He Walked By Night 1948 ★★★½ Film-noir (CC) (AI-CC)

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He Walked by Night is a 1948 American police procedural film noir directed by Alfred L. Werker and an uncredited Anthony Mann. The film, shot in a semi documentary tone, is loosely based on the real-life actions of Erwin "Machine-Gun" Walker, a former Glendale, California police department employee and World War II veteran who unleashed a crime spree of burglaries, robberies and shootouts in the Los Angeles area between 1945 and 1946.   During production, actor Jack Webb met the film's police technical advisor Marty Wynn and was inspired by a conversation with Wynn to create the radio program Dragnet, which later became the first modern police television drama.   He Walked by Night was released by Eagle-Lion Films. The film is notable for its camerawork by renowned film noir cinematographer John Alton.  Today the film is in the public domain.   Cast: Richard Basehart as Roy Martin/Roy Morgan  Scott Brady as Sgt. Marty Brennan  Roy Roberts as Captain Breen  Whit Bissell as Paul Reeves, electronics dealer  James Cardwell as Sgt. Chuck Jones  Jack Webb as Lee Whitey  Byron Foulger as Freddie (uncredited)  John Dehner as Assistant Bureau Chief (uncredited)  Kenneth Tobey as Detective (uncredited)  John McGuire as Officer Robert Rawlins (uncredited)  Reed Hadley as Narrator  Dorothy Adams as Paranoid Housewife (uncredited)

Transcript

00:01:59And because of a population made up of people from every state in the Union, Los Angeles

00:02:05is the largest police beat in the country and one of the toughest.

00:02:08We're going to take you into the city hall where police headquarters are located.

00:02:14Here in communications are the ears and voice of the police.

00:02:18The lights on the complaint board flash 24 hours a day.

00:02:21Citizens reporting a prowler, a lost child, a man molesting a woman, an auto accident,

00:02:26a wild party.

00:02:27Spend an hour or two here and you will think the whole city has gone berserk.

00:02:32Minute by minute, the orders go out to the radio cars in the far-flung divisions.

00:02:36Watts and Wilshire in West Los Angeles.

00:02:38Hollywood and Hollenbeck Heights in North Hollywood.

00:02:40The work of the police like that of woman is never done.

00:02:46This is the case history of a killer, taken from the files of the detective division.

00:02:52The facts are told here as they happen.

00:02:54The story properly starts here in Hollywood division headquarters at one o'clock of the

00:02:59June morning last year.

00:03:00Officer Robert Rollins had finished his tour of duty and signed out.

00:03:04It had been a tough day.

00:03:05He'd be glad to get home.

00:03:07His wife would be waiting up for him as she always did.

00:03:34He'd be glad to get home.

00:04:04He'd be glad to get home.

00:04:34He'd be glad to get home.

00:05:04What were you doing back at that radio shop?

00:05:08Just looking.

00:05:09I was on my way home.

00:05:11Live around here?

00:05:13Yeah, a couple blocks down.

00:05:15Let me see some identification.

00:05:17Sure.

00:05:20Yeah, I guess I forgot my wallet.

00:05:23Look, lad.

00:05:24I've got to see some identification.

00:05:26How about my army discharge?

00:05:27I got it right here.

00:05:28I got it right here.

00:05:29Let's go.

00:05:59Let's go.

00:06:295057 State Street, 5057 State Street.

00:06:32An officer has been shot.

00:06:33Sent an ambulance.

00:06:34All units.

00:06:35All units in the vicinity of State Street, Santa Monica Boulevard.

00:06:39Proceed at once to 5057 State Street, 5057 State Street.

00:06:44An officer shot.

00:06:45Code 3.

00:06:4580K to Control-1.

00:07:10Control-1 to 80K.

00:07:11Go ahead.

00:07:12This is Breen.

00:07:14Instruct homicide to throw out a drag dead and pick up all suspicious characters in the area of the shooting.

00:07:18Also notify Sergeants Marty Brennan and Chuck Jones to report to me at the scene of the crime.

00:07:23Control-1 to 80K.

00:07:25Roger.

00:07:25I see.

00:07:39Well, what have you got so far?

00:07:40Well, not much, Captain Breen.

00:07:42A couple of cartridge cases.

00:07:43Hello, Marty, Chuck.

00:07:46Hi, Captain.

00:07:48Eyewitnesses?

00:07:49Who was first on the scene reported it?

00:07:50I was.

00:07:51I live here.

00:07:52I'm a light sleeper, but my hearing is good.

00:07:55My cat is...

00:07:56Did the officer say anything before he collapsed?

00:07:58Yeah, he gave a description to the fellow.

00:08:00He was...

00:08:01On the shooting of the officer.

00:08:02Suspect is a white male American.

00:08:05Age 26 or 7.

00:08:075 feet 10 or 11.

00:08:09155 to 165 pounds.

00:08:12Brown hair.

00:08:13Regular features.

00:08:15Pencil mustache.

00:08:18Repeat broadcast.

00:08:19All units.

00:08:20Is that about it?

00:08:21Yes, sir.

00:08:22Exactly.

00:08:23And the officer kept saying, he looked like such a nice kid.

00:08:27He looked like such a nice kid.

00:08:28As if he couldn't believe what had happened to him.

00:08:33I see.

00:08:34Is that all?

00:08:34Yeah.

00:08:35Thank you very much.

00:08:36Yeah.

00:08:37Well, anything else I can do, I'd be glad to help you.

00:08:39We may call you.

00:08:40All right.

00:08:40Get his name and address for you, Bob.

00:08:45Is the store been checked, Lee?

00:08:47Yeah, it's okay, Captain.

00:08:50Find anything?

00:08:53Nothing but some smudges so far.

00:08:56Found this in the glove compartment.

00:08:58I think it's nitroglycerin.

00:09:01Doesn't look quite right.

00:09:03Well, check it down to the left.

00:09:05Right.

00:09:12Open this up, Joe.

00:09:14No key, Captain.

00:09:15Try it open.

00:09:17Give me that bar, Frank.

00:09:20Come on.

00:09:21Come on.

00:09:22Come on.

00:09:34Come on.

00:09:35Hmm.

00:09:35Regular arsenal.

