Skip to playerSkip to main content
RonnieMclassics
  • 5 days ago
Hello everyone and welcome. Jade aka the Stone of Heaven in China. A beautiful stone most would agree. In today's movie from 1949 called Chinatown at Midnight, we have a vase, a special vase because this one is made of Jade. A man named Clifford Ward has his eyes on this vase but has no intentions of paying for it and nobody better get in his way. Hazel Fong is a telephone operator who has an ear for voices and Ward doesn't like this. Staring in the murderous tale we have...Hurd Hatfield as Clifford "Dorian Gray" Ward, Maylia as Hazel Fong, Jean Willes as Alice, Tom Powers as Capt. Howard Brown, Ray Walker as Sam Costa, Charles Russell as Fred Morgan, Jacqueline deWit as Lisa Marcel and Ross Elliott as Eddie Marsh. So let's make some Happy Dragon cocktails and enjoy. Also thanks so much for watching.

(No copyright infringement intended, this film is in the public domain. If Dailymotion wishes me to remove this film, I will. For entertainment purposes only)
Transcript
00:00:00The End
00:00:30San Francisco, one of America's 12 great cities,
00:00:59covering 42 square miles with over 800,000 people living between the Pacific and the Bay.
00:01:06A metropolis crowded upon hills, networked by cable cars that link the shore level with the heights,
00:01:13and turn at busy intersections where the force of machinery is replaced by manpower.
00:01:22The cars slide down 45-degree slopes, leaving the western city behind,
00:01:27entering another world, an oriental community, small in area, and long identified with mystery and superstitions.
00:01:35A quaint, colorful tourist mecca with undercurrents of intrigue and violence.
00:01:40San Francisco's Chinatown.
00:01:44On the night of October 10th last, a short distance from the center of Chinatown, on a narrow side street,
00:01:50a young man approached an interior decorating shop owned by a woman named Lisa Marcel.
00:02:00Hello, Clifford. I expected you sooner. You had no trouble.
00:02:07Darling, I knew you'd get it for me.
00:02:09It's lovely.
00:02:19We should receive a very good price for this.
00:02:21A very good price.
00:02:24By the way, darling, I'm going to Carmel in the morning.
00:02:26What for?
00:02:28I have a house to do. An ugly house.
00:02:31But perhaps in Chinese it may get by.
00:02:34I miss you.
00:02:35You will, Clifford?
00:02:37That's sweet.
00:02:39Yes, I think in Chinese it'll do very nicely.
00:02:43The living room in deep green, with a white vase on the mantel.
00:02:48White jade, perhaps.
00:02:50I saw one at GL Wings this afternoon.
00:02:53It was lovely.
00:02:55GL Wings?
00:02:56Yes.
00:02:57Just behind the counter.
00:03:00White jade.
00:03:07You will take care, darling.
00:03:09Don't I always?
00:03:11Will you be back tonight, Clifford?
00:03:13Yes.
00:03:14I'll be back.
00:03:20Ladies and gentlemen, you are now entering one of the most unusual sections in America.
00:03:26A small rectangle of only 20 square blocks.
00:03:29Each packed with over a thousand human beings.
00:03:32The most densely populated area in the United States.
00:03:35San Francisco's Chinatown.
00:03:39For the next half hour you'll be guided through some of the ornate shops,
00:03:42the intricate passageways and hidden chambers of this curious city within a city.
00:03:50Take it easy, folks. Watch your step.
00:04:01All right, ladies and gentlemen, let's go.
00:04:03And remember, I don't want any of you getting lost in Chinatown, so keep close together.
00:04:07Just stay in one group and there's nothing to worry about.
00:04:09I'll go.
00:04:10I'll be right back.
00:04:11I'll finish the problem.
00:04:12I'll finish the problem.
00:04:13I'll finish the problem.
00:04:15Let's go, sir.
00:04:16I'll finish the problem.
00:04:18What did you say about?
00:04:20Mm-hmm.
00:04:21Oh, my God.
00:04:51Oh, my God.
00:05:21Oh, my God.
00:05:51Oh, my God.
00:06:21Oh, my God.
00:06:50Oh, my God.
00:07:20Watch your step, ladies and gentlemen.
00:07:24Watch your step.
00:07:50Hey, try one from here, holding the counter.
00:08:03Hey.
00:08:04Any luck?
00:08:05Nothing so far.
00:08:06Lots of smudges.
00:08:07Couple of clear prints on the register.
00:08:09Probably the kids.
00:08:10Well, keep at it.
00:08:11When were the shots?
00:08:16Just before 11, he remembers, because he was winding his clock.
00:08:24Who are they?
00:08:25Live upstairs over the shop.
00:08:26They were here when we arrived.
00:08:27They called the police.
00:08:28They called the police?
00:08:29They killed him.
00:08:30Mullen?
00:08:31Ask him who did.
00:08:32I don't know, sir.
00:08:35Okay.
00:08:36Check him for motive.
00:08:38The boy's father?
00:08:38That's right, Captain.
00:08:39Give you anything?
00:08:40Just that he thinks he was robbed, but he's not positive.
00:08:43He's too upset now to check.
00:08:44Yeah.
00:08:45Get anything on the girl, Eddie?
00:08:49Not much.
00:08:50Her name was Betty Chang.
00:08:51She was engaged to the wing kid.
00:08:53They had a date tonight.
00:08:54Thanks.
00:08:56Costa.
00:08:57Yes, sir?
00:08:58Try and find the merchandise inventory.
