The Secret Bride (1934) Movie Script

To love, honor and cherish

as long as you both shall live.

I do.

By virtue of the authority invested in me as.

Justice of the Peace of Carlyle

County, I pronounce you man and wife.

That'll be five dollars

please, is the regular fee too.

I could charge you ten seeing it's so early.

Could you stretch the regular

fee to include a telephone call?

No sir, it's a big telephone in the corridor.

Thanks.

Well, how does it feel?

I don't know, it's a little like taking a

step on the door, thinking as a short step.

- And finding out it's the elevator shaft.

- Hey, wait a minute.

- Maybe it's not legal.

- What's the matter?

You can't walk over

there, I just mopped that side.

- Oh, we're very sorry.

- We're very sorry.

- Oh George, we have to use the phone.

- No, I just mopped that side sir.

Well.

Long distance please.

Your father is going

to get the surprise of his life.

Oh, no, not over the phone.

- I'd rather we tell him.

- You're right.

That may turn out to be

your most annoying habit.

- What?

- Being right.

I'll call my office.

Long distance? Give me City 3700.

I suppose this will be in the papers

by the time we get back to town.

Don't get delusions of grandeur my love.

You may be the governor's

daughter in your own state.

But in Carlyle County you're just

a scared pretty girl getting married.

Well, thanks for the pretty.

Hello. Hello, how much?

I noticed particularly they

never batted an eye at your name.

Nor at yours, by the way.

Attorney General's office.

Oh hello Mr. Sheldon,

did you have a nice trip?

Oh, that's grand. Well, it's been

raining here ever since you left.

- Let me talk to him.

- I'll be in by eleven.

Who? Breeden? Alright, put him on.

It's urgent Mr. Sheldon,

I have to see you as soon as possible.

I can't tell you over the phone.

I got a tip and I'm going

to act on it at once.

Yes, is plenty hot.

Alright, goodbye.

Plenty hot, eh? What is it?

I...

love you.

I never felt less like working.

To spend the first day when I've the

right to be with you, grumping in an office.

What are you going to do while I

pretend to keep my mind on my job?

Oh, I think I'll do a little shopping.

Get yourself a ring, will you?

I hate not being with

you but it can't be helped.

I'll get through at the office as quickly

as I can and come over at the house.

- Ready to ask father for my hand?

- In the traditional manner.

- Suppose he says no?

- Well, suppose he does?

We're married already so we should worry.

- Good morning sir.

- Count that please.

Certainly.

- Ten thousand even.

- Great.

We have two accounts for this name sir.

You wish this credited

to the personal account or...

Personal account, give

me a duplicate deposit slip please.

Certainly.

There you are sir.

- Thank you.

- Just a minute.

You'll have to come along with me Mr. Martin.

What's the meaning of this? Who are you?

- I suppose I must go with you.

- You suppose right Mr.Martin.

- What do you want with me?

- You'll find out, come along.

Will you permit me to send a phone call?

- You going to call your lawyer?

- Any objection?

None at all, go right ahead.

Good morning Miss Normandie.

- Good morning Mr. Sheldon.

- Hello Mr. Sheldon, may I see you a minute?

Why not? Come in.

You seem all steamed up this morning.

Was it something on the phone?

What's on your mind?

Ten thousand dollars deposit to the

personal account of Governor Vincent.

- Well, what of it?

- By J.F. Holdstock.

What makes you think it's Holdstock?

There's no name on the slip.

Well, you know there's been a lot of talk

ever since the governor pardoned Holdstock.

There's talk about every man in public life.

For all I know there's talk about me.

But no amount of talk would convince me

that Governor Vincent would take a bribe.

I had a straight tip on it last night.

And this morning I picked up Holdstock's

secretary on the act of making a deposit.

- Where is he?

- In there.

- Bring him in.

- Yes sir.

Come on.

- Sit down Mr. Martin.

- No.

When did Mr. Holdstock

give you this money to deposit?

He telephoned me at the

office this morning from his home...

and instructed me to take the

money from his safe and deposit it...

to the governor's

account at once, which I did.

Do you know of any

legitimate business transaction...

between Mr. Holdstock and Governor Vincent

which would explain so large a deposit?

None has gone through my hands.

Did you think it at all odd that you

were told to deposit this money in cash...

to the personal account of

the governor of this state?

