Original subtitles

Subtitles: Lu�s Filipe Bernardes

You're awfully quiet tonight, Janie.

I've been trying to think of just the right way

to ask you to turn around and go back.

On this road? Can't do it, sweetie.

I mean it, Allen. I'd like you to turn around, please.

What's the matter, Jane?

I tried to tell you before we left home...

I just don't like being patronized, that's all.

I don't think I could take another evening of it.

Patronized? Oh, sweetheart, Ralph is one of the nicest guys...

You know it isn't Ralph.

It's his diamond studded wife.

Looking down her nose at me

like a big ugly house up there looks down on Hollywood.

Please, I'm just not going. Slow down and find a place to turn.

Oh, Jane, you're crazy. Alice likes you.

Please, Alan, I mean it. I'm just not going.

What are you trying to do? Send us off the edge?

All right, we'll turn around.

I told them we'd be there but we'll turn around.

That guy almost hit us.

Alan, he threw something. It's in the back.

- Feels like there's paper in it. - Paper?

Yeah, feels like it.

Open it!

- They threw it in? - Yes.

- Maybe it fell in. - Alan, open it.

Quick, Alan, get in!

Alan, get in!

He's after us, Jane. The bag was intended for him.

Jane, what are you trying to do?

We've lost him.

Slow down, I'll take the wheel.

You almost killed us doing it but we got away from him.

Now what happens?

Hasn't it hit you yet, Alan?

The money was literally thrown in our laps.

No one in the world knows we have it.

Get a hold of yourself, Jane, will you? It's a bag of dynamite.

That was a payoff. Probably blackmail.

We'll turn that bag over to the police or the...

Don't stop, Alan. He's almost a block behind.

- What are you two so scared about? - Who's scared?

You are. Didn't you ever get a ticket before?

It's supposed to be a big secret, officer.

But we're on our way to Las Vegas.

We're the old-fashioned kind. We're eloping.

You're still gonna get a ticket.

The next time you make a turn, signal.

You think you can remember that?

I'm afraid my mind wasn't on my driving.

You're nervous, Mac.

It's the bride that's supposed to be jittery.

Get going.

All right.

What's the matter with you, Jane?

What were you planning on doing with that?

I...

I don't know.

You had a chance to give up the money. Why didn't you take it?

I was just asking myself that same question.

We'll take it up to the apartment.

I wanna look at it.

I don't see him, Alan.

What about Kathy? I wonder if she came home yet.

I think she went to a show.

Hurry.

Just call me Dracula.

I'm afraid you did startle us a little.

- Did my sister come in yet, Pete? - No, I don't think so.

Hey, uh... You folks been away?

Oh, no. Just some things Mr. Palmer had in storage.

- Did you lock the door? - Yes.

Well, that wasn't very smart.

It'd be a great time for Cathy or someone to come in, now, wouldn't it?

You said you wanted to look at it, Alan.

Look at it.

Fifties and twenties.

There must be thousands here.

Probably a hundred thousand.

It's a lot of money. The numbers are different.

You could make it work for us for the rest of our lives.

Stop, Janie. If we don't report this, it's a felony.

The same as stealing.

It's a blind alley. With a big barred gate at the end.

Let's not try to use it, darling.

Let's just hide it some place.

And then not touch it till we know it's safe.

It'll never be safe. It just won't work.

What is it, Jane? I just don't understand you.

I've tried to give you everything you wanted.

Everything I could.

Yes. You've given me a dozen down payments and installments

for the rest of our lives.

We won't touch it, Alan. We'll simply leave it where we...

Hide it.

Hide it quick.

- Hi. - Hello, Kathy.

Pete said you were asking about me.

Oh, yes. Alan was wondering if you were home.

Well, I am. And since you're twisting my arm, I'll come in.

- Where's my dear brother? - Oh, he'll be out in a moment.

How are things at the office?

Well, they gave my boss a promotion the other day.

Maybe they'll get around to giving me a raise later.

You sound as if you're going to make a life's work out of it.

You sound as if you haven't heard of the man shortage.

On second thought, maybe you haven't.

- Greetings, Kathy. - Hi.

How are you?

Well, don't say fine, 'cause you look awful.

That's why I love to come here. Everyone's so gay, so voyante.

I did get the impression from Pete

that you wanted to see me about something.

Oh, we were thinking of running up to La Mole's for a snack but...

we've changed our minds.

Alan doesn't feel well.

What is it, Alan?

Oh, nothing. It's just a headache.

Well, I hope you both feel better in the morning.

Good night.

- Good night, Jane. - Good night, Kathy.

That did it.

I ought to have my head examined.

I was almost sold for a minute.

We've got as much right to that money

as if we went into a bank and lifted a bagful off the counter.

My little sister drops in and pays us a visit.

Scares us to death.

Of course we were frightened, because the money's right here.

But once it's hidden and out of our hands,

there's nothing to be afraid of.

- Nobody knows we have it... - Nobody knows?

How about that banshee that chased us down the mountainside?

If he can read, he's got our license number.

He wasn't close enough to see our license.

Listen to me, Alan.

I love you, darling.

And if you decide we should never touch the money,

we won't.

But do we have to make up our minds now?

Can't we just hide it some place where it can't be traced to us and...

give ourselves time to think it out?

Please, help me hide it.

I'll leave the rest to you.

If you don't think we should ever touch it...

we won't.

You mean that, Jane? There'll be no more talk about it.

No bitterness.

I mean it, Alan.

We'll keep it a week.

Last call.

passengers to San Bernardino, train number 42 leaves at 10:10...

entering through gate F.

This is the last call.

The Union Pacific, City of Los Angeles, train 103,

is now arriving.

It's done. Everything's all right now.

- Isn't it, darling? - Yeah, I guess so.

Where is the ticket?

It's all right. It's here down in the lining.

