Cash on Demand (1961) - full transcript

Morning, Harvill.

Morning, sir.

Miss Pringle, do you
feel it really necessary

to make such a display
of your popularity?

I thought they livened
the desk up a little.

Banking is one of the
few dignified businesses

left in the world,
Miss Pringle.

Do you mind terribly
if we keep it that way?

I'm sorry, sir.

Good morning, Pearson.

Good morning, Mr. Fordyce.



Miss Farrel, Mr. Sanderson.

Good morning, sir.

I noticed he didn't
mention the party.

Miss Pringle.

Sanderson and Pearson
to come in, please.

Come in.

Psst. Psst.

Do you get it? Get what?

He wants to know if you're
a hep cat or a square.

Do you mind?

Excuse me, is it all
right if I park over there?

Only 20 minutes, sir.

Oh.

Merry Christmas,
sir. The same to you.



Ask Mr. Fordyce if he'll see me
for a few moments, will you, please?

Just a moment, sir.

Excuse me, sir. Mmm?

Was it a personal or
a business matter, sir?

Business, of course.

Come in.

Yes, Pearson, what is it?

Someone to see you, sir.

You know I don't see anyone in the
mornings without an appointment.

Gore Hepburn. What
sort of person is he?

I should say someone
of consequence, sir.

Very well, show him in.

But you might interrupt
us after 10 minutes.

I don't want the
fellow here all morning.

Very good, sir.

Would you come this way, sir?

Hmm? Oh, thank you.

Colonel Gore Hepburn, sir.

Good morning, Fordyce.
Good morning, Colonel.

Won't you sit down? Thank you.

Oh, thank you.

Will you need me anymore, sir?

No, that's all, Pearson.

Just a moment.

Come in, Pearson,
and close the door.

But I'm afraid I
don't understand.

This is only You will.

Close it, Pearson.

I sent in my personal card,

because I did not wish to
disclose the interests I represent.

In fact, I am from
the head office

of the Home and Mercantile
Bankers' Insurance.

The Home and Mercantile?

They insure this branch
and look after our security.

Exactly.

I'm on a tour of all your
branches in the South West.

I'm sorry to spring
myself on you in this way,

but it's part of my job to see
that people are on their toes

and that the safeguard clauses in
our policy are being complied with.

Well, I hope you find
everything in order, sir.

Well, frankly, Pearson, I think
I've caught you flatfooted.

I don't understand.

Oh, now, look, Pearson.

I walk into this bank this morning,
hand a card over the counter

and immediately I'm shown in
here and left alone with Fordyce.

I could have stuck a gun in his
ribs as soon as the door closed.

If I may say so, sir, you
don't look much like a gunman.

Oh, really, you people in the provinces
must stop thinking in this way.

How do you know what a
gunman looks like these days?

Agreed, Fordyce?
Yes, yes, of course.

Pearson, you should have
inquired more thoroughly

into Colonel Gore
Hepburn's business.

I naturally assumed
that you had.

I'm sorry, Mr. Fordyce.

But you couldn't have gone
into the strong room, Colonel.

It requires two
keys to open it.

Mr. Fordyce only has one of
them and I have the other.

Well, that only makes
matters worse, Pearson.

It's precisely when the bank
robber is up against something

he didn't know that
people begin to get hurt.

Oh, by the way, I shall
want to have a look

at the layout of the
strong room later on.

Of course. Whenever you say.

You see what I'm
getting at, Pearson?

Yes, sir. I see now, sir.

We won't let you in again
without a careful check, sir.

Good man.

That will be all, Pearson.

I hope you won't think that
Pearson's standards of security

represent the efficiency
of this branch as a whole.

If his negligence.

Presumably you asked him
to show me in, Fordyce.

Of course, I accept
full responsibility

for any shortcomings
in my staff.

However, I assure you
it won't happen again.

In fact, I've been thinking
of replacing Pearson.

Oh? He's been with you
11 years, hasn't he?

How do you know that?

I make it my business to know every
small detail of the branches I visit.

Oh, naturally. You
would, naturally.

Excuse me, please.

Fordyce speaking.

Hello.

Hello, is anyone there?

Mummy, Mummy.

Harry, is that you? Harry.

Yes, my dear. What is it?

Do whatever he says.

Do whatever he says, for the
love of God, I beseech you.

Harry, can you hear.

Don't do anything, Fordyce. They'll
die if you move or say a word.

What are you talking
about? Let me speak to them.

Shut up!

Now, listen to me, Fordyce.

Nothing will happen if you sit quite
still until I've finished speaking.

