Star of Midnight (1935) - full transcript

Just drive down State Street.

I'll tell you where later.

Alice, can't you at least

tell me where you're going?

It's business, darling.

Don't worry.

I'll either call you

or be back by half past 10:00.

Give me miss Markham, please...

Alice Markham.

No, Markham! Markham!

"M" like in...

Like in "Minneapolis".

Well, that's absurd!

She couldn't have checked out!

I was... hello?

Hello?

Telegram, Mr. Winthrop.

Oh, thank you.

That was in Chicago

over a year ago.

It's driving me crazy, Dal.

I can't find a trace

of her anywhere,

And I've got to find her.

I won't believe she's dead.

She's probably married and settled

down and has eight kids by now.

Oh, I beg your pardon. That

was only a year ago, wasn't it?

Oh, be serious, Dal.

I'm asking you for help.

Nothing doing. I've got enough

trouble with my own women.

No cocktails, Swayne.

- No, sir?

- No.

Very good, sir.

Don't you understand, Dal?

I'm still in love with her.

But, Tim, I'm not a detective,

and I don't want to be.

I'm a lawyer

and a very good one.

Just because

I happen to have more fun.

Solving cases than trying them,

My friends all seem to think

that I'm a combination

of Charlie Chan, Philo Vance,

and the Sphinx,

all rolled in to one.

Yeah, but you help

so many people out of scrapes.

That's the least you could do

for a friend.

Well, I'll tell you

what I'll do.

If, in my communings with

the spirits, astral or liquid,

I receive any message or omen,

I'll let you know.

- How's that?

- Thanks, Dal.

What makes you think

she's in New York?

Oh, I don't know.

Seems to me that

if I wanted to lose myself,

New York would be

the easiest place to do it in.

You've been reading

too much O. Henry.

Now, I said no cocktails,

Swayne.

You know we're dining

at the Corey's.

Yes, sir, quite.

But if I might suggest...

We're having cocktails, Tim.

Yes, sir. I-I think it best.

The gin at the Corey's is not,

uh, authentic.

Thank you, Swayne.

Why the third glass?

Miss Mantin phoned, sir,

and said that she'd stop for you

on her way to the Corey's.

I was afraid of that.

You'll like this kid, Tim,

She's quite a character.

I've known her since she was 10.

She ran away from home

when she was 11.

They found her in my apartment.

She announced that

she had decided to marry me.

I'll be careful of her.

You could go a lot further

and do a lot worse.

It's Mr. Tennant, sir,

returning your call.

Hello, Tennant.

I thought we'd agreed

that my name wasn't to appear

in your column anymore.

Your name's news, Dalzell.

Well, I never bit a dog

in my life,

and I don't want my name

in your column again,

is that understood?

Wait a minute.

Mary, get the Mantin story.

Hold the line, will you?

All right.

Hello, Swayne.

Hi, Dal.

Hiya, Mantin.

Donna Mantin, Tim Winthrop.

How do you do?

Delighted to meet

any friend of Dal's.

You must come and see us often

when we're married.

Tim, the woman

is a shameless hussy.

And a fact distorter.

Have a drink.

Thanks.

Yes, I'm still here.

Here's my lead for tomorrow.

"Bad news

for New York debutantes.

"Clay Dalzell

will quit playing the field.

To be led to the altar

by Donna Mantin."

Where'd you get that?

Some dame called up

and gave it to me.

Is it true?

Wait a minute.

Did you tell Tommy Tennant

that we were gonna be married?

Certainly.

Hmm.

Well, you can't get ruled off

for trying.

There's not a word of truth

in it.

Okay, then I can use this...

"Donna Mantin,

wealthy young socialite,

"Was seen having tea

with Jim Kinland,

"Alleged public enemy number 3,

yesterday afternoon.

What does this TNT for two

mean?"

You can't print that.

Why not?

Because I'll trade you

a better one.

Well, listen to this anyway.

Your hunch about my connection

with the Van Duzen

divorce case is right.

You're a white man, Dalzell.

The story's dead.

Anything else on your mind?

Yes. Cut your throat...

An honorable ending

to a risky career.

Swayne, more cocktails.

And make them strong.

Dal, may I have a few words

with you... Privately?

If you'll excuse us, Tim.

The lady has no manners.

Well?

Dal, I need help. I'm in a jam.

I know... Kinland.

- How did you know about that?

- Tennant.

I just managed

to kill the story.

Keep on. You'll get yourself

splashed all over the front pages.

I know, I should

have thought about that.

Well, how about starting to do

a little thinking now?

Well, that's

just what I am doing.

You see, there are some letters.

Oh, I get it.

Good old Dal... He can get the

letters back from the nasty gunman...

and get killed

doing it, probably.

Oh, no, you won't, Dal.

You're too smart.

Yes? If I were, I'd boot you

out of here right now,

let you do your own worrying

about your letters.

Dal, please.

Mm.

Say, mind you,

if I do go into this,

I'm only doing it

because of your mother.

She's a nice woman.

Must be terrible for a woman

to have a daughter like you.

My mother just adores me.

She'd be more to the point

if she spanked you.

I have a mind to do it myself.

Well, this will be new.

Well, you asked for it.

Hey, that hurt!

He really does love me.

He just kicked me.

A sure sign.

Oh, Swayne, uh...

Get Mr. Kinland on the phone

for me, will you?

- Mr. Jim Kinland, sir?

- That's right.

Don't you think Dal

ought to marry me, Mr. Winthrop?

I'd have lots of money.

And I'd have lots of headaches.

Always belittling.

Why don't you tell the man

the truth?

When I was 10

and he had a mustache,

he said I was his sweetheart

and he'd wait for me to grow up.

And now...

I shaved off the mustache.

Mr. Kinland is not at home, sir.

Oh.

Well, you leave word

for him to call me,

just as soon as he comes in,

either at the Corey's

or at the Prince Theater later.

I'll leave my seat number

at the box office.

- Are we going to the theater?

- Yes, ma'am.

Say, Tim, have you seen

this Mary Smith?

No, but I want to.

Does she wear that mask all the time?

Well, I don't know.

They say she's never seen

around the theater without it,

and after the show,

she just disappears into the night.

Now, there's something

to conjure with.

Now, a woman like that

captures the imagination...

- Mysterious...

- Mysterious, my eye.

Your masked marvel probably has

a wart on the end of her nose.

Meow.

To the mysterious Mary Smith.

Kinland?

My apologies to the hostess.

Oh, Dal, don't go. I didn't

realize what I was asking.

Stay here. Give my love to Mary Smith.

Tell her I went to my death

with a smile on my face.

I tell you, Ohlman,

I can do you a lot of good.

You're in bad company, Abe.

Hiya, Dalzell.

How's business?

Capacity, night after night.

That Smith girl is something

every producer dreams about. Yes.

If it wasn't for these

newspaper fellas coming in,

Asking foolish questions

all the time, why...

Well, we know something

that they don't know, hmm?

Clay!

Well, bless me. Jerry.

You haven't forgotten me.

What do you mean?

You've heard me speak

of Clay Dalzell, dear.

Oh, yes.

How do you do?

Oh, how do you do, Mr. Burton?

Oh, no, my dear. I divorced

Mr. Burton four years ago.

Since then, I've been

Mrs. Crandell and...

Oh, I'm so sorry, Mr. Crandell.

No. I'm now Mrs. Classon.

This is Mr. Classon.

Oh.

Don't be embarrassed,

Mr. Dalzell,

I run into that sort of thing

all the time.

Well...

That Dalzell

never turned a hair.

Why should he?

That's Roger Classon,

the Chicago lawyer, and his wife.

Well?

- She and Dalzell were once...

- Oh.

We're at King Charles.

Do look us up.

- I'll do that.

- Good night.

- Good night, Jerry.

- Good night.

Good night, Mr. Crasson...

Uh, Clandell. Uh...

- All right?

- Very good, sir.

I'll tell Mr. Kinland

you're here.

Thank you.

