Please Murder Me! (1956) - full transcript
A lawyer wins an acquittal for his client, a woman accused of murder. After the verdict, he finds out that she indeed did commit the murder and manipulated him to win her acquittal. Guilt-ridden, and knowing that she can't be tried again for the murder, he devises a plan to bring her to justice.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[CLICK]
-To Ray Willis,
District Attorney.
Dear Ray, In exactly 55
minutes, I will be dead.
Murdered.
First of all, let me explain.
I find myself completely
sober, reasonably sane,
and not at all surprised.
It started back in World War II,
during the Iwo Jima campaign.
I was a captain in
the Marine Corps.
As you know, every captain
needs a top sergeant.
Well, I really had the best.
His name was Joe Leeds.
Hitting the Iwo
beachhead was-- was
like running into a living hell.
I guess I got a little careless.
In saving my life, Joe was hit.
He carried a bullet
so close to his lung,
surgery was impossible.
During the time the
medics patched us up,
we became great friends.
After the war, I watched
him build a home.
I watched him become successful.
We were closer than--
than most brothers.
One afternoon six months
ago, I sent for Joe.
I knew I was going
to break his heart,
and all I could think about was
whether it wouldn't have been
better for both of
us if he had allowed
me to die on that
beach that day.
-You know, Craig, you're
the only guy in town
who could get me out
at this time of day.
But I was coming over
to see you, anyway.
-Oh?
-Yeah.
There's a new
housing development
going up over at Piedmont.
What do you think about
buying a corner lot
and picking up a new market?
-Might be an idea.
-What's the matter
with you, boy?
You look like you had a problem
that was too heavy to carry.
-It almost is, Joe.
-Well, after all
we've been through,
it can't be too serious.
Maybe talking it out'll help.
-It's going to mean throwing
15 years of friendship right
out the window.
-Well, if it's a real
friendship, it won't bend easy.
-OK.
Are you happy being
married to Myra?
And Joe-- don't tell me
it's none of my business.
-Oh, I don't know.
Happy is a word that
means a lot of things.
It's a state of being.
I never ask myself.
I got a beautiful wife, a
lovely home, good business--
a guy can't expect [INAUDIBLE].
I guess being grateful's
as good as being happy.
-Not really, Joe.
Perhaps you haven't
realized how little time
you've been spending at home.
How many evenings you've
given to the business.
Myra is a fine woman, Joe.
When she married
you, she was in love.
But no one wants to
be alone all the time.
Now, she'd like to do
something about it.
-Oh, I see.
And she told you to talk to me.
Did she ask you to
represent her, too?
-It was more my idea than hers.
-I don't follow you.
-I don't know how to say it
without making it sound cheap.
People meet, with no thought
of being anything but friends.
Circumstances throw
them together.
Then they discover in each
other many mutual interests.
They begin to anticipate
their next meeting.
And then the next one.
Until finally, one
day, they-- they
both realize they're
very much in love.
-OK, don't dress it up.
Who's the guy?
-I'm in love with her, Joe.
I want to marry her.
That's the way it is.
And it's the most
difficult thing
I've ever had to say to anyone.
-Are you sure, Craig?
Are you sure you know
what you're doing?
-I'm in love with her, Joe.
-Well, what do
you want me to do?
-I'd like Myra to go away.
Get a divorce.
-You know, Craig,
I've always had
a lot of respect and
admiration for you.
Leveling with me like this
is taking a lot of guts.
Like I said, a real
friendship doesn't bend easy.
But this-- this kind of
knocked the wind out of me,
I-- give me a couple of days
to kick it around, will you?
SECRETARY (ON PHONE):
Yes, Mr. Carlson?
-Please cancel the rest of
my appointments for the day.
-Hi, darling.
Did you have a
rough day in court?
-I had the roughest
day of my life, Myra.
-What was it, Craig?
-Huh?
Perhaps you ought to go home.
I'm not going to be
very good company.
-Something's wrong.
I've got a right to know.
-I saw Joe today.
I told him about us.
-Oh.
What did he say?
-That's what's so wrong, Myra.
He didn't get angry.
He just said, give him a couple
of days to think it over.
I guess I helped him
die a little today.
I know I did.
-Darling-- do you believe
that when we first met,
we tried to fall in love?
-Why, no.
Certainly not.
-Haven't we respected
my marriage?
We tried to walk away.
We did everything we could
not to let it happen.
-That doesn't make
the day any easier.
-I never wanted to hurt Joe.
I didn't think I could possibly
fall in love with anyone else.
But I have.
Craig, darling-- I'm not
ashamed of my feelings for you.
I'm not afraid of the
world knowing the truth.
I don't believe what
we have is wrong.
Don't spoil it, Craig.
[THUNDERCLAP]
[THUNDER]
-Hi, I just dropped
by to tell you you
missed a swell wedding, Joe.
Kay was a real pretty bride.
Funny thing.
You were there the
night she was born,
and I kind of hoped
you'd be there tonight,
when I gave her away.
-Oh, I had a million
things to do, Lou,
I-- I just hope the
kids will be happy.
-Aw, they're a cinch.
I never saw two people
better suited for each other.
Tops even Mom and me.
-I know, but sometimes
even the best
things have a way of going sour.
-Joe.
What's wrong?
-What makes you think
there's something wrong?
-You can't fool me.
Just the other day,
when I was in here
with a beef about
the branch store--
you hardly even listened to me.
You looked like you were
a thousand miles away.
Ever since then, you've
been moping around,
like, like something
was bothering you, bad.
-You know, Lou?
Doing the right thing isn't
the easiest thing in the world.
You've gotta look
deep inside of you.
Be real honest with yourself.
Well, for the past
few days, that's
just what I've been doing.
Looking down deep inside of me.
Looking for the right answer.
And I finally found it.
-Sounds like an
important decision.
-It is.
And a tough one, too.
It'll probably
change my whole life.
And Myra's, too.
-Something wrong
between you and Myra?
-Well, I don't think
anything could be worse.
-Joe, believe me, every married
couple has their ups and downs.
Even Mom and me have
had some bad moments.
But honest, if you
just have patience,
everything usually
works out fine.
-Sometimes, Lou.
Sometimes.
Look, do me a favor, will you?
Mail this on your way home?
-Yeah, sure thing.
[SOUND OF THUNDER]
-Hello, Myra?
Just wanted to make
sure you were home.
I'm going to be home early.
I've been thinking
about something
I want to talk to you about.
I'll be there in about
15 or 20 minutes.
-Just remember, Joe,
everything usually works out.
-Quit living in a
dream world, Lou.
[THUNDER]
[SOUNDS OF THE STORM]
[THUNDER CRASHES]
-Sergeant.
-Huh?
Body in there?
-That's right.
-Ready for us to take over?
-Sure.
Chalk him up, dust
the place good,
and MacMillan's already
photographed most of the room.
-What does it look
like, Lieutenant?
-According to the
lady, we got a breeze.
She said she shot her
husband in self defense.
-How come everybody
always always shoots
everybody else in self defense?
-Now, Mrs. Leeds,
I, uh-- I think
we've got everything pretty
well straightened out.
Would you mind going over
that first part for me
just once more?
-Well, I-- I was sitting in
bed reading, when Joe came in.
He was wet.
He looked furious.
I couldn't imagine
what was wrong.
He just walked over and
pulled me out of bed,
as if he was drunk, or--
or crazy, or something.
He threw me against the dresser.
Said he was going to kill me.
He started for me again.
Then I opened the drawer and
took out the gun and shot him.
He just stood there
and looked at me.
Then he fell.
It was terrible.
-It's going to be all right.
You just rest
there for a minute.
All right, let's
get off the phone.
You know this
place is off-limits
until the lab's through with it.
-We dusted before
using, Lieutenant.
-Fred.
-And Helen, I want
those papers drawn
up first thing in the morning.
No, I'll be there before you.
I'm going directly to the
office and police headquarters.
-Sergeant?
I want this section of
the room covered from A
to Z. Several shots of that
nightstand, and of this dresser
here.
Get in close.
You know the kind
of stuff I want.
-We'll cover the
place like we are.
-Planning on a big day in court?
-A guy's dead.
That makes it a
big day in court.
-Any reason to doubt
it was self defense?
-Enough to hold her on
suspicion of murder.
Then it's up to you legal
eagles to pick her apart.
Oh, incidentally, if you
want to talk to your client,
have at it, because
I'm taking her downtown
in about two minutes.
-I don't understand it.
I don't understand it at all.
-What don't you understand?
-The police.
All these questions.
Those men in there,
taking pictures.
Fingerprints.
I'm afraid, Craig.
-It's just routine, Myra.
There's nothing to
be alarmed about.
-But Lieutenant Bradley's
questions haven't been routine.
They don't believe me, do they?
Tell me the truth.
-Lieutenant Bradley
plans to hold
you on suspicion of murder.
-What am I going to do?
How can I make them believe me?
-That'll be my job, darling.
-Why did he try to kill me?
Why couldn't he understand?
-Myra.
I loved Joe, as much
as anyone could--
and I thought I knew him.
But Joe's actions weren't
caused by sudden anger.
He had several days to think
about what he was going to do.
Had he been successful, it would
have been premeditated murder.
-I'm afraid, Craig.
-Don't be.
I know it's going to
be difficult for you.
Just remember I love you.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Of
I still mean it.
Moonlight was
invented just for you.
[FOOTSTEPS]
-City desk?
Ray-- here's your lead line.
District Attorney asks
for Myra Leeds' life.
-He says he'll prove she
killed Joe Leeds in cold blood.
-I think we've got a new twist
this time, if we photo Carlson.
-He claims it was an
attack of violence,
carefully staged and executed.
-I tell you, no other woman
could interest me anymore.
-Yeah, it's gonna be a beaut.
This gal's good copy.
-If Willis was bugging
anybody besides Carlson,
I think this Leeds woman
wouldn't have a prayer.
-Look, court's back in session.
I'll call Rewrite in time
for the three-star edition.
Right.
-Huh-uh, it was just the guys.
Yeah, court's back
in session again.
No, I don't have to be in there.
You can't take pictures
in the courtroom.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY WILLIS:
You were the first officer
to report at the
scene of the murder.
-Yes, sir.
My partner and I were cruising
that area when we got the call.
-Will you please tell the
jury exactly what you found?
-Well, Mrs. Leeds
and Mr. Carlson
were there when we arrived.
Mr. Carlson said Mrs.
Leeds had called him,
and as soon as he got
there, he called the police.
-Were there signs of a struggle?
-No, sir.
-Mrs. Leeds wasn't marked
or bruised in any way?
-Not that I could tell.
-Did you see anything
about her clothing,
or her person, or
anything at all
that indicated that there
had been a struggle?
-No, sir.
-Thank you.
That's all.
-Mr. Carlson?
-No questions.
-Sergeant Hill, you are
connected with the crime lab.
-That's right.
-And did you note
that it was raining
the night of the murder?
-Yes, sir.
-Would you please
tell the court how
that affected your findings.
-May I have that
picture, please?
This dark spot was one of the
first things we checked out.
It's water.
Probably came from
Joe Leeds' clothing.
From the way we can piece it
together, he stood right there,
and didn't make a move
until he fell from the shot.
-In other words,
your deduction is
that there could not
have been a struggle.
-I object.
This question calls for a
conclusion of the witness.
-Sustained.
-Did you find any water spots
anyplace else in the room?
-No, sir.
-Thank you.
-Sergeant Hill, what makes you
so certain Joe Leeds did not
move closer to Mrs. Leeds than
the area of the water stain?
-To wet a wool rug
through that way
would require quite a
concentration of water.
That means the victim would
have to stand a spell.
But Mrs. Leeds said that he
came right in, and over to her.
-Just answer the
question, Sergeant.
The prosecuting attorney is
well able to argue his case.
-Sorry.
-What about some of the
other people in that room?
They could have dripped water
on that rug, could they not?