00:09:00Check it against our list.
00:09:01See what's missing.
00:09:02And Costa.
00:09:03Yes, Captain.
00:09:04You were the first squad car here, weren't you?
00:09:05That's right.
00:09:06Who called the police?
00:09:07I can't seem to find out, Captain.
00:09:09They're scared of cops in Chinatown.
00:09:11I figure whoever found them tipped us off and scrammed.
00:09:14Yeah.
00:09:15Maybe you're right.
00:09:19That's fine.
00:09:20Now, what time did you leave the shop tonight, Mr. Wing?
00:09:22I leave six o'clock.
00:09:24And could you tell us whether you...
00:09:25Yeah?
00:09:32Yeah?
00:09:34Okay, thanks.
00:09:35I'll tell him.
00:09:42Receiving hospital call.
00:09:43The boy died in the ambulance.
00:09:45Thanks, Eddie.
00:09:46What about the girl?
00:09:47Still unconscious.
00:09:48Condition critical.
00:09:49She could recover.
00:09:51Okay.
00:09:55You better tell the old man that his boy died.
00:09:58Mr. Wing.
00:10:02I, uh...
00:10:02Your boy.
00:10:04No.
00:10:06Tell him in Chinese.
00:10:08Come on.
00:10:10Come on.
00:10:12Let's go.
00:10:38That's the one you wanted, isn't it?
00:10:52Oh, yes, Clifford, it is.
00:10:54It is!
00:10:56It's beautiful, isn't it?
00:10:58You're the expert.
00:11:00Was it difficult getting it?
00:11:02No. No trouble at all.
00:11:04You seem a little nervous.
00:11:06You're a cup of hot coffee.
00:11:08No, I'm just tired, that's all. I think I'd better go home.
00:11:10Goodnight, darling. I'll be back just as soon as possible.
00:11:16Good night, Lisa.
00:11:32On the lower slopes of Telegraph Hill,
00:11:34a half mile north of Lisa Marcel's shop,
00:11:36the killer walked up the steps
00:11:38leading to a brownstone apartment building
00:11:40at 1164 Greenwich Avenue.
00:11:42As he came down the hall and entered his flat in the rear of the second floor,
00:11:54he felt a sudden chill.
00:11:56For the first time, his self-control was shattered.
00:12:00Not by conscience or fear, but by a small parasite which had lived in his bloodstream for nearly seven years.
00:12:10Plasmodium vivax.
00:12:12Plasmodium vivax.
00:12:14A germ of malaria.
00:12:16Plasmodium vivax.
00:12:18Plasmodium vivax.
00:12:20Plasmodium vivax.
00:12:22Plasmodium vivax.
00:12:24Plasmodium vivax.
00:12:26Plasmodium vivax.
00:12:28Plasmodium vivax.
00:12:30Plasmodium vivax.
00:12:32Plasmodium vivax.
00:12:34Plasmodium vivax.
00:12:36Plasmodium vivax.
00:12:38Plasmodium vivax.
00:12:40Plasmodium vivax.
00:12:42Plasmodium vivax.
00:12:44what do you want i heard a crash it woke me go back to sleep mrs drayton but you broke something
00:12:53i'll clean it up i don't want the carpet stained the carpet stained i'll pay for it but cliff i
00:12:59rented this apartment because i wanted privacy i thought you understood that are you sick clifford
00:13:03good night mrs drayton
00:13:06good night
00:13:08at 5 45 a.m october 11th nearly seven hours after the police had first been notified of the wing
00:13:37robbery and killing captain howard brown called a conference in his office we haven't got much
00:13:43when the girl comes to and they get a description what about fingerprints nothing girls prints on
00:13:49the phone but they were smudged get anything from the neighbor most of them heard the shots but
00:13:52nobody saw the killer costa how'd your inventory come out an expensive jade vase is missing in a
00:13:57couple of smaller pieces all top grade merchandise looks like robbery all right don't be too certain
00:14:02fred check the relatives both kids these chinese are strong on family stuff maybe somebody didn't
00:14:08want them to get married maybe somebody was jealous they'll get together with ballistics and see what
00:14:13conclusions they can jump to costa i want you to find out who called the police sure sure there are
00:14:20only 350 000 phones in the city and a million people who could have used any one of them it's a sense
00:14:25give me 20 minutes to find the right one will you captain i want time for a little breakfast too
00:14:30that's all gentlemen after working through the night without rest the weary men started on their
00:14:35morning assignment well all i know sam is that we got the call from the operator down on the
00:14:43chinatown switchboard came in at uh
00:14:45this building at 743 washington street houses the largest chinese telephone exchange outside the orient
00:15:04the girl operators many of whom have inherited their jobs from their mothers and grandmothers
00:15:10speak five chinese dialects and know the names and numbers of over 2 000 subscribers most of whom
00:15:16ask for their party by name alone the day operators had no information on the call from the wing store
00:15:24perhaps the girl who was on duty at 10 52 p.m might remember her name hazel fog 618 waverly place
00:15:34the house of this address was one of the few in the area to have survived the san francisco earthquake
00:15:48of 1906 lieutenant costa just wanted to ask a few questions did hazel fog remember receiving a call
00:15:57from the wing store last night hazel remembered the call well it had come in just before she went off
00:16:05duty at 11 a girl's voice had said something that sounded like help then hazel heard two shots after
00:16:12that a man said a robbery at wing store call the police did she recognize the voice no the voice was
00:16:19not one she knew he spoke chinese in a cantonese dialect do you think you'd recognize that voice if
00:16:25you heard it again yes yes i think i'd know his voice if i heard it again of course i couldn't be positive
00:16:37thank you very much miss pong you'll hear from us i'll be glad to do anything i can anything
