Detour (1945) – Hitchhiker Doom Noir Classic - video Dailymotion

classicmovies171

Detour (1945) is a quintessential low‑budget film noir directed by Edgar G. Ulmer. Despite its modest production, the film has become one of the most celebrated noirs for its raw intensity and bleak vision of fate.  The story follows Al Roberts, a down‑on‑his‑luck pianist hitchhiking to California to reunite with his girlfriend. When a series of chance events lead to accidental death, Al becomes entangled with Vera, a ruthless drifter who blackmails him. With its fatalistic tone, shadow‑laden cinematography, and Ann Savage’s unforgettable performance, Detour epitomizes the noir theme that ordinary men cannot escape destiny.  Film Details Title: Detour Year: 1945 Genre: Film Noir / Crime Drama Director: Edgar G. Ulmer Starring: Tom Neal as Al Roberts Ann Savage as Vera Claudia Drake Edmund MacDonald Runtime: Approx. 68 minutes Studio: Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC) Country: United States Format: Black‑and‑white

Transcript

00:02:41Well, here we are.

00:02:42I turned down here at the next block.

00:02:44Thanks, mister.

00:02:45I'll get off there.

00:02:53Do you want anything else?

00:02:55No.

00:02:56Hey, you.

00:03:00Me?

00:03:01Yeah, you.

00:03:02Where are you heading?

00:03:04East.

00:03:05Yeah.

00:03:07I thought if you was heading nowhere, I might be able to help you out.

00:03:10I'm pushing to Salt Lake and I don't like to ride alone at night.

00:03:13I'm one of those guys that got to talk or I fall asleep.

00:03:16Oh, sure.

00:03:17I couldn't have went.

00:03:18Pardon me.

00:03:18He's got Lou to keep in company, but I ain't got nobody at all.

00:03:22Where you coming from?

00:03:24West.

00:03:24Yeah, sure, I know, but where, L.A.?

00:03:27Maybe.

00:03:28I got a cousin out in L.A.

00:03:29You don't say.

00:03:30Yeah, he's been out.

00:03:33You're not much of a talker, are you?

00:03:34My mother taught me never to speak to strangers.

00:03:36Oh, wise guy.

00:03:37So what?

00:03:38Okay, okay.

00:03:39Don't get sore.

00:03:40She's trying to be sociable, that's all.

00:03:43Hey, Glamorous.

00:03:45Let me 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?

00:04:04Well, let's have a look at it.

00:04:04Done with your coffee?

00:04:05No.

00:04:06And don't rush me, will you?

00:04:15Hey, 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?

00:04:24This is a free country, and I play whatever I wanted.

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.

00:04:35I'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.

00:04:52That tune.

00:04:54That tune.

00:04:55Why was there always that rotten tune, following me around, beating in my head, never letting

00:05:00up?

00:05:05Did 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

00:05:20or maybe hum something.

00:05:21Then 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.

00:05:38Sue, she was always selling it too.

00:05:41Those were the days.

00:06:07Your 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.

00:07:02It 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

00:07:08and run interference for your girl on the dance floor.

00:07:13I pounded the piano in there every night from eight until the place closed up,

00:07:16which usually meant four in the morning.

00:07:19A good job was jobs went in those days.

00:07:25Then two, 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,

00:07:43which 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.

00:08:12Mr. 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.

00:08:27If 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.

00:09:32And I want to marry you.

00:09:34But?

00:09:35But not now.

00:09:36Only after we've made good.

00:09:39Sunday, I'm going away.

00:09:41Oh, 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.

00:10:08It won't be that long.

00:10:09I thought you loved me.

00:10:11I do.

00:10:11You know I do.

00:10:16Well, 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.

00:10:28And we've got all the time in the world to settle down.

00:10:32Really, darling.

00:10:34What I'm doing is the only sane thing to do.

00:10:38I hate the thought of being so far away from you.

00:10:41But 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.

00:10:50Aren't you going to kiss me good night?

00:10:53Sure.

00:10:54Why not?

00:10:57Good night.

00:10:59Good night.

00:11:08THE END

00:11:38THE END

00:12:03THE END

00:12:30THE END

00:12:31THE END

00:12:32THE END

00:12:41THE END

00:12:44THE END

00:12:47THE END

00:12:50THE END

00:12:51THE END

00:12:54THE END

00:13:05THE END

00:13:06THE END

00:13:08THE END

00:13:11THE END

00:13:12THE END

00:13:13THE END

00:13:14THE END

00:13:16THE END

00:13:17THE END

00:13:38THE END

00:13:40THE END

00:13:43THE END

00:13:45THE END

00:13:46THE END

00:13:47THE END

00:13:51THE END

00:13:52THE END

00:13:53THE END

00:13:54THE END

00:14:07THE END

00:14:16THE END

00:14:35THE END

00:14:36THE END

00:14:39THE END

00:14:41THE END

00:14:59THE END

00:15:00THE END

00:15:01THE END

00:15:03THE END

00:15:04THE END

00:15:05THE END

00:15:06THE END

00:15:07THE END

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.

00:15:23Money. You 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, die for.

00:15:34It's the stuff that has caused more trouble in the world

00:15:36than 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.

00:16:01Ever 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

00:16:08and how 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.

00:16:29Thumbing rides may save your bus fare, but 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'd known what I was getting into that day in Arizona.

00:16:44Here, throw that in the back seat.

00:16:49Okay, let's go. Make sure that door's closed.

00:17:05You know, Emily Post ought to write a book of rules for guys thumbing rides.

00:17:10Because as it is now, you never know what's right and what's wrong.

