Original subtitles

Who loves most everyone that she knows?

I know the creme de creme and they all...

A priest.

To make an entrance in a second act and administer the last rites.

Oh, come on, Tony.

The audience loved us.

Five curtain calls.

For God's sake.

This bunch of hicks would give five calls to a lecture on pink feminine.

But you know what the New York critics are going to say?

We are a sentimental cartoon.

We would have been out of date in the 30s. Well, I don't know about the rest

you. I don't need that on my resume.

Mel.

The first act closer still doesn't work.

The song's old -fashioned. The lyrics are maudlin. The whole concept is

prehistoric. I've told you a hundred times, we need something tougher. All I

hear is, yeah, Tony, sure.

Well, I want to hear a new song!

I want to hear it by ten o 'clock tomorrow morning.

Well, I'll call Sondheim or someone.

Any letter.

Okay, Mel?

Yeah, Tony, sure.

It shouldn't be too hard. The whole score sounds like it came straight from

trunk.

Would somebody mind telling me why six, count them, one, two, three, four, five,

six, of our hookers made their entrance late in the police raid?

Kate, you're quite grappling our little funeral here now.

Is it too much to ask your hoofers to make their entrance on cue, not whenever

they damn well please?

Tony, they have a really big change there, and it's not their fault... It

the intercom, Tony. I beg your pardon?

The intercom system wasn't working by the time I got backstage to the dressing

room. And whose responsibility was it to see that the intercom system was

working?

Well, you know I had a lot of new light cues... I just asked you a question,

Johnny.

Okay.

It was my responsibility.

Oh, like it was your responsibility to make sure that there was a pianist at

understudy rehearsal last week?

Yes. You are a flake. That's not fair, Tony. If you don't get your shabby

act together, I'm going to make sure you end up swabbing out toilets at some

crummy little dinner theater.

You've got no right to talk to me that way. Why not? You don't have the guts to

do anything about it?

Oh, yeah?

Hey, what are you doing?

Johnny, for God's sake!

Stop it, will you?

on the Broadway show again.

You hear me? Never!

Come on, Tony. Come on.

Johnny's a hell of a good stage manager. You know that. You just got him a

little crazy, that's all.

You two just cool off and then we'll sit down and talk this over, all right? I'm

running this show. You get a problem with that, you get yourself another

director.

I'm sorry, Johnny. I really am.

Somebody ought to drive a stake through your heart.

You?

Yeah, maybe.

All right, James.

Our crucial scene just kind of lies in the middle of the road like a dead dog.

It's not funny.

It's not moving. It's not anything.

I think your TV roots are showing.

They're not very pretty.

I want it rewritten first thing in the morning. We'll get it rehearsed and into

the show by tomorrow night. And while you're at it, look at that first scene

between Tom and Amanda, because... Polly Adler, she was a real woman, not some

cheap Mae West impressionist.

I thought the scene played pretty well.

As usual, you're wrong.

Dammit, Tony, you are the most insensitive, insulting, arrogant...

here, kiddies. Our fading star, the silver screen, she actually can display

honest emotion.

You're a pig, Tony.

I'd like to reciprocate. I just don't want to waste my time.

All right, that's it.

But from now on, get ready.

Plenty of more changes, because you're going to get them.

And Mel, James, I mean it.

Bye tomorrow morning.

What do you want?

It's after two o 'clock in the morning, for God's sake.

Come to there now. Are you out of your mind?

How?

Did you call the police?

No, no, no, no, no. You're right. You're right. If she's okay, it's better to be

quiet. I'll be right over.

I have to go on down to the theater.

Amanda tried to kill herself.

On the stage.

It's just the kind of thing that hammy old relic would do.

I don't know how long I'm going to be down there, so you better get your tail

out of here.

Been fun, my dear.

We'll do it again sometime.

My mama.

It's after 2 a .m. Why aren't we asleep?

Our knee has its own idea.

Well, when did we take our last medication?

Ten o 'clock.

Oh, that's good.

But I think we should take another pill right now.

And I want you to know that we can't be responsible for that watch if it gets

stolen. This watch was a Christmas present, and I want you to know that we

completely responsible for it.

I'd rather not.

I know, but even arthroscopic surgery takes its toll on the system.

This is our second night here, and if we want the doctor to discharge us in the

morning, then it would be much better if he found us bright -eyed and bushy

-tailed.

I have never had the slightest desire to be bushy -tailed.

But we do want to get out of here, don't we? You bet.

Now, we should get in bed.

You first.

You!

In bed!

Can we manage that by ourselves?

Wish I could help.

Good morning.

Is it?

Well, we're really in a good mood today, aren't we? Stella, do me a favor.

Don't use the word we.

Has the doctor been by yet to release you from your hospital?

Nope.

Well, he better get you out of here soon, or you're not going to be fit to

-enter.

Johnny Whitcomb, stage manager of the musical Polly, is being taken into

for the murder of the musical's director.

only Franken. Now, Whitcomb publicly threatened Franken's life just hours

the murder, which took place at the Paramount Theater at 2 .30 a .m.

Witnesses in the neighboring buildings say they heard the shots at that time,

but failed to report them.

We'll have details.

What's the matter, Perry?

Do you know this Franken?

No, but I know that boy didn't kill him.

How? I saw him. What's his name? Whitcomb.

Right under that street lamp at the time of the murder.

Are you sure?

I remember looking at my watch as he was standing there, and the theater where

this Franken was murdered is at least three or four miles from here.

What are you going to do?

I don't know.

He'll likely be arraigned this morning.

Well, as soon as the doctor releases you, you can just go down and clear the

boy. I'm afraid it's not that simple.

Just tell him what you told me.

Any halfway decent prosecutor would tear me apart.

I don't.

Adela, get my clothes, will you, please?

I'm going downtown with you.

Good.

Then you can watch me make a world -class fool of myself.

Let's see, Mr. Mason.

You believe you saw the defendant on that park bench at about 2 .27 a .m., is

that right?

Yes, I looked at my watch.

But you were in a hospital about how many yards away?

About 30.

And although it was overcast that night, you believe you could make out his

features by the streetlight?

Yes, I believe so.

How was the man you saw dressed?

He was wearing the same clothes he has on now, plus an overcoat and a hat.

Weren't you in the hospital for some sort of knee surgery?

Yes, an arthroscopy.

Mr. Mason, were you given some sort of sedation or painkiller before you went

sleep that night?

Yes.

And that would have been 40 milligrams of oxalidine, wouldn't it?

Actually, I'd taken 20 milligrams at 10 p .m. A simple yes or no will do.

Did you ingest 40 milligrams of oxalidine?

Yes.

Mr. Mason, is it your testimony

that on a moonless night, from a hospital room 30 yards away, after

enough medication to put most of us in a coma,

you're able to identify this defendant, a stranger whose face you've never seen

before, as the man you saw in the park in the middle of the night?

Yes, I believe it to have been him.

No further questions.

The defense rests, Your Honor.

Thank you, counsel.

On the basis of the evidence presented here, this defendant shall be bound over

to Superior Court for trial on March 15th at 8 .30 a .m.

Bails shall continue in the amount of $250 ,000.

So after I left the theater, I bought myself a bottle of whiskey and just

wandered the streets for a couple of hours, maybe.

I guess I was just trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my life.

Do you remember where you went?

No, not really.

I've never been in this town before.

I do remember going to that park.

I broke my bottle.

I'm glad I went there or you wouldn't have seen me.

I'm afraid that doesn't help as much.

Anyway, after that I went back to the hotel maybe about three.

Bought myself another bottle and drank myself into a movie.

I don't remember anything after that until the police found it on my door at

about 7 .30 this morning.

And found the gun in your room.

Mr. Mason, I swear I never saw that gun before.

It's a terrible tragedy.

And I know how shocked all of you must be.

Nevertheless, I intend for us to open in New York on the third of next month.

This morning, I phoned Gavin Austin.

He's flying in from New York today to take over as director.

Most of you know Gavin, and I'm sure you share my faith in him.

You'll see the show tonight, and I've called a rehearsal for him at 10 o

tomorrow.

We've got a great show here, kids.

And although we'll all miss Tony...

The show, as he would have wanted, will definitely go on.

Right now, Mel and James will fill you in on the new material. All right?

Mr. Mason, I'm Amanda Cody. I know. I've admired you for years.

And so have I.

This is my associate, Della Street.

Oh, Miss Street?

Please, it's Della and Perry.

Perry. Is there any way I can convince you to represent Johnny?

I've called my attorney on the coast, but he isn't a criminal lawyer.

After all, you're right here in town already, and I just... You see, Johnny's

very decent young man.

He couldn't have done such a thing.

I don't think so either.

And I am representing him.

Oh, that's wonderful.

Oh, I mean, Johnny will be so pleased.

Mr. Mason.

My name is Blaine Counter.

I'm the producer of Polly. Is there anything I can do for you? I'm Johnny

Whitcomb's attorney.

My associate, Don Street.

How do you do? Really, you know, I'm arranging Johnny's bail.

I'll see you both later.

We'll look forward to it.

Excuse me, but I'm going to go make those calls.

Oh, try and locate Ken Malansky. I need to talk to him.

Mr.

Counter, do you have...

Any idea what Franken was doing here at the theater at 2 .30 in the morning?

No, I don't. But I just fired the security guard who was supposed to be

night. Parker, somebody.

Moron left the place at midnight to go see his girlfriend.

Where did he come from? Some local employment agency. I don't even know his

name. I'd like the agency address.

Oh, of course.

I overheard you saying that the production will continue.

Yes, it will.

But not because of the old showbiz tradition.

I happen to have a lot of my own money invested in it.

I had extraordinary faith in Polly. I still have.

Without Tony Franklin?

Well, we've still got Amanda Cody.

She'll sell a lot of tickets. Oh, I'm sure of that.

She's wonderful.

Even last night.

Last night?

What about last night?

Well, I was given to understand that she had a very upsetting call from the

coast. But on stage, she was superb.

Watching your company just now, I didn't see much evidence that Tony Franken

would be missed.

Tony Franken was a brilliant theater man, Mr. Mason, but a despicable human

being. You still hired him.

Well, quite simply, he was the best director I could find. I had to protect

investment as well as my other investors.

And, of course, Amanda.

Mr. Conner, where were you at the time of the murder?

I... I was alone in my hotel room. Why?

Pardon me.

Here's the list, Perry.

I tried to reach Ken, but I could only reach his answering machine.

Mr. Counter, I wonder if I might speak to your company for a moment.

Of course.

All right, hold it a minute.

Now, listen, kids.

This is Mr.

Perry Mason.

He's Johnny's lawyer, and he'd like to talk to you.

Thank you.

First, I'd... I'd like to tell you all that I have good reason to believe that

Johnny Whitcomb did not murder Tony Franken last night.

But proving that may be somewhat difficult.

Now, I understand there was an after -theater party given for you last night

the City Theater Society, which some of you apparently did not attend.

Mr. Mel Singer and wife Leslie, Mr. James Walton, Mr. Blaine Counter, and

Amanda Cody.