There's a hole in the pocket.

It's safe there.

What did you say to the man at the counter?

I didn't say anything to the man at the counter?

You did. I saw you.

Oh, yes.

I told him I was going to the hospital

and wouldn't be picking up the bag for awhile.

He said it was all right.

Fuller, Detective Bureau.

Yes?

Does an Alan Palmer live here?

Yes, my husband. He's at work.

Well, this is just a routine check, Mrs. Palmer.

We have a license number but we're not absolutely sure of the accuracy of it.

May I come in?

Mind if I look around a bit?

Why?

You haven't anything to hide, have you?

No, I can see you haven't.

What's this all about, Mr. Fuller?

I told you. Routine check. I'd like to look your place over.

Looking for what?

I didn't bring a warrant with me, Mrs. Palmer.

Maybe I should go get one.

If I let you look around without one,

will you promise to tell me what it's all about?

Perhaps it'll give me something interesting to talk about at bridge tonight.

Sure, Mrs. Palmer.

Thanks.

Leave them alone! Those are presents.

So you've already started spending it, huh?

- Spending it? - Yes, honey, spending it.

I don't think I like that.

I'm sorry, but you're not making sense.

If you were an innocent housewife

with nothing to hide but the iceman, you'd never let me in here.

You'd have been screaming for that warrant.

sending a wire to your congressman, so let's cut the small talk.

Where's my dough?

- Then you're not a policeman. - Only on my mother's side, honey.

Where's the dough?

Those things in my kitchen happen to belong to my sister-in-law.

And I let you in because...

Well...

housewives can get awfully bored sometimes.

But believe me, I've no idea what you're talking about.

You're too smooth, honey. You're much too smooth.

Where's the dough?

Where's that money? What did you do with it?

- We sent it to the police. - You're a liar.

You would have told me that before now.

- I was afraid to. - You should be. It was mine.

Why would anyone give up that much hard cash?

I don't get it.

- In fact I don't believe it. - It's the truth, I swear it is.

And I'm supposed to get up now and walk out, is that it?

Well, maybe I will.

If you turned that money over to the cops it'll be in the papers.

- If you didn't... - It will be...

we sent it back last evening.

All right. I can wait a few more hours.

And I doubt that you or your husband will cry copper.

I'm gonna buy an evening paper.

And there'd better be something in it about money or I'll be around again.

And I'm afraid I'll be awfully peeved at you, honey.

Bye, now.

Alan, you're home early.

FitzSimmons called me from the bank today.

It seems as if your checks have started coming through.

He thought I might like to know that our accounts

are down to a couple of hundred dollars.

I was going to tell you tonight. They were things I needed, Alan.

$580.00 worth of necessities?

That was yesterday. How much today?

How much have you spent altogether?

$790.00.

About one tenth of one percent of the money we have.

You're counting the money in the bag.

We aren't going to touch it. Just leave it there and forget about it.

Now you're spending it like mad and keeping books on it.

Because the money's ours.

If anyone knew we had it they would have been around by now.

I'm sending the claim check to the district attorney's office right now.

- Tonight. - Don't I have something to say about that?

I won't let you do it.

I'll take the money and go off by myself before I let you give it away.

And that's something I won't let you do.

I'm in this now. If you're caught, I'm caught.

But I wouldn't want you to do it anyway, Jane.

The money won't buy you anything. It'll only make you miserable and unhappy.

Let me be the judge of that.

Were you happy when you married Blanchard?

I'm sorry, Jane. I didn't mean that.

Jane, Jane, what's happening to us? What's happening?

The money sits down there in an old leather bag...

and yet it's tearing us apart.

It's poison, Jane. It's changing you, it's changing both of us.

I wish it were that simple, Alan.

But I haven't changed. It's the way I am.

You've got to let me keep that money.

- Don't, don't, Jane... - No, Alan.

I won't let you just give it away.

Chances like this are never offered twice

This is it. I've been waiting for it, dreaming of it all my life.

Even when I was a kid. And it wasn't because we were poor.

Not hungry poor at least.

I suppose in a way it was far worse.

We were white-collar poor, middle-class poor.

The kind of people who can't quite keep up with the Joneses

and die a little every day because they can't.

That's why I married Blanchard.

I married the first man who asked me because I thought he had money.

It's true, Alan. And you're right.

I wasn't happy.

- I was almost glad when... - Jane!

But...

things have changed now, Allan.

This is different.

We'll be happier than we ever dreamed we could be.

Sure we will, Jane.

But the money won't help.

There'll always be Joneses with a little more.

The only thing worth having is peace of mind.

And money can't buy that.

But...

You agreed to wait for one week.

All right, we'll wait.

But we're not going to keep it.

It's almost wrecked us, sweetheart.

But I figure it'll take more than a hundred grand to do that.

How about it, hm?

I got an idea.

We'll go on a date.

Not tonight. I've got to see old man Baird tonight.

But tomorrow night we'll do the same things

we did on our first date, remember?

We'll have dinner at La Mole...

then we'll go down to the lake

and get one of those fancy little boats and go for a ride.

How about it? Is it a date?

It's a date, Alan.

You got a good lock.

I don't usually have so much trouble.

Did you think of knocking?

Yeah. But then I thought about the dull reading

I found in the newspaper.

Nothing at all about a bag full of dough

turning up at Police Headquarters.

Would you care for a drink, Mr. Fuller?

You know, honey, you got quite a flare.

I like you. Too bad you're a chiseler.

At the risk of seeing me peeved at you,

just where did you stash my cash?

You didn't tell me if you wanted that drink.

You didn't tell me where you put my dough.

I don't have your dough.

- Let us not haggle. - We're not going to.

My husband has the money and two days from now

he's going to turn it over to the police.

You don't tell me!

Nice story. Better than yesterday.

