Easy Money (1936) - full transcript
Dan Adams resigns his position as prosecutor on the district attorney's staff and sets out to clean up a gang of fake-accident racketeers. He gets a job with an insurance company, and assures the company president he will get the goods on the gang or die in the attempt. At the company offices, he meets Carol Carter and she, believing he is a shyster (possibly redundant) lawyer in the employ of the racketeers gives him as little help as possible. Dan visits his brother Eddie, who is mixed up with the gang and tries to make him break away. Eddie is belligerent but finally, because of the pressure brought by Dan and his wife Tonia, agrees to go straight. The gang, led by "Duke" Trotti, fears he will squeal and they kill him, plus they make his death look like an accident and plan to collect on it. Dan is closing in on the gang when Carol, who is now his assistant, comes up with some conclusive evidence, but "Duke" has plans to get rid of her before she can give the information to Dan.
Ah!
Pull him out of there.
Lift him up.
I think his leg is broken.
In view of the laxity with
which the prosecution has
presented its case
against the accused,
I regret I have no alternative
other than to dismiss the case
and discharge the
defendant, Edward Clayton.
Court adjourned.
[gavel raps]
What was the matter, Dan?
What went wrong?
I'm sorry, Sam.
I can't tell you here.
But you're the best
prosecutor on the DA's staff.
I thought you'd get
a conviction easy.
Didn't I get enough evidence?
You did a swell job, Sam.
It's not your fault.
Hey, Dan.
Thanks for the break.
[smack]
But if you could only give
me some explanation, Dan.
It was an open and shut case.
I know that.
And you knew it was
the first good chance
we've had at any of those
fake accident racketeers.
Why, I could understand
it if you were a new man,
prosecuting your first case.
You must have had some reason.
Tell me what it was.
I can't.
Not now.
And under the
circumstances, there's only
one thing for me to do, resign.
You know I don't
want that, Dan.
Why don't you think it over?
I have.
Goodbye.
And thanks.
Well, I don't
understand it, Silsby.
Why the district attorney
promised full cooperation.
We've had to contend with
public indifference and jury--
Dan Adams sold out.
Well, what else is
there to believe?
I don't know.
--[inaudible] that he didn't
consider the case serious
enough, merely taking the
average man's attitude that,
I don't care if an insurance
company gets stuck.
They have plenty of money.
A layman might believe that,
but not a man from the district
attorney's office.
Why, I went over our reports
with Harrison myself.
I showed him how nearly
every company had to double
their public liability rates,
how the motoring public alone
has to pay 15
millions of dollars
a year added premiums just
because of these fake accident
racketeers.
And he passed that
information on to Adams.
Well, he told me he did.
Everything bit of it.
Well, Adams threw the case.
That's the only word for it.
It's taught us one thing.
We'll have to depend more
on our own legal department
after this.
Yes, provided we get another
chance as good as this one.
[phone buzzes]
Yes?
A Mr. Daniel Adams to see you.
Adams?
What do you suppose he wants?
It should be
interesting to find out.
Show him in.
You want me to stay?
No, I'll see you later.
Mr. Adams?
Yes.
Well, I hardly expected a
visit from you after what
happened in court yesterday.
I came here to explain
that, Mr. Curtis.
That's very thoughtful of you.
But I think your actions
explained themselves.
I deliberately threw the
case against Edward Clayton
because he's really
Edward Adams, my brother.
What?
I'm not trying to
justify my actions.
I've already resigned from the
district attorney's office.
But I intend to make up for
what I did by trying to smash
the whole fake accident ring.
And with your cooperation,
I believe I can.
With my cooperation?
Yes.
I want to position
on your legal staff.
And I want the assignment
of running those men down.
Sit down, Mr. Adams.
Thank you.
And imagine the nerve
of the man coming
here, after the Clayton case.
What do you supposed Mr.
Curtis is saying to him?
Plenty, if I know Mr. Curtis.
I'd like to meet that
Mr. Adams and give
him a piece of my mind.
He isn't worth the bother,
Miss Carter, just another crook.
How can a man sink so low?
Ah, some men have no
pride in their professions.
I have more respect
for the racketeers
than I have for a
sneak like that.
And I, Miss Carter.
Me, too.
I'd like to walk up to that
fellow and say, Adams-- uh, oh.
Mr. Silsby.
Mr. Adams is to join
our legal staff.
Mr. Adams?
Why--
Mr. Adams is to work
as special investigator
and take his
instructions from me.
How do you do, Mr. Silsby?
How do you do?
Mr. Adams, Mr. Johnson.
How do you do, Mr. Johnson?
How do you do, I'm sure.
And Miss Carter, Mr. Adams.
How do you do?
Miss Carter is in charge of our
claims adjustment department.
I see.
You'll find that she can
be very helpful to you.
You'll cooperate with Mr.
Adams in every way you can,
Miss Carter?
Yes, sir.
You may use this
desk and call on me
for anything else you may need.
Thank you, Mr. Curtis.
Miss Carter, Mr. Curtis told
me you have some theories
about the fake accident racket.
I should be interested
in hearing them.
I doubt if you'd find them
very interesting, Mr. Adams.
But of course, I-- Miss Carter.
Yes, Mr. Adams?
Mr. Curtis told me you have
a file of questionable cases.
I'd like to see it please.
Certainly.
Here they are, alphabetically
listed by name of claimant,
cross indexed under name of
attending physician, lawyer
handling case, type
and nature of injury,
summary of the claim, the
disposition and judgment.
This gives you the main
file number for reference
to complete case history.
The individual vouchers
are filed over there.
Is there anything
else, Mr. Adams?
No, not at present,
thank you very much,
Oh, it's you.
What do you want?
You and I are going
to have a little talk.
Maybe I don't feel
like talking to you.
Go on, beat it.
