( playback of blues recording
over speakers )
¶ To end
¶ This being alone
¶ A guy
Hi.
¶ That I ¶
Oh, darling.
Oh, you remember
Joe Marsden.
Frank Thatcher.
Uh, Donna, I've got
a conference tonight
and a board meeting
in the morning.
Can you leave here now?
Baby,
this is my demonstration
record.
Joe and I are polishing it up
for Star Recording.
The vocal's--
The vocal is
just great, Donna.
But right here
there's a horn note.
Let me make a few fixes,
and run off a new demo
for you to listen to.
Baby, this is important.
If my voice gets
on the Star label,
the whole world
opens up.
Now, why can't I
take a cab
back to the hotel?
Because I have
a surprise for you.
Now, please hurry.
Bye, Donna.
Bye.
Thatcher.
( mellow theme playing )
Good evening,
Mr. Thatcher.
Good evening.
Frank, w-what on earth--?
How do you like it?
It's even soundproofed
so you can practice.
And look...stereo.
The very best
there is.
I think I'd like a drink.
Straight.
( mellow theme playing )
Well, what do you say?
How do you like it?
Look.
Oh, that stupid decorator.
Just for one minute,
when I stood in that doorway
and I looked at
this lovely apartment,
I said, no, this isn't
the surprise.
Tonight he's gonna tell me
that he loves me.
Here, drink this.
Tonight he's gonna tell me
that he's gonna divorce
his wife and marry me.
And this is just his cute way
of proposing to me.
Donna, this is no time
to start that again--
Or-- Or maybe divorce
the Dameron Company.
A surprise.
"I am ridding myself of
the great Henry W. Dameron.
"I am divorcing
my precious father-in-law.
I am divorcing
$ million!"
( glass shatters )
Oh. Frank.
Frank, this--
This means that...
you're not gonna do
any of those things, doesn't it?
You're never gonna marry me,
isn't that right?
Is that right?
You know how
ridiculous
it would be for me
to give up
these business
opportunities.
Oh, nothing must...
spoil your success.
Nothing.
( mysterious theme playing )
( brakes screeching )
( dramatic theme playing )
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
"Alexander died,
"Alexander was buried,
"Alexander
returneth
into dust."
Charles,
I bet you didn't know
that's in the gravedigger
speech from Hamlet.
Tad, you didn't
bury him, did you?
No. But he could've used
a good funeral
after what our dear
brother-in-law did to him.
Please stop drinking.
Really, sir, why you ever
sent him out there,
I'll never know.
Because only the weakest
of people
have strong stomachs.
His name was Alexander,
if you'd just listen.
Alexander Colin.
Paid-up member of
the Steamfitters Union.
Also belonged to
a bowling club.
Tad, you didn't take
those off the body?
You didn't
move him?
It really doesn't make
any difference, Charles.
I'll phone
the police now.
I should've done it
in the first place, of course.
Yes, but you didn't,
old boy. Did you?
That's enough out of you,
young man.
I...wanted to report
the accident, naturally.
Unfortunately, at the club,
somebody spilled whiskey
on my suit.
I kept thinking the--
There's the Dameron
position to uphold.
I know how much
that means to you, Charles.
There was also blood
all over your car...
and a skidmark
feet long.
So for speeding,
drunk,
reckless, hit-run
manslaughter--
I said that's enough!
Tomorrow morning, there's
a meeting of the board
to discuss
a Dameron Company merger.
Doctors say I mustn't attend.
I wonder which one of my sons
even knows what a merger is?
The bookworm?
The bottle-worm?
Why do you suppose
I picked Frank
to marry Judith
in the first place?
Why? Because neither of you
has the native sense
to run a lemonade stand.
But, sir...
he committed
a crime.
We have a moral
responsibility.
We're going to do
what we have to do,
from this moment on.
We simply know nothing
of this accident.
Do you both
understand me?
Tad...
I want you
to take care of
Frank's car.
Do whatever else
is necessary.
Well, go on. Do it.
Wait a minute,
sir.
You're forgetting
something.
This man Colin
must have a family.
A widow,
or children perhaps.
Oh, Charley, what kind of
an ogre do you think I am?
We'll investigate,
send them a gift.
Anonymously, of course.
Say $,?
That's
not enough.
Unless you make it
$,,
I-- I still think
the accident
should be reported.
All right. Twenty five
and have done with it.
I'm glad you see it
my way, H.W.
I'll have someone arrange
the payment.
You'll arrange it
yourself, Frank.
You k*lled the man,
didn't you?
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
Yes, sir.
Well, well, well.
So there you are,
Mr. Thatcher.
Hello, Judith.
I was expecting you
home for dinner.
I thought perhaps
something had gone wrong.
I told you I had
a conference over here tonight.
( chuckles ):
Of course.