I consider that Mr. Holdstock's

business and still do, I may add.

It probably is.

Well, thank you Mr. Martin,

we needn't detain you longer.

- You mean I can go?

- Yes, you can run along,

We'll call you when you're needed.

Get Holdstock down here, I'm

going over to the Governor's residence.

- Yes sir.

- Call me there when you've got him.

Very good.

Alright Dad, you can go back

to governing this sovereign state.

Well, I shall expect a full account

of your doings when I get home.

See you later, bye-bye.

Come in.

- Mr. Sheldon is in the drawing room miss.

- Thank you.

Hello darling, I just

phoned father, he'll be right over.

We are going to have our wedding

day together after all, aren't we?

Look...

Darling, I've got some very

bad news for you about your father.

What happened?

I'd give anything in the world

if I didn't have to tell you this.

But I wanted to talk it over with you

before I went to your father with it.

Go on dear.

Breeden got a tip that John Holdstock...

Oh, don't tell me they're bringing

that pardon business up again?

This morning Holdstock's private secretary

deposited 10,000 dollars in cash...

to your father's private account.

There's a perfectly

simple explanation for that.

They probably had some business transaction.

- That's what I thought at first but...

- But what?

Well, it just doesn't seem very

likely that your father would've any...

business dealings

with a man he just pardoned.

- You don't think that father could...

- Of course not darling.

We know it's impossible

but it doesn't look impossible.

That's what we're up against.

Well...

How are you involved in this officially?

I've got to lay the information I have

before the House of Representatives...

unless Holdstock can explain everything.

Oh, it's ridiculous of us to worry,

I'm sure Mr. Holdstock will explain.

- Mr. Breeden on the wire for you sir.

- Thank you.

Yes hello Breeden.

- Say that again.

- What is it Bob?

Holdstock is committed suicide.

- Suicide?

- Yes, go on.

He committed suicide sometime this

morning as far the coroner can tell.

What?

Just a minute, I'll find out. Hey Martin...

That was Holdstock that you called up from

the bank this morning, it wasn't your lawyer,

You told him I'd picked you up, didn't you?

I had your permission, it is my duty

to tell Mr. Holdstock what had happened.

Hello Mr. Sheldon. Yes, you were right.

As he told us a lot

more by bumping himself off...

than we ever gotten

from him on the witness stand.

Yes sir, it's all sewed up for the

Legislative Investigation Committee.

- Every thread tied.

- Alright Breeden.

The news of Holdstock's suicide

will go to the newspapers at once.

And if they get hold of

the fact that his secretary was...

questioned by your office this morning...

The House will demand from me

a full account of everything I know.

And the fact that I've delayed even

this long may be extremely serious for me.

Who knows about this except you and Breeden?

I don't know.

The reporters are swarming

over Holdstock's house right now.

To find a motive for his suicide.

The Attorney General

is not in his office sir.

- Keep after that number.

- Yes sir.

- Good morning sir.

- Good morning.

- Good morning WH.

- Good morning Jim.

Have you read that?

Didn't take them

long to get it on the streets.

You got the greatest weapon

in the world to fight with, innocence.

Yes, I'm innocent.

But the opposition leaders are

framing articles of impeachment right now.

It's only one thing against you WH.

You're not a rich man,

that's what makes it look bad.

Oh, everyone knows you financed my campaign.

If I'm hard up I can come

to you for all the money I need.

I don't have to sell out

for a measly ten thousand.

Did Holdstock ever

offer to lend you any money?

Yes but of course I refused it.

Now I'm tortured by the

thought that the poor misguided...

devil deposited that money as a last

friendly gesture before killing himself.

Friendly gestures from

pardoned felons are dynamite.

Holdstock should've

known how the thing would look.

Why should he have killed himself?

The press contends that it was

because the supposed bribe was discovered.

But I know what the man had been

through, he pretty well wrecked his life.

Jim, this is going

to be a fight to the finish.

Well, we had a

battle to put you into office...

and we'll give them a bigger

battle before they put you out.

Would you telephone this number Mr. Lansdale?

Thank you.

- Excuse me Walter.

- You get the Attorney General yet?

No sir.

Never mind, I've got

to go to his office anyway.

You say Sheldon is over there

now, at the Executive Mansion?

