Born to Kill (1947) - full transcript

Well, i know i don't
have to ask you

how it feels to be a free
woman again, mrs. Brent.

Yes, sir. The bonds
of matrimony

can weigh heavily
on one's soul.

I realize that.

Oh, not from my own
experience, mind you.

The little woman and i

have been married
15 years now.

With nary a cross
word, i'll wager.

That's right. Nary a one.

Then your wife's
a very fortunate woman.



Oh, i often tell her that.

Yes, i'm certain you do.
Well, good-bye

and thank you
for everything.

Good-bye.

Boy: gang way! Gang way!

[Boys laugh]

[women laughing]

woman: laury, laury,

what a one you are,
what a one.

Ha ha ha.

Shh. We'd
better be quiet.

They'll hear
us upstairs.

Who cares?

I'll laugh as loud
as i want in my own house.



I'll make as much
noise as i want.

If my roomers want
to move out, let them.

Who cares. Ha ha ha.

[Dog barks]

romeo!
Down, romeo.

Get down.

Aw, he didn't get
you dirty, did he?

No, it's all right.

He loves everybody--
just like laury here.

Oh, listen now.

Mrs. Kraft, i'd
like to pay my bill.

I'm leaving the first
thing in the morning.

Oh, that's right.

This was the big day,
wasn't it?

Have some beer.

I don't think so.

Ooh, why not?

If you're glad
about the divorce,

you ought
to celebrate.

And if you're sad and
want to forget about it,

you ought to celebrate.

So either way,
you ought to celebrate.

Why, here's your bill.

Oh, thank you.
May i use your pen?

I'll give you a check.

Hop to it.

[Shouting] sally!
Some more beer!

Stay for supper,
huh, laury?

Aw, can't.
I got a date.

Who with?
Danny jaden.

That young squirt?

Thought you
had a new one.

I have. Wait till you see him.

Tell about him, laury.
What's he like?

Well, this big
across the shoulders.

He moved my trunk
around the other day

like it was a cracker box.

He's the quiet sort,

and yet you get the feeling
if you stepped out of line,

he'd kick your teeth
down your throat.

Why, ain't
that wonderful?

Sure is.

I never knew
a man like that.

My two husbands
was just turnips.

Most men are.

Isn't that the truth?

If you got a man
like that, laury,

why you
going out with danny?

I'm doing it
to needle the new one.

He knows i'm crazy
about him.

He knows he's got
me all wrapped up.

So i've got
to start him worrying.

It's a bore, but that's
the way you have to handle men.

Ain't she
cold-blooded, though.

I wouldn't say so.

I'd say she was just
being practical.

We're fresh out of beer.

How many times
have i told you--

oh, i've got plenty.

I'll run over
and get some.

No, no.
Please, don't bother.

Are you sure?

I live right
next door.

It'll only
take a minute.

No. Thank you
just the same.

I probably won't
see you again

before i leave,
so good-bye.

Good-bye.

Good-bye, mrs. Brent.

Bye. Oh, and good luck
with the new one.

Thanks.

You know,

you ought to put
on some meat, laury.

You're so skinny

he can't grab a hold
of you anywhere.

I haven't noticed
anybody having any trouble.

You're a one,
laury palmer.

You sure are a one.

Ha ha ha.

Man: you're all
good players tonight.

Get your bets
down early, folks.

I got a hunch
you'll bet a bunch.

No time to
back up now--

it's time
to stack up.

That's 31
in the black.

We pay 31, and
we pay the black.

Let's go, folks.

Keep up that fine
play now.

Leave a little,
take a little.

Come on, dice.
Be good to me, boys.

Craps dealer: 7 odd.
She lost. Next shooter.

5 dollars.

Man: thank you.

Craps dealer: coming
out, here it comes.

The shooter
and a good one.

What will he do?
Win or lose.

Make your bets.

You bet dice do
or don't pass.

Coming out again.

Here it comes,
coming out.

Make your bets.

Bet dice win or lose.

Here they come,
coming out.

8 is your point.
Make 8. 8 will win.

What will come?
Feel a big 6 or big 8?

8 the winner.
Pay the line.

Make your bets.

Bet dice,
do or don't pass.

Coming out again,
same shooter.

Here it comes,
win or lose.

Here they come,
coming out.

You bet dice
do or don't pass.

Coming out again
same good shooter.

Here it comes,
coming out.

You bet dice
win or lose.

What will it come?
6, 8, feel it come.

Coming out,
here they come.

4 is your point, make 4.

4 will win.
Will it come, will it fail?

Make 4.

4 the winner.
Pay the line.

Coming out again,

the same shooter
and a good one.

Here it comes, coming out.

Laury: hi, mrs. Brent.

Good evening.

Cleaning them out?

Not exactly.

Danny and
i lost our shirt.

Oh, this is
danny jaden, mrs. Brent.

How do you do?

Oh, hi.

Well, danny,
shall we run along

and try our luck
someplace else?

Sure, baby.
The night's young.

Hey, glad i met
you, mrs. Brent.

Thank you.

Good-bye, mrs. Brent.

Bye.

Craps dealer:
coming out again,

same shooter
and a good one.

What will he do?
Win or lose.

8 is your point,
make 8. 8 will win...

come on in.

Let's have a nightcap.

Baby, you got
yourself a boy.

[Romeo barking]

[barking]

hello, romeo.
Hello, sweets.

You know where
everything is, danny.

Go ahead and
fix the drinks.

I'll be with
you in a minute.

Ok, baby.

[Swing music playing]

[danny whistling melody]

oh, hello.

Get out.

Aw, come on, now, mac.

Look, let's talk this out

over a couple of drinks.
What do you say?

I say get out.

Kind of abrupt,
ain't you?

I came in
for a drink,

and i'm
going to have it.

You heard me,
didn't you?

Look, mac, i'm here.

Now, you can come back
some other time.

Besides, what are you

getting so
stand up about?

She ain't
no queen of sheba.

Sheba or no sheba,

there's no man big enough
to cut me out.

Maybe so.

And maybe not.

[Danny groans]

laury: my heavens,
what are you doing, danny?

Sounds like you're
tearing the house apart.

The racket
you're making, you're...

danny.

Danny.

Oh, sam.

[Screams]

[romeo barking]

[blows being struck]

[barking stops]

[barking]

well, down, down, down.

No. Well,

aren't you out late
tonight, romeo? Yeah.

You ought to be home,
you little tramp.

Come on.

[Romeo whines]

oh, no. You'll get
right out again.

Inside's for you.

[Romeo whining]

hello, information.

What's the number of
the railroad station?

Thank you.

Where you been?

Out.

No.

Who with?
The palmer dame?

If we're going to
carry on a conversation,

it'd help for you to talk.

The palmer dame's dead.

Why did you do it, sam?

I had to. She caught
me with him.

Him?

That kid...

for making
a monkey out of me.

Well, i wouldn't have
killed her, too, i guess,

but she walked in
and saw the kid lying there.

I've been scared

something like this
would happen,

the way you
go off your head.

And it's been
worse lately,

ever since that nervous
crack-up last summer.

Honest, sam.

You go nuts
about nothing.

Nothing at all.

You got
to watch that.

You just can't go
around killing people

whenever the notion
strikes you.

It's not feasible.

Why isn't it?
All right, sam.

All right, it is.

He was cutting in on me.

With her?

That was a big
worry, i'll bet.

