Original subtitles

The Streets of San Francisco, a Quinn Martin production, starring Carl

Malden. Also starring Michael Douglas.

With guest stars David Burney, Michael Strong,

Madeline Rue, Dick Van Patten.

Special guest star Lynn Marta.

Tonight's episode, Clown of Death.

What's wrong with this thing?

Code blue, room 351.

We tried to defibrillate him, and when there was no response, we brought the

body down here.

I'll send you a copy of the preliminary autopsy. According to your medical

record, Mr. Reiner was terminal?

Yes. Yes, he was completely dependent on the respirator.

It was really only a matter of time, perhaps weeks.

Are you sure it couldn't have been an accident?

Yes, and so is my maintenance supervisor.

Albert Reiner, 67, retired.

Medicare's picking up his tab. Next of kin is a brother, same address.

Gentlemen, I'd very much appreciate knowing the results of your

soon as possible.

Well, we'd like to start by looking at Reiner's room.

Is that really necessary, Lieutenant?

You know, a thing like this is very bad for the hospital.

Doctor, we're not too happy about it either.

Like I told you, it works perfectly.

There's no way this plug could have worked its way loose.

No way. It's a locking plug.

I just had to put a whole new power cable on it. See, here's the cable I

off. Now, this locking plug twists in.

And locks.

Now, these leads were ripped out of here.

And believe me, it took more than one hard pull to do it.

Was this room sterilized?

In ICU, it's standard procedure.

And the medical team wasn't thinking of homicide, Lieutenant.

We were only trying to save a life.

Miss Martins, were you the first one in the room?

I ran in as soon as I heard the cardiac arrest signal.

Was there anyone in the hall?

No, sir.

What about the other members of the staff?

I drafted most of the aides to wheel the patients out to the West Lawn.

The circus gave us a free performance this morning.

Exhibit A.

Has Reiner's brother been notified?

No, not yet.

We don't have a home phone listed.

But I'm told that he visited Mr. Reiner every morning.

You know what time he was here today, ma 'am?

Mr. Reiner's had no visitors.

He's had one.

The only prints we find on that cable belong to the Cleo's. We don't got one

witness.

Why would somebody kill a terminal patient anyway?

What was the other brother's name?

Uh, Hunt. Hunt, yeah, that's right.

First morning in a month, he doesn't visit.

Does that suggest anything?

Like what?

Maybe he was there.

To release his brother from that machine.

A euthanasia?

Unless you have a better theory.

Hi, Jack.

That's what I love about doing benefits.

Coffee and a tinker for breakfast and a jokey box of bread and bologna for

lunch. Don't tell me. Tell Sterling he ordered it.

Now, anyhow, Red, you ought to be on weight watchers.

I mean, they're only four feet off the ground, right?

Suddenly, an old lady gets out of her wheelchair.

I hope there's no show tonight. How about dinner?

Oh, I don't think so. I'm kind of tired. I'd like to see you today.

I'd like to see you.

What is this? I mean, last week, every night, this week, nothing?

Tell her I'm serious about it.

He's serious about you. There, you see? And about acrobats and ballet dancers

and trapeze artists.

I wonder how you have the strength to stay on the wire.

Oh, that's serious business up there.

I mean, do you know when I'm up there, every moment I worry.

One misstep, I may never see you again.

Oh.

Oh, all right.

Excellent. I'll pick you up about seven.

I don't know how you stand him. All his class is in his feet.

Yeah, well, at least you've got it somewhere.

He's not in.

Do you know where Mr. Reiner is?

What would the police want with him?

We'd like to talk to him about his brother.

Albert? Oh, no. He died a few hours ago.

Dear God.

It'll be so hard on poor Hans.

Ever since he put Albert in the hospital, he's just been lost.

Well, do you have any idea where he is?

Well, in the mornings, he always goes to the hospital. The rest of the time, he

just stays around here.

The circus.

He told me he was going to the circus at the Cow Palace.

Hans and Albert never missed a one. That was their profession, you know, until

they retired.

Would you have him call me when you see him?

Certainly.

Is it all right if I tell him what happened?

I think you'd be the best one to do it.

I will.

Thank you.

