All language subtitles for Flaxy Martin (1949) English CC

[music continues]

[glass shattering]

[dramatic music]

Hello, police?
This is 652 East, 86th Street.

Something terrible has happened.

Car 98, Car 98

emergency call at 652 East,
86th Street.

[music continues]

Alright, what happened?

Oh, officer,
I'm glad you're here.

I'm so glad you're here.

- Well?
- Look.

- Did you see who did it?
- Oh, yes, sir.

Yes, sir, indeed, I did.

And I'll always remember
that face.

What did he look like?

He was big and ugly,
and he had a scar over one eye.

I think it was the left one.

Yes, uh, it was the left one.

You think you could identify him
if you saw him again?

Oh, absolutely.
I'll never forget that face.

[telephone ringing]

- Yeah.
- 'Walt, listen.'

(male #1 on phone)
'They just picked up Caesar
an hour ago.'

'They're holding him
on suspicion of murder.'

- Murder?
- 'Yeah.'

'I want you to get him out
on bail or habeas corpus'

'or something.'

At this hour?
Let him cool off a bit.

I can't do anything
until the morning, anyhow.

'Listen, Walt,
this is important.'

'Come over here right away.'

'I tell you,
you've got to spring him.'

'You understand?
You've got to spring him.'

'Walt?'

Alright, Hap, alright.

Give me 20 minutes.

[doorbell buzzes]

Get it.

(Hap)
'About time. What kept you?'

It's a little out of my line,
isn't it, Hap?

I thought my job was acting

as legitimate attorney
for the Richie Syndicate.

Not springing
punch-drunk killers

who go around shooting people
full of holes.

Not getting out of bed
at 2:30 in the morning.

You're my lawyer,
you'll do what I tell you.

Besides, I didn't say
Caesar'd done anything.

I just said he got picked up
on suspicion.

Sure, Walt, they ain't got
nothin' on Caesar.

Just because some old dame says
she thinks she recognizes him

from a police photo,
that don't make no case.

Will you kindly take your legal
advice back to the sixth grade?

Now, look, Walt,
it's just I don't want Caesar

in any trouble, that's all.

Now you get him out on bail,
see?

If this isn't enough,
well, you can get some more.

Stop lookin' so sad.

You're supposed to be
a smart lawyer, Mr. Colby.

This is gonna be easy.

And suppose I tell you
to jump off the dock

with your easy jobs.

Alright, maybe Caesar's
innocent, I don't know.

We'll let the law decide that.

But I do know one thing,
I'm sick and tired of mixing

with these stupid mugs of yours
that have sawdust for brains.

And that goes for you, too,
juvenile delinquent.

Take it easy, Walt,
take it easy.

It's nothing
to get excited about.

All you need, sweetheart,
is a little backbone.

Backbone?

You know, it's a very funny
thing about backbone.

You neck is always
sticking out one end.

Isn't it, Hap?

Smart boy.

Maybe a little too smart.

- Hello, shamus.
- Sit down.

The dame isn't backing down
on the identification.

The DA's office wants a case,
Caesar.

They're holding you
without bail.

There's nothing you can do
about it, so calm down.

If you think
I'm gonna sit here--

Sittin', standin'
or ridin' a bicycle

you're licked and you know it.

It's about time
some of you guys learn

we got laws in this country.

Yeah, yeah, sure.

Come off of it, shamus.
I tell ya, I didn't do it.

Hap said he was gonna spring me.

You tell Hap for me
I can talk about a few things

he don't want talked about.

Well, there's nothing I can do
for you tonight, anyway.

You know, there's nobody
any stronger for you than Hap.

I don't know nothin'.
You tell him what I told ya.

Okay.

I'll tell him.

[telephone ringing]

Okay, answer it.
Act sleepy.

Hello?

- 'Flaxy?'
- Yes.

I'm sorry to wake you up,
darling.

(Flaxy)
'What's the matter?'

Well, I, I don't wanna talk
over the phone.

- I, I wanna come over.
- Alright.

You sound worried or something.

Alright,
it's up to you, Flaxy.

He listens to you.

It will be like taking candy
from a baby.

Don't kid yourself.

He's been talking about getting
out of this toy mob of yours

for a long time.

Yeah, I know.

Why is he so important to you,
Hap?

He's not so important

but nobody walks out
on Hap Richie.

Nobody has, nobody's going to.

After he gets Caesar off

maybe I'll be looking around
for somebody else.

You're a cute kid, Flaxy.

Buy yourself a yacht.

Sure.

Don't worry about Walt.

Just don't draw
on the punch, angel.

That's what
they call telegraphing.

[instrumental music]

This is wonderful, isn't it?

Taking orders from a hoodlum
like Hap Richie

who was prying open
coin machines

when I was still struggling
with first year Latin.

Every time I walk into court
with his name on a brief

I'm sitting
on a keg of dynamite.

Now this thing with Caesar.

Where do you think
you would have started

if it hadn't been
with Hap Richie?

Well, I didn't
become an attorney

to find loopholes in the law

for Hap and his boys
to walk through.

Look, Flaxy.

The only decent thing
that's happened to me

since I got mixed up
with Hap Richie was meeting you.

Let's get out now.

We'll go to California,
China, anywhere.

Do you think you can walk out
on Hap...just like that?

Why not?
I'm asking you to marry me

and get out of this whole mess.

Listen, Walt, I stand up every
night and sing my lungs out

in front of a bunch of guys
who make bad jokes.

I don't like that either.

I do it because I know
it won't last forever.

It's the same with you, Walt.

Someday you're gonna have
a bankroll.

We can get married
and have the things we want.

You haven't got
that bankroll yet, Walt.

You haven't got enough
to throw Hap over.

What difference does it make
if we love each other?

And I love money, too, darling.

