Original subtitles

Thank you.

Go ahead, girl. Blow them up. Make a wish first.

Okay.

My wish is that I never see your faces again as long as I live.

Never fails.

Come on.

You're going to need all the luck you can get. Come on. If they all go out,

you'll have good luck.

Don't worry. I won't be back.

Four years is plenty.

I promise myself, once I get out, that's what we all say.

Every time. Inside of two months, you'll roll a drunk or cloud a purse.

You see? Maybe you think it's superstition. Not me, honey.

I'd leave it.

Now she'll be lucky enough not to get caught.

That's right.

Because I'm never going to do anything wrong again.

It's ghastly morbid, that's all. I mean, mourning is one thing, but then...

She's not in every way black with her coloring.

I mean, you can't make a career out of widowhood.

And even if Dionne was an absolute original, she's got to write period

And pouring all this money into a fund for seasick sailors or whatever it is. I

mean, isn't that a bit much? Buy some $30 ,000.

It's unhealthy and unnatural.

And you've got to snap her out of it. Me?

Darling, I'm her lawyer, not her spiritual advisor.

If she wants to keep his memory... Amy isn't remembering, Dion. She's

him. Oh, I'll admit it was a nice touch of drama for him to drown, but

personally, if I have a choice, I'll go in a four -poster.

Holy smoke, look what time it is.

Listen, I've got an appointment at the office tonight.

You've got your own car here, so I'll just... Now, Jeffrey, wait.

Jeffrey, please talk to Amy.

She has great respect for you.

I'm afraid Amy only respects the people who agree with it.

Now, Jeffrey, you wait.

Jeffrey, just a minute. Let's talk about it.

you managed to shake them off, whoever was pursuing you.

The police, I should imagine.

Very funny.

I just wish I had met a policeman.

Mr. Canfield, do you know what happened to the club bar?

My bag was stolen.

In the yacht club?

Oh, now, Lona, really?

Well, I didn't just forget it. I mean, even if I had, I went back to the booth

for my cigarette.

If it had still been there, I would have noticed it.

My driver's license?

Now, now, take it easy. I'll telephone them.

And as one of the directors, if anyone down there did take your bag, I

promise... The Yacht Club isn't the only thing you're a director of, is it?

No, I'm on several boards, but I don't... Including the Dion Reed

Foundation.

Which is just a fancy name for a wig. It's lasted five years already.

Why don't you stop her?

Here, let me see that hand.

Oh, you've a nasty scratch there.

Mr. Canfield, don't you know what this is doing to Amy?

She is absolutely chained to Dion's headstone. Loner, dear.

Could you manage to be a trifle less ear -smitting?

Good evening, Roland.

You're just in time to see some home movies. Some what?

Dion. Come on.

Well, wouldn't you know it? Another seance.

Skipper was getting the Dorigo ready for the Santa Barbara races.

That's Catalina, of course.

There you are, Mr. Canfield.

Remember that?

Look at him bring her around into the wind.

I often told Leon he was half Viking.

And there we are.

You know, the Skipper put me down as often as I beat him.

Where did you get it all, Pete?

Oh, from club members mostly.

Just about everybody with a camera had a few feet of film.

Must have taken months to collect the film.

It was grand, wasn't it, Mama?

Next best thing to a wax museum.

I'd really love to have the film, Pete.

Will you sell it to me?

Well, of course you will.

For the right price, of course.

That's uncalled for, Lorna.

Amy, you're the easiest mark in town, and everybody's after a share of it. Is

so wrong to want a film of Dion?

Oh, Amy, it's not just the film.

It's all this useless junk you've been collecting.

Where does it end?

I'll leave the film with you, Mrs. Reed.

We can talk about it Saturday when I come back to fix the shelves.

Roland, will you write out a check to Pete for $500?

That's your money, Amy.

Yes, but that seems to be a point that's escaped loan.

And I intend to spend it any way I choose.

Have you thought of buying the Catalina Channel?

Oh, Amy, I'm sorry.

I know that sounds horrible, but I... Ma 'am?

Yes, Stella?

There's a woman at the door, ma 'am.

I've never seen her before.

Well, who is it? What does she want? I don't know, miss, but she seems very

nice. Oh, for heaven's sake. Sure, Stella.

At least you can be gracious to a stranger, can't you? Perhaps what we all

is a drink.

Yes.

Hemlock on the rock for me.

Miss Maxine Nichols. How do you do?

Is one of you Lona Upton?

Yes. I think you lost a purse.

Oh?

Yes.

Yes, my purse was stolen this evening.

Stolen?

Well, I wondered why it didn't have any money in it.

It's such a lovely bag.

