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1
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( noirish jazz theme playing )
2
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MAN:
Ladies and gentlemen, the covers
of your current magazine issues.
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A missile,
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a house,
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and a dame.
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00:00:59,834 --> 00:01:01,367
All cold as ice.
7
00:01:01,367 --> 00:01:04,834
Nothing to make a customer stop,
look and buy.
8
00:01:05,767 --> 00:01:07,634
Harding.
9
00:01:07,634 --> 00:01:12,067
What was the average circulation
of Aitken's Weekly in 1946?
10
00:01:14,901 --> 00:01:17,033
One million, seven hundred
and forty-three thousand,
11
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six hundred and twenty-six.
12
00:01:19,133 --> 00:01:22,067
And last month?
13
00:01:22,067 --> 00:01:25,901
Five hundred
and sixty-four thousand,
14
00:01:25,901 --> 00:01:27,300
eighty-two.
15
00:01:27,300 --> 00:01:29,267
And what happened
to the advertising?
16
00:01:29,267 --> 00:01:31,501
Well, it dropped 63 percent,
but then, of course,
17
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I think that Mr. Aitken
can explain that.
18
00:01:40,467 --> 00:01:41,934
Lori.
19
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Yes, Mr. Fletcher.
20
00:01:44,767 --> 00:01:46,367
Remove this garbage.
21
00:01:48,634 --> 00:01:52,133
The new covers will
illustrate our new policy.
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Woman's Viewpoint
will deal frankly with sex
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00:01:54,367 --> 00:01:56,567
from the point of view
of the woman,
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Aitken's Home Magazine
will concern itself
25
00:01:58,901 --> 00:02:02,267
with the place where it presents
its greatest problems,
26
00:02:02,267 --> 00:02:04,167
and Aitken's Weekly
will concentrate
27
00:02:04,167 --> 00:02:07,300
on exposing
its scandalous results.
28
00:02:07,300 --> 00:02:09,868
That, very broadly,
ladies and gentlemen,
29
00:02:09,868 --> 00:02:12,133
will be our new
editorial policy.
30
00:02:12,133 --> 00:02:14,801
This is shocking.
31
00:02:14,801 --> 00:02:18,300
Mr. Aitken, your father
created this house.
32
00:02:18,300 --> 00:02:21,467
It's his name and yours
this man is degrading.
33
00:02:21,467 --> 00:02:24,601
Even if you don't fully control
the business anymore.
34
00:02:24,601 --> 00:02:29,267
Decency means nothing to a man
who does not know what it is.
35
00:02:29,267 --> 00:02:30,667
His idea of literature
36
00:02:30,667 --> 00:02:33,200
is the scribbling
on washroom walls.
37
00:02:35,033 --> 00:02:37,434
The swamp he calls his brain
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00:02:37,434 --> 00:02:42,200
spawns a virus that
infects minds and bodies.
39
00:02:42,200 --> 00:02:46,133
I sell magazines, Mr. Aitken,
not morality.
40
00:02:46,133 --> 00:02:48,667
You see?
41
00:02:48,667 --> 00:02:50,801
A virus can't be talked to.
42
00:02:52,701 --> 00:02:54,033
It must be exterminated.
43
00:02:55,300 --> 00:02:56,534
( suspenseful theme swells )
44
00:03:02,100 --> 00:03:03,367
( jazz song ends )
45
00:03:06,467 --> 00:03:08,000
( crowd chattering )
46
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( jazz song playing )
47
00:03:13,767 --> 00:03:17,200
And so everybody who was anybody
in the magazine racket is here.
48
00:03:17,200 --> 00:03:19,467
Well, I don't see
Mr. Aitken.
49
00:03:19,467 --> 00:03:21,000
Oh, he'll be along.
50
00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:22,701
So that's the new
Aitken Weekly.
51
00:03:22,701 --> 00:03:24,534
Looks to me like you're
going into competition
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00:03:24,534 --> 00:03:26,100
with a peep show,
Mr. Fletcher.
53
00:03:26,100 --> 00:03:27,734
Anything you want to say
for publication?
54
00:03:27,734 --> 00:03:29,667
No, no, I'll just say that
55
00:03:29,667 --> 00:03:32,234
we believe
in the facts of life.
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00:03:32,234 --> 00:03:33,300
( all laugh )
57
00:03:33,300 --> 00:03:35,000
Harding.
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See that these newspaper boys
get all they want to drink.
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00:03:40,868 --> 00:03:42,767
( record plays louder )
60
00:03:42,767 --> 00:03:45,167
It's awfully loud,
Mr. Fletcher.
61
00:03:45,167 --> 00:03:47,501
Now, that's the way
I like it.
62
00:03:50,467 --> 00:03:51,901
And a good,
good evening to you.
63
00:03:51,901 --> 00:03:53,667
Welcome to the Fletcher pad.
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00:03:53,667 --> 00:03:55,234
I was just beginning
to miss you.
65
00:03:55,234 --> 00:03:56,300
We were delayed.
66
00:03:56,300 --> 00:03:57,834
This is Mr. Fletcher.
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00:03:57,834 --> 00:03:58,834
My wife, Alyce.
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00:03:58,834 --> 00:03:59,868
Hello.
69
00:03:59,868 --> 00:04:02,033
A real pleasure,
and a great surprise.
70
00:04:02,033 --> 00:04:04,000
Surprise?
71
00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:07,934
Well, I figured you for Vassar,
a Ph.D. and horn rimmed glasses.
72
00:04:07,934 --> 00:04:11,300
Why, you belong
on the cover of Vogue.
73
00:04:11,300 --> 00:04:12,367
I've been there.
74
00:04:13,968 --> 00:04:16,133
This is Milly Nash,
my wife's sister.
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00:04:16,133 --> 00:04:17,167
Mr. Fletcher.
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00:04:17,167 --> 00:04:18,801
Nash?
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00:04:18,801 --> 00:04:20,434
Milly Nash.
78
00:04:21,634 --> 00:04:22,834
Excuse me.
79
00:04:22,834 --> 00:04:24,501
You're wanted on the phone,
Mr. Fletcher.
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00:04:24,501 --> 00:04:25,501
It's the man next door.
81
00:04:25,501 --> 00:04:27,734
Oh, not again.
82
00:04:27,734 --> 00:04:30,634
See that these handsome people
get what they want to drink.
83
00:04:30,634 --> 00:04:31,601
Excuse me.
84
00:04:36,934 --> 00:04:39,167
Yes?
85
00:04:39,167 --> 00:04:43,133
No, I won't turn it down.
I like music loud.
86
00:04:43,133 --> 00:04:45,567
Well, so she's that sick,
send her to a hospital.
87
00:05:03,834 --> 00:05:11,734
"Alyce Nash. Blonde. 38-25-35.
See sister, Milly Nash."
88
00:05:12,734 --> 00:05:13,901
Yes. Yes.
89
00:05:23,601 --> 00:05:24,968
...and it was so strange for me
90
00:05:24,968 --> 00:05:27,367
because all the manners
I knew were Chinese
91
00:05:27,367 --> 00:05:29,267
and here I was going
to an American school
92
00:05:29,267 --> 00:05:31,501
with American children
for the first time
93
00:05:31,501 --> 00:05:33,067
and I didn't even learn
to speak English
94
00:05:33,067 --> 00:05:34,334
until I was seven years old.
95
00:05:34,334 --> 00:05:36,667
What she really means
is that our amah, our nurse,
96
00:05:36,667 --> 00:05:38,734
spoke so much Chinese--
97
00:05:38,734 --> 00:05:39,734
Yes, what I really mean--
98
00:05:39,734 --> 00:05:40,968
Whatever you mean, Mrs. Aitken,
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00:05:40,968 --> 00:05:43,400
I'm sure you've got
quite a history.
100
00:05:43,400 --> 00:05:44,567
Well, it's true.
101
00:05:44,567 --> 00:05:46,300
Our family always kept
us rather sheltered,
102
00:05:46,300 --> 00:05:48,934
didn't they, Alyce?
Yes, that's right. Our family--
103
00:05:48,934 --> 00:05:50,767
I'll bet you've got the kind
of family pedigree
104
00:05:50,767 --> 00:05:52,901
that would satisfy even
Aitkens' main line relatives.
105
00:05:52,901 --> 00:05:55,200
ALYCE:
Well, now, let me see.
106
00:05:55,200 --> 00:05:57,100
On our mother's side
we are direct descendants--
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00:05:57,100 --> 00:05:58,767
Milly.
108
00:05:58,767 --> 00:06:01,701
Mr. Fletcher resents
family trees.
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00:06:01,701 --> 00:06:04,167
He takes great pleasure
in chopping them down.
110
00:06:04,167 --> 00:06:05,534
Really, Edmond--
111
00:06:05,534 --> 00:06:08,868
No, no, it's all right,
he insults me all the time.
112
00:06:08,868 --> 00:06:11,067
I didn't think
it got through to you.
113
00:06:15,200 --> 00:06:18,067
If you don't mind, I think
I'd like to powder my nose.
114
00:06:18,067 --> 00:06:19,133
Alyce?
115
00:06:19,133 --> 00:06:23,300
Yes, of course.
Excuse us.
116
00:06:23,300 --> 00:06:25,601
You know, it's funny
with you blue bloods.
117
00:06:25,601 --> 00:06:28,000
Every now and then
you've just got to get
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00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:31,000
some of that good red blood
in to improve the strength.
119
00:06:32,200 --> 00:06:33,534
Mr. Aitken.
Any truth in the rumor
120
00:06:33,534 --> 00:06:35,167
you're going to resign
from this company?
121
00:06:35,167 --> 00:06:36,367
No.
122
00:06:36,367 --> 00:06:38,100
Well, if Fletcher's
running the magazines
123
00:06:38,100 --> 00:06:39,834
out near Los Angeles,
124
00:06:39,834 --> 00:06:41,601
who's going to take
your job in Philadelphia?
125
00:06:41,601 --> 00:06:43,000
Well, if he'll
take my advice,
126
00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:45,534
he'll stay home and take
care of that wife of his,
127
00:06:45,534 --> 00:06:47,133
but if he doesn't,
I know a lot of other men
128
00:06:47,133 --> 00:06:48,400
who'd like the opportunity.
129
00:06:50,968 --> 00:06:52,234
( crowd gasps )
130
00:06:58,367 --> 00:06:59,601
Are you all right?
131
00:06:59,601 --> 00:07:01,234
Tell Mr. Fletcher
you're sorry.
132
00:07:01,234 --> 00:07:03,000
Tell him it's only
because Edmond had a drink.
133
00:07:03,000 --> 00:07:04,067
Oh, no.
134
00:07:04,067 --> 00:07:05,634
Do as I say.
135
00:07:09,234 --> 00:07:10,734
Mr. Fletcher, I--
136
00:07:10,734 --> 00:07:13,234
I don't know what brought
this on, but I'm very sorry.
137
00:07:13,234 --> 00:07:14,834
I don't know
what to say.
138
00:07:18,701 --> 00:07:20,167
Come on, Alyce.
139
00:07:22,501 --> 00:07:23,934
Milly Nash.
140
00:07:25,267 --> 00:07:27,100
You call me in the morning.
141
00:07:36,434 --> 00:07:41,968
MAN:
Poetry enriches the soul,
but impoverishes the publisher.
142
00:07:41,968 --> 00:07:44,100
I named my magazine
The Pleiades
143
00:07:44,100 --> 00:07:46,133
after the seven daughters
of Atlas
144
00:07:46,133 --> 00:07:50,167
who died and went to heaven
to become a group of stars.
145
00:07:50,167 --> 00:07:54,634
That constellation rises
in May and sets in November.
146
00:07:54,634 --> 00:07:57,434
It is now November.
147
00:07:57,434 --> 00:08:00,734
My creditor's children
are cold and hungry.
148
00:08:02,734 --> 00:08:04,567
Why do you keep on
publishing a magazine
149
00:08:04,567 --> 00:08:07,000
that has such limited appeal,
Mr. Nicholson?
150
00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:08,767
But why not?
