Step into the eerie world of Whispering Death (1931), a classic mystery thriller filled with suspense, hidden secrets, and dark atmosphere from the golden age of cinema. This vintage black-and-white film delivers haunting tension, mysterious characters, and unforgettable storytelling that keeps classic movie fans engaged from beginning to end.
Experience the charm of early Hollywood filmmaking with dramatic performances, shadowy scenes, and timeless suspense that captures the spirit of 1930s mystery cinema. Perfect for fans of old classic movies, vintage thrillers, detective stories, and rare public domain films.
Enjoy this restored classic presentation and discover another hidden gem from cinema history.
Subscribe for more classic movies, vintage films, old Hollywood mysteries, westerns, comedy classics, and rare public domain cinema.
#WhisperingDeath #ClassicMovie #VintageCinema #MysteryFilm #OldHollywood #BlackAndWhiteFilm #ClassicThriller #PublicDomainMovies #1930sCinema #RetroMovies #ClassicMystery #GoldenAgeCinema
Experience the charm of early Hollywood filmmaking with dramatic performances, shadowy scenes, and timeless suspense that captures the spirit of 1930s mystery cinema. Perfect for fans of old classic movies, vintage thrillers, detective stories, and rare public domain films.
Enjoy this restored classic presentation and discover another hidden gem from cinema history.
Subscribe for more classic movies, vintage films, old Hollywood mysteries, westerns, comedy classics, and rare public domain cinema.
#WhisperingDeath #ClassicMovie #VintageCinema #MysteryFilm #OldHollywood #BlackAndWhiteFilm #ClassicThriller #PublicDomainMovies #1930sCinema #RetroMovies #ClassicMystery #GoldenAgeCinema
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Short filmTranscript
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00:01:10This is the Oaks, a house in the country which I rented for the summer.
00:01:16As an author, I write tales of mystery and murder.
00:01:20But the things that happened in this house were far more fantastic
00:01:23than any story I've ever had published.
00:01:26I brought a staff of servants from my city apartment
00:01:30and my maid, Lizzie Allen, who had been with me nearly 20 years.
00:01:38Lizzie?
00:01:41Yes, Miss Cornelia?
00:01:43Is the car ready?
00:01:44It's out the door.
00:01:47Look, Miss Cornelia, them servants you brought from the apartment
00:01:50are talking about walking out on us.
00:01:52Really?
00:01:54Well, I know they don't like it here, but I didn't think it was that bad.
00:01:59Well, they've been hearing things about the killer that the police call the Bat
00:02:02and the murders that he committed here this past winter.
00:02:07Now people are saying that he's back again.
00:02:09Well, how can they be sure of that?
00:02:12Has he committed another crime?
00:02:13No, not yet, but that ain't saying that he won't.
00:02:17Here's something else.
00:02:18You've heard about the bats they have here.
00:02:21Animal bats, the kind that fly.
00:02:23Yes, yes.
00:02:24Look what it says in this magazine.
00:02:26This is a report from the State Health Department and it says some of them bats is rabid.
00:02:32Well...
00:02:33And that ain't all.
00:02:34Now there's a rumor going around that it was the bat himself, the killer I mean,
00:02:39that released the rabid bats in this neighborhood.
00:02:42Oh, that's ridiculous.
00:02:44Well, the housekeeper, the cook, the butler and the upstairs maid don't think so.
00:02:50Well, I can't help what they think.
00:02:52If hysterical nonsense like that can scare them out of their good jobs,
00:02:57it's their loss, not mine.
00:02:58Come on, Lizzie, I've got to get to the bank.
00:03:07Drive directly to Zenith Bank, Warner.
00:03:09I'm afraid we'll have to hurry. It's near closing time.
00:03:12I'll get you there, Miss Van Gorder.
00:03:26Thanks again.
00:03:29Miss Van Gorder.
00:03:30How you do, Mr. Barry?
00:03:31How are you?
00:03:32Very well, thank you.
00:03:34You remember Lizzie Allen?
00:03:35Of course.
00:03:36Hello, Miss Allen.
00:03:37Oh, you do.
00:03:37So you're spending the summer with us again?
00:03:39Yes, yes.
00:03:40I've leased the Oaks, the home of your bank president, John Fleming.
00:03:44I heard you had.
00:03:44I was surprised.
00:03:46Why?
00:03:46Is there something the matter with them?
00:03:48No.
00:03:48I was surprised because Mr. Fleming said he would never rent it.
00:03:51Oh?
00:03:52Well, I rented it from his nephew, Mark Fleming, who has the real estate office here.
00:03:57He said his uncle would be gone the entire summer.
00:04:00That's right.
00:04:01Mr. Fleming's in the Northwoods now with his physician, Dr. Wells.
00:04:06Oh, pardon me.
00:04:07Dale.
00:04:08I want you to meet my wife.
00:04:09We were married at Christmas time.
00:04:10That must have been nice.
00:04:12Believe me, it was.
00:04:13Oh, here she is.
00:04:14My wife, Miss Van Gorder, Miss Allen.
00:04:16How do you do, Missy Bailey?
00:04:17How do you do?
00:04:19Cornelia Van Gorder.
00:04:20Yes.
00:04:21Oh.
00:04:22Well, I've read every murder mystery you've ever written.
00:04:25I just adored that weird one, the private morgue of Dr. X.
00:04:28Even though it gave me the shivers.
00:04:30Only the shivers?
00:04:31Scared hell out of me.
00:04:33Oh.
00:04:34Well, I really mean that Miss Corny killed them off in that one.
