Original subtitles

Business expense item, entertainment.

An entry that sometimes covers a multitude of sins.

One of the most shameful abuses of entertainment funds is the party girl.

Whose talents amuse and divert buyers, contractors,

technicians with secrets to sell.

In short, any man willing to be bought by the favors of the party girl.

Oh, you're something.

You're really something.

Oh, you're sweet.

What's your name?

Phyllis, and you're John.

You see, John Doe, John Smith, John Brown's body.

No, actually, my name is Sam.

Sam Brown.

Sam Brown.

I like it. It has a ring to it.

Come on, honey, it was an accident.

What's the matter? What happened?

Charlie, you're drunk. Now leave her alone. What's the matter with me? It's her.

She's got this thing about fire. You hear a

scream out there, I'll show you something.

I never thought she'd run. What did I do to her?

A young, frightened girl falls to her death.

According to police information, she had been a model,

registered with Shirley Germain, one of New York's most exclusive agencies.

Her death and the sordid circumstances surrounding it brought into

focus a number of reports and rumors about the Germain operation.

Reports that it was a front for one of the biggest,

most successful party girl setups in the country.

And rumors that the girls were more than party types,

that they also doubled in brass as agents of industrial espionage.

Hello?

I'm Paul Marino.

Oh, yes, Mr. Marino. You'll expect it.

Mr. Mayne? Yes?

Mr. Marino is here. Send him right in.

Go right in.

Thank you.

Mr. Marino, how nice to meet you.

I have been looking forward to your visit ever since you phoned. Won't you sit down?

Thank you.

You know, I'm a big fan of yours.

I guess I have read about every column and article you've ever written.

That so?

Then you know how much you might call a specialist.

Mm-hmm. In expose?

You know, I've been wondering all morning what you've decided to expose this time.

You're good, aren't you?

Even better than I expected.

Really?

What did you expect?

Shirley Germain, born Emma Jabowski, 1925, Chicago.

Parents divorced, put self through high school and business college.

1942 through 45, served with the CIA.

First in clerical capacity, later as a stateside agent tracing security leaks.

Discharged for using questionable methods to gain information from male contacts.

Following discharge, changed name and entered private investigation,

but lost New York state license when charged with blackmail of a client.

Of a male client.

Did you overlook that?

Subject changed name again, and after several false starts,

established model agency, which he is presently operating.

So what kind of a story are you after, Mr. Moreno?

A girl called Connie Louise. She went off a hotel balcony three nights ago.

Fell 18 floors.

Ah.

I see.

You're going to do the whole bit about how the girls

who come to New York and think they're Susie Parkers,

before they know it, they are lured into white slavery, hm?

That should be part of it.

Another part could be the fact that you are running one of the

most successful industrial espionage operations in the country.

You learned early, didn't you?

Like with all the modern refinements of spying,

the best weapon of all is still a pretty face.

Mr. Marino, where do you think you're going to get your story?

From me?

From the girls?

From our, um, clients?

Who do you think is going to lay their reputation on the line?

How I get it doesn't matter, but get it I will.

Because it needs doing.

You can make bets on that, Mr. Vane.

Oh, she isn't with us any longer.

Yes, I know.

This book is Shirley Germain's special limited edition.

It's not among a few select customers as the Book of Faces.

She puts out a regular model brochure too, but this, this is the cream of the crop.

And most of the girls in there are top draw industrial spies as well.

And now may I ask an obvious question?

What, I hope, is my next assignment?

You're right.

I want you to get into the Germain operation.

When I was there today, I noticed they had a driver on their payroll.

That might just be the spot for you. I'll check it out.

You'll have to have a good cover.

I let Germaine know I was after her, so she'll be on the lookout for you.

OK, so it'll be a good cover.

You know, it's kind of sad, Paul. I mean, they're all so darn pretty,

and mixed up in one of the dirtiest rackets of them all.

It's dirty, all right, and big.

So big, the government keeps a special file on the Party Girl racket. File 31.

It ties the racket in with a few of the biggest companies in the country.

So-called respectable companies who seem to think business is some kind of a war,

everything's fair in a war. They keep the racket going,

promoting blackmail and misery for everybody who gets caught in it.

That's why Shirley Germain and the rest of her crowd

deserve everything we can throw at them in spades.

