Perry Mason (1957–1966): Season 3, Episode 18 - The Case of the Singing Skirt - full transcript

Here's you change, Mr. Anclitas.

Keep it!

I'll get your bags out
of the taxi, Mr. Anclitas.

I'll take care of
everything, sir.

Now, don't you waste
your time on me, sonny.

Save it for the
paying customers.

Oh, thank you, sir,
and welcome back.

Welcome back to Rowena.

Mr. Anclitas. Gee...

Now, now, now, now, you'd think
I'd been gone for a whole month.

How's your mother's hip, Sadie?



Oh, Mother's back
at the circus, already.

Maybe she's not
riding elephants yet,

but after all those special
treatments you paid for...

Sadie.

In the Big Barn I like
everyone to be happy, that's all.

Here happiness is legal.

Eeenie, meenie, minie, mo.

All right,
Mr. Marcus, I call you.

Two kings.

That's it, gorgeous,
just lead me quietly away

to the fountain pen.

I'm sorry, Manning.

Better luck next time, sir.

Well, well, a little private
game in the office, hey, Slim?



I didn't expect you
back from Vegas.

Yes, just a few regulars.

The other gentlemen
drifted away.

All but Mr. Manning Ennis III.

My little house is honored, sir.

And now it's endowed.

Oh, a little bad luck, maybe.

At least in the Big Barn
nobody gets too badly burned.

Hm.

Well, buy the
gentleman a drink, Slim.

You get the courtesy
of the house, sir.

For a thousand years.

The name is Betty Roberts, hey?

Oh, yes, sir.

I'm a friend of Sadie's,

the new girl that you hired
just before you went away.

Oh, sure, sure, I know.

The skirt who wanted
to be a singer, huh?

Well, uh, here's your chance.

I don't understand.

Well, you just seen
a man lose $60,000.

How does it happen?

Well, he... He wasn't
having very good cards.

Well, I see you're
a special friend

of my manager Slim Marcus,
maybe, huh? Is that it?

Oh, no, the only reason I was
in here was because Manning...

I mean, Mr. Ennis said
he wanted some cigarettes

and then he just
asked me to stay.

He thought I might
bring him some luck.

Mm-mm. So much luck.

You don't know my club
there's a $5,000 limit?

But you do know I like
everyone to be very happy.

Please, Mr. Anclitas.

Well, that goes for me too.

Oh!

So now, uh,

how did it happen?

Sing a little.

Hm?

Betty.

Honey, what's wrong?

Well, hello, George.

I just heard you were back.

Well, well, if it isn't the
Rowena police force.

Joe, be happy.

How's the wife's gallbladder?

What did you tell him?

He asked you
questions, didn't he?

I... I guess he thought there
might be something dishonest

about the poker game.

What did you say?

Hurry. Well, what
could I tell him?

I... I don't know
anything about cards.

I wasn't really
watching the game.

Thanks a lot.

Oh, no, I mean...

Well, of course I told him
there was nothing dishonest.

Mr. Marcus, please.

Mr. Marcus to the office.

Was there?

Frank, I need a carton.

Why did you bet all that money?

Famous last question.

Manning, please.

You don't think there was
anything wrong in there, do you?

Just in here, that's
the only place.

No, no, gorgeous, don't
you worry about a thing.

Not you.

I'm awfully sorry it happened.

Take it easy, my wife has
friends under every toadstool.

I'm scared, Manning.

I'm gonna quit this job just
as soon as they'll let me.

Forget it, will you?

Forget about me too.

What are you talking about?

Manning, what's
the matter with you?

Not a thing.

I'm finally going
to be free, that's all.

This is it, gorgeous.

Two kings and
it's all over with.

Finis.

The end.

You always got it straight
about my $5,000 rule,

didn't you, Slim?

Nobody in my club plays for
more without I say so myself.

It came up in a hurry.

You were supposed
to be out of town.

But I knew you'd
approve, all right.

He's good for it.

Oh, sure, sure.

And if I hadn't got here,

you would have told
me about it, I guess.

How much money you won.

Well, sure.

Mm.

What about the girl
seeing the game, George?

Oh, now, Slim, you don't
have to worry about her.

I'll attend to her
in the usual way.

In fact, I tell you.

If there's no trouble with her

or the check tomorrow
or anybody else.

Who knows?

Maybe you don't even
have to worry about yourself.

Sixty thousand dollars!

To Mr. Anclitas?

It's just not possible.

Not in one card game.

Why, that's all that you
had left in your account.

Mm-hm.