00:09:37Yeah, get a load of that.

00:09:39What is it?

00:09:39I don't know.

00:09:40It looks like some kind of an electrical device.

00:09:43Land States Navy.

00:09:46Either stolen the war surplus.

00:09:48Send all this stuff down to the lab and check the serial number on that Navy equipment.

00:09:53Yes, sir.

00:09:53Captain Breen.

00:09:55We found these in the weeds over by the radio store.

00:09:58Hmm.

00:09:59What do you got?

00:10:00A pair of cloth gloves, Captain.

00:10:02Well, he thought of everything, didn't he?

00:10:04All right.

00:10:05Give them to one of the technicians.

00:10:06Yes, sir.

00:10:07Marty, you and Chuck come along with me.

00:10:09Let's go downtown and see what they picked up in the dragnet.

00:10:11Right.

00:10:12You know him, Marty?

00:10:28Yeah.

00:10:30I know his wife, too.

00:10:33Ever since high school.

00:10:37Captain, I wish you'd let Chuck and me handle this case.

00:10:40All right.

00:10:45I don't want any dead heroes.

00:10:48I just want the man who shot Rollins.

00:10:53The suspects began to arrive at headquarters in droves.

00:10:56The police tossed every motel and hotel and many private homes in a four-square-mile area around the scene of the shooting.

00:11:03Every available radio car and patrolman and detective was out on the dragnet.

00:11:07The strings were being drawn tighter and tighter.

00:11:10Many a man returning from a date or a late party or a poker game surprisingly found himself in a squad car,

00:11:17its sirens screaming as it brought him to the detective bureau.

00:11:21The dragnet gathered in some strange fish and many ordinary ones.

00:11:25All the rest of that night, the detectives probed, needles, questioned, quizzed.

00:11:33Everything was checked.

00:11:34Fingerprints, names, addresses, stories.

00:11:38Every fish in the net was examined.

00:11:40Most of them thrown back into the sea, not worth keeping.

00:11:44Except a few parole violators and slightly shady characters whose stories needed a lot of verifying.

00:11:49I wasn't prowling no cards.

00:11:51Just taking a walk.

00:11:53You know, getting in condition.

00:11:54You were running when the radio car picked you up.

00:11:57Yeah.

00:11:58Maybe that's why the guys call me Punchy.

00:12:00He's got a point there.

00:12:02Two felony convictions.

00:12:03No warrant.

00:12:04He's on parole.

00:12:05Book him.

00:12:06Violation of parole.

00:12:07Let's have the next one, Joe.

00:12:09What were you doing in that vacant lot?

00:12:12The vacant lot.

00:12:14Lot?

00:12:15What were you doing in it at that time of night?

00:12:18You say your name is Ralph Henderson.

00:12:33So what?

00:12:34Well, you know, it's a funny thing, Ralph.

00:12:36There's a guy around this town that's been wearing your fingerprints.

00:12:39Only his name is Pete Hannan.

00:12:41Okay.

00:12:42So I'm dead.

00:12:44So what's one more confession in my life?

00:12:48I'm here talking to him.

00:12:50Okay, Andy.

00:12:53Hello, Harry.

00:12:54What have we got here?

00:12:55There are some robbery suspects.

00:12:57Candidates for San Quentin.

00:12:59Handsome here is the big shot.

00:13:01He runs the outfit.

00:13:04Have a gander at his record.

00:13:06Car theft.

00:13:07Escape from reform school.

00:13:09Robbery.

00:13:10Assault with a deadly weapon.

00:13:11Not bad.

00:13:13Look at the heater we found on him.

00:13:15German Luger.

00:13:15Fully loaded.

00:13:17Redhead here tried to carve up one of the arresting officers with this pretty toy.

00:13:22Nice boys.

00:13:24By dawn, many minor wrongdoings had been uncovered.

00:13:27And a few incipient felonies.

00:13:29The checking of the suspects had been thorough, painstaking and tedious.

00:13:32But all the work was for nothing.

00:13:35The man who had shot Officer Rollins was not among them.

00:13:38He remained no more than a description.

00:13:40A shadow of a man.

00:13:42Mysterious.

00:13:43Elusive.

00:13:44Deadly.

00:13:45Hidden away somewhere in the vast city.

00:13:47As for Rollins himself, he couldn't help.

00:13:55He was in a coma at receiving hospital.

00:13:57Mrs. Rollins waited out the long, tense hours while her husband fought to live.

00:14:03Many another officer's wife had so waited.

00:14:05Many another will.

00:14:07The word came shortly after sunup.

00:14:16Oh.

00:14:17A white male American.

00:14:3326 or 7.

00:14:355 feet 10 or 11.

00:14:38155 to 165 pounds.

00:14:41Brown hair.

00:14:42Regular features.

00:14:43Pencil mustache.

00:14:44This was no frightened fugitive.

00:14:49What went on in his mind?

00:14:51Why had he set his hand against his fellow men?

00:14:54Taken the life of another.

00:14:56Of a stranger.

00:14:57Of a man who is merely doing his duty.

00:15:00He must have some plan.

00:15:02Some goal that called for sudden death to anyone who got in his way.

00:15:06He must have a man who got in his way.

00:15:07He must have a man who got in his way.

00:15:08He must have a man who got in his way.

00:15:09He must have a man who got in his way.

00:15:10He must have a man who got in his way.

00:15:11He must have a man who got in his way.

00:15:12He must have a man who got in his way.

00:15:13He must have a man who got in his way.

00:15:14He must have a man who got in his way.

00:15:15He must have a man who got in his way.

00:15:16He must have a man who got in his way.

00:15:17He must have a man who got in his way.

00:15:18He must have a man who got in his way.

00:15:19He must have a man who got in his way.

00:15:20He must have a man who got in his way.

00:15:21He must have a man who got in his way.

00:15:22He must have a man who got in his way.

00:15:23Hello?

00:15:53Good morning, boys.

00:15:55Good morning, Lee.

00:15:56Hi, Professor.

00:15:59Well, I thought this was safe cracker soup.

00:16:01You gonna drink it, I hope?

00:16:03I'm really a nice guy.

00:16:05Stick around. I'll prove it.

