The Prowler (1951) - full transcript

Quite a hacienda.

Oh, thank you so much for coming.

You reported a prowler, mam?

Yes. About 20 minutes ago.

I looked up, and there was
this man looking in the window.

Which window?

It was one of the back windows.

There's an empty lot on
that side, isn't there?

Yes.

When he saw that I'd seen him,
he jumped away from the window,

and I -
I phoned you.



We'd better check that
lot for footprints, Webb.

Roger.

Now, if you'll show me the window.
- Huh?

Oh, yes, of course.
Right this way.

You'd been sleeping?

No, just resting.

I don't sleep very much at night.

And that's where you
saw the face, huh?

No. In here.

I'd been lying on the bed resting
and listening to the radio, and

and I thought if I took a bath,
I might be able to sleep better.

And afterwards, just as
I was putting my robe on,

I looked up, and there he was.

Well, if I was you, from now
on, I'd keep the curtain closed.



You ever notice in a bank they
always keep the counting room

out of sight so the customers
won't get tempted.

I suppose you're right.

I just didn't think.

Oh, it's you.

No footprints out here.

The grass has just been cut, and
they'd be kind of hard to spot.

Then again, maybe the
lady's just imagining things.

He was just as plain as
your friend's face just now.

I'm sorry to have caused
you all this trouble, but...

I do get nervous at night,
and...

That's our job, ma'am.
You always alone at night?

Yes.

The maid comes in daytimes, but
she leaves right after dinner.

Well, from now on, be sure and
pull the shades and lock the door.

I will.

Think you feel comfortable
enough for us to leave now?

Oh, yes,
I'm perfectly all right now.

I'm sure you are.

Goodnight, ma'am.

Goodnight, and thank you.

Call us again if you need us.
- Yes, I will.

That is quite a dish.

Here.

I don't suppose any use
asking you to stop by tonight

and take a squint
at our collection.

Pretty plush, if you can get it.

You know, the wife spent
the whole day today

polishing up those specimens
we found out around Barstow.

She's pretty proud of them.

I wish I could convince you,
a hobby's a good thing,

especially for the good
things you learn on the side.

I wonder what her angle is.

Huh?

I said I wonder
what her angle is.

Her? No angle.
They're well-heeled.

You know, there's history
slathered over

every square foot
of this country of ours.

And one time or another, me and
the old lady has dozed it out.

Like those ghost towns
I tell you about.

We never would have seen them if
it hadn't been for our rockology.

Is she married?

Yeah. Sure she is.

Some crackpot squeezed
enough dough to retire and

then works for the fun of it.
Can you tie that?

If I had his moolah,
I'd take the hills.

That house must have
set him back plenty.

Yeah, maybe 35,
40 grand in this market.

Probably beats his mother.
- Heh

Heads or tails?

Nevermind, Bud,
I'll check us in.

Oh, hello.

Come in.

Thank you.

I was just passing by.

I thought I'd check to see if
everything's still all right.

Why, yes.

At least I think so.

Do prowlers generally come
twice in the same night?

No, but we do.
It's part of the job.

Hope I didn't wake you up.

Oh, no. I was just
having a cup of coffee.

We're generally supposed
to make check-up calls,

especially where women
are concerned,

and when they're alone.

Well, if you're sure
everything's all right,

I'll be on my way.

Wouldn't you like come coffee?

Thanks, if it's not too much trouble.

Oh, no. It's no trouble at all.

Well, then make mine
milk, if you have it, huh?

Just sit down and I'll get it.

Looks like somebody around
here's been in show business.

That's right.

Actress, huh?

I tried to be.
It didn't work out.

You're good-looking enough.

What's the matter, didn't
you have enough pull?

I was just a little short
of talent.

Aren't you going to have your milk?

Oh, yeah. Sure.

You know, I've...
got to keep in shape.

I suppose you're married.

Most of the good-looking girls
I run into are.

Is this questionnaire
in the line of duty?

Could be.

I am married...
Happily married.

If I was happily married
to a girl like you,

I wouldn't leave you alone nights.

John doesn't.

He's here 24 hours a day.

"Tender yellow young squash
we sell down here"

"at the Ranch Market."

"I give them to the wife."

"And by the way,"

"there is a little lady who
really knows squash."

"Well, she puts them
over a slow flame..."

I hear that program every
night. Is he your husband?

He is.

No kidding?

Isn't he the one always signs off
with I'll be seeing you, Susan?

That's right.

Yeah. Well, then you're Susan.

Disappointing though it may be,
I am.

That's a real coincidence,
isn't it?

My name's Webb.
Webb Garwood.

Webb Garwood.

Somehow that sounds familiar.

Hey, wait a minute.

Where are you from?
- Indiana. Terre Haute.

Did you ever see East Indianapolis
play Terre Haute High School? Basketball?

Of course I have.
You -

You're not that Webb?
- Nobody else.

You played center.

We got beat three years
in a row because of you.

Oh, well. There were four other
guys on the team, you know.

I know, but you were the only
one we were really afraid of.

Didn't you get a scholarship
to some college or something?

Yeah.

I don't follow the
sport pages very well.

I don't seem to remember
what happened after that.

Scored the winning
point on our first game.

After the second game,
they put me on the bench.

Coach said they were trying
to teach us to work as a team.

I got him thrown opened good,
right in front of the whole squad.

From then on, he had it
in for me, that's all.

Told the athletic director,
and they stopped my dough.

Just another one
of my lousy breaks.

Hadn't been for that, I'd have
had my four years of college

have a nice, soft job in one
of those big bond houses, and

I'd be eating lunch every day
in the university club.

