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Please Murder Me! (1956) is a taut courtroom‑driven film noir directed by Peter Godfrey, starring Raymond Burr and Angela Lansbury.

The story follows attorney Craig Carlson, who successfully defends his lover Angela against a murder charge. But when he realizes she manipulated him and betrayed his trust, he sets out to expose her guilt — even if it costs him his own life. With its sharp dialogue, moral ambiguity, and Lansbury’s chilling performance, Please Murder Me! is a noir gem that blends courtroom drama with psychological suspense.

Film Details
Title: Please Murder Me!
Year: 1956
Genre: Film Noir / Crime / Courtroom Drama
Director: Peter Godfrey
Starring:
Raymond Burr as Craig Carlson
Angela Lansbury as Myra Leeds
Dick Foran as Joe Leeds
John Dehner
Runtime: Approx. 78 minutes
Studio: Parklane Pictures
Distributor: United Artists
Country: United States
Format: Black‑and‑white

#PleaseMurderMe #RaymondBurr #AngelaLansbury #FilmNoir #CourtroomTwist #1950sCinema #FemmeFatale #PerryMasonPrecursor #BlackAndWhiteFilm
Transcript
00:00:18For more information, visit www.fema.gov
00:07:17I'm in love with her, Joe.
00:07:19I want to marry her.
00:07:22That's the way it is.
00:07:26And it's the most difficult thing I've ever had to say to anyone.
00:07:30Are you sure, Craig?
00:07:33Are you sure you know what you're doing?
00:07:35I'm in love with her, Joe.
00:07:44What do you want me to do?
00:07:47I'd like to marry her?
00:07:48I'd like Myra to go away, get a divorce.
00:07:54You know, Craig, I've always had a lot of respect and admiration for you.
00:08:00I'm in love with my husband.
00:08:01I'm in love with her.
00:08:03My dad said, yes, I 2013, I know that.
00:08:13I've had a lot of stuff here.
00:08:15I've had a lot of veneers.
00:08:18I could've had a lot of fun.
00:08:19You know what, like I said, I've had a lot of fun.
00:08:44Yes, Mr. Carlson.
00:08:46Please cancel the rest of my appointments for the day.
00:08:56I'm tired, darling. Did you have a rough day in court?
00:09:00I had the roughest day of my life, Myron.
00:09:03What was it, Craig?
00:09:07I...
00:09:10Craig sure ought to go home.
00:09:12I'm not going to be very good company.
00:09:15If something's wrong, I've got a right to know.
00:09:19I saw Joe today.
00:09:22I told him about us.
00:09:25Oh.
00:09:28What did he say?
00:09:30That's what's so wrong, Myron.
00:09:33He didn't get angry.
00:09:36He just said give him a couple of days to think it over.
00:09:44I guess I helped him die a little today.
00:09:48I know I did.
00:09:51Darling, do you believe that when we first met, we tried to fall in love?
00:09:57Well, I know certainly not.
00:10:00Haven't we respected my marriage?
00:10:01We tried to walk away.
00:10:03We did everything we could not to let it happen.
00:10:09That doesn't make today any easier.
00:10:11I never wanted to hurt Joe.
00:10:13I didn't think I could possibly fall in love with anyone else.
00:10:17But I have.
00:10:20Craig, darling.
00:10:22I'm not ashamed of my feelings for you.
00:10:25I'm not afraid of the world knowing the truth.
00:10:28I don't believe what we have is wrong.
00:10:33Don't spoil it, Craig.
00:10:52I just dropped by to tell you of Mr. Swell wedding, Joe.
00:10:55It was a real pretty bride.
00:10:58Funny thing you were there the night she was born,
00:11:00I kind of hoped you'd be there tonight when I gave her away.
00:11:03I had a million things to do, Lou.
00:11:05I hope the kids will be happy.
00:11:08Oh, they're a cinch.
00:11:09I never saw two people better suited for each other.
00:11:12Tops, even Mom and me.
00:11:14I know, but sometimes even the best things have a way of going sour.
00:11:19Joe, what's wrong?
00:11:21What makes you think there's something wrong?
00:11:22You can't fool me.
00:11:24Just the other day when I was in there with a thief about the branch store,
00:11:28you hardly even listened to me.
00:11:29You look like you're a thousand miles away.
00:11:31Ever since then you've been moping around like something was bothering you bad.
00:11:40You know, Lou, doing the right thing isn't the easiest thing in the world.
00:11:47You've got to look deep inside of you.
00:11:49Be real honest with yourself.
00:11:53Well, for the past few days that's just what I've been doing.
00:11:57Looking down deep inside of me.
00:12:00Looking for the right answer and I finally found it.
00:12:04Sounds like an important decision.
00:12:06It is.
00:12:08And a tough one too.
00:12:10It'll probably change my whole life.
00:12:12Myra's too.
00:12:14Something wrong between you and Myra.
00:12:16Well, I don't think anything could be worse.
00:12:20Joe, believe me, every married couple has their ups and downs.
00:12:24Even Mom and me have had some bad moments.
00:12:27But honest, if you just have patience, everything usually works out fine.
00:12:32Sometimes, Lou.
00:12:34Sometimes.
00:12:36Look, do me a favor, will you mail us on your way home?
00:12:39Yeah, sure thing.
00:12:53Hello, Myra.
00:12:55Just wanted to make sure you were home.
00:12:57I'm going to be home early.
00:12:59I've been thinking about something I want to talk to you about.
00:13:02I'll be there in about 15 or 20 minutes.
00:13:05Just remember, Joe, everything usually works out.
00:13:09Quit living in a dream world, Lou.
00:13:48I'm going to be well.
00:13:48I'll get you back.
00:13:49Come on, Lillard.
00:13:52Basically can't reach the Pit.
00:13:52No, I'm going to be here.
00:13:52And your friend, who dictionary said?
00:13:59Tell him.
00:14:01Coming up over the weather and new, who's next?
00:14:01Well, I'm going to be the fun is.
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00:18:14Had he been successful, it would have been premeditated murder.
00:18:21I'm afraid, Craig.
00:18:24Don't be.
00:18:26I know it's going to be difficult for you.
00:18:29Just remember.
00:18:32I love you.
00:18:39Of course I meant it. I still mean it.
00:18:42Moonlight was invented just for you.
00:18:48Lady Best.
00:18:50Craig, here's your lead line.
00:18:52District attorney asked for Myra Leeds' life.
00:18:54He says it'll prove she killed Joe Leeds in cold blood.
00:18:57I think we'd get a new twist to the story if we quoted Carlson.
00:19:00It claims it was an attack of violence, carefully staged and executed.
00:19:03I tell you, no other woman could interest me anymore.
00:19:06Yeah, it's going to be a butte.
00:19:08This gal, good copy.
00:19:09If Willis was bugging anybody besides Carlson, I think this Leeds woman wouldn't have a prayer.
00:19:14Of course, back in session.
00:19:15I'll call Rewrite in time for the three-star edition.
00:19:24Oh, that was just the guys.
00:19:27Yeah, of course, back in session again.
00:19:29No, I don't have to be in there.
00:19:31You can't take pictures in the courtroom.
00:19:33You were the first officer to report at the scene of the murder.
00:19:36Yes, sir.
00:19:37My partner and I were cruising that area when we got the call.
00:19:41Will you please tell the jury exactly what you found?
00:19:44Well, Mrs. Leeds and Mr. Carlson were there when we arrived.