While Jack Flood and I prepared to move against the Shirley Germain operation,

other forces were in motion which would eventually

bear unexpectedly on our investigation.

An intimate party was in progress at the penthouse apartment of Eugenie Sigouran,

owner of a large, complex cosmetic company.

He has true nobility, don't you think?

He accepts charity as though he's doing the giver a favor.

And he has the strength to kill if it is necessary.

Such was nobility when I was girl.

How rude of me.

A hostess should not dominate her own party.

Please, drink. Mingle, enjoy yourselves.

It's a lovely view, isn't it?

Oh, yes, it is. Frank, I'm afraid I'm going to have to go home.

Home? You just got here. I thought you and Bella

and I could have a late supper together.

Well, I don't think so. I've got to get up to the lab early tomorrow.

We're running some tests. Would you thank Madame Sigourney for inviting me?

Isn't she really something?

It's a challenge to work for her, Jeff.

A real challenge.

You know, maybe that's why I keep saying no.

I'm getting a little too old for challenges.

I have been so anxious to talk to your good friend.

Frank has told me so much about you. And of course,

the entire industry knows your work.

Everything we do at Peel Bigelow is a group effort.

Effort in which you are the guiding genius.

Such as in your research in the influence of hormones on the complexion.

And now your new steroid cream, which will safely remove the signs of age.

You know, I was under the impression that that was a secret project.

It is my business to know what my competitors do.

Incidentally, Frank has made known to you it is my wish that you join my company.

Is there something, anything I can do to influence your decision?

No, I don't think so.

See, I'm very happy at Peel Bigelow.

I could triple your salary.

I know that does not interest you.

What does have meaning for you?

Well, it's the freedom to do pure research.

See, this time it's led me to a commercial product that has a price tag on it.

Many of my, well, many of our projects don't have price tags.

And neither do you.

Integrity is a wonderful quality, Mr. Marvin. Thank you. I completely understand.

Frank, may I see you for a moment?

Oh, look, Jeff, don't go yet, please. I'm sorry, Frank. I'm afraid I have to.

All right. Lunch. Come, darling.

Come on, darling, down.

Your Bella looked quite lovely tonight.

Thank you.

She's so happy. She's filled with the happiness that you provide for her.

Come on, darling, come down. Down, darling.

But you, Frank, aren't you happy?

I've tried. You don't know how hard I've tried.

Evidently not hard enough.

He still says no.

This past year, the things I've gone through,

I've changed my life trying to get him to come with us.

I take the commuter train with him morning and night.

He'd lunch with him three, four times a week.

He's at our place for dinner every weekend. The kids call him Uncle Jeff.

I even took lessons so I could play chess with him.

Eugenie, I've made a friend of him, a real honest-to-gosh friend. I like him,

but I just can't make him change his mind.

Do you know what he would be worth to my company?

Millions.

But can you put a price on friendship, on integrity?

I think you can.

Believe me, if I knew what to do, I... You say you have a friend in him.

Any man who makes millions a year for your competitor

is not your friend. He is your enemy.

Have you used this?

No.

Why not?

We have used Miss Germaine's organization very effectively in the past. I...

I didn't think it would work.

Marvin's very devoted to his wife. I just didn't think it would work.

No?

Perhaps you did not want it to work. Isn't that closer to the truth?

He's your friend. He talks of integrity, of freedom.

It strikes a chord, huh?

You see in him what you wish you could be.

You cannot destroy him without destroying yourself.

Is that what has been gnawing at you, my friend?

I will give you three weeks.

That is all.

Bring Marvin to me in that time.

Bring me our enemy, by any means you can. Morning, Frank.

Oh, morning. I didn't expect to see you here at this hour.

Decided to catch the early train, Black.

Uh, get in and clear off the desk. Got a big new ad campaign coming up. Hey,

let me pick your brains a little. We're looking for a girl.

She's got to have the face that really gets to you. Here, take a look.

Come on, Frank, what would I know about this?

What do you need to know? You're a man.

That one?

Yes.

You know, Frank, it's a funny thing. I think every man has a dream face.

You know what I mean? It's like a combination of the first girl you

ever kissed and all the other girls you were too scared to talk to.

She does that for you?

Yes. For me, anyway.

