Original subtitles

-Taxi, sir? -Yes.

-Hello, Mr. Carney -Oh, hello, boys.

I didn't think but even your news house knew that I was arriving.

We didn't. How's Florida?

All right, but it's no place for my profession.

Don't tell us you're gonna back the Laughlin mob and open up again.

Oh, no. I'm afraid that Reddick is too...

shall we say dictatorial...

Besides, I don't like crooked gambling.

I'd never dug in the bottom of the deck in my life.

Then you mind us asking just why you did come back here.

Oh, not at all.

I came home because Chief of Police Sprague asked me to.

You'll hear about it tomorrow.

I have a date for the Grand Jury in the morning.

And I think you'll be surprised

that some of the rats will come smoking out of their holes.

The city is going to hang a medal on you for this.

I don't want a medal.

I just want to make an opening for an honest gambler.

Please, don't print that, boys.

No, we won't. But, thanks, Mr. Carney.

Oh, where can we find you?

I'm not receiving any visitors for a few days.

It may be dangerous.

Good night, gentlemen.

Good bye.

All right, take me to the Police Headquarters. Central Station.

Yes, sir.

Did you see who was in that black car?

I'm not sure but I've got the license. Come on!

Attention all cars. Broadcast number 58

regarding murder of King Carney.

Eye witness has identified driver of death car

as a well-known police character.

Bring in Louie Butler. Description: American, 5' 8"

dark complexion, black hair, scar on left hand,

Further details later. That is all. Niles.

Attention all cars.

Regarding Broadcast number 58 of this date.

Louie Butler is now in custody.

-Good morning. -Morning.

-Good morning. -Good morning, Chief.

Sergeant, have Louie Butler brought to my office at once.

Oh, he's not here, sir.

Not here?

I tried to reach you at home, sir, but you were on your way down.

Louie Butler was found dead this morning in his cell,

hanged himself with his belt.

How could he do that without nobody seeing?

He wasn't here, sir. They took him to the North Bay Station last night.

I gave orders that Butler was to be brought directly to Central.

I know, sir, but Lieutenant Pagle who made the arrest thought it would be

alright to hold him in Captain Reddick's Precinct till morning.

Captain, I want to see everybody who was involved in Mr. Butlers's arrest.

What?

Louie is not the kind of a man that kills himself, you know that.

Due to the fact that this happened in the North Bay Precinct, Reddick.

I'm holding you largely responsible.

and after nearly three weeks, this investigation

has gotten us to absolutely no place.

If Louie Butler was murdered, it must've been done

by someone of the Laughlin mob.

I'll grant that the Laughlin mob might've killed Carney,

knowing what would happened if he got up the Grand Jury,

but reaching Butler in his cell, that's impossible!

Chief, you're not meaning that somebody in the Department got Butler.

It's exactly what I mean, Pagle.

But I'm telling you that Louie Butler killed himself.

He was scared silly when we brought him in. Sure as I can live.

-Wasn't he, Captain? -That's right.

The coroner's report says that's almost impossible for a man

to strangle in the position in which the body was found.

I don't care what the coroner said.

We tried to make witnesses talk, not shut them up.

I know it's appalling to think that in the midst of a fine body of men

dedicated to the public service criminals can exist,

nevertheless everything points that way.

Not in my Precinct.

Don't be too sure, Reddick.

There has to be a rotten apple anywhere.

-Yes. -Sergeant Geary is here, Chief.

Send him in.

I think you're gonna meet one of these rotten apples right now.

-Good morning, Chief. -Good morning, Sergeant.

Geary, why weren't you bringing Crips Vossen last night?

Vossen? I couldn't find him.

You were seen talking to him.

Outside the Safe Anchorage Cafe, at Fish Harbour.

Whoever said that is a cockeyed liar.

I said it, Joe. Two radio patrolmen saw you.

All right, maybe I did see him,

but I'm working on Vossen my own way. Bringing him here won't do any good,

Besides he doesn't know a thing that can help us.

You violated an order and turned in a false report.

Something has happened to you in the last few weeks, Joe. I don't know what.

I'd tried to help you as a friend,

giving you the breaks, but you completely disobeyed orders!

I don't think that Lieutenant's badge you've been expecting

will look so well on you after all.

You mean you're gonna kill my promotion?

I'm going to do more. I'm going to suspend you for 30 days

to see if you're in the gang yourself.

-That's all. -Yes, sir.

Why, the sour puss, Joe?

I've been handed the rawest deal I ever got in my life.

-What happened? -I'm set down for 30 days.

-30 days, for what? -Up for nothing.

Your man has got the idea I don't know what I'm doing

when I've got to make a pinch.

But Sprague was your best friend.

Yeah. He made you a good detective, didn't he Sarge?

Why shouldn't he? I worked myself blind for him for years, didn't I?

And that's what loyalty, gets you!

You shouldn't talk like that about the Chief, Joe. You must've done something.

I was supposed to get Crips Vossen and I didn't.

Do I deserve for it 30 days?

Crips Vossen!

You have nothing to game,

but making it easy for a cheap rat like Vossen, Joe?

I don't like the way you said it, Dave.

You are not thinking for any chance that the reason I let Vossen go

is because he bought his way out, do you?

Since you brought up such a, Geary, Was that the reason?

Joe, you crazy!

I'll tear the ears off anybody who makes a crack like that!

What do you want to do with him, Chief?