I like that trick with your eyes too.

I'm just taking my cue like a little gentleman.

- You're taking it a little too fast - Isn't that what you wanted?

Did you notice where the liquor was when you went through my kitchen?

- Sure. - Go make us a drink.

Stalling, honey?

What do I call you besides stupid?

Stupid will do if you don't bruise easily.

Otherwise you might try Danny.

If you're not stalling, get to the point.

What's on that lovely blond mind?

I told you. My husband is going to give the money up.

- I don't intend to let him give it up. - Neither do I.

I swear if you go near him neither one of us will ever see a cent of it.

I'll take my chances.

I'm telling you the truth now.

You won't be able to beat it out of him or scare it out of him.

If I told him you were here yesterday, the police would have the money now.

And I don't think I could take it if I lost it.

Let's get something straight, honey.

That's my dough you're talking about.

Only half of it.

You haven't a chance of getting it without my help.

And how do you get it?

I don't know.

I'll work out something. I have to.

When I think of losing it I get deadly sick inside.

You know? I think you're leveling with me.

Maybe I'll string along.

I'll think it over.

I thought it over.

- What's your name, honey? - Jane.

One thing.

When you get that dough I've gotta be in on it.

Right at the time.

Otherwise I might make a nuisance of myself.

All right. I may need your help.

How can I get hold of you, say about 5:00?

Call that number.

For your sake, beautiful,

I hope you're not trying to soft soap me.

I wouldn't take kindly to it.

What's the matter with you?

That's just to remind you, honey, you're in a tough racket now.

Hello? Lady, is that you?

I'll take that, Mac.

- Hello? - Danny...

It's all worked out. We'll get it tonight.

But I've got to know something first.

How do I know you'll be fair with me?

Listen, this is very important. How do I now?

You don't. But I'll tell you something.

You've got ten times the chance to get a straight deal from me...

as I've got from you. Now what's the layout?

Well, be at Westside Park at 9:00 tonight.

There's a big palm tree at the west end of the lake.

A palm tree. Be there.

I'll come along the shore in one of those boats

and signal you with a flashlight.

Be watching. I don't want to have to do it more than once.

Yes, yes, I'll have the money.

Then why all the complication? Why can't you just meet me somewhere?

I don't think I like your setup. It sounds like a snipe hunt.

It's not a trap or whatever you're thinking, Danny.

I had to choose a place where you'd have to play fair with me.

Danny! Are you still there?

Yep. All right, I'll be there.

West end of the lake under the palm tree, 9:00.

Alan, let's get one of the big ones like we used to.

Them's for four people, lady.

Here, the lady wants one of the big ones.

Like I said. Here comes one now.

What's the matter, sweetie? You seem all tied up tonight.

There's nothing the matter. I feel fine.

Remember what we used to call these rides?

Cruises into nowhere.

Seems a long time ago, doesn't it?

It was.

A long time ago.

We haven't changed a bit, Jane. Not a bit.

Alan, I...

I want to go back to shore.

Why, Jane? We just got started.

Please, darling, I'd like to go back.

Something's wrong, what is it?

Maybe you're right.

Maybe something is wrong.

I feel...

chilled.

Let's go back.

Alan, let's put the claim check in an envelope and put it in the mailbox.

I don't want to keep it anymore.

So that's it. The money again.

Look, sweetheart, let's forget it. I have.

Now that we're here, let's...

let's relax and have a...

Oh, doggone it, I must have left my cigarettes at La Mole's.

- Do you have a... - No!

What have you got in the bag? It weighs a ton.

There are no cigarettes in there, Alan.

Did you hear something, dear?

Uh-uh. Stop hearing things when you kiss me.

Your timing is late. What's the idea...

- What happened? - It's Alan, my husband.

He's dead. Don't move, Danny.

So that's what I heard. A shot, not a backfire.

Yes. And I need your help.

Some other time. I don't want the money that bad.

Will you take me back to shore or do I swim?

If you move, I'll shoot you and tell them you killed my husband.

If I go along with you I get the gas chamber.

I wonder how good a shot you are.

There'll be no gas chamber for either one of us, Danny.

They saw me get on this boat with my husband,

they're going to see me get off with him.

You'll be wearing his hat and coat.

You've got nothing to worry about.

Until his body comes floating up.

We're going to see that it doesn't.

You're quite a gal, Mrs. Palmer.

- That's for being so sweet. - Thanks. Come again.

We intend to.

- What are you going to do with it? - Never mind.

- Let's go quick. - Sure, let's go get the dough.

Listen, we're not in the clear yet. They've got to see you.

They've got to think Alan brought me home.

I'll meet you at 11:45 at 6th and Beachway.

Then we'll go get the money.

Where?

Over in Monterey Canyon. It's hidden there.

Yeah, this afternoon you said you'd have it in the boat with you.

You're in no position to pull another cross-up, honey,

you know that, don't you?

Yes, I know it. Danny, please hurry.

Pete.

Mr. Palmer would like to have the car washed tonight, could you do that?

Sure thing, Mr. Palmer.

Oh, Alan, get me some cigarettes while you're there, will you?

- Did I get you up? - No, I was reading.

I guess I must have dozed.

Alan's gone down to the corner to get a bottle.

Why don't you come in and have a nightcap with us?

Oh, I'd love to.

I was beginning to think you were in rift with me or something.

I can't see why.

You mean to say Mr. Palmer didn't come in there at all?

Well, thank you.

I don't understand it.

Pete says he hasn't seen him

since he drove out of here a half hour ago.

And the people at the drugstore say he hasn't been there at all.

Well, don't worry about it. Maybe he went over to the drive-in

for some hamburgers.

Yes, I suppose so.

I don't understand it. What could have happened to him?

It's over an hour. If nothing's happened, why doesn't he call?

