Perry Mason (1957–1966): Season 1, Episode 22 - The Case of the Fugitive Nurse - full transcript
The wife of a prominent physician is arrested for drugging her husband, causing him to crash his private plane. But then he turns up alive, living in Mexico with a beautiful nurse after the dead man's identity is revealed.
MAN: Stay right where you are!
Hey, what is this?
Oh, no, you don't!
What is this?
Police. What's your name?
Dave Kirby.
This the man, Mrs. Morris?
Yes, that's the man.
Now, lady, you got
the wrong slant on this.
Me and your husband are buddies.
Look, I wouldn't take a
nickel from Doc Morris!
All right, Kirby, turn around.
Hands against the wall.
Now wait a minute! You
haven't... Turn around.
You live in this building?
No, that key belongs
to Doc Morris.
All right!
All right, I'm in no
mood for a striptease.
Can I help you a little?
I knew he was stealing
from my husband.
That's a lie.
Why don't you keep
your mouth shut?
How much money is there?
Depends on who's
looking at it, Mrs. Morris.
For a police sergeant, it comes
close to about 10 years pay.
All right, fellow, let's go.
You heard him. Come on.
Sign here.
And if you'd please
sign over here, too.
Mrs. Morris signing a crime
report against Kirby, Lieutenant?
With enthusiasm.
There was over $92,000
in that guy's shorts.
Forget it. Kirby's
smelling like a rose.
What are you talking about?
RALSTON: Dr. Morris is outside.
He says he did send Kirby
to the Coronet Apartments
to get the money for him.
BREWER: You hear that?
Yes.
Wanna talk to the doc?
I most certainly do.
Dr. Morris, could you
come in here, please?
Hello, Janet.
Hello, Charles.
I'm Lieutenant Brewer.
What's this I hear about Kirby?
It was a regrettable
mistake, Lieutenant.
I explained matters
to this officer.
Well, I wish you'd
explain matters to me.
That apartment was rented
in the name of M. Morris.
That's my name.
BREWER: Only part of it.
Your first name is Charles.
And how come you forgot to
mention that you're an M.D.?
I prefer not to advertise.
Funny, your wife didn't
know that was your apartment.
Mind telling me
what you use it for?
CHARLES: There
are times, Lieutenant,
when a doctor likes
to get away from it all.
The doctors I know
never seem to make it.
Apparently I'm more fortunate.
All right, Doctor. I
intend releasing Kirby,
and I'll see that you
get your money back.
I'd appreciate it.
But I also intend to inform
the Treasury Department
about your keeping all
that cash in a wall safe
in an unoccupied apartment.
They may be curious, too.
This makes me
look rather foolish.
On the contrary, Janet, I'm
the one that looks foolish.
How did you find out
about the apartment?
Well... There was no
need to hire detectives!
If you'd wanted a divorce...
I don't want a divorce.
Oh, you just had me watched
to keep me out of trouble!
You've got to
believe I had no idea
this man Kirby is
a friend of yours.
You're a liar.
JANET: All I've accomplished
so far, Mr. Mason,
is to make matters worse.
How long has Dr. Morris
had that apartment?
About six months.
What's he using it for?
I don't wanna know.
Don't let me mislead
you, Mr. Mason.
I'm not the long-suffering wife.
If Charles looked
around for someone else,
it's no more than I deserve.
Have you any idea who
this someone else might be?
His nurse, Gladys Strome.
Do you want a divorce?
Not at all.
But thanks to my efforts,
Charles is now having trouble
with the income tax people.
They would like to know
where that $92,000 came from.
If they take legal action,
I want you to defend him.
I'm sure Dr. Morris will
wish to retain his own lawyer.
That money is community
property. Half of it's mine.
Where can I find him?
You can get him at his office, but
you'll have to do it before Friday.
He goes to Salt Lake City
for a medical convention.
All right. I'll do what I can.
That's all I ask.
Thank you, Mr. Mason.
Goodbye, Miss Street.
Goodbye.
(DOOR OPENS)
(DOOR CLOSES)
What do you think, Della?
I can't make up my mind.
I don't know whether
she's genuinely interested
in protecting her husband
or the money.
See if you can arrange an
appointment with Dr. Morris.
Good morning, Doctor.
It is now, Gladys.
What? A good morning.
(EXCLAIMS)
How can a woman fall in
love with a face like that?
(CHUCKLES)
Busy night?
Yes.
All dressed up in blue
uniforms and brass buttons.
You've made the papers.
Also, there was a call from the
Treasury Department about an hour ago.
I told them you weren't in yet.
Good old Lieutenant
Brewer. A man of his word.
What happened to Kirby?
I put him on the bus for
Loganville at 3:00 this morning.
What are we going to do?
Ever look closely at a
set of pathogenic bacteria?
Yes, why?
They're minute organisms,
flipping madly about,
but really going nowhere.
Still, the course of nature says
that nothing can
be really aimless.
So they must take a direction
and destroy or be destroyed.
Charles?
Long distance.
I want to speak
person-to-person with David Kirby
at Kirby's Drive-in Restaurant,
Loganville, California.
Why, sure, Doc.
Look, I've spent the
night in jail before.
You don't have to apologize.
That's what friends are for.
Well, I could catch the next bus
and be back in L.A. again by 5:00.
'Course the old lady won't
mind. I just get in her hair.
Sure, Doc.
Yeah, I'll see you later. Bye.
So!
I can't turn my back
for a minute, can I?
Now, honeybunch... Oh,
don't "honeybunch" me.
I knew I should've changed
the combination on that thing.
Give it to me, David.
I need bus fare.
I gotta go back to Los Angeles.
Doc Morris wants me
to do something for him.
You're not going!
Not on my money!
Angela, I promised.
What about all the
promises you made me?
Dave, you've got to stay
away from Doctor Morris.
I'm telling you, he's no
good. Any married man who...
No, don't say that, honeybunch.
If it wasn't for the doc, I
wouldn't be alive today.
Enough steel in
me to build a jail.
Yeah, and that's where you
spent last night, thanks to him.
Oh, honey...
Will you fix the screens? The
flies are nibbling me to death!
You take my advice, you
send that by air express.
All right, Dave.
Anything you say.
Oh, I'm sorry, this
office is closed.
Is Dr. Morris in?
No, he isn't.
I'm Mrs. Morris.
Well, I guess I
better run along.
You're Gladys
Strome, aren't you?
You needn't worry, I'm
not gonna make a scene.
I wasn't worried
at all, Mrs. Morris.
May I? Please.
Thank you.
You know, you're
nothing like I pictured you.
What did you expect?
Somebody very blonde
with clutching hands.
I'm sorry to disappoint you.
I'm sorry, too.
If you were that type, you'd
be fairly easy to deal with.
Miss Strome, can
I ask you a favor?
That all depends.
I want you to leave my husband.
I must say, I admire your nerve.
I've been working for
Dr. Morris for almost a year now,
and, to my knowledge, this is
the first time you've been here.
And this is where he
spends most of his life.
May I say a word
in my own defense?
I was very young
when... You still are.
You'd be surprised how much
older I've gotten this last year.
I realize the
mistakes I've made.
I want a chance to
make up for them.
It's too late.
You had your chance.
I'm entitled to mine.
You asked me for a favor,
now I'm going to
ask you for one.
Give him a divorce.
Charles doesn't want you.
Can't you understand
that? Can't you understand...
The minister said,
"Till death do us part."
I believe he
meant that literally.
Is there anything
else, Mrs. Morris?
No.
I think I've said it all.
Hello, Doctor. Hello, Mr. Reese.
Hello, Charles.
Coming all the way
out here to see me off
is a little out of character
for you, isn't it, Janet?
Oh, I thought I'd bring you
some hot coffee for your trip.
Just like old times.
You didn't come out here
to bring me coffee, Janet.
Miss Strome tell you I
was in the office last night?
She told me.
Well, ever since I talked to her,
I've been thinking things over.
I realize I've
been very selfish.
I've retained a
lawyer, Perry Mason.
Has he been in touch with you?
He phoned. I was
too busy to see him.
Where can he get hold
of you in Salt Lake City?
At the Townsend Hotel. Why?
I've asked him to start
divorce proceedings.
Once again, please?
Isn't that what you want?
What have you
got up your sleeve?
Nothing. I just realized
that I've been wrong.
If I can't make you happy,
maybe somebody else can.
And you've already asked
Mason to start proceedings?
Yes.
All right, let's talk to him. There's
a phone in the operations shed.
All right, Charles, I haven't talked
to Mr. Mason yet about a divorce.
I only reached the
decision last night.
What earthly purpose
could I have in lying?
I don't know, but I'll
find out in the long run,
and I'm sure it'll
cost me dearly.
(PLANE ENGINE WHIRRING)
Goodbye, Janet, and
thanks for the wifely gesture.
I'm looking for the
airport manager.
I'm the airport manager,
Phil Connors Reese.
