Perry Mason (1957–1966): Season 1, Episode 36 - The Case of the Prodigal Parent - full transcript

Lorraine,

I know it's after 6:00,

but would you mind
staying a few more minutes

and filing this London
correspondence for me?

Oh, of course not, Mr. Durell.

Thank you.

I'll be in Larkin's
office if you want me.

Be right with you, Durell.

All finished for
the day, Lorraine?

Yes, sir.

Oh, my, my, my, my,
my. We're so formal.



You used to call me
Philip, remember?

What would you say I come
over to your place tonight?

Hmm?

No, thanks.

Why not?

Your new boyfriend's
in Europe, isn't he?

Suppose I come over to
your place at about 7:30.

I told you, Philip, I'm not
going out with you anymore.

Oh, come on, you
don't really mean that.

What's the matter with me, huh?

Will you please let me pass?

I asked you a question.

And I gave you the answer
several months ago. Oh.

You know, it takes time to
really get to know you, Philip.



At first you're kind
and considerate.

A girl could think
that you really cared.

Oh, I cared.

Oh, no. Oh, yes.

If you really cared, you could never
have made those cruel accusations.

Why not, hmm? Why not?

They were true. Why
shouldn't I make them, hmm?

Did you suppose I
wouldn't follow up on it, huh?

It took me a long time, but I've
got the complete report right here.

What would your precious
Charles Patton the Third say, huh?

And some other
people that we know?

(SCREAMING) Why
don't you leave me alone?

Why do you keep
after me like this?

Because...

Because I want you
and if I can't have you,

nobody else will.
Do you understand?

Mr. Larkin?

Mr. Durell is waiting
for you in your office.

All right.

Just remember, Lorraine,
I meant every word of it.

Well, thank you very
much and do call again.

Good evening.

Oh, may I help you?

Yes. I'm here to
pick up a package

for the Larkin
Import-Export Company.

Larkin Import? Mmm-hmm.

Now, are you sure you
have the right place?

Positive.

Well, it might be under
the name of George Durell.

Durell, Durell...

Uh, what was the merchandise?

I don't know. My instructions
were to just pick up the package.

Well, I'm terribly sorry.

It's almost 9:00
and I must close.

Uh, would you like
to use the telephone?

Maybe you can contact this party

who gave you your instructions.

Well, that's just it. I don't
exactly know who it was.

Well, I mean, I assume
that it was Mr. Durell.

Well, why don't you
call him and find out?

(PHONE RINGING)

Hello?

LORRAINE: May I
please speak to Mr. Durell?

Who is this?

This is Lorraine
Stevens, his secretary.

Is that what they
call them nowadays?

What?

You're not fooling me.

I know what you and
my husband are up to.

What's the matter?

Isn't it enough that you
see him all day at the office

without hounding him at home?

Really, Mrs. Durell, I...

You're all alike.

Cheap little trollops
that can't let a man...

(DOOR CLOSING)

George.

I didn't mean it.

Honest.

Well, is anything wrong, Miss?

Bring a glass of water. Hurry!

I don't know why I
say things like that.

I just can't seem to help it.

George, I didn't mean it.

You know I didn't
mean it, George.

I know.

George, you have...

I know.

Thank you very
much. I'm all right now.

Good.

Is there anyone
else you'd like to call?

Well, I suppose I
could call Mr. Larkin.

Well, then why
don't you do that?

(PHONE RINGING)

(RINGING CONTINUES)

I can't understand it.

Someone picked up the
phone but there's no one there.

Oh, you've been very kind.

I'm sorry to have
kept you this late.

Oh, that's quite all right.

Good night. Good night.

By any chance, did
you take an order

for the Larkin
Import-Export Company?

Well, that's very strange.

Very strange indeed.

(DOORBELL RINGING)

Hold your horses, I'm coming.

Officer Norton, ma'am.
We're investigating a call.

What are you babbling about?

Did you telephone
police headquarters?

No, I didn't telephone
police headquarters

or anywhere else
for that matter.

I don't know what you want here.

Just a minute!
Where are you going?

He's dead. Better
call Homicide, Tom.

Yes, sir? What's going on here?

Who are you?

My name is Joseph
Harrison. What's the trouble?

Are you Philip
Larkin's stepfather?