I don't know, Jane. Let me fix you a drink.

Will you connect me with Police Headquarters, please.

Yes, it's an emergency.

Hello, I'd like to check on automobile accidents.

It's my husband. He's missing and...

Lady, the Missing Persons Detail closes at 5 p.m.

You mean you can't do anything for me tonight?

How long has he been missing?

Lady, we can't do anything tonight.

If he doesn't show up by tomorrow

you come down here and make a report in person

and we'll go to work on it.

Yes, ma'am, okay.

Jane, here's your...

Jane, you have a whole shelf of whisky out there.

You told me Alan had gone out to get a bottle.

That's right.

That proves it.

He never intended to go to the drugstore at all.

There... there's something I haven't told you, Kathy.

I've known it for a long time.

Alan doesn't love me anymore.

- He's beginning to get tired of me. - That's ridiculous and you know it.

It's true, Kathy.

We've been quarreling a lot lately about little unimportant things.

I bought some clothes the other day and it made him terribly angry.

Please, Jane...

Alan will be home soon.

I think I'll go to bed now.

Good night.

Good night, Kathy.

All right, tiger.

Let's have that gun you were waving around down at the lake...

and I'll take it butt first.

Danny...

the gun was Alan's.

It would be a bit silly of me not to put it back where it belongs,

wouldn't it?

And you don't have a gun either.

If you did, you wouldn't be hiding it in your pocket like that,

would you?

You know what, tiger?

I didn't know they made them beautiful as you are and as smart.

Or as hard.

Here, you can have the gun.

Take it easy, will you? You're not on Sunset now.

I can't take any chance on being found missing, you know that.

Don't tell me you buried the dough.

- What else? - Almost anything else.

Where did that money come from, Danny?

Why was it being paid to you like that?

I'll tell you when I see the dough.

Maybe.

I hope you're not planning to pull a fast one on me,

it won't pay off.

Don't quarrel with me, Danny.

We're not out of trouble until I get back to my apartment.

Slow down or you'll never get back.

Look out!

Not this time, tiger. You didn't bury that dough and I know it.

I'll see you some time in the daylight and a million people around.

Danny! Danny, come back, the...

The ticket's in that coat.

Danny!

Nobody here.

Yeah. Key's in it too.

- Do your feet hurt? - You kidding?

What are we waiting for?

Hello.

Jane? Alan's home, isn't he?

No.

But I'm sure I heard the elevator.

No one came in, Kathy.

It must have been someone across the hall.

Oh...

Well, I'm sorry I disturbed you, Jane.

Good night.

Like you said, honey, this should have been put back.

What did you do with the coat? Alan's coat?

- How did you get here? - In a cab.

You know what I mean. How did you find me?

I found the place where you eat. You can guess the rest.

What did you do with Alan's coat?

Forget it, tiger. I took care of the coat.

Let's talk about the money. Isn't that why you're here?

How? Just how did you take care of it?

Don't you see? If the coat turns up in the wrong way, we're lost.

What did you do with it?

Why just the coat, tiger? Why not the hat too?

It had his initials in it.

Yes, and the hat too.

What did you do with them?

Not a thing, angel. I'll let you get rid of them.

All I did was take the label out of the coat

and the hat band out of the hat.

- You wanna take them, huh? - Yes.

Sit down, honey.

Sit down, honey. On the bed.

Sorry it isn't tidy. I didn't know you were gonna drop by.

- Please, we haven't a minute to lose. - I know.

All I want is time to look the coat over.

Time to find what's so special about it.

Sit down, honey.

There's a hole in the first pocket.

Maybe there's something in the lining.

Shall we look, tiger?

Well, what do you know?

Something is in the lining, tiger.

There's no one home.

Well, it's hard to believe.

Could I just touch you to make sure?

I mean, were you looking for anyone in particular?

A man named Palmer.

But I can hardly remember why.

Are you a friend of Mr. Palmer's?

- Are you? - Well, I asked you first.

We flew together in England.

In a weak moment he asked me to drop by if I ever got to Hollywood.

Oh.

I live across the hall. I'm Alan's sister.

I was pretty sure you weren't Jane.

Oh, you've met Jane?

Well, I've seen pictures of her.

Mother told me there'd be times like this.

- I don't know what to say. - Well, why say anything?

We could wait till they're gone and I could just leave... maybe.

They?

Well, whoever it is we're avoiding.

Jane, I gather.

What's it all about?

It's Alan. He's missing.

Missing? Since when?

Last night, about 10:00.

What did you expect to find with your pass key?

I suppose I had to expect that question.

That's why I pulled you in here. I didn't want Jane to know...

when you ran into me.

I gathered that.

I have ten days coming to me and I looked forward

to going to a happy coma in one of your beaches.

But if there's anything I can do.

I don't know. I just don't know.

Where's Jane?

She went down to the Missing Persons Bureau.

She hasn't come back.

Why the pass key?

Why couldn't Jane know what you were looking for?

You didn't tell me your name.

- Don Blake. - You know my name?

Well, Alan mentioned it a few times, but I'm not quite sure.

Elizabeth?

No, it's Katherine.

I know what you're thinking.

I can almost hear that mind of yours churning.

You're wondering why I'm so eager to help.

Or maybe you're wondering why I'm so willing to believe the worst of Jane.

Well, I never met Jane.

But I never liked her either.

You know her first husband killed himself?

Jane had nothing to do with it.

The man had had money once and he just couldn't stand being broke.

Uh-huh.

Anyway, getting back to Alan.

You obviously think there's something wrong.

And I wouldn't like to feel I'd walked out on him.

So, if there's anything I can do or anything that ought to be done,

I'd appreciate your telling me about it.

All right, Mr. Blake.

Better?

Feel like talking now?

It's cold in here.

I'll turn on the oven.

Maybe I shouldn't bother to light it, huh, tiger?