It's not that.

It's just that
i never let anybody

cut in on me
on anything.

I can have anything
i want, mart,

anything at all
if i put my mind to it.

Sure, sam, sure.

And when i want it,
i take it, and nobody cuts in.

Of course, sam.

Why, he must
have been crazy

thinking he stood
a chance with a dame

after she got
a load of you.

Anyone spot you there?

Not that i know of.

Anyone ever see
you with her?

How do i know? I don't watch
everybody that looks at me.

Take it easy,
will you, sam.

I'm trying to help
you, that's all.

There's a train out
of here in an hour

for san francisco.

You'll be on it.

Are you coming?

No. I'll stick here
till this dies down.

I'll check what leads
they've got,

see if anybody
saw you and who they are.

You get out. Call me
when you're set.

Need any dough?

No.

Buy your ticket after
you get on the train,

not in the station.

And sam,
in the meantime,

no dames, understand?

I've got a dame on
my mind, and she's dead.

And that's plenty for me.

[Train approaching]

[train stops]

i'll take
those for you.

Oh. Well, that's
very kind of you.

What's the number
of your pullman?

I haven't one.
They were all sold out.

Oh, that's too bad.

Have you got
a ticket?

Yes.

Well, good.
Let's go.

What car, sir?

This is it.

Well, there must
be some mistake.

There's no room
in this one.

Well, don't
worry about it.

Which way's
the club car?

It's the next car,
but it's closed, sir.

Well, right now
it's opening again.

Well, now at least
we won't get thrown off

till the next stop.

Oh, don't worry.

Nobody's going
to throw us off.

What an assured man.

You got to know what
you want in life,

be sure you're
going to get it,

and you can't miss.

I found that out early.

Most people don't know

what they want out of
life in the first place.

I'd bet you do.

Do i?

Yes.

Yes, i do.

Exactly.

Don't you?

I know what i want
when i see it.

Smoke?
No, thank you.

I saw you once
before this evening.

Remember?

Yes.

You didn't
play long.

No.

I don't like
gambling very much.

I don't like being
at the mercy

of those
little white squares

that roll around on the side
whether you win or lose.

I like to have
the say so myself.

You're not
a turnip, are you?

A turnip?

Yes, we were saying

the other day
in mrs. Kraft's,

where i roomed,
and laury palmer,

a friend of hers, said,
"most men are turnips."

Oh.

You may have noticed
ms. Palmer.

She was the woman
who spoke to me

at the dice table
this evening.

Yes, i believe
i did notice her.

Anyhow, you're not.

Not what?

A turnip.

Oh.

Do you like that?

Yes.

I like that
very much.

Do you live
in san francisco?

Yes.

Good.

Why good?

Because that's where i'm
going to be for some time.

[Foghorn blowing]

well, when am i going
to see you again?

Uh, let me call you

when i get
straightened around.

I don't know where
i'm going to be.

Better give me your number.

Well, you'll be staying
at a hotel, won't you?

Look, if you don't want
to see me again, just say so.

If i didn't want to,
i'd tell you.

That's what i thought.

Why don't you stay
at the terrace hotel?

I'm sure you can get
a room there,

and it's a nice,
quiet place.

You like it?

Yes.

Then it's the terrace.

Somebody meeting you
when we get off the ferry?

No. I'm going
to pick up a cab.

Oh, swell.
We'll share one.

I'm afraid not.

We go in different
directions.

That's where you're wrong.

We're going in the same
direction, you and i.

Man: here's your
laundry, mrs. Perth.

Ok.

My, that coffee smells good.

Ain't it funny coffee never
tastes as good as it smells?

As you grow older,

you'll discover
that life

is very much
like coffee.

The aroma is
always better

than the actuality.

May that be your
thought for the day.

Yeah, sure.

[Telephone ringing]

telephone.

Hello?

Mr. Arnett.

Who's calling?

No, he's not here.

I don't know
when he'll be back.

[Hangs up]

a debtor, i take it.

Yep, and
speaking of debts,

you ain't paid your
share of the phone

for 3 months,
arnett.

Et tu, brutus?

I ain't talking
about what you 'et.

That's on the house.

But i want $8.55
for the phone.

I find that would leave me
embarrassingly short.

Now look--
but...

i have a prospective client,

the one that called
here on tuesday.

I'm meeting her in
exactly 3 minutes,

and i shall exact
a sizeable retainer.

Have no fear.

What does
this one want?

Is her husband

stepping out
on her or what?

Murder.

Mrs. Kraft?

Obviously.
Who did you expect?

Ha ha. Quite so.

It distresses me

that we must
meet here,

but they are
redecorating my suite,

and i simply
cannot tolerate

the smell of paint.

Well, all i hope is
you're a good detective.

Well, didn't someone
refer you to me?

No. Your name just came first
in the classified phone book.

Oh. Ha.

Well, i've been
in this business

some 20 years.

Being still alive,
the deduction is

i've not starved
at my trade.

That beer.

Does it every time.

Well, mrs. Kraft,
how can i serve you?

You can serve me by finding
the rat who killed poor laury.

She had the best time
of anybody i ever knew,

that laury palmer.

Why, just hearing her
tell about her doings

was all the fun
i had left in life.

So now whoever did her in
is going to get his.

I'll see to that.

You realize
of course, mrs. Kraft,

that this will be

a particularly
difficult case.

I will have had
no opportunity

to inspect the scene
of the crime

or the evidence.

I have none of
the advantages

enjoyed by the police.

I know all that.

So under these
circumstances,

i cannot promise you
anything but effort.

That is,
if i'm retained.

You're retained.
So hop to it.

Uh... first,

there is a slight
monetary transaction.

How much?

$500 should retain
me very nicely.

$500.

You think
i'm a millionaire?

Laury palmer
left you her house

and quite a nice
bit of money.

How do you know?

I'm a detective,
remember.

[Door bell rings]

man: well, then, what do
you say about the 52 club?

Brent: you remember

the new year's eve
we spent there?

I certainly do.

You had order after
order of crepe suzette.

That was my new
year's resolution.

I was going to have
my fill for once

of crepe suzette.

The poor little nanny

almost burned the bottom
out of the chafing dish.

[Laughter]

a gentleman
to see you, mrs. Brent.

A mr. Wild.

Oh, ask him
to come in, please.

Hello.

Hello there.

I, uh, didn't expect you.

Oh, i was at loose ends.
Thought i'd drop by.

How very nice.

This is my sister,
georgia staples.

Sam wild.

How do you do?

How do you do?

And fred grover,
my fiancé.

Fred: hello.

Hi.

Mr. Wild and i

came down from reno
on the same train.

Won't you sit down?

Well, no, thanks.

I see you're
going out.

There's
no hurry.

Except that i'm so hungry
i can hardly stagger around.

No matter what's going on,
fred has to eat.

You now, i think that
indicates

the deterioration of
the moral fiber or something.

Perhaps it's
a compensatory thing.

You know, lack of
emotional satisfaction.

Well, i guess
i'll be running along.

Nice to have met you.

Well, why don't you
ask mr. Wild

to come with us, helen.

Well, thanks.

I don't want to
barge in on a party.

Oh, it's no party.
It's just the 3 of us.

As a matter of fact,

i'm the, quote,
extra woman, unquote,

and you'd be saving me
from that hideous fate.

Mr. Wild undoubtedly

has other things
to do, georgia.

Why, no.

