Original subtitles

Good evening.

I have just made my first catch.

This.

No license, no pedigree, just running loose in the streets and attacking

people. The highways seem to be filled with them, all equally vicious.

Incidentally, getting this position proved to be quite easy.

I was the only applicant who didn't mind going out in the noonday sun.

Oh, there was one other, a dog, but he didn't look a bit well.

For those of you who are wondering, this is the Alfred Hitchcock Hour.

Tonight's tale concerns a man who was once a motion picture actor, but who

decided to take up honest work instead and became a lawyer. It begins as soon

as our sponsor makes his opening statement to the jury.

Mr. Crawford?

Mr.

Crawford? Mr.

Brody's been here ten minutes already. You forget that he was coming over?

Okay, I'll be right out.

Sam!

What are you doing in here?

Why don't you come in and wake me up?

You're an old man. You need your rest.

Look who's talking.

Besides... I'd rather look at Gene Harlow any day than your ugly face.

What a woman.

Did you ever make a picture with her, Miles?

No, I never made a picture with her.

How about this one? The redhead with the big eyes.

Now, what's her name? Now, now, tell me.

That's a long ago. I've forgotten.

I remember.

She was in that picture with Douglas Fairbanks. The one about the Indian

fighter. Jenny, turn up the thermostat, will you?

It's cold as Juneau, Alaska in here.

I have just the cure for cold weather, Miles.

A little trip to the Golden West.

Still harping about that?

Why not?

Lawyers get a vacation too, right?

Two glorious weeks in sunny California.

Sunny California?

I mean Hollywood.

Why not?

Maybe if some big shot movie producer sees you again, you could make a

comeback.

Sam, I'm a... Lawyer, not a movie actor. Those days are far behind me. I'd

forgotten about him long ago. Now, why can't you?

Okay, okay. Let's play cards.

Oh, I can't get a decent card.

Don't. Tell me.

Is that a car door slamming?

Sounds like it.

I thought you said Todd went to some kind of dance tonight.

I did.

It's only 10 o'clock. It's pretty early for a dance to be open.

Maybe he had a fight with his girl.

Want to find out?

The cards will wait.

The cards will wait, all right.

What's this, no leave?

When did you start getting in for midnight?

I wanted to come home early. Do you mind?

You feeling all right?

I feel great.

Just great.

Wait a minute, Todd.

Todd!

What's up?

Kid all right?

Sure, he's all right. Like a tiger is all right after he takes a chunk out of

you.

Don't you know my son by now?

Well, you wanted to play cards? Come on, let's play cards.

Miles, am I crazy or is somebody bleeding around here?

to come with you

How'd you hurt yourself?

It's just a scratch.

Little car accident. Nothing serious.

Here, let me see it. It's not serious, I said.

What's the matter with you? You never hear of infection?

You cut a finger, you can lose an arm. I'm telling you, it's nothing.

How'd it happen?

You hit someone?

The car's all right.

I'm not talking about the car.

I just want to know what happened. What kind of an accident it was.

All right, it wasn't an accident. It was a fight.

Miles.

Miles, you better come down.

What is it? A car pulled up in the driveway, a police car.

Police.

A fight, huh?

Todd, what did you do?

Nothing I said.

Todd, if you expect me to talk to...

Is your son home?

Yes.

What's wrong?

Well, there was a little trouble on the highway.

On Route 4?

Well, maybe more than a little.

We'd like Todd to come with us, Mr. Crawford, for questioning.

What did he do?

You can't just drag him out of here without any explanation.

Do you have the warrants?

Yes, sir, we have a warrant Your son got into trouble with a boy named Jules

Herman. They got into a fight on route for The boy got cut up pretty bad

Todd

You'll

have to come with us Todd You better take some overnight stuff.

Your father can bring anything else you need in the morning.

Wait. Wait, I'm coming with you.

You better hold off till morning, Mr. Crawford. Nothing much is going to

happen tonight.

I'm coming with you.

Don't worry.

I'll have you out on bail the first thing in the morning. Mr. Crawford,

look, don't count too much on it.

How about bail and all that?

What do you mean?

Well, this boy, Jules Herman,

He's dead.

Well, here's the number.

