All language subtitles for Episode 9 - Framed For Murder

Alright, hold it there.

Move it out!

Roll the film.

And fire!

Cut!

Another two seconds
of all-Australian masterpiece.

It's terrible, Phryne. As soon as I
heard he was dead, I thought of you.

I shall take that as a compliment.

The whole production is in turmoil.

To lose our leading man
is bad enough, but like this?

What's the name of your film,
Mr Hirsch?

Bride Of Babylon.
And is it a talkie?

Not every film has to be
The Jazz Singer.

Surely there's still room
for an historical epic

free from idle chatter.

Raymond can find a silver lining
in even the darkest cloud,

which is what I've always liked
about him.

I thought it was my boyish charm.

Now, I should warn you,
this is no sight for ladies.

Perhaps Dorothy best wait here.

You needn't worry about Dot.
She's made of stern stuff.

Miss Fisher.
Hello, Jack.

For once, it seems entirely
appropriate that you should turn up.

Well, of course.

I'm the one who telephoned for you

after Raymond alerted me
to the situation.

Well, Phryne is one of
the major investors on the film.

Being a detective herself...

I would have telephoned the police,
of course.

Yes, of course.

Don't worry about the inspector.
He's very discreet, Raymond.

Raymond is one
of my childhood friends.

Well, I'd be interested
to hear your opinion, Miss Fisher,

as a... fellow detective,

since I have no doubt you'll make
your opinions known as some point.

Well, the amount of blood means that
he was alive when he was speared.

Doesn't appear to have been
restrained at all.

Drank himself to sleep,
by the smell of it.

Tragic accident, then?

Either he picked the wrong place
to take a kip,

making him the unluckiest drunk
in the world,

or else he was placed here.

On purpose?

Well, that depends, Raymond,
on these marks on the floor,

which suggest he was dragged here
in his chair.

Hmm. That's exactly what
the inspector thinks.

Collins, make sure
no-one disturbs this

before the police photographer
arrives.

Police photographer?
That's all a bit much, isn't it?

Surely this is just
a terrible accident.

I'm quite sure it isn't, Raymond.

Did anyone have a reason
to want your leading man dead?

Do you attend the pictures,
Inspector?

Uh, not if I can help it.

If you did, you would know that

Donald Everton is one of this
country's most beloved screen idols.

Aunt Prudence adored his Roderick
in The Mallee Soldier,

although that was some years ago.

He had no enemies,

neither in the public
nor behind the scenes.

A true gentleman.

And yet collapsed in a drunken
stupor at 9:10 in the morning.

Donald was a professional.
He never drank in the morning.

You mean could have been there
since last night?

And where were you, Mr Hirsch?
Me?

Yes, last night.
You think I murdered him?

I had to get my assistant
to kill a spider the other day!

Phryne, tell him.

It's a fair question, Raymond.

I was out to dinner.
I have a house guest.

Look, Donald dying is the worst
thing that could happen right now.

Well, I'm sure he didn't do it
to inconvenience you.

Why would I jeopardise filming?

Everything I own
is riding on this film!

All four of my picture theatres
are mortgaged to the hilt!

You never told me
it was as dire as that!

If I did,
would you still have invested?

Mr Hirsch, I'll have to speak
to your workers,

and at this stage, I think it's best
if we avoid the 'M' word.

You reckon someone knocked him off.

We're not drawing any conclusions.

Even if someone did do him in,
we've got a film to shoot.

Did anyone see Donald Everton
arrive this morning?

No, I just assumed he was late.

And you are?
Clara Whiting, my assistant.

She also looks after the props,
script pages - everything, really.

If it helps,
I did see Mr Everton last night.

I delivered his script pages
to his dressing room.

What time was that?

8:17.

That's very specific.
How can you be so sure?

A few minutes before, I noticed
one of the sparkies leaving,

and he signed out of the book
at... 8:15.

Are you always this observant,
Miss Whiting?

Once I see something, it stays up
here forever, like a photograph.

