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  • 2 days ago
Chased by Darkness is a gripping crime thriller that follows a relentless manhunt through the shadows of a sleeping city. With tense atmosphere and striking noir visuals, the film captures the fear, urgency, and psychological pressure of a criminal on the run. Every scene builds suspense as law enforcement closes in, blurring the line between hunter and hunted.

A classic urban thriller that blends suspense, drama, and cinematic style into a haunting portrait of crime and pursuit.
Transcript
00:00:00THE END
00:00:30THE END
00:01:00This is Los Angeles, Our Lady, the Queen of the Angels, as the Spaniards named her.
00:01:13The fastest growing city in the nation.
00:01:16It's been called a bunch of suburbs in search of a city.
00:01:19And it's been called the glamour capital of the world.
00:01:22A mecca for tourists.
00:01:24A stopover for transients.
00:01:26A target for gangsters.
00:01:27A haven for those fleeing from winter.
00:01:29A home for the hardworking.
00:01:31It is a city holding the hopes and dreams of over two million people.
00:01:35It sprawls out horizontally over 452 square miles of valleys and uplands.
00:01:41Of foothills and beaches.
00:01:43Because of that vast area, and because of a population made up of people from every state
00:01:49in the union, Los Angeles is the largest police beat in the country.
00:01:54And one of the toughest.
00:01:56We're going to take you into the city hall where police headquarters are located.
00:02:01Here in communications are the ears and voice of the police.
00:02:04The lights on the complaint board flash 24 hours a day.
00:02:08Citizens reporting a prowler.
00:02:09A lost child.
00:02:10A man molesting a woman.
00:02:12An auto accident.
00:02:13A wild party.
00:02:14Spend an hour or two here and you will think the whole city has gone berserk.
00:02:18Minute by minute, the orders go out to the radio cars in the far-flung divisions.
00:02:22Watts and Wilshire in West Los Angeles.
00:02:25Hollywood and Hollenbeck Heights in North Hollywood.
00:02:27The work of the police like that of woman is never done.
00:02:31This is the case history of a killer.
00:02:35Taken from the files of the detective division.
00:02:38The facts are told here as they happen.
00:02:41The story properly starts here in Hollywood Division headquarters at one o'clock of a June
00:02:45morning last year.
00:02:47Officer Robert Rollins had finished his tour of duty and signed out.
00:02:51It had been a tough day.
00:02:52He'd be glad to get home.
00:02:53His wife would be waiting up for him as she always did.
00:03:01The story of a killer.
00:04:31Hey, fella.
00:04:48Come here.
00:04:48What were you doing back at that radio shop?
00:04:54Miss Logan.
00:04:55I was on my way home.
00:04:58Live around here?
00:04:59Yeah, a couple blocks down.
00:05:01Let me see some identification.
00:05:03Sure.
00:05:04Yeah, I guess I forgot my wallet.
00:05:10Look ahead.
00:05:11I've got to see some identification.
00:05:13How about my army discharge?
00:05:14I've got it right here.
00:05:15Let's go.
00:05:35Police Department, Operator 27.
00:05:56I want to report the shooting of a policeman.
00:05:59Hold on, please.
00:06:01Give me that again, please.
00:06:02I'm calling to report the shooting of a policeman.
00:06:04What's the address?
00:06:055057 State Street, just west of Santa Monica.
00:06:09Just a minute.
00:06:11Receiving hospital, Operator 2.
00:06:13Operator 27, 5057 State Street, 5057 State Street.
00:06:18An officer has been shot.
00:06:20Send an ambulance.
00:06:21All units, all units in the vicinity of State Street,
00:06:24Santa Monica Boulevard,
00:06:25proceed at once to 5057 State Street, 5057 State Street.
00:06:30An officer shot, Code 3.
00:06:3280K to Control 1.
00:06:56Control 1 to 80K.
00:06:58Go ahead.
00:06:59This is Breen.
00:07:00Instruct homicide to throw out a drag hit and pick up all suspicious characters in the area of the shooting.
00:07:05Also notify Sergeants Marty Brennan and Chuck Jones to report to me at the scene of the crime.
00:07:10Control 1 to 80K.
00:07:12Roger.
00:07:25I see.
00:07:25Well, what have you got so far?
00:07:26Well, not much, Captain Breen.
00:07:28A couple of cartridge keys.
00:07:30We'll go.
00:07:30Hello, Marty, Chuck.
00:07:33Hi, Captain.
00:07:34Eyewitnesses?
00:07:35Who was first on the scene, reported it?
00:07:37I was.
00:07:38I live here.
00:07:39I'm a light sleeper, but my hearing is good.
00:07:42My captain...
00:07:42Did the officer say anything before he collapsed?
00:07:45Yeah, he gave a description to the fellow.
00:07:47On the shooting of the officer.
00:07:49Suspect is a white male American.
00:07:51Age 26 or 7.
00:07:535 feet 10 or 11.
00:07:55155 to 165 pounds.
00:07:59Brown hair.
00:08:00Regular features.
00:08:01Pencil mustache.
00:08:04Repeat broadcast.
00:08:06All you...
00:08:07Is that about it?
00:08:08Yes, sir.
00:08:08Exactly.
00:08:09And the officer kept saying, he looked like such a nice kid.
00:08:13He looked like such a nice kid.
00:08:15As if he couldn't believe what had happened to him.
00:08:19I see.
00:08:20Is that all?
00:08:21Yeah.
00:08:22Thank you very much.
00:08:23Yeah, well, anything else I can do, I'd be glad to help you.
00:08:25We may call you.
00:08:26Get his name and address for you, Bob.
00:08:31This door been checked, Lee?
00:08:33Yeah, it's okay, Captain.
00:08:39Find anything?
00:08:40Nothing but some smudges so far.
00:08:43Found this in the glove compartment.
00:08:45I think it's nitroglycerin.
00:08:48Doesn't look quite right.
00:08:50Well, check it down at the lab.
00:08:51Right.
00:08:51Open this up, Joe.
00:09:01No key, Captain.
00:09:02Try it open.
