy.

Poor kid.

What are you going to do?

What I've always done.

Nothing.

Well, looks like trouble to me.

(intercom buzzes)

Where are you going?

Oh, I'll be back in a minute.

A Mrs. Finn is coming in on Monday.

Make it 7:30 in the evening.

Put her in room four.

She's a McCulloch patient, so let her know through him.

Si, what's the matter?

What do you mean?

Oh, I don't know, you just don't seem the same.

We haven't been out together for ages.

Well, I've been very busy lately.

You busy tonight, too?

Well until after midnight.

Oh.

Oh, what's the matter?

Oh, nothing, except I think

you've been trying to avoid me lately.

Well now I wouldn't do that intentionally, Sweetheart.

Why don't you come up to the apartment tonight

and I'll get home as soon as I can.

I must look in on Mrs. Day.

I think you've been looking in

on the entire Day family too much lately.

I wouldn't say that, Sweetheart.

What do you think?

I don't like Dr. Brenton's methods at all, John.

Radio, newspapers, cold cream, advertising, ah.

Shucks, you old medical folk, you have too many ethics.

Well, I'm not going to argue that with you.

But then, no, I won't put it on,

I don't understand his treatment at all.

I want Dr. Kelly to see her.

Kelly?

Who's Dr. Kelly?

Dr. Kelly is our foremost plastic surgeon.

And I'm worried about that eye.

By all means, have Dr. Kelly see her.

Well, he'll be back from Toronto Tuesday.

All right, bring him up, will you?

I will.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

I really can't tonight.

No, no Ted, I didn't promise you.

Yes.

All right, call me tomorrow.

Well, dear, looks like you're expecting company.

Oh, Dr. Brenton's coming, that's all.

At least, he said he would.

You're not becoming interested in Brenton, are you?

No, but he's attending Mother,

and I think we ought to be nice to him, see.

But Florence, you must know that I love you.

And I want you to be my wife.

I, I, but I don't know what to say.

But I, there comes a day in every man's life when...

Do you know, Elsie, dear,

there comes a night in every man's life-

Oh, but I understand you so well, Si.

Yes and I understand you, too, dear.

I understand you, too, sweetheart.

All ready for you now in a few minutes, Mrs. Finn.

Miss Collins is coming down

and she'll make you comfortable.

Doctor, are you sure it will be quite all right?

Of course.

But, Doctor, I feel that I should tell you

that I've consulted a number of well-known surgeons

and none of them have advised an operation.

My dear Mrs. Finn, you can put yourself in my hands

with perfect confidence.

I wouldn't take your case unless I was sure of the result.

Miss Collins, this is Mrs. Finn.

How do you do, Mrs. Finn?

Now don't worry, it'll all be over in a minute.

You're sure?

Quite sure?

Quite sure, quite sure.

When Dr. McDonnell attended her,

her face except for several rather unsightly scars

was in perfect condition.

Now you know what we've found.

There's only one deduction to make.

This was caused by Dr. Brenton.

Yes.

What shall we do?

I shall call a meeting of the medical society tomorrow.

We'll proceed against Dr. Brenton

and make a thorough investigation.

But Mrs. Day will know.

Don't worry, we'll of course

do everything in our power

to undo the harm the charlatan has caused.

Doctor, you said-

Are you sure, Dr. Kelly?

As sure as I can be.

It's my honest and professional opinion

that the left side of Mrs. Day's face will remain paralyzed.

Oh!

My Dear!

Florence, Florence.

Miss Day, please.

Dr. Brenton speaking.

Well, I'm afraid sir,

one moment, please.

Dr. Brenton for Miss Day.

Miss Day is not at home.

Miss Day is not at home, sir, no.

All right, thank you.

Well, J.B., how is he?

He's taking too many chances.

He's changed a bit.

Harder to handle.

I want you to have a talk with him Georgie,

but, you know, go easy.

Is there any truth in this?

I don't know.

He's too fast for me.

I can't keep up with him anymore.

And so you have no objection

to our committee making a complete investigation.

Not at all.

You might learn something.

Perhaps.

Would you like to go through the rest of the establishment

now that you're here?

I have nothing to hide

from the medical association or anyone else.

Thank you, no.

I'd rather have the rest of the committee

here when I go through.

As you like.

Any particular time, Doctor?

Anytime.

This afternoon?

It's all right.

Good afternoon, Doctor.

Good afternoon, Doctor.

Dr. Parker, Dr. Brenton's been looking for you.

Yes, I know.