I was. His mother
and I are divorced.

Then what are you doing here?

I came to see Mrs. Harrison.

Is there anything
wrong with that?

Come on in.

Lieutenant, this
is Mr. Harrison.

Hello, Ethel.

What's happened?

Your stepson Philip
has just been murdered.

I'm terribly sorry, Ethel.

Who did it? That's what
we're here to find out.

Excuse me, Lieutenant,

but can I take Mrs.
Harrison to her room?

TRAGG: Yes, of course.

Come along, Mrs. Harrison.

Ethel...

When was the last
time you visited here?

About six months ago.

Do you, uh, recognize this gun?

Yes. It's mine.

Well, anyone in the
house could have used it.

Your wife said that you...

I beg your pardon,
your ex-wife said

that you were out of the state.

Yes, I was.

I've been under a doctor's care.

I spent the last six months at the
Double Jay Ranch outside Salt Lake City.

But you left there
two weeks ago.

You seem to have been
doing some checking.

Well, that's my
job, Mr. Harrison.

Just what have you been
doing these last two weeks?

Uh, I've been at Lake Tahoe.

Just drove in tonight?

That's right.

I, uh, wonder if you'd let us

take an impression
of your fingerprints.

Sanchez, get that to the
crime lab as fast as you can.

TRAGG: There's no
doubt about it, Mr. Burger.

They all match.

Those are Harrison's
fingerprints on that gun case.

And he claimed he hadn't
been in the house for six months.

Were there any other fingerprints
on the gun case? Not a one.

The maid, Sarah
Winslow is her name,

claimed that she polished
that yesterday afternoon.

How about the gun?
Were there any prints on it?

No, nothing identifiable.

How did Harrison get along

with his stepson Philip Larkin?

He didn't.

I understand the boy was
the reason for the divorce.

Where do you
understand that from?

I talked to the maid.
She's a well of information.

She claimed that Philip kept after
his mother until she finally gave in.

And if that isn't enough,

the kid practically booted his
stepfather out of the family business.

The business was originally
built by Philip Larkin Sr.

The boy's father? Yes.

When old Larkin died, he left
the business to his widow Ethel.

And about four years
later, she met Harrison.

When they were married, she
let him take over the management.

Over young Larkin's
protest, I presume.

The strenuous protests.

Harrison had an
exporting outfit of his own.

He closed it,
brought his staff over

and they apparently ran things
pretty much to suit themselves.

And then when Mrs.
Harrison divorced him,

the party was over.

That's how it looks to me.

And then the first
night he gets back

after being away for six
months, the boy is murdered.

Well, it, uh, could
just be a coincidence.

Oh, sure, it could
be a coincidence.

How does Harrison explain
his prints on this case?

Well, I thought maybe
you'd like to ask him that.

I think you're
right, Lieutenant.

Pick him up.

Then when I heard they had arrested
Joseph and charged him with murder,

I thought I should
consult an attorney.

Does Mr. Harrison know
you have come to me?

No.

I just don't understand
your concern, Mrs. Harrison.

After all, the victim
was your son.

It does sound
illogical, doesn't it?

Highly.

Do you think your
husband killed Philip?

He said he didn't.

Do you believe him?

I have finished with not
believing him, Mr. Mason.

What does that mean?

I believe now that Joseph
was tolerant and patient,

much beyond what I
could have expected.

Will you represent him?

Well, I'll have to
talk with him first.

I understand.

In the meantime, whether
I represent him or not,

your testimony can
be most damaging.

But Joseph and I were married.

They couldn't make
me testify against him.

That rule doesn't
apply to a divorced wife.

Then you think that I...

Mrs. Harrison, I
can't advise you.

If I do undertake this case,

I'll be representing
Mr. Harrison.

I see.

Thank you. Thank
you for coming in.

Will you tell Joseph
I believe in him?

Yes, I will.

Thank you.

Goodbye, Miss Street.

Goodbye.

(DOOR OPENS)

(DOOR CLOSES)

Della, get hold of Paul Drake.

I'll need everything
possible on Philip Larkin.

All his background,
girlfriends, gambling, everything.

I'd also like to know a
little more about his mother.

Mrs. Harrison? Why?

Oh.

I don't know how much
of her story to believe

or how much she's left out.

