Blondes at Work. Torchy Blane #4. (1938 film)

deaddogsdam

Steve promises his captain not to favour Torchy with stories over other papers but becomes frustrated as to how she continues to scoop her rivals.  Glenda Farrell - Torchy Blane Barton MacLane - Lieutenant Steve McBride Tom Kennedy - Gahagan Rosella Towne - Louisa Revelle Donald Briggs - Maitland Greer John Ridgely - Regan Betty Compson - Blanche Revelle Thomas E. Jackson - Parker Frank Shannon - Captain McTavish Jean Benedict - Miss Hilton - Salesgirl Carole Landis - Carol Suzanne Kaaren - Olive Theodore von Eltz - District Attorney (as Theodor Von Eltz) Charles Richman - Judge Wilson Robert Middlemass - Boylan - Editor Kenneth Harlan - Marvin Spencer George Guhl - Desk Sergeant Roy Barcroft - Attorney Meadows Egon Brecher - J.Z. Beckman Glen Cavender - Locksmith Jimmy Conlin - Coroner Joe Cunningham - Maxie Eddie Foster - Reporter Jack A. Goodrich - Reporter John Harron - Hotel Desk Clerk Gordon Hart - Jury Foreman Stuart Holmes - Bailiff Bobby Jarvis - Reporter Duffy Max Linder - Juror Richard Loo - Sam Wong J.G. MacMahon - Reporter Bill Marceau - Smith Julius Molnar - Second Newsboy Spec O'Donnell - First Newsboy George O'Hanlon - Third Newsboy Milton Owen - Mr. Jay Ralph Sanford - Detective Ed Healy Cliff Saum - Cabbie Larry Steers - Juror  Director - Frank McDonald

Transcript

00:00:00The End

00:01:30McBride's, not Roseville.

00:01:31Well, that's swell.

00:01:32Come up and see me and Garbo sometime.

00:01:35Come, ain't count.

00:01:36Give me the license.

00:01:43For Torchy Wright, Teresa.

00:01:44There's the cab.

00:01:45Think you can make it in?

00:01:46Hello, Mr. Spencer.

00:01:47Oh, hello.

00:01:47Anything wrong?

00:01:48No, just a little indigestion is all.

00:01:51Where'd she go?

00:01:51She slipped out a side door.

00:01:52Nobody saw her.

00:01:53Good.

00:01:54Got a cigarette?

00:01:54There you are.

00:02:08Now you can go home and marry the lieutenant.

00:02:10That hydrant wasn't turned on, was it?

00:02:12Oh.

00:02:13What do you mean?

00:02:14You seem a little wet behind the ears.

00:02:16Hey, Cap, what's on your mind?

00:02:36What's this I hear about Marvin Spencer disappearing?

00:02:39That looks bad.

00:02:40I'm on the way over to Bon Ton.

00:02:41See what I can find out.

00:02:42Well, whatever you do, keep it to yourself.

00:02:44Don't have Torchy Blaine headlining her hunches all over the star's front page.

00:02:48Torchy didn't break the Spencer story.

00:02:49It was the Express.

00:02:50I know, but it's the only time she's been scooped in months.

00:02:55All the sheets are squawking.

00:02:57Boylan of the Express wants to know if we're running the police department for the taxpayers

00:03:00or for Torchy Blaine.

00:03:01Boylan's always complaining.

00:03:02He has a right to.

00:03:04Why don't you muzzle that girl or marry her?

00:03:08Well, we were going to get married on a vacation, but I'll talk to her.

00:03:11Don't talk to her, and we'll all be better off.

00:03:13Can't you lovebirds find something to bill and coo about, besides murders and bank robberies?

00:03:18Now, wait a minute, Chief. Torchy's uncovered a lot of stuff that I...

00:03:21She shouldn't have to uncover anything for you.

00:03:23You're supposed to crack your own cases without help from reporters or anybody else.

00:03:27If you can't do that, we'll put somebody in charge of the squad who will.

00:03:31Thanks. That's very encouraging. Thanks.

00:03:34From now on, I don't want you to give out anything to Torchy or any of the papers.

00:03:39Not a word until the cases are cracked.

00:03:41Then I'll do the talking. That's an order.

00:03:45Yes, sir.

00:03:48Say, has Parker been in?

00:03:54Who?

00:03:55Parker, my man, my helper, my assistant. Parker?

00:03:57Parker.

00:03:58Oh, Parker.

00:04:00No.

00:04:02What's that you're reading?

00:04:06Forgetfulness Forgotten.

00:04:08The Master Memory Course.

00:04:10Well, it's about time you did something about that memory of yours.

00:04:12Oh, I'm a new man, Lieutenant. Hardly know myself since I've been studying that course.

00:04:18As I was saying to, uh, to, uh, who's this, uh...

00:04:23Well, suppose you apply this new power you've acquired to remembering whether Miss Blaine called me up or not.

00:04:27No. No one called.

00:04:29No.

00:04:29Except, uh, Miss Blaine. She called.

00:04:32Oh, that's marvelous. Would it be too much of a strain to ask you to remember the message?

00:04:38Oh, no. She said for you to come to the press cafe. It's important.

00:04:42You'll know her by the stake in front of her.

00:04:44Say, you're improving.

00:04:46Yeah. She made me write it down.

00:04:48Oh.

00:05:00Hello, Torchy.

00:05:01Hi, Skipper.

00:05:03No, thanks. I've had my dinner.

00:05:06Well, it must be a funny joke. You're hysterical.

00:05:09I'm not hysterical. I'm tired.

00:05:11Oh, darling, you don't need enough.

00:05:14Listen, what's the dope on that Spencer case?

00:05:16I don't know anything about it.

00:05:17Well, maybe I do. I want you to trace a taxi for me.

00:05:20No, I'm not going to trace any taxi cabs or anything else for you.

00:05:24What's the matter of something wrong?

00:05:25Listen, Torchy, we're not going to wait till our vacation to get married.

00:05:28We're going to get married right away.

00:05:31What's the matter?

00:05:32But there must be somebody back there with a shotgun.

00:05:35I mean it.

00:05:37Well, Skipper, this suddenness is so, uh, sudden.

00:05:40And another thing. From now on, after we get married,

00:05:43you're going to check your job in a newspaper and you're going to stay home where you belong.

00:05:46I knew there was a catch in it.

00:05:48Listen, we've been all over this a thousand times.

00:05:51I've got ink in my blood and a nose for news that needs something besides powder.

00:05:54All right. You can follow your nose and you can find your own fleece nose.

00:05:57So?

00:05:59McTavish has been laying down the law, huh?

00:06:00What makes you think McTavish has got anything to do with it?

00:06:03Maybe I'm psychic.

00:06:04Well, maybe you're psychic enough to get your own scoops without any tips from the inside.

00:06:07All right. And let's see if you're sleuth enough to crack cases without any leads from the outside.

00:06:13Well, of all...

00:06:14Listen, from now on...

00:06:16You go my way and I go yours. Let's swing it.

00:06:19All right. From now on, when we're together, we talk about nothing except...

00:06:22Love and kisses. Oh, Stevie.

00:06:24I wasn't going to say that.

00:06:26I know, but it's nice work if you can get it.

00:06:27All right. Go ahead and clown. Go ahead and clown.

00:06:29Maybe it won't be so funny when you get no more breaks.

00:06:31Nothing but handouts from McTavish after the case is cracked.

00:06:34I've got to get back to work.

00:06:36Oh, darling. Haven't you forgotten something?

00:06:38You know I don't like to display affection in the public.

00:06:41Affection.

00:06:43My chick.

00:06:46What'd you eat? An elephant steak?

00:06:52Oh, what nice. What nice. What nice. What...

00:06:55Oh, Gahagan will drive you home. I've got work to do. Gahagan, drop Miss Blaine in her apartment.

00:07:00Right, Chief.

00:07:01Now, get in. Come on.

00:07:02Oh, don't rush me. Don't rush me.

00:07:03The people will think we're married already.

00:07:05Besides, I'm not proud. I'll ride with you, Hagan.

00:07:09All right. Go ahead.

00:07:10Good night.

00:07:12Good night, Chief.

00:07:13Not you. Good night, Torchy.

00:07:21Are you in a hurry?

00:07:22No. And I'll be the siren.

00:07:25Oh, gee. You're getting worse than the chief.

00:07:27I'd love to ride at even tide with a pretty blonde beside me sighed.

00:07:37Under your byline.

00:07:38Uh-huh.

00:07:39Oh, Gahagan, that's wonderful. You're still writing poetry.

00:07:42Oh, yeah.

00:07:43But I'm kind of stuck.

00:07:44I can't find a word that rhymes with orange.

00:07:46Orange.

00:07:47Orange.

00:07:48Well, don't let that throw you.

00:07:49Geniuses have been stuck on that one.

00:07:50That makes me a genius.

00:07:53No less.

00:07:54That'll make it all the better for me diary.

00:07:56Yes, for your diary.

00:07:58For your what?

00:08:00Oh, besides writing poems, I'm keeping a diary.

00:08:04Gahagan.

00:08:05Oh, you're the answer to a maiden's muddle.

00:08:08Yep.

00:08:09I'm keeping a record of everything I do for posterarity.