00:04:39When you refer to my books, please don't call me Miss Corny.
00:04:43Pardon me, Mr. Bailey.
00:04:44Mr. Hines is here to see you.
00:04:45Oh, yes.
00:04:46Excuse me, please.
00:04:48Don't be strangers now.
00:04:49No, no, we won't.
00:04:50I should say not.
00:04:51Oh, so you're a bride.
00:04:54Well, not quite.
00:04:55Not since Christmas.
00:04:56You know, I'm sure I've seen you.
00:04:59Well, I used to be my husband's secretary here in the bank.
00:05:03Of course I remember.
00:05:06May I welcome our most distinguished visitor back to Zenith?
00:05:10Oh, that's very charming, but...
00:05:14Lieutenant Anderson.
00:05:16Lieutenant Anderson, of course.
00:05:19Chief of Detectives of the Zenith Police Department.
00:05:22This is Miss Allen.
00:05:23Miss Allen.
00:05:23How do you do?
00:05:24Lieutenant Anderson is one of our favorite citizens.
00:05:27He's on the bank's board of directors.
00:05:29Not bad for a policeman.
00:05:31You must have made a good thing of it.
00:05:34Well, I saved my money, if that's what you mean.
00:05:36It's near closing time.
00:05:38And I've got some business in the safe deposit vault.
00:05:41Please come and see me, Mrs. Bailey.
00:05:43Oh, I'd love to.
00:05:44And you, Lieutenant.
00:05:45Goodbye.
00:05:45Goodbye.
00:05:46Nice to meet you.
00:05:49My, what a charming woman.
00:05:50She moved into the Oaks just the other day.
00:05:53That house is a proper setting for a writer of mysteries.
00:05:56Oh, it certainly is.
00:06:01Vic, what's the matter?
00:06:03Come in here, both of you.
00:06:11Andy, we're in trouble.
00:06:12Wendell Hines came in to pick up $350,000 worth of bonds
00:06:16that we were holding as collateral for a loan.
00:06:19They were kept in our special vault.
00:06:21Mr. Fleming and I are the only officers of the bank
00:06:24who have access to that vault.
00:06:25So?
00:06:27The Hines bonds are gone.
00:06:29That's not all.
00:06:31Other negotiable securities are missing.
00:06:33From what I can gather, short of a careful check,
00:06:35the bank has been looted of over a million dollars' worth of securities.
00:06:39You'll have to notify Fleming.
00:06:42I wish I could talk to him.
00:06:44Unfortunately, he and Dr. Wells are deep in the woods.
00:06:48They can't be reached by phone.
00:07:02What is it?
00:07:12I thought I heard someone on the path coming from the lake.
00:07:14I had an idea it might be that guide of ours.
00:07:16Oh, Sam won't show up until morning.
00:07:18It's a 20-mile canoe trip from here to civilization.
00:07:22Five will get you ten. Sam has a message for me.
00:07:25I thought you told them at the bank not to bother you.
00:07:27I did, but they'll bother me.
00:07:33Doctor.
00:07:34Yes, John?
00:07:36What would you do for half a million?
00:07:39Anything short of murder.
00:07:42Why not murder?
00:07:44Too messy.
00:07:46Too great a risk?
00:07:47For half a million?
00:07:48Yes.
00:07:50I pinched a million from the bank.
00:07:54I'm not kidding.
00:07:56I embezzled it.
00:07:58Not that I think you wouldn't do it if you thought you could get away with it.
00:08:02I got away with it.
00:08:05I'm not talking about currency.
00:08:08I took negotiable securities that could be converted into cash.
00:08:12I have the cash.
00:08:14In tens, twenties, and hundreds.
00:08:17Well, I'm your doctor, not your lawyer. Why tell me this?
00:08:20You'll find out why.
00:08:23Who's gonna take the blame for the robbery?
00:08:25Bailey, the cashier. They'll never suspect me.
00:08:28I like Bailey.
00:08:30Well, so do I.
00:08:31I love the guy.
00:08:32I gave him his first chance.
00:08:34He has a lovely little wife.
00:08:36Charming girl.
00:08:38Who's the best man?
00:08:39Where's the million?
00:08:41In my family's tomb in Zenith.
00:08:44In the crypt, with my father's casket.
00:08:48I don't buy that, John.
00:08:51No?
00:08:52No.
00:08:54You forget that I had you in charge when you were a very sick man.
00:08:58When you raved in delirium.
00:09:01And I heard you talk about a hidden room.
00:09:04Now, where else could you put a hidden room except in that mansion you built?
00:09:08That white elephant you call the Oaks.
00:09:11Look.
00:09:13Everyone knows I have a bad heart.
00:09:17Now, who would doubt it, if you wired the bank directors, that my heart had failed.
00:09:22That I had fallen from a great height here in the woods.
00:09:25And that I was badly smashed up.
00:09:28You could ship the body back for burial and, uh, instruct them not to open the casket due to the
00:09:33condition of its contents.
00:09:36Well, you realize, of course, that, uh, we'd have to have a body to put in that casket, which means
00:09:41that we'd have to deal with an undertaker at this end.
00:09:43Of course.
00:09:45Well, where do we get a body?
00:09:48Couldn't we provide one of our own?
00:09:51How about Sam?
00:09:53Sam? Our guide?
00:09:55Sam weighs about as much as I do.
00:09:57He's practically a hermit.
00:09:59He wouldn't be missed for a long time.
00:10:03The local undertaker would know him.
00:10:05Not if we made him look as if he'd been in a serious accident.