Oh.

What time
did you leave the building?

It was nine.

Apart from Donald,
was there anyone else still here?

I didn't see anyone.

Perhaps you could have
another look around for me.

The inspector does know
you're going to snoop around.

Ladies never snoop.
I'm going to discreetly search.

I think he's got it in for me.

You always were a scaredy-cat!

What, because I wouldn't throw
firecrackers at the police?

That was just a bit of fun!

Your sort of fun always led
to trouble.

Still does.

I would have, you know -
still invested in your film.

Why?

Let's just say I prefer
the local product to the import.

Not the most spacious of digs.

Donald would have changed in
a broom cupboard if I had asked him.

He was a real trooper.

Where's the bottle, I wonder.

One bottle in all of this.
I'll help.

No, no, no, Dottie, Dottie, Dottie!

There's just some things
a man has to do.

Eugh!
There!

What?

Oh, no, Dottie,
we don't have time for that.

Picture Stars, Movie Papers,
Cinema Romance.

Why would someone
throw all these out?

Why would anyone read them
in the first place?

It's all romance and no action.

Rumour has it
the Fatty Finn film Kid Stakes

will be re-made into a talkie
next year.

What? Where does it say that?

It doesn't.

That was uncalled for.

What is that?

Ah!

Found it.

It appears Donald
didn't like to drink alone.

What a shame techniques in
fingerprints don't extend to lips.

Would you call that purple?

Luscious Plum.

That's Miss Lily Luscombe's
favourite shade of lipstick.

Give a girl credit for some taste.
He was twice my age.

But you were in his dressing room
last night.

We were rehearsing.
Until what time?

Oh, really can't remember.

Must have been
after nine o'clock.

We seem to have come
to the same conclusion.

I knew you'd catch up.

Donald needed to rehearse.

The old ham would roll his eyes
and call it acting.

If he looked bad in the scene,
I looked bad.

And you weren't
about to let that happen.

Well, unlike certain people,
I've trained on the stage.

I've paid my dues. I have
a reputation as a serious actress.

Did you two often drink together
when you were rehearsing?

It was impossible
not to have a drink with Donald.

All part of his rough charm -

a charm that got rougher
with each sip.

He made advances?

The man was an octopus,

but I wasn't about to kill him
for trying to cop a feel.

If he made unwanted advances...

Miss Luscombe strikes me
as someone who can defend herself.

Maybe she did.
The bottle was smashed.

But there were no signs
of a fight on Donald.

No, she was worried
that his performance

would damage her reputation.

Then he'd have to be the first
person killed for bad acting.

I didn't realise film was one
of your interests, Miss Fisher.

I always imagined you
as a more astute investor.

That's how I can invest
in the odd folly.

Raymond's my friend, and...
Raymond!

I'm sending everyone home.

Still have to pay them
for this morning, though.

We'll resume shooting tomorrow.
Without your leading man.

Life was cheap in Babylon,
Inspector.

Film, however, is not.

I'll have to adjust the script,
but the show will go on.

Maybe you'll find someone better.

Donald had wonderful screen
presence.

Not the most animated performer.

I'm not gonna damn the man
now he's dead,

but action wasn't his strength...
literally.

He was supposed to enter carrying
Lily, and then throw her on the bed.

This was their fourth attempt.

We understand this wasn't the first
fight you had with Donald Everton.

Well, I fight with everyone.
That's what a director does.

That's how you make things better.

See, the producer dishes up
these pages of rubbish every day.

I spin it into gold,
the actor takes all the credit.

Clara! Clara!

Coffee! Now!

What was the fight about?

Well, the old codger
couldn't do the job.

Mind telling us where you went
after you left work last night?

Well, I've already told you,
I didn't kill him.

We're going to need more
than your word on that.

Well, does she need to be here?
I mean, she's not a copper.

No, but I am bankrolling
a substantial portion of your salary,

so I could advise you to answer
the inspector's questions!

