- 2 days ago
- #oldtimeradio
A young photographer discovers a strange camera that can photograph incidents yet to happen. But he is persuaded by its creators. And the people whose futures have already been predicted by the camera.
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00:13Come in. Welcome. This is E.G. Marshall, and you're welcome in my world where things are
00:24even stranger than they seem, and reality falls before truth. We've all heard that one picture
00:33is worth a thousand words, but is this really true? A quick example. Would your sweetheart rather
00:41hear you say, I love you, or look at your picture? But pictures have their place, as millions of camera
00:49fans all over the world will tell you. Listen as we hear about a strange and dangerous camera
00:56which brought tragedy to those who owned it. No! No, please don't hit me again. I told you,
01:02I don't know it. Oh, don't. There's no sense in you hitting me and hitting me. I don't know the
01:08combination. Please. I don't care about the camera. I really don't. I would tell you if I could, but
01:16Johnny changed the combination on the safe because he knows how I felt about it. No!
01:30Our mystery drama, Die, You're on Magic Camera, was written especially for the Mystery Theater
01:37by Murray Burnett and stars Nick Pryor and Terry Keene. How do you feel when your host or hostess
01:45pulls out the old family album for a quiet evening looking over family snapshots? Some people find this
01:52enjoyable. Johnny Carlin loved picture taking. At the time our story opens, Johnny had attained a
02:00cherished ambition. He was a proud owner of a brand new Volecta S60, a magnificent camera, and the very
02:09last word in self-developing photography. To add to his happiness, he was taking the very first picture
02:16on the Volecta of his beautiful and bubbly girl, Lisa Keene.
02:22Uh, move to your left, Lisa. If you can sort of lean against the pillar of the bank there.
02:28Yeah. Yeah, that's it. Hold it.
02:32Good.
02:34I can't wait to see it.
02:35Neither can I.
02:36What happens now?
02:37You just push this button and wait for the picture to develop.
02:40Seems like a miracle.
02:41It's a brilliant piece of scientific work. Someday I'll explain how it works. Now, we open this
02:48back and here's your picture.
02:53But, well, how strange. Is that the picture you took?
02:59It, it sure isn't. Wait a minute. I, I can't figure out what happened.
03:05Look how clear the inside of the bank is. Is that a holdup going on?
03:10Well, yeah, it looks like it.
03:13But there hasn't been a holdup. Look, everything's normal.
03:17Yeah, I, I can see it is, but the, the camera doesn't lie. There are three guys with guns and
03:25people lying on the floor. This is crazy.
03:35I don't know what I did about breakfast before I met you, Lisa.
03:38You had coffee and Danish and some greasy spoon.
03:42Remind me to chalk up another reason for us to get married. It'll be more convenient for me to have
03:47you in my kitchen than for me to come over to your place every morning.
03:51I'll remind you.
03:52Hey, hey, Lisa, look at this.
03:57Intercoastal trust held up by three bandits who escape with $30,000 in cash and negotiable
04:03securities. Johnny, isn't that the...
04:09That's the bank where we stood when I took that picture.
04:13What does it mean?
04:15Hand me my camera.
04:18Here.
04:19It beats me that this is a perfectly ordinary volecta.
04:24Well, could it have been just a freak thing, some kind of a crazy mix-up?
04:29You tell me how this camera could take a picture of a holdup in a bank that hadn't happened yet.
04:35Can you explain that?
04:36No. Why don't we just forget about it?
04:40Because there's a reward for information leading to the capture of the robbers.
04:46You think the picture we have shows the actual robbers?
04:50Well, it's worth a try.
04:58Inspector Barrett, 45th Precinct. Can I help you?
05:01Uh, yeah, I'm, uh, I'm calling about the intercoastal bank robbery yesterday.
05:06Uh, I think I have something that'll help.
05:09Thank you for calling. What do you have?
05:11Well, I, I can't tell it over the phone.
05:14Why not?
05:15Because it's a photograph.
05:17A photograph?
05:18Yeah, I, I was taking a picture of my girl outside the intercoastal bank yesterday,
05:23and, and, uh, somehow I, I got a picture of the holdup.
05:27Where are you now?
05:28My office is 1 Central Park South.
05:31I'll be there in an hour.
05:32The name is, uh, Carlin Communications.
05:34I'm John Carlin.
05:36See you in an hour, Mr. Carlin, and thanks.
05:39You didn't say anything about the reward.
05:41There's time for that when I get him in the office.
05:46You expect anyone?
05:47No.
05:49Uh, you'll forgive me, but the door was open.
05:53What, that, that's impossible.
05:56I always double lock that door.
05:58We're all forgetful at times.
06:00You're John Carlin.
06:02Who are you?
06:03My card.
06:05Volecta Camera Corporation, Nicholas Scarlett, sales representative.
06:10Yes, Mr. Scarlett?
06:12I'll come straight to the point, Mr. Carlin.
06:14Our records show that you purchased a Volecta S60 on the 27th of this month.
06:19Correct?
06:20That's right.
