Perry Mason (1957–1966): Season 1, Episode 19 - The Case of the Haunted Husband - full transcript

( suspenseful theme plays)

( noirish jazz theme playing)

(wind howling)

Hop in.

Oh, thank you.

It's a pretty lonely
spot for a girl.

It was as far as my
last lift would take me.

That was over an hour ago.

This will warm you up.

No. No, thanks.

Ahh.



(slurs): How far you going?

Los Angeles.

You're doing it the
hard way, aren't you?

I don't have much choice.

My purse was stolen at
the bus station in Fresno.

My tickets, my
money, everything.

You don't believe me, do you?

(laughing)

Oh, relax, baby. Move over.

No, please. Aw, come on.

Let me go. Come on.

No!

Let me go!

Look what you've
done to my shirt!



(horn honks)

(tires screech)

(screaming)

(crash)

( dramatic theme playing)

Come in, Hanley.

We identified the truck driver.

His name was Albert Lowell.

Did he have a family?

Wife and two kids.
Another on the way.

Has the wife been notified?

Mm-hm.

I don't envy the
man that had that job.

There was no excuse
for the accident.

It was out-and-out manslaughter.

We've got a couple of
witnesses who saw the sedan

weaving all over the highway

just a couple of
minutes before the crash.

The truck driver went off
the road to avoid hitting it.

I suppose the
driver of the sedan

was under the influence.

Car smelled like a saloon.

What happened to the driver?

Not nearly enough.

It was a miracle.
Knocked unconscious,

and winds up with a broken
arm and cuts and bruises.

The sedan went off the road.

What was the driver's name?

Claire Olger.

Have you talked to
this Claire Olger yet?

I was on my way over
to the hospital now.

Just wanted to see if you
have any special instructions.

Go the limit.

Right.

( tense, dramatic theme playing)

You're going to be all right.

Feel like talking?

I'd like to ask you
a few questions.

Oh, I'm Harold Hanley.
District attorney's office.

Your name is
Claire Olger, isn't it?

Why did you steal
Mr. Heywood's car?

I didn't steal any car.

A man gave me a lift.

Would you describe him?

He seemed sort of husky...

blond, had a little moustache.

He was wearing a tuxedo

and some kind of a fancy hat.

What if I told you Mr. Heywood
is not husky and has dark hair?

That's impossible.

For your information...

that's Mr. Heywood.

No.

Why did you steal his car?

I didn't steal any
car. I swear I didn't.

Then how come the police
found you behind the wheel?

You were the only one there,

except for the body
of a truck driver.

You forced him off the highway.

No.

Claire, I wanna help you.

But you've got to
tell me the truth.

You stole that car...

No. Please.

I didn't do anything.

Leave me alone.

All right.

I'll be back.

Till then, I suggest you spend
some time with your conscience.

( tense theme playing)

(door opens)

Friend of Claire Olger
is outside to see you.

Claire Olger?

Mm-hm. Didn't you
read the morning paper?

Her name's Doris Stephanak.

This doesn't look like
our kind of case, Della.

I think you ought
to talk to her.

You think so?

Mm-hm.

All right.

Won't you come
in, Miss Stephanak?

This is Mr. Mason.

I know what a busy
man you are, Mr. Mason.

I appreciate your seeing me.

How do you do?
Won't you sit down?

My secretary, Miss Street,

thought I should talk to you.

Thank you.

Now...

Did you read the story?

Yes.

Claire didn't steal
that car, Mr. Mason.

I don't know how I'm
gonna convince you,

but she's a wonderful girl.

They just don't come any nicer.

How long have you known her?

Oh, five or six years.

We used to work
together in San Francisco.

In fact, she was on her way
down here to stay with me

after she lost her job.

She never did learn how
to handle office wolves.

It says here the...

car was owned

by a movie producer
named Jerry Heywood.

He claimed it was stolen
yesterday about noon...

yet the description
your girlfriend gave

of the man who was supposed
to have been driving the car

doesn't fit Heywood at all.

I... I admit it
sounds screwy, but

I'll bet anything that
Claire's telling the truth.

If you only knew her
the way I do, Mr. Mason.

I know one thing,
Miss Stephanak:

If I were in trouble,

I'd like to have you on my side.

You let Miss Olger know

I'll be up to see her
as soon as I can.

Oh, thank you.

Della, get hold of Paul Drake.

Tell him I want him to
dig up everything he can

on Jerry Heywood.

Particularly if
Heywood knows anyone

who answers the description

Miss Olger gave the DA's office.

Right.

Mr. Mason, you're wonderful.

If you ever need
anything... Anything at all

just ask.

