All language subtitles for Murder in Reverse (Montgomery Tully, 1945)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(TRAFFIC RUMBLING)

So, go away and don't bother me.

This paper can't afford
to employ you.

You've cost us two libel actions,

one prosecution
for defamation of character,

and the best advertising account
in the business.

I hope that doesn't mean you're
dissatisfied with my work, sir.

May I take my trousers off, as well?

I'd say, really.

Who the devil asked you in here?
Get out and shut the door.

Can't I even have
a suit fitted in private?

Well, this is an
excellent opportunity, sir,

for me to express my point of view.

Your point of view?

(PHONE RINGING)
Your point...

Hello? Yeah, speaking.

Hm? Oh, hello, George.

How are you?
I'm very well, indeed.

Hm? Oh, yes, trying to.

Can't get any
real reporters, these days.

Hm? Oh yes, Masterick.

When? Tomorrow, you say?

Mm-hm. In the morning, I suppose?

Yes, well thanks very much
for getting me the information.

15 years that's a long time.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Come in.

Put it down there.

Masterick comes out tomorrow.

Does that mean anything
to that dim brain of yours?

Masterick, who's he?

Someone who made the headlines
15 years ago,

when you were
a revolting child in a pram,

and I was doing your job
ten times better than you could,

even if you had brains.

It's too tight.

Masterick gave me
my first real chance.

I wonder.

Look, if I could explain
about the other day, GS,

I'd like to make it clear
it wasn't my fault.

I want Masterick's story
over the past 15 years.

Offer him £100 for the story.

Don't make the sleeves too long.

But who is this Masterick guy?
Could you give me any line on him?

Masterick was a man who,
in my opinion,

deserved something
better than he had.

What'd he have?
A wife, a kid, no money,

and a belief in his fellow man
which let him down in the end.

He was a good worker.

He had a job which
would've killed you in a week.

What job?

He was a stevedore,
and to save you turning that up,

it means that he was
one of those men

who load ships on the docks.

He worked just below Tower Bridge,
and he worked fairly regularly,

for in 1930,
the world hadn't yet gone mad,

and the docks were busy.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

(CHILDREN CHATTERING)

Come on, darling.

Here we are.

Hello? Where's your mum?
Gone to the shops.

Gone to the shops?

Funny time to do shopping,
isn't it, eh?

That's what she said.

Thought all the shops
would be closed by now.

(ROMANTIC MUSIC)
Fred.

Fred, you do love me, don't you?

Of course I do.
Then take me away.

I can't go on,
meeting you like this,

and having to leave you,
go back to him.

Sometimes, I think
he knows everything.

About us, I mean.

You're a funny kid.

How about coming out
with me tonight?

Well, you know I'd like to,
but how can I?

Well, tell him you're going
to the pictures with a girlfriend.

He'll look after the kid.

We could have a couple of drinks,
and go down to the paddy.

I know you like dancing.

Suppose he found out?
Well, what if he does?

He won't take you dancing
himself, will he?

Have a bit of fun while you can,
that's what I say.

Come one, Doris.

You're not afraid of him, are you?

Well, your old dad's
not too bad a cook is he, eh?

Jolly good.
What'd you do at school today?

Sums.
You get 'em right?

No.

What?
My little girl can't add up?

I can, but I get the wrong answers.

Just like you.

Like me?
I was always top of the class.

What do you mean, "like me"?

Well, I heard Mrs Peterson say

she didn't know why you couldn't
put two and two together.

(DOOR CLICKS)

You've been a long time.
We've had our supper.

Well, sorry, I met Mrs Moore.

You know how she talks.

Couldn't get away from her.

What about a cup of tea?
There's some in the pot.

No, I haven't got time.

Time for what?

Well, Mrs Moore wants me to go
to the pictures with her tonight.

Oh? You going?

Yes, I think so.
You don't mind, do you?

They've got one of those new
talking pictures at the Empire.

No, you go along and enjoy yourself.
Change'll do you good.

Why don't you take Jill with you?
You'd like to go wouldn't you, Jill?

Oh, yes please, Mummy.
Don't be silly, Jill.

You know it's long past
your bedtime already.

Go on, Doris. Let her go.
It's Saturday tomorrow,

she hasn't gotta go to school.

I'll tell you what.
I'll treat both of you, shall I?

No, it'll mean
keeping her up too late.

You oughta have more sense, Tom.

But if you're a good girl, Jill,

and go to bed now,
perhaps I'll take you next week.

Oh.

Maybe your mum's right, eh?

Now, go on. Off you go.

You behave yourself,

I might find you a penny
for some sweets in the morning.

Good night.

Have a good old Jack.

Good night, Daddy.
Good night, Mummy.

Good night, dear.

I'll come up in a minute,
and tuck you in.

Well, I'm off now, Tom.
You going already?

Yes, it starts at seven.

I don't suppose I'll be late,
but don't wait up for me.

All right, well you buzz off
and enjoy yourself.

No, Tom. I've just done my lips.

(SOLEMN MUSIC)
Well...

Well, good night.

Good night.

Hello, Sam.
Sorry, laundry late, been so busy.

That's all right,
come inside and have a smoke.

But, uh...

It's all right,
the missus has gone out.

Me know, watch her go.

(BRIGHT BALLROOM MUSIC)

# Whate're betide you

# I'll be beside you

# Faithful unto you #

(DANCE MUSIC ON RADIO)

Savoy Hotel.

I wonder what they had
for supper tonight, Sam?

You know, I often think it's funny
that some of these swells

spend more money on one meal
than we earn in a week.

Confucius, he say
many different flowers

needed to make garden beautiful.

Hm, hm, your friend Confucius

has got an answer for everything,
hasn't he, eh?

Confucius the great consoler.

And so, what do you want
with consolement?

You must be making a packet of money
with that laundry of yours.

Confucius say
little bird of happiness

cannot fly when wings
weighed down with gold.

(LAUGHS) Not much chance
of us being weighed down

like that is there, Sam, eh?

(SAM LAUGHS)
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Hello, Tom.
Hello, Mrs... Come in.

Hello.
You know Sam don't you, Mrs Moore?

Oh, of course, I know Sam.
Is Doris in?

No, she said she was
going to the pictures with you.

With me? I haven't seen her all day.

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

Oh, that's funny.

I could've sworn she said she was...

No, there must be some mistake.
Anyway, Tom,

tell her I brought back the dish
she lent me, with many thanks.

Yes. Right.

Well, I must go on down
and get me old man's supper.

You know what he is, if it isn't
on the table waiting for him.

Good night, Sam.
Good night.

Good night.
Good night.

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

(ROMANTIC MUSIC)

(TENSE MUSIC)

You enjoy the pictures?

Of course I did.

Did, uh... Mrs Moore enjoy it?

Yes, I think so.

Sam here came in
to keep me company.