151
00:08:08,767 --> 00:08:10,734
Of all the things I know,
152
00:08:10,734 --> 00:08:13,467
poetry most deserves
to be kept alive.
153
00:08:13,467 --> 00:08:14,834
( intercom buzzes )
154
00:08:14,834 --> 00:08:15,834
Excuse me.
155
00:08:15,834 --> 00:08:17,033
Yes?
156
00:08:17,033 --> 00:08:18,567
DELLA ( on intercom ):
Mr. Aitken is here
157
00:08:18,567 --> 00:08:19,767
for his appointment.
158
00:08:19,767 --> 00:08:21,767
All right, Della. Oh, and--
159
00:08:21,767 --> 00:08:26,834
Make out a check
to thePleiades Pressfor $100.
160
00:08:26,834 --> 00:08:28,968
Thank you, Mr. Mason.
161
00:08:31,567 --> 00:08:33,400
It's deductible.
162
00:08:33,400 --> 00:08:36,734
By the way,
is that Aitken Publications
163
00:08:36,734 --> 00:08:38,334
coming in next?
164
00:08:38,334 --> 00:08:39,334
Yes, it is.
165
00:08:39,334 --> 00:08:41,834
Ah. And I'm complaining.
166
00:08:41,834 --> 00:08:43,234
Thank you again.
167
00:08:47,100 --> 00:08:48,334
Hello, Mr. Mason.
168
00:08:48,334 --> 00:08:49,734
I'm Edmond Aitken.
169
00:08:52,934 --> 00:08:56,334
Literary integrity and good
taste are not legal problems
170
00:08:56,334 --> 00:08:57,734
except in libel suits,
171
00:08:57,734 --> 00:09:00,133
or when the laws
covering public decency
172
00:09:00,133 --> 00:09:01,534
have been violated.
173
00:09:01,534 --> 00:09:05,200
Only the post office can really
stop men like your Mr. Fletcher.
174
00:09:05,200 --> 00:09:08,234
I'm afraid he knows how
to sidestep the postal laws.
175
00:09:08,234 --> 00:09:10,501
What about
the business end of it?
176
00:09:10,501 --> 00:09:12,501
Has he used corporate funds
for anything
177
00:09:12,501 --> 00:09:14,167
in which he might have
a personal interest,
178
00:09:14,167 --> 00:09:15,200
for instance?
179
00:09:15,200 --> 00:09:17,400
I don't know.
180
00:09:17,400 --> 00:09:19,100
I've made some notes
for you here
181
00:09:19,100 --> 00:09:22,300
on everything the company's
invested in since he took over.
182
00:09:22,300 --> 00:09:24,033
Good.
183
00:09:24,033 --> 00:09:26,367
I'll examine the way
he broke your contract
184
00:09:26,367 --> 00:09:27,834
as editor in chief.
185
00:09:27,834 --> 00:09:30,968
We'll check every possibility
of getting to him legally.
186
00:09:30,968 --> 00:09:32,634
You've given me some hope,
Mr. Mason.
187
00:09:32,634 --> 00:09:35,200
Don't get your hopes too high,
Mr. Aitken.
188
00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:38,234
Men like Fletcher have a way
of hiding their sins.
189
00:09:39,567 --> 00:09:40,901
( ominous theme playing )
190
00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:19,467
Whenever Richard Corywent down town,
191
00:10:19,467 --> 00:10:22,601
We people on the streetlooked at him:
192
00:10:22,601 --> 00:10:25,067
He was a gentlemanfrom sole to crown,
193
00:10:25,067 --> 00:10:28,033
Clean favored,and imperially slim.
194
00:10:28,033 --> 00:10:31,334
And he was rich, yes,richer than a king
195
00:10:31,334 --> 00:10:34,200
And admirably schooledin every grace:
196
00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:37,000
In fine we thoughtthat he was everything
197
00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:39,567
To make us wishthat we were in his place.
198
00:10:39,567 --> 00:10:41,701
Don't finish it.
199
00:10:41,701 --> 00:10:45,033
Poetry bores you,
Mr. Aitken?
200
00:10:45,033 --> 00:10:46,133
Who are you?
201
00:10:46,133 --> 00:10:49,167
My name is Ben Nicholson.
202
00:10:49,167 --> 00:10:51,701
Oh, yes, of course.
The Pleiades.
203
00:10:51,701 --> 00:10:53,133
I've seen it back
in Philadelphia.
204
00:10:54,901 --> 00:10:57,667
Shall I, uh, finish
the poem for you?
205
00:10:57,667 --> 00:11:01,133
Mr. Nicholson, you live out here
in your little dream world,
206
00:11:01,133 --> 00:11:04,968
helping moonraking poets
grow words nobody reads,
207
00:11:04,968 --> 00:11:06,334
smugly poor because that's
208
00:11:06,334 --> 00:11:08,701
the way it's always
been with poets.
209
00:11:08,701 --> 00:11:11,934
What do you know about
circulation and advertising
210
00:11:11,934 --> 00:11:15,501
and what a man must do
to show a profit?
211
00:11:15,501 --> 00:11:18,367
So on we worked,and waited for the light,
212
00:11:18,367 --> 00:11:20,801
And went without the meat,and cursed the bread.
213
00:11:20,801 --> 00:11:23,100
And Richard Cory,one calm summer night,
214
00:11:23,100 --> 00:11:25,801
Went home and puta bullet through his head.
215
00:11:27,033 --> 00:11:29,100
You need a drink.
216
00:11:31,267 --> 00:11:34,334
Well, that's one thing
I don't need.
217
00:11:34,334 --> 00:11:36,501
Dinner?
218
00:11:36,501 --> 00:11:38,434
Sympathy?
219
00:11:38,434 --> 00:11:40,567
Even a publisher of poetry
220
00:11:40,567 --> 00:11:43,701
has heard the sad story
of your troubles, Mr. Aitken.
221
00:11:46,167 --> 00:11:48,567
Well, maybe one drink.
222
00:11:48,567 --> 00:11:50,100
( dramatic theme playing )
223
00:11:53,234 --> 00:11:55,133
Well, the first line
advertising accounts
224
00:11:55,133 --> 00:11:57,400
are not too keen
on the new setup.
225
00:11:57,400 --> 00:11:59,033
They--
Oh, thank you.
226
00:11:59,033 --> 00:12:01,000
They won't support
anything quite as lurid
227
00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:03,133
as you seem
to be planning.
228
00:12:03,133 --> 00:12:04,400
Go on.
229
00:12:04,400 --> 00:12:06,434
Well, we'll have to round
up some new accounts,
230
00:12:06,434 --> 00:12:10,567
hire a new sales staff that
understands your kind of market,
231
00:12:10,567 --> 00:12:11,634
so I've been thinking--
232
00:12:11,634 --> 00:12:12,767
They've already
been hired.
233
00:12:12,767 --> 00:12:14,467
What?
234
00:12:14,467 --> 00:12:18,501
Unless you stop thinking,
Harding, you'll be fired.
235
00:12:18,501 --> 00:12:21,801
I have a contract which--
Sue me.
236
00:12:21,801 --> 00:12:24,100
And I'll tell the jury how you
helped Aitken fall on his face.
237
00:12:24,100 --> 00:12:26,367
What do you mean by that?
238
00:12:26,367 --> 00:12:31,033
Well, in your 20 years
of loyal company service,
239
00:12:31,033 --> 00:12:33,434
you've put just a little
too much money in the bank.
240
00:12:33,434 --> 00:12:35,434
That's not true.
241
00:12:35,434 --> 00:12:36,701
My salary's always been modest.
242
00:12:36,701 --> 00:12:37,934
Lori?
243
00:12:37,934 --> 00:12:39,067
How much is it he has scattered
244
00:12:39,067 --> 00:12:40,634
in those accounts
all over the country?
245
00:12:40,634 --> 00:12:42,400
Well, at the last total,
246
00:12:42,400 --> 00:12:45,801
it was slightly over $93,000,
Mr. Fletcher.
247
00:12:45,801 --> 00:12:47,634
Well, there was
nothing dishonest.
248
00:12:47,634 --> 00:12:49,334
I had private investments.
249
00:12:49,334 --> 00:12:50,334
You can't prove a single--
250
00:12:50,334 --> 00:12:51,567
Harding.
251
00:12:51,567 --> 00:12:55,033
All I want you to do
is to keep your mouth shut
252
00:12:55,033 --> 00:12:56,734
and do your work
the way I tell you.
253
00:12:59,767 --> 00:13:01,767
Now. Round up
some new advertisers
254
00:13:01,767 --> 00:13:02,968
and do whatever
has to be done,
255
00:13:02,968 --> 00:13:06,000
only get out
of here and do it.
256
00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:07,334
( ominous theme playing )
257
00:13:12,434 --> 00:13:15,567
They're all phonies,
every single one of them.
258
00:13:19,901 --> 00:13:21,534
But not you, Lori.
259
00:13:29,100 --> 00:13:31,567
Only it's getting late.
260
00:13:31,567 --> 00:13:34,868
You'd better beat it too.
I got a lot to do.
261
00:13:34,868 --> 00:13:37,868
So don't come back tonight.
262
00:13:37,868 --> 00:13:39,033
Company?
263
00:13:39,033 --> 00:13:42,634
No, no, no,
I've just got some business.
264
00:13:42,634 --> 00:13:44,767
But not mine?
265
00:13:44,767 --> 00:13:47,000
Well, that's right.
266
00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:48,501
So beat it now, baby.
267
00:14:03,067 --> 00:14:04,167
( dialing )
268
00:14:04,167 --> 00:14:05,801
( door shuts )
269
00:14:14,901 --> 00:14:16,367
Hello,
270
00:14:16,367 --> 00:14:17,434
Mrs. Aitken.
271
00:14:19,934 --> 00:14:21,100
( dinging )
272
00:14:39,167 --> 00:14:41,067
( door opens )
273
00:14:41,067 --> 00:14:42,367
( door shuts )
274
00:14:42,367 --> 00:14:44,834
Edmond.
275
00:14:44,834 --> 00:14:46,901
I thought you were going
to be at the club all evening.
276
00:14:46,901 --> 00:14:48,133
I want to talk to you,
Alyce.
277
00:14:48,133 --> 00:14:49,234
She has a headache,
Edmond.
278
00:14:49,234 --> 00:14:51,000
I saw a lawyer today.
279
00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:53,334
There's a faint hope
we might get something
280
00:14:53,334 --> 00:14:55,067
on this man Fletcher.
281
00:14:55,067 --> 00:14:57,367
If we do, I'm going
to the stockholders again.
282
00:14:57,367 --> 00:14:59,434
In the meantime,
I'm talking to the editors.
283
00:14:59,434 --> 00:15:01,634
Oh, Edmond, if it's just
more bad news about business,
284
00:15:01,634 --> 00:15:03,000
couldn't it wait
until tomorrow?
285
00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:05,033
It's good news, darling,
don't you understand?
286
00:15:05,033 --> 00:15:06,367
I've made a decision.
287
00:15:06,367 --> 00:15:08,100
I've decided to fight.
288
00:15:08,100 --> 00:15:09,868
Why?
Why?
289
00:15:09,868 --> 00:15:11,868
To get my company
back again.
290
00:15:11,868 --> 00:15:13,234
Now, listen here.
291
00:15:13,234 --> 00:15:15,934
The first thing I'm doing
is rounding up proxies.
292
00:15:15,934 --> 00:15:19,367
The editors who have stock,
well, they'll give me theirs.
293
00:15:19,367 --> 00:15:21,100
On those shares
I gave you for Christmas,
294
00:15:21,100 --> 00:15:23,267
I'll have to have your
proxy on them.
295
00:15:23,267 --> 00:15:25,634
I told you she had a headache.
296
00:15:25,634 --> 00:15:29,267
Will you for once
just keep out of this?
297
00:15:29,267 --> 00:15:30,367
Alyce.
298
00:15:30,367 --> 00:15:32,033
The reason
I need your proxy is--
299
00:15:32,033 --> 00:15:34,501
But you can't have
my proxy, Edmond.
300
00:15:35,801 --> 00:15:37,334
I gave it to Mr. Fletcher.
