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The Mysterious Gardenia (1953) is a classic mystery drama filled with suspense, secrets, romance, and unexpected twists. Follow the story as a mysterious gardenia becomes connected to a troubling case and a series of hidden secrets.

Experience the atmosphere of classic 1950s cinema and enjoy this intriguing vintage mystery.

Title: The Mysterious Gardenia
Year: 1953
Genre: Mystery, Drama, Crime
Era: Classic Hollywood Cinema

#TheMysteriousGardenia #ClassicMovies #1953Movies #ClassicHollywood #VintageMovies #MysteryMovie #OldMovies #ClassicCinema #VintageCinema #CrimeDrama

Category

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Fun
Transcript
00:00:00The End
00:00:34The End
00:01:09The End
00:01:32Hey, Sleepy, pick me up here at one o'clock.
00:01:36Pick you up here at one o'clock.
00:01:41Where?
00:01:59Age?
00:02:01Age?
00:02:02Middle of 20s.
00:02:05Nationality, Chicago.
00:02:07My phone number is Granite 1466.
00:02:12I'll check with my numerologist before I call.
00:02:17What is it about you newspaper men?
00:02:19I've been trying to get her phone number for a week.
00:02:21You didn't even have to ask for it.
00:02:23It's all yours.
00:02:25Granite 1466.
00:02:26You're not going to put it in your column, are you?
00:02:28I'd be swamped with calls.
00:02:31What's wrong with that?
00:02:33Yeah, what is wrong with that?
00:02:35It's the lunch break, Mr. Mayor.
00:02:36Would you like to see the switchboard?
00:02:38Sure.
00:02:38Thanks, Miss Carpenter.
00:02:40See you in a favor.
00:02:42See you, Crystal.
00:02:45All the long-distance calls for the downtown Los Angeles area
00:02:49come through this room.
00:02:52Los Angeles?
00:02:53Uh-oh, my roommate.
00:02:55Art class is over.
00:02:56Oh, be a good girl and give me another minute, will you?
00:02:59I've never heard that before.
00:03:00Sorry, no posing overtime.
00:03:02Try me some night.
00:03:03With pleasure.
00:03:06That's not what I meant.
00:03:08Crystal, it looks just like you.
00:03:10Oh, is that good?
00:03:11Like to see some more of my work?
00:03:13You're wasting your time, Rembrandt.
00:03:15She's got a boyfriend in Korea.
00:03:17A long way off Korea.
00:03:19Yes, a long way off.
00:03:20But he wouldn't want you to get too lonely, would he?
00:03:23He wouldn't want you to get too friendly, either.
00:03:30Okay.
00:03:32Okay.
00:03:32Okay.
00:03:42All finished with Granite 1466, or do you still get a busy signal?
00:03:46Mr. Trevo, call for you in the office.
00:03:48Of course.
00:03:49Thanks.
00:03:50I've got more numbers than the phone company.
00:03:55How's the wolf been doing with all the little red riding hoods?
00:03:59Great.
00:03:59If you ask him.
00:04:06I've told you not to call me here.
00:04:12I was busy last night.
00:04:16Working.
00:04:17I don't believe you, Harry.
00:04:19You haven't worked three nights in a row in your life.
00:04:21I've got to see you and talk to you.
00:04:24Rose, I'm tied up now.
00:04:26Call me later at home.
00:04:27How can I?
00:04:29You changed your number, and I can't get her from the operator.
00:04:32You have to help me, Harry.
00:04:35I just can't talk now.
00:04:38Take it easy.
00:04:38I'll be seeing you.
00:04:51Like it?
00:04:52Isn't it wonderful?
00:04:53I'm glad you got black.
00:04:55It'll look good on any of us.
00:04:56You don't mind if I wear it first for one night?
00:05:00Aren't you ever going to open that letter?
00:05:02Right after the champagne.
00:05:04Champagne?
00:05:05You bought champagne for yourself?
00:05:07No, not for myself.
00:05:09You don't understand, Sally.
00:05:10I know.
00:05:11It's your birthday, and that's fine.
00:05:13Every girl ought to have birthdays.
00:05:15Up to a certain point.
00:05:17The flowers.
00:05:18Oh, will you tell Crystal to clean up the bathroom,
00:05:20and I'll take her turn ironing tomorrow.
00:05:22It'll wind up like it always does,
00:05:24with me doing everything.
00:05:27Ow!
00:05:27Ow!
00:05:28I'm so sorry.
00:05:29Did I hurt you?
00:05:30Oh, I think my sacred iliac shifted two points south.
00:05:35Oh, Crystal.
00:05:37Which may be an improvement.
00:05:41I'll get it.
00:05:46My cigarette.
00:05:47Just a minute.
00:05:48I'm coming.
00:05:54Hello?
00:05:56If that's for me, I'm in.
00:05:57No matter who it is.
00:06:00It's for you.
00:06:02Yeah?
00:06:05A man.
00:06:08Hello?
00:06:11Yes, this is Sally Ellis.
00:06:13Tonight?
00:06:14Oh, of course.
00:06:16Well, you don't know how I've waited for this.
00:06:18I'll be right over.
00:06:19Bye.
00:06:20Sally.
00:06:22There's no way to talk to a man.
00:06:24And it was a man.
00:06:26It was the rental library down at the drugstore.
00:06:29They just got in the new Mickey Mallet mystery.
00:06:31Oh, it's all about a beautiful, red-haired debutante who gets hit in the head, stabbed in the back, shot
00:06:40in the stomach.
00:06:41Pow!
00:06:42Pretty badly hurt.
00:06:43She staggers down the stairs.
00:06:45I know all that.
00:06:45You haven't even read it yet.
00:06:46Oh, that's what they're all about.
00:06:50Lucky girl.
00:06:51Living a life of passion and violence.
00:06:55Now me, I've got my life with Homer.
00:06:58Drive-in dinner, drive-in movie, and afterwards we go for a drive.
00:07:02It's still better than a dime store novel, Crystal.
00:07:04Eh.
00:07:05You know, you don't appreciate Homer.
00:07:08I don't know what exactly they are, but he has a lot of good qualities.
00:07:14I never could understand why you two broke up.
00:07:17Homer's so affectionate.
00:07:19Well, I didn't think so when we were married.
00:07:21But now that we're divorced, I'm beginning to like the big lug.