I haven't got anything
to say to you.
Would you rather
talk to the police?
All right.
There, madam, is the
effect I hope to achieve.
Delph blue and
sweeping, lovely lines.
For contrast...
Russet, to carry and mirror
the warmth of your
personality.
And for highlight, majolica.
How perfectly exquisite.
I know I'll simply adore it.
One cannot but be inspired,
creating for your background,
madam.
If we can make an appointment
tomorrow, Mrs. Russell,
I shall be more thoroughly
prepared to discuss the plans
I have for your guest chambers.
Eddie, why didn't
you call last night?
I had some things to attend to.
Besides, I can't kiss
you over a phone.
Got a light?
I don't smoke those things.
They're terrible.
Well, what are they here for?
To impress the customers.
Here.
Duke told me how lucky
you were in court.
Yeah, that was a sweet break.
You will quit now,
won't you, Eddie?
Oh, Tonya.
But you promised me.
I know, but I've
got to have a bank
roll before we can get hitched.
We have enough now,
enough to go someplace else
and open up a shop like this.
An antique shop, me?
But there's loads
of money in it.
And I know the business now.
The only really way to
get dough out of antiques
is to sell them phony oil stock.
Eddie, I'm serious.
I love you so much and I'm
so afraid that someday--
All right, honey.
I'll pull out of this racket.
When?
I'll talk it over
with the Duke now.
Talk what over?
A little business.
All right, kid.
I'll see you in a minute.
Tonya, you better
straighten up the salon,
handle any customers
that come in.
Very well.
Hi, boss.
Is everything set?
Yeah.
How do you like the get up?
I got the cab out back.
Fine.
Why didn't you park
it in front, give
the police a little more help.
-Ah.
Did you have any
trouble getting the job?
Not a bit.
See?
Chauffeur's license, company
card, and everything.
OK, OK.
Get that cab on the streets
and keep out of trouble.
What did you find out?
Boss, I spotted a new
excavation this morning,
and I was thinking maybe
Pop could do a nip up in--
Don't waste your
time trying to think.
Just do what you're paid for.
Where's Daisy?
Last time I seen her, she
was sitting in her wheelchair,
sobering up.
I think she's out--
All right, skip it.
All right, let's
deal a new one.
Well, what's on your mind, kid?
Got a new angle?
Brand new one, Duke.
I want to check out,
Out of the gang?
Why?
Well, that trial
came kind of close.
I'm getting hot in this town.
Anyway, I promised a
couple of people I would.
Who did you promise?
Tonya, for one.
Tonya?
Who else?
My brother, Dan.
Your brother?
He came to see me last
night, got me out of bed,
gave me one of those
big brother stories.
He promised me a trip up the
river if I didn't go straight.
How much did you tell him?
I didn't tell him anything.
I wouldn't squeal on the gang.
You know that.
I just promised
him to go straight.
I had to.
Scared of the DA's office, hey?
He's not there anymore.
He resigned yesterday.
Oh?
Now he's signed up with
some insurance company.
He swears he's going to
this racket wide open.
And you let that worry you.
Well, now that
I've been to court.
You weren't
convicted, were you?
Well, we're taking
lots of chances, Duke.
Using the same flop
artist over and over.
That's out from now on.
I've made arrangements
to swap the ones
we've been using for some
useful bucks from St. Louis.
Yeah?
Yeah, I telephoned
long distance
to Scarletti last night.
He runs the racket there.
And I'm working out
the same kind a deal
with the boys from Los
Angeles and New Orleans.
Say, you figure all
the angles, don't you?
Ah, that's only the beginning.
Eddie, I got some big
things lined up for you.
Have you?
You bet I have.
No more mugging around, running
risks of being picked up.
From now on, you're
working with me.
You're going to be my assistant.
Well, that kind of puts
a new slant on it, Duke.
I knew you were a smart kid.
Now listen, I want
you to line me
up some real accident victims.
Real ones?
You mean people who've
been hurt on the level?
Yeah, and the more
serious, the better.
What if Dan finds out I'm
still in on the racket?
Say, will you forget about
that brother of yours?
I'll see that he
leaves you alone.
Now look, see if you can
find me a woman who--
I haven't had time do a
great deal of investigating,
but I am convinced, at
least to my own satisfaction
that half of these
claims are fraudulent.
Have you any plan of action?
Yes I have.
In going over these
suspicious cases,
I found that most
of them are handled
by Russick, Collins, and Allen.
Furthermore, Russick personally
represented all the claimants.
Isn't that more
or less natural?
They specialize in
insurance cases.
Yes, I know.
But from some of the
reports on these cases--
Any particular one?
Yes.
I've been looking into
the Walters claim.
Oh, that case is legitimate.
Russick's coming up
there in a day or two
to make a little adjustment.
Mr. Curtis, will
you do me a favor?
Why, certainly.
Don't give him a
check until I say so.
Well, very well, I won't.
But, you know, I--
Meanwhile, I think I'll
call on Mr. Russick.
[phone buzzes]
Yes?
Miss Carter would like
to see you, Mr. Curtis.
Oh, have her come in.
Well, this is a
bigger proposition
than appears on the surface.
Adams, we're up against both
brains and organization.
Come right in, Miss Carter.
Mr. Adams was just leaving.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Curtis.
Here are those report
you asked for, Mr. Curtis.
Thank you.
Oh, uh, how are you and
Adams getting along, Carla?
Very well, I suppose, only--
Only what?
Nothing, nothing at all.
Was there anything
else you wanted?
Yes, I want to hear what
you were going to say.
Why did you hire
Adams when you knew
how he threw the Clayton case?
Oh, so that's it, hey?
Oh, I know it's none
of my business, but--
Sit down, young lady.
In justice to Adams, you
ought to know the whole story.
Russick, Collin, and Allen.