And anyway, since I was taking a taxi back this way, I thought I'd stop in and

bring it to you.

Well, thank you.

Thank you for bringing it to me. Tell me, young lady, exactly where did you

the purse?

In the parking lot of the yacht club, lying between two cars.

You've gone to a lot of trouble, Miss Nichols.

Lola, I think I have some small room.

Oh, no, please.

Really, I'm not in the habit of taking money.

It's just that I know how I'd hate to lose all of my credit cards, let alone

such a pretty thing.

You understand.

So now I'll be running along and... Oh.

Isn't that Dion Reed?

Did you know him?

Yes. Oh, well, no, not really.

In a short, desperate period of my youth, I tried working as a cocktail

waitress. On Catalina?

I thought I'd seen you before.

Strange you'd remember Dion after all these years.

Not really.

A nice person creates his own memory.

And you meet very few of them in a cocktail bar, I'm afraid.

Come on, Maxine.

It is Nassim, isn't it? I'm going to make you take that reward.

Oh, but really, a nice happy thing with ice in it and maybe a little soda.

But really, Miss Upton, anyone would have returned your bag.

Call me Lona. And if not for the bag, it's for gapping those spouting whales

there. I always get mad and just sputter.

Sit down.

Sit down.

Well, I don't want to be a nuisance, but perhaps I could use just one little

drink.

Oh, no, Amy. He's my sister.

My half -sister, actually.

Her mother left Dad before I was born.

Married a very wealthy man.

Oh, here.

You need more ice.

Wasn't I going to call another taxi?

No. You're going to tell me more about Dion.

Your impressions.

I don't remember anymore.

Anyhow, it's your turn.

Oh? Yes.

Where was I?

Well, years later, Dad remarried.

But instead of a dowry, he had to settle for me.

They're all dead now.

Both sets of parents.

But Amy's rich, and everyone thinks she must be my aunt.

She keeps me here working sometimes for my bed and board.

She's kind of a dingbat, you know.

Hey, you know, I don't even know where I'm going to sleep tonight. I was on my

way to look for a hotel, and I... Here, you only got half.

Besides, don't interrupt with problems that are so easy to solve.

Yeah, because I need someone to talk to, don't you understand?

I love Amy, and I want to help her. But she won't even listen. I don't know why

she had been that.

Because of Dion.

Oh, I know he was wonderful at... Oh, well, you know.

You met him.

Oh, hallelujah, he's been dead for five years.

To everyone but Amy, is that what you mean?

Exactly. And you haven't heard anything yet.

She's endowing a home for derelict dolphins or something, and it's costing

,000. Imagine!

$30 ,000.

Can we help you, lady?

Certainly not. Why should I need help?

Well, it's a little late to be out walking alone.

But maybe there's something wrong, that's all.

Oh.

No, it's perfectly all right.

I was just visiting friends and my car broke down.

Thank you anyway, Al.

Why

don't

you just hop in and we'll drop you anywhere you like.

Really, that won't be necessary. I'd much rather take a cab. You won't find

at this hour.

Come on, we'll take you right to your door.

What's your address?

Well, I... You do live somewhere around here, don't you?

Of course.

It's 448 Grenoble Place. But really, there's no need to... That's all right.

don't mind. Come on.

I, um...

Suppose I'd be the first to pay it, Miss Upton, but you are an explosive talker.

Compulsive.

And this young lady, she made off with a valuable necklace and bracelet?

I know it was appraised at $50 ,000 once.

And she was picked up by the police.

You can't walk around our neighborhood at night unless you're a resident.

I think she almost fooled them by giving an address.

But they found out she didn't live there.

Nobody does.

It turned out to be a vacant lot.

Well. We'll let the Lord take care of her, Miss Upton.

Now then, what is it you want me to do?

Get her out of jail.

Get her out?

After she stole from you?

Not from me.

From my sister Amy.

Oh, but the point is, the police department says Maxine has a prison

So if the poor girl is convicted again... Miss Maxine, she's a friend of

No. I told you. I met her yesterday for the first time.

Yesterday.

Yesterday, when she returned your lost bag.

Miss Upton, it doesn't seem likely that Maxine was the one who stole that bag.

I don't know. I just want you to get her out of jail.

Oh, see here. If it's the money. I have $5 ,000 of my own in the bank, so...

Pardon me if I'm wrong.

But did I detect a certain note of warmth when you spoke about your

lawyer?

Jeffrey's madly in love with me.

I see.

So you come walking into the first door marked Attorney at Law and start waving

your money. Miss Upton, I just got back from a government job. I'm not even in

the phone book.

Oh, you mean why didn't I go to Jeffrey instead of you?

It does seem rather an obvious question.