06:20Well, it was our mistake.
06:22No question about it.
06:23A very grave error.
06:25That model was sold to you by some stupid clerk.
06:28It is an experimental camera that should not be on the market.
06:32So, since it was our error, we are going to give you your choice of any two Volecta cameras you
06:38wish,
06:39including our motion picture line, when you return the experimental model.
06:44Well, fair.
06:46What kind of experiments were you doing with this model?
06:50Not my department, Johnny.
06:52I'm just here to get the camera back.
06:54Well, suppose I want to keep the camera.
06:57Why would you want to do that?
06:59Suppose I did.
07:01Bad move, Johnny.
07:02I wouldn't advise it.
07:05You mean there's a chance that the Volecta people might try to grab it sometime?
07:10Rip me off?
07:11Oh, never.
07:12You paid for the camera.
07:13It's yours unless you return it voluntarily.
07:16That's the rule of the company, and that's the way it works.
07:20Now, what do you say?
07:21Do we have a deal?
07:23I'd like to think it over.
07:25Oh, sure thing, sure thing.
07:26But believe me, Johnny, this camera wasn't meant for you.
07:31And whatever you're thinking, it won't work out.
07:40When did you take this shot, Mr. Carlin?
07:43Well, I don't remember the exact time, Inspector, but it must have been during the robbery.
07:49Hmm.
07:50Well, when else could it have been?
07:52I don't know.
07:53Well, but maybe you can explain how it is that the faces of the hold-up men are so sharp
07:58and clear.
07:59Well, the Volecta S60 is a marvelous camera.
08:02Yeah, it must be, since the bank camera shows that the men were wearing stocking masks.
08:11Johnny, I don't know what you're trying to prove, but I've got to get out of this hotel lobby.
08:15I can't figure it out.
08:17It just doesn't make sense.
08:19Every single one of these pictures came out just the way I took them.
08:23Well, why shouldn't they?
08:24Well, how do you explain that picture in front of the bank?
08:27I told you, it was a freak, that's all.
08:30Come on, let's get out of here.
08:31Well, maybe you're right.
08:33There's a phone over there.
08:34You sit in this chair while I call Scarlett and tell him I'm ready to make the deal.
08:38Okay, but make it fast.
08:40One minute.
08:46Electa, good afternoon.
08:48Mr. Scarlett, please.
08:50Who?
08:51Mr. Nicholas Scarlett, sales representative.
08:53I'm sorry, but we have no Mr. Scarlett here.
08:56No, you must have.
08:58I have his card right here.
08:59It says Nicholas Scarlett.
09:00I'm sorry, sir.
09:02There's no Mr. Scarlett working for us.
09:06Is it all set?
09:07Can we go now?
09:08Electa never heard of Nicholas Scarlett.
09:11He doesn't work for them.
09:13What?
09:14Well, that's impossible.
09:15He offered you...
09:17He's a phony.
09:18He just wants the camera.
09:20I've got to figure this thing out from every angle.
09:23Johnny, I'm tired and I'm hungry.
09:25I just want to get out of this hotel.
09:27On our way out, I just want to take one more shot.
09:32Johnny, that's an empty passenger elevator.
09:35I can see that.
09:38Okay, there.
09:39Now let's go.
09:40We'll look at what comes out in the restaurant.
09:50Oh, I never would have believed a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich could taste this good.
09:55Look, Lisa.
09:56Look at this shot.
09:57What, the empty elevator?
09:59It isn't empty.
10:00On this picture.
10:01Look.
10:03Johnny.
10:05Johnny.
10:06Johnny, I'm frightened.
10:07Lisa, you've got to help me find the girl in the picture.
10:10Johnny, I want you to throw that camera in the river.
10:13And just forget about what's going to happen to that girl in the picture with the knife at her throat?
10:18How do we know it hasn't happened already?
10:20Honey, I've been through that with you.
10:23The first picture showed a robbery that was going to happen.
10:26And it did.
10:28Now we have a girl and a man in a hotel elevator.
10:31And the guy has a knife at her throat.
10:33We might be able to stop that from happening.
10:36Oh, we don't even know who she is.
10:37She's, she's, she's probably a guest at the hotel.
10:40One of the desk clerks should recognize her picture if you show it to her.
10:44This picture?
10:45I can't show them that.
10:47No, of course not.
10:48But I can crop it so that the man with the knife is out.
10:51Johnny, it's no use.
10:53I don't want to go around asking about a girl I don't know.
10:56I don't want anything to do with that camera.
10:58I just want you to get rid of it.
11:00Lisa, do you want to throw away a million dollars?
11:06Johnny, you sound like a stranger.
11:08I don't even know you.
11:10Why do you talk about a million dollars?
11:13What's this picture got to do with...
11:15Don't you see the possibilities that exist with this camera?
11:19I can predict when a crime will occur.
11:22I can also show the face of the criminal.
11:25Now, will you think of what a private detective agency could do with something like that?
11:29But how would you explain it?
11:31I don't have to explain anything.
11:33I don't know.
