Original subtitles

Taxi? Boy, what luck. That car of mine.

Uh, 17 Paseo Verde, please.

Right.

You got a match?

Oh, you could have turned right there.

But I guess it's just... Simple to turn at Woodford.

Uh,

excuse me, you didn't take that turn at Woodford and... Shortcut, miss.

I think if you turn right here, you...

I think you better stop and let me out.

Driver,

do you hear me?

I said you better let me out.

Look, what are you doing? Are you crazy?

Just take it easy, Miss Wilds.

That's why I was coming to see you.

Something like this happened before, or almost happened.

When was that?

Right after Mr. Benson's funeral.

Some, uh... Some man started to follow me.

Why would anyone want to kill you?

Have you gone to the police?

No, I wouldn't know what to tell them.

Did Rex Benson leave you any instructions?

Anything you should do or get or find in case of his sudden death?

No.

Miss Wells, try to think.

Working for a private detective isn't like any other job, right?

No, it isn't. Well, when Mr. Benson was killed, you had loose ends, things to

do.

The police took the papers, files, everything.

I really think you ought to go to the police.

I will, later.

When that horrible man is caught and put away.

Well, how do you expect that to happen if you don't report to the police?

You'll find him.

How?

You can't describe him. You can't remember whether he was seven feet tall,

feet wide, or what. I just can't.

Miss Wells, can you tell me, uh, can you tell me who,

which one of his clients owed him the most money or paid him the most money?

No. Well, who was his most important client?

Why are you testing me?

Well, now, why did you come here?

Okay.

Mr. Ferguson, the hotel owner.

Mrs. Williams.

Claxton, I think his name was.

He's a furrier.

Mr.

Martel in real estate.

Several women whose names I don't know.

And a guy with an accent, a French, whose name I never knew.

Well, he never told me much about his business.

Miss, uh, Wells, have any of his, uh, clients contacted you since his murder?

Yes, uh, Mr.

Ferguson, Mr. Martell, and one more name that I forgot.

If it weren't such fun working for a private detective, it would really be a

drag, wouldn't it?

Miss Wells, have you any idea why this man wants to kill you?

No.

I don't know why.

But he does.

She shouldn't be alone.

You, uh, mind spending a night here with her?

I'll stay at the athletic club.

Okay.

I'll get a babysitter.

You'll get the bill.

Don't let anyone in and, uh, let's keep talking to her. Maybe she'll remember...

something.

To the best of her recollection, which isn't exactly top -notch, this is a

description of her assailant. Oh, and the name and address of the two guys

saved her.

All I remember is that he was, uh, wearing gloves.

I ought to put you on the payroll.

Well, look, now, I tried everything I could to get her to come to the police.

did everything but throw her out on the street.

He really had her scared.

Okay, okay.

We still don't have a thing on the guy who killed Rex Benson.

It's a real professional job.

This sounds the same.

What's your interest in this, Joe?

Are you out to avenge the killing of one of the revered members of your

profession and all that junk?

I'm not even sure I have an interest in this.

I was no fan of Rex Benson's.

If this Miss Wells is the same Miss Wells I questioned after her boss's

can see why you'd be interested.

I hope that's spicy enough for you. Oh, right on the button.

Dave, I've helped you with your work. How about helping me with some of mine?

I'll have to see her, talk to her.

Well, she's at my place.

Why don't you stop by in the morning?

Mannix, how can she afford you?

Well, she can, but maybe one of her boss's clients can. The only one I know

that kind of money is Greg Martell.

What about Martell?

Charming. Poor kid.

That poor kid.

I'll pay you to protect her. That's the least I can do.

What's that supposed to mean, Mr. Martel?

It means I like her.

I'd like her to go to work for me. She's sharp.

She'd do well in the real estate business.

And I know she can be trusted.

Well, thank you for the drink.

That's all?

That's all.

Mr. Mannix, I... I guess I thought you were coming to see me to pick up where

Rex Benson left off.

I do need someone.

I guess Maggie told you about me.

No.

She'll remember.

As soon as she recovers from what happens, she'll tell you.

Oh, by the way, before I forget, would you give me a number where I can reach

her? No.

It was nice meeting you, Mr. Martell.

Mr. Maddox, I was being blackmailed.

I still am.

Rex Benson was trying to find out who it was.

You didn't go to the police?

No.

The more people who know, the more likely I am never to hear the end of it.