Strangely enough,
i haven't.

Fred: well, then, let's go.
Get your paraphernalia, girls.

Well, helen, you just
missed a thing in reno.

Quite a horrible murder.

Fred: that must have been close
to where you were staying.

Have they any
idea who did it?

Georgia: no. No, not yet.

Ohh, it's a gruesome picture.

That's what sells
papers, georgia.

Now, go on and
get your things

and you can lap up
the juicy details

when you get home.

I wonder why women are
so fascinated by murder?

Much more so than men.

You ever notice?

No, i haven't.

That murder
just happened

the night
before you left.

Didn't you hear
anything about it?

No. I left early
the next morning.

Were both their pictures
in the paper?

Yes. She was quite
a good-looking--

how did you know there
were two people murdered?

Nobody said so and you didn't
even look at the paper.

I, uh, well, i...

georgia, as
a matter of fact,

i discovered
the bodies.

You what?

And i'd rather you
wouldn't mention it.

But how did you--
didn't you scream?

Wh-why didn't
you call the police?

Namely on
account of fred.

You know how
he loathes anything

bordering on
sensationalism

and getting involved
with a thing like that

is sure to be messy.

Besides, it's
a lot of bother--

coroner's inquest and
all that sort of stuff.

Well, that seems a rather
self-centered way

of looking at it somehow.

I don't think so.

If i had any
information,

it would be different,

but i couldn't tell
them anything, could i?

Well, maybe you're right.

Of course i'm right.

[Orchestra playing]

fred: will you
take care of this?

Certainly, mr. Grover.
Right away.

Thank you, pierre.

I ordered something
special for you

to celebrate your return.

Wonderful.

Georgia: oh, this is
my very favorite piece.

Come on, fred.
Let's dance.

You don't mind,
do you, helen?

I certainly do.

But go ahead.

Thank you, my sweet.

Why him?

Well, that's
a weird question.

I want to know.
I don't get it.

Doesn't it occur to you that
i might be in love with fred?

He's no guy you'd
be in love with.

Have it your way.

Like to dance?

No, thanks.

Afraid?

Afraid? Of what?

Oh, that you might
change your mind

about marrying him.

Nothing in the world
could induce me

to change my mind
about marrying fred.

Oh, then
why don't you do it?

What are you
waiting for?

Fred's mother died recently.

Naturally, he wants
to wait a few months.

I think i could
change your mind

about this
marriage deal

if i decided to.

Oh, what's so funny?

You wanted to
see me again.

Let's not confuse the issue.

Seeing you again

had nothing whatsoever
to do with fred and me.

Oh, i see.

You'll cross the tracks
on tuesdays and may day

with a basket of goodies
for the poor slum kid.

But back you
scoot and fast

to your own high-toned

neck of the woods,
don't you?

I wouldn't say that.

No, you
wouldn't say it,

but that's
the way it is.

Fred: too much of
a crowd for me.

Well, fred, old boy.
When i'm your age,

i don't suppose i'll be
able to take it either.

Helen, may i borrow your
mirror for a minute?

Yes, help yourself.

Here's your
wedding ring.

Aren't you always
supposed

to throw it
over the fence

or down a drain
or something

as soon as you get
your divorce?

Well, i would
if i were you, darling.

But me, i've got
to think of the diamonds.

I can always hock them.

Oh, helen.
That's silly.

I've told you before

that i don't even want you
to think about money.

Isn't it marvelous
to be a poor relation

and have people
insist upon pressing

great wads of gold
into your hot, little fists?

Say, aren't
you two sisters?

Yes.

You mean why am i
the poor relation?

See, we're really
foster sisters.

All right, if you must
split hairs about it.

But we are, darling.

Georgia's father
was the tycoon.

He founded the town's
biggest newspaper.

Naturally, when he died,
he left everything to georgia.

You've no idea
how this bother about

"money, money, money,

who's got the money?"
Bores me.

Will you dance
with me, sam?

Why, certainly.

Cigarette, darling?

Oh, yes. Thank you.

This guy your sister's
marrying,

this grover,
he's rich, isn't he?

Very.

He's the grover
steel company. Why?

Oh, just curious.

I think that's the
way it ought to be.

Somebody with money

marrying somebody
who hasn't got any.

Sort of evens
things up.

You've never been
married, have you?

No.

Why not?

Well, i don't know, i...

you've had
plenty of offers.

Well, i...

what makes you think
i've been besieged with offers.

Oh, that's simple.

You've got just
about everything

a man would want
in a wife.

You're young,
warm, pretty.

You could really
love a man.

I, uh... sorry.

Why are you so nervous?

You've heard
all this before.

Why, i'm not nervous.

Well, as a matter
of fact,

it's--it's a little bit
disconcerting

to have someone
you scarcely know be--

well, be quite so frank.

Why? Is it wrong

to come out with
what's in your head?

No. No, it's
not wrong. It's...

it's just that i'm not
used to it, that's all.

Oh, we'll have
to change all that

'cause there's
a lot more in my head

i want to tell you.

Hi.

Would you call
my face pretty?

Did he?

Who?

Don't be coy.

He's a very
attractive guy, isn't he?

And different, too.

You know, i--i've never met
anyone like him before.

When are you
seeing him again?

Lunch tomorrow.

What does he do?
Do you know?

No.

Well, what did
you talk about

all the way down
on the train?

Oh, my divorce, reno.

Helen, was it awful
those 6 weeks?

Nothing
what you'd call

an enriching
experience.

Well, at least it was
some kind of an experience.

I never seem
to have any kind.

I think, darling, you're
just about to have one.

[Telephone rings]

hello.

Yeah, go ahead.

Mart: hello.

Hello, mart. Sam.

What's doing?

It's quieted down.

Good.

The worst is over.

Sure, i knew it would be ok.
I wasn't worried.

Where are
you at?

Terrace hotel.

Everything
all right?

Yeah. I got news
for you, mart.

I'm getting married.

Hey, sam,
quit kidding.

I'm not kidding.
I mean it.

When you going
to do it?

I don't know when.

I just decided.

Who's the gal?

Georgia staples.
She's an orphan.

Her old man died
and left her

san francisco's
biggest newspaper.

Sounds like
the big league.

Sure it's the big league.

Isn't it about time
i was up there?

Yeah. We'll not only be
rolling in dough,

but marrying into this crowd
will fix it so i can--

so i can spit
in anybody's eye.

Now, hurry it up
and get down here

because i don't know how long
i'll be able to hold her off.

I'll be there in
a couple of days.

Ok, boy.
I'll be seeing you.

Hey, taxi.

Take me to
4106 calvert street.

Yes, sir.

[Engine starts]

hello.

Hi.

May i ask what's
going on here?

Some sort of
celebration?

A wedding. Georgia staples
is getting married.

Is that right?

Who's she
marrying?

I don't know.

Some lucky stiff.

Ha ha.

Yep.

[The wedding march
playing]

how do you do, madame?

I thought perhaps
you'd have some use

for an accomplished
dishwasher

or a peerless dish-dryer.

No.

Or a garbage disposer,
perhaps.

You see, madam,
i may not show it,

but food and i
have been strangers

since the day
before yesterday.

Well, come in. Can't
turn a hungry man away

from a wedding feast.

Thank you.

This stuff's no good
for a hungry man.

How about a turkey leg?

Oh, anything will do,
anything.

Thank you so much.

