Detour (1945) – Classic Film Noir Mystery - video Dailymotion

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Detour (1945) – A timeless classic of Film Noir cinema. A hitchhiker’s journey turns into a nightmare of fate, deception, and murder. Directed by Edgar G. Ulmer, this dark masterpiece captures the essence of 1940s suspense and moral ambiguity.  Genre: Film Noir, Crime, Mystery Director: Edgar G. Ulmer Starring: Tom Neal, Ann Savage Public Domain Classic  #Detour1945 #FilmNoir #ClassicMovies #MysteryFilm #CrimeDrama #OldHollywood #VintageCinema #PublicDomainFilm #BlackAndWhiteMovie #GoldenAgeOfCinema #ClassicThriller #EdgarGUlmer

Transcript

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00:03:28That tune, that tune, why was there always that rotten tune, following me around, beating

00:03:43in my head, never letting up.

00:03:45Did you ever want to forget anything?

00:03:50Did you ever want to cut away a piece of your memory or blot it out?

00:03:54You can't, you know, no matter how hard you try.

00:03:57You can change the scenery, but sooner or later you'll get a whiff of perfume where somebody

00:04:02will say a certain phrase or maybe hum something.

00:04:05Then you're licked again.

00:04:08I can't believe that you're in love with me.

00:04:11I used to love that song once.

00:04:13So did the customers back in the old Break of Dawn Club in New York.

00:04:17I can't remember a night when I didn't get at least three requests for it.

00:04:21Sue, she was always selling it too.

00:04:24Those were the days.

00:04:26When your eyes are blue, your kisses too.

00:04:28I never knew what I was going to do.

00:04:29I never knew what I was going to do.

00:04:30I never knew what I was going to do.

00:04:31I can't believe that you're in love with me.

00:04:36When your eyes are blue, your kisses too.

00:04:41I never knew what they could do.

00:04:43I can't believe that you're in love with me.

00:04:48When your eyes are blue, your kisses too.

00:04:53When your eyes are blue, your kisses too.

00:04:55I never knew what they could do.

00:04:57I can't believe that you're in love with me.

00:05:03You're telling everyone you know that I'm on your mind each place you go.

00:05:09They can't believe that you're in love with me.

00:05:16I have always placed you far above me.

00:05:22I just can't imagine that you love me.

00:05:27And after all is said and done, to think that I'm the lucky one.

00:05:33I can't believe that you're in love with me.

00:05:46It wasn't much of a club really.

00:05:48You know the kind.

00:05:49A joint where you could have a sandwich and a few drinks and run interference for your girl on the dance floor.

00:05:57I pounded the piano in there every night from 8 until the place closed up.

00:06:00Which usually meant 4 in the morning.

00:06:03A good job as jobs went in those days.

00:06:09Then too, there was Sue.

00:06:12Who made working there a little like working in heaven.

00:06:15But how we felt about each other, well, there was nothing very unusual in that.

00:06:20I was an ordinary healthy guy and she was an ordinary healthy girl.

00:06:23And when you add those two together, you get an ordinary healthy romance.

00:06:26Which is the old story.

00:06:28Sure.

00:06:29But somehow, the most wonderful thing in the world.

00:06:40All in all, I was a pretty lucky guy.

00:06:45Mr. Paderewski, I presume.

00:06:57It's beautiful.

00:06:58You're going to make Carnegie Hall yet, Al?

00:07:00Yeah.

00:07:01As a janitor.

00:07:03I'll make my debut in the basement.

00:07:05I don't blame you for being bitter, darling.

00:07:07But you mustn't give up hope.

00:07:09Why, someday...

00:07:10Yeah, someday.

00:07:11If I don't get arthritis first.

00:07:12In the meantime, let's blow this trap.

00:07:14You'd like to get something to eat, hon?

00:07:15Oh, I don't think so, Al.

00:07:16I lose my appetite working in this flea bag.

00:07:17Let's go home.

00:07:18Okay.

00:07:19I can't stand much more of that dump.

00:07:20Did you see that drunk tonight?

00:07:21Trying to paw me?

00:07:22No.

00:07:23No.

00:07:24What drunk?

00:07:25Does it matter what drunk?

00:07:26Does it matter what drunk?

00:07:27Say, what's the matter with you tonight, darling?

00:07:29That's the third time you started to tell me something, then stop.

00:07:30We should have.

00:07:31We should have.

00:07:32We should have.

00:07:33We should have.

00:07:34We should have.

00:07:35We should have.

00:07:36We should have any secrets from each other, Sue.

00:07:37Next week, we're gonna make with the ring and the license.

00:07:38You and me will be a team.

00:07:39Yes, that's right.

00:07:40In the Bush League.

00:07:41I don't get you.

00:07:42We've been struck out.

00:07:43It's a funny way.

00:07:44No.

00:07:45You're trying to help me out there.

00:07:46I don't have enough anyone in it.

00:07:47There's nothing that I know about.

00:07:48All right.

00:07:49There's nothing that was done to get a real question.

00:07:50Is it, what?

00:07:51Is it, how do you think you're living in it?

00:07:52How do you think you're living in it?

00:07:53I don't even know.

00:07:54Okay.

00:07:55I can't stand much more of that dump.

00:07:56Did you see that drunk tonight trying to paw me?

00:07:57No.

00:07:58What drunk?

00:07:59Does it matter what drunk?

00:08:00What drunk?

00:08:01What drunk?

00:08:02Does it matter what drunk?

00:08:04What drunk?

00:08:05So what's the matter with you tonight, darling?

00:08:07That's the third time you started to tell me something and then stop.

00:08:10That's a funny way to talk, darling. Don't you want to marry me?

00:08:13Ah, look, I love you. You know I do, and I want to marry you.

00:08:17But?

00:08:18But not now. Only after we've made good.

00:08:22Sunday, I'm going away.

00:08:25Oh, I know you'll think it's silly. That's why I hesitated to tell you.

00:08:29But I'm going to California. I want to try my luck in Hollywood.

00:08:33That's the most stupid thing I ever heard of.

00:08:36Don't you know millions of people go out there every year and wind up polishing cuspidors?

00:08:39I thought you had better sense.

00:08:41You sound as if you don't think I have any talent.

00:08:43That has nothing to do with it.

00:08:44I'll make out all right.

00:08:45Maybe. But what about me?

00:08:47Doesn't it mean anything to you that you're busting up all our plans?

00:08:50We may not see each other for years.

00:08:51It won't be that long.

00:08:53I thought you loved me.

00:08:54I do. You know I do.

00:08:59Well, here we are.

00:09:04Al.

00:09:06Al, why can't you see my side of it?

00:09:08I'm young.

00:09:10We both are.

00:09:11And we've got all the time in the world to settle down.

00:09:15Really, darling.

00:09:17What I'm doing is the only sane thing to do.

00:09:21I hate the thought of being so far away from you.

00:09:24But we'll be together again someday.

00:09:28Maybe you'll decide to come out too later on.

00:09:31So long.