- You Dalzell?

- Yeah.

- I'm Jimmy Kinland.

- How do you do?

What's on your mind?

Miss Mantin asked me

to get some letters from you.

Beat it.

When I get the letters.

Beat it, I said,

while you're still healthy.

Very well.

Oh, uh, by the way...

There was something funny

that I wanted to ask you about.

In 1929, you made a total-gross

income-tax return of $65,000.

What's that to you?

But you were given one check

alone for $120,000.

Actual total-gross income...

$970,000.

How many pennies

am I off the exact figure?

Radio is awfully loud.

I want it that way.

Oh.

Where did you pick up

that tax deal?

From the man

who paid you the $120,000.

The canceled check

is in my safety-deposit vault,

where the police will find it

if anything happens to me.

That check is six years old,

why'd you hold out till now?

I'm not a Federal man.

How much do you want?

The letters.

There's lots of things we

don't like that we have to take.

The reason I'm alive today

is because I'm smart enough

to know when to take it.

Here you are.

Thank you. Good night.

Oh, wait a minute.

What about the check?

Oh, I'll keep that,

if you don't mind.

You can trust me.

It ain't exactly business,

is it?

Strictly business.

That check is the lock

that keeps the Mantin matter

a closed book.

And we closed it just in time.

I have to stop Tennant

from printing a story

about you and the lady.

He's too nosy, that guy.

Maybe he ought to be rubbed out.

Isn't that sort of thing,

uh, against the law?

Flash from the

News-Radio Bureau:

The Prince Theater tonight

was thrown into confusion

at the end of the first act,

when Mary Smith,

the star of "Midnight",

suddenly disappeared.

We will now return you to

Nick Price and his orchestra.

Well, there's a story

for Tennant.

The mysterious Mary Smith

disappeared,

Or kidnapped, maybe. What

do you know about that?

I don't know anything about it!

Now, I was here all night,

and I can prove it!

My friend, the question

was purely academic.

Good night. Sleep tight.

Swayne.

Swayne, I want a drink.

Swayne...

There's someone at the door.

"I'm very sorry, Mr. Dalzell.

I'll attend to it immediately."

Dal, I found her! I found her!

Good.

But it's a worse mess than ever,

she's disappeared again.

My boy, you're not in love

with a girl,

you've fallen for a card trick.

But you don't understand.

Alice is Mary Smith.

And you're Mahatma Gandhi,

and there's the brandy. How's that?

But she is, Dal! She is!

I realized it the moment

she stood on the stage.

The minute I saw her,

I shouted, "Alice!"

That must have helped

the show along. She see you?

Well, she must have.

She got all upset.

She had to start her number over again.

No, thanks.

I waited till after the act was over,

and then I rushed backstage to see her.

She'd already gone, huh?

Yes. People were chasing

each other around...

Detectives, newspaperman.

Then someone spotted me

as the fella that had shouted "Alice",

so I beat it.

Timothy, I can't work out

a jigsaw puzzle

if you're going to keep some

of the pieces in your pocket.

What do you mean?

I mean that you haven't told me

all you know or at least suspect

about her disappearance

from Chicago.

Now, how about it?

Do I get the other pieces?

Well, I...

Could anyone have followed you?

I don't know.

Perhaps you better go

into my den and wait.

Right.

Ah, brother Tennant.

Where's Winthrop?

Well, if it's off the record,

he was at the Prince Theater

seeing "Midnight".

There isn't anyone

seeing "Midnight".

- The Smith girl has disappeared.

- No.

Disappeared and given me

the greatest story

a newspaperman ever had.

- Have a drink.

- Thanks.

How's this for a setup?

The show's going on,

lights blazing, music blaring,

the girls dancing

their heads off.

Smith makes her entrance.

A guy in the third row

jumps up and yells, "Alice!"

Smith almost drops

in her tracks.

She has to start all over again.

A guy races up the aisle and through

the lobby, and I'm right behind him.

And what's more...

I stay right behind him.

I tell you, Dalzell,

this is sheer drama.

That girl had to wear a mask.

Then it wasn't just publicity?

No. In your wildest dreams, you

could never imagine the real reason.

This is the story of the year,

and I'm cracking it.

Well, that's swell,

but where do I come in?

I'm gonna play ball

with you, Dalzell,

and I want you to play ball

with me.

I'll tell you everything I know,

but you've got to do the same.

Yes, but I don't know anything.

Okay, I'll take a chance.

Look, I trailed this guy

and picked up plenty.

Mary Smith

is not really Mary Smith.

Her name's Alice Markham.

She comes from

a little jerkwater town in Ohio.

She disappeared from Chicago

about a year ago.

Just as completely

as she did tonight.

Tennant, I apologize,

you're good.

Where'd you pick up all this?

That's nothing.

I found out.

The greatest double cross

that's ever been pulled.

This guy was pretending to...

Tim.

Tim?

Stick 'em up!

Higher!

Turn around!

What's the matter, sir?

Where have you been?

To the theater, sir.

Come in here.

What's happened, sir?

Tommy Tennant's been shot.

Some brandy, Swayne.

Never mind, Swayne.

Uh, get me

Police headquarters, please.

Are you hurt, sir?

Only grazed, I think.

Who did it?

I don't know.

Uh, let me have, uh,

inspector Doremus, please.

"Acme arch supporters

will give tired feet new life.

"And take away that pain

almost immediately,

Or your money back."

Inspector Doremus.

Huh? Murder?

What's that address?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Now, listen,

don't touch a thing.

I'll be right over.

Can you picture that?

Tommy Tennant's been plugged.

Tommy Tennant?

Yeah.

Fulton, I want you to go to Tommy Tennant's

office at the Star, start pumping his secretary,

and find out everything you can about him

since he cut his first tooth.

He's been bumped off.

Franklin, you go with him.

Your job is to find out

where he was

and what he did every minute

of the day until the murder.

Brady and Jones, you're to snoop

around Tennant's apartment,

see what you can see.

Now, beat it, all of you.

Wait a minute,

Lewis, Cleary, you're to come

with me to Clay Dalzell's.

That's where the body is.

Get a party to come along

for fingerprints

and also notify

the Coroner's office.

Okay, inspector.

And, Lewis, you're to go

to 125 West 34th street

and get me a pair

of acme arch supporters.

Right.

Okay. I don't think the hip

will trouble you a bit.

Good. I'm very much

obliged to you, doctor.

You're welcome.

Just a few more questions,

Mr. Dalzell.

So long, doc.

See you at the inquest.

Good night, doctor.

Good night.

Good night, gentlemen.

You're something of

a criminologist, ain't ya?

Well, I've read

all of Edgar Wallace.

Doesn't it strike you kind of funny

that the murderer left his gun behind?

Do murderers usually do that?

This one did.

Sure that ain't your gun?

Quite. My gun is

in the cabinet beside my bed,

where it always is.

It had your fingerprints on it.

Naturally,

I told you I picked it up.

You didn't like Tennant,

did you?

Not particularly, no.

Ever have an argument with him?

Frequently.

What about?

Things he wrote in his column.

What was Tennant gonna print in

his column about you tomorrow?

- Nothing.

- How do you know?

Because he told me so.

No, he didn't.

He didn't do nothing of the kind,

I'll tell you why, you know.

You killed him

before he had a chance to do it,

ain't that it, Dalzell?

Tennant came here

to get a story confirmed.

You denied it.

He didn't believe you, said

he was gonna publish it anyhow.

You had an argument,

he wouldn't give in,

and the only way you could stop

his printing it was to murder him.

Ain't that what happened?

You got too much water

in that one.

Hmm?

Oh.

Say, what is this...

A cross-examination

or a band rehearsal?

I beg your pardon, sergeant.

Let's see. Where were we?

Oh, yes.

I just shot Tommy Tennant.

Well, sergeant, to, uh, continue

your interesting,

if somewhat amusing, theory,

I suppose I shot myself

in the hip.

Well, that ain't

impossible, either!

