The Adventures of Ellery Queen - The Hanging Acrobat - DuMont Network - video Dailymotion

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This is an episode of the DuMont Network's "The Adventures of Ellery Queen" (1950-54). This ran on the DuMont Network before moving to the ABC. The series was also shown in Australia, where it played on Channel 2 on Thursdays at 9pm throughout 1957. The actor who plays Ellery, Richard Hart, died part way through the series and was replaced by Lee Bowman. About 50 episodes were made over its two runs but only a small amount survive.  This episode, original air date 21 December 1950, sees Ellery become involved in a murder investigation when he stops at a small, rural carnival.  This episode was sponsored by Kaiser-Frazer automobiles. Queen mentions that he was returning to the city in his Kaiser when he stopped at a small carnival. Credits Episode Cast Richard Hart...Ellery Queen Sono Osato...Louise Kurt Katch...Hugo Frank Tweddell...Sheriff Raymond Bramley...Colonel Day Don Kennedy...Tex  Episode Credits Donald Richardson...director Gilman Braun...writer Irving Pincus....producer Norman Pincus....producer Ray Carter...music Trew Hocker...setting

Transcript

00:00Well back when I was a kid in high school I worked all one summer for a

00:29traveling carnival. It was an experience I never forgot. I suppose that's what

00:36must have prompted me one day not long ago to stop at one. I was driving back to

00:41the city in my Kaiser after having spent a rather dull weekend in the country and

00:48I happened to notice this particular show. See Mademoiselle Louise. See the Queen of

00:55Clipsicore. See her special temple dance, the secret dance, performed only in the

01:03Forbidden City. Every movement of the little lady has a meaning of its own.

01:09Mademoiselle Louise knows all and shows all. Learn the secret that drove King

01:15Avanusia mad. Step right up, folks. It's a dime ten cents, a tenth of a dollar. Oh, no,

01:23Mr. I can't address this. It's a dime, folks. Step right up. Step right up now. No delay. The show

01:29will start right away. Right this way now. Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry. Right this way,

01:36ladies and gentlemen. See Mademoiselle Louise. The wonderful Mademoiselle Louise.

01:44It was around four o'clock of a dismal afternoon. I must have been about the only paying customer on the lot.

01:57I make 12 points and I see you win a prize. Not a major league scout in sight. Well, uh, strictly

02:04confidentially it's fixed, but, uh, you win a cupid doll. Which one do you want? Oh, how about that one?

02:11Okay, it's all yours. You know, I used to work in a carny one summer. They went so generous then.

02:18Oh, well, the whole thing is fixed, but, uh, you know, we need some trade. Hey, uh, you're not afraid

02:24you'll catch cold in that, are you? Yeah. You know, in this carny, you double in brass. I do the

02:29cooch number, too. Oh, well, I must keep you kind of busy. Oh, I hope it won't last long. My boyfriend

02:35and I got a trapeze act. I don't want to be a cooch dancer. I want to be in a big act like Hugo's.

02:43Mademoiselle Louise, queen of the high wire. Louise. Oh, the boss. Uh-huh. What is it,

02:49Colonel? Where's Tex? I don't know. I haven't seen him for a couple of hours. Where'd he go? Well,

02:54the last time I saw him, he was walking across the street with Amy Muller. He went over to the

02:58tavern with her? Well, I warned him. He's really in for it now. My ears are burning,

03:07Colonel. Thanks. Where the devil you been? Around one. I'll tell you why. Murder. I don't

03:16believe you. Excuse me, Colonel, but I couldn't help overhearing you. What do you want? I've got

03:23enough on my mind without having interference from outside. Now get off the lot. Just a

03:27minute, Colonel. You heard him blow. Well, at least let me introduce myself. I'm

03:32Ellery Queen. My father's Inspector Queen of the New York Police Department. Listen,

03:36mister, when the Colonel tells you to get off the lot, he means get off the lot. Wait a

03:39minute. Wait a minute. Inspector Queen, eh? I know how carnivals feel about getting in

03:45trouble with the local law. If there's been a murder, I might be able to help. Yeah, you

