Original subtitles

The girl! She's going for the alarm!

She was 17, her whole life ahead of her. I want to moke her. I'll get her. Tell

me who you're up against, cop!

This is Johnny Starbuckle and his ray gun!

I'd still like to get that interview with you, Johnny. I got something that's

going to make your show be watched by everybody in the country. I have First

Amendment rights here. I don't have to tell you anything. The jury's still out

on how far you can push those rights in that direction. You ready to party with

a killer?

I didn't know there were this many jewelry stores west of Vegas.

Sorry to run you around like this, but I just have to find the right present for

Uncle Pete. I mean, 25 years as a cop doesn't happen every day, you know. For

you, Jennifer, I'd walk around the world.

But you're losing your chauffeur after the stop. I have to get back for roll

call.

Oh, isn't it super, Tim?

Perfect.

You do the engraving here?

Why, yes, we do. Good.

What would you like on it, miss?

Oh, uh, to Uncle Pete from Jen.

Happy 25.

This will take about 20 minutes. Will you wait? Mm -hmm. Hey, I got a split,

sweetheart.

Here's enough money for a cab.

I'll check with you later about the party.

See ya.

Oh, and thanks again.

Hey. I never could resist a pretty face.

Okay, everybody.

Free.

All right, Pops. You got a safe? We got no time. Move it. It's on a time lock.

It only opens at 9 p .m.

See that?

Look at the wall.

See that little old red dot?

Huh?

You sure y 'all don't want to open that safe?

Come on, get moving.

Let's go.

Come on, fill it up, fill it up.

Vicinity of 211 at the Jewelry Store, 2539 Palm Avenue. Handle code to...

Run.

I

thought

you were out painting the town with a beautiful painting.

No, not painting.

Shopping. My legs.

Heating all units in the vicinity of 211 at the Gold Store Jewelry Shop, 2539

Palm Avenue. Code 2.

Gold Store. I left Jennifer there. Let's move. Come on.

They shot her. Not only did they have to rob me, but they shot this poor young

girl.

Jennifer.

Okay.

Hang in there, baby.

Jennifer.

Take it easy, Jim. She's still alive.

I shouldn't have left her.

I'm sorry, Jennifer.

I'm sorry.

I'm going to go with him. Somebody tell the lieutenant.

I'll tell him, Joe.

Well,

there was a tall one.

He was about 25.

He talked with a country accent.

He was youngish.

The other one was harder looking and mean and older.

What about the clothes, color of hair, eyes?

I just don't remember. My mind wasn't functioning very well once that young

started playing around with that gun. I'll never forget that gun.

Can you describe it?

Well, I've never seen anything like it.

Red light came out of it, and then the bullets.

But bullets hit every time you put a red light on it? It was weird. It was like

futuristic.

You know that comic strip character, the man with the ray gun? What's his name?

Johnny Starbuckle? Yeah, that's right. Johnny Starbuckle.

Hey, you're Lisa Temple, aren't you?

Is this going to be on TV?

If my editor thinks it's a good enough story.

Well, what about it, Hooker? Is there something to this red light gun thing

I can run with? Lisa, you know the drill is a hot crime scene. The question of

the witness will be a statement later.

This Johnny Starbuckle gun, did it really seem like a ray gun to you?

Lisa, you and the other people will get Mr. Miller in a half an hour.

If you do want to be on the 6 o 'clock news, Mr. Miller, nobody can stop you

from stepping over to my news van.

In other news... A young woman is in critical condition after being shot in a

jewelry store robbery earlier today.

A big cab unit was there, and our Newsbeat reporter Lisa Temple was on the

scene. I'm here at the Gold Store jewelry shop in the western downtown

where two daring thieves have taken more than $20 ,000 worth of jewelry and

critically wounded a young woman customer.

Now, one of the suspects used a weapon described by the store's owner as being

something out of Johnny Starbuckle. Did you hear that?

Johnny Starbuckle.

I used to read about him in comic books. The bandit's gun projects a red light,

possibly a laser beam. The gun then fires a barrage of bullets wherever that

light is aimed.

Witnesses say that this is a... What did you do that for, Roy?

Because I don't want to hear any more about that gun.

Are you kidding? Did you hear what she said? It got us 20 ,000 cash.

