Kiss Before the Mirror, The (1933)

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Darling.

Why the secret entrance?

I wanted to surprise you.

Oh, spring is here.

Did anyone see you? Not a soul.

Does he suspect anything?

Not a thing.

Your flowers are beautiful tonight.

Flowers are most conceited, you know.

Your beauty must have humiliated them.

I am so glad you've come.

It wasn't easy this time. Why?

He wanted me to stay with him tonight.

Oh, darling.

Are you jealous of my husband?

Why shouldn't I be? He has you.

You too.

Yes. But I know of him.

He has by far the better of it. He doesn't know of me.

Shall I tell him of you? Good heavens, no.

Then kiss me.

I love you so much.

I sometimes wonder if people suspect that I have a lover.

Did my man see you in the garden?

No. Only a few frogs.

And if they croak all night long about me, no-one will understand them.

Only the black cat stared at me.

A black cat?

You sure your husband doesn't suspect? Why?

Anyway, he wouldn't believe it.

Kiss me, darling.

Happy? Barely.

Why, are you leading me towards your boudoir, sir? Or am I leading you?

Pardon me just a minute.

I must ensure my man has left. And I'll caution the frogs and put out the cat.

Not Sir Walter Raleigh? No. Casanova.

Shall you be back soon, my Lord?

Even sooner than that, Milady.

Police Headquarters?

This is Walter Bernsdorf.

Yes, of the university.

I am at number 14 Glorietta Street.

Will you come and arrest me.

I have just k*lled my wife.

Walter Bernsdorf, Chief of University Clinic.

Is indicted under paragraph 134 of the Criminal Code.

For the m*rder of his wife, Lucy Bernsdorf on the night of March 15 1933.

At or thereabout, 5:31 pm.

Number 14 Glorietta Street.

Mr Paul Held is here, sir.

Show him in.

Indictment papers must be in the Chief Justices' office within an hour.

Yes, sir.

Mr Held.

Good morning, sir.

Mr Held. This is a pleasure.

I'm glad you think so.

But unfortunately, I'm defending Walter Bernsdorf.

He is very fortunate.

I shall consider it a distinction to oppose you.

Thank you.

You know the man who k*lled his wife was my great friend.

I'm sorry.

And I thought perhaps, we might have a friendly, unofficial talk.

The indictment is already prepared.

On what grounds? Paragraph 134.

m*rder in the first degree.

But he shot the woman in her lover's bedroom.

The m*rder was not premeditated.

The defendant carried a revolver for several days.

There had been robberies in his neighborhood. - Quite so.

He planned his crime so carefully that ..

Even obtained a permit for the revolver from the Police.

Then you might charge the Police as accomplices.

This matter is not a joke.

I'm sorry.

Tell me, how is your wife?

Splendid, thank you.

Give her my kindest regards, won't you. With pleasure.

The fact that your client took such precautions, establishes premeditation.

Were you at the opera last night? No.

What a pity. A splendid performance.

Werner made a superb Faust.

And Hugo's Mephisto .. I don't care for Faust.

Oh, I adore it.

I particularly like the idea.

One could look forward to the years with such complacency.

If one knew that at age 70, a kind devil would touch him on the shoulder.

And make him young once more.

To live and love all over again.

A fascinating thought.

And at your age, it should be especially appealing.

But my two assistants are waiting outside. May I introduce them now?

Why, certainly.

Hilda .. Schultz.

This is Miss Frey, my office manager.

I have already heard of you. This is my first case.

Are you interested in it? A woman has been k*lled.

That interests me quite a bit.

For some strange reason, women don't like being k*lled.

Hello, Mr Schultz.

Are you still alert, sir?

I can understand your surprise.

My whiskers are a bit gray. But as long as I'm still a clerk, I can feel young.

Mr Schultz will copy the papers on the case.

And I would like to see the defendant alone in his cell if that's possible.

I will see to it at once.

A charming man.

Yes. I had an idea you would like him.

Schultz. Yes, sir?

You have been drinking again. Of course.

Aren't you ashamed of yourself? No.

If it weren't for the alcohol, I'd go to the dogs.

Copying these m*rder papers depresses me. It drops me down.

A drink lifts me up.

Your life must be a series of ups and downs.

I'll be your pardon, sir. I was about to speak of my conscience.

Mankind is pitiful, and when ..

Yes Schultz, you're talking too much again.

Yes, sir.

As I was going to say ..

Ah, but it's hopeless.

Whenever you're ready, Mr Held.

This guard will conduct you to your client's cell.

Thank you. We'll go now.

I regret sir, that in our first legal clash.

