Original subtitles

just like this leaf is at the mercy of the elements.

Likewise, due to exposure, our skin ages faster than any other part of our

bodies. But by creating an invisible protective mantle to preserve the skin's

natural moisture supply,

Fountain of Youth Elixir Creams retard the aging process.

And now you, by joining the Fountain of Youth family, and becoming elixir cream

sub -distributors can share this secret with your friends, bring joy into their

lives, and put money into your pockets.

I promise that if you apply our philosophy diligently, within three

will triple your investment. What kind of audience are you going to put in? You

got that one from the quiz show. Too small.

Throw in the one from the telethon.

What are you doing about the interview?

I figured we'd keep it simple. Just you, the chest of creams, and him.

You the actor they hired to interview me?

Yes, sir. Yes.

What's this yes, sir? I want you to be tough, hard -hitting, no punches pulled,

understand?

Think Mike Wallace.

Probe. Make me squirm.

But stick to the script. Got it?

I think so. Don't think so. Know so. The more you put me on the spot, the better

I come off. Would you stop that fidgeting around?

What kind of testimonials have you got? I was going to use that Donofsky woman,

but she filed suit when your cream gave her... Excuse me.

Robert, you've got some company in your office.

Who? Jane Barnes, Don Ridgely.

Great. My two favorite people. Tell them I'll see them tomorrow.

I already did that. They want to see you now.

Remember, give me Mike Wallace.

Stop! fidgeting and get out there.

Watch this.

What is the simple secret in my book and cassettes how to make a fortune in real

estate? It's positive mind power.

The ability to believe in yourself. Without it, why ask anyone else to?

And if you call in now and order this real estate course, Aside from the book,

video cassette, the audio cassette, and the listing, included in the price,

absolutely free, is this trained staff of professionals, eagerly standing by,

ready to take your calls and answer your questions. You will not be left out in

the cold to fend for yourself.

I like it.

It's got fizzle. It's going to get you a lot of revenue.

You may recall, we had a conversation six months ago about renegotiating our

deal. We think it's about time. Do you?

Yes, we do.

Because you've been making a lot of money off of us around here, and we're

getting our fair share.

Let me be blunt.

When I found you, Jane, you were an aerobics instructor at a fat farm for

class and all the alfalfa sprouts you could eat.

And you were selling used cars on commission.

No salary.

That's old news, Bob.

But it's good to review.

I made you richer than you ever imagined.

My new aerobics video is the hottest selling item you've got.

I don't need you to sell it. Sell it. Sell it wherever you want. Sell it. Go

network. Go syndicate it. Go to Mars if you want. I believe the exact words in

your contract are that wherever you sell it, in the known or unknown universe, I

still get my piece.

Now, if there's nothing else, I have to get ready to tape my segment.

Who are you? What do you want?

I'm Hal Simpson, one of your Fountain of Youth family members.

I need to talk to you. Maybe you can tell me about what?

Mr. Ullman, in my apartment, I've got a closet full of Fountain of Youth elixir

creams and lotions.

Every penny I've got, $8 ,000, is invested in it.

And?

I can't sell any of it.

I sense you've lost faith in the product.

My girlfriend tried one of your creams, and now she's got a rash all over her

face. Every road has its obstacles.

You don't understand. She's angry with me. She's going to leave me.

Ken, would you send Tommy and Billy in here, please?

Son, you must be patient, and most important, never give up hope.

Remember, lack of confidence is another way of saying designed to fail.

That's the real product we're selling at Fountain of Youth.

Boys, Mr.

Simpson would like to be shown the way out. Wait a minute.

You don't care.

You're not going to give me my money back, are you? Thank you, Hal.

Stop at any time.

You're not going to get away with this, mister. I promise you, you're going to

pay for this, mister.

How did

that clown get in here? I don't know. I was busy here on the set.

Are we ready? Whenever you are, let's do it.

Straighten your tie.

And don't forget, Mike Wallace.

Okay, everything's perfect. Let's make history.

Roll tape.

We have speed.

Five, four, three, two, cue it. The name is Lawrence Hall, the show Straight

Scoop, where tonight I'll be leading a completely unrehearsed, spontaneous

question and answer session with Robert Ullman, owner and creator of Fountain of

Youth Products.

