Original subtitles

[instrumental music]

Good evening.

Tonight's story is called "The Babysitter."

[inhales] You know, I don't think taking care of a baby

is any great chore at all

if you are properly prepared.

I bring my comforts with me.

A portable radio...

A few books...

Ah, lunch...

A cold drink...

A heavy mallet...

and if that fails, earplugs.

Good heavens, I forgot the baby.

Stay right where you are, I'll be back.

[intense music]

Doomed.

Doomed to a violent end, that Clara Nash was.

I'm telling you, sergeant. Doomed to a violent end.

I know, Mrs. Slocum, you told me.

Three times already.

And I'm trying to find out,

with your help, who murdered her.

Oh, the horror of it all!

Oh, and that wonderful Mr. Nash.

And that poor little boy.

Whatever is gonna become of him now.

Mom! Please, mom. Try to control yourself.

And to think that I was practically the last one

to see her alive. Me.

Mrs. Slocum, if you could just give me a few minutes

of your valuable time, I--

My valuable time.

Well, thank you very much, sergeant.

You hear that, Janie?

The sergeant wants a few minutes

of my valuable time.

Just goes to show how a person's whole life

can be changed just by somebody getting murdered.

First, there was the flowers from the women's club

with a very kind note of sympathy.

Plus an invitation

to tell about my experiences on the fatal night.

And now, the sergeant wants a few minutes

of my valuable time.

Well, let's face it, Janie.

How much was my valuable time worth yesterday?

85 cents an hour, plus carfare.

I was just a plain, simple baby-sitter.

[sighs]

But look at me now.

Mom, lie down for a while.

The sergeant will come back later.

I just remembered something.

That's more like it, Mrs. Slocum.

I sent my black taffeta to the cleaners

and it's never gonna be back in time for that meeting

at the women's club.

[sighs]

- I'll be back. - Oh, really, sergeant.

My mother's a wonderful woman.

She just suffers from overacting.

That's the understatement of the year.

Oh, mercy.

Oh, you must be that detective.

Say, I've got a few ideas about that murder.

I'll bet you have.

[scoffs] Well...

- Where's your mother, honey? - Shh!

Mrs. Armstaedter, take it easy.

She's really had a rough day.

Oh! There you are, Lottie.

Boy, do you look a mess.

Well, come on, honey, refreshments.

We got a lot of talking to do.

Now. Oh!

Oh, move over.

Isn't this exciting? Look at that.

"Baby-sitter questioned in murder." It's in every paper.

Your name, your picture, everything.

Gee, makes a person afraid to go out on a job.

You know, I was supposed to sit for the Thompsons tonight.

But now... [nervous chuckle]

I bet you never wanna babysit again.

Well, you'd always be imagining a killer

was sneaking around or somethin'.

Oh, come on, Lottie,

I bet you're just dyin' to tell me all about it, huh?

Move over, will you?

Well, if that's your attitude...

[slurping]

It's cherry chocolate with tutti-frutti.

[groaning]

There.

Come on now, tell me.

What was she really like?

It's a long, long story, Blanche.

Well, don't worry. I got refills.

[instrumental music]

Well, go on.

You know, how I've often said

that sometimes a pretty face

will do you more harm than good.

Well, that Clara Nash was doomed to a violent end.

Way she was carrying on, she deserved what she got.

Oh, shame on you, Lottie. Go on.

You know how particular I am about who I sit for.

Yeah, well, I never would've sat for her.

Except, I had a soft spot in my heart for the boy,

and, and that wonderful Mr. Nash.

What a gentleman he was.

And the way she treated him,

he deserved somethin' better.

[slurping]

Did you see the flowers the women's club sent?

Oh!

Potted plant would be less trouble.

The way she's been carryin' on...

Since the separation, not even divorced, mind you.

Runnin' around with lounge lizards

like that Mr. DeMario.

He was the one that took her out last night,

before she was killed.

Listen...

Do you think that DeMario did it?