I used to clip your picture
out of the Terre Haute paper.

Yeah.

Who'd ever have thought...

That I'd turn out to be
just another dumb cop, huh?

Oh, no!
I wasn't thinking that at all.

I was just thinking how funny
it is the way you meet people.

Yeah.

People you never
thought you'd meet.

They say there's no such
thing as a native Californian.

Yeah, those were the days,
no kidding.

I wish we'd met there
instead of here.

What street did you live on there?

Lakeview.

Oh, well, that explains it.

You had sidewalks and
lawns out in front.

I lived down on Carrington.

My old man's idea of success was
a buck 20 an hour union scale.

He's a maintenance
worker in the oil fields.

He must have had a dozen chances
to cut loose on his own...

make himself some real
dough wild-catting, but he

was too yellow to risk his buck
20 an hour, so he never made it.

"Well, it's just about
that time, you night owls."

"This is John Gilvray bringing
to a close the Ranch Market..."

It's almost his signing-off time.

"But before I say goodnight,"
- I've got to check out, too.

I guess you'll feel
safe from now on, huh?

Wouldn't you like to stay
and have breakfast with us?

I'd like you to meet my husband.

Sorry, but no can do.

I've got my reports to make out.

We've been having a lot of
trouble with prowlers lately.

I'll drop by once in a while
to see if everything's okay.

Won't that be too much trouble?

Well, it could be, but
I don't think it will.

After all, we Hoosiers have to
kind of stick together, don't we?

Sure do.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

"3:58 a.m.
And, uh, 50 seconds."

"I'll be with you again
tomorrow night."

"And good news, folks. The
cost of living is going down."

"Goodnight to everyone.
I'll be seeing you, Susan."

You got one of those...
businesses?

Thanks.

Boy, if they could only see me
now I'd be the envy of the force

if they knew about this, huh?

Those guys, there's nothing but

hamburgers night off
or no night off.

They don't mind, though.

Hamburger's the only thing
they're used to.

You don't like being
a policeman, do you?

Why should I?

Well, for one thing, you
look nice in the uniform.

This is the only uniform I like.

Quite a collection.
Got any Guy Lombardo?

They're not what they seem.

Those are my husband's
programs, all of those shelves.

He has them recorded so he can
listen and improve his diction.

There's nothing wrong
with being a policeman.

Nothing wrong with digging
ditches, either, or delivering mail.

I'd rather be one of those
guys shows up around

10:00 in the morning
after having a big argument

with himself over whether
he'll drive the station wagon

today or the convertible.

What are you looking for?
Cigarettes?

Yeah. Fresh out.
You don't smoke, do you?

No. But my husband does,
only he keeps them locked up.

Are you kidding?

No. He keeps a carton or
more in there all the time.

If you were a good locksmith,
I could give you a pack.

Hold that, hmm.

Give me a bobby pin.

Does he keep everything locked up?

Mostly.

You, too?

That's a leading question.

Probably does.

A mean, jealous guy like that
wants his wife all to himself.

I can't say I blame him
though, I'd do the same myself.

There. See how silly it is
to keep things locked up?

Maybe. But it did delay
you for a little while.

Is that all he wants,
just to delay things?

Sometimes a little delay
does the trick.

Harder to close
than it was to open.

You ever dance?
- I used to.

"Another thing I think you'll like is"

"tree ripen-ripened fruit
for dessert these mild"

"September evenings."

"The wife serves fruit and
coffee every night,"

"and I want to tell you that
when I lean back from the table"

and take that first puff
off my cigarette...

Think he was watching.

"Then I know all's well
with the world,"

"and the wife knows it, too."

"Good idea when you..."

There's only one good thing
about this arrangement.

What's that?

At least you always
know what he's doing.

He always knows
what I'm doing, too.

Like making me sandwiches
tonight?

He'll know. Why not?

What's a guy like
that look like, anyway?

Oh, just like a normal, decent,
middle-aged American husband,

which he is.

You don't make him sound
very exciting.

A lot of good things
aren't exciting.

That's what's good about them.

Why did you marry him, Susan?

Because I loved him.

Try again.
Why did you marry him?

While I was knocking
around at movie studio gates,

I found out a few things
about myself. I -

I married him
because I wanted a family.

That's why we got
this big house.

I wanted kids.

So, have you got them?

No.

What other reason was there?

To stay away
from men like you.

But it didn't do any good, did it?

You're a real cop, aren't you?

You want everything free.
- Honey, you're wrong.

People never give
anything to cops for free.

They always figure to
get something out of it.

I think you'd better
get out of here.

Wouldn't I be a fool
to do a thing like that?

I'll report you.

Go ahead.
You know where the phone is.

Please go.

Please leave me alone.

Stop it.

What do you think I am?

I told you to leave me alone.

Now get out of here.

All right.

Night.

And don't come back.

No, please.

I came to... to apologize
for the other night.

Look, it's kind of hard
to apologize like this.

Thanks for the apology, but
you shouldn't have come back.

Maybe not, but I couldn't
leave things the way they were.

Why not?

Well, I - I just didn't want
to give you the wrong impression

that's all.

There's another reason
I came around, too.

Do you mind?

This probably sounds corny,
but uh...

I get lonesome once in a while.

I guess everybody does, and..

The idea of both of us coming
from the same part

of the country and both
of us being alone...

Yes, I know.

It's a...

kind of a home-sickness,
I guess.

We used to have a record of that.

Did you?

Did you ever go to the, uh...
football dances

after the Terre Haute
East Indianapolis games?

I went to two of them.

I bet you're a good dancer, too.

We might have met right
there in Terre Haute.