Everyone else seems to have been at the party until it ended.

Nearly 3 a .m., is that correct?

Well, what does that mean?

Well, if everyone who went to the party can prove they were there the whole

time, that gives them a pretty good alibi.

Those not at the party are suspect in Tony Franken's murder.

Suspect until we find out which one of you killed him.

Well, Mr. Mason, that rock homicide?

It's Lieutenant now, isn't it?

Good to see you again, Ed.

I appreciate your meeting me here.

You too, officer.

Just call me Ray.

All right, Ray. This was Tony Franken's room.

We cleared out all the evidence.

Any pictures?

Ray, pictures?

According to this picture, Mr. Franklin must have had a visitor the night of the

murder.

Any prints?

Layton's. We couldn't get a match, so we sent him back to Washington.

I'd like to know what took Franklin to the theater at 2 .30 in the morning.

Well, I figured Whitcomb must have called him with some cog and bull story.

Mind showing me where you found the gun?

Room 511, Ray.

That was Whitcomb's room.

Now, the gun was right here behind these soft drink bottles.

And who found the body?

The cleaning crew from the theater.

At about seven in the morning.

Who told you about the threat Whitman made to Franken?

The producer of the show, Mr. Counter.

We called him and asked him to come down to identify the body.

And he told us the whole story.

Luring Franken to the theater sounds pretty complicated.

since that was Franklin's room right there, and this is Johnny's room right

here. But a shot would have wakened the whole hotel.

And since Franklin was right next door, Johnny probably could have heard that he

had a visitor.

That visitor could be very important, wouldn't you say, Lieutenant?

Miss Mason, a mystery called for you. She left this message where you'd find a

guy called Molesky or something.

Thank you, Ray.

You'll let me know about the prints on that glass.

Will do, Mr. Mason.

Thank you for your help.

Now, Mrs. Pitts, you heard Mrs. Gilman testify that at approximately 9 .30 p

on the night of March 3rd, your son, Walter, held her up at gunpoint and

$173 from her.

As well as forcing her to remove and hand over her underpants.

Now, I ask you, Mrs. Pitts, where was your son, Walter, actually on the night

March 3rd this year?

We was at my house, looking at TV the whole night.

The whole night?

Could you be a little more specific?

Well, Walter come over just as Vanna was giving a car away on Wheel of Fortune.

And he didn't leave till right after Johnny Carson's monologue.

You see, Johnny had Alan thick, Gaston, and Walter don't like him a lot.

Thank you, Mrs. Pitts.

No further questions.

Thank you, Mrs. Pitts. You can step down. You are excused.

I call Father Alan Rooney.

Do you solemnly swear under penalty of perjury that the testimony you're about

to give will be the truth?

I do.

State your name for the record, please.

I'm Father Alan Rooney.

Father Rooney, where were you on the night of March 3rd?

I was at St.

Sebastian's Church, as I am every Thursday night, calling the numbers.

Could you explain that, Father?

We have bingo every Thursday night, for the benefit of the homeless, don't you?

And did you see Mrs. Pitts there that night?

I certainly did, son.

In fact, she won $25 at the very last game.

Just before 10 o 'clock it was.

No further questions.

I'm sorry, Vera.

It's not your fault, father.

God forgive me.

He's just no good.

You're a pervert, Walter, and you always have been.

You steal, ladies and gentlemen.

and you make me lie under God's oath.

I hope they put you away for a hundred years.

Objection!

Any cross -examination, Mr. Molenski?

No,

Your Honor.

I'm ordering a ten -minute recess at this time.

Mr. Molenski, in light of the testimony, I suggest you confer with your client

and decide how you wish to proceed.

I sincerely hope that you personally will have learned something from this

shabby chapter in the history of American jurisprudence.

I'm real sorry, Mr. Malansky.

Look, if you give me some time, I'll give you back the 500.

I swear.

500?

What 500?

The 500 she gave me to give to you.

Amy?

Look, you weren't getting any clients, so I went down to the police station,

know, and I saw poor Walter here getting arraigned, and he looked so innocent.

And he couldn't afford a lawyer, so... Yeah, and I already spent the money I

stole from that dame.

Greg, can I talk to you outside?

Just perfect.

You bought me a client?

How do I know it's good?

I just don't want you buying me clients. I don't care how much money you got. If

I can't make it on my own, then I can't. I was just trying to help.

How many other clients you paid for?

We've only had five since you opened the office two months ago. Six.

Six clients. And how many of those did you put on your credit card?

Don't be silly.

Oh, look who's here.

Amy?

Ken? How's it going?

Just wrapping up some trial work.

Ken was terrific.

I'm sure he was.

How's your practice coming along?

Some days are better than others.

I lost my first seven cases in municipal court.

Two of them were real embarrassments.

You were there.

You peeked in for a minute.

Have you heard about the Tony Franken murder?

Hard to avoid. It's been all over the papers and TV.

I'm representing the young man they arrested.

Did he do it?

Amy, it's a fair question.

No, he didn't do it.

Meanwhile, I could use some help if you'd have the time.

Flattered. We'll fit it in.

Excellent.

Mr. Mason, if Ken's going to work on this case, then couldn't you make him co

-counsel? Not on this one.

Oh, my poor Mr. Mason. She means well, but sometimes she's a little pushy.

What do you need?

I need some investigative work.

I'm never pushy.

Great. Just tell me what to do.

Well, they hired a local as night watchman at the theater who left his job

night of the murder to see some girl.

Find out about him.

His not being there that night sounds just a little too convenient.

Great. We'll get started right away.

She can be your Della Street.

Not a lot. No, they're all pretty much in the popcorn.

Anything more on Tony Franklin?

Mm -hmm.

I had a thing going since the beginning of college.

world's great womanizers, married and divorced three times.

Evidently thought nothing of getting involved with married women. The young

actress even committed suicide after he threw her over.

Also, until this show, Tony hadn't worked for over three years.

Evidently, the producers didn't want the aggravation.

Well, I encountered it.

I wonder why.

Well, we'll run a check on the ex -wives.

That's all.

Very nice, lady. Thank you.

Amanda,

ten minutes and Gavin would like to put it on speed.

Right.

As you heard, I have about ten minutes. Will that do?

So far.

We can talk in my dressing room.

You take care of this. Have at the door for me. Thank you, Uncle Billy.

How's it going?

Pretty well, I think.

Mel's new song is marvelous and Gavin has some really smashing ideas.

There was this tedious ballet in the second act, and he just took it out, and

now the whole show plays better. It's incredible.

You don't miss Tony Frank?

Like I'd miss a migraine headache.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I know that sounds awfully cruel.

Tony was a truly loathsome man.

You really meant what you said about us being suspects.

I'm afraid I did.

You know, maybe none of this would have happened if Blaine had stepped in like

he should have.

You mean when Tony fired Johnny?

Blaine's let Tony walk all over him about everything.

That's very strange.

I once read where he fired a choreographer for slapping a chorus

Well, he's obviously changed.

I did understand that he'd proposed marriage to you.

Well, I didn't think that my private life was so public.

Yes, he did.

You see, his wife died a few years ago, and he said he... He thought he'd never

be married.

Until he met me.

That's very flattering, of course.

But naturally, I turned him down. I mean, you can't marry a man without a

backbone.

I'm... Sorry to have to ask this, but where were you when Tony was murdered?

My God.

You really do think that I might have killed him.

But why would I?

Maybe because you knew Tony Franken was planning to replace

you in the show.

We heard you'd received a disturbing call from the coast, so on a hunch,

contacted your manager.

He was... unhappy about being fired. And very, very talkative.

My ex -manager has a very big mouth.

And he probably told you that Tony and I didn't get along too well.

But then nobody got along with Tony.

But I didn't... kill him, Perry.

And I know Johnny didn't either.

You seem very sure of that.

Some things you just know when you're got.

It seems to me that being replaced would have been

very painful for you, wouldn't it?

An earthquake, my friend.

You said you were a fan of mine, but I'm sure you haven't seen me at your

neighborhood movie theater lately.

You see, this business can be pretty rough on old brobs like me.

I'd say that time has been very kind to you.

Thanks.

Well, if you'll excuse me.

They want me back on the stage.

We must get together sometime and have fun.

I told you. It's the policy of this agency to respect the privacy of its

clients. I don't want his tax return.

Just his name.

Parker what?

I'm very busy and I don't have time to argue with you.

All right.

This is confidential.

But I'll tell you the real reason why I need to talk to him.

While he was working at the theater, several of the actors reported having

valuables stolen from their dressing rooms.

Now, I'd like to ask this parker some questions, and I'm sure you'd like the

police to know that you cooperated fully with our investigation.

Yes, of course I would.

Good.

But you are not the police, and I would appreciate your leaving before I call

them and charge you with harassment.

You make me ask for one simple thing and I strike out.

His name's Harper Newton and he was kicked off the police force for

He lives at 552 Morgan Street, apartment 4B.

What?

By the way, that woman is really very sweet.

Here's his personnel application.

Nice work.

Now where will I drop you?

I'm going with you.

They just said that Newton was kicked out of the force for brutality.

All the worries in Michigan, too.

I think

the

show has finally taken shape.

Morale is way up.

The new director put back the ballad Tony cut. It's Amanda's one real moment

vulnerability, and the show really needed it.

I'll get right to the point, Mr. Walton.

I'm told you came by Tony's room just as they were arresting Johnny Whitcomb.

Yeah. I was delivering my script changes.

I was up all night with him. What do I find?

Tony's murdered?

Johnny busted for it?

Talk about shock.

I'm also told...

Tony was pretty hard on you.

You or your work.

Mr. Mason, I come out of TV where everybody and his astrologer tells you

do it better.

You don't like it, but you get used to it.

He intended putting his name on the show's co -author. Didn't that bother

Yeah, well, um... He never got the chance, did he?

You couldn't be more right.

Hey, I don't like where you're going.

Tell you, Mr. Mason, if Tony had really tried something like that,

he would have been up to his neck at my lawyers.

Wouldn't it still have cast doubt on your ability to write for Broadway?

Excuse me.

I'm going to drop this phone for you.

Later,

Mr. Mason.

Later, Mr. Walton.

What did Brock want?

They've taken Leslie Singer in for questioning.

The composer's wife?

Washington finally matched the prints on Tony's glass.

They belong to her.

I won't let you do it. That's why we're here.

It says he sticks two ways to ten.

An ex -cop who brutalizes people.

I'll just ask him a few questions. What if you ask him the wrong one?

Look, I'm not impugning your masculinity. I knew I shouldn't have let

Darling, I only want to help.

I mean, I know you and everybody else think I'm just some rich little kid

giggled her way through college, but I'd like to show you that maybe I can

really do something.

You know what I mean?

Actually contribute.

Look,

why do you sort of think of me as your Della Street?

Nice car.

Looks like the security guard business pays better than I thought.

Remember, brutality.

Excuse me.

Your name Parker Newton?

Tell us it's you.

My name's Kim Alasky. I'm a lawyer.

Congratulations, Mr.

Kamalansky, but that doesn't exactly answer my question, does it?

No. Ken Kamalansky.