You can never get anywhere
without paying for the ride.

Do what Hap tells you.
Get Caesar off.

There's no actual proof
he's guilty.

The DA is just trying
to make a case.

You said so yourself.

Make Hap pay.
Make him pay you plenty.

Then in a few months,
we'll go away together.

You'll never get anywhere
if you don't take chances.

- I don't like the odds.
- I can help you, darling.

I can help you save.

It won't take long.

Tell me you'll do it.

Alright.
When it comes right down to it

I guess I'd do
almost anything for you.

Goodnight, sweetheart.

Hello, Hap.

Yes, he just left me.

[chuckles]
Sure, everything's
gonna be fine.

Okay, darling. Goodnight.

[instrumental music]

Hey, lookin' for somebody?

Yeah, Peggy Farrar,
if it's alright with you.

Well, I guess it's alright.
She's in room 202.

I know.

Money? Sure, I want money.

You think I'd be livin'
in a dump like this if I didn't?

Don't worry about Peggy, Hap.
She'll play.

Alright, Flaxy.

Takin' your word on this dame.

We've got a lawyer on this case
who has one weakness.

He lacks imagination.

Alright,
what do you want me to say?

You were with Caesar
Thursday night, understand?

When he was picked up,
he just left you

at the Montreux's Bar.

He'd been hanging around
with you for three hours.

Yeah, but are you sure
we can get away with it?

That dame who saw Caesar
ain't gonna back down.

She'll back down when Colby
gets through with her.

You've never seen
this lawyer work

when he's convinced
he's being honest.

It's up to you, baby,
to convince him he's honest.

I told you
not to let that bother you.

Okay. Satisfied?

That dame will do nothin'
but get up in front of that jury

and say I'm not sure.

She's the only one
we have to worry about, Peg.

Nobody else got a good look
at Caesar's face.

It's your word against hers.

With your testimony and the
Montreux's bartender to back it

the DA's case goes blooey.

But it won't mean a thing if
your story doesn't get across.

I'll take care of my end,
you take care of yours.

I just don't want anything
to happen, that's all.

We don't either.

Come on.

Oh, well, Mr. Richie

if, uh, I could have a C-note
or somethin' while I'm waitin'.

Let her have it.

- I'll call you when I'm ready.
- Fine.

You're meetin' my lawyer
this afternoon for the kick-off.

And, uh, you better stay here,
keep briefin' her.

We don't wanna take any chances.

- Alright, sure.
- Oh, uh..

You want a drink
or somethin', to success?

With me, baby,
success is inevitable.

You don't have to drink for it.

Alright, let's go over it.

Oh, yes, sir.
I'm tellin' you the truth.

Caesar was with me
the whole evenin'.

Well, we closed
the Montreux's Bar together.

The bartender
will tell you that.

[laughing]

[dramatic music]

[instrumental music]

He's coming in now, Mr. Richie.

- Who?
- Your lawyer, Mr. Colby.

- You said I should--
- Oh, yes. Okay. Excuse me.

- Hiya, Flaxy.
- Hello, Hap.

I'll be with you in a minute.

Well, what do you say?
Well, congratulations.

That was a great pitch
you gave the jury today.

I hope you're satisfied with
your boy back in circulation.

The DA's office isn't.

Oh, I'm bleedin' all over
for them guys.

Come on, let's get a drink.

You don't waste much time,
do you, Hap?

Double-cross your attorney,
put hoodlums back on the street

throw a party.

Ah, don't be cute.

Nobody double-crossed nobody.

You had an honest witness.

Caesar had nothin'
to do with it.

That's what I thought.

I kept my fingers crossed

hoping that this time

everything was on the level.

- Did you tell him?
- Tell me what?

I've got a little news
for you, Hap.

News?
What are you talkin' about?

I'm talking
about the star witness

for the defense.
Little Peggy.

Sweet Peggy Farrar,
that on-the-level character

you handed me, she came up
to my office an hour ago

and said that
you'd made a deal with her.

Uh, well, uh, don't be sour
about it, Walt. I had to do it.

I had to get Caesar off, and you
weren't being very cooperative.

And you weren't being
very smart.

You haven't heard
the rest of the story.

Now that Caesar's free,
she wants to yell copper.

She thinks that
perjuring herself

is worth more
than she bargained for.

Come on, let's get out of here.

Well, I told you
to keep out of that cabinet.

Okay, spill it.

This has been coming to you
for a long time.

That Farrar dame ever talks

what does she figure
the law will do to her?

Well, you've got
a lot more to lose

than she has and she knows it.

She wants $10,000.

She's got just that one thing
on her mind

like something's jammed
her brain.

Ten thousand dollars.

Okay. Okay, I'll pay her.

That won't work. How long
do you think that will last?

Every time she wants more dough,
she'll put the arm on you again.

- Then we'll stop her.
- I'll stop her, Hap.

- Why don't you shut up?
- Get out, Roper.

If that dame ever talks,
you'll take the rap same as me.

I'm not even
going to give it a chance.

I'm walking right into the DA's
office the first thing

in the morning and clearing
my skirts of this whole mess.

That's putting me on the spot,
isn't it, Walt?

Look, Hap, you're gonna
have to roll your own hoop.

You got into this,
now you get out.

Get yourself another lawyer.

The police in this town have
been after little mice like you

for a long time.

When this is all over, Hap

you're gonna be cracked
wide open

and I'm not helpin' you
break the fall.

Come on,
we're gettin' out of here.

You haven't been fired yet,
Mr. Colby.

What makes you think
your contract won't be renewed?

I don't want it renewed.
I'm leaving.

I've been a long time
getting to this point

but I don't care anymore.

This has been like a tough game
of poker.

You either call or you get out.
Well, I'm getting out.

