Original subtitles

♪ Beware, beware of the Black Widow

♪ She knows all too well revenge is sweet

♪ See a figure in black

♪ Hear a sharp pistol crack

♪ And a dead man's lying at her feet

♪ In a little hut on a foreign shore

♪ Disaster struck one sunny day

♪ Callously, tragedy broke a carefree family

♪ And it stole their happiness away

♪ Beware, beware of the Black Widow

♪ She knows all too well revenge is sweet

♪ See a figure in black

♪ Hear a sharp pistol crack

♪ And a dead man's lying at her feet

♪ There were savage men on their stalwart steeds

♪ Whose fury no one could restrain

♪ Saw the wife, took her life

♪ And defied her father's knife

♪ And rode off to wander once again

♪ Beware, beware of the Black Widow

♪ She knows all too well revenge is sweet

♪ See a figure in black

♪ Hear a sharp pistol crack

♪ And a dead man's lying at her feet

HGY-

Hey, Rudy.

Will you stop that pecking away?

It's driving me nuts!

No pecking away, no story.

Take your pick.

Well, you can turn out your copy

while I'm out at lunch, can't you?

If you say so.

Why so touchy?

Hangover?

You must be kidding.

You know I haven't had a drink

since that thing with my doctor.

I know you say you haven't.

Look, when are you going to lunch,

so I can finish this thing?

Well, maybe I'll have it sent in, just to annoy you.

Look, seriously, there's something I want to find out.

Yeah?

You've got this byline story on page three

about this hood's murder, a Pietro Mastrollia,

found in an alley back of Donahue's.

Well, I got all the information here from the cops.

You seem to have a few facts too many.

Too many?

That's right.

You've got things in here I don't see how

anybody could know.

Unless you were there.

Well, I was, in a way.

Walt Donahue runs a nice little place and I hang out there.

You're looking good, kid.

What are you up to?

What do you mean, "up to?"

Ain't I gotta right to a night off, like everybody else?

Sure.

Sure, if you say so.

What do you mean by that?

Ain't I got as much right as any other working girl

to take a night off?

You'd think I was some slave or something.

Ijust meant, well, it's Saturday.

And what?

So it's Saturday.

Renzo don't like girls taking Saturday night off.

"So?

I don't take my orders from your boss.

The old lady tells me what to do,

and to who and when.

Got it?

Or do I gotta draw a diagram?

You mind your business and I'll mind mine.

Fill 'em up?

Make mine double.

Ain't you had enough?

What are you, some kind of boy scout or something?

Give me a double, Walter,

and make my friend here some sass, or

some kind of soda or something.

Look, I don't want no trouble.

There's no trouble.

Come on, Sal.

You crummy busybody!

Take your paws off me!

Hey, excitement started early tonight, huh?

Gimme another beer.

What's the story?

There's no story.

Nothing you could print in your paper.

Nah, just one of the rebellious ones got caught.

Call girl gets called down, huh?

Say, who's this guy, Renzo?

I don't know nothing.

Maybe he didn't,

but there was trouble in the air.

You let me alone, wise guy!

When I tell the madam about this, she'll fix you!

Look, like I said, Renzo's the boss.

Okay, okay, so Renzo's the boss.

Still, I got a right to be...

You got a big mouth, kid,

and Renzo don't like broads with big mouths.

I did some checking.

The girl works for an old madam named Carmela,

sort of an independent working in Renzo's territory.

The girls will be down in a minute, gentlemen.

If there's anything you would like in the way of

music or drinks.

Just something cool to drink

and hot music!

Oh, our guitarist will play anything you like.

Tom?

Tom!

Well, we have a fine collection of records.

What you are going to see tonight is known as the sextet.

The girls are going to warm your blood a little first,

with some dancing and stuff.

And then...

We'll talk about that later, eh?

But first of all...

I Oh, I want a doll for Christmas I

I Under my Christmas tree I

I She don't have to walk I

I She don't have to talk I

I She just has to sit there and listen to me I

I Oh, I want a doll for Christmas I

I Hope Santa will come to me I

I Don't care what I get I

I A blonde or brunette I

I Just one I can cuddle I

I And one on my knee I

I Oh, jingle bells are very well I

I On Christmas day I

I It's only I get lonely I

I When the family are away I

I Oh, I want a doll for Christmas I

I One about five foot two I

Take it all off!

I One for the whole year through I

I Not just for Christmas I

I A doll to love the whole year through I

And this one is Tina.

You all know her.

She has a style all her own.