00:09:31Al.

00:09:34Aren't you going to kiss me goodnight?

00:09:37Sure.

00:09:37Why not?

00:09:41Goodnight.

00:09:41I'm going to kiss you goodnight.

00:09:43I'm going to kiss you goodnight.

00:09:44I'm going to kiss you goodnight.

00:09:45I'm going to kiss you goodnight.

00:09:46I'm going to kiss you goodnight.

00:09:47I'm going to kiss you goodnight.

00:09:48I'm going to kiss you goodnight.

00:09:49I'm going to kiss you goodnight.

00:09:50I'm going to kiss you goodnight.

00:09:51I'm going to kiss you goodnight.

00:09:52I'm going to kiss you goodnight.

00:09:53I'm going to kiss you goodnight.

00:09:54I'm going to kiss you goodnight.

00:11:25Say, Roberts, you hit the jackpot this time.

00:11:29Ten bucks.

00:11:31Thanks.

00:11:31So when this drunk handed me a tin spot after a request, I couldn't get very excited.

00:11:42What was it I asked myself?

00:11:44Piece of paper crawling with germs.

00:11:46Couldn't buy anything I wanted.

00:11:49It couldn't...

00:11:49Then I thought of something.

00:11:54Long distance.

00:12:19I'd like to put a call through to Los Angeles.

00:12:22Miss Harvey.

00:12:23Sue Harvey.

00:12:24H-A-R-V-E-Y.

00:12:26The number is Crestview 65723.

00:12:28Hello, Sue?

00:12:40Hello, Sue?

00:12:58This is Al.

00:13:00Oh, baby, it's great to hear from you, too.

00:13:02What's that?

00:13:03You do?

00:13:04Oh, me too, darling.

00:13:05I thought I'd go batty without you.

00:13:07I just had to...

00:13:08Huh?

00:13:10You're working as a hashlinger?

00:13:12Gee, honey, that's tough.

00:13:14Those guys out in Hollywood don't know the real thing when it's right in front of them.

00:13:17You just stick it out, Sue, baby.

00:13:19Keep going around to those casting offices.

00:13:21I'm sure you'll click.

00:13:23Look, I'll tell you what.

00:13:24You stay put out there.

00:13:24I'll come to you.

00:13:26No, don't try to stop me.

00:13:27Just expect me.

00:13:29Train?

00:13:29Who knows?

00:13:30Train, plane, bus, magic carpet.

00:13:32I'll be there if I have to crawl.

00:13:33If I have to travel by pogo stick.

00:13:35And then...

00:13:36Let's get married right away, huh?

00:13:41That's the stuff.

00:13:42That's what I've been wanting to hear you say.

00:13:45Well, goodbye for now.

00:13:49I'll be seeing you soon.

00:13:52Yeah.

00:13:54Bye.

00:14:00The only way I could cross country was to thumb rides.

00:14:03For even after hocking everything, I only had enough money to eat.

00:14:07Money.

00:14:08You know what that is.

00:14:10It's the stuff you never have enough of.

00:14:12Little green things with George Washington's picture that men slave for,

00:14:16commit crimes for, die for.

00:14:19It's the stuff that has caused more trouble in the world

00:14:21than anything else we ever invented.

00:14:23Simply because there's too little of it.

00:14:26At least I had too little of it.

00:14:28So it was me for the thumb.

00:14:29The thumb.

00:14:29Ever done any hitchhiking?

00:14:30It's not much fun, believe me.

00:14:50Oh, yeah.

00:14:52I know all about how it's an education,

00:14:54how you get to meet a lot of people and all that.

00:14:56But me?

00:14:57From now on, I'll take my education in college

00:15:00or in P.S. 62

00:15:02or I'll send $1.98 and stamps for 10 easy lessons.

00:15:14Thumbing rides may save your bus fare,

00:15:16but it's dangerous.

00:15:19You never know what's in store for you

00:15:21when you hear the squeal of brakes.

00:15:23If only I had known what I was getting into that day in Arizona.

00:15:29Here, throw that in the back seat.

00:15:34Okay, let's go.

00:15:35Make sure that door's closed.

00:15:36You know, Emily Post ought to write a book of rules

00:15:52for guys thumbing rides.

00:15:55Because as it is now,

00:15:56you never know what's right and what's wrong.

00:15:58We rode along for a little while,

00:16:00neither one of us saying anything.

00:16:02I was glad of that.

00:16:03I never know what to say to strange people driving cars.

00:16:08And, too, you can never tell if a guy wants to talk.

00:16:11A lot of rides have been cut short because of a big mouth.

00:16:15So I kept my mouth shut

00:16:17until he started opening up.

00:16:20Hand me that little box to compartment, will you, pal?

00:16:26Hold the wheel, will you?

00:16:33How far are you going?

00:16:40L.A.

00:16:41Well, you're really traveling, aren't you?

00:16:43Yeah, but I don't expect to make it for a couple of years

00:16:45at the rate I've been promoting rides.

00:16:47Not much luck, huh?

00:16:48Sure, all bad.

00:16:50Not many people stop for a guy these days.

00:16:52Afraid of a stick-up, maybe.

00:16:54Well, you can't blame him.

00:16:56Where you coming from?

00:16:57New York.

00:16:58Well, New York.

00:17:00You're in luck this time.

00:17:01I'm going all the way.

00:17:04Right through to Los Angeles.

00:17:06You drive a car?

00:17:08Sure.

00:17:09Whenever you're tired, let me know.

00:17:11I'll holler.

00:17:13I guess at least an hour passed

00:17:15before I noticed those deep scratches on his right hand.

00:17:18They were wicked.

00:17:19Three puffy red lines about a quarter of an inch apart.

00:17:23He must have seen me looking at them,

00:17:25look, as he said.

00:17:27Beauties, aren't they?

00:17:29They're going to be scars someday.

00:17:30Hey.

00:17:31What an animal.

00:17:34Whatever it was,

00:17:34it must have been pretty big and vicious

00:17:36to have done that.

00:17:37Right, on both counts, New York.

00:17:39I was tussling with the most dangerous animal

00:17:41in the world.

00:17:42A woman.

00:17:44She must have been Tarzan's mate.

00:17:46Looks like you lost the bob.

00:17:48Certainly wasn't a draw.

00:17:49You know, there ought to be a law against dames with claws.

00:17:53Yeah.

00:17:54I tossed her out of the car in her ear.

00:17:57Was I wrong?

00:17:58Give a lift to a tomato, you expect her to be nice, don't you?

00:18:01Yeah.

00:18:02After all, what kind of dame's thumb rides?

00:18:05Sunday school teachers?

00:18:06Yeah.

00:18:08A little witch.

00:18:10She must have thought she was riding with some fall guy.

00:18:14A me who's been booking horses around race tracks since I was 20.

00:18:18I've known a million dames like her.

00:18:20Two million.

00:18:21Yeah.

00:18:21Stopped the car, opened the door.

00:18:27Taken on the art of Duffy's sister, I told her.