Never be able to put a stop to it.

Why tell me?

If I pay for your services, I figure I also buy your trust, right?

Right.

But you're not employing me, Mr. Martell.

After what I've told you, I think I'd better.

The rest of it is... The rest of it is I've been in prison.

Now, my business associates know that I'm a primitive, a self -taught type.

But if they found out about this prison term, that would wipe out my whole land

development deal that I've got going.

You're a gambler.

Was I wrong about you going to work for me?

I'm working for Miss Wells.

Mr. Mannix, I want to be free of the man who's blackmailing me.

I couldn't stand a scandal.

Not now.

That would kill the land development deal and ruin me. I've got to put my own

interests first.

I want you to find the blackmailer.

I'll think about it, Mr. Martell. In a couple of days, I've got to make another

payment.

Rex Benson used to do that for me.

Be scared to death to do it myself.

I'll get back to you.

Lieutenant Angstrom.

Dave, you were right about the charming Mr. Martell.

He's charming. I was also right about the attack on the girl being the same

of professional job.

We found the real cab driver with a big bump on his head and no description of

the guy who slugged him. That leaves us nowhere.

Anything else?

Yeah.

It's nice to know you don't really trust me, buddy.

What is that supposed to mean?

You told me Miss Wells was at your place with Peggy.

I had some questions to ask, so I called.

And?

Mannix, there's nobody there and you know it.

Why don't you stay put?

Why can't you have ladies' nighties in your dresser and cold cream and hair

curlers? Hey, I understand, Oak.

I'm all right, Peggy.

What happened?

I think our cab driver came back to give Maggie another free ride.

Howdy, Peggy.

Don't tell me you bought that outfit.

No, it came with the trailer.

You sure you weren't followed?

With that rig and this outfit?

Not a chance.

You'd better ride in the back.

Peggy, I'll get you a phone number as soon as we get there.

Right.

We're staying at the seaside trailer, Camp Mallory.

And it does a lot for you, too.

Thank you.

Back to business.

Rick Benson put ketchup on everything, even waffles.

Go on.

He'd always send me out for things like peanuts and cashews, although as long as

they were peanuts, it didn't matter.

Oh, popcorn.

I always used to go into a theater around the corner for popcorn.

With butter, of course.

Getting hungry?

Maggie, we just had lunch.

That's right.

Also, we love cheese blintzes. I don't see anybody couldn't.

Oh, it's such a beautiful day. I'm going to go back. Oops.

Now, you're doing fine. Just keep going.

I'm doing all the work, and you just listen.

That's the general idea. And when you come up with something important, then I

do the work.

And you relax.

Like what's something important?

I'll know when I hear it.

He loved electric razors.

Had one every kind ever made.

And men's clones, all those too.

Well, that's enough for today. I'll meet you back here first.

Maggie.

You know, you feel gay and light and happy. That's just great.

But, uh, We're going to find out why somebody wants to kill you.

You're going to have to turn that mind inside out.

Gee, these trailers are neat.

Everything all together, kind of cozy.

Maggie.

All right.

He used to wear sports shirts, which was fine, except he'd wear them more in one

day, which was not so fine.

Sometimes his socks didn't match.

He'd be blue and red and red and gray like that.

You, uh, think he was colorblind?

Maybe.

I do appreciate what you're doing for me.

As to what a nice girl like me is doing with a guy like Rex Benson, the answer

is, I don't know.

Pay wasn't bad.

How are you not going to let you pay Peggy?

You're mumbling, Maggie.

Did I tell you? He was dragged up by his mother.

Really dragged.

He hated her. She must have hated him, too.

Are you suggesting that his mother might have killed him?

With her cooking, she could have, according to him.

Go on.

He chased women incessantly, compulsively, indiscriminately.

All private detectives do, right?

Um, was he married?

No.

You married?

No.

Well, he was a health bug. Had one of those jogging machines in the office to

say nothing of chinning bars and barbells.

Well, that ought to do it for now.

I've got to get back into town. Joe, I'm afraid to stay alone.

I'm scared.

I'm not asking you not to be scared, Maggie.

Just pretend you're not until I get back.

I appreciate your concern and interest for Miss Wells, but you've got her

somewhere.

I'm not forgetting the fact that somebody tried to kill her.

but I'm making the point that she is safe.

Let's stop worrying about her and start thinking about me.

What about you?