Now, Mr. Ullman, you've made some extraordinary claims for this product.

You've said, and I quote, it retards the aging process, end quote.

Come on now, Mr. Ullman, do you really expect people to believe that? I expect

nothing. Only the opportunity to show people that it works.

Just like I saw it work when I was traveling through the northernmost

villages.

I noticed the people there...

looked strong, wrinkle -free.

And then, I discovered two things.

They were all twice as old as I thought.

And they all used the same natural ingredients on their skin. The very

ingredients that are found in Fountain of Youth elixir creams. Well, Mr. Roman,

what are the active ingredients?

I'm afraid that is a trade secret.

But I will say that they can... I will say that they contain no...

Becadene, no synthetics. Chemical.

Are they... Are... Are made from...

Completely...

I...

I can't get a pulse. Get an ambulance.

Dad.

Excuse me? I'm looking for Mr. Matlock.

I'm Hal Simpson.

Michelle Thomas.

I was arrested this morning.

They say I killed Robert Ullman.

I know I threatened Mr. Ullman just before he died, but I didn't... You

do it. No.

You don't believe me.

I know they found the vial of poison that killed him at my house, but it's

mine. I mean, somebody had to have planted it there.

Down at the courthouse, they say they call that damaging evidence.

Well, I'm afraid it is. Do you think Mr. Matlock will take me on?

I know he's very expensive, but I have a little money.

I mean, not much.

It's a car, an 82 worth about $3 ,000.

I didn't kill anybody.

I'd have a hard time killing a fly.

And this ring.

I was going to give it to my girlfriend, but I think she's going to leave me.

It was my grandmother's.

It's worth about $75 ,000.

So what do you think?

So they found monocaine in Robert Allman's tea, huh? Yeah, and a bottle of

Hal's house. What's his last name? Simpson.

He swears he didn't do it. Oh.

There's a hole in my pocket. Oh.

What? I've left my wallet in my... In your other suit.

For you?

I'll buy.

Charlie, give me one all the way. One hot dog coming up. And for you, Miss

Thomas? Yogurt.

So this fella tried to get $8 ,000 from Robert Allman. He was trying to get $8

,000 back from him.

What I don't understand is why anybody would pay $8 ,000 for this.

fountain of youth elixir cream to start with. He was a sub -distributor.

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. He buys a bunch of this stuff.

And then he sells some to some people, and they sell some to other people, and

finally it goes down to customers.

And everybody who sells it, he has to give a piece of his profit to the one

above. It's a pyramid scheme.

Hal got sucked in? Because I guess people make a lot of money.

Well, I guess the ones at the top in this.

Robert Ullman was at the very top. He must have made a fortune. Thanks.

Good, huh?

Yeah.

My mother always liked hot dogs.

She used to say, give me a good hot dog over a bad hamburger.

Ain't he all right?

It's very good for you.

It has protein, vitamin A, vitamin C.

Riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, calcium iron.

Goes into your system smoothly. It's very good for you.

That's all just fat.

Mmm.

Here.

What's that?

His grandmother's ring.

Said to use it toward our fee.

Well? And it's worth $75 ,000.

Mmm.

Actually, his grandmother didn't give him the ring. She needed some quick cash

from him one time, so had him hold the ring for security and... before she

pay him back.

He died?

Yeah.

So he kind of kept it.

There might be some calcium and iron and stuff in there.

We gonna take this case?

Well, it's an interesting one.

$75 ,000.

That's what he said.

Take off three zeros.

$75?

Maybe.

So, what do you think?

Well, on the surface, I don't think he did it.

Besides, you have to feel kind of sorry for a guy who gets swindled by his own

grandmother.

on their skin, the very ingredients that have gone into Fountain of Youth Elixir

Creams. Well, Mr. Roman, just what are the active ingredients?

I'm afraid that's a trade secret.

But I will say that they contain no chemicals or synthetics and

are made from

completely...

You think we can get a copy of that?

Yeah, sure thing.

Is everything exactly the way it was that day?

No. The police locked everything up after they left in Mr. Ullman's dressing

room.