00:19:47Mr. Carlson said Mrs. Leeds had called him, and as soon as he got there, he called the police.
00:19:52Were there signs of struggle?
00:19:54No, sir.
00:19:55Mrs. Leeds wasn't marked or bruised in any way?
00:19:58Not that I could tell.
00:20:00Did you see anything about her clothing or her person or anything at all that indicated that there had been
00:20:04a struggle?
00:20:05No, sir.
00:20:07That's all.
00:20:09Mr. Carlson?
00:20:11No questions.
00:20:13Sergeant Hill, you are connected with the crime lab.
00:20:16That's right.
00:20:17And did you know that it was raining the night of the murder?
00:20:19Yes, sir.
00:20:20Would you please tell the court how that affected your findings?
00:20:23May I have that picture, please?
00:20:32This dark spot was one of the first things we checked out.
00:20:34Its water probably came from Joe Lee's clothing.
00:20:37From the way we can piece it together, he stood right there and didn't make a move until he fell
00:20:42from the shot.
00:20:45In other words, your deduction is that there could not have been a struggle.
00:20:49I object.
00:20:51This question calls for a conclusion of the witness.
00:20:55Sustained.
00:20:59Did you find any water spots anyplace else in the room?
00:21:03No, sir.
00:21:16Sergeant Hill, what makes you so certain Joe Leeds did not move closer to Mrs. Leeds than the area of
00:21:23the water stain?
00:21:24To wet a wool rug through that way would require quite a concentration of water.
00:21:29That means the victim would have to stand the spell.
00:21:32But Mrs. Leeds said that he came right in and over to her.
00:21:34Just answer the question, Sergeant.
00:21:36The prosecuting attorney is well able to argue his case.
00:21:39Sorry.
00:21:42What about some of the other people in that room?
00:21:46They could have dripped water on that rug, could they not?
00:21:49We checked that out.
00:21:50The rain had stopped by the time the first police unit had arrived.
00:21:53But it hadn't stopped when I arrived.
00:21:56Couldn't I have stood in one spot long enough to dampen that rug?
00:21:59I guess you could have.
00:22:01Thank you, that's all.
00:22:04And then she stated that he knocked her against the dresser.
00:22:07It was then that she opened the drawer, took out the gun, and shot him.
00:22:11Mrs. Leeds said the gun was in the dresser drawer.
00:22:13Yes, sir.
00:22:14Did she point out where Mr. Leeds was at the time she shot him?
00:22:18She said that he was rushing toward her from where they had struggled beside the bed.
00:22:22Specifically, where by the bed?
00:22:24On the left side, where Mrs. Leeds was lying.
00:22:27Did your investigation bear to the conclusion?
00:22:29No, sir.
00:22:30Please explain why.
00:22:32Bottles on the dresser.
00:22:33You know, perfume and the light.
00:22:35And had he knocked her against the dresser, well, surely some of these bottles would have been overturned.
00:22:44Lieutenant Bradley, is this one of the photographs you ordered taken?
00:22:50Yes, sir, it is.
00:22:52Now, do you see anything, anything at all disturbed on or about that dresser?
00:22:56No, sir, nothing.
00:23:01Go on, Lieutenant.
00:23:04Well, according to Mrs. Leeds, the spot where Mr. Leeds was standing at the time she shot him was about
00:23:10ten feet from where he fell.
00:23:12Wasn't that possible?
00:23:13No, sir.
00:23:14According to the coroner's report, the victim was shot through the heart and died instantly.
00:23:19In other words, Joe Leeds would have had to walk ten feet after he was dead.
00:23:23That's about it, sir.
00:23:25You witness.
00:23:37Lieutenant Bradley, how many years have you been on the police force?
00:23:42Twenty-two.
00:23:44And during that time, would you say you've witnessed a number of people suffering from hysteria?
00:23:49I'd say so, yes.
00:23:52And what would you say were the first signs of hysteria?
00:23:57Oh, uh, incoherency?
00:24:00Unable to make a decision?
00:24:03Sort of a lapse in common sense?
00:24:06And would you say it was likely for a woman who had just killed a man to be suffering from
00:24:11hysteria?
00:24:13Why, yes.
00:24:15And would it not be within the realm of possibility for this woman to mistake her left from her right?
00:24:21Come to a snap judgment of distance and direction that would be entirely incorrect.
00:24:26What?
00:24:27Possibility.
00:24:27And wouldn't it be possible for a woman in such a state of hysteria to think she was thrown against
00:24:32the dresser when in reality she was thrown against the nearby wall?
00:24:35Well, she could be, but...
00:24:37That is all.
00:25:09You know you've had a pretty social day?
00:25:11Three visitors?
00:25:12One was from a newspaper.
00:25:14Luke Azarian came over to tell me not to worry.
00:25:17And Carl Holt, he's an artist, an old friend.
00:25:19Wondered if there was anything he could do.
00:25:21Craig, is it going badly for me?
00:25:23There's nothing new to worry about, so don't try to find something.
00:25:27Will it ever be over?
00:25:30Darling, I know it's been a difficult two weeks for you.
00:25:33But tomorrow should see the end of the testimony.
00:25:35How does it look?
00:25:37Willis operates like a field marshal.
00:25:39He doesn't mind losing battles so long as he wins the war.
00:25:42He'll save his big ammunition for later.
00:25:44What can we do then?
00:25:46Oh, I've had several talks with Lou.
00:25:48He's very anxious to help you.
00:25:50I'm sure his evidence will add a lot of weight.
00:25:51And I think I'm going to let you testify, too.
00:25:55All right.
00:25:57Remember, once you're on the stand, Willis will try to cut you to ribbons.
00:26:00I'm not afraid of Willis, or the judge, or the jurors.
00:26:03All I'm afraid of is if things go wrong, I'd lose you.
00:26:07Not a chance.
00:26:11Oh, Craig.
00:26:14Beautiful.
00:26:17So, I says, Joe, is there something wrong between you and Myra?
00:26:21He said, I don't see how anything could be worse.
00:26:25Had you ever seen Joe Leeds before, when he was quite angry?
00:26:29Yeah, a couple of times.
00:26:31As a matter of fact, he was quite upset the first time I ever saw him.
00:26:35Somebody accused him of giving a dishonest comp, tried to get him in trouble with police.
00:26:40Joe hurt him pretty bad.
00:26:43Then, Joe Leeds did have a bad temper when he was upset.
00:26:48Yeah, but that wasn't often.
00:26:53Mr. Kazarian, the night of Joe Leeds' death,
00:26:59did he seem normal to you, or upset to you?
00:27:04Well, he was upset.
00:27:06He said he'd been doing a lot of thinking and had reached a big decision.
00:27:09Did he tell you what that decision was?
00:27:13No, except that what he had decided would change his whole life, and Myra's too.
00:27:19That will be all, thank you.
00:27:21Kazarian, we come to that phone conversation Joe Leeds had with his wife.
00:27:24Tell us exactly what you overheard.
00:27:27Well, that was a long time ago.
00:27:30Just tell us those things you can remember.
00:27:33Well, I remember him saying for her to stay home, he'd been doing a lot of thinking, wanted to talk
00:27:38it over with her, and I guess that's about all that happened.
00:27:43In other words, it was Joe Leeds who definitely had something to talk out with his wife.
00:27:47That's the way it sounded.
00:27:50Now, Mr. Kazarian, the defense counsel has spoken much about Joe Leeds' temper.