Why...

I-I might do that sometime.

I tell you, Perry, for
a Hollywood big shot,

it's amazing how
little we could find out

about this guy Heywood.

Paul Drake Agency slipping?

Well, we do know this
much: he's 42, he's single,

current boy wonder
of Magnum Pictures.

Been there six years.

And he drags down $3000 a week.

Not bad, even if
you divide it by two.

Who are his close friends?

That's just it. He has none.

He doesn't socialize at all?

What about enemies?

Nope.

Well, we're missing a
bet somewhere, Paul.

Whoever was driving that
car must be close to Heywood.

Why?

Mind you, I'm not
saying the girl's lying,

but suppose there was
somebody else in the car.

Let's call him Mr. X.

Why does he have to
be a friend of Heywood's?

'Cause I don't believe
that car was stolen.

According to Claire,

whoever was driving
was wearing a tuxedo.

Can you picture any
thief in his right mind

strolling around Beverly Hills

wearing a dinner jacket
in the middle of the day?

Yeah, you got a point there.

But if this Mr. X did
have Heywood's consent

to drive the car...

why is Heywood denying it now?

I can give you the
answer to that one.

Heywood had a beef
with Federal Fidelity

over a recent claim.

They canceled his insurance.

Then he could
be hurt financially

if the driver of the car
did have his permission.

That's right.

I'll have a look at
this Hollywood genius.

Oh, hamburger with all
the trimmings, please.

Hold it.

My mistake, Della. He
hasn't done badly at all.

Steak sandwich.

(laughs)

( dramatic theme playing)

And another thing, Sam:

When the girl comes in the
room and sees her father,

I want more surprise.

And one final thing, Sam, uh...

in scene 81 on page 56.

Frank registers the
wrong emotional reaction.

Change it.

(hangs up receiver)

(sighs)

Sorry, Mason.

But I can't afford to
let anything interfere

with my working on a script.

I understand, Mr. Heywood.

Cigarette?

Thank you.

Now, let's see...

You told me on the phone that...

you represent this girl.

What was her name again?

Claire Olger.

Mm-hm.

Well, judging from her picture,

she seems like
an awfully nice girl.

Whatever possessed
her to steal my car?

I don't think she did.

Oh, come now, Mason.

You're not really
buying that yarn

of the blond man
with a tuxedo, are you?

Now, if you saw that
in one of my pictures,

you wouldn't believe it,
not for a minute, would you?

Well, motion pictures
aren't necessarily...

always true to life.

You've got me there.

Mr. Heywood...

isn't there anyone
you can think of

who might answer the description

of that blond man?

Not a soul.

It could have been someone
who didn't have your permission.

Of course, if he did
have your permission,

it might prove very
expensive for you.

I understand you're not insured.

Seems you understand

an awful lot about
me, Mr. Mason.

Just enough to be convinced

that you know who
was driving your car.

I'm going to find him.

Then find him on
your own time, Mason,

and not mine.

Tanner!

Show the gentleman out.

Never mind, Tanner.

I'll find the way.

(door closes)

(ringing)

Hello?

Hello, Mrs. Greeley.

Uh, this is Mr. Heywood.

Oh?

Oh, yes, Mr. Heywood.

You, um...

You saw the story in
the papers about my car?

Yes.

I'm sorry to bother
you, Mrs. Greeley,

but I really must speak
with your husband.

Well, he isn't home.

Do you know where he is?

I could make a good guess.

He came home early this morning,

just changed his clothes,
and went out again.

I'm afraid he's on another...

Well, I think you
understand, Mr. Heywood.

I see.

If the driver really was
Michael, Mrs. Greeley...

it could be very
embarrassing to me.

I know. And...

You... You've been so good.
So wonderful to both of us.

If he ever did
anything to hurt you, I...

Unfortunately, he will.

Unless we find Michael
before the police do.

Believe me, I'll do
everything I can.

I'll find him.

I'll be right here if you
need me, Mrs. Greeley.

Good night.

Mr. Mason seems to have
gotten under your skin.

Don't you have work
to do someplace else?

You expect an awful
lot of me, Mr. Heywood.

Secretary, chauffeur, butler.

Seems to me if I'm
doing three people's work,

I ought to get
three times the pay.

That's enough, Tanner.

I mean, take for example

the way I take such close
care of your appointments.

Perhaps you'd rather I didn't.

Do I?

Like when you told Mr. Mason
you were home yesterday.

Let me go.

Get out.

Let me go.

Get out!

( dramatic theme playing)

There must be
more to it, Claire.

You haven't told me a thing

I couldn't have read
in the newspapers.