00:08:12Oh, that's wonderful.

00:08:14Why don't you keep a record of everything the lieutenant does, too?

00:08:17Or you could make a fortune.

00:08:18I can? How?

00:08:20Well, by writing stories about the cases like S.S. Van Dyne and Antony Abbot did about their bosses.

00:08:26They made thousands.

00:08:27What have those mugs got that I ain't got?

00:08:30I'll make millions.

00:08:31Sure you will.

00:08:32But you must keep a record of everything Steve does.

00:08:34And you mustn't let him know about it, see?

00:08:36Oh, you know, he's so modest, he'd stop you.

00:08:38Yeah, I know.

00:08:40I won't let anybody know anything about it but you.

00:08:42No.

00:08:42I'll keep it under lock and key.

00:08:44That's the idea.

00:08:45Here we are.

00:08:53Fooled you that time, didn't I?

00:09:02Oh, Miss Blaine.

00:09:03You sure you don't say anything about my diary that'll give me away, will you?

00:09:06Oh, no, no.

00:09:07If anyone does any giving away, it'll be you.

00:09:09Oh, don't worry about me.

00:09:10You know, Mum's the word.

00:09:12Good night.

00:09:13Good night.

00:09:14Mum's the word.

00:09:17Or is it dumb?

00:09:18Oh, his favorite little hydrant.

00:09:34Oh, lay off, Miss Blaine.

00:09:35I'm only doing my duty.

00:09:37A limb of the law getting up on the right foot.

00:09:39That's very noble.

00:09:40Hey, I'm sorry I got a little tough with you yesterday, Miss Blaine.

00:09:42The boys down at the station house tell me you really are engaged to the lieutenant.

00:09:45Well, I suppose I can knock over the hydrant now if I want to, huh?

00:09:48No, but I'd appreciate it very much if you wouldn't say anything to put me in wrong.

00:09:53I'll get you in right if you give me a little help.

00:09:55Do anything I can.

00:09:57Wasn't that a Mr. Spencer that got into a taxi cab here yesterday?

00:10:01Yes, yes.

00:10:01Marvin Spencer.

00:10:02He owns the Bon Ton.

00:10:03I suppose you read about him disappearing.

00:10:06I don't get much chance to read the papers.

00:10:08I'm too busy learning the ordinances.

00:10:10Oh, yeah, yeah.

00:10:11And projecting those hydrants.

00:10:12Oh, Miss Blaine.

00:10:13So, listen, I want to trace Spencer through that taxi cab, but the cab companies won't

00:10:16give any information to reporters.

00:10:18And every time I try to imitate a cop's voice on the phone, nobody believes me.

00:10:21That's funny.

00:10:22But maybe I can trace him for you.

00:10:24Oh, where did you...

00:10:24Come on, let's go.

00:10:26Hello?

00:10:27This is Officer Regan, 7th Precinct.

00:10:30One of your drivers picked up two men in front of the Bon Ton department store yesterday

00:10:33afternoon about 4.30.

00:10:34One of them had a gray hat and a dark suit.

00:10:37Now, that's right.

00:10:37We want to find out where you took him.

00:10:38Okay, they're checking up.

00:10:42Who was the man with him?

00:10:43I don't know.

00:10:43I never saw him before.

00:10:45Hello?

00:10:47Oh, yeah, yeah, thanks.

00:10:49The driver took Spencer to the Plaza Hotel.

00:10:51Oh, that's great.

00:10:52Come on, we'll go right over there.

00:10:53What do you mean, we'll go right over there?

00:10:54Hotel people might not think I'm a cop either.

00:10:56Yeah, but I can't leave my feet.

00:10:57Come on.

00:10:58I'll tell the lieutenant.

00:10:59Oh, Miss Blaine.

00:11:03There's no one registered here by the name of Spencer.

00:11:05Well, did any man register yesterday afternoon around 5 o'clock?

00:11:09A man named James Craig checked in at a quarter to five.

00:11:13Is he still here?

00:11:15Yes.

00:11:16We'd like to see him.

00:11:18Well, as long as you're an officer, I guess it'll be all right for you to go up.

00:11:22Room 702.

00:11:25Thanks.

00:11:25Hello, Ed.

00:11:36Hello, Regan.

00:11:37What are you doing?

00:11:38Playing house dick?

00:11:39No, mountain guard over a stiff got himself bumped off.

00:11:42You mean Mr. Craig was murdered?

00:11:44A shot?

00:11:46Stab wound.

00:11:47Oh.

00:11:48Oh, Regan, suppose you go in and take a look at Mr. Craig.

00:11:51Is that all right?

00:11:52Mind if I go in, Ed?

00:11:53Help us out.

00:11:56Did you know Mr. Craig very well?

00:11:59Not well enough to stab him, if that's what you mean.

00:12:03Oh, then you're not...

00:12:05No.

00:12:05No, I'm not a relative.

00:12:08That guy's name's not Craig.

00:12:10It's Spencer.

00:12:11Marvin Spencer.

00:12:13Does headquarters know that?

00:12:14Sure.

00:12:14They're keeping it quiet.

00:12:16Steve McBride figures if no one knows Spencer's dead but the guilty parties, they may tip their hand.

00:12:21Say, maybe you shouldn't.

00:12:23Miss Blaine, you wouldn't...

00:12:24I wouldn't be a bit surprised.

00:12:26So long, Sonny.

00:12:26Happy hydrants.

00:12:28Hey, wait.

00:12:30Hey.

00:12:30What's the matter?

00:12:32Who is she?

00:12:32A reporter.

00:12:34Reporter?

00:12:34Don't you let Steve McBride hear about this or I'll be pounding the beat.

00:12:38Don't you let him hear about it or I won't be pounding one.

00:12:42A reporter.

00:12:45They're not going to take the body out of the hotel until after dark.

00:12:48And there's no crowd around to ask questions and no wise guys to lift the sheet.

00:12:51How long do you intend to keep it quiet?

00:12:53Well, just a couple of days.

00:12:55Long enough to let the boys tap the grapevine and find out just who knows Marvin Spencer's dead and who doesn't.

00:12:59You think it's an underworld job?

00:13:01Yeah, it might be.

00:13:02Spencer had his fingers in a lot of pies besides that store.

00:13:05You couldn't get anything out of him before he died?

00:13:07No, he was unconscious from the time the hotel people called us in.

00:13:09Well, it listens all right.

00:13:12Oh, uh, who's handling the grapevine?

00:13:15Parker.

00:13:15He can worm his way into places and get people to talk.

00:13:17All right, Steve.

00:13:18But whatever you do, be sure and keep this out of the papers.

00:13:21If Torchy Blaine gets wind of it, she'll blow the case up before we begin.

00:13:24Don't worry, Cap.

00:13:25I'm not even going to see Torchy until this case is cracked.

00:13:27Good.

00:13:28Then I'll do the talking.

00:13:29All right.

00:13:32Hello, Parker.

00:13:33How are you?

00:13:34Hi, Parker.

00:13:34Hey, Chief.

00:13:35How can I find out anything from the grapevine when everybody in town knows that Spencer is dead?

00:13:38What?

00:13:39The star just got out on the next trip.

00:13:40They seem to know more about this case than we do.

00:13:42Marvin Spencer's dead of stabbing.

00:13:44By Torchy Blaine.

00:13:46There she goes.

00:13:47What did I tell you?

00:13:48Then I told you I never told her a word.

00:13:51Hello.

00:13:51Give me Torchy Blaine on the star.

00:13:55Hello.

00:13:57Spoiler.

00:13:57More trouble.

00:14:00Hello, Boylan.

00:14:01Say, listen, McTavish.

00:14:02Are you running a police precinct or a listening post for Torchy Blaine?

00:14:06From now on, I'm going to see to it personally that you get a break.

00:14:09Just sit tight.

00:14:11And when we crack the case, you'll have an exclusive on it.

00:14:13Right.

00:14:15You can depend on it.

00:14:17Goodbye.

00:14:18Now, listen, Steve.

00:14:19Wait a minute, Cap.

00:14:20There's something...

00:14:21Answer that.

00:14:25Hello.

00:14:25Oh, it's you.

00:14:27Listen, Torchy, where did you get that Spencer story?

00:14:30Oh, I don't know.

00:14:30Those things just seem to come to me.

00:14:32I told you I was psychic.

00:14:34Now, what's all this stuff about an unknown man and a mystery woman?

00:14:37Oh, I'm sorry, darling.

00:14:39But you remember our agreement.

00:14:41I get my yarns without tips from you, and you do your sleuthing, if any, without leads

00:14:45from me.

00:14:46Oh, no, no, no.

00:14:48I'm sorry, darling, but I can't lay off till you crack the case.

00:14:51When my joints are old and crippled with rheumatism, I won't be able to pound a typewriter.

00:14:56That's very funny.

00:14:57If you keep on getting me into jams like this, you'll cook my goose.

00:15:00Well, we'll fatten it up and have it for dinner.

00:15:03Oh, take it easy, Steve.

00:15:05I can see what you're up against.

00:15:07Say, think there's anything to this mystery woman angle?

00:15:10Torture never goes to print unless she's got something.

00:15:12We've got to find that woman and put her in jail where she can't talk to Torture or any

00:15:14other paper.

