The Kennel Murder Case (1933) is a pre‑Code mystery film directed by Michael Curtiz, starring William Powell as detective Philo Vance and Mary Astor as Hilda Lake. The story follows Vance as he investigates the apparent suicide of wealthy collector Archer Coe, found dead in a bedroom locked from the inside. As Vance digs deeper, evidence reveals multiple wounds inconsistent with suicide, a second body appears, and a web of jealousies, rivalries, and hidden motives emerges.
The film is widely regarded as one of the finest Philo Vance adaptations, praised for its brisk pacing, clever plotting, and Curtiz’s stylish direction.
Film Details
Year: 1933
Genre: Crime / Mystery / Whodunit
Director: Michael Curtiz
Screenplay: Robert N. Lee, Peter Milne; based on the novel by S. S. Van Dine
Produced by: Robert Presnell
Starring: William Powell, Mary Astor, Eugene Pallette, Ralph Morgan, Robert McWade
Cinematography: William Rees
Edited by: Harold McLernon
Music: Bernhard Kaun
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Date: October 28, 1933
Runtime: 73 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
Budget: $272,000; Box Office: $682,000
#TheKennelMurderCase1933 #PhiloVance #WilliamPowell #MaryAstor #MichaelCurtiz #PreCodeMystery #LockedRoomMystery #WarnerBros #ClassicWhodunit #1930sCinema
The film is widely regarded as one of the finest Philo Vance adaptations, praised for its brisk pacing, clever plotting, and Curtiz’s stylish direction.
Film Details
Year: 1933
Genre: Crime / Mystery / Whodunit
Director: Michael Curtiz
Screenplay: Robert N. Lee, Peter Milne; based on the novel by S. S. Van Dine
Produced by: Robert Presnell
Starring: William Powell, Mary Astor, Eugene Pallette, Ralph Morgan, Robert McWade
Cinematography: William Rees
Edited by: Harold McLernon
Music: Bernhard Kaun
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Date: October 28, 1933
Runtime: 73 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
Budget: $272,000; Box Office: $682,000
#TheKennelMurderCase1933 #PhiloVance #WilliamPowell #MaryAstor #MichaelCurtiz #PreCodeMystery #LockedRoomMystery #WarnerBros #ClassicWhodunit #1930sCinema
Category
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Short filmTranscript
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00:05:26Now, let's see, where did I put that?
00:05:30Ah, here it is.
00:05:33Unsolved murders.
00:05:34You know, I almost forgot it.
00:05:37I wouldn't have been able to sleep a wink tonight,
00:05:39wondering who murdered who and why.
00:05:41How any intelligent man can read that drivel
00:05:43is beyond me, Brisbane.
00:05:44What time does that Chicago train go?
00:05:46Five o'clock.
00:05:47Well, it's 4.15.
00:05:48Oh, you've got plenty of time.
00:05:49Yes, I know, but I want to get out of here
00:05:50before Archer gets home.
00:05:54Good afternoon, sir.
00:05:55Afternoon.
00:05:56Is my brother at home?
00:05:58Yes, sir, he's upstairs.
00:05:59Tell him I want to see him.
00:06:00Yes, sir.
00:06:03Your taxi's waiting, sir.
00:06:04All right, there's the bag.
00:06:06Did you get those reservations?
00:06:08Yes, sir.
00:06:09And Mr. Archer told me to tell you he wants to see you, sir.
00:06:12Oh, he did, eh?
00:06:14You tell him I don't want to see him, tell him I said so.
00:06:17In those words, sir?
00:06:18Exactly.
00:06:19Unless you can think of something stronger.
00:06:21Yes, sir.
00:06:24Of course, of course, it's none of my business, Brisbane.
00:06:28But I wouldn't talk that way in front of Gamble.
00:06:30I don't trust him.
00:06:32I just couldn't resist it.
00:06:34I'd like to see the look on Archer's face when he tells him.
00:06:37I wouldn't.
00:06:37But how the deuce can you stand it here?
00:06:40Why, there wouldn't be enough money in the world to compensate me for being Archer co-secretary.
00:06:44Oh, he's not as bad as all that.
00:06:46Say, you better be getting along.
00:06:47There's such a thing as carrying loyalty too far.
00:06:49Don't forget, I overheard a few of his choice remarks to you when you dared to suggest that
00:06:53you were in love with Hilda and wanted to marry her.
00:06:56I'm afraid you're taking Archer a little too seriously, old man.
00:07:02Did you deliver my message?
00:07:04I thought it best to wait till you were safely away, sir.
00:07:08Do you mind dropping me off?
00:07:09I have an engagement with Hilda for dinner.
00:07:10Come ahead.
00:07:11Come ahead.
00:07:11Come ahead.
00:07:12Come ahead.
00:07:14All aboard.
00:07:17Albany Express.
00:07:19Stanford.
00:07:20Bridgeport.
00:07:21New London.
00:07:23New Haven.
00:07:24West Philly.
00:07:26Providence.
00:07:27Forster.
00:07:35Here is Sir Thomas MacDonald New.
00:07:37Here is Sir Thomas MacDonald New.
00:07:42What's the matter, Sandy?
00:07:43Something terrible has happened, sir.
00:07:44Gilly's gone.
00:07:45What?
00:07:45And I cannot find him.
00:07:47They have taken him off to the bench, sir.
00:07:48Well, he couldn't have got loose.
00:07:56He didn't break that lock himself, either.
00:07:58I haven't been away from that dog for ten minutes all day, sir.
00:08:01I just went into the restaurant to get a wee sandwich, and when I come back, he was
00:08:04gone.
00:08:05Sir Thomas.
00:08:06Yes?
00:08:07I think we found him, sir.
00:08:09Where?
00:08:10Out in the alley, sir.
00:08:18This way, sir.
00:08:23Gilly.
00:08:25He's dead.
00:08:31I'll kill the man who did this.
00:08:38Listen, Tom, you mustn't do anything until you're sure.
00:08:40Please.
00:08:41I've got my own ideas.
00:08:44Oh, I know Uncle Archer's mean and cruel, but I can't believe he'd do a thing like this.
00:08:57Hello?
00:08:59I'm sorry, but Mr. Archer Coe isn't here.
00:09:03Your dog dead?
00:09:05Well, I'm terribly sorry.
00:09:08I'll try to locate him at once.
00:09:19Help!
00:09:20Go away from me, you.
00:09:24Get out of here.
00:09:26Get out.
00:09:28I suspected it when I saw you together this afternoon.
00:09:30You're nothing but a two-timing...
00:09:32Get out of my apartment.
00:09:36Get out.
00:09:37From now on, it is your apartment.
00:09:38All yours.
00:09:40I'm getting out for good.
00:09:52Oh, Mr. Coe.
00:09:54My dear friend, I...
00:09:55Yes, I see you are.
00:09:57Pardon me?
00:09:57Yes.
00:09:58Oh, I am...
00:09:59How do you say it?
00:10:01I came to see you.
00:10:03I received a cable from Milan authorizing me to complete the deal for your Chinese collection.
00:10:07And confirming the price of $117,000.
00:10:11Means decorations and all that sort of thing.
00:10:13From a very grateful government, I suppose.
00:10:15Oh, un momento.
00:10:16But it's no good now, of course.
00:10:17I've changed my mind.
00:10:18Oh, but you have promised me.
00:10:19You can't go back on your word.
00:10:20What will I tell my people?
00:10:21What will I say?
00:10:22Pity you didn't think of this before.
00:10:24You might have been a little more discreet, eh, Grassy?
00:10:26But you have signed a contract with me.
00:10:28Too bad for you.
00:10:28It's still at my home.
00:10:29In my safe.
00:10:30Oh, but you will...
00:10:31Most certainly destroy it.
00:10:33Tonight.
00:10:34I'll tell you what I'll do.
00:10:36I'll give you Miss Delafield.
00:10:38For nothing.
00:10:39Then I'll tell you what I'll taste.
00:10:44This song?
00:10:44Well.
00:11:05Let's go to the feast day.
00:11:08Congratulations.
00:11:12Hey, Leanne, at it again, eh?
00:11:15I was led to believe that a cook's place is in the kitchen.
00:11:17The next time I saw it.
00:11:17I have been expecting my dismissal, Mr. Cole.
00:11:20We have served our purpose, these priceless treasures and I.
00:11:24I overheard Mr. Reed saying you were preparing to sell this whole collection.
00:11:28You've been listening at the keyhole, have you?
00:11:29You cannot sell them, Mr. Cole.
00:11:32Do you think I would have dishonored my ancestors, perjured my soul,
00:11:35cheated my own countrymen to acquire these for you?
