Original subtitles

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May I help? - Thank you.

Here we are.

Can I do something more? - Oh I think I can manage. Thank you.

Oh! - That's alright, that's alright. I'll get them. - Thank you

Maybe you better let me carry the packages. You just handle the bag.

Alright. - On board!

Hello Anita. - hello mr. Addison. Jenna why

yeahall for Christmas wouldn't miss it

for anything

why do surprise about Roger Phillips

committed suicide night before last. - suicide?

Yeah. I guess it didn't see it in the papers.

Awful. - Yeah, you sure he was.

Where to? - A... same destination.

I guess you'll have to...

Thank you. I don't know how I ever could menage. - Oh, you would manage.

You mind if I sit down? - If you wish.

I believe we wrote in the same car the train.

Yes, yes i sat right across the aisle

from you as a matter of fact, broad backwards all the way.

I'm sorry I didn't notice, you see I was reading. - Oh, it's quite all right.

You shouldn't be the one who apologized, I should do that.

You see I uh... I know I snore pretty badly when I ride backwards.

Why, you didn't snore, you never close...

I don't know why I pretended I didn't see you.

Had you?

Well, isn't it obvious?

I wouldn't say obvious, I'd say it was... nice.

Yep, that Phillips fella shot himself right in his own parlor.

I don't understand it. Mr. Phillips...

He had no reason to commit suicide.

Some folks look at it like it was the first good deed he ever did.

There she is. Hi Anita. Oh, darling, it's wonderful to see you.

Mr. Donovan, this is my mother, my father... - Mr. Donovan.

My sister Kathy. - Hello, Kathy.

Mr. Donovan help me with my packages.

I don't know how I would have managed otherwise.

Oh you're would manage it. - That's exactly what I told her.

Here, let me help you. - Thank you mrs. Weatherby.

Can I drop you any place Mr. Donovan?

No sir, i have hotel. - your dragon, across the street.

If anything I can do to make your stay more pleasant why just say the word.

It's very nice of you but with any luck I think I might be out of here by tonight.

Mr. Donovan is in insurance investigators. - Oh here on business?

Yes, yes yeah Phillips case.

Oh, Phillips case. His death was a great shock to all of us.

Now in case you do stay over the town gets kind of dull at night

when to stop by the house. Anyone can tell where we lived.

Y... yeah I may take you up on that.

Good bye. - Bye. - Mr. Weatherby. - Bye.

Where did you pick him up? - I didn't pick him up.

I met him on the train. - It's quite all right.

Yeah, that's funny. I met your mother the same way.

Do you promise to never tell what happened.

Something on your mind? - Of course not.

I'd like to see the sheriff.

Come in.

Sheriff? - At least until the next election.

Sam Donovan, Federated insurance.

Federated insurance? Oh yes, yes, yes are you, I...

figured somebody'd be around.

Oh, why? - $20.000 it's a lot of money.

Especially for a man like Phillips.

Oh, yeah? I need little help filling out the suicide report do you mind.

No, no. Not at all. Sit down. - Thanks.

You got the coroner's report?

You know you smoke too much, one cigarette after the other.

Yeah, yeah I know. It saves a lot of time.

Now about the report. - Coroner's going to visit his folks for Christmas.

Oh, that's convenient. When he be back?

Oh some time next week.

Huh, yeah. I don't suppose you've had

a chance to make out any report of your own.

no I'll get around to it for long

Yeah, sure show you well no official report.

What kind of a gun did he use?

You know, you were... try smoking a pipe instead of all those cigarettes.

Well I'll let you in on a little secret. I've got some stock can in cigarette company.

How about the gun?

No gun.

I understood he shot himself.

He did. - Then where's the gun?

Disappeared. - Disappeared?

Well, look sheriff... - It'll turn up, it'll turn up.

It would be better.

What about the bullets at killing?

These city fellas always in a rush.

I told you the coroner will be back next week.

Now why don't you relax sit back steal yourself a little rest wait for.

Sounds attractive sheriff, but you don't know insurance companies

Now... what about the bullet?

You know I bet if you ever started smoking a pipe

you'd never be without it.

So I'll get a pipe. Now can I see the bullet?

No bullet.

What is this sheriff? No report, no gun no bullet...

maybe isn't even dead.

Hmm, you know, jollyberry folks around here less or did.

Huh huh where's he buried?

Seems to me we held our last funeral in the year in the cemetery.

Anything to be different?

Sheriff, I want to see that bullet.

Maybe it was buried with Phillips.

Why wasn't it removed? - Trying to commit suicideit's generally that.

Mm-hmm. Not in my book.

No? - No. No bullet, no pay.

Look... Sam... maybe the beneficiary won't like that.

Maybe. There maybe she will.

You see if Phillips was murdered there's a double indemnity clause.

My, my, what they will think of next.

Well they'll think of a way to get the bullet.

It seems a shame that Phillips is buried so deep.

You better start digging him up.

Ha, ha, ha. I gotta take a court order.

So... I'll get a court order.

You know, mighty quick man with a shovel. - Thanks.

Why are you digging around down

there you didn't happen to come up with a gun too, did you?

You know there's nothing like a pipe to slow man down.

We're not slowed down, we're stopped.

Oh, my pop always used to say there's no pockets in a shroud.