The advantage will be so overwhelmingly in my favor.

It will rob the victory of all its glory for me.

If you can derive any glory from sending a man to his death.

I shall do my best to make you feel entitled to it.

Come, Hilda.

Oh, Schultz.

After you've copied the papers, you come straight home.

Straight home.

Yes, sir.

Of course.

Will you tend to my mail, Hilda. And tell Mrs Held I won't be home to lunch.

Have you formed any opinion, yet?

Well, I haven't seen Walter yet. I can't understand it. He adored his wife.

He proved that by k*lling her.

He was stung by her betrayal of him.

Momentary insanity induced by jealousy.

On that defense, would you acquit him?

I don't know.

As a woman, I would instinctively find him guilty.

One shouldn't encourage men to commit m*rder.

Although it's a compliment, that in some circumstances, men might even m*rder us.

Yes. Then we can depend on the women jurors.

Has the accused a mustache? Yes. A short, black one.

Then his situation is not hopeless.

Goodbye, Hilda.

Hello, Bill. Hello, Mr Held.

Well, you'll be out of here soon.

I have been out. I broke out.

I k*lled the wife and her boyfriend and now I'm in for good.

That's too bad. Too bad, nothing. I'm happy.

Wondering where that woman was all the time used to drive me crazy.

Yeah, well you know where she is now.

Ha! I know where I hope she is.

Well Walter, we're in trouble again, aren't we.

So I read.

It's a real mess.

That was your story when we got stuck in that show-hole together.

But we got out of that together, didn't we?

We'll get out of this, too.

Have you had something to eat?

Have you slept?

Did you get the linen and pillows I sent you?

Oh please, don't t*rture me with questions.

Bed, linen or pillows. What does it matter? I can't sleep.

Don't be like all the others.

The guards, the magistrates, the Prosecutor.

They stand there and gaze at me all the time, asking me why did you do it.

Why, why, why?

Walter, I am your counsel. I must know the facts.

But Paul, what difference does it make? It is done! She's gone.

And you stand indicted for m*rder. And I'm going to defend you.

It isn't simple.

The practice of law must be cold and uncompromising to be effective.

So tell me. Why did you do it?

What do you want to know? Everything.

How did it begin?

With a kiss.

It always does. But what kind of a kiss?

A kiss before the mirror.

I can see it now.

A large, long mirror with a gold cupid on the top.

When was this?

Half an hour before the m*rder.

My wife was particularly attentive.

We were never so happy as on that day.

That was March 15th? Yes.

I hated to leave her.

But I had to lecture at the University.

She looked up to me and said: "what a pity you are going, darling."

So tenderly I couldn't get it out of my mind.

But I went.

Then suddenly, I decided to get to the lecture.

I rushed home happily.

And she was in her dressing-room standing before of the mirror.

Alone?

Yes, yes. Quite alone. What was she doing?

The most important thing in a woman's life.

She was admiring herself.

She was just about to dress.

She pencilled a thin line on her eyebrows.

Applied lipstick to her lips.

Everything as if she were in love with herself.

And yet, with a certain purpose.

She made herself perfect.

As she lightly powdered her breasts ..

She smiled .. knowing she was particularly beautiful then.

And there the b*llet struck which k*lled her.

Did she know that you were there? No.

But she was .. radiantly happy.

She was humming a tango.

Oh, I can hear it now.

It is driving me mad, Paul.

Take it easy, Walter.

Go on. What happened then?

Unspeakable joy overpowered me.

That this beautiful woman belonged to me.

I walked .. over to her.

Embraced her suddenly and kissed her neck to control her.

Yes, and then?

And here the tragedy begins.

She shook me off angrily and said I had ruined her hair dress.

Was that all? No.

I saw her face in the mirror.

It was strange, full of hate and dislike.

She didn't know it was you, Walter. You startled her. - No.

No, Paul.

That mirror showed me the whole lie of my existence.

I realized what a pitiful fool I was.

She didn't love me at all.

"She covered the traces of my kiss with a powder puff."

"And I knew she was preparing for her lover."

"She finished dressing, quickly patted my face, said goodbye, and walked off."

"I stared into the emptiness."

"Suddenly, I felt I must follow her."

"She jumped into a taxi."

"I took another and then we drove, and drove, and drove."

The taxi stopped before a beautiful house.

My wife went into the garden.

I ..

I ..

Go on, go on. I can't.

I can't, Paul.

But this is the most important thing. Pull yourself together.

How did you k*ll her? I can't remember.

I remember nothing.

Leave me alone!

I know it's cruel to press you for it now, but I must know. You must remember.