00:27:57You say you were present when Joe Leeds beat up a man who falsely accused him.
00:28:02Now, would you say that Joe Leeds was quite angry then?
00:28:06Oh, the worst I've ever seen him.
00:28:08But this fellow had it coming to him.
00:28:10He was always sniping at Joe.
00:28:13And if Joe Leeds was more angry on that occasion than you ever saw him, why didn't he kill the
00:28:17man?
00:28:18Did someone stop the fight?
00:28:20Oh, no.
00:28:21We were all glad to see him get it.
00:28:23Anyway, we knew all Joe had in mind was to rough him up.
00:28:27He sure did a good job.
00:28:29And if Joe Leeds was more angered than you had ever seen him, you claim he had no intention of
00:28:33killing.
00:28:34Now, can you say on the oath that you've taken that he was angered enough to kill his wife?
00:28:41No, I guess not.
00:28:43Thank you, Mr. Kazarian.
00:28:51And do you recall any instance, Mrs. Leeds, where your husband displayed a violent temper?
00:28:59Yes.
00:29:00There was a time just before we were married.
00:29:03Joe had an argument with one of his employees.
00:29:06The two men fought.
00:29:08Joe beat him so brutally, the other man had to spend the next two months in the hospital.
00:29:13And were there times after your marriage when your husband showed a tendency toward violence?
00:29:19Several.
00:29:20Whenever anything annoyed him, edgy.
00:29:23If someone said something that displeased him, he flew into a temper.
00:29:28We argued often because of this.
00:29:30Then that night when he came home, wet, blind with fury, you had good reason to think he would kill
00:29:39you.
00:29:39You had good reason to think that Joe Leeds was a man of violence.
00:29:43That is what you believed, is it not, Mrs. Leeds?
00:29:46Yes.
00:29:49Do you think any other woman would have reacted as you did?
00:29:52I know they would.
00:29:54No one wants to kill, but no one wants to be killed either.
00:30:00Your witness.
00:30:02Yes.
00:30:10Mrs. Leeds, how long had you and your husband been married?
00:30:14Two years.
00:30:16And when you married your husband, what was your financial condition?
00:30:20I don't understand.
00:30:21Oh, I'm sorry.
00:30:22I mean, were you rich, moderately wealthy, had a good job?
00:30:26What?
00:30:27Well, I, I was looking for a job when I met Joe Leeds.
00:30:33And would you say your husband was a man of means?
00:30:35I mean, did he have some property, some insurance perhaps?
00:30:39He had ten supermarkets, some insurance.
00:30:42How much would you say your husband was worth at the time of his death?
00:30:45That is, including insurance.
00:30:48I don't know.
00:30:50Then let me tell you.
00:30:52Your husband, Mrs. Leeds, left an estate of more than three quarters of a million dollars.
00:30:57That's quite an inheritance for you.
00:31:00From unemployment to a neat $750,000 in two years.
00:31:05Wouldn't you say that was a very lucrative two years' work, Mrs. Leeds?
00:31:10Objection!
00:31:12The prosecution will refrain from any more questions of this nature.
00:31:16That last statement will be stricken from the record, and the jury is asked to disregard it.
00:31:21Mrs. Leeds, when you married your husband, were you in love with him?
00:31:24Of course.
00:31:25Were you in love with your husband at the time of his death?
00:31:29No.
00:31:30Then in less than two years, you no longer loved him.
00:31:33Love is a very strong emotion, Mrs. Leeds.
00:31:35How could you turn it off so quickly?
00:31:39I just didn't love him anymore.
00:31:41And you waited until that fatal night to tell him about it?
00:31:44That's not true.
00:31:46Then when did you tell your husband you were no longer in love with him?
00:31:51I don't remember.
00:31:53Did you ask your husband for a divorce?
00:31:57Yes.
00:31:58And what was Mr. Leeds' answer?
00:32:00He just said he wanted to think about it.
00:32:03In other words, Mrs. Leeds, when you suddenly told your husband you wanted a divorce,
00:32:06instead of becoming angry, he answered he wanted to think about it.
00:32:09Now, is that correct?
00:32:11Yes.
00:32:11And yet you ask this court to believe that Mr. Leeds returned home on that fatal evening,
00:32:16and without so much as a single word, tried to kill you?
00:32:19Yes.
00:32:20Then tell us, Mrs. Leeds, how do you explain the fact that when you first, shall we say,
00:32:24shocked your husband by asking him for a divorce, he did nothing?
00:32:30I don't know.
00:32:32I don't know.
00:32:37That will be all, Mrs. Leeds.
00:32:48Myra Leeds would have us believe that when her husband reached their apartment,
00:32:52he immediately made an attempt to kill her, so that she had to kill in self-defense.
00:32:57But what concrete reasons have you been given that Mrs. Leeds felt she was forced to shoot her husband,
00:33:03only that he became furious when she told him she no longer loved him,
00:33:07that she wanted a divorce?
00:33:09And why did Myra Leeds claim to want a divorce in the first place?
00:33:12Just that they were no longer in love.
00:33:15And yet, not one single witness has been brought before this court to indicate that any discord existed between the
00:33:21Leeds.
00:33:23Let me tell you, ladies and gentlemen of the jury,
00:33:26there was no discord in the marriage of Joe Leeds,
00:33:29only in that of his wife, Myra,
00:33:32an ambitious woman.
00:33:33Marriage had bettered her position.
00:33:35And with Joe Leeds' death, her position was still improved.
00:33:41The location of the body,
00:33:43the placement and trajectory of the bullet that killed Leeds,
00:33:46the lack of signs of a struggle,
00:33:48all of these facts,
00:33:51facts,
00:33:52fitted against Myra Leeds' story of self-defense.
00:33:58Could there be an honest doubt in your minds as to the guilt of this woman?
00:34:03Well, if there is, let me dispel them for you.
00:34:06Myra Leeds has given no reason why she would have wanted to divorce Joe Leeds,
00:34:09except that she fell out of love.
00:34:12Now,
00:34:14is love such a fickle thing that one can fall in love one week and out the next?
00:34:20With no apparent reason,
00:34:22could Myra Leeds have awakened one morning
00:34:24and decided to ask her husband of two years for a divorce?
00:34:27No.
00:34:29Let me tell you what Myra Leeds did.
00:34:32She was jobless when she met Joe Leeds.
00:34:34She saw in him a stepping stone to an easy life.
00:34:37And when she was ready to move on,
00:34:39she realized that Joe Leeds could only be of monetary value to her dead.
00:34:45So that when he came home to discuss
00:34:47whatever it was he wished to discuss,
00:34:49she shot him.
00:34:53Myra Leeds shot and killed her husband for a handful of gold.
00:34:58That is why the state charges Myra Leeds
00:35:01with murder in the first degree.
00:35:05Is counsel for the defense ready to address the jury?
00:35:08I am, Your Honor.
00:35:18This has been a long and grueling trial,
00:35:21not only for the defendant,
00:35:23but for the rest of us as well.
00:35:26You have heard arguments and counter-arguments,
00:35:29facts and counter-facts,
00:35:30theory and counter-theory.
00:35:31And for the past hour and 15 minutes,
00:35:35you've heard the prosecution parade before you
00:35:37every piece of circumstantial evidence,
00:35:39innuendo and plain conjecture that he could muster.
00:35:43Conjecture that would bolster his claim
00:35:45that Myra Leeds is guilty of murdering her husband.