03:49might have found. Who is it, Colonel? Who's been killed? Well, I suppose I might as well

03:52tell you. It'll be all over the lot anyhow. Amy Muller. Oh, no. Does Hugo know? He's with

04:00the body, him and the sheriff. Poor Hugo. Say, why'd she run off like that? I don't understand

04:09that dame. She keeps to herself too much. Must be hard with you around. How was Amy killed,

04:17Colonel? Lydia found her. Hanging from a ridge pole after the afternoon show. The

04:23sheriff's cutting her down now. The sheriff says he wants to see you. Me? Why me? He'll

04:29tell you. Come on, Valentino. You mind if I join you, gentlemen? Well, that'll be up to

04:34the local sheriff. If he wants you underfoot. Oh, come along. Thanks, I will. She's been

04:51dead for an hour. Why did that happen to you, Amy, my wife. Does he have to keep up that

05:01wailing? Well, with his wife, sheriff. Well, let him do his crying outside. You can't think

05:06in here. That goes for the rest of you, too. Yeah, bring it up, you all. Come on, get

05:10going. I'll take him out. Come on, Hugo. A breath of fresh air will do you good. You

05:15are so good to me, Louie. Oh, Amy. Sure, sure, now. Come along. That's a good boy. What in

05:27blazes are you doing? Oh, just taking a look at the bodies, Sheriff. You are. Did you hear

05:31me tell everybody to get out? Hey, Sheriff, this is Ellery Queen. His father's a New York

05:35police inspector. Queen, yeah, I've heard of you. What's the matter? Do you smell the

05:39headline? Do you? As a matter of fact, yes, and I don't want any outsiders horning in.

05:43Is that clear? You're the boss. Then keep out of my way. I got rid of him, Sheriff. You're

05:49the one they call Tex, right? Yeah. You're the last one that saw Amy Muller alive. How do I

05:54know who saw her last? Don't get smart, son. You're in a mighty tough spot. Come over here.

06:01Do you recognize this knot? It's just a knot. A special kind of a knot. About the only

06:08place you find that kind of a knot is on a cattle ranch. Colonel tells me you used to

06:11work on a cattle ranch. That's right. This is the knot that strangled Mrs. Muller. Now

06:17start talking, son. I suppose you got yourself an alibi for this afternoon? No, he was

06:23drinking over at the tavern across the road with Amy. Louise saw them going over. That

06:28right? Now what's the matter? Forget so soon? I'll handle this. Clock up, son. Sure. We

06:36went over and had a couple, but after about ten minutes while I left. Where'd you go? Well,

06:42if you've got to know, I was hitting the sack at the lie-takes. First place I looked for

06:46you was your trailer. I was over at the cookhouse. And I suppose nobody saw you there. I couldn't

06:52say. That's enough for me. What about motives? Huh? Well, it's just an idea, Sheriff, but

06:58murderers usually have a motive. Tex had plenty of motives. He and Amy was always off drinking

07:03together. They probably had a lover's quarrel. That's a lie. There was nothing between Amy

07:08and me. Let me go. Let me go. Break it up. All right. You could have broken his arm. You

07:14don't realize how strong you are. Oh, yes, I do. And he's going to find out. Uh-uh. Temper,

07:19temper. He's lying, I tell you. All right, son. I've heard enough. Come along. Wait a minute.

07:24How do you know she was murdered? Maybe she hung herself. Sure. She flung a rope over the ridge

07:29pole and pulled herself up. Maybe she did. Untied that kind of a knot. No good, Tex. I'm taking you

07:35in for murder. Wait a minute, Sheriff. Don't you think you ought to make sure? I want you

07:40to keep out of this. If you don't, I'll have you thrown out. Mr. Queen. Oh, hello. I've

07:54got to talk to you. Fine. What are we talking about? Wait. Well, I heard what you were saying

07:59to the sheriff, and Tex didn't kill Amy. Oh? How do you know? Well, I don't know exactly,

08:05but he wouldn't do a thing like that. It's true. He's a heavy drinker, but he's not a killer.