I'm sorry, Mr. Russick
can't be disturbed.
Russick, Collin, and Allen.
Just a moment.
Judge Andrews of
the Bar Association
calling, Mr. Russick.
Yes, sir.
Hello.
I'm awfully sorry, sir, but
Mr. Russick isn't in right now.
If you could call back,
say in half an hour or so?
Thank you.
Russick, Collin, and Allen.
Oh, yes, Mr. Trotti.
Mr. Trotti calling.
Go right ahead, Mr. Trotti.
Evidently this Mr.
Trotti is a very
important personage, isn't he?
Yes, Mr. Trotti is a very
important interior decorator
and one of our
very best clients.
Obviously.
Did you say you wanted
to consult Mr. Russick
about a case of some kind?
Not exactly a case.
I just want-- I'll uh-- I'll
be at Trotti's if anything
urgent arises, Miss Brooks.
Yes, Mr. Russick.
Oh hello, Adams.
Hi, Mr. Russick.
You want to see me?
Yes, yes, I want to talk to
you about the Walters claim.
Oh, that's right.
You are with Consolidated
now, aren't you?
-Yes, I am.
-Well, I'm glad to hear it.
I hope you make good.
Thank you.
Now, about the claim.
I'm sorry, old man, but
I'm in a bit of a rush.
I'll be dropping into
Consolidated in a day or so
and I'll see you then, hey?
Well, best of luck, old man.
Best of luck.
Goodbye.
Did you say you
wanted to consult
Mr. Russick about a case?
No, I didn't.
But just a moment.
I have to fill out
this appointment card.
I'm sorry there's been
such a delay on this Walters
case, Mr. Russick,
but frankly, we've
had some question about it.
Do you want to
take it into court?
No.
I don't think that
will be necessary.
Oh, very smart on your part.
If I put that poor young
woman on the witness stand,
it would cost you five times
more than I'm asking now.
Well, you're asking
plenty as it is.
A mere pittance compared
to her suffering.
A beautiful young bride,
confined to a wheelchair
since the accident.
And even the doctors
don't know how long
it'll be before she'll recover.
Hm.
Yes, sir.
Tell Adams that Mr.
Russick's in my office.
The Walters claim.
Yes, sir.
Adams?
What has he to do with this?
Oh, merely a matter of routine.
He's an attorney
for the company.
More red tape, hey?
Well, I'm due in
court in an hour.
I hope this doesn't
take too long.
It won't.
Hello, Mr. Russick.
Well, what's all that for?
Motion picture
projector, 16 millimeter,
you know, and this is a screen.
Obviously.
Amateur photography
is one of my hobbies.
I thought you might
be interested.
If this is your idea
of a joke, Mr. Curtis,
I'm afraid I don't
see the point.
You will.
I haven't any time
to waste on nonsense.
I'm a busy man.
Do you want to close
the Walters claim now
or shall I take it into court?
No, we'll close it
right now, Mr. Russick.
As I recall, the
claim you filed,
Mrs. Walters' car was struck
by one of our assureds.
She suffered with a dislocated
hip, a fractured shoulder,
internal injuries--
And severe suffering,
both mental and physical.
Why the poor woman
is still in agony
and has been ever
since the accident.
Of course, of course,
and we don't object
to paying legitimate claims.
But with so many
fraudulent suits
as there have been recently--
Mr. Curtis, is this man
speaking as a representative
for your company?
He is.
Then permit me to tell you
that he's making your firm
liable for a slander suit.
My practice has
always been reputable,
my name one of the most
reputable in the city.
But you could be imposed
upon, couldn't you?
A man with my experience?
Ridiculous.
Oh, I've had enough
of this idiocy.
I came here to close
the Walters claim.
Now won't you be
patient and sit down?
We're going to
close it right now.
In just a moment.
There we go.
This is your client,
Miss Walters, I believe.
It is.
Why, you can see for yourself
how pitiful her condition is.
Yes, indeed.
Have you ever heard of a
telephoto lens, Mr. Russick?
I believe that I have.
Wonderful invention.
It enables you to take
a picture at a distance,
without your subject
realizing it.
That's how I got this next shot.
That's still your
client, isn't it?
Why, why, yes.
Rather rapid
recovery, isn't it?
You see the headline
in that newspaper?
That was published yesterday.
We could prove in court
when the picture was taken.
Oh, there's Sam Beldon.
You know him, the detective.
That's a pictures from the
rogues gallery he's holding.
It's of a professional
flop artist
that the police know
as Dislocation Daisy.
But then we know her as
Mrs. Walters, don't we?
All right.
Show's over.
Hope you enjoyed
it, Mr. Russick.
I don't know what to say.
I never was so startled
in all my life.
To think that I was fooled by
that innocent looking woman.
I never dreamed
that-- Why if I had
thought for one moment that--
We realize that.
We wouldn't dream of
accusing you, Mr. Russick.
Certainly not.
Good day, gentlemen.
Good day.
Nice work, Adams.
Thank you, Mr. Curtis.
That sounds excellent,
Duke, excellent,
provided that you find the
right victim, uh, subject.
Eddie's lining one up now,
a young widow with a kid.
She fell off a step ladder
the day before yesterday
and busted her leg.
Splendid.
Will she make a good witness?
She hasn't a dime.
She'd lie herself black
in the face to save
her kid from going hungry.
We promised her $500
if we win the claim.
To join suit against the
taxi company and Car Line.
It's a natural, Duke.
You'll be sure there
aren't any slip ups.
You know what Adams did
it to the Walter frame up.
I don't forget
things like that.
It's time Mr Adams
was spoken to gently.
You think you two
boys can handle it?
It would be a pleasure, boss.
Good evening.
Oh, hello.
Oh, I'll get these
things out of your way.
Don't move them.