00:17:13We rode along for a little while and neither one of us said 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.

00:17:35Let's go.

00:17:35Give me that little box, the compartment, will you, pal?

00:17:41Hold 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

00:18:00at the rate I've been promoting rides.

00:18:02Not much luck, huh?

00:18:03Sure, all bad.

00:18:05Not 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.

00:18:25I'll holler.

00:18:28I guess at least an hour passed before I noticed

00:18:30those 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...

00:18:42Beauties, 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.

00:18:54I was talking 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 dame some rides?

00:19:20Sunday school teachers?

00:19:21Yeah.

00:19:24A little witch.

00:19:25She must have thought she was riding with some fall guy.

00:19:29And me, who has 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 art of Duffy's sister, I told her.

00:19:44What's the stuff?

00:19:45It's always done, huh?

00:19:48But if you want to see a real scar, brother, get a load of this.

00:19:55I got that one jewelry.

00:19:57Dueling?

00:19:58Yeah, 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 got 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 and decided I was going to run away from home.

00:20:48The old man almost caught me when I was cracking my duds.

00:20:52The bloody rag I had wrapped around my wrist hadn'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.

00:21:10Pulling that for a bite or something, huh?

00:21:12A bite or something.

00:21:14Brother, was I hungry.

00:21:16I 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 to put on the feed bag.

00:21:25First, I had to make sure this guy knew the score.

00:21:27If I got him down on me, it 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.

00:21:35Miss Thomas on me.

00:21:36Well, that's what of you, mister...

00:21:38Haskell.

00:21:38Think nothing of it.

00:21:39You make your first million, maybe you can do the same for me.

00:21:41Come on, New York.

00:21:42I gotta make the West Coast by Wednesday.

00:21:44There's a horse running at Santa Anita named Pryor Bicycle.

00:21:47It means it ought to me if I'm on him.

00:21:48We'll make it, all right.

00:21:51He did most of the talking during the half hour we were in the place.

00:21:54I ate.

00:21:56He rambled on about his old man,

00:21:58whom he hadn't heard from since he ran away as a kid.

00:22:01And how 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?

00:22:10That 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 with all kinds of jack.

00:22:16And you'll watch those stinkers run for cover.

00:22:19You want anything else?

00:22:20No thanks, I've had plenty.

00:22:27That check there, sister?

00:22:28Mm-hm.

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 when you're finished work.

00:22:40Sharp check, huh?

00:22:49I drove all that night while Haskell slept like a log.

00:22:53After a while, I 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, and there'd be no more hoofing it down the concrete.

00:23:06I began to think of the future,

00:23:08which couldn't have been brighter if 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 can do to your imagination.

00:23:23Your eyes, oh, your kisses, too.

00:23:28I never knew what they could do.

00:23:32I can't believe that you're in love with me.

00:23:40You're telling everyone you know

00:23:45I'm on your mind each place you go.

00:23:50I can't believe that you're in love with me.

00:23:58I can't believe that you're in love with me.

00:24:11Mr. Haskell.

00:24:14Mr. Haskell.

00:24:16Mr. 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 going to put up the top.

00:24:48Up until then, I had done things my way.

00:24:50But from then on, something else stepped in

00:24:52and shunted me off to a different destination

00:24:53than the one I had picked for myself.

00:24:56The one I pulled open that door.

00:25:02Mr. Haskell, what's the matter?

00:25:04Are you hurt?

00:25:06Are you hurt, Mr. Haskell?

00:25:08Start your sermon.

00:25:10I'll listen to it.

00:25:12But I know what you're going to hand me

00:25:13even before you open your mouths.

00:25:15You're going to tell me you don't believe my story

00:25:17of how Haskell died

00:25:18and give me that don't make me laugh expression on your smug faces.

00:25:24I saw it once, he was dead.

00:25:26And I was in for it.

00:25:28Who would believe he fell out of the car?

00:25:30Why, if Haskell came too, which of course he couldn't,

00:25:31even he would swear I conked him over the head for his dough.

00:25:34Yes, I was in for it.

00:25:37Instinct told me to run, but then I realized it was hopeless.

00:25:40There were lots of people back down the road who could identify me.

00:25:41That gas station guy and the waitress.

00:25:44I would be in a worse spot then, trying to explain why I beat it.

00:25:47The next possibility was to sit tight and tell the truth when the cops came.

00:25:50But that would be crazy.

00:25:51They'd laugh at the truth.

00:25:53I'm not having my head in the noose.

00:25:56So 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.

00:26:02That would be like erecting a tombstone.

00:26:32The second possibility was to cut him up.

00:26:32My idea was to cover him with brush, not to rob him.

00:26:35But then I remember that even if I only drove the car for a hundred miles or so,

00:26:38I would need money for gas.

00:26:41Besides, it was stupid of me to leave all that money on a dead man.

00:26:45Not only that, I'd have to take his driver's license in 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, even if I didn't.

00:26:56My clothes.

00:26:58The owner of such an expensive car would never be wearing them.

00:27:01Some cop might pull me in on suspicion.

00:27:09Let's go.

00:27:28Hey, you, this your car?

00:27:30Don't you know better than to leave a car with the wheels halfway in the middle of the road?

00:27:34That's the way accidents happen.

00:27:36I'm sorry, officer. I was just putting up my top. I didn't think.

00:27:39Well, the next time, think.

00:27:41I'll let you go now, but watch your step in the future.

00:27:44I know that's a lonely stretch, but cars come by here once in a while, and we have plenty of

00:27:47crack-ups.

00:27:48Thanks, officer.

