All language subtitles for Marked.Woman_English

[theme music]

[music continues]

[soft music]

Oh, that's
the cocktail bar, huh?

- What's in there?
- It's a private dining room.

From now on,
it's the gambling room.

- Make a note of that, Charlie.
- Right.

Take him out for a walk.
It's too stuffy in here.

That, it's crummy.
Change it.

But, Mr. Vanning, it's French.
I had it specially designed.

It's still crummy.

None of the classy spots
use that kind of stuff.

I want the kind that sticks up
in the ceiling.

- Indirect lighting.
- That's what I want.

Hello, Gabby. Still around?

Yeah.

Emmy Lou is the name,
Mr. Vanning.

Alright, now.
This is it.

I'm taking over this joint.

From now on, you're working
for me, understand?

Most of you've been around long
enough to know how I operate.

If you don't,
read the papers and find out.

Up to now,
this night club racket's

been run on a penny-ante basis.
That's out.

From now on, I'm organizing it.

When I organize anything, I make
it pay big money, or else..

Now, this town is full of
big shots from the stakes.

They keep pouring in
by the carload

looking for one thing.

The kind of time they can
go home and brag about.

And torch songs with soft lights
aren't going to satisfy them.

We know the kind of action
they want

and we are going to give it.
From tiddlywinks to roulette.

But they're going to pay for it,
plenty. Understand?

In other words...a clip joint.

Yeah...and run
on a high-class basis.

'Your job is to soften them up,
so, they can be taken.'

'There's only one way
to work on chumps..'

'...our way.'

'With no holds barred.'

High-class?

You don't like it, huh?

It all depends.

How much is there in it for us?

About 50 times
what you're getting now.

But you don't get it
for nothing.

Every week,
you're going to kick back

part of what you make to me.

That goes for protection, hush
money, lawyer's fee, bail bonds

anything else to square the rap,
in case, the law steps in.

That's one thing you wouldn't
have to worry about.

Anybody that sticks with me

gets taken care of.

Maybe you like this setup,
maybe you don't.

But you're going to take it.

'I got every nightclub in town'

'and every girl working
in every nightclub, sewed up.'

'You're going to work
the way I tell you'

'or you don't work at all.'

You got that straight?

Alright, the place
will be closed

until we get it fixed
like I want it.

Oh, and cut a peephole
in the door.

The chumps go for that
hard-to-get-inangle.

Come on, let's get outta here.

Wait till I get my pay.

(female #1)
'Hurry up. We'll be outside.'

Hey, you. Yeah, you.
Kind of old, ain't you?

I need young dames here.

The kind men go for in a hurry.

But, Mr. Vanning,
I've been here a long time--

That's the trouble.

You won't do.
You're through.

You said you took care of people
who're loyal to you.

- She never worked for me.
- But she has for Beler.

And she's always been
on the level.

How do you know what she can do?

Why kick her out
just because you're taking over?

Sure, she's okay, Vanning.

Why don't you give her a break
and let her prove it?

You know, she can't
wreck the place.

Yeah?

- Okay.
- Thanks, Mr. Vanning.

Pretty smart girl, aren't you?

I get along.

How about coming up
to my place for a drink?

- I'd like to know you better.
- No, thanks.

Why not?

Well, you've told me
I was working for you.

So, I work for you.
That's as far as it goes.

Anyway, I'm sort of afraid
of your social set.

- Afraid?
- Yes, I..

I might get to learn
too much about you

like, Audrey Fleming did.

Remember?

Anyway, if I'd wanted
to end up in the river

I'd have taken a jump off
Brooklyn Bridge, five years ago.

You're not afraid to talk,
anyway.

We're among friends.

And I think we'll get along
a lot better

if we understand each other.

I think I'll be a big help
to your business.

Maybe you will at that.

Goodnight.

- Smart girl.
- Maybe too smart.

- Thanks, Mary. You were swell.
- Forget it, Estelle.

- Goodnight, Mr. Vanning.
- Goodnight.

- What's her name?
- Emmy Lou.

Make a note of it.

- Here you are, girls.
- Wait a minute, let's walk.

We'll need some fresh air
after that one.

That sign, what's it mean?

- Come on. What does it mean?
- Intimate.

- What does that mean?
- You know, intimate.

Personal. Get together.

Like, uh, like this..

Oh, well, why don't it say
what it means?

- Change it.
- To what?

- What was that you said?
- Intimate.

- Intimate. Make a note of it.
- Right.

[soft music]

Good morning.

I don't really look old, do I?

'What does he expect
a girl to look like'

'at six in the morning
after dragging'

a lot of heavyweight
shoe salesmen all night?

Like a debutante?

I bet if he saw me when I'd just
come to work and my makeup--

Oh, let's skip it, Estelle,
and go to bed.

We're all fagged out.

Well, let him fire me.
What do I care?

I don't want any part of his
clip joints anyway.

And if you do, you're crazy.

He might as well
put a gun in our hands

and send us out on stick-ups.

Well, what are you going to do?

You heard what he said.
It's Vanning or nothing.

Well, this isn't the only way
to make a living.

Do you know a better one?

Well, of course, I can always
go back into Vaudeville.

Stop kidding yourself, Estelle.
Your dancing days are over.

You'd have counterweights to
keep your arches from falling.

Then I'll get one in a factory,
behind a counter, anyplace.

- At 12 and a half a week?
- That's enough for me.

- For cigarettes?
- Mm-mm.

We've all tried this 12 and a
half a week stuff. It's no good.

Living in furnished rooms,
walking to work.

Going hungry
a couple of days a week

so you can have some clothes
to put on your back.

I've had enough of that
for the rest of my life.

- And so have you.
- Well, of course she has.

She's just burned up 'cause
Johnny said she was gettin' old.

Aren't you, honey?

You're a sweet little hyena,
aren't you?

(Emmy)
'Well, it's true, isn't it?'

(Mary)
'Working for Vanning isn't gonna
be any bed of roses.'

- 'You don't have to rub it in.'
- 'You're gonna work for him.'

Uh-huh, but I'm not getting
into his trap.

And I'm not taking
any chances of getting

a slap in the face
with a spade either.

We're letting ourselves
in for enough as it is.

Some will wind up
in the short end.

But not me, baby.

I know all the angles,
and I think I'm smart enough

to keep one step ahead of them

till I get enough
to pack it all in

and live on easy street
the rest of my life.

I know how to beat this racket.

Yeah? How?

That's what I've been trying
to find out for years.

- Good evening, gentlemen.
- Here you are.

- Oh, look at that.
- Oh, keep the change.

This way, please.
Where are they from?

I picked them up at the Waldorf
Ritz, metal industries banquet.

It's locked. Hey, captain,
commodore, come on.

Just a second, gentlemen.

[knocking on door]

From the Waldorf Ritz.
McGrew sent them.

Say, are we having fun?

- Good evening, gentlemen.
- How do you do?

- How many?
- Four, please.

Right this way, please.

* Ain't it funny
that paper money *

* Don't seem like genuine Jack *

* And every check has a knack *

* Of jumpin' and a-bumpin'
and bouncing back *

* I like nothin'
but silver dollars *

* And I've collected a few *

* When silver starts
in ringin' *

* It rings so true *

* My silver dollar man *

* He ain't
a tie-and-collar man *

* A rough and ready man *

* But he's a mighty steady man *

* And though he can't supply *

* A lot of luxuries
that I demand *

* He never leaves me
till he leaves *

* A bit of silver in my hand *

* He's the.. *

Are there going to be
any more in your party?

I don't know.

* Upon the easy fame and.. *

Are there?

* You don't know
how my heart feels *

* Playing those cartwheels *

Mary.

* But I'll try to love him *

* If he didn't *

* Have a dime *

* He's truly divine *

* That silver dollar man
of mine *

* He's so divine *

* That silver dollar man *

* Of mine *

Florrie, sit here.

