All language subtitles for The Canary Murder Case (1929) H264.AC3.eng

Tell me, Vance

What happened backstage?

Were you able to see the Canary?

No luck, Charles. She’s about as hard to get
at in a dressing room as she is in that swing.

[Music]

[Applause]

If you want an idea
what I ran into back there

let me point out a few of her admirers…

[Applause]

See that man standing
in the box opposite? Yeah…

[Music]

That’s Dr. Lindquist.

He was outside her dressing room just now,
along with these other two.

I understand that the Canary has her
claws in all three of them.

Are they rich? Naturally. Then
what does she want with my son?

The allowance I give Jimmy is
hardly tempting. Ah my dear Charles,

our little feathered friend in the
swing there has social ambitions.

She wants to be Mrs. Jimmy Spottswoode.

Impossible. I’d do anything in my power
to prevent that

even if Jimmy still cared for her.

And I still believe that she’ll listen
to dollars and cents.

I wouldn't be too sure of that, Charles.

As you know, I’ve more or less
made a hobby of crime and criminals.

That girl is no ordinary blackmailer.

I'm firmly convinced that she'll stop at
nothing to marry Jimmy.

But Jimmy won’t have her.

I tell you, he's really come to his senses.

Another girl?
Yes. You know her - Alice.

Oh yes, of course. A very nice girl too.

Yes, she is.

Vance, I'm afraid that I’ll have to use
my own judgment in this matter.

I'm going to see this Canary at her
apartment as soon as possible.

Oh very well, Charles, but act quickly.

Oh I know you'll smile but…

You know, I have a strange premonition
that the Canary is headed for disaster.

[Applause]

[Music]

Evening Mr. Spottswoode.
Hello there.

It… shall I announce you to Miss O'Dell?

No, don't bother. That's
perfectly all right. Very well.

Jimmy!

Alice… Jimmy, you were
going to see the Canary again.

No, I wasn’t, dear.
In fact,

I just started to put this note under the
door to tell us her so.

Oh Jimmy, I'm afraid of her.

Oh, she’s clever and
cruel and unscrupulous.

She’ll hurt us again, I know she will.

No dear, she can't hurt us now.

Boy, will you announce my…
Oh, never mind.

Oh yes sir.
Hello Jimmy!

Why hello dad!
Good evening, Alice.

Good evening, Mr. Spottswoode,

You know I'm delighted that you and
Jimmy have made it up again.

Thank you.

You know I'm gonna try to show you

that all show girls aren’t like, well…
Like the Canary, eh?

Yes.
Yes, I want to talk to her.

Do you suppose she's home yet?
I suppose so.

No dad, you know,
you're you're a regular guy,

helping me out with this thing,

You know, if the Canary ever came between
Alice and me again

I don't know what I’d do.

I don't know what I’d do.
It's all right, Jimmy.

I'll do everything I can.

Shall I go along with you?
No, I can handle this better alone.

I’ll send in my name now.

[phone ringing]
Mr. Spottswoode is calling.

Send him in, please.

Good evening, Miss O'Dell.
Good evening.

Shall we go over here?
Well yes!

Will you sit down?
Thank you.

Well I don't think we need waste anytime,
Miss O'Dell. You know why I am here.

How much?
Nothing doing, Mr. Spottswoode.

I've decided to marry Jimmy.

I'm afraid that marriage is quite out of
the question, Miss O'Dell.

Oh you're sure about that are you?
I'm positive.

Well how would you like me to tell the world
about Jimmy's embezzling from your bank?

What?
You heard me. You know,

Jimmy has a weakness for writing letters

and I have a weakness for using them.

If Jimmy did write you a letter,
you will tear it up.

Now, before I leave here.

Sure, go ahead. Tear it up yourself.

My memory is still perfect.
Yes, I see. Very well.

You win. Now what do you really want?

I've told you what I want. I want to be

Mrs. James Spottswoode and that's that!

Haven't you any heart?
Won't you give him up, Miss O'Dell?

For the sake of his happiness.

For the sake of the girl
whom he really loves.

Give him up.
No, what do you want me to do?

Burst out crying? Listen Mr. Spottswoode,

I know all about Jimmy and Alice

and if he marries her, I'll tell every

newspaper in this country that he's a dirty
thief. No no, you wouldn't dare do that.

That's blackmail.
Sure it is!

Call it anything you like,
but get this into your head

That's what I'm going to do!

Well that remains to be seen.

Good night.

[phone ringing]

Mr. Cleaver, please.
This is Mr. Cleaver speaking.

Now see Mr. Cleaver, the great reformer.

Well this is your favorite weakness.

Don't get nervous, baby.

I’ve got some news for you.
Good news?

Yes darling, I'm going to marry
young Spottswoode.

Well well, may I send you
my hottest congratulations.