11:33I just have a bad feeling about the whole thing.
11:36She's right, Johnny.
11:37Listen to what she's saying.
11:39Mr. Scarlett, where did you come from?
11:42Well, I have here the two cameras that the Volekta company promised you in return for the experimental model.
11:48You don't work for Volekta.
11:50I checked.
11:51They never heard of you.
11:53That's of no importance.
11:54No?
11:55Well, what is?
11:56That you returned the camera to me.
11:59The way I figure it is, you just want that camera for yourself.
12:04I don't buy that story about the camera being an experimental model.
12:08Oh, really?
12:08No?
12:09Ah, then what do you think it is?
12:12Well, it...
12:13Ah, yes?
12:16Well, what difference does it make?
12:18It's mine.
12:19Unfortunately.
12:20Look, I've had about enough of you, Mr. Scarlett.
12:23Now, we have work to do, and if you'll excuse me...
12:26Ah, you'll find what you're interested in, in this newspaper, on page three.
12:33Unknown assailant stabs girl in hotel elevator.
12:37Johnny!
12:39That's...
12:40That's tomorrow's paper.
12:42Oh, just an early edition.
12:44It will be on the streets in two hours.
12:46At any rate, you're too late to help Miss Stearns.
12:49Uh, but to ease your conscience, she wasn't seriously injured, and should be out of the
12:53hospital in a day or two.
12:56What hospital?
12:57It doesn't say here.
12:59And how do you know so much?
13:00Oh, you know, it's always embarrassing when we're forced into this position, especially
13:04in this atomic computer age, but I see there's no help for it.
13:08Now, through an error, a piece of equipment used by my organization has come into your possession.
13:14I don't think it's necessary to explain that this shouldn't be in the hands of any mortal.
13:20Hold it.
13:21Hold it right there.
13:22You said mortal.
13:24Are you trying to tell me that you're not a human being?
13:28Johnny, be careful.
13:30Ah, come off it, Lisa.
13:32Now, look, Scarlett, if you're the devil and you want my camera, you'd have no problem
13:40in getting it.
13:40You wouldn't be here asking for a swap, practically begging me to give it to you?
13:46Ordinarily, you'd be right.
13:47But there are unalterable rules which govern my organization, and one of them is that when
13:52a mortal makes a legitimate purchase from us, we're bound to a bargain.
13:57We can only ask that he return his purchase of his own free will.
14:02Now that I've revealed this much to you, I suggest that you take the...
14:06Uh-uh.
14:07No deal, Nick.
14:08Or whatever your name is.
14:10You made a bargain.
14:12And you're stuck.
14:14May I make one correction?
14:17It is not I, Johnny, who is stuck.
14:20But you, who are doomed.
14:30I don't suppose there's one of us who hasn't thought of what they'd say or ask if they
14:36really had a conversation with the devil.
14:39You know, I like to believe that most of us have at one time or another, but that we somehow
14:45either didn't recognize him or didn't believe him.
14:58When a man looks back on his life, it's easy for him to pick out the mistakes he made, where
15:04if he had done things differently, if he had done things differently, his life would have
15:08been better.
15:09However, man is always the victim of his desires, and in today's world, the desire for wealth
15:15can blind.
15:18Johnny Carlin had become the owner of a strange camera, a camera which seemed to be able to
15:23take pictures of the future.
15:25And Johnny Carlin had visions of untold wealth.
15:30He had also been warned.
15:32But greed has its own way of muffling warnings.
15:37I hate all of this.
15:38I wish you'd give it up, Johnny.
15:41I can't stand all this lying and maneuvering with people who are calling for help.
15:45Who's lying?
15:46We can deliver.
15:47Lisa, all we have to do is tell them that we have to take a picture.
15:51That's all.
15:52But there have been dozens of calls from people who have been ripped off or mugged and want
15:56us to find the criminal.
15:57Simple.
15:58We tell them we can't help them.
16:00This is the Carlin Crime Prevention Agency.
16:03We can forestall a crime.
16:04We can't solve it.
16:06You don't have to do anything except tell them the truth.
16:09All right?
16:10Now, what have we got today?
16:11You must be kidding.
16:13Here, look.
16:14Here's just a few of the latest messages.
16:17Uh-huh.
16:18Banks?
16:18Hey, these are good.
16:19Banks will be regular customers when we get set up properly.
16:24Uh, nothing, nothing.
16:26Hey.
16:28Andrea Scudder.
16:30Well, what do you know?
16:32You know her?
16:34Well, the same way you do.
16:35Heiress to the Scudder millions.
16:37Beauty.
16:38Playgirl.
16:39Athlete and all-around Hellraiser.
16:41She said she wanted to talk to you about a personal problem.
16:44Uh-huh.
16:46Andrea Scudder.
16:48That's money.
16:50Call her and make the appointment.
16:57Mr. Carlin, I'm being blackmailed.
16:59I don't know by whom.
17:01Can you find out?
17:02Well, I can try, Miss Scudder.
17:04If I don't succeed, there'll be no fee.