00:35:50With all of this conjecture,
00:35:52the end result has been this.
00:35:54The state claims Myra Leeds killed Joe Leeds
00:35:58because her story about the moments of violence
00:36:00she was faced with differed from that of the police.
00:36:03And because she could give no clear reason
00:36:06why she suddenly would want to divorce her husband.
00:36:10If Myra Leeds had a sound reason
00:36:12for suddenly desiring a divorce,
00:36:15a reason that would measurably add to her happiness,
00:36:18even the prosecution knows it would have no case.
00:36:23Well, Myra Leeds did have a reason
00:36:25for asking Joe Leeds for a divorce.
00:36:28Myra Leeds was in love with another man.
00:36:43Now, remember, you of the jury are not here
00:36:47to determine the righteousness of Myra Leeds' emotions
00:36:50as a woman, only to determine if she shot her husband
00:36:53in an act of premeditation.
00:36:56It is not for you to decide whether or not
00:36:59Myra Leeds did the right thing
00:37:01in falling in love with another man.
00:37:03It is for you to decide
00:37:05if in telling her husband about the man she loved,
00:37:09she aroused in him an anger so intense
00:37:11she decided to kill her.
00:37:14So now you ask,
00:37:16who is this man?
00:37:18Bring him forward to confirm this story.
00:37:22Well, I knew Joe Leeds better than anyone.
00:37:27And I know the man his wife is in love with.
00:37:32I am that man.
00:37:43Any further demonstration of this character
00:37:45in this courtroom will be clear.
00:37:51My falling in love with Myra Leeds was accidental.
00:37:56But my wanting to marry her
00:37:59was with strong intent.
00:38:02As was Joe Leeds' intent
00:38:04when he decided if he could no longer have his wife,
00:38:07no other man would either.
00:38:10Ladies and gentlemen,
00:38:11there isn't a single one of you
00:38:13who wouldn't have struggled as Myra Leeds did.
00:38:16Her life was at stake.
00:38:17She acted in self-defense.
00:38:22Now, that is the story.
00:38:26And that is the truth.
00:38:29To bring out the truth,
00:38:30your verdict must be
00:38:33not guilty.
00:38:36She beat it.
00:38:37Not guilty.
00:38:38You know, when the gallery chair
00:38:39gets the front name,
00:38:39he just made a touchdown.
00:38:40Cross.
00:38:41Cool as winter.
00:38:43Didn't move a muscle
00:38:44when the jury foreman sang out.
00:38:46There's no doubt about it.
00:38:48That guy's the biggest incentive murder's had
00:38:49since the Chinese invented gunpowder.
00:39:07I wish you happiness.
00:39:12Pick this up on the way out from court today.
00:39:15What is it?
00:39:17Capri.
00:39:19As ancient and enchanting
00:39:21as the Mediterranean would surrender.
00:39:24It may not be the world's greatest prose,
00:39:26but it sounded good to me.
00:39:27It must have been love.
00:39:30I thought we could be married next week,
00:39:31take the boat to Rome,
00:39:32then ride to Capri.
00:39:34Oh, darling,
00:39:35it'll be a wonderful honeymoon.
00:39:37It sounds wonderful,
00:39:38but do you know next week is almost here?
00:39:41Give me a little bit more time.
00:39:42The sooner we get away,
00:39:44the better it'll be for you.
00:39:46From now on,
00:39:47you're not going to have any reason
00:39:48to think of anything other than me.
00:39:57Oh, hi, Lou.
00:39:58We'd about given you up.
00:39:59I'm sorry I'm late,
00:40:00but Mom wasn't feeling well,
00:40:02and last minute she decided
00:40:03to stay home.
00:40:04Oh, that's too bad.
00:40:05Well, let me hang up to the coat.
00:40:07No, thanks.
00:40:08And Myra,
00:40:09I'm often glad everything turned out okay.
00:40:11Thanks, Lou.
00:40:15Hey.
00:40:15This is supposed to be a happy occasion.
00:40:17Could I talk to you alone for a minute, Greg?
00:40:20Something wrong?
00:40:22It's about Joe.
00:40:25Sure, let's go into the dance.
00:40:29Hiya, Will.
00:40:30How are you, Lou?
00:40:31Hello, Henry.
00:40:32Good to see you, Lou.
00:40:42What is it, Lou?
00:40:43It's about Joe.
00:40:44And the last night he was alive,
00:40:45the night my daughter was married
00:40:47and I dropped by to tell him
00:40:48about the wedding.
00:40:49Well, just before I left,
00:40:51he asked me to mail a letter for him.
00:40:53I put it in my pocket,
00:40:54and, well,
00:40:55I forgot all about it
00:40:56until I put my tux on again
00:40:58that tonight it's addressed to you.
00:41:11Dear Greg,
00:41:13well, like I promised,
00:41:14I've been doing a lot of thinking.
00:41:16I've been trying to figure out
00:41:18the best way for all of us.
00:41:20You see,
00:41:21when I first met Myra,
00:41:23I figured she was out of my league.
00:41:24She was interested in things
00:41:26that I didn't understand,
00:41:27like art and music.
00:41:30But then, like a boat,
00:41:31one night she told me she loved me
00:41:33and I felt nine feet tall.
00:41:36Right then I said a million thanks.
00:41:39In a way,
00:41:39it was like the answer to a prayer.
00:41:42We got married right away,
00:41:44and for a couple of months,
00:41:45living was paradise.
00:41:47I didn't love her.
00:41:49I worshipped her.
00:41:51But it began to change.
00:41:53One day we had an argument.
00:41:55Myra told me
00:41:56she'd never loved me.
00:41:58It goes without saying,
00:42:00Craig,
00:42:00that I walked in circles for days.
00:42:03Finally,
00:42:04I asked if she wanted a divorce,
00:42:06and she said yes,
00:42:07and asked for half my business.
00:42:10And I got mad because I realized
00:42:12that was the only reason
00:42:13she'd ever married me.
00:42:15I told her that no man
00:42:16was going to live off
00:42:17what it had taken me most
00:42:18to accumulate.
00:42:20And that's the way
00:42:21it's been going along
00:42:22for the past few months.
00:42:25Myra's love, Fred,
00:42:26but not with you.
00:42:29She's in love
00:42:29with some kind of an artist.
00:42:42I can't figure out
00:42:43what she's doing with you,
00:42:44but I know she must have
00:42:45some kind of a plan.
00:42:48I'm going to see her tonight,
00:42:49and I'm going to try to keep her.
00:42:51She's no good, Craig,
00:42:52but I do love her.
00:42:54If she decides not to stay with me,
00:42:56I wanted you to know the truth.
00:43:00She is a woman.
00:43:02Myra's a disease.
00:43:04In a way,
00:43:05she's already destroyed me.
00:43:08I just hope she doesn't
00:43:09end up destroying you.
00:43:44Did I cause trouble
00:43:46by forgetting about the letter?
00:43:51I don't know, Lou.
00:43:57I don't know.
00:44:01Give me a couple of these
00:44:02to keep it around with you.
00:44:03I never wanted to hurt Jim.
00:44:06I didn't think I would possibly
00:44:08fall enough for anyone else.
00:44:10But I have.
00:44:12Why did he try to kill me?
00:44:14Why couldn't he understand?
00:44:17I'm not afraid of women,
00:44:18or the judge, or the jurors.
00:44:20Well, I'm afraid of it.