00:16:07Come over here.

00:16:23Hold this for me, will you, Jack?

00:16:33Now, if you'll hand me that hammer, Marty.

00:16:51Hey, Al.

00:16:53Nitroglycerin.

00:16:54I didn't ask for a collection of fingers.

00:16:56Just fingerprints.

00:16:58All those nice fingerprints on the car

00:17:00belong to the man who was stolen from, Captain.

00:17:02Nothing on the guns or pick locks.

00:17:04Not even an interesting smudge.

00:17:06The gloves.

00:17:07Common type, worn by undertakers.

00:17:10I'll check on them. They won't show anything.

00:17:12What did your scientific test show?

00:17:14Couple of little things.

00:17:16Tool identification on these pick locks.

00:17:19I got one under the scope. Want to take a look?

00:17:21Yeah.

00:17:32Take a look.

00:17:34I see.

00:17:37Well, that seems to tie the tool up with the lock.

00:17:43Now, if that microscope could only tell us who did it.

00:17:46I'm working on that.

00:17:48No, only an amateur would carry that liquid dynamite in a car.

00:17:52This boy's no amateur.

00:17:53Took the precaution of desensitizing it so it'll take normal shock.

00:17:57Took a lot of other precautions, too.

00:17:59No fingerprints.

00:18:00No identification.

00:18:01Nothing definite.

00:18:03Except he's scientific.

00:18:06Now he's electricity.

00:18:08He's inventive.

00:18:09Yeah.

00:18:10I'm happy on the trigger.

00:18:16This is Captain Breen.

00:18:17Get me Captain Stevens at burglary, will you?

00:18:20I hate to disappoint you, Lee, but I think you've come up with something.

00:18:23Uh, hello, Steve?

00:18:26How are you?

00:18:28Did your daughter's marriage come off all right?

00:18:32Good.

00:18:33Look, Steve, on those burglaries of electrical equipment lately, were there any where pick locks were used to gain entry?

00:18:41Good.

00:18:42Well, let me know if there's another report of one, will you?

00:18:47I've got an idea the Rawlins killer may be tied in with those.

00:18:52Fine.

00:18:53Uh, and, uh, give my regards to the newlyweds, too.

00:18:56So long, Steve.

00:18:59Well, what are you waiting for?

00:19:01You've got a job, haven't you?

00:19:02Get going.

00:19:03Yeah, let's go, Junior.

00:19:05Hold this for me, will you, Lee?

00:19:07Thanks.

00:19:08Thanks.

00:19:12And so, with no fingerprints and only a vague description to go by, Sergeant Brennan turned to the modus operandi file.

00:19:18A criminal, like any human being, has his own habit patterns, unconscious traits that can lead to his downfall.

00:19:24Well, there you are, Junior.

00:19:32List of burglars that use pick locks for entry.

00:19:34Oh, great.

00:19:35This narrows it down to just a couple of hundred suspects in this area.

00:19:39Give me a match, will you?

00:19:43That may not be so bad.

00:19:45This guy's improved on the system.

00:19:46Maybe he's left his trademark on some other job.

00:19:49Well, here we go, legging it all over town, asking a million questions.

00:19:52It's what you're paid for, isn't it?

00:19:54Am I paid to associate with you, too, Junior?

00:19:57You could do worse.

00:19:58Not this year.

00:19:59Come on.

00:20:00Car 12, car 1-2, in the 10,000 block on Mississippi.

00:20:20A 394-15 disturbance.

00:20:27Car 80-K, code 1.

00:20:30And with me.

00:20:31PBS.

00:20:32You are a child.

00:20:33Remember on what's going on.

00:20:34And I'm sure someone will pay your costume for her.

00:20:35Great, well, I'm grateful.

00:20:36Can you see here in this training room there?

00:20:39I will come out and ask.

00:20:43monitors and cameras, document, and the centrallock,

00:20:47are, with two furnaces.

00:20:49In this notificationň, the call to add.

00:20:53Again, if we wanted to add on the personal security.

00:20:54It was so good to be posted on the table Marit experiment to make sure that I'm

00:20:57All units, on the broadcast of the suspect arrested in the shooting of Patrolman Rawlins, cancel the cancellation.

00:21:08Suspect released from custody.

00:21:09Oh, hello, Mr. Martin.

00:21:28You find Mr. Reeves in the machine shop.

00:21:39Hello, Roy. Glad to see you.

00:21:49How are you, Mr. Reeves?

00:21:50Hi. I was hoping you'd drop in.

00:21:53I wanted to thank you for showing us how to handle that repair job.

00:21:57Helps a lot.

00:22:06Well, what have we got this time?

00:22:09Oh, it's a silver graph.

00:22:19There are plenty of these around, Roy.

00:22:22Not like this one.

00:22:25Yes, I see.

00:22:26I suppose, as usual, you've added your own improvements.

00:22:31You know, it seems wrong that a man of your talents should bother consigning equipment for rental.

00:22:37I'd like to see you devote yourself entirely to experimental electronics.

00:22:44It'll come one day.

00:22:46I'll live a place like this.

00:22:48Why wait?

00:22:50I've got a pretty good setup here.

00:22:52I have modern equipment to work with, a lab, and my confidence.

00:22:58Thanks, Mr. Reeves.

00:23:00I have other plans.

00:23:01But, Roy, you can't tell where it'll lead.

00:23:03You might even work your way around to a percentage of the business.

00:23:08I like it this way.

00:23:11You just rent out my equipment.

00:23:13All right, Roy. All right.

00:23:15What if you should change your mind?

00:23:17I'm not likely to change my mind.

00:23:20I suppose you want me to set this up for rental, too.

00:23:25Mr. Reeves?

00:23:26You've already got five pieces of my equipment.

00:23:30You'd like to know what results I've had from the rental so far, hmm?

00:23:34Well, I can't say as I buy you.

00:23:37I think you'll find this satisfactory.

00:23:41Satisfactory.

00:23:44Goodbye, Mr. Reeves.

00:23:45You'll come back again soon, won't you?

00:23:47Sure.

00:23:48Oh, incidentally.

00:23:51Oh, that television projector coming along.

00:23:52The one you said would reflect a 12-foot image.