00:09:03Give me that bar, Frank.
00:09:04Regular arsenal.
00:09:23Yeah, get a load of that.
00:09:25What is it?
00:09:25I don't know.
00:09:26It looks like some kind of an electrical device.
00:09:28United States Navy.
00:09:32It's either stolen or war surplus.
00:09:36Send all this stuff down to the lab and check the serial number on that Navy equipment.
00:09:39Yes, sir.
00:09:40Captain Breen.
00:09:42We found he's in the weeds over by the radio store.
00:09:44Hmm.
00:09:45What do you got?
00:09:46A pair of cloth gloves, Captain.
00:09:48Well, he thought of everything, didn't he?
00:09:51All right.
00:09:51Give him to one of the technicians.
00:09:53Yes, sir.
00:09:53Marty, you and Chuck come along with me.
00:09:55Let's go downtown and see what they've picked up in the dragnet.
00:09:58Right.
00:09:58You know him, Marty?
00:10:14Yeah.
00:10:16I know his wife, too.
00:10:19Ever since high school.
00:10:24Captain, I wish you'd let Chuck and me handle this case.
00:10:28All right.
00:10:32I don't want any dead heroes.
00:10:35I just want the man who shot Rawlins.
00:10:39The suspects began to arrive at headquarters in droves.
00:10:43The police tossed every motel and hotel and many private homes in a four-square-mile area around the scene of the shooting.
00:10:50Every available radio car and patrolman and detective was out on the dragnet.
00:10:54The strings were being drawn tighter and tighter.
00:10:56Many a man returning from a date or a late party or a poker game surprisingly found himself in a squad car,
00:11:04its sirens screaming as it brought him to the detective bureau.
00:11:07The dragnet gathered in some strange fish, and many ordinary ones.
00:11:13All the rest of that night, the detectives probed,
00:11:15needles, questioned, quizzed.
00:11:19Everything was checked.
00:11:20Fingerprints, names, addresses, stories.
00:11:24Every fish in the net was examined.
00:11:27Most of them thrown back into the sea, not worth keeping.
00:11:30Except a few parole violators and slightly shady characters whose stories needed a lot of verifying.
00:11:36I wasn't prowling no cards.
00:11:38Just taking a walk.
00:11:39You know, getting in condition.
00:11:40You were running when the radio car picked you up.
00:11:43Yeah.
00:11:44Maybe that's why the guys call me Punchy.
00:11:47He's got a point there.
00:11:48Two felony convictions.
00:11:49No warrant.
00:11:50No warrant.
00:11:51He's on parole.
00:11:52Book him.
00:11:52Violation of parole.
00:11:53Let's have the next one, Joe.
00:11:55What were you doing in that vacant lot?
00:11:59The vacant lot.
00:12:00Lot?
00:12:01What were you doing with it at that time of night?
00:12:17You say your name is Ralph Henderson.
00:12:19So what?
00:12:21Well, you know, it's a funny thing, Ralph.
00:12:22There's a guy around this town that's been wearing your fingerprints.
00:12:25Only his name is Pete Hannan.
00:12:28Okay.
00:12:29So I'm dead.
00:12:31So what's one more confession in my life?
00:12:34Now you're talking, Hannan.
00:12:36Okay, Hannan.
00:12:39Hello, Harry.
00:12:40What have we got here?
00:12:41Oh, some robbery suspects.
00:12:43Candidates for Sam Clinton.
00:12:45Handsome here is the big shot.
00:12:47He runs the outfit.
00:12:50Avogander at his record.
00:12:52Car theft.
00:12:53Escape from reform school.
00:12:55Robbery.
00:12:56Assault with a deadly weapon.
00:12:58Not bad.
00:12:59Look at the heater we found on him.
00:13:01German Luger.
00:13:02Fully loaded.
00:13:04Redhead here tried to carve up one of the arresting officers with this pretty toy.
00:13:09Nice boys.
00:13:10By dawn, many minor wrongdoings had been uncovered and a few incipient felonies.
00:13:15The checking of the suspects had been thorough, painstaking and tedious, but all the work was for nothing.
00:13:21The man who had shot Officer Rollins was not among them.
00:13:24He remained no more than a description.
00:13:27A shadow of a man.
00:13:28Mysterious, mysterious, elusive, deadly, hidden away somewhere in the vast city.
00:13:34As for Rollins himself, he couldn't help.
00:13:41He was in a coma at receiving hospital.
00:13:44Mrs. Rollins waited out the long, tense hours while her husband fought to live.
00:13:49Many another officer's wife had so waited.
00:13:52Many another will.
00:13:54The word came shortly after summer.
00:13:56A white male American.
00:14:2026 or 7.
00:14:225 feet 10 or 11.
00:14:24155 to 165 pounds.
00:14:27Brown hair.
00:14:28Regular features.
00:14:29Pencil mustache.
00:14:30This was no frightened fugitive.
00:14:35What went on in his mind?
00:14:37Why had he set his hand against his fellow men?
00:14:41Taken the life of another.
00:14:42Of a stranger.
00:14:44Of a man who is merely doing his duty.
00:14:46He must have some plan.
00:14:49Some goal that called for sudden death to anyone who got in his way.
00:14:52Hmm.
00:14:56Hmm.
00:14:57Hmm.
00:14:58Hmm.
00:14:59Hmm.
00:15:00Hmm.
00:15:28Hmm.
00:15:29Hmm.
00:15:29Good morning, boys.
00:15:41Morning, Lee.
00:15:42Hiya, Professor.
00:15:45Well, I thought this was safe cracker soup.
00:15:47You gonna drink it, I hope?
00:15:49I'm really a nice guy.
00:15:51Stick around. I'll prove it.
00:15:54Come over here.
00:15:59Hold this for me, will you, Chuck?
00:16:23Now, if you'll hand me that hammer, Marty.
00:16:29Hey, Al.
00:16:39Nitroglycerin.
00:16:40I didn't ask for a collection of fingers, just fingerprints.
00:16:44All those nice fingerprints on the car belong to the man who was stolen from, Captain.
00:16:48Nothing on the guns, the pick locks.
