Perry Mason (1957–1966): Season 1, Episode 27 - The Case of the Desperate Daughter - full transcript
Teenager Doris Bannister is having a fling with Stefan Riker, a shady East German who is a longtime acquaintance of Doris' step-mother, Lisa Bannister. Riker has been murdered, and Doris has global amnesia, or is she faking it?
(LIVELY BIG BAND MUSIC PLAYS)
What happened last night?
I was busy.
You could have phoned,
or was it too much trouble?
It was too much trouble.
Don't be like that,
Gary. How about tonight?
What do you say, honey?
You're spillin' my beer.
Excuse me.
Perhaps you can give
me some assistance.
That station wagon
outside belongs to you?
On the door is painted
"Bannister Farms."
It belongs to my
boss, Mr. Bannister.
Allow me to introduce myself.
My name is Stefan Riker.
May I?
Help yourself.
Would you care for another beer?
No.
Perhaps something to eat?
Look, Mr. Riker, let's not
waste time breaking the ice.
I gotta pick up my boss'
wife in a couple of minutes.
Which is exactly why I'm here.
Have you ever seen
this lady before?
No, can't say that I have.
You're sure?
I'm positive.
If I'd ever run across
a number like this,
you can bet your
life I'd remember.
But if my luck changes,
I'll let you know.
I'll keep a hold of
this just in case.
Why are we stopping here, Gary?
I thought maybe we ought to
have a little talk, Mrs. Bannister.
I was having a beer
in Hennessy's bar
when this fellow came up to me
and started asking
me a few questions.
Said his name was Stefan Riker.
And he had a picture of you.
You must be mistaken.
Uh-uh. No, no. It was you.
But don't you worry about
a thing, Mrs. Bannister.
I didn't let on it was you.
I can't explain, but I'm
very grateful to you, Gary.
I kind of thought
maybe you would be.
You know, ever since
the first time we met,
I've had a great
big yen for you.
Let go of me.
Oh, it's all right.
I can keep my mouth shut.
I guess I kind of forgot
I was just a hired hand.
Are we going to go home now?
Sure, Mrs. Bannister.
Anything you say.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
117.
For six furlongs?
Get rid of him.
Mrs. Bannister's
awful fond of that horse.
I'm not in the
business of raising pets.
Get rid of him.
Okay.
(EXHALES)
Where's Lisa? Upstairs.
Having another one
of her headaches?
Is it any wonder?
Just what do you mean by that?
You don't appreciate a
single thing she's done for us!
Look at how
wonderful she's been!
(DOORBELL RINGS) Even
my own mother wasn't...
I hate to interrupt your spirited
defense of your stepmother,
but don't you think
you'd better answer that?
Good evening. Yes?
I wonder if I could see Frau...
That is to say, Mrs.
Bannister. I'm her cousin.
Her cousin? Oh, please come in!
Thank you.
Won't you please come this way?
I know Lisa will be delighted.
Thank you.
How long have you
been in this country?
Approximately two weeks.
Where did you come from?
East Germany.
That's the part the
commies control.
I could tell you
stories, Herr Bannister.
Hello, Lisa.
Well, aren't you
going to say anything?
Liebsten?
This is your cousin, Stefan.
Oh, we must forgive
her, Herr Bannister.
I'm sure that I'm the
last person in the world
she expected to see.
I can understand that,
since she told me she
had no living relatives.
DORIS: Lisa!
Lisa?
What have you got there?
(PILLS CLATTERING)
It's the only way.
You don't know
what you're saying!
I would rather die than go back.
Go back where?
Lisa, listen to me.
Who is Stefan Riker?
A man I once knew in Berlin.
He's a friend of my father's.
I thought your father's dead.
My father's name
is Hans Gerbhart.
He's the real head of the
Communist Party in East Germany.
The man who is responsible...
But they can't hold you
responsible for what your father is!
This is America, Lisa.
But I have no right to be here.
I'm in this country illegally.
My passport was forged.
Then they can send you back.
So you see why those
pills are the only solution?
Oh, don't say that.
Promise me, Lisa, you
won't do anything foolish.
I'll think of something.
(CLASSICAL PIANO MUSIC PLAYING)
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
Oh!
Miss Bannister, is it not?
It most certainly is.
Aren't you going
to invite me in?
Please.
You must excuse me, I'm
astonished by your metamorphosis.
What a lovely room.
I'm glad you approve.
You wouldn't consider
me inhospitable
if I asked you what
you were doing here?
I could say I was
in the neighborhood.
That would hardly be the truth.
Uh-huh.
Actually, I'm very
curious about you.
That's unfortunate.
You see, Miss
Bannister... Doris.
I'm not the sort of man you
should interest yourself in.
That's exactly what
does interest me.
You know, I have
a curious feeling
that underneath
that bold exterior,
you're really quite frightened.
That's very funny.
Shall we see?
So, you're not frightened, huh?
(BIRDS TWITTERING)
Good morning.
That'll be all for now, Gary.
Well, if you want
me... I'll let you know.
That's all you gotta do.
Done all right for yourself
the past three months.
Pardon?
This car, those clothes.
(CHUCKLES) This is a land
of opportunity, Herr Bannister.
You think I don't know
what's been going on here?
I want it to stop.
Otherwise? Otherwise, we...
Oh, Lisa, your entrance
was most unfortunate.
I believe your husband
was about to threaten me.
I never wanna
see you here again.
Do you understand?
I'm sorry you feel that
way, Herr Bannister.
As far as I can say,
you and your family are
always welcome at my home.
Auf wiedersehen.
And in People v. Bernard,
347 US Reports 506,
Supreme Court held that such
testimony on the part of the witness,
was clearly inadmissible
and grounds for reversal.
In view of these authorities,
we feel that the writ of Coram
Nobis should be granted.
And if it isn't, Mr. Hudson will
go to the gas chamber Friday.
I'll type this right up.
(DOOR OPENING)
Well, if we were in England now,
I'd be able to say, "That
must be the charwoman."
It's only 1:30.
She doesn't get here till 3:00.
Mind if I investigate?
Afraid someone
might steal the rug?
No, that's insured.
I was worried about
the switchboard.
Hello.
Could I help you?
I...
I would like to see Perry Mason.
I found that in my pocket.
What's your name, dear?
I don't know.
That's why I came here.
I was hoping Mr. Mason knew me.
Oh, here.
Sit down right over here.
I'll get you a drink of water.
You're very kind.
Are you Perry Mason?
Yes.
Have you ever seen me before?
Why, no.
She must have
been in an accident.
She found this in her pocket.
How did you get here?
A man gave me a ride.
Can you remember where
this man picked you up?
I think the sign
said, "Canyon Road."
Could it have been
Sunset Canyon Road?
Della, call the garage. Have
them bring my car around.
I'll take her to Lakewood
Street Receiving.
Right.
(TELEPHONE DIALING)
Information, I want the
phone number of Perry Mason.
Has she been identified yet? No.
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
I just don't understand it.
Yes?
All right, Gertie, put him on.
It's an Edward Bannister.
Hello? Yes, Mr. Bannister.
Hold on just one minute, please.
He says he's her father.
Yes, Mr. Bannister.
What can I do for you?
A great deal, I hope.
That was my daughter, Doris,
who walked into
your office last night.
Well, of course I'm sure!
Have you called the authorities?
Why not?
First of all, I just this
minute saw the paper.
I don't get up too early.
Don't you think it's strange none
of her friends have identified her?
She has none.
Now, listen, Mason,
do you suppose you
could get Doris out of there,
and do whatever
else is necessary?
Well, it's nothing
you couldn't handle.
I'm crippled.
Oh, I'm very sorry.
I'll do what I can.
Oh, incidentally,
I think Doris was wandering around
Sunset Canyon Road last night.
Does she know
anyone around there?
She's been seeing a great deal
of a man named Stefan Riker.
I think he has a house
somewhere near there.
No. No, that's R-I-K-E-R.
Get the phone
book, will you, Della?
And what's your address?
All right, I'll be in touch.
Well, we've a client,
Miss Doris Bannister.
Why does she need a lawyer?
That's what intrigues me.
She's been seeing a
man named Stefan Riker.
See if he's listed, will
you? It's R-I-K-E-R.