So, I see.

Me go now.
OK, Sam.

Oh uh, by the way...

Mrs Moore called in this evening
to return that dish you lent her.

Goodnight, Sam.
Goodnight, Tom.

Hello, Tom.
Going out for a breather?

(MATCHBOX CLUNKS)

Got a light?

Ta.

Didn't know you lived around here.

(DISTANT HORN HONKING)

Nice place you've got.

What are you up to, Fred Smith?

Me? Nothing.

How long have you known Fred Smith?

What do you mean?

He was hanging about outside
when I went out.

Well, what's it got to do with me?

Who'd you go
to the pictures with tonight?

What are you trying to get at, Tom?

I asked you, who were you with
at the pictures?

I told you, Mrs Green.

You said Mrs Moore.

Are you trying
to make me out a liar?

I told you Mrs Green,
and if you don't believe me,

why don't you go down and ask her?

Masterick should've pitched
his wife out there and then,

but he wouldn't admit he was right,
even to himself.

These things might happen
to the man next door,

or the chap across the road,
but not to Tom Masterick.

That was unthinkable.
Put that down!

No point in letting it get cold, GS.

Then what did he do?
Beat his wife up?

No.

But when he went to work next day,

suspicion and doubt went with him.

(CABLES WHIRRING)

(GEARS GRINDING)

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

Seen any of them
talking pictures, Tom?

No.

I did, saw the one
they got at the Empire.

Oh? Last night?

How could I?
You saw me yourself last night.

You know, I think them
talking pictures are a good idea.

Don't have to keep
reading all the time.

See, I'm not a scholar
like you, Tom.

(CHUCKLES)
Cheer up.

What's the matter with ya?
Something wrong at home?

Having trouble with your wife?

There's to the untold traitor.

If that'd hit him,
it would've ruddy well killed him.

Yes, and a good job, too.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

Doris? Jill?

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

DORIS: (VOICEOVER)
"Dear Tom, I have left.

"I can't stand this life any longer.

"There's someone that
cares for me more than you do.

"Jill is at Mrs Moore's.

"Take care of her, and don't
let her think too badly of me.

"Don't try and find me,

"'cause I'm not
coming back ever. Doris."

(SOLEMN MUSIC)

'The prologue was over

'and the curtain was up
on the first act.

'Masterick was bowled over.

'The unthinkable thing had happened,
and he wasn't ready for it.

'He didn't take it
as you and I would've done,

'in red-hot anger or cold grief,

'he took it like a man who sees
a volcano for the first time,

'and says, "I don't believe it."

'Something happened to Masterick
in those first few minutes

'that nobody will ever know about.

'He should've gone to bed,
of course, but he didn't.

'He went out, instead,

'along a road that he was
never meant to travel.'

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Hello, Doris.

(FRED LAUGHING)

Hi, Doris, what'll you have?

What you got in the bag? A body?
Done your old man in at last?

No, but I've left him.

You're kidding.
Doris, you never?

Come on, Fred,
let's get out of here.

No, wait a minute.
Burt.

Fred...

..you did mean what you said,
about us, didn't you?

Of course I did. Have a drink.

And Fred, I've left him for you.

Don't you understand?

(CHATTERING)

Have a drink.

(SOFT MUSIC)

Oh, hello, Tom.
Is Jill with you?

She is. I've just
put her to bed, poor lamb.

What's that wife of yours up to?
Fine goings on, I must say.

Is Doris here?
Of course she's not.

I gave her a piece of my mind,
I can tell ya.

Leaving her home
and child like this.

Oh, Tom, you're too soft with her.

Did she tell you
where she was going?

She did not,
but I can give a good guess.

She's been carrying on
with that fella for weeks.

Disgraceful, I call it.

What do you mean by
carrying on, Mrs Moore?

What'd I say?

The whole street's talking about it,

but you're so slow,
you can't see what's going on

under your very nose.

Swallowing all that stuff
about her being out with me, huh.

She's my wife.

Is she?

Hello, Tom.

Why don't you do something
before it's too late?

What can I do about it?

You can go and buy yourself a drink
at The North Star, can't you?

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Well? What are you waiting for?

(CHATTERING)

(FRED WHISTLING)

(PUNCH THUDS)

(MEN SCUFFLING)

(SLAPPING)

(CLAMOURING)

(TENSE MUSIC)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)

(FRED SCREAMS)

It was the last
that was seen of Mr Smith.

I'm still wondering
where you come into this story, GS.

Seem to know an awful lot about it
for somebody who wasn't there.

I know all about it because,

although I was only
a cub reporter in those days,

I happened to have
the rather old-fashioned idea

that my job was to get stories,
instead of missing trains.

There was hardly anybody
connected with the business

that I didn't talk to
at sometime or the other.

Masterick seemed to have forgotten
all about what he'd done.

Started to wander around,
looking for Smith.

His job didn't seem
to matter anymore.

In the meantime, of course,

the neighbours
had started to chatter.

Well, you can say what you like,

but Fred wouldn't just go off
like that without telling me.

Ah, good morning, Sergeant Howell.
Can I get you a glass of something?

No thanks, Mr Hancock.
This is an official visit.

No complaints about the house,
I hope.

No, not this time.

I'm trying to check on
the movements of Frederick Smith,

and I thought maybe you could help.

Him? No, I uh...

I haven't seen him
for nearly two weeks.

No? Neither has anyone else.

If you ask me,
he won't never be seen anymore.

Oh? What makes you say that?

Well, he was my lodger.
I knew him better than most people.

Fred wouldn't have gone off--
Then you must be Mrs Green?

That's right. How'd you do?

I was coming to see you
this afternoon, Mrs Green.

Maybe you can save me a journey.

When did you see him last?

Nearly two weeks ago,

and he was being chased
out of this very bar

by someone with a ruddy great sword.

Mm-hm, he was being
chased by someone, was he?

Yes.
No names, no pack drill, they say.

But since
you've asked me point blank,

I suppose I've got to tell you
it was Tom Masterick.

Masterick?

(SCOFFS)
It's rather a long story, really.

Doris Masterick
was a great friend of mine.

Tom give her a dog's life.

That's right,
just a moment, Mrs Green.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

MRS GREEN: 'Tom Masterick
wouldn't stop at nothing.

'If ever a man had
murder in his eyes, he did.'

Attacked him without a word.
Went fighting mad.

Took my Chinese sword.

Never found it again.

I don't know what to think.

But this I will say...
If Tom done it,

he's gone clean out his head.

I'm sure
he don't remember nothing.

Well after all, you can
hardly blame the poor fella.

The way she was going on,

it was something disgraceful,
so it was.

He very good man. Very good.

If he killed, had good reason.

I told him if that had hit him,
it would've killed him, I said.

And he said, "A good job, too."

Hello, Detective Sergeant Howell?