00:11:38Had I not believed that you would reverence them as I do?
00:11:41That's the worst of your race, a pack of mawkish sentimentalists about your ancestors.
00:11:45I don't need you tonight. Go on, get out.
00:11:51I would suggest you consider most carefully before you sell.
00:12:10Good night.
00:12:23Good night.
00:12:25Good night.
00:12:28Good night.
00:12:37Go on, get out.
00:12:49Mr. Cole.
00:12:54Mr. Cole.
00:13:01Breakfast, Mr. Cole.
00:13:03Breakfast.
00:13:18That's my fault.
00:13:19Mr. Reed!
00:13:19Mr. Reed!
00:13:22What is it, Gamble?
00:13:24Mr. Cole.
00:13:25Mr. Archie Cole has killed himself.
00:13:27Killed himself?
00:13:28When and how?
00:13:29He's sitting in there like the door's bolted.
00:13:32You're positive?
00:13:33Yes, sir.
00:13:34In his bedroom.
00:13:35Phone the police.
00:13:36Yes, sir.
00:13:37You're positive?
00:13:46Hello?
00:13:47Give me police headquarters, quick.
00:13:52Homicide, Sergeant Miller speaking.
00:13:55Wait a minute, wait a minute.
00:13:57I don't get you.
00:13:58Take it easy.
00:13:59All right.
00:13:59None of your questions.
00:14:01Suicide.
00:14:02Suicide?
00:14:03Wait a minute.
00:14:04You're not going to run out on this hand.
00:14:06Yep.
00:14:09Oh, Archer Coe, 98 East 71st Street.
00:14:13Okay, I got you.
00:14:14Is that it, Sergeant?
00:14:15Yeah.
00:14:17Well, goodbye, Ernest.
00:14:18Sergeant Heath, to you, Cobb.
00:14:20Kick in with that six-beds.
00:14:21Oh, relax, will you?
00:14:24This is your case, Sergeant.
00:14:25You better get the boys out.
00:14:2898 71st Street?
00:14:29That's right.
00:14:30All right.
00:14:30Come on, Sniff.
00:14:31Tell Dr. Ramis to hurry right out to 98 East 71st Street.
00:14:35Did you say East, Sergeant?
00:14:37East?
00:14:38Yes.
00:14:38I got it.
00:14:39Daily Mail, give me a city desk.
00:14:41Calling car 18, car 18.
00:14:43Oh, Times?
00:14:43Charlie Adler.
00:14:4498 East 71st Street.
00:14:46Last night, Archer Coe committed suicide.
00:14:48Proceed immediately and call your station for instruction.
00:14:57Aaron Warmer with lights and mounted winds from New York vicinity today and tomorrow.
00:15:01And now for the latest newsflash.
00:15:03Archer Coe, the well-known sportsman and collector, committed suicide last night at his home, 98 East 71st Street.
00:15:10His body was discovered by the butler at 8 this morning when he took up a breakfast tray.
00:15:14No reason has been advanced for this action as Mr. Coe was in excellent health and had no financial trouble.
00:15:20No news has been received from the crew.
00:15:26Is the landfall still connected?
00:15:28Yes, sir.
00:15:28But it will be disconnected in about two minutes, sir.
00:15:30I see.
00:15:37Hello?
00:15:38Hello, Markham.
00:15:40Hello, Vance.
00:15:41I thought you were on your way to Italy.
00:15:43I am.
00:15:45Well, I say, Markham, I just heard about Archer Coe.
00:15:48Yes.
00:15:49Too bad he had to bump himself off like that.
00:15:51That's why I called you.
00:15:53Are you sure that he did bump himself off?
00:15:55Well, as butler tells us, he's sitting in a locked room with a revolver in his hand and a bullet
00:15:59in his head.
00:16:00I don't know what else you'd call him.
00:16:02I don't know how to butt into your affairs, but aren't you a bit hasty in jumping to that conclusion?
00:16:07Hasty?
00:16:07Why?
00:16:08Well, if you knew Archer Coe, you would know that suicide is almost a psychological impossibility for him.
00:16:14Psychological, Bosh.
00:16:16Now, two and two make four, don't they?
00:16:17Well, how do you know you have two and two?
00:16:20Just let me point out to you.
00:16:21Oh, point out the Statue of Liberty.
00:16:23Say, Vance.
00:16:24Hello?
00:16:25Hello?
00:16:26The landfall has been disconnected, sir.
00:16:29Oh.
00:16:34Uh, will you have my luggage brought up?
00:16:36Yes, sir.
00:16:37Steward.
00:16:37I just have them sent it ashore.
00:16:39I've decided not to sail.
00:16:40Sir?
00:16:43Vance, you've been right about a lot of cases in the past, but I can't help smiling at you getting
00:16:47off that boat and giving up a swell trip all because of a hunch.
00:16:51As a matter of fact, Markham, it was more than a hunch.
00:16:54Huh?
00:16:55It just so happens that I talked with Archer Coe only yesterday.
00:16:58What?
00:16:59Where?
00:17:00The Long Island Kennel Club.
00:17:03You know, I can't conceive of a man on the verge of suicide.
00:17:06Being very deeply concerned over winning a championship at a dog show.
00:17:10Can you?
00:17:11No.
00:17:11What do you mean?
00:17:12Simply this.
00:17:13As late as yesterday afternoon, Archer Coe was looking forward with the keenest anticipation to winning a blue ribbon from
00:17:19Sir Thomas McDonald's day.
00:17:21Sir Thomas McDonald's?
00:17:22Say, wasn't it his dog that was found dead last night?
00:17:25Right.
00:17:26And Archer Coe found dead this morning.
00:17:28You suppose there might be some connection there?
00:17:30I don't know.
00:17:32But if someone were to try to kill Captain McTavish, I'd probably turn murderer myself, wouldn't I, Captain?
00:17:41Hello, Mr. Markham.
00:17:43I got your message to hold everything up.
00:17:45What's the idea?
00:17:47Hello, Mr. Van.
00:17:49Good morning, Sergeant.
00:17:50Well, it's been a long time.
00:17:51Several years.
00:17:52I might have known it would be you, the world's champion troubleshooter.
00:17:56Now, come on, boys.
00:17:57Come inside.
00:17:58Well, Chief, this is another just-open-and-shut case.
00:18:03Mr. Reed, the secretary.
00:18:05This is Gamble, the butler.
00:18:07Yes, sir.
00:18:08Mr. Markham, the district attorney.
00:18:09How do you do, sir?
00:18:10And, uh, Mr. Vance.
00:18:12How do you do?
00:18:12How do you do?
00:18:13Everything just as it was?
00:18:14Well, they said they haven't touched anything.
00:18:16We thought it best to leave everything intact, sir.
00:18:18Good.
00:18:19Where's the room?
00:18:20Upstairs.
00:18:21This way, please.
00:18:27You, uh, been in Mr. Coe's service long?
00:18:30About three months, sir.
00:18:31And before that?
00:18:33Why, uh, unfortunately, I was unemployed, sir.
00:18:36This is it, sir.
00:18:41Yep, he's there, all right.
00:18:43Just like I told the police on the phone.
00:18:44I tried the door, found it, locked, looked through the keyhole,
00:18:47and there he was, dead.
00:18:51I think this is a job for you, Sergeant.
00:18:53Certainly, Mr. Vance.
00:19:00Well, Hennessy, what are you standing there for, your health?
00:19:03This takes beef.
00:19:04All right.
00:19:13Congratulations, Sergeant.
00:19:15What is this, a bedroom or a museum?
00:19:19More junk here than a Chinese Josh house.
00:19:32I trust I did the right thing, sir, by not breaking down the door.
00:19:36I realized I could be of no help to him.
00:19:38Oh, he's been quite dead for hours.
00:19:40Bumped himself off, that's plain enough.
00:19:42Certainly looks that way, Vance.
00:19:44I'm afraid your trip was spoiled for nothing.
00:19:46I think not, Markham.
00:19:48This may prove far more interesting than a trip to Europe.
00:19:58You carry a gun?
00:19:59No, sir.
00:20:01You?
00:20:02Yes, sir, but only at night for the protection of the household.
00:20:05Is that it?
00:20:07Why, I...
00:20:08Come on.
00:20:09No, that was Mr. Archer's.
00:20:12But he always kept it in a desk drawer downstairs.
00:20:15I saw it yesterday morning as I was putting away some papers.
00:20:17Oh, you did, eh?
00:20:19Did, eh, Mr. Coe generally keep his windows locked?
00:20:22Why, no, sir.
