( slow, dramatic theme playing )
( camera clicks )
Reverend, would you help
my husband, please?
Of course,
Mrs. Brant.
There we are.
Safe and sound.
Just fold the chair up
and put it in the back seat.
Could I have your name
and address, please?
What for?
To send you your pictures.
I don't want any.
You don't? Well,
what about your husband?
He doesn't want any either.
Now get out of my way.
( starts engine )
Good luck.
( dramatic theme playing )
Exit John Brant, bridegroom.
Now, really.
Now, how did I do, huh?
At least you had sense enough
to keep your mouth shut.
Here's your money.
Thousand dollars?
Count it.
No. No, that would
be impolite.
But there is one thing,
fair lady.
Uh, how do I
get in touch?
I mean, in case
something comes up.
You don't.
That was the agreement,
remember?
Oh, I remember.
I just hate to
lose track
of you, Mrs. Brant.
You're a very
attractive woman.
Get out.
Just like that?
Just like that.
All right.
Well, anyway, uh...
good luck, as
the reverend said.
( peaceful theme playing )
( snorting )
( upbeat jazzy theme playing )
What was the time?
Sixty-one seconds.
Isn't that pretty fast,
Terry?
I can move a lot
faster than that.
Idiot. They'll see us.
( adventurous theme playing )
One minute, ..
Phew.
I knew he could move,
but not that fast.
No wonder the old man's so
bent on getting that horse.
Wasn't that marvelous?
It sure was.
Two-and-a-half lengths
and still pulling ahead.
Champagne and oats
for you tonight,
Spindrift,
old boy.
Well, that was
quite a race, sis.
It sure was,
Jo Ann.
Stop jabbering,
get me off of here.
( grunts )
And take that haybag out
and sh**t him.
Now, Mr. Brant.
Well, get him
out of my sight.
I wanna talk to you,
young lady.
And your brother.
That's
Spindrift.
It is.
I've been looking
for a horse like--
( whinnies )
He's-- He's just
afraid of the chair.
He'll learn better.
As I was saying:
I've been looking for
a horse like that
for years.
And I hear you've entered him
in the American Classics
at Hollywood Park.
That's right, Mr. Brant.
And with the winnings,
we expect to--
I was talking
to your sister.
Jo Ann...
I want Spindrift
racing under my colors.
We're very grateful
to you, Mr. Brant,
for all you've
done for us and
for letting us
use your track.
But he's
not for sale.
Well, who's talking about
buying him?
I've got a conditional
contract of sale
on everything you inherited
from your father, remember?
Well, you're
in default.
I can take every single
piece of property...
( bangs chair )
...you've got right now.
Oh, you can't.
Oh, I can.
But I won't.
If you give me
title to Spindrift.
But he's the only way we have of
paying you the money we owe you.
That's my proposition.
Take it. Or I'll take
the colt...
along with
everything else.
I'll fight you.
Huh. Clara...
over to
the car.
I want you to
drive me into town.
Now?
Yes, now.
I'm going to put
that lawyer of mine to work.
But, John, you can't do that.
Don't you say "can't" to me.
You're my secretary,
and you're my bookkeeper...
but you're not my wife.
( dramatic theme playing )
You'd better leave
Spindrift here.
He's as good as mine
right now.
Oh, no, he isn't,
Mr. Brant.
I won't give him up
no matter what.
Huh. Well,
what's holding you?
BRANT:
Peter. Lend a
hand here.
Yes, sir.
Good morning, Della.
Never mind, Gertie,
he's just walking in.
I've been looking
all over for you.
I just stopped by
to see Paul. What's up?
There's a Jo Ann Blanchard
waiting to see you.
Says that you knew
her father.
Uh, Blanchard
Stock Farms?
Sure. Tom Blanchard.
Harness horses. Heh.
I remember her too.
Scrawny little kid
with pigtails.
Come in, Jo Ann.
Well...
I wouldn't have
recognized you.
Here, sit down.
Thank you.
( sighs )
I probably shouldn't be
bothering you, Mr. Mason,
but you knew Dad,
and...
Knew him? We were
very good friends.
Are you in some sort
of trouble?
Over a colt Dad gave me
just before he died.
That would make the colt
a -year-old, wouldn't it?
Most marvelous
-year-old
you've ever seen,
Mr. Mason.
He's been under two minutes
for the mile six times.
Ha. And you call
that trouble?
No, it's a man named
John Brant.
He's trying to take
Spindrift
away from me.
Oh?
It's our finances,
Mr. Mason.
Well, what's happened?
Cars happen. Clothes, travel.
Gambling debts.
You?
Terry's the family spender.
Part-time actor, clerk,
salesman.
Almost anything since
he's gotten out of school.
But a full-time spender.
Then it's your brother
who's in debt to Mr. Brant.