What have my wife and child
to do with this? You must be.

There are two
men at your house.

At this moment, your wife has an electrode
attached to each side of her head.

If you fail to co-operate
with us in any way whatever,

they will pass a charge
through the circuit.

It is extremely painful

and I'm afraid the effects
of it are permanent.

She would never
recover her wits.

What is it you want?

Well, just some money.

Going hunting, Pearson?

Oh, I beg your pardon, sir.

I thought you might have asked
for it during your inspection.

But we seem to have
mislaid the ammunition.

Well, that's not
very sensible, is it?

You can't shoot desperados
with an empty gun, you know.

No, I thought we had
some rounds somewhere.

Well, I shouldn't
worry, Pearson.

They're not very accurate
things at the best of times.

By the way, I just
wanted to tell you

that Mr. Fordyce and I are not
to be disturbed on any account.

No one is to come in
unless we send for them.

Is that clear? Yes, sir.

Good man.

Cigarette?

I'm always telling myself
that I ought to give it up,

but now I suppose
I never shall.

Huh.

It's snowing.

The papers said that it was going to
get warmer today and now look at it.

Do you mind if I light
this by the window?

It has a certain significance
for someone watching out there.

We have several
prearranged signals,

and a special one in
case anything goes wrong.

You swine, you swine.

Do you mind if we
get down to business?

I have allowed a short while for your
mind to adjust itself to the ideia.

Do you think my mind can
adjust itself to the ideia

that my That my wife
and my child might be.

Oh, really, Fordyce, you're
being very unappreciative.

It's rather a good
plan, don't you think?

No noisy guns or
bleeding cashiers,

no rushing off in stolen cars,

none of that working through the
night with the do-it-yourself tools

and the unstable explosives.

I detest brutality.

I want bank robberies to
be smoother, more sociable.

Well, now, how about it?
Beginning to feel adjusted?

You'll never get away with it.

How unfortunate for
your family if I don't.

Fordyce, I can't
impress upon you enough

that you must behave with absolute
naturalness during the next 50 minutes.

Remember every single second that the
lives of your wife and child depend on it.

Now,

in a few moments you
will call Pearson back in.

Listen carefully to
what you have to do.

It is imperative that the luggage
from my car is brought in here.

But at your suggestion.
Is that clear?

I'm parked in a
20-minute zone.

I'm going to tell Pearson to
drive the car into the car park.

You will inquire whether
I have any luggage.

I'm not very concerned
about it, but you are,

and you insist that the
luggage is brought in here.

Now do you understand that?

Yes, I think so.

I'm not telling you
exactly what to say,

because I want you to express
yourself in your usual manner.

I believe you attended a
staff dinner last February,

where you were introduced
to Desmond Hyde,

one of the C & C
board of directors.

Is that correct?

How did you know? Never mind.

It'll give us something to be
talking about when Pearson comes in.

Now, ring for him.

Miss Pringle speaking.

Ask Mr. Pearson
to come in, please.

Yes, sir.

You'd have been most amused if you
could have seen him at the house party.

He's a most delightful fellow. And
a first-class shot, too. You know.

Come in. Oh, come in, Pearson.

I'm sorry, Colonel,
you were saying?

Oh, I was only going to say

that all the most charming people seem
to end up on the board of the C & C.

Oh, by the way, Desmond Hyde
was there with his wife, Anna.

I think he said he'd met you.

Yes, I.

Yes, I dined with him last
year at the staff dinner.

I should I should
like to meet him again.

Oh, by the way, Pearson, would you
mind moving my car into the car park?

It's in the 20-minute
zone at the moment

and I hate breaking the law.

I'm afraid I don't drive, sir.

Oh, well, perhaps
somebody else.

Oh, yes, of course,
sir. Harvill.

Yes.

Just a moment, Pearson.

I suppose you left nothing
of value in your car, Colonel?

Oh, no, only my baggage.

I wonder if it'll be safe
leaving it in the car park.

It's unattended, you know.

Hmm, I suppose it
is a bit tempting.

Yes, you'd better bring the
luggage in here, Pearson.

It's no good taking
chances these days.

Well, if it'll set your
mind at rest, Fordyce.

I'll see to it, sir. Yes.

Just a shade more
deference, Fordyce.

A little more
eagerness to please me.

Otherwise, I shall be obliged to arrange
a small scream to refresh your memory.

You cowardly.

By rights, this stuff should
be melting now, not falling.

Do you expect me to
worry if it snows or not?

My worries will automatically
become your worries now, Fordyce.

If anything should go
wrong, the slightest hitch.