00:20:23As a matter of fact, he was a great believer in fresh air.
00:20:26Ah, indeed.
00:20:27I wonder if these gentlemen would mind waiting downstairs.
00:20:30Why, certainly not.
00:20:31I'm sorry we had to damage your door.
00:20:33That's quite all right.
00:20:34It's easily repaired.
00:20:35I'll have it attended to at once, sir.
00:20:37Hennessy, see that no one leaves the house without my permission.
00:20:39All right.
00:20:43It's as plain as a nose on your face.
00:20:45This guy locked himself in here and blew out his brains.
00:20:47I wish I could agree with you, sergeant.
00:20:50How the devil could it be anything but suicide?
00:20:53It was all very well for you to theorize before we got here, Vance.
00:20:57But now that you've seen this and there are no signs of a struggle...
00:21:01And the door bolted on the inside and no means of entrance to the room...
00:21:05Ah, no other means of entrance.
00:21:07All right, you are, sergeant.
00:21:09But we can hardly call a second-story window a means of entrance.
00:21:16And nothing here that even a human fly could crawl on.
00:21:19So why should Archer Cole lock his windows?
00:21:21Particularly if he was a fresh air enthusiast.
00:21:23I'm afraid your reasoning is not altogether convincing.
00:21:27Well, perhaps so.
00:21:28But doesn't it strike you as rather odd that a man should suddenly decide to commit suicide
00:21:32while changing from his street clothes to pajamas?
00:21:35Well, why not?
00:21:35A man debating suicide might get partially undressed
00:21:38and walk up and down for hours trying to make up his mind.
00:21:41Yes, he might walk up and down for hours, but not with one shoe half off.
00:21:45No, Markham.
00:21:47Something stopped him as he was removing that shoe.
00:21:49This was supposed to suggest suicide, but...
00:21:53someone miscalculated.
00:21:55But you can't get away from that bolted door.
00:21:57I wish I could.
00:21:59Well, the way you figure it out, the man was murdered.
00:22:02As soon as the killer is gone, he gets up, goes and bolts the door,
00:22:06plants himself in a comfortable chair with a loaded gun in his hand to suggest suicide.
00:22:11That's a swell theory.
00:22:17Hello, Gamble.
00:22:19What is this?
00:22:21What's happened?
00:22:21Something terrible has happened, Miss Lake.
00:22:23Hilda.
00:22:24What is it, Raymond?
00:22:26What is it?
00:22:27It's your Uncle Archer, Hilda.
00:22:28He killed himself last night.
00:22:32Where are...
00:22:32They're upstairs.
00:22:46Hey, don't touch that body, miss.
00:22:50Oh, Mr. Vance.
00:22:51How do you do, Miss Lake?
00:22:53This is Mr. Markham, the district attorney.
00:22:55How do you do?
00:22:56Miss Lake is Coe's niece.
00:22:57I'm sorry, Miss Lake, but you mustn't touch anything until the medical examiner arrives.
00:23:02It's against regulation.
00:23:03Is it also against regulations to tell me what's happened?
00:23:06We arrived only a few moments ago.
00:23:07We found your uncle as you see him.
00:23:10It has every appearance of suicide.
00:23:13I doubt it.
00:23:16Do you know of anyone who would have reason to kill your uncle?
00:23:20Yes.
00:23:21I had, for one.
00:23:23Why, Miss Lake?
00:23:24Because he stood in the way of everything I wanted.
00:23:27He made my life miserable because he held the purse strings.
00:23:31And because...
00:23:31Because he was jealous of every man who came near me.
00:23:35I was afraid of him.
00:23:38Oh, the horrible nights I've spent in this house.
00:23:44Are we to accept your comments as a confession of murder, Miss Lake?
00:23:48Look here, Markham, that's ridiculous.
00:23:49Please, Raymond.
00:23:50I think I can handle this situation myself.
00:23:53When we found your uncle, Miss Lake,
00:23:55the door was bolted from the inside.
00:23:59Bolted inside?
00:24:02Oh.
00:24:05Maybe he did shoot himself.
00:24:07Can't you make up your mind?
00:24:08Do you know of anyone else who felt as you do about your uncle?
00:24:11Practically everyone he came in contact with.
00:24:13He was ruthless.
00:24:14He wanted his own way in everything.
00:24:16I imagine there are plenty of Chinese
00:24:18who will be glad to know that his collecting days are over.
00:24:21Ask our cook.
00:24:22I shall.
00:24:24Can you think of anyone else?
00:24:25Well, Uncle Brisbane shared my feelings toward him, I'm sure.
00:24:28Where is this Brisbane guy?
00:24:30Maybe he decided to do something about it.
00:24:32That's impossible.
00:24:33He's on his way to Chicago.
00:24:35He left on the five o'clock train yesterday afternoon.
00:24:36He'd be just about getting there by now.
00:24:39Well, you'd probably like to wire him, wouldn't you?
00:24:42Why, yes, of course.
00:24:45Is that all?
00:24:46Before the present, yes.
00:24:52Suppose we check up enough of Brisbane on that Chicago train.
00:24:56Won't take me but a minute.
00:25:04Come on, Sniffkin.
00:25:06Get your feet off the boss's desk and jump down to Grand Central.
00:25:14All right, I get you.
00:25:27Yes, Mr. Heath.
00:25:28Langham Hotel, Chicago.
00:25:30Yes, sir, I'll watch the call.
00:25:32Hold the wire, please.
00:25:35Oh, yes, Mr. Heath.
00:25:36We're expecting Mr. Brisbane called this morning.
00:25:38Oh, yes.
00:25:39He wired for a reservation last night.
00:25:42Goodbye.
00:25:44Yep.
00:25:45He took the five o'clock train, all right.
00:25:47Good.
00:25:48You know, there's a few things I'd like to find out about this girl, Hilda Lake.
00:25:52Why are you always trying to check up on me?
00:25:55I'm not trying to check up on you, Hilda.
00:25:57I want to help you.
00:25:59Well, you know how I feel about you.
00:26:00You know that I love you.
00:26:02But lately, you seem to have changed.
00:26:04Every time I want to speak to you about marriage, you evade me.
00:26:07What's on your mind?
00:26:09Oh, nothing, nothing.
00:26:11Raymond, I never said I'd marry you.
00:26:13But I thought that now we...
00:26:15Well, that I could take you away from here.
00:26:18You might as well know now as later.
00:26:20When all this is cleared up, I'm going to marry Tal MacDonald.
00:26:24Oh.
00:26:26Oh, try to understand, Raymond.
00:26:28I'm sorry.
00:26:30Oh, don't tell me.
00:26:31Come on, don't try to kid us.
00:26:32Keep quiet.
00:26:33Oh, suicide, my eye.
00:26:34With the DA himself and Vance on the job.
00:26:36It's suicide and that's that.
00:26:37Oh, come on, have a cigar.
00:26:38It's still suicide.
00:26:42Hey, wait a minute.
00:26:45Are you a reporter?
00:26:47No, I'm Sir Thomas MacDonald.
00:26:48I'd like to talk to the officer in charge here.
00:26:50Oh, come on inside.
00:26:56Tom!
00:27:00Why didn't you stay away from here?
00:27:02And leave you to face this thing alone?
00:27:03But you promised me last night you wouldn't come here.
00:27:05Won't you go, please?
00:27:06I can bluff it through.
00:27:07I don't want the police asking you questions.
00:27:09I know all the answers.
00:27:10Oh, but please go for my sake.
00:27:11Let's forget about it, shall we?
00:27:12It's too late now.
00:27:13In any case, the police are guarding every entrance.
00:27:15Wait a moment.
00:27:17You can cross through that yard and get to your apartment.
00:27:19No one will see you.
00:27:20Take the first boat to England and I'll join you as soon as I can.
00:27:23Watch out for those newspaper bands, Sir Thomas.
00:27:25They're even deadlier than the police.
00:27:27I had no intention of leaving.
00:27:29Ah, good.
00:27:30Oh, by the way, I was sorry to hear about the death of your dog last night.
00:27:33Oh, thanks.
00:27:34You didn't by any chance discuss it with Archer Cole, did you?
00:27:38No.
00:27:39If I had, I might have killed him.
00:27:42Well, did you?
00:27:43That's your problem.
00:27:47Yeah, man, I want to see.
00:27:48Any news, Doctor?
00:27:49How about a statement?
00:27:50Give me a chat.
00:27:51Oh, wait a minute.
00:27:52I'm a doctor, not a magician.
00:27:54Almost full in front of you.
00:27:55Go on, now.
00:27:56Scram.
00:27:56Oh, I'm not a man.