And where were you when it happened?

Up here in the booth.

Who was down there?

Jane Barnes and Don Ridgely were still here. And, of course, Steve Inspector.

They'd been at a meeting just before the boss died.

What was that about?

I have no idea.

Now, Robert Ullman owned the studio. I know that. And Stephen Spector was his

right -hand man. What was his relationship with... What was her name?

Barnes. Yeah.

And... Don Ridgely. Yeah.

He owned them, too, I guess you could say. He created their businesses.

Who brought Robert Ullman the tea?

Made his own. Hot plate in the dressing room.

A copy of that tape?

Oh, yeah. Did Mr.

Ullman have an office here in the building? Right down the hall.

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know anybody was in here.

I'm Ben Matlock, Hal Simpson's lawyer.

I'm Steve Inspector.

Oh.

You're the new head of Mr.

Ullman's operation here.

You mind if I ask you a couple questions?

Sure do.

And if you want to look through this office, you can get a warrant.

Good day.

I've been genuinely interested.

He didn't tell me what his kids were living. Oh, come on. You're not that

I'm sorry.

That's not good enough.

What could I do? He kept asking me questions. He was hustling me. Hustled

I'm on the brink of national success.

The video is selling all over the country. And you have to tell some

informer reporter that my weight machines are defective? Well, they are.

My name is on those machines, and I stand behind them. Well, then you're

as long as you don't sit on them.

You're fired.

Pack up your stuff.

Get out of here!

Hi.

Hi.

I'm Ben Matlock, Hal Simpson's lawyer.

I figured you might be free. I just saw your last visitor leave.

Oh, just a small personnel problem.

How can I help?

I understand you had business dealings with Robert Oldman.

No more than that.

We were old and good friends.

I got him to stop smoking, change his diet, give up all caffeine for good.

Hello?

Yes.

Yes.

I understand.

Okay.

So, you and Robert Ullman were close.

Mr. Matlock, I'm really very busy. If you'll excuse me.

I thought we were having a nice little... I really must bring this

to an end.

Who was that on the phone?

Goodbye, Mr. Matlock.

Goodbye.

Oh,

thank you.

This is quite an operation.

Tell me about it.

Actually, I was kind of hoping you could tell me.

Oh, yeah.

Yeah, there's a fortune to be made in today's market.

Love it, love it, love it.

Providing, of course, you've got a big bundle to sink in different

opportunities.

Sink is my middle name.

Okay, let me just suggest.

A distributorship.

You buy in on the top rung of the ladder.

Enjoy the type of life and benefits that I have.

And if I'm truly successful, I might even have furniture in my room.

Thank you.

We're in the transitional stage. We just moved in.

It's quite impressive.

Now, considering the amount of money that I'm thinking about investing with

and your company, I feel obligated to ask about...

Robert Ullman's death.

What about it?

Well, it places a cloud over this operation.

I'm afraid I don't quite understand.

Well, your relationship with Bob Ullman went beyond that cable station.

I mean, he had an ownership position in your business.

You might even say he was a partner.

What makes you privy to all of this?

Well... No, wait a minute. Don't answer that.

I think I know.

I don't think you're interested in real estate at all.

Now, I think you have been hired to investigate Bob Ullman's death.

And because he and I had business dealings, then I'm a suspect, right?

Well, you... I have to terminate this conversation right now. Well, we will

this an excellent progress. I think you'd better leave. Are you throwing me

Yes. What?

Well, just as long as we're up front.

Fellas, what you doing?

You work for Mr. Ridgely?

Could be.

Might give him a message.

Hey, wait a minute. What are you guys...

Does this stuff work?

How old do I look?

45. I'm 62.

62?

And you use this?

Absolutely. I use it every morning.

How old are you?

39.

You want to try it? I might.

I'll get you some.

Thank you. Would you remind Mr. Spector that I'm here? Ben Matlock.

Of course, Mr. Matlock.

How dare you?

Look out.

I'm sorry, but Mr. Matlock has been waiting.

Oh, I can't talk to you now.

You'll see a big difference if you use it regularly.

You might really be 39.

You can go in now. Thank you.

39?