And who told you that,
my old friend Gowrie?

Yeah, there's a sweetheart too.

Kiss him goodbye for me.

Manning, where do
you think you're going?

Fishing.

For fish.

Oh, you're drunk.

You must be.

That's been one of my
troubles ever since I married you.

Vivian,

the money is gone,
do you understand?

Sixty thousand dollars was
all there was left in any account.

It's all that was left of
me. I'll stop the check.

You can't. It's my account.

But a gambler's debt.

Now, there is nothing
wrong with gambling.

Remember?

You started it all.

You started a lot of things.

Who were you out
with tonight, by the way?

Oh, so that's what's
bothering you, is it?

No.

I don't even care anymore.

The bottle.

The cards.

And now you.

The idea is to get the whole
thing out of my system at once.

Goodbye.

I'll get that money back.

I am warning you, I'll
get back every penny of it.

Yes, hello?

This is Mrs. Manning Ennis.

I'd like to see you right away.

But, Mrs. Ennis, I...

My dear, I realize
how late it is,

but I can meet you
anywhere you say.

Well, why?

What do you want me for?

Of course, I'll make
it worth your while.

If you'll just tell me about the
card game, how they did it?

Oh, no, please.

He said you were there,
the girl named Betty.

How many times
do I have to say it?

There's nothing to tell.

Nothing, nothing, nothing!

Nothing you know about, that is.

Excuse me.

Yes?

Yes, Della.

That's right, it's also
in pacific second.

Mm-hm, right away.

Nothing you know about
or saw or realized you saw.

Oh, he could have been
cheated in a dozen ways,

I suppose, but...

Mr. Mason, why does
everybody keep coming after me?

Well, I suspect it's this:

In the township of Rowena,

in that one little section in
the midst of Los Angeles,

it's quite within the law to
lose your money playing poker.

So if it could be proved that
there was something wrong

about that poker
game last night,

then it's possible Mr. Ennis'
money could be recovered

through legal channels.

Naturally, this would
worry the gamblers.

It's funny but Manning...

Mr. Ennis, didn't seem
to mind losing very much.

Maybe he feels
differently today.

Now, you say Mr. Anclitas
was particularly curious

about, uh, how the
poker game started.

Mr. Mason, he hit me.

He touched me and
backed me up against a door

and then he slapped me.

We can certainly do something
about that, Miss Roberts.

Last year Sadie told
me there was a girl

who made those gamblers mad

and they chased her
clear out of the state.

She hadn't done a thing.

And they planted marijuana
cigarettes in her room

and even a gun in her purse.

All right, Betty, suppose you
tell me all of why you're here.

Whose is it?

Oh, the club has several.

You know, in the safe,
next to the cash register,

places like that.

Anyway, I take
this hatbox with me

so that I can change
right after work.

But last night I was so
anxious to get out of there, that...

That I didn't even
bother to pick it up.

And when I went to get
my things this morning...

You, uh, found this
gun in the hatbox?

I felt under the cash register

and that's the gun that
belongs there. I'm sure it is.

I was afraid to put it back.
The cleaning women were there.

By, uh, any chance
were you wearing gloves

when you felt under
the cash register?

Oh, I'd already
handled the register.

Last night I made
some change for a man

after the regular woman
had locked the cash drawer.

You opened it?

How?

Mr. Anclitas asked me to.

He... He gave me a key.

Excuse me.

Here are the
books you asked for.

Oh, good.

Um, there's a Mr. Gowrie
on the phone for you.

Can't it wait?

He, uh, mentioned
Miss Roberts' name.

He seemed very
anxious to find her.

Who is it?

Put him on, Gerdie.

Hello?

What's on your mind, Mr. Gowrie?

Yes, well, uh, last night,
the, uh, wife of an old friend,

one of my investment
clients, got me out of bed.

She was terribly
upset, and, uh...

Well, since you
represent Betty Roberts...

What makes you think I do?

Well, a woman called Sadie

told me that Miss Roberts
was consulting you.

Well, never mind that
now, Mr. Mason, you'll...

You'll know what
I'm talking about,

when I tell you we intend to get
every cent of that money back.

"We" intend to?

Yes, Vivian Ennis and I.

Mr. Gowrie, since
it's after 10:00, why...?

Well, why do you
think I'm calling?

The bank just informed me
that they cashed the check.

Vivian will really
blow her top now.

Look, Mr. Mason, I thought
that perhaps you and I

could get together
with Betty Roberts,

and sort of work this
thing out some way.

Look here, Gowrie, why don't
you use the Novo decision?

