All language subtitles for The.Canary.Murder.Case.1929.720p.BluRay.x264.AAC-[YTS.MX]

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(bells chiming)

(tense orchestral music)

(gentle thoughtful orchestral music)

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orchestral music continues)

(lively upbeat music)

(light gentle music)

- Tell me, Vance, what happened backstage?

Were you able to see the Canary?

- No luck, Charles.

She's about as hard to get
at in her dressing room

as she is in that swing.

(Charles chuckles)

(audience applauding)

If you want an idea of
what I ran into back there,

let me point out a few of her admirers.

(audience applauding)

(audience applauding)

You see the man standing
in the box opposite?

- Yeah.

(audience applauding)

- That's Dr. Lindquist.

- Oh.

- He was outside her
dressing room just now,

along with these other two.

I understand that the Canary

has her claws in all three of them.

- Are they rich?

- Mm, naturally.

- Then what does she want with my son?

The allowance I give
Jimmy is hardly tempting.

- Ah, my dear Charles,

our little feathered
friend in the swing there

has social ambitions.

She wants to be Mrs. Jimmy Spottswoode.

- No, impossible.

I'd do anything in my
power to prevent that,

even if Jimmy still cared for her.

And I still believe that she'll
listen to dollars and cents.

- Hm, I wouldn't be too
sure of that, Charles.

As you know, I've more or
less made a hobby of crime

and the criminal.

That girl is no ordinary blackmailer.

I'm firmly convinced

that she'll stop at
nothing to marry Jimmy.

But Jimmy won't have her.

I tell you, he's really
come to his senses.

- Another girl?

- Yes.

Well, you know her: Alice.

- Oh, yes, of course.

A very nice girl, too.

- Yes, she is.

Vance, I'm afraid I'll
have to use my own judgment

in this matter

I'm going to see this
Canary at her apartment

as soon as possible.

- Very well, Charles.

But act quickly.

Oh, I know you'll smile,

but, you know, I have
a strange premonition

that the Canary is headed for disaster.

(audience applauding)

(climatic upbeat orchestral music)

- Evening, Mr. Spottswoode.

- Hello, there.

- Shall I announce you to Miss O'Dell?

- No, don't bother, that's
perfectly all right.

- Very well.

- Jimmy!

- [Jimmy] Alice!

- Jimmy, you were going
to see the Canary again.

- No, I wasn't, dear.

In fact, I just started to
put this note under her door

to tell her so.

- Oh, Jimmy, I'm afraid of her.

Oh, she's clever and
cruel and unscrupulous.

She'll hurt us again, I know she will.

- No, dear, she can't hurt us now.

- I say, boy, will you announce my...

Uh, never mind.

- Yes, sir.

- [Charles] Hello, Jimmy.

- Why, hello, Dad.

- Good evening, Alice.

- Good evening, Mr. Spottswoode.

- You know, I'm delighted that you

and Jimmy have made it up again.

- Thank you.

You know, I'm going to try to show you

that all showgirls aren't like, well-

- Like, the Canary, eh?

- Yes.

- Yes, I want to talk to her.

Do you suppose she's home yet?

- I suppose so.

You know, Dad, you're-
you're a regular guy

for helping me out of this thing.

You know, if...

if the Canary ever came
between Alice and me again,

I don't know what I'd do.

I don't know what I'd do.

- It's all right, Jimmy.

I'll do everything I can.

- Shall I go along with you?

- No, I can handle this better alone.

I'll send in my name now.

(phone ringing)

- [Hall Boy] Mr.- Mr. Spottswoode calling.

- Send him in, please.

- Good evening, Miss O'Dell.

- Good evening.

Shall we go over here?

- Why, yes.

- Will you sit down?

- Thank you.

- Well, I don't think we need
waste any time, Miss O'Dell.

You know why I'm here.

How much?

- Nothing doing, Mr. Spottswoode.

I've decided to marry Jimmy.

- I'm afraid that marriage

is quite out of the question, Miss O'Dell.

- [Margaret] Oh, you're
sure about that, are you?

- I'm positive.

- Well, how would you
like me to tell the world

about Jimmy's embezzling from your bank?

- What?

- [Margaret] You heard me.

You know Jimmy has a
weakness for writing letters,

and I have a weakness for using them.

- If Jimmy did write you a
letter, you'll tear it up,

now, before I leave here.

- Sure, go ahead.

Tear it up yourself.

My memory's still perfect.

- Oh, yes. Yes, I see.

Yes.

Very well. You win.

Now, what do you really want?

- [Margaret] I've told you what I want.

I want to be Mrs. James
Spottswoode, and that's that!

- Oh, haven't you any heart?

Won't you give him up, Miss O'Dell?

For the sake of his happiness,

for the sake of the girl whom
he really loves, give him up.

- [Margaret] Now, what
do you want me to do?

Burst out cryin'?

Listen, Mr. Spottswoode, I
know all about Jimmy and Alice,

and if he marries her,

I'll tell every newspaper in this country

that he's a dirty thief.

- Oh, no, you wouldn't dare do that.

That's blackmail.

- [Margaret] Sure, it is!

Call it anything you like!

But get this into your head

that that's what I'm going to do!

- Well, that remains to be seen.

Goodnight.

(phone ringing)

- [Margaret] Mr. Cleaver, please.

- This is Mr. Cleaver speaking.

- [Margaret] Not the Mr.
Cleaver, the great reformer?

- [Dist. Atty. Markham] Yes.

- [Margaret] Well, this
is your favorite weakness.

- Margaret!

- [Margaret] Don't get nervous, baby.

I've got some news for you.

- [Dist. Atty. Markham] Good news?