Isn't that mr. Wild
the cutest thing?

Mm-hmm. His eyes get me.

They run up and down you
like a searchlight.

Yeah.

Clergyman: "those whom
god has joined together,

"let no man put asunder.

"For as much as samuel
and georgia

"have consented together
in holy wedlock

"and have witnessed the same
before god and this company,

"and thereto have given
and pledged their troth

"each to the other and have
declared the same

"by giving
and receiving a ring

"and by joining hands,

i pronounce that
they are man and wife."

I hope you both
will be very, very happy.

Thank you, father.

Thank you.

Fred: congratulations, sam.

Helen: georgia.

I hope you'll
be very happy.

Thank you, darling.

Mrs. Wild.

Congratulations.

Thanks a lot.

Hello, sister.

Congratulations,
sam.

Man: what a lucky guy.

Thanks.

Congratulations, sam.

Man: congratulations.

Sam: thanks, mart.

Fred: tired?

Yes.

Helen.

You didn't seem to
like it very much.

What?

Their getting
married.

No, naturally.

Did it show?

To me.

Sam's not in georgia's
class, you know that.

It was concern
for georgia?

Well, certainly.

Then why did you let
the wedding go through?

You could have
stopped it weeks ago.

How could anyone stop
a woman from marrying sam?

Is he actually so
attractive to women?

Is he, helen?

Oh, really, fred.

You pick the most hideous
times to badger me.

I--i'm tired.

I've had to handle
this whole thing,

and i'm upset
about georgia.

I'm sorry, my sweet.

I didn't realize
i was badgering you.

Well, i've come
to say good-bye.

Nice of you.

So sad good-byes,
don't you think?

Saying good-bye
to you is.

Smooth. Simply smooth.

You don't believe
i mean that, do you?

With bells on.

Do you mind?

No, go ahead.
I don't drink much.

I don't need it.

That's where
we're different.

Everybody's different

from everybody else
in some ways.

Hah. You fancy yourself

an intelligent man,
don't you?

I don't like that remark.

Of course,
if you don't like it,

i mustn't say it.

I think you've had
too much to drink.

You know what i think?

I think you've got

a secret of some kind,
haven't you?

Well, haven't you?

Why does your
face go tight

all of the sudden
sometimes?

And what about
this friend of yours,

this--this pug ugly

you've brought
to the house?

Anything else
you'd like to know?

Yes.

Why do you stay
away from me?

You haven't said
two words to me

since you
first came here.

"Vanity of vanities.
All is vanity."

Stop that phony
intellectual patter,

you climbing faker.

Sorry. That was
a rotten thing to say.

No, you're right.

I'm nobody much.

But i'll make myself
a lot more than i am.

I can do it, too.

You don't think
i can, do you?

I haven't given it
a thought.

You know, sam, the way
you kissed georgia

after the ceremony
was very convincing.

You were the
perfect picture

of the ardent,
young husband

faithful unto death.

Why shouldn't i be?

Don't you realize
my wife's very attractive.

I know you realize
you're very attractive.

Oh, now, that was
a fine thing to say.

I bet you can't even
remember all the women

who have been mad
about you, can you?

Can you remember
all your men?

Leave me out of this.

Ok.

Just one more thing.

Georgia's my sister,

and i love
her very much.

After all
she's done for you,

you'd be crazy
if you didn't.

You don't know
anything, do you?

You're talking
about her money,

and i hate her
for her money.

Every time
she pays a bill,

every time i see
something i don't own

i'm only borrowing,

i hate her
for her money.

That's nice of me,
isn't it,

after all she's given me
without even thinking.

I know how you feel.

There's more to it
than that.

Her money
has made her something

that i'll never be.

She's completely
innocent.

She has a perfect faith

that if she asked
someone a question

they'll--they'll give
her the right answer.

Anyhow, i love georgia.
And if you do anything

to hurt her,
i'm your enemy.

And i make
a very bad enemy, too.

Good-bye...

sister.

Woman: mrs. Brent.

Yes, grace,
what is it?

There's a man
in the kitchen

asking an awful lot of
questions about mr. Wild.

I thought you'd
better see him.

Thank you.

About how long has mr. Wild
been courting miss staples?

I don't know.
A few weeks.

My, how quickly love flowers
in the hearts of the young.

Woman: well, they're
getting ready to leave.

Honest, that mr. Wild,

he just makes me water
at the kneecaps.

Well, obviously,

mr. Wild is a gentlemen
the ladies take to.

Yeah.

I won't waste
your time or mine

by letting you lie
about who you are.

Would you give me
your wallet, please?

Perhaps this might be
all less painful

if we discuss it
in private.

Grace, would you mind

waiting in the pantry
with the others?

It'll only take
a few minutes.

Cook: he said
he was hungry.

A detective.

Or operative, as we
euphemistically call it.

I'm not interested

in your professional
drolleries, mr. Arnett.

I want to know
why you're here

asking questions
about mr. Wild

and who your client is.

Naturally, i cannot reveal
the name of my client.

Your ethics
touch me deeply.

Noblesse oblige.

I see that i shall have
to call the police.

That would be
extremely unwise.

It might involve mr. Wild
even more seriously

in an already
very serious matter.

Good day.

I hope mr. And mrs. Wild

will have a most
enjoyable honeymoon.

Grace.

Show this man out
at once, please.

Oh, and grace,

you didn't
tell him anything

about mr. Wild
just by accident?

For instance,
you didn't tell him

about the visitors
mr. Wild's had?

Grace: but mr. Wild
hasn't had any visitors

except the gentleman who
arrived for the wedding today.

Georgia: helen,
we've been looking for you.

Maggie macy just told me that
you're moving in with her.

What in the name of heaven
made you dream that up?

Well, i thought
you should have

your house
to yourself.

Oh, darling,
that's silly.

You'll be leaving anyway

as soon as you
and fred get married

and that won't be long.

Maybe she doesn't
like me.

Why, sam,
i adore you.

Of course
i'll stay.

Have a wonderful
trip, georgie.

Thank you, darling.

Woman: georgia dear.

Yes.

It was a silly
idea moving out.

Good-bye,
brother.

Good-bye.

Come on, darling.

Woman: better
hurry, you two.

Man: yeah, you'll
miss your train.

Come on, everyone.
They're leaving.

He's gone now, that man.

I hope his coming didn't
upset you, mrs. Brent.

Upset me? Why, no.

His coming here made
me feel wonderful,

with the keys
to the city

right in my hand.

Second man: good-bye.
Drop us a line, will you?

We'll be thinking of you.

[Piano playing]

why did you call me?

I was downtown
shopping,

and i thought
it'd be nice

to have a cocktail
with you.

When sam introduced us,
you made it very clear

that my being in your house
was strictly sam's idea

and strictly a bad one.

I know. I was rude.

I was wondering
if you'd forgive me

and forget about it.

It's all right.
Forget it.

I thought
we'd have a line

from georgia and sam
by now, but no.

I don't know about georgia,
but sam's no letter writer.

You've known him a long
time, haven't you?

Yeah.

Yeah, sam and i lived
together for 5 years now.

How did it happen
you didn't come

to san francisco
and sam did?

I had some business
to take care of--

wait a minute.

Seems to me we're doing a lot
of question and answer stuff.

Oh, i'm sorry.
I didn't mean to pry.

Really not.

Drink up.
Let's have another shot.