I know you said that before.

Yeah, well, you see, I work for another lawyer named Perry Mason. You might have

heard of him.

We represent the man who's accused of killing Tony Franken.

So what's that got to do with me?

Just wanted to know what you saw at the theater that night.

Not a thing.

Like I told the cops, I took over on midnight.

It's your girlfriend.

Funny time for a date, isn't it?

Look, Cassie works all day in the stress store.

And I was working all night at the theater, so we never get a chance to be

together. Too bad you took off that particular night.

Yeah.

How was I supposed to know that someone would get murdered?

Not a damn thing ever happened in three weeks I was there.

Where's your girlfriend work?

Me and you just finished talking.

I understand you used to be a cop.

Look, punk, I told you to get out of my face now.

Move. Nice chatting with you.

A serious creep.

I'd sure like to talk to his girlfriend now. She works at some dress store.

Molly.

What's this?

The dress store?

Very overpriced from what I hear, but I found it in the back of Newton's car and

I don't think they carry it by.

Great. Tell me where it is and I'll drop you someplace.

I told you I'm not droppable.

Like it or not, we're in this together.

Bella Street, remember?

Bella Street?

You can't even type.

Imagine I've had her in there almost 45 minutes.

She'll be out soon, Mr. Singer.

No.

I'll be back.

You wanted to know where I was.

That's right.

I was working on the new song that Tony wanted.

I couldn't have a piano in my room, so I was working in one of the lounges

downstairs.

Some of the staff must have seen me or heard me.

Didn't you resent it?

Tony kept you coming up with new songs?

No.

This is my seventh Broadway show. I've probably written two.

Three songs for every one of you.

That's why they call it a triumph.

You did your last... Your last show in 1961.

Yeah.

Yeah, they sort of put me on hold for 20 years.

That is, until they had a show that needed music instead of noise.

Actually, my whole life was on hold.

Until I met Leslie.

Of course.

Mel.

Do you know why Leslie was in Tony's room the night he was murdered?

Look, Mr. Mason.

I have no illusions about it.

famous old guy with ASCAP royalties that'll roll in forever.

I married her because I love her.

More than I've ever loved anybody else in my whole life, including my first

wife, God rest her soul.

And yeah, I know she cheats on me.

Yeah, I guessed about her and Tony.

But I'll never confess. confront her with that ever.

You see, I won't take the chance of losing her.

Most men couldn't live that way.

You think... I was the one who killed Tony because I was jealous.

Well, why would I?

There's always going to be another Tony.

you

Too good to be true.

Well, anyway, she didn't solve much of the puzzle.

Somebody did call Tony Frank and say that Amanda Cody had tried to kill

down at the theater.

Frank goes down there.

Mrs. Singer doesn't know if it was a man or a woman. Doesn't do very much to get

you off the hook, though, Mr. Mason.

Apparently not.

He, uh, must have got to my place at, uh, 12 .15.

And, like you said, you know...

We spent the whole night together.

And you're sure about the time?

Oh, I don't know. You know, maybe it was 12 .20.

It was right around then.

Excuse me.

We backed up his story.

She seemed off by Jerry, though.

You think she's lying?

Ken.

Look.

It's mine.

We're out of your mind.

Do you want to break this case or not?

Of course I do, but I don't want you involved in something dangerous.

Working in that store is not dangerous.

Shopping is.

Amy, you've never worked a day in your life. Amy!

I pay the minimum wage plus the 5 % commission. You have a half an hour for

lunch, and don't use the phone unless we're on fire.

No friends hanging around, and if you're late, it comes out of your pay. Any

questions? No.

Do you have any experience?

Uh, well, let me think this way.

Valentino from Lester's Line is... Anne Klein, Ongaro Silk,

Donna Corrine, Adolfo, and another Valentino. There's years, and it's

No, Ken, Cassie's really sweet.

I mean, she has to be to work for that witch.

Anyway, it's like we're old friends. I tell her about us, and she tells me

them. You tell everybody about us.

I had to get her confidence, didn't I?

And I did. She's told me a lot.

Like what?

Well, like sometimes she's frightened of Newton.

Like he hates broccoli.

He works out at this gym called Harry's every day, and he's not even looking for

another job, even though he still talks about getting married.

He's not looking for another job, but he is driving a new Corvette.

I'd sure like to get a look at his bank book.

I'll see you tonight, okay?

And then I discovered the weapon which was hidden in the minibar and the

defendant's hotel room.

Lieutenant, I'm now showing you People's Exhibit 9, a .38 caliber revolver,

which Lieutenant Maxwell of your ballistics department has previously

as the murder weapon. Is that the weapon you found in the defendant's room?

Yes, it is. It has my mark.

Were there any fingerprints found on this gun?

No, because the victim apparently wiped them off. Objection.

Speculation, no foundation. Motion to strike.

Sustained. The testimony after the witness's response of no is stricken

record.

When you first arrived at the defendant's room, Lieutenant Brock, was

locked?

Ah, yes, it was. We need the manager's master key to get in. You see, it's the

type of doors that lock automatically when they're closed.

So, if some other person planted the gun in the defendant's room... They would

have needed a key to get in.

Thank you, Lieutenant. No further questions.

Mr. Mason.

No questions, Your Honor.

So, what do you do?

Oh, I'm an attorney.

Yeah? Yes.

Well, I guess most lawyers could use the gym.

All that sitting around on the desk. Believe me, I know.

I was wondering if you have anything like a trial membership.

No. No. Try it out.

Right now. No charge.

Great. But I didn't bring my gear.

But we'll fix you up.

Hey, Willie.

Hey, where do you see the machines we got?

Other gems we'll kill for.

Willie, give Mr. Malansky here some stuff.

Malansky.

Malansky. Some stuff he can use to work out. Sir, this way.

Sir, I'll see you later. Yeah.

Sir, did the defendant say anything after you pulled him away from Mr.

He said somebody ought to drive a stake through your heart.

And then what happened?

Then Tony asked him if he, Johnny, was going to be the one to do it, and he

said, yeah, maybe.

No further questions.

Your witness, Counselor.

Mr. Counter, why didn't you object when Franklin fired the defendant?

I did. I told him that Johnny was a damn fine stage manager.

But you're the producer.

Surely you could...

such an arbitrary dismissal?

Well, yes, I'm the producer, but ordinarily the director has jurisdiction

the backstage personnel, and I didn't feel that it was my place to interfere.

Tony Franken was considering replacing Amanda Cody in your show, wasn't he?

Well, I'd heard rumors to that effect.

And would you have countermanded that dismissal?

Objection. Hypothetical and irrelevant.

Sustained. Mr. Counter, could you describe for us the manner in which Tony

Franken customarily dealt with creative talent?

Tony was a bully. He was a marvelous director, but he was terribly cruel and

insulting to almost everybody he worked with.

I have no further questions at this time, but I reserve the right to recall

witness. No questions, Your Honor.

The witness is excused, subject to recall.

Hey, Newt.

You really hung up on this place, aren't you?

You think I want to turn into a tempered man like you?

Yeah. Let's find out who quit first.

Hey, Willie!

Willie!

Hey, I'm sorry. I really screwed up. I was working out and I must have lost my

keys someplace.

No problem. Which lock? This one.

Right here.

Thanks. I'll take care of you later.

bites with the computer.

The practice shows you how many days you got to live.

What are you selling steroids?

You can't afford that stuff. Come on.

Membership's up 20 % over last month.

Maybe you even hooked a lawyer today.

I better make sure. Hey, Maliski!

Hey, funny you wouldn't...

No, we can't hold him. You better get your butt out of here.

What place you got here, Harry?

I think I'll pass on the membership.

I'll get you, man.

I'll get you.

Hey.

How'd it go today?

Very well.

The judge is going to allow us to put the victim on trial.

The way I hear it, Tony Franken made enemies the way most people make

That's what I intend to show.

I had a pretty good day myself.

I got a look at Parker Newton's checkbook. You know, the security guard?

There were two recent cash deposits of $25 ,000 each.

The first deposit was made the day after Franken's death. The second deposit

yesterday.

Nice work.

I'm sure getting paid for something.

We'll find out who's paying.

We got our killer.

We'd better talk to Newton officially.

to the clerk's office, and you take it from there.

Newton. Newton.

Swell.

You see, this is the directory.

I enter all my notes and all of the summaries according to the case name.

At least those for the last couple of years.

Of course, if you want all of the cases in here, it's going to take me to the

middle of the next century.

By that time, computers will be obsolete. They'll be implanting chips in

odd parts of our brain and skull.

I wish they could find some from our knee.

So do I.

What else?

Let's see.

Two of Tony's ex -wives are happily remarried and living in New York.

The third is a costume designer in London.

And here's the photostat of that young actress who committed suicide.

Her name was Vanessa Grant.

She left a note saying she was pregnant and couldn't go on living without Tony.

Of course, he denied the whole thing.

A real prince.

Oh, and look at this.

Lane Counter.

His wife died four years ago.

And they had a coroner's investigation.

Cancer. Overdose of sleeping pills.

Self -administered.

So, no charges were brought.

No. Oh.

Something else. James Walton's hotel bill as of yesterday. Some interesting

charges, right?

Very.

Why don't you tell your machine everything you just told me, and I'll be

soon.

Oh, Della.

If the machine comes up with the name of the killer, don't forget to make a note

of it.

What can I do for you?

You have a few minutes?

Oh, sure. Come on in.

Uh, coffee?

No, thank you.

I don't want to interrupt your work. Oh, I'm just getting started.

It's a TV pilot I've got due next week.

You're not working on Polly?

Oh, no.

Ever since that last set of rewrites I did, that show has been frozen. Thank

God.

I'd like to show you something, Mr. Walton.

It's a copy of my hotel bill.

I just wondered why you've sent Kate Ferrara a dozen roses every night since

rehearsals began.

So, that's why you dropped by?

Well, uh... The roses are part of a promise I made Kate.

You see, at first we only wanted her for lead dancer, and she didn't want to do

it. I promised if she would, I would send her a dozen roses every night.

Well, she finally took the job when Tony let her choreograph, but meanwhile, I

was stuck with my promise.

Doesn't this indicate more than a professional interest?

You got me.

It was more.

Does anybody still use the word smitten?

She was involved with Tony, wasn't she?

What are you getting at?

You think I killed Tony because I was jealous?

Mr. Welton, people have killed for a lot less.

Mr. Mason, you're barking up the wrong tree.

Tony was finished with Kate.

At the time he was killed, he was sleeping with Leslie Singer.

So if anyone was going to be jealous, it was Mel Singer, not me.

Apparently, Mr. Singer has his problems.

But then I believe so do you.

I still consider both of you suspects.

Thank you for your time, Mr. Walton.

What the hell?

This is a subpoena requiring you to testify. Johnny, what did you trial them

See you there.

Tony was very abusive, and Johnny just lost control.

But it was obvious that he didn't mean he was actually going to kill Tony.

It's just one of those things you say in the heat of anger.

Tony always provoked a lot of anger from everybody.

I think he enjoyed doing it.