00:07:25Homer always had a husband's faults.
00:07:27But now he has a boyfriend's virtues.
00:07:31Yeah?
00:07:32Oh.
00:07:34Oh, you.
00:07:37If you've been listening, just forget what you heard.
00:07:41Okay.
00:07:42Hello.
00:07:46Happy birthday.
00:07:47Thank you, Homer.
00:07:53Oh, that's sweet of you.
00:07:55Thanks.
00:07:56Well, aren't you going to open it?
00:07:58Why?
00:07:58Don't you know what's in it?
00:08:00The roast!
00:08:02Oh!
00:08:15That's a roast?
00:08:17It's shrunk.
00:08:19It's big enough for two.
00:08:21Are you still playing games?
00:08:23Now, look, Homer.
00:08:24You have Crystal here.
00:08:25But like someone said today, Korea's a long way off.
00:08:29And if I can't have him here, I can pretend I have him.
00:08:32It's none of my business, Nora.
00:08:34But why stay in night after night, eating your heart out for some guy who...
00:08:37He isn't some guy who...
00:08:39He's one of a couple of hundred thousand.
00:08:42And I happen to love him.
00:08:43It's fun for me to...
00:08:44To let yourself go to seed?
00:08:46There are lots of guys who take you out for laughs.
00:08:48No monkey business.
00:08:49I would myself if it wasn't for...
00:08:51You what?
00:08:52Oh, Crystal, I was just, uh...
00:08:54Come on, Homer.
00:08:55Leave her alone.
00:08:56Let's go.
00:08:57That horse I could eat is getting cold.
00:09:01You sure you won't go with this, honey?
00:09:03This isn't much of a birthday.
00:09:05I told you, Crystal.
00:09:06It's the way I want it.
00:09:07Have a good time.
00:09:08Happy birthday again.
00:09:09Thanks.
00:09:10Happy birthday, darling.
00:09:13Did you get paid today?
00:09:15Yeah.
00:09:15Oh!
00:09:16Well, come on, darling.
00:09:19Goodbye.
00:09:19Toodaloo.
00:09:20Bye-bye.
00:09:20Have fun.
00:09:48Bye-bye.
00:09:55Bye-bye.
00:09:57Bye-bye.
00:10:06Bye-bye.
00:10:38Hello, darling.
00:10:57Dear Nora, you've probably learned by now that I'm not so hot as a letter writer.
00:11:03I remember when we were kids in Bakersfield and I worked vacations in San Joaquin Valley.
00:11:07You used to bawl me out for not writing.
00:11:10Well, I guess I've gotten worse.
00:11:14But that doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about you a lot and also thinking about someone
00:11:19else, Nora, a nurse I met in Tokyo when I took a load of kami shrapnel with me.
00:11:27Angela, that's her name, supplied the strength and the courage and everything else to pull
00:11:32me through.
00:11:34I didn't want it to happen, but there's nothing a guy can do about the real McCoy, and that's
00:11:39what this is.
00:11:40We're in love, and when I get out, we're going to be married.
00:11:45That's the story, Nora.
00:11:48And I guess there's nothing else to say except I hope you'll understand.
00:11:53With affection, always, and best wishes for your future.
00:12:05Best wishes for your future.
00:12:16Yours very sincerely.
00:12:20Yours very truly.
00:12:24Oh, my God.
00:12:52Hello?
00:12:53Hiya, honey.
00:12:54At dinner yet?
00:12:57No.
00:12:59Who is this?
00:13:00Harry Preble.
00:13:02I'm taking you up on the suggestion you made this morning.
00:13:05Suggestion?
00:13:07What suggestion?
00:13:09When you were posing for me, remember?
00:13:11How about slipping into something comfortable, like a few drinks and some Chinese food?
00:13:17I'm sorry, Mr. Preble.
00:13:19I think you made a mistake.
00:13:21We'll discuss my mistakes over those cocktails.
00:13:24What do you say?
00:13:26Hop in a cab and meet me at the Blue Gardenia.
00:13:30All right.
00:13:32I will.
00:13:34Yes.
00:13:35The Blue Gardenia on Vine, right off Hollywood.
00:13:39You got it?
00:13:39I've got it.
00:13:41You've got what?
00:13:43Just someone on the phone.
00:13:46So I gathered.
00:13:48How'd the dashing lieutenant like the dinner he didn't eat?
00:13:51Fine.
00:13:52It's in the kitchen.
00:13:53I'm going out.
00:13:55Out?
00:13:55Where?
00:13:57I've got a date.
00:13:58With a man?
00:13:59With a man.
00:14:01The one on the phone?
00:14:02The one on the phone.
00:14:03Nora, I love mysteries.
00:14:05No, Sally, I haven't got time to talk about it now.
00:14:07I'll tell you tomorrow.
00:14:08Night.
00:14:10Good night.
00:14:17Good night.
00:14:19You, you, you, you, you, you, you, you!
00:14:44Men.
00:14:46Chinese peas, fried rice, and lobster Cantonese.
00:14:51Now, that's the dinner.
00:14:52On the drinks, Polynesian pearl diapers.
00:14:55And don't spare the rum.
00:14:56I'll tell the bar.
00:15:23Hello, Mr. Fribble.
00:15:24Hi, Joe.
00:15:25Hello.
00:15:26Well, hi.
00:15:27Check, please, Joe.
00:15:29Alone?
00:15:32Granted, one, four, six, six.
00:15:36Well, whoever she is, happy hunting.
00:15:38Thanks.
00:15:39Same to you.
00:15:43Here's a very fancy man with the ladies, Mr. Fribble.
00:15:47Jealous, Joe?
00:15:48Oh, no, no.
00:15:49I fancy men myself.
00:15:52How you do with little black bull?
00:15:54Yes and no.
00:15:56I've got to do a little research right now.
00:16:13Yes, madame?
00:16:15Oh, uh, Mr. Fribble's table, please.
00:16:17Oh, yes, of course.
00:16:19Boy?
00:16:20How about my life?
00:16:21Table 14.
00:16:21Coral room.
00:16:23Well, that's good for my life.
00:16:26One moment, please.
00:16:29Hello, Mr. Fribble.
00:16:34Hello.
00:16:36Hello.
00:16:37It is a coincidence.
00:16:38I was just talking to your friend, Crystal.
00:16:40You didn't talk to her.
00:16:42You talked to me.