She's still in love with
a man she's divorced.

I tell you, I have
no idea how my

fingerprints got on that
gun case, Mr. Mason.

I have.

You were in that room
earlier that night. No.

Look, Harrison, we'll get
nowhere if you lie to me.

It's bad enough that you've lied to
the police and the district attorney.

Now, there's no other
explanation for those fingerprints.

And you had a key to the house.

Well, I didn't kill Philip.

But you were in that room.

And you did see the body.

Yes, when I went
into the drawing room,

I saw Philip lying on the floor.

I felt his pulse and I
knew he was dead.

The phone rang and
I started to answer it,

but then I realized I'd
better get out of there.

Then?

Then I wiped my
fingerprints off the phone

and that's when I saw the gun.

I was so frightened,

I must have left my
fingerprints on the gun case.

Anyway, I got out of the
French door as fast as I could.

And you returned a
couple of hours later?

Who do think
killed your stepson?

Does that mean you
think I didn't do it?

His mother believes
you're innocent.

I think she's right.

Thank you.

This, uh, authorization
to go through our books

wasn't at all
necessary, Mr. Mason.

We'll do everything we
can to help Joe. Thank you.

Of course Mr. Harrison
didn't kill Philip.

As I understand it, Mr. Durell,

you've been handling the
business since Philip died.

Yes, that's right.

Tell me,

is everything all right?

Well, I can't be sure
until I audit the books.

Miss Collaro,

you were Joseph
Harrison's secretary?

Yes, for 23 years.

When he left, I stayed
on as Philip's secretary.

I thought that
Mr. Harrison would want...

CLAIRE: How long do you think
you could pull the wool over my eyes?

Excuse me. You're not fooling
me with that innocent look.

Not when you have the unmitigated
gall to telephone him at my home.

Claire.

I'm sorry, Lorraine.

Can't tell you how sorry I am.

George, I'm sorry.
Please don't be angry.

Excuse me, Mr. Mason.
I didn't mean it.

I didn't mean it.

It's too bad that had to happen.

But why does he put up with it?

Guilt.

It keeps him chained to her.

Twenty-five years ago

he drove his car into a truck.

And that's when she was hurt?

He'll pay for that
the rest of his life.

Why don't you go home?

Thanks, Miss
Collaro, I think I will.

May I volunteer my services?

Lorraine, this is Mr. Mason.

Mr. Harrison's lawyer.

Miss, uh...

Stevens.

Miss Stevens, I thought
perhaps I could give you a lift.

Well,

I live on Madera Drive.

Fine, that's right on my way.

All right, I'll just
get my things.

I give you my word, Mr. Mason,

there's never been anything
between Mr. Durell and myself.

Then where did Mrs.
Durell get those ideas?

Maybe because I called him
at his home the other night.

Well, I couldn't help it.

You see, somebody
left this note on my desk

asking me to pick up this
package at the Alcorn Jewelers.

That was on the
night of the murder?

That's right.

And when you got there, I assume no
one knew what you were talking about.

Well, yes. Go on.

Well, the manager
was very cooperative,

and he suggested that I phone
someone to get more information.

So you called Mr. Durell?

Mmm-hmm.

What time was that?

Well, I guess
somewhere around 9:00.

Have you got the note?

I threw it away.

I see.

Well, it's true.

Why should I want to make up
such a ridiculous story as that?

Someone must have been
playing a practical joke on me.

Well, this practical joker
certainly did you a favor.

If you were at the Alcorn
jewelry shop at 9:00,

you're virtually the only one
in the case who has an alibi.

Good night, Miss Stevens.

Here's a copy of
the 16-millimeter film

we found in Philip
Larkin's bedroom closet.

How does it look?
Oh, pretty as a picture.

Well...

Well, I'll be most
anxious to hear

what Mrs. Harrison
has to say about this.

You've got to find her,
Lieutenant. I'm working on it.

Then I checked at
the Alcorn jewelers.

Lorraine Stevens
was there, all right.

Mr. Alcorn remembered her.

She apologized half a dozen
times for keeping him past 9:00.

The point is, was she deliberately
doing that to set up an alibi?

She can stand one.

She was seeing a
lot of Philip Larkin

up to a month ago. It
was a pretty steady thing.

