Original subtitles

Thank you.

This is the story of Walter Nebeker.

Doing what he likes best, fighting crime in the streets.

You see, Walter's a policeman.

Unfortunately, the chief doesn't want Walter on the streets.

Captain, get back to your cage, boy.

Now! So Walter must fight crime in his own way, in the computer room.

That's where he's an expert.

Fortunately for me, Walter's advanced knowledge of electronics led him to

experiment with what is called a hologram.

That's a very fancy word for a three -dimensional picture that, when

can be made to look real, sound real.

As a matter of fact, given enough power, it can even be made to feel real.

That's kind of what got me into this world.

My name is Auto Man.

You must be Walter Nevica.

How did you know that? It's on the programming you fed into my system. I

say, Walter, you're very good. Very good indeed.

I look wonderful.

If you do say so yourself.

You programmed me to be honest.

But tell me, why did you call me Auto Man? It means that you're the world's

first truly automatic man.

You can do anything because you're not real.

Oh, but I am. I'm as real as you are, just different.

And thanks to you, perfect.

Nobody's perfect, Auto Man.

That's not true, Walter.

You've programmed me to observe other people and do whatever they can do as

as they can do it.

Jimmy Connors playing tennis, John Travolta dancing.

In fact, on a scale of one to ten, think of me as an eleven.

I've created a monster.

No, what Walter really created was a wonderful force for good.

Auto Man.

That's me.

Look,

I've been working on this project for ten years. I refuse to allow a bunch of

bankers to jump in and grab control.

You figure it'll take two million to finish the construction.

To do it right.

How much can you raise?

Cash. American.

Three hundred and fifty thousand.

It should work out just fine.

You can buy $350 ,000 worth of cocaine down here.

Cocaine?

Oh, I don't know. Come on, trust me.

I guarantee you can sell it in the States for at least three million.

To who?

Don't worry.

They'll call you. It's all part of the deal.

You make it sound so easy.

For someone like you, it is. You're a distinguished businessman.

No one would suspect you of carrying drugs.

See, it's the scuzzies they watch out for.

Why don't you do it yourself, if you don't mind me asking?

Are you kidding?

Hey, this is Bobby Sawyer you're talking to.

I set one foot on U .S. soil and they throw me in jail for 200 years.

No, no.

That's one trip I don't plan on taking.

Well, what's next?

Well, you get the cash, you get the dope.

And you are back in business.

Sawyer, I want to thank you for your help.

Good, good.

Woody?

What are you doing?

It's not what I'm doing. It's what you are.

Oh, wait a minute. We had a deal. I gave you the money.

Yeah, well, Mr. Sawyer's been down too well. Just chalk it up to experience.

Persons? Captain, will you give me a break? I'm a homicide detective.

This is not missing persons. A missing person is a husband who runs away with

his secretary to Pittsburgh.

Uh -huh. So what is this, then?

All right.

Last month, a man named James Dowling went to a Caribbean island called San

Cristobal and disappeared.

Sounds like missing persons. I haven't finished yet.

Couldn't this Dowling just be hiding out down there? People do skip, right?

Of course, anything is possible, but I do not see myself taking this idea to

chief unless I have some very hard evidence.

Isn't San Cristobal one of those tax shelter islands where all kinds of

financial finagling goes on?

Exactly. According to his brother, Dowling was trying to close some kind of

deal with somebody in a bank down there, a Miss Leanne Lou.

And even knowing that, the authorities in San Cristobal haven't come up with

anything? The chief told me to put the best cop in L .A. on this, Curtis.

Are you going to take Caldwell here with you?

Me? Yes.

Troubled boss runs off with his secretary. It'll be good bait.

Give me ten minutes and I'll be packed and ready to go.

All right, now, Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar.

I want you to get on that machine of yours and create an unbreakable cover

them. Consider it done, sir. Wally.

It seems to me something else from that part of the world has been coming in on

bulletins. You're right. I'd better run it on the computer.

