1 00:00:45,012 --> 00:00:47,490 "Steve says, 'I know my people. 2 00:00:47,514 --> 00:00:49,326 "'I know the two faces of them. 3 00:00:49,350 --> 00:00:50,793 "'The faces they wear for the public, 4 00:00:50,817 --> 00:00:54,064 "and the secret faces they show only to each other" 5 00:00:54,088 --> 00:00:56,483 "Gilbert says, 'Perhaps. We'll see. 6 00:00:56,507 --> 00:00:58,084 "When do I get the last act" 7 00:00:58,108 --> 00:00:59,452 "And Steve says, 'I'm starting it 8 00:00:59,476 --> 00:01:00,820 "'as soon as you leave. 9 00:01:00,844 --> 00:01:03,322 "If I live to finish it" 10 00:01:03,346 --> 00:01:06,158 "Steve opens the door for them, and they exit. 11 00:01:06,182 --> 00:01:08,695 "Steve grins, sits at his desk, 12 00:01:08,719 --> 00:01:11,698 "switches on the Dictaphone and begins to dictate. 13 00:01:11,722 --> 00:01:13,265 "Third act. 14 00:01:13,289 --> 00:01:15,001 "It's a few minutes after midnight 15 00:01:15,025 --> 00:01:17,069 "as the curtain rises, 16 00:01:17,093 --> 00:01:18,972 "but Steve gets no further. 17 00:01:18,996 --> 00:01:20,940 "There's the sound of a shot, 18 00:01:20,964 --> 00:01:23,910 and Steve slumps over his typewriter, dead." 19 00:01:23,934 --> 00:01:25,894 Curtain falls on the second act. 20 00:01:27,303 --> 00:01:28,303 Any comments? 21 00:01:36,013 --> 00:01:37,607 Not even from our producer? 22 00:01:37,631 --> 00:01:39,097 Mr. Gifford? 23 00:01:40,634 --> 00:01:42,145 I'll reserve my comment 24 00:01:42,169 --> 00:01:44,280 until I've heard the last act. 25 00:01:44,304 --> 00:01:46,824 I think you'll find it exciting. 26 00:01:53,330 --> 00:01:55,274 If this is someone's idea of a joke, 27 00:01:55,298 --> 00:01:57,243 I don't appreciate it. What's happened? 28 00:01:57,267 --> 00:01:59,078 The last act. Someone took it out of the script 29 00:01:59,102 --> 00:02:01,280 and replaced it with blank pages. 30 00:02:01,304 --> 00:02:02,916 Well, perhaps when they were assembled... 31 00:02:02,940 --> 00:02:05,060 I assembled them myself. 32 00:02:37,190 --> 00:02:39,936 It's gone. Even from the file copy in my desk. 33 00:02:39,960 --> 00:02:42,339 Saves us the trouble of listening to it. 34 00:02:42,363 --> 00:02:44,341 You didn't like the first two acts, Mr. West? 35 00:02:44,365 --> 00:02:45,964 No. None of it. 36 00:02:47,868 --> 00:02:48,933 And you, Helen? 37 00:02:50,170 --> 00:02:51,681 Well, it disturbs me, Ernest. 38 00:02:51,705 --> 00:02:53,483 I feel there's something very wrong with it. 39 00:02:53,507 --> 00:02:54,884 It's not fair to judge a play 40 00:02:54,908 --> 00:02:55,885 by two acts, but... 41 00:02:55,909 --> 00:02:57,754 Yes? 42 00:02:57,778 --> 00:02:59,622 Well... frankly, 43 00:02:59,646 --> 00:03:00,923 I didn't like what I heard. 44 00:03:00,947 --> 00:03:02,459 Why not? 45 00:03:02,483 --> 00:03:04,561 The characters are confused. 46 00:03:04,585 --> 00:03:07,025 The... motivations are obscure. 47 00:03:07,988 --> 00:03:09,766 Anything else, John? 48 00:03:09,790 --> 00:03:12,902 There's no kindness, no understanding. 49 00:03:12,926 --> 00:03:14,771 Nothing but a sort of... 50 00:03:14,795 --> 00:03:15,938 snarling viciousness 51 00:03:15,962 --> 00:03:17,407 that I find most distasteful. 52 00:03:17,431 --> 00:03:20,343 If you ask me... I have already asked you. 53 00:03:20,367 --> 00:03:21,533 John's right. 54 00:03:23,337 --> 00:03:25,081 If you'd look at your characters 55 00:03:25,105 --> 00:03:27,583 with love instead of hate, Ernest. 56 00:03:27,607 --> 00:03:29,352 Especially the character you'll play? 57 00:03:29,376 --> 00:03:31,354 I'm sure you can change it. 58 00:03:31,378 --> 00:03:32,855 Why are you doing this thing? 59 00:03:32,879 --> 00:03:34,357 It's not your kind of play. 60 00:03:35,682 --> 00:03:37,927 A Gifford production means something to the public. 61 00:03:37,951 --> 00:03:39,529 There's a guarantee of a great, new play. 62 00:03:39,553 --> 00:03:40,530 An exciting eve... 63 00:03:40,554 --> 00:03:42,999 Stop being a press agent, Jim. 64 00:03:43,023 --> 00:03:45,468 And you... the great star, Helen Dwight, 65 00:03:45,492 --> 00:03:48,171 crawling down from a sky full of fine parts 66 00:03:48,195 --> 00:03:49,872 to wallow in this muddy melodrama. 67 00:03:49,896 --> 00:03:51,674 Why you doing it? 68 00:03:51,698 --> 00:03:54,099 I always do what my producer tells me to. 69 00:03:55,602 --> 00:03:58,832 Especially when he also happens to be my husband. 70 00:03:58,856 --> 00:04:00,599 You're her brother. Show some gumption 71 00:04:00,623 --> 00:04:02,268 for once in your life. Talk to her. 72 00:04:02,292 --> 00:04:03,303 Oh, I think you're getting 73 00:04:03,327 --> 00:04:05,504 all excited about nothing, Jim. 74 00:04:05,528 --> 00:04:07,173 Oh, I didn't think it was that bad. 75 00:04:07,197 --> 00:04:09,042 When Ernest rewrites it the way John wants... 76 00:04:09,066 --> 00:04:10,409 There will not be any rewriting. 77 00:04:10,433 --> 00:04:12,729 Why, Ernest? Why be so arbitrary? 78 00:04:12,753 --> 00:04:14,464 You've made mistakes before. 79 00:04:14,488 --> 00:04:16,899 Because I didn't know what I was writing about. 80 00:04:16,923 --> 00:04:18,184 But this time I do. 81 00:04:18,208 --> 00:04:21,287 I'm telling a story about real, living people. 82 00:04:21,311 --> 00:04:23,389 People that I know. 83 00:04:23,413 --> 00:04:24,857 For the first time as a writer, 84 00:04:24,881 --> 00:04:26,559 I'm telling the truth. 85 00:04:26,583 --> 00:04:29,729 Then all the more reason for rewriting. 86 00:04:29,753 --> 00:04:31,764 Why condemn these unfortunate people 87 00:04:31,788 --> 00:04:33,166 without a fair trial? 88 00:04:33,190 --> 00:04:35,802 Why call them criminals without trying to understand 89 00:04:35,826 --> 00:04:37,537 what made them commit a crime? 90 00:04:37,561 --> 00:04:40,073 What good is it to hurt people? 91 00:04:40,097 --> 00:04:42,808 My play is more important than the people. 92 00:04:42,832 --> 00:04:44,277 Oh. This kind of argument 93 00:04:44,301 --> 00:04:45,611 isn't going to get us anywhere. 94 00:04:45,635 --> 00:04:47,347 I suggest we all go home and think about it. 95 00:04:47,371 --> 00:04:49,716 Calmly. We can get together later on tonight. 96 00:04:49,740 --> 00:04:51,083 I'll be too busy. 97 00:04:51,107 --> 00:04:52,785 With nothing more important than this. 98 00:04:52,809 --> 00:04:55,020 Have you forgotten? The last act is missing. 99 00:04:55,044 --> 00:04:57,173 You're gonna write it again? Well, of course. 100 00:04:57,197 --> 00:04:59,142 Whoever took it wasn't very bright. 101 00:04:59,166 --> 00:05:01,277 I wrote it once. I can write it again. 102 00:05:01,301 --> 00:05:03,346 The revisions I want may change 103 00:05:03,370 --> 00:05:05,181 your last act completely. 104 00:05:05,205 --> 00:05:08,685 I told you, there will be no changes. 105 00:05:08,709 --> 00:05:10,419 I won't produce it. 106 00:05:10,443 --> 00:05:12,088 I think you will. 107 00:05:12,112 --> 00:05:14,357 I think you'll see it my way. 108 00:05:14,381 --> 00:05:15,941 I'm sure you will. 109 00:05:17,384 --> 00:05:19,396 Now, here are the first two acts. 110 00:05:19,420 --> 00:05:20,597 I'll have the third act for you 111 00:05:20,621 --> 00:05:21,831 by the end of the week. 112 00:05:21,855 --> 00:05:23,054 Good afternoon. 113 00:05:44,845 --> 00:05:45,888 It's Frank. 114 00:06:25,635 --> 00:06:28,269 In response to your offer... 115 00:06:29,556 --> 00:06:32,402 Well, Frank. I didn't hear you come in. 116 00:06:32,426 --> 00:06:34,292 I rang the bell. Nobody answered. 117 00:06:35,396 --> 00:06:37,874 Oh, I guess I didn't hear it. 118 00:06:37,898 --> 00:06:39,376 How did you get in? 119 00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:40,866 Door was unlocked. 120 00:06:41,968 --> 00:06:43,346 That's funny. 121 00:06:45,038 --> 00:06:46,683 I, uh... I've been trying to catch up 122 00:06:46,707 --> 00:06:48,485 on some of my unanswered mail here. 123 00:06:48,509 --> 00:06:50,019 It really piles up. 124 00:06:50,043 --> 00:06:52,188 Pretty busy, huh? Well, you know how it is. 125 00:06:52,212 --> 00:06:53,823 Just getting ready to go into production. 126 00:06:53,847 --> 00:06:54,824 It's a... 127 00:06:54,848 --> 00:06:56,593 It's a real strain. 128 00:06:56,617 --> 00:06:58,060 Yeah. 129 00:06:58,084 --> 00:06:59,644 I stopped by to pick up Faith. 130 00:07:00,954 --> 00:07:03,466 Faith? Well, she's gone. She left with Gifford. 131 00:07:03,490 --> 00:07:05,101 No, I saw them leave. 132 00:07:05,125 --> 00:07:06,190 She wasn't with 'em. 133 00:07:07,294 --> 00:07:09,654 Well, she walked out with 'em. 134 00:07:11,164 --> 00:07:12,497 You're lying, Ernie. 135 00:07:13,801 --> 00:07:16,112 You shouldn't say things like that, Frank. 136 00:07:16,136 --> 00:07:18,616 It might get you into trouble. 137 00:07:19,039 --> 00:07:21,119 Well, I'll tell you, Ernie, I don't want any trouble. 138 00:07:23,260 --> 00:07:25,071 So I'll tell you what I'm gonna do. 139 00:07:25,095 --> 00:07:27,706 I'm gonna take my girl and my money out of your show. 140 00:07:27,730 --> 00:07:29,942 You can't do that. It was a deal. 141 00:07:29,966 --> 00:07:31,210 A bad deal. 142 00:07:31,234 --> 00:07:33,362 You'll make a fortune. I got a fortune. 