I k*lled her! I k*lled her! I am ready to pay for it.

I must know everything. Tell me, Walter.

Oh.

Why can't you leave me alone?

Liesl. Yes, Madame?

Hasn't your master come in yet? Not yet, Madame.

Miss Frey and Mr Schultz are back.

Ask Miss Frey to come in. Yes, Madame.

You want to see me, Madame?

Yes, Hilda.

Where is Mr Herd?

He is still in court, talking to the m*rder*r I think.

Please don't mention that word.

It's horrible.

I can't believe that Walter would k*ll his wife.

Why, only a few days ago she sat in this chair.

Listening to that tango.

And she was so happy over that new dress she'd ordered at DressCo.

Did she get the dress, Madame?

She wore it for the first time on the day she was m*rder*d.

Well, that's something.

She did wear it.

It's a bit of an original idea, women buying dresses to be shot in.

But if one is going to be m*rder*d, it's nice to be dressed for it.

Poor thing.

She was such a darling.

You knew Madame, didn't you, that she was having an affair?

Oh, I sensed it. We always sense it before the husband.

I wonder.

Why do you look at me like that?

I was admiring your frock, Madame. It's charming.

Thank you, Hilda.

You're a funny creature.

What are you? A lawyer or a new kind of woman?

By day, I'm a lawyer.

At night ..

Well, you might be surprised.

Why don't you get married? Well, being single has its points.

At least, no-one will ever m*rder me.

[ Door knocks ]

Come in.

Coroner's report.

How are you, Schulz? How is your wife?

Still alive, but I can't guarantee anything.

As I've often tried to tell your husband.

There is m*rder in the heart of everybody.

I received the papers sent.

Hello, darling. You look tired.

I was just saying to Mrs Held, that .. Yes, thank you, Schulz. You may go.

Very well, sir. I won't say it.

For years I have wanted to say something to mankind.

I never get to it.

Good day.

You may take the afternoon off, Hilda.

Oh, thank you. I'll make the most of it.

Doing what, Hilda?

I am curious to know what a lady lawyer does with her spare time.

She probably forgets that she is a lawyer.

And sometimes forgets that she's a lady.

Come now. Have a whiskey and soda.

Did you have any lunch? No, I have no appetite.

Poor Walter's confession has upset me terribly.

Tell me about it.

Maria, I can't get it out of my mind.

I can almost see the scene right before my very eyes.

What scene?

Where he discovered that his wife was betraying him.

Why do you stare so at the mirror?

To see if I looked as badly as I feel.

Oh, I'm worried about you.

Why don't you give up this terrible case?

Darling, Walter is my best friend.

Nobody can save him but me.

I'm the only one that can get the truth out of him.

Is the truth necessary?

I'm basing my whole defense on it.

I shall prove that he was insane with love and jealousy.

When he shot his wife as she undressed herself in her lover's bedroom.

Oh, Paul. What is it, dear?

It is so dreadful to hear such things about poor Lucy.

Oh, I'm sorry. I ..

I didn't mean to discuss it with you.

Oh, come and lie down on my sofa. We'll forget all about it.

I'll arrange the pillows for you.

Maria .. come here.

You big baby.

You hold me as if you were afraid of losing me.

I am.

Life would be dreadful without you.

You have nothing to worry about, darling.

Do you love me? A little.

Just enough to last a lifetime.

Even if I grow older than Methuselah?

Even then.

And now I'll rest for a bit. And after supper we'll go somewhere.

Let's make a night of it.

I'll be g*y and you'll be beautiful and we'll have champagne.

Lots of it.

[ Door knocks ]

Come in.

The blue dress you wanted Madame. Thank you, Liesl.

By the way.

The master is at home to no-one.

Yes, Madame.

Are you going out this afternoon?

Yes, to Helen's for bridge.

I won't be long.

I'll be home at seven.

You are spoiling me.

A little music? No thank you, dear. Nothing.

I feel wonderful.

I can't understand how Walter lived so happily with Lucy up to the last minute.

Catastrophe always comes suddenly.

Did you know that Lucy had a lover?

I had no idea.

Poor Lucy.

The day of her m*rder was probably the first time she'd ever been unfaithful.

No, you're mistaken.

For months she went to see this man. From five in the afternoon until seven.

If Lucy was so clever, how did Walter find out?

That's the part of his confession that interests me particularly.

I remember it word for word.

Just think of it.

He enters his wife's room.

And his wife.

Is standing .. there.

Yes. Go on.

And Maria.

What are you doing before the mirror?

Don't be silly.

I'm dressing.