Yes, but when Mr. Brant
gave us the money,
I signed the papers too.
Papers?
What papers did you sign?
He had us transfer
all the legal titles
to everything Dad left us
in his will
to a dummy for cash.
The dummy
sold to him,
and then he sold it
back to us
on a contract
of conditional sale.
Didn't you say the horse
was a gift to you
before your father's death?
Yes.
I have
any appointments?
Not until
this afternoon.
All right, I think
we can go out to the ranch
and tell Mr. Brant that
the horse is legally yours.
Let's go.
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
( car approaching )
( car door
opens )
( footsteps
approach )
Clara.
Oh!
Oh, you frightened me.
Uh, I'm--
I'm sorry.
What happened
in town today?
I had some errands to run,
so I left John
at the lawyer's office.
You mean, he's still
going through with it?
Did you think
he wouldn't?
Well, in my book,
it's about
the shabbiest trick
he's ever pulled.
Peter.
You may be
John Brant's ward,
but that doesn't
give you the right
to mess around
in my desk.
Oh, I was going to
tote up
some of last month's
grain invoices.
I do the bookkeeping here.
I know. But you
weren't around, and...
And maybe
it's a good thing.
I found
some checks.
Canceled checks,
signed Clara Brant.
Can't say
as I blame you.
He's skin-flinted
me too.
Eight years of pocket money
and peanuts
for the honor of being
allowed to live here.
But even so,
I can't stand by
and let you
embezzle.
Embezzle?
( closes drawer )
Is that what you
think I'm doing?
Well, isn't it?
Does that look like
embezzlement?
The weekend
you were bringing
the horses back
from Phoenix.
Why didn't
you tell everybody?
John won't let me.
He's afraid
people will laugh.
You know how touchy
he is.
He'd k*ll me if he found out
I showed you this.
But it's bound
to come out.
Don't worry.
I'll see to that.
Clara, do you love him?
What's that
got to do with it?
Nothing, I guess.
In fact, it serves
him right.
Do you still want
those invoices?
If they're handy.
Here.
Be sure to bring them back
when you're through.
I will.
Oh, and, uh...
Clara...
congratulations.
Thanks.
( door closes )
( dialing phone )
( man speaking indistinctly )
Terry?
I've got to see you.
Something's come up.
No, I can't tell you
over the phone.
Yes, now.
It can't wait.
The usual place.
( jazzy music playing
over speakers )
( dice
clacking )
How can you say
it's all my fault?
That crazy business
with the checks.
That was part of
the plan.
Like the charge
accounts to show
we were living
as man and wife.
You could have waited.
If he has another attack,
he could go anytime.
Only now we give him
a little nudge...
is that it?
Oh, I hadn't figured on
anything quite like this.
You want me to do it?
No.
That would be even worse.
Uh, suppose we meet
again tomorrow.
That might be
too late.
Tonight?
Why not?
Yeah.
Why not?
No time like the present.
I'll see what
I can dream up.
Do more than dream, Terry.
Yeah.
You want me to go out first?
Mrs. Brant.
Well, hello.
Could I buy you a drink?
What are you doing here?
Look...
why don't we
sit down over there,
and I'll tell you
all about it, huh?
Oh. Come on.
What do you want?
Wasn't that Terry Blanchard
who just walked out of here?
You know, I got to know
Terry quite well
when he was trying
to break into TV.
He's a good-looking boy,
but, uh,
you know, no actor.
Are you going to
tell me what you want?
No. Now, I think
you know.
Blackmail?
Tsk. Let's just say,
recompense for the trouble
I had finding you.
But you overlooked
one little thing.
You remember that application
for a marriage license
that we filled out,
with names and addresses--?
You went back
to Las Vegas--
Yeah, and from there
I came here.
And I'm very impressed
with what I found.
Luxurious ranch,
racehorses.
Semi-invalid old man.
You're barking up
the wrong tree.
I don't own the ranch,
I'm only the bookkeeper there.
I know, but a bookkeeper
with prospects.
There's no money
in prospects.
Well, there's
gotta be some.
Oh, say, um...
,?
Not a chance.
Well, I must have some
nuisance value.
Five thousand?
No?
You know, I hate to be
persistent, but, you see,
I've been given
this chance to buy into
this summer stock
company
in Carmel
as actor/manager.
I'd be out of your way
for good.
That was our Las Vegas
agreement.
I know it was. But that
was before I heard about
the stock company.
Now...actually...
I think I might be able
to buy in for...
,.
What guarantee do I have
you'll stay away?
Now, do you
imagine that,
if I made a success
up there,
I would
jeopardize it with
any further
hanky-panky down here?
I could catch a plane
out tonight.
All right.
But just remember, you're
in this as deep as I am.
So no more funny business.
Oh. Fair lady...
you have my promise.
I'll offer you
the checks on two banks.