-We checked that out.
The rain had stopped by
the time the first police
unit had arrived.
-But it hadn't stopped
when I arrived.
Couldn't I have
stood in one spot
long enough to dampen that rug?
-I guess you could have.
-Thank you.
That's all.
-And then she stated
that he knocked
her against the dresser.
It was then that she opened
the drawer, took out the gun,
and shot him.
-Mrs. Leeds said the gun
was in the dresser drawer.
-Yes, sir.
-Did she point out
where Mr. Leeds
was at the time she shot him?
-She said that he was
rushing toward her from where
they'd struggled,
beside the bed.
-Specifically,
where, by the bed?
-On the left side, where
Mrs. Leeds was lying.
-Did your investigation
bear to the conclusion?
-No, sir.
-Please explain why.
-Bottles, on the dresser.
You know, perfume and the like.
And had he knocked her
against the dresser,
well, surely some
of these bottles
would have been overturned.
-Hm.
Lieutenant Bradley, is
this one of the photographs
you ordered taken?
-Yes, sir, it is.
-Now, do you see
anything, anything at all,
disturbed on her
bow-front dresser?
-No, sir.
Nothing.
-Go on, Lieutenant.
-Well, uh, according to Mrs.
Leeds, the spot where Mr. Leeds
was standing at
the time she shot
him was about 10 feet
from where he fell.
-Wasn't that possible?
-No, sir.
According to the
coroner's report,
the victim was shot through
the heart, and died instantly.
-In other words,
Joe Leeds would have
had to walk 10 feet,
after he was dead.
-That's about it, sir.
-Your witness.
[MURMURS IN THE COURTROOM]
[GAVEL CLACKS]
-Lieutenant Bradley,
how many years
have you been on
the police force?
-22.
-And during that
time, would you say
you have witnessed a number of
people suffering from hysteria?
-I'd say so, yes.
-And what would you say were
the first signs of hysteria?
-Oh, uh-- incoherency.
Unable to make a decision.
Sort of a lapse in common sense.
-And would you say it was likely
for a woman who had just killed
a man to be suffering
from hysteria?
-Why, yes.
-And would it not be within
the realm of possibility
for this woman to mistake
her left from her right?
Come to a snap judgment
of distance and direction
that would be
entirely incorrect?
-Well, possibility--
-And wouldn't it be possible
for a woman in such a state
of hysteria to think she was
thrown against a dresser, when
in reality she was thrown
against the nearby wall?
-Well, she could be, but--
-That is all.
Thank you.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-Hello, darling.
-Hello, Craig.
-Hey, you know, you've
had a pretty social day?
Three visitors?
-One was from a newspaper.
Lou Kazarian came over to tell
me not to worry, and Carl Holt.
He's an artist.
An old friend.
Wondered if there was
anything he could do.
Craig, is it going badly for me?
-There's nothing
new to worry about,
so don't try to find something.
-Will it ever be over?
-Darling, I know it's been a
difficult two weeks for you.
But tomorrow should see
the end of the testimony.
-How does it look?
-Willis operates
like a field marshal.
He doesn't mind losing battles,
so long as he wins the war.
He'll save his big
ammunition for later.
-What can we do then?
-Oh, I've had several
talks with Lou.
He's very anxious to help you.
I'm sure his evidence
will add a lot of weight.
And I think I'm going
to let you testify, too.
-All right.
-Remember, once
you're on the stand,
Willis will try to
cut you to ribbons.
-I'm not afraid of Willis,
or the judge, or the jurors.
All I'm afraid of is, if
things go wrong, I'd lose you.
-Not a chance.
-Oh, Craig.
Beautiful.
-So I says, Joe,
is there something
wrong between you and Myra?
And he said, I don't see
how anything could be worse.
-Had you ever seen
Joe Leeds before,
when he was quite angry?
-Yeah, a couple of times.
Matter of fact, he was
quite upset the first time
I ever saw him.
Somebody had accused him of
giving a dishonest cop, tried
to get him in trouble
with the police.
And Joe hurt him pretty bad.
-Then Joe Leeds did have a
bad temper when he was upset.
-Yeah.
But that wasn't often.
-Mr. Kazarian, the night
of Joe Leeds' death,
did he seem normal to you?
Or upset to you?
-Well, he was upset.
He said he'd been doing
a lot of thinking,
and had bridged a big decision.
-Did he tell you what
that decision was?
-No.
Except that what he had decided
would change his whole life.
And Myra's, too.
-That will be all, thank you.
-Mr. Kazarian, we come to
that phone conversation
Joe Leeds had with his wife.
Tell us exactly
what you overheard.
-Well, uh, that was
a long time ago.
-Just tell us those
things you can remember.
-Well, I remember him
saying for her to stay home.
He'd been doing a
lot of thinking.
He wanted to talk
it over with her,
and I guess that's
about all that happened.
-In other words, it was Joe
Leeds who definitely had
something to talk
out with his wife.
-That's the way it sounded.
-Now, Mr. Kazarian,
the defense counsel
has spoken much about
Joe Leeds' temper.
You say you were present
when Joe Leeds beat
up a man who
falsely accused him.
Now, would you say that Joe
Leeds was quite angry then?
-Oh, the worst
I've ever seen him.
But this fellow had
it coming to him.
He was always sniping at Joe.
-Well, if Joe Leeds was
more angry on that occasion
than you ever saw him, why
didn't he kill the man?
Did someone stop the fight?
-Oh, no, we were all
glad to see him get it.
Anyway, we knew all Joe had
in mind was to rough him up.
He sure did a good job.
-And if Joe Leeds was more
angered than you had ever
seen him, you claim he had
no intention of killing.
Now-- can you say on the oath
that you've taken that he was
angered enough to kill his wife?
-No, I guess not.
-Thank you, Mr. Kazarian.
[MURMURS IN THE COURTROOM]
[GAVEL CLACKS]
-And do you recall any
instance, Mrs. Leeds,
where your husband
displayed a violent temper?
-Yes.
There was a time, just
before we were married.
Joe had an argument with
one of his employees.
The two men fought.
Joe beat him so
brutally, the other man
had to spend the next two
months in the hospital.
-And were there times after
your marriage when your husband
showed a tendency
toward violence?
-Several.
Whenever anything annoyed him.
[INAUDIBLE]
Edgy.
If someone said something
that displeased him,
he flew into a temper.
We argued often because of this.
-Then that night when he came
home, wet, blind with fury,
you had good reason to
think he would kill you.
You had good reason
to think that Joe
Leeds was a man of violence.
That is what you believed,
is it not, Mrs. Leeds?
-Yes.
-Do you think any other woman
would have reacted as you did?
-I know they would.
No one wants to kill.
But no one wants to
be killed, either.
-Your witness.
-Mrs. Leeds, how long had you
and your husband been married?
-Two years.
-And when you
married your husband,
what was your
financial condition?
-I-- I don't understand.
-Oh, I'm sorry.
I mean, were you rich?
Moderately wealthy?
Had a good job?
What?
-Well, I-- I was looking for
a job when I met Joe Leeds.
-And would you say your
husband was a man of means?
I mean, did he
have some property?
Some insurance, perhaps?
-He had 10 supermarkets.
Some insurance.
-How much would you
say your husband
was worth at the
time of his death?
That is, including insurance?
-I don't know.
-Then let me tell you.
Your husband, Mrs. Leeds, left
an estate of more than 3/4
of a million dollars.
That's quite an
inheritance for you.
From unemployment to a
neat $750,000 in two years?
Wouldn't you say that was a
very lucrative two years' work,
Mrs. Leeds?
-Objection.
-The prosecution will
refrain from any more
questions of this nature.
That last statement will be
stricken from the record,
and the jury is asked
to disregard it.
-Mrs. Leeds, when you
married your husband,
were you in love with him?
-Of course.
-Were you in love
with your husband
at the time of his death?
-No.
-And in less than two years,
you no longer loved him.
Love is a very strong
emotion, Mrs. Leeds.
How could you turn
it off so quickly?
-I-- I just didn't
love him anymore.
-And you waited until that fatal
night to tell him about it.
-No, that's not true.
-Then when did you
tell your husband
you were no longer
in love with him?
-I-- I don't remember.
-Did you ask your
husband for a divorce?
-Yes.
-And what was Mr. Leeds' answer?
-He just said he wanted
to think about it.
-In other words, Mrs.
Leeds, when you suddenly
told your husband you wanted
a divorce, instead of becoming
angry, he answered he
wanted to think about it.
Now, is that correct?
-Yes.
-And yet you ask this court to
believe that Mr. Leeds returned
home on that fatal evening,
and without so much
as a single word,
tried to kill you?
-Yes.
-Then tell us, Mrs. Leeds,
how do you explain the fact
that when you
first, shall we say,
shocked your husband by
asking him for a divorce,
he did nothing?
-I don't know.
I don't know.
-That will be all, Mrs. Leeds.
Myra Leeds would have us believe
that when her husband reached
their apartment, he immediately
made an attempt to kill her,
so that she had to
kill in self defense.
But what concrete
reasons have you
been given that
Mrs. Leeds felt she
was forced to shoot her husband?
Only that he became
furious when she told him
she no longer loved him.
That she wanted a divorce.
And why did Myra
Leeds claim to want
a divorce in the first place?
Just that they were
no longer in love.
And yet, not one
single witness has
been brought before
this court to indicate
that any discord existed
between the Leeds.
Let me tell you, ladies
and gentlemen of the jury--
there was no discord in
the marriage of Joe Leeds.
Only in that of his wife, Myra.
An ambitious woman.
Marriage had bettered
her position.
And with Joe Leeds' death, her
position was still improved.
The location of the body.
The placement and trajectory of
the bullet that killed Leeds.
The lack of signs of a struggle.
All of these facts--
facts-- pitted
against Myra Leeds'
story of self defense.
Could there be an honest
doubt in your minds
as to the guilt of this woman?
And if there is, let
me dispel them for you.
Myra Leeds has given no reason
why she would have wanted
to divorce Joe Leeds-- except
that she fell out of love.
Now-- is love such a fickle
thing that one can fall
in love one week
and out the next?
With no apparent
reason, could Myra Leeds
have awakened one
morning and decided
to ask her husband of
two years for a divorce?
No.
Let me tell you
what Myra Leeds did.
She was jobless when
she met Joe Leeds.
She saw in him a stepping
stone to an easy life.
And when she was
ready to move on,
she realized that Joe Leeds
could only be of monetary value
to her dead.
So that when he came home to
discuss whatever it was he
wished to discuss, she shot him.
Myra Leeds shot and killed her
husband for a handful of gold.
That is why the state
charges Myra Leeds
with murder in the first degree.
-Is counsel for the defense
ready to address the jury?
-I am, Your Honor.
This has been a long
and grueling trial,
not only for the defendant, but
for the rest of us, as well.
You have heard arguments
and counter arguments, facts
and counter facts, theory
and counter theory.
And for the past
hour and 15 minutes,
you've heard the prosecution
parade before you
every piece of circumstantial
evidence, innuendo,
and plain conjecture
that he could muster.
Conjecture that would bolster
his claim that Myra Leeds is
is guilty of
murdering her husband.
With all of this
conjecture, the end result
has been this-- the state claims
Myra Leeds killed Joe Leeds
because her a story about
the moments of violence
she was faced with differed
from that of the police.
And because she could give no
clear reason why she suddenly
would want to
divorce her husband.
If Myra Leeds had a sound
reason for suddenly desiring
a divorce-- a reason
that would measurably
add to her happiness--
even the prosecution
knows it would have no case.
Well, Myra Leeds
did have a reason
for asking Joe
Leeds for a divorce.
Myra Leeds was in
love with another man.
[MURMURS IN THE COURTROOM]
[GAVEL CLACKS]
Now, remember-- you of
the jury are not here
to determine the righteousness
of Myra Leeds' emotions
as a woman.