You are dressing?

Yes.

Is there anything remarkable about that?

Go on .. tell me.

Where was she standing?

A pencil for the eyebrows.

Have you just noticed that?

I've never seen you like that before the mirror.

Oh, that's lovely of you, darling.

A man should never disturb a woman while she is dressing.

Am I disturbing you?

Oh no. No.

Only it seems strange that of a sudden you are surprised about everything.

Perhaps you didn't know I use lipstick.

I knew it.

But I've never paid much attention to it.

Cream jars.

Bottles. Perfumes.

What's that you have in your hand now?

Tweezers.

And that thing?

A brush for my eyelashes.

And all that, for me?

Don't flatter yourself.

I do it to please myself.

All women do.

And all mirrors are alike.

That isn't true.

What do you mean?

All mirrors are not alike.

And you're good.

You just found that out?

And yet ..

You seem so strange before this mirror.

Do I please you?

I love you.

That's just as it should be.

[ Singing ]

Why do you sing that song?

The whole town sings it.

It's the latest hit.

It is poor Lucy's favorite tango.

Let me .. go!

Are you mad?

You've ruined my hair dress.

Now I must make it all over again.

Maria.

What a disgusting man of a husband.

Excuse me. I am sorry.

Dressing is a nuisance. I always hate it.

Anyway, after 5 years of married life ..

It's disgusting to steel upon on one so unsuspectingly.

Don't look so tragic, darling.

I didn't mean to hurt you.

Now, I will put on my new dress.

Do you like it?

And now my hat.

There we are.

Are you still angry?

Oh forget it. You ought to know a woman is nervous when she's dressing.

Goodbye, darling. By tonight I'll be sweet again.

Have a nice rest.

I don't believe it.

I'm so glad you're here. I never could have waited alone.

Is there someone following you? No. But I'm so nervous.

What's wrong, darling?

Why, you're trembling like a frightened kitten.

Tell me, why did you ask me to meet you here?

I must talk with you.

Well ..

Why not in my apartment?

No.

I can't come there anymore.

Not for a long time at least.

Maria.

Does your husband suspect anything?

How can you say that? No. Of course not.

That's what makes it all so horrible.

Horrible? I mean the deception of it.

I'm so ashamed. Now, darling.

I'm so frightened.

Be careful. I hear someone.

That's the wind in the trees.

Didn't a car just stop over the hill?

And turn off its lights?

We're not the only lovers here, you know.

I must never see you again after tonight.

Why, Maria? Tell me please, what is the matter?

You know that my husband is taking over the defense of Walter Bernsdorf?

That shouldn't upset you.

He's working day and night on the case.

He tears it to pieces.

He discovers every little incident.

Engrosses himself in the love affair.

Reconstructs each scene.

Poor darling. Don't be so nervous.

Be careful.

Then let's go to my place for a while.

No, we mustn't. Please don't ask me to.

Not even to say goodbye?

Can't we say it here .. and now? No.

No here, not now, nor ever.

I love you, Maria.

Now, please come with me.

No-one will see us, silly.

Just for an hour.

I shouldn't.

But you will.

It must be for the last time though.

Promise me that.

I promise.

Maria.

Maria.

Pardon me, sir. Can you let me have a light?

Thank you. Goodnight.

The question is, is there or is there not freedom of the will.

If there is not, then you are innocent.

If the will ..

Some other time, perhaps. It is very late.

I felt it my duty to talk to you.

It's Mr Held, sir.

I beg your pardon sir, but I was .. You may go, Schulz.

Yes, sir.

I've come for the rest of the confession, Walter.

Not tonight, Paul. Please don't ask me to talk now.

I must know just how you k*lled Lucy.

So you have more mercy than the Prosecutor.

I want every detail. Every thought, every action.

The moment you discovered her, until .. Paul, stop it.

I can't live the same story all over again.

I can't tell you anything tonight. I can't. I can't.

Very well. I'll tell you.

I know just how you did it.

After the kiss before the mirror, you followed her.

Yes. Close.

You saw her with her lover.

You heard every whispered word, didn't you?

All I ask you .. Didn't you? - Yes.

Every word like the blow of a hammer.

"I love you. I belong to you." Don't talk to me!

They spoke of their secret hours.

Of how they yearned for each other.

Of how you, poor fool, had no suspicion.

Stop! Stop!

And then he took her in his arms and they kissed.

Long, passionate kisses.

While the blood pounded in your temples.

And a thousand serpents crawled through your heart.

Don't talk of it.

Then your hand suddenly found the revolver.

Your fingers clutched convulsively around the trigger.