Oh, that's quite
all right.
Uh, the name is
Earl Mauldin.
M-A--
Yes.
I know.
Oh.
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
First thing I want you to do
is meet Spindrift.
I'd like to.
He must be a remarkable
horse, to be able to--
I've been trying to reach you,
Miss Jo Ann.
He's gone.
Spindrift's gone.
Gone?
I tried to stop them,
but they just laughed at me.
Who was this?
Two fellas with
a horse trailer.
And John Brant.
Who are you to be delivering
ultimatums around here?
You can call it
what you like, sir.
Either you give
the horse back or--
Or I'm
walking out.
Well, I didn't know
that you were
that soft on the girl.
I like her.
But even if I didn't--
That's gratitude for you.
Where would you be
if I hadn't taken you in,
made you my ward?
Talking about gratitude,
I've repaid you five times over.
You think so?
Well, I've had it in mind
to give you Spindrift
and a lot of other
things someday.
So let's have
no more ultimatums, boy.
Not until I'm gone.
What I said still goes,
Mr. Brant.
You'd walk...
for that girl?
All right. Walk then.
Walk as far as you like.
And while you're walking--
Mr. Brant.
Well, who are you?
My name is Mason.
I'm Miss Blanchard's
attorney.
Get out.
But I merely wanna talk
to you about Spindrift.
What's there to talk about?
I've got him. That's it.
Oh, I'd say there was something
to talk about, Mr. Brant,
since you've stolen the horse.
What do you mean?
I've got a conditional contract
of sale on that horse.
No, sir.
On everything in
Mr. Blanchard's will.
The horse was a gift
to his daughter before he died.
Mason, I've got the horse.
That's nine points of the law.
Peter.
Show him out.
No, sir.
( dramatic theme playing )
Get out of here.
You're a lawyer.
Take me to court.
All right, Mr. Brant.
( dramatic theme playing )
WOMAN:
Terry?
I still think we should
go get Spindrift.
Oh, stop worrying.
Mason said he'd get him
in the morning, didn't he?
What if Mr. Brant
hides him?
He'd never do that.
You won't help me, then?
How many times
do I have to say no?
It's a harebrained
idea.
And furthermore, I don't
want you fooling around
Brant's ranch tonight,
is that clear?
I'm sorry, Terry.
This time something
positive has to be done.
I'll handle it.
In my own way.
Like you handle
everything else?
I'm talking about
this now.
I'll take care of it.
No, I'll take
care of it.
I can't depend on you, Terry,
and I'm not gonna take a cha--
Where are
you going?
Out.
( door closes )
Spindrift?
Spindrift.
( horse whinnies )
Oh, don't worry, boy.
We're going home.
All right.
( dramatic theme playing )
( action theme playing )
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
Well. This the horse?
Yes, sir.
Spindrift.
Ah, he doesn't look vicious.
He's not.
We figured the wheelchair
scared the horse, lieutenant.
Maybe bumped him
in the stall.
So he
kicked out.
You were the one who found
Mr. Brant's body?
Yes, sir. Uh, this morning
when I went to water Spindrift,
I unbolted the door and--
And found Mr. Brant
lying there.
You unbolted the door?
Yes, sir.
Were you looking for me?
TRAGG:
Mrs. Brant?
I'm Lieutenant Tragg
from Homicide.
I'd like to ask you a few
questions, if you don't mind.
But I've already
told this man
and the others
everything I know.
Now, Mrs. Brant, uh, how did
your husband get into the stall?
Did someone
push him there?
What do you mean?
Well, I understand
that he, uh--
He was completely
paralyzed.
Only his legs.
He could wheel himself around.
But he couldn't walk
or stand without help?
No.
But I don't quite see
what you're getting at.
Well, we believe
that he died
soon after midnight.
Isn't it strange
that he'd pick that time
to go and see a horse?
Not strange at all.
John often wandered around
the ranch late at night.
And that particular horse
was the answer
to a dream he'd had
for years.
Of owning a trotter capable
of winning the Hamiltonian.
That's a race.
Yes, I know.
Then you must know
how he felt.
Like a boy with a new bicycle.
He couldn't stay away.
Only the horse k*lled him.
I want that horse put
out of the way, Peter.
He k*lled John,
and he'll k*ll again.
I won't be responsible
for him.
I can't, Clara.
Will you take him,
lieutenant?
Destroying horses is not
exactly in my field, Mrs. Brant.
Then I'll call the vet.
He'll do it.
Have you finished
with me, lieutenant?
Yes.
Seems a pity.
Let's have another look
at that stall.
Better send that bolt
to the lab.
I don't get it,
lieutenant.
Look. Look here.
Bolt's here.
The body was here.
Now...
how could a cr*pple
in a wheelchair
reach over
and lock himself in?
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
Around midnight, huh?
