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Cinema Wave
  • 2 days ago
Detour (1945) is a classic film noir directed by Edgar G. Ulmer, following a man whose life takes an unexpected turn during a cross-country journey. As he encounters a series of unforeseen events and complex characters, he must navigate moral dilemmas, chance encounters, and the consequences of his choices. The film explores themes of fate, personal responsibility, and the unpredictability of life with a gripping and atmospheric storytelling style.

Featuring stark black-and-white cinematography and memorable performances, Detour (1945) captures the tension, mood, and suspense characteristic of classic noir films. The character-driven narrative emphasizes emotional depth, moral complexity, and the dramatic impact of decisions, making it a timeless and compelling cinematic experience.

Ideal for fans of classic dramas, film noir, and character-focused storytelling, Detour offers an engaging and thought-provoking journey that resonates across generations.

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Fun
Transcript
00:02:30Well, here we are.
00:02:42I turned down here at the next block.
00:02:44Thanks, mister.
00:02:45I'll get off there.
00:02:46Want anything else?
00:02:54No.
00:02:56Hey, you.
00:02:56Me?
00:02:57Yeah, you.
00:03:01Where are you heading?
00:03:02East.
00:03:05You're there.
00:03:06I thought if you was heading north, I might be able to help you out.
00:03:09I'm pushing the Salt Lake and I don't like to ride alone at night.
00:03:12I'm one of those guys who got a talker, I fall asleep.
00:03:15Oh, sure.
00:03:17No, I...
00:03:17Pardon me.
00:03:18He's got Lou to keep in company, but I ain't got nobody at all.
00:03:21Where you coming from?
00:03:23West.
00:03:24Yeah, sure, I know, but where, L.A.?
00:03:26Maybe.
00:03:27I got a cousin out now, L.A.
00:03:29You don't say.
00:03:30Yeah, he's been out...
00:03:31You're not much of a talker, are you?
00:03:34My mother taught me never to speak to strangers.
00:03:36Oh, a wise guy.
00:03:37So what?
00:03:38Okay, okay, don't get sore.
00:03:40He's trying to be sociable, that's all.
00:03:43Hey, Glamorous, change for a dime, will you?
00:03:56Let's have something quieter this time, Joe.
00:03:58My head's splitting.
00:03:59Is that what's wrong with it?
00:04:04Done with your coffee?
00:04:05No.
00:04:06And don't rush me, will you?
00:04:08Hey, turn that off.
00:04:16Will you turn that thing off?
00:04:17What's eating you now?
00:04:18Yeah, what's eating you?
00:04:19That music, it stinks.
00:04:20Oh, you don't like it, huh?
00:04:21No, turn it off.
00:04:22Now, wait a minute, pal.
00:04:23That was my nickel, see?
00:04:25This is a free country, but I play whatever I want it.
00:04:29Okay.
00:04:30Sure, and if you don't like it, you don't have to listen to it.
00:04:33And you can leave here anytime you want it.
00:04:35Okay, okay, I'm sorry I asked.
00:04:36First good piece play tonight, and you don't like it.
00:04:39Some people just ain't got any good taste.
00:04:40That tune, that tune, why was there always that rotten tune?
00:04:58Following me around, beating in my head, never letting up.
00:05:00Did you ever want to forget anything?
00:05:07Did you ever want to cut away a piece of your memory or blot it out?
00:05:10You can't, you know.
00:05:12No matter how hard you try.
00:05:14You can change the scenery.
00:05:16But sooner or later, you'll get a whiff of perfume where somebody will say a certain phrase or maybe hum something.
00:05:20Then you're licked again.
00:05:25I can't believe that you're in love with me.
00:05:27I used to love that song once.
00:05:30So did the customers back in the old Break of Dawn Club in New York.
00:05:33I can't remember a night when I didn't get at least three requests for it.
00:05:37Sue, she was always selling it, too.
00:05:41Those were the days.
00:05:42Your eyes are blue, your kisses, too.
00:06:11I never knew what they could do.
00:06:14I can't believe that you're in love with me.
00:06:19You're telling everyone you know that I'm on your mind each place you go.
00:06:26They can't believe that you're in love with me.
00:06:32I have always placed you far above me.
00:06:37I just can't imagine that you love me.
00:06:43And after all is said and done, to think that I'm the lucky one.
00:06:50I can't believe that you're in love with me.
00:06:54It wasn't much of a club, really.
00:07:04You know the kind.
00:07:06A joint where you could have a sandwich and a few drinks and run interference for your girl on the dance floor.
00:07:10I pounded the piano in there every night from 8 until the place closed up, which usually meant 4 in the morning.
00:07:19A good job as jobs went in those days.
00:07:21Then, too, there was Sue, who made working there a little like working in heaven.
00:07:32But how we felt about each other, well, there was nothing very unusual in that.
00:07:36I was an ordinary healthy guy, and she was an ordinary healthy girl.
00:07:39And when you add those two together, you get an ordinary healthy romance, which is the old story.
00:07:44Sure, but somehow, the most wonderful thing in the world.
00:07:57All in all, I was a pretty lucky guy.
00:07:59Mr. Paderewski, I presume.
00:08:14It's beautiful.
00:08:15You're going to make Carnegie Hall yet, Al?
00:08:17Yeah, as a janitor.
00:08:20I'll make my debut in the basement.
00:08:22I don't blame you for being bitter, darling, but you mustn't give up hope.
00:08:26Why, someday...
00:08:27Yeah, someday, if I don't get arthritis first.
00:08:29In the meantime, let's blow this trap.
00:08:51Like to get something to eat, hon?
00:08:52Oh, I don't think so, Al.
00:08:53I lose my appetite working in this flea bag.
00:08:57Let's go home.
00:08:58Okay.
00:08:59I can't stand much more of that dump.
00:09:02Did you see that drunk tonight, trying to paw me?
00:09:05No, what drunk?
00:09:06Does it matter what drunk?
00:09:09Say, what's the matter with you tonight, darling?
00:09:11That's the third time you started to tell me something, then stop.
00:09:15We shouldn't have any secrets from each other, Sue.
00:09:17Next week, we're going to make with a ring and a license.
00:09:19You and me will be a team.
00:09:20Yes, that's right.
00:09:21In the Bush League.
00:09:23I don't get you.
00:09:24We've been struck out.
00:09:27That's a funny way to talk, darling.
00:09:29Don't you want to marry me?
00:09:30Al, look, I love you.
00:09:31You know I do, and I want to marry you.
00:09:34What?
00:09:35But not now.
00:09:36Only after we've made good.
00:09:39Sunday, I'm going away.
00:09:40Oh, I know you'll think it's silly.
00:09:43That's why I hesitated to tell you.
00:09:45But I'm going to California.
00:09:47I want to try my luck in Hollywood.
00:09:50That's the most stupid thing I ever heard of.
00:09:52Don't you know millions of people go out there every year and wind up polishing cuspidors?
00:09:56I thought you had better sense.
00:09:57You sound as if you don't think I have any talent.
00:09:59That has nothing to do with it.
00:10:01I'll make out all right.
00:10:02Maybe.
00:10:02But what about me?
00:10:04Doesn't it mean anything to you that you're busting up all our plans?
00:10:06We may not see each other for years.
00:10:07It won't be that long.
00:10:09I thought you loved me.
00:10:11I do.
00:10:12You know I do.
00:10:15Well, here we are.
00:10:20Al.
00:10:22Al, why can't you see my side of it?
00:10:25I'm young.
00:10:26We both are, and we've got all the time in the world to settle down.
00:10:32Really, darling?
00:10:33What I'm doing is the only sane thing to do.
