All language subtitles for Footsteps in the Night (1957)

(dramatic music)

(upbeat music)

(upbeat music)

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(crickets chirping)

(crickets chirping)

- He was strangled at around one a.m.

with a thin strand of wire,

according to Assistant Corner.

(footsteps)

- Are you the manager of this motel?

- An owner.

Had a 12 years, nothing like this

ever happened around here before.

- May I have your name, please?

- Harris.

Dick Harris.

Do you fellas have to swarm

all over my place like this?

Ruan business.

- The man's been

murdered here, Mr. Harris.

- What time did you discover the body?

- Seven o'clock this morning.

Mr. Horner was an early riser like me.

He usually dropped in

for coffee around 6.30.

He didn't show up

today, so I got impatient,

knocked on the door,

nobody answered, and I came in.

- You found the body on the floor.

- Not in his place, Lieutenant.

In here.

This is Mr. Horner's apartment.

Mr. Horner lives next door, number eight.

- Who has this one?

- A fella named Johnson.

Henry Johnson.

- You know where Johnson

is, have you seen him today?

- No.

- Is he going to work?

- He ain't working, he lost his job.

- Then you have no idea where he is.

- He's on the lam if you ask me.

- How long has he lived here?

- Couple of months.

- What does he look like?

- Ooh, he's medium

height, brown hair, brown eyes.

Kind of good looking.

Weighs about 160.

Nervous type, you know what I mean?

Nervous wreck.

- How old is he?

- Oh, about 28.

- Mike sent out an APB on Johnson.

Check R and I, see if

there's anything on him.

- Right.

- Now then, Mr. Harris,

when you failed to find Horner

and Johnson, you were in the next door.

How did you happen to look in here?

- Because Mr. Horner and

Johnson were good friends.

At least they used to be.

Spent the evenings together.

I thought maybe Johnson would know where

Mr. Horner might be.

So I came in here.

Found him there on the floor.

- When was the last time you saw Johnson?

- Oh, I guess about

seven o'clock last night.

- Why did you say Horner and Johnson

used to be good friends?

- Because they'd been

arguing for a couple of weeks.

I heard them going at

it again last night.

Couldn't have been

Mr. Horner who started.

He just wasn't his

nature to argue with anybody.

But Johnson now, he seems

sore at the whole world.

- You have any idea what

they were quarreling about?

- I can't likely say.

I wasn't eavesdropping, see?

I just heard Henry bellowing.

Couldn't have been Mr. Horner's fault.

He was one of the sweetest

little guys in the world.

You find Henry Johnson

and you got your murderer.

I'm positive.

- Maybe.

Well, thanks, Mr. Harris, that's all.

But I may want to talk to you later on.

- Anytime, Lieutenant.

I really like poor Mr. Horner.

Do anything I can to see

Johnson brought the justice.

This'll ruin everything I built up here.

Everything.

- 11M, 169, Roger.

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

- Okay, Cliff, thanks.

Nothing on Henry Johnson and R and I.

Sounds like an alias anyway.

- Well, maybe it could be, Mike.

Maybe we'll know more

when they check the prints.

- Oh, Lieutenant.

I just want to ask you,

do you think there's any chance

one of Johnson should come back here?

- Well, I don't think

that's very likely, Mr. Harris,

but if he does, just call us, okay?

- I'll do better than that.

I'll hold him for you.

Cool head and steady nerves, that's me.

- Well, that'll be fine, Mr. Harris.

And thanks for your cooperation.

- Don't mention it.

We'll get him.

- Cool head and steady nerves.

- Yeah, if he ever sees Johnson again,

he won't need the telephone.

We'll be able to hear him

yell a flare in our office.

(chuckles)

(door opens)

(door closes)

- I've got to get away, Mary.

I didn't kill it.

I swear it.

- I believe you, Henry.

I know you couldn't kill anyone.

- Yeah, the others won't.

Everything's stacked against me.

- How did it happen?

- Well, Horner and I were arguing.

I went into the

kitchen to fix him a drink.

When I came back, he

was lying there dead.

I ran.

I walked the streets

the rest of the night.

- Why did you run away?

You didn't do it.

- I told you, I got scared.

The neighbors must have heard us arguing.

I wouldn't have had a chance.

- But why?

What were you fighting about?

Henry, was it the old trouble again?

Were you gambling?

After all you promised?

- I didn't want to do it, Mary.

Horner insisted.

Before I knew it, I...

- What are you gonna do now?

- Try to clear myself.

By the man who murdered Horner.

- But you can't, not by yourself.

Henry, please, give yourself up.

- I can't.

- There's nothing to

fear if you're innocent.

- They'd never believe me.

You're the only one I can trust.

- Will you do one thing for me?

- Sure, what?

- I want you to see Dr. Green.

Explain everything.

Do what he suggests.

- I see him.

I don't promise I'll do as he suggests.

- Let me go with you, Henry.

- No.

I've got to work this out alone.

We agreed on that.

- Have you any money?

- Got enough to get by for a while.

- Henry, I've gotta see you again today.

I want to know what Dr. Green said.

Please.

- All right.

I'll meet you back here at two o'clock.

I'll be waiting.

- Don't discuss this with anybody.

About meeting me, I mean.

- You know I wouldn't.

- I love you.

(dramatic music)

- Yes sir?

That looks just like him.

That's Henry Johnson all right.

- Well, we've got

something to go on anyway.

Thanks Ted.

- Any time, Lieutenant.

- I appreciate your

cooperation, Mr. Harris.

- Particularly since we've

got nothing on Henry Johnson

in our Bureau of

Records and Identification.

- Don't mention it, Lieutenant.