00:16:44That was you?
00:16:45I tried to tell you it was a mistake, but you wouldn't listen.
00:16:49You see, Crystal and I lived together, and she wasn't home, so...
00:16:54Well, even if you were wrong about the girl, you were right about...
00:16:58I mean, I was alone, and I hadn't eaten, so...
00:17:05I probably shouldn't have come.
00:17:07It was a silly impulse.
00:17:09Impulses aren't always silly.
00:17:12Here, sit down.
00:17:13Please.
00:17:29Never see a Polynesian pearl diver before?
00:17:32Not served as a drink.
00:17:35These aren't really drinks.
00:17:36They're trade winds across cool lagoons.
00:17:39They're the southern cross above coral reefs.
00:17:42They're a lovely maiden bathing at the foot of a waterfall.
00:17:46Oh, it's pretty.
00:17:47Doesn't make much sense, but it's pretty.
00:17:49Did you make it up?
00:17:50Oh, I memorized it.
00:17:52Do you know what a mermaid's downfall is?
00:17:59To achieve a mermaid's downfall,
00:18:02we begin with a seductive rum that insidiously lulls the senses...
00:18:06I think I'll stick to pearl diapers.
00:18:13It's good.
00:18:24It's strong.
00:18:25Mainly ice and pineapple juice.
00:18:30Can I get high on one of these?
00:18:33Do you want to?
00:18:35I don't know.
00:18:37I'm not sure what I want.
00:18:39I only know one thing.
00:18:40I'd like to forget the early part of this evening.
00:18:43Okay.
00:18:44Tonight begins as of now.
00:18:48To us.
00:18:50To us.
00:18:56Good evening, sir.
00:18:58Would you like a blue gardenia for the lady?
00:19:00It's a specialty of the house.
00:19:03Aren't they pretty?
00:19:04Oh, they're lovely.
00:19:06The lady would like one, May.
00:19:07Oh, it's you, Mr. Preble.
00:19:09Nice to hear your voice.
00:19:11How are you tonight, sir?
00:19:12Never better.
00:19:15Yes, you are, miss.
00:19:16Thank you, sir.
00:19:19Thank you, Mr. Preble.
00:19:25Blue gardenia.
00:19:30Now I'm alone with you.
00:19:37And I am also blue.
00:19:43She has tossed us aside
00:19:46And like you, gardenia
00:19:55Once I was near her heart
00:20:02After the teardrop star
00:20:08Where are teardrops too high
00:20:12Later, two more
00:20:15I live for an hour
00:20:20What more can I tell
00:20:27Love bloom like a flower
00:20:32Then the petals fell
00:20:36Then the petals fell
00:20:39Blue gardenia
00:20:45Thrown to a passing breeze
00:20:50But pressed in my book of men
00:21:04I live for an hour
00:21:07I live for an hour
00:21:09What more can I tell
00:21:14Love bloom like a flower
00:21:20Then the petals fell
00:21:29Blue gardenia
00:21:31Blue gardenia
00:21:33Thrown to a passing breeze
00:21:38But pressed in my book
00:21:41Of memory
00:22:06Not more food
00:22:07These were just the appetizers
00:22:10Then we ought to have
00:22:11Another round of pollen
00:22:16Polynesia
00:22:17There, I got it
00:22:18South Sea pie drivers
00:22:24Waiter, bring us another two
00:22:26Will you?
00:22:33You know what we ought to do?
00:22:35We ought to order four more now
00:22:37So we wouldn't keep that poor man running backwards and forwards
00:22:41Backwards and forwards
00:22:43Are you trying to get me drunk?
00:22:45Oh, that's the trouble with you modern men
00:22:47You can't hold your liquor
00:22:49Even with many trademans over lagoons
00:22:58Mr. Preble
00:23:00Harry
00:23:02Mr. Harry
00:23:14How do you feel?
00:23:16Like a lovely maiden bathing at the foot of the southern crown
00:23:22Perfect
00:23:23Wonderful
00:23:24Wonderful
00:23:24And just wonderful
00:23:25That's good
00:23:27I wouldn't want you to have had one too many
00:23:29Oh, I think I've had several too many
00:23:37Where are we going?
00:23:40To my apartment
00:23:41I've invited a few friends here
00:23:43Oh, good
00:23:44Every girl should have a party on her birthday
00:23:47Is this your birthday?
00:23:49All day
00:23:51California, do
00:23:52Oh
00:24:09I've been working on that for quite a while
00:24:11I have to finish it tonight
00:24:13If I want the money I've been promised
00:24:17Tonight?
00:24:17I have to, but I'm not going to
00:24:20The night is still young
00:24:21Your birthday party is just beginning
00:24:27That's not the way I feel right now
00:24:29A glass of champagne and you'll feel fine
00:24:31Oh, no, no, I couldn't possibly have another drink
00:24:33Oh, so you had a few
00:24:35One glass won't hurt you
00:24:36Oh
00:24:37Oh
00:24:39See, it's dangerous even before you drink it
00:24:52Oh, it's nothing
00:24:53Yeah
00:24:56No, no, keep
00:24:58Keep
00:25:15Just a moment
00:25:19Special record
00:25:20To remember our first date
00:25:36To the blue garden
00:25:39Oh, I'm sorry
00:25:43I think I better have some coffee quick
00:25:46Should be perking in a minute
00:25:49I think I better lie down
00:25:54Thank you, Mr. Prepper
00:25:58Harry
00:26:12I'll get the coffee
00:26:17Where tear drops too high
00:26:21Where tear drops too high
00:26:24I live for an hour
00:26:30What more can I tell
00:26:36Love bloom like a flower
00:26:43Then the petals fell
00:26:48Hey.
00:26:52Coffee time.
00:26:56What happened?
00:26:58You fell asleep.
00:27:00Oh, no, no. I just closed my eyes for a minute.
00:27:03Here.
00:27:11Oh, that's delicious.
00:27:14I live for an hour.
00:27:18Oh, no.
00:27:23No.
00:27:25Nothing like that.
00:27:36You're very tall.
00:27:40No shoes.
00:27:42Women always surprise me when they take off their shoes.
00:27:47Oh.
00:27:51I don't think the dancing was such a good idea.
00:27:55Here.
00:28:07How's that?
00:28:10All right.
00:28:27Happy birthday, you know, huh?
00:28:42I don't think the dancing was such a good idea.
