Take One False Step (1949) Movie Script
1
Why Andrew Gentling.
Catherine.
Out of all people.
Well, aren't you gonna kiss me?
Of course.
Oh, that's not like the old days.
Well, no, it's not like the old days.
I've been reading all about you, Andy.
You're all over the newspapers.
"Leading educator visits the city."
How'd you get to be a leading educator
so suddenly?
What's all this about you
starting a new university?
Aren't there enough colleges?
I can't keep up with all
the football games now.
I'm afraid this is going to be
a different kind of college.
We may not even have a football team.
Oh, sounds gruesome.
How about buying me a drink?
Well, of course.
Yeah, you're looking well, Catherine.
Ravaging as ever.
Watch your language, Professor.
I'm feeling susceptible.
Imagine running into you.
You know, I was thinking
about you just today.
Oh, I was thinking about you too.
That's why you ran into it.
I read you were staying at this hotel.
Oh, this strategy.
What'll it be?
Martinis very dry.
It's still martinis, isn't it?
For a starter.
I do better as the night gets older.
Make mine double.
One single.
- One do you believe.
- That's right.
Say where's Charlie isn't he here anymore?
Charlie?
Yes, the bartender who
used to take care of us.
Before my time.
Well, the old order changeth.
I'm afraid we're just
a couple of memories.
You're kind of cute, Professor.
You're different, but you're cute.
You know, this is the first time
I ever saw you in civilian clothes.
I think, I liked you better in uniform.
You were shinier and more accessible.
You know, I used to feel rather
embarrassed about those eagles.
It seemed to me like a lot of nonsense.
All I ever did was work
on a few equations.
Just the same, you were very handsome.
Ooh, easy now.
Oh, you were.
You ever see Martha?
All the time.
She's having a party ton.
She'll be mad to see you.
Oh, not me.
No parties.
I'm out here strictly on business.
Tsk, tsk.
How stuffy.
When'd you arrive?
Yesterday.
I flew out with a couple
of colleagues of mine.
We're meeting out here with a gentleman
who's going to give us the money we need
for our university we hope.
Did your wife come with you?
No, she stayed in New York.
Good, I like wives who stay in New York.
Catherine, the war is over remember?
Is she pretty?
Yes.
Are you happy?
Very.
How dull.
Andy.
Yeah?
Did you know her then?
No, we met back east
after I was discharged.
She never saw me in uniform.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Colonel Gentling.
Professor Gentling.
You've led a double life.
Well, I've led a double life too,
double, triple, and quadruple.
I am now Mrs. Catherine
Sykes if you please.
Well, congratulations.
Congratulations aren't in order.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Skip it.
Let's drink up.
- To the future.
- Oh, no, no.
To the past.
To the dear delightful, wicked past.
All right, that finishes
the list for the faculty.
Willoughby, Resnick, and Clark,
Mr. Arnspiger should be quite pleased.
I wouldn't be too hopeful, Andrew.
I'm a little worried about Clark there.
Why, what's the matter with him?
Well, he had the misfortune
to get involved with one of his students.
Blonde, plump, and willing,
economics major, I believe.
You see Arnspiger has the theory
that only the pure in
heart are pure in mind.
Oh, nonsense.
If either of you was contemplating
anything scandalous between
now and tomorrow morning,
let me know.
Oh, personally I was planning to runaway
with a stripteaser from the burlesque
by the name of Laverne La Rouge.
You know, she was timed scientifically
at 63 convulsions a minute.
Well, I'm afraid I have to
call off the whole thing.
She'll be terribly upset.
I'm turning in now, gentlemen.
My stamina is still
working on eastern time.
I'm three hours behind myself.
I guess, we've said everything.
We might as well adjourn.
It's up to Arnspiger now.
Well, one more day.
I think, I'll say a
little prayer together.
Say something nice about Arnspiger.
Oh, yes.
Bless Mr. Arnspiger
if he comes across.
What a call at this hour?
Oh, it must be Helen
calling from New York.