But I couldn't go to him, don't you understand?

He simply wouldn't understand.

It does take quite a bit of understanding.

Miss Upton, what I would suggest you do... Why?

Why can't you simply do as I ask?

Well, if you're just starting in business, don't you want business?

Well, it's just something that has to be done, that's all.

Yeah,

the pro car picked her up last night. Gave a phony address.

Seemed she'd burgled her safe.

And she got more necklace and bracelet, wasn't it?

That's right.

But the jewelry's been returned. Mrs. Reed's lawyer picked it up this morning.

Mrs. Reed?

You mean you aren't holding the jewelry for evidence?

Of what?

Seems the whole thing is a great big mistake, Counselor. The Nichols woman

didn't steal the jewelry. It was loaned to her. By whom?

Mrs. Amy Reed. The owner?

You figure it out.

Sergeant, do you mind if I borrow your telephone?

Not at all.

Yes, Jody.

Who?

Mr. Kramer?

Yes, put him on, please.

Hello. Adela, I've just run into something that's a Perry Mason case, if

saw one.

And since I'm a little rusty, I thought I might buy Perry a lunch. Oh, but Perry

has a case that just took him over to Europe.

No, he'll be back in a few days, but if there's anything that I can do, or Paul

Drake, or... Oh, thank you, Adela, but it's not all that complicated yet.

Yes, I'll see you soon.

Well, I guess I'll have to figure it out myself.

If you agree, Jeff, that my safe wasn't forced, how did this Maxine creature get

into it? Well, they say any lock a man can invent, another man can unlock.

Isn't that a specialized skill requiring years of experience?

Yes, certainly.

Of course, I grant you that woman served time. Well, it wasn't safe -cracking,

no. Then how did she open the safe?

She must have had the combination.

I don't see how that's possible.

I'm certain you didn't leave it lying around.

She'd never been in the house before, and she had no contact with anyone here

prior to yesterday.

You still haven't said for what crime she was serving time in prison.

Well, you seem to have found that out for yourself. It was purse snatching.

Exactly. Well, now, just a minute.

Even if Maxine did steal my purse last night, I think we can assume that,

Well, you can just stop assuming that that's where she got the combination to

your safe from my purse.

I'm only facing facts, Donna.

What on earth would I be carrying around the combination to your safe for?

Ladies, how Maxine Nichols obtained the combination is entirely a matter of

conjecture at this point, so... And the reason I didn't press charges against

her was in the hope that she'd reciprocate by telling you where she got

Well, I'm afraid I haven't had my success there so far.

Now, it's possible Maxine would talk for a price, but... Excuse me, ma 'am?

Mr. Castelna is here.

So soon?

Well, show him in.

Who's Castelna? The jeweler.

I dropped those things off by his door this morning.

I noticed one of the stones in the necklace was loose.

Mrs. Reed, when did this happen?

The stone? Well, I just noticed it. All the stones, all the emeralds have been

removed and replaced with nothing but teeth imitations.

Oh, no.

Jeffrey, phone the police.

No, wait a minute, Mrs. Reed. When could Maxine have done that? She was picked

up just after she left here last night. This switching would have taken time.

So Maxine couldn't have done it, could she?

She was in prison.

I don't remember when I last looked at this jewelry.

I never wear it, you know.

As grandmother's, I never really liked it.

That's why I never even had it insured.

Not insured?

But I've always kept it locked up.

Right here in this safe.

Right here in my own house.

House.

Mr. Castelli, I think you'd better leave us now.

Truly. Good day, Mrs. Reed.

It must have been done by someone over a period of time.

Someone right here in my own house.

Well, there's only Stella living here, but she's been with you for so many

years, I can't imagine.

Stella isn't the only one who could have done it, Jeffrey.

Amy, don't you look at me like that. I know what you're thinking, but don't you

dare say one word. Because I've got a lawyer, and he'll sue you.

He'll sue you for a million dollars.

Darling, is that you again?

It's about time.

Why don't you tell that boss of yours to go shoot himself in a bramble bush?

But anyway, what I started to say was the top is draped black jersey, and it

this darling beige linen walking coat over it that...

That's what I think, I told you. It's for about everything.

Of course I can afford it. Hey, listen, that's why I phoned. If anyone tries to

get a hold of me or anything, be nice to them.

Well, I don't know who, just anyone.

Only don't ever commit me or say where I am or... Of course I'm sober, and I'm

going to stay sober.

Don't you understand?

This unlucky little chick has finally stumbled into something.

Something green and jingly and growing every minute.

Yes, is it?

Oh, my name is Kenneth Kramer. I'm looking for Miss Maxine Nichols. Oh,

she's staying with me.

