Nocturne (1946) - full transcript

Alright, Dolores.
I have been avoiding you.

I've been working.

Trying to finish this song.

Besides, I didn't feel like seeing you.

For making a nuisance of yourself
for the last couple of weeks.

Telephoning.

Waiting outside my house.

But it isn't going to do any good.

We are finished.

I've had girls before.

That one was half Spanish.



She followed me all over South America.

I wrote this for her.

I met her in Sun Valley.

This one will be yours.

I'm calling it "Nocturne".

"Nocturne."

"You are my Nocturne."

"For when I see you."

"Sweet music begins."

"Yes. The melody begins."

"And the lyrics start."

"Like a million violins."

"You play upon my heartstrings."

"Nocturne."



"You are my Nocturne."

"You are the words I sing."

"The notes I play."

"Te dum te da dum."

"But it is over and done."

"You are no longer the one."

"For that."

"Was yesterday."

How would it be if you went
away for a while, Angel?

Up to the mountains, or to Palm Springs?

Meet people.

Have a good time.

If you need any money,
I'll be glad to help you.

[ Gunshot! ]

You through wasting
the city's film, Olsen?

Why can't a pretty girl
bump herself once?

It gets monotonous making
pictures of men all the time.

Why don't you get yourself
a job on the Police Gazette.

Want to go to work, Doc?
- Hmm.

Better get the prints first.

Whatever you say, Lieutenant.

I don't get this.
- What?

A big music writer.

With dough. A nice house.

Plenty of girls.

Why should he kill himself?

Remind me to ask him at the inquest.

What do you think, Joe?

Ask Halberson. He's in charge here.

Nice of you to admit it, Joe.

Hey. He was writing a song.

You think he'd kill himself
if he was doing that?

I'm no musician. I'm a detective.

We got one revolver. His.
One shot has been fired.

If his prints are on the gun and he has
powder traces on his hand it's suicide.

If they ain't and he hasn't,
it's murder. Simple mathematics.

The gun has got his prints alright.

You can always switch the prints.
What about the powder traces?

I'll tell you in a minute.

If I were investigating
this case, I'd ..

Look .. do I tell you
how to make pictures?

No, I guess you don't Lieutenant.

Let me go!

Listen, flatfoot.

When I want to hold
hands, I'll let you know.

Well, who is this?

We ain't had much time for conversation.

What's your name?
- Susan Flanders. I work here.

As what?
- Housemaid.

You hear any unusual noises
around here tonight? Like a shot?

Nothing I might hear in
this joint would be unusual.

She was in bed wearing
ear-stops, Lieutenant.

Ear-stops? Why?

I can't stand the guy's music.
It's icky.

Besides, I was asleep.

At ten o'clock?

I'm always in bed by nine.
- Can you prove that?

It happens I sleep alone.

Come over here.

What am I supposed to
do, bust out weeping?

Well, do me and the missus
get to take in a movie tonight?

Powder burns on the right temple.

Definite traces of powder
in the right hand.

QED. Suicide.

Which will please Mrs Halberson.

Any idea why he did it?
- It wasn't on account of me.

Did he seem worried or
depressed about anything?

From what I hear it was those
others who did the worrying.

What others?
- He was a lady-killer.

But don't get any ideas. I'm no lady.

Did he have a girl up here tonight?
- If he didn't it'd be a kind of record.

Who might she be?

Listen, I mind my own business
which is dusting furniture.

Hey.

It wasn't always dusting furniture.

Remember that English dame that
lost a twenty carat diamond?

At the Beverley Ritz?
- Yeah.

Remember the room maid who cut her arm
trying to jump out the window with it?

Funny. She looked a lot like you.

Only her name was ..

Annabelle Waters.

Flanagan, get some clothes on
her and take her down to the car.

You're going to have a
hard time holding me.

It will be fun trying. Annabelle.

Come on, sister.

Let's go, fellahs.

You'd better stick around in
case the chief comes by.

Okay.

You should learn to knock on doors.

I'm a police officer.

What's in that bottle?

Hair tonic.

Alright. Get over there and sit down.

What happened? What happened?

I'll ask the questions.
You just answer them.

What's your name?
- Eujemio Mora.

What do you do here?
- Houseboy.

Did you know he was dead?

How did you get in?

I use side door.

Always use side door.

Did you have any idea he
was going to kill himself?

No sir.

He tell me to bring all these
things when I come home.

He told you to?

Yes, sir.

He told me bring back aspirin.

Shave cream.

Bicarbonate.

And razor blades.

Was he expecting anyone up here tonight?

A lady.

One are these?
- I do not know.

Do you know if the lady came?

This is my half-day off. I go to fight.

I don't see Mr Vincent after lunch.

He told me to bring back aspirin.

Shave cream ..

Bicarbonate and razor blades. I know.

Can you shoot a gun?

Yes. Fine shot.

Maybe you'll be able to give us an
exhibition at the inquest tomorrow.

Inquest?

Come out with me.

Never mind those.

How much did you lose tonight?

I didn't know you were home, Joe.
- No?

What have they got down at the beach?

All night bingo parlors?

Well, I won three dollars.

Mrs O'Rourke lost six. The dope.

