Unholy Wife, The (1957)
Posted: 02/11/24 19:20
I know that in your book,
there's no such thing
as the perfect crime.
Right always come out on top.
Good triumphs over evil.
The guilty are always punished.
And yet I did manage it...
the perfect crime.
It all began the night
before the fair ended,
around 11:00 in the house...
the house I hated so much,
Paul's house,
the one they now call
the House of Death.
[ g*nshots ]
Phyllis, you shot him?
Why don't you come
and take a look for yourself?
No, no. I can't look.
He's dead, isn't he?
Who?
But whoever it was out there.
Isn't he dead?
I don't see anything at all.
That's right.
But you fired.
You said you heard a prowler.
I did, Phyllis. I did.
Somebody tried my window.
Oh, sure.
If you didn't believe me,
why did you go outside
with the g*n?
To keep you quiet.
There isn't anybody
within a mile of here,
and there never was.
Phyllis, I swear,
I swear I heard something...
something at my window.
Well, next time you hear
somebody, you do the sh**ting
because the g*n's right here,
and it's fully loaded.
Oh, if Paul were only at home.
Paul... what could he do?
Well, at least
he would believe me.
Well, he's not here,
and you know you can't
get him at the fair.
Operator?
Operator, I want
the sheriff's office.
Sheriff's office?
This is Emma Hochen.
I want to report a prowler.
Well, just Phyllis,
my daughter-in-law.
Thank you.
They're going to send
a man out.
Phyllis?
Phyllis!
Phyllis?
Phyllis?
Phyllis, where are you?
I'm here.
Oh, there you are.
Haven't we been looking
at Michael?
Is he all right?
He's sound asleep in bed,
and that's exactly
where you should be.
Now, come on.
[ Rattling ]
[ Gasps ] Take it easy, baby.
Oh, I told you
not to come here.
You also told me you was coming
to the fair tonight,
and I waited and waited.
I ain't used to waiting.
I had to stay here.
You might have let me know.
How could I with the old woman
and the kid hanging around
my neck every second?
Please go before
one of them catches us.
It's been all week now,
every night
since the fair began,
and when you didn't
come tonight,
I don't mind telling you,
It was kind of like the time
I got trampled by a 'Bama bull.
You got me going, baby,
really going.
For both our sakes, please go.
Not without you.
You're fed up
to the ears here...
nursemaid and old lady,
the kid.
It's time you cleared out.
I already told you
that was impossible.
Unh-unh.
You said no,
but you told me yes.
Six nights now,
you've been telling me yes,
haven't you?
Yeah.
Kiss me, baby.
[ Engine running ]
[ Gasps ] Stay here.
Let me go see who it is.
Sheriff's office, Mrs. Hochen.
And a somewhat
dilapidated hitchhiker.
Hello, Phyllis.
Where's my mother?
Where else but in bed?
Is she all right?
Of course she's all right.
So is Michael.
Since when have you been working
for the sheriff's office?
Oh, I'm, uh...
I'm not quite that hard up
for sinners yet, Phyllis.
I was getting a lift into town
when your call came.
"A prowler at the office,"
said Mrs. Hochen.
You any idea where he might be?
Oh, yes.
Yes, I have a very good idea.
Where?
He's wandering around
in one of your mother's
nightmares.
Ever since her last stroke,
she's been dreaming
that somebody's trying
to break into the house.
Tonight, it was a man
at the window,
and she wouldn't go back to bed
until I let her phone
the sheriff's office.
Well, maybe I better take
a look around, just in case.
Oh, no. I don't want...
I don't want
my mother-in-law disturbed
now that she's finally asleep.
Well, wouldn't you
like me to stay,
at least till Pa gets home?
Well, wouldn't you
like me to stay,
at least till Pa gets home?
I told you.
It was just a dream.
We're perfectly all right.
I'm sorry to have been
such a bother.
Oh, that's what we get paid for,
Mrs. Hochen,
but I'd, uh... I'd keep
this door locked if I were you.
Surely you know my husband's
views on locked doors.
Oh, yes, the family tradition...
extra food in the pot,
extra places set at table
for any passerby.
In the living,
over the fireplace...
"My house is your house,
friend,
a door never locked."
Well, you tell Paul I said
to forget tradition.
Yes, your reverence.
After all, I wouldn't want
anything to happen
to you, Phyllis.
You mean you wouldn't
want anything
to happen to Paul's wife.
I can't deny that
Paul is my brother.
Good night, Father.
Good night, Phyllis.
[ Sighs ] They've gone.
Well, you sure
headed them off, all right.
Well, he's his brother,
isn't he?
Paul's brother, Paul's house...
everything's Paul's.
Including you, it seems like.
Now, you know better than that.
I thought I did.
What is it you're really after?
You.
Yeah?
Having your cake
and eating it, too.
Oh, yeah.
Can we get out of this house,
just for a little?
I don't know.
Maybe for a minute
down to the winery.
-Yeah. Phyllis?
Oh, it's no good.
She'll be out of bed
looking for me.
Yeah.
Instead of sh**ting
at nothing out the door,
why don't you sh**t
the old lady?
If I was gonna sh**t anybody,
it wouldn't be her.
Emma: Phyllis?
You've got to go.
Do you think I like this
any better than you do?
I'll see you tomorrow
at the same place.
Maybe...
...maybe not.
Depends on how I feel.
Phyllis:
Michael's precious seashell,
but it might just as well
have been a stick of dynamite.
The size of the expl*si*n
depended on what he had seen
and what he would tell Paul.
I was marked down as the victim,
unless...
The idea came out of all the
little pieces of the night...
Stephen fiddling
with the old lock,
sh**ting to scare
the old woman,
the deputy answering the call
about the prowler,
San saying,
"cake and eating, too."
Who'd blame me
for sh**ting in the dark,
especially if I fixed it
afterwards
so it looked like
he forced the lock?
With Paul gone, there'd only be
Michael and the old lady.
Funny how daylight makes things
seem different
than they do at night.
Almost makes the night things
seem unreal.
That's how it was
the next morning...
everything different,
the wind cool from the hills,
the sun shining down
on the vineyards,
the vintage coming in,
the grapes' names I barely knew
but looking like clusters
of costume jewelry,
too big to be real.
The night... San and dreams,
only I couldn't quite
forget them.
Thomasso, where's your boss?
Still at the vineyard
picking up the loose grapes.
Can't blame him,
grapes are gold.
There you are, Mr. Benton.
You're lucky to see these.
These are the finest grapes
in California,
maybe the finest grapes
in the whole world,
grown by a friend of mine...
a friend of mine
named Gino Verdugo.
Gino Verdugo is a friend. Mmm.
Each one of these is
hand-selected,
perfect draw,
rich and full... each a jewel.
If I'm not mistaken, uh...
Malvasia Bianca?
That's right.
You know your grapes, don't you?
I'll tell you something.
From this grape, see,
comes a kind of wine
that emperors
trade castles for.
[ Laughs ]
Oh, thank you.
Then, also, in my opinion,
this is the kind of woman that
emperors traded castles for.
I'm sorry. I beg your pardon.
This is my wife, Phyllis.
Mr. Benton.
How do you do, Mrs. Hochen?
Lunch is ready.
We have some business
to take care of first, hmm?
Your brother's here again,
so don't keep him waiting, too.
-Mike? Yes, Pa?
Paul: Come here.
Hurry up. Come on.
That a boy. Come here.
Now, do you want to help me
and do me a favor
and show Mr. Benton the winery?
-That'd be fine. All right.
Michael, did you do
what I told you?
Not yet.
Go down to the house.
Michael: Yes, Mommy.
I guess we'll have to
get along without him.
But if your lunch is ready,
and your brother is waiting...
I'll tell you... do me a favor.
You'll stay for lunch
as our guest.
Thank you.
Our house is yours, Mr. Benton.
The front door is
always unlocked...
family motto.
Isn't it, dear?
That's right, darling.
My grandfather came
from Switzerland and built...
And built the winery.
That's right.
He built the winery,
the cellars back here,
house, everything outside.
To him, it represented
the promised land,
the land of milk,
the land of honey,
also the land
of good, good wine.
I remember my grandfather.
I remember my grandfather
saying that,
"In such good land,
there must be good people,"
so we never have
our doors locked.
Remarkable.
The Hochen tradition,
along with feeding
stray dogs and tramps.
You mustn't misunderstand
my wife, Phyllis.
It's just that she doesn't
understand tradition.
She doesn't understand wines,
either, for that matter,
but we're teaching her.
Could I have the wine glasses?
That's the tall glasses.
I know.
Excuse me.
Now here...
here we have the wine
we bottled young...
Uh-huh.
...when it is
fresh and delicate.
Gino, Gino, how are you?
I'm glad to see you.
We're just trying to figure out
whether you grow
wine grapes or raisins.
Oh, excuse me.
This is Gino Verdugo.
Gino Verdugo,
this is Mr. Benton.
How do you do?
Pleased to meet you, Mr. Benton.
Mr. Benton is a wine buyer
from Boston.
Excuse me.
Paul, I got to speak with you.
It's very important.
All right.
You'll excuse me, please?
Of course.
Darling, wait a minute.
About the wine...
before he tastes it,
there's the aroma.
And the whole routine, I know.
Something troubling you now?
What's the matter?
Nothing's the matter. Come on.
You know I told you
about that fellow
that came to look
the vineyard over?
You mean the man from Fresno.
Well, he came back today
at the house
to make me an offer.
How much?
$90,000.
[ Whistles ]
That's a lot of money.
You turned him down.
I mean, you told him
you couldn't sell?
I don't know, Paul.
Maybe it's a good idea.
I think maybe
it's a stupid idea.
-Paul, listen, I...
No, you listen to me now.
Who gave your father the lands
and brought the vines
from Europe?
Your grandfather.
And who saved them
when they were sick?
Your father.
And who pays you double
the market price?
-You do, Paul. All right.
You go back and you tell
this man, Gino,
this man from Fresno...
you tell this businessman
he should go away
and leave the valley alone.
He doesn't love the grape.
-But, Paul, I... Please, now.
I don't want to lose
my temper with you.
It couldn't have been a dream.
The sound was so real,
but it was sort of
a rasping at the window.
Mama, Mama, please,
excuse me for interrupting.
So, Mr. Benton, would you like
some more wine?
Theresa.
So, Mr. Benton, would you like
some more wine?
Theresa.
Theresa, you bring some wine
for Mr. Benton.
Would you like some more?
-Thank you. You're welcome.
Paul, you're not listening
to what I'm saying.
I'm listening.
I told you before.
It's all in the head.
Besides, Phyllis told me
all about your dream.
I told you before.
It's all in the head.
Besides, Phyllis told me
all about your dream.
Feel dreamy myself.
Theresa, please, let me have
some more for myself.
Did Phyllis tell you
what your brother said...
to lock the door?
Locked doors
don't keep dreams out.
Grazie, Theresa.
But they do keep out prowlers.
Yeah, but we don't have
any prowlers in the vicinity.
You know that. It's ridiculous.
Stephen:
But if Mama's worried,
what's the harm
in locking a door?
There's no harm
in locking a door.
I just don't intend to do it.
It's as simple as that.
Now, Paul, don't speak to Ste...
to Father Stephen like that.
You listen to what he says.
I apologize. I'm sorry.
If he wants to lock the door,
let him lock the church door.
The doors in this house
have been unlocked
since my father lived here.
They're gonna be unlocked
when my son lives here.
Now, where's Mike?
How come he's not at lunch?
Well, he said he wasn't hungry.
-I'll explain later.
That's fine.
Just make sure he doesn't miss
the rodeo, that's all.
Mr. Benton, would you like
to see our rodeo?
Uh, no... no more wine, please.
I don't think Mr. Benton's
interested in rodeos right now.
[ Laughing ] Right?
Who'd want to go to a rodeo
with... with all this?
-I'm not going either.
You must be joking.
-No, I mean it.
I don't think you understand.
The people of the valley
expect you to be there.
That's tradition.
I don't think you understand
that you're a Hochen now.
Maybe I'm not going
just because I am a Hochen.
Phyllis:
Phyllis Hochen in the daytime,
but at night another Phyllis...
the before-Hochen Phyllis,
the Phyllis of a year ago.
Woman: I hope you didn't mind
my bending your ear
We're drinking, my friend,
to the end
Nothing.
Of a brief episode
Make it one for my baby
and one more for the road
That long, long road
[ Applause ]
Not much action around here
tonight.
Begins to look like
we eat at home.
Begins to look like we eat
at home the whole weekend.
There. Something's arriving.
One of them
doesn't look too bad.
Yours, I suppose.
Oh, sorry.
That's all right..
We'll get it.
Thank you.
There you are.
Thank you.
I'd be very happy
to buy you a drink.
Thank you again.
Why don't we sit at the table?
[ Dance music plays ]
Do you live here?
No.
All my life, I've lived
north in San Francisco.
And what's a San Franciscan
doing in Los Angeles?
Convention.
Salesman?
Sort of, sort of.
Let me ask you a question now.