Sorry to interrupt. Oh, that one.

You're very prompt.

I always have some ready.
Mr Thackaway likes his Greek coffee.

We understand you left the building
at 7:30.

Well, I wonder who told you that.

We'll take that as a yes.
Where did you go?

Well, didn't Clara mention

that I like to have a drink or two
after work?

Only we don't finish
until after closing,

so anyone who sold me any alcohol
was breaking the law.

I need to verify your alibi.
I don't care who sold you sly grog.

It was the back bar of the Peacock.

Are you happy now?

You turned me into a lagger,
just like you.

Miss Whiting didn't say a word.

We saw you thump Donald
for ourselves.

Oh, did Raymond show you
the footage?

Why, that little weasel!

He was the one that wanted
to give Donald the boot.

I did threaten to cancel
his contract, yes.

A small detail you neglected
to mention.

I knew how it would look!
The man's dead, Raymond.

It was an empty threat.

I just wanted to give him
a kick up the backside.

I'd like to confirm your whereabouts
last night.

You say you were with
your housemate.

Inspector Robinson,
Mr Phryne Fisher,

may I present Mr Jefferson Clarke?

Police asking questions.
Should I be worried?

You see, the film has suffered
a little setback.

Well, something of a big setback,
as it seems.

What did you do, kill someone?

My leading man was found dead
this morning.

You're kidding me!
And they think you killed him?

'Cause correct me if I'm wrong,

but Raymond seems a little nervy
to be the gangster type, hmm?

Mr Hirsch tells us that the two
of you dined together last night.

Yeah. So?

What time did you return home?

It would have been, say, nine.

Then Raymond had some associates
over for a little soiree

and we talked business... mostly.

What business would that be?

Jefferson is vice-president
of Pegasus Studios in Hollywood.

Ah.

You're a long way from home,
Mr Clarke. What brings you here?

Not the climate, that's for sure.

Who attended this soiree last night?
They'll need to confirm the time.

You could start with the maid.
She's a sweet girl.

Turns out she wants
to be an actress.

I'm assuming Jefferson's employers

didn't send him halfway around
the world to lounge beside your pool.

He's here to wire the local cinemas
for sound.

What happened to the historical epic
free from idle chatter?

There's no reason
why talkies can't exist

side-by-side with traditional films?

And I suppose a relationship
with an American studio

would add financial boost
to your future film production?

I'm still considering the deal.

Jefferson's a lovely bloke,
but he's not the sharpest.

Spent too long in
the Californian sun, if you ask me,

but he reckons if I sign,

when Pegasus studios
releases a new film,

my cinemas will be
the first ones to play them.

Tell them I want overtime.

Trouble?
Tiny, compared to yours.

The studio wants me
to play nursemaid

to some young actor out here
on vacation.

As if I haven't got enough to do.
Is he any good?

Are you sure you want to
keep these, Dot?

They really are quite fragrant,
and not in a good way.

It just seemed like such a waste.

And I thought my nephews
might like them.

Really?
Mm-hm.

Your nephews are interested in...

..techniques
of the Hollywood screen kiss?

Don't be embarrassed, Dot.

There's no harm in educating oneself
in the cinematic arts.

Anyway, here's one on Mr Palmer.

Vernon Palmer Jr,
up-and-coming Hollywood star.

Who just happens
to be passing through Melbourne.

He really is quite striking.

Hardly someone who would murder
for a role in the Antipodes.

Anyway, I think you should pack these
away. I'm gonna put on my glad rags.

Hollywood's coming to dinner.
Are you quite sure you won't join us?

I'd much rather admire from afar,
miss.

Good evening, everyone.

You're looking lovely this evening,
Clara.

He really is very handsome, isn't he?

I've always thought so.

Uh, Phryne, darling, may I introduce
Vernon Palmer Jr?

Phryne Fisher. Welcome to Australia.

Delighted to be here.
I take it you're my leading lady.

Not exactly, though I'd happily
lead you astray.