Okay.

Okay.

I'll get your things.

Thinks you're peaches and cream,
don't he?

A sucker for you, huh?

He wants me to marry him.

You lose this setup,
there won't be much

between you and the pavements,
will there?

What do you want me to do, Hap?

Well, he's no good for me
anymore, Flaxy

and I don't want him
to be good for anyone else.

Like the DA, maybe?

Yeah, maybe.

You get along home.

Get rid of Colby,
change your clothes

and call me in an hour.

You may be going out tonight.

Okay.

Hello, Caesar?

Hiya, kid, Hap Richie.

Yeah.
I got a little job for ya.

Unh-unh, no.

This is gonna be an easy one.

Very easy.

[dramatic music]

[man whistling]

(Peggy)
'I want out!
That's all I want, Flaxy.'

- 'I want out.'
- 'Shut up.'

(Peggy)
'You gotta listen to me.
You gotta listen.'

'I ain't gonna do nothin'.'

(Flaxy)
'You won't be able
to do nothin', can you?'

(Peggy)
'Please! Please don't, Flaxy.'

[screams]
'Don't hit me again, Flaxy.'

'All I want is out.
Flaxy, Flaxy, don't.'

- 'You don't listen..'
- 'Flaxy, I want out.'

Flaxy, don't!

Please call Hap.
Please call him.

No, I don't call Hap.
What do I call Hap for?

So you can pull a cheap trick
like this some other time?

I set you up with a grand,
but you got greedy.

I'm not gonna stand by
and see my friends get taken.

I will do nothin', honest.
I'll shut up and be good.

Just tell Hap
I don't want the ten grand.

I know how guys like Hap work.

I tell ya, I was crazy when I..

[knock on door]

Okay, open it.

Open it!

What are you afraid of, Peg?

Afraid of Hap?

Next time, keep your mouth shut.

[knock on door]

- Yeah, who is it?
- 'It's the clerk.'

(male #2)
'What's goin' on in there?'

- What do you want?
- We don't want no trouble.

Shut up. Get out of here.

[dramatic music]

Call Hap off. I won't squawk.

I'll leave town.

I won't do nothin'
to hurt anybody.

You gotta listen to me, Flaxy.
You gotta listen.

I told you, you talk too much.

[intense music]

[Peggy screams]

- Got a match?
- Oh, yes, ma'am.

Hey, is everything alright
up there?

Sure, everything is dandy.

Stop worrying
about your rotten hotel.

[ship horn blaring]

Looks like somebody
didn't like her.

How long you figure
she's been dead?

Can't tell much
until after the autopsy.

Maybe four or five hours.

Nobody's seen anything, Max.

Just reports from the kid
who saw the body floating.

Peggy Farrar,
Hotel Norwood, 9th Avenue.

We'll check with you later, doc.

Let's go to work, Joe.

Alright, alright, what about the
dame in here with her yesterday?

- What were they fighting about?
- Oh, I-I don't know.

A-all she kept sayin' was
she was scared to death

about bein' killed.
But if you ask me--

Do you know the dame's name?

Yeah.. Oh, sure, sure.
I have it right here.

Ah, here it is.
Uh, "Farrar. Peggy Farrar."

The other dame's name,
for cryin' out loud.

Oh, the other one?

Oh, gosh, no. I don't,
I don't know what her name is.

Uh, oh, this Farrar girl kept
callin' her Flaxy all the time.

I don't know who she was.

Hey, Max. Marriage license.

There's her name right there,
Flaxy Martin.

She was that Farrar girl's
witness three years ago.

This Flaxy left
right after the fight, huh?

Oh, yeah,
but m-maybe she came back.

I-I don't know.
I was off an hour.

But she could have come back
and killed her then.

She-she could have hauled
her body out of here then.

Yeah, she could have been a bus
if she had four wheels.

Let's get out of here, Joe.

Hey, wait a minute.
Don't you want my name?

Hey, don't you want my name
for the papers or something?

Of course,
they're looking for me.

My name's in the paper.

I phoned my apartment
ten minutes ago.

They've got two cops
waiting for me now.

I'm scared, Walt.

Tell me what happened.

I was afraid for you, darling.

I was afraid of what
Hap might do

if he found out you crossed him.

I-I thought if I went to Peggy

and got her to keep
her mouth closed

you wouldn't have to go
to the district attorney.

I didn't kill her, Walt.
I didn't kill her.

I know, darling, I know.

What am I going to do?

You're going
to give yourself up.

I'll get you out of this
and we'll drag Hap and Caesar

and the whole dirty show
into it.

But what about you? You drag Hap
into it, you drag yourself.

That's what I tried to prevent
by going to Peggy.

Supposing you do free me

and Hap gets fined
and thrown into jail

there will always be
someone like Caesar

waiting for us to get even.

Hap always gets even.
You know that, Walt.

That's just a chance
we'll have to take.

But I don't wanna take it.

I say, leave Hap out of it.

Do what you can for me,
but leave Hap out.

We'll make up a story.

Peg and I could have had a fight
over lots of things.

I don't know if I can get you
off on a phony story.

There's too much circumstantial
evidence against you.

But it's better
to take that chance

than both of us getting shot up
some night in a dark alley.

Can't you see, darling?

We'll never have each other
if we don't sacrifice now.

I'm willing
because I love you.

But why? Why should you
make the sacrifice?

Because the cops think I did it.
I'm the only one involved.

You saw the papers.

'Since when are you believing
in papers?'

But, Walt--

As long as the cops have
a patsy, it could be anybody.

The way the cards are stacked
now, I couldn't possibly

get you off
with less than ten years.

But with a lot of work
and a little luck

I might be able
to get myself off.

What do you mean?

I mean,
uh, I killed Peggy Farrar.