Let him go.

There's always a step, Joe. Make that suspension permanent.

Turn in the badge to Capt., now.

Oh, no. It's not that easy. I'm gonna take this up to the Commission.

You are leaving here for the Commission, all right?

Under the circumstances, it will be a mere formality.

Let's have it, Geary.

If it was anyone else in the world but Sprague,

you wouldn't be walking out of here after that.

Don't gonna mention that's you, Joe.

And I guess some men can go just so far and they don't can take it anymore.

Someday I'm gonna meet up with that old buzzard when he's not in the uniform

and I'm gonna get even.

Stick this in with your tin trophies.

-Joe! Good boy! -Chief, you are great.

Say, how's that jaw?

Now I know why the hoodlums in this town

have such a healthy respect for my favourite sergeant.

You really think we sold them, eh?

Utter works, Joe! By now there isn't a man on the force

who doesn't hate your insides.

And the way those reporters played you up

for a rat and a cop hater!

That will have its effect in certain other quarters.

Well, I hope so.

Where do we start?

Well, this is mainly up to you, Joe.

Seems to me that with the buildup you have,

you should never trouble getting on the other side of the fence.

Well, you know I am already in with Crips Vossen.

Get him nailed and he bribed me with a couple of hundred.

Hey, you, give it to the fund.

So Vossen is still collecting the Laughlin cut, huh?

-Yep! -Good, well,

we got a big jam ahead a bit, Joe.

And the danger is on.

But if this leaves to the man who silenced Louie Butler,

I'm convinced we'll solve the Carney murder.

I hate to think that it'll lead to some of our own boys.

Oh, so do I, Joe, but,

somehow, you've got to meet Laughlin.

Yeah, I know.

I've never met him but,

seems to me that through Vossen,

you should be able to sell yourself into his confidence.

Well, I'll try.

I wish we can come to have dinner with Alice and me tonight, Chief.

But, wait a minute, Joe, you're not telling Alice about this.

Well, you know how girls are, aren't they?

They wanna know what's going on

and if I don't tell her, things would be pretty tough for me.

We can't take a chance, Joe, not even with Alice.

Yeah, but I'm gonna marry her, Chief.

I know, I know, but this is a short job and afterwards, I'll square you with it.

But right now you and I are the only two persons in the world who know

about this setup, and success depends on keeping it that way.

-Okay -Good boy.

Now, if something important comes up, you know we can always meet here safely.

Swell, you know when this is over I'll expect you to be the best man on my wedding.

Chief mourner at your funeral.

-Well, good luck, kid. -See you.

Hi, Johnny.

Hi, Charlie....

I guess it's as good as any.

-Take over, Maxie. -All right, Katie.

Six!

Okay, Bill, the bosses are in.

-Seven out. -Seven away.

Always on time, ain't you, Vossen?

Oh, we've got to pay off to make the same as you, Katie.

-I guess you know Joe Geary. -Sure, for a long time.

How are you, Katie?

Joe will probably do the collecting course through this district next week.

Yeah. Here is your dough from the table play.

Oh, thanks.

Say, this machines ain't paying out too much last week,

I'll send the men around to fix it.

Why not stick the gun in their ribs when they come in the door?

It's not legal, Katie, yet.

So if you're through, come on now, I'll buy you a drink.

Okay.

-Make mine a brandy. -Yes, sir.

I've heard a lot about you, Joe, but I didn't believe it until tonight.

-Joe just got smart, that's all. -Sure!

From now on, I'm looking out for Joe Geary.

What?

After all, it's none of my business, but I like you better the way you used to be,

well, I�ve got no kid coming after what you did for me.

What's that?

He straightened out my boy.

Hadn't been for Joe, I guess he'd be in the racket now,

instead of being in Honolulu with the fleet.

He'd probably be better off.

What can be better for a kid that working for Uncle Sam?

Joe.

Oh, hello, Alice.

Hello, captain Allen, what are you doing here?

Just visiting.

Joe, I want to talk to you for a minute.

Go ahead. Sit down.

Alice, this is Katie and... he's a pal of mine.

Have a drink?

No, thanks.

I haven't seen you in seven days and so...

I went to the police to look for you.

I... have been pretty busy, baby.

Joe, why did you fight with Chief Sprague?

What did you expect me to do after the deal I got?

I supposed this pillar of public righteousness

told you what a bad boy I am.

Cut it out, Joe.

Captain Allen was kind enough to bring me here,

but there isn't a reporter or a policeman in town that hasn't got in it for you.

I suppose I shouldn't have come, but...

anyway, Joe, without a word...

I've got to hear your explanation.

You wouldn't understand.

I don't understand either, except what I see.

But for a man of your records and prospects...

Prospects? Sure, I had prospects

I was gonna be promoted, we will gonna be married,

but you and Sprague fixed it a lot.

Or maybe it's a good think it happened, anyway,

I'm learning a few things.

Please, Joe.

Yeah, get married on a cop is plain living in a dopey flat on 18th Street.

That's alright for suckers alike to get pushed around,

but not for me.

I tell you one, Alice,

if you still like to throw in with me, I'll show you how to get

some real dough out on this town.

No thanks, Joe.

I'm afraid your new friends and mine wouldn't mix.

I've got a job. I'll get along.

What a heel you turned out to be.

Skip it!

What you need is a good beating,

and one of those days I'm gonna give it to you.

Why don't you give it to me now, copper?