17:07And if you do, there'll be no publicity.
17:09I don't want my name spread all over the front pages.
17:12You have my word.
17:13Fine.
17:14The job is worth $50,000.
17:17Is that satisfactory?
17:18Uh, yeah, yeah.
17:21That's, uh, that's okay.
17:22Uh, uh, I'd like a little more information.
17:25Such as?
17:26Well, what happens when and if I deliver the name of the blackmailer to you?
17:30You get my check, my thanks, and my farewell.
17:33I'll take it from there.
17:34Uh, not satisfactory.
17:35Uh, look at it from my point of view, Miss Scudder.
17:39You ask me to get you a name and then walk away?
17:43Now, obviously, you, uh, you have some plans for this blackmailer.
17:48Probably for getting rid of him.
17:49That is none of your business.
17:51Uh, granted, but if you intend to, uh, uh, hire someone to take care of your problem with
17:59him, then that can't be done very quietly, and I might get involved.
18:04Miss Scudder, let's put it this way.
18:06I am not a killer, nor do I intend to become one.
18:10This blackmailer must be someone in my circle of friends.
18:13You'll have to take my word for that, because the information that he holds over my head...
18:16Miss Scudder, excuse me.
18:17You keep saying, he.
18:19Why?
18:20Because it's a man's voice disguised that talks to me over the telephone.
18:24But the blackmailer could conceivably be a woman.
18:28It's possible.
18:29But it would still be one of my group.
18:31Okay.
18:32Now, the only request that I make of you is that you allow me to take your picture.
18:38My picture?
18:39Just a snapshot.
18:41Well, I don't see what that is.
18:42Well, that's, that's the way I work.
18:44I, uh, I get strong impressions from a picture.
18:48Uh, uh, emanations.
18:49Call it whatever you want.
18:52It works.
18:54Well, all right.
18:56How do you want me to pose?
18:57I don't have my camera with me.
18:59Uh, you see, I wasn't sure that I would take your case.
19:03Could you come to my office tomorrow at your convenience?
19:10Uh, full face, if you please.
19:13Whatever you say.
19:18Uh, that, that's it?
19:20That's it.
19:21Thank you for coming to the office.
19:23Well, what happens now?
19:24Well, I'll study the picture and hopefully get some vibrations which will enable me to name the blackmailer.
19:31How long do you think it will take?
19:32Not long.
19:33I may be in touch with you this afternoon.
19:36All my instinct tells me that this was a waste of time.
19:41But if it doesn't work, it'll cost me nothing.
19:46Exactly, Miss Scudder.
19:47See you later.
19:48I hope.
19:51You will, Miss Scudder.
19:53You certainly will.
19:56Lisa?
19:57Yes?
19:58She's gone.
19:59Come on.
20:00We'll see what the picture looks like.
20:06I don't know what you expect to come out of this.
20:10What is it?
20:11She said she wouldn't.
20:13She said she wasn't a killer.
20:16Who's the man?
20:18I've never seen him before.
20:20But from the looks of this picture, she's pumping a few bullets into the blackmailer.
20:31Are you sure you know what you're going to tell her?
20:33I'm not going to tell her anything.
20:35Hand me the scissors.
20:37Here.
20:38All right.
20:41There.
20:42Now, all we have is a picture of the blackmailer.
20:45I'll take this up to her and say, here's the man who's been blackmailing you.
20:49Give me a check for $50,000, please.
20:52Johnny, she looked a lot older in this picture.
20:56Well, he isn't too young either.
20:58I want you to promise me something.
21:01When and if you get the million, you'll forget about the camera and throw it away.
21:06Lisa, that...
21:06Johnny, please promise.
21:10Okay.
21:11If that will make you happy, okay.
21:20Come in, Mr. Carlin.
21:22I must say, you work fast.
21:25The picture did the trick.
21:26Yes.
21:27And you have a name.
21:28No.
21:29But I have his picture.
21:32His picture?
21:34Here it is.
21:35You can probably put a name to it.
21:42If this is your idea of a joke, Mr. Carlin, I am not amused.
21:47But I don't understand.
21:49Something must have gone wrong.
21:50Now, wait.
21:50I meant what I said, Mr. Carlin.
21:52And I have something to say to you, Miss Scudder.
21:54You asked my help in locating a blackmailer.
21:57Now, I came up with this picture, and it's obviously upset you.
22:00I don't know who the man in the picture is.
22:02The man in the picture is Tracy Kingsford, my fiancée.
22:06Your fiancée?
22:07Exactly.
22:08And I know he isn't the blackmailer, because he could and will have half of everything I have when we
22:14marry next month.
22:15But now, I don't know what your purpose was in showing me this picture, or even how you got it.
22:20But this picture of Tracy, he isn't this old.
22:29Where did you get this?
22:30Well, maybe it isn't your fiancée.
22:33Don't be ridiculous.
22:33Where did you get it?
22:34I'm afraid that's confidential.
22:36I want to know why you thought Tracy was the blackmailer.
22:39Miss Scudder, I told you.