What made them
break up? I don't know.

Find out, will you, Paul? Sure.

Perry,

you'd better talk
to your client again.

Why?

I understand Burger's
uncovered a hunk of evidence

that's guaranteed to put
Harrison in the gas chamber.

Where'd you hear that?

Well, take my word for it.

It comes from an
unimpeachable source.

Any idea what this
evidence is? Nope.

Well, I'll get right
to work on this stuff.

I wonder what Burger
has up his sleeve.

(DOOR CLOSING)

According to Paul,

it's a lot more than his arm.

Good afternoon, ma'am.
I'm from the gas company.

Yes?

I'm sorry to bother
you but I'd like to...

Excuse me, please.
Are you from the police?

Police? Lady, I'm
from the gas company.

Believe me, if you are
looking for Ethel Harrison,

you will not find her here.

I don't know what
you are talking about.

This is 4B?

Oh, yes.

And you are, uh,

Irene Collaro?

I am.

All I want to do is
check the meter.

Oh, sir, you are
very convincing.

It is not your fault that the
man from the gas company

was here just two days ago.

Excuse me.

(INTERCOM BUZZES)

MAN: Mr. Burger, Mrs.
Winslow's on her way in.

I thought that nice Lieutenant
Tragg would be here.

Well, I'm sorry. He had to
leave. Won't you sit down?

You know, Sarah, we're relying on
you, Lieutenant Tragg and myself.

Well, I wouldn't want to say
anything to hurt Mr. Harrison.

Do you believe Mr. Harrison
killed his stepson Philip?

Of course not.

Well, then, the truth can't
possibly hurt him, can it?

No.

Well, there you are.

Now,

Sarah, where is Mrs. Harrison?

I told Lieutenant
Tragg I didn't know.

Don't you think it's strange she
disappears at this particular time?

She knew what she was
doing. She had good advice.

Good advice? I'm not so sure.

Didn't you also tell
Lieutenant Tragg

that she consulted Perry Mason?

Yes.

And did Mr. Mason
tell her to disappear?

Alls I know is she
went to see him.

When she came back, she
said, "Sarah, pack my things."

She said she didn't want anybody
to know where she was going.

That means Mr. Mason
told her to resort to flight.

Is that wrong?

That depends on
your point of view.

From where I sit,
it means Mr. Mason

is guilty of unethical conduct.

Excuse me.

Yes.

Yes, Mr. Burger,

I'll be sure and tell Mr. Mason
the minute he gets in.

Tell Mr. Mason what?

That was Mr. Burger
again. He's very insistent.

He wants to know
where Mrs. Harrison is.

So do I.

She may know about
that piece of evidence

guaranteed to put
Harrison in the gas chamber.

Has Paul had any luck
in running her down?

Nope.

Preliminary hearing
starts tomorrow.

And if Mrs.
Harrison isn't there?

Then the preliminary
hearing still starts tomorrow.

Well,

can't say you're
batting a thousand, Paul.

I'm sorry, Perry. I just
can't seem to connect.

But I'll bet my bottom dollar

that Mrs. Harrison is in
Los Angeles somewhere.

You know, this whole case
just doesn't make sense.

Why was Lorraine Stevens
sent to the jewelry store

and who wrote the note
that caused her to go there?

How do we know
there even was a note?

That story of hers was a lulu.

Who'd send her on a
wild-goose chase like that?

The killer.

What would be his
reason? I wish I knew.

What else did you find
out about Lorraine, Paul?

Well, only that she got her job at
Larkin Imports through Irene Collaro.

At least, uh, Miss Collaro

recommended her
to George Durell.

How long has Lorraine
been working there?

Since November.

That would be
about, uh, 10 months.

And before that?
Still checking it out.

Then you still don't know

what Mr. Burger
has up his sleeve.

There's one consolation.

Tomorrow night at
this time, we'll all know.

Gentleman,

in this case of the People of the State
of California versus Joseph Harrison,

the defendant has been advised
as to his constitutional rights.

This is the time heretofore
fixed pursuant to stipulation

for the preliminary hearing.

Are you ready?

Ready on behalf of
the People, Your Honor.

Ready for the
Defense, Your Honor.

All right, Mr. Burger, you
may call your first witness.

BURGER: I call Dr. Hocksey.