(MUMBLING) R-I...
R-I...
Stefan. Mmm-hmm.
Richer... Rikard...
Riker. Riker. Here it is.
Stefan Riker, 1417
Sunset Canyon Road.
Get your coat.
We're going to the hospital?
No, we're gonna
see Mr. Riker first.
Her father didn't identify her
because he'd just
seen the paper.
Her friends didn't come forward
because apparently she has none.
I'd like to find out what
Mr. Riker has for an excuse.
TRAGG: Oh, I'd say about 2:00.
Yeah.
Sure, we'll be here
another hour anyway.
Now, what's this? Hot stuff.
They're all from the same
gal. A Doris Bannister.
"Sometimes I feel you're only
using me as an excuse to see her.
"I know I seem like a jealous
female, always spying on you.
"But, remember, darling,
you belong to me."
That's nothing. You ought
to read some of the others.
(CHUCKLES) I can hardly wait.
Excuse me, Lieutenant.
TRAGG: Where'd this come from?
QUINCEY: Found it
out by the driveway.
Killer must have
dropped it accidentally.
Good work, Quincey.
Thank you, Lieutenant.
When you get a minute, Sergeant
Marlowe would like to see you outside.
Yeah. Uh, let me know
when you trace this.
Yes, sir. Come on, Davis.
Don't forget to
get a shot of this.
TRAGG: Marlowe?
I thought you'd wanna
see this, Lieutenant.
Yeah.
She must have been keeping
an eye on her boyfriend
before she went in
to kill him. Looks like.
I'd like to meet
that Doris Bannister.
I think that can be arranged.
Yeah.
Let's go.
Seen enough?
Too much.
That was Sergeant Davis
of the Homicide Division.
It's a murder, all right.
DORIS: Why are you asking
me all these questions?
Can't you leave me alone?
I just wanna help you, Doris.
My name isn't Doris.
Then what is your name?
I can't remember.
Mr. Mason.
Well, it's unquestionably
general amnesia.
I'd like to move her
to a private sanitarium
with your permission,
of course. Well...
You're worried about your
responsibilities, and you're quite right.
But as Miss
Bannister's attorney,
I'm prepared to
give you a release.
And I'm sure it would
be perfectly legal.
Hello, counselor.
Well, hello, Lieutenant.
What's homicide doing here?
Well, what homicide does
everywhere, investigating a murder.
A fellow named,
uh, Stefan Riker.
Do I understand that you're,
uh, representing this girl?
And she shouldn't be disturbed.
She won't be.
He's going to make sure of that.
Well, hello, Mr. Drake.
Hi. I was afraid you'd be gone.
Any luck? Nope.
What did you find out?
Police think Miss
Bannister killed Riker.
I had that feeling
when I saw Tragg.
The way they figure it, Doris was crazy
about the guy, and he was two-timing her.
How do you see it?
I don't.
The only one who can tell
me anything is my client.
And she's suffering
from loss of memory.
How do you go about fighting it?
Strictly a rear-guard action.
Just wait for the district
attorney to advance theories
and do your best
to knock them down.
By the way, has anyone from
the DA's office seen Doris yet?
Burger talked to her himself.
She claims she can't
remember a thing.
From what I hear, that
suits Mr. Burger just fine.
He feels she's using it to cover
up just because she has no alibi.
Do you think it's
an act? I hope not.
Amnesia is generally
induced by a severe shock.
Well, committing a murder
might come under that heading.
So would an automobile accident.
How would Doris get out
to Sunset Canyon Road?
No, no, the police would have a
record if she'd been in an accident.
Not if she were driving
alone and ran off the road.
You might never find
the car in these hills.
But you, uh, want me to try.
Well, I'd like you to try.
Anything else?
Yes. Yes, just on the chance
that Burger is right about Riker
and there is another woman,
you might try to find her, too.
Goodbye.
EDWARD: Lisa, stop fidgeting.
I'm sorry, Edward.
Do you think it will
be much longer?
(DOOR OPENING)
Doris!
Oh, Doris.
Darling, how do you feel?
Darling, it's Lisa.
Don't you know me?
Take me back, please.
MASON: Just a moment.
Doris, do you remember me?
You're Perry Mason.
You said you wanted to help me.
I do. And so do they.
All right, matron,
we'll call you.
Now let's stop this nonsense.
You know perfectly
well who we are.
Now, I've got you the finest
lawyer that money can buy.
That's enough, Mr. Bannister.
She's my daughter.
And she's my client.
You do want me to represent
you, don't you, Doris?
Do you know what
you're accused of?
They say I killed a man.
A man named Stefan Riker.
What do you remember?
Just coming into your office
and everyone
asking me questions.
That's all?
Matron?
Doris...
You let Mason know
if you need anything.
Doris,
I'll be in to see you tomorrow.
This is ridiculous.
Well, can't you
see it's all an act?
Do you think she
killed Stefan Riker?
Of course not.
Then why should
she pretend amnesia?
Well, how should I know?
She must have some crazy reason.
Look, Mason, I don't
fool myself about anything.
You see these legs?
I was thrown by a
horse 10 years ago.
Doctors said they'd fix
me up as good as new.
I knew they were lying.
I got rid of all of them.
I can't stand anybody
trying to make a fool of me.
What happened to the horse?
Huh?
The one that threw you?
Well, I had him destroyed.
Is that what you're trying
to do to you're daughter?
Goodbye, Mrs. Bannister.
(JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING)
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
You want anything
else, Mr. Marshall?
How about you? No,
not just now, thank you.
I'm sorry I can't be
any help, Mr. Mason.
You never know
unless you try, Gary.
Look, I'd cut off my hand
up to here for the Bannisters.
They're real swell people.
Now, there's a few people who got
the wrong idea about the old man.
His bark's worse than his bite.
What do you think
about Mrs. Bannister?
A real lady.
They don't come any finer.
Is it true that Doris
lost her memory?
Mmm-hmm.
Well, that's too bad.
She sure is a nice girl.
I hope they go easy on her.
Do you think she killed Riker?
Of course not.
How well did you know him?
Didn't know him at all.
Just saw him around the
ranch a couple of times.
Hey, I gotta go.
Heavy date?
Helene? No, it's all right,
Gary. I'll take care of it.
Well, like they
say, hasta la vista.
Well, I think this should
take care of everything.
Well, thanks.
Mr. Marshall a friend of yours?
Mr. Marshall's a very
loyal, devoted friend
of Gary Marshall
and no one else.
I heard him feeding you
that line about the Bannisters.
Oh? Was it a line?
Well, he was always knocking
the whole family to me.
Really?
And you know that Riker fellow?
The man who was murdered?
(TELEPHONE RINGING) Mmm-hmm.
Well, Gary used to meet
him in here all the time.
Oh, now, you must be mistaken.
Don't tell me.
Excuse me. You Perry Mason? Yes.
There's a phone call
for you. Over here.
Thanks.
Hello?
Yes, Paul.
I got good news.
You can now prove your client's
amnesia is the genuine article.
I just found her car.
I don't see how she
got out of it alive.
Then she was in an accident?
Sunset Canyon Road.
I'll meet you there
in half an hour.
Well, there it is. Yeah.
How in the world did your men
ever spot the car from up there?
Faulkner's half bird
dog on his father's side.
Wish I'd brought
along my hiking boots.
Now let Burger claim
she's faking amnesia.
She's lucky she
just lost her memory.
Paul... Huh?
It's in neutral.
So it is.
You couldn't very well
drive a car in neutral.
She must have pushed
this thing off the hill.
The crash might have
jarred it into neutral.
Could be.
Huh. Kind of looks like
she's using you for a patsy.
She wrote that herself.
(LEAVES RUSTLING)
Well, it proves that great
minds run on the same channel.
As soon as I saw your
car parked up there,
I figured, "What's good enough for my
friend Mason is good enough for me."
And the State will prove
beyond any reasonable doubt
that the defendant,
Doris Bannister,
was in love with the deceased.
That she jealously
spied on him constantly,
and that when she discovered
there was another woman,
she killed him.
And then pretended to
be suffering from amnesia
in an attempt to avoid the
consequences of what she had done.
On that first morning when
you examined the defendant,
what did you find?
Well, I thought she was
suffering from general amnesia.