00:28:44I don't think the dancing was such a good idea.
00:28:44I don't think the dancing was such a good idea.
00:28:45I don't think the dancing was such a good idea.
00:28:46I don't think the dancing was such a good idea.
00:28:46I don't think the dancing was such a good idea.
00:28:47I don't think the dancing was such a good idea.
00:28:48I don't think the dancing was such a good idea.
00:28:48I don't think the dancing was such a good idea.
00:28:49I don't think the dancing was such a good idea.
00:28:50I don't think the dancing was such a good idea.
00:28:51I don't think the dancing was such a good idea.
00:28:56I don't think the dancing was such a good idea.
00:28:59why did you have to write that letter letter why did you have to meet that nurse
00:29:19that must have been quite a letter
00:29:23no don't don't i'm all confused i better go home where's my hat my hat
00:29:35don't you hurry nora
00:29:44no
00:29:45no
00:29:47no
00:29:49no
00:29:50no
00:29:51no
00:29:58Oh, my God.
00:30:39Oh, my God.
00:30:51Oh, my God.
00:31:33Oh, my God.
00:31:36Oh, my God.
00:31:43Oh, my God.
00:31:51Oh, my God.
00:31:54Oh, my God.
00:32:06Oh, my God.
00:32:08Oh, my God.
00:32:09Oh, my God.
00:32:34Oh, my God.
00:32:45Oh, my God.
00:32:51Oh, my God.
00:32:54Oh, my God.
00:33:22Oh, my God.
00:33:25Oh, my Lord.
00:33:27Oh, my God.
00:33:49sauce sauerkraut juice or milk and bourbon all right Nora give what
00:34:03happened oh nothing happened there's nothing I can remember well I don't
00:34:11blame you whatever it was you had plenty of reason oh I read your letter Nora I
00:34:17know I shouldn't have but I did oh it's all right Sally don't take it so hard no
00:34:22man's worth it's not 6,000 miles away that is
00:34:46they were probably struggling when she backed into the fireplace and grabbed the poker she must have
00:34:50raised it over a head like this smash the mirror and let him have it take it easy both of
00:34:55you now
00:34:56then you wipe the fingerprints off the poker huh I didn't see any fingerprints I picked it up and
00:35:03put it in its place like I'm supposed to I see and the coffee cup you wash that huh that's
00:35:09what
00:35:09I'm paid for not finding dead bodies yeah yeah excuse me there are a woman's shoes in the hall
00:35:18closet suede pumps five and a half mm-hmm I put them there they were in front of the couch
00:35:24you're
00:35:25very helpful they're not the first pair of women's shoes I found in front of that couch add them to
00:35:37the collection hey do you mind he ain't very photogenic today pardon us how about another one
00:35:43just for good luck hello Casey hello Sam got another cigarette what are you doing on the routine murder
00:35:55case sleepy heard it on the car radio he wanted to peek at the dear departed before the other boys
00:36:00beat him
00:36:00to it anything special captain not much artist got murdered to music what key grab what you need Al
00:36:15let's get out of here I've got a lot of work to do work you call writing a column work
00:36:32the cleaning woman said this was still playing this morning not much of a clue we've got a few at
00:36:37least handkerchief with blood stains persuade pump size five and a half and a blue gardenia broken off at
00:36:44the stamp if you want to improve your mind I'll take mine in the flesh that's how preble got his
00:36:53preble Harry preble yeah you know him yeah I knew him slightly
00:37:17it's quite a list he was quite a man with the ladies are you sure that one of our girls
00:37:22is involved
00:37:23all I'm sure of is he got killed who's next please all right hazel you posed to mr. preble didn't
00:37:42you yeah they watch you in the public relations office I'll take your bullet there go the next
00:37:54seven years the janitor will get it hazel what's the matter Nora don't you feel well what I'm all right
00:38:23here we are a blue gardenian just like the one I sold with the bread last night and the girl
00:38:33with
00:38:33him can't you remember anything about her perfume maybe no and that's usually the first thing guy oh yes
00:38:44her dress her dress taffeta taffeta has a voice of its own it rustles like no other material
00:38:54taffeta probably black that's the fashion this season and I remember her voice too it was a friendly voice
00:39:04friendly and quiet
00:39:08I'm said one two three four whoa feel like I've been put through a ringer well it didn't take long
00:39:19here's your party
00:39:22what's it all about they told us not to talk they the cops and what question asked if I was
00:39:30out in
00:39:31the rain last night without my shoes on just because I have a little cold tombstone Arizona one moment
00:39:38please in the rain without your shoes on mm-hmm Miss Stanley Miss Stanley would you take my board I
00:39:56feel dizzy
00:40:08the afternoon papers have they come in yet no not yet honey thanks
00:40:22good evening
00:40:23good evening tribune
00:40:24watch it Michael
00:40:33here you are Miss
00:40:49got him with a poker
00:40:52old-fashioned
00:40:54here you are Miss
00:41:06good evening
00:41:07good evening
00:41:08good evening
00:41:22good evening
00:41:28how is it not bad if you want to read about murder everybody wants to read about murder
00:41:34even when an unknown doll kills a guy nobody ever heard of before
00:41:38sudden death sells papers son lesson number one in modern journalism
00:41:44lesson number two uh the element of sex
00:41:49beautiful blonde defending her virtue what makes you think she's a blonde
00:41:53the chinese boy who's short of the prevels table to an oriental all american women are beautiful
00:41:58blondes i don't dig your code system what are three exclamation points after a girl's name
00:42:05hey that's private stock i can dream can't i mr mayo how do you know this this blue gardenia
00:42:12girl's beautiful they're always beautiful
00:42:18what did you call her the blue gardenia
00:42:24so here's a bit of information about the blue gardenia for my good friend captain haynes of
00:42:29the homicide detail the murderess you're looking for captain
00:42:36was wearing a taffeta dress probably black probably black probably bright red that type of girl never
00:42:43wears black what type of a girl listen to this he's almost as good as mickey mallet and i know
00:42:50a few
00:42:50other facts of special interest to the girl who done the who done it her voice was quiet and friendly
00:42:56as she drank half a dozen half a dozen
00:43:02polynesian pearl divers in the blue gardenia cafe last night
00:43:07but if i know the kind of high voltage dolls the late and unlamented harry preble went for
00:43:13she was just a flashy blonde putting on an act as a lady maybe she was fighting for her honor
00:43:19nor a girl would go out with a guy like preble never heard of that word yeah that's what i
00:43:24told
00:43:24the cops this afternoon maybe she was lonely and bewildered well she sure had to be plenty
00:43:29bewildered to go up to that wolf's apartment maybe she wanted some excitement well she sure got it
00:43:35when she gave him that fast right with the poker maybe he deserved it honey if a girl killed every
00:43:42man
00:43:42who got fresh with her how much of the male population do you think there'd be left i didn't
00:43:47like preble when he was alive but now that he's been murdered that always makes a man
00:43:54so romantic
00:43:59don't be such an idiot sally me an idiot
00:44:05don't pay any attention it's just that letter from korea
00:44:10now i always give a man the air before he gives it to me did you have a good time
00:44:15with homer last night
00:44:16i must have he called twice to apologize let's turn in
00:44:39oh man oh man oh man
00:44:46oh man
00:44:57the clue of the black taffet address uncovered by ace columnist casey mayo is believed to be the most important
00:45:04single piece of evidence brought to light in the blue dardinia murder case which the police say should be solved
00:45:10in a matter of hours
00:45:11now here's one the united press
00:45:17yeah
00:45:19yeah
00:45:25yeah
00:45:25yeah
00:45:25yeah
00:45:41yeah
00:45:43yeah
00:47:23Lady, don't you know it's against the law to burn your incinerator at night?