Do you come from Boston?
No. London.
-You come from London? Mmhmm.
And what's a Londoner
doing in L.A.?
The Air Force,
Sarge and I met in England.
[ Applause ]
Can I ask you a question?
What happened to the sergeant?
Oh, he's still flying.
Still flying where?
Who knows.
So it's just like that?
Just like that.
Convention over, don't have to
go home until Monday.
We've got the whole weekend
to k*ll.
Convention over, don't have to
go home until Monday.
We've got the whole weekend
to k*ll.
Fascinating.
We've got other plans
for the weekend.
They don't include
beer and sandwiches.
Well, sandwiches are all
they serve in a place like this.
Besides, we don't
drink hard liquor.
Do you want something else?
Why don't you ask?
What if I said Champagne?
Champagne. All right.
- Miss?
- Yeah.
Can I see your Champagne list,
please?
-Champagne list? That's right.
We only have one brand here.
Well, could I see it,
whatever it is?
Yeah.
Joe, fella here wants
to see the champagne.
Big night, huh?
This is it.
Thank you very much.
That's not Champagne.
That's not even good cider.
[ Laughs ]
No. No, thank you, dear.
We don't want it.
Thank you very much.
How'd you like to go someplace
and have a real
vintage Champagne?
-With sandwiches?
With caviar, if you like it.
-That sounds wonderful.
Well, let's go.
You get the bill,
and we'll get out of here.
Is the wine satisfactory,
Mr. Hochen?
I think you'd better ask
the young ladies about that.
I want to tell you something,
Henry.
You may not know it, but you are
now standing in the presence
of 2 of the world's greatest
connoisseurs of Champagne.
What's the verdict, girls?
-It's great. Mmm.
Then you'd better chill
another bottle. All right?
-Right away.
Thank you very much.
Hey. You know, for a salesman,
you certainly get around.
What'd your friend do,
rob a bank or something?
Why should Paul
have to rob a bank?
He's got vineyards,
fine wine at his big business.
He's got lots of money
to spend.
I wouldn't say that, but I got
enough for the weekend.
So, now, how about a date?
As long as this holds out.
All right.
Then I propose a toast.
This is to Saturday
and Sunday for dinner,
and then Saturday afternoon,
what do you say to the races?
[ Laughing ]
Boy, that's living.
-Oh, I won't be able to go.
Why not?
It's Michael's day at home.
Well, who's Michael?
He's a 6-year-old
souvenir from the Air Force. Oh.
For heaven's sakes, Phyllis,
why don't you call the school
and just tell them
you can't take him?
-Oh, I suppose I could.
No, wait a minute.
Why don't we do this?
Why don't we do something
that a child would enjoy,
like a picnic at the beach?
And miss the races?
Well, maybe I can fix it
so you can be at the races, too.
Do you think
he'd like the beach?
I think so.
Man: They're starting for home.
There goes Flashfire!
Flashfire, you can do it!
Run, run!
Turning into the stretch,
it's the Hawk by a length
with Flashfire
moving up along the rail.
Keep it moving, baby.
Keep it moving.
They're driving for the wire.
It's Flashfire, Flashfire!
I win! I win three in a row!
How's that for faking it?
-I take half your winnings.
Oh, no, you don't.
Hey, Paul, you hear that?
Flashfire, square on the nose.
-That's good.
Another $50 you owe me.
Maybe you'll have to rob
that bank after all.
Maybe we better wait.
There's four more races to go.
And I'm gonna nail all four.
Come on, Gino.
Help me pick a name.
Listen, why don't we
get out of here?
We can out and leave these
racing enthusiasts alone, hmm?
You looked very beautiful
last night in the nightclub.
You look even more beautiful
by the sea.
-Thank you. You're welcome.
Do you know you make
two lonely men very happy?
You don't mind if...
if one of the lonely men
try to make you happy back?
Oh, that's the one I showed you
last night in the window.
You like that?
Beautiful.
Mike?
Mike!
Let me go! Listen.
Listen, Mike. I hate you.
You mustn't hate me.
I like your mom,
and your mama likes me,
so why should you hate me?
If my daddy were here,
he'd k*ll you.
He's not here.
He's not here, but if...
if he was here, Mike,
I'm sure he'd do
something wonderful.
He... he'd... he'd show you,
look... look here.
He'd show you that.
You know what that is?
It's a magic shell.
Have you ever
been lonely, Mike?
I'm always lonely.
You take this,
you put it your hand like that,
and you put it up
to your ear like that.
See? And you listen.
Listen now, real hard.
Then you hear the sea
talking to you,
and it keeps talking
and talking.
As long as you have the shell.
then the sea will be there
to talk to you.
-I do hear something in there.
That's right.
That's the sea,
and the sea's talking to you
so you will never be lonely.
Come on, Mike. Come on.
[ Knocking ]
[ Knocking ]
[ Knocking ] Who is it?
Paul Hochen.
What do you want?
I have to talk to you
about something.
There's no more talking
to be done.
The weekend's over.
I think there is some talking to
do, and it's very important.
Oh, if it's about the money
and the bracelet, no sale,
and please don't start
giving me anything
about a wife and kids.
I don't have any wife and kids.
I want you for my wife.
It's not a snap judgment.
I have the winery
and the vineyards
and a house and enough money
that I could try
to make you and Michael happy.
Well...
if I have done anything
to upset you,
I beg your pardon.
Is there someone else?
I suppose I'm not so tough
after all.
I suppose I knew that
from the very beginning.
Look, Paul, you're very nice.
That's why I want to be
quite honest with you
from the beginning.
I'm no good.
Take Michael... maybe it's
because I hate his father,
or maybe it's just because
I don't like kids.
I don't know. Where is Michael?
He's gone back to school.
Well...
It isn't only Michael.
Look at this room.
It's a picture of me
and my life,
and that's how
it's been always.
If I were to tell you
the things I've done...
No, I don't want to hear
anything about what you've done.
I don't want to hear
anything at all.
But you know what you are?
You're like a vineyard.
You're like a vineyard that
has been choked with weeds.
It can't breathe,
and it can't grow,
and it can't reach
towards the sun
because no one paid
any attention to it.
And one day
there comes somebody,
and he takes away the weeds,
and the vines begin to grow,
and they reach
towards the sun...
I would like very much
to be that someone.
So what's this about Mike
not having his lunch?
He's getting ready to go
back to school.
What do you mean he's getting
ready to go back to school?
Paul...
Paul, after
we drive him there,
do you think that we could
go on, just the two of us?
Maybe we could drive south
to Mexico.
What are you talking about?
Well, it's difficult
to explain,
but, you see, last night
before you came home,
I had a funny feeling.
About what?
Oh, I don't know.
Something to do
with the house, I suppose.
I don't know.
I don't understand.
You used to like the house.
When Mike came here,
you were happy.
Now suddenly everything's
different,
everything's changed.
Well, what happened?
What's happened is that
I don't want that feeling again.
What feeling?
The one I had last night.
Don't you think you're just
getting nervous
over something unnecessary?
Everybody around here
is getting jumpy.
My mother's jumpy,
my brother's jumpy,
and over some foolishness
about a prowler.
You're not gonna
listen to me, are you?
It's not a case of listening
or not listening.
It's a case of certain things
to be considered.
Number one is Michael
and his feelings.
He was promised he could
stay here for a month.
And number two is my business.
I can't just leave here
and go marching off to Mexico.
And us?
Us... we'll have to do
what my family's always done.
We'll have to go to the fair.
It's time for us to be adult.
You gonna go, or aren't you?
If you want me to.
Well, that's sensible.
All right. I'll go tell Mike.
Hey.
Are we all dressed up, huh?
All dressed up
in our city clothes, are we?
Yes, we are.
We're all packed, too.
Are we really all packed?
Well, now, you watch me.
See that? There we are.
Fresh start.
Now we're unpacked.
All right? I don't have to go?
No, you don't have to go.
You don't have to go because
you have nothing wrong.
See? But Mommy said...
Never mind what Mommy said.
Now, you listen to me.
I just wanted to...
watch your hand.
First of all,
sometimes big people
make mistakes
like little people.
Sometimes they say things
they don't mean.
Sometimes they say it
when they're hurt.
Sometimes they say it
when they're angry.
Sometimes they say it
when they're not thinking.
You understand?
But I didn't do anything
to make Mommy angry,
unless last night...
Last night what?
I got out of my bed,
I went down the hall, and...
And what?
Phyllis: And I heard him.
And he ran back to bed.
Is that all?
That's no so bad, is it?
You'll have to do... you'll have
to promise me something.
You'll have to promise me
to stay in bed at night.
You promise? Yes, Paul.
All righty. Now, listen.
You go and get a little lunch
and then put your rodeo
clothes on, all right?
-Oh, boy.
"Oh, boy" is right. Oh, boy.
[ Announcer speaks
indistinctly ]
[ Band plays ]
Now, here he is,
wanting to stack up
a few more points,
and probably he will...
that boy is number eight
on our program,
San Sanford!
[ Speaks indistinctly ]
And here he comes out
into the...
[ Cheers and applause ]
Ladies and gentlemen,
he's got him, he's got him...
He's got him. Oh!
And that looks like a bad time.
We'll have that time for you
in just a minute.
Well, he's got him...
eight seconds flat!
Eight seconds flat!
A big hand for San Sanford.
Boy, there's a man
that's going,
and a great, great event.
[ Applause ]
[ Orchestra plays ]
Paul, this is the man
I told you about, Mr. Brown.
I don't want to meet him.
You... what are you
trying to do?
You trying to come here
and make the valley?
[ Laughs ] Now, Mr. Hochen,
it's nothing like that.
It's exactly like that.
You buy cheap grapes
to make cheap wine.
And you... you should
know better, Gino,
even to talk
to a man like this.
Paul, my kids are
all in school...
an engineer, a doctor, lawyer.
They don't want my vineyard...
Let me ask you a question.
Do you like the Valley?
Do you like me?
Of course I like you.
All right. Then you can't sell.
If you sell, everybody sells.
If everybody sells,
then the valley goes.
The valley goes, Gino,
who pays quality prices
for quality grapes?
You can't sell.
Well, I already told him
I was going to...
I don't care what you told him!
Well, I already told him
I was going to...
I don't care what you told him!
You don't sell!
Look, it's not your business.
I make it my business!
[ Crowd murmuring ]
[ Bottles clanging ]
Coming through. Gino, Paul!
Gino, Paul, stop it!
Come on! Start the music.
Start that music!
Come on. Start that music.
[ Orchestra plays ]
Huh? What are you
trying to do, huh?
I'll meet you
around the side entrance
as soon as I can.
It's the stupidest thing
I ever did in my life.
A man shouldn't hit
his best friend.
You'll probably be
sore tomorrow,
and you're lucky
you didn't break a rib.
I'm lucky if I can face
my friend. Ah!
Take it easy, Paul.
Thank you.
I never felt so ashamed
in my life.
Why should you be?
You were only trying
to protect the valley.
It's no excuse.
Aren't you ashamed of me?
Of course I'm not.
You know something?
You're wonderful.
You know something else?
We're gonna take that trip
you talked about.
[ Chuckles ]
Come on. Time to go home.
Paul...
I think you should go
back into the party.
Why? Well,
you don't want people
to think that you're
running away, do you?
-No. And then there's Gino.
You should find him,
make up, and apologize.
That way, you'll feel better.
Are you gonna come with me?
No.
No, I think that
this is something
you should do on your own.
Anyway, I don't feel very well.
It's all this excitement.
I'll get a lift home,
and afterwards
when you've patched things up,
you come home, too.
I'll be there.
All right.
[ Wind howling ]
[ Banging ]
[ Screams ]
[ Banging continues ]
Theresa.
[ Italian accent ]
Oh, Emma, what is it? What's wrong?
Why, there.
Why, that's only the wind
blowing the shutters.
I fix. Okay.
[ Speaking Italian ]
Such a silliness
from a grown-up woman.
No, it's not silliness,
and it's not the wind, Theresa.
There's somebody out there.
There's someone
trying to get in.
Hello. What's the trouble now?
It's Emma.
She thought that she heard
someone again.
I did, Phyllis, I did.
And I heard footsteps, too.
You heard me coming up
from the garage to the house.
Is Paul home?
Is he putting the car away?
You know Paul.
Nothing's gonna drag him
home before morning.
Well, then, why are you here?
Because I had a headache.
Where's your husband?
Oh, he's taking a nap.
Well why don't you go
and wake him up
and tell him you're both
going to the fair?
-To the fair? Mmhmm.
Oh, but Paul said we must stay.
Oh, well, that's before he knew
that I was gonna be here.
Well, I don't think...
Oh, well, that's before he knew
that I was gonna be here.
Well, I don't think...
Oh, what difference
does it make?
It's the last night.
There'll be prizes.
And everybody in the valley
is going to be there.
-Oh, could we, Emma?
Of course you can.
Now, you take the pickup truck
and have a wonderful time.
Oh, thanks a million,
Mrs. Hochen!
Two, Phyllis?
Mm-hmm.
