Fallen Angel (1945) - full transcript

Hey. You, come on.
I seen that sleeping act before.

You know your ticket
ran out, the last stop.

- How much to San Francisco?
- 2.25.

Yes, three days.

So, it's three days she's gone?

Where do you get off, keeping it
from the police 72 hours?

I didn't want it to get around,
Mr Johnson, that's all. People talk.

Stella's a good girl. Really, she is.
I don't want them to talk.

Well, we'll find what took her.

Why not give her till morning,
Johnson? Stella'll show up.

OK, till morning.
You ought to know, Mr Judd.



Good night.

- Night, Johnson.
- Good night.

Way down this week, Pop.

Nobody plays it,
with Stella not around.

Yeah, I guess not.

You don't think she might have
done something to herself?

Not Stella.

Back in New York, I handled
31 suicide cases, personally,

everything from poison to jumping
in front of the Flatbush subway.

Stella's not the type.

- Here's your receipt.
- Thanks, Atkins.

I'll be seeing you.

Cup of coffee, please.

It's after ten. We're closing up.



And a hamburger, well done,
with onions, mustard, relish.

What else you want
on that hamburger?

- The whole state of California?
- What's the population?

I'll fix you something.

- Cigarette?
- No, thanks.

Never touch them.

I knew you'd be back.

OK.

I'm back.

Well, here you are, young man.

Stella.

You...

- You're OK?
- I'm hungry.

Right away, Stella, right away.

You don't know what it's
been like since you went.

You won't go away,
Stella, will you, again?

Well, see you tomorrow.

Your room's waiting for you.
I paid 'em not to touch a thing.

You wanted it like that,
didn't you, Stella?

And you'll come back
to your job here,

everything just like it was
as if you'd never been away?

That's just how it'll be.

After a long rest.

- You sure look run out.
- So what?

One look at him and I knew
he wasn't any good. I knew...

You make me sick.

He's finished his coffee. Go on.

That was the best hamburger
I never ate.

Sorry. Come back later.
I mean tomorrow. I'm closing up.

- How much?
- It's OK.

It's not OK. He can get his coffee.
Let him pay for it.

Five cents.

- Good evening.
- Uh-huh.

- Professor Madley, please.
- Professor Madley?

- Oh, he won't be here till tomorrow.
- Oh.

Maybe Mr Ellis could help you.

- Ellis?
- The Professor's assistant.

He registered this morning.

Oh, Ellis. Oh, yes.
What's his room number?

It's 216, but he's not in just now.

Of course, er... he's getting tuned.

- Tuned?
- To the other world.

He always does that
before the professor comes in.

- Is that so?
- Oh, sure.

- I'll wait for Ellis up in his room.
- But that's against the rules.

Don't worry, it's all right.

Hm.

- Mr Ellis, I presume?
- Yes.

My name is Stanton.

- Eric Stanton.
- Never heard of you.

Professor Madley's
an old friend of mine.

- When was that?
- The good old days.

- How old?
- Old enough to be good.

- Oh. Drink?
- My favourite brand.

Ought to be. I got it
out of your bureau drawer.

Huh! Help yourself
to everything in here,

long as you're a friend
of the professor's.

From my cradle days.

Then you'll do the professor
a favour. Lend-lease him $30.

- $30?
- Do him half a favour. 15.

What's so funny? Tell me.
I'd like to laugh too.

I came up to put the bite on you.
Now let's hear how you laugh.

- You can't sleep here.
- Wait a minute.

Consult the spirit of my friend
the professor. What's he say?

I know what the manager says.
One more guest, one more dollar.

I haven't got enough
to pay my own bill.

Then the extra dollar
wouldn't matter.

Don't take your shoes off.
I've enough to aggravate me.

Don't worry. I'll get you out of it.

What with? You're broke.

I've got to have $15 by noon tomorrow

or lose the haul downstairs
and my deposit,

besides being kicked out of here
and my luggage held.

What about the professor's spooks?

Don't they generally come through
with an advance sale?

Sure, when there's
nobody to stop them.

But there's a certain woman in this
town, doesn't believe in spooks,

and what she says goes
for the rest of the women.

She's not only the daughter
of the former mayor,

who donated a new organ
to the church,

but the president
of the Ladies Auxiliary.

Against such a combination,
not even I could sell one ticket.

Go charm her.

Miss Mills'll have no truck with me,
not even on the phone.

- Well, let's sleep on it.
- I said no.

We're in this thing together.
Naturally, I'll sleep here.

- Stands to reason.
- What stands to reason?

You're in trouble, man.
I've got to pull you out of it.

- You got any toothpaste?
- In the bathroom.

Hope you like my brand.

Good morning.

Your mistress, please.

- Who?
- Miss Clara Mills.

I'm Clara Mills, and we're not
buying anything either.

Miss Mills, I'm here to speak
on behalf of the dead.

- Who?
- Walton's respected deceased.

They're having a rendezvous tonight
at the Walton Hotel at eight o'clock.

There's nothing to discuss.
I told you that over the phone.

Now, please don't call again,
Mr Ellis.

I'm not Mr Ellis and I'm not a part
of the spook act down at the hotel.

I'm Eric Stanton. Now, would you
listen to me for a minute?

- Well, out with it. I'm busy.
- So is Professor Madley.

Appointments with the dead
from coast to coast.

Yet this soul of generosity
finds time to drop in on Walton

to deliver a message of hope.

For money. He's a charlatan, a fraud.

Not the Professor Madley?

Pretending to commune with the dead.

Now look.

He and Ellis are just a couple
of struggling artists,

trying to make a living, like
fortune tellers or a vaudeville team.

I won't let the poor gullible people
of Walton be fooled.

If my father were alive, these fakers
would never have gotten a licence.

- Your father?
- Yes.

Abraham Mills was a real mayor.
He wouldn't have stood by

and let frauds take advantage
of honest people.

Wait a minute. What if Mayor Mills
would like to make another speech

or tell you something?

- Suppose he's depending on...
- Suppose you leave right now?

Suppose I do?

But don't forget. The curtain
goes up tonight at eight o'clock.

Birds of a feather.
Well, they won't hatch anything here.

Trading on people's sacred feelings.

Everything that's dear, held up
to ridicule by frauds in a trance,

rapping on a table.

We won't have any of the cheap,
vulgar tricks of spiritualism here.