You should be glad you've
got such a smart mother.

How about the eight you lost last week?

That was last week.

Come on. I'll blow you
to a coke on the profits.

That's good enough for me, Ma.

I had a wonderful time.
- You did?

Want a sandwich, Joe?

No thanks.

You going musical on me?

You haven't sat down at that piano
since you were seven years old.

I was trying to key Vincent's last song.

I heard about him on the radio.

Riding home with Mrs O'Rourke.

Suicide?

Halberson says so.

Halberson.

Halberson talking through his hat again?

Could be.

Who is this Dolores?

His girl, I guess.

Did you talk to her?

Not yet.

She might know something.

She might have been there.

She might. She might have stood him up.

You never can depend
on girls named Dolores.

But didn't the finish it?

You tell me.

Well.

Suppose I answer all
the questions right now.

He had money.

Dolores.

A nice house.

Only he apparently decided he
needed a little more ventilation.

So he put a hole through his head.

Left the prints on the revolver
and powder traces on his hand.

You figure it out.

I'm going to hit the hay.

Night, Mum.

Night, Joe.

Eujemio.
- Yes, sir?

Know any of these babes?

I see them some time in house.

Yeah, but their names?

Like for instance, this one.

Mr Vincent call her Dolores.

This is going to be
easier than I thought.

He called them all Dolores.
- Huh?

There can't be that many
Doloreses in the world.

Who is the last one he had on the hook?

All very pretty.

Look too much alike.

I remember her.

She tried to jump out
the window. Very funny.

You got a great sense of humor.

Oh, pardon me.

How did you get out?
- Just a little writ of Habeas Corpus.

Since when are they springing
people like you, Annabelle?

It seems they were afraid
the house would get dirty.

What with all the Cops and
bodies all over the place.

Don't your nose get sore all the time
sticking it in other people's business?

I got a phobia for
pictures of pretty girls.

He liked them in the flesh.

So I here.

How come he called them
all by the same name?

I've been trying to
figure that out myself.

For my money, his gears didn't mesh.

Once, he even called me Dolores.

It begins to look like I'm going to
have quite an interesting life.

Thanks, Dolores.

The name is Clara.

That isn't what he called you.

Who?

Vincent.

What does it matter what he called me?

Look, this may be a crummy joint but a
nickel don't buy more than a coffee.

Where were you the night
Vincent died, Dolores?

I wouldn't fool with that piano.

Remember this?

What's the big idea? Break up my piano?

This cost me eleven hundred dollars.

Okay, okay.
- You bet okay.

Everything okay.

I heard you asking her about Vincent.

Who you are? Policeman?

That's right.

Well.

If she need an alibi, I ..

Nick Pappas, give her an alibi.

I give her a good alibi.

Eh, baby?

Wait a minute.

I wasn't expecting callers.

Do you know anybody by
the name of Keith Vincent?

Keith Vincent.

Don't come here talking
to me about that guy.

Why was you asking?

Are you the one he used to call Dolores?

Me?

No. He never called me nothing.

You're getting me mixed up with Nora.

Nora?

Yeah, my girlfriend. Nora Golden.

She lived here with me
after he fixed her life for her.

Hey, are you a copper?

Not exactly.

Not exactly?

What kind of double-talk is that?

You're either a copper
or you ain't a copper.

I might have known.

What was that you were saying?

You were talking about your girlfriend.

Yeah, Nora.

Many is the night we sat here.

She was telling me
what he'd done to her.

That's what I want to see her about.

You're going to have
a tough time, mister.

She knocked herself off.

The day before yesterday.
Right in this bed.

It's no use arguing Joe.
You're in trouble.

Mr Billings who happens to be Chairman
of the city's Anti-Crime Committee ..

Says you've been annoying his wife.

And there is that player piano business.

Nick Pappas says he
completely wrecked it.

I know what Nick Pappas said, Halberson.

The manager of the Silver Garter claims
you forced your way back stage ..

To talk to one of his girls.

She didn't mind.

Maybe not.

Look.

I've given you two days on
your own as you asked for.

You've run down nine girls.

And come up with nine alibis.

Don't you think it is about
time you gave up?

How about the other things?

The aspirin and razor blades he ordered?

He probably wanted to make sure
the Philipino wouldn't be there.

That's what I told him, chief.

You've been batting your brains out ..

On a theory that no court in the
country would accept as evidence.

An unfinished song.

Still, it keeps running
through his head.

I suggest you wait in
the corridor, Halberson.

Alright, sir.

Sit down, Joe.

Joe, this isn't the first
tangent you've hit.

Remember the Mulvaney case?

And that trouble over in Van Nuys?

Both strike-outs.

You are a good man, one of our best.

But you're stubborn.

Now, suppose we look at
this business rationally.

The nitrate test proves
that Vincent fired a shot.

And the fingerprints prove that
he fired it from his own revolver.

As for motive? Well, you name it.

Maybe he had some
other girls besides those.

No, that's where you're off base.

You think this is what Lombroso
calls a "crime of passion".

And we all know about
crimes of passion, Joe.

They all have one thing in common.

They are unpremeditated.

If this is murder it was so well-planned
we can't even work out how it was done.

