Frankie Drake Mysteries (2017–…): Season 1, Episode 5 - Out of Focus - full transcript

This is not happening.

Come on!

This better work.

What a flirt!

What is he...

Oh, my.

What's she gonna do with that?

She's gonna get him.

- Oh, yes, she is.
- Wind up,

and... oh!

See that?



- That was so funny!
- Of course it was,

but look up at the background.

Watch.

Here it comes.

Now, watch the upper level

- of the pavilion.
- Those two blurs?

They're arguing. And now, see...

A gunshot.

- That's not part of the movie?
- Mm-mm.

If Mack Sennett scripted a murder,

it would be lit,

and it would be hilarious.

How did you spot that?

I've watched miles of film.



My eyes catch things

- that most people miss.
- And you're telling me

that no one on the crew
saw or heard anything?

- Nothing.
- That's impossible.

It was our last shot of
the day. We were losing

our light so we decided to
pack it in after and go home.

No one went near the pavilion.

- Well, did you call the police?
- Two days ago, as soon as I

spotted it. They sent a
copper, he poked around,

didn't find anything. No body. Nothing.

So that's when I

decided to take matters
into my own hands.

And that's when you
decided to contact us.

No, I contacted a lot
of agencies before you,

but none of them felt as eager as you.

Well, thank you.

- I think.
- OK.

So we have a murder
that nobody witnessed

and a victim who just up and vanished?

Hmm! A real baffler, isn't it?

- Well, we like a challenge.
- That's what I like to hear.

You know, I myself have
played Sherlock Holmes

a number of times.

- You don't say.
- So, I decided to do some

detective work on my
own and I discovered

that a local hire hasn't shown
up for work for couple of days.

A props runner. Name is Dan Channing.

He might be our elusive murder victim.

Don't write the script before
you have the plot, Mr. Sennett.

He also could be the killer.

The game's afoot. I'm gonna

enjoy watching the two of you work.

Strange how no one heard a gunshot.

Maybe the killer used a silencer.

I suppose, but aren't those very rare?

I remember the first film I watched.

It was called

The Red Girl's Sacrifice. It was playing

at the Red Mill on Yonge Street.

It was thrilling.

I'd love to be in a movie.

You want to be an actress too?

No, no, it's just...

there's just something
about being in the spotlight.

Well, you certainly
have the looks for it.

Why, thank you!

Is that encouragement?

Not really. I never
understood the allure.

Got enough excitement in
real life to keep you amused?

Something like that.

Trudy...

look at this. Blood.

The floor has been cleaned.

Something was missed.

A shell casing.

32.

- A gun was fired here recently.
- So the murder happened

in plain sight. The killer cleaned up

the crime scene, then moved
the body and no one saw a thing?

- It's unbelievable.
- So there's two options.

The killer didn't know that
they were being filmed...

Or they did and they wanted
the whole thing on film.

And why would they do that?

Dan Channing traveled light.

Well, he didn't pack before he left.

Take a look at this.

And this Sofia Devoe,

- whoever she is.
- You never heard of her?

She's one of film's biggest stars.

Goldrush Gloria, Love's Sweet Revenge?

If you say so.

Well, Dan Channing was an avid fan.

Or he's just obsessed.

Wait. The landlady

told me Channing arrived
in Toronto two weeks ago.

That's right when Mack started filming.

Maybe it's not a coincidence.

You know, ever since I moved
from Quebec to Hollywood

15 years ago, I've always
dreamed to come back

- to film in Canada.
- How very patriotic of you.

- Thanks.
- Mr. Sennett, if you don't mind

me asking, what's this film about?

Oh, my Keystone Cops
movies are so popular,

I decided to branch out. Keystone Spies.

Don't tell me. One of your...

bathing beauties is
actually a trained spy.

Brilliant, isn't it?

Top secret plans, spies...

Hi, ladies! So what did
you two come up with?

It turns out that there was
a murder at the Pavilion.

I knew it. Did you find the body?

No, but we found blood and a bullet.