( man speaking indistinctly )
And no one missed him?
I see.
All right, thank you, Charley.
The body was found
early this morning
by a Peter White,
Brant's ward.
Apparently, it had been in
the stall since midnight.
But the horse
did k*ll him.
Oh, there doesn't seem to be
any doubt about that.
However, there's one
interesting aspect.
Brant was secretly married
to his secretary.
He's over .
Della, there's been
many a bridegroom--
( phone rings )
Yes, Gertie?
Miss Blanchard is here.
She w--
( door opens )
Mr. Mason,
I know I shouldn't
break in on you
like this,
but they're gonna k*ll
Spindrift.
Who is?
Clara.
Or Mrs. Brant,
I should say.
I telephoned the vet.
He's ours too.
And he's going over there
at noontime,
but we don't have much--
Now, just a moment, Jo Ann.
Sit down.
Now, let's take this
a little slowly.
Mrs. Brant is going to have
the horse destroyed?
Peter White called me.
Clara thinks
that the horse--
Now, just a minute.
Della, see if I can meet with
Judge Praeger in his chambers,
and ask Paul Drake
to come down.
Now, what does
Mrs. Brant think?
That he's a maverick,
a born k*ller.
But he isn't.
He did k*ll Brant.
( door closes )
I don't believe that,
Mr. Mason.
He's the friendliest, most
wonderful horse I've ever had.
And he's as gentle as a lamb.
Last night he was just like--
You saw Spindrift last night?
What time?
I don't remember.
After midnight?
Mr. Brant was already dead,
wasn't he?
I just went over
to bring Spindrift home.
What time was this?
Just after .
I went into the stall and
I saw Mr. Brant lying there, and
I got terrified.
So I-- I just left.
Did you tell anyone about it?
My brother.
And what did he say?
To keep it quiet.
I suppose I'd better
tell the police now.
I'll have to know
a little more about this
before I advise you
what to do.
The thing I have to do
is save Spindrift.
Yes, I know. Della?
Judge Praeger can see you
in minutes,
and Paul's on
his way down.
Good.
I'm going to try to obtain
a court order,
restraining Mrs. Brant
from disposing of the horse.
I'm also gonna get a--
( knock on door )
Excuse me.
Come in, Paul.
Hi, Perry.
Miss Blanchard,
this is Paul Drake.
How do you do,
Miss Blanchard?
Paul, do you know anything of
a man named John Brant?
Well, just what I heard
on the : news.
Don't tell me you're
defending the horse?
That's exactly
what I'm doing.
I want a complete
rundown
on everyone
on the Brant ranch,
particularly Mrs. Brant,
and why
she's so determined
to destroy
a horse of such
potential value.
That's a pretty big order.
Oh, that's not all.
I want to know what the police
are doing about Brant's death.
If Homicide
is handling it.
That one I can
answer now.
I was gonna have lunch
with Sergeant Grimes.
He called it off
because Tragg put him
and a half a dozen others
on Homicide on the case.
Then, there's a possibility
it was m*rder?
And I hope not, Jo Ann.
( ominous theme playing )
Clara...
what's all this about
getting rid of Spindrift?
Why shouldn't I?
But that's insane.
I realize you have to play
the brokenhearted widow,
but to k*ll him
to do it...
Well...
Have you any idea
what that horse is worth?
We'll have enough.
Think what it'll do
to Jo Ann.
She's raised him
from a colt.
It's too late
to think about that.
What if the police decide
to examine Spindrift?
Why shouldn't they?
Because when they find
there's no trace of blood
on his shoes or hooves,
they'll know it was m*rder.
( dramatic theme playing )
I don't like k*lling
this horse, Mrs. Brant.
I can easily get
another vet, you know.
I know.
Come on, boy.
Clara, please.
Keep out of this, Peter.
Terry, you talk
to her.
Spindrift.
Mrs. Brant.
Yes, I'm
Mrs. Brant.
I have something
for you.
What's this?
I'll save you the trouble
of reading, Mrs. Brant.
It's a court order restraining
you from disposing of Spindrift
until his rightful owner
can be determined in court.
In court? Terry, why
didn't you tell me
your sister was
going to do this?
Oh, I-I didn't know.
Well, it's your problem
now, Terry.
( speaking indistinctly )
The quicker you get
that horse
out of my sight,
Jo Ann,
the better
I'll like it.
Oh, I've missed you,
Spindrift.
I've missed you.
Miss Blanchard?
Yes?
I'm Lieutenant Tragg. I have
a warrant for your arrest.
What for?
For the m*rder
of John Brant.
( dramatic theme playing )
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
Paul, he's here now, and he'll
see you if it's convenient.
Mm, I'll tell him.
He's on his way down.
Good.
I still don't
understand it.
How could the police
even suspect that girl?
Mm.