00:15:15Parker, get me a list of every woman Spencer ever had anything to do with.

00:15:19I don't care where you find them.

00:15:20Find them in our files, in the newspaper morgue room, or any place.

00:15:22We'll find them fast.

00:15:25Stay with it, Steve.

00:15:26And when you uncover something big, let me know, so I can throw something to boil.

00:15:29Okay, Cap.

00:15:30From now on, if Torture gets anything from me, she'll have to read my mail.

00:15:33Good.

00:15:35Dear diary, it's a great day, and I sure feel wonderful.

00:15:38And a poem coming on.

00:15:41The chief's working on a Craig case.

00:15:43Only Craig is Spencer, stabbed in hotel.

00:15:46Shh.

00:15:47Mum's the word.

00:15:49Continued in the next.

00:15:50Hello, Gahagan.

00:15:56Oh, hello, Miss Blaine.

00:15:57Gosh, you give me a start.

00:15:59You know, I was just writing in me diary.

00:16:03Oh, that's fine.

00:16:04I'd let you see it, only there's something secret in it.

00:16:06It's about a case the chief's working on.

00:16:08Oh, well, no, you mustn't let me see it.

00:16:10And you mustn't let anyone else see it, either.

00:16:11Oh, no, I wouldn't.

00:16:13No, no.

00:16:13Do you keep it in a good, safe place?

00:16:14Oh, yeah, I keep it in the compartment here.

00:16:16Come here, I'll show you.

00:16:17There you are.

00:16:22Do you think that's a good, safe lock?

00:16:24Let me see the key.

00:16:26Well, that looks all right, Gahagan.

00:16:28Now, listen.

00:16:29Remember to keep a record of everything that you and Steve do.

00:16:32Understand?

00:16:33And keep it to yourself.

00:16:34Oh, sure I do.

00:16:35I'll bet when the chief finds out I'm keeping a diary,

00:16:37he'll get a great kick out of it.

00:16:38Oh, I'll bet he will.

00:16:39But not half the kick that you're going to get out of it.

00:16:43Here's your key.

00:16:44Goodbye, Gahagan.

00:16:45Goodbye, Miss Blaine.

00:16:47Oh, gee, she's getting finer every day.

00:16:49What a girl.

00:16:50What a girl.

00:16:51Here you are, chief.

00:17:08Here's the list of Spencer's sugar and spices.

00:17:11I just made a copy of it.

00:17:14What an extensive list, isn't it?

00:17:16Yeah, looks like the only dame who didn't carry a torch for Spencer

00:17:19was the Statue of Liberty.

00:17:21Well, our mystery suspect is probably right on here.

00:17:23But it would take days to check all these women.

00:17:26Where are the clothes and effects Spencer had on them when he was stabbed?

00:17:29In the exhibit room.

00:17:30Go get them.

00:17:30Maybe we can find a clue that'll connect up with one of these women.

00:17:33All right.

00:17:37Hello.

00:17:39Oh, hello, Torchy.

00:17:41Hello, Tootsie, what's he?

00:17:42Oh, don't call me that.

00:17:43You know, I don't like to have you call me that.

00:17:45Well, squidgy, would you, then?

00:17:47How's the Spencer case coming?

00:17:49Oh, that's too bad.

00:17:51E, Armish Lane.

00:17:53I, uh, I just wanted to let you know that I'm getting the key to the mystery.

00:17:58Pretty soon everything will be an open book.

00:18:01You, you wouldn't buy me a steak, would you?

00:18:03No, I wouldn't buy you a steak.

00:18:05I'm busy looking over the...

00:18:07No!

00:18:08Hmm, I thought you wouldn't.

00:18:09Well, goodbye, Stensy-Witzy.

00:18:15Here's a key ring, some odds and ends, and a wallet with a couple of hundred dollars.

00:18:21Yeah, if we only had the knife.

00:18:23Yeah, I wonder where that knife is.

00:18:25The murderer must have taken it with him, and the boys couldn't find it in the apartment.

00:18:27You know what that is?

00:18:33Yeah, a lipstick.

00:18:34Spencer was not only killed, he was kissed.

00:18:37I think we got a clue we can work on.

00:18:39You don't mean to say we're going to kiss every one of those gals to get a sample of lipstick?

00:18:43Something like that.

00:18:44Well, spring is in the air.

00:18:46What can we lose?

00:18:47That's what I say.

00:18:47Come on.

00:18:49That's right.

00:18:52Oh, hello, Miss Hilton.

00:18:53Remember me?

00:18:54Why, of course, Lieutenant.

00:18:55How could I ever forget the Daly case?

00:18:57You know, if it hadn't been for you, we never would have solved the case.

00:19:00He tells that to all the girls.

00:19:01Well, what is it this time, Lieutenant?

00:19:03Oh, uh, can you tell me anything about this lipstick?

00:19:06Why, yes.

00:19:07We don't carry this particular brand, but I happen to be familiar with it.

00:19:11What is it you'd like to know?

00:19:12What kind of a woman would use that?

00:19:14Well, it's an expensive brand, and a good one.

00:19:17I should say the woman was well-dressed and had very good taste.

00:19:20I thought lipstick was tasteless.

00:19:22Quiet.

00:19:23Did we tell you anything else about her?

00:19:25Yes.

00:19:26She would be a decided brunette.

00:19:28In fact, considering the very dark shade and the heavy body of this lipstick,

00:19:31I would say the woman might be of the Latin type.

00:19:33Oh, possibly Italian or Spanish, huh?

00:19:35Very probably.

00:19:36Okay, thanks very much.

00:19:37Not at all.

00:19:38This is all Greek to me.

00:19:40It's not Greek, it's Latin.

00:19:41It's a matter of thought, they have Greek plans.

00:19:52Mr. Beckman?

00:19:53Yes.

00:19:54I'm Lieutenant McBride, police headquarters.

00:19:56Listen up, sir, I ain't done nothing wrong.

00:19:58They tell me at Marvin Spencer's club that you do all this pressing and cleaning for him,

00:20:01is that right?

00:20:03Yes.

00:20:03Poor fellow.

00:20:04Only yesterday, the day he died, I cleaned and pressed a couple of suits for him.

00:20:08Was one of them a dark blue suit?

00:20:10Yes.

00:20:11Fine.

00:20:11Where'd you send him?

00:20:12To his club?

00:20:13No, to the office.

00:20:14His office?

00:20:14He kept a lot of clothes there in case he wanted to change and was in a hurry to get back

00:20:19to the club.

00:20:19Oh, I see.

00:20:20What time did you deliver those suits yesterday?

00:20:23Half past three.

00:20:24It was supposed to be three, but half past was the best I could do.

00:20:28All right, relax.

00:20:29Come on, let's go.

00:20:30The amount of gas we use is a pity.

00:20:33I'm glad this car belongs to the city.

00:20:36That ain't bad.

00:20:37And it ain't good.

00:20:39Where to, Chief?

00:20:40Oh, wait a minute.

00:20:40I want to reconnoiter.

00:20:41What, here?

00:20:46What'd we find out from the tailor, Chief?

00:20:48Well, it looks like the mystery woman was with Spencer at the time he was stabbed.

00:20:51How do you figure that?

00:20:53He said he delivered that suit there at about 3.30.

00:20:55Right.

00:20:56When Spencer put the suit on, he naturally put a clean handkerchief in his pocket.

00:20:59Oh, right again.

00:21:00Well, that lipstick got on that handkerchief between the hours of 3.30 and 4.30 at the time

00:21:04that Spencer disappeared.

00:21:05That was also the time during which he was stabbed.

00:21:07Therefore, all the women must have been there when it happened.

00:21:09It all adds up.

00:21:10Maybe she did the carving herself.

00:21:12Maybe.

00:21:13Let me see that list of women's names.

00:21:16We'll figure out the names that are Italian, French, and Spanish.

00:21:21Unless Smith is a Spanish name, I think we're out of luck.

00:21:24Say, I knew a Spanish gal named Smith once.

00:21:28A real Spanish gal?

00:21:29Sure.

00:21:30How did she get a handle like Smith?

00:21:33That was the name of the guy she married.

00:21:37Well, there's nobody on here with anything like a Latin name.

00:21:39But I noticed two or three of these girls work in Spencer's store.

00:21:42Maybe we can get a lead from them.

00:21:43Lead on?

00:21:44All right, Gahagan.

00:21:46Bontan store in a hurry.

00:21:47Sirens and all?

00:21:48Yes, sirens and all.

00:21:49Oh, boy.

00:21:50Stop, stop, stop.

00:21:57I'm sorry, young ladies.

00:21:58I realize how difficult it is for us all to carry on with poor dear Mr. Spencer's death

00:22:02so fresh in our minds.

00:22:03But we must.

00:22:04Must what, Mr. J?

00:22:05Carry on.

00:22:06Now, let's take the whole thing who's started.

00:22:08Come on, young ladies.

00:22:09Come on.

00:22:09It's not right yet.

00:22:10I certainly wish I could squeeze my way into one of those frocks.

00:22:13I'd show you girls a thing or two.

00:22:15And Miss Wrong Crew, a little more poise, please.

00:22:18Are you ready, girls?

00:22:19Now, start.

00:22:20One, two, three, four.