Only to determine if
she shot her husband
in an act of premeditation.
It is not for you to decide
whether or not Myra Leeds did
the right thing in falling
in love with another man.
It is for you to decide
if, in telling her husband
about the man she loved, she
aroused in him an anger so
intense, that he
decided to kill her.
So now you ask, who is this man?
Bring him forward to
confirm this story.
Well, I knew Joe Leeds
better than anyone.
And I know the man his
wife is in love with.
I am that man.
[RAISED VOICES IN THE COURTROOM]
[GAVEL CLACKS]
-Any further demonstration
of this character,
and this courtroom
will be cleared.
Proceed.
-My falling in love with
Myra Leeds was accidental.
But my wanting to marry
her was with strong intent.
As was Joe Leeds' intent,
when he decided if he could no
longer have his wife, no
other man would, either.
Ladies and gentleman, there
isn't a single one of you
who wouldn't have struggled,
as Myra Leeds did.
Her life was at stake.
She acted in self defense.
Now, that is the story.
And that is the truth.
To bring out the truth, your
verdict must be not guilty.
[FOOTSTEPS]
-She beat it.
Not guilty.
--[INAUDIBLE], you'd thought
Navy just made a touchdown.
-I'll say.
Cool as weather.
Didn't move a muscle when
the jury foreman sang out.
There's no doubt about it.
That guy's the biggest
incentive murder's
had since the Chinese
invented gunpowder.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-I wish you happiness.
-Thank you.
-I picked this up on the
way back from court today.
-What is it?
-Capri.
"As ancient and enchanting
as the Mediterranean
which surrounds it."
May not be the world's
greatest prose,
but it sounded good to me.
-It must be lovely.
-I thought we could
be married next week,
take the boat to Rome,
then right to Capri.
Oh, darling, it'll be
a wonderful honeymoon.
-It sounds wonderful.
But do you know, next
week is almost here?
Give me a little bit more time.
-Mm.
The sooner we get away, the
better it will be for you.
From now on, you're not
going to have any reason
to think of anything
other than me.
[DOORBELL RINGS]
-Oh--
-Hi, Lou.
We'd about given you up.
-I'm sorry I'm late, but
Mom wasn't feeling well,
and at the last minute
she decided to stay home.
-Oh, that's too bad.
Well, let me hang up your coat.
-Oh, thanks.
And Myra-- I'm awfully glad
everything turned out OK.
-Thank you, Lou.
-Hey.
This is supposed to
be a happy occasion.
-Could I talk to you
alone for a minute, Craig?
-Is something wrong?
-It's about Joe.
-Sure.
Let's go into the den.
-Hiya, Will.
WILL: How are you, Lou?
-Hello, Henry.
HENRY: Good to see you, Lou.
-What is it, Lou?
-Oh.
It's about Joe, and the
last night he was alive.
That is, the night my
daughter was married
and I dropped by to tell
him about the wedding.
Well, just before
I left, he asked
me to mail a letter for him.
I put it in my pocket, and,
well, I forgot all about it
until I put my tux on
again [INAUDIBLE] tonight.
It's addressed to you.
JOE (VOICEOVER):
Dear Craig-- well,
like I promised, I've been
doing a lot of thinking.
I've been trying to figure out
the best way for all of us.
You see, when I
first met Myra, I
figured she was
out of my league.
She was interested in
things that I didn't
understand, like art, and music.
But then like a bolt one night,
she told me she loved me,
and I felt nine feet tall.
Right then, I said
a million things.
In a way, it was like
the answer to a prayer.
We got married right away,
and for a couple of months,
living was paradise.
I didn't love her.
I worshipped her.
Then it began to change.
One day, we had an argument.
Myra told me she'd
never loved me.
It goes without
saying, Craig, but I
walked in circles for days.
Finally, I asked her if
she wanted a divorce,
and she said yes, and
asked for half my business.
Well, I got mad,
because I realized
that was the only reason
she'd ever married me.
And I told her that no man was
going to live off what it had
taken me most [INAUDIBLE]
to accumulate.
And that's the way
it's been going
along for the past few months.
Myra's in love, Craig,
but not with you.
She's in love with
some kind of an artist.
I can't figure out what
she's doing with you,
but I know she must have
some kind of a plan.
I'm gonna see her tonight,
and I'm gonna try to keep her.
She's no good, Craig,
but I do love her.
If she decides not
to stay with me,
I-- I wanted you
to know the truth.
She isn't a woman.
Myra's a disease.
In a way, she's
already destroyed me.
I just hope she doesn't
end up destroying you.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-Did I cause trouble by
forgetting about the letter?
-I don't know, Lou.
I don't know.
-Give me a couple days to
kick it around, will you?
-I never wanted to hurt Joe.
I didn't think I could possibly
fall in love with anyone else.
But I have.
Why did he try to kill me?
Why couldn't he understand?
I'm not afraid of Willis,
or the judge, or the jurors.
All I'm afraid of is, if
things go wrong, I'd lose you.
-Myra Leeds shot and killed her
husband for a handful of gold.
That is why the state
charges Myra Leeds
with murder in the first degree.
-Carl Holt.
He's an artist.
An old friend.
Wondered if there was
anything he could do.
[DOOR BUZZER]
-Mr. Holt?
-Yes.
-My name's--
-I know.
Craig Carlson.
Won't you come in?
You'll have to forgive the
appearance of the place.
My, uh, canvases have a way
of dominating the whole room.
-Not bad canvases, either.
-Oh.
That one.
Yeah, even I like that one.
Won't you sit down, Mr. Carlson?
I'm, I'm a great fan.
-Because of Myra's acquittal?
-No.
It goes back way before that.
You see, this is a pretty
strange neighborhood.
You know what they call it.
Cloud nine.
I guess that's because a lot
of men who are just getting
started live around here.
They have a lot of dreams,
a lot of idols, you know.
Now, you take the fellow who
lives just two doors down.
He just got out of law school.
He thinks you walked
right down out of the sun.
Take some of the case
that you've turned down.
According to Charlie,
if you didn't
care who you got
acquitted, you could
be living like a Maharajah.
-Oh, he must be just
out of law school.
-Well, he's got a lot of
other legal idols, too.
But for me, you're my favorite.
Ever since you took Myra's case.
-You've known Myra a long time.
-Since we were
freshmen in college.
I was a music major, and
I was knee deep in art.
Did you ever hear Myra play?
-Yes.
-She plays like an angel.
'Course, in my book,
Myra is an angel.
Well, I guess she's told
you how I feel about her.
-No, she hasn't.
-Ah, it's nothing
earth shattering,
for anybody except us.
Right?
I happen to be very
much in love with her.
We're gonna be married.
-When was that decided?
-A few years after
we left college.
-A strange engagement.
With a marriage in between.
-Well, that was Myra's
one big mistake.
We both knew that shortly
after she married that fellow.
You don't mind if I work
while we talk, do you?
I want to make the
most of the sunlight.
-Go right ahead.
You say Myra knew
she made a mistake
when she married Joe Leeds?
-People chase different
rainbows, Mr. Carlson.
For Myra, it was money.
I didn't have any.
My prospects were terrible.
Terrible.
Well, we had a scrap
on that subject,
and then she met
this Leeds fellow,
and you know the
rest of the story.
-No, not the point
about her knowing
that she made a mistake.
-Well, that was when we met at
that exhibit that afternoon.
Myra was still drawing.
At this juncture,
I'd like to make
a point of honor, Mr. Carlson.
I refused to see Myra
again after that afternoon.
Till she was free.
She felt the same way about it.
-Quite an impasse, wasn't it?
-We didn't think so.
Myra was going to ask
Leeds for a divorce.
I guess he went sort of crazy.
That awful night was the capper.
-You know, Holt, you've got
a lot working against you.
In spite of that, I still
may get to like you.
-Well, I want you to.
But what have I got
working against me?
-Myra's trial.
Why didn't you offer to help?
-I did.
That day I visited Myra.
She didn't want me to come
to see her again, though.
Or even say I knew her.
Funny, I couldn't
quite figure that out.
I guess it was because she
was afraid our being in love
would sway the jury against her,
since she was a married woman.
Funny.
It was that very
approach that freed her.
That's what makes
a lawyer a lawyer.
You're just plain smart.
-Not always.
-Well, now, I watched that
trial every single day,
and you never drew a miss.
By the way, I would like
a crack at improving
your impression of me.
You got any ideas?
-No, my first hunch was right.
I do like you.
-Well, let's be really
classical about this friendship,
then, and toast it in sherry.
Fling the glass
in the fireplace.
-I'm sorry, but I've got to go.
-Oh.
That's too bad.
But as far as the toast is
concerned, it's just as well.
I haven't got any fireplace.
I will see you again
though, won't I?
-You certainly will.
-You know, that last day
of the trial, when you said
you were the man in Myra's life?
I didn't think so
kindly of you then.
I'm glad Myra
straightened me out on it.
-Oh?
What did she say?
-Well, that it was a piece
of courtroom strategy.
Boy, it sure was a beaut.
That was the best piece of
dramatics I've ever seen.
I guess Myra and
I really owe you
an awful lot for going
out on a limb like that.
-Well, goodbye, Mr. Holt.
-Bye, Mr. Carlson.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-Darling?
I was expecting you.
Be ready in three minutes.
In the meantime,
how about making
one of your very
special Manhattans?
-I'm not quite sure I know
how to make a Manhattan.
-Craig-- you startled me.
I was expecting a friend.
-Who knows how to make
special Manhattans.
-That's right.
If you like, I could--
-No, thanks.
I just wanted to
talk to you, Myra.
About our engagement.
-Let's not make
it tonight, Craig.
-Why not tonight?
Why not this very minute?
Two people in love
can't wait, Myra.
That's the way with
people in love, isn't it?
-I explained, Craig.
Someone's--
-Well, isn't it?
Oh, say it, Myra.
Say you love me.
Say you're hopelessly,
irretrievably in love with me.
-Let go of me.
-I want to hear
you say it, Myra.
I'm all you have.
Or have you suddenly remembered
there was someone else?
-I said, let go of me.
-Someone like Carl Holt.
-All right.
You know.
-I met him today.
He seems very much in love.
Two men in love with you.
An awkward arrangement, Myra.
-Craig.
What happened to us--
it was a mistake.
-I don't think so.
In fact, I don't
think you ever made
a mistake before in your life.
-I don't want to see you, Craig.
-Neither do I. Just the truth.
-The truth is, I am in
love with Carl Holt.
And I'm going to marry him.
-And you were in
love with Carl Holt,
and you were going to marry
him the day I met you.
-I don't want to talk about it.
-Then let's have someone
talk about it for us.
I received this letter
yesterday, from Joe.
-What kind of a trick is this?
-Sit down, Myra.
Sit down!
Dear Craig.
Like I promised, I've been
doing a lot of thinking.
I've been trying to figure out
the best way for all of us.
You see, when I
first met Myra, I
figured she was
out of my league.
She was interested in
things I didn't understand,
like art and music.
Myra's in love, Craig,
but not with you.
She's in love with
some kind of an artist.
I can't figure out what
she's doing to you,
but I know she must have
some kind of a plan.
I'm going to see
her tonight, and I'm
going to try and keep her.
She's no good, Craig,
but I do love her.
And if she decides
not to stay with me,
I wanted you to know the truth.
She isn't a woman.
Myra's a disease.
In a way, she's
already destroyed me.
I just hope she doesn't
end up destroying you.
Joe.
-I don't believe Joe
wrote that letter.
-Well, you should be able
to recognize his writing.
-What does it prove?
Only that Joe was a
miserable, jealous man?
-No, Myra.
It proves something
much different.
Joe offered you a divorce,
but without any money.
You didn't want it that way, and
you knew there was only one way
to get it.
-You'll have to do
more than say it.
You'll have to prove it.
I'm free now.
I can do what I
want with my life.
-You had it planned very
carefully, didn't you, Myra?