00:10:09But if Bailey's gonna take the blame, why do you have to do this?
00:10:13The jury might acquit him.
00:10:14In that case, I'd be a logical suspect.
00:10:17I could disappear, of course, but...
00:10:19it's safer if they think I'm dead.
00:10:27What if I don't go for this deal?
00:10:31In that case, it would be... too bad.
00:10:38You mean you'd kill me?
00:10:40What else could I do?
00:10:42Now that I've told you about the million,
00:10:44I'd say you were shot in a hunting accident.
00:10:47Now, look, doctor.
00:10:49If you can find another body instead of Sam's, it's all right with me.
00:10:54There's half a million in it for you.
00:10:56Who?
00:10:57I'll do my best.
00:11:00I smell smoke.
00:11:02So do I. What's that noise?
00:11:08Look, doctor. The woods are on fire.
00:11:11It's coming this way.
00:11:13We've got to get out of here.
00:11:14Out the back way.
00:11:16We will.
00:11:16Well, as soon as I provide that body we were talking about...
00:11:35Oh, my goodness, dear.
00:11:47Lizzie!
00:11:47Is that you?
00:11:48Yes, Miss Cornelia.
00:11:50There's a storm coming up and it's gonna be a snorter.
00:11:54The wind nearly blew the door off its hinges.
00:11:56Well, that noise blew my game higher than a kite.
00:11:59I think I've lost some of the cars.
00:12:00Oh, I'll get them for you.
00:12:01Oh, I see you found the paper.
00:12:03Drop that paper, boy.
00:12:05Scootin' by on his bicycle.
00:12:07Just chucked it into a clump of bushes and let it go at that.
00:12:12For land's sake, Mr. Vic Bailey's been arrested.
00:12:17Oh?
00:12:18I think.
00:12:22Victor Bailey, vice president and cashier of the Zenith Bank,
00:12:26was arraigned before United States Commissioner Alvin Fielding,
00:12:29charged with the embezzlement of over a million dollars.
00:12:33I can't believe Vic Bailey had anything to do with that robbery.
00:12:38Oh, well, I see our landlord is home again.
00:12:42Landlord?
00:12:43Mr. Fleming.
00:12:45Dr. Malcolm Wells is back in town
00:12:48with the body of John Fleming, president of the Zenith Bank,
00:12:51who was killed in a forest fire.
00:12:54Mr. Fleming will be laid to rest in his family's tomb on Friday.
00:12:58And I hope he stays there.
00:13:00Well, why shouldn't he?
00:13:02Well, this is his house.
00:13:03And ever since he died, some funny things have happened here.
00:13:08For instance?
00:13:09The housekeeper, the cook and the butler said that they heard strange noises at night.
00:13:15And the upstairs maid swore that she met a man without a face coming up the back stairs.
00:13:22Oh, so that's why they quit and left me to run this place without a staff.
00:13:27They didn't tell you, Miss Corny, but the truth is they were scared to stay.
00:13:32But you're still here, Lizzie.
00:13:34Haven't you seen anything?
00:13:35No.
00:13:36No, and even if I had, I ain't afraid of ghosts.
00:13:41They're afraid of me.
00:13:43Honest, Miss Corny, a spiritualist told me once that ghosts was allergic to me.
00:13:52But, but this bat feller they keep talking about in the paper, I, I guess he'd be different.
00:13:59No, I don't think you'd have the same effect on him.
00:14:03Oh, dear.
00:14:06What are they trying to do? Drive people away from this part of the country?
00:14:12Why, what does it say about the bat?
00:14:16His specialty seems to be killing women.
00:14:19My goodness, two of them in one night.
00:14:23All his victims died the same way, like their throats had been ripped open with steel claws.
00:14:31That's a charming little caper.
00:14:34I'll have to try it sometime.
00:14:38In a book.
00:14:45That ain't nothing. Just something bumping against the house.
00:14:53That's just the wind banging a door. Pay no attention to it.
00:14:57Listen to this.
00:15:00One of his victims, who lived for a moment after she was found,
00:15:04described the bat as a man without a face.
00:15:08Honest, Miss Corny, I think that woman must have been exaggerating.
00:15:17That's just that heavy tapestry at the top of the stairs.
00:15:20I know, I know. I've heard it before on a windy night.
00:15:27That sounds as if there was someone on the stairs.
00:15:30I know there isn't. At least there shouldn't be.
00:15:33There ain't.
00:15:35Them's just the noises you hear in any old house on a windy night.
00:15:39It says here that the bat never leaves no fingerprints.
00:15:44That's understandable.
00:15:45Having no face, he probably has no fingers either.
00:15:50Nithy!
00:15:57And that, I suppose, is the cat dropping its dentures.
00:16:01No. No, I don't think so.
00:16:05But I think it's something should be looked into.
00:16:14Now, who chucked him down here?
00:16:16The wind, I hope.
00:16:19There must be a window open up there.
00:16:22No, Nithy!
00:16:24Let him lay.
00:16:25Let him sleep it off.
00:16:27I hope the power lines don't go down.
00:16:30Put the lights out.
00:16:32Now, we'll check the windows in the living room
00:16:34and draw the curtains, and then we'll go to bed.
00:16:37Yes, Miss.
00:16:47I won't be a minute.
00:16:56I'll go to bed.
00:16:57Oh!
00:16:58What was that?
00:17:00Oh!
00:17:00I went to get the paper.
00:17:03I turned the latch off.
00:17:05I forgot to turn it on again.
00:17:08He's out there.
00:17:09He was coming in.
00:17:11He might have got you.