I can't stop the snow.

No, I suppose that would be
asking too much, wouldn't it?

Ah, good. Thank you, Pearson.

Thank you very much.

Thank you. Thank you.

Now, let me see. You
must be Miss Pringle.

Yes, sir.

Well, tell me, Miss Pringle, are
you looking forward to Christmas?

Oh, yes, sir.

Are you going to have
a Christmas party here?

Well, I Somebody did mention
it, but I don't really know.

Oh.

Well, perhaps you'd allow me to make a
small contribution to the party fund, hein?

Oh! Oh, thank you.
Thank you very much, sir.

No, please don't thank me.

It allays the feelings
of guilt I sometimes get

about the way I misuse
my expense allowance.

Oh, thank you, sir.

You're very fortunate
in your staff, Fordyce.

That is not my opinion.

Oh, really?

Have you ever contributed
to their Christmas fund?

I am not in the habit of ingratiating
myself with my subordinates.

I have news for you, Fordyce.
You have just done that.

I've done what?
Ingratiated yourself.

Give me £5.

£5? What for?

Your contribution to the fund

and a slight token of regret for the
ungenerous thoughts you've just expressed.

That is only £4.

That is all I have. I
don't carry much cash.

Hmm, very wise. It protects you
in case of robbery, doesn't it?

Ah, well, never mind. You
can owe me the other pound.

Tell me, Fordyce,

have you ever read Gibbon's Decline
and Fall of the Roman Empire?

No, I haven't.

How lucky for you. You'll be able
to start as soon as I've gone.

It's in these cases,
all 12 volumes.

The rest, I'm afraid,
rather old blankets.

You get the ideia, of course.

I'm not a fool.

You'll be interested to know
that we've got plenty of time.

The whole operation is scheduled
to end in exactly 45 minutes.

We'll unpack the cases
in the strong room,

and refill them
with the money.

Not a very fair
exchange, I'm afraid.

I don't expect the
exchange to be permanent.

Got to make a pest
of myself, I'm afraid.

Secret plans, Pearson?

Well, now, let's have a look
at the alarm system, shall we?

This way, Colonel.

Harvill, this is
Colonel Gore Hepburn,

who's inspecting our security
arrangements for the insurance company.

Hello, Harvill.
Good morning, sir.

Now, where is
your alarm button?

There, sir. Oh, there we are.

Hmm.

Well, you've never had
occasion to use it, I suppose?

Well, we're lucky, sir, a
very law-abiding community.

Ah, yes. Well, you know, it's not
the local people we're worried about.

It's these smart
characters down from London.

I don't mind telling
you, it's got us worried.

That's why I'm here.

Haversham is the center of a
large agricultural area, Colonel.

London is a long way away. There'd be
plenty of time to put up roadblocks.

Yes, you'd be surprised
how these fellows

can think their way
around roadblocks.

Well, you You carry the minimum amount
of stock in the tills, I suppose?

Oh, yes. Yes.

Any withdrawal over £500 has
to come from the strong room.

Unless, of course,
we have prior warning.

Ah-ha. Well, let's have
a look at the next one.

This is Mr.
Sanderson, Colonel.

Sanderson. Sanderson.
Where have I Oh, yes.

Didn't I see your name in the Banker's
World Monthly a little while ago?

Yes, sir, it was. Yes,
yes, of course, you.

You were runner-up in the
regional chess competition.

Well, you never told me you
had a potential chess champion

on the staff, Fordyce.

I'm more concerned with what
Sanderson does in his office hours.

Oh, yes.

Well, I suppose chess is a
failing of mine, too, Sanderson.

Robbing banks is a game of
wits, after all, isn't it, hein?

Well, now, where's
your alarm switch?

Same place as
Harvill's? Oh, yes, sir.

Ah, yes. Well. Any complaints?

Well, sir, since you ask
me, the central heating here.

Colonel Gore Hepburn is concerned
with security, Sanderson.

Well, I'll try to breathe a word higher up,
Sanderson, but I can't make any promises.

Now, I'd like to have
a look at the codebook

you use for your
currency orders

and then we'll go down
to the strong room.

Colonel Gore Hepburn is concerned
with security, Sanderson.

Oh, snap out of it, George.
It's not the end of the world.

That's the third black
I've put up today.

First, I didn't check up on
him, then there was the empty gun

and now he's just
caught me daydreaming.

Oh, he's not so
bad for a colonel.

You really should have
checked up on him, I suppose.

He'll probably ask
you if you have.

Why don't you put in
a call to his office?

It's a bit late.