00:16:4948 hours later captain brown thought he had a lead all right we know this much our man's chinese
00:16:56he speaks with the cantonese dialect how do we know he was the killer the operator heard the girl's
00:17:00voice two shots then this guy's voice i'll say he did the shooting sure let's go on the medical
00:17:06examiner says the angle of the bullet indicates he's around five nine and right-handed ballistic
00:17:12shows he used a colt 38 the motor was robbery pure and simple i checked the families and they're on
00:17:17very good terms right also he knows chinese art only the finest jade pieces are missing anything else
00:17:24not that i can think of i'll add one myself he's no amateur he's been able to cover up his tracks
00:17:30thoroughly we're hunting a professional criminal and a smart one okay boys now all we've got to do is find
00:17:38him
00:17:57here was the killer the police saw their description was quite accurate
00:18:01he was five feet nine inches tall and he was right-handed
00:18:16now repeat this phrase would you kindly direct me to the post office
00:18:20captain brown was also correct in that the suspect spoke chinese with a cantonese accent
00:18:50but the police were wrong in one essential detail the killer himself was not chinese
00:19:07would you kindly direct me to the post office
00:19:11would you kindly direct me to the post office
00:19:13this was something new in disguises concealment not by change of physical appearance nor of dress
00:19:24but by learning a foreign language
00:19:28now for the expression i want some information please
00:19:31the search for the unknown killer now moved into high gear squads of police comb the narrow twisting
00:19:40streets of chinatown using the wing store as the hub of a wheel its spokes reaching north and south
00:19:46from broadway to sutter east and west from kearney to power
00:20:00now known criminals were apprehended and questioned
00:20:19all possible alibis checked and rechecked
00:20:22every conceivable tip and lead explored and dozens of persons were stopped searched and taken into custody
00:20:35you ain't got no right to
00:20:41suspects were placed in front of a microphone hazel fong the telephone operator listened as they repeated
00:20:47a robbery at wing store call the police
00:20:55once more
00:21:05one other possible door remained open to the police
00:21:10one way of identifying the killer
00:21:11detective fred morgan maintained a constant watch outside betty chang's hospital room hoping she would
00:21:19regain consciousness and give a description of the person who had fired two shots into her body
00:21:24during the wing robbery a few feet away betty's parents mr and mrs lu chang kept a different kind of vigil
00:21:33at 5 15 pm on october 14th their waiting was ended
00:21:37now there was no living person who could identify the killer the door which morgan had hoped to open
00:21:46was closed by death
00:21:50do you mind if i sit down
00:22:04not at all
00:22:05yes sir send morgan and eddie in
00:22:08i wonder if they've got any new animals at the zoo
00:22:10huh
00:22:11i promised jimmy i'd take them there this afternoon
00:22:13no just wanted to remind you that wednesday is my afternoon off
00:22:18don't worry costa i hadn't forgotten good
00:22:22in fact i've already called your wife and told her not to expect you
00:22:27you know that's what i like about you you're so thoughtful
00:22:33want us captain yeah sit down
00:22:37what's up i just got back from chinatown they aren't happy down there really
00:22:41they think we aren't doing anything they could be right what's more they're getting a little tired
00:22:48of being rounded up and questioned well what are we supposed to do dream up the guy we haven't had
00:22:53one suspect that looks even close maybe we've been going at this thing hind end foremost huh
00:22:59we don't know what our man looks like agreed but we know he stole a jade vase and we do know
00:23:04what it looks like oh manhunt into vase hunt here's a photo wing made for an art magazine layout
00:23:11what about other thefts of antiques yeah that stuff stolen from the shop out in seacliff maybe
00:23:16we can tie it up could be no dice that bandit was a young mexican well it was an expensive gold
00:23:23box lifted on sutter street a few days ago by a stick-up man with an italian accent no tie up there
00:23:30not unless he has ten nationalities including the chinese well what are you waiting for a pat on the
00:23:37head well what do we do with this get a cut made run it in every paper in the bay area ask for any and
00:23:43all information concerning the whereabouts of this vase if that doesn't work get out special bulletins
00:23:49but it'll do for now give it a try yeah you know sometimes i wonder how you guys get your pants on
00:23:58in the morning without somebody to help you
00:24:11to help you with this
00:24:17be it
00:24:21you
00:24:24you
00:24:25Oh, my God.
00:24:55Oh, my God.
00:25:25Yes, yes, this is she.
00:25:27Just a moment, please.
00:25:28Carmella's calling.
00:25:29Oh.
00:25:30Oh, yes, operator.
00:25:32Hello.
00:25:33Miss Marcel?
00:25:34This is Mrs. Langdon, Miss Marcel.
00:25:36I've just had a terrible shock.
00:25:39Yes, the newspaper.
00:25:41You've already seen it?
00:25:43I'm certain it's the same vase.
00:25:45Well, of course, there is a similarity, but I bought it at auction.
00:25:48In view of the circumstances, Miss Marcel, I thought I ought to call you before I call the police.
00:25:55Well, I'd be very happy to call the police for you, Mrs. Langdon.
00:26:00Well, if you insist.
00:26:02Yes.
00:26:03Yes, I guess that would be the smart thing for you to do.
