All language subtitles for The Judge (1949)

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- In justice, weigh

the fates of many men.

And in my files, there are many stories

of those who have broken the law.

The story I shall

never forget is about a man

who wasn't a criminal, not in the

strictest legal sense,

yet who tried to live above justice.

Martin Strang was one of

the greatest criminal lawyers

ever to appear before my bench.

A man whose brilliant but tainted mind

with almost diabolical shrewdness

cheated the forces of law

and order too many times.

Yes, this is the

strange, bitter, ironic story

of a man who gambled with life and death

and who put his thumb

on the scales of justice

once too often.

The breaking point in

Martin Strang's career

undoubtedly came when James Tilton,

a murderer once freed

by Strang, struck again.

It was early last summer.

(footsteps thudding)

(somber music)

(footsteps thudding)

(somber music)

(dog barking)

(gun firing)

(dog barking)

(gun firing)

(phone ringing)

If Strang had been at home,

would have answered the call

from Lieutenant Edwards

at the homicide bureau

that early morning?

He wouldn't have seen

his wife in the arms

of Dr. James Anderson.

Now perhaps number 29, Euclid Arms,

would not have been the setting

for a weird and unusual crime.

What is done is done.

(somber music)

(somber music) (footsteps thudding)

(somber music)

(somber music)

(door creaking) - Yes?

- Are you ready for breakfast, dear?

- In a few minutes when I finish shaving.

(somber music)

(somber music) (somber music)

(somber music)

(footsteps thudding)

- What did you do last night?

Take a sleeping pill?

- Door was locked.

I tried to wake you.

- You know, I had a headache.

I went to bed early.

- You look like you had a rotten night.

- Not at all.

Why, you're in a nasty mood this morning.

You shouldn't be, you know.

You're in the headlines again.

Congratulations, darling.

Musical murderer strikes again.

Man acquitted here ago

by noted criminal lawyer,

Martin Strang, goes

berserk, kills boy and dog.

- I see that.

(phone buzzing)

- Hello?

- Just one moment.

Lieutenant Edwards, the homicide bureau

wants to speak to you.

(footsteps thudding)

- Hello.

Hello, Strang.

Where have you been all night?

I've been trying to get you for hours.

I'm getting it all very late

and I guess my wife

didn't hear the phone.

Why, what's up?

As I just read about

it, it looks like a mess.

Of course, I'll take the Tilton case.

What else can I do?

- I don't know, counselor.

Tilton's been asking for you.

I don't think I'd like to

be in your boots this time.

- What are you driving at?

- What's Doc Anderson got against you?

- Nothing that I know of, why?

- He's pulling a fast one, Strang.

He's asked for a

private examination of Tilton

at eight o'clock this morning.

If I were you, I'd

just happen to drop in.

- Thanks for the tip, Lieutenant.

I can just make it, I'll be there.

- You're not gonna take

the Tilton case again,

are you, Martin?

- It isn't a question of

whether I want to take the case

or not, it's a question of ethics.

- The murdered boy, Tony Torano.

Martin Strang,

prominent criminal attorney

who a year ago won an acquittal

for the murderer on a similar charge.

I think you're you, Martin.

John Tilton, the musical murderer.

I don't even get any money out of him.

He looks down and out.

Isn't that a shame?

An 11-year-old boy.

Might have grown up to

be a great violinist.

He was crippled, Martin, crippled.

A helpless boy and his dog.

And you set free the

man who killed them both.

Not very pretty, is it, Martin?

I think we'd worry you

to free so many murderers.

Doesn't it prey on your conscience?

- What difference does it make to you?

- Not as it goes.

I don't play the violin.

Your client looks young.

With you to defend him, he

should be able to do away

with quite a few

innocent people before he dies.

- You've changed your

hair, do you, Lucille?

It's quite becoming.

- You didn't answer my question.

Doesn't it worry your conscience?

- No, not at all, because I'm a gambler.

I like to gamble.

If I don't take their

cases, somebody else will,

but I always stay within

the bounds of legal ethics.

- You're a fine man to

talk about legal ethics.

- You killed your own

brother with those legal ethics.

I'm sorry, Martin.

Sit down, finish your coffee.

- You found this in Chilton's pocket?

- Yes, it's a miniature conductor score.

Beethoven's violin concerto.

- Yes, I know that, Lieutenant.

- What about the violinist?

- We made two wire recordings.

One most children would study.

The other, I think, the

one the boy was playing

when he was killed.

At least the music was on the rack.

- Excuse me, Dr. Anderson.

Mr. Martin Strang is here to see you.

- Yes, he's taking

the Chilton case again.

- Oh, show Mr. Strang him.

- Come in, sir.

- Bye.

- Hello, Marty.

- Jack.

- Come see.

- Thank you.

- Lieutenant. - Hello.

- I stopped by the jail to see Chilton.