Edwin C. Rutherford, 219 Grand Street.

Phone 555-2468.

Now call him the first thing in the morning, Miles.

I'll call him. I'll call him.

We can get Rutherford to take the case.

Half the battle's won.

There isn't a better criminal man in New York State.

Are you listening to me?

It's my fault, Sam.

Stop blaming yourself for everything.

It's my fault the way Todd turned out.

What could I do? What could I have done differently? It was just the way things

were.

That movie business you're so crazy about.

You think it's all fun and games?

1942, I did 12 pictures. The following year, I did one.

The parts got fewer, and the fewer they got, the smaller they got.

Do you want some more coffee?

Todd wasn't even three years old when I quit pictures.

Now, how could I take care of a kid and build a new career for myself, working

in the daytime, studying at night?

His mother and I were divorced the year Todd was born.

And so my sister took care of him.

So your sister raised Todd.

I went to see him whenever I could. Well, it wasn't very often.

I took him back when he was ten, when my law practice was established.

We had a hard time getting used to each other.

Maybe it was too late then.

It's too late now.

It's almost three o'clock.

You ought to be in bed, and so should I.

But that'll count in his favor, won't it, Sam? The kind of childhood he had.

I don't know.

I don't know if juries understand things like that.

Well, they've got to be made to understand.

They've got to be told the kind of rotten father I am.

You let Ed Rutherford tell them.

Now, you call him first thing tomorrow morning.

I'll see you at the door.

This Mr. Rutherford's office?

Sure it is.

Didn't you see the name on the door?

Would you please tell Mr. Rutherford that Mr. Crawford is here to see him?

Sure.

Yes, Daddy.

She's a great kid, but a lousy secretary.

Have a seat.

You've got a kid, too.

That's right.

A kid in trouble.

Yes, I've been reading some of the details.

I see the newspaper stories and the police version and the report you sent

me.

It's a rough business.

Yes, it's rough, all right. That's why he needs all the help he can get.

You understand the charge will be first-degree murder?

They can't make that stick. They can't.

There's no premeditation. It was just an argument, a drunken argument.

You seem pretty sure.

I am sure.

I know my own son.

Do you?

Kids and parents are funny, you know. They think they know each other, and

then all of a sudden they're strangers.

And it's tougher than ever when there's no mother in the picture.

But I know Todd.

We've never really been very close, but I know him. He's spoiled, willful,

irresponsible, but he's not a murderer.

You're looking at this like a parent.

You tried looking at it like a lawyer?

Of course I have. I know enough criminal law to know the difference between

manslaughter and... Oh, so you've decided it was only manslaughter.

Todd never meant to kill that boy. It was...

It was self-defense.

Ah, you want to change the plea, do you? Not manslaughter, self-defense.

I don't know what the plea should be.

That's your job.

Well, look, any plea will do as long as it isn't murder.

My son is not a killer.

Your son killed?

You're telling me there's a difference?

Yes.

Now, if you can't see that difference, then Sam Brody's wrong. You're not the

man I'm looking for.

I don't see how you can help.

But you have no faith in Todd.

Oh, you're right. I don't have faith in Todd. I don't know Todd.

In that case... I have faith in the law.

I know the law.

Sit down.

You're right, of course. There is a difference between a killer and someone

who kills.

There's the difference between impulse and premeditation.

And that's the great intangible in this case.

Well, it's not intangible to me. I know that Todd never meant to hurt that boy.

Well, obviously the district attorney thinks he did.

And the defense must prove otherwise.

But the big question is, how?

Well, there must be some way.

Well, what facts do you have?

What evidence can you show? Is there a single witness on Todd's side? Don't you

see the problem?

Well, I'll just have to tell them about Todd, about the...

The kind of boy he is that he couldn't have meant to kill.

I'm talking about proof.

Well, proof isn't everything. There's such a thing as faith.

I've got that.

I know I could convince them. You can't substitute theatrics for evidence.

Why couldn't I tell them?

Why shouldn't I tell them about Todd?

You mean as a witness?

No, as his attorney.

But you're not a criminal lawyer.

But I'm a lawyer. I'm admitted to the bar. There's nothing in the rules about

defending a member of your own family.