Don't just stand there. Get on it, boy, now!

What have you found out?

Well, your suggestion that I see if there were any other disappearances in

Caribbean was a good one.

My friend, the FBI computer, says six more men have vanished on business trips

to San Cristobal Island in the past 18 months.

With no trace?

Well, no, not exactly.

Last month, the body of one of the missing men washed up on Wynwood Key in

Florida. Body?

Otto, does your friend at the FBI know the cause of death?

Sorry, Walter, the sharks didn't leave much to analyze.

I'd better call the lieutenant.

Wait, the cursor can go through the circuits.

More rapidly.

We're sorry, your international call cannot be completed.

There's a breakdown at the relay station in San Cristobal.

It'll be at least four hours before we can get through.

We don't have four hours, Otto. Lieutenant Curtis and Roxanne's lives

danger. Then I suggest we go down there by the fastest available means.

Another ride in the autoplane?

Ah, the tropics.

I've always wanted to see them.

Hot sultry nights, music carried by the trade wind.

Always, Otto?

Since when have you cared about sultry nights and trade winds?

Ever since we saw High Wind to Java, remember?

The late show.

How could I forget?

For two weeks, you started every conversation with Land Ho.

There's an abandoned airfield nearby.

Cursor will set us down there.

Senor Collins, I forgot to give you the card for your complimentary dinner.

Don't forget your costumes.

The carnival begins tonight. There will be many parties. Much celebrating.

Thank you very much, but we are here to work. We won't have much time for

parties. Oh, but you and Mrs. Carrs must at least watch the fireworks.

They are very romantic.

Uh, it's Miss Reynolds.

I'm her secretary.

Of course.

Roxanne and Lieutenant Curtis will be surprised to see us. They'll be more

surprised if you show up looking like that.

Before we go any further, you better change into something a little more

suitable. I have just the thing. Close your eyes.

Otto, this is no time for... Please, indulge a poor hologram.

Poor? Oh, all right.

Walter, you can look now.

What do you think?

Stand very still, senores.

You are under arrest.

Otto. An unfortunate complication, Walter. If we're in jail, we won't be

warn Lieutenant Curtis.

There's no way I can make a run for it, but you can.

You want me to leave you in danger?

We haven't any choice.

Only please, don't let him see what you are.

Not to worry, Walter.

Discretion is my middle name.

You will tell me what happened to your friend, senor, and the plane that

you in, if you want to live.

Yes,

would you please page Miss Roxanne Reynolds?

Call for Miss Roxanne Reynolds.

Miss Roxanne...

Hello? Hello, Miss Caldwell.

Puddle Man, what are you doing here?

Walter and I came down together.

Came down together?

How? No, wait.

I don't want to know.

Now this guy is behind you.

Do you? Yeah, that's Wally's friend, a federal agent.

Now don't, don't, don't, don't turn around.

He might blow his cover. Just ask him what he wants.

I came here to warn you.

Dowling isn't the only man who's disappeared here.

And at least one other victim is dead.

The two of you are in greater danger than you thought.

Well, that comes with the territory. We're professionals just like you are.

Lieutenant, I'm proud of you. In fact, everyone in Washington is keeping an eye

on Jack Curtis.

Well, thank you. Thank you very much.

But you didn't come here just for that.

No, I'm also here to help.

You carry on. I've got some names here to check out at the hotel, and then I

must get back to Walter.

Back to Walter? Where's Walter?

In jail, I imagine. But don't worry.

I'll do what I can.

Don't worry.

We shot at them, Captain, and the man just disappeared.

You mean two coffin flew away?

No, sir, no. The plane had already left.

This one's friend just vanished into thin air. Poof, just like that.

You want me to believe your prisoner is a magician as well as a smuggler, is

that it? I'm neither one, Captain.

Just a lowly law enforcement officer like yourself.

Well, maybe lowly is the wrong word.

For you, I mean.

The field where you were found is well known to be used by smugglers.