The what?

Novo v. Hotel Del
Rio, May 4th, 1956.

An appellate court held
that a husband has no right

to gamble with the
community property.

A wife can follow
the community funds

and recover them from
the gambler who won them.

Wait a minute,
wait just a minute.

Uh, where can I find all that?

And tell your lawyer to look
in 141 California Appellate,

second at page 304.

It's in 295 pacific
second, uh, 576.

I've got it, thanks.

Thanks a lot, Mason.

What was all that?

Smokescreen.

But it may keep everyone from
chasing after you for a while.

Now, if you'll excuse
me for a moment,

I have another call to make.

Um, just sit there. We'll
make it from the library.

Della, put it through
for me, will you?

Excuse me.

Betty.

You have no reason to believe
that this gun has ever been

used in any sort
of crime, have you?

No, of course not.

No, of course not.

Colt .38 Super.

Della, several of our clients

have left guns
here, haven't they?

Mm-hm, they're in the safe.

Open it, will you, please?

What are you going to do?

I just don't like
to see a little girl

being pushed around
by a big gambler.

Does that include little
girls who tell big stories?

Just because she's pretty.

This is the same type.

You already have the
serial number, don't you?

Mm.

Perry?

Trading guns is
tampering with evidence.

Evidence of what?

Oh, don't worry,
I'll take precaution.

But think how surprised
someone will be

if they try to catch Betty

with a hatbox that contains
a certain stolen gun.

I think you should
keep this for a while.

Right in your hatbox.

Now, we better move you
from your apartment in Rowena

to a safer place.

There's a little motel out in
Oakridge I think you might like.

You want a ballistic check?

Oh, check the
registration first.

I definitely want to
know who owns the gun.

Then you can turn it over to
your expert friend, Halstead.

Okay.

Now, you said
there were two things

you wanted to see me about.

I have a new client,
a young woman.

She seems to have antagonized

the powers that
be out in Rowena.

That's not to smart.

She left there
in rather a hurry.

She needs some things
from her apartment, um...

Here's the address.

She worked in the, uh, Big Barn.

Said some of the other
employees in the Big Barn

also live at her
apartment house.

I'd prefer you not being seen.

Maybe I'd better wait
till late this afternoon

when they've all gone to work.

And while you're there,

see if there's anything
unusual in the apartment.

Out of line, you know.

Like illegal, maybe?

Okay, I'll search
the joint for you.

Um, how do you
want me to get in?

Down the chimney
or shoot my way in?

You're entirely too
suspicious, Paul.

She, uh, gave us
the key voluntarily.

What's the connection
between the girl and this gun

and what am I
getting into, anyway?

You're gonna help
us find that out.

Hello, anybody home?

Hello.

Say, what do you
think you're doing there?

She ain't home.

Los Angeles Police, young lady.

We're looking for
Miss Betty Roberts.

Oh, well, she's gone out
to Oakridge or someplace.

Well, uh,

perhaps you wouldn't mind
stepping inside here a moment.

She's not here, lieutenant.

Who is it?

Perry Mason.

Is something wrong?

Betty, I'd like
you to sign this.

Just like that?

Go ahead and sign it.

Oh, looks like you've
been doing a little reading.

Oh, yes, I've just
been loafing all day.

Then you haven't
been out of here all day?

Well, I did go to the
restaurant for some coffee

after I first got here

and then later for
lunch, but that's all.

And I haven't spoken
to a single soul.

Here, now sign it.

It's the police, open up.

Now, don't worry, Betty.

Just do what I tell you to do.

Well, well, hello, lieutenant.

You. What do you
think you're doing here?

Well, I'm suing George Anclitas.

Miss Roberts has
certain claims against him.

He slapped her,

used abusive,
threatening language.

Now, isn't that a likely story.

Oh.

Well, we want to
look around a little.

What are you looking for?

The murder weapon,
in case you didn't know.

Murder? Who's dead?

Mr. Mason, what's h...?

Now, I'll ask all the
questions, young lady.

But first I wonder if you'd
let me have your thumbprints.

It's all right.

Oh, uh, lieutenant.

Well, well, would
you look at that.

Oh, but... But that
gun was just put there.

It was in my hatbox when
I went to get it at the club.

When was that?

Now, let's not answer any
questions about that gun.

Tragg, I think you'll find
that particular weapon

has little or no significance.

What do you mean by that?

I'm just giving you a
personal, friendly tip, that's all.

Well, thanks.

I could hardly hold down my job

without your friendly,
personal tips, Perry.