08:11Well, it's not always so easy to tell. Besides, there was nothing between him and Amy. Is Tex

08:16your boyfriend, Louise? No, of course not. He's vulgar the way she was, but, well, I just

08:23don't like to see an innocent person in trouble. Very commendable, but what can I do about it?

08:27Well, you could find the real killer. I know your reputation, Mr. Queen, and you could

08:32if anyone can. Oh, thank you. Do you have any suspects to suggest? Well, there could be

08:39dozens. Uh, Colonel Day. He was in love with Amy. Oh, when was that? Oh, years ago, when

08:45he was working the carnies as a strong man. But Amy was ambitious, so she teamed up with

08:51Hugo. Uh-huh. Anything else? Well, isn't that enough? Well, it's not very conclusive, Louise.

08:57But if you think of anything else, let me know, huh? All right, Mr. Queen. Wait a minute,

09:03Louise. That knot on your belt. Knot? Yeah. It's exactly like the one that was used in the

09:10murder. Where did you learn to tie a cowboy knot? Tex taught me. He taught lots of people

09:19on the lot. Mr. Queen, you don't think that I had anything to do... I don't think anything

09:23just yet, Louise.

09:25I don't think anything just yet, Louise.

09:26I don't think anything just yet, Louise.

09:30scared me.

09:32I don't think I could have had anything to do... I would сним hope for you. I don't.

09:34I hope I can have anything to see the men come in and see him. Emily?

09:39Eso sketch over there. That's all. Punkte!

09:40And then, Mrs. Francis, what about it? Well, this is your sorrow.

09:51Enter your story.

10:23What are you doing here?

10:31Ah, Colonel Day.

10:33Nobody's supposed to come in here until the coroner comes, huh?

10:37Then we're both in trouble, aren't we?

10:38Now see here, Queen.

10:40Why are you snooping around, sticking your nose in the things that don't concern you?

10:43Oh, it's just a noble impulse to see justice done, Colonel.

10:48Now incidentally, you seemed awfully anxious to pin this thing on text.

10:52I just want to get it cleared up.

10:55We're supposed to pull stakes tomorrow.

10:57If a show's held up and I blow the next town, I'll be ruined.

11:01So you pin the tail on the first donkey that's handy, is that it?

11:04Texas is the killer and you know it.

11:06Do I?

11:06You know, Colonel, the coroner hasn't examined the body yet.

11:13And when he does, someone's in for a nasty shock.

11:17What do you mean?

11:18I mean that Amy Muller wasn't strangled by that rope.

11:22She was strangled by a strong pair of hands.

11:26What?

11:27A pair of very strong hands, Colonel.

11:30The marks show it.

11:31You can even see the imprint of the killer's ring.

11:38Get out of here, Queen.

11:39Just going, Colonel.

11:41Right to the sheriff.

11:43Even he will be able to see that someone strangled Amy Muller

11:45and strung her up using that special knot to frame text.

11:48Oh, my God.

12:18Oh, I don't know how I can do it.

12:26How I can go on.

12:28It's a shame, Hugo.

12:30Colonel Day shouldn't have insisted.

12:32Oh, no.

12:32He's right, Louise.

12:34He's right.

12:34It's how they say in show business.

12:36The show must go on.

12:38Well, it's something I wanted more than anything in the world.

12:41But I can't go on, Hugo.

12:44Not tonight.

12:44You must, Louise.

12:46You must.

12:47You are a brilliant performer.

12:49And we will have time for one rehearsal.

12:51And then, Amy would have wanted it this way.

12:54Yes, I suppose she would.

12:57Oh.

12:58Excuse me.

13:00Oh, Mr. Queen, have you found out anything?

13:02Louise, if you want to have the costumes ready,

13:05you must hurry.

13:06Oh, yes.

13:07Hey, what's all this?

13:10Louise is going on with me tonight in place of my wife.

13:14It was Colonel Day's wish.

13:16Hugo, will you be ready for the rehearsal?

13:17Yes, sure.

13:18I'll meet you in the big tub.

13:20All right.

13:24You want to see me?