Would you mind through here
for a second, Phryne?

That's it, kid.
Always make nice with the money.

It's so lovely to finally meet you.

You were saying you acted
with Mary Pickford.

Mmm, and you would not meet
a more lovely lady,

present company excepted, of course.

I seem to be next to you.

Lucky me.

Do you want to tell me

how you can suddenly afford
an up-and-coming Hollywood star?

I've taken out a loan
against my house.

Oh, Ray!
It's alright.

If I play my cards right,
I'll soon have access to more funds.

Do tell.

And how much of your soul will the
American studios take in exchange?

I remember a time when you weren't
nearly so cynical.

Oh, I've learned a lot about humanity
since I was nine.

The president of Pegasus Studios
is a big fan of historical epics.

Sometimes you strike it lucky.

Are you alright, Clara?

You know, we're supposed
to be modern women,

supposed to be able to get
everything that we want,

but I wonder if all of that's true.

You do know Raymond and I
are just friends?

That's a lovely shade.

Miss Luscombe gives me
her leftovers.

That's generous of her.
Mmm, so I can do this.

A kiss from Miss Lily Luscombe
especially for you.

I'm afraid the conditions here

won't be quite as luxurious
as you're used to in Hollywood.

There's only one luxury I care
about, and that's my automobile.

Hoping we can make it
something snazzy.

I'm not sure the budget will
really extend to that, but...

Why, I think I know just the vehicle.

Almost perfect, Mr Butler.
All you need now is... the cap.

Like an organ grinder's monkey.

Don't be so glum, Bert.

You're going to be driving one
of Hollywood's up-and-coming stars.

All you have to do
is keep an eye on him.

Oh, good evening, Inspector.
Constable Collins.

What's he like?

Vernon...

Vernon Palmer Jr, Mr Butler,
what's he like?

His Wild West films are amazing,
sir.

Did he tell you
how they do those scenes

where he jumps from
the freight train onto his horses?

Not that I've heard, Constable.

We're not here to stargaze,
Mr Butler.

We're here to see Miss Fisher
on police business.

Donald Everton's body

contained high concentrations
of a barbiturate.

He was poisoned?

Well, the spears still killed him.

Constable Collins
has been gathering statements.

Three of your workers said

Donald Everton would arrive late
to set every day,

but you never pulled him up on it.

Film sets are full of gossips.

He argued with the director,
failed to remember his lines,

and regularly held up filming.

Yes, alright,
Donald was past his prime.

Then why didn't you sack him?

One of my other investors, a bank,

committed funds on the condition
that Donald was the leading man.

Donald had me over a barrel.

So your only option was to kill him.
Jack!

Your friendship does not exempt

Mr Hirsch from our enquiries,
Miss Fisher.

That's not an enquiry,
that's jumping to a conclusion.

I didn't kill him!

Who else knew about this situation?

Only me. Oh, and Clara, of course.

Someone who wears
Luscious Plum lipstick

was in Donald Everton's
dressing room last night.

Yeah, I delivered his script pages.
You know that.

And stayed?

Why didn't you mention this earlier?

What's happening to Mr Hirsch?

I don't know.

If the police think it was him,
they're wrong.

I did it. I killed Donald.

With what?

White pills in a brown bottle.

I smashed them up
and I dissolved them in his whisky.

Why?

You don't know why,
because you didn't do it.

I did it, and what's more, I can
give you the pills. I'll show you.

The key's underneath the telephone.

Top drawer.

Phenobarbital.

We have a little thing
in the States called a warrant.

Well, we can search your office now,
or we can come back with a warrant

and do it in front of
all your employees.

Phryne! Clara!

I'm sorry, Mr Hirsch.

Uh, we also don't say anything
until we talk to a lawyer.

I've confessed.
I drugged Mr Everton.

Oh, Clara. I don't know what to say.

Are you really going to stand there
and let her take the blame?

I... She's confessed!

Because she clearly thinks you did
it.