You wanted to see me.
I'm Lieutenant Tragg.
Oh, yes, Lieutenant.
I hope I haven't put you out.
This was an
airplane at one time.
It belonged to
Dr. Charles Morris.
The aeronautic authorities
are investigating the case.
Oh?
But there are some facts
about this accident that...
Well, they disturb me.
Such as?
Well, Dr. Morris was
talking to a radio checkpoint
seconds before the crash.
I talked to the radio operator,
and he told me the
doctor's exact words were,
"I'm very tired. I can
hardly keep my eyes open."
Then he started to mumble.
Then everything was
completely unintelligible.
Naturally, the authorities picked
up the various personal effects,
but I thought you might
like to examine this.
Well, I thought if
Dr. Morris was drugged,
there could have been
something in there.
Mrs. Morris placed
that vacuum bottle
in the aircraft 10
minutes before takeoff.
Where was, uh,
Dr. Morris at this time?
On his way up to
the operations shack.
Well, thank you, Mr. Reese.
We'll be in touch.
TRAGG: I know your
husband's death must have been
a terrible shock
to you, Mrs. Morris.
It's a shock to everyone
who knew him, Lieutenant.
He was a great man.
Did he have any enemies?
Of course not.
Why do you ask?
Do you know anything about
the effects of morphine sulfate?
It's a narcotic.
Why?
Your husband's body was
almost completely destroyed,
but the coroner
managed to do an autopsy.
And he found morphine
sulfate in the stomach.
Now, you brought your
husband a container of coffee.
You think I put...
I think that if you
know a good lawyer,
you'd better call him.
The district attorney
wants to see you.
Information, I'd like
the telephone number
of Mr. Perry Mason, please.
It's Madison 51190.
Did the district
attorney keep you long?
About an hour.
What did he ask you?
Mostly about how my
husband and I got along,
if Charles had ever
asked me for a divorce.
What was your
answer? That he didn't.
Now, listen to me, Mrs. Morris.
The district attorney's office can
get the facts within five minutes.
Now I want to know,
did your husband ever
ask you for a divorce?
I agreed to give him one. When?
At the airport, just before
he took off to Salt Lake City.
Did anyone overhear
that conversation?
I'm sorry, Mason, time is up.
I gave you a special
concession, seeing Mrs. Morris
before she was
processed into jail.
I...
I know it looks as though the
world has just exploded in your face,
but with time, we'll get
to the bottom of all this.
That, uh, bit about
time was sheer poetry.
Glad you liked it.
I don't suppose
that I'm jeopardizing
the prosecutor's
case by telling you
that the doctor left Mrs.
Morris a sizable estate.
It was half hers anyway.
Oh, but he didn't have
to leave her his insurance.
He carried $125,000 worth.
And it was all
payable to Mrs. Morris?
Well, guys have been
murdered for less.
Get my message last night?
I did.
Been here since then?
Just about.
What did you find
out about the nurse?
Gladys Strome, age 34,
graduated from St. Mark's.
Been with the doctor
since March of last year.
Ever been married? No.
She's the sole support of her
mother and her younger brother.
Did you talk with Miss Strome?
Couldn't. She's
away on vacation.
Away on vacation? Where?
Her mama didn't know.
Oh, did you hear
about Dr. Morris' will?
MASON: Yes, Tragg told me
he left everything to his wife.
Not quite.
He left a $50,000
bequest to Miss Strome.
That guy was really loaded.
Hmm.
What happened to the $92,000
the doctor had
Kirby pick up for him?
Was it found in the plane?
No.
It isn't likely that
$92,000 in cash
would burn without a trace.
PAUL: Perry, what
are you getting at?
This Kirby.
What sort of a man is he?
Oh, he's harmless.
Likes to take a
nip now and then.
MASON: Where does
he live? Loganville.
Kirby's Drive-in.
Della, call the garage.
Have them bring my car around.
Paul, I'll look up Kirby. You
check further on Gladys Strome.
All right.
Hey, young man,
you dropped these screws.
Thank you, ma'am,
but I've got lots more.
I'm paying you on a
time-and-material basis,
and what I pay for I
would like to receive.
Mrs. Kirby?
Yes?
My name is Mason.
I'm an attorney.
Well, I don't need any.
Good, because I
already have a client,
Mrs. Janet Morris.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Nowadays, you know, it isn't the
making of money that concerns one,
it's keeping others
from taking it away.
Come on in.
Thank you.
Did you just recently
buy this place?
Yes.
It must have called
for quite an investment.
I had to put down
$8,000 in cash.
That's a lot of chili and beans.
Would you care for something?
Our hamburgers are quite good.
They're only 35 cents, and
that includes French fries.
No, thank you, I'm on a diet.
Mrs. Kirby, I'm looking
for your husband.
Oh, he's not here.
Where can I find him?
You might try skid
row in Los Angeles.
He's on one of
his lost weekends.
This must be a beaut.
There was $154
sales-tax money in here.
When did you last see Mr. Kirby?
A week ago, Monday.
He had a long-distance call
from Dr. Morris and took off.
That would have been the 16th.
Yeah.
I'd appreciate it if you'd let me
know when you hear from him.
Why?
Mr. Kirby had seen a
great deal of Dr. Morris
just before the fatal crash.
I'd like to talk with him
about those meetings.
Are you implying that my husband
had something to do with that?
I didn't say that.
You didn't have to. You
guys are as slick as okra
when it comes to pointing the
finger of suspicion at somebody else.
Oh, Frederick,
are you putting three whole
pickles on every hamburger plate?
Yes, Mrs. Kirby. Why?
Well, to garnish the coleslaw.
Wouldn't three
half-slices do just as well?
It's the waste that
kills you, Frederick.
Yes, Mrs. Kirby.
And speaking of
waste, Mr. Mason,
that's all you and I are
doing with one another's time.
Goodbye. Goodbye.
Come right in, Mrs. Kirby.
I think you'll find this
chair comfortable.
And, uh, this is our
district attorney, Mr. Burger.
How are you, Mrs. Kirby?
Sit down, won't you?
I don't understand this. That officer
downstairs in Missing Persons...
Now, there's nothing
for you to worry about.
My husband's missing, and you
tell me there's nothing to worry about!
Well, what I meant
was, we want to help you.
You see, the last time your
husband came to Los Angeles,
he got himself
in a little trouble.
It seems he picked up $92,000.
He did that as a
favor to Dr. Morris.
I'm not disputing that.
I just wondered if you had any
idea what happened to that money.
What are you getting at?
Well, just for the sake
of argument, let's say
that Dr. Morris turned the
money over to your husband.
Dr. Morris is dead,
and your husband feels no
obligation to return the money.
As a matter of fact,
people might even think
it gave Mr. Kirby
kind of a motive.
You trying to say my Dave could have
killed that Dr. Morris for that money?
We're attempting to
rule out everything... Oh,
don't pull the
wool over my eyes.
My Dave has his faults,
but he wouldn't hurt a fly,
and he loved
Dr. Morris like a brother.
He did. They flew
in the war together.
Let me ask you something...
No, let me ask you something.
In the newspapers,
you're telling everybody
you got a perfect case
against Mrs. Morris.
Now, all of a sudden, you're
hinting Dave could be the murderer.
I never said... What made
you change your mind?
You afraid of her
lawyer Mr. Mason?
Or did you think I
was gonna sit still
and let you smear my husband?
If you've got no objections,
I'm getting out of here.
(WHISTLES)
I didn't know Kirby was a flyer.
Oh, yes, he was
a pilot in the war.
How long would it take
you to drive up to Chatley?
You mean where the plane crashed?
Oh, two and a half, three hours.
Take two men with you. I want
you to comb the entire area.
Hmm.
Hey, Paul!
It's a good-luck medallion.
You know, a zodiac sign.
See? That's Leo.
I'm a Scorpio myself.
"David Kirby.
"1480 Clark Avenue,
Loganville, California."
Well, I guess that clinches it.
Yep.
What made Mason
think of this bit, anyway?
Well, he just figured that
if Dr. Morris were dead,
it seemed awful strange
his nurse didn't come
tearing home from her vacation.
After all, she was supposed
to be crazy about the guy.
Well, I guess it proves that great
minds run on the same channel.
Burger had the same
idea you fellows had.
Only he was a little late.
Oh. Well, that depends
on how you look at it.
You sure saved us a lot of work.
Well.
I guess this belonged
to the late Mr. Kirby.
Is that the way,
uh, you paint it?
Aren't you a little
embarrassed, Lieutenant?
Embarrassed? Why?
You fellows were so sure
Dr. Morris was
killed in that plane.
Well, that doesn't make any real
difference. Murder is still murder.
Just because Mason's client
picked the wrong man by mistake
doesn't alter that one bit.
Let's go, boys.
Oh, I'll see you get
your handkerchief back.
Thanks.
I guess it wasn't
very smart of me
to lose my temper
with Mr. Burger.