00:44:21If things go wrong,
00:44:23I'd lose you.
00:44:24Myra Leeds shot and killed
00:44:26her husband for a handful of gold.
00:44:29That is why the state
00:44:30charges Myra Leeds
00:44:32with murder in the first degree.
00:44:35Cargo, he's an artist,
00:44:36an old friend.
00:44:37Wondered if there was
00:44:37anything he could do.
00:44:53Mr. Holt?
00:44:54Yes.
00:44:55My name's...
00:44:56I know.
00:44:57Craig Carlson.
00:44:58Won't you come in?
00:45:02I have to forgive
00:45:03the appearance of the place.
00:45:06My, uh,
00:45:06canvases have a way
00:45:07of dominating
00:45:08the whole room.
00:45:10Not bad canvases either.
00:45:12Oh, that one.
00:45:13Yeah, even I like that one.
00:45:15Won't you, uh,
00:45:15to that, Mr. Carlson?
00:45:17I'm, I'm, I'm a great friend.
00:45:19Because of Myra's acquittal?
00:45:20No!
00:45:21It was that way before that.
00:45:23You see,
00:45:24this is a pretty strange neighborhood.
00:45:26You know what they call it?
00:45:27Cloud Nine.
00:45:29That's because a lot of men
00:45:30are just getting started
00:45:31living around here.
00:45:33Have a lot of dreams,
00:45:34a lot of idols, you know?
00:45:36Now, you take the fellow
00:45:37who lives just, uh,
00:45:38two doors down.
00:45:39He just got out of law school.
00:45:40He thinks you walk
00:45:41right down out of the sun.
00:45:43Take some of the cases
00:45:44that you've turned down.
00:45:45According to Charlie,
00:45:46if you didn't care
00:45:47who you got acquitted,
00:45:48you could be living
00:45:48like a Maharaja.
00:45:49No, he must be
00:45:50just out of law school.
00:45:52Oh, he's got a lot
00:45:53of other legal idols, too.
00:45:54But for me,
00:45:55you're my favorite.
00:45:56Ever since you took
00:45:57Myra's case.
00:45:59You've known Myra
00:46:00a long time.
00:46:02Since we were
00:46:02freshmen in college.
00:46:04Myra was a music major
00:46:06and I was knee-deep in art.
00:46:08Ever hear Myra play?
00:46:10Yes.
00:46:10Plays like an angel.
00:46:12Of course, in my book,
00:46:13Myra is an angel.
00:46:15Well, I guess she told you
00:46:16how I feel about her.
00:46:18No, she hasn't.
00:46:20Nothing earth-shattering
00:46:21for anybody except that.
00:46:23I have to be very much
00:46:24in love with her.
00:46:26We're going to be married.
00:46:31When was that decided?
00:46:33Two years after
00:46:34we left college.
00:46:38Strange engagement.
00:46:41Marriage in between.
00:46:43Well, that was Myra's
00:46:44one big mistake.
00:46:45We both knew that
00:46:46shortly after she
00:46:47married that fellow.
00:46:48You don't mind if I
00:46:49work while we talk, do you?
00:46:50I want to make the most
00:46:51of the sunlight.
00:46:52Go right ahead.
00:46:56You say,
00:46:58Myra knew she made
00:47:00a mistake when she
00:47:01married Jolie.
00:47:03People chased different
00:47:04rainbows, Mr. Carlson.
00:47:06Myra, it was money.
00:47:08I didn't have any.
00:47:10My prospects were terrible.
00:47:12Terrible!
00:47:15Well, we had a scrap
00:47:16on that subject
00:47:17and then she met
00:47:17this lead fellow.
00:47:18You know the rest of the story.
00:47:19No, not to the point
00:47:21about her knowing
00:47:21that she made a mistake.
00:47:24Well, that was when we
00:47:26met at that exhibit
00:47:27that afternoon.
00:47:29The powder was still dry.
00:47:32At this juncture, I'd like
00:47:34to make a point of honor,
00:47:35Mr. Carlson.
00:47:36I refused to see Myra
00:47:37again after that afternoon
00:47:39until she was free.
00:47:40She felt the same way
00:47:40about it.
00:47:42It's quite an impact,
00:47:43wasn't it?
00:47:44We didn't think so.
00:47:45Myra's going to ask
00:47:46Leeds for a divorce.
00:47:49I guess she must have
00:47:50been sort of crazy
00:47:51and that awful night
00:47:52with the capper.
00:47:55You know, Holt,
00:47:57there's been a lot
00:47:58working against you.
00:47:59In spite of that,
00:48:00I still may get to like you.
00:48:03Well, I want you to,
00:48:03but what have I got
00:48:04working against me?
00:48:05Myra's trial.
00:48:06Well, why didn't you
00:48:07offer to help?
00:48:09I did.
00:48:11That day I visited Myra.
00:48:13She didn't want me to
00:48:14come to see her again,
00:48:15though, or even say
00:48:16I knew her.
00:48:17Funny, I couldn't quite
00:48:18figure that out.
00:48:20I guess it was because
00:48:21she was afraid our being
00:48:23in love would sway the jury
00:48:24against her since she
00:48:25was a married woman.
00:48:27Funny, it was that
00:48:28very approach that freed her.
00:48:31That's what makes a lawyer
00:48:32a lawyer.
00:48:32You're just plain smart.
00:48:33Not always.
00:48:35Well, now, I watch that
00:48:36trial every single day,
00:48:37and you never drew a miss.
00:48:41By the way, I would like
00:48:42a crack at improving
00:48:43your impression of me.
00:48:44You got any ideas?
00:48:45Oh, my first sense was
00:48:47right.
00:48:47I do like it.
00:48:49Well, let's be really
00:48:50classical about this
00:48:51friendship, then.
00:48:52Toast it and sherry.
00:48:53Fling the glass in the
00:48:54fireplace.
00:48:54I'm sorry, but I'd
00:48:55better go.
00:48:56Oh, too bad.
00:48:58But as far as the
00:48:59toast is concerned,
00:48:59it's just as well.
00:49:00I haven't got any
00:49:00fireplace.
00:49:01I will see you
00:49:02again, then, will I?
00:49:03Yes, you will.
00:49:04You know, that last
00:49:06day of the trial, when
00:49:07you said you were the
00:49:08man in Myra's life, I
00:49:09didn't think so kindly of
00:49:10you then.
00:49:11I'm glad Myra
00:49:11straightened me out on
00:49:12it.
00:49:13Oh?
00:49:14What did she say?
00:49:15Well, that it was a
00:49:16piece of corp and
00:49:16dreaded me.
00:49:17Well, it sure was a
00:49:17butte.
00:49:18That was the best piece
00:49:18of dramatics I've ever
00:49:19seen.
00:49:20Myra and I really owe
00:49:21you an awful lot
00:49:22crawling out on a limb
00:49:22like that.
00:49:25Well, goodbye, Mr.
00:49:26Holt.
00:49:26Goodbye, Mr.
00:49:27Carlton.
00:49:52I was expecting you.
00:49:54Be ready in three minutes.
00:49:56In the meantime, how about
00:49:57making one of you a very
00:49:58special Manhattan?
00:50:00I'm not quite sure I know
00:50:01how to make a Manhattan.
00:50:03Craig.
00:50:06You startled me.
00:50:08I was expecting a friend.
00:50:09Who knows how to make a
00:50:11special Manhattan?
00:50:12That's right.