00:18:29That's the stuff.

00:18:30As I was done, huh?

00:18:33But if you want to see a real scar, brother,

00:18:35get a load of this.

00:18:38Wow.

00:18:40I got that one doing.

00:18:41Dueling?

00:18:43Yeah, we're just kidding, of course.

00:18:45My dad owned a couple of Franco-Prussian sabers.

00:18:47Kept them on the wall for decorations.

00:18:49Well, one day, the other kid and I took them down.

00:18:52The old man wasn't around.

00:18:54Had a duel.

00:18:56You got me in the arm here.

00:18:58Pretty mean cut.

00:19:00Confection sat in later.

00:19:02Yeah, I can see that.

00:19:04Now, give me that box again, will you?

00:19:05Yeah.

00:19:05The pain made me lose my head, I guess.

00:19:20I began slashing.

00:19:22Before I knew it, I'd put the other kid's eye out.

00:19:25That was tough.

00:19:27Well, it was just an accident, of course.

00:19:29Do you know how kids are?

00:19:30I got scared, decided I was going to run away from home.

00:19:33The old man almost caught me when I was packing my duds.

00:19:37The bloody rag I had wrapped around my wrist

00:19:39hadn't caught his attention.

00:19:41You've seen the bundle for sure.

00:19:44But I beat him when he was phoning for a doctor.

00:19:47I was 15, 16 years ago.

00:19:49I haven't been home since.

00:19:50Pull in there for a bite or something, huh?

00:19:57A bite or something.

00:19:59Brother, was I hungry.

00:20:01I hadn't had anything in my stomach for hours.

00:20:04Yet even with that gnawing in the pit of my belly,

00:20:06I didn't want to be in too big a rush to put on the feedback.

00:20:10First, I had to make sure this guy knew the score.

00:20:12If I got him down on me, I'd buy a ticket to Hollywood.

00:20:16I'll wait out here for you, mister.

00:20:18If it's the money, don't worry about paying for it.

00:20:20This time it's on me.

00:20:21Well, that's why you're...

00:20:22Pascal, take nothing of it.

00:20:23You make your first million, maybe you can do the same for me.

00:20:25Come on, New York.

00:20:26I gotta make the West Coast by Wednesday.

00:20:28There's a horse running in Santa Anita named Powered Bicycle.

00:20:31You can sell to me if I'm on him.

00:20:32You'll make it, all right.

00:20:35He did most of the talking during the half hour we were in the place.

00:20:39I ate.

00:20:40He rambled on about his old man,

00:20:42whom he hadn't heard from since he ran away as a kid.

00:20:45And how he happened to become a bookie.

00:20:47And then all about how he got rooked in Miami.

00:20:50One race, 38 grand.

00:20:51They cleaned out my book.

00:20:52How do you like that?

00:20:54That was tough luck.

00:20:55Yeah, and I'm supposed to be the smart guy.

00:20:57Will you just wait?

00:20:58I'm going back to Florida next season with all kinds of jack.

00:21:00And you'll watch those stinkers run for cover.

00:21:03Do you want anything else?

00:21:04No, thanks.

00:21:05I've had plenty.

00:21:11Did I check there, sister?

00:21:16Oh, just a minute.

00:21:17Your change, sir.

00:21:18Keep it, sister.

00:21:19Oh, thank you.

00:21:20Say call again.

00:21:21I'll be waiting outside for you when you finish work.

00:21:24Sharp check, huh?

00:21:25I drove all that night while Haskell slept like a log.

00:21:37After a while, I began to get sleepy myself.

00:21:39I was happy, though.

00:21:43Soon I'd be with Sue again.

00:21:46The long trip was practically over, and I'd be no more hoofing it down the concrete.

00:21:50I began to think of the future, which couldn't have been brighter if I'd embroidered it with neon lights.

00:21:57It was nice to think of Sue shooting to the top.

00:22:01It's amazing what a full belly can do to your imagination.

00:22:03Your eyes are blue, your kisses, too.

00:22:12I never knew what they could do.

00:22:16I can't believe that you're in love with me.

00:22:25You're telling everyone you know

00:22:29I'm on your mind each place you go.

00:22:33I can't believe that you're in love with me.

00:22:55Mr. Haskell.

00:22:58Mr. Haskell.

00:22:59Mr. Haskell, wake up.

00:23:03It's raining.

00:23:05Don't you think we ought to stop and put up the top?

00:23:15Mr. Haskell, I'm going to put up the top.

00:23:17To you.

00:23:32Until then, I'd done things my way.

00:23:34But from then on, something else stepped in and shunted me off to a different destination than the one I had picked for myself.

00:23:40The one I pulled open that door.

00:23:46Mr. Haskell, what's the matter? Are you hurt? Are you hurt, Mr. Haskell?

00:23:52Start yourself. I'll listen to it.

00:23:56But I know what you're gonna hand me even before you open your mouths.

00:23:59You're gonna tell me you don't believe my story of how Haskell died and give me that don't-make-me-laugh expression on your smug faces.

00:24:08I saw it once, he was dead. And I was in for it.

00:24:12Who would believe he fell out of the car?

00:24:14Why, if Haskell came too, which of course he couldn't, even he would swear I conked him over the head for his dough.

00:24:18Yes, I was in for it.

00:24:20Instinct told me to run. But then I realized it was hopeless.

00:24:24There were lots of people back down the road who could identify me.

00:24:25That gas station guy and the waitress.

00:24:28I would be in a worse spot then, trying to explain why I beat it.

00:24:31The next possibility was to sit tight and tell the truth when the cops came.

00:24:34But that would be crazy.

00:24:36They'd laugh at the truth.

00:24:37Not having my head in the noose.

00:24:41So what else was there to do but hide the body and get away in the car?

00:24:44I couldn't leave the car there with him in the gully.

00:24:46That would be like erecting a tombstone.

00:24:47That would be like erecting a tombstone.

00:24:48That would be like erecting a tombstone.

00:24:49That would be like erecting a tombstone.

00:24:50That would be like pink.

00:24:51I wasn't black.

00:24:52Don't you hog him?

00:24:53That would be novel for you.

00:24:54Little, rehearsing.

00:24:55All the rented body was practised too well.

00:24:57All I did wasulture.

00:24:59What about theрипs?

00:25:05He did not need no peanut butter.

00:25:07Well,圧 App surprise to.

00:25:08No people really need and write the vaccines to jail and daughter.

00:25:09The Dustin PhD at the Carp Cosco's will not do anything.

00:25:11But theì, not even.

00:25:13There are lots of poets.

00:25:14They did not move to 77ai.

00:25:15And his aunt look founded as well so fair.

00:25:16We are not sure that his aunt融 remained come from a gallery.

00:25:18That is quite Irish.

00:25:19But then I remembered that even if I only drove the car for a hundred miles or so, I would need money for gas.

00:25:24Besides, it was stupid of me to leave all that money on a dead man.

00:25:28Not only that, I'd have to take his driver's license in case I was stopped for something.