- [Margaret] Yes, darling.

I'm going to marry young Spottswoode.

- Well, well, well.

May I send you my
heartiest congratulations?

- [Margaret] You bet you can.

But send them from Tiffany's.

- [Dist. Atty. Markham] What's that?

- You heard me.

And send me one of those
fancy autographs of yours

on a nice fat check.

- I'm very sorry but I'm
afraid I shall have to refuse.

- [Margaret] Oh, be yourself.

Big reformers who lead
double lives can't refuse.

- Now, look here, I'll see you dead first!

- [Margaret] Listen,

you be here after the theater
with the dough and like it.

- The little rat!
(phone handset slams)

(phone ringing)

- May I speak to Mr. Louis Mannix, please?

- [Louis] Quiet, quiet. My wife.

- [Margaret] Don't get excited.

I just thought you'd like to know

I've sold the body down the river.

I'm gonna marry young Spottswoode.

- (laughing) Splendid.

- [Margaret] Yes, darling.

And I've decided that you're the best man.

- [Louis] Best man?

- Yeah, the best man I know of to kick in

with a nice, handsome present in cash.

- [Louis] Now, see here,
you know I can't afford-

- What you mean is, you
can't afford to let the ball

and chain know what a bighearted
Santy Clause you've been.

- Now, look here. I've
told you what I'd do to you

if you ever got to the wife.

- Forget that bunk,

and be on my front porch
after the show with that jack,

or I'll get to your wife, all right.

(phone ringing)

- It's Dr. Lindquist speaking.

- Oh, yes, Dr. Lindquist.

How would you like to
do me a little favor?

- Why, certainly, Margaret.

I'd do anything for you, you know.

- How'd you like to go jump in the lake?

- Oh, Margaret, don't joke with me.

I'm not in the mood for it.

- Ah, get wise to yourself.

I'm through with you.

You give me the willies!

- I warn you, Margaret, I'm desperate.

If I can't have you, no other
man shall ever have you alive!

(mirror clatters)

- [Margaret] Tony?

- In person, baby.

How's my little squaw?

- [Margaret] I thought
you were still in jail.

- Well, I got tired of
the big house, Mrs. Skeel,

so I dropped in to see my little wife.

- [Margaret] I'm not your wife.

- How come?

- [Margaret] I divorced
you six months ago.

- Yeah?

Listen, baby, a little
thing like a divorce

don't mean anything to me.

I heard you taking those
suckers down over the phone.

And I'm in and in on the works, 50/50.

- [Margaret] You big crook!

You're not in on this one!

Don't, you big heel!

(hand slaps)

(Margaret sobs)

- Hey, I ought to bump you off.

- [Margaret] You do and
you'll swing for it.

- Yeah? Well, maybe it'd be worth it.

Now, get this:

I'm in on this racket.

I'll be back for my cut.

- [Margaret] Yeah? Try and get it.

- Say, baby, don't bother
changing the box on this door.

The lock I can't pick is still in Yale.

(door clunking)

(bell chimes)

- Miss O'Dell?

May I see you for a few moments, please?

- [Margaret] it won't get
you anything, but come ahead.

- Thank you.

I have something to say
to you, Miss O'Dell,

which I believe will make you
change your mind about Jimmy.

- [Paper Boy] Paper, mister?

Morning paper?

- No, no.

No.

- [Paper Boy] Thanks, mister.

- Very well, Miss O'Dell.

That suits me perfectly.

Think it over tonight,

and I'll come for your
answer in the morning.

Goodnight.

Boy, would you call me a taxi, please?

- Yes, sir.

(Margaret screaming)

- What's that?

- (stammers) Miss O'Dell!

(knocking on door)

- Miss O'Dell?

What's wrong?

- [Margaret] Something
startled me, Mr. Spottswoode,

but I'm all right now.

- Are you sure you're all right?

- [Margaret] Yes, quite sure.

Run along home and come
back in the morning.

- Very well, then.

I'll see you in the morning.

Goodnight.

Steinmetz Club.

- [Driver] Yes, sir.

(hall boy snoring)

(servant sneezes)

- Say, fella.

(stammering) What's the big
idea, you coming in here late?

- Who? Me late?

- Yeah, you late.

- I've been here for an hour.

- I don't want that stuff.

- Well, I-
- I-I-beg your pardon.

- Mr. Spottswoode, calling on
Miss O'Dell, by appointment.

- She don't answer.

- Has she gone out, do you think?

- I've been on all night.

- And you haven't seen her go out?

- No, sir.

- That's funny.

Do you suppose she can be ill?

- Well, we may go and knock.

- Yes, yes, let's do that.

(knocking on door)

Miss O'Dell?

Miss O'Dell?

Are you ill?

- [Hall Boy] No! (panting)

No!
- What's the matter?

- [Hall Boy] (stammering)
Somethin' has happened!

- Well, go get your passkey.

- Yes, yes.

Say, fella, get running, get a cop.

And, say, get a (stammering) big one, too!

- You better let me have that.

(key rattling)

- What's the matter here?

- Something's happened in there, officer.

Better take that key and go in.

(key rattling)

- She's dead.

(phone dialer whirring)

Police headquarters, please.

(phone ringing)

Patrolman Cassidy speaking.

There's a woman dead at
184 West 71st Street.

It looks like murder.

- Okay, Cassidy.

- She's been dead since
midnight, Sergeant.

Strangled to death.

- That long, huh?

- Sergeant, the district
attorney just pulled up,

and he's coming right in.

- [Sgt. Heath] That's great.

- He's got that Mr. Philo Vance with him.

- Well, that'll be just dandy.