I swear I've told
you everything.

Take it easy, honey.
Mr. Mason believes you.

Now, think.

Are you sure you can't tell
me something else about him?

I was only in the
car a few minutes.

He offered me a drink.

And after you refused,
he helped himself, right?

He was real drunk.

He told me to move
closer, and I said no.

He pulled me over
and tried to kiss me,

and I... pushed him away.

And then he got real mad

because I got
lipstick on his shirt.

Lipstick?

You didn't mention that before.

I just didn't think of it.

Right after that I
saw the headlights...

and then the truck.

Listen, Claire,

do you feel well enough
to leave the hospital?

Yes.

But how can I?

I'm under arrest.

Well, this is better
than jail, Mr. Mason.

Oh, don't worry about
that. I'll arrange for bail.

Well, that's wonderful.

Isn't it, honey?

She can stay at my place.

No.

No, I'd rather the
district attorney's office

didn't bother her
before the hearing.

Do you know the Gateview Hotel?

Yes.

Take her there.

Register under the
name of Joan Lewis.

And keep your eye on her.

Oh, really, Mr. Mason,
you're doing enough.

Here.

We'll talk about it later.

( slow, tense theme playing)

Thanks very much.

It's money down
the drain, Perry.

We'll never be able
to find that dress shirt.

Suppose he had it
laundered at home.

Oh, that's unlikely.

If he's a married man,

he certainly wouldn't want
his wife asking questions

about that lipstick.

And if he's a bachelor,

he'd send it to the laundry.

Do you have any idea

how many laundries
there are in this town?

I know, Paul,

but we just can't sit
around on our hands

and expect Mr. X to come to us.

Or can we? I never
thought of that.

Thought of what?

This Mr. X.

He knows Claire
can identify him,

and he knows Claire
is in the hospital.

Was in the hospital.

Exactly.

Now, if you were
in his place, Paul,

what would you be thinking?

Remember, you've killed
a man in an accident.

And you've run away.
That's manslaughter.

Well...

under those circumstances,

I guess I'd be pretty
darn desperate.

You mean, if Mr. X thought
someone could identify him,

he might...

Get Claire on the phone, Della.

You know, Gateview Hotel?

She's using the name Joan Lewis.

Hello, could I please
speak to Miss Joan Lewis?

She doesn't answer.

She might have stepped out.

She might have.

Your car here, Paul?

Yeah.

Would you please ring again?

Keep ringing
every three minutes.

We'll be at the hotel in 15.

You can stop
after that. Come on.

Thank you.

( suspenseful theme playing)

(telephone ringing)

Must be Della's call.

Give me that chair, Paul.

(ringing continues)

Do you see anything?

It's too dark to see a...

What's the matter?

Get ahold of Lieutenant Tragg.

Tragg?

I think Mr. X has
already been here.

( slow, suspenseful
theme playing)

TRAGG: I'm warning you, Mason,

if the girl isn't in here...

A girl, you said?

Now, uh, let's
get down to cases.

Who was the girl
who had this room?

No, don't look at him.

Just answer the question.

Who was she?

She used the name Joan Lewis.

She absolutely had
nothing to do with this.

I'm not asking you.

Now, lieutenant,
let's be reasonable.

Hm. You use me for a patsy,

and you expect me
to be reasonable.

That's rich.

You knew there was a body
in here before we walked in.

Look, Tragg, why do
you think we called you?

Have you identified him yet?

His name is Michael Greeley.

When can you arrange
for your client to see him?

Why should she?

Oh. Let's not fence.

You know that he meets
the description of the man

who was supposed
to be driving that car.

You spent a small
fortune looking for him.

What does that prove?

Well, now he can't testify
that he wasn't driving the car.

All of which proves
that Miss Olger had

a wonderful motive to kill him.

And if this is her room,

she had... opportunity as well.

Now, where is she?

She'll be available...

if she's needed.

TRAGG: All right, Mason.

I tried to meet you halfway.

I'm sorry, Tragg.

Get out of here.

She'd better have
a good alibi handy...

because I intend to find her.

I'm worried, Perry.

You've got company.

Yeah, but I can lose my license.

Do you think Claire killed him?

Tragg thinks so.

What do you think?

Well, she must have
let Greeley into the room.

Not necessarily.

He could have bribed a
bellboy while she was out.

Yeah...

That could be.

I have an idea.

There's something else
I wanna check on first.

You gonna check it
in the phone book?

You noticed Greeley was
wearing a wedding ring.

So?

There's a Mrs. Greeley.

And I'd like to meet
her before Tragg does.

I'm afraid you're mistaken.