00:28:12I left nothing in the car to give me away as Robertson.

00:28:15If they found a dead man in the gully now, it would be me.

00:28:26As I drove off, it was still raining, and the drop streaked down the windshield like tears.

00:28:34I kept imagining I was being followed, and that I could hear sirens back in the distance.

00:28:39Just how long it took me to cover the 60-odd miles to the California state line, I don't know.

00:28:44I lost all track of time.

00:28:47But the rain had stopped, and the sun was up when I pulled up to the inspection station.

00:28:55I lost all track of time.

00:28:57Carrying any fruits or vegetables?

00:28:59No.

00:29:00Any livestock or poultry?

00:29:01No.

00:29:03I'd like to see your registration and driver's license, please.

00:29:10Anything in the baggage compartment?

00:29:12Just baggage.

00:29:15Charles Haskell, Jr. eats dirty brown eyes, dark hair, identifying marks none.

00:29:20Are you Charles Haskell, Jr.?

00:29:22Yes.

00:29:23Well, remember, if you're employed and you stay over 30 days, you take out California plates.

00:29:27All right, officer, but I'll only be in the state a short while.

00:29:31Right. You can go now.

00:29:39I couldn't drive any farther without some sleep, cops or no cops.

00:29:43I knew I had to hit the hay and hit it hard.

00:29:47I was dead tired.

00:29:56I was dead.

00:29:57I was dead.

00:30:19No, no, you can't, Mr. Haskell.

00:30:24No.

00:30:32Mr. Haskell, he can't die, I don't think, I think I did it, no, Mr. Haskell, no, no.

00:30:59Who's there?

00:31:00It's the maid, can I come in and clean?

00:31:03Later, in a half hour.

00:31:06All right, sir.

00:31:31There 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 where I could leave the car and

00:31:39be swallowed up.

00:31:46That meant driving the car as far as San Bernardino, maybe even to Los Angeles.

00:31:50In a little town I might be noticed, but in a city I should be safe enough.

00:31:55Then, after I ditched the car, I could go on to Sue.

00:31:59But those five minutes at the state line made me realize it might be a good idea to find out

00:32:04a little bit about Mr. Haskell.

00:32:06Then, if anybody asked me questions, I could give the right answers.

00:32:10The first thing I found out was that I had $768.

00:32:14This was a lot of jack, but believe me, it was the kind of money I'd rather not have.

00:32:27And then I found out from a letter Haskell was carting around in his bag that he wasn't the open

00:32:32-handed, easy-going big shot who went around buying dinners for strange hitchhikers.

00:32:36Before I got done reading it, I saw him more as a chiseler.

00:32:41It was written to his old man in California, the one he hadn't seen in so many years.

00:32:46In it, Haskell posed as a salesman, of hymnals, of all things.

00:32:52It was easy to see where Haskell expected to raise a new stake for his book in Miami, by rooking

00:32:58his old man.

00:33:00That was about all I found out from his effects.

00:33:03And it was enough.

00:33:05I told myself, maybe old man Haskell was lucky his son kicked off.

00:33:10He would never know it.

00:33:12But it saved him from taking a flyer in sacred literature preferred.

00:33:15I had said, be careful.

00:33:16Very good.

00:33:20Very good.

00:33:21I, too.

00:33:22Very good.

00:33:23Very good.

00:33:24Very good.

00:33:25Very nice.

00:33:41Very good.

00:33:42I pulled up for water.

00:33:45There was a woman.

00:33:51Hey, you! Come on if you want a ride.

00:34:39How far are you going?

00:34:41Far far.

00:34:42How 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, not more than 24.

00:34:54Man, she looked as if she'd just been thrown off the crummiest freight train in the world.

00:35:00Yet in spite of this, I got the impression of beauty.

00:35:03Not the beauty of a movie actress, mind you,

00:35:06or the beauty you dream about when you're with your wife,

00:35:08but a natural beauty.

00:35:10A beauty that's almost homely because it's so real.

00:35:15Then suddenly she turned to face me.

00:35:17How far did you say you were going?

00:35:19Los Angeles.

00:35:20L.A.?

00:35:21L.A.'s good enough for me, mister.

00:35:24That's what I was afraid of.

00:35:25What'd you say?

00:35:27Oh, nothing. Just thinking out loud.

00:35:29People get in trouble for doing that.

00:35:31What's your name?

00:35:33You can call me Vera if you like.

00:35:35Do you live in Los Angeles?

00:35:36No.

00:35:38Where are you coming from?

00:35:40Oh, back there.

00:35:41Needles?

00:35:42No.

00:35:44Oh, sure. Phoenix.

00:35:45You look just like a Phoenix girl.

00:35:47Are the girls in Phoenix that bad?

00:35:49The girl must have been pretty tired because she fell asleep not 20 minutes after she stepped into the car.

00:35:55She lay sprawled out with her head resting against the far door, like Haskell.

00:36:00I didn't like that part of it much, but I didn't wake her up.

00:36:04It wasn't that this girl still worried me.

00:36:07I'd gotten over that funny feeling I had when she looked at me, which I put down as just my

00:36:11jangled nerves.

00:36:13With her eyes closed and the test has gone out of her.

00:36:16She seemed harmless enough.

00:36:18And instead of disliking her, I began to feel sorry for her.

00:36:22The poor kid probably had had a rough time.

00:36:25But who was she anyway?

00:36:28And why was she going to Los Angeles?

00:36:30And where'd she come from in the first place?

00:36:32The only thing I knew about it was her name.

00:36:35Not that it made any difference.

00:36:37A few hours more and we'd be in Hollywood.