So hubby pulled a cross-up, is that it?

The dough is checked somewhere, I gather.

- Yes. - Where?

Is it possible to get the bag without the ticket?

I know exactly what it looks like.

Sure. All you gotta do is describe the content.

Then the cops come and take you away.

The ticket's some place in the apartment.

I know it.

I've got to get back.

And I've got to have that gun.

Sure, I'll give you the gun.

All you gotta do is ask and Danny gives.

Remember the ride we took last night, tiger?

The money was buried up in the hill.

You were taking me up there to give me my half, remember?

You were taking me up there to kill me, tiger.

You were gonna kill me.

And now I give you back the gun.

Sure. I'll give it to you.

But first I'm gonna get to know you better.

I think probably some day you will kill me.

And I wouldn't want that to happen...

unless we were...

good friends.

Go ahead, scream. Get the cops in here.

That's all we need.

Where have you been, Jane? Is there any news?

No.

Why aren't you at work?

Work? With Alan just swallowed up some place.

- Where have you been? - Walking, thinking,

trying to figure this thing out.

Jane, I thought of something this morning.

If Alan, just... well, just went away, don't you...

What do you mean if he just went away?

What else could have happened?

I don't know. Nothing seems to make any sense.

Does it ever?

I thought of a way we might be able to tell. Alan's gun.

He loved that gun.

It was the only thing he saved from his Army days.

If he'd known he was going away,

I think he'd have taken it with him, don't you?

We can easily find out.

What's the matter with you?

Nothing, I...

I think know who it is, Jane. It's a friend of Alan's.

I ran into him in the hall. He said he'd be back.

Are you Mrs. Palmer?

Lieutenant Breach, Homicide Division.

May I come in?

You don't seem to have expected me.

- Should I have? - Well, didn't you report a...

Oh, my apologies, Mrs. Palmer, I see what's wrong now.

The Missing Persons Detail is part of the Homicide Division.

I've been assigned to the case you reported.

Oh, I'm afraid you frightened me for a minute, Lieutenant.

I was afraid something had happened.

I'm sorry.

Oh, Lieutenant Breach, my sister-in-law, Miss Palmer.

Won't you sit down?

I've been trying you get you by phone, Mrs. Palmer.

I have some information for you you might prefer to discuss privately.

Miss Palmer is my husband's sister.

Go ahead.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Something you didn't put into your report.

No, not a thing.

Mrs. Palmer, there's nothing illegal about being missing.

We only work on a missing person's case

if it's a juvenile or...

if there's some evidence of foul play, or suicide, or an accident.

Until we get evidence that it is something else, and it usually is,

we don't touch it.

So you see, Mrs. Palmer,

it isn't exactly playing ball with us to hold anything back.

Hold what back, Lieutenant?

The other woman, Mrs. Palmer.

What...

what do you know about her?

Well, it's the only thing we've uncovered so far.

A Belair resident,

a vice-president of a furniture plant out in Vernon,

was pulling out of a driveway last night

when his car, your car, driven by a woman,

almost crashed into him.

A man, dressed like you described your husband,

same size, everything, gets out of the car.

I kind of believe they'd had a quarrel.

Well, that's about all our informant saw.

All he did was spot the license number.

It might have been foul play...

but I doubt it. I suspect they passed it up.

Do you know anything about this woman, Mrs. Palmer?

Not very much, I'm afraid.

I've only seen her once or twice.

She... she's a little taller than I am.

Hair a little darker. Brown eyes, I think.

But...

I don't know her name or where she lives.

Jane, you never told me. Why?

Because I didn't think it meant...

Hello?

Yes.

It's for you.

Oh, I told the Bureau I'd be here.

Thank you.

Hello?

Yes.

Uh-huh.

Uh-huh.

Okay, thanks. Good bye.

I'm afraid that wraps it up.

If you really want some action on your husband, Mrs. Palmer,

I'd suggest you bring in some private help.

Your car was located 12 miles south of San Diego

just this side of the Mexican border.

Your husband wasn't in some kind of trouble, was he, Mrs. Palmer?

No... or not that I know of.

- Are you sure it was our car? - Yes.

I'll see that it's sent back.

- Good luck. - Thank you, Lieutenant.

Good bye.

I know Alan wasn't seeing another woman and so do you.

For Alan's concern, my dear, you're blind.

It's time you knew it.

Your description of this other woman, Jane,

it sounded very much like you.

What do you mean by that?

What are you trying to imply?

I'm not quite sure.

Well, hello again!

We seem to be colliding in hallways, don't we?

Yes, we seem to.

Jane, this is the man I mentioned to you. He flew with Alan.

Mr. Blake, my sister-in-law.

- How do you do, Mrs. Palmer? - How do you do?

I'm sorry to hear about Al, but I'm sure he'll turn up soon.

Thank you.

Will you excuse me, Jane. Mr. Blake.

Well, she seems to be a bit upset.

Has there been some news about Alan?

No, but they were very close, you know?

Oh, I know.

Did you want to see Alan about anything special?

Oh, no. We were just very good friends.

I see. Would you like to come in?

All right.

Kathy didn't tell me much about you, Mr. Blake.

- Did you know Alan well? - Well, I thought I did.

It would be hard to believe Al took after some wild geese.

He was always an advocate of the home at heart.

I always thought so.

- Won't you sit down? - All right.

Uh... Go ahead.

Well, I was about to say I'm here on a vacation and...

I was wondering if I might help in any way.

I think the police are doing all that can be done.

What did Alan usually call you, Mr. Blake?

Don.

When there were ladies present.

Which wasn't often, I hope.

What squadron were you flying with?

Same as Alan's, Mrs. Palmer.

Wouldn't you rather call me Jane?

All right.

- Would you like a drink? - I didn't think it was that noticeable.