143 00:07:33,386 --> 00:07:35,164 And I got a girl too. Now, look, Frank. 144 00:07:35,188 --> 00:07:36,900 You're all wrong about the girl. 145 00:07:36,924 --> 00:07:38,268 She's a nice kid. 146 00:07:38,292 --> 00:07:40,737 Well, anyway, I can't return the money. 147 00:07:40,761 --> 00:07:42,071 I... It's out of my hands. 148 00:07:42,095 --> 00:07:44,140 I turned it all over to John Gifford, the producer. 149 00:07:44,164 --> 00:07:45,441 Get it back. 150 00:07:45,465 --> 00:07:47,360 I can't. Get it back! 151 00:07:47,384 --> 00:07:50,096 Well, we'll have to talk to John Gifford about it. 152 00:07:50,120 --> 00:07:52,982 You do that. Now. Now? 153 00:07:53,006 --> 00:07:54,717 We'll have to wait until morning. 154 00:07:54,741 --> 00:07:56,952 I don't have to do anything, Ernie. 155 00:07:56,976 --> 00:07:59,789 I want that money back, and I want it in cash. 156 00:07:59,813 --> 00:08:02,425 Well, it's too late. The banks are closed. 157 00:08:02,449 --> 00:08:03,827 It's Friday. 158 00:08:03,851 --> 00:08:06,045 The banks are open until 6. 159 00:08:06,069 --> 00:08:08,247 It's only 5 now. 160 00:08:08,271 --> 00:08:10,917 What is all the rush? You don't need the money. 161 00:08:10,941 --> 00:08:12,552 You ain't listening to me, Ernie. 162 00:08:12,576 --> 00:08:16,355 I said I'm taking my money and my girl out of your show. 163 00:08:16,379 --> 00:08:18,558 Well, all right. Take the girl out if you want... 164 00:08:18,582 --> 00:08:20,593 They come together. They always did. 165 00:08:20,617 --> 00:08:23,162 That's the way it was agreed. 166 00:08:23,186 --> 00:08:25,098 But there wasn't anything in the agreement 167 00:08:25,122 --> 00:08:26,683 about you and my girl... 168 00:08:26,707 --> 00:08:30,653 so I'm closing out everything. 169 00:08:30,677 --> 00:08:33,122 I'm coming back here later tonight 170 00:08:33,146 --> 00:08:34,190 for that money, Ernie. 171 00:08:34,214 --> 00:08:35,424 If you ain't got it, 172 00:08:35,448 --> 00:08:38,528 you ain't gonna get another chance to get it. 173 00:08:59,355 --> 00:09:00,355 Scared? 174 00:09:01,992 --> 00:09:04,436 Go on, get out of here. And get out of here fast. 175 00:09:04,460 --> 00:09:07,073 Oh, there's nothing to get excited about. 176 00:09:07,097 --> 00:09:09,141 Are you crazy? You were listening. 177 00:09:09,165 --> 00:09:10,643 You heard what he said. 178 00:09:10,667 --> 00:09:12,377 Don't worry about him. 179 00:09:12,401 --> 00:09:13,913 He'll do what I tell him. 180 00:09:13,937 --> 00:09:15,380 But will you? 181 00:09:15,404 --> 00:09:17,516 What do you want? 182 00:09:17,540 --> 00:09:18,618 Well, I'm... 183 00:09:18,642 --> 00:09:20,508 I'm such a nasty person in the play. 184 00:09:21,811 --> 00:09:24,223 Rewrite my part so I'll be more sympathetic. 185 00:09:24,247 --> 00:09:25,557 You see, if I did it for love... 186 00:09:25,581 --> 00:09:27,760 Are you lecturing me on the drama? 187 00:09:27,784 --> 00:09:30,462 Where did you learn that? At the actors' school? 188 00:09:30,486 --> 00:09:33,232 You'll rewrite my part the way I want it. 189 00:09:33,256 --> 00:09:35,768 If you do, I'll get Frank to change his mind. 190 00:09:35,792 --> 00:09:37,703 If you don't, you and your producer 191 00:09:37,727 --> 00:09:39,371 will have to get another sucker to back you. 192 00:09:39,395 --> 00:09:40,439 Not at all, sweetie. 193 00:09:40,463 --> 00:09:41,974 You make trouble for me, 194 00:09:41,998 --> 00:09:44,644 and you'll have to get yourself another sucker to back you. 195 00:09:44,668 --> 00:09:46,946 Frank loves me. He'll stick with me no matter what. 196 00:09:46,970 --> 00:09:48,814 Not when I tell him all about Faith 197 00:09:48,838 --> 00:09:50,582 and the rest of her kind. 198 00:09:50,606 --> 00:09:52,752 He'd kill you. 199 00:09:52,776 --> 00:09:54,056 Well, that could be. 200 00:09:55,812 --> 00:09:58,252 But he'd probably kill you first. 201 00:10:03,119 --> 00:10:05,497 No answer. 202 00:10:05,521 --> 00:10:07,521 Well, try again. 203 00:10:10,760 --> 00:10:13,072 John, darling... 204 00:10:13,096 --> 00:10:15,941 this play must not be produced as it's written. 205 00:10:19,402 --> 00:10:21,642 I guess he meant what he said. 206 00:10:24,640 --> 00:10:26,674 If only he had a little pity. 207 00:10:29,446 --> 00:10:30,678 Pity. 208 00:10:33,049 --> 00:10:34,449 He doesn't answer. 209 00:11:12,005 --> 00:11:14,072 Hi, Frank. Hi, baby. 210 00:11:15,375 --> 00:11:17,019 You look tired. I am. 211 00:11:17,043 --> 00:11:19,277 I'll fix you a drink. Thanks. 212 00:11:31,758 --> 00:11:34,198 This will make you feel better. 213 00:11:38,231 --> 00:11:41,043 I stopped by Royce's to pick you up. 214 00:11:41,067 --> 00:11:44,280 You should've called. I would've waited. 215 00:11:44,304 --> 00:11:47,083 I was outside when the others came out. 216 00:11:47,107 --> 00:11:48,951 You weren't with 'em. 217 00:11:48,975 --> 00:11:50,219 I'd... 218 00:11:50,243 --> 00:11:52,721 just left before they did. 219 00:11:52,745 --> 00:11:53,745 Why? 220 00:11:56,783 --> 00:11:58,361 Why, Faith? 221 00:11:58,385 --> 00:12:00,096 Well... 222 00:12:00,120 --> 00:12:01,563 I just don't like to be 223 00:12:01,587 --> 00:12:03,099 left alone with Royce. 224 00:12:03,123 --> 00:12:05,234 He giving you a hard time? 225 00:12:05,258 --> 00:12:06,735 I can handle him. 226 00:12:06,759 --> 00:12:08,526 Well, that's my job, isn't it? 227 00:12:10,263 --> 00:12:12,503 You're wonderful, Frank. 228 00:12:15,668 --> 00:12:18,180 You'd do anything for me, wouldn't you? 229 00:12:18,204 --> 00:12:20,182 But if you weren't so new to show business, 230 00:12:20,206 --> 00:12:22,118 you'd know that he's typical of 231 00:12:22,142 --> 00:12:23,252 a certain kind of wolf who... 232 00:12:23,276 --> 00:12:25,721 howls at all young actresses. 233 00:12:25,745 --> 00:12:26,855 We learn very quickly 234 00:12:26,879 --> 00:12:29,359 how to manage his kind. 235 00:12:29,816 --> 00:12:31,327 Well, I don't like it. 236 00:12:31,351 --> 00:12:34,863 I'm taking you and my money out of the show. 237 00:12:34,887 --> 00:12:37,699 Well, don't be silly, Frank. 238 00:12:37,723 --> 00:12:39,835 Oh, we can always find you a new play. 239 00:12:39,859 --> 00:12:41,225 But I want this one. 240 00:12:42,829 --> 00:12:44,856 Frank, a Gifford production. 241 00:12:44,880 --> 00:12:46,592 Helen Dwight starring. 242 00:12:46,616 --> 00:12:47,994 A beautiful part. 243 00:12:48,018 --> 00:12:51,530 It's a wonderful chance for me. 244 00:12:51,554 --> 00:12:54,367 And that's what we both want, isn't it? 245 00:12:54,391 --> 00:12:55,923 I want you, Faith. 246 00:12:57,260 --> 00:12:59,227 But you want me to be happy too, don't you? 247 00:13:01,031 --> 00:13:03,275 I got a lot to learn about happiness. 248 00:13:05,035 --> 00:13:06,267 Maybe you too. 249 00:13:07,670 --> 00:13:08,914 Look, baby, 250 00:13:08,938 --> 00:13:11,250 I know what it is to want something so bad 251 00:13:11,274 --> 00:13:12,885 you'll do anything to get it. I've done it. 252 00:13:12,909 --> 00:13:13,909 The hard way. 253 00:13:15,278 --> 00:13:17,845 I'm just trying to figure an easier way for you. 254 00:13:27,290 --> 00:13:29,668 Where are you going? 255 00:13:29,692 --> 00:13:31,159 Oh, I got some things to do. 256 00:13:33,863 --> 00:13:36,308 You'll forget about Royce. 257 00:13:36,332 --> 00:13:37,965 Please, Frank. 258 00:13:40,070 --> 00:13:41,635 Don't worry, sugar. 259 00:14:03,793 --> 00:14:07,173 Third act. It's a few minutes after midnight. 260 00:14:07,197 --> 00:14:10,242 As the curtain rises... 261 00:14:17,974 --> 00:14:20,152 "Defendant has no information nor belief 262 00:14:20,176 --> 00:14:21,987 on the subject sufficient to enable him to..." 263 00:14:22,011 --> 00:14:24,523 Yes, Gertie? 264 00:14:24,547 --> 00:14:27,092 Mr. Frank Brooks to see Mr. Mason. 265 00:14:27,116 --> 00:14:29,545 I don't recall an appointment for a Mr. Brooks. 266 00:14:29,569 --> 00:14:30,879 I know, but he said... 267 00:14:30,903 --> 00:14:32,881 He has $10,000 in cash 268 00:14:32,905 --> 00:14:34,345 for the lawyer that handles his case. 269 00:14:36,943 --> 00:14:39,154 Interesting man. Intriguing. 270 00:14:39,178 --> 00:14:40,589 See if you can find out... 271 00:14:40,613 --> 00:14:42,457 Oh, wait a minute. 272 00:14:42,481 --> 00:14:44,159 Gertie. Yes, sir? 273 00:14:44,183 --> 00:14:45,895 Show Mr. Brooks in, will you, please? 274 00:14:45,919 --> 00:14:46,919 Yes, sir. 275 00:14:51,724 --> 00:14:52,801 Thank you, Gertie. 276 00:14:52,825 --> 00:14:54,836 Mr. Brooks. Mr. Mason. 277 00:14:54,860 --> 00:14:57,700 Mr. Brooks. There's the 10,000. 278 00:14:58,731 --> 00:14:59,731 Chair? 279 00:15:02,902 --> 00:15:03,979 Thank you. 280 00:15:04,003 --> 00:15:05,547 Do you mind if we, uh... 281 00:15:05,571 --> 00:15:07,383 talk alone? 282 00:15:07,407 --> 00:15:09,584 Miss Street is my confidential secretary. 283 00:15:09,608 --> 00:15:11,675 I have no secrets from her, nor do my clients. 284 00:15:13,579 --> 00:15:15,857 Okay. Please sit down. 285 00:15:15,881 --> 00:15:17,526 Thanks. 