I have to pay my dues to the man on Saturday.

I also have to be in Boston tomorrow for the biggest deal of my life, and I

don't want to blow it.

You know, this is the first time I've had to beg anybody to take my business

my money.

The man was killed doing business for you, Mr. Martell.

What do you want?

When were you in prison?

Five years ago.

For how long?

Long enough.

What's all this about?

You want me to find out who's blackmailing, you answer my questions.

You want a delivery boy, go hire one. All right.

All right.

How long were you in for?

Two years, assault with a deadly weapon.

Who is it you assaulted with a deadly weapon?

I don't remember his name. I was drunk and down and out.

I had a short temper and a gun. The guy said something, I flipped.

Where did they send you?

San Quentin.

When will he be back from Boston?

A week or two.

I'll leave you an envelope with the cash and the instructions on where and when

to leave it Saturday night.

There will also be a check in it for you.

Why Saturday? Why not now?

I'll tell you why Saturday night.

I hate paying the money to that man.

$1 ,500 a month.

And I don't like to draw it out of the bank until the moment I have to. He gets

his money Saturday night.

All right, Mr. Martell.

Saturday night.

What do you got, Peggy?

Trouble, I think.

Our friend's been here again.

You sure?

He put the calendar back to the right date. I was one day behind. That's why

here. Nice going. I think.

He found the car rental folder.

He'll be looking for you.

You better take evasive action.

First thing in the morning.

I'd like a 100 ,000 -mile checkup.

It's only got 300 miles on it. Can't be too careful.

I know it's a waste of energy, but I was worried about you, too.

We appreciate it.

Martel spent two years in San Quentin about five years ago.

Find out who his cellmates were, who his parole officer was, and the name of the

man who he assaulted with a deadly weapon.

Okay.

Might as well find out the name of the arresting officers than the judge who

sentenced him. Oh, and find out if Martel had a previous conviction.

You're finished, I hope.

For now.

Now, what's been going on?

Lieutenant Angstrom called. He still wants to talk to Maggie Wells.

Well, he's going to have to stand in line.

Yes, sir.

Now, just what does that mean?

Are you finished, sir?

Come on, now. What's this yes, sir, yes, sir bit?

Well, whatever you do, just remember one thing.

You already have a secretary, Mr. Mannix.

You look tired.

I'm tired.

Go on, Maggie.

Sure.

Let's see.

Rex was very big on betting on all the basketball and football games played

anywhere. He was pretty good at it. I remember this one time... Maggie.

Sorry.

He was an absolute nut on pajamas.

Exotic pajamas.

Had... Had me buying them for him every time somebody had a sale.

Silk mostly.

Imported mostly.

Must have had a hundred pair more.

Oh, I told you how bad a cook his mother was, didn't I?

Mm -hmm.

Yeah? Manager.

What is it?

Telephone.

Oh, would you mind taking a message? I'll pick it up later.

All right. Mr.

Smith.

Okay, Maggie.

Now let's get on with it.

Now that was very nice.

And I like you too, but... I thought that when you said let's get on with

Maggie, I'm tired and we're not getting anyplace.

And unless we get someplace, you're dead.

Now, I don't know how else to put it to you.

What do you want me to do?

I want you to remember everything.

I'm trying.

I'm really trying.

I don't know anything that would make him want to kill me.

Don't know anything.

Book of Matches.

What?

The Book of Matches.

Here it is.

Here it is.

The Book of Matches that the man gave me. The man that tried to kill me.

You had me concentrating so hard on the life and times of Rex Benson.

Anyway, isn't it great? I found him.

The Hideaway Bar and Grill.

Isn't it great?

Aren't I clever?

Yeah. Now, you think you're clever enough to stay here with the doors

the blinds drawn until I come back?

Do I have to?

Yes, you have to.

Now, we're getting closer.

Oh, Mr.

Smith.

Yeah.

That lady you called, she wouldn't leave any message.

Oh, well, I think I know who it was. Thanks.

Good night.

Mr. Mannix's office.

Peggy, why'd you turn up?

The word on Martel's two San Quentin pals.

Ralph Tobridge and Francis, alias Frank Conley.

Both very much alive and out of prison.

Did you call Langstrom? He's tracking them down now.

Good.

Give me those names again.

Frank Conley and Ralph Tobridge.

And that's Tobridge over there.

The guy with the glasses.

Name is Manick.