Sergeant, you're right.

That ain't impossible either.

I'll take it, Swayne.

Hello?

Where are you?

I'm in the Bronx at a pay station.

Are you all right?

Sure. How'd you get there?

I don't know.

I was in your den

when suddenly two men appeared,

before I could cry out,

they knocked me cold.

When I woke up,

I was in Van Cortlandt Park.

You've been reading scenarios.

What?

Uh, listen, I'm, uh,

awfully busy right now, really.

I'd like to talk more,

but I can't.

Uh... Oh, no, no, no.

I-I wouldn't come up

if I were you.

It might be embarrassing

for you.

Uh, just a minute.

Sergeant, don't you think you could

hear better if you plugged that in?

Huh?

Give me a ring

sometime tomorrow.

Or better still, I'll ring you.

Good night.

Who was that you was talking to?

No one you know.

I'm afraid we'll have to know,

Mr. Dalzell.

This is a murder case.

I beg your pardon.

Do you know Ms. Donna Mantin?

Sure. I've seen her picture

in the Rotary viewer.

You have nice taste.

Thanks.

You mean you was talking

to miss Mantin?

Sergeant, I bow

to your powers of deduction.

Well, I guess that's all

for tonight.

Come on, Cleary.

I'm sorry, Dal.

I didn't know you had callers.

Gentlemen,

this is... Miss Mantin.

Inspector Doremus,

sergeant Cleary.

- How do you do?

- How do you do?

Come on, Cleary.

Wait a minute.

Did he say "Mantin"?

Nice-looking girl, ain't she?

I ain't worrying

about her looks.

- Dalzell lied.

- Sure, he lied.

Let's go back and drill him.

Look, Cleary, you're a good cop,

but you've got to be a lot smarter

before you'll make

a good detective.

What do you mean?

You can't break him with words.

Words are his business.

He's a lawyer.

Now, just let him alone

and let him do the work for us.

Come on.

All of which makes me

a first-class murder suspect.

That's terrible. Poor fellow.

And my walking in didn't help

you any, either, did it?

No. However, I'll overlook that

if you'll whip me up

a little drink.

By the way,

there are your letters.

Oh, thank you, Dal.

I'm really terribly grateful.

All right.

Don't let me catch you getting

mixed up with such people again.

Who was really on the phone

when I was supposed to be?

Well, I suppose

I've got to mix my own drink.

Answer my question.

Hello? Hello, Anita?

You can quit worrying,

I've got your letters.

Oh, that's all right.

How? Oh, it was very simple.

But you get mixed up with any of

that kind of foolishness again,

and I'm going to tell

your husband.

All right. Goodbye, dear.

Well, I certainly went

for that one, all right.

Now, now, boy scout,

you did your good deed.

- Somebody had to do something for the poor girl.

- Oh.

Come on. Who was really

on the phone before?

You know I take

more whiskey than that.

Dal, I'm not asking

to be curious,

but don't you see the police

have caught you in a lie

and it may put you in a spot?

I'm already in a spot.

Sergeant Cleary insists

that I killed Tennant.

Did you?

No, inspector, I did not.

- Well, who did?

- I don't know.

I've got a hunch,

but I'm not sure.

Say, this is swell.

Home murder mysteries.

Why go out for thrills,

when you can have them

in your own parlor?

Come on, who did it?

Where were you in the night of the murder?

Do you wear

a long black mustache?

Have you a strawberry mark

on your left knee?

I refuse to testify.

Your hot-water bottle, sir.

What's that for... Rheumatism?

Oh, no, miss.

He was shot in the...

Hip.

Well, why didn't you tell me?

Madam, this is my wound.

Swayne, lay out Mr. Dalzell's

pajamas and fix the bed.

Yes, miss.

- Oh, and he better have a hot bath, too!

- Yes, miss.

This is probably

none of my business,

but just what do you think

you're doing?

Staying here

to nurse you back to health.

Donna...

Donna, this... This touches me.

No, this is... this is

really as nice a gesture

as you could possibly make.

I-I-I scarcely know

how to thank you.

I'm almost, uh...

Nonplussed.

Where are we going?

We're not going anywhere.

You're going home!

Good night, Mantin.

Dal! Dal, you big bully!

I'll get even with you for this!

Eh!

Swayne!

Orange juice.

Coffee.

Don't spare the horses.

Good morning...

Or, rather, good afternoon.

What are you doing here?

I thought I kicked you out

last night.

Oh, that's all right.

We nurses are used

to our patients' eccentricities.

They often get violent.

Haven't you been home?

Were you here all night?

Certainly. You know me...

the Florence Nightingale

of Park Avenue.

How's your, uh, shoulder?

Splendid.

How's yours?

Well, I guess I brought that

on myself.

Which would you rather have

first... coffee or bandages?

Coffee.

What?

Two lumps of sugar and

a dash of bitters... oh, cream.

What a sap you were

to sit up all night.

Who sat up?

I slept in Swayne's bed.

What?

Swayne tried the divan.

He reports

it's none too comfortable.

Your parents will be

utterly charmed by all this.

Oh, I told them I was here.

Good girl.

Your father's probably

on his way over here now.

Don't be vulgar.

Drink your coffee,

you'll need your strength.

- Why?

- The Police Department awaits without.

If you think I'm going to ask

"without what?", you're meshugga.

All right, all right.

Anyway, "without an idea"

is the answer.

- They been there long?

- Oh, yes.

We've been discussing

the murder,

and I've convinced them

that you're the guilty man.

That's mighty nice of you.

Would you ask them to come in?

You may come in, gentlemen.

He's ready to confess.

- Good morning, inspector.

- Sergeant.

- I must apologize for...

- It's okay. We're in no hurry.

We want to talk

to Mr. Dalzell in private.

Oh, by all means.

Swayne, we are not

to be disturbed.

Now...

Gentlemen, my head is

never quite clear in the morning.

Or in the afternoon, either,

for that matter,

Until I've had my shower.

Do you mind? You can ask

questions there just as well.

It's okay. Oh, that will be fine.

We can get everything

cleaned up at once.

All right, gentlemen,

make yourselves at home.

- Swell bathroom you got here.

- Yeah.

Up at my place,

the tub and shower's all in one.

Those are very dangerous,

you're likely to slip in the tub.

Yeah, so I found out.

You know, we've been doing

a little checking up.

You'll have to speak

a little louder, inspector.

Saw quite a bit of Tennant

last night, didn't you?!

I thought we'd covered all that.

Yeah?

How about admitting you were

at the theater with him.

Well, all right,

I was at the theater with him.

Sergeant, would you mind

passing me a cake of soap?

Why didn't you tell us?

I didn't think it mattered.

Thank you.

Say, what was in that note

you got at the show last night

just as the show started?

Inspector, I beg your pardon.

I've been belittling you...

In my mind, I mean.

That's okay. What did you say

was in the note?

I didn't say.

Come on, Dalzell!

Who was it from?!

A friend of mine.

Sure it wasn't from Tennant?

What?

Sure it wasn't from Tennant?!

You don't have to shout now.

Water's off.

I know!

I mean, I know.

- Would you mind passing me a towel, please?

- Sure.

No, the note

was not from Tennant.

Sure it didn't...

Sure it didn't tell you

to leave the theater

and meet Tennant someplace?

Well, what would be

the sense of that?

You just told me that I was

talking with him at the theater.

You know, I understand the show

"Midnight's" a pretty swell show.

Yes, so I hear.

- Ain't seen it, then?

- No.

Why didn't you stay last night?

Well, I thought

I'd rather take a walk.

That's why you took a cab?

You're quite right, inspector,

I have been lying to you.

Yes, I know. Most people do.

Don't misunderstand me, Mr. Dalzell,

we ain't trying to trip you up.

Frankly, I don't think

you killed Tennant,

but your fingerprints

were on that gun.

Unless you come clean,

you're gonna be hooked up

with this murder.

Inspector...

What I'm refusing to tell you

has no bearing

on the murder of Tommy Tennant.