From your knowledge of Johnny Whitcomb's character, Do you think there's any

possibility he could have, with premeditation, murdered Tony Franklin?

Johnny would be incapable of murdering anybody.

Thank you, Miss Cody.

I have no questions.

Miss Cody, you may step down.

Wait. Listen, I know Johnny couldn't have killed Tony because

I was with Johnny all night.

Why didn't you tell us that before?

Because I had lied to the police and I... I told them that I'd been in my

sleeping.

You see, I never thought it would go this far.

And why?

Were you in the defendant's room, Miss Cody?

I was upset about him being fired and... I couldn't sleep anyway, so I... I went

to his room about... 2 .15 and...

He was passed out on his bed, so... I stayed with him until almost dawn.

So you see, he couldn't have been at the theater and killed Tony.

How did you get into the defendant's room?

Oh, he'd given me a key.

How do you explain the defendant's own statement to the police that he did not

get back to the hotel until nearly 3 a .m.? All right.

I'll tell you the truth.

The reason that I know Johnny didn't kill Tony Franklin is because I killed

myself.

Miss Cody, is it true that Johnny Whitcomb is your son?

Yes.

Yes, we kept it a secret.

I suppose...

I didn't want my public to know I was old enough to have a grown son.

It was stupid of me.

But it does help us understand some of your behavior.

I have no further questions.

Miss Cody, you did not kill Mr. Franken, did you?

No. But I can't just sit here.

He didn't do it.

But all these...

People out there think that he did.

I... Scotty.

We understand that you love your son.

But this is not the way to help him.

I'm going to ask you to step down now.

I don't know whether the district attorney will be charging you with

not. Your Honor, the district attorney's office has no interest in filing

charges against this witness.

Can you believe it?

She wants $1 ,400 for this.

I mean, my boyfriend has to work a whole month for that.

What about yours?

Can you afford your spring? Oh, yeah.

Excuse me. Sure.

What's the matter? I'm leaving town tonight.

What did you do now?

Nothing. It's just getting a little too hot here. That's all.

You're in trouble again, aren't you? Listen, no arguments.

Just go home and pack and I'll pick you up at your place at six.

Baby, it's almost five o 'clock. Just do it, okay?

Look, I got an emergency. I gotta leave early, okay? You can't go. It's still

over half an hour before closing.

I know. I can't help it, okay? I'm sorry.

I'll see you later.

Not here you won't. You're fired.

What are you doing?

A wild guess. Using the phone.

No smart mouth remarks, thank you. And I told you, no personal calls.

Mind if I tell you something?

You have a terrible attitude problem.

And your markups are obscene.

You're pleased to have us as Mr. Cannon. Let's keep it open to your family

members. They told me to come back as soon as we can.

Cannon, where are you? I need you now.

Listen, Newton is skipping town. He's picking up Cassie at her place at 6. Oh,

my God, that's 45 minutes.

Listen, she lives at the asset apartment on 21st.

No matter what happens, I love you.

Bye.

Your Honor, you've worked with Tony Frank.

four, haven't you? Yes, four years ago.

And at that time, your wife was quite ill, wasn't she?

Yes, she had cancer. And when she learned her cancer was inoperable, you

wanted to help her, didn't you?

What the hell has this got to do with Tony Franken's murder?

Mr. Counter, I'm sorry that I must ask you about this very painful time in your

life.

But I believe it is relevant to my client's case.

Your Honor, he has no right to answer the question.

When my wife learned the cancer was inoperable, she made me promise I'd help

her. It was her idea.

Help her how, Mr. Connery?

Help her to end her suffering when it became too much for her.

And eventually...

It did become too much for her, didn't it?

Yes. So you asked Tony Franken to get you some sleeping pills.

I didn't know how else to get them without a prescription, and I knew that

was into the drug scene.

And then... Look, what I'm going to say might get me in some trouble, but I

guess it's about time I got it off my chest.

I got the pills from Tony, and I gave them to my wife.

And she decided to take them.

And to this day, I can't say I'm sorry about it.

I mean, she was in such terrible pain.

Anyway, afterwards, everybody thought it was suicide that she did it alone.

Everyone except Tony.

Is that why you hired him to again direct for you when nobody else would

him?

When he...

Heard I was doing Polly.

He hinted that if I didn't hire him, he'd make the whole thing public.

And he continued to use that threat against you?

At every opportunity.

That's why I had to just stand by and let him fire Johnny.

And you had no way of knowing, did you, how long he might continue to exercise

this power over you?

No.

And you knew?

he was planning to fire a man to Cody, a woman you'd asked to marry you.

Yes.

Wouldn't you say, Mr. Counter, you had a very strong motive to kill Tony?

I'll say this.

I've never been happier to see a man dead.

At the time of the murder, you were working in your hotel room alone, were

not? Yes.

But it... It would have been very simple, wouldn't it, for you to leave

hotel and return without being seen?

Probably, but I never left my room.

But you have no witness to confirm that.

Mr. Mason, when I first met you, you told us you considered some of us

So I thought I'd better protect myself.

You see, one of my investors called me that night from Honolulu to find out how

the show was doing.

Last week, I asked him to send me a copy of his phone bill.

He sent me this.

It showed a long -distance call from Mr. McQueen directly to my room phone on

the night of the murder.

And you'll also see that, allowing for the time difference, we spoke from 2 .15

a .m. to 2 .39 a .m.

Mr. McQueen will confirm that he was talking to me during that time period.

No further questions?

Miss August?

No questions.

Thank you, Mr. Conner.

May I have your excuse?

It always isn't going to be the same without you.

Come here and give me a proper goodbye.

Ma 'am, can you please move your car?

Can I have an address?

Maybe I'll come visit. We don't have an address. Now move your car.

In a minute.

Now! All right, you don't have to yell.

About you being with your boyfriend that night.

I think it's time you told the truth.

He told me to say that we were together that night.

Did he kill Tony Franklin?

No.

But he knew who did.

How do you know that?

He, um, sort of surprised the...

Killer at the theater, I guess. And, um... The man promised the money to keep

quiet.

He got the money.

$50 ,000.

And he was even trying to get some more.

It was the man he saw, Cassie.

I don't know what he told me.

And you're sure it was the man?

I don't know.

I don't even know that.

We should have heard from the hospital.

I'm sure Ken will call as soon as Parker Newton's able to talk.

Anyway, shouldn't you be leaving for court?

I still have half an hour.

Harry, you've been going over those papers forever.

I've left to go on in this case than I've ever had.

At this time, I know for a fact, a fact, my client is innocent.

With all that, I'm still absolutely helpless.

If I just hadn't taken those sedatives.

I'll get it.

I'm sorry, Mr. Mason.

Nathan died about 20 minutes ago.

Didn't he ever regain consciousness?

No. Brock had someone by his bed all night long.

His girlfriend took it pretty hard, but I think she's going to be okay.

That's it.

What?

You know who did it?

Ken, I want you to do something for me, hand fast. I need you back in the

courtroom in 40 minutes.

Who are you calling?

Brock.

I want him to contact the hotel security chief.

Lieutenant Brock, please.

Brock.

Mr. Mason, we're waiting on you.

I finally reached Factor's equity.

We're getting right on target. Mr. Mason, is there a problem?

Defense calls James Walton.

Anyway, forget it.

Do you solemnly swear under penalty of perjury that the testimony you are about

to give will be the truth?

I do.

Mr. Walton, you are the book writer of the musical Polly?

That's right.

How did you get along with Tony Franken?

Like most people, I suppose.

He wasn't an easy man to like.

Mr. Counter testified that he was often very harsh in his criticisms of your

work. Yes, he certainly was.

That annoyed you, did it not?

Of course.

But it was just a part of his usual drill.

Was his plan to claim co -authorship of the show also part of his drill?

Objection. No relevancy.

I tend to agree.

Objection sustained. Please try to find a more relevant line of questioning, Mr.

Mason. Certainly.

Mr. Walton, what is the number of your hotel room?

I'm in room 611.

I would remind the court that Lieutenant Brock has already testified that the

defendant's room is 511. Now, Mr. Walton, is there a fire escape outside

window of your hotel?

I'm not sure. Maybe.

Let me assure you there is.

Just as there is one...

Outside my client's room, just as there is one outside every room ending in the

number 11.

Objection. Relevancy.

Your Honor, I am trying to establish that Mr. Walton's room was directly

that of the defendant's, and that therefore Mr.

Walton, through their mutual fire escape, had access to the defendant's

An interesting point, Counselor. But what's your point here?

to establish that Mr. Walton could have climbed down that fire escape, and while

the defendant was passed out, planted the murder weapon in the defendant's

and that he, of course, could have returned the same way.

Objection overruled.

Mr. Walton, did you murder Tony Franken?

Did you place the murder weapon in the defendant's room?

After that murder?

I never even saw the murder weapon until this trial.

No. I didn't murder Tony Franken.

I was in my room the entire night doing the script changes Tony asked for.

Mr. Walton, I'm given to understand that television writers are noted

for their speed.

Isn't it possible you finished those changes earlier than you say, early

to have lured Tony Franken to the theater and then to have killed him?

Objection. The witness has already denied he murdered Tony Franken.

Sustained. Mr. Mason, I must say I've been very patient with your questioning

this witness.

I appreciate that, Your Honor. But I must ask you to make your examination

on point or finish with him.

I'd like... to request a moment for a conference with my co -counsel.

Granted. But let me remind you, Mr. Mason, the word moment is capable of

definition.

Co -counsel? Of course, co -counsel.

Sorry about the time. That security guy wasn't too cooperative.

It's all right. We're still in business.

We're ready, Your Honor.

Please proceed.

Mr. Walton, do you do your writing on a word processor?

No, I do.

You saw me working on it.

Does the program you use put a time and date on each file?

I don't know.

Maybe it does.

I never really noticed.

Maybe you should have.

Would you identify this for us?

Yes, this is a printout of my directory.

There are some 13 files listed on this directory.

After each one, there is a date and a time indicating the last time the file

worked on. Isn't that correct?

That's how it works.

And here, after the file named Polly, it shows the date.

The same date Tony Franken was murdered.

Now, what was the hour?

1 .37 a .m.

Well, you did finish your work early.

Early enough to have gone to the theater and taken Tony Franken's life.

Now, that is true, isn't it?

Objection asked and answered.

Sustained. Is this as far as you can go, Mr. Mason?

No, Your Honor. I intend to go a lot farther.

Mr. Walton did indeed murder Tony Franken.

That's crazy.

What the hell motive would I have?

Yes, that was also a problem for me.

That is, until I had that visit with you in your room yesterday.

Look, this was my first Broadway show.

Now, why would I kill the director that was going to take it to Broadway and

make it a hit and make me a fortune?

A good point, Mr. Walton.

No, you wouldn't kill such a man.

But you would kill a man who was responsible for the death of your

Mr. Walton, can you identify the people in that picture?

Myself, my sister, and my parents. Thank you. Hold on to that.

I am now showing you a copy of a New York Examiner article and a photograph

young woman that accompanies it.

Can you tell me what the headline says?

Actress commits suicide.