If you're going
to do any work--
I thought perhaps
I could help you.
May I?
Oh, well, I guess I
can muddle through.
I have the hang of
these files now.
But I want to help.
Really?
I want to make up for
the way I've treated you.
But you haven't.
I've been absolutely
hateful because I
didn't know the whole truth.
Please forgive me.
Oh, there's nothing to forgive.
Friends?
Friends.
Where do we begin?
Uh, let's recheck
these descriptions.
All right.
You're right, Carol.
The description of the woman
is identical in every case.
And it showed by a
different company each time.
It's too bad we haven't
a picture of her.
Sam would know her.
Who's Sam?
Sam Beldon, the best
detective on the force.
I wonder if he could identify
her from that description?
He might.
I'll call him.
You know, I bet we could
find other duplicate cases
in these files.
I wouldn't be surprised.
He's still working
in the office
and that dame's with him.
Don't he ever
know when to quit?
Maybe you better park the
car round the corner, Chick.
Yeah, it's a good idea.
OK Sam, in front of the
building in five minutes.
And thanks a lot, yeah.
Have you ever been to
the Rogue's Gallery?
No.
Well, get your
hat and come along.
I'll show you some
prize beauties.
Cot a match, bud?
Yeah, sure.
[crack]
[scream]
[scream]
Dan!
Stop it!
Stop it!
Dan!
Dan!
Stop it!
Let him go!
Let him go!
Let him go!
Leave him alone!
Beat it!
[gunshots]
Does it hurt much?
Oh, no.
No, not at all.
OK, Jimmy.
We'll have it checked
for fingerprints.
Right.
Well, they found
the car, abandoned.
Stolen, I suppose.
Sure, sure.
Belonged to a
respectable businessman.
He reported the swipe
about 10 minutes ago.
There goes that lead.
Sure.
You could hardly pin a slugging
job on an interior decorator.
Interior decorator?
Yeah.
The car was hooked from
a guy named Trotti.
Trotti?
Yeah, L. Trotti.
Hm.
Of all the idiots,
you two are the worst.
Pair of old women
could have done better.
Well, uh, how did we
know that that flatfoot
would come busting in on us?
An intelligent
person is prepared
for every possible eventuality.
But look, boss--
And letting them spot
the license number.
They fell for the stolen
car gag, didn't they?
I hope so.
Let's forget everything.
I will if you don't
do any boners today.
Come on.
How much longer, Chick?
Practically there, boss.
How do you feel, Mrs. Turner?
I'm all right.
Why, of course you are.
You'll take good care
of my Johnnie, won't you?
Why certainly we will.
He and my secretary are
getting along splendidly.
So the little boy took the
golden apples home, back
to his mama, and made
her very, very happy.
Wasn't that nice?
Yes.
Where's my mommy?
Your mommy's gone for a long
ride in a big automobile.
And then she's
coming back to you.
In the automobile?
That's right.
And you know what you
and I are going to do?
No.
We're
Going out to buy
some ice cream cones.
There we are, boss.
Fine, [inaudible]
OK.
Now, you understand
just what you're
to say after the accident?
I asked the driver
to slow down.
I tried to brace myself,
but I didn't have time.
Perfect.
When do I get the money?
As soon as we win
the court judgment.
Well, I guess
we're about ready.
-We're all ready.
-All right, boys.
Now, take it easy boys.
Now, don't worry.
There's nothing to be afraid pf.
I'm not afraid.
That's right.
Make it a good crash.
I got you.
We'll make a cool
$10,000 out of this.
You got the witnesses planted?
They'll be there.
Brace yourself.
Here we go.
[crash]
[phone rings]
Hello.
Yes?
Yes, Moxie.
What?
You blundering fool.
What's wrong?
She's dead.
A very unfortunate twist
of fate, very unfortunate.
You should have
insured her life.
Well, it's too late
to talk about that now.
But we still got the kid.
Isn't there something
we can do with him?
Of course.
First, one of us will
have to be appointed
as the child's guardian.
Can you arrange that?
For enough money, yes.
Go ahead.
Then the child's guardian
brings suit against the taxi
company and Car Line.
Will they pay off
in a case like that?
If we don't collect $100,000
for that poor little orphan,
I'm not half the
attorney I think I am.
$100,000?
And if anything should
happen to the boy?
Nothing must happen
to him until after he
wins the judgment.
No, of course not.
Oh, I can't stop.
So many suspicions
and so little proof.
They're bound to make a
slip somewhere, sometime.
That's just the trouble.
Probably made dozens of slips,
slips we're too blind to see.
Oh, it's all such
a terrible muddle.
How about the Armstrong case?
Anything suspicious there?
Plenty.
Same lawyer, same doctors,
but what can we prove?
Where's the file?
My desk.
Hello there.
And how is the Royal
Oder of Night Owls?
Hello, Ben.
Good evening.
Oh, hello, Miss Carter.
Could I steal a few minutes
of your time, Danny?
Oh, of course.
What's the good news?
Well now, I don't know
whether it's good news or bad.
I've run across a funny
one, accident case, maybe.
This concern here writes the
insurance for the street car
company, doesn't it?
Yes, it does.
How about the
Peerless Taxi Company?
We write their coverage too.
Good.
Have you had a claim filed
against either of them for uh,
Mrs-- wait a minute, don't
rush here now, wait a minute.
Mrs. Edith Turner?
I can find out.
If you please.
What's this all about, Sam?
Well, I had it handed to me
to investigate what looked
like an ordinary
accident case, you
know a taxi driver trying
to argue the right of way
with a street car.
So I started a routine checkup.
And all at once,
I began to smell
a whole basement full of rats.
Were any of them
the rats I'm after?
Well, now, I don't know.
The woman who was killed was a
poor widow with a young child.
She had been laid up in
bed with a broken leg.