I'll see you in the morning.
- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.
Hello.
Hellen?
Hellen indeed.
Who is this?
Out of sight, out of mind.
Didn't I make any impression on you?
Catherine.
I thought you were my wife.
Oh, wife.
When you coming to the party, Andy?
We're all waiting for you.
Now, Catherine, I told you.
Oh, Andy, after all these years,
you can't deny me one little party.
Look, Catherine, I'm sorry, but...
I'll tell you what.
Maybe we can arrange
to have dinner some night before I leave?
Sounds horrible.
If you don't come, Andy,
I'm gonna come over to
the hotel and get you.
I'll make a scene in the hotel lobby
and disgrace you forever.
Remember what I did
that time in Las Vegas?
Now look,
Catherine, behave yourself.
Are you coming or
must I come and get you?
Be reasonable.
I'm coming.
No, no, no, now wait a minute.
Wait a minute.
I tell you what, I'll come over,
but just for a few minutes.
One drink and home, right?
The address is 723 Arroyo Street.
That's in Westwood.
I'll have a drink waiting for you,
and, Andy, hurry.
Now remember I...
Yes, Mr. Gentling?
Operator, would you
please get me New York City
Grindlander 4-1-5-9-8.
I'll call you, Mr. Gentling.
Yes.
Here's your
party, Mr. Gentling.
Hello.
Hello, Andy.
Helen, how are you, darling?
Did I wake you?
No, I've been lying
here hoping you'd call me.
How's Fran?
She's fine.
She keeps asking for you.
Well, you give her a
big hug and a kiss for me.
I miss you terribly, Andy.
How are things going?
Helen,
darling,
I've got a brainstorm.
Yes?
Why don't you hop on a
plane and come on out here?
Andy, do you think I could?
Call Tim, and tell him that I said
for him to make arrangements for you.
Tell him the same plane that I took.
It makes only one stop.
I'll tell him.
I'm so excited, darling.
Thank you for wanting me.
Ah, I'll see you at the airport.
Goodnight, dear.
I can hardly wait.
Hurry to me.
Andy.
The party's this way.
I didn't see any lights.
It's a dark party.
A secret party.
Well, isn't there anybody else here?
We're here.
How many people do you need for a party?
Now, Catherine.
Let's be grown up and behave ourselves.
What do you say?
The Colonel Professor is
not the man he used to be.
That's what I say.
Come on in.
No, I think, that I'd better
go on back to the hotel.
Oh, don't be gruesome.
If it's there's one thing I can't stand
it's a gruesome ex-gentleman friend.
Come on.
Well...
Where's the party?
Here it is.
Welcome to the party.
But there's no one here.
I'm here.
You're not completely deserted.
Martha.
I am glad to you see.
Hello, Andrew.
Ooh, this party's dying.
The next 10 minutes are crucial.
I'll get some drinks.
You entertain the guest, Martha.
Tell him the story of my life.
That ought to give him a laugh.
What's going on here?
Oh, Catherine's had a standard evening.
A fight with her husband.
Refused to go home.
He left.
And I'm conducting the
mopping up operations.
Say, she's changed, hasn't she?
Yes, she has.
You haven't changed, Martha.
Haven't I?
Not at all.
What a shame.
You look the same.
A little more serious perhaps.
You've been doing wonderful things, Andy.
I followed your career like a bloodhound.
What's all this about a new university?
Break it up, Martha.
The well-known educator is my territory.
Here have a drink.
It's getting gloomy out.
And you might as well stop
chasing the professor.
It's a waste of time.
The male sex has become cautious.
It used to be different in the old days.
There was a war.
It changed everybody.
It changed everything.
It was a state of emergency.
I'm the only one left in the whole world
who's still in the state of emergency.
I think, I'll go to bed.
I've got a new rule
about getting some sleep one night a week.
This seems as good a night as any.
Why do people
give parties anyway.
Nice seeing you, Andrew.
I'll be looking for you in the papers.
Wear your best cap and gown.