- Sit right down, honey.
- Oh, no, no. I saw her first.

Alright, I've got my gal
right here.

Gabby...go to work on 'em.

How do you want it, honey? Soft
and smooth or loud and hard?

Soft and smooth. Only don't
put 'em to sleep, just yet.

[piano music]

What is your party drinking?

Why, uh, what have
you been drinking?

- Champagne.
- Fine!

We don't wanna change your diet.

- Champagne for everybody.
- Everybody!

Champagne! Gallons of it!

Are you in the mood for music?

I'll say.
I am, baby.

Alright. Hey, Gus.

- They're all set.
- Who ordered?

The young fellow with Mary.
Champagne.

Tell Mary, the dice table
for him.

Okay.

* City people, pity people,
who don't know a lot *

* About the night life *

* But they are wrong *

* Though they may be
witty people *

* They don't know the folks
who lead the right life *

* Still get along *

* To a plain
old-fashioned couple *

* Let me dedicate my song *

* They're not
sophisticated people *

* And though they're
only common folks *

* You don't know how I
envy people *

* Like Mr. and Mrs. Doe *

* They don't know
much about swing music *

* They wouldn't care
for risque jokes *

* But every morning *

* Birds sing music *

* For Mr. and Mrs. Doe *

* I've got a little wreath
of holly hanging on my window *

* They've all gotten old *

* I've got a cunning
little colleague *

* They were little angels *

* Dressed in silk and wool *

* They call each other
mom and pappy *

* She does her sewing
while he smokes *

* But I wish I were
half as happy *

* As Mr. and Mrs. Doe *

Come on. Come on over here
and sit up here, baby.

[jazz music]

Here's how.

[music continues]

Thanks, sugar.

(male #1)
'Snake eyes.'

Well, honey, I guess
this isn't our night.

Oh, keep on trying,
you'll get hot.

Un-un, not with three pair
of snake eyes in a row.

- How much am I in for?
- Eighteen hundred dollars.

- Is that all?
- 'Yes.'

Would you mind taking my check?

I don't like leaving myself
without any cash.

- Glad to accommodate you.
- That's what I call service.

I believe you ordered
for the party.

You might as well
add this to it.

[whistles]
That's a lot of party.
Where are the others?

They got a bit tight
and left with the girls.

- Thanks.
- Come on, honey, let's go.

- Cab.
- Yes, sir.

[whistles]

Goodnight.

Need a cab?

[whistles]

Tail that cab.

Boy, they sure took me
to the cleaners.

You had a good time, didn't you?

The best in my life. I'd like to
do it all over again.

- I guess you can afford it.
- Afford it?

- What's so funny?
- You think I can afford it?

Listen sister, I don't make
that much money in a year

let alone spend it.

You're tellin' that you haven't
got the money to pay off?

- Nope, not a red cent.
- I was just putting on an act.

I wanna see the look on their
faces when they try to cash it.

- Will that be funny.
- Yeah, like a funeral. Yours.

And that's what you're
going to have if you don't pay.

Don't you know that you're
messing around with Vanning?

They'd cut your throat
for a dime.

So, you could imagine
what they're going to do to you.

Say, you kidding me?

Well, if you don't believe me,
stick around and find out.

Well, what am I gonna do?

Have you got enough money
to pay your hotel bill?

Yeah, I paid that in advance.
I got my railroad ticket too.

Use it, check out of that hotel
and grab the first train home

before it's too late.

- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.

- Remember what I told you.
- Oh, I will.

- Mary.
- Yeah?

I haven't even got enough
to pay for the cab.

Oh.

- Here.
- Thanks. I'll send it to you.

- What's your address.
- Forget it.

No, no, no.
Please, write it down here.

Alright.

Oh, gee, you're swell.

I don't know why. A sap like you
deserves to be taken.

I guess you must bring out
the mother instinct in me.

Now, go on, get in. Hurry.

- Goodnight, chump.
- Goodnight.

- Be careful.
- Alright.

Take him to Waldorf Ritz
and step on it.

- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.

- Hello, McGrew.
- Hiya.

Mind if we park around here
for a while?

Keepin' an eye on one of those
guys till we can get his check.

- How much did you take him for?
- 'Plenty.'

[phone ringing]

Yes, sir, 319?
Yes, sir. Right away.

He's checking out.

Pennsylvania Station.

Whew! What a night.

Oh, does that feel good
to stand up and stretch.

- Good mornin'.
- What's good about it?

You all look
as if you had hangovers.

No, stomachaches. I never ate
so much chop suey in my life.

Me neither. One more dish and
I'd have put my hair in a braid

and opened up a laundry.

- Well, I like chop suey.
- You like anything.

What happened?

Well, our boyfriends' idea
of a swell evening

was to take us from
one chop suey joint to another.

Yippy. Did we have fun.

The only laugh I got
out of the whole night

was when this screwball, nearly
choked to death on a chopstick.

[laughter]

- How'd you do, Mary?
- Oh, alright.

(Gabby)
'Did they take that chump
for much?'

Well, I-I-I don't know.

'Where did you go
after you left the club?'

Home.

Gee, it must be swell
to get some sleep.

And where did you disappear
to last night

that makes you so smug?

I spent a very charming evening
with Mr. Vanning.

Oh.

Emmy Lou!

- You're a fool.
- Don't kid yourself.

Girls, good morning.

Don't you believe
in knocking twice?

Don't you believe
in payin' once?

- No.
- So, we're even.

How about it, girls,
according to my book

you owe me for enough dresses
to start a new business.

Now, it's gonna come
to a showdown.

Either you're gonna pay me
or you ain't, one or the other.

Louie, I'm kinda afraid it's
gonna have to be the other.

Give us a break. You know us.
We're good for it.

Girls, if it was
up to me, honest

I'd do it in a minute.
I like you, you like me.

But what am I gonna do, that guy
Vanning and his bunch are on my

neck every minute of the day.
Collect, collect, collect.

Vanning? What's he got
to do with it?

Everything. He's taken
this over too.

Yeah, it's the truth.

All my life I've been
in business for myself.

If I lost all the money I made,
at least it was mine.

But now, I don't even
get that satisfaction.

Everything is his. Just like
with you girls. Nice, huh?

Pretty soon, that guy is gonna
charge us for breathing.

Listen, if you'll promise
to pay a little..

...I'll show some
new stuff that I got.

And I positively guarantee
you that it was stolen

from the best shop in town.
But you gotta promise.

- Sure.
- Oh, we promise.

- Sure.
- I'll bet we're gonna love it.

- Oh, it's heavy.
- I want the white one!

Hey, take it easy.
Take it easy.

You can't do that, that's mine.

Oh, look at this.
Isn't this..

Yes, sir.

Pick me up in about a half-hour?

- So long. Bye.
- So long.

- Emmy Lou, look.
- Isn't it adorable?

I'll guarantee you that's one
of the most beautiful pieces

of merchandise I ever seen.

[knocks on door]

- Come in.
- Come in.

- Betty.
- Hello, Mary.

Gee, I'm glad to see you.

Girls, this is my kid sister,
Betty

that I've told you
so much about.

How do you do?

(Mary)
'Oh. Oh, Betty.'

'Th-this is Louie,
o-our designer.'

- 'Designer?'
- 'Yes.'

You see, our store is giving
a fashion show..

...and they sent him up
with some models to wear.

And, well we were rehearsing.

That is, E-Emmy Lou was.
Weren't you, Emmy Lou?

Oh, yeah-yeah. Sure.

What, do you have to rehearse
for a fashion show?

Oh sure, just like being
an actress.

And you have to keep on
rehearsing, don't you?

(all)
'Sure, sure.'

Louie, we'll see you back
at the show room.

Show room?

Oh, so this is the sister
you're always

talking about, huh, Mary?
Nice looking girl.

Nice looking coat too.