00:23:55Still working on it.

00:23:56I just wanted you to know I've already set up a rental on it.

00:23:59In fact, I think they'd like to buy.

00:24:03It'll come pretty high.

00:24:04Oh, money's no consideration with this customer.

00:24:12Tell them we can pick it up tomorrow.

00:24:14I thought you said it wasn't finished yet.

00:24:16It'll be finished.

00:24:17It uses an image fixer and then projects by ordinary incandescent.

00:24:30Roy?

00:24:31This is the best television projector I've ever seen.

00:24:36Let's hope that your customer thinks so.

00:24:38He will.

00:24:43Yeah?

00:24:46Send him right in, Charlotte.

00:24:49There, you see?

00:24:50Our customer is here.

00:24:51Begging for the privilege of buying.

00:24:54Better be running along.

00:24:56I'm not much good at business.

00:24:57Oh, but Roy, he'll want to congratulate you.

00:25:01Just see that the price is right.

00:25:04All right, Roy.

00:25:05I'll get you a good deal.

00:25:07So long.

00:25:08See you.

00:25:08Well, Mr. Dunning, come in.

00:25:19Isn't it a beauty?

00:25:33It's a beauty, all right.

00:25:34You like it?

00:25:35I certainly do like it.

00:25:36You see, it's mine.

00:25:38What do you mean?

00:25:39Let me have the police.

00:25:41I built it.

00:25:42Spent years on it.

00:25:43Oh, you must be crazy.

00:25:45Roy built this machine himself.

00:25:46Your friend's a crook, Paul.

00:25:48You've been taken in.

00:25:49Hello.

00:25:50Give me the burglary detail.

00:25:53Dear Jim.

00:25:55Regarding your inquiry on a .38 caliber Smith and a lesson revolver serial.

00:25:59Oh, come in, boys.

00:26:01Burglary detail just sent this report through.

00:26:03It's a man named Dunning who reports tracing a stolen television projector to the Reeves Electronics Lab.

00:26:10Think it's a tie-in with the Rawlings case?

00:26:12Well, take a look at this fellow Reeves and see what gives.

00:26:15I'll notify burglary.

00:26:16We're following up on it.

00:26:18Right.

00:26:19Come on, Junior.

00:26:19What else did he place with you for rental?

00:26:25Oh, a number of things.

00:26:27All war surplus that he bought on his veterans' rating.

00:26:29Oh, is this more of his equipment?

00:26:31Yes.

00:26:31Yes, he left it here on consignment.

00:26:35I'm sure that Roy can explain everything.

00:26:38Well, maybe he can, Mr. Reeves, if you'll tell us where he lives.

00:26:41But I don't know.

00:26:42Mr. Martin's on the phone, sir.

00:26:43I'd better talk to him.

00:26:47I think so, Mr. Reeves.

00:26:49I'll take it in the superintendent's office.

00:26:59Tell him that you sold the set.

00:27:01His money's waiting for him here.

00:27:02Find out what time he's coming by.

00:27:08Put Mr. Martin on.

00:27:13Hello, Roy.

00:27:18Yes, yes, I've sold it.

00:27:20Your money is waiting here for you.

00:27:24Yes, I'll be working late tonight.

00:27:26What time will you be by?

00:27:28First thing in the morning.

00:27:30Well, maybe you'd better come in tonight, Roy.

00:27:32A couple of things I want cleared up.

00:27:35Like what?

00:27:37Oh, technical things.

00:27:39Besides, I don't like to leave the money in the plant overnight.

00:27:42How about 8.30?

00:27:47Fine, fine.

00:27:49I'll see you then.

00:27:50I'll leave the front door unlocked.

00:27:58You'll be here at 8.30.

00:28:08Well, I'll just run along home and get some dinner.

00:28:11Uh, we'd like you to stay, too, Mr. Reeves.

00:28:14Why?

00:28:15For company.

00:28:15You want to cooperate, don't you, Mr. Reeves?

00:28:18Certainly.

00:28:19Good.

00:28:19Now, you just wait in your office.

00:28:21We'll be around.

00:28:23Very well.

00:28:25This way, gentlemen.

00:28:25período construction zero.

00:28:39And we'll...

00:28:41Bye.

00:28:42Bye.

00:28:43Bye.

00:28:44Bye.

00:28:45Bye.

00:28:46Hey, honey.

00:28:47Bye.

00:28:48Bye.

00:28:49Bye.

00:28:50Bye.

00:28:51Bye.

00:28:52Bye.

00:28:53Bye.

00:28:54Bye.

00:28:55Bye.

00:28:55You

00:29:25You

00:29:49Please

00:29:51That's you, Rory?

00:30:04Go outside and lock that alley door

00:30:06Where are you, Rory?

00:30:28Who's in here?

00:30:30No one

00:30:30I'm alone

00:30:32Come on in

00:30:39I've got your money for it

00:30:40Bring it out here

00:30:42All right

00:30:46Just a minute

00:30:50Here's the last part of this

00:34:43Fine face.

00:34:44Didn't keep you from carrying a gun.

00:34:47Why didn't you know that?

00:34:49No, I didn't.

00:34:51I've told you all I know.

00:34:53All he ever told me.

00:34:54What about his friends?

00:34:55Didn't he have a girl?

00:34:57No.

00:34:58No, I don't think so.

00:34:59He had no interest in anything but electronics.

00:35:03Where did he pick up the subject?

00:35:06Books, magazines.

00:35:09Mostly from the signal core.

00:35:11He was attached to a radar unit.

00:35:14Get a teletype off of the war department.

00:35:16It might help.

00:35:19Yes?

00:35:19Ready on your call to receiving hospital, Captain Breen.

00:35:22Hello, this is Captain Breen.

00:35:24What is the latest report on Sergeant Jones?

00:35:33I see.

00:35:36Well, let me know if there's any change, will you?

00:35:38Thanks.

00:35:45Chuck's in pretty bad shape, Marty.

00:35:47He's paralyzed.

00:35:49May never walk again.

00:35:50Oh, I'm sorry.

00:35:59It's funny that Martin showed up at 7 when he told you he wouldn't be there until 8.30.

00:36:03I don't know why.