00:10:36I hate the thought of being so far away from you, but we'll be together again someday.
00:10:44Maybe you'll decide to come out too later on.
00:10:47So long.
00:10:49Al, aren't you going to kiss me good night?
00:10:53Sure.
00:10:54Why not?
00:10:57Good night.
00:10:58Good night.
00:10:58Good night.
00:12:28Say, Roberts, you hit the jackpot this time.
00:12:44Ten bucks.
00:12:46Thanks.
00:12:46So when this drunk handed me a tin spot after a request, I couldn't get very excited.
00:12:57What was it I asked myself?
00:12:59A piece of paper crawling with germs.
00:13:01Couldn't buy anything I wanted.
00:13:03It couldn't...
00:13:04Then I thought of something.
00:13:09Let's go.
00:13:39H-A-R-V-E-Y.
00:13:41The number is Crestview 65723.
00:13:43Hello, Sue.
00:13:48Hello, Sue.
00:13:57This is Al.
00:13:58Oh, baby, it's great to hear from you, too.
00:14:17What's that?
00:14:18You do?
00:14:19Oh, me too, darling.
00:14:20I thought I'd go batty without you.
00:14:22I just had to...
00:14:23Huh?
00:14:25You're working as a hashlinger?
00:14:27Gee, honey, that's tough.
00:14:29Those guys out in Hollywood don't know the real thing when it's right in front of them.
00:14:32You just stick it out, Sue, baby.
00:14:34Keep going around to those casting offices.
00:14:36I'm sure you'll click.
00:14:38Look, I'll tell you what.
00:14:38You stay put out there.
00:14:39I'll come to you.
00:14:40No, don't try to stop me.
00:14:42Just expect me.
00:14:43Train?
00:14:44Who knows?
00:14:45Train, plane, bus, magic carpet.
00:14:46I'll be there if I have to crawl.
00:14:48If I have to travel by pogo stick.
00:14:50And then...
00:14:51Let's get married right away, huh?
00:14:56That's the stuff.
00:14:57That's what I've been wanting to hear you say.
00:14:58Well, goodbye for now.
00:15:04I'll be seeing you soon.
00:15:07Yeah.
00:15:09Bye.
00:15:15The only way I could cross country was to thumb rides.
00:15:18For even after hocking everything, I only had enough money to eat.
00:15:22Money.
00:15:23You know what that is.
00:15:25It's the stuff you never have enough of.
00:15:27Little green things with George Washington's picture that men slave for.
00:15:31Commit crimes for.
00:15:32Die for.
00:15:34It's the stuff that has caused more trouble in the world than anything else we ever invented.
00:15:38Simply because there's too little of it.
00:15:41At least I had too little of it.
00:15:43So it was me for the thumb.
00:15:57You ever done any hitchhiking?
00:16:04It's not much fun, believe me.
00:16:06Oh yeah, I know all about how it's an education.
00:16:09How you get to meet a lot of people and all that.
00:16:11But me.
00:16:12From now on, I'll take my education in college.
00:16:15Or in P.S. 62.
00:16:17Or I'll send a dollar ninety-eight in stamps for ten easy lessons.
00:16:19Thumbing rides may save your bus fare.
00:16:31But it's dangerous.
00:16:34You never know what's in store for you when you hear the squeal of brakes.
00:16:38If only I had known what I was getting into that day in Arizona.
00:16:42Here, throw that in the back seat.
00:16:49Okay, let's go.
00:16:50Make sure that door is closed.
00:17:05You know, Emily Post ought to write a book of rules for guys thumbing rides.
00:17:09Because as it is now, you never know what's right and what's wrong.
00:17:13We rode along for a little while.
00:17:15Neither one of us was saying anything.
00:17:17I was glad of that.
00:17:19I never know what to say to strange people driving cars.
00:17:23And too, you can never tell if a guy wants to talk.
00:17:26A lot of rides have been cut short because of a big mouth.
00:17:30So I kept my mouth shut until he started opening up.
00:17:35Hand me that little box in the compartment, will you, pal?
00:17:37Hold the wheel, will you?
00:17:54How far are you going?
00:17:55L.A.
00:17:56Well, you're really traveling, aren't you?
00:17:58Yeah, but I don't expect to make it for a couple of years at the rate I've been promoting rides.
00:18:02Not much luck, huh?
00:18:03Sure, all bad.
00:18:04Not many people stop for a guy these days.
00:18:07Afraid of a stick-up, maybe.
00:18:09Well, they can't blame him.
00:18:11Where are you coming from?
00:18:12New York.
00:18:13Well, New York.
00:18:15You're in luck this time.
00:18:17I'm going all the way.
00:18:19Right through to Los Angeles.
00:18:21You drive a car?
00:18:23Sure.
00:18:24Whenever you're tired, let me know.
00:18:26I'll holler.
00:18:26I guess at least an hour passed before I noticed those deep scratches in his right hand.
00:18:33They were wicked.
00:18:34Three puffy red lines about a quarter of an inch apart.
00:18:38He must have seen me looking at them because he said...
00:18:41Beauties, aren't they?
00:18:44They're going to be scars someday.
00:18:47What an animal.
00:18:49Whatever it was, it must have been pretty big and vicious to have done that.
00:18:52Right on both counts, New York.
00:18:53I was tussling with the most dangerous animal in the world.
00:18:57A woman.
00:18:59She must have been Tarzan's mate.
00:19:01Looks like you lost the bob.
00:19:02It certainly wasn't a draw.
00:19:05You know, there ought to be a law against dames with claws.
00:19:08Yeah.
00:19:09I tossed her out of the car in her ear.
00:19:12Was I wrong?
00:19:13Give a lift to a tomato, you expect her to be nice, don't you?
00:19:16Yeah.
00:19:17After all, what kind of a dame's son rides?
00:19:20Sunday school teachers?
00:19:21Yeah.
00:19:23A little witch.
00:19:25She must have thought she was riding with some fall guy.
00:19:29And me, who's been booking horses around race tracks since I was 20.
00:19:33I've known a million dames like her.
00:19:35Two million?
00:19:36Yeah.
00:19:39Stopped the car, opened the door.
00:19:42Take it on the Arthur Duffy sister, I told her.
00:19:44That's the stuff.
00:19:45It's always done, huh?
00:19:46Well, if you want to see a real scar, brother, get a load of this.
00:19:53What?
00:19:55I got that one jewelry.
00:19:57Dueling?
00:19:57Yeah, we're just kidding, of course.
00:20:00My dad owned a couple of Franco-Prussian sabers.
00:20:02Kept them on the wall for decorations.
00:20:05Well, one day, another kid and I took them down.
00:20:07The old man wasn't around.
00:20:09Had a duel.
00:20:11You get me in the arm here.
00:20:13Pretty mean cut.
00:20:15Confection sat in later.
00:20:17Yeah, I can see that.
00:20:19Now, give me that box again, will you?
00:20:20Yeah.
00:20:33The pain made me lose my head, I guess.
00:20:35Began slashing.
00:20:37Before I knew it, I'd put the other kid's eye on.
00:20:40That was tough.
00:20:42Well, it was just an accident, of course.
00:20:44Do you know how kids are?
00:20:45I got scared, decided I was going to run away from home.
00:20:47Oh, man, almost caught me when I was packing my duds.
00:20:52The bloody rag I had wrapped around my wrist
00:20:54hadn't caught his attention.
00:20:56You've seen the bundle for sure.
00:20:59But I beat it when he was phoning for a doctor.
00:21:02I was 15, 16 years ago.
00:21:04I haven't been home since.
00:21:10Pull in there for a bite or something, huh?