00:16:50Not even an interesting smudge.
00:16:52The gloves.
00:16:54Common type, worn by undertakers.
00:16:57I'll check on them. They won't show anything.
00:16:59What did you sign to the test show?
00:17:01A couple of little things.
00:17:03Tool identification on these pick locks.
00:17:06I got one under the scope. You want to take a look?
00:17:08Yeah.
00:17:19Take a look.
00:17:19Take a look.
00:17:23Oh, I see.
00:17:24Well, it seems to tie the tool up with a lock.
00:17:29Well, if that microscope could only tell us who did it.
00:17:32I'm working on it.
00:17:35No, only an amateur would carry that liquid dynamite in a car.
00:17:38This boy's no amateur.
00:17:40Took the precaution of desensitizing it so it'll take normal shock.
00:17:44Took a lot of other precautions, too.
00:17:46No fingerprints, no identification.
00:17:48Nothing definite.
00:17:48Except he's scientific.
00:17:52Knows electricity.
00:17:55He's invented.
00:17:56Yeah.
00:17:57I'm happy on the trigger.
00:18:03This is Captain Breen.
00:18:04Get me Captain Stevens at Burklary, will you?
00:18:07I hate to disappoint you, Lee, but I think you've come up with something.
00:18:11Uh, hello, Steve?
00:18:12How are you?
00:18:15Did your daughter's marriage come off all right?
00:18:19Good.
00:18:20Look, Steve, on those burglaries of electrical equipment lately,
00:18:24were there any where pick locks were used to gain entry?
00:18:30Good.
00:18:31Well, let me know if there's another report of one, will you?
00:18:34I've got an idea the Rawlins killer may be tied in with those.
00:18:39Fine.
00:18:39Uh, and, uh, give my regards to the newlyweds, too.
00:18:43So long, Steve.
00:18:46Well, what are you waiting for?
00:18:48You've got a job, haven't you?
00:18:49Good going.
00:18:50Yeah, let's go, Junior.
00:18:52Hold this for me, will you, Lee?
00:18:54Thanks.
00:18:58And so, with no fingerprints and only a vague description to go by,
00:19:01Sergeant Brennan turned to the modus operandi file.
00:19:04A criminal, like any human being, has his own habit patterns,
00:19:08unconscious traits that can lead to his downfall.
00:19:12Oh, there you are, Junior.
00:19:18A list of burglars that use pick locks for entry.
00:19:21Oh, great.
00:19:22This narrows it down to just a couple of hundred suspects in this area.
00:19:25Give me a match, will you?
00:19:26That may not be so bad.
00:19:31This guy's improved on the system.
00:19:33Maybe he's left his trademark on some other job.
00:19:36Well, here we go, legging it all over town, asking a million questions.
00:19:39What you paid for, isn't it?
00:19:40Am I paid to associate with you, too, Junior?
00:19:43You could do worse.
00:19:44Not this year.
00:19:45Car 12, car 1-2, in the 10,000 block on Mississippi.
00:20:06A 394-15 disturbance.
00:20:08Car 80-K, code 1.
00:20:16Car 80-K, code 1.
00:20:16Car 80-K, code 1.
00:20:23Car 80-K, code 1.
00:20:25Car 80-K, code 1.
00:20:26Car 80-K, code 1.
00:20:27Car 80-K, code 1.
00:20:28Car 80-K, code 1.
00:20:29Car 80-K, code 1.
00:20:30Car 80-K, code 1.
00:20:31Car 80-K, code 1.
00:20:32Car 80-K, code 1.
00:20:33Car 80-K, code 1.
00:20:34Car 80-K, code 1.
00:20:35Car 80-K, code 1.
00:20:36Car 80-K, code 1.
00:20:37Car 80-K, code 1.
00:20:38Car 80-K, code 1.
00:20:39Car 80-K, code 1.
00:20:40Car 80-K, code 1.
00:20:41Car 80-K, code 1.
00:20:42Car 80-K, code 1.
00:20:43Car 80-K, code 1.
00:20:44All units, on the broadcast of the suspect arrested in the shooting of Patrolman Rollins.
00:20:53Cancel the cancellation.
00:20:55Suspect released from custody.
00:21:13Oh, hello, Mr. Martin.
00:21:14You'll find Mr. Reeves in the machine shop.
00:21:33Hello, Roy.
00:21:34Glad to see you.
00:21:36How are you, Mr. Reeves?
00:21:37Fine.
00:21:37I was hoping you'd drop in.
00:21:39I wanted to thank you for showing us how to handle that repair job.
00:21:43Don't go out.
00:21:52Well, what have we got this time?
00:22:00Sewer grab.
00:22:01There are plenty of these around, Roy.
00:22:08Not like this one.
00:22:11Yes, I see.
00:22:13I suppose, as usual, you've added your own improvements.
00:22:15You know, it seems wrong that a man of your talents should bother consigning equipment for rental.
00:22:25I'd like to see you devote yourself entirely to experimental electronics.
00:22:30It'll come one day.
00:22:33I'll live a place like this.
00:22:34Well, why wait?
00:22:35I've got a pretty good setup here.
00:22:38I'd have modern equipment to work with, a lab, and my confidence.
00:22:44Thanks, Mr. Reeves.
00:22:46I have other plans.
00:22:47But, Roy, you can't tell where to lead.
00:22:50Might even work your way around to a percentage of the business.
00:22:55I like it this way.
00:22:57You just rent out my equipment.
00:22:59All right, all right.
00:23:01What if you should change your mind?
00:23:03I'm not likely to change my mind.
00:23:06I suppose you want me to set this up for rental, too.
00:23:11Mr. Reeves?
00:23:13You've already got five pieces of my equipment.
00:23:16You'd like to know what results I've had from the rental so far, hmm?
00:23:21Well, I can't say as I blame you.
00:23:23I think you'll find this satisfactory.
00:23:28Satisfactory.
00:23:30Goodbye, Mr. Reeves.
00:23:31You'll come back again soon, won't you?
00:23:33Sure.
00:23:34Oh, incidentally.