She broke it a week ago.
A week ago?
And she was riding in a cab?
That's right.
With no sign of a plaster
case or a bandage.
That doesn't make sense.
You're right it don't.
And to make it funnier yet,
the boy has disappeared
and no trace of him
has been reported.
And that taxi driver
was Moxie Malley.
Never heard of him.
Huh?
Well, the police have plenty.
You know, he'd been
driving for the cab company
about three days
when the accident
happened, said he's reformed.
You know, he claimed
he was trying
to make an honest living.
Couldn't the woman have
been on her way to a doctor?
With no plaster cast and her
leg broke like a china plate
over a week ago?
And she paying taxi fare when
she only had $5 to her name
and a child to feed?
Hm.
Well, what do you
make of it, Sam?
You might make most
anything, if the woman
was insured for a
large sum of money
payable to say, uh, Russick?
Trotti.
Uh, huh.
I've looked through
the new claims files,
and there's no report.
Oh well, it may show
up in a day or two.
Would you let me know?
The moment it comes in.
OK, so much for that.
Now tell me, how are things
breaking for you two?
Well, not so good.
I may have something
before tomorrow.
Just what do you mean by that?
I'll tell you more later.
Sam, will you take
Miss Carol home?
I've got to make a visit.
I'd be willing to
pay for the privilege.
Hello, Eddie.
Oh, hello, Dan.
What's the matter?
You expecting trouble?
Why no, of course not.
What do you want?
What does the and Mrs. mean?
Just what it says.
I told you I was going straight.
Well, I am.
I married a swell girl to
straighten out for both of us
from now on.
Well, I'm glad to hear it, kid.
Listen, Eddie, I want you
to give me a little help.
Hello, Eddie.
Wait inside, will you?
Yeah, of course.
What's on your mind?
Who was that?
My brother.
Oh, hoh.
I'm not talking to
him or anyone else.
No, of course not.
You're not that kind.
Where have you been the
last couple of days?
Oh, around.
Well, the boys thought
maybe you ran out on them.
I told you I was
quitting and I have.
Only a sap quits when
the going is good.
All right then, I'm a sap.
But I'm quit and
I'm staying quit.
That Turner business
was one too many.
OK, kid.
Good luck.
Thanks, Duke.
Oh, by the way, stop into the
office tomorrow, will you?
What for?
A wedding present, you chump.
The boys have chipped in.
Say, that's swell
of them, and you too.
Skip it.
Be seeing you.
So long.
What kind of help
do you want from me?
I thought you'd left the gang.
I have, on the level.
Good.
Listen, Eddie, I want to smash
this fake accident racket
with or without your help.
But if you will help me--
Nothing doing.
Not me.
Afraid?
Yeah.
Not so much what they'll
do to me, to Tonia.
Oh, I see.
She's a great girl, Dan.
She knows about me,
all of it, but--
[door opens and shuts]
Oh, Eddie, are you all right?
Of course I am.
I'm sorry.
I thought you were alone.
Dan, this is Tonia, my wife.
This is my brother, Dan.
How do you do?
I'm very glad to know you.
I've just been down to the
corner to get some things
for a midnight snack.
On the way back, I saw--
Yes, he was here.
Everything's all right.
Oh.
May I fix a place for you?
Oh, thank you.
I was just going.
Please.
Sure, stick around.
It won't take but a minute.
Well, all right.
If I'm not being too nosy,
have you lined up a job, Eddie?
Because if you haven't,
I might be able to--
We're going into business.
You are?
Yes, we are negotiating
with a man down state.
He has an interior
decorating shop for sale.
Tonia knows that
business inside out.
And as soon as we
can convince the man
to cut his price another
500, the place will be ours.
If he cuts the price.
Well, I have a couple
of thousand in the bank.
You're welcome to
any part of that.
Oh, we couldn't do that.
We weren't trying to
put the bee on you.
Oh, no.
I want to help.
Well, look, Dan.
Will you make a regular business
loan, let us pay you interest?
Well, if you insist.
You're a swell
fellow, no fooling.
Oh,
Forget it.
I want to see you two make a
bang up success of marriage.
You hear that?
Coming from the most
confirmed bachelor in town.
Oh, no more.
What?
I'm uh, changing my views.
Who's the girl?
When did you take the jump?
Well, she doesn't know
anything about it yet.
I haven't worked up
enough courage to propose.
Don't wait too long.
I won't.
Do I know her?
I don't think so.
What's her name?
Carol Carter.
She works for the
same firm I do.
Well, that calls for
another cup of coffee
whether you got
room for it or not.
And for her sake as well as
his own, he's afraid to talk.
I can't say that I blame him.
Me neither.
Looks like our only lead now
is that missing Turner child.
Yes, and until we locate him,
there's nothing we can do.
Except wait until someone
files legal guardianship papers.
I wish the old days was
back again, the days when
I was pounding me first beat.
What would you do?
I'd drag that shyster
Russick into the basement
of the station
house and I'd shake
him loose from his rattles.
Sam, remember what I told
you, about Eddie being
nervous last night about the
chap who came to see him,
and how Tonia acted when she
found out he'd been there?
Uh, huh.
Well, there may not
be any connection,
but see if this description
means anything to you.
He's about 30, 35, medium
height, slim, about 145,
dark complexion, smooth
shaven, good dresser,
distinct Latin type.
Sure.
I know a lot of dudes
that would fit that.
Say, that's not a bad
description of Trotti.
Trotti.
Duke Trotti again.
You were right, Dan.
Every single lead we goes
straight back to that man.
Well, that settles it.
I'm going to get into that
shop and have a look around.
You might just as well
walk right into the morgue
and stretch out on a slab.
Sam's right.
They've got you spotted.
You let me take care of it.
Every crook in
town knows you, Sam.