Death was practically
instantaneous,

caused by the
passage of a bullet

through the rib
cage, the peritoneum

and left ventricle of the heart.

And were you able to establish
the time of death, Doctor?

Somewhere between 20 minutes to
9:00 and 9:00 on Monday night, August 3rd.

Thank you, Doctor. Your witness.

No questions.

BURGER: Call Sarah
Winslow to the stand.

Then you were with
Mrs. Harrison eight years

before her marriage
to the defendant?

Yes, sir. I remember the
first time he came to dinner.

That was before he and the
missus decided to get married.

Was Philip Larkin
present at that time?

He certainly was.

And what was his reaction
to the announcement

of his mother's approaching
marriage to Joseph Harrison?

Well, I can't say he
exactly liked the idea.

He said Mr. Harrison was
after his mother's money.

He called him a con
man, whatever that means.

Well, after the marriage,
did the relationship

between the victim and
the defendant improve?

If you mean did Philip try to
make friends with Mr. Harrison,

the answer is no.

Towards the end, it got so as they
weren't even talking to one another.

It was terrible for Mrs.
Harrison. I felt awful sorry for her.

Yes, I understand that.

Now, Sarah, I want to
show you something.

And I ask you if
you recognize this.

Yes, sir, it's Mr. Harrison's.

Do you remember when the
last time you polished this was?

Yes, sir, it was on
the day it happened.

So this gun case was
actually freshly polished

the day of the murder?

Yes, sir.

Thank you, Sarah. Your witness.

Mrs. Winslow, do
you consider yourself

a good friend of the defendant?

Mr. Burger said the truth couldn't
hurt anybody if they were innocent.

Mr. Burger is absolutely right.

Now, you heard
the doctor testify

that Philip Larkin was
shot between 8:40 and 9:00.

Do you mind telling us
where you were at that time?

No, sir, I was in the
kitchen, cleaning up.

And you did not hear a gunshot?

No, sir. You see, that
house is really built right.

The kitchen's in the west wing.

You can't hear
anything that goes on

at the other end of the house.

But there is a
telephone in the kitchen.

Didn't you hear it
ringing around 9:00?

No, sir, that's not the same
phone as the one in the living room.

Philip had his own
private number.

I see.

Now, there's a pair of
French doors in that room?

Yes, sir, they lead
out to the patio.

Do you know who opened
them on the night of the murder?

Sir, I guess Philip did himself.

But the police found your
fingerprints on the doorknob.

Well, I...

I guess I just tried
to air out the room.

You know how it
is in hot weather,

you do these
things automatically.

Have you any idea at what time

you automatically
aired out this room?

No, sir.

Thank you, Mrs. Winslow.

That's all.

JUDGE: The witness
may step down.

The gun is registered
to Joseph Harrison.

We found the defendant's
fingerprints on the gun case.

Did you ask the defendant to explain
the fingerprints on the gun case?

He said he couldn't
explain them,

that he hadn't been in
the house for six months.

Well, we heard testimony here

that this case was polished
the day of the murder.

Yes, sir.

Well, if Mr. Harrison's
fingerprints

were on there from
six months ago,

wouldn't the polishing
have removed them?

I'm sure it would.

Thank you, Lieutenant.
Your witness.

Um, may I?

Of course. Thank you.

Lieutenant, uh,

did you say that, uh, this
was a German Mauser?

Yes, I did.

How old a gun is it?

Well, it dates back
to the First World War.

Something puzzles
me, Lieutenant.

I noted that the prosecution

carefully refrained
from asking you

about any fingerprints
on this gun.

Now, what fingerprints
did you find on it?

Well, nothing identifiable.

But you did say
that Mr. Harrison

left his fingerprints
on the gun case?

Yes, sir.

Were there any other
fingerprints on the gun case?

No, there weren't.

Now, you heard
Sarah Winslow testify

that she'd polished
this case that very day,

yet you didn't find
her fingerprints on it?

No, we didn't.

That's rather
strange, Lieutenant.

How do you account for that?

I object, Your Honor. Calls
for a conclusion of the witness.

I withdraw the
question, Your Honor.

Thank you,
Lieutenant. That's all.

BURGER: Now, Miss
Stevens, you've been employed

by the Larkin Import-Export
Corporation for how long?