You better come on up.

I'm Faye Gilmore. You are? I don't know where Maxine is. I just got in myself.

Oh. But if you'd like to wait.

Well, yes, thank you, I would. I phoned several times this afternoon, but there

wasn't any answer.

Well, I work.

And Maxine doesn't?

Well, she's looking for a job, I think.

I mean, well, she's just staying with me until she gets settled.

Yes, I knew she'd just gotten out of town.

You're old friends?

Well, in a way, yes.

We knew each other about five years ago in Catalina.

But we sort of lost touch after she got sick.

After she got sick?

Yes. Lung trouble.

Oh. She's been living on the desert in Arizona for the past four years.

Oh, so that's where she's been for the past four years. Yeah, that's what she

told me.

Say, I thought you said you knew Maxine. Oh, no, no, no, no. We just have a

mutual friend.

Perhaps you've met a Lola Upton?

That's, uh, Amy Reed's sister, isn't it?

Uh -huh.

No, no, we never have met.

Would you like to have a drink?

No, thank you, not right now.

Do you mind if I have one?

Not at all.

Gee, I don't know what could be keeping my scene.

What is that across the street?

It's a children's playground.

Lieutenant? Thank you.

We found this about 15 feet from the body. Looks like it was used for a

compress, but we'll know better after we get it back on the line.

That's a man's handkerchief, isn't it, Lieutenant?

It could mean that some guy shot her and later had regrets, or maybe she just

snatched it out of his pocket.

On the other hand, it... It might belong to some passing Samaritan who took off

when he saw he couldn't help her.

Me, I'll wait for the lab report.

Now, Miss Gilmore, what can you tell us about the men in her life?

I don't think that there were any.

She'd only been in town a few days.

That's long enough to make an enemy.

Lieutenant, I think we found the murder weapon.

Excuse me.

Miss Gilmore.

Was Maxine contributing anything to her board?

No. She told me that she didn't have a dime.

I even had to lend her some of my clothes so she could go job hunting

That suit she was wearing, was that one of yours? It had a Butarek label in the

jacket.

Butarek?

Oh, no.

Butarek has been out of my reach for several years now.

That's what she was talking to me about on the telephone, I guess, but...

Oh, Mr.

Kramer, honestly, she didn't make any sense.

I don't know how she suddenly got money.

It's not a question of how, but where.

Didn't Lona tell you that I practically accused her of stealing my emeralds?

I thought Maxine Nichols was the thief.

Oh, that was just the way it was supposed to seem. Well,

my idea is that Maxine stealing the jewelry was intended to cover the real

crime. And, of course, if she hadn't been caught, it would have worked.

Mrs. Reed, perhaps you'd better explain what you mean by real crime.

Mr. Kramer, those emeralds of mine had been replaced by bad imitations sometime

before the jewelry was stolen last night.

And you never noticed it?

Only because that jewelry hadn't been out of the safe for at least five years.

Well, then, Mrs. Reed, why should there be any urgent need now to conceal the

original theft? It might be another five years before you ever notice the

substitution. Yes, I rather thought you'd see us on that point.

Perhaps I've taken an unfair advantage.

But you see, Mr. Kramer, several days ago I decided to sell that jewelry.

I see. Did Lona know about your decision?

Yes, she did. Anyone else?

I... Your lawyer? Close friends? In other words, Mrs. Reed, any number of

might have known about your intention. Any number of people.

Might have given the combination of baths safe to Maxine. No.

And that's why you wanted Maxine out of jail, wasn't it? So she might tell you

who gave her the combination?

Well, yes. But now, of course, Maxine can't tell anyone because Maxine has

murdered.

Excuse me. Mr. Kramer, what did you... Mr.

Kramer? She's murdered?

How?

At the border...

Loving stepsister Manel would say it was to stop Maxine from naming the person

who gave her the combination to the safe.

And you think that was me?

Luna, let me ask you something.

Why did you want me to get Maxine out of jail?

I... Well, when Jeffrey went to the police station this morning to reclaim

necklace, he took me along to identify it.

Uh -huh. As soon as I saw those stones, I knew they were fake.

Well, whoever switched them had to be someone in this house.

And there's only Amy and Stella, isn't there?

Well, I was thinking of other people who come here often.

Like, uh, like Mr. Canfield and, uh, Pete Campbell. He does odd jobs for Amy

the time.

And Jeffrey, of course.

Which one did you suspect?

The fish and fill count.

Maxine knew.

Did you pay her for the information?

No. She wanted $10 ,000.

All I had was about half that much.

When did you talk to her?

Right after lunch?

Where have you been all evening?

No place in particular.

Just driving around.