00:17:13Oh, but he didn't, and he's still out there, thanks to you.
00:17:17Now, you hurry now, and we'll call the police.
00:17:19No, no, I won't leave you, Miss Corny.
00:17:22Are you okay?
00:17:24Yes, ma'am, I'm...
00:17:25I'm okay.
00:17:28Okay.
00:17:38Operator.
00:17:39Give me the police department, please.
00:17:41Zenith Police Department.
00:17:43This is Cornelia Van Gorder.
00:17:45I'm living at the Oaks.
00:17:46We know about that, Miss Van Gorder.
00:17:49Just a moment ago,
00:17:50a man tried to force his way into this house.
00:17:53You're not alone there, are you?
00:17:54What about your servants?
00:17:56Well, I have none except my chauffeur, and he's away.
00:17:59He won't be back until the morning.
00:18:01Now, there's only two of us here tonight,
00:18:02and we're going to lock ourselves in my room.
00:18:05Now, if any of your men see anything, will you have them call me?
00:18:10I'll send officers over there right away.
00:18:12Oh, thank you very much.
00:18:15Come on, Lizzie.
00:18:16We're going to sleep in my room.
00:18:28Well, nothing can get at us in this room now, I think.
00:18:33This door seems good and solid.
00:18:36Like the door to a tomb.
00:18:48Uh, I think that couch will be comfortable.
00:18:50There's some extra bedding, you know.
00:18:52Yes, ma'am.
00:18:55Let's see now.
00:19:07Oh, uh, huh?
00:19:09No bolt.
00:19:11Well, that's not so good.
00:19:21What's that?
00:19:23My good woman is a booby trap.
00:19:26If anybody tries to open this transom, this will be knocked off,
00:19:29and we'll hear it fall.
00:19:33Yes, ma'am.
00:19:50I'm sorry.
00:19:54I'm sorry.
00:19:55But I was surprised…
00:19:56It's really tough.
00:19:56And I couldn't fight for a couple of days.
00:19:56No, no, no, no.
00:19:57No, no.
00:20:00No, no.
00:20:06Oh, fiddlesticks.
00:20:08I forgot my night things, my robe, my gown, and my slippers.
00:20:11I'll go get them now.
00:20:13Now, wait a minute, Lizzie.
00:20:15I'll go with you.
00:20:16Now, don't you bother, Miss Cornelia.
00:20:18My room's just down the hall.
00:20:20Lizzie, I told you to wait.
00:20:22It's all right.
00:20:23I'll only be a second.
00:20:26Get here, Kim.
00:20:27Get here.
00:20:40Yes?
00:20:40Miss Van Gorder?
00:20:42Yes?
00:20:42Zenith Police Department.
00:20:44There's a police car just outside your house,
00:20:46and the officers in it have reported
00:20:48that there's no sign of a prowler anywhere on the grounds.
00:20:51Well, the man's inside now.
00:20:53He's in the hall just outside my bedroom.
00:20:55I have your men break through the kitchen door
00:20:57and search this place from top to bottom.
00:21:00Okay, Miss Van Gorder.
00:21:01Sit tight.
00:21:02I will.
00:21:03I have a gun, and I know how to use it.
00:21:15Oh, relax.
00:21:17Relax, Lizzie.
00:21:18The police did a good job.
00:21:19They couldn't find anybody in here.
00:21:22But we both saw him, Miss Cornelia.
00:21:25All right, all right.
00:21:27So he got away.
00:21:29But there are men on guard outside,
00:21:31so just try and get some rest.
00:21:33There's nothing can get out of here.
00:22:05Oh
00:22:14Oh
00:22:14Oh nonsense you've had a nightmare maybe I did but there was a battery and it bit me
00:22:41Operator operator will you get me dr. Malcolm Wells office, please?
00:22:46No, I don't know his number and I have no phone book up here, but this is an emergency will
00:22:50you connect me with his office, please?
00:22:55Hello, dr. Wells office
00:22:57This is a call service dr. Wells is out at the moment, but if you'll give me your name and
00:23:01number
00:23:02I'll try to locate well. This is miss van gorder of the oaks
00:23:05My maid has just been bitten by a bat that may be rabid and she must have treatment as soon
00:23:09as possible
00:23:10And I was told the dr. Wells was the nearest physician
00:23:12I'll try to find him for you. And if I can't I'll send you another doctor. Oh, well, thank you
00:23:17very much
00:23:18Oh, he's out on a case
00:23:19Oh, I hope it's not a delivery a baby. I mean they can be terribly complicated. They never bothered me
00:23:25none
00:23:25Oh, lizzie you never had a baby of course. I didn't that's why they never bothered me. Oh, does it
00:23:30hurt, huh?
00:23:42Oh
00:24:09Oh
00:24:41Oh
00:24:53Dr. Wells are you there dr. Wells?
00:25:00Are you there dr. Wells? This is the operator your call service is on the wire. It's an emergency
00:25:10This is dr. Wells
00:25:12This is your call service doctor. Oh, hello. I was just doing an experiment. I left the receiver off
00:25:18That's what I thought but I kept trying. Miss Van Gorder at the oaks called and said that her maid
00:25:23had been bitten by a bat
00:25:24And she's afraid it might be rabid. What? Oh, all right, uh, tell her I'll be right over there
00:25:54Oh
00:26:35Oh
00:27:04Oh
00:27:05Who's there? Dr. Wells
00:27:08Come in. Good evening
00:27:10Oh, I'm so glad they found you doctor. Well, I reached my office shortly after you called. How is your
00:27:16maid?