Stop it, please!

And in that moment, your whole life passed before your eyes.

Your whole world went up in flames.

The fire crackling in your brain.

The burning embers dropping into your your throat, our lungs, your heart.

And then the shot. And she was dead.

Yes.

Yes, that's exactly like you do.

How did you know all this?

Because I almost did it myself. Only I had no revolver.

Paul, what do you mean? Because my wife Maria has a lover.

I saw them less than an hour ago.

She's with him now, lying in his arms.

Are you sure? I saw them.

Did they see you? No.

She doesn't know I saw her.

And she won't know.

Until the very last.

Four paces, five, six paces long.

Your cell isn't so very small.

A table.

A bed.

A pitcher of water.

A window.

Bars.

One could get used to it.

Oh I'm sorry, Paul.

Yes.

Yes. Forgive me.

After all, I'm .. I'm her to discuss your defense.

Walter, did you ever suspect Lucy before that night?

Tell me the absolute truth.

Never. That isn't the truth.

I know from myself.

I realize now I've always suspected Maria.

But I've kept it a secret to myself.

All men suspect their wives.

Perhaps I did a little when she seemed cool.

And said she had a headache.

Yes.

Yes, sometimes I did think she might love someone else.

But that was only a fleeting thought.

There are no fleeting thoughts.

Did you know you would k*ll her?

No.

No I didn't. But you imagined it?

Sometimes. There you are.

Why aren't you honest with me, Walter?

You knew the same as I did ..

That your wife was betraying you and you were afraid to admit it.

Yes, I think that's true.

Why did you buy the revolver?

I meant to k*ll her if I ever found her out.

Did you call the Police right after the m*rder?

Yes.

Did you find the number in the telephone book? - No.

You knew the number by heart?

Yes.

Then you knew what you were going to find out.

Walter Bernsdorf.

The m*rder of your wife was a premeditated crime.

How can you say that? Listen.

Only the man can m*rder who wants to m*rder.

Who is prepared for m*rder.

Let's confess the truth to each other.

You are a m*rder*r.

And I am a m*rder*r.

Are you insane?

I want you to know what's in my mind.

I shall get you out of this cell a free man.

I shall conduct your defense with skill, with cunning and with lies.

And the moment the jury acquits you, then ..

I shall k*ll my wife.

Schulz.

Mr Schultz. Yes, Madame.

What is the news? How did the case go?

The court is adjourned for lunch.

The jury is having boiled beef and beer to make them see the truth more clearly.

And my husband?

He begins his plea this afternoon.

Where is he now? In his room, Madame.

He is home?

Yes, Madame. He wants to be alone.

That's strange.

He didn't even come to greet me.

Is he upset? Unusually calm.

I've never seen him so silent.

So determined to win.

I wish it were all over.

[ Telephone ]

Hello?

Yes .. who?

Just a minute.

Mr Schultz .. I would like to be alone, please.

Yes, Madame.

You are crazy to call me up here.

I have been at home.

No, no, no I beg you not to telephone me here.

Impossible.

Tomorrow, perhaps.

Stop.

No. Someone is coming.

Who was that, Maria?

Only Helen. She wants a pass to court.

I told her I wasn't even going myself.

But you are.

You had better dress. You'll be late.

I don't want to go, Paul.

Why?

It always makes me so nervous.

Walter and Lucy.

I know I'd only be upset.

But just because of them, you must hear my plea.

I want to see your face when I speak.

Why?

Because your beautiful eyes looking at me with such love will give me strength.

And I must win.

I do hope you'll free Walter.

So do I.

I'll get ready now, Paul.

Hide and .. run away.

No, no.

Hilda.

Sit down, Hilda.

Tell me, how do you think the case looks?

Not too good.

So many wife murderers are acquitted on the same defense. I fear a reaction.

The jury is liable to doubt the existence of enough lovers to go around.

No. You're wrong, Hilda.

No matter how low a woman may fall, there is always a man waiting for her.

Then there is still hope for me.

Can't you keep away from the mirror either, Hilda?

This is important.

I want to make sure of as many of the jurors votes as possible.

Incidentally, you haven't much time.

Oh, will you tell Mrs Held, Hilda.

Is Mrs Held going to court?

Yes.

Oh.

Hilda.

Have you a mirror at home?

Of course. Several.

Smash them.

You will be happier.

Schultz. Yes, sir.

Are you ready? I have all the papers, sir.

Good.

Schultz.

Immediately after the trial I may be going away for a long while.

Where to, if I may ask?

I shall want you to look after my personal affairs.

You can depend on me but ..

Isn't this rather a sudden decision?