My husband was at a premiere

in San Francisco
on Tuesday night.

Besides, I think I'd
be the first to know

if he'd been involved
in an accident.

Was he wearing a dinner jacket

when he came home?

Is that what your
client told you?

Yes. There...

were lipstick
marks on the shirt.

It would help my
client if we could find it.

If my husband had
been in that car,

how did he get home?

Quite simply. There's a bus stop

about a quarter of a
mile down the road.

There's also hitchhiking.

By the time the police arrived,

he could have been
halfway back to Los Angeles.

Except that Michael
would never run away.

I know my husband well.

He has his faults,
but he's not a coward.

Oh, I can understand
his picking up a girl...

but if there was an accident,

he would never leave her
alone to take the blame.

Where is Mr. Greeley now?

I don't know.

He handles public relations
for Magnum Pictures.

He has to do a lot of traveling.

Magnum? Does
he do any work for...

Jerry Heywood?

Yes.

(telephone ringing)

Excuse me.

Hello?

Oh, this is Mrs. Greeley.

Lieutenant... Tragg?

Yes, well, what is it?

Yes, I expect to
be in all evening.

(sighs)

Well, why can't you
tell me on the phone?

No. That's not true.

I don't believe you.

(gasps)

He said that Michael is dead.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Greeley.

You knew it, didn't you?

Yes.

Anything we can do?

(sighs) No.

No, just go away, please.

Leave me alone.

( dramatic theme playing)

(knocking on door)

Miss Stephan-ak?

Stepha-nak.

Yeah. Doris.

Who are you?

Lieutenant Tragg, Homicide.

May I come in? (grunts)

I got a warrant.

I don't care what you've got.

Oh. You big ape.

You go in there,
and I'll clobber you.

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.

Better get dressed, Miss Olger.

Your friend can
help you, if you like.

We'll, uh...

be waiting right here
in the living room.

(slams door)

( dramatic theme playing)

There you are.

Say, uh... do you think

you'd better have a
little lunch, Mr. Tanner?

I can get the cook to
fix you up a sandwich.

This is all the lunch I
want, Charlie. Thank you.

It's quite a deal, ain't it?

Boy, that dame sure gets around.

First, stealing a car,
then plugging a guy.

She says it's the
chap who did it.

Yeah, yeah, they always do.

You know something, Charlie?

This time I'm inclined
to agree with her.

Say, why don't you, uh...

give me some change, huh?

Small change? Mm, sure.

(register rings)

There you are.

Thanks.

Boy, she's gonna need a magician

to pull her out of this one.

Oh, it's all my
fault, Mr. Mason.

I feel like a complete idiot.

I never should have left
Claire alone at the hotel.

Then when she showed
up at my apartment...

Why didn't you phone me?

I called your office.

Your answering service
couldn't locate you.

Two hours later,

the police arrived at my
place and took her away.

Well, none of this
answers the question

of why she left the
hotel in the first place.

It was because her
arm was bothering her.

She went down to the drugstore

to get some aspirin.

And when she got
back to the room,

she found Greeley's body.

What did she do then?

Well, then she panicked
and came to my place.

Well, this puts us

right back where we started.

Only now that we find the
guy, he's been murdered.

Which doesn't
make it look too good.

I tell you, Claire
didn't touch him!

Don't get mad at me, honey.

I'm just thinking how
it's gonna look to Burger.

Right now, he's conceding

that Claire didn't
steal Heywood's car.

Instead, he's charging
her with first-degree murder.

(intercom buzzes)

Yes, Della?

DELLA: There's
someone on the phone

who insists on talking to you.

Who is it?

He prefers to remain anonymous.

Claims he's got some information

about Jerry Heywood.

Put him on.

Hello?

Hello, Mr. Mason?

Yes?

Got a little tip for you.

Why don't you put
Heywood on the stand

and ask him about that
little hideaway of his.

That lodge.

Lodge?

Yes. Very cozy little place,

right near Fresno.

See what he has
to say about that.

(click)

Hello?

Hello?

Did you turn up anything
about Heywood having a

(imitates Tanner)
"cozy little place"

three miles out of Fresno?

Tanner.

You checked on him, didn't you?

Yeah. But we didn't
come up with much.

He's...

Well, he's sort of an
all-around man for Heywood.

He's young, he likes
to live it up... He's...

He's got a real
sharp eye for the girls.

Oh?

What's Mary Connelly doing?

That's no-go, Perry.

She's on a case up in Portland.

Who else is available?

What about me?

Oh, no.

Well, why not?

You need a girl,
and last time I looked,

I met all the qualifications.