00:27:57Wait a minute.
00:27:59Hello, Dad.
00:27:59Hello.
00:28:00Hello, Kelsey.
00:28:00Where have you been?
00:28:01Haven't seen you for a long time.
00:28:02Working hard.
00:28:02Doc, what kept you so long?
00:28:04Did you walk all the way?
00:28:06You always pick on me at mealtime.
00:28:08I was in the middle of cakes and sausage.
00:28:10What have you got?
00:28:11Just plain suicide.
00:28:13This guy locked himself in the room, bumped himself off.
00:28:16Suicide?
00:28:16Then why didn't you let me finish my breakfast?
00:28:18Hello, Doc.
00:28:18Hello, Markham.
00:28:19All you need is an order to remove the body.
00:28:22If you told me that over the phone, I would have sent my assistant.
00:28:25Mr. Markham told me to phone you personally.
00:28:27Don't crab at me about it.
00:28:28I'll give you the approximate hour of the death, if you want it.
00:28:31That's big hard of you, Doc.
00:28:32And the routine autopsy, we can do tomorrow, as it's just a case of suicide.
00:28:38Why do you jump to that conclusion, Doctor?
00:28:41I know a dead man when I see one.
00:28:43Besides, the door was bolted.
00:28:44I know.
00:28:44The door was bolted from the inside.
00:28:46But what about the body?
00:28:47Hadn't you better have a look at it?
00:28:49I was going to.
00:28:51I'm a doctor, not a detective.
00:28:53This man is dead with a bullet hole in his right temple.
00:28:56He's holding a gun in his right hand.
00:28:58Just the kind of wound that might have been self-inflicted.
00:29:01The position is natural.
00:29:03And the door was locked on the inside.
00:29:06Well, let me see.
00:29:09That's strange.
00:29:11Did you find something to disturb you, Doctor?
00:29:13Plenty.
00:29:14There's blood in his mouth.
00:29:16And he's got a skull fracture from some club-like instrument.
00:29:20Now what about the bullet wound in his temple?
00:29:22There's no blood there.
00:29:25That's so.
00:29:29Gentlemen.
00:29:30When that bullet entered this man's head,
00:29:33he had been dead for hours.
00:29:38Can you place the time of his death?
00:29:39I'd say from 8 to 12 hours ago.
00:29:42Would you say that the revolver was placed in his hand
00:29:44before rigor mortis set in?
00:29:45Yes.
00:29:46Did he die from the effects of the blow on the head?
00:29:49No.
00:29:49Probably rendered him unconscious for a while.
00:29:51But that wouldn't have killed him.
00:29:53Not powerful enough.
00:29:54The blow didn't kill him,
00:29:55the bullet didn't kill him,
00:29:55and yet he's dead.
00:29:57Suppose we try to find out just what did kill him.
00:29:59Glad you thought of that, Mr. Vance.
00:30:01It's not a bad idea.
00:30:04Perhaps I'd better take another look.
00:30:10Quiet, boys.
00:30:11Let's pick up these clues before they get messed up here.
00:30:15Just a minute, Doc.
00:30:16Please.
00:30:19Ready?
00:30:21Give me a hand, Sergeant.
00:30:22Help me lift the body over to the bed.
00:30:24Where do you want to come from?
00:30:25All right, boys.
00:30:26Let's get this body over on the bed.
00:30:27Let's get this body over on the bed.
00:30:28Let's get around the handles, around the body.
00:30:31Let's get that meat and fly.
00:30:33All right, now we'll get a hold.
00:30:35Here we go, boys.
00:30:36Let's get it.
00:30:38Lift him easy.
00:30:39Easy.
00:30:40There he is.
00:30:41Now then, just a little more that way.
00:30:43All right, that's it.
00:30:44That's it.
00:30:45There couldn't have been much of a struggle.
00:30:47His hair isn't even massed.
00:30:49Maybe somebody slugged him and then combed his hair.
00:30:52By George, now I've got it.
00:30:55Stabbed below the left shoulder blade, near the spine.
00:31:00There's no external bleeding.
00:31:03Internal hemorrhage, huh?
00:31:04That's it.
00:31:06What do you think of the suicide theory now, Sergeant?
00:31:08Well, it's slightly complicated for him to shot, slug, and stab himself, particularly in the back.
00:31:14Yeah, it's very complicated.
00:31:16Oh, Markham.
00:31:17Yeah.
00:31:19You see, there's no hole in the back of his pajama jacket.
00:31:22So he couldn't have been wearing that when he was stabbed.
00:31:24But get this.
00:31:26There's a hole in the back of his coat, and another in his waistcoat, bloodstained.
00:31:31He must have been fully dressed when he was attacked.
00:31:33That is me out.
00:31:34I finished.
00:31:34I suppose you want a quick autopsy.
00:31:36Yes.
00:31:37Get that body down to the morgue as soon as possible.
00:31:39Good day, gentlemen.
00:31:40Good day.
00:31:41Hey, now.
00:31:41Yes?
00:31:43Do you think there's any possible chance of that being suicide?
00:31:46What?
00:31:47All right, all right.
00:31:47Just a fair question, big boy.
00:31:49Go on home and get your hotcakes and sausage.
00:31:51You need the strength.
00:31:52Ten a second.
00:31:53Yeah.
00:31:54Right after that deadweight.
00:31:55Right.
00:31:55Any report on that wire?
00:31:56Not yet, Sarge.
00:32:03I'll send a wire to this guy, Markham, 98 East 71st Street, New York City, and tell him,
00:32:20What time did Brisbane Coe leave for Chicago?
00:32:24In time to catch the five o'clock train, sir.
00:32:27How do you know he caught the five o'clock train?
00:32:29I phoned for the reservation, brought him his walking stick and overcoat, and put his bag
00:32:34in the taxi.
00:32:35Ah.
00:32:36Did you remain in the house all evening?
00:32:38Why, no, sir.
00:32:38I went out about 6.30.
00:32:40It was a servant's night off.
00:32:42Everyone was out to dinner.
00:32:44Did you notice anything unusual in Mr. Brisbane's manner when he left?
00:32:48Well, now that you mention it, he was distracted and very irritable.
00:32:52You say you gave him his stick?
00:32:54Yes, sir.
00:32:55What kind of stick?
00:32:57His favorite.
00:32:58An ivory-handled one.
00:32:59He never went anywhere without it, sir.
00:33:01You're quite sure he took that particular stick with him?
00:33:04Positive.
00:33:04I handed it to him myself, sir.
00:33:06Did you see him when he returned here last evening?
00:33:09Returned?
00:33:09Yes.
00:33:10I didn't know he had returned, sir.
00:33:12That whose ivory-headed stick is that hanging over that chair in the hall?
00:33:16Sit down.
00:33:17Sit down.
00:33:18Steady, Gamble.
00:33:19Steady.
00:33:22Is this it?
00:33:24Is it?
00:33:25Yes, sir.
00:33:26I can't understand it.
00:33:27I suppose you saw nothing of his bag?
00:33:29Why, no, sir.
00:33:30Well, if he brought his cane back here, what did he do with his bag?
00:33:34Ah, very good, Sergeant.
00:33:35That's just the point.
00:33:36He undoubtedly left it somewhere.
00:33:37But where?
00:33:38I should think the most logical place would be the checkroom at the Grand Central Station.
00:33:42What kind of a bag was it?
00:33:44Just an ordinary pigskin bag, sir, with his initials B.C. on it.
00:33:49Is that it?
00:33:50Yeah, that looks like it.
00:33:55There's your police department receipt.
00:33:57What time was this checked?
00:33:594.45.
00:34:00Thanks, pal.
00:34:02Okay.
00:34:05Well, here it is.
00:34:06Put it here.
00:34:08Did you examine the contents?
00:34:09No, I brought it right up here.
00:34:11I'll open it.
00:34:11Did you find out what time this was checked?
00:34:13Yeah.
00:34:14There you are.
00:34:164.45.
00:34:18He must have gone direct from the house to the station.
00:34:21Did the attendant remember who left this?
00:34:23No, he said it was some management.
00:34:24Most of the time, he didn't even notice the people.
00:34:27Well, there's a shaving kit, shirts, underwear, socks, collars, slippers.
00:34:37Nothing in there that a man wouldn't ordinarily take with him on a short trip.
00:34:41Except this, perhaps.
00:34:44Unsolved murders.
00:34:46That's a swell book to take to Chicago.
00:34:48That's rather odd, isn't it?
00:34:49Yes, more than that.
00:34:51Gentlemen, the mist is beginning to rise.
00:34:54I think I know at least a part of what happened here last night.