We catch them there all the time.

You didn't catch one this time.

Oh, no?

They often use false documents, including police credentials.

Captain Romano, if you want to believe the incredible story the sergeant is

telling... Go right ahead.

But it's going to be hard to explain to your superiors, especially when they

learn that you've interfered with the performance of my duty.

And just what is your duty?

Someone has been luring Americans here, and I believe murdering them.

I think we made a mistake, Sergeant, and we owe this gentleman an apology.

But, sir, this... Sergeant?

Yes, sir.

Lo siento.

Sorry to have detained your officer, Nebuchadnezzar. That's Nebuchadnezzar.

Whatever. We do our best here.

But this being a port of call for so many people from so many different

countries, sometimes things get out of hand.

Oh, I understand. I hope you stay intact. It's a fruitful one. If you need

anything, don't hesitate to call.

Follow him.

Walter, you escaped without me. That's good. But shouldn't you be running

instead of walking away?

Otto, I don't have to run.

You don't? That's very good. Right. See, I didn't escape. I just flashed my

badge. Oh, that's very bad. Bad?

Why? I've been to every hotel in town looking for proof that Dowling and the

other missing men arrived here.

So? What's that got to do with showing my badge?

It seems that all registration records are turned over to the police every

When I went to check them out via the police computer, I found a most amazing

thing. What?

An officer by the name of Captain Romano is in charge of the records.

And he had them all erased.

I'm not sure I understand why you came all the way down here, Mr. Collins.

Certainly there are banks in Los Angeles that would loan you money.

Of course there are. If it was a loan I needed, I wouldn't have had a problem.

But you said you were in need of money.

Miss Lou, I am in need of money, but not a loan.

What is it, then?

Well, I was hoping you might have some suggestions.

You mean like an investment?

An investment, yes. That sounds more like what I had in mind.

You realize that investment may be risky. I didn't build up a million

business without taking a few risks.

Surely the bank would be hardly in a position of advising you on something

this.

Well...

Possibly not, but certain friends of mine in the States have indicated that

might be more resourceful, Miss Liu.

Friends?

Well, never mind. I'm sure I've taken too much of your time already. I'm sure

I'll find some way to improve my cash position.

Mr. Collins.

Do you have a phone number where you're staying?

I found another customer for you. His name is Jake Carnes, and he sounds

How right?

I ran him through the computer. His company is filing for bankruptcy, and he

still get his hand on a good amount of cash.

How good?

$500 ,000.

Where did you find him?

He found me.

We spend half our time scouring the records, looking for the right men, and

one just walks in the front door?

No, no.

I don't think so, Leanne.

Whatever you say, Robin.

Captain Romano's here. Here?

He says it's important.

By all means, show the captain in.

So you're looking very well.

Alberto, to what do I owe this pleasure?

To me, of course.

You know something? This place grows more and more comfortable each time I

it. You don't get anything without working hard for it, Romano.

Americans, Americans, always so quick to come to the point.

No appreciation of subtlety.

Come, walk with me.

There had better be a point, Romano.

Do you like it?

Very nice.

Is it yours?

Oh, no.

This is much too showy for a poor captain of police.

I'm going to give this to my mistress.

As a matter of fact, I'm giving one to each one of my mistresses.

Toys like this cost a great deal of money.

Exactly.

I want a bigger cut.

You're getting 20%. I want 50.

You're not worth it. Oh, really?

Who makes all this possible?

Who enables you to stay here?

Who protects your identity and keeps you from being extradited, huh?

All right, what's happened?

There's an American policeman on the island.

He doesn't know it yet, but he's looking for you.

And for 50%, you'll keep him away, is that it?

For 50%, I keep my saintly mother away.

Well, I guess I don't have much choice for now.

No, you don't.

Tell me.

Would it bother you to kill a policeman?

Not anymore.

Hello? You still think that pigeon looks good?

I believe your saying is his tongue is hanging out.

All right, set him up. I want to look him over.