You can't be serious about this.

You're not equipped.

You could prepare the case. We could prepare it together. You know what a

jury is. It's just 12 people left to be convinced. 12 people that you have to

make feel for you.

Now, I think I could do that, Mr. Rutherford. I think I could make them

feel. Why? Because you're the boy's father?

Not just that.

Not just that.

You see, many years ago, I was an actor in the movies.

Wait a minute.

Miles Crawford.

It was a long time ago.

Matter of fact, I played quite a number of criminal lawyers.

Surely you don't think that qualifies you.

No, but you see, my job is to make people feel.

It's not just facts now that are going to help Todd. You know that. Besides,

facts don't always add up to the truth.

Mr. Crawford, the charge in this case is first-degree murder.

You know what the penalty can be in this state.

I'd listen to everything you had to say about the case. You'd be in complete

charge. All I want is to be the voice of the defense, don't you see?

I don't know whether I... There are no defense teams like this. One man to

prepare the case, the other to deliver it in court.

I don't think.

There's another reason why I think I can do it better.

You're not convinced of Todd's innocence.

I am.

Well, what about Todd?

What about your son?

He has something to say about it.

How do you know he wants you to defend him?

And the least you can do is ask him.

Yes.

You're right, of course, sir.

I have to ask him.

John.

How are they treating him?

It's going to be all right.

I've been talking with Ed Rutherford. He's the best criminal lawyer around.

When's this arraignment they told me about?

It'll be sometime next week. That's when we enter our plea for manslaughter.

You understand the difference, don't you?

Todd, I'd like to ask you a question. It's very important.

What?

How would you feel if I acted as your defense counsel?

Now, I don't mean I'd be alone.

Ned Rutherford would be doing most of the real work. I'd just be the front

man.

How would you feel about that?

Well, I won't do it unless you say so. You've got the right to say no.

Why?

What do you mean, why?

How come you're so worried about me all of a sudden?

I've always been worried about you, Todd.

Maybe you never knew that. Maybe I never knew how to tell you.

Look, I know I'm not the best father in the world or the best lawyer.

But you put the two of them together in court.

I'll ask Ed Rutherford to take complete charge of the case.

I didn't say I didn't want you.

It doesn't really matter.

One way or the other, I'm in for it.

But if you think it's a good idea, you go ahead.

We now take a brief recess.

I must caution you, however, not to discuss this case until after the trial.

We shall reconvene in a moment.

It is our intention to prove premeditation on the part of the

defendant. A calculated desire to take the life of young Jules Herman.

The prosecution will provide eyewitness testimony concerning the events of that

night. and other witnesses who will establish the animosity which led to the

act of murder.

If the members of the jury will listen to these witnesses, they will reach one

and only one conclusion, that a deliberate and cold-blooded murder has

been committed and waits to be avenged.

Mr. Crawford, do you wish to make your opening statement?

No, Your Honor.

The defense will withhold its opening statement to the jury and to the

conclusion of the people's case.

Very well.

Mr. Hanley, will you call your first witness for the prosecution?

Yes, sir.

Prosecution calls Rudolph Trask.

Rudolph Trask to the witness stand.

Miles, remember, if he deviates from his testimony at the hearing, nail him

during your cross-examination.

Will you tell us your version of what happened on the night of September 24th?

Well, we went to a dance.

We?

Jules, Herman, Todd Crawford and me.

We were going to this dance given by the Civic Club at the high school gym. Well,

we got there and we didn't like it, so we left.

Was it too tame?

No, sir.

It just wasn't for us.

So we cut out, all three of us.

What did you do then?

Well... We went for a drive.

Didn't you make one stop first?

Yes, sir.

We stopped and bought a bottle of whiskey.

Was this the first time you'd ever done this sort of thing?

You and those other boys?

No, sir.

It wasn't the first time.

Anyway, we decided that we'd go and visit these girls we know that live on

the other side of town.

And you were all drinking?

Yes, sir.

Well, Julie didn't want Todd to drink on the kind of Todd was driving.

Well, Todd got sore at this.

Then they started arguing.

Something about a girl and... Well, then somebody suggested that we, uh... That

we stop the car and settle the argument.