I know. But this
could be trouble, Doris.

I can take care of myself.

Where does he live?

At the Adirondack Hotel.

You can always find
him at the bar after 5.

How's she gonna spot him?

Well, I know the bartender.

For 5 bucks, he'll
point him out to you.

Give him 10. Make
sure he does a good job.

Well...

I guess I better go
home and get beautiful.

I wouldn't want that
$10 to be wasted.

I'll be waiting right here.

If you have any
problems, phone me.

Don't worry.

Quite a gal, huh?

She certainly is.

( jazz playing on speakers)

Everything all right, miss?

Just fine, thank you.

Hello, Charlie.

Oh, hi, Mr. Tanner.
Pretty wet out, huh?

Yes, better give me a double.

I don't want to catch cold.

Right.

Can I trouble you?

Oh. No trouble at all.

Thank you.

You, uh, mind if I join you?

It's a free country.

Over here, Charlie.

You, uh, ever been here before?

Mm-mm. I thought not.

I'd have noticed you.

You really stand out.

Well, thanks.

Oh, I meant that
as a compliment.

Oh.

My friends call me Ernie.

What do they call you?

Well, I don't think

your friends call me anything.

(laughs)

That's pretty funny.

Well, my name's Doris.

Well... I'm very glad
to meet you, Doris.

Here's to a beautiful
friendship, eh?

(rings)

Hello?

Mr. Mason, this is Doris.

How's it going?

Fine.

Listen, I don't know if this
will mean anything to you,

but Heywood's car
had its 5000-mile check

on Monday night.

And after the
accident on Tuesday,

Tanner noticed that the
speedometer reading was

over 5700 miles.

Now, I hope you can
make something out of it,

because it's Greek to me.

I'll look into it. You
still with Tanner?

Oh, yes.

He wants to make
a big night of it.

All right, Doris...
but be careful.

Have Paul check into the agency

where Heywood
has his car serviced.

I want a record of everything
that has to do with that car.

Right.

( light jazz music playing)

Come on, honey, drink up.

No. I'm gonna call it a night.

Well, it's early yet.

Maybe for you, but
I'm a working girl.

And my boss believes in

keeping my nose
to the grindstone.

(snickers): Got
one of those too?

Mm-hm.

You?

Not anymore, I don't.

But this big movie producer

you were telling me about?

I quit.

I quit just like that.

(snaps)

He was a wise guy,

so I belted him
right in the button.

Well, aren't you scared?

A big shot like that could
cause you a lot of trouble.

Nah. Wouldn't try
to do me any harm.

If I was to open my mouth,

it'd be the end of Mr. Heywood.

Yeah. You know
this Michael Greeley

you read about in the
Gateview Hotel murder?

Well, I c...

What's the matter?

Well, it turned out

it's a bit noisy
to talk in here.

Let's go over to my place, eh?

Okay.

Boy, you're a doll, you know?

( suspenseful theme playing)

(sighs)

Why don't you go home, Della?

Must be tired.

We'll have a full day

at the preliminary
hearing tomorrow.

No, I'll wait a little while.

Worried about Doris?

Of course not.

I just think it's strange

we haven't heard
any more from her.

(telephone rings)

Hello?

It's Mrs. Greeley.

Yes, Mrs. Greeley?

Oh, I don't, uh, know
exactly how to say this, but...

I'm afraid I've done
Miss Olger an injustice.

You see, since my
husband passed away,

I haven't quite known
what to do with myself.

Well, tonight I started packing
some of his things, and...

I found something
among his effects

I think you should have.

What is it?

Well, I thought I might
bring it down to the office.

How soon can you be here?

I'm dressed and ready to leave.

It shouldn't take
more than half an hour.

All right, Mrs.
Greeley. I'll wait for you.

What did she want?

She wants to show me something
that belonged to her husband.

What?

She wouldn't say.

The shirt!

The shirt with
the lipstick on it.

The one you were looking for.

The one I was looking for.

We needed that
shirt to defend Claire

when the charge against
her was manslaughter.

Now she's charged
with Greeley's murder.

And his shirt with
the lipstick on it

will definitely establish

that Claire was
in the car with him.

That's Burger's evidence.

Now the problem is how
to get the shirt from her,

and at the same time,
tell her I don't want it.

Ernie?

Ernie, where are you?

Ernie, I'm back.

Are you feeling any better?
I brought you some coffee.

( ominous theme playing)

Ernie?

Ernie, are you all right?

(scraping)

(gasps)

Operator...

would you get me Madison 5-1190,

and hurry, please.

(rings)

Probably her. Hello?

DORIS: Mr. Mason, this is Doris.