00:21:12A bite or something?
00:21:14Brother, was I hungry.
00:21:15I hadn't had anything in my stomach for hours.
00:21:19Yet even with that gnawing in the pit of my belly,
00:21:21I didn't want to be in too big a rush
00:21:22to put on the feedback.
00:21:25First, I had to make sure this guy knew the score.
00:21:27If I got him down on me,
00:21:29it was goodbye ticket to Hollywood.
00:21:32I'll wait out here for you, mister.
00:21:33If it's the money, don't worry about paying for it.
00:21:35This time is on me.
00:21:36Well, that's what of you, mister...
00:21:38Haskell, think nothing of it.
00:21:39You make your first million,
00:21:40maybe you can do the same for me.
00:21:41Come on, New York.
00:21:41I got to make the West Coast by Wednesday
00:21:44with a horse running in Santa Anita
00:21:45named Private Bicycle.
00:21:47You can sell to me if I'm on him.
00:21:48We'll make it, all right.
00:21:51He did most of the talking
00:21:52during the half hour we were in the place.
00:21:54I ate.
00:21:56He rambled on about his old man
00:21:58whom we hadn't heard from
00:21:59since he ran away as a kid.
00:22:01Now he happened to become a bookie.
00:22:03And then all about how he got rooked in Miami.
00:22:05One race, 38 grand.
00:22:07They cleaned out my book.
00:22:08How do you like that?
00:22:09That was tough luck.
00:22:11Yeah, and I'm supposed to be the smart guy.
00:22:13Well, you just wait.
00:22:14I'm going back to Florida next season
00:22:15with all kinds of check.
00:22:16And you'll watch those stinkers run for cover.
00:22:19Do you want anything else?
00:22:20No, thanks.
00:22:20I've had plenty.
00:22:27That check there, sister?
00:22:32Oh, just a miniature change, sir.
00:22:34Keep it, sister.
00:22:35Oh, thank you, sir.
00:22:36Call again.
00:22:37I'll be waiting outside for you
00:22:38when you finish work.
00:22:39No.
00:22:40Sharp check.
00:22:41I got it.
00:22:49I drove all that night
00:22:51while Haskell slept like a log.
00:22:53After a while,
00:22:54I began to get sleepy myself.
00:22:57I was happy, though.
00:22:59Soon I'd be with Sue again.
00:23:01The long trip was practically over,
00:23:03and I'd be no more hoofing it
00:23:04down the concrete.
00:23:05I began to think of the future,
00:23:09which couldn't have been brighter
00:23:10if I'd embroidered it with neon lights.
00:23:12It was nice to think of Sue shooting to the top.
00:23:17It's amazing what a full belly
00:23:18can do to your imagination.
00:23:20I can't believe that you're in love with me.
00:23:37You're telling everyone you know I'm on your mind each place you go.
00:23:49I can't believe that you're in love with me.
00:23:58I can't believe that you're in love with me.
00:23:59I can't believe that you're in love with me.
00:24:11Mr. Haskell.
00:24:14Mr. Haskell.
00:24:18Mr. Haskell, wake up.
00:24:19It's raining.
00:24:20Don't you think we ought to stop and put up the top?
00:24:31Mr. Haskell, I'm gonna put up the top.
00:24:33Let's go.
00:24:48Up until then, I had done things my way.
00:24:50But from then on, something else stepped in and shunted me off to a different destination than one I had picked for myself.
00:24:56But when I pulled open that door...
00:24:58Mr. Haskell, what's the matter? Are you hurt?
00:25:04Are you hurt, Mr. Haskell?
00:25:08Start your sermon. I'll listen to it.
00:25:11But I know what you're gonna hand me even before you open your mouths.
00:25:14You're gonna tell me you don't believe my story of how Haskell died...
00:25:17...and give me that don't make me laugh expression on your smug faces.
00:25:24I saw it once, he was dead. And I was in for it.
00:25:27Who would believe he fell out of the car?
00:25:29Why, if Haskell came too, which of course he couldn't, even he would swear I conked him over the head for his dough.
00:25:33Yes, I was in for it.
00:25:36Instinct told me to run, but then I realized it was hopeless.
00:25:39There were lots of people back down the road who could identify me.
00:25:41That gas station guy and the waitress.
00:25:43I would be in a worse spot then, trying to explain why I beat it.
00:25:46The next possibility was to sit tight and tell the truth when the cops came.
00:25:49But that would be crazy. They'd laugh at the truth.
00:25:52And I'd have my head in the noose.
00:25:54So what else was there to do but hide the body and get away in the car?
00:25:59I couldn't leave the car there with him in the gully.
00:26:01That would be like erecting a tombstone.
00:26:03My idea was to get a tombstone.
00:26:04My idea was to get a tombstone.
00:26:10My idea was to cover him with brush, not to rob him.
00:26:13But then I remembered that even if I only drove the car for a hundred miles or so, I would need money for gas.
00:26:17Besides, it was stupid of me to leave all that money on a dead man.
00:26:24Not only that, I'd have to take his driver's license in case I was stopped for something.
00:26:31I didn't like to think about it, but by that time, I'd done just what the police would say I did, even if I didn't.
00:26:47in case I was stopped for something.
00:26:50I didn't like to think about it,
00:26:52but by that time I'd done just what the police would say I did,
00:26:55even if I didn't.
00:26:57I'd close.
00:26:58The owner of such an expensive car would never be wearing them.
00:27:01Some cop might put me in on suspicion.
00:27:17Hey, you. This your car?
00:27:20Don't you know better than to leave a car with the wheels
00:27:22halfway in the middle of the road?
00:27:24That's the way accidents happen.
00:27:26I'm sorry, officer.
00:27:27I was just putting up my top.
00:27:29I didn't think.
00:27:30Well, in the next time, think.
00:27:31I'll let you go now, but watch your step in the future.
00:27:34I know that's a lonely stretch,
00:27:35but cars come by here once in a while,
00:27:37and we have plenty of crashes.
00:27:38I'm sorry, officer.
00:27:39I was just putting up my top.
00:27:41I didn't think.
00:27:41Well, in the next time, think.
00:27:43I'll let you go now, but watch your step in the future.
00:27:45I know that's a lonely stretch,
00:27:46and we'll have plenty of crack-ups.
00:27:47Thanks, officer.
00:28:12I left nothing in the car to give me away his robber's.
00:28:14If they found a dead man in the gully now,
00:28:17it would be me.
00:28:25As I drove off, it was still raining,
00:28:27and the drop streaked down the windshield like tears.
00:28:33I kept imagining I was being followed,
00:28:35that I could hear sirens back in the distance.
00:28:37Just how long it took me to cover the 60-odd miles
00:28:41to the California state line, I don't know.
00:28:43I lost all track of time.
00:28:45But the rain had stopped, and the sun was up
00:28:47when I pulled up to the inspection station.
00:28:55Hello?
00:28:56I'll let you go.
00:28:57Carrying any fruits or vegetables?
00:28:59No.
00:29:00Any livestock or poultry?
00:29:01No.
00:29:04I'd like to see your registration and driver's license, please.
00:29:10Anything in the baggage compartment?
00:29:12Just baggage.
00:29:13Charles Haskell, Jr., age 30, brown eyes, dark hair,
00:29:18identifying marks none.
00:29:20Are you Charles Haskell, Jr.?
00:29:22Yes.
00:29:22Well, remember, if you're employed and you stay over 30 days,
00:29:25you take out California plates.
00:29:26All right, officer, but I'll only be in the state a short while.
00:29:29Well, right, you can go now.
00:29:40I couldn't drive any farther without some sleep.