Sherlock Holmes on the job again, huh?

Heads up, boys.

- Good morning, Sergeant.

- Good morning, Mr. Markham.

Well, hello, Mr. Vance.

- How are you, Sergeant?

- Fine. Haven't seen you
since the Greene murder case.

- Quite right.

- Oh, good morning, Mr. Spottswoode.

- [Charles] Good morning, Mr. Markham.

- Well, Sergeant, what's it look like?

- Well, Chief, just another
clear case of robbery,

all I can make out of it.

- Nasty business, Charles, huh?

- Oh, terrible.

As you know, I was here last night

to make my final appeal to her.

For Jimmy.

And when I came back this
morning for her answer,

this had happened

- Yes.

They'll probably want to keep you here

for a few moments, Charles.

- Yes, I suppose, they will.

- And by the way, I explained
to the district attorney

on the way down about
Jimmy and the girl here.

- Oh, that's good.

I'm glad you did that, Philo.

You know, if I can tell you
anything that will help...

- Well, perhaps later, Charles.

Meanwhile, I'll have
a bit of a look about.

- I don't think there's anything

worth you looking at, Mr. Vance.

It's a clear case, robbery.

She put up a battle, and
they wrecked the joint.

- I see.

As simple as that, huh?

- That's it.

- Well, just the same,
Sergeant, if you don't mind,

I think I'll have just one little look.

- Surely, Mr. Vance, go right ahead.

- Make yourself perfectly at home.

- Thank you, Sergeant.

- (stammering) Excuse me, Mr. Policeman,

when do we sleep?

- [Sgt. Heath] Now, you
get this, sonny boy,

you'll go for a long sleep

unless you button up
that big trap of yours.

- Yes, sir.
- Oh, Sergeant?

- [Sgt. Heath] Yes, Chief.

- [Philo] Any fingerprints?

- [Sgt. Heath] Well, so far, no.

I'll tell you, this job
was done by an expert.

It's perfect.

- Yes, that's just the trouble.

- [Sgt. Heath] What's that?

- It's too perfect.

- Well, that's a little
over my head, Mr. Vance.

Just what do you mean by "too perfect"?

- Well, Sergeant, what usually happens

when a heavy lamp like that
is knocked off a table?

- Well, I don't know, but I'll bite.

What does happen?

- It usually smashes, doesn't it?

- It might.

- Well, look at that one.

- Well, what about it?

- Well, simply that that
lamp was placed there

to give the effect of a struggle.

- Hm, maybe.

- Let me see, Sergeant.

It does look a little
obvious, doesn't it, Vance?

- I should say so.

- Hey, boy, what happened here last night

after you heard Miss O'Dell scream,

and you and Mr. Spottswoode
ran down the hall to her door?

- Why, she-she said she was all right.

And I called Mr. Spottswoode a taxicab.

- And you've got a way with it?

- Yes, sir.

- (chuckles) That's all right.

What time was this?

- It's on the call sheet
that I gave you, about...

(hall boy stuttering)

- Never mind, I-I can read it.

"12:10."

Now, Mr. Spottswoode,

where did you go last
evening after you left here?

- I went directly to the Steinmetz Club.

- That's right, Sergeant.

I met Mr. Spottswoode at the
club shortly after 12:00.

We played poker until almost
daylight, I believe, wasn't it?

- It must have been.

I know it was long after 4:00.

- Oh, yeah, you mentioned
that coming down here, Vance.

- Right.

- That'll be all for the
present, Mr. Spottswoode.

- Thank you, Markham.

But if you do want me later
on, Mr. Vance has my number.

- Quite right.
- Goodbye.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye, Charles.

I'll phone you.

- Go right ahead, boys.

Joe. (speaking faintly)

- Oh, Sergeant,

would you step over here
for a moment, please?

- All right, Mr. Vance, what is it now?

- Do you observe anything peculiar here?

- Why, surely.

The key is on the inside.

- Excellent, Sergeant.

Don't you think we might go
over that knob for fingerprints?

- Well, now, uh, I...

Oh, I get you, Mr. Vance.

The murderer locked
himself in this closet.

When Spottswoode left, he came
out and croaked the Canary.

- No, I hardly think so, Sergeant.

If you will observe,

this is the one place
in the entire apartment

that hasn't been disturbed.

Now, what does that signify?

That and the fact of the key
being found on the inside?

- Just as I told you.

The murderer was in this closet

and came out when Spottswoode left.

Hm, I don't think you quite
get my point, Sergeant.

If the murderer had been in here,

he would have upset this closet,

as he did the rest of the
apartment, wouldn't he?

- Well, yes. I guess he would.

- Precisely.

Gentlemen, it was someone
else who was in that closet

while the apartment was being ransacked.

And that someone witnessed the murder.

- Through the keyhole?

- Splendid, Sergeant.

And if you'll find who was in that closet,

I think you'll learn from him, or her,

who it was that killed the Canary.

- Sergeant, get the
fingerprints, will you?

- Oh, Joe.

- Oh, Sergeant, you might check
up on the other apartments.

Mr. Vance and I are going outside.

- You, come here.

- (stammering) Yes, sir.

- Who lives in that apartment there?

- (stammering) Miss Alice LaFosse.

- Isn't she the dame that had the battle

with the Canary the other
night, over young Spottswoode?

(hall boy stuttering)

All right, all right.

- Impossible to get in here.

- [Dist. Atty. Markham] I'd say so.

- Hmm.

Well, what's this?

Mm.

That's odd. May prove very interesting.

What do you think?

- I see, Miss LaFosse.

I see.

But you and the Canary had a fight

over young Spottswoode, didn't you?