This is the Station Sergeant
from Southend speaking.

Yes, the body of a man answering
to a circulated description

has been found
on the estuary mudflats.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Now, that was the beginning
of the end for Masterick.

Mrs Green talked,
and she said plenty.

So, did others.
Some of it true,

but most of it the release
of a repressed desire for drama.

Mr Masterick?
Yes.

Thomas Masterick?
Yes, what do you want?

We're police officers.
We'd like to have a word with you.

Oh.

Well, I'll be getting along.
So long, Tom.

Yeah, see you later.

Well, come in.

Well, Masterick,
I'm afraid it's my duty

to charge you with the wilful
murder of Frederick Smith.

I must warn you that anything
you say will be taken down,

and may be used
in evidence at your trial.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Did you see that man?
What man?

That fellow on that ship.
It was Fred Smith.

Take it easy, Masterick.

But I tell you.
I've just seen Fred Smith.

Yes, of course.
It was him, all right.

But don't you believe me?

(TENSE MUSIC)

Anyway, I got the name
of the ship he was on...

..The Chester.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

The Chester.

I don't suppose
Masterick had ever been

in a motorcar in his life.

And his first trip in one
was for a journey to prison.

(SULLIVAN SCOFFS)

Well, what happened
at the trial, GS?

What happened?

Well, there were really
two trials going on at the one time.

The official legal one
at the Old Bailey,

with all the purple and ermine,
and all the majesty of the law,

and a more informal one
in the pubs of Limehouse

where he lived.

Now, Mrs Green.

Did Mrs Masterick speak to you

at any time about her married life?

Oh, often.

She said being married
to Tom Masterick was misery.

He was so violent and sudden.

You mean, he used physical
violence against his wife?

Yes, sir.

Thank you, Mrs Green.

Millie Green hadn't got much to say
for Tom Masterick, had she?

No, it's funny,
he always seemed so quiet-like.

(SCOFFS)
It's always the quiet ones.

Did you see that on the
very day of the murder,

he threatened to do Smith
with a loading hook?

Yeah, instead of that,
he goes and uses my Chinese sword.

Malayan sword, old man.

I heard old Sam
from the Chinese laundry's

gonna be called tomorrow.

Who's going to believe him?
He's a heathen, isn't he?

(DISHES SHATTERING)

(SAM SPEAKING IN CHINESE)

Sam Wung See
swears by his ancestors...

..that should he,

in speaking the truth,
manipulate it in such a way

as to mislead his hearers,

then may his soul be shattered,

even as the three saucers
have been shattered,

and his spirit be for all eternity

lost to the assembly
of his ancestors.

You are Sam Wung See of the
Celestial Laundry Limehouse?

(SPEAKING IN CHINESE)
Sam Wung See?

Quite right.

You were the prisoner's neighbour,
and knew him well.

(INTERPRETER SPEAKING IN CHINESE)

(SAM SPEAKING IN CHINESE)

The witness says, yes,

he knows the prisoner
very well indeed.

And in your opinion,
is the prisoner a good man?

Very, very good.

And a good father and husband?

He very good father.

Very, very, very good.

Then you think that
he is not the type of man

who could wilfully
kill a fellow creature?

(INTERPRETER SPEAKING IN CHINESE)

(SAM SPEAKING IN CHINESE)

The witness says that

such was Masterick's
integrity of character,

that he might feel himself

bound to destroy
anyone he knew to be evil.

But, fancy letting a Chinaman
throw saucers about in court.

A farce, I call it.

Well, perhaps
things'll start to happen

as soon as old Masterick
gets into the box, old man.

And that was the last
you saw of him?

That's right.

He was swimming strong
towards the lighters.

Didn't look far to go.

I see. Thank you.

Mr Crossley.

In your evidence,

you've admitted that
you left the wharf before Smith

actually reached the lighters.

Yet you seem certain,
absolutely certain,

that he came to no harm.

How is that?

Because he was swimming strong.

But even the strongest swimmers
are liable to cramp.

So in effect,
your assertion that Smith

didn't die that night, is...

..no more than conjecture.

No, he's still alive.

But that is merely your opinion.

No!

How can you possibly be so definite?

Because I've seen him since,

and it doesn't matter
what you or anybody else says,

it won't make any difference,
because I've seen him since.

I tell you, I've seen him.
You've seen him?

That, of course, is interesting.

Particularly...

..as a few minutes ago,
you told the court

that the last you saw of Smith

was him swimming
towards some lighters.

When did you see him?

When I was with the detective
in the car.

Oh, I saw Fred Smith, all right,

and he was on a ship
called the Chester.

You told the Detective Sergeant
of this?

Of course I did!

And he said he checked up,
and he was told there was no boat

by the name of Chester
in the Port of London

and hadn't been for donkey's years.

But I've seen it, I tell you,
I've seen it!

You know, I've got a nasty feeling
that he's going to get off.

Members of the jury,
are you agreed upon your verdict?

We are.

And do you find the prisoner,
Thomas Masterick,

guilty or not guilty of murder?

We find him guilty.

And is that the verdict of you all?

It is.

However, my Lord,
the members of the jury

wish me to express their
strong recommendation to mercy.

Prisoner at the bar,
you stand convicted of murder.

Have you anything to say

why the court should not
give you judgement of death

according to the law?

Yes, I'm innocent.

I'm innocent!
I'm innocent!

(GROANING)
Don't you understand? I'm innocent.

Don't you understand?
These lies, these lies!

Words, words! Words!

And when I left the court,

his voice was still
ringing in my ears.

But he appealed, of course?

Yes, and the appeal was turned down.

So, we started a reprieve campaign.

We even took the case
onto the leader page

with a strong pro-Masterick bias.

In five days,
we had the country with us,

and our circulation
went up by about 10 percent.

Masterick became a very famous man,
for a short time.

We got him his reprieve,
and the world forgot him.

They took him down to Dartmoor,
and he's been there ever since...

..poor devil.

It's a heck of a time.

What happened to his wife and kid?
Doris Masterick never came back.

The child was adopted
with Masterick's consent,

and went into a good home.

Maybe that's a good angle, GS.

Perhaps I should
see the kid as well.

No, leave her alone.
She can't help you.

Masterick's the man you want to see.

Wonder what it's like
coming back after all those years?

That's what you've got to find out,
if you want to keep your job.

Find out what he used to
think about in prison.

Get his angle on justice,
the penal system,

that sort of thing.

It's up to you to find out
what 15 years' hard labour

has done for Masterick.

Be like having a nice,
friendly chat with a ghost.

Supposing he won't talk?

Then you, Mr Rogers,

will be out of a job
by this time tomorrow.

What the devil do you think
you're being paid for?

It's your job to make
people talk, isn't it?

After 15 years of silence,

Masterick'll be only too glad
to talk to anyone - even to you.

Give him £100 for the story.