00:47:27I'm sorry. I forgot.
00:47:32I guess it's too late now, but don't let it happen again.
00:47:35No, I won't.
00:47:59Thanks.
00:48:01So, open a window.
00:48:03I need an angle.
00:48:04An angle that'll bring that dame into this office before the cops get to her.
00:48:08You've been seeing too many TV shows lately.
00:48:10She's hot copy.
00:48:12She's one out of a hundred murder cases that broke all the wire services.
00:48:15So, what happens if she comes in here and throws herself on your tender mercies?
00:48:19If she's guilty, she might get off with one to ten years for manslaughter.
00:48:21If she's guilty?
00:48:22You don't think he hit himself with a poker, do you?
00:48:24No, I don't.
00:48:26I'll turn her over to Haynes with best wishes for our future.
00:48:29After you get your story, of course.
00:48:31But what do you want me to do?
00:48:32Hide her in a desk until this whole thing blows over?
00:48:34I'm a newspaper man.
00:48:35I live on headlines.
00:48:36I want to be the guy to nail her.
00:48:38I don't hear the cheerful sound of the busy little typewriter keys.
00:48:41Hiya, Chief.
00:48:42I was just lying there, Chief.
00:48:43I know.
00:48:43Hiya, Mac.
00:48:44Aren't you on the wrong side of the tracks?
00:48:45Oh, my heart's still down here in the city room, Casey.
00:48:48You leave in two days.
00:48:50Passport, plane tickets, government clearance.
00:48:53Front row seated, the next H-bomb blast.
00:48:54On the house.
00:48:57That's quite an assignment.
00:48:59But what about my girlfriend, the Blue Gardena?
00:49:01You've left dames before.
00:49:03Write her a letter.
00:49:05At ease.
00:49:16Casey.
00:49:19You.
00:49:21Hey, Casey.
00:49:23Casey!
00:49:25Well, what do you know?
00:49:28Even a managing editor can have an idea.
00:49:30A letter.
00:49:38A letter to an unknown murderess.
00:49:42A letter to an unknown murderess.
00:49:43A letter to an unknown murderess.
00:49:47A letter to an unknown murderess.
00:49:52A letter to an unknown murderess.
00:49:55A letter to an unknown murderess.
00:49:56A letter to an unknown murderess.
00:49:59A letter to an unknown murderess.
00:50:00A letter to an unknown murderess.
00:50:01A letter to an unknown murderess.
00:50:01A letter to an unknown murderess.
00:50:01A letter to an unknown murderess.
00:50:01A letter to an unknown murderess.
00:50:01A letter to an unknown murderess.
00:50:02A letter to an unknown murderess.
00:50:02A letter to an unknown murderess.
00:50:05A letter to an unknown murderess.
00:50:08A letter to an unknown murderess.
00:50:18dear blue gardenia any day now any hour any minute the police are going to catch up with you
00:50:32but all they want is a quick confession i want to help you when i say i that means my
00:50:39newspaper and
00:50:40me to us you're a story a big story if we get it first we'll go all out for you
00:50:51you can trust me and i promise not to print a line without your permission
00:51:06by now you must be frightened out of your wits you don't know which way to turn there's no place
00:51:11to
00:51:11hide nowhere to run except to me so take my advice blue gardenia go to the nearest phone booth and
00:51:18invest a dime on the rest of your life dial madison 60025 and ask for yours very earnestly casey mail
00:51:49you can make it stop ringing by taking the receiver off the hook i'm sorry i'll get it
00:52:08i'll trust you too
00:52:09hello is this the blue gardenia
00:52:18what nobody was wrong number
00:52:25well nobody just dialed the wrong number again
00:52:31hello oh homer
00:52:36well i don't get it i said what makes i asked if this was the blue gardenia some joke well
00:52:46you're
00:52:46trying to amuse i can't hear you homer huh what are you doing i'm going for a walk but dinner's
00:52:56ready i don't want any dinner nor what's gotten into you nothing call me back homer we're having
00:53:01a little domestic crisis where you going nor what business is it of yours well none none at all
00:53:09i'm i'm just concerned when i see you get so upset who's upset we're just concerned about you that's
00:53:15all you haven't been yourself the last couple of days now and last night what about last night
00:53:21well i heard you in the kitchen and then when you went back to bed you were tossing around and
00:53:25talking
00:53:25in your sleep what were you doing lying awake all night spying on me both of you why should we
00:53:31spy
00:53:31on you norah i don't know why oh leave me alone
00:53:45sorry if i startled you miss where could i find the manager
00:53:51two doors down 7b thank you
00:54:03i'm sorry i lost my temper don't wait up for me
00:54:13lady if you were the blue gardenia you'd know what size shoes you wear
00:54:15she's all set mr mayo thanks steve
00:54:24just a minute please
00:54:27hello yes this is casey mayo
00:54:30would you hold on a second please
00:54:33sorry to keep you waiting miss but if you want your picture in the paper you'll have to go out
00:54:36and kill
00:54:37somebody first
00:54:40all right now tell me just how you murdered harry preble
00:54:44you know how i killed him
00:54:47do you want to know why because i loved him with a passion that was bigger than both of us
00:54:54the size of the passion is important lady but tell me first what size shoe do you wear
00:55:01shoe eight and a half c
00:55:05i could wear eight it's just that eight and a half is more comfortable
00:55:10sorry lady but your feet's too big
00:55:14what have we got
00:55:16two dozen even
00:55:22hello hello yes this is casey mayo
00:55:26mr mayo how how sincere were you in your column tonight about about wanting to help the blue gardenia
00:55:35very sincere
00:55:38and you don't think i should go to the police
00:55:41not if you're the blue gardenia
00:55:43you'll be black and blue before they got through with you
00:55:47is that saw
00:55:49who is this
00:55:50your good friend
00:55:52captain haynes of the homicide detail