I Oh, jingle bells I

I Are very well I

I On Christmas day I

I It's only I get lonely I

I With the family far away I

I Oh, I want a doll for Christmas I

' Yes!

And now, lovely Sally!

Are you okay?

This has been a very exciting evening in many ways.

One of the young ladies is a bit upset,

but the other girls are available.

And if you will let me know your preferences...

Tina.

"No!

No, keep away from me!

Don't!

Come on, dear.

Come on, baby.

Tell mama all about it.

' No.

Keep away from me! No!

What's the matter?

Don't touch me!

Did some guy try to...

' Keep away!

Tomaso!

You're too late for that now.

Take Sally upstairs to her room.

No customers tonight.

Give her a...

No, she doesn't need a drink.

Give her a pill and leave her be.

You'll feel better in the morning.

What do you mean how do I feel?

Exhausted, of course.

What do you think?

You're not the easiest guy in the world

to please, you know.

Did you...

No, I didn't get a kick out of it.

And I don't enjoy having my ears nibbled on

like they were a couple of cabbages

and you were some kind of overgrown bunny rabbit.

Why don't you go on home like a good guy

and let me freshen up?

I put out a line on all of them.

Everything seems normal.

I couldn't identify the madam or the girls if I had to,

but I've seen this guy Pietro hundreds of times.

He was a racket boy, cheap, flashy.

So I added a few colorful details.

What's wrong with that?

Oh, I'll buy the color.

And so will your readers.

Well, did it ever occur to you that

the cops might get curious about

where you get your information?

I'll start worrying about that when they ask me.

Yeah?

Start worrying.

Hello?

Yes, this is Rudy Vecchio.

Oh, yes, Lieutenant.

Well, no, he was never a member of any of my groups.

Look, whatever I know about is on page, er...

Three, column five.

Page three, column five.

Yeah, there was this girl he was annoying last night.

But wait a minute.

The name Renzo came up.

Doesn't it always?

He's been running the local rackets

ever since Faro was shot in a bar fight.

Get your hat off.

He means you.

All right, you 9W5-

We got a nice, clean cut group here and

we don't want to call attention to ourselves.

You new guys, get haircuts.

Joey, get yourself a clean shirt.

Aw...

I don't like to have you boys here

all under one roof for a lot of reasons,

but today it had to be.

Take a look at that.

Now, don't ask too many questions now,

but we're all gonna cover new territory,

all in the same line.

And this is what we're gonna do.

Faro's boys keep right on collecting.

But I got one of you guys covering each one

in your own line, of course.

Now, keep your noses clean.

That means no public disturbances,

no tavern brawls.

I don't want something like this to happen.

You get it?

Are there any questions?

Yeah, what about us, boss?

Now, wait a minute.

Let's get something straight.

Er, Pietro, Petey, is that it?

Yes.

You're new here.

But this is for everybody's benefit.

Now, I'm not the boss.

I'm just Renzo, everybody's buddy.

I own the Club 69.

Now, at the Club 69, I even work as a performer

and if any of you guys want to drop in as regulars,

well, I can't stop you, can I?

Oh, another thing.

Joe, they tell me you got a voice.

Well, uh, you drop over to the club some night

and we'll fix you up with a cover job.

Okay.

That's it.

That's all.

Oh, one more thing!

I got a new ledger here.

Brand new ledger.

We're starting it today.

Now, I don't want no late payments

and nobody scratched,

and no red ink.

You get it?

Well...

Renzo thinks he's pretty powerful.

That's all.

But he leaves his collections

and most of the dirty work to his gal, Tootsie Turner.

Lady, you sure got lousy handwriting for a secretary.

And you got lousy manners for one of Renzo's boys.

Maybe you're planning on quitting.

Could be.

Who do you think you're kidding?

Nobody quits Renzo.

Not in an upright position.

You know that.

Here we go again.

If it ain't Brother Placid giving me the evil eye,

it's Renzo's confidential, uh, who-za-ma-jigga.

Don't call me no who-za-ma-jigga, you foreign string bean!

Ain't you got no respect for a lady?

You know my name.

Use it.

Sure, Tootsie.

But who'd ever believe it?

I'm only Tootsie to my friends.

And you got a million of them.

I guess I'm the only guy in New York.

What?

That doesn't get to call you Tootsie.

Clem, baby, let me talk to Renzo.

Renzo?

Baby, I just finished the last one.

Ah, come on.

After the show?

You know I'd love it.

Are you sure you're up to it?

Who's being fresh?

I'm just being practical.

Yeah.