I was a kid on the Fourth of July.

Yeah, I'd enjoy it a lot more if I knew what was happening to Auto Man.

Wally, you created Auto Man. You programmed him. How can you not know

is?

Because of this note.

Walter, I've gone to investigate the fruits of the tropics. Signed, Auto.

Investigate the fruits of the tropics?

How can he do that without you?

Well, it's like an overgrown child on his first trip from home.

Otto's feedback circuits make him curious about life and things.

It is.

You see if you can find out how Jack's doing.

I'll try and handle Fred Astaire.

But why, Walter? Now I look like everybody else.

Otto,

this is crazy.

No, it's fun. It's torrid. It's limbo. It's me.

Otto, you can't do this.

But, Walter, this is the tropics. Pungent smells of the jungle. Steamy

with erotic desires.

By the way, Walter, what is an erotic desire?

Never mind!

Otto, I've got to talk to you. Now!

Certainly, Walter, but it does seem to be my turn again. No!

We have work to do.

You have to talk to the computer at the bank.

All right, Walter, but I was a notch away from an island record.

I'm being watched.

No problem.

Cursor?

It's him.

The one who disappeared.

Happy though. Happy though.

It was just bad luck running into him.

You call doing the limbo in public bad luck?

I call it bad judgment.

All of my judgment was programmed by you.

So? I'm not perfect.

Sorry, I keep forgetting.

This time he will not get away, Raul.

This time I am not seeing things.

Or am I?

If he can make that turn, so can we.

They're not giving up. No problem. The good thing about an island is its

isolation. We can open it up, let in all the stops.

There's no one out here on the open road to get hurt.

Walter,

are you all right?

Oh, nothing a good orthopedic surgeon can't fix.

If you do not make this turn, I will take the wheel myself.

That last turn did it. There's no way they can catch up now.

There's only one problem. What's that?

There's only one road, and where we have to get is back that way.

The bank, to check the records.

Right. No problem. We're as good as there.

You want

something

done right, you must do it yourself.

If you mention one word of this to anyone, you are a dead man.

Ready, Walter? Let's go.

symbols. It's faster. I was about to suggest the same thing.

Why all of a sudden do you need a great deal of money?

I stayed complacent and the competition didn't. They went ahead.

Now I've got to buy a lot of rolling stock and I thought you weren't

I know a man that might be able to help you.

There are however some

Let us say ethical consideration involved.

Oh, come on. I've run a lot of red lights in my time.

I don't mind doing it again.

We have a few moments before my friend is expecting us.

The best view for the firework is in the other room.

There's nothing like little fireworks.

Meet Jake Conn. Hi. How do you do?

Ann said that you might help me. What have you got?

Usually it's drugs.

Yeah, usually?

Jake Conn, Scott.

That's Jack Curtis.

Your voice.

I know you.

You know each other.

Let's just put it this way.

He's not exactly an old friend.

You go in here at your own risk.

I'm told this man is very dangerous.

And thank you for the contribution.

Thank you, Sergeant.

Am I okay? I'm fine. I'm done.

Never better. I'm fine.

Now I'm not okay. How can I be okay?

The last time I saw Norris, I was waving bye -bye to him when we sent him

upriver. Here he is with a new name, a new scam, and a brand new face. That's

cute, right?

Have you told the police you're a cop?

How do you think I got here?

Norris or Sawyer, whatever he calls himself, he's got the brass in his

I was afraid of that.

I'm going to go to the Governor General.

No, no, no, wait. You're not going anyplace, Roxanne. Come on, sit down.

Not until we get an ironclad case. You go in now, we'll just look like fools.

This is Norris's turf. It's not ours, remember.

In the meantime, what happened to you?

Well, if they wanted me dead, we wouldn't be having this nice little

conversation, right?

No, they just want to know how much I know.

I plan to make that as difficult as possible.

But how do we get you out?

We don't.

We leave that in the hands of Wally's federal friend, remember?

You know, there's just something about that guy.