And I suppose you still have
your little singing friend
to attend to too,
don't you,
sweetie pie?
My what?
Well, I understand
that she's back
in town, and I--
Have you--?
Can't you two find a better
rooftop to fight on?
( dramatic theme playing )
( knock on door )
Come in.
I'm going to lunch now,
Mr. Drake.
Okay, Margo.
I'll lock up
if none of the boys
get back.
( door closes )
Mr. Paul Drake?
Uh-huh.
My name is Frank Danco.
How do you do, sir?
I have rather
an unusual job for you.
I don't suppose you'd mind
giving some money away?
Depends on whether
or not it's mine.
Well, I thought it best
to hire you to handle this.
You see, this is for a Canadian
friend of mine, Jim Booth,
of Booth
and Blackwell.
Attorneys.
Up in Winnipeg.
Won't you sit down,
Mr. Danco?
Thank you.
( sedate theme playing )
Are you
Mrs. Alexander Colin?
Yeah.
My name's Paul Drake.
I'd like to talk to you
if I may.
Like some coffee?
Mm, thank you.
So what is it, mister?
I always enjoy
a good pitch.
I've been getting a lot
of 'em the last few days.
Heh. I'm a private
investigator, Mrs. Colin.
Indirectly, I represent
a friend of your husband's.
A man from Canada,
a steamfitter.
They used to go bowling
a lot together,
kid each other
about losing weight.
Oh, did they?
They were both overweight,
were they?
Ha.
Well, now, that's
a personal touch.
I-- I gathered that
this man was
a pretty good friend
of your husband's.
It's just that, well,
he doesn't want his name used.
Oh, no, no, no.
'Course not.
Anyway...
they talked a lot about
prospecting for uranium.
Apparently, your husband even
loaned this man some money
to do a little
investing.
And the man never
paid it back.
Instead he went up there
and made himself a fortune.
Now, he wants your husband
to accept a gift.
A debt of gratitude.
Accept a...
what of what?
Twenty-five thousand
dollars, Mrs. Colin.
This, um...
This good news of yours
don't have to be delivered
to Alex personally, does it?
No, of course not.
It's for you both.
I was just hired by a man
in town here
by the name of Danco
to handle matters,
make sure of the proper
identification and so forth.
That's easy enough.
It's only sort of
Humpty Dumpty.
All you gotta do
is put old Alex
back together
again.
What happened, Mrs. Colin?
They found him knocked off
a culvert crossing.
His car was down the road a mile
with a flat tire.
I suppose he was walking
to a gas station.
'Cause he sure wasn't walking
to take off weight.
He wasn't overweight?
The only place my husband
was overweight
was on his driver's license.
A hundred and ninety-five,
instead of
pounds.
It's a misprint.
You know,
somebody's been looking
at his driver's license.
There are a few things
I've got to look into.
I think I'd better
leave, Mrs. Colin.
Well...
tell that
gift-giving friend...
if he's so considerate
for me...
how about arranging
some noises
around the house...
( sobbing )
...somebody next to me,
snoring so loud
I can't sleep.
Tell him--
Well, you know what to
tell him, don't you?
( sobbing )
( melancholy theme playing )
( upbeat theme playing )
( door opens )
( doors closes )
Well, better
late than never.
You starved?
Oh, of course not.
How was
Santa Barbara?
Full of people.
Paul Drake.
Mm-hm.
What did Paul
want to see me about?
Oh, that was
earlier.
Something about
a tax question.
A gift or some money
from Canada.
He's still having
dinner with us?
Well, Margo,
his secretary, called,
said that he came
steaming back to the office
a little while ago
very upset.
That we should go on
to the restaurant,
and he'd try to
meet us later.
Paul upset?
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
Here, just one moment,
if you please.
Whom do you
wish to see?
Mr. Frank Danco.
Well, we have
no one by that name.
So if you don't mind--
Oh, yes, you do.
He gave me
this telephone number--
Will you kindly take
your hand off me, sir?
Sorry. This Danco said he was
fixing up an apartment
for some cousin of his.
Oh. Oh, of course.
The gentleman
with the, uh, cousin.
Well, why didn't
you say so? It--
Well, so there you are.
Come along, Drake.
Well, it's about time,
I might say.
I've been searching
for you all afternoon.
Like a scotch?
I've had a few other
things to locate
besides Mrs. Colin.
No, thanks.
Well, if you'll just
give me the receipt,
I'm sure that's all my friends
in Canada care about.
( puts Donna's blues
recording on player )
You did receive
some sort of receipt
for the money,
didn't you?
I presume you already
knew the police
had the investigation
just about closed.
I beg your pardon?
The coroner's office
has Colin's death
listed as auto injury,
hit-run.
But the police
weren't able to find much.
And don't worry.