Miss Roberts, um, how well have
you known Mr. Manning Ennis?

Manning?

Well, we've talked
a number of times.

He used to come into
the Big Barn quite often.

You ever been out with him?

Two or three times, maybe.

Why?

Have you gone to visit him
at his house, for instance?

No, no, I wouldn't.

Well, Miss Roberts, if you
never been in that house,

how can you explain the
presence of your fingerprints

on glassware, furniture,

even on an inside
doorhandle of Mrs. Ennis' car?

The same car that was
driven off the canyon road

to their place last night

with Vivian Ennis'
dead body inside it.

Miss Roberts, did you fire
the bullets that killed her?

Did you then push her car?

No, no, I didn't, no.

All right, Betty.

Don't answer any more questions.

I'm taking her down
to headquarters.

And you're not
going along, Perry.

Furthermore, when
we fire test bullets

from that gun of hers over
there, and they turn out

to be the same as the
bullets that killed Mrs. Ennis...

When they find out those
bullets aren't the same,

they'll have to
release you, Betty.

Now, that gun didn't
kill anyone last night.

Please try to believe me.

Even if the lieutenant won't.

Well, well, well,
you are him, huh?

Mr. Mason.

Uh, this is Mr. Anclitas.
My name is Marcus.

We didn't mean to scare you.

Well, back at the motel
there are too many policemen

to talk in front of.

Mr. Mason, I get
right to the point.

The what?

What do you mean?

I didn't really think he
knew anything about it.

This Gowrie, he waves
your name around

like the cavalry was coming.

Gowrie?

Oh, that community
property business.

So he talked to you about that.

Well, you know,
starting a rumor like that

can cause a lot of
trouble, Mr. Mason.

I'm delighted to hear that
you've been inconvenienced.

But I didn't think Gowrie
would pursue the subject

after discovering that his
client had been murdered.

This Gowrie would
pursue wild dragons,

if he thought there
were dollars inside.

The Novo decision was
based upon the idea that a man

can't dispose of community funds

without receiving
some consideration.

I suppose it might
be argued that, uh,

in a place like Rowena,

where gambling is legal,
there actually is consideration.

Already, you see.

He's already thinking.

Uh, Mr. Mason, I am prepared
to offer you a handsome retainer.

And in return you'd expect me

to drop my interest
in Miss Roberts?

No, why should I do that?

In particular, if they say she
might have committed a murder.

Did you know Vivian Ennis?

She came to the
club fairly often.

Once or twice with
this man Gowrie, in fact.

Yes, but not last night.

Why should we waste so much
time on other people's murders?

Look here, Anclitas, I
might give some thought

to your proposition, if
you'd tell me who planted

those marijuana cigarettes
in Betty Roberts' apartment.

What?

My telephone number's
in the book, gentlemen.

There was $355 missing

from one of the cash
registers this morning too.

But I didn't plant those things.

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

But we got nothing
to do about nothing.

You hear me?

Vivian said the money was hers

and she was
going to get it back.

Then she slammed out the door.

That was about 2 a.m., I guess.

Mr. Ennis, was that money hers?

No, originally it was
my grandfather's.

And that inheritance was
what you lost gambling?

Mm-hm.

Then it wasn't community
property after all.

Did Mr. Gowrie know that?

Sure, why?

Hm.

After your wife left here
last night, where did you go?

The police have practically
drawn pictures of it, Mr. Mason.

I went to Newport, I
have a little boat there.

The doctors seem to think
that your wife died about 5 a.m.

I was down at the boat then.

All right.

Tell me about you
and Betty Roberts.

There isn't much.

All in the mind, I guess.

She's...

She's so much
different than Vivian.

When did you bring
her to the house?

A couple of nights ago.

Just to show her
the place, that's all.

By any chance, uh,

were you using your
wife's car that night?

Yes, as a matter of fact, I was.

We'd switched that day.

That would explain
the fingerprints.

It might help Betty quite a bit.

I'd like to help her, Mr. Mason.

All I possibly can.

You really hated your
wife, didn't you, Mr. Ennis?

Yes, I did.

Enough to kill her?

Hello. Hi, Perry.

Della, any word from downtown?

Not from Betty.

Perry, that, uh, ballistic
expert friend of mine, Holstead,

he's all upset. Oh?

He heard this afternoon
that the police are looking

for a murder weapon of
the same type you gave me.

A .38 Super.

All right, Paul.

Tell him to turn it in.

I don't want to see any
other people in trouble.

Well, as a matter of fact,
he's checking right now.

Confidentially, that is, with
one of the boys at headquarters.