It looks like, sure I remember.
I sold it to you a year ago.

- I said goodbye, Louie.
- Yes goodbye, Louie.

- Hey, what about the money?
- You can send us the check.

Send you a check?
Are you crazy, or am I?

- Come on, Louie.
- Now, wait a minute.

Cut it out, will you?
What is this?

Halloween. We're putting on
a masquerade.

Can't you get it
through your head

that she doesn't want sister
to know what she's doing?

Oh...I get it now.

I thought you'd get it
sooner or later.

Oh come on will you,
quit kidding.

You've never seen so much
excitement in your life.

For weeks, the whole school
has talked about

nothing else
but this football game.

You see, the boys who're playing

come from a college
right near us.

We know most of them all and..

...and, you know..

- Sweet.
- Like sugar.

So, we decided
to come and see it.

It didn't cost much, Mary.
Besides, I was dying to see you.

Oh I'm glad you came, darling.

Gee, it must be fun
going to school.

(Betty)
'Oh, it's not exciting
if that's what you mean.'

Mostly going to classes
and studying.

Of course, once in a while
we have dances

and parties,
and that's about all.

I don't think you'd like it.

Sounds much easier than standing
on your feet all night--

How long are you
going to stay, Betty?

Just for the day. Came to see
the game and then back.

(Betty)
'You're coming with us,
aren't you?'

No, no, you go
with your friends.

I think I'll just
stay home and rest.

You're tired, aren't you?

You all look so tired.

'You must work awfully hard
in that dress shop, don't you?'

Oh, It just happened that
this week was very busy.

Yeah, sugar. They practically
rushed us right off our feet.

I wish there was something
I could do, Mary.

You keep right on
going to school.

I know, but it sort of
makes me feel so helpless.

I go to school
and a have good time and..

...you have to work so awfully
hard to keep me there.

I'll pay you back
for it someday, Mary.

You'll pay me back every time
I look at you.

[door knocking]

That must be my friends.
I'll answer it.

Which one of you is Mary Dwight?

I am.

Know a fella named
Ralph Krawford?

Ralph Krawford?

Yes, I was out with him
last night.

Did you ever see this before?

Sure.

Sure, I gave it to him.

- What about it?
- Nothing.

Only it was in his pocket
when we found him.

Murdered.

Murdered?

(male #2)
'Yeah, we found him layin' in
an alley earlier this morning.'

Well, what's that got
to do with me?

You'll find out when we get down
to headquarters.

I don't wanna go. Tell me
what I'm being arrested for.

Well, if you must know sister,
we're holding you

on suspicion of murder.
The rest of you get dressed.

Well, you don't think it took
all of us to kill him, do you?

You'll get a chance to answer
that. Get going.

And you say that these men asked
you to recommend a night club?

Yes, sir.

Why'd you send them
to the Club Intimate?

No particular reason.

It was the first place
that popped into my head.

Because you were paid
so much a head

by Vanning for steering suckers
in there, don't you?

Vanning? Who's Vanning?
Never heard of him.

You never heard of two years
in jail for perjury either?

If a guest in the hotel
asks me a question

it's part of my job
to answer it.

What he does or where he goes

after that
is none of my business.

That's all. Thanks.

Well, I guess that's that.

He was lying,
and so were the rest of them.

They know just how and why that
man was killed and who did it.

Just as you and I do.
It's marvelous, isn't it?

One man, Johnny Vanning,
completely terrorizes the city.

Commits every crime
from murder to mayhem.

We all know it, yet we
can't do a thing about it.

Look, son.

My files are bulging
with quashed indictments

'hung juries,
verdicts of "not guilty."'

'So long as Vanning is able
to buy politicians'

and hire unscrupulous lawyers

who take advantage of every
technicality of the law..

...who coach and buy
perjured testimony..

...and so long as Vanning
is able to continue

intimidating witnesses,
it's futile.

How long is it gonna
keep on being futile?

I don't know.

We've got to wait for Vanning
to make that one false move.

I don't like waiting.

Well, do you wanna take
the case into court?

'Sure.'

- With those witnesses?
- Sure, why not?

If Vanning can get away
with intimidation

why can't I?

You're a young man, Dave.

At this stage of your career

a fiasco isn't going to
help you much.

Yeah, well,
I'll take that chance.

Alright. From now on,
it's your case. Go to it.

- Thanks.
- Good luck.

- Did you pick up those girls?
- Yes, sir.

- They're in with the others.
- 'Step into my office.'

- Not at all.
- You too, Casey.

Right this way, gentleman.
Step right over here.

Oh, Casey, will you close
that blind?

Yes, sir.

Ferguson, have all those girls
lineup facing this way.

(Ferguson)
'Stand up, please.'

Those the girls
you were with last night?

You've got nothing to be
afraid of. They can't see you.

- Were those the girls?
- Yes, sir. Yeah.

All except that one on the end.

- Which one?
- The one with the leather coat.

(Dave)
'The girl with the leather coat,
step forward.'

You sure you didn't see her
around the club?

Yes, sir.

Alright, which one
was with Krawford?

- One on the end, the blonde.
- That's Mary Dwight.

'Ferguson, bring Mary Dwight
into my office right away.'

Alright, thank you.
That's all.

- Mary Dwight?
- That's right.

Sit down.

Go ahead, sit down.

Alright.

You work at the Club Intimate?

Are you telling me or asking me?

Those other girls,
they work there too?

You know everything.

That little girl with the
leather coat. What does she do?

She's got nothing
to do with this.

We'll find out about that later.

No, we'll find out
about that right now.

That kid's my sister and
she was down here visiting me

from college when those
gorillas of yours blew in

and pulled us all in.
I'll tell you something else.

If you get her mixed up
in this--

Nothing of that sort, if she
had nothing to do with it

I'll let her go

just as I'll let you go, if
you had nothing to do with it.

Last night about ten o'clock,
four men came into the club.

They sat down with you girls.

You had some drinks
and you danced.

There isn't any law
against that, is there?

One of those men was
Ralph Krawford. He was with you.

The other four left about
one o'clock. You and he stayed.

He lost a lot of money gambling.

Then, you left together
in a cab.

- Where'd you go?
- Home.

What'd you do
when you got there?

Nothing. I got out,
and he went off in the cab.

- Where?
- I don't know.

Well, the cab driver just
testified a few minutes ago

that you told him to take Ralph
to the Waldorf Ritz Hotel.

How do you account for that?

Supposing I did?

Then, you did know
where he was going?

Well, I knew where
he was starting for

but I didn't know where
he was going to wind up.

And you didn't see him
between the time

he checked out and the time
we found him murdered?

- No.
- Can you prove you didn't?

Can you prove I did?

- You're a pretty smart girl.
- So they tell me.

Much too smart to be protecting
a murderer like Vanning.

I'm not protecting
anybody but myself.

'Now, Mary,
we're trying to help you.'

- I'm doing alright.
- For how long?

Until Vanning
gets as much as he can

and then throws you
in the ashcan just like

with everything else
he's ever laid his hands on.

Now, we're trying to put a stop
to that. Help people like you.

But there's nothing we can do

unless you're willing
to help yourself.

Now, why don't you
give us a break.

What kind of a break
have you ever given us?

Outside of kicking us around
every chance you could get?

There's only one kind of
a break we want from you

and that's to leave us alone.

And let us make a living
in our own way.

Or is that asking too much?

Anything else you wanna know?

How do you like
the inside of a jail?

- Me?
- Yes, you.

Because that's exactly
where you're going.

Maybe you don't
know it, young lady

but there's law that states
an accessory to a murder

equally as guilty
as the murderer himself.

Now, unless you tell me exactly
what happened and who did it..

...I'm going to indict you
for murder.

[dramatic music]

Nice, huh? Just when I got
everything running fine.

- It'll blow over.
- Yeah.