00:36:39I'd forget where I parked the car and look up Sue.

00:36:43This nightmare of being a dead man would be over.

00:36:45Who this dame was?

00:36:47Well, it was no business of mine.

00:36:48Where did you leave this body?

00:36:51Where did you leave the owner of this car?

00:36:53You're not fooling anyone.

00:36:55This buggy belongs to a guy named Haskell.

00:36:57That's not you, mister.

00:36:58You're out of your mind.

00:36:59That's my name, Charles Haskell.

00:37:00I can prove it.

00:37:01It's my driver's license.

00:37:02Save yourself the trouble, mister.

00:37:03Having Haskell's wallet only makes it worse.

00:37:05It just so happens I rode with Charlie Haskell all 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.

00:37:16All the talk about dueling and scars and scratches.

00:37:19There was no doubt about it.

00:37:21Vera must be the woman Haskell had mentioned.

00:37:23She must have passed me while I slept.

00:37:25Well?

00:37:27Well, I'm waiting.

00:37:29My goose was cooked.

00:37:30She had me.

00:37:32That Haskell guy wasn't dead yet.

00:37:35He wasn't stretched out stiff and cold in any Arizona gully.

00:37:38He was sitting right there in the car laughing like mad while he haunted me.

00:37:43Well?

00:37:44There was nothing I could say.

00:37:46It was her move.

00:37:48Vera, whatever her name was, it was just my luck picking her up on the road.

00:37:53It couldn't have been Helen or Mary or Evelyn or Ruth.

00:37:56It had to be the very last person I should ever have met.

00:38:00That's life.

00:38:02Whichever way you turn, fate sticks out a foot to trip you.

00:38:10I told her everything, but she didn't believe my story.

00:38:13I should have saved my breath.

00:38:15That's the greatest cock and ball story I ever heard.

00:38:17So he fell out of his car.

00:38:19Say, who do you think you're talking to, a hick?

00:38:21Listen, mister.

00:38:22I've been around.

00:38:23And I know a wrong guy when I see one.

00:38:25What'd you do?

00:38:26Kiss him with a wrench?

00:38:27Now, wait a minute.

00:38:28What I told you was true.

00:38:29You see, that's why I had to do it.

00:38:31You think I killed him.

00:38:32Well, the cops would have thought so too.

00:38:33Yeah, well, maybe they still think so.

00:38:36What makes you so sure I'll shut up about this?

00:38:38Vera, I'm innocent.

00:38:40Give me a break, will you?

00:38:42It won't do me any good having you pinched.

00:38:44The cops are no friends of mine.

00:38:46Now, if there was a reward, but there isn't.

00:38:49Thanks.

00:38:50Don't thank me yet.

00:38:51I'm not through with you by a long shot.

00:38:54Let's see that roll.

00:39:01Is that all Haskell had?

00:39:03Isn't it enough?

00:39:04No, I thought he had more.

00:39:05Not that I know of.

00:39:06You can search me.

00:39:07You think I'm holding out on you.

00:39:08Well, maybe I will at that.

00:39:09He told me he was gonna bet $3,000 on a horse named Paradisical

00:39:13on 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.

00:39:20Listen, mister.

00:39:21Don't try and tell me anything about Charlie Haskell.

00:39:23Remember, I knew him better than you did.

00:39:25Okay, then you knew he was a four-flusher.

00:39:27That explains the three grand bet.

00:39:28I'm not so sure he didn't have that three grand.

00:39:30Why should I believe you?

00:39:32You got all the earmarks of a cheap crook.

00:39:34Now, wait a minute.

00:39:35Shut up.

00:39:35You're a cheap crook and you killed him.

00:39:37For two cents, I'd change my mind and turn you in.

00:39:39I don't like you.

00:39:40All right, all right.

00:39:41Don't get sore.

00:39:42I'm not getting sore.

00:39:43But just remember who's boss around here.

00:39:45If you shut up and don't give me any arguments,

00:39:47you'll have nothing to worry about.

00:39:48But if you act wise, well, mister,

00:39:50you'll pop into jail so fast it'll give you the bends.

00:39:53I'm not arguing.

00:39:54See that you don't.

00:39:55You know, as crooked as you look,

00:39:56I'd hate to see a fella as young as you wind up

00:39:58sniffing that perfume that Arizona hands out free to murderers.

00:40:01I'm not a murderer.

00:40:02Of course you're not.

00:40:03Haskell knocked his own head off.

00:40:05He fell.

00:40:05That's how it happened.

00:40:05Just like I told you.

00:40:06Sure.

00:40:07And then he made you a present of his belongings.

00:40:08I explained why I had to do that.

00:40:09It doesn't make a difference one way or another.

00:40:12I'm not a mourner.

00:40:13I liked Haskell even less than I like you.

00:40:15Yeah, I saw what you did to him.

00:40:17What do you mean?

00:40:18Well, scratches on his wrist.

00:40:19Sure, I scratched him.

00:40:22Don't say you did.

00:40:24So your idea was to drive the car a little way,

00:40:26maybe into San Bernardino and then leave it.

00:40:29You weren't gonna sell it?

00:40:30Sell it?

00:40:31You think I'm crazy, somebody else's car?

00:40:33See, all I want to do is leave it somewhere and forget I ever saw it.

00:40:36Not only don't you have any scruples, you don't have any brains.

00:40:39I don't get you.

00:40:40Maybe it's a good thing you met me.

00:40:42You'd have got yourself caught sure.

00:40:44Why, you dope.

00:40:45Don't you know a deserted automobile always rates an investigation?