They said he was over here.

Where is he?

- Inside.

- You boys are getting work pretty early.

What's on your mind?

- I like to handle these

cases as soon as possible,

after the crime.

I have a theory about Chilton's.

I'd like to try something

on him, if you don't mind.

- What?

- So do Penthall.

The stuff we started

using during the war.

Something we didn't have the last time

you got Chilton off.

- Prosther, well.

- That's the popular name for it.

The facts of the case point to a

psychosis of some kind.

With this drug, we can

break down Chilton's defenses

and make him talk.

- What are you

looking for, Doc, a motive?

- Yes.

- You know as well as I

do, the testimony taken

on the influence of drugs is not

admissible in court.

- Yes, we know, but

it'll save a lot of time.

- All right, if Chilton has no

objections, I haven't.

- I doubt a fill object.

It looks pretty washed up to me.

Shall we go ahead?

(footsteps)

- Don't fight it, Chilton.

- Revive.

- Four.

Five.

- Did your parents ever quarrel?

- No.

They got along all right.

- Did your parents ever

discuss money problems

in your presence?

- Money problems?

- Financial difficulties.

- They had no financial difficulties.

We had plenty of money.

- Enough money for

you to study the violin?

Stand up, please.

Play for me.

(footsteps)

(horn honking)

- I, I can't.

I, I can't.

- Sit down.

What happened to your hand?

Was it crushed?

- No.

(footsteps)

(somber violin music)

- But isn't that you playing?

Isn't that the way you used to play?

- No.

My brother,

my show off.

- Didn't you like your brother?

- Like him.

I hated him.

- Why did you call him a show off?

- Thought he was smart.

I knew music.

He was just a machine.

A machine.

He read the notes and

played them like a parrot.

No meaning.

When I tried to tell him,

he'd get his violin and play.

Then he'd hand it to me and say,

let's see you do it.

He knew my hand.

Ever since I was a baby,

my hand,

I couldn't play.

I couldn't play.

(grunting)

(somber violin music)

(somber violin music)

There's a gun on the table, Tilton.

There's a gun on the

table beside you, Tilton.

Tilton.

There's a gun.

(somber violin music)

Nice music.

Good technique.

That boy plays the violin beautifully.

- Just to show me, I can't.

They all do.

They follow me around with their violins

and laugh at me because I can't play.

I can't play.

I can't play.

(somber violin music)

- Well, what's the verdict, Doc?

- Well, as far as I'm concerned,

the man is as normal as you or I.

- What?

- I know it's a bitter pill

for you to swallow, Strang.

I shouldn't like your

job of defending him.

It'll hardly make you

look like a public hero.

- Well, the man is obviously insane.

- The man has a neurosis, perhaps.

He may have been out of

his mind for a few minutes

when he committed the crime,

but in my opinion, he's sane.

- Well, I guess you

know what you're doing.

- I'm sorry, Marty.

Well, live and learn, I always say.

I'll send for these later.

- Be seeing you around, counselor.

- Goodbye, Lieutenant.

- Goodbye, Edward.

- That was very smart manipulation, Jim.

Even if it does put me on the spot,

do you handle everyone that cleverly?

- I've had a lot of practice.

No hard feelings, I hope.

- No, of course not.

It's all in the game.

I was just thinking it's a shame

your talents are wasted on a county job.

- Oh, my work gives me

a lot of varied cases.

It's a good experience.

- I suppose so.

You don't get the competition here

you do in private practice.

- As a matter of fact, I intend to go

into private practice very shortly.

I'm a little fed up with all this.

- Yeah, but you'd miss it.

Catering to a lot of tired dowagers

wouldn't be very interesting.

I don't think you'll give this up.

- I intend to.

- I wish I was as sure

of myself as you are.

You know, I used to be.

To tell you the truth, these murder cases

are getting them best at me.

- I don't even sleep well lately.

- Guilty conscience?

- Maybe so.

Maybe you're right.

- You mean springing so many murderers?

Look, if it's Tilton

you're worried about, forget it.

After all, you didn't hold

the gun that killed the boy.

- I don't know.

No, Lucille keeps harping

about my legal practice.

Seems to be preying on her mind too.

I get strange thoughts sometimes.

Like last night, I--

- Last night?

What happened?

- Oh, nothing really, except

that I had dinner downtown.

It was the maid's night out and Lucille

didn't want to cook.

So when I got home, I found Lucille

that locked herself in her bedroom.

That was a funny thing.

I knew she was in there, and yet I had

the strangest feeling

that I was alone in the apartment.

I almost awakened her to be sure.

- Did you?

- Awakened my wife?

You don't know her.

I'd have never heard the end of it.

I guess I should have though.

I didn't get to sleep

until a wee small hours.

- I thought you looked

tired when you came in.

- Tired?

I'm really tired.