I didn't know Julie meant it to be a knife contest until I showed his knife.

So Todd took out his knife.

Todd, uh, always carried a knife?

Yes, sir.

Most of the time.

Go on, Mr. Trask. Well, that's all there was.

They started a fight, and I saw Julie fall on the ground.

Todd jumped in the car and drove away.

When I saw that Julie was dead, I went to the road and flagged down a car.

They went for the cops.

I mean, for the police.

Had there been any trouble between Jules Herman and Todd Crawford prior to the

night of the slaying?

Yes, sir.

Would you speak up, please?

Yes, sir.

What sort of trouble? Had they fought before?

Well, not with knives.

They had a couple of fistfights.

How serious were these fights?

Anybody ever injured?

Todd broke Julie's wrist once.

Was the incident ever reported to the police?

No, sir. I mean, what for?

That's all, Mr. Trask.

Your witness.

Rudy, how long did my... Did Todd Crawford know Jules Herman?

Around eight, ten months.

How often do they see each other?

Maybe two, three times a week.

Then they were really friends, weren't they? Not enemies.

Objection. I believe that's calling for a conclusion.

It seems like a reasonable enough question.

Overruled.

Well, Rudy, they were friends, then.

Yes, sir. I guess you'd say they were friends, all right.

Now, this fist fight in which Julie's wrist was broken, did they plan to have

that fight?

No, sir. It just happened.

All of a sudden, right out of the blue?

Yes, sir.

Well, Julie jumped on Todd and then...

You say Julie jumped Todd.

Then Julie instigated the fight.

Well, yes, sir, but Todd called Julie... Never mind what he called him.

Jules Herman made the first aggressive move.

Yes, sir.

And wasn't that true on the night of September 24th?

You were witness to the fight, Ruthie.

Didn't Jules Herman instigate that as well?

Didn't he strike the first blow?

Didn't he slash Todd's arm? Wasn't that the first wound inflicted?

You were watching the fight, weren't you?

Or weren't you interested?

Well, sure, I was watching it. Todd was cut first, all right, but that doesn't

mean that Todd had to... That's all, Rudy.

Let me step down.

Your name is Barbara Reardon?

Yes, but they call me Babs.

You know the defendant, Todd Crawford?

Yes.

And you knew Jules Herman?

I knew them both, all right.

Did you ever hear and see Todd Crawford and Jules Herman argue?

Yes.

Did you ever see them actually fight?

I certainly did. They fought all the time, over anything.

Sometimes me.

Yet they were together constantly, weren't they?

Didn't you find that strange?

People are sometimes friends, even though they hate each other.

Do you think they hated each other?

I know they did.

How can you be so sure?

Well, it wasn't just on account of the quarrels. It was what Todd once told me.

He said that he would kill Julie someday.

How do you like that?

You mean he actually threatened Jules Herman's life?

Oh, more than once.

Tell the jury about it.

Well, that's the truth.

He told me that if Julie didn't stay away from me, that he'd cut his throat.

No more questions, Your Honor.

It's not your fault. I know that.

There's just nobody on our side, that's all.

Well, it's not just a question of witnesses, Todd. There are other

factors. I know.

Premeditation.

What was on my mind?

Whether I wanted to kill Julie or not.

Only how do you know a thing like that for sure?

It's the jury that's got to know. They've got to know that you didn't mean

it. It was a thing of the moment, a crazy impulse.

Now, that girl today, we've got to prove what a liar she is. Why don't you let

her alone?

She had a crush on Julie. That's why she's so sore at me.

That's what I mean. That's why we've got to show that she's nothing but a

vindictive... Don't.

Don't. Don't you understand the importance of it? She says you

threatened to kill Julie. Now, we've got to prove that she lied. No.

I did threaten to kill Julie.

What?

Babs was telling the truth.

What do you say?

You're trying to tell me that you're nothing but a cold-blooded killer? I

just said those things.

I didn't really mean them. You threaten a boy's life and then you kill that boy.

Now how do you think that's going to sound to a jury?

You know what they can do to you, Todd?

You're 21 years old. You're old enough to... I'm sorry, Dad, but it's the

truth.

I thought that's what you wanted to hear.

Of course.