Besides, our responsibility ended when
the coroner gave the verdict of suicide.

The Commissioner wanted to
suspend you this morning.

Next time I won't be able to help you.

I certainly appreciate
what you've done, chief.

Forget it.

Run these back to Vincent's place.

Then report to Halberson for duty.

Yes, sir.

Hey, Joe.

Still on the force?

Yeah.

Good.

I got a real nice assignment for you.

The chief wants me
to return these first.

Okay .. then take care of this.

It might be that guy that killed
those two dames out in Brentwood.

Well, if it ain't our star boarder.

Wouldn't it be easier if you
joined the lonely hearts club?

Susan.

Wasn't there another picture there?

It seems to me there was.
Funny I didn't notice it was gone.

You know whose picture it was?

Do you think I'm interested in girls?

I'll tell you one thing though.

What?
- Her name was Dolores.

Thanks.

Miss Evans.

How many times do I have to ask you?
Look a bit more to the right. Right!

How many times do I have
to tell you that's my bad side.

Please allow me to judge
your bad side, Miss Evans.

Whose face is it? Yours or mine?

It's all yours.

But if it were mine I would less
smorgasbord and more salad.

Why, you lousy ..
- Enough!

I can't take it anymore.

Tony.

You may have the honor of
photographing Miss Evans full face.

Women, women. I can't tell
you how sick I am of women.

Shall we go and see
what turned up in the files.

I know a guy who'd trade jobs with you.

He takes pictures of corpses.
- Corpses? No.

Well.

At least they don't talk back.

Here.

Did you find the last picture
in here for Mr Vincent?

I just ducked it in the soup.

Can you see alright?
- Fine.

Tell me, why did you kill him?

Which one?
- Keith Vincent.

Oh? Well wasn't he supposed
to have killed himself?

We happen to have a different idea.

"We" being a certain
Inspector of Police?

We, a certain "Lieutenant" of Police.

Inspector or Lieutenant.
They mean the same thing to me.

Wrinkled neck-tie, messy clothes.

Big feet.

I haven't got such big feet.
- I wouldn't be interested.

I suppose not.

It would take somebody like Vincent.

What makes you think I killed Vincent?

You have the right color hair.

You'll need something more than that.

What about that picture
that wasn't there?

What if I told you I took
it back a month ago?

I wouldn't believe you.

That's being frank, anyway.

Why don't you give it a whirl?

I might.

How do I start?

You can start by telling me where
you were the night he was killed.

That's easy.

9:45. Cashed a check for fifty dollars
and the Gotham delicatessen.

10. Went to the Pantages theatre
to see a movie. I played a bit in it.

They'll remember me at the box office.

As the manager had to okay
breaking the fifty dollar bill.

I stayed for about twenty minutes.
I don't like those kind of pictures.

Coming out, I met Grace
Andrews in the lobby.

That was 10:20.

We talked for five minutes
and then I went home.

Now suppose you do the same.

I like that alibi. It's round,
it's firm, it's fully packed.

Only I don't buy it.

Am I supposed to care?

You'd care if I had to haul
you down to headquarters.

You know, I'm getting
rather bored talking to you.

You are dull.
- Yeah. Beat it.

You are annoying Miss Ransom.

Maybe not as dull as I thought.

Maybe.

That's an interesting dive, Pat.
What's it called?

Frances Ransom.

I'm sorry, Lieutenant. But we cash
so many checks. What's she like?

She's a brunette.

Average height.

About twenty-five.

A good looker with a swell shape.

Thank you.

We get a hundred like that every day.

Yeah? I'll be back later.

Excuse me.

You got a salami for sale?
- Right over there.

Hey, mister.

Get back to the rear, soldier.

You will have to wait your turn, sir.

Was there a fifty-dollar bill
cashed here Tuesday night?

Tuesday was my night off.

Mr Barnes.

Now what?

Oh, excuse me. I'll be right out.

One.

Was there a fifty-dollar bill
cashed here Tuesday night?

I doubt it.

They usually call me for
anything bigger than a twenty.

Still, it might have slipped through.

Thanks.

I'm sorry. Your appointment
is with Miss Andrews.

She'll be free in a minute.

I don't want Miss Andrews.
I like Miss Madison.

We get along.

This is a dancing school.
Not a matrimonial bureau.

Wait over there.

Get into the spirit of things, honey.
You've got to loosen up.

Like this.

Come on, now you try it.

You'll never get a diploma that way.

Maybe you're the waltzing type.

Frances Ransom said if there was anybody
could teach me the rumba, you could.

Frances sent you here?

Yeah.
- She's a nice kid.

She gets me half my customers.

We used to room together.

Come on, let's try it again.

You know her well?

I was with her this morning.

You know, I think she's
in some kind of trouble.

She seemed alright.

I think it's something
to do with the police.

Police?

Well, she called me yesterday.

And said if a detective was to ask
me where she was Tuesday night ..

I should say I'd seen
her at the Pantages.

Is that so?

But no detectives have been around.

You're doing better.

Thanks.

How do you know I'm not a detective?

Don't be silly.

Who ever heard of a
detective with his hat off?

Okay. Now run along big boy
before they miss you at the zoo.