Alright, keep in touch with me.

Jim, what's the idea of using a public

phone? You know you can always use mine.

No, I make it a point not

to sponge on the taxpayers.

I want to get in touch with Sheldon.

His office uncover all this mess.

You'll be laughing

at this thing in a week WH.

What you need most is to quit worrying.

Come on, we're going over

the club and get some lunch.

- Any statement for the press Governor?

- All I have to say I've already said.

Any questions the investigating committee

puts to me I'll answer with complete candor.

Yes sir.

It is expected that a committee will

be appointed to investigate charges of...

bribe taking made against Governor Vincent

as a result of sensational disclosures...

which have come to light in

connection with the suicide this morning...

of John F. Holdstock, convicted

embezzler recently pardoned by the governor.

- Luncheon is served miss.

- Has my father come in yet Oakley?

Not yet miss.

Goodbye darling. I think I'd

better be getting back to the office.

- Bob, will you listen to a hunch?

- Yes, if it's a good one.

In the first place, I shall believe Father...

when he denies all

knowledge of this supposed bribe.

So shall I but that's having faith

in a man we both admire and trust.

- That's not a hunch.

- But this is...

Holdstock is supposed to have committed

suicide because his bribe was discovered.

But isn't it possible that

he could've killed himself...

in remorse when he found out he'd

been made a party to a frame up?

A man doesn't kill himself to

make a frame up look convincing.

No, they'll sift every grain

of evidence against your father...

- and they have plenty to work on.

- Now look here.

While the legislature

is investigating my father...

why don't you investigate

Holdstock and his associates?

That is a hunch,

we'll play that to the limit.

Can you, in your position?

Well yes, I can work on this Holdstock angle.

And we can only hope that by the time

the legislature is ready to question your...

father and me we'll have

a complete story to give them.

And when we get the

complete story it'll vindicate Father.

- I hope so.

- Oh, you know it.

But Bob, if...

if you're going to do everything

you can to clear Father, then...

Yes?

- Nobody must know we're married.

- I'm afraid you're right.

If it were known that

Governor Vincent was my father in law...

no one would credit me

with any disinterested motive.

- What is it darling?

- Oh, I'm sorry.

It's silly of me to feel this way but...

- I did look forward to our little ceremony.

- So did I.

Keep this for me...

until we can tell Dad as we planned.

Hello Martin, you busy?

I am very. I'm doing the best I can

to wind up Mr. Holdstock's affairs.

- What do you want?

- A court order to open Mr. Holdstock's safe.

- What's he after? A suicide motive?

- I guess so.

- That's all there is.

- It's all I want.

- Where are you talking all those?

- The Attorney General.

Do you mind if I go with you?

You afraid the attorney

general will steal something?

No, come right ahead.

Get out that inventory,

I'll be back as soon as possible.

Mr. Martin, are you familiar

with the contents of this folder?

No sir, those would be some of

Mr. Holdstock's private and personal papers.

I see.

- Telegram for Mr. Sheldon.

- Yes, here.

Hey, since when did you start

playing around with big children's toys?

- Isn't that nice?

- What's the idea?

Oh, that's just for protection.

Now listen beautiful,

I'm protection enough for any gal.

No kidding, I don't like

you to have guns lying around.

Guns and you don't go

together, I'll mind it for you.

Say, listen, I might need that.

You say you know nothing

of the contents of this particular file?

No sir.

Very well, I needn't detain you any further.

- I may go back to the office then?

- Yes, yes.

- Anything important among those papers?

- No, nothing.

Miss Normandie order my car, if anyone

asks for me, you don't know where I am.

You found this letter in Holdstock's safe?

Yes but you're the

only one who knows I have it.

It could be a forgery.

If it isn't, it's the worst evidence against

your father that could have turned up.

Oh, what are you going to do?

Where is the machine on which

your father's personal letters are written?

In his study.

What shall I type?

Oh, anything, just a

word or two, it doesn't matter.

It's very simple for police

experts to identify typewriting.

I'll take this down to

Police Headquarters myself.

Bob, the result of this test

is terribly important to Father.

- Please let me go with you.

- Of course.

- Governor Vincent just came in miss.

- Is he alone?

Mr. Lansdale is with him miss.

- Will you tell him I'll be back later?

- Very good miss.