00:36:05Except he was always unpredictable.

00:36:08I'll tell you why.

00:36:08Because you warned him.

00:36:10That's why he came early.

00:36:10That's why he came in the back way.

00:36:12But you heard me tell him the front door would be open.

00:36:14And the key that let him in the back way?

00:36:15He must have had one made.

00:36:16Why don't you tell us the truth?

00:36:17Marty.

00:36:20Now, look, Paul.

00:36:29You can make it a lot easier for us to believe your story if you'll just give us some facts.

00:36:34Something that might help us.

00:36:36I told you all I know.

00:36:40I've been gullible, all right, letting him make a fool of me.

00:36:44But I'd do anything to make up for what he did to Detective Jones.

00:36:49Sure.

00:36:51Sure you would.

00:36:53You can go now.

00:36:55Oh, thanks.

00:36:58Thanks.

00:37:01My friend.

00:37:03Take it.

00:37:03Ouch, my character.

00:37:04That's good.

00:37:05We'll call you for nature.

00:37:06Thank you very much.

00:37:09I think he's telling the truth, Marty.

00:37:10I think he's just gullible, like he said.

00:37:12What about the stolen stuff he was trying to peddle for Marty?

00:37:15We'll use it for bait.

00:37:16Maybe Martin will come back for it.

00:37:18Then we can ask him.

00:37:21Here.

00:37:22Nevertheless, I want a 24-hour tale put on Reeves, and I want to watch on his home and his factory.

00:37:27Right.

00:37:29You can keep those.

00:37:31Okay, Captain.

00:37:32And now the killer changed his tactics, his modus operandi.

00:37:42It would baffle the police.

00:37:43They always expected burglars to remain burglars, not go in for stick-ups.

00:37:48They never tie this up with him.

00:37:51So wearing a variety of disguises, coming and going like a shadow, ready to kill of cornered,

00:37:56he struck the bottle stores in a one-man blitz that had the robbery detail dizzy.

00:38:19The killer, always resourceful, always thinking along lines that would baffle his hunters,

00:38:24had discovered an ideal avenue of escape.

00:38:27Under Los Angeles is a vast and intricate system of huge storm drains

00:38:31built to siphon off the flash floods of the rainy season.

00:38:35Many of the tunnels are large enough for two cars to drive abreast.

00:38:39Here were 700 miles of hidden highways.

00:38:42Ideal for the use of someone who needed to hurry from place to place without being seen.

00:38:48Ideal as a hiding place for guns and supplies in case of emergency.

00:38:54Well, the reason I asked you to come over is I think I've hit on something.

00:38:58An identification?

00:39:00No, not quite, but a tie-up.

00:39:02Now, these are the shells from the gun that killed Rawlins.

00:39:06These were fired in the liquor store holder in which the bandit got away.

00:39:10And these were fired at Chuck.

00:39:11Now, as you know, every ejector, even in guns of the same model and caliber, is different.

00:39:18Each one leaves its own markings on the cartridge casing.

00:39:22Now, look at these fine striations.

00:39:26This deep gouge.

00:39:29The same on all three.

00:39:30In other words, the man who killed Rawlins,

00:39:38the man who shot at Jones and Brennan,

00:39:40the stick-up who was blitzing the liquor stores, are all the same man.

00:39:43Right.

00:39:44All we need to know is what that man looks like.

00:39:50Get me Chandler in robbery, will you?

00:39:53I've got an idea about that.

00:39:56Also, it'll give us a chance to see if Reeves is on the level with us.

00:39:59Uh, Steve, Green.

00:40:02About those blitz holdups you're on.

00:40:05Round up all the victims and have them down here tonight, will you?

00:40:09Oh, it's just a little scheme.

00:40:12Thanks, Steve.

00:40:16Hmm, that's good.

00:40:18Now, sketch another one of the same type, only this time thin it out a little, huh?

00:40:21All right.

00:40:22Hi, Lee, how's it coming?

00:40:23You ready for tonight?

00:40:24We'll be ready.

00:40:25Think it'll work?

00:40:26It should.

00:40:28Where'd you get the idea?

00:40:29From a kidnapping case in Chicago.

00:40:31I thought these slides might be an improvement over the method they used.

00:40:35Could be.

00:40:36Captain thinks so.

00:40:42Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

00:40:43May I have your attention for a moment, please?

00:40:46You've all been asked to sit in on a little experiment tonight.

00:40:50We're going to try to build a picture of a face.

00:40:52A face of a man who's cunning, resourceful, and deadly.

00:40:58He's a man who killed a police officer.

00:41:01Now, some of you, he held up at the point of a gun.

00:41:04You may have seen his face, remembered something about it.

00:41:07And we want you to tell us exactly what you remembered.

00:41:13Whether it's his hair, eyes, nose, or mouth.

00:41:17And we're going to try to put those pieces together so that they add up into a picture of the face of the man we want.

00:41:23Now, you can see how we're depending on you.

00:41:28Lights.

00:41:30Now, first, we're going to concentrate on the type of hair our man had.

00:41:35And if the picture looks anything like his hair, I want you to speak right up.

00:41:40All right, the first slide, Lee.

00:41:41His hair had waves in it.

00:41:50Well-groomed.

00:41:52That's the idea, Miss Smith.

00:42:00Is that any closer?

00:42:02No, it was prided on the side.

00:42:10Oh, that's more like it.

00:42:11Except it was thicker.

00:42:21Oh, that's very close.

00:42:23Yes, that's the way his forehead looked.

00:42:25It was broad and high.

00:42:27All right, hold that slide.

00:42:29Now, the next series of slides will take into account his eyes.

00:42:32Oh, one minute, please.

00:42:42Wait, one minute.

00:42:43His eyes were a little like that.

00:42:46Maybe a little smaller.

00:42:48Like beans.

00:42:50Go on, Lee.

00:42:58Now, now you've got it.

00:43:00Hold that slide, Lee.

00:43:03Anyone else?

00:43:06That looks like him, only a little madder.

00:43:09He had a patch over one eye when he come into my dive, my place of business.

00:43:12I remember noticing that the one showing was blue.

00:43:15Well, the guy that stuck me up had on horn-rimmed glasses.