And that actress was Vanessa Grant, and Vanessa Grant was really Edith Walton.

And Edith Walton was really your sister, isn't that true?

Yes, it's true.

I'm now showing you People's Exhibit 9.

Identify it as the murder weapon.

You recognize it, don't you? No, no.

Here, take it.

Do you recognize it?

No.

Your Honor, I would like to excuse this witness subject to recall.

Call Mr.

Parker Newton to the stand.

I'll get him, Mr. Mason.

He's waiting out in the hall.

I ask you again, Mr. Walton.

Have you ever seen that gun before?

This is the gun.

This is the gun my sister used to

kill herself.

And you thought there would be some ironic justice if

you used that gun, that same gun, to kill Tony Franken, isn't that right?

I'm not sorry I did it.

I'm only sorry that...

Johnny had to suffer through all this.

Your Honor, the defense moves to dismiss all charges against Mr. Whitcomb.

The state has no objection.

Motion is granted, and defendants shall be released forthwith.

Bailiff, take this man into custody.

This court is now in recess.

The lead in the film version of our play.

And I'll accept.

If they'll let Johnny direct.

Why not?

He's certainly ready.

Who? Amanda.

Uh -uh.

Mother.

Mother.

Perry.

Thanks hardly, Susan.

It'll do.

Oh. And we'll see you at the party after the show tonight?

Absolutely. Miss Cody.

I'm told there's a great many press people out in the corridor. If you'd

go through my private chambers, you can use another exit.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Thank you. Johnny?

Mother.

I want to thank you for making me co -counsel.

No.

Thank you, co -counsel.

You'll do it again.

All out.

The very near future.

Does our very near future still include the ice skating you promised me? It

does.

I'm telling you, Officer Bates, it was hanging right there.

All right, so you saw this mannequin in the dark. Right. You didn't turn the

lights on. I didn't have to.

You don't believe me, right? Well, I'm sure you saw what you saw.

Hysterical woman.

Delusional talk show host.

Ma 'am, this isn't the first call we've had from you.

Thank you, Officer. Thanks for coming.

I wish I could be more help. I'm sure.

Good night.

Mason.

What is it, Della?

Yeah, I know she's an old friend of yours.

Oh?

I'll come right over.

Carla, please stop apologizing. I was getting up in another three hours

Ken, glad I caught you at home.

Guess what?

I've heard your show on KCBM, usually a little later in the morning.

Somebody trying to gaslight you, Dr. Carlin?

It appears so.

First it was just phone calls, hang -ups, someone prowling around outside.

When did all this begin?

About a month ago.

Thanks, darling.

Did anybody else have the key to your house?

No, but it wouldn't matter anyway because I had the alarm on. I mean, how

anybody get the code?

Does the security company send your bills here or to the station?

To my office at the station.

Anyone? at the station who might have done these things?

Well, if I had to pick somebody, it would be Winslow Keene.

And ever since he bought the station, he's been trying to break my contract.

I wouldn't put this past him.

Ken, get in touch with Lou McIntyre first thing in the morning. We need a

security analysis of the house. We need to change all the locks. And tell him to

put a monitor on the phone so we can tape any phone calls. Della.

We'll wait two days, then we'll need a new unlisted telephone number.

Now, Sheila, I'd like an excuse to meet Winslow Keene and a chance to observe

everybody at the station.

I think I can arrange that.

KCDM 98 .4 FM

KCDM Talk Radio And now back to Fritz

and Fred.

Okay, my...

Twisted legions. Don't everybody call it once, even though we're raffling off a

date with Fred's girlfriend this morning.

So here's the issue. The girlfriends of radio personalities and the listeners

who want them. Is the caller there?

This is Steve, Fred.

Steve, my man.

How much do you bid, Steve?

Well, what's Fred's girl like?

All right, she's hot. She's good looking.

She won't shut up, but just do what I do. You put a bag over her head.

If I could interject here, Steve.

She's a two -bagger, definitely.

That's right. You use two bags in case one breaks.

We'll give them the choice of paper or plastic. Thank you.

Good morning, USA.

This is Red White and Baby Blue Clark Hunter.

And I'm ready to straighten out you and the country, if you've got the guts to

call me.

Clark, you get a double salute from me on how you spoke out on that gun issue

last week.

Friend, I don't back out, back down, or back off.

What's your question?

How do you feel about all these women who expect to get top jobs whether they

earn them or not?

Here's what I have to say to these women.

Listen to the real women's national anthem.

I vote and the clouds on air do I enjoy being a girl.

You know what really ticks me off, Boomer?

Oh, what's that, Bruce?

All these guys, they make all this money playing football, you know, and then

like they don't play and say they're injured or something. How do you know

they're really hurt, you know?

Oh, come on. Look, from Pop Warner to college football to the pros, over a

million people a year get hurt playing football, and every pro is playing a

little hurt to some extent. I'll tell you what, if I, Boomer Kelly, hadn't

hurt, I'd still be out there making the big bucks rather than spending my lunch

hour in here talking to people like you, huh?

Good afternoon. In Tinseltown today, Maura Shears, star of the hit movie

Love 2, was spotted shopping for clothes at Trendy Maternity.

Are we expecting? And if so, who's the daddy?

This is Judith Jansen. You're on the air.

Hi, this is Debbie.

Hi, Debbie. What's your question?

For the past hour this afternoon, we've had the considerable pleasure of

interviewing the eminent defense lawyer, Perry Mason.

Before our time is up, Mr. Mason, I'd like to pose a legal question of my own.

That is, if you will indulge me.

Depends on the question.

A man shoots his victim in the head.

The victim survives, but is on life support.

Two years later, the victim's family and physicians agree he's brain dead.

They pull the plug.

The victim dies.

Now, my question is, is the man who shot him guilty of murder or attempted

murder? That's a good question.

I would hope so. In most states, if the victim dies more than a year and a day

after the shooting, the proper charge is attempted murder. However, most

prosecutors would disagree.

the case would certainly cause controversy.

Very interesting.

Thank you very much, Mr. Mason.

Until tomorrow, everyone, this is Winslow Keene.

Now stay tuned for Dr.

Sheila Carlin coming right up after these messages.

I think that went very well, Mr. Mason.

The law is always worth discussing.

I enjoyed that part.

Now here is the woman who persuaded me to have you on my show.

Doctor, the studio is yours.

I'll be with you shortly.

You'll excuse me. I've called a staff meeting.

You'll be hearing about it.

Are you aware that Dr. Carlin has had some disturbing occurrences at her home

during the last month?

I've heard about them.

Probably someone who actually took her advice and lived to regret it.

Any idea who that might be?

No, but if I find out, I'll let you know.

Good, Mr. King.

Whoever it is, they will live to regret it.

Goodbye, Mr. Mason.

I'm making some significant changes.

All right, Winslow.

You've had your little moment of drama.

Now, what's this all about?

There's been a steady decline in revenue for the past six months.

So I'm changing the station's format.

Beginning Monday, KCDM will be playing music during the day, and you'll all be

working at night.

What? Oh, come on.

Yes, Fritz and Fred, the bad boys of radio, will be dispensing their

tastelessness from 8 p .m. to 11 p .m. What?

There is no way. Our morning drive time gets the highest ratings in this city.

Nobody listens to KCDM at night.

Hey, man, we've got an offer from L .A. We're going.

Believe me, you two aren't going anywhere.

And you, Judith, you'll be purveying your mindless gossip from 10 .30 a .m.

11 a .m., from 3 .30 p .m. to 4 p .m., and 11 .30 p .m. to midnight.

Live.

That's a 14 -hour day. I couldn't possibly work those hours.

Pity.

And you?

you'll be mispronouncing the names of Major League cities from 4 a .m. to 5 a

.m. You can't do this to me. Let's face it, Boomer, I just did.

You're a charity case.

What other station in town will hire you?

And you, my pseudo -intellectual friend, will wrap yourself in the flag from 5 a

.m. to 6 a .m. I see how this works.

You're saving the best hours for yourself.

Well, that's true.

Well, I'm calling my lawyer.

And the first thing he'll ask you is how you intend to pay him when I cancel

your contract.

Your contract stipulates you can't work anywhere else for the next 27 months.

Well, we'll just see about that.

And when Dr. Carlin gets off the air, you can tell her she's going on the air

from midnight to 3 a .m.

Anyone still up at that hour deserves her one -minute psychiatric evaluation.

See you later, bad boy.

This is Dr. Sheila Carlin inviting you to share your problems with me.

And together we will find the solutions that can empower you and change your

life. Until tomorrow.

Jack,

you did it again.

See you tomorrow, Doc.

Judith, why are you still here?

I just wanted to see your face when I gave you the news.

Winslow?

Winslow?

Winslow? Just hold on. Wait a minute. Wait just a second.

I don't care who owns this station. You cannot do this to my show. But I can,

and I will. But I won't let you treat me this way. You know what I like most

about you, Dr. Carlin, is how seriously you take yourself.

As if any of your psychobabble actually helps anybody. Will you shut up,

Winslow? If you had any competence, your own daughter would still be alive.

Read the fine print, doctor. I own the station, I own your contract, and I own

you.

Excuse me.

Hey, Phil. Hey, Boomer.

Good. Who do you like on Sunday?

The cheerleaders. Of course, Stanley.

Hi there, Boomer.

Back room for you and your friends. Great, great. Thanks, Nate.

Ah, shabby chic.

Jimmy Hoffa's murder was planned here, you know.

Oh, really?

By whom?

This is Mr. Farnsworth.

I'll see you're not disturbed.

So what do you nice folks have in mind?

I'm sorry to say that Keene is right, Sheila. Under the terms of this

you're tied to the station for the next three years.

Well, I wish you'd been my lawyer then, Perry.

Well, I wouldn't have let you sign these.

How could I let myself in for this?

Don't be so hard on yourself, Sheila.

You just lost your daughter.

Your husband was divorcing you, and you weren't thinking clearly.

I wasn't thinking at all.

I've counseled people whose children have died of a drug overdose.

When it's your own daughter, it's different.

I did blame myself.

And then when Tom blamed me, too, I...

I was lost.

You certainly had good reason to be lost.

Perry.

Considering the stress I was under, is this contract valid?

I'm afraid it is, my dear.

Sheila?

Wish we could have been more help.

Thank you for your time. I appreciate it.

Nothing we can do?

Nope.

Not this time.

You turn him.

You love?

Yeah.

Go.

12. Oh, come on. You said 15.

There's no discount.

12.

Okay.

Wallet?

Drive carefully.

Yes.

Don't worry.

Consider it done.

Who is it?

Floor delivery, sir.

Well, just leave it out there by the door.

I'm sorry, but I need your signature.

I'm sorry, sir, but I need your signature for these. Come on in. Thank

Who, uh, who sent this?

They're from someone who wants you to get everything you deserve.

This is Dr. Sheila Carlin. You're on the air.

Listen carefully. I can only say that I'm stunned at both your lack of

compassion and your stupidity. And furthermore, your audacity is referring

what you do as constructive.

When any fool could see that... Winslow?

Winslow?

Oh, my God.