What's the sense of rushing so,

you go right past the thing you'r looking for, take it easy.

Now you might never catch up with it.

Nine-millimeter Luger, huh? - Maybe. - You've been a big help.

Thanks. What are you doing my duty.

Who found the body?

Abby jeweller down the street. Nice fella.

Yeah, I'm sure he is. Maybe I better ask him some questions.

Just a minute

I'll take the bullet.

We don't want to lose the evidence.

I'll be seeing you sheriff. - Any time at all. I'll be here.

Hallo. No problem.

You shouldn't talk so much.

That's beautiful. You know, I think he would like it.

Oh, oh, there is like goes my belt.

Can I do something for you? - Yes please I'd like to see mr. Abbey.

Certainly.

I'm afraid mr. Abbey doesn't need any insurance.

Oh, I'm not trying to sell it.

You see my company insured mr. Roger Phillips.

Oh. Well, just a moment. I'm not sure he's in.

I'm sorry. He must have stepped out the back way.

I didn't realize that. - Oh that's quite all right.

I'll, uh... I'll catch up to him another time.

Oh, I forgot. I wanted to buy acompany...

Oh, you back so soon. - I... I came in the back way.

This is nice. - Yes mr. Donovan.

I understand that you discovered the body of Phillips.

Yes I did. - You mind telling me what happened?

but I already told everything I know to sheriff Best.

I'll take this.

Any objections to repeating them to me?

Nothing happened.

I just went upto his house and there he was dead.

Is that all? - Yes but why are you so interested?

We insured mr. Phillips.

When you saw him was... the gun still his hand?

Why, I didn't see any gun.

You're sure? - I think I'm sure.

I see. Oh, thank you.

How much is that? - 12,34 including taxes.

I'm sorry to have troubled you.

Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance.

It's alright. I'm getting used to it.

We had a lot of trouble removing the powder burns.

There were no powder burns.

No powder burns? - And there usually are when a man shoots himself. - Yes I know.

don't worry about it this one didn't. Well, thanks very much.

I'm busy see.

See, I've got the caution gate about keeping the place locked.

I just came from a visit to the Undertaker.

He says there weren't any powder burns on the body.

You don't say. - I saw your friend Abby too.

Didn't I tell you he's a nice fella?

He says he didn't see her gun.

So, what happened to him? - I told you, disappeared.

know anyone who might have a Luger?

Lots of people in this town got Lugar's.

I got one myself.

Fired recently, huh. - Yep.

Two-three days ago. Chicken hawk.

Missed him. - Oh, too bad.

Let's see... that's that's just about the time that Phillips was killed. isn't it?

Fingers slip. - It's all right, Gabe.

Everything's under control.

We gotta have a little more system around here.

You'd have made a pretty nice target busting in here like that.

Gabe it looks like progress is caught up us.

We're about to get a lesson and hire ballistics.

Put away that gun. You don't want to go killing anybody.

Not at Christmastime anyhow.

You were... you're pretty good detective.

So, Luger, alright. - There's a mystery to you up until now of course.

Nope.

I... uh... I don't suppose you kill Phillips, did you?

Well, no, I never figured much of myself as a suspect.

I'd better watch out for my appearance,

I'm liable to get my picture in the paper.

Sheriff, I work for a very funny outfit.

They insist on a day's work four dayspaid.

Now that's down right inconsiderate of them.

One other evidence of you got besides the Luger bullet me empty shell.

Well, let see now.

Yes it was a puddle of water on the floor.

Oh, that I've got to see. - It's all dried up.

Where is the beneficiary live?

With her husband.

All new stuff in this town. Barry dead people in the cemetery.

Husbands live with their wives. What's her address?

Oh, why don't you ask me?

Nice little place over on Elm Street 958. - Thanks.

If you're figuring on going over there to see it, you're gonna have a long week.

She went out of town with her husband right after the funeral,

we'll be back tomorrow afternoon 4:19. - Thanks again.

Look Sam.

Take my advice.

Don't be so all-fired anxious to pay double indemnity in this case.

Why don't you forget about it.

Go on home and visit your folks for Christmas.

Sounds great Sheriff, only I... haven't got any folks,

and my... homes wherever I happen to hang my hat

Besides I've been looking for an excuse to stick around.

I think now maybe I found it.

You know what I think? - What?

I think you're gonna be noend of trouble.

I'm, Blakely. I think I've run onto something pretty important.

Looks to me like this guy Phillips was murdered.

In fact the whole town knows it and nobody seems to care.

Includind their sheriff.

Well of his murder you stay right there and prove it.

Now get to work, talk to somebody.

Talk to somebody? You want to come down here and try it.

Talk to everybody in town, nobody said a word.

Well stick with it Sam. Prove it's murder

If I do that'll cause the company an extra 20.000 bucks,

is a double indemnity clause.

So what? When the newspaper find out we spand maney to pay double indemnity

we'll sale 10 million $ of insurency.

Besides, maybe the beneficiary killed him.

Then we won't have to pay anything.

Yeah, you would think of that.

Okay I'll stay with it I'm still tomorrow anyhow.

Operator would you please connect me with the Stewart Weatherby residence?

Yes. Thank you

A watch clock never moves, Anita.

There's a fella in town on that Phillips suicide.

I mean you don't think it's suicide.

How do you know? - I got ways I know I'm held it.