Who knows? Gives me the creeps.

He's, he's the slippery type, you know.

Well, why not him?

Listen, he brings her home, see.

They've been drinking maybe.

Then she asks him to drive you home

to get rid of him.

But he fools her, he comes back.

Did act kind of peculiar in the car, coming home.

Never opened his mouth once, except to say goodnight.

That was kind of funny, wasn't it?

Yeah.

Well, as I say...

anybody could've done it.

They say when they found her strangled--

I don't even wanna think about that.

[intense music]

She was never any good.

Even right from the beginning,

when I first started sitting for the Nashes.

Long before they were separated.

I remember one night.

They were supposed to go

to his boss' house for dinner.

So, I got there at seven o'clock

like I was supposed to.

Mrs. Nash was pickin' on Mr. Nash somethin' awful.

[music continues]

It wasn't as if I was snoopin' or anything.

She must've known I was standing there,

but, [chuckles], that didn't stop her.

Not for one minute.

Yakety, yakety yak.

Mad as a wet hen she was.

Poor Mr. Nash, you could see he was suffering,

but didn't have a chance with Big Mouth.

And, uh, what was she

blowing her top about this time?

Well, I'll tell you.

Because she didn't wanna go

to the boss' house for dinner.

Just because Mr. Nash asked her to change her dress.

You should've seen her, decked out

like a showgirl or something.

But she refused to get into something respectable.

She'd rather go out some place fancy the way she was

than keep her husband on good terms with his boss.

I won't even repeat

some of the things she had to say.

And that poor man,

what he must have been going through.

She even had the nerve

to make him call his boss

to say they couldn't come.

And do you know what she was doing

while he was calling? She just laughed.

Well, she could afford to. She won.

I couldn't keep my mouth shut any longer

and I let her have it.

I simply told her that she didn't deserve

a man like Mr. Nash.

And she had the nerve to get sore about it,

even though I was right.

It might've ended up in a real hair-pulling contest

if it hadn't been for Mr. Nash.

But... Such a gentleman.

He just couldn't stand by

and let her abuse me.

He had to tear us apart, practically.

But I guess he didn't really mind.

I guess he was flattered that I stuck up for him

because, right then and there, he asked me

how such a wonderful, understanding woman like me

had stayed a widow so long.

[mellow music]

Oh, Blanche, he was divine.

Blanche: So what?

So what what?

So, you don't think he meant anything personal?

I mean, about you being so wonderful

and still single and everything.

Who knows what he meant.

[laughs]

Well, what's so funny?

Oh, Lottie, you ought to be ashamed of yourself!

- And at your age! - My age. His age. Same age.

Give a little, take a little.

Besides... who'd have him?

Even if he asked me?

- That I'd like to see. - Oh...

[laughs]

Well, don't kill yourself laughing, Blanche.

I may be a size fourteen,

but I could get to be a size ten for him.

For a man like that, I could even get to be beautiful.

For a man like that, a woman would do anything.

- Ah... - Just anything.

[intense music]

Lottie, you didn't...

Didn't what?

You didn't kill her?

- Have some more cake, mom. - No, not for me.

I'm gonna start cutting down.

You know, Janie, you wouldn't believe it,

but when your father and me was married,

I weighed only 98 pounds.

- Mm-hmm. - He used to call me "Peanut."

Used to brag about my figure to everybody.

Oh, in a nice way, of course.

Funny how a woman lets herself go

when there's no man around.

Well, those afternoon teas

that you and Mrs. Armstaedter indulge in

don't help either, mom.

You know, Janie, sometimes,

I think Blanche Armstaedter isn't all there.

Only sometimes?

I'll do the dishes, honey.

You run down to the drugstore

and get me tonight's papers.

I wanna see what they say about me.

Okay, I'll be right back.

Alright.

Get all the papers.

[door closes]

[instrumental music]

[sighs]

Ninety-eight pounds.