Hey, Jim, you don't have

any sedatives lying around

that I could take at night, do you?

I never seem to have

time to get to a doctor.

- Well, I--

- Well, don't worry.

I'm not going to run down

and report you to the medical--

- No, it's not bad, but the heat's on.

So many suicides from

sleeping pills lately.

Oh, of course I know

you wouldn't be so silly.

- It's not a bad idea.

But I don't think I'll do that yet.

You know why?

I want a big funeral.

There wouldn't be many mourners.

- (chuckles)

- Seriously, Doc, I've

got to get some sleep.

- Why don't you go up to your

place on the lake and relax?

What you need is a good rest.

- All right.

You fix me up with some

sleep and I'll take your advice.

- Well, I shouldn't.

But all right.

(door opens)

(footsteps)

- Here you are.

- Oh.

- Don't take more than

one of these at night.

- Thanks.

- Take care of yourself, Marty.

- Oh, I'll need to.

Now that I found out my

client, Tilton, is sane,

I'll really need to.

Give my regards to Dr. Freud.

(footsteps)

(door closes)

(footsteps)

(footsteps) (footsteps) (footsteps) (footsteps) (footsteps) (footsteps) (footsteps)

(footsteps)

Strang through away

Dr. Anderson's envelope

of sedatives with disgust.

They had already served his purpose.

The gun obtained by this

ruse is now in the files

marked Exhibit A.

It plays an important part in the events

that would have followed.

(footsteps)

(sigh)

(footsteps)

- Hello?

You know, Doc, I don't want

to stick my neck out too far.

But I would like to

take those two recordings

to another alienist and

have him examine Tilton.

- I don't think that'll

be necessary, Edwards.

After all, there's no use putting the

county to extra expense.

- Well, that's your department.

But that's what I'd like to do.

- Why don't you drop it, Lieutenant?

I'll take the responsibility.

- Okay, Doc, if

that's the way you want it.

But unless I miss my guess,

Strang will have

another alienist on the case

before the day's over.

- We'll see.

(footsteps)

(engine rumbling)

- Mr. Strang?

Oh, hello, Riley?

- Have you ever had a baby arrive yet?

- That's what I want

to talk to you about.

It sure has, Mr. Strang.

Twin.

- Boy, twin.

- Well, let's see.

I bet you $25 would be a girl, I think.

But twin boys, that hits the jackpot.

That ought to pay at least four to one.

There you are.

- Congratulations.

- A hundred bucks?

Oh, you don't know how

this will help me, Mr. Strang.

Now, I needed $25 for my bond.

It expired last week.

- Expired?

- Mm-hmm. - Seriously?

- Yeah, but this will take care of it.

And the rest.

Boy, what that'll do

for Molly and the kids.

(laughing)

You know, the boys in the department have

it in for you, Mr. Strang.

Especially since this Tilton case.

But I know you're one swell guy.

- Thanks, Riley.

Nice to know I got one friend left.

(engine rumbling)

(door thudding)

- Lucille?

Lucille?

Lucille?

(somber music)

(somber music)

- Well, hello, Molly.

Didn't expect to find

you home at this time.

(door thudding)

Anything wrong?

You look worried.

- No.

What are you doing with that?

- No, isn't it cute?

And it works.

(door thudding)

Dancy, you'd keep the

children happy for hours.

Think you're liking.

- Who?

- Who told me, of course.

It's his birthday.

Oh Martin, I didn't think you'd forget.

Not your own brother's little boy.

- How very thoughtful you are, Lucille,

especially when the

boy's father shot himself.

- Oh, of course.

You'll have to forgive me.

I just didn't start to think.

Where are you going?

- Out.

(door thudding)

(phone ringing)

- Yes, sir, ladies and gentlemen.

Yes, sir, he's

practically given these things away.

Step right up, step right up.

Here you are, sir.

Everything you gathered like this.

Here you are.

Here, hold it in your hand there.

Here, no, you pull on the trigger there.

See that, see how it works?

You just boxed them out of that thing?

(chuckles)

Try to get it, isn't it, huh?

Why don't you take

one of those kids, huh?

What's the matter, I just got a quarter.

(door thudding)

(door creaking)

(door creaking)

(footsteps)

(footsteps) (footsteps)

- No one will ever know

what Martin Strang had planned.

The days he walked across the park.

But a chance incident

only a few yards away

put another man into the

game and changed the course,

but not the running.

(footsteps)

(footsteps) (footsteps) (footsteps) (footsteps) (footsteps) - Who are you?

Hey, who are you?

(footsteps)

(whistle blowing)

(footsteps)

(footsteps) (footsteps) (gun firing)

(somber music)

(gun firing)

(somber music)

- Oh, you don't know how

this will help me, Mr. Strang.

I need a $25 for my bond.

It expired last minute.

- Expired?

- Yeah.