22:40I made a mistake.
22:40I will pay for the information.
22:42What is your price?
22:43If I decide to tell you, it won't cost you a penny.
22:47But I'll have to think it over.
22:56What are you going to do, Johnny?
22:59I honestly don't know.
23:01I've learned one thing, though, about this camera.
23:04So have I.
23:05It's best to use it with places, or institutions, like banks or jewelry stores, rather than with people.
23:13It's wrong for you to have it, and even worse for you to try to use it.
23:16Now, Lisa, it can't do me any harm.
23:20If I learn to use it properly, I won't get into anything like the Scudder situation.
23:25You still haven't decided what to do about that.
23:27Yeah.
23:28Yeah, I have.
23:29Now, I'm just going to forget it.
23:31Forget it?
23:32How do you forget something like that?
23:34A very good question, Miss Kane.
23:37You're after the camera again, aren't you, Scarlett?
23:40Of course.
23:41I should think by this time you'd be convinced that it isn't for mortals.
23:45Ah, right.
23:46You have to say that, huh?
23:48Well, that doesn't make it a lie.
23:51But it makes it suspect.
23:53I can take whatever you say with a grain of salt.
23:56Well, let's get back to Miss Scudder.
23:57You know that she's going to kill her husband, and you're going to let her.
24:02Can you live with that knowledge?
24:05Well, can I stop her?
24:07You can try.
24:08Okay.
24:09Tell me how.
24:11You can tell her the truth.
24:13Ah, that would be interesting.
24:15Tell me, Miss Kane.
24:17Suppose someone came in here and told you that you were going to kill Johnny after you're married.
24:22Would you believe him?
24:24Well...
24:24Would you?
24:27No.
24:29Johnny, you could put the picture back together and show her the picture.
24:34Show her shooting him.
24:35Yeah, but she'll ask me how I got the picture.
24:37You're getting to be good at lying.
24:39You'll tell her you have this gift of...
24:42Prophecy?
24:43Yes.
24:44That somehow when you take pictures of people, it shows the future somehow.
24:48That you've only recently discovered the gift.
24:51You could tell her that.
24:53Oh, interesting.
24:54Look, we don't need you here.
24:56You don't know how wrong you are.
24:58Why don't you just give up?
25:00I'm not going to give you the camera.
25:02Oh.
25:04That's...
25:04final.
25:06You can bank on it.
25:08All right.
25:08All right.
25:09Then I'll ask you for a favor.
25:10And I give you my word.
25:12You won't regret it.
25:14Yeah.
25:15Well, what is it?
25:16Permit me to take one picture.
25:20What for?
25:22As a favor.
25:22Uh-uh.
25:23Uh-uh.
25:24No deal.
25:24Once you get your hands on the camera...
25:27Johnny, I give you my solemn promise that I will take only one picture and immediately
25:30return the camera to you.
25:33But why should I believe you?
25:35Because I've already told you that I can only get the camera from you if you give it to me.
25:40I cannot trick you.
25:42Johnny, please, let him.
25:44Well, all right.
25:47So long as it's clearly understood that you're only taking one picture.
25:51Understood.
25:52All right.
25:54Lisa, get the camera.
25:56Right away.
25:57Uh, wait a minute.
25:59What picture are you going to take?
26:00Uh-uh.
26:01That wasn't part of our bargain.
26:02The only right you have, Johnny, is to keep the camera and destroy yourself.
26:07That right has been granted to you.
26:09Here's the camera, Mr. Scott.
26:11I thank you.
26:11Uh, no, no, wait a minute.
26:12Not so fast.
26:13I told him...
26:15And here's your camera, Johnny.
26:18Well, what about the picture?
26:20You just snapped something at Wanda.
26:22Oh, the picture, Johnny.
26:23The picture is mine.
26:25I hope that I will not have to show it to you.
26:36Oh, please, please, please, I told you, I don't know.
26:40Please, there's no sense in you hitting me.
26:42I don't know the combination.
26:44I don't care about the camera.
26:47I don't.
26:48I would tell you if I could, but he changed the combination to the safe because he knows
26:53how I feel.
27:05Hello?
27:06John Carlin?
27:07Speaking.
27:07Inspector Barrett.
27:08Remember me?
27:09Oh, oh, yeah, Inspector.
27:12You know a girl named Lisa Kane?
27:14Well, of course.
27:15She's my fiancée, and she also works with me.
27:18Well, forgive me, but I've been through this before.
27:21I've got the kind of news that can't be broken gently.
27:24What is it?
27:26Something happened, Lisa?
27:27She was beaten up.
27:28Badly.
27:29She's in the emergency clinic at City Hospital, and she's asking for you.
27:40Since the days when Homer smoked his blooming lyre and regaled Grecian nobles with the stories
27:46of Greek gods and men, which have become part of our Western heritage, man has sought to
27:53pierce the veil of the future.
27:55And ever since those days, from Cassandra on, man has consistently ignored the words of
28:02prophecy, no matter from where they came.
28:05Now, Johnny Carlin has been given more than a warning.