Is that friend of yours the long-distance operator been listening

in on calls again? - Listening in man indeed.

Great kid wouldn't do a thing like that.

Oh, no? - Not much she wouldn't.

Well, anyhow I know about the insurance man.

We all know about it Hilda.

His name is Sam Donovan.

He phoned this afternoon and said he'd be over tonight.

And Aneta has a crush on him. - Kathy I have not.

Then what way you're watching the clock for?

Mother! - Girls, no quarrels, please.

And you should have seen her when she got off the bus.

Up to her knees and clouds

You were up to your neck in him

when I saw your simpering in the dining room mirror.

Just settle down you two.

I'll do what I'm paid for around here.

Good evening. Is mr. Weatherbee in? - Yeah, you are that insurance fella?

That's right. And I interest you in a policy.

Naz enough to clean their shoes. - That'll be all, Hilda.

Do he'll damn know as I don't know he'd turn out human.

Let me take your hat and coat. - thank you mister Whetherby.

Mrs. Wetherby, Anita. Well, hello Cathy.

Hello. - How are you. - Fine.

Got a surprise for you. - Oh what is it?

You look at it, it looks right back at you.

If I only could open it. - Cathy, before Christmas?

Oh, it's okay mrs. Wetherby.

Let her. - thank you.

Step in, make yourself comfortable. - Thank you sir, I'd like to.

I'm really been comfortable all day.

Hi. How are you? - Look, father!

Compact! - Compact, just another mirror for her to stare into.

May I take it to school mother?

You see? - Mm-hmm. Looks like I started something.

Oh, no.

Hilda's never happy unless she's unhappy.

I was afraid you might have a date tonight.

No. - That's not a very big town

and there can't be very many beautiful girls like you running around on loose.

That's your number two sales approach? - No, number one.

For you nothing but the best.

Well, business all settled mr. Donovan?

No mr. Weatherbee. As a matter of fact I didn't.

I'm stymied here until tomorrow.

So I'm taking the sheriff's advice and just relaxing.

What can we do to start with early excitement? - Here? In this town?

Impossible. - There's a good movie.

Wonderful. If it's all right with your mother and father I'd love to.

Yes, of course. - Good. I'll get my coat.

Can I go too? - No.

Good night Mrs. Weatherby. - Good night. - Kathy.

Good night Mr. ... Sam. - So, you ran into a little difficulty?

I guess you could call it that Mr. Weatherby.

I'm having a little difference of opinion with sheriff Best.

I'm ready.

Good night, sir. Don't bother.

Thanks for the present. Look mother, isn't it beautiful?

It certainly is.

Rising from out of the clear blue sea in the distance

can be seen the majestic model of the South Seas.

Good, isn't it?

Sunset finders passing the quaint fishing village of Manalua

with its myriad of fishing huts and boats

Way look at the movie? - I already seen it twice.

Sh,sh. - see it again

It ain't that good. - Sh, sh.

Why don't you kiss her?

Why should I? - She's pretty.

Thank you.

Is there another movie house in this town?

Sure, right across the street.

Go see that picture

Oh, I just remembered I seen that one already too.

By any chance, are you trying to get ridof me?

How did you ever figure that out?

I got brains.

I like to bowl.

We'll, go bowling than. - Classmate.

Happy bowling. - Thanks.

Come on, we have enaf. - Sh, sh.

Out of billowing clouds and emerald mountain rises

I haven't done anything like this for years.

Like what? - Oh, you know, movie showed in the corner drugstore...

walk a girl falls just a good night

Good night Anita. - Good night, Sam.

You know something?

What? - That a little boy in the city tonight

he was right.

Margit Phillips?

Well yes but I'm Mrs. Baker now.

I'm from Federated Insurance. - I know, you're Mr. Donavan...

a... aren't you?

Won't you come in? - thank you.

Nice place you have here. - Thank you.

It belongs to my mother-in-law. - Ah.

How did you know my name? - Oh, Anita,

Anita Whetherby called me.

Oh, a friend of hers. - Yes, we went to school together.

Oh, I see. - A... please sit down.

No, thank you. Mrs. Baker I came here to clear on rather a routine matter

make out a report for my company about your uncle's death.

However, I'm afraid now that I'll need a great deal

more information before I can do that.

But... why? - Because mrs. Baker... very probably your uncle was murdered.

Oh no. No, he committed suicide.

If your uncle was murdered the policy pays double indemnity.

I couldn't accept it, it wouldn't be right.

He killed himselfhe.

Did it's the first time in history that the gun ever got up and walked away.

Please, he committed suicide.

Lady, I'm offering you an extra $20.000. - I don't want it.

Do you know any enemies that your uncle may have?

He wasn't murdered.

Who had reason to kill your uncle mrs. Baker? - He wasn't murdered.

Very well, that's the way you wanted.

Looks like I'm gonna have to prove it to you too.

Frank. Frank, darling, didyou hear what he said?

Yes, I heard. - He suspect something.

Well, there's nothing to suspect.

See here. You don't think... much as I hated your uncle that I killed him?

We were at the station the whole time together, remember?

We never left the station!

Oh, hi.

Can I take you any place? - Any place?

Nice place you have here,

the natives are solar friendly talkative.

They are awfully Clanny jumped.