Very well Mr.Sheldon...

if you let me have the specimens,

I'll make the necessary comparisons.

Here is one.

And for the other...

would the typed address

on the envelope be sufficient?

Certainly.

You understand

lieutenant, this is highly confidential.

- I'm asking it of you as a personal favor.

- Surely. I'm glad to do it.

How long will it take?

I'll have them ready

for you in a half hour Mr. Sheldon.

Thank you.

Is there a place nearby

where one can get a bite to eat?

There's a lunchroom across the street

if you want to take a chance on it.

I'll send an officer over

as soon as my tests are ready.

Thanks, that'll be fine.

- He'll make the tests.

- Good.

Now I'm going to take you

across the street and feed you.

Oh really Bob, I'm not

hungry, I couldn't eat a thing.

My dear, there isn't a thing in the world...

that you can do to help

your father in the next half hour.

In the State Legislature today the House

of Representatives, after a stormy debate...

appointed a committee

to investigate charges of bribery...

Turn that thing

off please, got anything else?

The opposition seemed confident

that the House will shortly draw...

It looks like they

finally caught up with Vincent.

- They haven't proved anything on him yet.

- They will.

- Natural.

- Do you shoot dice?

- Shall I show you?

- Yes.

Hey, wait a minute, use these.

Don't be marking up my sugar.

- Thank you, are these loaded?

- No, I got a deck of marked cards though.

These will do.

- Shoot you for the check?

- It's a bet.

Right.

- Seven.

- I'll give you a chance to get even.

- Shoot.

- Right.

Yours.

You're lucky. That's

the second pass you've made.

- This is my lucky day.

- In spite of everything?

Because of one thing.

Shoot away but we use my dice.

- Mr. Sheldon, they're ready.

- Oh, thank you.

Hey, wait a minute pal.

- You're a citizen, ain't you?

- Sure.

Well, he can't take you in without a warrant.

- Make him show a warrant.

- Come on.

What's the matter?

There just ain't no justice.

- Come in Mr.Sheldon.

- I have Miss Vincent with me.

- Oh, come in Miss Vincent, take a seat.

- Thanks.

These tests I'm about

to show you are very interesting.

Now, I want you to watch

these letters very carefully.

There is a series from the piece

of paper which I've marked with a dot.

And there is a series from the envelope.

They're identical.

But wouldn't these letters look the same

from any other machine of the same make?

Oh no, look.

There is a series of letters made on the same

make of machine but in perfect condition.

Is there no question about it?

With this number of

characteristics, there can be no doubt.

- Can I be of any further help to you?

- That's enough.

- Here are your specimens Mr. Sheldon.

- Thanks.

- Good night Lieutenant.

- Good night.

Don't worry my dear.

We'll see your father

and hear what he has to say.

No please, I'd rather see him alone first.

Alright then, you

show him the letter yourself.

- Good night.

- Has my father gone to bed yet?

- Yes miss.

- Well. Who is it?

- It's Ruth Father.

Oh, come in my dear.

- You've heard everything of course.

- Everything.

I flattered myself I

was a seasoned campaigner.

I never found politics a kid glove

business but somehow I can't shake this off.

Thirty years' service to the state.

Always giving them the best I've got.

And now they're

willing to think I'd sell a pardon.

Oh well, we have to take

the cards as they're dealt, I suppose.

But come now, tell me

about yourself. You have a nice trip?

Father, there's much more evidence in

this case than has reached the papers.

What do you mean?

They went through

Holdstock's safe this afternoon.

- Who did? Sheldon's men?

- Yes.

Why didn't Bob come to me?

Because I asked him not to.

I asked him to let me tell you.

- Did Holdstock leave a suicide note?

- No, this was in his private file.

- These are my initials.

- Yes.

You know of course, that the expense of...

maintaining my stock farm has

exceeded the income during the year.

In view of past favors I feel

sure that you will understand me...

when I remind you that the time for

the matter we discussed has come.

But I never wrote this letter.

- Father, I...

- It's a forgery.

Father...

I think you ought to know that Bob

Sheldon and I took that letter with a...

sample of typewriting from the machine

in your study down to police headquarters.

The test proved it

was written on your machine.

I saw the comparison made.

- Does Bob Sheldon think I wrote this letter?

- He didn't until he saw the test.