And now, if you've quite finished
digesting my lunch,

perhaps you'll get out
of that chair, I have work to do.

You can get a photograph
of Masterick from records,

and be at Paddington early.

Masterick won't miss the train.

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

Yeah, but this train
only goes as far as Plymouth.

It doesn't say anything
about London at all.

Wait a minute,
there's somebody we can ask.

Pardon me, sir.

Is this the right track
for the London train?

Uh, yes, but you'll
have to change at Plymouth.

Oh, thanks.

I'll sure be glad
to see a big city again.

Yes, it's pretty grim
around these parts.

You live here, sir?
Uh, I did. But not anymore.

I see you have a big prison here.

We saw some of the boys
working out in the moor yesterday.

Tough looking guys they were, too.

Any chance of getting inside
and having a look around, sir?

Well, not unless you do
a murder first, I'm afraid.

(SOLDIERS CHUCKLING)

(TRAIN BRAKES SQUEALING)

Have you seen inside, sir?

Yes.

But then, you see, I am a murderer.

Come on, Joe. Let's go.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(LIVELY MUSIC)

(CAR HORNS HONKING)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

But I tell you, GS,
he must've missed the train.

There's no sign of him anywhere.

No? Really?

Maybe he's waiting for you
under the big clock,

with a Japanese chrysanthemum
in his hand

so that you can recognise him.

Sorry, about all that.

One of my star reporters.

Well, Masterick, what are your plans
now that you're free?

Well, I came along to...

..ask you about my daughter.

Is she all right? Is she happy?

Yes.

Of course, she's grown up.
You wouldn't recognise her.

I, uh...

I suppose there's no chance
of seeing her, just once?

I knew this had to happen one day.

Now look here, Masterick,

you know how I've always
looked on this case of yours.

And when I adopted Jill,
all those years ago,

I made up my mind
that she should never be hurt

by the Masterick affair,
and she never has.

You agreed to her taking my surname,

my wife and I have
brought her up as our own child.

She doesn't even remember
her real name.

She's happy.

And now, you want me
to destroy that happiness

by producing an ex-convict
as her real father.

Don't misunderstand me, Masterick,
I've no wish to hurt you.

I'm only thinking about Jill.

But can't you see
that in five minutes,

you could destroy
15 years of happiness?

Why not leave things as they are?

I'm sorry.

You're quite right, Mr Sullivan.

I know that you can do
so much more for her,

but it isn't that.

It's, well... I had
very little else to think about

all the time I was in there, and...

..but, uh, perhaps
it is better your way.

I'm glad.
Now, how about you?

You'll be wanting a job.
Maybe I can help.

No, no.

I won't bother you any further.

You've done quite enough
for me already.

(DOOR OPENS)

Hello, Daddy.

Hope I'm not interrupting
something frightfully important.

Look, darling, I've just seen
an absolute dream of a hat.

Give me £10, I'll go away quietly.

I do hope you'll forgive us, Mr...

Oh, uh, I'd like you to meet my...
my daughter, Jill.

This is Mr Masterick,
a very old friend of mine.

How do you do?

Yes, I'm pleased to meet you,
Miss Sullivan.

It's the hardest thing in the world

to make this father of mine
write a cheque.

I hope you don't treat
your daughter so harshly.

What about the £5
I gave you on Monday?

I bought gloves with that.

That's why I've got to
have a hat to match.

Well, this is the last you're
getting out of me, young lady.

Now run along, I'm busy.

Well, I'm going,
if you'll excuse me.

Goodbye, Miss, uh...
Goodbye.

Goodbye, Mr Sullivan.

Goodbye Masterick,
don't forget to come and see me

if I can help at any time.

Oh, and by the way, one of my staff
will be contacting you

about a matter
that might interest you.

Have a chat with him.
Yes. Thank you.

Seems a nice old man. Who is he?

Oh, just someone
I did business with many years ago.

You're a nice old man, too -

when you forget
your silly old newspaper.

And stop this mania
for buying things.

You shouldn't print
such nice advertisements.

Well, look who's here.
Hello.

Why aren't you out
on some tremendous scoop?

News is where you find it, you know.

Sure it is,
if you know where to look.

You try searching for a man
you've never seen,

who doesn't arrive
on a non-existing train,

that comes in at the wrong platform,
and see where you get.

Oh Pete, have you fallen down
on the job again?

What is it this time?
Nothing.

Just a murderer.

A murderer?
Oh Peter, don't be so infuriating.

A real murder, at last,

and you stand around here
wasting time.

Why aren't you out
looking for clues or something?

'Cause this particular murder
happened about 15 years ago,

and the man who did it
came out of prison today.

I'm supposed to see him,
and get a story.

Why didn't you?

Oh, you know get more like
your old man every day.

Can I help it if this
Masterick guy doesn't show up?

Who?

Masterick,
the man I'm supposed to see.

What does he look like?
How do I know?

All I've got's
a 15-year-old photograph.

He's probably grown a beard
or something by now.

Nope. No, he hasn't grown a beard.

How do you know?
He's just left Daddy's office.

You must've passed him
on the stairs.

He seemed a nice old man.
Not a bit like a murderer.

You mean, while I've been pacing
up and down Paddington Station,

he's been sitting in here
in the office with GS?

They can't do this to me,
this is my story!

Which way did he go?

Home, I suppose.
Where does he live?

Suppose you tell me?

All right, I will tomorrow.
I'll ask my father tonight.

He'll know, he knows everything.
You're telling me.

What would you do without me?

This is the fifth time

I've saved you
from getting the sack.

Now, come on, take me out
and buy me a cup of tea.

OK. Got any money?

(CHATTERING)
(GLASSES CLINKING)

A bitter, Miss.

Oh, Miss, excuse me.

Do you ever get
a Mr Fred Smith in here?

Fred Smith?
Yeah.

No, I don't know anyone
with that name.

Used to come in here...
oh, quite a lot, about 15 years ago.

A little before my time, I'm afraid.

I see.

Good gracious... Spike.

Why, Tom!

Hey, how you been keeping, eh?
Oh, pretty well.

Pretty well, you know.

What are you gonna have?
No, no, I've had me limit.

You sure?
Yes.

Well, it's been a long time, Spike.

Yes, you're right.

How are you?
Oh, not so bad.

I see they've got
a new landlord here.

Oh, Roberts.
Why, he's been here for 15 years.

Oh, of course...

What are you up to these days?

Are you still
down there at the wharf?

No, they pensioned me off
about 10 years ago.

I'm not getting any younger,
you know.

I'm living with
my married daughter now.

You remember Lily?
Yes, of course, of course.

And you're still
breeding canaries, I suppose?

Yes, she lets me keep 'em
in the backyard.

Oh, I couldn't do
without the old birds.

I love to hear them sing.

Yes.
(CHUCKLES)

Serinus canarias.