- 'No.'
- I say I did it.

There's no evidence
that says I didn't.

She was blackmailing me,
cock-eyed.

It had nothing to do with Hap.
Nothing to do with you.

[doorbell buzzes]

Now you'll see a good lawyer
at work.

I'll be my own defense
and I'll get off scot-free.

They'll never get a conviction.

- How do you know?
- Because I do.

[doorbell buzzes]
Now watch yourself.

This will work. Believe me.

- Walter Colby?
- Yeah.

We're looking for a girl
by the name of Flaxy Martin.

- Oh, yeah?
- Mind if we come in?

No, not at all. Come in.

This is the girl.

- Your name's Flaxy Martin?
- That's right.

Well, you better
come along with us.

We wanna ask you
a couple of questions.

That won't be necessary.
You got the wrong party.

Yes, she had nothing to do
with the murder of Peggy Farrar.

Here. Come on.

- That's what you say, pal?
- That's what I say, pal?

I killed her.

- Come again, Jack.
- I say I killed her.

Stop standing there
like a couple of monkeys.

Let's finish this down
at headquarters.

Come on.

Coming, sweetheart?

(Max)
'Double-crossing you for what?'

What was Farrar
double-crossing you for?

She was going
to the district attorney

to tell him that I had paid her
to perjure herself.

I never paid her a dime.

Her old testimony
was on the level.

It was just a blackmail play
of hers

and I wouldn't play along
with her.

Then you killed her, huh?
Baloney.

Who are you protecting, Colby?
Your girl?

You're protecting Flaxy Martin.

No, I said she was out of this.

Look, what's the matter
with you guys?

I've been sitting here all day
and half the night

trying to tell you
that I killed Peggy Farrar.

- What do you want?
- The truth!

Why did you hit her
so many times?

I don't know.
I was sore, I guess.

She hit me
and I picked up the pipe.

- Nah.
- How did you get to the pier?

I walked.

So you didn't take a taxi, huh?

No, you just walked.
Who do you think you're kidding?

I killed Peggy Farrar
in self-defense.

She was blackmailing me
on a charge that wasn't true.

Now, look, boys,
that's my statement.

- Take him out of here.
- Come on.

You know, you look tired, dear.

It will be so much easier
if you believed me.

I believe ya.

I'm tired enough right now
to believe you

if you said
you killed Peter Rabbit.

That's my boy.

Do you wanna question the girl?

No, no, send her home.

You're free to go, miss.

[instrumental music]

Your witness, Mr. McClane.

Mr. Colby, you've testified
that the deceased attacked you

on the Crescent
Steamship Line Docks

on the evening
of April, the 11th

after you'd ignored her demand
for blackmail?

Yes, sir.

(McClane)
'And that as you turned
from the deceased'

'to walk away,
she struck at you from behind.'

Yes, sir.

You're quite sure, Mr. Colby

that as you turned
from the deceased

she struck at you first?

And in the ensuing struggle
you accidentally killed her?

Yes, sir.
I've already said that.

That's all, Mr. Colby.
Thank you.

The prosecution
calls Fred Banford.

(male #3)
'Fred Banford, take the stand.'

'Raise your right hand.'

'You solemnly swear the
testimony you're about to give'

'in this case will be the truth,
the whole truth'

'and nothing but the truth,
so help you God?'

- I do.
- Sit down.

State your name, please.

Fred Banford.

Mr. Banford, as cab driver

for the Greater New York
Transportation Company

do you recall driving a customer

to the Crescent
Steamship Line Docks

on the evening
of April, the 11th of this year?

I do.

And could you identify
the customer?

Yes, sir.

Will the defendant,
please, rise?

'Is that the man?'

Is that the man, Mr. Banford?

Yeah. Yeah, that's him.

You positively identify
the defendant Walter Colby

as the man
who got out of your cab

on the Crescent
Steamship Line Docks

on April, the 11th of this year?

Yes, sir.

What happened after that?

He said he'd be about an hour,
for me to come back.

I, uh, went to a, a place
for a cup of coffee.

Before I went in,
I, like I always do

I, I checked the backseat
for anything

a customer
might, may be dropped.

I found a wallet in the back.

It was layin' on the floor.

Is that the wallet?

Yeah. Yeah, that's it.

Continue, please.

Well, I, I opened the wallet

uh, looking for identification

and I seen a snapshot
of this guy

'the one I just left off'

'so beat it right back
where I left him'

'thinking that maybe he might be
needing it or something.'

(McClane)
'What happened
after you arrived at the dock?'

I just kind of started
looking around.

Then I came on the two of them.

This guy and a dame.

- They was arguing.
- About what?

Oh, all I remember, he says..

He says, "I'll kill you
if you make a move."

'And she says somethin'
about going to the DA'

'and spillin' everything
she knew.'

And she, uh, busted away
from him and started off.

I seen him pick up a, a..

I don't know,
a piece of pipe or somethin'

and, and grab her.

'And he swung around
and hit her.'

'He was still hittin' her
when I run.'

That's a lie! That's a lie!

[gavel banging]

[indistinct chatter]

[dramatic music]

Your witness, Mr. Colby.

No questions.

No questions.

Colby, DA's office
here to see you.

Hello, Colby.

Why are you playing hard to get?

Just because
you caught a conviction

still doesn't mean
you can't tell the truth.

What truth?

Why did you suddenly clam up

after the cab driver's
testimony?

Who are you protecting?
Hap Richie?

Or that Martin girl?

Why don't you go away?

Oh, it's going to be tough.

They're gonna throw the book
at you.

Get out!
I said get out!

[piano music]

[sighs]

[upbeat piano music]

Well, that's my kind
of music, Flaxy.

Keep it up.

[somber music]

(Hap)
'Hi, sweetheart.'