Yes?

It's your office, Paul.

Oh, thanks.

Yeah?

He did?

That's a relief.

But are they sure?

Okay, thanks a lot, I got it.

Relief?

Maybe not for your client.

It seems they already
found the gun they want.

Where?

It's the one they took out
of Betty Roberts' hatbox

at the motel when
they picked her up.

Remember? You were there.

That just couldn't
be. That gun...

They say it
matches with a bullet

taken from the body, Perry.

So it's got to be the
gun that did the killing.

I found that two bullets
had entered the chest cavity,

slightly above and to
one side of the heart,

causing intensive hematoma
and tissue destruction.

The paths of the bullets were,
generally speaking, parallel.

And had the bullets passed

entirely through
the body, doctor?

Uh, one had been deflected.
It was embedded in bone.

The other was found in the
outer clothing of the decedent,

where her coat had
fallen down behind her,

next to the automobile seat.

Doctor, did you find
anything at all to suggest

that Mrs. Ennis' death
was caused by the car

plunging into that gully?

Oh, no, sir.

The car hadn't overturned.

There were hardly
even any bruises.

Death was unquestionably
caused by the bullets, not the wreck.

I think that'll be all, doctor.

Thank you very
much. Your witness.

Doctor, you said
there were two bullets.

That's right.

How far apart?

About an inch and a half
at the point of entrance.

Which one was fired first?

Really, I have no
way of knowing.

There was extensive
tissue destruction.

Well, let me put it this way:

Would the bullets have
been instantly fatal?

- Yes, sir.
- Which one?

Well, both of the bullets

instantaneously
inflicted a mortal wound.

But which one was
the cause of death?

I have just said that both
were the cause of death.

Doctor, do you
mean that it's possible

for a person to die twice?

I mean that either
of those bullets

could have caused the
death of Mrs. Vivian Ennis.

And I cannot be
sure which one it was.

Thank you, doctor.

That'll be all.

No, hold those.

Joseph Marcus, please.

Yes, I'd say Miss
Roberts was quite upset

over Mr. Ennis' loss that night.

In fact, when he left her...

When he left the club,
she seemed to be crying.

Well, did Betty
Roberts often display

emotion in your establishment?

I mean, in connection
with Mr. Ennis?

It was fairly impossible

for anyone not to notice
how she felt about him,

if that's what you mean.
Including Mrs. Ennis.

I'd say she sought
out the man's company

every time he entered the club.

Your Honor, I object to
this leading of the witness

into unwarranted conclusions.

Objection sustained.

Please confine yourself to more
direct questioning, Mr. Burger.

Mr. Marcus, on
the previous night,

that is the night before
the night of the murder,

did you see Miss Roberts
and Mr. Ennis together?

Yes, I did.

Under what circumstances?

It was in the parking
lot after closing time.

I saw Miss Roberts go out there.

Mr. Ennis was waiting for her.

And what was the
manner of their greeting?

They kissed each other.

That'll be all.

Counselor.

Mr. Marcus, do
you recall telling me

that you were
personally acquainted

with the deceased, Vivian Ennis?

She came to the
club fairly often.

To gamble?

Sometimes. Sometimes
she'd just sit and drink.

Gossip with friends.

With a friend like
you, Mr. Marcus?

Sometimes.

Did you ever take her out

to other places?

Places where you wouldn't
be quite so conspicuous?

Well, Mrs. Ennis was a
very attractive woman.

How many times did you
take her out, Mr. Marcus?

When you'd meet her, Mr. Marcus,

what was your
manner of greeting?

Your Honor, I object.

I'll withdraw the question.

That'll be all, thank you.

Well, Vivian Ennis
was fit to be tied.

She said her husband had
lost $60,000 playing poker

and she intended to
get every cent of it back.

Then she slammed down the phone.

That was about 2:20 a.m.

Mr. Gowrie, you've
testified that Mrs. Ennis

told you she was going
to contact the defendant.

Did she also tell you that
she thought the poker game

might have been dishonest
in some way? Fixed?

Well, as I said, Mrs.
Ennis was terribly upset.

Personally I've never had any
reason to even remotely suspect

a game at the Big Barn.

Thank you,
Mr. Gowrie, that'll be all.

Your witness.

Mr. Gowrie, concerning
your own gambling.

My own what, sir?

Well, you've just
testified as to the honesty

of Mr. Anclitas' establishment.

Well, I've only really been
there a few times myself.

With whom? Mr. Ennis?

No, with Vivian Ennis

as a matter of fact.