286 00:15:17,550 --> 00:15:18,860 Now... 287 00:15:18,884 --> 00:15:21,163 how am I supposed to earn that? 288 00:15:21,187 --> 00:15:22,398 Well, making a rough guess, 289 00:15:22,422 --> 00:15:23,399 I would say the cops 290 00:15:23,423 --> 00:15:24,733 are gonna be looking for me, uh, 291 00:15:24,757 --> 00:15:26,886 at about, um, 6:00 tonight. 292 00:15:26,910 --> 00:15:27,910 Why? 293 00:15:29,529 --> 00:15:31,006 To book me for the murder 294 00:15:31,030 --> 00:15:33,309 of Ernest Royce, the, uh, playwright. 295 00:15:33,333 --> 00:15:34,744 Why you, in particular? 296 00:15:34,768 --> 00:15:37,780 Because my fingerprints are all over his place. 297 00:15:37,804 --> 00:15:39,749 Why should that worry you? 298 00:15:39,773 --> 00:15:41,534 Mr. Mason, I got a record. 299 00:15:41,558 --> 00:15:43,702 The cops are gonna tie my prints in with that record. 300 00:15:43,726 --> 00:15:45,170 Look, I was brought up in the rackets. 301 00:15:45,194 --> 00:15:46,972 I know all the tricks. 302 00:15:46,996 --> 00:15:48,374 If I'd wanted to kill Royce, 303 00:15:48,398 --> 00:15:50,609 I wouldn't have left any fingerprints behind. 304 00:15:50,633 --> 00:15:52,110 That, uh... 305 00:15:52,134 --> 00:15:54,079 honest money? 306 00:15:54,103 --> 00:15:57,082 Honest? I worked for every cent of that. 307 00:15:57,106 --> 00:15:58,584 Doing what? 308 00:15:58,608 --> 00:15:59,608 This. 309 00:16:00,610 --> 00:16:02,638 The Brooks Drive-ins. 310 00:16:02,662 --> 00:16:04,507 "Eat the best from East to West." 311 00:16:04,531 --> 00:16:05,874 There's one on every major highway 312 00:16:05,898 --> 00:16:07,178 in the United States. 313 00:16:10,053 --> 00:16:11,497 Oh, you can, uh... 314 00:16:11,521 --> 00:16:12,597 check that out. 315 00:16:12,621 --> 00:16:14,301 I ain't ashamed of that record. 316 00:16:15,257 --> 00:16:16,569 All right. 317 00:16:16,593 --> 00:16:19,322 Suppose you tell me what you were doing at Royce's house. 318 00:16:19,346 --> 00:16:21,156 I went there to get my money back. 319 00:16:21,180 --> 00:16:22,257 What money? 320 00:16:22,281 --> 00:16:25,328 The 75 grand I invested in a play of his. 321 00:16:25,352 --> 00:16:26,662 It was a stinker. 322 00:16:26,686 --> 00:16:29,382 Didn't you know that before you invested your money? 323 00:16:29,406 --> 00:16:31,984 I never read the play. Hm. 324 00:16:32,008 --> 00:16:33,318 Isn't that unusual? 325 00:16:33,342 --> 00:16:35,020 I wouldn't know. I... 326 00:16:35,044 --> 00:16:37,356 First time I ever got mixed up in show business. 327 00:16:37,380 --> 00:16:38,624 Well, who got you into it? 328 00:16:38,648 --> 00:16:39,648 Royce. 329 00:16:40,617 --> 00:16:42,060 Said it was gonna be a smash hit. 330 00:16:42,084 --> 00:16:44,196 A gold mine. Make nothing but money. 331 00:16:44,220 --> 00:16:46,164 John Gifford was gonna produce... 332 00:16:46,188 --> 00:16:48,300 Helen Dwight play the lead. 333 00:16:48,324 --> 00:16:50,536 Oh, I talked it over with my tax man. 334 00:16:50,560 --> 00:16:51,670 He said... 335 00:16:51,694 --> 00:16:53,205 if I lose it, it's tax-deductible. 336 00:16:53,229 --> 00:16:55,374 So I figured, well, what can I lose? 337 00:16:55,398 --> 00:16:57,142 Yet you suddenly wanted your money back? 338 00:16:58,902 --> 00:17:01,680 I don't like to be taken, Mr. Mason. 339 00:17:01,704 --> 00:17:03,582 And you decided Royce was taking you? 340 00:17:03,606 --> 00:17:05,384 That's right. 341 00:17:05,408 --> 00:17:07,319 Did you and Royce quarrel? 342 00:17:07,343 --> 00:17:08,320 No. 343 00:17:08,344 --> 00:17:09,744 No, why should we? 344 00:17:11,013 --> 00:17:12,224 He said he'd speak to Gifford 345 00:17:12,248 --> 00:17:13,392 about getting my money back. 346 00:17:13,416 --> 00:17:15,428 I had a few drinks, and then I left. 347 00:17:15,452 --> 00:17:16,452 Where'd you go? 348 00:17:17,554 --> 00:17:19,131 Home. 349 00:17:19,155 --> 00:17:20,933 You're married? No. 350 00:17:20,957 --> 00:17:21,957 Girl? 351 00:17:23,459 --> 00:17:25,659 No special girl, if that's what you're thinking. 352 00:17:26,746 --> 00:17:29,391 I'm only thinking what the police will think. 353 00:17:29,415 --> 00:17:31,249 Now, who were you with last night? 354 00:17:32,385 --> 00:17:33,929 Nobody. 355 00:17:33,953 --> 00:17:34,980 No alibi. 356 00:17:35,004 --> 00:17:37,883 Well, if what you told me is true... 357 00:17:37,907 --> 00:17:39,785 I see no reason why you shouldn't be able 358 00:17:39,809 --> 00:17:42,087 to give the same information to the police. 359 00:17:42,111 --> 00:17:43,923 Well, I would like you on my side 360 00:17:43,947 --> 00:17:45,640 when I start talking to them. 361 00:17:45,664 --> 00:17:48,410 I'm sure the police will find lots of fingerprints 362 00:17:48,434 --> 00:17:50,913 belonging to all kinds of people. 363 00:17:50,937 --> 00:17:52,781 Tying yours to an old record 364 00:17:52,805 --> 00:17:54,183 certainly isn't enough evidence 365 00:17:54,207 --> 00:17:56,468 to support a murder charge. 366 00:17:56,492 --> 00:17:57,524 Here. 367 00:17:58,761 --> 00:18:00,161 You'd better keep that. 368 00:18:02,065 --> 00:18:03,809 Something for your advice? 369 00:18:03,833 --> 00:18:04,899 Not this time. 370 00:18:08,971 --> 00:18:10,215 Thank you, Mr. Mason. 371 00:18:10,239 --> 00:18:12,051 Goodbye, Mr. Brooks. 372 00:18:12,075 --> 00:18:13,075 Goodbye. 373 00:18:17,080 --> 00:18:19,191 Mr. Mason. 374 00:18:19,215 --> 00:18:21,359 Try one of my hamburgers sometime. 375 00:18:21,383 --> 00:18:22,583 They're the greatest. 376 00:18:43,972 --> 00:18:45,706 Hi, Frank. Faith. 377 00:18:47,577 --> 00:18:49,288 Isn't it terrible about Royce? 378 00:18:49,312 --> 00:18:51,152 It's in all the papers. 379 00:18:51,814 --> 00:18:54,095 Look, they even have my name in the story. 380 00:18:55,218 --> 00:18:56,961 Yeah, I know. It ain't any good. 381 00:18:56,985 --> 00:18:58,497 Well, what's bad about it? 382 00:18:58,521 --> 00:19:00,754 Me getting star billing with Helen Dwight. 383 00:19:01,890 --> 00:19:04,503 Now, look, baby. Try to understand, will you? 384 00:19:04,527 --> 00:19:06,371 The less you get mixed up in the thing, 385 00:19:06,395 --> 00:19:08,073 the better off it's gonna be for both of us. 386 00:19:08,097 --> 00:19:10,108 Why? 387 00:19:10,132 --> 00:19:12,110 Oh, I'll write you a letter. 388 00:19:13,436 --> 00:19:15,947 Meanwhile, I want you to get out of town. 389 00:19:15,971 --> 00:19:16,971 Here. 390 00:19:18,674 --> 00:19:19,918 There's some money. 391 00:19:19,942 --> 00:19:21,386 Now you take it, and you go to 392 00:19:21,410 --> 00:19:22,887 Europe, Africa, anyplace. 393 00:19:22,911 --> 00:19:24,578 Go just as far as you can go. 394 00:19:25,781 --> 00:19:28,493 With all of this publicity going for me? 395 00:19:28,517 --> 00:19:30,028 You must be out of your mind. 396 00:19:30,052 --> 00:19:32,464 Well, this publicity is gonna turn awfully sour 397 00:19:32,488 --> 00:19:34,466 the minute the cops find out I was backing this play 398 00:19:34,490 --> 00:19:35,601 just to buy you a job. 399 00:19:35,625 --> 00:19:36,602 Now... look, 400 00:19:36,626 --> 00:19:38,937 do us both a big favor, huh? 401 00:19:38,961 --> 00:19:40,706 Disappear just as fast as you can. 402 00:19:40,730 --> 00:19:41,973 Tsk. 403 00:19:41,997 --> 00:19:43,942 Well, I don't see why I have to run away 404 00:19:43,966 --> 00:19:45,344 just because you threatened to... 405 00:19:51,707 --> 00:19:53,035 Well, go on, baby. 406 00:19:53,059 --> 00:19:55,004 Finish what you were gonna say. 407 00:19:55,028 --> 00:19:56,438 I heard you, Frank. 408 00:19:56,462 --> 00:19:58,791 I heard you tell Ernie Royce you'd be back last night. 409 00:19:58,815 --> 00:20:00,993 Heh. 410 00:20:01,017 --> 00:20:02,928 You were there all the time. 411 00:20:02,952 --> 00:20:05,736 You gonna kill me too, Frank? 412 00:20:08,541 --> 00:20:10,553 Why are you looking at me like that? 413 00:20:10,577 --> 00:20:12,220 Because I never really 414 00:20:12,244 --> 00:20:14,723 looked at you before. 415 00:20:14,747 --> 00:20:16,609 It's been nice knowing you, Faith. 416 00:20:16,633 --> 00:20:18,310 What are you trying to tell me? 417 00:20:18,334 --> 00:20:20,112 I already told you. 418 00:20:20,136 --> 00:20:22,114 Now, you've got the money. 419 00:20:22,138 --> 00:20:25,317 Take it and get out of town fast. 420 00:20:25,341 --> 00:20:27,461 If there's any wrap-up... 421 00:20:28,811 --> 00:20:29,989 Who is it? 422 00:20:30,013 --> 00:20:31,746 The police. 423 00:20:44,326 --> 00:20:45,403 May we come in? 424 00:20:45,427 --> 00:20:47,361 I could say no, maybe, huh? 425 00:20:48,497 --> 00:20:50,577 You're Miss, uh, Faith Foster? 426 00:20:51,701 --> 00:20:53,801 Uh, you're Mr. Frank Brooks? 427 00:20:54,904 --> 00:20:56,203 Yeah. That's right. 428 00:20:58,508 --> 00:21:00,552 Heh. You know, it, heh... 429 00:21:00,576 --> 00:21:03,421 It's always easier for me if somebody says, uh... 430 00:21:03,445 --> 00:21:05,023 "What do you want?" 431 00:21:05,047 --> 00:21:07,158 Well, ten to one, it ain't a hamburger. 432 00:21:07,182 --> 00:21:09,194 What do you want? Thank you, miss. 433 00:21:09,218 --> 00:21:10,395 You, uh... 434 00:21:10,419 --> 00:21:11,663 got a warrant? 