Twenty years, they gave him.
Twenty years.

'Some joke, huh?'

Oh, come on, Flaxy.
Ain't you gonna play some more?

Lay off.

This thing's
not bothering you, is it?

Of course not.
Why should it bother me?

Wasn't it a laugh the way
quoted me in the papers?

Yeah, waiting at the gates
for the man you love.

Ah, you were in there
pitching all the way, honey.

I wasn't taking any chances
of him changing his mind.

Ah, you're great, baby.

Really great.

Let's talk about you, darling.

Who is it this time?

Another one of those guys
from the DA's office?

I don't know, pal,
I don't know.

I just work here.

What's the matter, Walt?
You don't know me?

Sure, sure, I know you.
You're Sam Malko.

You run a garage
down on Colin Street.

Goin' away tonight, huh?

What's on your mind?

I ain't forgot what you did
for Florence and the kids.

You might have forgotten it,
Walt, but I haven't.

You took care of them
till I got that parole.

It's hard to believe
that stuff in the paper

about you killin' anybody.

Get to it, Sam.

I'm worried, Walt,
about somethin' I heard.

A guy named Caesar's
laughin' at you.

Yeah, laughin'.

He's got a habit
of bendin' his elbow too much

and shootin' his mouth off.

Right now,
he's braggin' about you

takin' a rap for him.

I ain't asking any questions.

What you do
is your own business.

You're a smart guy.

But maybe this time,
you're taking a rap

for something you didn't do.

And I see your girl,
Flaxy Martin

always with Hap Richie.

What about her?

They come in my garage for gas.

Don't always look good.

Don't make much sense,
does it, Walt?

If she's hanging around
with Hap Richie

she ought to know what
I'm tellin' you about Caesar.

Why ain't she here
instead of me?

What she's stayin'
clammed up about?

Come on, let's go.

Don't make much sense,
does it, Walt?

[train chugging]

[train horn blaring]

It's just like I said,
Mr. Colby.

They found his carload of booze
where he left it.

But the only proof they had
that this guy was driving

was the eyewitness testimony
of his two cousins.

[chuckles]
I'm not borin' you,
am I, Mr. Colby?

No, no.

Say, uh, you wouldn't like

a chocolate-covered cherry,
would you?

- No. No, thanks.
- Okay.

'Well, there was nothing
nobody could do about it.'

'First cousin was dead,
and the other cousin'

'was afraid to talk.'

'What that case needed
was a smart lawyer'

'like you, Mr. Colby.'

Sure. Sure.

Look, how about
a little stretch?

I'm all knotted up.

Oh, we'd better sit right here.

- We haven't got far to go.
- What's the matter?

You're not afraid I'd do
something foolish, are you?

It wouldn't do you no good.

I'm too smart to carry the keys
to these handcuffs on me.

Well, in that event,
you don't mind, uh

getting a little air, do you?

I guess not. Let's go.

Would you like a cigarette?

I'd rather have a little air.

Okay.

[train horn blaring]

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[tires screeching]

[dramatic music]

(female #1)
'Well, good morning.'

No name, no address, no nothing.

'I nearly ran over you.
You know that, don't you?'

How did I get here?

Well, one minute you were
alright, the next you weren't.

Luckily, you were conscious
enough so that I could manage

but that's all that matters,
isn't it?

Well, I.. Oh!

Oh, you better stay
where you are.

Here.

And drink this.

What is all this?

Me and Florence Nightingale.

I should have taken you
to the police.

Only..

'...how do I know
they are looking for you.'

You don't?

Perhaps I should have left you
on the road.

That would have been alright
with me.

Would it?

Well, that was a quick recovery.
How do you feel?

Obviously better.

I don't get it.

- What don't you get?
- Who are you?

Do you just go around pickin' up
bodies off the highway?

No, last night
was my first time.

My name's Nora Carson.
What's yours?

Let's skip the formalities.

Very well.

I guess you wanna know
why I helped you.

Well, let's just say
it's because I'm a sucker.

I happen to feel sorry
for anyone

who runs away from something.

I know what it is to run away.

Who are you, anyway?
What are you trying to sell?

You've got it wrong, mister.

Everything in this life
doesn't have a price tag.

I work in the public library.

Last year, I was
elevator operator in Seattle.

Next Tuesday, I might be
washing dishes in Chicago.

Speaking of work, I better
get there. It's almost noon.

If you'd care to stay and rest,
I'll be home about 8:30.

There's plenty of food
in the icebox.

No, thanks.
I'll-I'll be running along.

I always thought that running
away was better at night.

I'll take my chances.

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[sizzling]

[music continues]

I decided to take your advice.

So I see.

Hungry?

Oh, I guess I better beat it.

You'll get awfully hungry
tonight.

You can't just walk into
a restaurant and order a steak.

Not you. Not with this story
on page one.

Well, what do you say,
Walter Colby?

Have some dinner?

[sighs]
All the roads are blocked

and the sheriff's office
is looking for you

if you're interested.

Why wouldn't I be interested?

Last night I was sorry for you.
Tonight I don't know what to be.

- What are you sore at me for?
- I'm not sore at you.

I'm sore at the world
in general.

[door opens]

Oh, excuse me,
I-I didn't know you had company.

'I-I just came to ask if I could
borrow a couple of eggs.'

'I h-have to boil them for
my husband's lunch tomorrow.'

Of course,
I'll get them for you.

- You sure you can spare them?
- I have plenty.

I do hope you didn't mind
my butting in this way

just when you and your, uh..

...your gentleman friend
are having dinner.

Not at all.

You think
she suspected anything?

I don't know.

Thanks for the dinner.

According to the newspapers,
the district attorney's office

had a hunch you were innocent.

You were taking the blame
for somebody else.