Why, do you think I need an alibi?

Well, I haven't got one, but I have got the best thing.

What's that?

You.

Here is $5 ,000.

Please help me.

What a lovely thing to just happen to have in your purse.

on a night like this.

I understand she was in here the other evening and then again the next day.

Well, I'm not always in the bar, sir. Besides, the club is restricted to

only. I'm not a member.

No, I didn't think I'd seen you before.

But I could be a friend of a member.

That'd make it all right.

Can you drink on duty?

Well, if a member buys me a drink, it's permissible, so I imagine a guest is all

right. Would you care to have one with a gate pressure?

Oh, you couldn't crash in here, Mr. Kramer?

Somebody had to boss for you, or you'd never gotten by that door.

How did Maxine Nichols get through that door?

I don't know.

But maybe Pete Camboli could help you. He bought her a drink the first night, I

think.

Hi, Mr. Kramer.

Oh, hi.

Of course, you realize that this stuff is sort of off the top so far. Oh, yeah.

Della Street told me your agency was the one to go for strictly slow digging.

Okay.

Jeffrey Mills passed his bar exam three years ago.

but had difficulty meeting his office rent until Mrs. Amy Reed took a liking

him. Now he can meet his rent, eh?

Yeah, but not much more.

Next, Roland Canfield.

Society type, stocks and bonds, and an old family friend of the Reeds. He's the

director of the Dion Reed Foundation, which seems to be spending a lot of

What about Pete Camboli? Anything on him?

Camboli's an ex -seaman who worked for Canfield, among others, until Canfield

sold his boat a few years ago.

Since then, Camboli's been maintenance manager at the Yacht Club. And that's

about it.

Well, that's very good. Thank you. Now, I want all the information you can dig

out on this Leon Reed Foundation.

Find out if Canfield is dispersing the money, how much, and if it's going where

it's supposed to.

Well, if any of it's going to Canfield's pocket, he must have suffered financial

reverses. He's supposed to be a rich man.

We might look into that, too. Okay.

Oh, is Mr.

Kramer here? Right in there.

I think I'm in trouble.

Oh, come on, sit down. Has something happened since last night? The police

to the house again. I think they want to question me.

I told Stella to say I was out, and then I went out.

That wasn't very smart of you, Lola.

Well, there's something I want to tell you first.

I did pay Maxine.

Oh, not in money, in clothes.

I took her down to Votarex, and I told her she could use my charge account.

And what did you receive in return?

Nothing. Yeah.

She wanted $10 ,000.

But I thought if she bought some pretty things, then I took her my $5 ,000.

Well, that's why I had the money in my purse last night.

But you didn't give it to her?

No.

Why? She wasn't home.

I didn't mean to be back quite this fast, but I guess you know Lieutenant

Anderson? Oh, yes, of course.

Hello, Miss Upton.

I missed you at home this morning.

It doesn't matter, though.

We traced that handkerchief, Mr. Kramer.

It was certainly quick work, Lieutenant.

The lab deserves all the credit.

While they were verifying that the blood was the victim's, they came up with a

lead on a men's store who carried that particular make of handkerchief.

And? One of their customers is a man named Roland Canfield.

You'd better go on, Lieutenant.

Well, one thing puzzled us.

There were two types of blood on the handkerchief.

The first thing was type A. Mr. Canfield was type AB.

What type are you, Miss Upton?

I don't know.

Your doctor says you're type A.

Do you mind if I take a look at your hand?

Just a minute, Detective. Hansel admits the handkerchief is his. He's also going

to testify that he loaned the handkerchief to Miss Upton the night she

her hand.

To testify?

I have a warrant here for your arrest, Miss Upton.

First degree murder.

Good morning, Counselor.

Murder?

Are you sure that's all?

That's all I can remember.

There was no answer when I rang, when I rang Maxine's doorbell.

And then, then I heard what sounded like a sound. It was off in the playground.

And the car drove away very fast.

I went over. I found Maxine on there. I put the house on the wall, and I went to

that house.

And I just hoped you'd remember something more.

I just told you. I went looking for a telephone.

Mrs.

Reed. Mrs.

Reed. We've heard the defendant here described as being your sister.

Is that description completely accurate?

No, she's my half -sister.

We had the same father, but different mothers.

I see.

And all the parents involved are now deceased, is that correct?

That is correct. Only Lona and I left. Are you the sole support of your half

-sister, Mrs. Reed?

Well, the estate I inherited from my stepfather was far more than my needs.

So I invited Lona to come live with me.

And is she a paid companion? I mean, does she get a cash allowance, something

like that?

Well, she has charge accounts for her needs.

And from time to time, I gave her some cash.