Okay, after the show.

Uh-huh.

Bye, sweetie.

So far as I know, she plays fair on the money.

But among Renzo's boys,

the favorite game is playing footsie with Tootsie.

Hello, Joe?

Me.

Tonight's off.

O-F-F.

Tomorrow, baby.

Yeah.

Okay.

You flat out bitch.

She dances in a burlesque house

managed by a character named Placid,

but owned at a safe distance by Renzo.

All Renzo's boys hang out there.

I'm surprised Renzo ever gets any work out of 'em.

I If you decide you think my hair is not the right shade I

I My figure isn't really right for making the grade I

I And if you're sure I'll never see the beauty parade I

I If you don't like me I

I Make me over I

I You can tell your friends you think me swell I

I But haven't got class I

I You'd show me to your parents I

I But you don't think I'd pass I

I And though I'm flat in front I

I I'm just a basket of laughs I

I If you don't like me I

I Make me over I

I You know I'd go I

I Way out of my way I

I To prove my I

I What more can I say? I

I You know I'd do most anything I

I To be a success I

I l'll dye all I can dye I

I Or I can buy a new dress I

I I'm sick and tired of giving that I

I If you don't like me I

I Baby I

I Shake me I

I Break me in little pieces I

I And make me over I

How you doing, Tootsie?

Beat it, you creeps, the boss is due.

Can't you say hello?

Get lost.

You dames are gonna be late again.

Oh, let 'em wait.

Boy, some trooper you are.

If I ever have to share a dressing room again,

I hope it's with...

' Doris!

Doris! - That's our cue.

Well, wait, I can't go like this.

You decent, baby?

I come over special today.

Took off early.

I hope you appreciate it.

Look, how come so many of my boys

are always around this joint?

I got nine clubs,

seven theaters,

and a hundred bars in this town.

To say nothing of 3O...

Never mind that.

I got Freddy here keeping his eyes on the manager, sure,

but... Forget it.

Yeah, you're right.

You almost ready?

We'll go to my place, okay?

That'll be a novelty.

I hope you have plenty of booze.

Look, if I've found out anything more, I'll let you know.

Right, bye-bye.

Phone.

Hello, Fenlee?

Rudy Vecchio here.

Look, I'm coming down to see you.

I've got something that I think might be important.

After nine?

Okay, see you then.

Well, looks like the cops are gonna need some help.

I'm off now and, uh,

you can get your lunch sent in for all I care.

Well, who's gonna cover the...

I don't know, an office bird or something.

This is big.

Hannah?

Chick.

A tuna on rye and a cup of coffee.

This unusual figurine is authentic reproduction

of early Tang Dynasty door image.

It is said to bring good luck to all who pass it.

I could sure use a little good luck.

I've had a lot of luck lately,

but it's all been bad.

How much you say I could get this for?

$7.98, madame.

I will be with you in a moment, sir.

That's a little expensive, ain't it?

For such a teeny weeny little fella.

And you say it's a reproduction?

Authentic reproduction, madame.

I will be with you right away, sir.

Oh, go wait on your customer.

I'll just browse around a little.

I'm really waiting to keep an appointment.

(' Ma)' l help you, sir?

I, um, called earlier.

Ah, yes, about the jade.

Uh, it is in back room.

If you will be kind enough to wait for me there...

Thanks.

Is there anything else I can do for you, madame?

I don't see that you have anything here

that a person could get interested in.

Just a mess of rubbish.

A fine lot of junk!

Ah, here is fine junk made of artificial ivory,

with mast and spars of bamboo.

No, no.

I thought I might pick up a little something Chinese-y

for the parlor.

But you're too expensive.

There must be someplace in this neighborhood

that's not that expensive,

don't have that high prices.

Glad to have been of service, madame.

Here, take a look.

Do you see anything you like?

As pornography, fine,

but such a thing is not my weakness.

Here, enjoy.

Say...

Say, that's one of Renzo's broads.

Used to hang around with the late Petey.

Holy...

What a story!

The old, old story.

A man and a woman.

Oh, no, you didn't see it.

He was killed right before my eyes.

Pull down shade.

In this neighborhood, it is best to have no eyes.

It was a woman in a veil.

I saw the gun, the victim, everything.

I have always heard that writers had

vivid imaginations, but... Here, see for yourself.

Well, we got a story, all right, Rudy.

But I'll be doggone if I can figure out

where it's leading us.

Two of Renzo's boys got it.

Both about the same age.

Both tied in with old lady what's-her-name there.

Carmela.