- You think I'm wrong?
- I think he's right.

But how can he be? Joan,
don't be taken in by his glib manner.

He meant it, just two people
trying to make a living.

Why can't they make an honest living?

Are we to judge?

Well, it's too late now.
There's nothing we can do about it.

- Yes, there is.
- What?

We can buy two tickets.
If we go, everybody else will.

Shall I call the hotel?

I'll think about it.

We thank Thee, O, Lord, for our daily
bread and for our many blessings.

Amen.

Doughnut?

No, thanks.

- Like to make a few extra dollars?
- How?

Push these tickets
to your customers.

- I'll give you 20% of all you sell.
- Sure. What are they for?

That spook meeting tonight, featuring
the one and only Professor Madley.

- No.
- Why not?

If the Ladies Auxiliary
don't want 'em, I don't want 'em.

Don't worry about the women. They
wouldn't miss hearing Abraham Mills.

Mills?

The professor's bringing him back
with a message.

I don't believe in it.

What's the difference? You can
still make yourself some money.

No, I don't want to get
mixed up in anything.

Pop, coffee, please.

Right away.

Here he is, Professor,
your old friend Eric Stanton.

Old friend? I don't recall.

Buffalo. Schenectady.

Sorry, I still can't remember.
Let me see...

Relax, Professor.
We've never met before.

Last night in my room, you said...
And you never met him?

- Glad to meet you now, Professor.
- Delighted, Mr Stanton.

Well, all the signs point to a
prosperous association. Dollar signs.

I've sold a batch of tickets already.

- Couple of beers, please.
- OK, coming up.

I heard from my assistant here
that you really work wonders.

Congratulations
on your success, my boy.

We'll have sell-out after sell-out.

Well, OK.

You know, I never believed

that you could talk Miss Mills
into buying tickets.

I just had a call from her sister
to reserve a couple.

They're coming over to get
a message from their old man.

- Right, Professor?
- Ah, yes.

I had a visitation from him
on US Route 101.

He definitely arrives tonight.

What do you say, Pop?
Now do you believe it?

He definitely arrives tonight, sir.

He'd better arrive tonight.
He's your main attraction.

Er... dig up the vital facts, Ellis.

Who is Mills, and what does
he want to come back for?

OK, see you later.

Wait a minute. Leave me one of these.

Oh, Pop? Let me hang this up in here

and I'll give you a couple of tickets
to the best show in town.

- All right, go ahead.
- There you are.

Eric, my boy, you got
a great calling. Spook promotion.

You like to back that up with a fin?

Gladly. I hope to see you
in my room later.

I have a fine collection
of friendly spirits there.

Scotch ancestry.

There you are, Stella.

Thank you.

Have you any idea

what the deceased Mr Mills is going
to say at the séance tonight?

Why?

They thought of him
a great deal around here.

You want to be careful.

Thanks.

A beer, please.

Is that the only record in that box?

- I like it.
- He knows what you like.

That's for his wife to worry about.

- What does he do?
- He's from New York.

New York?

He came out here to stay,
to get his health back.

How did he lose it?

Working too hard, I guess.

He used to be a big man
back there in the police force.

Would you like to come to the show?

You asking me?

Here.

Never mind.

- What's the matter?
- I don't go places alone.

OK.

- Here.
- Was that four beers?

Three beers and a cup of coffee.

You've just heard the spirits
of citizens of Walton,

who've gone on before us and
have returned tonight through me,

returned to tell you how happy
they are in their eternal reward,

and now, my good friends of Walton,

we have come to our last
and most difficult experiment,

for which I must have
your undivided attention

and your sincere concentration.

I feel a strange vibration
coming over me,

the vibration of a spirit
who has remained troubled,

who has found no peace
or contentment since he departed.

Abraham Mills.

I can feel his troubled spirit
trying to get through from beyond.

Yes, Abraham Mills...

...I can hear you.

Would you mind moving over, please?

Yes, Abraham Mills.

- Like it?
- Yes, very much.

You're troubled because
your daughter Clara has lost...

practically everything you left her.

The bonds. The orange groves.

You can't understand how
she could have trusted that man,

that man...

John Martin. John Martin.

John Martin, who came here
after you passed on

and talked her into
selling everything.

Why didn't she ask
the police for help,

when he ran away with the money?

Come, Clara.

You'll find peace only when you know

that Clara will guard
the last of the inheritance

for herself and her younger sister,

$25,000 in stocks.

I'm sorry. I shouldn't
have made you come.

Gee, that was awful mysterious,
how he knew everything.

- Say, can I ask you a favour?
- Sure. What?

Well, you know the professor,
don't you?

Sure I do.

I'd love to have my fortune told.
You think he'd do it if you ask him?

I can tell it better myself.

- Where are we going?
- Your horoscope's up there.

I'd like a drink.

OK, you're on. Where do we go?

I know the place.

I like the way you talk.

I like the way you dance.

Yes, sir, two bourbon.

- Who ordered them?
- You want them?

OK.

- Thanks.
- You said you'd tell my fortune.

Well...

...you don't belong
in a one-armed joint.

- No?
- A girl like you.

You got style, beautiful style.
You inherited that.

Your father was a leading citizen.

- Rich.
- Huh!

- He trusted people too much.
- And?

Your mother...
Her line seems to have run out.

Don't scare me. She runs
a boarding house in San Diego.

And my old man came from
a long line of drunks.

Anyway, there's a man in your life.
You just met him.

Tomorrow he's going to San Francisco

and you're gonna lie awake at night,
unable to forget.

And what can I do about it?

Listen to that.

The sound of far-off places.

You like the sound of the ocean?

I like the way you talk.

No. That's OK for kids
but not for me.

Not anymore.

Where are you from?

What has that got to do with it?

OK, don't tell me.

I'm from New York.

- Now you know.
- Oh?

What do you do
when you don't tell fortunes?

I helped make 'em for others,

half-assed actresses,
directors, producers,

through a publicity mill I ran.

They came out famous,
their names in all the papers.

You know people like that?

I know all people and all places,
like 21, The Stork Club.

That's where you belong, smothered
in mink. I can see you there.

And do you see me
with a ring on my finger?

Somebody to give me a home?

Sure, sure.

Now look.

Last night I made up my mind.

That's the way I want it.