Phryne, I swear I did not drug
Donald!

But you have been drugging somebody,
haven't you, Raymond?

The fighting between Gordon
and Donald was derailing the film,

but I swear, I only drugged Gordon.

Look, I know how terrible that
sounds,

but you've seen what he's like.

I had to do something.
Where did you get the phenobarbital?

My doctor prescribed it
to help me sleep.

When I gave a small dose to Gordon,
it made him... calmer.

And you got Clara to put it
into his coffee.

Four or five doses a day was enough
to keep the peace on set.

So how did your phenobarbital
end up in Donald Everton's whisky?

I honestly have no idea.

You can go now, Mr Hirsch.

You didn't get anything useful?

If you'd let me attend the
interview...

What, so he could hide
under your skirts?

Raymond is no coward, Jack.

When he was seven years old,

he got caught red-handed with
a bucket of stolen peaches.

He spent two hours in the police
cells

and his father whipped him soundly,

but he never told anyone
that I was still up that tree.

Clearly he was more afraid of you.
Point is, he lies.

Oh, God, I'm doomed. Everybody's
gonna think that I did him in!

Only you didn't even know
Vernon was in the country.

No, but YOU did.

You were right here
when I found out.

I'm trying to help Raymond,
trying to save his picture.

What are you doing?

It's over. It's gone.

All of it - my house, cinemas.

Pegasus Studios is prepared to wire
you the money to keep shooting.

All you gotta do is sign on the
dotted line and we can help you out.

I'm going to bed. I feel as if
my head were about to explode.

Yeah, well, you rest up, buddy.

Do you mind if I take a look
at that contract?

I left all the paperwork
in Raymond's office.

I'd suggest we go back down there
just the two of us,

but it wouldn't be appropriate
without Raymond, would it?

Goodnight.

Hokey-pokey?

Taking an interest
in your investment, I see.

Of course.

I spoke with a friend in Los Angeles
last night.

He made a few discreet enquiries.
That so?

Seems you're not quite the high flyer
you purport to be.

'Junior sales representative'

doesn't have quite the same ring
to it as 'vice-president'.

You got me.

I'm not vice-president, but I sure
as hell ain't the mail boy either.

Where's the harm in tooting
my own horn, huh?

Here you are, ladies.

How kind. Thank you.

Alright, let's get this show
on the road. Clear the set!

Roll the film.

And... action.

Cut!

That's a keeper, but let's not get
ahead of ourselves, OK?

Swivel that camera around.
We'll get a close-up of Lily next.

Wonderful, isn't he?

Yeah.
Yeah. That's true talent.

A word?

What have you got to lose?

My career!

It looks so real at the pictures.

It's treacle.
Clara! Coffee!

Dottie! Dottie!

Hi. The inspector sent me
to collect more statements.

Is Vernon Palmer Jr around?

Oh, no, you just missed his big
scene,

but he's coming back for the
close-ups.

Well, did you ask him about
the freight train and the horses?

Well, yes, I did. He was very humble.

He gave all the credit to the
stand-ins.

Said they do all the dangerous bits
and he kisses the girls.

Oh.

Lily, into make-up now.
I'm on my way.

Get a move on, sweetheart. Showtime.

Fix the bloody fuses.

Alright, nobody move!

Hugh, have you seen the Americans?

No, I missed his scene.

Stay here. I'm going to find them.

OK, Clara,
go and get the knife.

Alright, we'll take it from Vernon
taking off his robe.

We have Vernon, we have Lily.

Roll the film. Action!

Vernon takes off his robe.

Vernon turns... Cut!
Sorry, did I get it wrong?

We need to get this
covered up for this shot.

Stab him in the heart instead.

Look, I'll show you. Here you are.

Just grab the knife, two hands,
in the heart.

Like this.

Hugh! Stand back!

I don't understand. That's the one
we use for the stills, the real one.

The prop knife was found
back in the props box.

But I left it out.

I put it on the table,
ready for the close-up.

