Valley of the Zombies (1946) - full transcript
Dr. Maynard (Charles Trowbridge') tells Dr. Terry Evans (Robert Livingston) and his nurse, Susan Drake (Lorna Gray), about the theft of ten pints of blood from his lab. Later, he is visited by Ormand Murks (Ian Keith), a man Maynard had once had committed to an insane asylum and who later died from an operation, and Maynard learns that Murks is an example of living death whose abnormality is counter-acted only by blood. The doctor soon becomes Murk's unwilling blood donor. Murks' brother Fred (Earle Hodgins) threatens to expose him and he too is murdered. Terry and Susan find Maynard's body near an abandoned graveyard and this leads them to an estate where a partially obscured sign reads:"Murks Bros.,Undertakers." Susan is kidnapped.
[clock chimes]
Just what I needed
to make me a well man.
[exhales]
Terry Evans, if you ever
do that again, I'll...
...I'll chloroform you,
so help me!
Uh-uh, remember it is
the duty of a nurse
to give a man the kind of medicine
he needs to make him well.
It's not the medicine I object to,
it's the method of application.
Oh, very well, I think I
can stand another dose.
Let's have a demonstration
of your method.
You may proceed with
the treatment, nurse.
[man] I'm afraid your case
is hopeless, Dr. Evans.
Uh, oh, hello,
Doctor Maynard. I...
I thought you were
at the hospital.
Well, I, uh, I got through
sooner than I expected.
[chuckling] I came back to
take care of a few things.
I see.
Well, if you can postpone taking
care of them for a few minutes...
...I'd like to see both you and
Miss Drake in my office.
Yes, sir.
Fred and I have been checking
the blood supply record.
It's happened again.
You mean there's more
of it missing?
Twelve pints.
I can't understand it.
Why would anybody
want to steal blood?
I don't know,
but I'm going to report the matter
to the police in the morning.
And Fred, I want you to put a
lock on that refrigerator.
Yes, sir.
Well, I guess that's all.
Oh, Terry?
Yes, sir.
I'm going to let you handle that
MacDonald case by yourself.
By myself?
That's a pretty
delicate operation.
Have you any doubt
about performing it?
No, sir.
Neither have I.
Thank you, sir.
- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.
Goodnight, sir.
- Goodnight, Doctor.
- Goodnight, Terry.
I didn't hear you enter.
What can I do for you?
My wants are simple,
Dr. Maynard,
very simple...
...blood.
Blood?
That's a strange request.
I'm a strange man,
Doctor.
Don't you remember me?
Your face is familiar...
...but I can't place you.
Your choice of words
is ironic, Doctor.
Five years ago you
placed me...
...in the Brookdale
Mental Institute!
I wasn't insane,
but who'd listen to me
after Rufus Maynard,
the great brain specialist,
had given his learned opinion?
You still don't
recognize me?
My card.
Murks!
Ormand Murks!
I see that refreshes
your memory.
Takes you back four
years, doesn't it?
To the night Dr. Garland,
the house physician,
rushed me here
from the institute.
[thunder]
It's no use.
I can't understand it,
except for a pathological
brain disorder,
he seems
physically sound.
He was physically sound,
in perfect health.
[thunder]
It doesn't make sense.
There are a lot of things about
Murks that don't make sense.
For example, why did he continually
ask for blood transfusions?
It was a fixation with him
and the main reason I had him
committed to your institution.
He seems to feel that
periodic transfusions
would guarantee him
a kind of immortality.
Do you think there's
anything in it?
Nonsense.
[thunder]
I can't help thinking
that Murks kept hidden
some phase of
his case history.
Perhaps the
autopsy will...
Impossible.
He must have had
a premonition of his death.
Just this morning
he gave instructions
to have his body turned
over to his brother
for burial in the
family mausoleum,
on their estate
at Greenwood Knoll.
Well, then,
I guess the case is closed.
[thunder]
But, you were wrong, Doctor,
the case was not closed.