00:26:06Thank you for calling.
00:26:08Goodbye.
00:26:23Lieutenant Costa.
00:26:23Lieutenant Costa speaking.
00:26:27118 Drake Lane.
00:26:28Pick up Lisa Marcel.
00:26:29Gotcha.
00:26:30118 Drake Lane.
00:26:31Lisa Marcel.
00:26:33We're on our way.
00:26:43Welcome home, Lisa.
00:26:44Clifford, why didn't you tell me what happened at the wing store?
00:26:47Why did you let me find it out in the newspapers?
00:26:48Well, what's the difference?
00:26:49You've sold the vase, haven't you?
00:26:50Yes, that's just the trouble.
00:26:52Look, that woman in Carmel has already telephoned the police.
00:26:55They'll be here any minute.
00:26:56I've got to get away from here.
00:26:57I've got to.
00:26:58You're all packed.
00:27:00Darling, you must understand.
00:27:01We have to separate.
00:27:02I have to leave.
00:27:04It's dangerous for us to be together.
00:27:06But why, Lisa?
00:27:07Why must we separate?
00:27:08The police, if they find me here, they'll arrest me.
00:27:11What would happen if they did?
00:27:12Oh, Clifford, what are you driving at?
00:27:15What do you mean?
00:27:15I've never seen you like this before, Lisa.
00:27:17You're frightened.
00:27:18You're really frightened.
00:27:20Why?
00:27:20I know what would happen if you were arrested, Lisa.
00:27:23You'd tell them about me.
00:27:25Wouldn't you?
00:27:26No, Clifford, no.
00:27:31You're quite right, Lisa.
00:27:34You should go away.
00:27:42Clifford, what are you...
00:27:44Clifford, put that gun down.
00:27:47Darling, you don't know what you're doing.
00:28:00Eddie, you go through the alley.
00:28:02Right.
00:28:02Miss Marcelle!
00:28:09Miss Marcelle!
00:28:12Miss Marcelle!
00:28:13Miss Marcelle!
00:28:25Miss Marcelle!
00:28:26Miss Marcelle!
00:28:26Miss Marcelle!
00:28:26Miss Marcelle!
00:28:26Miss Marcelle!
00:28:28Miss Marcelle!
00:28:30Miss Marcelle!
00:28:31Miss Marcelle!
00:29:02Did you see anybody?
00:29:26He was still being here.
00:29:27Yeah.
00:29:32He was still being here.
00:30:02I lost him.
00:30:23Yeah.
00:30:23Did you get a squint on him?
00:30:24A quick one.
00:30:25Funny, he didn't look Chinese to me.
00:30:27Me either.
00:30:29Come on, let's get back to the station and fix that hand.
00:30:32Yeah, might as well.
00:30:32Thank you, Father.
00:30:44Clay Schmidt, a 62-year-old rubbish collector, made an interesting discovery in the alley
00:30:49between Drake Place and Waverly.
00:30:51Yes, Captain?
00:30:58Send Koster in.
00:31:03Lieutenant Koster, you're wanted in Captain Brown's office.
00:31:06Where'd you lose that guy last night?
00:31:18In the alley between Drake Place and Waverly.
00:31:20Why?
00:31:21This look familiar?
00:31:24Yeah.
00:31:25Very.
00:31:31That's something to start on.
00:31:34In the garment district, police could get no information, except that the top coat was
00:31:40retailed by several local stores.
00:31:42At one of these, the trail ended.
00:31:44The coat was shown to several clerks in the menswear department.
00:31:49After examining the garment, John Winston, one of the salesmen, remembered selling the
00:31:53coat.
00:31:54But it was a staple item, sold for cash, and no record of the customer could be found.
00:31:59Meanwhile, in the police laboratories, ballistics experts carefully analyzed the gun, which had
00:32:09been found in the overcoat pocket, dusted the grip and trigger housing for the faintest
00:32:14trace of fingerprints.
00:32:17Technicians reconstructed the serial number, which had been filed away, studied the mark
00:32:25of the barrel striations on the bullet, which had been taken from the body of Lisa Marcel.
00:32:29Upon comparison, the results proved conclusively that the weapon which had killed her had
00:32:42also been used for the murder of Joe Wing and Betty Chang.
00:32:50Detective Morgan was able to trace the gun to a pawn shop, from which it had been stolen
00:32:54nearly six months earlier.
00:32:59All right, so the gun was stolen, and the coats led us up a blind alley.
00:33:10What are we supposed to do now?
00:33:11Who's got a match?
00:33:13Well, what's our next move?
00:33:15Maybe we should put an ad in the Gazette.
00:33:16You know, bound, one top coat, slightly worn.
00:33:19Killer who left same in Chinatown incinerator can claim same.
00:33:22San Francisco police.
00:33:23It's very funny.
00:33:25I suppose you guys think the coat chapter's ended.
00:33:28Well, most coats go to the cleaner once in a while, I think.
00:33:35It's a long shot, Costa.
00:33:38But the only thing you've got to do now is to find out which pants presser put his tag in there.
00:33:43Me?
00:33:43I thought this was my afternoon off.
00:33:46You know the one you owe me.
00:33:48Turn up the killer by noon, and I'll take it under consideration.
00:34:00Lieutenant Costa began by checking manufacturers of cleaning tabs,
00:34:05similar to the one found in the overcoat lining.
00:34:06At the Northern California Tag Company,
00:34:102011 Bayshore Highway in the industrial section of South San Francisco,
00:34:15the assistant sales manager recognized the tab as one of their own make.