- That's serious, isn't it?

(somber music)

(footsteps)

(footsteps) (somber music) (footsteps) (footsteps) (somber music)

(footsteps)

(somber music)

(footsteps) (somber music)

(footsteps) (somber music) (footsteps) (footsteps) (somber music) (footsteps) On the day this trial

began, it was hot, humid.

The heat smothered everyone and

everything like a strange ominous robe.

It was just as if the courtroom had set

the stage for the weather.

I looked at the prisoner.

His name was William Jackson.

The charge against him was murder.

After the customary preliminaries in the

courtroom, I opened the trial.

William Jackson, you were charged with

the murder of patrolman Patrick Riley

while said officer in the performance of

his duty, was

attempting to make your arrest.

Said offense being in violation of

section 1141 of the

criminal code, which states,

"Whoever purposefully and willfully

killed the sheriff

comfortable policeman,"

while said sheriff comfortable policeman

is in discharge of his duties,

"is guilty of murder in the first degree

and shall be punished by death."

Before asking you how you plead, it is my

duty to inform you that you

entitled the benefit of counsel.

Have you the attorney?

Yeah. Stand up.

Yeah, I uh, I got a lawyer, Your Honor.

Is he present in this courtroom?

I don't know. I, I never

seen him. He wrote me a letter.

Well, uh, who is your attorney?

My lawyer is Martin Strang.

I also see if Mr.

Strang is in the courtroom.

That won't be necessary, Your Honor.

Strang's appearance was

completely unexpected.

Public sentiment had run high against him

when, only a few days before,

he had appeared to defend James Tilton.

But now, to voluntarily defend a man who

shot down the public

servants in cold blood

was an insult to his profession that

would place Strang in

the contempt of all those

who practiced before the bar.

Mr. Pidgey wasn't going to come.

Thought maybe you might

change your mind or something.

I said I'd be here and I'm here.

You still want me for your attorney?

Sure, sure.

Your Honor, have I

permission to address the court?

You have, Mr. Strang, please.

Your Honor, I represent

the accused, William Jackson.

I enter on his behalf

and plead if not guilty.

And if it pleads the court, I should like

the privilege of private conversation

with my client before proceeding.

Well, the proceeding is irregular, Mr.

Strang, but under

circumstances, your request is granted.

Court declares

recess, one and a half hour.

On Jackson.

Now, before we do anything, I want you to

understand one thing.

I'll only say it

once, so listen carefully.

I'm not a charity

institution, I'm a lawyer.

I didn't take this case out of sympathy.

I took it for one long time. I want something for you.

I'm going to give you something, but I

want something in return.

You understand?

Yeah, yeah, I understand, Mr. Strang.

What is it you want?

You're on a spot.

You have a friend in the world.

Nobody cares if you live and

the state wants you to die.

They want you in the electric chair.

They want to burn the life out of you.

Now, you've only one chance in a million of beating this random.

And that one chance is a real problem. You've only one chance in a million of

beating this random.

And that one chance is me.

But if you take the

chance, you'll have to pay me.

But not in money.

I have something else in mind.

I'm going to ask a favor of you.

Sure.

I know the fix I'm in.

If you get me out of this, I'll...

I'll even kill for you.

You will?

Yeah, I'll even kill for you.

But don't tell me what you will do.

I'll tell you. You'll remember that.

When the time comes, I'll tell you.

You understand?

Yeah, yeah, I understand, Mr. Strang.

Come in.

Time's up, Mr. Strang. You better get

back in the courtroom.

You're on your way, Jackson.

Where is that Strang?

Why are you asking me?

Why are you asking me?

You don't want to ask any favors.

We just want to ask a

couple of questions.

Look, we're bone dry on this.

Why?

We're bone dry. We

got nothing on the guy.

We got nothing on you handling the case.

Why are you doing this?

You know the guy's broke?

We only want to ask why. Why?

Take it easy.

Stop, and I'll make you a promise.

When this is over,

you'll have your story.

And more than that, it may

be the story of my last case.

You're kidding.

No, this is no joke. Believe me.

All right, Jackson, come on.

Ah, that Strang. I love that

lawyer. He sure makes copy.

If I only knew the

story of this guy Strang...

His mind is warped.

He put his kid brother through law

school, then had him disbarred.

Yeah, just like sending him a tombstone,

when the kid shot himself.

Yeah. I worked that guy

in court case after case.

You never know what he's going to do, but

he's always got something up his sleeve.

So? I got something

in my pocket. Any bias?

Regard, Horace Greeley. Observe.

See, before you startle

naive, I is a pair of dice.

In action.

Hey, fellas, break it up and get

downstairs. The place is busting loot.

Look, dream boy, you're no redhead, and

I'm rolling for dough.

Come on, break it up.

They're picking a jury.

Oh, they're picking a

jury. The dollar says I passed.