Don't believe everything
you read in the papers.

You can leave
whenever you want to.

I'm sorry.

You should have turned me in
last night.

I don't think
I'd turn anybody in.

At least not without knowing
a lot more about them

than I know about you.

Maybe you're innocent.
Maybe the other guy's wrong.

Well, if I'm wrong,
I'm gonna find it out.

But if I'm right,
I'm gonna find that out too.

Find out about what?

If I was sucker for a dame
who took me to the moon.

Isn't there an easier way
of finding out

than running away
from the police?

Unh-unh.

Well,
there are a couple of people

I gotta see all by myself.

Without any interference
from anybody.

The police or anybody else.

[dramatic music]

[doorbell rings]

Evening. You're the lady that
called the sheriff's office?

Uh, there won't be
any trouble, will there?

I certainly wouldn't want
to make any trouble for anybody.

You know,
she's a really nice person

and I wouldn't,
for the life of me--

Just a minute. Just a minute

Where is this fellow?

Right next door.

Uh, he's in there now.

I've kept my eye on the house.

The paper said they wanted
everybody to be on the lookout

and I got to thinking that he
certainly fit the description--

We've got 50 guys
fitting the description.

The whole town thinks
they've seen him.

Say, but..

You won't say I said anything,
will you?

- Do you mind if I take these?
- Not at all.

Take these too.
You'll be needing it.

That isn't necessary.

You'll be needing
a lot of things.

Mostly luck.

[doorbell buzzes]

You better answer it.

[dramatic music]

- Mind if I come in, miss?
- What's the matter?

Just had a report you're having
dinner with a stranger.

We're checkin' everything.
I guess you read the papers.

Yes. Uh, oh, oh,
that was my brother.

He just arrived today.

Do you mind
if I see your brother?

Yeah, let's all have a look
at your brother.

Well, if it isn't sixth grade.

Always surprises,
ain't there, shamus?

Get over there.

Well, I see
you've been promoted again

from newsboy to bodyguard
to professional killer.

You've been pretty loose
with your big talk, ain't you?

Well, I ain't takin' it
no more.

Don't you think
you can get away with this.

Shut up.

Lock 'em together. Go on!

Come on, hurry up!

Now get over here.

You and your comedy cops.

Every time you got a call on
some guy that looks suspicious

I just followed you.

Open that door.

'Go ahead, open it!'

Get in there, grandad.
Pleasant dreams.

Maybe you're smarter
than I gave you credit for.

Sure. I'm a big boy now.

What's up?

You didn't make no break
because you was lonely.

You heard somethin'.
You're lookin' for somebody.

Who is it?

It wouldn't be Caesar,
would it, shamus?

You're the genius.
Maybe you can find that out too.

I'll find out.

You and me is gonna take
a little ride.

And as for you, sister,
you can keep him company..

...just so there won't be
no more squawks to the cops.

Go ahead.

[dramatic music]

You shoot me and you're through.

The cops will want to know
who killed me and why?

You know they're apt to link
the whole thing

right back to you
and Hap Richie.

Why don't you call Hap over?

You don't wanna gum up
the works.

Go ahead, genius. Call him up.

You don't wanna be demoted,
do you?

I ain't gonna call Hap.
Why bother him?

You want me to make a mistake,
don't you?

Like parking the car,
calling Hap

getting picked up maybe.

That's what you want,
ain't it, shamus?

What do you think I've got?

Scrambled eggs for brains?
I'm another Caesar?

How far do you think
you're going to get with this?

They have all the roads blocked.

Not the way I came in, sister.

Get the trees behind us,
Charlie.

[intense music]

It's funny, isn't it?

I've always had a dread
of being buried.

You're not going to be buried.

How can we get out of it
with these on?

And that killer
standing down there

staring at us like a madman.

"Always bury the evidence,"
that's what they say

don't they, shamus?

Now they don't find you.

Maybe they'll never find you.

They'll think you escaped,
you and the dame.

Like you said,
it don't start no investigation.

Go on, stop loafing.
We ain't got all day.

Dig!

Life can be very sweet

especially
when it's almost over with.

It's not over with. Not yet.

Ain't this deep enough?

Look at my hands. Look at 'em!

What do I care
about your hands?

'You've got any prayers to say,
you better start saying them.'

Okay.

Alright. Come on down.

[dramatic music]

Some campfire boy I got here.

He can't even dig a hole without
bellyachin' like an old woman.

[grunting]

[intense music]

I hate taking you with me
this way.

It's alright. I think
I would have come, anyway.

You're asking for more trouble.

It doesn't matter anymore.

We're living on borrowed time.

Borrowed until I can pay it back
with interest.

What do you mean,
pay it back?

I've gotta see a man
named Caesar.

He's the only man
who can clear me.

I have to see him
before Hap does.

Watch the road.

That's the main highway
up ahead.

We've got to take it or we'll
never get back to the city.

Go ahead, take it.

What about the roadblocks?

You were talking about
all those jobs you'd had.

Ever did any acting?

Lead in two high school plays.

Well, that's good,
because today is your big break

and it leads
right straight to Broadway.

- Well, how are you doing?
- Just great.

We've stopped 3000 cars,
nabbed 18 drunks

six guys carrying slot machines,
but no Walter Colby.

This is it.
Are you frightened?

- Not very.
- Alright.

Keep your right hand covered
and don't forget your accent.

Officer! Officer!

- Yes, miss?
- We've just seen him.

- Who?
- Colby, of course.

Alright, miss, where? Where?

- How long ago?
- Back at Five Corners.

We were sittin' in the station
gettin' gas

when this man we know as Colby
drove in.

How did you know it was Colby?

Well, because
he-he was quite tall

'he had brown hair, brown eyes,
and a mustache.'

You better hurry, officer.