You wouldn't have a chance
of learning anything.
Well, I guess that
puts it up to me.
Don't be silly.
What do you mean?
I know a little about
interior decorating.
And with a bit of
brushing up, I could
talk it as glibly as anyone.
Now if I can just
persuade Mr. Trotti
that I'm an ambitious young
girl looking for work--
What a lovely material.
Yes, isn't it?
A bit apart from the
conventional trend.
It's a bit expensive
for my client.
It's $12.50 a yard.
I'll give you the
customary reduction.
I do hope I can
persuade her to buy it.
You may tell her I
recommended it if you wish.
Oh thank you.
Not at all.
You've no idea
how difficult it is
for a freelance
decorator like myself
to persuade a client
to really spend money.
Well, I sometimes
have the same trouble.
Oh, but you're established.
I'm not.
You have very excellent
taste, Miss Palmer.
Thank you, and a great
many friends who are
all very lovely and flattering.
But when they have
their homes redone,
they always commission
some well known firm.
I don't know how many
chances I've lost that way.
Oh, but how very unfortunate.
If I only had the prestige
of some well-established firm
to back me up, I'm sure I could
get ever so much business.
Could I make some sort of
an arrangement with you?
Oh, uh, in what way?
Let me be a representative
of Trotti Limited.
We could divide the commissions
on any work I might bring in.
Well, it has certain
possibilities.
I'm sure we'd make a
great deal of money.
We'll talk about it, shall we?
Do think your client would be
interested in some bronzes?
Well, they would
fit in in my plan.
Italian Renaissance, isn't it?
Yes, by Francesco D'Corelli.
What a lovely patine.
Yes.
And this for a
foil, German Gothic.
Perfect.
I have some more
in my stockroom
if you'll excuse me
just for a moment.
Just make yourself at home.
Thank you.
Chick, come here.
Take a look at that girl.
Ever see her before?
No, never.
She's a phony of some kind.
Yeah?
Claims to be an
interior decorator,
and doesn't know a
real Corelli bronze
from those cheap imitations.
I told her that baroque
silver gilt was German Gothic
and she never batted an eye.
Oh, I wouldn't hold
that against her.
I'm going to get rid of her.
I want you to shadow her.
See where she goes
and what she does.
OK.
I'm afraid the things I wanted
to show you have been mislaid.
Oh, that's too bad.
I'm having one of
my men look for them.
Why don't you go and have
lunch, come back afterwards,
and we'll make arrangements
about our business connection.
All right, say
in about an hour?
Well, make it an
hour and a half.
Hello, old man.
I was afraid you weren't coming.
I told you I would.
I'll be with you in a minute.
I'll be running
along now, Mr. Trotti.
All right, Miss Palmer.
See you at have past one?
At half past one then.
Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Well, Eddie, how's the wife?
Just fine.
She's a wonderful girl.
You're lucky.
I know it.
Sit down, Eddie,
I want to talk you.
Well, I'd like to,
but I promised Tonya.
What?
Taking orders already?
Well, you know.
I was only kidding.
They don't know any
better than Tonya, Eddie.
She deserves everything
you can give her.
You bet.
But there's mighty little profit
in going straight these days.
Now if you stuck to
me, you could buy
her everything a woman wants.
Nothing doing.
I promised her.
But you wouldn't be running any
risks, just holding in money,
money to buy her card,
clothes, jewelry.
Sorry, Duke.
I've made up my mind.
So you won't listen
to reason, hey?
Not that kind.
OK, kid.
Have it your way.
I'll go and tell the
boys you're here.
Pretend you don't know anything
about the wedding present.
They want to surprise you.
OK.
Well?
He's there now.
-What did he say?
-Same thing.
I couldn't reason with him.
Maybe he's not
so crazy at that.
What if Eddie does want to quit?
He ain't the kind of a guy
that turns stool pigeon.
Oh, any quitter is
that kind of a guy.
And we can't afford
to take any chances.
I still don't think he would.
What?
You're not going
to like the info.
What happened?
I tailed her about three
blocks to a drugstore.
She was plenty cagey too.
Finally she went
into a phone booth.
I ducked into the next one.
I could hear everything she
said through the petition.
Well, go on, go on.
What did she say?
She said, this is Carol Carter.
Get me Dan Adams.
Then she say, hello, Dan?
Dan Adams, get that.
Dan.
He said, he fell
for it beautifully.
I'll call you
again this evening.
Then she hung up.
I guess we know now whether
Eddie talked to Dan or not.
I've heard enough.
Let's get him out here.
Wait a minute.
Eddie ain't no squealer.
Maybe Dan got his
lead someplace else.
And maybe he didn't.
We ought to make sure.
OK, we'll prove it.
Beat it around outside
and come in the front door.
Get an ear for what
goes on in that office.
-OK.
-Fix up the present.
Oh, Eddie.
Come on in.
Say the boys are nearly set.
They are getting
a kick out of it.
They're sure a swell bunch.
Yeah.
By the way, remember
that girl that
was leaving as you came in?
I saw her, yes.
Know who she is?
Never saw her
before in my lief.
Well, maybe you're
getting out just in time.
She's a plant.
-She is?
Uh, huh.
Came around here
looking for a job.
Said her name was Isabel
Palmer, but it didn't
take me long to spot her.
Well, uh, who is she?
Some snoop from the police
or the insurance companies.
Her name's Carol Carter.
Well, what are you going to do?
What do you think?
Stick around.
I'll see if the boys are set.
Hello, Consolidated Insurance?
I've got to speak to Dan Adams.
Hurry up.
It's important.
Yes, honey,
everything's just fine.
I'll be home in an hour.
Hello,
-Chick.
Hello, Eddie.
Where have you been
keeping yourself.
I'm a married man now.
So we heard.
Congratulations.
Thanks.