But, I saw your body.
I examined you.
You were dead!
Unfortunately, one who
has confined his studies
to the problems of the living
is not in a position to judge.
To you death is merely
an absence of life.
There is no intermediate stage.
But, that is where we disagree.
For I have discovered
a world in between...
A world of living death.
In my former profession,
death was an everyday
occurrence to me.
I began to wonder...
would it be possible for a
man to appear to be dead,
and still be alive?
The thought fascinated me.
It became an obsession.
I gave up everything
to find the answer.
And at last...
...I found it...
...in a land of voodoo rites
and devil potions,
where your profession
has no place.
The Valley
of the Zombies!
You seem skeptical,
Doctor.
[laughs] So was I,
until I tried it.
Perhaps...
...if you...
No?
Well, I don't blame you.
For once you've taken it, there's only one
thing that will counteract its effect.
Blood!
So it was you who have
been stealing it?
Indirectly, yes.
And now I'm here for some more!
Quickly...
there's
no time to lose!
Of course, of course, I'll, I'll phone
the hospital at once and have them...
Hospital?
And have my affliction publicized in the
newspapers and medical journals,
to be exhibited as some
strange monstrosity
before an amphitheater
of prying experimentalists?
Never!
But I have no blood
your type here.
You wouldn't lie to me.
You can see for yourself!
The supply is in
the treatment room.
Then, I'll have
to take yours.
I happen to know
we're the same type.
You will have the pleasure of
contributing to the cause of science,
and I'll have the satisfaction
I've been waiting for so long!
[choking]
[clock chimes]
Ormand!
So my dear brother
has finally gotten around
to thinking about me.
Why are you here?
Why shouldn't I be,
when you failed me?
I haven't failed you.
Dr. Maynard was
becoming suspicious.
I had to wait for
an opportunity,
but you'd have got
it tonight.
Would I?
And where would you get it?
There's none of my type here!
This is your type.
I put it in this container
to fool Dr. Maynard.
[chuckles]
Wh... why,
what's so funny?
I was just thinking
how well you fooled him.
Dr. Maynard!
What have you done to him?
Need you ask?
When I agreed to help, you gave me
your word there'd be none of this!
When I need blood,
I must have it.
But not this way!
Any way.
All right, then I'm through.
For years I've sacrificed
everything for you.
I've taken one job after another,
stealing like a common thief,
but I'm not going
to do it any longer!
Give me the police.
I'd think twice if I
were you, dear brother.
Remember, you're
implicated in this also.
I'll tell them you kept
me under a hypnotic spell.
For four years?
So they don't believe me.
I don't care.
I'm not going to
be a party to murder!
I'll put you back in the grave
where you belong!
[man over phone]
Police Department, hello?
Hello? Police Department.
Police Department.
Police Department!
Police Department! Hello?!
[hangs up]
You're going to put me
in my grave?
[car approaching]
What do you suppose
he was doing?
Well, he wasn't
diggin' potatoes.
I'd better
call headquarters.
Car 60 calling headquarters.
[man over police radio]
Go ahead Car 60.
This is Tiny.
We're at the old
Greenwood Knoll Cemetery.
We just surprised a guy
trying to plant a stiff.
It looks like a job for the coroner.
R-P-C.
Okay, stand by.
[police siren]
[Tiny] The fellow over at the gas station
heard the guy diggin' and called us.
When we got here
he took it on the I am.
[detective 1] Did you take
a look around?
[cop] Yeah, but it was
no dice in this jungle.
[detective 1] What kind
of a guy was he?
[Tiny] Tall, kinda skinny,
wore a long black coat and hat.
We were too far away
to see his face.
Well, it wasn't robbery because here's
his billfold with money in it.
"Rufus Maynard, M.D.,
1609 Terminal Building."
Hey, I've heard of him.
He's a big brain specialist.
Have you figured out
yet what killed him, Doc?
Strangulation by somebody
with a pair of strong hands.