Lasted little, I can tell you.

I think he got that point across.

And now, Mrs. Reed, I want to ask you some questions about a recent theft of

jewelry from your home.

Which theft?

The dead girl had stolen an emerald necklace, but someone had previously

replaced all the stones with worthless imitations.

I would like you to tell us the value, the original value of the genuine

emeralds. Well, when Grandmother died, when they were given to me about nine

years ago, that jewelry was appraised at $50 ,000.

Now, of course, it's worth much more.

And how many people besides yourself know the combination of the safe in

the jewelry was habitually kept?

The dead girl, for one.

But where she got it, I've no idea.

Well, that's my point exactly.

Couldn't someone else at your house have known it and given it to her?

I suppose so. And could you explain for us, by the way, how the decedent

happened to be in your house that night at all? He returned a purse belonging to

my sister.

Later on, Lona invited her to spend the night.

Really?

Well, did the defendant give any explanation for that after all?

A little peculiar, inviting a complete stranger into the house for the night.

Someone you hardly know. A woman who turned out, in fact, to be a thief.

Well, none of us knew any of that at the time.

The two girls spent several hours together and apparently became very

And Maxie Nichols returned that friendship by stealing your emerald

And never mind, Mrs. Reed. I'll withdraw that last question.

Your witness, Mr. Kramer.

Your point, Mr. Becker.

Mrs. Reed.

Did you keep the combination to that safe in your hand, or was it written

somewhere? It was in a private notebook that I kept locked in a desk drawer.

And even to an amateur, the lock on that desk drawer wouldn't pose too much of a

problem, would it?

No, I suppose not.

Now, aside from the people living in the house, how many other people in your

immediate circle might have had the opportunity to get into that desk

Oh, perhaps four or five, maybe.

No further questions.

Because of my past association with Dion Reed, he was my closest friend.

I was honored to accept the position of director of the Dion Reed Foundation.

This was an endowment fund of some sort?

Exactly that.

Mrs. Reed supports several charities in Dion's name.

To date, Mr.

Canfield, how much money has Mrs. Reed contributed to these various memorials

her late husband?

Well, Mr. Berger, I think that's privileged information.

I would need Mrs. Reed's consent to divulge it.

Well, since Mrs. Reed doesn't seem to object, $43 ,809, which does not include

the current project, the Dion Reed Memorial Siemens Home.

That's an additional $30 ,000.

That's over $70 ,000 in all, a substantial sum.

And now suppose Mrs. Reed had added to that the value of her jewelry.

Well, then, hypothetically at least, we would have had perhaps $125 ,000 in our

fund. I see.

What was the defendant's express attitude toward this project, Mr.

did Lona Upton feel about it? Was Mrs.

Reed's money that she wanted to devote it to her husband's memory? That's not

answer to my question.

Well, I'll admit Lona Upton was not particularly in favor of this program,

but... I just want to know the actual words of the defendant, Lona Upton.

Lona hated the program.

On the day of the robbery, she begged me and begged me to use my influence with

her sister to discontinue it.

Your witness, Mr. Kramer.

Canfield, you had known the decedent Maxine Nichols before, hadn't you? If

expect a yes or no answer to that, Mr. Kramer, I refuse to.

Well, in as many words as you like.

Very well, then.

Several years ago, many Yacht Club members frequently sailed to Catalina on

weekends. We would usually go to a certain bar there.

When I met Maxine Nichols at the Reed home the other night, I recognized her

a former waitress in that bar.

To that extent, I used to know her.

Then you were surprised to see her the other night.

Naturally.

Although at the time, it seemed merely coincidence.

In that respect, however, I realize that in the past, she had known Dion Reed as

a wealthy man.

Well now, having found or stolen loaners hers, Maxine saw her opportunity and...

I'm afraid Mr. Canfield, the court is not interested in your opinions. Can you

actually explain how Maxine Nichols obtained the combinations of the safe?

No.

No, I can't.

Mr. Berger, I believe a wrong impression has been created here.

Miss Upton was concerned for her sister's health, not her money.

Oh, Mrs. Reed has been in ill health?

Not physically.

You mean mentally?

No, sir. I mean emotionally.

Ever since the boating accident, Mrs. Reed has been dedicated to her husband's

memory. I think most people would consider that quite normal.

So my question to you is... Miss Upton thought it was getting out of

Now, I never had the privilege of knowing the late Mr. Reed, but it's

he was a most unusual person.

Just the same, five years of mourning could have injurious effects.

Isn't he wonderful?

Injurious effects on Mrs. Reed's health?

Or on Mrs. Reed's financial reserve?

Well, both, perhaps, but... Now, who would have the best possible reason to

concerned about the depletion of those financial reserves?