But he had absolutely no right
to make those
insinuations about my Dave.
Mrs. Kirby,
did you ever see this before?
Huh?
Where did you get this?
You better sit down.
Where did you get it?
It was found about 200 yards from
where Dr. Morris' plane crashed.
Your husband was
flying that plane.
No.
No!
(CRYING)
BURGER: The state will prove beyond
reasonable doubt that Janet Morris
did murder David Kirby
in an attempt to kill
her own husband.
We shall prove further
that Mrs. Morris
actually believed
her husband was flying
that plane to Salt Lake City,
and that she was aware
that she was residuary legatee
of his will and sole
beneficiary of his insurance.
Mr. Reese, you are
manager of the airfield
where Dr. Morris kept
his plane. Is that correct?
Yes, sir.
I also handle operations
and run the coffee shop.
It's a very small field.
I see.
At what time did
Dr. Morris' plane take off?
Well, I issued permission
for his takeoff at 2:17 p.m.
The plane left the ground
at 2:24-and-one-half p.m.
Would you have any idea how many
people were there at about that time?
Oh, yes, there
were several people,
11 to be exact.
That is, in addition
to our regular staff.
And among that number,
did you see the defendant?
I did.
When did you first notice her?
When she parked her car.
It was a blue Buick convertible
with white and blue upholstery,
license number
JRZ 426.
She parked right next to
a Pontiac station wagon,
license number
XYL 116.
I see.
When did you see
Mrs. Morris next?
About 15 minutes before takeoff.
She was talking to
Dr. Morris on the field.
They talked for a while,
and then when the doctor
went in to file his flight plan,
Mrs. Morris placed
a vacuum bottle
in the doctor's plane.
Do you recognize this?
Yes, sir, that's
the vacuum bottle
that the authorities
found in the aircraft.
Thank you.
Your witness, Mr. Mason.
Mr. Reese,
don't you think it's unusual
for a person to be able
to recall someone else's
license number so readily?
Well, yes, sir. I have a
photographic memory.
A photographic memory?
Well, would you be so
kind as to demonstrate
this gift of yours for us?
Why, certainly.
Now, you've just been
interrogated by the district attorney,
and without looking at him,
please answer these questions.
What is the color of his suit?
Charcoal gray.
Color of his necktie?
Gold and black stripe.
The second button on
his left sleeve is loose.
That's very good, Mr. Reese.
But since you're so observant,
would you please explain
why you failed to notice
the substitution of David Kirby
for Dr. Morris in the plane?
Well, I wasn't there.
Hank, that's my assistant,
called me in the office.
He was having
trouble with form 1328.
Then you actually
did not see the takeoff?
No, sir.
Well, perhaps you noticed
the defendant slipping
some morphine sulfate
into that vacuum bottle?
Well, no, sir.
So, as far as you know,
there was no morphine
sulfate in the bottle at all?
No, sir.
As a matter of fact, you can't even
say for sure the bottle contained coffee?
No. No further questions.
I call Lieutenant Arthur
Tragg to the stand, please.
If Your Honor please,
it is nearly 5:00.
I wonder if the court would
care to take an adjournment
so that the entire
testimony of the witness
can be heard at one time?
Why, that's very
considerate of the counselor,
but my direct examination
will take less than half an hour.
I'm afraid my cross-examination
may be quite lengthy.
Court's adjourned until
10:00 Monday morning.
Well, that gives us
another 48 hours.
What good will that do?
Mrs. Morris, we need
all the time we can get.
Now, just hold on.
Perry.
No dice.
I couldn't get a lead on
the doc or Miss Strome.
They've got to be
somewhere, Paul.
Dr. Morris had at
least $92,000 in cash
and a wife who wouldn't
give him a divorce.
He wanted to disappear,
so he had Kirby fly that
plane to Salt Lake City.
Now, what guarantee
did Morris have
that Kirby wouldn't
give the show away?
Well, there was always a chance,
especially when
Kirby was drinking.
Now that Kirby's dead,
that chance is eliminated.
You mean, you
couldn't get a thing
from Gladys Strome's
family? Nothing.
Where are they getting
their money from?
You told me that Gladys
was their sole support.
Come on, Della.
MASON: When do you expect
your daughter back, Mrs. Strome?
Think she'd tell me?
That girl has no consideration.
Don't bolt your food, Arthur.
He has a very
delicate constitution.
Yes, one can tell.
But your daughter's been gone for
over a month. Aren't you worried?
Of course I'm worried,
but that's what a
mother has to put up with.
If you knew the
sleepless nights I've spent
on account of that girl.
You think she appreciates it?
Not a bit.
And you haven't heard from
Gladys since she went on vacation?
Not so much as a postcard.
Too bad. It would
be worth $100 to me
just to get in touch with her.
Arthur, have some more meat.
Any more potatoes? Sure.
You mean what you said about it
being worth 100 bucks to locate Gladys?
She's in Mexico.
A town called Boca de Oro.
She's using the
name of Hennessey.
How do you know?
She sent Mom some
dough yesterday.
Come on, Della.
DELLA: Say goodbye
to your mother for us.
I was rather expecting you
or someone representing
you, Mr. Mason.
Why?
We get the Los Angeles papers.
Thank you.
It's a strange
feeling for a corpse,
watching his wife being
tried for his murder.
But you're no longer the corpse.
That's not Janet's fault.
Do the police know where I am?
Not yet. There are a few things
I wanted to straighten out first.
Such as? Who killed Kirby?
Is there any
question about that?
In my mind, yes. Janet
thought I was on that plane.
The fact still remains
you're very much alive.
Now, how did it happen
that Kirby took your place?
I had some money.
$92,000, to be exact,
on which I'd already
paid the taxes.
I thought if Kirby flew
my plane to Salt Lake
and left a trail in the
opposite direction...
Your wife wouldn't
know where you were.
CHARLES: Exactly.
But you're still
married to Janet.
I got a divorce three weeks
ago, right in Boca de Oro.
It isn't legal in California.
That doesn't bother me. I intend
to reside permanently in Mexico.
Does that answer
all your questions?
Not quite.
Will you come back to Los
Angeles to testify for Mrs. Morris?
Certainly not.
Then you're willing to see
your wife go to the gas chamber?
Janet isn't my wife
anymore, Gladys is.
Will you come
back? Why should I?
For the first time
in my life, I'm happy.
What kind of happiness can you
build on someone else's misfortune?
Please, spare us the bromides.
Janet tried to kill Charles.
Then why are you
afraid to see her?
All right!
Gladys and I will take the first
plane out of Boca de Oro tomorrow.
I'll be looking for
you. Good night.
Good night.
What did you say that
for? We can't go back!
I said we'd take the first
plane out of Boca de Oro.
I didn't say in which direction.
Della,
let me have that last
affidavit, will you, please?
Morning. Good morning.
Good morning.
Newspapers don't seem
to think I have a chance.
When you were first
arrested, I told you
that time was our greatest ally.
If things go against us,
I'll ask for a continuance.
On what grounds can
you get a continuance?
Well, when the court
learns that Dr. Morris
and Miss Strome are in Mexico,
they'll wanna know why
the two of them disappeared.
They're in Mexico?
I'll tell you about it later.
And if they come
back like you promised?
I don't think we
ought to count on it.
Were you able to find out who
purchased this bottle, Lieutenant?
Yes, sir, the defendant.
She bought it at the
Maxon Drugstore.
What was the date of purchase?
February 19th.
That's 24 hours
before the murder.
Thank you, Lieutenant.
Now, Lieutenant,
it has been stated
that the body of the victim
was that of David Kirby.
That's correct.
But the police originally
listed the dead man
as Dr. Charles Morris.
Well, the body was
burned beyond recognition,
and there was no reason to
assume it was anyone else.
And since part of the
coat had been torn off,
and was not destroyed
in the explosion,
it had been identified as
belonging to Dr. Morris.
What made you finally decide
that the victim was David Kirby?
A little medallion
that Mr. Kirby wore.
Having established that fact,
don't you feel that,
under the circumstances,
you should have talked
to Dr. Morris? Well, yes.
Then why didn't you make
an effort to locate him?
We did.
Perhaps you'll be
interested in knowing
that Dr. Morris and his
nurse, Gladys Strome,
are presently residing
in Boca de Oro, Mexico.
If I could find them,
why couldn't the police,
with all the facilities they
have at their command?
Your, uh, point is
well taken, Mr. Mason.
And the answer is, we have.
(CROWD MURMURING)
I have no further questions.
I call Dr. Charles Morris.
Your Honor, the district
attorney knows full well
that Dr. Morris is the
husband of the defendant,
and, as such, cannot be
called upon to testify against her.
Your Honor, Dr. Morris is no
longer the husband of the defendant.
He now resides in
Boca de Oro, Mexico.
On March 4th of this
year, he obtained a divorce
and that divorce is legal
where he now resides.