- Close enough.
- Dan Channing, your missing

props runner, we believe he came
to Toronto specifically to work

- on your film.
- Everyone wants to work on

- a Mack Sennett picture.
- That's true, but this guy

was really fascinated with
your leading lady, Sofia Devoe.

Some maniac is after Sofia?

- It's a possibility.
- Come.

Clear the room.

If my backers hear that there's
a stalker, I'll be ruined.

It's bad enough dealing with
this Fatty Arbuckle scandal.

Miss Drake, Keystone Spies cannot tank.

I need you to figure this out.

We're gonna need access
to your crew, your set.

And I think Trudy
should to go undercover.

Perfect. Exactly what Holmes would do.

Can I be one of your bathing beauties?

You know, sweetheart, I'm not sure

that being on camera
is such a good idea.

I mean, you'd be stuck on set

all day. How about you
pose as my assistant?

You can get in anywhere,
no questions asked.

Hmm? I'll arrange it.

I'm also gonna need to speak
to the lovely Miss Sofia Devoe.

Mmm! You're in for a treat.

Ah. Welcome, Miss Drake.

Come on, come on, come
on, come on, come on.

- Manfrellotti, are we ready?
- We're ready, Mack.

- Here we go!
- Good. Miss Drake,

- stand over here.
- OK.

- Thank you. Roll Camera!
- Camera rolling.

And... action!

Pick up the pace. Lots of energy!

Ooh!

Fantastic! That's it!

Keep it up!

Duck! Oh! Huh!

Cut!

Perfect! Print that.

Everybody take five.

Sofia Devoe is one tough broad.

Sofia? No. Sofia couldn't handle

a modest breeze. Lillian
Gish, now she's tough.

That's Ruth Adkins, Sofia's stunt woman.

Great job, Ruth.

Thank you.

- Ah, Sofia.
- What is it?

Sofia Devoe,

Frankie Drake, private detective.

- She has a few questions for you.
- About?

Miss Drake? Ahem.

We have a missing crew member.

What has that got to do with me?

Do you know Dan Channing? He
works in the props department.

- Should I?
- We found clippings of you

in his room.

Another adoring fan.

- It was a lot of clippings.
- Is this something

- I should worry about?
- Have you received

any unwanted advances? Any threats?

Miss Drake, I've worked very hard

to get to where I am

and I pride myself on having
done so without making enemies.

Have you noticed any
strangers hanging around?

Am I in any danger?

No, no, no. Of course not,

my darling.

Don't worry, Miss Devoe.

We have everything under control.

- Oh my G... are you OK? But the glass?!
- What? Of course.

What, this?

It's candy glass. Made from sugar.

We can't have people falling
through real glass, can we?

Oh! That's how it's done. Ah.

- Who are you anyway?
- Trudy, Mr. Sennett's

new assistant. He sent me down
here to ask about Dan Channing.

Well, you tell Mr. Sennett if
Channing's not back tomorrow,

he's going to have to
find me a new runner.

Do you think he's gone for good?

Oh, I don't know. I couldn't
get a read on the guy.

He said that he'd worked props before,

but he didn't know
protocol to save his life.

- What do you mean?
- I saw him hanging around,

waiting to talk to Victor Manfrellotti,

the cinematographer. A
total breach in etiquette.

If you asked me, he'd never
been on a film set before.

No great loss losing him.

Seems like that's not
the only thing missing.

You keep quiet about that
or Mack'll have my job.

When did the gun and
the silencer disappear?

Before we went to the pavilion location.

Hey, isn't it a bit dangerous,
having guns lying around?

Oh, honey, you're new to all of this,

aren't you? We don't use real bullets.

These are blanks.

Oh.

So you don't say a word about
this gun thing, understand?

No problem.

I'm famished. Is this just for anyone?

- Don't you have to pay someone?
- Well, I guess not.

Missing props runner, missing props gun.

Maybe someone stole the
prop gun and loaded it

with a real bullet.

Yeah, and that would explain
where the silencer came from.