Slappin' a good kid like that, damn!

He should've punched you, Joe.

It's not the way he talked to her,

it's the way he slapped that dick down what I like.

They can take it or like it, that's my motto.

What's the next stop, Vossen?

Durkin's Bar, at Waters Street.

-Let's go.. -Okay.

-See you again, Katie. -So long, Katie.

This town keeps on improving

and I won't take a ride on a garbage scow for a little fresh air.

Don't be surprised if we have trouble with Durkin.

What kind of trouble?

His machines run fifteen hundred shots last month.

He says straight they've been falling off. He's lying.

At first, you guys held all the keys.

We do, and nobody can hack those locks.

I can't pin it on him,

but the chiseler has been getting in 'em somehow; there's no other answer.

Or either pays up tonight or I'll tear his joint apart.

-Put him out of business? -Why not?

Not is that smart.

You've got any ideas than I?

Maybe.

I know Durkin from way back.

Okay, you handle it, then. I'd like to see what you can do.

Maybe afterwards you'd get a chance to meet Laughlin.

Yeah, I've been wondering when I would.

Okay, this is the joint.

I'll be out in a minute.

Say, I've got a couple of more stuffs to make.

I'll be waiting for you when you come out.

-Brandy. -Yes, sir

-Good luck, boys. -Okay.

Durkin...

-Hello, Geary. -How are you, Fido?

What are you doing here?

Oh, just having a drink,

say, it's a good brandy.

You know you won't be getting much more this now upon the work I'm on.

I don't have to worry. I'd laid in a big stuff.

Smart guy.

Say, there must be 1,500 bucks with the liquor up there.

How had you guessed it?

What have you been doing yourself since you left the Department, Joe?

Got a nice job.

I'm collecting for the Laughlin Syndicate.

Well, I'm glad to hear they got one guy I could trust.

Can't hijack a mouse when they're accusing me

of knocking down on the slot machines!

-No! -Yeah!

Say, the way they got those machines sealed,

not even a Houdini could break into them.

You know, Durkin, if I remember right, a few years ago

you used to run sort of a cheap joint restaurant here.

Yeah, I did. Look at it now.

-It's low, ain't it? -No, it's great.

And before that, you used to have kind of a junk shop just to fix guns

and locks and make keys.

What are you driving at?

You used to brag there wasn't a lock in the whole world

you couldn't make a key that fit.

I guess opening those slot machines ought to be a cinch for you.

So last month you cheated the Syndicate on about 1,500 smackers

and I'm here to collect them.

You're nuts! I don't owe that gang any dough.

I wouldn't give them a buffalo hide over a plugged nickel.

Stick around, folks, and see the fun.

Hey, what's the idea? This bottle is worth ten bucks.

Was.

And for every ten seconds you stall kicking through that 1,500,

you'd be out another bottle.

Stop it, will ya?

Now it's twenty.

You'll be wading in 1,500 bucks of worth imported brandy pretty soon, Durkin.

And if that doesn't work again, I'll get this right on your teeth.

Oh, wait! Quit your clowning.

-Let's talk this over. -Okay.

There's your dough.

Didn't take long, did it?

It's a present from Durkin to your girlfriend.

How did you ever talk him into it?

Just killed a couple of bottles of brandy.

Where to, now?

Ames Building.

-Pretty good, Joe. -Pretty good? I am the best.

You know, even the Laughlin mob can't do it any better.

Open all hours, huh?

Yeah, all hours, all twenty four of them.

-I'll take, Milt. -Okay.

Check this, waterfront district.

What's the idea, Vossen?

You know ex-police Sergeant Geary, he's been okay.

That's different.

Remind me that I thought I was back at the police lineup.

Come on, let's go.

Say, every one of these fellows take care of a district.

They get a percentage on the take, so it keeps them on their toes.

I get it, they're on in the system.

-You know Benny McKaye? -Sure, how are you?

-Hello, Geary. -Wait for me, Joe.

I thought you were at Sykesville, Benny.

I was. I got a parole.

I've heard about that place. A pretty tough Pen, huh?

Tough? I'll be better buried alive than do another stretch on that joint.

Another six months and I would've been dead.

The way you handled Durkin made an impression on Laughlin.

-He wants to see you right away -Swell.

Captain Reddick!

This is quite a surprise!

Sit down there, Joe.

Hey, you get your breath.

High's the better.

I always had my doubts about Pagle, but, Captain Reddick...

I gotta hand it to you, Reddick.

I've had you watched, Geary, for a long time,

even after you busted the old man in the jaw I had you watched.

-Now you're in. -Thanks.

-You run the setup? -Sure, Pagle and me.

Oh, I wondered why Vossen gave me the job.

He wouldn't have if I haven't given the word.

Why did you give the word?

I like the way you work.

You got a way of handling mugs.

They respected you when you were against them

and they respect you more now that you are with them.

Who is Laughlin?

Did you ever see Laughlin?

No.

-You're Laughlin! -In a way.

I have to be the guy on the top of every racket,

so Pagle and me invented one.

-Anything else you wanna know? -That's enough for one night.

Just one more thing, Joe.

You are in with us.

That means you're in to stay.

Don't try to pull out.

Don't worry about me.

I've been a sucker long enough,

why, in a couple of weeks you guys won't want to hike along without me.

Okay. See you here tomorrow night at eight.

Swell.

You don't talk much, do you, Pagle?