We'll catch him all right, won't we?

Pretty near wrecked

my business, didn't he?

Anything else?

- No, that's all.

Thanks, Mr. Harris for coming down.

- Well, what did you find out

from your new deputy sheriff?

(laughing)

- Lawton made this guess

from Harris's description.

Harris says it's a perfect

likeness of Henry Johnson.

- Landlords can remember like elephants

when the rent isn't paid up.

- Harris tells me that

Horner was retired, Mike.

Lived on a small end gun, which he

stretched like a rubber band.

Had no friends or

relatives as far as Harris knows.

Just took up with the

people he met in the motel.

- Apparently took up once too often.

- Yeah.

I'll see what I can run

down on Johnson, Mike.

In the meantime, you find

out what you can about Horner.

- Okay, Andy.

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

- I've got the Johnson

file right here, Lieutenant.

I was sorry to hear

about Henry's trouble.

Too bad.

- Can you tell me anything about him?

- Why yes, we liked him here.

He's a nice boy, almost brilliant.

But like lots of young men with a

scientific turn of mind,

a little mixed up.

- When did he leave

your employ, Mr. McClary?

- 24th.

That's six weeks ago tomorrow.

- Did he give any reason?

- We let him go,

Lieutenant, along with a few others.

Not for inefficiency, you understand?

He was a good conscientious worker.

But we're a fairly new plant,

and well, we just had to

make a cut in personnel.

- Then he wasn't here very long.

- Only a few months.

I knew his father, Randolph Johnson.

Used to work for him in

the old days in Seattle.

- Was his father an engineer?

- Oh yes, a well-known electronics man.

He was working for the

government at the time he died.

Heart attack, 10 months ago.

Brilliant mind, great loss.

- Did Henry Johnson have any friends?

Have you met any of them?

- Well, I know he was

interested in a girl.

- Would you know her name by any chance?

- No, I, yes, June, what is it?

- I'm sorry to interrupt, Mr. McClary,

but you asked me to bring these at once.

They're ready for your signature.

- That's quite all right.

- June, the lieutenant here

would like to know the name

of the young lady who used

to go with Henry Johnson.

Would you know it?

- I don't believe I know her name,

but I believe she's the librarian

where Mr. Johnson used to

get his reference books.

- Where would that be?

- On Santa Monica just

west of Beverly Glen.

- Thank you very much.

- That's all right.

- Mr. McClary, there's

something that puzzled me.

Now I gather from what

you say you put Johnson on

because you were a

friend of his father's,

yet you let him go.

Now, was there any reason,

anything that you should tell me?

- Yes, I suppose there is

something I should tell you.

Henry was very fond of gambling.

He'd organized card and dice games.

Used to demoralize the employees.

I warned him once or twice.

Finally, I had no

choice but to let him go.

I felt very badly about it.

I still do.

If he gets out of this all

right, and I'm sure he will,

I'll be glad to give him another chance.

- But you said he was a

good man, almost brilliant.

- They don't come any better.

- Mr. McClary, just

what do you make here?

- Electronic units.

Of course, some of our work is secret,

and I'm not free to discuss it.

That is, not without official permission.

- I understand.

Are you free to tell me what Johnson's

last assignment was?

- Well, yes, he was

working on a radar landing device

for aircraft designed

to help airplanes land

in fog and darkness.

- Mr. McClary,

do you use colored wires like these?

- Oh, yes, indeed.

- Now, do they all have

the numbered discs on them?

- Yes, for identification.

- Why would Henry Johnson

take them home with him?

- Well, some of the

boys take home remnants

to use around the house.

You know, odd jobs,

repairing the television set,

and so forth.

I've owned this shop

for 13 years, Sergeant,

and I've got another one in Bellflower.

Long ago, I had the hopes

of starting a chain of them.

But didn't make it.

Just couldn't put my

hands in enough capital.

- Look, what's all this

got to do with Horner?

- Well, Fred was once

interested in my shop.

- Oh, when?

- Oh, about a year ago.

Said he could raise enough money

to go into partnership with me.

- And did he?

- Well, we got as far

as drawing up the papers.

He had his check all made out,

but backed out the last minute.

- Why?

- I guess he just

couldn't part with that check.

- Oh, and did you keep

seeing him after that?

- Sure, he came in quite

often, whenever I had a special.

He wasn't the type to take chances.

- So I've heard.

- But he had many good qualities,

and everybody in the

neighborhood liked him,

including myself.

- I see.

Well, thanks a lot, Mr. Diggins.

- You're welcome.

- One drink a day.

That's all, Sergeant.

Mr. Horner, come in about six o'clock,

have a bourbon and

water, sit around a while,

then go home.

He was always alone,

but friendly, you know?

- Can you think of anybody

who might've had it in for him?

- No, I can't.

He was a very nice guy,

but I'd give a pretty

penny to find out who didn't.

- Go on, mister.

- Thanks.

- Now you have nothing to gain by

protecting him, Mr. Reagan.

- On the contrary, if you keep his

whereabouts a secret,

you'll be seriously

involved as an accessory.

- Accessory to what?

Henry hasn't done anything.

- Then why don't you tell me where he is?

- Because I don't know,

Lieutenant, and that's the truth.

- I believe you.

How long have you two

been going together?

- Over two years.

We've been engaged nearly a year.

- Any reason for the long engagement?

- Oh, well, we decided we'd wait

until we'd saved up enough money

to buy a little house and other things.

Henry's that way.

He hates to run up bills.

- The truth is, Miss Reagan,

Henry wasn't very steady.

Is that right?

- What do you mean?

- Henry was a specialist

in his line, a good man,

as far as I've been able to determine,

but he couldn't hold a job.