00:25:34I didn't like to think about it, but by that time I'd done just what the police would say I did, even if I didn't.

00:25:40My clothes. The owner of such an expensive car would never be wearing them.

00:25:45Some cop might pull me in on suspicion.

00:25:49I don't know.

00:26:13Hey you, this your car?

00:26:15Don't you know better than to leave a car with the wheels halfway in the middle of the road?

00:26:17That's the way accidents happen.

00:26:20I'm sorry, officer. I was just putting up my top. I didn't think.

00:26:24Well, the next time think. I'll let you go now, but watch your step in the future.

00:26:28I know that's a lonely stretch, but cars come by here once in a while and we have plenty of crack-ups.

00:26:31Plenty of crack-ups.

00:26:32Thanks.

00:26:33I left nothing in the car to give me away his robber's. If they found a dead man in the gully now, it would be me.

00:26:34Thanks.

00:26:35Thanks.

00:26:36I left nothing in the car to give me away his robber's. If they found a dead man in the gully now, it would be me.

00:26:37I left nothing in the car to give me away his robber's. If they found a dead man in the gully now, it would be me.

00:26:38I left nothing in the car to give me away his robber's. If they found a dead man in the gully now, it would be me.

00:26:58As I drove off, it was still raining, and the drop streaked down the windshield like tears. I kept imagining I was being followed, that I could hear sirens back in the distance. Just how long it took me to cover the 60-odd miles to the California city.

00:27:08I was just walking in the car to give me away his robber's. If they found a dead man in the gully now, it would be me.

00:27:13As I drove off, it was still raining, and the drop streaked down the windshield like tears. I kept imagining I was being followed, that I could hear sirens back in the distance.

00:27:24Just how long it took me to cover the 60-odd miles to the California state line, I don't know. I lost all track of time. But the rain had stopped, and the sun was up when I pulled up to the inspection station.

00:27:41Hello.

00:27:42Carrying any fruits or vegetables?

00:27:44No.

00:27:45Any livestock or poultry?

00:27:46No.

00:27:48Let's see your registration and driver's license, please.

00:27:54Anything in the baggage compartment?

00:27:57What's baggage?

00:28:00Charles Haskell, Jr., age, 30 brown eyes, dark hair, identifying marks, none.

00:28:05Are you Charles Haskell, Jr.?

00:28:07Yes.

00:28:08Well, remember, if you're employed and you stay over 30 days, you take out California plates.

00:28:11All right, officer, but I'll only be in the state a short while.

00:28:15Right, you can go now.

00:28:17I couldn't drive any farther without some sleep, cops or no cops. I knew I had to hit the hay and hit it hard. I was dead tired.

00:28:34I'm tired.

00:28:59No, no, you can't, Mr. Haskell, no, Mr. Haskell, he can't die, I think, I think I did it, no, Mr. Haskell, no,

00:29:29right?

00:29:45Who's there?

00:29:47It's the maid, can I come in and clean?

00:29:49Later, in a half hour.

00:29:51All right, sir.

00:30:17There was no time to lose.

00:30:19Every minute I had to be Charles Haskell was dangerous.

00:30:21And I'd have to be Charles Haskell until I got to some city

00:30:24where I could leave the car and be swallowed up.

00:30:31That meant driving the car as far as San Bernardino,

00:30:34maybe even to Los Angeles.

00:30:36In a little town I might be noticed,

00:30:37but in a city I should be safe enough.

00:30:40Then, after I ditched the car, I could go on to Sue.

00:30:44But those five minutes at the state line

00:30:46made me realize it might be a good idea

00:30:49to find out a little bit about Mr. Haskell.

00:30:51Then, if anybody asked me questions,

00:30:53I could give the right answers.

00:30:55The first thing I found out was that I had $768.

00:30:59This was a lot of jack.

00:31:01But believe me,

00:31:03it was the kind of money I'd rather not have.

00:31:05And then I found out from a letter Haskell was carting around in his bag

00:31:16that he wasn't the open-handed, easy-going big shot

00:31:19who went around buying dinners for strange hitchhikers.

00:31:22Before I got done reading it, I saw him more as a chiseler.

00:31:26It was written to his old man in California,

00:31:28the one he hadn't seen in so many years.

00:31:32In it, Haskell posed as a salesman of hymnals, of all things.

00:31:37It was easy to see where Haskell expected to raise a new stake

00:31:40for his book in Miami,

00:31:42by rooking his old man.

00:31:44That was about all I found out from his effects.

00:31:48And it was enough.

00:31:50I told myself,

00:31:52maybe old man Haskell was lucky his son kicked off.

00:31:56He would never know it,

00:31:57but it saved him from taking a flyer

00:31:59in sacred literature preferred.

00:32:01Near the airport at Desert Center,

00:32:28I pulled up for water.

00:32:29But there was a woman.

00:32:36Hey, you!

00:32:37Come on if you want a ride.

00:32:59How far are you going?

00:33:10How far are you going?

00:33:14How far are you going?

00:33:16That took me by surprise and I turned my head to look her over.

00:33:32She was facing straight ahead so I couldn't see her eyes.

00:33:35But she was young, not more than 24.

00:33:40Man, she looked as if she'd just been thrown off the crummiest freight train in the world.

00:33:45Yet in spite of this, I got the impression of beauty.

00:33:49Not the beauty of a movie actress, mind you,

00:33:51or the beauty you dream about when you're with your wife,

00:33:54but a natural beauty.

00:33:55A beauty that's almost homely because it's so real.

00:33:58Then suddenly she turned to face me.

00:34:02How far did you say you were going?

00:34:04Los Angeles.

00:34:06L.A.?

00:34:06L.A. is good enough for me, mister.

00:34:09That's what I was afraid of.

00:34:11What did you say?

00:34:12Oh, nothing.

00:34:13Just thinking out loud.

00:34:14People get in trouble for doing that.

00:34:17What's your name?

00:34:18You can call me Vera, if you like.

00:34:20You live in Los Angeles?

00:34:22No.

00:34:24Where you coming from?

00:34:25Oh, back there.

00:34:27Needles?

00:34:28No.

00:34:29Oh, sure.

00:34:30Phoenix.

00:34:31You look just like a Phoenix girl.

00:34:33Are the girls in Phoenix that bad?

00:34:35The girl must have been pretty tired

00:34:36because she fell asleep not 20 minutes after she stepped into the car.

00:34:41She lay sprawled out with her head resting against the far door,

00:34:44like Haskell.

00:34:45I didn't like that part of it much.

00:34:48But I didn't wake her up.

00:34:50It wasn't that this girl still worried me.

00:34:52I'd gotten over that funny feeling I had when she looked at me,

00:34:55which I put down as just my jangled nerves.

00:34:58With her eyes closed, the testus gone out of it.

00:35:02She seemed harmless enough.

00:35:04And instead of disliking her, I began to feel sorry for her.

00:35:08The poor kid probably had had a rough time of living here.

00:35:11Who was she, anyway?

00:35:13And why was she going to Los Angeles?