But it is not legal in
the state of California!
He doesn't live in California!
It makes no difference.
Gentlemen, gentlemen.
Your Honor, may I
say one thing more?
Mr. Mason went to Mexico
to try to get Dr. Morris
to come back with him
to testify for the defendant.
If the doctor had agreed,
Mr. Mason would have maintained
that he was perfectly
qualified to be a witness.
Now when he sees
that Dr. Morris will testify
for the prosecution,
he changes his mind
and says he cannot testify.
If it please the court, I am
not a member of the legislature.
I do not make the laws.
I'm merely trying to
use their provisions
to protect my client.
This is a very fine point,
and I know that legal
authorities are in disagreement.
However, despite
Dr. Morris' intent
to reside permanently in Mexico,
as far as this
court is concerned,
he's still married
to the defendant.
Very well.
I call Gladys Strome.
BAILIFF: Gladys
Strome to the stand.
BAILIFF: Raise your right hand.
Do you solemnly swear the
testimony you're about to give
is the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth?
I do. Be seated.
Miss Strome... I prefer
to be called Mrs. Morris.
BURGER: Of course.
When did you marry Dr. Morris?
GLADYS: On the 4th
of March of this year.
And how long had you
known the doctor before that?
Almost a year.
I was his nurse. We
worked side by side.
Do you think
Dr. Morris was happy
in his marriage
to the defendant?
Obviously not.
He asked her for a
divorce a number of times.
And what was her answer?
Objection! This is hearsay.
The witness would have no way of
knowing the defendant's response.
Yes, I would!
I was on the extension phone
whenever he talked to her.
As a matter of fact,
didn't she personally
tell you how she
felt on the subject?
Yes. She came to the office
the day before Charles
and I left for Mexico.
Do you recall
what she said? I do.
She told me that she would
never give the doctor up.
That only death
would set him free.
(WHISPERING) I
didn't mean it like that!
Thank you, Mrs. Morris.
You may cross-examine.
Now, Miss Strome...
The name is Mrs. Morris.
It's still Miss
Strome in California.
When was the first time
you went out with Dr. Morris?
About a month after I
went to work for him.
You knew he was married?
Yes. Yet you still
went out with him?
I did.
Where did you spend
most of those evenings?
Various places.
Are you familiar with the
apartment on Claring Avenue
the doctor rented under
an assumed name?
It wasn't an assumed name.
He just omitted his first
name and medical degree,
isn't that right?
Now,
weren't you surprised
when you read
that Kirby's body had
been originally identified
as that of Dr. Morris?
Of course.
Part of that identification
was due to the fact
that Kirby was wearing a
suit belonging to Dr. Morris.
Charles often gave him clothes.
When did the doctor give
him that particular suit?
I don't remember exactly.
Well, was Kirby wearing
that suit on February 16th
when he came to Los Angeles in
answer to the doctor's telephone call?
I told you, I don't remember.
Very well.
We'll let that pass
for the moment.
Now, Miss Strome,
I suppose that Mr. Kirby
thought a great
deal of Dr. Morris.
Naturally. The doctor
once saved his life.
Was Dr. Morris treating him during
his various visits to Los Angeles?
Whenever Mr. Kirby
needed treatment.
Occasionally, Mr. Kirby
wouldn't be feeling too well...
After he'd been drinking.
How was Dr. Morris treating him?
Charles gave him a
sedative to calm his nerves.
Did, uh, Dr. Morris
ever prescribe
morphine sulfate for him?
I don't recall.
Dr. Morris had
hundreds of patients.
I can't remember what he
prescribed in every single case.
Your Honor,
I have no other
questions at the moment.
However, I may wish
to recall this witness
for further cross-examination.
You may step down, Miss Strome.
Mrs. Kirby,
did you ever see this before?
Yes.
I bought it for David.
For the record,
it's a medallion bearing
the zodiac sign of Leo,
inscribed, "David Kirby, 1048
"Clark Place,
Loganville, California."
I should like this
marked for exhibit.
BURGER: Mrs. Kirby, I know
this is a painful subject for you,
but when did you first realize
that your husband was the
victim instead of Dr. Morris?
MRS. KIRBY: When Lieutenant
Tragg showed me the medallion.
Up until that time, you believed
your husband was alive?
Yes.
Did you know he was
gonna fly Dr. Morris' plane
to Salt Lake City
on Friday the 20th?
No.
Well, Mrs. Kirby,
wouldn't you say
that if your husband's decision
was a carefully guarded secret,
even from you,
it would be virtually impossible
for the defendant to know
about the change in plans?
(BELL DINGS)
Information, I'd like
the telephone number
of Van Dorf and Cole, jewelers.
Yes, they're in Los Angeles.
Mrs. Kirby,
how long were you and
your husband married?
Eighteen years.
Were you happy together?
Very.
Did you understand his
problem about drinking?
Yes.
He tried, but he
couldn't help himself.
Sometimes he
disappeared for days.
When he came home
from these sessions,
did he take something
to calm his nerves?
Yes. He took morphine sulfate.
Who prescribed this
medication for him?
Dr. Morris.
You're sure of that?
Oh, I'm positive.
I took the prescription to
the druggist myself one time.
Thank you, Mrs. Kirby.
Oh, Mrs. Kirby,
did your husband
carry any insurance?
I mean life insurance.
Yeah, he might have
had a small policy.
How small?
$5,000.
What about his military insurance?
He served in World War II, did he not?
Yeah, he had that, too.
That was for $10,000?
I'm not sure of the amount.
In other words, you
haven't filed any claims
with the insurance companies
for your husband's death?
I didn't say that!
You have filed claims?
Yes!
Oh.
Mrs. Kirby, I'm curious.
Curious as to why
you bought this
for your husband.
Do I have to have
a special reason
to buy a present for my husband?
No, but I think you had a
special reason for buying this one.
The reason being, so that your
husband's body could be readily identified.
What are you saying?
You knew your husband was flying
Dr. Morris' plane to Salt Lake City.
He must have told
you. That's not true!
You drove out to the
airport to see him off.
You gave him this medallion.
A medallion made of platinum
so that it wouldn't
be destroyed by fire.
You also gave him
a bottle of whiskey.
The morphine sulfate was in that
bottle of whiskey, not the coffee.
That isn't so!
But your plans
went down the drain
when this medallion
was overlooked
and the body was mistakenly
identified as that of Dr. Morris.
It created quite a
problem for you, didn't it?
No! No!
I stand corrected. It
created no problem at all.
You just went to the
Missing Persons Bureau
and started the hunt
for your husband.
That's when this
medallion was found.
Only then could you
claim his insurance.
That's a lie! You can't
prove a word of this!
Mrs. Kirby,
when did you give your
husband this present?
I don't remember.
Perhaps I can help you.
Now, look closely on
the back of this medallion.
You'll see engraved the mark and
name of the jewelers, Van Dorf and Cole.
Now, according to their records,
this medallion was purchased
and engraved on February 19th,
delivered to you the morning of
February 20th, the day of the crash.
Yet you testified
you hadn't seen
your husband since the 16th.
I didn't!
What kind of a car do
you drive, Mrs. Kirby?
Pontiac station wagon.
All right, we'll get the manager
of the airport back to the stand.
In case you haven't heard,
he has a photographic memory.
He's already testified
that Mrs. Morris' car
was parked next to a
Pontiac station wagon,
license numbers XYL 116.
And according to the
department of motor vehicles,
that car belongs to you.
We'll ask Mr. Reese to
look at both the car and you.
If Your Honor please,
I should like to call Mr. Philip
Reese back to the stand.
Is Mr. Reese in
the court, please?
Don't bother!
I built that drive-in
up from nothing
with my own two hands.
I work like a slave!
Dave couldn't be bothered.
Every time I asked him to do
something, he'd find an excuse.
Why should he be
entitled to a half interest?
He was no good to me alive.
I figured he might be
worth something dead.
Della?
Della!
Funny, she didn't answer.
Well, she's not here.
You want me to go find her?
Think you'd have better luck
than you did with the fugitive nurse?
Touche.
Oh.
I still don't figure what
made you suspect Mrs. Kirby.
What would you say was
her outstanding characteristic?
Well, the way she
pinches pennies.
She is the tightest
dame I've ever seen!
Exactly.
When I heard she'd given
her husband a present,
and an expensive one at that...
You felt that she must
have an ulterior motive,
and that she wanted to make
certain Kirby's body was discovered,
so she could collect the
insurance. Right you are.
Oh. How did you know Reese
had seen her at the airport that day?
I didn't.
But from my experience
with Mr. Reese,
I was convinced he was a
man who saw everything.
(DOOR OPENS)
What's all this?
In case you haven't noticed, I've
been losing weight, Mr. Mason.
In fact, I drop
about 3 pounds...
After every one of your cases.
From working too hard?
No, from coming back here
and going without dinner.
So, this time I brought my own.
Cold cuts, anyone?