- Why, yes, we did have a fight.

You see, she took Jimmy away from me

and got him into trouble.

But that's all over now.

Jimmy and I made it up just
the day before yesterday.

- You didn't see young
Spottswoode last night, did you?

- Why, yes.

He brought me home from the theater.

- Ah-ha!

So he was hanging around
here last night, was he?

- Yes, but he was with me
until after one o'clock.

- Now, wait a minute, lady.

Wait a minute.

You save your alibis till we
get you down to headquarters.

Go slip on your things.

- Why, look, you don't think that-

- Put 'em on!

- Oh, Mr. Vance, I'm frightened.

- Now, don't you be worried, Alice.

Just you do as the sergeant says.

- All right.

(door clunking)

- You know, I'm beginning to question

this robbery theory, Mr. Vance.

You and I were right.

- Hmm?

Oh, yes.

- Why, I can see plainly that this murder

is all mixed up in a love pact.

- [Philo] Hm!

- You know, Chief, I
think we better round up

this young Spottswoode
and give him the works.

What do you say?

- Quite right, Sergeant.

- Markham, I'd like you to
add a few names to that list,

if you don't mind?

The men I mentioned on the way up here:

A Dr. Ambrose Lindquist,

John Cleaver, and Louis Mannix.

- Well, young man, what do you know about

what happened at the Canary's
apartment last night?

- Nothing.

Look here, sir, that has
nothing to do with Alice.

Uh, I mean, Miss LaFosse.

The papers say the Canary
was murdered before midnight

and, I tell you, we were
together the whole time.

It isn't fair to hold her.

You haven't the right.

- Now, Jimmy, don't get worked up.

Everything's going to be all right.

Why not interview the
others first, Markham?

- Very well.

Gordon, take Mr. Spottswoode
out in the other room

and hold him there.

I'll talk to you later, young man.

(door clunking)

- There you are.

- Well, who's next on the list?

Mannix.

- I'd like to make a bit
of an experiment, Markham.

Have you a pad and pencil there?

- Yes.

There you are.

- You have that newspaper handy?

- Yes, right here.

- All ready?
- All right.

(door clunking)

Morning, Mr. Vance.

- Good morning.

Mr. Markham.
- Good morning.

Will you please take a seat?

- Thank you.

Ooh. (chuckles)

Sorry.

- [Dist. Atty. Markham] Mr. Mannix,

there are a few questions
I'd like to ask you.

- Questions?

What about?

I don't know anything about this.

It's a great shock to me.

- [Dist. Atty. Markham] What
was a great shock to you?

- Well, I...

I thought perhaps you were going
to ask me about the Canary.

- (chuckles) Exactly.

You read my thoughts, Mr. Mannix.

Did you ever see that necklace before?

- Why-Why, yes.

Fact is, I gave that to the Canary.

Little token of esteem.

Nice girl, the Canary.

I'd met her once or twice.

(laughs) A casual acquaintance.

- Rather an expensive gift

to give to a casual
acquaintance, isn't it?

Do you know that the Canary

was strangled with that necklace?

(necklace clatters)

- Most remarkable.

Unfortunate, I should say.

- [Dist. Atty. Markham]
Where were you last night,

between 11:00 and one o'clock?

- Between 11:00 and 1:00?

- [Dist. Atty. Markham] Yes.

- Let me see.

Why, I was home.

I went to bed about 10 o'clock.

Uh, tired out, (chuckles) you understand.

- Pardon me, Mr. Mannix.

- Any comment to make, Mr. Mannix?

- Odd habit of mine, drawing triangles.

- Now, Mr. Mannix,

if you were in your bed
last night at 10 o'clock,

how did you manage to drop that newspaper

just outside the Canary's apartment?

That edition isn't on
the streets until 11:00.

- Well, you've caught me.

I'll tell the truth.

It's always best to tell the truth,

especially when there's no reason to lie.

It was like this:

The Canary called my home
at dinnertime last night.

Most embarrassing. (chuckles)

Mrs. Mannix was with me.

I had omitted to tell my
wife about the Canary.

She wouldn't have understood. (chuckles)

The Canary told me that
she was going to be married

and wanted to see me.

Said that I should come to
her apartment at 11 o'clock.

Well, I...

(chuckles) I couldn't
argue over the phone.

(chuckles) The missus was listening.

So I said all right.

So at 11 o'clock, I went
to the Canary's apartment.

I entered the hall by a side door.

I went directly to her apartment.

I was about to enter when
I heard voices inside.

I listened.

There was a man in there,
and he was arguing.

(chuckling) Of course, well,
that was no place for me,

so I returned home
without seeing the Canary

or entering her apartment.

- Well, uh, that'll be all the questioning

for the present, Mr. Mannix,

but I'll have to ask you to
wait in the outer office.

I may want to speak to you later on.

- Oh, well, won't you let me go home?

I'll get in an awful mess with my wife.

- [Dist. Atty. Markham] I'm
sorry, you'll have to wait.

- Oh, Mr. Markham, I wouldn't run away.

- Uh, Melfield.

That'll be all.

- Mr. Markham?

You've gotta help me
square this with my wife.

(door clunking)

- We will now have, uh, Mr. Cleaver.

Good morning, Mr. Cleaver.

- Good morning, Mr. Markham.

Can I do anything for you?

- [Dist. Atty. Markham]
Will you please have a seat?

- Mind if I smoke a cigar?

- [Dist. Atty. Markham] Oh, please do.

Uh, Mr. Cleaver, do you mind
if I ask you some questions?

(match striking)

- Why, of course, if I can be of any help.

- Where were you last night
between 11:00 and 1 o'clock?