00:43:18He was wearing a Band-Aid across his nose when he knocked me over.

00:43:21All right, hold that, Lee.

00:43:26Enough so much for the eyes.

00:43:30Go ahead.

00:43:31Mr. Capitán.

00:43:48Yes, Miss Montalvo.

00:43:49Hey, how do you say it in English?

00:43:53Your name, Miss.

00:43:54Oh, that's right.

00:43:55In this bandit, his nose was a little like that, but a little bit smaller and wider.

00:44:02Like that, Captain, but more snubbed, wider.

00:44:05Try another one, Lee.

00:44:10Like that.

00:44:12Almost the same.

00:44:13She says that's about it.

00:44:14Thank you very much, Miss Montalvo.

00:44:18Get Reeves.

00:44:20Any more comments?

00:44:22That's pretty close, all right.

00:44:23Pretty close.

00:44:24Perfect.

00:44:25All right.

00:44:25Now we'll start on the mouth and chin.

00:44:27The next series, Lee.

00:44:32I think his lower lip stuck out more.

00:44:35The mouth was thin and mean, like it never laughed.

00:44:40Well.

00:44:42Something like that.

00:44:43But thicker lips.

00:44:44There.

00:44:49That's it.

00:44:50That's him.

00:44:51All right.

00:44:51Now hold that right there, Lee.

00:44:54Oh, come in, Mr. Reeves.

00:44:58Good evening, Captain.

00:45:00You ever see that face before?

00:45:05Why, it's Roy.

00:45:07Except for the hair being a little lighter and the eyebrows heavier.

00:45:11It's Roy.

00:45:13You're sure?

00:45:14I'm positive I didn't know him anywhere.

00:45:18Lee, I want a retouched photograph.

00:45:21Now lighten the hair and give more body to the eyebrows.

00:45:24Right.

00:45:25Lights.

00:45:29That's all.

00:45:30Thank you very much.

00:45:31You've been a great help.

00:45:31It's positively amazing how you found out what he looks like.

00:45:35Well, we're looking for an amazing criminal, Mrs. Johnson.

00:45:38Thank you and good night.

00:45:39Good night, Captain.

00:45:39And so the face of the unknown killer built up from fragments of evidence was sent out all

00:45:46over the country.

00:45:47To chiefs of police, to sheriffs, to county constables and county jailers.

00:45:52To the wardens of prisons, to all postmasters and postal inspectors, to the agents of the treasury department, to the FBI.

00:46:05They showed that picture to the inmates of jails and prisons, to men with a wide acquaintance among the cat burglars and the violence boys.

00:46:15Informers and con men and sharpshooters were quizzed.

00:46:18Those on the fringe of crime and those deep in the rackets.

00:46:20Many wanted to help.

00:46:23Nobody could.

00:46:24No one in the underworld recognized that mysterious face.

00:46:28He was as unknown as if he had lived in the 16th century.

00:46:50He was as unknown as if he had lived in the 16th century.

00:47:20He was as unknown as if he had lived in the 16th century.

00:47:50He was as unknown as if he had lived in the 17th century.

00:47:52He was as unknown as if he had lived in the 16th century.

00:47:53Ray.

00:48:06Ray.

00:48:09Roy.

00:48:10Listen carefully, Reeves.

00:48:14Control yourself.

00:48:16I know you're alone in the house.

00:48:19Act like you're alone.

00:48:21Cops are watching every move you make.

00:48:23The police here?

00:48:25I got you staked out like a muskrat hide, watching you around the clock.

00:48:29Here, at your plant, tailing your car.

00:48:33Get in that chair.

00:48:39Pick up three books.

00:48:45Don't look up and don't answer me.

00:48:49All right.

00:48:50Well, glance at the book.

00:48:59Pick one of them.

00:49:05Okay.

00:49:07Now, that's the book you want to read before you go to bed.

00:49:11Now, get up and turn off the lamp.

00:49:13Come here.

00:49:22Come here.

00:49:32Go in the den.

00:49:33Follow the strape's tank.

00:49:41Follow the strape's tank.

00:49:42Follow the strape's tank.

00:49:43Take it away from him.

00:50:07What do the cops know about me?

00:50:16Not very much, Roy.

00:50:19No fingerprints.

00:50:20They haven't even got a picture of you.

00:50:21They're trying to make one.

00:50:21How much cash you got in the house?

00:50:31None.

00:50:31I never keep any cash in the house.

00:50:33It isn't good business.

00:50:35Suppose you think it was good business?

00:50:37Letting me walk into that trap.

00:50:38No, I know.

00:50:39Don't do anything you'll regret.

00:50:40Now, listen to me.

00:50:41It isn't too late.

00:50:42Give yourself up.

00:50:43Come to your senses before you kill someone else.

00:50:45Come.

00:50:46Come.

00:50:46what do you mean someone else what do you mean nothing the two officers they said one of them

00:50:58might die he's still alive isn't he

00:51:03reeves never thought you'd stooge for the police

00:51:09you almost got me killed boy you know the police are right outside you'd never get away with it

00:51:16that's right now you're being sensible

00:51:26i know there's money here what is it don't run it i'll get it

00:51:46it's not enough stuff you better mind is worth thousands get more

00:52:00and get it keep it handy we'll be back next week and next month but get it

00:52:07i'm having ready just give me time

00:52:09i don't want policemen outside my house following me around

00:52:24that's what made roy suspicious i'm leaving in the morning

00:52:29i'm afraid i'll have to disappoint you paul unfortunately you're our bait