Mmm! Thank you.
Thank you.
Uh, bread, please.
Oh, pardon my fingers.
Sure. May I?
Thank you. Well, looks good.
Pardon me.
Hey, what is this?
Oh, no, you don't!
What is this?
Police. What's your name?
Dave Kirby.
This the man, Mrs. Morris?
Yes, that's the man.
Now, lady, you got
the wrong slant on this.
Me and your husband are buddies.
Look, I wouldn't take a
nickel from Doc Morris!
All right, Kirby, turn around.
Hands against the wall.
Now wait a minute! You
haven't... Turn around.
You live in this building?
No, that key belongs
to Doc Morris.
All right!
All right, I'm in no
mood for a striptease.
Can I help you a little?
I knew he was stealing
from my husband.
That's a lie.
Why don't you keep
your mouth shut?
How much money is there?
Depends on who's
looking at it, Mrs. Morris.
For a police sergeant, it comes
close to about 10 years pay.
All right, fellow, let's go.
You heard him. Come on.
Sign here.
And if you'd please
sign over here, too.
Mrs. Morris signing a crime
report against Kirby, Lieutenant?
With enthusiasm.
There was over $92,000
in that guy's shorts.
Forget it. Kirby's
smelling like a rose.
What are you talking about?
RALSTON: Dr. Morris is outside.
He says he did send Kirby
to the Coronet Apartments
to get the money for him.
BREWER: You hear that?
Yes.
Wanna talk to the doc?
I most certainly do.
Dr. Morris, could you
come in here, please?
Hello, Janet.
Hello, Charles.
I'm Lieutenant Brewer.
What's this I hear about Kirby?
It was a regrettable
mistake, Lieutenant.
I explained matters
to this officer.
Well, I wish you'd
explain matters to me.
That apartment was rented
in the name of M. Morris.
That's my name.
BREWER: Only part of it.
Your first name is Charles.
And how come you forgot to
mention that you're an M.D.?
I prefer not to advertise.
Funny, your wife didn't
know that was your apartment.
Mind telling me
what you use it for?
CHARLES: There
are times, Lieutenant,
when a doctor likes
to get away from it all.
The doctors I know
never seem to make it.
Apparently I'm more fortunate.
All right, Doctor. I
intend releasing Kirby,
and I'll see that you
get your money back.
I'd appreciate it.
But I also intend to inform
the Treasury Department
about your keeping all
that cash in a wall safe
in an unoccupied apartment.
They may be curious, too.
This makes me
look rather foolish.
On the contrary, Janet, I'm
the one that looks foolish.
How did you find out
about the apartment?
Well... There was no
need to hire detectives!
If you'd wanted a divorce...
I don't want a divorce.
Oh, you just had me watched
to keep me out of trouble!
You've got to
believe I had no idea
this man Kirby is
a friend of yours.
You're a liar.
JANET: All I've accomplished
so far, Mr. Mason,
is to make matters worse.
How long has Dr. Morris
had that apartment?
About six months.
What's he using it for?
I don't wanna know.
Don't let me mislead
you, Mr. Mason.
I'm not the long-suffering wife.
If Charles looked
around for someone else,
it's no more than I deserve.
Have you any idea who
this someone else might be?
His nurse, Gladys Strome.
Do you want a divorce?
Not at all.
But thanks to my efforts,
Charles is now having trouble
with the income tax people.
They would like to know
where that $92,000 came from.
If they take legal action,
I want you to defend him.
I'm sure Dr. Morris will
wish to retain his own lawyer.
That money is community
property. Half of it's mine.
Where can I find him?
You can get him at his office, but
you'll have to do it before Friday.
He goes to Salt Lake City
for a medical convention.
All right. I'll do what I can.
That's all I ask.
Thank you, Mr. Mason.
Goodbye, Miss Street.
Goodbye.
(DOOR OPENS)
(DOOR CLOSES)
What do you think, Della?
I can't make up my mind.
I don't know whether
she's genuinely interested
in protecting her husband
or the money.
See if you can arrange an
appointment with Dr. Morris.
Good morning, Doctor.
It is now, Gladys.
What? A good morning.
(EXCLAIMS)
How can a woman fall in
love with a face like that?
(CHUCKLES)
Busy night?
Yes.
All dressed up in blue
uniforms and brass buttons.
You've made the papers.
Also, there was a call from the
Treasury Department about an hour ago.
I told them you weren't in yet.
Good old Lieutenant
Brewer. A man of his word.
What happened to Kirby?
I put him on the bus for
Loganville at 3:00 this morning.
What are we going to do?
Ever look closely at a
set of pathogenic bacteria?
Yes, why?
They're minute organisms,
flipping madly about,
but really going nowhere.
Still, the course of nature says
that nothing can
be really aimless.
So they must take a direction
and destroy or be destroyed.
Charles?
Long distance.
I want to speak
person-to-person with David Kirby
at Kirby's Drive-in Restaurant,
Loganville, California.
Why, sure, Doc.
Look, I've spent the
night in jail before.
You don't have to apologize.
That's what friends are for.
Well, I could catch the next bus
and be back in L.A. again by 5:00.
'Course the old lady won't
mind. I just get in her hair.
Sure, Doc.
Yeah, I'll see you later. Bye.
So!
I can't turn my back
for a minute, can I?
Now, honeybunch... Oh,
don't "honeybunch" me.
I knew I should've changed
the combination on that thing.
Give it to me, David.
I need bus fare.
I gotta go back to Los Angeles.
Doc Morris wants me
to do something for him.
You're not going!
Not on my money!
Angela, I promised.
What about all the
promises you made me?
Dave, you've got to stay
away from Doctor Morris.
I'm telling you, he's no
good. Any married man who...
No, don't say that, honeybunch.
If it wasn't for the doc, I
wouldn't be alive today.
Enough steel in
me to build a jail.
Yeah, and that's where you
spent last night, thanks to him.
Oh, honey...
Will you fix the screens? The
flies are nibbling me to death!
You take my advice, you
send that by air express.
All right, Dave.
Anything you say.
Oh, I'm sorry, this
office is closed.
Is Dr. Morris in?
No, he isn't.
I'm Mrs. Morris.
Well, I guess I
better run along.
You're Gladys
Strome, aren't you?
You needn't worry, I'm
not gonna make a scene.
I wasn't worried
at all, Mrs. Morris.
May I? Please.
Thank you.
You know, you're
nothing like I pictured you.
What did you expect?
Somebody very blonde
with clutching hands.
I'm sorry to disappoint you.
I'm sorry, too.
If you were that type, you'd
be fairly easy to deal with.
Miss Strome, can
I ask you a favor?
That all depends.
I want you to leave my husband.
I must say, I admire your nerve.
I've been working for
Dr. Morris for almost a year now,
and, to my knowledge, this is
the first time you've been here.
And this is where he
spends most of his life.
May I say a word
in my own defense?
I was very young
when... You still are.
You'd be surprised how much
older I've gotten this last year.
I realize the
mistakes I've made.
I want a chance to
make up for them.
It's too late.
You had your chance.
I'm entitled to mine.
You asked me for a favor,
now I'm going to
ask you for one.
Give him a divorce.
Charles doesn't want you.
Can't you understand
that? Can't you understand...
The minister said,
"Till death do us part."
I believe he
meant that literally.
Is there anything
else, Mrs. Morris?
No.
I think I've said it all.
Hello, Doctor. Hello, Mr. Reese.
Hello, Charles.
Coming all the way
out here to see me off
is a little out of character
for you, isn't it, Janet?
Oh, I thought I'd bring you
some hot coffee for your trip.
Just like old times.
You didn't come out here
to bring me coffee, Janet.
Miss Strome tell you I
was in the office last night?
She told me.
Well, ever since I talked to her,
I've been thinking things over.
I realize I've
been very selfish.
I've retained a
lawyer, Perry Mason.
Has he been in touch with you?
He phoned. I was
too busy to see him.
Where can he get hold
of you in Salt Lake City?
At the Townsend Hotel. Why?
I've asked him to start
divorce proceedings.
Once again, please?
Isn't that what you want?
What have you
got up your sleeve?
Nothing. I just realized
that I've been wrong.
If I can't make you happy,
maybe somebody else can.
And you've already asked
Mason to start proceedings?
Yes.
All right, let's talk to him. There's
a phone in the operations shed.
All right, Charles, I haven't talked
to Mr. Mason yet about a divorce.
I only reached the
decision last night.
What earthly purpose
could I have in lying?
I don't know, but I'll
find out in the long run,
and I'm sure it'll
cost me dearly.
(PLANE ENGINE WHIRRING)
Goodbye, Janet, and
thanks for the wifely gesture.
I'm looking for the
airport manager.
I'm the airport manager,
Phil Connors Reese.
You wanted to see me.
I'm Lieutenant Tragg.
Oh, yes, Lieutenant.
I hope I haven't put you out.
This was an
airplane at one time.