Man, that's insurance talk.

You'd be lucky to get five from a...

on TV before.

Yeah, well, let's make it the first time and the last, okay?

I don't know about that.

I sort of like being Johnny Starbuckle.

How you doing?

You can adjust this side of helpless.

How long has she been in the operating room? Five hours?

They're still trying to reach her mother. She's in Sacramento on business.

All we can do is hang tough.

That's what we say to the other people out there.

It's not easy following your hundred bucks.

You got your own wife. Come on, take off.

And do what?

Hang around Sherry's?

Worrying about you, Jennifer?

That is out of Johnny Starbuckle.

A Brockman 30?

That's it.

That's what they use in the robbery?

Has to be.

Brockman 30.

It's only a machine gun.

Equipped with a laser aim.

Where'd you get it?

Army. Fires 177 rounds every six seconds.

You saw what it can do. Its efficiency is due to its being able to stay on

target under full auto fire.

That's what we're up against.

That's it.

That guy can't miss.

All he has to do is put the red dot on something and pull the trigger.

Where'd he get a weapon like that?

Thanks.

Jennifer took a turn for the worse about an hour ago.

She gave it all she had, but she lost the fight.

25 years on the force, and I haven't been able to change one thing out there

the streets.

It's a treadmill.

Look, I can't stop fighting the battle. She was 17, her whole life ahead of her.

I want them, Hooker, and I want them bad.

I'll get them.

What about you? How can we help you? I appreciate it, but I can't handle it.

I've got to help my sister make arrangements.

Look, I'm pulling you out of the black and white. Take Corrigan, Stacy,

and whatever you need.

I'm sorry, Lieutenant.

Really sorry.

Bye.

Hey, I got a split, sweetheart.

Here's enough money for a cab.

I'll check with you later about the party.

See you later, Jim.

Oh, and thanks again.

Hey, I never could resist a pretty face.

Stacy's been running down theft reports for the last 90 days.

Brockman 30 is not something you'd pick off a shelf.

Except for the army and certain prisons, I can't think of any other institutions

that use it.

Now one's on the street.

Tucker. What do you got?

A theft report filed two weeks ago.

Brockman 30.

Stolen from the PacWest warehouse.

Jennifer wanted O 'Brien to have that watch so much.

She wanted it to be just right.

If only I had been there.

And then what?

I could have done something. You don't know that.

Don't worry about it. It's not your problem. That's right. It's not my

It's your problem.

I don't think you're handling it. A girl's dead because of me. There's only

person responsible for Jennifer's death. That's the guy who pulled the trigger.

Yeah.

And I want him.

a good citizen. I reported being robbed and filled out more papers than a CPA in

April. So why am I being hassled? I don't know, Mr. Turbo. I thought we were

asking you some nice, easy questions.

If you want to lodge an official complaint... Forget it, man.

Like I was saying, PacWest is mostly into shipping appliances. We don't get

jobs involving firearms.

The packing crate with the Brockman 30, have any identifying marks on it?

I don't know. I don't remember.

What else was stolen?

It's in the report. Just the crate containing the Brockman.

As a point of interest, Mr. Turlow, the manufacturer tells us that the Brockman

is shipped in an unmarked crate for security reasons.

Makes sense.

So somebody passed up all these TVs and VCRs and machinery for a single unmarked

crate with who knows what inside?

Huh? Hey, who do you think... Let go!

Get him off of me!

Well, I don't know. What Officer Corrigan says makes a great deal of

me. You better be laying it out straight, pal.

I am.

I told you all I know.

Then you have nothing to worry about.

If you think of anything else, call me.

Don't count on it.

He's lying like a bad rug. Maybe, but we can't prove it yet.

I'm gonna work on that scuzzball.

Hey, Jim, the reason doctors don't treat members of their own family is because

they're too close.

That's why O 'Brien hasn't touched this case. Maybe you should stay away, too.

Come on, Hooker, you wouldn't do that to me.

Maybe.

Not yet.

I got an idea I want to try first.

You really think this will work?

Well, Lisa's smart, but if she shows, she'll swallow the bait.

Why do I feel like I'm about to consort with the enemy?

What was the big emergency?

You want to give me your favorite lecture on journalistic ethics?

better than that.

I got an old -fashioned scoop for you. You interested?