They both belong to the circus.

There was a circus at the hospital at the time of the homicide.

Could be a connection.

Could be you just want to go see the big top.

Beats paying $6 .50 a ticket.

Okay, you got the cradle set, now get the three single traps up.

Jack has been our ringmaster since the year one.

You know, I'd only be kidding you if I didn't admit that he ran things.

Or worse, I'd be kidding myself.

Oh, Jack, listen.

Did we ever have a Hans or an Albert Reiner work for us?

I don't think so, Mr. Sterling. What was their act? We don't know that.

This is Lieutenant Stone and Inspector Keller, San Francisco Police. Jack

Leopold. I could ask around. They may have been on other shows.

How large a troop did you send to the hospital this morning?

24, sir. All right.

Clowns, acrobats, jugglers, wire act, pony act.

Something wrong?

We might have a possible homicide.

That makes two.

What do you mean?

That old man that was knifed outside the arena when we played Denver?

The police said it was a mugging.

All the same, he died in the shadow of the circus.

Death comes three times.

Circus people live on superstitions.

And luck, and weather, and moods, and accidents.

I tell you, what I could really use on this staff is an exorcist.

Well, if I can be of any more help, please let me know.

We will. Thank you. Thank you very much. Bye.

May I keep this list for a while?

Of course.

Just what is it you're looking for, Inspector?

Answers. That's all, just answers.

Well, I don't think you're going to find any here.

You know, a lot of people have funny ideas about the circus, but we're just a

business like IBM or the telephone company.

What are you... Excuse me. Hey!

What are you guys doing with that paint? I told you, gold leaf.

Not that dingy mustache color.

Watch what you're doing for him. Get a ground cloth down there. This isn't some

ragged little mud show.

Just like any other business.

So, where do you want to start?

Well, I'll take the clowns and the jugglers. Good, I'll take the pony

That figures.

Uh, excuse me, I'm looking for the ponies.

Um, do those look like pony shoes?

No, those look like elephants.

Oh, that's very good. You know the difference between a pony and an

That I do, yeah.

They're in the shed over there.

You interested in anyone in particular, sweet face?

Uh, yeah.

Hi. Hello, hi.

Yeah, I'm interested in anyone who was at the hospital this morning.

We weren't on call.

What are you, an insurance man?

No, a cop.

A cop?

Should have known. Somebody's scarper was something.

Somebody did what?

Steal something.

Yeah, yeah, something like that.

I assume you said the shed was right over there? Yeah.

Barbara, will you show him where it is? I've never met a cop yet who knew his

way out of a paper bag. Thank you very much.

You're welcome.

You're very kind.

She's always like that?

Always. Especially with cops.

She was married to one.

Isn't this sort of like the car that Lou Jacobs rigged up, only larger?

Uh -huh.

Know him? No.

No, no, I never had that privilege.

I just read up on clown routines whenever I can. I did a clown act. I

tried to do a clown act in a police show.

Strictly amateur.

Listen, I understand you fellas did a benefit at the hospital.

Clowns always do the benefits.

Yeah, I...

I understand that there was an old circus hand named Albert Reiner. He died

the hospital.

Do any of you know him?

Oh, sure.

Old -timers. He and Hans.

He worked the Scaloni, uh, one ringer in London.

Were they clowns?

No, no, no. Al was a wire walker at the time, and then he was, uh, boss rigger.

Hans was prop man.

Must be, uh, 10, 11 years ago.

You know, seems that, uh...

Neil told me they were, he was related to them or something.

Neil? High wire guy.

I didn't get anything.

We left the hospital about 11 .30 and they came back here.

It slipped. I'm sorry. You all right?

Yeah. Yeah, I'm just fine.

Sure. You're Ruggers?

Yeah.

San Francisco police.

I want to ask you a few questions.

My sense of timing is really terrific, isn't it? I understand that you're

related to Albert and Hans Reiner.

Yeah, they're my uncles.

When was the last time you saw them?

Oh.

I don't know. Back in the dark ages. Why?

Did you perform at the hospital this morning?

Yeah.

Well, your Uncle Albert. Did you visit him?

No. I didn't even know he was in San Francisco.

What's all this about?