13:25Well, yes.

13:25I thought you might want to help me.

13:27Help you?

13:28To do what?

13:29To get the evidence on your wife's killer.

13:31Oh, I think they arrested him already.

13:33Oh, no.

13:34I'm not sure that they've got the right one, Hugo.

13:36Huh?

13:36As a matter of fact, once the coroner makes his report,

13:39they'll have to release him.

13:40Probably tonight.

13:41If they do that, I'll strangle him with my bare hands!

13:45If I see who killed Miami, he must be punished.

13:53Glad you mentioned strangling, Hugo.

13:56You knew, of course, that your wife was strangled

13:59before the rope was put around her neck.

14:00No, no, I did not know.

14:02But not in the usual way, Hugo.

14:03That's what makes this case so interesting.

14:05Here, let me show you.

14:08What's this all about?

14:10Now, this is the ordinary position of a person's hands

14:12in the act of strangling with the thumbs pointed upward, right?

14:15Yes, sir.

14:16What's it all about?

14:17Ah.

14:18But according to the marks on your wife's neck,

14:20the hands were reversed with the thumbs pointing downward like this.

14:23I don't understand you.

14:24Well, it's simple.

14:25Someone strangled your wife, reaching down at her

14:28at an almost impossible angle.

14:29What has that to do with me?

14:31Well, I thought you'd want her help.

14:33After all, she was your wife.

14:35Oh, and there's another thing.

14:36The killer wore a heavy ring.

14:39The marks show it plainly.

14:41But the hangings, they're all...

14:42An obvious attempt to pin this murder on texts.

14:45Now, Hugo, our killer wore a heavy ring.

14:49And he strangled her from above.

14:51Probably from a trapeze.

15:00Help!

15:03Help!

15:07Now, I'm going to finish you.

15:10Don't be a fool, Hugo.

15:11Throw me a fool.

15:13They'll get you for sure.

15:13He'll never get Hugo.

15:15Hugo is too smart for them.

15:17They'll flag.

15:17Glendeff and detects.

15:19No, Texas is in jail.

15:20They haven't released him yet.

15:21I can't let you live now.

15:23You're the only one who knows the truth.

15:25Why did you kill her, Hugo?

15:27She made my life miserable.

15:29And I'm in love with Luizzi.

15:30And I want to marry her.

15:31You're a bigger fool than I thought you were.

15:34Why didn't you get a divorce?

15:35She wouldn't let me go.

15:37She was a nobody.

15:38I made her a great office.

15:40And she knew it.

15:41And then she called me names every day.

15:43Hey, Hugo, you are a fool.

15:45Hugo, you are getting old.

15:47And then she laughed.

15:48Laugh, laugh, laugh.

15:50Until I couldn't stand this laughter.

15:52And I had to shut off this laughter with my...

15:54...bare hand.

15:55It's just going to finish you.

15:58She was right, Hugo.

15:58You are a fool.

16:00Don't go to the chair.

16:01No.

16:02No.

16:03Hugo won't go to the chair.

16:04It's too smart.

16:06It's so easy.

16:07So simple.

16:09What are you going to do?

16:11I'm going to wait until sex is released from jail.

16:14Then I will kill you.

16:16And make believe that he was the one again.

16:20No, you're mad, Hugo.

16:21Hugo, are you coming to Roberto?

16:24Luizzi, don't come in.

16:25I'm dressing.

16:26Well, all right.

16:27Yes, but hurry.

16:28Yes, yes.

16:29I must hurry.

16:31I have a lot to do.

16:34Oh!

16:47Well?

16:48Hurry.

16:49Well, you know, I have the first part of the solo downright, but I'm not sure of the second catch.

16:54How does it go again?

16:55Let me show you.

16:56Give me your hand.

16:57Ha!

17:00It's on account of two, isn't it?

17:01Yes, on account of two.

17:05Now look, Hugo, every time we go up there, we risk our necks.

17:09I'm serious about this rehearsal.

17:10So am I, darling.

17:11So am I.

17:13Well, let's get on with it, shall we?

17:14Of course.