Madlock, I thought I told you already. I have nothing more to say to you.

Uh, I know.

What I don't understand is why you told Don Ridgely and Jane Barnes they didn't

have anything to say to me.

I don't decide for anyone else. Just for myself.

All right, let's start with you. Why won't you talk to me?

Mr. Matlock, I'm taking over Robert Altman's business.

Why should I?

Okay.

I guess we'll talk in court.

See you then.

Wrong door. I know.

You lock me in here? I don't even know you.

Mr. Matlock, you can't go in.

Inspector, somebody just locked me in your broom closet. It was the same

who was in your office just... for me and i want to know who it was there was

one in this i heard him yelling at you and i saw the shadow of his feet under

that door i'm afraid you're imagining things imagine this i put you on the

and i turn you every way but loose i proved that you had motive and

to kill robert allman that not only provides my client with reasonable doubt

it hits you where it hurts right in the middle of your rating it done in brad

street

There were a lot of people with a reason to kill Bob. Who?

Don Ridgely and another, Jane Barnes.

Why? Why?

Because Robert Ullman was taking them to the cleaners, that's why.

Taking a piece of their opportunity, soaking them at the studio for airtime.

But now that he's dead, they are free of his deal.

You don't plan on leaving town, do you? No. Because I'm coming back.

First of all, technically, this is no longer your car.

It's been repossessed, which I know because I just made last month's payment

your loan.

Now, if you're wondering what am I doing in your former car, I'm looking into a

little secret.

I'm finding out why this is your former car.

I'm finding out why you can barely make house payments or furnish your rooms.

Temporary cash flow problem. It's embarrassing, but nothing serious.

Very embarrassing for people whose business is grossing fortunes.

The thing, the truth is, you're going bankrupt because Robert Ullman was

over 50 % of the gross.

Now, the big secret is, now that Mr. Ullman is dead, that deal is off.

So, the secret is not only a secret, it is also a motive for murder.

Okay.

Okay, so I had a motive.

That's all.

Sorry. I don't mean to disappoint you.

But thanks for getting my car back.

I didn't say you were getting the car back.

You're eight payments behind.

See, the payment that I made was just for the use of the car today.

And you know those repo guys.

If I don't bring this car back today, they will kill me today.

Goodbye.

I've already talked to Mr. Matlock.

Oh, I know, but now we have some more questions. For instance, now that Robert

Ullman is dead, I guess you don't have to pay him a royalty on your hot

videotape.

Well, that's true, but I don't.

And have you had a lot of lawsuits over your weight machines?

No, but that's a despicable rumor.

And I know which ex -employee of mine started it.

Kathy Wolf.

Here, we have her statement.

Here's a copy.

Jane?

Oh.

Sorry. Didn't know you had someone with you.

It's okay.

Ken Pritchard, Michelle, uh, Thomas.

Yes, we've already met.

I was just passing by. Thought I would drop off a cassette if you knew so.

Nice to see you again, Miss Thomas.

Nice to see you, too.

Now, about that vicious rumor.

At last count, there were 347 suits filed in federal district court against

machines manufactured by a company owned by Jane Barnes and Robert Ullman.

Only, R. Ullman was contractually indemnified for many liability actions,

which means you, Jane Barnes, have to pay for those suits out of your own

pocket.

Any other questions?

Well...

How angry did that make you?

We didn't mean to startle you.

We were just, uh, just looking around, doing a little investigating.

With a court order.

Well, don't let me stop you.

You're what we're investigating.

Me?

You're wasting your time.

What were you really doing at Aerobics Plus?

You saw. Dropping off a tape of Jane's show.

This one?

I don't know.

It is the one.

You know it's blank.

Mr. Pressure, you're the one who called Jane Barnes and told her not to talk to

us. You're the one who called Don Ridgely and told him not to talk to us.

What kind of magic do you hold over these people?

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

Just before you closed that case, I saw

a lot of money.

You're a blackmailer, aren't you?

You know who killed Robert Baldwin.

Somebody paid you a lot of money because you know who killed Robert Baldwin.

You won't talk to me here, I'll make you talk to me in court.

A killer's fate is in your hands.