Yeah, I know what you mean.

I just can't help but trust him.

I just hope Wally remembers which one of them is in charge.

Hello, Captain.

If you're here to get your fellow policeman out of jail, I suggest you

it. On the contrary. If Lieutenant Curtis has broken any of your laws, he

be held accountable.

You and I understand that very well, don't we, Captain?

What do you mean?

Only that we're both hard -working, honest officers, doing our best to

the law.

I do work very hard, that's true, but...

Lieutenant Curtis and I were sent down to San Cristobal to bring back one of

most wanted criminals in the state.

Who is this man?

His name is Otto.

Never heard of him. He's in your country because he just embezzled over $15

million from the federal poverty program.

He has the money with him in cash.

$15 million?

Working together, we could make the biggest bust in history.

We could take the money.

Go on.

Put it back in the poverty program, where it belonged.

Where it belongs, of course.

And how could I help you?

The man I mentioned to you before, the one others come to San Cristobal to see,

he could lure Otto out.

You mean attracting a bad apple with another?

Exactly.

All I ask is that you use whatever contacts you have to pass along the

information.

I have a good feeling about you, Officer Nebuchadnezzar.

I'll see what I can do.

Your check, sir.

$129 .30.

Walter, how did it go?

I don't know yet. I've planted the seed. Now we'll have to cultivate it.

Plant? Cultivate?

Walter, if you'd told me we'd be gardening, I'd have told Curson to raise

dungarees.

Wally, I've been looking all over for you.

Shh.

Anyway, you're going to have to make a big impression.

An impression?

I understand I'll be good -looking, charming, witty. Wrong.

The word is rich.

Have lots of money and spread it around.

If everything goes right, you'll be hearing from Liang.

Any questions?

Well, just one.

What do I do after I play hard to get?

Do you remember Rhett Butler and Gone with the Wind?

Got it.

Another 5 ,000 on eight.

The hard way. I've been watching you all night.

There's just something I've got to ask.

What makes your collar glow like that?

It's an electromagnetic field caused by the impingement of my world on yours.

No wonder my pigments keep falling off.

Here we go.

Nine.

Nate, heartache, the winner.

The winner.

Buy yourself a drink.

The auto.

That's right.

My name is Liang Lu.

You're going to lose all that pretty money.

So what? I'm very rich. You're not going to be rich for very long if you keep

throwing it away.

Couldn't we go somewhere and talk?

Well, I'm enjoying myself here.

There are other kind of enjoyment.

Why don't you go buy yourself a bunch of new sequins?

What can I do for you?

It's what I can do for you.

Like protect you.

Perhaps even from yourself.

Has it occurred to you if I wanted advice on what to do with my money, I

have asked for it?

Sometimes it is very difficult to ask for what you want the most.

I know a man, a very successful man.

He could see to it.

that your wealth grows more rapidly than you ever imagined.

Gambling can do the same thing.

Ah. But here the only risk is not accepting Mr. Sawyer's invitation.

And perhaps missing the opportunity of a lifetime.

Talking about opportunity.

Why do you... I'll follow you anywhere.

I think perhaps you misunderstood.

Did anyone ever tell you there's fire dancing in your eyes?

You make me tingle all over.

I think I'd better go.

I must make a note to try this again sometime.

Nice work, Otto.

It was really quite an enlightening experience.

I'll bet it was.

You didn't even set up a meeting with him.

480 Calderon. Yes, I have the address.

Oh, and tell Mr. Sawyer I look forward to meeting him as well.

Thank you.

When did he want you there?

Right now.

Then we better get going.

Roxanne? Don't worry, Wally. I can handle my part, too.

Okay.

Operator? If you want to be part of this conversation, Walter, I suggest we

merge.

Believe me, Mr. Otto, you're talking to a man who should know.

The world is running out of safe havens for people like us.

You seem to have done well for yourself here in San Cristobal.

Yes, you could say that.

But those days are just about gone.