A person is considered an outsider until he's lived here at least 20 years.

It doesn't take that long are you

Oh, no. I've been exposed to civilization.

Good. Finished your business?

No. I'll believe it in that I'm looking for a Luger automatic pistol.

Is that one of those German guns? - That's right.

That should be easy. I'm sure my father will land you his.

Did I said something wrong?

I don't know.

See, Phillips was killed with a Luger.

Well? - It's an unusual gun. - Is it?

I need a mr. Phillips was murdered

What you gonna do?

Like to over and take a look at the Phillips house.

Would you mine driving me over?

Well, not, of course not.

How you gonna get in? - Oh, we'll get in.

Salvadore isn't locked.

I've been living too long in the city.

Well, well.

Looks like I'm gonna have to rearrange my opinion of the sheriff

I don't understand? - Marked out the whole story of the murder.

Someone the run all the time. (?)

Phillips stood about here when he was shot.

Snow or rain from the killer's coat

dripped on the carpet there and caused that puddle.

Couldn't have shot him from there only

because it won't any powder burns on a body

Probably came in to see if he did a good job.

And little mark over there is where the shell ejected.

That means that the other set of marks is where the murderer stood it.

You could see better if you turn it on the lights.

Hello Anita, welcome home.- Larry best. - Hi.

house breaking is against the law.

That was my fault Larry. The front door was unlocked.

Yes, I know. I unlocked it.

I... I sort of expected callers.

Yeah, yeah since you know all this,

way did you try to sell me that phony suicide story?

Well, I don't like to be hasty about these things.

Larry, what kind of a gun killed mr. Philips?

Honey I believe the consensus of opinion says it was one of those Lugar's.

Are you sure it was a Luger?

Oh now, look sugar, I know what's in your mind, forget it.

Don't give it another thought,

well there's a lot of those kind of guns around here.

As a matter of fact... sheriff haz one.

Yes, I sort of like him myself.

Well if you'll excuse me. I really must be leaving.

Oh, what's the hurry?

I have to pick up my mother. - Oh. - Bye, Larry.

By Anita. - See tonight, 7:30? - Sure, fine.

What kind of a scare have you been throwing into that girl?

Her old man owns a Luger, or hadn't you heard?

Well that's mighty convenient.

Maybe we can blame it on old Stu.

You know I... I once read a book where the detective was the murderer.

That's lucky, I'm a sheriff not a detective.

Although I did have a motive. I owed Phillips money.

No. No, you're just too convenient for a good suspect.

Is it all right with you if I close up the place now?

There's anybody home the night Phillips was killed?

His niece lived with him but... she was busy that night getting married.

Mm-hmm. Why wasn't he at the wedding?

Maybe he didn't know they eloped.

Maybe he knew they'd eloped and didn't like it.

And maybe Frank knew about that insurance policy and liked it.

I'm probably unreasonable but it seems strange to me...

murder a man for profit and then turned down an extra $20.000 on the policy.

I see your point.

I mean a rise on a fire pipe. - You're all right Sam

you just don't understand small town folks.

We all live together here and it's no good

throwing suspicion and ruining reputations.

smoke indicates fire

economy as well pack up and leave once tokes starts.

I don't go in much for autobiography Sheriff but...

I happen to be a small-town boy myself,

born and raised in Glenwood Minnesota.

I recognize alot of the symptoms here.

Oh then you should know that too many folks

are anxious to assume a man isguilty the minute he's arrested.

Why, it looks to me is that the whole town hated Phillips.

You amaze me Sam. How did you find that out?

Now look sheriff. I can take a joke as well as the next man.

But murder is serious even in a small town.

either we cooperate, or I go out of my own way.

You'll be surprised what I might find out.

So long.

Hi, come in. - hello Kathy.

The woman of that isn't it? - Aha.

Everybody just stick to your own job this household to be run more properly.

You know mr. Donovan I'm just fascinated by the insurance business.

Really? - Oh, yes just fascinated.

And just what is it that fascinates you so about the insurance business?

well I always did like mathematics - Think you say. yeah I like it myself.

Oh, yes they really intrigued. - memm-hmm.

Would you care for a cigarette Kethy?

Um... well, I... I don't think so just now I don't feel like it.

No. Well, you don't mind if I do? - Oh, no, no, I know lots of people who smoke.

Yeah how about you do with that. Is Anita home?

Oh, you want to see her. - yes, yes, very much

Well she's upstairs. I'll go call her.

You know, I think I ought to warn you.

Anita was never any good at math.

I'm taking advanced mathematics.

Good evening mr. Weatherby. - Oh, hello Sam.

Are you making out with a Phillips suicide?

Wasn't suicide, was murder.

He was murdered?

Yes, shot to death with a Luger.

You know anyone in town who hated Phillips enough to kill him?

Phillips? I'm afraid... he wasn't very well-liked.

Oh, that's a masterpiece of understatement.

However the Luger now is it down.

Do you you know anyone who owns a Luger?

Well not specifically. Of course any number of ex-servicemen

might have brought one and home with them from overseas.

Dad, what are you talking about? You have a Luger pistol.

That mr. Donovan is my own daughter trying to send me to the electric chaire.

Well, when I told him I didn't know mr. Phillips had been killed like that.

Well, that's all right Anita. I... I did bring one back in 1918

No. You still have it?