Why you tear my coat?

I'm getting tired of looking at it
out of the back of my head.

I don't like for you to tear my coat.

Would you like to make a
complaint at headquarters?

What's going on here?
- It's a fight. That's one of them.

Hello Joe.
- Hello Flynn.

You sure are a bear for trouble.

You call frisking a hoodlum trouble?

I do today.

Yeah, why?
- On account of chief Earn.

He's been giving you 10 minutes to get
to headquarters for the last 5 hours.

Thanks.

What did the chief have to say?

Exactly four words.
- Only four?

Turn in your badge.

He had more to say this morning ..

When he found out you'd been pushing
citizens into swimming pools.

So that was the beef?

They claim they could hear him
yelling as far out as Glendale.

Ned any dough or anything, Joe?

I'm okay.

Do me a favor.

Turn these over to the chief.

Sure.

Well.

I'll be seeing you.

Joe.

You're not going to mess around
with that case anymore are you?

Brother.

I know when I'm licked.

Well baby, it's been a nice evening.

Why not let it stay that way.

Goodnight.

That's as good a block as I ever saw.

Ever thought of trying out for
the Green Bay Packers?

How did you get in here?

A passkey.

Well you can take it and pass
yourself right out again.

That's not very hospitable.

Especially with a set up like this.

Are you planning on
moving in permanently?

My salary wouldn't pay
the rent on the doormat.

I'll give you the doormat.
Just go out and take it home.

But I'd rather take you nightclubbing.

On that salary of yours?

Maybe we can fix it so it's on the city.

That's the first offer
like that I ever had.

Well?

I can think of nothing less exciting.

Imagine having your hand held by a city.

If that's the trouble.

I offer myself.

I don't like substitutes.

And besides, I've got a late date.

And even if I hadn't I wouldn't go.

Is that clear enough?

Plenty.

Oh, before I forget it.

I'd better return this.

I've been admiring it.

Must have cost a lot of dough.

You should take up
housebreaking for a living.

Looks like I ought to be doing
the kind of work you're doing.

The last bit I played in a movie
netted me exactly 63 dollars.

Then where did that gimmick come from?

And the mink coat in the closet?

And this foxhole you're living in?

Can I help it if people give me things?

People like Vincent for instance?

Why don't you get out of here?

Sorry you won't come along.

It must get tiresome hanging around
delicatessens and lobbies all the time.

I had a swell spot picked out too.

The Keyboard Club.

The city is going to
be very disappointed.

I don't care about the city.

But if you'll ..

Pull that mink coat out of the
closet I'll tag along with you.

And don't worry. We'll go Dutch.

Do you spend much time
in places like this?

No, on my night off I
generally go to the opera.

You know, I've been wondering
about something, Mr Warne.

Yeah, what?

How did a music lover like
you become a detective?

Good evening, Lieutenant.
- How about a table?

Of course. Right this way.

What's wrong with being a detective?

I asked you.

A man has got to eat.
There has got to be detectives.

And besides .. I like it.

It's a good life.

Low pay.

With plenty of excitement.

And you can park by fire plugs.

And take girls to interesting places.
- And buy them interesting drinks.

What will you have?
- Bourbon and water, please.

Lieutenant?
- I'll take the same.

Do you like her?

Not bad.

I can fix it for you.
- Yeah?

That's my kid sister.

Thanks, Fingers.
- Sure.

Hello, darling.

Hello. That was a good
number. Come on sit down.

This is Mr Warne.
He is quite taken with you.

How do you do.
- How do you do.

Would you like a drink?
- Thank you. A glass of lemonade.

Hi, Fingers.

Oh, how about ..

"I couldn't sleep a wink
last night", huh Fingers?

Sure.

Thank you very much.

What will it be, blues or Beethoven?

How about "Summer Is Everything"?
- How about "Frisco Blues"?

Maybe we ought to take a vote.

I've got something you can play.

A friend of mine did it.

Like it?

Hmm. It's pretty.

That's a nice suit you're wearing, dear.

Oh, it isn't so bad considering I ran
it up on a sewing-machine salesman.

What did your friend do?
Run out of notes?

More or less.

Vincent?

How did you know?

How do you know a painting by Picasso?

I don't.

You are not a painter.

Do you make a habit of swiping
tunes as well as jewels?

I've got a lot of funny habits.

Waiter, how about a check?

It's been taken care of, Lieutenant.

Here you are.
- Thank you.

Can we take you home?

No thank you. I still have
another number to do.

A pleasure meeting you.
- It was nice meeting you.

Goodnight, Carol.

Taxi.

Your sister has got a nice voice.
Did she ever sing anywhere else?

A couple of caf?s in San Francisco.

Hey, what is this?

I forgot to tell you.
I had a late date too.

1982 Sunset Drive.

I wanted to stay. I was having fun.

The joint is closing, Charlie.

I still want to stay.

Three drinks and he's
the life of the party.

Waiting for someone?

He went out the back way.

Who are you talking about?

You wouldn't be waiting for
me or Torp would you?

No.

Nobody ever does.

It's always Carol.

You know where she lives?

I might.

Try the Studio Players
Club on Lombard Place.

