Homicide (1949) - full transcript
According to the last
estimated figure,
Los Angeles County has a population
of 3,693,493 people.
It also accommodates
several million tourists each year.
Three railroad lines,
five major airlines,
over ten bus lines and a number
of ocean-going vessels
bring them in and take them home.
Drawn by magic, they come
to bathe at fabulous beaches,
to see how movies are made,
to race their horses,
to frolic at nearby resorts,
to collect autographs.
They come to stare, to study,
to steal, to love,
to murder or to be murdered.
Every eight minutes a murder
is attempted in the United States.
Every seventy-two minutes
somebody is actually murdered.
By the year's end there is an average
of 7,500 known criminal homicides.
What's a homicide?
Murder.
The killing of a human being
by another human being.
A disgruntled gangster decides that
the only way to eliminate competition
is to get rid of his rival
permanently.
He waits for his victim to come home
and shoots him dead.
That's murder.
An extremely jealous gent
in a fit of revenge,
because the lady he loves
has no use for him
kills her, so that no one else
will have her.
That's murder.
A thug pulls a stick-up in a store
run by an elderly couple.
When the old man doesn't respond
to the gunman's demands,
the guy bashes his head in
with a gun.
That's murder.
A man grabs a quick drink
at a fruit juice stand on a highway.
That's not murder,
but it's going to be.
Thanks.
Is this the Webb ranch?
That's right.
The Labor Bureau sent me down.
They thought maybe you may need
some extra help picking.
Well, Mr. Webb does the hiring
and firing.
You will have to see him about it.
Is he around?
You'll find him a mile
past the lemon groves.
He's plowing up a new plot.
- Where's the lemon groves?
- Past the orange groves.
That's a big help.
Just turn around.
Keep walking straight.
You can't miss it.
Thank you.
What's your hurry?
Listen, fellas, I don't want no trouble.
You work here?
No, I was just gonna hit up
the old man for a job.
You live around these parts?
What's your name?
Brad Clifton.
Why?
Just being neighborly.
Hey, just a minute.
Oh, lay off, fellas,
I got enough grief as it is.
I didn't see nothing,
I didn't hear nothing.
What if you did?
We just had an accident. That's all.
Can't do nothing to stop accidents,
can you?
Well, we can't just leave him lay there
like that, you know what I mean?
Wouldn't be the right thing to do.
Somebody's gotta report it.
Listen fellas, I don't wanna
get mixed up in this.
Oh, wait a minute, you wouldn't
let a friend down, would you?
It's a cinch.
The old man got crocked, fell off the
tractor and hit his head on a boulder.
It was an accident
and you saw the whole thing.
- I know what's bothering our friend.
- What?
He figures somebody would think
he knocked off the old man.
You know, a friend asks for a job,
the old man says no dice,
our friend gets mad,
loses his temper,
knocks the old guy's head
on a rock.
Sure that's what they'd think
if we were to say we saw him doing it
while we were driving by.
But, naturally, we wouldn't do
a thing like that.
I didn't do anything to you guys.
Please, let me go.
Well, I figure people's got to help
each other out in times like these.
You help me out, I help you out.
Know what I mean?
You report the accident,
I make up for losing your job.
No, I don't want it.
Please, let me go!
There, now, don't you worry
about a thing, friend.
If... things don't work out just right,
we'll be around.
Yeah, we'll be around.
In fact, we'll be so close you could
practically reach out and touch us.
But don't let it get you.
Don't worry about a thing.
Everything will be all right.
And did you actually see
Mr. Webb drinking?
No, not exactly.
Then, how do you know
he was drinking?
Pardon me, uh... what did you say?
How do you know Mr. Webb
was actually drinking?
I saw the bottle when he fell,
it was next to him.
I could smell the liquor and—
You say you saw the whole thing
from the lemon groves, right?
Yes, I... I saw this whole thing
from the lemon groves.
What time was it?
I don't know,
I haven't got a watch.
I guess it was close
to high noon.
After you saw Mr. Webb fall,
what did you do?
Do you have to keep asking me the
same questions? I told you once before.
Don't get smart, young man.
Answer the question.
I went over to see if he was hurt.
And he was dead
when you got there?
I guess so.
Was anybody else around
when this happened?
Seems to me that's
a simple thing to answer.
There was or there wasn't.
There's no two ways about it.
- I'm just thinking.
- There's nothing to think about.
He thinks we were trying him
for murder the way he acts.
I'm doing the best I can.
Didn't I come here to report it?
Couldn't just let him lie out there.
All we wanna know is
was anyone else around?
No.
You're sure that there was
no one around that could see it?
I didn't say that.
I said I didn't see anyone.
That's all I know.
- Anything else?
- No.
Is there anything the jury
wants cleared up?
No questions.
That being the case,
it's in your lap now.
Take your time weighing the evidence.
If you've got any questions, speak up.
Got a question?
We've reached our verdict.
No grass grows under
your feet, does it?
Okay, shoot, what's the verdict?
Accidental death due to drinking.
Well, that does it.
Thanks for the cooperation.
I'll turn all the papers over to you
in the morning, George.
That'll be all, Mr. Clifton,
we won't need you any further.
You lied, boy.
I don't know why, but you lied.
There he is.
Nothing to it.
I'll be back before morning.
- Hi.
- How far you're going, bud?
- Heading to L. A.
- Good, hop in.
Homicide.
Lieutenant Meisner.
Yeah.
Wait a minute, lady,
you're going too fast.
I can't understand
a word you're saying.
- This is Mrs. Brucker.
- Who?
This is Mrs. Brucker. I'm the manager of
the Templeton Hotel on East 6th Street.
- Got that?
- Yeah.
Looks like we got a suicide down here.
Better send a man over.
- Templeton Hotel?
- That's right.
East 6th Street.
Brother, don't break a leg,
he ain't in any hurry.
Who is up?
With your luck, you should've retired
ten years ago.
Unfortunately, fate chose
to smile unkindly on me.
All my pigeons are either on relief
or they're cops.
Economically, it amounts
to the same thing.
Meisner, do you always have to look
like a starving vulture?
Gin.
Why didn't I stay in Canada?
I wonder about that myself. Think of
all the money you could have saved.
Besides, if you had to be a cop,
why didn't you do it up brown?
Become a Mountie.
Lots of tradition, pretty red uniform,
ride your own horse,
tea every afternoon at 4:00.
- That's so bad.
- Did I say it was bad?
I was just wondering why you chose
to come down here
and make my life miserable instead.
- Seriously?
- Seriously.
Well, the Mounties wouldn't have me.
I wasn't smart enough.
- Speaks well for all of us.
- Well, you asked for it.
Besides, there was another small reason
for them to turn me down.
It should be interesting.
They held my age against me.
- How old were you?
- 11 and a half exactly.
Oh, very funny!
20 and 18 is 38.
I'm out of all games
you're placed on too.
Okay, put it on the sheet.
Let's go on our living.
Your debt has now reached
four figures.
Sure you're going cheap about me,
let's go.
Mankind is not only decadent,
it is completely void
of the basic considerations.
I say that if we have
to contend with murder,
it should be confined
to the waking hours.
Don't work yourself up,
this is just a suicide.
Okay, boys he's all yours.
I bet you give away icicles
in the winter, Rembrandt.
Don't be a bitter little man.
Go away, break it up.
What do you think it is, a sideshow?
How about some coffee?
No, thanks.
I wanna stick around for a bit.
What for?
He's not sold on the suicide angle.
Since when?
Okay, go ahead.
I'll see you back at headquarters.
Junior, you're making camels
out of cloud formations.
This is a simple little case
of suicide, nothing more.
Am I right, doc?
You boys get paid
for the second guessing,
but that's the way
it looks to me.
Maybe it is,
maybe it isn't.
Hey, O'Brian, where's the old biddy
who runs this hatchery?
- Coming, lieutenant.
- Okay.
I'm done, I'm finished.
Not that I'm choosing sides,
do you understand?
But I think you're reaching
a little, lieutenant.
All right, I'm reaching.
Here's what I get,
- One, there's no suicide.
- No, not terribly uncommon.
Two, there's not a shred
of identification on the guy.
Maybe he liked to travel light.
Three, tucked in his money belt
are five crisp $100 bills.
Well, no comeback on that, huh?
Four, a tattoo in his arm indicates
an ex-Navy boy.
I know, I know, no Navy men would
pull such a sloppy job of knot tying.
Well, look at it
and look at that.
I can't see how a man is going to be
particular about craftsmanship
when he's getting ready
to take the long voyage.
Tickle in my eyes!
It's not a case of being particular,
it's a habit, it's second nature.
Well, maybe this guy was
a rugged individualist,
maybe he didn't like the way
the Navy made him tie knots.
Ha ha ha!
All right, wise guy, riddle me this.
You are a Navy boy, see, and you've had
enough of living,
well, what are you gonna do about it?
Whip yourself up a real nice
hangman's noose
and end it with a broken neck
like that?
or make yourself a mish-mosh like this
and slowly be strangled to death.
He's got something there.
Well, not much I admit.
Enough to make me curious.
Personally, I think you like
to earn your money the hard way.
You go back to the office
and check up
on these serial numbers
through Navy headquarters.
Maybe you'll dig up some information.
Just for laughs.
That's right,
when you need a laugh,
stick close to a detective
or beat your wife.
Ha ha ha!
- Gone, huh?
- Yeah.
- Come on in, will you, mother?
- What do you want?
You keep a daily guest register,
don't you?
Well, I—
You're supposed to.
The difference between people doing
or not doing what they're supposed to
is what keeps us
in cigarette money.
Boylan, do me a favor, will you?
and get out of here.
I'll check with you later.
Okay, Mickey.
Let's go, boys.
So our dear departed friend
wasn't registered, huh?
What do you know about him?
Ain't a nosy guy, he paid his rent
in advance and that's all I ask.
- How much rent?
- A week's.
A week's, huh?
What time did he come in?
Oh, about 9:30 or 10:00,
somewhere around then.
Did he say anything or do anything to
indicate he was gonna commit suicide?
No, he was the silent kind.
Who has that next room?
It's vacant.
What about that one?
Some new guy.
I don't know his name.
He ain't here?
No, he ain't.
Anybody know this guy?
No, he's new around here.
- Never saw the guy before.
- Uh-huh.
Did anybody hear anything,
voices, arguments,
fighting, anything like that?
- I have a sound sleep.
- Not a sound.
Okay, go back to your rooms,
the show's over.
Let's move you, guys.
Don't you hear well?
Break it up.
Break it up, go to bed.
Well, mother, it seems I'm still on
first base with two men out.
Why don't you leave well enough alone?
You're just causing me trouble.
I was born near a glue factory.
When I've got a notion,
I gotta steam it off.
Let's go and visit our
next-door neighbor.
He must be a pretty
sound sleeper.
Do you have a key?
- That's funny.
- What's funny?
The fellow who rented it
just said
he just wanted some place
to bunk for the night.
Doesn't even have had much use.
What time did this guy check-in?
At the same time as the other fellow,
maybe a little later.
- For how long?
- I told you, just for the night.
I suppose he paid his rent
in advance too.
You're asking for a lot
of grief, mother.
Some reformer might come along
with a yen for getting votes.
A guy like that could crucify you.
What does he look like?
Who?
Our mysterious roomer.
I didn't pay much attention.
Only thing... seems to me he was
a little cleaner than most rents I get.
The door lock is on the inside,
did he have a key?
When they need letting in,
I'm the girl that does it.
Lost 18 keys
in the past six months.