Who's in charge here?

Over there.

Lieutenant Brock.

Lieutenant Brock, hello. I'm Dr.

Sheila Carlin.

I was on the air with Mr. Kane when this happened, and I got here as soon as I

could.

Who did this?

Well, that's what we're trying to find out.

Dr.

Carlin, what kind of a car do you drive?

A Jaguar.

Why? And your license plate, what does it read?

Shrink.

It's my daughter's idea.

And you're on the air. Are you on the air every night, ma 'am?

Midnight to three.

And while you're on the air, do you... Dr. Carlin.

While you're on the air, do you answer your own telephone calls?

Well, I don't have an engineer at that hour, so I do handle it myself.

Why?

May I ask, where were you earlier this evening? That is, before you went to

work.

I was... I was at home.

Alone.

Alone? Why?

At approximately 1 .15 this morning, while you were on the air, you

talked with Winslow Keene, am I correct? Yes, I said that. He called me to rant

at me, and I heard the gunshot. I called 911.

I got here as soon as I... You called 911.

Our first unit arrived here at 1 .20.

The medical examiner... placed Mr. King's death at approximately 10 p .m.

you see where I'm going with this, ma 'am? He was already dead when he called

you.

That's... That's not possible.

I think you better come downtown with me, ma 'am. What?

To police headquarters.

Do you have an attorney?

Can we go now?

I'm afraid not yet. What?

Dr. Carlin, do you recognize this tape recorder and tape?

No. Why?

We found it in your home. My home?

We believe, ma 'am, that at approximately 10 p .m., you shot and

Keene. And then at 1 .15 a .m., while you were on the air, you answered a call

from Mr. Keene.

It was Winslow Keene. The whole audience heard him.

We believe you manufactured that call from a Winslow Keene broadcast, which,

course, would give you the perfect alibi.

And we have here an automatic dialer programmed to call the station and to

the tape, which we found in our house, Mr. Mason.

Listen carefully. I can only say that I'm stunned at both your lack of

compassion and your stupidity.

I'm placing you under arrest for the murder of Winslow Keene.

Lieutenant, I need some time with Dr. Carlin.

Use my office, Mr. Mason.

I swear to you, Perry, I don't know anything about this.

Does anyone have access to your car?

No.

It must have been a car that was made to look like mine.

Is that all they have on me?

No, there's more.

Lieutenant Brock's men found the murder weapon hidden in your basement.

I didn't kill him, Perry.

I hated the man, but I didn't do it.

I know it looks bad. I... I'm being framed.

I'm certain of it.

One thing we can be certain of.

It isn't Winslow Keene.

What is that?

That is a new herbal tea.

Cypress.

That's a tree.

It was.

This is going to relax you. I am relaxed.

Well, this will make you more relaxed.

You know a lot about witchcraft.

I'm on my way to see Sheila.

From her, get the names and backgrounds of all persons at the station who might

have had a reason to kill Keene. He was evidently making drastic changes.

Evidently.

Hello, Della.

Have some tea.

Goodbye, Della.

Smells like tree bark.

It is.

What'd you find?

The murder weapon was a cold gun. No serial numbers, untraceable. Anybody

have bought it.

I can check out some very shady types I know.

You do that.

I'll be careful.

You be careful.

I'm looking for something cold.

I'll introduce you to my wife.

I've got references.

Willie Castile, Steve Roma, Max Taylor.

Okay.

Take your pick, my friend.

I'm looking for a Desert Eagle.

I'll pay top dollar.

Too bad you weren't here two days ago. I had one, but I sold it. But not for top

dollar.

Yeah, I got the locker key.

Right. I'm checking out now.

No, don't call me.

I'll call you.

Right.

My name's Molanski. I'm an attorney.

I just want to talk to you. Open the door.

Open the door.

I'm sure this storage place is open.

It is me.

Check this guy. See if he's okay. I'll call the police.

So there's nothing you or anybody else can tell me about these guys. Okay.

All right, the security guards didn't get a good look at this guy. Is there

anything that you can tell me about him? I didn't get a good look at him either.

But he's the man who killed Winslow King.

Well, isn't that interesting when all of our evidence indicates that Dr. Sheila

Carlin did it?

The gun that killed King was the Desert Eagle. Very unusual. The man who

attacked Ken tonight.

Bought one two days ago.

Couldn't trail the guy.

Backed him into a corner. Don't forget, the guy robbed him.

The guy we're chasing after bought the gun from a guy named Wallace.

He runs the 8th Avenue pool hall.

I know him. I'll talk to him. But he's not going to cop anything.

Lieutenant, you want to take a look at this?

Looks like about $100 ,000.

So that's why you're trying to get to that locket. That's where he kept the

stash. I don't want a round -the -clock stakeout in this place. When he comes

back for the cash, that's when we'll nail him.

When you do, Lieutenant, we'll have our killer.

I can't go back there. They're going to have cops all over the warehouse.

I know they're not going to be there forever, but I can't wait.

You're going to have to get me more money.

No, no, wait. Hey, you understand.

This was your party.

You're paying for it.

Winslow Keen should have fired his gardener.

Why don't I check around outside?

Good idea.

Good morning, Miss Johnson.

Who are you?

Name's Mason. I represent Sheila Carlin. What are you doing here?

Oh, I'm looking for my glasses.

Of course you are.

Well, I came to visit Winslow a few days ago, and I just left my glasses.

Now that he's dead, you're still looking for them.

Well, Winslow can't now, can he?

Wasn't your visit with him the other day to discuss getting out of your

contract?

Well, yes, it was.

Look, I know how you operate, Mr. Mason, but I do have an alibi for the time of

the murder.

The person responsible for Keene's death doesn't need an alibi.

It was a murder for hire.

A hitman?

Sounds colorful.

So is... What well -known radio gossip is being investigated by the FCC?

Who told you that?

Seems Keene informed the FCC that you had accepted cash for mentioning certain

celebrities' products on your program.

Well, that has never been proven.

Oh, but if it is, you could face a jail sentence. Your career would be over.

What exactly is your point, Mr. Mason?

That you also had a motive for murder.

That can't be proven either.

Ah, my glasses.

You would have thought Winslow would have had the decency to return them

himself. Well, he can't now, can he?

Two nights before Winslow Keene died, you and four of your colleagues had a

private meeting at a certain restaurant, special occasion.

It was just social.

Why wasn't Sheila Carlin invited?

Frankly, she's not that popular.

Terrible temper, you know.

Good luck with your case, Mr. Mason.

No.

Good luck with yours.

That is a subpoena.

We'll be delighted to see you in court.

Who are you?

My name's Smolansky. I'm a lawyer.

Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.

It's not a good idea to startle me.

Heard you coming, Bigfoot. I'm a cop.

You're investigating Winslow Keen's murder?

Not much to investigate.

We got enough on Sheila Carlin to convict her twice.

Except that Dr. Carlin didn't do it.

Yeah, that's what you say. That's what I know.

Well, there's no evidence here, but... Look around.

It'll keep you out of mischief.

Fine something?

Just a cop with an attitude.

What can I do for you?

My name's Mason.

My name's Malansky. We're representing Dr. Sheila Carlin.

Oh, yeah. The shrink who popped that little guy.

What's his name?

King. Winslow King. Yeah, that one.

I can't help you. I never saw either one in here.

Boomer Kelly is a regular, isn't he?

Yeah. Why?

Mr. Kelly had a dinner party here last week.

In the back room. All six of them.

Kelly, Hunter, Moore, Fisher, and Jansen. That makes five.

You did say six. One guy came late. Who was that?

I don't know.

Maybe you should ask Mr. Scanlon.

Freed, I can't help you.

I wasn't here that night.

This gentleman seems to think that you were here.

Don't you remember? I was home with the flu.

Oh, yeah.

What's the matter with me?

He's right.

I'm sure he's always right.

If you happen to remember the name of man number six, give us a call.

Good luck with the case. No, good luck to you, Mr. Scanlon.

That's the subpoena.

I'd really like to know who man number six was.

Well, they're not going to tell us.

Heard from your gun dealer?

He's ducking my calls.

But he's usually there on Friday nights counting his receipts.

Let's hope he's had a good week.

anything. Wait until I ask.

Now, that guy you sold the Desert Eagle to, has he been back here? I never

should have talked to you in the first place. Don't let me out of this. That

killed Winslow Keene.

Now, if that guy calls here, you're going to call me.

What's that?

Expecting anyone? Uh -uh. Get back.

Thanks a lot.

That's the guy who sold the gun to Keene's murderer.

Yeah, well, for all I know, he's just a guy you play pool with.

What were you doing following me?

Look at it this way. If you are chasing a killer, you're going to need me.

Because, baby, I had you cold in that pool hall without breaking a sweat.

You do the legwork, and I'll take care of the bad guys.

Oh, no. No, no, no, no. You and I are not going to be buddies.

See you around, lawyer.

Molanski. It's Wallace.

What do you heard?

I could get killed talking to you.

Look, this guy called again.

He says he wants another piece.

He knows you can identify him. You better stay clear of him.

Look, if I give you a name, it's worth something, right?

Because I've got to get $10 ,000 to get lost.

If it's the right name.

Look, meet me in the pool hall in 30 minutes.

And bring the money. Wait a second, that's not a good idea.

Good evening.

Uh -oh. I didn't order a lawyer. Did you order a lawyer, Finn? Sure. Extra

large. To go.

Would you hand me that right here?

Another stunt?

Stunt? What stunt?

We like girls.

No, you're right, Mr. Mason. We're giving away a harem.

30 girls.

Count them 30.

What can we do for you?

Mr. Keene forced you into accepting an unfavorable time period for your radio

show. Did that make you angry?

Us? Angry?

Going from drive time to dead time?

Why should we be upset?

Your dinner at Scanlon's bar, you used it to discuss what to do about Keene?

Nah, we were just hungry.

Actually, it was a wine tasting. With three people you didn't like?

Hey, we like everybody.

Even you.

But especially her.

Yeah.

We could be a great companion.

Now, I've been through Keene's files.

He had signed contracts with everyone but the two of you. Why was that?

Sloppy management.

Or was it because he didn't need contracts?

Did he threaten you with a certain videotape?

A videotape of the two of you and several underage ladies?

What a great rumor.

How many were there? Shut up, Fred.

Look, there have been groupies that throw... Gene was blackmailing you into

staying with the station, wasn't he?

Where'd you get that?

What do you want from us?

The name of man number six at that dinner?

There were only five of us there.

Consider this a gift.

A videocassette and two subpoenas.

Two.

Perhaps I can jog your memory in court.

Good night, Dolph.

Yeah, look at this. The three stooges go to Mars.

You're shooting at me. I didn't get a good look at him.

Neither did I.

But I got a look at the woman in the car with him.

Can you identify her? Oh, yeah.

I grew up with her.

Let's hope we can find her.

Because I just hit a dead end.

And by practicing what I preach, I hope that I can demonstrate that even the

most negative situation can be an opportunity for personal growth.

I'm confident that you will always support me.

I'm ready to hear from you.

You're on the air.