- But who did Channing kill?
- Why don't you talk to Flo?

See if a John Doe showed
up with any bullet wounds.

And ask Mary if she

can look into Channing,
maybe he a record.

Oh! Benny, the Props Master,

said he saw Channing
hanging around Manfrellotti.

- Maybe there's something there.
- I think it's time I had a chat

with Signor Manfrellotti.

How many pastries do
you think I can take?

I wish I'd brought my purse. Mm-mm!

Oh!

I'm looking for a body.

- Anything specific?
- One with a bullet hole,

- shot at close range.
- Might see some powder burns

- then. Anything else?
- The murder happened on a beach

so there may be traces
of sand, possible water.

Sounds interesting. I
wish I could help you

but it's been a slow
week. Dead slow. Ha.

- Well, you seem busy enough.
- Sorting through

unclaimed personal effects.
10 years' worth of bodies.

You don't want to know where
they found this monocle.

Well, I'm sure you don't mind the break.

I'm the kind of gal
that likes to keep busy.

I'll let you know if a
gentleman caller with some

- lead in him drops by.
- Could be a "her."

Sure. I'm not fussy.

How dare you? How dare you?!
My lighting is exquisite.

Mary Pickford herself adored it.

I've seen better on a birthday cake.

Lighting this woman is like
putting lipstick on a pig!

That doesn't make any sense!
Mack, I want him fired. Now.

Victor Manfrellotti is
the best. He makes you

- look gorgeous, Sofia.
- And 10 years younger.

Oh, that's it! I'm leaving this film

- and going back to LA.
- Sofia, please!

It's either him

or me, Mack.

Victor, I'm... so sorry.

How many films have we done together?

- She's my star, Victor.
- Porca miseria!

Both of you will regret this one day!

- Get out of my way!
- Signor Manfrellotti, I just want to...

Lipstick... on a pig?

- A pig?!
- It was a metaphor, Sofia.

I diligently searched for a Dan,

a Daniel and Danny Channing

but I couldn't find a criminal
record anywhere which I

find unusual, given that killers
often have earlier encounters

with the law. Maybe he's

- using an alias.
- Maybe.

And Flo says no John Does with
a bullet wound have turned up.

Are you sure about this one, Trudy?

There was definitely a
murder at Sunnyside pavilion.

It was on film, and film never lies.

Look.

Mack made a print of the
exact moment the killer struck.

You could even see the muzzle flash.

What's it like, being on a movie set?

Is it glamourous?

It's not what you expect.
One minute it's boring,

the next minute, chaos.

I don't know how they get anything done.

Sounds like being a police officer.

I gotta get back to the studio.

You know, that body didn't
vanish into thin air.

- I could look into it for you.
- You'd do that?

I have plenty of boring in my life.

- I could use a little more chaos.
- Really?

Because I could use a lot less.

No one apart from Benny in props

seems to remember Dan Channing.
Any luck with Manfrellotti?

Well, I wasn't able to talk
with him before he was fired.

It's pretty obvious he
and Sofia don't get along.

- Mack sided with Sofia?
- Well, he'd do anything

to save his film. I mean, if Sofia left,

- he would lose everything.
- Maybe the murder is unrelated

to the film and the camera
did catch it by accident.

That still doesn't explain
the missing props gun,

and where is Dan Channing?

Speaking of Channing, there's
the object of his affection now.

Sofia! Look out!

- Are you OK?
- Get the medic!

Ruth!

My arm... damn it!

Ah!

Someone deliberately cut this rope

- causing the light to fall.
- Maybe Channing

- was trying to hurt Sofia.
- Well, we need to consider

that there are two possible
targets here: Sofia and Ruth.

You're right. We both
mistook the stunt double

- for the actress.
- Yeah.

- Maybe the killer did too.
- Why don't you have a chat

with Ruth. I'll talk
to the lovely Sofia.

Have you heard anything
about the body yet?

No, but Mary seems

- keen to pursue it.
- Mary? What's she doing?

She says she has a plan.

Whoa...

Pow!