301
00:15:38,167 --> 00:15:39,467
You what?
302
00:15:39,467 --> 00:15:40,734
Just now, tonight.
303
00:15:40,734 --> 00:15:42,100
To Fletcher?
304
00:15:42,100 --> 00:15:45,033
Oh, I'm sorry, Edmond,
but I didn't know.
305
00:15:45,033 --> 00:15:47,601
How could I know?
306
00:15:47,601 --> 00:15:49,434
And now it's too late.
307
00:15:51,968 --> 00:15:54,534
I'm sorry, Edmond.
308
00:16:01,100 --> 00:16:04,434
If I'd been there, I would
have stopped her, of course,
309
00:16:04,434 --> 00:16:08,100
but you kept saying how
close we are to going broke.
310
00:16:08,100 --> 00:16:11,968
Edmond, you know how frightened
Alyce is of being poor.
311
00:16:11,968 --> 00:16:15,067
Of ever being poor again.
312
00:16:15,067 --> 00:16:19,100
And with Fletcher,
the business would be safe.
313
00:16:19,100 --> 00:16:21,067
( ominous theme playing )
314
00:16:35,501 --> 00:16:37,234
( glass shatters )
315
00:16:42,567 --> 00:16:45,200
Well.
You've come back.
316
00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:47,100
I hoped you would.
317
00:16:48,501 --> 00:16:50,400
I need more courage.
318
00:16:55,501 --> 00:16:57,434
When a man has murder
in his heart,
319
00:16:57,434 --> 00:17:00,200
he asks himself questions.
320
00:17:00,200 --> 00:17:01,434
Things like...
321
00:17:03,901 --> 00:17:05,200
Well...
322
00:17:08,434 --> 00:17:10,367
A man who hates
enough to kill
323
00:17:10,367 --> 00:17:12,467
doesn't waste time
asking questions.
324
00:17:12,467 --> 00:17:14,200
He kills and gets
it done with.
325
00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:16,667
Yes. That's good.
That makes sense.
326
00:17:16,667 --> 00:17:19,334
Murderers hate. I hate.
Therefore I am a murderer.
327
00:17:21,534 --> 00:17:23,734
Then I suggest only
one thing to you.
328
00:17:23,734 --> 00:17:26,767
If it is murder
you're now thinking of,
329
00:17:26,767 --> 00:17:30,033
for the sake of your
own conscience,
330
00:17:30,033 --> 00:17:32,968
be sure you murder
the right person.
331
00:17:38,601 --> 00:17:40,133
MASON:
"Mr. Fletcher's death occurred
332
00:17:40,133 --> 00:17:41,534
"during the late hours
of the night.
333
00:17:41,534 --> 00:17:43,000
"His body was discovered
by a servant
334
00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:47,334
who entered the luxurious
bachelor apartment at 8 a.m."
335
00:17:47,334 --> 00:17:48,334
Hello.
336
00:17:48,334 --> 00:17:51,100
May I please speak
to Mr. Aitken?
337
00:17:51,100 --> 00:17:54,133
Well, do you know where
he could be reached?
338
00:17:54,133 --> 00:17:55,868
Is this Mrs. Aitken speaking?
339
00:17:55,868 --> 00:17:57,467
No, it is not,
340
00:17:57,467 --> 00:17:59,801
and I haven't the faintest
idea where Mr. Aitken is.
341
00:17:59,801 --> 00:18:01,267
Now, I'm very busy.
342
00:18:01,267 --> 00:18:04,400
Would you mind
taking a message, please?
343
00:18:04,400 --> 00:18:06,167
He--
344
00:18:06,167 --> 00:18:09,133
He hasn't been home
all night.
345
00:18:09,133 --> 00:18:10,334
Well, when he does,
346
00:18:10,334 --> 00:18:12,267
would you please have
him call Mr. Perry Mason.
347
00:18:23,534 --> 00:18:24,534
Who was that?
348
00:18:24,534 --> 00:18:27,033
Nobody.
More reporters.
349
00:18:27,033 --> 00:18:28,267
Here. Take this.
350
00:18:28,267 --> 00:18:29,367
Oh, no more, please.
351
00:18:29,367 --> 00:18:30,767
Take it.
352
00:18:37,601 --> 00:18:38,734
We were here.
353
00:18:38,734 --> 00:18:41,167
We never left this house
last night, Alyce.
354
00:18:41,167 --> 00:18:43,000
Remember.
355
00:18:43,000 --> 00:18:44,834
We were here together
all night.
356
00:18:44,834 --> 00:18:46,534
All night.
357
00:18:46,534 --> 00:18:51,000
Now, remember.
All night.
358
00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:52,667
(doorbell dings)
359
00:19:03,868 --> 00:19:05,868
May I see Mrs. Aitken, please?
360
00:19:05,868 --> 00:19:07,300
Police.
361
00:19:07,300 --> 00:19:08,501
Well, she's asleep
right now.
362
00:19:08,501 --> 00:19:09,968
In fact, she's under
heavy sedation.
363
00:19:09,968 --> 00:19:11,934
Well, I'm afraid we'll have
to wake her up somehow.
364
00:19:11,934 --> 00:19:12,968
Why?
365
00:19:12,968 --> 00:19:14,334
I have a warrant
charging her
366
00:19:14,334 --> 00:19:17,000
with the murder
of Donald Fletcher.
367
00:19:17,000 --> 00:19:18,801
Oh, no.
368
00:19:18,801 --> 00:19:20,100
( dramatic theme swells )
369
00:19:23,367 --> 00:19:25,234
Well, Alyce Aitken's
fingerprints
370
00:19:25,234 --> 00:19:26,968
were all over
the murder apartment.
371
00:19:26,968 --> 00:19:29,400
There was a struggle,
wasn't there?
372
00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:30,667
Place all upset?
373
00:19:30,667 --> 00:19:31,767
Uh-huh.
374
00:19:31,767 --> 00:19:33,567
But it was a gun
that killed Fletcher.
375
00:19:33,567 --> 00:19:34,567
His own gun.
376
00:19:34,567 --> 00:19:35,801
What else?
377
00:19:35,801 --> 00:19:37,000
I haven't been able
to find out
378
00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:38,601
what motive
the police figure yet,
379
00:19:38,601 --> 00:19:40,133
but apparently
Fletcher's secretary
380
00:19:40,133 --> 00:19:41,567
told them that
her boss was planning
381
00:19:41,567 --> 00:19:43,300
some kind of a rendezvous
for last night.
382
00:19:43,300 --> 00:19:44,868
With Alyce Aitken?
Uh-huh.
383
00:19:44,868 --> 00:19:46,701
On top of which,
a neighbor says
384
00:19:46,701 --> 00:19:48,734
he saw a woman answering
Alyce Aitken's description
385
00:19:48,734 --> 00:19:50,868
running out of the apartment
a little after 3 a.m.
386
00:19:50,868 --> 00:19:52,467
And, of course,
you can guess at what time
387
00:19:52,467 --> 00:19:54,834
the doctors figure that
Fletcher's murder took place.
388
00:19:54,834 --> 00:19:55,834
Mm-hm, 3 a.m.
389
00:19:55,834 --> 00:19:56,834
(intercom buzzing)
390
00:19:56,834 --> 00:19:57,834
Yes, Della?
391
00:19:57,834 --> 00:19:58,968
DELLA ( on intercom ):
Perry,
392
00:19:58,968 --> 00:20:00,300
Mr. Ben Nicholson is here.
393
00:20:00,300 --> 00:20:03,000
He says he has a messagefrom Mr. Edmond Aitken.
394
00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:04,501
All right.
Send him in.
395
00:20:08,968 --> 00:20:10,000
You know where he is?
396
00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:12,267
Yes, he is,
or was, a moment ago,
397
00:20:12,267 --> 00:20:13,501
at my house.
398
00:20:16,200 --> 00:20:17,934
It's all quite awkward,
I'm afraid.
399
00:20:17,934 --> 00:20:18,968
What do you mean?
400
00:20:20,467 --> 00:20:22,400
I ran into him last night.
401
00:20:22,400 --> 00:20:24,100
He was pretty upset.
402
00:20:24,100 --> 00:20:25,334
Of course, I barely know Aitken.
403
00:20:25,334 --> 00:20:28,467
We only met yesterday
and quite by accident,
404
00:20:28,467 --> 00:20:30,667
but when he started talking
about killing someone,
405
00:20:30,667 --> 00:20:32,234
I thought it best
to offer him a drink
406
00:20:32,234 --> 00:20:33,567
and try to keep him
out of trouble.
407
00:20:33,567 --> 00:20:35,000
So I took him over to my place.
408
00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:36,100
He spent the night there.
409
00:20:37,234 --> 00:20:39,033
Maybe you did keep him
out of trouble.
410
00:20:39,033 --> 00:20:42,834
Well, actually I fell
asleep about 1:00 or so.
411
00:20:42,834 --> 00:20:44,801
He was in another little room
with its own entrance.
412
00:20:44,801 --> 00:20:47,567
What about his message,
Mr. Nicholson?
413
00:20:47,567 --> 00:20:48,734
Yes, yes.
414
00:20:48,734 --> 00:20:50,000
He wants you to defend his wife.
415
00:20:50,000 --> 00:20:51,334
He wants you
to see her right away.
416
00:20:51,334 --> 00:20:52,968
He'd be in touch himself,
417
00:20:52,968 --> 00:20:54,334
but the police
are over there now
418
00:20:54,334 --> 00:20:55,901
asking him a thousand questions.
419
00:20:55,901 --> 00:20:59,400
Not that he has any answers,
poor chap.
420
00:20:59,400 --> 00:21:02,467
It's such a dreadful thing
to have to face.
421
00:21:02,467 --> 00:21:03,968
A man's own wife,
422
00:21:03,968 --> 00:21:06,601
mixed up in a thing like this,
423
00:21:06,601 --> 00:21:08,901
with a man like that.
424
00:21:10,534 --> 00:21:12,534
Sometimes the police
make mistakes,
425
00:21:12,534 --> 00:21:13,534
Mr. Nicholson.
426
00:21:13,534 --> 00:21:14,634
( suspenseful theme playing )
427
00:21:16,701 --> 00:21:18,267
I didn't kill him.
428
00:21:18,267 --> 00:21:19,767
Honestly, I didn't.
429
00:21:19,767 --> 00:21:21,767
But you did go to see
Mr. Fletcher last night?
430
00:21:21,767 --> 00:21:22,968
No. Of course not.
431
00:21:22,968 --> 00:21:24,300
Then how do
your fingerprints
432
00:21:24,300 --> 00:21:26,067
appear so many places
in his apartment?
433
00:21:26,067 --> 00:21:29,133
I don't know.
I can't explain it.
434
00:21:29,133 --> 00:21:31,400
I'm all confused. I--
435
00:21:31,400 --> 00:21:33,868
I'm still half asleep.
436
00:21:33,868 --> 00:21:37,100
Have some more coffee,
Mrs. Aitken.
437
00:21:37,100 --> 00:21:38,467
Now, as I've said,
438
00:21:38,467 --> 00:21:40,634
you don't have to make any
statements to the officials,
439
00:21:40,634 --> 00:21:42,667
but if I'm going to be your
lawyer, you simply must--
440
00:21:42,667 --> 00:21:44,067
Have you talked
to my sister, Milly?
441
00:21:44,067 --> 00:21:45,601
No, not yet.
442
00:21:45,601 --> 00:21:48,868
Well, she'll tell you I wasn't
out of the house all night.
443
00:21:48,868 --> 00:21:50,601
I was in bed by 11:30.
444
00:21:50,601 --> 00:21:52,834
Your sister shares your bedroom?
No.
445
00:21:52,834 --> 00:21:54,801
Then how can she prove
you weren't out of the house?
446
00:21:54,801 --> 00:21:56,801
Oh, I don't know.
447
00:21:56,801 --> 00:21:57,968
You're trying to mix me up.
448
00:21:57,968 --> 00:22:00,367
Mrs. Aitken, you must
tell me the truth.
449
00:22:00,367 --> 00:22:03,167
I won't talk without Milly.