00:34:58How about this?
00:35:00Let's say that Brisbane Coe started for Chicago on a night when he knew that no one but Archer would
00:35:04be at home.
00:35:05He missed his train purposely, checked his bag at the station, and returned here to kill his brother.
00:35:11To make a perfect alibi, he planned to take a later train to Chicago.
00:35:15But something stopped him.
00:35:17And something stopped Archer Coe before he could remove his shoes last night.
00:35:21You see what I mean?
00:35:22Those shoes of Archer's, that bag of Brisbane's, his stick hanging there in the hall that shouldn't have been there.
00:35:29Say, just a minute.
00:35:32Oh, uh, Gamble.
00:35:35Where did Mr. Brisbane usually put his half an overcoat when he came in?
00:35:38He always hung them in the closet, sir.
00:35:40Uh, which closet?
00:35:41This one.
00:35:48Oh!
00:35:55Mr. Brisbane!
00:35:58Well, Mr. Vance.
00:36:00Where are we now?
00:36:03I should say somewhere in the middle of the Gobi Desert.
00:36:12Hello.
00:36:13What?
00:36:15Again?
00:36:16I'm right in the middle of my lunch.
00:36:18First you interview with my breakfast.
00:36:20Then you ruin my lunch.
00:36:21Don't you boys ever eat?
00:36:23No.
00:36:23I'm on a diet.
00:36:25Oh, all right.
00:36:31All right, I'll attend to that later.
00:36:33Get me the wagon and the fingerprint gang.
00:36:41Just a minute, fellas.
00:36:42One side, please.
00:36:43Just a moment, please.
00:36:45Ready?
00:36:46That's all.
00:36:47All right, go ahead.
00:36:52Here.
00:36:53He's been dead for hours.
00:36:55And me thinking all the time he was playing parcel.
00:36:58Well, there are too many people in the world, anyway.
00:37:01Mr. Vance, this is just ordinary junk.
00:37:04I'm afraid so.
00:37:06And I'd rather hope for something important.
00:37:08Which one of the two victims died first, Arthur?
00:37:11Archie Coe, I think.
00:37:12This one, a little later.
00:37:13And the weapon?
00:37:14The same.
00:37:15Sharp and narrow.
00:37:17Second.
00:37:18Tag and list these.
00:37:19I think I'd better fingerprint everything inside and outside here.
00:37:22Right, Captain.
00:37:23Hennessy.
00:37:24Yes.
00:37:24Look for a sharp and narrow weapon.
00:37:25All right, Doc.
00:37:29Found something?
00:37:30Boy, it looks like fishing tackle.
00:37:32It's tackle, all right, but not fishing.
00:37:35Markham, we're dealing with a shrewd brain.
00:37:37The technique for this crime was very cleverly worked out.
00:37:40But something went wrong.
00:37:41Sergeant.
00:37:43Here's your order for the removal of the body.
00:37:45Thanks, Doc.
00:37:45So long.
00:37:46I want food.
00:37:48Well, nobody's stopping you.
00:37:50And if you've got any more corpses, bring them out now, will you?
00:37:52I can't be running up and down here all day.
00:37:54What do you mean, running up and down all day?
00:37:56With that swell car the city gave you.
00:37:58Oh.
00:37:59Nothing upsets the doctor.
00:38:27What do you think?
00:39:09I can handle everything if I don't get too much interference.
00:39:27Oh, Markham.
00:39:28Yes?
00:39:29You're just in time for a demonstration.
00:39:32I think I can show you how Brisbane Coe used this fishing tackle.
00:39:36He started for Chicago and barely used to provide an alibi.
00:39:40He had other plans in this room.
00:39:42Watch this.
00:39:44Notice the bent pin which is hooked on the bolt handle.
00:39:48This is attached to the string I am now pulling through the keyhole.
00:39:51If you follow the string, you will see that it passes around a pin in the wall.
00:39:55This acts as a pulley and is also attached to a string passing through the keyhole.
00:39:59You see, the bolt is now being forced into its socket.
00:40:03Well, upon my word.
00:40:05I now pull the first string through the keyhole and then the second string.
00:40:08And with it comes the pin, leaving no evidence.
00:40:11Now let me in.
00:40:14It worked?
00:40:16Yes, it worked.
00:40:17Well, that explains that then.
00:40:18Very clever.
00:40:19It could have been done that way.
00:40:21But if Brisbane killed Archer Coe, who killed Brisbane and hung him in the closet?
00:40:26Why did he do it?
00:40:29That's what we want to find out, isn't it?
00:40:30Exactly.
00:40:31Yeah.
00:40:33Gentlemen.
00:40:34Two persons planned the murder of Archer Coe.
00:40:36Two?
00:40:37What?
00:40:37But their paths crossed.
00:40:39Brisbane was one of them.
00:40:40The other?
00:40:41I've got it.
00:40:41The Chinese cook.
00:40:42They're full of those tricks.
00:40:44Now get this.
00:40:46Dr. Dorema said that Coe was struck over the head with a blunt instrument.
00:40:50This poker would answer that description, wouldn't it?
00:40:52Yes.
00:40:53And that certainly looks like dried blood.
00:40:55It certainly does.
00:40:56But what about those short, coarse hairs?
00:40:59They don't look like coats.
00:41:01No.
00:41:03Well, Mr. Vance, why didn't you find that when you looked in there this morning?
00:41:07It wasn't in there this morning.
00:41:10Besides, it doesn't belong in this room.
00:41:12It belongs downstairs in the library.
00:41:27Is that you, Captain?
00:41:29What's the matter with you?
00:41:33What is it?
00:41:38What is it, Captain?
00:41:55Oh, good boy, Captain.
00:41:58This dog's been struck a nasty blow.
00:42:01That explains the coarse hairs on the poker.
00:42:04Whose dog is this?
00:42:05I don't know.
00:42:06I mean, I've often seen it in the vacant lots.
00:42:09Just tell the truth, Gamble.
00:42:11Yes.
00:42:13Why don't you?
00:42:15It belongs to the lady next door, sir.
00:42:20Hennessy, get that fellow to her best as fast as you can, will you?
00:42:23Yes, sir.
00:42:29Easy, easy.
00:42:30Easy.
00:42:34Now, Gamble, let's have the name of the lady next door.
00:42:37Doris Delafield.
00:42:37Yes, I'm Miss Delafield.
00:42:40Won't you sit down, gentlemen?
00:42:43I'm sorry I didn't win you a trophy at the dog show.
00:42:45You're quite a fancier, aren't you?
00:42:46Yes, somewhat.
00:42:47I'm interested in one of your dogs.
00:42:49The Doberman.
00:42:51You mean Figaro.
00:42:52I wonder if I can have a look at him.
00:42:53I'm terribly sorry.
00:42:55You know, he slipped his leash last night and ran away.
00:42:58I've notified the police.
00:42:59My maid's been scouring the neighborhood trying to find him.
00:43:01Well, did she inquire at Mr. Coe's house next door?
00:43:07Well, I don't know.
00:43:09You and Mr. Coe have been good friends, haven't you?
00:43:14I know him.
00:43:15Why?
00:43:17Your dog was found in his house this morning, badly wounded.
00:43:22What?
00:43:22Have you any idea how he got there?
00:43:25No.
00:43:26Do you suppose he would follow someone into the house?
00:43:29Why, I hardly think.
00:43:35Now, what are you driving at?
00:43:37Mr. Archer Coe and his brother were murdered last night.
00:43:42Murdered?
00:43:43I was afraid that...
00:43:47Just a moment.
00:43:49Hello.
00:43:50Is that Miss Doris Delafield's apartment?
00:43:53Would you please tell Miss Delafield
00:43:55that we couldn't get the reservations for her and Mr. Grassi on A-Deck
00:43:58and ask if B-Deck would be satisfactory?
00:44:01Miss Delafield will not be sailing.
00:44:04You can cancel a reservation for them both.
00:44:07Both?
00:44:09Do you mind telling me whom the other reservation was for?
00:44:13I refuse to answer that question.
00:44:16Would it be Mr. Grassi?
00:44:18But I am Mr. Grassi.
00:44:20And if I didn't cancel those reservations, who did?
00:44:23What?
00:44:24Miss Delafield.
00:44:25Oh, no, no, no, she didn't.
00:44:26No, really, there's been a mistake.
00:44:28As soon as I can find out about this, I'll call you back.
00:44:36I don't think you'll find Miss Delafield at home just now.
00:44:40And as for the cancellation of your steamship reservations,
00:44:42we regret very much that it was necessary.
00:44:44Who are you?
00:44:47This is Mr. Markham, the district attorney.