Thanks.

Aren't you up kind of late?
- Is that against the law?

It depends on what you've been doing.
- I'll write you a letter.

It will give you something to
shove up that nose of yours.

I'd like for you to come with me, Miss.

I know it's late, but I
wanted to talk to you.

How'd you get by Mrs Bindel?

She told me you just
had another visitor.

Also, I told her I was from the police.

Oh?

What did the blond want?
- What blond?

The pretty d?butante you just talked to.

She wanted to find my sister.

You know Frances used to live here.

She give any reason?

She said she was an old friend.

Why, shouldn't I have told
her Frances's address?

I don't know why not.

Look .. isn't there some
place we can talk?

Right here.

I mean, more or less privately.

Can't we make it tomorrow?

It is tomorrow.

And it is only one question.

Let's get out of the center lane.

But what is the question?

When did you first hear Vincent's song?

Vincent's song? Tonight at the club.

How would you like to unpack
that story at headquarters?

With flashbulbs and
reporters in the gallery.

I wouldn't.

Then start talking.

I ..

I did hear Frances play it once.

That's better.

Where did she get it?

I don't know.
- Yes you do.

No I don't. Honest.

She can't have been up there the
night Vincent was killed could she?

She wasn't. She left long before ..

But she was up there that night?

Was she in love with him?

I shouldn't be talking to you.
I'm just making things worse for her.

You sound as though
you know she killed him.

No. I didn't say that.

Why do you keep trying
to twist what I say?

But it's a wonderful part, darling.
I die in the middle of the 3rd act.

I generally die the minute
I set foot on the stage.

Look.

I got an idea we're on the
same team and don't know it.

I like Frances.

And I want to help her.

So, why don't you tell me all about it?

If I don't?

Then I'll know you think she's guilty.

Suppose we start at the beginning.

That was six months ago.

Go on.

They fell in love and
then he fell out again.

Of course Frances was hurt and angry.

She couldn't believe he'd
treat her like the others.

And Tuesday night was the blow-off?

That happened a week before.

But she did go up there Tuesday
night to get the picture and ..

Say goodbye.

You sure she didn't say it with a 0.38?

Don't you think you'd better
ask Frances about that?

Yeah.

I guess that's the next project.

Well thanks.

I hope I haven't done the wrong thing.

You did the smart thing, baby.

Goodnight.

Well, how did the late date work out?

Haven't you got a home?
- Sure, and I like it.

It's got a shower bath,
hot coffee and a bed.

Then what's keeping your from it?

You.

Me?

Now look, mister. Has anybody ever
told you that you don't make sense?

Oh, I know you've got some cock-eyed
theory that Vincent was murdered.

Only you don't know
how it was done, do you.

No.

But you've decided if it was murder
there would have to be a motive.

Only you don't know what.

No.

And a murderer, only you don't know who.

So you pick on me because I went
up there you don't know when.

And took my photograph off his wall.

Yeah.

Only I do know when.

Your sister just told me.

Come in.

Now say that again.

That's easy.

Your sister told me you were
up there Tuesday night.

She's a cute kid that sister of mine.

A big heart and a bigger mouth.

What else did she dish out?

A load about you and Vincent.

But don't get her wrong.
She was just trying to help out.

Did she remember to tell you
what size handcuffs I wear?

I'll figure that out
when the time comes.

I suppose you will.

Time now?

That depends.

It can't do any harm to relax.

Would you like something to drink?

Yeah, I'll take a coke.

You know, I seem to have
fallen into a pretty fancy hole.

Sure, but you can still climb out of it.

How?

Just prove that you weren't at Vincent's
house last Tuesday night at 10 o'clock.

Would it matter so very much where I
was at 10 o'clock on Tuesday night?

It would in court.

But that isn't exactly what I meant.

Would it matter to you?

To me?

I know you're a policeman but ..

You're also a human being.

Well, I am.

Off-duty, Miss Ransom.

Frances.

Alright. Frances.

Could you manage to be
off-duty for a minute, Mr Warne?

I guess so.

And the off-duty name is "Joe".

Do you happen to know
what a heel Vincent was?

But a copper is not concerned with ..
- I'm talking about human beings.

Okay.

I want you to see him as he really was.

A guy who never brought
anyone anything but misery.

Isn't it better that he's dead?

You can't look at things
that way, Frances.

Can't you, Joe?

I don't care whether
a guy is a heel or not.

My job is to get the killer.

Whether he gets the gas chamber or a
vote of confidence is not my decision.

Not even as a human being, Joe?

I don't think so.

You know the first time I saw you I ..

I had the oddest feeling.

Did you ever have a feeling like that?

I liked your bathing suit.

Is that all?

Yeah, That's all.

What are we going to do?

I don't know.

Couldn't you drop the case?

I'm late.

Joe.

Isn't it nicer like this?

Yeah.

Now baby, suppose you
tell me how you did it.

Throw him out of here.

Are you going to answer my question?
- She would like you to get out of here.

You're in the wrong league, Lieutenant.
Stick to traffic violations.

Maybe you don't hear me?
We would like you to get out of here.

[ Door knocks ]

Do you realize you're
keeping my baby awake?