00:40:48Huh?

00:40:49Look, the cops find a car.

00:40:51Then they get curious.

00:40:52They wonder where the owner is.

00:40:54So all right, they don't trace Haskell.

00:40:56They trace you.

00:40:58I never thought of that.

00:40:59The only safe way to get rid of the car is to sell it to a dealer.

00:41:02Get it registered under a new name.

00:41:04Say, stop at the next store.

00:41:06I want to get a bottle and do some shopping before we hit L.A.

00:41:09Okay.

00:41:09As soon as we find a place, I'll drop you off and pick you up later.

00:41:12Nothing doing.

00:41:13You're coming in too.

00:41:14From now on, you and I are like the Siamese twins.

00:41:17Have it your way.

00:41:18I don't get the point.

00:41:19The point is, I don't want you to get lost.

00:41:21I'm not gonna beat it if that's what you're afraid of.

00:41:23I'll say you're not.

00:41:24Well, I'm gonna see that you sell this car so you don't get caught.

00:41:27Thanks.

00:41:28Of course, your interest wouldn't be financial, would it?

00:41:31You wouldn't want a small percentage of the profits.

00:41:34Well, now that you insist, how can I refuse?

00:41:37A hundred percent will do.

00:41:39Fine.

00:41:39I'm relieved.

00:41:40I thought for a moment you were gonna take it all.

00:41:43I don't want to be a hog.

00:41:46A few hours later, we were in Hollywood.

00:41:48I was recognizing places Sue had written about.

00:41:52It 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.

00:41:59Vera wasn't kidding with that Siamese twins crack.

00:42:02She rented a little apartment as Mrs. Charles Haskell.

00:42:06When I objected to this, she explained that it was on account of the car.

00:42:10A dealer might think something was funny if he called in front of her using different names.

00:42:19Home, sweet home.

00:42:21Yeah.

00:42:22Not bad either.

00:42:31In case there's any doubt in your mind, I'll take the bedroom.

00:42:34Yeah.

00:42:36Sure is stuffy in here.

00:42:45Keep the window shut.

00:42:47Okay.

00:42:49The old crow downstairs said there's a folding bed behind this door.

00:42:59You know how to work it?

00:43:04I invented it.

00:43:09Some joint.

00:43:10One can't have everything.

00:43:16I'm first in the bathtub.

00:43:19I don't know why, but I figured you would be.

00:43:31Boy, oh boy.

00:43:33It sure feels good to be clean again.

00:43:36I must be ten pounds lighter.

00:43:39You must be.

00:43:42Well, hitching rides isn't exactly the way you keep your schoolgirl complexion.

00:43:49I wish that guy with the sacks would give up.

00:43:52It gets on my nerves.

00:43:56Forget it.

00:44:00Have a drink.

00:44:02Aren't you afraid I might take you up on it?

00:44:06If I didn't want to give you a drink, I wouldn't have offered it.

00:44:09Why be a sorehead, Roberts?

00:44:11You got yourself into this thing.

00:44:14You should be grateful I'm not turning you in.

00:44:16Why, if I wasn't regular, you'd be in the pen this minute, being photographed, fingerprinted, and being pushed around by

00:44:21the cops.

00:44:22So, cheer up.

00:44:24Get rid of that long puss.

00:44:27Or is your conscience bothering you?

00:44:34No.

00:44:36It isn't.

00:44:37Well, that's the spirit.

00:44:41He's dead and no moment around will bring him back.

00:44:46Anyway, I never could understand this worrying about something that's over and done with.

00:44:50Now look, Vera, for the last time I didn't kill him.

00:44:52Haskell was a sick man.

00:44:54Maybe he was dead before he fell out of the car.

00:44:55I don't know.

00:44:56Sure, sure.

00:44:57He died of old age.

00:44:59All right.

00:45:01So if it'll make you sociable?

00:45:04You didn't kill him.

00:45:16Thanks.

00:45:28We're out of liquor, Roberts.

00:45:30Yeah.

00:45:32Fred, I felt like getting tight tonight.

00:45:35Well, I think you succeeded.

00:45:37Am I tight?

00:45:39There's a prima donna's corset.

00:45:40That's good.

00:45:42I wanted to get tight.

00:45:44Why?

00:45:44What have you got to get tight about?

00:45:46Oh, I don't know.

00:45:48A few things.

00:45:52You should have my worries.

00:45:54If I had your troubles, I'd stay sober.

00:45:56And I've got the key to that door.

00:46:01Yeah.

00:46:03Maybe you're right.

00:46:04I'm always right.

00:46:07You know, I don't like your attitude, Roberts.

00:46:10Well, there's a lot of things I don't like.

00:46:13Sure.

00:46:17But life's like a ball game.

00:46:19You've got to take a swing at whatever comes along before you wake up and find it's the ninth inning.

00:46:24I bet you read that somewhere.

00:46:26That's the trouble with you, Roberts.

00:46:28All you do is bellyache.

00:46:30But I've taken it easy and trying to make the best of things.

00:46:35But maybe that's what's wrong with the whole world.

00:46:38Get the professor.

00:46:40People knock themselves out trying to buck fate.

00:46:43Now, take you, for instance.

00:46:44You're lucky to be alive.

00:46:46Why, suppose Haskell had pulled open your door.

00:46:49You'd be playing a harp now.

00:46:51Think of that.

00:46:53You think of it.

00:46:54I'm tired of thinking.

00:46:56There's plenty of people dying this minute.

00:46:59It would give anything to trade places with you.

00:47:04I know what I'm talking about.

00:47:06I'm not so sure.