Congratulations.

I'm a friend of Martel's.

Shove off, mister. I don't know you.

Greg Martel, your pen pal at San Quentin.

Pen pal.

You're cute.

Buzz off.

Buzz.

Oh, I'm no cop.

Hey, pal, you're violating my right of privacy.

You're gonna get a lot of privacy unless you turn on your memory.

Now, where's Connolly?

You know Frank?

Where does he live?

You don't know Frank.

Now, uh, Tobridge, I'm trying to save you a trip to Uglyland. You understand

that?

I'm going to ask you again, Tobridge.

Where's Frank Connolly?

They don't make vests thick enough for me to be giving you or anybody

information about.

Hey, what's his name again, mister?

Frank Connolly?

What makes you think Frank Connolly's our man and not Tobridge?

Well, the man we're looking for doesn't drive with glasses.

Tobridge can't see four feet without them.

You could be right.

Conley's been up twice for armed robbery, both times with a P -38

He's our man, all right.

Chili, Lieutenant.

Medium hot.

Put it in the drawer.

I wanted a pickup on him.

Also a stakeout at the Hideaway Bar and Grill.

Well, the taxpayers are finally about to get their money's worth.

By the way, when are you going to release Miss Wells so that the civil

system gets its chance?

You can have her right now if you'll keep her locked up and hidden.

I can't quite do that, Mannix. You know that.

Well, I guess I'll just have to keep on forcing myself to take care of her.

Be careful, Joe.

Frank Conley's a bad boy.

I told you where he steals his matches.

Find him.

Don't let the chili get cold.

I'm sorry.

It's hot.

What's going on in the world outside?

The police are looking for one of Martel's cellmates. It's a chance.

I know.

I know. Rex Benson, his life and times.

Funny but true.

Well, um... He was a health bug.

Used to exercise in his office all the time.

He had a jogging machine in his office.

I've been there already.

Um... He used to wear brown and white shoes in the summertime.

Bo Brummel.

Straw hats.

Fancy ones with narrow brims. He played golf.

Terrible golf.

He lied a lot about his scores.

Oh, and... He

was a bug on shortwave radio broadcasts. Knew when the

English language broadcasts came in from... from Tokyo, Moscow, Berlin,

Helsinki.

Chewed his nails a lot.

Most of the time he tended his own business.

So every now and then he'd let me do a few things.

Like what? Besides exotic pajamas, that is.

Um, well, like liquor gifts for his lady friends.

Cordials, mostly.

Flowers. Oh, and, uh, parking tickets.

For an expense, it might have been a lot of things, but he had a conscience.

One time he had me pay a parking ticket that was five years old.

A lot of other things, too, but that really made an impression on me.

Fascinating.

Let's see. What else?

Five years old?

What? The parking ticket.

Oh, yeah. They got a big kick at the Motor Vehicle Bureau out of how honest

was to pay it.

What's so important about that?

You didn't know Rex Benson the way I knew him. He wouldn't pay anything he

didn't have to pay.

How long ago did you pay that?

A few months.

Two, three.

That may be it.

What? Miss Wells.

It's been a pleasure.

What?

Oh, and to think I've already got a secretary I'm happy with.

What?

Make the coffee, Peggy.

Make the coffee, Peggy.

Go down to the Traffic Violations Bureau, honey, on your day off and check

parking ticket.

You know, you got nerve. I'll give you that.

Saturday morning, my day off.

It's triple time.

Triple time.

How's Maggie?

Or am I supposed to refer to her as Mrs. Smith?

Oh, she's fine.

I told her I have a secretary I'm perfectly happy with.

Oh, that was nice of you.

That was very nice.

What about the parking ticket?

Oh, I practically had to turn the place upside down, but they came through

finally. That parking ticket was five years old, and she did pay it, except it

wasn't written on Rex Benson's car, at least not the car that was registered to

him. The car belonged to Martel.

Martel? Maybe Benson was borrowing it.

Oh.

No, I don't even think Martel knew Benson five years ago. That's the time

in prison.

Right. Now, Martel gets a traffic ticket five years ago. He also goes to jail

for assault with a deadly weapon and serves two years.

Sometime after that, somebody starts blackmailing Martel, so Martel hires Rex

Benson to find out who it is.

And exactly three months and ten days ago, Benson's secretary shows up and

on the Traffic Violations Bureau by paying a parking ticket that's five

old.