Now, whether or not you choose

to take my word for that,

of course, is up to you.

Well, I guess I'll have to.

However, mind you,

this may be of no help,

but I have a theory.

What's that?

The murder of Tommy Tennant

and the disappearance

of Mary Smith are related,

in one way or another.

Ah, for Pete's sake,

the disappearance of Mary Smith

is a publicity stunt!

We're working on a murder case!

Well, that's the only hunch

I've got.

Well, thanks, anyway.

Come on, Cleary.

Goodbye, inspector.

I'll be seeing you.

Oh, yeah, sure.

We'll be seeing each other... often.

You know, I wonder.

What?

I wonder what the Tennant killing

and the Smith girl's

disappearance

did have to do with each other.

Oh, pardon me.

See that guy?

Yeah.

He's gonna have arch trouble

in a couple of years,

walking on his heels like that.

Don't be so stubborn.

What were they asking you?

They wanted to know what you

were doing here, and so do I.

Oh, I could have told them

that myself.

I'll bet you could. Dal...

I had to see you,

I couldn't stand it.

Oh, hello, Tim.

Dal, I had to find out

what happened here last night,

was it true?

- Hello.

- Hello.

Dal, tell me what happened.

Was it really...

Nurse, how about a little tonic

for your patient?

When?

When.

Sure you're not trying

to get rid of me?

Oh, Donna.

Now, when Swayne leaves us,

we'll be alone.

Dal, tell me what happened.

Why all the mystery?

Why can't you tell me

what happened?

Tim, it's not usual for my

guests to take potshots at me,

and, frankly,

I don't care for the custom.

Suppose you explain things.

Don't you think

you owe me the truth?

I have told you the truth.

Now, listen, Tim...

You're free, white, and 21.

You can do as you choose.

There's a fellow

investigating this case.

By the name of Doremus.

Although he doesn't look it,

he's as smart as a whip.

Sooner or later,

he's going to find out.

Who was in this apartment

when Tennant was killed,

And he's gonna put

two and two together,

And when he does,

you're gonna be the answer.

Now, don't you think it'd be much

better if you told me the truth?

But, Dal, I tell you...

What did you tell Tennant

last night after the theater?

What are you talking about?

I never spoke to Tennant in my life.

Then why did you kill him?

I didn't kill him, Dal.

I don't know anything about it.

Dal, you don't think

I'd take a shot at you?

All right, my lad.

You know, they say.

The weather is fine in Miami

this time of year.

Why don't you run down there

for a while?

Why?

You should know

the answer to that one.

I'm not going anywhere.

I'm gonna stay right here

and find Alice Markham.

All right, Tim.

Good luck.

Alice, where art thou?

Did you ask something, sir?

Oh. Yes.

Where is Mary Smith?

I don't know, sir.

No. Of course you don't.

It's obvious that

there's some connection

between the disappearance

of Mary Smith

and the murder of Tommy Tennant.

But what has Tim Winthrop

to do with it all?

If neither he

nor Mary Smith is involved,

then why is he lying to me?

- I, uh...

He said that he never spoke

to Tommy Tennant in his life,

yet Tennant told me

that just after Tim got up

and shouted, "Alice",

he left the theater.

Tennant followed

and stumbled on a great story.

Now, what's the answer?

Did Mr. Tennant specifically say,

sir, that he...

That's it!

Swayne, that's it.

Tennant didn't tell me

that it was the same man.

Tennant followed somebody else!

- But that isn't what I was going to say, sir!

- Don't quibble, Swayne.

Donna! Donna!

Coming, sire.

Mantin, we're going to solve

the disappearance of Mary Smith

and the murder of Tommy Tennant,

how do you like that?

Okay, Sherlock.

Where do we begin?

At the cab stand

of the Prince Theater.

I want you to go right down there

and check up on all the cabs

that left there last night

between 9:00 and 10:00.

Find out who hired them

and where they went.

Swayne!

You got that clear, Watson?

On my way, Sherlock.

Swayne, you want to be

a detective, don't you?

- No, sir.

- That's fine.

I want you to get Abe Ohlman

on the phone

and ask him to meet me

at the King Charles Bar at 4:00.

Then I want you to go

to the Prince Theater.

And check up on how many men

left there last night.

During the first act...

Who they were, where they went,

any other information you can get.

Understand?

How do I find that out, sir?

Swayne,

I haven't the faintest idea.

Abe... Where did

you first meet her?

Did she come to you for a job?

She did not.

I picked her up at the Club Rio.

Oh, she was singing there?

No.

No, she wasn't,

she was a guest...

Alone, mind you.

Out of a clear sky,

she jumps up and begins singing

while the orchestra's playing.

And was she terrific.

What do you mean?

Without being asked, she

just got up and started to sing?

Why? I found that out later.

She was broke.

She blew her last 10 bucks.

On a bottle of mums

for one good fling.

Well, that's not so bad.

This mask business...

Does she wear it all the time?

Oh, no. No, only on the stage.

That was her idea.

When I offered her a job,

she insisted on that condition.

So, you signed her up

for buttons, huh?

Well, I thought I did.

I gave her the usual minimum

guarantee and a percentage.

We haven't had an empty seat.

She's been drawing

1,500 bucks a week.

Which isn't a bad figure.

Pardon.

Pardon me.

Where does she bank? Search me.

She was paid in cash.

She wouldn't take a check.

Well, that doesn't

get us anywhere.

Does she have any friends? I don't know.

Does she get any mail

at the theater?

Mnh-mnh.

Uh... Did she have

any visitors there?

No, not what you'd call "visitors".

The only one who ever came

to see her was Tennant.

Tennant?

Well, I guess that

was professional.

That's interesting.

Where'd she live?

That's one thing I do know.

At the Warman.

Abe, you're improving.

That's something, anyway.

Well, I'm sure glad

you're interesting yourself

in this business.

If there's one man in the world

can find this girl, it's you.

- Now, Abie...

- Now, on the levels.

Didn't you find that married girl

when the rest of the world gave up?

That was luck.

Well, call it anything you like,

but please call me

when you find her, will you?

Mm.

Another drink, Mr. Dalzell?

Yes. Make it two...

One for miss Mantin.

Quiet, you rat.

I'm in a disguise.

So I see.

You just wait till tomorrow.

I'm having some beautiful

false whiskers made.

Yeah?

You're gonna be a lot of help

on this case.

I thought you were checking

taxis for me.

- I did.

- Oh.

Oh, the taxi business

is picking up.

It's, uh... Wait a minute...

20% better this month than

it was this month last year.

Well, isn't that splendid?

I've been getting my information

from Frankie Allen.

He's number y7229

and is an interesting addition

to any social group.

Writes poetry.

Listen to this:

"Life is what you make it.

"You can't duck life.

You've got to take it.

"It don't pay to frown.

You've got to grin.

"And no matter what happens,

just keep your chin... up.

"And then you will find

in this world full of strife.

You come out on the top

in this battle of life."

Now, isn't that

a lovely little...

8 sidecars, 10...

There ain't nobody can come

in miss Smith's room now.

The police are here.

It's all right, Belinda.

Mr. Dalzell is a friend

of the management.

He wants to look around a bit.

Yes, sir.

Thanks, Allen.

I'll see you later.

The man from headquarters...

Where is he?

Ain't no "he." It's a she.

In there,

looking at miss Smith's clothes.

All right, Watson, come out.

Well, what detained you?

Any clues?

No, just clothes.

Were these all the clothes

that miss Smith had?

Yes, sir. That's all.

Police.

Greetings, gentlemen.

Hello, miss Mantin.

Hello, inspector.

Say, what are you doing here?

Well, Abe Ohlman asked me

to have a look around.

Oh.

I'm surprised to find you here.

Oh, you're likely to run in

to me anywhere, Mr. Dalzell.

Evidently, my theory about

this case did interest you.

No.

The commissioner's

got me running in circles.

I was going great

on the Tennant case,

when he asked me to find an angle on

this publicity-stunt disappearance.