It's better late than never.
I'll book a call for you.

Miss Pringle, got Home
and Mercantile's number?

You don't know what
this is costing me.

It's costing you
£90,000, Fordyce.

I'm afraid you're going to be
greatly disappointed, Colonel.

The stocks of a bank in a
small community like this

do not add up to
anything like that amount.

Take off your
glasses, Fordyce.

For what purpose?
What do you want?

Just take them off.

I can't see, you know.

There are two
components factories

and a Birmingham Chemicals
subsidiary on the bypass,

all of which draw their
wages here tomorrow.

Tomorrow is also
Christmas Eve.

Your average withdrawals on Christmas
Eve have never been less than £7,000.

Your current stocks shown in head
office return last week were £89,000.

We've been a year
setting up this operation.

There isn't the smallest
detail of your branch

which is not known to me.

Put on your glasses.
You look ridiculous.

Don't misread my
character, Fordyce.

I may be unable to suppress my
natural charm, but try to remember,

I've only to make one of several
pre-arranged gestures at that window

and your wife would be subjected
to the most unbearable torture.

You would probably find
that she would never.

Don't.

There's about £97,000 there.

The stock lists are kept
just inside the safety doors.

Thank you.

Now, I want you to listen
to the next stage carefully.

You and I, with Pearson,
will go to the strong room.

That's through
there, isn't it?

There's delay. What?

On London calls.

I suppose everybody's trying to
phone their Aunt Nellie for Christmas.

Oh, I dare say.

They'll phone back as
soon as they've got a line.

Oh, thanks.

Saints love their fellow men,
but when you're called to account,

how many of your fellow creatures
will give evidence for you?

Those people out
there, for instance?

What'll they say?

I am not particularly
interested in the opinions of my.

Now! Repeat your instructions.

What happens when
Pearson comes in?

We go through the
door to the staircase.

And Pearson or I switch
off the electric eye.

Then we go down and open
the safety doors for you.

Then I tell No, then
you tell Pearson to go.

But I say that there should
be two members of the staff

in the strong
room at all times.

In the end, you tell
Pearson to lock us in,

that is, by locking
these two doors here.

Then he goes.

Then he goes.

Yes, but I stop him and say that there
are to be no large withdrawals until.

Until we've finished.

Right. And above
all, speak naturally.

If it goes differently,
or you forget anything,

for heaven's sake, don't
panic. I'll be there.

Just behave as if it were in
fact a normal security check.

Now, are you
absolutely certain

that everything's been
taken into account?

Because if we should fail,
you know what it means.

The orders are already given. They
will be ruthlessly carried out.

Is it likely I should
let you make a mistake?

Up to now, you've
made all the threats.

I'll make only one.

If anything happens to
my family, I'll kill you.

I swear I will.

Call Pearson.

Miss Pringle speaking.

Ask Mr. Pearson
to come in, please.

Yes, sir.

Come in.

Well, Pearson, we're ready
to go down. Got your keys?

Yes, sir.

Things still quiet out there?

Nothing doing at all, sir.

You couldn't have chosen a
better time if you'd planned it.

Oh, really?

This way?

Ah! Is your electric
eye system in order?

Yes, sir.

Good. Well, we'd better
switch it off, then.

Yes, sir.

Right. Lead the way, Pearson.

I sometimes feel I never want to see the
inside of another bank as long as I live.

Do you ever get
like that, Fordyce?

No, I can't say I do.

I must be in
need of a holiday.

When did you last
check your alarm system?

It's always checked every
Saturday morning before we open.

What's that light for?

It's a red blinker light.

It flashes to warn us if the inner
grille door hasn't been properly closed.

Mmm-hmm.

If it isn't attended to after 30
seconds, the general alarm is set off.

I say, yes, good ideia.

30 seconds should give them time to
open up and reset the grille door.

We've never had occasion
to need the reminder.

I'm sure of that.

Well, I suppose it's all
in the day's work for us,

the moment before a
strong room door opens.

And yet, I suppose, it's also the
moment 1,000 thieves have dreamt of

as the highlight
of their lives.

Let's hope their dreams
don't come true, sir.

Yes.

The stuff you fellows
collect in these places.

Well, let's have a look at
your current holdings, Fordyce.

Thank you.

Mmm.

Do you always carry
as much as this?

Except for the two months
just after Christmas.

Pearson, will you turn on the
ventilator? We may be down here some time.

Pearson, I don't think we
need keep you any longer.

Let's have your key to
the safety doors, will you?

My key, sir?

