Original subtitles

NARRATOR: This is my boss, Jonathan Hart,

a self-made millionaire.

He's quite a guy.

This is Mrs. H. She's gorgeous.

She's one lady who knows how to take care of herself.

By the way, my name is Max.

I take care of both of them, which ain't easy,

'cause when they met, it was murder.

[♪♪]

[♪♪]

[SHUTTER CLICKS]

[SHUTTER CLICKS]

[SPEAKING INAUDIBLY]

[SHUTTER CLICKS]

[SHUTTER CLICKS]

[SHUTTER CLICKS]

[SHUTTER CLICKS]

[SHUTTER CLICKS]

[SHUTTER CLICKS]

More, yes. Good. Great.

Joyce, a little bit of hair's fallen

down on Jennifer's right side.

Fix that, will you, darling?

Uh, you know, Mr. Hart, uh, your wife

is gonna do for synthetic furs

what Aunt Jemima did for pancakes.

[CHUCKLES]

Well, Jennifer would do anything for a good cause.

And what could be a better cause

than preserving the wildlife of the world?

JONATHAN: Well, that really is the only reason that

she's involved in this Whitefury campaign.

Well, I know it wasn't for the free coat.

After all, Mr. Hart, you can afford the real thing.

Well, who needs a coat when I've got

the real thing in it to keep me warm? [CHUCKLES]

MAN: Well, you could always write copy for Whitefury.

JONATHAN: Oh, I don't know, Mr. Wallace. I think your slogan's good:

"the only copy for an original."

That's a good idea.

Believe me, all our ladies are originals.

Evelyn Chase Carney, the heiress.

Uh, Laura Bancroft, the legendary star.

And, uh, of course...

the one and only Jennifer Hart.

Yep.

They broke the mold when they made my wife.

[SHUTTER CLICKING]

[♪♪]

WOMAN [ON PHONE]: Morning. Inter-security Systems.

Is, uh, Michael Carney in?

I'm sorry. Mr. Carney's unavailable

for calls at this time.

Uh, I'll call back later.

Ooh. May I take a message?

No, that, uh...

That won't be necessary, thank you.

Goodbye.

Not necessary at all.

[BELL CHIMING]

[LAUGHING] Oh, baby.

That is absolutely ridiculous.

Oh, I know. But you know how she is.

Listen, I meant to call you to tell you about Flo.

No, she can't have it. She's got the flu.

It's going to be at Weezie Morgan's house in Pasadena.

All right, fine.

Oh, here's breakfast. I'll talk to you later, love.

Bye-bye.

The morning mail, Mrs. Carney.

Oh, thank you, Louise.

My heavens, is it 11:00 already?

Just about.

There's a picture of you in that magazine too.

Ah, yes.

Well, you have a nice day off, Louise. I'll see you tomorrow.

Thank you.

[DOOR CLOSES]

Uh, what have we here?

Bills.

[♪♪]

Oh, what a surprise.

What are you doing?

Oh, no.

Louise.

Louise!

No!

These proofs are radiant, Mrs. Hart.

Mr. Garvey, the president of Whitefury, was ecstatic.

Huh. You are a natural.

[CHUCKLES] Thank you very much, Mr. Wallace.

Yeah, I wonder if you realize

your market position, Mrs. Hart. Oh.

You are going to be hot. Very hot. Oh.

If, uh... If you're properly handled.

Mostly it's proper.

Oh.

Yeah, I see you

as a very upmarket spokesperson.

Uh, designer sheets, maybe your own line of jeans.

Uh, naturally,

we'd meet with your authorized representative.

Mr. Wallace, this is a very special project.

A once-in-a-lifetime project.

There won't be another.

Ho-ho. But Mrs. Hart?

Shall we have a look at the mockup now?

We'll talk. In the meantime...

All right, nobody speaks or moves

until I get my free coat.

JENNIFER: Laura.

Oh, darling. They told me you were here.

How are you?

Good to see you.

Good to see you. And Jonathan.

How's tricks, honey? How's tricks?

Not too bad.

Glad to hear it.

Okay, buster,

this hit the stands yesterday, and I'm here to collect.

Your Whitefury coat's at the furrier's being lined.

China silk, Mrs. Hart. Exquisite.

They ought to line the thing in lead,

with a very high collar.

[CHUCKLING] What are you talking about?

Well, the murder.

Murder?

Oh, gee, I'm sorry. I thought you knew.

I heard it on the radio coming over this morning.

What?

Well, Evelyn Carney.

She was found murdered

in her own bed wearing her Whitefury coat.

How awful.