In the meantime, every one of
my joints gets a bad reputation.

What do you suppose people
thought they were before this?

- Ice cream parlors?
- Never mind that.

I want it stopped.

What kind of a guy
is this Graham?

- Young, ambitious.
- What's his price?

Did you ever hear the story
about the virtuous young man?

Someday you're going to give me
one of those screwy answers

and I'm going to bust you
right in the nose.

Tell it to me in English.

He can't be bought.

Is that plain enough?

Yeah.

Too plain.

Anybody that wouldn't
take dough is crazy.

Crazy men are dangerous.

A guy like that is liable
to get too big

and really put the clamps down.
And where will we be?

Oh, I've got a little
something worked out

that will take care
of that possibility.

- Is it cute?
- Everything I do is cute.

When I get through with him,
he'll be lucky to be able

to get a job as a second
assistant to a notary public.

Swell.

- Did you spring the girl yet?
- No.

What are you waiting for?

When I promise
to get my girls out

in case they get
jammed up, I mean it.

- Get her out.
- She stays in jail.

Listen, Gordon. You're doing
alright as my lawyer.

But I don't like it when
you start trying to be my boss.

Get that girl out before
she starts squawking.

That's just what
I want her to do.

What?

Only, she's going to squawk..

...the way I tell her to.

How do you do, Miss Dwight?
Sorry, I was delayed.

I got here as soon as I could.

Now, before we accept
this case, there are

several things I'd like
to discuss with you.

- Who sent you?
- Vanning.

- And keep it under your hat.
- It's about time.

- Well?
- Sit down.

That's all I've been doing
for the past two days

is standing up and sitting down.

I don't need a lawyer
to tell me that.

- When do I get out of here?
- You don't.

- Oh, I see. A little conniving.
- Yeah, that's right.

I go to bat for Vanning

and I get paid off
by taking the rap for him.

Listen, jurisprudence,
I pay Vanning good money

to settle little things
like this

and he's going
to get me out of here.

Now, listen, you know that
Vanning takes care

of all the people
that play ball with him.

You've got to stay here
and help him.

Help him?

What is this, a charity affair?

He's gonna' help me,
and do it fast.

If he doesn't get me out
of here by tonight, I am--

Do nothing.

Vanning was telling me that you
said something about a girl

that was found in the river
by the name of..

...Audrey Fleming.

Now, you don't wanna' be found
in that spot, do you?

You sit down.

and listen to what
I've got to say.

What did you want to
see me about?

How long are you going to
keep me in this place?

That entirely depends on you.

You wouldn't do this if I were
somebody important, would you?

No.

You'd be afraid. Somebody
higher up might find out.

You might lose your job.

but with me, you can get tough.
People like us, we don't count.

We're nobodies. Set-ups to be
kicked about by everyone.

I won't stand for it. Either
you let me out of here, or--

Or what?

Coming in here like this
isn't gonna help you.

There's only one way
for you to get out.

'Tell me what happened the night
Krawford was murdered.'

- I can't.
- 'Why not?'

- I'm afraid.
- Of Vanning?

'Yes. He'll kill me.'

- He did have a part in this.
- No, he didn't-he-he was..

Oh, oh, please don't ask me
to talk. He'll kill me.

Help me to prove
that he was responsible

and I'll put him behind bars.

You don't know what he's like.

People just disappear
and are never heard of again.

I don't want that
to happen to me.

I'm young and, and I wanna live.

[sobbing]

I don't wanna die.

Alright come on, now.
Pull yourself together.

Here...use this.

Thanks.

'It's pretty tough going
for you girls, isn't it?'

Yeah.

Sometimes it's too tough.

There's no use crying about it.

That's the way it is.
That's the way it's gotta be.

No, it doesn't.

You're not the only one
that was born with

two strikes against him.

I probably got kicked around
just as much as you did.

I didn't like it any better
than you do.

The only difference
between us is that..

...well, I did something
about it. You won't.

Now, Mary, if you'll help me
to put Vanning and his crowd

where they belong...you'll not
only be helping yourself

but you'll be helping thousands
of other girls just like you.

If you won't...well,
then, you'll just

keep on getting in deeper
and deeper until..

...well, I...I guess you know
the rest of the story

just as well as I do.

Now, you see that, don't you?

Yeah, I see.

Well, now, why won't you
tell me what you know?

Well, what have you got to lose?

Nothing. Not a thing.

Then you'll talk?

- Why not?
- Good girl.

'Oh, Smith, come in here
and bring your book.'

[dramatic music]

And now Miss Dwight, you've
testified that when you arrived

at the Waldorf Ritz Hotel, you
saw the deceased being dragged

into a taxicab
by two of the defendants.

- Is that right?
- Yes, sir.

Can you identify these men?

Yes, sir.

(Graham)
'Will the defendants
please rise?'

Will you indicate the men
you saw that night?

(Dave)
'Go ahead, Miss Dwight,
you've nothing to be afraid of.'

'Which are the men?'

Those two men standing there
behind Mr. Vanning.

'And you positively identify
William Borno and James Meller'

as the two men you saw
drag the deceased

Ralph Krawford,
into the taxicab?

Yes, sir.

Have you ever seen
these men before?

Oh, sure. They're a couple of
Vanning's strong-arm men.

They work as bouncers
at the club.

Thank you, Miss Dwight.

Your witness.

You say your name is
Mary Dwight?

- 'Yes, sir.'
- 'Is that your true name?'

Answer the question.

- Is that your true name?
- No, sir.

- Then what is it?
- Mary Strauber.

Why did you have to change it,
Miss Strauber?

- For professional reasons.
- What is your profession?

I object, your honor.
That's immaterial.

(male #3)
'I'm merely trying to establish
the character of this witness.'

- 'Overruled. Proceed.'
- 'I repeat the question.'

What is your profession,
Miss Strauber?

I'm a hostess, in a nightclub.

Now, will you please
explain to the jury

just what your duties
as hostess are?

Well...we have to entertain
all the men

'that come into the club alone.'

And just how, do you entertain
these men?

I object. That's a deliberate
attempt to degrade the witness.

Overruled. I believe
it's material.

And now, just how do you
entertain these men?

Well, we dance with them
and get them to buy us drinks.

Is that all?

We're nice
and pleasant to them..

...and see that
they have a good time.

In other words, you've got
to be nice and pleasant to men

you don't know, who ordinarily,
you'd have nothing to do with.

- 'Isn't that right?'
- 'Yes, sir.'

'Now, Ms. Strauber, isn't it
true that about a week previous'

to the night in question, you
were threatened with dismissal

by Mr. Vanning for exceeding
your duties as hostess?

Objection, Your Honor.
It's irrelevant and immaterial.

I believe it both
relevant and material

to inquire into
the motives of this witness.

Overruled.

I ask you again, Ms. Strauber.

Is it true, that in spite of
repeated warnings by Mr. Vanning

that he would not tolerate
such conduct

in any establishment of his

you persisted in entertaining
the men outside the club?

- Yes, but I--
- That's all, Ms. Strauber.

Thank you.

(judge)
'The people rest.'

The defense calls John Truble.

Will you please take
the witness stand, Mr. Truble?

(bench clerk)
'Put up your right hand.'

'Do you swear to tell the truth
nothing but the truth?'

- 'I do.'
- 'What's your name?'

- John Truble.
- Please be seated.

Mr. Truble, as sheriff
for Maco County..

...do you recall arresting
two men named William Borno

and James Meller
for drunken driving?

Yes, sir.

What disposition
was made of that charge?

They both pleaded guilty,
so they got a $50 fine

and 10 days in jail apiece.

Will you please look around
this courtroom and see

if you see either William Borno
or James Meller, or both.

There's the two of them, sitting
over there behind the table.

Will you two men rise, please?

- 'You mean, these two men?'
- That's right. That's them.

May the record show that
the witness has indicated

the defendants Borno and Meller.