Miss Adkins, Mack would like
you to supervise the next stunt.

- Of course.
- I could tell him you're

- not feeling up to it.
- I'm fine. I'm just waiting

- for the pills to kick in.
- Wouldn't you much rather

- be resting at home?
- What am I going to do there

that I can't do here?
Moan? Just take one out

for me, would you?

I thought the most dangerous
part of your job was on camera.

Strange how the light
just fell like that.

All I saw was a glint of silver

- as it came crashing down.
- There's been a spate

- of bad luck on this picture.
- What do you mean?

You haven't heard? One of the
props runners has gone missing.

Some guy named Dan Channing.

I didn't even know
Benny had an assistant.

Is it that bad?

I'm used to it. Pain's a fact
of life in my line of work.

- How'd you get started?
- Same as every other girl.

I just hung out around
film sets, looking to get

my foot in the door.
Then one day, they needed

a woman to ride a
horse, so I stepped in.

I'd love to be an actress.

I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.

Because I'm coloured?

- No offence intended.
- None taken.

Hasn't slowed me down so far.

I'd like to know what happens to a body

that's been deposited rather carelessly

into a large body of water.

It depends on a number of things:

the temperature of the body,
the temperature of the water,

height, weight, stomach contents.

Any interest in a used monocle?

Uh... no, thank you.

That's a lot of factors to consider.

Well, it's hard to be
precise If I don't know

- the particular circumstances.
- Well, that's the thing.

This body is missing

and I'm trying to find
it for Frankie and Trudy.

Oh! That body. Why didn't you say so?

- I didn't want to overstep.
- Overstep all you want.

Where was the deceased last seen?

Sunnyside Pavilion. Murdered, allegedly.

And it seems to me the most
obvious place to dispose

of the victim would be the
lake which is right next door.

I'm keen to find that body.

Well, it's hard to
help you stuck in here.

You'd come? I don't want
to get you in trouble.

What's wrong with a couple
of gals going on a trip down

to the lake? I've been dying
to get my hands on a floater.

An attempt on my life... why?

I'm beloved.

Of course you are, Sofia darling.

There's no need to panic.
Miss Drake isn't even sure

- that it was meant for you.
- Of course it was meant

for me. Who would bother
going after a stunt woman?

Well...

Ruth will live, by the way.

Miss Devoe, do you have any
idea who might have done this?

Manfrellotti, that's who.

He hates me.

Sofia, you can't mistake
a Mediterranean temperament

for a personal vendetta.

We can't rule out anyone at this point.

Mack... we have to shut down the film.

I must go into hiding.

I'll need a disguise.

There's no need for that.

I'll get you a bodyguard.

Someone who'll be close to
you... a new stunt woman.

Hmm? And I have

the perfect person in mind.

No. No, no, no, no, no.

Yes. Perfect. You are perfect.

I am only doing this for Sofia.

Ruth will walk you through this.

Right there, that's fine. Lock it up.

Nothing to this. Just roll with it.

- Clear the set.
- Just... roll with what?

OK. Frankie, you're undercover.

And the spy that you've been
following has sent someone

to kill you. OK? And... roll camera!

Rolling.

And... action!

Cut!

- Um...
- What's the problem?

OK. You were just hit with a stool.

- Yeah?
- Right. So, when you're hit

with a stool it hurts.

OK, but that didn't
hurt. It's a fake stool.

But if it were,

you wouldn't just stand
there. It's called acting.

- OK?
- Fine.

Great. Let's try this again.

Roll camera.

- Rolling.
- Action!

Ahh... ahh...

Cut. Cut. Action!

Um...

Oh, my God. It's gonna be a long day.

I thought that one was
pretty good, wasn't it?

- Don't make me answer that.
- Sofia, would you

show her how to move like
you, how to be graceful?

We don't want your audience
thinking you're part Sasquatch.

Oh, yeah. OK. Don't sugar-coat
anything on my account.

Now, picture this.

The sun is about to set.

The crew is shooting the
last scene of the day.