00:23:37How's that television projector coming along?
00:23:39The one you said would reflect a 12-foot image.
00:23:41Still working on it.
00:23:42I just wanted you to know I've already set up a rental on it.
00:23:46In fact, I think they'd like to buy.
00:23:49It'll come pretty high.
00:23:50Oh, money is no consideration with this customer.
00:23:58Tell him he can pick it up tomorrow.
00:24:00I thought you said it wasn't finished yet.
00:24:02It'll be finished.
00:24:11It uses an image fixer and then projects by ordinary incandescent.
00:24:15Roy, this is the best television projector I've ever seen.
00:24:22Let's hope that your customer thinks so.
00:24:24He will.
00:24:29Yeah?
00:24:32Send him right in, Charlotte.
00:24:33There, you see, our customer is here.
00:24:38Begging for the privilege of buying.
00:24:41I'd better be running along.
00:24:42I'm not much good at business.
00:24:44Oh, but Roy, he'll want to congratulate you.
00:24:47Just see that the price is right.
00:24:50All right, Roy.
00:24:51I'll get you a good deal.
00:24:53So long.
00:24:54See you.
00:24:54Well, Mr. Dunning, come in.
00:25:05Isn't it a beauty?
00:25:06Isn't it a beauty?
00:25:19It's a beauty, all right.
00:25:20You like it?
00:25:21I certainly do like it.
00:25:23You see, it's mine.
00:25:25What do you mean?
00:25:26Let me have the police.
00:25:28I built it.
00:25:29Spent years on it.
00:25:30Oh, you must be crazy.
00:25:31Roy built this machine himself.
00:25:33Your friend's a crook, Paul.
00:25:34You've been taken in.
00:25:35Hello?
00:25:36Give me the burglary detail.
00:25:39Dear Jim,
00:25:41regarding your inquiry on a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson Barber serial...
00:25:45Oh, come in, boys.
00:25:48Burglary detail just sent this report through.
00:25:50It's a man named Dunning who reports tracing a stolen television projector to the Reeves Electronics Lab.
00:25:57Think it's a tie with the Rollins case?
00:25:59Well, take a look at this fellow Reeves and see what gives.
00:26:01I'll notify burglary when we're following up on it.
00:26:04Right.
00:26:05Come on, Junior.
00:26:09What else did he place with you for rental?
00:26:11Oh, a number of things.
00:26:12It was an all-war surplus that he bought on his veteran's radio.
00:26:16Oh, is this more of his equipment?
00:26:17Yes. Yes, he left it here on consignment.
00:26:21I'm sure that Roy can explain everything.
00:26:24Well, maybe he can, Mr. Reeves, if he'll tell us where he lives.
00:26:27But I don't know.
00:26:28Mr. Martin's on the phone, sir.
00:26:32I'd better talk to him.
00:26:33I think so, Mr. Reeves.
00:26:35I'll take it in the superintendent's office.
00:26:36Tell him that you sold the set.
00:26:47And his money's waiting for him here.
00:26:48Find out what time he's coming by.
00:26:54Put Mr. Martin on.
00:27:00Hello, Roy?
00:27:04Yes, yes, I've sold it.
00:27:05Your money is waiting here for you.
00:27:10Yes, I'll be working late tonight.
00:27:12What time will you be by?
00:27:14First thing in the morning.
00:27:16Well, maybe you better come in tonight, Roy.
00:27:18A couple of things I want cleared up.
00:27:21Like what?
00:27:23Oh, technical things.
00:27:25Besides, I don't like to leave the money in the plant overnight.
00:27:28How about 8.30?
00:27:34Fine, fine.
00:27:35I'll see you then.
00:27:37I'll leave the front door unlocked.
00:27:44You'll be here at 8.30.
00:27:46Well, I'll just run along home and get some dinner.
00:27:57Uh, we'd like you to stay too, Mr. Reeves.
00:28:00Why?
00:28:01For company.
00:28:02You want to cooperate, don't you, Mr. Reeves?
00:28:04Certainly.
00:28:05Good.
00:28:06Now, you just wait in your office.
00:28:07We'll be around.
00:28:09Very well.
00:28:11This way, gentlemen.
00:28:12Mm-hmm.
00:28:42All right.
00:28:43All right.
00:29:12Freeze.
00:29:36Is that you, Roy?
00:29:50Go outside and block that alley door.
00:30:07Where are you, Roy?
00:30:14Who's in here?
00:30:16No one.
00:30:17I'm alone.
00:30:24Come on in.
00:30:25I've got your money for it.
00:30:27Bring it out here.
00:30:31All right.
00:30:35Just a minute.
00:30:36All right.
00:31:06All right.
00:31:07All right.
00:31:11All right.
00:31:13All right.
00:34:23None of them even looked like Roy Martin.
00:34:27He had such a fine face.
00:34:31Didn't keep you from carrying a gun?
00:34:33Or didn't you know that?
00:34:35No, I didn't.
00:34:37I've told you all I know, all he ever told me.
00:34:40What about his friends?
00:34:41Didn't he have a girl?
00:34:44No.
00:34:45No, I don't think so.
00:34:47He had no interest in anything but electronics.
00:34:51Where do you pick up the subject?
00:34:52Books, magazines.
00:34:55Mostly from the signal core.
00:34:57He was attached to a radar unit.
00:35:00Get a teletype off of the War Department.
00:35:02That might help.
00:35:05Yes?
00:35:06Ready on your call to receiving hospital, Captain Green.
00:35:08Hello, this is Captain Breen.
00:35:11What is the latest report on Sergeant Jones?
00:35:19I see.
00:35:20Well, let me know if there's any change, will you?
00:35:27Thanks.
00:35:31Chuck's in pretty bad shape, Marty.
00:35:34He's paralyzed.
00:35:35May never walk again.
00:35:36Oh, I'm sorry.
00:35:45It's funny that Martin showed up at 7 when he told you he wouldn't be there until 8.30.
00:35:50I don't know why.
00:35:52Except he was always unpredictable.
00:35:54I'll tell you why.
00:35:55Because you warned him.
00:35:56That's why he came early.