General amnesia?
Yes, sir. There seemed
to be total loss of memory.
When you say there seemed to
be total loss of memory, Doctor,
do you mean that you
subsequently changed your mind?
Yes, sir. I am certain now that Miss
Bannister never suffered from amnesia.
Then you think she was faking?
Definitely, sir.
Thank you, Doctor.
Oh, Doctor, one thing more.
Did Miss Bannister
have any visitors
on her first day
in the hospital?
Yes, she had. Mr. Perry Mason.
Her attorney?
Yes, he said he wanted to move
the patient to a private sanitarium.
And what happened
to prevent this move?
The police arrived.
I see. Thank you, Doctor.
Your witness.
Doctor,
you testified you subsequently
changed your mind
about Miss Bannister's amnesia.
Yes, sir. Further physical
examination proved
that there was
nothing wrong with her.
Isn't it true, Doctor,
that amnesia can
be psychic in origin?
That Miss Bannister
might be well organically
and still suffer from
a loss of memory?
There's nothing to indicate
that this is the case here.
For example, she had no trouble
with difficult
problems in algebra.
But wouldn't she be
able to do problems
if she suffered from
partial amnesia?
She would still
remember isolated facts
and have the
ability to associate.
Yes, but she's
supposed to be suffering
from general
amnesia, not partial.
And who made the first
diagnosis of general amnesia?
I did, sir.
Thank you, Doctor.
Oh, Doctor,
one more thing.
In regard to my
underhanded effort
in trying to remove Miss
Bannister from the county hospital,
uh, let me read you an article
from the Times,
dated February 1st.
"Our county hospitals
are badly overcrowded.
"In many cases, patients must be
moved out before they should be.
"The situation
cries for relief."
Now, does that sound familiar?
Yes, sir. I said
that in an interview.
Yes, you did.
Thank you again,
Doctor. That's all.
Would you explain this exhibit
to the court, please, Lieutenant?
It's a plaster cast we
made of the ground
directly beneath the rear
window of Mr. Riker's apartment.
Did you find anything
on the premises
which could have
caused these imprints?
Yes, that aluminum ladder there.
This is marked
State's Exhibit 3.
If you place the rear legs of
the ladder in that plaster cast, it...
Like this?
You'll notice they fit.
Yes, they do fit.
Where was this ladder situated
when you found it, Lieutenant?
Right next to the rear window
of, uh, Mr. Riker's apartment.
BURGER: And did you climb
it yourself? TRAGG: I did.
What were you able to see?
Well, I had an unobstructed view
of everything that
went on in the room.
Did you find any
fingerprints on the ladder?
Yes, sir.
The defendant's.
I think that about covers
the matter, Lieutenant.
BURGER: Will the clerk please
return the ladder to the exhibit table?
Your witness. Just a moment.
May I, Mr. Burger?
Of course.
Lieutenant Tragg,
isn't it true that the
fingerprints on this ladder
might have been left there days
or even weeks before the murder?
Might have been.
And isn't it possible
that the defendant could
have used the ladder indoors
and left her fingerprints
on it at that time?
Anything is possible, Mr. Mason.
Now, Lieutenant, how
do you explain the fact
that no trace of the
defendant's footprints
were found on the
ground near this ladder?
Because there's a stone
path near the window,
and the defendant could step
directly from that to the ladder.
Now, Lieutenant, the
ferrules of this ladder
do not fit this cross
section exactly.
Well, naturally, not exactly.
With any weight on the
ladder, it would move around,
and consequently, the
holes would be enlarged.
I see.
All right, clerk, I'm through
with the exhibit. Thank you.
Lieutenant Tragg, as I
understand your position,
if the ferrules of that
ladder had fit perfectly,
that would be definite proof
that the prints were
made by that ladder?
That is correct.
But since they
did not fit perfectly,
that still proves the prints
were made by the ladder?
I must say, Lieutenant,
I just do not
understand your logic.
Uh, no further questions.
You may step down.
Raise your right hand, please.
Do you solemnly swear the testimony
you're about to give in the cause
now pending in this court, to
be the truth, the whole truth?
I do. State your name.
Uh, Lisa Bannister.
Be seated, please.
Mrs. Bannister, you knew
the deceased, Stefan Riker,
very well, didn't you?
I knew him.
Then you were aware that he
was in love with the defendant?
I object, Your Honor.
Counsel's leading the witness.
I'll withdraw the question.
If the court please, however,
this is an adverse witness.
She has refused to
testify for the State,
and she has repeatedly
avoided service of summons.
I see. You may
proceed, Mr. Burger.
Mrs. Bannister, you're very fond
of your stepdaughter, are you not?
Oh, yes, I am.
During a vacation last summer,
I understand that you wrote to
each other daily. Is that correct?
Yes.
I show you now this letter,
and ask if it is in your
stepdaughter's handwriting.
I'm not sure.
BURGER: Mrs. Bannister,
you're under oath.
Well, I tell you, I'm not sure.
Mrs. Bannister, you testified
only a few seconds ago,
that you and your stepdaughter
exchanged daily letters
during your vacation.
How long was this vacation?
A month.
Then you must have
seen 30 of her letters!
Surely you're familiar
with her handwriting.
Now, I ask you again,
is this letter in your
stepdaughter's handwriting?
Yes.
Thank you.
If it please the court,
I would like to read
this letter into the record.
Proceed.
It's dated March 7th.
"Darling, why do you lie to me?
"I know you saw
her again on Monday.
"It's times like this I get
so mad I could kill you.
"Sweetheart,
don't do this to me,
"not if you love your Doris."
I should like this marked
as an exhibit for the State.
Thank you, Mrs.
Bannister. Your witness.
Mrs. Bannister, how long
had you known Stefan Riker?
Since I was 19.
But I thought you were cousins.
Uh, we were distant cousins.
I had never met him until 1947.
And where did that
meeting take place?
In Berlin.
Which at that time was
occupied by the Soviet Union?
Yes.
Were you fond of Riker?
I hated him.
Yet he was a constant
guest at your home.
I tried to prevent it.
I begged Doris not to see him.
But she ignored your advice.
Yes.
Mrs. Bannister,
I would like to quote from
this letter Mr. Burger just read.
"I know you saw her
again on Monday."
Now, do you know
who this woman was
that Riker saw again on Monday?
No.
Mrs. Bannister, I'd like to
remind you, you're still under oath.
I tell you, I don't know.
Did you ever visit
Riker in his apartment?
No.
Did you ever meet him elsewhere?
No! Why must you make
these horrible accusations?
Because I don't believe
you're telling the truth.
Thank you, Mrs.
Bannister. That's all.
Why did you have
to do that to her?
Why did you have
to humiliate her?
So you've finally decided to
give up that amnesia routine.
I'm not giving up anything.
Listen to me, Doris. No one
believes you had amnesia.
But when you had the
doctor on the stand...
It was part of my job
to discredit the doctor.
But when the court
adds up the evidence,
the phony accident, the
way you used that ladder...
I didn't use the ladder.
How can you be sure?
You had amnesia, remember?
All right, Mr. Mason.
I killed him.
What?
Stefan and I quarreled
that night and I left.
I drove around for a while,
and then, about
midnight, I went back.
I got on that ladder
and looked in.
He was with that woman again.
What's her name?
I never did find out.
When she left, I
went in and shot him.
All right.
You were in the apartment.
But after Riker was killed. No!
What did you see there that made
you think your stepmother had killed him?
What? I can't think of anyone
else you'd be trying to protect.
You're right.
Now, isn't that funny?
After all those fairytales you
hear about the wicked stepmother.
No one ever did as much for me.
So you repay her kindness
by suspecting her of murder?
You know, I'm beginning to believe
your father. You are mixed up.
You make a childish gesture and
endanger your own life and Lisa's.
And all for nothing. It
wasn't all for nothing!
You're still insisting Lisa is
guilty so you can take bows?
I tell you, she was
there that night!
I got there around midnight.
Stefan was already dead.
In his hand was
Lisa's medallion.
The chain was broken.
What kind of a
medallion was this?
It was round. About this big.
It had a little gold
horse on one side.
My father gave it to her
on their first anniversary.
I took it out of Stefan's
hand and threw it away.