450
00:22:03,167 --> 00:22:05,067
I won't.
451
00:22:05,067 --> 00:22:06,000
( sobbing )
452
00:22:11,133 --> 00:22:13,501
But Alice had no reason
to kill Fletcher.
453
00:22:13,501 --> 00:22:15,501
In fact, she was even
on his side.
454
00:22:15,501 --> 00:22:16,801
Against her own husband?
455
00:22:16,801 --> 00:22:18,400
Not really against.
456
00:22:18,400 --> 00:22:19,934
She was fighting
to protect Edmond,
457
00:22:19,934 --> 00:22:21,634
to keep him from
losing all his money
458
00:22:21,634 --> 00:22:22,934
on a lost cause.
459
00:22:22,934 --> 00:22:25,133
She even gave a proxy
to Fletcher
460
00:22:25,133 --> 00:22:27,367
to vote some stock she owns.
461
00:22:27,367 --> 00:22:28,367
When was that?
462
00:22:28,367 --> 00:22:30,701
Last night.
463
00:22:30,701 --> 00:22:32,601
You see, Alyce did go
to see Fletcher last night,
464
00:22:32,601 --> 00:22:35,000
but she was home by 11
and I can prove it.
465
00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:37,901
Why wouldn't she
tell me that herself?
466
00:22:39,434 --> 00:22:42,200
Well, Alyce isn't very strong.
467
00:22:42,200 --> 00:22:44,534
Oh, please, give her time
to rest, to think.
468
00:22:44,534 --> 00:22:48,234
I'm sure she'll
be cooperative, Mr. Mason.
469
00:22:48,234 --> 00:22:49,234
I'll speak to her.
470
00:22:49,234 --> 00:22:52,167
I'm sure she will be.
471
00:22:52,167 --> 00:22:55,434
Did Mr. Aitken know
of this visit to Fletcher?
472
00:22:55,434 --> 00:22:57,834
Did he know
about the proxy?
473
00:22:57,834 --> 00:23:00,734
He was waiting for us
when Alyce came home.
474
00:23:00,734 --> 00:23:02,767
There was quite a scene.
475
00:23:02,767 --> 00:23:06,067
He left and he hasn't
been back since.
476
00:23:06,067 --> 00:23:08,400
Why aren't they after him
instead of after her?
477
00:23:08,400 --> 00:23:10,667
Where is he?
478
00:23:10,667 --> 00:23:12,067
He's been with a friend.
479
00:23:12,067 --> 00:23:14,701
Who?
480
00:23:14,701 --> 00:23:16,334
Ben Nicholson.
481
00:23:19,033 --> 00:23:20,601
Do you know him?
482
00:23:20,601 --> 00:23:23,501
He publishes a poetry magazine
called The Pleiades.
483
00:23:23,501 --> 00:23:25,033
No.
484
00:23:25,033 --> 00:23:26,300
Is there anything else?
485
00:23:27,868 --> 00:23:28,868
Why, yes.
486
00:23:31,267 --> 00:23:32,534
Did your sister repeat
487
00:23:32,534 --> 00:23:35,300
anything Fletcher might have
said to her last night?
488
00:23:35,300 --> 00:23:36,434
No.
489
00:23:36,434 --> 00:23:38,334
Oh, but I'm sure
I can find out.
490
00:23:38,334 --> 00:23:39,667
I'm sure she'll
tell me anything
491
00:23:39,667 --> 00:23:42,033
you need to know,
Mr. Mason.
492
00:23:42,033 --> 00:23:43,601
I'm sure she will.
493
00:23:43,601 --> 00:23:44,968
Thank you, Miss Nash.
494
00:23:50,834 --> 00:23:52,567
Fletcher was a louse.
495
00:23:52,567 --> 00:23:55,467
You're right.
He was a rat.
496
00:23:55,467 --> 00:23:57,400
How do you know that?
497
00:23:57,400 --> 00:23:58,534
Because you hate him.
498
00:23:58,534 --> 00:24:01,234
Oh. And how.
499
00:24:01,234 --> 00:24:03,767
And how and how.
500
00:24:03,767 --> 00:24:06,234
He was the meanest man
in this world.
501
00:24:08,567 --> 00:24:10,267
The things
he did to people.
502
00:24:10,267 --> 00:24:12,234
For example...
503
00:24:12,234 --> 00:24:14,968
Well, he was always
scaring them.
504
00:24:14,968 --> 00:24:16,133
What with?
505
00:24:16,133 --> 00:24:18,067
Anything he could find.
506
00:24:18,067 --> 00:24:20,901
Letters,
tape recordings...
507
00:24:20,901 --> 00:24:21,901
Blackmail?
508
00:24:21,901 --> 00:24:24,701
Same thing as.
509
00:24:24,701 --> 00:24:27,133
Like when
Harding was there.
510
00:24:27,133 --> 00:24:28,567
"Sue me," he says.
511
00:24:28,567 --> 00:24:32,501
"I will prove that you
double-crossed Mr. Aitken."
512
00:24:32,501 --> 00:24:33,501
How?
513
00:24:33,501 --> 00:24:35,634
Bank books.
514
00:24:35,634 --> 00:24:38,400
What's this double-cross?
515
00:24:38,400 --> 00:24:40,334
Then he tells me
to beat it.
516
00:24:40,334 --> 00:24:42,767
I know,
but about this double-cross.
517
00:24:42,767 --> 00:24:44,000
Me.
518
00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:48,801
Getting bounced out for
a phony like that Alyce.
519
00:24:48,801 --> 00:24:51,868
"Alyce spelled with a Y" Aitken.
520
00:24:51,868 --> 00:24:53,267
What a dame.
521
00:24:53,267 --> 00:24:55,634
Ask Rudi Tripp.
522
00:24:55,634 --> 00:24:57,701
He knew her way back.
523
00:24:57,701 --> 00:24:59,934
Just ask Rudi Tripp.
524
00:25:01,367 --> 00:25:02,801
Sure, I knew her.
525
00:25:02,801 --> 00:25:04,100
Alyce with a Y.
526
00:25:04,100 --> 00:25:05,968
Only Milly's the one
you remember.
527
00:25:05,968 --> 00:25:07,567
She was the smart one.
528
00:25:07,567 --> 00:25:09,167
A regular slave driver.
529
00:25:09,167 --> 00:25:10,634
Kept poor Alyce
working all the time.
530
00:25:10,634 --> 00:25:13,501
Even calendar pictures.
531
00:25:13,501 --> 00:25:14,901
It made no difference
to Milly
532
00:25:14,901 --> 00:25:17,033
so long as she
collected the dough.
533
00:25:17,033 --> 00:25:19,267
I don't do that type
of work anymore.
534
00:25:19,267 --> 00:25:21,367
Mr. Tripp. Did you know
Fletcher in those days?
535
00:25:21,367 --> 00:25:22,801
Well, who didn't?
536
00:25:22,801 --> 00:25:25,000
I ain't surprised
he's murdered.
537
00:25:25,000 --> 00:25:27,767
Maybe at least 500
girls could have done it.
538
00:25:27,767 --> 00:25:31,734
Plus 500 men whose girls
he made cheesecake out of.
539
00:25:31,734 --> 00:25:34,400
You was asking about
them Nash sisters.
540
00:25:34,400 --> 00:25:36,801
One day I'm working
on an art layout--
541
00:25:36,801 --> 00:25:38,234
That's what we
call it in the trade.
542
00:25:38,234 --> 00:25:40,501
--with Alyce, when in comes
this good-looking guy,
543
00:25:40,501 --> 00:25:41,901
talks like a college professor.
544
00:25:41,901 --> 00:25:43,501
Aitken?
545
00:25:43,501 --> 00:25:46,701
Well, If Aitken's the guy she
married, I guess that's the one.
546
00:25:46,701 --> 00:25:49,167
Anyway, he tells Alyce to put
her clothes on and get out.
547
00:25:49,167 --> 00:25:50,367
Only Milly says no.
548
00:25:50,367 --> 00:25:51,801
The next thing you know
there's a fight
549
00:25:51,801 --> 00:25:54,133
and Milly hits this guy right
over the head with a spotlight.
550
00:25:54,133 --> 00:25:56,000
Boom!
Real crazy.
551
00:25:56,000 --> 00:25:57,234
I'm glad I don't do
552
00:25:57,234 --> 00:25:58,801
that kind work no more.
553
00:25:58,801 --> 00:26:00,033
Now it's quarterly stuff.
554
00:26:00,033 --> 00:26:02,167
Strictly good taste.
555
00:26:02,167 --> 00:26:03,467
Ready, baby?
556
00:26:18,367 --> 00:26:20,734
Paul, I'd like to see
if he's got copies
557
00:26:20,734 --> 00:26:22,334
of those pictures
of Alyce Aitken.
558
00:26:25,100 --> 00:26:27,100
You don't mind sticking
around here for a while,
559
00:26:27,100 --> 00:26:28,133
do you?
560
00:26:28,133 --> 00:26:29,167
No, no, no, no.
561
00:26:34,200 --> 00:26:36,200
Your wife is frightened.
562
00:26:36,200 --> 00:26:39,033
And she's hiding things,
Mr. Aitken.
563
00:26:39,033 --> 00:26:41,934
From my investigation so far,
I'd say it's quite possible
564
00:26:41,934 --> 00:26:44,767
that Donald Fletcher
was blackmailing her.
565
00:26:44,767 --> 00:26:46,334
She's never said
anything to me.
566
00:26:46,334 --> 00:26:48,267
But you're aware
that your wife
567
00:26:48,267 --> 00:26:49,834
posed for the sort
of photographs
568
00:26:49,834 --> 00:26:52,100
which she might now
want suppressed.
569
00:26:52,100 --> 00:26:55,000
I don't know what you're talking
about.
570
00:26:55,000 --> 00:26:56,167
I'm certainly
not ashamed
571
00:26:56,167 --> 00:26:58,033
of anything Alyce
might have done.
572
00:26:58,033 --> 00:27:00,100
And if you're saying that
her background makes her
573
00:27:00,100 --> 00:27:02,400
into the kind of person who
would actually commit a murder--
574
00:27:02,400 --> 00:27:03,734
I'm saying nothing
of the sort.
575
00:27:03,734 --> 00:27:05,200
I don't believe
she killed Fletcher.
576
00:27:05,200 --> 00:27:06,133
( knocking on door )
577
00:27:07,400 --> 00:27:08,400
Come in, Paul.
578
00:27:08,400 --> 00:27:10,234
Hello, Mr. Aitken.
579
00:27:10,234 --> 00:27:12,200
You believe I killed Fletcher?
580
00:27:12,200 --> 00:27:13,801
Is that what you're
trying to say?
581
00:27:13,801 --> 00:27:17,601
You know, it's one thing for
a person in your wife's position
582
00:27:17,601 --> 00:27:20,501
to become terrified
and tell frantic lies--
583
00:27:20,501 --> 00:27:21,801
Mason.
584
00:27:21,801 --> 00:27:24,234
If I'd killed Fletcher,
I would admit it.
585
00:27:24,234 --> 00:27:25,334
I love my wife.
586
00:27:25,334 --> 00:27:27,534
I'd want to protect her.
587
00:27:27,534 --> 00:27:29,234
The way you did
several years ago,
588
00:27:29,234 --> 00:27:30,367
at a photographer's studio?
589
00:27:31,334 --> 00:27:32,367
EDMOND:
When I what?
590
00:27:34,400 --> 00:27:36,601
Excuse me.
591
00:27:36,601 --> 00:27:39,133
There's something I wanted Paul
to start working on right away.
592
00:27:39,133 --> 00:27:41,033
Excuse me, Mr. Aitken.
593
00:27:46,000 --> 00:27:47,000
What's wrong?
594
00:27:47,000 --> 00:27:48,000
It wasn't Aitken.
595
00:27:48,000 --> 00:27:49,100
After you left,
596
00:27:49,100 --> 00:27:51,167
I asked Rudi Tripp
some more questions,
597
00:27:51,167 --> 00:27:52,868
and I found out that
the guy he remembers
598
00:27:52,868 --> 00:27:54,968
as hauling Alyce Nash
out of his studio
599
00:27:54,968 --> 00:27:57,300
just didn't fit
Aitken's description.