I beg your pardon?
I said Serinus canarias.

That's the zoological term
for canary.

Blimey, anyone'd think
you've been away at college

all this time, instead of in, uh...

Well, yes I have in a way, Spike.

Have you ever thought about
the power of words?

No.

I hadn't, until
this thing happened to me.

But, you know,
they can change a man's whole life.

They can make him happy,
or they can even kill him.

Uh-huh.

It was words
that did that for me, Spike.

That's right.

And when I was in there,

I decided that I'd learn
how to use them, too.

So, I...

..wangled myself a job
in the prison library.

I had all the time in the world,
and I used it...

..reading.
Reading, eh?

You'd be surprised, Spike,

at the things that men like us
never had the chance of knowing.

Now I know lots,
lots of those things.

And maybe one day,

I shall have a chance of talking
to Mr Crossley in his own language.

Yes, that's right.

By the way...

..you ever see anything
of Fred Smith these days?

Now that I'm back, I've gotta
start looking for him, you know.

Ah, yes.

Well, I must be getting along.

Goodbye, Tom.

(CHATTERING)

(GLASSES CLINKING)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Mr Crossley?
Yes?

Could I, uh...
talk to you for a moment?

I think it's all right, constable.

Well, my man, what do you want?

Uh, you, uh...

..you don't remember me, do you?

To the best of my recollection,
I've never seen you before.

No.

Masterick's the name.

Masterick...

Masterick... no.

Remember how you proved once

that I killed a man
by the name of Fred Smith?

Thomas Masterick.

Yes, I remember you now.

And, uh...

..have you just come out of, uh...?

Yes.

After 15 years, I've just come out.

Well, I hope
you're settling down all right.

Allow me to wish you luck,
Masterick.

Oh, thank you, sir.

Have you got a job?
Yes, I have.

What is it?

Well, I'm going to start
proving things now.

What do you mean?

Suppose I found Fred Smith
alive and kicking.

What would you say to that?

Look, Masterick...

..don't you think it'd be best

if you tried to forget
the whole thing,

and start your life all over again?

I was quite happy
with my life before.

Only, you took it away from me.

I know that Fred Smith's alive,
and I'm gonna find him.

Well, if you should succeed,

naturally, I shall be
very interested to hear of it.

Don't worry, you will.

How can I get in touch with you?

Here... here's my card.

Oh, thank you. Thank you.

And when I find Fred Smith,

it'll certainly prove
how wrong you were, won't it?

Yes, I think I can concede you that.

Funny, how one man has the power

to take away another man's
life and happiness,

just with a few words.

Don't seem right to me, somehow.

Wait. Mr Masterick, isn't it?

Hello, Miss Sullivan.
How nice of you to remember my name.

Are you going in to see Daddy?

Yes, there's something
I forgot to tell him the other day.

Well, I'm afraid
he's dreadfully busy.

You may have to wait
a very long time.

Why not come and have
a cup of coffee with me?

You see, there's something
I'd like to ask you.

But, uh...

There's a funny little Italian place
and just along here, I think.

Come on, let's go there.

(CHATTERING)

Thank you.

I know it's frightfully rude of me,

dragging you off like this,
but it's really important.

I want you to do me a great favour.

You see, we...

That is, my friend,

if he doesn't get a story from you,
he'll get the sack.

He's a newspaper reporter,

and he's been told
to get the story of your life

while you were in...

In prison, that's what
you're trying to say, isn't it?

Well, yes, Mr Masterick.

Did your father
say anything to you about me?

Oh, no.

No, he'd be furious
if he knew I was here.

I'm just trying to help Peter.

That's the friend
I was telling you about.

You're rather an elusive person.

We never thought
we'd find you again.

You'll get money for the story.

They'd pay you well, I'm sure.
They've got plenty.

Is it so very important to you

that your friend
should get this story?

Well, it would save him
from getting the sack,

and it might help him onto something
really important next time.

I see.

After all, 15 lost years
aren't very important, are they?

Oh, I'm terribly sorry.
I didn't mean it that way.

Please, forgive me.
I know.

Of course, of course.
He shall have the story.

But I'm afraid
it's going to be rather dull.

Oh, don't you worry about that.
Peter'll soon make it interesting.

He's a good journalist
really, only...

..well, father just won't
give him a chance.

Then we will, shall we?

Dad is a dear, really.

There couldn't possibly
be a nicer father, but...

..well, he's got
printer's ink in his blood.

He looks upon people
as though they're just headlines.

Does he think of you like that?

Oh no, he just spoils me.

You see, I'm the only one
who really understands him.

What was he like all those
years ago when you knew him?

Oh, just the same. Just the same.

As a matter of fact,
I was his first big story.

And perhaps later on,

I shall be able to give him
an even bigger one.

And what would that be?

The last chapter
of the Masterick case.

Would you like to hear it?

Hello.

Do you always come home
as late as this?

Jill, what on earth...?

I've been freezing to death here
for nearly two hours.

Your landlady wouldn't
let me wait in your room.

What do you want?

Look, Peter,
when somebody commits a crime,

but doesn't really, and then
later on they find out he didn't,

because the dead man's
really alive all the time,

only he didn't come forward
when he knew he wasn't dead,

what would happen?

Look, suppose you go home
and have a nice sleep,

and you'll feel better
in the morning.

Peter, stop talking nonsense,
and listen to what I'm saying.

All right, go on.

Now, first of all,

have you written
the Masterick story yet?

Of course I haven't.
He's just disappeared into the blue.

I had a cup of tea with him today.

You what?

As I told you before, Mr Rogers,
news is just where you find it.

This is no time for fooling.

How did you find him?
Did you get his story?

I did better than that.

Do you want to be in on
the biggest scoop of the year?

What do you mean?

Masterick never
committed that murder.

He's quite innocent.
It's all a mistake.

And now he's out of prison,
he's going to prove it,

and you ought to be
the first one to know about it.

This is the chance
you've always wanted.

Who's told you
this beautiful fairytale?

Masterick himself.
I thought so.

Did you ever know of a criminal

that wasn't innocent
in his own estimation?

But Peter,
I know he's telling the truth.

Oh yes, yes.
How much did he try and borrow?

Well, if that's the way
you're going to take it,

I'm very sorry
I've wasted your time.

I thought it might help.
No, well it has.

At least, we know where he lives.
Got his address?

Don't say you forgot to ask him.

Oh Peter, I'm terribly sorry.

This other story
seemed so important.

I never thought--
It doesn't matter.

Oh, but it does.

Wait a minute, he'd be out
on ticket of leave, wouldn't he?

Where would that take us?

To the police, of course. Come on.

Wait a minute, where are we going?
Limehouse.

Yes, but--
Yes, all right.

I've got some money. Come on.

Hello there. What do you want?

Is this Bryants Wharf?
That's right.