00:55:54oh
00:55:57oh hello sam
00:55:58i read your ad in the paper
00:56:02if you'll just tell me what size police badge you wear
00:56:05i'll come over and pin it in your chest
00:56:07by the way
00:56:08has the little lady turned herself into you yet
00:56:12not yet
00:56:13well
00:56:14in case she does do me a favor will you
00:56:16and give her our number
00:56:20michigan 5211
00:56:21got it
00:56:245211
00:56:24we'll be most happy to hear from her
00:56:26bye now
00:56:31haynes and his pixie sense of humor
00:56:32didn't seem to take my letter seriously
00:56:37hello
00:56:38yes this is casey mayo
00:56:42hello
00:56:45hello
00:56:49hello hello
00:56:50hello
00:56:54her voice is muffled
00:56:55like she's talking through a handkerchief
00:56:59well how can i be sure that you're the blue gardenia
00:57:03the newspaper said they found her shoes
00:57:07weren't they suede shoes
00:57:10size five and a half b
00:57:13and wasn't the rubber heel loose on the left one
00:57:17trace this call we've hit the jackpot
00:57:20i want to take you up on your suggestion mr mayo
00:57:24meet you someplace
00:57:25where are you now
00:57:28i'm
00:57:29i'm at
00:57:41where's the water
00:57:42where's the water
00:57:56are you still there
00:57:59gardenia
00:58:00gardenia
00:58:02who's this
00:58:03officer mcmanus sir
00:58:04who
00:58:06officer mcmanus
00:58:08where's the girl i was just talking to
00:58:10there's no girl here now sir
00:58:12but she
00:58:17she dropped her handkerchief
00:58:19lace edge
00:58:20officer this is casey mayo on the chronicle
00:58:22get that handkerchief right down to the police lab
00:58:24i'll call captain haynes and tell him you're on the way
00:58:27yes sir
00:58:35i traced it to a gas station near the santa monica pier
00:58:38a cop frightened her away
00:58:41do you think she'll call again
00:58:43i don't know
00:58:45why don't you two go home
00:58:47i'll hang around here a while
00:58:58you
00:59:04you
00:59:24yeah congratulations Casey the handkerchiefs match well what happens
00:59:32next I don't know Sam I just a minute hello this is about the call that was interrupted earlier
00:59:43this evening hold the line a minute please another phony Sam sure I'll let you know if she calls
00:59:53again look lady I've had a couple of dozen phone calls tonight unless you're the one that was
01:00:00interrupted by the arrival of the cops I'm just not interested that's the one I mean the one about
01:00:05the shoes remember size five and a half B with a loose heel on the left shoe you didn't make
01:00:13that
01:00:13call it's not the same voice or did you lose a handkerchief you had over the mouthpiece
01:00:25no I I didn't make that call but I know who did if you could if you could meet me
01:00:34someplace where are
01:00:36you a block from your office come up here it's as good as any place there's a self-service elevator
01:00:42on the olive street side come up to the city room on the second floor it's right opposite the elevator
01:00:48no one will see you I promise all right I'll be there
01:01:21no dollars
01:01:42yeah
01:01:42yeah
01:01:42yeah
01:01:42on
01:02:05hello I'm sorry I didn't mean to frighten you please come into my office
01:02:21would you sit down please
01:02:36cigarette thanks
01:02:43still foggy outside very I've been cooped up here since noon
01:02:59Los Angeles girl no I live here but it's not my home I don't know where I'm from
01:03:06my father was a mick from Boston that's where I got the casey my mother was Italian he met her
01:03:12in
01:03:12Naples during the first world war I was born on a Greyhound bus somewhere between Tucson and Los
01:03:18Angeles live here all my life fog seems to be lifting feel like talking yet where would you like me
01:03:37to
01:03:37begin let's start with your friend meeting Harry Preble maybe I better explain first why she didn't call you
01:03:46back yes why didn't she she was frightened so she dragged you into this she didn't know whether she
01:03:54could trust you look I don't want to sell myself to you or to your friend I told you I
01:04:05mean her the truth
01:04:06in my letter my paper and I want an exclusive story we'll pay for it with the best criminal lawyer
01:04:12in town
01:04:13if she plays ball with us otherwise the police may not be so generous will you tell that to your
01:04:20friend
01:04:31will you tell that to your friend
01:04:42I thought she might be one of them no she never told me where they met she knew him intimately
01:04:48no but
01:04:49well enough to go along with him to his apartment and get drunk didn't she he said there'd be other
01:04:52people you want me to believe that I believed it and I I only know what she told me what
01:05:01did she tell
01:05:02you everything everything up to mr. Mayo do you think it's possible for a girl to kill a man and
01:05:13not
01:05:13remember she doesn't remember killing him a lot of murders forget what they don't want to remember
01:05:25they call it killer amnesia a smart DA ceased to her that it's only temporary why couldn't something
01:05:32else have happened it's doubtful that a man would hit himself over the head with a poker you must
01:05:40believe me she wants to remember but she just can't her mind's a blank for most of that evening
01:05:49oh I'm sorry here use my handkerchief if I can find one I have one
01:06:11there's a trick to reading one of these things but I've never learned it
01:06:18do that again what laugh it's the first time since you walked into my office the first time since I
01:06:28found out about that night doesn't seem to me you found out very much it's clear up into the time
01:06:36she
01:06:37went to his apartment rum drinks the flowery bought even after that when he put on that
01:06:42King Cole record to celebrate their first date the blue gardenia yes that's what she said it was
01:07:21it's a pretty song too bad it was a background for murder