Now, you decide who killed Robert Ullman.

Call in now.

If you think Jane Barnes killed Robert Ullman, call this number.

If you think Don Ridgely killed Robert Ullman, call this number. And if you

think Stephen Spector killed Robert Ullman, call this number.

Your vote will help decide how this episode should end.

Jot down these numbers. The lines are open now. All calls received during the

next seven minutes will be counted.

You decide who killed Robert Ullman.

There will be a 50 -cent charge for each call.

NBC's proceeds will be donated to charity, and your call will be answered

recorded announcement.

Children should ask their parents' permission to call.

Call in and stay tuned to see who America believes killed Robert Ullman.

Ben, can you hear me?

Yeah.

I'm in Robert Ullman's dressing room. Do you see me come in?

No. And if this is where Ken Pritchard was prior to the murder, he didn't have

clear view of Robert Ullman's dressing room at all.

Do you still think he really knows who did it?

Yeah.

But if somebody slipped in and out of here without being seen from up there,

obviously did, I really don't know how.

Maybe I do know how.

You see this?

Tea. Yeah.

It's herb tea.

You have that copy of Robert Ullman's last tape?

Yes, right here.

Put it up.

Call Ken Pritchard to the stand.

Mr. Pritchard, you were present while Robert Ullman taped

his final cable television show. Is that correct?

Yes, of course. And beside yourself and the other people who are always there,

Steve Inspector, the cameraman, who else was at the studio that day?

Don Ridgely, Jane Barnes, and that gentleman there.

Yes, the defendant, of course.

Now, to the best of your recollection, did Mr.

Ridgely and Miss Barnes often attend the tapings of Mr. Ullman's shows? No,

hardly ever.

Would you tell the court why they were there that day?

For a business meeting with Mr. Ullman.

Do you know what Mr.

Ullman's business relationship was with Mr. Ridgely and Miss Barnes?

Not the exact details.

But as...

the station manager, you must have sent out the bills for their studio time.

Yes.

And how would you characterize Mr. Oldman's rates?

I'd say they were high.

Aha.

Did, uh, did Mr.

Ridgely and Ms. Barnes ever complain about their bills?

Yes. What'd they say? Well, they felt like they were being robbed. They felt

they could get cheaper studio time anywhere else.

Were they angry?

Yes. Furious? Yes.

Why didn't they go someplace else?

I understand that their contracts with Mr. Ullman required them to make their

shows with his facilities.

That's why they were angry.

Yes, very angry.

So, uh, how long had you known Robert Ullman?

He hired me as station manager and chief engineer of W .U .L .L .P .V. about

seven years ago. I've known him that long.

Was it a good relationship?

Excellent. Were you friends?

No, we were business associates, that's all. But in those seven years, you must

have noticed several idiosyncrasies, little things about him. Yes, I suppose.

Did he drink coffee?

Never. He was off caffeine completely.

Tea? Only herbal tea.

Oh.

Now, Mr. Pritchard, I show you the People's Exhibit 7.

Now, this is the teapot.

that contained a lethal dose of the deadly poison monocaine. Do you

it? It appears to be the teapot from Mr. Ullman's dressing room. It is the

teapot. And these are the

regular English breakfast tea bags that were found

in the pot. Anything unusual about them?

They're not herbal tea bags, are they?

And Mr. Ullman would never drink regular tea, correct? No, he would not.

Objection. Cost speculation.

No foundation.

Mr. Pritchard has just said that Mr.

Ullman didn't drink regular tea.

Your Honor, there's a difference between didn't drink and wouldn't drink regular

tea. Oh, come on!

Sustained.

Mr. Pritchett, would you please tell the court exactly where you were when

Mr. Allman died?

I was in the director's booth.

So you had a clear view of the whole set at all times, is that right? Yes, I

did. With the court's permission and your help, I'd like to

reenact the final moments before Mr. Allman collapsed.

Proceed, Mr. Matlock.

Now, you were seated, as Mr. Ullman was, when he was answering questions in that

sham interview.

Well, it was like... In a chair.

Yes.

And while he was talking about alpine villages and wrinkle -free skin, what

he doing?

In accordance with the script, he was putting his cream on his own face.

