The Inner Circle (1946) - full transcript

-Hello.

This is Johnny Strange
of Action Incorporated.

No, not Strange
Action Incorporated.

Johnny Strange of
Action Incorporated.

Yeah.

I want to place an add
in help wanted, female.

Mm-hm.

Wanted-- secretary
to human dynamo.

Exclamation point.

Must be blonde, beautiful,
between 22 and 28.

Unmarried.



With skin you love to touch
and a heart you can't.

Yeah.

Apply Johnny Strange,
Action Incorporated,

610 security building.

Uh-huh, that's right.

Run it 'til I tell you to stop.

-You can stop it now, please.

Mr. Strange has just
filled the position.

The name is Geraldine Smith.

For the first week I'd like
to be called Ms. Smith.

After that, if it doesn't
give you any ideas,

you may call me Gerry.

I presume that
fly-catching expression

is the way a human dynamo
registers astonishment.



-Say, what is this?

Where' you come from?

-Through that door.

And as a psychological
moment, too.

Do you believe in
fate, Mr. Strange?

-Yeah.

And I also believe
in Santa Claus

and pixies and
nervy young women.

-Now, is that nice, after I
save you the cost of an add?

-Now, wait a minute.

I didn't say I'd hire you.

-But I have the qualifications.

I'm not married.

I'm between 22 and 28.

And if you want me blonder
that can be arranged.

-Well, uh-- what about
the skin you love

to touch and the
heart you can't?

-Try both, brother.
Just try.

-Oh, hey, watch out
with that needle.

-Be careful with those eyes.

-Well, secretary to Johnny
Strange is no picnic.

I'm a cross between a public
riot and a swarm of bees.

-Ooh, [INAUDIBLE].

I oughta survive.

There.

That's a little extracurricular
duty I won't charge you for.

Which reminds me, my
salary is $40 a week,

my hospital bill,
and bail money.

-You catch on quick, baby.

-Ms. Smith, remember.

Ooh, it's a neat
view from the window.

I can always look
across at the bank clock

and tell when it's lunch time.

Mm, mm.

Can't say much for this office.
-What's the matter with it?

-It needs brightening up.

I don't mean to go overboard
like that tie you're wearing,

but-- well, some nice pictures
on the wall, some flowers,

some snappy drapery--
and a good cleaning.

Don't you have janitor service?

-Sure.

-Well, they're
short-changing you.

Wait 'til I call the
building superintendent.

Do you have the phone number?

-Austin, 6835.

-Don't touch that.

That's a secretary's duty.

I'll report you to the union.

One moment, please.

Line's busy.

Action Incorporated, Mr.
Strange's secretary speaking.

Oh, one moment please.

Do you take care of
people's problems?

-Yep.

-Yes, ma'am.

Problems are our specialty.

Large problem, small
problem, any kind of problem.

What's your problem?

Oh, yes indeed.

All cases are
strictly confidential.

Yes.

Yes.

Just a moment, please.

Would you mind sitting down?

You're confusing me.

Go ahead, please.

A what?

I'll see.

Do you have a car?

-Sure.

-Yes, he has.

Meet you where?

Oh, fine.

Oh, well, uh-- he's
rather good looking.

You might even say handsome.

That is, if you're
not too particular.

He's wearing a gray plaid
suit with a wolf tie.

A wolf tie.

You know.

[WHISTLE]

That's right.

It's a pleasure to serve you.

Thank you for calling.

Bye.

-Talk about being confused.

Who's supposed to be
boss around here, anyway?

-What's the matter?

Didn't I handle it efficiently?

-Well, maybe I
don't want the job.

-Of course you do.

-Well, what is it?

-I don't know.

-You don't know?

-No, she wouldn't say.

But it must be very
important, the way she acted.

-Well, what's she gonna pay?

-I don't know.

-Well, who is she?

-I don't know.

-Well, that's the
greatest example

of efficiency I've
ever witnessed.

I'm supposed to meet someone
I don't know, do something

I don't know, for how
much, I don't know.

Is there anything you do know?

-I know you'll have the
answer to those questions

if you'll stop raving, keep
your tie on, and park your car

in front of Tilton's jewelry
store at 7:30 tonight.

-That's on the
busiest block in town.

How am I supposed to park there?

-You won't have any trouble.

There's always space.

It's painted red with a fire
plug right in the middle of it.

-What do you think I
drive, a fire truck?

Or maybe you want
me to get a ticket?

-The cop on that beat is
a cinch to talk out of it.

I've done it many times.

And you're as smart
as I am, aren't you?

-Any time, chum.
Any time.

I can't understand it.

She was running as smooth
as a sewing machine

until it got here, and
then it clonked out.

Spark plugs are all there.

Carburetor's in the right spot.

Plenty of water.

You suppose-- hey, you're
not writing me a ticket!

Haven't you been listening to
what I've been telling you?

The car is stalled.
It won't run.

[ENGINE STARTING]

-Mr. Jonny Strange?
-Yes.

-I'm very sorry I am late.

-So am I.

-Ride to 183 Oak Drive, please.

And hurry.

-Sorry, but there
are a few details

I'd like to know before
I accept the job.