00:35:57That's why he came in the back way.
00:35:58But you heard me tell him the front door would be open.
00:36:00And the key to let him in the back way?
00:36:01He must have had one made.
00:36:02Why don't you tell us the truth?
00:36:03Marty.
00:36:06Now, look, Paul.
00:36:15You can make it a lot easier for us to believe your story if you'll just give us some facts.
00:36:20Something that might help us.
00:36:22I told you all I know.
00:36:26I've been gullible, all right, letting him make a fool of me.
00:36:30But I'd do anything to make up for what he did to Detective Jones.
00:36:35Sure.
00:36:37Sure you would.
00:36:39You can go now.
00:36:41Oh, thanks.
00:36:45Thanks.
00:36:48My friend.
00:36:49They can vouch for my character.
00:36:50That's good.
00:36:51We'll call you for nature.
00:36:52Thank you very much.
00:36:55I think he's telling the truth, Marty.
00:36:56I think he's just gullible like he said.
00:36:58What about the stolen stuff he was trying to peddle for Martin?
00:37:01We'll use it for bait.
00:37:03Maybe Martin will come back for it.
00:37:04Then we can ask him.
00:37:07Here.
00:37:09Nevertheless, I want a 24-hour tail put on Reeves, and I want to watch on his home and his factory.
00:37:13Right.
00:37:15You can keep those.
00:37:18Okay, Captain.
00:37:18And now the killer changed his tactics, his modus operandi.
00:37:28It would baffle the police.
00:37:30They always expected burglars to remain burglars, not go in for stick-ups.
00:37:35They never tie this up with him.
00:37:37So wearing a variety of disguises, coming and going like a shadow, ready to kill of cornered,
00:37:42he struck the bottle stores in a one-man blitz that had the robbery detail dizzy.
00:38:07The killer, always resourceful, always thinking along lines that would baffle his hunters,
00:38:11had discovered an ideal avenue of escape.
00:38:15Under Los Angeles is a vast and intricate system of huge storm drains
00:38:18built to siphon off the flash floods of the rainy season.
00:38:22Many of the tunnels are large enough for two cars to drive abreast.
00:38:26Here were 700 miles of hidden highways.
00:38:29Ideal for the use of someone who needed to hurry from place to place without being seen.
00:38:35Ideal as a hiding place for guns and supplies in case of emergency.
00:38:41What does it be?
00:38:43Well, the reason I asked you to come over is I think I've hit on something.
00:38:46An identification?
00:38:47No, not quite, but a tie-up.
00:38:49Now, these are the shells from the gun that killed Rawlins.
00:38:53These were fired in the liquor store holder in which the bandit got away.
00:38:57And these were fired at Chuck.
00:38:58Now, as you know, every ejector, even in guns of the same model and caliber, is different.
00:39:06Each one leaves its own markings on the cartridge casing.
00:39:10Now, look at these fine striations.
00:39:13This deep gouge.
00:39:16The same on all three.
00:39:17In other words, the man who killed Rawlins, and the man who shot at Jones and Brennan,
00:39:27the stick-up with bits in the liquor stores, are all the same man.
00:39:30Right.
00:39:31All we need to know is what that man looks like.
00:39:38Get me Chandler in robbery, will you?
00:39:41I've got an idea about that.
00:39:42Also, it'll give us a chance to see if Reeves is on the level with us.
00:39:47Uh, Steve.
00:39:48Green.
00:39:50About those blitz hold-ups you're on.
00:39:52Round up all the victims and have them down here tonight, will you?
00:39:56Oh, it's just a little scheme.
00:39:59Thanks, Steve.
00:40:04Oh, that's good.
00:40:05Now, sketch another one of the same type, only this time thin it out a little, huh?
00:40:08All right.
00:40:09Hi, Lee. How's it coming?
00:40:10Are you ready for tonight?
00:40:11We'll be ready.
00:40:12Think it'll work?
00:40:13It should.
00:40:15What'd you get the idea?
00:40:16From a kidnapping case in Chicago.
00:40:19I thought these slides might be an improvement over the method they used.
00:40:22Could be.
00:40:23Captain thinks so.
00:40:29Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
00:40:30May I have your attention for more, please?
00:40:33You've all been asked to sit in on a little experiment tonight.
00:40:37We're going to try to build a picture of a face.
00:40:39A face of a man who's cunning, resourceful, and deadly.
00:40:44He's a man who killed a police officer.
00:40:49Now, some of you, he held up at the point of a gun.
00:40:52You may have seen his face, remembered something about it.
00:40:55And we want you to tell us exactly what you remembered.
00:41:00Whether it's his hair, eyes, nose, or mouth.
00:41:03And we're going to try to put those pieces together so that they add up into a picture of the face of the man we want.
00:41:12Now, you can see how we're depending on you.
00:41:16Lights.
00:41:16Now, first, we're going to concentrate on the type of hair our man had.
00:41:22And if the picture looks anything like his hair, I want you to speak right up.
00:41:27All right, the first slide, please.
00:41:36His hair had waves in it.
00:41:37Well-groomed.
00:41:39That's the idea, Miss Smith.
00:41:40Is that any closer?
00:41:49No.
00:41:50It was parted on the side.
00:41:57Oh, that's more like it.
00:41:59Except it was thicker.
00:42:08Oh, that's very close.
00:42:10Yes, that's the way his forehead looked.
00:42:12It was broad and high.
00:42:14All right, hold that slide.
00:42:16Now, the next series of slides will take into account his eyes.
00:42:28Oh, one minute, please.
00:42:29Wait, one minute.
00:42:31His eyes were a little like that.
00:42:33Maybe a little smaller.
00:42:35Like bees.
00:42:37Go on, Lee.
00:42:40Now, now you've got it.
00:42:48Now, hold that slide, Lee.
00:42:51Anyone else?
00:42:54That looks like him, only a little madder.
00:42:56He had a patch over one eye when he come into my guy, uh, my place of business.
00:43:00I remember noticing that the one showing was blue.
00:43:02Well, the guy that stuck me up had on horn-rimmed glasses.