00:34:19At Costa's request, he referred to the company files
00:34:22and secured a list of the 43 cleaning establishments in the Bay Area
00:34:26who had purchased this kind of tab during the preceding 18 months.
00:34:30Costa carefully noted the names and addresses of the 43 dry cleaners
00:34:39and made himself an itinerary
00:34:41which during the next two days
00:34:43took him from the waterfront district along the Embarcadero
00:34:46all the way to Chinatown.
00:34:49By the time he had passed the intersection of Grant Avenue and California Street,
00:34:52he had checked 23 cleaners and dyers off his list.
00:34:56Number 24 was the quality cleaners on Grant Avenue.
00:35:00They, however, used marking ink of a different color
00:35:11from that on the tab which Costa showed them.
00:35:21Number 25 was Sam Chang's laundry and cleaning,
00:35:24a block and a half north.
00:35:30Sam Chang marked his tags with a Chinese symbol.
00:35:41So the search continued.
00:35:48Late in the afternoon, Costa reached number 34,
00:35:52a small dry cleaning shop owned by a Scotsman named James McIntosh.
00:35:56Hi, that's my tab.
00:36:04Then you recognize the coat.
00:36:06I didn't say that.
00:36:08Well, you must have some idea who it belongs to.
00:36:10Well, I didn't say I do,
00:36:13and then again I didn't say I don't.
00:36:18I do.
00:36:19Well, it belongs to a young fella.
00:36:22Dark, kind of thin,
00:36:24but I didn't know his name.
00:36:25He's Cash and Carry.
00:36:29Any idea where he lives?
00:36:33I'm not sure.
00:36:34Could be around the corner on Grand Thech Avenue.
00:36:36I think I seen him coming out of Mrs. Dryden's.
00:36:39How do I get there?
00:36:40Second house up from the corner.
00:36:42He seems a nice lad.
00:36:44Has he been up to some mischief?
00:36:46Yeah.
00:36:47Yeah, you might call it that.
00:36:54If you care to leave the coat,
00:36:56I'll be glad to give it to Clifford when he comes in.
00:36:57I'd rather wait for him if you don't mind, Mrs. Dryden.
00:37:00You're sure he's expecting you?
00:37:02I'm pretty sure.
00:37:03Very well.
00:37:05He should be here in a few minutes.
00:37:15Won't you sit down?
00:37:20No, thank you.
00:37:24Quite a place.
00:37:25Oh, yes.
00:37:26Clifford did the decorating himself.
00:37:27He has excellent taste for a young man.
00:37:32Seems to be a record collector.
00:37:34I suppose so.
00:37:36Oh, Clifford wouldn't like you to handle those.
00:37:38He's very fussy about his things.
00:37:40I'll bet he is.
00:37:41Well, really.
00:37:56I don't think I should allow you to.
00:37:59Young man, I think you'd best leave.
00:38:01I shouldn't like to have to call the police.
00:38:09Well, what's that?
00:38:10I'm sure I don't know.
00:38:15Would you kindly direct me to the post office?
00:38:17Yau Jengu Kai Bin Shia.
00:38:18Why, that's Clifford's voice.
00:38:19Would you kindly direct me to the post office?
00:38:22Yau Jengu Kai Bin Shia.
00:38:23So Clifford likes to study languages.
00:38:27May I use your telephone?
00:38:28Oh, why, yes.
00:38:29The one in the hall.
00:38:40Please, department.
00:38:47Hello, get me Captain Brown, please.
00:38:53Captain Brown.
00:38:54Hello, Brown.
00:38:55Costa.
00:38:56Well, you phony old hunch player, your long shot came in.
00:38:59Yeah, 1164 Greenwich Avenue.
00:39:03Well, what do you know?
00:39:06Yes, Captain.
00:39:07Dispatch some cars.
00:39:08Better make them civilian sedans to 1164 Greenwich Avenue right away.
00:39:12And snap it up, will you?
00:39:13I'm late for dinner already.
00:39:15I'm late for dinner.
00:39:45Car 97, car 97, a holdup in progress at 1223 Market.
00:40:07The killer, realizing that the police had staked out the Greenwich Avenue apartment, decided
00:40:22to make a change of address.
00:40:23I'd like a room.
00:40:41Yes, sir.
00:40:42A very fine room.
00:40:43Come, I'll show you.
00:40:44Is this door locked?
00:40:59Yes.
00:40:59Oh, yes.
00:41:05I'll keep this.
00:41:06Good night.
00:41:09I want to sleep.
00:41:10Okay, boss.
00:41:11Okay.
00:41:12I like this place.
00:41:13Here.
00:41:15Here's a week in advance.
00:41:21You like this place very much.
00:41:22I.
00:41:37I like this place.
00:41:41I like this place.
00:41:45I like this place.
00:41:46Working on their first tangible discovery, the wire recording.
00:42:09All right, Miss Pong, see if you recognize this voice.
00:42:12Would you kindly direct me to the post office?
00:42:14Yes, that's the man. I'm almost positive.
00:42:25Yes?
00:42:26Send Morgan and Eddie in. We're going into the recording business.
00:42:31The recording of the killer's voice was shipped to a record manufacturer in Southern California.
00:42:36Here, the wire was cut, transcribed, and pressed into the wax grooves of several hundred records.
00:42:44A few hours later, the pressings were ready to be air-expressed back to Captain Brown's office in San Francisco.