They lose them fast
that I can get them made.
You know, Ma, I think I'm ready
to steal you a second.
Now if you're thinking what I think
you're thinking,
you're gonna look awful silly
if it turns out
he just went to look for a drink.
Bars closed hours ago
Anyway, I'll stick around for a bit.
Meantime you might as well catch up on
your sleep. I won't need you anymore.
Okie dokie.
By the way, there wasn't something
you wanted to tell me
that you might've forgotten,
was it?
Stop pushing so hard, sonny.
I called it just the way I saw it.
Okay.
Good night, mother.
That's the nicest name anyone's
called me in the last 10 years.
Good night.
Glorietta Springs Hotel.
Now, what would anybody from Glorietta
Springs be doing in a dump like this?
Good morning.
Get a good night's sleep?
Yeah, great.
How'd you know I was still here?
I got ears like a hotel manager.
Here, room service.
Oh, thanks.
The chicken didn't go home
to roost, huh?
You should know,
you have the keys.
Don't be so cocky. Maybe he showed and
I gave him the big scramble with a sign.
- Not you, mother.
- Why not me?
It's not your style.
You're just corny enough to be honest
and lazy enough
to cause yourself trouble.
Still harden on that hotel register?
No, because I love you.
Save it for your wife.
I'm not married.
You really think you got a case?
Who knows?
I'll drop you a postcard.
- So long, ma.
- So long.
Oh, hello Mickey, what's new?
Nothing except I'm starting
playing hunches in my old age.
Check this for prints, will you?
And give this pellet a once-over.
Sure.
What do you wanna know?
Whatever you can tell me.
Anything that'll get me out
of the kindergarten class.
Okay, I'll see what I can do.
- Do this go through the switchboard?
- Yeah.
Webster 4733, please.
Cameron Match company?
This is Lieutenant Landers,
Los Angeles Homicide Division.
I wanna get some information
on the matches
you put up for the Glorietta
Springs Hotel.
Yeah, what I wanna know is
can these matches be obtained
anywhere other than the hotel?
You know uh... cigar counters,
drugstores, bars...
All right, Glorietta Springs Hotel.
Yeah, hang on.
How you doing?
Nothing on this but a batch of smears.
How about the pill?
In a minute,
only got two hands, you know.
All right, take your time.
Fritz, you know the Glorietta
Springs, don't you?
Only by reputation.
I work for a living.
It's a winter resort, isn't it?
Yeah, they'll sell you a summer tan
in the middle of December
for a measly 40 bucks a day.
Lots of swank.
Yeah, that's what I thought.
Yes.
Exclusive design, huh?
In other words, you can't get them
anywhere else.
Thanks.
Thanks a lot.
Ah, I saved myself a lot of trouble.
This pill is nothing but saccharine.
Oh, fine. How many million people in the
United States use this stuff every day?
I should have a nickel for every one.
- You're a great help
- Sorry, does it blow up your case?
Maybe I didn't have one to start with.
Well, keep on punching, kid.
All right, I'll do
that little thing, kid.
So long.
The man's name was Brad Clifton.
He comes from Iowa.
Nearest living relative is an aunt,
last reported residing in Michigan.
He served as a carpenter's mate
aboard an aircraft carrier.
Saw service in the Pacific.
Was discharged October 1946.
And for that I lost the night's sleep.
Thanks, Boylan,
I'll remember you in my will.
I won't buy any yacht on that.
Well, that's what
I'm asking you, simple.
I wanna keep the case alive.
I don't think it's open and shut.
Maybe you're right, Mickey,
but personally I think
you just like long odds.
My sentiment is exactly.
That should be enough
to make me switch sides.
Look, Moon, I'm not a glutton for work,
but my corns are aching.
I got a feeling about this.
The new modern scientific detective.
You can't fool him 'cause corns ache.
Ah, such a big face!
I'm funny about murder too,
giving you the benefit of the doubt.
After 16 years of this routine,
I don't like people who play God
any more than you do.
But you need an angle to sell me,
just a little one.
Now, where do you start?
Glorietta Springs. I wanna do some
spade work. I'll dig up my angles.
Is that all?
Well, what more do you want?
If there's one iota of doubt in your
mind about this, it's your duty to—
Now, don't start reading
the book to me, Landers.
You weren't even in this country
when I was busy riding it.
I'm sorry.
Like I said, even if I thought the case
was pat you'd be entitled to an opinion.
I'd let you play around
with it for a while,
but Glorietta is out of your territory.
Better send a report to Jackson County
and let them pick it up.
They haven't got a strength.
Listen Moon, this is my baby.
Nobody else wants to touch it.
If I ring those guys in there,
they'll just let it catch dust.
In your own backyard,
I'll let you run wild,
but I can't send you around
the country chasing shadows.
Okay, chief.
It's just that I felt kind of sorry
for that gob.
I'm sorry too, Mick,
but we have to work it that way.
There's nothing I can do about it.
I'm on salary too.
Sure I know.
Well, thanks anyway.
I'm off to bed,
how about you, Mick?
Wait a minute!
There is something you can do for me.
What about a leave of absence?
I've got one coming.
- Ha! Don't make me laugh.
- I'm serious!
So am I.
Listen, I haven't asked for a favor
for three years.
Well, I'm asking for one now.
I'm due a leave.
Says who?
I've got ulcers, I need a rest.
Come on, Moon.
This boy is really hopped up.
Say, yours is a passion
if I've ever seen one.
- Well, do I get it or don't I?
- No!
- Why not?
- Because, that's why.
That's no reason. Come on,
be a human for once in your life.
Listen, the sooner you realize
that you're not Sherlock Holmes,
but just a plain ordinary detective
trying to earn a living—
What's that got to do with anything?
All I'm asking for is a vacation.
You've got a mind like a glass house.
Who are you kidding?
I'm not sending a man
out on a case by himself.
You aren't sending anyone anywhere
except on a vacation: V A C —
And I suppose it'll just be a coincidence
if you end up in Glorietta Springs.
What I do in my own time
is my own business.
All right, Dick Tracy,
you got the leave.
Thanks.
Get this straight: you have no
connection with the department,
you're just plain
John Doe citizen.
Get into a scrape and it's your neck,
is that clear?
Like ice.
Thanks again, Moon.
Forget it.
So long, Boylan.
I'll be seeing you.
Have a nice vacation, kid.
What vacation?
Such ambition.
Do you think he's got anything?
You read his report,
what do you think?
I think it's pretty hot in Glorietta
this time of year.
Pretty hot out down here
this time of year, doesn't it?
Oh, you get used to it
after a while.
I hope so.
- Take Mr. Landers to 8A, please.
- Yes.
Oh, Mr. Landers I hope
you have a pleasant stay.
And don't forget to try
our steam baths.
Very healthful.
I can hardly wait.
- Want anything else, sir?
- No, thanks.
Thank you.
- Oh, wait just a minute.
- Yes.
Does the name Clifton
mean anything to you?
- Clifton?
- Yeah, Brad Clifton.
No, sir, I'm afraid not.
Okay, it's not important.
Thanks anyway.
Sure.
Yes, sir? What'll it be?
Something tall and cool.
Surprise me.
- Keep getting it down?
- Trying pretty hard.
You'll get used to it with time.
I'll have something
to look forward too.
- Army?
- That's right.
What outfit?
Signal Corps.
- Soft life.
- Don't you believe it.
Ever try stringing up 60 miles of open
copper lines through a jungle?
How come you're bartending?
Why not?
Good hours, good pay, meet a lot
of people and all I can hold for free.
Good reason.
Say, maybe you can help me out.
Me? How?
Oh, I'll tell you.
- Well, my name is Landers
- Andy.
Look, Andy, I'm trying to locate
a guy named Brad Clifton.
- Did you ever hear of him?
- Clifton?
Clifton...
No, I know most of the local color,
but that name is not very familiar.
- Friend of yours?
- No, I never met him.
It's this way. I'm with an insurance
company, an investigator.
This Clifton's aunt died
and left him 5,000
and we can't find him
to pay him the money.
Maybe I could change my name.
Hi, Jo.
Hi, Andy.
Here's your quota for the night.
Thanks.
- How about a little ginger ale?
- Yeah.
- Is your drink okay?
- Yeah, fine.
Sorry I can't help you out,
but I'll try to keep my ears open.
Excuse me.
Hello.
How do you do?
Don't you run the cigarette concession?
I work there.
Maybe you will give me
a little information.
That's the desk clerk's job.
A brick wall has to fall on you,
doesn't it?
Okay, I don't know what you're thinking,
but this isn't just a routine.
Does it look like I'm doubting you?
Frankly, yes.
Frankly, you're right.
Mmm, insurance investigator.
So?
So I'm trying to find a man.
That shouldn't be hard.
The woods are full of them.
- Of all kinds.
- I just want one.
Brad Clifton, do you know him?
No.
Have you ever heard of him?
No.
Okay, thanks.
That's all I wanted to know.
Sorry if I bothered you.
Is it really important?
Is what really important?
Finding this man.
Oh, no,
I just came down here for laughs.
Now, don't be so aggressive. It just
points up your inferiority complex.
What did you say his name was?
Brad Clifton.
There was a traveling salesman
here last season, a Mr. Clinton.
Oh, but his first name was Ernest.
I don't suppose it could be
the same person.
- I don't suppose.
- No.
Guess I was right
in the first place.
What does he do, anyway?
Nothing very romantic. He just
came into some money, that's all,
and I'm down here to see
that he gets it.
Have you checked
around the village yet?
That's next on my list.
Well, if you need any help...
Thanks, I think I can handle it.
Would you have a nervous breakdown
if I were to pay for your drink?
Oh, I'm sorry.
It's not that I'm prudish;
it's just that men can be so...
Aggressive?
You should be a girl,
it's no laughing matter.
I'll bet.
- Thanks for the drink, anyway.
- Forget it.
- I'll be seeing you.
- Good-bye.
- Good evening, gentlemen.
- Hello Andy.
- The usual?
- That's right.
Say, uh... is either of you fellas
named Clifton by any chance?
Not since we were here last.
That's too bad.
That fellow that just walked out,
he's an insurance man
with five grand in his jeans
just waiting to find a fella
by the name of Brad Clifton.
You don't say.
To your health, Mr. Foster.
Skol.
Have a seat,
I'll be right with you.
I didn't come in for a haircut,
just a little information.
My specialty.
Sorry, son, got no use for insurance.
I'm not selling any.
I'm just an investigator,
like a corporation detective.
That's so?
What are you investigating?
A guy named Brad Clifton.
He's supposed to live
or work around here.
Know anything about him?
Well, you came to the right place.
If anybody know him, it'd be me,
right Lou?
- That's right.
- That's what I figured.
Well, can you tell me where he works
or lives or who his friends are?
- You mean this fella Clifton?
- Yeah.
Ain't no such man around these parts.
Yeah, but you just said–
I said you came to the right place
to find out.
I didn't say I knew him.
Oh, I see.
Oh, yeah. Thanks, that's it.
Good evening.
Good evening.
I'm trying to locate
a man named Clifton, Brad Clifton.
I've been told he lived
in this neck of the woods.
You haven't known anything about him?
Nope. Never heard of him.
I don't think he lived
around here.
Have you tried asking
in the post-office?
Mister, I've covered the whole town.
Anyway, thanks for your trouble.
It's no trouble.
Oh, just one other thing.
This is the only drugstore
in town, isn't it?
Yes, sir.
I'd like to get a list of everyone
who buys saccharine tablets from you.