To get Joe's money,
you had to kill him.
To guarantee your freedom, you
made me fall in love with you.
I wonder if Carl Holt would
want a murderess for a wife?
-I was tried and acquitted.
Your brilliant defense freed me.
No one can hurt me anymore.
Not even you.
-This time, you're wrong, Myra.
Very wrong.
-What do you mean, this time?
-You're going to
commit another murder.
-Don't be ridiculous.
-Yes, you are.
You're going to murder me.
-You're insane.
No one wants to die.
Not even you.
-My whole life has
meant just three things.
My love for Joe, my work--
and my love for you.
You've destroyed them all.
How much is there
left of me to die?
So there it was, Ray.
An ugly little package.
Myra had killed Joe Leeds.
And I was an accessory.
Joe Leeds was dead.
But Myra had to pay.
Just as I'm going to pay.
There's not much
time left, so I'd
better bring you up to date.
I had made plans to
give up my practice.
I was spending every available
moment keeping Myra constantly
aware that, sooner
or later, I'd prove
to Carl Holt she
was a murderess.
Then I learned
that Myra and Carl
were planning to
leave for Europe.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
-Craig.
Good to see you again.
-Hello, Carl.
-Come on in.
Hey, we were just
about to have a drink.
Will you join us?
-Oh, no, thanks.
Well, what a pleasant surprise.
-Are you sure you're
surprised, Craig?
-What do you mean by that?
-Oh, just a private little joke.
Myra's certain attorneys
know what people
are going to do
before they do it.
In some cases, I'd
say she was right.
-Enough talk about lawyers.
I've got news for you.
-Oh?
-Mm-hm.
Shall we tell him, honey?
-No.
I-- I don't think
he'd be interested--
-Of course I'd be interested.
-We're going to get married.
-No.
-Surprised again, Craig?
-We're sailing for
Paris on Friday,
we're going to be married
as soon as we get there,
and it was all Myra's idea.
She wants to live there.
-In a way, I'm sorry.
-Sorry?
What for?
-Well, this wasn't
exactly a social visit.
I came up to
commission a painting.
-A painting?
For whom?
-Myself.
I know this is going
to sound a little vain,
but I've always
wanted a portrait.
You know, something
very flattering?
-Oh.
It's a shame you didn't
mention it before.
-We sail on Friday.
-Well, how long does it
take to do a portrait?
-Well, it varies.
I, I usually like
two, three weeks.
-Well, couldn't
you put your trip
off for that length of time?
-No.
-I like your work, Carl.
I'd be willing to pay
as much as $2,500.
-Hey, I'm not
Whistler, you know.
What about it?
$2,500 for those two weeks?
-We don't need the money.
We have plenty.
-Now hold on, honey.
I mean, you have plenty.
-Well, you're my husband.
What I have belongs to you.
-Mm-hm.
Well, I am afraid, where
money is concerned,
I'm going to be a
little old fashioned.
I'll do it.
When can you make the sitting?
-What about tomorrow?
-That's fine.
Between 3:00 and 5:00?
That's when my light's best.
-Good.
I'll be here.
Two weeks.
It'll give us a chance to
get very well acquainted.
-I'm looking forward to it.
-So am I. You know, Myra?
It seems as if your
one weakness is
in picking men with
moral strength.
Carl, I'll see you tomorrow.
-So long, Craig.
-I expected you.
But not quite as soon.
-Leave us alone, Craig.
Don't push me too far.
-That all you came here for?
-I came to offer you $100,000.
Will you take it?
Let him go to Paris?
-No.
-$125,000--
-Not for all of the
money in the world.
I need those two weeks.
I need the time to
finish what I've started.
I promise you, Myra,
you're not going
to have Carl Holt--
or Joe Leeds' money.
-I never realized how much I
could hate a man until now.
-But not enough to kill me.
Not yet.
-What kind of a man are you?
-One who believes in the honesty
and integrity of our courts.
But that's something you would
never be able to understand.
-I understand what you're
trying to do to me.
-Do you really?
Do you understand
what you did to me
when I learned you killed Joe?
Do you understand in
winning you an acquittal
I became as guilty as you?
I want you to understand, Myra.
I want you to fully
understand that we'll
have to pay for what we've done.
-I'm not going to
pay for anything.
[DOOR SLAMS]
-You'll pay, Myra.
We'll both pay.
-That does it.
For better or for
worse-- finished.
-Excellent.
-You've been a very
patient subject.
-Well, don't forget tonight.
The Avion Room.
About 7:00.
-Craig?
The times you've
seen Myra here--
have you noticed how
nervous and jumpy she seems?
-The trial was very
taxing for her,
and I guess she's
anxious to get to Europe.
Both natural reactions.
I don't think you should
have any worries about her.
-I guess not.
Maybe your party will
be just the prescription
that will snap her out of it.
By the way, what
are we celebrating?
-You'll find out in
exactly three hours.
-OK, man of mystery, I will
not press you for an answer.
I'll stay on tenterhooks.
-I'll see you at 7:00.
-Right.
-You wish to order now?
-No, we have another
party coming along.
-Why didn't you tell me
Craig was coming, Carl?
-What's the matter, Myra?
-There's so much to do.
We sail day after tomorrow.
-You think you're the
only one who's busy?
Move over.
I haven't even packed yet.
-I tell you what,
Carl, let's leave.
-Leave?
-We could give a
message to the Captain.
Have him tell Craig that
something had come up.
-We can't do that.
You know that Craig has
been counting on us.
He's looking forward to it.
-Well, what's so
important about it?
-We'll talk about that
after dinner, Myra.
Hello, Charles.
-Good evening, Mr. Carlson.
-Hi, Craig.
-For dessert, may I
suggest cherries jubilee?
It's excellent.
-Oh, no thank you.
-How about you, Myra?
That will be all, Charles.
-Now, Craig, that was
a delicious dinner.
French food couldn't
be any better.
-Myra?
Did you enjoy your dinner?
-You told us you'd
tell us what this
was all about after
dinner, Craig.
-Myra.
-Oh, it's all right.
She's just anxious.
-What do you mean, anxious?
-A trip to Paris, and she's
about to become a bride.
-Craig, I want to know
why you brought us here.
-All right.
Here you are, Carl.
-Craig, our deal was for $2,500.
-I thought I'd double it.
That's my surprise.
-But why?
-By helping me achieve
an important ambition.
-Well, I-- I certainly
hope, through the years,
the painting continues
to please you, Craig.
-I'm certain it will.
You see, to me, the
portrait reflected, not only
a friendship, but a
great understanding
you felt for the subject.
I hope you never disappoint him.
Now, I'm must run.
I have a lot of work
to do at the house.
-On that one important
case you mentioned?
-That's the one.
Thank you for coming, Myra.
-We will see you
again before we leave?
-Yes, you will.
By the way, Carl,
there's something
I've been wanting to ask you.
Suppose the portrait of
me had turned out badly.
Suppose you'd realized
you'd made a mistake
in the manner in
which you handled it.
What would you have done?
-Restored it, of course.
-Despite your fee?
-Despite anything.
-Strange.
I always felt that the same
parallel existed in law.
Well, I've-- I've
got to be going.
Good night.
-'Night, Craig.
-I can't tell you
how good it's been,
having dinner here
with you, Craig.
Wish we could do it more often.
-Ray, there's something
I want to ask you.
-Shoot.
-About the Myra Leeds trial.
-Oh, my.
Why talk over
yesterday's headlines?
-You asked the jury to find Myra
guilty of first degree murder.
-Hm.
-At the end of the trial, the
jury found her not guilty.
How did you find her?
It's important to me, Ray.
I want to know.
-All right, Craig.
You were very convincing.
I could understand
your swaying that jury.
But you didn't sway me.
At the time, I still
thought she was guilty.
-I was sure you did.
-But you know, I thought
about it for a long time.
Now I know that the-- the jury
brought in the correct verdict.
I've known you too
many years, Craig.
You never would
have said what you
did just for the
dramatic effect.
Another attorney
might, but not you.
No, I admit it.
On the Myra Leeds case,
I was way off base.
-Well, thank you, Ray.
Now, there's something
I'd like you do for me.
[DOORBELL RINGS]
-Hello, Mrs. Leeds.
Mr. Carlson's expecting you.
-Thank you, Jenny.
-Mrs. Leeds.
-Mr. Willis.
-Hello, Myra.
Glad you could make it.
-Well, it's getting late.
I'd better leave.
It's been a wonderful evening.
-Thanks for the talk, Ray.
You've been very helpful.
-Mrs. Leeds.
-Why did you send for me?
Why were you talking to
the District Attorney?
-We were talking about a case.
Your case, Myra.
-This grotesque joke of
yours has gone far enough.
-You still think this is a joke?
-You've got to stop it, Craig.
Every time you talk to
Carl, I-- the other evening
at dinner, I was terrified.
What you're doing is inhuman.
I can't stand much more of it.
-You're a murderess, Myra.
Anything that happens
to you won't be enough.
-Craig, the jury freed me.
They found me innocent.
All I want is to
go away with Carl.
Please understand, for
the first time in my life,
I want to live decently.
-You don't know the
meaning of the word.
At first, I thought
Carl Holt was like you.
But it wasn't long
before I changed my mind.
You fooled him, Myra.
Just like you fooled me.
He's too fine to be hurt
by someone like you.
I'm not going to let it happen.
-No matter what you tell
him, he won't believe you.
There's no way of proving
that I killed Joe.
You're just trying to
frighten me with more threats.
-Understand me, Myra.
I never once meant
to threaten you.
I made you a promise.
What I've compiled in this
folder is no longer theory.
It's proof.
And the only way you can prevent
me from turning it over to Carl
is to kill me.
-I'm not going to kill you.
I'm not going to kill you.
-It must be maddening to know
that, in just a little while,
you're going to lose everything
you've planned and killed for.
You see, Myra-- you
can't win anymore.
It was not long before my
telephone began to ring.
I knew it would be Myra.
She was desperate.
She wanted to see me right away.
But I still had a
few things to do,
so I told her I'd see
her later at my office.
I made the appointment
for 12:30 sharp.
It was now only a
matter of waiting.
Time took care of the wait.
So now, the pattern's complete.
And it's the same
pattern Joe Leeds lived.
But this time, Myra
won't be acquitted.
That's where you're
concerned, Ray.
Because this time,
you're not going
to have to guess whether
or not Myra is guilty.
You'll know.
You're going to be a witness.
KNOCK ON DOOR]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Thank you for being so prompt.
-You promised me an answer.
-Here it is.
My complete file.
Now, no attorney
could get you off.
Not even me.
-I told you.
I can't be tried for
the same crime twice.
-And I told you, I'm trying
you before Carl Holt.
We'll let him determine
whether or not you're guilty.
Or would you prefer this?
-I'm not going to kill anyone.
-Very well.
That affords three
of us a visit.
Carl, you, and I.
I'm going to call,
and ask him to come right over.
After seeing this, if he still
wants to marry a murderess,
that's his business.
-Craig, don't call him.
Craig.
Don't make me do it.
CARL (ON PHONE): Hello?
-Craig.
[GUNSHOT]
CARL (ON PHONE): Hello?
Hello?
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[FOOTSTEPS]
-Mrs. Leeds, I--
-It's terrible.
Craig has committed suicide.
-What are you doing here?
-He asked if I could
meet him here, at 12:30.
-Strange.
He told me to be here at 12:40.
[INAUDIBLE]
I'd never expect Craig
to do a thing like this.
[DIALING ROTARY PHONE]
-This is Ray Willis.
A man shot himself.
Will you send someone
over right away, please?
Uh, Chambers Building.
Room 2407.
No.
He's dead.
This tape recorder's
still running.
He must have been
dictating when it happened.
[CLICK]
It could be Craig's way of
giving us an explanation.
[TAPE REWIND STOPS]
[CLICKS PLAY]
CRAIG (VOICEOVER):
To Ray Willis.