00:47:08At least they know they're done for.

00:47:10They don't have to sweat blood wondering if they are.

00:47:14Your philosophy stinks, pal.

00:47:17We all know we're gonna kick off someday.

00:47:20It's only a question of when.

00:47:23But what's got us on this subject anyway?

00:47:26We'll be discussing politics next.

00:47:29Yeah.

00:47:31Where'd you hide the butts?

00:47:34On the table, sucker.

00:47:43We bored each other with conversation for a couple of hours longer.

00:47:47Every five minutes one of us was wishing we had another bottle or a radio or something to read.

00:47:53Then finally we ran out of chat.

00:47:56I know it's only 11 o'clock, but I want to get up early and make the rounds of the

00:47:59used car lots.

00:48:00Don't worry about that.

00:48:01We've got all the time in the world.

00:48:03Maybe you have, but if you think I want to stay cooped up in this place any longer than I

00:48:05have to, you're batty.

00:48:07It's not a bad place.

00:48:08We pay plenty for diggings like this in New York.

00:48:10I wouldn't like it if it was the Ritz.

00:48:16You brought me liquor.

00:48:18You got a mean cough. I ought to do something about it.

00:48:20I'll be all right.

00:48:22That's what Camille said.

00:48:24Who?

00:48:25Nobody you know.

00:48:30Wasn't that the dame that died of consumption?

00:48:32Yeah.

00:48:34Wouldn't it be a break for you if I did kick off?

00:48:37You'd be free with all Haskell's dough and car.

00:48:40I don't want to see anybody die.

00:48:43Not even me.

00:48:44Especially not you.

00:48:46One person died of me.

00:48:48If you did, well, that's all I need.

00:48:52You don't like me, do you, Roberts?

00:48:55I like you.

00:48:58I love you.

00:49:00My favorite sport is being kept prisoner.

00:49:04After we sell the car, you can go to blazes for all I care.

00:49:06But not until then.

00:49:14I'm going to bed.

00:49:25Good night, Roberts.

00:49:26Don't try and sneak away during the night.

00:49:28All the doors are locked.

00:49:29Anyway, if I find you God in the morning, I'll notify the police.

00:49:33They'll pick you up.

00:49:34Don't worry. I don't want him in the spot.

00:49:36Well, good night.

00:49:38I hope that portable rack isn't too uncomfortable for you.

00:49:41Don't lose any sleep over it, will you, Roberts?

00:49:58Don't lose any sleep over it.

00:50:08Only, Roberts.

00:50:12Do not lose any sleep over it, you are a single sleep over it.

00:50:13Don't lose any sleep.

00:50:15Don't lose any sleepover.

00:50:18Don't lose any sleepover.

00:50:19Chris, few...

00:50:24six...

00:50:25Five, seven, two, three.

00:50:33Hello?

00:50:35Hello?

00:50:37Hello?

00:50:39Hello?

00:50:47No.

00:50:49Not yet, darling.

00:50:52Tomorrow.

00:50:55Maybe.

00:51:00If this were fiction, I would fall in love with Vera, marry her and make a respectable woman of her.

00:51:05Or else she'd make some supreme class A sacrifice for me and die.

00:51:11Sue and I would bawl a little over her grave and make some crack about there's good in all of

00:51:15us.

00:51:16But Vera, unfortunately, was just as rotten in the morning as she'd been the night before.

00:51:23All right, all right, I'm coming.

00:51:25Look, Vera, it's almost noon.

00:51:29So what? The dealers will be there all day?

00:51:31They'll be there all year, too, but that doesn't mean I'm going to wait that long.

00:51:34Shut up. You're making noises like a husband.

00:51:39Well, do I rate a whistle?

00:51:41You sure do, but let's go.

00:51:43Let's go, let's go. I spend 85 bucks and two hours preparing bait and all you can say is let's

00:51:47go.

00:51:50Come on.

00:51:55We passed a few used car lots last night down this way.

00:51:59What do you think we can get for this heap?

00:52:00I don't know. Plenty. You just let me handle everything.

00:52:04You think we can get $2,000?

00:52:06I don't know, but don't worry. I'll squeeze as much out of this guy as I can.

00:52:10I'll let it go cheap without a fight. He might think we've stolen the car.

00:52:13And listen, don't make any slips and call me Roberts. That'll cook us.

00:52:17I don't need you to tell me that.

00:52:19You better just sit by and keep your mouth closed.

00:52:22Remember, we're both in the soup if anything happens.

00:52:24Forget it and drive.

00:52:25You're my wife, Farrah Haskell.

00:52:28Look, after the deal's closed, let's go back to that place on Hollywood Boulevard,

00:52:32where I saw the fur jacket. I want to buy it.

00:52:35After the deal's closed, I'm saying goodbye to you.

00:52:38That's right, I forgot. I guess I'm getting kind of used to you.

00:52:42Well, that's a habit you can start breaking.

00:52:45Let's try this place in the middle of the block.

00:52:53Good afternoon. What can I do for you?

00:52:55We're interested in selling a car.

00:52:57If the price is right.

00:53:01Well, if it's in good mechanical condition, it should blue book for about $1,600.

00:53:06Tony, take a look at this motor.

00:53:08$1,600. Are you kidding?

00:53:21Well, maybe $1,500.

00:53:23Before I let it go for $1,500, I'll wreck it and collect the insurance first.

00:53:31Hey, this motor's seen a lot of driving.

00:53:39Well, the mechanic inspected the car, we haggled.

00:53:43At last, when we were all worn out, we hit a compromise.

00:53:47His price.