- Can you help me out?
- No, I'm afraid I can't.
You see, saccharine is not
a prescription drug,
so I have no reason
to keep a record of sales.
Oh, I see.
Well, I was just counting
on your memory.
After all, it's a small town.
Friend, if there's anything smaller
than this town, it's my memory.
All right, it was just
a shot in the dark.
- Thanks anyway.
- You're welcome.
Hi, Mr. Landers,
How'd it go do?
- Do I look happy?
- No luck, huh?
Not a nibble.
If this guy Clifton was in town,
he sure kept it a secret.
Tell me something, what happens
if you don't find him?
They'll give me 20 lashes
and send me to the Salt Mines.
No, seriously.
Seriously? I'll start looking
somewhere else.
That is if I still have a job.
Maybe you're on the wrong track.
What I mean is maybe you're looking
in the wrong place.
I'm hard to convince. Do you have
any other bite of suggestions?
Well, it could be a rancher.
There are a lot of farms around here.
Try again. The post office has
no address listed for him.
All right, what if he's just
a ranch hand?
Well, don't ranch hands
ever get any mail?
Some do and some don't.
It depends.
On what?
Oh, whether they stay put long enough.
Most of them keep on the move
pretty steadily.
A day's work here
and a day's work there.
Oh, it's worth looking into.
You haven't got anything to lose.
It's a lot of territory to cover.
I don't think my feet will hold up.
They won't have to if you're smart.
Honey, if I was smart I'd have married
a very rich girl
about 85 years old.
And you'd be sorry.
Money isn't everything.
No, but it helps in the clinches.
At 85 who thinks about clinches?
Okay, you win.
Well, how do I save on shoe leather?
Try checking the Farm Labor Bureau.
They might have Clifton registered.
You know, you're cute.
You should see my baby pictures.
Remind me to do
something nice for you.
- Oh, I'm easy to please.
- Yeah?
Yeah.
What was that supposed to be?
Just a sample of better things to come.
Should I hold my breath?
Suit yourself.
I was wrong, something about 80
would be just your speed.
Lady, you're pressing me.
You know, I hope you find
this Clifton fella,
but not too soon, please.
Honey, the odds are strictly
in your favor.
Good night.
- Good night.
- Good night.
I'm looking for a guy
named Brad Clifton.
I think he may be registered
down here.
You got a job for him?
Could be if I could locate him.
All right, we'll take a look.
- Say his name is Clifton.
- Yeah.
You run a farm?
Thinking of buying one.
Ain't a good time to buy.
Never seen things so bad.
Too much heat,
not enough rain.
It rains and floods.
You get a good crop, the market's bad.
I'm only looking.
Barrry, Cleasco, Clifford...
Clifton.
Brad Clifton.
Is that the guy you're looking for?
That's my man.
But you're too late.
What do you mean?
We've sent him over the Webb place
a few days ago.
Haven't heard anything of him since.
Where is this Webb place?
About a mile from the Glorietta Hotel.
Straight down the highway,
turn onto a dirt road.
Okay, thanks.
That's me.
You're interested in this property?
Maybe.
Why is it for sale?
Well, Mrs. Webb.
She's the owner now, of course.
She took her husband's accident
pretty hard.
They put her in the sanitarium.
My instructions were to sell the place.
So you don't have to worry
about it being a lemon.
Oh, I'm sure of that.
You said it was an accident.
Well, that's a polite way
of putting it, but
confidentially, the truth is
the old man got loaded,
fell off the tractor,
hit his head on a rock and...
That's been a pretty tall tractor.
Or a pretty tall drink, huh?
Yeah, if that don't affect
the ranch none, still good-bye.
Well, I had like a little time
to think it over and I'll let you know.
Sure, sure, no rush, take your time.
Oh, by the way, if I do decide
to buy it,
I'll be looking for a good foreman.
They told me there was a man here
working for Webb, uh...
I think his name was Clifton.
Clifton?
Well, if it's Clifton, I'm thinking he
didn't have a chance to work for him.
- Brad Clifton?
- Sure, that's the man.
He's the one that reported
the accident.
Oh, he didn't work here.
No, no. If I'm not mistaken, he came
out here to see about getting a job
and that's how come
he saw the accident.
Oh, I see.
Well, I guess the Labor
Bureau got all mixed up, huh?
Well, I'll be talking to you,
Mr. Murray.
All right.
Thanks for dropping in.
I say old man Webb was murdered
and I don't care
what the coroner's jury decided.
And I also say Brad Clifton
didn't leave Glorietta Springs
just to hang himself in a dingy
hotel room in Los Angeles.
When were these taken?
As soon as we got there.
Nothing's been changed.
I'm pretty broad-minded about crime,
but a matchbox and a pill
doesn't seem like much to go on.
Well, it got me this far.
Which ain't nothing to shout about.
It don't add up to murder.
Anyway, what if it does?
You still don't have a case,
you still don't have a suspect
and you still don't have
a motive.
That's what I keep reminding me,
that's all I need.
Well, like it or not,
you've got to face facts.
Just 'cause Clifton happened to be
in Glorietta for a spell,
that don't prove nothing.
Merely a happy coincidence, huh?
Sometimes truth is stranger
than fiction.
Sometimes yeah.
But when both Webb and Clifton were
found dead a couple of blinks apart,
then it's time to toss coincidence
out of the window.
Smells of fish.
Well, maybe it does seem a little
curious, but I don't get any connection.
They didn't even know each other.
Murder doesn't need an introduction.
Maybe not, but it does need
an excuse.
Not always.
That's what's so tough.
I remember a psychopathic killer
we had running around—
Wait a minute.
What's the matter?
Look at this.
What about it?
Find an error in this picture,
and win yourself a harem.
Huh?
I'm strictly a city boy at heart,
but I'll wager my pinstripe suit
there's something phony
about this tintype.
Such as?
Look at the tractor.
- See the blades?
- Yeah, what about them?
They're in the ground, right?
Well, that's where
they're supposed to be.
Only the soil around the tractor
hasn't been touched.
There's not an upturn clod in sight.
So?
So, obviously, the tractor wasn't moving
when Webb fell off.
My gosh!
You're right.
And now answer me this:
Did you ever hear of a guy
getting killed
by taking a six-foot spill
from an idle tractor?
Don't forget Webb was drunk.
Drunk or not,
that's not much of a fall.
And you're overlooking
something else.
It wasn't the fall that killed him.
It was smashing his head
on that boulder.
- So you really believe that, huh?
- Certainly.
Say, what the—
I'll knock your head off!
I'm sorry, sheriff.
I just had to prove a point.
Just now when you found
yourself falling,
what was the first thing you did?
Don't ask stupid questions.
I hit the floor, that's what.
I think that they threw out your hands
to break your fall, that's what you did.
Hey, what are you getting at?
I'm just wondering how drunk
a man has to be
before he loses control
of his instinctive movements.
Say, are you trying to turn
Webb's accident into something else?
Is that what I said?
No, but you've got a mighty generous
imagination.
Don't let it run away with you.
I fell on the floor.
Webb toppled over the tractor.
And banged his head
on the rock, yeah. I know.
You know, there's something about that
tractor that's beginning to intrigue me.
Thanks.
Hi, Andy.
Evening, Mr. Landers.
How's the manhunt going?
Could be better.
Say, Andy, as an ex Signal Corps man,
what do you make of this?
It's a piece of cable
of some kind, isn't it?
Telephone cable?
Could be.
Why?
Nothing in particular.
I'm just thirsty for knowledge.
- Manhunt stuff, hey?
- Yeah, manhunt stuff.
I figure they may be hiding
a telephone booth.
Oh, by the way, where's the local
telephone company?
There's a branch in town,
on Main Street.
Oh, fine, thanks.
Good night.
Insurance investigator.
Who do you think you're kidding?
I haven't seen any of this stuff
in years.
It's what we call a lightweight
subterranean cable.
Subterranean?
That's underground.
That's right.
They used a lot of it during the war,
mainly for temporary installations
on security reasons.
You know what the enemy
can't see, can't destroy.
What about now?
Do your people use it at all?
No, I'm afraid it isn't durable enough
for our purposes.
I see. Who else around here
might be using it?
Well, I'm pretty new in this office,
but, as far as I can remember,
we haven't authorized any private lines.
- I can check in a minute.
- Oh, fine.
According to our map, there isn't
a cable line within 20 miles.
It's funny.
One more question.
How'd you go about locating
a buried line?
That is assuming you have
a general idea where it might be.
Well, if the line's hot, it's a cinch.
We use a milliammeter
with an induction coil.
It's very similar to a mine detector.
Could I borrow one
for a couple of days?
I'm sorry. We have some,
but we're not allowed
to loan them out
under any circumstances.
What about these circumstances?
I'd say they're very extenuating
circumstances.
Come with me.
Hello.
Oh, hello, Pete, what's the dope?
Well, just came out.
Looks like Andy had the right scoop.
Well, don't jump to any conclusions.
See how far it goes before you do
anything hasty.
- Know what I mean?
- Yeah, right.
Oh, look. In the meantime,
you better pack the bags.
We might have to join the birds
and head south for the winter.
Baby, I love you.
Now tell me where it goes.
Right smack to the hotel or I'm crazy.
Looks like we're in
for a little storm.
I guess a little rain
won't hurt you any.
Is it that bad?
Mickey, what happened?
I —
Believe it or not,
I think I'm gonna pass out.
Mickey!
How do you feel, Mickey?
Great.
I'm ready to do it all over again.
You had a pretty close call,
Mr. Landers.
An inch one way or the other
might have saved me a visit.
Thanks, doc.
Come now and lie down.
Now get plenty of rest.
Oh, by the way,
I suppose you know this will have
to be reported to the police.
You've reported it.
Uh-huh, in that case
I'll just forget it.
That's a good idea.
I don't think you'll need
anything else tonight.
Drop in at my office in a couple of days
and we'll remove those stitches.
Okay, thanks.
Good night, doc,
- Good night, doctor Bailey.
- Good night.
So you're a detective.
Don't tell anyone,
it's a family secret.
What's all this business about Clifton?
Was it just an act?
What are you really after?
It's a long story.
- Well, tell me.
- No, no.
- What time is it?
- Mmm, about 10:20.
Well, that... that's more rest
than I've had in years.
Did you send for the doctor?
Remind me to do
something nice for you.
You said that before.
- Did I?
- Yes, and I'm still waiting.
Don't give up the ship, honey.
I never break a promise.
I'm not the trusting kind.
How about a down payment?
See me around the first of the month.
I'm usually loaded.
Where do you think you're going?
Outside.
Do you wanna come along?
You're in no condition to get out.
Listen, you're too young
to be my mother.
And we're both too old to play house.
This hero stuff doesn't
impress me in the least.
I'm a dyed-in-the-wool realist.
Good for you.
I'm a detective.
Detectives aren't heroes.
We are too smart.
We're plotters, bloodhounds,
we ask questions, check records,
waste shoe leather, get a lead...
and I think I've got a lead
and I don't want the scent
to blow away.
But you're still weak,
you heard the doctor.
I haven't time to argue.
Just in case, as far as the rest
of the world is concerned,
I'm still an insurance investigator.
Sure, but how do you know
anyone else will be concerned?
Something in my head
keeps telling me.
Come on.
What are you looking for?
Easter eggs, what else?
Isn't it a little late for that?
Well, don't be defeatist. The bunny
is a personal friend of mine.
Keep your fingers crossed.
- I found it, honey.
- Huh?
Only it's attached into a hanger cable.