In the pavilion, the killer strikes,

- and his victim falls dead.
- Very dramatically set.

- Thank you.
- Now the killer has to dispose

- of the body.
- He waits until nightfall,

and then he drags the
body across the sand

and puts it into the water.

Then corpse slowly floats away,

gradually sinking
into the watery depths.

Wouldn't dragging the body leave tracks?

He swept them away.

Yeah. Yes, it all fits.

Now how do we find it?

Well, it would have
sunk almost right away.

But as a body decays,
gas forms in the tissues.

Air is lighter than
water so sooner or later,

it pops up. Like a cork.

Oh. That is so interesting.
So where would it pop up?

Not here. The current
would carry it away.

Well, we need to know where
it would've been taken.

We'll need something that floats.

Uh... like this?

Oh.

It's a little light. We'll
need to weight it. Here.

Tie this to the life preserver.

It should still float

but there will be some resistance.

Oh, behaving somewhat like a corpse.

Once it pops up, that is.

Now we put it in the water...

...and we follow it.

Just... two gals

strolling by the water.

Mack wants you to start
planning the final scene.

Something about going through
the window? He wants to know

- if you're up to it.
- I've worked through

broken ribs, sprained ankles
and everything in between

doubling for Sofia, so sure I am.

Why do this to yourself?

Because I can.

I can ride a horse

just as good any man. I can drive a car.

Heights don't scare me one crumb.

I love to fall. For a few

magical seconds, it's like...

not even gravity can hold me down.

Miss Devoe must really
appreciate your talent.

Sofia needs me.

But I need her more.

She could find a younger,
healthier replacement

if she wanted to.

One word from her... I'm gone.

How do you do it all day?

Being around dead people,
Isn't it depressing?

Not really. I mean, don't get me wrong,

I like a warm body as
much as the next gal,

but the science of death
is endlessly intriguing.

A chance to shed some light
on the darkness, I suppose.

That's kind of poetic.

Truth is, a mystery drives me crazy.

A 30-year-old drops dead for
no apparent reason, I wanna

cut them open, dig around
in there and find out why.

Your enthusiasm is admirable.

I think we both like getting
to the bottom of things.

That's why you want
to be a cop, isn't it?

It's more that I like the order.

I've got my dad to thank for that.

And that's why you want
to find this missing guy.

Right.

Do you think I would make a good cop?

You do good work.

But can I give you one piece of advice?

- Yes, please.
- Don't talk so much.

Oh.

That is a really good tip, Flo.

I've made a note of it. Less talking.

And you know, you're not
the first person to have

mentioned that because my
father, he used to always say...

You're wooden.

Your hands look like hooks and you're

not naturally feminine.

- Thanks.
- No point in beating around

the bush, honey. Sit.

Try again.

This time, keep your knees together, hm?

Don't drop down like a sack of onions.

Can't you make your shoulders less...

square?

Have you and Manfrellotti
always been oil and water?

You could say that.

Victor can't stand the
slightest bit of criticism.

He flies off the handle.

If anyone sabotaged that light,

- he did.
- Well, that is a very big leap

from vanity to attempted murder.

You know, he hit a director
with a golf club once.

Cracked his skull.

- He was hounded out of Italy.
- Did you ever see him with

the missing props guy, Dan Channing?

You know, now that you
mention it, I did see a man

that must have been this Dan Channing.

They were arguing.

Victor was waving his arms around

in that irritating Italian way of his.

- When was this?
- A couple of days ago.

Now...

I'm going to let you in on something.

A little secret between us girls.

This is how Sofia Devoe always

gets out of a chair.

Now, you can't use this trick

unless you're being
me. Do you understand?

OK.

Good.

It starts with the knees.

I squeeze them together,

give my skirt a little tug,

and then my body follows.

Knees are sexy.

That's what keeps the fellas watching.

Do you have any idea

what Channing and Manfrellotti
were talking about?

No. The props fella

clammed up when he saw
that I was watching.

Not bad.

And remember...

it's all about the knees.

- Half a sandwich?
- Oh, no thank you.