If you don't mind, Mr. Dalzell,

we've got a couple of questions

we'd like to ask the maid.

Go right ahead.

We're, uh, just leaving.

Come, Donna.

- Goodbye, inspector.

- Goodbye.

What do you make

of all of this, Mr. Holmes?

Hey, I told you there

was something phony about this.

Why did she call him

"Mr. Holmes"?

Uh, King Charles Hotel.

Well, how'd you do?

Say, inspector, you ain't taking

this case serious enough.

That guy Dalzell...

He's doing all right, Cleary.

He's doing all right.

Now, look, you go back

and question that maid

and find out what he asked her.

Hey, where are you going?

First I'm going to drop Corbett

here at the King Charles bar

to shadow Dalzell

24 hours a day,

And then I'm going

to 125 West 34th street.

To sock the guy in the nose that

sold me these arch supporters.

They're killing me.

Go ahead.

I'll meet you at the

king Charles bar in 15 minutes.

Good afternoon, colonel.

Good afternoon.

I'm interested in Mary Smith.

You know anything about her?

Yes, sir.

That's fine. What?

She disappeared

from the show last night.

After the first act.

No.

Yes.

Life is what you make it.

You can't duck life.

You've got to take it.

But that isn't all I know, sir.

What else?

Oh. I beg your pardon.

She used to leave the hotel.

Every morning at 7:45 exactly.

And then walk over

towards 5th Avenue.

Yes?

Yes.

Well, what else?

That's all.

You practically solved

the disappearance.

Practically.

I beg your pardon?

Keep your trap shut

and keep moving.

Get in the car.

I got your invitation.

Sit down.

Look, friend, I'm your pal.

And if you want me to see that

you get a big funeral, okay,

But give me the check first.

What are you talking about?

You're fooling around

with some mighty tough people.

You?

Me? No.

I'm one of the nicest fellas

you ever met in your life.

And these boys

are just taking care of you.

But there's a couple

of other guys on your trail.

That are different kinds

of people.

How do you know that?

Look, Dalzell, let's you and me

quit kidding each other.

Didn't you say

if anything happened to you.

The law would get that check?

And don't that mean

that I got to keep you healthy?

Well...

That's what me and my boys

have been trying to do.

But it ain't no cinch,

with you running all over town,

Sticking your nose

into a lot of things.

That ain't

none of your business.

Such as?

Murders and, uh... Kidnappings.

I see.

Who did you say these

gentlemen following me were?

I didn't say.

Mm. They mixed up

in the Tennant murder?

Who do you figure will cop

the pennant this year?

Well, with the kind of team

we've got,

I don't think the other fellas

stand a chance.

Don't be too sure of that.

Now, just keep

your nose clean, Dalzell.

Leave the Tennant murder.

And the Smith girl's

disappearance.

For the cops to worry about.

They don't concern you none.

There are two different schools

of thought on that subject.

However, I get your point.

Toodle-oo.

Coming, boys?

What kept you this time?

Did you get mixed up

with some other woman?

Martini, please.

Keep it dry, will you?

And... Three olives.

Oh, hello, madam.

Am I an orphan?

Two Martinis.

I'll take the same...

Two Martinis.

What did you think

of that Mary Smith's room?

Hors d'oeuvres, sir?

Swell. I'm starved.

She must have been

a very peculiar girl.

You feel like a stuffed egg?

Thanks.

You know, if I

or any of the girls I know.

Lived in a hotel room

for a week,

We would have accumulated

so much junk.

That it would have taken a maid

four hours to get things packed.

Fishy?

No, Martini.

Thanks-y.

But not Mary Smith. She was

the neat new England type.

Why, you could have stripped

that room bare.

In about three minutes.

Say that again.

I said you could have stripped

that room bare.

In about three minutes.

What was that for?

Mantin, you're a bright girl

but dumb.

You don't know a good idea

when you see it.

Listen... Mary Smith

had a room at the warman,

But she didn't live there.

And I'm going home

and go to bed.

Well, that makes sense.

Mary Smith

didn't live at the warman,

So you're going home to bed.

Well, it isn't even 8:00 yet.

All my life, I've said

good night to the milkman.

Tomorrow

I'm going to say good morning.

Check, please.

Come on. I'll take you home.

At this hour? I should say not.

Clay Dalzell,

are you giving me the runaround?

Donna, don't you trust me?

Yes, but I'm probably wrong.

Which proves

that you're not so dumb.

Have you seen that new trick

with the 10?

No.

Now watch.

Well, what's the answer?

Eight sidecars.

Good night.

Now, uh... You better run home.

And get a good night's rest,

officer,

'Cause we're going to get a very

early start in the morning.

I'm sorry, madam,

but Mr. Dalzell has retired.

- Is he sick?

- No, madam,

he just retired early,

that's all.

Well, times have changed.

Tell him Mrs. Classon

is calling, will you?

But, madam,

I said that Mr. Dalzell...

Lovely apartment...

Perfectly lovely.

Let me see.

This must be

Mr. Dalzell's bedroom?

No, madam. That is his bedroom.

Oh, thank you.

Who is it?

It's Jerry... Jerry Classon.

Will you come out,

or shall I come in?

I-I'll come out!

Well...

This is a surprise.

I expected you to call me

at the hotel today.

Oh, Jerry, as a matter of fact,

I intended to,

But I've been so rushed to...

Will you have a little drink?

No?

Strange bumping into you

at the theater last night, Clay.

Wasn't it?

Brought up a lot

of old memories, hmm?

You know,

I've always felt rather badly.

That we drifted apart.

Well, Jerry,

those things happen.

Water under the bridge,

you know.

How are you, anyway?

Just the same, Clay.

The embers are still...

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.

You're Mrs. Classon now.

Oh, that.

Oh, sorry.

What sort of time

are you having in New York?

Very disappointing. Yeah?

I find you treating me

like an old friend.

The night I go to see

the hit show in town,

The star disappears on me.

I'm frightfully intrigued by it.

Tell me, Clay, what happened?

Have you any idea why

she disappeared, where she is?

Search me.

Come, now, Clay.

It's common gossip

that you're looking for her.

Are you going to find her?

Or have you already found her?

Now, Jerry,

you're the wife of a lawyer.

You should know better.

Than to ask a witness

leading questions.

And what is the meaning of this?

I'm sure I don't know.

And who is this?

I am Mrs. Dalzell. Who are you?

So, this is why you bundled me

off into the spare room!

Your cold was worse!

How dare you do such a thing?!

And after we've been married

for only two weeks,

You having a rendezvous

with another woman,

Me right in the same house!

My dear, I assure you...

Oh, I'm not blaming you.

I know how he is with the women.

How could you be so sordid?

I knew your past wasn't

all that it might have been,

And I was willing

to forget and forgive...

Oh, Donna, for heaven's sake!

You're a very silly child,

my dear.

You'll never hold a husband

with this kind of scene.

Good night, Clay.

I'm sure your marriage

is going to be very happy.

Oh, it'll be all right, Jerry.

Good night.

Where did you get that creation?

Swayne.

And where did you get

that woman?

Thanks, Swayne.

I'll do as much for you someday.

All right, boy scout.

You've done your good deed

for the day.

Now, how about

tripping homeward?

No.

Yes. I'm on my way to bed.

It's no gag.

Not on your life.

I'm taking no more chances.

No?

No.

Mr. Mantin,

will you please come over here.

And get your daughter and

take her out of my apartment?

And you better bring

your shotgun, daddy.

We may need it.

Dal...

What?

You really didn't know

that woman was coming here?

No.

I knew it.

Now I'll let you get some sleep.

How did you know

that I wanted to get rid of her?

I didn't.

Well, anyway, good night.

And thanks.

Good night,

and don't mention it.

7:45.

Exactly.

Well, I'm all in, inspector.

This guy's doing.

The first sensible thing

he's done all day.

He's down here in the

king Charles bar having a drink,

Which is what I'm gonna do

right now.