You know, I have a feeling that room
has the answer to a lot of my questions.
I haven't the slightest idea
of what you're talking about.
Whom does it belong to?
The room?
27C. That would be Mr. Foster
and Mr. Kimmel.
Yeah.
Can we get the key?
Well, I can try
if it's really important.
Darling, believe me,
it's really important.
Gone goslings! They sure didn't believe
in wasting any time.
Say, that's funny.
I didn't see them check out.
I'm afraid the depart was a bit
on the hasty side.
The end of the line.
Mickey, I don't understand this.
I'm all confused.
What's happened?
What's been going on?
Monkeyshines, honey.
Real live monkeyshines.
That doesn't explain much.
Well, I can't explain something
I'm not sure of myself.
There's nothing more we can do here.
I'm hungry, let's go get something
to eat, shall we?
- The dining room is closed.
- We'll got a bite at the bar.
What's the matter?
Nothing. I have to make a call.
You go ahead, I'll join you in a minute.
By the way, Foster and Kimmel,
what are their first names?
- Nick Foster and Peter Kimmel.
- Thanks.
Western Union, please.
Western Union?
Straight wire to Los Angeles.
To Lieutenant detective Boylan.
Police Department,
Homicide Division.
Please check records
and wire collect Glorietta Hotel
any available information
on Nick Foster and Peter Kimmel.
Vacation proving.
You can cut off the nose
to spite the face
and still smell a rat.
Love and kisses.
Signed Mickey.
Where's Andy tonight?
Monday night is his night off.
- Did you make a call?
- Mm-hmm.
- Did you order?
- No, I was waiting for you.
Can we get some food?
Yeah, I'll be right there.
This is a guy who doesn't believe
in rushing things.
Tell me, how well did you know
Foster and Kimmel?
So-so, well enough to say hello.
What kind of business were they in?
Oh, I haven't the vaguest idea.
Yes, sir.
- I'd like a drink.
- Oh, no.
No? Maybe I shouldn't, huh?
- Not in your condition.
- Perhaps you're right.
- How about some soup?
- No, I don't like soup.
It's good for you.
All right, I'll have some.
There isn't any soup.
Good, what about you?
I've had dinner. I'll just have
a cup of coffee, please.
I'll make easy. I'll have roast beef
on rye and a bottle of beer.
No!
I suppose you would have me
have a bottle of milk.
No.
A cup of coffee.
Yes, sir.
You still haven't told me
what happened to you today.
It's after hours.
Do we have to talk shop?
No, we could just sit here
and make faces at each other.
You have a nice face
to make faces with.
- Have I, Mickey?
- Yeah.
It goes especially well
with candlelight.
I like to hear you say
things like that.
Tell me more.
You'll have to say something
nice to me first.
Well, I imagine you're
an awfully good detective.
Can't you do better than that?
After all, I hardly know you.
Well, maybe we should get acquainted.
- I'm Mickey.
- I'm Jo.
- Hi, Jo.
- Hi, Mickey.
Now what happens?
What a question to ask an old friend.
It's better every time.
I'd say everything improves with age.
Oh, how I'd love to be around
when you're 70 or 80.
This way I'd be lucky if I hit 50.
You've got to admit
it'd be fun trying.
Cozy place, huh?
How about some soft music?
How about you doing
a disappearing act, huh?
Okay, okay.
You got everything you want?
I've mustered the hot kind.
Coming up!
With him around I can't understand
why business is so good tonight.
Is something wrong?
No.
I've just thought of something nice
to say to you.
Mm-hmm?
You have beautiful eyes.
Say, Jo.
Is Andy off every Monday night?
How do you like that? I give you
a compliment, you ask questions.
Yes, Andy is off every Monday night.
Why?
Excuse me a minute.
Sorry, Mr.
Guests aren't allowed behind the bar.
Well, er... hold this
in front of your eyes.
You'll never know I was here.
Where does Andy keep
his personal things?
I lost a ring last night. I think he
might have tucked it away somewhere.
In the drawer.
No, the other one.
Yeah, that's the one.
TABLETAS DE SACARINA
FARMACIA ACME
For what is it useful?
He's a diabetic.
Takes insulin shots.
But I thought he was in the service.
The Army wouldn't take a diabetic.
He ain't got in the Army.
They gave him a medical discharge.
Oh, I see.
No, it isn't there.
Thanks.
What were you doing
behind the bar?
I wanted to see if they water
their liquor.
What about some dessert?
Oh, no, thanks.
I have to think of my figure.
What did your figure ever do for you?
Well, I like that.
All right, I take it all back.
Hey, Kilroy bring me a hunk
of apple pie 'a la mode'.
Who is it?
- Telegram.
- Come in.
- See you later, son.
- Yes.
Anything serious?
Hiya, Mr. Landers.
Beats me, I can't figure out
what's wrong.
These things are Greek to me.
Didn't they teach you anything
about motors in the Signal Corps?
Listen, the only thing they taught me
was how to climb a pole,
how to polish my shoes
and march.
I know from nothing about motors.
Get in and start her up.
Sure.
Hey, you're all right.
It was a loose connection,
nothing to it.
What happened to your noggin?
You should know.
Me? How come?
Your buddies thought it was
open season on detectives.
Didn't they tell you?
What are you talking about?
We've been killing each other
a long time, Andy.
This has turned into a shooting war
and your side missed.
Brother, this heat's getting you.
Better head for the shade.
Take it easy, mister.
I get paid for being polite
when I'm on duty.
I'm not on duty now.
I am, 24 hours a day.
- But I thought you—
- A cop.
Okay, you boys had your chance
and fluffed it.
Mister, believe me,
you don't make sense.
That's very funny. I thought I was
a walking book of knowledge.
For example, I know about Foster and
Kimmel working a bookie racket
down here ever since they were
booted out of L. A.
What's that got to do with me?
They're big operators.
100 grand a year stuff. And big
operators need a fast wire service.
So?
So if you can't buy the service,
you get a patsy
to tap a cable into a direct press line.
That's where you fit in.
You're their patsy.
Oh, on the side you knocked off
Brad Clifton at bottom.
Oh, no.
You got me wrong.
I'm the guy that killed Cock Robin,
not Brad Clifton.
I'm tired of playing games, Andy.
Let's put it this way.
Clifton was murdered late
last Monday night.
Now can you prove
where you were at that time?
- Sure, I was with—
- Foster and Kimmel?
As an alibi, that's a weak sister,
you know it.
Turn the calluses off your brain,
Andy.
They wouldn't help you,
even if they could.
Look, you've chewed my ear
long enough.
If you think you've got something,
why don't you run me in?
The more you talk now,
the better break you'll get later.
Where have Foster
and Kimmel skipped to?
Why was Webb knocked off?
I thought you had all the answers.
Enough to make you squirm.
I'm giving you a chance
to turn State's evidence.
Look, I told you once if you think you
have got something, prove it, run me in.
Do you think you can hold up
under a lie detector?
They're foolproof, Andy.
- Try me.
- Okay, let's go.
I'm not kidding. You asked
for a pension, you've got it.
If this is a gag, it smells.
It's no gag.
All right, I'll play games with you.
Get in and drive.
Where to?
Jackson County
Police Headquarters.
What's the matter?
You're worried?
- Do I look worried?
- Yeah.
You know? This isn't such
a bad arrangement at that.
- No?
- No!
I figure that after get through
suing you, guys, for false arrest,
I'll be able to retire.
Don't be living in hopes, I'm just
bringing you in for questioning.
That's not much to go on.
Too bad you woke up. It would've been
easier the other way.
If a man gets ideas about killing a cop,
he must be pretty desperate.
Don't attach so much importance
to that job of yours.
A few days under this hot sun and
nobody's gonna know you were a cop.
Just a lot of bleached bones.
Before you do anything,
you might take a look inside that car.
The ignition lock.
What about it?
There's no key.
What are you trying to pull?
Go and take a look.
Where is it?
It's only 30 miles to town.
30 miles of wasteland and no traffic.
How long will that take on foot?
14 hours?
Get up.
Take off that coat.
Maybe it'll take longer.
16 hours.
That's not too long.
Unless you need your insulin
to stay alive.
Where's that key, Landers?
Kill me and you'll never find it.
Oh, maybe you'll find it
if you look long enough,
but you haven't much time, Andy.
Under this sun,
I give you 6 or 7 hours,
and we can play a duet.
How does a duet sound on harps?
- Tell you—
- I want that key!
Scared?
You're not even warm.
You're starting to sweat, Andy.
You can't afford that.
You'll be dead long before
you find that key.
Where is it?
I forgot.
Give it up, sucker.
By tomorrow, I'll go out like a light.
I'm taking a load.
I can't stand much more.
Where is... where is it?
Tell me where that key is!
If I go out,
I'll be out for a long time.
A lot of space to cover in there, Andy,
and such a little key.
Not even sure I know
where it is anymore.
At least I got a starting point.
That's more than you've got.
How does it feel when you don't get
your insulin?
I heard you get dizzy first,
and you start blacking out.
Then what?
Is it hard to breathe?
Do you go right into a coma?
How about it, Andy?
Is that the way it happens?
Tell me.
I'm interested.
What do you wanna know?
Foster and Kimmel. Why do they skip,
and where to?
Arizona.
You were supposed to be six feet under.
The idea was to let things
cool off for a while.
And you're the boy to let them know
when the temperature is right, huh?
What happens if things
just don't cool off?
Then they head for New York and tie in
with the eastern end of the Syndicate.
The Syndicate?
I thought they were working
on their own.
Like you said,
it was a big operation.
How does Webb fit in this setup?
The farmer?
He didn't.
Why did you knock him off?
- Pete took care of the farmer, not me.
- Why?
I ran the cable through
some property he bought.
One day, accidentally,
he dug it up with the tractor.
Nick and Pete went out
to trace the break
and when they saw what happened,
they tried to make a deal with Webb.
He wouldn't sell.
He told them to get the cable
off the property.
He even threatened to notify
the telephone company.
- So they got scared–
- Scared nothing.
They were just worried about
the dough they'd be losing.
The farmer got rough,
they got rougher.
They slammed his head on a rock
and killed him.
I get it.
- That's when Clifton walked in.
- Yeah.
Why did you wait till he got back
to L. A. before knocking him off?
Couldn't take any chances
after he testified at the inquest.
Somebody would've smelled a rat.
Somebody did, anyway.
Me.
Anything else?
Yeah, lots.
We can clear it up at headquarters.
Get back to the car.
Let's see how good my memory is.
You should learn about motors.
Comes in handy.
Like when you lose your ignition key.
All you have to do is cross a couple
of wires to get your car started.
Remind me to tell you about it
on the way back.
Open it up and get in.
Get up!
Get on your feet!
Go on!
- Thanks, sheriff, ever so much.
- Okay.
Why so solemn?
Things aren't as bad as that.
You're not very smart.
Not for a detective.
Sure I am.
Thanks.
Come on, star eyes,
this isn't the end of the world.
We'll be seeing each other again.
Will we really?
Oh, sure. L. A. isn't the moon.
I've heard they even have buses
running there.
You're just being nice too.
Remember what I told you about
detectives being ordinary humans?
Well, it's the truth.
Gee!
I like humans.
- How about it, lieutenant?
- Okay I'm coming.
Bye, star eyes.
I'll be seeing you.
Bye, Mickey.
Mickey!
If I come up to Los Angeles,
how do I find you?
Just pick up a telephone, dial operator
and ask for a cop.
They all know me.