Listen, Strang's letting the district

attorney pick his own jury.

No challenges. The DA set the goal.

Jury, the state will show that this

defendant, William Jackson,

did willfully shoot and

kill, patrolman Patrick Riley.

When that officer was discharging his

duty in attempting to

arrest the defendant.

The crime that this defendant is indicted

for is section 1141 of the criminal code.

In plain everyday language, the

provisions of this code provide the state

with legal, direct, rapid means of

prosecuting to the

fullest extent of the law

criminals who shoot our

law enforcement officers.

Now then, in order to

obtain a conviction,

the state must prove two

facts and two facts only.

First, that the defendant did

purposefully and willfully

shoot and kill patrolman Riley.

Second, that patrolman Riley was a law

enforcement officer in

discharge of his duties.

It then becomes your duty as citizen.

Your Honor, I move that

the case be dismissed.

I believe your motion is premature, Mr.

Strang, that this district attorney

hasn't concluded his address.

On what grounds do you

request I direct a dismissal?

On the grounds, Your Honor, that the

district attorney has already proved in

his opening statement

that the defendant is not guilty of the

charge for which he has been indicted.

Your Honor, I object. Would you respect

for my colleague before the bar?

I feel that I--

If I may interrupt you,

Mr. District Attorney,

you have stated that

to obtain a conviction,

the state must show that patrolman Riley

was an officer in the

discharge of his duties

at the time of his fatal

shooting. Have you not?

Mr. Strang, the

statement's in the record.

Your Honor, I respectfully call your

attention to section 74723.

Which section states and provides that no

law enforcement officer

shall be deemed lawfully constituted

until after having posted

appropriate bond with

the clerk of the court?

Your Honor may satisfy himself by an

examination of the records,

that the bond of patrolman Riley expired

four days before his death.

And therefore, Your Honor, patrolman

Riley was not the

lawfully constituted officer

at the time of his

shooting, and therefore,

the accused William Jackson could not

have violated the criminal section

under which he has been indicted.

Well, if we produce the

records for my examination,

I should carry a short

recess for the purpose.

If it pleases the court,

that won't be necessary.

I should like to produce an evidence, and

for the court's inspection,

this affidavit and true copy, which

proves that the bond of

patrolman Riley expired,

as I heretofore stated.

As I looked at the records,

I could see what must happen.

Strang had found a loophole in the law,

and a murderer was going to go free

on a legal technicality,

and I could do nothing.

My hands were tied. The judge must follow

the letter of the law.

Strang's face showed

what he was thinking.

He used the law to evade the law.

Upon examination, I find the records to

be, as counsel has stated.

It is my duty now to proceed with this

case with the facts as presented.

No doubt the results of this case will be

held up as a grave

miscarriage of justice,

and in some quarters will be regarded as

a violation of all

precepts of moral right.

From data and presentments known to me, I

believe this to be an example of a man

guilty without extenuation, being freed.

Turned loose upon a society, denied the

protection, which is the

intent of its own laws.

But it is incumbent upon me

to do only as the law dictates.

No other choice is open to this court.

So with full knowledge that the ends of

justice are being defeated,

I find it my duty too, and I hereby do

direct a dismissal of this case.

Strang's supposed to have a certain

personal satisfaction.

His client Jackson was free, and

undoubtedly Jackson was overjoyed.

But I still wondered as I watched them.

Strang most certainly knew the district

attorney would obtain re-indictment quite

the way it happened.

Sure you won't have a cigarette?

No, no thanks, Mr. Strang.

Well, I always say there's nothing like a

good smoke after a hearty meal.

There was a hearty meal at that.

The condemned man ate a hearty meal.

Maybe that's a joke, huh?

But I ain't condemned

no more, and you did it.

You sure are a smart lawyer, Mr. Strang.

That was really very simple.

First I determined the facts of the case,

and after that it was

purely a matter of law.

You can never be tried

again on that charge.

You sure got the brains, real brains.

But I've been thinking,

why did you do it for me?

Why? You're going to ask me questions?

Well, I'll tell you

one reason why I did it.

Because I'm a gambler.

I read of your arrest, and I saw that you

were going to be brought up

on the cop killing statute.

And I decided to gamble.

And it was a gamble, Jackson.

But when I gamble, I always bet on a sure

thing, and I knew I had a sure thing.

And I got off.

I never thought it could happen.

I've been in a lot of jams, but I never

killed no cop before.

I didn't think I could get away with it.

It gives me cold

shivers now to think about it.

That's why I did you kill him.

You weren't in trouble.

He was only trying to arrest you for a

misdemeanor. Why did you shoot him?

I really don't know, Mr.

Strang. It's all kind of mixed up.

I can understand that.

Sometimes I get mixed up myself.

Even get afraid.

Oh, I wasn't afraid.

No?

No, I mean that.

I was strong.