435 00:21:11,687 --> 00:21:12,986 Of course. 436 00:21:19,578 --> 00:21:20,578 Miss Foster. 437 00:21:21,648 --> 00:21:23,748 I'm sorry to bother you this way. 438 00:21:27,219 --> 00:21:28,998 You're it. 439 00:21:51,310 --> 00:21:52,721 Mr. Mason? Yes? 440 00:21:52,745 --> 00:21:55,124 I'm Jim West, Mr. Gifford's publicist. 441 00:21:55,148 --> 00:21:56,992 He's on the set, but he'll be through in a moment. 442 00:21:57,016 --> 00:21:58,226 Like to watch? 443 00:21:58,250 --> 00:22:00,062 I'd like to go someplace a little more private. 444 00:22:00,086 --> 00:22:01,797 Well, we could use one of the dressing rooms. 445 00:22:01,821 --> 00:22:03,899 Oh, here he is. Mr. Gifford, Mr. Mason. 446 00:22:03,923 --> 00:22:05,000 How do you do? How do you do? 447 00:22:05,024 --> 00:22:06,769 Perhaps we should have arranged this meeting 448 00:22:06,793 --> 00:22:07,870 at a less busy time. 449 00:22:07,894 --> 00:22:09,538 Well, there's no less busy time. 450 00:22:09,562 --> 00:22:12,107 It's always like this. Between doing two pictures here, 451 00:22:12,131 --> 00:22:13,842 and at least one play in New York every year, 452 00:22:13,866 --> 00:22:16,411 I find that time is the scarcest thing in my life. 453 00:22:16,435 --> 00:22:18,681 I know. I suffer the same deficiency. 454 00:22:18,705 --> 00:22:20,315 Well, shall we get to the business at hand? 455 00:22:20,339 --> 00:22:22,284 Uh, yes. Uh, whatever it is. 456 00:22:22,308 --> 00:22:24,788 Uh, this dressing room isn't being used. 457 00:22:28,081 --> 00:22:29,081 Okay. 458 00:22:34,087 --> 00:22:36,031 I've heard a lot about you, Mr. Mason. 459 00:22:36,055 --> 00:22:37,966 And I about you, Mr. Gifford. Ha. 460 00:22:37,990 --> 00:22:39,668 It's mostly due to Mr. West. 461 00:22:39,692 --> 00:22:41,369 He's my publicity man. 462 00:22:41,393 --> 00:22:43,739 Uh, Mr. Mason. Thank you. 463 00:22:43,763 --> 00:22:45,640 What did you want to talk to me about? 464 00:22:45,664 --> 00:22:47,442 Well, several things. 465 00:22:47,466 --> 00:22:49,712 How well do you know Frank Brooks? 466 00:22:49,736 --> 00:22:51,780 Well, I met him only once. 467 00:22:51,804 --> 00:22:54,249 It was when he was brought here by Ernest Royce 468 00:22:54,273 --> 00:22:56,919 to sign contracts and give me a check. 469 00:22:56,943 --> 00:22:59,554 You know nothing about his background? 470 00:22:59,578 --> 00:23:00,856 Well, his check was good. 471 00:23:00,880 --> 00:23:03,391 I must admit, that's all I was interested in. 472 00:23:03,415 --> 00:23:04,492 Were... 473 00:23:04,516 --> 00:23:06,161 Brooks and Royce very friendly? 474 00:23:06,185 --> 00:23:08,597 I really don't know. 475 00:23:08,621 --> 00:23:11,767 Now, you have produced more than one play by Royce? 476 00:23:11,791 --> 00:23:12,901 Yes. 477 00:23:12,925 --> 00:23:14,570 Four. All flops. 478 00:23:14,594 --> 00:23:17,238 Mm, artistic flops? 479 00:23:17,262 --> 00:23:19,063 Royce never wrote a decent play. 480 00:23:20,833 --> 00:23:21,910 Yet you were about to 481 00:23:21,934 --> 00:23:24,334 produce another of his plays? 482 00:23:24,637 --> 00:23:26,915 It had great promise. 483 00:23:28,140 --> 00:23:30,460 You agree with that, Mr. West? 484 00:23:30,576 --> 00:23:32,887 Mr. Gifford's the producer. I just blow the horn. 485 00:23:32,911 --> 00:23:34,494 I see. 486 00:23:35,781 --> 00:23:37,459 Like to have a copy of the Royce play. 487 00:23:37,483 --> 00:23:39,928 It's unfinished. It's not going to be produced. 488 00:23:39,952 --> 00:23:41,764 Nevertheless, I'd like to read it. 489 00:23:42,855 --> 00:23:44,483 Well, I see no point. 490 00:23:44,507 --> 00:23:46,551 I'll get a copy from the police. 491 00:23:46,575 --> 00:23:47,752 Uh... 492 00:23:47,776 --> 00:23:50,421 Mr. West will get you a copy from the office 493 00:23:50,445 --> 00:23:51,823 on the way out. 494 00:23:51,847 --> 00:23:53,257 You asked for it, Mr. Mason. 495 00:23:53,281 --> 00:23:55,159 Don't blame me when you're finished. 496 00:23:55,183 --> 00:23:57,023 Why didn't you like Royce, Mr. West? 497 00:23:58,521 --> 00:23:59,531 The theater is something 498 00:23:59,555 --> 00:24:01,733 very special to me, Mr. Mason. 499 00:24:01,757 --> 00:24:04,302 It's been my family, my home... 500 00:24:04,326 --> 00:24:06,104 everything I've ever wanted. 501 00:24:06,128 --> 00:24:08,807 When I'm inside a theater, I'm in a church. 502 00:24:08,831 --> 00:24:10,609 When I see a great play... 503 00:24:10,633 --> 00:24:12,343 I hear angels singing. 504 00:24:12,367 --> 00:24:13,745 When I see great performances, 505 00:24:13,769 --> 00:24:15,569 I'm walking the streets of heaven. 506 00:24:17,006 --> 00:24:18,950 Those streets are very clean 507 00:24:18,974 --> 00:24:20,407 and beautiful, Mr. Mason. 508 00:24:22,377 --> 00:24:24,322 They should be kept that way. 509 00:24:24,346 --> 00:24:26,190 And I repeat... 510 00:24:26,214 --> 00:24:28,026 why didn't you like Ernest Royce? 511 00:24:29,785 --> 00:24:31,117 He was a litterbug. 512 00:24:33,756 --> 00:24:35,500 Thank you, gentlemen. 513 00:24:35,524 --> 00:24:37,444 Goodbye. Goodbye. 514 00:24:42,598 --> 00:24:44,476 All right, quiet, please. 515 00:24:44,500 --> 00:24:46,144 This will be a take. 516 00:24:46,168 --> 00:24:47,168 Roll 'em. 517 00:24:48,570 --> 00:24:49,614 Speed. 518 00:24:49,638 --> 00:24:51,283 All right... 519 00:24:51,307 --> 00:24:52,307 action. 520 00:24:59,615 --> 00:25:00,658 Hello, Michael. 521 00:25:00,682 --> 00:25:02,049 John. 522 00:25:03,752 --> 00:25:05,592 Hello, darling. Darling, how are you? 523 00:25:06,588 --> 00:25:07,933 Let me take your coat, hm? 524 00:25:07,957 --> 00:25:08,957 Mm-hm. 525 00:25:14,797 --> 00:25:17,009 More police today? 526 00:25:17,033 --> 00:25:18,843 A lawyer. Perry Mason. 527 00:25:18,867 --> 00:25:19,844 Representing Brooks? 528 00:25:19,868 --> 00:25:21,013 You shouldn't have seen him. 529 00:25:21,037 --> 00:25:22,814 Michael, please. Just relax. 530 00:25:22,838 --> 00:25:25,017 Helen shouldn't be bothered with all this nonsense. 531 00:25:25,041 --> 00:25:27,152 You know she... Uh, no talk. 532 00:25:27,176 --> 00:25:28,176 Sit down. 533 00:25:37,886 --> 00:25:38,963 Helen Dwight... 534 00:25:38,987 --> 00:25:40,321 the great star. 535 00:25:41,691 --> 00:25:44,469 John Gifford, the great producer. 536 00:25:44,493 --> 00:25:46,004 She brings me my slippers. 537 00:25:46,028 --> 00:25:47,539 Well, she's his loving wife. 538 00:25:47,563 --> 00:25:48,674 Ah. 539 00:25:48,698 --> 00:25:50,542 Where's the glamour of it? 540 00:25:50,566 --> 00:25:51,810 For us? 541 00:25:51,834 --> 00:25:52,811 In the beginning, 542 00:25:52,835 --> 00:25:55,447 the dream was always work. 543 00:25:55,471 --> 00:25:56,515 But there was no play... 544 00:25:56,539 --> 00:25:57,949 and then there was a play. 545 00:25:57,973 --> 00:25:59,718 Then there were only the words of the play, 546 00:25:59,742 --> 00:26:01,107 and the fear of the words. 547 00:26:02,545 --> 00:26:03,744 Then there was you. 548 00:26:05,113 --> 00:26:08,059 You made the words come alive. 549 00:26:08,083 --> 00:26:09,561 There was no glamour ever. 550 00:26:09,585 --> 00:26:10,862 There was only work. 551 00:26:10,886 --> 00:26:11,886 The love of work. 552 00:26:13,456 --> 00:26:15,066 Love of you. 553 00:26:15,090 --> 00:26:16,357 You and me. 554 00:26:19,962 --> 00:26:21,473 This is our world. 555 00:26:21,497 --> 00:26:22,774 Heh. 556 00:26:22,798 --> 00:26:25,243 There's no other population. 557 00:26:25,267 --> 00:26:26,333 Is this wrong? 558 00:26:28,303 --> 00:26:30,549 Well, we'll know when the curtain falls 559 00:26:30,573 --> 00:26:31,733 on the last act. 560 00:26:33,676 --> 00:26:34,676 Hm. 561 00:26:44,837 --> 00:26:47,397 Della? 562 00:26:48,908 --> 00:26:50,152 Yes, Perry. 563 00:26:50,176 --> 00:26:52,453 Get Michael Dwight on the phone for me, will you? 564 00:26:52,477 --> 00:26:54,222 Uh, I don't have his number. 565 00:26:54,246 --> 00:26:56,992 Well, try Gifford's office at the studio. 566 00:26:57,016 --> 00:26:59,294 Do you realize it's after 9:00? 567 00:26:59,318 --> 00:27:01,263 The studio operator will get a message 568 00:27:01,287 --> 00:27:02,287 through to him. 569 00:27:03,622 --> 00:27:05,222 Alrighty. 570 00:27:08,660 --> 00:27:10,071 Happy reading? 571 00:27:10,095 --> 00:27:12,040 Hardly. 572 00:27:12,064 --> 00:27:14,584 Mr. Royce is not my kind of writer. 573 00:27:15,000 --> 00:27:17,045 Did you read the book too? Mm-hm. 574 00:27:17,069 --> 00:27:18,847 Unpleasant. 575 00:27:18,871 --> 00:27:21,271 And that's an understatement. 576 00:27:23,709 --> 00:27:26,321 Why would a publisher want to print a collection 577 00:27:26,345 --> 00:27:27,845 of unsuccessful plays? 578 00:27:29,114 --> 00:27:31,059 Della, there are certain printers who will 579 00:27:31,083 --> 00:27:32,828 publish anything if you pay 580 00:27:32,852 --> 00:27:34,930 the cost of the printing. 581 00:27:34,954 --> 00:27:36,564 Seems to me that... 582 00:27:36,588 --> 00:27:37,855 Hello? 583 00:27:38,958 --> 00:27:40,135 Uh, could you get a message 584 00:27:40,159 --> 00:27:42,704 to Mr. Michael Dwight for me, please? 