17:16It is of great importance to me.

17:18It means so much to me.

17:20It's my only chance to prove that you are a great artist.

17:23And I hope I don't fail you, Hugo.

17:24Go ahead.

17:25Up the letter.

17:26Well, it's my race.

17:28Why are you, with it?

17:28Hmm, could you say it was me?

17:30I'm sorry, huh?

17:30No.

17:30I hope I am.

17:31I hope I am.

17:32Yeah.

17:33I hope I am.

17:33I've got my name.

17:34God.

17:34No.

17:34Bye.

17:35I'm sorry.

17:36I'll see you later.

17:36Yeah.

17:37No.

17:37Bye.

17:38Bye.

17:39Bye.

17:40Bye.

17:42Bye.

17:43Bye.

17:44Bye.

17:45Bye.

17:46Bye.

17:48Bye.

17:49Bye.

17:50Bye.

17:51Bye.

17:52Bye.

17:53Bye.

17:54Bye.

18:56How's that?

19:00Perfect.

19:01Magnificent.

19:02I couldn't do it better myself.

19:04Let's try it again, shall we?

19:05So wait.

19:06Rest a bit.

19:07Catch your breath.

19:08Oh, I feel fine.

19:10It's wonderful to be on the high tracks again.

19:13You're born for it, Louise.

19:15It's poetry than you perform.

19:17Thanks, Hugo.

19:18There are so many things I could teach you, Louise.

19:20I can make you the greatest artist in the whole world.

19:23Oh, this act is good enough, at least for a while.

19:26For a while, Louise.

19:28This is our act for life.

19:31For life?

19:32Of course.

19:33Do you think I could let you go now?

19:36Together we will do the greatest act it has ever been.

19:39Now that we have each other, there is nothing between.

19:43But, Hugo, I don't understand what you mean.

19:47You pretend with me.

19:49It's all right.

19:50We'll speak about it again.

19:51Let's try the last trick once more.

19:53Hup!

20:17You think you're good enough!

20:18Yes, sir!

20:19Dude!

20:20It's fine.

20:21Now, we will follow

20:23the other people.

20:24First Of course.

20:25Boy.

20:26Boo!

20:27Boo!

20:27calculating!

20:29Ooh!

20:30Love I love you!

20:31Ain't quiteemary'm,

20:32I kind of nothing on here yet!

20:36But a lot of power Red will be

20:39the soling profund,

20:41and theoue

20:42ness of darkness!

20:45peasants...

20:45Oh, this is...

20:46Try it!

21:17You all right, Luisa?

21:36Yes.

21:37What happened?

21:37I don't know.

21:39Are you all right up there?

21:40Yes.

21:41What happened to the light?

21:43Don't worry.

21:43There's not the emergency generator on.

21:46It was a short in one of the outlets.

21:48We're searching for it now.

21:51Oh, thank goodness it didn't happen in the middle of a catch.

21:54You know, it's all right now, Luisa.

21:56Now, just once more and done, we are ready for the performance.

22:01Hugo, there's something I've got to get straight with you.

22:04Yes, you do.

22:05Well, we're partners in the act, but that's all.

22:09Now that I am free?

22:11Hugo!

22:12Why are you so surprised?

22:14You love me.

22:15You feel to at me as I feel to at you.

22:18But I don't feel anything for you except gratitude for having given me this chance.

22:22It's not true.

22:23You love me.

22:24Love you?

22:24Well, what on earth gave you that idea?

22:27Luisa, you love me.

22:30You love me, Luisa.

22:34Now, now you couldn't do that to me, Luisa.

22:37You couldn't do that to me.

22:39You made me believe that you cared for me.

22:42Now you laugh.

22:43Laugh at me, yes.

22:45Laugh, laugh, till I'll stop this laugh.

22:47In your throat, you can't breathe anymore.

22:49Thank you, Mr. Queen.

23:19In just a moment, we'll rejoin Emery Queen.

23:24In just a moment, we'll see you next time.

23:54You'll see you next time.

The Adventures of Ellery Queen - The Hanging Acrobat - DuMont Network

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