I was going to have to say in this deal,

all my life I've been pushed around.

I'm not a big shot.

I'm just a little guy.

Breathe only, and I fall over.

I've heard that one, you know.

They say, "Eh, good stiff

breeze, and you drop dead."

I'm just a little guy.

And when I'm a kid, I'm a little kid.

I get in a fight, and I get beat up.

Then I come home. My old man beats me up.

I get in a jam, and I

get sent to reform school.

Then the guards beat me up.

Mr. Strang, listen to me.

I'm sick and tired of

getting pushed around.

I'm not going to get

shoved in no more corners.

When I get in the corner now, I get out.

How do you mean, "you get out"?

Oh, don't misunderstand me, Mr. Strang.

You got me out this time, and I'm

grateful. I mean it.

I'd do anything in the world for you.

You will?

Sure.

Good.

You see this?

I want you to put it

on. You know what it is?

Yeah, it's a straitjacket.

Like they put on crackpots.

Insane people like in an asylum.

That's right.

It's simple, but it's tricky.

Here, I'll show you how it works.

Wait a minute.

You don't think I'm

out of my mind, do you?

No.

Now, this is part of the favor you're

going to do me, don't you remember?

Okay, if that's the way you

want it. Anything you say.

All right, let's get at it.

They tell me there's some kind of a trick

to getting out of these things.

Oh, there's no trick to it at all. I'll

show you how to get out of it.

First, you put your arm on the sleeve.

I'll hold it for you.

You know, I like to fool

with things like this, Jackson.

It's a form of relaxation for me.

You see, all day long, I'm...

No, wait a second. Your arm doesn't come

out of the sleeve on this.

Just push it in.

All day long, I'm

getting people out of trouble.

That's what I mean

about the sleeve, you see?

I get criminals out of trouble.

Murderers like you have

been doing it for years.

Now, let's have this other arm.

Men who kill people. It's quite an

experience, I can tell you.

Let's have the other arm.

There, that's it.

I guess I've helped more than a hundred

men escape the chair.

Sometimes I lay awake at

night thinking about it.

Oh, now, here's what you do here.

Just fold your arms in front of you.

That's right, so I can bring

these straps around behind you.

Over a hundred murders.

But it's a gamble and it's exciting.

I think I've gambled with just about

everything in my life.

Horses, money, cards.

I've even thought of

gambling with human lives.

There we are, Jackson.

It's a neat little gadget.

What do you mean,

gamble with human lives?

Sit down.

I'm just asking you.

No, you ask. Sit down.

But Mr. Strang.

Now, sit there.

If you get up, all you

can do is move around.

You want to try it?

What is this?

This is your payoff to me.

You mean all I've got to do is just sit

here as my promise to you?

Yes, that's part of your promise.

The other part is that you're going to

play a game with me.

A game in which we both win or lose.

Both?

You and me?

Yes.

If you win, I win.

If you lose, I lose.

What kind of a game is this?

We're going to play roulette.

With a revolver.

Yes.

I gambled with human lives.

There was to be a third player.

A certain Dr. Anderson.

A most obliging gentleman, the doctor.

This is his gun.

This is his apartment.

Very nice, don't you think?

I toyed with the idea of the doctor

getting the credit for

anything that might happen here.

But I guess it's best that we two play

alone, just you and I.

So the game continues, Jackson.

Minus the third player.

Just a game?

Only a game.

But I've improved on it.

Now, strictly speaking, the way the game

is played, a shell is put into the gun.

The cylinder is spun.

The hammer falls.

Maybe it falls on an empty

chamber, or on a live shell.

You see?

Yeah, yeah.

But we'll play a different way.

You'll have more of a chance.

What do you mean?

Just what I said.

Now don't get up.

Your hands are tied, remember?

Just like the hands of

the judge who set you free.

Now I'm going to tell you precisely why I

saved you temporarily

from the electric chair.

Have you ever looked at the moon?

Did you ever look at it night after night

after blessed night and wonder why you're

doing what you're doing?

Are you crazy?

Why?

Why, because I want to

gamble with a human life?

No.

I have it all figured out in my own mind.

That's straightjacket.

This gun.

But why kill me?

Why don't you just kill yourself if

that's what you want?

Why don't you just kill yourself?

That would be suicide.

No, I've waited for a case exactly like

yours because I want to play my game with

a man who is legally dead.

But you said I was free.

Oh, you are.

You are temporarily.

But you'll be re-indicted.

The state will get you for murdering a

civilian, not for murdering a policeman.

I could make a bet with you.

I could bet you the

indictment is already drawn.

That's why I'm not wasting any time.

If you live, we'll have

a drink and shake hands.

This is a gamble in which we

both stand to lose everything.

You can always win back money you've

lost, but not a life.

I'm placing my biggest bet.

Put that gun away.

It's just a game.