I do when I've got something to say.

I still ain't sold on that guy.

Lay off! I haven't picked the wrong man yet, has I?

There is always a first time.

Look, I know coppers, when they go bad, they don't talk halfway.

I saw that blow up on Sprague and Geary wasn't fooling.

Just to say, I'm keeping an eye on him.

It's alright with me. I must put this stuff away and I'll be back.

Sure, Louie was a pal of mine, a good pal.

I can't figure out how he turned yellow enough to hang himself.

Oh, Louie wasn't yellow, but he was sore.

I don't get it.

I was with him when Pagle dragged him in

and we were just sore enough to blow his top off.

Oh, I can't blame on to that.

Guess he was just unlucky, that's so, huh?

Still... 1,000 coppers

looking for him that night and Pagle had to be the one who find him.

That's funny, wasn't it?

Yeah, wouldn't it?

I've got the right idea, Benny. A smart guy don't talk.

Hey, you'd better watch it.

See, I just thought of something.

-Are you through here now? -Yeah. Why?

I know a prescription that'll fix that cough up for you.

I haven't seen one yet that'll do it.

This one will. It fixed up my brother in law and saved his life.

-This is the outside phone, isn't it? -Yeah.

Hello. Kelly Drug Company? This is Joe Geary talking, yeah.

Say, do you remember that prescription you filled out for me a while ago?

Well, make up another order, will you?

Yeah, I'll be down in twenty minutes.

I'll be waiting for you, Mr. Geary.

-We're in luck, Benny. -Yeah.

I'm gonna fix you up in a hurry!

I thought we were going to a drugstore.

I want you to meet a friend of mine, Benny.

Hey, wait a minute. There's something phony about this.

On the level, he lives right in there.

Don't start anything and nothing will happen to you.

Get out of the car, walk up those steps and keep your mouth shut.

What do you think I'm up here for?

Sit down, Benny.

Who are you? Double-crosser!

Take it easy and nothing will happen to you.

He only wants a little information.

-I ain't done nothing, let me out of here! -I said take it easy!

It's a big night, Chief.

Reddick and Pagle are the Laughlin gambling Syndicate, like we figured.

And as for the killings, Benny here knows who got Louie Butler.

-I never said I did. -You might as well have.

There's no talking, McKaye.

I've got nothing to say. I don't know nothing.

I hope you're not gonna argue about this, Benny.

But I'm telling you the truth. Reddick and Pagle have nothing to do with it.

It was suicide.

Benny, I have you letting go back and finish that stretch for hold up.

Three years left, aren't they?

No, I lost that for good behaviour.

How about this?

You know it's illegal for a broke con to carry a gun.

You'll be on your way back to Sykesville Pen tomorrow night.

-You wouldn't do that to me. -No?

No!

Maybe you like the idea of going back to Sykesville, huh?

Have you forgotten what it looked like?

Do you remember the jute mill, Benny, and the damp cell?

That wasn't so good for your cough, was it, Benny?

And it's no sun at Sykesville.

You'll be a stiff before you get a chance to go stir crazy.

Hey, what are you trying to pull? You got nothing on me!

No, we better lay off him, Joe. We can never send him back there.

We could hold him until tomorrow night, though.

Say, that not a bad idea.

The question is 'where'.

Oh, there's only one answer to that.

Oh, I know what you mean, Reddick's Precinct.

Reddick's boys know how to handle these fellows.

Hey, wait a minute,

you wouldn't put me in there with them killers.

They got Louie, they'll get me too.

That's the answer we wanted.

Joe Geary alone is guilty of the crime of murder, ladies and gentlemen of the jury.

You heard the testimony of witnesses of unquestionable integrity.

Gentlemen of the press, members of the Police Department,

brother officers of Joe Geary who saw Gary's hatred for John Sprague

growing to an obsession and gain the madness.

Geary mentioned the witness Benny McKaye

who stayed in the room at the time of the murder.

Has he even able to produce this elusive witness? No.

The evidence in this case is conclusive:

In Joe Geary's hand was the gun

with which he put bullets into the body of John Sprague.

And even though Sprague was dying, a courageous officer at the end,

he summoned his last death strength to fire a shot, a shot that was directed,

by justice, and which brought down Joe Geary and left him lying

in that room of death for the world to find,

a proven murderer with the blood of his victim still on his hands.

Ladies and gentlemen, for such a man is Joe Geary.

Here it can't be but one punishment.

You, Joe Geary, having been found guilty of the crime of murder,

it is now my duty to pronounce sentence.

I must have that the verdict of the jury meets with the Court hardiest approbation.

When a person wonderly turns to murder against a man who was once his benefactor,

there can be no leniency.

I didn't kill Chief Sprague, he was my friend,

there's a witness, Benny McKaye, find him!

The prisoner will remain silent.

Ask them where Benny McKaye is,

ask them who murdered Chief Sprague!

They know because they're behind every rotten killing in this town.

Joe, Joe, don't tell. It can be only worse for you.

Order, order! Silence or I'll have this courtroom cleared.

The prisoner will face the Court.

In all my career this is my first time that I regret

I cannot impose a more severe penalty

than the law of the State provides.

Joe Geary, you are hereby sentenced to imprisonment

in the State Penitentiary of Sykesville for the rest of your natural life.

Joe,

-we'll keep fighting for you. -You've still got a couple of friends.

Benny McKaye, the one man in the world who knows the truth.