Wouldn't you like a good
night's sleep for a change?
Well, yes, but...
No dreams.
No nightmares.
Yes.
Just sleep.
That'll make your eyes
bright and sparkling again.
Oh, Phyllis.
You'll see if I'm not right.
Close your eyes.
Ahh.
Go to sleep.
Phyllis: San was waiting for me,
but I couldn't go with him yet.
For once,
I didn't want him too close
because suddenly
my plan had grown.
[ g*nsh*t ]
Gino.
Paul?
Give me the g*n.
All night there's been
somebody 'round the house.
That's why I had the g*n.
And then when he came in...
Paul, I didn't mean to!
I'll call the sheriff.
Do you think he'll believe me?
Why shouldn't he believe you?
Emma: Paul? Phyllis?
Phyllis? That's Mama.
I'd better go take care of her.
Phyllis: Lifting that receiver
meant the end for me and San.
He'd never stay with me once he
realized what I'd tried to do...
not without the winery
and the money, he wouldn't.
It didn't come all at once...
the new idea.
First, it was just a way
to keep myself out of it,
to get Paul to take the blame.
Paul?
Before you make that call...
...I would like to say
thank you for everything,
and goodbye.
Why goodbye?
Well, you remember
when we first met
I told you that I was no good,
and that I'd been in trouble?
I remember you told me
a lot of things,
and that I'd been in trouble?
I remember you told me
a lot of things,
and I remember I told you
that I wasn't particularly
interested in them.
Well, you better hear them now.
Why now?
Because when we got married
I was on parole,
and I didn't get permission.
I jumped it.
I didn't think that anybody
would ever find me
as Mrs. Hochen,
but now they'll take
fingerprints,
and when they do,
they'll check them,
and the parole board
will send me back.
And after that, I imagine
the immigration authorities
will take me.
Deport you?
Supposing we got a lawyer?
Do you think that I'd come
back here and live,
even if I could?
Live with you again?
Face all your friends?
My friends? What do I care
about my friends?
What about Mike?
Think what it would do to him.
Better make the call now.
Oh, I suppose so.
I suppose so.
Unless... Unless what?
I could say I shot him.
I could say it was an accident.
Gino and I quarreled
at the party.
Everybody saw.
After you left, we made up,
but everybody didn't see that.
And I left, and I said to Gino,
"Come to my home.
Come to my home, and I'll make
you a deal for your vineyard."
Then, I came home
and you told me
about the prowler...
then the g*n...
and then Gino came.
But you came together.
No, we didn't.
He passed me on the road.
That's how he got here first.
Oh, surely he would have
told somebody he was coming.
He'd never tell
anybody anything.
He did not want the man
from Fresno to know
that he was coming here to
make a deal about the vineyard.
So you see,
it's all very simple.
Nobody saw him coming.
Nobody saw him pass me
on the road.
He was unexpected.
What about my fingerprints?
Do you remember
what your brother said
about locking the door?
I remember.
I wish I'd listened to him.
Well, what if
I'd locked the door?
What if we made it look
as though Gino had broken in?
Why would Gino break in?
We don't know.
Maybe he was drunk.
But nobody in the world
would think of blamingou
if the lock was broken.
I'll make the call.
You get my robe
so it looks like
I was going to bed.
Phyllis:
At least I was safe now.
An accident, with Paul
taking the blame.
Suddenly, the idea
began to change shape.
What if, instead of an accident,
I could make it look like
the m*rder it was,
with Paul
still taking the blame?
No, I won't touch anything.
Bye-bye.
Paul, where did you
leave your car?
In the driveway.
At the back
of his station wagon?
[ Engine starts ]
One thing I still can't
quite figure...
why would Gino
break in the door?
Well, when I was at the fair,
well, everybody saw
that he'd been drinking.
Man'd have to be pretty drunk,
break into a friend's house.
I think I have the explanation.
I imagine Gino broke in
just because he was a friend.
Phyllis told you
how she made Paul
lock the door at my suggestion.
Yes, she did, Padre, but...
Until that time,
it had never been locked.
All of Paul's friends
knew that.
They used to just barge in,
yell "Hello,"
so when Gino tried the door...
I get it. Thought it was stuck
and gave it a shove.
The lock, being old and rusty,
simply broke.
The last button accounted for.
Don't take it too hard, Paul.
It could happen to anyone.
Coming back with us, Padre?
You sure you don't want me
to stay, Paul?
No, I don't think
there's any need to,
just as long as you come around
first thing in the morning.
Then we'll talk to Mama.
Fine. First thing.
Oh, goodnight, Phyllis.
'Night, Stephen.
Everything's going to
be all right.
Thank you for coming.
Good night, Mrs. Hochen.
-Good night. Good night, Paul.
-Hello, Carl. Paul.
Phyllis.
I'm sorry to have to bring you
down here, Paul.
I just don't understand
why Phyllis has to be here,
that's all.
Something new has come up...
something that requires
a little explaining.
Tom, will you get the letter?
The one we found
in Gino Verdugo's pocket.
Read it.
"Gino, meet me at the house
tonight early,
while Paul's
still at the party.
He mustn't find us together
because he might use that
as an excuse to...
I almost think k*ll you,
he's so angry.
But, surely, between us,
we can think of a way
to patch up the quarrel
before something terrible
does happen.
Signed, Phyllis."
Did you write that, Phyllis?
Yes, I did.
I gave it to Gino
yesterday evening.
Well, you must have
told Paul about it?
Well, no, I didn't. I...
I didn't want him to think
that I was meddling
with his affairs.
Well, I don't mean
during the day,
but last night
when Paul came home?
No, I was asleep then.
The... the shot woke me up.
Paul told you that.
But afterwards,
you must have told him about it.
Well, I didn't. I... I forgot.
You know, there was
so much excitement going on.
You forgot the note?
The note that was responsible
for Gino's coming to the house?
That's not possible, Phyllis.
Well, I did. Really, I did!
I gave the note to Gino
on the spur of the moment,
and then, well,
so many things happened.
Paul, if you want me...
That's all right.
She, um... she told me right
after I fired the g*n.
Oh. Why didn't you tell Tom
last night?
I don't know, Carl.
I don't know why I didn't.
Why do people become excited
and confused at times like that?
I don't know.
I just thought maybe...
[sighs] maybe Gino
destroyed the note,
and there wouldn't be
any further complications.
There's something
very odd here, Paul...
the note, your not
telling us about it.
As much as I regret it,
I'm afraid we're gonna
have to hold you.
He was trapped.
And even if he tried to tell
the truth, I'd be ready.
Just one big lie...
that I saw him k*ll Gino
in cold blood at the door.
Now no more Paul.
All I had to do was wait.
But I didn't mind...
...even though it meant
no San for a while.
I didn't dare see him again,
not with everybody
in the valley watching me.
[ Music playing on radio ]
We interrupt this program
to bring you
a special press bulletin.
Paul Hochen, wealthy owner
of the famous Hochen Winery,
was indicted by the Grand Jury
for first-degree m*rder
at 2:05 this afternoon.
He was...
I'm terribly sorry,
Mrs. Hochen.
Bye.
He also said, still strictly
off the record,
that there's nothing
to worry about.
There's no real case
against you...
that is, if you've been
telling the truth.
You have, haven't you?
Have I ever lied to you?
No. I'll see you later.
All right. Bye-bye.
Oh, hello, Phyllis.
Um, would you mind excusing us
for a moment, Bob?
Why, sure, Father.
Thank you.
Don't worry, Phyllis.
He's gonna be all right.
But he was indicted.
I heard it over the radio.
He's still going to be
all right.
You mean there isn't
going to be a trial?
Yes, but he's going free.
Now, go in there and try to give
him all the comfort you can.
Paul?
What's all this that your
brother's been telling me?
You mean what Carl said?
He said everything
was gonna be fine.
I don't understand.
Why are they still
holding you for trial?
I don't know why. I don't know.
I guess it's just
the legal procedure...
something like that, I suppose.
Well, what about the letter?
What does the sheriff
say about that?
Well, he said that they
investigated our story further
and that he believes us.
How's Mike?
Oh, I sent him back to school.
Why?
Well, let's face it... he's as
bad for me as I am for him,
and with all this trouble
going on and you in here,
I just thought it was
the best thing to do.
- Don't you agree?
- I do not.
I do not agree at all, no.
He should be at home
with his mother.
That's why I'm here.
Don't worry so, Phyllis.
I can't help worrying.
We're all worried.
It will be all right.
I know that he's innocent.
How do you know?
I just know.
Have faith.
"'Put your faith in Me, '
sayeth the Lord.
'The innocent
and the just person
thou shalt not put to death.'"
That's from Exodus,
his very words.
He'll take care of Paul.
He'll free the innocent,
just as he will punish
the guilty.
Have faith, Phyllis.
Yes, have faith.
Sitting around
that stinkin' hotel,
hanging around town,
watching them roll up
the sidewalks, 9:00.
I'm fed up.
So you've decided
to clear out, huh?
About the size of it.
Do you like this wine, San?
What's that got to do with it?
This whole winery,
where it comes from...
have you any idea
just how much it's worth?
Well, I'll tell you...
about a quarter
of a million dollars.
Yeah?
Isn't that worth
getting fed up for?
Yeah, it would be
if it would drop,
but it won't.
He was indicted, wasn't he?
Ah, sure. They're just
going through the motions.
I got the scoop on that.
The trial will be the same...
a breeze...
and then we're right back
where we started from.
What can you do about it?
There has to be something.
You could tell them the truth,
like you told me.
Tell him how he k*lled Verdugo
when he found you two
together, and...
then he rigged things
so as to look as though
Verdugo had broken in.
That'd swing him.
You want me to do that?
Ah, I guess you couldn't.
It wouldn't right...
a wife shoving her husband
in the...
...gas chamber.
Even if he has it coming.
So it looks like
we rode up a box canyon, baby.
Nothing I can do.
Nothing you can do.
San?
Do you believe... in God?
I guess.
Enough to wait until the trial?
What are you getting at?
The old lady said something
before you came
about God punishing the guilty.
She's right.
I know she's right.
So you just stick around, San.
You stick around and wait.
He said,
"I already say I'd sell."
What was the
defendant's reaction?
He hit him...
hit Verdugo,
and then the fight started.
Thank you.
Your witness, Mr. Hayward.
Hayward: Now, after the fight,
Mr. Brown,
was there a further meeting
between the two?
-Yes. What happened?
Well, they shook hands
and made up.
Thank you, Mr. Brown.
That's all.
[ Gavel bangs ]
Court today is recessed
until 1:00.
-Please clear the courtroom.
Will you excuse me a minute?
Certainly.
Hi, Mom.
You look tired.
You go home, yeah?
But I... I want to stay.
I know.
I know you want to stay,
but you do
what the doctor said.
You go home, rest,
and stay in bed,
and you make sure she does.
You take her home.
-Paul.
-All right.
Man: Keep moving, please.
Man: Keep moving, please.
Who was that?
I don't know.
Now, as to how you found
the cars...
what did you conclude
from their positions?
Well, that the defendant
had arrived before the deceased
like... like you said.
Mr. Hayward?
Since the deputy's conclusion
happens to be the truth,
no questions.
Yes, sir. I've been with
the fingerprint section
for nearly 17 years.
Very well.
It's already been established
that no one touched
the station wagon
between the time Deputy Watkins
left it in the garage
and you came to examine it.
Is that true?
-Yes, sir.
Now, you would you tell us
now what you found
when you examined
the station wagon?
The deputy's fingerprints...
Watkins.
Mm-hmm.
And Mr. Verdugo's...
you must have found his, too.
No, there were not,
at least not on the wheel
or the gearshift lever.
Somebody wiped them off
before the deputy took the car.
Objection!
The witness is making
an unwarranted conclusion.
-Sustained. Very well.
You stated that you found
the deputy's fingerprints
on the wheels
and the gearshift lever.
What else did you find?
Well, attached to the ignition
key was a religious medal.
Your Honor, the People would
like to introduce into evidence
the station wagon's
ignition key
to which is attached
a Saint Christopher medal.
It shall be admitted.
People's exhibit number four.
Do you recognize it?
Yes, that's the medal.
Now, tell us what
Saint Christopher...
or, rather, the medal...
showed you.
Two sets of fingerprints...
the deceased's...
Uh-huh. Gino Verdugo's.
And the other set of prints...
who did they belong to?
To the defendant, Paul Hochen.
[ Audience exclaiming ]
[ Gavel bangs ]
Your witness, Mr. Hayward.
No questions.
You say the lock was not broken
by the door being pushed in?
No, sir.
It was broken from above
by some sort of blow.
Thank you.
Won't you tell us
what you found on the lock?
Bits of rust and metal
scrapings from the poker.
And on this poker...
scratches and gouges,
freshly made?
Yes.
That's all. Thank you.
Now, Mr. McNeil,
I've asked you resume the stand
to give one more answer...
a very important one.
A man's life depends
upon your answer.
It's already been established
that the poker was used
to break the lock.