Some firms wouldn't hire him.

Why was that?

- I don't know.

- Don't you?

- That's an expensive engagement ring

you're wearing, Miss Reagan.

How did you get it?

- Henry bought it for me.

- With his gambling

winnings, Miss Reagan?

Why didn't you tell me about it

instead of doing all that sparring?

- Henry bought the ring after

a winning streak at Roulette.

Gambling's a disease with him.

He's sick with it. Like other people, he's

sick with alcohol or dope.

- And that's the reason

you didn't get married.

- I didn't know it at first.

He'd risk a little money now and then,

but I didn't think anything of that.

Then one day I realized it was a fever,

a fever that had grown and grown

until it was out of control.

I tried to stop him,

but he laughed at me.

He'd say, "You've gotta gamble your breath.

"You're gonna get a little money." You've gotta gamble your breakfast money

or where's the excitement?

Something seemed to drive him.

He simply couldn't help himself.

- Go on, Miss Reagan.

- Well, he got in

trouble everywhere he went.

He was unemployed for months.

Finally he called on his

father's friend, Mr. McCleary.

It was the same old story.

After he had lost out

there, he wound up in Gardena,

then in some illegal places here in L.A.

He tried everything to cure him,

but nothing seemed to do any good.

- All right, Miss Reagan.

If he gets in touch with you,

you try and persuade

him to give himself up.

Every hour he's away counts against him.

Goodbye.

Thanks for your help.

- Goodbye.

(door opens)

(somber music)

- Now, what can I do for you, sir?

- Sheriff's office, Sergeant Duncan.

I'm investigating the

murder of Fred Horner.

I'd appreciate anything

you can tell me about him.

- Well, I didn't know him very well.

I've only been here a short time.

I'm Orvelo, the new assistant manager.

- I see.

I understand Mr. Horner used

to have his car serviced here.

- That's right.

Terrible thing, wasn't it?

- Mm-hmm.

- Sergeant, did you ever notice

how people look like their cars?

- Look like their cars?

- Yeah.

Take a teenager, for example.

Usually he drives a

jalopy as sloppy as he is.

On the other hand, your

white collar executive

always has a car that's kept up,

spic and span, gets a

new one every year, too.

Now, artists, always broke.

Run around a little foreign jobs.

You know, put gas in with

an eyedropper, run all week.

- And what did Mr. Horner drive?

- Mm, 42 coupe that still had its

original paint on it.

His seat covers don't have a spot on him.

It was like his car, see?

Neat and clean.

Oh, nothing fancy.

But he wasn't the type of guy

to throw good money away, dialing it up.

- I see what you mean.

(phone ringing)

- Boy, you never know, do you?

Who'd have thought when poor

Mr. Horner drove in that day,

he'd never drive out again?

(phone ringing) - Oh, excuse me.

- Sure, thanks.

- Look like they're cars.

- Miller's garage, Avella's big--

Oh, hello, Mrs. Richardson.

Okay, we'll tow it right in for you.

Let me have that address again.

Right away, Mrs. Richardson.

(dramatic music)

- Dr. Green, I've got to talk to you.

- All right, Henry.

Come on, thank you.

I've seen the papers.

I'm sorry you're in this trouble.

It's why I didn't want to wait for you

in your outer office.

I remembered you always came

in the back way after lunch.

- Sit down.

- Tell me all about it.

- There's nothing to tell you.

Except I'm not going to tell you anything. - I'm sorry. - I'm sorry. I'm sorry to tell you.

Except I didn't do it.

You believe me, don't you?

- Yes, I believe you, Henry.

Because I understand you.

But you disappointed me greatly.

This thing never would have happened

if you hadn't stopped coming here.

- I slipped back.

I was ashamed.

- I told you before we started

that it would take

time and patience, effort.

If you faltered

occasionally, it was only to be expected.

- It isn't hopeless.

- I can be cured even after this.

- Even after this.

- I was fighting hard.

I was doing all right too for a while.

Until Horner.

I didn't have the strength

to resist the temptation.

- Papers say that you

quarreled after Cardigan.

- Oh, the papers, the papers.

They got me tried and

convicted and executed by now.

We did quarrel.

But we didn't come to blows.

And I didn't kill him.

- Henry.

- I'm going to help you.

But you must do as I say.

- And what's that?

- I want you to give yourself up at once.

I'll go with you to the authorities.

- I can't.

I'd never be able to prove my innocence.

- Henry.

You've got to trust me.

- No.

This time I'm afraid.

- I'll get you something to relax you.

(dramatic music)

(door slams)

- Slo, will you get me the

sheriff's office, please?

(crowd chattering)

(indistinct chatter)

- Thank you.

- Ticket to San Francisco, please.

(dramatic music)

Ready?

Get constant, stop!

(dramatic music)

Regionization?

(dramatic music)

- May I use your phone, please? -

Certainly. What happened, officer?

Yes. Wilson?

Well, we hopped the cab, huh? Where?

Did you get the license number?

W84753. Okay, Wilson.

Notify all cars. Johnson just got in the

cab at Sunset in La

Cienega, proceeding west on Sunset.

W84753.

He'll be picked up in a few minutes

unless he ditches the cab.

Now, go on, doctor. You were telling me

about this unusual sickness of this.

It's not so unusual, lieutenant. I've

handled other cases like it.

At any rate, it's a first for me.

Basically, it's a story of frustration.

Johnson's mother died when he was very

young. His father had to bring him up.

He neglected the boy.

He devoted too much time

to his work, I suppose.

Randolph Johnson was a

hard, implacable man.

Rigid, self-disciplined, a perfectionist.

Impatient and

tolerant. He demanded too much.