00:44:50I'm honored, but I'm afraid I don't quite understand.
00:44:52It's about this.
00:44:54As a matter of fact, Mr. Coe didn't commit suicide.
00:44:57He was murdered.
00:44:58Murdered?
00:44:59Would you mind coming along with us?
00:45:01Just a little matter of comparing fingerprints.
00:45:05No, not in the least.
00:45:15No, not in the least.
00:45:44I think that's all.
00:45:50Found anything yet?
00:45:52The one taken from the doorknob is too blurred for identification,
00:45:55but this one is very clear.
00:45:57It appears to be that of Liang, the Chinese cook.
00:46:14Let's go.
00:46:28Any luck?
00:46:30No, not yet.
00:46:31It must be here somewhere.
00:46:33I'm positive that the dagger that killed the coals belongs in that sheath.
00:46:38Tired, Martin? No, no.
00:46:53Well.
00:46:59That's strange. What is?
00:47:02The Ting Yar vase is missing. It's the most valuable in the whole collection.
00:47:06That's all that's left of it.
00:47:08If I'm not mistaken, that's blood.
00:47:10Blood.
00:47:13Markham, I'm coming more and more to the belief that Archer Coe was killed in this room.
00:47:17That poker, this dagger sheath, now these fragments, all here.
00:47:20But Vance, do you mean to tell me that the dead man walked upstairs?
00:47:24I'm not trying to tell you anything but the facts.
00:47:27It's the most remarkable case in my experience.
00:47:35I don't know.
00:47:36Find anything, Cap?
00:47:38Yes, sir.
00:47:39Plenty.
00:47:47Oh, Mr. Reed.
00:47:48Would you step in for a moment, please?
00:47:51Why, certainly.
00:47:54Smoke?
00:47:55No, thanks.
00:47:56Did you notice that the Ting Yar was missing?
00:48:01Missing?
00:48:06Why, it was here yesterday evening.
00:48:08At what time?
00:48:09At about 6.30 or 7 o'clock.
00:48:12I came back to talk to Mr. Cole.
00:48:14About what?
00:48:16Well, as a matter of fact, I...
00:48:17I wanted to quit my job as his secretary.
00:48:20Oh, you'd been having some difficulties with him?
00:48:23It was rather a personal matter.
00:48:25I wanted his permission to marry Miss Lake.
00:48:28What did he say to that?
00:48:29Hmm.
00:48:30He ordered me out.
00:48:32You went?
00:48:33Yes.
00:48:34Where?
00:48:35I went to find Miss Lake.
00:48:36I thought she was at the Kennel Club.
00:48:38But I had a puncture on the way, so it was rather late when I got there.
00:48:41She'd already left with Sir Thomas McDonald.
00:48:44Then I came home and went directly to bed.
00:48:46Did you hear anything or see anything when you came into the house?
00:48:49No.
00:48:51But after I'd been in bed for a while, I heard some noises downstairs.
00:48:54I opened the door and looked down.
00:48:56But it was only Liang, the Chinese cook, coming in.
00:48:59Was he customarily noisy in entering the house?
00:49:03Oh.
00:49:04As a matter of fact, it's the first time I ever heard him come in.
00:49:08Indeed.
00:49:10Well, I think that's all, Mr. Reed. Thank you.
00:49:12If there's anything I can do to help, let me know.
00:49:14Quite right. Good night.
00:49:14Good night.
00:49:19I think I'd check up on that Kennel Club alibi.
00:49:22I will.
00:49:23You might have those fragments checked for fingerprints, if you will.
00:49:26Yes.
00:49:27Meanwhile, I'll do a little exploring in the kitchen.
00:49:43Why, Mr. Vance.
00:49:45I thought, get Markham.
00:49:52Mr. Liang, I believe, you're the cook.
00:49:56Me cook.
00:49:58You can drop the pitch in English.
00:50:00That isn't necessary with me.
00:50:02Where did you go to school?
00:50:04Columbia University.
00:50:05Ah, that's considerable education for a cook, isn't it?
00:50:07Mr. Ko employed me because I know a great deal about Chinese porcelain.
00:50:12Ah, I see.
00:50:13That's a very lovely piece of ting-yao, isn't it?
00:50:16How did he get broken?
00:50:18I don't know, sir.
00:50:19I found the pieces in the waste basket in the library.
00:50:22You want me, Vance?
00:50:23Oh, yes.
00:50:25See that, Markham?
00:50:27More blood spots on the inside.
00:50:29Apparently, the murderer dropped the dagger in here to hide it.
00:50:31But he dropped it too hard and the vase broke.
00:50:35Uh, when did you find these pieces?
00:50:37This morning.
00:50:38This morning?
00:50:39You're sure it wasn't last night, about eight o'clock, let us say?
00:50:43No, sir.
00:50:44I did not get in until after midnight.
00:50:46I'm sure Mr. Reid or Mr. Gamble will tell you that.
00:50:50What time did you find the poker?
00:50:52The poker?
00:50:53Yes, the poker.
00:50:55The one you hid in the Chinese chest in Mr. Archer's room this afternoon.
00:50:59But I don't know what you mean.
00:51:00Oh, yes, you do.
00:51:02I was behind the door in that room when you hid it.
00:51:04Let me handle this, Mr. Vance.
00:51:06Are you gonna talk?
00:51:07Or do I have to mess ya?
00:51:09Wait.
00:51:10I'll tell you the truth.
00:51:11Well, spit it out.
00:51:14When I returned to my room here about eight o'clock last night...
00:51:17Ah, I thought so.
00:51:18I heard angry muffled voices in the library.
00:51:21Then a dull sound as of someone falling.
00:51:25I stood at my door here and listened.
00:51:27Then I heard footsteps cross the kitchen and go out the back door.
00:51:32And then?
00:51:33I walked up the corridor and everything was very quiet.
00:51:37I opened the library door and looked in.
00:51:40The furniture was overturned.
00:51:42The poker was there.
00:51:44The desk was disarranged.
00:51:46And the valuable tenu vase was broken.
00:51:49I thought there must be something wrong.
00:51:51So I went upstairs and looked into Mr. Ko's bedroom.
00:51:54He was dead.
00:51:56Fearing that I might be suspected,
00:51:58I went back to the library and picked up the broken pieces of the vase.
00:52:02And together with the poker, I took them to my room.
00:52:06And knowing that you were alone in the house, you were afraid you might be suspected.
00:52:09So you hid the weapons and left.
00:52:11Yes, sir.
00:52:13You returned to the house about midnight.
00:52:15And purposely made a lot of noise so as to establish your alibi. Is that right?
00:52:19Yes, sir.
00:52:20All right, then.
00:52:21Where did you put the dagger?
00:52:22I did not find the dagger.
00:52:24Don't give me that.
00:52:25What did you do with it after you stuck it in Archer Ko's back?
00:52:28I've got it, Mr. Markham.
00:52:29Yes?
00:52:29What?
00:52:30Fingerprint on this broken fragment belongs to the Italian, Eduardo Grossi.
00:52:36Well, Mr. Vance, looks like somebody else miscalculated.
00:52:45Yep, it fits.
00:52:46Well, that doesn't prove anything.
00:52:49What about this?
00:52:55Where did you get it?
00:52:57It was in Archer Ko's pocket.
00:52:59What were you doing outside the drawing room window last night?
00:53:01Why?
00:53:03I wanted to be sure that he was alone.
00:53:05Why?
00:53:06For weeks we had been negotiating for the sale of his collection to the museum at Milan.
00:53:10It meant everything to me.
00:53:12He kept raising the price, but on Monday we came to an understanding.
00:53:15And I caved with the museum that I had succeeded.
00:53:18And last night he turned me down.
00:53:20Because he saw me with Miss Delafield.
00:53:25Let me explain.
00:53:26Archer was extremely jealous of me.
00:53:28Well, you can't blame him for that.
00:53:30You went there to threaten him, didn't you?
00:53:32Which I had every right to do.
00:53:34I told him I would use any means to make him fulfill his contract.
00:53:37He laughed at me.
00:53:38Said that he would smash every piece in his collection before he'd let me have it.
00:53:41So you picked up the poker and did a little smashing on your own account, eh?
00:53:46I did not.
00:53:47Let me have the fragment, will you?
00:53:50Do you know how that was broken?
00:53:52Tignon bars?
00:53:53With blood stains on the inside and your fingerprint on the outside.
00:53:58I don't know.
00:53:59Sergeant!
00:53:59I think you'd better book him.
00:54:01Right.
00:54:03Come on.
00:54:04Let's get out of that monkey suit.