Who is Amy Reed's sole heir, for instance?

I'm sorry, Mr. Berger, but as you well know, the contents of a will are

privileged information.

Isn't it the defendant, Lona Upton? I really can't say.

Well, who is the one person Mrs.

Reed has constantly told you she intends to take care of as long as her money

holds up?

Do you want me to put Mrs. Reed back on the stand and ask her who that one

person is?

It's the defendant, of course.

Lona Upton.

I met Maxine in Catalina, too.

In those days, I belonged to the Yacht Club set. In other words, you barely

the woman, either.

And yet you took her into your apartment as a non -paying guest?

Well, I didn't know that she'd just been released from prison.

She told me that she'd been sick for the past four years.

Isn't it true, Miss Gilmore, that it was something other than sympathy that led

you to take her in? Wasn't it something that she knew about your past life?

There is absolutely nothing in my past life, Mr. Berger, that I am in the least

bit ashamed of. All right, but wasn't there something that you and Maxine

Nichols had in common, some memory perhaps, some person that you two knew

together? You mean Dion Reed?

Exactly. Well, I never felt there was any...

Real relationship between Deanna and Maxine. And can you say the same thing

about yourself, Miss Gilmore?

I was in love with him once.

I did everything possible to attract his attention.

So, you see, Mr. Berger, if you're looking for a reason for

my hospitality,

And maybe I took Maxine in so she could leaf through my memory book with me.

But I want you to recall the one night recently when Maxine Nichols did not

at your apartment.

You mean the night that she stayed at the Reeds?

Yes. Now, did she tell you she wouldn't be home that night?

Yes. Yes, she phoned me from there. Would you tell us, please, exactly what

said? She said that she had stumbled onto something exciting.

and that she thought it could mean money to her, maybe.

But she really wasn't any more specific that night than she was the next day

when she called me. Just a minute, please.

Mr. Kramer, certainly you must have some objection to this line of questioning.

I have no further questions of this witness, Your Honor.

I have no real objection, Your Honor, since it does give me the opportunity to

ask about telephone calls.

What did the decedent next call you from, Miss Gilmore?

She said that she was at the yacht club.

That was the next afternoon.

And did she say any more to you then about making money?

No.

Only that she thought several people might be in touch with her.

Did she say what people or why they might be calling her?

No.

Only that whatever it was that people thought she knew might be worth a

to her.

Finally got some more dope on Roland Canfield. He's a good ball. Perfect.

Arnheim Haven and Clough just completed the quarterly audit of their book. Every

nickel's accounted for, and Canfield put some of his own money into the Reed

Foundation. Well, he must be solvent.

He may have had his ups and downs in the past, but for now he's a rich wrong

alley, so I've been thinking.

Suppose Amy stole Roland Emeralds and hired Maxine to cover up. I don't

it, Paul.

If Amy were short of money, she wouldn't pour it into all of these memorials for

her husband.

Not unless she was some kind of a nut, which she is.

Well, what do you think?

Well, I think Amy's a tragic person.

I think she believes the greatest thing that ever happened to her was her

marriage to Dion Reed. It gave her status.

She was rich, yes, but so were all of her friends.

When Dion Reed drowned, she kept his legend alive to keep her ego alive.

Okay. So who did hire Maxine to open that safe?

Maybe nobody.

Paul... That film on that burger introduced earlier.

You mean the one Pete Campoli put together? Yeah, I'll arrange with a

have a print made up for us. I want you to get hold of a film technician.

No problem. What's the point? Remember there was a girl in the background on

about half of the shots?

I think it was the same girl every time.

Mr. Campoli, according to your testimony under direct examination...

You admitted knowing of Bay Gilmore's unrequited affection for the late Dion

Reed. That's right.

But it never got her anyplace.

How can you be so sure?

Dion brushed her off.

Anybody at the club can tell you that. She even admits it herself.

Well, in this circumstance, would any girl want to admit being involved with a

married man? Oh, Bellswater.

The skipper wouldn't give that kid the time of day.

Is the court pleased I would like to rerun certain portions of the film

previously introduced by the prosecution?

Your Honor, may I remind counsel this film was introduced merely as background

material. It was used to establish who was at the Reed house that day and the

purpose for the gathering.

Nevertheless, Mr. Berger, that film was introduced as a state's exhibit. I wish

to examine it now.

You're within your rights, Mr. Kramer. Make sure you shut the blinds as soon as

this film is ready. It's all set up, Your Honor.

Now, Mr. Campbell, in just a moment, we come to a scene of you and Dion Reed

aboard his boat. I want you to pay close attention.