Is he alone?

Yes.

Go right in.

Good luck.

Si.

Georgia.

Yes, it's me.

Well, I, I, I'm so glad to see you.

I, why, why sit down, you,

well you're looking splendidly.

I have-

You look pretty good yourself.

Yes, well how's New York?

How's everybody there?

What's this about you and that Day girl?

The Day girl?

Why, uh, well that's just something to advance

my business, that's all.

What business?

Well I know, why talk about that now,

you've just arrived, now take off,

take off your
When did you earn the right

to put plastic surgeon after your name?

You don't know anything about plastic surgery.

How do you know I don't?

There's nothing more to it

than any intelligent surgeon can do.

Oh, no?

Oh, Si, what's happened to you?

I found out the truth about

your discharge from Bronx General.

I know all about it.

You're not fooling anybody.

June Deering, the Nation Sisters.

Oh, I read the papers and I can read between the lines, too.

All I can give you credit for is a lot of nerve.

Well, nerve is half the battle.

But why argue about that now?

But you're playing
I wanna talk

with fire, Si.

I'm no prophet, but they'll put you in jail

for malpractice and throw away the key.

No.

How do you get away with it?

But I don't promise them anything.

I tell all my patients they can't expect

any improvement under six months.

I'm still in the timeline for my first operation.

Then what?

Then what, now you ask me what.

With the money I'll make here and you,

and boats leaving New York every hour,

and you ask me what.

You've sunk pretty low,

haven't you, Si?

There's nothing too contemptible, is there?

Who are you to sit in judgment on me?

Who asked you to come here anyway?

Do I owe you anything?

(clears throat)

You filthy beast.

(stifles sob)

And I suppose you brought her?

Yes I did.

I brought her because I thought

Yes you because.

Well you picked a fine time.

You know what's happened?

Kelly.

The medical association was here.

They're gonna start an investigation.

None of which surprises me.

Well if I'm in, you're in, too.

Well in that case,

then this is no time for that kind of drinking.

Oh, Dr. Brenton.

Oh, how is that leg straightening case?

Not so good, Doctor.

That's why I came down, Dr. Brenton.

She's running a temperature.

Well, I'll take a look.

Never mind, I'll take a look at her myself.

All right.

Si, Mrs. Finn is running a temperature of 103!

Well, what of it?

Don't bother me about it.

Well all right, wait a minute.

We better get Brenton out of here,

he's pretty drunk.

Call his car, will you?

Oh Jimmy.

How's Mrs. Finn?

Not so good.

Get Dr. Brenton's car right away.

Yes.

(Doorbell buzzes)

Where's Dr. Brenton?

Si, Si, Si will you come to?

Hello, Sweetheart, how are you?

Listen, Si, I want to tell you something.

Well, what do you want to tell me, hmm?

Go away a minute, please.

Si, something's happened.

Well, what of it?

Listen, Si, after you left the hospital

this afternoon, Kelly came back.

He brought his entire staff.

They're getting out a warrant for your arrest

and the charge is criminal negligence.

Well, that's that.

Well, what are you going to do?

Migrate.

Yeah.

You and me.

Will you go with me?

Where?

I'm gonna sign two checks.

One on each account.

You take them to the day and night bank, cash them.

When you get through there, go to the office.

Pick up any books and balances, anything you can find.

I'll get the tickets and we'll catch

the Creole Limited for New Orleans.

Well, what are you going to do in New Orleans?

It's a seaport, isn't it?

Get away from there just the same as you could New York.

We'll find a boat and take it wherever it's going.

What about the Day girl?

Well, you ought to know better than that.

She was just a good front.

I don't believe you, but it's okay.

You go get the money as I told you.

I'll pack.

In the meantime, I'll send and get the tickets.

Then I'll phone you

either at your house or the office,

and tell you what time that train leaves.

But if anything happens, remember, it's the Creole Limited,

and I'll meet you at the station.

Oh, well how about Jimmy and the nurses?

When you get there, pay them off.

But don't say anything to anyone.

Sergei?

Sergei?

Make some black coffee and get those bags out.

We're packing.

Hey, where've you been?

Out.

Where's everyone?

Upstairs.

Say, what's going on around here, anyway?

Nothing.

Nothin?

The busiest nothin I ever saw.

Where's Dr. Brenton?

I don't know.

Listen, Jimmy, you stay here, and if anyone asks for

Dr. Brenton, say you expect him back shortly.

Where you going?

Out.

What is all this, Si?

I don't know and I don't care.