You bet you can, but
send them from Tiffany's.

What was that?
You heard me.

And send me one of those fancy autographs
of yours on a nice fat check.

I'm very sorry but I'm afraid
I shall have to refuse.

Ah be yourself.

Big reformers who lead
double lives can't refuse.

Now look here,
I’ll see you dead first!

Listen, you'll be here after the theater
with the dough and like it!

The little rat!

[phone ringing]

May I speak to Mr. Louis Mannix, please?
Quiet, quiet, my wife...

Don't get excited.
I just thought you'd like to know

I've sold the body down the river.

I'm gonna marry young Spottswoode.
Heh, splendid!

Yes darling. And I’ve decided
that you're the best man.

Best man?
Yeah, the best man I know of

to kick in with a nice handsome
present in cash.

Now see here, you know I can't afford...
What you mean is

you can't afford to let
the ball and chain know

what a big hearted Santa Claus you've been.

Now look here, I've told
you what I'd do to you

if you ever got to the wife.

Forget that bunk! And
be on my front porch after

the show with that check or
I'll get to your wife all right!

[phone ringing]

This is Dr. Linguist speaking.

Oh yes, Dr. Linquist, how would you like
to do me a little favor?

Certainly Margaret. I'd do
anything for you, you know.

How would you like to go jump in the lake?

Oh Margaret, don't joke with me.
I'm not in a mood for it.

Oh get wise to yourself.
I'm through with you.

You give me the willies.

I've warned you, Margaret. I'm desperate!

If I can't have you no other man
shall ever have you alive!

Tony!
In person, baby. How's my little squaw?

I thought you were still in jail.

Well I got tired of the
big house, Mrs. Skeel,

so I dropped in to see my little wife.

I'm not your wife.

How come?
I divorced you six months ago.

Yeah?
Listen baby, a little thing like a

divorce don't mean anything to me.

I heard you taking those suckers down
over the phone

and I'm in and in on the works, 50-50.

You big crook, you're not in on this one.

Don't, you big heel!
Hey I ought to bump you off.

You do and you'll swing for it.

Well maybe it'd be worth it.

Now get this, I'm in on this racket
and I'll be back for my cut.

Yeah? Try and get it.

Say baby, don't bother changing
the box on this door.

The lock I can't pick is still in Yale.

Miss O'Dell,
may I see you for a few moments please?

It won't get you anything but come ahead.

Thank you.

I have something to
say to you, Miss O'Dell,

which I believe will make you
change your mind about Jimmy.

Paper mister? Morning paper.
No no no.

Thanks, mister.

Very well, Miss O’Dell.
That suits me perfectly.

Think it over tonight and then I’ll come

for your answer in the morning. Good night.

Boy, would you call me a taxi, please?

Yes sir.

[scream] What's that?
Miss O'Dell!

Miss O'dell, what's wrong?

Something startled me, Mr. Spottswoode,
but I'm all right now.

Are you sure you're all right?

Yes, quite sure. Run along home
and come back in the morning.

Very well then, I’ll see you
in the morning. Good night.

Driver, the club.
Yes sir.

[sneeze]

Say fella, what’s the big idea
you coming in here late?

Me late?
Yes you late.

I been here for an hour.
I don't want that stuff.

I beg your pardon.
Mr. Spottswoode

calling on Miss O’Dell by appointment.

She don't answer.
Has she's gone out

do you think?
I've been on all night.

And you haven't seen her go out?
No sir.

That’s funny.

Do you suppose she can be ill?

What we may go and
knock. Yes yes let's do this.

[knocking] Miss O'Dell? Miss O'Dell?
Are you ill?

No!
What's the matter?

Something has happened.
Go get your passkey.

Yes sir. Yes sir.

Say fella!
Just gets running and get a cop!

And say, get a big one too!

Here, you better let me have that.

What's the matter here?
Something has happened in there, officer.

You better take that key and go in.

She's dead.

Police headquarters, please.

Patrolman Cassidy speaking.

There’s a woman dead
at 184 West 71st Street.

It looks like murder.
Okay Cassidy.

She’s been dead since midnight, Sergeant,
strangled to death

That long, eh? Sergeant, the
district attorney just pulled up

and he's coming right in.

That's great.
He's got that Mr. Philo Vance with him.

Well, that'll be just dandy.

Sherlock Holmes on-the-job
again. Heads up, boys.

Morning, Sergeant.

Good morning, Mr. Markham.

Well hello, Mr. Vance.
How are you, Sergeant?

Fine. Haven't seen you
since the Green murder case.

Quite right.
Oh good morning, Mr. Spottswoode.

Good morning, Mr. Markham.
Well Sergeant what does it look like?

Well Chief, just another
clear case of robbery.

All I can make out of it.
Nasty business, Charles, eh?