Like my client's name,
what I'm supposed to do,

and when I'm gonna get paid.

-Please, that will come later.

It is most important that
we do not waste the time.

-Well, then, you better
answer my questions.

Because I'm not leaving
here until you do.

Just going, officer.

-Quite a place.

Yours?

-You Americans are so curious.

-That's the way we find
out things, sometimes.

I don't get all the mystery.

Why don't you take off that
veil so I can see your face?

-I wear this veil because I
have just lost my husband.

-Oh.
Sorry.

-Will you have a drink?
-No thanks.

I always save that until
after I've finished the job.

Now, let's get down to cases.

-Pardon?
-Let's get started.

What'd you have in mind?

-Come, I will show you.

Him

-Holy smokes.

Who is he?

-My husband.

-The one you just lost?

-Si.

-Died kind of
suddenly, didn't he?

You do it?

-Please, I loved him.

-That's no answer.

-No, I did not do it.

But the police, they
will think I did it.

That is why you must help me.

You must hide him so
he will never be found.

-Oh, you're not talking to me.

-Oh, but yes.

Did you not advertise,
your problem is my problem?

-Yeah.

But I didn't mean to take
in this much territory.

Looks like I'll have
to change that ad.

-I will pay you $1,000.

-Nothing doing.

Playing hide the body
is out of my line.

This is one for the police.

-$2,000?

Oh, go away and be quiet.

I'm trying to be a
law-abiding citizen.

-$5,000.

-Police department, please.

Hello?

You must come quick
to 183 Oak Drive.

Somebody has been shot.

[SIRENS]

[KNOCKING]

-Anybody home?

Somebody here send
for the-- well,

if it isn't Johnny Strange
of Action Incorporated.

What's going on, John?
I guess I better take this.

Mrs. Webb.

I'm at 183 Oak Drive.

Yeah.
Send the coroner.

Well, Jonny, what's the story?

-Hello, Ed.

When did you get here?

-What's the story?

-His wife can tell
you better than I can.

-Wife?

Anthony Fitch wasn't married.

-Anthony Fitch?

The radio commentator?
-Yeah.

As if you didn't know.

I was expecting somebody
to put a bullet into him,

but I didn't think
it would be you.

-Me?
-Come on, John.

Now what did he have on
you that you didn't want

his scandal-loving
public to hear?

-He didn't have anything on me.

Don't let that correspondence
school brain of yours run

away with you.

Where's that woman?

-There was no woman
here when we came.

-Oh, don't stand on
your big flat feet.

We gotta catch her!

-I've caught everything
I need already.

Now look, John, you're
in a tough spot.

And the best thing you
can do is come clean.

Why, I'll even forget some of
the tricks you played on me

and put in a good
word for you myself.

-I don't think
that'll be necessary.

I saw everything that happened
from outside that window.

-Well, who are you?

-Geraldine Smith, Mr.
Strange's secretary.

-You were watching from
outside the window?

-Yes.

The woman acted so
mysteriously on that phone

that-- well, it
aroused my curiosity.

So I followed you.

I saw Mr. Strange
meet her in front

of Tilton's jewelry store.

That was about, uh, 7:30.

Just after a policeman
had given him a ticket.

-That's right.
I've got it here with me.

The policeman will
remember the woman.

She had a heavy
veil over her face.

-When they arrived here
I was right behind them.

Then, uh-- that man let them in.
-Hey, now, wait a minute--

-Shut up, you, and let her talk.

Go ahead.

-Well, when they came in here,
I hurried around to that window.

I couldn't hear
everything that was said.

But it seems that that
man had some letters

the woman wanted
him to give back.

It was quite a bit
of an argument.

And then finally that
man grabbed the gun

and came at Mr. Strange.

-Gerry, you--

-Keep quiet, you.

-Well, Mr. Strange managed
to take it away from him

after a short struggle.

Then the man grabbed the
sword from off the wall

and he rushed at Mr. Strange.

Well, he seemed to have
grown completely crazy.

So Mr. Strange had to
shoot him in self-defense.

-What about the woman?

-Ooh, she was a
pretty cool customer.

When Mr. Strange tried
to call the police

she tried to bribe him not to.

Offered him quite
a bit of money.

When he refused she hit him
over the head with the bookend

and went to the desk,
got some letters,

and called the police
herself, and ran out.

I tried to catch
her but she jumped

into a car parked in
the street and got away.

Then I heard your sirens
and so I came back here.

-Well, I'll be doggone.

You're pretty lucky, Johnny,
to have a secretary like her.

-Yeah.

Yeah.
[SCREAM]

-What was that?

-Take your big banana-stained
paws off of me.

Let me go!

-What have we got
here, Cummings?

-I nabbed her sneaking
in the back way.

-I wasn't sneaking.

It was my day off and I
was just coming in quietly

so I wouldn't disturb Mr. Fitch.

-Mr. Fitch is dead.

-Dead?

Who shot him?

-How'd you know he was shot?

-Well, I-- I didn't.

It was just the first
thing that popped

into my mind, that's all.

-Could this be the woman
you were talking about?

-No.

She lacks a certain something
the other woman had.