00:29:42Cops or no cops, I knew I had to hit the hay and hit it hard.
00:29:48I was dead tired.
00:29:59Oh, you can't, Mr. Haskell.
00:30:24No.
00:30:29Mr. Haskell, you can't die.
00:30:35I don't think, I think I did it.
00:30:39No, Mr. Haskell, no.
00:30:43No.
00:30:44No.
00:30:59Who's there?
00:31:00It's the maid.
00:31:01Can I come in and clean?
00:31:03Later.
00:31:05In a half hour.
00:31:06All right, sir.
00:31:29There was no time to lose.
00:31:33Every minute I had to be Charles Haskell was dangerous.
00:31:36And I'd have to be Charles Haskell until I got to some city
00:31:38where I could leave the car and be swallowed up.
00:31:46That meant driving the car as far as San Bernardino.
00:31:48Maybe even to Los Angeles.
00:31:50In a little town, I might be noticed.
00:31:52But in a city, I should be safe enough.
00:31:54Then, after I ditched the car, I could go on to sue.
00:31:59But those five minutes at the state line made me realize
00:32:02it might be a good idea to find out a little bit about Mr. Haskell.
00:32:05Then, if anybody asked me questions, I could give the right answers.
00:32:09The first thing I found out was that I had $768.
00:32:13This was a lot of jack.
00:32:15But believe me, it was the kind of money I'd rather not have.
00:32:19And then I found out from a letter Haskell was carting around in his bag
00:32:30that he wasn't the open-handed, easy-going big shot
00:32:33who went around buying dinners for strange hitchhikers.
00:32:36Before I got done reading it, I saw him more as a chiseler.
00:32:40It was written to his old man in California,
00:32:43the one he hadn't seen in so many years.
00:32:45In it, Haskell posed as a salesman.
00:32:47Of hymnals, of all things.
00:32:51It was easy to see where Haskell expected to raise a new stake
00:32:54for his book in Miami.
00:32:56By rooking his old man.
00:32:59That was about all I found out from his effects.
00:33:02And it was enough.
00:33:04I told myself, maybe old man Haskell was lucky his son kicked off.
00:33:09He would never know it.
00:33:11But it saved him from taking a flyer in sacred literature preferred.
00:33:17near the airport at Desert Center I pulled up for water.
00:33:41Near the airport at Desert Center, I pulled up for water.
00:33:45There was a woman.
00:33:51Hey, you! Come on if you want to ride.
00:33:57Come on.
00:34:27Come on.
00:34:39How far are you going?
00:34:41How far are you going?
00:34:43That took me by surprise, and I turned my head to look her over.
00:34:47She was facing straight ahead, so I couldn't see her eyes.
00:34:50But she was young, about more than 24.
00:34:54Man, she looked as if she'd just been thrown off the crummiest freight train in the world.
00:34:59Yet in spite of this, I got the impression of beauty.
00:35:02Not the beauty of a movie actress, mind you.
00:35:05Or the beauty you dream about when you're with your wife.
00:35:07But a natural beauty.
00:35:09A beauty that's almost homely because it's so real.
00:35:14Then suddenly she turned to face me.
00:35:16How far did you say you were going?
00:35:18Los Angeles.
00:35:19L.A.?
00:35:21L.A.'s good enough for me, mister.
00:35:23That's what I was afraid of.
00:35:25What did you say?
00:35:26Oh, nothing. Just thinking out loud.
00:35:28People get in trouble for doing that.
00:35:30What's your name?
00:35:32You can call me Vera, if you like.
00:35:34You live in Los Angeles?
00:35:36No.
00:35:37Where are you coming from?
00:35:39Oh, back there.
00:35:40Needles?
00:35:41No.
00:35:42Oh, sure. Phoenix.
00:35:44You look just like a Phoenix girl.
00:35:46Are the girls in Phoenix that bad?
00:35:48The girl must have been pretty tired.
00:35:50Because she fell asleep not twenty minutes after she stepped into the car.
00:35:54She lay sprawled out with her head resting against the far door.
00:35:57Like Haskell.
00:35:58I didn't like that part of it much.
00:36:00But I didn't wake her up.
00:36:02It wasn't that this girl still worried me.
00:36:05I've gotten over that funny feeling I had when she looked at me.
00:36:09Which I put down as just my jangled nerves.
00:36:12With her eyes closed and the tenseness gone out of her.
00:36:15She seemed harmless enough.
00:36:17And instead of disliking her, I began to feel sorry for her.
00:36:21The poor kid probably had had a rough time a little.
00:36:24Who was she anyway?
00:36:26And why was she going to Los Angeles?
00:36:28And where'd she come from in the first place?
00:36:31The only thing I knew about it was her name.
00:36:34Not that it made any difference.
00:36:36A few hours more and we'd be in Hollywood.
00:36:38I'd forget where I parked the car and look up Sue.
00:36:41This nightmare of being a dead man would be over.
00:36:44Who this dame was, well, it was no business of mine.
00:36:47Where did you leave this body?
00:36:49Where did you leave the owner of this car?
00:36:52You're not fooling anyone.
00:36:54This buggy belongs to a guy named Haskell.
00:36:56That's not you, mister.
00:36:57You're out of your mind.
00:36:58That's my name, Charles Haskell.
00:36:59I can prove it.
00:37:00It's my driver's life.
00:37:01Save yourself the trouble, mister.
00:37:02Having Haskell's wallet only makes it worse.
00:37:04It just so happens I rode with Charlie Haskell
00:37:07all the way from Louisiana.
00:37:09He picked me up outside of Shreveport.
00:37:11You rode?
00:37:12You heard me.
00:37:13Then it all came back to me.
00:37:15All the talk about dueling and scars and scratches.
00:37:18There was no doubt about it.
00:37:20Vera must be the woman Haskell had mentioned.
00:37:23She must have passed me while I slept.
00:37:25Well?
00:37:26I'm waiting.
00:37:27My goose was cooked.
00:37:29She had me.
00:37:31That Haskell guy wasn't dead yet.
00:37:33He wasn't stretched out stiff and cold in any Arizona gully.
00:37:36He was sitting right there in the car laughing like mad while he haunted me.
00:37:40Well?
00:37:41There was nothing I could say.
00:37:42It was her move.
00:37:43Vera, whatever her name was, it was just my luck picking her up on the road.
00:37:48It couldn't have been Helen or Mary or Evelyn or Ruth.
00:37:53It had to be the very last person I should ever have met.
00:37:58That's life.
00:38:00Whichever way you turn, fate sticks out a foot to trip you.
00:38:09I told her everything, but she didn't believe my story.
00:38:12I should have saved my breath.
00:38:13That's the greatest cock and ball story I ever heard.
00:38:16So he fell out of his car.
00:38:17Say, who do you think you're talking to?
00:38:19A hick?
00:38:20Listen, mister.
00:38:21I've been around.
00:38:22And I know a wrong guy when I see one.
00:38:24What'd you do?
00:38:25Kiss him with a wrench?
00:38:26Now, wait a minute.
00:38:27What I told you was true.
00:38:28You see, that's why I had to do it.
00:38:29You think I killed him?
00:38:30Well, the cops would have thought so too.
00:38:31Yeah, well, maybe they still think so.
00:38:34What makes you so sure I'll shut up about this?
00:38:37Here, I'm innocent.
00:38:38Give me a break, will you?
00:38:41It won't do me any good having you pinched.
00:38:43The cops are no friends of mine.
00:38:45Now, if there was a reward, but there isn't.
00:38:48Thanks.
00:38:49Don't thank me yet.
00:38:50I'm not through with you by a long shot.