Good. I must
warn you, though,

liquor makes me nosy.

I've been known to ask

all sorts of
personal questions

after 4 cocktails.

It's all right.

I've been known to tell people
to mind their own business.

Cold sober, too.

Grace.

[Door opening]

hello, fred.
Hello.

I didn't expect you tonight.

What is all
this, helen?

All what?

About mart waterman
moving in.

When i called,
grace said

that you'd just
phoned from downtown

and asked her to get
a room ready for him.

Yes. I've invited
mart to stay here.

What on earth
made you do that?

Well, he's sam's
closest friend,

and i thought it was
silly for him

to stay at a hotel

when we have
so many empty rooms.

I don't know why

it didn't occur
to me days ago.

I don't like
the idea at all, helen.

Having this man
in the house with you--

but, fred,
grace is here.

That's not the point.

Oh, don't be
stuffy, darling.

At the risk of seeming
completely mid-victorian,

i want you to ask him
not to come.

But how can
i do that now?

Invent some excuse or other.
It's not difficult.

But it is, darling.

I just can't do
things like that.

You mean you won't.

Oh, fred, really,

i don't see why
you should...

[indistinct voices]

that sounds like
georgia and sam.

So soon?

They weren't
coming back

for another
week.

Going to work is fine,
but what you want to do is--

all right, let's
skip it then.

Sam, it's such a silly--

i said skip it,
and i meant skip it.

Hello, sam.
Hello, darling.

Have a good trip?

Yes. Wonderful.

Yes, until i
spoiled it

with my
crazy notion.

Sam wants
to run the paper.

Darling, if you'd had

any business
experience at all,

but you've been
a fighter

and managed
a cattle ranch or two.

How could you know
anything

about running
a newspaper?

I told sam that if
he'd only take a job

in the office
to start with

until he learned
the business.

Look at it
this way, sam,

you wouldn't
suddenly--

i think this is something
georgia and i can settle

without anybody else
butting in.

Sam, fred's part
of the family.

He has a right to
"butt in," as you call it.

All right, so
he doesn't like it.

Only because it doesn't
make sense, sam.

Does it to you, helen?

No, it doesn't.

I'm sorry
i made a scene.

Oh, now.

It's just that i...

i can't stand
fighting with sam.

Easy does it, georgia.

It won't seem nearly so
tragic in the morning, dear.

I know. I--
i suppose it won't.

Good night.

'Night

'night.

Well, i'll call
you tomorrow.

Fred.

You're angry with me.

No.

Sure not?

Yes.

You do see that i can't
cancel that invitation,

don't you, darling?

Yes.

Well, aren't you going
to kiss me good night?

Good night, helen.

[Whispering]
helen?

Helen?

Why were you
against me tonight?

You don't know
what i have in me.

You don't know
what i can do.

I can run that paper

and better than most
if i had a chance.

I believe you could.

Then why were
you against me?

Because
fred was.

And you love
fred desperately.

I love fred.

You love fred.

Why this sudden passion
to run the paper?

I'd be on top.

I could make people
or break them.

I could do that.

Do you understand?

Yes, i think i do.

Sure you do...

'cause your roots
are down where mine are.

I knew that the first
time i saw you.

Soulmates, huh?

Stop laughing.

Well, for a man

who's just returned
from his honeymoon

with an attractive wife,
you're very ardent.

What's the matter with you?

You know how i feel
about georgia.

Do i?

Unless you're a fool.

She means no more to me
than fred does to you.

Very interesting.

Now i must get this
milk up to georgia.

He means nothing
to you. Say it.

He does, though.

What? What, helen?

Fred is peace
and security.

It's his money, then.

Yes, partly.

All my life i've lived
on other peoples' money.

Now i want
some of my own.

But there's another
kind of security

that fred
can give me.

Without him,

i'm afraid of
the things i'll do.

Afraid of what
i might become.

Fred is goodness
and safety.

Then what am i?

You?

You're strength,

excitement,
and depravity.

There's a kind
of corruptness

inside of you, sam.

That would drive
most women off

if they understood
like you do.

Yes.
But not you.

You have guts.

Georgia told me how
you found those two in reno.

You had guts then.
You didn't yell or faint.

No.

And it wasn't only
finding them dead.

It was the way
they were dead.

The kid jammed
in the doorway,

the palmer dame lying
there under the sink.

Blood on her hair.

Blood all over the place,
and you didn't yell.

No, i didn't.

Helen.

Mart: oh,
there you are.

What are you doing here?

I brought
my stuff over.

I'm moving in.

Whose idea was that?

Helen suggested it.

Good night.

You sure picked

a fine time
to bust in.

I need a drink.

Woman: operator.

Hello. I want to speak

to albert arnett
in reno, please.

Reno, nevada?

Yes.

What's his number?

22766.

Who's calling?

I'm mrs. Brent.

[Indistinct]

thank you.

Look, sam, you got
a good-looking wife

with all the dough

that's not
locked up in the mint.

Why don't you play it
close to your vest?

Meaning what?

Leave helen alone.

Why?

I just told you.

Not that i blame you,
of course.

Helen's a creamy dish,
but she's going to get--

if i ever catch you

so much as
looking at helen,

i'll tear
your throat out.

Oh, sam.

Never mind
the "oh, sam."

Just remember
what i told you.

[Telephone ringing]

[operator indistinct]

no. No, i don't want to talk
to anyone else in reno.

Just find out where
mr. Arnett can be reached

in san francisco, please.

[Telephone hangs up]

what's wrong?

Helen. She just
phoned a guy in reno.

Reno?

I don't get her.

I don't get her at all.

Maybe i was a fool,
but i would have sworn--

what?

Maybe not.

Maybe she is against me.

I don't know.

She puts herself in my arms
and tries to trap me.

And she feels and digs
and looks inside of me.

Sam. Sam,
take it easy.

We'll work it
out somehow.

Just take it easy.

"Where every
prospect pleases

and only man is vile."

That quotation
occurs to me quite often

in my profession.

Mr. Arnett, i've been
very curious to know

what progress you've made
since i last saw you.

I've done rather well.

How well?

My investigation
concerning mr. Wild

is almost complete.

And, uh, when you fill
in what's missing...

i shall turn everything
over to my client,

who i believe will
inform the police.

Naturally,
i'm deeply interested.

After all, it does concern
my brother-in-law.

So it does.

And it would be very
trying for all of us

if he were linked up
with anything like...

like murder.

Unfortunately, mr. Wild is
already linked up with it.

In fact, i would go
so far as to say

that not only is he
linked up with it,

but he's the chief
performer in this case.

I presume that so far
your client knows nothing.

Your presumption is correct.

Uh...

mr. Arnett, i--

it's quite all right,
mrs. Brent.

I am a man of integrity,

but i'm always willing to listen
to an interesting offer.

Well, i'm prepared
to pay handsomely.

Good. Obstructing
the wheels of justice

is a costly affair.

$5,000 should do it.

$15,000 should do it.

I think you're basing
your demands

on false premises,
mr. Arnett.

I am not a rich woman.

I know that.

But your sister is
very rich.

So is mr. Grover,
whom you're planning to marry.

7,000.

15.

I doubt very much if
i can manage to get it.

In that case, i shall have
to forge ahead with my inquiry.

And may i remind you

that nevada courts have
rather puritanical views.

Why, some of our more
impassioned juries even insist

that a man who commits murder
pay with his life.