District Attorney.
Dear Ray-- In exactly 55
minutes-- I will be dead.
Murdered.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[CLICK]
-To Ray Willis,
District Attorney.
Dear Ray, In exactly 55
minutes, I will be dead.
Murdered.
First of all, let me explain.
I find myself completely
sober, reasonably sane,
and not at all surprised.
It started back in World War II,
during the Iwo Jima campaign.
I was a captain in
the Marine Corps.
As you know, every captain
needs a top sergeant.
Well, I really had the best.
His name was Joe Leeds.
Hitting the Iwo
beachhead was-- was
like running into a living hell.
I guess I got a little careless.
In saving my life, Joe was hit.
He carried a bullet
so close to his lung,
surgery was impossible.
During the time the
medics patched us up,
we became great friends.
After the war, I watched
him build a home.
I watched him become successful.
We were closer than--
than most brothers.
One afternoon six months
ago, I sent for Joe.
I knew I was going
to break his heart,
and all I could think about was
whether it wouldn't have been
better for both of
us if he had allowed
me to die on that
beach that day.
-You know, Craig, you're
the only guy in town
who could get me out
at this time of day.
But I was coming over
to see you, anyway.
-Oh?
-Yeah.
There's a new
housing development
going up over at Piedmont.
What do you think about
buying a corner lot
and picking up a new market?
-Might be an idea.
-What's the matter
with you, boy?
You look like you had a problem
that was too heavy to carry.
-It almost is, Joe.
-Well, after all
we've been through,
it can't be too serious.
Maybe talking it out'll help.
-It's going to mean throwing
15 years of friendship right
out the window.
-Well, if it's a real
friendship, it won't bend easy.
-OK.
Are you happy being
married to Myra?
And Joe-- don't tell me
it's none of my business.
-Oh, I don't know.
Happy is a word that
means a lot of things.
It's a state of being.
I never ask myself.
I got a beautiful wife, a
lovely home, good business--
a guy can't expect [INAUDIBLE].
I guess being grateful's
as good as being happy.
-Not really, Joe.
Perhaps you haven't
realized how little time
you've been spending at home.
How many evenings you've
given to the business.
Myra is a fine woman, Joe.
When she married
you, she was in love.
But no one wants to
be alone all the time.
Now, she'd like to do
something about it.
-Oh, I see.
And she told you to talk to me.
Did she ask you to
represent her, too?
-It was more my idea than hers.
-I don't follow you.
-I don't know how to say it
without making it sound cheap.
People meet, with no thought
of being anything but friends.
Circumstances throw
them together.
Then they discover in each
other many mutual interests.
They begin to anticipate
their next meeting.
And then the next one.
Until finally, one
day, they-- they
both realize they're
very much in love.
-OK, don't dress it up.
Who's the guy?
-I'm in love with her, Joe.
I want to marry her.
That's the way it is.
And it's the most
difficult thing
I've ever had to say to anyone.
-Are you sure, Craig?
Are you sure you know
what you're doing?
-I'm in love with her, Joe.
-Well, what do
you want me to do?
-I'd like Myra to go away.
Get a divorce.
-You know, Craig,
I've always had
a lot of respect and
admiration for you.
Leveling with me like this
is taking a lot of guts.
Like I said, a real
friendship doesn't bend easy.
But this-- this kind of
knocked the wind out of me,
I-- give me a couple of days
to kick it around, will you?
SECRETARY (ON PHONE):
Yes, Mr. Carlson?
-Please cancel the rest of
my appointments for the day.
-Hi, darling.
Did you have a
rough day in court?
-I had the roughest
day of my life, Myra.
-What was it, Craig?
-Huh?
Perhaps you ought to go home.
I'm not going to be
very good company.
-Something's wrong.
I've got a right to know.
-I saw Joe today.
I told him about us.
-Oh.
What did he say?
-That's what's so wrong, Myra.
He didn't get angry.
He just said, give him a couple
of days to think it over.
I guess I helped him
die a little today.
I know I did.
-Darling-- do you believe
that when we first met,
we tried to fall in love?
-Why, no.
Certainly not.
-Haven't we respected
my marriage?
We tried to walk away.
We did everything we could
not to let it happen.
-That doesn't make
the day any easier.
-I never wanted to hurt Joe.
I didn't think I could possibly
fall in love with anyone else.
But I have.
Craig, darling-- I'm not
ashamed of my feelings for you.
I'm not afraid of the
world knowing the truth.
I don't believe what
we have is wrong.
Don't spoil it, Craig.
[THUNDERCLAP]
[THUNDER]
-Hi, I just dropped
by to tell you you
missed a swell wedding, Joe.
Kay was a real pretty bride.
Funny thing.
You were there the
night she was born,
and I kind of hoped
you'd be there tonight,
when I gave her away.
-Oh, I had a million
things to do, Lou,
I-- I just hope the
kids will be happy.
-Aw, they're a cinch.
I never saw two people
better suited for each other.
Tops even Mom and me.
-I know, but sometimes
even the best
things have a way of going sour.
-Joe.
What's wrong?
-What makes you think
there's something wrong?
-You can't fool me.
Just the other day,
when I was in here
with a beef about
the branch store--
you hardly even listened to me.
You looked like you were
a thousand miles away.
Ever since then, you've
been moping around,
like, like something
was bothering you, bad.
-You know, Lou?
Doing the right thing isn't
the easiest thing in the world.
You've gotta look
deep inside of you.
Be real honest with yourself.
Well, for the past
few days, that's
just what I've been doing.
Looking down deep inside of me.
Looking for the right answer.
And I finally found it.
-Sounds like an
important decision.
-It is.
And a tough one, too.
It'll probably
change my whole life.
And Myra's, too.
-Something wrong
between you and Myra?
-Well, I don't think
anything could be worse.
-Joe, believe me, every married
couple has their ups and downs.
Even Mom and me have
had some bad moments.
But honest, if you
just have patience,
everything usually
works out fine.
-Sometimes, Lou.
Sometimes.
Look, do me a favor, will you?
Mail this on your way home?
-Yeah, sure thing.
[SOUND OF THUNDER]
-Hello, Myra?
Just wanted to make
sure you were home.
I'm going to be home early.
I've been thinking
about something
I want to talk to you about.
I'll be there in about
15 or 20 minutes.
-Just remember, Joe,
everything usually works out.
-Quit living in a
dream world, Lou.
[THUNDER]
[SOUNDS OF THE STORM]
[THUNDER CRASHES]
-Sergeant.
-Huh?
Body in there?
-That's right.
-Ready for us to take over?
-Sure.
Chalk him up, dust
the place good,
and MacMillan's already
photographed most of the room.
-What does it look
like, Lieutenant?
-According to the
lady, we got a breeze.
She said she shot her
husband in self defense.
-How come everybody
always always shoots
everybody else in self defense?
-Now, Mrs. Leeds,
I, uh-- I think
we've got everything pretty
well straightened out.
Would you mind going over
that first part for me
just once more?
-Well, I-- I was sitting in
bed reading, when Joe came in.
He was wet.
He looked furious.
I couldn't imagine
what was wrong.
He just walked over and
pulled me out of bed,
as if he was drunk, or--
or crazy, or something.
He threw me against the dresser.
Said he was going to kill me.
He started for me again.
Then I opened the drawer and
took out the gun and shot him.
He just stood there
and looked at me.
Then he fell.
It was terrible.
-It's going to be all right.
You just rest
there for a minute.
All right, let's
get off the phone.
You know this
place is off-limits
until the lab's through with it.
-We dusted before
using, Lieutenant.
-Fred.
-And Helen, I want
those papers drawn
up first thing in the morning.
No, I'll be there before you.
I'm going directly to the
office and police headquarters.
-Sergeant?
I want this section of
the room covered from A
to Z. Several shots of that
nightstand, and of this dresser
here.
Get in close.
You know the kind
of stuff I want.
-We'll cover the
place like we are.
-Planning on a big day in court?
-A guy's dead.
That makes it a
big day in court.
-Any reason to doubt
it was self defense?
-Enough to hold her on
suspicion of murder.
Then it's up to you legal
eagles to pick her apart.
Oh, incidentally, if you
want to talk to your client,
have at it, because
I'm taking her downtown
in about two minutes.
-I don't understand it.
I don't understand it at all.
-What don't you understand?
-The police.
All these questions.
Those men in there,
taking pictures.
Fingerprints.
I'm afraid, Craig.
-It's just routine, Myra.
There's nothing to
be alarmed about.
-But Lieutenant Bradley's
questions haven't been routine.
They don't believe me, do they?
Tell me the truth.
-Lieutenant Bradley
plans to hold
you on suspicion of murder.
-What am I going to do?
How can I make them believe me?
-That'll be my job, darling.
-Why did he try to kill me?
Why couldn't he understand?
-Myra.
I loved Joe, as much
as anyone could--
and I thought I knew him.
But Joe's actions weren't
caused by sudden anger.
He had several days to think
about what he was going to do.
Had he been successful, it would
have been premeditated murder.
-I'm afraid, Craig.
-Don't be.
I know it's going to
be difficult for you.
Just remember I love you.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Of
I still mean it.
Moonlight was
invented just for you.
[FOOTSTEPS]
-City desk?
Ray-- here's your lead line.
District Attorney asks
for Myra Leeds' life.
-He says he'll prove she
killed Joe Leeds in cold blood.
-I think we've got a new twist
this time, if we photo Carlson.
-He claims it was an
attack of violence,
carefully staged and executed.
-I tell you, no other woman
could interest me anymore.
-Yeah, it's gonna be a beaut.
This gal's good copy.
-If Willis was bugging
anybody besides Carlson,
I think this Leeds woman
wouldn't have a prayer.
-Look, court's back in session.
I'll call Rewrite in time
for the three-star edition.
Right.
-Huh-uh, it was just the guys.
Yeah, court's back
in session again.
No, I don't have to be in there.
You can't take pictures
in the courtroom.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY WILLIS:
You were the first officer
to report at the
scene of the murder.
-Yes, sir.
My partner and I were cruising
that area when we got the call.
-Will you please tell the
jury exactly what you found?
-Well, Mrs. Leeds
and Mr. Carlson
were there when we arrived.
Mr. Carlson said Mrs.
Leeds had called him,
and as soon as he got
there, he called the police.
-Were there signs of a struggle?
-No, sir.
-Mrs. Leeds wasn't marked
or bruised in any way?
-Not that I could tell.
-Did you see anything
about her clothing,
or her person, or
anything at all
that indicated that there
had been a struggle?
-No, sir.
-Thank you.
That's all.
-Mr. Carlson?
-No questions.
-Sergeant Hill, you are
connected with the crime lab.
-That's right.
-And did you note
that it was raining
the night of the murder?
-Yes, sir.
-Would you please
tell the court how
that affected your findings.
-May I have that
picture, please?
This dark spot was one of the
first things we checked out.
It's water.
Probably came from
Joe Leeds' clothing.
From the way we can piece it
together, he stood right there,
and didn't make a move
until he fell from the shot.
-In other words,
your deduction is
that there could not
have been a struggle.
-I object.
This question calls for a
conclusion of the witness.
-Sustained.
-Did you find any water spots
anyplace else in the room?
-No, sir.
-Thank you.
-Sergeant Hill, what makes you
so certain Joe Leeds did not
move closer to Mrs. Leeds than
the area of the water stain?
-To wet a wool rug
through that way
would require quite a
concentration of water.
That means the victim would
have to stand a spell.
But Mrs. Leeds said that he
came right in, and over to her.
-Just answer the
question, Sergeant.
The prosecuting attorney is
well able to argue his case.
-Sorry.
-What about some of the
other people in that room?
They could have dripped water
on that rug, could they not?
-We checked that out.
The rain had stopped by
the time the first police
unit had arrived.
-But it hadn't stopped
when I arrived.