00:22:22One, two, three, four.

00:22:24Are you following me?

00:22:25I'm way ahead of you.

00:22:26Oh, oh.

00:22:27Why, who are you?

00:22:28Lieutenant McBride, police headquarters.

00:22:30Oh, you startled me.

00:22:31Of course, you're working on the Spencer case, aren't you?

00:22:33Everybody's working on the Spencer case.

00:22:34Poor dear Mr. Spencer.

00:22:35But I'm afraid I can't enlighten you.

00:22:37I'm up a tree myself.

00:22:38Have you got any Italian or Spanish or French girls working for you?

00:22:41No, no.

00:22:42I only employ American models.

00:22:44The others are far too temperamental.

00:22:46Well, I'm trying to trace a girl who might wear lipstick like that.

00:22:49Oh, she'd be a very intense brunette, Italian or French.

00:22:53Or Spanish.

00:22:53We're in back where we started from.

00:22:55Say, Mr. J, we did have a girl that would wear that kind of lipstick.

00:22:58Who did we have?

00:22:59Who?

00:22:59Louisa Ravelle.

00:23:00Yes, Louisa, you remember Louisa.

00:23:01Oh, don't be silly, girls.

00:23:02Don't be silly.

00:23:02Louisa wasn't that dark.

00:23:04But she was after she got that suntan.

00:23:05The suntan, yes.

00:23:06She's right.

00:23:07After she went on the trip.

00:23:08Yes, yes, yes, you're right.

00:23:09Then she would have used a heavier makeup, yes.

00:23:11Well, either one of you girls know Louisa Ravelle's address?

00:23:13I do.

00:23:14Swell.

00:23:14But you move.

00:23:15Well, suppose we go over here and sit down and talk it over.

00:23:18I don't mean to bust up your parade, pal, but we got business to attend to.

00:23:21I must have a strong cup of tea.

00:23:23The rest period, girls.

00:23:24No eavesdropping.

00:23:25Shh.

00:23:26On your way, on your way.

00:23:27Now, when did Mr. Ravelle move?

00:23:29Oh, last night.

00:23:29She did?

00:23:30Oh, yes, I know, because I called her up this morning to get the dirt about her boyfriend

00:23:32being murdered, and they said she left.

00:23:34Oh, she was Spencer's little playmate, huh?

00:23:36You see, she...

00:23:37Oh, be careful, Olive.

00:23:38You might get Louisa into trouble.

00:23:39Well, you're going to get yourselves into trouble if you don't answer my questions.

00:23:42Now, what else do you know about Louisa and Spencer?

00:23:44Not much, except, well, Spencer was awful crazy about her.

00:23:48Didn't they have any trouble?

00:23:48No arguments or fights?

00:23:50Well, no.

00:23:51At least not until Mr. Greer came along.

00:23:53Greer?

00:23:54You know, Maitland Greer, the big-shot millionaire.

00:23:56What happened after he came along?

00:23:58Spencer burned up and tried to take a poke with Greer one night.

00:24:00Oh, the two have met a fight, huh?

00:24:02Fight?

00:24:02Say, it was more like a brawl.

00:24:03You should have seen the two men.

00:24:04One of them left with the right and them with the left, and before you know...

00:24:06Never mind about all that.

00:24:07What else do you know?

00:24:08What else do we know?

00:24:09What else do we know?

00:24:10Nothing.

00:24:11Well, Louisa left her job after the fight, and nobody's seen her sense.

00:24:14Either one of you girls happen to have a picture, Mr. Ravelle?

00:24:16Yeah, I got one of my dressing rooms.

00:24:18I'll get it for him, will you?

00:24:19Sure.

00:24:19Hurry up, Carol.

00:24:20Oh, you know, when Louisa took that picture, she looked simply awful.

00:24:23She had a fight with Spencer the night before.

00:24:24Yeah, tell him.

00:24:25Oh, him, yeah.

00:24:26Look, you know how...

00:24:26Never mind.

00:24:28Did you see Spencer after he was dead?

00:24:30Yes, but not to speak to.

00:24:32Here it is.

00:24:34Oh, that's fine.

00:24:35I'll bring it back to you when I'm through with it.

00:24:37Well, it's perfectly all right, officer.

00:24:38Look, I brought one of me.

00:24:40Well, put your fingerprints on it, and I'll be back and get it next Tuesday.

00:24:42Well, it looks like Louisa Ravelle is our mystery mama, all right.

00:24:48I'll throw out a dragnet for her right away.

00:24:50If she hasn't left town, we'll have her in a few hours.

00:24:52Say, how about this fellow, Maitland Greer?

00:24:54Looks like he had a motive for killing Spencer, all right.

00:24:56I suppose we pick him up and go over him lightly.

00:24:59Nah, we can't take the risk.

00:25:00He's a big shot.

00:25:01He's a friend of the commissioner's.

00:25:02Besides, except for the motive, we have no evidence against him.

00:25:05Still, he may be your friend Torchy's unknown man.

00:25:07That reminds me, don't mention the name of Louisa Ravelle to anybody.

00:25:11If it breaks in the papers that we're looking for,

00:25:13she'll clear out of town and we never will find her.

00:25:15Don't worry about that, chief.

00:25:17Nobody will know it except us and the boys on the dragnet.

00:25:37Yeah, hello, Cap.

00:25:49Why, nobody but the boys knew anything about it.

00:25:52Now, listen, Cap, I haven't even seen Torchy.

00:25:55Well, then you've got a leak in your department.

00:25:57Plug it up or you can turn in your badge.

00:26:01Well, don't tell me.

00:26:02I can guess.

00:26:03But who could have spilled a Ravelle story?

00:26:05I warned the boys on the dragnet, I know they wouldn't talk.

00:26:08Well, I didn't.

00:26:09You didn't.

00:26:11Did you?

00:26:11No, I didn't.

00:26:13Wait a minute.

00:26:14That goof Gahagan heard us talking in the car this afternoon.

00:26:17Yeah, that's right.

00:26:19Hello.

00:26:20Find Gahagan and send him in here.

00:26:22Who?

00:26:23Healy, put him on.

00:26:24Hello, Healy.

00:26:26You did?

00:26:29Oh, all right.

00:26:30Keep working on it.

00:26:31The boys finally found Louisa Ravelle's new apartment, but she skipped out a half an

00:26:36hour before they got there.

00:26:38Have you been outside tonight, Chief?

00:26:41What a night.

00:26:42What a night.

00:26:42The sky and the moon.

00:26:44Oh, can that stuff.

00:26:45Gahagan?

00:26:46Why did you tell Torchy Blaine we were looking for Louisa Ravelle?

00:26:50Oh, I didn't say nothing of the kind.

00:26:52Are you sure?

00:26:53Sure, I'm sure.

00:26:55Did you see Miss Blaine today?

00:26:57For a minute this morning.

00:26:58Before we went to the department store or afterwards?

00:27:01Oh, it was before that.

00:27:04What'd you talk about?

00:27:06Writing.

00:27:07What writing?

00:27:09You know me.

00:27:10Poetry.

00:27:10Anything else?

00:27:11Nothing else.

00:27:12All right, that'll be all.

00:27:15Don't get it.

00:27:15It's spooky.

00:27:17You know, I'm beginning to think that gal really is psychic.

00:27:20Yeah.

00:27:22Say, Allie, do you got any more of those fingernails?

00:27:24You're out of luck unless you can use a thumbnail.

00:27:26Oh, no, I need an index.

00:27:27An index?

00:27:28Yeah, you know the one I point with.

00:27:29Uh-uh, it's impolite to point.

00:27:32How do you do?

00:27:33We do all right.

00:27:34I'm Torchy Blaine at the Star.

00:27:36Oh.

00:27:36We don't know where she is.

00:27:38She moved when I called.

00:27:39Greer and Spencer had a fight over her.

00:27:40And all she left here was a slip.

00:27:42A slip?

00:27:43May I see it, please?

00:27:44Well, I don't know.

00:27:45Maybe Louisa doesn't want people going around looking at her slips.

00:27:48Now, what's a slip between friends?

00:27:50Well, all right.

00:27:51You know, it was nothing but a simple little thing.

00:27:53That's a fine place to park.

00:27:55Why don't you go out of the way?

00:27:55Oh, thank you.

00:27:58Here you are.

00:27:59Thanks.

00:27:59Say, listen, Carol.

00:28:00Oh, here.

00:28:01Will you hold that for me, please?

00:28:02Uh-huh.

00:28:06Here, that's it.

00:28:06Okay, look.

00:28:08What are you doing?

00:28:09I'm just copying that laundry mark.

00:28:11Copying the laundry mark?

00:28:12Well, what do you know about that?

00:28:14It just goes to show you what publicity will do.

00:28:17Before poor Spencer was stabbed, Louisa could have been tattooed.

00:28:19Nobody would have thought of copying it.

00:28:21Say, speaking of being tattooed, I knew a sailor one.

00:28:23That's all right, girls.

00:28:24This is for the government, too.

00:28:25Oh, goodbye.

00:28:29Hello, Sammy.

00:28:30Hello.

00:28:30Is this one of your laundry marks?

00:28:32Yes, Honorable Torchy.

00:28:33This is one of our unworthy laundry marks.