You know, mrs. Brent,
i'm a simple man,

and i'm somewhat confused

about your motive in
protecting mr. Wild.

He's my sister's
husband.

I should think

it would be
quite obvious.

But he was your
sister's husband

when i came to
your house that first day,

and you had no intention
of protecting him then.

In fact, you went
out of your way

to supply me with information
which might assist me.

Of course, mr. Wild is
a most attractive man.

And i suppose even
a sister-in-law

of sufficient
acquaintance

might succumb to his charms.

Good night.

Good night.

Has it occurred to you

neither of us looks
like a scoundrel, do we?

Sam: where
have you been?

That's my affair.

Where have you been?

Seeing a man called
albert arnett.

He's a detective.

Seeing him
about what?

He has a client who thinks
you committed a murder in reno.

I told him
that was fantastic.

I knew you hadn't
committed any murder.

How did you
find out about him?

He was here the day
of your wedding.

It occurred to me tonight
it might be rather awkward

if he went around spying
and asking questions,

even if the whole thing
is ridiculous,

so i decided
to put a stop to it.

That isn't
why you went.

I tell you it is.

You're lying.

Take it easy, sam.
I don't think she is.

Whose side are
you on anyway?

Oh, sam.

You certainly
make it tough

for people who are
on your side.

What did she say that
detective's name was?

Arnett.

Mrs. Kraft, please.

618.

Thank you.

Kraft: deal.

Gotta add up.
Why?

Find out who won.

I won.
Who says?

Don't argue!

You won.

[Humming]

how's the search
coming along?

That's what i'm
going to find out

from mr. Arnett.

Shut that, will you?

The cold's eating
into my bones.

Pleasure,
pleasure, pleasure.

Well, ha ha.
You ever get around

to playing cards
with virginia?

Virginia?
I thought so.

You're no casanova
with women.

Those were all lies
you fed me.

You're a poor
substitute for laury,

let me tell you.

Are you calling me a liar?

Yes. You're
a liar, all right.

And you are a cheat.

[Nervous laugh] what
makes you say that?

Can i help you?

Yes.

Well, well.

The 10 of diamonds
we were looking for.

Why, sure enough.
Yes.

[Knocking on door]

see who it is.

Yeah.

Oh, it's you.
That's all.

Take you on
again tomorrow.

And i'll beat you
again, too. Ha ha.

Yeah, in a pig's eye.

Quite a delightful
surprise

you coming
to san francisco,

but a needless trip,
if i may say so.

May i help you?

I've got nothing
to keep me in reno,

and i wanted
to be on the spot

when you caught
the skunk

that killed
poor laury.

Now, mrs. Kraft.
I didn't say he was here.

What made
you come here then?

Look, a certain
young man came here.

And this young man
i remember seeing

outside mrs. Palmer's house,
at police headquarters,

at the funeral parlor where
poor mrs. Palmer was laid out.

Poor laury. I hope
she's in heaven how.

Although i don't know

if laury would have
much fun up there.

Go on. This man you saw
at the funeral parlor.

Is he the one?

No. But he gave me a lead.

What good's a lead?

It's high time
you found out something.

Mrs. Kraft, in a few days

either my suspicions
will be verified

and we will have our quarry
or i would have failed you,

which believe me would be
exceedingly painful

to a man of my integrity.

It won't hurt
half as much

as me
to lose my $500.

Speaking of money, i have
a little expense account

which i thought
i'd leave with you

for traveling and incidentals.

Whew!

Boy, you really
blow yourself

with those
incidentals, don't you?

Ha ha ha.

[Sighs]

all right,
mrs. Kraft.

Thank you.

Yes?

How do you do, mrs. Kraft?

Who are you?

And take your foot
out of my door.

What i want to talk to you
about concerns laury palmer.

Oh.

Thank you.

Well?

Now, now,
you don't expect me

to tell you
just like that.

It's not feasible.

How much is it
going to cost me?

Well, i'm not
going to do much

so i won't need much.

A c-note should
make me very happy.

Now, i suppose.

No.
I'll prove to you

i'm strictly
on the level.

Tonight
will be all right

after i show you

what you're
looking for.

Fair enough.

How come you got ahold
of this information?

Through underworld
connections,

like it says
in the newspapers.

I'm a bad boy.

You are, huh? Ha ha ha.
Have some beer.

No, thanks.
Beer makes me sleepy.

I don't like it.

Me, i love it.

I love it the best
in the world.

I love laury, too.

Yeah. I'm at the barren
tail end of my life,

and laury was all i had,

laury and the bottle.

Well, there's nothing
i can do for the bottle,

but i'm sure not going
to let laury down.

That's right.
You and laury stick together.

Mrs. Kraft, here's a map of
san francisco and vicinity.

You see this corner
i've marked here?

I'd better write
it down for you.

You pick up a cab tonight
and drive out there...

alone.

I'll be waiting for you.

What time?

11:00.
Mm-hmm.

And remember,
glamour girl,

i'll do this
on just one condition.

What's that?

That you don't make
any passes at me

when you get me out there.

I'm a very shy kid.

Ooh, ha ha ha.

Yes?

Oh. Are you turning
in right away?

No. I was just
going to read.

Did you want to see
me about something?

Yes.

I, uh, i wanted
to talk to you about sam.

He's a great guy, sam,
but he's kind of impulsive.

Well, he's
the sort of guy

that punches first
and asks questions later.

Now, you...

i think you're different.

I think you figure
things close.

So that's why i took a chance
on having my head beat open

and came in here tonight.

The way i see it,

it's not feasible for
you and sam to keep on...

well, what i mean is

sam's married to
a lovely little wife,

and you're engaged
to that nice mr. Grover.

That's right. I am.

Don't get mad.

I am getting mad.

I resent people
marching into something

that doesn't
concern them.

You think it doesn't.

It concerns me, all right,
if it concerns sam.

Suppose you discuss
it with sam then.

I tried to tell you
about him.

The way he is he won't listen
to what i have to say.

And i'm not
interested.

Well, i got it off
my chest anyhow.

Good night.
Good night.

Sam: who is it?

It's me, sam.
Can i come in?

Yeah.

Well, i found the client.

She's at the felton hotel.

Her name's kraft.
She was palmer's pal.

Yeah?

I got everything fixed.

I'm going to meet her
in a little while.

What a glamour girl.

Sam.

What?

Are you sure this is the way
you want it handled?

Why?

Just asked.

I don't mind if it's
the most feasible way.

I'm sure this is the way
i want it handled.

Ok.

Have you figured out

what we're going to do
with the detective?

No.

Well, don't let it
worry you.

We've come through everything
so far, haven't we?

Yeah.

So long.
So long, mart.

How much?

$2.70, please.

Keep the change.

Thank you. Are you sure
this is the corner?

There are no buses
or street cars

around here
if you get stuck.

This is it all right.

Ok, lady.

Hi, glamour girl.

Hello.

Well, now that
we're both here,

we can be on our way.

On our way?

We've got a little
bit of a walk.

Out there.

[Wind howling]

you don't mind, do you?

I sure do mind.
I ain't built

for gallivanting
around in the sand.

I'll help you
if the going gets rough.

You can depend on me,
glamour girl.

Feels like
one of my legs

are out
of their sockets.

How much
further do we go?

No further.

But i don't see
a thing here.

What have you
got to show me?

The moral is:
don't hire detectives.

Take it easy,
glamour girl.