It's funny.

I get just so far, then smack...

Right into a stone wall.

I finally found a bus driver.

Who remembered picking up a girl

of her description every morning.

And taking her

to Washington square.

What happened

after she got off the bus?

What do you say we give up

this detecting business.

And go in for some plain

or fancy matrimony?

Can't get the thing

out of my mind.

It's got so many queer angles.

What'll it be... a church

wedding or a quiet one at home?

For instance, how did

Jerry, uh, what's-her-name.

Know that I was looking

for Mary Smith?

Do you talk in your sleep?

She said it was common gossip.

That's ridiculous.

'Cause if you do,

I could wear earmuffs.

Hmm? Did you say something?

No.

What's the matter... You tired?

Dal, there's a man

at the end of the bar.

Who's staring at you.

I thought I recognized you.

How are you, Mr. Dalzell?

Oh! Yes, yes, of course.

- I hope I'm not intruding.

- No, not at all.

This is miss Mantin. Mr. uh...

Classon.

Classon.

How do you do? How do you do?

- Sit down, won't you?

- Oh, thank you.

I was hoping I'd find you here.

Sorry if I've kept you waiting.

I usually get here earlier.

Yes. You see, Mr. Dalzell,

you and I are both interested

in the same woman.

We're both trying to find

Mary Smith...

Or, rather, Alice Markham.

Oh. Yes.

That's why I sent Mrs. Classon

to call on you last night.

I was using her

as a sort of private detective,

though it didn't do me

much good.

Do you mind telling me

why you're so interested

in Alice Markham?

My best friend is facing

the electric chair, Mr. Dalzell,

and the only chance

I have to save him

is to find Alice Markham.

Well, that's interesting.

John Marone is awaiting trial

in Chicago

for the murder of Fred Dexter.

He didn't commit that murder,

Mr. Dalzell,

because when it happened,

he was in his own apartment,

and Alice Markham was with him.

And he can't prove that

without her.

She's his only alibi.

If she hadn't disappeared

that night,

John would be a free man now.

Why did she disappear?

I don't know why she disappeared

in Chicago.

Any more than I know

why she disappeared in New York.

But if it's humanly possible,

I'm going to find her

and find out.

Message for you, Mr. Dalzell.

Oh, thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Pardon me.

Uh, do you mind

my asking you, uh...

how you discovered that

Mary Smith was Alice Markham?

Well, I wish I had something

mysterious to tell you,

but it's really quite simple.

I attended the performance

of "Midnight".

You remember. I met you there.

Someone stood up

and shouted, "Alice!",

then, suddenly, everything

became clear to me.

What did you do, then?

I immediately went to the lobby

and phoned my partner in Chicago

to tell Marone the good news.

When I got back to my seat,

there was no performance

and no Mary Smith.

I'm afraid you're a bit

of a disappointment to me.

Yes, sir. We'd regarded you as

a pretty suspicious character.

Yeah.

Well, seems pretty hopeless

but I promise you this...

If we, my partner and I,

do find any trace of Alice Markham,

we'll let you know.

That's very kind of you.

Dal, we'd better be going.

Why?

Swayne.

All right.

Well?

Well, sir, there...

There seems to have been several

people who left the theater

during the first act,

but I only was able to get an

accurate check on one of them.

He... he

behaved in a suspicious manner

and aroused the curiosity

of one of the ushers,

who happens to be studying

to be a private detective...

One of those

correspondence-school courses.

That's the man who left

the theater... what about him?

Well, sir, he... he got up

just after the act started

and slipped out of the theater.

He stopped in the lobby

for a moment

and mumbled something about

Mary Smith to another man,

and then he rushed on out

and got into a taxi.

That's the man!

Did the usher get his name?

Does he know where he went?

He didn't get his name, sir,

but he knows the taxi driver,

and he found out

where the man went.

Well?

The usher wouldn't tell, sir,

without getting a reward,

so I ventured

to bring him around.

He's in the den.

Now, now, now, Swayne,

pull yourself together.

Here, bring him in.

Looks like we're getting warm.

Hot, I should say.

Come in, young man.

How do you do?

Sit down, won't you?

No, no, no, no.

Let me out of here.

I'm no squealer.

I wouldn't have come here

if I'd have known!

I-I'm sorry, mister.

Honest, I don't know

a thing about it.

I wouldn't have got mixed up

with this.

Let me out of here, please.

Hey, wait a minute.

Wait a minute.

There's nothing

for you to worry about.

Well, come here. Just sit down.

Let's see...

there was something said

about a reward, I believe.

Oh, no, no, no. Never mind.

I don't want that.

Oh, yes, yes.

There you are. How's that?

Now...

This man who left the theater...

Who was he?

Where did he go?

All right.

He went out of the theater...

and he got into a cab

and he went

to a gangster's place.

We've got him.

Who was the gangster?

Jim Kinland.

But that's me

you're talking about.

Yes, sir.

Nice going, Sherlock.

Oh...

- Swayne, his hat and coat.

- Oh...

He's got them on. Let him out.

Shut up.

Swayne, bring me

six bottles of scotch,

four bottles of Vichy,

two glasses, some cracked ice,

and a lot of aspirin.

What are you going to do?

Get drunk.

Watson, you can put away

your needle

and throw your fingerprint

outfit out the window.

What's the matter, Sherlock,

aren't we going to play

detective anymore?

No.

When I've got to pay a reward to a

correspondence-school detective

to find out that

the most promising suspect

in a murder case

I'm investigating is myself,

I'd better quit.

I don't want to hear any more

about Mary Smith, Tommy Tennant,

murders, or anything else.

I guess I wasn't cut out to be

a detective in the first place.

You weren't cut out to be

a very good liar either, Dal.

What do you mean?

That isn't the reason

why you're quitting.

Well, you're right, Donna.

The reason I'm quitting

is because the further I go,

the more obvious

it becomes to me

that the only man who

could have killed Tommy Tennant

is Tim Winthrop.

I can't find a sign

that points to anybody else...

Motives, suspicious behavior,

opportunity.

Tim's the only man.

Tim's my friend.

And if I'm not careful,

I'm gonna trip myself.

And spill the beans

right into Mr. Doremus' lap.

I don't know,

but it doesn't seem to me.

That Tim is the type of chap

that would...

Well, I'll get him

out of town for a while.

Meanwhile, we can catch up

with our night life.

Here's how.

Well, if this is a start,

It's going to be a short life,

if a merry one.

Say, am I drunk already,

Or is that picture

really cockeyed?

No, you're still sober.

Well.

- Well, what do you know about that?

- What is it?

That, my fair young friend,

is a dictograph.

Congratulations, Doremus,

but I'm signing off.

Well, that should win

some sort of medal for dumbness.

I'm quick to protect him,

then turned around

and shouted in Doremus' ear.

That I'm convinced he's guilty.

Who are you calling?

Jim Kinland.

I'll bet you'd do better

with the phone connected.

Oh.

He doesn't know it,

but Mr. Kinland

is about to become the victim

of a blackmail plot.

Hello, Kinland?

It's Clay Dalzell.

I want you to do me a favor.

No, nothing serious.

There's a boy named Winthrop,

Tim Winthrop,

living at the Maltby.

Yes, I want you to pick him up

and hide him somewhere,

Will you?

And it's going to be a race.

You've got to find him

before the police do.

Well, that's too bad, Jim.

I was hoping

you'd be able to find him.

Well, I couldn't.

My boys have been scouring

the town for six hours.

Why, of course you couldn't.

It's as plain

as the nose on your face.

I said it was going to be

a race, and Doremus has won.

Tim's in jail.

That's fine.

I suppose

all you want me to do now.

Is go down

and get him out of there.

Well, let me tell you right now,

check or no check,

the deal's cold.

- Police headquarters.

- Hey, wait a minute.

Inspector Doremus.

Now, you keep me out

of this, Dalzell.

Hello, Doremus? Dalzell.

Congratulations.

I understand you solved

the Tennant killing.