- Motoring up the Hudson.

In the moonlight.

Alone. (blows)

Though, I don't see what that has to do

with the district attorney's office.

- Well, only this, Mr. Cleaver:

if you were indulging in the
nocturnal beauties of nature

along the Hudson last evening,

how did it happen that this cigar band,

bearing your initials,

was found just outside the Canary's window

at an early hour this morning?

- Well, if I was passing
the Canary's apartment,

you can't twist that into a crime.

- [Philo] Oh, then you
did pass her apartment?

- Why, yes, I...

I've nothing to hide.

It was about dinnertime last night.

The Canary phoned to me.

Oh, of course, my-my
acquaintance with her

was wholly in my line as social reformer.

I'd hoped that she was going
to leave her immoral life

and-and marry and settle
down, be a good woman.

- And, uh, you kept the appointment?

- Yes.

Yes, and no.

I was a little late.

I arrived at her apartment
about a quarter to 12:00,

or thereabouts.

I waited for a minute outside
her window to light a cigar.

Then I glanced down to the
side entrance to the building,

and who should I chance to see

but Dr. Lindquist.

He was behaving in a very peculiar manner.

Seemed to me very queer.

Very mysterious.

I didn't like it.

So I made up my mind not
to see the Canary again.

And I turned, walked back home.

Now, that's all I can tell you.

I'm a busy man and I
hope you'll excuse me.

- I'm very sorry, Mr. Cleaver,

but I'll have to ask you to
wait in the outer office.

I might want to question you again.

- You mark my words, Markham,

you'll be sorry for this.

- (chuckling) Well, I'll
take my chances, Mr. Cleaver.

- Charming fellow, Cleaver.

- Yeah, rather.

By the way, Vance I didn't see
you pick up this cigar band

in front of the Canary's
apartment this morning.

- I didn't.

- [Dist. Atty. Markham]
Where did you get it?

- From your waste basket.

- Wastebasket?

- Cleaver dropped it
there when he entered.

I took a chance on his
not remembering that.

It seemed to work.

- (chuckles) Well, I'll be...

Hmm.

Very good.

Dr. Lindquist.

- [Dr. Lindquist] Let me go

- Come on, Doctor.

- Take your hands off me!

- We caught Dr. Lindquist
just as he was leaving town.

- That's a lie.

I was on my way to a patient.

- Would you please sit down, Doctor?

I'd like to ask you a few questions.

Doctor, where were you
last night between 11:00

and one o'clock?

- None of your business.

- It is some of my business.

You were seen coming out

of the Canary's apartment at midnight.

- Why you!

- Not so fast, Doctor.

- Calm yourself, Doctor.

- I'm sorry.

I lost my temper.

I'm under a terrible strain.

I loved the Canary dearly

and I'm terribly upset.

- Do you know that the Canary

was strangled with that necklace?

(necklace rattles)

- Good God.

You...

You don't accuse me?

- Now, Dr. Lindquist,

there's really no need
for you to be excited.

Now, Mr. Markham here

is merely trying to
find out what you know.

- I know? Know?

I know nothing.
- One moment, Doctor.

Markham, don't you think
that we might postpone

the interview with Dr.
Lindquist for a while?

- Why, what...

Very well.

That'll be all for the present, Doctor.

I'd like to have you
remain in the outer office.

- Come on, Doctor.

(door clunking)

- [Dist. Atty. Markham]
What was the idea, Vance?

We had him where he was
about to tell us everything.

- Well, on the contrary, Markham.

In his present extremely
excited condition,

I very much doubt if he
would have told us anything.

I do think, however, that
if we give him a chance

to cool off a bit, he's very
likely to tell us the truth.

- Well, perhaps you're right.

Good morning, Sergeant.

- How are you, Sergeant?

- Good morning, Chief.

Hello, Mr. Vance.

(package thuds)

Take a slant at those.

There's the Canary's jewels.

They were found in an ash can

about a block from her
apartment this morning.

I guess that kind of
disproves the robbery theory.

- We were right, Mr. Vance.

- [Philo] Hmm?

- I say, we were right.

- Oh.

Oh, yes.

Yes, apparently we were, Sergeant.

- [Sgt. Heath] Now it's up
to us to find another motive.

- Yes, quite right, Sergeant.

You know, Markham, I've been
thinking this over all morning.

And I believe that I can come pretty close

to the psychology of the man
who committed this murder.

I believe that I can pick him out

from that list of suspects,
if he's among them.

However, it will require
a bit of an experiment.

- What is in your mind?

- Well, I'd like to use that
conference room of yours there

for a friendly little game
of poker with your suspects.

- Well, now, that's a cute idea.

- Now, just what is your idea, Vance?

- Well, just this, Markham:

A man's true nature always
comes out in a game of poker.

Now, I know the type and the temperament

of the man who murdered the Canary.

And in a game of poker,

I believe that I can come pretty close

to putting my finger on him.

- That's a new way of
catching crooks. (laughing)

- Leave it, Sergeant, will you please?

Well, go ahead, Vance.

The experiment can do no harm.

- Quite right.

Now, I'd like to have the sergeant's help.

- Well, I'd be very glad
to help you, Mr. Vance,

as long as you don't try
to hang the murder on me.

- Sergeant, will you take
Mr. Vance's orders, please?

- Okay, Chief.

- Will you get me a deck of cards

and have some poker chips
handy just outside there?

- That's easy.

- Then bring in the suspects
and impress upon them

that they may be detained
here for quite a while,

possibly two or even three hours.

- Well, that's okay, Mr. Vance,

but how are you gonna get these suspects

into this poker game without
it appearing phony to them?