Couldn't I have
stood in one spot
long enough to dampen that rug?
-I guess you could have.
-Thank you.
That's all.
-And then she stated
that he knocked
her against the dresser.
It was then that she opened
the drawer, took out the gun,
and shot him.
-Mrs. Leeds said the gun
was in the dresser drawer.
-Yes, sir.
-Did she point out
where Mr. Leeds
was at the time she shot him?
-She said that he was
rushing toward her from where
they'd struggled,
beside the bed.
-Specifically,
where, by the bed?
-On the left side, where
Mrs. Leeds was lying.
-Did your investigation
bear to the conclusion?
-No, sir.
-Please explain why.
-Bottles, on the dresser.
You know, perfume and the like.
And had he knocked her
against the dresser,
well, surely some
of these bottles
would have been overturned.
-Hm.
Lieutenant Bradley, is
this one of the photographs
you ordered taken?
-Yes, sir, it is.
-Now, do you see
anything, anything at all,
disturbed on her
bow-front dresser?
-No, sir.
Nothing.
-Go on, Lieutenant.
-Well, uh, according to Mrs.
Leeds, the spot where Mr. Leeds
was standing at
the time she shot
him was about 10 feet
from where he fell.
-Wasn't that possible?
-No, sir.
According to the
coroner's report,
the victim was shot through
the heart, and died instantly.
-In other words,
Joe Leeds would have
had to walk 10 feet,
after he was dead.
-That's about it, sir.
-Your witness.
[MURMURS IN THE COURTROOM]
[GAVEL CLACKS]
-Lieutenant Bradley,
how many years
have you been on
the police force?
-22.
-And during that
time, would you say
you have witnessed a number of
people suffering from hysteria?
-I'd say so, yes.
-And what would you say were
the first signs of hysteria?
-Oh, uh-- incoherency.
Unable to make a decision.
Sort of a lapse in common sense.
-And would you say it was likely
for a woman who had just killed
a man to be suffering
from hysteria?
-Why, yes.
-And would it not be within
the realm of possibility
for this woman to mistake
her left from her right?
Come to a snap judgment
of distance and direction
that would be
entirely incorrect?
-Well, possibility--
-And wouldn't it be possible
for a woman in such a state
of hysteria to think she was
thrown against a dresser, when
in reality she was thrown
against the nearby wall?
-Well, she could be, but--
-That is all.
Thank you.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-Hello, darling.
-Hello, Craig.
-Hey, you know, you've
had a pretty social day?
Three visitors?
-One was from a newspaper.
Lou Kazarian came over to tell
me not to worry, and Carl Holt.
He's an artist.
An old friend.
Wondered if there was
anything he could do.
Craig, is it going badly for me?
-There's nothing
new to worry about,
so don't try to find something.
-Will it ever be over?
-Darling, I know it's been a
difficult two weeks for you.
But tomorrow should see
the end of the testimony.
-How does it look?
-Willis operates
like a field marshal.
He doesn't mind losing battles,
so long as he wins the war.
He'll save his big
ammunition for later.
-What can we do then?
-Oh, I've had several
talks with Lou.
He's very anxious to help you.
I'm sure his evidence
will add a lot of weight.
And I think I'm going
to let you testify, too.
-All right.
-Remember, once
you're on the stand,
Willis will try to
cut you to ribbons.
-I'm not afraid of Willis,
or the judge, or the jurors.
All I'm afraid of is, if
things go wrong, I'd lose you.
-Not a chance.
-Oh, Craig.
Beautiful.
-So I says, Joe,
is there something
wrong between you and Myra?
And he said, I don't see
how anything could be worse.
-Had you ever seen
Joe Leeds before,
when he was quite angry?
-Yeah, a couple of times.
Matter of fact, he was
quite upset the first time
I ever saw him.
Somebody had accused him of
giving a dishonest cop, tried
to get him in trouble
with the police.
And Joe hurt him pretty bad.
-Then Joe Leeds did have a
bad temper when he was upset.
-Yeah.
But that wasn't often.
-Mr. Kazarian, the night
of Joe Leeds' death,
did he seem normal to you?
Or upset to you?
-Well, he was upset.
He said he'd been doing
a lot of thinking,
and had bridged a big decision.
-Did he tell you what
that decision was?
-No.
Except that what he had decided
would change his whole life.
And Myra's, too.
-That will be all, thank you.
-Mr. Kazarian, we come to
that phone conversation
Joe Leeds had with his wife.
Tell us exactly
what you overheard.
-Well, uh, that was
a long time ago.
-Just tell us those
things you can remember.
-Well, I remember him
saying for her to stay home.
He'd been doing a
lot of thinking.
He wanted to talk
it over with her,
and I guess that's
about all that happened.
-In other words, it was Joe
Leeds who definitely had
something to talk
out with his wife.
-That's the way it sounded.
-Now, Mr. Kazarian,
the defense counsel
has spoken much about
Joe Leeds' temper.
You say you were present
when Joe Leeds beat
up a man who
falsely accused him.
Now, would you say that Joe
Leeds was quite angry then?
-Oh, the worst
I've ever seen him.
But this fellow had
it coming to him.
He was always sniping at Joe.
-Well, if Joe Leeds was
more angry on that occasion
than you ever saw him, why
didn't he kill the man?
Did someone stop the fight?
-Oh, no, we were all
glad to see him get it.
Anyway, we knew all Joe had
in mind was to rough him up.
He sure did a good job.
-And if Joe Leeds was more
angered than you had ever
seen him, you claim he had
no intention of killing.
Now-- can you say on the oath
that you've taken that he was
angered enough to kill his wife?
-No, I guess not.
-Thank you, Mr. Kazarian.
[MURMURS IN THE COURTROOM]
[GAVEL CLACKS]
-And do you recall any
instance, Mrs. Leeds,
where your husband
displayed a violent temper?
-Yes.
There was a time, just
before we were married.
Joe had an argument with
one of his employees.
The two men fought.
Joe beat him so
brutally, the other man
had to spend the next two
months in the hospital.
-And were there times after
your marriage when your husband
showed a tendency
toward violence?
-Several.
Whenever anything annoyed him.
[INAUDIBLE]
Edgy.
If someone said something
that displeased him,
he flew into a temper.
We argued often because of this.
-Then that night when he came
home, wet, blind with fury,
you had good reason to
think he would kill you.
You had good reason
to think that Joe
Leeds was a man of violence.
That is what you believed,
is it not, Mrs. Leeds?
-Yes.
-Do you think any other woman
would have reacted as you did?
-I know they would.
No one wants to kill.
But no one wants to
be killed, either.
-Your witness.
-Mrs. Leeds, how long had you
and your husband been married?
-Two years.
-And when you
married your husband,
what was your
financial condition?
-I-- I don't understand.
-Oh, I'm sorry.
I mean, were you rich?
Moderately wealthy?
Had a good job?
What?
-Well, I-- I was looking for
a job when I met Joe Leeds.
-And would you say your
husband was a man of means?
I mean, did he
have some property?
Some insurance, perhaps?
-He had 10 supermarkets.
Some insurance.
-How much would you
say your husband
was worth at the
time of his death?
That is, including insurance?
-I don't know.
-Then let me tell you.
Your husband, Mrs. Leeds, left
an estate of more than 3/4
of a million dollars.
That's quite an
inheritance for you.
From unemployment to a
neat $750,000 in two years?
Wouldn't you say that was a
very lucrative two years' work,
Mrs. Leeds?
-Objection.
-The prosecution will
refrain from any more
questions of this nature.
That last statement will be
stricken from the record,
and the jury is asked
to disregard it.
-Mrs. Leeds, when you
married your husband,
were you in love with him?
-Of course.
-Were you in love
with your husband
at the time of his death?
-No.
-And in less than two years,
you no longer loved him.
Love is a very strong
emotion, Mrs. Leeds.
How could you turn
it off so quickly?
-I-- I just didn't
love him anymore.
-And you waited until that fatal
night to tell him about it.
-No, that's not true.
-Then when did you
tell your husband
you were no longer
in love with him?
-I-- I don't remember.
-Did you ask your
husband for a divorce?
-Yes.
-And what was Mr. Leeds' answer?
-He just said he wanted
to think about it.
-In other words, Mrs.
Leeds, when you suddenly
told your husband you wanted
a divorce, instead of becoming
angry, he answered he
wanted to think about it.
Now, is that correct?
-Yes.
-And yet you ask this court to
believe that Mr. Leeds returned
home on that fatal evening,
and without so much
as a single word,
tried to kill you?
-Yes.
-Then tell us, Mrs. Leeds,
how do you explain the fact
that when you
first, shall we say,
shocked your husband by
asking him for a divorce,
he did nothing?
-I don't know.
I don't know.
-That will be all, Mrs. Leeds.
Myra Leeds would have us believe
that when her husband reached
their apartment, he immediately
made an attempt to kill her,
so that she had to
kill in self defense.
But what concrete
reasons have you
been given that
Mrs. Leeds felt she
was forced to shoot her husband?
Only that he became
furious when she told him
she no longer loved him.
That she wanted a divorce.
And why did Myra
Leeds claim to want
a divorce in the first place?
Just that they were
no longer in love.
And yet, not one
single witness has
been brought before
this court to indicate
that any discord existed
between the Leeds.
Let me tell you, ladies
and gentlemen of the jury--
there was no discord in
the marriage of Joe Leeds.
Only in that of his wife, Myra.
An ambitious woman.
Marriage had bettered
her position.
And with Joe Leeds' death, her
position was still improved.
The location of the body.
The placement and trajectory of
the bullet that killed Leeds.
The lack of signs of a struggle.
All of these facts--
facts-- pitted
against Myra Leeds'
story of self defense.
Could there be an honest
doubt in your minds
as to the guilt of this woman?
And if there is, let
me dispel them for you.
Myra Leeds has given no reason
why she would have wanted
to divorce Joe Leeds-- except
that she fell out of love.
Now-- is love such a fickle
thing that one can fall
in love one week
and out the next?
With no apparent
reason, could Myra Leeds
have awakened one
morning and decided
to ask her husband of
two years for a divorce?
No.
Let me tell you
what Myra Leeds did.
She was jobless when
she met Joe Leeds.
She saw in him a stepping
stone to an easy life.
And when she was
ready to move on,
she realized that Joe Leeds
could only be of monetary value
to her dead.
So that when he came home to
discuss whatever it was he
wished to discuss, she shot him.
Myra Leeds shot and killed her
husband for a handful of gold.
That is why the state
charges Myra Leeds
with murder in the first degree.
-Is counsel for the defense
ready to address the jury?
-I am, Your Honor.
This has been a long
and grueling trial,
not only for the defendant, but
for the rest of us, as well.
You have heard arguments
and counter arguments, facts
and counter facts, theory
and counter theory.
And for the past
hour and 15 minutes,
you've heard the prosecution
parade before you
every piece of circumstantial
evidence, innuendo,
and plain conjecture
that he could muster.
Conjecture that would bolster
his claim that Myra Leeds is
is guilty of
murdering her husband.
With all of this
conjecture, the end result
has been this-- the state claims
Myra Leeds killed Joe Leeds
because her a story about
the moments of violence
she was faced with differed
from that of the police.
And because she could give no
clear reason why she suddenly
would want to
divorce her husband.
If Myra Leeds had a sound
reason for suddenly desiring
a divorce-- a reason
that would measurably
add to her happiness--
even the prosecution
knows it would have no case.
Well, Myra Leeds
did have a reason
for asking Joe
Leeds for a divorce.
Myra Leeds was in
love with another man.
[MURMURS IN THE COURTROOM]
[GAVEL CLACKS]
Now, remember-- you of
the jury are not here
to determine the righteousness
of Myra Leeds' emotions
as a woman.
Only to determine if
she shot her husband
in an act of premeditation.
It is not for you to decide
whether or not Myra Leeds did
the right thing in falling
in love with another man.