- What? - The thirsty look.

Come on, let me help you.

Or let me watch.

Where were you stationed in England?

- Don't you know? - Of course. I keep forgetting.

Stonehurst, or something like that, wasn't it?

Yeah, something like that.

Ipswich. I didn't know we had any operations in Stonehurst.

Well, all those places in England used to sound alike to me.

I seem to worry you, Mrs. Palmer. Why?

Why do you say that?

Oh, I don't know, I...

I sense a third degree to this conversation.

Could I be wrong?

Yes, you're wrong.

I'm just curious about you, Mr. Blake.

No, you don't worry me.

But it's possible you're beginning to intrigue me.

Oh...

That's why you were sure Al isn't coming back, huh?

You made quite a bit about that remark of mine, didn't you?

Why, do you think I made any more out of it than I found there?

I'm afraid you did.

If I should hear from Alan, where can he get in touch with you?

I'm staying at the Bela Vista Hotel.

Oh, by the way, uh...

on my way out shall I take the guy in the plaid suit off your back?

What did you say?

Looks a little pale. I think I can handle him all right.

What are you talking about?

The guy in the plaid suit.

He was lurking around the dark end of the hall

making like a tenant trying to find a key.

I watched him for a while as I got off the elevator.

- It made him nervous. - He must be from the police.

Sure!

That's right. They're looking for Al.

They probably figured the best place to find him is where he lives.

Thanks for the drink.

- Oh, hello. - Hello.

How did you make out with Jane?

She's crazy about me.

Do you know where they went last night?

- Before Alan disappeared? - Yes?

Do you happen to have any pictures around of Jane and Alan?

Why yes, why?

The police won't do anything until they're convinced something's wrong.

We're going to find something to convince them.

How did you know that about the police? Did Jane...

Get into your coat, Miss Palmer, honey. We're going sleuthing.

Waiting for a boat, mister?

Not right now, but I would like to ask you a couple of questions.

Look, I don't know what makes them run, mister.

I ain't no good with motors.

Well, maybe you're good with faces.

Remember the last time you saw him?

Yeah, I've seen him, but I'll be darned if I remember when.

Maybe this will help.

Yeah, last night. They was here last night.

Hey, you a cop?

Do I look like one?

I never seen any that did.

I just happen to be a friend of his.

And he disappeared last night.

Do you remember anything about them, how they behaved?

Like they were quarreling, or anything?

Oh, they acted like any corny people.

Here you are, buddy.

Thanks very much.

Are you sure there isn't anything else you can tell us?

They were pretty fast with a buck too.

He gave me one to get one of the big boats...

When they came back she gave...

Hey, I just thought of something. She paid.

He helped her out of the boat, real polite like...

he goes upstairs and she goes over there and pays.

- Hm, some guy. - Well, they're married, you know.

Oh, that explains everything.

Thanks.

You know, a man usually pays for things

even when he's married with a girl.

Uh, did Alan happen to be an exception to that rule?

He is rather absent-minded, you must have noted that.

Oh, sure, that's right.

Well, I think we'd better say good night here.

I think it's better if Jane doesn't see us together too much.

All right.

Well, I sort of made you saying good night sound like quite a project, didn't I?

Yes, I thought so.

Oh, ten days in town.

I don't think you'd go for that kind of a deal, would you?

I might.

But I see what you mean.

Good night, Miss Palmer, honey.

Did you really fly with Alan?

Hey, what kind of a question is that?

An honest one.

I hope you'll give me an honest answer.

You seem so terribly concerned about what happened to Alan.

Yet you never talk about him as though you really knew him.

Well, uh... maybe there's a reason, Kate.

Maybe I'm afraid if I did,

I'd be talking about him in the past tense.

- Why do you say that? - Oh, I don't know.

It's just a peculiar feeling I've had.

About Jane.

Now look. Let's get squared away on her first.

And then I'll talk about myself till you cry uncle.

- You know, I'm one of my favorite topics. - All right, Don.

- Good night. - Wait, wait.

There's just one other thing.

There's something going on here, Kathy, and it's not very pretty.

Don't ask me what it is or why I think so, but...

Bear with me, Kate, will you?

I have to trust someone, Don.

I'd like it to be you.

Good night, Don.

Good night, Kathy.

Who is it?

You really want me to answer that? Right out here in front of...

You're drunk.

It takes one to spot one.

Did you get it?

The best, duchess.

Nothing but the best for you, duchess.

I say let's kill these people in style.

There's enough there to kill most of the people you don't like.

Now, let me hold that little bottle while you go fix me a drink.

You've had enough to drink.

Get out of here and get yourself sober.

I don't like you this way.

You know what the man said who sold me this?

He said I didn't look like the type of guy he's used to dealing with.

I looked him right in the eye.

And I said, you mean I don't look like a killer, huh?'

You know what he said?

He said, 'No, you don't.'

I wonder what he would have said

if you'd bought the stuff, tiger.

- Hi. - Hi.

Well...

How did you know I was gonna ask you out to dinner?

- I didn't. - Well then, why do you look so nice?

Well, thank you, sir, I just got home from work...

I look a fright and you know it.

Oh, sure you do. I know just the best place for us.

All the best frights go there.

And I was going to settle for a glass of milk.

Oh, no, it'll keep.

You go ahead. I'll put it in the refrigerator.

Don, after dinner I'd like you to take me down to the Union Station.

Kind of sudden, isn't it? Planning to be gone long?

I found... I found this yesterday.

It was hidden in the drawer where Alan keeps his gun.

What do you mean after dinner?

Maybe this is the answer.

Oh, I was just about to knock.

What did you want, Jane?

As a matter of fact, I wanted to get a hold of you, Mr. Blake.

There's someone in my apartment I'd like you to meet.

A man named Sharber.

Well, maybe some other time, Mrs. Palmer.