Oh, here, you pronounce it. I sure can't.

I wonder how these houses stay in business.

Well, they always get a few suckers.

Oh, I don't mean customers.

There's always lots of those around.

I mean, uh...

Well, cops.

"Payoff?

Well, you're probably right.

But unless your notes are wrong,

and they could be, you'll admit that,

this is the only one in all five boroughs

not controlled by the big man.

So where does that leave us, huh?

These guys are small potatoes.

Dangerous, sure,

but pimps, hustlers, pushers.

Knock 'em off, more grow in their place.

So what's the motive, huh?

Is your coffee cold, too?

Maybe we ought to have a little investigation of our own.

After all, you're a witness.

I You tell your friends you think me swell I

I But haven't got class I

I You'd show me to your parents I

I But you don't think I'd pass I

I And though I'm flat in front I

I I'm just a basket of laughs I

I If you don't like me I

I Make me over I

I You know I'd go way out of my way I

You decent?

Just a minute.

Yeah, come on in.

You read the paper?

Oh, now, who reads?

Of course not.

Just asked.

Well, maybe Tootsie.

That's our cue.

I Make me over I

Come on.

Oh, all right!

Well, what do you want?

Uh, it's Joe...

I gotta change.

I'm looking for Joe.

'Joe?

What do you want with Joe?

Uh, it's Petey.

Uh, Petey said if anything ever happens to look you up.

Did you see today's paper?

See?

It's all over the headlines.

Somebody shot him.

I never met the guy.

But he said if anything ever happens,

to see you

and look for Joe.

Why?

You owe him money?

Never mind.

Want a drink?

Nah, nah.

Well, IWill.

Wait outside while I change, will you?

Yeah, yeah.

Uh, sure, miss.

Here's one on the house, okay?

Renzo?

Get to the point, baby, I got business to do.

(Uaughing) Nah, nah.

They're only business acquaintances.

Yeah, yeah.

You don't have to get hot under the collar.

Okay, well the G-string, then, yeah.

Say that again, slow.

He what?

You're sure he's not a plant?

A real junkie, huh?

Well, put him onto Joe.

Tell him to give him a two day fix

and find out where he lives.

We want to keep our customers happy.

And, uh, oh yeah,

keep Wednesday free.

What do ya mean, "for what?"

I said keep it free!

Joe's on stage.

He'll be off in a minute.

Listen.

Sings good, don't he?

Like an angel.

Some angel.

We're gonna be late, Mr. Renezatta!

Just call me Renzo.

Yeah, we've heard all that before!

You're everybody's buddy.

That's right, Kay.

Mrs. Schnauzer to you.

_ Qkay.

Okay.

Do you ladies mind if I take care of

a little important business before we start our conference?

Juan?

Juan!

Yeah, boss? Uh, Renzo?

Go out and find me Rico.

The cops, uh, have him in on Petey.

Find him!

Maybe he's on the tube.

I was at Fenlee's Curio Shop,

looking through a little telescope, as I told you.

I felt like a peeping tom.

I suppose I was.

Anyway, I see this guy take his shirt off.

Then I see this girl grab him,

window wide open, mind you,

then in comes this woman in black

with a black mourning habit on,

like you see in the old country.

Well, that depends on which country you're talking about.

Now, I know we have a few problems to iron out.

The main thing's the money.

Raise your prices.

Well, the way the business has been going,

there's hardly any money to pay the rent.

It's not like a department store, you know.

We have to pay the girls, too.

You gonna listen to that crummy record all night?

What's eating you, baby?

Don't you wanna see me get ahead in my career?

Sure, sure, Joe, but ain't you ever coming to bed?

Yeah, yeah, sure.

How would you like the cops to raid you

every night of the week?

How would you like some goon squad to come in

and break up your crystal chandeliers,

and knock your chicks around?

You know, guys don't go much for broads with black eyes

and broken jaws.

Are you threatening us?

What kind of talk is that?

Yeah, um...

Well, of course, I can always get new girls,

but, uh, them chandeliers?

Well, I don't know.

Well, the competition is...

You can say that again!

Yeah, what about her?

She's got three girls and a classy house,

and she's still going strong.

Now, the girls and I have talked it over

and we've decided...

Okay, okay, so you got a beef.

I get the picture.

But tell me,

how many of you ladies got called in by the cops today?

That's right.

Not one of you.

The old lady and her chicks have been in there all day,

and they put the pressure on, too.

Yeah, we read about Petey.

Awful.

Maybe he wasn't one of my top men,

but he was loyal.