Whose fingerprints did you find
on the poker?
We found one clear set of prints
on the handle...
Paul Hochen's.
[ Audience exclaiming ]
[ Gavel bangs ]
Your Honor...
this trial mustn't
go on any longer.
It wasn't Paul.
I k*lled him.
[ Audience exclaiming ]
[ Gavel bangs ]
Do you honestly expect us
to believe
at this late date
that you k*lled Gino Verdugo,
believing that
he was a prowler?
Phyllis: Yes.
Even after writing him a note
inviting him to the house?
I'd forgot that I'd written it.
Even when you saw him come
into the house, you forgot?
That's right.
I didn't see him
till afterwards.
Not until the shot woke you?
That's right.
[ Audience murmuring ]
No.
I wasn't asleep.
How could I have been
if I shot him?
You're twisting
everything around.
Or you are, Mrs. Hochen.
Now, assuming for a moment
that you did k*ll Verdugo,
why weren't your fingerprints
found on the g*n?
Because Paul rubbed them off
and put his in their place.
Why?
He wanted to take the blame.
But why?
If the sh**ting was accidental,
there was no blamed attached.
Why didn't you just call
the sheriff?
Because...
I don't know.
Was it actually the other way
around, Mrs. Hochen...
that you offered
to take the blame?
I wanted to,
but Paul wouldn't let me.
That sounds more like it,
Mrs. Hochen.
Well, I didn't mean it
the way it sounds.
-Did you touch the poker? No.
Did you put Paul's fingerprints
on the g*n?
No, Paul did.
Did you break the lock?
No, Paul did.
Did you move the cars?
No, Paul did.
Did you k*ll Verdugo?
No, Paul did!
Who did? Paul did.
No, I did!
I shot him!
You've got to listen to me.
I tell you, I shot him.
That's all, Mrs. Hochen.
Perfect crime.
[ Chuckles ]
Suddenly popular in the valley,
stories about me in the papers,
even the old lady thinking
I was wonderful,
and Paul...
...Paul convicted,
denied a new trial,
moved to death row
at San Quentin...
...with the world thinking
that I'd tried to save him.
Don't you think we deserve
to know the truth...
your own family?
I suppose.
I just...
I just want to make sure it
stays in the family, that's all.
Paul... did it ever
occur to you
that Phyllis might have lied
about being on parole,
and then she might have
k*lled Gino by mistake,
thinking he was you,
and then having gotten you
to take the blame,
wrote that letter to Gino
so you'd be accused of m*rder?
That's exactly
what I think she did.
You realize what you're saying?
Yes, I know what I'm saying.
And believing this...
believing that she lied to you,
tried to k*ll you,
m*rder*d Gino...
you still love her so much
you're willing to die for her?
What I did have nothing to do
with the love of Phyllis.
It had to do
with the love of Michael.
You remember when,
after the w*r,
I went to the hospital,
and I came out,
and I told you
there was some bad news?
Well, it's just that
there is some doubt
as to my being able
to be a father.
And then I met
Mike and Phyllis,
and I married Phyllis
for her son.
And if that is a sin,
then I ask forgiveness,
and if I have lied
and I have been deceitful,
it's because
I don't want my son
to bear the brand of his mother
being a m*rder*r.
Paul, you're so wrong,
so wrong.
Ever since that first lie,
it was evil,
as every lie is.
What kind of a life do you
think you and Mike and Phyllis
could have had based on a lie,
based on evil?
I know now. I know.
I realize I've been wrong.
And you're still wrong to think
you could save Mike by...
by protecting Phyllis.
Phyllis is his mother.
And what does that mean...
a mother without love?
You love him.
You've proved that,
but in proving it,
you haven't given him a mother.
You've lost him a father.
Your face when they brought out
that Saint Christopher medal...
for a moment, you actually
believed that line
I gave you about
God punishing the guilty.
Didn't you realize that
I got the medal in court?
I figured it out later.
You figure the rest?
What rest?
[ Laughs ]
What's so funny?
I'll tell you what's funny.
I k*lled Gino
and then got Paul
to take the blame.
Now, how's that
for a laugh, hmm?
Got him to take the blame
and then framed him,
and he doesn't know it,
even now.
Nobody knows.
[ Clattering ]
What's that?
Another one of her strokes.
She's out cold.
You think she heard?
She couldn't have.
Come on.
Let's get her up to the house.
Yeah.
[ Clock chiming ]
Phyllis: 12:00 midnight...
...10 hours and 1 minute...
...and then no more Paul.
More than ever it looked like
I was successful.
My telling San made him
an accessory,
so he wouldn't dare
leave me now,
and Emma's stroke...
that was working out, too.
It didn't matter what she saw
or what she heard
because she'd never speak again.
I don't like the way
her heart's acting up.
These tablets should help.
Now, give her one of these
every four hours,
but only one, Phyllis.
They're extremely powerful.
-And the next one at 4:00? Yes.
I'll try to have a nurse here
as soon as I can.
You know, Father,
it's strange...
her having a heart attack
and a stroke
at approximately
the same moment.
She was under a great strain
for a long time.
Yes, I realize that,
but it seems to me that
there must have been
an additional
or sudden emotional shock.
Doctor, is there no chance that
she might regain her speech?
Oh, I'm afraid not, Father.
Hmm.
Look, I have to go
to the hospital.
I told Phyllis earlier
if there was any change,
she could reach me there.
All right.
[ Door closes ]
Phyllis, I have
some questions to ask you.
Oh?
Who was the man that helped
you in with my mother?
Just some poor fellow
looking for work.
Do you usually entertain
poor fellows
with wine
in the tasting cellar?
All right.
Supposing he was a friend...
what of it?
I think you said
something to him
that caused my mother's stroke.
Just what do you think
this something was,
Father Detective?
That you k*lled Gino
and got Paul to take the blame.
Isn't that just about
what I said in court?
With this one omission...
that when you k*lled Gino,
you thought you were
k*lling Paul.
You've always disliked me,
haven't you?
Partly because
I'm married to Paul,
but mostly because
although I was one of
the church's little sheep once,
you've never really been able
to get to me.
Phyllis.
That's why you want
to get rid of me, isn't it?
If I wanted to get rid of you,
why couldn't I just
notify the parole board?
What parole board?
Thanks, Kelly.
No conviction
of any sort, ever.
Only place her prints show up
is on her driver's license.
Then she was lying to Paul?
Could be, or could be he lied.
No. Paul told the truth.
Even if we go along
with that, Father,
it's her word against his.
We've got to have
something concrete...
new evidence, a new witness.
Maybe we ought to talk
to that cowboy we picked up.
Can't hurt.
Bob, bring in Sanford.
Ran him down through the
description the cook gave us.
Didn't I see you at the trial?
Sure, Padre. I saw you.
That's where he claims
he met Mrs. Hochen.
And you were with
her last night?
Well, sure.
I already told them that.
Did you tell them what
she was saying to you when...
when my mother overheard?
She say
she overheard something?
No, but I know she did.
I want you to tell me
what it was.
Tell the truth. I beg you.
My brother's life depends on it
and possibly
your own eternal salvation.
I don't think
you'll like it, Padre.
I must know.
Okay.
She, um...
She was talking about
that confession of hers...
Yes.
...saying it was a phony,
saying that your brother
really did k*ll Verdugo
and then got her
to help fake the evidence.
Of course, she didn't know
the old lady would be listening.
I don't believe you.
Why should I lie, Father?
Want to ask him
any questions, Carl?
No.
Well, all right.
Take him back.
Well, he's lying, of course.
Yeah, but he won't crack...
not before morning.
If there was only some way
for Emma to tell us.
Mama.
[ Breathing heavily ]
Mama, don't try to move.
I know you can't.
Don't try to talk.
Can you move your hand?
Mama...
I have to ask you
some questions,
and you must answer
by moving your fingers.
Lift them once for yes,
twice for no.
I know it's hard,
but remember, it's for Paul.
Do you know something
that can help him?
Is it what you heard last night
when Phyllis was talking
to that man?
Was she telling him
that Paul was innocent?
Was she saying
that she shot Gino?
Now, Mama, this is important.
Did she say that
when she shot Gino,
she thought it was Paul?
No.
But, Mama, she must have.
Her whole story of it
being an accident
couldn't have shocked you so.
Stephen: She must have
said something.
I'll tell you what
she found out.
She found out that
I wasn't gonna spend
the rest of my life with her
mooning over Paul,
so why don't you
leave her alone?
She has nothing more
to tell you.
-I think she has. Why?
You just got a flat no
on that business
over my thinking it was Paul.
Perhaps you didn't admit
that to your friend.
I shouldn't think you would,
but you said something
that gave yourself away.
Could you have been telling
him how you trapped Paul?
I think you've asked
far too many questions
for one night, Stephen,
and if the doctor were here,
I'm sure he'd agree with me
that your mother
must not be disturbed anymore.
What she needs now
is rest and sleep.
It's time for her pill.
[ Doorbell rings ]
I'll answer it.
Father.
How is Emma, Father?
She's no better.
I'd better go
have a look at her.
Were you able to get her
to speak?
No, but I was able
to make her understand.
She acknowledged my questions
and answered me
by moving her hands.
What did you ask her?
I asked her if she overheard
Phyllis telling Sanford
that she shot Gino by mistake.
What was her answer?
Phyllis: Her answer was no.
Did you ask Emma
some more questions?
Yes. My first question was,
did she overhear
Phyllis telling Sanford
that Paul was innocent,
and the answer was yes.
Then I asked if she overheard
Phyllis say that she shot Gino,
and the answer was yes.
My third question was,
did she hear hear Phyllis say
that she shot Gino
thinking that he was Paul,
and the answer was no.
Any more questions?
Yes.
I asked her if she knew
something that would save Paul,
and the answer was yes.
But that's as far as I...
Do you think that
we might be able to
ask Emma some more questions?
Doctor: Father Stephen.
Who's been with Emma?
I have.
How long has she been dead?
Dead?
Why, I just gave her a pill.
One tablet, Phyllis?
That's right.
Are you sure it was only one?
Quite sure.
Carl, I left this box
of six tablets here.
My instructions were
to give Emma
one tablet at 4:00 a.m.
I warned Phyllis
that this medication
was very powerful
and dangerous.
There are four tablets missing.
Why, I don't understand.
I only gave her one.
Then who gave her
the other three?
I don't know!
What are you trying to prove?
What is your conclusion,
Doctor?
It is my opinion
that Emma Hochen died
of an overdose of medication.
Well, I didn't do it.
I only gave her one,
like you told me.
Stephen was there. He saw.
Stephen, you tell them!
Tell them how I only
gave her one pill.
I didn't see how many
you gave her, Phyllis.
But you must have seen!
You were there in the room
when I did it.
I did not see.
I only know that you told me
that you were putting her
to sleep
so that I couldn't ask her
any more questions.
Stephen.
You're a priest.
You've got to tell the truth.
Help me.
I would like to help you,
Phyllis.
I swear, I only gave her one.
Can you prove it?
The... the doctor told me that
if I gave her more than one,
it would be dangerous,
so why should I do it?
Why should I be that foolish?
Why would I want to be
that stupid?
You're all against me...
everybody.
Everybody's against me.
Well, I don't care because
I know I'm telling the truth!
I know it! I'm right.
[ Crying ] And I didn't do it!
I didn't do it!
You've got to believe me.
I didn't.
I didn't. [ Sobs ]
This is an emergency call.
Carl Kramer, district attorney.
Connect me to the governor's
mansion in Sacramento,
as quickly as possible.
Well, there it is...
what I thought
was the perfect crime.
San telling everything he knew
after I was arrested,
helping Paul get
his conviction set aside,
helping him go free...
and me tried and convicted,
not for k*lling Gino...
but for Emma...
something I didn't even do.
You know, Stephen, I think
what actually happened was
that Emma, feeling pain
and trying to speak
and not knowing just how
powerful those pills were,
managed to take them herself.
But I only gave her one.
You believe me, don't you?
Yes, I do believe you, Phyllis.
Father, is it too late for me
to make my confession?
It's never too late
to confess, Phyllis,
but before you begin,
I think I should tell you
it's my duty
to speak to the warden.
To tell him
that I didn't do it?
There's no proof,
and what difference
does it make?
I k*lled Gino.
I tried to k*ll Paul.
And even if I didn't
actually poison Emma,
I'm responsible
for her death, too.
Father, it's your duty
to hear my confession now
before it's too late.
[ Speaking Latin ]
In nomine Patris et Filii
et Spiritus Sancti.
Amen.
Father...
I've forgotten
how to make a confession.
To help you,
include all you've told me
in your confession.
The important thing is,
are you truly sorry?
Oh, yes, I am...
truly sorry.
Stephen: Passio
domini nostri Jesu Christi...
[ Speaking Latin ]
Amen.
God bless you.
Go in peace.
You pay attention.
It's very important.
Take a grape like that.
You hold it gently
between your fingers,
then you squeeze it.
If it pops like that,
that means it's ready for wine.
That's the Hochen secret.