Approximately 10 months.

And how long had you known
the deceased, Philip Larkin?

Since I started working there.

Were you ever
invited to his home?

Yes, sir.

How often?

Well, I used to visit there

on an average of two
or three times a week.

That was before Mr. and
Mrs. Harrison were divorced.

As a matter of fact, the defendant
was fond of you himself, wasn't he?

I mean in a
fatherly sort of way?

Well, I think so.

He tried to break
up your relationship

with Philip Larkin, didn't he?

Yes.

Did he tell you why?

Well, he didn't think that it
would be a good marriage.

Isn't it true that the defendant
had heated arguments with Philip

about your going together?

Isn't it also true
that the defendant

even threatened Philip Larkin

in his efforts to stop
him from seeing you?

Well, Miss Stevens,
isn't that true?

Well, I know they had arguments.

Thank you. Cross-examine.

I have no questions
of this witness.

JUDGE: You may step down.

Now, Your Honor, I would
like the courtroom darkened

and a screen set up so that I might
introduce this film into evidence.

What film? The defense
knows nothing about a film.

What is the film, Mr. Burger?

It's a segment of home
movies, Your Honor,

taken on the lawn of the Harrison
home approximately six months ago.

Three days before Mrs. Harrison
instituted divorce proceedings in Nevada.

Your Honor, I
object on the ground

that no proper
foundation has been laid

for the presentation
of this film.

Your Honor, the prosecution
would be most happy

to lay the proper foundation.

By a curious coincidence,
we've been unable to subpoena

the only witness able to do so.

I refer to Mrs. Ethel Harrison,
former wife of the defendant,

who has been missing
since the day after the murder.

Under the circumstances, I
think we will run these films.

Then I will rule whether
to admit them in evidence.

Thank you, Your Honor.

If it please the court,
I would like to reserve

the privilege of voir
dire examination

for the purpose of determining

whether these
films are relevant.

The privilege is granted.

We will now proceed
with the showing of the film,

and I will direct the clerk to
assist in preparing the courtroom.

(PROJECTOR WHIRRING)

(PEOPLE MURMURING)

(GAVEL BANGING)

Since the hour is late,

we will adjourn court until
10:00 tomorrow morning.

At which time defense counsel

can produce witnesses
on his voir dire examination.

After which I will rule on the
admissibility of this evidence.

The court stands adjourned.

(PEOPLE MURMURING)

Mr. Harrison, sit down.

They certainly put the
spurs to us this morning

with those home movies. Why
didn't you tell me about them?

They were made
over six months ago.

I forgot they even existed.

How could you
forget a thing like that?

Well, I had several
other things on my mind.

My wife asked me for a
divorce that same night.

Was the fight between you
and Philip the principal reason?

It didn't help. What
was the fight about?

That had nothing to
do with Philip's murder.

Suppose you let me be the judge.

I give you my word, Mr. Mason.

You've done that before.

Now, why did you
hit your stepson?

Because he had a dirty
mind and a mouth to match.

You're still telling me nothing.

I swear it had
nothing to do with this.

The whole thing was ridiculous.

Well, he accused me of
marrying his mother for her money.

He must have accused you
of that a hundred times before

and you never hit him.

No, this had to
be something else.

Any idea where
your wife is hiding?

She won't tell you about
this either. I know Ethel.

You know, there was a
fourth party at that scene.

What?

The person who took
the pictures. Who was it?

You're a mighty stubborn man.

Yes, I guess you're right.

Who are you protecting?

This little bit of gallantry
may cost you your life.

Think it over.

(INTERCOM BUZZES)

Yes, Gertie?

Just a minute.
Perry, it's a tipster.

Get on the extension
in your office.

All right, Gertie, put him on.

Hello?

Mr. Mason?

Never mind who this is.

Why don't you
investigate Ethel Harrison?

She's the one who's responsible

for all of Joe
Harrison's troubles.

Of course I know
what I'm saying.

Ask her why she keeps
writing to George Durell.

Obviously you must have
some ideas on the subject.

Because she's in love
with him, that's why.

Can't you understand?

This poses a problem.

I can't very well
investigate her

if I don't know where she is.

Hold on a second.

The address on the letter
is "142 North Delgado,

"Los Angeles 29, Apartment 4B."