[detective 1] How long
has he been dead?
I can't tell.
What's the matter,
is it a secret?
The body has been
expertly embalmed.
Embalmed?!
That's the work of an
undertaker, isn't it?
[medical examiner]
Yes, but anyone with a knowledge
of medicine could do it.
Well, this is
something to work on.
Let's go over to Dr. Maynard's
office and see if we can
pick up a clue that will lead
us to this peculiar party
that has a passion
for pickling.
[clock chimes]
[whispering] Wait a minute!
[whispering] What is it?
There's a body
on the table.
- Maybe they...
- Shhh!
[screams]
Susan, what's...
What is this, a holdup?
No, we're detectives
from the homicide bureau.
Who are you?
I'm Dr. Evans.
Who are you and what are
you doing on this table?
I was taking a nap while
the doctor was working.
I'm Susan Drake. I...
It's a funny place
to take a nap, isn't it?
Not so bad,
I often use it.
Oh, you come here
quite often, huh?
Yes, I do. I'm one of
the doctor's nurses.
Look, why all the questions? How'd you
get in here? What's this all about?
Are you sure
you don't know?
Know what?
When did you see
Dr. Maynard last?
Why, about eight o'clock
when we left the office.
Who is "we"?
Miss Drake, Fred Mays,
the chemist and myself.
Is there anything wrong
with Dr. Maynard?
Nothing a little strangling and a shot
of embalming fluid didn't cure.
You don't mean he's dead?
Oh, no!
Oh, yes!
We found his body
about an hour ago
in the old
Greenwood Knoll Cemetery.
You said he was embalmed?
Yes... and professionally!
And a man in a black overcoat
was trying to bury him.
Did you catch him?
No, but we will.
Where did you go when you
left here at eight o'clock?
Why, Miss Drake and I went
to the Community Hospital.
I have a patient there
in critical condition.
Where did you go from there
and what time?
Miss Drake's home for dinner
about eight-forty-five, I'd say
came back here about
ten. I had some tests to make.
You know where I can
find this Fred Mays?
He lives at
the Eastern Hotel.
Have you any idea
who killed Dr. Maynard?
Not the slightest.
Thanks a lot, Doc.
We'll be seeing you later.
Goodnight.
- Goodnight.
- [Susan] Goodnight.
Terry, I think those
detectives suspect us.
Naturally, it's their business to suspect
everyone until they find the murderer.
Doctor Maynard...
I can't believe it.
Yeah, it's quite a jolt.
You know, I was wondering if
there could be any connection
between his death
and the missing blood.
Whoever stole that blood could have
come back here to steal some more
and been surprised
by Dr. Maynard.
Let's see if
any more is missing.
Everyone seemed to like
Dr. Maynard so,
I can't imagine
who'd want to kill him.
[Susan screams]
Oh!
It's Fred!
Give me a hand, Susan.
What's the matter?
A nurse afraid of a body?
No, I, I just don't care for
the way it was presented.
Remind me not to look in my
icebox when I get home.
He's been embalmed too.
First Dr. Maynard,
now Fred.
Who's going to be next,
Terry?
That's what
I'm wondering.
We'd better
call the police.
No, wait a minute.
Let's not be in a hurry
about this. I think...
I had a hunch it would pay us
to drop back here.
If this guy sits up and screams,
I'll turn in my badge.
- [Susan] No! No!
- [detective 1] Yes!
- [detective 2] Yes!
- [Susan] No!
- [detective 1] Yes!
- No!
No, no, no, no, no, for
the millionth time, no!
I had nothing to do with killing
Dr. Maynard, Fred Mays or anybody else.
You're more stubborn
than my wife!
Questioning you is like riding
a merry-go-round all night.
You wind up
where you start.
You mean the ride's over?
Not by a jugful.
[all whispering]
Hey! Where do you
think you are?
I know where I
wish you were!
I could go for some of
that coffee, myself.
Not until you say "yes".
All right, yes!
- Yes what?