Are you Mr Woody?
That's right.

I was told that you might
be able to help me.

I-I'm looking for a fellow.

He was a donkeyman,
and sometimes he worked ashore.

Smith was his name, Fred Smith.

Fred Smith, a donkeyman.

Did he happen to be
a black-haired fella?

That's right.

Chap with a lot of gab -
sarcastic, like?

Yes, that's it.

A bit on the short side,
and swaggered when he walked?

That's right. That's him, yes.
Yeah, where shall I find him?

You won't.
What do you mean?

'Cause he's dead, see?

Killed, murdered.
Years and years ago.

You're a liar!
You're a liar, he wasn't murdered,

and no one can make out
that he was murdered!

Hey, what's the game?
You gone crazy or something?

Listen, I tell you,
I didn't kill him...

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

..and stop making that noise,
you fool!

Here, wait a minute.
What's the game?

Not so fast.

On ticket of leave, you say?

Mayer, Mayo, Matt,
Masters, is that the man?

No, Masterick.
Oh, Masterick.

Masterick, Masterick...

No, nobody of that name
on licence here.

But this is where he used to live.

Yes, we thought--
When do you say he came out?

Two or three days ago.

Why not come back on Friday?
He may have been in by then.

Where do we go from here?
This is your party, you're the boss.

(CLAMOURING)

Please, you must believe me.
All right.

Why, Mr Masterick.

I found this man
in suspicious circumstances,

running away from Bryants Wharf.

That's right. He's mad.
Quiet.

What have you got to say?
I haven't done anything, sir.

I was only looking for somebody.

What is the charge
against this man, Woody?

Well, I don't rightly know.
He's queer.

What do you mean, queer?

Well, he started shouting, and...

Well, what about it?
Is it a crime to shout?

Did he do anything else?
Has he attacked you?

Has he stolen something?
No sir, but--

Well then, what have you
got against this man?

You've had him brought in here,

you've gotta charge him
with something.

You can't go about arresting people
just cause they feel like shouting.

What's he done?
Nothing, as far as I can see.

Just a minute, governor.

In fact, this gentleman
has a very strong case against you.

Defamation of character,
wrongful arrest and detention,

and in case you don't know it,
my good man,

the penalty for that--
Yes, sir, but I never--

It's too late to make apologies,
the damage is done.

Would you like me
to take this case, sir?

I'm a solicitor,
and I'm entirely at your disposal.

No, I--
We can reclaim very heavy damages.

Look here, sir,
I never wanted to make no trouble.

And if you don't mind,

I think I'll better be
getting back to the wharf.

All right, my man, you may go.

But let this be a lesson to you.
Yes, sir. Thank you.

You may not get away with it
so easily next time.

No, sir.

How am I doing?

Fine.

Do you mind if I have a word now?

Not at all, Sergeant.
Go ahead, it's your police station.

Thanks.

Well as a man of law,

you are doubtless aware
of the penalties

for interfering with the police
in the execution of their duty.

I should think
tonight's bit of oratory

will cost you about 10 years.

Or 10 shillings.

Charlie, give the gentleman the box.

Oh Sergeant, you are a kind man.
Don't you think so, Peter?

Charming.

..with an orphanage, anyway.

Every time I open my big mouth,
I put my foot in it.

(COINS CLATTERING)

(CHATTERING)

Sooner or later,
I shall find him and prove it.

Well clever, now do you believe him?

He's always like this,
just naturally slow.

So, you get the money for the story.

I'll get that off in the morning.

You can see the article
before we print it,

and you can alter
anything you don't like.

I really didn't like any of it.

I think there are much better ways

of spending a quarter
of one's lifetime, don't you?

Mr Masterick, this Fred Smith angle
you've been telling us about.

See? It's beginning
to filter through.

I don't see how you can find him.

You can't just go looking around
without some definite plan.

If you could only find the ship,
the Chester,

you would have
somewhere to start from.

They say there's no such ship,
but I know there is.

I saw it.

We can only wish you
the best of luck, sir.

I hope he isn't dead.

It'd be a terrific break for me
if you could find him.

You can always
come along to the office,

and I can see you
if I can help you in any way.

All right, I will.

But I promise you
that story one day.

But it won't cost you
£100 this time.

(CAR ENGINE RUMBLING)

Peter.

(GENTLE MUSIC)

(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC)

We home already?

(GENTLE MUSIC)

Oh, what a lovely night.

Let's just sit here,
and talk a while about ourselves...

..after all that excitement.

You know, Jill,
you're a very peaceful person.

A man gets to my age,
he needs a bit of peace...

..someone to talk to,

and someone that'll keep quiet
at the right time,

like you're doing now.

You know, Jill,
I really think I love you.

Nope, don't say anything.
I really think I do.

Why don't you and I
go away somewhere...

..and get married?

Well, say something.
Even if it's only no.

Jill?

(GENTLE MUSIC)

Jill, where are you?

Don't make so much noise.
You'll wake everybody up.

What are you doing in there?
Where are we?

Just wanted to have
a look at it, that's all.

This is where he used to live.
Where who used to live?

Masterick.

I jotted down the address
while he was telling you that story.

Funny, isn't it?

We're standing in the place
where it started

all those years ago.

What's funny about it?
It had to start somewhere.

I couldn't care less
where it started -

where it's going to end
that worries me.

But Peter, in a way,
part of it did end here.

This is the place where Masterick's
whole life was broken up.

The place where
he last saw his little girl.

I wonder what happened to her?

I don't know.

Peter, I've just
thought of something.

Oh no, no more ideas tonight.
Why don't we find her for him?

It would be a good
news angle for the story,

and think how pleased
Masterick would be.

It's a no go.

Been all over that with your
old man, he won't hear about it.

You know,
that's the trouble with GS.

He never thinks
any of my ideas are any good,

unless he thinks
of them first himself.

Told him the kid'd be
a good angle,

just like you said, but he...

(TENSE MUSIC)

I've got it. Look, I've got it.
I've got it. I've got it!

Peter, what's the matter?
Have you gone mad?

Suppose he'd made a mistake?

What are you talking about?
Now, do you see?

See what?

Old Masterick goes looking
for a ship named the Chester.

He finds there's no such ship.

He thinks everybody's lying,
but he goes on looking.

But suppose he had made a mistake.

Suppose the name of the ship
was the Colchester,

the Rochester or the Dorchester.

Those are dozens of places
ending in the name Chester.

It could've been any one of them.

Remember, he'd only seen the name
just for a second from a moving car.

It's a mistake
that could easily be made.

Peter, you're wonderful.
We must tell him.

Come on, we'll get him
before he goes to bed,

and tomorrow, he can look up
the Register of Shipping.

Come on.

(CAR ENGINE STARTING)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(LIVELY MUSIC)

We did have a chap named Smith once.

But he wasn't a donkeyman.