There won't be another time.

I'm leaving tomorrow, perhaps soon.

- Jane, did you hear from Alan? - No.

They brought the car back today.

I found a note in it from Alan.

He's somewhere in Mexico and I intend to find him.

May I see it? What did he say?

It was rather personal, Kathy, he...

He asked me to forgive him...

and told me a could do whatever I wanted with his things.

- That's all? - That's all.

Won't you come, Mr. Blake? It's only for a minute.

All right.

You two don't seem to know each other.

Should we?

Mr. Sharber, this is Don Blake.

He was stationed with you and Alan at Ipswich,

He said.

I say that to all the girls. Let's go, Kate.

You never flew at Ipswich, what are you trying to pull?

Not a thing, Mac.

I'm leaving, Kathy. I'd like to have you come along with me.

No. And I'd like what I gave you a minute ago.

Let's talk about it outside.

I've already kept you too long, Mr. Sharber.

I've found out what I wanted to know.

Are you sure you're all right?

Quite all right. Good night, Mr. Sharber.

- Good night. - Thank you.

And now I'll take that ticket, please.

The ticket belongs to me, Mr. Blake.

If I have to shoot you to get it, I'll be quite within my right.

I'm afraid you won't be.

You can have your ticket.

All you have to do is reach into my pocket and take it.

Turn around.

Get me the Hollywood Police. Quick, it's an emergency.

Hello, I'm calling from the Ch�teau Michel,

you've got to send someone up here quickly.

514, hurry.

Katherine Palmer, hurry!

Doctor Adams, Katherine Palmer.

Could you come up to 514 right away?

Hollywood Police, emergency.

This is Katherine Palmer again.

You've got to send a patrol car to Union Station.

A woman will try to claim something there.

The Union Pacific, City of Los Angeles,

train 103 is now arriving.

Union Pacific train number 1

is now arriving.

- Hello. - Hell-o!

- You by yourself. - Not anymore, if I can help it.

How'd you like to...

How'd you like to do a lady a big favor and earn 5 dollars?

What kind of a favor?

My ex-boyfriend is over there waiting for me to claim my bag.

If you get it for me, I can avoid him.

If you like, I'll let you spend the 5 dollars on me.

Well, what are we waiting for?

- Here I am. - I'll take my fin now, lady.

- What? - My 5 bucks.

All right.

- How long have I been out? - You took quite a jolt.

Kathy, did you send the police down to the Union Station?

I tried to, they wouldn't go.

They said they couldn't hold anyone unless there was a crime committed.

Isn't cracking skulls a crime?

Don't look at me. I just drive a patrol car.

Do you want to file charges against somebody?

Can you get an address from a license number this time of night?

Sure we can.

You got a homicide man at the Hollywood Station?

They didn't kill you. You'll live.

Come on. Let's go.

Am I coming? I seem to recall we had a date for dinner.

We did, but...

I guess you'll have to settle for that milk after all, Kathy.

Could I have two minutes before you go?

We can cover it in ten seconds.

You were right, Kathy.

I don't know your brother from Adam.

I could expand on that, but I think Janie still has some unfinished business.

Thanks, Doc.

I found the ticket, Danny.

I found it.

It's all clear sailing now.

Go away. Creep back out.

Lock the door, Danny, Pull the blinds.

What's the matter?

I'm worried. I don't get it.

The money's in that bag, Danny. We're leaving for Mexico with it.

Like I say, I don't get it.

- Why we? - I need you.

A woman traveling alone would attract too much attention.

Now, I've got to know about that money.

Where it came from.

That's better. Don't ever change, tiger.

I don't think I'd like you with a heart.

Open the bag, Danny.

It's all ours.

- Let's have a drink. - In a minute, Danny.

But first of all I've got to know where the money came from

and if we can use it safely

There should be sixty grand in there, tiger.

Sixty grand.

- I gotta have a drink. - Wait, Danny.

Somebody threw that money into our car. Why?

Because you don't go into a guy's office and their blackmail payoff, sweetie.

Besides, he didn't know what I looked like.

And I wanted to keep it that way.

- But who is it, why did he... - Never mind who it is, tiger.

But it's the kind of a thing you come across only once in a lifetime.

I stumbled onto a racket.

A big man in town.

Three floors of mahogany in the Monarch Building.

Big insurance agency.

Sells policies on bridges, and aqueducts and stuff.

Who ever heard of anything happening to a bridge?

So the policies never went back to New York.

They're just pieces of paper my benefactor's been collecting premiums on for years.

I cut me a slice of last year's premium.

That's it.

Then...

then the money isn't marked.

We can spend it.

You said it, tiger.

Now...

Let's have that drink.

Wait, Danny.

We'll make it a toast.

I'll get the glasses.

They're right there on that bench.

Here's to crime. It pays.

And pays.

Look at this, partner. Take a sniff.

The whisky bottle wasn't spiked.

He took it like a good boy.

Right in his glass.

Go out and call the lab and the meat wagon.

Tell them it's a suicide.

It's no suicide. Your friend Mrs. Palmer arranged this tableau.

- Any idea why? - Yeah.

He helped to kill her husband.

If you've got something to tell me, let's have it.

I think you'll find her husband at the bottom of the lake at Westlake Park.

You don't say.

You know, I'm only a cop.

When I checked the lake

I found they went there the night he disappeared.

And they also left it together.

Oh now, look.

When they left the boat Palmer was in a great big hurry.

He left the paying to his wife and dashed up the steps.

And now I think I know why.

Palmer never got off that boat.

This guy did.

Then he drove Palmer's car to San Diego.

I could point a dozen things wrong with that, but why bother?

If you're right, the body will come up in a day or two.

Oh, no. I'm afraid you'll have to drag the lake.

Jane's a pretty smart girl.