Yeah, I guess we might have.

We were both dancing
there on the same floor.

Might have bumped into each
other and didn't even know it.

Could be, but I doubt it.

Why?

Because I'd have...
turned and looked,

and I'd have remembered
your face.

Even now, I'd remember it.

Things never... never
turn out quite like that.

I'd have taken just one look
at you, and

and I'd have asked you to dance.

"The daytime, baby,
the nighttime, baby,"

"the right time,
baby to fall in love."

Come on, please.

And I'd have asked your
name, and you'd have told me.

And I'd have told you
how swell you danced

and how pretty you were.

I'd have liked that.

But I'd have been scared.

Maybe.

But not for long.

Why not?

Because I...

Please don't.

I mean it, Webb.
Please don't.

"Maybe we'll fall in love"

"Yes, it's our time,
baby, to fall in love."

Here, take a look at this.

No future in being a cop.
That's what some guys think.

No money, and they just
don't like the work.

Well, I do.

Rose quartz.

One of the best specimens
we've found.

You see, it just depends on what
you figure a cop's job really is.

Now... huh?

Oh, yes, yes, yes.

The history.

You know, not far from where
we found this is the site of

the one of the worst Indian massacres
in the history of the whole Southwest?

No kidding?

Absolutely. Here.

You see, I figure that the job
of a cop is to protect lives.

Now, some of these
trigger-happy guys...

Charles, Charles, dear.

Well, they think they
have to protect things.

Oh, iron pyrites.

That's fool's gold.

That's the first specimen
we found.

Cost us $7.80 to have it essayed
- Is that right?

Charles, don't you think
Webb's seen enough for tonight?

Have you?
- No, no.

The way Bud talks about it,
it makes it sort of come alive.

Sure. Here.

You know, I've been
on the force for 20 years,

almost time for me to retire,
and...

I haven't shot a gun once,
except on the range, of course.

Oh. That one came from out
in the Mojave Desert,

a place called Calico.

Used to be a real
rip-roaring mining town,

and now hardly anybody knows
it even exists.

Why, even the coyotes...

But Charles,
Webb has a date.

Look at the way he's dressed up.

No, no, no.

He smells pretty, too.

Oh, Bud, these rocks, I can see
how they can kind of get you.

You can't kid me, Webb Garwood.
Ought to be ashamed of yourself.

Nice enough to come over here
on his only night off, and

you chew his ear off
about our silly old rocks.

I know you're itching to leave.

Well, get along with you,
wherever you're expected.

Okay.

I guess I have sort of
out-stayed my welcome.

But that dinner was
just wonderful, Grace.

And that roast beef and the cake,
just stuffed right up to here.

Well, we'll take off up
where we left off, Bud.

See ya, Bud boy.

Well...

Goodnight, Webb.
- Goodnight.

Be seeing you.

Oh, no.

I was nasty to him, wasn't I?

Well, you do kind of...
pick on him. Why?

Well, maybe it's because
he seemed so bored

and never really listens
when you talk, and...

and hates being a cop.

Oh, for goodness sakes.
What's got into you, anyway?

Webb?

Huh?

What are you thinking about?

Hey.

Something new has been added.

He bought it for me when I
told him about the prowler.

He got his permit
for this pop gun?

I don't know.

Anyway, nobody's going to use it

That was stolen fun.

And what could be sweeter
than that?

I can't stand the oily
sound of that guy's voice.

No, Webb.

I have to listen, because
he always asks me how he was.

I wish he'd sign off
and come home

and walk in that door
and find us.

Webb!

Webb, we have to stop
seeing each other.

I'm scared.

Because of what I just said?

Maybe.

Forget it, baby.

That was just talk.

Did you think I meant that?

No, I guess not.

I know how you feel,
always sneaking around,

never really feeling free.

I feel the same way.

I don't want to spend
just one evening with you.

I want to spend all of them.

Oh, I do, too.

My vacation begins tomorrow.

Are you going away somewhere?

Las Vegas.

How long will you be gone?

Two weeks.

Two weeks?

Come with me.

Oh, I couldn't.
- Why not?

We could think up some excuse.

There's a place I want you to see.

It's a sort of a thing that
I've dreamed of owning someday.

A motor court.

Every time I hit Las Vegas,
I take a good look at it

just to make sure
it's still there.

You and I had something like that
and each other,

our troubles would be over.
We wouldn't have to worry

about anything
as long as we lived.

I know.

Man's got a place like that, it's
working for him 24 hours a day.

He amounts to something.

He's got some position
in the community.

You know, we could go to the
mountains every summer all

summer long, and that motel would
still be hauling in the dough.

Even when you're sleeping, it
would be making money for you.

Oh, baby, you've just got
to come to Las Vegas with me.

That's the greatest
little town in the world.

You know I can't.

Now, don't say that.

Well, friends, that's
our goodnight tune.

And remember, folks, the
cost of living is going down.

Good night to everyone.

I'll be seeing you, Susan.

Well, do you come to
Las Vegas or don't you?

There's no way I can, Webb.

If you'd given me a little
warning, I might have...

That's the way it is,
let's forget about it.

I knew you'd do this sometime.

I knew it
from the very beginning.

If you were just a dame,
it'd be different, Susan.

But you're special.

No, darling, no.

There's a plane from here gets
into Las Vegas every night at 7:00.

Listen, Webb.
You've got to listen to me.

I'll be there to meet you
tomorrow night at 7:00.

I don't care what kind of
an excuse you have to have.

I can't, darling, please.

You'll do it
because you've got to.

Tomorrow night,
7:00

Oh, Webb. Webb.

Attention, please.