Six months old and the poor
little thing hasn't slept a wink.

Now you get up.
And get right out of here.

Yes, ma'am.

I mean both of you.

I never heard of such goings on.

I'd just as well be at tourist camp.

I'm going to call the police.
- He is the police.

Well, he ought to be reported.
What's your name?

Now wait a minute, lady.
- Joe Warne.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

Both of you. Now you get out.

You!

We didn't intend no
harm for the baby, missus.

A fine ting. Keeping respectable
people awake all night.

I'll have you know this couldn't
happen in council blocks.

Torp, there are a few
questions I want to ask you.

The first one is. How did you happen
to be in there the night that I ..

I don't think the little
baby can hear us now.

[ Punching noises. Broken glass. ]

Who slugged you?

A six-month-old baby.

It's wonderful what that
evaporated milk will do.

You'll be lucky if your face
isn't scarred, Lieutenant.

I'm lucky I got a face.

Another customer, Doc. If you're ready.

Automobile?
- No. - Another beating, but good.

Okay.

That ought to hold you.

Thanks, Doc.
- Forget it.

Easy does it.

Okay, baby.

So you got a beauty treatment too?

You know her, Joe?

It is Susan Flanders.

We got a picture of her down-town.

Where did you find her?

In an alley. Using an
ash-can for a pillow.

Who did it?

Tell the Lieutenant
who beat you up, sister.

Was it Torp?

Because you were looking
for Frances Ransom?

Leave me alone.

I wouldn't talk to her for a while.

Whatever you say, Doc.

I'll wait outside.

I'll need some Novocaine.

Good morning, Joe.

What got you out so early?
- You.

I got to take you down to headquarters.

What for?
- The chief wants to see you.

This time it is about breaking
furniture in an apartment.

And I would say the furniture won.

Look, Gratz.

I got to follow up one more lead.
You just missed me, see.

Are you back on that cock-eyed case?

I've never been off it.

What do you say?

Uhuh. I can't take the chance.

You put me in an awful spot.

I like you Joe, but when
the chief says I got to ..

Sorry. I like you too, Gratz.

"But I'm thankful for the past."

"And if we must part."

"I'll keep your memory."

"You'll keep my heart."

"I'll understand dear, if you want .."

Try it again kid only come
in a little behind me there.

Alright.

"Stand here if you want to be free."

"What good is loving you
if you don't love me?"

"If this is the end."

"Why .."

"Pretend?"

Your public is going to like that.
- Well, thanks.

Looks like you've been
painting the town red.

Or the other way around.

Is your assistant down yet?
- Torp?

We got some unfinished business.

Is he around?

Friday is his day off.

Always?

That's the way his contract reads.

He wouldn't have played hooky
Tuesday night, would he?

He was in school all evening.

You're positive?

Either him or his twin brother muscled
my piano around until the joint closed.

What do you say?

I'm sure I'd have noticed
if he'd gone anywhere.

Unless maybe you went
out somewhere yourself?

But I didn't.

You can ask Fingers.

Why this sudden interest?

It's gone.

As of two seconds ago.

I could have told you Torp
didn't knock off Vincent.

He didn't even know him.
- How do you know?

We got together now and
then whenever I had an idea.

Why didn't you tell me that last night?

You didn't ask me.

Did you write many of those with him?

Three. That was the last.

He decided maybe it was a break letting
me put my name up there with his, so ..

He gave me a shove.

And you got sore.

Sure I got sore.

Funny sore.

Sore enough to plug him.
- Why, Fingers.

What calibre gun did you use?

Forty-five.

It was a thirty-eight.

What did you do with it?

I hid it.

You left it beside him.

How did you make it look like suicide?

Wait a minute.

I really didn't do it, you know.

You're the detective.
You answer the questions.

Or can't you?

One more crack like that and I'll
wrap the piano around your neck.

He angers easy, don't he.

Do you mean to say Joe is still
worrying about that song writer?

He's giving it his full
attention now that he's ..

On vacation.

It seems a pity he won't
admit it was suicide.

I wouldn't think of
murdering anyone like that.

How many people have
you murdered, Mrs O'Rourke?

Well naturally, not any.

But you said yourself
the ballistic test proved ..

The shot was fired
from Mr Vincent's gun.

Somebody could have put
the gun there afterwards.

Sugar?

Three lumps.

But what about the fingerprints, dearie?

Joe says fingerprints can be switched.

Coffee cake?
- No thank you.

Why, yes of course.
Fingerprints can be switched.

I remember now.

Ginger Rogers did that in Blue Midnight.

My, wasn't she pretty.

We were talking about
murder, Mrs O'Rourke.

Of course.

Joe says the question is how did the
powder burns get on Mr Vincent's head ..

And the powder traces on his hands?

Have they used the nitrate test?

Certainly. We're not
dumb on the police force.

Well.

Then perhaps the
killer took the pistol ..

Revolver, Mrs O'Rourke.

A pistol is an automatic weapon.

I was just using the
word loosely, dearie.

Perhaps the killer put
the revolver in his hand.

And then forced him
to fire the shot himself.

Then there would have been
a struggle, Mrs O'Rourke.

And the fingerprints would
have been smudged.