- I'm watching my figure.
- Trust me, a little meat

- on your bones wouldn't hurt.
- You think?

- Maybe that's the problem.
- What problem?

Do you think I'm too skinny?

No.

It's just that...

I'd like to have a more

active social life, if
you know what I mean.

And you think that
because you're too thin...

- Precisely.
- How active

- is your social life?
- Not very. Nil. None.

Well, if there's one thing
I know about, it's figures,

and it's not about that. You
know what your problem is?

- What?
- No one good enough

- has come along.
- Hmm.

Oh, Flo. We have a problem.

Looks like our little
experiment didn't work.

Or maybe it did!

Bingo!

Oh, my.

My very own bloated body.

You two make quite the pair.

Good detective instincts.

The pathologist is gonna
be ready for this body

- in a couple of minutes, so...
- I need to find out who this is.

- I could take finger prints.
- Why don't we try

the easy way first?

- Ow...
- Are you all right?

Yeah. My shoulder's just a little stiff.

I can give you something for that.

- It's OK. I'll tough it out.
- By the way, don't be alarmed

if he makes a noise.
It's just gas escaping.

Oh...

- What's that?
- It's a pay envelope

from Sennett Films.

Dan Channing can't be our shooter.

He's our victim.

Those stools really wear
you down after a while.

- You want another pain killer?
- No.

Ladies...

I've seen the coroner's report.

Dan Channing was shot

with a .32 calibre pistol.

That's the same as
the missing props gun.

Flo, given her keen interest
in waterlogged bodies,

specifically wanted me to point
out that Mr. Channing had been

in the water a good 48 hours.

Well, that time frame is
consistent with the shooting

- at the pavilion.
- But that would mean Channing

couldn't have rigged the
light to fall. So who did?

OK. Let's go back to
the day of the murder.

It couldn't have been anyone
involved in filming that scene.

So that rules out Sofia,

the bathing beauties,
the man in the suit,

Manfrellotti, the
cinematographer, and...

Mack, who was directing the scene.

Who did Channing know
on the crew? Anyone?

He worked with Benny, but Benny didn't

- have much time for him.
- Sofia saw Channing

arguing with Manfrellotti.

Manfrellotti obviously dislikes Sofia,

but he was busy filming a scene,

so he couldn't be the murderer.

He could have hired
someone to pull the trigger.

Which means Sofia's still in danger.

We'll find the answer
back at the studio.

- You'll be fine.
- Clear the set.

- All right. Standing by.
- If you hear a loud crack,

it might not be my big Hollywood break.

You'll be great, Frankie.

OK. Watch the top of the frame

- as she steps up.
- I should be up there.

You can't. You're hurt.

The doc could give me something.

Fix me up so I could do
it. Even with the arm.

The pills... that's
how you keep working?

I can't lose this job.

OK. Here we go.

Miss Drake, the enemy spy
has left you behind to die.

- And roll camera.
- Rolling!

Action! You struggle to free your hands.

Come on. Come on.

Oh... but you can't, no
matter how hard you try.

You keep struggling.

Come on! Act like your
life depends on it!

- I said, "you keep struggling."
- Manfrellotti.

- I need you focused!
- Oh... this better work.

- Cut!
- Hey! Nobody yells

- cut but Mack Sennett!
- Cut my hands free!

- What is happening?!
- Come on!

Manfrellotti!

Stop! Stop!

- Miss Drake!
- Stop!

How dare you chase me like a dog!

You are in a lot of trouble,
Victor. Did you kill Dan Channing?

- Who is Dan Channing?
- The missing crew member.

Why would I kill a crew member?

I'm passionate, I get angry,

but I am not a violent man.

So smashing someone's
skull in isn't violent?

What are you talking about?
Who's spreading such lies?

It was Sofia, wasn't it?

I never hit him.

I slept with his wife. Many times.

So that's why you
can't go back to Italy?

Yes!

You were seen having a
discussion with Dan Channing,

- the props runner.
- He is the props runner?