Passenger Whitman, step to
Western Airlines counter.

Passenger Whitman, please.

Attention. Passenger Boyer,
please confirm your ticket

get on that 9:00 o'clock plane
tonight. How about it?

I'm very sorry, madam, but
that night is all filled.

Why, that's strange.
They've always...

Hey are there two sections
on that Flight 27?

No, sir, only one tonight.

If you'll give me your name, mam
I'll put you on the next flight.

Well...

What time is the next
plane for the coast?

8:31, sir.

If you'll give me your name I'll
put you down for another flight.

Well...

Salt Lake 20, please.

Your name, please, madam?

It's dangerous. He's here.
Go away!

Come on. Get in the car.
Or should we talk inside?

Come on.

He suspects me.
That's why I couldn't come.

Wait a minute.
When did you find out?

Yesterday.
He's quit his job!

How did he find out?
What does he know?

Lots of things.
He says little things.

When I tried to make an excuse
to get away for a few days,

he accused me.

Did you admit anything?
- No.

Good.

I couldn't convince him.

He said if he ever caught me,
he'd kill me.

Bluff.
- No, he means it!

What does he want?
The gas cage?

After he killed me, he
says, he'd kill himself.

That would be a good bargain.

He wouldn't want to live, anyhow.

Oh, Webb, it would be my fault.

He loves me.

He's been so sweet to
me, and I've betrayed him.

I lied to him. I feel so rotten.

I wish I'd never seen you.
I can't see you anymore.

Did you hide that gun?

I tried to, but it was gone.

What a crazy fool.

Webb, he'd do it, I know he would.

Did you have those lights on?

No, Webb. He's awake.

"Susan!"
- Slip in.

I'll go around on the side
of the house

in case he starts anything.

"Susan!
Where are you, Susan?"

"Susan!"

"I'm here, John,
in the kitchen."

"I woke up and I -
I was thirsty."

"I thought I heard talking.
I thought I heard voices."

"You must have imagined it."

"Look, I heard you."

"Don't tell me I imagined it."

"You must have.
It isn't even dawn yet."

"All right."

"All right."

Hello.

"Webb, darling,
I must see you."

I know, baby, I know, but
it's too risky for you.

Way too risky.

"I don't care. I don't care."

"I must see you!"

Yeah.

But like you said, better call it quits.

"You don't mean that, Webb."

Yeah.

"Hello?"

"Hello?"

"Hello?!"

"Webb?"

"Hello?!"

Hello.

"Oh, darling, I've been
trying and trying to get you."

I know.

"Is there anybody with you?"

No.

"Please, Webb."

"Please, we have to meet
somewhere just tonight."

"I just can't stand
not seeing you."

"I just can't stand it."

I know, baby.
It's tough for me, too.

"Don't you miss me?"

Sure I miss you.

I'm counting the days till
I go back to work

so I can get you
out of my mind.

Sweetheart, please, please come
over, just this once, please.

I'm sorry, Susan,
but you have to understand,

I just can't take it anymore.

We have to call it
quits, the end, finis.

Webb, no, no.
- Yeah.

It's open.

Susan, you shouldn't have...

Oh, Webb.

Oh, Webb, take me
away wherever you want.

Don't bring me back.

It's crazy, I know,
but I love you, Webb.

I love you so much that I-
I'm afraid of you.

I asked him for a divorce.
- When?

I begged. I pleaded.
- When was this?

This afternoon.
- You told him about me?

Not who you were.
- What did he say?

He said that he'd never let me
go under any conditions ever.

We haven't much choice,
have we?

We have, Webb.
We have!

Take me away now.

Don't forget, Susan, you
were brought up on Lakeview.

You'd begin to miss the things
you're used to,

your maid and the house.

I couldn't give you any
of that easy life stuff.

Webb, I'd be happy with
you no matter where we lived

or how,
so long as it's far away.

We couldn't get far enough
to forget him, Susan.

He'd always be with us
and between us.

We could never really be
man and wife.

Then you'd start to hate me,
and that'd be worse

than not having you at all.

You're saying no.

That's why I haven't been
answering your calls

or trying to see you.

I was... I was going
to write it out for you.

Suppose we'll always
remember each other, at least

I know I'll always
remember you, but it...

had to end sometime.

Webb...

The quicker the cut,
the less it hurts.

I was hoping you'd say
this, Webb, and mean it.

I'm glad you said it, because
I've been too weak

to say it myself.

I've been wrong.

I'd forgotten what it was
like to have self-respect.

96 Robert 901.

There's a 1933 Chevrolet.

Thanks for checking me in.
- Forget it, Bud.

Shop 7016, no delay.

Oh, Webb.

Yeah?

131-A, code 1.

You feeling okay?

Yeah. Why?

Well the last two days,
you've been acting like you

sat on a cactus.

Started right
after your vacation.

I told the old lady, and she
said you were just high-strung.

But I've been worried about it,
and

tonight it seemed worse
than ever.

Thanks for worrying, but I guess
it's nothing worse than, uh...

getting back in the swing
of the job.

Okay.

But if there's anything I can do,
just remember...

little old Bud's always willing.

Goodnight.
- Night

Mingo and Harvey.

10-A, 14-B
will meet you.

10-A, 14-B
will meet you.

49, 1918 Orchid.

49, check.

Just dropped Crocker
on my way to check in.

49, 1918 Orchid
reports a prowler there.

1918 Orchid
reports a prowler there.

I'm on my way.

Who's there?

Halt! Halt! Halt!

Please don't!

Oh.
You! You! You!

You, get to a phone.
Call homicide.

I parked the car out in
front of the Gilvray house.