It belonged to
Dr. Charles Morris.
The aeronautic authorities
are investigating the case.
Oh?
But there are some facts
about this accident that...
Well, they disturb me.
Such as?
Well, Dr. Morris was
talking to a radio checkpoint
seconds before the crash.
I talked to the radio operator,
and he told me the
doctor's exact words were,
"I'm very tired. I can
hardly keep my eyes open."
Then he started to mumble.
Then everything was
completely unintelligible.
Naturally, the authorities picked
up the various personal effects,
but I thought you might
like to examine this.
Well, I thought if
Dr. Morris was drugged,
there could have been
something in there.
Mrs. Morris placed
that vacuum bottle
in the aircraft 10
minutes before takeoff.
Where was, uh,
Dr. Morris at this time?
On his way up to
the operations shack.
Well, thank you, Mr. Reese.
We'll be in touch.
TRAGG: I know your
husband's death must have been
a terrible shock
to you, Mrs. Morris.
It's a shock to everyone
who knew him, Lieutenant.
He was a great man.
Did he have any enemies?
Of course not.
Why do you ask?
Do you know anything about
the effects of morphine sulfate?
It's a narcotic.
Why?
Your husband's body was
almost completely destroyed,
but the coroner
managed to do an autopsy.
And he found morphine
sulfate in the stomach.
Now, you brought your
husband a container of coffee.
You think I put...
I think that if you
know a good lawyer,
you'd better call him.
The district attorney
wants to see you.
Information, I'd like
the telephone number
of Mr. Perry Mason, please.
It's Madison 51190.
Did the district
attorney keep you long?
About an hour.
What did he ask you?
Mostly about how my
husband and I got along,
if Charles had ever
asked me for a divorce.
What was your
answer? That he didn't.
Now, listen to me, Mrs. Morris.
The district attorney's office can
get the facts within five minutes.
Now I want to know,
did your husband ever
ask you for a divorce?
I agreed to give him one. When?
At the airport, just before
he took off to Salt Lake City.
Did anyone overhear
that conversation?
I'm sorry, Mason, time is up.
I gave you a special
concession, seeing Mrs. Morris
before she was
processed into jail.
I...
I know it looks as though the
world has just exploded in your face,
but with time, we'll get
to the bottom of all this.
That, uh, bit about
time was sheer poetry.
Glad you liked it.
I don't suppose
that I'm jeopardizing
the prosecutor's
case by telling you
that the doctor left Mrs.
Morris a sizable estate.
It was half hers anyway.
Oh, but he didn't have
to leave her his insurance.
He carried $125,000 worth.
And it was all
payable to Mrs. Morris?
Well, guys have been
murdered for less.
Get my message last night?
I did.
Been here since then?
Just about.
What did you find
out about the nurse?
Gladys Strome, age 34,
graduated from St. Mark's.
Been with the doctor
since March of last year.
Ever been married? No.
She's the sole support of her
mother and her younger brother.
Did you talk with Miss Strome?
Couldn't. She's
away on vacation.
Away on vacation? Where?
Her mama didn't know.
Oh, did you hear
about Dr. Morris' will?
MASON: Yes, Tragg told me
he left everything to his wife.
Not quite.
He left a $50,000
bequest to Miss Strome.
That guy was really loaded.
Hmm.
What happened to the $92,000
the doctor had
Kirby pick up for him?
Was it found in the plane?
No.
It isn't likely that
$92,000 in cash
would burn without a trace.
PAUL: Perry, what
are you getting at?
This Kirby.
What sort of a man is he?
Oh, he's harmless.
Likes to take a
nip now and then.
MASON: Where does
he live? Loganville.
Kirby's Drive-in.
Della, call the garage.
Have them bring my car around.
Paul, I'll look up Kirby. You
check further on Gladys Strome.
All right.
Hey, young man,
you dropped these screws.
Thank you, ma'am,
but I've got lots more.
I'm paying you on a
time-and-material basis,
and what I pay for I
would like to receive.
Mrs. Kirby?
Yes?
My name is Mason.
I'm an attorney.
Well, I don't need any.
Good, because I
already have a client,
Mrs. Janet Morris.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Nowadays, you know, it isn't the
making of money that concerns one,
it's keeping others
from taking it away.
Come on in.
Thank you.
Did you just recently
buy this place?
Yes.
It must have called
for quite an investment.
I had to put down
$8,000 in cash.
That's a lot of chili and beans.
Would you care for something?
Our hamburgers are quite good.
They're only 35 cents, and
that includes French fries.
No, thank you, I'm on a diet.
Mrs. Kirby, I'm looking
for your husband.
Oh, he's not here.
Where can I find him?
You might try skid
row in Los Angeles.
He's on one of
his lost weekends.
This must be a beaut.
There was $154
sales-tax money in here.
When did you last see Mr. Kirby?
A week ago, Monday.
He had a long-distance call
from Dr. Morris and took off.
That would have been the 16th.
Yeah.
I'd appreciate it if you'd let me
know when you hear from him.
Why?
Mr. Kirby had seen a
great deal of Dr. Morris
just before the fatal crash.
I'd like to talk with him
about those meetings.
Are you implying that my husband
had something to do with that?
I didn't say that.
You didn't have to. You
guys are as slick as okra
when it comes to pointing the
finger of suspicion at somebody else.
Oh, Frederick,
are you putting three whole
pickles on every hamburger plate?
Yes, Mrs. Kirby. Why?
Well, to garnish the coleslaw.
Wouldn't three
half-slices do just as well?
It's the waste that
kills you, Frederick.
Yes, Mrs. Kirby.
And speaking of
waste, Mr. Mason,
that's all you and I are
doing with one another's time.
Goodbye. Goodbye.
Come right in, Mrs. Kirby.
I think you'll find this
chair comfortable.
And, uh, this is our
district attorney, Mr. Burger.
How are you, Mrs. Kirby?
Sit down, won't you?
I don't understand this. That officer
downstairs in Missing Persons...
Now, there's nothing
for you to worry about.
My husband's missing, and you
tell me there's nothing to worry about!
Well, what I meant
was, we want to help you.
You see, the last time your
husband came to Los Angeles,
he got himself
in a little trouble.
It seems he picked up $92,000.
He did that as a
favor to Dr. Morris.
I'm not disputing that.
I just wondered if you had any
idea what happened to that money.
What are you getting at?
Well, just for the sake
of argument, let's say
that Dr. Morris turned the
money over to your husband.
Dr. Morris is dead,
and your husband feels no
obligation to return the money.
As a matter of fact,
people might even think
it gave Mr. Kirby
kind of a motive.
You trying to say my Dave could have
killed that Dr. Morris for that money?
We're attempting to
rule out everything... Oh,
don't pull the
wool over my eyes.
My Dave has his faults,
but he wouldn't hurt a fly,
and he loved
Dr. Morris like a brother.
He did. They flew
in the war together.
Let me ask you something...
No, let me ask you something.
In the newspapers,
you're telling everybody
you got a perfect case
against Mrs. Morris.
Now, all of a sudden, you're
hinting Dave could be the murderer.
I never said... What made
you change your mind?
You afraid of her
lawyer Mr. Mason?
Or did you think I
was gonna sit still
and let you smear my husband?
If you've got no objections,
I'm getting out of here.
(WHISTLES)
I didn't know Kirby was a flyer.
Oh, yes, he was
a pilot in the war.
How long would it take
you to drive up to Chatley?
You mean where the plane crashed?
Oh, two and a half, three hours.
Take two men with you. I want
you to comb the entire area.
Hmm.
Hey, Paul!
It's a good-luck medallion.
You know, a zodiac sign.
See? That's Leo.
I'm a Scorpio myself.
"David Kirby.
"1480 Clark Avenue,
Loganville, California."
Well, I guess that clinches it.
Yep.
What made Mason
think of this bit, anyway?
Well, he just figured that
if Dr. Morris were dead,
it seemed awful strange
his nurse didn't come
tearing home from her vacation.
After all, she was supposed
to be crazy about the guy.
Well, I guess it proves that great
minds run on the same channel.
Burger had the same
idea you fellows had.
Only he was a little late.
Oh. Well, that depends
on how you look at it.
You sure saved us a lot of work.
Well.
I guess this belonged
to the late Mr. Kirby.
Is that the way,
uh, you paint it?
Aren't you a little
embarrassed, Lieutenant?
Embarrassed? Why?
You fellows were so sure
Dr. Morris was
killed in that plane.
Well, that doesn't make any real
difference. Murder is still murder.
Just because Mason's client
picked the wrong man by mistake
doesn't alter that one bit.
Let's go, boys.
Oh, I'll see you get
your handkerchief back.
Thanks.
I guess it wasn't
very smart of me
to lose my temper
with Mr. Burger.
But he had absolutely no right
to make those
insinuations about my Dave.
Mrs. Kirby,
did you ever see this before?
Huh?
Where did you get this?