Of course, that's what I wanted to hear.

Don, what were you and Jules Herman quarreling about on the night of

September 24th?

About Babs Reardon.

Whose idea was it to get out of the car and fight it out?

It was Julie's idea, I think.

But you didn't know he meant knives.

No, I didn't know that.

You thought it'd be just another fist fight.

Something like that.

Now, did you hate Jules Herman?

No, I didn't hate him.

You're always quarreling. Now, why was that?

I don't know. We just seemed to get on each other's nerves.

But we made up again every time.

Things were better before we met her.

You mean Babs Red?

Yes. Were you in love with this girl?

I don't know.

A little, maybe.

Did you ever tell her that you wanted to kill Jules Herman?

I might have said something like that as a joke, maybe.

You know, she told this court that you threatened Jules Herman's life.

Now, why do you think she said that?

She liked Julie.

She hates me for what happened.

She wants to get even.

That'll be all, Your Honor.

Mr. Hanley, do you wish to cross-examine?

Yes, Your Honor.

Did you ever have thoughts of killing your friend Jules?

No. Was killing him in your mind on the night of the slaying? I don't know what

I was thinking. Just answer the question yes or no. Were you thinking of murder?

Your Honor, I ask you to instruct the witness to answer my question. I don't

know what I was thinking.

I guess I wanted to kill him, all right? I was glad when I did it.

I was only sorry later.

Thank you. No more questions, Your Honor.

further witnesses for the defense.

Miles?

Miles?

No, Your Honor, there are no further witnesses. The defense rests.

Very well.

This court is then adjourned until two o'clock this afternoon, at which time

we'll hear the concluding remarks to the jury.

be all right, son.

You'll see.

I'll make them feel for you.

You'll see if I don't.

Mr. Crawford, are you ready for your summation?

Yes, Your Honor.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,

A boy is dead, and men who call themselves the caretakers of human

justice are crying out for vengeance.

You see them sitting there before you, demanding life for life, all in the name

of that blindfolded goddess who stands outside this courtroom.

When you leave this room, it will be your responsibility to say yes or no to

their angry demands for the total penalty.

Before you decide, I would like you to think about just one more thing.

Is there really a perfect justice?

Complete, impartial, blind to prejudice or special interest? If there is, I say

thank God!

Thank God that we imperfect human beings have been given such a great gift.

Such blessed forgiveness for our sins that we are able to meet out.

perfect justice to other sinners.

If you have never sinned, not even outside the law's power to punish, then

what I have to say is not for you.

If you're blameless, you never made an error, never harmed anyone, never hurt

or injured a fellow man, then you have the right to choose the way and manner

of this boy's punishment.

If you wish to close the account book on Todd Crawford to say that with one

moment of violence, one movement of his hand, one flicker of an eye, one

confused, bewildered second of his existence, he forfeited his right to

live, to breathe, to regret, to change, to make reparation for

sins past and present.

This is your privilege.

But be sure of that privilege.

Be sure of your right to it.

You ever said a hurtful word in anger to your wife?

Your husband?

Your child?

And then were sorry.

No harm done, was there?

Kiss, a gentle phrase, and all was well again.

You were like a stone, shouted a curse.

Smashed a dish, slapped a cheek, struck a child.

Spoken a lie.

A broken, a promise.

What was your punishment?

Regret, self-torture, recriminations.

And yet, the book was never closed on your mistake, was it?

The key was never turned and the lock was never a chance to say I regret.

I'm sorry.

I will live to be...

A better husband, a wife.

Or father.

This boy did more than break a dish for a promise he took alive.

In one single moment, blind with the rage of living in a world he could not

understand, he took a life.

Premeditated.

No more than the angry word, the shouted curse, the dish smashed or the cheek

slapped, premeditated to kill in the sight of witnesses, in the sight of God,

under the watchful eyes of a vengeful law.

You may close Todd Crawford's account book.

The law gives you that right. He's 21 years old.

Perhaps he's even old enough to face a justice more divine than ours.

But remember this.

Before that divine justice, Todd Crawford must make this statement.

My last act on earth was to kill the man who

was my friend.

I was given no time.

to do any more with my life.

This court will not permit demonstrations.