And you Ruth? Do you believe this of me?

Please try to understand,

tell me you didn't write that letter.

Tell me so I can't doubt you.

We've been very close

together all your life, haven't' we?

Always.

You know I pardoned Holdstock, you

know he deposited money in my account.

You've seen this test, that's evidence.

- Evidence of my guilt.

- Yes.

What you want of me

now is evidence of my innocence.

I must've it, father.

All the evidence I can give

you is just my word of honor.

I know nothing of this

bribe, I did not write that letter.

- Do you believe me, my dear?

- Yes, I believe you.

- No doubt left?

- No doubt left.

Hello Martin.

- What's the matter with you?

- Thank God is you.

- What you afraid of?

- Everything.

When I saw your shadow on that door,

I keep thinking there's someone behind me.

All day long, everywhere I turn.

And those questions,

everybody asking me questions.

But you have nothing

to worry about, it's almost over.

I've seen you through the day

as I've promised, haven't I?

Of course you may still have to

go before the investigating committee.

No, I can't, I can't go

through it again, I tell you.

- I may go crazy.

- Ah, don't be silly.

You were splendid today in Sheldon's office.

You just stick to your story and

remember that I'm taking care of you.

- I'm afraid.

- Oh, pull yourself together.

You come with me

and I'll fix up those jitters.

Hello sweets, what time shall I call for you?

Well, I ought to be through by 11 o'clock,

I think Mr. Sheldon will be back by then.

Ok, I'll be outside the apartment 11 o'clock.

Don't work too hard, goodbye.

- Oh, good evening Mr. Sheldon.

- Sorry Hazel, I didn't expect to be so late.

Oh, that's all right. I've

looked up all those case references,

- You'll find them clipped and marked.

- That's fine.

I got a good of work tonight

so you may as well go home.

- I'll just look up this last reference.

- Alright, thanks.

Oh, Ruth?

Has anything happened?

Yes, I couldn't wait

until morning to tell you.

My secretary is

working in there, let's go in here.

Bob, any shadow of doubt I may have had

was swept away when I talked to him.

But the fact remains that this letter

was written on your father's machine.

Oh, a dozen people

could've had access to that typewriter.

- I suppose they could.

- Dad never kept his study locked.

Don't you see? What

we really have is the clearest...

kind of evidence of a plot against father.

First the bank deposit made without

the slightest knowledge on Dad's part.

- Then Holdstock's suicide.

- Yes but I can't fit that in.

Why not? Holdstock found out

he'd been made party to a frame up.

He was deeply grateful to

father, they were lifelong friends.

He couldn't face the realization

that he'd done anything to discredit Dad...

- so he shot himself.

- But the letter?

Oh, carefully planted,

written on Dad's typewriter.

Oh Bob, I know he's innocent.

Somebody wants to drive him out of office.

If we can only uncover that plot before the

legislature actually proceeds to impeachment.

We must.

I'm sure your father and

I will be subpoenaed tomorrow.

Bob, unless you want to see a terrible

injustice done, you'll play for time.

We must consider this

thing carefully, I'll fix up a drink.

- Good night Mr. Sheldon.

- Good night Hazel, thank you.

Bob, Bob...

- What's the matter?

- A man is been shot in the courtyard.

What?

Wait a minute sister, don't run away.

- What happened?

- A man is been shot.

- You got a phone in there?

- We already phoned for the ambulance.

- Is he dead?

- Yes.

- Why, that's my secretary.

- The girl he was with?

Yes.

Miss Normandie...

- Oh Mr.Sheldon, Mr. Breeden is been shot.

- Breeden?

- You saw what happened?

- Yes, she didn't do it.

- You're sure?

- Yes, I saw where the shot came from.

- Then come down and tell the police.

- Bob, I can't.

You can't? But you saw it happen, didn't you?

Yes but from your apartment.

- What's that got to do with it?

- Oh, Bob, think a minute.

We agreed that until Father was cleared...

while you were working to clear

him nobody must know we're married.

Yes.

Bob, if anyone finds out that

I've been in your apartment in the...

middle of the night, the papers will trace

our marriage just as sure as I stand here.

But they may accuse Hazel

of murder, you know she's innocent.

She hasn't been accused yet.

They're just questioning her.

Probably a dozen other

people saw the whole thing happen.

