Original subtitles

This is rita, your talk Show lady, and this week,

We are broadcasting From a window of racer's

Department store, So you can see me,

And I can see you.

We would be even closer, I swear to you, but my

Boss says, "Rita, Don't get too personal.

Rita, don't make It a love affair."

And you know bosses.

So if we don't seem as close From now on, blame him--

Please remember that.

You and I, We're night people.

I want it to be meaningful.

I want it to be sensual.

Lawson, listen, I'm telling you, you're in

Trouble and all you got On your mind is that broad.

You either got her on the radio Or on that recorder.

Here's your crib sheet. Now, shape up.

You up your take, Or I got to drop you.

And don't tell me About your sister.

I can't put her On your tally sheet.

I got somebody over me.

Come on down tomorrow.

They sell good, And they sell cheap.

- you're on the air. - rita?

I got fired today.

You poor kid. What happened?

My boss made a pass at me, Rita.

And I stopped him. I don't know why.

- it wouldn't have been so bad. - so?

Call him.

My boss makes passes.

It's all in the game.

Well, you heard the girl.

You tell me about your boss.

The lines are open.

And while we're thinking, A little night music.

Hi, babe.

Just thought I'd drop by and see How you were managing.

Oh, well, thanks.

For a while there,

I was afraid we weren't going To find an issue.

You always do.

Okay, mr. Station manager, How about more money?

What?

I've always been good to you.

Be better.

I'd love to.

Mm.

This is rita, And you're on the air.

I just want to say That you're right.

Bosses-- I know how they are.

Mine is worse.

Believe me.

He's hanging over me now In person.

But you just have to live With it and try to work it out.

- we'll do it together. - yes.

It's like you always say.

Only the little people care.

We should stick together.

And he has no right to keep you From us, the way you say.

You're right, friend.

You are right.

And keep on calling Rita, hey?

Bye.

You heard the man.

He's right.

That's it.

You and me all the night people Sticking together.

Oh, let's doing something.

Hear me out there.

We have had our fill.

We shall rise up now.

Let's go.

Action. Action.

Stamp out lousy bosses. Do it.

Somebody out there, Help, please.

Where are you, anyway?

My heroes, All my night people.

Did I tell you my other problem Is, he digs me?

Bradford is my boss. Fact of life.

He holds the old economic Fingers on my economic throat.

You out there,

The little people, The night people,

It's time To rise up and take action now.

Do it.

Mr. Bradford?

Yes?

Stuart bradford, Male caucasian,

Age 42, manages Radio station wwrk.

They're doing a remote From racer's all week.

- any witnesses? - no, sir.

Nobody that actually Saw anything.

How about the lady With the microphone?

Miss mccall, I was wondering if I could ask--

If there's one thing You police are good at,

It's arriving After the damage is done.

Oh.

Mr. Bradford have any problems?

You know, business, personal?

We weren't that close.

You have any idea Why he was shot?

Why?

Because the streets of new york

Aren't safe anymore.

Because you're in here Grilling me instead of out

There catching these lunatics.

Now, if there's nothing else, Lieutenant?

Not for the moment.

There isn't one decent job In here.

This is rita. You're on the air.

Don't you get enough of her?

Hour after hour.

I'm your sister.

She's nothing to you.

You think she is.

She's nothing to you.

You listen to her Like she's your god.

Do you have to record her voice?

Bradford is my boss.

Fact of life.

He tells me who I Can take potshots at and who I

Have to be careful with-- You out there,

The little people, the night

People, it's time To rise up and take action now.

Stavros, rizzo, Everybody, get in here.

All right, what do you got?

Talked to bradford's wife.

He only had one vice: gambling.

So I check with to his bookie. Nothing heavy.

You checked ballistics?

Yeah, lieutenant.

The weapon was A .25 caliber automatic.

Well, what do we got here now?

We got a victim Who didn't owe any money, who

Didn't play around, And a victim who wasn't robbed.

Maybe bradford can help Us I.D. Him.

The hospital called, And they told us they'll

Let us know When he's able to talk.

All right, good.

Kojak.

Yeah.

When?

All right, thank you.

Bradford just went into a coma.

I'm sorry About your station manager.

But the cops Should spend some time getting

Prostitutes off the street too.

I couldn't agree More on all counts.

I just hope I can do something To bring an end to

Prostitution in our city.

You out there, like the man Said, the little

People doing their thing, What do you say?

Send a letter To the commissioner.

Demand that the police Get tough.

Sometimes you can't walk Down the streets

Without getting mistaken For a prostitute.

Hey, I think sex is great.