This is somewhat irregular.
Strictly speaking, Colonel,

Pearson should only give
that key up to his deputy.

And, besides, there should
be two members of the staff

down here all the time
the strong room is open.

Quite right. In fact, if
you hadn't come out with it,

it would have meant a
black mark in my report.

However, Pearson, the
usual form on my inspections

is for the chief clerk to lock all
the doors to this part of the bank

and then to let us have
his key to the safety doors

in case we have to leave the strong
room unattended for any length of time.

Well, what about it?

Think you can trust me to keep
an eye on Mr. Fordyce, Pearson?

Yes, I think so, sir.

Good.

Just lock the outer door to
my office, will you, Pearson,

so that the Colonel and I
can get in there from here

if we have to
refer to anything.

Very good, sir. I shan't open
them again until I hear from you.

Correct.

Oh, Pearson, should anyone
come in for a large withdrawal,

tell the clerks to ask them
to come back in an hour.

Say we're having an
audit or something.

Very good, Mr. Fordyce.

Right, hurry!

Go to your desk, Fordyce.

Don't hurry.

Sit down.

Why didn't you
tell me, Fordyce?

I didn't remember. He cleans
the windows once a month.

Even when it's snowing?

We have a contract.

Does he come inside later?

No. No, that's done
by the office staff.

Right!

Open the safe.

I hate packing and unpacking. Can't
wait to get settled in one place.

The air on Dartmoor is
very bracing, I believe.

No doubt. However, I shall be far
beyond the reach of our extradition laws.

What's the matter?

Nothing. Nothing. Nothing.

Right to 25, twice to 16,

5, 10.

I can't I can't do it.

I can't.

All right, old
man, don't panic.

It'll come back.

Yes.

Right to 25.

One, four.

Right. We'll take
the pound notes first.

20,000 in each of the big
cases, 10,000 in the small.

I'll send you a
postcard, Fordyce.

You'll be able to come and
stay with me in my villa.

With your family, of course.

That's the pounds done.

Right.

Now for the fivers.
We haven't much time.

Just fill up each case
as far as you can go.

Fivers are a damn nuisance.

It'll take years to
farm away this lot.

Around the racecourses is
the usual practice, isn't it?

I'm afraid professional ethics prevents
me from disclosing that information.

Here, let me.

Right, I'll do that.
Shut the safe door.

Outside with them.

Ok.

The inner door!

The electric eye.

The door. Lock it.

Here, drink this.

I don't want it.

You won't have to
listen to me much longer.

Thank heaven.

That last little exhibition
was to tell my friend

that the first stage of
the operation is completed.

It is the last signal
he will get from me.

The next will come from you.

I can't take anymore of
this. Look, I've had enough.

You've got what you came
for. Now why don't you go?

That is exactly
what I intend to do,

but first we must discuss the most
important stage of this operation,

my getaway.

They'll catch you.
They'll catch all of you.

I hope not, Fordyce,
for your sake.

What do you mean?

I have a rendezvous
with my friends

in about an hour's time.
If I fail to turn up,

they're likely to become irritable,
restless and generally unpleasant.

I am not interested
or concerned.

Oh, but you are, Fordyce.
You've missed the point again.

You are most concerned.

Would you dare. You haven't.

You don't mean you're
taking them with you?

Not taking,
Fordyce, borrowing,

to use a banker's
term, as collateral.

You cannot subject
them to anymore.

My wife is very highly strung.
For pity's sake, leave them.

Look, I'll go with you willingly.
I'll do anything you say.

Sit down.

Now listen carefully, Fordyce. No
one need die if you do as I say.

I want one hour, that's all.

City & Colonial.
Can I help you?

How would you like it,
Mrs. Tate, in fivers?

In ones, please, that is if
it's not too much trouble.

No trouble at all.
Your call's through.

I'll be with you in a minute.

I'll hang on for you.

Look, Arthur, I'll
do it if you're busy.

Ok. It's Home and
Mercantile on the line.

Get through to their
bank insurance department.

Ok. And look slippy,

or he'll be gone. Roger.

Hello?

What time do you make it?

It's about 20 to Exactly, man!

19 minutes to 11:00.

Right. Now.

As soon as I drive away, you come
back in here, go to that window,

mop your brow with your
handkerchief twice very distinctly.

After that you have
one hour. 60 minutes.

What does that mean?

We're leaving a man
behind in Haversham.

I will be in touch with him
by telephone every 15 minutes.

If he reports that a police alarm has
been given, or that we're being followed,

your wife and child will
be killed immediately

and we will switch to another
escape plan already prepared.