That's what my grandfather
told my father
and my father told me
and now I've told you.
Come on.
there's no such thing
as the perfect crime.
Right always come out on top.
Good triumphs over evil.
The guilty are always punished.
And yet I did manage it...
the perfect crime.
It all began the night
before the fair ended,
around 11:00 in the house...
the house I hated so much,
Paul's house,
the one they now call
the House of Death.
[ g*nshots ]
Phyllis, you shot him?
Why don't you come
and take a look for yourself?
No, no. I can't look.
He's dead, isn't he?
Who?
But whoever it was out there.
Isn't he dead?
I don't see anything at all.
That's right.
But you fired.
You said you heard a prowler.
I did, Phyllis. I did.
Somebody tried my window.
Oh, sure.
If you didn't believe me,
why did you go outside
with the g*n?
To keep you quiet.
There isn't anybody
within a mile of here,
and there never was.
Phyllis, I swear,
I swear I heard something...
something at my window.
Well, next time you hear
somebody, you do the sh**ting
because the g*n's right here,
and it's fully loaded.
Oh, if Paul were only at home.
Paul... what could he do?
Well, at least
he would believe me.
Well, he's not here,
and you know you can't
get him at the fair.
Operator?
Operator, I want
the sheriff's office.
Sheriff's office?
This is Emma Hochen.
I want to report a prowler.
Well, just Phyllis,
my daughter-in-law.
Thank you.
They're going to send
a man out.
Phyllis?
Phyllis!
Phyllis?
Phyllis?
Phyllis, where are you?
I'm here.
Oh, there you are.
Haven't we been looking
at Michael?
Is he all right?
He's sound asleep in bed,
and that's exactly
where you should be.
Now, come on.
[ Rattling ]
[ Gasps ] Take it easy, baby.
Oh, I told you
not to come here.
You also told me you was coming
to the fair tonight,
and I waited and waited.
I ain't used to waiting.
I had to stay here.
You might have let me know.
How could I with the old woman
and the kid hanging around
my neck every second?
Please go before
one of them catches us.
It's been all week now,
every night
since the fair began,
and when you didn't
come tonight,
I don't mind telling you,
It was kind of like the time
I got trampled by a 'Bama bull.
You got me going, baby,
really going.
For both our sakes, please go.
Not without you.
You're fed up
to the ears here...
nursemaid and old lady,
the kid.
It's time you cleared out.
I already told you
that was impossible.
Unh-unh.
You said no,
but you told me yes.
Six nights now,
you've been telling me yes,
haven't you?
Yeah.
Kiss me, baby.
[ Engine running ]
[ Gasps ] Stay here.
Let me go see who it is.
Sheriff's office, Mrs. Hochen.
And a somewhat
dilapidated hitchhiker.
Hello, Phyllis.
Where's my mother?
Where else but in bed?
Is she all right?
Of course she's all right.
So is Michael.
Since when have you been working
for the sheriff's office?
Oh, I'm, uh...
I'm not quite that hard up
for sinners yet, Phyllis.
I was getting a lift into town
when your call came.
"A prowler at the office,"
said Mrs. Hochen.
You any idea where he might be?
Oh, yes.
Yes, I have a very good idea.
Where?
He's wandering around
in one of your mother's
nightmares.
Ever since her last stroke,
she's been dreaming
that somebody's trying
to break into the house.
Tonight, it was a man
at the window,
and she wouldn't go back to bed
until I let her phone
the sheriff's office.
Well, maybe I better take
a look around, just in case.
Oh, no. I don't want...
I don't want
my mother-in-law disturbed
now that she's finally asleep.
Well, wouldn't you
like me to stay,
at least till Pa gets home?
Well, wouldn't you
like me to stay,
at least till Pa gets home?
I told you.
It was just a dream.
We're perfectly all right.
I'm sorry to have been
such a bother.
Oh, that's what we get paid for,
Mrs. Hochen,
but I'd, uh... I'd keep
this door locked if I were you.
Surely you know my husband's
views on locked doors.
Oh, yes, the family tradition...
extra food in the pot,
extra places set at table
for any passerby.
In the living,
over the fireplace...
"My house is your house,
friend,
a door never locked."
Well, you tell Paul I said
to forget tradition.
Yes, your reverence.
After all, I wouldn't want
anything to happen
to you, Phyllis.
You mean you wouldn't
want anything
to happen to Paul's wife.
I can't deny that
Paul is my brother.
Good night, Father.
Good night, Phyllis.
[ Sighs ] They've gone.
Well, you sure
headed them off, all right.
Well, he's his brother,
isn't he?
Paul's brother, Paul's house...
everything's Paul's.
Including you, it seems like.
Now, you know better than that.
I thought I did.
What is it you're really after?
You.
Yeah?
Having your cake
and eating it, too.
Oh, yeah.
Can we get out of this house,
just for a little?
I don't know.
Maybe for a minute
down to the winery.
-Yeah. Phyllis?
Oh, it's no good.
She'll be out of bed
looking for me.
Yeah.
Instead of sh**ting
at nothing out the door,
why don't you sh**t
the old lady?
If I was gonna sh**t anybody,
it wouldn't be her.
Emma: Phyllis?
You've got to go.
Do you think I like this
any better than you do?
I'll see you tomorrow
at the same place.
Maybe...
...maybe not.
Depends on how I feel.
Phyllis:
Michael's precious seashell,
but it might just as well
have been a stick of dynamite.
The size of the expl*si*n
depended on what he had seen
and what he would tell Paul.
I was marked down as the victim,
unless...
The idea came out of all the
little pieces of the night...
Stephen fiddling
with the old lock,
sh**ting to scare
the old woman,
the deputy answering the call
about the prowler,
San saying,
"cake and eating, too."
Who'd blame me
for sh**ting in the dark,
especially if I fixed it
afterwards
so it looked like
he forced the lock?
With Paul gone, there'd only be
Michael and the old lady.
Funny how daylight makes things
seem different
than they do at night.
Almost makes the night things
seem unreal.
That's how it was
the next morning...
everything different,
the wind cool from the hills,
the sun shining down
on the vineyards,
the vintage coming in,
the grapes' names I barely knew
but looking like clusters
of costume jewelry,
too big to be real.
The night... San and dreams,
only I couldn't quite
forget them.
Thomasso, where's your boss?
Still at the vineyard
picking up the loose grapes.
Can't blame him,
grapes are gold.
There you are, Mr. Benton.
You're lucky to see these.
These are the finest grapes
in California,
maybe the finest grapes
in the whole world,
grown by a friend of mine...
a friend of mine
named Gino Verdugo.
Gino Verdugo is a friend. Mmm.
Each one of these is
hand-selected,
perfect draw,
rich and full... each a jewel.
If I'm not mistaken, uh...
Malvasia Bianca?
That's right.
You know your grapes, don't you?
I'll tell you something.
From this grape, see,
comes a kind of wine
that emperors
trade castles for.
[ Laughs ]
Oh, thank you.
Then, also, in my opinion,
this is the kind of woman that
emperors traded castles for.
I'm sorry. I beg your pardon.
This is my wife, Phyllis.
Mr. Benton.
How do you do, Mrs. Hochen?
Lunch is ready.
We have some business
to take care of first, hmm?
Your brother's here again,
so don't keep him waiting, too.
-Mike? Yes, Pa?
Paul: Come here.
Hurry up. Come on.
That a boy. Come here.
Now, do you want to help me
and do me a favor
and show Mr. Benton the winery?
-That'd be fine. All right.
Michael, did you do
what I told you?
Not yet.
Go down to the house.
Michael: Yes, Mommy.
I guess we'll have to
get along without him.
But if your lunch is ready,
and your brother is waiting...
I'll tell you... do me a favor.
You'll stay for lunch
as our guest.
Thank you.
Our house is yours, Mr. Benton.
The front door is
always unlocked...
family motto.
Isn't it, dear?
That's right, darling.
My grandfather came
from Switzerland and built...
And built the winery.
That's right.
He built the winery,
the cellars back here,
house, everything outside.
To him, it represented
the promised land,
the land of milk,
the land of honey,
also the land
of good, good wine.
I remember my grandfather.
I remember my grandfather
saying that,
"In such good land,
there must be good people,"
so we never have
our doors locked.
Remarkable.
The Hochen tradition,
along with feeding
stray dogs and tramps.
You mustn't misunderstand
my wife, Phyllis.
It's just that she doesn't
understand tradition.
She doesn't understand wines,
either, for that matter,
but we're teaching her.
Could I have the wine glasses?
That's the tall glasses.
I know.
Excuse me.
Now here...
here we have the wine
we bottled young...
Uh-huh.
...when it is
fresh and delicate.
Gino, Gino, how are you?
I'm glad to see you.
We're just trying to figure out
whether you grow
wine grapes or raisins.
Oh, excuse me.
This is Gino Verdugo.
Gino Verdugo,
this is Mr. Benton.
How do you do?
Pleased to meet you, Mr. Benton.
Mr. Benton is a wine buyer
from Boston.
Excuse me.
Paul, I got to speak with you.
It's very important.
All right.
You'll excuse me, please?
Of course.
Darling, wait a minute.
About the wine...
before he tastes it,
there's the aroma.
And the whole routine, I know.
Something troubling you now?
What's the matter?
Nothing's the matter. Come on.
You know I told you
about that fellow
that came to look
the vineyard over?
You mean the man from Fresno.
Well, he came back today
at the house
to make me an offer.
How much?
$90,000.
[ Whistles ]
That's a lot of money.
You turned him down.
I mean, you told him
you couldn't sell?
I don't know, Paul.
Maybe it's a good idea.
I think maybe
it's a stupid idea.
-Paul, listen, I...
No, you listen to me now.
Who gave your father the lands
and brought the vines
from Europe?
Your grandfather.
And who saved them
when they were sick?
Your father.
And who pays you double
the market price?
-You do, Paul. All right.
You go back and you tell
this man, Gino,
this man from Fresno...
you tell this businessman
he should go away
and leave the valley alone.
He doesn't love the grape.
-But, Paul, I... Please, now.
I don't want to lose
my temper with you.
It couldn't have been a dream.
The sound was so real,
but it was sort of
a rasping at the window.
Mama, Mama, please,
excuse me for interrupting.
So, Mr. Benton, would you like
some more wine?
Theresa.
So, Mr. Benton, would you like
some more wine?
Theresa.
Theresa, you bring some wine
for Mr. Benton.
Would you like some more?
-Thank you. You're welcome.
Paul, you're not listening
to what I'm saying.
I'm listening.
I told you before.
It's all in the head.
Besides, Phyllis told me
all about your dream.
I told you before.
It's all in the head.
Besides, Phyllis told me
all about your dream.
Feel dreamy myself.
Theresa, please, let me have
some more for myself.
Did Phyllis tell you
what your brother said...
to lock the door?
Locked doors
don't keep dreams out.
Grazie, Theresa.
But they do keep out prowlers.
Yeah, but we don't have
any prowlers in the vicinity.
You know that. It's ridiculous.
Stephen:
But if Mama's worried,
what's the harm
in locking a door?
There's no harm
in locking a door.
I just don't intend to do it.
It's as simple as that.
Now, Paul, don't speak to Ste...
to Father Stephen like that.
You listen to what he says.
I apologize. I'm sorry.
If he wants to lock the door,
let him lock the church door.
The doors in this house
have been unlocked
since my father lived here.
They're gonna be unlocked
when my son lives here.
Now, where's Mike?
How come he's not at lunch?
Well, he said he wasn't hungry.
-I'll explain later.
That's fine.
Just make sure he doesn't miss
the rodeo, that's all.
Mr. Benton, would you like
to see our rodeo?
Uh, no... no more wine, please.
I don't think Mr. Benton's
interested in rodeos right now.
[ Laughing ] Right?
Who'd want to go to a rodeo
with... with all this?
-I'm not going either.
You must be joking.
-No, I mean it.
I don't think you understand.
The people of the valley
expect you to be there.
That's tradition.
I don't think you understand
that you're a Hochen now.
Maybe I'm not going
just because I am a Hochen.
Phyllis:
Phyllis Hochen in the daytime,
but at night another Phyllis...
the before-Hochen Phyllis,
the Phyllis of a year ago.
Woman: I hope you didn't mind
my bending your ear
We're drinking, my friend,
to the end
Nothing.
Of a brief episode
Make it one for my baby
and one more for the road
That long, long road
[ Applause ]
Not much action around here
tonight.
Begins to look like
we eat at home.
Begins to look like we eat
at home the whole weekend.
There. Something's arriving.
One of them
doesn't look too bad.
Yours, I suppose.
Oh, sorry.
That's all right..
We'll get it.
Thank you.
There you are.
Thank you.
I'd be very happy
to buy you a drink.
Thank you again.
Why don't we sit at the table?
[ Dance music plays ]
Do you live here?
No.
All my life, I've lived
north in San Francisco.
And what's a San Franciscan
doing in Los Angeles?
Convention.
Salesman?
Sort of, sort of.
Let me ask you a question now.
Do you come from Boston?
No. London.