28:09Whether he heeds it or not, we'll find out.
28:22Black magic from a black box.
28:26A seemingly ordinary camera purchased by Johnny Carlin has turned out to be anything but ordinary.
28:33In fact, it has the capability of depicting future crimes which will be committed by or
28:39against the people photographed.
28:42The camera has brought Johnny a lot of money, a lot of notoriety, and a lot of trouble.
28:49Lisa Kane, his fiancée, is in the emergency clinic of City Hospital because she has been
28:55brutally beaten.
28:57You got here fast, Carlin.
28:59Where is she, Inspector?
29:00One of the rooms down the hall.
29:03She's been asking for you.
29:04All right, let's go.
29:06Any idea why she was picked on?
29:09No.
29:09Wasn't it an ordinary mugging?
29:11Hardly.
29:12She was attacked in your office.
29:13Nothing was taken from her purse.
29:17Johnny.
29:19Johnny, I want...
29:20I want Johnny.
29:22I'm here, Lisa.
29:23I'm right here.
29:24Oh, Johnny.
29:26Johnny didn't want it, the camera.
29:28They knew it.
29:29They knew it was in the tape.
29:31Now, don't try to talk now.
29:33Please, let me.
29:34I want...
29:35I want to tell you.
29:36Did you see their faces, Miss Kane?
29:38Yes.
29:39You think you could recognize them if I showed you some pictures?
29:42Inspector, look, I don't think she's in any shape.
29:44Johnny, get rid of the camera.
29:46Get rid of the camera.
29:47Is this the same camera that took the pictures that nabbed the men who robbed the intercoastal
29:51bank?
29:52Inspector, look, you can tell she's in pain.
29:54Doctors say she's going to be all right.
29:56Now, what about the camera?
29:57Well, this isn't the time or the place.
29:59This is the time.
30:00You want to find another place, it's okay with me.
30:08That's good coffee.
30:09Another cup, Inspector?
30:11We got the coffee.
30:11Give me some facts.
30:12Look, I've told you everything I could.
30:15Uh-uh.
30:17The camera.
30:18Now, what's with the camera?
30:20It's one of the new Vilectas.
30:22You've seen them?
30:22Sure, they all take pictures of masked stick-up guys and show their faces, right?
30:26Look, Inspector, I can't explain how that happened.
30:30I'm going to level with you, Carlin.
30:31And then you better level with me.
30:33Look, Inspector, are you threatening me?
30:35I didn't press you about it before because you did me a favor.
30:39I got a lot of brownie points for bringing in those bank robbers.
30:43But now the heat's on me again.
30:45A new commissioner is throwing his weight around.
30:47And I'm looking for something that'll help me score with him.
30:50Well, I'm afraid you're looking in the wrong direction.
30:52Inspector, let me see the camera.
30:54I've told you.
30:55I know what you've told me.
30:56And I know you haven't leveled with me.
30:58Two guys don't beat up a girl looking for a combination to a safe that holds nothing but a camera.
31:03Unless they want that particular camera awfully bad.
31:06Inspector, that's pure speculation.
31:08Now, they may have thought there was a lot of cash in the safe.
31:11The girl says all they wanted was the camera.
31:13Inspector, she's like you.
31:15She's got a thing about it.
31:17I sure have.
31:20Take a guy named Johnny Carlin in the communications business.
31:23He buys a camera.
31:24And all of a sudden, he's in the crime prevention business.
31:27And doing very well.
31:29How come, Carlin?
31:30I discovered I had a special talent.
31:33Yeah.
31:34I checked with some of your satisfied clients.
31:37They tell me you use ESP.
31:39Yeah, that's right.
31:40And the camera.
31:41Yeah, that's right again.
31:43But I don't buy it.
31:44Well, I'm not trying to sell it to you.
31:47Yes, you are, Carlin.
31:48You're trying to sell me a phony story.
31:51Now, I want that camera you use for your ESP bit.
31:55It seems to me that you're a lot more interested in the camera than you are in getting the guys
32:00who beat up Lisa.
32:01I haven't heard you screaming at me to find them.
32:04If I thought that would do any good, you'd hear me on the moon.
32:07Meaning?
32:08Meaning that I think we'll get those guys one way or another.
32:12You think you have a way?
32:14Maybe.
32:15Something to do with a camera.
32:17You have your methods.
32:18I have mine.
32:19If I come across anything, and I expect to, I'll let you know, Inspector.
32:32Seven left, three right, and...
32:37And all the way past zero to the right, to four, and then eleven to the left.
32:42Scarlet, you stole it.
32:45Oh, Johnny, Johnny, when are you going to start believing me?
32:48I told you, it's against the rules.
32:50What are you doing here?
32:51I came to help.
32:52Well, I don't want your help.
32:54You're not interested in finding the man who beat up Lisa?
32:57Well, I don't need you.
32:58Of course.
32:59You have the camera.
33:01May I remind you that it only works in the future, not in the past.
33:04The crime on Lisa has already been committed.
33:07And that's all you came here for?