All my papers are in the safe.

My birth certificate.

My bank accounts.

My g*n permit.

Have you a revolver?

Yes.

Loaded?

Yes.

Who do you want to k*ll?

Are you crazy?

Every weapon goes off once.

If Walter Bernsdorf hadn't carried a revolver his wife would still be living.

Schultz, you're drunk again. You may go now.

We'll meet in court.

Here I am, Paul.

Good. We must leave in a few minutes.

Paul.

Promise me that you won't hurt Lucy today.

Lucy is dead.

I mean her memory. Remember, she was my friend.

And Walter is my friend.

I must convince the jury that he k*lled her in a justifiable rage.

Because she loved someone? Because she lied.

That's no reason why she should have been shot down like a mad dog.

That my dear, is a matter of taste.

That's a beautiful dress.

I put it on for you, darling. I got it at DressCo.

This is the first time I've worn it.

It's very becoming.

And that ornament, right over your heart.

Glitters beautifully. Do you like it?

Very much.

Now, we'd better go.

Paul.

You look so sinister standing there with the fate of a human being in your hand.

Promise me that when all this is over you'll go away on a vacation.

Go away?

That's not a bad idea.

Will you come with me?

It would be best if I stayed here.

Alone?

Naturally.

And will you remain true and in love?

Yes.

Hello.

Hello. Who is it?

Who was that? Someone who hung up.

Been that way for weeks.

Somebody calls and as he hears my voice he puts up the receiver without a word.

I wonder who it can be.

Probably the chambermaid has a lover.

Maria.

I want to ask you something I've never asked you before.

Do you still love me?

Yes.

You've never loved anyone else?

Never!

I'm the only man in your life? Absolutely.

Do you swear to that? I swear by all that's Holy to me.

Thank you.

Maria.

After the verdict, I'll go away.

You will remain alone. Quite alone.

You'd better go now. I'll follow you.

Kiss me.

Not now.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

And good luck.

Have you a card, Madam? I have.

Can't you take my word for it?

Yes, Madam. But I must see your card.

Get back, get back! All of you, in line this way.

I'm getting my card. Well, where is it?

It's none of your business.

You get this person off of my chest.

I'll get you the card.

Madam, you can't hold the line up. Now, get back.

Get back!

Now, I'll get you the card.

Here it is. Oh.

It's turning into a riot. Call the city editors.

"Courtroom rushed by public."

"Windows broken. Panic."

"People seriously wounded."

But nobody's been wounded.

There must be or the public won't read about it.

They want blood.

They want to see the m*rder*r.

Some of the women even try to bring him flowers.

I wonder why? Guilty conscience.

Doing the same and getting away with it.

They feel so sorry for their own husband they bring this fellow flowers.

Say, come on inside. There may be some more fun.

Hey you. Have you got a pass?

No. Then get out.

I'm the accused. What?

Sure.

Look .. I've known this woman for twenty years.

For twenty years we have been sweethearts.

And now she sues me for breach of promise.

Here is the summons.

Can't you read? "2nd floor. Room 21". That's what you want.

What's going on here?

A m*rder trial.

A very good idea.

No-one admitted without a card.

This way.

Who is the beautiful lady in the lovely Russian sable?

That's Mrs Held, darling.

Get a sketch of her, and write under it:

"Wife of counsel for the Defense appears wearing the smartest gown this season."

"A frock with .." Hey, wait a minute.

I'm getting this mixed up with the charity ball tonight.

Just say "Mrs Held wept bitterly .."

"While listening to her husband's magnificent plea."

Has Mr Held spoken? No. But he'll be magnificent.

Is that the m*rder*r?

Sit down.

No. That's the editor of The News.

But where is the m*rder*r?

Right behind you if you don't sit down.

They haven't brought him in yet.

That's the m*rder*r!

Walter.

Maria.

Don't stay .. go away, far away.

Isn't he good looking.

Will you sit down?

Do I annoy you? Oh no. You're alright.

It's the crowd standing with you that I object to.

Does the atmosphere strike you as being particularly ominous?

Are you accustomed to hilarity at m*rder trials?

No, no. I mean Mr Held. Haven't you noticed a change in him?

I know he's terribly anxious.

You know he carries a revolver.

What for?

Indigestion, perhaps.

Every time his stomach gets bloated, he fires a b*llet in it to let out the gas.

You look pale, Madame. Shall I get you some water?

No thank you, Hilda. I'm quite alright.

It will be over soon. Mr Held won't speak for long.

I hope not.

How do you know he carries a revolver?

He told me so.

He was probably just warning you against future vocal outbursts.