00:28:35Oh, holly, same swellie.

00:28:37As a matter of coincidental fact, we're doing a precipitate job for the party now.

00:28:40Oh, holly, same more swellie.

00:28:42When that party will catch her?

00:28:43Today.

00:28:45She bring them herself?

00:28:46No.

00:28:46Oh, the package was placed here by another Honorable Lady.

00:28:50Maybe use slippy, Honorable Torchy high sign when Lady come back, huh?

00:28:54Oh, wait a minute.

00:28:56I would not have this unworthy caucus put in jeopardy.

00:28:59Maybe unworthy caucus catch in plenty of jeopardy over lottery tickets, no?

00:29:04You got me there, Torchy.

00:29:05Oh, okay, Sammy.

00:29:07What do I use for a high sign?

00:29:09How about that window?

00:29:10Oh, that's fine.

00:29:12You take something out of it, huh?

00:29:13Okay.

00:29:16Just wait here for me, please.

00:29:40At last, Sleeping Beauty.

00:29:42When that taxi in front of us leaves, heal it, and there's ten in it for you if you don't lose it.

00:29:46Come on.

00:30:16What's the matter?

00:30:46Oh, what is it?

00:30:55Oh, I just dropped in for a minute. I can't stay.

00:30:59Oh, yes, you can.

00:31:01Yes, I guess I can.

00:31:05Sit down.

00:31:06Blanche, who is she?

00:31:08She's probably some kind of a cop.

00:31:10Oh, you got me all wrong. I'm working my way through college.

00:31:15Magazines.

00:31:16Oh, yeah?

00:31:17Well, if you know what's good for you, you'll do as I tell you and keep your mouth shut.

00:31:20Oh, listen, I'm not a cop. I'm a reporter.

00:31:22You've got to believe me. I'm the only one who knows you're here.

00:31:24All I want is your side of the story.

00:31:26And every day that you don't tell that story,

00:31:27the public and police believe more and more that you're guilty.

00:31:30But I'm not guilty.

00:31:32All right, then, tell the world that you're not.

00:31:33I'll give you...

00:31:34I told you to sit down and shut up.

00:31:38Listen, Louisa, you're not going tomorrow. You're leaving tonight.

00:31:41I'll hold her here until you get outside the limit.

00:31:43But my tickets are for tomorrow.

00:31:45You're getting some other boat. Go on, pack your things.

00:31:48All right, but Blanche, do you suppose she really could help me?

00:31:51We aren't taking any chances. Go on.

00:31:53It's a nice little place you have here.

00:31:56Is the rent very steep?

00:31:58The rent?

00:31:59I told you to shut up.

00:32:01You didn't say positively.

00:32:04I can't let that alone.

00:32:05I was just reaching for a cigarette.

00:32:07I wish I could walk a mile for one.

00:32:09Can I have a cigarette?

00:32:15Thanks.

00:32:23Say, how did you find us?

00:32:25It's a long story.

00:32:28Now you shut up and sit down.

00:32:29Sorry I hadn't hurt you.

00:32:32Blanche, come over here and sit down.

00:32:34Now they'll say I'm guilty. I haven't a chance.

00:32:36Listen, sister, stop unraveling and be some use to yourself.

00:32:39If you are innocent, you're certainly playing it to make it look guilty.

00:32:42But I am innocent.

00:32:43I couldn't kill anyone.

00:32:45Well, you've got to believe me.

00:32:46All right.

00:32:47If you're innocent, I'll string along with you.

00:32:49But I want your story.

00:32:50Hello, forget-me-not.

00:33:00How'd you know?

00:33:01Listen, is Lieutenant McBride in?

00:33:03Yeah, but he's busy.

00:33:04They're turning the town upside down looking for this woman.

00:33:08Oh, what's her name now?

00:33:10I wouldn't be knowing.

00:33:11Sit down, Louisa.

00:33:12Will you tell Lieutenant McBride that I must see him?

00:33:14It's terribly important.

00:33:16I'm beginning to think you guys wouldn't know Louisa Revelle if you stumbled on her.

00:33:20Yeah.

00:33:21Miss Blaine to see you.

00:33:22Well, tell her I can't see her.

00:33:24She said she's got a surprise for you.

00:33:26Well, tell her I don't want to be surprised.

00:33:27Tell her I'm busy.

00:33:28Tell her I'll see her later.

00:33:29Now, go out and get on the job.

00:33:31I got a hunch we practically got this gal right in our hands and we're too dumb to know it.

00:33:36What is it?

00:33:37Hello, Stevie Weeby.

00:33:39Now, Torchy.

00:33:40Well, lovey-dovey then.

00:33:41Listen, can you come up for just a nitsy-bitsy minute?

00:33:44Yes, I'll be out.

00:33:49Itsy-bitsy.

00:33:53Torchy, you ought to know better than this.

00:33:54Steve, I want you to meet a little friend of mine.

00:33:56I haven't got time to meet anybody right now.

00:33:58I'm up to my neck at work.

00:33:59You'll have to excuse me.

00:33:59We'll get together some other time.

00:34:01Very glad to know you.

00:34:02Well, Miss Rebelle, I guess we're not wanted to know.

00:34:04Did you say Rebelle?

00:34:05Yes, this is Louisa Rebelle, but you're too busy now, darling.

00:34:07That's all right.

00:34:07Right this way, Miss Rebelle.

00:34:17Cap, we found her.

00:34:17We got Louisa Rebelle.

00:34:19What?

00:34:20Great.

00:34:23Where is she?

00:34:24She's in my office.

00:34:29Torchy bling.

00:34:31What are you doing here?

00:34:32I'm Miss Rebelle's chaperone.

00:34:33Torchy found Miss Rebelle.

00:34:35Yeah, she probably hit her out, too.

00:34:37Now, Miss Rebelle, were you with Mr. Spencer on the afternoon he was killed?

00:34:41Yes, but I didn't have anything to do with it.

00:34:43I was...

00:34:43Stop stalling.

00:34:45Don't be afraid, Louisa.

00:34:47They bluster a lot, but they're harmless.

00:34:49You just tell your own story in your own way.

00:34:52Parker, take this down.

00:34:55All right, Miss Rebelle, go ahead.

00:34:57Well, I...

00:34:57I went to Mr. Spencer's office.

00:35:00He'd invited me to see the fashion show with him.

00:35:02When I got there, Mr. Greer was there.

00:35:05Mr. Spencer was sick.

00:35:07He said he'd been sick all day.

00:35:09Mr. Greer wanted to call a doctor, but Spencer wouldn't let him.

00:35:13He said it wasn't anything serious, and...

00:35:16Well, I just thought he'd been drinking too much.

00:35:18He did that pretty often.

00:35:20Well, go on.

00:35:21Mr. Spencer didn't feel able to sit through the fashion show, and...

00:35:25So I left.

00:35:26That's all I know, everything.

00:35:28Did you see Mr. Spencer's secretary or any of the other girls in the office?

00:35:32No.

00:35:34No, they were all out watching the fashion show.

00:35:36The office was empty.

00:35:38That is, except for Mr. Greer and then Mr. Spencer.

00:35:40When you read that we were looking for you, why didn't you come forward?

00:35:43Well, I...

00:35:44I was afraid that Mr. Greer would be drawn into it.

00:35:47Now, he's innocent, all right.

00:35:49Up to his neck.

00:35:50Oh, but he's innocent, I tell you, he's innocent!

00:35:53That's all right, Louisa.

00:35:56All right, Mr. Vell.

00:35:58No need of becoming hysterical.

00:35:59You may go now.

00:36:02However, I'll have to assign a major to stay with you till after the trial.

00:36:05Healy, tell the major to take charge of Mr. Vell.

00:36:07Tell her to stay with her night and day.

00:36:09Okay, Chief.

00:36:11Then come back in here.

00:36:12Here's your man, all right, Steve.

00:36:16Yeah.

00:36:17Oh, and that reminds me.

00:36:18Hold a torch, you blend, and communicate,

00:36:19or I'd like to boil in one scoop on this case.

00:36:21Oh, wait just a minute, Captain.

00:36:22I'll save you the trouble.

00:36:28I'm telling Mr. Boylan that he can read it in the Star.

00:36:34One of these days, you'll be reading the Star in jail.

00:36:37Steve, pick up Greer and bring him in here.

00:36:40Healy, get a couple of minutes to pick up Greer.

00:36:41And you'd better hurry, or the extra will be out first.

00:36:45Wait a minute, Healy.

00:36:46What's the matter?

00:36:46Listen, Chief.

00:36:47We got nothing that puts Greer in there with Spencer when he was croaked,

00:36:50except the statement from the rebel gal.

00:36:52We'll probably go back on it when we get her into court.

00:36:54Oh, I wouldn't worry about that.

00:36:55I can put you on to a couple of witnesses who saw Spencer and Greer together after the fashion show.

00:36:59Who were they?

00:37:00Well, there was Regan, the cop on the beat, and, uh...

00:37:02Yeah, yeah?

00:37:03Me.

00:37:04Oh, that's swell.

00:37:05Get Greer and book him for murder.

00:37:06Right, Chief.

00:37:07However, I don't think Mr. Greer did it.

00:37:09Why not?