He didn't see it that way
so I walked home,

at night, miles before I got a ride.

I was plenty tired when I got in too.

You saw me.
But when I make up my mind...

Forget about last night.

You talk different, sure.

But you drive just like the rest.

Well, you got the wrong girl.

Yeah?

Uh! Ow! No!

Tomorrow you're going.
Where does that leave me?

You'll go with me.

What on? You got into town
with one dollar in your pocket.

You're a fake.

Well, now, you little gyp.

Stealing a buck out of
the cash register and calling...

Go on, go on back
to your one-armed joint

and wait for somebody
to come and marry you.

- Coming, Eric?
- Yeah, coming.

The professor's waiting.

Never felt so good, getting out of
town, even with the bills all paid.

Don't smile. Your face
looks better without it.

- See you downstairs.
- OK.

Ah, top of the morning,
my boy. Hop in.

- Good morning.
- Get in.

- I'm not going.
- Not going? What's wrong?

Nothing. You go ahead. I'll meet you.

But, Eric, we need you
for the advance publicity.

San Francisco's
a tough town on spooks.

Come on! Hit 'em like the earthquake.

When I feel like it.

I made it clear to you, when I took
this job, you can't tie me down.

Cramps my style.

I always work best when
a certain feeling comes over me

- and right now I haven't got it.
- A genius.

Eric, my boy, you're an artist.
You have my sympathy.

- And a bus ticket, on the firm.
- Never mind that.

Well, you'll always find
your favourite brand

in my bureau drawer.

It's about time you showed up.

My bus leaves in 15 minutes.

Got a nickel?

I just came back to say I...
I'm sorry about last night.

Save it.

Nothing else you want to say?

No.

- Don't give me that act.
- What act?

You know what I mean.

Hello.

So long. For good!

What bit him?

Trying to make a buck, I guess.

- Well, in or out?
- Skip it.

This finishes it. You'll never
see me again. Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Oh!

Always leave 'em laughing.

You again.

- What do you want?
- I want to talk to you.

OK, talk.

Don't give me that smile.

OK, I don't smile.

I thought you had something to say.

- Doesn't that say it?
- Huh.

I heard that kind of talk before.
Good night.

I never said it before to anybody.

Ever.

I'll marry you, Stella,
if that's what you want.

- You? You don't kid me.
- I'm not kidding.

- Last night...
- Last night, I didn't know you.

What made you tick.

I know you now.

I know why I couldn't get out of here
this morning or get on that bus.

I can't get away without you, Stella,

and I'm not going
anywhere without you.

What's in it for me?

You said you wanted that, didn't you?
A ring on your finger.

That isn't enough.
What goes with it? I want a home.

I'll get it for you.

What with? One dollar in your pocket?

12½ thousand dollars.

Where would you get
12½ thousand dollars?

What's the difference,
as long as I get it?

How? Are you gonna
murder somebody?

- Talk sense.
- You gonna steal it?

- Listen.
- Well, I don't know you.

You know one thing.

We're gonna get married,
once I get the cash.

Maybe you'll get me in trouble.

- I don't want to get in trouble.
- You won't.

Not the way I'll get it.

I'm not even telling you how.

You just sit tight and wait for me.

That's the deal.

You'll keep it.

Maybe I will.

Very good performance, Miss Mills.
Please go on.

Beethoven never sounded
so good before.

- I wasn't playing Beethoven.
- No?

Well, sure, it was Brahms. The
old boys do sound alike, don't they?

- I mean in spots.
- What spots?

You know, the way they begin,

the way they end,
sometimes in the middle,

like the piece you were
just playing, Brahms...

It wasn't anything.
I was just improvising.

Well, if Brahms didn't write that,
you wrote him one better.

That was beautiful. It was classical.
It was... it was inspiring.

You know, you belong
in Carnegie Hall.

Ah, look. You can't stay angry at me
forever, not two full days.

Wait a minute.

What about living up
to the place we're in,

and the music you play here?

So, when a guy comes around
and says he's sorry,

the least you can do is forgive him.

All right, I forgive you.

- Friends?
- I hardly know you.

Well, don't worry about that.
We'll fix it right away.

You know, it's a good thing

word didn't come through
from New York this morning.

Gives me a chance
to stay over another day,

square things with you
and your sister.

Tell me, what is there to do
in a town like this,

to make time pass till tomorrow?

- That's up to you, isn't it?
- What do you do?

Oh, there's plenty
to occupy your time here.

The movies. Dancing.

The beach isn't far.
They'll tell you at the hotel.

You still think I tried to hurt
your sister? I didn't mean to really.

I only meant to help the professor.
But that's happened to me before.

I try to help somebody,
somebody else gets hurt.

- That's the way it's been all my life.
- Of course.

You live by impulse,
and you never bother to think

if you're following the right impulse
or the wrong one.

I see you don't stop at music.
You read too.

Don't you?

Me? I haven't opened a book
since I left school. They're phony.

- So are some people.
- At least they're alive.

So are books.

Yeah, you come to a part you
don't like, you can turn the page,

but try it on people.

Or try it on life.

I'll tell you something
about yourself, Miss Mills.

You're scared to live. That's why you
bury yourself in books and music.

I think you ought to respect my ways
as I respect yours.

Only I live and you don't.

All the things you look down on
are the things that make up life.

What things?

Little things like a game of bowling
or a swim at night or...

...or a dance.

A kiss. Stuff that bubbles.

Bet you never had a drink.

- That doesn't mean anything.
- Not by itself, it doesn't.

But you add up all the little things,
that's what makes up life.

Maybe you're the one
that's scared, not I.

How come?

Well, you don't know what you want.
That's why you're scared.

That's why you keep running
after every little thing.

You know, that's quite a mind
you have there, Miss Mills.

You mean for a girl in a small town?
Must be the books, huh?

Must be.

You know, if you didn't know me
so well, I might ask you something.

- You'd probably say no, though.
- Probably.

So, there's really no use
in asking, is there?

Well, why don't you ask me anyway?

Will you have dinner with me tonight?

Well, I... I don't think I can.

You see? You're afraid
to step out of your tower.

No, no, no. That isn't it.

- Your sister?
- Of course not.

- Then what are you afraid of?
- I'm not afraid. Why should I be?

Yeah, why should you be?
I'll pick you up at seven.

At seven.

Don't you ever see
anything through to the end?