-Is-- is anything wrong?

-Well, it all depends on
how you look at it, pop.

Who are you?
-What say?

-I say, who are you?

-Oh, I'm the gardener.

Ain't Mr. Fitch here?

-Mr. Fitch is here, all right.

-What say?

Mr. Fitch.

What happened to him?

-Oh, it's a long story, pop.

Where do you sleep?

-What say?
-What's the matter?

You hard of hearing?

-Oh, no.

I'm slow in thinking.

By getting you to repeat it
gives me a chance to keep up.

-Cute, ain't he?
Where do you sleep?

Where's your room?

-Over the garage.

-Did you see or hear anything
unusual this evening?

I say, did you see or hear
anything unusual this evening?

-Oh, yes.
Yes, I did.

Just about 10 minutes ago.
-What was it?

I say, what was it?

-Well, I heard-- I say, I heard
the police sirens shrieking.

You don't hear many of them
on this street, you know.

-Well.

Welcome home.

How does it feel to breathe
the air of freedom again?

-It fills me with questions.

Whatever possessed
you to saddle me

when that self-defense story?

-I wanted to clear you, Johnny.

You were smart to back me up.

-Well, what else could I do?

If I told my story
after you told yours,

my neck would be in a noose.

Why didn't you tell the truth?

-Oh, you're a better
psychologist than that, Johnny.

It's human nature to
believe the worst.

With the evidence against you
the thing to do was admit it.

Then make them think
you were justified.

And another thing.

How many clients would
Action Incorporated

get if they knew how
gullible you'd been?

Letting a woman frame
you as simply as she did.

-Hm.

You have a point there.

But we're obstructing
justice, and you

know what you can get for that.

-You can get more for murder.

Besides, from what I
gathered about Anthony Fitch,

he lived too long anyway.

Anyone who makes his living
digging into people's lives

looking for dirt
deserves a bullet in him.

Aw, come on, Johnny.

Smile and relax.

Your case is closed,
and before you know it

you're gonna have more--

-Mind if I come in?

-Not if you wipe your feet.

-She knows all the
answers, doesn't she?

-She knows more answers
than we do questions.

-I bet she does at that.

I'd certainly like have
a secretary like her.

-That what brought
you here, Webb?

-No, no, no.

I just came in to
congratulate you, Johnny.

-Well, sit down and
relax your brain.

-All right.
Can't stay but a minute.

Do you mind?

-Help yourself.

-Yep, Johnny, you got
out of a tough spot,

thanks to the little lady there.

Her story was really convincing.

-The truth is always convincing.

-Well, I know a lot of people
that'll argue about that.

But I won't.

Because I like the truth.

Even though I don't run across
it very often in my business.

-Maybe you don't
inspire confidence.

-I don't know why it is.

But most of my cases are
just like this cigar.

They look all right
from the outside,

but when you get the
wrapper off, they smell.

-How long did you say you'd
been working for Johnny?

-I didn't.

But inasmuch as
you're so interested,

I started two days ago.

-Two days ago?

-That's right.

Just two days, three
and one-half minutes,

by the bank clock, before
the Spanish woman called.

And 4 hours and 38
minutes before Mr. Strange

boosted Anthony Fitch
over the great divide.

-Wow.

Can she remember detail.
I'll tell you what I'll do.

I'll give you 10 bucks a week
more than Johnny is paying you.

-Sorry.

But I've been here
so long I just

couldn't think of
making a change.

-OK, then there's only
one other way out.

I'll pin a wrap
on Johnny and put

Action Incorporated
out of business.

-Don't you wish you could?

-Don't you think I wouldn't,
if I got the goods on you.

I'll see you later.

-Yeah, drop around any time.

I'll try not to be here.

-Oh, have you heard
from that woman?

You know the one I
mean, with the veil

and the Spanish accent?

-No.

Not a thing.

-That's too bad.

I'd like to talk to her.

-Well, when I catch up with
her, I'll introduce you.

-That's a promise.

So long, Johnny.

-I'd like to be accommodating,
if it ain't too much trouble.

And the reward's big enough.

-Well, it isn't that the
diamond's worth so much.

But it's been int he
family a long time.

-You say you think you
lost it in this room?

-Positive.

The stone was in the ring
when I was here before.

And when I got to the
police station, it wasn't.

-Well, we'll take a look-see.
-You look around the fireplace.

-Sure.
-I'll search the desk.

The drawers were open
when I was here before,

and it might have fallen in one
of them during the struggle.

-Yeah.

-What's become of Mrs.
Wilson, the housekeeper?

-What say?

-The housekeeper.

What's become of her?

-Oh, she got another job.

She run out on me and left
me with the whole place

in my hands.

-Was Fitch ever married?

-No.

Said he didn't believe in it.

-He believe in girlfriends?

-Sure.

I guess that's why he
didn't believe in marriage.

-Did you know the Spanish
woman that brought me here?

-I told the police I didn't.

Why should I tell you one
thing and them another?

-Well, Mrs. Wilson.

I didn't know you liked
to play peek-a-boo.

-What are you doing here, Emma?

-Keeping an eye on
things, that's what.