But if all goes well,
your wife and child

will be released exactly
one hour after I leave here.

Is that absolutely clear?

Yes, it's quite clear.

It's time for Pearson.

Just a moment. Don't,
for heaven's sake,

deceive yourself into thinking
that this couldn't happen.

After I leave, you're on your own
and only you know what is at stake.

If suspicions are aroused, you must
prevent the alarm being given at all costs.

I don't have to tell
you anymore, do I?

No.

I'm afraid I understand
only too well.

Right.

Miss Pringle speaking.

Is Mr. Pearson there?

One moment, sir. Mr. Pearson.

Just coming, sir.

Yes, I'm still holding on.

Pearson.

Colonel Gore Hepburn's
ready to leave.

Get his car around
immediately, please.

Very good, sir.

And he'd like to see
you before he goes.

See me? That's right, Pearson.

Yes, sir.

They're finished in there.

Well, what about her? She's
been hanging on for two minutes.

Who is it? The
Home and who's-its.

Well. I'll take that. You
go and get the Colonel's car.

Right. And don't smash it up.

Roger Dodger.

Hello. Hello. Hello? Hello?

They've cut off.

Come in.

You wanted to see me, sir?

Just a moment, Pearson.

Now, Fordyce,

I'll just get you to sign this
clearance certificate, if you will.

Don't want my fellow directors
to think I've been spending

the time with a
popsie in Brighton.

Thank you. Well, Pearson, I
just wanted to tell you that

I intend giving an excellent
report on this branch.

Thank you, sir.
About that ammunition.

Ammunition? What ammunition?

My memory gets a bit
rusty at Christmas time.

There's just one
thing, Pearson.

The next time a Home
and Mercantile man calls,

telephone his office and
check up on him. It's a rule.

I realize that, sir.
As a matter of fact.

Well, no harm done. Fordyce had
the good sense to check himself.

Well, thank you very much, Fordyce.
You've been most cooperative.

Thank you.

Oh, Pearson, say goodbye to
the staff for me, will you?

Wish them a merry Christmas.

And you might say
that in my opinion

it would take a very clever
fellow to rob this bank.

And I'm an expert.

I'll give you a hand
with your bags, sir.

That's all right, Pearson.
I'll help the Colonel out.

Thank you very much.

Can I help you, sir?

No, it's all right,
thank you, Harvill.

Have a good Christmas.

Thank you, sir,
and the same to you.

Well, I'll do my best.

That's what I call a car.

Better than that old tin can
you run around in, Arthur.

I wasn't a colonel.
I was a corporal.

Better go in, Fordyce.
Don't want you catching cold.

Well, goodbye.
Keep your chin up.

Good morning, Mr. Fordyce.

City & Colonial.

Mr. Fordyce.

What the.

What's going on, Mr. Fordyce?

What are you talking about?

How dare you come into
my room without knocking?

I've just had Home and
Mercantile on the phone.

Who?

You didn't ring them, did you?

What do you mean? Of
course I rang them.

You heard what Colonel
Gore Hepburn said.

That wasn't him. The real
Gore Hepburn's in Manchester.

Are you out of
your mind, Pearson?

Why did you lie? What were you
doing at the window just now?

That's enough, Pearson.

I've had enough of
your impertinence.

I'll ring the Home
and Mercantile myself.

Either some stupid
typist has made an error,

or you received
some garbled message.

Now you get back to
your work at once.

Come off it, Fordyce.

Do as I say.

He's robbed the
bank, hasn't he?

How much did he get away with?

£93,000.

£93,000?

And you helped him?

I had to, Pearson.
I still have to.

I don't understand.

They've got my wife,
Pearson, and the boy.

Oh, no.

There mustn't be any alarm.
The police mustn't know.

Not for an hour. There's one of
the gang out there keeping watch.

But the police are.

I daren't tell them, Pearson.

I can't. I can't
take the risk.

But I've already rung them.

What? You've called them?

I rang them immediately.

You must stop them.
They're on their way.

You've got to stop them.
Tell them it was a mistake.

Mistake?

You rang them in error.
You must think of something.

But the others,
Sanderson, Harvill?

They know?

They heard me ring.

But they mustn't say
anything. They mustn't.

Explain to them
what's happened.

They'll understand. Pearson, promise
me you'll do that. Promise, please.

You know what you're asking?

They've got to help
me, Pearson, they must.

But the money, Mr.
Fordyce. The bank's money!

Forget the money,
Pearson. Pearson, listen.

Now listen to me. My
family are all I've got.

I have no friends, nobody.
Only my wife and my son.