- Well, Sergeant, I rather think

that the power of suggestion
will take care of that.

- Oh, power of suggestion.

- Exactly.

Now, Sergeant, look in from time to time.

And when I pull my handkerchief
from my pocket, like so,

break up the game by telling them

that they're all free to go home.

Understand?

I get you.

But when you release them,
I'll have my boys tail 'em.

- [Philo] Very good, Sergeant.

- And, Mr. Vance,

here's to the power of
suggestion. (laughing)

- Jimmy.

- Now, gentlemen, you're liable to be here

for two or three hours.

Perhaps longer.

- [Louis] That's outrageous.

- Just make yourselves at home.

- You know, this is going to get me

in an awful mess with my wife.

- That is of no interest to me.

- I'm sorry.

- What's the idea, Mr. Vance?

Well, what are they gonna do with Alice?

- [Philo] Now, Jimmy, don't you worry.

Nothing's going to happen to Alice.

- Say, Mr. Vance, you
know, this is gonna get me

in an awful mess with my wife.

Martha's a...

My wife's a wonderful woman and all that,

but sometimes, she just
doesn't understand me.

The last time I was a little indiscreet,

it cost me a fur coat.

(chuckling) I hate to think
what this is gonna cost.

Don't you think if you put...

Oh, (chuckles) beg your pardon, I'm sorry.

Mr. Vance, you haven't got an
extra pack of cards, have you?

- I'm sorry, Mr. Mannix,
but you're welcome to these.

- Oh, no. No, no, thanks
just the same. (chuckles)

I, uh...

I wish we could play a little cards.

- Say, that's a good idea!

How about poker?

- [Philo] I'm agreeable.

What about the others?

Dr. Lindquist?

- Anything to pass the time.

- Mr. Cleaver?

- Well, uh, as a rule,
it's against my principles.

But I suppose on an
occasion like this one,

one can relax a little.

- Just draw up a chair, gentlemen.

- Thank you.

- Sergeant, how about some poker chips?

- [Sgt. Heath] Surely.

(door clunking)

- Chief?
- Yes?

- Mr. Spottswoode is here.

- Have him in.

- [Joe] Come in, Mr. Spottswoode.

- Good morning, Mr. Spottswoode.

- Good morning, Markham. Good morning

I say, Markham, what are
you holding Jimmy for?

Surely, you're not accusing him?

- No, no, of course not!

We're simply trying to find
out what he knows, that's all.

- Oh, yes, yes.

Where is he now?

- Why, in the other room there with Vance.

- May I see him?

- Why, certainly.

Of course, you could.

Mr. Vance? Mr. Spottswoode is here.

- Oh. Hello, Dad.

- Hello, Jimmy.

- [Philo] Good morning, Charles.

- Good morning, Philo.

- But, Dad, what are you doing here?

- I came to be with you,
Jimmy, while you're detained.

- Oh, by all means.

We've just started a little
game of poker here, Charles.

Would you like to join?

- Come on, Dad, sit and take a hand.

- Well, all right.

I'll sit in.

- That'll go fine.

Suppose you take that chair, Charles.

- Thank you.

- Gentlemen, this is Mr. Spottswoode.

Mr. Mannix.

- How'd you do, Mr. Mannix?

- Dr. Lindquist

- Doctor.

- And Mr. Cleaver.

- Mr. Cleaver.
- How'd you do?

- Shall it be jackpots, gentlemen?

- Why, yes, anything.

- Yes, the missus and
I usually play jackpot.

(cards rustling)

- Cards?

- [Louis] Three, Mr. Vance, please.

Thank you.

- Cleaver?

- [John] Two, please.

- [Louis] So it's between
you and me, Mr. Cleaver.

- [John] Yes.

- [Louis] Hmm. (chuckles)

I'll bet a white one.

(chips tapping)

(chips tapping)

Oh, uh, so you're calling me?

- [John] Yes.

- [Louis] Well, hmm.

Just openers, pair of jacks.

- Three aces.

- [Louis] Oh!

- So you called a one-chip
bet with three aces?

(cards thudding)

(chips tapping)

- Open.

- [Charles] I'm out.

- Dealer?
- Passes.

- [John] How many, Mr. Vance?

- Two cards, please.

- [Dist. Atty. Markham] Mr. Mannix?

- I think I'll play these.

- I'll check the bet to you, Mr. Mannix.

(chips rattling)

Calling.

Nine, eight,

seven, six, five.

And they're all spades.

- You bet on a sure thing, Mr. Mannix.

- I open for one.

- I'll stay.

- Oh, let's make it a
little more interesting.

(chips tapping)

10 more.

- Well, that-that's me out.

- [Dr. Lindquist] I'm out.

- [Jimmy] And me.

- I'll stay with you, Charles.

- [Louis] Cards, gentlemen?

- Three for me, please.

- [Louis] One, two, three

Mr. Spottswoode?

- I have plenty.

- [Louis] Mm.

(Dr. Lindquist coughs)

- A white stack, Charles.

- Two white stacks.

- [Jimmy] Hey.

- Up two chips, Charles.

- Two? (chuckles)

Oh, you want me to do the betting, eh?

All right.

- I'm afraid I'm overcome by curiosity.

What have you?

(Charles chuckling)

- Two deuces.

- They're good.

- They're...

They're what?

Well, why the philanthropy, Philo?

- Well, I had ace high.

(Charles chuckling)

(chips rattling)
(cards rustling)

- Pardon me, Mr. Vance.

Could I speak to you a moment?

- Excuse me, please.

- [Sgt. Heath] We've
traced the fingerprints,

and this is the bird
that was in the closet.