- Yes, I'd like some coffee!
Well, you can quit your stalling now,
sister, and tell us the truth.
Your boyfriend's
just confessed.
He has!
Yes, we have it all
down here in black and white.
Is that so?
Well, whatever Dr. Evans
says he did, I helped him.
You're pretty smart,
aren't you!
Bring him in!
Well, well,
good morning, nurse.
And how are all
your patients?
A little frayed,
I'm afraid.
- Uh-huh...
- Listen, you two...
...suspicion of murder
is a pretty serious charge,
and we're going to hold
you two until we...
[door opening]
Get anything out of them?
No, not yet,
but we will.
The motive is a natural.
She's his girl,
he was Dr. Maynard's
associate.
He bumped off the doctor
to take over his rich clientele.
The chemist was wise,
so they bumped him off, too.
They've been in custody
since midnight, haven't they?
Twelve-fifteen.
Well, release 'em.
But, Chief!
You...
This isn't for publication,
the body of a cab driver,
neatly embalmed,
was just found in his taxi cab at
the corner of 3rd and Witmore.
Another one?
But, that's nothing
to let 'em loose on.
They probably put 'em
there themselves.
That's it!
They hired the guy to drive
'em over to the graveyard,
then they bumped 'em
off so he wouldn't talk,
and then they
parked his car.
The cab was left there
less than an hour ago.
Yeah, but they could have had
an accomplice, couldn't they?
That's why I say,
let 'em go.
Oh...
I just convinced the Inspector
that you were innocent.
You can go now.
Go?
But you just said...
I said you can go!
But, I don't understand!
You just said that...
Look, I've been arguin'
with you for eight hours
and I'm tired of it!
Either you go, or I will!
Isn't it too bad, we were just
beginning to enjoy it here, too.
Come on, Susan.
Well, goodbye, gentlemen.
If you ever need a shot
of embalming fluid,
uh, come up and
see me sometime.
You know a man has to be in
jail before he appreciates
what it means to open
doors for himself.
You said it.
I'm certainly glad
they're through with us.
I'm not so sure they are.
Why?
The police are not
freeing suspects
in an unsolved murder case
without a good reason.
It might be a trick on their part
to give us a little more rope,
before they hang us with it!
You mean, unless they
find the killer,
we're the most likely
candidates to succeed?
Mm-hm, that's the general
idea, so it behooves us
to do everything in
our power to clear ourselves.
[taps receiver]
Well, fine.
What's the matter?
I wanted to call the hospital
and the phone's dead.
Dying is getting to be
a habit around here.
Hey!
No wonder,
the cord's broken.
It's been pulled out.
How do you suppose
that happened?
Well, it could've
happened in a struggle.
Nothing else seems
to be disturbed.
Well, it was no accident
because the ends were stuck
neatly back into
the bell box.
What's this record card
doing in the waste basket?
"Ormand Murks,
Nature of disorder: Abnormal
pressure on the fourth ventricle
resulting in manic-depressive
insanity."
"Committed to Brookdale Mental
Institute October 18th, 1939."
Hey, maybe he's the murderer,
an escaped lunatic.
"Died: Ju...
died June 12th, 1941!"
For a minute I thought
we had something there.
So did I.
It must've fallen
off the desk.
I'll put it back
in the file.
Terry! Listen to this!
"Body interred in mausoleum on family
estate at Greenwood Knoll."
Well, once they're dead, what difference
does it make where they put them?
But that graveyard where Dr. Maynard
was found is at Greenwood Knoll.
Hey, that's right!
Maybe this card has something
to do with the case after all.
We have to go to the hospital right
now, but when we're through,
we are going to pay a little
visit to the Murks' estate!
Oh, no we are not!
This is something for
the police to handle.
Why, the police'll laugh
at evidence like this.
Don't forget, we're number
one on their hate parade.
But Terry, I'm no good
at playing detective,
I scare too easily.
Oh!
[laughs]
Ah... see what I mean!