Good, Doris. We've
been worried about you.

Listen, you're gonna have
to get over here right away.

My hat and coat. Trouble?

Yes.

Where are you?

Tanner's room,
412, the Adirondack.

I'll be there in five minutes.

If Mrs. Greeley
comes, stall her.

I'll be back as soon as I can.

How long were
you out of the room?

Oh, 15, 20 minutes at the most.

Tanner wasn't feeling very well,

so I went downstairs to
get him a cup of coffee.

That's when I tried to call you.

This it?

Now, did you touch anything?

All right. Now, listen to me.

We're gonna walk up two flights,

take the elevator down.

When we get to the lobby,

I'll stop and call the police.

Then I'm taking you home.

Now, there's nothing
to worry about.

Come on, smile.

That's better.

( suspenseful theme playing)

Cigarette?

Oh. No, thank you.

Uh... Uh, do you
expect Mr. Mason soon?

Oh, he should be here anytime.

Uh. Could I leave
this with you then?

Oh, I'd really
rather you didn't.

You see, there might
be some formalities.

(door opens)

That's probably Mr. Mason now.

You excuse me?

Is Greeley here?

Mm-hm. What have you been up to?

I'll brief you later.

Terribly sorry to keep
you waiting, Mrs. Greeley.

It's quite all right.
I-I wanted to help,

but I remembered you
said you needed this.

Oh, would you hold onto
it for a moment, please?

And won't you come in?

Della?

Won't you sit down?

Thank you.

Uh. You said you wanted this

if I ever came across it.

Oh, is this what you
were talking about?

You said it would prove

your client was
telling the truth.

That's already been admitted
by the district attorney.

You mean, it's no use to you?

I'm sorry you put yourself
to so much trouble.

That's too bad.
Well, I'll take it back.

Of course, if you'd like to
leave it here... You say...

I mean, if it's a burden to you.

Well, I'll, uh,

take that burden,
if you don't mind.

Uh, you know Lieutenant Tragg?

Yes, we've talked.

Now, Tragg, I wouldn't jump
to conclusions if I were you.

Oh, well, you know me.

I... I like to live dangerously.

Do you... Do you
mind if I use that?

Uh, where did you find this?

In my husband's laundry.

Well, I'm sure Mr. Burger
will be very pleased...

Now, listen, Tragg...

I'd be glad to.

If you'd care to talk
about, uh, Ernie Tanner.

You know him?

MASON: Why?

He got himself knocked off

at the Adirondack Hotel tonight.

Uh, would you know
anything about that?

Not a thing.

Oh.

Say, where...

Where have you been tonight?

Why?

Well... how come
your shoes are all wet?

I might have spilled some water

while I was washing up.

Yeah, that's pretty good.

But there's one
thing you overlooked.

Tanner's killer used a pillow

to muffle the shot...

and there were, uh,
feathers all over the place.

So? So...

whoever was in that
room with wet shoes

was bound to pick
up a feather or two.

Um...

any comment, Mr. Mason?

Um, do you happen
to have a cigarette?

I seem to be all out.

Thank you.

There was a...

girl in Tanner's room.

She called your
office from there.

Who was she?

Oh, look, Mason,
I've got a job to do.

There have been
two murders already.

And I feel they're both
tied in with your client.

You're not even
making sense, Tragg.

You've had Claire Olger
under lock and key, remember?

I also remember that
she has a very good friend

named, uh... Doris Stephan-ak.

Doris Stepha-nak.

Doris Stepha-nak.

Was she the one
in Tanner's room?

Why don't you ask her?

You realize that I
could toss you in jail

as a material witness.

Yes, but I don't think you will.

No.

I want, uh, Burger
to have a crack at you

at the hearing tomorrow.

Well. Uh, good night,
Mrs., uh, Greeley.

And thank you very
much for your help.

And, uh...

have a good day in court, Mason.

Tragg, are you sure
this isn't Greeley's shirt?

Positive. Crane double-checked.

It's the wrong size,

and the, uh, laundry
marks don't tally.

Well, what do you
know about that?

It looks like this
time Mr. Mason

has overreached himself.

You don't think he planted that?

Don't you?

No.

I think Mason will be
as surprised as we are.

All you got to do is call him.

We're gonna do
nothing of the kind.

Don't you see,
lieutenant? This is a trap.

Mason expects me to
introduce this as Greeley's shirt.

And all he's got to
do is prove it isn't.

And I fall flat on my face.

Then what do we do?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Let Mr. Mason take
care of his own dirty linen.

( dramatic theme playing)

BURGER: And that's
when you first learned

that your husband
had been murdered?