-We'll find him. -How?

You don't even know him, you've never seen him.

I know him and a hundred of the mugs too.

Benny will bump into one of them someday and I'll hear about it.

All right, let's go.

I'll come and see you as often as they let me.

And Katie and I will keep working until you're free.

You know, I've thinking to find a couple of slugs

of that joy juice we used to make in the old days.

All I have to do is just breath on them bars, brother,

and they melt.

Oh, forget it. This is one kinda route that ain't a back gate.

And there ain't been a crash out of here in fifteen years.

There ain't no harm in wishing, is there?

Even if you knocked off a couple of them creeps, they can't fry you in this state.

Yeah, if a bullet don't get ya, they'll put you in the hole for life.

I'll take a bullet.

Speaking of creeps, there's one I'd like to knock off.

He's a gun shooter, he send me up here.

Ah, forget it, Joe.

Once you're in stir, you're dead.

They ain't gonna remember something you yelped up in Court.

They'll remember. They wanna know if I was telling the truth.

Yes, sure.

Every one of them four thousand cons swear they was framed too,

maybe they're gonna investigate them all, huh?

Oh, Joe, you got to cut out this brooding around your rounds.

That's what makes guys go stir crazy.

Hello, rat-eyes, where's your badge?

-Climb up! -It's Monson.

What are you cooking up now?

Just chat about how lovely people scums are.

-Yeah? -What are you doing there on the ground?

Don't you know you ought to get up when you see a guard coming?

On your feet!

You too, stand up!

We got some rights during recreation.

Not with me around you. And say 'sir' when you talk to me.

Yes, sir.

And how's the defective detective?

All nice and quiet, huh?

He sure is good.

They got him 20 years in this poking out, you're doing the book yourself.

Life!

It's like Big Dog is gonna have the last laugh 20 years from now.

Alright, detective, over the visit room there's someone who wants to see you.

Why anybody wants to see you, I don't know.

Yes, sir.

Ain't you forget something, Geary?

Thank you, sir.

Wipe that smirk of your puss, you big ape.

You're going to talk to yourself into the hole one of these days, Big Dog.

One of this days Monson is gonna meet a handful of trouble.

Even I fear he's the toughest screw in the mill.

There ain't a con in the whole world that I can't make toe the line.

The bigger they are, the harder I make them job.

Remember that all of you!

You don't know Alice, you can't know.

The guards are just down on me 'cause they think I killed an officer of the law

and the convicts have me tagged as a double crosser and a stooly.

I know, Joe. But you've got to hold on. A little longer.

I have been holding on, Alice, month after month.

Katie, she learned nothing at all, huh?

Not yet, but she won't let you down.

She's got friends all over the world and every one of them is looking for Benny.

Reddick and Pagle have friends too,

and they have ways of finding out that you and Katie haven't.

Maybe they found him already, and if they had...

That you don't know for certain, there is still a chance.

That flat on 18th Street is pretty far away now, huh?

It'll always be there, Joe, waiting for us.

What a fool I was.

I should've told you about the whole thing from the beginning.

You knew what you were doing. It was your job.

Yeah, I hope it.

If I was only in the outside, able to help myself.

We'll find Benny McKaye, somehow,

and then you'll be free again.

Time's up, Geary.

Goodbye, darling.

All right, that's enough.

You let us to leave first, lady.

Come on.

Any news, pal?

Maybe I'm crazy paying so much hope on Benny McKaye.

What was it you said? 'Once in stir you're dead'

Don't rat-eyes look happy? I bet he got a pardon.

Sure. That missing witness, he just showed up.

He just floated to the warden's office

on them angel wings of his and said: 'Joe's innocent'.

No, that ain't it.

Joe's loving brothers on the police force went up to Governor

and said: 'Look gov, you gotta let Joe out on the account

all he'd done was blast a hole in the Chief.

And governor said: 'Why? That's no crime in it and rolled out a pardon.'

-Shut up, Big Dog. -Take it easy.

Now, don't tell me you're gonna lose your temper just 'cause

you gotta be a permanent guest of this well.

Come on, Joe, he's just trying to rile you up.

No, Joe can't take a walk in a park unless his tie is straight.

Forget it, Joe!

Sure he'll forget it, he'll forget because he's yellow.

Why he's got a yellow streak running down his back wider than them walls.

That's what I put to you, rat-eyes.

Break it up! Break it up!

Break it up! Come on, Get out of here!

Come on there!

You, filthy bloodlusting hoodlums. You wanna fight, huh?

You won't feel like fighting when you'll come out of the hole.

-Who started this? -It was me, sir.

You did.

I hit him first if that's what you mean, but...

I was only defending myself.

Trouble maker. You've been stirring up trouble ever since you come here.

Turn him over the captain in solitary.

You're lucky this time, Big Dog

No, he ain't. Take him along too

Why, I ain't done nothing.

You ain't, huh?

I've found out how you've been jumping him every chance you get.

Spilling his food and stealing the cigarettes,

taking him on.

You wanna know how I find out?

-Geary ratted on you just a while ago. -That's a lie!

Oh, yes, you did, don't you remember?

Take them away. Come on.

You slimy, fake you, dirty rat you...!

Don't ever read it, that's Monson idea of humor.

By the right.... Forward... March!

One, two, three, four! One, two, three, four!

Let me out of here, let me out of here!

You'll be third grade prisoners for 30 days more.