I'll show you.

My, what a lovely revolver.

Yes. It's Joe's.

And precise.

Hair trigger.

Ah, you were going to show
me about the fingerprints.

Oh yes. Stand up.

Put your cup back down.

Now come down here.

Try to force me to shoot
myself through the head.

Well, go on.

[ Gunshot! ]

Joe, have you gone crazy?

Have I gone crazy?

What are you two trying to do?

I was showing Mrs O'Rourke how
Mr Vincent wasn't murdered.

Didn't anyone ever tell you
you shouldn't play with guns?

Don't be silly.
It's just loaded with blanks.

Blanks?

Why, Mum .. you're wonderful.

Am I?
- You too, Mrs 0'Rourke.

Joe, you're not going out
without your breakfast?

I've got a breakfast date.
With a murderess.

A murderess?

Hey.

Where is the Sinbad
Company working today?

Stages 9 and 10.
- Thanks. - Hey.

Have you got a pass?

Homicide Squad.

Close that door!

Now this is the final rehearsal.

So, quiet everybody!

Right, now here we go. Now look.

Don't be too gentle with the girl.
She's a slave. You know that.

Alright now. Action!

Alright. Cut!

Alright. Get ready for the next take.

The best thing about costume pictures
is you don't wear out your own clothes.

How right you are.

A cup of Java.

Are you back again?

It seems that way.

You know, you are the
most persistent man.

See you later, Frances.
- Alright Bessie.

The most persistent and
the most indestructible.

You might say that to your friend, Torp.
He seems to think different.

Where is he by the way?
- Probably at the club.

Not today, sister. But he
was there Tuesday night.

Here's your coffee, mister.

How much?
- Ten cents.

Just put it in the dish.

Where did you think Torp was?

Up helping me kill Vincent?

That was the general idea.

I think your needle is stuck.

Or is it that you just
can't live without me?

It could be and for some good reason.

What good reason?

Everything you've been
doing fascinates me.

Hiding your picture.
Handing out phony alibis.

Not admitting you were up at
Vincent's house Tuesday night.

Pretending you weren't
sore when he threw you over.

Are those reasons good enough?

They would be.

Providing it was murder and
you knew how it was done.

I do.

A blank cartridge.

You're in the next setup, Frances.
- I'll be right there.

Did you say a "blank" cartridge?

That's right. He got it like
people generally get it.

A bullet right through the noggin.

From a Roscoe like this.

Then the killer wiped off the prints
and put it in Vincent's hand.

Held it up to his head and fired again.

But the second shell was a blank.
- Hey. Wait a minute, mister.

That's liable to go off.

It's just a prop.

Whatever it is, I'd put it away.

Am I supposed to understand
what you're talking about?

Look. The blank puts
powder burns on his head.

Powder traces on his hand.

Then what happens to the blank?

Then it's take out very carefully.

So that not to smear the prints.

Then the hammer is put back
like it was after the first shot.

You like it?

I think you've been reading
too many detective stories.

No. I've been talking to Mum.

How about a confession?

Alright, I'm tired of this cat
and mouse business anyway.

Go ahead, put the handcuffs on me.

We quarrelled and I shot
him right through the head.

We'd better get down to headquarters.

Do you think I'd repeat that
story at headquarters?

All I got to do is tell
them what you said.

And I'll deny it.

And then who do you think will
wind up behind the 8-ball?

Me, or a Cop who just
got himself suspended?

Now why don't you hop on your scooter
sonny-boy and blow. I've got to emote.

Where have you been all day?

I was just out trying to
do a little thinking.

What happened to the murderess?

She broke the date.

Well, I don't think that's
very polite of her.

Did you have supper?

I'm not hungry, Mum.

Why of course you are. You stay right
there and I'll get you something.

Want to see the paper?

Yeah. I might want to look at
the "Help Wanted" section.

Ah Joe, we've been in worse trouble.

Like when your father lost the
rent money playing pinochle.

Eggs?

I guess so.

Mum.

Yes?

How would you feel if I
married a murderess?

I wouldn't mind.

So long as she's a nice girl.

Toast or rolls?

Toast.

You had some callers this afternoon.

I did?
- Yes.

Mr Gratz and some other policemen.

They seemed very angry.

I wouldn't wonder.

And they said chief Earn
wanted you picked up.

Looks like you'd better
hurry with those eggs.

Oh, they won't be coming back.

Why not?

I told them you'd gone to Mexico.

Well that does it, Mum.

But Joe, I thought that you
wanted to go on with the case.

That's going to be hard to do.

Working in Mexico.

I mean here, tonight.

Mr Shawn telephoned and said he
had something important to tell you.

The photographer?

He wants to see you at
his studio at ten o'clock.

Why, it's five minutes of ten now.

Joe, your supper.

If I'm not back by twelve,
mail it to the city jail.

Shawn.

Shawn.

Shawn.

[ Telephone ]

[ Telephone ]

Shawn.

[ Gunshot! ]

Logan. Murphy. Carry the bag.
- Yes, sir.

Take a look downstairs.
- Okay.

Well, I suppose he thinks the
view is better from up there.

Anybody know the coroner's number?

Frances.