The boy tried to make good,

but nothing he did was right.

You know the pattern, he matured with a

deep feeling of inferiority.

So he compensated by gambling. Exactly.

He wanted to demonstrate to his father

that he could make his own way.

Didn't he know that he

would lose eventually?

Of course, but that didn't stop him.

He and his father quarreled

violently about it, and...

one day, Randolph

Johnson died of a heart attack.

Henry became conscience-stricken.

Now he gambled even more

heavily, seeking escape.

And being fired from one job after

another didn't help.

That's right. He became reconciled to a

life of failure and eventual suicide.

When I took over the case...

they were making good progress until we

got mixed up with Horner.

But you feel Johnson did not murder him.

I'd almost stake my reputation on it.

While Henry is a sick young man, he never

had the homicidal tendencies.

All of his hatred is

turned against himself.

Thank you, doctor. Thank you for coming

in. I appreciate it.

Not at all. Good day,

Lieutenant. Good day.

Who's your visitor?

Johnson's psychiatrist.

Better off if he hired

himself a good mouthpiece.

What do you mean?

Horner left a bank

account of nearly $100,000.

What? $100,000?

Cool green lettuce. I

wish I knew how he did it.

Hmm. I need to think he'd allowed himself

a little more luxury

than a second-rate motel.

Well, these guys are

hard to figure, Andy.

But I can figure Johnson.

The bank called a little while ago.

Said Henry walked in there and cashed two

checks for 500 each.

Horner's personal checks.

It adds up, doesn't it?

Henry nicked him for one G and was well

on his way to the

second one when it happened.

Maybe, uh, cards were

a little too slow, huh?

From Horner's apartment.

Score sheets.

Poker chips.

And a makin'.

Hmm. Kept out of every penny.

He had to write pretty fast the way he

was slipping through his fingers.

Did you find any

fingerprints in Horner's place?

Johnson's all over the place,

just as if he'd ransacked it.

Any others?

A few. They're being checked.

Maybe we'll get another lead. I doubt if another

lead would mean anything.

We found these colored wires.

In Horner's room?

In his desk drawer. Just like the ones

that were used to garret him.

Doyle speaking.

Yes, Rick?

I see.

Where are you?

Okay, Rick, I've got

it. We'll be right over.

Go on, Mike. It looks like we're struck later.

(SIREN WAILING)

No doubt in my mind,

Andy. She's expecting someone.

Okay, Rick, you go in and have some

coffee. We'll wait here.

(SIREN WAILING)

Sorry I'm late, Mary.

I don't mind, darling.

Just so you're all right.

I'm always all right when I'm with you.

Deputy Sheriff,

Johnson, you're under arrest.

It's no use, Johnson.

Don't get any ideas.

You turned me in.

Henry, I wouldn't do that.

Take him away.

Come on, Johnson.

I'm sorry, Mary.

(SIREN WAILING)

I'll have to go through

it once more, Johnson.

Okay.

You said you fixed

Horner's television center.

Yeah.

That's why we found

your wires in his room.

I left them in case it

went on the blink again.

They come in handy for

all sorts of repair jobs.

The night of the murder.

How long were you in the

kitchen fixing the drink?

It couldn't have been

longer than ten minutes.

I suppose it's hard to believe, but

Horner was strangled during that time.

And not by me.

You gave up gambling for a while.

Why did you go back to it?

Oh, Mary and I decided

on a trial separation.

We wanted to see if I couldn't overcome

this thing before we

went ahead with our plans.

I did all right for a while.

I avoided anything that

might lead to dice, cards.

I needed some diversion.

I became friendly with Horner next door.

One night, I brought over a

deck of cards and some chips.

I told him to put them

away, and he wouldn't listen.

"Friendly game," he said.

What harm can it do?

That'll be a kill, Joey Henry.

A few hands of poker never hurt anyone.

Will you forget it, Fred?

Oh, come on.

A tenth of a cent of chip all right?

I'm not in, Fred.

What about a movie? You

want to go to a movie?

Fifty cents a piece, time limit.

That ought to keep us going all night.

Nothing wild but the players.

Look, Fred, I'm not

supposed to play cards.

It's like some people are

not supposed to drink or smoke.

I used to gamble a great deal.

Couldn't leave it alone.

Well, now I'm trying to quit.

Do you understand what I'm talking about?

What is this, a gag?

It's the truth, Fred.

Look, Henry, I'm not out for blood.

Just a friendly game to

pass the time, that's all.

Hey, uh...

Maybe you think the

stakes are too low, huh?

No, it isn't the stakes, Fred.

Well, who do you think you're kidding?

Now, look, I haven't

worked all my life for nothing.

I've saved up a little bit.

Yeah, I'll prove it to you.

Here.

Now, I don't show this

to everyone, but, uh...

You're a nice boy, Henry, and I like you.

You'd never try getting my money.

You couldn't anyway.

Here, take a gamble.

I'm not interested in it.

Now, come on, come on, I insist.

You know, everybody thinks I'm stingy.

Well, uh...

How many people do you know

have a nest egg like that?

That's right.

Close to a hundred thousand bucks.

Look, I'll tell you my secret.

Work steady for 30 years or more.

Average $100 a week or better.

Never married.

Managed to live on less

than a third of my salary.

The rest went right into the bank.

Never put away less than $3,500 a year.

Of course, I could have

done better if I tried harder.

But a fellow has to have a

little fun of life, eh, boy?

Oh, you're right, Fred.

Well, what do you say?

A quarter percent of a point?

You know what did. It won't break me.

Now, what do you say?

(CHUCKLES)

I'd heard of stories like this.