00:27:17Is she in any pain? No, no, she doesn't seem to be
00:27:20Did the bat get away? No, I believe it's still in my bedroom. Oh good. I'll want to examine it
00:27:27There you go miss Allen. Now you'll feel better
00:27:30Doctor have I got the rabies? Well, I can tell you better after I've examined the bat's brain under a
00:27:35microscope
00:27:36That thing's got a brain. Oh, you'd be surprised
00:27:40Where is it? I think the little darling is in that closet
00:27:46You know, it's a pity you leased this house. Miss Van Gorder. Why a pity?
00:27:51Well, my dear lady, I don't want to alarm you, but... Oh, well after tonight nothing can alarm me
00:27:56Yes, I understand. It must have been terrifying
00:28:00So many unexplainable things have happened here
00:28:03There's something about the place
00:28:06Your servants must have sensed it when they walked out on you
00:28:10An apprehension of disaster
00:28:13Well, let's see
00:28:16Aha! Yes! There he is. All right now. Take it easy. Nobody's going to hurt you. Quiet now. Quiet
00:28:31He looks quite normal doesn't seem to be sick at all
00:28:35Oh, ain't that nice? I've been worried about him
00:28:39Well, you should be
00:28:41From his appearance, I'd say that he doesn't have any infection
00:28:46In which case you've had a narrow escape
00:28:51Now you take one of those tablets I left for you and I'll guarantee you a good night
00:28:55And I'll drop in on you tomorrow
00:28:57Oh, thanks for everything doctor
00:29:01Now don't worry, I can find my way out
00:29:03Oh, I know you can, but do let me help you
00:29:05Oh, don't forget that once I'm gone you'll have to climb those stairs alone
00:29:09Oh, I'm all right. I'm armed now
00:29:13Can you shoot one of those things without shutting your eyes?
00:29:16Oh doctor, there are guns in every book I've ever written
00:29:19I don't write about things I'm unfamiliar with
00:29:23Lock the door, Lizzie
00:29:24Good night
00:29:24Yes ma'am, good night doctor
00:29:29Accident?
00:29:29No, no, the wind blew him down
00:29:31I think
00:29:33Did you know that young Mark Fleming leased you this house without notifying his uncle?
00:29:38No, no I didn't
00:29:40Well, it doesn't matter now, John Fleming is dead and Mark's his heir
00:29:44But if John were alive, he would warn you to leave here, Miss Van Gogh
00:29:48Really?
00:29:49Yes
00:29:50It's been a tragic place for anyone who ever lived in it
00:29:53Well, good night
00:29:54Good night doctor
00:29:56Who's out there?
00:29:57Nobody you need to worry about doctor
00:29:59Oh, it's Andy
00:30:00Oh
00:30:01That's right
00:30:01Oh, good evening Miss Van Gogh
00:30:02Good evening Lieutenant
00:30:04Somebody sick here?
00:30:06My maid was bitten by a bat
00:30:07Oh
00:30:10A rabbit bat?
00:30:10Well, I'll know for sure when I get to my lab, I caught the bat
00:30:16It happened indoors?
00:30:17In my bedroom
00:30:18How'd it get in?
00:30:19Well, there are many ways a bat could get in a house
00:30:22You ought to know
00:30:24I, uh, I spotted this hole in the window the minute I got here
00:30:28Why?
00:30:29That's where the two-legged bat got your door open
00:30:34Miss Van Gogh told me that she, uh, phoned headquarters at Zenith
00:30:38Yes, I phoned twice
00:30:40The second time was after the prawler got in the house
00:30:44Weren't you at headquarters, Andy?
00:30:45No, but they contacted me
00:30:47An officer came and searched the house from top to bottom, but they couldn't find the bat
00:30:51You better have this window fixed tomorrow
00:30:53Oh, yes, I certainly shall
00:30:54I better be going
00:30:56I, I'm due in surgery at eight o'clock in the morning
00:30:58Good night
00:30:58Good night doctor
00:30:59There will be a man patrolling the grounds all night, Miss Van Gogh
00:31:02Oh, thank you
00:31:02And nobody inside, Andy?
00:31:05Why should there be?
00:31:06Well, how do you know but what the bat is hiding somewhere in the house?
00:31:11I'm quite sure he isn't in the house, doctor
00:31:14Not now
00:31:17Good night
00:31:18Good night
00:31:38Hi, Andy
00:31:39Hello, Mark
00:31:42Well, congratulations
00:31:44Real estate business must be big enough
00:31:47New office, new furniture
00:31:49New deal
00:31:50How do you like it?
00:31:51Well, it looks expensive
00:31:53Are you squandering your inheritance?
00:31:55Oh, I haven't got it yet
00:31:56Well, the paper says John Fleming left his entire fortune to you
00:32:00Funny thing about that entire fortune is that we can't find it
00:32:03No kidding
00:32:04Well, all Uncle John had in his bank account was a couple of hundred dollars
00:32:08And his safe deposit box was empty
00:32:11If we don't find that missing million, mine will be empty too
00:32:13How come?
00:32:15Well, all my savings were invested in Xenia's bank stock
00:32:19The examiners won't certify the bank is solvent until those stolen securities are found
00:32:23So the stockholders have voted an assessment as to wipe some of us out
00:32:28It's a sense those securities have been converted into cash
00:32:32And if I can't find that cash, I'm sunk
00:32:35Well, where are you gonna look for it, Andy?
00:32:37Here in Xenia's
00:32:38Your uncle wouldn't take a million on a hunting trip, would he?