You keep out of trouble, no better report to turn in against you,

at the end of that time, your privileges will be restored.

For one month you'll be allowed no papers,

no recreation period, no visitors.

Any mail up to your file will have to wait.

But, warden, I'm expecting a letter with information that may help to clear me.

Geary, do you want to go back to the hole?

No, sir.

Put these men on the stone yard.

They need a few weeks on the sun to get their colour back.

Yes, sir.

Come on, follow me.

Maybe it's doing alive, but there is gonna be a short time for you, rat-eyes.

Hurry up, Monson.

They wanna keep this two apart, it might save trouble.

Well, well,

if it ain't the Katzenjammer Kids themselves,

I bet you would say to yourselves 'ain't we lucky drawing the stone yard?'

'We'll be seeing good old Monson once more'.

How is the hole, huh?

Definite do, but lie around and sleep all day.

But you ain't gonna get no sleep from now on.

-Charlie! -Yeah.

Give these tramps some tools and put them to work.

Okay, come on, you, guys.

Say, you ought to use them single jacks on the granite, not on each other,

or you'll go back in the hole again.

Come on.

You work here, Geary, and watch yourself.

Come on, Big Dog.

-How are you, partner? -Tex!

Keep your eyes open, Joe.

If Big Dog don't get you in one of the cells, he's gonna try to.

There's a knife lose in the area, I guess somewhere.

I had it but somebody swiped it out of my cell.

I'll watch myself.

I have a hold out that there's still a chance of finding Benny McKaye.

Still brooding about that, huh?

Well, suppose they won't find him. You'll be buried here like I said.

I'm not gonna think about it now.

Look, Joe,

I ain't told no one because I don't trust nobody but you.

I got a jalopy stationed down the road.

It's waiting for me night and day with clothes... and a gun.

Are you with me?

We haven't got a chance, Tex.

Those gun bulls can shoot a dandruff off a cockroach.

Oh, wouldn't you rather have it like that with that sheep of Big Dog?

What are you talking about?

You haven't a nice visit?

Oh, we... we wasn't talking, Mr. Monson. Just... he's breathing kind of heavy.

If I was you, Tex, I'll keep away from this rat.

You might be accused if anything was to happen to him.

Work over there.

Don't let me see you within six feet of anybody from now on.

Yes, sir.

That's for your own safety.

Three months in a hole sure made rat-eyes nutty.

Look at him.

What were you expecting to find in them beans, Geary? Benny MacKaye?

Hello, Geary.

-Durkin! -I thought you'd be surprised.

You'd better not let Monson see you talking to me.

Monson!

What are you wanted here for?

Maybe I got tired of paying off the Laughlin chiseling mob

and decided to be more peaceful

off ahead dirty four walls around me with guards on them.

Keep folks in getting in and bother me.

Only that's not it.

No.

I used the wrong end of a gun on Crips Vossen one night.

He lived and put a finger on me.

Should you have more sense.

Still a copper and hard, ain't you?

Yeah.

I think you're stir barmy.

Durkin...

You know Benny McKaye. What happened to him?

I don't know.

I don't know anything about that jam you got into.

I never had no use for that gambling Syndicate you worked for.

But you ratted in Court. I wouldn't help if I could.

I'm up at what I know.

Stop talking and line up.

Stack them dishes and get back to work.

Hurry it up, you lazy loafers, fall in.

What are you stalling for?

Move it up, you cheap hoodlum.

Someone is gonna butcher that slave driving creep one of these days.

What was you trying to do? Kill me?

What are you talking about?

You deliberately fixed those tongs so the rock would fall.

If I had, believe me, I wouldn't have missed you.

Fresh fish, uh?

You'll go in the hole for this and you'll lie there until you'll rot.

Put that stick away, Monson,

or so help me I'll bust your thick skull in.

Stand at attention!

I'll teach you to threaten a guard!

I have a right threat for you!

Break my head, will you?

You'll better rethink!

Aw! It's broken!

-Charlie, call the ambulance! -Right.

-I got him. -I know.

Thanks... for the help.

On your feet. Who threw that single jack?

Come on, talk up. Who hit Monson?

Wouldn't you like to know?

How about you, guys? Go lock this guy in the shed.

Crazy, he's lucky enough to die.

Silence, back to work, men.

With that screw Monson off my neck I've got a chance to settle it with that copper.

Give me that shiv.

No use, I'm gonna make it.

Give me a puff on a cigarette, will you?

Nice and cool.

-Thanks, copper. -You did the same for me.

I don't mean the cigarette.

Just before I came up here, a couple of weeks ago,

they gave me a message for you.

Yeah?

You being a cop, I wasn't gonna spill it, but now...

Take it easy, Durkin, take it easy.

Who is the message from?

Katie. Said, uh... that she's boarding Benny McKaye at 'The Safe Anchorage'.

-Durkin, is this on the level? -Sure.

She does know what to do.

Afraid of Bill... he get the cops to find out.

Once you....

Hey, wait a minute, this ain't the guy.

We got the yard captain over here with a busted arm. Go on over to him.

-Unconscious, uh? -Yeah.

We'll tend to him later. You, boys, stick with him.

Two weeks, if he's still there...

What are you talking about?

Benny... Benny McKaye, they've found him.

I got to get out of here.

That's the talk I've been waiting to hear.

Did you ever drive one of them?

-Sure! -Well, come on!