I haven't told 'em anything.
Not yet.
I see.
You wanted to present
your personal bill
first, of course.
All right, how much do you want?
Mr. Danco, in my business,
a client's case is supposed to
remain confidential.
But yours won't. You've told
a few too many lies.
And I don't like being chosen
either to pay conscience money,
or to help
cover up a felony.
Who did it?
You?
Some member of your family?
Mr. Drake.
There'll be a check
in the morning's mail for you
in the amount of $,.
And you'll get it right back,
along with the ,.
Only from now on,
if you don't mind,
I'm gonna let
a lawyer friend of mine
handle matters
for me.
Come back here.
No two-bit private eye
is gonna blackmail me.
( dramatic theme playing )
( sighs )
I'm glad you did that.
( grunts )
( blues song finishes )
( knocking on door )
( blues song
playing again )
( knocking
on door )
MAN:
Hello, sir.
It's me,
the clerk.
Come on, open up.
¶ I need
¶ A man
¶ A man I know
( exhales )
¶ I can own
What do you want?
¶ I...
I rang and rang, but
there wasn't any answer.
Somebody phoned
the apartment from outside.
I knew the gentleman
must be in.
I'd seen this man
go upstairs with him.
OFFICER:
Better watch him,
Harry.
¶ A guy
¶ That I can love--
This one's dead.
¶ Till the day I die
( phone ringing )
Lawyers are almost
as bad as doctors
when it comes to
frantic calls.
Hm.
Hello.
( Paul speaking indistinctly )
Yes, Paul.
Where have you--?
Of course. Immediately.
I'll bet he was full
of apologies.
Della, Paul's being held
on suspicion of m*rder.
( dramatic theme playing )
Oh, come in, Perry.
I'll, uh-- I'll have
Paul brought up here.
You can use my office.
Thank you, lieutenant.
Now, wait a minute.
Wait a minute.
I want to show you
something.
We found this
in his desk.
Twenty-five thousand
dollars. Cash.
Hard money.
It fits into a pattern
for us, Perry.
I don't know much about
anything yet, lieutenant.
There's nothing we can do
but ask for an indictment.
It's locked up.
You know the spot
a public servant's in, Perry.
Hamilton,
I understand.
Why did Paul
have to get mixed up
in a thing like this
in the first place?
And he was shot. Twice.
With my g*n.
Do you know what was found
in the way of fingerprints?
Mine. I even have
powder marks too.
They gave you
a paraffin test?
Uh-huh.
I've been doing some sh**ting
lately out on the range.
Brushing up 'cause
I had to carry a g*n
on account of a mail case
we're handling.
Now, you mentioned
the name Danco.
Downstairs, I heard
the name Thatcher.
One and the same.
Frank Thatcher,
executive vice president
of the Dameron Company.
His father-in-law is
the great Henry W. himself.
Power and influence
personified.
Brother, this was sure
my day to be innocent.
I gather Thatcher made
his story pretty convincing.
Better yet, he made it
so wild, it sounded routine.
However,
by this evening,
I had it pretty well
figured out.
But instead of
phoning him,
I had to wash him off
in person.
So you got there about
ten minutes after ?
That's right.
Paul, did you start the fight?
No. But it's not because
I didn't want to.
And after it was started...
he...hit you with something.
Knocked you out.
What time was that?
About :.
And from then until :,
you didn't see
or remember
a thing?
There's only minutes there.
Fifteen minutes
for someone to...walk in,
take advantage of the situation,
m*rder Thatcher
and walk out again.
Well, until I can try
to push a few people
into showing their hands,
just deny that
you k*lled him.
Just say that
I'll let you
answer no other questions.
Perry.
Isn't there anything else
you want to ask me?
Mm. Paul...
the only real doubt
I have about you
is what you're gonna say
when you see my bill.
Talk to you later.
Okay.
( mysterious theme playing )
Oh.
Oh, Mr. Mason.
Come in, won't you?
Thank you.
I'm Henry Dameron's daughter.
I'm Judith Thatcher.
Oh, I'm sorry,
Mrs. Thatcher.
I don't think condolences
are quite in order, Mr. Mason.
At least not from
the lawyer
of the man who
made me a widow.
I think we all have
a good deal to yet learn
about your husband's
death.
You do?
Well, maybe the newspapers
can instruct us all.
This way, Mr. Mason.
That's what I'm
doing here.
There were reporters
at my house.
My father keeps his castle
better guarded.
I imagine your father
has always
kept his castle
well-guarded.
Well...
my brother, Tad,
slips in and out
of a scandal column
now and then.
Never like this,
of course.
"Love Nest Slaying."
They've already started
calling it that. Did you know?
The mere fact that
your husband's death
occurred in an--
Tact is not in order
either, Mr. Mason.