Naturally, I was ready for trouble.

And I saw something move
out in the vacant lot.

I guess he must have been there
hunting for the prowler himself

because he stood up suddenly
and started to run.

I pulled out my gun, and
I called halt three times.

Then he, uh..
sort of whirled and turned and

and I guess he was
about 40 feet away.

I saw he had his gun on me,
so I um,

I fired just once.

I was trying to shoot low.

And he went down.

So I -
I ran over to him.

And just as I got there
and uh,

bent down, he sort of
pushed himself up on one elbow

and fired at me point-blank.

And uh, then I...

I uh... saw that he was dead.

Murderer!
You murdered him!

Please finish, Officer Garwood.

Well, there isn't
very much more.

When I got a good look at him,
I saw that he wasn't any prowler.

He had his bathrobe
and slippers on.

Then I-I knew that I'd
made a terrible mistake.

Do you remember anything else?

No, sir, nothing.

Witness will be excused.

Mrs. John Gilvray.

So you've never
seen her before, huh?

No. No, never.

Isn't the way I heard it.

"So help you God?
- I do."

I hope you will understand,
Mrs. Gilvray,

the purpose of this hearing
is to learn the whole truth

of the shooting.

And if you have
any reason to believe

there was an irregularity
on the part

of Officer Garwood,
it is your duty so to state.

You understand that, don't you?

I understand.

A minute ago in the presence
of the jury,

you made an accusation.

I was upset.

I see.

Now, would you recount
the events of that night

as you recall them?

When I heard the first shot, I...

Could you speak a little
louder, Mrs. Gilvray?

I ran towards the front door.

There.

And when I reached the door,

I heard the second shot,

and I ran outside and
I saw what happened.

Officer Garwood,
would you please stand up

and face the witness?

Now, will you please tell
us, Mrs. Gilvray, whether you

ever saw this man prior to
the death of your husband?

Well, I -

No.

You may sit down.

Officer Crocker, will you
please rise and face the witness?

Had you ever seen this man
before the death of your husband?

Well, I -

I may have seen him.
I -

I'm not at all certain.

As a matter of fact,
wasn't there a prowler

around your house
some two months ago?

And didn't Officers Crocker
and Garwood

come to your house after you
called the police?

Well, yes, there were two
officers who came to the house.

One of them might have
been the gentleman there.

And the other might have
been Officer Garwood.

One of the officers was outside
most of the time,

and I was very frightened.

Why are you asking me all this?

You may sit down.

One of the two officers here
recalled the previous prowler

call and brought it to my attention.

Since there had been a prowler
around the house before

it would perhaps be quite
natural for your husband

to be alarmed by
the second one, wouldn't it?

Yes.

Now, Mrs. Gilvray, have
you any reason whatsoever

to believe the circumstances
attending your husband's death

were other than those
described by Officer Garwood?

No.

Thank you.

You may step down
from the stand.

You must be getting old.

I've known you to forget
faces, but

a figure like that?

Mr. Coroner, the verdict
is accidental homicide.

That is your verdict?
- It is.

Thank you very much.

The jury is dismissed,
the inquest is concluded

and will be so entered into
the record of this office.

Do you care to make any
statement about the shooting?

No...
Not now, thank you.

Congratulations!

Good evening, Mr. Gilvray.

Oh, good evening, Officer.

I'm afraid it isn't Officer anymore.

I resigned from the force
a couple of weeks ago.

Yeah, I know.
I read about it in the papers.

Sorry to hear it.

Mr. Gilvray, uh...
I have a kind of problem.

I wonder if you could
help me out on it.

I'll be glad to if I can.

Well, it's just that uh..

Tell me how's your sister-in-law
taking it by now?

Well, as well as can be expected.

Those things take time,
you know.

I sent her some flowers,
but she sent them back.

I guess it was the wrong
thing to do, but I

just can't seem to get
this thing out of my head.

Oh, well, if I were
you, I wouldn't let...

There doesn't seem to be
any way I can help,

you know, with the house
and everything

I guess she'll have enough
to get by on,

that is, when it's
all settled up, but uh...

But in the meantime, if
she needs any ready cash,

it's not much considering
what's happened.

It's only a little over $700,
but if she'll accept it...

Mr. Garwood, that's just
about the most decent thing

I've ever heard a man say.

And I'm going to tell her
about it, too.

But just so you won't feel
quite so bad,

you know, uh...

You couldn't exactly say that
their marriage was perfect.

No?

No.

My brother, well,
between you and me,

he wasn't the easiest person
in the world

to get along with, and well,

she wanted children,
and he couldn't have any.

And so you see,

it wasn't as if it was
a happy marriage

even before the accident.

I guess matter how much money
we've got,

we've all got our worries.
- Uh hmm.

I was just wondering if uh...

There's a lot I'd like
to get off my chest.

Do you suppose she'd see me?

Well, I don't know
why she shouldn't.

The wife and I, we're spending
a little time with her.

I tell you what.

I'll talk to her about
it, and I'll let you know.

Will you do that?
I appreciate that so much.

How about a soda?

No, thanks.

Thanks so much.

Goodnight.
- Goodnight

Oh, Mr. Garwood,
how do you do?

She's right in there.
We're packing.

I told her you were coming
sometime this afternoon.

You can go right on in.

I'll go down the street
and call on a neighbor.

My husband said it would
be much more comfortable

for both of you
if you talked alone.

I see.

Thank you.

Stay away from me, Webb.

Don't ever come near me.

Say anything you want to say.
I can take it.

I haven't anything to say.

I know how terrible it's
been for you, Susan, but...

no matter how bad it was,
you can't let an accident

stand in between...
- Accident?