Why on earth do you suppose she was doing

sleeping in her coat?

What's the connection with the coat?

WALLACE: The coat?

The coat has nothing to do with this.

Do you think I should I pull out?

Oh, that's entirely up to you, darling.

Whatever you think.

JENNIFER: Well, it is a very important campaign.

That's true. It is.

Well, then, let's just go ahead with it.

Oh, good for you, Jennifer.

Good for you.

[♪♪]

Ladies and gentlemen.

It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you all,

It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you all,

as we will soon introduce to the public,

the next Whitefury classic.

[cheering]

[♪♪]

Bravo. Bravo. Bravo.

Now, let's dump the vintage soda pop

and break out the bourbon.

[ALL LAUGHING]

Lovely.

And now...

for Laura Bancroft.

Darling...

remind me, won't you, the next time...

Laura Bancroft offers to mix me

a Whitefury whammy.

Fuzzy?

MAN [ON TV]: Ladies and gentlemen...

Not entirely. I remember all the good parts.

Coffee.

Gently.

Don't worry, darling.

This has happened to millions of people.

[SIGHS] You'll be just fine in no time.

Ah. You have such confidence in me.

Oh, thanks, Max.

Yes, I do have a lot of confidence in you.

Ooh.

Jonathan.

The "White Fury Murder."

"A police spokesman would not speculate on the possibility

of a connection with the Whitefury campaign."

How could they?

I don't know, but it sells a lot of papers.

MAX: That's not all it's selling.

WOMAN [ON TV]: controversial gossip weekly.

The presence of the fur coat

has sources speculating

on the White Fury Killer's next move.

At her hotel this morning, Laura Bancroft,

the latest classic,

was asked how seriously she's taking this possible threat.

Her response, uh... Well, it was negative.

[CLICKS OFF]

Maybe that free fur coat wasn't such a bargain after all.

After breakfast, we'll go and have a little talk

with Lieutenant Grey.

[♪♪]

GREY: "The White Fury Killer."

Evelyn Chase Carney just about controlled four corporations.

So a lot of power changed hands yesterday.

Well. That ought to be good for a motive or two.

And she was loaded.

A very rich lady.

We've been checking out the husband.

Poor man.

We met him at a fundraiser

Remember, darling?

Yeah.

Did you find anything?

Off the record?

So far, not a thing.

Solid, well-liked citizen...

electronic security business,

had a happy marriage.

And according to his secretary,

at the time his wife was murdered,

Carney was dictating in his office.

Well... thanks very much, lieutenant.

If there's anything we can do, let us know.

I'll let you know.

You know, so far, I just have two headaches on this case:

Number one, the press. Number two...

LAURA: If I see you following me again,

I tell you, I'll never give up.

Number two is approaching.

All right, lieutenant, let's knock it off,

and let's get rid of the cub scouts.

Harts.

Harts. Darlings.

Don't tell me he's got

his filthy mitts into you too?

Mrs. Hart's photo hasn't been published yet.

Yours has.

Protective measures.

Listen, lieutenant.

If there's any killing to be done

over this wretched coat,

I'm the one that's likely to be doing the killing.

And I just might start with baby dumpling over there.

Officer Bailey has been assigned to your case

for your own protection.

Lieutenant, my name... is Laura Bancroft.

Not Heidi, the little goat girl.

I assure you, I am quite capable

of taking care of myself.

Laura.

He's only trying to help you.

GREY: Of course, I can't force you

to accept police protection.

Oh. Well, then, you've decided to be reasonable.

Now, you see how simple and sweet everything is

once I get my own way?

Well, I'll just find a babysitter

for Sweet Pea over there and be off, all right?

Have it your way, Mrs. Bancroft.

"Miss" Bancroft.

You know, you might just scare off

a homicidal maniac.

Lieutenant. Captain wants to see you.

All right.

You know where to reach me, Jonathan.

Bailey.

Thanks, lieutenant.

Oh, he's really a very reasonable

fellow once you, sort of,

point things out to him. - Laura.

I'm sure he's only doing his duty... -Laura.

Well, what is it, Jennifer, darling?

I don't know how Laura Bancroft is gonna like this,

but I have a little suggestion for the little goat girl.

[♪♪]

JONATHAN: You're amazing.

JENNIFER [CHUCKLES]: Why?

She never knew what hit her.

Oh, come on. Even she can realize

that she'll be much safer

at our house than at the hotel.

Besides, we have Max to think about.

Max?

Mm-hmm. I understand she's a demon at gin.

I'll bet she's a demon at rum as well.

I believe it's bourbon.