I wouldn't expect everybody to have the same reaction. Well, I guess you're right.

She's pretty, though.

Just about the prettiest one in the whole book.

I told Bella we'd have to cut down more with the new house and all,

but she doesn't know the meaning of the word.

Spends money like it was going out of style.

How you can make 50,000 a year and still be... Well, hello there.

Mr. Brandon.

I didn't expect to see you so soon again.

Will you join us? We haven't ordered yet.

Are you sure I'm not intruding?

No, no, not at all.

Did you get the job?

Yes, and I certainly want to thank you.

Well, here's the man you ought to thank. Oh, Jeff, this is Miss Phyllis Evans.

Recognize her? Yes, the girl in the book.

How do you do? This is Jeff Marvin.

It was his recommendation that made me suggest you to the agency.

Really?

It's the nicest assignment I've ever had.

I can't tell you how excited I am about it.

Are you with the Sigourin company too, Mr. Marvin?

Mr. Marvin?

Oh, excuse me.

No, I'm, uh... Actually, I'm with another company.

I'm in cosmetics too, um...

In cosmetic chemistry and the research end of things.

Carl Riddick?

Who are you? You better come with us.

Wait a minute, come where?

You drive for the Germain Agency, don't you?

Sure, what's that got to do with it? All right, sure, talk.

We've talked to the tenants of these gas stations, Riddick.

You're pretty easy to remember. Big expensive car full of pretty girls.

So what? I drive them where they tell me.

New Jersey? Connecticut?

Pennsylvania?

Oh, what about it?

What about it?

Eleven trips all across state lines.

Don't try that again. Go on, finish your drink.

It may be quite a while before you have another one.

Eleven counts. That's going to be quite a fall.

It's too bad, you know. It's always some poor creep like you. Never the real wheels.

I'm not your man.

She told me she'd take care of anything.

Told me I didn't have a worry in the world. She can't do anything for you now.

But maybe you can do something for yourself.

You're small potatoes, Reddick. The prisons are full of your kind.

You're a glut on the market.

I'd swap 20 like you for one Shirley Germain.

Why, listen.

She's got some friends.

Real rough friends.

I opened my mouth... What if you didn't open your mouth?

What if you just got sick all of a sudden?

Sick? And you sent in a replacement, maybe?

A relative. Somebody you could trust.

You got a relative, Reddick?

One that looks like me. Hello.

Do you know the address? Yes, ma'am.

Am I early?

No, no, not at all. I was just finishing up.

Excuse me a minute. I've got to make a note of this. 420 volts. Excellent.

I've never looked at one of these. May I?

Of course. I'll focus it for you.

There we are. Now, take a look.

What is it?

Well, it's a new, mysterious substance.

It's dirt.

Yes, just plain dirt.

Dirt?

Listen, Phyllis, you're going to have to be patient with me. Well, thank you.

It's been a long time since I've gone out, and well,

I'm not sure I know what to do or even know where to take you.

It's easy.

You just do what you do when you're alone.

Only take me with you.

That easy?

Well, let's see. I have two hobbies.

One is chess.

The other is silent movies. Does that sound like fun to you?

They both sound like fun.

Let's go.

Dodger Queen.

Nate!

Oh!

You cheated me!

You cheated me! Thanks a lot!

Come on, I'll buy some ice cream.

I never even saw that.

I wouldn't ask you if I didn't.

You know, Phyllis, I don't understand it.

You know, I'm 42 years old.

You know, see, I'm getting bald.

I'm having a little trouble keeping my waistline down.

You can't be... You can't be 30 yet.

You're the most beautiful and most wonderful girl I've ever met.

I don't understand it.

It's not because I accidentally got you the job, is it?

Of course not.

You're comfortable, I guess.

You're not like the young, sharp, scared, mad avenue crowd.

Jeff, I've had more fun this afternoon than

I can remember having in a long, long time.

I like you. It's as simple as that.

Okay?

Thursday night he took her to a play and supper, Friday they met for lunch,

and over the weekend he said he was going to be out of town. Just on Sunday.

He said he had to work on Saturday. At any rate, that's the week.

This is all?

There's nothing more?

You don't seem to understand the problem here.

Mr. Marvin seems to have serious reservations

about committing himself to a more, uh...