Transcription and subtitles made
from scratch by gamboler[noirestyle]
estimated figure,
Los Angeles County has a population
of 3,693,493 people.
It also accommodates
several million tourists each year.
Three railroad lines,
five major airlines,
over ten bus lines and a number
of ocean-going vessels
bring them in and take them home.
Drawn by magic, they come
to bathe at fabulous beaches,
to see how movies are made,
to race their horses,
to frolic at nearby resorts,
to collect autographs.
They come to stare, to study,
to steal, to love,
to murder or to be murdered.
Every eight minutes a murder
is attempted in the United States.
Every seventy-two minutes
somebody is actually murdered.
By the year's end there is an average
of 7,500 known criminal homicides.
What's a homicide?
Murder.
The killing of a human being
by another human being.
A disgruntled gangster decides that
the only way to eliminate competition
is to get rid of his rival
permanently.
He waits for his victim to come home
and shoots him dead.
That's murder.
An extremely jealous gent
in a fit of revenge,
because the lady he loves
has no use for him
kills her, so that no one else
will have her.
That's murder.
A thug pulls a stick-up in a store
run by an elderly couple.
When the old man doesn't respond
to the gunman's demands,
the guy bashes his head in
with a gun.
That's murder.
A man grabs a quick drink
at a fruit juice stand on a highway.
That's not murder,
but it's going to be.
Thanks.
Is this the Webb ranch?
That's right.
The Labor Bureau sent me down.
They thought maybe you may need
some extra help picking.
Well, Mr. Webb does the hiring
and firing.
You will have to see him about it.
Is he around?
You'll find him a mile
past the lemon groves.
He's plowing up a new plot.
- Where's the lemon groves?
- Past the orange groves.
That's a big help.
Just turn around.
Keep walking straight.
You can't miss it.
Thank you.
What's your hurry?
Listen, fellas, I don't want no trouble.
You work here?
No, I was just gonna hit up
the old man for a job.
You live around these parts?
What's your name?
Brad Clifton.
Why?
Just being neighborly.
Hey, just a minute.
Oh, lay off, fellas,
I got enough grief as it is.
I didn't see nothing,
I didn't hear nothing.
What if you did?
We just had an accident. That's all.
Can't do nothing to stop accidents,
can you?
Well, we can't just leave him lay there
like that, you know what I mean?
Wouldn't be the right thing to do.
Somebody's gotta report it.
Listen fellas, I don't wanna
get mixed up in this.
Oh, wait a minute, you wouldn't
let a friend down, would you?
It's a cinch.
The old man got crocked, fell off the
tractor and hit his head on a boulder.
It was an accident
and you saw the whole thing.
- I know what's bothering our friend.
- What?
He figures somebody would think
he knocked off the old man.
You know, a friend asks for a job,
the old man says no dice,
our friend gets mad,
loses his temper,
knocks the old guy's head
on a rock.
Sure that's what they'd think
if we were to say we saw him doing it
while we were driving by.
But, naturally, we wouldn't do
a thing like that.
I didn't do anything to you guys.
Please, let me go.
Well, I figure people's got to help
each other out in times like these.
You help me out, I help you out.
Know what I mean?
You report the accident,
I make up for losing your job.
No, I don't want it.
Please, let me go!
There, now, don't you worry
about a thing, friend.
If... things don't work out just right,
we'll be around.
Yeah, we'll be around.
In fact, we'll be so close you could
practically reach out and touch us.
But don't let it get you.
Don't worry about a thing.
Everything will be all right.
And did you actually see
Mr. Webb drinking?
No, not exactly.
Then, how do you know
he was drinking?
Pardon me, uh... what did you say?
How do you know Mr. Webb
was actually drinking?
I saw the bottle when he fell,
it was next to him.
I could smell the liquor and—
You say you saw the whole thing
from the lemon groves, right?
Yes, I... I saw this whole thing
from the lemon groves.
What time was it?
I don't know,
I haven't got a watch.
I guess it was close
to high noon.
After you saw Mr. Webb fall,
what did you do?
Do you have to keep asking me the
same questions? I told you once before.
Don't get smart, young man.
Answer the question.
I went over to see if he was hurt.
And he was dead
when you got there?
I guess so.
Was anybody else around
when this happened?
Seems to me that's
a simple thing to answer.
There was or there wasn't.
There's no two ways about it.
- I'm just thinking.
- There's nothing to think about.
He thinks we were trying him
for murder the way he acts.
I'm doing the best I can.
Didn't I come here to report it?
Couldn't just let him lie out there.
All we wanna know is
was anyone else around?
No.
You're sure that there was
no one around that could see it?
I didn't say that.
I said I didn't see anyone.
That's all I know.
- Anything else?
- No.
Is there anything the jury
wants cleared up?
No questions.
That being the case,
it's in your lap now.
Take your time weighing the evidence.
If you've got any questions, speak up.
Got a question?
We've reached our verdict.
No grass grows under
your feet, does it?
Okay, shoot, what's the verdict?
Accidental death due to drinking.
Well, that does it.
Thanks for the cooperation.
I'll turn all the papers over to you
in the morning, George.
That'll be all, Mr. Clifton,
we won't need you any further.
You lied, boy.
I don't know why, but you lied.
There he is.
Nothing to it.
I'll be back before morning.
- Hi.
- How far you're going, bud?
- Heading to L. A.
- Good, hop in.
Homicide.
Lieutenant Meisner.
Yeah.
Wait a minute, lady,
you're going too fast.
I can't understand
a word you're saying.
- This is Mrs. Brucker.
- Who?
This is Mrs. Brucker. I'm the manager of
the Templeton Hotel on East 6th Street.
- Got that?
- Yeah.
Looks like we got a suicide down here.
Better send a man over.
- Templeton Hotel?
- That's right.
East 6th Street.
Brother, don't break a leg,
he ain't in any hurry.
Who is up?
With your luck, you should've retired
ten years ago.
Unfortunately, fate chose
to smile unkindly on me.
All my pigeons are either on relief
or they're cops.
Economically, it amounts
to the same thing.
Meisner, do you always have to look
like a starving vulture?
Gin.
Why didn't I stay in Canada?
I wonder about that myself. Think of
all the money you could have saved.
Besides, if you had to be a cop,
why didn't you do it up brown?
Become a Mountie.
Lots of tradition, pretty red uniform,
ride your own horse,
tea every afternoon at 4:00.
- That's so bad.
- Did I say it was bad?
I was just wondering why you chose
to come down here
and make my life miserable instead.
- Seriously?
- Seriously.
Well, the Mounties wouldn't have me.
I wasn't smart enough.
- Speaks well for all of us.
- Well, you asked for it.
Besides, there was another small reason
for them to turn me down.
It should be interesting.
They held my age against me.
- How old were you?
- 11 and a half exactly.
Oh, very funny!
20 and 18 is 38.
I'm out of all games
you're placed on too.
Okay, put it on the sheet.
Let's go on our living.
Your debt has now reached
four figures.
Sure you're going cheap about me,
let's go.
Mankind is not only decadent,
it is completely void
of the basic considerations.
I say that if we have
to contend with murder,
it should be confined
to the waking hours.
Don't work yourself up,
this is just a suicide.
Okay, boys he's all yours.
I bet you give away icicles
in the winter, Rembrandt.
Don't be a bitter little man.
Go away, break it up.
What do you think it is, a sideshow?
How about some coffee?
No, thanks.
I wanna stick around for a bit.
What for?
He's not sold on the suicide angle.
Since when?
Okay, go ahead.
I'll see you back at headquarters.
Junior, you're making camels
out of cloud formations.
This is a simple little case
of suicide, nothing more.
Am I right, doc?
You boys get paid
for the second guessing,
but that's the way
it looks to me.
Maybe it is,
maybe it isn't.
Hey, O'Brian, where's the old biddy
who runs this hatchery?
- Coming, lieutenant.
- Okay.
I'm done, I'm finished.
Not that I'm choosing sides,
do you understand?
But I think you're reaching
a little, lieutenant.
All right, I'm reaching.
Here's what I get,
- One, there's no suicide.
- No, not terribly uncommon.
Two, there's not a shred
of identification on the guy.
Maybe he liked to travel light.
Three, tucked in his money belt
are five crisp $100 bills.
Well, no comeback on that, huh?
Four, a tattoo in his arm indicates
an ex-Navy boy.
I know, I know, no Navy men would
pull such a sloppy job of knot tying.
Well, look at it
and look at that.
I can't see how a man is going to be
particular about craftsmanship
when he's getting ready
to take the long voyage.
Tickle in my eyes!
It's not a case of being particular,
it's a habit, it's second nature.
Well, maybe this guy was
a rugged individualist,
maybe he didn't like the way
the Navy made him tie knots.
Ha ha ha!
All right, wise guy, riddle me this.
You are a Navy boy, see, and you've had
enough of living,
well, what are you gonna do about it?
Whip yourself up a real nice
hangman's noose
and end it with a broken neck
like that?
or make yourself a mish-mosh like this
and slowly be strangled to death.
He's got something there.
Well, not much I admit.
Enough to make me curious.
Personally, I think you like
to earn your money the hard way.
You go back to the office
and check up
on these serial numbers
through Navy headquarters.
Maybe you'll dig up some information.
Just for laughs.
That's right,
when you need a laugh,
stick close to a detective
or beat your wife.
Ha ha ha!
- Gone, huh?
- Yeah.
- Come on in, will you, mother?
- What do you want?
You keep a daily guest register,
don't you?
Well, I—
You're supposed to.
The difference between people doing
or not doing what they're supposed to
is what keeps us
in cigarette money.
Boylan, do me a favor, will you?
and get out of here.
I'll check with you later.
Okay, Mickey.
Let's go, boys.
So our dear departed friend
wasn't registered, huh?
What do you know about him?
Ain't a nosy guy, he paid his rent
in advance and that's all I ask.
- How much rent?
- A week's.
A week's, huh?
What time did he come in?
Oh, about 9:30 or 10:00,
somewhere around then.
Did he say anything or do anything to
indicate he was gonna commit suicide?
No, he was the silent kind.
Who has that next room?
It's vacant.
What about that one?
Some new guy.
I don't know his name.
He ain't here?
No, he ain't.
Anybody know this guy?
No, he's new around here.
- Never saw the guy before.
- Uh-huh.
Did anybody hear anything,
voices, arguments,
fighting, anything like that?
- I have a sound sleep.
- Not a sound.
Okay, go back to your rooms,
the show's over.
Let's move you, guys.
Don't you hear well?
Break it up.
Break it up, go to bed.
Well, mother, it seems I'm still on
first base with two men out.
Why don't you leave well enough alone?
You're just causing me trouble.
I was born near a glue factory.
When I've got a notion,
I gotta steam it off.
Let's go and visit our
next-door neighbor.
He must be a pretty
sound sleeper.
Do you have a key?
- That's funny.
- What's funny?
The fellow who rented it
just said
he just wanted some place
to bunk for the night.
Doesn't even have had much use.
What time did this guy check-in?
At the same time as the other fellow,
maybe a little later.
- For how long?
- I told you, just for the night.
I suppose he paid his rent
in advance too.
You're asking for a lot
of grief, mother.
Some reformer might come along
with a yen for getting votes.
A guy like that could crucify you.
What does he look like?
Who?
Our mysterious roomer.
I didn't pay much attention.
Only thing... seems to me he was
a little cleaner than most rents I get.
The door lock is on the inside,
did he have a key?
When they need letting in,
I'm the girl that does it.
Lost 18 keys
in the past six months.