00:53:51Okay, it's a deal.

00:53:53All right, come on, we'll sign the papers.

00:53:54I have the ownership papers right here with me.

00:53:56Look, Vera, in the meantime, will you clean out the dash compartment?

00:53:59There may be some stuff in it.

00:54:00All right, darling.

00:54:05$1,850. That dirty cro...

00:54:15New York, huh?

00:54:17Yeah.

00:54:17But you bought the car in Miami.

00:54:19Yeah.

00:54:21Well, now, let's see about the insurance.

00:54:22We can either have it transferred or canceled.

00:54:24Uh, what kind of insurance do you have, Mr. Haskell?

00:54:28Well, uh, aren't all the papers there?

00:54:33I don't see any.

00:54:35Surely you know what type of insurance you carry in the car.

00:54:38Is the name of the company?

00:54:40Yeah, but, uh...

00:54:41Well, if you'll just tell me the name of the company,

00:54:43I'd be very glad to take care of all the details.

00:54:46Well...

00:54:46Did you sign the papers yet?

00:54:47Not yet.

00:54:48Well, don't.

00:54:49We're not selling the car.

00:54:50Well, wait a minute, Miss Haskell.

00:54:51Come on, darling.

00:54:52What's the matter?

00:54:53Did you change your mind?

00:54:54Yes, I'm sorry. I guess I have.

00:54:56But, Vera...

00:54:56Let's go.

00:55:03You got me out of a tight spot, Vera.

00:55:05But I still don't understand all this.

00:55:06You will in a minute.

00:55:07I almost threw away a gold mine.

00:55:101850 isn't to be sneezed at.

00:55:11The car doesn't book for as much as I thought.

00:55:13We're not selling the car.

00:55:15You want to keep it.

00:55:16Now, wait a minute, Vera.

00:55:17You said yourself I wouldn't be safe

00:55:19until the car was in someone else's name.

00:55:20I'd like to be free of this mess when I go.

00:55:22That's just it, Roberts.

00:55:23You're not going.

00:55:26There's a drive-in at the next corner.

00:55:27Pull in there and we'll get a bite to eat.

00:55:28And I'll explain.

00:55:30What is this?

00:55:30Another one of your brilliant ideas?

00:55:38Oh, may I take your order?

00:55:40Make mine a ham sandwich and coffee.

00:55:41And for you, sir?

00:55:42Oh, I don't care.

00:55:43The same.

00:55:52Get this, Vera.

00:55:53I've been pretty patient so far.

00:55:55I've done everything you asked me to do, but no more.

00:55:57Shut up.

00:55:58You've taken Haskell's money.

00:55:59You can have the door we get from selling the car.

00:56:01But you're not going to keep me a prisoner.

00:56:03It's a good thing I bought the paper.

00:56:04Take a look at that.

00:56:05Vera, I'm in no mood.

00:56:06Read that.

00:56:17I'll go.

00:56:18Yes.

00:56:19No, I won't do it.

00:56:20Yes.

00:56:20You think I'm crazy?

00:56:22It's impossible, I tell you.

00:56:24Excuse me.

00:56:30Blow the horn when you're through.

00:56:35No one could possibly get away with an act like that.

00:56:37Be wise to me in a minute.

00:56:38Don't be a yellow.

00:56:39You look enough like him.

00:56:41The same coloring and the same build.

00:56:42See how his clothes fit you.

00:56:44No kidding. You almost had me fooled for a while.

00:56:46Oh, grow up, Vera.

00:56:47Don't you think a father knows his own son?

00:56:49And there must be other relatives.

00:56:50So a father won't have to know you.

00:56:52We'll wait till he gives up the ghost.

00:56:53He's an old geezer and he won't pull through.

00:56:55And as far as other relatives are concerned,

00:56:57they haven't seen you in 15 or 20 years.

00:57:00Eat.

00:57:01I'm not hungry.

00:57:03And I won't do it.

00:57:04It's not as tough as it sounds.

00:57:06Remember, you've got all kinds of identification.

00:57:08His car, letters, license.

00:57:09I could never get away with it.

00:57:10It's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

00:57:12The old boy has scads of dough.

00:57:13Look in the paper there.

00:57:15Personal fortune assessed at over 15 million.

00:57:17He'll leave plenty, I tell you.

00:57:19Maybe he cut off his son.

00:57:20How do we know?

00:57:21It's out, Vera.

00:57:22I won't have anything to do with it.

00:57:24I think you will.

00:57:27Look, Vera, I'll do anything within reason.

00:57:29But not that.

00:57:30So forget it.

00:57:31Find yourself another stooge.

00:57:32You suck.

00:57:34You'll be fixed for the rest of your life as Charlie Haskell.

00:57:36You can take your inheritance and go away.

00:57:39No more worrying about the rent.

00:57:40No sweating, scheming, wondering where your next meal's coming from.

00:57:42Think about that, Roberts.

00:57:43Vera, please, you're talking too loud.

00:57:46Unless I'm splitting 50-50 with you.

00:57:48Sure, why not?

00:57:49We're both alike.

00:57:50Both born in the same gutter.

00:57:51Take it easy, Vera.

00:57:52There's people around here.

00:57:53You don't know where you're talking.

00:57:55Well, wait till we read that old man Haskell's dead.

00:57:58And you show up.

00:57:59Like you read in New York that he was sick.

00:58:02No.

00:58:03Suppose he doesn't die.

00:58:04He will.

00:58:05I know he will.

00:58:06Something tells me.

00:58:09But as much as I insisted I would have no part of her scheme, Vera was taking it for granted

00:58:13I would.