Personal relationship.

I know all about his reservations. You were hired to overcome his reservations.

If this girl can't do it... I have complete confidence in Phyllis.

We are really very lucky he made the choice he did. May I say something?

This isn't something that's going to happen in a week.

I don't know what Jeff's problem is, but he's got a problem. That's obvious.

I'll tell you this, he's hooked. He's fighting it, but he's hooked, but good.

Well, it would help if we knew the problem. Have

you anything to contribute, Mr. Brandon?

He's got a wife.

I've never met her, a man like that.

There's no other way to get to him.

He doesn't want money, things the rest of us sell our souls for.

But he's got that one soft spot.

His what?

That's what's holding him back. He doesn't want to hurt her.

Interesting.

That's a whole new light on things.

It seems to me, what we need is a means of putting

pressure on Mr. Marvin, isn't that right?

I couldn't have put it more precisely.

Well then, since Mr. Marvin seems to be a sensitive man,

Maybe the appearance of an entanglement might be enough.

He hasn't said anything to me about his wife.

Are you sure he's got one?

I'm very sure. He's devoted to her.

These Sunday trips, he goes to visit her.

Cozy.

We'll do anything to keep from hurting her, to keep scandal away from her.

So we've got to hit him with the scandal.

Leave him no way out of it.

That shouldn't be too difficult now.

Look, I'm sure he's hooked.

Just let me play him a little.

I need a little more time.

We haven't got time.

That's the one thing we haven't got, don't you understand?

We're under pressure. It's got to be done fast.

Fast.

Hello.

Jeff?

Yes.

I didn't know whether you'd still be there.

Oh, yes, I'm still at it.

Is there any chance you could stop by for a drink?

Coffee, maybe?

Gee, I'd like to, but... No, I don't think I'd better try.

I've got about an hour's worth of clean-up, and I've got a long drive tomorrow.

I miss you.

What's this big mysterious trip you're taking tomorrow?

Haven't got another girlfriend hidden away, have you?

No. No, not another girlfriend.

Listen, Phyllis, I'll be back tomorrow night. I'll call you then if you like.

Are you sure I couldn't go with you on your trip?

I don't take up much room, and I'm very good at reading road signs.

Oh, Phyllis, I don't think so. I don't think it would be fun for you.

Listen, I'll call you tomorrow when I get back,

and I promise you that we'll do something Monday.

Lunch, maybe, all right?

OK, I'll wait for your call.

Is that the best you can do, wait for his call? Well, I can't wait.

What do you want me to do, hypnotize him?

Why don't you try a little bit of patience?

This kind of project won't take pushing.

Then what do you think I'm taking? And how much more do you think I'm going to take?

I told you there'd be a bonus if you got him for me.

Want me to tell you what there'll be if you don't get him?

Good day.

She always does when she knows you're coming.

Are there any changes or no discomfort?

No.

She'll have a relatively easy time of it.

She'll continue to lose strength, of course, but no pain.

Not with this type of leukemia.

Yeah, it looks pretty that way.

You like it?

Yes.

There's a new nurse on night duty. She helped me with it.

Sit down. Tell me what you've been doing all week.

Well, I've been working mostly and checking out the

formula for the production challenges all week,

and I think I'm pretty close to the end now.

Oh, that's good.

And then you take some time off.

I've been worried about you working so hard. Haven't

you been doing anything else? Nothing but work?

Well, I've been relaxing a little.

Well, good for you.

I thought you looked a little different.

Happier, I think. Not so lonely.

That's it, isn't it? You're not so lonely anymore.

Have you found some new friends?

Yes.

Oh, for heaven's sake, don't be so backward about it.

Tell me about her.

What's her name?

Her name is Phyllis.

Phyllis Evans.

Actually, I met her through Frank Brandon. Do you remember?

I used to talk about him.

Is she a nice person? Do you like her?

Well, she seems very nice.

She seems friendly.

She's younger than I am.

She's a bit younger than I am.

But she seems to like all the things that I do.

I think she's got a good mind. She reads books,

and I haven't told her about you, Lorraine.

Why not?

Well, I don't know why. I don't know where to start.

Oh, is it? You'll know how when the time comes.

I'm sure she'll understand.

But it's not right, Lorraine. You're my wife.