Why, I... - You give that gun away long ago.

Yes, yeah. - Do you remember who you gave it?

Let me see, not quite sure...

You give it to dr. Girote before he moved to Fairfield.

That's right, yes. - hmm.

When was this? - That's about five or six months ago.

Uh-huh. Where Phillips and Girote enemies?

Well, regardless of that dr. Girote doesn't take lives he saves them.

Best doctor west of Chicago.

How far is Fairfield from here?

Uh, five miles south. - Would have been in position

if I asked to use your telephone?

Well, of course not - Thanks I want to call dr. Girote.

I'm afraid you can't do that.

The first thing dr. Girote did when he retired,

was to take the phone out of his house.

Can't say I blame him for that. - You can see him tonight. - That's where?

That's where he's the one that always liked a Christmas tree.

We're gonna get there in time, we'd better get a move on.

Didn't realize it was so late. Bessie, time to go. - Be right down.

Kathy, you hurry up! - You're going with us, Sam.

I wouldn't miss it. - All right Bessie let's get going.

You know, still I think you are the only man in the county

with nerve enough to wear that old log evening coat.

I didn't know that things are. - Not till I have my turn. - About this coat.

I say anything good enough for my father is good enough for me.

That's exactly what your father used to say about the same coat.

Sam.

Why do you have to question dr. Gerrow?

Well, I just have to follow through, that's all.

Please, don't. Just this once.

Why not let well enough alone?

I've got some bad news. - What's the matter, Larry?

Dr. Girote won't be able to light the tree. He died about an hour ago.

Heart attack. I'm going out there now.

That's quite a shock. I can't believe it.

I have to tell him something.

Folks we just received some news about dr. Girote.

I'm going to let his closest friends do

whether they tell you about it.

I don't know what I can say that can soften

the shock of what I must tell you.

Dr. Gerrow is dead.

He died peacefully about an hour ago,

and so he won't be able to light our tree tonight

or give out the presents to the children.

To the youngsters, I suppose

it seems as if something happened to Santa Claus himself

but to the rest of you I can only say what you already know

dr. Gerrow was a great man in our community

loved by all of us

he brought half of you into the world,

he helped us in times of sickness,

many times even when we were weather

and he has left upon our town an indelible mark

of his goodness and humility and generosity

Although he can't be here tonight to light our tree,

I know he'd like us to keep right over.

So in the name of our very good friend dr. Peter Gerrow

I'll light our tree.

Salmon sorry the ceremony wasn't as gay they told him to be

Shame about the doctor. - Too bad you didn't know him.

he could have been a wealthy man, a famous man,

but he preferred to be just a simple country doctor.

Good night. - Good night, Mr. Whiterby.

You know I couldn't help seeing something besides sorrow

in your face when you heard about the doctor.

Oh, Sem... - You didn't want me to question him. Why?

I don't know . - Yes you do.

And I've got a hunch I know what you were thinking.

But you're wrong

If you're going on being suspicious of the men in their lives

I'm gonna get in a lot of trouble later on.

I did nieder.

How could I, darling.

Sam and I were... - Cathy!

Did he kiss you again like last night after the show?

What do you mean snooping into my diary!

Get to bed. If ever I can't you're reading my diary get up...

I'll tell Hilda. - Oh I won't need. An honest I would.

Why should I worry about your silly old diary?

He doesn't mean anything to me.

Just to make sure you better find a different hiding place.

And then when I got over there Gerrows house he was dead.

Heart attack. - Did you get the coroner's report on Phillips?

You'll forget, it's Christmas time, and this is a small town.

Well, stick with it Sam. - Ok.

Huh? Yeah, yeah I'm going up the sheriff's office now.

I'll be seeing you.

Personally I think you're both lying.

I wouldn't advise that Frank.

I'll tell you what happened Frank.

The cold will tell us when he caught you a little bit

during the corner you shot him.

that's why he won't take double indemnity that's why you want the case stop.

Wait, we did quarrel with my uncle.

And we eloped because he didn't approve of Frank.

But Frank didn't kill him. Sheriff Best knows that.

And just how does sheriff Best know that?

Because my uncle called him to throw Frank out.

Sheriff Best was there when we left. - Sorry Sam.

Al right, al right.

Tell me again, what hapenned when you left the house?

We went to Abby's jewelery store and bought the wedding ring.

Then we went to the bus depot and caught the 8:14 bus.

But no one killed my uncle. He committed suicideif.

He committed suicide? What happened to the gun?

Why weren't there any powder burns?

I don't know.

Ok, so your uncle was alive when your left him?

Yes. He were sitting at his desk.

And you Frank, you went directly from the Phillips house

to the jewelry store and then to the bus depot, right?

Yes. - Are you leave the bus depot for any reason

before the bus pulled out?

No. - Did you Margaret and you squirel before? (?)

No.

Ok, that's all.

Thanks folks. I'll call you if I need you again. - Ok.

Not an alibi and a whole lot.

Frank and Margaret say they were the depot... alone

Abby and Mrs. Abby say they were home...

alone and Stu... Stu says he was out taking a walk alone...

Well, I'll tell you Sam...

you play around with it for a while.

If you can't prove any of them did it, you always have me.

It's a nice town. - Yep. - Nice people.

Be a good place to live. - Yep.