They lose them fast
that I can get them made.
You know, Ma, I think I'm ready
to steal you a second.
Now if you're thinking what I think
you're thinking,
you're gonna look awful silly
if it turns out
he just went to look for a drink.
Bars closed hours ago
Anyway, I'll stick around for a bit.
Meantime you might as well catch up on
your sleep. I won't need you anymore.
Okie dokie.
By the way, there wasn't something
you wanted to tell me
that you might've forgotten,
was it?
Stop pushing so hard, sonny.
I called it just the way I saw it.
Okay.
Good night, mother.
That's the nicest name anyone's
called me in the last 10 years.
Good night.
Glorietta Springs Hotel.
Now, what would anybody from Glorietta
Springs be doing in a dump like this?
Good morning.
Get a good night's sleep?
Yeah, great.
How'd you know I was still here?
I got ears like a hotel manager.
Here, room service.
Oh, thanks.
The chicken didn't go home
to roost, huh?
You should know,
you have the keys.
Don't be so cocky. Maybe he showed and
I gave him the big scramble with a sign.
- Not you, mother.
- Why not me?
It's not your style.
You're just corny enough to be honest
and lazy enough
to cause yourself trouble.
Still harden on that hotel register?
No, because I love you.
Save it for your wife.
I'm not married.
You really think you got a case?
Who knows?
I'll drop you a postcard.
- So long, ma.
- So long.
Oh, hello Mickey, what's new?
Nothing except I'm starting
playing hunches in my old age.
Check this for prints, will you?
And give this pellet a once-over.
Sure.
What do you wanna know?
Whatever you can tell me.
Anything that'll get me out
of the kindergarten class.
Okay, I'll see what I can do.
- Do this go through the switchboard?
- Yeah.
Webster 4733, please.
Cameron Match company?
This is Lieutenant Landers,
Los Angeles Homicide Division.
I wanna get some information
on the matches
you put up for the Glorietta
Springs Hotel.
Yeah, what I wanna know is
can these matches be obtained
anywhere other than the hotel?
You know uh... cigar counters,
drugstores, bars...
All right, Glorietta Springs Hotel.
Yeah, hang on.
How you doing?
Nothing on this but a batch of smears.
How about the pill?
In a minute,
only got two hands, you know.
All right, take your time.
Fritz, you know the Glorietta
Springs, don't you?
Only by reputation.
I work for a living.
It's a winter resort, isn't it?
Yeah, they'll sell you a summer tan
in the middle of December
for a measly 40 bucks a day.
Lots of swank.
Yeah, that's what I thought.
Yes.
Exclusive design, huh?
In other words, you can't get them
anywhere else.
Thanks.
Thanks a lot.
Ah, I saved myself a lot of trouble.
This pill is nothing but saccharine.
Oh, fine. How many million people in the
United States use this stuff every day?
I should have a nickel for every one.
- You're a great help
- Sorry, does it blow up your case?
Maybe I didn't have one to start with.
Well, keep on punching, kid.
All right, I'll do
that little thing, kid.
So long.
The man's name was Brad Clifton.
He comes from Iowa.
Nearest living relative is an aunt,
last reported residing in Michigan.
He served as a carpenter's mate
aboard an aircraft carrier.
Saw service in the Pacific.
Was discharged October 1946.
And for that I lost the night's sleep.
Thanks, Boylan,
I'll remember you in my will.
I won't buy any yacht on that.
Well, that's what
I'm asking you, simple.
I wanna keep the case alive.
I don't think it's open and shut.
Maybe you're right, Mickey,
but personally I think
you just like long odds.
My sentiment is exactly.
That should be enough
to make me switch sides.
Look, Moon, I'm not a glutton for work,
but my corns are aching.
I got a feeling about this.
The new modern scientific detective.
You can't fool him 'cause corns ache.
Ah, such a big face!
I'm funny about murder too,
giving you the benefit of the doubt.
After 16 years of this routine,
I don't like people who play God
any more than you do.
But you need an angle to sell me,
just a little one.
Now, where do you start?
Glorietta Springs. I wanna do some
spade work. I'll dig up my angles.
Is that all?
Well, what more do you want?
If there's one iota of doubt in your
mind about this, it's your duty to—
Now, don't start reading
the book to me, Landers.
You weren't even in this country
when I was busy riding it.
I'm sorry.
Like I said, even if I thought the case
was pat you'd be entitled to an opinion.
I'd let you play around
with it for a while,
but Glorietta is out of your territory.
Better send a report to Jackson County
and let them pick it up.
They haven't got a strength.
Listen Moon, this is my baby.
Nobody else wants to touch it.
If I ring those guys in there,
they'll just let it catch dust.
In your own backyard,
I'll let you run wild,
but I can't send you around
the country chasing shadows.
Okay, chief.
It's just that I felt kind of sorry
for that gob.
I'm sorry too, Mick,
but we have to work it that way.
There's nothing I can do about it.
I'm on salary too.
Sure I know.
Well, thanks anyway.
I'm off to bed,
how about you, Mick?
Wait a minute!
There is something you can do for me.
What about a leave of absence?
I've got one coming.
- Ha! Don't make me laugh.
- I'm serious!
So am I.
Listen, I haven't asked for a favor
for three years.
Well, I'm asking for one now.
I'm due a leave.
Says who?
I've got ulcers, I need a rest.
Come on, Moon.
This boy is really hopped up.
Say, yours is a passion
if I've ever seen one.
- Well, do I get it or don't I?
- No!
- Why not?
- Because, that's why.
That's no reason. Come on,
be a human for once in your life.
Listen, the sooner you realize
that you're not Sherlock Holmes,
but just a plain ordinary detective
trying to earn a living—
What's that got to do with anything?
All I'm asking for is a vacation.
You've got a mind like a glass house.
Who are you kidding?
I'm not sending a man
out on a case by himself.
You aren't sending anyone anywhere
except on a vacation: V A C —
And I suppose it'll just be a coincidence
if you end up in Glorietta Springs.
What I do in my own time
is my own business.
All right, Dick Tracy,
you got the leave.
Thanks.
Get this straight: you have no
connection with the department,
you're just plain
John Doe citizen.
Get into a scrape and it's your neck,
is that clear?
Like ice.
Thanks again, Moon.
Forget it.
So long, Boylan.
I'll be seeing you.
Have a nice vacation, kid.
What vacation?
Such ambition.
Do you think he's got anything?
You read his report,
what do you think?
I think it's pretty hot in Glorietta
this time of year.
Pretty hot out down here
this time of year, doesn't it?
Oh, you get used to it
after a while.
I hope so.
- Take Mr. Landers to 8A, please.
- Yes.
Oh, Mr. Landers I hope
you have a pleasant stay.
And don't forget to try
our steam baths.
Very healthful.
I can hardly wait.
- Want anything else, sir?
- No, thanks.
Thank you.
- Oh, wait just a minute.
- Yes.
Does the name Clifton
mean anything to you?
- Clifton?
- Yeah, Brad Clifton.
No, sir, I'm afraid not.
Okay, it's not important.
Thanks anyway.
Sure.
Yes, sir? What'll it be?
Something tall and cool.
Surprise me.
- Keep getting it down?
- Trying pretty hard.
You'll get used to it with time.
I'll have something
to look forward too.
- Army?
- That's right.
What outfit?
Signal Corps.
- Soft life.
- Don't you believe it.
Ever try stringing up 60 miles of open
copper lines through a jungle?
How come you're bartending?
Why not?
Good hours, good pay, meet a lot
of people and all I can hold for free.
Good reason.
Say, maybe you can help me out.
Me? How?
Oh, I'll tell you.
- Well, my name is Landers
- Andy.
Look, Andy, I'm trying to locate
a guy named Brad Clifton.
- Did you ever hear of him?
- Clifton?
Clifton...
No, I know most of the local color,
but that name is not very familiar.
- Friend of yours?
- No, I never met him.
It's this way. I'm with an insurance
company, an investigator.
This Clifton's aunt died
and left him 5,000
and we can't find him
to pay him the money.
Maybe I could change my name.
Hi, Jo.
Hi, Andy.
Here's your quota for the night.
Thanks.
- How about a little ginger ale?
- Yeah.
- Is your drink okay?
- Yeah, fine.
Sorry I can't help you out,
but I'll try to keep my ears open.
Excuse me.
Hello.
How do you do?
Don't you run the cigarette concession?
I work there.
Maybe you will give me
a little information.
That's the desk clerk's job.
A brick wall has to fall on you,
doesn't it?
Okay, I don't know what you're thinking,
but this isn't just a routine.
Does it look like I'm doubting you?
Frankly, yes.
Frankly, you're right.
Mmm, insurance investigator.
So?
So I'm trying to find a man.
That shouldn't be hard.
The woods are full of them.
- Of all kinds.
- I just want one.
Brad Clifton, do you know him?
No.
Have you ever heard of him?
No.
Okay, thanks.
That's all I wanted to know.
Sorry if I bothered you.
Is it really important?
Is what really important?
Finding this man.
Oh, no,
I just came down here for laughs.
Now, don't be so aggressive. It just
points up your inferiority complex.
What did you say his name was?
Brad Clifton.
There was a traveling salesman
here last season, a Mr. Clinton.
Oh, but his first name was Ernest.
I don't suppose it could be
the same person.
- I don't suppose.
- No.
Guess I was right
in the first place.
What does he do, anyway?
Nothing very romantic. He just
came into some money, that's all,
and I'm down here to see
that he gets it.
Have you checked
around the village yet?
That's next on my list.
Well, if you need any help...
Thanks, I think I can handle it.
Would you have a nervous breakdown
if I were to pay for your drink?
Oh, I'm sorry.
It's not that I'm prudish;
it's just that men can be so...
Aggressive?
You should be a girl,
it's no laughing matter.
I'll bet.
- Thanks for the drink, anyway.
- Forget it.
- I'll be seeing you.
- Good-bye.
- Good evening, gentlemen.
- Hello Andy.
- The usual?
- That's right.
Say, uh... is either of you fellas
named Clifton by any chance?
Not since we were here last.
That's too bad.
That fellow that just walked out,
he's an insurance man
with five grand in his jeans
just waiting to find a fella
by the name of Brad Clifton.
You don't say.
To your health, Mr. Foster.
Skol.
Have a seat,
I'll be right with you.
I didn't come in for a haircut,
just a little information.
My specialty.
Sorry, son, got no use for insurance.
I'm not selling any.
I'm just an investigator,
like a corporation detective.
That's so?
What are you investigating?
A guy named Brad Clifton.
He's supposed to live
or work around here.
Know anything about him?
Well, you came to the right place.
If anybody know him, it'd be me,
right Lou?
- That's right.
- That's what I figured.
Well, can you tell me where he works
or lives or who his friends are?
- You mean this fella Clifton?
- Yeah.
Ain't no such man around these parts.
Yeah, but you just said–
I said you came to the right place
to find out.
I didn't say I knew him.
Oh, I see.
Oh, yeah. Thanks, that's it.
Good evening.
Good evening.
I'm trying to locate
a man named Clifton, Brad Clifton.
I've been told he lived
in this neck of the woods.
You haven't known anything about him?
Nope. Never heard of him.
I don't think he lived
around here.
Have you tried asking
in the post-office?
Mister, I've covered the whole town.
Anyway, thanks for your trouble.
It's no trouble.
Oh, just one other thing.
This is the only drugstore
in town, isn't it?
Yes, sir.
I'd like to get a list of everyone
who buys saccharine tablets from you.
- Can you help me out?