Which brings us to the public library.

All right.

Peggy, check the newspapers on the day of that traffic ticket. Find out if

anything happened that might help make sense out of this whole thing, huh?

And I thought I was going to have a half a day off on my day off.

I'm sorry, Peggy. I got to go to Martel's office and pick up some money.

drop to make tonight.

I'll make the coffee.

Thank you.

Hello.

Is this the manager?

Speaking. This is Mr. Smith.

Which Mr.

Smith? Calvin Smith.

I want you to tell Mr. Smith that... I can't tell her anything right now, Mr.

Smith. What do you mean? What happened?

Well, she left here a couple hours ago with another young lady.

Said she was your secretary.

Uh -oh.

Thought I told you to stay put.

I know. Since I worked on my day off and Maggie had been cooped up here all day

long... Yeah, I needed to change. So we went down to the pier and we had some

dinner and we discussed our bosses and had some laughs.

And it was fun, too.

They're back in their trailer now.

That's just fine.

Thank you very much.

What happened to your head?

My friend was waiting for me when I made the drop.

Oh, I should say your friend.

I still don't understand why he slugged me. The money was there. All he had to

do was wait until I left.

What'd you find at the library?

It happened just like Martel said.

Three witnesses saw him walk up to some guy and start threatening him with a

gun.

Nothing else? The only other thing that day was Sam Croner was killed. A big

wheel in the numbers racket.

What about the parking ticket?

Croner was killed on the same day?

The same day that Martel was arrested.

August the 21st. And what day was the parking ticket issued?

August the 21st. Uh -huh.

Well, what's the connection between the parking ticket and... What time did

Martel commit that assault with a deadly weapon?

Shortly after 10 p .m.

And the shooting of gangland chief Croner took place about 9 .15 the

August the 21st. I know a lot of guys around town that would pay good money to

have someone get rid of Croner.

Now, if a guy was smart, he could have killed Croner for the big money and got

tough with a guy across town in front of witnesses.

Serve time, get out, and get into the real estate business.

Hey, I think you're right.

Well, what's the parking ticket got to do with it?

Martel was supposed to be across town at the time. The parking ticket could have

wiped out his alibi.

So he asks his good friend Benson to take care of the ticket as a favor.

Benson gets curious and puts two and two together.

And he was the one that was blackmailing Mr. Martel.

Right. And when Martel figured it out, it cost Benson his life.

That's why you were a target, too. You paid the parking ticket.

Martel probably couldn't sleep nights worrying when you'd put it all together.

Well, let's get down to Hangstrom's office and make this his headache.

I'll see you there.

Okay, Peg. Thanks for dinner. Sure.

Listen, just get your clothes together. We'll leave the trailer here. Okay.

Now just the two of them are there.

Okay.

Now, I think if both of you stay inside and keep real quiet, everything's going

to be all right.

I'd appreciate it.

You all right?

Yes.

He's out there, so you stay here.

Please.

I'll be right back.

Now you stay down.

Maggie, are you all right?

Yes.

When you didn't show up at Angstrom's office, I figured something was up, so I

went to Martel's apartment.

Does that make sense?

Yes, after what we figured out about him.

Peggy, stay away from his apartment.

It's too late. I wasn't there long anyway, and Martel left in a big rush.

You didn't follow him?

Mm -hmm.

To an old building near the ballpark.

I know the place, Peggy. Now, please, will you go home?

No trouble.

Girl's lying in the ocean with a couple of holes in her.

That's good.

What about Mannix?

No charge for Mannix.

That's perfect, Frank.

I'll take the rest of my money.

Now.

Hold it right there, Martin.

She's still alive too, isn't she?

He didn't kill her either.

You should have stopped after you killed Rex Benson.

You were way ahead of the game.

The girl had memory zero.

What?

You were worried about her for nothing.

She never would have remembered that parking ticket.

She's not the type.

Now listen, Mannix.

It's all right.

I'm off your payroll.

You'll find Frank Connolly down in the basement dead, I'm sure, shot by this

charming gentleman.

We'll take him. Let's go.

You all right?

You were supposed to stay home.

I know.

I don't ever want to see you stick your neck out like that again. You

understand? I use my initiative.

Tell Martel here, call you in time to get him. I don't want to hear about it.

say nothing of calling the police, too. And you, you ball me out. All right,

thank you, too, Rebecca.