If you're on the right side of the fence.

Yep. - Can you say anything but yap?

That calls for a pretty obvious answer, don't it? - Yep.

Hey... where were you the night Phillips died ?

Thanks, Gabie.

Going out so early? - Just an errand Hilda.

Oh! - Hi.

It's not as scary? - No. - What's wrong?

Nothing. Maybe you did startle me just a little.

What are you doing you so early?

Oh, I couldn't get here early enough.

Or... or could I?

There's no one home, and I'm going on an errand. Can I Drive you anywhere?

Sure. Thanks.

You sure nothing's bothering you? - No, nothing Sam.

I thought maybe you'd had a chance to think about the way I said you goog night.

Oh, no isn't that.

I guess I am a little jumpy. Haven't had my coffee yet.

You know, I get a break I may close this case this morning.

Feeling all along and Abbey's been holding something out.

I've got a hunch he saw the murderer when he discovered the body.

Or did it yourself.

You want to go see mr. Abbey now?

Yeah, that'd be fine.

You got any matches sugar?

No Sam, I never carry matches.

That's okay.

It'll take about a week. - Thank you.

Hello Anita, welcome home. - Hello, Mr. Abby, Mrs. Abby.

Mr. Abby there's a couple more questions I'd like to ask you.

But I already told you all I know.

Maybe. - If you'll come into my office.

I'll be here in a minute sugar.

Well, Anita it's nice to see you back. - Thank you. May I sit down?

Yes, of course.

Aren't you feeling well? Can I get you a glass of water? - No, thank you.

Well? - Come on, sugar, let's get out of here.

Sam, what mr. Abby say?

After hanging himself if he lied.

And those who did it?

Sam I've got to know.

Okay. Frank and Margaret lied. - Oh, no. - Yes. Way it looks now

is that Frank did leave the bus depot that night,

double back and probably kill the uncle.

Abby says he saw him running

from the direction of Phillips house about the time of the murder.

But they didn't do it. You can't accuse them.

What's the matter with you Anita, what makes you say that? Why?

I've known Frank and Margot all my life. They couldn't do anything like that.

You'd be surprised who commits murder.

Oh Sam, before you came here, our town was like a quiet little haven.

There was never a hint of anything terrible like this.

Now everybody's a murder suspect.

Our lives will never be the same.

Oh, Sam can you please drop the case?

Well Anita, don't you understand?

It wouldn't make any difference whether I'd dropped it or not.

Somehow, someway, someday, somebody

else would pick it up and follow it through.

Can't I make you see what you're doing?

I think I do know what I'm doing.

By down I have to get over the Sheriff's Office,

face Frank and Margaret with this...

find the murder gun tie it up with them and wind this thing up.

You want to take me over there?

What happened? - Frank claims an alibi.

Your father is Frank's alibi.

Anita...

I've got to go to the bank and see your father.

Will you want to go honey? - No, no I'd rather don't.

I'll see you later.

Yes, I did see Frank. I promised him a personal loan.

I know he was taking the 8:14 bus

and when I got almost bus time and he hadn't shown up

if I set up with a depot to give him the money.

But I met him before he could possibly have reached Phillips house.

What do you do then?

He told me he'd forgotten on the money in the excitement of his elopement, and

then he ran back to the depot to catch his bus.

What did you do mr. Weatherby?

I went back home.

I'd like to take a look at that Luger that you gave to doctor Gerrow.

I suppose it if he still had it in some place in his house.

Well, it's probably their knees gun collection.

I don't know how you'll get in. The house is locked up tight.

I'll get in.

Thanks mr. Weatherby very much. - Glad to be of help you.

Dr. P. L. Gerrow M. D.

I am taking Dr. Gerrow's Luger pistol with me

Here is like I said. (?)

I think that loan will take care of your personal worries.

Sure it will Mr. Weatherby. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it

Thanks very much.

Sheriff. - Hi, Stu. - Sam what can I do for you?

Want to borrow some money?

We'd like to see it privately if we can, Mr. Weatherby.

Then, let's some in.

Sit down. - Recognize this?

Mr. Donavan seems to think this is your guns do it.

It doesn't look like it.

It probably is it.

He won't believe it but I did give that gun to dr. Gerrow.

That's where he found it.

You know, mr. Donovan's quite a detective.

He tested that logo for fingerprints, but found that there weren't any.

And that mean something? - Mr. Donavan seems to think so.

Means that this is the gun that killed Roger Phillips

and I was wiped clean of prints and planted back at the doctor's.

Now Sam, don't disillusion me about your ability.

We don't know that's the gun that killed Phillips.

After all the doctor might have wiped it off and put it back on the wall.

And then there's as... that Luger of my own, you remember?

Yeah. So don't forget that I've got a bullet out of that Luger of yours, as you know.

This was the gun that killed Phillips.

Still stinks on cordite.

Chicago ballistics Department can prove it with one test shot. - Wait a minute, Sam.

There's too many people in this town wanted to see Phillips dead.

If I arrest the wrong man, he may never live it down.

And you're not gonna send a gun to Chicago. - Not yet.

All right sheriff. Ok, if that's the way you want it.

There's other ways of smoking him out.

As you're finally saying I'm quite a detective.

He's impulsive, isn't he?

PACA win? - Yeah. (?)