And on that kind of evidence,
you decided Lisa was guilty?
The fact she was seeing
Stefan doesn't mean a thing.
You don't kill the man you love.
She wasn't in love
with him! She hated him!
She hated him
even more than I did.
Your letters
certainly sound like it.
Well, I had to pretend to be
jealous to keep him away from her.
Otherwise, I thought he...
What's his hold on Lisa?
You'll never find out.
I mean it, Mr. Mason.
You baited me into telling
you this to justify my actions,
but if you repeat this story,
I'll swear you made it up!
Yes. Will you hold on
just one minute, please?
Perry, I have Mr. Bannister.
Thanks. Hello?
Yes, Mason?
Mr. Bannister, I know
it's difficult for you to talk,
so I'll put my questions so
they can be answered simply.
Do you understand?
I understand.
Now, is your wife
wearing the medallion
you gave her for your
first wedding anniversary?
No.
Uh, come to think of it,
I haven't seen it
in several weeks.
Well, do you think
you can secure it
or a copy of it for me before
court convenes tomorrow?
But why do you want it?
I can't tell you about that
now, but it is important.
A Mr. Paul Drake
will meet you at the
Fenway parking lot tomorrow.
You can give it to him there.
It's right next to
the courthouse.
Right.
Well, at least mother
nature's on our side.
Morning, Mr. Drake.
Can I help you, Mr. Bannister?
I can manage.
Did you get the medallion?
I couldn't. And I
tried, believe me.
I phoned New York last night,
but they said it would take
three or four days to get a copy.
Mr. Mason's gonna
be awfully disappointed.
How do you suppose I
feel? She's still my daughter.
(BIRDS TWITTERING)
I call Edward Bannister, please.
BAILIFF: Edward
Bannister to the stand.
Raise your right hand, please.
Do you solemnly swear the testimony
you're about to give in the cause
now pending in this court to
be the truth, the whole truth?
I do. State your name.
Edward Bannister.
Be seated, please.
Were you in court the day
your wife testified, Mr. Bannister?
I was.
Then you must have
heard the testimony
of the ballistics
expert, Mr. Redfield.
Well, I don't remember it.
I'll be happy to
refresh your memory.
He testified that it was a bullet
from this gun that killed Stefan Riker.
Have you ever seen
this weapon before?
Well, Mr. Bannister?
It looks like a gun that I own,
except that mine isn't chipped.
I assure you, it is yours.
It was purchased from the Acme
Sporting Goods company, three years ago.
It was charged to the
Bannister Farms account.
Now, how long has it been since
you saw this weapon, Mr. Bannister?
Oh, it must have been
eight or nine months ago.
And where was
it habitually kept?
Uh, in the tack
room in the stables.
Whereabouts in the
tack room? In a desk.
Does your daughter know
where this weapon is kept?
Well, yes.
I see. Thank you very
much, sir, that's all.
You may cross-examine.
MASON: Oh, may I? Of course.
Thank you.
Mr. Bannister,
how many employees
do you have at your ranch?
About 12.
Are they all permitted
to use the tack room?
No, no. Just the foreman.
What is your foreman's name?
Gary Marshall.
Well, does Mr. Marshall occasionally
use the desk in your tack room?
Yes. It was put there
expressly for his purpose.
Yet Mr. Marshall never informed
you the gun was missing?
No.
Did you present
your wife with any gifts
on the occasion of your
first wedding anniversary?
I gave her a check
for $5,000, a mink coat,
and a gold medallion.
Would you describe
the medallion for us?
Well, it was 18-karat gold,
about the size of a half dollar,
and it had a figure
of a horse on it.
How did, uh, Mrs. Bannister
customarily wear this medallion?
On a thin gold chain
around her neck.
Your Honor, aren't we
getting pretty far afield?
If the court please,
Stefan Riker had such a medallion in
his hand the night he was murdered.
That's a lie! You
mustn't believe him!
(BANGING GAVEL)
We will have order.
Miss Bannister,
this is a court of law.
You will refrain from such
outbursts in the future.
But he has no right...
If Your Honor please...
Mr. Mason is determined to
confuse the issues in this case.
There's absolutely
no evidence whatever
that a gold medallion was
found in the deceased's hand!
There's no such evidence, Your Honor,
because it was removed by an intruder.
If Mr. Mason has such intimate
knowledge of the scene on the crime,
we would be most happy for
him to take the stand and testify!
Gentlemen!
This is a court of law.
You will conduct
yourselves accordingly.
I beg your pardon, Your Honor.
I also beg the court's pardon,
but if the court will allow me to continue,
I believe I can show such evidence.
You may continue.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Now, Mr. Bannister, can
you remember the last time
you saw your wife
wearing the medallion?
Yes, it was the night of
the horse show in Beverly.
Do you recall the exact date?
March 27th.
Or two days before the
murder of Stefan Riker?
To the best of your knowledge,
does your wife still have
possession of that medallion?
I looked in her
jewelry box last night.
Was it there? No.
Have you any idea where it
could have disappeared to?
Your Honor, I object!
Counsel is asking this witness
for the rankest form of hearsay.
I disagree with my
distinguished colleague.
It's not hearsay at all. It's
the best possible evidence.
Mr. Bannister is not
venturing an opinion.
He's relating a positive fact.
He knows the medallion
was in the dead man's hand
because he placed
it there himself.
What?
Do you realize
what you're saying?
Perfectly.
You placed that
medallion in Riker's hands
in an effort to
incriminate your wife,
just as you deliberately dropped
that gun near the driveway.
That's ridiculous!
You thought that your wife and
Stefan Riker were having an affair
which began in Germany.
And it pleased your
distorted sense of irony
to kill your rival and frame
your wife for his murder.
Only your daughter intervened!
That's nonsense! I didn't
even know where Riker lived!
You were never at
Riker's home at all? Never.
But you were in court yesterday,
when Lieutenant Tragg
introduced this ladder
and this plaster
cast, were you not?
Are you trying to say
that I climbed that ladder?
Not at all.
As the court will remember,
this ladder does not
exactly fit those impressions.
The State maintains
this was due to the fact
that the ladder had wobbled, moved
around a bit enlarging those holes.
Now, if the court
will bear with me...
These are imprints
made less than one half an
hour ago, by Mr. Bannister.
These two holes were
made by his canes.
If the court would like
to examine the exhibit?
The court would.
And so would the prosecution.
Now, you'll notice
a slight indentation...
Uh, Mr. Mason,
perhaps it would be better if you
stepped up here behind the bench.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Now, you'll notice a
slight indentation here.
Now, the same
indentation is present
in the State's exhibit of the plaster
cast supposedly made by the ladder.
If Mr. Burger will
be kind enough
to show us the ferrules
on the bottom of the ladder?
Now Your Honor will notice that there
is nothing on either of these ferrules
which would cause such a mark.
Then what did
cause it, Mr. Mason?
Mr. Bannister, may I see
one of your canes, please?
No, the other one.
Now, Your Honor will observe
that the ferrule on the bottom of
this cane was apparently loose,
and so Mr. Bannister put a tack
in it to keep it from coming off.
What are you talking about?
I submit that on the
night of the murder,
you stood outside
Stefan Riker's window
to see if he was alone before
you went in and killed him.
That's a lie!
Hi. Burger just called.
He wanted to know if you
were going to defend Bannister,
and when I said no, he
was very disappointed.
He also wanted to know
how you got on to Bannister.
What did you tell him?
I told him we never divulge
professional secrets. Good girl.
But just for my own
information, what was it?
Well, in the first place, Bannister
had the best possible motive.
He thought Lisa
was betraying him.
And when Doris told
me about the medallion,
I just felt that it
had to be Bannister.
It was all in character.
Can you imagine anyone
tearing that necklace off your neck
without your knowing it?
Then it must have been a frame.
And poor little Doris, by, uh,
upsetting it, put her neck in the noose.
That's the story.
No, not quite.
What kind of a hold do you
suppose Riker had on Lisa?
I have no idea.
Well, they both came
from East Germany.
Do you think there could
have been a connection there?
Now, suppose when
Lisa came into this country,
she got in by... Della,
I have as much curiosity
as the next person.
But if Doris was willing to go to the
gas chamber to protect Lisa's secret,
I think just this once,
we ought not to pry.