You better sit down.
Where did you get it?
It was found about 200 yards from
where Dr. Morris' plane crashed.
Your husband was
flying that plane.
No.
No!
(CRYING)
BURGER: The state will prove beyond
reasonable doubt that Janet Morris
did murder David Kirby
in an attempt to kill
her own husband.
We shall prove further
that Mrs. Morris
actually believed
her husband was flying
that plane to Salt Lake City,
and that she was aware
that she was residuary legatee
of his will and sole
beneficiary of his insurance.
Mr. Reese, you are
manager of the airfield
where Dr. Morris kept
his plane. Is that correct?
Yes, sir.
I also handle operations
and run the coffee shop.
It's a very small field.
I see.
At what time did
Dr. Morris' plane take off?
Well, I issued permission
for his takeoff at 2:17 p.m.
The plane left the ground
at 2:24-and-one-half p.m.
Would you have any idea how many
people were there at about that time?
Oh, yes, there
were several people,
11 to be exact.
That is, in addition
to our regular staff.
And among that number,
did you see the defendant?
I did.
When did you first notice her?
When she parked her car.
It was a blue Buick convertible
with white and blue upholstery,
license number
JRZ 426.
She parked right next to
a Pontiac station wagon,
license number
XYL 116.
I see.
When did you see
Mrs. Morris next?
About 15 minutes before takeoff.
She was talking to
Dr. Morris on the field.
They talked for a while,
and then when the doctor
went in to file his flight plan,
Mrs. Morris placed
a vacuum bottle
in the doctor's plane.
Do you recognize this?
Yes, sir, that's
the vacuum bottle
that the authorities
found in the aircraft.
Thank you.
Your witness, Mr. Mason.
Mr. Reese,
don't you think it's unusual
for a person to be able
to recall someone else's
license number so readily?
Well, yes, sir. I have a
photographic memory.
A photographic memory?
Well, would you be so
kind as to demonstrate
this gift of yours for us?
Why, certainly.
Now, you've just been
interrogated by the district attorney,
and without looking at him,
please answer these questions.
What is the color of his suit?
Charcoal gray.
Color of his necktie?
Gold and black stripe.
The second button on
his left sleeve is loose.
That's very good, Mr. Reese.
But since you're so observant,
would you please explain
why you failed to notice
the substitution of David Kirby
for Dr. Morris in the plane?
Well, I wasn't there.
Hank, that's my assistant,
called me in the office.
He was having
trouble with form 1328.
Then you actually
did not see the takeoff?
No, sir.
Well, perhaps you noticed
the defendant slipping
some morphine sulfate
into that vacuum bottle?
Well, no, sir.
So, as far as you know,
there was no morphine
sulfate in the bottle at all?
No, sir.
As a matter of fact, you can't even
say for sure the bottle contained coffee?
No. No further questions.
I call Lieutenant Arthur
Tragg to the stand, please.
If Your Honor please,
it is nearly 5:00.
I wonder if the court would
care to take an adjournment
so that the entire
testimony of the witness
can be heard at one time?
Why, that's very
considerate of the counselor,
but my direct examination
will take less than half an hour.
I'm afraid my cross-examination
may be quite lengthy.
Court's adjourned until
10:00 Monday morning.
Well, that gives us
another 48 hours.
What good will that do?
Mrs. Morris, we need
all the time we can get.
Now, just hold on.
Perry.
No dice.
I couldn't get a lead on
the doc or Miss Strome.
They've got to be
somewhere, Paul.
Dr. Morris had at
least $92,000 in cash
and a wife who wouldn't
give him a divorce.
He wanted to disappear,
so he had Kirby fly that
plane to Salt Lake City.
Now, what guarantee
did Morris have
that Kirby wouldn't
give the show away?
Well, there was always a chance,
especially when
Kirby was drinking.
Now that Kirby's dead,
that chance is eliminated.
You mean, you
couldn't get a thing
from Gladys Strome's
family? Nothing.
Where are they getting
their money from?
You told me that Gladys
was their sole support.
Come on, Della.
MASON: When do you expect
your daughter back, Mrs. Strome?
Think she'd tell me?
That girl has no consideration.
Don't bolt your food, Arthur.
He has a very
delicate constitution.
Yes, one can tell.
But your daughter's been gone for
over a month. Aren't you worried?
Of course I'm worried,
but that's what a
mother has to put up with.
If you knew the
sleepless nights I've spent
on account of that girl.
You think she appreciates it?
Not a bit.
And you haven't heard from
Gladys since she went on vacation?
Not so much as a postcard.
Too bad. It would
be worth $100 to me
just to get in touch with her.
Arthur, have some more meat.
Any more potatoes? Sure.
You mean what you said about it
being worth 100 bucks to locate Gladys?
She's in Mexico.
A town called Boca de Oro.
She's using the
name of Hennessey.
How do you know?
She sent Mom some
dough yesterday.
Come on, Della.
DELLA: Say goodbye
to your mother for us.
I was rather expecting you
or someone representing
you, Mr. Mason.
Why?
We get the Los Angeles papers.
Thank you.
It's a strange
feeling for a corpse,
watching his wife being
tried for his murder.
But you're no longer the corpse.
That's not Janet's fault.
Do the police know where I am?
Not yet. There are a few things
I wanted to straighten out first.
Such as? Who killed Kirby?
Is there any
question about that?
In my mind, yes. Janet
thought I was on that plane.
The fact still remains
you're very much alive.
Now, how did it happen
that Kirby took your place?
I had some money.
$92,000, to be exact,
on which I'd already
paid the taxes.
I thought if Kirby flew
my plane to Salt Lake
and left a trail in the
opposite direction...
Your wife wouldn't
know where you were.
CHARLES: Exactly.
But you're still
married to Janet.
I got a divorce three weeks
ago, right in Boca de Oro.
It isn't legal in California.
That doesn't bother me. I intend
to reside permanently in Mexico.
Does that answer
all your questions?
Not quite.
Will you come back to Los
Angeles to testify for Mrs. Morris?
Certainly not.
Then you're willing to see
your wife go to the gas chamber?
Janet isn't my wife
anymore, Gladys is.
Will you come
back? Why should I?
For the first time
in my life, I'm happy.
What kind of happiness can you
build on someone else's misfortune?
Please, spare us the bromides.
Janet tried to kill Charles.
Then why are you
afraid to see her?
All right!
Gladys and I will take the first
plane out of Boca de Oro tomorrow.
I'll be looking for
you. Good night.
Good night.
What did you say that
for? We can't go back!
I said we'd take the first
plane out of Boca de Oro.
I didn't say in which direction.
Della,
let me have that last
affidavit, will you, please?
Morning. Good morning.
Good morning.
Newspapers don't seem
to think I have a chance.
When you were first
arrested, I told you
that time was our greatest ally.
If things go against us,
I'll ask for a continuance.
On what grounds can
you get a continuance?
Well, when the court
learns that Dr. Morris
and Miss Strome are in Mexico,
they'll wanna know why
the two of them disappeared.
They're in Mexico?
I'll tell you about it later.
And if they come
back like you promised?
I don't think we
ought to count on it.
Were you able to find out who
purchased this bottle, Lieutenant?
Yes, sir, the defendant.
She bought it at the
Maxon Drugstore.
What was the date of purchase?
February 19th.
That's 24 hours
before the murder.
Thank you, Lieutenant.
Now, Lieutenant,
it has been stated
that the body of the victim
was that of David Kirby.
That's correct.
But the police originally
listed the dead man
as Dr. Charles Morris.
Well, the body was
burned beyond recognition,
and there was no reason to
assume it was anyone else.
And since part of the
coat had been torn off,
and was not destroyed
in the explosion,
it had been identified as
belonging to Dr. Morris.
What made you finally decide
that the victim was David Kirby?
A little medallion
that Mr. Kirby wore.
Having established that fact,
don't you feel that,
under the circumstances,
you should have talked
to Dr. Morris? Well, yes.
Then why didn't you make
an effort to locate him?
We did.
Perhaps you'll be
interested in knowing
that Dr. Morris and his
nurse, Gladys Strome,
are presently residing
in Boca de Oro, Mexico.
If I could find them,
why couldn't the police,
with all the facilities they
have at their command?
Your, uh, point is
well taken, Mr. Mason.
And the answer is, we have.
(CROWD MURMURING)
I have no further questions.
I call Dr. Charles Morris.
Your Honor, the district
attorney knows full well
that Dr. Morris is the
husband of the defendant,
and, as such, cannot be
called upon to testify against her.
Your Honor, Dr. Morris is no
longer the husband of the defendant.
He now resides in
Boca de Oro, Mexico.
On March 4th of this
year, he obtained a divorce
and that divorce is legal
where he now resides.
But it is not legal in
the state of California!
He doesn't live in California!
It makes no difference.
Gentlemen, gentlemen.
Your Honor, may I
say one thing more?