Well, your uncle died this morning.

Oh.

He was such a tough old bird. I always figured he'd last forever.

How did he get along with his brother?

Hans.

They were like Siamese twins.

Tell us anything about their friends, habits, enemies, anything.

I can't tell you anything.

I mean, I left a long time ago. You see, they brought me up after my mother

died, taught me how to work the wire.

But they were perfectionists, you know, old world, and I just couldn't take it,

so I left.

I guess it's a little late to say I'm sorry now.

What did he die of?

It's possible he was murdered.

Like I said, my sense of timing is terrific.

Hans happens to come to see you.

Have him call us.

Thank you.

Sure.

Intensive care ward, please.

Miss Martins, if she's on duty.

I'll hold.

Yeah, Denver's got the case open as a knife mugging. Sixty -year -old

male, five feet eight. Muggers got the I .D.

Haven't been able to trace the prints yet.

Yeah, well, what about a photo?

It's on its way.

Miss Martins?

Lieutenant Stone.

Has Hans shown up yet?

All right.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Yeah, Mrs. Clements said Hans doesn't come back to the apartment either.

Think he's taken off?

Could be grief.

Or guilt.

Let's get a search warrant. Okay.

Maybe it'll be a lot easier to find if we know what he looks like.

He's never stayed away this long before.

I told the young man who was here earlier I have the foggiest idea of who

Reiner could be.

What young man was that?

He didn't give his name, wouldn't leave a message.

Try to come in once in a while and tidy up.

Although they don't pay for cleaning service.

It's got a lot worse since Albert got sick.

Uh, is he in any of these?

Mike?

Well, the M .E. says he's been dead four or six hours.

Now, what's that?

Some stuff they found under his fingernails. A white powder. It's not

Okay, take it to the lab.

Look at this. Scrapbooks. All over the place.

All on Neil, Neil Rutgers.

They followed his career all the way from the apprenticeship right to the

ring. Gray and Boston, Circus 68.

Boston, 71.

USA National, 73.

Ruggers said he had no contact with them, but they should have been

his career.

Lieutenant, the officer said you wanted to see me.

Yes. I wanted you to take a look at this.

Was this the young man that was here at seven tonight?

It is.

Who is he? A nephew.

Name is Neil Ruggers.

Did they ever talk about him?

No.

I don't think so.

Why don't you go to your room?

Thank you.

We'll call you if we need you.

Some safe deposit key of some bank down the street.

So I'll get a court order for that safe deposit box.

Let's wrap it up here, and why don't you hit the circus again?

What, Neil? Yeah.

He was at the hospital this morning. He was here tonight.

If he isn't part of this, he should be.

Why don't you pick him up?

his room. It was dark.

Well, Neil might be in the blue room.

What is that? What's the blue? That's any room with a table. The game starts

March down in Florida and it ends back there in November.

My dad always told me never sit in. I figured it was one of those don't mingle

with the help snobbery things until they hung me out to dry a few times.

This is going to cost you everything, including your big red nose.

Uh -huh. We talking a bit.

75 cents.

Has anybody seen Ruggers?

No. Paul?

We saved a bail for him, but no show.

You know where I might find him?

Well, been seeing a lot of Barbara lately.

And I don't think it's for riding lessons.

Gentlemen, jacks and threes.

I keep the nose, huh?

Barbara, I'm sorry to bother you, but we're looking for Neil.

Did you try the blue room?

He made a big thing about taking me out to dinner and then decided to play

poker. Well, he hasn't been there all day.

Hiya, sweet face.

You're still around, huh? Yeah. What's wrong?

Well, uh, excuse me. Have you ever heard of Hans and Albert Reiner?

No.

They're Neil's uncles. They both died this morning.

And? Crystal, keep out of this, would you?

Well, um, when was the last time you saw Neil?

Oh, around 6 .30.

Do you know where he is now? I mean, does he have friends in town?

Not that I know of. I don't know where he is. Could I take a look in his

dressing room?

I don't have a key, but I can get one from the manager.

Um, I have a key.

Want some popcorn?

Thank you.

Would you please tell me what's going on? Was it an accident?

Possible homicide.

Manchester, 1964.