Yes, sir.

Your witness, Mr. Mason.

Uh, no questions.

You may step down.

Thank you.

How long will it take you

to complete your
case, Mr. Burger?

I have just one more
witness, Your Honor.

You may proceed.

Call Gerald
Heywood to the stand.

Gerald Heywood.

Della.

I don't get it.

He had Tragg on the stand,

Mrs. Greeley, all the others.

He still hasn't introduced
that dress shirt.

Raise your right hand, please.

Do you solemnly swear
the testimony you'll give

is the whole truth and
nothing but the truth?

I do. Be seated.

I know what a busy man
you are, Mr. Heywood.

I'll try not to keep you
longer than necessary.

Thank you, sir.

Would you state your
name and address, please?

Gerald Heywood, 14080
San Isidro, Beverly Hills.

You are the owner
of a Lincoln sedan,

license number:

JPE903.

I am.

When did you last see your car?

On, uh, last Tuesday noon,

and it was parked
in front of my home.

You've since learned
that it was stolen

by the deceased,
Michael Greeley?

Objection.

Witness has learned
nothing of the sort.

This is pure hearsay.

Please the court,

I thought both Mr. Mason and I

had stipulated...

the car was not stolen

by his client.

Accordingly, we
dismissed the charge

of manslaughter
against Claire Olger.

I appreciate the district
attorney's kindness,

but Mr. Heywood has no
personal knowledge of this.

Sustained.

I have no further questions.

You may cross-examine.

I want you to know,
Mr. Heywood...

that I, too, realize
how busy you are...

and will try to
be as considerate

as the district attorney.

Thank you, Mr. Mason.

Now, have you ever seen
this defendant before?

No.

She's charged with the
murder of Michael Greeley,

the man who
presumably stole your car.

I'm sorry, but what do you
expect me to do about it?

Just tell the truth.

Now, from whom was
the car purchased?

Uh, Clayton Sales, incorporated.

When was the last
time they serviced it?

I don't remember.

Well, perhaps these
will refresh your memory.

They're Clayton's
servicing records.

It had a 5,000-mile check
on the evening of the 14th.

MASON: That was Monday,
the night before the accident?

HEYWOOD: Yes.

MASON: And you did
not use the car after that?

HEYWOOD: No.

When it was towed to the
garage the following night...

The night after the accident

what was the
mileage, uh, reading?

I believe you'll
find it right there.

"Five thousand...

six hundred and
twenty-one miles."

Which means...

the car was driven

approximately 600
miles betweentimes.

Don't you find that
figure rather amazing?

I don't think so.

A car like mine can make
600 miles a day easily.

But the car wasn't
gone for a full day.

You reported it
was stolen at noon.

That means it was
only gone for nine hours.

Now, do you know anyone

who could average better
than 65 miles an hour

during traffic for
nine solid hours?

Would you answer
that, Mr. Heywood?

I admit it couldn't be possible.

Then obviously the car
must have been taken

long before noon.

It would seem so.

Do you happen to
know the distance

between... Los
Angeles and Fresno?

Around 300 miles.

Do you have a lodge
up near Fresno?

Yes.

MASON: Then if someone
had driven your car

up to the lodge and back,

that might account
for those 600 miles.

HEYWOOD: It might.

By any chance, did you
drive up there Monday night?

I did not.

I was in Beverly Hills
at a testimonial dinner.

You spent the
whole evening there?

No, I left early. I went home.

Had a lot of work to do.

Did you know Michael Greeley?

Yes, he worked for
me... Uh, for the studio.

Public Relations.

MASON: But that's as far
as the relationship went?

HEYWOOD: Absolutely.

If Your Honor please...

last night in my office,

Lieutenant Tragg
took a dress shirt

from Mrs. Greeley.

I should like to know
if he has that shirt

with him in court today.

Do you have it, lieutenant?

Yes, sir.

Does the state intend

to introduce the
shirt in evidence?

No, we don't, Your Honor.

Let me be sure I
understand you, Mr. Burger.

There's not much to understand.

It's perfectly
simple, Mr. Mason.

The state does not wish

to introduce the
shirt in evidence.

In that case,

I may wish to
introduce it myself.

May I have the
shirt, lieutenant?

Thank you.

You may proceed, Mr. Mason.

Yes, Your Honor.

Would you examine
this, Mr. Heywood?

What for?

Just do as I ask, please.

Now, have you ever
seen this shirt before?

No.

Would you open
your collar, please?

Your Honor, defense
counsel is turning this

into a burlesque.

This is highly
irregular, Mr. Mason.