That's all I've got.

You've got to understand,
Pearson. They're all I've got.

Good morning, sir. I'm
Detective Sergeant Collins.

Good morning, Sergeant.

Well, I'm afraid there's been
a rather unfortunate mistake.

A mistake?

Detective Constable
Kane. He took the call.

A Mr. Pearson made the call. He gave
a description of a man and a car.

The inspector sent
out a general alarm.

You must cancel
it, immediately.

Well, I mean, it's
very important.

It's my fault, I'm
afraid. I'm Pearson.

The man I described
is a senior official.

An official? From head office.

He's a very important man,
and, well, if he's stopped.

I've made a bit of
a fool of myself.

You see, I thought he was described
in our banker's journal as a thief.

And then I found a rather
large sum of money missing.

Money missing?

Well, it wasn't
exactly missing.

I had it, Sergeant.

I'd taken it to check
without telling Mr. Pearson.

And you panicked.

I'm afraid so.

You'd better cancel
the alarm right away.

I'll just take details.

But there's really no time.

It is rather urgent.

You see, he's a
fairly big shot,

and, well, if he's stopped.
Well, you understand.

You'd all be in for a rocket.

That's right.

Ok. Use the car radio.

Yes, Sergeant.

May I offer you
a drink, Sergeant?

Well.

Well, it's Christmas time.

Thank you, sir.

This way.

Would you like water
or soda, Sergeant?

As it comes, please, sir.

Your very good health.

Not joining me, sir?

Oh, yes, of course.

Did anyone see you arrive?

How do you mean, sir?

Was there a crowd
when your car drew up?

No, not particularly. The
usual shoppers. Why, sir?

Nothing, Sergeant.
Nothing special.

It was just that I wouldn't like
people to get the wrong impression.

You know how quickly
rumors start in this town.

I shouldn't worry, sir.

We didn't have any
bells or sirens going.

Oh, then you might
just have been clients.

Yes. As a matter of
fact, I am a client, sir.

I keep my ill-gotten
gains in this bank.

Yes, of course. Yes.

I had forgotten that.

I hope you won't think I'm
making too much of this, Sergeant.

It's just that I do have the
good name of the bank to think of.

You take your job very much to
heart, don't you, Mr. Fordyce?

It's a heavy
responsibility, Sergeant.

I understand, sir.

Well, it was very nice.

Have you time for another?

No. Better be getting
back to the station.

I do hope there
won't be any trouble.

Well, between you and me, sir,

it's the Inspector
I'm worried about.

Inspector Latimer?

No, he's gone. We've a new man,
Mason, from London. Dead keen.

He got this call and
was off like a greyhound.

Mistakes do happen.

Sure. But he's not going to like
being sent on a wild goose chase.

No, I suppose not.

But don't worry,
sir. I'll explain.

Thank you, Sergeant.
Thank you very much indeed.

Nothing wrong, sir, is there?

How do you mean?

I hope you don't mind
me mentioning it, sir,

but you look a bit
under the weather.

Oh, no, there's nothing
wrong. Nothing at all.

It's been a hard day so far.

I understand, sir.

I bet you'll be
glad when it's over.

Yes, I will, Sergeant.

Well, merry Christmas, sir.

And to you.

Hello, Fordyce. Nice
to see you again.

Meet a friend of
mine, Bill Mason.

Mason, this is
Fordyce, the manager.

Do you know this
gentleman, Mr. Fordyce?

Know him?

Well, of course I know
him. He's from head office.

That's funny. We heard he
was from an insurance company.

That's right.
That's what I meant,

head office of the Home and
Mercantile. They insure this bank.

Excuse me, Inspector. We sent
out a message about this business.

Message, Sergeant? Yes.
There's been a bloomer.

One of the clerks here sent
out a false alarm, apparently.

There you are, Mason. I told
you there'd been a mess-up.

Inspector, I'm afraid
you've made a terrible error.

This is Colonel Gore
Hepburn. I know him well.

You do?

He's from the Home
and Mercantile,

one of their
principle directors.

I see.

I admit the mistake
was ours originally.

But I really feel that you've
made matters considerably worse.

I think the best
thing you can do

is to release the Colonel
forthwith and apologize.

That's exactly what I suggested
to Mason myself, Fordyce.

You'd be prepared to vouch
for him, would you, sir?

Well, of course I would.

You say you've know
him for several years?

Yes, Inspector, yes.
Now, for goodness sake.

Then what about
this, Mr. Fordyce?

You're prepared to
vouch for this, too?

They're all the same.