00:52:34i won't do it i've done enough

00:52:38look no one's done enough until we find this killer

00:52:42i asked you to keep a sharp lookout on this house marty

00:52:47i did two of the best undercover men of an apartment were assigned here

00:52:52that didn't keep martin from getting in

00:52:53what's the matter you're tired

00:52:56you got any idea how long you've been on this case marty

00:53:08months

00:53:10long enough to have come up with something by this time

00:53:13you know any more about the rawlins killer than you knew the first week

00:53:19yeah he's about the toughest nut i've ever had to crack

00:53:23that's what i told the chief when he called me in this afternoon

00:53:28wanted to know why the case hadn't been broken

00:53:29look captain

00:53:32roland's was a friend of mine

00:53:35so's chuck

00:53:36i've got a bigger stake in this if the chief knows

00:53:40i'm doing everything i can

00:53:43well i'm afraid it's not enough marty

00:53:47maybe you're too close to it to see it clearly

00:53:52maybe it needs a fresh team a new viewpoint

00:53:56i think you've got to take a couple of weeks off marty

00:54:00starting tomorrow

00:54:03anything you say captain

00:54:07hiya marty

00:54:23hiya chuck

00:54:24meet miss scanlon my new bodyguard

00:54:26he's the one i've been telling you about

00:54:28oh you mean the one with the steel trap brain

00:54:30how do you do

00:54:31hello

00:54:31said this guy been behaving

00:54:33after a fashion

00:54:34see she takes me out my go-kart puts me to bed wakes me up dresses me

00:54:38you're perfectly capable of dressing yourself now

00:54:40mr jones

00:54:41i'll be back in a few minutes

00:54:43well how's it been going jimmy

00:54:48oh pretty good chuck pretty good

00:54:51is that why you're off the case

00:54:54how'd you know

00:54:56green was in to see me this morning

00:54:57oh

00:54:58suppose he also told you they put a new team on the case

00:55:02he told me everything

00:55:03let's see what his new boys dig up

00:55:06well maybe they'll examine the facts of the case a little more carefully

00:55:09what facts

00:55:10that our man sharp

00:55:12that he's intelligent and works alone

00:55:14that he has no record

00:55:15never leaves a fingerprint and knows every move we make

00:55:17sure plenty of facts only they add up to nothing

00:55:20sure forget it

00:55:21you got yourself a 10-day vacation

00:55:22go on down to the beach get a suntan

00:55:24by the time you get back the case will be broken

00:55:27isn't that what you want

00:55:28you know better than that

00:55:30oh i know is what i hear

00:55:31you sit there batting your gums about how the old man let you down

00:55:34maybe he's trying to wake you up

00:55:36got a funny way of showing it

00:55:37there you go flying off the handle

00:55:39always taking things for granted

00:55:40i wish i could get up and boot some sense into you

00:55:43he knew what this case meant to me

00:55:45he still does

00:55:46that's why he's trying to get you mad enough to do something about it

00:55:48you don't really figure that's his idea do you

00:55:54i know it is

00:55:55ah it's a tough case chuck

00:55:58not an angle nothing to go on

00:56:00you'd know what i meant if you were out working with me

00:56:03i have been working with you

00:56:04that's all i've had to do lately

00:56:06just sit around studying what little facts we have

00:56:08trying to figure out who he might be

00:56:10you know the kind of a guy we're up against then

00:56:13i tell you chuck this guy's a genius the way he operates

00:56:16he said he were right there with us every time he'd go out after a lead

00:56:20oh sure breen's been tipping him off just to make you look bad

00:56:23they almost like that

00:56:24well he beats us to the punch every time

00:56:27where's your angle

00:56:28you just hit it on the head but you don't see it

00:56:31look start at him

00:56:32one

00:56:33he's unknown to the underworld

00:56:34two

00:56:35he beats you to the punch right

00:56:36and three

00:56:38it's almost as if he were with you

00:56:39isn't that what you said

00:56:40yeah

00:56:41well tie that up with a lot of other little things

00:56:43like the fact that he uses a police gun

00:56:45and the accuracy of the shooting

00:56:47anybody can buy a police gun

00:56:49and the army could have taught him how to shoot

00:56:51yeah but who taught him how the police operate

00:56:53oh i know what you're driving at chuck

00:56:57but a cop

00:56:59those things happen

00:57:01yeah

00:57:03now if i were still in the case i'd start with our own department first

00:57:06then santa monica

00:57:07cover city

00:57:08burbank

00:57:08pasadena

00:57:09see you later june

00:57:10hey

00:57:11don't let him out of your sight beautiful

00:57:12it's the first time in years he's used his head

00:57:14but you get a print of every mug we take

00:57:25we always send l.a a copy sergeant

00:57:27it's personnel photos i want

00:57:29you mean of our boys

00:57:30that's roland's killer isn't it

00:57:35that's right

00:57:35you've checked your own department

00:57:38we did that first

00:57:39and so the tedious quest went on

00:57:47sergeant brennan wore out his shoes and his patients

00:57:50going from police station to police station

00:57:52checking photos until his eyes were blurry

00:57:55for police work is not all glamour and excitement and glory

00:57:58there are days and days of routine

00:58:01of tedious probing

00:58:03of tireless searching

00:58:05fruitless days

00:58:06days when nothing goes right

00:58:09when it seems as if no one could ever think his way

00:58:11through the maze of baffling trails of criminal leaves

00:58:14but the answer to that is persistence

00:58:17and the hope that sooner or later something will turn up

00:58:21some tiny lead that can grow into a warm trail

00:58:24and point to the cracking of a tough case

00:58:26well that does it boys

00:58:42can't say i'm sorry you didn't find him in here

00:58:44i'd hate to think it was a cop

00:58:46doesn't seem to be anybody

00:58:48it's a lot of pieces of a face that never existed

00:58:52would you mind if i see that again

00:58:54sure frame it

00:58:56put it on your dresser

00:58:58wait a minute

00:58:59he wasn't a cop

00:59:01he was a radio technician right here in our dispatch office

00:59:04what did you say

00:59:05i'm saying he worked here in 42

00:59:08well come on give

00:59:10i remember the kid well

00:59:11he was sort of strange