00:54:07Let's get going, come on.
00:54:08Don't worry.
00:54:09I'm not running away.
00:54:10You telling me?
00:54:16I suspected the Italian all along.
00:54:20Exactly.
00:54:22But why should Grassi also stab Brisbane?
00:54:24And what about the Doberman?
00:54:26You see, Markham, we have nearly all the pieces of the puzzle, but none of them seems to fit.
00:54:30Here we are.
00:54:33This isn't it.
00:54:34This is the basement.
00:54:35I know.
00:54:36Come on.
00:54:39I just want to see where this goes.
00:55:03Good evening, sir.
00:55:05Gamble.
00:55:07By the way, uh, how long have you been using that name?
00:55:11All my life, sir.
00:55:12Hmm.
00:55:13Doobard checked Gamble's fingerprints at the identification bureau, and who do you think he turns out to be?
00:55:18Not Gamble?
00:55:19No.
00:55:20Atlantic Eddie.
00:55:21He used to work the boats on both sides of the ocean.
00:55:23Honestly, Mr. Vance, I haven't turned a trick in five years.
00:55:26Oh, that's all right, Eddie.
00:55:27I just wanted to let you know that we're old pals.
00:55:30Sir, someone slipped in the back door and went into one of the front rooms.
00:55:43Well, Miss Deverfield.
00:55:46Don't be surprised, gentlemen.
00:55:47I'm used to coming in here like this.
00:55:49You seem to know your way around here pretty well.
00:55:51As a district attorney, you're responsible for this case, aren't you?
00:55:55That's right.
00:55:56Well, I'm tired of detectives.
00:55:57I'm tired of being spied on.
00:55:59All you want to know is who killed Archer Coe, isn't it?
00:56:02Naturally.
00:56:03Well, I did.
00:56:04What?
00:56:05Yes.
00:56:06And there isn't a jury on earth will convict me when they hear my story.
00:56:10You don't believe me, do you?
00:56:13You were wondering this afternoon how my dog, Figaro, could get into this house.
00:56:17Well, he was following me.
00:56:19He was defending me when he was struck.
00:56:22Well, where did you kill Mr. Coe?
00:56:24In his bedroom.
00:56:26What kind of lipstick do you use?
00:56:28Lipstick?
00:56:29What's that got to do with it?
00:56:31Is that yours?
00:56:35Yes, that's mine.
00:56:37While I was struggling with Archer, my bag dropped on the floor and everything spilt out.
00:56:43Won't do, Miss Delafield.
00:56:44It's an old trick.
00:56:46It's not a trick.
00:56:47I didn't realize that you were so fond of Mr. Grassi.
00:56:50Mr. Grassi has nothing to do with it.
00:56:52Take me down to the station.
00:56:53I'll say nothing more until I get an attorney.
00:56:55Help!
00:56:56Help!
00:56:57Help!
00:56:58Help!
00:56:59Help!
00:57:00Let's go.
00:57:34Well, this guy's been stabbed, Hennessy.
00:57:42Is this it, Mr. Vance?
00:57:43Yes, that's it.
00:57:44Thank you very much.
00:57:48First, you spoil my breakfast.
00:57:50Then you break up my lunch.
00:57:51Now you pull me out of bed in the middle of the night.
00:57:54And this fellow not even dead.
00:57:56Why don't you put that in your report, Doc?
00:57:59Your fingerprints are dead.
00:58:00The fingerprints will never pick up on that silk handle.
00:58:02But it fits perfectly.
00:58:04Where did you find it, Sergeant?
00:58:06Under the bed.
00:58:08Congratulations.
00:58:09That's all right, Mr. Vance.
00:58:11Three crimes with the same weapon, Markham.
00:58:16Tom!
00:58:17What is it?
00:58:19What's happened?
00:58:21I don't know, dear.
00:58:22Somebody stabbed me.
00:58:24Is it serious, Doctor?
00:58:25Oh, no.
00:58:26I gave him three grains of sodium amytone to quiet his nerves.
00:58:28He'll be all right.
00:58:29I'd like to rent a room here till they finish this case.
00:58:36Poor darling.
00:58:37I wish I hadn't got you mixed up in all this.
00:58:40You shouldn't have come here.
00:58:41Let me see this through alone.
00:58:43Oh, I won't leave you.
00:58:45Can't we get away from here?
00:58:47We leave tomorrow.
00:58:48Together.
00:58:49Well, what do you think about it, Doc?
00:58:52Well, the thrust punctured the median basilic vein
00:58:54and caused a hemorrhage.
00:58:55Could the wound have been self-inflicted, Doctor?
00:58:59I'm the city butcher, not the detective.
00:59:02Don't bother me with any murders after three tomorrow.
00:59:05I'm going to the World Series.
00:59:07Hey, Doc.
00:59:08Phone me the score between endings, will you?
00:59:11Get these people out of this.
00:59:12What are they waiting for?
00:59:13Just want to ask you a few questions, Sir Thomas.
00:59:16You say that when you were stabbed, you saw nothing, huh?
00:59:19That's right.
00:59:20It was dark.
00:59:22I heard a noise and jumped out of bed.
00:59:25Somebody threw a chair and just missed my head and struck the window.
00:59:28I shouted for help and ran towards the door.
00:59:32Then I felt a sharp pain in my arm as I lost consciousness.
00:59:36Knife by a ghost.
00:59:37That's a hot one.
00:59:39I think he'd done it himself.
00:59:40How dare you, sir?
00:59:41That's not fair.
00:59:42Do you know anything about that?
00:59:45Where'd you find it?
00:59:47Under your bed.
00:59:49I never saw it before.
00:59:51Yeah.
00:59:52Like I never saw a pair of handcuffs.
00:59:55You've no right to question him now, in this condition.
00:59:59Rather funny.
01:00:07You see what I see in Archer Coe's room?
01:00:14I have a suspicion that whoever killed the Coe's came from this house.
01:00:19Probably from this room.
01:00:25Gentlemen, I think I can fit the pieces of this jigsaw puzzle together.
01:00:31Now here is East 71st Street.
01:00:34This is the Coe house, the yard, and the apartment house next door.
01:00:39Now let's have a look inside.
01:00:41This is a McDonald's apartment.
01:00:44Directly opposite is the window of Archer Coe's bedroom.
01:00:48Underneath McDonald's apartment is the cozy little nest of Miss Delafield
01:00:52and her temporary guest, Mr. Grassi.
01:00:56This is the elevator.
01:00:57And here are the stairs that lead directly to the back entrance.
01:01:00From there, it's easy to reach the back entrance to the Coe house across the yard.
01:01:05Now.
01:01:08That's the front hall.
01:01:09And here's the library.
01:01:12On Wednesday evening between 7.30 and 8 o'clock, Archer Coe was sitting alone in that room.
01:01:19Now remember, it was the servants night off.
01:01:23The killer must have known this when he came in the back door.
01:01:27He was so intent upon what he was planning to do
01:01:30that he must have let the back door open.
01:01:33Because from somewhere in that vacant lot came a dog.
01:01:37A Doberman Pinscher.
01:01:40Belonging to Doris Delafield.
01:01:42He saw the back door standing open and went in.
01:01:47Meanwhile, the killer was moving along the hall toward the library.
01:01:51Making absolutely sure that Archer Coe was alone.
01:01:55He knew exactly where he was going and exactly what he was going to do.
01:02:01He came so silently that it must have startled Archer Coe
01:02:05when he looked up and saw him carefully closing the doors.
01:02:09It is my conjecture, gentlemen, that a terrific argument was in place.
01:02:14Archer Coe must have struck him.
01:02:16And as he fell back, he picked up the poker as the first weapon that came in his hand.
01:02:21He struck Archer Coe on the head.
01:02:23Coe collapsed across the desk.
01:02:26His hands groping in the drawer of the desk for his gun.
01:02:29Then, in a blind rage of the moment, the killer saw a Chinese dagger.
01:02:35He seized it and stabbed Archer Coe in the back.
01:02:40Coe probably fell to the floor.
01:02:44Meantime, our Doberman Pinscher was coming closer and closer.
01:02:47Probably attracted by the sound of the struggle in the library.
01:02:51As the killer opened the door to escape, he saw the Doberman Pinscher in the hall coming toward him.
01:02:56He again picked up the poker as the dog entered the room.
01:03:00Through to the instinct of his brain, the dog sensed an enemy.
01:03:04He leaped.
01:03:05The killer struck and the dog fell, badly wounded.
01:03:10Now he tried to hide the dagger in the ting-ya vase.
01:03:13He dropped it too hard and the porcelain broke into bits.