600
00:27:57,300 --> 00:27:59,067
Any idea who it was?
601
00:27:59,067 --> 00:28:00,767
Positive identification.
602
00:28:00,767 --> 00:28:01,801
Ben Nicholson.
603
00:28:01,801 --> 00:28:03,200
Nicholson?
604
00:28:03,200 --> 00:28:05,334
( dramatic theme swells )
605
00:28:09,868 --> 00:28:11,767
This being
a preliminary hearing,
606
00:28:11,767 --> 00:28:13,701
the defense is willing
to stipulate
607
00:28:13,701 --> 00:28:15,567
that the defendant's
fingerprints were found
608
00:28:15,567 --> 00:28:16,734
in the Fletcher living room.
609
00:28:16,734 --> 00:28:18,167
Furthermore,
we will stipulate
610
00:28:18,167 --> 00:28:20,434
that the defendant visited
the Fletcher apartment
611
00:28:20,434 --> 00:28:21,767
on the evening
of the murder.
612
00:28:21,767 --> 00:28:24,467
Mr. Mason would do well
to stipulate
613
00:28:24,467 --> 00:28:26,534
that the defendant,
at about 3:00 in the morning,
614
00:28:26,534 --> 00:28:27,734
murdered Donald Fletcher.
615
00:28:27,734 --> 00:28:29,367
Would save the taxpayers
of this state
616
00:28:29,367 --> 00:28:30,701
the expense of a trial.
617
00:28:30,701 --> 00:28:31,868
I must remind
the prosecutor
618
00:28:31,868 --> 00:28:34,534
that I did not stipulate
as to what time
619
00:28:34,534 --> 00:28:37,067
the defendant visited
the Fletcher apartment.
620
00:28:37,067 --> 00:28:39,267
Call your first witness,
Mr. Prosecutor.
621
00:28:40,767 --> 00:28:42,133
It was about half past 8
622
00:28:42,133 --> 00:28:44,000
when Mr. Fletcher told me
I could leave.
623
00:28:44,000 --> 00:28:47,734
And he told you he was expecting
a caller later that night?
624
00:28:47,734 --> 00:28:49,834
He said he had work to do,
business.
625
00:28:49,834 --> 00:28:51,567
But didn't you just state
that you knew
626
00:28:51,567 --> 00:28:53,901
it was Mrs. Alyce Aitken
he was expecting?
627
00:28:53,901 --> 00:28:56,634
LORI:
Well, I heard him telephoning,
as I was getting my coat,
628
00:28:56,634 --> 00:28:58,367
going out the door.
629
00:28:58,367 --> 00:29:01,868
SAMPSON:
What exact words do you
recall overhearing, please?
630
00:29:01,868 --> 00:29:04,000
LORI:
He spoke her name.
Then he said:
631
00:29:04,000 --> 00:29:06,400
"How about you and me
getting together tonight?"
632
00:29:06,400 --> 00:29:09,567
SAMPSON:
Do you recall hearing
anything further?
633
00:29:09,567 --> 00:29:12,934
He said,
"9:30 is okay with me, baby,"
634
00:29:12,934 --> 00:29:15,267
and that's all I heard.
635
00:29:15,267 --> 00:29:17,767
Thank you, Miss Stoner.
Cross-examine.
636
00:29:17,767 --> 00:29:19,167
Miss Stoner.
637
00:29:19,167 --> 00:29:20,801
Do you recall a recent
conversation
638
00:29:20,801 --> 00:29:22,868
with a private investigator,
Mr. Paul Drake,
639
00:29:22,868 --> 00:29:24,734
in which you recounted
some of these same facts?
640
00:29:24,734 --> 00:29:26,300
I do.
641
00:29:26,300 --> 00:29:27,934
Sort of.
642
00:29:27,934 --> 00:29:30,868
MASON:
Do you recall mentioning certain
letters and tape recordings
643
00:29:30,868 --> 00:29:33,801
which Mr. Fletcher ordinarily
kept in his apartment?
644
00:29:33,801 --> 00:29:36,067
Yes. In the drawer in his desk.
645
00:29:36,067 --> 00:29:40,033
I have here a police listing
of the contents of that desk,
646
00:29:40,033 --> 00:29:43,834
as itemized on the day
after the murder.
647
00:29:43,834 --> 00:29:45,834
Miss Stoner,
648
00:29:45,834 --> 00:29:48,067
could you be more specific
649
00:29:48,067 --> 00:29:51,767
as to the sort
of material you referred to?
650
00:29:51,767 --> 00:29:54,400
Well, there were two or three
large manila envelopes
651
00:29:54,400 --> 00:29:56,033
that Mr. Fletcher
said were private.
652
00:29:56,033 --> 00:29:57,701
I don't know exactly
what was in them but--
653
00:29:57,701 --> 00:30:00,133
Manila envelopes?
654
00:30:00,133 --> 00:30:03,601
I don't find anything
like that listed here.
655
00:30:03,601 --> 00:30:07,334
Apparently, those envelopes
seem to have disappeared.
656
00:30:07,334 --> 00:30:10,767
Miss Stoner,
is it your opinion
657
00:30:10,767 --> 00:30:13,567
they might have contained
blackmail material?
658
00:30:13,567 --> 00:30:15,734
JUDGE:
All right, just a minute,
counselor.
659
00:30:15,734 --> 00:30:20,033
It seems to me that prosecution
might well object to your asking
660
00:30:20,033 --> 00:30:21,501
the witness for her opinion.
661
00:30:21,501 --> 00:30:23,200
On the contrary, Your Honor,
662
00:30:23,200 --> 00:30:27,934
we have no objection
to Mr. Mason pleading our case.
663
00:30:27,934 --> 00:30:29,934
In fact, we soon hope to show
664
00:30:29,934 --> 00:30:32,133
that there were certain
indiscreet photographs
665
00:30:32,133 --> 00:30:34,234
of the defendant in those
very same envelopes
666
00:30:34,234 --> 00:30:35,300
which were so obviously
667
00:30:35,300 --> 00:30:37,133
stolen by the murderer.
668
00:30:37,133 --> 00:30:38,200
All right, all right,
669
00:30:38,200 --> 00:30:39,601
you can both argue
your cases later
670
00:30:39,601 --> 00:30:41,133
at the proper time.
In the meantime,
671
00:30:41,133 --> 00:30:44,367
I suggest that you rephrase
that last question, Mr. Mason.
672
00:30:44,367 --> 00:30:46,534
Yes, Your Honor.
673
00:30:46,534 --> 00:30:48,267
Now, Miss Stoner,
674
00:30:48,267 --> 00:30:50,634
do you have positive knowledge
that Mr. Fletcher
675
00:30:50,634 --> 00:30:52,534
was a collector
of blackmail material?
676
00:30:53,167 --> 00:30:54,501
Yes.
677
00:30:54,501 --> 00:30:56,000
Mr. Fletcher would
stoop to anything
678
00:30:56,000 --> 00:30:56,934
to get what he wanted.
679
00:30:57,868 --> 00:30:59,734
I have no further questions.
680
00:31:01,234 --> 00:31:03,667
Call Mr. Wendell Harding
to the stand.
681
00:31:05,501 --> 00:31:08,968
I telephoned Mr. Fletcher
at exactly 11 p.m.
682
00:31:08,968 --> 00:31:12,534
What was the purpose of that
call at that hour, Mr. Harding?
683
00:31:12,534 --> 00:31:14,968
Well, as business manager
of Aitken Publications,
684
00:31:14,968 --> 00:31:16,334
I often called at night.
685
00:31:16,334 --> 00:31:19,234
This was in reference to our
advertising sales campaign--
686
00:31:19,234 --> 00:31:20,300
I see, Mr. Harding.
687
00:31:20,300 --> 00:31:22,234
Is there any question
about your ability
688
00:31:22,234 --> 00:31:24,100
to recognize
Mr. Fletcher's voice?
689
00:31:24,100 --> 00:31:25,167
It was definitely
690
00:31:25,167 --> 00:31:26,868
the deceased that
you talked to?
691
00:31:26,868 --> 00:31:28,934
Oh, absolutely. Of course.
692
00:31:28,934 --> 00:31:30,734
I see. Go on, sir.
693
00:31:30,734 --> 00:31:33,434
Well, I told him there were some
things we had to talk over,
694
00:31:33,434 --> 00:31:35,467
and if he wasn't going
to retire soon
695
00:31:35,467 --> 00:31:36,501
I'd go over to his place.
696
00:31:36,501 --> 00:31:38,968
Do you recall his response?
697
00:31:39,701 --> 00:31:41,801
I recall it exactly.
698
00:31:41,801 --> 00:31:43,934
He laughed, and he said,
699
00:31:43,934 --> 00:31:46,801
"No, not tonight."
700
00:31:46,801 --> 00:31:50,667
Then he said,
"Guess who was here,
701
00:31:50,667 --> 00:31:53,334
and who just called
and is calling back?"
702
00:31:54,767 --> 00:31:56,067
Alyce Aitken.
703
00:31:56,067 --> 00:31:58,534
SAMPSON:
And this was at 11:00?
704
00:31:58,534 --> 00:32:00,000
HARDING:
Yes, sir, precisely.
705
00:32:00,000 --> 00:32:01,234
SAMPSON:
And the deceased
706
00:32:01,234 --> 00:32:04,801
said that she, Alyce Aitken,
was coming back?
707
00:32:04,801 --> 00:32:06,834
Thank you, sir.
Cross-examine.
708
00:32:08,367 --> 00:32:09,567
Mr. Harding.
709
00:32:09,567 --> 00:32:11,400
Did Donald Fletcher
ever blackmail you?
710
00:32:12,000 --> 00:32:13,000
Well, of--
711
00:32:13,000 --> 00:32:14,434
Of course not.
712
00:32:14,434 --> 00:32:17,501
Did he ever mention certain
bankbooks, or copies thereof,
713
00:32:17,501 --> 00:32:18,634
which he had somehow obtained?
714
00:32:26,567 --> 00:32:27,901
I don't remember.
715
00:32:27,901 --> 00:32:30,033
Well, did he ever threaten
to expose you
716
00:32:30,033 --> 00:32:33,601
because of, uh, certain money
that you had put away
717
00:32:33,601 --> 00:32:35,767
as an employee of Edmond Aitken?
718
00:32:35,767 --> 00:32:38,634
Your Honor, I object to this
treatment of the witness.
719
00:32:38,634 --> 00:32:40,634
The questions are immaterial
and irrelevant.
720
00:32:40,634 --> 00:32:42,968
The bias of this witness
is not irrelevant, Your Honor.
721
00:32:42,968 --> 00:32:44,701
Yes. I agree.
722
00:32:44,701 --> 00:32:46,534
Objection's overruled.
723
00:32:46,534 --> 00:32:47,968
And I might caution the witness
724
00:32:47,968 --> 00:32:49,434
to remember that he
is under oath.
725
00:32:49,434 --> 00:32:51,567
Mr. Harding,
726
00:32:51,567 --> 00:32:53,133
how much money
do you have collected
727
00:32:53,133 --> 00:32:55,300
in certain banks
across the country?
728
00:32:58,000 --> 00:32:59,467
About $93,000.
729
00:32:59,467 --> 00:33:00,734
( crowd murmuring )
730
00:33:04,000 --> 00:33:06,834
Well, it's perfectly honest, I--
731
00:33:06,834 --> 00:33:08,934
I mean--
732
00:33:08,934 --> 00:33:10,601
Well, I think I recall Fletcher
733
00:33:10,601 --> 00:33:12,100
once asking his secretary
734
00:33:12,100 --> 00:33:13,767
about an investigation
he'd made.
735
00:33:13,767 --> 00:33:16,601
Now you just think you recall.
736
00:33:16,601 --> 00:33:18,667
Yet a moment ago you were
glibly quoting words
737
00:33:18,667 --> 00:33:20,601
supposedly spoken
about the defendant.