00:59:13never bothered with anyone in the department

00:59:15just kept to himself

00:59:16he was in line for promotion when he was drafted

00:59:19where was he living at the time

00:59:21i don't remember

00:59:23try the dead files

00:59:25never asked for his job back after the war

00:59:33i remember writing to him about it though

00:59:34he was an excellent worker

00:59:36oh yeah here we are

00:59:37yeah this is it

00:59:39took a while before he answered

00:59:41but like he says in the letter

00:59:42he wasn't interested

00:59:43hmm

00:59:50postmark tollywood

00:59:53no return address

00:59:55what do you want us to do

00:59:57all the work

00:59:57oh thanks a lot freddy

01:00:00you remember he was a civilian employee

01:00:03well how about it

01:00:14anybody recognize him

01:00:15not on my route

01:00:17i never saw him before

01:00:20yeah okay fellas

01:00:23thanks very much

01:00:24i thought for a minute

01:00:29no

01:00:32and yet that face

01:00:35i wonder

01:00:36yeah

01:00:37well this may not mean anything

01:00:39but he looks like a guy that's on my route

01:00:41he never gets any mail

01:00:42but i see him around there all the time

01:00:44he lives in one of the courts

01:00:46where

01:00:46come on and show you

01:00:48it's not that easy

01:00:49what time does your route take you past those courts

01:00:53about nine o'clock

01:00:55why

01:00:55just thinking

01:00:57you got any chocolate milk

01:01:13you have buddy

01:01:14yeah

01:01:15thanks

01:01:17what's your pocket

01:01:20straight on back

01:01:22second to me

01:01:26yell

01:01:26number seven

01:01:29right

01:01:30had a warm today huh

01:01:32oh it's not too bad for this time of the year

01:01:34i was hoping maybe you were going to get out of the year

01:01:38i was hoping maybe you were going to get out of the year

01:01:40good morning

01:01:41good morning

01:01:42you're new and you're out aren't you

01:01:44we had a substitute

01:01:45what happened to the other thing

01:01:47sick

01:01:48oh what's the matter with him

01:01:50i don't know

01:01:51i catch everything

01:01:53hear about it on the radio

01:01:54next morning i got it

01:01:56too bad

01:01:57you aren't very social

01:01:58the regular fellow always stops and talks to you

01:02:01sorry lady i'm a little late this morning

01:02:02i was hoping maybe you could help me

01:02:05there's something very funny going on in this court

01:02:09yes

01:02:10i was scared to go to the police police

01:02:12i thought maybe i might think poison

01:02:14what

01:02:15yeah

01:02:16i've a manager

01:02:18she's a witch

01:02:19she's a what

01:02:21a witch

01:02:21she puts poison in my milk

01:02:23oh i see

01:02:26look

01:02:28you switch the bottles once she isn't looking

01:02:31see

01:02:31drink her milk

01:02:32then you'll be safe

01:02:34right

01:02:34then you'll be safe

01:02:38right

01:02:42oh

01:02:44oh

01:02:46oh

01:02:48oh

01:02:50oh

01:02:52oh

01:02:54oh

01:02:56oh

01:02:58oh

01:03:00oh

01:03:02i had a little accident

01:03:07got a mop i'll clean it up

01:03:09leave it be i'll clean it up myself

01:03:13okay mister

01:03:15oh

01:03:25oh

01:03:26oh

01:03:27oh

01:03:28oh

01:03:29oh

01:03:32oh

01:03:33This place is called Bellevue Court. I drew this for memory, but it's pretty close.

01:03:49That's where he's hiding out, right there.

01:03:52Are you sure he's our man, Marty?

01:03:54Captain, I couldn't go wrong on that face. He's our man.

01:04:03Now, there are five cottages in this area, and two, number six and seven, in the L at the end of the row.

01:04:09Our man lives in number seven.

01:04:11This building department plan will show you the whole layout.

01:04:14Founded on three sides by Fuller, Santa Monica, and Poinsettia.

01:04:19Now, the court is partly surrounded by the high wall.

01:04:23Green, homicide.

01:04:26Thud, you keep your eyes open until we get there.

01:04:29Morgan has just gone into his bungalow alone.

01:04:32Any questions?

01:04:33All right, you all have your instructions. Let's go.

01:04:35All right.

01:04:36All right.

01:04:37All right.

01:06:07We're out on time.

01:06:17Wait five minutes.

01:06:19Go around and block the side entrance.

01:06:21Keep your lights off.

01:06:37Go around and block the side entrance.

01:07:07Go around and block the side entrance.

01:07:37Go around and block the side entrance.

01:08:07Go around and block the side entrance.

01:10:07He's loose.

01:10:14I want a radio car in a hurry.

01:10:37All units.

01:10:45All units in the vicinity of Santa Monica and Fuller.

01:10:48The murder suspect in the Rawlins killing is at large.

01:10:50I want a radio car in a hurry.

01:11:20I want a map covering the storm drain system in this area.

01:11:25Get it and meet me at Venice and Garfield.

01:11:27Jones, Miller, you stay here in case he comes up for air.

01:11:30I want a man at every other drain entrance along this line.

01:11:33He's got to come up somewhere.

01:11:34Come on, Marty.

01:11:36You're driving.

01:11:37Keep this drain covered.

01:12:03He's liable to pop out anywhere.

01:12:05He's liable to pop out anywhere.

01:12:05I want a man at every other drain.

01:12:06I want a man at every other drain.

01:12:07I want a man at every other drain.

01:12:12Why Venice and Garfield, Captain?

01:12:29It's the main intersection of the system.

01:12:31We can head him off that way.

01:12:3280K to Control-1.

01:12:34Clear frequency seven.

01:12:35This is an emergency.

01:12:36Control-1 to all cars on frequency seven.

01:12:39Stand by.

01:12:39Control-1 to 80K.

01:12:41Go ahead.

01:12:42Notify homicide.

01:12:43Send the following to Venice and Garfield.

01:12:45Four squads.

01:12:46Battle lanterns.

01:12:48Gas mask.

01:12:48Tear gas.

01:12:49Urgent.

01:12:50This is a code three.

01:12:51Control-1 to 80K.

01:12:53Roger.

01:12:53And he'll probably head down this main drain to where it comes out at the Rio Hondo.

01:13:19Now, you take your squad and cover that exit.

01:13:21Right.

01:13:21Keep all spare radio cars cruising back and forth along this main street.

01:13:24Watch the curb inlets.

01:13:26We'll go in here.

01:13:40Any kind of them?

01:13:41No.

01:13:41And we've searched every foot between here and the Rio Hondo outlet.

01:13:45And he must be up ahead.

01:13:47Let's go.

01:13:48Let's go.

01:13:49Let's go.

01:13:50Let's go.

01:13:53Let's go.

01:13:55Let's go.

01:13:56Let's go.

01:17:28Gas gun.

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