Hello, Mr. Kelly.

You're Sheila Carlin's lawyer, right?

That's right.

She's got a lot of nerve. You know, she murders Winslow Keene, then comes right

back in here and does her own radio show.

You didn't like the changes Winslow Keene made here at the station, did you,

Kelly? Nobody did.

In the history of your professional problems, you also had a history with

Keene. I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Mason.

I heard that Winslow Keene was directly responsible for the end of your football

career.

In a restaurant five years ago, he approached you after a game you lost.

You didn't like what he said about your performance.

Look, I've heard this before. It sounds like a broken record, and it's all

nonsense. You hit him, knocked out his front teeth.

Later, two men you couldn't or wouldn't identify caught you in a parking lot and

broke your knees.

Look, if Winslow Keene had done this to me, then why would he give me my own

show? Maybe Mr.

Keene liked owning you.

Owning me? Wait, owning me? Nobody owns me.

That's why you put together that gathering at Scanlon's restaurant,

To make sure nobody owns you? Look, I didn't do anything wrong, so you just

away from me, okay?

Is that a warning?

That's my advice.

Mr. Kelly.

You had two very good reasons to hate Winslow Keene.

For most killers, one is enough.

Thank you, Dylan.

Go on, Kent. Do you recognize the hitman's girlfriend, Dan?

Kathy said they grew up in the same neighborhood together.

The girlfriend's name is Doris Lester.

She's a prostitute.

Try it, Perry.

Hot, uh... Hot, uh... That's a very special tea. It's called Mystical

Let me know how you feel in an hour.

I see Della's still trying to improve you.

It's been a lot of years, but she never gives up.

How about our other suspects?

I haven't talked to Mr. Hunter yet, but it could have been any one of them.

What about that mysterious man number six?

I'm not sure he had or has anything to do with the murder.

You think they all got together and hired a hitman?

I wouldn't rule it out.

Kathy Paxton certainly has an interesting idea for catching our

She's going undercover.

Lieutenant Brock told me she's a very capable officer.

Yeah, a real dynamo. Ken.

For some of us, taking direction from a woman is a new experience.

You've always handled it beautifully, Perry.

Yes, haven't I?

Where'd the department get this car?

From a pimp. Where else?

I think you're right. If your old friend Doris is a prostitute, most likely the

man with her is her pimp.

Yeah. And our shooter.

So well did you know Doris anyway?

Eh, well enough.

Her parents were drunks and, uh, her father had a thing for her.

I didn't give her a break.

She didn't give herself one either.

Oh, hey, there's Doris Pullover.

There goes Doris with the John.

Let's hope that's a quick romance.

Evening, ladies.

Look, this corner's taken.

Oh, honey, I don't work on a corner no more.

Used to. To my man over there setting me up in high style at the Taylor Arms.

Well, then what are you doing here?

Making you an offer.

50 -50 split with the man.

Medical care and security on the premises.

And none of my man's girls get knocked around.

Huh? Yeah, well, we already got us a man looking after us. Yeah, and he wouldn't

like us talking to you.

So why don't you take a hike?

Please.

Yeah.

Well, you know what? What? My man doesn't take no for an answer.

You're going to like working for him.

Hey, look, we don't want any trouble. Then don't give me any.

Why don't you get lost?

Be nice, sweetie.

We're going to be friends.

That's Clark. You can't ban books because they disagree with your

about the First Amendment?

Just what I'd expect from a limp whip like you, Junior.

Upholding some subversive's right to promote treason under the guise of self

-expression.

Your history, pal.

And for the rest of you late -night Bolsheviks out there, here's a medley of

John Philip Sousa.

Decent people sleep at night.

All I get are cranks.

People who don't agree with you.

I call them the way I see them.

You didn't just drop by to...

Tell me you like my show.

What can I do for you?

No one present at the wine tasting at Scanlon seems to remember more than five

people being there, do you?

Matter of fact, I don't.

How did you enjoy the wine?

Why do you ask?

Well, you are a reformed alcoholic.

So? So, why were you there that night?

Were you planning Mr. Keene's future?

Winslow was a twerp.

Why would I kill him?

You still married, Mr. Hunter?

No. I'm divorced.

I understand your wife is very beautiful and a very talented actress. You were

considered a perfect couple.

I don't care to discuss this.

You mind telling me the reason for your divorce?

That's none of your business.

Three years ago, you discovered your wife was having an affair.

Who told you that?

The man who broke up your marriage was Winslow Keene.

You threatened to kill him.

But I didn't, did I, Mr. Mason?

Life goes on.

I got over it.

No, you didn't, Mr. Hunter.

No, you didn't.

Why?

You're still fighting the Cold War.

I'm telling you.

Baby,

take it real easy.

Really easy. Come with me now. Come on. Come on.

Where'd she go?

You're going to love this place, baby.

Wall to wall view.

I was just doing what the man told me, you know?

It's funny, because I'm having a hard time believing that you are a working

girl.

Well, I'm not. I mean, you know, I wasn't.

Look, I got laid off a year ago, and I couldn't make my rent, you know? You

heard it before.

Yeah, I've heard it before.

Many times.

Look, I don't care who I work for. You know, the guy was just there, and I

needed protection.

Hey, look, I'll work for you if you treat me decent.

You'll work for me, all right.

So did I teach you my way.

Listen, number one is discipline.

I will be back.

Harry, here. Let me guess, saltwater crocodile.

No, it's made from pine cone and it's good for the mind.

It's awful.

It's Chinese.

Northern or southern?

Northern. It's northern Chinese and it's awful.

Sheila Carlin leave for court?

I just spoke to her. She said she'd meet us there.

Brock brought in all the hookers and talked to them.

But they won't help.

Why don't you wait in here in case she calls?

Yeah.

Ken.

It's not your fault.

Thanks, Perry.

I wish I could believe that.

Believe it.

I was asleep waiting for you.

You have a big night?

Just one.

But he liked me.

Not bad.

So I heard you had some trouble last night?

Yeah. We got a new girl.

Downstairs.

In the basement?

Sensory deprivation.

You all right?

Oh, my God.

Hi, Doris.

Hey, hey, hey.

Ladies, ladies, ladies.

It's time to go to work, hey?

Hey, baby.

Are you ready to go to work?

Sure. Whatever you say.

Oops.

Hey, hey, hey.

What have we here?

She's a cop.

We got orders to roust our quota of hookers.

So let me go and I'll forget this ever happened.

This is no vice thing.

Hey, why would I lie?

That's a good question.

Come here.

Come on.

Okay.

We gotta get out of here.

But she's gonna... Hey, listen.

I think she's been looking for me.

And now she's made me.

Look.

I'll be back in an hour. You pack up.

Okay. And Doris?

Let's get rid of her.

Hey, I never said... Hey.

Hey, baby.

Come on now.

I want us to be in this together.

Okay.

And this handgun, which has previously been identified as the murder weapon,

found where?

In the basement of the defendant's home.

Lieutenant, I now show you an audio tape cassette.

Mark people's exhibit number two and ask if you can identify it.

Yes, it has my mark on it, and it was found in the defendant's home, Dr.

Sheila Carlin.

What can you tell us about this tape, Lieutenant?

It's an edited tape of a Winslow King broadcast.

Have you compared it with the transcript of a telephone call made to Dr. Carlin

on her show, The Night of the Murder?

Yes, I have.

That's Mr. King's half of the conversation.

Could this tape machine and automatic dialer...

found in Dr. Carlin's home, have been programmed to call the station that

and play this tape, Lieutenant?

Yes, I personally programmed a test call to the station using that tape. I also

examined telephone company records, which indicated a call had been made

Ms. Carlin's home to the station at 1 .15 a .m. on the night of the murder.

We've previously had testimony that Mr. Keene's time of death was no later than

10 .30 p .m., more than two hours earlier.

Well, that is correct. The deceased couldn't have made the call.

Then this tape and the call were just an attempt by the defendant to establish

some kind of alibi.

Objection. No foundation calls for improper opinion.

Sustained.

Nothing further.

Thank you, Lieutenant.

What was the name of that dog that used to follow you all over the neighborhood?

Maxie? Moxie?

Stop trying to pretend we were friends.

We weren't ever friends.

So we didn't hang out.

But we knew each other.

I knew what your father did to you. Shut up or what? You'll kill me twice?

He can't even pull his own trigger. And you're ready to do life in prison for

him? I'm not going to prison, okay?

We're moving in on him, Doris.

Get out before you go down with him.

I can't.

Oh, yeah, I forgot. He's your pimp.

He slaps you around. He takes your money. Why wouldn't you be loyal? You

know anything.

He loves me. Oh, yeah? Well, you better be crazy about him, Doris, because

sooner or later you're going to die for him.

It's a shame, too, because I could cut you a deal.

Mr. Strong, how long have you made deliveries for Morton Pharmacy?

About a year and a half.

You've delivered prescriptions to Winslow Keene's house before the night

question? Oh, yeah, many times.

Will you tell us what you saw on your last delivery to Winslow Keene's house?

Sure. I went there, same as always, and I rang the bell, and nobody answered. So

I knocked, and he still didn't answer. So I figured, you know, maybe he went

someplace. Did Mr. Keene usually wait at home for his prescription deliveries?

Oh, yeah, always.

See, he took Digitalis, and so he could never remember, you know, to call until

he ran out.

And so he was always very anxious to get it.

But on this night...

He did not answer the door. No.

Then what happened?

Well, I decided to go back to the store and to have the pharmacist call him.

And I was just about ready to pull away when this car comes barreling out of

Winslow Keynes driveway and damn near hits me, you know, driving away.

You got a good look at the car?

Oh, yeah.

Up close and personal.

Will you describe it for us?

Sure.

It's a green Jag, and it had a license plate that read shrink.

You know, S -H -R -A -N -K.

One of a kind, would you say?

Uh, yeah.

I mean, aren't all license plates one of a kind?

I have no further questions.

Mr. Mason?

Mr. Armstrong, is there anything else you remember about the car?

Um, no, sir, not really.

Your Honor...

Defense Exhibit B.

Mr. Armstrong, we show you a photograph which depicts the

rear of Dr.

Carlin's Jaguar. Is that the car you saw?

Yep. I mean, you know, there's the license plate. It shrank.

What else do you see?

Um... A bumper sticker in support

of protecting dolphins.

Now, you stated you saw the license plate up close and personal.

But you never mentioned that bumper sticker. Why not?

Well, um... I guess I didn't see it.

Your Honor, what is the point of this?

Your Honor, defense contends that whoever wanted to frame Sheila Carlin

the license plate from her car and put it on another car, an identical Jaguar.

but they overlooked the Save the Dolphins bumper sticker.

Defense has no further need of this witness.

Mr. Markham? I have no further questions.

The witness is excused.

Mr. Markham? Your Honor, the people rest.

Mr. Mason, you may call your first witness.

I call Nick Scanlon to the stand.

Mr. Scanlon, on the night of the wine tasting arranged by Mr. Kelly, how many

people were in attendance?

I wouldn't know.

Five, I guess. You don't know exactly?

I wasn't feeling well, so I stayed home that night.