When it's worth it.

Well, now we had a dinner
that you didn't like

and saw a movie you didn't like.

- What's next?
- Dancing?

All right.

Let's not miss any of the little
things that make up your happy life.

Well, here's to your first scotch.

How do you like it?

Tastes like soap.

If this is what
all your little things add up to,

I...I don't think it's very much.

Did you learn how to play
Beethoven in one night?

No. Then don't expect to learn
how to play at this in one night.

But I don't think
you enjoy it either.

- Because you don't.
- But I want to. That's why I came.

Frankly, why did you ask me?

No special reason.
You happen to interest me.

- In what way?
- Can't define it.

Maybe it's your charm.
Maybe it's your talent.

Ever think of a career?

- Maybe.
- And?

No. No, I know my limitations.

One shouldn't set a limit
on what one can do.

Mr Stanton.

That sounds as if it came out
of a book, and not a very good one.

There goes that mind again.
Shall we turn the page and dance?

Oh, it... it's been an awfully long time...

I'll lead you.

You're doing fine.

Thank you.

Hey. Ditch him
and I'll meet you afterward.

I don't cheat on a date.

There's still one more little thing.

But don't worry,
I'm not going to kiss you good night

and make you unhappy.

Unhappy? Don't you take
too much for granted?

No, one kiss goes
a long way with you.

You need a guy
who'll take it the same way,

who'll give you a marriage with
all the trimmings, home and kids,

who'll walk to church with you
every Sunday, listen to you play.

Save all your good nights for him.

What makes you think
I wanted you to kiss me?

Didn't you?

- Short of help this morning, huh?
- Kind of.

- She always come in this late?
- Sometimes.

Why you want to know?

I just thought maybe
she'd skipped out on you again.

No, she won't do it.
She promised me she won't.

Stella! Morning, Stella.

Good morning.

Oh, I sure could use some coffee.

I got something special for you.

I waited for you last night
till after three.

That's nice.

Where were you?

- Around.
- With that guy?

Oh, leave me alone, will you?
It's too early.

- Here you are.
- Hm, thanks.

- Where did you get the watch?
- Do you like it?

Get me some hash, good and brown.

I said some hash.

You get this last night?

Wait till we're married
and then ask me.

Till then I don't have
to tell you a thing.

We're as good as married.

Ha-ha.

You're dropping out of circulation
from now on.

When you go out,
it'll only be with me.

You got a steady date
with Miss Mills.

I'm only doing that for you.

A lot of good I'm getting out of it.

You will in a couple of days.

OK, couple of days,
but that don't mean forever.

Morning, Mr Judd.

Good morning, Stella.

Hello.

With my compliments.

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

I'm leaving tomorrow
and I wanted to say goodbye.

Goodbye, Mr Stanton.

We were just going to
pick up a few things.

- Can we take you anywhere?
- Anywhere you say.

- Can three of us get in there?
- I think so. You go ahead.

Thank you.

Nice town. Hate to leave it.

- Expect to go far?
- Maybe.

Maybe I'll be back,

and maybe I won't.

It depends.

- On what?
- On what there is to come back to.

I'll be just a minute.

What would you come back for,
Mr Stanton?

June.

I gathered as much.
Let's be frank, shall we?

My cards are on the table,
Miss Mills.

I want you to leave June alone.

We don't know who you are
or where you come from.

- What do you do?
- Nothing.

That's frank, at least.

And I'm sure you'll be interested to
know I have no bank account either.

- I thought so.
- Your hand is showing, Miss Mills.

You've got a trump card, money,
and because I haven't got any...

That isn't true.
It has nothing to do with money.

June has quite enough for herself,
even without my share.

Your share?

Yes, she'll get that too. I want her
to be happy. That's all I care about.

It's all hers, whatever I have...

...in San Francisco, Mr Stanton,
where no one can touch it...

...not until she meets the right man.

Well, maybe I'm not
the right man after all.

And you won't see her again?

Suppose we leave that
up to the one concerned?

- There you are.
- Thank you.

Wonderful, just wonderful.

If I've accomplished nothing else,

at least I made you like
one of the little things I like.

I have my little secrets too.

Bet you think all I do is read
big heavy books, don't you?

But I don't. For years, I've been
saving ads out of magazines.

Sometimes I... I feel like
I'm the girl in the ads...

...softly alluring, full of grace,
gown by Schiaparelli.

If I had money,
I'd dress you like the ads.

Take you to New York,
at least to San Francisco.

- You'd have that Schiaparelli gown.
- Ha. It isn't that important.

It would be when I took you
to the nightclubs,

to theatre, the concerts.

Did you ever hear the San Francisco
Symphony Orchestra?

Mm-hm, on the radio.

What do you hear on the radio?
A lot of noise.

But when you see 'em up on the stage,

all dressed up with their fiddles
and their horns,

people right up to the roof,
10,000 of 'em,

waiting for the music to begin.

That's a concert, particularly
when Toscanini conducts,

like he's going to
tomorrow afternoon.

- Toscanini?
- Yeah, and you know what?

After the concert,
I'll get him to listen to you play.

See who's right about your talent,
you or me.

You know Arturo Toscanini?

I'll make it my business
to meet him for you.

We can leave for San Francisco in the
morning, make it in plenty of time.

- All right?
- No.

- Your sister?
- Yes.

You gonna do everything she says?

No, but I...

Well, I guess
after tonight it's goodbye.

I guess it is.

Anyway, there are
a few things to remember.

Mm-hm.

It could have been wonderful.

Mm-hm.

If I were another guy, the right guy,

could have gone on like this, night
after night, just the two of us.

The fire, hot dogs, wine.

Martinis.

Wonderful martinis.

Could have been a dream.

A beautiful dream.

You and I together,
New York and San Francisco.

Mm-hm.

Getting you
all those things in the ads.

Going everywhere together,

to the concerts to hear
the famous people play.

Becoming famous yourself.

Great career.

Miss June Mills,
the finest talent of them all.

Woman of the year.

- Who is it?
- Eric.

- I've got to see you right away.
- It can wait till tomorrow.

- It's important.
- OK, I'm listening.

- I can't talk to you like this.
- I can hear you.

Come on, open up the door.
What are you afraid of?

Oh, pipe down, will you?

Quiet. Do you want to wake everybody
up? What do you want?