And love is great.

But there's no involvement If you're paying.

Hey, what are you, a creep?

What are you, Some kind of wise guy?

Never driven a cab before In new york?

I ought to break your nose, Ya creep, ya!

The pimps are the pits.

You gals out there, fight it.

Equal rights for all of us.

The time is now.

You out there, you hear me?

Are you listening?

This is a great city.

This is the greatest city.

But the pimps And prostitutes are turning our

Streets into a gutter.

The little people,

The night people, it's time to Rise up and take action now.

Do it.

Good evening.

I was just on my way out.

Okay.

However, I do not want You to think that I am in

The habit of letting

Guys just walk in off The street.

I will make this one exception In your case.

My mother did.

Guys came.

Guys went.

You're a talker, huh, baby?

I could have tried to stop it.

I should have.

I could have screamed.

That would have Shook them up a bit.

A kid screaming.

Keep talking, cutie.

She didn't want me to stop it.

I should have tried.

But I didn't.

Just like nobody's trying To stop me.

But they should.

I'll tell you something,

If it wasn't for wives,

You wouldn't have prostitutes.

Misunderstood?

Ever try talking to the gal?

You're only good If you work at it, both of you.

Okay.

You hung up on me.

But don't hang up on yourself.

Maybe she is a bad lady.

Maybe not.

You won't ever know

Until you take her hand and say, "I'm in trouble."

Go on. Try it.

Sometimes it works.

Okay, who reported it?

One of her customers, Murray talbert.

- saperstein, come on. - yeah.

You want to check this out?

You got a preliminary?

Yeah, she was shot one time.

Probably a small caliber weapon.

How long ago?

Oh, probably Within the last hour.

Mr. Talbert, I'm lieutenant kojak.

Lieutenant kojak, Will I get in trouble?

Well, I hope not.

Just tell me what you did.

What?

Well, I mean, you walked in.

- was she alive? - no.

How do you know?

I touched her.

She was just laying there.

And that woman kept chattering.

What woman?

The woman on the radio.

Times square?

Wall to wall hookers. The police?

They care about double parking.

She was talking About prostitutes then too.

I just shut it off.

Thank you, mr. Talbert.

I mean, You've been a great help.

My lips are sealed.

Just go downtown And give a statement.

Crocker. Yeah.

I want to see what the street People are talking about.

Even hookers die for a reason.

Saperstein, moscowitz.

Yeah, I'll take care of it.

This is rita, And you're on the air.

What you been saying is true.

I only wish the cops Would open their eyes and

Listen to us crying out And know that we care.

You see, most--

Most women are, well--

I can't hear What most women are.

They're so bad,

But I...

I want you to know about

A relationship that exists,

That is special,

Between you and me,

That allows me to solve all

Mutual problems.

Just for a weekend.

As a matter of fact,

You come with me, I won't Even come back.

Bobbie, I love you.

But if I've told you once, I've told you a hundred

Times, don't mess With the merchandise.

Mrs. Stella, I love you.

Oh, now that's cute.

It's marie when you're ordering Beer, but it's

Mrs. Stella when you're making Eyes at my daughter.

Bobbie, my mother thinks That every young man

That looks at me Wants to become my lover.

- don't say it. - oh, mom, please.

You're a dear lady,

But you're so wrong about so Many things.

Sure, I am. Right?

Of course, mama.

Now, remember, dear, Over the steam table, dear.

That's it.

It'll do wonders For your complexion.

Think you Can get a weekend off?

Theo, see what I mean? He's up there again making--

Marie, he's ordering food.

He's ordering all right,

- but it ain't food. - well, a cop is a cop.

Besides that, your husband Was a cop.

Sure he was a cop, And I loved him, and it hurt

Too much.

So please, theo, Tell your guys to keep away from

My girls.

Oh, come on, Ma, cool it, will you?

You see that? You send them to college;

They come up with Complex words like "Cool it."

Well, I'm gonna simplify that With words like "Move it."

Now, come on, dear.

There's a big order out In the kitchen, okay?

- speed is not her strong point. - sit down.

Tell her not to beat On you too hard, okay?

Now that wasn't so hard, Was it?

I was telling her That she's too young to get

Involved with any man.

Especially a cop.

Nice to see you finally Got around to the food.

Do me a favor When you come in here, man.

Keep your eyes down.

I want to enjoy my beer In peace.

I thought only times square Was busy at this hour.

Oh, well, yeah, Here's where the cops of

Manhattan south come, you know,

To relax in Between shifts.

You wanted to see me?

Yes, you're a little early.