I knew all about
that stupid,
sentimental creature
of Frank's.
Then perhaps
you knew something
about the m*rder too,
Mrs. Thatcher.
If you knew about
Donna Kress,
you must have known
the location
of that apartment,
mustn't you?
( gasps )
There you are, Judith.
Oh, Mr. Mason,
my father.
Mr. Dameron.
Perry Mason,
eh?
I've heard a great deal
about you, sir.
Judith,
my dear...
how's about pouring us
some coffee, and then, uh--
Oh, I'm sorry.
Poor girl's
dreadfully upset.
Uh, I've been
expecting you, Mason.
I'll, uh, get right to
the point, Mr. Dameron.
I represent Paul Drake,
as I guess you know.
Yeah, of course.
Of course.
Rascal calls himself a private
detective, I understand.
Paul's a personal friend
of mine, Mr. Dameron.
He did not k*ll
your son-in-law.
Sit down. Sit down.
Mason...I'm disappointed.
Why, you came here asking
for help, didn't you?
Not at all.
I only want to know
which member of your family
was involved in a hit-run
accident the other night.
( chuckles )
You know, there was
a time
when I had
a great admiration
for your work.
I even thought of offering you
a sizable retainer once.
To make an annual trip
to Europe, perhaps.
Inspect some of
my legal affairs over there.
Are you thinking of making
the offer again?
Don't misunderstand me,
Mr. Mason.
If you say your friend Drake
is a good man...
I'd take
your word for it.
And I might make him
an offer too.
In return for what?
I could testify to
my son-in-law's nasty temper...
his sarcastic
denunciation of anyone
with whom
he might not agree.
In other words...
I can furnish
evidence of provocation.
For manslaughter.
You're suggesting that Mr. Drake
plead guilty, is that it?
Hm, at the worst,
your friend might, uh,
get perhaps one or
two years in prison.
No, Mr. Dameron.
Mason...
I want you
to think twice
before putting me on
the other side of any fence.
Mr. Dameron, I want you
to think twice
before withholding
evidence
just to protect your family
from embarrassment.
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
Tad?
Tad, are you upstairs?
Son, do you hear me?
I'm here in the den.
What do you want?
Did you talk with
the police yet?
TAD:
Police?
Haven't we seen enough
of them for one day?
I mean about what you found
in the garage the other day.
About Frank's car.
Yeah. Yeah, I called 'em,
if that's what you mean.
Yes, sir. They know Frank
ran into that guy, all right.
I guess that's what that
private detective was, uh,
maybe blackmailing
Frank about.
Mason...maybe everything's
being taken
right out of our hands.
Goodbye, Mr. Dameron.
¶ Love till the day I die
¶ Oh, he
Who'll see ¶
¶ His loving means--
Now here's that
phrase coming up
where I left your vocal
in the clear.
¶ I want to give--
Who is it?
Excuse us,
Miss Kress.
My name is Mason.
This is Miss Street.
Hello. I spoke to you
on the phone.
Oh, yes.
I--
I'm sorry that I was
so hard to locate,
but there were so many
people at the hotel,
and-- And reporters.
There's, uh--
I thought I'd better
get back here to work.
That's what
I'm gonna have to do
from now on anyway.
I suppose you know
all about Frank and me.
The whole world
seems to know.
I don't know as much
as I'd like to know.
Well, there's nothing
to be ashamed of.
I'm sorry, there's
really very little
that I can tell you
to help.
How long have you known
Frank Thatcher?
Nine years.
( scoffs )
It's longer than
he's known them.
"Them?"
The Damerons.
We were gonna
be married.
¶ The way
That was a long
time ago.
¶ I love you...
But then he met
his present wife?
Judith?
All right, now.
Can't we just wait a while?
I'm sorry, Miss Kress.
Oh, that's
all right.
I'm sorry. Th--
This is Joe Marsden.
Miss Street,
Mr. Mason.
Marsden?
You knew Thatcher too,
didn't you?
Mm, just to look at.
That was enough.
But your name was
on a police report.
Didn't you call Thatcher
last night at
Thatcher?
Of course not.
As I understood it,
the clerk at the apartment house
said that a call
from a man named Marsden
led to the discovery
of the m*rder.
Oh. Well, of course,
I phoned the apartment.
You mean you were
calling Miss Kress?
You expected her
to be there?
( recording ends )
Yes, I would've
been there.
But there was
an unexpected call.
A-- A rehearsal call
at the nightclub.
Frank went to
the apartment without me.
You were probably the last
person to talk with him,
at any length,
before he died.
( voice breaking ):
Yes, I suppose so.
Did he mention the name
Paul Drake to you?
Yes, he-- He was worried
about Paul Drake.
He always was gonna
phone him,
or he was
worried about
Mr. Drake phoning
the apartment.