-You come from London? Mmhmm.
And what's a Londoner
doing in L.A.?
The Air Force,
Sarge and I met in England.
[ Applause ]
Can I ask you a question?
What happened to the sergeant?
Oh, he's still flying.
Still flying where?
Who knows.
So it's just like that?
Just like that.
Convention over, don't have to
go home until Monday.
We've got the whole weekend
to k*ll.
Convention over, don't have to
go home until Monday.
We've got the whole weekend
to k*ll.
Fascinating.
We've got other plans
for the weekend.
They don't include
beer and sandwiches.
Well, sandwiches are all
they serve in a place like this.
Besides, we don't
drink hard liquor.
Do you want something else?
Why don't you ask?
What if I said Champagne?
Champagne. All right.
- Miss?
- Yeah.
Can I see your Champagne list,
please?
-Champagne list? That's right.
We only have one brand here.
Well, could I see it,
whatever it is?
Yeah.
Joe, fella here wants
to see the champagne.
Big night, huh?
This is it.
Thank you very much.
That's not Champagne.
That's not even good cider.
[ Laughs ]
No. No, thank you, dear.
We don't want it.
Thank you very much.
How'd you like to go someplace
and have a real
vintage Champagne?
-With sandwiches?
With caviar, if you like it.
-That sounds wonderful.
Well, let's go.
You get the bill,
and we'll get out of here.
Is the wine satisfactory,
Mr. Hochen?
I think you'd better ask
the young ladies about that.
I want to tell you something,
Henry.
You may not know it, but you are
now standing in the presence
of 2 of the world's greatest
connoisseurs of Champagne.
What's the verdict, girls?
-It's great. Mmm.
Then you'd better chill
another bottle. All right?
-Right away.
Thank you very much.
Hey. You know, for a salesman,
you certainly get around.
What'd your friend do,
rob a bank or something?
Why should Paul
have to rob a bank?
He's got vineyards,
fine wine at his big business.
He's got lots of money
to spend.
I wouldn't say that, but I got
enough for the weekend.
So, now, how about a date?
As long as this holds out.
All right.
Then I propose a toast.
This is to Saturday
and Sunday for dinner,
and then Saturday afternoon,
what do you say to the races?
[ Laughing ]
Boy, that's living.
-Oh, I won't be able to go.
Why not?
It's Michael's day at home.
Well, who's Michael?
He's a 6-year-old
souvenir from the Air Force. Oh.
For heaven's sakes, Phyllis,
why don't you call the school
and just tell them
you can't take him?
-Oh, I suppose I could.
No, wait a minute.
Why don't we do this?
Why don't we do something
that a child would enjoy,
like a picnic at the beach?
And miss the races?
Well, maybe I can fix it
so you can be at the races, too.
Do you think
he'd like the beach?
I think so.
Man: They're starting for home.
There goes Flashfire!
Flashfire, you can do it!
Run, run!
Turning into the stretch,
it's the Hawk by a length
with Flashfire
moving up along the rail.
Keep it moving, baby.
Keep it moving.
They're driving for the wire.
It's Flashfire, Flashfire!
I win! I win three in a row!
How's that for faking it?
-I take half your winnings.
Oh, no, you don't.
Hey, Paul, you hear that?
Flashfire, square on the nose.
-That's good.
Another $50 you owe me.
Maybe you'll have to rob
that bank after all.
Maybe we better wait.
There's four more races to go.
And I'm gonna nail all four.
Come on, Gino.
Help me pick a name.
Listen, why don't we
get out of here?
We can out and leave these
racing enthusiasts alone, hmm?
You looked very beautiful
last night in the nightclub.
You look even more beautiful
by the sea.
-Thank you. You're welcome.
Do you know you make
two lonely men very happy?
You don't mind if...
if one of the lonely men
try to make you happy back?
Oh, that's the one I showed you
last night in the window.
You like that?
Beautiful.
Mike?
Mike!
Let me go! Listen.
Listen, Mike. I hate you.
You mustn't hate me.
I like your mom,
and your mama likes me,
so why should you hate me?
If my daddy were here,
he'd k*ll you.
He's not here.
He's not here, but if...
if he was here, Mike,
I'm sure he'd do
something wonderful.
He... he'd... he'd show you,
look... look here.
He'd show you that.
You know what that is?
It's a magic shell.
Have you ever
been lonely, Mike?
I'm always lonely.
You take this,
you put it your hand like that,
and you put it up
to your ear like that.
See? And you listen.
Listen now, real hard.
Then you hear the sea
talking to you,
and it keeps talking
and talking.
As long as you have the shell.
then the sea will be there
to talk to you.
-I do hear something in there.
That's right.
That's the sea,
and the sea's talking to you
so you will never be lonely.
Come on, Mike. Come on.
[ Knocking ]
[ Knocking ]
[ Knocking ] Who is it?
Paul Hochen.
What do you want?
I have to talk to you
about something.
There's no more talking
to be done.
The weekend's over.
I think there is some talking to
do, and it's very important.
Oh, if it's about the money
and the bracelet, no sale,
and please don't start
giving me anything
about a wife and kids.
I don't have any wife and kids.
I want you for my wife.
It's not a snap judgment.
I have the winery
and the vineyards
and a house and enough money
that I could try
to make you and Michael happy.
Well...
if I have done anything
to upset you,
I beg your pardon.
Is there someone else?
I suppose I'm not so tough
after all.
I suppose I knew that
from the very beginning.
Look, Paul, you're very nice.
That's why I want to be
quite honest with you
from the beginning.
I'm no good.
Take Michael... maybe it's
because I hate his father,
or maybe it's just because
I don't like kids.
I don't know. Where is Michael?
He's gone back to school.
Well...
It isn't only Michael.
Look at this room.
It's a picture of me
and my life,
and that's how
it's been always.
If I were to tell you
the things I've done...
No, I don't want to hear
anything about what you've done.
I don't want to hear
anything at all.
But you know what you are?
You're like a vineyard.
You're like a vineyard that
has been choked with weeds.
It can't breathe,
and it can't grow,
and it can't reach
towards the sun
because no one paid
any attention to it.
And one day
there comes somebody,
and he takes away the weeds,
and the vines begin to grow,
and they reach
towards the sun...
I would like very much
to be that someone.
So what's this about Mike
not having his lunch?
He's getting ready to go
back to school.
What do you mean he's getting
ready to go back to school?
Paul...
Paul, after
we drive him there,
do you think that we could
go on, just the two of us?
Maybe we could drive south
to Mexico.
What are you talking about?
Well, it's difficult
to explain,
but, you see, last night
before you came home,
I had a funny feeling.
About what?
Oh, I don't know.
Something to do
with the house, I suppose.
I don't know.
I don't understand.
You used to like the house.
When Mike came here,
you were happy.
Now suddenly everything's
different,
everything's changed.
Well, what happened?
What's happened is that
I don't want that feeling again.
What feeling?
The one I had last night.
Don't you think you're just
getting nervous
over something unnecessary?
Everybody around here
is getting jumpy.
My mother's jumpy,
my brother's jumpy,
and over some foolishness
about a prowler.
You're not gonna
listen to me, are you?
It's not a case of listening
or not listening.
It's a case of certain things
to be considered.
Number one is Michael
and his feelings.
He was promised he could
stay here for a month.
And number two is my business.
I can't just leave here
and go marching off to Mexico.
And us?
Us... we'll have to do
what my family's always done.
We'll have to go to the fair.
It's time for us to be adult.
You gonna go, or aren't you?
If you want me to.
Well, that's sensible.
All right. I'll go tell Mike.
Hey.
Are we all dressed up, huh?
All dressed up
in our city clothes, are we?
Yes, we are.
We're all packed, too.
Are we really all packed?
Well, now, you watch me.
See that? There we are.
Fresh start.
Now we're unpacked.
All right? I don't have to go?
No, you don't have to go.
You don't have to go because
you have nothing wrong.
See? But Mommy said...
Never mind what Mommy said.
Now, you listen to me.
I just wanted to...
watch your hand.
First of all,
sometimes big people
make mistakes
like little people.
Sometimes they say things
they don't mean.
Sometimes they say it
when they're hurt.
Sometimes they say it
when they're angry.
Sometimes they say it
when they're not thinking.
You understand?
But I didn't do anything
to make Mommy angry,
unless last night...
Last night what?
I got out of my bed,
I went down the hall, and...
And what?
Phyllis: And I heard him.
And he ran back to bed.
Is that all?
That's no so bad, is it?
You'll have to do... you'll have
to promise me something.
You'll have to promise me
to stay in bed at night.
You promise? Yes, Paul.
All righty. Now, listen.
You go and get a little lunch
and then put your rodeo
clothes on, all right?
-Oh, boy.
"Oh, boy" is right. Oh, boy.
[ Announcer speaks
indistinctly ]
[ Band plays ]
Now, here he is,
wanting to stack up
a few more points,
and probably he will...
that boy is number eight
on our program,
San Sanford!
[ Speaks indistinctly ]
And here he comes out
into the...
[ Cheers and applause ]
Ladies and gentlemen,
he's got him, he's got him...
He's got him. Oh!
And that looks like a bad time.
We'll have that time for you
in just a minute.
Well, he's got him...
eight seconds flat!
Eight seconds flat!
A big hand for San Sanford.
Boy, there's a man
that's going,
and a great, great event.
[ Applause ]
[ Orchestra plays ]
Paul, this is the man
I told you about, Mr. Brown.
I don't want to meet him.
You... what are you
trying to do?
You trying to come here
and make the valley?
[ Laughs ] Now, Mr. Hochen,
it's nothing like that.
It's exactly like that.
You buy cheap grapes
to make cheap wine.
And you... you should
know better, Gino,
even to talk
to a man like this.
Paul, my kids are
all in school...
an engineer, a doctor, lawyer.
They don't want my vineyard...
Let me ask you a question.
Do you like the Valley?
Do you like me?
Of course I like you.
All right. Then you can't sell.
If you sell, everybody sells.
If everybody sells,
then the valley goes.
The valley goes, Gino,
who pays quality prices
for quality grapes?
You can't sell.
Well, I already told him
I was going to...
I don't care what you told him!
Well, I already told him
I was going to...
I don't care what you told him!
You don't sell!
Look, it's not your business.
I make it my business!
[ Crowd murmuring ]
[ Bottles clanging ]
Coming through. Gino, Paul!
Gino, Paul, stop it!
Come on! Start the music.
Start that music!
Come on. Start that music.
[ Orchestra plays ]
Huh? What are you
trying to do, huh?
I'll meet you
around the side entrance
as soon as I can.
It's the stupidest thing
I ever did in my life.
A man shouldn't hit
his best friend.
You'll probably be
sore tomorrow,
and you're lucky
you didn't break a rib.
I'm lucky if I can face
my friend. Ah!
Take it easy, Paul.
Thank you.
I never felt so ashamed
in my life.
Why should you be?
You were only trying
to protect the valley.
It's no excuse.
Aren't you ashamed of me?
Of course I'm not.
You know something?
You're wonderful.
You know something else?
We're gonna take that trip
you talked about.
[ Chuckles ]
Come on. Time to go home.
Paul...
I think you should go
back into the party.
Why? Well,
you don't want people
to think that you're
running away, do you?
-No. And then there's Gino.
You should find him,
make up, and apologize.
That way, you'll feel better.
Are you gonna come with me?
No.
No, I think that
this is something
you should do on your own.
Anyway, I don't feel very well.
It's all this excitement.
I'll get a lift home,
and afterwards
when you've patched things up,
you come home, too.
I'll be there.
All right.
[ Wind howling ]
[ Banging ]
[ Screams ]
[ Banging continues ]
Theresa.
[ Italian accent ]
Oh, Emma, what is it? What's wrong?
Why, there.
Why, that's only the wind
blowing the shutters.
I fix. Okay.
[ Speaking Italian ]
Such a silliness
from a grown-up woman.
No, it's not silliness,
and it's not the wind, Theresa.
There's somebody out there.
There's someone
trying to get in.
Hello. What's the trouble now?
It's Emma.
She thought that she heard
someone again.
I did, Phyllis, I did.
And I heard footsteps, too.
You heard me coming up
from the garage to the house.
Is Paul home?
Is he putting the car away?
You know Paul.
Nothing's gonna drag him
home before morning.
Well, then, why are you here?
Because I had a headache.
Where's your husband?
Oh, he's taking a nap.
Well why don't you go
and wake him up
and tell him you're both
going to the fair?
-To the fair? Mmhmm.
Oh, but Paul said we must stay.
Oh, well, that's before he knew
that I was gonna be here.
Well, I don't think...
Oh, well, that's before he knew
that I was gonna be here.
Well, I don't think...
Oh, what difference
does it make?
It's the last night.
There'll be prizes.
And everybody in the valley
is going to be there.
-Oh, could we, Emma?
Of course you can.
Now, you take the pickup truck
and have a wonderful time.
Oh, thanks a million,
Mrs. Hochen!
Two, Phyllis?
Mm-hmm.
Wouldn't you like a good
night's sleep for a change?