(THUDDING)

Good evening.

Why, Mr. Mason, good evening.

Could you spare
me a few minutes?

Oh, well, it's rather
late. This won't take long.

Thank you.

And what can I do
for you, Mr. Mason?

I'd like to see Ethel Harrison.

What made you think she is here?

An anonymous phone call tonight,

I suspect from Mrs. Durell.

It seems that Mrs. Harrison
wrote a letter to Mr. Durell,

gave this as her return address.

I'm sure the letter
was perfectly innocent.

It was, Mr. Mason.

I just wanted Mr. Durell to
relay some information to Joseph.

I'll need you in court tomorrow.

Oh, no, Ethel, you mustn't go.

Can't you see what he's after?

All I'm after is Joseph
Harrison's acquittal.

I told you before, Mr. Mason,

my testimony
would only harm him.

He'd be no worse
off than he is now.

Did you hear about the home
movies the state introduced?

And what was that
argument about?

Ethel, do not tell him.

It wouldn't help Joseph

and it would only hurt
an innocent person.

How would you know?

Of course.

You were the one
who took those pictures.

Oh, well, no... You're
right, Mr. Mason.

Then what was that
argument about?

It has no bearing on
the death of my son.

(KNOCK ON DOOR) Who is it?

TRAGG: It's the police. Open up.

Mrs. Harrison,

you can't stay
in hiding forever.

Good evening, Mrs. Harrison.

Good evening, Lieutenant.

Well, it's obvious
my informant knew

what she was talking about.

And it's obvious she didn't
think she could depend on me.

I'm afraid you'll have
to come with me.

I will not testify
against Joseph.

Well, you'll have to discuss
that with the district attorney.

Excuse me.

(DOOR CLOSES)

You won't change your mind?

Will you at least tell
me what happened

after Philip Larkin fell
against that hedge?

I'm afraid you're making a
great mistake, Miss Collaro.

Good night.

Good night, Tragg.

Good night, Counselor.

Do you mind if I
use your telephone?

(DOOR CLOSES)

If it please the court,

the prosecution is now
prepared to put on the stand

a witness who will
lay a proper foundation

to the matter of the home movies

and who will further clarify
certain other matters in evidence.

Mr. Mason, have you
any objection to make?

No, Your Honor, no objection.

BURGER: I call Irene
Collaro to the stand, please.

Miss Collaro, you were formerly
employed by the defendant,

Joseph Harrison,
as private secretary?

I was.

For how long?

23 years.

During that long period,

did you have many
occasions to visit at his home?

Oh, yes.

Coming out of that occasion,
about six months ago,

when on a certain afternoon
home movies were made.

Do you know anything about that?

Yes, sir.

I took those pictures.

You were interrupted by
Philip Larkin who burst in

and engaged in a heated
argument with Joseph Harrison?

Yes.

What was that argument about?

Well, uh, Philip said...

Go on, Miss Collaro.
Tell us what Philip said.

He...

He accused Mr. Harrison
of being Lorraine's father.

Whereupon
Mr. Harrison struck Philip?

Yes.

And how long after that did
Mrs. Harrison sue him for divorce?

Oh, I believe in
one or two days.

Thank you, Miss Collaro. Thank
you very much. Your witness.

(PEOPLE MURMURING)

(GAVEL BANGS)

Miss Collaro, I'm sure the court
has noticed your charming accent.

Now, you testified that you
worked for Mr. Harrison for 23 years.

Was this your first job
in the United States?

Yes, you see, Mr. Harrison
was in the process

of setting up offices
in various foreign cities,

London, Paris, Rome.

And, um, they came to the
firm I was working for in Paris

and a business
arrangement was established.

In all those years,
did you at any time

get the slightest
hint that Mr. Harrison

was indeed the father
of Lorraine Stevens?

No.

No hint at all? No
letter, no telephone call,

no slip of the tongue?

No, no.

But it the past 10 months he
had become fond of Lorraine

and he deplored her
attachment to Philip Larkin?

Yes.

Did you approve of the relationship
between Philip and Lorraine?

I was in no position
to say anything.

Miss Collaro, I've no
desire to entrap you.

I feel it only fair to tell you

that I have here
notarized reports

from some of the best detective
agencies in New York and Paris.