I'm Sam Donovan.

I'd like you to run a little item in the paper for me.

What is it? - I'm bringing an expert in here tonight.

he's a scientist from the Chicago Police Department

he'll take up a section of the carpet where the killer stood

put it under a microscope and analyze it

if it was a jeweler saying it

stood there little tiny particles of gold and silver...

things like that will be in the water that ran off.

Even tell the material, the color of the coat.

But won't the murderer read it and tried to destroy the evidence?

I hope so. Thanks again.

Gebels! (?)

Replate to page one.

Oh, hello girls. - Hello, dad. - Hi.

Getting everything ready, huh? - The first time I can remember

usually you don't bring the tree home until late Christmas Eve.

Oh, well, they're much cheaper then, you know? - This one's beautiful.

Yeah, but the price was ridiculous.

Not that I put up with all this nonsense,

but it does happen to be Christmas price indeed.

Well it was all right then for me to pay $12 for it on.

$12? You must have been out of your mind.

Hilda, that is Christmas, you know?

Sam will be over pretty soon.

Well, your mother's downtown doing some last-minute Christmas shopping.

I've got to pick her up in a minute or two... then I'll be back.

It's even prettier than last year.

I like it.

You know, neither fathers or funny critters.

I don't think so.

I mean, the father goes on for a long time loving his children

never really knowing whether they love him or not.

Then something happens that lets him know they do love him. (?)

Something to you it's a wonderful feeling, Anita.

What about mother? You're gonna pick her up?

Teen I am or someone will have to pick me up.

Brrr. Huh! - She's here.

That's too bad lover. I really cannot see you.

Wait a minute, my buckle was Julian.

Look Hilda, I'm just a city boy trying to get along.

All I want to do is wind up this Phillips mess that you people enjoy your Christmas.

Well, I didn't murder him. I'm sorry to say

well the murderer should get a prize.

Everybody in the whole town seems to know who did it.

Police Chemist Arrives Tonight To Investigate Phillips Death

Doubt Suicide Theory

Pretty big secret for a whole town to keep.

Oh that's a pretty tree, Hilda.

Way, Sam. - Hi. I didn't quite get the reading of

that line was that why Sam or why Sam.

I didn't expect you so soon.

Look. - That's me, Sam the unexpected.

Oh, Anita, that's very sweet.

A, a, a. Not until Christmas twelve o'clock.

That's just a rub sugar, I don't know what I'll be back by then.

Back? - Yes.

Looks to me like I'm gonna be busier than Kris Kringle tonight.

I found that Luger added dr. Gerrow today.

I'm the case no. - No it doesn't. Look to me like it was planted.

But if this works I think I can wrap it up tonight.

Way Sam this is a deliberate trap.

Murderer set his own trap.

You mean this is possible?

Well, sure. Sure it is. But that's not the point.

All I want to do is draw him into the open.

You're going to be wait him the Philips house?

I know you are.

But if he comes there you'll expose him.

That's right. - Are you going through with this?

Anita, I have to.

Hilda! - You mind your business.

Anita! Anita!

It's danced for a coat. It's burning up.

Hilda! That was father's coat.

What you are doing? Trying to collect the insurance?

What happened? - It was dirty.

I was cleaning it with some gasoline the spot from the incinerator fell on it.

You cleaning that coat with gasoline in the snow?

You're trying to destroy it.

You're right. I did it on purpose.

But there's going to be a new coat

for Mr. Weatherby under the tree on Christmas morning.

He's going to wear it, if I have to burn every other cop in the house.

Anita, believe me I never... - Don't forget to take your present.

I can't see you Sam,

but in case you're feeling trigger-happy, it's me. - Sheriff.

Ddn't you expect me? - Maybe.

Yes. Yes maybe I did.

You know, you're making me msad, Sam.

I'm not exactly hilarious myself.

Why do you want to go around making people unhappy?

No, I'm like Hilda, not happy unless I'm unhappy.

Nobody's coming to your party, Sam.

Nobody? Nobody else, is that what you mean?

That's sort of what I mean.

We'll be in a nature of a confession, would we?

If it is it puts you in a sort of a tough spot.

Me? - If I'm your man I can't very well let you leave, can I?

Maybe you can't keep me from it. - Which means you have a gun too.

But you wouldn't be foolish enough to draw it.

I'm the sheriff, Sam, the highly respected sheriff of Mono County.

When a man pulls a gun on me, I generally take it he means business.

If you get me first, that's murder.

But if I get you with a gun in your hand...

What does that job? - Just a lot of votes at the next election.

Can I open my presents tonight, mom? - I never heard of such a thing.

I could sleep later tomorrow then. - Yes, you will.

If I know my Cathy, you'd be the first one up in the morning.

I've looked all over this house I can't find that evening paper.

You sitting on him? - No, I haven't seen it.

Don't look at me. Was right here on the table.

Wasn't it, Anita? - Oh, yes. - All right

what's happened to it? - You so upset about Stu.

There's nothing in it anyway except the usual sports results

and that story about that police expert that's coming here.

What police expect? - I don't know, one they sent for on the Phillips case

I was reading about it in beauty shop.

Well, what about it? - I don't know, um...

something about testing the floor with a microscope.

They seem to think that that a rain from the murderers coat carried

some of the coats material with it.