33:10And to give you this snapshot.
33:12Remember?
33:13The one I took in this office when you lent me the camera?
33:16Let me see it.
33:17Here it is.
33:19These are the guys.
33:21Here they are.
33:23It's a perfect picture.
33:25Excuse me.
33:26Where are you going?
33:26I'm going to show it to Inspector Barrett.
33:28He'll be able to pick up these hoods in no time.
33:31Of course.
33:32And what do you tell him when he asks you where you got this picture?
33:35He'll be more determined than ever to get his hands on the camera.
33:39Well, then, why did you snap it?
33:41Wait a minute.
33:43You knew it was going to happen.
33:45Why didn't you warn her?
33:47Which question do you want answered?
33:50Both of them.
33:51Neither of them.
33:52Look, I don't know.
33:54I just want to do something.
33:56Johnny, give me the camera.
33:58All right.
33:59Look, I'll make a deal with you.
34:01That's what I'm here for.
34:02Which two cameras of the Volekta line do you want?
34:05Yeah, you're pretty sharp, all right.
34:07I'll give you the camera for one million dollars.
34:12Sorry, Johnny.
34:14I can't make that deal.
34:16Why not?
34:17Because it's against the rules.
34:18I...
34:19I had to get a special concession even to be able to offer you two cameras.
34:23Believe me, Johnny.
34:24A mortal cannot profit by a mistake like the one that was made with your camera.
34:30So get out while you can.
34:32And let me have the camera.
34:34You know, you sound like a broken record.
34:36Well, haven't you had enough?
34:37Can't you understand now why this camera can bring only tragedy?
34:40Well, which question do you want answered?
34:43Oh, it's interesting that I find it much more difficult to do a good deed than an evil one.
34:56I'd like to know what makes you think you can pick out these mugs, Carlton.
35:00You've never even seen them.
35:01Yeah?
35:02Well, what have you got to lose, Inspector?
35:03Time.
35:04I could be showing these mug shots to your girl.
35:06She's the one who saw them.
35:09You looking for someone you know?
35:10Well, I'm just looking for a couple of faces.
35:15I think...
35:16Wait a minute.
35:18Yep.
35:19Here you are.
35:20Here are your men.
35:21Joe Horn and Spence Vogel.
35:24Are you sure?
35:25I'm positive.
35:27How do you know?
35:28What happened since I saw you at the hospital?
35:30Will you stop asking questions and pick these guys up?
35:34What if you're wrong?
35:35I'll look like some kind of...
35:36I'm not wrong.
35:44Hey, I've got good news, Lisa.
35:46The doctor says you'll be able to go home in a couple of days.
35:49That's nice.
35:51Well, honey, you don't seem very happy.
35:55Johnny, what have you done about the camera?
35:57Isn't it great?
35:58They've caught the two guys who hurt you.
36:00So you've still got the camera.
36:02Look, Lisa...
36:06Hello.
36:08It's for you, Inspector Backstreet.
36:10Barrett.
36:11Barrett?
36:12How did he know I was here?
36:15Hello?
36:16Colin, I want you to meet me in your office as soon as possible.
36:20Well, why?
36:21What's up?
36:21I'll tell you when you get there.
36:23Be there.
36:26What did he want?
36:28Well, he wants me to meet him in my office as soon as possible.
36:32Johnny, please don't go.
36:34Oh, Lisa, why not?
36:35He just got here.
36:36Look, if I go now, I can finish with Barrett and get back and spend an hour or so with
36:41you before I get thrown out.
36:47Inspector, I never really thanked you for getting those two guys.
36:51That's what I came about.
36:52What?
36:53To get thanked?
36:54In a way.
36:56I want that camera.
36:57Hey, Inspector, look.
36:59You must be losing your marbles.
37:01I told you...
37:01Now, listen to me, Colin.
37:02And listen good.
37:04I put 16 years of my life into the police force.
37:07And they've just transferred me to Staten Island.
37:11Me.
37:12Inspector Barrett sent the...
37:14Well, you get the idea.
37:17Now, I'm not sitting still for this transfer.
37:20I've got to have your little camera.
37:22Inspector, what good do you think the camera's going to do you?
37:25Oh, come off it, Colin.
37:26I'm a cop.
37:27I've done every kind of police work from pounding a beat to undercover surveillance.
37:31And never have I heard of a guy who could predict crimes and name the criminals.
37:35And you can't either, Colin.
37:36Oh, well, wait a minute.
37:37I never said I could.
37:38You can't.
37:39But you've got some kind of newfangled device on that trick camera of yours, and I want it.
37:44It's going to make a big difference to my career.
37:46Look, Inspector, I'm sorry about the transfer, but it's upset you.
37:51Now, you're dreaming.
37:52You don't believe for a minute that I've got a gadget on a camera that can look into the future?
37:58That's just what I believe.
38:00It's the only thing that makes sense.
38:01All right.
38:02Now, suppose I prove it to you.
38:04How?
38:05Now, I'll show you the camera.
38:07Fine.