Old ladies stuffing

thousands of dollars into mattresses,

living in broken-down tenements,

dying without ever touching a cent.

This was real about Horner.

And I resented him for it.

I was broke and deeply in debt.

Even if I stopped

gambling and found a job,

how would Mary and I ever get married?

I figured I could take him.

And Horner would never miss it.

I was gonna solve all my problems.

It would be the last time.

We played night after

night, and I began to clean up.

Have you ever seen a

miser lose his money?

This one became

frantic, trying to get it back.

He doubled the stakes, then tripled them.

There's no use.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

I don't care how late it is.

I'm at another 500, and

you're not quitting on me.

You're not yourself, buddy.

Quit shouting.

Neighbors will think...

I don't care what the neighbors think!

Now sit down!

How about a drink?

Fix you your special college, okay?

All right.

When I'm taking you

for a scalping, Henry,

you're not walking out on me until we

call it quits tonight.

I'm not allowing you to get off my neck!

No, shouting!

I've had enough.

I won't out.

I've lost over $1,000 all night.

I know how much I've lost!

You don't need to remind me!

I paid off!

I've lied!

Take it easy.

It's your drink.

I'm all out of ice.

You got some next door?

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, I've got it.

Got it.

(Music) I resolved never to touch

a card or make a bet again

as long as I lived.

I'd had it.

I'd seen what it could do to people,

what it had done to me.

Horner didn't return

immediately, so I became impatient.

Brad, shake your leg, will ya?

When I stepped back into the

living room, I saw him there,

lying on the floor.

I bent over him and

saw he'd been strangled.

My first impulse was to get out.

Get out fast.

I became panicky.

I figured the police would

find out about my gambling habits

and claim I killed him in

a fight over the card game.

I had to get the evidence out of there.

The cards, the chips, the score sheets.

I kept the music going while I rushed

over to Horner's place

to get rid of the gambling things.

When you decided to quit,

did Horner threaten you?

No.

Did he hit you or push

you, anything like that?

He was not a violent man.

He became very angry, but

he didn't try to use force.

Did he ever try to

Welsh demand his money back?

No, never.

Oh, he became more and more

determined to win it back.

And you obliged by

giving him the opportunity.

Well, what did you expect?

I didn't start this thing. Horner did.

I've told you over and

over, I was trying to quit.

I wanted to quit.

What do you want from me?

(DOOR OPENS)

Here's a report on the fingerprints in

Horner's room, Andy.

Three sets.

Managers, maids, and

one we can't identify.

Oh, just the thumb and index prints.

Have you gone to the FBI?

This morning.

They won't be able to help us much unless

they can find something

in their single print file.

That'd mean they'd belong

to a murderer, a kidnapper,

an extortionist.

That's not very likely, I'd say.

We'll see.

Andy, sometimes I wonder about you.

Why?

How patient can you be?

Well, I don't know,

Mike. It all seems to fit.

Maybe it fits too

well. Maybe it's too easy.

It is easy.

Stop kidding yourself.

The guy's a gambling addict.

He ruins all his prospects.

Marriage, good living, everything.

All right, so he goes to a doctor,

has a couple of

treatments, and quits cold.

He's got the urge again.

He gets into a sharp poker

game and loses his temper.

I don't know why he was winning.

But the other guy's losing his money,

money that means everything to him.

He goes wild.

Our Mr. Johnson takes care of him with

one of those fancy wires of his.

He gets scared, decides to run.

But knowing our victim is loaded,

he goes into the victim's

room to look for more cash.

He finds nothing, blows.

It's as simple as that.

Is it? What about the

third set of fingerprints?

Okay, have it your way.

Johnson's in his own

kitchen fixing this guy a drink.

He said himself it only

took a couple of minutes.

So during that time, in

walks Jack the Ripper,

commits the crime and quietly walks out.

Is that it?

Maybe.

Okay, so we've got

the wrong guy. Now what?

Yeah, now what?

Mike, what did you just say?

I said we got the wrong man. Now what?

Yeah. Yeah, the wrong man.

What are you talking about, Andy?

Mike, you and I are going to take a ride.

Oh, now wait a minute, Andy. I was just

leaving for the day. I got business.

Come on, she'll wait.

Oh, sure she will.

You're losing your touch.

I'll be right back, Mike.

Mind if I take a cat nap? You mean you can sleep at a time like this? The suspense is killing me. (KNOCKING ON DOOR)

How do you do, sir?

Oh, how do you do? Do you want a room?

No, I'm trying to locate

someone for a friend of mine.

What's his name?

Well, I don't remember. He's middle aged

and hair a little on the white side

and sort of heavy. I

understand he lives here.

Let me see. That is Mr. Bradbury, number eight. Oh, thank you. (KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Yes, sir. Something I can do for you.

Are you Mr. McMaster's?

No, Bradbury's the name. Looks like you

got the wrong place, mister.

Oh, I'm sorry to have disturbed you.

Oh, that's all right. Like they say, I

had to get up to answer the door anyway.

(LAUGHING)

Hey, Mike.

Mike. Oh, I was having such a nice dream.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Mike.

Mike.

Oh, I was having such a nice dream.

I'd reached the last plateau

and I was going for the top.

You know what the question

was? Who killed Fred Horner?

What a cinch.

All I had to say was

Henry Johnson and I'm rich.

Hey, you might have gone broke, too.

Hi, Doubt.

Now, listen, Mike.

Let's assume for a moment that Henry

Johnson is innocent.

Well, I couldn't go along

with that for more than a moment.

Okay, you may be right, but I want to

remind you that everybody liked Horner.

He didn't have an enemy in the world.

But somebody killed him.