00:43:05He was wearing a Band-Aid across his nose when he knocked me over.
00:43:09Uh-huh.
00:43:11All right, hold that, Lee.
00:43:13Well, so much for the eyes.
00:43:17Go ahead.
00:43:18Señor Capitán.
00:43:35Yes, Miss Montalvo.
00:43:37Ay, ¿cómo se dice en inglés, uh...
00:43:39Like that, Captain, but more snubbed, wider.
00:43:52Try another one, Lee.
00:44:00She says that's about it.
00:44:02Thank you very much, Miss Montalvo.
00:44:05It reads.
00:44:07All right, any more comments?
00:44:09That's pretty close, all right.
00:44:10Pretty close.
00:44:11Perfect.
00:44:12All right, now we'll start on the mouth and chin.
00:44:15The next series, Lee.
00:44:16Yeah.
00:44:19I think his lower lip stuck out more.
00:44:22The mouth was thin and mean, like it never laughed.
00:44:27Go ahead.
00:44:27Something like that.
00:44:30But thicker lips.
00:44:35There.
00:44:36That's it.
00:44:37That's him.
00:44:38All right, now hold that right there, Lee.
00:44:42Oh, come in, Mr. Reeves.
00:44:45Good evening, Captain.
00:44:47Did you ever see that face before?
00:44:52Why, it's Roy.
00:44:54Except for the hair being a little lighter and the eyebrows heavier.
00:44:58It's Roy.
00:45:00You're sure?
00:45:01I'm positive I'd know him anywhere.
00:45:06Lee, I want a retouched photograph.
00:45:09Now lighten the hair and give more body to the eyebrows.
00:45:12Right.
00:45:13Lights.
00:45:16That's all.
00:45:17Thank you very much.
00:45:18You've been a great help.
00:45:19It's positively amazing how you found out what he looked like.
00:45:22Well, we're looking for an amazing criminal, Mrs. Johnson.
00:45:25Thank you and good night.
00:45:26Good night, Captain.
00:45:27And so the face of the unknown killer, built up from fragments of evidence, was sent out
00:45:33all over the country.
00:45:35To chiefs of police, to sheriffs, to county constables and county jailers.
00:45:39To the wardens of prisons, to all postmasters and postal inspectors, to the agents of the treasury
00:45:49department, to the FBI.
00:45:52They showed that picture to the inmates of jailers and prisoners, to men with a wide acquaintance among the cat burglars and the violence boys, informers and conmen and sharpshooters were quizzed, those on the fringe of crime and those deep in the rackets.
00:46:08Many wanted to help.
00:46:09Many wanted to help.
00:46:10Nobody could.
00:46:11Nobody could.
00:46:12No one in the underworld recognized that mysterious face.
00:46:15He was as unknown as if he had lived in the 16th century.
00:46:23We're going to be sorry.
00:46:24THE END
00:46:54THE END
00:47:24THE END
00:47:54THE END
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00:50:20THE END
00:50:21I suppose you think it was good business letting me walk into that trap.
00:50:25No, I know.
00:50:26Don't do anything you'll regret.
00:50:27Now listen to me.
00:50:28It isn't too late.
00:50:30Give yourself up.
00:50:30Come to your senses before you kill someone else.
00:50:40What do you mean, someone else?
00:50:43What do you mean?
00:50:43Nothing.
00:50:44There's two officers.
00:50:45They said one of them might die.
00:50:49He's still alive, isn't he?
00:50:51I never thought you'd stooge for the police.
00:50:59You almost got me killed.
00:51:01Boy, you know the police are right outside.
00:51:02You'd never get away with it.
00:51:10That's right.
00:51:12Now you're being sensible.
00:51:18I know there's only here.
00:51:20What is it?
00:51:21Don't worry.
00:51:22I'll get it.
00:51:43It's not enough.
00:51:44I think you've got a minus worth thousands.
00:51:47I'll get more.
00:51:47Get it.
00:51:51Keep it handy.
00:51:52I'll be back next week and next month.
00:51:54But get it and have it ready.
00:51:56Just give me time.
00:51:57I don't want policemen outside my house following me around.
00:52:13That's what made Roy suspicious.
00:52:15I'm leaving and warning.
00:52:17I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, Paul.
00:52:20Unfortunately, you're our bait.
00:52:21I won't do it.
00:52:24I've done enough.
00:52:26Look, no one's done enough until we find this killer.
00:52:32I asked you to keep a sharp lookout on this house, Marty.
00:52:35I did.
00:52:36Two of the best undercover men of an apartment were assigned here.
00:52:39That didn't keep Martin from getting in.
00:52:41What's the matter?
00:52:42You're tired?
00:52:43You got any idea how long you've been on this case, Marty?
00:52:56A month.
00:52:58Long enough to have come up with something by this time.
00:53:00Do you know any more about the Rawlins killer than you knew the first week?
00:53:07Yeah.
00:53:08He's about the toughest nut I've ever had to crack.
00:53:12That's what I told the chief when he called me in this afternoon
00:53:15and wanted to know why the case hadn't been broken.
00:53:19Look, Captain.
00:53:20Rawlins was a friend of mine.
00:53:23So's Chuck.
00:53:25I've got a bigger stake in this than the chief knows.
00:53:28I'm doing everything I can.
00:53:30Well, I'm afraid it's not enough, Marty.
00:53:37Maybe you're too close to it to see it clearly.
00:53:41Maybe it needs a fresh team, a new viewpoint.
00:53:45I think you've got to take a couple of weeks off, Marty.
00:53:49Starting tomorrow.
00:53:53Anything you say, Captain?
00:54:00Hiya, Marty.
00:54:12Hiya, Chuck.
00:54:13Meet Miss Scanlon, my new bodyguard.
00:54:15He's the one I've been telling you about.
00:54:16Oh, you mean the one with the steel-trap brain?
00:54:19How do you do?
00:54:20Hello.
00:54:20Has this guy been behaving?
00:54:22After a fashion.
00:54:22See, she takes me out in my go-kart, puts me to bed, wakes me up, dresses me.