Why didn't you say? He approached me

and I reported him. You are not allowed

to walk up to the cameraman

that worked with Caserini and Falena.

What did you discuss?

He wanted to know when we were
filming at Sunnyside Pavilion.

- And you told him.
- Yes. Then I invited him

to come that afternoon.
He wanted to learn

about the true art of film making.

- What do you mean?
- I directed the scene

- at the pavilion.
- You directed that scene?

Yes. Mack, he asks me to
step in from time to time.

He says I capture the
emotional heartbeat

of the scene.

Frankie, you look terrible.

I am so tired and sore from being hung.

And being hit with stools.
And generally just breathing.

Well, I might be able to perk you up.

Your dead man has
quite the story to tell.

- We're all ears.
- Well,

first of all, his real
name is Lucien Tremblay.

- He was using an alias.
- With good reason.

He's a convict. The
Quebec Provincial Police

identified him as soon
as they saw his face.

What was he in for?

Armed robbery. He stole the payroll

of a mining company, over $20 000,

- which was never recovered.
- That's a hell of a job

- to pull off.
- The Quebec detectives

were convinced he worked with
a partner who then ran off

with the cash, but Tremblay
never spilled the beans.

And it's interesting, don't you think?

Tremblay was in jail for 15 years,

and then three weeks ago,
he's finally released.

And he immediately comes to Toronto

to work on a film set?
Why would he do that?

- Maybe to look for his idol, Sofia?
- Maybe Lucien came here

to hunt down his old partner
to get his share of the money.

- Maybe someone working on the film.
- Mack is from Quebec.

He left Montreal 15
years ago, the same time

- as the robbery.
- So he could be your man.

Yeah, but he went to
Hollywood to make his career.

It takes an awful lot of money
to start up a film company.

20 000 would go a long way.

OK, wait. But Mack can't be the killer.

He was directing the scene
when Tremblay got shot.

No, he wasn't.

Manfrellotti directed that scene.

So where was Mack?

What's so important, hmm?

- Crack the case?
- Not entirely, but we have

- an interesting scenario.
- Well, I like

the dramatic introduction.
Has real promise.

Give me the rest of the story.

15 years ago,

Lucien Tremblay steals $20
000 in a Quebec robbery.

Now he gets caught, but his partner

gets away with the money.
Cut to 15 years later.

He finds out that that same partner
is now a big Hollywood director

shooting a film right here in Toronto.

- That's you.
- Interesting premise

- but not a laugh a minute.
- No, it gets funnier.

Tremblay shows up on
set demanding his money.

You set up a meet at the pavilion.

But instead of getting his
money, he gets a bullet.

Pretty pedestrian plotting.

- Oh. Well, there's a twist.
- Great.

You timed the murder
to happen on camera.

That way, everyone would assume
that you would be busy directing.

- It's the perfect alibi.
- Ooh!

Well, I would say I did it,

- but for one thing.
- What's that?

I have a rather fetching
alibi in a bathing suit.

You were with one of
your bathing beauties.

That's why Manfrellotti was directing

- that scene.
- Yes.

Flatter the man and he'll do anything.

- So who's the killer?
- I don't know.

But that scenario would
make a brilliant film.

- What you do you mean?
- Think about it.

Commit the murder on film,
and then use the footage

to prove that you're not the killer.

It'd be a case worthy of Holmes.

You know what? You might
be onto something, Sherlock.

So, what are we looking for?

Anything that could help
us identify the killer.

Wait! Stop. Roll that back.

- Did you see something?
- It's what you don't see.

There! OK, stop the projector.

- You don't see them.
- Don't see what?

Sofia's knees. She's
breaking her own rule.

- What are you talking about?
- Sofia always shows

her knees when she stands
up. That's her big secret.

That was clearly Sofia. I just saw her.

In the close up. When it
switched over to the wide shot,

it was whoever was doubling her.

What are you saying?

Sofia wasn't in this shot
when the murder occurred.

It was her stunt double, Ruth Adkins.

But why didn't Ruth say something?