Al, Hans, Boylan, Murdoch, Red.

Mr. Stone, I've got a snapshot here that I'd like to have blown up.

I'll send it right down.

Rosenberg.

Found it in Neil's trailer.

Hasn't been around the cow palace since 6 .30 this evening.

He miss a show?

No, no, in the dark on Monday, but he missed his girl. He lied to her.

Well, we still can't touch him. I know, but he's just got a lot of character

defects, you know? He seems to me might be possible of murdering his uncles.

So, I'll take down this tunnel lab and have it checked out. Well, here, while

you're at it, take this down, too, will you?

Remind him that I want it blown up by 9 o 'clock tomorrow morning.

Did you get the land report? Yeah, nothing, no match. It wasn't Ross under

Hans' fingernails. It was talcum powder.

Well, which all performers use. They all use makeup.

That gives us 20 more suspects.

Maybe not.

I found these in the safe deposit box.

Life insurance policies.

$10 ,000 apiece.

One made out to Albert and the other went to Hans.

Neil is the beneficiary on both of them.

Motive and access.

I just hope old Neil's got a perfect alibi.

I haven't seen Neil all morning. He's got to be around someplace.

Never missed a show yet.

What about the photo rent?

That's me, all right.

I went to a dozen little shows on the continent.

A lot more sexes over there.

But I wasn't with Scaloni except for the 63 -64 season.

What about Murdoch and Boylan? What do they do?

Performers? They're probably part of Al Reiner's crew.

But after 11 years...

I can't remember their names. He's not in his trailer. No one's seen him. You

pick anything up?

I remember some trouble in Scaloni about the Reiners.

Happened after I left.

Some kind of hassle.

What was it?

Do you know anyone who was involved? Come on, Red. Can you think of anything?

I'll think on it.

That's us.

Okay. Thank you very much.

Excuse me.

Neil, I've been looking for you. Where have you been?

I, uh, drank last night.

Later. Neil, they think your uncle was killed.

Hans.

I had to tell them you broke our date.

Yeah, but what did he say about Hans?

They think he was killed, murdered.

You know, the cops were asking me all kinds of questions.

Yeah.

Take it easy, kid.

I just remembered some trouble your uncles got into at the Scaloni Circus.

Maybe it had something to do with their murder.

What are you talking about?

Hey, let's go.

Speck's lining up.

I'll talk to you right after the show.

We're gonna dig this, aren't ya?

Since I was a kid.

Oh, my gosh, we've been shot.

Go get a searcher.

Hey,

hey, call for an ambulance.

That's not part of the act. Come on.

Where'd you hide the gun?

What? What are you talking about? You know what I'm talking about. You had

to change your clothes. Now, where'd you hide them?

Look, I don't have time for this. You saw your uncle last night, didn't you?

What is this? What are you hassling me for?

Neil.

20 ,000 bucks insurance money.

Neil?

Neil!

Listen, he's gonna be blowing more than his whistle if you don't get out there.

Look, I gotta go. No, no, no.

You're gonna come with me and change your clothes. You're gonna come with me.

Excuse us very much.

Leopold! When they take him to his room, I want one man standing in front of

that door day and night, 24 hours around the clock. And nobody gets in, you

understand?

Nobody without the doctor's permission.

Yes?

He's still in shock, but it could have been worse.

I saw him take a load of shot right in the chest, point blank.

No, Lieutenant.

That's not quite how it happened.

25 pounds of padding.

Absorbed most of the pellets, slowed down those that didn't. But it was still

like getting kicked in the guts by a mule.

Then he'll be all right. If there are no complications.

I'll keep you notified.

Thanks.

Right. I visited Uncle Hans, and he wasn't home. So then you go out and get

drunk. Is that it?

It doesn't make you, Neil. No way.

You got the opportunity, no alibi, and a $20 ,000 motive. So where the hell were

you?

I spent the night with a girl in a motel near Fisherman's Wharf. What's her

name?

Listen, you're down about two choices now, public defender or private

The lady is with the circus.

She's married, and I... I don't want Barbara to find out.

I don't even know if I can make you see this, but I care about Barbara. The

thing is, I guess I just don't understand her very well.