It's a gamble.

Half the shells in the

bowl have the powder removed.

Half do not.

We'll take one.

This one.

We'll put it in the

firing chamber of this gun.

Now, just to show you, I don't know

whether it's a live shell or a real shell.

Or a dud.

You see the decanter with the brandy?

Under the skull?

You see?

It was a dud.

We might pick all duds.

Look, Strang, I said I'd do anything.

I said I didn't kill for you.

Yes, you said that.

I remember you said you'd kill.

But you thought of killing

someone else, didn't you?

You didn't think you might kill yourself.

I can't do that, Strang.

I can't, I tell you, I can't.

Nobody wants to die.

But if your time's up, your time's up,

it's a chance you've got to take.

Now let's pick a cartridge.

A little brass.

A little lead.

We'll stir them up.

We'll pick the one you like.

How about this one?

You like this one?

Is this the one we should use?

No, Strang, no.

You can't do this.

Oh.

And maybe this one.

Or this one.

How about this one, Jackson?

Look, if you look real close, there's a

little nick in the casing.

Maybe I scratched it as I

was removing the powder.

Maybe.

What do you think?

Should I use this?

No, no.

You've got to pick one

sooner or later, Jackson.

And remember the odds.

The odds are with you.

50-50 on the live or dead

shows and five to one on the gun.

You've got to take a chance.

You've got to pick one.

This one.

Is this it?

Oh.

You can't do it.

And I'll do it for you.

Strang!

Now we're ready.

This is what I've been waiting for.

If I win this bet, I'll prove to myself

that saving the lives of all the

soulless, wretched, stinking bits of

rottenness like you was good.

If I lose, I kill you.

And they kill me.

And I'm ready.

Are you?

The shell is live.

The shell is dead.

The cylinder is going to spin.

I'm going to spin the cylinder.

Watch it, Jackson.

You can't, Strang.

You can't.

You're crazy!

We won.

We both won.

What's the matter with you?

You can't take it, huh?

You blacked out on me.

I don't think you like

the gambler, Jackson.

You're no gambler.

Gamblers don't faint.

But it's all over now.

You're all right.

We're both all right.

Come on now.

Here. Here. Come on, we'll have a drink.

Ah, come out of it.

We'll have a drink, Jake.

Martin? Martin?

Martin? I didn't know you were in.

I'm just about to call the office.

Well, really, Martin, what are you

planning to do with that?

What's the matter with you?

Aren't you drunk?

Well, I don't know about you,

but this bores me.

I'm going to bed.

No.

Now, if we're going to have one of your

usual dreary scenes--

No, for once in your life, you're going

to be an attentive wife.

You're going to listen to an extremely

sordid but very fascinating case.

You know perfectly well I'm not

interested in your filthy case.

But I'll listen.

Apparently, I have no choice.

This is a case you'll be extremely

interested in, my dear.

There's no money in it.

Poor fool hasn't any.

And will I take it?

Why waste my time?

I'm tired.

I didn't say I was taking the case, but I

might become involved in it.

You see, I'm rather

sorry for this fellow.

Although he has to suffer for his part in

this crime, it's quite clear that--

that he was roped into his present

position by a woman for whom

I have the utmost contempt.

He's fairly intelligent.

Only a rather scheming woman of a certain

type, such as the one we are about to

discuss, could have--

could have forced him

into such an obvious trap.

Trap?

Yes.

The trap you've made

Dr. Anderson walk into.

Now I know you're drunk.

Don't be naive, Lucille.

It isn't becoming to you.

I've known about you and

Dr. Anderson for months.

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

You know you've been the only one for me.

But you've never had time for me.

In all the years we've been together, has

it ever mattered to you what I felt?

That I could be lonely?

That I might want to be something more

than just Mrs. Martin Strang, a

decorative asset to a successful career?

Yes.

I turned to Jim

Anderson for companionship.

Someone to talk to.

Someone who at least

treated me like a human being.

It was that and nothing more.

Martin.

Martin, can't you understand?

It was because I couldn't reach you

through all these years and I turned to

someone else for comfort.

It was innocent enough.

You must believe that.

Oh, Martin. Martin, if you

only knew how lonely it did.

I know.

I do know.

Oh, darling.

Darling, I knew you would.

My poor sweet.

Now you sit down and I'll tell you a

story that will break your heart.

This is guaranteed to put you to sleep.

Once upon a time there was a kid, a nice

average kid who wanted nice

average things out of life.

When he did something he thought was

great, he could run home and tell his

father about it and see his mother act

like she thought he was a hero.

Now, doesn't that just

bring the tears to your eyes?

And what's that got to do with us?

I'm coming to that.

He grew up in more ways than one.

A struggling young lawyer with a nice

shining goal before him.

Do unto others as you

would have them do unto you.

But it didn't pay off.

Not in money.