Well, the district attorney's
set for a hearing, and
I'm afraid it's gone far beyond
the suspecting stage, Della.
Now, Spindrift makes
an excellent motive.
Mr. Burger will contend
that Jo Ann k*lled Brant
while trying to
take the horse,
and pushed wheelchair
and body into the stall
to make it look like
an accident.
But we and her brother
are the only ones that knew
she was over there.
Oh, don't sell
Lieutenant Tragg short.
He knows, or he wouldn't
have acted.
And I'm sure he has other--
( knock on door )
Hi, beautiful.
Hi, Paul.
Perry, I have the dope
on the Brant dame.
Complete dossier.
Let's have it.
Some of this I dug up,
some my people brought in.
Born Clara Tinsley,
Galesburg, Illinois.
Went to
high school there.
Came to Hollywood,
did modeling,
bit parts
in movies.
Then, married a retired
Idaho rancher,
one John Hammon,
age .
The old boy died
four years later,
apparently on
the up-and-up,
but relatives
contested the will,
and Clara had to
settle for grand.
Two years later,
employed by John Brant.
Three months ago,
married Brant in Las Vegas.
Same pattern.
Yeah, but with variations.
One is, that for
the past couple of years,
she's been friendly--
extremely friendly
--with one
Terry Blanchard.
DELLA:
Uh-- Uh, Jo Ann's brother?
Mm-hm. Something else.
Ever hear of a man
named Earl Mauldin?
Name doesn't register.
Well, a pal in the Bankers
Protective Agency
gave me a rundown on
Clara's accounts in two banks.
One under the name of Clara
Hammon, the other Clara Brant.
Anyway...on the day of
Brant's death,
this Earl Mauldin cashed
checks on both accounts,
for a total take
of $,.
Two checks?
Mm-hm. There wasn't enough
in either account
to cover that much.
Sounds like an emergency
of some sort.
Otherwise, it seems to me,
she would've shifted the money
and just made out one check.
Do you know
who this Mauldin is?
Yeah, he's a broken-down actor.
I located the rooming house
where he'd been living,
but he checked out.
Told the landlady
he'd bought into
a summer playhouse in Carmel.
I called, and he's there.
All right.
Have your people find out
what they can about him,
but I want you to work on
that Las Vegas marriage.
Why was it kept secret?
Who were the witnesses?
Where did the Brants stay?
Everything you can dig up.
And, Paul...
you'll have to
work fast.
The preliminary hearing
starts tomorrow.
All right.
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
( door opens )
Uh, doctor, as chief pathologist
for the coroner's office,
how many cases have you
examined where death was caused
by a fracture
of the skull?
A large number.
I should say considerably more
than a hundred, Mr. Burger.
Testifying then
as an expert, doctor,
you say that the decedent
in this case was not k*lled
by the flying hooves
of a frightened horse?
Now, that's correct.
Death resulted
from a series of blows
struck by a smooth,
circular object,
uh, such as an iron bar.
This iron bar,
possibly?
Objection,
Your Honor.
Unless that bar, which
I assume to be a jack handle,
is properly introduced
in evidence, why--
It will be, Mr. Mason.
However, I'll rephrase
the question.
Doctor, in your opinion,
could the fatal blows
have been administered
by a person
using this
as the w*apon?
Yes.
Thank you.
Your witness.
No questions.
Now, I show you this bolt,
previously identified
as having come from
the horse's stall,
and marked for the people
Exhibit C,
and I ask if you
subjected it to exhaustive
fingerprint examination
in the police crime laboratory?
Yes, sir.
What did you find?
Prints left
by two persons.
One proved to be
a Peter White.
And the others?
The defendant,
Miss Blanchard.
( man coughs )
This moulage is a cast
of a tire print we found
in the soft earth
near the stable.
Well, what did you do
after you made this moulage?
We examined a number of cars,
and finally found the tire
that made
the print.
BURGER:
Where did you find the tire?
On the left front wheel of
Miss Blanchard's station wagon.
I see. Now, did
you find anything else
when you searched
the defendant's car?
Yes.
A bloodstained
jack handle
wedged under
the front seat.
I don't know
where it
could have come from,
Mr. Mason.
Now, lieutenant...
is this the jack handle
that you found under the seat
in the defendant's car?
Yes, sir. It has
my identification mark
on it right there.
Thank you.
If it please the court,
I should like
this jack handle entered
as People's Exhibit G.
JUDGE:
Mr. Mason?
No objection, Your Honor.
Very well, Mr. Burger.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Now, lieutenant, you testified
that there were bloodstains
on the jack handle.
How were you able to determine
that the stains were blood?
The jack handle was tested
in the laboratory.
And what were the results
of those tests?
Human blood, type O.
Were tests also run
on the decedent?
TRAGG:
Human blood, type O.