I shouldn't be seeing her.

Jeff, you remember how you were living before we were married?

You were such a lonely person.

And since I've been here, you've gone back to that.

You need someone, Jeff.

You really do. Lorraine, I have you.

Jeff, I don't want you to live like a hermit.

That's not what I want from you.

What do you want?

I want you to go on living.

Not let your life end with mine.

And most of all, I want to die with dignity.

You can help me.

I need you to help me.

To let go of my life and of you.

Here's a list of the girls' activities since I've been driving for the agency.

One of the girls, named Phyllis,

seems to be on some kind of a special deal right now. A couple of nights ago,

I drove her home with a guy named Brandon.

Now, he works for Zagora.

Eugenic cigar? Cosmetics? That's right.

I heard Brandon mention a name, Marvin. Phyllis was supposed to call him.

I checked him out, and there's a Marvin that works

for the research brands of Peel Bigelow.

He's chief chemist there,

and right now he's working on a new face cream

formula that's supposed to be very big.

So Gorn would love to get our mitts on it, I'm

sure. Keep on this. It sounds interesting.

Yeah, I thought it might tie in.

Here's a little tidbit I thought you might like to see.

This is what the well-dressed Mata Hari is wearing these days.

That's a miniature broadcasting station.

A girl can drop it in her purse and you can sit in the car three

blocks away and pick up what she and her date are saying.

Real cute. You got any more gadgets like this?

No, all the latest.

Another one is a high-powered directional microphone.

You can be across the street and pick up a conversation loud and clear,

even through a brick wall.

All the latest, huh?

Plus the oldest and still the most effective, the female spy.

Okay, Jack, stay with it.

Let's get everything we can on this one.

Eight tomorrow?

No, it's not too early.

I'll be ready.

Good night, Jeff.

He went for it? He's taking you tomorrow?

Yes. He's going to drop me off at New Haven.

Well, he visits somebody a few miles from there.

All right. Now, when you get him out there, you

know how to handle it. What you're going to do?

Don't pant, Mr. Brandon.

It isn't becoming to a man of your position.

She knows what to do.

We've worked it all out. A little trick, very simple, really.

You'll get what you need to blackmail him with, Mr. Brandon.

Aren't you a little free with the words you use? You want to throw words around.

I've got a few of my own.

I think we've all been under something It hasn't

been an easy assignment for Phyllis, has it, dear?

A job is a job is a job.

Jeff Marvin.

The comfortable cube.

You know, he hasn't even kissed me yet.

But he's thinking about it.

Oh, yes, he is.

And when the right moment arrives and the chips, so to speak, are down,

he'll be just another four-flusher who hasn't the

courage to tell his girlfriend he's got a wife,

for fear she'll tell him goodbye.

Feel any better?

A little worse, I'm afraid. Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry. I said I wasn't going to be any trouble.

You can't help it if you've got a migraine.

What do you think? Should we go back to town?

Oh, no.

No, to tell you the truth, I don't think I could make it back to town.

Maybe we should find a doctor.

No.

If there's a motel up ahead,

perhaps we could stop and I could rest for a little while out of the sunlight.

All right.

Whatever you think is best.

Is that right?

That's right.

Would you mind closing the drapes?

The light hurts my eyes.

You'd better take a nap.

Jeff?

Don't go away.

Would you come and sit by me for a while?

Let me run in for some cigarettes, will you? Sure.

Do you have any cigarettes?

We don't stock them.

There's a general store about two miles up the highway.

Do you have any of your own? I only need one pack.

I'll pay you a dollar for it.

I've only used a few out of this. You're welcome to it.

Let me have a fresh pack.

Do you have a carton around somewhere?

Well, we'll see.

Miss, honey.

Oh, miss.

It's a beautiful day, isn't it?

Jeff, aren't you going the wrong way?

No, Phyllis, we're going back to New York.

I thought you said you were going to visit someone.

Yes, I was. Phyllis, about 20 miles from back there is a sanitarium.

My wife is there.

Your wife?

I was going to see her.

I know I didn't say anything to you before about that,

so I'm really sorry about that.

But I'm telling her now.

She's been there for two years.

She hasn't much left now.

She's... There's not much time, not much...

Not much strength, not much of anything.

Except courage and love for me.