00:35:16And where'd she come from in the first place?

00:35:18The only thing I knew about her was her name.

00:35:21Not that it made any difference.

00:35:22A few hours more and we'd be in Hollywood.

00:35:25I'd forget where I parked the car and look up Sue.

00:35:28This nightmare of being a dead man would be over.

00:35:31Who this dame was?

00:35:32Well, it was no business of mine.

00:35:34Where did you leave this body?

00:35:36Where did you leave the owner of this car?

00:35:38You're not fooling anyone.

00:35:40This buggy belongs to a guy named Haskell.

00:35:42That's not you, mister.

00:35:43You're out of your mind.

00:35:44That's my name, Charles Haskell.

00:35:46I can prove it.

00:35:46He's my driver's license.

00:35:47Save yourself the trouble, mister.

00:35:49Having Haskell's wallet only makes it worse.

00:35:51It just so happens I rode with Charlie Haskell.

00:35:53All the way from Louisiana.

00:35:55He picked me up outside of Shreveport.

00:35:56You rode?

00:35:58You heard me.

00:35:59Then it all came back to me.

00:36:01All the talk about dueling and scars and scratches.

00:36:04There was no doubt about it.

00:36:06Vera must be the woman Haskell had mentioned.

00:36:09She must have passed me while I slept.

00:36:11Well?

00:36:13Well, I'm waiting.

00:36:14My goose was cooked.

00:36:16She had me.

00:36:18That Haskell guy wasn't dead yet.

00:36:20He wasn't stretched out stiff and cold in any Arizona gully.

00:36:23He was sitting right there in the car laughing like mad while he haunted me.

00:36:26Well?

00:36:29There was nothing I could say.

00:36:32It was her move.

00:36:33Vera, whatever her name was,

00:36:35it was just my luck picking her up on the road.

00:36:38It couldn't have been Helen or Mary or Evelyn or Ruth.

00:36:42It had to be the very last person I should ever have met.

00:36:46That's life.

00:36:48Whichever way you turn, fate sticks out a foot to trip you.

00:36:50I told her everything, but she didn't believe my story.

00:36:59I should have saved my breath.

00:37:00That's the greatest cock and ball story I ever heard.

00:37:03So he fell out of his car.

00:37:05Say, who do you think you're talking to, a hick?

00:37:07Listen, mister, I've been around.

00:37:09And I know a wrong guy when I see one.

00:37:11What'd you do, kiss him with a wrench?

00:37:12Now, wait a minute.

00:37:13What I told you was true.

00:37:14You see, that's why I had to do it.

00:37:16You think I killed him.

00:37:17Well, the cops would have thought so, too.

00:37:19Yeah, well, maybe they still think so.

00:37:21What makes you so sure I'll shut up about this?

00:37:24Vera, I'm innocent.

00:37:25Give me a break, will you?

00:37:28It won't do me any good having you pinched.

00:37:30The cops are no friends of mine.

00:37:32Now, if there was a reward, but there isn't.

00:37:35Thanks.

00:37:36Don't thank me yet.

00:37:37I'm not through with you by a long shot.

00:37:40Let's see that roll.

00:37:46Is that all Haskell had?

00:37:49Isn't it enough?

00:37:50No, I thought he had more.

00:37:51Not that I know of.

00:37:52You can search me and think I'm holding out on you.

00:37:53Well, maybe I will at that.

00:37:55He told me he was going to bet $3,000 on a horse named Paradisical on Wednesday at Santa Anita.

00:38:00He was stringing you along.

00:38:01He meant $300.

00:38:02Maybe.

00:38:02Sure, $3,000, $300.

00:38:04He was a piece of cheese, a big blowhard.

00:38:06Listen, mister, don't try and tell me anything about Charlie Haskell.

00:38:09Remember, I knew him better than you did.

00:38:11Okay, then you knew he was a four-flusher.

00:38:12That explains the three grand bet.

00:38:13I'm not so sure he didn't have that three grand.

00:38:16Why should I believe you?

00:38:18You got all the earmarks of a cheap crook.

00:38:20Now, wait a minute.

00:38:21You're a cheap crook and you killed him.

00:38:23For two cents, I'd change my mind and turn you in.

00:38:25I don't like you.

00:38:26All right, all right.

00:38:27Don't get sore.

00:38:28I'm not getting sore.

00:38:29But just remember who's boss around here.

00:38:31If you shut up and don't give me any arguments, you'll have nothing to worry about.

00:38:34But if you act wise, well, mister, you'll pop into jail so fast it'll give you the bends.

00:38:39I'm not arguing.

00:38:39See that you don't.

00:38:40You know, as crooked as you look, I'd hate to see a fella as young as you wind up sniffing that perfume that Arizona hands out free to murderers.

00:38:47I'm not a murderer.

00:38:48Of course you're not.

00:38:49Haskell knocked his own head off.

00:38:50He fell.

00:38:51That's how it happened.

00:38:51Just like I told you.

00:38:52Sure.

00:38:52And then he made you a present of his belongings.

00:38:54I explained why I had to do that.

00:38:56Doesn't make a difference one way or another.

00:38:57I'm not a mourner.

00:38:59I liked Haskell even less than I like you.

00:39:01Yeah, I saw what you did to him.

00:39:03What do you mean?

00:39:04Well, scratches on his wrist.

00:39:05Sure, I scratched him.

00:39:07Oh, so you did.

00:39:09So your idea was to drive the car a little way, maybe into San Bernardino and then leave it.

00:39:15You weren't going to sell it?

00:39:16Sell it?

00:39:17You think I'm crazy, somebody else's car?

00:39:19See, all I want to do is leave it somewhere and forget I ever saw it.

00:39:22Not only don't you have any scruples, you don't have any brains.

00:39:25I don't get you.

00:39:26Maybe it's a good thing you met me.

00:39:27You'd have got yourself caught sure.

00:39:29Why, you dope.

00:39:31Don't you know a deserted automobile always rates an investigation?

00:39:34Huh?

00:39:35Look, the cops find a car.

00:39:37Then they get curious.

00:39:38They wonder where the owner is.

00:39:40So all right, they don't trace Haskell.

00:39:42They trace you.

00:39:44I never thought of that.

00:39:45The only safe way to get rid of the car is to sell it to a dealer.

00:39:48Get it registered under a new name.

00:39:50Say, stop at the next door.

00:39:52I want to get a bottle and do some shopping before we hit L.A.

00:39:55Okay.

00:39:55Since we find a place, I'll drop you off and pick you up later.

00:39:58Nothing doing.

00:39:59You're coming in, too.

00:40:00From now on, you and I are like the Siamese twins.

00:40:03Yeah, but it's your way.

00:40:04I don't get the point.

00:40:05The point is, I don't want you to get lost.

00:40:07I'm not going to beat it if that's what you're afraid of.

00:40:09I'll say you're not.

00:40:10Well, I'm going to see that you sell this car so you don't get caught.

00:40:13Thanks.

00:40:14Of course, your interest wouldn't be financial, would it?