Accident, yes.

Don't you believe that?

Well I -

I don't know what I believe.

When you lied for me
on the stand

when you said you'd
never seen me before,

you didn't think you were lying
to save a murderer, did you?

I don't
- I don't know what I believe. I...

You believed I was
guilty. You must have.

No I -

I wasn't sure.

There were other reasons, too.
- What other reasons?

What other reasons
could there be?

I can't tell you.

They're too important.

You really thought I
was guilty, didn't you?

Don't you know me
any better than that?

I know you, Susan,

and I know if you
really thought I murdered him

you'd have told them.

You wouldn't have covered up for
a murderer, Susan. You couldn't.

If it was an accident, it was
so terribly convenient. I...

Look, do you remember that
medal that I used to wear,

that sharp-shooters medal, and
how much I used to like guns?

Well, after what
I've been through,

it's like running
some innocent kid

down in the street.

You never want
to drive a car again.

I couldn't bring myself to touch
a gun again as long as I live.

Look at it this way.

If it wasn't an accident,
what reason did I have?

You'd already offered to
come away with me, hadn't you?

And I decided
that wasn't right.

Maybe that was my mistake.
Maybe...

if I'd said yes
and we'd run out on him,

we'd all have been happier.

Oh, he'd rather be the way
he is than alive and alone.

It's not his dying
I can't forget. It's -

It's what led up to it.

You used to say
he was ordinary, dull.

To you, he was.

I didn't argue with you.

I began to believe it myself.

I almost began to hate him.

Did hate him.

And not because of what he
was doing to me,

but because of what
I was doing to him.

Then he was killed.

I'll never be sent to jail or

condemned to die
for what I've done.

I've been praying
that I would be.

Susan,

suppose I hadn't known you,
not at all.

Suppose I was just
a cop on the beat.

It'd have happened, anyway,
be just the same now

as far as he's concerned,

only you'd be alone,

and so would I.

Let's face it.
If having him dead

is the only way
we can be together,

happily together,
I'm glad he's dead.

If I'd realized
that was the only way,

I don't know,
I might have killed him.

That's how much I want you.

The whole thing turned
on a freak accident.

You've got to believe that,
Susan.

Webb,
look at me.

I didn't do it, Susan.

I'll swear I by the only thing
I ever really loved,

and that's you.

No.

Now it's your turn.

You've got to tell me
you believe.

I do.

I do.

I do.

I do.

Babe.

I do.

Dirty shame they won't
leave them alone.

After all, just a couple of kids.

Lot of people think they
ought to have waited.

But why?

Come on, fellas,
give them a break.

Give them a break there.

You must be William Gilvray.

That's right.

How do you feel about
this union, Mr. Gilvray?

Well, I was just telling
Mr. Crocker here,

as long as the kids
love each other,

Why should they be married?

Let's forget the past.
That's what I say.

How about a picture of
you and the Mrs., huh?

Why, sure. Come on, Marty.

Hold it now...
Thanks a lot.

Wonderful guy, your Webb.

You don't have to tell me.

Hey, Webb, wait a minute.
I've got to tell it.

You know this fellow Webb?

This fellow Webb here,

well, you know what
happened to my brother.

After that, he came into my
store one day,

and with his entire savings,

his entire savings,
mind you,

and he wanted to give them
to Susan here.

Pretty doggone square
of him, I'd say.

He's the squarest guy I know.

So long, Webb.

So long, Bud.

So long, Susan.

Take good care of him, gal.

Goodbye, darling.

And do be happy.
You deserve it.

Oh, Webb...
Remember,

that country around Las Vegas,
best place in the state for rocks.

I'll remember, Bud.

So long.

Take care of yourself, kids.

Look this way for me.

Goodbye!

It isn't everybody can have a
honeymoon in their own hotel.

Oh, it's wonderful.

Welcome home, Mr. Garwood.

Mrs. Garwood, I've been
expecting you all afternoon.

I think you'll find
everything ready.

Is that the owner's apartment?

Look in there.

How's business?

Like that all afternoon.

Wonderful!
- Excuse me.

Good?

I've got to check over
at the office.

I'll be back in a minute.

Don't be long.

Oh, Mr. Garwood,
Mr. And Mrs. Talbot.

How are ya?

How do you do?
- Mr. Garwood's the new owner.

Darling, happy wedding night.

There never was a
better time for a toast.

What's wrong?

Haven't you noticed I haven't
been drinking very much lately?

No. Since when?

Two or three weeks.

Why not?

Are there any units here
with more rooms than this one?

Yeah, a couple. Why?

Well, you'd better start making
arrangements for one of them.

We're going to need
more space by summer.

Are you saying what
I think you're saying?

In just those words.

How long has
this been going on?

Four months.

And nobody knew.

What's the matter?

Aren't you glad?

Sure.

Sure, I'm...

Please come over and kiss me.

You go -
You go on and get some sleep.

Susan.
- Yes

You've known for four months,
You say, about the baby?

Yes.

Well, why didn't you
tell me before this?

You know you and I
can't have a baby yet.

What are you talking about?
We're going to!

It's what I've always wanted.

The minute that baby's born,
we're in trouble, both of us.

I don't know what you mean.

Because we wouldn't have been
married long enough

for it to be mine.

And it couldn't have
been your husband's.

How do you know?

Your brother-in-law,
your ex-brother-in-law.

I didn't know John
had told him.

He did. Both him and his wife.

We could keep it a secret.
They're a long way off.

They'd never have to know.

They'll know right along
with everybody else.

What about those reporters
this afternoon

and the photographers?