00:37:10Well, when I saw Spencer and him together, they were very palsy-wellsy.

00:37:14And you don't act like that with a guy that's just played tic-tac-toe on your tummy with an arch.

00:37:17Yeah, but the...

00:37:18However, that's your business.

00:37:20I suppose if I asked you to buy me a steak, you'd give me a wrong spear.

00:37:23Very funny.

00:37:25I'd like to take you out to dinner, Torchy, but, uh...

00:37:27Well, you see, I got a date.

00:37:29The commissioner.

00:37:31Oh, well, if I bid for me to come between you and the commissioner.

00:37:34So long.

00:37:35So long.

00:37:36Well, as long as you got a date with the commissioner, Chief.

00:37:39Oh, that was just a stall to get rid of Torchy.

00:37:41We got to find that knife.

00:37:42Without the knife, the DA's case ain't worth a dime.

00:37:44Yeah, but the boys went over Spencer's office with a fine tooth comb.

00:37:47Their idea of a fine tooth comb is a rake.

00:37:49Come on.

00:37:57Yeah, that passkey.

00:38:05Here's the haystack.

00:38:07I hope we find the needle.

00:38:11Yeah, let's get to work.

00:38:17Hey, take a look at this.

00:38:26Could have been done with that.

00:38:28Maybe Mr. Spencer wasn't stabbed.

00:38:30He was snipped.

00:38:31Yeah.

00:38:33Wait a minute, there's a paper knife that fits in there.

00:38:35Maybe he was stabbed with that.

00:38:36Now, if I come to think of it, the coroner's report said the stabbing wasn't done with an ordinary knife.

00:38:40Wait a minute.

00:38:42Wait a minute.

00:38:44Hey, boss, you know you were right.

00:38:51A paper knife does fit in there.

00:38:53Yeah.

00:38:54Hello, is the coroner in?

00:38:56That's Lieutenant McBride.

00:38:57Hello, McBride.

00:38:59No, I don't remember offhand.

00:39:01Dixon handled that case and he's out.

00:39:04A paper knife, eh?

00:39:06Now, that might be it.

00:39:07I'll tell you what I'll do.

00:39:08I'll dig up the autopsy report and call you back.

00:39:10All right, call me back at, uh, Main 65372.

00:39:16He's checking up, but I'm sure I'm right.

00:39:18Let's go.

00:39:18Now, at least we know what we're looking for.

00:39:20Chances are Greer took it with him.

00:39:21On the other hand, a murderer usually leads a lethal weapon at the scene of the crime.

00:39:24He's afraid of being caught with it on him.

00:39:29We're sunk, Chief.

00:39:30We've combed the place and haven't missed a trick.

00:39:33The knife's not here.

00:39:35Yeah, we'll have to search Greer's house.

00:39:37What's the matter with that coroner?

00:39:38He was supposed to call me back.

00:39:39Have you got the number, Chief?

00:39:43It's, uh, 300-something.

00:39:45Yeah, I got it right here.

00:39:49Hello, this is McBride.

00:39:50I thought you were going to call me back.

00:39:53You did?

00:39:54I've been right here and the phone didn't ring.

00:39:56I called you two or three times and then I had the operator call.

00:39:59She said the phone was ringing all right, but nobody answered.

00:40:02Now, look, I dug up that report on Spencer.

00:40:06He was stabbed by some blunt-edge weapon with a sharp point.

00:40:09A paper knife would fiddle the bill.

00:40:12Okay, thanks.

00:40:13The paper knife, all right.

00:40:15You got Greer's home address?

00:40:16Yeah.

00:40:17Why don't I phone to the department and see if I had any calls?

00:40:19Hello, operator.

00:40:23Give me a police department, please.

00:40:34Headquarters.

00:40:35Oh, hello, Lieutenant.

00:40:37Yeah.

00:40:39The captain's been trying to get you.

00:40:41I gave him that phone number you left with me, but no one answered.

00:40:45And then I tried and the operator tried and no one answered.

00:40:50What is this, a game?

00:40:52I've been here an hour and a half and the phone didn't ring once.

00:40:55Okay.

00:40:57Everybody claims they've been trying to ring this phone.

00:40:59Maybe they did.

00:41:00Maybe Spencer didn't like telephones.

00:41:02And maybe he stuffed up his bell with a pad of paper.

00:41:05Yeah, maybe...

00:41:06Give me a knife.

00:41:07Let's have a look.

00:41:20That's all we've been looking for.

00:41:22Can you beat that?

00:41:23Give me a handkerchief.

00:41:27Say, the guy that hit that knife was clever.

00:41:29They never would have found it if hadn't gotten wedged in between the clapper and the bell.

00:41:32No wonder the telephone couldn't ring.

00:41:34This little incident was sure going to give the district attorney a big thrill and greer the shock of his life.

00:41:38Yeah, about 2,000 volts.

00:41:42Shh.

00:41:55Oh, hello.

00:41:57Oh, fancy seeing you boys here.

00:41:59Torchy, what are you doing here?

00:42:00How did you get past the watchman?

00:42:01Have you got change for a dollar?

00:42:02What for?

00:42:03The watchman thought that it was a badge.

00:42:05Oh, I give up.

00:42:06Now, what do you expect to find here?

00:42:08Oh, I don't know.

00:42:08I thought possibly I might find something that would cut into Greer's defense and put an edge on the DA's case.

00:42:13She's looking for Spencer's razor.

00:42:15Oh, you're subtle, Parker.

00:42:18Subtle like an avalanche.

00:42:21I suppose it'd be useless to ask either of you gentlemen if you found the direful dagger.

00:42:25Well, if I did, you wouldn't expect me to tell you, would you?

00:42:28I thought I might be able to wiggle it out.

00:42:29Oh, don't do that.

00:42:31You know I don't like that.

00:42:33Okay, Spudgy, would you?

00:42:34Just be careful you don't cut yourself.

00:42:36Oh, come on.

00:42:36Let's get out of here.

00:42:38We'll look for it again tomorrow.

00:42:39Oh, yes.

00:42:40Well, there's night, there's hope.

00:42:41Now, I suppose you want me to drop you at your apartment, huh?

00:42:45No, no.

00:42:46I've got to do something about finding the murderer.

00:42:47No, you still don't think Greer is guilty, eh?

00:42:49Nope.

00:42:50Then you wouldn't expect me to tell you about that, would you?

00:42:53Goodbye, sluice.

00:42:56Say, she's got something buzzing in her bonnet.

00:42:58Yeah, and the chances are I'll get stung by it.

00:43:01Anyway, we better put that Greer on the grill.

00:43:02Right.

00:43:05I went all over a chief and couldn't find a print.

00:43:08They were all wiped off.

00:43:09Yeah, they usually are.

00:43:10You know, I wish we could find one murderer

00:43:12that would give the police department a little cooperation.

00:43:14That would be nice.

00:43:16Yeah.

00:43:16Is Greer waiting out there?

00:43:17Yeah.

00:43:18Bring him in.

00:43:22Healing.

00:43:26Hello, Greer.

00:43:28Sit down.

00:43:29I suppose you know that you're booked

00:43:33for the murder of Marvin Spencer.

00:43:34Yes.

00:43:36You know, we don't take action like that

00:43:37unless we've got plenty of evidence.

00:43:39So I suppose you save us a lot of time and trouble

00:43:41and possibly save your own life

00:43:42by telling us the whole story.

00:43:44I'm sorry, Lieutenant,

00:43:45but my attorney has instructed me not to say anything

00:43:47until he sees a transcript of the evidence against me.

00:43:49Oh, you've seen your lawyer already, eh?

00:43:51Yes, I sent for him as soon as I was arrested.

00:43:53Then you won't tell us anything.

00:43:55Not until I hear what you gentlemen have to say.

00:43:58After all, the burden of proof is on you.

00:44:00Yeah.

00:44:02You ever see that before?

00:44:06I can't say.

00:44:07There are probably thousands of paper knives just like that.

00:44:09Now listen here, Greer.

00:44:10We've got you dead to rights.

00:44:11We know that you were fighting with Spencer

00:44:12over at Louisa Rebell.

00:44:13You were in his office in the afternoon

00:44:15and he was killed,

00:44:15and besides, your fingerprints were all over that knife

00:44:17and all over the phone box where it was hidden.

00:44:18If you have all that,

00:44:19why do you need anything from me?

00:44:20I want to give you a chance.

00:44:23I'll take my chances.

00:44:25All right, Healy, lock him up.

00:44:26Hold him in communicado.

00:44:27Don't let him talk to his lawyer or anybody else.

00:44:28Pending orders from the DA.

00:44:30Right, Chief.

00:44:31Get Gahagan in here.

00:44:35Go Gahagan.

00:44:39All right, close that door.

00:44:43Now, nobody knows anything about this knife

00:44:45but we three, Greer and Healy.

00:44:47Greer won't be able to talk,

00:44:48and I'm going to speak to Healy on my way out,

00:44:50and I'm not even going to tell the captain about it

00:44:51until in the morning.

00:44:52And if Torchy spills it in the star,

00:44:54it means that one of us talk.

00:44:55Yeah.

00:44:55Well, he can count on me, Chief.

00:44:58Me too, Chief.

00:44:59I won't even tell me mother, so help me.

00:45:01All right.