00:54:26You're perfectly capable of dressing yourself now, Mr. Jones.
00:54:30I'll be back in a few minutes.
00:54:35Well, how's it been going, Junior?
00:54:37Oh, pretty good, Chuck.
00:54:39Pretty good.
00:54:39Is that why you're off the case?
00:54:44How'd you know?
00:54:45Green was in to see me this morning.
00:54:46Oh.
00:54:48Suppose he also told you they put a new team on the case.
00:54:50He told me everything.
00:54:52Yeah.
00:54:53Let's see what his new boys dig up.
00:54:55Well, maybe they'll examine the facts of the case a little more carefully.
00:54:58What facts?
00:55:00That our man's sharp?
00:55:01That his intelligence works alone?
00:55:03That he has no record?
00:55:04Never leaves a fingerprint in those every move we make?
00:55:06Sure, plenty of facts, only they add up to nothing.
00:55:08Sure, forget it.
00:55:09You got yourself a ten-day vacation.
00:55:11Go on down to the beach, get a suntan.
00:55:13By the time you get back, the case will be broken.
00:55:16Isn't that what you want?
00:55:17You know better than that.
00:55:18All I know is what I hear.
00:55:19You sit there batting your gums about how the old man let you down.
00:55:23Maybe he's trying to wake you up.
00:55:25He's got a funny way of showing it.
00:55:26There you go, flying off the handle, always taking things for granted.
00:55:29I wish I could get up and boot some sense into you.
00:55:32He knew what this case meant to me.
00:55:34He still does.
00:55:34That's why he's trying to get you mad enough to do something about it.
00:55:37You don't really figure that's his idea, do you?
00:55:42I know it is.
00:55:45Ah, it's a tough case, Chuck.
00:55:47Not an angle, nothing to go on.
00:55:49You'd know what I meant if you were out working with me.
00:55:51I have been working with you.
00:55:53That's all I've had to do lately.
00:55:55Just sit around studying what little facts we have.
00:55:57Trying to figure out who we might be.
00:55:59I didn't even know the kind of a guy we're up against then.
00:56:02I tell you, Chuck, this guy's a genius the way he operates.
00:56:06As if he were right there with us every time he'd go out after a lead.
00:56:09Oh, sure.
00:56:09Breen's been tipping him off just to make you look bad.
00:56:12I almost like that.
00:56:14Well, he beats us to the punch every time.
00:56:16There's your angle.
00:56:18You just hit it on the head, but you don't see it.
00:56:19Look.
00:56:20Start at him.
00:56:21One.
00:56:22He's unknown to the underworld.
00:56:23Two.
00:56:24He beats you to the punch, right?
00:56:26And three.
00:56:26It's almost as if he were with you.
00:56:28Isn't that what you said?
00:56:29Yeah?
00:56:30Well, tie that up with a lot of other little things,
00:56:31like the fact that he uses a police gun
00:56:33and the accuracy of the shooting.
00:56:36Anybody could buy a police gun,
00:56:38or the army could have taught him how to shoot.
00:56:39Yeah, but who taught him how the police operate?
00:56:44Oh, I know what you're driving at.
00:56:46Chuck, but a cop.
00:56:48Those things happen.
00:56:51Yeah.
00:56:52Now, if I were still in the case,
00:56:53I'd start with our own department first,
00:56:55then Santa Monica, Culver City, Burbank, Pasadena.
00:56:58See you later, George.
00:56:59Hey!
00:57:00Don't let him out of your sight, beautiful.
00:57:01It's the first time in years he's used his head.
00:57:12But you get a print of every mug we take.
00:57:14We always send L.A. a copy, Sergeant.
00:57:15It's personnel photos I want.
00:57:17You may have our boys?
00:57:18That's Roland's killer, isn't it?
00:57:23That's right.
00:57:25You've checked your own department.
00:57:26We did that first.
00:57:27And so the tedious quest went on.
00:57:36Sergeant Brennan wore out his shoes and his patients,
00:57:38going from police station to police station,
00:57:41checking photos until his eyes were blurry.
00:57:44For police work is not all glamour and excitement and glory.
00:57:47There are days and days of routine,
00:57:50of tedious probing,
00:57:52of tireless searching,
00:57:54fruitless days,
00:57:55days when nothing goes right,
00:57:57when it seems as if no one could ever think his way
00:58:00through the maze of battling trails of criminal leaves.
00:58:03But the answer to that is persistence.
00:58:06And the hope that sooner or later something will turn up.
00:58:10Some tiny lead that can grow into a warm trail
00:58:13and point to the cracking of a tough case.
00:58:29Well, that does it, boys.
00:58:30I can't say I'm sorry I didn't find him in here.
00:58:34I'd hate to think it was a cop.
00:58:36Doesn't seem to be anybody.
00:58:38Just a lot of pieces of a face that never existed.
00:58:41Would you mind if I see that again?
00:58:43Sure, Raymond.
00:58:45Put it on your dresser.
00:58:47Wait a minute.
00:58:48He wasn't a cop.
00:58:50He was a radio technician right here in our dispatch office.
00:58:53What did you say?
00:58:54I'm saying he worked here in 42.
00:58:57Well, come on, give.
00:58:58I remember the kid well.
00:59:00He was sort of strange.
00:59:02Never bothered with anyone in the department.
00:59:03Just kept to himself.
00:59:05He was in line for promotion when he was drafted.
00:59:08Where was he living at the time?
00:59:10I don't remember.
00:59:13Try the dead files.
00:59:14I never asked for his job back after the war.
00:59:21I remember writing to him about it, though.
00:59:23This is an excellent word there.
00:59:24Oh, yeah.
00:59:25Here we are.
00:59:26Yeah, this is it.
00:59:28It took a while before he answered, but like he says in the letter, he wasn't interested.
00:59:31Postmarked Hollywood.
00:59:43No return address.
00:59:44What do you want us to do?
00:59:45All the work?
00:59:47Oh, thanks a lot, Freddy.
00:59:49You remember, he was a civilian employee.
00:59:51Well, how about it?
01:00:03Anybody recognize him?