-Gotta go break without me -Are you nuts?

Inside or out, I'm gonna get that copper.

Step on, Joe!

Made a break in a prison ambulance,

from the stone yard.

Tex Hanson and Joe Geary.

That's for all State Highway Patrolmen.

All share the same station.

Two escaped convicts in a county hospital ambulance.

Reported headed North.

Barricade all roads. Morris

Hey, put this on.

Gotta get out of here. The cops have blocked all the roads.

Let me drive this.

Tex, lay out that gun.

Tex!

-What time do you close, Katie? -Nobody ever closes in this town anymore.

Joe!

I've been expecting you.. I thought you'd come in that way.

You know?

The radio had it on the air. I suppose Durkin told you.

Oh, Joe, you shouldn't have done it.

I had to, Katie. My number is coming up, anyhow.

Listen, Katie.

Benny McKaye, is he still here?

-Yes, he's still here. -Where?

In that bedroom.

Thanks, Katie, thanks a lot.

Joe, Benny came back on a Tramp Steamer from Cuba.

That's where he lammed to after the shooting.

Larry, one of my boys bumped into him and brought him to me.

We couldn't make him talk.

He'll talk to me if he wants to live.

Joe, listen to me. That's what I'm trying to tell you.

That was two weeks ago, Benny was sick, awful sick,

that's why he came back. He didn't wanna die away from home.

What do you mean?

Benny is dead. He died this afternoon.

Funny thing, Katie.

Funniest thing I've heard yet.

Leave me alone, Katie, just a little while.

It isn't Katie, Joe. It's me.

-Alice! -Oh, Joe!

You shouldn't have come here.

Oh, I had to see you, darling.

Alice, Benny is dead.

The one man who could've cleared me.

All right, all right, Benny is no good to you now,

so, we've got to figure out something else.

What?

I can skulk you on a boat to South America.

I'll go with you, Joe.

I don't know. I am... I'm all mixed up.

One thing:

I am not going back to Sykesville.

I'm afraid you'll have to. Put up your hands.

I followed Miss Devlin here,

I figured she'd come straight to you.

I don't wanna shoot you, Joe.

After all I've been through, Allen, you couldn't hurt me much,

so if you like start shooting,

I'm going through that door.

Please, give him a chance.

You don't understand. He's safe with me.

But there are hundreds of men back against tonight

that'll drop you on sight.

Drop that gun, and I am not fooling.

-Sit down, Allen. -Joe, you...

I said sit down!

I'm trying to tell you for your own good. Don't go out on the streets tonight.

Chief Reddick's got every harness pulling the department,

he's combing the city for you, and Detective Captain Pagle...

Chief Reddick and Detective Captain Pagle?

Yeah, they went up a couple of months ago and I went down to a plain detective.

This town is so dirty that crawls.

Governor Phelps is in town now.

He's going to appoint a special prosecution to clean up this mess.

Yeah, that's just a Governor shooting off his mouth. All these politicians are alike.

No, he's a square shooter, but you don't know what it's like.

Nobody's got a chance with that man in control.

You, least of all, Joe.

We now interrupt this broadcast to bring you added news

concerning the search for escaped convict Joe Geary.

Reddick has ordered all officers to shoot him on sight,

as it's obviously impossible to apprehend this escaped convict,

whose lust to kill has terrorized this city for the last twelve hours.

Did you hear that, Allen? Doesn't it mean anything to you?

Reddick and Pagle are afraid, so long as I am free.

Maybe so, Joe, but...

This intensive manhunt for Joe Geary has no doubt been stimulated

by the statement issued by Governor Phelps earlier today.

A covered investigator will be hired to investigate rumors

of official graft and corruption in that city.

Chief Reddick announced that the police stood ready and willing to cooperate.

Shut up that set.

'There is no graft in the city', Reddick declared, but�

All right, Joe, what's it gonna be?

Where does the Governor live?

In the National Apartments, but don't expect any mercy from him,

he went over your case months ago.

That was before I had a witness.

-Are you crazy? -Maybe.

-You two can help me. -Anything you say, Joe.

All right, now get this.

Walk out ahead, get any a car

and meet me at the Feldon Street pier in twenty minutes.

All right.

-But... you be careful. -Yeah, sure..

Katie...

Katie, watch this guy. Let him loose in a couple of hours.

Me and Allen, we can have a lot of fun.

Allen, give me your badge..

Now your hat and coat.

You're making a mistake, Joe. You'll never come back.

What have I got to lose?

I hope Benny enjoys his midnight ride.

Benny? Yeah. He's my only witness.

Joe!

What are you going to do?

Leave it to me. Get into a cab, go back to Katie's and wait till I'll phone.

And just keep your fingers crossed.

What's Governor Phelps number?

I wouldn't like to disturb him at this hour.

Sure, I am expected.

Allen, Central Division.

Oh, apartment 201.

Thanks, give us a ring if anyone calls, will you?

All right.

Who?

I'm not expecting anybody by that name.

Well, he said he was a detective, but I thought I'd better phone you, sir.

You'd better have called the police.

You were expecting someone, Governor.

Eh, wait a minute, Allen did you say?

Oh, yes, yes, he's here at the door now. I've sent for him.

Hang up!

If you're here to rob me, my wallet is on the table, in the next room.

I didn't come here for that, Governor Phelps.

Then, what do you want?

My name is Geary.

Sit down.