I came to tell you I can't go
through with it like I planned.

It'll take too long.

I knew it. You didn't stand a chance.

That isn't it.

Look, you know how I feel about you.

You've got to believe in me,
have confidence in me.

I want you, Stella.
I'm nuts about you.

That wasn't the deal.

Well, what of it?

I'll get you that home
and everything you wanted with it.

I can do it. I've got ideas
that work, pay off big.

Come on,
let's get out of here tonight.

- I'm taking no chances.
- Promise me, Stella.

I stick to a deal.

Satisfied there's nobody here?

Now beat it!

- Yeah?
- 'Eric?'

Yeah.

'I'm so glad. I was afraid
you might have already left.'

Who is this?

June.

Eric, I'm going with you.

To San Francisco?

To the concert,
on the nine o'clock train.

We'll pick you up
on the way to the station.

We?

Yes, Clara's going along too.

She had to go
to San Francisco anyway,

to take care of some business,

so she thought she might as well
do it a week ahead of time.

'Glad to have her along.'

Thank you, Eric. We'll be right over.

Oh...

- Want to wait here?
- No, I'll go in with you.

- Do you mind?
- Not at all.

Mills, number 17.

Yes, Miss Mills. Clara
and June Mills, joint ownership.

Either one of you sign here.

- What's the rent on a box?
- Four dollars and up.

There's none available now. We might
have some vacancies next month.

Hm. I need one now.

You can put whatever you want
in our box.

No, thanks. I might need it
when you're home.

Come on, June.

- Have you a telephone directory?
- Yes, right around the corner.

- This way?
- Yes.

Thanks.

- The gentleman went to the phone.
- Thank you.

That was great luck. I found a man.

- Who?
- Somebody very important.

Might have a great effect
on your career.

- Who is he?
- Wait till you meet him.

I told him we'd be over right away.

Go ahead.
I want to make a call from here.

I...I'll meet you after the concert.

No, we wouldn't think of it.
Eric asked you to go with us.

- Oh, thanks, but...
- Sure you're going.

Meet us at 2.30 sharp
in front of the auditorium.

2.30. Good luck.

Thanks. We'll need it.

There is no concert.
I suppose you know that?

He knew it all along.

Getting us all the way up here
to San Francisco, pretending...

- He had to.
- Why?

Can you think of any better way
of getting June out of Walton?

As long as she was there,
we didn't have a chance.

- What chance?
- Get married.

- Married?
- Sure.

Here's the evidence,
certificate of marriage.

June.

You don't know what you've done.

I do.

- I'll have the whole thing annulled.
- No, you won't, Clara.

I know what I want.
This isn't as sudden as you think.

Well, what's the verdict?

- I hope you'll be very happy.
- Thank you, Clara.

I suppose the next thing to say is,
shall we be friends?

We could be,
if you'd make June happy.

Sure I will, right from the start.

What are your plans?

Well, I'd like to go home first
and get a few things together.

Then we'll go some place
for a little while. All right, Eric?

OK, back to Walton. But first
I'd, er... like to try another bank.

I want to put this
in a safe deposit box.

Don't want to take any chances
carrying it around.

I've a few valuables too, you know.

Why don't you put it in our box?

I wouldn't pass 'em.
It's in your name.

I'll put it away for you.

I always thought of it that way,
didn't I, June?

Yes, dear.

I said to myself, when June gets
married, this will be her home.

I'll give it to her and her husband
to do with as they please.

If I'm to stay on,
it will be as a guest...

...a guest in June's home...

...assuming, of course, that I'm wanted.

- Of course we want you with us.
- Absolutely. Here, have some more.

No.

It's time for a guest
to say good night.

Good night.

Good night, Clara.

I'll be up in a minute.

Won't you even have a drink with me?

I got a date.

- Can I walk you home?
- I said I got a date.

Good night, Stella.
Don't forget to lock the door.

Stella?

Yeah?

You're going to San Francisco
tomorrow.

Am I?

Tomorrow I'll have
that money, all of it.

You'll meet me up there
and then we'll...

How do I know you'll have it?

Because I'm going to San Francisco
with her to get it.

Well, I won't and she won't either.

Oh, yes, she will.
It's her honeymoon.

- Her what?
- Yeah.

I married her this afternoon.
It was the only way.

Congratulations.

Now listen. We're really not married.

I mean, we'll be divorced in no time.

I haven't even kissed her,
as a matter of fact.

- I can have it annulled.
- Good night.

Now wait a minute!

What do you want?
She's your wife, not me.

I don't run around with married men!

I did it for you,
to get you what you wanted.

Now you'll keep
your part of the deal.

Oh, sure, but she's got
the ring on her finger.

She's not so dumb.
Well, I'm not a dope either!

Good morning.

- Sugar? Cream?
- No.

Go ahead, say it.

I have nothing to say, Eric.

I'm waiting for you.

Well, I'm sorry.

Maybe I shouldn't have
stayed out that late.

All of a sudden,
there I was, a married man.

I had to go out for a drink.

By the time I got back in,
you were asleep.

Why did you go to see
that girl in the diner?

- What girl?
- Clara saw you.

- You mean she went out after me?
- Yes, she told me this morning.

Well, that's fine. Clara told you.

What's she gonna do,
follow me around everywhere I go?

Check up on me?

That sister of yours has been
running your life up till now,

and she'd better stay
out of mine, you tell her.

I was angry with her too at first,
but she means well.

Yeah? Then why did she tell you?

So you can have a good time worrying?

I didn't worry.

Until that... that man
came to see you.

What man?

He's with the police,
wants to ask you something.

Ask me what?

About that girl.
She was found murdered.

Stella?

Yes. Yes, that was her name.

Eric? What did she mean to you?

Does Mr Judd know?

Judd?

He's downstairs waiting.

- Mr Judd.
- Congratulations, Mr Stanton.

I just heard you were married, and my
very best wishes to you, Mrs Stanton.

Thank you.

Well, our church organist
certainly surprised us all,

married in San Francisco
and not in a church.

It certainly saves time, doesn't it?

Gives one the chance
to get back the same night

and have a nice little family dinner,
and after that where did you go?

We were tired.

- Everybody?
- I locked the door myself.

Mm-hm?

Well, I guess I'll check up
on a few things.

- Mind if I go with you?
- Not a bit.

Thank you.