And with Renzo, loyalty is what counts.

The cops will get who killed him

and old Renzo's gonna be right in there with him.

Yeah, that sounds funny, don't it?

Renzo helping the cops.

And if they don't get him, I will.

Who can do anything with things the way they are?

Yes, and the girls are all so upset.

Well, you un-upset 'em.

Tell 'em to turn more tricks a night,

they make more dough.

Give 'em a bonus or something.

But I want that dough in here by the end of the week.

Got it?

Okay, that's all.

Renzo, I know it's asking an awful lot...

Are you deaf or something?

I said that's all.

Out, out!

Just... now with Petey gone,

you know, I ain't seen Arnie since noon.

You don't think he got it, too, do you?

I don't know.

Ever since we come over here.

Are you gonna start that bit again?

Ever since we came over here, you mean.

You talk like you weren't American or something.

I ain't even been naturalized yet.

I'm still...

You know, it's funny,

I went in to see Mr. Placid today.

No kidding.

What did that punk have to say?

Ah, he ain't so bad, for being black and all.

I went in for a raise.

Two to one you didn't get it.

You know what he says?

He says, "Look, kid, I don't need you.

I just need somebody like you.

All the guys from your country can sing."

I As long as the day I

How does that make sense?

You don't make sense.

Petey didn't sing like me.

Neither can Ernie.

Yeah.

Yeah, get undressed.

Oh, let me flip the record over first.

This here one is sort of ballad-like.

Kind of a sad one.

I He will never I

'Joe!

Joe, what is it?

I Grow old I

Oh, there you are.

This is the third time I've been here tonight.

He just come in, mister.

Don't lie, Walter.

I've been here an hour more.

Boy, them cops really bug me!

Asking me questions like...

Wow, why would I kill Petey?

He was my buddy!

Boss wants you.

So late?

Okay, Walter, give me a quick one.

I guess when Renzo says, "jump,"

you guys gotta jump.

Button that lip unless you want a fat one.

Come on, Juan, let's get outta this place.

Okay, so it's late.

Ernie's got the kid, Eddie,

fixed up with a two day supply of the stuff.

Title: "The Black Widow Murders."

We went through that this afternoon.

You checked out the only old lady living there

and she's out playing bingo.

Get that, will you?

Yeah.

Ugh.

Well?

Mystery killer strikes again.

Same gang, same caliber bullet,

roughly the same situation as this afternoon.

Found naked in, uh,

Tootsie Turner's bedroom.

What do you think of that?

Well, sounds like a lovely place to be found naked

and a lousy place to be found dead.

Tootsie, that's that burlesque babe, isn't it?

Burlesque babe?

That's Renzo's little piece.

And if he found out she was playing footsie

with one of his boys...

He's probably working with her

as a front or a pusher, I'd say.

People in this town make me sick.

Every story we handle, it's the same thing.

It's like picking up a rock

and watching the creepy, crawly things scurry away.

Well, we're a crusading newspaper,

so we might as well get with it.

Bring in the girls from the house first.

Do I have to go through this all again, Rudy?

Well, you see, miss, I only know what Rudy's told me

and that's like,

well, third hand.

It all seems so useless.

Well, you don't really think your mother

could go around shooting up all the gangsters in town,

do you?

You don't know my mother.

You mean...

When I was just a kid,

it seems like ages ago now,

we lived on a farm.

It wasn't much of a place, I suppose,

but we were happy there.

I can remember a running brook and the trees,

and the smell of green in the springtime.

There was a boy I thought I was in love with and

everything seemed like it would go on that way forever.

Well, suddenly, it happened.

He seized me, rode off, and...

Well, it was like a nightmare.

He bore me home proudly, gallantly.

Rico boasted to my parents that I would marry him.

As if I'd ever marry that!

Hey, what's going on?

Your daughter slept with me, she's dishonored,

I must marry her.

Dishonored?

Damn Pig-

pig-

- Mum, dad.

They forced me, they raped me.

Is this true?

Yes, my future father in law, it's true.

She is mine.

No, no.

You know the custom.

It's a barbaric custom.

You can explain it, old man.

She must marry me.

You are a rapist and we'll leave you in the hands of the law.

I know one law only,

our fathers' law.

We must change too and we will.

The girl must be mine.

Murderer, never.

- Beware... Beware... The Black Widow!

I know, I know.

But what can I do?

The custom of the island is...

There's laws!

What are laws for but to keep men under control?

' MY dear, young lady.

Tina, if I may,

laws are made by wise men to protect the weak.