Yes. Among other things he did suggest that.

Paul.

We'll soon be out of it, Walter.

Do you think so? I'm sure of it.

That jury doesn't look very sympathetic.

That's why I'm hopeful.

I never trust soft-looking people.

Maria is here. Yes, I know.

What about her? You are not going to ..? Quiet, Walter. We're on your case.

But you must promise me you won't do anything rash. You must, Paul.

Quiet.

If you don't I'll prevent you doing it.

I'll plead guilty.

I mean it, Paul.

Unless you promise me you won't harm Maria, I'll plead guilty.

Now you can all stand up.

Proceedings will please come to order.

The counsel for the defense has the floor.

Your Honour.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury.

It is now five o'clock in the afternoon.

Two weeks ago at this very hour.

Five o'clock.

A woman met her lover.

At exactly five thirty-one she met her death.

k*lled by this man.

Walter Bernsdorf.

Stand up.

Stand up.

Did you love your wife? Yes.

Did you k*ll your wife? Yes.

You admit that you shot her? Yes.

And when she fell, you fired two more b*ll*ts into her helpless body.

Yes.

You admit you k*lled her while she was disrobing at the bedside of her lover?

Yes.

Then, Walter Bernsdorf, without equivocation, without fear.

You admit that you are guilty of the m*rder of Lucy Bernsdorf?

Yes .. yes!

That is all .. you may sit down.

If the court please!

I object to this form of procedure.

But since counsel for the defense takes on the role of Prosecutor.

And the defendant admits his guilt.

It leaves nothing for Your Honour to do ..

But instruct the jury to find him guilty.

If the defendant's mere admission of guilt ..

Justifies an immediate sentence of death by the court.

And if he'd not give his wife a fair trial.

Since her presence in the bedroom of her lover, was her confession of guilt.

However.

It is no business of a court of justice to pass judgment on a faithless wife.

A betrayed husband, under the law.

May calmly leave a faithless woman.

Or his faculties distorted by a great and shattered love ..

He may try her under a personal law.

And sentence her according to his own conception of justice.

I observe the irritation of the Public Prosecutor.

But I am not defending the unwritten law.

I am not condemning the woman who betrayed this man.

It is not she who is on trial here.

Her case has gone before the highest tribunal.

Infinite justice.

Conscious of human frailty.

Will probably be merciful.

Let us bow our heads and pray so.

And now that you've asked favor of the court above for the dead.

Be careful of the sentence you yourselves impose upon the living.

You can only intercede for the woman. You are trying the man.

Not the death. But the quivering, suffering life is in your hands.

The life of this man.

He k*lled his wife.

Therefore it is your legal right to k*ll him.

If what he has done can stir within you.

The same wild desire to m*rder that must have possessed him.

But that is not likely.

Sitting in calm deliberation of his crime.

You cannot possibly appreciate the motive of it.

You cannot, while merely judging him ..

Experience the t*rture that he must have suffered.

Unless you can understand the soul of this man by looking into your own.

Unless you are prepared to say what you would do in his situation.

Most of you, probably all of you, are married.

Most of you, perhaps all of you believe you know at this moment.

Where your wife or husband is.

For faith is the greatest element in love.

And exclusiveness of possession.

Is all that makes marriage worthwhile.

Therefore, ask yourself.

What you would do if both of these were destroyed.

And if upon leaving here you found the one you loved and trusted ..

Disrobing at the bedside of a lover.

What would you do? What would I do?

The greater the love, the greater the hate.

The bitterer the illusion the more serious the wound.

The shrewder the woman, the more lustful the revenge.

The more we love, the more we want to destroy the woman we've loved.

Did the defendant love his wife so much ..

That the m*rder can be explained by such love?

Whoever saw this broken man weeping.

Whoever sees him now as he sits there, his head buried in his hands will say ..

This man loved the woman he k*lled.

More than that.

He k*lled her because he loved her.

And this brings me to the question of premeditated m*rder.

The accused lived on the best terms with his wife.

And was without the slightest suspicion.

He even kissed her before the mirror.

We do not kiss a woman we intend to k*ll.

We do not shower upon her tender attentions up to the last minute.

And yet on the very day of the m*rder, this devoted husband.

Had given his wife a new dress from DressCo.

The dress she wore for the first and the last time. On the day of the m*rder.

Sit down.

Sit down.

Silence, please!

Five o'clock in the afternoon.

With this sentence I began my plea.

As I wanted to stress to you that the misdeed was the result of a single hour.

It all happened in less time than it's taken me to describe it.

It all came as unexpected as an April shower.