00:58:16Neither of us had our mind on the cards as we played that night.

00:58:19I knew we were just trying to kill time between newspaper editions.

00:58:24This was a death watch for Vera.

00:58:27Maybe it was for me, too.

00:58:29Don't you realize if I'm caught, they'll want to know where I got the car and stuff.

00:58:32And they'll have me on a murder charge.

00:58:33If you're smart, you won't get caught.

00:58:35I knocked with seven.

00:58:37And if I'm caught, don't you realize you'll be out, too?

00:58:40Eighteen points, that gives me thirty.

00:58:44How will I be out?

00:58:45You'll be out.

00:58:45Eighteen hundred and fifty dollars 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, a clever kid like you can run it up in

00:58:55no time.

00:58:56Then we'd both be in the clear.

00:58:57I'll be in the clear anyway.

00:58:59Maybe.

00:59:00Maybe.

00:59:01But if I got caught, I'd get good and sore at you, you know.

00:59:05You mean you'd squeal?

00:59:06Well, 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, what 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 eighteen-fifty 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.

00:59:39That'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, so the final wind-up 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, you couldn't pay cash for a post-it stamp.

00:59:58Now you've got almost $700 with eighteen-fifty in the offing.

01:00:01Take my advice.

01:00:02Don't try for more.

01:00:02I'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 sore and throwing things won't help much, Roberts.

01:00:11I'm really doing you a favor.

01:00:13I help you out of a 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.

01:00:18Would you rather I call the cops and tell them you killed a man and stole his money?

01:00:21I didn't tell 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.

01:00:30Pure innocent.

01:00:31What 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.

01:00:40But 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're kidding.

01:00:48Yeah?

01:00:49Then try it and see.

01:00:51Call them.

01:00:52Yeah.

01:00:53Okay, I will.

01:01:07Information?

01:01:09I 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.

01:01:38Each word coming from our lips cracked like a whip.

01:01:41I reminded her that as Charles Haskell, I didn't even know my mother's name.

01:01:45Where I'd gone to school, the name of my best friend, whether I had an Aunt Emma or not, my

01:01:51religion, and if I'd ever owned a dog.

01:01:54I didn't even know what my middle initial stood for.

01:01:57I 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 had 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?

01:02:27Haskell 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.

01:02:36There'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.

01:02:51I hate you.

01:02:52You'll a stinker.

01:02:53You'll leave me alone.

01:02:55I'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?

01:03:01All right.

01:03:07You hurt me.

01:03:09I'm sorry, but...

01:03:10It'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?

01:03:20Yeah.

01:03:21All right.

01:03:22I'll open up the window.

01:03:26Vera!

01:03:32Vera, 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.

01:03:42And 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.

01:03:56Let's go, houses.

01:03:56Turn it in.

01:04:08You hurt her.

01:04:12You tried to get me the bottom.

01:04:13Let's go, Holmes.

01:04:13I'm near right now.

01:04:15Take you.

01:04:16Get勝 admitted.

01:04:22This is a terrible job.

01:04:24But you shouldn't mark him.

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

01:04:54and my only out was force.

01:04:57The room was still.

01:05:00So 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.

01:05:12And I was her murderer.

01:05:15Murderer.

01:05:16What an awful word that is.

01:05:18But I'd become one.

01:05:19I'd better not get caught.

01:05:22What evidence there was around the place had to be destroyed.

01:05:24And from 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

01:05:30us together and who remembered me.

01:05:32This was the kind of testimony I couldn't rub out.

01:05:38I could burn clothes and hide bottles for the next five years.

01:05:41There'd always be witnesses.

01:05:42The 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

01:05:47liquor store.

01:05:48They could all identify me.

01:05:51I was cooked.

01:05:53Done for.

01:05:54I had to get out of there.

01:05:56While once I'd remain beside a dead body, planning carefully how to avoid being accused of killing him, this time

01:06:03I 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.

01:06:17All 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.

01:06:50It was a good one.

01:07:03The中 of the New York City

01:07:04The New York City

01:07:13But my problems weren't solved.

01:07:16I had to stay away from New York for all time.

01:07:20Because Al Roberts was listed as dead and had to stay dead.

01:07:24And I could never go back to Hollywood.

01:07:26Someone might recognize me as Haskell.

01:07:30Then, too, there was Sue.

01:07:34I could never go to her with a thing like this hanging over my head.

01:07:39All I could do was pray she'd be happy.

01:07:53I was in Bakersfield before I read that Vera's body was discovered.

01:07:57That the police were looking for Haskell in connection with his wife's murder.

01:08:02Isn't that a laugh?

01:08:05Haskell got me into this mess and Haskell was getting me out of it.

01:08:09The police were searching for a dead man.

01:08:14I keep trying to forget what happened.

01:08:17And wonder what my life might have been if that car of Haskell's hadn't stopped.

01:08:24But one thing I don't have to wonder about.

01:08:27I know.

01:08:31Someday a car will stop to pick me up that I never thumbed.

01:08:38Yes.

01:08:40Fate.

01:08:42Or some mysterious force.

01:08:44Can put the finger on you or me.

01:08:47For no good reason at all.

01:08:53Mercy.

01:08:54The shaft.

01:09:03From вч Madass.

01:09:03This is awind to there.

01:09:04Man seat.

01:09:04Death.

01:09:04The shaft.

01:09:04And the way.

01:09:05The shaft.

01:09:05The.

01:09:05Wow.

01:09:05The Pig.

Detour (1945) – Hitchhiker Doom Noir Classic

Category

Transcript

Comments

Recommended