You could have waited In my office.

Too cheap to pop for a beer?

You know, you got A big mouth even when you're

Off the air.

You deserved that.

Marie, bring a beer.

Please, sit down.

Your friend hit me With a zinger just now.

Why?

Because I work you guys over When I think you deserve it?

No.

Maybe because you're A psychiatrist without a couch.

You know, pumping up

Sick people in order to pump Up the ratings?

I go for ratings, And you aim for promotions.

No, I give a service.

What the hell Do you think I do?

Most of those callers Who can't afford a visit

Their friendly neighborhood Rip-off analyst turn to me.

I let them blow off steam

With me; What is wrong with that?

And what the hell Did you want to see me about?

Do you ever listen to them?

I mean, Do you ever really listen?

Who are the talkers?

And who are the doers?

And do you really care?

Talk about Unlicensed psychiatry.

Sit down!

I want you to tone It down until we find out

What's going on.

Tone it down?

Mm-hmm.

There was a hooker shot To death tonight.

What has that got to do With me?

Nothing.

But her radio was tuned To your program, and you

Were talking about the evils Of prostitution.

Starting tomorrow night, There'll be a man outside

Your window.

One of mine.

And you can go now.

Crocker!

Put a man on her window tonight.

Right.

What a kick, My own bodyguard.

Hey, folks, Don't mind officer fusa--

You had to have a name like Fusari, didn't you?

Officer fusari standing There protecting me from

Real life-- Hey, fusari, are you married?

- engaged. - oh, you're so cute.

The lines are open.

Hey, whose lousy hack is this?

Hey, cabbie!

I'll fix this guy.

Lawson, huh?

Okay.

Okay, lawson, baby.

This is rita. You're on the air.

I understand how it feels To have that officer

There all the time.

It's like being a prisoner.

Folks, a first, A call from the slammer.

Get that out of here!

You know, There are all kinds of prisons.

But with your help, I'll be okay now.

What kind of prison is yours?

- empty. - and your warden?

It's my sister.

A sister?

A sister for a keeper.

You're all That keeps me going.

No one will come between us.

I can strike out For a purpose now.

It's all so straight in my head.

- how does that sound? - sick.

It gives me a way to go.

Sounds like one of us Has found his calling.

This is lieutenant kojak, Manhattan south.

I want an emergency trace On a call coming in to

Radio station wwrk right now.

A man wants to protect me.

I'm yours.

I want you to know That I really understand

What's happening between us, Because it's pure.

Lover, whoever you are, That is some line.

No, no, no, no,

- no, I--I--I mean it. - come on, come on.

I wouldn't tease you.

No, no, it's real.

Believe me, it's real.

He's in the phone booth.

Got it. All right, call the sector.

Hey, hold it, soft voice.

Oh, my head is spinning.

Bye.

Hey, hey!

Hey, stupid!

Hey, that your cab?

I want to go home!

I want them all out now!

The men in blue, the lieutenant In any color, out this minute!

Miss mccall, we want to thank You very much for coming over.

It saves us the trouble Of going to the fcc.

I'm not getting through.

I just found out That you are tapping my lines.

You can't do that.

If word gets around That calling me can get the

Police to run you down,

You are intimidating a Whole audience.

You're depriving them Of their freedom of speech.

- miss mccall, you have a mouth. - what?

Close it.

We're trying to catch a killer.

We think he might be One of your callers.

We're not sure,

But we don't know where else To start.

Now, if you want to cooperate, Fine.

If not, get out.

I don't want to have to call The commissioner, captain.

Miss mccall,

You already did call The commissioner.

I mean, we know it. You know it.

And we also know what The commissioner said to you

And the captain Said the same thing.

Quote, "Good-bye."

Night people, You want to hear something?

You want to suspend belief?

The police are actually trying To tie this show in

With the shooting of my boss.

Can you believe it?

I leave it to you.

What's the problem in this city?

Me?

The lines are open.

This is rita.

Something ought to be done.

That's the voice. That's the sick one.

Be my guest.

Right.

Start a campaign to get The police out of my life.

Call again, friend.

This is 7-3-2.

We'll meet sector car At 23rd street and 8th avenue.

Phone booth.

The lines are still open.

We have about an hour Before we call it a night.

A little rita music.

The lines are open.

Uh-oh, it's the changing Of the guard, folks.

He's sorry he has to leave.

Oh, good night, fusari.

You're real cute. Bye.

Want to have a little good-bye To fusari music?

Officer fusari?

Theo.

24 years old, frank.

Found the shell; Looks like a .25--

.25 caliber.