00:38:52Let's see that roll.
00:39:01Is that all Haskell had?
00:39:02Isn't it enough?
00:39:03No, I thought he had more.
00:39:04Not that I know of.
00:39:05You can search me.
00:39:06You think I'm holding out on you.
00:39:07Well, maybe I will at that.
00:39:08He told me he was gonna bet $3,000 on a horse named Paradisical on Wednesday at Santa Anita.
00:39:14He was stringing you along.
00:39:15He meant 300.
00:39:16Maybe.
00:39:17Sure, three bucks, 300.
00:39:18He was a piece of cheese, a big blowhard.
00:39:19Listen, mister.
00:39:20Don't try and tell me anything about Charlie Haskell.
00:39:22Remember, I knew him better than you did.
00:39:24Okay, then you knew he was a four-flusher.
00:39:26That explains the three grand bet.
00:39:27I'm not so sure he didn't have that three grand.
00:39:29Why should I believe you?
00:39:31You got all the earmarks of a cheap crook.
00:39:33Now, wait a minute.
00:39:34Shut up.
00:39:35You're a cheap crook and you killed him.
00:39:36For two cents, I'd change my mind and turn you in.
00:39:38I don't like you.
00:39:39All right, all right.
00:39:40Don't get sore.
00:39:41I'm not getting sore.
00:39:42But just remember who's boss around here.
00:39:44If you shut up and don't give me any arguments, you'll have nothing to worry about.
00:39:47But if you act wise, well, mister, you'll pop into jail so fast it'll give you the bends.
00:39:52I'm not arguing.
00:39:53See that you don't.
00:39:54You know, as crooked as you look, I'd hate to see a fella as young as you wind up sniffing that perfume,
00:39:58that Arizona hands out free to murderers.
00:40:00I'm not a murderer.
00:40:01Of course you're not.
00:40:02Haskell knocked his own head off.
00:40:04He fell.
00:40:05That's how it happened.
00:40:06Just like I told you.
00:40:07Sure.
00:40:08And then he made you a present of his belongings.
00:40:09I explained why I had to do that.
00:40:10It doesn't make a difference one way or another.
00:40:11I'm not a mourner.
00:40:12I liked Haskell even less than I like you.
00:40:14Yeah, I saw what you did to him.
00:40:16What do you mean?
00:40:17Well, scratches on his wrist.
00:40:19Sure, I scratched him.
00:40:20I don't say you did.
00:40:23So your idea was to drive the car a little way, maybe into San Bernardino and then leave it.
00:40:28You weren't gonna sell it?
00:40:29Sell it?
00:40:30You think I'm crazy, somebody else's car?
00:40:32See, all I wanna do is leave it somewhere and forget I ever saw it.
00:40:35Not only don't you have any scruples, you don't have any brains.
00:40:38I don't get you.
00:40:39Maybe it's a good thing you met me.
00:40:41You'd have got yourself caught sure.
00:40:43Why, you dope.
00:40:44Don't you know a deserted automobile always rates an investigation?
00:40:47Huh?
00:40:48Look, the cops find a car.
00:40:50Then they get curious.
00:40:51They wonder where the owner is.
00:40:53So all right, they don't trace Haskell.
00:40:55They trace you.
00:40:56I never thought of that.
00:40:58The only safe way to get rid of the car is to sell it to a dealer.
00:41:01Get it registered under a new name.
00:41:03Say, stop at the next door.
00:41:05I wanna get a bottle and do some shopping before we hit L.A.
00:41:08Okay.
00:41:09Since we find a place, I'll drop you off and pick you up later.
00:41:11Nothing doing.
00:41:12You're coming in too.
00:41:13From now on, you and I are like the Siamese twins.
00:41:16Have it your way.
00:41:17I don't get the point.
00:41:18The point is, I don't want you to get lost.
00:41:20I'm not gonna beat it if that's what you're afraid of.
00:41:22I'll say you're not.
00:41:23Well, I'm gonna see that you sell this car so you don't get caught.
00:41:26Thanks.
00:41:27Of course, your interest wouldn't be financial, would it?
00:41:30You wouldn't want a small percentage of the profits.
00:41:33Well, now that you insist, how can I refuse?
00:41:36A hundred percent will do.
00:41:38Fine.
00:41:39I'm relieved.
00:41:40I thought for a moment you were gonna take it all.
00:41:42I don't want to be a hog.
00:41:46A few hours later, we were in Hollywood.
00:41:48And I was recognizing places Sue had written about.
00:41:51It struck me that far from being at the end of the trip,
00:41:54there was a greater distance between Sue and me than when I started out.
00:41:58Vera wasn't kidding with that Siamese twins crack.
00:42:01She rented a little apartment as Mrs. Charles Haskell.
00:42:05When I objected to this, she explained that it was on account of the car.
00:42:09A dealer might think something was funny if he called and found we were using different names.
00:42:18Home, sweet home.
00:42:20Yeah.
00:42:21Not bad either.
00:42:22In case there's any doubt in your mind, I'll take the bedroom.
00:42:35Yeah.
00:42:36Sure is stuffy in here.
00:42:37Keep the window shut.
00:42:38Okay.
00:42:39The old crow downstairs said there's a folding bed behind this door.
00:42:56You know how to work it?
00:43:03I invented it.
00:43:08Some joint.
00:43:09One can't have everything.
00:43:15I'm first in the bathtub.
00:43:17I don't know why, but I figured you would be.
00:43:31Boy, oh boy.
00:43:32It sure feels good to be clean again.
00:43:36I must be ten pounds lighter.
00:43:38You must be.
00:43:41Hitch and Rides isn't exactly the way you keep your school girl complexion.
00:43:48I wish that guy with the sacks would give up.
00:43:52It gets on my nerves.
00:43:56Forget it.
00:43:59Have a drink.
00:44:01Aren't you afraid I might take you up on it?
00:44:05If I didn't want to give you a drink, I wouldn't have offered it.
00:44:08Why be a sore head, Roberts?
00:44:11You got yourself into this thing.
00:44:13You should be grateful I'm not turning you in.
00:44:15Why, if I wasn't regular, you'd be in the pen this minute.
00:44:18Being photographed, fingerprinted, and being pushed around by the cops.
00:44:21So cheer up.
00:44:23Get rid of that long puss.
00:44:26Or is your conscience bothering you?
00:44:33No.
00:44:35It isn't.
00:44:37Swell.
00:44:38That's the spirit.
00:44:40He's dead, no moment around will bring him back.
00:44:42Anyway.
00:44:46I never could understand this worrying about something that's over and done with.
00:44:49Now look Vera, for the last time I didn't kill him.
00:44:51Haskell was a sick man.
00:44:53Maybe he was dead before he fell out of the car.
00:44:54I don't know.
00:44:55Sure, sure.
00:44:56He died of old age.
00:44:58All right.
00:45:00So if it'll make you sociable.
00:45:03You didn't kill him.
00:45:04You didn't kill him.
00:45:15Thanks.
00:45:17We're out of liquor, Roberts.
00:45:18Yeah.
00:45:20Too bad.
00:45:21I felt like getting tight tonight.
00:45:23Well, I think you succeeded.
00:45:24And more tight?
00:45:25There's a prima donna's corset.
00:45:26That's good.
00:45:27I wanted to get tight.
00:45:28Why?
00:45:29What have you got to get tight about?
00:45:30Oh, I don't know.
00:45:31A few things.
00:45:32Huh.
00:45:33You should have my worries.
00:45:34If I had your troubles, I'd stay sober.
00:45:36And I've got the key to that door.
00:45:38Oh, my friend.
00:45:39You're right.