Well, uh,

I haven't arrested anybody yet.

Oh, that's funny.

I understood...

Hey, inspector, can I ask you

a straight question?

Go ahead.

I've got nothing to hide.

Did you put a dictograph

in my apartment?

No.

But it ain't a bad idea.

Thanks.

I wonder if Doremus is lying.

Doremus don't do

much fooling around.

This the guy?

What happened to him?

Thought I told you

no rough stuff.

We didn't do it.

That's the way we found him.

Take him in the bedroom,

boys, will you?

Swayne, get the bed ready

and call the doctor.

Somebody sure gave him

a nice going over.

He's in considerable pain.

I've given him an opiate.

That will make him feel

pretty groggy.

Is it, uh, all right

to talk with him?

Perfectly. You'll find him

quite rational for periods,

But don't tire him too much.

Good night. Good night, doctor.

Thank you very much.

Tim.

Tim.

Tim.

Tim, it's Dal.

Do you understand? Dal?

What happened?

Dal, find her. Find her.

They'll kill her!

You've got to find her!

Find Alice!

They've beat me to find out...

Who?

Tim, who?

I don't know.

Tim, listen to me.

Tim...

What did Alice Markham

have to do with Marone?

Marone?

Alice hated him, Dal.

He... he ruined her father.

He... It... it killed him.

Tim, Tim.

What was it Marone did?

Find her, Dal.

Find her.

Find her.

You know,

that's a very funny gag.

Well, I don't see

anything funny about it.

They might have killed the boy.

Oh, I wasn't talking about him.

I was talking

about what he said.

Now, look...

Marone meets her old man,

tells him

he's a big-shot banker,

gets the old man's dough to

invest and goes South with it.

Well, the shock kills

the old man,

and the girl comes to Chicago

to see Marone.

He has her come

to his apartment.

Well, knowing

the kind of a guy Marone is,

It don't take no blueprint

to tell me what happened there.

At the same time,

over on the South side,

Fred Dexter's busy

getting himself bumped off.

Now, the cops know Dexter

and Marone are on the outs,

so they pinch Marone.

Now, this Markham dame...

She don't like Marone.

First, for what he did,

or tried to do, to her

up in his apartment.

Second, because she blames

her old man's death on him.

Now... she's his only alibi.

So, she disappears to get even,

and Marone, who's committed murder

all his life and gotten away with it,

is gonna burn for a murder

he never committed.

Now, don't tell me

that's not very funny.

How do you know all this?

You heard what the kid said

same as I did.

All adds up, that's all.

Hmm.

Well, thanks, Kinland.

You know, this is the first time.

This case has made any sense

to me at all.

Oh, that's nothing.

Oh, I don't suppose.

You want to let me have

that check right now?

I don't suppose.

No, I didn't think so.

Good night.

Dal, did you find him?

Oh, hello, Mr. Kinland.

I haven't had a chance

to thank you for those letters.

That's all right.

Night. Uh, good night, Kinland.

What happened, Dal?

Did you find him?

- Yes, we found him, all right.

- Oh, am I glad.

I got so excited,

I just couldn't stay home.

Madam, you don't know nothing.

Things have been happening

around here so fast,

I can't keep track of them.

Young man, have you had

your dinner yet?

Well, no,

now that you mention it.

Well, you can talk

just as well while you're eating

and vice versa. Come on.

You know, the funniest part

of it all is...

Thanks.

Jim Kinland knows

all about what happened

to Alice Markham in Chicago.

Hello?

Yes.

No, Mr. Dalzell is not at home.

Who was it?

Mrs. Classon, sir.

Swayne, you mind my asking you.

Just why you take it

upon yourself.

To tell Mrs. Classon

that I'm not here?

I'm very sorry, sir.

Miss Mantin's orders.

Oh. So, you're busy

running my life again, huh?

I'm sorry, Dal.

I forgot to mention it,

but I decided Mrs. Classon.

Is nobody

for you to play around with.

Oh. Mantin, you're a swell gal,

But the next time you stick

your nose into my business...

Now, don't take that attitude.

A girl has to be careful.

About the reputation

of the man she's going to marry.

And yours certainly can't stand

being mixed up with that woman.

Let me amaze you with a list

of the lady's boyfriends.

Since her marriage

to Mr. Classon.

First, there was a gentleman

named Howard Smith,

Who was rapidly succeeded

by a Mr. Steve Stanislaw,

a truck driver by profession.

And next came a gentleman...

Since deceased, as you already

know... one Fred Dexter.

And then there was a brief

in the married world.

With a Mr. John Marone

and then a lovely little...

Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

Did you say Dexter and Marone?

Numbers 3 and 4.

How did you get this?

For the neat little sum

of $14.60.

For a long-distance call

to Chicago,

On your telephone, by the way.

First Dexter and then Marone?

No, third Dexter

and fourth Marone.

And it was common gossip?

Known to the man on the street.

Mantin, that's as silly a thing

as you've ever said.

That's covering a lot of ground.

If Mrs. Classon

was carrying on with Marone

and it was common gossip,

then Classon must have heard it.

And if he knew that,

he certainly wouldn't be

defending Marone, would he?

And if you don't know the answer

to that one, I'll tell you.

It's "no."

Wait here.

What is it?

Is he dead?

Here, give me a hand.

Tim?

Tim?

What was it? What happened?

At the window.

At the window,

someone with a gun.

I found yours and fired.

Did you recognize him?

Who was it?

It was a woman.

"Although a week

has elapsed since the murder,

"Inspector Doremus,

in charge of the investigation,

"refused to make any statement

other than the customary one,

"that the Police

are investigating the case."

Clay "Sherlock Holmes" Dalzell.

Is just about as Gabby

as the inspector.

His assistant,

Dr. Donna "Watson" Mantin,

Is completely in the dark

as to his plan.

Swayne!

Yes, sir?

Are you sure no packages

have come for me?

No, sir. Nothing, sir.

All right.

Do you want a drink, Dal?

No.

I wonder

why that stuff doesn't come.

What is it, Dal?

What are you waiting for?

Mary Smith.

In a package?

Just about.

I'll get it!

Ah, boy. I thought

you were never gonna get here.

Well, it took longer

than we expected,

but I hope

it'll be satisfactory.

Thanks. Your hopes are

as nothing compared to mine.

Good night.

- Mantin, come on!

- Come on where?

You and I are going to rent

an apartment.

Swell! Now we're

really getting somewhere!

Well, it isn't exactly

what I would have picked,

but it's probably better

than Niagara Falls.

♪ Midnight in Manhattan

♪ turns night into day

♪ life starts in old Manhattan ♪

♪ When the rest of the world's

tucked away ♪

♪ Manhattan...

Maybe I had the wrong idea

about this whole thing.

♪ ... Whispers good night

♪ when dawn's peeking through

♪ no man wakens at midnight... ♪

I have now come to a conclusion.

One of us is crazy.

That's great.

If you're referring

to that record, it's terrible.

Isn't that Mary Smith's voice?

That's right.

I didn't know she made a record

without an orchestra.

Police headquarters.

There are a lot of things

you don't know. For instance?

Inspector Doremus.

You're going to get

your fingers burned.

Oh, inspector. Dalzell.

Get this...

I'm at 188 Macdougal Street,

apartment F.

That's right.

Will you, uh, hurry over here,

please, alone?

The murderer of Tommy Tennant.

Is going to be here

in a very few minutes.

No.

Yes.

Who?

I don't know.

Well, then, how do you know

he's going to be here?

There's a list of the suspects.

Mr. Winthrop, please.

"Tim Winthrop, Horatio Swayne,

"Mrs. Classon, Abe Ohlman,

"Roger Classon, Jim Kinland,

Donna Min..."

Clay Dalzell!

Shh.

Hello, Tim? Dal.

Now, keep your shirt on,

But if you want to see

your Alice,

Hurry right over

to my apartment.

I'll have her there

in 30 minutes.