Any chance
you could have been mistaken?

No.

So, when was the last time
you saw the prop knife?

It was just before the lights
went out.

Where were you?

I put the knife
back on the properties table.

I spoke to Dorothy, then Gordon
asked me for a cup of coffee.

I went to get the thermos.

Leaving the properties table
unattended?

Yes, but not for long.

Who else was near the props table?

Dorothy, Constable Collins, Gordon.
Anyone else?

I only remember the things that I
see, so after the lights went out...

How long were the lights out?

Less than a minute.

Long enough for someone
to swap the knife.

That was meant to kill Vernon,
not Gordon.

Why would anyone
want to kill two leading men?

To scuttle the film?

So, how well
do you really know Raymond?

Raymond's always been a dreamer,
and his dreams are boundless,

which I'm sure you realise
isn't common in Collingwood.

Maybe the fear of ending up working
at the tannery with his brothers

forced his hand.

Does your insurance policy
indemnify you

against any loss the film
might make?

No insurance policy will do that.
Most films lose money.

But you would be eligible
for a payout

should the film not be completed.

A very meagre payout
barely covering costs.

But an opportunity
to cut your losses nonetheless.

This is madness.

I've just hired Vernon.
The film is going to be completed.

Phryne, tell him.

Phryne?

It was your suggestion

that I go ahead with making a film
of my own in the first place.

'Why just screen the latest
Hollywood movies?' you said.

Where were you this afternoon?

There's not much point
in telling you

I was here in my sickbed, is there?

No, I must have crept out
and swapped the props knives!

Oh, you can hardly blame us,
Raymond!

You haven't exactly been a paragon
of virtue through this.

I was the one who called you in!

Yet you hid the truth
of the situation with Donald,

you were drugging the director!

Alright, alright,
what do you want from me?!

How can I prove to you that
I also want this killer caught?

If The Bride Of Babylon
is to be completed,

it would seem to be in need
of a director.

One who could keep
a close eye on things.

You always did have a knack
for bossing people around,

don't you agree, Inspector?

Yes.

Yes, I believe director would be the
perfect role for you, Miss Fisher.

You can operate a camera, can't you?

Of course! Blindfolded, in the dark.

Put that down.

Huh.

Hey, Annie Oakley.

I think you'll find she uses a rifle.

I'll tell ya,
this is one crazy country.

Back home, society dames
are holding tea parties.

Over here, they're packing pistols.

Not that I'm complaining.
I like a woman with a bit of spark.

Why are you here?

Taking an interest
in your investment?

I was about to ask you
the same thing.

We have a quaint custom here.

The person with the gun
asks the questions.

Just calling the boss, that's all.

Gotta do it when California's awake.

Permission to stand at ease?

Why are you in Australia?

Like I said,
you got a lot of movie houses.

The studio wants me to sign them up

for our sound synchronisation
system.

It's pioneer territory.

A chance to be at the forefront
of the new wave of talking cinema.

What's in it for your studio?

We see your country
as an important market.

Spare me the sales pitch.

I can't speak for the studio,

but the more I sign up,
the more commissions I earn.

That's all the motivation I need.

And here's me thinking you did it
for the love of film.

Raymond is a good guy.
I want him to make his movie.

That's why I'm hassling the studio
to help him out.

Guess it doesn't matter anymore,
though.

Without a director,
the film is sunk, huh?

That's where you're wrong.

That's all, driver.

You're bloody welcome.

Going walkabout, are we?

So I followed your movie star

to a flophouse down the wrong end
of Little Lonsdale.

And I asked around at the Grand.

They've never heard
of a Vernon Palmer Jr.

Intriguing.

Um, would you like this?

Uh, not really my style.
Do you have today's scenes?

Yes, they're fresh off
the mimeograph machine.

I was about to deliver
to Mr Palmer's...

Allow me. She adores you.

Who? Clara?

She'd walk over hot coals for you,

or rewrite a scene
a thousand times for you.