You did not stop by your restaurant?

I didn't ask any of my employees.

Oh, I have.

I remind you that you are under oath and face the penalty of perjury.

Now, I'll ask you once more.

Were you at any time at your restaurant that evening?

No.

No?

No further question.

Perry Mason's office.

Where?

Yeah, I got it. Who is this?

Kathy?

I thought he was checking to make sure I was really dead.

So what happened?

I should have told Doris to kill me.

I turned her around.

How'd you turn her around?

Come on, Boy Scout.

Don't you know people in trouble are just looking for a way out?

You gave her one.

Oh, yeah. But the first time in her life, she actually took it.

She also gave me the name of our shooter.

Paul Turner.

Lieutenant Brock couldn't find anyone under the name of Turner in their

that matches our guard.

Did Brock by any chance send a fingerprint team to Doris' house? By

did, but they didn't find any clear prints. Everything was smudged.

Thank you.

The Department of Water and Power, the gas company, the papers, none of them

have a listing on Paul Turner.

Was this woman lying?

I don't think so.

All you can do now is wait and hope that Doris will contact you.

Where are you going?

I'm going to see if I can find some oysters.

You all like oysters?

These oysters are excellent.

Thank you.

Do you want anything else?

The name of man number six.

I told you.

I don't know.

I wasn't here.

Aren't you curious as to why I called you to be a witness?

Your lawyers do strange things sometimes.

True.

But I wanted you to make a declaration under oath.

What's this got to do with me?

On the night of the alleged wine tasting, you placed a call...

On your private line from here to your brother in a Miami hospital.

Here's a copy of your phone bill.

Now.

Maybe now.

You'd like to tell me about man number six.

Where is he?

Why the hell doesn't he call?

Take it easy, honey. Hey!

Hey.

Are you telling me what to do, huh? Are you?

No, I'm just trying to be helpful.

Yeah.

Why haven't you called, huh?

I got cops looking for me.

What?

Why, you double -crossing... Hey, don't... He hung up on me.

He says that he can't get any more money. He says that Mason is on their

He's going to get away with this.

He's not.

They may not get any more money, but I sure as hell can stop him from fingering

me.

Doris?

Doris?

What the hell with you two?

Yeah.

Put her through.

Kathy, it's me, Doris. Are you okay?

It's Turner.

He's gone crazy.

Where is he?

I don't know. He's gonna go kill whoever hired him to kill Winslow.

What's up?

Turner's on his way to the courthouse.

Good afternoon, officer.

Russell Farnsworth to the stand.

State your name and occupation.

Russell Farnsworth.

I'm a private investigator.

Mr. Farnsworth, on the night of the 10th, did you meet with five people in

back room of Scanlon's Oyster Bar?

Yes, I did.

Any of them in this courtroom?

All of them.

Would you point them out, please?

Him,

him,

him,

him, and her.

Will all of you please stand?

Let the record show that Mr. Farnsworth has identified Fred Fisher, Fritz Moore,

Boomer Kelly, Clark Hunter, and Judith Jensen. You may all sit down.

Now, uh, who arranged this meeting?

Mr. Kelly, then. The purpose?

They offered me $50 ,000 to do whatever was necessary to get them out of their

contracts with Winslow Keene.

And you did that?

No.

They decided to grab the money and run.

I mean, what are they going to do? Sue me?

Winslow Keene was murdered two days after you took their money. Were you

deadline to perform your services?

24 hours.

So when you hadn't delivered on your promise, one of your employers could

made other arrangements.

Objection.

Speculation. Sustained.

What did you do after your meeting?

I went to the airport and flew to Vegas to find a missing husband.

Took me three days, but I got him.

And to prove I was there, I got receipts, airline ticket stubs, and a

cocktail waitress named Tiffany. Cost me a bundle.

No further questions.

No questions.

Witnesses excused.

Thanks. Mr. Markham.

Permission to approach the bench.

Your

Honor,

these five people had motive, opportunity, and the desire to inflict

on Winslow Keene. Your Honor, we still have the tape, the recorder, the

automatic dialer, and the murder weapon.

Mr. Markham, there were no fingerprints on any of those, Your Honor.

They could have been planted by any or all of these people. This is pure

supposition. I still move for a dismissal. Very well, I will take it

advisement. It would appear that these five people have conspired to commit

bodily harm.

We'll get into it. He's got a gun!

Ken, turn around!

Court is adjourned.

You all right?

Yeah.

That man can't tell us anything.

This guy certainly was a case.

Take a look at this.

Any different issues of this magazine?

No, but he has three copies of this one.

Look, Perry, it's been a long night.

This just about does it, wouldn't you say?

Yeah, I'd say we just have time enough to clean up for court.

I now call Clark Hunter to the stand.

Mr. Hunter...

Have you heard of the drug endobuse?

Yes, I've heard of it.

It was given to you during your treatment for alcohol abuse.

Yes, it was.

Doctors give it to patients to prevent them from drinking.

What happens when a patient who's taking endobuse drinks alcohol?

He gets sick.

Only a fool would take endobuse and drink.

And I am not a fool.

You know Western Liquors on Brand Boulevard, do you not?

Yes. Do you have a charge account there?

Yes, I do. On the day of the murder, you asked Weston Liquors to deliver a

particular bottle of burgundy to your house, did you not?

I often order wines for professional gifts.

You knew that burgundy was Miss Jansen's favorite and that she was having a

dinner party that night?

That's two questions.

So it is.

You knew that particular wine was Miss Jansen's favorite.

No. Did you know that she was having a dinner party that night?

No. On the day before Miss Jansen's dinner party, the one you did not know

about, did you purchase a syringe from Morton's Pharmacy?

I don't remember.

If I showed you a copy of your pharmacy bill, would that refresh your

memory?

Okay, so what if I did?

Before you sent the wine to Miss Jansen,

Didn't you dissolve end -abuse tablets in a small bit of water and then inject

it through the cork into the bottle?

Absolutely not. On the day of the dinner, you left a package in Mr.

office.

Didn't you then call a messenger service to pick it up and deliver it to Ms.

Jansen's home?

Of course not, Your Honor.

I'm through with this witness, Your Honor.

But I reserve the right to recall.

Witness may step down.

I now call Judith Jansen to the stand.

Miss Jansen, do you recognize that bottle?

Yes, it's my favorite burgundy.

On the night Mr. Keene was murdered, you canceled the dinner party that he was

invited to, did you not?

Yes, I did.

Why? Well, I had some of this burgundy that afternoon, and it made me so ill

that I ended up in the emergency room at Good Shepherd Hospital.

Defense Exhibit G, Your Honor. The doctor's report from Good Shepherd

The diagnosis is toxic poisoning.

Ms. Jensen, you're certain it was that burgundy that made you ill?

Well, I hadn't had anything else to eat or drink since breakfast.

Where did you get the wine?

It was delivered by the Monarch Messenger Service from Winslow.

It's my favorite burgundy. I couldn't resist trying it. I always have a little

wine when I cook.

Thank you, Ms. Jensen.

I have no further questions.

This witness may step down.

Defense recalls Clark Hunter.

Knowing she would cancel her dinner, you deliberately tried to make Judith

Jensen ill.

No, I did not.

Do you know who placed that recorder and automatic dialer in Sheila Carlin's

house? No, I don't. I did not.

But you did maneuver Winslow Keene to be alone at home where your hired assassin

killed him.

Mr. Hunter, you did that, did you not?

Mr. Hunter, did you not?

That's preposterous!

Your Honor, Mr.

Mason is persecuting me.

He's using innuendo, lies, half -truths.

I have rights.

I know my rights. Your Honor, I consider Mr. Mason to be a very dangerous man.

This court should be very careful with him.

This court is here to protect your rights, Mr. Hunter.

Please continue, Mr. Mason.

Mr. Hunter, you're aware of the American Freedom Network, are you not?

I'm aware of it.

Understatement, sir.

You sit on the board of that organization. In fact, you are the

board.

That's why I'm aware of it.

By the way, the man who was accidentally shot here yesterday, Paul Turner,

you knew him, did you not?

Of course I did not know him.

The American Freedom Network also runs the survivalist camp, does it not?

We provide the opportunity for Americans who love their country to prepare

themselves to defend it.

Isn't it true that for the past five years, Paul Turner...

Was the head instructor at that camp?

That's possible.

And it's very possible that Turner broke into Dr.

Carlin's house first to frighten her, then later to rig that recording

I wouldn't know.

You wouldn't know.

I call your attention to Defense Exhibit K.

Still photos taken from the surveillance cameras here in the courtroom yesterday

during the shooting.

Can you find yourself in those photos, Mr. Hunter?

No. No.

Of course not.

You'll note that while everyone in the courtroom is looking at Mr. Turner, you

were going out the side door. That.

Side door.

So what?

So, you were the man he was looking for.

You were his target.

You were the only one who knew that.

Your Honor, Defense Exhibit L, a sworn statement from Doris Lester, a

friend of Mr. Turner's.

Mr. Markham is the most literate man in this court today.

I'd like to ask him to read the highlighted section for us.

Your Honor, this is hardly... Mr. Markham.

Well, uh... All right.

Turner got a call from someone. Someone, he said, hired him to kill a man named

Keene. When he heard he wasn't getting his money, he took this gun out of the

display case and went to the courthouse to shoot him.

He said...

he'd kill him with the gun that man had given him.

Your Honor, we'd like to enter into evidence defense exhibit Q, this display

case from Paul Turner's apartment.

It contained the sidearm of General George McAuliffe, a famous World War II

general.

Do you recognize it, Mr. Hunter?

No, I don't. You should, Mr. Hunter.

It contained the gun Mr. Turner brought into court, the gun you had given him.

Here is the name of a gun store in Chicago.

The store has a record of the purchase order signed by you, even has your

fingerprints on it.

Now, would you like to tell the truth, your truth, Mr.

Hunter?

Winslow Cain wanted to silence me.

Keep me from telling the American people the truth.

Would you speak up, sir?

Winslow Cain wanted to silence me.

Keep me from telling the American people the truth.

I couldn't let him do that.

And you had him killed.

I did what I had to do.

So... You are the dangerous man, Mr. Hunter.

You are the dangerous man.

Mr. Markham?

The people move for dismissal.

Bailiff, take the witness into custody immediately.

This case is dismissed and court is adjourned.

Thank you for being my friend.

No need.

I'd like a rematch sometime.

Mr. Markham, we're bound to meet again.

Care to join us for lunch?

He's fine.

What a shame.

Not today, thanks.

Oh, Sheila.

Have you told Perry yet?

I'm starting a clinic for battered women and their children.

Wonderful idea.

We were talking about... We were talking about what I was going to do with the

rest of my life.

How can I ever repay you?

You just did.

Goodbye, P .M.

P .M.

P .M.

Pre -med, post -mortem, past medical.

Past midnight.

Yeah, past midnight.

Oh, not another... No, this isn't tea.

I made you a fresh pot of cocoa.

Cocoa?

Cocoa? I haven't had cocoa since I was a boy.

So?

So.

I've been waiting a long time.