00:40:17You wouldn't want a small percentage of the profits.

00:40:20Well, now that you insist, how can I refuse?

00:40:23A hundred percent will do.

00:40:24I'm fine.

00:40:25I'm relieved.

00:40:26I thought for a moment you were going to take it all.

00:40:28I don't want to be a hog.

00:40:30A few hours later, we were in Hollywood.

00:40:34And I was recognizing places Sue had written about.

00:40:37It struck me that far from being at the end of the trip, there was a greater distance between

00:40:41Sue and me than when I started out.

00:40:43Fero wasn't kidding with that Siamese twins crack.

00:40:48She rented a little apartment as Mrs. Charles Haskell.

00:40:52When I objected to this, she explained that it was on account of the car.

00:40:56A dealer might think something was funny if he called and found we were using different names.

00:41:05Home, sweet home.

00:41:06Yeah.

00:41:07Not bad either.

00:41:08Yeah.

00:41:13In case there's any doubt in your mind, I'll take the bedroom.

00:41:19Yeah.

00:41:21Sure is stuffy in here.

00:41:31Keep the window shut.

00:41:32Okay.

00:41:35The old crow downstairs said there's a phone in bed behind this door.

00:41:43You know how to work it?

00:41:49I invented it.

00:41:54Some joint.

00:41:56One can't have everything.

00:42:02I'm first in the bathtub.

00:42:04I don't know why, but I figured you would be.

00:42:07I don't know why.

00:42:13Boy, oh boy.

00:42:19It sure feels good to be clean again.

00:42:22I must be ten pounds lighter.

00:42:24You must be.

00:42:27Well, hitch and rides isn't exactly the way you keep your school, girl complexion.

00:42:34I wish that guy with the sacks would give up.

00:42:38It gets on my nerves.

00:42:39Forget it.

00:42:45Have a drink.

00:42:47Aren't you afraid I might take you up on it?

00:42:51I didn't want to give you a drink.

00:42:52I wouldn't have offered it.

00:42:55Why be as sorry, Roberts?

00:42:56You got yourself into this thing.

00:42:59You should be grateful I'm not turning you in.

00:43:02Why, if I wasn't regular, you'd be in the pen this minute.

00:43:04Being photographed, fingerprinted, and being pushed around by the cops.

00:43:07So, cheer up.

00:43:09Get rid of that long puss.

00:43:13Or is your conscience bothering you?

00:43:20No.

00:43:21It isn't.

00:43:23Swirl.

00:43:23That's the spirit.

00:43:26He's dead and no moment around will bring him back.

00:43:32Anyway, I never could understand this worrying about something that's over and done with.

00:43:35Now, look, Vera, for the last time, I didn't kill him.

00:43:38Haskell was a sick man.

00:43:39Maybe he was dead before he fell out of the car.

00:43:40I don't know.

00:43:41Sure, sure.

00:43:42He died of old age.

00:43:44All right.

00:43:46So if it'll make you sociable,

00:43:49you didn't kill him.

00:44:02Thanks.

00:44:05We're out of liquor, Roberts.

00:44:15Yeah.

00:44:17Too bad.

00:44:18I felt like getting tight tonight.

00:44:20Well, I think he succeeded.

00:44:22Am I tight?

00:44:24As a prima donna's corset.

00:44:26That's good.

00:44:27I wanted to get tight.

00:44:29Why?

00:44:30What have you got to get tight about?

00:44:31Oh, I don't know.

00:44:33A few things.

00:44:37You should have my worries.

00:44:39If I had your troubles, I'd stay sober.

00:44:41And I've got the key to that door.

00:44:46Yeah.

00:44:48Maybe you're right.

00:44:49I'm always right.

00:44:52You know, I don't like your attitude, Roberts.

00:44:55Well, there's a lot of things I don't like.

00:44:58Shit.

00:45:02But life's like a ball game.

00:45:04You've got to take a swing at whatever comes along

00:45:06before you wake up and find it's a ninth inning.

00:45:09You read that some?

00:45:10That's a true, Roberts.

00:45:12All you do is bellyache.

00:45:14Taking it easy and trying to make the bits of things.

00:45:17Maybe that's what's wrong with the whole world.

00:45:21Get the professor.

00:45:22People knock themselves out trying to buck fate.

00:45:25Now, take you, for instance.

00:45:26You're lucky to be alive.

00:45:28Why, suppose Haskell had opened your door.

00:45:31You'd be playing a harp now.

00:45:32Think of that.

00:45:35You think of it.

00:45:36I'm tired of thinking.

00:45:38There's plenty of people dying this minute.

00:45:41I would give anything to trade places with you.

00:45:43I know what I'm talking about.

00:45:48I'm not so sure.

00:45:50At least they know they're done for.

00:45:52They don't have to sweat blood wondering if they are.

00:45:56Your philosophy stinks, pal.

00:45:59We all know we're going to kick off someday.

00:46:02It's only a question of when.

00:46:05But what got us on this subject anyway?

00:46:08We'll be discussing politics next.

00:46:11Yeah.

00:46:13Where'd you hide the butts?

00:46:15On the table, sucker.

00:46:25We bored each other with conversation for a couple of hours longer.

00:46:29Every five minutes, one of us was wishing we had another bottle or a radio or something to read.

00:46:35Then finally, we ran out of chatter.

00:46:38I know it's only 11 o'clock, but I want to get up early and make the rounds of the used car lots.

00:46:41No worry about that.

00:46:43We've got all the time in the world.

00:46:44Maybe you have, but if you think I want to stay cooped up in this place any longer than I have to, you're batting.

00:46:48It's not a bad place.

00:46:50We pay plenty for diggings like this in New York.

00:46:52I wouldn't like it if it was the Ritz.

00:46:58Rock me, liquor.

00:46:59You got a mean cough.

00:47:01I ought to do something about it.

00:47:02I'll be all right.

00:47:04That's what Camille said.

00:47:06Who?

00:47:07Nobody you know.

00:47:08Wasn't that the day in the dot of consumption?

00:47:14Yeah.

00:47:16Wouldn't it be a break for you if I did kick off?

00:47:19You'd be free with all Haskell's dough and car.

00:47:22I don't want to see anybody die.

00:47:24Not even me.

00:47:26Especially not you.

00:47:28One person died of me.

00:47:29If you did, well, that's all I need.

00:47:32You don't like me, do you, Roberts?

00:47:37Like you.

00:47:40I love you.

00:47:42My favorite sport is being kept prisoner.

00:47:45After we sell the car, you can go to blazes for all I care.

00:47:48But not until then.

00:47:56I'm going to bed.

00:48:02Good night, Roberts.

00:48:07Don't try and sneak away during the night.

00:48:09All the doors are locked.

00:48:11Anyway, if I find you gone in the morning,

00:48:13I'll notify the police.

00:48:14They'll pick you up.

00:48:15Don't worry.

00:48:15I know why I'm in the spot.

00:48:18Well, good night.

00:48:19I hope that portable rack isn't too uncomfortable for you.