But these men,

they come from a long line of headstrong knaves.

They're powerful, organized.

Even the courts...

You mean you'll do nothing?

I mean I can do nothing.

They have power and the weight of

ancient customs behind them.

There were no witnesses to the abduction or the

violation.

Tomaso saw them seize her, but he...

They kicked him, pummeled him,

struck him in the head until...

Only his own henchman watched while he...

Oh, the swine!

And you cannot find it in your heart to forgive him

and marry him, as is our custom?

Nothing could force me to do that.

Is the law not strong enough?

Listen carefully.

Times are changing, it is true.

And maybe in time, such traditions may weaken.

But for now, what can I do?

If you have to swear out a complaint,

there's not a man among them that wouldn't have an alibi.

If I bring your Tomaso into court,

they would laugh at him and revile him.

I've seen him, I know.

No, ladies, there is only one safe solution.

Leave the island now.

Now, ladies, take my advice.

Flee.

Flee while there is yet time.

The swaggers!

The kidnappers!

The...

Oh!

Now, take it easy, miss.

I didn't realize.

Chick, this gal's been through a lot

and this rehash doesn't help.

Look.

I'll be okay.

It's just...

Well, I'm not sure I've got this straight.

You say that these three men of Renzo's were all...

The same beasts who stood by and watched.

Yes.

Then Rico's next, right?

L...

I don't know.

I just don't know.

What I wanna know is how many of his customers

did Petey tell go see Tootsie and ask for Joe?

I don't mind 'em asking for Joe.

I don't even mind 'em asking for you.

When they start to ask for Renzo,

brother, look out.

Look, he liked the kid.

Okay, if he liked him so much,

why did he sell him the stuff?

Search me.

No, thanks.

If I did, why, uh,

we'd probably turn up as much stuff

as the other guys without brains have

and get you busted 1o times over.

Look, he was my buddy.

We come over here together.

Yeah, yeah, I know.

Just a minute.

Repeat it.

All right, punk!

Three of 'em are dead now.

Spill it!

Now!

Sit down.

They all got it for the same reason.

And you're next.

Now, what ever happened over there?

You never did tell me.

Tell it to me now.

All of it.

There was this girl in my village.

I wanted her.

But she was in love with the village weakling.

A stupid kid, but her parents liked him.

She refused to marry me, so I took her by force,

just like the laws of the island say.

Afterwards, I took her home to claim her from her father.

But she still refused me.

Her mother was on her side.

Her father pulled a knife, so I shot him.

And we rode off.

Next day, I went to see the Chief to try and hide out,

but I think he was more scared than I was.

There's no use talking, Ricky.

You know as well as I do that's how it's done.

How else did you get Nina?

You leave my wife out of this!

Times change.

People don't change.

What does she expect me to do?

Walk up to her old man and come courting

like some Northerner?

We got our ways.

There's many a girl that's been

bedded and wedded just like that.

But I tell you,

there's respect due to the parents

and kicking a man almost to death...

Akid!

Call him what you will,

that boy'll never be right in the head again.

What does that mean?

Means you're barking up the wrong tree.

If that woman

and her daughter bring charges,

you're in bad trouble.

And you won't stand behind me, is that it?

There was a report early this morning

from Luigi.

He saw that girl and her mother

waiting at the courthouse.

That's trouble.

Are you afraid of a bunch of old men?

What can they do?

They're not very strong, you think?

They don't have the muscles of four young hellions.

They've got something more than strength,

more than brains even.

They represent the government.

I don't think any more about the government than you do.

In fact, I think they're a bigger bunch of crooks

than we are.

They can't be touched.

If one of those respected gray heads is so much as touched,

the police won't drop that until the case is closed.

Hell, we got boys in the police, too.

Yes, yes, yes!

We've got boys everywhere.

But things are different.

Public opinion is getting too powerful.

I can't do anything for you.

So I sit in the corner 'til they come for me, huh?

Well, not me!

Nobody said for you to sit in the corner.

Get outta here!

Now!

In other words, run?

Run.

Run far and fast.

Anywhere in the world.

And then I will help you.

We've got a big organization,

all over the world.

Now, take your pick.

There was nothing else we could do

but leave the island.

We headed out the next day. Me, Joe, Arnie, and Petey.

The Chief paid our way.

When we got here, we headed straight for your place,

like the Chief told us to.

You know the rest.

And that's all you did?

You raped the daughter

and you killed the old man?

And you wonder if the old lady's still sore.

Boy, you foreign creeps bug me but good.

Now, get this straight.