He was a greaser,
if I remember right,

and I don't think his name was Fred.

Might've been, but I can't remember.

Uh, a dark man?
Now, how should I know?

It's years ago,
I only remember his name

because of his shouting.

That's right.
Yes.

He used to have
terrible nightmares at night.

Keep us all awake,
shouting and yelling.

Thought somebody
was running after him,

trying to kill him every night.

(SCOFFS)
It's all coming back to me now.

He used to shout in his sleep
about a bloke named Masters,

or Masterson or something.

Yes, yes, that's right.

That's right,
where shall I find him?

How should I know?
It's donkey's years ago.

Wait a bit, though.

He used to have a girl or something,
ashore down Tilbury way.

Old Eddie'd know about that.

He used to be pretty
friendly with him once.

Eddie, Eddie got a minute?

Eddie, you remember that chap

that used to have the nightmares
on the Trinidad run?

Yeah.

Used to be
pretty friendly with him once.

Remember what he did
with that girl of his?

You know, the one that
used to kick up all that fuss

when he went around
with other women.

A dark bit with a bad temper.
Remember where she lived?

This is the room.

You ain't one of her friends,
are ya?

I don't think
she's been up very long.

I'll give her a call.

Doris, somebody wants ya.

Make yourself comfortable.
She'll be down in a minute.

What do you want?

I want Fred Smith, Doris.

Why, Tom!
Where is he?

Why, Tom, I...
I never expected to...

Well, when did you get out?

You never wrote.

I thought you was
never gonna forgive me.

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

Why didn't you let me know
you was coming?

Come and sit down.

Uh, I'm sorry
the place is so untidy.

I never used to be, did I?

Come on, come sit down,
and tell me all about yourself.

It's been such a long time.
Where's Fred Smith?

Don't let's talk about that rotter.

He's caused us enough trouble,
hasn't he?

Let's forget about him.

You're back now.

That's all that matters,
isn't it, Tom?

Everything's gonna be different now.

I know what
you've been through for me.

But I'll make it up to you,
honest I will.

I'm sorry you found me
looking like this.

You caught me unawares.

Do you remember how fussy
I used to be

about me hair in the old days?

Used to say it was pretty then,
didn't you, Tom?

But it won't take me long
to get it right.

I-I can still make it nice again.

Where's Smith?

Fred Smith, that louse.
I hate him.

He broke up our life once,
but he's not gonna do it again.

Nobody's ever gonna
come between us now.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

You are gonna give me another chance
aren't you Tom?

I'm sorry for what I did.

I must've been mad.

I've paid for it.

You've paid for it?

You've paid for it have you?

What do you think I've been doing?

What about my life?

The life they took away,
because you wouldn't come forward

to say he was still alive.

You were willing to see me rot,
weren't ya?

Willing to see me put inside
for something I never did!

Why, you...!

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

What's the use?

Where is he?

He left me, five years ago.

He's got a pub now - Gravesend.

The Royal George.

Let him go!

Let me give you a drink.

I'll have one, too.

(TENSE MUSIC)

A drink to the future.

Our future, Tom.

By the way, how's Jill?

(GLASS SHATTERS)
(DRAMATIC STRIKE)

(DOOR SLAMS)

(DORIS SOBS)

A small gin, please.

This house belong to Mr Smith?
That's right.

You must be a stranger round here
if you don't know our Fred.

Oh, I know him, all right.
Thank you.

(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)

Ta.

(CASH REGISTER DINGS)
(COINS CLATTER)

Evening, Charlie.
Evening, Fred. Double gin, please.

No doubles, mate.
Let's have a single one, then.

(LIGHT MUSIC)

(CASH REGISTER DINGS)

(TENSE MUSIC)

You're a bit shaky tonight, Fred.

You seen a ghost, or something?

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

(CASH REGISTER DINGS)
(COINS CLATTER)

What do you want?
Hello, Fred.

Why have you come here?

Oh, I just dropped in
to have a drink.

Nice place you got here, Fred.

I didn't know you were coming out.
No, I don't suppose you did.

But you knew I'd be out one day,
didn't ya?

Oh, I'd have been down
to see you before,

only it was a bit of a job
to find out where you were.

You know, you're sort of
buried alive down here, aren't ya?

Could you use a tenner, Tom?
No, thanks.

You're not sore at me, are you?

(SCOFFS)
Why should I be?

After all, there's never yet
been a sore

that took 15 years to heal.

I'd have come forward before,

at the time of the trial,
only, I was at sea.

I didn't hear about it
until it was too late.

Too late for what, Fred?

Oh, to explain.

Oh, I see.

How's Doris?

Oh, she's... she's dead.

Dead?

Five years ago.

Why don't you take a tenner, Tom?

15 into 10, won't go, Fred.
You ought to know that.

What do you mean?

Well £10, that's 200 shillings.

Divided by 15,
is about 13 bob, isn't it?

Is that all you think
I'm worth, Fred?

13 shillings a year?

Besides, it's not
a very lucky number, is it?

(FRED CHUCKLES)

Good morning, Miss Sullivan.

Good morning, Miss Carter.
Is my father in?

I'm sorry, Miss Sullivan,
he's gone to a conference.

Can I take a message?
No, it doesn't matter.

I'll see Mr Rogers.

Shut that door!

(PAPERS FLUTTERING)

If only people
would be more careful,

instead of barging in and out,

interfering with people
who are trying to do a little work.

Hello.
Hello, Peter.

Is this a private game,
or can anyone join in?

Everyone is joining in.

So this is the way
you write your masterpieces.

I always work on the floor.
I used to be a Chinese reporter.

Is it easier that way?
It is here.

What are you writing now?

"How to give baby
his first bath by a young mother."

Peter, you've been
holding out on me.

I'm always left holding
the baby in this place.

(JILL CHUCKLES)

What did Daddy think
of the Masterick article?

Don't talk to me
about that old man of yours.

What's he done now?

After all the trouble I had
getting that story,

he's decided
he doesn't want to use it.

Just wanted to give Masterick £100.

Well, that's kind of him.
Shows he's got a soft heart.

Only soft thing about GS
is his teeth.

I can always get on
with my baby craft.

Trouble with you is
you don't how to handle Daddy.

He's a lamb, really.

Why does he always
go about in wolf's clothing?

Oh, I'm sorry, my darling.
What did I do to you?

You wouldn't believe it
if I told you.

Good morning.

Oh, good morning, Mr Masterick.

I was just showing
Miss Sullivan some... jujitsu.

In case anyone
ever tried to kiss me.

I see.
It's a very useful thing to know.

I'm glad I found you in,
because I've got something for you.

You remember that story
I promised ya?

You haven't found him?
Yes.

Oh, that's wonderful.
Now you can clear yourself.

Yes.

Well, this is front page stuff.
What are we waiting here for?