- No, I'm afraid I can't.
You see, saccharine is not
a prescription drug,
so I have no reason
to keep a record of sales.
Oh, I see.
Well, I was just counting
on your memory.
After all, it's a small town.
Friend, if there's anything smaller
than this town, it's my memory.
All right, it was just
a shot in the dark.
- Thanks anyway.
- You're welcome.
Hi, Mr. Landers,
How'd it go do?
- Do I look happy?
- No luck, huh?
Not a nibble.
If this guy Clifton was in town,
he sure kept it a secret.
Tell me something, what happens
if you don't find him?
They'll give me 20 lashes
and send me to the Salt Mines.
No, seriously.
Seriously? I'll start looking
somewhere else.
That is if I still have a job.
Maybe you're on the wrong track.
What I mean is maybe you're looking
in the wrong place.
I'm hard to convince. Do you have
any other bite of suggestions?
Well, it could be a rancher.
There are a lot of farms around here.
Try again. The post office has
no address listed for him.
All right, what if he's just
a ranch hand?
Well, don't ranch hands
ever get any mail?
Some do and some don't.
It depends.
On what?
Oh, whether they stay put long enough.
Most of them keep on the move
pretty steadily.
A day's work here
and a day's work there.
Oh, it's worth looking into.
You haven't got anything to lose.
It's a lot of territory to cover.
I don't think my feet will hold up.
They won't have to if you're smart.
Honey, if I was smart I'd have married
a very rich girl
about 85 years old.
And you'd be sorry.
Money isn't everything.
No, but it helps in the clinches.
At 85 who thinks about clinches?
Okay, you win.
Well, how do I save on shoe leather?
Try checking the Farm Labor Bureau.
They might have Clifton registered.
You know, you're cute.
You should see my baby pictures.
Remind me to do
something nice for you.
- Oh, I'm easy to please.
- Yeah?
Yeah.
What was that supposed to be?
Just a sample of better things to come.
Should I hold my breath?
Suit yourself.
I was wrong, something about 80
would be just your speed.
Lady, you're pressing me.
You know, I hope you find
this Clifton fella,
but not too soon, please.
Honey, the odds are strictly
in your favor.
Good night.
- Good night.
- Good night.
I'm looking for a guy
named Brad Clifton.
I think he may be registered
down here.
You got a job for him?
Could be if I could locate him.
All right, we'll take a look.
- Say his name is Clifton.
- Yeah.
You run a farm?
Thinking of buying one.
Ain't a good time to buy.
Never seen things so bad.
Too much heat,
not enough rain.
It rains and floods.
You get a good crop, the market's bad.
I'm only looking.
Barrry, Cleasco, Clifford...
Clifton.
Brad Clifton.
Is that the guy you're looking for?
That's my man.
But you're too late.
What do you mean?
We've sent him over the Webb place
a few days ago.
Haven't heard anything of him since.
Where is this Webb place?
About a mile from the Glorietta Hotel.
Straight down the highway,
turn onto a dirt road.
Okay, thanks.
That's me.
You're interested in this property?
Maybe.
Why is it for sale?
Well, Mrs. Webb.
She's the owner now, of course.
She took her husband's accident
pretty hard.
They put her in the sanitarium.
My instructions were to sell the place.
So you don't have to worry
about it being a lemon.
Oh, I'm sure of that.
You said it was an accident.
Well, that's a polite way
of putting it, but
confidentially, the truth is
the old man got loaded,
fell off the tractor,
hit his head on a rock and...
That's been a pretty tall tractor.
Or a pretty tall drink, huh?
Yeah, if that don't affect
the ranch none, still good-bye.
Well, I had like a little time
to think it over and I'll let you know.
Sure, sure, no rush, take your time.
Oh, by the way, if I do decide
to buy it,
I'll be looking for a good foreman.
They told me there was a man here
working for Webb, uh...
I think his name was Clifton.
Clifton?
Well, if it's Clifton, I'm thinking he
didn't have a chance to work for him.
- Brad Clifton?
- Sure, that's the man.
He's the one that reported
the accident.
Oh, he didn't work here.
No, no. If I'm not mistaken, he came
out here to see about getting a job
and that's how come
he saw the accident.
Oh, I see.
Well, I guess the Labor
Bureau got all mixed up, huh?
Well, I'll be talking to you,
Mr. Murray.
All right.
Thanks for dropping in.
I say old man Webb was murdered
and I don't care
what the coroner's jury decided.
And I also say Brad Clifton
didn't leave Glorietta Springs
just to hang himself in a dingy
hotel room in Los Angeles.
When were these taken?
As soon as we got there.
Nothing's been changed.
I'm pretty broad-minded about crime,
but a matchbox and a pill
doesn't seem like much to go on.
Well, it got me this far.
Which ain't nothing to shout about.
It don't add up to murder.
Anyway, what if it does?
You still don't have a case,
you still don't have a suspect
and you still don't have
a motive.
That's what I keep reminding me,
that's all I need.
Well, like it or not,
you've got to face facts.
Just 'cause Clifton happened to be
in Glorietta for a spell,
that don't prove nothing.
Merely a happy coincidence, huh?
Sometimes truth is stranger
than fiction.
Sometimes yeah.
But when both Webb and Clifton were
found dead a couple of blinks apart,
then it's time to toss coincidence
out of the window.
Smells of fish.
Well, maybe it does seem a little
curious, but I don't get any connection.
They didn't even know each other.
Murder doesn't need an introduction.
Maybe not, but it does need
an excuse.
Not always.
That's what's so tough.
I remember a psychopathic killer
we had running around—
Wait a minute.
What's the matter?
Look at this.
What about it?
Find an error in this picture,
and win yourself a harem.
Huh?
I'm strictly a city boy at heart,
but I'll wager my pinstripe suit
there's something phony
about this tintype.
Such as?
Look at the tractor.
- See the blades?
- Yeah, what about them?
They're in the ground, right?
Well, that's where
they're supposed to be.
Only the soil around the tractor
hasn't been touched.
There's not an upturn clod in sight.
So?
So, obviously, the tractor wasn't moving
when Webb fell off.
My gosh!
You're right.
And now answer me this:
Did you ever hear of a guy
getting killed
by taking a six-foot spill
from an idle tractor?
Don't forget Webb was drunk.
Drunk or not,
that's not much of a fall.
And you're overlooking
something else.
It wasn't the fall that killed him.
It was smashing his head
on that boulder.
- So you really believe that, huh?
- Certainly.
Say, what the—
I'll knock your head off!
I'm sorry, sheriff.
I just had to prove a point.
Just now when you found
yourself falling,
what was the first thing you did?
Don't ask stupid questions.
I hit the floor, that's what.
I think that they threw out your hands
to break your fall, that's what you did.
Hey, what are you getting at?
I'm just wondering how drunk
a man has to be
before he loses control
of his instinctive movements.
Say, are you trying to turn
Webb's accident into something else?
Is that what I said?
No, but you've got a mighty generous
imagination.
Don't let it run away with you.
I fell on the floor.
Webb toppled over the tractor.
And banged his head
on the rock, yeah. I know.
You know, there's something about that
tractor that's beginning to intrigue me.
Thanks.
Hi, Andy.
Evening, Mr. Landers.
How's the manhunt going?
Could be better.
Say, Andy, as an ex Signal Corps man,
what do you make of this?
It's a piece of cable
of some kind, isn't it?
Telephone cable?
Could be.
Why?
Nothing in particular.
I'm just thirsty for knowledge.
- Manhunt stuff, hey?
- Yeah, manhunt stuff.
I figure they may be hiding
a telephone booth.
Oh, by the way, where's the local
telephone company?
There's a branch in town,
on Main Street.
Oh, fine, thanks.
Good night.
Insurance investigator.
Who do you think you're kidding?
I haven't seen any of this stuff
in years.
It's what we call a lightweight
subterranean cable.
Subterranean?
That's underground.
That's right.
They used a lot of it during the war,
mainly for temporary installations
on security reasons.
You know what the enemy
can't see, can't destroy.
What about now?
Do your people use it at all?
No, I'm afraid it isn't durable enough
for our purposes.
I see. Who else around here
might be using it?
Well, I'm pretty new in this office,
but, as far as I can remember,
we haven't authorized any private lines.
- I can check in a minute.
- Oh, fine.
According to our map, there isn't
a cable line within 20 miles.
It's funny.
One more question.
How'd you go about locating
a buried line?
That is assuming you have
a general idea where it might be.
Well, if the line's hot, it's a cinch.
We use a milliammeter
with an induction coil.
It's very similar to a mine detector.
Could I borrow one
for a couple of days?
I'm sorry. We have some,
but we're not allowed
to loan them out
under any circumstances.
What about these circumstances?
I'd say they're very extenuating
circumstances.
Come with me.
Hello.
Oh, hello, Pete, what's the dope?
Well, just came out.
Looks like Andy had the right scoop.
Well, don't jump to any conclusions.
See how far it goes before you do
anything hasty.
- Know what I mean?
- Yeah, right.
Oh, look. In the meantime,
you better pack the bags.
We might have to join the birds
and head south for the winter.
Baby, I love you.
Now tell me where it goes.
Right smack to the hotel or I'm crazy.
Looks like we're in
for a little storm.
I guess a little rain
won't hurt you any.
Is it that bad?
Mickey, what happened?
I —
Believe it or not,
I think I'm gonna pass out.
Mickey!
How do you feel, Mickey?
Great.
I'm ready to do it all over again.
You had a pretty close call,
Mr. Landers.
An inch one way or the other
might have saved me a visit.
Thanks, doc.
Come now and lie down.
Now get plenty of rest.
Oh, by the way,
I suppose you know this will have
to be reported to the police.
You've reported it.
Uh-huh, in that case
I'll just forget it.
That's a good idea.
I don't think you'll need
anything else tonight.
Drop in at my office in a couple of days
and we'll remove those stitches.
Okay, thanks.
Good night, doc,
- Good night, doctor Bailey.
- Good night.
So you're a detective.
Don't tell anyone,
it's a family secret.
What's all this business about Clifton?
Was it just an act?
What are you really after?
It's a long story.
- Well, tell me.
- No, no.
- What time is it?
- Mmm, about 10:20.
Well, that... that's more rest
than I've had in years.
Did you send for the doctor?
Remind me to do
something nice for you.
You said that before.
- Did I?
- Yes, and I'm still waiting.
Don't give up the ship, honey.
I never break a promise.
I'm not the trusting kind.
How about a down payment?
See me around the first of the month.
I'm usually loaded.
Where do you think you're going?
Outside.
Do you wanna come along?
You're in no condition to get out.
Listen, you're too young
to be my mother.
And we're both too old to play house.
This hero stuff doesn't
impress me in the least.
I'm a dyed-in-the-wool realist.
Good for you.
I'm a detective.
Detectives aren't heroes.
We are too smart.
We're plotters, bloodhounds,
we ask questions, check records,
waste shoe leather, get a lead...
and I think I've got a lead
and I don't want the scent
to blow away.
But you're still weak,
you heard the doctor.
I haven't time to argue.
Just in case, as far as the rest
of the world is concerned,
I'm still an insurance investigator.
Sure, but how do you know
anyone else will be concerned?
Something in my head
keeps telling me.
Come on.
What are you looking for?
Easter eggs, what else?
Isn't it a little late for that?
Well, don't be defeatist. The bunny
is a personal friend of mine.
Keep your fingers crossed.
- I found it, honey.
- Huh?
Only it's attached into a hanger cable.