00:50:15If you like, I could...
00:50:16No, thanks.
00:50:17I just wanted to talk to
00:50:19you, Myra, about our
00:50:21engagement.
00:50:23Let's not make it
00:50:24tonight, Craig.
00:50:25Why not tonight?
00:50:26Why not this very minute?
00:50:28Two people in love can't
00:50:29wait, Myra.
00:50:30That's the way with people
00:50:31in love, isn't it?
00:50:32I explained, Craig.
00:50:34Someone...
00:50:34Well, isn't it?
00:50:36Oh, say it, Myra.
00:50:38Say you love me.
00:50:39Say you're hopelessly,
00:50:40irretrievably in love with
00:50:41me.
00:50:42Let go of me.
00:50:43I want to hear you say
00:50:44it, Myra.
00:50:45I'm all you have.
00:50:47Or have you suddenly
00:50:48remembered there was
00:50:49someone else?
00:50:50I said let go of me.
00:50:51Someone like Carl Holt.
00:50:54All right.
00:50:56You know.
00:51:07I met him today.
00:51:09He seems very much in love.
00:51:12Two men in love with you.
00:51:16Awkward arrangements, Myra.
00:51:18Craig.
00:51:19What happened to us?
00:51:23It was a mistake.
00:51:25I don't think so.
00:51:27In fact, I don't think you
00:51:28ever made a mistake before
00:51:29in your life.
00:51:30I don't want to see him,
00:51:31Craig.
00:51:31Neither do I.
00:51:32Just the truth.
00:51:33The truth is I am in love
00:51:34with Carl Holt.
00:51:35And I'm going to marry him.
00:51:37And you were in love with
00:51:38Carl Holt.
00:51:39And you were going to
00:51:39marry him the day I met you.
00:51:41I don't want to talk about it.
00:51:42Then let's have someone
00:51:44talk about it for us.
00:51:47I received this letter yesterday.
00:51:49It's from Joe.
00:51:51What kind of a trick is this?
00:51:53Sit down, Myra.
00:51:56Sit down.
00:52:06You're Craig.
00:52:08Like I promised,
00:52:09I've been doing
00:52:09a lot of thinking.
00:52:11I've been trying to figure out
00:52:13the best way for all of us.
00:52:15You see, when I first met Myra,
00:52:17I figured she was out of my league.
00:52:19She was interested in things
00:52:20I didn't understand,
00:52:21like art and music.
00:52:23Myra's in love, Craig,
00:52:24but not with you.
00:52:26She's in love with
00:52:26some kind of an artist.
00:52:28I can't figure out
00:52:29what she's doing to you,
00:52:30but I know she must have
00:52:31some kind of a plan.
00:52:33I'm going to see her tonight,
00:52:34and I'm going to try
00:52:35and keep her.
00:52:37She's no good, Craig,
00:52:38but I do love her.
00:52:39And if she decides
00:52:40not to stay with me,
00:52:41I wanted you to know the truth.
00:52:43If she isn't a woman,
00:52:44Myra's a disease.
00:52:46The way she's already
00:52:48destroyed me,
00:52:48I just hope she doesn't
00:52:50end up destroying you.
00:52:52Joe.
00:52:52I don't believe Joe
00:52:54wrote that letter.
00:52:56You should be able
00:52:57to recognize his writing.
00:53:05What does it prove?
00:53:07Only that Joe
00:53:08was a miserable,
00:53:09jealous man?
00:53:10No, Myra.
00:53:11It proves something
00:53:11much different.
00:53:12Joe offered you a divorce,
00:53:14but without any money.
00:53:16You didn't want it that way,
00:53:17and you knew there was
00:53:17only one way to get it.
00:53:19You'll have to do more
00:53:19than say it.
00:53:20You'll have to prove it.
00:53:22I'm free now.
00:53:24I can do what I want
00:53:25with my life.
00:53:26You had it planned
00:53:27very carefully,
00:53:28didn't you, Myra?
00:53:30To get Joe's money,
00:53:31you had to kill him.
00:53:32To guarantee your freedom,
00:53:34you made me fall in love
00:53:35with you.
00:53:36I wonder if Carl Holt
00:53:38would want to murder us
00:53:39for a wife.
00:53:40I was trying to quit it.
00:53:41Your brilliant defense
00:53:42freed me.
00:53:44No one can hurt me
00:53:45anymore.
00:53:46Not even you.
00:53:48This time you're wrong,
00:53:49Myra.
00:53:50Very wrong.
00:53:51What do you mean,
00:53:51this time?
00:53:53You're going to commit
00:53:54another murder.
00:53:56Don't be sick.
00:53:58Yes, you are.
00:54:00You're going to murder me.
00:54:04You're insane.
00:54:09No one wants to die.
00:54:11Not even you.
00:54:15My whole life
00:54:16has meant
00:54:17just three things.
00:54:19My love for Joe,
00:54:21my work,
00:54:24and my love for you.
00:54:27You've destroyed them all.
00:54:29How much is there
00:54:29left of me to die?
00:54:45Well, there it was,
00:54:46Ray.
00:54:47An ugly little package.
00:54:50Myra had killed Joe Leeds,
00:54:52and I was an accessory.
00:54:55Joe Leeds was dead,
00:54:58and Myra hadn't paid.
00:55:01Just as I'm going to die.
00:55:08There's not much time left,
00:55:09so I'd better bring you up
00:55:10today.
00:55:12I had made plans
00:55:14to give up my practice,
00:55:15and was spending
00:55:16every available moment
00:55:17keeping Myra
00:55:18constantly aware
00:55:19that sooner or later
00:55:20I proved to Carl Holt
00:55:22he was a murderer.
00:55:26Then I learned
00:55:27that Myra and Carl
00:55:28were planning to leave
00:55:29for Europe.
00:55:37Good to see you again.
00:55:38Good morning.
00:55:42We were just about
00:55:43to have a drink.
00:55:44Join us?
00:55:44Okay.
00:55:46Well, what a pleasant surprise.
00:55:49Are you sure
00:55:50you're surprised,
00:55:51Craig?
00:55:51What do you mean by that?
00:55:53Oh, just a private little joke.
00:55:55Myra is certain
00:55:56attorneys know
00:55:56what people are going
00:55:57to do before they do it.
00:55:58In some cases,
00:55:59I'd say she was right.
00:56:01Enough talk about lawyers.
00:56:02I've got news for you.
00:56:03Oh?
00:56:05Should we tell them that?
00:56:07No, I don't think
00:56:08you'd be interested.
00:56:09Of course I'd be interested.
00:56:11We're going to get married?
00:56:11No.
00:56:13Surprised again, Craig?
00:56:15We're sailing for Paris
00:56:16on Friday.
00:56:17We're going to be married
00:56:17as soon as we get there
00:56:18and it was all Myra's idea.
00:56:20He wanted to live there.
00:56:21In a way, I'm sorry.
00:56:23Sorry?
00:56:24What?
00:56:25Well, this wasn't
00:56:26exactly a social visit.
00:56:28I came up with permission
00:56:28to painting.
00:56:29Painting?
00:56:30For whom?
00:56:30Myself.
00:56:31I know this is going
00:56:32to sound a little vain,
00:56:33but I've always wanted a porch.
00:56:35You know, something
00:56:36very flattering.
00:56:38Oh, it's a shame
00:56:39you didn't mention it before.
00:56:40We sail on Friday.