Oh terrible. As you
know I was here last night

to make my final appeal to her for Jimmy

and when I came back this morning

for her answer, this has happened.

Yeah, they'll probably
want to keep you here

for a few moments Charles.
Yes, I suppose they will.

And by the way I explained to

the district attorney on the way down

about Jimmy and the girl here.

Oh that's good. I'm
glad you did that, Philo.

You know, if I can tell
you anything that will help...

Well perhaps later, Charles.
Meanwhile I'll have a bit of a look about.

I don't think there's
anything worth you looking at,

Mr. Vance. It's a clear case - robbery.

She put up a battle and
they wrecked the joint.

I see. As simple as that, eh?

That's it.
Well just the same, Sergeant,

if you don't mind,
I think I'll have just one little look.

Surely Mr. Lance, go right ahead,
make yourself perfectly at home.

Thank you, Sergeant.

Excuse me, mister policeman,
when do we sleep?

Now you get this, sonny boy.

You'll go for a long sleep unless
you button up that big trap of yours!

Yes sir.
Ah, Sergeant?
Yes Chief?

Any fingerprints?
Well, so far no.

I’ll tell you this job
was done by an expert.

Yes, perfect.
Yes, that's just the trouble.

What's that?
It's too perfect.

Well that's a little over
my head, Mr. Vance.

Just what do you mean by “too perfect"?

Well Sergeant, what usually happens when a

heavy lamp like that is
knocked off the table?

Well I don't know, but I'll bite.

What does happen?
It usually smashes, doesn't it?

It might.
Well look at that one.

Well what about it?
Well simply that that lamp was

placed there to give
the effect of a struggle.

Maybe.
Let me see Sergeant.

It does look a little
obvious, doesn't it, Vance?

I should say so.
Hey boy.

What happened here
last night after you heard

Miss O’Dell scream and you and Mr.

Spottswoode ran down the hall to her door?

Well, she said she was alright and I

called Mr. Spottswoode a taxicab.

And you got away with it?
Yes sir.

What time was this?
It's on the call

sheet there I gave you, about 2-2-2-2...
Never mind, I can read it.

12:10. Mr. Spottswoode,
where did you go last

evening after you left here?

I went directly to the Stuyvesant Club.

That's right, Sergeant. I met Mr. Spottswoode
at the club shortly after 12:00.

We played poker until almost daylight
I believe, wasn't it? Must have been.

I know it was long after 4:00.

Oh yeah, you mentioned that
coming down here, Vance.

Right. That'll be all for the
present, Mr.Spottswoode.

Thank you, Markham.
But if you do

want me later on,
Mr. Vance has my number.

Quite right.
Goodbye, Charles.

I'll phone you.
Go right ahead, boys.

Go...

Oh Sergeant, would you step over here
for a moment, please?

All right, Mr. Vance.
What is it now?

Do you observe anything peculiar here?

Why surely!
The key is on the inside!

Excellent, Sergeant.
Don't you think we might

go over that knob for fingerprints?

Well now...
Oh I get you, Mr. Vance.

The murderer locked himself in this closet.

When Spottswoode left,
he came out and croaked the Canary.

No, I hardly think so, Sergeant.

If you'll observe,
this is the one place in

the entire apartment
that hasn't been disturbed.

Now what does that signify?

That and the fact that
the key being found on the inside?

Just as I told you.
The murderer was

in this closet and came out
when Spottswoode left.

I don't think you quite
get my point, Sergeant.

If the murderer had been in here,

he would have upset this closet

as he did the rest of the apartment.

Wouldn't he?
Well yes I guess he would.

Precisely. Gentlemen, it was someone else

who was in that closet while the

apartment was being ransacked and that

someone witnessed the
murder through the keyhole.

Splendid, Sergeant.
And if you'll find who

was in that closet,
I think you'll learn

from him or her who it
was that killed the Canary.

Sergeant, get the fingerprints, will you.

Oh Joe.

Oh Sergeant, you might check up on the

other apartments.
Mr. Vance and I are going outside.

You, come here.
Yes sir.

Who lives in that apartment there?
Miss Alice LaFosse.

Isn't she the dame that had the battle

with the Canary the other night over
young Spottswoode?

Ye-ye-ye...
Alright, alright.

Couldn't possibly get in here.
I'd say so.

Humph...
Well, what is this?

That's odd. Might prove interesting.
What do you think?

I see, Miss LaFosse, I see.

But you and the Canary had a fight over

young Spottswoode, didn’t you?

Why yes. We did have a
fight. You see, she took

Jimmy away from me
and got him into trouble.

But that's all over now.
Jimmy and I made

it up just day before yesterday.

You didn't see young
Spottswoode last night, did you?

Why yes. He brought me
home from the theater.

Aha, so he was hanging around here

last night, was he?
Yes, but he was with me

until after 1:00...
Now wait a minute, lady.