Uh, why was he upset?
Was Mr. Drake
causing trouble,
or threatening him?
No.
Did...Thatcher mention
any words like "shakedown"
or "blackmail"?
No, he was just doing
a job for him.
Frank was upset.
Did Thatcher mention
what the job was?
No.
But he said he was
gonna make Mr. Drake
come around to his way
of thinking.
Frank always thought
he could make people
come around to his way
of thinking.
He learned
all about...
twisting people's arms
from that precious
father-in-law of his.
You don't care for
the Damerons very much, do you?
Well, how would
you like it?
You know Tad, the--
The-- The one that drinks?
He was even trying to
interfere with
Frank's leasing
the apartment.
Wait a moment.
When was this?
He saw Tad earlier
in the afternoon.
So Tad Dameron
was here in town, and...
must have known the address
of the apartment.
Miss Kress,
I'd like to get
this all down in
statement form...
( sighs )
...right away.
Uh, Donna, we're
not finished yet.
Don't slough
your big chance.
You want Star Recording
to buy your record.
Please, I really
ought to do this.
The life of
an innocent man
may depend on
your statement, Miss Kress.
All right. Look, just as soon
as we finish here,
Joe will drive me
down to your office.
( blues song playing )
( door opens )
( door closes )
¶ I need a man
¶ A man--
Miss Kress?
( gasps )
¶ I know I can own
Forgive me
for interrupting.
I-- I'm
Charles Dameron.
I came to discuss something
rather important.
And rather private.
The only thing
that's
important to me
is my work.
Leave me alone.
Well, I came to discuss
your work, Miss Kress.
My father is rather
concerned about your future.
He's heard about
your singing
and this record
that you're making
that you want to sell
to Star Recording Company--
Now, look, bud. I'll give you
about three seconds
to get out of here.
My father can
help you, Miss Kress.
He's just bought
the Star Recording Company
lock, stock
and barrel.
¶ Who'll see ¶
Well, we can make it
this evening if--
Miss Kress, either you remember
things or you don't.
I-I understand, Mr. Mason.
But, you see...
Frank never said
anything specific
about Tad or--
Or anything. I--
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
But I have my whole life
to live...
and I have just
changed my mind.
I'm-- Can't help you.
I'm sorry. Goodbye.
( ominous theme playing )
Correct, sir. These are
the m*rder b*ll*ts.
Caliber, . slugs.
I show you now
this .-caliber
revolver,
previously admitted
into evidence and identified
as belonging to
the defendant.
I ask if you
examined it.
Yes, sir.
This is the g*n
from which the b*ll*ts
were fired.
And now I ask you
if you performed a test
in your laboratory...
uh,
to determine
whether or not
the defendant
recently fired a g*n.
Yes, sir.
A dermal nitrate test
was made
in my presence.
I object,
Your Honor,
to the introduction
of any evidence
based on the so-called
paraffin test.
On what grounds, Mr. Mason?
I refer the court
to a recent decision
of the supreme court
of the state of Colorado,
reported in , uh,
Pacific nd, page .
Will you read it please,
counselor?
In the case of, uh,
Brooks Jr. v. People,
decided June , ,
the court held in part that,
"The paraffin glove test
for dermal nitrates
"is neither
sufficiently certain,
"nor subject to such
scientific accuracy
"as to justify its routine use
in establishing
whether a suspect or deceased
did or did not fire a g*n."
The court concluded, Your Honor,
"We hold,
therefore,
"that the result
of a paraffin test,
"rather than being placed
in the category
"of the accepted tests,
"has the same reputation
for unreliability
as the lie detector test."
Have you arguments to support
the admissibility
of such evidence, Mr. Burger?
Your Honor, the point is
really not that important
to the prosecution's
case.
Your objection is sustained,
Mr. Mason.
All right.
And we found
the m*rder w*apon
in the defendant's
shoulder holster
when we searched him.
I see.
Now, at what exact time
did you enter the apartment?
We opened the door
of the apartment at :.
All right, officer,
thank you very much.
Cross-examine.
Officer Wilson, as you
approached the apartment,
did you see anyone
besides the clerk?
No, sir.
Would you have seen anyone
leaving the building?
Yes, sir, I would have.
But there was no one
in sight when
I went upstairs.
MASON:
Did you hear any sounds
from the apartment
as you
approached it?
No, sir. The place
is very quiet.
I didn't hear the phonograph
from right outside the door.
Phonograph?
Uh, there was a record
on the player.
What sort of record?
Blank label.
A lady singing.
Thank you, that's all.
Frank left me
about : p.m.
And did he say
where he was going?
Yes. I-I think he wanted to
telephone home first.
Will you speak louder, please?
Oh.
He was trying to get
in touch with his wife.
He, uh, wanted to
tell her
that he wouldn't be home
until late.