Let's get the Home Secretary.

No, no, no. Now, wait.
I want to do this my way.

And what's that?

Well, I-I've always promised myself

that the first person
to see Fred Smith alive

should be the man
who proved he was dead,

and that's Crossley.

This is terrific. What a build-up.

Crossley.

There's something about him
in today's paper.

Yes, here it is.

"25 years of bar and bench.

"On Friday, Mr Justice Crossley
celebrates a legal jubilee.

"It is 25 years since
he was called to the bar.

"The learned judge
is giving a small dinner party

"to mark the occasion."

Listen, I think I've got something.

How about Fred Smith,
you and me going to that party?

That'd shake 'em.

Yes, I rather thought that, too.

Boy, oh, boy.

This is going to make GS sit up.

But you see, Mr Smith,
we must have your help

to prove Mr Masterick is innocent.

Well, I'd like to help you, but...

..you see, I can't do anything
that's gonna get me into the papers.

I've got my licence to think about.

No, there's nothing
like that about it, Fred.

All we have to do
is to see the judge,

and a few lawyers,
and make a statement.

Ooh, that's all very well.

But before you know--
You see, Fred,

I've got quite a bit
of compensation coming to me.

Thousands of pounds, perhaps, and...

..well, I thought
you and I might go halves.

Well, Tom, I'd...

..I'd like to help you if I could.

You'll have to give me
a day or two to think it over.

I don't know about that.

This judge fellow's
expecting us tonight, and...

..well, if you can't come along,
I shall have to go alone.

Yes, and then you'd have
the police and reporters

and everyone down here,
and you don't want that, do you?

You on the level, Tom,
about splitting the cash?

Of course I am, 50/50.

(CHATTERING)

All right, I'll come.

Here we are.

Shall I wait here?
Yes, we won't be long.

You sure it's gonna be
all right, Tom?

Of course it's going to be
all right.

Well, come on. Let's get it over.

Yes, let's get it over.

Good luck, Mr Masterick.

Thank you, Jill.

I think I can say, my dear fellow,

that in all my 25 years'
experience of criminal courts,

I know of no doubtful charge
in which the prisoner

has not been given
the benefit of that doubt.

What is it, Pender?

There's a man called
Masterick outside, sir.

He says it's important,
and that you would see him.

Well, that's extraordinary.

The very man we've been
talking about has just arrived.

Have him in, Crossley.

He's probably only come
to beg a fiver.

No, I told him if he ever
got any news, to come and see me.

He's accompanied by a man
named Frederick Smith, sir.

What?

That's the name
of the man he murdered.

Show them in.

Masterick served a life sentence

for killing the very man
he has brought here tonight.

Good evening, Masterick.
Good evening.

I must say,
this is a great surprise to me.

Yes, I expect it is.

And this is Frederick Smith, is it?

Yes.
Yes, sir.

I take it you will be able to prove
this gentleman's identity?

I can.

So you are actually the man
who Masterick

was once accused of killing?

That's right, sir.

Well, I couldn't come
forward before 'cause, uh...

..well, I didn't know about it, see?

Well, Masterick...

..every one
of my guests here tonight

is intimately connected
with the profession of law.

In fact, I doubt whether any man

ever had such an array of
legal talent disposed to help him.

I see, and how do you
reckon to help?

Can you give me back my 15 years?

That, I'm afraid,
is beyond our power.

All right,
then what are you going to do?

It's evident, of course,

you have a first-class claim
against the state.

Claim? Claim?
Do you mean money?

Of course, what else can we do?

There's no return to yesterday.

Yes, yes, Crossley,
but before you go any further,

perhaps I might
interpose a few remarks.

We at this table are all members
of the same profession,

and the duty of each of us
lies in the interest of justice.

No one doubts that from time to time
there are miscarriages of justice.

Its laws were made by man,

and are therefore,
not perfect, but--

Surely, my dear fellow,
it's man who's not perfect,

the laws are all right.

It's the people
who break them who are wrong.

But I-I never broke any law.

Yes, yes, yes, my good man.

But surely Selby
was talking about specific cases,

in which, for some reason
or other, are definite--

Never mind all this talking!

What about my 15 years?

I remember in Rex versus Hartigan,
it was clearly proved--

My dear, chap, you can hardly cite
Rex versus Hartigan as a precedent

for the reversal of a verdict.

Now, if I remember rightly, surely--

You never remember
anything rightly, Ferrows,

unless you've got
your clerk to remind you.

As I was saying,
in Rex versus Hartigan,

the Lords of Appeal
laid it down quite clearly--

Oh, stop it!

Words, words, words.

It was words that got me into jail,

and robbed me
of 15 years of my life.

I told you in that courtroom
that I never killed Fred Smith.

But you -
you wouldn't have it, would you?

Because in so many words,
you proved I had.

You lagged me for 15 whole years
for something that I never did.

You robbed me of my home,

and stole my
little daughter from me.

You did it all with words.

You turned me into a dead man

that had to go on living
in a world that I never made!

And you're trying
to do it again, aren't you?

But you're not going to, understand?

Because this time,
I've got nothing to lose.

This is your problem,

and I want to know
what you're going to do about it?

And I want to know now!

(SCOFFS)

You don't want to help me, do you?

No, I'm a closed account, aren't I?

I'm something
you'd all rather forget...

..because a 15-year-old mistake
is best forgotten, isn't it?

But I didn't forget. No.

And you, sir,
you're going to remember...

..whether you want to or not.

If you persist in this
extraordinary attitude,

Masterick, we shall, I am afraid,

find it very difficult
to advise you.

(TOM EXHALES)

It wasn't difficult
to advise the jury

that I was guilty, was it?

You were pretty certain that
I'd done that murder, weren't you?

But I hadn't, see?

Although, you had me
punished for it, just the same.

Well, what about Fred Smith?

Nobody punished him, did they?

Nobody sent him to prison.

They couldn't punish you,
could they, Fred?

Do you know why?

Because you're dead.

You're a dead man, Fred.

Ask Mr Crossley, he knows.

His words made you a dead man,
as surely as they took away my life.

And nothing you or I can say
will make any difference,

because you're dead.

The law says you are,

and the law can't make a mistake,
can it, Mr Crossley?

But, there is a mistake here,

and you and I
have got to put it right.

You know, the law today is
the same as it was 15 years ago...

..when it said you were dead.

And, uh... the law is the law.

You... you do understand, don't you?

No, Tom.

Don't do it.

(GUN FIRES)
(FRED GROANS)

(SOMBRE MUSIC)

Well, I put it right for you,
Mr Crossley.

And I hope you're satisfied.

Now...

..what are you gonna do about it?

Yes.

Yes.

What?

But, it's murder in reverse,
and that just doesn't happen.

How should I know what they can do?

I don't know.

This murder's already paid for.

What can they do?

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)