00:45:40I'm right.
00:45:41I'm right.
00:45:42I'm right.
00:45:43You're right, sir.
00:45:44I'm right.
00:45:45I'm right.
00:45:46I'm right.
00:45:47I'm right.
00:45:48You're right.
00:45:49I'm right.
00:45:50And I'm right.
00:45:51I'm right.
00:45:52I'm right.
00:45:53I'm right.
00:45:54I'm right.
00:45:55I'm right.
00:45:56I'm right.
00:45:57Maybe you're right.
00:45:59I'm always right.
00:46:03You know, I don't like your attitude, Roberts.
00:46:05Well, there's a lot of things I don't like.
00:46:09Sure.
00:46:13But life's like a ball game.
00:46:15You gotta take a swing at whatever comes along
00:46:17before you wake up and find it's a ninth inning.
00:46:21I bet you read that somewhere.
00:46:23That's the trouble with you, Roberts.
00:46:25All you do is bellyache.
00:46:29Bit of taking it easy and trying to make the best of things.
00:46:33But maybe that's what's wrong with the whole world.
00:46:35Get the professor.
00:46:37People knock themselves out trying to buck fate.
00:46:39Now, take you, for instance.
00:46:41You're lucky to be alive.
00:46:43Well, I suppose Haskell had pulled open your door.
00:46:45You'd be playing a harp now.
00:46:47Think of that.
00:46:49You think of it.
00:46:51I'm tired of thinking.
00:46:53There's plenty of people dying this minute.
00:46:55I would give anything to trade places with you.
00:46:59I know what I'm talking about.
00:47:01I'm not so sure.
00:47:03At least they know they're done for.
00:47:05They don't have to sweat blood wondering if they are.
00:47:07Your philosophy stinks, pal.
00:47:11We all know we're gonna kick off someday.
00:47:13It's only a question of when.
00:47:15But what got us on this subject anyway?
00:47:17We'll be discussing politics next.
00:47:19Yeah.
00:47:21Where'd you hide the butts?
00:47:23On the table, sucker.
00:47:25We bored each other with conversation for a couple of hours longer.
00:47:29Every five minutes, one of us was wishing we had another bottle or a radio or something to read.
00:47:33Then, finally, we ran out of chat.
00:47:35I know it's only 11 o'clock, but I want to get up early and make the rounds of the used car lots.
00:47:39Don't worry about that.
00:47:53We got all the time in the world.
00:47:54Maybe you have, but if you think I want to stay cooped up in this place any longer than I have to, you're batting.
00:47:59Don't worry about that. We've got all the time in the world.
00:48:02Maybe you have, but if you think I want to stay cooped up in this place any longer than I have to, you're batty.
00:48:06It's not a bad place. We pay plenty for diggings like this in New York.
00:48:09I wouldn't like it if it was the Ritz.
00:48:16What? Liquor?
00:48:17You got a mean cough. I ought to do something about it.
00:48:20I'll be all right.
00:48:21That's what Camille said.
00:48:23Who?
00:48:24Nobody you know.
00:48:29Wasn't that the dame that died of consumption?
00:48:32Yeah.
00:48:33Wouldn't it be a break for you if I did kick off?
00:48:36You'd be free with all Haskell's dough and car.
00:48:39I don't want to see anybody die.
00:48:42Not even me.
00:48:44Especially not you. One person died of me.
00:48:47If you did, well, that's all I need.
00:48:50You don't like me, do you, Roberts?
00:48:54I like you.
00:48:57I love you.
00:48:59My favorite sport is being kept prisoner.
00:49:02After we sell the car, you can go to blazes for all I care.
00:49:05But not until then.
00:49:14I'm going to bed.
00:49:16Good night, Roberts.
00:49:18Don't try and sneak away during the night.
00:49:19All the doors are locked.
00:49:20Anyway, if I find you gone in the morning, I'll notify the police.
00:49:22They'll pick you up.
00:49:23Don't worry. I know when I'm in a spot.
00:49:24Well, good night.
00:49:25I hope that portable rack isn't too uncomfortable for you.
00:49:27Don't lose any sleep over it, will you, sir?
00:49:28Don't lose any sleep over it, will you, sir?
00:49:42Come on.
00:50:12Come on.
00:50:20Crescue.
00:50:23Six.
00:50:25Five.
00:50:27Seven.
00:50:29Two.
00:50:30Three.
00:50:33Hello?
00:50:35Hello?
00:50:37Hello?
00:50:39Hello?
00:50:41Hello?
00:50:47No.
00:50:49Not yet, darling.
00:50:51Tomorrow.
00:50:54Maybe.
00:50:59If this were fiction, I would fall in love with Vera.
00:51:02Marry her and make a respectable woman of her.
00:51:04Or else she'd make some supreme class A sacrifice for me and die.
00:51:09Sue and I would bawl a little over her grave and make some crack about there's good in all of us.
00:51:15But Vera, unfortunately, was just as rotten in the morning as she'd been the night before.
00:51:21All right, all right, I'm coming.
00:51:24Look, Vera, it's almost noon.
00:51:26So what?
00:51:28The dealers will be there all day?
00:51:30They'll be there all year, too, but that doesn't mean I'm going to wait that long.
00:51:32Shut up.
00:51:33You're making noises like a husband.
00:51:38Well, do I rate a whistle?
00:51:40You sure do, but let's go.
00:51:41Let's go, let's go.
00:51:43I spent 85 bucks and two hours preparing bait, and all you can say is let's go.
00:51:49Come on.
00:51:55We passed a few used car lots last night down this way.
00:51:58What do you think we can get for this heap?
00:52:00I don't know. Plenty.
00:52:01You just let me handle everything.
00:52:03Think we can get $2,000?
00:52:05I don't know, but don't worry.
00:52:07I'll squeeze as much out of this guy as I can.
00:52:09If I let it go cheap without a fight, he might think we've stolen the car.
00:52:12And listen, don't make any slips and call me Roberts.
00:52:15That'll cook us.
00:52:16I don't need you to tell me that.
00:52:18You better just sit by and keep your mouth closed.
00:52:21Remember, we're both in the soup if anything happens.
00:52:23Forget it and drive.
00:52:24You're my wife, Vera Haskell.
00:52:26Look, after the deal's closed, let's go back to that place on Hollywood Boulevard,
00:52:31where I saw the fur jacket.
00:52:33I want to buy it.
00:52:34After the deal's closed, I'm saying goodbye to you.
00:52:37That's right.
00:52:38I forgot.
00:52:39I guess I'm getting kind of used to you.
00:52:41Well, that's a habit you could start breaking.
00:52:44Let's try this place in the middle of the block.
00:52:53Good afternoon.
00:52:54What can I do for you?
00:52:55We're interested in selling a car.
00:52:56If the price is right.
00:53:00Well, if it's in good mechanical condition,
00:53:02it should blue book for about 1,600.
00:53:05Tony, take a look at this motor.
00:53:071,600.
00:53:08Are you kidding?
00:53:21Well, maybe 1,850.
00:53:22Before I let it go for 1,850, I'll wreck it and collect the insurance first.
00:53:25Maybe this motor's seen a lot of driving.
00:53:28While the mechanic inspected the car, we haggled.
00:53:32At last, when we were all worn out, we hit a compromise.
00:53:34His price.
00:53:35Okay, it's a deal.
00:53:36All right, come on.
00:53:37We'll sign the papers.
00:53:38I have the ownership papers right here with me.
00:53:39Look, Vera, in the meantime, will you clean out the dash compartment?
00:53:40There may be some stuff in it.
00:53:41All right, darling.