BURGER:
Mr. Blanchard, I realize
that your relationship
to the defendant
makes you reluctant
to answer
my questions,
but I must
remind you, sir,
that you've sworn here
to tell the whole truth.
Didn't your sister,
on the night in question,
ask you to go with her
to the decedent's ranch
to help her
bring back her horse?
I--
I-I don't
remember.
At one time
you did remember?
I have an affidavit here
from Mrs. Brant
stating that you told her
that your sister asked you--
Objection, Your Honor.
Mrs. Brant's alleged statement,
even if it were admissible,
is pure hearsay.
Well, I'm not trying
to get the statement
admitted, counselor.
I'm just trying to refresh
the witness' memory.
Didn't you tell
Mrs. Brant that
such a conversation
took place?
Yes.
Yes, I-- I guess--
Well, then, will
you please give us
the gist of
that conversation.
Well, my sister
did suggest
going over to
get the horse...
but I refused.
Well, what did
she say then?
Well, that's about all.
Your Honor...
it's obvious that this man
is a hostile witness.
I ask permission to
treat him in that fashion.
You may ask your leading
question, Mr. Burger.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Now, Mr. Blanchard,
didn't your sister say
that something positive
would have to be done?
Well, she--
She--
Just answer me yes or no.
Yes.
And didn't she further say
that she'd have to do it herself
because she couldn't
count on you?
Yes, but--
That's all.
Thank you, Mr. Blanchard.
Your witness.
Mr. Blanchard, from your
prior conversation,
was it made clear to you
what your sister referred to
when she said
she couldn't count on you?
Oh, I guess she meant
I haven't been
the most...
considerate brother.
I see.
Now, Mr. Blanchard...
did you not say
you would handle
the problem yourself,
in your own way?
Yes.
Thank you. That'll be all.
Well, I wouldn't exactly
call it a quarrel,
but she defied John to take
the horse away from her.
And then later that day,
or rather that night,
did anything unusual
happen at the ranch?
Yes. Shortly
after midnight,
I heard a car's engine.
I was sure John and Peter
were both in bed,
so I went to the window.
And what did
you see?
I saw Miss Blanchard's car
leave the stable
and go down our private road
toward the gate.
Would you recognize
the driver?
Yes. It was Miss Blanchard.
I thought at first
she was just making sure
her horse was
all right,
but now I know better.
And there's no doubt at all
in your mind that it was
Miss Blanchard's car, and
that it was Miss Blanchard,
the defendant,
who was driving?
No, sir.
No doubt at all.
Thank you.
Your witness.
Mr. Mason.
( clears throat )
Mrs. Brant, how far is
your room from the stable?
Well, I don't know exactly.
Maybe feet.
And after midnight, from
a distance of some feet,
you could see who was
driving that car?
Yes.
MASON:
Mrs. Brant, don't you
realize it's impossible
to identify anyone in the dark
at a distance of feet,
let alone feet?
Yes. But I don't think
you realize something.
There was a full moon
that night.
I'll be happy to lend you
my almanac, counselor.
Thank you, Mr. Burger.
Now, Mrs. Brant--
Your Honor. Your Honor!
I can't keep still
any longer.
I k*lled John Brant.
( tapping gavel )
I k*lled him!
Pop, sit
down, please.
I k*lled him!
Now, sit down, Pop. Please, sit.
Your Honor, in view of
this unexpected development,
the prosecution moves
for a recess
until tomorrow morning.
Does the defense
object?
Uh, no, Your Honor.
Defense has no objection.
The bailiff will
take this man
into custody
for questioning.
( taps gavel )
Court is adjourned until
: tomorrow morning.
( crowd murmuring )
Congratulations,
Mr. Mason.
On what, Mr. Burger?
On that piece of
razzle-dazzle--
That's the most flagrant stunt
I've seen pulled in years.
What stunt?
That phony confession.
I didn't know
you were that desperate.
I had nothing
to do with it.
I don't believe you.
Is the confession
so outlandish, Hamilton?
Couldn't Pop Abbott
have done it?
You know what
we go through downtown
before we indict, Perry.
We've got the guilty one.
( dramatic theme playing )
You sure Paul was at
the airport when he called?
Mm-hm. He said he was
going to take a cab.
Then why isn't
he here?
Perry, what about
Pop Abbott's confession?
You think he did that
to help Jo Ann?
If he was just trying
to confuse things,
I think by now Tragg
and Burger have found
a dozen holes
in his story.
( knock on door )
Come in, Paul.
I'm out of breath,
but I'm here.
And the news
isn't very good.
No?
I talked with the minister
and both witnesses.
They say the marriage
was strictly on the level,
and the descriptions
tally exactly.
The only unusual
thing was
that the Brants
refused to buy
a wedding picture
a photographer took
right outside
the chapel.