Now, Mr. Truble.

You positively identify them

as the two men,
remanded into your custody

at Maco County Jail, from
October 4th to October 14th?

Yes, sir.

And you're certain that you
didn't permit them to leave

the jail, so that they could
be seen dragging the deceased

Ralph Crawford, into a taxicab,
on the night of October 9th?

No, sir. I'm very
strict about that.

[public laughing]

[Judge banging gavel]

Your Honor, I wish
to offer into evidence

these duly attested records

of the arrest,
conviction and imprisonment

of the defendants,
William Borno and James Meller

on the charges
and for the period

just stated by the witness.

(Judge)
'They may be so received.'

And so, ladies and gentlemen
of the jury

you can readily understand
why the district attorney

floundering in his desperate
attempt to prosecute my client

has the effrontery
to bring into this court

such an obviously
trumped-up charge.

And as if this were not enough,
he expects an intelligent jury

to convict the defendants
for murder on the testimony

of a woman, who he tries to tell
you, is an innocent victim

'of circumstances, but who,
by her own admission'

'is unreliable, unscrupulous and
unfit to be heard and believed'

'in any court of justice,
and is definitely objectionable'

'in the eyes of all decent
and upright men and women.'

"We, the jury
in the above entitled action

find the defendants,
and each of them, not guilty."

[Judge banging gavel]

The clerk will record
the verdict as read.

The jury is excused and
the defendants are discharged.

Boy, I've been
in some rotten ones

but this smells to high heaven.

Nice going, kid.

Thanks.

Yes, it's reached
my nose by now.

Oh, just a minute.

You know, for a little while,
you had me believing in you.

I thought maybe
you were different.

My mistake.
Thanks for the ride.

If I weren't in such a hurry,
I'd break right down and cry.

So long, chump.
I'll be seeing you.

Ah! I wish it was all over.
It's getting on my nerves.

Yes, and your talking
about it is getting on mine.

Well, what happened?

- Where's the kid?
- Inside.

- Vanning won, didn't he?
- Yeah, Vanning won.

- How's she taking it?
- Pretty tough.

If you want me to,
I'll talk to her first, Mary.

No, thanks, Estelle.

Had to happen sooner or later.

So I..

I suppose I might just as
well go in and face it now.

Hello, Betty.

Betty?

You know...this isn't gonna
get us anywhere, darling.

Why didn't you tell me?

Why did you
let me believe that..

Well, I..

I just couldn't.

I guess, I didn't ever
want you to find out.

I wish now I had.

I've hurt you,
haven't I, darling?

Betty.

You're not gonna let this make a
difference between us, are you?

Are you?

You can't.

You'll see.

You'll forget all about it.

And in a couple of weeks,
you'll be going back to school.

Mary.

I'm not going back to school.

Not going back to school?

Why?

Oh, I-I don't know.

I just don't like school
anymore, that's all.

I've been thinking
of leaving for a long time.

- That's not the reason.
- Yes, it is.

Betty, I want you
to tell me the truth.

I wanna know why you're
not going back to school.

Alright.

I'll tell you.

I can't.

Don't you think my friends
have read the papers?

Don't you think they've seen
your picture and mine plastered

all over the front pages?

I couldn't go back
and face them now.

I'd be too ashamed.

Ashamed of what?

Of you.

Mary.

Mary, please, I didn't mean it.

- Oh, please, don't. I didn't--
- I know you didn't, Betty.

That's alright.
Let's forget all about it.

Pretend you never said it.

[humming]

Hello?

- Oh, it's you. You scared me.
- I'm sorry.

Don't you ever get tired sitting
around in the dark by yourself?

I like it.

I like it too,
but not by myself.

I'm going to a party,
I'm gonna get dressed.

- Do you wanna give me a hand?
- I'd love to.

It's gonna be a big party.
I'll wear my prettiest dress.

As a matter of fact, everybody
in town is gonna be there.

Which one do you want?

(Emmy)
'The silver one
with the little black jacket.'

'It's hanging towards the back.'

Oh, this one.

Why, Emmy Lou, it's beautiful.

Well, all my dresses
are beautiful.

They gotta be in this racket.

There's nothing
like clothes, honey.

That's the sugar that makes
the flies come around.

I'll bet it'd look
nice on you, too.

I once had a dress like this.

Of course, it wasn't nearly
so pretty, but it was silver.

I wore it to the junior prom.

Gee, I had fun that night.

- Lots of boyfriends, huh?
- I never missed a dance.

You miss dancing, don't you?

Kind of.

How'd you like to go
the party with me tonight?

- Party?
- Sure.

Vanning's throwing it. It'll
be the classiest affair in town.

You'd have the time of your
life. Come on, what do you say?

- Why, I'd love to, but--
- But what?

It's alright for
an old maid to sit around

but a swell-looking kid like you
ought to go out and enjoy life.

Get some fun outta it. You could
use a little fun, couldn't you?

- Yes, I--
- Well, then, that settles it.

- You're going, in this dress.
- But, Emmy Lou, I--

Come on, Cinderella,
get out of these pajamas.

You're gonna have
a marvelous time.

You'll meet loads
and loads of people.

'Alright, but Emmy Lou..'

[Betty laughing]

[jazz music]

- Swell, isn't it?
- Marvelous.

Very lovely, Johnny. Where have
you been keeping that?

- The one in silver?
- Like it?

What do you think?

It's yours.

- Who's the kid?
- Friend of mine.

Is she alright?

Do you think I'd have
brought her, if she wasn't?

Okay.

A particular friend of mine
I want her to meet, understand?

- Sure, Johnny. Where is he?
- Over at the bar.

Big fellow by the end.

- What's his name?
- Crandall. Bob Crandall.

Okay, Johnny.

Come on, sugar.

Well, if it isn't Bob Crandall.

Where have you been
keeping yourself?

How are you?

I want you to meet
Betty Strauber.

Bob Crandall.
I've known him for years.

- How do you do?
- Will you have some champagne?

- Champagne?
- Why, sure, we'd love it.

- More champagne.
- 'Yes, sir.'

Would you excuse me
for just a minute?

There's somebody I've gotta
see. I'll pick you up later.

- Won't you sit down?
- Thank you.

I'm way ahead of you.
Think you can catch up?

- I'll try.
- Great.

Here's to a large evening.

Tickled? Good.

[music continues]

- How you doing, sugar?
- Swell.

(driver)
'Eighty cents.'

Wait a minute, lady, I ain't
got no change for no $100 bill.

- 'Oh, I'm sorry.'
- 'Thank you.'

- Oh, hello.
- 'Hello.'

- Where were you?
- At a party.

- Who took you?
- Emmy Lou.

I'm terribly sorry for
having come in so late

but we were having
such a marvelous time, and I..

- Where'd you get that money?
- Oh, this?

- Mr. Crandall gave it to me.
- Why?

Why, I told him I had to leave,
he gave it for taxi fare.

He must've been a little drunk.

I suppose you're going
to see him again?

- Yes, tomorrow for lunch.
- You little fool!

- Take it easy.
- Shut up!

- But, Mary, what's wrong?
- Get upstairs.

- What have I done?
- I said, get upstairs.

- Mary, the kid didn't know.
- Shut up. This is my affair.

Mine too. I wanna know
why it's alright for you

to go to Vanning's parties
and not alright for me.

So that's where you were.

Betty.
Betty, you listen to me.

If you wanna go to a party
again, you get advice from me.

Do you hear?

But you still haven't
answered my question.

Well, you're different.

- That's why.
- Well, maybe I'm not.

- Maybe, I'm just like you are.
- Betty.

I'm not gonna stay cooped
up in a room forever

'cause you're afraid,
I'll do the same things you do.

- Oh, Betty, be quiet.
- No, I won't. It's the truth.

You're afraid.
Well, I'm not. Not anymore.