There's been some
mighty suspicious

goings-on around this place.

-That's no concern of yours.

You will give me your
key to this house

and stay away from here.

-I don't have to.

I've still got some wages coming
to me, and until I'm paid,

I'll come here any
time I want to.

-I never did like that woman.

-You think she was
really spying on us, Ted?

-Oh, of course not.

She was looking for something.

And I know what.

-What?

-Nothing to do
with your diamond.

So let's get on with the hunt.

Say, I just remembered.

I vacuumed this room
today, and emptied

the trash in the incinerator.

-Incinerator?

Did you burn the things in it?

-Yeah.

But if we don't
find your diamond,

I'll sift the ashes tomorrow.
-That's a good idea.

-Need a fourth?

-Sorry, this is a
three-handed game.

-Why, Johnny, you're
getting unsociable.

What do you wanna sift
the ashes for, pop?

-The diamond.

His.

-I lost the stone out of
my ring the other night.

-Get me Simpson.

Hello, Lou?

This is Webb.

What were the article we
checked on Johnny Strange

when we booked him?

Yeah?

Mm-hm.

Uh-huh.

Was the diamond in it?
Thanks.

-All right, so it was
a gag to get in here

to find a clue on
the Spanish woman.

She owes me a fee, you know.

-What's that?

You mean you didn't
lose a diamond.

-No.

This is a 10 cent store ring
that I took the stone out of.

-Well, doggone it,
you've got a lot of nerve

wasting my time like this.

Now clear out of
here, all of you.

Go on.

-Come on, kids.

What say wants to be alone.

-You get out of here!

All of you!

Wasting my time, and I got
the whole place in my hands.

-Oh, I forgot my hat.
I'll be right back.

-Where'd you come from?

Out of the wallpaper?

-Well, I didn't mean
to scare you, miss.

-It's all right.

I just didn't hear you.

Did you wish to see Mr.
Strange about anything?

-No.

I wanted to see you.

-Me?
Well, what about?

-I got something here, miss.

-I'm afraid there's
been some mistake.

I'm not interested
in these things.

-Oh, quit your fooling.

I seen you put it
in the incinerator.

-Why didn't you hand
them over to the police?

-Oh, I'm a poor man, miss.

And police won't pay nothing
for anything like that.

-And they say it's
the younger generation

we have to worry about.

-What say?

-Nothing.

How much do you want?

-Oh, anything that
you care to give.

Well.

Thank you.

-And remember, not
a word to anyone.

-Oh, don't worry, miss.

Between you and
me, I hated Fitch.

Oh-- howdy.

-What did he want?

-He-- oh.

I left my compact
there last night.

He just brought it to me.

-Oh.

Honest old guy, isn't he?

Plug this in for me, will you?

-Sure.

Oh, how nice.

Music while we work.

Oh.

Going in for home
recordings now?

-No, I picked this up in
Fitch's wastebasket last night.

The inscription caught my eye.
Hey, be careful.

It's cracked.

I had to tape it together.

-Oh.

Ooh, listen to this.

Darling, I mean every word
on this record-- Dodo.

Very sentimental.

I thought dodos were extinct?

-I hope this one isn't.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-It's not a bad voice.

Sounds professional.

-Where have I heard her before?

I know where it was.

I was thrown out of
that joint one night.

[APPLAUSE]

-Hello, Rhoda.

We meet again.

-I don't know you.

-Oh, sure you do.

We met in front of
Tilton's jewelry store

and took a little ride together.

Remember?

-When I meet a man it's inside
Tilton's, not in front of it.

-I see what you mean.

-Then scram.

I don't like strangers
in my dressing room

who don't bring flowers.

-What happened to the
south of the border accent?

And the veil?

-You must be drink.

Now beat it.

I've got to change.

-How long have you known
Anthony Fitch, Rhoda?

-Anthony Fitch?

You've got me mixed up with
some other girl, mister.

-Oh, come now, Rhoda.

I know better.

-All right.

So I did know him.

So I sold him a few juicy
items for his column.

But it was strictly business.

-Strictly business?

(SINGING) Endlessly-- the
way the whole world turns.

Darling, I mean every
word on this record.

Dodo.

-How did you get a
hold of that record?

-Oh, that's a trade secret.

Suppose we have a little
heart-to-heart talk, eh

-OK.

-Well, now, that's better.

So, uh, you sold little
juicy stories to Fitch, eh?

-I did.

Until he wanted to
pay off with love.

That--

-Then you had a
fight with him, eh?

-I don't waste my time
fighting with men.

I just stop the merry-go-round
and push them off.

-And when did you give
Fitch the push-off?

-About a week ago.

-Are you sure it wasn't
the day he was killed?

-No, it wasn't.

Now listen, mister.

I don't know what
you're looking for,

but you're not going
to find it around here.

-Oh, now, there's
no use getting sore.

I never know where
I'm going to find

what I'm looking
for until I look.

Now, in your
dealings with Fitch,

did you ever meet or hear
him mention a Spanish woman?

She was just about your size
and quite a tamale accent.

-Oh, hello, Duke.

-Hello, junior.

How does your head feel?

-Well, it's a little
hard to describe.