738
00:33:20,601 --> 00:33:22,200
You were being very precise
739
00:33:22,200 --> 00:33:24,200
about her possible return
to the apartment.
740
00:33:24,200 --> 00:33:26,467
Is your memory, Mr. Harding,
only accurate
741
00:33:26,467 --> 00:33:28,467
when the blackmail
of other people is involved?
742
00:33:28,467 --> 00:33:30,968
Well, I-I guess I was
a little confused.
743
00:33:30,968 --> 00:33:35,534
I-- I'm not used
to testifying like this.
744
00:33:35,534 --> 00:33:36,934
Well, no one's
memory is perfect.
745
00:33:36,934 --> 00:33:37,934
I-I mean--
746
00:33:37,934 --> 00:33:40,367
You mean:
747
00:33:40,367 --> 00:33:43,767
No one's memory is perfect.
748
00:33:43,767 --> 00:33:45,267
Thank you, Mr. Harding.
That'll be all.
749
00:33:47,100 --> 00:33:49,567
Now, in your first statement
to the police, Mr. Nicholson,
750
00:33:49,567 --> 00:33:52,834
you said Mr. Aitken
spent the entire night
751
00:33:52,834 --> 00:33:54,801
in your apartment.
752
00:33:54,801 --> 00:33:56,467
I'm afraid that
that statement
753
00:33:56,467 --> 00:33:58,501
wasn't entirely true.
754
00:33:58,501 --> 00:34:00,300
In what regard
was it untrue?
755
00:34:00,300 --> 00:34:03,501
Well, the fact is that
about 2:30 in the morning,
756
00:34:03,501 --> 00:34:06,868
I was awakened by Mr. Aitken
leaving the house.
757
00:34:06,868 --> 00:34:09,133
He was frankly too drunk
to know what he was doing,
758
00:34:09,133 --> 00:34:12,400
but he said he wanted
to see his wife.
759
00:34:12,400 --> 00:34:16,701
When I tried to stop him
he set up a tremendous din,
760
00:34:16,701 --> 00:34:19,000
rather loudly
offering to kill me
761
00:34:19,000 --> 00:34:20,334
if I didn't get out of his way.
762
00:34:20,334 --> 00:34:22,767
I decided the best procedure
was to take him home
763
00:34:22,767 --> 00:34:24,033
to put him to bed there.
764
00:34:25,133 --> 00:34:27,934
And when you arrived
at his home,
765
00:34:27,934 --> 00:34:29,667
did his wife agree with you?
766
00:34:29,667 --> 00:34:32,100
She wasn't at the house.
767
00:34:32,100 --> 00:34:34,234
SAMPSON:
What time was it?
768
00:34:34,234 --> 00:34:37,000
NICHOLSON:
About 3 in the morning.
769
00:34:37,000 --> 00:34:38,367
He's lying.
770
00:34:38,367 --> 00:34:41,501
Well, how did you know that
Mrs. Aitken was not at home?
771
00:34:41,501 --> 00:34:44,067
Aitken stumbled up to her room.
772
00:34:44,067 --> 00:34:46,234
I followed, I tried to stop him.
773
00:34:46,234 --> 00:34:48,567
I wanted to make sure
he did her no harm.
774
00:34:48,567 --> 00:34:51,701
He'd been talking so wildly.
775
00:34:51,701 --> 00:34:53,400
She wasn't there.
776
00:34:53,400 --> 00:34:55,634
SAMPSON:
Thank you. Cross-examine.
777
00:34:58,734 --> 00:35:01,634
Mr. Nicholson,
778
00:35:01,634 --> 00:35:04,067
when you arrived
at the Aitken home,
779
00:35:04,067 --> 00:35:06,267
was there anybody
in the house?
780
00:35:06,267 --> 00:35:08,767
Well, Aitken did open
another door.
781
00:35:08,767 --> 00:35:10,634
He said his
sister-in-law was asleep,
782
00:35:10,634 --> 00:35:11,901
but he'd leave
her that way.
783
00:35:11,901 --> 00:35:14,200
It was his wife
he wanted to find.
784
00:35:14,200 --> 00:35:15,901
What did you do then?
785
00:35:15,901 --> 00:35:18,567
Well, I persuaded him that
we'd go looking for her.
786
00:35:18,567 --> 00:35:20,367
Fortunately, when I got him
back to the car,
787
00:35:20,367 --> 00:35:23,267
he fell sound asleep.
788
00:35:23,267 --> 00:35:25,501
I went back to my apartment,
managed to get him to bed there.
789
00:35:25,501 --> 00:35:28,634
Did you know Alyce Aitken,
Mr. Nicholson?
790
00:35:28,634 --> 00:35:31,334
Mr. Aitken never
introduced her to me.
791
00:35:31,334 --> 00:35:35,000
Were you ever introduced
to Miss Alyce Nash?
792
00:35:35,000 --> 00:35:36,701
No, I wasn't.
793
00:35:37,834 --> 00:35:39,934
Does your memory
go back eight years?
794
00:35:40,868 --> 00:35:43,100
I hope so.
795
00:35:43,100 --> 00:35:45,734
Well, do you remember that--
796
00:35:45,734 --> 00:35:49,167
A Miss Milly Nash once hit you
on the head with a spotlight
797
00:35:49,167 --> 00:35:51,601
in a certain
photographer's studio?
798
00:35:56,567 --> 00:35:57,701
I do.
799
00:35:58,801 --> 00:36:01,501
Then I ask you once again,
800
00:36:01,501 --> 00:36:05,968
were you ever introduced to her
sister, to a Miss Alyce Nash?
801
00:36:05,968 --> 00:36:08,467
No, Mr. Mason.
802
00:36:08,467 --> 00:36:11,534
I picked her up
on a boat trip to Catalina.
803
00:36:11,534 --> 00:36:13,133
( crowd murmuring )
804
00:36:13,133 --> 00:36:14,801
( crowd laughing )
805
00:36:17,667 --> 00:36:21,467
Did you ever ask Alyce Nash
to marry you?
806
00:36:21,467 --> 00:36:25,033
Yes. Many times.
807
00:36:25,033 --> 00:36:26,667
How many times?
808
00:36:26,667 --> 00:36:28,400
I have forgotten.
809
00:36:28,400 --> 00:36:30,067
Why?
810
00:36:30,067 --> 00:36:33,033
Because all I've wanted
for eight years
811
00:36:33,033 --> 00:36:36,167
was to clean my mind
of her memory.
812
00:36:36,167 --> 00:36:39,968
I loved her too much and she
almost destroyed me for it.
813
00:36:39,968 --> 00:36:41,267
How?
814
00:36:41,267 --> 00:36:45,534
I was poor and she couldn't
stand to be poor.
815
00:36:45,534 --> 00:36:49,100
To please her, I wallowed in her
cheap world for a while,
816
00:36:49,100 --> 00:36:50,968
editing a fly-by-night
817
00:36:50,968 --> 00:36:53,367
girlie magazine.
818
00:36:53,367 --> 00:36:55,834
I was no good at it.
819
00:36:55,834 --> 00:37:00,868
When I asked her to try
my kind of life, she left me.
820
00:37:01,734 --> 00:37:02,734
For another man?
821
00:37:02,734 --> 00:37:06,200
For money.
822
00:37:06,200 --> 00:37:08,234
Always for money.
823
00:37:08,234 --> 00:37:11,701
MASON:
Isn't it a fact that
you hate the defendant,
824
00:37:11,701 --> 00:37:14,334
that you would do anything
in your power to harm her?
825
00:37:15,567 --> 00:37:17,567
No, Mr. Mason.
826
00:37:17,567 --> 00:37:19,534
The fact is I despise her
827
00:37:19,534 --> 00:37:21,534
and would do nothing to prevent
her from being harmed.
828
00:37:23,834 --> 00:37:26,334
Who published that cheap
magazine you edited,
829
00:37:26,334 --> 00:37:27,334
Mr. Nicholson?
830
00:37:27,334 --> 00:37:31,067
Donald Fletcher.
831
00:37:32,100 --> 00:37:33,133
No more questions.
832
00:37:35,567 --> 00:37:38,000
I call Mr. Phillip Robinson
to the stand.
833
00:37:39,067 --> 00:37:40,667
Well, uh, our apartment
834
00:37:40,667 --> 00:37:42,767
is just across the courtyard
from Mr. Fletcher's.
835
00:37:42,767 --> 00:37:45,133
So I saw the woman
quite clearly.
836
00:37:45,133 --> 00:37:46,968
It was her, all right.
837
00:37:46,968 --> 00:37:47,968
That one.
838
00:37:47,968 --> 00:37:50,133
Alyce Aitken.
839
00:37:50,133 --> 00:37:52,801
And once more, now,
what time was it
840
00:37:52,801 --> 00:37:54,167
that you saw the defendant
841
00:37:54,167 --> 00:37:56,400
running from Mr. Fletcher's
apartment?
842
00:37:56,400 --> 00:37:58,901
Five and one half minutes
after 3 a.m.
843
00:37:58,901 --> 00:38:01,067
Now, Mr. Robinson,
844
00:38:01,067 --> 00:38:04,534
did you ever in the past have
cause to speak to Mr. Fletcher?
845
00:38:04,534 --> 00:38:06,701
Well, yes.
846
00:38:06,701 --> 00:38:08,934
You see, my wife has been
quite ill for some time,
847
00:38:08,934 --> 00:38:10,434
and she doesn't sleep well.
848
00:38:10,434 --> 00:38:12,167
And Fletcher was noisy.
849
00:38:12,167 --> 00:38:13,634
His parties, that is.
850
00:38:13,634 --> 00:38:15,167
And that hi-fi set of his,
851
00:38:15,167 --> 00:38:17,000
you could hear that
halfway down the block.
852
00:38:17,000 --> 00:38:18,801
Was his hi-fi set playing
853
00:38:18,801 --> 00:38:20,634
at the time that
you saw the defendant
854
00:38:20,634 --> 00:38:21,734
running from his apartment?
855
00:38:21,734 --> 00:38:22,868
Yes, it was.
856
00:38:22,868 --> 00:38:24,334
It had awakened my wife
857
00:38:24,334 --> 00:38:26,834
and I'd gotten up to get her
some medicine to help her sleep.
858
00:38:26,834 --> 00:38:30,434
Well, did you consider calling
Mr. Fletcher to complain?
859
00:38:30,434 --> 00:38:31,834
Oh, yes,
860
00:38:31,834 --> 00:38:33,834
but a minute or two after
Mrs. Aitken left,
861
00:38:33,834 --> 00:38:35,234
the music stopped.
862
00:38:35,234 --> 00:38:36,467
It came to the end
of the record.
863
00:38:36,467 --> 00:38:38,901
And after that?
864
00:38:38,901 --> 00:38:40,267
Silence.
865
00:38:41,267 --> 00:38:43,100
Deadly silence.
866
00:38:44,934 --> 00:38:47,367
Thank you, Mr. Robinson.
867
00:38:47,367 --> 00:38:48,667
Cross-examine.
868
00:38:50,033 --> 00:38:53,000
For the tenth time,
I saw her mink coat, I tell you.
869
00:38:53,000 --> 00:38:56,300
I-I can swear it wasn't muskrat
or anything else, it was mink.
870
00:38:56,300 --> 00:38:57,834
The moonlight
was that clear.
871
00:38:57,834 --> 00:39:00,067
It could have been someone
else's mink coat, couldn't it?
872
00:39:00,067 --> 00:39:01,467
And that light
blonde hair of hers?
873
00:39:01,467 --> 00:39:03,234
I tell you it was Alyce Aitken.
874
00:39:03,234 --> 00:39:04,234
Her.
875
00:39:04,234 --> 00:39:05,234
Nobody else.
876
00:39:05,234 --> 00:39:06,234
Now, you admit--
877
00:39:06,234 --> 00:39:07,801
The only thing I admit is,
878
00:39:07,801 --> 00:39:10,767
that if it wasn't her that went
clattering out there like a--
879
00:39:10,767 --> 00:39:12,234
Like a scared as a rabbit,
880
00:39:12,234 --> 00:39:14,868
then was somebody enough like
her to be her own twin sister.