Ruth would do anything Sofia asks.

She was terrified Sofia would fire her.

I think it's time we
find out a little bit more

about Sofia Devoe.

She told me to do the scene.
I didn't ask questions.

That's how I keep my job.

Do you often step in when you
don't have any stunts to do?

Sometimes, I block scenes
for her when she's indisposed.

Also the wardrobe tests,

the lighting set ups...

Big wide shots where the
audience can't see her face.

Basically anything
Sofia finds too boring.

Was that you in the wide
shot at the pavilion?

Two minutes! Two minutes!

Excuse me, I have a scene to prepare.

We have reason to believe
that it was Sofia who tried

to kill you with that light.

No. She's mean but she's not that mean.

- She may try again.
- I don't think so.

Look... You're the only
one who knows the truth

and the only one who can confirm
that she was not on that set.

Ruth, we have a plan
but we need your help.

Alright, everyone! We're almost ready!

- Stand by!
- They're waiting for me.

Well, then Sofia Devoe
might get away with murder.

Excuse me.

- What are you doing here?
- Miss Devoe,

does the name Lucien
Tremblay ring any bells?

No.

- Why would it?
- Turns out

"Dan Channing" was an
alias for Lucien Tremblay,

- a convicted bank robber.
- So he's the killer.

He's the victim. But I think we're close

to finding out who murdered him.

What a relief!

Ever since that lighting incident,

- my performance has suffered.
- The lighting incident...

See, I still don't know how
to figure out that one out.

Why would the killer have
it in for you as well?

I don't know.

Unless off course Ruth
was the target after all.

Why Ruth?

Maybe because she would
be able to identify

- the killer.
- Ruth doesn't know anything.

Either way...

I don't want you to worry, Miss Devoe.

- I have it under control.
- Thank you.

Let her stew for a minute.

- What do you want?
- Sorry to interrupt.

Ruth Adkins asked me
to give this to you.

Where is she?

She's on set. She's
working on the next stunt.

Thank you.

I got your note, Ruth.

Do you really think
that the police will care

what a broken down
stunt woman has to say

about a Hollywood star?

Everybody thinks that
I was in that scene.

And that's the way it's going to stay.

- Hold it right there.
- And... CUT!

Magnificent!

- What an ending!
- You never looked better.

Everybody stay back.

All of you! I'm getting out of here.

There's no bullets in there, Sofia.

Just blanks. Frankie switched them

when she was in your dressing room.

Shoot, shoot!

Excellent!

I think I'm getting the hang of this.

So... Where's the money, Miss Leduc?

That was your name when you partnered

with Lucien Tremblay, right?
I'm guessing it's all gone.

It's expensive business
buying a new look

and a whole new life. You never expected

your past to catch up with you, did you?

Mack, darling, you don't
believe any of this,

- do you?
- Sofia...

A leading lady always knows

when the final curtain has fallen.

- Here we go.
- Thank you.

A private screening.
Now, this is a thrill.

Poor Lucien Tremblay.

- You feel sorry for him, Trudy?
- He was a bank robber.

But you didn't meet
Sofia. Fifteen years ago,

a woman like that would have
charmed the pants right off him.

- It was her knees.
- No man

could resist those knees.

Well... Here it is. The big finish

to my new smash hit. This movie
is going to make me a mint.

- Ready?
- Yes!

Here we go.

Oh, regarde!

Oh, my gosh!

Oh! Bang! Bang! No!

- Oh, my God!
- Ouh!

Oh-oh!

- Oh!
- Come on, Trudy!

- Yeah.
- Oh!

Yes!

That's right! Yes!

Yes! Nice work!

Trudy, that was fabulous.

- You positively glowed.
- Your face lights up the screen.

- What about me?
- Terrible.

- Oh!
- But off-screen,

- you're not a half bad detective.
- High praise, Sherlock.

Oh...

Trudy, are you sure I can't
persuade you to come to Hollywood?

You're a trailblazer.

Maybe one day, Mr. Sennett.

When I'm finished blazing here.