01:07:30go on
01:07:33he gave her some coffee
01:07:38it only made her groggier then he kissed him she thinks she kissed him back
01:07:46after that she can't recall struggling with him
01:07:51no only vaguely it's all mixed up in her mind
01:07:57she just can't remember
01:07:59well tell her to remember this she hasn't much time
01:08:02the police are putting a lot of clues together
01:08:05they know where she bought her shoes they've got two of her handkerchiefs
01:08:08and they're looking for fingerprints on that phone she used tonight
01:08:14what if what if I got her to call you oh no no more phone calls I want to see
01:08:21her
01:08:22tell her to meet me here at 3 40 tomorrow afternoon
01:08:25why 3 40
01:08:28I'm still a newspaper man
01:08:31I've got to have time to make the sunset edition
01:08:39you know I'm kind of disappointed that you're not the blue gardenia
01:08:44disappointed in a relieved way of course
01:08:46when I heard your voice on the phone I made a mental picture of you
01:08:50was I wrong
01:08:54what did you expect
01:08:56oh no
01:08:57not till I know you better
01:09:00but you were a big surprise
01:09:02now with those dry tears at the edges of your eyes
01:09:04and that mustard on your nose
01:09:06I have not
01:09:08I am
01:09:12I see I can trust you Mr. Mayo
01:09:14that's what I want you to tell your friend
01:09:19certainly what she needs
01:09:23someone she can believe in
01:09:30Bill what do we owe you
01:09:35it's two hamburgers and five coffees
01:09:38three for you and two for the lady
01:09:39it's $1.40 Mr. Mayo
01:09:43which way is home
01:09:46I'd rather not say
01:09:47I'm meeting my friend
01:09:50I understand
01:10:05hiya Casey
01:10:05hi
01:10:06did you catch your gardenia yet
01:10:07hi boys
01:10:08say how about a piece
01:10:09oh you're too proud to have a drink
01:10:12with a couple of sofa reporters
01:10:13hello fellas
01:10:14I got a date
01:10:16I had a date
01:10:39aren't you working that community key all the time
01:10:41I'm fighting a cold
01:10:44did the flower girl call back
01:10:47no
01:10:48but she sent a friend
01:10:50female
01:10:52very
01:10:53did she go in the little black book
01:10:56wrong type
01:10:57I didn't know there was one
01:11:00I bought her a hamburger
01:11:02and then like an all good mystery story
01:11:04she vanished into the fog
01:11:06it's too bad
01:11:07we were making beautiful jukebox music together
01:11:11on the level
01:11:12I had a feeling I could go for her
01:11:14why don't you go on to bed
01:11:15and sleep it off
01:11:16that's what I do with all my girls
01:11:18a noble thought
01:11:24but you don't meet a girl like that very often
01:11:28at least I don't
01:11:54I don't know
01:11:57when I go on to bed
01:12:15Hi. I asked you not to wait up for me.
01:12:22I'm sorry about the fight.
01:12:24I know. I didn't wait up for you. I just got home.
01:12:29Homer took me to the Blue Gardenia tonight.
01:12:32What a mob.
01:12:34Everybody wanted to sit with a murderer, Seth, and everybody thinks he did.
01:12:38Want some milk?
01:12:40No, I had a hamburger and coffee. Good night.
01:12:44Nora.
01:12:48After Homer phoned, I wanted to borrow your new blacktapped address.
01:12:53I couldn't find it.
01:12:56And then I noticed your pumps were gone.
01:12:59The black suede ones.
01:13:04I know I'm a little slow, Nora. I was a late baby.
01:13:08But that big blind date, you've kept such a mystery.
01:13:12And your jitters all the time about everything.
01:13:17Nora.
01:13:20Nora.
01:13:23Nora.
01:13:26Nora.
01:13:31Nora.
01:13:44That bill is a girl.
01:13:48Hello, Mr. Mayo.
01:13:54Granite 1466.
01:13:57I might have known.
01:14:00In fact, I suspect it.
01:14:03But you look like you could have gotten rid of him in some other way.
01:14:06Oh, I could have.
01:14:08It just so happens I'm not the girl who did it.
01:14:12I hate gardenias. I'm allergic to them any color.
01:14:15Then why are you here?
01:14:19Because the real girl is ready to give herself up to you.
01:14:23Because she believes what you told her last night.
01:14:27Last night?
01:14:29I hope you meant what you said in your letter, Mr. Mayo.
01:14:34Yes.
01:14:35Where is she?
01:14:56Now you know.
01:15:17Bill, some coffee.
01:15:20Coming up.
01:15:21Come on.
01:15:32So you see, Mr. Mayo, I'm just a girl in love with a guy who fell in love with someone
01:15:38else.
01:15:40I know I'm not the only person this has ever happened to.
01:15:43I know I'm not the only girl to get a letter like that, but...
01:15:49Well...
01:15:49Anyway, that's how it started.
01:15:53When Harry Preble called, I made the date.
01:15:57Crystal's date.
01:15:59So Nora Larkin from Bakersfield winds up killing a man she's never even been out with before.
01:16:08Not much of a story.
01:16:11Just the truth.
01:16:16But last night you said your friend...
01:16:18I mean, you weren't sure you killed him.
01:16:20There isn't any other explanation.
01:16:35Mr. Mayo, I guess I should have told you last night, but I just couldn't.
01:16:41I had to have more time to think.
01:16:44I had to be sure I could trust you.
01:16:49Are you sure now?
01:16:53I'm sure.
01:16:59What do we do?
01:17:04I...
01:17:06I don't know.
01:17:09You don't know?
01:17:12After everything you promised in your letter...
01:17:14and to me last night?
01:17:18I hadn't expected you'd be the girl.
01:17:21What's that got to do with it?
01:17:24Didn't you mean what you said?
01:17:31Frankly, no.
01:17:33And you weren't telling the truth?
01:17:36You promised I wasn't just to be a...
01:17:38a story for the sunset edition.
01:17:40I know, but...
01:17:42can't you understand the things...
01:17:44...can be so different this afternoon from what they were last night?
01:17:47No. No, I can't.
01:17:48Nora.
01:17:50It's not things.
01:17:53It's you.
01:17:55Last night, I didn't know that you and the Blue Guardina were the same girl.