It is for you to decide
if, in telling her husband
about the man she loved, she
aroused in him an anger so
intense, that he
decided to kill her.
So now you ask, who is this man?
Bring him forward to
confirm this story.
Well, I knew Joe Leeds
better than anyone.
And I know the man his
wife is in love with.
I am that man.
[RAISED VOICES IN THE COURTROOM]
[GAVEL CLACKS]
-Any further demonstration
of this character,
and this courtroom
will be cleared.
Proceed.
-My falling in love with
Myra Leeds was accidental.
But my wanting to marry
her was with strong intent.
As was Joe Leeds' intent,
when he decided if he could no
longer have his wife, no
other man would, either.
Ladies and gentleman, there
isn't a single one of you
who wouldn't have struggled,
as Myra Leeds did.
Her life was at stake.
She acted in self defense.
Now, that is the story.
And that is the truth.
To bring out the truth, your
verdict must be not guilty.
[FOOTSTEPS]
-She beat it.
Not guilty.
--[INAUDIBLE], you'd thought
Navy just made a touchdown.
-I'll say.
Cool as weather.
Didn't move a muscle when
the jury foreman sang out.
There's no doubt about it.
That guy's the biggest
incentive murder's
had since the Chinese
invented gunpowder.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-I wish you happiness.
-Thank you.
-I picked this up on the
way back from court today.
-What is it?
-Capri.
"As ancient and enchanting
as the Mediterranean
which surrounds it."
May not be the world's
greatest prose,
but it sounded good to me.
-It must be lovely.
-I thought we could
be married next week,
take the boat to Rome,
then right to Capri.
Oh, darling, it'll be
a wonderful honeymoon.
-It sounds wonderful.
But do you know, next
week is almost here?
Give me a little bit more time.
-Mm.
The sooner we get away, the
better it will be for you.
From now on, you're not
going to have any reason
to think of anything
other than me.
[DOORBELL RINGS]
-Oh--
-Hi, Lou.
We'd about given you up.
-I'm sorry I'm late, but
Mom wasn't feeling well,
and at the last minute
she decided to stay home.
-Oh, that's too bad.
Well, let me hang up your coat.
-Oh, thanks.
And Myra-- I'm awfully glad
everything turned out OK.
-Thank you, Lou.
-Hey.
This is supposed to
be a happy occasion.
-Could I talk to you
alone for a minute, Craig?
-Is something wrong?
-It's about Joe.
-Sure.
Let's go into the den.
-Hiya, Will.
WILL: How are you, Lou?
-Hello, Henry.
HENRY: Good to see you, Lou.
-What is it, Lou?
-Oh.
It's about Joe, and the
last night he was alive.
That is, the night my
daughter was married
and I dropped by to tell
him about the wedding.
Well, just before
I left, he asked
me to mail a letter for him.
I put it in my pocket, and,
well, I forgot all about it
until I put my tux on
again [INAUDIBLE] tonight.
It's addressed to you.
JOE (VOICEOVER):
Dear Craig-- well,
like I promised, I've been
doing a lot of thinking.
I've been trying to figure out
the best way for all of us.
You see, when I
first met Myra, I
figured she was
out of my league.
She was interested in
things that I didn't
understand, like art, and music.
But then like a bolt one night,
she told me she loved me,
and I felt nine feet tall.
Right then, I said
a million things.
In a way, it was like
the answer to a prayer.
We got married right away,
and for a couple of months,
living was paradise.
I didn't love her.
I worshipped her.
Then it began to change.
One day, we had an argument.
Myra told me she'd
never loved me.
It goes without
saying, Craig, but I
walked in circles for days.
Finally, I asked her if
she wanted a divorce,
and she said yes, and
asked for half my business.
Well, I got mad,
because I realized
that was the only reason
she'd ever married me.
And I told her that no man was
going to live off what it had
taken me most [INAUDIBLE]
to accumulate.
And that's the way
it's been going
along for the past few months.
Myra's in love, Craig,
but not with you.
She's in love with
some kind of an artist.
I can't figure out what
she's doing with you,
but I know she must have
some kind of a plan.
I'm gonna see her tonight,
and I'm gonna try to keep her.
She's no good, Craig,
but I do love her.
If she decides not
to stay with me,
I-- I wanted you
to know the truth.
She isn't a woman.
Myra's a disease.
In a way, she's
already destroyed me.
I just hope she doesn't
end up destroying you.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-Did I cause trouble by
forgetting about the letter?
-I don't know, Lou.
I don't know.
-Give me a couple days to
kick it around, will you?
-I never wanted to hurt Joe.
I didn't think I could possibly
fall in love with anyone else.
But I have.
Why did he try to kill me?
Why couldn't he understand?
I'm not afraid of Willis,
or the judge, or the jurors.
All I'm afraid of is, if
things go wrong, I'd lose you.
-Myra Leeds shot and killed her
husband for a handful of gold.
That is why the state
charges Myra Leeds
with murder in the first degree.
-Carl Holt.
He's an artist.
An old friend.
Wondered if there was
anything he could do.
[DOOR BUZZER]
-Mr. Holt?
-Yes.
-My name's--
-I know.
Craig Carlson.
Won't you come in?
You'll have to forgive the
appearance of the place.
My, uh, canvases have a way
of dominating the whole room.
-Not bad canvases, either.
-Oh.
That one.
Yeah, even I like that one.
Won't you sit down, Mr. Carlson?
I'm, I'm a great fan.
-Because of Myra's acquittal?
-No.
It goes back way before that.
You see, this is a pretty
strange neighborhood.
You know what they call it.
Cloud nine.
I guess that's because a lot
of men who are just getting
started live around here.
They have a lot of dreams,
a lot of idols, you know.
Now, you take the fellow who
lives just two doors down.
He just got out of law school.
He thinks you walked
right down out of the sun.
Take some of the case
that you've turned down.
According to Charlie,
if you didn't
care who you got
acquitted, you could
be living like a Maharajah.
-Oh, he must be just
out of law school.
-Well, he's got a lot of
other legal idols, too.
But for me, you're my favorite.
Ever since you took Myra's case.
-You've known Myra a long time.
-Since we were
freshmen in college.
I was a music major, and
I was knee deep in art.
Did you ever hear Myra play?
-Yes.
-She plays like an angel.
'Course, in my book,
Myra is an angel.
Well, I guess she's told
you how I feel about her.
-No, she hasn't.
-Ah, it's nothing
earth shattering,
for anybody except us.
Right?
I happen to be very
much in love with her.
We're gonna be married.
-When was that decided?
-A few years after
we left college.
-A strange engagement.
With a marriage in between.
-Well, that was Myra's
one big mistake.
We both knew that shortly
after she married that fellow.
You don't mind if I work
while we talk, do you?
I want to make the
most of the sunlight.
-Go right ahead.
You say Myra knew
she made a mistake
when she married Joe Leeds?
-People chase different
rainbows, Mr. Carlson.
For Myra, it was money.
I didn't have any.
My prospects were terrible.
Terrible.
Well, we had a scrap
on that subject,
and then she met
this Leeds fellow,
and you know the
rest of the story.
-No, not the point
about her knowing
that she made a mistake.
-Well, that was when we met at
that exhibit that afternoon.
Myra was still drawing.
At this juncture,
I'd like to make
a point of honor, Mr. Carlson.
I refused to see Myra
again after that afternoon.
Till she was free.
She felt the same way about it.
-Quite an impasse, wasn't it?
-We didn't think so.
Myra was going to ask
Leeds for a divorce.
I guess he went sort of crazy.
That awful night was the capper.
-You know, Holt, you've got
a lot working against you.
In spite of that, I still
may get to like you.
-Well, I want you to.
But what have I got
working against me?
-Myra's trial.
Why didn't you offer to help?
-I did.
That day I visited Myra.
She didn't want me to come
to see her again, though.
Or even say I knew her.
Funny, I couldn't
quite figure that out.
I guess it was because she
was afraid our being in love
would sway the jury against her,
since she was a married woman.
Funny.
It was that very
approach that freed her.
That's what makes
a lawyer a lawyer.
You're just plain smart.
-Not always.
-Well, now, I watched that
trial every single day,
and you never drew a miss.
By the way, I would like
a crack at improving
your impression of me.
You got any ideas?
-No, my first hunch was right.
I do like you.
-Well, let's be really
classical about this friendship,
then, and toast it in sherry.
Fling the glass
in the fireplace.
-I'm sorry, but I've got to go.
-Oh.
That's too bad.
But as far as the toast is
concerned, it's just as well.
I haven't got any fireplace.
I will see you again
though, won't I?
-You certainly will.
-You know, that last day
of the trial, when you said
you were the man in Myra's life?
I didn't think so
kindly of you then.
I'm glad Myra
straightened me out on it.
-Oh?
What did she say?
-Well, that it was a piece
of courtroom strategy.
Boy, it sure was a beaut.
That was the best piece of
dramatics I've ever seen.
I guess Myra and
I really owe you
an awful lot for going
out on a limb like that.
-Well, goodbye, Mr. Holt.
-Bye, Mr. Carlson.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-Darling?
I was expecting you.
Be ready in three minutes.
In the meantime,
how about making
one of your very
special Manhattans?
-I'm not quite sure I know
how to make a Manhattan.
-Craig-- you startled me.
I was expecting a friend.
-Who knows how to make
special Manhattans.
-That's right.
If you like, I could--
-No, thanks.
I just wanted to
talk to you, Myra.
About our engagement.
-Let's not make
it tonight, Craig.
-Why not tonight?
Why not this very minute?
Two people in love
can't wait, Myra.
That's the way with
people in love, isn't it?
-I explained, Craig.
Someone's--
-Well, isn't it?
Oh, say it, Myra.
Say you love me.
Say you're hopelessly,
irretrievably in love with me.
-Let go of me.
-I want to hear
you say it, Myra.
I'm all you have.
Or have you suddenly remembered
there was someone else?
-I said, let go of me.
-Someone like Carl Holt.
-All right.
You know.
-I met him today.
He seems very much in love.
Two men in love with you.
An awkward arrangement, Myra.
-Craig.
What happened to us--
it was a mistake.
-I don't think so.
In fact, I don't
think you ever made
a mistake before in your life.
-I don't want to see you, Craig.
-Neither do I. Just the truth.
-The truth is, I am in
love with Carl Holt.
And I'm going to marry him.
-And you were in
love with Carl Holt,
and you were going to marry
him the day I met you.
-I don't want to talk about it.
-Then let's have someone
talk about it for us.
I received this letter
yesterday, from Joe.
-What kind of a trick is this?
-Sit down, Myra.
Sit down!
Dear Craig.
Like I promised, I've been
doing a lot of thinking.
I've been trying to figure out
the best way for all of us.
You see, when I
first met Myra, I
figured she was
out of my league.
She was interested in
things I didn't understand,
like art and music.
Myra's in love, Craig,
but not with you.
She's in love with
some kind of an artist.
I can't figure out what
she's doing to you,
but I know she must have
some kind of a plan.
I'm going to see
her tonight, and I'm
going to try and keep her.
She's no good, Craig,
but I do love her.
And if she decides
not to stay with me,
I wanted you to know the truth.
She isn't a woman.
Myra's a disease.
In a way, she's
already destroyed me.
I just hope she doesn't
end up destroying you.
Joe.
-I don't believe Joe
wrote that letter.
-Well, you should be able
to recognize his writing.
-What does it prove?
Only that Joe was a
miserable, jealous man?
-No, Myra.
It proves something
much different.
Joe offered you a divorce,
but without any money.
You didn't want it that way, and
you knew there was only one way
to get it.
-You'll have to do
more than say it.
You'll have to prove it.
I'm free now.
I can do what I
want with my life.
-You had it planned very
carefully, didn't you, Myra?
To get Joe's money,
you had to kill him.
To guarantee your freedom, you
made me fall in love with you.
I wonder if Carl Holt would
want a murderess for a wife?