I'm just going to see
if Mr Palmer's in his dressing room,

have a directorial chat.

Yes, of course.

If you see a certain movie star
approaching, just whistle.

Mr Palmer!

Uh, sorry to bother you,
but, uh, can I have your autograph?

Ah! I'll just grab my pen.

Oh, no, I, uh...
It won't take a minute.

Miss Fisher.

Sorry, miss. I was just asking
for an autograph.

Oh, I was just delivering your
scenes.

Thank you.

How are you enjoying
your stay at the Grand?

Nice little place.

It's not a patch on the Roosevelt
on Hollywood Boulevard,

but it is, uh, pleasant.

Hair out of place.

So, I want you to think of Donald
and to think of Gordon.

Miss Fisher.

The staff of a moving picture
are like an army,

and like an army,
that staff marches on its stomach.

With that in mind,
I have three words for you -

breakfast is served.

I don't want to worry you,
but we have a teensy setback.

You see, the actors playing
the palace guards have walked out.

It's just a small hold-up
with the Pegasus Studios money.

That's alright.
I have the perfect replacements.

Ha... ha...

Try not to look down the lens.

Going again! Action!

Ha... ha...

Halt. Who dares walk this path?

Yeah, can we hold it there a minute?
Stop the camera.

I'll back you up.

The scene stinks.

The director can have them fired,
if you like. Just say the word.

No, I mean, this scene
doesn't make any sense.

I'm supposed to be the hero, right?
Of course you are.

Then why do I sneak past the guards?

Well, you've been stabbed,
for starters.

Douglas Fairbanks Jr
wouldn't sneak past anyone.

You're absolutely right.

He'd take out his sword,
kill the guards,

grab a rope, and swing 'em both
the hell out of there.

Brilliant!

Why don't you put your feet up
for a while,

give us some time to work it all out,

and we'll pick it up
tomorrow afternoon?

I've done this before. Get me a rope
up there, I can walk you through it.

Uh, I'm going to need a rope
hanging from this girder.

Rope!

Well handled.
Hurry up!

Why would Vernon Palmer Jr be
darkening his hair with boot polish?

Maybe he was going grey.

At his age?

I suppose all those daring action
films might age one prematurely.

Oh, Mr Palmer doesn't do the action.

He told me himself.
He just smiles and kisses the girls.

For someone who doesn't do action,
he's awfully good at it.

Who's Jamie Allen?

Where's that feature article?

'Tricks of the trade - Vernon Palmer
Jr encourages one of his stand-ins.'

The star and his stand-in.

I beg your pardon, miss,
but Mr Hirsch is on the telephone.

He's somewhat distressed.

That Yank says I can't screen
my own picture in my own cinemas!

Well, he can't hold you to that,
can he?

I signed the studio's contract.

I had to sign, Phryne!

I needed the money from Pegasus
to finish our film.

A film which is now a white elephant!

Under the contract,

Raymond's cinemas can only screen
Hollywood films made by the studio.

But he can't screen his own film.

Which means he's ruined.
There are other cinemas.

Well, they're all signing.

The studios intend to take over
the whole film business.

Wasn't Jefferson the one
who suggested the Hollywood star?

I think Jefferson and Vernon
were in it together.

First they sabotage the film
by drugging Donald Everton,

then in the crisis, Jefferson steps
up and offers to help,

but only if Raymond
signs his contract.

They create the problem,
then present the solution.

They killed a man to get control
of four cinemas.

I suspect Vernon had second thoughts.

Jefferson tried to pay him off,
but Vernon tore up the cheque.

I'll bring in Vernon Palmer Jr.
He's at the Grand.

I'm afraid he isn't,
and he isn't Vernon Palmer Jr.

Very impressive accent, Jamie.

Not bad for a boy from Murrumbeena.

You were working
as Mr Palmer Jr's stand-in,

darkening your hair
to pass as his double.

Standing was one of the few things
Vernon could do.