01:17:58You always meant to turn her over to the police.
01:18:00You were lying all the time.
01:18:02Now, wait a minute.
01:18:03Nora!
01:18:03Come on, Crystal. I made another mistake.
01:18:05You checked, miss. Nora, wait.
01:18:12Thanks, Casey.
01:18:15You better go along, miss.
01:18:26Hold it, Sam.
01:18:28Why?
01:18:28You've done a thorough job and we appreciate it.
01:18:32No.
01:18:33It was a trap, Crystal.
01:18:36A dirty trap.
01:18:46You've made a mistake, Sam.
01:18:47You made the mistake.
01:18:48You got a cigarette?
01:18:50Well, you underestimated me.
01:18:52Well, I may not have been ahead of you, but I'm here right now and that's what counts.
01:18:57There's a penalty and a stiff one for aiding and abetting a criminal.
01:19:01I'm glad it didn't come to that.
01:19:03You can have credit for finding her, even if you didn't get that exclusive you wanted.
01:19:13Bill?
01:19:14Thanks for keeping your ears open.
01:19:19Oh.
01:19:20Thanks.
01:19:57Come on, Mac. We got deadlines to make.
01:19:59Okay, she's all yours.
01:20:06Read all about it. Blue Gardenia in police trap.
01:20:09Casey Mayo captures Blue Gardenia.
01:20:12Read all about it. Blue Gardenia in police trap.
01:20:16Paper?
01:20:17Paper, sir?
01:20:19No, thanks.
01:20:20Beautiful murderers. Caught by columnists.
01:20:22No sale. Scoot.
01:20:24Paper?
01:20:28I was wrong, Al.
01:20:32She can't mean that much to you.
01:20:34She might have.
01:20:36You sense those things from the first time you meet a girl.
01:20:48What's that?
01:20:50Music.
01:20:51Can.
01:20:52They can everything these days.
01:20:57Al.
01:20:58That's the record that was on Preble's phonograph when the cleaning woman discovered his body.
01:21:02So what?
01:21:03But it isn't the record that was playing when Nora blacked out.
01:21:12But where do we go from here?
01:21:18Melrose Music Shop.
01:21:19That's not much to go on, Casey.
01:21:21You want the real murderers, don't you?
01:21:23I've already got one that's confessed and all the evidence I need to convict her.
01:21:26Look, Sam, stay with me a little while longer. This can be your headline.
01:21:34Gaines, Homicide.
01:21:35Yes, sir.
01:21:37Ever hear of Harry Preble?
01:21:38Who hasn't?
01:21:39Good customer of ours, or worse.
01:21:41Nothing about this album he bought here.
01:21:46Miss Miller handle his account.
01:21:48I'll get it for you.
01:21:49Do that.
01:21:54There's a cop outside to see you once there's some questions about Preble.
01:21:58I'll get it for you.
01:22:01I'll be right out.
01:22:02I'll tell him.
01:22:38I'll get it for you.
01:23:01This is a wild goose chase, Casey.
01:23:03We aren't going to learn anything here.
01:23:13I've been walking around all evening in a daze.
01:23:18I even forgot to take a hat or a coat or a purse.
01:23:24It started to rain when I passed by his apartment.
01:23:28I can't believe the third or the fourth time.
01:23:31There was a lock in his window.
01:23:48Go on, miss.
01:23:51I knew he was home.
01:23:53I could hear him moving around.
01:23:56So I kept knocking, knocking and knocking.
01:24:03Finally, he opened the door.
01:24:06He seemed disturbed about something.
01:24:09He didn't want to let me in, but he did.
01:24:14The lights were turned down.
01:24:19I was too upset to see anything.
01:24:23Even the poker in his hand.
01:24:25I was working on the fire.
01:24:28Look, I haven't got much time.
01:24:30I've got to finish this job tonight.
01:24:31There's a lot of money involved.
01:24:32I can't go through with this alone, Harry.
01:24:35That's why I'm here.
01:24:36You've got to give me your word.
01:24:38Tonight.
01:24:39Oh, control yourself.
01:24:41We have a glass of champagne.
01:24:42I didn't come here to drink.
01:24:44Are you or aren't you going to marry me?
01:24:49You heard me, Harry.
01:24:51Answer me.
01:24:52Oh, so don't get so excited.
01:24:55Everything will be all right.
01:24:58Remember the afternoon I bought these?
01:25:01We came back here.
01:25:04Let's listen to this.
01:25:06Then you ought to go home.
01:25:07I have to finish that painting.
01:25:08He turned to put the record on.
01:25:11The one he bought the first day I met him.
01:25:15The one he was using to get rid of me.
01:25:21Then I saw another woman's handkerchief.
01:25:25How he was trying to hide it.
01:25:28And I knew what I was going to do.
01:25:39The record was playing.
01:25:43And he didn't hear me.
01:26:24The last time they put my picture in the paper, I had to get bitten by a dog.
01:26:27I'll take a dozen of each, boys.
01:26:29Mother keeps asking for a picture.
01:26:32How about a big sigh of relief, Miss Larkin?
01:26:35How's this?
01:26:39That's perfect.
01:26:40Now give the boys a nice smile.
01:26:48Excuse me.
01:26:51Excuse me, too.
01:26:55Can Captain Haynes explain?
01:26:56Oh, sure, he explains.
01:26:58But you know women.
01:26:59The stubborn sex.
01:27:03But take a tip from information, honey.
01:27:06The phone number is...
01:27:09Granite?
01:27:111-4-6-6?
01:27:12Yeah.
01:27:19Crystal?
01:27:20I did what you told me.
01:27:21I played hard to get.
01:27:23Yes, but don't be too eager when he calls you tonight.
01:27:26Yes, ma'am.
01:27:35How you doing?
01:27:37You can read all about it, Miss Larkin.
01:27:55Wow.
01:27:58Oh, brother.
01:28:00Oh, brother.
01:28:05You can read all about it, Miss Larkin.
01:28:06Oh, brother.
01:28:07Oh, brother.
01:28:09Oh, brother.
01:28:10Oh, brother.
01:28:10Oh, brother.
01:28:11Oh, brother.
01:28:12Oh, brother.
01:28:12Oh, brother.
01:28:13Oh, brother.
01:28:14Oh, brother.
01:28:14Oh, brother.
01:28:16Oh, brother.
01:28:17You

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