585 00:27:42,728 --> 00:27:45,540 He's Mr. Gifford's business manager. 586 00:27:45,564 --> 00:27:47,108 Yes, it's urgent. 587 00:27:47,132 --> 00:27:49,878 Would you have him call Mr. Perry Mason please? 588 00:27:55,574 --> 00:27:56,606 Thank you. 589 00:27:58,610 --> 00:27:59,921 Now, how long have you been 590 00:27:59,945 --> 00:28:01,456 Miss Dwight's business manager? 591 00:28:01,480 --> 00:28:02,958 Ever since I got out of college. 592 00:28:02,982 --> 00:28:04,692 You've never worked for anyone else? 593 00:28:04,716 --> 00:28:07,079 I'm also Mr. Gifford's personal business manager. 594 00:28:07,103 --> 00:28:08,846 Oh? For how long? 595 00:28:08,870 --> 00:28:10,949 Same length of time as my sister. 596 00:28:10,973 --> 00:28:12,350 Then you'd be familiar 597 00:28:12,374 --> 00:28:14,152 with all their contractual obligations? 598 00:28:14,176 --> 00:28:15,454 Yes. 599 00:28:15,478 --> 00:28:18,923 Now, as I understand it, a run-of-the-play contract 600 00:28:18,947 --> 00:28:20,592 is one in which a performer is bound 601 00:28:20,616 --> 00:28:22,711 to remain with the play until it closes. 602 00:28:22,735 --> 00:28:23,945 That's right. 603 00:28:23,969 --> 00:28:25,847 I ask, because Helen Dwight 604 00:28:25,871 --> 00:28:27,982 had such a contract. 605 00:28:29,141 --> 00:28:30,802 You really find things out, don't you? 606 00:28:30,826 --> 00:28:32,058 Hm. So do the police. 607 00:28:37,833 --> 00:28:39,344 Now, isn't it, uh... 608 00:28:39,368 --> 00:28:41,579 unusual for a star like Miss Dwight 609 00:28:41,603 --> 00:28:42,747 to have signed such a contract 610 00:28:42,771 --> 00:28:44,149 without first having read the play? 611 00:28:44,173 --> 00:28:46,251 When it comes to plays... 612 00:28:46,275 --> 00:28:48,286 she does what John Gifford advises. 613 00:28:48,310 --> 00:28:50,021 But none of you... Not even John Gifford 614 00:28:50,045 --> 00:28:52,324 knew a thing about the play until the day of the murder. 615 00:28:52,348 --> 00:28:54,892 Yet the contracts were signed several days before. 616 00:28:54,916 --> 00:28:56,428 Why? 617 00:28:56,452 --> 00:28:58,463 I was not consulted. 618 00:28:58,487 --> 00:29:00,064 Well, as their business manager, 619 00:29:00,088 --> 00:29:02,088 didn't you draw the contracts? 620 00:29:02,391 --> 00:29:04,135 I did as I was told. 621 00:29:04,159 --> 00:29:06,103 You also drew Miss Foster's contract? 622 00:29:06,127 --> 00:29:07,605 Yes. 623 00:29:07,629 --> 00:29:10,908 Why would Mr. Gifford give a contract to an unknown? 624 00:29:10,932 --> 00:29:13,012 A run-of-the-play contract? 625 00:29:14,603 --> 00:29:15,981 He must have had great belief in her. 626 00:29:16,005 --> 00:29:18,066 Didn't Royce introduce her to Mr. Gifford? 627 00:29:20,459 --> 00:29:21,670 Look, Mr. Mason... 628 00:29:21,694 --> 00:29:23,004 Royce is dead. 629 00:29:23,028 --> 00:29:25,139 As far as I'm concerned, the play died with him. 630 00:29:25,163 --> 00:29:26,441 Both corpses have been buried, 631 00:29:26,465 --> 00:29:28,276 and that's the way they're gonna stay. 632 00:29:28,300 --> 00:29:30,178 Personally, I'd say whoever killed Royce 633 00:29:30,202 --> 00:29:32,562 did the world a great favor. 634 00:29:33,772 --> 00:29:35,550 Excuse me. Uh, Perry, I'd like to talk to you. 635 00:29:35,574 --> 00:29:37,185 When you're through, I'll be in the lobby. 636 00:29:37,209 --> 00:29:40,055 That's all right. Mr. Mason and I are finished. 637 00:29:40,079 --> 00:29:41,823 I was just about to leave. 638 00:29:41,847 --> 00:29:44,247 Oh, have your drink, Mr. Dwight. 639 00:29:48,020 --> 00:29:50,420 Thank you for coming down. 640 00:30:01,350 --> 00:30:03,127 What did you find out about Frank Brooks? 641 00:30:03,151 --> 00:30:04,796 He lied to you about Faith Foster. 642 00:30:04,820 --> 00:30:06,398 He was trying to keep her out of the case. 643 00:30:06,422 --> 00:30:08,366 Very nice. How do you know he hasn't lied to you 644 00:30:08,390 --> 00:30:09,601 about a lot of other things too? 645 00:30:09,625 --> 00:30:11,469 I don't. What are you leading up to? 646 00:30:11,493 --> 00:30:13,572 You remember a hood named Rick Volponi? 647 00:30:13,596 --> 00:30:14,906 Mm-hm. 648 00:30:14,930 --> 00:30:16,941 In New York. 649 00:30:16,965 --> 00:30:18,543 Big man in the numbers racket, wasn't he? 650 00:30:18,567 --> 00:30:20,679 Mm-hm. About the same time Frank Brooks admits 651 00:30:20,703 --> 00:30:22,581 he was a small operator in the same neighborhood. 652 00:30:22,605 --> 00:30:24,833 Go on. Volponi was shot. 653 00:30:24,857 --> 00:30:27,869 The New York police took it for the usual gang-war rubout. 654 00:30:27,893 --> 00:30:29,704 But they never even got a clue to the killer. 655 00:30:29,728 --> 00:30:31,773 So they haven't closed the files on the case. 656 00:30:31,797 --> 00:30:33,508 That happened about 10 years ago, didn't it? 657 00:30:33,532 --> 00:30:35,477 Twelve. When Tragg got in touch 658 00:30:35,501 --> 00:30:37,646 with the New York police about Brooks' record, 659 00:30:37,670 --> 00:30:40,048 they asked for everything he had on the Royce case, 660 00:30:40,072 --> 00:30:41,983 including a plastic mold of the bullet 661 00:30:42,007 --> 00:30:43,718 taken out of Royce's head. 662 00:30:43,742 --> 00:30:45,020 And they found...? 663 00:30:45,044 --> 00:30:46,288 The bullet that killed Royce 664 00:30:46,312 --> 00:30:48,056 came from the same gun that killed Volponi 665 00:30:48,080 --> 00:30:49,080 12 years ago. 666 00:30:51,100 --> 00:30:52,977 Well, it's a long arm of coincidence 667 00:30:53,001 --> 00:30:55,413 that reaches all the way from Los Angeles to New York, 668 00:30:55,437 --> 00:30:57,449 and takes 12 years to do it. 669 00:30:57,473 --> 00:30:58,950 Nevertheless, Perry, he didn't 670 00:30:58,974 --> 00:31:00,452 tell you everything before. 671 00:31:00,476 --> 00:31:03,521 He may be concealing 100 other things. 672 00:31:03,545 --> 00:31:04,822 That may be so, Della... 673 00:31:04,846 --> 00:31:06,924 but I'm almost sure he didn't kill Royce. 674 00:31:06,948 --> 00:31:08,259 Why? 675 00:31:08,283 --> 00:31:10,462 Royce was killed by one of the real-life characters 676 00:31:10,486 --> 00:31:12,797 he was writing about in his play. 677 00:31:12,821 --> 00:31:14,981 Brooks didn't resemble one of those characters. 678 00:31:15,957 --> 00:31:17,857 Unless he was in the last act. 679 00:31:19,428 --> 00:31:22,039 The lost last act. 680 00:31:22,063 --> 00:31:23,063 Let's go. 681 00:31:37,395 --> 00:31:39,240 What are you in such a rush for? 682 00:31:39,264 --> 00:31:40,709 You don't need the money. 683 00:31:40,733 --> 00:31:42,676 You ain't listening to me, Ernie. 684 00:31:42,700 --> 00:31:44,645 I said I'm taking my money 685 00:31:44,669 --> 00:31:46,665 and my girl out of your show. 686 00:31:46,689 --> 00:31:48,299 All right, you can take the girl... 687 00:31:48,323 --> 00:31:50,702 They come together. They always did. 688 00:31:50,726 --> 00:31:52,554 That's the way it was agreed. 689 00:31:52,578 --> 00:31:54,722 But there wasn't anything in the agreement 690 00:31:54,746 --> 00:31:56,390 about you and my girl... 691 00:31:56,414 --> 00:31:58,677 so I'm closing out everything. 692 00:32:00,235 --> 00:32:01,713 I'm gonna come back here later tonight 693 00:32:01,737 --> 00:32:04,515 for that money, Ernie. Now, you better have it, 694 00:32:04,539 --> 00:32:06,873 'cause I won't give you another chance to get it. 695 00:32:10,445 --> 00:32:13,124 Now, with regard to the voices on that recording, 696 00:32:13,148 --> 00:32:15,577 which is entered in evidence as People's Exhibit A, 697 00:32:15,601 --> 00:32:16,878 I ask you, Mr. Dwight, 698 00:32:16,902 --> 00:32:19,080 have you ever spoken to the decedent, Ernest Royce? 699 00:32:19,104 --> 00:32:20,214 Many times. 700 00:32:20,238 --> 00:32:22,283 Was his voice one of the two voices 701 00:32:22,307 --> 00:32:23,618 on that recording you just heard? 702 00:32:23,642 --> 00:32:26,020 Yes. One was the voice of Ernest Royce. 703 00:32:26,044 --> 00:32:27,221 Now, about the defendant. 704 00:32:27,245 --> 00:32:29,523 How many times have you talked to him? 705 00:32:29,547 --> 00:32:31,893 Mm... perhaps 15 or 20 times. 706 00:32:31,917 --> 00:32:32,961 Often on the phone. 707 00:32:32,985 --> 00:32:35,262 Can you identify one of the voices 708 00:32:35,286 --> 00:32:37,065 on that recording as the defendant's voice? 709 00:32:37,089 --> 00:32:38,365 Yes, definitely. 710 00:32:38,389 --> 00:32:40,668 One was Royce and the other was Brooks. 711 00:32:40,692 --> 00:32:42,637 Thank you, Mr. Dwight. No further questions. 712 00:32:42,661 --> 00:32:44,160 Your witness, Mr. Mason. 713 00:32:45,530 --> 00:32:47,541 No questions. 714 00:32:47,565 --> 00:32:49,633 I call James West to the stand, please. 715 00:32:54,773 --> 00:32:56,017 Now, Mr. West, 716 00:32:56,041 --> 00:32:57,418 are you aware of any relationship 717 00:32:57,442 --> 00:32:59,571 between the defendant and Miss Foster? 718 00:32:59,595 --> 00:33:01,973 Only that he was willing 719 00:33:01,997 --> 00:33:03,274 to invest a large amount 720 00:33:03,298 --> 00:33:05,443 of money in furthering her career as an actress. 