00:42:54Do you know this man? His name is Clifford Ward, but he may be using an alias.
00:43:00He's about 28, five feet, nine inches tall, slender, dark brown hair and eyes.
00:43:07He speaks several languages. Have you heard his voice?
00:43:10If you recognize this voice, I know a man answering this description, please call the San Francisco police at once.
00:43:25The records were distributed to a special police detail, who in turn were instructed to distribute them to all persons who might conceivably come in contact with the suspect and recognize his description and voice.
00:43:39Do you know this man?
00:43:40Among the groups who listened and tried to identify the voice were telephone girls on all exchanges.
00:43:45He's about 28.
00:43:46Waitresses at drive-ins and cafes, bartenders, hostesses, and other restaurant employees.
00:43:52He speaks several languages. Have you heard his voice? Listen.
00:43:57I want some information, please.
00:44:01Bus operators, cable and streetcar conductors, and taxi drivers all over the Bay Area.
00:44:06Please call the San Francisco police at once.
00:44:09Meanwhile, a 24-hour guard was placed outside the apartment building in which the killer had lived.
00:44:14At 1164 Greenwich Avenue, on the off chance that he might return for some of his property.
00:44:39Hey, where do you think you're going?
00:44:42Delivering a wire.
00:44:42There. Yeah? What is it for?
00:44:45This is Emily Dryden, 1164 Greenwich Avenue.
00:44:50Do you want to sign for it?
00:44:51Ah, go ahead. It's first door on your right.
00:45:01Who is it?
00:45:02Telegram.
00:45:03One moment, please.
00:45:04Yes?
00:45:08Yes?
00:45:08You've heard him out of it.
00:45:10What do you want?
00:45:11Come out here.
00:45:13Open it.
00:45:14Oh, I-I-I haven't the keys with me.
00:45:17Open it.
00:45:18Go ahead.
00:45:29Go ahead.
00:45:41Sit down.
00:45:41Why did you come back here, Clifford?
00:45:57This is my home.
00:45:58You always said to think of it as my home.
00:46:02Sit down.
00:46:03That's fair.
00:46:08Now tell me.
00:46:09How do the police know I live here?
00:46:11I'm not sure.
00:46:12Something about your coat.
00:46:14Did you call them?
00:46:14No.
00:46:16How much do they know about me?
00:46:18What do you mean?
00:46:19You gave them a description.
00:46:21No.
00:46:21Not exactly.
00:46:23Then after I leave, you won't tell them I was here.
00:46:25Oh, no, of course not, Clifford.
00:46:43What are you going to do, Clifford?
00:46:45Clifford!
00:46:45Stop.
00:46:47Oh.
00:46:55Oh, did you find her all right?
00:47:11Yeah, business is good.
00:47:12She gave me a return wire.
00:47:14Bad news, you figure?
00:47:15Maybe.
00:47:16You never know.
00:47:16Oh.
00:47:25Bad news, you never know.
00:47:55You heard me, gentlemen.
00:48:03One big week.
00:48:05Seven days, the commissioner said.
00:48:07If we haven't got Clifford Ward behind bars in that time,
00:48:10we can all look forward to an early retirement from public life.
00:48:15Today was the day I planned to take my kid to the aquarium.
00:48:19Tough.
00:48:25Familiar faces?
00:48:43They say we were all fish at one time or another,
00:48:46the same way we were monkeys.
00:48:47We haven't made much progress, have we?
00:48:52No.
00:48:54We haven't.
00:49:02Is he usually late?
00:49:03Who?
00:49:04Well, whoever it is you're waiting for.
00:49:06I mean, isn't he usually on time?
00:49:08Please, I'd rather.
00:49:09I know of a wonderful little place for dinner.
00:49:11Thank you, but I'm waiting for someone.
00:49:14It isn't your husband.
00:49:16No ring.
00:49:19Do you know if there's a telephone here?
00:49:21Must you call him?
00:49:22Yes, I have to.
00:49:23Not if you don't want to.
00:49:25I'm sorry, but...
00:49:26I'm sure you must be a stranger in San Francisco.
00:49:28Who'd know if you went out with another stranger?
00:49:30What harm could it do?
00:49:33None, I suppose.
00:49:34We could have dinner and a ride in a cable car.
00:49:36I'll bring you home whenever you like.
00:49:37Well, I don't usually...
00:49:40Oh, you understand.
00:49:41I understand, but this is an exception.
00:49:44Would be, if I went with you.
00:49:49Well...
00:49:49All right.
00:49:52I don't like fish anyway.
00:49:54While the police searched desperately for the killer,
00:49:57he was taking his companion sightseeing on a cable car.
00:50:01They ate lobster at Fisherman's Walk,
00:50:03visited Golden Gate,
00:50:04the Museum of Art,
00:50:07and at the Palace of the Legion of Honor,
00:50:09studied Rodin's classic statue of the thinker.
00:50:11In five hours,
00:50:12hundreds of people saw him and the girl,
00:50:14spoke to them and served them food,
00:50:16without the slightest thought
00:50:17that here was the man the police were seeking.
00:50:19Don't tell me you live in this place.
00:50:39Temporarily.
00:50:40I think I better go home.
00:50:42Oh, have a drink first.
00:50:43All right.
00:50:44At least it's local color.
00:50:46Well, here we are.
00:50:52This isn't exactly what I'd call
00:50:53the autistic section of San Francisco.
00:50:56Not exactly.
00:50:58I like the last place we were.
00:50:59Let's go back there.