-I was tried and acquitted.
Your brilliant defense freed me.
No one can hurt me anymore.
Not even you.
-This time, you're wrong, Myra.
Very wrong.
-What do you mean, this time?
-You're going to
commit another murder.
-Don't be ridiculous.
-Yes, you are.
You're going to murder me.
-You're insane.
No one wants to die.
Not even you.
-My whole life has
meant just three things.
My love for Joe, my work--
and my love for you.
You've destroyed them all.
How much is there
left of me to die?
So there it was, Ray.
An ugly little package.
Myra had killed Joe Leeds.
And I was an accessory.
Joe Leeds was dead.
But Myra had to pay.
Just as I'm going to pay.
There's not much
time left, so I'd
better bring you up to date.
I had made plans to
give up my practice.
I was spending every available
moment keeping Myra constantly
aware that, sooner
or later, I'd prove
to Carl Holt she
was a murderess.
Then I learned
that Myra and Carl
were planning to
leave for Europe.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
-Craig.
Good to see you again.
-Hello, Carl.
-Come on in.
Hey, we were just
about to have a drink.
Will you join us?
-Oh, no, thanks.
Well, what a pleasant surprise.
-Are you sure you're
surprised, Craig?
-What do you mean by that?
-Oh, just a private little joke.
Myra's certain attorneys
know what people
are going to do
before they do it.
In some cases, I'd
say she was right.
-Enough talk about lawyers.
I've got news for you.
-Oh?
-Mm-hm.
Shall we tell him, honey?
-No.
I-- I don't think
he'd be interested--
-Of course I'd be interested.
-We're going to get married.
-No.
-Surprised again, Craig?
-We're sailing for
Paris on Friday,
we're going to be married
as soon as we get there,
and it was all Myra's idea.
She wants to live there.
-In a way, I'm sorry.
-Sorry?
What for?
-Well, this wasn't
exactly a social visit.
I came up to
commission a painting.
-A painting?
For whom?
-Myself.
I know this is going
to sound a little vain,
but I've always
wanted a portrait.
You know, something
very flattering?
-Oh.
It's a shame you didn't
mention it before.
-We sail on Friday.
-Well, how long does it
take to do a portrait?
-Well, it varies.
I, I usually like
two, three weeks.
-Well, couldn't
you put your trip
off for that length of time?
-No.
-I like your work, Carl.
I'd be willing to pay
as much as $2,500.
-Hey, I'm not
Whistler, you know.
What about it?
$2,500 for those two weeks?
-We don't need the money.
We have plenty.
-Now hold on, honey.
I mean, you have plenty.
-Well, you're my husband.
What I have belongs to you.
-Mm-hm.
Well, I am afraid, where
money is concerned,
I'm going to be a
little old fashioned.
I'll do it.
When can you make the sitting?
-What about tomorrow?
-That's fine.
Between 3:00 and 5:00?
That's when my light's best.
-Good.
I'll be here.
Two weeks.
It'll give us a chance to
get very well acquainted.
-I'm looking forward to it.
-So am I. You know, Myra?
It seems as if your
one weakness is
in picking men with
moral strength.
Carl, I'll see you tomorrow.
-So long, Craig.
-I expected you.
But not quite as soon.
-Leave us alone, Craig.
Don't push me too far.
-That all you came here for?
-I came to offer you $100,000.
Will you take it?
Let him go to Paris?
-No.
-$125,000--
-Not for all of the
money in the world.
I need those two weeks.
I need the time to
finish what I've started.
I promise you, Myra,
you're not going
to have Carl Holt--
or Joe Leeds' money.
-I never realized how much I
could hate a man until now.
-But not enough to kill me.
Not yet.
-What kind of a man are you?
-One who believes in the honesty
and integrity of our courts.
But that's something you would
never be able to understand.
-I understand what you're
trying to do to me.
-Do you really?
Do you understand
what you did to me
when I learned you killed Joe?
Do you understand in
winning you an acquittal
I became as guilty as you?
I want you to understand, Myra.
I want you to fully
understand that we'll
have to pay for what we've done.
-I'm not going to
pay for anything.
[DOOR SLAMS]
-You'll pay, Myra.
We'll both pay.
-That does it.
For better or for
worse-- finished.
-Excellent.
-You've been a very
patient subject.
-Well, don't forget tonight.
The Avion Room.
About 7:00.
-Craig?
The times you've
seen Myra here--
have you noticed how
nervous and jumpy she seems?
-The trial was very
taxing for her,
and I guess she's
anxious to get to Europe.
Both natural reactions.
I don't think you should
have any worries about her.
-I guess not.
Maybe your party will
be just the prescription
that will snap her out of it.
By the way, what
are we celebrating?
-You'll find out in
exactly three hours.
-OK, man of mystery, I will
not press you for an answer.
I'll stay on tenterhooks.
-I'll see you at 7:00.
-Right.
-You wish to order now?
-No, we have another
party coming along.
-Why didn't you tell me
Craig was coming, Carl?
-What's the matter, Myra?
-There's so much to do.
We sail day after tomorrow.
-You think you're the
only one who's busy?
Move over.
I haven't even packed yet.
-I tell you what,
Carl, let's leave.
-Leave?
-We could give a
message to the Captain.
Have him tell Craig that
something had come up.
-We can't do that.
You know that Craig has
been counting on us.
He's looking forward to it.
-Well, what's so
important about it?
-We'll talk about that
after dinner, Myra.
Hello, Charles.
-Good evening, Mr. Carlson.
-Hi, Craig.
-For dessert, may I
suggest cherries jubilee?
It's excellent.
-Oh, no thank you.
-How about you, Myra?
That will be all, Charles.
-Now, Craig, that was
a delicious dinner.
French food couldn't
be any better.
-Myra?
Did you enjoy your dinner?
-You told us you'd
tell us what this
was all about after
dinner, Craig.
-Myra.
-Oh, it's all right.
She's just anxious.
-What do you mean, anxious?
-A trip to Paris, and she's
about to become a bride.
-Craig, I want to know
why you brought us here.
-All right.
Here you are, Carl.
-Craig, our deal was for $2,500.
-I thought I'd double it.
That's my surprise.
-But why?
-By helping me achieve
an important ambition.
-Well, I-- I certainly
hope, through the years,
the painting continues
to please you, Craig.
-I'm certain it will.
You see, to me, the
portrait reflected, not only
a friendship, but a
great understanding
you felt for the subject.
I hope you never disappoint him.
Now, I'm must run.
I have a lot of work
to do at the house.
-On that one important
case you mentioned?
-That's the one.
Thank you for coming, Myra.
-We will see you
again before we leave?
-Yes, you will.
By the way, Carl,
there's something
I've been wanting to ask you.
Suppose the portrait of
me had turned out badly.
Suppose you'd realized
you'd made a mistake
in the manner in
which you handled it.
What would you have done?
-Restored it, of course.
-Despite your fee?
-Despite anything.
-Strange.
I always felt that the same
parallel existed in law.
Well, I've-- I've
got to be going.
Good night.
-'Night, Craig.
-I can't tell you
how good it's been,
having dinner here
with you, Craig.
Wish we could do it more often.
-Ray, there's something
I want to ask you.
-Shoot.
-About the Myra Leeds trial.
-Oh, my.
Why talk over
yesterday's headlines?
-You asked the jury to find Myra
guilty of first degree murder.
-Hm.
-At the end of the trial, the
jury found her not guilty.
How did you find her?
It's important to me, Ray.
I want to know.
-All right, Craig.
You were very convincing.
I could understand
your swaying that jury.
But you didn't sway me.
At the time, I still
thought she was guilty.
-I was sure you did.
-But you know, I thought
about it for a long time.
Now I know that the-- the jury
brought in the correct verdict.
I've known you too
many years, Craig.
You never would
have said what you
did just for the
dramatic effect.
Another attorney
might, but not you.
No, I admit it.
On the Myra Leeds case,
I was way off base.
-Well, thank you, Ray.
Now, there's something
I'd like you do for me.
[DOORBELL RINGS]
-Hello, Mrs. Leeds.
Mr. Carlson's expecting you.
-Thank you, Jenny.
-Mrs. Leeds.
-Mr. Willis.
-Hello, Myra.
Glad you could make it.
-Well, it's getting late.
I'd better leave.
It's been a wonderful evening.
-Thanks for the talk, Ray.
You've been very helpful.
-Mrs. Leeds.
-Why did you send for me?
Why were you talking to
the District Attorney?
-We were talking about a case.
Your case, Myra.
-This grotesque joke of
yours has gone far enough.
-You still think this is a joke?
-You've got to stop it, Craig.
Every time you talk to
Carl, I-- the other evening
at dinner, I was terrified.
What you're doing is inhuman.
I can't stand much more of it.
-You're a murderess, Myra.
Anything that happens
to you won't be enough.
-Craig, the jury freed me.
They found me innocent.
All I want is to
go away with Carl.
Please understand, for
the first time in my life,
I want to live decently.
-You don't know the
meaning of the word.
At first, I thought
Carl Holt was like you.
But it wasn't long
before I changed my mind.
You fooled him, Myra.
Just like you fooled me.
He's too fine to be hurt
by someone like you.
I'm not going to let it happen.
-No matter what you tell
him, he won't believe you.
There's no way of proving
that I killed Joe.
You're just trying to
frighten me with more threats.
-Understand me, Myra.
I never once meant
to threaten you.
I made you a promise.
What I've compiled in this
folder is no longer theory.
It's proof.
And the only way you can prevent
me from turning it over to Carl
is to kill me.
-I'm not going to kill you.
I'm not going to kill you.
-It must be maddening to know
that, in just a little while,
you're going to lose everything
you've planned and killed for.
You see, Myra-- you
can't win anymore.
It was not long before my
telephone began to ring.
I knew it would be Myra.
She was desperate.
She wanted to see me right away.
But I still had a
few things to do,
so I told her I'd see
her later at my office.
I made the appointment
for 12:30 sharp.
It was now only a
matter of waiting.
Time took care of the wait.
So now, the pattern's complete.
And it's the same
pattern Joe Leeds lived.
But this time, Myra
won't be acquitted.
That's where you're
concerned, Ray.
Because this time,
you're not going
to have to guess whether
or not Myra is guilty.
You'll know.
You're going to be a witness.
KNOCK ON DOOR]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Thank you for being so prompt.
-You promised me an answer.
-Here it is.
My complete file.
Now, no attorney
could get you off.
Not even me.
-I told you.
I can't be tried for
the same crime twice.
-And I told you, I'm trying
you before Carl Holt.
We'll let him determine
whether or not you're guilty.
Or would you prefer this?
-I'm not going to kill anyone.
-Very well.
That affords three
of us a visit.
Carl, you, and I.
I'm going to call,
and ask him to come right over.
After seeing this, if he still
wants to marry a murderess,
that's his business.
-Craig, don't call him.
Craig.
Don't make me do it.
CARL (ON PHONE): Hello?
-Craig.
[GUNSHOT]
CARL (ON PHONE): Hello?
Hello?
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[FOOTSTEPS]
-Mrs. Leeds, I--
-It's terrible.
Craig has committed suicide.
-What are you doing here?
-He asked if I could
meet him here, at 12:30.
-Strange.
He told me to be here at 12:40.
[INAUDIBLE]
I'd never expect Craig
to do a thing like this.
[DIALING ROTARY PHONE]
-This is Ray Willis.
A man shot himself.
Will you send someone
over right away, please?
Uh, Chambers Building.
Room 2407.
No.
He's dead.
This tape recorder's
still running.
He must have been
dictating when it happened.
[CLICK]
It could be Craig's way of
giving us an explanation.
[TAPE REWIND STOPS]
[CLICKS PLAY]
CRAIG (VOICEOVER):
To Ray Willis.
District Attorney.
Dear Ray-- In exactly 55
minutes-- I will be dead.
Murdered.
[MUSIC PLAYING]