I'd be sorry to hear that, considering I have come all this way.

Mr. Otto, I'm going to be very honest with you.

You see, I have a police captain.

whose palm needs more grease than a steam locomotive.

And the political situation changes faster than the weather.

Do you have a better alternative?

Yes, I do.

A place where it's impossible to break the rules. Why?

Because I make the rules.

My own island, Mr. Otto.

600 acres of the sweetest soil on the entire planet.

No police, no politician.

Nothing but swaying palm trees, white beaches, and beautiful native girls.

You paint a pretty picture.

We can't even begin to do it justice.

We'd have to see it to believe it.

And what would I have to do to share in this paradise of yours?

For a man of your wealth, the financial obligation would be nominal.

All that's required is that you bring what you have to invest to a deserted

airstrip at the north end of town by noon tomorrow.

We'll take care of the rest.

Every light on the island will soon be on.

Like the most electrifying event you've ever seen.

Every light on the island.

Are you all right?

Just a little unsteady on my feet.

The festival of lights has begun.

I know.

If you'll excuse me, until tomorrow.

Better follow him, see he doesn't get lost, and take Johnson with you.

Hurry, Otto.

It's the Festival of Lights. It's draining my power.

Sorry, Walter. I'll be back as soon as I can.

Hey!

Who are you?

Wait for me over there.

Where did he come from?

Hello, Mr. Otto.

Glad you're here.

We're about to leave without you.

Really?

I need a mist.

Please.

I believe this is mine.

Yes, yes, 50 -50. Hey, what's going on here?

Woody?

What's going on, my dear Mr. Otto? You're about to be taken for a ride.

Now move it.

Oh, the frantic pace of jet setters.

And it isn't even a jet.

Liang, still tingling?

San Cristobal is quite beautiful from the air, don't you agree?

So are its women.

But that, I've found, can be deceptive.

I'm sorry, Mr. Otto.

I really became quite fond of you. An absence will make it even fonder.

Woody, cop first.

What are you doing?

Come on.

Hey, wait a minute.

I

believe

I'm next.

Is he nuts? Where is he going?

What's he doing?

Good thing I'm not afraid of heights.

Cursor?

Walter, fancy meeting you here.

Very fancy indeed, Otto.

I should have known you wouldn't let me down.

Ah, but down is just where we're headed.

Yes, but I prefer this easier way.

Well

done.

All right, Johnson, take us back.

The money! It's gone!

It can't be.

Otto, you must have taken it with him.

Unless you found a way of hiding it.

Captain, I didn't hide anything.

It was a lot to lose for both of us.

Well, in that case, we had to go back and find another prospect.

Is that right, partner?

Partner.

What do you suppose took them so long?

You. It's impossible.

She's supposed to be... Dead.

What a shame.

I guess the charge will only be attempted murder.

For us, maybe, Walter.

But there's still all those other people you killed.

Not me. He's the one who won.

Me? It was his idea. Romano was a full partner.

He forced me into the deal. He said he'd have me arrested if I didn't do it.

He lured every one of us. He took half the money.

Oh, one or two of you, just shut up.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

So there never really was a dope deal, eh? Never.

Norris and his new identity as Robert Sawyer found guys who desperately needed

money, who ate some big bucks in their faces, and then they killed them.

And you put an end to it.

A great job by a great cop. Captain, I didn't do it by myself.

Oh, you see that?

That's why Curtis is a great cop.

Loyalty. I really admire that.

Like fertilizer, credit is no good unless you spread it around. Right,

You bet, Captain. You know, I'm glad to hear that Caldwell and Nebbish are a lot

of help. You forgot to go through channels, boy.

I didn't have any choice, sir. My friend, the federal agent, told me how

important it was, so I... Well, let this be a lesson to you. You went down there

like real cops without this gadget here.

And nobody missed it. Nobody at all. You know what?

Three good cops.

No, four.

Counting to fit.

That's what cracked that case down there. Not this damn contraption.