Of course, that isn't
necessarily out of line
in a secret
marriage.
What about
the license application?
Mm, took some doing,
but I got a Photostat of it.
Wait a minute.
What's that?
Photostat of
a notice of default...
with John Brant's
signature on it.
They're
just alike.
Not quite.
Look at the default notice.
The lines are frail and spidery,
as an old man would write.
Now, look at the license.
The lines are bold and heavy.
Maybe another man.
Or a woman...
who was well-acquainted
with Brant's signature.
Notice anything odd
about this, Paul?
No.
He's taking off
his gloves.
PAUL:
What's so odd
about that?
Well, look at
the ungloved hand.
Certainly isn't the hand
of an old man.
You don't think
it's Mr. Brant's?
No.
I think it's someone very adept
at the art of makeup.
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
All of great Neptune's ocean
wash this blood
Clean from my hand?
No, this my hand will rather
The multitudinous seas
incarnadine,
Making the green one red.
( taps )
Hark! more knocking.
Get on your night robe,
lest occasion call us,
And show us
to be watchers.
Be not lost
So poorly in your thoughts.
To know my deed,
'twere better not know myself.
( tapping )
Wake Duncan
with thy knocking!
I would thou couldst.
( sighs )
Well. That was
excellent, my dear.
( sighs )
Thanks.
Excellent. Listen.
Take a ten-minute
break, everybody.
Next week's show?
Yes. I think a streamlined
version of Macbeth
should be
very effective.
Uh, why don't we go
in my dressing room.
We can talk
there, huh?
Although,
I'm afraid
you're, uh...wasting
a trip from Los Angeles,
Mr. Mason.
You see, all I know
about the Brant case
is what I've read
in the papers.
Poor Clara.
You know, my heart
really bleeds for her.
That's as it should be.
Apparently, she bled
for you, Mr. Mauldin.
Uh, I don't know what
you're talking about,
Mr. Mason.
The $, she gave you on
the day of John Brant's death.
Uh, why don't you
sit down?
Now, that, uh, $,
was simply a loan.
A loan, or a payment
for services rendered
on a certain night
in Las Vegas?
( scoffs )
In Las Vegas?
Where you took part in the
fraudulent marriage ceremony
posing as John Brant.
Well, that's
absurd. I never--
Do you, um...
recognize this license
application?
No.
The signature,
John Brant, is forged.
Well, not by me,
it wasn't.
And, uh...
this isn't
a photograph of you
coming out of
the chapel?
No.
Think carefully, Mr. Mauldin.
The truth may be
your only hope
to escape a charge
of accessory to m*rder.
m*rder?
Wait a minute.
Are you saying that Clara--?
I'm saying that if you're
not part of a m*rder plot,
you'd better clear yourself.
And quickly.
( chuckles )
Oh, no.
Now, no soap,
Mr. Mason.
I assure you this isn't
a picture of me,
and I'm not
an accessory
to anything
worse
than tinkering with
Shakespeare's dialogue.
I'm sorry.
Oh, I beg
your pardon.
I'm sure that
if I were,
you'd have
the police with you.
Perhaps you're right.
That's quite
a collection
of photographs
you have there.
Oh, uh, actor''
vanity.
Although, these are
some of
my finest
performances. Uh,
Marlowe, Shaw,
O'Neill,
Shakespeare.
And, uh, this one?
( dramatic theme playing )
An actor's vanity,
you said.
You had to keep a record of
an outstanding impersonation.
Hence this photograph
of John Brant
that you must've used
as a model
for your makeup.
Shall I call the police now,
Mr. Mauldin?
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
Your Honor,
yesterday afternoon,
Mr. Timothy
Abbott confessed
to the m*rder for which
Miss Blanchard here
stands accused.
After a careful investigation,
the district attorney's office
has reached the opinion
that Mr. Abbott was moved
by considerations
more emotional than logical
when he made
his so-called confession.
And although we intend to
continue investigating
every aspect of that
so-called confession,
nevertheless, we intend to
proceed with this hearing.
Very well.
Mr. Mason was in the process
of cross-examining a witness.
Have you finished
your examination, Mr. Mason?
If it please the court,
I would like to continue
my cross-examination
of Mrs. Brant.
Then call Mrs. Clara Brant
to the stand, please.
BAILIFF:
Ms. Clara Brant, will you
take the stand, please?
You are still
under oath, Mrs. Brant.
( man clears throat )
( door opens )
( door closes )
Now, Mrs. Brant...
you told us of
your life at the ranch
and your growing regard
for Mr. Brant,
but haven't you
left out the name
of a very
important person?
The name of
Terrance Blanchard?
What was your relationship
with him?
CLARA:
We were friendly.
Now, how do you define
friendly, Mrs. Brant?
Isn't it true that you were
having an affair with him?
That's not true.