Have you ever been
employed by Mr. Anclitas?

Of course not. I've never
taken a penny from him.

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

No further questions.

And what happened the
next morning, Miss Bradford,

the morning after the murder?

The next morning when
I tapped on Betty's door,

she wasn't in.

Then later, when I
went out for breakfast,

she came banging
into me on the sidewalk.

She came from the club, I guess.

She was white as a sheet.

Did she say anything to you?

She said something
awful had happened

and she'd call me later.

She was going to see a lawyer.

Then she got in the
taxi and drove off.

And did she call you later?

Yeah.

She said she was going out
to some place in Oakridge.

She was going
to hide for a while.

I see.

Your witness.

No questions.

In the Big Barn I want
everyone to be happy.

Even a man whose just lost
$60,000 dollars in one sitting?

Oh, he wanted to
play. It was his idea.

There was nothing
wrong about it.

I only wish I had lost
the money myself.

Yes, just answer
the questions, please.

Now, Mr. Anclitas,
would you tell us...?

Your Honor, may I be
excused for a moment?

You may, Mr. Burger.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Mr. Mason, what are
they all trying to do to me?

With the court's permission,
I'd like to ask this witness

to stand aside temporarily.

For what reason, Mr. Burger?

Earlier testimony of the
doctor made us anxious

to double-check certain facts
about the murder weapon.

This has now been done.

And I would like to call to the
stand at this time, Mr. Wilton,

our top police
expert on ballistics.

How do you feel
about this, Mr. Mason?

Reserving my right to
cross-examine this witness,

I have no objection, Your Honor.

You may step down, sir.

I said you may step down, sir.

Now, Mr. Wilton, to repeat,

you say that this bullet,
which has been identified

as one of the two bullets
which killed Vivian Ennis,

was definitely
fired from this gun

which is marked
People's Exhibit E.

Yes, sir, that's correct, sir.

It's a Colt .38 Super.

And that's the same gun
that Lieutenant Tragg found

in the defendant's hatbox at
the time that she was arrested.

That's it.

That's the gun
that fired that bullet.

Now, here is a second bullet,

marked People's Exhibit C.

This was also removed
from the victim's body.

Have you ever seen
this bullet before?

I have.

It's the same type and
caliber as the other slug,

but we ran a ballistics
check on it too.

Well, we didn't think it
necessary at first but,

well, then we did.

And was this bullet, this
second bullet, fired from this gun?

No, sir, it was not.

You mean that the two
fatal bullets were fired

from two different guns?

That's it, sir.

Mr. Wilton, I show
you this second gun

of the same make
and type as the other

and I ask if you recognize this.

Yes, sir, I do. It
has my mark on it.

If it please the court,

I should like this second
.38-caliber Colt Super automatic

entered in evidence for the
people and marked Exhibit F.

Mr. Mason?

I have no objection, Your Honor.

Mr. Wilton, will
you tell us, please,

if you checked that
second gun ballistically?

Yes, sir, that second gun,

Exhibit F, is the gun that
fired that second bullet.

Now, just a moment.

Mr. Burger, it seems to me
you may be giving defense

grounds for
requesting a dismissal.

The doctor stated it
was impossible to tell

which bullet had
killed Mrs. Ennis,

so unless you
actually intend to link

the accused to
both of these guns...

That's exactly what
we intend, Your Honor.

Proceed.

Mr. Wilton, will you please
tell us how that second gun

first came to your attention?

Well, it was shown
to me confidentially

by another gun expert.

He does work for private parties
mostly. His name is Halstead.

Now, Mr. Halstead,

what was the name of the
man who brought you this gun?

His name is Paul Drake.
He's a private investigator.

And did Mr. Drake give you any
reason why he wanted this gun

to be test-fired by you?

He just said it was
being done for a lawyer.

Did he say what lawyer?

Mr. Perry Mason.

Thank you, sir. Your witness.

No questions.

Well, so much for gun
number two, Exhibit F.

I now call George
Ranger to the stand.

Mr. Ranger, I show
you now Exhibit E.

This is the first gun.

The one that was taken
from the defendant's hatbox

at the time of her arrest.

I ask you if this is your gun.

Oh, I really couldn't tell that.

Well, I suggest that you compare
the serial number on the gun

with the number
on your gun permit.

They seem to be the same.

Well, would you say then

that this is your gun?

I guess it must be.

And would you tell us, please,

when you last saw it?

About, uh, six months ago.

I was involved in a civil suit.

My lawyer didn't think I
should be carrying a weapon,

so he locked the
gun in his safe.