[bell buzzing]

Oh, for goodness' sake!

A person has no privacy around here.

[instrumental music]

Mr. DeMario.

Mind if I come in?

No, no, of course not. My daughter--

I just saw her going down the street,

so, I know you're alone.

Yes. As a matter of fact, I am.

To, to what do I owe the pleasure

of this visit, Mr. DeMario?

Pleasure?

I just dropped in to give you a little piece of advice.

What about?

About the murder of Clara Nash.

I don't know anything about that.

Yeah, I know.

But you've got an overworked imagination.

Clara used to tell me how you liked to dream things up.

She thought it was very funny.

Only it might not be so funny now.

I've already told them everything I know,

and I didn't tell them anything but the truth.

That's what I'm worried about.

When you run out of the truth, what are you gonna say then?

Nothing, nothing at all.

You just keep repeating that, Mrs. Slocum.

It could mean a whole lot to your future.

[intense music]

[door opens]

[door closes]

[scatting]

[sighs]

Thanks, honey, I don't mind if I do.

Say, where's your mother, anyway?

It's almost dinnertime.

Well, she can't be out much longer.

As soon as the stores close, she's got to come home.

Oh. What a good girl you are.

Always waiting for your mother.

Like the other night, for instance.

It was real nice of you to wait till she got home.

- What time was it, anyway? - She got in around 2:00 a.m.

You're sure 'cause you were up?

- No, I'm not sure. - Aha!

Then how can you be sure?

I'm not, it's just that

she said she got in then.

Then you wouldn't know if she went out again.

Really, Mrs. Armstaedter.

Why don't you stick to solitaire?

Janie? Janie, what do you think?

A lady at the hairdresser's asked me for my autograph,

and the man at the corner said

I ought to sell my story to the "Chronicle."

Are you still here, Blanche?

Well, Jane asked me to dinner.

Say, you've got a new hairdo.

Well, looks pretty nice. Gives you height.

Say, what all did you buy, Lottie?

Oh, nothin' really. Oh...

Ah!

Jane, it's for you!

On second thought, it's too young for you.

Size ten?

- I don't get it. - Well, you will.

With this, I'm gonna lose pounds like water.

Wait, I'll show you.

All this wouldn't have anything to do

with a certain gentleman, whose initials

are "Charles Nash?"

Oh, where do you get your ideas?

[grunts]

Now, look, this is what you're supposed to do.

You're supposed to kind of, um,

like, um... lasso your feet.

Lasso your feet. Like that, see?

And then you pull yourself up.

You're bending your knees.

Oh, shut up.

[snickering]

Well, I'm glad to see

you're feeling better, Mrs. Slocum.

Oh. How do you do?

Detective: May I help you up?

Well, I'm not feeling better, I'm not well at all.

I just keep trying.

That's why I'm here, Mrs. Slocum.

I'm gonna ask you to try

to remember if there are any

details that you overlooked.

Like what, for instance?

Well, supposing we go through

the whole thing again, right from the start.

Read me what I said yesterday.

That's not exactly the idea, Mrs. Slocum.

It's a cross-examination.

That's where they catch you if you're lyin'.

Shh.

Fire away.

I'll answer your questions.

Thank you, ma'am.

Let's start with DeMario.

- DeMario? - Yes.

He says that he brought Mrs. Nash home

at approximately 1:45 a.m.

- Now, does that check with you? - Check.

Do you have anything further to say about this?

No.

And he left immediately

after with you in the car, right?

Right.

What did he talk about on the way home?

- Nothin'. - Nothin'?

Nothin'.

Well, didn't he say anything when he dropped you off?

- Nothin'. - Nothin'?

Nothin'!

Well, he must've said something

when he dropped you off, Mrs. Slocum.

[sobbing] He said, said goodnight.

Now, look, DeMario has been unable

to account for his time from then until 4:00 a.m.

Now, exactly what time did you get home?

They can't prove it, Lottie.

Now, don't say another word until you see a lawyer.