I'll give you a sample someday,
you can see for yourself.

Push my hat back, will you?

-Sure.

-Thanks.

What'd you deal yourself
into this for, Duke?

-Because you wouldn't
deal yourself out.

You should have been smart
and left things alone.

-What do you know about Fitch?

I

-Know you didn't do it.

-Oh?
So I was right.

Where's your girlfriends
who sings in your nightclub?

-Hm?

You're way off the beam, junior.

Rhoda didn't do it.

-Well, that sort of elects
you, then, doesn't it?

-It looks like it, doesn't it?

But I didn't rub him out.

-Then how do you
know it wasn't me?

-Because I got there right
after he was plugged.

And that's before you arrived.

-Things are getting
muddier all the time.

-I don't mind clearing
up my end of it.

Rhoda had some business
deals with Fitch.

And that was OK with me.

But when they started mixing
pleasure in with business

I was annoyed.

So I drove out there to tell
them I was annoyed, that's all.

-But somebody beat
you to it, eh?

-Yeah.

Somebody was just
as annoyed as I was.

-Is this level, Duke?

-As a billiard table.

-OK.

That clears your end,
as far as I'm concerned.

If you'll just drop
me anyplace here

I can find my way back to town.

-Sorry, junior.

I can't run the risk of
you stirring up trouble.

-I won't drag you into it.

-You couldn't help yourself.

If the cops got wise
you didn't do it,

they'd put the finger on me.

Oh, I've got a witness
that could clear me.

But at the moment,
if I can help,

I don't want to
use that witness.

-All right, then.

I'll drop the whole
investigation.

-That's what I would say if
I were in your shoes, junior.

Stop at Inspiration
Point, Jerry.

Bring the weight.

-You're pulling a boner, Duke.

I left my secretary at
a table in your club.

If I don't get back, you
know what's going to happen.

-Thanks for the tip, junior.

I'll have one of my
boys take her home.

No more of that, junior.

Get that rope tied, quick.

Hurry up.

-Up with them.

Well, trying a new
method, eh, Duke?

Cut him loose.

-Are you all right, Johnny?

-Yeah, sure.

-Well, Duke, it looks like
you'll be operating the Penguin

Club by remote control
for a long time.

You got a nice case
against him, Johnny.

-You're going off
half-cocked again, Webb.

I haven't got
anything against Duke.

-You mean you're not going
to prefer charges against him

for attempted murder?

-Why should I, when it wasn't?

Duke and I were just settling
a little bet, that's all.

-A bet?
-Yeah.

I bet him $500 I could do
a Houdini off that bluff

and get free in
20 feet of water.

-Yeah.

Sure.

Johnny and I had a little bet.

Johnny's a very smart boy.

-Yeah, I see.

Well, I'll take $100
worth of that bet myself.

Tie him up again
and throw him in.

-Hey, now, wait a minute.

Sorry.

I'm out of the mood.

-That's OK with me.

You win anyway.

-You mean that?

-Sure.

-OK, then.

Pay off.

-All right.

-Thanks, Duke.

Here.

Buy yourself a good cigar.

Come on, Gerry.

-What kind of a--

-Sometimes the things you do
make me mad, Johnny Strange.

If somebody tried to dunk
me with a weight around me--

-I had to cover him
to cover myself.

Obstructing justice, remember?

-But he doesn't know
anything about Fitch.

-What makes you say that?

-I mean, does he?

-Yeah.

By a strange
coincidence, he does.

Seemed like he stopped
in to see Fitch

to give him a lesson
in geometry, and--

-Geometry?

-Yeah.

He wanted to show him how to
remove one angle of a triangle.

But when he got there, the
angle had already been removed.

That was before I made my
entrance with Madame X.

-Did he say who it was
who removed the angle?

-No.

When I popped in and
started asking questions

he decided he better muzzle
me before the cops got

wise to the fact that I didn't
do it and he lands on the spot.

Does that explain my unusual
conduct satisfactorily?

-Very.

And, under the circumstances,
I withdraw my criticism.

-Thank you, beautiful.

And now would you mind
explaining how you happened

to arrive at the crucial moment?

-It was pure luck, Johnny.

While I was waiting for you
to come back to the table

Webb happened to come in.

-Not happened.

He was tailing us,
thank goodness.

-Well, anyway.

When I got worried I asked
him to help me look for you.

We saw the car just as
they drove away with you.

-That's the second time you've
come to my rescue, beautiful.

-I'm afraid of the
third time, Johnny.

Give up the search.

Please?

-Why, beautiful.

That sounds like
you really cared.

I hope.

-Careful, boss.

I think your secretary is
going to ask for a raise.

-Morning, beautiful.

-Mm.

What are you so chippered about?

-I dunno.

Maybe it's love.

What do you think?

-I think you better
have some breakfast.

-No thanks.

I've already eaten.

With Mr. Augustus H. Bailey.

-Fitch's sponsor?
-Yeah.

And this time I think I'm
on the right track at last.

-Find out anything?

-Yes.

That Fitch had an item
in his next broadcast

which he claimed
would really cause

a ripple on the upper crust.