Get onto this junkie,

the one that's making a clear trail.

Get rid of him.

I'll take care of the old lady.

Yeah?

' Eddie?

You in there?

It's me, Rico.

Open up.

Will you leave me?

Will you come back later?

Hey Paul, did you see this?

Ain't that a lousy thing to say?

Il

Boy, some screwy dame's knocking all my guys off

and I can't do a damn thing about it.

I can't even go and see 'em.

Two of the boys were shot down

by this old dame Carmela's house.

Now, I got Juan standing guard nearby.

There's gonna be a lot of folks down in those parts today,

it's the Chinese New Year.

So I figured if I can get hold of that daughter,

maybe I can get some information.

Man, you talk crazy.

How you gonna make somebody that don't want to talk, talk?

Oh, I got ways.

Well, you coming or not?

Figure I owe you something for making me a big shot

here in this theater, don't you?

All you gotta do is whistle, I come running.

Is that it?

I figured maybe you considered yourself

part of my organization.

Maybe you'd be grateful.

Forget it.

_ rm coming.

I wouldn't miss it.

Let me get my coat.

Let me in!

I gotta see you now!

Will you leave me alone?

I'm Petey's friend.

You remember.

I don't remember.

Now, can't you leave me be?

Eddie, Joe's gone.

Somebody got him.

Without me, you haven't got a connection now.

You better see me while there's still time.

That's a good boy.

What's to be scared of?

Hey, the boss is sore.

Says you've been asking too many questions.

The boss?

I don't know no boss, honest.

Well, he'll be glad to hear that.

He likes to be unknown.

And you're willing to swear in a court of law

that it was the same woman we know as the Black Widow?

If you think they'll believe me.

You mean you were under the influence...

I just had a fix!

If I hadn't, I woulda never let him in.

Well, you realize I have to turn you over

to the police, don't you?

I have no authority to keep you here.

I can't harbor a fugitive from justice.

Yeah.

Oh, sure, Rudy.

Well, is it the same as the kid said?

What about that pig sticker he mentioned?

Yeah.

Well, yeah, call the cops.

I'll run over to the old lady's house.

Meet me there in about half an hour.

Right.

You're early, gentlemen.

The young ladies are out.

Er, we are not customers.

"No?

This is Chick McDonald of the press.

Then you're newspapermen?

But I don't understand.

Look, we're sorry to bother you, but...

ls there someplace that, er...

Well, come in.

What can I do for you?

Well, we have witnesses that, uh...

That is, Rudy here...

Uh, wait a minute, Chick.

Are you known as the Black Widow?

That's a strange question.

But... yes.

When I first came to this country, I was in mourning.

Old-fashioned, you would probably call it.

I wore the customary widow's garb.

But I have become Americanized now, as you can see.

This garb, as you call it, have you still got it?

Certainly.

Follow me.

I last saw it this morning.

I haven't worn it for years.

I'm right here at the end of the hall.

It should be right here in the closet.

No, I'm afraid...

My purse!

This has been fired recently.

Tom!

Tom!

Carmela?

Well, what about our witnesses now?

You got me, but what about Tina?

As long as we thought that her mother was the Black Widow,

she was safe.

Where have you been?

I get the willies while you're gone.

You're right!

Let's go.

Where's Tom?

I told you not to let him out of your sight!

What do we look like, a couple of nursemaids?

We're sorry, Carmela.

We lost him somewhere by Times Square.

We had shopping to do.

Well, tonight, you're back at work,

murders or no murders.

These gentlemen are from the press.

Your daughter's not here yet?

, My»

Tina.

How did you find out about...

Go on and get ready for tonight's show.

I'm sorry.

Not many people know Tina is related to me.

I must seem a terrible mother.

No.

DonTgo.

I owe you an explanation.

Many years a9o...

We know all about that.

Well, then Tina...

Very well.

You know what happened.

And she told you, no doubt,

that I swore I'd get vengeance against

those who had dishonored her.

She told us the whole story.

But did she tell you what the experience had done to her?

Can you imagine?

A tender, sensitive girl.

She got so she hated men.

Maybe you don't believe that.

Maybe you think girls in this line like what they're doing.

Well, they don't.

Most of them don't like men at all.

That's why I'm afraid.

So terribly afraid.

Have you got a phone that I could use?

The girls said they had lost you.

Are they ready to begin?

Go fetch them.

Hello, Hannah?

Rudy here.

Look, there'll be a girl calling you, or visiting you,

by the name of Tina.