Well, yes, but...
No dreams.
No nightmares.
Yes.
Just sleep.
That'll make your eyes
bright and sparkling again.
Oh, Phyllis.
You'll see if I'm not right.
Close your eyes.
Ahh.
Go to sleep.
Phyllis: San was waiting for me,
but I couldn't go with him yet.
For once,
I didn't want him too close
because suddenly
my plan had grown.
[ g*nsh*t ]
Gino.
Paul?
Give me the g*n.
All night there's been
somebody 'round the house.
That's why I had the g*n.
And then when he came in...
Paul, I didn't mean to!
I'll call the sheriff.
Do you think he'll believe me?
Why shouldn't he believe you?
Emma: Paul? Phyllis?
Phyllis? That's Mama.
I'd better go take care of her.
Phyllis: Lifting that receiver
meant the end for me and San.
He'd never stay with me once he
realized what I'd tried to do...
not without the winery
and the money, he wouldn't.
It didn't come all at once...
the new idea.
First, it was just a way
to keep myself out of it,
to get Paul to take the blame.
Paul?
Before you make that call...
...I would like to say
thank you for everything,
and goodbye.
Why goodbye?
Well, you remember
when we first met
I told you that I was no good,
and that I'd been in trouble?
I remember you told me
a lot of things,
and that I'd been in trouble?
I remember you told me
a lot of things,
and I remember I told you
that I wasn't particularly
interested in them.
Well, you better hear them now.
Why now?
Because when we got married
I was on parole,
and I didn't get permission.
I jumped it.
I didn't think that anybody
would ever find me
as Mrs. Hochen,
but now they'll take
fingerprints,
and when they do,
they'll check them,
and the parole board
will send me back.
And after that, I imagine
the immigration authorities
will take me.
Deport you?
Supposing we got a lawyer?
Do you think that I'd come
back here and live,
even if I could?
Live with you again?
Face all your friends?
My friends? What do I care
about my friends?
What about Mike?
Think what it would do to him.
Better make the call now.
Oh, I suppose so.
I suppose so.
Unless... Unless what?
I could say I shot him.
I could say it was an accident.
Gino and I quarreled
at the party.
Everybody saw.
After you left, we made up,
but everybody didn't see that.
And I left, and I said to Gino,
"Come to my home.
Come to my home, and I'll make
you a deal for your vineyard."
Then, I came home
and you told me
about the prowler...
then the g*n...
and then Gino came.
But you came together.
No, we didn't.
He passed me on the road.
That's how he got here first.
Oh, surely he would have
told somebody he was coming.
He'd never tell
anybody anything.
He did not want the man
from Fresno to know
that he was coming here to
make a deal about the vineyard.
So you see,
it's all very simple.
Nobody saw him coming.
Nobody saw him pass me
on the road.
He was unexpected.
What about my fingerprints?
Do you remember
what your brother said
about locking the door?
I remember.
I wish I'd listened to him.
Well, what if
I'd locked the door?
What if we made it look
as though Gino had broken in?
Why would Gino break in?
We don't know.
Maybe he was drunk.
But nobody in the world
would think of blamingou
if the lock was broken.
I'll make the call.
You get my robe
so it looks like
I was going to bed.
Phyllis:
At least I was safe now.
An accident, with Paul
taking the blame.
Suddenly, the idea
began to change shape.
What if, instead of an accident,
I could make it look like
the m*rder it was,
with Paul
still taking the blame?
No, I won't touch anything.
Bye-bye.
Paul, where did you
leave your car?
In the driveway.
At the back
of his station wagon?
[ Engine starts ]
One thing I still can't
quite figure...
why would Gino
break in the door?
Well, when I was at the fair,
well, everybody saw
that he'd been drinking.
Man'd have to be pretty drunk,
break into a friend's house.
I think I have the explanation.
I imagine Gino broke in
just because he was a friend.
Phyllis told you
how she made Paul
lock the door at my suggestion.
Yes, she did, Padre, but...
Until that time,
it had never been locked.
All of Paul's friends
knew that.
They used to just barge in,
yell "Hello,"
so when Gino tried the door...
I get it. Thought it was stuck
and gave it a shove.
The lock, being old and rusty,
simply broke.
The last button accounted for.
Don't take it too hard, Paul.
It could happen to anyone.
Coming back with us, Padre?
You sure you don't want me
to stay, Paul?
No, I don't think
there's any need to,
just as long as you come around
first thing in the morning.
Then we'll talk to Mama.
Fine. First thing.
Oh, goodnight, Phyllis.
'Night, Stephen.
Everything's going to
be all right.
Thank you for coming.
Good night, Mrs. Hochen.
-Good night. Good night, Paul.
-Hello, Carl. Paul.
Phyllis.
I'm sorry to have to bring you
down here, Paul.
I just don't understand
why Phyllis has to be here,
that's all.
Something new has come up...
something that requires
a little explaining.
Tom, will you get the letter?
The one we found
in Gino Verdugo's pocket.
Read it.
"Gino, meet me at the house
tonight early,
while Paul's
still at the party.
He mustn't find us together
because he might use that
as an excuse to...
I almost think k*ll you,
he's so angry.
But, surely, between us,
we can think of a way
to patch up the quarrel
before something terrible
does happen.
Signed, Phyllis."
Did you write that, Phyllis?
Yes, I did.
I gave it to Gino
yesterday evening.
Well, you must have
told Paul about it?
Well, no, I didn't. I...
I didn't want him to think
that I was meddling
with his affairs.
Well, I don't mean
during the day,
but last night
when Paul came home?
No, I was asleep then.
The... the shot woke me up.
Paul told you that.
But afterwards,
you must have told him about it.
Well, I didn't. I... I forgot.
You know, there was
so much excitement going on.
You forgot the note?
The note that was responsible
for Gino's coming to the house?
That's not possible, Phyllis.
Well, I did. Really, I did!
I gave the note to Gino
on the spur of the moment,
and then, well,
so many things happened.
Paul, if you want me...
That's all right.
She, um... she told me right
after I fired the g*n.
Oh. Why didn't you tell Tom
last night?
I don't know, Carl.
I don't know why I didn't.
Why do people become excited
and confused at times like that?
I don't know.
I just thought maybe...
[sighs] maybe Gino
destroyed the note,
and there wouldn't be
any further complications.
There's something
very odd here, Paul...
the note, your not
telling us about it.
As much as I regret it,
I'm afraid we're gonna
have to hold you.
He was trapped.
And even if he tried to tell
the truth, I'd be ready.
Just one big lie...
that I saw him k*ll Gino
in cold blood at the door.
Now no more Paul.
All I had to do was wait.
But I didn't mind...
...even though it meant
no San for a while.
I didn't dare see him again,
not with everybody
in the valley watching me.
[ Music playing on radio ]
We interrupt this program
to bring you
a special press bulletin.
Paul Hochen, wealthy owner
of the famous Hochen Winery,
was indicted by the Grand Jury
for first-degree m*rder
at 2:05 this afternoon.
He was...
I'm terribly sorry,
Mrs. Hochen.
Bye.
He also said, still strictly
off the record,
that there's nothing
to worry about.
There's no real case
against you...
that is, if you've been
telling the truth.
You have, haven't you?
Have I ever lied to you?
No. I'll see you later.
All right. Bye-bye.
Oh, hello, Phyllis.
Um, would you mind excusing us
for a moment, Bob?
Why, sure, Father.
Thank you.
Don't worry, Phyllis.
He's gonna be all right.
But he was indicted.
I heard it over the radio.
He's still going to be
all right.
You mean there isn't
going to be a trial?
Yes, but he's going free.
Now, go in there and try to give
him all the comfort you can.
Paul?
What's all this that your
brother's been telling me?
You mean what Carl said?
He said everything
was gonna be fine.
I don't understand.
Why are they still
holding you for trial?
I don't know why. I don't know.
I guess it's just
the legal procedure...
something like that, I suppose.
Well, what about the letter?
What does the sheriff
say about that?
Well, he said that they
investigated our story further
and that he believes us.
How's Mike?
Oh, I sent him back to school.
Why?
Well, let's face it... he's as
bad for me as I am for him,
and with all this trouble
going on and you in here,
I just thought it was
the best thing to do.
- Don't you agree?
- I do not.
I do not agree at all, no.
He should be at home
with his mother.
That's why I'm here.
Don't worry so, Phyllis.
I can't help worrying.
We're all worried.
It will be all right.
I know that he's innocent.
How do you know?
I just know.
Have faith.
"'Put your faith in Me, '
sayeth the Lord.
'The innocent
and the just person
thou shalt not put to death.'"
That's from Exodus,
his very words.
He'll take care of Paul.
He'll free the innocent,
just as he will punish
the guilty.
Have faith, Phyllis.
Yes, have faith.
Sitting around
that stinkin' hotel,
hanging around town,
watching them roll up
the sidewalks, 9:00.
I'm fed up.
So you've decided
to clear out, huh?
About the size of it.
Do you like this wine, San?
What's that got to do with it?
This whole winery,
where it comes from...
have you any idea
just how much it's worth?
Well, I'll tell you...
about a quarter
of a million dollars.
Yeah?
Isn't that worth
getting fed up for?
Yeah, it would be
if it would drop,
but it won't.
He was indicted, wasn't he?
Ah, sure. They're just
going through the motions.
I got the scoop on that.
The trial will be the same...
a breeze...
and then we're right back
where we started from.
What can you do about it?
There has to be something.
You could tell them the truth,
like you told me.
Tell him how he k*lled Verdugo
when he found you two
together, and...
then he rigged things
so as to look as though
Verdugo had broken in.
That'd swing him.
You want me to do that?
Ah, I guess you couldn't.
It wouldn't right...
a wife shoving her husband
in the...
...gas chamber.
Even if he has it coming.
So it looks like
we rode up a box canyon, baby.
Nothing I can do.
Nothing you can do.
San?
Do you believe... in God?
I guess.
Enough to wait until the trial?
What are you getting at?
The old lady said something
before you came
about God punishing the guilty.
She's right.
I know she's right.
So you just stick around, San.
You stick around and wait.
He said,
"I already say I'd sell."
What was the
defendant's reaction?
He hit him...
hit Verdugo,
and then the fight started.
Thank you.
Your witness, Mr. Hayward.
Hayward: Now, after the fight,
Mr. Brown,
was there a further meeting
between the two?
-Yes. What happened?
Well, they shook hands
and made up.
Thank you, Mr. Brown.
That's all.
[ Gavel bangs ]
Court today is recessed
until 1:00.
-Please clear the courtroom.
Will you excuse me a minute?
Certainly.
Hi, Mom.
You look tired.
You go home, yeah?
But I... I want to stay.
I know.
I know you want to stay,
but you do
what the doctor said.
You go home, rest,
and stay in bed,
and you make sure she does.
You take her home.
-Paul.
-All right.
Man: Keep moving, please.
Man: Keep moving, please.
Who was that?
I don't know.
Now, as to how you found
the cars...
what did you conclude
from their positions?
Well, that the defendant
had arrived before the deceased
like... like you said.
Mr. Hayward?
Since the deputy's conclusion
happens to be the truth,
no questions.
Yes, sir. I've been with
the fingerprint section
for nearly 17 years.
Very well.
It's already been established
that no one touched
the station wagon
between the time Deputy Watkins
left it in the garage
and you came to examine it.
Is that true?
-Yes, sir.
Now, you would you tell us
now what you found
when you examined
the station wagon?
The deputy's fingerprints...
Watkins.
Mm-hmm.
And Mr. Verdugo's...
you must have found his, too.
No, there were not,
at least not on the wheel
or the gearshift lever.
Somebody wiped them off
before the deputy took the car.
Objection!
The witness is making
an unwarranted conclusion.
-Sustained. Very well.
You stated that you found
the deputy's fingerprints
on the wheels
and the gearshift lever.
What else did you find?
Well, attached to the ignition
key was a religious medal.
Your Honor, the People would
like to introduce into evidence
the station wagon's
ignition key
to which is attached
a Saint Christopher medal.
It shall be admitted.
People's exhibit number four.
Do you recognize it?
Yes, that's the medal.
Now, tell us what
Saint Christopher...
or, rather, the medal...
showed you.
Two sets of fingerprints...
the deceased's...
Uh-huh. Gino Verdugo's.
And the other set of prints...
who did they belong to?
To the defendant, Paul Hochen.
[ Audience exclaiming ]
[ Gavel bangs ]
Your witness, Mr. Hayward.
No questions.
You say the lock was not broken
by the door being pushed in?
No, sir.
It was broken from above
by some sort of blow.
Thank you.
Won't you tell us
what you found on the lock?
Bits of rust and metal
scrapings from the poker.
And on this poker...
scratches and gouges,
freshly made?
Yes.
That's all. Thank you.
Now, Mr. McNeil,
I've asked you resume the stand
to give one more answer...
a very important one.
A man's life depends
upon your answer.
It's already been established
that the poker was used
to break the lock.
Whose fingerprints did you find
on the poker?
We found one clear set of prints
on the handle...