Good Lord! There must be
50,000 quid in this lot.

£93,000 to be
exact, Sergeant.

Mr. Fordyce and I were
planning a little last-minute

Christmas shopping, as
I explained to Mason.

I'm waiting for your answer,
Mr. Fordyce. You knew about this?

It might help if I tell you that I
also can vouch for Colonel Gore Hepburn,

except that last time we met, he
was a rear admiral on a jewelry job.

My immediate interest
is in his accomplices.

Accomplices?

Well, he could hardly have
got into your strong room

and packed four heavy cases
without help, could he?

Well, sir?

He made me do it! They've
got my wife and child.

Oh, really, Fordyce.

He threatened to kill them
if I didn't do as he said.

You've got to hurry, Inspector.
We can still save them.

It's no good,
Fordyce. It won't work.

Keep quiet.

When did you last
see your wife?

When I left home this morning.

And then she rang
about an hour ago.

There's no time.

He has to ring someone
every 15 minutes.

What's your number?

She's not there. They
took her away and my son.

For all I know,
they may already.

Your number, please.

It's Haversham, 2153.

We're wasting time, Inspector!

If your family's in danger.

If?...we'll save them.

Of course they're in danger.

They threatened to
electrocute my wife.

For pity's sake, Inspector, you don't
think I robbed the bank voluntarily, do you?

I was forced and threatened!

What on earth are you
talking about, Fordyce?

Now, listen, Hepburn,
I've taken enough from you.

Calm down, Mr. Fordyce.

Yes, but.

Calm down. We'll soon see.

Haversham, 2153.

Who's that speaking?

Tommy Fordyce.

Tommy!

Is your mother there, Tommy?
This is Inspector Mason.

Hold on. I'll call her.

But I don't understand.
They must have released her.

Anybody mind if I smoke?

Mrs. Fordyce speaking.

Hello, Mrs. Fordyce. I
wonder if you could tell me,

has anyone called on you
this morning? Any strangers?

Strangers? What do you mean?

You've been alone all morning?

Yes.

Hello, Mary. Mary, this is
Harry. Are you all right, dear?

All right? Of
course I'm all right.

Then they let you go?

Let me go? Who let me go?

But when you rang before,
there were two men with you.

Two men with me? What are
you talking about, Harry?

I didn't ring you.

You know I never ring
you at the office.

You've told me not to.

But it was your voice,
yours and Tommy's.

You said, "Do what they
want, I beseech you,"

and No! No!

This is Inspector Mason
again, Mrs. Fordyce.

I'd be most obliged if you could
come down to the station right away.

But what is it?
What's happened?

Nothing serious,
ma'am. Just routine.

But.

But it was her.
She was desperate.

I'm afraid I must ask you to
accompany me to the station.

But you don't understand.

They're going to pin a medal
on you, Fordyce, for gallantry.

Inspector, you don't really
believe I'm lying, do you?

I tell you it was her voice.

And Hepburn, he kept
signaling to someone outside.

There are just some
questions I must ask you.

Inspector, I'm
telling the truth.

I am not a criminal. I am
the manager of this branch.

I've been here 15 years.
You've got to believe me.

Look, he made me
stand by this window

and mop my brow with my
handkerchief as a signal.

I believe you.

You are making a mistake.

You can put it all in a
statement, Mr. Fordyce.

Get your hat and coat.

Ok, in the car.

Just a moment, Mason.

There's something
you ought to know.

I know it's a two-handed job.

No, three-handed, actually.

Me, a man and a tape recorder.

It took us a bit of time
to get the voices right,

but we managed. Anyway, it
worked, didn't it, Fordyce?

The man?

Don't be silly, Mason. I
use better men than him.

Who was the man?

Father Christmas.

Someone Fordyce
ought to believe in.

Are you fit, Mr. Fordyce?

Excuse me.

May I just have a word with
my chief clerk, Inspector?

Of course.

Thank you.

Pearson.

Yes, sir?

Pearson, I have to go
out for a little while.

I'm sure you'll be able to
run things in my absence.

Yes, I think so, sir.

How long do you
expect to be away?

You'd better ask the Inspector
that. What is the usual sentence?

For what?

For completely failing in
my duty towards my staff?

That's not against
the law, sir.

Oh, and there's one
other point, Pearson.

I owe Colonel Gore
Hepburn a pound.

Could you possibly
lend me one?

Oh, yes, of course.

Thank you. I'll return it
tonight at the staff party.

Thank you, Pearson.

All right, Inspector.

Shall I give you a
hand with the evidence?

Thank you, sir.