He saw the Canary murdered.

- Gentlemen,

here is the man who was in
the Canary's clothes closet

and who witnessed her murder.

- Hmm.

Well, I shouldn't like
to be the man he saw.

- [Louis] Hmm. (chuckles)

Thank goodness he didn't
see me through the keyhole.

- So that man witnessed a murder?

- Singularly unattractive countenance.

- Well, if he knows, why
doesn't he tell who did it?

- Gentlemen, I've been instructed
by the district attorney

to inform you that you're
all free to go home.

- Thank goodness for that.

I wonder what the wife will say?

- Has anyone a fountain pen, please?

- There's mine.

- Oh, thank you, Jimmy.

- [Louis] Bye.

- Now, what I didn't tell you
about this bird, Mr. Vance,

in front of the others,
is that he phoned in

and said that he'd be in

the district attorney's office tomorrow

and spill the whole works.

He says that he saw the guy
that croaked the Canary,

and he'll come in and tell us who it was

Now, we haven't been
able to locate him yet,

so I guess we just have to wait.

- Well, Sergeant,

that takes the matter out of my hands.

Markham, there can be no doubt of it.

The same person who strangled
the Canary strangled Skeel.

This new murder was done
to cover up the first.

Skeel was obviously blackmailing
the Canary's murderer.

He threatened to inform the police

of what he had seen through
the keyhole of the closet.

And when the murderer learned
yesterday at the poker game

that the police knew who
had been in the closet,

he put Skeel out of the way at
the earliest possible moment.

- I believe you're right, Vance.

Oh, Mack?

Did any of the suspects get
away from your men last night?

- We never lost sight of
Lindquist, Mannix, and the girl.

But young Spottswoode and
Cleaver gave us the slip.

- That'll be all.

- Okay, Chief.

- Vance,

that leaves Jimmy and Cleaver.

- Morning, Chief.

- Good morning, Heath.

- Boys.

Hello, Mr. Vance.

- Good morning, Sergeant.

- Well, Chief, everything's okay.

I've got the guilty man
and I've got him right.

- You've got him?

- I hope to tell you I have.

- Where is he?

- [Sgt. Heath] All right,
Mack, bring him in.

(door clunking)

- Mr. Vance!

- Jimmy.

- This fool arrested me
this morning at breakfast

for the murder.

- Why, it's just like
shooting fish in a cup, Chief.

I've got all the dope,
and I've got it down pat.

Motive and everything.

Now, this dame, Alice, croaked the Canary,

jealous because she's stolen her fella.

The kid here bumped Skeel
off to shut his mouth

and to protect the dame.

A lie!

- That isn't all, Chief.

I've got the evidence.

And it's not psychology, Mr. Vance.

- Mr. Vance, he lies.

He hasn't any evidence. He couldn't have.

- Just a minute, Jimmy.

Sergeant, what is your theory?

- Well, I don't go on theory.

I use cold facts, Mr. Vance.

Now, you wait a minute.

Did you ever see that pen?

- Yes. It's mine.

- You bet your life it's yours.

Take a look at that pen, Mr. Vance.

Chief?

- Well?

- Now, listen to this:

This morning, I found that
pen on the floor there

by the table where Skeel was murdered,

and the kid, here, admits that it's his.

- Well, young man, what have you to say?

- Yes, I killed them.

Both of them.

- [Sgt. Heath] I guess
that does it, Chief.

We've got him in a sack.

Now, this dame, Alice-

- Wait a minute!

You've got what you
wanted, now take me out.

- Take him away, Mack.

Well, I'll see you later
at the office, Chief.

- [Dist. Atty. Markham] All right, Heath.

- Sorry, Mr. Vance.

- Well, Vance, I guess
that closed the case.

- No, Markham, it doesn't.

- What do you mean?

- I mean, that the boy is not guilty.

- Well, that's nonsense.

- Not nonsense, Markham,
because I know who is guilty.

- Oh, come now, Vance, that's-

- I tell you, Markham, I know.

And inside of one hour, you'll know, too.

I'm going to telephone at
once to the real murderer

and have him come to
the Canary's apartment.

And I want you to be there.

- But the boy has confessed everything!

- Markham, if you don't meet me there,

you'll be the laughingstock
of New York in 24 hours

because I'll have a confession
of the real murderer.

- Well, all right, Vance,

if you want it that way,

I'll be there.

- [Operator] Number, please.

- Bayview, 2121.

- [Operator] Bayview, 2121?

- Yes, please.

(phone line taps)

This is Philo Vance.

I want to speak with-

- [Man On Phone] Oh,
hello, Philo, how are you?

- I didn't recognize your voice.

I have something of extreme
importance to tell you.

Jimmy has just been arrested.

He has confessed to the murder
of both the Canary and Skeel.

Do you understand?

- [Man On Phone] Yes, I understand, Philo.

Jimmy is not guilty. I'm the man you want.

- How soon will you meet me
at the Canary's apartment?

- [Man On Phone] it'll
take me almost an hour

to get in from the
country, but I'll be there.

- Good.

(phone line taps)

(phone handset clunks)

(car engine whirring)

(train horn blaring)

(vehicles crashing)

- It's been over an hour now, Vance.

- Now, don't be impatient, Markham.

He'll be here.

- Who is it you're expecting?

- You wouldn't believe me if I told you.

And I must admit that
without his confession,

I haven't a shred of
real proof to offer you.

(phone ringing)

Hello?

Yes.

This is Mr. Vance speaking.

What?

Yes.

All right.

- What is it, Vance?

- Spottswoode has just been
killed in a motor accident.

- Spottswoode killed?