Cop marries widow
of the man he killed.

Don't you think the birth
of the dead man's baby

is going to make
even a better story?

It's not his.
It's ours!

Sure, and they'll
all know that.

Well, I don't care
who knows it.

Do I have to draw a picture for you?

When that baby is born,
they'll know that you and I

were seeing each
other long before the killing.

Webb.

And they'll remember
your testimony,

that you'd never seen me before
in your life

How do you think
that's going to look?

It's an ambulance.

What are we going to do?

Webb?

Yeah?

Webb,

we could get away
from here

before anybody
has a chance to notice.

We'll go where we're not known.

I could have my baby there.

Be the record
of the birth certificate,

the record
of the doctor's report,

the record of the hospital.

We'll give a false name

and we'll take the baby
to some home and

pretend to adopt it later.

They'll have seen those
pictures in the scandal sheets.

They'd recognize you.

Even the doctor who performed
the delivery could appear

as a witness against you
later on.

It's a chance.
We could risk it.

He'd have a little talk
with the local sheriff,

a query'd go through.

You want me to take
it from there for you?

Headquarters, attention chief of
police, case of Officer Garwood.

What could they find?

Chief of detectives,
homicide bureau.

Please oblige with
records of Gilvray inquest.

But they know all that.

Officer Crocker,
report immediately.

A few questions, and
he'll begin to think.

Then they'd locate that
ex-brother-in-law of yours

and his wife.

Then they'd talk.

But that's all they could do.

Oh, they'd know we both lied.

There'd be cops from
homicide on the next plane.

People can't be convicted
of something they didn't do.

That's a nice theory,
only it doesn't work.

Juries decide these things,

and juries are made up
of human beings.

I want you to think about
something just for a minute.

All right.

Try to remember how close
you came to believing

that I was guilty.

Webb.
- Yeah

Then think,
if that baby was born

what a time we'd have
with all that evidence

against us.

Webb.

Webb, we'll go somewhere
where nobody's around,

where we'll be
absolutely alone.

You would be my doctor, Webb.

No.

No, that would be
too dangerous for you.

Millions of women have
babies without doctors.

You've had training,
haven't you?

But not enough.

There might be complications.

No, that's too risky.
It's way too risky.

Well, if I'm not afraid,
why should you be?

This is it, Bud's ghost town.

We're lucky.

No one could have been in
or out of here for months.

Roger.

Shall we take the penthouse
or the bridal suite?

Into the disposal.

Got news for you.

I'm fresh out of needles.

Secrets.

John had it made to order.

The daytime, baby,
the nighttime, baby.

You scared?

I've hardly thought about it.

Don't be.

We're really, uh

really prepared for triplets.

I don't think we've
forgotten a thing.

Would you like to go
out for a little walk?

The sun's setting

This will be a good story
for him to tell his buddies.

His birth increased
the population of his hometown

by thirty three
and one-third percent.

You can go for miles
in any direction

and find nobody
but close relatives.

That's one of the things we
won't ever be able to tell him.

No.

No, our kid's going to be
on the beam

from the second he gets
into the world.

The breaks he gets are
going to be good,

not like his old man.

Everybody has bad
breaks once in a while.

Just so we teach him
to overcome them.

Check.

Just as long as he's man
enough to overcome them.

And next time, ma,

the biggest private room
in the best hospital in Vegas.

Nurses round the clock.

Flowers, doctors,
nothing but the best.

Oh, it's so beautiful.

They say that's important.

I mean for the mother.

Old Bud Crocker
used to say there's

something about the desert that...

Maybe there'll be a moon.

I hope so, don't you?

"Well, folks almost time
for signing off."

"But still time to tell you
about the wife's recipe"

"for plump, tender little..."
- It's one of John's records.

It must have gotten mixed in.

"She likes nothing better than
fresh garden grown parsley"

"and a few of our
ice-crisp hearts of celery."

"And the cost of living
is going down."

"Goodnight to everyone."

"I'll be seeing you, Susan."

Is Webb Garwood here?

No. The Garwoods are away
on a vacation.

Oh, gosh.
I'm sorry to hear that.

We're on our way home
ourselves. We -

hoping to meet them.
Oh, Crocker's the name.

How do you do?

Oh, this here's
my war department.

Oh, of course. You're the
people who sent the wire.

Yeah.

Well, it seems they stay
right in Frisco all the time.

You know how young folks are.

The it's a big town.
They like excitement.

However, this last one
here's from Barstow.

Says they're kind of stuck
on that desert country,

Says there's no need to expect
them home for about 2 more weeks

Barstow, huh?

I bet Webb's going to take in
one of my ghost towns.

Used to pass the time
telling him what I know

about that country.

Gold rush, land grabs.
Mineral Canyon, you reckon?

Or Calico.

Oh, no. Mineral Canyon.

Calico's the tail end
of creation.

Not even the coyotes
will stop at Calico.

Now, Mineral Canyon,
that's real pretty.

Hey, how about it? On the off
chance of meeting up with them?

I'm game.

Okay. Is he driving his Chevy?

Oh, no. They got a new
Cadillac sedan.

Dark green.
- A Caddy, huh?

He sure made it.
Yes, sirree,

he sure made it now.

Well, if we miss him,
tell him that Bud was by.

Little old Bud. He'll know.
- Sure will!

Come on, honey.
- Okay.

Susan.

Susan, I'm going
to get the doctor.

I'll be all right.

I'll be all right.

Here.

Something must be wrong, Susan.

Having a baby isn't
supposed to be like this.

Something may happen to you.

I'm going to get the doctor.

No, Webb.

No!