I came here with definite proof

that I have nothing to with the murder of Chief Sprague.

During my trial, I brought up the name of a witness: Benny McKaye.

Nobody believed you, Geary.

That's right. I broke out of Sykesville Pen today

because I found out where he was hiding.

Come here, over by the window.

Pull the curtain.

Do you see that car parked across the street with a man in it?

-Yes. -That's Benny McKaye.

And Benny McKaye cannot only identify the murderer of Chief Sprague,

but also the killers of Louie Butler and King Carney.

All right, Geary. Get him up here. I'll talk to him.

I can't get him up, Governor.

Why not? What's the matter with him?

He's dead.

I know what you're thinking. I didn't kill him.

Look, I don't have any more time to waste. Get on that phone and do what I tell you.

Call the police department and ask for Chief Reddick.

Talk fast so they can't check the call.

Now, get this:

Tell him you're in a saloon and you heard a guy who called himself Benny McKaye say

he just got back from Cuba and he was in his way over to the National Apartments

to tell the Governor the true story of Joe Geary.

Say that he was driving in a '41 gray coup�. Just that and hang up.

What good will that do you?

I promised to a friend of mine that Benny MacKaye would testify for me

and I'm gambling that he will.

Benny McKaye, he's on his way to the Governor.

Benny McKaye?

-There's the guy. -Slow down..

I can't understand it! They were police officers.

The man who did the shooting was...

Go ahead and say, Chief Reddick.

And the man driving the car was Captain Pagle.

Let's get out of here.

Reddick and Pagle, high police officials.

I can't believe it!

Reddick and Pagle don't represent the Department, Governor.

99% of the coppers in this town are good honest guys just doing their job.

But right now there's a little click of grafters and killers at the top, and...

Reddick and Pagle, I'm sorry to say, head them.

And to think that I nearly turned my investigation of this city over to them.

You are the highest executive officer in this State, Governor,

and you can appoint anybody you please for that job.

And I want it.

I can't appoint you, Geary.

You are an escaped convict. Your only witness is dead.

Did you ever hear of a better witness?

Be careful with what you say.

Yes?

Chief Reddick is in the lobby.

Have him come up.

Have him come right up.

Gotta take out these street clothes.

Come in, Chief.

Good evening, sir.

Sit down.

Excuse the late call, gentleman.

I wanted to make certain that you are all right.

Why wouldn't I be?

That escaped convict, Geary, we were searching for,

just killed the police informer, in the street, below there.

Oh, that's so!

How do you know it was Geary?

We found the murder gun lying on the street.

We traced it to one he stole from the pawn shop earlier.

Oh, that is mighty fast, Chief.

You must have an efficient force and that's a sample of it.

Oh, we get around when we have to.

By the way, the name of the man who was murdered wasn't...

uh... Benny McKaye, by any chance, was it?

Why, yes, it was. Why might you ask?

Because McKaye phoned me a little while ago

and gave me some very startling information.

I requested that he come right up.

What was that information?

He told me enough to make me realize what a terrible injustice

was done when Joe Geary went to prison.

Benny McKaye was a drunkard, a liar and a stool.

Maybe he was drunk at the time he was dead.

Besides, you can only assume that it was Benny who phoned you, Governor.

Of course, you don't know Benny's voice.

I agree with you.

Voices over the telephone aren't always recognizable.

For instance, Chief, you didn't recognize my voice

when I phoned you that Benny McKaye had just left the saloon in a gray car.

Oh, yeah, that.

It was you that call me!

-Hello, Reddick. -Geary!

I wouldn't try that it if I were you.

Governor, this is Geary, the man that we were looking for.

-I know. -What goes on here?

-I saw you kill Benny McKaye. -You are crazy!

Oh, no, no he isn't.

You slaughtered Benny McKaye in cold blood,

the one man that could prove I didn't kill Chief Sprague.

Now, I'm going back to Sykesville to pay for a crime I didn't commit.

You're not gonna be so lucky.

Oh, wait a minute.

If you have any way of exonerating Geary, I suggest to do it, Reddick.

It seems to be the only way of saving your own life.

All right, I'll do.

If any, get some good witnesses, Governor.

You'll gonna hear plenty.

-It's Geary! -Governor Phelps!

Hey, what's the idea?

All right, Sergeant, Chief Reddick is under arrest.

-Lock him up, boys. -Chief Reddick!

You heard what the Governor said, lock him up.

Where's Pagle?

He is in the Chief's office, but... I don't get it.

You will.

You won't see him coming back.

I don't care whether he's armed or not when you spot him, shoot to kill.

Geary!

You can call your bloodhounds off Pagle, the hunt's over.

-Keep your hands on the desk. -You are under arrest, Pagle.

For what? What is this? Somebody's nuts?

You killed King Carney, the gambler, Louie Butler and Chief Sprague

to save your grafting hide; three men.

And tonight you two already got to get Benny.

It's a lie!

No use, Pagle, I've got Reddick's confession.

It not only implicates you but wrecks

your whole corrupted political organization.

It's right here, in black and white.

Joe, I got your call, we came as soon as...

Hold them, Shut that door.

I get your hands up to face that wall, all of you.

Come on, face the wall, I said.

All of you.

I'm going out of here.

And the first one that tries to stop me is gonna get!

Take that gun!

Throw him in a cell and get a doctor.

It's for your head, Allen, you may catch cold.

Subtitle made by gamboler[noirestyle]