If you could be a little more specific.

Johnny Starbuck.

Jerry?

Get the camera over here.

Police are still baffled by the Johnny Starbuckle jewelry store bandit who

yesterday killed 17 -year -old Jennifer Smith.

With me now for a special report is Sergeant T .J. Hooker.

of the LCPD.

Sergeant Hooker, how is the investigation going?

Well, like all investigations, it starts slowly as we begin to build our file of

evidence. Meanwhile, we're baiting our trap.

Baiting your trap, Sergeant?

We're putting police officers in jewelry stores around the city.

Does the police department have enough officers to stake out every jewelry

establishment in the city?

Wish we had. But we're excluding...

All the wholesale outlets, which are concentrated inside a two -square -block

area, they have their own guards.

So you don't feel that the bandits will strike in the wholesale district?

Well, you can't rule anything out, but these suspects are really small time,

even with a special gun. They'll most likely go after the small businesses.

Hey, we'll show him, Roy.

What are you talking about? You heard him. They're only guarding the stores,

the wholesale outlets.

We'll turn old Johnny Starbuckle loose on one of them, right?

It's been two days, Hooker.

But if the killers can't stomach Lisa, they'll believe it.

Why are they putting all our eggs in this area?

This two -block area contains practically every wholesale in the south

Francisco. What if they stick with the mom -and -pop stores?

The chief is going along with this takeout for another 24 hours. Let's stay

it until then.

More X -ray 30.

Silent alarm reported at J &D Wholesale Company.

433 South Spring Street. A possible 211 in progress.

Let's roll.

Repeat. Silent alarm at J &D Wholesale Company.

433. 3 South Spring Street, 211, believed to be in progress.

That's the wholesale jewelry district.

Let's go.

Bet you know what that little red dot means, right?

I saw it on TV.

Didn't you get yourself a whole slew of brownie points for recognizing who

you're dealing with?

It's me, all right. Johnny Starbuckle.

Cannon, man.

Open the safe.

Now.

You didn't come with me.

So that's why he came on my program.

It was a setup all the way.

J &D, enter the hall.

What's your van doing?

You didn't cover the garage.

What's your real name, Johnny?

Another time, another place, ma 'am.

Wait, what the hell are you doing here?

mad at me, Booker?

Mad? I didn't know you went in for understatement. The killer's got away.

place looked like a war zone.

I was just trying to do my job.

If we really wanted to do our job, we might press a couple charges against

And let a million and a half viewers wonder why you arrest me and can't catch

Johnny Starbuckle? Johnny Starbuckle would be in jail right now if it wasn't

you. Really?

But tell me something. Why is it whenever you cops can't do your jobs,

it on the press?

Not the press. Just those who play fast and loose with privileges given them.

I'm sorry, but I have a job to do. That means sometimes we're going to be

adversaries. That's a nice catchphrase. My adversaries are out there in the

street. They kill people.

Like 17 -year -old girls.

off the press.

The list drafts for Hooker have all discharged army personnel who had access

the Brockton 30. Contact Army CID and have them checked out.

What about prison guards? The names of 37 guards who have left the penal system

or have been fired in the last 12 months. There's nothing unusual in any

files.

These are pretty good.

You can match these.

It's a list of names that Jim has. He showed them to every store that sells

ammunition. Anyone who shoots a weapon that fires 177 rounds in six seconds has

got to be a volume buyer. You got it.

The computer also shows Turlow, the manager at PacWest, where the gun was

stolen. It was an ex -con.

Oh, that's interesting.

He could know a lot of people in prison who had seen the Brockman 30.

Reading my mind.

Looks like he's not too happy to see us again.

to me for? Not just practice. How about forgetfulness? What?

You forgot to tell me you're full time.

So what? I'm clean now.

I brought them 30, Mr. Turner. Whoever stole it had help from the inside.

And you're the only inside man here.

Where are you?

Look, okay.

I'm an ex -con.

And I know what it's like.

So when I can, I hire other ex -cons.

I try to give them a break.

Names.

I want names.

Give them to me or I'll let Officer Gargan take over.

Okay, okay.

Just like you said, Roy, no more pinching pennies.

No more doing without.

Buy whatever I want, never even look at the price tag.