I've got the whole thing
figured out.

Betty. Betty, listen to me.
I've done an awful lot for you.

All you've ever done
for me is mess up my life.

Fixed it so the things
that I wanted to have

I can't have anymore.
Alright.

If I can't live one way,
I can live another.

- Why not? I'm young, pretty--
- And dumb!

But you're smart.
You can teach me the rest.

Alright. If that's
the way you feel about it

you can go anywhere
you want to from now on.

You can even go back
to Vanning's party.

That's exactly
what I'm going to do.

[car door slams]

[engine starts]

[jazz music]

Hello, beautiful.
You back again?

Hello. I'm looking for someone.

Well, you can stop looking right
now, because you've found him.

That's something to celebrate
about, isn't it? Or is it?

- Yes, it is.
- You look sad, beautiful.

I don't want to
see you look sad.

What you need
is champagne, lots of it.

Maybe I do.

Not there, out on the terrace.
All by ourselves.

That something to cheer
your little heart up?

The champagne,
the terrace...and me.

That worth a smile?

Come on, give it to me.

That's better.

[piano music]

Well, now
for a little champagne.

Well...here we are.

Big, isn't it?

Yeah, but not so big you can't
have anything that's in it.

It's too big. It makes
you feel lonely and scared.

Well, if that don't suit you,
there's the moon.

You can ask me for that.
Or the stars.

But you don't need them.
They're right in your eyes.

- You say pretty things.
- Pretty things, pretty people.

I say them and give them.

- Please, don't!
- You're a funny kid.

Please, don't, please.
No, please don't.

No, you don't. Come on, honey.
Don't act that way.

Give me a little kiss.

That's right, beautiful. Go up
to the sky. I'll meet you there.

- Emmy Lou.
- Why, Betty, what's the matter?

Take me home.
Please take me home.

What's eating her?
She stewed or something?

Come on, kid,
stop putting on an act.

- Johnny--
- Shut up.

- You heard me, come on.
- Let go of me!

- You're going to go nice?
- No, I won't do it!

[screams]

Looks bad. She ain't breathing
good. Shall I get an ambulance?

(Vanning)
'And have her talk?
Don't be a sucker.'

Where's Betty?

Betty?

You heard me.
Where's Betty?

- Well, didn't she come home?
- She did, but she went back.

She didn't return to the party.
At least, I didn't see her.

- Emmy Lou, you're lying.
- Why should I lie to you?

- Where did she go?
- I tell you, I didn't see her.

- Oh, I could kill you.
- Let me alone.

- Who told you to take her?
- She wanted to go herself.

She's not the kind
to get mixed in such parties.

- I know nothing.
- Why didn't you look after her?

Why didn't you look
after her yourself?

She was your sister, not mine.

- If anything happens to her..
- Nothing's happened to her.

- 'How do you know?'
- 'I just do, I'm telling you.'

I just know.

- Where you going?
- I've got to find her.

Stick around a while.
She might show up.

Oh, I can't wait, Gabby.

- Where's my sister?
- Your sister?

How should I know? I never saw
your sister in my life.

You're lying. She came
last night at your party.

She came with Emmy Lou.

- Oh, was that your sister?
- Yes.

Nice-looking kid.

Yeah, but went home
about 2 o'clock.

- Ain't that right, Charlie?
- Yeah.

- You're lying. Both of you.
- Now, take it easy.

You know you're lying. Betty
returned here, I can prove it.

- Yeah, by who?
- Never mind that.

Where is she?
What happened to her?

What's the matter
with you, Mary?

Don't you think
I'd tell you if I knew?

Why should I hold out on you?

I don't know.
But I'm gonna find out.

Alright, I tried
to be nice to you.

- Now get out, and fast!
- You don't scare me.

Oh, hot-headed, eh?
Just like..

- Like who?
- Like me.

I'm the same way.

Now, go home and cool off.

I'll send some of the boys out.
Maybe they'll help you find her.

Listen, Vanning.

All I know is that kid sister of
mine came back here again

last night, and nobody
has seen her since.

And get this straight.

If I find out, you or anybody
else has laid a finger on her..

- You'll what?
- I'll get you.

Even if I have to crawl back
from my grave to do it.

Her sister, eh?
That's bad.

- Who do you think tipped her?
- Who do you think?

Emmy Lou. Go over there
and grab that ditzy blonde

before she shoots off her face.

I know she went back
to the party. I can prove it.

Emmy Lou is just covering
up for Vanning.

He just tried to pawn
the same story off on me.

You know Vanning doesn't duck
around corners for nothing.

That's what's driving me crazy.

- And that's why--
- Alright, now. Take it easy.

You say, you reported
to the missing persons bureau?

Yes.

Then, there's nothing
I can do about it.

I'm sorry, but that's
out of my department.

Did they cut your heart up
into departments too?

That kid's my sister.

Any one of a million things
could've happened to her.

- What do you expect me to do?
- Arrest Vanning.

- Will you testify against him?
- Yes.

Like you did last time?

You'll pardon me, but I don't
believe a word you're saying.

You think I'm
pretty low, don't you?

Now, what do you
expect me to think?

I meet a lot of people here.
I feel sorry for some of them.

They just can't help themselves.
They don't know any better.

They're the misfits of the
world, but you're not that kind.

You know what's right
and you know what's wrong.

You know better, but you won't
do anything about it.

You think you can get through
the world by outsmarting it.

I've learned such people end up
by outsmarting themselves.

And that's exactly what's
going to happen to you.

And I won't feel
a bit sorry about it

because, lady,
you've got it coming to you.

Thanks for telling me.

The coroner's reports.

Oh, Mary. Will you come
here a moment, please?

Sit down.

They found your sister.

Where?

In the river...dead.

It isn't true.

It isn't true.

- I'm sorry.
- Oh, no.

No, you don't have
to be sorry for me.

You were right.
I had it coming to me.

Oh, but why did it
have to happen to her?

Why did it have
to happen to her?

Alright. Now, let's go back.

You say Emmy Lou looked as if
something terrible had happened?

Did she say anything?

- Well, when she came--
- She didn't say a thing.

I told you, she went into the
bedroom and didn't say a word.

I suppose you didn't hear her
say anything, either?

Well, I was tired and I wasn't
paying much attention to her.

Oh, why don't you
all stop stalling?

You know you heard
every word she said.

I said, we didn't hear
a thing. Not a thing.

I suppose, you girls
realize that Emmy Lou

is the key witness
to this whole business.

You know as well as
I do who murdered Betty.

For years, we've waited
for Vanning

to make one false
move, and this is it.

Oh, what's the use?

I thought they
were your friends.

So did I.

Alright, then I don't have
to handle them with kid gloves.

Now, let's understand
each other.

I've given you all a chance,
and you've turned it down.

Now, when I get Vanning,
which I will

I'm gonna get everybody
connected with him.

And that means all of you.

- Mary.
- Get away from me.

- You've got this all wrong.
- I said, get away from me.

- What else could we do?
- The law isn't for us.

Then what is?

That's another thing I've been
trying to figure out for years.

Well, I'm sick of
figuring things out.

Sure, we know all that.
We know how hard it's hit you.

We know what you'd like
to do about it. So would we.

We're in a spot.

Remember, once,
I wanted to quit this.

You said there was nothing else
we could turn to.

That we didn't know any other
way of making a living.

Well, you're right,
Mary, we don't.

If we go to Graham
we'll really find out

for the first time just
how tough it can be for us.

That is, if we're lucky enough
to be alive that long.

Oh, you can understand
that, can't you, Mary?

I only understand
that Betty was my sister.

That Vanning killed her, and you
won't help do anything about it.

Mary, there's nothing anybody
else can do to bring her back.

We can get Vanning, make him
pay, put him where he belongs.

So what?

So somebody else
will take his place.

There'll always
be somebody else.

Sure, as long as there
are gals in the world like us

who are afraid
of guys like that.