00:56:42How long does it take
00:56:44to do a porch?
00:56:44Well, it varies.
00:56:45I usually like
00:56:47two, three weeks.
00:56:48Well, couldn't you
00:56:49put your trip off
00:56:50for that length of time?
00:56:51No.
00:56:53I like your work, Carl.
00:56:55I'd be willing to pay
00:56:56as much as, you know,
00:56:57$2,500.
00:57:00Hey, I'm not whistler,
00:57:01you know.
00:57:02What about it?
00:57:03$2,500 for those two weeks.
00:57:05We don't need money.
00:57:06We have plenty.
00:57:07Now, hold on, honey.
00:57:09I mean, you have plenty.
00:57:10Well, you're my husband.
00:57:12What I have belongs to you.
00:57:16Well, I am afraid
00:57:18where money is concerned,
00:57:19I'm going to be
00:57:20a little old-fashioned.
00:57:22I'll do it.
00:57:23When can you make the sitting?
00:57:24What about tomorrow?
00:57:26That's fine.
00:57:27Between three and five,
00:57:28that's my life span.
00:57:29Good, I'll be here.
00:57:30Two weeks.
00:57:31Give us a chance
00:57:32to get very well acquainted.
00:57:33I'm looking forward to it.
00:57:34Oh, my.
00:57:36No, Myra.
00:57:37It seems as if
00:57:38you're one weakness
00:57:38in picking men
00:57:39with moral strength.
00:57:41Well, I'll see you tomorrow.
00:57:43Come on, Craig.
00:57:45Come on.
00:57:52I expected you.
00:57:54But not quite as soon.
00:57:57Leave us alone, Craig.
00:57:59Don't push me too far.
00:58:01Is that all you came here for?
00:58:03I came to offer you
00:58:04$100,000.
00:58:06Will you take it?
00:58:08Let him go to Paris?
00:58:10No.
00:58:11$125,000.
00:58:12Not for all the money
00:58:13in the world.
00:58:14I need those two weeks.
00:58:16I need the time
00:58:17to finish what I've started.
00:58:19I promise you, Myra,
00:58:21you're not going to have
00:58:21Carl Holt or Joe Lee's money.
00:58:24I never realized
00:58:25how much I could hate a landlord.
00:58:31What kind of a landlord?
00:58:33One who believes
00:58:34in the honesty
00:58:34and integrity
00:58:35of our court.
00:58:36But that's something
00:58:37you would never be able
00:58:38to understand.
00:58:39I understand
00:58:39what you're trying
00:58:40to do to me.
00:58:41Do you really?
00:58:42Do you understand
00:58:43what you did to me
00:58:44when I learned
00:58:44you killed Joe?
00:58:46Do you understand
00:58:47in winning you an acquittal
00:58:48I became as guilty as you?
00:58:49I want you to understand, Myra.
00:58:51I want you to fully understand
00:58:53that we'll have to pay
00:58:54for what we've done.
00:58:55I'm not going to pay
00:58:57for anything.
00:59:01You pay, Myra.
00:59:04We'll both pay.
00:59:07I got it.
00:59:10Better or for worse,
00:59:12it's finished.
00:59:22Excellent.
00:59:23You've been a very
00:59:24patient subject.
00:59:27Oh, don't forget tonight.
00:59:30I'll be on room
00:59:31about seven.
00:59:34Craig.
00:59:37A few times you've seen
00:59:39Myra here.
00:59:40I was nervous
00:59:41and jumpy,
00:59:42she seemed.
00:59:44The trial was very
00:59:46taxing for her,
00:59:47and I guess she's
00:59:47anxious to get to Europe.
00:59:50Most natural reaction.
00:59:53I don't think you should
00:59:54have any worries about it.
00:59:56I guess now.
00:59:58Maybe your party
00:59:59will be just a prescription
01:00:00that will snap her out of it.
01:00:01By the way,
01:00:02what are we celebrating?
01:00:04We'll find out
01:00:05in exactly three hours.
01:00:07Okay, man of mystery.
01:00:09I will not press you
01:00:10for an answer.
01:00:11I'll stay on tenor.
01:00:13I'll see you, sir.
01:00:14Right.
01:00:30Do you wish to order now?
01:00:32No, we have another party coming along.
01:00:35Why didn't you tell me
01:00:36Craig to come to the car?
01:00:38Some matter, Myra.
01:00:39There's so much to do.
01:00:41It's bailed out tomorrow.
01:00:42Do you think
01:00:43you're the only one
01:00:43who's busy?
01:00:44Move over.
01:00:45I haven't even packed yet.
01:01:08I'll tell you what,
01:01:08Carl, let's leave.
01:01:09Leave?
01:01:10We could give a message
01:01:11to the captain,
01:01:11have him tell Craig
01:01:12that something had come up.
01:01:13We can't do that.
01:01:14Craig has been counting on us.
01:01:16He's looking forward to it.
01:01:17What's so important?
01:01:19We'll talk about that
01:01:20after dinner, Myra.
01:01:23Hello, Charles.
01:01:24Good evening, Mr. Carlson.
01:01:25Hi, Craig.
01:01:31For dessert,
01:01:32may I suggest
01:01:33cherry jubilee.
01:01:34It's excellent.
01:01:35No, no, thank you.
01:01:36How about you, Myra?
01:01:39That'll be all, Charles.
01:01:42Now, Craig,
01:01:43that was a delicious dinner.
01:01:44French food
01:01:45couldn't be any better.
01:01:46All right.
01:01:47Did you enjoy your dinner?
01:01:49You told us
01:01:50you'd tell us
01:01:50what this was all about
01:01:51after dinner, Craig.
01:01:52Myra.
01:01:53Oh, it's all right.
01:01:54She's just anxious.
01:01:55What do you mean anxious?
01:01:56A trip to Paris
01:01:57and she's about
01:01:58to become a bride.
01:02:00Craig, I want to know
01:02:01why you brought us here.
01:02:03All right.
01:02:12Here you are, Carl.
01:02:26Craig, our deal
01:02:27was for $2,500.
01:02:29I thought I'd double it.
01:02:31That's my surprise.
01:02:32But why?
01:02:34By helping me achieve
01:02:35an important ambition.
01:02:40Well, I...
01:02:43I certainly hope
01:02:44through the years
01:02:45the painting continues
01:02:46to please you, Craig.
01:02:48I'm certain it will.
01:02:51You see...
01:02:54to me,
01:02:54the portrait reflected
01:02:56not only a friendship,
01:02:59but a great understanding
01:03:01you felt for the subject.
01:03:03I hope you're never disappointed.
01:03:06Well, I must run.
01:03:07I have a lot of work
01:03:08to do at the house.
01:03:10You got that one
01:03:11important case you mentioned?
01:03:12That's the one.
01:03:14Thank you for coming, Myra.
01:03:17We will see you again
01:03:18before we leave.
01:03:19Yes, you will.
01:03:21By the way, Carl,
01:03:23there's something
01:03:23I've been wanting
01:03:24to ask you.
01:03:26Suppose the portrait of me
01:03:28had turned out badly.
01:03:31Suppose you'd realize
01:03:33you'd made a mistake
01:03:34in the manner
01:03:35in which you'd handled it.
01:03:37What would you have done?
01:03:41Destroyed it, of course.
01:03:42Despite your fee?
01:03:44Despite anything.
01:03:46Strange.
01:03:49I've always felt
01:03:50that the same parallel
01:03:51existed in law.