And what was your lawyer's name?

Perry Mason.

Really.

Thank you.

Your witness.

No questions.

Your Honor, at this
time I have no alternative

except to call Perry
Mason to the stand.

Just a moment,
Mr. Burger. Your Honor...

Your Honor I realize that
this is a very irregular request.

But I'm faced with a shocking
situation in which the counsel

for the defense had personal
possession of both guns

that fired both bullets.

May it please the
court, it's after 12:00.

Your Honor.

Mr. Burger, I'm just as curious
and concerned as you are,

but the point of Mr. Mason's
interruption is well taken.

It is after 12.

Court adjourned until 2 p.m.

Mr. Mason, I'm so sorry.

Now you're in almost
as bad trouble as I am.

Never mind all that.

Just try to think.

Try to remember.

Well, Mr. Anclitas walked
in on the poker game.

Slim Marcus had raked in
all the cards that were face-up.

And then he reached
for the check, but...

But Mr. Anclitas
took it out of his hand.

Betty what do you mean all
the cards that were face-up?

Well, the last two
poker hands, that's all.

You know, four cards
up and one down.

Excuse me.

Did you reach the doctor?

Uh-huh, he said either
one of those bullets

could have been fired after
Vivian Ennis was already dead.

How long after?
Mm, several hours.

Had to be that, at least.

Well, I should hope so.

If one of those guns didn't
leave the safe in your office

until 10:00 that morning,

five hours after Vivian
Ennis was killed...

Paul, do you know Section
330 of the State Penal Code?

Huh?

It defines illegal
games of chance

when the code
was written in 1872.

It did not include draw poker.

Later, when the
code was amended,

it did include stud poker.

Playing a game of stud
poker is a misdemeanor,

even in Rowena.

The inference here is
obvious, Your Honor.

The defendant, Betty Roberts,
came to Perry Mason with a gun

which had fired a fatal bullet
into the body of Vivian Ennis.

Somehow that gun then left
her possession and in its place,

she obtained another gun which
could only have been given her

by her counsel, that
same Perry Mason.

Very well, Mr. Burger.

I've only allowed you to
make these statements

since this is a
hearing, without jury.

Your Honor, I found it necessary
to make my point very clear

because we have here a strong
inference that this defendant

was actually instructed
by her attorney

to return to the
scene of the crime

and to fire a second
bullet from a second gun

into the body of the victim.

It's one thing for
counsel to advise

a person accused of a crime,

but it's quite another
thing for an attorney himself

to become an
accessory to murder.

I agree, sir.

Mr. Mason, you'll now take the
stand and be sworn as a witness.

Your Honor, I'm still
representing the defendant

and I'm entitled to pursue
this case in an orderly manner.

As I remember,

when the district attorney

started calling witnesses
out of their proper order,

he hadn't quite
finished his examination

of Mr. George Anclitas.

That makes no
difference, Your Honor,

I have no more
questions of Mr. Anclitas.

Then I insist upon conducting
my cross-examination

of Mr. Anclitas, Your Honor.

Mr. Mason is just stalling
for time, Your Honor.

Counsel is within
his rights, Mr. Burger.

Mr. Anclitas will return to the
stand for cross-examination.

Concerning the legal ownership
of this first gun, Mr. Anclitas,

Exhibit E, I believe it
has been established

that it belonged
to the Big Barn.

Well, that's right. That gun
belongs by my cash register.

Hm, now tell us how many
other guns you keep at the club

for, uh, which you hold permits.

Uh, let me see,
uh, two in the bar,

one at each cashier.

Uh, there are
five guns, I think.

And you account for
every one of the five guns?

Your Honor, I object.

This is a familiar
trick of Mr. Mason's.

He's trying to get us so
tangled up in immaterial guns...

I'll watch my step, Mr. Burger.

But I suggest if you have a
point, you make it, Mr. Mason.

Now, Mr. Anclitas, how do you
account for this particular gun

getting into the possession
of the defendant?

Did she steal it?

Oh, steal is a big word.

Murder is a bigger one.

On the same morning this
gun was found to be missing,

did you cause the cash
drawers at your club

to be double-checked?

Yes. And you found what?

One of them was short $355.

And then did you
ask the Rowena Police

to look for that missing
money and did they find it?

Your Honor, I'll object to that.
That's an improper question.

Uh, Your Honor,

I, uh, know the
prosecution hasn't decided

when to reveal all this,

but the subject has
been introduced.

My question is quite in order.

Objection overruled.

Continue, Mr. Mason.