00:32:43You suspect Uncle John?
00:32:46Why, Andy
00:32:47He found at the Zenith bank, that'd be like robbing the family tomb
00:32:52You think he wouldn't?
00:32:54Well, besides, Vic Bailey's fingerprints are all over the vault
00:32:58Now they didn't find any of Uncle John's fingerprints
00:33:00Because he wiped them off
00:33:03Can the defense prove that?
00:33:05They'll try to
00:33:06Judy Hollander, Bailey's secretary, is a defense witness
00:33:09And they believe her testimony will have a powerful effect on the jury
00:33:14Oh, well
00:33:15She has a powerful effect on me
00:33:18Judy's a doll
00:33:20Here's the book you mentioned, Judy
00:33:22It's your newest one
00:33:23Yes, it's just been published
00:33:24You can have that copy if you wish
00:33:26Oh, it's a first edition and you've signed it
00:33:28Yes, of course
00:33:29Thank you so much
00:33:33May I serve tea now, Miss Angorda?
00:33:36Yes, please do, Warner
00:33:36Thank you
00:33:39And I see you've engaged new servants
00:33:42Yes, of course
00:33:43Well, how did you persuade them to live in this house?
00:33:46Well, Jane Patterson, my new housekeeper
00:33:48Knows this house better than you do, Doctor
00:33:49She worked for John Fleming
00:33:51And Warner was my chauffeur
00:33:56Chauffeur turned butler
00:33:57Incredible
00:33:59He can play any part in a moment's notices
00:34:01Did you get a plumber, Warner?
00:34:04No, we can't get a plumber for three days, madam
00:34:06What about that leaking pipe?
00:34:08The basement will be flooded in three days
00:34:10The pipe is no longer leaking
00:34:13You mean it's dried up of its own accord?
00:34:16No, not quite
00:34:17I packed the elbow where the water was coming out
00:34:20Packed the elbow?
00:34:22Where did you learn how to do that?
00:34:24Well, into each life a little rain must fall
00:34:26And a careful man learns to keep himself dry
00:34:29Now is there anything else that you require, Miss Van Gorder?
00:34:31No, not at the moment, Warner
00:34:33Thank you, madam
00:34:36Now there's a character
00:34:39How long did you say that he worked for you as chauffeur?
00:34:42About three months
00:34:44Well, I hope he doesn't have a police record
00:34:47My dear Dale
00:34:49It may interest you to know that the last night of his life
00:34:51John Fleming told me that he loved your husband like a son
00:34:56If Fleming were alive today, he would be fighting to prove Vic's innocence
00:35:01Could Mr. Fleming prove his own innocence?
00:35:05Miss Van Gorder, can there be any doubt about it?
00:35:09There will be when Miss Hollander testifies at Vic's trial
00:35:13Oh
00:35:15You know something that we haven't heard yet, Judy?
00:35:19Something I saw with my own eyes
00:35:23She's not permitted to say what it was
00:35:25My dear girl, I wouldn't think of asking her
00:35:28But let's assume for a moment that Fleming did steal the million
00:35:31Now, what would he do about it? Where is it?
00:35:34Hidden someplace where he could lay his hands on it without getting caught in the act
00:35:39Now, if I was writing this instead of living in the middle of it
00:35:44I'd hide it right here in this spooky old house
00:35:47Under a loose floorboard or upper chimney
00:35:51If Mr. Fleming had the nerve to steal a million, he'd make his plans well in advance
00:35:59I'd say he'd prepare a place to hide it
00:36:03Possibly when this house was being built
00:36:06I rented this place for Mark Fleming, his nephew
00:36:10I wonder
00:36:11I wonder if he'd have the floor plans
00:36:14I'll ask him
00:36:16Yes
00:36:17Lizzie, will you bring Mrs. Bailey the phone?
00:36:20You ask him now
00:36:22His number is Summit, uh
00:36:24Summit 7537
00:36:35Not bad, eh, Andy? That means new business
00:36:39Now you see, somebody wants to buy a house
00:36:44Mark Fleming speaking
00:36:46Oh, hello, Dale
00:36:50Well, hang on a minute, honey, while I see if I have them
00:36:53It's Dale Bailey, all excited
00:36:54Miss Van Gorder wants to know if I have the floor plans of the Oaks
00:36:58Now, what would she want with the floor plans?
00:37:01Well, she suggested to me that your uncle might have hidden the bank loot there
00:37:06Are the plans here?
00:37:10Well, there's somewhere in the house itself
00:37:14Wait a minute, there is a place where Uncle Johnny might have kept those blueprints
00:37:18What place?
00:37:19Well, I heard him talk about it a good many years ago
00:37:21I can't be sure of the exact location
00:37:25Anyway, I don't think the old boy had the guts to steal a million
00:37:28But if I find those plans, I'll let you know, Andy
00:37:32Hello, Dale
00:37:33Look, honey, I haven't seen those plans since I was a kid
00:37:36But I'll come over tonight and maybe we can find them
00:37:39Thank you, Mark
00:37:40We'll expect you
00:37:44He seems to think they're here in the house somewhere
00:37:46He's coming over tonight
00:37:47Well, that's good
00:37:49Dale and Judy are my house guests for the weekend
00:37:52Would you like to have dinner with us tonight?