Your Honor, in view of the prejudicial response to Mr.

Crawford's speech, I would like to reserve closing argument of the

prosecution until tomorrow.

Very well, Mr. Hanley.

This court is then adjourned until tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock.

that was terrific.

I didn't think it was possible.

I'd have never believed it.

Oh, here comes Stanley.

It's a good speech, Mr. Crawford.

You're a talented man.

Thank you.

I've always been a fan of yours.

Yes, come forward.

I suppose that's all about.

I don't know. We'll find out soon enough.

Mr. Hanley of the prosecution has just given me some information concerning the

conduct of this trial.

Now, in order that this issue may be clarified at once, this court shall be

recessed for one hour.

Mr. Crawford, Mr. Rutherford, Mr. Hanley, Mr. Williams.

We'll convene in my chambers immediately.

Court is adjourned.

All right, let's get this over with.

If you get the lights, we can start the camera.

Just a moment, Your Honor. I think the defense has a right to view this

material before you... You'll view it, Mr. Rutherford, as soon as you sit down.

Get the lights, please.

Gentlemen, you're watching the final reel of a motion picture called We the

Guilty.

But that's my picture.

Mr. Collins.

ready to address the jury?

Yes, Your Honor.

I'm ready.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, a boy

is dead.

Men who call themselves the caretakers of human justice are crying out for

revenge.

You see them sitting there before you, demanding life for life.

All in the name of that blindfolded goddess who stands outside this

courtroom.

When you leave this room, it will be your responsibility to say yes.

to their angry demands for the total penalty.

Before you decide, I would like you to think about just one more thing.

Is there really a perfect justice?

Complete, impartial, blind to prejudice or special interest? If there is, I say

thank God!

Thank God that we imperfect human beings have been given such a great blessing,

such generous forgiveness for our sins, that we are able to mete out perfect

justice to other sinners.

If you have never sinned, not even outside the Lord's power to punish.

That's all I've seen enough.

This film was made almost 30 years ago.

I remembered it.

I was fortunate enough to locate a print at a warehouse in Long Island City.

It's a fine performance, Mr. Crawford.

Only you should have kept it in front of a movie camera, not a jury.

Your Honor, it's true.

The speech wasn't mine. It was written for me many years ago.

I used it because it made sense to me then, as it still does.

I used it because I... I couldn't think of anything else to do.

It's true. I've deceived you. I've made you all feel foolish.

I've made even more of a fool of myself.

I admit that I take the blame, but don't make Todd suffer for it.

Don't punish him when I'm the one who should be punished.

Wait, wait, just one moment.

But we have a trial to finish, Mr. Crawford. If I could just say one more

thing, Your Honor.

Go ahead.

Your Honor, you were good enough to permit the prosecution to show this

film. Will you allow it to be shown to its conclusion?

Your Honor, I hadn't intended to turn your chambers into... Just one more

scene, Your Honor.

The last scene. Just a few more minutes.

Show the rest of the picture.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, have you reached your verdict?

Yes, we have, Your Honor.

The defendant will rise and face the jury.

How do you find, guilty or not guilty?

We, the jury, find the defendant guilty of murder as charged.

I'm sorry, Frankie.

We've had no word from the governor.

Are you prepared to make peace with your God?

Yes, Father.

for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil,

for thou art with me.

Thy rod and thy staff, they come.

I'm sorry. I had hoped that...

Todd

Alexander Crawford.

You have been found guilty of murder in the first degree by a jury of your

fellow citizens.

According to the laws prescribed by this state...

as amended July 1963, I am empowered to sentence you to either death or

imprisonment for life.

I therefore sentence you to a term of life imprisonment in the state

penitentiary, such sentence to begin at once.

However, in view of the circumstances, the immaturity of the defendant, his

previous standing in good repute,

I recommend that this case be brought before the parole board for review at

the earliest possible time.

I recommend that the parole board exercise its discretion at that time

with a view towards making this defendant a useful citizen in the

community.

concludes tonight's story for those of you who are anxious for more we can

offer you scenes from our next attraction by the way i have made my

second arrest i picked this one up for drunkenness i must take him in and book

him but i shall return next week but in you go but in you go