01:03:56Well, I've got to be going.
01:03:57Good night.
01:03:59Night, Craig.
01:04:14I can't tell you
01:04:15how good it's been
01:04:15having dinner here
01:04:16with you, Craig.
01:04:18Wish we could do it
01:04:18more often.
01:04:20Ray,
01:04:21there's something
01:04:22I want to ask you.
01:04:24Shoot.
01:04:25About the Myra Leeds trial.
01:04:27Oh, my.
01:04:28Well, I talk over
01:04:29yesterday's headlines.
01:04:31You asked the jury
01:04:33to find Myra guilty
01:04:34of first-degree murder.
01:04:36Hmm.
01:04:38At the end of the trial,
01:04:40the jury found her
01:04:40not guilty.
01:04:43How did you find her?
01:04:47It's important to me, Ray.
01:04:48I want to know.
01:04:52All right, Craig.
01:04:56You were very convincing.
01:04:58I can understand
01:04:59you were swaying that jury,
01:05:00but you didn't sway me.
01:05:02At the time,
01:05:03I still thought
01:05:04she was guilty.
01:05:05I was sure you did.
01:05:06You know,
01:05:07I thought about it
01:05:08for a long time.
01:05:09Now I know
01:05:10that the jury
01:05:12brought in
01:05:12the correct verdict.
01:05:14I've known you
01:05:14too many years, Craig.
01:05:16You never would have
01:05:17said what you did
01:05:17just for the
01:05:18dramatic effect.
01:05:19Another attorney might,
01:05:21but not you.
01:05:23No, I admit it.
01:05:25On the Myra Leeds case,
01:05:27I was way off base.
01:05:32Well, thank you, Ray.
01:05:35Now there's something
01:05:36I'd like you to do
01:05:37for me.
01:05:42Hello, Mrs. Leeds.
01:05:44Mr. Carlton's expecting you.
01:05:45Thank you, Jenny.
01:05:47Mrs. Leeds?
01:05:53Mr. Willis?
01:05:54Myra,
01:05:55if you could make it.
01:05:57Now, it's getting late.
01:05:58I'd better leave.
01:05:59What a wonderful evening.
01:06:00Thanks for the talk, Ray.
01:06:02You've been very helpful.
01:06:04Mrs. Leeds.
01:06:18Why did you send for me?
01:06:19Why were you talking
01:06:20to the district attorney?
01:06:21We were talking about a case.
01:06:24Your case, Myra.
01:06:25This grotesque joke of yours
01:06:27has gone far enough.
01:06:28You still think this is a joke?
01:06:30You've got to stop it, Craig.
01:06:32Every time you talk to Carl,
01:06:34I...
01:06:34The other evening at dinner,
01:06:35I was terrified.
01:06:37What you're doing is inhuman.
01:06:38I can't stand much more of it.
01:06:40You're a murderous, Myra.
01:06:43Anything that happens to you
01:06:44won't be enough.
01:06:45Craig,
01:06:46the jury freed me.
01:06:48They found me innocent.
01:06:50All I want
01:06:51is to go away with Carl.
01:06:53Please understand,
01:06:54for the first time in my life,
01:06:55I want to live decently.
01:06:56You don't know
01:06:57the meaning of the word.
01:07:01At first,
01:07:01I thought Carl Holt
01:07:02was like you.
01:07:05But it wasn't long
01:07:06before I changed my mind.
01:07:08You fooled him, Myra.
01:07:10Just like you fooled me.
01:07:13He's too fine
01:07:14to be hurt
01:07:14by someone like you.
01:07:15I'm not going to let it happen.
01:07:17No matter what you're telling me,
01:07:18he won't believe you.
01:07:19There's no way of proving
01:07:21that I killed Joe.
01:07:22You're just trying to frighten me
01:07:24with more threats.
01:07:26Understand me, Myra.
01:07:29I never once meant
01:07:30to threaten you.
01:07:31I made you a promise.
01:07:37What I've compiled
01:07:39in this folder
01:07:39is no longer theory.
01:07:41It's proof.
01:07:43The only way
01:07:44you can prevent me
01:07:45from turning it over to Carl
01:07:47is to kill me.
01:07:49I'm not going to kill you.
01:07:50I'm not going to kill you.
01:07:52It must be maddening
01:07:54to know that in just
01:07:55a little while
01:07:56you're going to lose
01:07:57everything you've planned
01:07:58and killed for.
01:07:59You see, Myra,
01:08:02you can't win anymore.
01:08:10It was not long
01:08:12before my telephone
01:08:13began to ring.
01:08:14I knew it would be Myra.
01:08:16She was desperate.
01:08:17She wanted to see me
01:08:18right away.
01:08:19But I still had
01:08:20a few things to do
01:08:21so I told her
01:08:22I'd see her later
01:08:23at my office.
01:08:24I made the appointment
01:08:25for 12.30 sharp.
01:08:27It was now
01:08:28only a matter of waiting.
01:08:30Time took care
01:08:31of the wait.
01:08:32So now the pattern's complete.
01:08:34And it's the same pattern
01:08:36Joe Leeds lived.
01:08:38But this time,
01:08:39Myra won't be acquitted.
01:08:40That's where you're concerned, Ray.
01:08:43Because this time,
01:08:45you're not going
01:08:45to have to guess
01:08:46whether or not
01:08:47Myra is guilty.
01:08:48You'll know.
01:08:50You're going to be a witness.
01:08:53Yes.
01:09:38Thank you for being so prompt.
01:09:40You promised me an answer.
01:09:43Here it is.
01:09:45My complete file.
01:09:47Now no attorney could get you off.
01:09:49Not even me.
01:09:50I told you.
01:09:51I can't be tried for the same crime twice.
01:09:54And I told you I'm trying you before Carl Holt.
01:09:57We'll let him determine whether or not you're guilty.
01:10:00Or would you prefer this?
01:10:05I'm not going to kill anyone.
01:10:07Very well.
01:10:09That affords three of us a visit.
01:10:11Carl, you, and us.
01:10:13Carl, I'm going to call and ask him to come right over.
01:10:16After seeing this, if he still wants to marry a murderess, that's his business.
01:10:23Craig, don't call him.
01:10:30Craig.
01:10:33Don't make me do it.
01:10:37Hello?
01:10:37Craig!
01:10:47Hello?
01:10:49Hello?
01:10:50Hello?
01:10:51I'm sorry.
01:11:05Let's go.
01:11:43It's terrible. Craig has committed suicide.
01:12:12What are you doing here?
01:12:14He asked if I could meet him here at 12.30.
01:12:17Strange.
01:12:18Told me to be here at 12.40.
01:12:27I'd never expect Craig to do a thing like this.
01:12:44This is Ray Willis.
01:12:47Man shot himself.
01:12:48Will you send someone over right away, please?
01:12:50Uh, Chambers building.
01:12:52Room 2-4-0-7.
01:12:53No.
01:12:55He's dead.
01:13:15The tape recorder is still running.
01:13:18It must have been dictating when it happened.
01:13:33And it could be Craig's way of giving us an explanation.
01:13:46To Ray Willis, district attorney.
01:13:51Dear Ray,
01:13:54in exactly
01:13:5655 minutes,
01:13:58I will be dead.
01:13:59Murder.
01:14:00I am томrudis.
01:14:03I will be dead.
01:14:03I will be dead.
01:14:14Here come get through tonight.itesч
01:14:30בא�
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