My sympathies, old man.

I know what great friends you were.

- It's worse than you realize, Markham.

It was Spottswoode who killed
both the Canary and Skeel.

- Spottswoode?

- I've known it ever since the poker game.

- But how could you know?

- Sit down, Markham.

It wasn't really so difficult.

Remember, the man who
committed this particular crime

must have had certain definite qualities.

A mind capable of working
out a well-planned

and brilliant course of action.

Willing to take a desperate
chance and see it through.

Now, consider the men in the game.

Jimmy, I ruled out at the start.

But I've known him as a boy,
and his youth and impulsiveness

were hardly consistent with such a...

Such an obviously premeditated murder.

Lindquist was far too
excitable and erratic

to have plotted such a
carefully calculated crime.

Cleaver, much too cautious,

and entirely lacking in
the necessary boldness.

Mannix, timid and
unwilling to take any risk,

except upon an absolutely sure thing.

The only man at the table
with enough imagination

to plan such a crime

and with sufficient self-confidence

and daring to carry it
through was Spottswoode.

When he held a pair of deuces,
refused to draw to them,

and bet every chip he had on
the chance of bluffing me out,

the realization suddenly dawned upon me

that he was the murderer.

For he was the one man of them all

psychologically fitted for such an act.

- But, um, how about finding Jimmy's pen

in the Skeel apartment?

- I borrowed Jimmy's fountain
pen after the poker game.

My hypothesis is that, in the confusion,

Spottswoode put the pen
into his own pocket,

and that Jimmy saw him do it.

That is why Jimmy made his confession,

to shield his father.

- Yes, but against all that theory, Vance,

we have certain definite facts.

Now, for instance, Spottswoode
left the Canary's apartment

while she was still alive.

He talked to her through that door.

The hall boy, looking through the keyhole,

saw the Canary lying on this
sofa smoking a cigarette.

Spottswoode then went away

and spent the rest of
the evening with you.

- True.

And yet I know he committed the murder.

And I've got to find out how he did it.

- I'm afraid you will, Vance,
so that Jimmy can go free.

- Spottswoode, himself, was coming here

to tell how it was done
in order to free Jimmy.

And now he's dead.

I've got to solve it.

(clock bell chiming)

I think I have the whole thing.

Now, follow me closely.

The Canary was lying there.

Spottswoode, let us
say, was standing here,

making a final plea for his boy.

Which met with an absolute refusal.

He walked around to the head of the sofa.

Suddenly, he clapped
his hand over her mouth

and, with his other hand,
caught her necklace,

and before she had a chance
to cry out, he strangled her.

He then proceeded to set the stage

to make it appear that the
crime had been committed

with robbery as a motive.

He stripped her jewels from her

and placed them in his pocket.

Then

he took a cigarette from
that box and lit it.

He laid her hand here,

placed the cigarette between her fingers

so that in case anyone

should look through the
keyhole of that door there,

it would appear as if she
were lying here smoking.

He then overturned the entire apartment

to make it look as if a burglar
had ransacked the place.

Now, just step over here, Markham.

He came to this closet door,
but he couldn't open it.

Skeel had locked himself in,

though Spottswoode didn't know that.

And Skeel, through the keyhole,

saw everything that Spottswoode did.

That accounts for the orderly
condition of this one closet

when everything else in the
apartment was ransacked.

And that, Markham, was the
technique of the crime itself.

- But that doesn't
account for the fact that-

- Just a minute.

I haven't quite finished.

I want you to go out into the
hall and stand at the desk

where Spottswoode stood
when he ordered his cab.

- Very well.

(woman screaming)

- [Woman On Record] Something startled me,

Mr. Spottswoode,

but I'm all right now.

Yes, quite sure.

Run along home, and come
back in the morning.

- [Philo] You understand now?

This record was Spottswoode's alibi.

Undoubtedly, the reason he
returned here the next morning

was to get it back.

But he was prevented by
the arrival of the officer

who entered the apartment with him.

The Canary was dead

when the scream issued from
the apartment that night.

She was dead when she
apparently spoke to Spottswoode

through the door.

- But what clue led you
to the phonograph record?

- It was this magazine.

That is hardly a magazine
the Canary would have read,

so I concluded that someone
else must have brought it here.

Then, in running through the pages,

I happened to notice this.

Look closely.

You see it?

- Why, yes, the-the
imprint of a large circle.

- And on the opposite page?

- Well, the same thing.

- Precisely.

As if a disc had been pressed
between the two pages.

That brought to my mind the
thought of a phonograph record.

And suddenly, the whole
plot became clear to me.

It was the only way that Spottswoode

could have committed the murder

and have produced a voice in the apartment

after the Canary's death.

- I can't understand how
he could have reproduced

the Canary's voice.

- It wasn't the Canary's voice, Markham.

Spottswoode made that record himself.

Probably it was his own voice in falsetto.

And, remember, it was only
necessary to fool the house boy

and through a closed door.

- Yes. I can see it all now.

- He played the game shrewdly and boldly.

It was Jimmy's whole life's
happiness that was at stake,

and Spottswoode risked
his own life for his boy.

- Goodbye, Mr. Vance.

You'll never know how grateful we are.

Goodbye, my dear.

I wish you great happiness.

- Oh, thank you.

- Goodbye, Jimmy.

Your happiness will come.

- Thank you, Mr. Vance.

I...

I can't say any more just now.

- Well, Mr. Vance.

- Well, Sergeant.

- I guess we put it over again.

- Right you are, Sergeant.

Many thanks.

- Well, I'll be seeing you later.

Goodbye.

- Goodbye, Sergeant.

(bright orchestral music)