00:37:54Oh, no, thank you
00:37:55I couldn't
00:37:55I still have a few calls to make
00:37:57You know, if Judy's testimony is going to clear Vic Bailey
00:38:01and implicate John Fleming
00:38:02Others may get the idea that there's buried treasure in this house
00:38:06Don't even mention your testimony until you're actually on the stand
00:38:10Oh, I won't
00:38:11That's a smart girl, Judy
00:38:12And a very lovely girl
00:38:14Well, good afternoon, ladies
00:38:15Goodbye, Dr. Will
00:38:17Come on, girls, let's go
00:38:41Goodbye, Molly
00:38:42Bye
00:38:42Bye
00:38:44Bye
00:38:48Bye
00:38:49Bye
00:38:52Bye
00:38:52Bye
00:38:54Bye
00:38:55Bye
00:38:55Bye
00:39:03So many unusual things have happened to you in the summer.
00:39:07And the more I think about it, the more I realize I should be putting them down on paper.
00:39:15Weren't you your husband's secretary, Dale?
00:39:18Yes, I was.
00:39:19Do you take shorthand?
00:39:20Mm-hmm.
00:39:22Well, my dear, if you'd like to have your mind occupied,
00:39:26I want you to work with me while I write the story of this fantastic criminal,
00:39:32the Bat.
00:40:01Let's go.
00:40:20Wonderful.
00:40:21Wonderful dinner.
00:40:24It's really nice.
00:40:26It was a good dinner, Lizzie.
00:40:28As usual.
00:40:29Wonderful.
00:40:31Oh, what a lovely piece of silver.
00:40:34It's an original, isn't it?
00:40:36Yes, they still use them in England for the day of breakfasts.
00:40:44You should keep us hot your sausages and your scrambled eggs.
00:40:48Interesting.
00:40:49Very useful.
00:40:49Really nice.
00:41:03That clock hasn't struck the hour in the last ten years, if I'm to believe what Mark Fleming told me.
00:41:08Why is it angled away from the wall like that?
00:41:10I don't know.
00:41:11Somebody must have moved it.
00:41:13Lizzie very likely when she was dusting.
00:41:15Wait a minute.
00:41:16Did you know there's a door in this panel?
00:41:18No, no, I didn't.
00:41:19Oh, my gracious, so there is.
00:41:23Maybe it opens to a secret passage.
00:41:25Well, certainly to a secret something.
00:41:27Who knows, girls?
00:41:28We'll be about to stumble on that missing minion.
00:41:32There's a panel.
00:41:32There's a panel.
00:41:33There must be some gimmick to it.
00:41:35There always is.
00:41:36It moves.
00:41:38It moves.
00:41:38It moves.
00:41:38Oh, look.
00:41:50There's a line.
00:41:51Calling car 11.
00:41:52Calling car 11.
00:41:54Calling car 11.
00:41:55Proceed to the oaks and Zenith Township immediately.
00:41:58A homicide has been reported.
00:42:01Okay.
00:42:03Proceeding to the oaks.
00:42:05Notify the county coroner, Dr. Warehouse.
00:42:08Tell him to come to the Oaks at once.
00:42:20Horrible.
00:42:21As if his throat had been torn by some creature with fangs or claws.
00:42:27That's his sign.
00:42:28We found it on the others he killed.
00:42:32I had hoped those reports that he was up to his old tricks again were pure imagination, but...
00:42:37...apparently they're based on fact.
00:42:40He's come back.
00:42:42Back to the scene of his kills.
00:42:46Yes, that's who I mean.
00:42:48That's who did this.
00:42:51The Bat.
00:42:53Who found Mark?
00:42:54We all did.
00:42:56And it's Dale and Judy and I.
00:42:58Lizzie was in the dining room.
00:43:00This is my new housekeeper, Jane Patterson. You know, she worked for John Fleming.
00:43:04I know her.
00:43:06Where were you, Mrs. Patterson?
00:43:08In the kitchen, cleaning up.
00:43:10I cooked the dinner tonight.
00:43:13Did you know that the secret closet was here?
00:43:16No.
00:43:17It was behind the grandfather's clock.
00:43:19Well, it was I who found it, really.
00:43:22Noticed the clock had been moved and the door wasn't quite closed.
00:43:25I'll get it.
00:43:40Who is it?
00:43:50Mark Fleming.
00:43:52Hmm.
00:43:53This coroner, you saw the same wounds on the others.
00:43:56How long's he been dead?
00:43:57Oh, I'd say about a half an hour.
00:44:00Do you believe it was the Bat?
00:44:02That's the Bat's trademark.
00:44:04Perhaps he's still in the house.
00:44:07That's possible.
00:44:12Why should he be?
00:44:14Because he's looking for something, and like you, he believes it's here.
00:44:18And he's a persistent killer.
00:44:20I would advise you to get out of this house as quickly as possible.
00:44:24Notwithstanding our expert police protection.
00:44:27Have you called the morgue?
00:44:28I'm on their way here.
00:44:29Oh, good.
00:44:30I want to examine the body before they get here.
00:44:33May we take it into another room?
00:44:34Yes, to the sunroom in the back.
00:44:36Thank you. Give me a hand.
00:44:37Excuse me.
00:44:48Oh, Warner, where have you been?
00:44:51Well, madam, it was...
00:44:52Has it been an accident?
00:44:54There's been a murder.
00:44:58Mark Fleming, the young man from whom I leased this place, was killed here tonight.
00:45:02Do they know who did it?
00:45:03Well, they... they believe it was the Bat.
00:45:06I'm sorry I had to use the front door, Miss Van Gorder.
00:45:08But I forgot my keys, and when I rang the bell at the kitchen door, there was no response.
00:45:13Oh, this is Warner, Lieutenant. He's my butler. He was my chauffeur.
00:45:18Why did you promote him?