Gerry, I think that item was
the motive for Fitch's murder.

-Uh, did Mr. Bailey
know what the item was?

-No.

He never received a
copy of the script.

So it must still be
in Fitch's study.

-Well, here we go again.

-Oh.

Terribly sorry, sir.

I'm awfully sorry.

Please excuse me, sir.

And I hope that music
didn't bother you.

No script, no notes, no nothing.

Evidently I was on the right
track, but I've been derailed.

-That's too bad, Johnny.

But we better get out of
here before Webb pops in

or old man Boggs catches us.

-We might as well.

I don't know where
else-- to look.

Wait a minute, Gerry.

This carbon paper
has the imprint

of what was typed on it.

Broadcast for May 22nd.

Good evening, radio audience.

This is Anthony
Fitch, who knows all,

sees all, and is
paid to tell it.

So let's get on with
the week's news.

It's rumored that
Congress is gonna

pass-- I don't think
anyone would kill

Fitch for what
Congress is gonna do.

Butter, butter,
who's got the butter?

Not the American
housewives, says-- nah.

It's up, it's down, it's up.

That's the stock market during
the hectic-- enough of that.

This might be it.

And now, for the
scoop of the week.

Hold on to your
hats, you tophatters.

Almost two years ago
dapper Joe Parker,

leader of the infamous Parker
gang of artistic safe-crackers

and bank-busters,
met an untimely--

but, for us, fortunate--
end, when his car crashed

into a tree while being
pursued by the police.

I remember that.

The occasion for this chase was
a bank job on which Parker's

plans had gone astray, and
his companion in the car

was a young woman, a blonde.

That was established,
but no more.

For when the police reached
the scene of the accident,

the woman had disappeared.

-Go ahead.

-And after a few months the
authorities abandoned the hunt.

But not your reporter, who
smelled a sensational story

and stuck grimly to the quest.

As I said before,
hold onto your hats,

you tophatters, for this elusive
blonde, this companion of Joe

Parker's on his fatal ride, is
none other than the socially

prominent-- where's
that other-- Gerry!

-Oh, I'm terribly sorry, Johnny!

I must have dropped ashes on it.

It was terribly clumsy
of me, wasn't it?

-You can say that again.

-Anne!

-Gerry!

-How long have you been here?

-A couple of hours.

The landlady let me in.

-But how did you
know where I live?

-This article about the
inquest gave your address.

Or Geraldine Smith's address.

I recognized your picture
in spite of the dark lashes

you were wearing.

What does it mean, Gerry?

Why have you changed your name,
and where are you working?

-Now, now.

There's nothing to worry
your pretty head about.

-I can't help it, Gerry.

If the police should
ever find out--

-But they won't, honey.

Everything's been covered up.

I even got the radio
script and destroyed it.

-Oh, Gerry.

-Is Tom with you?

-No, he's still in Washington.
-And that's where you oughta be.

You shouldn't be here.

[BUZZ]

Go into my bedroom.

Here, take your things.

JOHNNY: Hey, beautiful.

GERRY: Seems to me I just
left you a few minutes ago.

JOHNNY: Yeah, I know.

But I just thought
of another angle.

I wanted to talk
it over with you.

-No more angles, Johnny.

You promised.
-Just hear what I have to say.

If it doesn't interest
you, we'll skip it.

This won't take long.

Give me a cigarette, will you?

-Sorry, I haven't any.

-Nowhere?

-Nowhere.

-I guess I'll just
have to do without.

Oh, uh-- about that new
angle-- oh, before I start,

I'm not going back
to the office,

and I promised the
building superintendent

I'd give him a
check for the rent.

Will you call him
and tell him I'll

bring it in first
thing in the morning.

-Sure.

Uh, what's the number?

-Oh.

Austin, 6835.

-Austin, 6835.

Thank you.

-What's the matter?

-Number's been changed.

-Yeah, I know.

I called it myself form
the corner drugstore.

They changed in three weeks
before you came to work for me.

-So what?

-So, I'm just trying to
prove something, baby.

That you didn't call the
superintendent from my office,

and also that you don't smoke.

Except in emergencies,
like burning carbon paper.

-You're jumping at
conclusions, Johnny.

-I wish I were, beautiful.

Believe me.

This is the first
time in my life

I've ever prayed I was wrong.

But when it adds up, it adds up.

When you dialed the
superintendent just

now on that phone,
what happened?

You automatically
got the operator,

who gave you the new number.

The same thing would have
happened that day in my office

if you'd called that number.

Ordinarily, I'm not so slow.

But it was that
phone conversation

with the Spanish
dame that threw me.

I couldn't tie you in when
she was in the picture.

But now I get it.

You know I had two phones
and two different lines.

So you used the excuse of
calling the superintendent

on one phone, and really
dialed my other one.

What a perfect frame-up.

You get me in and you get me
out and everybody's happy.

No wonder you were so
willing to obstruct justice.

As you so aptly put it, they
give you more for murder.

Am I still jumping
at conclusions?

-No, Johnny.

-You've played a lot
of parts, haven't you?

Secretary, Spanish dame, and
Joe Parker's blonde girlfriend.