- How did it happen? Who did it?
- I don't know yet.

The Chief of Police
called me this morning

and asked me
to give them a little help.

He appointed me special investigator.

- You know, it's strange.
- What is?

That a man doesn't spend
his wedding night at home.

- Did Clara tell you?
- No, she didn't say anything.

I saw you around, myself.

Out the way, folks! One side!

Hi, Mr Judd.

One side, please. One side.

Out of the way.

- Hello, Mr Judd.
- Sergeant.

Hello, Pop.

You can sit down now.

- Thanks for coming, Mr Judd.
- Chief.

Coroner was here. He'll send in
his report as soon as possible.

In the meantime, however,
here's what he said.

She was killed by a blow
on the left temple.

Weapon undetermined.

Probably a lead pipe.

Time of death between 3 and 4am.

- Find the weapon?
- It's not in here.

Who's she?

She lives downstairs, Mr Judd.

Says someone ran out
of here late last night.

She found the girl's watch
under the step this morning.

Guess he must have dropped it.

What did he look like?

I don't know, mister.
It was so dark, I couldn't see him.

Just as I went to
close the window, I...

I saw him running down the street.

How do you know
it was a man you saw?

I didn't say it was a man.

- Then it was a woman?
- No.

- Then it had to be a man.
- I guess it was.

- A man always took her home.
- Who?

I don't know.

I saw him come up...

...and once, I saw him.

Which one did you see last night?

Oh, I can't say it was them, honest.

Can I go now, mister?
I should be down in the store.

Please. I don't like to stay in here.

You can go.

So can you, Pop.

I don't need you right now.

Let me stay, Mr Judd. It's her room.

It was her room, Pop.

She was a good girl,
wasn't she, Mr Judd?

She never meant bad.
Everybody liked her.

Yes. Everybody.

- Your name?
- Atkins.

I gave my statement to the chief.

What do you do?

Well, you know me.
I operate jukeboxes around here...

- And slot machines.
- Only in Nevada, where it's legal.

Now look, I already said
what I had to to the chief.

I'm not answering any more questions.

What makes you think I'm going
to question you, Mr Atkins?

I know how cops work.

How do they work, Mr Atkins?

Well, you're supposed to show me.

Perhaps we'd better go in there,
if you don't mind.

No, I don't mind.

Here's his statement, Mr Judd.

Check his alibi. There's a phone
in the store downstairs.

Right away.

Sit down.

Now...

let's get down to facts, Mr Atkins.

You've got my alibi right there.

If you don't believe me, why don't
you wait till the chief gets back?

But I'm not interested in your alibi.

I'd like to know
when you gave her this watch.

When? Why don't you ask me
if I gave it to her?

- I know you did.
- You don't.

I told you I know how cops work.

I don't believe you know
how I work, Mr Atkins.

- With kid gloves?
- Certainly.

I don't like to mess up
any case I'm on.

- You gave her the watch, didn't you?
- No.

- You did.
- No!

You gave her the watch.

You gave her the watch, didn't you?

- No.
- You did.

You gave her the watch.

No.

You gave her the watch.

Oh!

All right, let's pick it up.

What about you and Stella?

Well, I've known her for a long time.

I used to board at her mother's home,
down San Diego.

I didn't have any money then
so... I couldn't marry her.

Skip the romance.

Last night,
you picked her up at 10.15.

You were with her until two.
What happened in between?

We had dinner...

...and drove down to the beach.

Well?
You got there, didn't you?

Yeah, yeah.
That's when she said she'd marry me.

And you brought her home.
You came up to kiss the bride.

No, no, I didn't come up.
I left right away.

You see, when Stella was murdered,

I was in a motorcar just outside
of Glenolden. That's 100 miles away.

How do you know
what time Stella was murdered?

Well, the coroner's report.

Says around four.

Well, you know
I couldn't have murdered her.

Sit down.

You did give her the watch,
didn't you?

No.

- Tell him I went home.
- Come on, Mr Atkins.

Just for the record
so we can clear that up.

Doesn't make you any more guilty,
if you did give it to her.

You quarrelled. You took it back,
then you lost it on the way down.

No, I never gave her any jewellery.

- Come on, Mr Atkins, admit it...
- No.

- ...that you were generous, just once.
- No.

- Admit it.
- No!

- Mr Stanton.
- Look, you don't try that on me.

I wouldn't think of it.
I just happen not to like his face.

Mr Judd.

His alibi's OK.

The Liddell Motor Court in Glenolden
said he checked in at 2.30.

All right, Mr Atkins. You may go now.

I knew his alibi'd hold up.

You got the watch?

I didn't say you could go,
Mr Stanton.

- Sit down.
- I'm onto the rules.

You can't ask me anything
or hold me without charges.

You seem to be
an expert on loopholes.

Perhaps you can tell us
who might have murdered the girl.

I don't know. Could have been
anybody. Atkins, maybe.

No, it isn't Atkins.

- Pop. He was stuck on her.
- Perhaps.

- Or was it a woman? Clara Mills?
- Or the woman downstairs?

- Or you, Mr Stanton?
- Or you, Mr Judd?

A splendid deduction.

The possibilities are many, and all
quite interesting, don't you think?

In a cold-blooded sort of way, sure.

You still aren't helping us
get anywhere.

It's your case.

But you're involved in it,
more than you realise.

- Now, look..
- I'm looking.

The facts, they're all against you.

You came into town
for no obvious reasons.

Of course, you were going elsewhere.

Meet a young lady,
spend some time with her.

Then you come up here.
The woman downstairs saw you.

Then you meet another young lady
and marry her.

On your wedding night,
you walk the streets

looking for young lady number one.

How do we know
you didn't wait for her until...

I didn't.

You're an expert, Mr Stanton.

You know the exact value
of a man's word against facts.

- Are you accusing me?
- Not yet.

Perhaps after we find the weapon.

However, I wouldn't plan on
any out-of-town honeymoon just yet.

We might need you any moment.

Good day.

What are you packing for?
You're not going away now, are you?

Yes, I am.

June, I won't let you go with him,
not after that girl was murdered.

- I'm going, Clara.
- How can you?

Why throw yourself away
onto someone who's not worth it?

He isn't worth it.

Oh, June, it's no use.
There's no happiness in it.

I know. I've been through all this.

It's not the same thing, Clara.
Please try to understand.