BURGER:
Did he say where
he was going?
To the apartment.
Did he say why
he was going there?
Yes.
He said that
Mr. Drake might be
trying to
reach him there.
BURGER:
Thank you, Miss Kress.
That'll be all.
Your witness.
Miss Kress, do you
recall telling me
that Frank Thatcher was
with you in the nightclub
at which you were
appearing?
Y-y-- Yes, sir.
And that he left
the club ahead of you
to go to the apartment
because you were involved
in a rehearsal?
Yes.
But after
a short time,
the band decided
they had more work
on arrangements,
and I left.
What time was that?
About, um...
a quarter to .
Then you had plenty of time
to go to the apartment
before the m*rder?
But I didn't.
I walked over
to the restaurant
where Frank and I planned
to have dinner.
Did you speak to anyone there?
No.
Is there anyone
who can corroborate
your statement
that you were there?
I don't know.
Thank you.
That'll be all.
Well, the, uh--
The blood was dried
on Frank's car.
There were big dents.
The, uh-- The car was
pretty much of a mess.
Yes, but this was
the day after
Frank Thatcher's
m*rder.
The day that
you finally reported
your findings
to the police.
That's right.
Well, hadn't you had occasion
to see the car before?
Well, Frank had
two other cars.
He parked this one
in our old garage
where no one
would notice it.
BURGER:
But didn't he say
anything to you
about the car,
Mr. Dameron?
Oh, yes. He'd asked me
before to look at it.
He, uh, said
he'd had an accident.
Ran over a...dog,
he said.
Didn't want to
upset his wife.
May it please the court.
The defense understands that,
had the accident involved a man,
the Dameron family should have
notified the police...
and in the light of subsequent
police investigations
and a coroner's
hearing,
the defense is quite
prepared to stipulate...
that Frank Thatcher's car
did, in fact,
strike down and k*ll a man,
not a dog.
If it please
the court.
But my intention here
is to establish...
what Frank Thatcher told
the other members
of his family
about the accident,
and then if he had trouble
with Paul Drake over it.
And that
would be hearsay.
Well, technically, yes.
But it seems to me that
both you and Mr. Burger
could stipulate
that the evidence
may go in as part
of a res gestae.
Mm, so stipulated.
Thank you, counselor.
So stipulated,
Your Honor.
Now, Mr. Dameron...
did you or anyone
of your family...
know until after
Frank Thatcher's m*rder,
that he'd been involved
in a hit-and-run accident?
Oh, no, sir.
None of us did.
Otherwise, we'd have
persuaded Frank
to call the police
instead of using
this private detective
to cover up
for himself.
Thank you, Mr. Dameron.
That'll be all.
Mr. Dameron...
this conversation
you had with, uh,
Frank Thatcher
about the dog.
When and where
did it take place?
Well, um, the afternoon
before, I guess.
The afternoon
before he died?
Yes.
Actually,
I'd dropped by the office
to, uh, talk about
some other things.
Nothing
important.
That would be
his office in town?
That's right.
When did you return
to your country home?
Well, I, um...
dropped by a couple of places
for a drink. Um...
I suppose :.
That gave you ample time
to stop by
the Westpark Apartments
and see Frank Thatcher again.
Perhaps around,
uh,
No.
No? You didn't have time?
Well, the time, yes.
But I didn't even know
about that apartment.
Not then.
Thank you. That'll be all.
Mr. Dameron, did Frank Thatcher
consult recently
with you
about money?
He did.
Under what circumstances?
Frank asked me if I would, uh,
get him a rather
large amount in cash.
In bills that could not be
traced back to us in any way.
What day was that?
It was the day before
his death.
And how much money
did you get him?
Twenty-five thousand dollars.
No, sir.
I didn't see
one single, solitary penny.
But Mr. Drake
did tell you
about the money, didn't he?
'Course.
Even acted like
he was gonna
hand it right out.
But he didn't?
MRS. COLIN:
No.
BURGER:
Why not? What happened?
Well, after
I told him about Alex,
he seemed to get
some other idea.
He just upped
and left.
And that was the last you saw
of Paul Drake, is that correct?
Sure was.
Him and
the money too.
I'd been out to fetch
some magazines, sir.
Just down to the corner.
And when you returned,
this person, uh, Mr. Drake,
was behind the counter
of your desk,
trying to read
the names
on the apartment-house
switchboard?
Yes, sir. He was
quite rude about it.
When I protested,
he just shoved me back.
BURGER:
Uh-huh. His manner
changed, however,
when the deceased, Frank
Thatcher, entered the building?
Yes, sir. They went
upstairs together.
And from that time
until :,
when you received
the phone call which caused you
to ring Room ,
how many people
entered the building?
No one entered
the building.
BURGER:
How many people left?