Yes.
[radio playing]
I still think we should
let the police handle this.
If we go prowling around some strange
place, we're liable to get in trouble.
And we're liable
to solve the mystery, too!
You know, I think you're
a frustrated detective.
I am. When I was a kid,
it was my great ambition.
I saved up a 150 bottle
caps once, to get a badge.
Now, we'll see whether
I've missed my calling.
Heaven help me!
[man
Just what I needed
to make me a well man.
[exhales]
Terry Evans, if you ever
do that again, I'll...
...I'll chloroform you,
so help me!
Uh-uh, remember it is
the duty of a nurse
to give a man the kind of medicine
he needs to make him well.
It's not the medicine I object to,
it's the method of application.
Oh, very well, I think I
can stand another dose.
Let's have a demonstration
of your method.
You may proceed with
the treatment, nurse.
[man] I'm afraid your case
is hopeless, Dr. Evans.
Uh, oh, hello,
Doctor Maynard. I...
I thought you were
at the hospital.
Well, I, uh, I got through
sooner than I expected.
[chuckling] I came back to
take care of a few things.
I see.
Well, if you can postpone taking
care of them for a few minutes...
...I'd like to see both you and
Miss Drake in my office.
Yes, sir.
Fred and I have been checking
the blood supply record.
It's happened again.
You mean there's more
of it missing?
Twelve pints.
I can't understand it.
Why would anybody
want to steal blood?
I don't know,
but I'm going to report the matter
to the police in the morning.
And Fred, I want you to put a
lock on that refrigerator.
Yes, sir.
Well, I guess that's all.
Oh, Terry?
Yes, sir.
I'm going to let you handle that
MacDonald case by yourself.
By myself?
That's a pretty
delicate operation.
Have you any doubt
about performing it?
No, sir.
Neither have I.
Thank you, sir.
- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.
Goodnight, sir.
- Goodnight, Doctor.
- Goodnight, Terry.
I didn't hear you enter.
What can I do for you?
My wants are simple,
Dr. Maynard,
very simple...
...blood.
Blood?
That's a strange request.
I'm a strange man,
Doctor.
Don't you remember me?
Your face is familiar...
...but I can't place you.
Your choice of words
is ironic, Doctor.
Five years ago you
placed me...
...in the Brookdale
Mental Institute!
I wasn't insane,
but who'd listen to me
after Rufus Maynard,
the great brain specialist,
had given his learned opinion?
You still don't
recognize me?
My card.
Murks!
Ormand Murks!
I see that refreshes
your memory.
Takes you back four
years, doesn't it?
To the night Dr. Garland,
the house physician,
rushed me here
from the institute.
[thunder]
It's no use.
I can't understand it,
except for a pathological
brain disorder,
he seems
physically sound.
He was physically sound,
in perfect health.
[thunder]
It doesn't make sense.
There are a lot of things about
Murks that don't make sense.
For example, why did he continually
ask for blood transfusions?
It was a fixation with him
and the main reason I had him
committed to your institution.
He seems to feel that
periodic transfusions
would guarantee him
a kind of immortality.
Do you think there's
anything in it?
Nonsense.
[thunder]
I can't help thinking
that Murks kept hidden
some phase of
his case history.
Perhaps the
autopsy will...
Impossible.
He must have had
a premonition of his death.
Just this morning
he gave instructions
to have his body turned
over to his brother
for burial in the
family mausoleum,
on their estate
at Greenwood Knoll.
Well, then,
I guess the case is closed.
[thunder]
But, you were wrong, Doctor,
the case was not closed.
But, I saw your body.
I examined you.
You were dead!
Unfortunately, one who
has confined his studies
to the problems of the living
is not in a position to judge.
To you death is merely
an absence of life.
There is no intermediate stage.
But, that is where we disagree.
For I have discovered
a world in between...
A world of living death.
In my former profession,
death was an everyday
occurrence to me.
I began to wonder...
would it be possible for a
man to appear to be dead,
and still be alive?