01:00:05Not on my route.
01:00:06I never saw him before.
01:00:11Okay, fella.
01:00:11Thanks very much.
01:00:16I thought for a minute...
01:00:20And yet that face, I wonder.
01:00:25Yeah?
01:00:26Well, this may not mean anything, but he looks like a guy that's on my route.
01:00:30He never gets any mail, but I see him around there all the time.
01:00:33He lives in one of the courts.
01:00:35Where?
01:00:35I'm not a choice.
01:00:37It's not that easy.
01:00:39What time does your route take you past those courts?
01:00:42About nine o'clock.
01:00:43What?
01:00:45Just thinking.
01:01:00You got any chocolate milk?
01:01:01Sure have, buddy.
01:01:04Hey, yeah.
01:01:05Thanks.
01:01:07Which apartment?
01:01:10Straight down back.
01:01:14Second and a yell.
01:01:16Number seven.
01:01:18Right.
01:01:20Had it warm today, huh?
01:01:21Oh, it's not too bad for this time of the year.
01:01:29Good morning.
01:01:30Morning.
01:01:31You're new and you're out, aren't you?
01:01:33We had a substitute.
01:01:34What happened to the other fellow?
01:01:36Sick.
01:01:37Oh, what's the matter with you?
01:01:39I don't know.
01:01:40I catch everything.
01:01:42Hear about it on the radio, and next morning I got it.
01:01:44Too bad.
01:01:46You aren't very social.
01:01:47The regular fellow always stops and talks to you.
01:01:49Sorry, Betty.
01:01:50I'm a little late this morning.
01:01:52I was hoping maybe you could help me.
01:01:53There's something very funny going on in this court.
01:01:58Yeah?
01:01:59I was scared to go to the police.
01:02:01I thought maybe I might be poisoned.
01:02:03What?
01:02:04Yeah.
01:02:06But a manager.
01:02:07She's a witch.
01:02:08She's a what?
01:02:09A witch.
01:02:10She puts poison in my milk.
01:02:13Oh, I see.
01:02:14Look.
01:02:17She switched the bottles once she isn't looking, see?
01:02:20Drink her milk.
01:02:21Then you'll be safe, right?
01:02:22She's a witch.
01:02:52Oh, I had a little accident.
01:02:56Got a mop.
01:02:57I'll clean it up.
01:02:59Leave it be.
01:03:00I'll clean it up myself.
01:03:03Okay, mister.
01:03:04Hello.
01:03:22The place is called Bellevue Court.
01:03:35I drew this to memory, but it's pretty close.
01:03:37That's where he's hiding out, right there.
01:03:40Are you sure he's our man, Martin?
01:03:43Captain, I couldn't go wrong on that face.
01:03:45He's our man.
01:03:45I'm sorry.
01:03:51Now, there are five cottages in this area,
01:03:54and two of the six and seven in the L at the end of the row.
01:03:58Our man lives in number seven.
01:04:00The building department plan will show you the whole layout.
01:04:03It's bounded on three sides by Fuller, Santa Monica, and Poinsettia.
01:04:07Now, the court is partly surrounded by a high wall.
01:04:12Green, homicide.
01:04:15Good.
01:04:15You keep your eyes open until we get there.
01:04:18Morgan has just gone into his bungalow alone.
01:04:20Any questions?
01:04:22All right.
01:04:22You all have the instructions.
01:04:23Let's go.
01:05:54We're out on time.
01:06:06Wait five minutes.
01:06:07Go around and block the side entrance.
01:06:09Keep your lights off.
01:06:10Go around and block the side entrance.
01:06:40Go around and block the side entrance.
01:07:10Go around and block the side entrance.
01:07:40Let's go.
01:07:51Go around and block the side entrance.
01:07:53Come on.
01:08:23Come on.
01:08:53Come on.
01:09:23Come on.
01:09:53He's loose.
01:10:03I want a radio car in a hurry.
01:10:04I want a radio car in a hurry.
01:10:34It's in the vicinity of Santa Monica and Fuller.
01:10:36The murder suspect in the Rawlins killing is at large.
01:10:38I want a radio car in a hurry.
01:11:08I want a map covering the storm drain system in this area.
01:11:13Get it and meet me at Venice and Garfield.
01:11:15Jones, Miller, you stay here in case he comes up for air.
01:11:18I want a man at every other drain entrance along this line.
01:11:22You've got to come up somewhere.
01:11:24Come on, Marty.
01:11:25You're driving.
01:11:25Keep this drain covered.
01:11:39Keep this drain covered.
01:11:51He's liable to pop out anywhere.
01:11:53I want a man at every other day.
01:11:54I want a man at every other day.
01:11:55I want a man at every other day.
01:12:00I want a man at every other day.
01:12:01I want a man at every other day.
01:12:03I want a man at every other day.
01:12:07Why Venice and Garfield, Captain?
01:12:18It's the main intersection of the system.
01:12:19We can head him off that way.
01:12:2180K to Control 1.
01:12:22Clear frequency 7.
01:12:23This is an emergency.
01:12:24Control 1 to all cars on frequency 7.
01:12:27Stand by.
01:12:28Control 1 to 80K.
01:12:29Go ahead.
01:12:30Notify homicide.
01:12:31Send the following to Venice and Garfield.
01:12:33Four squads.
01:12:34Battle lanterns.
01:12:36Gas mask.
01:12:37Tear gas.
01:12:38Urgent.
01:12:38This is a code 3.
01:12:40Control 1 to 80K.
01:12:41Roger.
01:12:41Roger.
01:13:00And he'll probably head down this main drain to where it comes out of the Rio Hondo.
01:13:07Now, you take your squad and cover that exit.
01:13:09Right.
01:13:10He bought spare radio cars cruising back and forth along this main street.
01:13:13Watch the curb inlet.
01:13:14We'll go in here.
01:13:28Any kind of them?
01:13:29No.
01:13:30If we first ever foot, we couldn't get in the Rio Hondo outlet.
01:13:33Then he must be up ahead.
01:13:35Let's go.
01:13:35Let's go.
01:13:47Let's go.
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