00:45:19Well, it's very difficult to find a butler. They don't like service in the country.
00:45:24Have you been a butler before?
00:45:26I've served in many capacities, sir, but this was my night off, and I forgot my keys.
00:45:30I heard that part.
00:45:31What time did you leave the house tonight?
00:45:33Oh, about 6.30. I had dinner at Wiley's Roadhouse.
00:45:37Can you prove where you spent the rest of the evening?
00:45:40I can try.
00:45:41Try hard.
00:45:43And don't leave the house. I'll get to you later.
00:45:45Very good, sir. I shall be in my room, Miss Van Gorder, if you need me.
00:45:50Yes, Warner.
00:45:54Surely you don't think he's...
00:45:57Warner and I've met before.
00:45:59I can't recall where or when.
00:46:03But I will.
00:46:10There'll be a crew here shortly from headquarters, dusting for fingerprints, taking photographs.
00:46:14But in the meantime,
00:46:16Mrs. Patterson, you aren't leaving the house tonight, are you?
00:46:19No, Lieutenant.
00:46:21Don't. I'll talk to you in the morning.
00:46:23Good night.
00:46:23Good night, sir. Good night, Miss Van Gorder.
00:46:27Dale.
00:46:28I was with Mark Fleming this afternoon when you talked to him about the floor plans of this house.
00:46:33I heard him tell you he was coming here tonight.
00:46:35Dale called him at my request.
00:46:38She told me he was coming.
00:46:40Who else heard I tell you that?
00:46:43Judy, Lizzie.
00:46:45And that nice Dr. Wells.
00:46:47Dr. Wells.
00:46:52There are a few killers who kill for the fun of it.
00:46:55But that very likely is a mental case.
00:46:57And I'm convinced that his crimes are motivated by his mania for personal gain.
00:47:02There's a million dollars at large.
00:47:03And he's going to keep on hunting for it until he lays his hands on it.
00:47:07Now, these young ladies are staying here tonight?
00:47:09Yes, they're my house guests.
00:47:11Well, when my crew arrives, we'll be busy for a while.
00:47:14So I'd suggest that you...
00:47:15That we go to our rooms?
00:47:16That's a very good idea.
00:47:17Come on, girls.
00:47:22What about a police guard for this house tonight, Lieutenant?
00:47:26You've got one.
00:47:27I'm going to cover this place tonight from the attic to the basement.
00:47:30If the vet makes another call, I'll have a little surprise for him.
00:47:36Who, uh...
00:47:37Who is he?
00:47:39Have you any idea?
00:47:46He could be anybody.
00:47:47So far, there are clues to his identity, but nothing we could take before a jury.
00:47:52I am afraid we must look higher than the criminal world.
00:47:56He may be a merchant, lawyer, doctor, scientist.
00:48:00One of the pillars of his community.
00:48:04Ladies, lock your doors tonight. Stay behind them.
00:48:07I promise you, you'll be safe.
00:48:09Good night.
00:48:09Good night, you dear.
00:48:10Good night.
00:48:10Good night.
00:48:44Poor Mark.
00:48:46Yeah, it's a pity.
00:48:47So young.
00:48:50Well, doctor, do you agree it was the bat?
00:48:53In my report, I shall say the death was caused by the same technique used in the other killings.
00:48:58A paralyzing blow to the throat, followed by severe lacerations of the jugular, resulting in excessive hemorrhage.
00:49:06In a layman's language, he didn't know what hit him.
00:49:09Oh, he knew.
00:49:12But he didn't have time to think about it.
00:49:23You staying here tonight, Andy?
00:49:25Well, until I check the doors and windows, but I'll be back bright and early in the morning.
00:49:30Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed
00:49:37rounds.
00:49:38A lot of people are due for a shock when I close this case.
00:49:42Yes, I'm sure they are.
00:49:44Good night, Andy.
00:49:45Don't get hurt.
00:49:47Good night, doctor.
00:50:03You know, I think we'd better let you get some sleep.
00:50:05Oh, Lizzie and I share this room for mutual protection.
00:50:08You know, one night, a storm blew the wires down, put the lights out, and I went out the next
00:50:13day and bought a half a dozen of these things.
00:50:14You better take one with you, Dale.
00:50:16Oh, thank you.
00:50:19We'll go across the hall now.
00:50:20Are you sure there's nothing else you need?
00:50:22Oh, no.
00:50:23Quite sure.
00:50:23We'll be all right.
00:50:24Well, if anything bothers you, you just sing out and two strong women will come to your rescue.
00:50:30Oh, nothing will bother us.
00:50:31Not with Andy on the job.
00:50:33No.
00:50:33Well, good night.
00:50:33Good night, Miss Borg.
00:50:35Don't worry.
00:50:35Everything will be all right.
00:50:36No, we won't.
00:50:37Good night.
00:50:37Good night.
00:50:39Come on.
00:51:02Oh, I don't think I'll sleep tonight.
00:51:05Me neither.
00:51:07All I can see is poor Mark Fleming staring at us.
00:51:13I thought that when people died, their eyes closed, as in sleep.
00:51:18Don't think about it.
00:51:20I'll bet you're thinking about it.
00:51:23No, I was thinking of my poor husband sleeping in jail tonight.
00:51:27Oh, Judy, I love him so much.
00:51:38I love you.
00:52:07Let's go.
00:52:38Let's go.
00:53:06Let's go.
00:53:36Let's go.
00:53:40Let's go.
00:53:48Let's go.
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01:11:21here.
01:11:48Let's go.
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01:20:05Let's go.
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