How did you know
Colby's description so well?

Well, because we-we heard it
on the radio.

We were laughing at how
the description fit Charlie.

Charlie? Who's Charlie?

Oh, officer, this is Charlie.

(Walter)
'Officer, my girlfriend's
a little excited'

'but if I were you
I would investigate.'

'The man did look suspicious.'

Okay, we'll take a look.

Take Spencer and be
at Five Corners.

Well, uh, aren't you
even goin' yourself?

Now, honey, the chief knows
what he's doin'.

If that guy was Colby,
then they'll catch him.

[chuckles]
Wait a minute.

Say, what did you say
your name was?

- Charlie.
- Let's see some identification.

[siren wailing]

Okay.

Yeah, I see it now.

You know, you do look a little
like that guy Colby.

[chuckles]
Well, I always said
Charlie had a shifty eye.

[all laughing]

It's alright if we go on now,
isn't it, officer?

Oh, sure. Sure, you're not
smuggling no criminals.

[chuckles]
Just Charlie.

- Goodbye. I hope you catch him.
- We'll get him.

A nice young couple.

Phew.

You and me both.

[exhales]

This is Sam Malko's garage.

He lives at a little place
in the back.

You can stay here with him
and wait for me.

What about these?

Well, I'm hoping he can help us.

[knocks]

- Walt, what are you doin' here?
- Cut the emotions, Sam.

Let us in.

Take these off, will you, Sam?

Come on.

Come on over here.

I read about your escape
in the paper.

Heard it over the radio too.

But I didn't hear anything
about the young lady.

Sam, this is Nora Carson.

Well, get us out of these,
will you, please?

If it will ease your conscience
any, it wasn't the police

that tied us together.

I can clip the chain with these,
but it will take

a little while
to get the bracelets off.

Well, never mind that now.

There.

Feel like
I just dropped 20 pounds.

Come on in here.
I'll make a pot of coffee.

We won't be able to sleep,
anyway.

Sam, do me one more favor,
will you?

Take care of Nora.
I've got to go find Caesar.

Walt.

Don't worry.

I'm afraid.

It will be alright.
I'll be back.

I better get that car
off the street.

[dramatic music]

- Hello, Caesar.
- 'Yeah, who is this?'

Well, you don't know me.
My name's Elliot.

I got a message
from a friend of yours.

- 'Who?'
- Samuel Morison.

He asked me to see you
when I got out.

'What about?'

Well, it's kind of confidential.
I, I ought to come over.

'Alright, but make it quick.
I'm goin' out.'

'You know where to come?'

Yeah. Yeah, he told me.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[record player whirring]

Caesar.

Caesar?

[whirring stops]

[telephone ringing]

(Roper)
'Hello, shamus.'

'What's the matter?
You surprised?'

'I'm waiting for ya, shamus.'

'Come on down, baby.'

'And don't try
to get out the backdoor.'

[laughs]

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[intense music]

[gunshot]

[gunshot]

[music continues]

(male #4)
'Hold it.'

Come here.

What are you doin' in here?

I'm just looking
for a shortcut home.

Yeah?
Well, that's the way out.

Thanks.

[dramatic music]

[horn blaring]

Well, you're getting on or not?

(male #5)
'End of the line, folks.
This is it.'

Where can I get a cab?

There's a phone
right over there.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[intense music]

[gunshot]

[gunshot]

[gunshot]

[gun clatters]

George, what is it?
What's going on?

I don't know. I heard a shot.

[laughs]
Here I come, baby.

[dramatic music]

Who's going on the roof?

I hate to do this, shamus.

You are such a smart guy.

[intense music]

[gun clicks]

[clicks]

[grunting]

[groans]

[grunting]

Get up.

[grunting]

[intense music]

- What's happening up here?
- Somebody call the police.

Nothing's happened.
Nothing's happened.

Remember that.
Get out of the way.

Look out. Look out.
Look out, George.

Look out, he's got a gun.

[instrumental music]

[telephone ringing]

Hello.

Hap, I've been trying to get you
for a half an hour.

I heard about Caesar and Roper
down at the club.

I'm frightened.
What am I going to do?

Take it easy, take it easy.
What are you frightened about?

- You're getting protection.
- Protection?

What kind of protection
are you giving me?

I'm getting out of here.
I'm getting out of town.

Calm down.
I'll come right over.

I'm leaving the club right now.

(Walter)
You're not goin' anywhere,
sweetheart.

Yeah, I got back just a little
bit sooner than I expected.

What do you think
you were getting away with?

You-you think
I framed you, don't you?

Sure. Sure, I framed you.

I-I framed myself
at the same time.

I knew Caesar killed Peg,
but I had to lie to you.

Well, you lied beautifully.
Beautifully.

Listen to me. I don't know
if I can convince you or not.

I guess it doesn't matter
anymore. You hate me so.

But you've got to believe this.

Hap's been trying to get me away
from you for a long time.

'You didn't know that, did you?'

What else didn't I know?

'When you tried
to walk out on him'

'he was going to kill you.'

Everything I did
was for one reason.

- Because I loved you.
- Go on.

I told Hap not to kill you.

Sending you up was just as good.

I knew it would be rotten,
but I wanted you to live.

I hoped that
someday you'll be free

and we'll be together.

It was all I could figure out.

I just didn't get away with it.

Oh, Walt.
Walt, it isn't too late.

We can still go away.

I'll go any place with you.

You mean you'd give
all this up for me?

I thought
money was your first love.

Alright.

As long as we're in it this far,
let's go a step further.

- What do you mean?
- Hap.

What about him?

He's on his way here
from the Domino Club.

He'll have the club cash
with him.

Forty grand.

He ought to pay us something
for what he's done to us.

What do you say?

To success.

You know,
Hap's not gonna like this.