Wait a minute. You save your alibis till

we get you down to headquarters.
Go slip on your things.

Now look, you don't think...
Put them on!

Mr. Vance, I'm frightened.
Now don't you be worried, Alice.

Just you do as the Sergeant says.
Alright.

You know, I'm beginning to question this

robbery theory, Mr. Vance.
You and I were right.

Oh yes.
Why I can see plainly that

this murder is all mixed up in a love spat.

You know Chief,
I think we better

round up this young Spottswoode and give

him the works.
What do you say?

Quite right, Sergeant.
Markham, I'd like you to add a

few names to that list,
if you don't mind.

The men I mentioned on the way up here.

Dr. Ambrose Lindquist, John
Cleaver and Louie Mannix.

Well, young man.

What do you know about what happened at

the Canary's apartment last night?

Nothing. But look here, sir.
That has nothing

to do with Alice...
I mean Miss LaFosse.

The papers say the Canary was murdered

before midnight
and I tell you we were

together the whole time.
It isn't fair to hold her.

You haven't the right.

Now Jimmy, don't get worked up.

Everything's going to be all right.
Why not interview

the others first, Markham.
Very well.

Gordon, take Mr. Spottswoode
out in the other

room and hold him there.
I'll talk to you later, young man.

Be off.

Well, who's next on the list?
Mannix.

I'd like to make a bit of
an experiment, Markham.

Have you a pad and pencil there?
Yes.

There you are.

Do you have that newspaper handy?
Yes, right here.

All ready?
Alright.

Morning, Mr. Vance.
Good morning.

Mr. Markham.
Good morning.

Will you please take a seat?
Thank you.

Sorry.
Mr. Mannix, there are a few

questions I'd like to ask you.
Questions?

What about?
I don't know anything about this.

It was a great shock to me!

What was a great shock to you?

Why, I thought perhaps you were
going to ask me about the Canary.

Yeah, exactly.
You read my thoughts, Mr. Mannix.

Did you ever see that necklace before?

Why, why yes!
Fact is I gave that to the Canary.

A little token of esteem.
Nice girl, the Canary.

I'd met her once or twice, mm-hmm.

Casual acquaintance.
Rather an expensive gift

to give it to a casual acquaintance,
isn't it?

Do you know that the Canary
was strangled that necklace?

Most remarkable.

Unfortunate, I should say.
Where were you

last night between 11:00 and 1:00?

Between 11:00 and 1:00?
Yes.

Let me see. Why I was home.
I went to bed

about 10:00. Oh, tired out. You understand.

Pardon me, Mr. Mannix.

Any comment to make, Mr. Mannix?

Odd habit of mine,
drawing triangles.

Mr. Mannix, if you were in your bed last

night at 10:00, how did you manage

to drop that newspaper just outside

the Canary's apartment?
And that edition isn't on

the streets until 11:00.

Well, you've caught me.

I'll tell the truth.
It's always best to

tell the truth,
especially when there's

no reason to lie.
It was like this.

The Canary called my home
at dinnertime last night.

Most embarrassing.
Mrs. Mannix was with me.

I had admitted to tell
my wife about the Canary.

She wouldn't have understood.

The Canary told me that
she was going to be married

and wanted to see me.

Said that I should come
to her apartment at 11:00.

Well I,
I couldn't argue over the phone.

The missus was listening.
So I said alright.

So at 11:00, I went to
the Canary's apartment.

I entered the hall by a side door.

I went directly to her apartment.

I was about to enter
when I heard voices inside.

I listened. It was a man in there.

He was arguing, of course.

Well, there was no place for me.

So I returned home
without seeing the Canary.

Or entering her apartment.

Well that'll be all the questioning
for the present, Mr. Mannix,

but I'll have to ask you
to wait in the outer office.

I may want to speak to you later on.

Oh won't you let me go home?

I'll get an awful mess with my wife.

I’m sorry you'll have to wait.

Oh Mr. Markham, I wouldn't run away.

Millfield.
That'll be all.

Mr. Markham, you've gotta help me
square this with my wife.

We will now have Mr. Cleaver.

Good morning, Mr. Cleaver.
Good morning, Mr. Markham.

Can I do anything for you?

Will you please have a seat?

Mind if I smoke a cigar?
Please do.

Mr. Cleaver, do you mind if
I ask you some questions?

Why of course. If I can be of any help.

Where were you last night
between 11:00 and 1:00?

Motoring up the Hudson
in the moonlight alone.

So I don't see what that has to do with

the District Attorney's Office.

Well only this, Mr. Cleaver, if you
were indulging in the nocturnal beauties

of nature along the Hudson last evening,

now how does it happen that this cigar band
bearing your initials

was found just outside the Canary's window

at an early hour this morning?