If she put him there, she put him there to stay.

Anyone besides you ever seen them together?

Look, what's the trouble? Don't you want to lick this thing?

Do you know what it would cost the Department

to close that lake and drag it?

We'd have to get an okay from the Police Commission...

and the Bureau of Budget and Efficiency.

And if the lake management raised enough of a hassle,

we might even have to go to the City Council.

Hay, Chief, come here a minute.

What's the idea? I haven't done any...

All right, all right.

She starts up the walk and notices the door's open.

Then she sees our car and decides to go away.

I was just trying to ask her a polite question.

Polite, he says. How does he act when he's being crude?

- Are you a friend of Fuller's? - Friend of who?

Come on inside.

What happened?

Did you ever see this before?

Was it with that?

You know anyone who would have wanted to kill him?

He killed himself.

Oh, God have mercy on him...

What makes you think he did it himself?

You got any reason?

He had a big deal on.

Fifty or sixty grand, he said.

But something went wrong.

I was with him when he got that stuff.

He didn't think I knew what he was getting but I did.

- Oh, I wanna go home. - Parker.

Take her home, get her name...

and find out where Fuller got that poison.

Right.

As for you, brother,

I'm going to let you off with a little friendly advice.

Don't ever try to involve the Department in your private quarrels.

If you get any facts, bring them around.

But until you do, Palmer's a missing person

and this guy killed himself. Now get going.

Palmer's a corpse.

How much would it cost me to have the lake dragged and prove it to you?

What did the lady do to you, Blake, besides sap you down?

It must have been something big.

Sure, son, you can drag the lake.

A guy did it about four years ago looking for his wife.

When he got through with it it had cost him $4.000,

the park officials were suing him,

and his wife turned up in Modesta with a truck driver.

Having trouble?

It's all fixed now, thanks. I had a flat.

- Sure I can't help any? - No, no, thanks very much.

It's a bad place to get stuck.

Blow out, huh?

Yes.

This small fortune belong to you, ma'am?

Yes, it must have dropped from my bag.

Suppose there's any more from where that came from?

With all that money, lady, you ought to have some male protection.

Anything wrong, miss?

No, I had a flat but everything's all right now.

- Good night. - Good night.

Good night, everybody. It was nice meeting you.

And after dinner we'll go to the front lawn for the Jai-Alai game.

I'm sorry, Carlos. No.

I'm rather tired.

Of course.

Ma�ana.

Ma�ana.

Well, nice place you have here, Mrs. Palmer.

Oh, excuse me. It's Miss Petrie now, isn't it?

That happens to be my maiden name.

I've filed a suit for divorce.

That's a nice touch.

But widows don't need divorces, do they?

I wasn't aware that I was a widow.

Doesn't matter.

I really came here to talk about money.

I'd like, say,

half of what you brought down with you.

That would be about $200, Mr...

What was your name?

It was Blake when you knew me.

You brought down about $60.000.

According to Danny's girlfriend.

I don't know any Danny and...

I haven't got any money.

I think you'd better leave.

I swear I'll scream to wake the dead if you don't get out of here.

Oh, it's too bad you can't wake the dead, Jane.

It might save you.

You see, I found your husband's body.

I told the Los Angeles Police where I am.

If there was any news of Alan, I would have been notified.

Not about this you wouldn't.

You see, I let him drop back in.

Drop back? Where?

Where you put him.

The lake.

Looking for something?

My lipstick.

Colt or Smith 'n Weston?

Now...

what's this about lakes?

Just one lake.

And if we can't make a deal, I'm going back and drag him up again.

Oh...

How much do you want?

I told you. Half.

It's in the hotel safe. I'll have to go get it.

Go ahead.

Aren't you afraid I might not come back?

You'll come back.

How do I know you won't take it all?

That would make me a cad, Jane. I couldn't do that.

Get the money. I'll be satisfied with half.

It has a nice cool look, hasn't it, Jane?

It tempts me.

But this will cover it.

What do you mean by that?

Giving you a strict accounting of refunds, Mrs. Palmer.

I had to know for sure if your husband was really in that lake.

This is the price for having the lake dragged.

What do you mean? What are you trying to say?

I'm trying to tell you, Jane, you're all washed up.

You can't take my money and...

- You're not... - The law?

No. Just someone who couldn't let you get away with it, Jane.

A killjoy.

Here it is! You want it, don't you?

It's yours. All you have to do is take it.

You can't see it, Mrs. Palmer, but I'm riding a big white horse.

This is a vendetta.

But it's over now.

Please page Teniente Rivera. He's in the lobby.

Rivera, I'm in her apartment.

She has the money here. All of it.

Yes. Right away.

You'll have to forgive me, Jane,

but I made formal charges that you stole that money from me.

Now, you can sue me later for false arrest but...

I had to figure some way of keeping you in town till the L.A. Police get here.

Why, Mr. Blake? Tell me why?

Not Blake, Blanchard.

Does that mean anything to you?

I...

I once married a man...

named Blanchard.

Yeah, it's my brother.

I was overseas when it happened but I never really believed

Bob killed himself.

- You killed him. - I swear I didn't kill him.

He found out I didn't love him and he killed himself.

I swear it! I swear I didn't kill him!

There are many ways of killing a man, Jane.

And now that I know you...

I can believe Bob probably did kill himself.

But then there's Alan Palmer.

And your friend Danny.

You're all through killing now, Jane.

Wait, he's lying! The money is mine!

Please, se�orita, we wish no trouble.

- You come with us, eh? - No! I tell you he's lying!

Someone get a doctor!

No need for a doctor. She's dead.

- How did it happen? - She fell from the balcony.

Vamos, muchachos...

Well, it was a short honeymoon, Kathy.

We're going home now.

- Jane? - Yeah.

Subtitles: Lu�s Filipe Bernardes