I said that once to a guy
I was crazy about.

He worked for Vanning
and got into a jam.

I saw a chance for
both of us to get out

of this racket, once and for
all, without being afraid.

I told him. He listened to me.
They killed him.

I was crazy about him, Mary,
just like you were about Betty.

Oh, what's the use?

It all adds up to the same thing
if you wanna live.

(Vanning)
'You took the words
right out of my mouth.'

What did you tell that D.A.?

- Did she say anything?
- Nothing.

- 'Did any of you?'
- No.

- Why did you go to the law?
- Why did you kill my sister?

- Answer me.
- You answer me.

Why did you kill my sister?

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

Maybe, Emmy Lou does.
Where is she?

- What did you do with her?
- You listen to me.

You lay off that guy,
Graham, understand?

If you got any beefs, you come
to me, I'll straighten them out.

Not this one. You can't.

You heard what I said.
Stay away from that guy.

- And that goes for all of you.
- Not for me, it doesn't.

I'll tell him, and plenty more.

You'll tell him nothing.

Alright, get out of here.

Charlie.

Johnny!

Shut up, or you'll get the same.

Go ahead, Charlie.

[thud]

(Mary)
'No! Ugh!'

[thud]

(Mary)
'No, no. Oh, please!
Please, don't.'

(Mary screams)

[gasps]

Remember, if anybody asks
any questions

you came home
and found her that way.

[groaning]

Mary.
Mary!

[dramatic music]

Alright, break it in.

Alright, keep your seats,
everybody. This is a raid.

[people screaming]

Put that stuff down
and stay where you are.

Alright, here you are.
Break that in.

You better get up there
and search that floor.

Take those girls
and line them up here.

There's not enough room.

I know Graham's working fast,
but we've got to beat him to it.

Tell Williams to put up
all the bail they want.

The sky's the limit.

Okay. Keep me posted.

Better think fast, Gordon.

It don't look like
D.A.'s fooling this time.

Either Graham's putting on a
show to shut up the newspapers

or he's got something on you
we don't know about.

Nobody's ever got anything
on me I don't know about.

[phone ringing]

Yeah.

Okay, I'll tell him.
Graham's on his way here.

He's after that girl.

He wants to sweat it out of her.

And if he does, you'll fry.

- Get her out of here, fast.
- Take it easy, Gordon.

Nobody's going to get
a chance to sweat her.

Charlie.

(man on radio)
'In a series of raids, police
are swooping down on nightclubs'

'and gambling joints owned or
controlled by Johnny Vanning.'

'Neither police nor the D.A.
would disclose the reason'

'for this sudden interest
in Mr. Vanning's enterprises.'

'It's not hard to guess that
it all ties in with the killing'

'of Betty Strauber and the
beating of her sister, Mary'

'who is still in serious
condition at the General Ho--'

(male)
'Alright, Johnny,
you wait out here.'

Come on, sister,
you're going places.

- Where to?
- Never mind. Just places.

Get her stuff out of here.

No. No, I won't go.

I won't. Johnny promised me. He
promised he'd take care of me.

He can't double-cross me.
He can't! He can't! No!

Oh, no! No!

No! No! No!
Where are you taking me?

Wait a minute, Charlie.
Vanning's phoning down.

Take her to the lobby.

Come out!

Gotta open it.

[dramatic music continues]

Get on the phone.
Tell the doorman to stop her.

- Tell him she's drunk.
- Right.

Around the back.

Did you see a blonde
come through here?

- No, sir.
- Get that dame and fast!

(Gabby)
'You feel better now,
don't you?'

Yes.

- We'll have to go soon.
- Goodbye.

Oh, don't take it so hard, Mary.

The doctor outside told me
he could fix that scar

so nobody'd ever notice it.

I got things wrong with me

that all the doctors
in the world can't fix.

Mary, we were figuring
that when you got out

we'd send you away,
maybe to Florida

and you could lie in the sun
and rest for a few weeks.

It'll do you a lot good, Mary.
You'll forget all about this.

How?

By just closing my eyes and
pretending it never happened?

I wish it was as easy
as that...but it isn't.

You see, I...I keep seeing that
poor little sister of mine..

...lying there...with that
fear still in her eyes..

'...and her pretty little
head all twisted.'

Me, too.

- I see her too, just like you.
- Emmy Lou.

Mary.

Oh, Mary.

[sobbing]

You go on back to headquarters
and I'll see you there later.

If you get any news of Emmy Lou,
call me at the hospital.

Alright, Mr. Graham.

I didn't mean to take
her there, Mary.

- You know I didn't. I..
- Never mind.

Never mind, Emmy Lou.
It's all over now.

There's only one thing
that I'm interested in.

- Estelle, call Graham's office.
- What are you gonna do, Mary?

Have Emmy Lou tell him
the same story she just told us.

- Do you know what you're doing?
- Sure, I do.

I swore that I'd make
Vanning pay for this

if it was the last thing
I ever did.

Well, why make her pay
for it too?

Once she tells Graham, she's
gone. Don't you realize that?

You'll be equally responsible
for her being gone as Vanning.

Well?

Go ahead, Mary. It doesn't
make any difference anymore.

My number's up anyhow.

He'll get me, just as he'll
get every one of you.

As long as we're alive, there's
a chance of someone telling.

And Vanning doesn't
take chances.

One by one, he'll get us.

Maybe, if we went
to him and said

"Look, Johnny,
you know us, we won't talk."

- Maybe we could make a deal.
- I'm sick of making deals.

Well, you wanna keep
on living, don't you?

If this is what you call living,
I don't want any part of it.

Always being afraid.

Never knowing, what's going
to happen to you the next day.

I'm fed up with being afraid
of...Vanning or anybody else.

There must be...some other way
for me to live.

If there isn't, I..

Well, I'd sooner put a bullet in
my head, right now, and end it.

[knock on door]

- 'Hello, Graham.'
- Hello, Mary.

Emmy Lou?
What does she know?

- Everything.
- Will she talk?

Yeah, she'll talk,
and so will we.

[dramatic music]

I'm telling you, Johnny,
we've got to make a deal.

What do you mean?

Plead guilty. Throw yourself
on the mercy of the court.

Mercy? Don't make me laugh.

They've been waiting to get me
in a spot like this for years.

We haven't got a chance with
Emmy Lou testifying for them.

- Our only way out is a deal.
- Me?

I don't make no deals with
nobody. They make deals with me.

All the time I've been that way,
ever since I was that big.

You think I care for money?

All I care about is to make
people do what I tell them.

You're crazy, Johnny.

Yeah, maybe I am.

Maybe, I ain't.

I just know one thing.

I ain't going to let no five
dames put the skids under me.

You want a deal?
Here it is.

You tell to those dames that
I'll get them before the trial

and maybe I got to wait
until after it's over.

But if they talk, sure as my
name's Johnny Vanning..

...I'll get 'em.

I wish that guy Graham would
stop sending these banquets.

He's ruining my girlish figure.

You don't have to make
a pig out of yourself.

Well, it's free, why not?

Come on, Mary,
your stuff's getting cold.

No, I'm not hungry.

Gabby, look.

See that guy there, across the
street, with the gray hat on?

He looks like Joe Donnera,
one of Vanning's executioners.

Right. Get away
from that window, Mary.

That little hophead isn't out
there walking for his health.

That's all.

Be seated.

Proceed with the case
of The State vs. Vanning.

The state calls Florrie Liggett.

And when Betty got out of
the taxi and came up the stoop

she had money in her hand,
didn't she?

Yes, sir.

- It was a $100 bill, wasn't it?
- Yes, sir.

And where did she tell you
she got that $100 bill?

- From a man at the party.
- Just as a sort of a present?

No, sir. She said
she got it for taxi fare.

'She told you that she accepted
a $100 bill for taxi fare?'