Just out of curiosity,
would you mind telling me--

-My sister was not Joe
Parker's companion.

I was.

-Anne, no.

Don't pay any attention to her.

She's only trying to protect me.

I was with Parker
when he was killed,

and I shot Anthony Fitch
when he found it out.

-You shot him?
But I thought he shot hm.

That's what it
said in the papers.

-You mean you
believed that story?

-Why shouldn't I?

Don't stand there
just looking at me.

What is it, Gerry?

Tell me and let me help you.

We'll get the best
lawyer in the whole--

-It's all right, honey.

It's all right.

I didn't kill Fitch.

I only said that because
I thought you did.

-Me?

-Well I knew how
desperate you were.

And when I read your note
you were going to see him

I rushed over there.

When I found him
dead I naturally

thought you had done it.

-But I never went there.

I changed my mind instead
and flew to Washington

and told Tom the whole story.

-Oh, Anne.

Isn't it wonderful, Johnny?

-No.

I'm completely confused.

How about letting me
hear some of this story?

-Of course, Johnny.

I'm sorry.

Our real name is Travis.

Father's Winton Travis.

-The senator?
-Mm-hm.

And Anne is married to
Thomas Lowe, a congressman.

-Well how did a guy like Joe
Parker get into that picture?

-Oh.

Well, I met him one day
when my car broke down.

He was good-looking
and smooth, and so I

went out with him a few times.

Then one day when he was taking
me to lunch he said he wanted

to stop in the bank
and get a check cashed.

The next thing I knew
the police were chasing

is and I discovered what it was.

-After the crash Anne came to
me and I made her keep quiet.

The scandal would have hurt
father, as well as Tom,

to whom Anne was
engaged at the time.

Well, then, Anthony Fitch
discovered her identity

and threatened to reveal it
unless she paid him $100,000.

-So Fitch's sideline
was blackmail.

Nice guy.

Well, your story's safe now.

Oh, how Webb would have
enjoyed an earful of this.

-I can imagine.

There's a plane for
Washington at 5 o'clock.

If we hurry, you can make it.

Be sure to give my
love to Dad and Tom.

-I will.

Are you sure you'll
be all right here?

-Of course.
-Sure.

We can handle
things on this end--

-Hello.

-Well.

If it isn't the shadow man.

-Sorry, but we're not
having open house today.

-I didn't come to visit.

I just dropped by to
pick up my microphone.

I don't think I'll have any
further use for it here.

Well, you better step
on it, Mrs. Lowe,

or you'll miss that plane.

You'll find a cab out front.

-You're not going to hold her?

-What for?

-But what about my
sister and Mr. Strange?

-Oh, I'll take
good care of them.

You just run along.

-Yes, go on, honey.

Don't worry about us.

-I won't.
Goodbye.

-Bye.

-Thank you, Mr. Webb.

-Oh, not at all.

I'm sorry I can't turn
you and Johnny loose.

But obstructing justice,
that's something else again.

-As many times as I've
used those tin years,

I never thought one of
them would trip me up.

-Well, if it'll make you
feel any better, Johnny,

I didn't need this to prove
that your self-defense yarn was

phony.

-No?

-No.

Coroner's report proved
that Fitch had been dead

more than seven hours
before you showed up,

figuring from the time
on your traffic ticket.

-Why didn't you arrest us then?

-Because I thought you
knew more than you did.

Well, shall we get started?

-Well, wait a minute, Webb.

Give us a break.

Hold off the pinch until
I can crack the case.

-Sorry, Johnny, no can do.

-But look at the spot we're in.

They'll throw the book
at us if we don't come

through with something
to our credit.

-Yeah, they might be a
little rough with you.

Unless you want to use
her sister as a witness.

-No.

No, I can't do that.

Got to keep her out of it.

Witness- witness.

Mr. Bailey?

This is Johnny Strange
or Action Incorporated.

Listen, if I give you a
scoop on the Fitch case,

will you give me Fitch's
time on the air tomorrow?

What's the scoop?

Listen to this.

Johnny Strange
admits obstructing

justice in Fitch killing.

Accuses secretary of murder.

-Good evening,
ladies and gentlemen.

This is your favorite
newspaper, The Daily World,

bringing you a broadcast
by remote control

directly from the home of
the late Anthony Fitch.

Yes, in this very room, Anthony
Fitch was shot to death.

And the purpose
of this broadcast

is to show you how efficiently
our police department operates.

Especially do we wish to
commend Detective Lieutenant

Webb of the homicide detail,
whose brilliant efforts have

played such an important
part in solving

what appeared to
be a perfect crime.

And now I'm going to turn the
microphone over to Mr. Strange,

one of the principles
in this strange case.

No pun intended.

-This is Johnny Strange
of Action Incorporated.

During Lieutenant Webb's
investigation, in which

I am proud to have
played a small part,

the finger of suspicion pointed
at four innocent people,

in addition to myself.

We are going to re-enact four
scenes which will explain

why these people were suspected.

Then give you the
surprise developments

which brought about
my secretary's arrest.

The voices you will hear
are those of the characters

themselves in this
real life story.

-Scene number one
is the Fitch study.

It is night.