He's gonna be
a little peeved at you.

Sure you want
to go through with it?

[knock on door]

Well, what do you know?

Hello, Hap.
Come in. Have a drink.

I always say it's tough
when you have to double-cross

your best friend.

I always say
if you lie down with dogs

you get up with fleas.

- 'Take his wallet.'
- Never mind.

This isn't gonna get you
any place, Flaxy.

Let me worry about that.
Go on, toss it.

Where are you going?

Get back.

Get 'em up!

You didn't really think
I was going with you?

No, not knowing you as I do.

She's a great kid.

You can always trust her
to double-cross you.

- What's the pitch?
- You're no good to me anymore.

When Walt gets picked up,
he sings and you get it.

I get it, too,
if I stick around.

Well, I'm not going to jail
for anybody.

Not just yet, sweetheart.
Not yet.

You couldn't hit
the side of a barn

with a bucket of birdshot.

Don't try me.

You double-crossed yourself

this time, didn't you, Flaxy?

Just like I thought you would.

You know, if you shoot me,
you're going to have Hap

on your back
before you can turn around.

Shoot Hap and the same thing.
You got me.

You're going to have
to shoot both of us

before you can even get out
of that door

and then
you'll have the police.

Oh, you fixed yourself up good,
didn't you, Flaxy?

Okay, okay, you take the dough
and let me scram.

We forget about the whole thing.

And who's gonna be patsy
for the killing of Peggy Farrar?

Me? Unh-unh.

[heavy breathing]

- Where do we stand, Hap?
- Oh, you know where we stand.

We toss her in, huh, Walt?

We make a bargain.
The cops will believe it.

They never believed you, anyway.
She was their first suspect.

Sure. Anything for a joke.

Get away from me.
Get away from me!

[gunshots]

[dramatic music]

[screams]

Drop it.

Get the police department,
please.

(male #6)
'47 Precinct.'

This is 621, Sutton Place,
Apartment B.

'Who's this talking?'

Somebody's just killed
Hap Richie.

You better send somebody over,
sergeant.

- 'Who is this?'
- '621, Sutton Place.'

(Walter)
'Apartment B.'

I said you could have the dough.
Let me out.

I'm taking the dough
and the police are takin' you.

You and I
are gonna have a little wait.

The last wait
we're ever gonna have together.

[dramatic music]

[siren wailing]

What do you think
this will get you?

You'll end up poor but honest.
Only worse.

You don't think they'll ever let
you practice law in this town.

Not after your record.

Since when did you get
so concerned about my welfare?

[siren wailing]

Well, that's it, sweetheart.

Happy landing.

[bangs on door]

Let me out of here!
Walt! Walt!

[sobbing]

[knock on door]

(male #7)
'Open up! Police!'

'Open up in there.'

Alright, get up.

[sobbing]

Come on, take this.
It's good for the butterflies.

He told you not to worry silly,
didn't he?

Go ahead and worry.

Where is he?
That's what I wanna know.

Where is he?

How long can you keep waiting?

Sometime you wait a lifetime
and then it doesn't happen.

Oh, where did he go, Sam?
Tell me.

It won't do any good.

Believe me, Nora.
I told you before.

Oh!

- Oh, Walt.
- It's alright, darling.

(Sam)
'What happened?'

You'll read about it
tomorrow, Sam.

Look, we're pulling out of here.
I'm not going to the police.

- No.
- Stop shaking your head.

I'm getting out
and you're coming with me.

- I'm not going, Walt.
- Why?

Because you're running away

and nobody ever ran away
and had anything but bad dreams.

I've had enough of 'em.

Forty thousand dollars can buy
a lot of good dreams.

Yeah, that's what I've got.
$40,000.

It's Hap Richie's money,
but he won't be needing it.

Oh, Walt.
That's not smart money.

Suppose I gave myself up

and returned the $40,000,
what then?

Suppose I manage to clear myself
of the murder charge

they'd still send me up
for two years for perjury.

Then where will I be
when I got out?

Broke, no job, no nothing.

- Unh-unh, not me.
- We can start all over.

- Two years isn't a lifetime.
- Now, listen to me.

We'll take the car as far
as Chicago and ditch it there.

We'll watch our step,
keep out of sight.

Take out easy stages
all the way to the coast.

That's one tour
you can take alone, my dear.

I'm taking the next bus
right back to where I started.

You see, I know now
that you really don't need me.

You only want me.

If you needed me,
you'd feel that

nothing was too tough to face.

No. I'm a girl
that believes in a happy ending.

Running away
seems to suit us both.

[instrumental music]

You think you ought
to let her go like that?

I don't need her.
I don't need anybody.

With 40 grand in your pockets,
you can get far enough away

and let somebody else
take the heartaches.

Is that it, Walt?
You made one mistake though.

You shouldn't have told her
which way you were goin'.

That girl loves you, Walt.

She's liable to help you
in spite of yourself

because she knows
what's good for you.

'She might turn you in.'

It could work the other way,
couldn't it, Sam?

I mean, if a girl loves me,
she could send them

in the wrong direction
and I could get away

without any trouble at all.

Could be.

You know, Sam,
I've got $40,000

but what I really need
is a nickel.

Police Department.

Look, if you guys wanna get
Walter Colby

you better pick up a girl
in the bus station

in about ten minutes.

Her name's Nora Carson.

She's 5'6" tall, has brown hair

blue eyes, and is wearing
a striped blue jacket.

Alright, gentlemen,
thanks for the pick-up service.

- What did you do?
- Hey, who are you?

- Guess who.
- Colby.

- Don't try nothin'.
- Lay off.

Walt?

Come on,
let's get this over with.

Alright, so I'm a sucker
for a girl

who wants a happy ending.

[instrumental music]