00:45:01If Torchy Blaine finds out about this knife,

00:45:03I'll admit she is psychic.

00:45:05Nice.

00:45:06Psychic.

00:45:07Gee, that's a pretty word.

00:45:08Yeah.

00:45:09Play with her for a while.

00:45:10I'm going to get some sleep.

00:45:13The world, it moves in psychics.

00:45:15And...

00:45:17Morning, Chief.

00:45:32Hello, bugger.

00:45:33Say, there was nothing in the early papers about the knife.

00:45:35No, looks like I finally stole a march on Torchy.

00:45:37Have you said anything to the captain about it yet?

00:45:39Not yet.

00:45:40I'm going to spring it at him right now.

00:45:41Well, I...

00:45:43How are you, Shakespeare?

00:45:44Huh.

00:45:45Still pendent.

00:45:46And what a great day.

00:45:47And I got a poem, too.

00:45:49If I can only think of a word that rhymes with June, tune, or moon.

00:45:53Did you ever think of gaboon?

00:45:55You ain't got no sentiment.

00:45:57Star X, we're all about the Spencer case.

00:46:00Police, find murder weapon.

00:46:01Read it in the Star.

00:46:03What?

00:46:04Fork?

00:46:05Star X, me.

00:46:06Oh, yes, mister.

00:46:08All about the Spencer case.

00:46:10What is it, Chief?

00:46:12Didn't you find me one, Chief?

00:46:13What is it, Chief?

00:46:14What is it, Chief?

00:46:14Police, find Spencer murder weapon.

00:46:16Paper knife found hidden in telephone box by Torchy Blaine, exclusive to the Star.

00:46:21Well, that settles it.

00:46:23One of you two guys have been talking.

00:46:25Parker, where'd you go last night after you left me?

00:46:28I went right home and hit the hay.

00:46:29You talked to anybody?

00:46:30Not a soul.

00:46:31You're hay again?

00:46:32What did you do?

00:46:34I went to a restaurant and had some hamburger with onions.

00:46:37Anybody talk to you?

00:46:38Nobody.

00:46:39That was an account of the onions.

00:46:40Gee, I never thought of that.

00:46:42Well, think about this.

00:46:42What did you do after that?

00:46:44Well, I went home with me mother and talked to her.

00:46:46What about?

00:46:48About me fallen arches.

00:46:49Ah, Flatfoot bears his soul.

00:46:52Yeah, well, what did you do after that?

00:46:54Well, I said my prayers and went to bed.

00:46:56Is that all?

00:46:57That's all, Chief.

00:46:58Except that I wrote a few lines in my diary.

00:47:02You did what and you're which?

00:47:04Well, I wrote a few lines in my diary.

00:47:07Don't worry about that, Chief.

00:47:08You know, nobody can read it.

00:47:09I keep it locked in the compartment.

00:47:10Get it out and let me see it.

00:47:13Yeah, but nobody can read it.

00:47:14I'd always carry it, Katie.

00:47:16Get it out and let me see it.

00:47:18Nobody would ever find it in there, huh?

00:47:20There it is.

00:47:21Dear diary, isn't that ducky?

00:47:23Hey, Chief tonight, Montan store, Louisa Greer.

00:47:29Tell her about finding a paper knife.

00:47:31Only the Chief, Parker, and me know about it.

00:47:34Only the Chief, Parker, and me know about it.

00:47:37Why, you great, big, dumb, adult, painted ape.

00:47:40Don't you see?

00:47:41That's where she got the whole thing.

00:47:42All about the paper knife.

00:47:43All about Louisa Revelle.

00:47:44All about Greer.

00:47:45How long have you been doing this?

00:47:47Well, only a short time.

00:47:50You see, Miss Plain told me that if I kept a record of everything you did,

00:47:54well, I could write books about it.

00:47:56And she could write scoops about it.

00:47:58I ought to fire you right off the force with pulling a dumb trick like this.

00:48:01And if you ever tell or write anything else about my business,

00:48:04you're a dead duck.

00:48:05A diary.

00:48:07Just a policeman who kisses and tells.

00:48:10There goes my career.

00:48:11And I'm supposed to carry on.

00:48:17Hello, Captain.

00:48:21Just a minute.

00:48:23I understand that you found the knife that killed Spencer.

00:48:27Of course, I wouldn't know a part if I hadn't read it in the Star.

00:48:30Well, I didn't tell her.

00:48:31I didn't.

00:48:32Did you?

00:48:33What?

00:48:34Well, you don't have to worry anymore, Cap.

00:48:35I found a leak and I plugged it.

00:48:37I hope so.

00:48:38But in the meantime, I'm not going to take any chances.

00:48:41Parker, I want you to shadow Torchy Blaine from now on.

00:48:45Until this case goes to the jury.

00:48:47Then you are to report to me on everything she does, everyone she sees.

00:48:51All right, Captain, but Torchy's a pretty smart gal.

00:48:54She'll spot me in an hour.

00:48:55So much the better.

00:48:57When she realizes everything she digs up has been handed to the other papers,

00:49:01maybe she'll lay off police news and give us a rest.

00:49:04That's all.

00:49:05Congratulations, Chief.

00:49:11Congratulations on what?

00:49:13Your wedding.

00:49:13What wedding?

00:49:15About the only way Torchy can get any news from now on is to marry you.

00:49:19Then she can have a little scoop of her own.

00:49:20Yeah, but the star will probably know about her before I do.

00:49:23Let's go.

00:49:24Let's go.

00:49:25Let's go.

00:49:26Let's go.

00:49:27Let's go.

00:49:28Let's go.

00:49:29Let's go.

00:49:30Let's go.

00:49:31Let's go.

00:49:32Let's go.

00:49:33Let's go.

00:49:34Let's go.

00:49:38Oh, my God.

00:50:08You have examined Exhibit A, the weapon which brought death to Marvin Spencer.

00:50:30The testimony of witnesses has proved conclusively that on the day of the fatal stabbing,

00:50:34Greer called upon the deceased, quarreled with him over Louisa Revelle, and then attacked him.

00:50:41Greer thwarted in his attack and enraged against his adversary,

00:50:45snatched the paper knife from the table, and plunged it into the body of the man he hated.

00:50:50It was murder, gentlemen. Unmitigated murder.

00:50:54Therefore, the state demands that you find Maitland Greer guilty of murder in the first degree.

00:51:00From then on, it goes into a triangle routine.

00:51:05Love, shots, and the morgue. The flowers were beautiful.

00:51:08I'll call you back.

00:51:09As the jury filed past him, Maitland Greer's eyes pleaded with each member for his life.

00:51:13In the face of one, he saw pity. In that of another, condemnation.

00:51:16What was behind those twelve faces? Freedom or the electric chair?

00:51:19You rewrite that while you whistle hearts and flowers very softly, Maxie, and you get the idea.

00:51:23There are two peas in opportunity.

00:51:31Yeah, but there's only one R in scram.

00:51:34You ought to know. You've heard it often enough.

00:51:43Oh, are you, watchdog? Sorry I haven't a bone to throw you.

00:51:47Maybe it's just as well. I always bite the hand that feeds me.

00:51:50When's your master going to call you back to the kennel?

00:51:52I don't know. What's the matter? Are you in the doghouse with your editor?

00:51:56You said it. He's burned in plenty, and I can't blame him.

00:51:59When you tattle everything to McTavish and he tips off Boylan first,

00:52:02I haven't had a scoop since the trial started.

00:52:04Oh, that's a shame. It's too bad you can't lose your shadow.

00:52:07Maybe I can. I've got a little something up my sleeve.

00:52:10Well, it's only an elbow when porous plaster Parker sticks to your baby.

00:52:13Well, maybe I can elbow you out of the way.

00:52:15Well, we'll know in a few hours, Steve. Okay.

00:52:17Oh, Stevie!

00:52:18How are you, darling?

00:52:19Gee, I'm getting so tired of being a widow before I'm a wife.

00:52:21I haven't seen you since the trial started.

00:52:24Oh, never mind, Torchy. It'll soon be over, and I'll start buying your steaks again.

00:52:27Gee, I missed you.

00:52:29Oh, I missed you, too.

00:52:31Gee, it was toughest at dinner.

00:52:33You know, I even lost my appetite.

00:52:35No kidding?

00:52:35Yeah.

00:52:36Oh, about that murder case, Chief. Remember?

00:52:38Yeah.

00:52:38Do you think they'll pin a first degree on Greer?

00:52:40Oh, sure. The case is open and shut.

00:52:42Well, that'll be the right hint for the wrong person.

00:52:45Now, you're still playing that hunch of yours, eh?

00:52:46Hmm?

00:52:47Well, if Greer isn't guilty, who is?

00:52:48I don't know.

00:52:50But possibly you could use your shadows more profitably on the woman in the case.

00:52:58So long.

00:52:59Gee, she's lost her appetite.

00:53:05Stick with it, Parker.

00:53:08How do you do, Miss Plain?

00:53:09I hope the key fits.

00:53:10I don't like these hurry-up jobs.

00:53:12No.

00:53:12I shouldn't be making two keys from wax impressions.

00:53:16I might get into trouble.

00:53:17Oh, no, no.

00:53:18You won't get into any trouble.