721 00:33:05,467 --> 00:33:07,111 Are you aware of any relationship 722 00:33:07,135 --> 00:33:09,914 between the decedent, Ernest Royce, and Miss Foster? 723 00:33:09,938 --> 00:33:11,415 Nothing I could swear to. 724 00:33:11,439 --> 00:33:13,084 Well, you made a statement to the police 725 00:33:13,108 --> 00:33:15,419 in which you said that you saw Mr. Royce and Miss Foster 726 00:33:15,443 --> 00:33:17,488 embracing each other. I did. 727 00:33:17,512 --> 00:33:20,391 Was Miss Foster aware that you were seeing them like this? 728 00:33:20,415 --> 00:33:21,626 She was. 729 00:33:21,650 --> 00:33:23,917 And she made no attempt to hide the relationship? 730 00:33:25,186 --> 00:33:27,031 Well, she asked me not to mention it 731 00:33:27,055 --> 00:33:28,800 to the defendant, Frank Brooks. 732 00:33:28,824 --> 00:33:29,824 Oh. 733 00:33:30,892 --> 00:33:32,937 Your Honor, I object to this testimony 734 00:33:32,961 --> 00:33:34,505 as being completely incompetent. 735 00:33:34,529 --> 00:33:36,440 The district attorney knows very well 736 00:33:36,464 --> 00:33:37,842 that a man on trial for his life 737 00:33:37,866 --> 00:33:39,777 cannot be bound by statements made by others 738 00:33:39,801 --> 00:33:41,212 at times when he's not present, 739 00:33:41,236 --> 00:33:43,415 or where the statements are not under oath. 740 00:33:43,439 --> 00:33:46,418 If it please the court, I agree with defense counsel, 741 00:33:46,442 --> 00:33:49,537 and I regret the witness' answer to my last question. 742 00:33:49,561 --> 00:33:50,871 Objection sustained. 743 00:33:50,895 --> 00:33:52,507 The witness' answer to the last question 744 00:33:52,531 --> 00:33:54,075 will be stricken from the record. 745 00:33:54,099 --> 00:33:55,699 Proceed, Mr. Burger. 746 00:33:56,701 --> 00:33:59,847 I have no further questions of this witness, Your Honor. 747 00:33:59,871 --> 00:34:01,571 You may cross-examine, Mr. Mason. 748 00:34:07,946 --> 00:34:10,258 Now, Mr. West, before becoming a publicist, 749 00:34:10,282 --> 00:34:11,592 you were a newspaper reporter? 750 00:34:11,616 --> 00:34:13,994 That's right. You had your own byline? 751 00:34:14,018 --> 00:34:16,197 I got it when I was 23. 752 00:34:16,221 --> 00:34:18,166 I show you now certain Photostats 753 00:34:18,190 --> 00:34:20,590 of newspaper articles purportedly written by you. 754 00:34:25,763 --> 00:34:26,740 Yeah, I wrote 'em. 755 00:34:26,764 --> 00:34:28,342 It was a long time ago. 756 00:34:28,366 --> 00:34:29,466 Twelve years. 757 00:34:31,603 --> 00:34:33,347 Your Honor, I offer these Photostats 758 00:34:33,371 --> 00:34:35,572 for identification, to be marked Defense Exhibit A. 759 00:34:41,213 --> 00:34:42,779 So ordered. 760 00:34:44,116 --> 00:34:46,394 Now, Mr. West... 761 00:34:46,418 --> 00:34:47,895 you covered a great many things 762 00:34:47,919 --> 00:34:50,165 in your columns at that time. 763 00:34:50,189 --> 00:34:51,599 Theater. 764 00:34:51,623 --> 00:34:52,638 Murder. 765 00:34:54,142 --> 00:34:56,253 I note you were very interested 766 00:34:56,277 --> 00:34:59,223 in the Volponi case. Uh. 767 00:34:59,247 --> 00:35:00,958 That's right. 768 00:35:00,982 --> 00:35:03,294 It was a real mystery. 769 00:35:03,318 --> 00:35:04,896 According to another column 770 00:35:04,920 --> 00:35:06,630 of almost that same date... 771 00:35:06,654 --> 00:35:10,234 Mr. Gifford announced his first Broadway production. 772 00:35:10,258 --> 00:35:11,736 That's right. 773 00:35:11,760 --> 00:35:15,206 Didn't you meet Helen Dwight at about that time? 774 00:35:15,230 --> 00:35:17,374 Well, I didn't exactly meet her. 775 00:35:17,398 --> 00:35:18,576 Please explain. 776 00:35:18,600 --> 00:35:20,595 I saw her on-stage in her first play. 777 00:35:20,619 --> 00:35:23,864 That was also Mr. Gifford's first production. 778 00:35:23,888 --> 00:35:25,066 That's right. 779 00:35:25,090 --> 00:35:26,501 You praised them both very highly. 780 00:35:26,525 --> 00:35:27,768 Hm. 781 00:35:27,792 --> 00:35:31,172 Hard to find new words to say how great she was. 782 00:35:31,196 --> 00:35:33,141 You even announced in your column 783 00:35:33,165 --> 00:35:34,405 that you were in love with her. 784 00:35:36,201 --> 00:35:37,500 I still am. 785 00:35:39,471 --> 00:35:41,951 Even her husband knows that. 786 00:35:54,502 --> 00:35:56,280 I quote from the Royce play, 787 00:35:56,304 --> 00:35:58,049 act two, page 38, 788 00:35:58,073 --> 00:35:59,717 "Steve laughing... 789 00:35:59,741 --> 00:36:02,853 'Old murders make fascinating plays.'" 790 00:36:02,877 --> 00:36:04,722 Now, Mr. West... 791 00:36:04,746 --> 00:36:07,357 was the Royce play based on the Volponi murder? 792 00:36:07,381 --> 00:36:08,559 I object, Your Honor. 793 00:36:08,583 --> 00:36:10,761 That question calls for a conclusion of the witness. 794 00:36:10,785 --> 00:36:12,262 If it please the court... 795 00:36:12,286 --> 00:36:15,733 Mr. West, as a newspaperman, covered the Volponi case. 796 00:36:15,757 --> 00:36:17,267 Within proper definitions, 797 00:36:17,291 --> 00:36:18,603 his conclusion... 798 00:36:18,627 --> 00:36:20,337 could be considered that of an expert. 799 00:36:20,361 --> 00:36:22,206 If it please the court... 800 00:36:22,230 --> 00:36:24,809 in any event, the question is incompetent, 801 00:36:24,833 --> 00:36:26,443 and immaterial and irrelevant. 802 00:36:26,467 --> 00:36:27,745 The content of the play 803 00:36:27,769 --> 00:36:29,685 has nothing to do with our murder case. 804 00:36:32,023 --> 00:36:34,085 Has Mr. Burger read the play? 805 00:36:34,109 --> 00:36:35,453 Yes, Mr. Burger has. 806 00:36:35,477 --> 00:36:37,288 And if he may quote Shakespeare, 807 00:36:37,312 --> 00:36:39,523 It is a "tale told by an idiot, 808 00:36:39,547 --> 00:36:42,460 full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." 809 00:36:42,484 --> 00:36:44,895 Shakespeare also said... 810 00:36:44,919 --> 00:36:47,420 "Nature's above art in that respect." 811 00:36:51,476 --> 00:36:53,788 Your Honor... I do not dispute 812 00:36:53,812 --> 00:36:56,424 Mr. Burger's literary objections to the play. 813 00:36:56,448 --> 00:36:59,060 I do, however, question his legal objections. 814 00:36:59,084 --> 00:37:01,629 Mr. Royce was killed in exactly the manner 815 00:37:01,653 --> 00:37:03,213 he described in his own play. 816 00:37:03,237 --> 00:37:04,482 Your Honor... 817 00:37:04,506 --> 00:37:06,049 is Mr. Mason suggesting 818 00:37:06,073 --> 00:37:08,185 that the deceased planned his own murder? 819 00:37:08,209 --> 00:37:10,554 A good playwright knows his characters. 820 00:37:10,578 --> 00:37:11,989 Once having created them, 821 00:37:12,013 --> 00:37:13,491 he doesn't force them into situations 822 00:37:13,515 --> 00:37:15,293 contrary to their natural destiny. 823 00:37:15,317 --> 00:37:17,961 Again, let me quote from the Royce play. 824 00:37:17,985 --> 00:37:19,330 "I know my people. 825 00:37:19,354 --> 00:37:21,098 "I know the two faces of them. 826 00:37:21,122 --> 00:37:22,733 "The faces they wear for the public, 827 00:37:22,757 --> 00:37:25,736 "and the secret faces they show only to each other. 828 00:37:25,760 --> 00:37:27,639 They'll play as I've written them." 829 00:37:27,663 --> 00:37:30,608 Now, I submit that this play... 830 00:37:30,632 --> 00:37:32,043 The Royce play 831 00:37:32,067 --> 00:37:34,467 is based on the Volponi murder. 832 00:37:36,571 --> 00:37:37,849 If it please the court, 833 00:37:37,873 --> 00:37:40,735 I'd like to apologize to the court and to counsel. 834 00:37:40,759 --> 00:37:42,770 I didn't realize what counsel 835 00:37:42,794 --> 00:37:44,739 was trying to bring before the court. 836 00:37:44,763 --> 00:37:46,574 Not only will I make no objection, 837 00:37:46,598 --> 00:37:48,710 I will stipulate that all facts 838 00:37:48,734 --> 00:37:51,579 concerning the murder of Rick Volponi can be considered 839 00:37:51,603 --> 00:37:54,282 in connection with the case presently at bar. 840 00:37:54,306 --> 00:37:56,484 I'm most willing for counsel to proceed. 841 00:37:56,508 --> 00:37:57,885 With the understanding, of course, 842 00:37:57,909 --> 00:38:00,955 that... counsel having opened the door, we can all walk in. 843 00:38:02,447 --> 00:38:04,559 Is, uh, counsel for the defense 844 00:38:04,583 --> 00:38:05,993 willing to proceed 845 00:38:06,017 --> 00:38:07,161 under these conditions? 846 00:38:07,185 --> 00:38:08,729 Yes, Your Honor. Quite willing. 847 00:38:08,753 --> 00:38:09,831 Thank you, Mr. Burger. 848 00:38:09,855 --> 00:38:11,299 You're welcome, Mr. Mason. 849 00:38:11,323 --> 00:38:13,601 Please proceed, Mr. Mason. 850 00:38:13,625 --> 00:38:14,690 Your Honor. 851 00:38:16,694 --> 00:38:19,395 I'll ask the question once again, Mr. West. 852 00:38:20,565 --> 00:38:23,233 Is the Royce play based on the Volponi murder? 853 00:38:24,369 --> 00:38:25,946 I can't say. 854 00:38:25,970 --> 00:38:27,148 You refuse to say? 855 00:38:27,172 --> 00:38:28,583 No, I don't know. 856 00:38:28,607 --> 00:38:30,318 The answer would've been in the third act, 857 00:38:30,342 --> 00:38:31,622 which was stolen. 