The thought fascinated me.
It became an obsession.
I gave up everything
to find the answer.
And at last...
...I found it...
...in a land of voodoo rites
and devil potions,
where your profession
has no place.
The Valley
of the Zombies!
You seem skeptical,
Doctor.
[laughs] So was I,
until I tried it.
Perhaps...
...if you...
No?
Well, I don't blame you.
For once you've taken it, there's only one
thing that will counteract its effect.
Blood!
So it was you who have
been stealing it?
Indirectly, yes.
And now I'm here for some more!
Quickly...
there's
no time to lose!
Of course, of course, I'll, I'll phone
the hospital at once and have them...
Hospital?
And have my affliction publicized in the
newspapers and medical journals,
to be exhibited as some
strange monstrosity
before an amphitheater
of prying experimentalists?
Never!
But I have no blood
your type here.
You wouldn't lie to me.
You can see for yourself!
The supply is in
the treatment room.
Then, I'll have
to take yours.
I happen to know
we're the same type.
You will have the pleasure of
contributing to the cause of science,
and I'll have the satisfaction
I've been waiting for so long!
[choking]
[clock chimes]
Ormand!
So my dear brother
has finally gotten around
to thinking about me.
Why are you here?
Why shouldn't I be,
when you failed me?
I haven't failed you.
Dr. Maynard was
becoming suspicious.
I had to wait for
an opportunity,
but you'd have got
it tonight.
Would I?
And where would you get it?
There's none of my type here!
This is your type.
I put it in this container
to fool Dr. Maynard.
[chuckles]
Wh... why,
what's so funny?
I was just thinking
how well you fooled him.
Dr. Maynard!
What have you done to him?
Need you ask?
When I agreed to help, you gave me
your word there'd be none of this!
When I need blood,
I must have it.
But not this way!
Any way.
All right, then I'm through.
For years I've sacrificed
everything for you.
I've taken one job after another,
stealing like a common thief,
but I'm not going
to do it any longer!
Give me the police.
I'd think twice if I
were you, dear brother.
Remember, you're
implicated in this also.
I'll tell them you kept
me under a hypnotic spell.
For four years?
So they don't believe me.
I don't care.
I'm not going to
be a party to murder!
I'll put you back in the grave
where you belong!
[man over phone]
Police Department, hello?
Hello? Police Department.
Police Department.
Police Department!
Police Department! Hello?!
[hangs up]
You're going to put me
in my grave?
[car approaching]
What do you suppose
he was doing?
Well, he wasn't
diggin' potatoes.
I'd better
call headquarters.
Car 60 calling headquarters.
[man over police radio]
Go ahead Car 60.
This is Tiny.
We're at the old
Greenwood Knoll Cemetery.
We just surprised a guy
trying to plant a stiff.
It looks like a job for the coroner.
R-P-C.
Okay, stand by.
[police siren]
[Tiny] The fellow over at the gas station
heard the guy diggin' and called us.
When we got here
he took it on the I am.
[detective 1] Did you take
a look around?
[cop] Yeah, but it was
no dice in this jungle.
[detective 1] What kind
of a guy was he?
[Tiny] Tall, kinda skinny,
wore a long black coat and hat.
We were too far away
to see his face.
Well, it wasn't robbery because here's
his billfold with money in it.
"Rufus Maynard, M.D.,
1609 Terminal Building."
Hey, I've heard of him.
He's a big brain specialist.
Have you figured out
yet what killed him, Doc?
Strangulation by somebody
with a pair of strong hands.
[detective 1] How long
has he been dead?
I can't tell.
What's the matter,
is it a secret?
The body has been
expertly embalmed.
Embalmed?!
That's the work of an
undertaker, isn't it?
[medical examiner]
Yes, but anyone with a knowledge
of medicine could do it.
Well, this is
something to work on.
Let's go over to Dr. Maynard's
office and see if we can
pick up a clue that will lead
us to this peculiar party
that has a passion
for pickling.