Now, I just checked the other motel and

it looks exactly like this one.

The only difference is the name.

One is called Sunset

Villa, the other Sunset Vista.

So, now, the body was

discovered in Sunset Villa,

bungalow number seven

occupied by Johnson.

Well, his name.

All right. On a hunch, I went to the

manager of the Sunset Vista

for a man who answered the general

description of Horner.

Without hesitation, he sent me to

bungalow number eight,

the same number as Horner's bungalow.

Now, the man who answered that door

looked somewhat like Horner.

What are you driving at?

All right.

Both bungalows look exactly alike.

And both men occupied

bungalows number eight.

Mike, something tells me that this

murderer has made a mistake.

Made a mistake? What

are you talking about?

They certainly did a

thorough job on Horner.

Yes, but he might have

wanted the other man.

Here's the rundown on Bradbury.

He owns a small chemical lab.

Has a chicken ranch near Santa Barbara.

It travels a great deal.

Been at the Sunset Vista seven days.

Does he know a lot of people in town?

He's got a lot of acquaintances in L.A.

Probably business rivals, too.

But what are we doing now? Start

questioning every one of them?

If the murderer killed Horner by mistake,

it can only mean he

didn't know Bradbury too well.

In other words, you're assuming Horner

was killed by a total stranger?

I'm assuming he went to the wrong motel

but the right bungalow, number eight.

You're forgetting one little detail.

What's that?

Horner was killed in Johnson's room, not

his own, number seven.

Horner was found in Johnson's room.

Kind of blows your case,

doesn't it, Lieutenant?

Nope.

If I will get you ten, there's an

explanation for that, too.

You've got a bet, mister.

Get your money out, mister.

I only come to the city when I have to,

and I never go for them big hotels.

The way this makes me nervous.

Nothing to bother me in a

motel, all on one floor.

Nothing wrong with that, is it?

Oh, Mr. Bradbury, not a thing.

Now, let me assure you, we ask you to

come here only as a matter of routine.

Yeah, I know you're still

checking up on that murder.

Poor fellow in the

other court, is that it?

That's it.

Yeah.

You don't want to knock on my door

yesterday, aren't you?

That's right.

I never forget a face.

I'm terrible with names.

At faces, that's my strong point.

What's this got to do with me?

Well, not a thing, Mr. Bradbury, yet.

Let's just say you're

accommodating the sheriff's office.

Oh, sure.

Glad to help you

fellas in any way you can.

Besides, it'll give me something to talk

over with my friends and customers.

I understand you own a chemical

laboratory, Mr. Bradbury.

Exactly what are its products?

Well, we make a vaccine.

It's good for most

common animal diseases.

The main ingredient comes from eggs.

I got a ranch near

Santa Barbara, 800 chickens.

You employ many people?

Many?

Well, I guess enough.

I have to watch the overhead, you know.

Oh, you should have seen this during that

hot spell last summer,

hosing those chickens down at midnight.

Keep them cool.

Even so, they drop dead

at the rate of 10 an hour,

and at $4 a chick, that's no small loss.

You married a lieutenant?

No, I'm not.

Oh, that's too bad.

I was going to send you some chickens.

I've always given them away

to my friends and customers.

Oh, that's very kind of you.

Oh, fried chicken.

Greek olives, my favorite dish.

You ever tried a lieutenant?

No, I never have.

How do you travel, Mr. Bradbury?

Oh, I got a ranch wagon

custom made, extra large,

so I can load those

cases of vaccine right in.

We've got it parked outside.

Like a look at it?

Well, not at the moment.

Thanks.

Now, Mr. Bradbury, I want

you to think very carefully

before you answer my next question.

It's important.

Well, remember,

lieutenant, no names, faces.

That's my strong point.

You've been in town one week.

Exactly one week.

All right.

Can you think of anyone you might have

gotten into an argument with?

Anybody who might have

given you a bad time.

Think back now.

Lieutenant, I pride myself in not having

a single enemy in the world.

Live and let live, that's my motto.

Stick to my own business, let the other

fella stick to theirs.

I make friends.

I don't make enemies.

Well, I believe that's

all, and thanks for coming in.

I appreciate it.

Oh, whatever you say, lieutenant.

Of course, I got plenty of time.

Didn't like to ask me

some more questions.

Oh, I believe that's about everything.

Oh, by the way, Mr. Bradbury, how's the

business been lately?

Oh, terrific.

Say, you know, we make that

vaccine for about $2 a quart,

sell it for $10 a pint.

Makes a nice profit.

Give you a rough idea.

Not bad, huh?

Oh, uh, Mr. Bradbury on second thought I

would like to ask you

some more questions.

Sit down.

Uh, how much money have

you got there, approximately?

Well, about $3,000.

You always carry that much money on you?

Oh, sure.

Live big, think big.

That's my motto.

Show it around.

Makes people respect you.

Impresses people.

Makes business.

And boy, you sure feel more confident

with a ward like this on you.

You fellas ought to try it sometime.

Love, too.

What'll we use for money?

Now, Mr. Bradbury, you've been wonderful.

I wonder if we can prevail upon your good

nature to help us out a little more.

Oh, sure.

Anything I can do to help.

I'm getting a kick out of this.

Now, how long were you

planning on staying in town?

About two or three days, and I'm going to go down to San Diego.

I wonder if you'd mind passing the word

around your leaving town tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

I wouldn't mind if it'll help you.

Ah, it will.

Now, you wouldn't have to go, of course.

Just create that impression.

And if I can make the

proper arrangements,

I'd want you to start packing, pay your

bills, and call everybody you can.

Everybody with whom you've been in

contact to tell them goodbye.

Think you can do it?