Webb, you said yourself
there can't be a witness!

Webb.

Webb.

Webb!

Webb!

I'm sure it's
an emergency, son.

This time of night,
everyone seems to think

they have an emergency.

But I'm too old.

Phil, tell him
about Dr. Parrish.

Yeah, Dr. Parrish,
just down the block.

He's the finest, most obliging
young doctor you want to meet.

Besides, he needs
the business, Phil.

But you're the one I want, Doc.

You'll just have
to take my word for it.

I wish I could, son.
I can't.

Most people don't know an
emergency when they see one.

Okay.
Now will you believe me?

Well, looks like
I'll have to go, Ettie.

I'm sorry, dear.

What I am going to do
if Mrs. Larson calls?

Well, I don't know
what we'll do.

Drive carefully, dear.

Yeah.

Better come in my car, Doc.
I know the way.

I'll take my own.

It's right out here
in the street.

I may have a call to
make on the way back.

You go ahead.
I'll follow you.

No need to have lied to me
about where you were going,

how far it was.

You'll be all right now, little lady.

Let's just put this under your head.

Uh, if you don't mind?

Your wife will be
quite all right.

The baby's heartbeats
are normal.

There won't be much happening
in there for an hour or so.

Meantime, I've given her
something that should help.

She'd, uh...
like to see you.

But be sure she stays quiet.

What if he recognizes us, Webb?

He won't.

It turned out lucky.
He won't recognize us.

You were so sure before
that someone, anyone...

He's an old man.
He can't even see so good.

He might have known
who we are right off.

Perhaps he knows our
names right this minute.

Stop imagining things.

Take my word.

Don't worry about it.

Webb?
- Hmm?

You were so frightened before.

Now you're not.

Why?

What is this, the third degree?

Is it because of the gun?

You said you'd never
touch one again... ever

What are you driving at?

If he recognizes us,
you'll use it, won't you?

You're crazy.

Maybe you'll use it anyway,
just to make sure.

Is that why you're so certain?

Is it?

You're really crazy.

You plan to kill him,

don't you?
- Take it easy, baby.

You're all upset.

No one would have known.

No one.
Not even I would have known.

It would have been perfect.

Perfect.

Just like the other time.

Worse.

There was a reason last time.

You loved me.

You did, didn't you?

Well, of course I loved you.
I always will.

What are you raving about?

You haven't denied it.

Denied what?

Killing my husband.

Well, that's no secret.
Of course I killed him.

That's public record.

I mean not accidentally.

I mean...
- Cut it out, Susan.

You're all mixed up.
You're bound to be.

The doc said you were
supposed to keep quiet now.

Hey, Doc.

We'll talk about this tomorrow

in the daylight.

You've got to think
about yourself, you know.

I mean, you've got to
think about the kid.

Doc, my wife is kind of-
kind of excited.

Maybe you'd better see
what you can do.

Boy?

A little girl.

Your wife is fine.
It was a normal birth.

Looks just like her mother.

You know, they say this
about the happiest time

of a person's life.

Do they?

Yeah, that's what they say.

What can I get you?

Warm milk?

A little coffee?

Maybe I could whip the Doc and
me up a celebration breakfast.

How about that, huh?
Hey, Doc!

Webb.

What did you tell him?

To get away
if he could.

He took the key.

Did you tell him our name?

I didn't have to.

Your badge.

You lied to him.

He remembered seeing your
face in the newspaper.

Why didn't he go last night?

He waited till he could
take the baby with him.

In 10 minutes he'll be on his
way back here with the cops.

Wait a minute.

There was another key.
There was a spare.

I'm sure there was.

You had it, didn't you?

Where is it?

Okay, he's too far ahead.

I couldn't catch up
with him now.

But unless I hit that highway
before they start back, I'm...

where is it, Susan?

Where is that key?
You've got to tell me.

You murdered my husband.

You would have killed
the doctor.

So what?

So I'm no good.

I'm no worse than anybody else.

You work in a store, you knock
down on the cash register.

A big boss, the income tax.

War hero, you sell votes.

A lawyer, take bribes.

I was a cop.

I used a gun.

But whatever I did,
I did for you.

That first night, remember,
I came back by myself.

Why do you think I did that?

And last night,
I brought the doctor.

Walked right into town and
stuck my head in the noose.

Why do you think I did that?

Because I loved you, Susie.

Say anything you want to,
but

you've got to give me
credit for that.

Like I gave you credit before.

How am I any different
from those other guys?

Some do it for a million, some
for ten hundred and for 62,000.

You knew about the money.

You knew the exact amount.

Sure, I knew.
I read his will one night

while his dumb voice
was drooling over the radio.

Do you take me for a sucker?

Get out.

Get out.

You haven't got a chance.

Darn fool.

All right, all right.
I can do it, too.

Charles, it's Webb!

Webb, you old prairie dog!

Back up. Back up. I've
got to get through, Bud.

We've been looking for you.
We drove...

Please, it's Susan, she's sick.
I've got to get help!

Do like I say and get out!
Back up!

Webb, this is little old Bud
you're talking to, remember?

Do like he says, Charles!

Whatever you say.

All right, all right. I'm
going as fast as I can.

Don't get excited, Webb.
Only take a minute or two.

Just going to get my
jack out of here and...

Hey, ma, come here.
Somebody's coming.

Webb! Webb!
Where you going, Webb?

Garwood, stop!

Hey, Garwood! Come on back!

You'll never get away with it.

Do as they say, Webb!
Webb, listen to me!

You'll never make it, Webb!

Webb! Webb!

Come on back, Garwood!

You haven't got a chance!

Halt! Halt! Halt!