I do understand.

Once I believed in someone too.

No matter what people said,
I believed in him.

You don't know what he meant to me,

what all of his lies and broken
promises and dishonesty did to me.

I can't let you ruin your life too.

June, a man who went out
after another woman,

the night of your marriage.

Maybe you're right, Clara,
but I can't let it end now.

I must give us every chance.
I hardly know him yet.

We've said so little to each other,
we're practically strangers.

- Together, maybe he'll change.
- He won't change.

Maybe not, but at least I'll have
tried, done everything I could.

Goodbye, Clara.

Eric, there's a train leaving
in a half hour and I...

Forget about the honeymoon.
I'm beating it alone.

- I'll make better time.
- You're running away?

What do you want me to do?
Stick around here?

Get framed? And my face punched in?

You bet I'm running away.

But won't it look bad if...
if they want you?

That's for Mr Judd to figure out.

If he wants to pin it on me,
he'll have to find me first.

- Where will you go?
- What do you want to know for?

Cos I want to go with you.

You'll need me to get the money
in San Francisco.

Who asked you for money?

You'll need it.

You mean you're giving me the money?

No. No, I'm not giving it to you.
It belongs to both of us.

All right,
but when this thing blows over,

I'll pay it back to you, every cent.

Very well, I'll get the car.

No, and we can't take the train
or the bus either.

Judd'll have them all watched.

We've got to get on the highway
without being seen.

We'll hitchhike to San Francisco,
and no luggage.

It's got to look as if we were
just out taking a walk. Come on.

Good evening.

- In and out, out and in.
- Sorry?

One room right after the other.

Can't even wait
till the room's ready.

I never saw such a rush,
everybody getting married.

What a dump!

It isn't so bad.

Tired?

Maybe I am,
waiting for something to happen.

Nothing's going to happen.

Shut it off, will you?

I just thought
you might like a drink.

I sure would, but not that.

Well, there's a bar downstairs, and
we still have a little money left.

What do you want me to do,
walk right into his arms?

- He probably isn't after you at all.
- Not much

Must have sent a description of me
to all the papers.

Maybe we missed an edition.

It couldn't be in the papers yet.
It's too early.

- There's no reason to be afraid.
- Sure! Murder rap's nothing.

Let's just up and go home
so he can pin it on me.

I didn't say we ought to go home.

No, you didn't say it but you meant
it. The room's not good enough!

Why don't you go and tell me
I got you into this?

You're sorry you ever came.

But I'm not sorry. I wanted to.

What for? So you could drive me nuts
with that quiet way of yours?

- Eric...
- Why did I ever bring you anyway?

I don't need your dough!

Wouldn't have to wait around here,
hanging around this dump.

If I'd been alone,
I could have kept right on going.

Maybe I will.

Double scotch, thanks.
Better make it a single.

- I'll settle for a beer.
- Better make up your mind, mister.

It is made up. A beer.

- Eric?
- Yes.

Could you give me a towel,
please? They're on the bed.

- Here.
- Thank you.

Eric, would you get me my coat?
It's in the closet.

Here.

I, uh... thought
I'd bring you one of these.

Thank you.

And this.

Help you pass the time.

That's very sweet of you.

Uh-huh, I thought it would say it
better than I could, that...

that I'm sorry. Just nerves, I guess.

I understand.

All I mean is,

there's nothing in it for you,
chasing around like this.

- You ought to go home.
- No.

Why do you waste your money
on a guy like me?

I'm not wasting my money.

It's yours as well.
I don't care what you do with it.

Burn it up. Tear it up.
Do anything you want with it!

Take it easy.
I only meant it for your sake.

If you had any consideration at all,
you wouldn't even mention the money.

OK, but any time you want to, you can
always pull out. Remember that.

They'll fit you up with a divorce
just for the asking.

Just tell 'em how I lied to you, that
I only married you for your money,

- I'm wanted for murder...
- You didn't murder that girl.

Maybe I did. You didn't even ask me.

I didn't have to. I knew you didn't.

- What do you know about me?
- All I know is that I love you!

I love you, Eric! I love you!

I could go on
for the rest of the night,

telling you about my batting average,

how many times I've struck out.

Even when I hit a home run,
it isn't any different.

Like the time in New York,
just before I came west.

I'd started a publicity office.

Like always,
it was great at the beginning.

Guy comes along,
wants to buy the business.

Offered me 8,000 bucks on the line.
I took it.

We had a big celebration that night.

In a couple of hours, I'd lost half
of it back to him and his friends.

I knew the dice were loaded,
but I couldn't prove it.

Anyway, I came west.
Chicago for a while.

Then Omaha.

Las Vegas. That's where
I dropped the other half of the bill.

When I was kicked off
of that bus at Walton,

I only had one dollar left...

...and then...

Ah, but why go on?

I want to know everything about you.

It all adds up to only one thing.

A washout.

That's what you're looking at,
a complete washout at 30.

Yeah, I'm finished OK.

- You're not finished, Eric.
- Sure I am.

I'm tired, like I was
a million years old,

with a million jobs behind me,
and girls...

...chances I never followed up.

Eric.

Did you care very much for...

Stella?

I don't know.

I guess I did.

I even promised her I'd marry her.

I can't figure it out now.

Would have lasted a couple of weeks.

Maybe less.

Anyway, that's all gone...

...just as if it died with her.

Yeah, that's over too.

Up in smoke,
like everything in my life.

My school, the publicity game.

Easy come, easy go.

I got everything by talking fast
in a world that goes for talk,

and I end up with exactly nothing.

Perhaps we can find what you want,
when this is all cleared up.

If it's cleared up.

Eric.

Wouldn't it look better not to
run away, to go back to Walton?

Sure, go back to the chair. Or is it
the gas chamber in California?

If you're innocent,
there's nothing to worry about.

Maybe that's the way
it works in your books.

But even when I was a kid,

I was always being beaten up
for something I didn't do.

That's when I learned to run away
before it was too late.

You're tired.

Come, lie down...

...and tomorrow we'll go
wherever you want to go.

June?

Why don't you just go on home?

We're married, remember?

Besides, I... I want to be with you.

Why?

I need you, Eric.

You need me

Yes, you're my husband...

...and I'm your wife.

Right out of a book.

Again.

Yes. Out of a book.