Okay.

Okay, there you go.

Go ahead.

It's okay. Go ahead.

Put the cream on so we can reenact those last moments.

Objection, Your Honor. It's Mr.

Matlock. Serious?

It is hard to see the point of all this, Mr. Matlock.

It'll become clear in a moment, Your Honor, as soon as the witness puts on

face cream.

Can we go ahead?

Very well, proceed.

The witness is instructed to do as he is asked.

I'm not going to put that on. Why not? Because I don't want to.

It's because you know there's a rapidly absorbent, immediately fatal poison in

that cream, don't you? I don't know what you're talking about.

And you knew just before Mr. Ullman started his show, the poison cream

was substituted for the regular cream. No, I did not.

And so that's how you know he was murdered?

No. You went to the killer to blackmail him? Absolutely not. And that's what you

were doing with that case full of money last night? You have quite an

imagination. Okay.

Okay.

Okay, let's see if I can imagine the whole thing.

Objection! Speculation! Your Honor, I just said imagine.

If speculation...

Uh, pleases everyone, may I speculate?

Will it get us anywhere?

Oh, I believe it will. I think... I know it will.

Very well, then.

Proceed, Mr.

Matlock. Thank you.

Mr. Ullman was a pretty... obsessive person, wasn't he?

He always wanted everything in the right place.

If things weren't in the right place, he'd have a fit, wouldn't he?

I guess so.

On that particular day, what with the unpleasant meeting with Mr.

Ridgely and Ms. Barnes and my client creating that ruckus, you tried

hard to have everything just in its right place, didn't you? As I always

Imagine your surprise when he walked out of his dressing room onto the stage

and you looked.

And saw the creams that you had just checked a few minutes before were in the

wrong place. Twist them back.

Then you forgot about it.

Till Mr. Aldman died.

And then you put it all together, didn't you?

You knew.

That he would never drink regular tea. Didn't drink regular tea.

So he wasn't poisoned that way.

You figured out that during those few minutes you were in his dressing room

taking care of that little disturbance created by my client.

Someone used that opportunity to slip onto the stage.

over to the box and substitute poison cream

for the regular cream.

I... And then you knew that same person after Mr. Ullman started his show,

slipped into his dressing room with a teapot full of

poison to implicate my client.

And you decided to try out your theory.

On the three people who would benefit most and who were all present

that day,

Steve Inspector, Jane Barnes, Don Ridgely.

And you promised not to go to the police with what you knew.

And one of them gave you that case full of, what was it?

$50 ,000, $100 ,000? Now, none of that is true.

Mr. Pritchard, if I were you, I would hope that everyone

believes that that's true.

Because if it isn't, there's only one thing left.

You were the only one who knew the poison.

is in that cream.

So therefore, you must have killed Robert Altman.

I didn't kill anybody.

Perhaps you'd like to reconsider your testimony and tell us who did.

Mr. Pritchard?

We're waiting.

If one of those three people didn't kill Robert Altman, then you did.

Now, I don't think you did.

Blackmail is one thing, but murder is another altogether.

But the arrow is pointing at you.

Look into your mind.

One of those three.

brought that briefcase full of money to a place you had prearranged

and there made the exchange that bought your

silence.

Until now.

We are ready, Mr. Pritchard.

Let us look into your mind.

Let us see your memory.

Who is that person?

Mr. Pritchard, who did it?

Who killed Robert Owen?

Jane Barnes.

No further questions, sir.

Does the state wish to speak?

Yes.

Your Honor, in light of the new development...

We would like you to entertain a motion for dismissal. Bailiff, motion granted.

Case is dismissed.

Court is adjourned.

Mr. Matlock, I don't know how to thank you.

This is Alice Weirman, my fiancée. Oh, hello.

Good to see you. Nice to meet you. Thank you so much for everything you've done

for Hal.

Alice has agreed to take me back.

Oh, well, here's a wedding present.

But that's your payment.

Oh, I know, but a priceless heirloom, my conscience never...

Permitted.

Thank you, Mr. Mallard. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Bye -bye. Bye.

Well, you just blew $75.

Yeah.

Want a drink or a hot dog?