Mr. Anclitas, was that $355
found, and if so, where?

In her apartment,
Miss Betty Roberts.

Along with what else,

Mr. Anclitas?

Well, just a few smokes
the police said. Marijuana.

It's funny, I didn't
think it of her.

Now, let's go back
to the night before.

When you walked in on that poker
game, Miss Roberts was there.

Isn't that correct? Yes.

The sole witness to a game in
which $60,000 changed hands.

Now, suppose there was
something peculiar about that game.

Suppose they'd been playing
stud poker, for instance.

Stud poker, instead of
the more legal draw poker.

No, no, no, no.

Not even if the
customers ask for it.

Not in my club.

Isn't it true that last year you
got rid of a female employee

by planting incriminating
items in her possession?

Certain items such as, uh, a
stolen pistol, money, marijuana.

Objection, Your Honor.

Sustained.

All right, Mr. Anclitas.

Isn't it true that after
the $60,000 poker game

you decided to get rid
of Miss Betty Roberts?

Isn't it true that
you took money

from one of your cash
drawers to be placed

in Miss Roberts' apartment?

No.

Isn't it true that you
planted marijuana cigarettes

in Miss Roberts' apartment?

Of course not. I
never touch the stuff.

She's no good, that girl.

He's lying.

I did it. I put
those things there.

He made me do it.

He paid my bills.

He paid my mother's hospital.

He wanted everybody
should be happy, he said.

And when did you plant the
gun in Betty Roberts' possession?

Early the next morning.

I went over to the club

and I noticed her
hatbox was still there,

so I put the gun in it.

Betty, honey,
I'm so awful sorry.

Your Honor, in the light of
these new developments,

I would like to recall another
witness: Mr. William Gowrie.

Mr. Burger?

No objection, Your Honor.

The money then
belonged to Mr. Ennis.

It was not community property.

That's right.

Did you at any time
help Vivian Ennis

to get control of that
money, legally that is,

perhaps by juggling investments?

Now, there's no need for me
to answer that sort of a question.

Why? Because her husband
knew what you were up to?

I wasn't up to
anything I tell you.

But you were seeing

Mrs. Ennis socially,
were you not?

Well, that's different.

Had you proposed
marriage, Mr. Gowrie,

in the event of their divorce?

Well, what of it?

She refused me.

Why?

Because you hadn't
been successful

in getting the money for her?

Well, how should I know?

She threw me over,
don't you understand?

She threw you over for whom,

Mr. Gowrie?

How should I know?

The, uh, different times
you took her to the Big Barn,

whom did she go there to meet?

Don't you think it most
probable, Mr. Gowrie,

that Vivian Ennis had
become interested in someone

who could get the money for her

and perhaps get it quite easily?

Now look, I'm not gonna
commit myself in any way.

Why not, Mr. Gowrie?

Surely you couldn't
have known all the things

Mrs. Ennis' murderer
must have known

about that gun, for instance.

Where it was kept.

About Mr. Anclitas' intention in
planting money and marijuana

in order to incriminate
Miss Roberts.

About Mr. Anclita"
rage that night

over a poker game which had
been carefully kept secret from him.

You.

You pig.

For $60,000.

I'll kill you.

Shut up, George.

Get your hands off
me! Leave me alone!

You ruined my business.

You ruined my
club, my reputation.

Get him off of me!

I'll tell everything.
Get him away from me.

I'll tell you how I killed her!

To begin with, Marcus took
every penny he could get

from Mr. Ennis in
that poker game.

Vivian and her new
boyfriend, Marcus,

intended to split the winnings.

But then Anclitas walked in and,
uh, took the whole pot instead.

Well, that's what made Vivian
so terribly upset, of course.

Sure.

After closing time,
she came after Marcus,

threatened to expose
him to his boss.

That's when they
fought and he killed her.

But what about the guns?

Well, he used the
cash register gun.

That's what he killed her with.

Afterwards, he took the
gun right back to the club

where he put it away again,

knowing that Sadie would
then plant the gun on you.

That's just exactly
what happened too.

Only I switched the guns.

While you were in the
restaurant having coffee,

Marcus checked in your
room and found you had a gun

with the wrong serial number.

That's when he got panicky.

All he could think was

Sadie had put the
wrong gun in the hatbox.

So he gilded the lily.

He took the gun out,

put another shot
through the body,

later returned the gun while
you were out having lunch.

Just to make me look guilty.

Well, by that time he
was committed. He had to.

Oh, excuse me.

Did you send for me, Mr. Mason?

I like everybody to be happy.