881
00:39:14,868 --> 00:39:16,467
I saw Alyce Aitken--
882
00:39:16,467 --> 00:39:18,801
But it could have been
someone who looked like her.
883
00:39:18,801 --> 00:39:21,200
Thank you, Mr. Robinson,
that's all I ask.
884
00:39:23,467 --> 00:39:25,767
It's a long playing record.
885
00:39:25,767 --> 00:39:27,767
And you found it still
lying on the turntable
886
00:39:27,767 --> 00:39:29,767
when you entered
the murder apartment?
887
00:39:29,767 --> 00:39:31,067
That's right.
888
00:39:31,067 --> 00:39:33,334
What sort of turntable
is it, lieutenant?
889
00:39:33,334 --> 00:39:35,300
I gather Fletcher
was quite a hi-fi addict?
890
00:39:35,300 --> 00:39:37,801
The, uh, turntable was manual.
891
00:39:37,801 --> 00:39:39,000
To start a record,
892
00:39:39,000 --> 00:39:41,834
it's necessary to lift
the arm itself and then
893
00:39:41,834 --> 00:39:43,300
lower the needle
down gently.
894
00:39:43,300 --> 00:39:44,534
SAMPSON:
What sort of material
895
00:39:44,534 --> 00:39:46,767
is this arm made of,
lieutenant?
896
00:39:46,767 --> 00:39:48,667
Smoothly polished
aluminum.
897
00:39:48,667 --> 00:39:50,901
Would it show the fingerprints
of the person
898
00:39:50,901 --> 00:39:52,667
who last put a record
on to play?
899
00:39:52,667 --> 00:39:54,834
Of the person who must have
put this very record on
900
00:39:54,834 --> 00:39:56,801
some ten minutes before
3 a.m. in the morning,
901
00:39:56,801 --> 00:39:58,334
perhaps to cover
the sound of gunshots?
902
00:39:58,334 --> 00:40:00,667
Objection.
903
00:40:00,667 --> 00:40:03,267
The question is suggestive,
argumentative,
904
00:40:03,267 --> 00:40:04,968
and calls for a conclusion.
905
00:40:04,968 --> 00:40:06,200
Sustained.
906
00:40:06,200 --> 00:40:09,534
Did you find the fingerprints
of one person,
907
00:40:09,534 --> 00:40:12,300
and only one person,
on that phonograph arm?
908
00:40:12,300 --> 00:40:14,534
Yes, sir.
The defendant.
909
00:40:14,534 --> 00:40:15,734
Alyce Aitken.
910
00:40:16,834 --> 00:40:19,000
( ominous theme swells )
911
00:40:24,901 --> 00:40:28,000
Yes, I was there.
I went back to see him.
912
00:40:28,000 --> 00:40:29,400
After what Edmond had said,
913
00:40:29,400 --> 00:40:33,901
when I realized how upset
he was, I couldn't sleep.
914
00:40:33,901 --> 00:40:35,200
So I phoned Mr. Fletcher
915
00:40:35,200 --> 00:40:36,968
and I went over
to his apartment again.
916
00:40:36,968 --> 00:40:38,200
And what time was that?
917
00:40:38,200 --> 00:40:39,601
About 2:00, I think.
918
00:40:39,601 --> 00:40:41,300
And then what happened?
919
00:40:41,300 --> 00:40:43,968
Well, I wanted to get
that proxy back.
920
00:40:43,968 --> 00:40:46,501
I wanted to tell
Mr. Fletcher what
921
00:40:46,501 --> 00:40:49,367
a dreadful, horrible
mistake I'd made.
922
00:40:49,367 --> 00:40:52,167
I wanted to tell him that I was
gonna help my husband, not him.
923
00:40:52,167 --> 00:40:54,467
And what was Fletcher's
reaction?
924
00:40:54,467 --> 00:40:55,934
He laughed at me.
925
00:40:55,934 --> 00:40:58,901
Well, in your situation,
why wouldn't he have laughed?
926
00:40:58,901 --> 00:41:00,601
Wasn't he making a collection
927
00:41:00,601 --> 00:41:02,634
of some pictures
you once posed for?
928
00:41:02,634 --> 00:41:05,234
Oh, but I didn't care
about any of that.
929
00:41:05,234 --> 00:41:07,234
I wasn't afraid
of being blackmailed.
930
00:41:07,234 --> 00:41:10,067
Wasn't that why you gave him
your proxy in the first place?
931
00:41:10,067 --> 00:41:11,067
No, no.
932
00:41:11,067 --> 00:41:12,868
I did it because--
933
00:41:12,868 --> 00:41:14,868
Well, because, I thought
it was the right thing to do
934
00:41:14,868 --> 00:41:16,000
to protect the stocks I owned.
935
00:41:16,000 --> 00:41:19,334
You mean, you did
it because your sister
936
00:41:19,334 --> 00:41:22,100
told you it was
the right thing to do?
937
00:41:22,100 --> 00:41:23,534
Yes, I've always done
what she told me.
938
00:41:26,434 --> 00:41:28,801
You see, Mr. Mason,
939
00:41:28,801 --> 00:41:31,567
we were brought up
in an orphanage in China.
940
00:41:31,567 --> 00:41:35,267
Our father was a sailor
who just dumped us there.
941
00:41:35,267 --> 00:41:39,834
By the time we were 14 we had
to earn our own living and--
942
00:41:39,834 --> 00:41:42,400
Well, that's why Milly
is so afraid of being poor.
943
00:41:43,801 --> 00:41:46,734
And that's why I let her
push me into making money.
944
00:41:46,734 --> 00:41:49,801
Any way at all.
945
00:41:49,801 --> 00:41:51,400
But Edmond understood.
946
00:41:51,400 --> 00:41:53,767
I mean, about the kind
of life I'd had.
947
00:41:53,767 --> 00:41:56,133
You didn't do
what your sister wanted
948
00:41:56,133 --> 00:41:58,968
when you went back to Fletcher
for your proxy.
949
00:41:58,968 --> 00:42:03,834
No. Because for once I was
thinking of Edmond, not Milly.
950
00:42:03,834 --> 00:42:07,033
Did you argue with him?
Did you fight with Fletcher?
951
00:42:07,033 --> 00:42:09,868
Yes. I started to argue,
952
00:42:09,868 --> 00:42:11,734
but he just laughed harder,
953
00:42:11,734 --> 00:42:14,000
and then he tried to kiss me,
954
00:42:14,000 --> 00:42:18,601
and I suddenly realized how
stupid I was to go there alone.
955
00:42:18,601 --> 00:42:21,567
I got out the door
and I took off my shoes
956
00:42:21,567 --> 00:42:22,567
and ran out of the building
957
00:42:22,567 --> 00:42:23,934
as fast as I could.
958
00:42:23,934 --> 00:42:25,234
Took off your shoes?
959
00:42:25,234 --> 00:42:27,634
Yes, I didn't want
to attract attention.
960
00:42:29,067 --> 00:42:31,067
Then what made you put that
loud record on the hi-fi?
961
00:42:31,067 --> 00:42:33,400
But I didn't.
962
00:42:33,400 --> 00:42:35,267
Mr. Mason,
I've thought and thought,
963
00:42:35,267 --> 00:42:37,868
the only time I can remember
touching the hi-fi
964
00:42:37,868 --> 00:42:39,968
was when I turned
that record off.
965
00:42:41,601 --> 00:42:42,901
You turned the record off?
966
00:42:42,901 --> 00:42:45,234
Yes, when I was there earlier.
967
00:42:45,234 --> 00:42:47,701
Because he had this horrible,
loud record on,
968
00:42:47,701 --> 00:42:49,667
and I wanted to talk to him.
969
00:42:49,667 --> 00:42:50,701
Only, Mr. Mason,
970
00:42:50,701 --> 00:42:52,868
that was at 10:00
in the evening.
971
00:42:52,868 --> 00:42:55,000
( mysterious theme playing )
972
00:42:57,234 --> 00:42:59,267
Go over to the apartment again.
973
00:42:59,267 --> 00:43:02,067
Now check the guest room
and both bathrooms.
974
00:43:02,067 --> 00:43:03,667
I'll get back to you
as soon as I can.
975
00:43:03,667 --> 00:43:05,167
Oh, and one of your men
see Della.
976
00:43:05,167 --> 00:43:06,968
She's trying to get hold
of a manual turntable
977
00:43:06,968 --> 00:43:09,534
similar to the one
on Fletcher's hi-fi.
978
00:43:09,534 --> 00:43:11,167
I want it before
court reconvenes.
979
00:43:11,167 --> 00:43:12,133
On my way.
980
00:43:14,467 --> 00:43:17,267
Well, Alyce may have been
a little bit nervous, perhaps.
981
00:43:17,267 --> 00:43:19,501
Now, that is not
what I asked you.
982
00:43:19,501 --> 00:43:21,300
When your sister came home,
Miss Nash,
983
00:43:21,300 --> 00:43:24,367
did you or did you not get
out of bed to speak to her?
984
00:43:24,367 --> 00:43:26,100
Yes, I did.
985
00:43:26,100 --> 00:43:28,567
And what did she have
to say?
986
00:43:28,567 --> 00:43:30,234
Nothing.
987
00:43:30,234 --> 00:43:33,601
She ran into her room
and locked the door.
988
00:43:33,601 --> 00:43:36,133
And the following morning,
wasn't she so upset
989
00:43:36,133 --> 00:43:38,000
that she required sedatives?
990
00:43:38,000 --> 00:43:39,000
But it was my idea--
991
00:43:39,000 --> 00:43:40,734
Just answer yes or no,
Miss Nash.
992
00:43:40,734 --> 00:43:42,434
Did your sister
require sedatives
993
00:43:42,434 --> 00:43:44,467
after what she'd been
through the night before?
994
00:43:44,467 --> 00:43:45,534
Yes. She did.
995
00:43:45,534 --> 00:43:46,467
Your witness.
996
00:43:55,667 --> 00:43:58,334
Miss Nash,
we have heard testimony
997
00:43:58,334 --> 00:44:00,267
that two men entered
the Aitken home
998
00:44:00,267 --> 00:44:01,601
at 3 a.m. in the morning.
999
00:44:01,601 --> 00:44:03,901
Further, that one
of those two men was drunk
1000
00:44:03,901 --> 00:44:05,367
and opened the door
to your bedroom.
1001
00:44:05,367 --> 00:44:07,234
Yet you remained asleep.
1002
00:44:07,234 --> 00:44:08,501
Is that true?
1003
00:44:08,501 --> 00:44:11,067
Well, I pretended to be asleep,
that's all.
1004
00:44:11,067 --> 00:44:12,834
I certainly didn't want
to talk to Edmond
1005
00:44:12,834 --> 00:44:14,501
when he was in that condition.
1006
00:44:14,501 --> 00:44:16,934
MASON:
I understand.
1007
00:44:16,934 --> 00:44:19,033
Did you then remain awake
1008
00:44:19,033 --> 00:44:20,834
until your sister come home
a few moments later?
1009
00:44:22,501 --> 00:44:24,033
Well, it wasn't a few moments.
1010
00:44:24,033 --> 00:44:26,434
I didn't have my watch on,
1011
00:44:26,434 --> 00:44:28,100
but I smoked a couple
of cigarettes
1012
00:44:28,100 --> 00:44:31,634
so it must have been 20 or 25
minutes later that I heard her.
1013
00:44:31,634 --> 00:44:33,667
I didn't say anything.
1014
00:44:33,667 --> 00:44:36,100
I just wanted to make sure she
got home all right, that's all.
1015
00:44:36,100 --> 00:44:38,100
Miss Nash,
do you recall anything
1016
00:44:38,100 --> 00:44:40,601
which would more nearly
indicate the exact time?
1017
00:44:40,601 --> 00:44:44,968
Well, there is one thing, yes.
1018
00:44:44,968 --> 00:44:47,367
From my bedroom,
when the door is open,
1019
00:44:47,367 --> 00:44:49,133
I can just hear the chiming
1020
00:44:49,133 --> 00:44:50,133
of the downstairs clock.
1021
00:44:50,133 --> 00:44:51,133
Go on.