Oh, no, she's now at

188 macdougal street,

Apartment "f,".

But she's going to my place.

Meet her there.

188 macdougal street? Thanks.

In 30 minutes?

Yes, sir.

Found her? Really?

I knew you'd find her.

I'll be there.

Well, that is good news.

Thank you.

No kiddin'?

That should start something.

Dal...

I've been in love with you

all of my life,

And this is the first time

you've ever disappointed me.

Now, it's all right to fool

the rest of those people,

But Tim's heart's

going to be broken.

When he walks

into your apartment.

And finds you haven't got

Mary Smith there.

That is not funny.

Good girl, and you're right...

Unless Tim is the murderer.

Oh.

I hadn't thought of that.

Well, now what

are we going to do?

Sit down.

Shuffle those.

And, uh, what are the cards for?

Casino. $5 a game.

Now, Dal, that

just doesn't make sense at all.

First you tell Doremus that

Tennant's murderer will be here,

And then you tell those other

people that Mary Smith is here,

And now you want to play casino.

That's right.

Well, you're just plain loony,

Unless you're the murderer

and I'm the girl.

Or vice versa.

Look, Tommy Tennant was killed.

Just as he was going to tell me

something about Mary Smith,

Right?

Right.

The murderer didn't want

that something told.

Now, who else would know

that something?

Mary Smith. Exactly.

So the murderer will never

let her get to my apartment.

The innocent ones will go there.

The guilty one

will come here to stop her.

Oh.

And that Victrola record

is Mary Smith.

Very neat.

And if I'm right,

Any minute now the murderer

will walk through that door.

You go in there

and start that record.

Yeah.

♪ LA da da da

♪ turns the night

♪ da da da.

Garbage?

No. No, thanks.

♪ ... When the rest

of the world's tucked away... ♪

All right, Donna.

Got him?

Not him... them.

Who?

The jitters.

That'll be Doremus

sneaking up on the murderer.

Well, I don't mean to hurt

your feelings,

But I'm going to feel

a lot more comfortable.

With that rock of Gibraltar

here.

I'll let you in

on a little secret.

I'm gonna be

a lot happier myself.

Dal... Huh?

Suppose the murderer

is Mary Smith.

Now, that's

a comforting thought.

Well, your record gag isn't

going to be much good then, is it?

You'd better start it anyway. All right.

♪ Midnight in Manhattan...

Ah, come in.

All right, Donna.

It's the inspector.

Well, Mr. Dalzell...

Oh, hello, miss Mantin.

Got that murderer for me?

Not yet, but he's on his

way. I'm afraid you folks.

Put yourself through a lot

of trouble for nothing.

We've got the murderer.

You what?

Who is it?

Search me.

Cleary phoned

he'd nailed him in Yonkers,

he's on his way to headquarters

with him right now.

I'm afraid Cleary

must be mistaken, inspector.

He can't have the right man.

I talked to the murderer on that phone

not ten minutes ago, I know that.

I understand, Mr. Dalzell.

It's kind of disappointing

to have a hunch go sour on you,

but policing and amateur sleuthing

is two different things.

- Better luck next time.

- You're not going?

Sure. Got to be at the office

when Cleary gets there.

Now, wait a minute, inspector.

I don't know

who Cleary has picked up,

but I do know that he's wrong.

The real murderer

is on his way here now,

he'll be here any minute.

I'm telling you,

you'd better stay.

Now, Mr. Dalzell,

you ain't gonna tell me

my business, are you?

Good night, folks.

Oh, no, you don't.

I'm not leaving.

Oh, yes, you are.

Donna, I shouldn't have brought

you here in the first place,

but I never thought

you would be in any danger,

I was counting

on Doremus to stay.

- Now, out you go.

- Nothing doing!

Please, don't argue.

There isn't time.

Whoever's coming here

has already committed one murder

and won't stop at another.

Now, I'm not going to have...

What is it?

Raise your hands, Mr. Dalzell,

and don't move.

Who are you?

I've come for Mary Smith.

She's in there.

So I hear.

Tell her to come out.

What do you want of her?

Tell her to come out.

Don't move.

Call her from where you are.

That's a very interesting trick,

Mr. Dalzell...

Very interesting.

Now, where is Alice Markham?

What do you want with her?

Silence.

The same kind of silence

that you got from Tommy Tennant?

Exactly.

And the same kind

I'm going to get from you.

And for the same reason.

You know too much.

I don't know anything except...

Except that you'd better

go back where you came from.

And keep out of trouble.

I didn't come here for advice.

I came here for information.

Now I'll give you just

15 seconds to start talking.

All right. I'll talk.

Well?

Well, we got her, Mr. Dalzell.

Oh, it's you.

Oh, where is...

Donna?

Donna?

Is she dead?

- You all right?

- Yes, I'm all right.

Is she dead?

No, I just slugged her.

Well, you didn't treat me any

too gently, either.

Doremus, I owe you an apology.

I went for that act of yours...

Entrance, exit, and story.

Well, I thought someone

might be listening or watching.

We'd have a better chance

if they thought I wasn't around.

Who is she?

Say, could she be Mary Smith?

She could be, but she isn't.

I don't know who it is.

Well, why don't you take

her mask off and see?

Mask? What mask?

Mr. Classon!

Well, what do you know?

Where do you suppose

he got that idea?

Probably from Mary Smith.

Well, wherever he got it,

I heard him say he killed Tennant,

and that's good enough for me.

Come on, boys.

Take him down to headquarters.

Well, that's a hot one.

What?

I had the answer all the time

and didn't know it.

Inspector...

Classon not only killed

Tommy Tennant,

he also bumped off Fred Dexter

in Chicago.

Donna, you were right

about Mrs. Classon's affairs

with Dexter and Marone.

That's why Classon killed Dexter

and then fixed the blame

on Marone.

And that's what Tommy Tennant meant

by "the greatest double cross

ever pulled."

For although Classon

was Marone's lawyer,

he was trying to do away with

Marone's alibi, Alice Markham,

and that's why she disappeared

from the Prince Theater.

It wasn't Tim's shout

that frightened her.

It was seeing Classon

sitting in the second row.

She blamed Marone

for her father's death.

Her mask, her disappearances,

were all because she hated

Marone and wouldn't testify.

And if Mr. Classon

had only known that,

well, he could have saved

himself considerable headache.

Dal, you took the words

right out of my mouth.

Dal.

Where's Alice?

What's happened to her?

Oh, Tim, I'm so sorry.

W-where is she, Dal?

Where is she?

I've been waiting and waiting.

I know.

Tim, I didn't mean to worry you.

Now, I think you'd better

run along with the inspector.

Oh, this is the fella?

Come along, son.

But what for?

W-where is she, Dal?

She's at the Inspector's house.

Dal, you didn't find her?

Sure.

Well, it may not have been

a big wedding,

but it certainly was

a noisy one.

And I think

they ought to be very happy.

I like Tim, and I think Alice

is a very nice girl.

- Very.

- I'm glad we found her.

By the way, how did we find her?

Well, don't you remember?

The villain had tied her

to the subway tracks.

Just then, the Bronx express

came thundering through...

Now, Dal, stop clowning,

I asked you a serious question.

And you'll get a serious answer.

Now, look...

If you earned $1,500 a week,

what would you do with it?

Spend it.

That's right, you would.

But she didn't.

She put it in the bank.

Well?

Shh.

To open a bank account,

you have to give a name.

Well?

When you give a name,

even though it isn't your own,

you have to give an address.

Well?

Well?!

Was it as simple as that?

It was as simple as that.

Dal, you're wonderful.

Donna, that's common gossip.

To the newlyweds.

To the newlyweds.

Bottoms up.

Well, I don't know

what you're going to do,

but I'm going to bed.

Oh, Dal,

I've forgotten something.

Yes? What?

Hello? Daddy?

I-I won't be home tonight.

No. I'm staying at Dal's.

Yes?

Yes, daddy.

Yes.

Yes, of course it's all right.

We were married this afternoon.