Oh, sure.

You know, I've never been mixed up with

anything like this before.

Wait till I tell Martha.

That's my wife.

What is it, Lieutenant?

A trap?

You hit it right on the head.

And you're the bait.

Did you say bait?

That's right.

How are your nerves?

Oh, all right, I guess.

I never had any trouble.

Well, that's fine.

Because tonight,

somebody might try to kill you.

Hi, Jim.

Hi, Andy.

What's on your mind?

The Horner murder?

You know, Jim, I'm not so sure this is

the open and shut case it appears.

You mean you doubt that Johnson's guilty?

Well, it's just

something I can't explain.

Just a hunch.

Well, Andy, I've always been willing to

go along with your hunches before,

but I just can't see it.

The whole thing adds up.

The gambling mania, the argument, the

murder, and the escape.

If you didn't do it, what did he run for?

Scared?

Well, if I'd garroted a man with a wire,

I'd be scared too, Andy.

Jim, may I try something?

Lie detector test?

No, no, something more drastic.

Such as what?

I want Johnson released from jail.

Well, I thought you

wanted something really--

Wait a minute, Andy. What's on your mind?

This bird's in here

under suspicion of murder.

What makes you think I can spring him?

Well, Jim, it'll only take a few hours.

He'll be tailed, and if he's guilty,

he'll give himself away.

But I'm gambling the newspaper store will

flush out the man we want.

Newspaper?

You mean you want this thing printed?

It's got to be printed.

It's essential to my plan.

Now, you know, there's a third set of

fingerprints that have

never been identified.

And my contention is they belong to the

man who murdered Horner.

All right, Andy, all right.

But remember, if this thing flops, you're

going to be busted so flat,

you think you've been

run over by a steamroller.

Now, you realize that, don't you?

Yes, I do, and I'm

willing to take the risk.

Well, I wish I could share your optimism.

Oh, we're going to be a couple of

handsome men in uniform.

You are patrolling a beat

and me directing traffic.

I'll be pulling that first thing in the

morning, Mr. Diggins,

but I'll remember you,

because I like your work.

Thank you, Mr. Bradbury.

We do try to give

everybody individual service.

What's the matter?

Doesn't city life agree with you?

Too good, I'm afraid.

Vacation's over, that's all.

I see.

Well, I'm glad you had a good time.

That'll be three and a

quarter altogether, sir.

Oh, yeah.

That's one, two, three.

Twenty-five.

Well, thank you.

Now, don't forget us.

I won't.

Bye.

Bye.

How are you, Mr. Bradbury?

Oh, fine, bagger.

Fill her up.

No, I'd like to leave it here tonight.

Can I get a service?

Sure can.

I want to come pick checkup.

I want the oil change. I want the oil change. I want the oil change. I want the oil change. I want the oil change. All right. Okay. I'll come back. All right. So, what are you doing?
What's the oil change? I'm going to tell Mr. Bradbury. So, how are you? How are you? I'm doing the same thing. How do you do, Mr. Bradbury? Oh, fine, bagger. Fill her up. I want the oil change,

tires, battery, everything.

The whole works. I'm leaving for Santa

Barbara in the morning.

We'll take care of it for you, Mr.

Bradbury. Want it delivered?

No, no, I'll pick it up

tonight. Oh, uh, by the way, uh...

Can't you fifty for me?

Uh, no, sir, I'm afraid we can't.

Well, that's all right. I'll get it some

other place. See you tonight.

We'll have it ready

for you, Mr. Bradbury.

- Hey, Ed. - Yeah?

Take care of this one next, will you?

- Sure thing. - He's in a hurry for it.

Man, look at these

extras. This baby's loaded.

So's that guy.

(DOOR OPENS)

What's this all about today, Lieutenant?

Another inquisition?

Not this time, Henry. Sit down.

There'll be no more

questions, for the moment at least,

about the murder of Fred Horner.

Well, that's a switch.

Right in my whole day.

You haven't heard anything yet.

How would you feel if I

told you you're a free man?

What?

Conditionally, that is.

I've made arrangements for

your release temporarily,

so I can carry on an experiment,

which will either prove your innocence,

or blast your story full of holes.

I assume you're

willing to go along with me.

Go along? Sure. What

do you want me to do?

I don't want you to do anything.

Just sit tight until we see what happens.

That's all?

Now, if this works out the way I expect,

you'll be off the hook altogether.

But if it backfires, you'll be

right back where you started,

with the possibility of

having the book thrown at you.

- Is that clear? - It's clear, all right.

I'm not changing anything

in any event, Lieutenant.

I haven't told you any lies.

You're on your own.

Now, this is a move without precedent

in this department, Henry.

And I don't mind telling

you I'm sticking my neck out

clear to the city hall.

So don't let me down.

I promise you I won't

do anything foolish.

If you have any doubts,

you can have me followed.

Maybe I will.

I want you to report back

to me in exactly 24 hours.

- You have my word for us. - Fine.

Then I'll see you at 1030 sharp.

- Right. - Oh, Henry.

I'll let you in on a trade secret.

A detective must be a

good judge of human nature

and no character.

It would be nice if other people

had that same understanding, wouldn't it?

- What do you mean? - I think you missed

the boat with Mary.

(dramatic music)

- Hello, Mary.

- Henry.

- I wanted to make

sure you'd seen the paper.

- Oh, I'm so glad it's all over.

- Are you gonna forgive me?

- You don't have to ask that, darling.

- I guess I cracked

under the strain, that's all.

I should have realized--

- Please don't say anymore.

I'm just so grateful,

all this behind you.

- I've already talked to Mr. McCleary.

He said to come by later.

That made me and he has something for me.