Yeah, you're a regular American success story, all right, Harlan.

And when you think I was keeping cons like you in line for the last five

all that time I had $225 saved.

What do you think, Roy?

All you need to do now is...

Shave part of your head and color the rest of it purple.

Hello.

It's your friend from cell block six.

Turlo, what's up? Been trying to get you for the last couple hours, man. The

cops have been down here to see me.

What about?

I had to give him a list of the ex -cons who was working here when the gun was

stolen. You gave him my name?

Okay, I'll keep in touch.

Cops just got my name.

Won't take them long to find this address.

Time to split.

No way.

Johnny Starbuckle don't split when he's in the middle of a street.

Yeah, you want to stick around here, play kid games, get yourself killed?

Fine. Me, I am history.

Hey, quit clowning around.

What's come over you, Roy?

All the time I was a prison guard, I knew I was going to have to find a

paying business.

And all the while, I kept an eye on you because you had guts.

You're flaking out on me, Roy.

I was just kidding.

Harlan, I'm still with you. You still with old Johnny? Come on, man. That

thing's got a hair trigger.

You hadn't answered me.

Yeah.

Yeah, I'm still with Johnny Starbuckle.

You know, she's looking out for me.

You know that, Roy?

I bet Lisa Temple is just dying for me to take her in my arms and show her what

paradise is all about.

The name Sterlo gave us. Anything yet? All the ex -cons who worked at the

warehouse are clean except for one. Name? Roy Meade. Somebody think he's

dirty? His parole officer isn't sure, but he thinks Meade lives too high on

hog for someone who doesn't have a steady job.

T .O. have an address?

Yeah, the Belmont Hotel, 2800 Alvarado.

Go.

Isn't it code three?

Look, I know you're anxious and that every new lead gets you that much closer

nailing these guys. You got that right.

You can't make this a personal crusade. Why can't I?

It's just that I'm worried about you, okay?

I can't get Jenny out of my mind.

I've seen this picture of her being blown away.

We want to talk to you.

I'm not going to hurry.

Peril will probably pick him up.

Manager said the roommate matches the composite of the one with the southern

accent.

KSBZ newsroom.

What is it?

I think it's a safe bet to say that Mr.

Meade's roommate will turn out to be Johnny Starbuckle. How do you figure

This telephone number.

It's to the newsroom at KSBZ TV.

Yes. He said his name was Johnny.

Put him on.

Hello, this is Liz Temple.

Liz Temple?

Sure hope I didn't scare you back at that jewelry place.

Johnny Starbuckle?

Yes, ma 'am. Live and in person.

I'm just calling to thank you for helping when them cops almost canceled

reservation. Well, you have to understand, I was just following a news

that's all.

But while you were doing it, you were telling folks that Johnny Starbuckle

somebody to mess with.

Real scared of me, ma 'am.

Shouldn't they be?

Oh, yeah.

I'm a menace, all right.

But you played me up like you've been doing?

I want to thank you for that.

Why don't you come down to the studio and let me interview you on camera?

Yeah, you're putting old Johnny on, right?

But I feel for you just like you feel for me, ma 'am. And how is that?

Oh, heck, you know.

I'm going to do something real big for you.

You'll see.

Like what? I'll let you know real soon.

I'm looking forward to meeting you in person.

Bye now.

Jennifer Smith, niece of Lieutenant Pete O 'Brien of the LCPD, is being buried

here today.

Police are no closer now to apprehending the elusive Johnny Starbuckle than they

were in the beginning.

However, I have been in contact with someone close to the suspect, and I

an exclusive interview with Johnny Starbuckle sometime very soon.

This is Lisa Temple at Riverview Memorial Park.

Let's get some interviews for the 6 o 'clock jury.

Uh -oh, here comes sunshine.

My condolences, Lieutenant.

Would you mind answering a few questions?

I'm sorry, another time.

Lieutenant, do you think that you can maintain the proper objectivity in

to solve this case in so much as the victim... I believe you said another

Besides, there's some questions I've been holding for you.

You're interfering with my job, Hooker. Do I need to call a cop?

Found a very interesting telephone number in the hotel room that your pal

Starbuckle just located.

He's not my pal.

What number? Yours.

Or at least your newsroom. Is that close enough?