38:09You'll look at the camera, and if you know anything about cameras, you'll see that it's a perfectly
38:17ordinary Velecta S60 with no extra gadgets on it.
38:23That's why you keep it in a safe.
38:25Here, Inspector.
38:27Look for yourself.
38:29You see?
38:30A plane Velecta.
38:32No gimmicks.
38:34Nothing.
38:35What did you leave in the safe?
38:37Nothing.
38:38Take a look.
38:39I will.
38:42All right.
38:42Now you're satisfied?
38:45No.
38:46I think I'll take a picture.
38:48Now, Inspector, you're being childish.
38:50What's your beef?
38:51I'll just...
38:51Now, now, give me the camera.
38:53Back off, Colin.
38:54No.
38:54Now, I said...
38:55Come on.
38:55I said give me the...
38:56No, Colin.
38:57I want to hear it.
38:59I want to hear it.
39:02I warned you, Colin.
39:04Now, get up.
39:05On your feet.
39:07Colin.
39:09Colin.
39:11Colin.
39:12Good Lord.
39:14Is that...
39:21Inspector.
39:22Inspector Barrett.
39:23Hold up a second.
39:24Who are you?
39:25Nick Scarlett.
39:26I'm a friend of Johnny's.
39:28Oh?
39:28He asked me to pick up his camera.
39:30I, uh...
39:30I see you're carrying it.
39:33I'll check with him.
39:34Oh, really?
39:35That won't be necessary.
39:37Look, I've never seen you before in my life.
39:40I know that this camera means a lot to Johnny.
39:42You don't expect me to hand it over to some stranger
39:44simply because you know Johnny and you ask for it.
39:47Inspector, you're in a better position than most people
39:49to know what happens to people who try to hang on to this camera.
39:52You'd be well advised to hand it over.
39:55You're the smoothest con man I ever met.
39:57Now, get lost before I take you in for a loitering.
40:04Now, come in.
40:05Sit down.
40:06Make it fast.
40:07Barrett, what do you got?
40:08Commissioner, this camera is the greatest crime prevention device
40:12that's ever been invented.
40:14What?
40:15Barrett!
40:15Please, Commissioner, listen.
40:17You must know that I came up with the guys
40:19who stuck up the intercoastal bank
40:21in those mugs who beat up that girl
40:22in the office of the Carlin Detective Agency.
40:24I know that.
40:25I did it with this camera.
40:27Look, I'll prove it to you, Commissioner.
40:29I'm going to pull a picture out right now.
40:31Here.
40:32I'm going to pull it out
40:34and lay it on your desk.
40:35I thought it was not going to prove anything here.
40:39Just look at it.
40:40Then tell me what you think of this camera.
40:44Well, convinced?
40:47Well, you've convinced me, Barrett.
40:52Francie, you and Sergeant White come on in here.
40:56I want to put Inspector Barrett under arrest.
41:00Arrest?
41:02Well, what's the charge?
41:04Murder one.
41:06According to this picture,
41:07you've killed this man in his office.
41:09What?
41:10Well, take a look.
41:10Picture's clear as a bell.
41:12That's you standing over what looks like a buried dead man.
41:20I don't know how you got past my secretary.
41:24Ah, my card, Commissioner.
41:27Uh, Nick Scarlett.
41:31Interpol?
41:32Yes, that's right.
41:33You see, Commissioner,
41:34we've been after that camera that Barrett handed you
41:36for the past two months.
41:38Oh, look, Mr. Scarlett.
41:40You're not going to tell me that Interpol was...
41:43Uh, the camera was used to smuggle heroin.
41:46Oh, yes.
41:47Very clever arrangement behind the shutters.
41:49Very clever.
41:49I'll give you a receipt and take it along,
41:52if you don't mind.
41:53No.
41:54No, not at all.
41:55Just as long as you leave me the picture
41:57that Barrett took when he was killing Johnny Carlin.
42:01Oh, Commissioner,
42:03that will be my pleasure.
42:10I often wonder where that camera is today.
42:14Sometimes I think that it may be used by St. Peter
42:17when an applicant stands at his gate
42:19demanding admission to heaven.
42:22Perhaps St. Peter pulls out a picture
42:24which would effectively silence a sinner
42:26who hadn't been caught by the law here on earth.
42:39How about it?
42:41Would you love to know the future?
42:43To be able to see exactly what's going to happen to you
42:47tomorrow, next week, next year?
42:49I hear a chorus of no's.
42:51It would be unbearable to know the exact date
42:55you're going to die or be mugged
42:57or be involved in a fatal accident.
42:59I agree.
43:00But I leave you with this.
43:02Why do so many people consult fortune tellers?
43:07Our cast included Nick Pryor, Terry Keene,
43:11Joan Lovejoy, Joseph Julian, and William Redfield.
43:14The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown.
43:18This is E.G. Marshall inviting you to return
43:20to our mystery theater
43:21for another adventure in the macabre.
43:25Until next time.
43:26Pleasant dreams.
43:30Pleasant dreams.
43:36Screams
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