What do you think?
I think you've got
something there.
After all, every woman's
entitled to at least one secret.
(CHUCKLES) What's yours?
You'll never know.
What happened last night?
I was busy.
You could have phoned,
or was it too much trouble?
It was too much trouble.
Don't be like that,
Gary. How about tonight?
What do you say, honey?
You're spillin' my beer.
Excuse me.
Perhaps you can give
me some assistance.
That station wagon
outside belongs to you?
On the door is painted
"Bannister Farms."
It belongs to my
boss, Mr. Bannister.
Allow me to introduce myself.
My name is Stefan Riker.
May I?
Help yourself.
Would you care for another beer?
No.
Perhaps something to eat?
Look, Mr. Riker, let's not
waste time breaking the ice.
I gotta pick up my boss'
wife in a couple of minutes.
Which is exactly why I'm here.
Have you ever seen
this lady before?
No, can't say that I have.
You're sure?
I'm positive.
If I'd ever run across
a number like this,
you can bet your
life I'd remember.
But if my luck changes,
I'll let you know.
I'll keep a hold of
this just in case.
Why are we stopping here, Gary?
I thought maybe we ought to
have a little talk, Mrs. Bannister.
I was having a beer
in Hennessy's bar
when this fellow came up to me
and started asking
me a few questions.
Said his name was Stefan Riker.
And he had a picture of you.
You must be mistaken.
Uh-uh. No, no. It was you.
But don't you worry about
a thing, Mrs. Bannister.
I didn't let on it was you.
I can't explain, but I'm
very grateful to you, Gary.
I kind of thought
maybe you would be.
You know, ever since
the first time we met,
I've had a great
big yen for you.
Let go of me.
Oh, it's all right.
I can keep my mouth shut.
I guess I kind of forgot
I was just a hired hand.
Are we going to go home now?
Sure, Mrs. Bannister.
Anything you say.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
117.
For six furlongs?
Get rid of him.
Mrs. Bannister's
awful fond of that horse.
I'm not in the
business of raising pets.
Get rid of him.
Okay.
(EXHALES)
Where's Lisa? Upstairs.
Having another one
of her headaches?
Is it any wonder?
Just what do you mean by that?
You don't appreciate a
single thing she's done for us!
Look at how
wonderful she's been!
(DOORBELL RINGS) Even
my own mother wasn't...
I hate to interrupt your spirited
defense of your stepmother,
but don't you think
you'd better answer that?
Good evening. Yes?
I wonder if I could see Frau...
That is to say, Mrs.
Bannister. I'm her cousin.
Her cousin? Oh, please come in!
Thank you.
Won't you please come this way?
I know Lisa will be delighted.
Thank you.
How long have you
been in this country?
Approximately two weeks.
Where did you come from?
East Germany.
That's the part the
commies control.
I could tell you
stories, Herr Bannister.
Hello, Lisa.
Well, aren't you
going to say anything?
Liebsten?
This is your cousin, Stefan.
Oh, we must forgive
her, Herr Bannister.
I'm sure that I'm the
last person in the world
she expected to see.
I can understand that,
since she told me she
had no living relatives.
DORIS: Lisa!
Lisa?
What have you got there?
(PILLS CLATTERING)
It's the only way.
You don't know
what you're saying!
I would rather die than go back.
Go back where?
Lisa, listen to me.
Who is Stefan Riker?
A man I once knew in Berlin.
He's a friend of my father's.
I thought your father's dead.
My father's name
is Hans Gerbhart.
He's the real head of the
Communist Party in East Germany.
The man who is responsible...
But they can't hold you
responsible for what your father is!
This is America, Lisa.
But I have no right to be here.
I'm in this country illegally.
My passport was forged.
Then they can send you back.
So you see why those
pills are the only solution?
Oh, don't say that.
Promise me, Lisa, you
won't do anything foolish.
I'll think of something.
(CLASSICAL PIANO MUSIC PLAYING)
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
Oh!
Miss Bannister, is it not?
It most certainly is.
Aren't you going
to invite me in?
Please.
You must excuse me, I'm
astonished by your metamorphosis.
What a lovely room.
I'm glad you approve.
You wouldn't consider
me inhospitable
if I asked you what
you were doing here?
I could say I was
in the neighborhood.
That would hardly be the truth.
Uh-huh.
Actually, I'm very
curious about you.
That's unfortunate.
You see, Miss
Bannister... Doris.
I'm not the sort of man you
should interest yourself in.
That's exactly what
does interest me.
You know, I have
a curious feeling
that underneath
that bold exterior,
you're really quite frightened.
That's very funny.
Shall we see?
So, you're not frightened, huh?
(BIRDS TWITTERING)
Good morning.
That'll be all for now, Gary.
Well, if you want
me... I'll let you know.
That's all you gotta do.
Done all right for yourself
the past three months.
Pardon?
This car, those clothes.
(CHUCKLES) This is a land
of opportunity, Herr Bannister.
You think I don't know
what's been going on here?
I want it to stop.
Otherwise? Otherwise, we...
Oh, Lisa, your entrance
was most unfortunate.
I believe your husband
was about to threaten me.
I never wanna
see you here again.
Do you understand?
I'm sorry you feel that
way, Herr Bannister.
As far as I can say,
you and your family are
always welcome at my home.
Auf wiedersehen.
And in People v. Bernard,
347 US Reports 506,
Supreme Court held that such
testimony on the part of the witness,
was clearly inadmissible
and grounds for reversal.
In view of these authorities,
we feel that the writ of Coram
Nobis should be granted.
And if it isn't, Mr. Hudson will
go to the gas chamber Friday.
I'll type this right up.
(DOOR OPENING)
Well, if we were in England now,
I'd be able to say, "That
must be the charwoman."
It's only 1:30.
She doesn't get here till 3:00.
Mind if I investigate?
Afraid someone
might steal the rug?
No, that's insured.
I was worried about
the switchboard.
Hello.
Could I help you?
I...
I would like to see Perry Mason.
I found that in my pocket.
What's your name, dear?
I don't know.
That's why I came here.
I was hoping Mr. Mason knew me.
Oh, here.
Sit down right over here.
I'll get you a drink of water.
You're very kind.
Are you Perry Mason?
Yes.
Have you ever seen me before?
Why, no.
She must have
been in an accident.
She found this in her pocket.
How did you get here?
A man gave me a ride.
Can you remember where
this man picked you up?
I think the sign
said, "Canyon Road."
Could it have been
Sunset Canyon Road?
Della, call the garage. Have
them bring my car around.
I'll take her to Lakewood
Street Receiving.
Right.
(TELEPHONE DIALING)
Information, I want the
phone number of Perry Mason.
Has she been identified yet? No.
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
I just don't understand it.
Yes?
All right, Gertie, put him on.
It's an Edward Bannister.
Hello? Yes, Mr. Bannister.
Hold on just one minute, please.
He says he's her father.
Yes, Mr. Bannister.
What can I do for you?
A great deal, I hope.
That was my daughter, Doris,
who walked into
your office last night.
Well, of course I'm sure!
Have you called the authorities?
Why not?
First of all, I just this
minute saw the paper.
I don't get up too early.
Don't you think it's strange none
of her friends have identified her?
She has none.
Now, listen, Mason,
do you suppose you
could get Doris out of there,
and do whatever
else is necessary?
Well, it's nothing
you couldn't handle.
I'm crippled.
Oh, I'm very sorry.
I'll do what I can.
Oh, incidentally,
I think Doris was wandering around
Sunset Canyon Road last night.
Does she know
anyone around there?
She's been seeing a great deal
of a man named Stefan Riker.
I think he has a house
somewhere near there.
No. No, that's R-I-K-E-R.
Get the phone
book, will you, Della?
And what's your address?
All right, I'll be in touch.
Well, we've a client,
Miss Doris Bannister.
Why does she need a lawyer?
That's what intrigues me.
She's been seeing a
man named Stefan Riker.
See if he's listed, will
you? It's R-I-K-E-R.
(MUMBLING) R-I...
R-I...
Stefan. Mmm-hmm.
Richer... Rikard...
Riker. Riker. Here it is.
Stefan Riker, 1417
Sunset Canyon Road.