Your Honor, this whole
case is highly irregular.

It began with a routine matter

of car theft and manslaughter

that has culminated in
the murder of two men,

Michael Greeley
and Ernest Tanner.

I ask the court's indulgence,

and request that I be
allowed to continue.

The witness will do
as counsel requests.

Uh, clerk, would you mind
stepping over here, please?

Now, would you
read the laundry mark

on Mr. Heywood's collar?

It's "W-447."

Now, would you
read the laundry mark

on the collar of that shirt?

CLERK: "W-447."

MASON: They are the same?

Yes, sir. Do you deny this
is your shirt, Mr. Heywood?

Now, look, I'm not on trial...

Just answer the
question! Is that your shirt?

Yes.

MASON: It was in the
effects of Michael Greeley.

How do you account for that?

I can't.

Would you have any idea

why Michael Greeley
was murdered?

No.

Would you like me to tell you?

Would you like me to tell
you why Tanner was killed?

I don't see what that has
to do with this witness!

Surely you're interested
in justice, Mr. Burger.

I am, Mr. Mason.

You may continue.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Suppose I were to tell you

that your houseman,
Ernest Tanner,

was also employed
by Michael Greeley.

For what reason?

To spy on you.

I don't know what
you're talking about.

Do you know Mrs. Greeley?

HEYWOOD: Only
through her husband.

MASON: Did you
see her Monday night?

The night before
your car disappeared?

I told you, I was
in Beverly Hills!

Suppose I told
you that you did not

go home to work that night.

That instead, you
and Mrs. Greeley

drove up to your lodge together.

That, after you left,

Tanner telephoned
Mr. Greeley in San Francisco.

You don't understand.

I understand perfectly.

Mr. Greeley wasn't
a jealous husband.

He just wanted to
shake you down.

That's why he flew to
Fresno and took your car.

He wanted you marooned
together at your lodge.

That would have given
him all the evidence

he needed for blackmail.

How did you both feel

when you discovered
the car was gone?

You must have been terrified.

That's not true.

You were not terrified?

No!

Then how do you
explain Mrs. Greeley

packing your shirt in her bag?

I don't know! Leave
me alone, will you?

Let me think.

Gladly, Mr. Heywood.

You may have all
the time in the world...

if you can show us any other way

for that shirt to have appeared
among Mr. Greeley's effects.

Let's go on, Mr. Heywood.

Let's talk about a haunted man.

Mr. Greeley seems to
have been a haunted man.

He thought no one
knew he was on his way

to Claire Olger's hotel room.

But he was followed there,

and he was killed.

Were you responsible
for that, Mr. Heywood?

No! I say you were.

I say it was your idea

for Mrs. Greeley to
produce that shirt,

hoping to incriminate my client.

Just as it was your
idea to murder Tanner.

He didn't do it!
Leave him alone!

JUDGE: Bailiff.

How dare you talk
that way to him?

He's kind and good.

He's the most wonderful
man I've ever known.

Marcia.

Marcia, don't.

Listen to me, Your Honor..

Jerry Heywood
never killed anyone.

He couldn't.

Mrs. Greeley.

If Heywood didn't kill
Tanner or your husband...

who did?

I did.

( ominous theme playing)

It's all right.

I... I'm sorry I caused
you so much trouble.

( dramatic theme playing)

TRAGG: I can't get over it.

Do you realize that, when
Mrs. Greeley phoned you

saying that she
found that shirt...

she'd already killed Tanner?

Of course.

She probably called me

from the ladies' room
at the Adirondack Hotel.

And you thought
Heywood killed Tanner

to cover up that affair.

Lucky for your client that
Mrs. Greeley confessed.

You're wrong, lieutenant.

Perry kept waiting for
Burger to introduce the shirt.

And when he didn't, we
knew it wasn't Greeley's.

Oh, so you guessed
it was Heywood's shirt.

Well, sort of. Well,
that's what I said.

You were lucky.

Lucky that Mrs.
Greeley confessed.

There was no possible way

that you could peg
her as the killer.

Tragg, how long have
we known each other?

Long enough.

And during that time,

you've called me
everything under the sun.

Still goes.

For my dough, you're...

You're unscrupulous, conniving,

uh, unprincipled...

And what about stupid?

No, stupid, you're not.

Well, if I were in a room
with a murdered man,

and I did not check my wet shoes

to see if I were tracking
feathers back to my office,

what would you call me? Stupid.

Well, who else
could have done it?

It was only you, me,
Mrs. Greeley, and...

Oy, gevalt.

(chuckles)

After you, lieutenant.

( dramatic theme swells)

( noirish jazz theme playing)