[BOTH LAUGHING]

Darling. There must be

millions of men all over the world

who'd die to pick up Laura Bancroft.

You know the number of one?

[LAUGHS] Oh, Jonathan.

I can't go. I have things to do.

Oh? While you're doing those things,

will you shuffle up the cards and get the bourbon ready?

Things to do. [LAUGHS]

[♪♪]

[CAR STARTS]

[RINGS]

Hello.

MICHAEL [ON PHONE]: Mrs. Hart, it's Michael Carney. May I come up?

JENNIFER [ON INTERCOM]: Mr. Carney. What a surprise.

Of course. Come on up.

Ah.

Hello, Mr. Carney.

Ms. Hart, I'm, uh... I'm sorry to bother you at home.

Oh, it's no bother. Please, won't you come in?

Thank you.

Well, uh...

may I offer you something to drink?

Yes, please. Um... Scotch on the rocks.

Fine. Thank you.

It's unfortunate.

You just missed my husband.

He'll be really sorry he missed you.

Yeah. You have a...

A very beautiful home, Mrs. Hart.

Why, thank you.

[♪♪]

My wife and I...

I'm so sorry about your wife.

That's really what I wanted to

talk with you about, Mrs. Hart.

Evelyn mentioned you're to be the next Whitefury original.

Yes, that's true.

As a matter of fact...

she recommended me for it.

We served on a couple of committees together.

She was very well aware of my concern over wildlife.

Thank you.

This is a copy of my wife's contract with Whitefury.

I don't think I understand.

They did this. It was their fur coat.

That's why she was killed.

I understand how upset you are.

I wish I'd never heard of Whitefury.

No, you don't understand.

They knew this would happen.

I mean, look, they put a clause in her contract.

There. You must have the same in yours.

Well, I'll... I'll just have a look.

Oh, yes, I... I do.

Something about the company or the ad agency

not being responsible for any adverse effects

of the publicity.

Huh. Adverse effects.

I'm... I'm sorry.

I... Th-that's all right. I'll...

I'll just get a... Don't worry.

I'll just get a cloth. You...

There we go. There's no harm done, I'm sure.

Oh, I am sorry. Uh.

I've, uh... I've made a fool of myself.

Going after Whitefury won't...

bring Evelyn back.

Mr. Carney...

don't pay attention to what the press is saying.

[NERVOUS SIGH]

I'll try. I, uh...

I am sorry. [CLOSES SNAPS]

Forgive me.

No, don't bother, I'll, uh... I'll see myself out.

If my husband or I can ever help you...

Thank you.

I hope next time we meet under happier circumstances.

Happier for me, anyway.

[DOOR CLOSES]

[♪♪]

How are they doing?

She is brutal.

All he's got left are his Mantovani records

and his mother's recipe for strudel.

LAURA: Gin, baby.

Gin, gin, gin, gin. Hm?

Mm. Let me see.

At a dollar a point, you now owe me...

$785 so far.

Plus my Mantovani records.

Plus your mother's recipe for strudel.

Okay, lamb chop, how about another game?

You got a great sense of humor, kid.

Listen, you two. We're going to bed.

So if there's anything else you need, Laura...

Oh, well, come on, group.

How about a... midnight swim?

Uh, it's a little late for me.

Uh, me too.

Oh, well, it's perfect.

The semi-tropical moon

shining over the water.

The smog-filled air.

Come on.

Max, baby. You coming?

You get wet, I'll get you a nightcap.

If there's one thing I love,

it's a really good loser.

[♪♪]

[DOOR OPENS]

Max. Oh, Max, darling.

A midnight snack.

How delightful.

Hey. That's some nice terrycloth.

Mm. You like it? They say it's wash and wear.

I'm testing it for Consumer's Guide.

See you in a jiff.

[HUMMING]

[DOOR CLOSES]

[♪♪]

Mm.

Perfect nightcap.

Ah. And they said it wouldn't last.

Who said it wouldn't last?

Your Aunt Alice said it wouldn't last.

She did?

Yes. She took one look at me and said,

"I give it six months." [LAUGHS]

And what did you say?

I said, "Aunt Alice, that's what you said

about rock 'n' roll."

[CHUCKLES]

Good old Aunt Alice.

She never did have a sense of rhythm.

[TWIG SNAPS]

Oh, Max. Max, darling.

Don't tell me you've decided to

get your feet wet at la...

[GASPS]

LAURA: No. No!

[BARKING]

What was that?

I don't know.

Hey, Max, did you hear that? [FAUCET RUNNING]

No. What was it?

Where's Laura?

The pool.