Mr. Mason went to Mexico
to try to get Dr. Morris
to come back with him
to testify for the defendant.
If the doctor had agreed,
Mr. Mason would have maintained
that he was perfectly
qualified to be a witness.
Now when he sees
that Dr. Morris will testify
for the prosecution,
he changes his mind
and says he cannot testify.
If it please the court, I am
not a member of the legislature.
I do not make the laws.
I'm merely trying to
use their provisions
to protect my client.
This is a very fine point,
and I know that legal
authorities are in disagreement.
However, despite
Dr. Morris' intent
to reside permanently in Mexico,
as far as this
court is concerned,
he's still married
to the defendant.
Very well.
I call Gladys Strome.
BAILIFF: Gladys
Strome to the stand.
BAILIFF: Raise your right hand.
Do you solemnly swear the
testimony you're about to give
is the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth?
I do. Be seated.
Miss Strome... I prefer
to be called Mrs. Morris.
BURGER: Of course.
When did you marry Dr. Morris?
GLADYS: On the 4th
of March of this year.
And how long had you
known the doctor before that?
Almost a year.
I was his nurse. We
worked side by side.
Do you think
Dr. Morris was happy
in his marriage
to the defendant?
Obviously not.
He asked her for a
divorce a number of times.
And what was her answer?
Objection! This is hearsay.
The witness would have no way of
knowing the defendant's response.
Yes, I would!
I was on the extension phone
whenever he talked to her.
As a matter of fact,
didn't she personally
tell you how she
felt on the subject?
Yes. She came to the office
the day before Charles
and I left for Mexico.
Do you recall
what she said? I do.
She told me that she would
never give the doctor up.
That only death
would set him free.
(WHISPERING) I
didn't mean it like that!
Thank you, Mrs. Morris.
You may cross-examine.
Now, Miss Strome...
The name is Mrs. Morris.
It's still Miss
Strome in California.
When was the first time
you went out with Dr. Morris?
About a month after I
went to work for him.
You knew he was married?
Yes. Yet you still
went out with him?
I did.
Where did you spend
most of those evenings?
Various places.
Are you familiar with the
apartment on Claring Avenue
the doctor rented under
an assumed name?
It wasn't an assumed name.
He just omitted his first
name and medical degree,
isn't that right?
Now,
weren't you surprised
when you read
that Kirby's body had
been originally identified
as that of Dr. Morris?
Of course.
Part of that identification
was due to the fact
that Kirby was wearing a
suit belonging to Dr. Morris.
Charles often gave him clothes.
When did the doctor give
him that particular suit?
I don't remember exactly.
Well, was Kirby wearing
that suit on February 16th
when he came to Los Angeles in
answer to the doctor's telephone call?
I told you, I don't remember.
Very well.
We'll let that pass
for the moment.
Now, Miss Strome,
I suppose that Mr. Kirby
thought a great
deal of Dr. Morris.
Naturally. The doctor
once saved his life.
Was Dr. Morris treating him during
his various visits to Los Angeles?
Whenever Mr. Kirby
needed treatment.
Occasionally, Mr. Kirby
wouldn't be feeling too well...
After he'd been drinking.
How was Dr. Morris treating him?
Charles gave him a
sedative to calm his nerves.
Did, uh, Dr. Morris
ever prescribe
morphine sulfate for him?
I don't recall.
Dr. Morris had
hundreds of patients.
I can't remember what he
prescribed in every single case.
Your Honor,
I have no other
questions at the moment.
However, I may wish
to recall this witness
for further cross-examination.
You may step down, Miss Strome.
Mrs. Kirby,
did you ever see this before?
Yes.
I bought it for David.
For the record,
it's a medallion bearing
the zodiac sign of Leo,
inscribed, "David Kirby, 1048
"Clark Place,
Loganville, California."
I should like this
marked for exhibit.
BURGER: Mrs. Kirby, I know
this is a painful subject for you,
but when did you first realize
that your husband was the
victim instead of Dr. Morris?
MRS. KIRBY: When Lieutenant
Tragg showed me the medallion.
Up until that time, you believed
your husband was alive?
Yes.
Did you know he was
gonna fly Dr. Morris' plane
to Salt Lake City
on Friday the 20th?
No.
Well, Mrs. Kirby,
wouldn't you say
that if your husband's decision
was a carefully guarded secret,
even from you,
it would be virtually impossible
for the defendant to know
about the change in plans?
(BELL DINGS)
Information, I'd like
the telephone number
of Van Dorf and Cole, jewelers.
Yes, they're in Los Angeles.
Mrs. Kirby,
how long were you and
your husband married?
Eighteen years.
Were you happy together?
Very.
Did you understand his
problem about drinking?
Yes.
He tried, but he
couldn't help himself.
Sometimes he
disappeared for days.
When he came home
from these sessions,
did he take something
to calm his nerves?
Yes. He took morphine sulfate.
Who prescribed this
medication for him?
Dr. Morris.
You're sure of that?
Oh, I'm positive.
I took the prescription to
the druggist myself one time.
Thank you, Mrs. Kirby.
Oh, Mrs. Kirby,
did your husband
carry any insurance?
I mean life insurance.
Yeah, he might have
had a small policy.
How small?
$5,000.
What about his military insurance?
He served in World War II, did he not?
Yeah, he had that, too.
That was for $10,000?
I'm not sure of the amount.
In other words, you
haven't filed any claims
with the insurance companies
for your husband's death?
I didn't say that!
You have filed claims?
Yes!
Oh.
Mrs. Kirby, I'm curious.
Curious as to why
you bought this
for your husband.
Do I have to have
a special reason
to buy a present for my husband?
No, but I think you had a
special reason for buying this one.
The reason being, so that your
husband's body could be readily identified.
What are you saying?
You knew your husband was flying
Dr. Morris' plane to Salt Lake City.
He must have told
you. That's not true!
You drove out to the
airport to see him off.
You gave him this medallion.
A medallion made of platinum
so that it wouldn't
be destroyed by fire.
You also gave him
a bottle of whiskey.
The morphine sulfate was in that
bottle of whiskey, not the coffee.
That isn't so!
But your plans
went down the drain
when this medallion
was overlooked
and the body was mistakenly
identified as that of Dr. Morris.
It created quite a
problem for you, didn't it?
No! No!
I stand corrected. It
created no problem at all.
You just went to the
Missing Persons Bureau
and started the hunt
for your husband.
That's when this
medallion was found.
Only then could you
claim his insurance.
That's a lie! You can't
prove a word of this!
Mrs. Kirby,
when did you give your
husband this present?
I don't remember.
Perhaps I can help you.
Now, look closely on
the back of this medallion.
You'll see engraved the mark and
name of the jewelers, Van Dorf and Cole.
Now, according to their records,
this medallion was purchased
and engraved on February 19th,
delivered to you the morning of
February 20th, the day of the crash.
Yet you testified
you hadn't seen
your husband since the 16th.
I didn't!
What kind of a car do
you drive, Mrs. Kirby?
Pontiac station wagon.
All right, we'll get the manager
of the airport back to the stand.
In case you haven't heard,
he has a photographic memory.
He's already testified
that Mrs. Morris' car
was parked next to a
Pontiac station wagon,
license numbers XYL 116.
And according to the
department of motor vehicles,
that car belongs to you.
We'll ask Mr. Reese to
look at both the car and you.
If Your Honor please,
I should like to call Mr. Philip
Reese back to the stand.
Is Mr. Reese in
the court, please?
Don't bother!
I built that drive-in
up from nothing
with my own two hands.
I work like a slave!
Dave couldn't be bothered.
Every time I asked him to do
something, he'd find an excuse.
Why should he be
entitled to a half interest?
He was no good to me alive.
I figured he might be
worth something dead.
Della?
Della!
Funny, she didn't answer.
Well, she's not here.
You want me to go find her?
Think you'd have better luck
than you did with the fugitive nurse?
Touche.
Oh.
I still don't figure what
made you suspect Mrs. Kirby.
What would you say was
her outstanding characteristic?
Well, the way she
pinches pennies.
She is the tightest
dame I've ever seen!
Exactly.
When I heard she'd given
her husband a present,
and an expensive one at that...
You felt that she must
have an ulterior motive,
and that she wanted to make
certain Kirby's body was discovered,
so she could collect the
insurance. Right you are.
Oh. How did you know Reese
had seen her at the airport that day?
I didn't.
But from my experience
with Mr. Reese,
I was convinced he was a
man who saw everything.
(DOOR OPENS)
What's all this?
In case you haven't noticed, I've
been losing weight, Mr. Mason.
In fact, I drop
about 3 pounds...
After every one of your cases.
From working too hard?
No, from coming back here
and going without dinner.
So, this time I brought my own.
Cold cuts, anyone?
Mmm! Thank you.
Thank you.
Uh, bread, please.
Oh, pardon my fingers.
Sure. May I?
Thank you. Well, looks good.
Pardon me.