No, I can't go down there Bob, I won't.

I have you and Father to think of.

- What do you know about this?

- Oh, he was taking me home.

I'd been working late, we were just

starting for the car when the shot came.

- Where did it come from?

- Oh, I don't know.

- Who did you say you worked for?

- I didn't say.

But I'm willing to tell

you that I work for the State...

Attorney General, he lives in this building.

We're going up to see

the Attorney General sister.

- They're coming up.

- Bob?

You stay right here, I'll get rid of them.

- Good evening Mr.Sheldon.

- Good evening.

- Sorry to bother.

- Just a minute.

Just a minute.

Of course I know Miss Normandie and Mr.

Breeden, they've worked with me for months.

That's all I want to know,

thanks Mr. Sheldon, come along.

But I tell you, I didn't do anything.

You'll have to go with them Hazel,

it's only for a routine questioning.

Oh, just a minute Mr. Sheldon.

I'm Jack Daniels of The Tribune.

Now what do you want?

This Breeden, wasn't he the fella who uncovered

the facts in the Vincent bribe case?

- Yes, he was.

- You think that's why they knocked him off?

Who do you mean by they?

Oh, anyone who wanted

to slow up the investigation.

- What do you think?

- I'm sorry Mr. Daniels, I can't help you.

- But...

- Good night.

Bob, what did he mean?

I think the young

man was trying to suggest...

that your father hired an

assassin to silence my investigator.

- They wouldn't dare print a thing like that.

- No but they'll hint at and that's worse.

Because you can't fight back.

The girl said she was here

when the shot was fired.

- But we picked her up over there.

- Alright, then we'll measure the distance.

Well...

- Good morning Tom.

- Good morning.

Here's a gun the boys found,

it's already been checked for prints.

And here's the bullet

taken from Breeden's body.

- See if it came from that gun.

- Alright.

Bring that Normandie

girl to my office right away.

There it is.

Now let me have the other.

Hurry up, they

want to see her inside right away.

Alright, I'll be

glad when she's off my hands.

A wildcat that one is.

- Now what?

- Lieutenant wants you.

- Oh well and I didn't know he cared.

- Come on.

There's no doubt the bullet that killed

Breeden was fired from this gun.

That's all I want to know, thanks Tom.

Miss Normandie, just what

were your relations with Mr. Breeden?

My relations didn't like

him, especially Uncle Charlie.

That attitude isn't going to

get you any place Miss Normandie.

Oh, who wants to get

any place? Just leave me alone.

Alright, be comfortable.

I can sit here just as long as you can.

Oh, have a cigarette.

Oh, I'm supposed look scared

I guess, I bet you're a detective.

Now cut that.

We just got through matching the bullet...

taken from Breeden's

body with the rifle of this gun.

That's the rod that

knocked off your boyfriend.

And it was purchased by Hazel

Normandie at the Crown Hardware Store...

- on July 7th of this year.

- Well, I can explain that...

Can you explain how this gun was found in

the gutter not 20 feet from Breeden's body?

I don't know how it

happened to be there but I didn't do it.

You can't deny it's your gun.

- What are you on?

- Normandie case.

- And you?

- Very confidential.

What do they want from me?

A graphic account of a bribe I never took?

Let them draw up articles of impeachment, try

me before the Senate, remove me from office.

I can't say any more than I've said.

Someone wants me out of office

and wants it enough to frame me.

All of us here are

convinced of that Governor.

And we're determined to uncover

the plot and the people behind it.

- Ah, it'll be a tough fight.

- The opposition is out for blood.

They got very little evidence to go on.

Up to now but let me tell you gentlemen,

If you were out there

in that pool room where I am...

you'd realize this investigation is no setup.

They'd be equally suspicious of any office

holder elected on the Governor's ticket.

And I wonder.

- Mr. Sheldon Miss Vincent on the wire.

- Oh, thank you.

Hello Ruth, they just leaving now.

Well, not too reassuring.

Your father seems very discouraged.

You're going down to the

Capitol too? Oh, you better not darling.

Goodbye.

To these of our Party men,

Walter H. Vincent can do no harm.

Unless the representatives observe

the rules of parliamentary procedure...

I shall be forced to

call upon the sergeant at arms.

I tender my apologies to the chair

and to representative MacPherson.