CLERK: None.
BURGER: You were on duty
at your desk in
the lobby all that time?
CLERK:
I was.
How many apartments are there
on the second floor?
In that central section,
off the balcony there,
there are just
two suites: and .
And who occupies ?
A gentleman who's been
in Europe for some time, sir.
His doors are both
locked and sealed.
I see. Then,
to repeat, Mr. Anders...
from the time that Paul Drake
went up that stairway
with the deceased...
until the time you stepped out
the front door
to call a policeman,
absolutely no one
went up or down
that stairway?
No one.
Thank you, Mr. Anders.
Your witness.
Mr. Anders...
what did you do
with those magazines
you went out
to buy?
I beg pardon?
Well, didn't you sit down
behind your desk and
begin to read some of them?
No, sir.
Between and :,
the owner of the building
often drops by.
I find it best to
remain quite alert.
Just answer the questions,
please.
Yes, sir.
Now, I believe you said
that when you objected
to Mr. Drake
looking at the names
on the switchboard,
he just shoved you back.
He did.
And you in no way
provoked him?
Absolutely not!
I pride myself on getting
along with everybody.
You married, Mr. Anders?
Have been.
How many times?
Four times.
( crowd laughs )
That's all.
BURGER:
I call Jacob Wiltzy
to the stand, please.
BAILIFF:
Mr. Wiltzy, take the stand.
BURGER:
Now, Mr. Wiltzy, as maintenance
man for the apartment house,
where did your duties
take you that afternoon?
I cleaned up after
the new drapes were installed.
And I walked to
the end of the hall--
uh, service room there
--to leave my overalls.
And to call my wife.
Then, sir, you see,
it was :,
and, as that's my quitting
time, I went home.
How did you leave
the building?
Out the back door
and down the stairs.
Only other way
there is
to get off
the second floor.
And what did you do as you
left the back door, Mr. Wiltzy?
Put a padlock on it.
A padlock? Why did you do that?
Well, Mr. Oswalt's
off in Europe,
and the lady hadn't
moved into proper-like.
And, in other words,
from : that afternoon,
the only way to get
to or from Apartment ,
the death apartment,
was to use the front door
and the front stairway.
The area presided over
by Mr. Anders.
That's the way she is.
Thank you,
Mr. Wiltzy.
Your witness.
Uh, no questions.
Now, since it's within
five minutes of :,
court is adjourned until
: tomorrow morning.
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
Perry.
Perry, somebody else
had to
get into
that apartment.
Between : and :.
Take it easy,
Paul.
I'll see you
this evening.
Okay.
Della.
Mm-hm.
How would you like to do
a little second-story work?
Let's go.
PAPERBOY:
Get your late paper.
Private eye
on trial.
Boy, paper.
Here you are, Mr. Anders.
There he is.
Talk to him.
Just keep his attention
for awhile.
Okay.
( money changer
clicking )
Thank you,
Mr. Anders.
Excuse me.
Can you tell me
anything about these
apartments?
Late paper.
Wish me luck.
PAPERBOY: Private eye on trial.
Do you have any children
living here?
And what about Sunday
mornings? Are they noisy?
That's the only time
I get a chance to sleep.
( slow, dramatic theme playing )
( phone buzzing )
Westpark Apartments.
( Della speaking indistinctly )
What?
Speak louder, please.
I can't understand you.
Which apartment
did you wish to speak to?
Your name is what?
Street.
I don't believe
I know any Miss Street.
Well, Mr. Mason, good evening.
Isn't this an honor?
Will you wait just a moment,
please? Hel--?
( disconnects )
Oh, but of course.
You put her up to that,
didn't you?
To prove that
it was possible
for someone to
walk past me.
To go up the stairway while
I'm busy with a telephone call.
If it weren't for
one handy
little thing,
Mr. Mason.
My rear-vision mirror.
( chuckling )
I wanna thank you,
Mr. Anders.
You know, I think
there's only one thing
that could possibly
slip by you:
the truth.
Good night.
Good night.
Now, lieutenant,
you hold in your hand
a copy of the coroner's report
on Frank Thatcher, deceased.
I ask you if
there's anything
in that report of
an unusual nature
in connection with
the appearance of the deceased.
Yes, sir. There is
a very slight
fracture of
the symphysis,
accompanied by
the usual swelling.
BURGER:
Symphysis, lieutenant?
TRAGG: Lower jaw.
BURGER: Oh, I see.
Does it say anything in that
report about the possible
cause of such an injury?
That it might occur if a man
were struck by a fist.
Thank you, lieutenant.
That'll be all.
Your witness.
I have no questions, uh...
concerning the fractured jaw.
However, lieutenant,
in your examination
of the m*rder apartment,
you must have taken note
of the phonograph record.
Record?