00:51:01Well, we can go back there later.
00:51:02I don't understand you.
00:51:06Aquariums, art museums,
00:51:07nice little candle bars,
00:51:09and then this.
00:51:12You're very inconsistent.
00:51:14Very inconsistent.
00:51:16Not when you know me bad.
00:51:21Be careful.
00:51:22You spilled my drink.
00:51:23I'm sorry.
00:51:24I'll make you another one.
00:51:25Oh, don't bother.
00:51:26I really should go.
00:51:28There's no bother.
00:51:29You're a very paradoxical young man.
00:51:33I've decided that.
00:51:34Have you?
00:51:37What's the matter?
00:51:39Are you all right?
00:51:41You can't handle your liquor very well, can you?
00:51:43It's not the liquor.
00:51:44What's wrong with you then?
00:51:45I'll be all right in a moment.
00:51:46I better call a doctor.
00:51:47No, no.
00:51:48But you're sick.
00:51:49Just leave me alone.
00:51:50Please let me call a doctor.
00:51:52Would you please go?
00:51:54Well, I'm only trying to...
00:51:55Get out.
00:51:55Get out.
00:51:59Stricken again by a severe attack of malaria,
00:52:15the killer began a frantic search
00:52:16for the missing bottle of paladrin capsule.
00:52:18I'm sorry.
00:52:32I can't sell you paladrin without a prescription.
00:52:34But I've just had an attack.
00:52:35I may have another.
00:52:36Well, don't you know a doctor?
00:52:37There isn't time.
00:52:38If I can let you have a little quinine.
00:52:39Yes, but that's no help.
00:52:41No paladrin without a prescription.
00:52:43If I have my doctor call you,
00:52:52would you take care of me?
00:52:54Yeah, I guess that'd be all right.
00:52:55What's your number?
00:52:56Tell him to ask for the Greer Pharmacy
00:52:58on the Chinatown Exchange.
00:52:59Number, please.
00:53:25Give me the Greer Pharmacy, please.
00:53:27What number, sir?
00:53:29I don't know the number.
00:53:30Greer Pharmacy.
00:53:32Yes, sir.
00:53:33Hurry, please.
00:53:34Call Captain Brown, police department.
00:53:36What's the matter, Hazel?
00:53:37Tell him I think Clifford Ward's
00:53:38in a phone booth
00:53:39on the corner of Branton, San Fernando.
00:53:41Gotcha.
00:53:44Greer Pharmacy.
00:53:45This is Dr. A.C. Deaver.
00:53:47The patient of mine was just in your store
00:53:49asking for paladrin.
00:53:51Would you accept this call
00:53:52as an authorization for a prescription?
00:53:53Oh, yes.
00:53:56And the dosage?
00:53:5820 paladrin.
00:54:00One and one half grain.
00:54:03As directed.
00:54:04Is that his name, doctor?
00:54:06Dunn.
00:54:07Thomas Dunn.
00:54:08He'll be right in to pick it up.
00:54:10At the corner of Grant
00:54:13and Sacramento, Captain.
00:54:15Wait a minute.
00:54:16Hazel wants to talk to you.
00:54:18I'm not positive, Captain.
00:54:20He said he was a doctor.
00:54:22Yes, Greer Pharmacy.
00:54:25Dr. A.C. Deaver.
00:54:26And he was ordering some drug
00:54:28for a patient named Thomas Dunn.
00:54:31I hope I'm right, Captain.
00:54:36Yes?
00:54:36Send the nearest patrol car
00:54:38to the corner of Sacramento and Grant.
00:54:39It may be Clifford Ward.
00:54:42All cars have a complete description.
00:54:44Yes, sir.
00:54:45And get a car for me.
00:54:47Car nine.
00:54:48Proceed Sacramento and Grant.
00:54:49It may be Clifford Ward.
00:54:57It's all ready for you.
00:54:59Mr. Dunn, are you all right?
00:55:01I think you'd better take
00:55:02some of this right away.
00:55:03I'll get you some water.
00:55:09Mr. Dunn, here's your...
00:55:21Mr. Dunn!
00:55:23Cover the back door.
00:55:44Come on.
00:55:46The police were already too late.
00:55:49Clifford Ward had slipped away
00:55:50in the gathering crowd.
00:55:52But this had been very close.
00:55:54The druggist still had
00:55:55a complete mental picture
00:55:56of the customer
00:55:57who had so urgently needed paladrin
00:55:59and had so quickly departed.
00:56:01Yes, he was dark.
00:56:03Dark hair, dark eyes,
00:56:05about five nine.
00:56:06A nice-looking boy.
00:56:07Exactly Mrs. Dryden's description
00:56:09of her missing tenant.
00:56:10Hazel Fong had been right.
00:56:12Come in.
00:56:32Dr. Diva never heard of him
00:56:33and he doesn't remember
00:56:34ever treating anyone
00:56:35who looks like him.
00:56:37Our boy must have pulled the name
00:56:38right out of the phone book.
00:56:39He needed that stuff.
00:56:40They only use it in severe cases.
00:56:43So he's had an attack of malaria.
00:56:44What could that do us?
00:56:46He'll get well.
00:56:46Guys like him always do.
00:56:48But not for a couple of days.
00:56:49He'll stay put that long,
00:56:50but maybe that'll be long enough.
00:56:52For what?
00:56:52For us.
00:56:53I've been checking with the medics.