I don't need a lawyer.

I answered all the questions.

I think I've got a headache.

I wish you'd go away. [sobs]

[dramatic music]

[groans]

Mom...

I don't know what got into that police officer,

but don't be upset.

Everybody knows you had nothing to do with it.

Oh!

Do you still want me to sit for you

at the Blakes tonight?

Are you sure you're gonna be alright here alone?

I'll be back as early as I can, mom.

[door closes]

[intense music]

Lottie: Dear Mr. Nash...

the time has come when I need you.

I'm all mixed up,

especially after what happened

the night of the murder.

I like to keep myself busy when I'm baby-sitting.

Makes the time go by quicker.

It was a good book, very romantic.

Couldn't wait to find out what happened.

So, after I finished the book

I looked around for something else to do.

You've no idea how empty the life of a baby-sitter is.

And how quiet.

It's not as if I were a teenager

with lots of friends to keep me company.

Bobby was sound asleep.

Oh, such an angel.

And with a mother like that.

But again, you're his father.

I guess it takes two to tango,

if you get what I mean.

That woman sure was some housekeeper.

Never saw such a mess.

But then, I guess she didn't

have time for such things.

Dust, just like I expected.

[instrumental music]

It was funny seeing the two of us hanging there.

Her and me.

I remember when your coat

used to be there, too, Mr. Nash.

I always used to hang mine next to it.

[chuckles]

I guess you can tell by now

I'm, I'm romantic.

You always bought her such pretty things.

Maybe it's not nice of me to talk about the dead.

[music continues]

Oh, you-- you gave me quite a turn

coming in like that, Mr. Nash.

But you had your key, and why not?

You pay the rent.

I could smell you'd been drinking,

but who could blame you,

with all your troubles.

You weren't even sore at me for trying on the coat.

[chuckles] I guess you never thought

I could look so good.

It's that blond beaver.

It does something for a woman.

Even me.

Such a good father.

[music continues]

It was so cozy, just the two of us.

Just as if it had always been that way.

And then she came back.

We heard them out there.

Her and that Mr. DeMario, laughin'.

It was shameful the way those two were carryin' on.

It really hurt me to see the look on your face.

It was nice of you not to wanna be present

when she came in with that boyfriend of hers.

You knew you could trust me not to tell her

you were in the bedroom.

[dramatic music]

Of course, I don't believe

that you had anything to do

with what happened later.

But you see, it's the police

I'm worried about, Mr. Nash.

Maybe tomorrow they'll ask me about you.

So, I thought if we could get together...

Uh, you know...

dinner for two, tete-a-tete.

[doorbell buzzing]

Mr. Nash! Come in, come in.

What a wonderful surprise!

I wasn't expecting anybody,

but you're very welcome, I'm sure.

You won't believe this, but, I,

I was just writing a letter to you, uh...

Wait a minute and I'll go and get it for you.

Isn't that a coincidence?

If you'd given me a little warning,

I might've fixed up a tiny bit.

I never was so surprised

to see anybody in my life.

Well, here it is, uh...

[intense music]

By special messenger.

I was beginning to get worried.

But I didn't tell them anything...

like I promised.

Not a word.

They never asked me if you were there

the night of the murder, so, I didn't think

it was wrong not to tell 'em anything.

Well, Mr. Nash, whatever are you doing?

[dramatic music]

Mr. Nash!

[screaming]

[Lottie grunting]

[baby crying]

And now, I suppose

you babies who have just

put the sitter to bed

are wondering about Mr. Nash.

He escaped in his automobile,

but not for long.

He was soon arrested

for failing to yield the right of way.

Well, he wasn't exactly arrested, you see.

It was a train that he failed to yield to.

And now, children, if you aren't naughty,

and if the rabbit doesn't get drunk,

drinking too much carrot tea

and fall on the elephant's trunk,

next week I'll tell you another story.

Goodnight.

[baby crying]

[dramatic music]