'Yes, sir. We always got
that at Johnny's parties.'

Thank you.
That's all.

[Judge banging gavel]

The state calls Estelle Porter.

- You knew Betty Strauber?
- Yes, sir.

Will you speak louder
so the jury can hear you?

Yes, sir.

What kind of a girl
would you say she was?

She was the sweetest
kid you ever saw.

'And up until very recently,
she didn't know'

'the kind of work you
and her sister were doing?'

No, sir. She thought
we were models in a dress shop.

Mary kept her in a swell school.

Wanted her to grow up
to be a god kid, and..

Objection, as irrelevant
and cheap pathos

in an attempt to play
on the sympathies of the jury.

I merely offer it in rebuttal
to the cheap insinuations

cast upon the character
of the deceased Betty Strauber.

Overruled.
Proceed.

The state calls Dorothy Marvin,
known as Gabby Marvin.

Why did you refuse to talk about
this case to the D.A. at first?

I had a reason.

And was it for the same
reason that you tried

to persuade the other girls
not to talk?

- Yes.
- And just what was that reason?

- Vanning.
- What do you mean, Vanning?

A boy I was crazy about
used to work for him.

He wanted to get out of this,
so we could go away together.

But he knew too much.
Vanning wouldn't let him out.

So the boyfriend
got sore and talked.

George, he was that kind of a
guy, sorta hotheaded and wild--

Never mind that.
What happened?

They found him in a ditch,
full of slugs.

[public chattering]

[Judge banging gavel]

The state calls Mary Dwight.

And when you defied
Vanning's command

to stay away from the law

and threatened to tell me
all you knew, what did he do?

He slapped me hard
right across the mouth.

Then what happened?

He ordered all the other girls
to leave the room.

And after they left?

Charlie and another member
of the gang, went to work on me.

'And by that you mean?'

They started slapping me around.

They'd keep crashing
their big fists in my face.

And threatening me with worse

if I didn't keep my mouth shut
like Johnny said.

Then when I fell down,
they started kicking me.

Oh, I begged them to lay off,
but they wouldn't stop.

Then when I saw Charlie..

...lean over me
and take out his knife..

...I screamed and-and fainted.

And you don't remember anything
that happened after that?

No. Not until I woke up
in the hospital.

Was there any reason why Charlie
cut that cross on your cheek?

Sure.

Sure, that's Johnny's
little trademark..

...for anyone who
double-crosses him.

Emmy Lou Eagan, take the stand.

Then Betty pleaded with Vanning

not to make her
go with Mr. Crandall.

And that only made Johnny mad.

He grabbed her, and when she
tried to fight him off

he hit her, and she fell
down the stairs.

- She fell down the stairs?
- Yes, sir.

Then Vanning didn't deliberately

push or throw her down
the stairs, did he?

Well, no, sir. He hit her so
hard she lost her balance and--

Accidentally fell down
the stairs, isn't that right?

- Yes, sir.
- Then Vanning didn't kill her?

- Oh, he did! He did!
- You said it was an accident.

- Now, which is it?
- He killed her, I tell you.

I saw him, and that's why
he wanted to kill me too.

And in summing up, I cannot
impress upon you too strongly

you must never lose sight
of the background of this case.

A viciously ruthless background
from which sprang the motive

for this killing
of an innocent girl.

You should consider
not only Vanning the murderer

but also Vanning the vice czar

who, at this very moment is
exacting his staggering tribute

from a supine and cowardly city.

To defend this empire
of vice and crime

Vanning is pursuing
the same methods he used

in building and maintaining it.

Insidious bribery to corrupt,
brutal violence to intimidate

and cold-blooded murder to
silence any who dared protest.

Had all these succeeded, as
they had so often in the past

I wouldn't be here prosecuting
Vanning for murder.

And why did he fail?

Was it because our leading
citizens had risen

in righteous indignation to rid
the city of this criminal?

Ladies and gentlemen.

These leading citizens,
men of reputation

men of standing,
men of righteousness

who cried to the high heavens
that the city was overrun

with crime and corruption.

When they were called upon
to testify, to do something

about it, to risk even
a little, did they? No.

They were either too busy
or too afraid.

Out of all the teeming millions
of this great city

only five girls had the courage

'to take their very lives in
their hands and accuse Vanning.'

'In spite of all threats
of reprisals'

'the horror of which
they knew too well'

'they were ready to appear
before you to testify.'

And let me be the first to admit
the truth of the accusations

that were brought against these
girls in a desperate effort

to discredit them.

Frankly, they're everything
the defense has said they are.

Their characters are
questionable.

Their profession,
unsavory and distasteful.

Oh, it's not been
difficult to crucify them

but it has been difficult
to crucify the truth.

And that truth is
that these girls

in the face of sheer, stark
terrorism, did appear in court

exposed themselves to the public
gaze, told the truth

about themselves, told the world
what they really are.

Then you must believe that
they were telling the truth

when they testified
that Vanning was responsible

'for the death
of Betty Strauber.'

'And if you do believe that'

there is but one verdict
you can reach..

...and that is guilty.

Be seated.

Ladies and gentlemen
of the jury.

Have you reached a verdict?

- We have, Your Honor.
- Hand it to the clerk.

Read it.

"We, the jury,
in the above entitled cause

"find the defendants
guilty on counts

"one, two, three and four."

[public chattering]

Your Honor, at this time we give
oral notice of our intention

to move for a new trial.

An intelligent, courageous,
indiscriminating jury

has found you, Vanning,
guilty of heading a combination

to commit and profit from every
vicious and reprehensible crime.

This makes you responsible,
in law and morals

for every foul and cruel deed

performed at your command
by your henchmen.

'The evidence against you
is overwhelming.'

'Your previous record shows you
a incorrigible criminal.'

'A low and brutal character'

an unprincipled
and aggressive egotist.

It is my sworn duty
to administer to each of you

the justice and punishment
of an outraged community.

But before I do,
let me warn you.

That should any of the people's
witnesses be injured or harassed

'specifically, if anything
happens to those five girls'

'the court will request
the parole authorities'

'to retain in prison'

'the defendants against whom
such witnesses testified'

'for the maximum terms
of the sentences to be imposed.'

'Since all of you
have been found guilty'

'on every count
in the indictment'

it is a judgment
and sentence of this court

that you be imprisoned

for a term of not less than
30 nor more than 50 years

'in the state penitentiary.'

[Judge banging gavel]

Well, that's that.

Come on, kids.

Let's go.

- Congratulations.
- Nice work, Dave.

Just a minute, Mr. Graham.
Look this way, please.

Joe.

Johnny says to lay off.

Okay.

(Graham)
'Mary.'

Yes?

- Aren't you gonna wait?
- What for?

- It's all over, isn't it?
- Over?

Why, sure.
You'd better go back inside.

They all wanna congratulate you.

Oh, no, you're the one
that should be getting

the congratulations, not me.

Uh-uh. I don't want them.

- But, where will you go?
- Places.

- But, what will you do?
- Do?

Oh, I'll get along.
I always have.

Mary, I'd like to help you.

Why?

Why? Because I..

...because I think you've
got a break coming to you.

And?

And I'd like to see
that you get it.

What's the use of stalling?

We both live in different
worlds, that's how we leave it.

I don't want to
leave it that way.

I said to you that if you
ever started helping yourself

I'd be the first one
to go to bat for you.

And that still goes.

No matter what you do
or where you go..

...we'll meet again.

Goodbye, Graham.

I'll be seeing you.

- Here's Graham.
- Been looking all over for you.

'How about pictures
of our next D.A.?'

'What do you mean D.A.?
He'll be our next governor.'

'Come on. Give that old
personality smile.'

'You know, Graham,
the old chin out.'

- 'Atta-boy.'
- 'Just a few more now, Graham.'

- Wait a minute, Graham.
- Let's get two more.

[orchestra music]