Get your coat.
We're going to the hospital?
No, we're gonna
see Mr. Riker first.
Her father didn't identify her
because he'd just
seen the paper.
Her friends didn't come forward
because apparently she has none.
I'd like to find out what
Mr. Riker has for an excuse.
TRAGG: Oh, I'd say about 2:00.
Yeah.
Sure, we'll be here
another hour anyway.
Now, what's this? Hot stuff.
They're all from the same
gal. A Doris Bannister.
"Sometimes I feel you're only
using me as an excuse to see her.
"I know I seem like a jealous
female, always spying on you.
"But, remember, darling,
you belong to me."
That's nothing. You ought
to read some of the others.
(CHUCKLES) I can hardly wait.
Excuse me, Lieutenant.
TRAGG: Where'd this come from?
QUINCEY: Found it
out by the driveway.
Killer must have
dropped it accidentally.
Good work, Quincey.
Thank you, Lieutenant.
When you get a minute, Sergeant
Marlowe would like to see you outside.
Yeah. Uh, let me know
when you trace this.
Yes, sir. Come on, Davis.
Don't forget to
get a shot of this.
TRAGG: Marlowe?
I thought you'd wanna
see this, Lieutenant.
Yeah.
She must have been keeping
an eye on her boyfriend
before she went in
to kill him. Looks like.
I'd like to meet
that Doris Bannister.
I think that can be arranged.
Yeah.
Let's go.
Seen enough?
Too much.
That was Sergeant Davis
of the Homicide Division.
It's a murder, all right.
DORIS: Why are you asking
me all these questions?
Can't you leave me alone?
I just wanna help you, Doris.
My name isn't Doris.
Then what is your name?
I can't remember.
Mr. Mason.
Well, it's unquestionably
general amnesia.
I'd like to move her
to a private sanitarium
with your permission,
of course. Well...
You're worried about your
responsibilities, and you're quite right.
But as Miss
Bannister's attorney,
I'm prepared to
give you a release.
And I'm sure it would
be perfectly legal.
Hello, counselor.
Well, hello, Lieutenant.
What's homicide doing here?
Well, what homicide does
everywhere, investigating a murder.
A fellow named,
uh, Stefan Riker.
Do I understand that you're,
uh, representing this girl?
And she shouldn't be disturbed.
She won't be.
He's going to make sure of that.
Well, hello, Mr. Drake.
Hi. I was afraid you'd be gone.
Any luck? Nope.
What did you find out?
Police think Miss
Bannister killed Riker.
I had that feeling
when I saw Tragg.
The way they figure it, Doris was crazy
about the guy, and he was two-timing her.
How do you see it?
I don't.
The only one who can tell
me anything is my client.
And she's suffering
from loss of memory.
How do you go about fighting it?
Strictly a rear-guard action.
Just wait for the district
attorney to advance theories
and do your best
to knock them down.
By the way, has anyone from
the DA's office seen Doris yet?
Burger talked to her himself.
She claims she can't
remember a thing.
From what I hear, that
suits Mr. Burger just fine.
He feels she's using it to cover
up just because she has no alibi.
Do you think it's
an act? I hope not.
Amnesia is generally
induced by a severe shock.
Well, committing a murder
might come under that heading.
So would an automobile accident.
How would Doris get out
to Sunset Canyon Road?
No, no, the police would have a
record if she'd been in an accident.
Not if she were driving
alone and ran off the road.
You might never find
the car in these hills.
But you, uh, want me to try.
Well, I'd like you to try.
Anything else?
Yes. Yes, just on the chance
that Burger is right about Riker
and there is another woman,
you might try to find her, too.
Goodbye.
EDWARD: Lisa, stop fidgeting.
I'm sorry, Edward.
Do you think it will
be much longer?
(DOOR OPENING)
Doris!
Oh, Doris.
Darling, how do you feel?
Darling, it's Lisa.
Don't you know me?
Take me back, please.
MASON: Just a moment.
Doris, do you remember me?
You're Perry Mason.
You said you wanted to help me.
I do. And so do they.
All right, matron,
we'll call you.
Now let's stop this nonsense.
You know perfectly
well who we are.
Now, I've got you the finest
lawyer that money can buy.
That's enough, Mr. Bannister.
She's my daughter.
And she's my client.
You do want me to represent
you, don't you, Doris?
Do you know what
you're accused of?
They say I killed a man.
A man named Stefan Riker.
What do you remember?
Just coming into your office
and everyone
asking me questions.
That's all?
Matron?
Doris...
You let Mason know
if you need anything.
Doris,
I'll be in to see you tomorrow.
This is ridiculous.
Well, can't you
see it's all an act?
Do you think she
killed Stefan Riker?
Of course not.
Then why should
she pretend amnesia?
Well, how should I know?
She must have some crazy reason.
Look, Mason, I don't
fool myself about anything.
You see these legs?
I was thrown by a
horse 10 years ago.
Doctors said they'd fix
me up as good as new.
I knew they were lying.
I got rid of all of them.
I can't stand anybody
trying to make a fool of me.
What happened to the horse?
Huh?
The one that threw you?
Well, I had him destroyed.
Is that what you're trying
to do to you're daughter?
Goodbye, Mrs. Bannister.
(JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING)
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
You want anything
else, Mr. Marshall?
How about you? No,
not just now, thank you.
I'm sorry I can't be
any help, Mr. Mason.
You never know
unless you try, Gary.
Look, I'd cut off my hand
up to here for the Bannisters.
They're real swell people.
Now, there's a few people who got
the wrong idea about the old man.
His bark's worse than his bite.
What do you think
about Mrs. Bannister?
A real lady.
They don't come any finer.
Is it true that Doris
lost her memory?
Mmm-hmm.
Well, that's too bad.
She sure is a nice girl.
I hope they go easy on her.
Do you think she killed Riker?
Of course not.
How well did you know him?
Didn't know him at all.
Just saw him around the
ranch a couple of times.
Hey, I gotta go.
Heavy date?
Helene? No, it's all right,
Gary. I'll take care of it.
Well, like they
say, hasta la vista.
Well, I think this should
take care of everything.
Well, thanks.
Mr. Marshall a friend of yours?
Mr. Marshall's a very
loyal, devoted friend
of Gary Marshall
and no one else.
I heard him feeding you
that line about the Bannisters.
Oh? Was it a line?
Well, he was always knocking
the whole family to me.
Really?
And you know that Riker fellow?
The man who was murdered?
(TELEPHONE RINGING) Mmm-hmm.
Well, Gary used to meet
him in here all the time.
Oh, now, you must be mistaken.
Don't tell me.
Excuse me. You Perry Mason? Yes.
There's a phone call
for you. Over here.
Thanks.
Hello?
Yes, Paul.
I got good news.
You can now prove your client's
amnesia is the genuine article.
I just found her car.
I don't see how she
got out of it alive.
Then she was in an accident?
Sunset Canyon Road.
I'll meet you there
in half an hour.
Well, there it is. Yeah.
How in the world did your men
ever spot the car from up there?
Faulkner's half bird
dog on his father's side.
Wish I'd brought
along my hiking boots.
Now let Burger claim
she's faking amnesia.
She's lucky she
just lost her memory.
Paul... Huh?
It's in neutral.
So it is.
You couldn't very well
drive a car in neutral.
She must have pushed
this thing off the hill.
The crash might have
jarred it into neutral.
Could be.
Huh. Kind of looks like
she's using you for a patsy.
She wrote that herself.
(LEAVES RUSTLING)
Well, it proves that great
minds run on the same channel.
As soon as I saw your
car parked up there,
I figured, "What's good enough for my
friend Mason is good enough for me."
And the State will prove
beyond any reasonable doubt
that the defendant,
Doris Bannister,
was in love with the deceased.
That she jealously
spied on him constantly,
and that when she discovered
there was another woman,
she killed him.
And then pretended to
be suffering from amnesia
in an attempt to avoid the
consequences of what she had done.
On that first morning when
you examined the defendant,
what did you find?
Well, I thought she was
suffering from general amnesia.
General amnesia?
Yes, sir. There seemed
to be total loss of memory.
When you say there seemed to
be total loss of memory, Doctor,
do you mean that you
subsequently changed your mind?