I mean, one minute she's terrific, and an hour later she's ice. Well, last

at 6 .30...

time so i uh i looked elsewhere i don't want the lady's husband to find heaven

please that's the girl's name and the motel room number gina

marshall the twilight 224 226 if you knew anything about makeup you know i

didn't have time to shoot him and then remove it all before you found me could

have worn a face mask neil the paraffin test wouldn't show any gunpowder on your

hands either

To the work gloves, didn't he?

Hey, Mike.

Your picture's coming in from Denver PD.

Uh -huh.

Now that's the baby I've been waiting for.

Ten years older, but that's boiling all right.

Whatever it was, Red had it figured out. He was going to tell me.

See, Red, he's not talking too much right now.

Go right ahead. Don't let me bother you.

You know, I don't care what you think of me.

I didn't kill him. See, the man can't come up with anything more original than

the fact that he spent the night with a lady. Check it. It's very simple. Check

it. Sir, who's Mr. Boylan?

What Mr. Boylan? This one right here.

He was murdered in Denver a month ago.

That's when you and the circus were there.

This must be one of my uncle's old photographs.

It is.

Hans, Albert, Red.

I don't recognize the other guys.

Look, it's dated 64. I was in boarding school in 1964.

You can check the records.

Well, we got a lot of checking out to do. How long is the circus going to be

town? We open in Vancouver on Monday.

Maybe you ought to plan on being here a little longer.

All right, you can go for now.

What are you doing?

He's the only suspect we have. He's not only leaving the state, he's leaving the

country. Can you prove that he was in that hospital room this morning?

Or that he was in Reiner's apartment?

You can't.

I'm telling you there's a face missing there.

A clown, the killer clown.

And Sparky Sohn.

Come on.

Let's go find our sketch artist.

Make that tear bigger.

The mouth was droopier.

Well, it all depends on how you make the bread, Hart.

You know about suspects, I know about makeup.

Anyhow, I'll never forget that guy's face.

Well, take a good look, Sparky.

You're our only witness.

Let me have that.

What do you think, fellas?

Now, I read somewhere where there's an unwritten law that every clown's makeup

is his own personal trademark.

I know you guys will steal gags, but never a face.

If we knew, we'd tell you.

So who might know?

There is one guy here in town.

Freddy Olburn, ex -kinker, had a clown museum up on North Beach.

No. We're already at the real thing.

I'd like to see the museum.

I'd appreciate it.

Unbelievable, Freddy. Just beautiful.

Really beautiful.

Listen, you ever seen a clown's face like that one?

Cesar Warnock.

Performed as a clown.

Later as a joey. A high wire walker.

Never made it big, but a good, solid performer.

Don't think he ever played in this country.

Where is he now?

You know, my guess is he's with the USA National under a different name.

He goes back to the O 'Reilly Consolidated Shows at 38, Hayden's

46, Long Brothers, McDonald, Edinburgh.

Scaloni, 60 through 64, and then no employment.

Wollnick died in Brighton, November 71.

The names Boylan and Murdoch, they mean anything to you? They were riggers in

the Scaloni Circus in 64?

Oh, I didn't follow the working men, just the performers. Had to draw a line

somewhere.

Boylan, Boylan, Boylan, Boylan.

No, and Murdoch.

Now, here's a Sean Murdoch.

Worked as a ringmaster, drank himself out of a job.

I got him now living in Vancouver.

Vancouver, that's the next stop for the circuit.

Mike, Sergeant Holland, Vancouver Police.

Yes, Sergeant.

We traced Sean Murdock for you, Lieutenant.

He says he did work with Scaloni Circus in 1964.

I'm putting him on the phone.

Mr. Murdoch, four men that worked with you at Scaloni have been victims of a

killer. Albert and Hans Reiner and Boylan are already dead.

Red Ashburn is in the hospital unconscious. He's been shot.

Now, I have reason to believe that it's a high -wired Joey named Cesar Volnack.

Mr. Murdoch, I need all the help I can get.

That's why I'm asking you, do you know anything?

That's a long time ago.

I guess it's all of ten years.

I don't know if Red was still with them then.

I don't remember things too well anymore.