- We can work this out.

We've got to.

- Are you asking me or telling me?

- I'm begging you.

Please, Mary.

New chapter, huh?

- All right, Henry.

New chapter.

(dramatic music)

- Keep your fingers

crossed about this job.

- You'll get it, darling.

- I'll pick you up later.

We'll have dinner.

- Though I won't have

stopped by my place too

for the last time.

It's long enough to pick up a few things.

(dramatic music)

- Another one, Mr. Bradbury?

- Oh no, that's all, thank you.

(dramatic music)

- There you are, sir.

- Yeah, that's for you.

- Well, thank you, Mr. Bradbury.

- That's all right.

I'm gonna miss having

my night gap around here.

- Oh, you're leaving?

Well, drop in again on your next trip.

- I will.

- Thanks again, sir.

- Thank you, Mr. Bradbury. - Thanks again.

I'll see you around.

- I hope so.

(dramatic music)

Now, the managers of

both motels are cooperating.

Each will have on the no vacancy sign.

Mac, I want you and Steve to park

in front of the Sunset Villa.

Go into the manager's office.

He'll let you out the back door.

Now, you can stake out here

between these two buildings

and you can cover

Bradbury's bungalow from this side.

Now, Mike, you and I

will go around the corner

to the Sunset Vista.

We'll park here, go into Shaw's office.

We can cover Bradbury's

bungalow from this side.

Now, if and when the murderer shows up,

we'll nail him right

here in a squeeze play.

Any questions?

- All clear to me.

- Right.

All right, you fellas, get started.

- All right, okay.

Don't forget, we got a bet, Pappy.

- Oh, I won't forget.

- You wanna make another one?

- Hey, you're getting a

little reckless, aren't you, Mike?

What do you got in mind?

- If the killer does show up,

I've got another fence,

as will be Henry Johnson.

- That suits me and

I'll give you the same odds

I gave you on the other one.

I saw Buck says that it won't be Johnson.

- Hey, wait a minute.

You're not betting on

a sure thing, are you?

Keeping Ferris on Johnson's

back so he can't get away?

- No, I'm not.

As a matter of fact, I told Rick to relax

so Henry can get away if he wants to.

And I'm still willing to bet you.

- Good, we're in business.

(car engine rumbles)

(knocking on door)

(door opens)

- Anything happen yet?

- No, there's been no excitement around

here yet, Lieutenant.

- Well, that's fine.

I better call Bradbury.

- I'll connect you.

Boy, he really put it on thick.

He had me fooled all the way.

- More people named Smith.

(phone rings)

- Hello.

All the tenant do it.

Yeah, I'm doing just what you told me to.

I got the two small bags packed

and I'm working on the big one now.

Huh?

Yeah, yeah, sure, I'm okay.

I'm glad you're here though.

Yeah, yeah, I'll keep on.

Yeah, I understand.

Now Mike, you'd better

watch the parking area.

And if you see him moving fast,

I'll keep my eyes open out this way.

Mr. Showman, go out that door.

- Sure thing.

- Come ahead. - Hurry, they're not getting your hands.

- A bell!

(dramatic music)

(gun fires)

- You all right, Mr. Bradbury?

- Yeah, I'm all right, he didn't hurt me.

(gun fires)

- Boy, have I got

something to talk about now.

(gun fires)

- Come on out with your hands up.

You haven't got a chance.

(dramatic music)

(gun fires)

You're going out of here dead or alive.

The choice is up to you.

(dramatic music)

- Get back to Mennonite.

- Johnson, Mrs.

Doyle, get back in the car.

Get out of here fast.

Hold your fire.

(screams)

- Come on, get going.

(gun fires)

- Orvillea's real name is Tony Reed.

He's watered in the east for charges

that include grand theft,

kidnapping, and extortion.

- We found his

fingerprints in Honor's room.

They turned up in a single

print file in Washington.

- While he was trying to decide

how to make some easy money out here,

he went to work in the gasoline station.

One look at the Bradbury

roll decided the matter,

and he went to Bungalow 8 to get it.

Unfortunately for Honor,

but fortunately for Bradbury,

Reed became confused

between the Sunset Villa Motel

and the Sunset Vista, and killed Honor

before he realized he had the wrong man.

Then he took the body to your apartment

while you were in the

kitchen fixing the drink.

- He tried pinning it on me

because he'd heard us arguing, huh?

- Exactly.

He figured he was safe as long as you

were a prime suspect.

- The news of your

release was timed to coincide

with Bradbury's statement

that he was leaving town.

So Reed decided to have

another go at the roll,

and by using wires he did the last time,

framed him for both murders.

Oh, by the way, we found

these in Reed's pocket.

- No, you're showing

them to me, Lieutenant.

I don't know one from the other.

- And he'll never be

able to if I have anything

to say about it.

Come on, Henry, we

better go before they close.

Will you excuse us, Lieutenant?

We've got business.

- She means the license bureau.

- By all means, don't let me detain you.

(phone ringing)

Excuse me.

Lieutenant Doyle speaking.

Yes, Rick?

Oh, I see.

How many thanks?

The doctor says Reed will live.

- He didn't say how long, did he?

- Goodbye, you two.

Good luck.

- Goodbye, Lieutenant.

Thank you for everything.

- Thank you.

- Five.

Five is 10.

Okay, Shylock, there you are.

- The word is Sherlock.

Thanks for the money.

Maybe this'll teach you not to gamble.

- You could at least buy me

a dinner with your winnings.

- What are you talking about by a dinner?

You're going home with me.

Bradbury has given me

five chickens a week

for the rest of my life.

I hope you can cook.

- I'll have to learn.

(dramatic music)