[♪♪]

[GASPS]

[♪♪]

Darling, think back to yesterday.

Did you really consider that Evelyn Carney's murder

had anything to do with the Whitefury campaign?

No, not really.

None of us did.

But that was yesterday.

[♪♪]

Maybe it's time I pulled out.

[SIGHS]

Mr. Hart. I don't know why you're so upset.

The... There's really no need for all this energy.

Maybe you don't read the papers, Mr. Wallace.

I explained to the police yesterday.

That was yesterday. This is today.

Laura Bancroft is dead.

That makes two.

You tell me the connection.

I'm not an unfeeling man, Mr. Hart.

But a coincidence is, after all, a coincidence.

Surely you appreciate our position, Mrs. Hart.

Our contract...

I go along with my husband, Mr. Wallace.

But surely... You have a paper shredder?

Why, yes.

Let me give you a list of what's

gonna be in it by the time we leave this office.

I have no authority...

I'm your authority on this, Mr. Wallace.

I want every document

connecting my wife with Whitefury destroyed.

[♪♪]

Understand that?

You have my word.

There won't be any evidence left.

I'm counting on it.

Come on, darling.

[DOOR CLOSES]

I love it when you're forceful.

He said coincidence once too often.

Wait till he tangles with Michael Carney.

Carney?

He's obsessed with the idea that his wife's murder

had something to do with the Whitefury campaign.

How do you know this?

I forgot to tell you.

He came over yesterday afternoon.

He wanted to compare contracts.

Sounds like he's taking this Whitefury killer

seriously from the start.

And it's beginning to look like he's right.

Maybe we'd better talk to him.

[CAR STARTS]

[TIRES SCREECH]

Do you know when Mr. Carney will be back?

Well, I... I really can't tell.

Are you friends of the Carneys?

Well, uh, socially, I'd say.

Uh, we just dropped by to say hello. Oh.

Isn't it terrible? It's on the news at night,

and the police, why, they even questioned me.

What for?

OH, they were checking Mr. Carney's alibi.

Can you imagine?

Well, it's usually routine.

Could you remember?

Oh, of course.

You see, he was in his office dictating all morning.

Well, I remembered exactly

because it was 9:30 when he came out.

He said, "Jana, it's 9:30,

"and I'm going to be in there

"for the next few hours dictating,

and I don't want to be disturbed for anything."

Was that usual for him?

Mm, yes and no.

But it was urgent dictation.

Well, here it is.

MICHAEL [ON TAPE]: Uh, the additional expense this system will involve

is substantially greater than original estimates. [CHIMING]

However, as per our conversation on the 15th...

[CLICKS OFF] He was in his office all morning.

Oh, I heard him through the door.

Oh. Just... If you'll excuse me.

I... I have to get this to Repro before 1.

You can wait here for Mr. Carney.

Oh, thank you.

Thank you very much.

[DOOR CLOSES]

Are you in for something a little unethical?

Again?

[♪♪]

What are we supposed to be looking for?

I wish I knew.

[SIGHS]

What is it?

[WALL CLICKS]

A way out.

False alarm?

[CLOSES DOOR]

Maybe.

[♪♪]

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah. Yeah.

Look, just punch it up.

What do you mean, "libel"?

What's a "libel"?

[CHUCKLES]

Just get someone to say it.

Yeah, an unidentified source.

Jennifer Hart?

Jennifer Hart.

Harry?

Hey, Harry!

I just got our headline story!

[♪♪]

JONATHAN: I'll try to get in touch with Carney again tonight.

There's a few questions I'd like to ask him.

I don't get it.

First, we find an office that has a door

that leads to another door,

that leads to the street.

That leads to the house that Carney built. Maybe.

Good afternoon, Mr. Carney.

Hello, Jana. Any messages?

Yes. And Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Hart stopped by.

You just missed them.

What did they want?

They said they were friends of your wife.

[♪♪]

Is something wrong?

No, no. Nothing. Um... thank you.

JENNIFER: Max, we're home!

Hi.

BOTH: Mm.

What a great smell. That is beautiful.

Ahh. [SNIFFS]

Smells like Italian night at the Palazzo Hart, hm?

Ooh. Taste that.

Mm.

Che buon gusto.

Grazie mille.

I hate to ruin your appetite,

but Lieutenant Grey called and left a message.

Mrs. H has to lie low.

What does that mean?

Meaning no phone calls, no leaving the house,

and particularly, no midnight swims.

The lieutenant is worried that you might be number three,

seeing that you're the only Whitefury lady left.

[MUSIC PLAYING ON TV]

I wish you'd found another way of putting it, Max.