You know, I have a feeling that room
has the answer to a lot of my questions.
I haven't the slightest idea
of what you're talking about.
Whom does it belong to?
The room?
27C. That would be Mr. Foster
and Mr. Kimmel.
Yeah.
Can we get the key?
Well, I can try
if it's really important.
Darling, believe me,
it's really important.
Gone goslings! They sure didn't believe
in wasting any time.
Say, that's funny.
I didn't see them check out.
I'm afraid the depart was a bit
on the hasty side.
The end of the line.
Mickey, I don't understand this.
I'm all confused.
What's happened?
What's been going on?
Monkeyshines, honey.
Real live monkeyshines.
That doesn't explain much.
Well, I can't explain something
I'm not sure of myself.
There's nothing more we can do here.
I'm hungry, let's go get something
to eat, shall we?
- The dining room is closed.
- We'll got a bite at the bar.
What's the matter?
Nothing. I have to make a call.
You go ahead, I'll join you in a minute.
By the way, Foster and Kimmel,
what are their first names?
- Nick Foster and Peter Kimmel.
- Thanks.
Western Union, please.
Western Union?
Straight wire to Los Angeles.
To Lieutenant detective Boylan.
Police Department,
Homicide Division.
Please check records
and wire collect Glorietta Hotel
any available information
on Nick Foster and Peter Kimmel.
Vacation proving.
You can cut off the nose
to spite the face
and still smell a rat.
Love and kisses.
Signed Mickey.
Where's Andy tonight?
Monday night is his night off.
- Did you make a call?
- Mm-hmm.
- Did you order?
- No, I was waiting for you.
Can we get some food?
Yeah, I'll be right there.
This is a guy who doesn't believe
in rushing things.
Tell me, how well did you know
Foster and Kimmel?
So-so, well enough to say hello.
What kind of business were they in?
Oh, I haven't the vaguest idea.
Yes, sir.
- I'd like a drink.
- Oh, no.
No? Maybe I shouldn't, huh?
- Not in your condition.
- Perhaps you're right.
- How about some soup?
- No, I don't like soup.
It's good for you.
All right, I'll have some.
There isn't any soup.
Good, what about you?
I've had dinner. I'll just have
a cup of coffee, please.
I'll make easy. I'll have roast beef
on rye and a bottle of beer.
No!
I suppose you would have me
have a bottle of milk.
No.
A cup of coffee.
Yes, sir.
You still haven't told me
what happened to you today.
It's after hours.
Do we have to talk shop?
No, we could just sit here
and make faces at each other.
You have a nice face
to make faces with.
- Have I, Mickey?
- Yeah.
It goes especially well
with candlelight.
I like to hear you say
things like that.
Tell me more.
You'll have to say something
nice to me first.
Well, I imagine you're
an awfully good detective.
Can't you do better than that?
After all, I hardly know you.
Well, maybe we should get acquainted.
- I'm Mickey.
- I'm Jo.
- Hi, Jo.
- Hi, Mickey.
Now what happens?
What a question to ask an old friend.
It's better every time.
I'd say everything improves with age.
Oh, how I'd love to be around
when you're 70 or 80.
This way I'd be lucky if I hit 50.
You've got to admit
it'd be fun trying.
Cozy place, huh?
How about some soft music?
How about you doing
a disappearing act, huh?
Okay, okay.
You got everything you want?
I've mustered the hot kind.
Coming up!
With him around I can't understand
why business is so good tonight.
Is something wrong?
No.
I've just thought of something nice
to say to you.
Mm-hmm?
You have beautiful eyes.
Say, Jo.
Is Andy off every Monday night?
How do you like that? I give you
a compliment, you ask questions.
Yes, Andy is off every Monday night.
Why?
Excuse me a minute.
Sorry, Mr.
Guests aren't allowed behind the bar.
Well, er... hold this
in front of your eyes.
You'll never know I was here.
Where does Andy keep
his personal things?
I lost a ring last night. I think he
might have tucked it away somewhere.
In the drawer.
No, the other one.
Yeah, that's the one.
TABLETAS DE SACARINA
FARMACIA ACME
For what is it useful?
He's a diabetic.
Takes insulin shots.
But I thought he was in the service.
The Army wouldn't take a diabetic.
He ain't got in the Army.
They gave him a medical discharge.
Oh, I see.
No, it isn't there.
Thanks.
What were you doing
behind the bar?
I wanted to see if they water
their liquor.
What about some dessert?
Oh, no, thanks.
I have to think of my figure.
What did your figure ever do for you?
Well, I like that.
All right, I take it all back.
Hey, Kilroy bring me a hunk
of apple pie 'a la mode'.
Who is it?
- Telegram.
- Come in.
- See you later, son.
- Yes.
Anything serious?
Hiya, Mr. Landers.
Beats me, I can't figure out
what's wrong.
These things are Greek to me.
Didn't they teach you anything
about motors in the Signal Corps?
Listen, the only thing they taught me
was how to climb a pole,
how to polish my shoes
and march.
I know from nothing about motors.
Get in and start her up.
Sure.
Hey, you're all right.
It was a loose connection,
nothing to it.
What happened to your noggin?
You should know.
Me? How come?
Your buddies thought it was
open season on detectives.
Didn't they tell you?
What are you talking about?
We've been killing each other
a long time, Andy.
This has turned into a shooting war
and your side missed.
Brother, this heat's getting you.
Better head for the shade.
Take it easy, mister.
I get paid for being polite
when I'm on duty.
I'm not on duty now.
I am, 24 hours a day.
- But I thought you—
- A cop.
Okay, you boys had your chance
and fluffed it.
Mister, believe me,
you don't make sense.
That's very funny. I thought I was
a walking book of knowledge.
For example, I know about Foster and
Kimmel working a bookie racket
down here ever since they were
booted out of L. A.
What's that got to do with me?
They're big operators.
100 grand a year stuff. And big
operators need a fast wire service.
So?
So if you can't buy the service,
you get a patsy
to tap a cable into a direct press line.
That's where you fit in.
You're their patsy.
Oh, on the side you knocked off
Brad Clifton at bottom.
Oh, no.
You got me wrong.
I'm the guy that killed Cock Robin,
not Brad Clifton.
I'm tired of playing games, Andy.
Let's put it this way.
Clifton was murdered late
last Monday night.
Now can you prove
where you were at that time?
- Sure, I was with—
- Foster and Kimmel?
As an alibi, that's a weak sister,
you know it.
Turn the calluses off your brain,
Andy.
They wouldn't help you,
even if they could.
Look, you've chewed my ear
long enough.
If you think you've got something,
why don't you run me in?
The more you talk now,
the better break you'll get later.
Where have Foster
and Kimmel skipped to?
Why was Webb knocked off?
I thought you had all the answers.
Enough to make you squirm.
I'm giving you a chance
to turn State's evidence.
Look, I told you once if you think you
have got something, prove it, run me in.
Do you think you can hold up
under a lie detector?
They're foolproof, Andy.
- Try me.
- Okay, let's go.
I'm not kidding. You asked
for a pension, you've got it.
If this is a gag, it smells.
It's no gag.
All right, I'll play games with you.
Get in and drive.
Where to?
Jackson County
Police Headquarters.
What's the matter?
You're worried?
- Do I look worried?
- Yeah.
You know? This isn't such
a bad arrangement at that.
- No?
- No!
I figure that after get through
suing you, guys, for false arrest,
I'll be able to retire.
Don't be living in hopes, I'm just
bringing you in for questioning.
That's not much to go on.
Too bad you woke up. It would've been
easier the other way.
If a man gets ideas about killing a cop,
he must be pretty desperate.
Don't attach so much importance
to that job of yours.
A few days under this hot sun and
nobody's gonna know you were a cop.
Just a lot of bleached bones.
Before you do anything,
you might take a look inside that car.
The ignition lock.
What about it?
There's no key.
What are you trying to pull?
Go and take a look.
Where is it?
It's only 30 miles to town.
30 miles of wasteland and no traffic.
How long will that take on foot?
14 hours?
Get up.
Take off that coat.
Maybe it'll take longer.
16 hours.
That's not too long.
Unless you need your insulin
to stay alive.
Where's that key, Landers?
Kill me and you'll never find it.
Oh, maybe you'll find it
if you look long enough,
but you haven't much time, Andy.
Under this sun,
I give you 6 or 7 hours,
and we can play a duet.
How does a duet sound on harps?
- Tell you—
- I want that key!
Scared?
You're not even warm.
You're starting to sweat, Andy.
You can't afford that.
You'll be dead long before
you find that key.
Where is it?
I forgot.
Give it up, sucker.
By tomorrow, I'll go out like a light.
I'm taking a load.
I can't stand much more.
Where is... where is it?
Tell me where that key is!
If I go out,
I'll be out for a long time.
A lot of space to cover in there, Andy,
and such a little key.
Not even sure I know
where it is anymore.
At least I got a starting point.
That's more than you've got.
How does it feel when you don't get
your insulin?
I heard you get dizzy first,
and you start blacking out.
Then what?
Is it hard to breathe?
Do you go right into a coma?
How about it, Andy?
Is that the way it happens?
Tell me.
I'm interested.
What do you wanna know?
Foster and Kimmel. Why do they skip,
and where to?
Arizona.
You were supposed to be six feet under.
The idea was to let things
cool off for a while.
And you're the boy to let them know
when the temperature is right, huh?
What happens if things
just don't cool off?
Then they head for New York and tie in
with the eastern end of the Syndicate.
The Syndicate?
I thought they were working
on their own.
Like you said,
it was a big operation.
How does Webb fit in this setup?
The farmer?
He didn't.
Why did you knock him off?
- Pete took care of the farmer, not me.
- Why?
I ran the cable through
some property he bought.
One day, accidentally,
he dug it up with the tractor.
Nick and Pete went out
to trace the break
and when they saw what happened,
they tried to make a deal with Webb.
He wouldn't sell.
He told them to get the cable
off the property.
He even threatened to notify
the telephone company.
- So they got scared–
- Scared nothing.
They were just worried about
the dough they'd be losing.
The farmer got rough,
they got rougher.
They slammed his head on a rock
and killed him.
I get it.
- That's when Clifton walked in.
- Yeah.
Why did you wait till he got back
to L. A. before knocking him off?
Couldn't take any chances
after he testified at the inquest.
Somebody would've smelled a rat.
Somebody did, anyway.
Me.
Anything else?
Yeah, lots.
We can clear it up at headquarters.
Get back to the car.
Let's see how good my memory is.
You should learn about motors.
Comes in handy.
Like when you lose your ignition key.
All you have to do is cross a couple
of wires to get your car started.
Remind me to tell you about it
on the way back.
Open it up and get in.
Get up!
Get on your feet!
Go on!
- Thanks, sheriff, ever so much.
- Okay.
Why so solemn?
Things aren't as bad as that.
You're not very smart.
Not for a detective.
Sure I am.
Thanks.
Come on, star eyes,
this isn't the end of the world.
We'll be seeing each other again.
Will we really?
Oh, sure. L. A. isn't the moon.
I've heard they even have buses
running there.
You're just being nice too.
Remember what I told you about
detectives being ordinary humans?
Well, it's the truth.
Gee!
I like humans.
- How about it, lieutenant?
- Okay I'm coming.
Bye, star eyes.
I'll be seeing you.
Bye, Mickey.
Mickey!
If I come up to Los Angeles,
how do I find you?
Just pick up a telephone, dial operator
and ask for a cop.
They all know me.
Transcription and subtitles made
from scratch by gamboler[noirestyle]