01:03:16He picked up the dagger again and went out the same way he came in.
01:03:23Meanwhile, Coe slowly regained consciousness and pulled himself to his feet.
01:03:29You remember, gentlemen, that Dr. Dorema said Coe died of an internal hemorrhage.
01:03:35That is the key to the whole situation.
01:03:38Archer Coe, already a dying man, walked upstairs.
01:03:42And what is even more terrible, he did not know that he had been stabbed.
01:03:47He went to his room and, feeling a little faint probably, he removed his coat and vest and hung them
01:03:52in the closet where we found them.
01:03:55He put on his pajama top and went to the window and raised the shade.
01:04:02Can you imagine the killer's emotions when, from some place in the apartment house across the vacant lot,
01:04:09he looked over and saw the man he thought he had killed standing there at the window?
01:04:15He knew then that he had to go back and complete his job to save himself.
01:04:21Feeling very faint by now, Archer Coe went from the window to the chair beside his desk where he sat
01:04:28down.
01:04:29There, he started to remove his shoes.
01:04:33You remember just how we found him.
01:04:35In the very act of removing them, before he could get one of them entirely off, he died.
01:04:43I don't think he ever knew what killed him.
01:04:47Now we come to the most awful part of the tragedy.
01:04:52Brisbane Coe came back to the house with a cleverly worked out plan for killing his brother.
01:04:57He also knew that it was the servant's night out and that he would not be disturbed.
01:05:03He went down the hall to the library and from the drawer of the desk he took Archer Coe's own
01:05:09revolver and put it into his pocket.
01:05:12Then turning out the light on the desk, he went out of the room.
01:05:16He hung his stick over the chair in the hall and tiptoed up the stairs and into Archer Coe's room.
01:05:24He saw his brother sitting in his easy chair, apparently asleep.
01:05:29I can see him tiptoe across the room.
01:05:33And from somewhere just across the desk, he took out the revolver and with careful aim, he pulled the trigger.
01:05:44Meantime, the killer, believing that he had only wounded Archer Coe, came back by the same route to finish his
01:05:52job.
01:05:53Then Brisbane closed the window and lowered the shade.
01:05:57And returning to the body, he carefully placed the gun in Archer's hand, as though it had been suicide.
01:06:06Then he went to the door and with the two pieces of string, the pins and the darning needle, he
01:06:14was able to bolt the door on the inside, just as I showed you.
01:06:20A very clever device, gentlemen, which he had discovered in the book of Unsolved Murders, which we found in his
01:06:27suitcase.
01:06:29Then, gentlemen, Brisbane went on down the stairs, little knowing what awaited him there.
01:06:35The killer mistook Brisbane for Archer Coe and drove the dagger into Brisbane's back.
01:06:43Then, to hide the body, he dragged it into the closet.
01:06:49I doubt if he even discovered his mistake until the next day.
01:06:53That's great. But who did all that?
01:06:55Well, you can search me. I'm going astray.
01:06:59Now, you can include me in that, Sergeant.
01:07:01Haven't you got any ideas at all, Vance?
01:07:04Markham, it's a maze of conflicting clues. Anyone of seven people might have done it.
01:07:09But we couldn't convict seven people, Mr. Vance.
01:07:12You couldn't convict one with the evidence you've got.
01:07:15Gentlemen, I'm afraid we're completely stopped.
01:07:21Licked.
01:07:23I hate to admit it, but it looks that way.
01:07:25Vance, in all the years we've worked together, I've never heard you say that before.
01:07:30I know. I'm sorry, Markham.
01:07:32Well, what are we going to do about it?
01:07:34I don't know.
01:07:35Are you sure you checked up on all the alibis?
01:07:37Every one of them.
01:07:38And you've gone over the fingerprint situation with your boy?
01:07:41Yes, sir.
01:07:42Well, we've slipped up somewhere, Sergeant.
01:07:44But there must be something that we can get our teeth into.
01:07:51Markham, I suggest that you dismiss this case.
01:07:53What? Dismiss it?
01:07:55Yes, turn all the suspects loose.
01:07:57I can just see all the newspapers in this town screaming for a new district attorney.
01:08:01Well, we can probably cover you up all right, Mr. Markham.
01:08:04I've said it was suicide all along.
01:08:06Yes, I know. We could put that solution on it, but I hate to do it.
01:08:10All right, Sergeant. Go ahead. Turn him loose.
01:08:12Turn him loose?
01:08:13Yes.
01:08:15Well, Mr. Vance, this is once we're both stuck.
01:08:21When you give up Vance, I'm something.
01:08:25Oh, I haven't given up.
01:08:26I have another idea.
01:08:28What?
01:08:28If it works, I'll have your killer for you in half an hour.
01:08:32I'm going to arrange a little meeting with him now.
01:08:34What?
01:08:35But you let me dismiss all the suspects.
01:08:37Well, that's just what I wanted you to do.
01:08:48Hello?
01:08:49Uh, this is Mr. Vance.
01:08:52I hope I haven't disturbed you.
01:08:55See, I wonder if you'd do me a little favor.
01:08:57Mr. Markham.
01:08:58Yes.
01:08:59I'll see you a minute.
01:09:01That suicide story might work all right for Archer Coe, but I forgot all about Brisbane.
01:09:07Well, never mind about that now.
01:09:09Just release the suspects as I told you.
01:09:11All right.
01:09:14That's it.
01:09:15Yes?
01:09:17That's right.
01:09:18At 4.30.
01:09:19And just get him into an argument.
01:09:22Oh, I'll have him with me.
01:09:24I'm depending on his instinct.
01:09:26That's right.
01:09:27Thanks.
01:09:29If we can catch him off his guard, I think he'll give himself away.
01:09:33Come on, Markham. We've got to get there before 4.25.
01:09:37Mr. Vance.
01:09:39They're in the library now.
01:09:42Oh, darling, let me help you.
01:09:44All right, Dorothy.
01:10:04Well, that's the first time we've used bloodhounds in police work since I wore high-button shoes.
01:10:09And red flannel underwear?
01:10:10Oh, I always wear red flannel underwear.
01:10:12So do I.
01:10:14I want your bridal suite on the...
01:10:17On the coronia.
01:10:18They're sailing at midnight.
01:10:20That's right.
01:10:22Sailing at midnight?
01:10:24Lady MacDonald.
01:10:25Is it the title that dazzles you so much?
01:10:28Or is it the fortune she'll inherit that makes her so attractive, Sir Thomas?
01:10:31Raymond, are you crazy?
01:10:33It isn't the first time a fortune has bought a title.
01:10:35It so happens I'm not in need of a fortune.
01:10:37Possibly you are.
01:10:37Raymond, you've no right to interfere this way.
01:10:39No right? Well, I'll take that right.
01:10:40You think you're both sailing at midnight?
01:10:42Well, it won't work.
01:10:43You're going all right, Sir Thomas.
01:10:45But you're going along.
01:10:46Really?
01:10:46Yes, and you're going now.
01:10:47Rush!
01:11:01Raymond!
01:11:06Ah, the poker again, huh?
01:11:13Take him off!
01:11:14Take him off!
01:11:22Take him off!
01:11:23Take him off!
01:11:24Take him off, will you?
01:11:24Take him off!
01:11:26Help!
01:11:31Here, hold him.
01:11:33Why did you kill Archicol?
01:11:34Why did you kill him?
01:11:35I didn't mean to kill him.
01:11:36But you did, eh?
01:11:36I tell you, I didn't mean to kill him.
01:11:38He struck me when I told him I wanted to marry Hilda.
01:11:41And I lost my head.
01:11:42I hit him with a poker.
01:11:44I don't remember anything after that.
01:11:46What about Brisbane?
01:11:47It was a terrible mistake.
01:11:49And McDonald?
01:11:50I still would kill him if I could.
01:11:54There's your man, Sergeant.
01:11:56You made a fatal mistake, Reid, when you reached for that poker.
01:11:59Somebody swiped my bracelets.
01:12:01You dropped them in the pantry.
01:12:03Oh.
01:12:04All right, Hennessy.
01:12:05Keep down booking.
01:12:07I want to thank you very much for your cooperation.
01:12:09Not at all.
01:12:10It was Sir Thomas I telephoned from your office, Markham.
01:12:13He very cleverly helped us stage this little scene.
01:12:16We have to thank the dog for the rest.
01:12:19Well, we did it again, Mr. Vance.
01:12:22Congratulations, Sergeant.
01:12:24I'll certainly mention you in my story to the papers.
01:12:28Oh, that's all right, Mr. Vance.
01:12:50Oh, that's all right, Mr. Vance.
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