Now I'm going to ask
you certain questions.

I have reason to believe
you know the answers

of your own personal knowledge.

I object, Your Honor. I think this
is improper cross-examination.

Mr. Mason?

Defense claims its privilege of
voir dire examination, Your Honor.

Also, on its own merits,
defense is, at this moment,

trying to show a mental
attitude in bias of the witness.

Objection overruled. You
may continue, Mr. Mason.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Now, Miss Collaro,
we know that as a child,

Lorraine Stevens was
boarded with an elderly couple

in Brookline, Massachusetts.

We know that for 19 years,

they received a
check of $70 a month.

The signature on all those
checks was Irene Collaro.

We know that Lorraine
Stevens came to the West Coast,

that she went to work.

Went to work, just
by coincidence,

where Irene Collaro was working.

Now, Miss Collaro,

on the afternoon you
took those home movies,

Philip Larkin kept
pointing at the camera.

Pointing at you, Miss Collaro.

Why?

Why was he pointing
at you, Miss Collaro?

We know Philip had accused
Mr. Harrison of being Lorraine's father.

Was he accusing you
of being her mother?

Yes.

Irene Collaro, I ask you now,

are you the mother
of Lorraine Stevens?

Yes. I am Lorraine's mother.

All of her life I
have denied her

and then she came here.

But she is a fine young lady.

She is courageous
and loyal and decent.

MASON: And

you wanted to protect
her from Philip Larkin?

Yes.

You've been protecting
people all your life,

haven't you, Miss Collaro?

Protecting Lorraine
from society,

her father from
his responsibilities.

Now, I interrupt
this for a moment

to observe that the prosecutor

has allowed this cross-examination
to go on unchecked.

Have you any objection
to make, Mr. Burger?

Your Honor, the district
attorney's office functions

to determine the truth
and to prosecute the guilty.

I have no objections
whatever to what Mr. Mason

is uncovering with this witness.

You may proceed, Mr. Mason.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Miss Collaro,

is Joseph Harrison the
father of Lorraine Stevens?

Now, in your testimony
a few minutes ago,

you made an unusual statement.

Do you know what it was?

With the court's permission,

may I ask the court
reporter to read back

some of Miss
Collaro's testimony.

JUDGE: Permission is granted.

Thank you, Your Honor.

The early part of
my questions, please.

"Question. Mr. Mason.

"Was this your first job
in the United States?

"Answer. Miss Collaro. Yes,

"you see, Mr. Harrison was in
the process of setting up offices

"in various foreign cities,
London, Paris, Rome.

"And they came to the firm
I was working for in Paris..."

Thank you. That's enough.

"They came to the
firm I was working for."

Who came, Miss Collaro?

Who?

Who, even now, is willing
to see Joseph Harrison

pay for a crime
he didn't commit?

Who, Miss Collaro?

Who?

DURELL: That's enough.

You're absolutely
right, Mr. Mason.

All her life, Irene has
protected someone.

I killed Philip
Larkin, Your Honor.

I felt I should do my
share of protecting.

I wanted to protect the
daughter I couldn't call my own.

MASON: Your Honor,

I have no further
questions of this witness.

Look what just came in.

Check from Joseph Harrison.

Once a detective,
always a detective.

I guess so.

Here.

(EXCLAIMING)

You know, I still can't figure

Durell's reason for
framing Harrison.

Oh, he didn't really
intend to frame him, Paul.

He only used Harrison's
gun to confuse the case.

You see, Durell thought that when
the police checked on Harrison,

they'd find that he was
a thousand miles away.

Right? Right.

Right. Thank you.

Durell had no way of knowing

that Harrison was coming
back to Los Angeles.

Oh. Then Durell was the
one who called the police.

Of course.

He wanted the body discovered
as close to 9:00 as possible,

so that Lorraine
could have an alibi.

He was the one
that wrote the note

that sent Lorraine on the
wild-goose chase to the jewelers.

She is a regular
Miss Know-It-All.

Is there anything
you don't know?

Yes.

Which one of you handsome
gentlemen is going to take me to lunch.

Oh, may I? Thank you.

Yeah, what about me?

Sorry, you're not my type.

You'll have to buy
your own lunch.

MASON: Come on.