Looks bad, very bad.
I suppose so.

What are your plans?

Hello Al.

Oh, hello, Con.

Looks like old home week.

You still kidding, eh?

Well you're in a mess.

What's the answer?

Looks like you've got a little legal work cut out for you.

Not for me.

So, you're deserting the ship, eh.

Oh, look here, Si-

Why didn't you tell us

you didn't know anything about plastic surgery?

Yeah!
Well, why should I-

We could have gone about it in a different way.

It's too late now and you're not gonna drag my name into it.

Nor mine.

So you're both turning me down, eh.

Hey, listen, you're in a tough spot.

You're gonna get yourself out of it

just as you got yourself into it.

Come on, Con.
Goes for me, too.

Then what happened?

I don't know.

All I heard was that Kelly

was getting out a warrant for Brenton.

It looks as though we're all washed up.

Oh, but there must be something we can do, J.B.

We can't lay down now,

now's when he needs us.

Too late.

Where are you going?

I'm going back to Si.

Well, it was good while it lasted.

Is Dr. Brenton in?

He'll be back shortly.

Hmm.

Think I'll get something to eat.

(telephone rings)

Hello, is this you, Elsie?

Yes.

Well listen, I checked up on the train

and everything and it leaves at 9:30, the Creole Limited.

Yes.

What's the matter?

Can't you talk?

I called you at the apartment, but I couldn't get you.

Now pack and just bring what you need.

And I'll meet you at the station at 9:30.

All right.

Sergei, bring me a drink in there, will you?

(rustles papers)

Hello, Main-0447.

Hello, police headquarters?

If you want Dr. Silas Brenton,

he's taking the Creole Limited tonight.

My name?

What difference does that make?

Oh, thank you Sergei.

Hello, hello.

Superior-2478.

Hello, Dr. Brenton's apartment, please.

I'll wire you

when I hear my (telephone rings)

oh, get those dark glasses of mine will you?

(fakes female voice) Hello?

I must talk to Dr. Brenton, it's important.

But Dr. Brenton, he's not here right now.

Well you must try to catch him, hurry.

Well, Dr. Brenton just went down the elevator.

Ooo.

Take those bags down to the cab.

And the small one.

Well, I made it.

Yeah, I know you did.

Say what was the matter with you when

I talked to you at the office today?

When you talked to me?

When I called you at the office and told you

to meet me at the train.

What was the matter with you?

Well, you never talked to me.

What do you mean I never talked to you?

Well , you didn't.

Car nine.

Open that gate, please.

Wanna get that man.

Come along with me.

Just a minute, Dr. Brenton.

Si, Si, let me explain.

I wanted to tell you, I tried to get-

Don't

Come on, Doctor.

All right.

Just a minute, young lady.

Sorry.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury,

you've heard both expert and lay testimony

as to just what kind of a man Dr. Silas Brenton is.

You've heard from former associates and patients

the methods he employed.

In no uncertain terms has he been described

as a quack and charlatan of the first water.

You've heard women expose very private details.

Details which concern Dr Brenton.

You've heard of the exorbitant fees he charged.

Tributes that he has levied.

He came to our city under a cloud.

A very serious cloud.

Our investigation of Dr. Brenton has revealed that

not only was he discharged from the Bronx General Hospital

for unethical conduct, but that he has had the temerity

to set himself up, in our midst,

as a specialist in a specialty he knows nothing about.

He's no more plastic surgeon that you or I.

There's no need of my going over all the testimonies.

A witness who was on the stand and who had to be excused

because of her inability to control herself

while giving testimony is now ready to resume the stand.

She was the last of the witnesses for the state.

And among the victims of Dr. Silas Brenton,

stands out as a martyr.

She has suffered as no other one

of his many patients has suffered.

She is a martyr, a living martyr,

to her credulity and belief that Dr. Brenton could rectify

one of nature's distortions.

I'm going to recall, with the court's permission, Mrs. Finn.

Bring in Mrs. Finn.

Will it be necessary, your honor,

to have the witness sworn in again?

No.

Proceed.

Mrs. Finn has told you most of the facts.

You know the entire story

of how she came to Dr. Brenton's office.

And the sales talk he delivered.

You've heard in great detail of how

she was removed from his hospital at the point of death.

The highly respected members of the medical association

have testified as to their finding.

Now, I want you to see the results of Dr. Brenton's

operation on Mrs. Finn.

Mrs. Finn, I'm going to ask you

to please remove your blanket.

No, no.