Yes, sir. I am certain now that Miss
Bannister never suffered from amnesia.
Then you think she was faking?
Definitely, sir.
Thank you, Doctor.
Oh, Doctor, one thing more.
Did Miss Bannister
have any visitors
on her first day
in the hospital?
Yes, she had. Mr. Perry Mason.
Her attorney?
Yes, he said he wanted to move
the patient to a private sanitarium.
And what happened
to prevent this move?
The police arrived.
I see. Thank you, Doctor.
Your witness.
Doctor,
you testified you subsequently
changed your mind
about Miss Bannister's amnesia.
Yes, sir. Further physical
examination proved
that there was
nothing wrong with her.
Isn't it true, Doctor,
that amnesia can
be psychic in origin?
That Miss Bannister
might be well organically
and still suffer from
a loss of memory?
There's nothing to indicate
that this is the case here.
For example, she had no trouble
with difficult
problems in algebra.
But wouldn't she be
able to do problems
if she suffered from
partial amnesia?
She would still
remember isolated facts
and have the
ability to associate.
Yes, but she's
supposed to be suffering
from general
amnesia, not partial.
And who made the first
diagnosis of general amnesia?
I did, sir.
Thank you, Doctor.
Oh, Doctor,
one more thing.
In regard to my
underhanded effort
in trying to remove Miss
Bannister from the county hospital,
uh, let me read you an article
from the Times,
dated February 1st.
"Our county hospitals
are badly overcrowded.
"In many cases, patients must be
moved out before they should be.
"The situation
cries for relief."
Now, does that sound familiar?
Yes, sir. I said
that in an interview.
Yes, you did.
Thank you again,
Doctor. That's all.
Would you explain this exhibit
to the court, please, Lieutenant?
It's a plaster cast we
made of the ground
directly beneath the rear
window of Mr. Riker's apartment.
Did you find anything
on the premises
which could have
caused these imprints?
Yes, that aluminum ladder there.
This is marked
State's Exhibit 3.
If you place the rear legs of
the ladder in that plaster cast, it...
Like this?
You'll notice they fit.
Yes, they do fit.
Where was this ladder situated
when you found it, Lieutenant?
Right next to the rear window
of, uh, Mr. Riker's apartment.
BURGER: And did you climb
it yourself? TRAGG: I did.
What were you able to see?
Well, I had an unobstructed view
of everything that
went on in the room.
Did you find any
fingerprints on the ladder?
Yes, sir.
The defendant's.
I think that about covers
the matter, Lieutenant.
BURGER: Will the clerk please
return the ladder to the exhibit table?
Your witness. Just a moment.
May I, Mr. Burger?
Of course.
Lieutenant Tragg,
isn't it true that the
fingerprints on this ladder
might have been left there days
or even weeks before the murder?
Might have been.
And isn't it possible
that the defendant could
have used the ladder indoors
and left her fingerprints
on it at that time?
Anything is possible, Mr. Mason.
Now, Lieutenant, how
do you explain the fact
that no trace of the
defendant's footprints
were found on the
ground near this ladder?
Because there's a stone
path near the window,
and the defendant could step
directly from that to the ladder.
Now, Lieutenant, the
ferrules of this ladder
do not fit this cross
section exactly.
Well, naturally, not exactly.
With any weight on the
ladder, it would move around,
and consequently, the
holes would be enlarged.
I see.
All right, clerk, I'm through
with the exhibit. Thank you.
Lieutenant Tragg, as I
understand your position,
if the ferrules of that
ladder had fit perfectly,
that would be definite proof
that the prints were
made by that ladder?
That is correct.
But since they
did not fit perfectly,
that still proves the prints
were made by the ladder?
I must say, Lieutenant,
I just do not
understand your logic.
Uh, no further questions.
You may step down.
Raise your right hand, please.
Do you solemnly swear the testimony
you're about to give in the cause
now pending in this court, to
be the truth, the whole truth?
I do. State your name.
Uh, Lisa Bannister.
Be seated, please.
Mrs. Bannister, you knew
the deceased, Stefan Riker,
very well, didn't you?
I knew him.
Then you were aware that he
was in love with the defendant?
I object, Your Honor.
Counsel's leading the witness.
I'll withdraw the question.
If the court please, however,
this is an adverse witness.
She has refused to
testify for the State,
and she has repeatedly
avoided service of summons.
I see. You may
proceed, Mr. Burger.
Mrs. Bannister, you're very fond
of your stepdaughter, are you not?
Oh, yes, I am.
During a vacation last summer,
I understand that you wrote to
each other daily. Is that correct?
Yes.
I show you now this letter,
and ask if it is in your
stepdaughter's handwriting.
I'm not sure.
BURGER: Mrs. Bannister,
you're under oath.
Well, I tell you, I'm not sure.
Mrs. Bannister, you testified
only a few seconds ago,
that you and your stepdaughter
exchanged daily letters
during your vacation.
How long was this vacation?
A month.
Then you must have
seen 30 of her letters!
Surely you're familiar
with her handwriting.
Now, I ask you again,
is this letter in your
stepdaughter's handwriting?
Yes.
Thank you.
If it please the court,
I would like to read
this letter into the record.
Proceed.
It's dated March 7th.
"Darling, why do you lie to me?
"I know you saw
her again on Monday.
"It's times like this I get
so mad I could kill you.
"Sweetheart,
don't do this to me,
"not if you love your Doris."
I should like this marked
as an exhibit for the State.
Thank you, Mrs.
Bannister. Your witness.
Mrs. Bannister, how long
had you known Stefan Riker?
Since I was 19.
But I thought you were cousins.
Uh, we were distant cousins.
I had never met him until 1947.
And where did that
meeting take place?
In Berlin.
Which at that time was
occupied by the Soviet Union?
Yes.
Were you fond of Riker?
I hated him.
Yet he was a constant
guest at your home.
I tried to prevent it.
I begged Doris not to see him.
But she ignored your advice.
Yes.
Mrs. Bannister,
I would like to quote from
this letter Mr. Burger just read.
"I know you saw her
again on Monday."
Now, do you know
who this woman was
that Riker saw again on Monday?
No.
Mrs. Bannister, I'd like to
remind you, you're still under oath.
I tell you, I don't know.
Did you ever visit
Riker in his apartment?
No.
Did you ever meet him elsewhere?
No! Why must you make
these horrible accusations?
Because I don't believe
you're telling the truth.
Thank you, Mrs.
Bannister. That's all.
Why did you have
to do that to her?
Why did you have
to humiliate her?
So you've finally decided to
give up that amnesia routine.
I'm not giving up anything.
Listen to me, Doris. No one
believes you had amnesia.
But when you had the
doctor on the stand...
It was part of my job
to discredit the doctor.
But when the court
adds up the evidence,
the phony accident, the
way you used that ladder...
I didn't use the ladder.
How can you be sure?
You had amnesia, remember?
All right, Mr. Mason.
I killed him.
What?
Stefan and I quarreled
that night and I left.
I drove around for a while,
and then, about
midnight, I went back.
I got on that ladder
and looked in.
He was with that woman again.
What's her name?
I never did find out.
When she left, I
went in and shot him.
All right.
You were in the apartment.
But after Riker was killed. No!
What did you see there that made
you think your stepmother had killed him?
What? I can't think of anyone
else you'd be trying to protect.
You're right.
Now, isn't that funny?
After all those fairytales you
hear about the wicked stepmother.
No one ever did as much for me.
So you repay her kindness
by suspecting her of murder?
You know, I'm beginning to believe
your father. You are mixed up.
You make a childish gesture and
endanger your own life and Lisa's.
And all for nothing. It
wasn't all for nothing!
You're still insisting Lisa is
guilty so you can take bows?
I tell you, she was
there that night!
I got there around midnight.
Stefan was already dead.
In his hand was
Lisa's medallion.
The chain was broken.
What kind of a
medallion was this?
It was round. About this big.
It had a little gold
horse on one side.
My father gave it to her
on their first anniversary.
I took it out of Stefan's
hand and threw it away.
And on that kind of evidence,
you decided Lisa was guilty?
The fact she was seeing
Stefan doesn't mean a thing.
You don't kill the man you love.
She wasn't in love
with him! She hated him!