00:53:42Eighteen-hundred.
00:53:43Eighteen-hundred and fifty bucks.
00:53:44That dirty cr...
00:53:45What a gun at a car.
00:53:46Oh, I don't know.
00:53:47I can't see that.
00:53:48You're not working.
00:53:49I'm not working.
00:53:50You're not working.
00:53:51But I think it will be a lot of work.
00:53:52I know that I've got it.
00:53:53But I'm not working.
00:53:54You're not working.
00:53:55Let me know that I've got it.
00:53:56Look, Vera.
00:53:57In the meantime, will you clean out the dash compartment?
00:53:58There may be some stuff in it.
00:53:59All right, darling.
00:54:01Eighteen-hundred and fifty bucks.
00:54:06That dirty cr...
00:54:07in new york huh yeah but you bought the car in miami yeah well now let's see about the
00:54:22insurance we can either have it transferred or canceled uh what kind of insurance do you
00:54:26have mr haskell well uh aren't all the papers there i don't see any surely you know what type
00:54:36of insurance you carry in the car is the name of the company yeah but uh well if you'll just tell
00:54:42me the name of the company i'd be very glad to take care of all the details well did you sign the
00:54:47papers yet not yet well don't uh we're not selling the car well wait a minute miss haskell come on
00:54:52darling what's the matter change your mind yes i'm sorry i guess i have but vera let's go
00:54:57you got me out of a tight spot vera but i still don't understand all this you will in a minute
00:55:07i almost threw away a gold mine 1850 isn't to be sneezed at the car doesn't book for as much as i
00:55:13thought we're not selling the car you want to keep it now wait a minute vera you said yourself i
00:55:18wouldn't be safe until the car was in someone else's name i'd like to be free of this mess when i go
00:55:22that's just it roberts you're not going there's a driving at the next corner pull in there and we'll
00:55:28get a bite to eat now i'll explain what is this another one of your brilliant ideas
00:55:32oh my take your order make mine a ham sandwich and coffee and for you sir oh i don't care the same
00:55:44thank you get this vera i've been pretty patient so far i've done everything you asked me to do but
00:55:56no more shut up you've taken haskell's money you can have the dough we get from selling the car
00:56:01but you're not going to keep me a prisoner it's a good thing i bought the paper take a look at that
00:56:05vera i'm in no mood read that
00:56:06no yes no i won't do it yes you will you think i'm crazy it's impossible i tell you excuse me
00:56:30blow the horn when you're through
00:56:31no one could possibly get away with an act like that it'd be wise to me in a minute
00:56:38don't be yellow you look enough like him the same coloring and the same build see how his clothes
00:56:43fit you no kidding you almost had me fooled for a while oh grow up vera don't you think a father
00:56:48knows his own son and there must be other relatives so father won't have to know you
00:56:51we'll wait till he gives up the ghost he's an old geezer and he won't pull through
00:56:55and as far as other relatives are concerned they haven't seen you in 15 or 20 years
00:56:59eat i'm not hungry and i won't do it it's not as tough as it sounds remember you've got all kinds
00:57:07of identification his car letters i could never get away with it it's the stupidest thing i've ever
00:57:11heard the old boy has scads of dough look in the paper their personal fortune assessed at over 15
00:57:16million he'll leave plenty i tell you maybe cut off his son how do we know it's out vera
00:57:21i won't have anything to do with it i think you will look vera i'll do anything within reason
00:57:29but not that so forget it i'll find yourself another stooge you sec you'll be fixed for the
00:57:35rest of your life as charlie haskell you can take your inheritance and go away no more worrying
00:57:39about the rent no sweating scheming wondering where your next meal's coming from think about
00:57:42that roberts vera please you're talking too loud unless i'm splitting 50 50 with you sure why
00:57:49not we're both alike both born in the same gutter take it easy vera there's people around here
00:57:53you don't know where you're talking well wait till we read that old man haskell's dead and you show
00:57:58up like you read in new york that he was sick no suppose he doesn't die he will i know he will
00:58:05something tells me
00:58:06but as much as i insisted i would have no part of her scheme vera was taking it for granted i would
00:58:14um
00:58:16it was a death watch for vera
00:58:17neither of us had our mind on the cards as we played that night i knew we were just trying to
00:58:21kill time between newspaper editions this was a death watch for vera maybe it was for me too
00:58:28don't you realize if i'm caught they want to know where i got the car and stuff
00:58:31and they'll have me on a murder charge if you're smart you won't get caught i knocked for seven
00:58:36And if I'm caught, don't you realize you'll be out, too?
00:58:4018 points. That gives me 30.
00:58:44How will I be out?
00:58:45You'll be out. $1,850 we would have gotten on the car.
00:58:48Really, Vera, you'd be an awful chump.
00:58:49You threw away all that dough on a dizzy long shot.
00:58:51Let me sell the bus tomorrow.
00:58:53With the money it'll bring and what you've already got,
00:58:54a clever kid like you can run it up in no time.
00:58:56Then we'd both be in the clear.
00:58:57I'll be in the clear anyway.
00:58:59Maybe. Maybe.
00:59:01If I got caught,
00:59:03I'd get good and sore at you, you know.
00:59:05You mean you'd squeal?
00:59:06Oh, no, not squeal exactly.
00:59:07Never mind what you meant.
00:59:11Even if you did tell the cops I was in on it with you,
00:59:14what could they do to me?
00:59:16They might give me the same medicine they gave you.
00:59:19Yeah.
00:59:19A rope.
00:59:23But I'm on my way anyhow.
00:59:27All they'll be doing will be rushing it.
00:59:30All right.
00:59:31But think of the 1850 you'd lose.
00:59:33You'd kick yourself along the block if you ever let it get away from you.
00:59:35I'll take the chance.
00:59:37Want another drink?
00:59:38You're being a goon.
00:59:40That's the way people wind up behind the eight ball.
00:59:41Once they get a few dollars, they become greedy and want more.
00:59:44My, my.
00:59:45Caesar.
00:59:46Who?
00:59:47You know that Roman general?
00:59:48He got his for being greedy.
00:59:49He wasn't satisfied,
00:59:50so the final windup was he took the count.
00:59:53A couple of days ago, you didn't have a dime.
00:59:55Why, you were so broke,
00:59:56you couldn't pay cash for a postage stamp.
00:59:57Now you've got almost $700 with 1850 in the offing.
01:00:01Take my advice.
01:00:02Don't try for more.
01:00:03I'm tired of this game.
01:00:04Let's have some blackjack.
01:00:05Play solitaire.
01:00:06Okay, I will if that's the way you feel about it.
01:00:08That's the way I feel about it.
01:00:09Getting saw and throwing things won't help much, Roberts.
01:00:11I'm really doing you a favor.
01:00:13I help you out of the jam by keeping my mouth shut.
01:00:15I show you how to make some soft money.
01:00:16And what thanks do I get?
01:00:18Thanks.
01:00:18Sure.
01:00:19I would rather I call the cops and tell them you killed a man and stole his money.
01:00:21I didn't kill anybody.
01:00:22Yes, you did.
01:00:22No, I didn't.
01:00:23You know I didn't.
01:00:24All right, then.
01:00:28Suppose I call the cops.
01:00:30If you're innocent, what do you got to be scared of?
01:00:33Okay.
01:00:34Call them, you mutt.
01:00:35Go ahead and call them.
01:00:35See if I care.
01:00:36At least they'll give me a square deal.
01:00:38You want me to call them?
01:00:39You heard me.
01:00:41But I'm warning you.
01:00:41If I'm pinched, I'll swear you were in on it.
01:00:43I'll say that you helped me.