We were born to tread
the earth as angels,

to seek out heaven
this side of the sky.

But they who race alone shall stumble
in the dark, and fall from grace.

Go on. Sounds good.

Then love alone can make
the fallen angel rise.

For only two together
can enter Paradise.

Four-and-a-half minute eggs.

I've certainly married
a man with a peculiar taste.

You can still get out of it.

Promise me
you'll never say that again.

OK, I promise.

It's ten o'clock. The bank just opened.

Let's go.

Get your morning papers here!
Get your papers!

Early-edition papers!

Papers! This morning's papers!

Paper, sir?

You wait here. I'll be right back.

- Shine, sir?
- Papers here!

- All right.
- This morning's papers!

Early-edition papers!

Papers! Early-edition papers!

Morning papers here! Papers!

- Mrs Stanton?
- Yes?

Would you come with us, please?

- Here.
- But I ain't finished yet!

Now, let's be sensible.
We've been here for hours.

Tell us where he is.
We're bound to find him soon.

Mrs Stanton,
you're not helping him or yourself.

Getting mixed up in this murder
as an accessory after the fact.

If he doesn't want to come back,
he must have a reason.

What reason could an innocent man
have, assuming he's innocent?

He is. He could never have done it.

How can you say that?

You know very little about him.

He came into town a total stranger
and within a week he married you,

all to his credit, of course.

But why this trust in him?

A man who went out to see another
woman, the night of your marriage.

That's between the two of us.

Ask Miss Clara Mills to come in.

Miss Mills, please.

June?

Sit down, Miss Mills.

In your sworn statement,
you identified this envelope,

which was found
in your safe deposit box,

as the one Mr Stanton gave you.

Would you please
repeat that for your sister?

Yes.

This is the envelope he gave me after
they were married in San Francisco.

Why did he want you to put it away?

He said it contained
something valuable.

Mm-hm.

Would you care to see your husband's
valuable property, Mrs Stanton?

A blank piece of paper.

Now, why would a man want
to put a blank piece of paper

in your safe deposit box?

I'll tell you.

It gives him the excuse to open
the box, to steal your money.

No, he wouldn't. Whatever he did,
he... he did because he was confused.

He knew what he was doing.

He wanted that money
so he could run away with that girl.

But he didn't run away with her.

No, he made the mistake
of coming back a married man

and she didn't want to have
anything to do with married men.

They had an argument
and he killed her.

You're only assuming that.
You have no proof.

All right, but why shield
a man who lied to you,

who wanted to steal from you,

when you have positive proof that
he married you for your money?

He didn't lie to me,
and he isn't guilty. I know he isn't.

He only ran away because he had to.

He's always had to run away,
all his life,

even as a child when he was beaten
for things he didn't do.

But he won't come back
because of you,

because you won't give him a chance.

You only think the worst of him,

trying to make him guilty of murder
when he didn't do it!

I tell you he didn't do it!
He didn't do it!

Take her home now.

You're responsible
she doesn't leave the house.

Not the same, Mr Judd.

I think I'll sell the place.

Hello, Pop. Some coffee, please.

I knew you'd be back.

Yeah.

Well, drink your coffee and we'll go
down to the Chief of Police.

Thanks.

Enjoy San Francisco?

Sure. How come
you didn't go after me?

I didn't have to.

And how come there was no word
about Stella's murder in the papers?

- Why are you holding it back?
- Professional reasons.

And was it for professional reasons
you beat up Atkins,

when all the time you knew
he was innocent?

You don't seem to appreciate
my methods, Mr Stanton.

Frankly, no.

That's what brought me back.

You know, I got worrying about you
in San Francisco.

About me?

Yes, Mr Judd.

You know, you ought to stay home
nights, with your bad health,

not walk the streets,

like the night you said
you saw me looking for Stella.

More coffee, Pop.

You know, you weren't strong enough
to keep on working

on the New York force.

Why are you working
so hard on this case?

- Maybe you'd better slow down.
- Don't you worry about me.

I'm OK.

I said I wanted more coffee, Pop.
Get it.

I don't worry about you,
Mr Judd, not any more,

not since I called a friend of mine
in the DA's office in New York.

He assured me you were in
perfect health when you left there.

They only retired you from the force

because you ruined
another man's health,

almost killed him
in a routine investigation.

They would have sent you up,
if you hadn't had such a good record.

That was before you started
to enjoy your work too much,

wearing gloves, you know,
and what's more, I checked up on...

That's enough.

Save it for the chief.

There you are, Pop.

Ah, you remember that watch,

the one with the three diamonds
that belonged to Stella?

Ever found out who bought it for her?

Perhaps.

You know, you made
your fatal mistake, Judd,

when you had June arrested
up in San Francisco.

Well, you scared me at first,
all right.

But then I stopped
and I began to think

and I kept right on thinking
about that watch

and I started a little routine
investigation of my own.

The result is the Walton police
will get a wire from San Francisco.

They'll know who bought that watch
by tomorrow morning.

That is, unless you admit it tonight.

Shall we go? Oh, I came in a police
car. They're waiting outside.

I thought it would be
more convenient.

Sit down.

You don't mind if I finish my coffee?

You're insane, Judd.
The police are waiting right outside.

Perhaps I am insane.

Perhaps this might have
been the perfect crime,

if I hadn't dropped the watch,

though I doubt it.

- There's always some slip.
- Yeah, there always is.

You understand.

You know what she was like.

You couldn't get away
from her either.

Two years, I came in here and drank
coffee, just to get a look at her.

Day after day, for two years.

Insane? Perhaps.

Those evenings,
when she went out with other men,

while I was waiting for her
in the shadow on the porch.

Remember three nights ago when
you brought her home and kissed her?

I was standing there.

Insane, perhaps.

Night before last
when she was out with Atkins.

After he left, I went up.

When she told me
she wouldn't wait any longer

for my wife to give me a divorce,

that she was going to marry
that slot-machine operator

the next morning,

I hit her.

Unfortunately,
I didn't remember my ring.

Get out of the way, Mr Stanton!
I'm going to kill him!

He murdered Stella! I'm gonna
kill him! I'm gonna kill him!

I'm gonna kill him!

Let's go.

You got to forget it, Pop.

No, I'll never forget Stella.

You will.

I felt the same way myself until...

Well, you'll find yourself, Pop.

Eric?

- Where to?
- Home.