Frances, you alright?

Joe?

Never mind the "Joe" business.

I want some straight
talk, and a lot of it.

Can you hear me?

Shawn is dead.

You understand? He's dead.

You got to give me the story.

[ Telephone ]

Hello?

There have been complaints about
noise in your apartment, sir.

Have you been breaking something?

Yeah, the windows.

He says, the windows.

The windows?
- Call the police.

Warne.

It sounded like an explosion.
- It's the windows.

Can I help you?
- Yeah. Get a doctor.

Hey.

Is Carol Page around?
- How would I know?

I didn't ask you.

Try the dressing room down the hall.

At the end of the room.

Don't think you'll get away this time.

What happened to you?

Nothing important.

Can you get me a drink?

I'd like to but it's after hours.

You know .. I liked you
better the old way.

What do you mean?

It's a better combination.

For those grey eyes of yours.

How did Vincent feel about it?

I don't know what you're talking about.

That's right.

I'm forgetting. Vincent never
saw you as a blond, did he.

Because you didn't become one
until after you plugged him.

You did plug him, didn't you sweetheart?

Whatever gave you that idea?

This.

Look.

You are half right.

I was there.

I'd been trying to see him for days
to find out how things stood.

I found out.

The hard way.

Maybe I should have killed him.
Maybe I would have if I'd had a gun.

But I didn't.

Then who did kill him?

I thought you'd heard.

He killed himself.

Then why all this hocus-pocus with
Shawn and the photographs?

That was Frances trying to keep
my name out of it, not that I cared.

That's a nice story. It would
have worked out fine too.

Except I got a tune stuck in my head.

And it shook things up so much that
Shawn got scared and tried to pull out.

Do you think you can palm
him off as suicide too?

Take it easy, sweetheart.

I am disappointed.

No guns. No knives.

How do you know Shawn is dead?
- I saw him.

He looked really pretty
dangling from the end of a ..

Frances.

Surprised to see her, aren't you.

Sit down.

A nice kid, trying to knock
off your own sister.

Frances, I didn't.

That's great acting, sweetheart.

35 percent shock and
65 percent innocence.

Only you're going to
have a tough audience.

Twelve citizens.

One thing puzzles me.

How did you ever get
Shawn up there like that?

Or did Torp help you
like he did with me?

And with Vincent's maid when
she tried to blackmail you.

Or are you one of those dames that ..

[ Piano music ]

That's what I've been
waiting around for.

Only there is a couple of
things you'd better clear up.

It happens, we're married.
- I know.

1942 in New Rochelle.

And you got jealous when
she took up with Vincent.

He was trying to protect me.

It was okay by me as long as he wanted
to marry her. I would have stepped down.

When it turned out to be
a gag like all the others.

I got sore.

How did you know it was a gag?

I happened to be up there that night.

Sure. Just accidental like?

Only you already had the idea.

You must have.

To figure out that blank cartridge deal.

It sounds crazy, don't it.

Worrying about your wife
making good with another guy.

I'd have got to him sooner but I wanted
her to find out about him for herself.

He helped.

I almost had to laugh,
he did it so good.

Not even bothering to
stop work on his song.

I listened by the French windows
until I was sure she had the idea.

She was frightened.

The shot came over her shoulder when
she hadn't known I was within ten miles.

I made her wait while I did
the business with the revolver.

Then we left.

You got Frances to play the fall-guy.

I told her I had done it.
- That was my idea too.

Well, how about the other items?

By Shawn for instance?

And the try for Frances?

I got panicky when
Shawn decided to talk.

I knew Frances wouldn't string
along after he was dead.

Look.

Couldn't you figure it this way.

I did make a mistake.

A couple of mistakes.

But I'm not going to make any more.

Headquarters will be glad to hear that.

Yeah, but you aren't in headquarters.

Not now.

Do you think I'd turn you loose?

Overlook a couple of little mistakes
like two murders and a near-miss?

I'd as soon turn a rattlesnake
loose in a nursery.

I was afraid you'd feel that way.

Come on, baby.

No.

This can go off real easy, you know.

It won't do you any good.

I took the slugs out of it.

How long do I have to wait out here?

Well, where is the big surprise
you're going to have for me?

There he is.

Who is he?

The guy who committed Vincent's suicide.

Yeah?

That's his wife.

How did you do it?

He'll tell you on his way
down to headquarters.

Let's take a ride.

There is a guy in the back
room you'll want too.

Go and get him, Gratz.

Come on. You too.

Joe.

Do you want me too?

What for?

Isn't there some kind of law
about accessories after the fact?

It depends on whose accessory you are.

I guess I forgot to tell you that
you've been playing on my team.

"Casa Marina. Veracruz. Mexico."

"Frances, darling."

"Funny Vincent killed himself, just when
you and I talked of him at the airport."

"Maybe he was .."

"Psychic."

"Have fun with the apartment but for the
love of Mike, don't lose my m?nk coat."

"See you in a month. Love, Ginger."

I got it the first day I
came to your apartment.

Got it? How?

I told the postman we were married.

You did? Why, I've got a good mind to ..
- You know ..

I've got a mother that's
anxious to meet you.

# T-G # ??