It shouldn't
feel so bad.

You've lived
a long life.

You're no spring
chicken, you know.

Aw, glamour girl.

Who is it?

It's me, mart.
Your old pal sam.

What's the matter
with you, sam?

Sam, what's this
all about?

Sam, take that knife away.

What did i do?
I was out here tonight for you.

You were in helen's room
for me, too, i suppose.

I was, sam. I was trying
to save you trouble, that's all.

In her room?

It wasn't like it looked.
It wasn't, i swear, sam.

Wasn't it?

Sam, take that knife away
so i can talk to you.

I knew you'd listen
to me, sam.

Here's how it was--sam!

You're crazy, sam.

[Door opening]

psst, mrs. Brent.

Mrs. Brent.

The police are
downstairs, mrs. Brent.

They say mr. Waterman
was murdered last night.

I'll--i'll
be right down.

Oh, grace.
Yes, ma'am.

Have you told
mr. And mrs. Wild yet?

Yes, mrs. Brent.

How long had
mr. Waterman

been living in your
house, mrs. Wild?

About
a week.

Did anyone
telephone him

or come to see him
during that time?

No, sir.
No one that i know of.

Mr. Wild?

What exactly was
your relationship

to mr. Waterman?

He was a friend of mine.

A good friend.
Down on his luck.

Have you any
idea why he was

out on the dunes
last night?

No, i haven't.

When did you
see him last?

He came into my room for
a few minutes about 9:30.

We talked casually.
Then he said

he thought he'd go out
for a while and left.

He didn't mention
where he was going?

No.
I see.

What time was that
did you say?

About 9:30.
I'm fairly sure of that

because i felt restless
after he left and i...

i asked mrs. Brent to play
cards with me for a while.

My wife had had
a headache all afternoon

and had gone to bed
right after dinner.

And how long did you
and mr. Wild

play cards,
mrs. Brent?

Oh, i should say
to about midnight.

Well, i think that's
all for now, folks.

We may have
to drop in

on you again,
though.

Of course.

Anytime
you wish.

Thanks. Good-bye.

Good-bye.

Well, i'm going
to get

into
some clothes.

How about
you, helen?

No. I think i'll have
some coffee first.

Darling, i--

i know how dreadful
this is for you.

You fool! You stupid,
crazy fool!

Do you think
the world is yours

and that you can
crash around

tearing it to pieces?

Why don't you use

that thick head of
yours occasionally

before you wreck
everyone's life?

Why didn't you think
of what you're doing?

I knew what i was doing.

And i'll do it again
anytime

i catch anybody
making a monkey out of me.

What do you mean?

I saw mart coming
out of your room.

You mean you murdered
him for that?

And you were the one
who said

you've got to know
what you want out of life

and go after it
tooth and nail.

You who let every mad whim

that enters your brain
whip you around.

I'd bet you'd even kill me
if i made a move

that didn't meet
with your approval.

I might.

Why was mart out there
on the sand dunes?

What's the difference?
He's dead now.

You're forgetting
i'm in this, too,

and don't think
i didn't loathe

perjuring myself
to the police.

Why was he out there?

To meet old lady kraft,
palmer's pal.

He was going
to get rid of her.

I suppose
that was your idea.

Why not?

She put a detective
on me, didn't she?

And if you'd succeeded
in killing her,

what about the detective?

I'd have figured
something out.

Oh, yes. You and
your great brain.

You'd have figured
out something fine,

something that would have
messed things up good,

i'm sure of that.

Where can i find
mrs. Kraft, do you know?

Why?

Why do you suppose?

To try and patch up
your bungling.

I'm so grateful to have
such a clever friend.

I can do better
than you did.

And i won't need
any knives

or blunt instruments
either.

[Knocking on door]

yes?

I'm helen brent.

When i called from downstairs,
you said you remembered me.

Oh, yes.

Helen: you look ill.

I didn't sleep
so good last night.

They're pals
of yours.

Who?

Those two butchers
that tried to murder me.

It says that one
of them

is married
to your sister.

Now, mrs. Kraft,

mr. Wild didn't try
to murder you.

Maybe not, but
the other one did.

And he thought
he had me, too,

but he was wrong.

He said i'd lived
long enough,

but the joke's
on him.

He's the one
that's dead,

and me, i'm alive
and hollering.

Hand me that beer,
will you?

It was mr. Wild
who saved your life.

Now, wasn't it?

But he killed laury.

What makes
you think that?

He's the one,
all right.

I know, and as soon

as i get
my clothes on,

i'm going
to the police.

If you go to the police,

you'll see laury
sooner than you think.

Are you trying
to scare me?

I'm just warning you.

Perhaps you don't realize.

It's painful being killed.

A piece of metal
sliding into your body,

finding its way
into your heart.

Or a bullet tearing
through your skin,

crashing into a bone.

It takes a while
to die, too.

Sometimes a long while.

I won't die.

I tell you you will.

I'm so tired.

Can't you
leave me alone?

Does it matter very much
if this man isn't caught?

You're the coldest
iceberg of a woman

i ever saw, and
the rottenest inside.

I've seen
plenty, too.

I wouldn't trade
places with you

if they sliced me
into little pieces.

Do you want to live or die?

Oh, laury, laury.
I failed you.

You understand
that if sam wild

is turned over
to the police

for any reason,
your life is over.

Yes.

Good-bye.
Wait.

I'd be a bad hostess

if i didn't
see you out.

Bad cess to me?

No need for me
to say it.

You carry your own
curse inside of you.

Sam. Sam, where
are you going?

Out.

I've been waiting
all day

for a chance
to talk to you.

I saw mrs. Kraft.

It was pretty awful.

Anyway,
you needn't worry

about her anymore.

Fred will be here
in a little while,

and i'm going to get
the money from him

to keep arnett quiet.

What are you knocking
yourself out for?

Lying to the police,
shutting up kraft,

hitting grover for dough.

Those aren't things
helen brent would ever stoop to.

Well, none of them is
very pleasant, naturally.

Then what are
you doing them for?

Oh, sam.

Well, why are you?
I'd like to know.

For georgia's sake.

All right, then.
For my sake.

For ours. Now are
you satisfied?

Of course i didn't
like doing them.

I hated doing them.

And i hate you

for forcing me
to do them.

I'm not forcing you
to do a thing.

I know.

Sam.

Come back
by midnight.

I'll be waiting
for you.

You want me to come back

knowing what you know,
don't you?

All right.

See you at midnight.

Sam, you're
carrying a gun.

Sure. You can't tell
when i might need one.

Can't tell when i might
suddenly turn into a suspect.

[Engine starts]

[car drives away]

just a moment,
please.

There's a mr. Arnett

on the telephone,
mrs. Brent,

and mr. Grover's
here.

Oh, um, tell mr. Arnett
i'm not in,

to call back later.

Yes.

You know, they were
such good friends.

Sam's really taking it
very well, though.

Hello, darling. Georgie.

Hello.

Well, i've got some
things to take care of.

See you later,
children.

Right.

Pretty awful
that mart business.

Yes, wasn't it?

Helen, i asked you

not to have him
in this house.

I know you did, darling,
and you were perfectly right.

I'm so sorry i didn't
listen to you.

Well, that's water
under the bridge now.

Helen, i want something--

darling,
i want to--

go ahead.

No. Mine can wait.

What were you
going to say?

Just that i've been
thinking about things.