00:48:22Don't lose any sleep over it.

00:48:23Don't lose any sleep over it.

00:48:32Don't lose any sleep over it.

00:48:46Crest fuel.

00:49:02Six, five, seven, two, three.

00:49:15Hello?

00:49:16Hello?

00:49:17Hello?

00:49:18Hello?

00:49:19Hello?

00:49:20Hello?

00:49:21No.

00:49:22Not yet, darling.

00:49:23Tomorrow.

00:49:24Maybe.

00:49:29If this were fiction, I would fall in love with Vera, marry her and make a respectable

00:49:45woman of her, or else she'd make some supreme class A sacrifice for me and die.

00:49:52Sue and I would bawl a little over her grave and make some crack about there's good in

00:49:55all of us.

00:49:56But Vera, unfortunately, was just as rotten in the morning as she'd been the night before.

00:50:02All right, all right.

00:50:03I'm coming.

00:50:04Look, Vera, it's almost noon.

00:50:05So what?

00:50:06The dealers will be there all day?

00:50:07They'll be there all year, too, but it doesn't wait that long.

00:50:08Shut up.

00:50:09You make us like a husband.

00:50:10Well, do I rate a whistle?

00:50:11You sure do, but let's go.

00:50:12Let's go.

00:50:13Let's go.

00:50:14Let's go.

00:50:15Let's go.

00:50:16I spent 85 bucks and two hours preparing bait, and all you can say is let's go.

00:50:20Come on.

00:50:22We've had a few used car lots last night down this way.

00:50:26What do you think we can get for this heap?

00:50:27I don't know.

00:50:28Plenty.

00:50:29He's let me handle that.

00:50:30Oh, it's a good one.

00:50:31It's a good one.

00:50:32I know.

00:50:33I know.

00:50:34You've got a lot of money.

00:50:35I know.

00:50:36I know.

00:50:37Yeah.

00:50:38I know.

00:50:39You might have to take a lot of money.

00:50:40this heap i don't know plenty he's let me handle everything think we can get two thousand dollars

00:50:45i don't know but don't worry i'll squeeze as much out of this guy as i can i'll let it go cheap

00:50:50without a fight he might think we've stolen the car and listen don't make any slips and call me

00:50:55roberts that'll cook us i don't need you to tell me that you better just sit by and keep your mouth

00:51:01closed remember we're both in the soup if anything happens forget it and drive you're my wife vera

00:51:06haskell look after the deals close let's go back to that place on hollywood boulevard where i saw the

00:51:12fur jacket i won't buy it after the deals close i'm saying goodbye to you that's right i forgot

00:51:19i guess i'm getting kind of used to you well that's a habit you can start breaking let's try this place

00:51:25in the middle of block good afternoon what can i do for you we're interested in selling a car

00:51:36if the price is right well if it's in good mechanical condition it should blue book for about

00:51:441600. tony take a look at this motor 1600 are you kidding

00:51:49well maybe 1850 before i let it go for 1850 i'll wreck it and collect the insurance first

00:52:11lady this border's seen a lot of driving

00:52:19while the mechanic inspected the car we haggled at last when we were all worn out we hit a compromise

00:52:26his price

00:52:31okay it's a deal all right come on we'll sign the papers i have the ownership papers right here with

00:52:35me look vera in the meantime will you clean a dash compartment maybe some stuff in it all right darling

00:52:41you

00:52:54in new york huh yeah but you bought the car in miami yeah

00:53:00well let's see about the insurance we can either have it transferred or cancelled uh what kind of

00:53:05insurance do you have mr haskell well uh aren't all the papers there

00:53:13i don't see any surely you know what type of insurance you carry in the car the name of the

00:53:18company yeah but uh well if you'll just tell me the name of the company i'd be very glad to take

00:53:23care of all the details well did you sign the papers yet not yet well don't uh we're not selling

00:53:29the car well wait a minute miss pasco come on darling what's the matter change your mind yes i'm

00:53:34sorry i guess i have but vera let's go

00:53:42you got me out of a tight spot vera but i still don't understand all this you will in a minute

00:53:47i almost threw away a gold mine 1850 isn't to be sneezed at the car doesn't book for as much as i

00:53:52thought we're not selling the car you want to keep it now wait a minute vera you said yourself i

00:53:57wouldn't be safe until the car was in someone else's name i'd like to be free of this mess when

00:54:01i go that's just it roberts you're not going there's a driver in the next corner pull in there

00:54:07and we'll get a bite to eat now i'll explain what is this another one of your brilliant ideas

00:54:18oh may i take your order make mine a ham sandwich and coffee and for you sir oh i don't care the same

00:54:23thank you get this vera i've been pretty patient so far i've done everything you asked me to do but

00:54:36no more shut up you've taken haskell's money you can have the dough we get from selling the car

00:54:41but you're not going to keep me a prisoner it's a good thing i bought the paper take a look at that

00:54:44fear i'm in no mood read that

00:54:57no yes no i won't do it yes you will you think i'm crazy it's impossible i tell you excuse me

00:55:10blow the horn when you're through

00:55:14no one could possibly get away with an act like that be wise to me in a minute don't be yellow

00:55:19you look enough like him the same coloring in the same build see how his clothes fit you

00:55:23no kidding you almost had me fooled for a while oh grow up vera don't you think a father knows his

00:55:28own son and there must be other relatives so father won't have to know you we'll wait

00:55:31till he gives up the ghost he's an old geezer and he won't pull through and as far as other

00:55:35relatives are concerned they haven't seen you in 15 or 20 years

00:55:38eat i'm not hungry and i won't do it it's not as tough as it sounds remember you've got all kinds

00:55:46of identification his car letters like i could never get away with it it's the stupidest thing

00:55:50i've ever heard the old boy has scads of dough look in the paper there personal fortune assessed at

00:55:55over 15 million he'll leave plenty i tell you maybe cut off his son how do we know it's out vera

00:56:01i won't have anything to do with it i think you will look vera i'll do anything within reason

00:56:09but not that so forget it find yourself another stooge you sack you'll be fixed for the rest of

00:56:14your life as charlie haskell you can take your inheritance and go away no more worrying about

00:56:19the rent no sweating scheming wondering where your next meal's coming from think about that roberts vera

00:56:24please you're talking too loud unless i'm splitting 50 50 with you sure why not we're both alike both

00:56:29born the same guy now take it easy vera there's people around here you don't know where you're

00:56:33talking to well wait till we read that old man haskell's dead and you show up like you read in

00:56:39new york that he was sick no suppose he doesn't die he will i know he will something tells me

00:56:48but as much as i insisted i would have no part of her scheme vera was taking it for granted i would

00:56:53neither of us had our mind on the cards as we played that night i knew we were just trying to

00:57:00kill time between newspaper editions this was a death watch for vera maybe it was for me too

00:57:08don't you realize if i'm caught they'll want to know where i got the car and stuff and they'll have

00:57:12me on a murder charge if you're smart you won't get caught i knocked with seven and if i'm caught