I'd be crazy to do
a thing like that,
when I'd just
married John.
Marriage? You were never
married to John Brant.
Of course I was.
We went to Las Vegas--
John Brant never
went to Las Vegas.
I submit that you went through
a fake marriage ceremony there
with a man that you'd hired
to impersonate John Brant.
Well, that's
ridiculous.
Ooh, I have
the marriage certificate,
and there's a minister and
witnesses who'll testify that--
( door opens )
That...
( dramatic theme playing )
No.
MASON:
Do you know who
that is?
Earl Mauldin.
MASON:
The man you hired
for the impersonation?
CLARA:
Only, he'd promised
to stay away.
But that was before
John Brant's death.
That was before you,
Clara Hammon,
made him an accessory
to m*rder.
But I didn't k*ll John.
I didn't k*ll him!
You must believe that.
I didn't k*ll him.
BURGER:
Now, let me get this straight.
Clara Hammond paid you $,
to impersonate Brant,
and then paid you
$, more
to keep quiet about it?
Is that correct?
That's right.
And Clara Hammond hired you
in the first place
because of your acquaintance
with Terrance Blanchard,
the brother of
the defendant?
Yes.
So at least three of you
are in on this plot together.
Well, I guess you could
put it that way,
if you're talking about that
marriage business, you know.
But I wasn't in on any plot
to k*ll the old man.
Why did you
come back here?
Oh. Because Mr. Mason there
told me that, uh,
if I didn't come back,
I'd be in more trouble
than I was
already in.
I see. Thank you.
You've been very
resourceful, Mr. Mason.
Although I do think
your tactics are more suitable
to a county fair, perhaps,
than to a courtroom.
The court was fully informed
of counsel's intentions
this morning, Mr. Burger,
and approved.
I'm aware of that,
Your Honor.
However, none of this
has any bearing on
the evidence against
the defendant.
And the prosecution
intends to proceed.
Your witness.
Mr. Mauldin...do you
remember the adage
of the goose that laid
the golden eggs?
Oh, yeah.
Only in this case,
it was necessary
to k*ll the gander
first, wasn't it?
Uh. I don't--
I don't think I follow you.
Wasn't it to your advantage
to have John Brant dead?
Once Clara Hammon
received her inheritance,
you'd be in a position to demand
a handsome sum for your silence,
instead of a paltry $,.
Yeah, um, I see.
No, uh, that never
occurred to me.
Not even on the day
you were paid the ,?
The day you were so close
to the scene of the crime?
No.
No, because I left
right after seeing Clara.
You see, that was
part of the deal.
For me to fly to Carmel.
But you didn't fly to Carmel
until : the next morning.
Now, what did you do
on the night of the m*rder?
Uh. Well, after I cashed
the two checks...
I celebrated.
Where?
Some places up on
the Sunset Strip.
And after
you finished celebrating?
Then I went to
my boarding house...
and-- And I checked out.
And what time was this?
Around midnight.
Oh, no, Mr. Mauldin.
It was after .
Your landlady was definite
about the time
because she resented
being awakened at that hour.
So it was after :.
And then, in the rented car
you'd been using all day,
you drove to the airport?
Yes.
And you checked
the car in at
I...
In case you're still
confused about time,
I have the check-in slip
right here.
Well, if it says :...
must be :.
Actually, I'm more interested
in the car than the time.
Now, at the airport,
when the rental agency
checked the car,
they found
something missing.
A jack handle,
Mr. Mauldin.
This jack handle.
The jack handle you hid
in Miss Blanchard's car.
Oh, no, I didn't--
The jack handle you used
to crush the skull of
John Brant--
No! No, I didn't!
Take it!
Take it.
See if you can recall
the impact of metal on bone.
Go on,
take it.
I can't!
I can't.
( dramatic theme playing )
Not again.
You see...I did it.
I k*lled him.
And here's a little something
to remember us by.
Thank you.
And here is
a communication
from Peter White,
who, as you know,
has been declared sole heir
to John Brant's estate.
Enclosed is your mortgages,
marked "paid in full."
That's just
like Peter, but--
Well, I'll have to
talk to him about this.
I imagine that's exactly
what he's hoping you'll do.
Now, about
your brother.
He can't escape
serving time, Jo Ann...
but I have a feeling
he'll be a better man
when he comes out,
if that's
any consolation.
It is. I know
you're right.
I can't tell you how
grateful I am, Mr. Mason.
Spindrift is too.
But he knows he can't
pay you for your service.
Oh, that's
all right.
But it isn't all right.
Spindrift has a service
of his own to perform.
There's the title
to his first foal.
Well...
And for all of you,
for Saturday.
Uh...what's
for Saturday?
Three box seats
for the big race.
From Spindrift.
Better he should tell us
if he's gonna win.
( chuckles )
( noirish jazz theme playing )