Anthony Fitch is still lying
on the floor where he fell.

Lieutenant Webb, who has
picked up a murder weapon,

is talking with Johnny
Strange and his secretary.

Suddenly--

-Ah!

Take your hands off me.

Let me go.

-I caught her sneaking in the
back way, Lieutenant Webb.

-Who are you?

-I'm Mrs. Wilson,
the housekeeper.

And I wasn't sneaking.

It's my day off, and I
was just coming in quietly

so I wouldn't disturb Mr. Fitch.

What are you
policemen doing here?

-Mr. Fitch has been killed.

-Killed?
Who shot him?

-How do you know he was shot?

-Why, I-- I don't know.

It's just the first thing
that came to my mind.

That's all.

-Scene two is the office of
Action Incorporated, next day.

Ms. Smith is alone.

Boggs, the Fitch
gardener, enters.

-Morning, miss.

-Hello, Mr. Boggs.

What can I do for you?

-I've got something
in this bundle

I calculate will be
of interest to you.

Oh-- there-- there you are.

A coat, hat, wig, veil,
and a pair of gloves.

-I'm afraid you're mistaken.

These things aren't mine.

-Quit your fooling, miss.

I seen you put them in the inc--

-Incinerator.

-Oh, the incinerator.

Just before the police come.

-Scene three is the dressing
room of Rhoda Roberts,

featured singer of
the Penguin Club.

Johnny Strange is
talking to her.

-Rhoda, just how well
did you know Fitch?

-Not as well as you think.

I sold him a few juicy
items for his column,

but it was strictly business.

-I picked a broken record
out of his wastebasket.

It was one of yours.

A torch song with
the inscription,

darling, I mean every word
on this record-- Dodo.

Does that sound like
strictly business?

-Now, listen, mister.

I don't know what
you're looking for,

but you won't find
it around here.

-Scene four is the
backseat of a sedan.

Johnny is talking to Duke York,
manager of the Penguin Club.

-What do you know about
Fitch's death, Duke?

-I know that you
didn't shoot him, chum.

-How?

-Well, I was a little
annoyed with the guy,

so I went out to his place
to tell him about it.

When I got there he'd
just been rubbed out.

That was before you came along.

-Are you sure he was dead
before you got there, Duke?

-Listen, junior, I
never plugged him.

And I've got a
witness to prove it.

Though I don't want to use
this witness, if I can help it.

-Well, Ken, what
was your reaction

to what you just heard?

-Well, it sounds mighty
incriminating, Johnny.

In the face of that evidence,
how did you and the police

know that Ms. Smith, your
secretary, was the murderer?

-Well, Ken, get set for that
big surprise I promised you.

We didn't.

-You didn't?

But I thought you told--

-That was only so
Lieutenant Webb

and I could arrange
this gathering.

You see, one of the
suspects here tonight

would be reluctant
to cooperate with us

if he or she didn't believe that
Ms. Smith would be convicted.

-I didn't kill Mr.
Fitch, I swear I didn't.

-Then suppose you tell
me what you were really

doing in this study the night
I caught you behind that drape?

-Mr. Fitch kept a lot
of money hidden in here.

I was trying to find it.
-Money, huh?

But you didn't get it, did you?

-No.
-Because Boggs beat you to it.

Isn't that right?

-Yes.

Yes, I got it.

But-- but I didn't shoot him.

Honest.

I just took the money
after he was dead,

because I didn't want
to see it go to waste.

-Well, that was very
thoughtful of you.

-Let's get out of here, Rhoda.
He's just stabbing in the dark.

-Stick around, Duke.

We haven't finished.

-You can't hang
this on me, Webb.

-I wouldn't be too
sure about that, Duke.

Unless you're willing to name
the witness you told me about.

Still don't want to do it, eh?

Well, I think I
can tell you why.

Because your witness
is also the murderer.

And to clear yourself would
mean convicting the witness.

You see, folks, in
Fitch's business,

he sometimes learned little
secrets that paid off.

So he cashed in
on the opportunity

by starting a sideline.

Blackmail.

Now, he had a
partner in his racket

who collected
necessary little items.

And for a while
everything was fine.

But then Fitch got
greedy and decided

to chisel in on his partner's
money and pay off with love.

-That's enough of the gab.

-I hoped you'd do that, Rhoda.

In fact, I was counting on it.

The old clincher, so to speak.

-Maybe you were counting
on this, smart guy.

-Sure I counted on it.

That's why I had the officer
load the gun with blanks.

-Come on, Duke.
You're going bye-bye.

-Johnny, if you knew she was
the murderer all the time,

why did you go through
all this rigmarole?

-Advertising, beautiful.

For Action Incorporated.

-Advertising?

-Yep.

A million worth of
publicity for nothing.

And now, ladies and gentlemen,
that concludes this broadcast,

brought to you--

-This is Johnny Strange again.

And don't forget, folks.

If you have a problem, bring
it to Action Incorporated.

Where others fail, I get action.

-Correction, please.

Until further notice,
Action Incorporated

is suspending action.

Until a judge has
time to take action

on a little action of
obstructing justice.

This is Lieutenant
Webb, now signing off.