Now, you have her meet me at the Far East Courier Shop

on Mott Street.

Yeah, right, Chinatown.

What do you mean, the new year?

Oh, yes.

This is the Year of the Dragon.

Will you have her meet me there?

Tell her I'll be waiting for her.

Won't be far away, just a few minutes,

just across the street.

Now, be sure, now, it's important.

Right.

If she should come back,

will you tell her?

I don't know why, but

I trust you, Mister...

Vecchio.

Rudy Vecchio.

And you won't be sorry, ma'am.

Come on, kid.

We got a murderer to catch.

Hi, Fenlee. Have you met my boss, Chick McDonald?

It has not yet been my pleasure.

Well, I've heard a lot about you.

Uh, is the girl here?

Girl?

I have seen nobody.

Well, I asked Tina to meet me here.

She's young, blonde.

Well, I guess she hasn't gotten here yet.

You are here for the dragon to welcome in the new year?

Er, no.

Well, we'll be here, but, uh...

HaPPY new year.

And the same to you, Mr. McDonald.

And what is it about the dragon?

Is this the Year of the Dragon or something?

No, no.

This is the Year of the Ram.

But the dragon always symbolizes

the beginning of the year.

Here we have little souvenir

that we keep in all shop.

Hey, that's pretty cute!

Oh, that is most impossible, Mr. McDonald.

The dragon,

he may be ferocious.

He may be evil.

Even kindly.

But he is never cute.

Ah, you must be Tina.

Your friends are waiting for you.

Thank you.

Oh, there you are!

You did get the message.

Oh, Rudy, I'm so frightened!

Hey, now, wait a minute, Rudy. This girl is not to...

May I help you, madame?

Madame!

Madame!

That's your gun here.

"No!

No!

What's going on here?

You crazy broad!

Put that thing down!

Tomaso!

Hey!

Hey, it's that loony!

Now, wait a minute.

We've caught the murderer, as far as we know,

but we have no authority to...

Tomaso.

Tomaso, why?

Is this the kid you told us about,

the one that was kicked in the head?

They'll never convict him.

Well, how can we ever convince the police that...

Perhaps I can help.

' YOU?

Vice squad.

Vice squad?

You dirty nigger!

Been waiting five years to say that, haven't you?

Well, I've been waiting five years to hear it.

You know, watching and waiting.

Like the old song says, biding my time.

Well, you slipped, lots of times.

Never as much as now.

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

Let me put it straight for you.

You and your boys have been controlling a part of this town,

an evil part,

for a long while.

Dope, rape, peddling,

nothing was ever too good for you to get your hands in.

Or bad.

Your records show that.

I ain't got no records.

You haven't anymore.

I've got 'em.

Your friend Tootsie

got a little nervous about a guy being shot in her room,

so she took another job in Vegas.

She left us with a little souvenir.

Tootsie run out?

I don't believe it!

And that Juan ran out as soon as I got shot.

He probably went out to tell the boys how the Widow got me.

I think he'll be back.

Sent him to the precinct.

Him a cop, too?

Everybody's a rat!

Look, Renzo,

there's something you gotta realize about races.

Everybody isn't all bad.

Some of us prefer other things,

like a little honesty and loyalty.

Except your kind.

Sometimes, you come out on top, but not always.

You're just prejudiced!

The wagon's out there, Paul.

You fink!

The Widow's really got you, boss.

Yeah.

Brand new coat.

Well, that closes the Black Widow murders.

Tomaso was the Black Widow all the time.

I don't know if it helps,

but at least your mother's in the clear.

Are you all right, Tina?

Everybody seems to want to play cop.

I suppose you're part of the FBI?

Whose side are you on, anwvay?

We Orientals have a reputation for being inscrutable.

Let's keep it that way, shall we?

Well, I better get back to work.

Oh, me too.

Oh, wait.

You stay here and cover the parade.

I'm sure you can write me something.

This story I can cover myself.

Well, it's been exciting New Year, huh?

Too exciting.

Poor Tomaso.

It is customary to begin new year

with all debts paid,

to look forward, not backward.

Here.

With compliments of management.

What is it?

It's a fortune cookie.

Break it open.

"You have a friend nearby."

YOU?

Could be.

How about yours?

They, uh, lived happily ever after.

You're kidding.

Let me see!

Come on, let's go see that dragon before he disappears.

♪ Through the frightened calvary forces ran

♪ Escaping a triggers evil spells

♪ Found the one with the gun

♪ But when all was said and done

♪ The Black Widow turned out someone else

♪ And a dead man's lying at her feet