Well, a lot of people call the newsroom, Hooker, but mostly to ask about the

weather. We could bring you up before a judge on this one, Lisa. What are you

going to tell them?

That Starbuckle called asking about thermals over the high desert? Look, I

First Amendment rights here. I don't have to tell you anything. The jury's

out on how far you can push those rights in that direction.

What about Jennifer's rights?

She's dead and you're ready to party with her killer? Oh, that's a cheap

could say you wrote the book. Oh, but you won't. Because you know it's not

Damn it, Hooker. I'm just trying to do my job, just like you. I can't help it

we're on different sides of the fence. We could debate that for a week.

I'm ready whenever you are.

I'm sure you are.

What are we going to do about her? Maybe she's going to help us.

Without her knowing it.

Hello, this is Lisa Temple.

Hello, Lisa.

Johnny Starbuckle again.

I'd still like to get that interview with you, Johnny.

You don't have to come here.

I'll come to you. I got something for you better than an interview.

I got something that's going to make your show be watched by everybody in the

country. I'm listening.

You know, I think about you, Lisa.

I think about you all the time.

Arlen!

What's keeping you?

I got to go.

Look, the Excelsior Hotel, the Versailles room.

Be there in 15 minutes and get yourself the story of the century. Bye, babe.

There

she comes

in a hurry.

Patch me 3 to 30.

4 X -ray 30, read 4 X -ray 16 on tap 2.

What do you got, Stacy?

Lisa Temple and her crew just pulled out of the studio.

Keep me informed.

Roger.

Let's hope Booker's right.

Seems to know that particular ladies move pretty well.

The Excelsior Hotel hooker could be what we're looking for. The sign says

they're having a million -dollar diamond auction. I'm rolling.

4X -830, I'm going to need a backup.

Three units for a possible 211 at the Excelsior Hotel.

Advise all units to approach with extreme caution.

Do you mind?

Me? No.

But Hooker does.

You can't keep me out. We're trying to keep you from getting hurt.

Jennifer Smith died to make you and Johnny famous.

Go on, Miss Temple.

Live it up.

Look, there's something I want to tell you.

Stand by.

Step on the mezzanine.

Now, a hotel like this ain't gonna be too good for me, Roy.

I'm gonna buy myself a whole board.

Cover the garage.

Baxter, take two men.

Cover the alleyways.

Men with rifles, one there, one there, in case they reach the street.

Want to listen to what I have in mind?

Try me, Hooker.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, a flawless diamond necklace once owned by

Queen of Luxembourg.

I'll open the bidding at $300 ,000.

I have $300 ,000. Do I hear $350 ,000?

I have $350 ,000.

Do I hear 400 ,000? You hear that?

I have. Oh, Johnny boy's gonna make history today.

Son of a gun.

She did come.

Got him in the blackjack.

Get those two carvers made when we get there.

Get out of the way.

You told her about this?

Get out of your skull, man.

Remember the last time?

The cops?

We got to get out of here. No, it's all right. We talked.

All she's going to do is take pictures. That cameraman she's with, that's the

cop we saw her with on TV.

We've been needed.

about that johnny which one of these red dots is yours

There's only one red spot left.

And you're wearing it.

Give me an excuse.

In a way, it was kind of hard being off the job for a week, but...

Gave me a chance to say goodbye to Jennifer. How about you, Jim? Are you

any better?

It's been rough.

It was just great knowing Jennifer.

She's a really sweet girl. She left us all something to remember.

Don't put Stacey.

Let's just leave it that way.

Harlan Walker, known as the Johnny Starbuck Abandoned, was shaken as he and

partner in crime, Roy Meade, We're booked today for first -degree murder.

The man with the futuristic gun has his own future very much in doubt tonight.

And if proven guilty, that's the way it should be.

I'm Lisa Temple, KSBZ News. Good night.

Is it my imagination, or has she mellowed a little? Oh, don't want to

I mean, she cooperated, sure.

Wait till the next big story breaks.

Don't you think you're being a little rough on her? Don't worry about it.

Hooker's going to mellow a little himself Saturday night.

That's when he's taking her out to dinner.

That's right.

How'd you know that?

There's very little we don't know. Oh, don't let it get to you. I mean, come

By the time we get to the salad, we'll beat each other's throats.

What are you laughing at?