She hated him
even more than I did.
Your letters
certainly sound like it.
Well, I had to pretend to be
jealous to keep him away from her.
Otherwise, I thought he...
What's his hold on Lisa?
You'll never find out.
I mean it, Mr. Mason.
You baited me into telling
you this to justify my actions,
but if you repeat this story,
I'll swear you made it up!
Yes. Will you hold on
just one minute, please?
Perry, I have Mr. Bannister.
Thanks. Hello?
Yes, Mason?
Mr. Bannister, I know
it's difficult for you to talk,
so I'll put my questions so
they can be answered simply.
Do you understand?
I understand.
Now, is your wife
wearing the medallion
you gave her for your
first wedding anniversary?
No.
Uh, come to think of it,
I haven't seen it
in several weeks.
Well, do you think
you can secure it
or a copy of it for me before
court convenes tomorrow?
But why do you want it?
I can't tell you about that
now, but it is important.
A Mr. Paul Drake
will meet you at the
Fenway parking lot tomorrow.
You can give it to him there.
It's right next to
the courthouse.
Right.
Well, at least mother
nature's on our side.
Morning, Mr. Drake.
Can I help you, Mr. Bannister?
I can manage.
Did you get the medallion?
I couldn't. And I
tried, believe me.
I phoned New York last night,
but they said it would take
three or four days to get a copy.
Mr. Mason's gonna
be awfully disappointed.
How do you suppose I
feel? She's still my daughter.
(BIRDS TWITTERING)
I call Edward Bannister, please.
BAILIFF: Edward
Bannister to the stand.
Raise your right hand, please.
Do you solemnly swear the testimony
you're about to give in the cause
now pending in this court to
be the truth, the whole truth?
I do. State your name.
Edward Bannister.
Be seated, please.
Were you in court the day
your wife testified, Mr. Bannister?
I was.
Then you must have
heard the testimony
of the ballistics
expert, Mr. Redfield.
Well, I don't remember it.
I'll be happy to
refresh your memory.
He testified that it was a bullet
from this gun that killed Stefan Riker.
Have you ever seen
this weapon before?
Well, Mr. Bannister?
It looks like a gun that I own,
except that mine isn't chipped.
I assure you, it is yours.
It was purchased from the Acme
Sporting Goods company, three years ago.
It was charged to the
Bannister Farms account.
Now, how long has it been since
you saw this weapon, Mr. Bannister?
Oh, it must have been
eight or nine months ago.
And where was
it habitually kept?
Uh, in the tack
room in the stables.
Whereabouts in the
tack room? In a desk.
Does your daughter know
where this weapon is kept?
Well, yes.
I see. Thank you very
much, sir, that's all.
You may cross-examine.
MASON: Oh, may I? Of course.
Thank you.
Mr. Bannister,
how many employees
do you have at your ranch?
About 12.
Are they all permitted
to use the tack room?
No, no. Just the foreman.
What is your foreman's name?
Gary Marshall.
Well, does Mr. Marshall occasionally
use the desk in your tack room?
Yes. It was put there
expressly for his purpose.
Yet Mr. Marshall never informed
you the gun was missing?
No.
Did you present
your wife with any gifts
on the occasion of your
first wedding anniversary?
I gave her a check
for $5,000, a mink coat,
and a gold medallion.
Would you describe
the medallion for us?
Well, it was 18-karat gold,
about the size of a half dollar,
and it had a figure
of a horse on it.
How did, uh, Mrs. Bannister
customarily wear this medallion?
On a thin gold chain
around her neck.
Your Honor, aren't we
getting pretty far afield?
If the court please,
Stefan Riker had such a medallion in
his hand the night he was murdered.
That's a lie! You
mustn't believe him!
(BANGING GAVEL)
We will have order.
Miss Bannister,
this is a court of law.
You will refrain from such
outbursts in the future.
But he has no right...
If Your Honor please...
Mr. Mason is determined to
confuse the issues in this case.
There's absolutely
no evidence whatever
that a gold medallion was
found in the deceased's hand!
There's no such evidence, Your Honor,
because it was removed by an intruder.
If Mr. Mason has such intimate
knowledge of the scene on the crime,
we would be most happy for
him to take the stand and testify!
Gentlemen!
This is a court of law.
You will conduct
yourselves accordingly.
I beg your pardon, Your Honor.
I also beg the court's pardon,
but if the court will allow me to continue,
I believe I can show such evidence.
You may continue.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Now, Mr. Bannister, can
you remember the last time
you saw your wife
wearing the medallion?
Yes, it was the night of
the horse show in Beverly.
Do you recall the exact date?
March 27th.
Or two days before the
murder of Stefan Riker?
To the best of your knowledge,
does your wife still have
possession of that medallion?
I looked in her
jewelry box last night.
Was it there? No.
Have you any idea where it
could have disappeared to?
Your Honor, I object!
Counsel is asking this witness
for the rankest form of hearsay.
I disagree with my
distinguished colleague.
It's not hearsay at all. It's
the best possible evidence.
Mr. Bannister is not
venturing an opinion.
He's relating a positive fact.
He knows the medallion
was in the dead man's hand
because he placed
it there himself.
What?
Do you realize
what you're saying?
Perfectly.
You placed that
medallion in Riker's hands
in an effort to
incriminate your wife,
just as you deliberately dropped
that gun near the driveway.
That's ridiculous!
You thought that your wife and
Stefan Riker were having an affair
which began in Germany.
And it pleased your
distorted sense of irony
to kill your rival and frame
your wife for his murder.
Only your daughter intervened!
That's nonsense! I didn't
even know where Riker lived!
You were never at
Riker's home at all? Never.
But you were in court yesterday,
when Lieutenant Tragg
introduced this ladder
and this plaster
cast, were you not?
Are you trying to say
that I climbed that ladder?
Not at all.
As the court will remember,
this ladder does not
exactly fit those impressions.
The State maintains
this was due to the fact
that the ladder had wobbled, moved
around a bit enlarging those holes.
Now, if the court
will bear with me...
These are imprints
made less than one half an
hour ago, by Mr. Bannister.
These two holes were
made by his canes.
If the court would like
to examine the exhibit?
The court would.
And so would the prosecution.
Now, you'll notice
a slight indentation...
Uh, Mr. Mason,
perhaps it would be better if you
stepped up here behind the bench.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Now, you'll notice a
slight indentation here.
Now, the same
indentation is present
in the State's exhibit of the plaster
cast supposedly made by the ladder.
If Mr. Burger will
be kind enough
to show us the ferrules
on the bottom of the ladder?
Now Your Honor will notice that there
is nothing on either of these ferrules
which would cause such a mark.
Then what did
cause it, Mr. Mason?
Mr. Bannister, may I see
one of your canes, please?
No, the other one.
Now, Your Honor will observe
that the ferrule on the bottom of
this cane was apparently loose,
and so Mr. Bannister put a tack
in it to keep it from coming off.
What are you talking about?
I submit that on the
night of the murder,
you stood outside
Stefan Riker's window
to see if he was alone before
you went in and killed him.
That's a lie!
Hi. Burger just called.
He wanted to know if you
were going to defend Bannister,
and when I said no, he
was very disappointed.
He also wanted to know
how you got on to Bannister.
What did you tell him?
I told him we never divulge
professional secrets. Good girl.
But just for my own
information, what was it?
Well, in the first place, Bannister
had the best possible motive.
He thought Lisa
was betraying him.
And when Doris told
me about the medallion,
I just felt that it
had to be Bannister.
It was all in character.
Can you imagine anyone
tearing that necklace off your neck
without your knowing it?
Then it must have been a frame.
And poor little Doris, by, uh,
upsetting it, put her neck in the noose.
That's the story.
No, not quite.
What kind of a hold do you
suppose Riker had on Lisa?
I have no idea.
Well, they both came
from East Germany.
Do you think there could
have been a connection there?
Now, suppose when
Lisa came into this country,
she got in by... Della,
I have as much curiosity
as the next person.
But if Doris was willing to go to the
gas chamber to protect Lisa's secret,
I think just this once,
we ought not to pry.
What do you think?
I think you've got
something there.
After all, every woman's
entitled to at least one secret.
(CHUCKLES) What's yours?
You'll never know.