01:00:44If I fry, I'll get even with you.
01:00:47You wouldn't dare.
01:00:48You didn't.
01:00:48Yeah?
01:00:49Then try it and see.
01:00:51Call them.
01:00:52Yeah.
01:00:53Okay, I will.
01:01:08Information?
01:01:10I want the number at the Hollywood police station.
01:01:14Okay, I got it.
01:01:15Thanks.
01:01:20Wait a minute, Vera.
01:01:21You wouldn't do that.
01:01:21Oh, wouldn't I?
01:01:22Give me that and I'll show you if I wouldn't.
01:01:23Take it easy now.
01:01:24Let's talk this over.
01:01:25This was early in the evening.
01:01:27And the conversation, while hectic, was at least pitched low.
01:01:32But as the minutes passed and more obstacles to her plan popped into my head, the air got blue.
01:01:37Each word coming from our lips cracked like a whip, I reminded her that as Charles Haskell, I didn't even know my mother's name, where I'd gone to school, the name of my best friend, whether I had an Aunt Emma or not, my religion, and if I'd ever owned a dog.
01:01:54I didn't even know my mother's name, I didn't know my mother's name, I didn't know my mother's name.
01:01:58I didn't even know what my middle initial stood for.
01:01:59I also pointed out that the real Haskell had a scar on his forearm.
01:02:01His people never saw that scar.
01:02:03He told me he ran away right after putting out the kid's eye.
01:02:05Yeah, but his father knew he was cut.
01:02:07It'd have to be some kind of a mark.
01:02:08So what?
01:02:10The old man's dead or will be.
01:02:12I hope by tomorrow morning's papers.
01:02:14Anyway, you could cut yourself a little, couldn't you?
01:02:19Boy, for that kind of dough, I'd let you cut my leg off.
01:02:22You're drunk and you're crazy mad, Vera.
01:02:24Turn him in if you want to, but I won't get mixed up in this.
01:02:26Besides, how do we know Haskell was such a phony?
01:02:28Maybe he wasn't the man's son at all.
01:02:29Maybe he just dreamed it up.
01:02:30Well, dream it or not, you won't be dreaming when the law taps you on the shoulder.
01:02:35There's a cute little gas chamber waiting for you, Roberts.
01:02:39And I hear extradition to Arizona's Ascension.
01:02:43Where's that phone?
01:02:45Vera.
01:02:45Leave me alone.
01:02:46Vera.
01:02:47I want a phone.
01:02:48Call police.
01:02:50I hate you.
01:02:52You'll a stinker.
01:02:53You'll leave me alone.
01:02:54I'll let you alone when you promise to leave the phone where it is.
01:02:57You're drunk.
01:02:57You don't know what you're doing.
01:02:58You're hurting me.
01:02:59Will you promise?
01:03:00All right.
01:03:05You hurt me.
01:03:09I'm sorry, but...
01:03:10And it's hot in here.
01:03:11Open up the window.
01:03:12It's not hot.
01:03:13Don't tell me.
01:03:14Now, do you do it or do I do it?
01:03:18You're no gentleman, see?
01:03:19Yeah.
01:03:21All right.
01:03:21I'll open up the window.
01:03:26Vera!
01:03:27Vera, open the door.
01:03:33Please open the door.
01:03:34Vera, open the door.
01:03:35Don't use the phone.
01:03:36Listen to me.
01:03:37I don't like you, Roberts.
01:03:39You're no gentleman, see?
01:03:41You hurt my hand.
01:03:43And I'm going to get even with you.
01:03:45If you don't open the door, I'm going to kick it down, Vera.
01:03:48Vera, don't call the cops.
01:03:49Listen to me.
01:03:50I'll do anything you say.
01:03:52Vera, let me in.
01:03:55I'll break the phone.
01:04:03I'll break the phone.
01:04:34The world is full of skeptics.
01:04:37I know.
01:04:38I want myself.
01:04:40In the Haskell business, how many of you would believe he fell out of the car?
01:04:43And now, after killing Vera without really meaning to do it,
01:04:46how many of you would believe it wasn't premeditated?
01:04:49In a jury room, every last man of you would go down shouting that she had me over a barrel and my only out was force.
01:04:55The room was still, so quiet that for a while I wondered if I had suddenly gone deaf.
01:05:04It was pure fear, of course.
01:05:06And I was hysterical.
01:05:08But without making a sound.
01:05:11Vera was dead.
01:05:13And I was her murderer.
01:05:15Murderer?
01:05:16What an awful word that is.
01:05:18But I'd become one.
01:05:20I'd better not get caught.
01:05:22What evidence there was around the place had to be destroyed.
01:05:24From the looks of things, there was plenty.
01:05:26Looking around the room at things we'd bought was like looking into the faces of a hundred people who'd seen us together and who remembered me.
01:05:32This was the kind of testimony I couldn't rub out.
01:05:36No.
01:05:38I could burn clothes and hide bottles for the next five years.
01:05:41There'd always be witnesses.
01:05:43The landlady, for one.
01:05:44She could identify me.
01:05:44The car dealer, the waitress in the drive-in, the girl in the dress shop, and that guy in the liquor store.
01:05:48It could all identify me.
01:05:51I was cooked.
01:05:53Done for.
01:05:54I had to get out of there.
01:05:57While once I'd remained beside a dead body,
01:05:59planning carefully how to avoid being accused of killing him,
01:06:02this time I couldn't.
01:06:04This time I was guilty.
01:06:07I knew it.
01:06:09Felt it.
01:06:10I was like a guy suffering from shock.
01:06:13Things were whirling around in my head.
01:06:15I couldn't make myself think right.
01:06:18All I could think of was the guy with the saxophone and what he was playing.
01:06:22It wasn't a love song anymore.
01:06:24It was a dirge.
01:06:29Timおいしい.
01:06:40It was a good run.
01:06:42It was a good duty here.
01:06:46It was just a donkey.
01:06:49It was a veteran...
01:06:54...it was when I was afraid and I had to become..
01:06:57But my problems weren't solved.
01:07:01I had to stay away from New York for all time.
01:07:05Because Al Roberts was listed as dead and had to stay dead.
01:07:09And I could never go back to Hollywood.
01:07:12Someone might recognize me.
01:07:14I'm sorry.
01:07:15I'm sorry.
01:07:16I'm sorry.
01:07:17I'm sorry.
01:07:18I'm sorry.
01:07:19I'm sorry.
01:07:20I'm sorry.
01:07:21I'm sorry.
01:07:22I'm sorry.
01:07:23I'm sorry.
01:07:24I'm sorry.
01:07:25I'm sorry.
01:07:27I'm sorry.
01:07:28I'm sorry.
01:07:29I'm sorry.
01:07:30I was in the neighborhood.
01:07:31Someone might recognize me as Haskell.
01:07:35Then too, there was Sue.
01:07:37I could never go to her with a thing like this hanging over my head.
01:07:41All I could do was pray she'd be happy.
01:07:50I was in Bakersfield before I read that Vera's body was discovered.
01:07:55That the police were looking for Haskell in connection with his wife's murder.
01:08:00Isn't that a laugh?
01:08:03Haskell got me into this mess, and Haskell was getting me out of it.
01:08:07The police were searching for a dead man.
01:08:13I keep trying to forget what happened...
01:08:16and wonder what my life might have been if that car of Haskell's hadn't stopped.
01:08:23But one thing I don't have to wonder about...
01:08:26I know.
01:08:29Someday a car will stop to pick me up that I never thumbed.
01:08:37Yes.
01:08:39Fate, or some mysterious force, can put the finger on you or me...
01:08:46for no good reason at all.
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