Throughout the course

of our investigation of the acts...

official and unofficial, admitted

and concealed, of Walter H. Vincent...

my learned colleague...

representative Grosvenor, has given us a

touching example of loyalty, party loyalty.

The blind faith in his

party, which he has demonstrated...

in his efforts to

hamper and clog this investigation...

is shared by the

Attorney General of this state.

As I said before to these devout party

men Walter Vincent can do no wrong.

That's a deliberate and malicious untruth.

Order order order.

Very well then, I will ask one question.

Has the Attorney General delayed

bringing before this House...

information discovered by an

investigator in his own department?

The Attorney General

has laid before this House...

all the evidence

in the possession of his office.

If that evidence seems slight, it's because

Walter H. Vincent is an innocent man...

answering flimsy and trumped up charges.

Yes, the Attorney General has testified.

But with what reluctance, what reticence.

He came before this House not voluntarily,

but because through the newspapers...

this House had obtained knowledge

of incriminating evidence in his possession.

Gentlemen...

is Sheldon a servant of the people

or is he by any chance under personal...

obligation to the man

he seems so anxious to shield?

I urge upon the investigating

committee of this House...

the prompt submission to the Sate's senate...

of articles of impeachment

against Walter H. Vincent.

And I demand a relentless investigation into

the activities of Attorney General Sheldon...

and I shall at once

introduce a bill to that effect.

Yes, well, keep in touch with me.

- Yes?

- Miss Vincent is here.

Send her in.

I just come from the senate.

- The floor is in an uproar.

- Yes, I know, they just phoned me.

They're after my hide now.

All because you believed

in Father and tried to help him.

Up to now they

think it's Party loyalty but if...

becomes known you're

married to me, they'll crucify you.

Darling, we mustn't wait any longer, I

just come back from the criminal court.

Hazel Normandie is desperate, the district

attorney flayed her on the witness stand.

- You must go into court and clear that girl.

- No, I won't let you throw your career away.

My going on the stand telling

the whole world that I'm your wife...

would only bring Father and

you crashing down together, no...

I can't do it, we

got to clear him first, then...

Listen to me Ruth, Hazel's case

goes to the jury this afternoon.

- This afternoon?

- Yes.

Then I still have time.

Holdstock Enterprises, hold a while sir.

Mr. Kelly on the phone.

- Yes?

- Is Mr. Martin in?

No Mr.Martin didn't

come in today, he's home sick.

- Where is he live?

- Just a moment please.

Martin, it's 102 North,

Sheridan Drive miss, Apartment 39.

Thank you.

There has been much talk about motive.

What motive had Hazel Normandie

for the killing of Daniel Breeden?

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury...

frankly, I am in ignorance

of this woman's motives.

Perhaps it lies hidden in the sordid history

of her illicit relations with Daniel Breeden.

We have brought out the fact that this woman

is already turned to at least one other man.

Perhaps Breeden had to

die to make way for his successor.

But this I do know ladies and gentlemen...

and every one of you

holds these facts firmly in your mind...

Hazel Normandie and Daniel Breeden were alone

in an apartment courtyard late that night.

A shot was fired at close

range and Breeden fell dead.

The following morning a pistol...

sold to Hazel Normandie

and registered at her name...

was found at a spot not

twenty feet from where Breeden fell.

Questioned about this pistol,

Hazel Normandie said only...

I don't know how it got there.

But you know ladies and gentlemen...

it fell from the hand of Breeden's murderer.

It fell from Hazel Normandie's hand.

And acting upon this certain knowledge...

you can do nothing

but render a verdict of guilty.

A human life is in your hands.

In reaching your decision I know you

will bear in mind the fact that no...

possible motive has been shown

prompting this young woman to...

take the life of the man

she has loved for three years.

If Hazel Normandie sinned in loving

Daniel Breeden, she has paid for her sin.

She has gone through the ghastly experience

of having her lover shot down at her feet.

Shot down by an unknown assailant.

You are twelve reasonable people.

You are sensible of the awful gravity

of the decision you'll have to make.

You will not, you cannot take

from this innocent woman the right to live.

- Who is it?

- Mr. Martin?

- I said who is it?

- This is Ruth Vincent.

- I'd like to speak to you for a moment.

- You alone?

Yes.

Mr. Martin, I've come

to ask you for your help.