Sorry. No offense, Mrs. H.

Lieutenant Grey said we should

watch the newsbreak on Channel 7.

WOMAN [ON TV]: on the cover of the next issue.

Larry Merkin, the editor

of the Hollywood Tattler,

refused to disclose the source of his information,

however, he did say that the photograph of Jennifer Hart,

the wife of the wealthy industrialist,

was personally delivered to the Tattler office.

Merkin said the picture, which was to have been next

in the famous series of advertisements for Whitefury,

but was withdrawn at Mr. Hart's insistence,

will appear on the cover of the next issue

of his controversial gossip weekly.

I wonder if that Wallace character could have leaked that.

I think I'll pay that Mr. Merkin a visit and see if I

can jar his memory loose on who the delivery boy was.

Can I go with you?

No, darling, I think the lieutenant was right.

What is this? House arrest?

No, well, let's just call it home sweet hideaway.

I'll see you.

Don't worry, Mr. H. I'll hold the fort.

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music].

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music].

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

What should we watch?

Ah, the monster that ate Manhattan.

But that's almost half over.

Half over, huh? Four million down, four million to go.

How about a game show? The $10,000 jackpot.

Why don't we watch something we can afford?

Oh, here's one.

The Bells of St. Mary. I haven't seen that in years.

Bing and Ingrid, as we knew and loved them.

[music].

Ah, the Bells.

The Bells?

The Bells of St. Mary.

The alibi.

What?

The tape in Carney's office.

In the background, you could hear the bells from the university toll twice.

Two o'clock, get it?

No.

Carney was supposed to be dictating from 9.50 to 11 o'clock.

What he was really doing was playing back a tape he'd done on another day.

You mean Carney's the killer?

I think it's time we came out of hiding.

You go get the station wagon.

I'm gonna call Mr. H and have him meet us at the police headquarters.

May I please have the telephone number of the Hollywood Tattler?

[music]

[music]

Well, I'm sorry, Mr. Hart, but I have certain standards to uphold.

I cannot reveal my sources to you or to anyone.

The Hollywood Tattler is the pipeline of the free press.

Mr. Merkin, I'm going to give you one more chance.

Mr. Hart, I'm aware that you're a very wealthy man,

but I will not compromise my integrity as a journalist by accepting bribes.

I'm not trying to bribe you.

A threat then, Mr. Hart?

That's even more than principle.

I wouldn't talk about principles, Mr. Merkin.

Or standards, or integrity.

The Hollywood Tattler is the kind of pipeline that gives sewers a bad name.

Now, just a minute.

No, not a minute.

Not even 30 seconds.

Now, you tell me right now who gave you the picture of my wife,

or the Hollywood Tattler's gonna have a front page

story of an editor who choked on the First Amendment.

It was delivered anonymously, I swear.

Honest, it's right over there.

Get it.

Get it!

Get it!

Yeah!

It's for you.

Hello.

Darling?

Oh, hi, darling.

Darling, I figured the whole thing out.

The murderer has to be Michael Carney.

I was watching the Bells of St. Mary, and the most ridiculous thing happened to me.

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

Max?

I hope you don't mind, Mrs. Hart.

I let myself in.

And if I did mind?

Believe me, it won't happen again.

[dramatic music]

Are you gonna...

...kill me?

Well, what can I say?

I made some bad investments.

My wife was a great philanthropist, but she didn't believe

in giving handouts at home, so she forced me to help myself.

Well, what about Laura?

Miss Bancroft had to die to get the police off my back.

You used her?

You killed her as a smokescreen?

Exactly.

To establish a pattern.

I mean, look, if no one had ever heard of White Fury, and Evelyn

Carney was murdered, who would be the most likely suspect, hmm?

But if a coat was found on her,

and then Laura Bancroft, the next White Fury original, was also killed...

Then nobody thinks it's Evelyn's husband.

Exactly.

And now, unfortunately, the White Fury killer is going to have to strike again.

You shouldn't have left the front gate open.

It could be anyone. It could be the police, even.

[Suspenseful music]

[Knocking]

I warn you.

I won't hesitate to kill him.

Answer.

Who is it?

Uh, Mrs. Hart? This is the White Fury.

I'm, uh, bringing you your gift coat.

Would you sign for it, please?

Hi.

Hi.

[Gunshots].

[Gunshots]

[bullet screeching]

Are you alright?

Yeah.

You call the police. I'll try to head them off.

[music]

[Tires screech]

[Tires screech]

Mrs. Hart, could you sign for the coat now?

What?

I'd sure like to go home now.

[Suspenseful music]

(dramatic music).