Well if I was passing
the Canary's apartment,

you can't twist that into a crime.

Oh then you didn't pass her apartment?

Why, yes I... I've nothing to hide.

About dinnertime last
night the Canary phoned me.

Oh of course, my acquaintance with
her was holy in my line as social reformer.

I'd hoped that she was
going to leave her immoral life

and marry or settle down.
Be a good woman.

And you kept the appointment?

Yes, yes and no,
I was a little late.

I arrived at her apartment about
quarter to 12, or thereabouts.

I waited for a minute outside
her windows to light a cigar.

Then I jumped down to the
side entrance to the building.

But who should I chance
to see but Dr. Lindquist.

He was behaving in a very peculiar manner.

Seemed to me very queer,
very mysterious.

I didn't like it. So I made up my
mind not to see the Canary again.

And I turned and walked back home.

Let me tell you, I'm a busy man
and I hope you'll excuse me.

I'm very sorry, Mr. Cleaver but I'll have

to ask you to wait in the outer office.

I might want to question you again.

Mark my words, Markham,
you'll be sorry for this.

Well, I'll take my chances, Mr. Cleaver.

A charming fellow, that Cleaver.

Yeah, rather.
By the way, Vance,

I didn't see you pick up the cigar band in
front of Canary's apartment this morning.

I didn't.
Where did you get it?

From your wastebasket.
Waste basket?

Cleaver dropped it there when he entered.

I took a chance on his not
remembering that. It seemed to work.

Well I'll be...

Very good.
Dr. Lindquist.

Come on doctor...
I can't be...

I caught Dr. Lindquist
just as he was leaving town.

It’s a lie!
It was a grateful patient...

Won't you please sit down, doctor?

I’d like to ask you a few questions.

Doctor, where were you last
night between 11:00 and 1:00?

None of your business.
It is some of my business.

You were seen coming out of
the Canary's apartment at midnight.

I never...

Not so fast, doctor.
Calm yourself, doctor.

Sorry, I lost my temper.

I'm under a terrible strain.

I loved the Canary dearly.
And... and I be upset.

Do you know that the Canary
was strangled with that necklace?

You, you don't accuse me!

But Dr. Lindguist, there's really
no need for you to be excited.

Now Mr. Markham here is merely
trying to find out what you know.

Know? Know?
One moment, doctor.

Markham, don't you think that we might postpone
the interview with Dr. Lindguist for a while?

Why, what...

Very well. That'll be all
for the present, doctor.

I'd like to have you
remain in the outer office.

Come on, doctor.

What was the idea, Vance?

We had him where he was
about to tell us everything.

Well, on the contrary, Markham.

In his present extremely excited condition,

I very much doubt if he
would have told us anything.

I do think, however, that if we
give him a chance to cool off a bit,

he's very likely to tell us the truth.

Well, perhaps you're right.

Good morning, Sergeant.
How are you, Sergeant?

Good morning, Chief.
Hello Mr. Vance.

Take a slant at those.

There is the Canary's jewels.

They were found in an ashcan about a
block from her apartment this morning.

I guess that kind of
disproves the robbery theory.

We were right, Mr. Vance.
Hmm?

I say, we were right. Oh, oh yes,
yes apparently we were, Sergeant.

Now it's up to us to find another motive.
Yes, quite right, Sergeant.

You know, Markham, I've been
thinking this over all morning

and I believe that I can come
pretty close to the psychology

of the man who committed this murder.

I believe that I can pick him out from
that list of suspects, if he's among them.

However it will require
a bit of an experiment.

And what is in your mind?

Well, I'd like to use that
conference room of yours there

for a friendly little game
of poker with your suspects.

Well now, that's a cute idea.
And just what is your idea then?

Oh just this, Markham.

A man's true nature always
comes out in a game of poker.

Now I know the type and the temperament
of the man who murdered the Canary.

And in the game of poker, I believe that I can
come pretty close to putting my finger on him.

That's a new way of catching crooks!

Maybe it's not, will you, please.

Oh go ahead, Vance.
The experiment can do no harm.

Quite right. Now I'd like to
have the Sergeant tell them.

Well I'd be very glad
to help you, Mr. Vance,

as long as don't try to
hang the murder on me!

Sergeant, will you take
Mr. Vance's orders please?

Okay Chief.

Will you get me a deck of card and have
some poker chips handy just outside there.

That's easy.
Then bring in the suspects

and impress upon them that they
may be detained here for quite a while,

possibly two or even three hours.

Well that's okay, Mr. Vance.

But how are you gonna get these suspects into this
poker game without it appearing phony to them?

Sergeant, I rather think that the
power of suggestion will take care of that.

Oh, our suggestion.
Exactly.

Now Sergeant, look in from time to time

and when I pull my
handkerChief from my pocket so,

break up the game by telling them
that they're all free to go home.