Can you believe it?

They're really laying into me, Following me,

Questioning me.

Everywhere I turn, They're there.

Can you buy that?

The cops aren't out there Jousting with criminals.

They're on my back Trying to make me feel

Responsible and trying To build a case out of

Bubble gum.

Why is this happening?

Come on, you night people.

Someone out there help

Me to get the fuzz to tilt

Their swords at the murderers, Rapists, thieves,

Instead of pushing To hang it onto a gal just

Trying to do her job.

Lawson, what are you Doing back here now?

Listen, I don't know What you been doing, but it

Ain't upping your take, So I got the word.

This is your last week. They're laying you off.

Get a chance, Look around, okay?

I'm sorry.

Lieutenant.

Yeah, I want you to listen To the voice of this

Guy who's been calling you.

Go ahead.

And threw the guy out.

It made me feel good.

Now, that's from a call That was made several

Nights ago.

Now, this is from a call That was made the night

Bradford was shot.

I know how they are.

They don't sound alike.

You can put hot potatoes In your mouth.

You can't fool a voice print.

I understand how it feels To have that officer

There all the time.

It's like being a prisoner.

Shut it off, rosen.

Thank you.

Okay, lieutenant.

He was nothing.

He had no reason to live.

He had no reason to die.

But now he's got one, And you gave it to him every

Time you opened your mouth.

But you admit you aren't sure There's any connection.

Kojak.

Yeah.

Okay, I'll tell her.

What is it?

Bradford just died.

Lieutenant, can I see you For a minute, please?

Yeah.

I located officer Fusari's father.

You said you wanted To talk to him.

He's on the phone.

This is lieutenant kojak.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir, I know.

What can I say?

I knew your boy, yes, Not very well.

But I guess I know them all.

I do, sir.

Yeah, I...

I would really Like to come out and--

Come out there, And we'll talk, okay?

All right, mr. Fusari.

Thank you.

Lieutenant, If you

Don't mind, I prefer to be elsewhere.

Lieutenant, I got To catch the assistant d.A.

Downtown.

How long since I asked you To check the prints

From the phone booth in queens?

They're on your desk, Lieutenant.

What's the matter? We don't talk anymore?

You never heard of "Call your boss"?

It was a make.

The prints match.

Stavros.

I got to catch this guy Before he leaves this--

Will you shut up?

And let me apologize For yelling at you?

Stavros, will you let him make Up before he kills you?

Lieutenant, I knew fusari.

But even if I didn't know him, I don't know why he

Died either.

All right.

You remember me?

The sun is up.

But it's my bedtime.

We were talking.

I don't know about you,

But I'm gonna have a drink.

Oh, thank you. I think I will.

Thank you.

Pretty lady.

Sleeps all day, Works all night.

And I thought only gorillas Like me stayed up all night.

You know, some people Work at night in order

To--to avoid relationships.

Okay, there were a couple Of romances, yes.

All bad, yes.

Mostly my fault, yes.

They wanted a relationship.

And what do you want?

What I want is to anchor A national prime-time

News show with world-famous Politicians and

Celebrities fighting to get On just to be exposed

To the millions Who listen to me.

And when the president talks To the people, I want

To be there with him At the fireside.

And when the first spaceship Takes its passengers

To the outer limits Of our galaxy, I want to be

Chosen by unanimous acclaim The first and only

Correspondent along With all of those highly

Qualified scientists.

That's what I want.

But I'm not going To do any of those things.

And I'll never make Police commissioner.

Thanks.

Rita, do me a favor.

Lay off those hot issues, Okay?

You do think That young officer was killed

Because of my show.

Well, what else Is happening out there on those

Godforsaken streets that you Think you can dump on me?

What else?

Well, I'll tell you what else.

There was that working girl, Your own station

Manager, and fusari, all killed By a .25 caliber automatic.

Hey, you want to cry? Cry.

You been wrapped up In that warm cocoon of yours a

Little too long, Protected behind that microphone

Saying all kinds Of naughty things, and not even

Having to wash your mouth Out with soap.

And you still remain uninvolved. Now, you listen.

You may not be responsible For those people

Getting killed, But then again, maybe you are.

So you let that sink in, lady,

And let it hurt.

Oh, I thought You came here to apologize.

And tomorrow I got to go See fusari's father and

Tell him exactly How it happened.

That's a lousy trick to pull.

But tonight you're gonna

Help us find the killer.

I won't be your bait.

All right, I'll tell that To officer fusari's father.

Night people,

This is rita still with you.

Call in and tell me What is not ticking.

You think he's gonna come To the party?