No man deserves to be loved like that.

I told her about you.

All she wanted to know was...

Maybe you were the girl I could have a life with after she's gone.

She wants to know if I'm the right girl for you.

That's what she wants to know.

Phyllis, I... I don't know if you are.

But she deserves to.

I have all the love I have for her.

Full.

Undivided.

She has to know that she's got that.

Right to the end.

I don't know.

I just about gave you up.

I did, but they didn't.

They?

Shirley?

Yeah, the guy named Brandon.

Have a nice trip?

The word is trick.

A very nice trick.

Where have you been? It's after 1.

I knew I'd place you, Mr. Brandon. Now I've got it. You're the housemother type.

We've been waiting.

You know how important this is to all of us. What happened with Marvin?

For one thing, he asked me to marry him.

He asked you to?

Oh, not in so many words, but the implications were pretty strong.

We're very anxious to know what happened.

Something I've been asking myself all the way back home, Mr. Brandon.

There's a man like Jeff. A nice guy.

A man of some worth.

And then there's you.

What are you worth, Mr. Brandon?

Why should a man like Jeff Marvin be destroyed for a man like you?

Did you get what you went after?

I don't like your job.

I don't like you.

All right, Phyllis. I've got a better offer.

Jeff's offer.

I said, did you get what you went after?

Don't give it to me! Give it to me!

She's all right. Get him out of here.

I don't know what happened to me. I don't know what happened. Get him out of here.

I never hit anybody before in my life.

You know, it's a funny thing.

Girls who work for me are always talking about getting out.

Most of them do sooner or later.

Like getting married sometimes.

But a guy would have to be a pretty enlightened character, you know what I mean?

You think Jeff Marvin is that enlightened?

Somehow I doubt it.

Well, well, well, well, well. Goody, goody, goody.

Stan's Motel, Wilbercross Parkway, Connecticut.

I'll finish the job.

You collect your fee.

Good night.

Hello.

I think this cosmetic thing's come to some kind of head tonight.

The man just beat up the girl who was working on the other guy, Marvin.

Looks like insurrection in the ranks.

I think Phyllis might be conversational if you dropped in on her now.

All right, what's her address?

I'll check it out.

You better come with us.

I'm on my way.

So that's the story, Jeff. I'm sorry, old buddy,

but it looks like you're in a bit of a mess.

Yes.

Yes, it is a mess, isn't it? Just the kind of mess I'd do anything to prevent.

Frank, you knew all about it, didn't you? You knew everything about my wife.

All right.

What do you expect, sympathy?

Frank, would you do this to me?

To my wife, if I turned you down?

You'd publicize?

You'd make sure that my wife found out? In a minute.

Bless. And don't even consider the choice, because you've got no choice. Jeff.

I know what they've been telling you. I know the whole routine.

Phyllis, get out of here.

Not this time, dear.

I'm not going to tell you they lied about me.

They don't have to.

I'm everything they said and more.

Phyllis.

I can't... I can't believe it.

Oh, you will.

You already do a little, don't you?

But there's one big difference this time.

Mr. Marino and I have had a heart-to-heart talk, haven't we?

Phyllis tells quite a story. It'll just about write itself, Madam Segarra.

Blackmail, industrial espionage.

Do you want me to write that story?

What are the alternatives?

Leave Marvin alone.

It's a swap.

You give up Marvin, I give up your part of the story.

I will give up even more.

Jeff?

What's with the line?

I guess this is goodbye?

Does it have to be?

To forget me.

Bye. I can't.

Phyllis, I don't care about what's happened.

I just ask myself how I feel.

You know how I feel. And I can't turn that off.

Try. It may be easier than you think.

Phyllis, don't let this shake you up. It doesn't have to change anything.

I'm not gonna worry about losing one client.

So, you fell for Marvin.

It happens.

Yeah, you're right.

It happens.

Not very often, but it does.

So maybe we should let it happen.

Who knows?

It may never happen again. Jeff?

Mr. Marino, did you get your story?

Yes, I'm giving up the score and story, but not yours.

Yours I'm going to write.

It should be sensational.

This sort of thing, the newspapers eat it up.

This time I think you're going to get chewed up a little too, Shirley.

I can't say I'm sorry for you.

Come on, let's go.

Let's.