Understand? I get you.

But when you release them,
I'll have my boys tail them.

Very good, Sergeant.

And Mr. Vance,
here's to the power of suggestion!

Jimmy.

Well gentlemen, you're liable to be here
for two or three hours, perhaps longer.

That's outrageous!
Just make yourselves at home.

Well, you know this is gonna get
me in an awful mess with my wife.

That is of no interest to me.

Sorry.
What's the idea, Mr. Vance?

Well, what are they going to do with Alice?

Now Jimmy, don't you worry.
Nothing is going to happen to Alice.

Mr. Vance, you know this is gonna
get me in an awful mess with my wife.

Martha...
My wife's a wonderful woman and all that

but sometimes she just
doesn't understand me.

The last time I was little indiscreet,
it cost me a fur coat.

Hmm okay.
I hate to think what this is going to cost.

But don't you think it's a...
Beg your pardon. I'm sorry.

Mr. Vance, you haven't got an
extra pack of cards, have you?

I'm sorry, Mr. Mannix,
but you're welcome to these.

No, no thanks just the same.

I wish we could play a little cards.
Say, that's a good idea.

How about poker?
I'm agreeable.

What about the others?
Dr. Lindquist?

Anything to pass the time.

Mr. Cleaver?

Well, as a rule it's against my principles,

but I suppose on an occasion like this,
one can relax such rules.

Just draw up a chair, gentlemen.
Thank you.

Sergeant, how about some poker chips?

Surely.

Chief?
Yes?
Mr. Spottswoode is here.

Let him in.
Come in, Mr. Spottswoode.

Good morning, Mr. Spottswoode.
Good morning, Markham, good morning.

I say, Markham,
what are you holding Jimmy for?

Surely you're not accusing him.

Oh no, of course not.

We're simply trying to find
out what he knows, that's all.

Well yeah yeah.
Where is he now?

Why, in the other room there with Vance.

May I see him?
Why certainly.

Mr. Vance, Mr. Spottswoode is here.

Oh, hello Dad!
Hello, Jimmy.

Hey good morning, Charles.
Good morning, Philo.

Dad, what are you doing here?
I came to be with you, Jimmy,

while you're detained.
Oh, by all means.

We've just started a little game of poker
here, Charles. Would you like to join?

Come on, Dad, sit and take a hand.
Well alright.

House to the end.
I'm fine.

Suppose you take that
chair, Charles. Thanks.

Gentlemen, this is Mr. Spottswoode.

Mr. Mannix. Dr. Lindquist. And Mr Cleaver.
How do you do?

Shall it be jackpot, gentlemen?
Why yes, anything.

Yes the missus and I usually play jackpot.

Cards?
Three, Mr. Vance, please.

Thank you.

Cleaver?
Two, please.

So it's between you and me, Mr. Cleaver.
Yeah.

I'll bet a white one.

Oh, so you're calling me.
Yeah.

Well, just openers. Pair of jacks.

Three aces.

So you called a one
chip bet with three aces.

Open.
I'm out.

How many, Mr. Vance?
Two cards, please.

Mr. Mannix?
I think I'll play these.

I’ll check the bet to you, Mr. Mannix.

Calling.

9-8-7-6-5... and they're all spades.

You bet on a sure thing, Mr. Mannix.

I open for one.
I'll stay.

Oh, let's make it a
little more interesting.

Ten more.
Well, that let's me out.

I’m out.
And me.

I'll stay with you, Charles.

Cards, gentlemen?

Three to me.
One-two-three.

Mr. Spottswoode?
I have plenty.

Mmm...

A white stack, Charles.

Two white stacks.

Up to chips, Charles.

Oh, you want me to do the betting, eh?

Alright.

I'm afraid I'm overcome by curiosity.

What have you?

Two deuces.

They're good.

They're what?

Well, why the philanthropy, Philo?

Well I had 8-high.

Pardon me, Mr. Vance.
Could I speak to you a moment?

Excuse me, please.

We've traced the fingerprints…
…in the closet and saw the Canary murder.

Gentlemen, here is the man who was in the Canary's
clothes closet and who witnessed her murder.

Hmm, well I shouldn't
like to be the man he saw.

Thank goodness he didn't
see me through the keyhole.

So that man witnessed a murder.

Singularly unattractive countenance.

Well, if he knows,
why doesn't he tell who did it?

Gentlemen, I have been instructed by the district
attorney to inform you that you're all free to go home.

Thank goodness for that!

I wonder what the wife will say.

Has anyone a fountain pen, please?

There's mine.
Thank you, sir.

Now what I didn't tell you about this bird,
Mr. Vance, in front of the others,

is that he phoned in and said that he'd be
in the district attorney's office tomorrow.

Spill the whole works.

He says that he saw the
guy that croaked the Canary.