[clock chimes]
[whispering] Wait a minute!
[whispering] What is it?
There's a body
on the table.
- Maybe they...
- Shhh!
[screams]
Susan, what's...
What is this, a holdup?
No, we're detectives
from the homicide bureau.
Who are you?
I'm Dr. Evans.
Who are you and what are
you doing on this table?
I was taking a nap while
the doctor was working.
I'm Susan Drake. I...
It's a funny place
to take a nap, isn't it?
Not so bad,
I often use it.
Oh, you come here
quite often, huh?
Yes, I do. I'm one of
the doctor's nurses.
Look, why all the questions? How'd you
get in here? What's this all about?
Are you sure
you don't know?
Know what?
When did you see
Dr. Maynard last?
Why, about eight o'clock
when we left the office.
Who is "we"?
Miss Drake, Fred Mays,
the chemist and myself.
Is there anything wrong
with Dr. Maynard?
Nothing a little strangling and a shot
of embalming fluid didn't cure.
You don't mean he's dead?
Oh, no!
Oh, yes!
We found his body
about an hour ago
in the old
Greenwood Knoll Cemetery.
You said he was embalmed?
Yes... and professionally!
And a man in a black overcoat
was trying to bury him.
Did you catch him?
No, but we will.
Where did you go when you
left here at eight o'clock?
Why, Miss Drake and I went
to the Community Hospital.
I have a patient there
in critical condition.
Where did you go from there
and what time?
Miss Drake's home for dinner
about eight-forty-five, I'd say
came back here about
ten. I had some tests to make.
You know where I can
find this Fred Mays?
He lives at
the Eastern Hotel.
Have you any idea
who killed Dr. Maynard?
Not the slightest.
Thanks a lot, Doc.
We'll be seeing you later.
Goodnight.
- Goodnight.
- [Susan] Goodnight.
Terry, I think those
detectives suspect us.
Naturally, it's their business to suspect
everyone until they find the murderer.
Doctor Maynard...
I can't believe it.
Yeah, it's quite a jolt.
You know, I was wondering if
there could be any connection
between his death
and the missing blood.
Whoever stole that blood could have
come back here to steal some more
and been surprised
by Dr. Maynard.
Let's see if
any more is missing.
Everyone seemed to like
Dr. Maynard so,
I can't imagine
who'd want to kill him.
[Susan screams]
Oh!
It's Fred!
Give me a hand, Susan.
What's the matter?
A nurse afraid of a body?
No, I, I just don't care for
the way it was presented.
Remind me not to look in my
icebox when I get home.
He's been embalmed too.
First Dr. Maynard,
now Fred.
Who's going to be next,
Terry?
That's what
I'm wondering.
We'd better
call the police.
No, wait a minute.
Let's not be in a hurry
about this. I think...
I had a hunch it would pay us
to drop back here.
If this guy sits up and screams,
I'll turn in my badge.
- [Susan] No! No!
- [detective 1] Yes!
- [detective 2] Yes!
- [Susan] No!
- [detective 1] Yes!
- No!
No, no, no, no, no, for
the millionth time, no!
I had nothing to do with killing
Dr. Maynard, Fred Mays or anybody else.
You're more stubborn
than my wife!
Questioning you is like riding
a merry-go-round all night.
You wind up
where you start.
You mean the ride's over?
Not by a jugful.
[all whispering]
Hey! Where do you
think you are?
I know where I
wish you were!
I could go for some of
that coffee, myself.
Not until you say "yes".
All right, yes!
- Yes what?
- Yes, I'd like some coffee!
Well, you can quit your stalling now,
sister, and tell us the truth.
Your boyfriend's
just confessed.
He has!
Yes, we have it all
down here in black and white.
Is that so?
Well, whatever Dr. Evans
says he did, I helped him.
You're pretty smart,
aren't you!
Bring him in!
Well, well,
good morning, nurse.
And how are all
your patients?