If he had to act or kiss the girl,
he was fine,

but then comes the scene

where he has to jump off
a water tower or fall off a horse.

That's when they wheeled me in.

If it was all going so well,
why did you come back?

I had a fall, busted my leg.

Money ran out pretty quickly
and I was on the first boat home.

Which is where you met
Jefferson Clarke.

Had a few beers with him,
told him my sob story.

Then a few days after we docked,

he tracks me down
at the boarding house,

says he has some acting work for me.

Some real acting work.

Only when he comes to me yesterday
and says I'm doing too good a job.

He offered you money.

He wanted me to get out of town

just when I was showing everyone
I can really act.

You refused?
Blood oath, I did.

And not long after,
Gordon Thackaway was stabbed

with the knife
that was intended for you.

I reckon he's gone crazy.

Were you in your dressing room
when the fuses blew?

Was Jefferson with you?
No.

Then he could have blown those fuses.

I know a way to work this out.

It's like I told you,
my memory works in pictures.

Yes, I understand,
but can you remember what happened

just before and directly after
the blackout?

If that will help.

I was heading to Gordon
with a cup of coffee.

I saw Dorothy, Constable Collins,
Jefferson, and Lily.

I'm on my way!

What was Lily doing?

Just heading back to make-up.

She was carrying something -
a glass of water.

Did she still have the glass
when the lights came back on?

Yes, but it was empty.

What was between the last place
you saw Lily and the make-up chair?

The lights went out.

That's how she shorted the fuses -
by dousing the floodlight.

It's entirely possible
that Jefferson had time

to get to the properties table
while Lily shorted the lights.

They're in it together!

I'll go to Raymond's,
pick up Jefferson.

You go to the studio.

Just listen!
It's not too late, alright?

- I can make you a star.
- I don't believe you!

Vernon's your star now!

You... you promised me!

You said I was gonna be
the next Mary Pickford!

Sweetheart, come on!

I'll make the calls now!
I will call all the agents.

She drugged me!
Stand back.

What are you waiting for?!
This film will burn like wildfire!

Shoot!
Why are you doing this, Lily?

He promised me he was gonna take me
back to Hollywood with him.

If only I just...
Sabotaged the film?

Yeah, but I never told
the crazy bitch to kill anyone, OK?

He gave me the tablets!

I didn't know what they were,
and I didn't...

I didn't know Donald
was gonna drink that much!

I thought he was dead!

I thought if I just put him behind
the set, he might get speared,

and they would think it was all
just a horrible accident.

I did all that for you!
No, you didn't.

You did it because you wanna go
to Hollywood,

but guess what,
you won't make it there either!

You really are obnoxious, aren't you?

I never told her to kill anyone.
What about Gordon?

All I said was blow the fuses,
slow them down a little.

She's the one who stabbed him!
It was meant to be Vernon.

Hey!

Lily!

No!

Well, I have a present for you.

It seems that Jefferson was
a little lazy with his paperwork,

hadn't sent any of his signed
contracts back to the home office.

Won't they just send more like him?

Then we'll fight the invaders
one by one,

or beat them at their own game.

What did you have in mind?

Jamie Allen,
Australia's new rising star,

and making her debut as his leading
lady, and Lily's replacement,

Miss Clara Whiting.

Well, I do know the role.

The Bride Of Babylon,
the all-talking moving picture.

Excuse me, miss?
Miss Fisher?

Yes?

Mr Hirsch has arrived
with a lot of machinery.

I thought that was
happening tomorrow.

I'm afraid today is tomorrow, miss.

Coming!

Nearly there.

Halt. Who dares walk this path?

That's it! Thank you!

Well, I'm sure that one line
will make all the difference.

It's made all the difference to
Raymond. He's achieved his dream.

Did you have a boyhood dream, Jack,

to tread the boards
or bat for Australia?

Oh, to ride the Tour de France,
but then the war happened.

And what were your girlhood dreams,
Miss Fisher?

I'm living them, Inspector.