I can't help you.

Yes, you can. You were Holdstock's secretary.

Why don't you go to

his attorney if there's anything...

- Please, there's no need to be upset.

- Why must I be hounded by everybody?

Everybody wants to

know this and that, forgive me.

I'm not well.

- Maybe I can help you.

- What do you want?

Who forced Holdstock to put

the ten thousand dollars in the bank?

I told all I knew the

first day I was questioned.

Mr. Martin, it is generally believed

that Holdstock committed suicide.

Has it ever occurred to you

he might've been murdered?

- He was murdered.

- Who did it?

- I'm willing to tell the Attorney General.

- I'll take you to him.

Mr. Martin has something to tell you.

- Mr. Martin, sit down.

- No.

- I've been wanting to tell all the time.

- And why haven't you told?

I'm afraid, I'm afraid. Afraid.

Get some water.

Get Dr. Connelly quick, the man

must've been under some terrific strain.

Ruth, you must go over

the Court before the jury goes out.

No, in a few minutes I'll have

Martin's story and then I'll go.

Dr. Connelly, just a

moment. Mr. Sheldon calling.

- Dr. Connelly, can you come right over?

- He's gone.

Down the fire escape.

Union Station quick.

He's tricked us.

That man knows the answer to

everything we're trying to find out.

We got to get him.

Get me the Chief of Police,

Attorney General speaking.

Chief, I want you to pick up a

man for me, named Willis Martin.

That's right, Willis Martin.

A general radio broadcast is

about the only chance you got.

Right, about 5' 6, sandy hair, about fifty.

Brown suit and hat. I know,

but you'll have to do the best you can.

- Where is courtroom 8 please?

- Right there.

Thank you.

- Is it all over?

- No, the jury is still out.

Where can we find Hazel Normandie's attorney?

Room 83, it's on this floor

just down to your left.

Thank you.

Well ladies and gentlemen, I think

we're agreed sufficiently to take a ballot.

If you wish to vote for

acquittal, drop in the white ball.

If your vote is for guilty,

drop in the black one.

Now, everybody understand that alright?

White for acquittal, black for guilty.

It's a great pity Mr. Sheldon,

that you couldn't get here before.

I'll find Judge Halloway, this evidence is

most vital and I'm sure he'll consider it.

Eight, nine, ten...

eleven, twelve.

Well, it looks as if we were all agreed.

- Your Honor, the jury has reached a verdict.

- Oh, thank you Carter.

Your Honor, the defense attorney

wants to speak to you immediately.

Tell him I can't talk to him now.

Everybody rise.

This honorable court is now in session.

Ladies and gentlemen of the

jury, have you reached a verdict?

- We have, Your Honor.

- May it please the Court.

I have new and startling evidence

to place before the jury.

I move that this case be

reopened for further evidence.

The attorney for the defense is aware that

the jury stand ready to render their verdict.

What's the nature of this evidence?

Is it of sufficient importance to justify its

introduction in this highly irregular manner?

It's the testimony of an

eyewitness to the crime Your Honor.

Testimony which will

completely exonerate my client.

The defendant is motion is granted, let\

the witness come forward and be sworn.

Raise your right hand please.

You do solemnly swear that the testimony

you are about to give in this case...

to be the truth, the whole truth

and nothing but the truth so help you God?

- Jury back in yet?

- Yeah.

- What's the betting on the verdict?

- Ah, that dame is guilty alright.

Hey, looks like they're taking new evidence.

Will you tell the Court in your own words

exactly what you know regarding the...

circumstances connected

with the murder of Daniel Breeden.

I will.

Where were you

at the instant when the crime...

with which my client

is charged was committed?

I was in my husband's apartment Robert

Sheldon's apartment. 2620, Walnut Avenue.

Give me the City desk.

Here he comes now.

Surely you could've told me you were married.

Oh, Dad, we didn't

want you to hear it like this.

We wanted to come and tell you right away.

But then Bob had this evidence

against you and he wanted to clear you first.

I understand.

And of course

yesterday I had to come forward.

I had to save that girl's

life no matter what happened.

It was the only thing to do.

I'm afraid your

Bob and I will both lose our jobs.

- It's so terribly unjust.

- It certainly is.

I hate to see you

go through all this old man.

The Secret Bride (1934) - full transcript