00:53:20Pretty soon, they're going to give the lieutenant the key to the city.

00:53:22And we're going to let you make it.

00:53:24Oh, that'd be swell, Miss Plain.

00:53:42I thought maybe that you might give me some little human interest angle

00:53:56that would convince the public that district attorneys are human after all.

00:54:02Incidentally, reporters aren't supposed to come in here.

00:54:05Oh, excuse me.

00:54:06I'm sorry.

00:54:08Excuse me, excuse me.

00:54:12Now, you see, if that element of the case can take into consideration in the first place,

00:54:19I don't believe it.

00:54:28Yep, that ought to be it.

00:54:36Oh, somebody trying to be funny, huh?

00:54:42Oh, somebody trying to be funny.

00:55:08Oh, they're all about to turn into the kicked.

00:55:09Oh, Penny!

00:55:09Oh, gone Haykins!

00:55:09Yes, you.

00:55:10Oh, my God!

00:55:11Oh, my God!

00:55:12Oh, my God!

00:55:12But it's plain as deadly that Brewer is guilty.

00:55:17The judge said that there was any reasonable doubt.

00:55:20Any reasonable doubt.

00:55:21There's no doubt in my mind.

00:55:23How about the knife?

00:55:24Did anybody prove for one single minute?

00:55:38For the love of mine, are you going to hold out forever?

00:55:41I'm doing my duty as I see it.

00:55:44Then we're still 11 to 1.

00:56:11Don't touch you yet?

00:56:26No.

00:56:27I've turned this courthouse upside down.

00:56:29I can't understand it.

00:56:30Ah, she's up to something, all right.

00:56:34Hello.

00:56:35Hello, Mr. Boylan.

00:56:36It's Duffy.

00:56:37You're still out.

00:56:39What?

00:56:40How could she?

00:56:41She's not a mind reader.

00:56:43Wants to know if I can prove it.

00:56:45She did.

00:56:45I'll let you know.

00:56:47What do you think?

00:56:48I didn't do it.

00:56:48Oh, quiet.

00:56:49Torch cracked your story in her two-star

00:56:51that the jury on the ninth ballot

00:56:52was 11 to 1 for a conviction.

00:56:53She's crazy.

00:56:54How could she find that?

00:56:55Fake in stories.

00:56:56She'll get herself into trouble.

00:56:57Get herself into trouble?

00:56:58What do you think she's doing to me?

00:56:59That eight ball is getting bigger by the minute.

00:57:01Well, the jury's still out.

00:57:11But I'm going out and get a breath of fresh air.

00:57:14If the jury reaches a verdict before I get back,

00:57:16they can wait.

00:57:18I've waited six hours for them.

00:57:20They can wait a half an hour for me.

00:57:22Uh, Judge.

00:57:23Yes?

00:57:23Your hat.

00:57:24Oh, oh, thank you.

00:57:30All right, all right.

00:57:31Have it your way.

00:57:32We can't hold out all night.

00:57:34I won't kill him.

00:57:38Oh, excuse me.

00:57:39I'm sorry.

00:57:41I'm sorry.

00:57:43Hello, Maxie.

00:57:44You can go to town.

00:57:44The verdict's guilty.

00:57:46Yeah.

00:57:47Never mind how I found out.

00:57:49You can depend on it.

00:57:50Swell.

00:57:51We'll scoop the town.

00:57:52Torture you or a honey.

00:57:53Goodbye.

00:57:58But I tell you, Maxie,

00:58:00the verdict's not guilty.

00:58:02I'd stake my life on it.

00:58:04It's not guilty.

00:58:05It's not guilty.

00:58:06Give me the captain.

00:58:20Oh, hello, Cap.

00:58:22Parker.

00:58:23Listen.

00:58:23Get this quick.

00:58:25She did?

00:58:27You sure of this?

00:58:28Okay, Parker.

00:58:29Good work.

00:58:31You sure of this?

00:58:54Okay, Swell.

00:58:56Hold page one for a replay.

00:59:00I feel certain that the jury system

00:59:02is the cornerstone of all our liberties.

00:59:05Twelve men and women

00:59:06retire behind closed doors

00:59:08to weigh the defendant's guilt.

00:59:11Nobody knows what goes on

00:59:12behind those locked doors.

00:59:14Nobody knows what their deliberation...

00:59:16You're guilty of Spencer murder.

00:59:17Read all about it in the star.

00:59:18I'm special extra.

00:59:20I ain't free or found guilty.

00:59:22I ain't free or found guilty.

00:59:23I ain't free or found guilty.

00:59:25Extra express.

00:59:26We're not guilty.

00:59:28Extra.

00:59:28Extra express.

00:59:30We're not guilty.

00:59:31Read all about it.

00:59:32Extra.

00:59:33We're not guilty.

00:59:34We're not guilty.

00:59:35We're guilty.

00:59:36We're not guilty.

00:59:37We're not guilty.

00:59:38Extra.

00:59:39Read all about it.

00:59:40Extra.

00:59:40We're not guilty.

00:59:42Extra.

00:59:42Extra paper.

00:59:46We're found guilty.

00:59:47The court will now come to order.

01:00:04Mr. Foreman, has the jury reached a verdict?

01:00:07We have, Your Honor.

01:00:09The defendant will stand and face the jury.

01:00:14What is your verdict?

01:00:17We find the defendant guilty of murder in the first degree.

01:00:27Court is adjourned.

01:00:28Oh, my darling.

01:00:29Don't worry, it's all right.

01:00:33Nothing up my sleeve but my elbow, huh?

01:00:38Bailiff, bring that Blaine woman to my office.

01:00:41Yes, Your Honor.

01:00:43Just a minute, Miss Blaine.

01:00:45The judge wants to see you.

01:00:47Pardon me while I have the last laugh.

01:00:51This way.

01:00:54All right.

01:00:55Hi, Skipper.

01:01:15Hello, jailbird.

01:01:17Oh, gee, I always said I'd see you in jail.

01:01:19I hope this will be a lesson for you.

01:01:20A lesson.

01:01:20You should see the kind of stew they call steak here.

01:01:23When do I get out?

01:01:24Matron.

01:01:25Yes, Lieutenant.

01:01:26Let me in here, will you?

01:01:29I'm so sorry, Miss Blaine.

01:01:31You're sorry.

01:01:33Oh, Skipper.

01:01:34When do I get out of here?

01:01:36Just as soon as court opens.

01:01:38And I had a tough time talking Judge Wilson into it, too.

01:01:40Yeah?

01:01:41Say, where did you get that hunch about Louisa?

01:01:43You mean she confessed?

01:01:44Well, she was all broken up over the Greer verdict, and I caught her on the rebound.

01:01:48She told me the whole story.

01:01:49How did it happen?

01:01:51When she went to Spencer's office on the day of the murder, she found Spencer and Greer fighting over her.

01:01:56Spencer lost his temper and started to beat up Greer.

01:01:58Greer drew his gun in self-defense, but Spencer grabbed it away from him and was about to shoot Greer

01:02:03when Louisa picked up the paper knife and stabbed Spencer.

01:02:06What happened to the gun?

01:02:07Oh, Greer took it away with him.

01:02:08Oh, and then hid the knife?

01:02:10Yeah, when it was all over and they calmed down, they both wanted to protect the girl.

01:02:14They were afraid if the knife was found, she'd be involved.

01:02:16So Greer told her what to do and what to say and made her promise to stick to her story.

01:02:20That's the reason why she wouldn't come clean until Greer was convicted.

01:02:24You know, that Greer's a pretty swell guy.

01:02:26And Louisa, she's a nice kid, too.

01:02:28Oh, I hope they get out of it.

01:02:30Oh, they probably will.

01:02:31Looks like a clean case of self-defense.

01:02:34And I suppose the captain gave the story to the express, huh?

01:02:37He sure did.

01:02:38Yes.

01:02:39But you know, somehow the star got it first.

01:02:43Yeah, the...

01:02:45I killed Spencer.

01:02:48Louisa Revelle.

01:02:50Why, Torchy Blaine.

01:02:53Oh, Skipper, you gave Maxie the story for me?

01:02:56You're wonderful.

01:02:57Oh, I didn't say I gave Maxie the story.

01:02:59I guess he reads Gahagan's diary, too.

01:03:03I wish you could read my mind.

01:03:06Maybe I'm psychic.

01:03:07I wish you could read my mind.

01:03:10I wish you could read my mind.

01:03:11I wish you could read my mind.

01:03:12I wish you could read my mind.

01:03:13I wish you could read my mind.

01:03:14I wish you could read my mind.

01:03:15I wish you could read my mind.

01:03:16I wish you could read my mind.

01:03:17I wish you could read my mind.

01:03:18I wish you could read my mind.

01:03:19I wish you could read my mind.

01:03:20I wish you could read my mind.

01:03:21I wish you could read my mind.

01:03:22I wish you could read my mind.

01:03:23I wish you could read my mind.

01:03:24I wish you could read my mind.

01:03:25I wish you could read my mind.

01:03:26I wish you could read my mind.

01:03:27I wish you could read my mind.

01:03:28I wish you could read my mind.

01:03:29I wish you could read my mind.

01:03:30I wish you could read my mind.

Category

Transcript

Comments

Recommended