00:57:16don't you realize you'll be out too eighteen points that gives me thirty how will i be out

00:57:24you'll be out eighteen hundred and fifty dollars we would have gotten on the car really vera you'd be

00:57:28an awful chump you threw away all that dough and a dizzy long shot let me sell the bus tomorrow with

00:57:32the money it'll bring and what you've already got a clever kid like you can run it up in no time

00:57:35then we'd both be in the clear i'll be in the clear anyway maybe maybe but if i got caught

00:57:41i'd get couldn't sort you you know you mean you'd squeal well no not squeal exactly never mind what

00:57:47you meant even if you did tell the cops i was in on it with you what could they do to me

00:57:54they might give me the same medicine they gave you yeah a rope

00:58:01but i'm on my way now

00:58:05i'll be doing we'll be rushing it all right but think the 1850 you lose you'd kick yourself

00:58:10along the block let get away from you i'll take the chance want another drink you're being a goon

00:58:16that's the way people wind up behind the eight ball once they get a few dollars they become greedy and

00:58:20want more my my caesar oh you know that roman general he got his for being greedy he wasn't

00:58:27satisfied so the final wind-up was he took the count a couple of days ago you didn't have a dime

00:58:32why you were so broke you couldn't pay cash for a post-it stamp now you've got almost 700

00:58:36dollars with 1850 in the offing take my advice don't try for more i'm tired of this game let's

00:58:41have some blackjack play solitaire okay i will if that's the way you feel about it that's the way

00:58:45i feel about getting sore and throwing things won't help much roberts i'm really doing you a favor

00:58:50i help you out of the jam by keeping my mouth shut i show you how to make some soft money and what

00:58:54thanks do i get thanks sure i would rather call the cops and tell them you killed a man and stole

00:58:58his money yes you did no i didn't you know i didn't all right then suppose i call the cops

00:59:07pure innocent what do you got to be scared of okay call them but go ahead and call them see if i care

00:59:13at least they'll give me a square deal you want me to call them you heard me but i'm warning you if

00:59:18i'm pinched i'll swear you were in on it i'll say that you help me if i fry i'll get even with you

00:59:24you wouldn't dare you again yeah and try it and see call them yeah okay i will

00:59:44information i want the number of the hollywood police station

00:59:49okay i got it thanks wait a minute vera you wouldn't do that you wouldn't do that i'll show

00:59:59you if i would take it easy now let's talk this over this was early in the evening and the conversation

01:00:04while hectic was at least pitched low but as the minutes passed and more obstacles to her plan popped

01:00:11into my head the air got blue each word coming from our lips cracked like a whip i reminded her that as

01:00:19charles haskell i didn't even know my mother's name where i'd gone to school the name of my best

01:00:24friend whether i had an aunt emma or not my religion and if i'd ever owned a dog i didn't even know what

01:00:31my middle initial stood for i also pointed out that the real haskell had a scar on his forearm

01:00:37his people never saw that scar he told me he ran away right after putting out the kid's eye

01:00:41yeah but his father knew he was cut it had to be some kind of a mark so what

01:00:44the old man's dead or will be i hope by tomorrow morning's papers anyway you could cut yourself a

01:00:52little couldn't you boy for that kind of dough i'd let you cut my leg off you're drunk and you're crazy

01:00:59mad vera turn me in if you want to but i won't get mixed up in this besides how do we know haskell was

01:01:03such a phony maybe it wasn't the man's son at all maybe he just dreamed it up well dreaming or not

01:01:08you won't be dreaming when the law attacks you on the shoulder there's a cute little gas chamber

01:01:14waiting for you roberts and i hear extradition to arizona's a cinch where's that phone

01:01:21leave me alone i want a phone call police i hate you you're a stinker you leave me alone i'll let you

01:01:31alone when you promise to leave the phone where it is you're drunk you don't know what you're doing

01:01:34you're hurting me will you promise all right

01:01:43you hurt me i'm sorry but it's hot in here open up the window it's not hot don't tell me not

01:01:50do you do it or do i do it you're no gentleman see yeah all right i'll open up the window

01:02:04door please open the door vera open the door don't use the phone listen to me i don't like you

01:02:14roberts you're no gentleman see you hurt my hand and i'm gonna get even with you if you don't open

01:02:22the door i'm gonna kick it down vera no don't call the cops listen to me i'll do anything you say

01:02:28vera let me in i'll break the phone

01:02:41the world is

01:02:55the world is full of skeptics i know i'm one myself in the haskell business how many of you

01:03:18would believe he fell out of the car and now after killing vera without really meaning to do it

01:03:21how many of you would believe it wasn't premeditated in a jury room every last man of you would go down

01:03:29shouting that she had me over a barrel and my only out was force the room was still

01:03:35so quiet that for a while i wondered if i had suddenly gone deaf

01:03:39it was pure fear of course and i was hysterical but without making a sound

01:03:45vera was dead and i was her murderer murderer what an awful word that is but i'd become one

01:03:55i'd better not get caught what evidence there was around the place had to be destroyed

01:04:00and from the looks of things there was plenty looking around the room at things we'd bought

01:04:04was like looking into the faces of a hundred people who'd seen us together and who remembered me

01:04:07this was the kind of testimony i couldn't rub out

01:04:10no i could burn clothes and hide bottles for the next five years

01:04:16there'd always be witnesses the landlady for one she could identify me the car dealer the waitress

01:04:21in the drive-in the girl in the dress shop and that guy in the liquor store

01:04:24it could all identify me

01:04:26i was cooked done for i had to get out of there

01:04:31while once i'd remain beside a dead body planning carefully how to avoid being accused of killing

01:04:37him this time i couldn't this time i was guilty i knew it felt it i was like a guy suffering from

01:04:48shock things were whirling around in my head i couldn't make myself think right all i could think

01:04:54of was the guy with the saxophone and what he was playing it wasn't a love song anymore it wasn't

01:05:01the dirt

01:05:31but my problems weren't solved i had to stay away from new york for all time because al roberts was

01:05:57listed as dead and had to stay dead and i could never go back to hollywood someone might recognize

01:06:03me as haskell then too there was sue i could never go to her with a thing like this hanging over my head

01:06:13all i could do was pray she'd be happy

01:06:29i was in bakersfield before i read that vera's body was discovered

01:06:33that the police were looking for haskell in connection with his wife's murder

01:06:36isn't that a laugh haskell got me into this mess and haskell was getting me out of it

01:06:44the police were searching for a dead man

01:06:50i keep trying to forget what happened and wonder what my life might have been if that car of haskell's

01:06:57haven't stopped but one thing i don't have to wonder about i know

01:07:06someday a car will stop to pick me up that i never thumbed

01:07:14yes fate or some mysterious force can put the finger on you or me for no good reason at all

01:07:27uh

01:07:33um

01:07:36uh

01:07:40uh

01:07:44uh

01:07:46uh

01:07:48uh

01:07:50uh

Detour (1945) – Classic Film Noir Mystery

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