Remember.

Five o'clock in the afternoon.

A woman stands in the bedroom of her lover.

She undresses.

Counsel for the defense will please refrain from going into details.

I shall dismiss this scene with a few words.

She disrobes, she hums a song.

A man watches the scene.

That man is the woman's husband.

An honourable gentleman, who's given her name, rank and social position.

This man happened to have a revolver in his pocket.

The woman continued to disrobe.

One garment after another.

I must warn the counsel for the defense again!

Yes. The husband watches all this.

What would you do? What would any man do?

Where is there a man, who at this moment ..

Wouldn't put his hand in his pocket as he did.

And in drawing the revolver, k*ll the ..

Paul!

Quiet .. please.

Take Mrs Held out to the counsellor's room and don't leave her for a moment.

Silence!

You may continue.

Your Honour.

I regret that my speech caused any confusion.

May I suggest, Your Honour.

If the counsel for the defense intends more melodrama ..

The courtroom be cleared.

The counsel will proceed.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury.

Frankly, fairly, like human beings.

Listen to the law within you.

And ask yourselves if this very fact doesn't prove the truth of my argument.

I also carry a revolver.

I too have a permit to do so, as the defendant had.

And while picturing to you the frightful situation that confronted him.

I forgot for a moment the sanctity of the courtroom ..

And involuntarily grasped the weapon.

Can you wonder then, at him?

Living the picture I was merely drawing.

Suffering the t*rture I was only describing.

I've asked you what you would have done.

I've shown you what I would do.

And were I on trial instead of him, I would expect acquittal of you!

A man has a right to avenge dishonour.

A husband is home. A lover is love.

You couldn't condemn me for it.

You dare not find me guilty!

Guilt!

Atonement!

Mercy!

Begging the court's pardon. I ..

I am somewhat broken under the stress of this case.

I leave the defendant entirely to you.

And with the court's permission.

I have finished.

Do you feel better, Madame?

I'll be alright, Hilda.

It was just nerves.

The room is so stuffy, Madame.

Yes, and Mr Held's speech carried me away so completely that ..

When he drew the revolver, I just ..

Well, I .. Yes, Madame. You fainted.

I am so sorry.

Is he still speaking?

Mr Held has finished, Madame. The jury is filing out.

He's coming, Madam.

Is it an acquittal?

What do you think, Hilda?

As a lawyer, I congratulate you. You've probably won.

As a woman, I didn't believe a word of your argument.

You may go, Hilda.

Goodbye, Madame. Goodbye, Hilda.

Are you going to k*ll me now, Paul?

Then you know that I know?

I only know that ever since Walter k*lled himself.

You've tormented yourself and me with this terribly jealousy.

Nothing could survive it.

It's k*lled everything.

Maria.

You have a lover.

I saw you in his arms.

I saw him hold you close and kiss you.

I heard him tell you that he loved you.

And I watched you go with him.

I worshipped you.

And all the time, you've been deceiving me.

Just like Lucy did Walter.

That's why you cried out in the courtroom when I drew the revolver.

Because you knew that I would make you pay for what you've done to me.

Why don't you do it, Paul?

Why keep on tormenting me this way?

I don't want to die.

I don't think I deserve to die.

I love you.

Yes. In spite of everything I've done, I love you.

If you are going to do it, get it over!

I can't bear this any longer.

The jury is filing in.

In a moment it will pass sentence on you.

On me?

Didn't you realize that we were on trial today?

That all the time I was defending myself?

In order to make sure you wouldn't suffer before you avenged your love.

Oh Paul.

Why didn't you do it without waiting for the assurance of Walter's freedom?

You don't love me as he loved Lucy.

The verdict will soon be announced.

The jury finds the defendant not guilty.

Therefore the court acquits the defendant.

And orders his immediate release.

Well.

Go on, Paul.

Walter is free.

I'm so glad, Walter.

Thank you, Maria.

I wish I could thank you for it, Paul.

But I can't.

You have given me my life.

From my heart, I wish you hadn't.

Time is a great healer, Walter.

Don't depend on it.

Don't do anything with the hope of forgetting.

I won't, Walter.

That, you promise? I give you my word.

I'm sorry, Paul.

Won't you forgive me?

I have forgiven you.

Won't you say goodbye?

No. Please go.

Will I live to see you again?

0h, I don't know. Sometime, perhaps.

When all this has become unimportant.

Goodbye.

Maria.

Mr Held, just a minute.

Gone?

Why, they are all gone.

What a pity. I would have loved to have said something.

Ah, what's the use?

Careful ..

Maria.

Maria.