Oh, Eddie.
I'll be right there.
Coming?
You bet.
How's the blushing bridegroom?
Put it there.
What happened?
All right, Moxie, let it go.
Little surprise for you, Eddie.
I'll say.
[laughing]
How about you guys come up to
the plant for a goodbye dinner?
That'll be swell.
You better ask Tonya first.
Well, I guess we're all set.
Eddie, on behalf of the
other fellows and myself,
allow me to present you with a
little token of our friendship.
Gee, fellows, Tonya had her
eye on this for a long time.
I don't know what to say.
You don't have to
say anything, kid.
You've got it coming to you.
You've been a regular guy.
I know a lot of fellows
that wouldn't quit a gang
without double-crossing them.
And you're not that kind.
You know I wouldn't
squeal on a gang like this.
There are rats who would.
It must be pretty
hard for you, Eddie,
especially when you've got
a brother like Dan Adams.
Dan knows I wouldn't squeal.
Sure, but blood's
thicker than water.
He'd expect you to
call him, especially
if you found out one of his
coworkers was on the spot.
What do you mean?
What do you think
I mean, Eddie?
You sounded kind of serious.
Course, I might have
known you were kidding.
I wouldn't kid you, Eddie, and
you wouldn't kid me, would you?
Of course, I wouldn't kid you.
And you wouldn't try to
phone your brother either
if you knew Chick was
listening, would you, Eddie?
Chick.
I think we could go for a
little more of that music,
don't you, Chick?
Right.
[wedding march playing]
Hello.
Been waiting long?
No, I just got back.
Well, I've been
thinking the matter over,
and if you still care to
be part of Trotti Limited--
Oh, I do.
All right.
I'll tell you $50 a week
and give you half the profit
of any business you find.
That's more than fair.
Now, let me see.
I'm going to be
busy this afternoon.
I need somebody to go
out to the Colby home.
Where's that?
Oh, thirty odd miles from town.
They're a fussy old couple and
I rearrange their furniture
every three months.
They want it done today.
-I see.
Now if you can take charge of
it, I'll send one of the mean
along to do the heavy moving.
-All right.
-Fine.
I'll get them.
It's all set.
Have Chick and Moxie gone?
-Just drove away.
-Good.
Come on.
Miss Palmer, this is Kelly.
He'll show you
where the home is.
You have your own car?
Yes, it's right outside.
Mrs. Colby will be
expecting you at three.
Very well, goodbye.
Goodbye.
[screams]
Stay here.
I'll see what happened.
Works well.
Get back to the car.
State patrol's due
here any minute.
Is he badly hurt?
I'm afraid you killed him.
[crying]
Here, take a drink of this.
It'll brace you up.
No, I don't want it.
Go ahead.
You need it.
[coughing]
[sobbing]
When did this happen?
Who did it?
The woman driving that
car, just a minute ago.
Why this man is dead.
Did you two see this?
Yeah, I saw the whole thing.
She was driving all over
the road like she was drunk.
What's your name, young lady?
Carol Carter.
Drunk, hey?
No, no, I'm not drunk.
You don't understand.
I understand drunk
driving and manslaughter.
Come along.
No, no really.
I'm not drunk.
Officer, no!
It's just as I've told you,
as I've told the police.
The man stepped right back in
the road in front of the car.
I tried to stop,
but, I couldn't.
Why not?
I don't know.
The brakes didn't hold.
Carol, I hate to put
you through all this,
but you must help me.
Remember I'm your attorney.
I know.
What is it, Dan?
Now is there anything
you've forgotten to tell me?
No, I don't believe there is.
All right, dear, but if you
recall any incident, no matter
how unimportant it may seem--
I'll let you know.
Have they identified the man?
Oh, Beldon's working on that.
I can still see him falling
right in front of the car.
Falling?
But you said stepping
backward before.
Now, which was it?
Why falling, I believe.
It all happened so quickly.
Oh, hello, Dan.
Hello, Sam.
Hello, Miss Carter.
Have you discovered
anything, Mr. Beldon.
Not much.
But we've got half
of headquarters
working on the case.
Could I see you alone
for a minute, Dan?
Oh, yeah, sure.
Carol, there's no use
denying that things look bad.
But you must have faith in us.
I have, Dan, ever so much.
Well?
Well, first off, Russick
has filed application for
guardianship of the Turner kid.
And Russick is Trotti's lawyer.
All right, all right,
but what about the man
that Carol's car hit?
Well, I haven't got the
police lab's report yet.
The boys are still working.
Did you get the identification?
Yep.
Well?
Well, it's bad
news for you, Dan.
For me?
That poor boy was your brother.
My brother?
Come on, Sam.
We're going to the police lab.
According to these reports,
there were a great many cuts
and bruises on the body.
That's right.
It would necessarily mean quite
a loss of blood, wouldn't it?
There must've been.
And here's a photograph taken
at the scene of the accident.
You see any sign of
blood stains on the road?
Well, I know I didn't.
If there had been any stains,
we'd see them in this print.
What happened to
the piece of twine
that was found near the body.
I have it right here.
Did you make a check on it?
Yes, I did.
I had a lot of trouble
identifying it too.
Well, why?
Looks like a regular
piece of cord.
Yes, but it isn't
quite so ordinary.
This is upholsterer's twine
and is used in the construction
of furniture.
Furniture?
Yeah, now this may
not mean anything,
but my guess is that the victim
worked in a furniture factory.
Why do you say that?
I made a microscopic
examination of some scrapings
from the clothes.
And there was a
lot of lint there.
Well, what kind of lint?
Well, quite a mixture,
horse hair and fabric threads
and then there was
a trace of glue
and some wax and
varnish and sawdust.
Did you find any foreign
materials like that
in the cuts on his face?
In the cuts?
What do you mean?
Will you make a check on it?