00:56:54The way he was feeling,
00:56:55he couldn't have walked
00:56:56more than two blocks
00:56:57to the drugstore
00:56:58and back to wherever
00:56:59he started from.
00:57:00Well, that narrows it down.
00:57:02Right down to...
00:57:04this.
00:57:05You know what he looks like.
00:57:13You've heard his voice.
00:57:15You know where he is
00:57:16within a couple of blocks,
00:57:17where he'll be
00:57:17for the next 12 to 24 hours.
00:57:20You've only been given
00:57:21four or five buildings apiece.
00:57:23But don't let that make you think
00:57:24it's going to be easy.
00:57:25There may be as many
00:57:26as a couple of hundred people
00:57:27in any one of them.
00:57:28You'll be making the rounds
00:57:29as census takers.
00:57:31You've got identification
00:57:31to prove it.
00:57:33Ward may be living alone.
00:57:35He may be living with Chinese.
00:57:36He may be hiding somewhere.
00:57:37We don't know.
00:57:39If you find him,
00:57:41don't try to take him yourself.
00:57:43Anybody.
00:57:44He's sick,
00:57:45but he's a killer.
00:57:46So report.
00:57:48Well, that's it.
00:57:50Oh, one thing more.
00:57:52If you don't get an answer
00:57:53someplace,
00:57:54keep pounding on the door.
00:57:56Do something
00:57:56to make them open up.
00:57:58If you still can't rouse anybody,
00:57:59make a note of the address
00:58:00and we'll go back.
00:58:02Well,
00:58:03you've got 24 hours.
00:58:11Captain Brown's census takers
00:58:13covered each block,
00:58:14building by building.
00:58:16Each building,
00:58:17door by door.
00:58:18In one of these places,
00:58:19a killer was hiding.
00:58:22The special detail
00:58:23moved carefully
00:58:23through the streets
00:58:24of Chinatown,
00:58:25listening to every voice,
00:58:27asking questions
00:58:28over and over
00:58:28until it was early evening.
00:58:30and policewoman
00:58:31Martha Anderson
00:58:32approached the right door.
00:58:42Is there anybody in here?
00:58:45Maybe yes,
00:58:46maybe no.
00:58:48Thanks.
00:58:51Anybody home?
00:58:52It's the United States
00:59:03census taker.
00:59:08Good afternoon.
00:59:11What do you want?
00:59:12A few questions
00:59:13for the census.
00:59:14Make it short.
00:59:15I'll do my best.
00:59:16Your name?
00:59:18Carl Wilcox.
00:59:22Do you live alone?
00:59:25Age?
00:59:26Foyer.
00:59:28Single?
00:59:31Occupation?
00:59:32Unimplied.
00:59:33Well, I guess that's all.
00:59:36Thanks.
00:59:37Sorry to have disturbed you.
00:59:49There's another room.
00:59:50I almost missed it.
00:59:51I don't want San Francisco
00:59:52to lose population
00:59:53on account of me.
00:59:56Who's there?
00:59:57I'm the census taker.
00:59:58I'd like to ask
00:59:59a few questions.
01:00:00How many people live here?
01:00:01Shortly before midnight,
01:00:22while Clifford Ward slept,
01:00:24a police dragnet
01:00:25was set in motion
01:00:26by the report
01:00:27of policewoman
01:00:27Martha Anderson.
01:00:28Methodically,
01:00:31Captain Brown's forces
01:00:32began to surround
01:00:33the rooming house
01:00:33in the heart of Chinatown.
01:00:35Five minutes.
01:00:36The night of Chinatown.
01:00:41The night of Chinatown.
01:00:42The night of Chinatown.
01:00:42The night of Chinatown.
01:00:43The night of Chinatown.
01:00:44The night of Chinatown.
01:00:44The night of Chinatown.
01:00:45The night of Chinatown.
01:00:45The night of Chinatown.
01:00:46The night of Chinatown.
01:00:46The night of Chinatown.
01:00:47The night of Chinatown.
01:00:47The night of Chinatown.
01:00:47The night of Chinatown.
01:00:48The night of Chinatown.
01:00:48The night of Chinatown.
01:00:49The night of Chinatown.
01:00:49The night of Chinatown.
01:00:49The night of Chinatown.
01:00:50The night of Chinatown.
01:00:51The night of Chinatown.
01:00:51The night of Chinatown.
01:00:52The night of Chinatown.
01:00:52The night of Chinatown.
01:00:53The End
01:01:23The End
01:01:53The End
01:02:23He's on the road
01:02:26Take care of Fred
01:02:28The End
01:02:58The End
01:03:28Well, come on
01:03:46See anybody?
01:03:52No, sir
01:03:53He must still be up here
01:03:55Right
01:03:55I'll take the far side
01:03:56Let's get out
01:04:19I'll take the far side
01:04:24I'll take the far side
01:04:29I'll take the far side
01:04:33I'll take the far side
01:04:38Oh, my God.
01:05:08You cover the roof.
01:05:23Come here.
01:05:38Come here.
01:05:55Oh
01:06:25Let's go
01:06:29You know, Coster
01:06:32Yeah
01:06:33You don't have to come in until noon tomorrow
01:06:36Fine
01:06:37Unless something important comes up
01:06:39A few minutes past midnight on November 3rd
01:06:45Twenty days after the killer had entered a Chinatown shop
01:06:48The San Francisco police ended the case of Clifford Ward
01:06:55Oh
01:06:55Oh
01:06:56Oh
01:06:56Oh
Be the first to comment
Add your comment