Paul Hochen's.
[ Audience exclaiming ]
[ Gavel bangs ]
Your Honor...
this trial mustn't
go on any longer.
It wasn't Paul.
I k*lled him.
[ Audience exclaiming ]
[ Gavel bangs ]
Do you honestly expect us
to believe
at this late date
that you k*lled Gino Verdugo,
believing that
he was a prowler?
Phyllis: Yes.
Even after writing him a note
inviting him to the house?
I'd forgot that I'd written it.
Even when you saw him come
into the house, you forgot?
That's right.
I didn't see him
till afterwards.
Not until the shot woke you?
That's right.
[ Audience murmuring ]
No.
I wasn't asleep.
How could I have been
if I shot him?
You're twisting
everything around.
Or you are, Mrs. Hochen.
Now, assuming for a moment
that you did k*ll Verdugo,
why weren't your fingerprints
found on the g*n?
Because Paul rubbed them off
and put his in their place.
Why?
He wanted to take the blame.
But why?
If the sh**ting was accidental,
there was no blamed attached.
Why didn't you just call
the sheriff?
Because...
I don't know.
Was it actually the other way
around, Mrs. Hochen...
that you offered
to take the blame?
I wanted to,
but Paul wouldn't let me.
That sounds more like it,
Mrs. Hochen.
Well, I didn't mean it
the way it sounds.
-Did you touch the poker? No.
Did you put Paul's fingerprints
on the g*n?
No, Paul did.
Did you break the lock?
No, Paul did.
Did you move the cars?
No, Paul did.
Did you k*ll Verdugo?
No, Paul did!
Who did? Paul did.
No, I did!
I shot him!
You've got to listen to me.
I tell you, I shot him.
That's all, Mrs. Hochen.
Perfect crime.
[ Chuckles ]
Suddenly popular in the valley,
stories about me in the papers,
even the old lady thinking
I was wonderful,
and Paul...
...Paul convicted,
denied a new trial,
moved to death row
at San Quentin...
...with the world thinking
that I'd tried to save him.
Don't you think we deserve
to know the truth...
your own family?
I suppose.
I just...
I just want to make sure it
stays in the family, that's all.
Paul... did it ever
occur to you
that Phyllis might have lied
about being on parole,
and then she might have
k*lled Gino by mistake,
thinking he was you,
and then having gotten you
to take the blame,
wrote that letter to Gino
so you'd be accused of m*rder?
That's exactly
what I think she did.
You realize what you're saying?
Yes, I know what I'm saying.
And believing this...
believing that she lied to you,
tried to k*ll you,
m*rder*d Gino...
you still love her so much
you're willing to die for her?
What I did have nothing to do
with the love of Phyllis.
It had to do
with the love of Michael.
You remember when,
after the w*r,
I went to the hospital,
and I came out,
and I told you
there was some bad news?
Well, it's just that
there is some doubt
as to my being able
to be a father.
And then I met
Mike and Phyllis,
and I married Phyllis
for her son.
And if that is a sin,
then I ask forgiveness,
and if I have lied
and I have been deceitful,
it's because
I don't want my son
to bear the brand of his mother
being a m*rder*r.
Paul, you're so wrong,
so wrong.
Ever since that first lie,
it was evil,
as every lie is.
What kind of a life do you
think you and Mike and Phyllis
could have had based on a lie,
based on evil?
I know now. I know.
I realize I've been wrong.
And you're still wrong to think
you could save Mike by...
by protecting Phyllis.
Phyllis is his mother.
And what does that mean...
a mother without love?
You love him.
You've proved that,
but in proving it,
you haven't given him a mother.
You've lost him a father.
Your face when they brought out
that Saint Christopher medal...
for a moment, you actually
believed that line
I gave you about
God punishing the guilty.
Didn't you realize that
I got the medal in court?
I figured it out later.
You figure the rest?
What rest?
[ Laughs ]
What's so funny?
I'll tell you what's funny.
I k*lled Gino
and then got Paul
to take the blame.
Now, how's that
for a laugh, hmm?
Got him to take the blame
and then framed him,
and he doesn't know it,
even now.
Nobody knows.
[ Clattering ]
What's that?
Another one of her strokes.
She's out cold.
You think she heard?
She couldn't have.
Come on.
Let's get her up to the house.
Yeah.
[ Clock chiming ]
Phyllis: 12:00 midnight...
...10 hours and 1 minute...
...and then no more Paul.
More than ever it looked like
I was successful.
My telling San made him
an accessory,
so he wouldn't dare
leave me now,
and Emma's stroke...
that was working out, too.
It didn't matter what she saw
or what she heard
because she'd never speak again.
I don't like the way
her heart's acting up.
These tablets should help.
Now, give her one of these
every four hours,
but only one, Phyllis.
They're extremely powerful.
-And the next one at 4:00? Yes.
I'll try to have a nurse here
as soon as I can.
You know, Father,
it's strange...
her having a heart attack
and a stroke
at approximately
the same moment.
She was under a great strain
for a long time.
Yes, I realize that,
but it seems to me that
there must have been
an additional
or sudden emotional shock.
Doctor, is there no chance that
she might regain her speech?
Oh, I'm afraid not, Father.
Hmm.
Look, I have to go
to the hospital.
I told Phyllis earlier
if there was any change,
she could reach me there.
All right.
[ Door closes ]
Phyllis, I have
some questions to ask you.
Oh?
Who was the man that helped
you in with my mother?
Just some poor fellow
looking for work.
Do you usually entertain
poor fellows
with wine
in the tasting cellar?
All right.
Supposing he was a friend...
what of it?
I think you said
something to him
that caused my mother's stroke.
Just what do you think
this something was,
Father Detective?
That you k*lled Gino
and got Paul to take the blame.
Isn't that just about
what I said in court?
With this one omission...
that when you k*lled Gino,
you thought you were
k*lling Paul.
You've always disliked me,
haven't you?
Partly because
I'm married to Paul,
but mostly because
although I was one of
the church's little sheep once,
you've never really been able
to get to me.
Phyllis.
That's why you want
to get rid of me, isn't it?
If I wanted to get rid of you,
why couldn't I just
notify the parole board?
What parole board?
Thanks, Kelly.
No conviction
of any sort, ever.
Only place her prints show up
is on her driver's license.
Then she was lying to Paul?
Could be, or could be he lied.
No. Paul told the truth.
Even if we go along
with that, Father,
it's her word against his.
We've got to have
something concrete...
new evidence, a new witness.
Maybe we ought to talk
to that cowboy we picked up.
Can't hurt.
Bob, bring in Sanford.
Ran him down through the
description the cook gave us.
Didn't I see you at the trial?
Sure, Padre. I saw you.
That's where he claims
he met Mrs. Hochen.
And you were with
her last night?
Well, sure.
I already told them that.
Did you tell them what
she was saying to you when...
when my mother overheard?
She say
she overheard something?
No, but I know she did.
I want you to tell me
what it was.
Tell the truth. I beg you.
My brother's life depends on it
and possibly
your own eternal salvation.
I don't think
you'll like it, Padre.
I must know.
Okay.
She, um...
She was talking about
that confession of hers...
Yes.
...saying it was a phony,
saying that your brother
really did k*ll Verdugo
and then got her
to help fake the evidence.
Of course, she didn't know
the old lady would be listening.
I don't believe you.
Why should I lie, Father?
Want to ask him
any questions, Carl?
No.
Well, all right.
Take him back.
Well, he's lying, of course.
Yeah, but he won't crack...
not before morning.
If there was only some way
for Emma to tell us.
Mama.
[ Breathing heavily ]
Mama, don't try to move.
I know you can't.
Don't try to talk.
Can you move your hand?
Mama...
I have to ask you
some questions,
and you must answer
by moving your fingers.
Lift them once for yes,
twice for no.
I know it's hard,
but remember, it's for Paul.
Do you know something
that can help him?
Is it what you heard last night
when Phyllis was talking
to that man?
Was she telling him
that Paul was innocent?
Was she saying
that she shot Gino?
Now, Mama, this is important.
Did she say that
when she shot Gino,
she thought it was Paul?
No.
But, Mama, she must have.
Her whole story of it
being an accident
couldn't have shocked you so.
Stephen: She must have
said something.
I'll tell you what
she found out.
She found out that
I wasn't gonna spend
the rest of my life with her
mooning over Paul,
so why don't you
leave her alone?
She has nothing more
to tell you.
-I think she has. Why?
You just got a flat no
on that business
over my thinking it was Paul.
Perhaps you didn't admit
that to your friend.
I shouldn't think you would,
but you said something
that gave yourself away.
Could you have been telling
him how you trapped Paul?
I think you've asked
far too many questions
for one night, Stephen,
and if the doctor were here,
I'm sure he'd agree with me
that your mother
must not be disturbed anymore.
What she needs now
is rest and sleep.
It's time for her pill.
[ Doorbell rings ]
I'll answer it.
Father.
How is Emma, Father?
She's no better.
I'd better go
have a look at her.
Were you able to get her
to speak?
No, but I was able
to make her understand.
She acknowledged my questions
and answered me
by moving her hands.
What did you ask her?
I asked her if she overheard
Phyllis telling Sanford
that she shot Gino by mistake.
What was her answer?
Phyllis: Her answer was no.
Did you ask Emma
some more questions?
Yes. My first question was,
did she overhear
Phyllis telling Sanford
that Paul was innocent,
and the answer was yes.
Then I asked if she overheard
Phyllis say that she shot Gino,
and the answer was yes.
My third question was,
did she hear hear Phyllis say
that she shot Gino
thinking that he was Paul,
and the answer was no.
Any more questions?
Yes.
I asked her if she knew
something that would save Paul,
and the answer was yes.
But that's as far as I...
Do you think that
we might be able to
ask Emma some more questions?
Doctor: Father Stephen.
Who's been with Emma?
I have.
How long has she been dead?
Dead?
Why, I just gave her a pill.
One tablet, Phyllis?
That's right.
Are you sure it was only one?
Quite sure.
Carl, I left this box
of six tablets here.
My instructions were
to give Emma
one tablet at 4:00 a.m.
I warned Phyllis
that this medication
was very powerful
and dangerous.
There are four tablets missing.
Why, I don't understand.
I only gave her one.
Then who gave her
the other three?
I don't know!
What are you trying to prove?
What is your conclusion,
Doctor?
It is my opinion
that Emma Hochen died
of an overdose of medication.
Well, I didn't do it.
I only gave her one,
like you told me.
Stephen was there. He saw.
Stephen, you tell them!
Tell them how I only
gave her one pill.
I didn't see how many
you gave her, Phyllis.
But you must have seen!
You were there in the room
when I did it.
I did not see.
I only know that you told me
that you were putting her
to sleep
so that I couldn't ask her
any more questions.
Stephen.
You're a priest.
You've got to tell the truth.
Help me.
I would like to help you,
Phyllis.
I swear, I only gave her one.
Can you prove it?
The... the doctor told me that
if I gave her more than one,
it would be dangerous,
so why should I do it?
Why should I be that foolish?
Why would I want to be
that stupid?
You're all against me...
everybody.
Everybody's against me.
Well, I don't care because
I know I'm telling the truth!
I know it! I'm right.
[ Crying ] And I didn't do it!
I didn't do it!
You've got to believe me.
I didn't.
I didn't. [ Sobs ]
This is an emergency call.
Carl Kramer, district attorney.
Connect me to the governor's
mansion in Sacramento,
as quickly as possible.
Well, there it is...
what I thought
was the perfect crime.
San telling everything he knew
after I was arrested,
helping Paul get
his conviction set aside,
helping him go free...
and me tried and convicted,
not for k*lling Gino...
but for Emma...
something I didn't even do.
You know, Stephen, I think
what actually happened was
that Emma, feeling pain
and trying to speak
and not knowing just how
powerful those pills were,
managed to take them herself.
But I only gave her one.
You believe me, don't you?
Yes, I do believe you, Phyllis.
Father, is it too late for me
to make my confession?
It's never too late
to confess, Phyllis,
but before you begin,
I think I should tell you
it's my duty
to speak to the warden.
To tell him
that I didn't do it?
There's no proof,
and what difference
does it make?
I k*lled Gino.
I tried to k*ll Paul.
And even if I didn't
actually poison Emma,
I'm responsible
for her death, too.
Father, it's your duty
to hear my confession now
before it's too late.
[ Speaking Latin ]
In nomine Patris et Filii
et Spiritus Sancti.
Amen.
Father...
I've forgotten
how to make a confession.
To help you,
include all you've told me
in your confession.
The important thing is,
are you truly sorry?
Oh, yes, I am...
truly sorry.
Stephen: Passio
domini nostri Jesu Christi...
[ Speaking Latin ]
Amen.
God bless you.
Go in peace.
You pay attention.
It's very important.
Take a grape like that.
You hold it gently
between your fingers,
then you squeeze it.
If it pops like that,
that means it's ready for wine.
That's the Hochen secret.
That's what my grandfather
told my father
and my father told me
and now I've told you.
Come on.