858 00:38:34,379 --> 00:38:36,090 No further questions. 859 00:38:36,114 --> 00:38:38,326 Witness may stand down. 860 00:38:38,350 --> 00:38:41,395 I call Mr. John Gifford to the stand, please. 861 00:38:41,419 --> 00:38:43,897 Now, Mr. Gifford, would you please recite for this court 862 00:38:43,921 --> 00:38:46,167 your conversation with Mr. Brooks on this occasion? 863 00:38:46,191 --> 00:38:48,435 He insisted that Miss Foster 864 00:38:48,459 --> 00:38:49,671 have the best of everything. 865 00:38:49,695 --> 00:38:51,039 No money spared. 866 00:38:51,063 --> 00:38:52,774 And what did you say? 867 00:38:52,798 --> 00:38:54,308 I told him that in my companies, 868 00:38:54,332 --> 00:38:55,810 I made the decisions. 869 00:38:55,834 --> 00:38:57,729 If he didn't like it, he could have his money back. 870 00:38:57,753 --> 00:38:59,030 I see. 871 00:38:59,054 --> 00:39:00,064 He's lying. 872 00:39:00,088 --> 00:39:01,465 We didn't have any argument. 873 00:39:01,489 --> 00:39:03,367 There wasn't anything said about any money back. 874 00:39:03,391 --> 00:39:04,736 All right. 875 00:39:04,760 --> 00:39:06,738 What was your reaction to this meeting? 876 00:39:06,762 --> 00:39:09,907 Well, naturally, I was somewhat disturbed. 877 00:39:09,931 --> 00:39:11,743 Obviously, uh, Mr. Brooks 878 00:39:11,767 --> 00:39:14,127 was a very determined man. 879 00:39:14,502 --> 00:39:16,347 I think that will be all, Mr. Gifford. Thank you. 880 00:39:16,371 --> 00:39:18,004 Mr. Mason, cross-examine. 881 00:39:22,978 --> 00:39:24,255 Mr. Gifford... 882 00:39:24,279 --> 00:39:26,190 you stated on direct examination 883 00:39:26,214 --> 00:39:28,392 that you've been a producer for nearly 15 years. 884 00:39:28,416 --> 00:39:29,393 Yes. 885 00:39:29,417 --> 00:39:31,695 Were you an immediate success? 886 00:39:31,719 --> 00:39:32,797 Ha-ha. Hardly. 887 00:39:32,821 --> 00:39:35,049 I missed many meals in those early days. 888 00:39:35,073 --> 00:39:36,968 It was a long, hard struggle. 889 00:39:36,992 --> 00:39:39,603 Your first production caused 890 00:39:39,627 --> 00:39:41,305 considerable comment, did it not? 891 00:39:41,329 --> 00:39:43,074 Yeah. It was fortunately a success, 892 00:39:43,098 --> 00:39:44,308 if that's what you mean. 893 00:39:44,332 --> 00:39:46,410 Well, the columnists had quite a bit to say about it 894 00:39:46,434 --> 00:39:47,778 even before you opened it. 895 00:39:47,802 --> 00:39:49,646 Yeah, I really don't remember too much about it. 896 00:39:49,670 --> 00:39:51,282 Perhaps we can jog your memory 897 00:39:51,306 --> 00:39:53,184 by showing you this newspaper account, 898 00:39:53,208 --> 00:39:54,618 which has heretofore been marked 899 00:39:54,642 --> 00:39:56,988 Defendant's Exhibit A for identification. 900 00:39:57,012 --> 00:39:58,555 Now, would you please read that section 901 00:39:58,579 --> 00:40:00,358 that has been circled in red ink? 902 00:40:00,382 --> 00:40:02,893 "John Gifford announces, as his first production, 903 00:40:02,917 --> 00:40:04,561 "the first play by Ernest Royce, 904 00:40:04,585 --> 00:40:06,097 "starring Helen Dwight, 905 00:40:06,121 --> 00:40:08,765 "who will make her first appearance on a Broadway stage. 906 00:40:08,789 --> 00:40:10,534 "An interesting trio of firsts, 907 00:40:10,558 --> 00:40:12,736 all new to the New York theatrical world." 908 00:40:12,760 --> 00:40:13,826 Thank you. 909 00:40:15,397 --> 00:40:17,375 Your Honor, I ask that this Photostat 910 00:40:17,399 --> 00:40:19,843 be introduced in evidence. 911 00:40:19,867 --> 00:40:21,627 Very well, Mr. Mason. 912 00:40:31,646 --> 00:40:32,711 Thank you. 913 00:40:36,084 --> 00:40:37,361 Now, Mr. Gifford... 914 00:40:37,385 --> 00:40:38,996 the item you just read... 915 00:40:39,020 --> 00:40:40,164 was it true? 916 00:40:40,188 --> 00:40:41,732 It is. 917 00:40:41,756 --> 00:40:44,196 As of the date it was printed. 918 00:40:44,926 --> 00:40:47,872 Why was it not true at a later date? 919 00:40:47,896 --> 00:40:50,007 Well, I changed my plans. 920 00:40:50,031 --> 00:40:52,677 Your first production was by another author? 921 00:40:52,701 --> 00:40:53,711 Yes. 922 00:40:53,735 --> 00:40:56,247 But at the time this was written... 923 00:40:56,271 --> 00:40:57,682 you were just getting started. 924 00:40:57,706 --> 00:41:00,218 Yet you were able to obtain financing for a first play 925 00:41:00,242 --> 00:41:01,952 starring an unknown actress. 926 00:41:01,976 --> 00:41:03,216 Yes. 927 00:41:04,446 --> 00:41:06,246 From whom did you get this money? 928 00:41:07,682 --> 00:41:08,881 I, uh... 929 00:41:11,119 --> 00:41:12,647 I don't remember. 930 00:41:12,671 --> 00:41:14,015 Wasn't this money offered to you 931 00:41:14,039 --> 00:41:15,415 by Ernest Royce, the playwright, 932 00:41:15,439 --> 00:41:16,917 with the single proviso that you star 933 00:41:16,941 --> 00:41:18,252 an unknown young woman? 934 00:41:18,276 --> 00:41:20,220 And wasn't the sponsor of this young woman 935 00:41:20,244 --> 00:41:21,488 a notorious gangster? 936 00:41:22,613 --> 00:41:24,759 Your Honor, I object to defense counsel's 937 00:41:24,783 --> 00:41:27,078 deliberate disregard for the rules of procedure. 938 00:41:27,102 --> 00:41:29,580 He knows perfectly well that no proper foundation 939 00:41:29,604 --> 00:41:32,250 has been laid for this kind of cross-examination. 940 00:41:32,274 --> 00:41:34,818 And not only is it improper cross-examination... 941 00:41:34,842 --> 00:41:36,754 it assumes facts not in evidence, 942 00:41:36,778 --> 00:41:38,021 and it calls for matters 943 00:41:38,045 --> 00:41:39,979 that have no possible connection with this case. 944 00:41:41,283 --> 00:41:43,961 I respectfully remind the court that the decedent, 945 00:41:43,985 --> 00:41:46,764 Ernest Royce, was writing a play when he was killed... 946 00:41:46,788 --> 00:41:49,634 and that this play has been admitted in evidence. 947 00:41:49,658 --> 00:41:52,670 Mr. Burger must recognize the startling similarity 948 00:41:52,694 --> 00:41:55,139 between Mr. Gifford's circumstance 12 years ago 949 00:41:55,163 --> 00:41:56,874 and the first act of this play. 950 00:41:56,898 --> 00:41:59,710 Your Honor, this is pure conjecture. 951 00:41:59,734 --> 00:42:00,811 It belongs on a stage, 952 00:42:00,835 --> 00:42:02,001 not in a court of law. 953 00:42:03,938 --> 00:42:06,250 May I read to the court these lines 954 00:42:06,274 --> 00:42:08,319 written by the decedent? 955 00:42:08,343 --> 00:42:11,121 "Barbara: 'Why must you open this old, 956 00:42:11,145 --> 00:42:12,856 "forgotten grave again?' 957 00:42:12,880 --> 00:42:14,258 "Steve, laughing: 958 00:42:14,282 --> 00:42:17,394 "'Old murders make fascinating plays" 959 00:42:17,418 --> 00:42:19,663 "Gilman: 'They can also 960 00:42:19,687 --> 00:42:21,516 motivate new murders.'" 961 00:42:21,540 --> 00:42:23,951 Now, what was in this old, forgotten grave 962 00:42:23,975 --> 00:42:25,620 that caused the decedent 963 00:42:25,644 --> 00:42:27,555 to kill his own character in the play, 964 00:42:27,579 --> 00:42:29,223 and then be killed himself? 965 00:42:29,247 --> 00:42:32,159 I respectfully submit that Mr. Gifford's answers 966 00:42:32,183 --> 00:42:34,143 may clarify these questions. 967 00:42:35,520 --> 00:42:37,114 Objection overruled. 968 00:42:37,138 --> 00:42:38,682 You may proceed, Mr. Mason. 969 00:42:38,706 --> 00:42:40,186 Thank you, Your Honor. 970 00:42:42,777 --> 00:42:44,221 Now, Mr. Gifford... 971 00:42:44,245 --> 00:42:46,423 was Helen Dwight's sponsor 972 00:42:46,447 --> 00:42:47,780 a notorious gangster? 973 00:42:50,251 --> 00:42:52,062 I don't remember. 974 00:42:52,086 --> 00:42:54,098 Well, does the name Rick Volponi 975 00:42:54,122 --> 00:42:55,287 suggest anything to you? 976 00:42:56,958 --> 00:42:58,702 Didn't Mr. Royce introduce him to you? 977 00:42:58,726 --> 00:42:59,837 No. 978 00:42:59,861 --> 00:43:02,072 I must remind you you're under oath. 979 00:43:02,096 --> 00:43:04,416 I don't remember. 980 00:43:05,499 --> 00:43:08,045 Do you remember how many times you saw Mr. Royce 981 00:43:08,069 --> 00:43:09,412 on the day he was murdered? 982 00:43:09,436 --> 00:43:11,081 Uh... 983 00:43:11,105 --> 00:43:13,583 Well, there was the reading late in the afternoon. 984 00:43:13,607 --> 00:43:15,485 Weren't you also there in the morning? 985 00:43:15,509 --> 00:43:17,454 In the morning? Uh... 986 00:43:17,478 --> 00:43:19,556 yes, yes. We went there in the morning. 987 00:43:19,580 --> 00:43:21,959 We? Who went with you? 988 00:43:21,983 --> 00:43:24,561 Uh, Mr. Michael Dwight. 989 00:43:24,585 --> 00:43:27,397 Mr. Dwight is your business manager, is he not? 990 00:43:27,421 --> 00:43:28,465 Yes. 991 00:43:28,489 --> 00:43:30,134 He is also your brother-in-law? 992 00:43:30,158 --> 00:43:31,535 Yes. 993 00:43:31,559 --> 00:43:34,337 Was he with you all the time you were transacting 994 00:43:34,361 --> 00:43:36,081 whatever business you had with the decedent? 