The one Officer Wilson
stated was playing
when he entered the room.
Is, uh, this that record?
Or one like it?
TRAGG:
Well, I examined
the record
on the phonograph,
naturally.
It had a blank label
like that one.
Of course I couldn't actually
tell without hearing it.
Uh, with the court's
permission?
( blues music
playing )
I believe that's
what's called
a demonstration record,
lieutenant.
Do you
recognize it now?
That's the piece.
With the permission
of the court,
I would like at this time
to recall a witness.
Mr. Burger?
Your Honor, I don't see
any particular sense
in extending the prosecution's
case indefinitely
by recalling witnesses
at the slightest whim
of the counsel for defense.
¶ I...
The state has made an issue
of showing that no one
other than the deceased
and Mr. Drake
could have entered
Apartment .
That, therefore,
Mr. Drake
must have fired
the m*rder g*n.
Now, the defense wishes to
pursue this particular matter.
On this particular matter
I have no objection.
Call your witness,
counsel.
I would like to, uh...
recall Miss Donna Kress.
JUDGE:
You will take
the stand again,
please,
Miss Kress.
And you're still
under oath.
¶ His loving means living
¶ To me
¶ I wanna hear
¶ The way "I love you"
¶ Will sound
¶ I wanna hear--
( clicks off )
Miss Kress...
do you recall
a conversation we had
the day following
the m*rder?
It took place at
a recording studio.
Yes.
Do you recall
the record
you were listening to
at the time?
Uh, I'm not sure.
Well, it's an easy matter
to check with Mr. Marsden,
the engineer
who was there.
Wasn't it a master of the record
we just heard playing?
A master of
the demonstration copy
found in the m*rder apartment?
Mr. Marsden was going to make
some changes on it
for you, I believe.
Yes. I, uh-- Uh--
It was the same.
Then tell us, Miss Kress...
how did that demonstration
copy of yours
get into the apartment
where Frank Thatcher died?
What?
Did you take it there
the night before?
No. No, it wasn't fixed.
Well, then...
earlier on the day
of the m*rder.
Did you go to
the apartment earlier?
I told you,
I was rehearsing.
Did Thatcher himself
take it there?
No, of course not.
I mean--
( gasps )
I don't know how it got there.
Miss Kress...
who had keys to
that apartment?
DONNA:
Well, Frank, and, um...
Didn't you have one?
Yes.
Now, the apartment
house clerk stated that
he was out for a while,
buying magazines.
Isn't it true that you could
have entered the apartment
at that time
without being seen?
No.
Why not?
You stated in
your own testimony
that you left
the band rehearsal
right after Frank Thatcher,
who planned to stop
on his way to the apartment
to make some telephone calls.
So there would have been
plenty of time
for you to have reached
the apartment ahead of him.
But I didn't.
Weren't you
in that apartment
when Thatcher
and Paul Drake arrived?
No.
And didn't you slip
into the next room,
overhear their fight,
and take advantage
of the opportunity
to m*rder Frank Thatcher?
No, no!
And weren't you then
almost trapped...
until you discovered
the pay phone
in the service room
at the end of the hall?
And wasn't
that where
the outside call
came from?
The call that sent
the clerk after the police?
No.
No, you didn't make
the outside call, did you?
Mr. Marsden made that call.
Mr. Marsden,
the old friend
you might
very logically
have asked to
deliver the record
as soon as
he'd fixed it.
The old friend to whom
you would have given your key.
( crying ):
Joe, please! Tell them
you didn't do it!
Do you want me to tell them
that you k*lled him?
Oh, Joe.
( crying )
I'm not sorry.
Don't think I'm sorry!
Look at her.
You think she's beautiful?
You should've seen her
when I first did.
Listen to
her voice.
Heard it break.
Seeing the tears...
year after year.
I just wish I could have
k*lled him ten times!
( dramatic theme playing )
( slow, dramatic theme
playing )
There you are, sir.
A very small token,
I grant you.
This what you wanted
to see me about?
Of course it is.
And I'm sending a bigger one
to Paul Drake.
Do you realize
how foolish I feel?
After all my efforts
to steer the course of events.
You very nearly steered them
into causing a great injustice.
Marsden might have
confessed earlier,
if he hadn't seen that you were
helping to cover everything up.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I thought it was necessary.
That's the tragedy,
Mr. Dameron.
What is?
You know, when I leave here,
I'm meeting Paul Drake
at a restaurant.
He'll pick up
the check for dinner.
That'll be the fee
for my services.
He's just a friend,
but I never once
doubted his innocence.
What do you
mean by that?
Mr. Dameron...
I've never before
met a person
so far removed
from humanity
that he believed every one
of his own children
capable of committing
a m*rder.
( dramatic theme playing )
( door opens )
( noirish jazz theme playing )