1022
00:44:51,133 --> 00:44:53,133
Well, I heard it chime
1023
00:44:53,133 --> 00:44:55,667
just after Edmond
and Mr. Nicholson left,
1024
00:44:55,667 --> 00:44:57,701
when I got up to shut
my bedroom door.
1025
00:44:57,701 --> 00:44:58,634
And how many chimes?
1026
00:44:59,734 --> 00:45:00,734
One.
1027
00:45:00,734 --> 00:45:02,167
One?
1028
00:45:02,167 --> 00:45:03,234
That's right.
1029
00:45:03,234 --> 00:45:06,767
I just assumed that it was 1:00,
1030
00:45:06,767 --> 00:45:10,133
but it might have been half past
something when they were there.
1031
00:45:12,067 --> 00:45:15,667
Your Honor, I would like
to recall a witness.
1032
00:45:15,667 --> 00:45:19,000
The man who said it was 3:00
when he was at the Aitken home.
1033
00:45:19,000 --> 00:45:21,400
Your Honor, I object.
Counsel is trying--
1034
00:45:21,400 --> 00:45:22,334
Wait. Wait.
1035
00:45:24,767 --> 00:45:27,501
I guess I may have made
a little mistake.
1036
00:45:29,067 --> 00:45:31,133
It was 3 when I got
back to my place,
1037
00:45:31,133 --> 00:45:32,367
that's all I meant to say.
1038
00:45:32,367 --> 00:45:33,968
But you didn't say that,
Mr. Nicholson.
1039
00:45:33,968 --> 00:45:34,968
Now, why is that?
1040
00:45:34,968 --> 00:45:36,200
I made a mistake,
I told you.
1041
00:45:36,200 --> 00:45:37,200
Why?
1042
00:45:37,200 --> 00:45:38,734
I don't know why.
1043
00:45:38,734 --> 00:45:40,767
You despised the defendant.
You already admitted--
1044
00:45:40,767 --> 00:45:41,968
All right.
1045
00:45:41,968 --> 00:45:43,801
Maybe I wanted to make
her look more guilty.
1046
00:45:43,801 --> 00:45:46,234
Or make yourself
look more innocent.
1047
00:45:47,367 --> 00:45:49,667
Now, Mr. Nicholson,
1048
00:45:49,667 --> 00:45:52,701
what was the actual time
you were at the Aitken home?
1049
00:45:52,701 --> 00:45:56,000
2:30. We left there
just before 2:30.
1050
00:45:57,467 --> 00:45:59,234
Now, if that's the truth,
1051
00:45:59,234 --> 00:46:01,734
then it's quite possible that
Alyce Aitken returned home
1052
00:46:01,734 --> 00:46:02,734
before 3 a.m.
1053
00:46:02,734 --> 00:46:03,901
in the morning instead of--
1054
00:46:03,901 --> 00:46:05,133
Objection, Your Honor.
1055
00:46:05,133 --> 00:46:07,167
Aside from the improper
argumentative questioning,
1056
00:46:07,167 --> 00:46:08,634
Defense is presenting
his own case--
1057
00:46:08,634 --> 00:46:11,300
If it please the court,
1058
00:46:11,300 --> 00:46:13,100
I insist that my
cross-examination
1059
00:46:13,100 --> 00:46:14,200
is quite proper.
1060
00:46:14,200 --> 00:46:15,234
I certainly have the right
1061
00:46:15,234 --> 00:46:16,968
to clarify this
time discrepancy.
1062
00:46:16,968 --> 00:46:20,267
And the state contends
there is no time discrepancy.
1063
00:46:20,267 --> 00:46:23,000
We have already demonstrated
through the neighbor's testimony
1064
00:46:23,000 --> 00:46:24,467
that the defendant started
1065
00:46:24,467 --> 00:46:25,901
Mr. Fletcher's
phonograph playing
1066
00:46:25,901 --> 00:46:28,033
shortly before 3 a.m.
and she was seen
1067
00:46:28,033 --> 00:46:30,300
leaving the murder apartment
shortly after 3.
1068
00:46:30,300 --> 00:46:32,267
Any discrepancy
elsewhere is irrelevant.
1069
00:46:32,267 --> 00:46:34,534
Irrelevant?
1070
00:46:34,534 --> 00:46:36,033
Your Honor,
1071
00:46:36,033 --> 00:46:38,067
perhaps it would
not be irrelevant
1072
00:46:38,067 --> 00:46:40,033
to show that the phonograph
1073
00:46:40,033 --> 00:46:42,901
could have been turned on by
someone other than defendant.
1074
00:46:42,901 --> 00:46:44,601
Now, if I might recall
another witness--
1075
00:46:44,601 --> 00:46:45,834
SAMPSON:
I object, Your Honor.
1076
00:46:45,834 --> 00:46:47,501
Now, just a moment,
Mr. Prosecutor.
1077
00:46:47,501 --> 00:46:49,968
I'm interested in what
Mr. Mason has in mind.
1078
00:46:49,968 --> 00:46:52,634
Deception, Your Honor.
1079
00:46:52,634 --> 00:46:54,834
By someone who fought
with Fletcher, killed him,
1080
00:46:54,834 --> 00:46:57,434
and then tried to place
the blame on Alyce Aitken.
1081
00:46:58,200 --> 00:46:59,367
Deception by someone
1082
00:46:59,367 --> 00:47:01,033
who must have been
in Fletcher's apartment
1083
00:47:01,033 --> 00:47:03,167
at the time of defendant's
visit there,
1084
00:47:03,167 --> 00:47:04,667
earlier in the evening.
1085
00:47:04,667 --> 00:47:08,200
JUDGE:
Just what is the purpose of your
demonstration there?
1086
00:47:08,200 --> 00:47:11,367
Well, to show how that
person took advantage
1087
00:47:11,367 --> 00:47:14,434
of the fingerprints
the defendant had left
1088
00:47:14,434 --> 00:47:16,534
on the turntable arm.
1089
00:47:16,534 --> 00:47:18,434
It's a simple matter
to turn on a switch.
1090
00:47:21,634 --> 00:47:24,901
And then using either a pencil
1091
00:47:24,901 --> 00:47:30,567
or a nail file to carefully
lift the tone arm,
1092
00:47:30,567 --> 00:47:34,801
lower it,
and start the record playing.
1093
00:47:34,801 --> 00:47:36,868
( jazz song playing )
1094
00:47:49,501 --> 00:47:51,534
Who is it that you want
to recall, Mr. Mason?
1095
00:47:51,534 --> 00:47:56,868
The person, Your Honor, who not
only knew of the fingerprints,
1096
00:47:56,868 --> 00:48:00,734
but also knew about the neighbor
and his wife who was ill.
1097
00:48:00,734 --> 00:48:02,167
The person who
was familiar enough
1098
00:48:02,167 --> 00:48:04,167
with the Fletcher apartment
to use the guest room.
1099
00:48:04,167 --> 00:48:07,801
The person who uses
a light hairspray
1100
00:48:07,801 --> 00:48:09,567
to put a streak in her hair.
1101
00:48:09,567 --> 00:48:11,067
Who even left traces
of that hairspray
1102
00:48:11,067 --> 00:48:12,067
on the bathroom wall.
1103
00:48:12,067 --> 00:48:14,601
A woman, Your Honor,
1104
00:48:14,601 --> 00:48:16,901
who could spray her hair
to make it appear blonde
1105
00:48:16,901 --> 00:48:19,968
and then in her own mink coat
1106
00:48:19,968 --> 00:48:23,167
run clattering outside
to impersonate the defendant.
1107
00:48:23,167 --> 00:48:24,701
( woman sobbing )
1108
00:48:33,200 --> 00:48:35,534
He tried to get rid of me.
1109
00:48:37,000 --> 00:48:39,067
I helped him with all of it,
1110
00:48:39,067 --> 00:48:42,334
every bit of dirty blackmail,
1111
00:48:42,334 --> 00:48:45,934
and then he said
he didn't need me anymore.
1112
00:48:45,934 --> 00:48:50,400
I stayed there, I begged him.
1113
00:48:50,400 --> 00:48:53,067
And then she came back.
1114
00:48:53,067 --> 00:48:55,167
And when he tried to kiss her,
1115
00:48:55,167 --> 00:48:57,801
when he knew
I was still watching,
1116
00:48:57,801 --> 00:49:00,100
I just couldn't
stand it anymore.
1117
00:49:02,801 --> 00:49:08,200
Yes, I killed Donald Fletcher.
1118
00:49:08,200 --> 00:49:11,968
And it was the best thing
I ever did in my life.
1119
00:49:11,968 --> 00:49:13,100
( dramatic theme swells )
1120
00:49:17,033 --> 00:49:18,534
It was that one word
1121
00:49:18,534 --> 00:49:20,300
in the neighbor's
testimony that did it.
1122
00:49:20,300 --> 00:49:21,667
The word "clattering."
1123
00:49:21,667 --> 00:49:23,834
But your wife said
that she'd taken off her shoes
1124
00:49:23,834 --> 00:49:25,067
hoping not to make any noise
1125
00:49:25,067 --> 00:49:27,501
as she ran out
of the Fletcher apartment.
1126
00:49:27,501 --> 00:49:30,567
That meant another woman
had to have impersonated her.
1127
00:49:30,567 --> 00:49:33,567
Lori was the only one
close enough to manage it.
1128
00:49:33,567 --> 00:49:35,167
Then she must have been
in the apartment
1129
00:49:35,167 --> 00:49:37,033
when Alyce went back
for the proxy.
1130
00:49:37,033 --> 00:49:39,234
She was. Fletcher had
asked her to leave,
1131
00:49:39,234 --> 00:49:41,467
but she slipped into
the guest room instead.
1132
00:49:41,467 --> 00:49:43,133
Then, just after
you left, Mrs. Aitken,
1133
00:49:43,133 --> 00:49:44,734
a little before 3 a.m.,
1134
00:49:44,734 --> 00:49:46,267
Lori and Fletcher
really had a fight.
1135
00:49:46,267 --> 00:49:48,434
Apparently he fell
and was stunned.
1136
00:49:48,434 --> 00:49:49,868
And then she killed him.
1137
00:49:49,868 --> 00:49:51,834
She put on the record to cover
the noise, shot him,
1138
00:49:51,834 --> 00:49:53,434
did what she had to do
to implicate you,
1139
00:49:53,434 --> 00:49:55,434
and ran out of the apartment
past the neighbors.
1140
00:49:55,434 --> 00:49:56,601
EDMOND:
But tell me,
1141
00:49:56,601 --> 00:49:58,534
before you knew all this,
1142
00:49:58,534 --> 00:50:02,400
what made you so sure things
would turn out as they have?
1143
00:50:02,400 --> 00:50:05,567
My faith in my client.
1144
00:50:05,567 --> 00:50:07,434
Your faith in your wife.
1145
00:50:07,434 --> 00:50:09,000
Thank you, Mr. Mason.
1146
00:50:11,567 --> 00:50:12,567
Goodbye.
1147
00:50:12,567 --> 00:50:14,601
Goodbye, Mr. Mason.
Thanks.
1148
00:50:14,601 --> 00:50:15,767
Goodbye, Mr. Aitken.
1149
00:50:15,767 --> 00:50:17,601
( door opens )
1150
00:50:17,601 --> 00:50:19,133
Oh, these photographs.
1151
00:50:19,133 --> 00:50:21,567
Well, they don't mean
anything anymore.
1152
00:50:21,567 --> 00:50:22,567
This all of them?
1153
00:50:22,567 --> 00:50:24,200
Mm-hm. Negatives too.
1154
00:50:24,200 --> 00:50:26,100
That's that.
1155
00:50:26,100 --> 00:50:27,300
You realize, of course,
1156
00:50:27,300 --> 00:50:29,667
that that represents
hours of work.
1157
00:50:29,667 --> 00:50:34,400
I had to go through all
the photos in Rudi Tripp's file.
1158
00:50:34,400 --> 00:50:36,267
( dramatic theme swells )
1159
00:50:40,601 --> 00:50:42,868
( noirish jazz theme playing )
84017
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