We, Al,

Hans, Boyle, and me were on the rigging crew.

A guy wire broke on Caesar's rig.

He came down hard.

Yeah, he was busted up pretty bad.

How bad?

He blamed us for it. We made a lot of crazy talk.

He claimed we was drunk.

He said he'd kill us.

It's Dr. Mayhill for Mike, but I think you'd better take him.

Yes, Inspector Keller. Doctor, may I help you? Inspector, Red Ashburn died

minutes ago.

How? Well, all technical jargon aside... His heart just gave out. The shock of

the wound.

He lived hard, used up, no reserve left.

It happens.

Okay, can you hang on one second, please?

Thank you.

Red just died, Hart.

Mr. Murdoch, would you put the sergeant back on the phone, please?

Yes? Sergeant, Murdoch is a potential murder victim. He needs protection.

Thanks.

All right, I'll teletype all the information I have.

Dr. Mayhew, line four.

Dr. Mayhew, I want you to withhold all the information you can on Red.

Just for a few hours.

Thanks.

I tell you, the one thing that ties it all together is revenge.

It couldn't be Volnak.

So it had to be somebody who was really close to him.

Let Interpol get into it, will you? I mean, they can trace his life story and

they can give you the link.

Oh, come on, Steve. What are you talking about?

Barring a confession, we don't have a case against anybody.

Not even if we knew who did it.

How many times have you told me, never as a police officer, to use yourself as

target? I'm not going in as a target.

These murders were all carefully planned, except for Red's.

And I tell you... that that killer got frightened.

He thought that Red knew something.

Well, I'm just gonna crowd him a little bit... and give him some bait.

I hope he takes it.

What if he doesn't run?

There is no danger, I'm telling you.

If everybody does his job.

I told him I called the hospital and that he was feeling so good he'd

show up here tonight.

Okay, all units report.

This is Gary, backstage.

I'll have my cover to the arena.

This is Stevens in the main arena. We've got a good view of the whole area,

Steve. We're set, Steve.

Neil's still in the dressing room.

Mount up.

Showtime. Let's get ready.

Come on, happy faces, smiling faces, everybody.

Showtime. Watch your spaces. Let's go.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys.

Welcome to the USA National Circus.

internationally famous circus stars in a frightening promenade of greeting, a

preview of all the joy, happiness, and laughter of the circus.

In ring number one, ladies and gentlemen, the loveliest, Loni Ironberg,

famous, most glorious, warrior.

In ring number three, Miss Ernestine Park, and her miniature equine.

Yeah. He's coming in now.

Ladies and gentlemen, with great pride, the USA National Circus presents the

greatest fanambulistic star of all time.

He walks where angels fear to tread in the upper reaches of the Cow Palace.

Ladies and gentlemen, the undisputed king of the high wire, Mr.

Neil Rugger.

Thank you.

This concludes our service performance here this evening.

Thank you very much for coming to the USA National Press.

Seemed like a good idea.

Didn't show.

No.

How did I do?

Well, I don't think Emmett Keller's going to lose any sleep over you.

The kids liked it. Yeah, we weren't lucky, I guess.

We weren't?

Could have been a lot worse, you know.

It's all over.

Tell them all to leave.

Come on.

I took care of him for six years and I watched him die.

He was a good man.

I thought maybe I'd like to have this for your collection.

Red Axe, Burton?

That's right, kiddies. Break your legs off.

Go in the back.

Well, what's going to happen to Walnut's kid?

Well, she's going to go to trial.

See, she used the circus as a cover -up.

She used Neil to find out where the Rhinas were, and Boley just sort of

in. Guess he couldn't stay away from a good circus.

Why Red?

He never hurt Volnick.

See, she thought that Red remembered that Volnick had a daughter who wanted

be a bareback rider.

She's probably right.

You know, I'd sure like to have a memento of this case.

Oh, no.

You're not asking me to break up that set.

I didn't mean that.

Oh.

Well, I'll tell you what I will do.

How would you like something personal?

Your own special clown makeup.

I'll register it tomorrow.

An original one for me?

Yeah.

I'd like that.

You know, Steve, if I hadn't been a cop... I know.

I know Mikey would have been a clown.