Yes, I will.
Sam, does Eddie's
wife know yet?
I don't believe so.
I don't know why he went
so far out of the city.
I don't understand it.
When did you see him last?
At 11:00 this morning.
He said he'd be back in an hour.
Where did he say he was going?
He didn't tell me.
Where did he say he was going?
I just told you.
I don't know.
He didn't tell me.
Tonya, Eddie wasn't killed
an automobile accident.
He was murdered.
Murdered?
I'm almost certain of it.
And if you can tell
us where he went,
I think I can get the proof.
He did tell me.
Where did he go?
I'll take you there.
I still have my key.
Well, give us the key.
Tell us where he went.
I'm going with you.
I want to see for myself.
That's just what I thought.
Where is the work room?
Back there.
Sam.
Huh?
Look here.
Blood stains or
I never saw any.
I want a sample of
this lint for the lab.
Good.
We'll take a sample
of this twine, too.
Right.
If this matches--
It will, Dan.
I know it will.
Can you tell me
now what happened?
Yes, I think I know.
Tell me.
It isn't pleasant.
Tell me.
I knew Eddie wasn't
killed in that accident.
There was no blood in the
road and Eddie was badly cut.
It's only dead bodies
that don't bleed.
Then this is
where they-- they--
Yes.
And then they took
his body out there
and framed an
automobile accident.
Yes, Tonya.
Can you prove who killed
him, prove it in court?
I don't know.
I'm not sure.
It's Trotti.
Duke Trotti killed my husband.
If I could only get
him here and trick
him into a confession.
I can do that for you.
You?
Yes.
Ah, you wouldn't dare try that.
It's too risky.
Not if he thinks I'm alone.
Doesn't know that you
two are listening.
It's a long chance.
But a chance worth taking.
Duke, this if Tonya.
I'm at the shop.
Never mind that.
Where's Eddie?
No, I haven't heard from
him since the morning.
You've done something to him.
I know you have.
Don't lie to me, Duke.
I found bloodstains
on the workroom floor.
I'm going to phone the police.
All right.
I'll wait till you get here.
But you've got to tell
me where Eddie is.
He's coming.
All right, Sam.
Be careful.
Here I am, Tonya.
Where's Eddie?
Eddie?
I haven't seen Eddie
since this morning.
Don't lie to me, Duke.
Where's my husband?
I don't know.
He left here about 1:00.
What have you done to him?
Now, why should I
do anything to Eddie?
He's probably at your apartment
now, wondering where you are.
What happened in the workroom?
In the workroom?
Oh, you mean those
stains on the floor.
Oh, it's too bad they
got you all upset, Tonya.
That's nothing but dye.
Dye.
Yes, dye.
Old man Hanson was dipping some
drapes for Mrs. Russell's home
and he spilled
some on the floor.
Who are you going to call?
-The police.
Leave that phone alone.
I'll tell you the truth.
I selected the drapes
for Mrs. Russell.
And sent them to
her home last week.
You killed my husband
in the workroom.
And I'm going to have the
police investigate you.
Now, wait a minute, Tonya.
I'll tell you how it happened.
It was a kind of an accident.
Accident?
Yes, accident.
Eddie was seeing too
much of his brother.
So we start to work him over,
that is, Connie and Moxie
and Chick.
Well, the boys got a
bit rough and why, it's
tough on you, Tonya, but
you're in this business
as deep as we are.
And if the police
should find out--
Police, Duke.
I'll call headquarters.
Looks you sort of talked
yourself right into a nose,
didn't you, Trotti?
Police headquarters/
Drop that gun, flatfoot.
Drop it!
Hang up that phone.
Get up.
Nice work, Connie.
Me and Moxie figured
you took a long time.
For once, you and
Moxie figured right.
That was a nice
little trap, Adams.
But you didn't expect me to
bring my boys with me, did you?
Get the car around back.
Right.
We're taking our company
for a little fresh air.
I regret that my facilities for
entertaining unexpected company
are somewhat limited.
I hope you won't be too bored.
It was really too
bad about Eddie.
But if you haven't persuaded
him to go straight,
he might have been alive now.
So you see, it was
really his fault,
not-- don't open that purse.
-Why not?
Give it to me.
I only wanted my handkerchief.
I'll get it
[gunshot]
Now stand back!
Don't touch that gun.
Now you're going to pay,
pay for killing Eddie.
-Tonya.
-Stop her, stop her.
She'll kill me.
Just as you killed my husband.
I didn't kill him.
I swear I didn't.
It was an accident.
Accident?
Tonya, you can't do that.
Drop those guns.
Come on.
Put 'em up.
You too.
Tonya, call the police.
[gunshots]
Stick 'em up!
As pretty a piece of
work as I've ever seen.
And thanks to the
information she gave us,
we were able to give
a lot of other cities
some real help in cleaning
up their fake accident rings.
The insurance
companies are certainly
indebted to you, Harrison.
You mean Dan.
He's the best
investigator I have.
Had you, mean.
Oh, Dan, here's something
I've been saving for you.
Your resignation.
Oh thank you.
I wanted to see you
tear it up yourself.
No, no, don't do it.
Go ahead.
I will, but not now.
Why not now?
You're not going to stick to a
stodgy insurance company job?
St-- you bet he is,
at his own salary.
I'm sorry, Mr. Curtis.
I'll tear this up
one month from today
when I get back
from my honeymoon.
Honeymoon?
Oh, gentlemen, Mrs. Adams.
Come on, dear.
Goodbye.
Goodbye.
G-g- goodbye.
That' certainly leaves
me in a fine spot.
Not only do I lose
my best attorney,
but the most efficient
girl I ever employed.
You know, Curtis,
that marriage is
about the only fatal
accident that wouldn't
gyp an insurance company.
[laughing]
[music playing]