And that he'll come in tell us who it was.

Now we haven't been able to locate him yet,
so I guess we just have to wait.

Well Sergeant,
that takes the matter out of my hands.

Markham, there can be no doubt of it.

The same person who strangled the Canary,
strangled Skeel.

This new murder was
done to cover up the first.

Skeel was obviously blackmailing
the Canary's murderer.

He threatened to inform the police of what he
had seen through the keyhole of the closet.

And when the murderer learned yesterday at the poker
game that the police knew who had been in the closet,

he put Skeel out of the way
at the earliest possible moment.

I believe you're right, Vance.

Oh, come in.

Did any of the suspects get
away from your men last night?

We never lost sight of
Lindguist. Mannix, and the girl.

But young Spottswoode
and Cleaver gave us the slip.

That will be all.
Right Chief.

Vance, that means Jimmy and Cleaver.

Morning, Chief.
Morning, Heath.
Boys.

Hello, Mr. Vance.
Good morning, Sergeant.

Well Chief, everything is okay.

I've got the guilty man
and I've got him right.

You've got him?
I'll hope to tell you I have.

Where is he?

All right, Mac. Bring him in.

Mr. Vance.
Jimmy.

This fool arrested me this
morning at breakfast for the murder.

Why... It’s just like
shooting fish in a tub, Chief.

I've got all the dope
and I've got it down pat.

Motive and everything.

Now this dame Alice croaked the Canary.

Jealous, because she'd stolen her fella.

The kid here bumped
Skeel off to shut his mouth

and to protect the dame.
It's a lie!

That isn't all, Chief.
I've got the evidence.

And it's not psychology, Mr. Vance.

Mr. Vance, he lies.
He hasn't any evidence.
He couldn't have.

Just a minute, Jimmy.
Sergeant, what is your theory?

Well, I don’t go on theory.
I use cold facts, Mr. Vance.

Now you wait a minute.

Did you ever see that pen?
Yes, it's mine.

You bet your life it's yours!

Take a look at that pen, Mr. Vance.

Chief.
Well.
Now listen to this.

This morning I found that pen on the floor
there by the table where Skeel was murdered.

And the kid here admits that it's his!

Well, young man.
What have you to say?

Yes, I killed them.
Both of them.

Well, I guess that does it, Chief.

We've got him in a sack.

Now this dame Alice...
Wait a minute!

You got what you wanted.
Now, take me off.

Take them away, Max.

Well, I’ll see you later at
the office, Chief. Alright.

Sorry, Mr. Vance.

Well Vance, I guess that closes the case.

No Markham, it doesn’t.
What do you mean?

I mean that the boy is not guilty.
Well that's nonsense!

Not nonsense, Markham.
Because I know who is guilty.

Come now, Vance.

I tell you, Markham, I know!

And inside of one hour,
you'll know too.

I'm going to telephone at once...
to the real murderer

and have him come to
the Canary's apartment.

And I want you to be there.

The boy has confessed everything.

Markham, if you don't meet me there,

you'll be the laughingstock
of New York in 24 hours

because I'll have the
confession of the real murderer.

Well, all right, Vance.
If you want it that way,

I'll be there.

Number, please.
Bayview 2-1-2-1.

Bayview 2-1-2-1.
Yes, please.

Ah, this is Philo Vance.
I want to speak with...

Oh hello, Philo.
How are you?

I didn't recognize your voice.

I've something of extreme
importance to tell you.

Jimmy has just been arrested.

He has confessed to the murder
of both the Canary and Skeel.

Do you understand?

Yes, I understand, Philo.

Jimmy is not guilty.
I am the man you want.

How soon will you meet me
at the Canary's apartment?

It'll take me almost an hour
to get in from the country,

but I'll be there.
Good.

[train horn]
[crash]

It's been over an hour now, Vance.

Don't be impatient, Markham.
He'll be here.

Who is it you're expecting?

You wouldn't believe me if I told you.

And I must admit
that without his confession,

I haven't a shred of
real proof to offer you.

[phone ringing]

Hello.
Yes.
Ah this is Mr. Vance speaking.

What?

Yes.

All right.

What is it, Vance?

Spottswoode has just been killed
in a motor accident.

Spottswoode killed?

My sympathies, old man.

I know what great friends you were.

It's worse than you realize, Markham.

It was Spottswoode who
killed both the Canary and Skeel.

Spottswoode?
I've known it ever since the poker game.

But how could you know?

Sit down, Markham.

It wasn't really so difficult.

Remember, the man who
committed this particular crime

must have had certain definite qualities,

a mind capable of working out a
well-planned and brilliant cause of action,

willing to take a desperate
chance and see it through.

Now consider the men in the game.

Jimmy I ruled out at the start,

But I've known him as a boy and

his youth and impulsiveness
were hardly consistent

with such a...
such an obviously premeditated murder.