995 00:43:37,131 --> 00:43:38,642 Um... no. 996 00:43:38,666 --> 00:43:39,943 Uh, no. 997 00:43:39,967 --> 00:43:42,487 He went into the study to make a telephone call. 998 00:43:54,949 --> 00:43:58,095 Why did you give Mr. Royce your check for $75,000 999 00:43:58,119 --> 00:43:59,947 the morning after Mr. Brooks gave you his check 1000 00:43:59,971 --> 00:44:02,049 for the exact same amount? 1001 00:44:02,073 --> 00:44:03,150 Check? 1002 00:44:03,174 --> 00:44:04,584 Your check, for that amount, 1003 00:44:04,608 --> 00:44:06,253 made out to the order of Ernest Royce, 1004 00:44:06,277 --> 00:44:08,544 was deposited by him to his account at that time. 1005 00:44:10,815 --> 00:44:12,159 Uh... 1006 00:44:12,183 --> 00:44:14,294 It... It was an advance. 1007 00:44:14,318 --> 00:44:16,063 An advance on his royalties. 1008 00:44:16,087 --> 00:44:18,249 A $75,000 advance? 1009 00:44:18,273 --> 00:44:20,651 Well, it's my money. I can do what I want with it. 1010 00:44:20,675 --> 00:44:21,918 Nobody tells me what to do. 1011 00:44:21,942 --> 00:44:24,421 Not Jim West, nor Helen Dwight, nor anyone else. 1012 00:44:24,445 --> 00:44:26,765 It's my show, and I run it my way! 1013 00:44:47,969 --> 00:44:49,480 Mr. Gifford... 1014 00:44:49,504 --> 00:44:51,582 are you asking this court to believe 1015 00:44:51,606 --> 00:44:54,051 that you made a $75,000 advance 1016 00:44:54,075 --> 00:44:56,320 on a play you hadn't even read? 1017 00:44:56,344 --> 00:44:59,656 I have every right to do as I please with my money. 1018 00:44:59,680 --> 00:45:01,559 Do you have every right to allow yourself 1019 00:45:01,583 --> 00:45:03,727 to be blackmailed to hide a murder? 1020 00:45:03,751 --> 00:45:06,564 For I submit that every Royce play you produced 1021 00:45:06,588 --> 00:45:08,865 was a form of blackmail. 1022 00:45:08,889 --> 00:45:10,901 Royce brought you a backer. 1023 00:45:10,925 --> 00:45:13,137 The backer gave you money. 1024 00:45:13,161 --> 00:45:15,806 You then turned that money over to Royce... 1025 00:45:15,830 --> 00:45:18,481 using your own money to produce the play. 1026 00:45:20,218 --> 00:45:22,563 You did this because 12 years ago, 1027 00:45:22,587 --> 00:45:23,897 Rick Volponi had found out 1028 00:45:23,921 --> 00:45:25,366 that you and his girl, 1029 00:45:25,390 --> 00:45:28,152 Helen Dwight, had fallen in love. 1030 00:45:28,176 --> 00:45:30,887 He threatened her, so you killed him. 1031 00:45:30,911 --> 00:45:32,871 And Royce knew you killed him. 1032 00:45:34,065 --> 00:45:35,376 Where did you get that? 1033 00:45:35,400 --> 00:45:38,645 He knew your two faces. 1034 00:45:38,669 --> 00:45:40,414 For years, you paid him a fortune 1035 00:45:40,438 --> 00:45:42,466 not to make your secret face public. 1036 00:45:42,490 --> 00:45:45,302 And when finally he demanded not only money... 1037 00:45:45,326 --> 00:45:46,754 but the sadistic pleasure 1038 00:45:46,778 --> 00:45:48,171 of re-creating the events 1039 00:45:48,195 --> 00:45:50,073 surrounding the Volponi murder... 1040 00:45:50,097 --> 00:45:51,475 Royce was killed. 1041 00:45:51,499 --> 00:45:52,931 Now, Mr. Gifford... 1042 00:45:54,268 --> 00:45:57,135 where is the gun that killed Rick Volponi? 1043 00:46:04,846 --> 00:46:06,857 No, no. 1044 00:46:06,881 --> 00:46:09,081 Michael, he mustn't. 1045 00:46:10,251 --> 00:46:12,929 This is... my gun... 1046 00:46:12,953 --> 00:46:15,513 registered in my name. 1047 00:46:15,856 --> 00:46:18,336 I killed Rick Volponi. 1048 00:46:20,294 --> 00:46:22,039 Ernest Royce said he would 1049 00:46:22,063 --> 00:46:23,040 dispose of it for me, 1050 00:46:23,064 --> 00:46:25,142 but he didn't. 1051 00:46:25,166 --> 00:46:26,477 He held it to my head 1052 00:46:26,501 --> 00:46:28,345 for 12 years. 1053 00:46:28,369 --> 00:46:29,846 Forced me to give him money... 1054 00:46:29,870 --> 00:46:32,916 produce his plays. 1055 00:46:32,940 --> 00:46:33,917 Time and again, 1056 00:46:33,941 --> 00:46:35,852 he tortured me with this gun... 1057 00:46:35,876 --> 00:46:37,721 put it in my hand... 1058 00:46:37,745 --> 00:46:39,774 defied me to use it. 1059 00:46:39,798 --> 00:46:42,198 But he knew I couldn't kill. 1060 00:46:44,803 --> 00:46:47,536 That night, I came back to plead with him about the play. 1061 00:46:48,773 --> 00:46:50,785 He taunted me again. 1062 00:46:50,809 --> 00:46:52,552 And this time, 1063 00:46:52,576 --> 00:46:54,388 the gun spoke out for me. 1064 00:46:54,412 --> 00:46:56,290 Better give it to me, Mr. Gifford. 1065 00:46:56,314 --> 00:46:57,424 This gun has a... 1066 00:46:57,448 --> 00:46:58,542 limited vocabulary. 1067 00:46:58,566 --> 00:47:00,232 It speaks one short word. 1068 00:47:01,569 --> 00:47:04,703 And everything that is, is suddenly revised. 1069 00:47:06,424 --> 00:47:09,837 What is becomes what was... 1070 00:47:09,861 --> 00:47:12,361 and what might have been... 1071 00:47:13,764 --> 00:47:14,725 can never be. 1072 00:47:14,749 --> 00:47:16,660 Please, Mr. Gifford, the gun. 1073 00:47:16,684 --> 00:47:18,161 It has one more word 1074 00:47:18,185 --> 00:47:19,196 to speak. 1075 00:47:19,220 --> 00:47:21,732 It would be the wrong word, Mr. Gifford. 1076 00:47:21,756 --> 00:47:23,967 A tragic ending to a play based on 1077 00:47:23,991 --> 00:47:25,336 an old and... 1078 00:47:25,360 --> 00:47:26,592 sad mistake. 1079 00:47:27,712 --> 00:47:29,190 You know as well as I, 1080 00:47:29,214 --> 00:47:31,014 it was not you who killed Royce. 1081 00:47:34,702 --> 00:47:36,980 And I can tell you now... 1082 00:47:37,004 --> 00:47:39,121 it was not Helen Dwight who killed Volponi. 1083 00:47:43,561 --> 00:47:46,707 You! You killed Volponi, and you killed Royce. 1084 00:47:46,731 --> 00:47:48,108 And you made John and Helen 1085 00:47:48,132 --> 00:47:49,543 suffer all these years. 1086 00:47:49,567 --> 00:47:51,378 Why you... Yes! 1087 00:47:51,402 --> 00:47:52,946 I killed Volponi. 1088 00:47:52,970 --> 00:47:54,804 Stop it. Because he... 1089 00:47:56,373 --> 00:47:58,585 Because he hurt Helen. 1090 00:47:58,609 --> 00:47:59,942 And I killed Royce... 1091 00:48:01,378 --> 00:48:03,107 because he'd never let her forget it. 1092 00:48:18,296 --> 00:48:19,806 And all those years, I... 1093 00:48:19,830 --> 00:48:22,209 I thought you killed him. 1094 00:48:22,233 --> 00:48:24,411 I tried to tell you, John. 1095 00:48:24,435 --> 00:48:26,302 I tried to tell you, but I couldn't. 1096 00:48:34,946 --> 00:48:36,312 Thank you, Mr. Mason. 1097 00:48:37,648 --> 00:48:39,126 You saved me from becoming 1098 00:48:39,150 --> 00:48:41,850 a cheap and melodramatic anticlimax. 1099 00:48:56,450 --> 00:48:59,196 Michael killed Royce with Gifford's gun, didn't he? 1100 00:48:59,220 --> 00:49:00,220 Mm-hm. 1101 00:49:01,322 --> 00:49:02,566 He got it from Royce's desk 1102 00:49:02,590 --> 00:49:04,134 when he stole the last act. 1103 00:49:04,158 --> 00:49:06,070 Well, then how did Gifford get it back? 1104 00:49:06,094 --> 00:49:08,205 Same way he got it 12 years ago. 1105 00:49:08,229 --> 00:49:09,539 From Helen? 1106 00:49:09,563 --> 00:49:12,142 She knew immediately that Michael killed Royce. 1107 00:49:12,166 --> 00:49:13,944 Just as Gifford immediately believed 1108 00:49:13,968 --> 00:49:16,048 that Helen had done it. 1109 00:49:16,704 --> 00:49:18,381 Helen took the gun from Michael. 1110 00:49:18,405 --> 00:49:20,784 Gifford took the gun from her. 1111 00:49:20,808 --> 00:49:22,652 It was the same triple play all over again. 1112 00:49:22,676 --> 00:49:24,788 Only this time, it was Royce who was snuffed out. 1113 00:49:24,812 --> 00:49:26,389 One question, counselor. 1114 00:49:26,413 --> 00:49:28,192 When did you land on Michael? 1115 00:49:28,216 --> 00:49:30,527 When Gifford, without realizing it, 1116 00:49:30,551 --> 00:49:33,197 pointed to him as the person who'd stolen the last act. 1117 00:49:33,221 --> 00:49:34,564 You mean, when he was supposed to be 1118 00:49:34,588 --> 00:49:35,665 making the telephone call? 1119 00:49:35,689 --> 00:49:38,202 Mm-hm. Well... 1120 00:49:38,226 --> 00:49:39,669 What a nice surprise. 1121 00:49:39,693 --> 00:49:41,404 Well, I was invited too. 1122 00:49:41,428 --> 00:49:43,406 Where? I forgot to tell you. 1123 00:49:43,430 --> 00:49:44,908 We were all invited to dine with Brooks 1124 00:49:44,932 --> 00:49:46,176 at his Wilshire drive-in. 1125 00:49:46,200 --> 00:49:47,410 You know, the place that serves 1126 00:49:47,434 --> 00:49:48,578 the flaming hamburgers. 1127 00:49:48,602 --> 00:49:50,814 On a sword. Naturally. 1128 00:49:50,838 --> 00:49:52,682 Perry, if you want to make my evening complete, 1129 00:49:52,706 --> 00:49:54,184 just tell me where you found it. 1130 00:49:54,208 --> 00:49:56,787 Found what? The lost last act. 1131 00:49:56,811 --> 00:49:57,877 Oh, just a minute. 1132 00:49:58,980 --> 00:50:00,190 Here. 1133 00:50:00,214 --> 00:50:01,214 Like to read it? 1134 00:50:05,853 --> 00:50:07,131 They're all blank. 1135 00:50:07,155 --> 00:50:08,132 Della. Hm? 1136 00:50:08,156 --> 00:50:09,166 You were kidding 1137 00:50:09,190 --> 00:50:11,135 about flaming hamburgers on a sword? 1138 00:50:11,159 --> 00:50:12,159 No, I wasn't. 1139 00:50:13,194 --> 00:50:14,571 Perry... 1140 00:50:14,595 --> 00:50:16,355 you take the hamburger. 1141 00:50:16,697 --> 00:50:18,475 I'll eat the sword.