The lines are open, And I've got company again.

Only this time I've been promoted.

They've sent the local head Honcho down to baby-sit.

When he's not drinking coffee Or taking a nap,

He's thinking About making a pass.

No kidding.

Those eyes, I can tell.

So where is my soft voice, huh?

My avenging hero?

Yeah, you said you understand.

What are you, just talk?

I am crying out in the night.

They're all over me.

They are-- They are knocking me out of the

Business, these cops.

This is rita. You're on the air.

I'm a businessman. And I'm lonely.

You know what I do When I'm lonely?

Go off by myself.

No kidding.

A crowded place.

A ball park with all those Thousands of people and

Nobody saying a word to me.

Oh, forget it.

The street's moving.

The front door.

Say hi.

Lonely for one reason.

Close in.

Because other lonely people Are afraid to talk to you.

Check the front door.

I think he's our man.

I just want to find Rita mccall, buy her a drink.

Can't I buy her a drink?

The bars are closed.

Come on, come on.

No.

All right, clear it out.

Folks, the cops Just protected me from a drunk.

Look, let's call it a night.

Well, if you've seen it, We blew it.

Good night, nurse.

See she gets home.

There is actually somebody Who would think...

Hi.

I guess you had to quit early Again what with the weather.

What is it? You in trouble again?

Don't leave me, terry!

Ma left us. And I took care of you.

I wanted to go to hairdresser School, and I didn't.

I got a job.

She's no good, terry.

They're none of 'em any good.

Get that lousy...

Out of here!

There are all kinds Of prisons.

With your help, I'll be okay.

Get that lousy...

Out of here!

There are all kinds Of prisons.

With your help, I'll be okay.

I can't make that out.

I'll try to take the horn Down more.

Get that lousy hack Out of here!

There are all kinds Of prisons.

Hack.

He's saying a "Hack."

That's a cabbie.

No wonder the calls Were spread all over town.

Okay, what do you want?

Hot dog, hamburger, pizza?

There were two guys Having an argument at that

Phone booth here last night.

Two guys have an argument In that phone booth

Every night; What'll you have?

Now, I'll ask you something Serious, and you give

Me a straight answer, all right?

About 3:00 a.M.

Yeah, okay, what's this about?

That's an improvement.

There was one guy In the phone booth and another

Guy trying to get his car out.

There's no trouble; Just want to talk to the guy

In the phone booth.

Rectangle cab. His name was lawson.

They do that with that phone Booth every night.

My parking place.

I get fed up!

Live here with somebody?

Yes, my brother.

Where is he?

He--he went out.

Where?

- to see a girl. - what girl?

That one.

The one on the radio.

Stavros?

Put out an alarm For a terry lawson.

Yeah, rectangle cab Will fill you in.

I'm going Over to rita mccall's apartment.

Call her. Tell her to stay put.

Hello?

What do you want?

You called out to me tonight.

Like I called out To you so many times.

Hey, you know the rules.

No personal contact.

Fcc regs.

Police.

All over.

I loved you.

I never met you, But I loved you just the same.

I thought you wanted me.

Okay, you want to talk?

So we'll break the rules.

What the hell?

Why don't you sit down?

Last night,

He stayed a long time,

That cop, Didn't he?

It's his job. He was asking questions.

I was right.

I was right. You don't want me.

You don't want me.

You don't want me.

You don't want me.

You tried to help them get me.

You don't want me.

You don't want me!

You--you...

You gave me a reason To live.

And then you took it away.

I wanted to do some good.

I just wanted to do some good.

I wanted to just do some--

I just wanted To do some good.

I just--I just wanted To do some good.

Where were you?

I'm going to renegotiate.

That's it. Daytime only.

If they don't like it, I'll get another job.

We'll make a deal.

You stay on your job, And I'll stay on mine, and

I'll meet you at stella's At 3:00 a.M.

Those poor people.

I misled them.

You know, some people Learn the hard way, rita.

You, well, you just Go a little too far sometimes.

You remember that, You'll be okay.

Hi, your night lady Rita, with you again, and

Holding onto each other.

Hey, I'm in here, And you're out there, but we're

Very much together And much closer from now on

Because something Happened to me.

I want to tell you,

I knew what it was to be Lonely tonight and afraid.

How about you?

Are you lonely? The lines are open.

Rita wants to hear From the lonelies tonight, the

Tearjerkers, the sad songs,

Like a cop I met with a heart.

Believe that.

And, hey, I've got a great idea For a contest.

Starting next week And for the rest of the month,

The name of the contest Is, cops I have known.