(jury gasps)

(gavel thumps)

(audience chatters)

Order in the court.

Order in the court.

Mrs. Finn's legs have been amputated.

You have seen for yourselves.

They had to be amputated.

It was done on the advice of specialists

in order to save her life.

Another hour and she might not have been with us.

And the charge against the defendant

would then have been murder.

I charge this situation directly to

the willful and criminal negligence of Dr. Silas Brenton.

And I say that if the torture and cruelty

visited upon Mrs. Finn goes unpunished,

it will remain a blemish and a blot on the entire

medical profession all over the world.

The State rests.

What do you think of that guy, Brenton,

trying his own case?

Say, he's got so much ego that if they hang him,

he'll try to pull the rope.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,

there's no need of my cross-examining the witness,

even if I wanted to cross-examine her,

I couldn't pass through the ordeal.

I stand with bowed head before a God who has seen fit

to make this poor woman a sacrificial lamb to the

conniving methods of organized medical practition.

I refuse to examine any witness in this case.

I shall appeal solely

to your intelligence and understanding.

The most persistent charge against me, ladies and gentlemen,

is that I have violated the ethics

of the medical profession.

And what does that mean?

Merely that I refuse to abide by laws

and bylaws laid down by a set of antiquated

medical men whose methods are being quickly dispelled

by modern sense and research.

In the case of this unfortunate woman,

I am accused of being the cause of the loss of her limbs.

For the rest of her life,

she must be confined to her chair.

Never again will she know the pleasure of walking.

For the rest of her days, she will be handicapped.

And why?

Ladies and gentlemen why?

I ask you why?

Because she was made the victim by my enemies,

your enemies, the enemies of society.

The self-appointed authorities,

who sit in judgment on matters alien even to them.

This hypocritical and selfish group of medical men

took matters into their own hands,

and what was the result?

You saw it.

Ladies and Gentlemen, there was no need

for amputation in Mrs. Finn's case.

That is a dire statement to make now,

because it is too late to make amends.

But not one medical man who appeared

as a witness in this courtroom

knows one thing of my life-study.

Plastic surgery.

Dr. Kelly claims he does,

but it is something of which he has vaguely heard.

And because he knows nothing of this subtle art,

his ignorance and his prejudice are one.

I was unknown to this group of organized physicians.

I came into their midst and entered into practice.

Illegally, they say.

Automatically I became a competitor.

And they came in like thieves in the night.

They searched the premised and found nothing

to find fault in.

But they saw this poor patient, lying on her back,

recovering from my successful attempt to undo

some of nature's faults.

And what did they do?

They consulted no one,

not even this poor woman, who was unconscious.

Who could make no protest in favor of the man she trusted.

They kidnapped her.

They worked like felons.

Did they inform the papers of their intentions?

No.

Did they consult me?

No.

But they put their thermometers in her mouth.

And after a hurried glance, they laid hands,

eager to find fault, on her pulse.

And the verdict was a verdict

rendered long before they saw the patient.

They came to trap me by any means.

Evidence has been given by my friends

as to prices I have levied, tributes that have been paid.

Have they told of the numerous

successful operations I have performed free of charge

for those poor unfortunates who could not afford to pay?

No, they have not.

These men who call me an imposter,

a charlatan, a criminal,

have they proven that there is any set price

for what I do?

Ladies and gentlemen, you must believe me.

I have done no wrong here.

And I prove it by standing here alone.

I have no lawyers, no organization to back me up,

because I do not need it.

Because I know in my heart I am innocent.

Ladies and gentlemen, Mrs. Finn has suffered.

But not at the hands of Silas Brenton.

But at the hands of his persecutors and these prosecutors.

I only wish I had the power, the greatest skill,

the aid of divine help,

to repair all the hurt done her.

To restore her to complete health again.

But no man can do that now.

It is too late.

I throw myself on your mercy.

(audience chatters)

Si, I'm so happy.

You touched me, Si.

Thank you, J.B.

Don't you worry at all, Mrs. Finn.

We can depend on that jury.

Will the foreman please read the verdict?

I warn the courtroom not to

enter into any demonstrations whatsoever.

We the jury, find the defendant not guilty.

(audience chatters)

Mrs. Finn, you know how I feel about all this.

If there's anything I can do to help you,

you have only to ask me.

Yes, Dr. Brenton, you can give me back my legs.

Give me back my legs, I say.

(gun fires)

Come on, we'll get it now.

Darling, darling, please.

Tough, but he had it coming to him.

Come on, we'll make that last edition.