A little frayed,
I'm afraid.
- Uh-huh...
- Listen, you two...
...suspicion of murder
is a pretty serious charge,
and we're going to hold
you two until we...
[door opening]
Get anything out of them?
No, not yet,
but we will.
The motive is a natural.
She's his girl,
he was Dr. Maynard's
associate.
He bumped off the doctor
to take over his rich clientele.
The chemist was wise,
so they bumped him off, too.
They've been in custody
since midnight, haven't they?
Twelve-fifteen.
Well, release 'em.
But, Chief!
You...
This isn't for publication,
the body of a cab driver,
neatly embalmed,
was just found in his taxi cab at
the corner of 3rd and Witmore.
Another one?
But, that's nothing
to let 'em loose on.
They probably put 'em
there themselves.
That's it!
They hired the guy to drive
'em over to the graveyard,
then they bumped 'em
off so he wouldn't talk,
and then they
parked his car.
The cab was left there
less than an hour ago.
Yeah, but they could have had
an accomplice, couldn't they?
That's why I say,
let 'em go.
Oh...
I just convinced the Inspector
that you were innocent.
You can go now.
Go?
But you just said...
I said you can go!
But, I don't understand!
You just said that...
Look, I've been arguin'
with you for eight hours
and I'm tired of it!
Either you go, or I will!
Isn't it too bad, we were just
beginning to enjoy it here, too.
Come on, Susan.
Well, goodbye, gentlemen.
If you ever need a shot
of embalming fluid,
uh, come up and
see me sometime.
You know a man has to be in
jail before he appreciates
what it means to open
doors for himself.
You said it.
I'm certainly glad
they're through with us.
I'm not so sure they are.
Why?
The police are not
freeing suspects
in an unsolved murder case
without a good reason.
It might be a trick on their part
to give us a little more rope,
before they hang us with it!
You mean, unless they
find the killer,
we're the most likely
candidates to succeed?
Mm-hm, that's the general
idea, so it behooves us
to do everything in
our power to clear ourselves.
[taps receiver]
Well, fine.
What's the matter?
I wanted to call the hospital
and the phone's dead.
Dying is getting to be
a habit around here.
Hey!
No wonder,
the cord's broken.
It's been pulled out.
How do you suppose
that happened?
Well, it could've
happened in a struggle.
Nothing else seems
to be disturbed.
Well, it was no accident
because the ends were stuck
neatly back into
the bell box.
What's this record card
doing in the waste basket?
"Ormand Murks,
Nature of disorder: Abnormal
pressure on the fourth ventricle
resulting in manic-depressive
insanity."
"Committed to Brookdale Mental
Institute October 18th, 1939."
Hey, maybe he's the murderer,
an escaped lunatic.
"Died: Ju...
died June 12th, 1941!"
For a minute I thought
we had something there.
So did I.
It must've fallen
off the desk.
I'll put it back
in the file.
Terry! Listen to this!
"Body interred in mausoleum on family
estate at Greenwood Knoll."
Well, once they're dead, what difference
does it make where they put them?
But that graveyard where Dr. Maynard
was found is at Greenwood Knoll.
Hey, that's right!
Maybe this card has something
to do with the case after all.
We have to go to the hospital right
now, but when we're through,
we are going to pay a little
visit to the Murks' estate!
Oh, no we are not!
This is something for
the police to handle.
Why, the police'll laugh
at evidence like this.
Don't forget, we're number
one on their hate parade.
But Terry, I'm no good
at playing detective,
I scare too easily.
Oh!
[laughs]
Ah... see what I mean!
Yes.
[radio playing]
I still think we should
let the police handle this.
If we go prowling around some strange
place, we're liable to get in trouble.
And we're liable
to solve the mystery, too!
You know, I think you're
a frustrated detective.
I am. When I was a kid,
it was my great ambition.
I saved up a 150 bottle
caps once, to get a badge.
Now, we'll see whether
I've missed my calling.
Heaven help me!
[man