Lindquist was far too excitable and erratic

to have plotted such a
carefully calculated crime.

Cleaver, much too cautious

and entirely lacking in
the necessary boldness.

Mannix, timid and
unwilling to take any risk

except upon an absolutely sure thing.

The only man at the table

with enough imagination
to plan such a crime

and with sufficient self-confidence

and daring to carry it
through was Spottswoode.

When he held a pair of deuces,
refused to draw to them,

and bet every chip he had on
the chance of bluffing me out,

a realization suddenly dawned upon me

that he was the murderer.

For he was the one man of them all
psychologically fitted for such an act.

But how about finding Jimmy's
pen in the Skeel apartment?

I borrowed Jimmy's fountain
pen after the poker game.

My hypothesis is
that in the confusion,

Spottswoode put the pen into his own pocket

and that Jimmy saw him do it.

That is why Jimmy made his confession,
to shield his father.

Yes, but against all that theory, Vance,

we have certain definite facts.

Now for instance,

Spottswoode left the Canary's
apartment while she was still alive.

He talked to her through that door.

The hall boy, looking through the keyhole,

saw the Canary lying on
this sofa smoking a cigarette.

Spottswoode then went away
and spent the rest of the evening with you.

True,
and yet I know he committed the murder.

And I've got to find out how he did it.

I'm afraid you will, Vance.

But Jimmy can go free.

Spottswoode himself was
coming here to tell how it was done

in order to free Jimmy.
Now he's dead.

I've got to solve it.

I think I have the whole thing.

Now follow me closely.
The Canary was lying there.

Spottswoode, let us say, was standing here

making a final plea for his boy,
which met but an absolute refusal.

He walked around to the head of the sofa.

Suddenly he clapped
his hand over her mouth.

And with his other hand,
caught her necklace.

And before she had a chance to cry out,
he strangled her.

He then proceeded to set the stage
to make it appear

that the crime had been committed
with robbery as a motive.

He stripped her jewels from her
and placed them in his pocket.

Then...

he took a cigarette from that box
and lit it.

He laid her hand here.

Placed the cigarette between her fingers

so that in case anyone should look
through the keyhole of that door there

it would appear as if she
were lying here smoking.

He then overturned the entire apartment

to make it look as if a burglar
had ransacked the place.

Now just step over here, Markham.

He came to this closet door
but he couldn't open it.

Skeel had locked himself in,
though Spottswoode didn't know that.

And Skeel, through the keyhole,

saw everything that Spottswoode did.

That accounts for the orderly
condition of this one closet,

but everything else in the
apartment was ransacked.

And that, Markham,
was the technique of the crime itself.

But that doesn't account for
the fact that... Just a minute.

I haven't quite finished.

I want you to go out into the hall

and stand by the desk
where Spottswoode stood
when he ordered his cab.

Very well.

[scream]

Something startled with
me, Mr. Spottswoode.

But I'm alright now.

Yes, quite sure.

Run along home
and come back in the morning.

You understand now?

This record was Spottswoode's alibi.

Undoubtedly, the reason he returned
here the next morning was to get it back,

but he was prevented by the arrival of the
officer who entered the apartment with him.

The Canary was dead.

And the scream issued from
the apartment that night,

she was dead when she apparently
spoke to Spottswoode through the door.

But what clue led you to
the phonograph record?

It was this magazine.

That is hardly a magazine
the Canary would have read.

So I concluded that someone
else must have brought it here.

Then in running through the pages,

I happened to notice this.

Look closely.

You see it?
Oh yes, the imprint of a large circle.

And on the opposite page?
Why, the same thing!

Precisely, as if a disk had been
pressed between the two pages.

That brought to my mind the
thought of a phonograph record.

And suddenly the whole
plot became clear to me.

It was the only way that Spottswoode
could have committed the murder

and have produced a voice in the
apartment after the Canary's death.

I can't understand how he could
have reproduced the Canary's voice.

It wasn't the Canary's voice, Markham.

Spottswoode made that record himself.

Probably it was his own voice in falsetto.

And remember, it was only
necessary to fool the houseboy,

and through a closed door.

Yes, I can see it all now.

He played the game,
shrewdly and boldly.

It was Jimmy's whole life's
happiness that was at stake.

And Spottswoode risked
his own life for his boy.

Goodbye, Mr. Vance.

You'll never know how grateful we are.

Goodbye, my dear.

I wish you great happiness.
Oh, thank you.

Goodbye, Jimmy.
Your happiness will come.

Thank you, Mr. Vance.

I can't any more, just now.

Well, Mr. Vance.

Well, Sergeant.

I guess we put it over again.

Right you are, Sergeant.
Many thanks.

Well I'll be seeing you later.
Goodbye.
Goodbye, Sergeant.