I feel that our getting
married would be a mistake.

You mean you're no longer
in love with me?

I wish i weren't.

Fred, what's
this all about?

The point is, helen,
you don't love me.

I suspect i've known that
for a long time,

but i've shied away
from it.

What i say
doesn't matter?

What you say
and what you feel

are completely different
things, i've found.

It seems to me that
since i've known you,

you've become lovelier,
more mentally assured.

But it also seems to me

that when i first knew you,
you had a heart.

I don't think
you have anymore.

I'm just an iceberg
of a woman, is that it?

Well, you'll be
pleased to know

that you're not
the first person

to tell me that.

I didn't know that
anyone else could see

under that shining
surface of yours.

Why can't you, helen,
before it's too late?

"Too late?"

What an ominous
choice of words.

Too late for
what, pray?

You told me once
a long time ago

that you'll always
land on your feet

no matter what happened.

You won't always, helen.

How dare you say
these things to me.

Who are you

to be so smug and
holier-than-thou?

I didn't mean it
to sound that way.

Are you so perfect that
you can sneer at me?

I'm sorry we had
to end this way.

Fred!

Fred, don't go!
Don't!

If you leave me,
i haven't a chance.

Stay and help me.

The person who said
i was cold also said

i was rotten
inside.

Oh, part of me is,
but i'm not--

i'm not clear through,
not yet, fred.

I'll fight it.

I'll fight it off,

and i'll be all right.

If you'll help me.

I'm afraid
i can't help you.

Oh, fred, please.

If i thought i could but--

i need you, fred.

I need you terribly.

You saw enough
good in me

to fall
in love with me.

It's still there.

I doubt it, helen.

You've changed so,

particularly since
sam came into this house.

Why would sam have
any effect on me?

I don't know.

Why would he?

I see now.

Sam's the reason
you feel as you do.

You never see a thing

except what you want
to see, do you?

[Door closes]

sam! Sam!

[Footsteps]

grace: mrs. Brent,

mr. Arnett's on
the phone again.

Do you want
to talk to him now?

Yes, i do.

Hello.

Hello, mrs. Brent.

Through some
strange circumstance,

my client has decided
to abandon her search.

Now, i have
a glimmering

as to what
may have caused

this abrupt
change of heart.

But don't make
the mistake of thinking

that i can be
that easily swayed.

Nothing is going
to save your mr. Wild

except the sum
i quoted you--

$15,000 and at once.

You're not going to get it
from me, mr. Arnett.

The gentleman in question has
cost me much too much already.

I hope you realize
that i'm not bluffing.

The police will be
there one hour

after we conclude
this conversation.

It can't be too soon
to get him out of my life.

He'll be back in
the house about midnight.

And i might warn you,
he's armed.

You remember the verse

from the bible,
mrs. Brent?

"I find more
bitter than death

"the woman whose heart
is snares and nets.

"And he who falls
beneath her spell

has need
of god's mercy."

Where's fred?

He's gone, for good.

For good?

Oh, helen, i'm so sorry.

Would you like
to tell me about it?

No.

Perhaps going away
for a bit would be good.

We could take
a trip to florida,

just you and sam and i,
and we could have a--

georgia, i have to talk
to you about sam.

He doesn't really mean

too much to you,
does he?

Oh, why, helen,
what in the world?

Georgia...

sam's going to be arrested.

What?

He killed mart.

He killed those people
i found in reno.

Oh, really, helen.
Sam killed mart,

sam killed some
people in reno.

I tell you
it's so, georgia.

Helen, if this is some
kind of a joke, i--

look, we haven't much time.

The police will be
here at midnight.

I--i want you
to be prepared.

I don't believe it.

There's proof, georgia.

There are fingerprints
in reno.

Darling, we'll get the best
lawyer in town for him.

Then no matter
how it comes out,

we'll go away, you and i.

I'll be with you,
and you'll be all right.

Where are you going?

To put some of
his things together.

He's got to get
out of here.

No. It'd be worse for him
if he tried to get away.

The police may have men
around the house any minute.

Yes.

But helen, we've got
to do something.

When sam gets here--

when sam gets here,
you go up to your room.

You're so upset,
he'll know something's wrong.

Do you think i'm going
to let my own husband

walk into a trap?

Georgia, sam's
a murderer, a maniac.

How can you stand
the thought

of even looking
at him again?

I don't know
how, but i...

[sobbing]

oh, helen,

i still can't
believe he did this.

Of course you can't.

I realize it's been
a terrific jolt.

And you've never had
to take any jolts.

Your money has
always protected you.

What's my money
got to do with this?

Nothing, of course.

You called the police.

Oh, georgia, i had to--

how long have
you known about sam?

A few days, i guess.

And you've just made up
your mind tonight

to call the police--

in the middle
of the night.

What are you--

fred was through
with you tonight,

wasn't he, helen?

Georgia, what are you--

you were willing
to let my money go

when you had fred's,

but not when fred
walked out on you.

How ridiculous.

Then you
suddenly realized

you weren't going to
get his money or mine.

Well, you were right.
You're not.

Georgia, listen.

Whatever
else i've done,

i've loved you.

All you've ever
loved is my money.

That's all you've ever
hung around me for.

Be quiet.

Well, i'll tell
you this much.

You won't get another nickel
from me as long as i live.

And when i die,
you still won't!

I'll see to that first
thing in the morning.

You'd better stop.

You're through, washed up,
as far as i'm concerned.

You little fool.
You're crazy.

If i am, at least i'm crazy
with love for a man.

All you're crazy about
is money and yourself.

Mad about a man

who doesn't give
a tinker's dam for you.

You think you can get back
at me like that

by telling me
sam doesn't love me?

[Door opens]

i'll show you how
much he loves you.

Stay there and listen.

Sam.

Sam.

Things are piling up
on us, sam.

Why? What happened?

I'm afraid for you.

Let's go away together,
you and i.

Yes.
Tonight.

Right now.
Yeah.

Get out of here.

Both of you get out.

Sam, she'll never
let us be happy,

never while she's alive.

Get out, i said.

You hear me, sam.

She doesn't want
us to go away.

We can never be together,
never, till she's dead.

Yes, i think
you're right.

[Pounding on door]

i love you so, sam,

that i would have saved
you no matter what.

Maybe helen was right
in calling the police.

I don't know.

I don't know
anything anymore.

Man: open up!

This is the police.

You called
the police?

You?

Why would i call
the police, sam?

I don't know why,
but you did.

You don't believe georgia
about a thing like that.

Yes, i think i do.

Man: open up!
Open up in there.

You have
to let them in.

Don't go near that door.

No, sam!

[Door breaks open]

come on out of there.

It's me, sam, remember?
Tonight's our night.

We still have time
for a few kisses

before the police get me.

You'd love that,
wouldn't you?

You're crazy about me,
don't you remember?

Sam, you're out
of your head.

I should have
known that long ago.

Please be reasonable!

Come on out, my darling.

Mrs. Brent.

In there.

Sure.

Send for
an ambulance.

Ok. Won't do this guy
any good though.

You should never
have stayed

in the house with
him, mrs. Brent.

It was taking
too big a change.

Yes. I did take
too big a chance.

Well, i wouldn't worry.

Everything will be all right.

No.

No, it won't.

Fred was right.

This time i didn't
land on my feet.

"The way of
the transgressor is hard."

More's the pity.

More's the pity.