The people whose cases he took gave him

encouragement and affection.

But you can't live

like that all your life.

There has to be that one person to rub

out all the emptiness of being alone.

So he met her.

And she was beautiful.

A little hard about everything he

thought, but maybe that was just her

defense against life.

And he fell in love with her.

In six months he'd saved

enough and they were married.

The first year was wonderful.

He loved her so much he thought he was

going batty with happiness.

He wanted a son.

But she told him they couldn't afford it.

If he hadn't been so much in love with

her he'd have known then she was hedging.

Pretty soon he noticed a change in her.

The small flap looked like a pigsty when

he'd come home at night.

And she always found

something, something wrong.

But she said it was nerves.

And why, why didn't he get

something that paid more?

And he did.

A lot more.

He did a good job of defending one killer

after another and became famous.

And her nerves disappeared with that

first mink coat he got her.

It was then he suggested

again that they have a child.

This time she told him flatly that the

kids just bored her.

And then he knew she'd never loved him.

What's this got to do with us?

It is us.

Me, king-size failure, and you, Lucille,

a vicious scheming little tramp.

Shut up.

Now you shut up and listen to me.

I hate your soul.

For years I've hoped I'd never have to

see you or touch you again.

Yes, I love Jim Anderson.

And he's ten times the

man you will ever be.

Do you hear that, Martin? Do you hear?

Here it is. I think it's wonderful.

You love him so much and yet you were

content to live here with me.

You didn't even have the decency to ask

for a divorce, my poor cheap Lucille.

You know what? You're

insane. You're completely insane.

No, I'm not. But

that's what you'd hope for.

You'd hope I'd go insane and kill myself.

Follow in my brother's

footsteps, didn't you?

Didn't you? I'll tell you how sane I am.

I've made a will, leaving everything I

have to the families who have suffered at

the hands of the

rotten murderers I freed.

Freed in my blind, stupid

attempt to make you happy.

Now get out.

The

This is more than I'd hoped for.

This is your big moment, Jackson.

Or is it Dr. Anderson's big moment?

Yes.

Yes, it is.

This is gambling.

Try it again, Jackson. That was one.

Try it again. You're nervous.

You amaze me. Dr. Anderson

would love to be in your shoes.

Or is he?

Maybe.

Maybe. We'll see.

That's two.

Now try...

You're scared, Jackson. You look scared.

Just like when you shot Riley.

You're a dead man

anyway, Jackson. You're dead.

Don't lose your nerve.

That's three and four.

Now it's 50-50, Dr.

Anderson. It's 50-50, an even chance.

Better luck this time, Jackson.

No more.

No more.

No one is going to

push me around no more.

No more. No one is going to push me around no more. Well, hello, Lieutenant.

You're keeping lay-downers, aren't you?

Well, that's my job.

I didn't expect to find you here. I

thought you'd close at five on the dot.

When did you last see Martin Strang?

Why, when he was here on the Tilton case.

Why? Jim.

Oh, I think you're probably...

Oh, don't go, Mrs. Strang. I've been

trying to locate you.

Me?

Yes. Do you mind

answering a few questions?

No, not at all.

Do you have Apartment

29 at the Euclid Arms?

No.

Do you?

Why, yes. I took it quite recently.

Nice place. I didn't know

you had that kind of money.

Maybe I have a couple of

rich patients on the side.

A couple of rich lady patients, perhaps.

Just what are you

driving at, Lieutenant Edwards?

Your husband was

found there tonight, dead.

I don't understand.

Did he leave any kind of a note?

A will.

How could he?

How could he commit suicide?

Why, he had everything to look for.

He didn't commit suicide, Mrs. Strang. It

was supposed to look that way.

The fact of the

matter is, he was murdered.

Where were you around 10

o'clock tonight, Mrs. Strang?

I was at our mountain cabin.

And I can prove it.

I was here in my office all evening.

But nobody saw me.

Well, that's too bad.

Because the gun that killed him was

registered in your name.

I'll have to book you on

suspicion of murder, Anderson.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Strang.

You'll have to come along, too.

Don't you touch me.

Jackson was picked up by the police as he

tried to leave town weeks after the

shooting of Martin Strang.

Again, I looked at the prisoner.

William Jackson, you are arraigned for

the murder of a civilian, Patrick Riley.

You have refused counsel and I now ask

you, how do you plead,

guilty or not guilty?

Guilty, Your Honor.

But not all fates are

weighed on the scales of justice.

As William Jackson waited in the death

house for execution, he confessed to the

murder of Martin Strang.

But his confession came too late.

Dr. Anderson had killed himself three

days before with an overdose of the very

prescription Martin Strang had scorned.

Martin Strang, the

unloved, feared, hated.

His with the story of

waste, waste of a mind misused.

You have seen his last,

most destructive hour.

God rest his soul and the souls of all

those who lose their way.