I remember it. And perhaps you can tell me if that young lady in the background

is Faye Gilmore.

I guess so.

Sure. She was always around.

Well, just so there won't be any doubt in your mind, I've had the brain stopped

and blown up.

Who is it, Mr. Campbell?

Maxine Nichols.

That's right.

And Maxine is in every scene taken on Catalina.

Now, may I ask you, Mr. Campbell, wasn't she more than just a cocktail waitress,

more than just a casual acquaintance?

Mr. Campbell, who besides yourself knew about his friendship with Maxine

Nichols?

I don't know.

The night Dion Reed drowned, the two of you were together in Catalina. But he

stranded you there and started back alone. Why?

Because he wasn't coming back.

He what?

I just told you, he was cutting out.

It wasn't because of that Maxine either.

She was no good and he knew it. Did he tell you that?

No.

She did.

His wife.

When he didn't show up the next morning, she said, Petey's gone.

I knew he would leave me someday and now he's done it.

I'm sorry, Amy.

I've just got to tell the truth here.

Pete!

Why haven't you told anyone this before?

Why should I?

When there was this phone call, it was the Coast Guard.

The only place Deanne ever ran away to was the... the bottom of the Catalina

Channel.

Are you happy with what you've done, Mr. Kramer?

Exposing my secret?

Destroying the image of a man who can't defend himself?

Mrs. Reed, I may have destroyed a legend, but that's all.

The destruction of the man himself happened on the night he was murdered.

Nonsense.

Dion's boat capsized in the channel. It was an accident.

Then let me ask you this.

When were your emeralds stolen?

You told me you hadn't taken them out of the safe for five years, so couldn't

Dion have been deceived?

And couldn't Maxine have gotten the combination from him, probably by

it? And wouldn't that put a whole new light on Leon's death? He was leaving

He had your emeralds, or more likely the proceeds from them.

Now, if he simply vanished, you might discover that the emerald had been

switched. That's why I'm suggesting that he planned the accident to give himself

plenty of time to disappear.

But his body was recovered.

So was the vote, Mrs. Reed, but not one cent of the money.

So I suggest that Leon Reed's death was murder for profit.

By me, Mr. Kramer?

In the middle of the Catanina Channel?

I'm afraid you need a murderer who swims much better than I.

Or someone with a boat.

After he'd scuffled the Dorigo, Mrs. Reed, he had to get back to shore.

Who helped him?

Did you do that to him, Pete?

That's a stinker lie. The skipper was my friend. If he had asked me to help him

get away, I would have done so.

Objection, Your Honor. I object.

In case Mr. Kramer has forgotten.

The question of Dion Reed's death is not the issue at hand.

This is a hearing into the murder of Maxine Nichols.

Mr. Berger, if Maxine Nichols had obtained the combination of the safe

Reed, she would have realized, when it was discovered that the emeralds were

phony, that he was the one who switched them.

Now, can you doubt that she might also have guessed the identity of his

and tried to blackmail him? Well, it wasn't me. I was on Catalina all that

night, and I can prove it. Mr. Campbell, we are not accusing you.

If you'd acquired a large sum of money five years ago, you wouldn't still be

working for a living today. And as you say, you had an alibi.

Mr. Canfield, where were you on the night of Dion Reed's death or the night

Maxine Nichols was murdered? I am not going to answer that.

You have no proof. Not one shred of evidence.

All you're doing is swinging blindly.

Five years ago, Mr. Canfield, you were in serious financial trouble, requiring

restitution. There's ample evidence of that, and yet you were able to make

restitution. I sold my boat.

We've barely covered your shortages. That also is a matter of record.

And yet a short time later, Mr. Canfield, you acquired a huge sum of

Where did it come from?

I refuse to answer.

I am not on trial here. Bide your time, Mr. Canfield.

Bide your time.

I thought you'd want to hear the most recent developments. Yes, yes.

Where's your sister?

She's upstairs, but I don't think we should bother her.

All right.

Canfield has confessed.

What did he say? Well, he finally admitted trying to borrow money from

agreed that Canfield would help him to disappear after his fake accident.

But when Canfield found out that Dion had over $100 ,000 on him, it appears he

switched more than just the emeralds. Canfield decided to make the accident

real. Does he admit killing Maxine, too?

Oh, yes, but he insists it wasn't premeditated.

She demanded too much money and pulled a gun when Canfield tried to scare her.

The gun went off in a scuffle.

He must have nearly fainted when the police traced that bloody handkerchief

him. Quite possibly.

If you and Maxine had both had the same type blood, they might very well have

gotten them right then.

Jeffrey, what type are you?

I don't know.

Oh, well, you have a blood test when you get married.

I think.