I think I'll grab the car and go get a paper. - All right, dear.

Hilda. What did you do with my...

I haved a little accident today with your beaver coat...

What hapenned? - I was cleaning it and it caught fire.

Burned up completely.

Dad. Don't go.

I know where you're really going.

I know you do. I find your diary upstairs.

Dad, I know it's a deliberate trap.

You'll be there waiting. - Yes, but you must come out sometime.

Where you going? - Back in a minute. - Can I go with you? - No!

You know... our jobs are a lot of like, Sam.

Just set be a case of two people doing the same job in a different way.

I'd like to tell you a story about that if you listen. - Why?

Well, it may help you to see things in a different light.

Go ahead.

This story is about a case I worked on once.

Right in this town, fella was killed...

under circumstances a lot like the ones in the Phillips case.

Matter of fact the man was about like Phillips

You forget I didn't know what Phillips was like.

Seems to me you should have a pretty good idea by now.

Anyway this a man was a mighty unpleasant individual.

I'm putting it mildly when I say he was a blight on the whole community.

They lived through a long time

Seems that mean people would live a long time.

You're predicting a long life for me?

I'll let you know after the story Sam.

I don't think there was a man, woman, or child in the whole community

who wasn't hurt by this man at some time or another.

And there was another man lived here too.

Just the opposite.

He loved the whole town and everybody in it.

And he watched this man year after year

gradually destroying the lives of everybody he loved,

until he couldn't stand it any longer.

Then one night... funny thing... was just about this time of year too

Much time got to do with murder.

It was Christmas time, Sam, just like now.

Quess I should have made my story a little shorter.

I hope with everything I had that it wouldn't be you.

I kept telling myself it wasn't you.

But it couldn't possibly be you.

I almost had myself believing it now you show up.

Why didn't you stay home where you belong?

I decided I had to come here

and try to tell you what happened that night.

You don't you might have to tell me mr. Weatherby.

As well have had a photographer here

no killing ever looked less like a suicide.

When we take up that carpet, it'll prove

that you stood there that the coat

that Hilda accidentally burned drippedand left your signature.

I know you can prove that, Sam, but I will... - It wasn't your first stop.

Your first stop was here

The singe drape the ejected shell proved that you stood there.

This is where the shot that killed him was fired from.

I didn't stand there, Sam. - Think you'd make it tough on me mr. Witherby?

You came in the door, then you hid here, the prints prove that

you pulled your gun when Phillips got out of the chair to see who it was you shot him

It wasn't sure. It couldn't have been you.

Only a left-handed man could have fired the shot from this position.

A left-handed man, Gerrow. Doctor Gerrow, of course,

the picture in his collection with the gun in his left hand,

the pen set on the desk, everything for a left-handed man.

Yes, it was dr. Gerrow.

Sam you sure stirred up a mess of trouble,

but you didn't let me down you're quite a detective.

You know it was doc too ? - Yes.

I've known dr. all my life, I probably noticed he was left-handed.

And then maybe it helped knowing that he was the last man to see Phillips alive.

Of course Sam here, worked it out the hard way.

How did you know he was the last one to see him alive?

Well Sam you forget I was here when Margaret and Frank left.

I left myself shortly after and as I was pulling away I...

I saw doc going in.

I suppose I shouldh have come to you right away Larry. - Yes, you should Stu.

What I guess it would have turned out the same anyway.

You mean, you were both covering for Gerrow?

Oh looks like it. - But why?

I told you once, Sam. I wish you had known dr. Gerrow.

He wasn't just a man in this town, he was a symbol.

It's heart. You saw how the people acted when they heard the news of his death.

I couldn't let them know that he he killed a man.

So, his last act was for them.

I know he tried every other way he could to get Phillips to stop.

Don't you see Sam no matter how wrong he was,

in dr. tortured mind what he did was for them.

I gues she stopped thinking of the problem as a man...

and took the medical point of view

Seeing this malignant growths strangling his town...

he decided to have to operate to save it.

Then I came to town and upset the applecart.

You were making things rather uncomfortable Sam for everybody.

Margaret, Frank, Abbey, even me.

One dark died you really were in a tough spot.

Your only witness dead. - You're right Sam, I was in a tough spot.

You see that night after meeting Frank...

as I passed by I heard a shot.

I ran in I found dr. Gerrow with a gun still in his hand

I took the gun from him didn't realize till later it was mine...

I went over there to see if I can help Phillips but...

I couldn't. Doc said, well still call the sheriff.

Wanted to give himself up right away.

But, well, I... I talked him out of it.

Until after the holidays. - You're both covered for a man

so that the town could have a Merry Christmas.

That's about the size of it.

Sam, doc is beyond any punishment. We can give him.

Margaret once said that if it turned out not to be suicide,

she liked your company to give the extra money to some charity.

Doc had a lot of them.

Of course, you and I know how this case will goin to the books but...

does everybody have to know?

Just thought I'd mention it.

Dad. I beg you not to come.

You had to do it, didn't you? You had to.

Oh, did you have to come here at all?

Anita, everything's allright. Don't blame Sam.

Anita, Anita, listen to us. Your father's not any trouble.

He didn't do anything. I... I've been wrong all along.

Like the sheriff is so fond of saying... I'm not much of a detective.

Marry Christmas Larry. - Same to you, Stu.

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