Thanks, Martha.
Let's you and me go some place
and have a good time.
We'll pretend the war is still on.
Huh, just you and me.
You and I will do no such thing.
Oh, don't be a school teacher.
Come on before I change my mind.
Look, Catherine.
Now there's one thing
you've got to get straight.
What?
The war is over.
Oh, not for me it isn't.
In my whole life I was
in love with two men.
I didn't get either one of them.
Watch out. Watch out.
Now you don't want an accident, do you?
I don't care.
Either one of them.
You.
You were sweet and gentle
and I thought you liked me.
Then you went away, and
you got yourself married.
Now there's Freddie.
Freddie's nice.
But he's a hermit.
He keeps himself locked up in his house,
and he never goes everywhere.
Intelligent fellow.
The only one I'm not in
love with is my husband.
He's not a nice man.
I'm cold.
You still use the same lotion.
I always liked it.
Where are we going?
You're going home.
Is this it?
I don't wanna go in the house.
Now let's say goodnight,
and you go on in like a good girl.
I don't wanna.
I wanna stay here and talk
to my ex-gentleman friend
who got married when my back was turned.
Now, look, Catherine.
We've had a nice little visit,
and I'll see you again some time soon.
Some afternoon for lunch let's say.
I don't wanna go in the house.
I wanna stay here and talk to you.
Kiss me, Colonel.
Keep quiet down there.
What's the matter with you?
Now sit up.
Sit up.
I'm sorry, Catherine.
Are you hurt?
Only fatally!
Here let me look at it.
Let me see it.
Nice soft silky scarf,
that's Andrew's scarf.
It's nothing serious.
But you'd better get
into the house right away
and put a bandage on it.
I don't wanna go in the house.
Now, Catherine, listen to me.
You've got to home.
This has all been mistake.
I never should've come
over when you called me.
I don't wanna go home.
I wanna stay here with you!
People are always
making me do what I don't wanna do!
Well, I'll have to do it the hard way.
What are you gonna do?
I'm leaving you here.
No.
Andy!
Andy, please don't go!
Please don't leave me here, Andy, please!
Dr. Horace Willoughby on social history,
Professor George Resnick
on political history,
and Professor Clarence
L. Clark on economics,
and that about concludes
our present faculty list.
Did you say, Clark?
Clarence L. Clark?
Yes, one of the most
brilliant men in his field.
Isn't that the man
we were talking about?
Why...
Can't use him.
He's got a bad record.
Well, his scholastic record,
Mr. Arnspiger is above reproach.
Now, A.K., perhaps we could
talk this over a little later.
We'll talk it over now.
The man's involved in a scandal.
Finished.
I don't like scandal of any kind.
High thinking, clean living,
keep your name out of the
newspapers that's my motto.
Clark goes, and anybody
else goes who can't live up
to decent standards of conduct.
Well, it doesn't seem fair to me.
Just one mistake that may
not have been his fault.
I am not interested in being fair,
and I don't care who's fault it was.
I am interested in trying to start
a new type of school on your blueprint.
Andy?
On your blueprint, Mr. Gentling!
Oh, yes.
I never went to college myself.
Country clubs with libraries attached.
It was much the fault of the
colleges as anything else
that the world is going to the
dogs in a caboose these days.
Andy?
Get out of here.
Now, A.K.
Get out of here.
Gentlemen, please.
You expect me to hand over
two million dollars to you.
If you're not interested enough
in what I have to say to listen to me,
then I don't want you.
I'll very sorry, Mr. Arnspiger.
I beg your pardon.
I'm not quite myself today.
If you'll excuse me please.
- Hello.
- It's Martha.
I've been trying to
reach you all afternoon.
I have to see you.
It's no use.
I'm going to the police
and get it over with.
No, please, please don't
do anything until you see me.
Pick me up on Cannon Drive and Clifton.
Do you know where that is?
Martha, I can't hide.
- I...
- Don't be an idiot.
I'll be waiting for you.
What's this?
Catherine's purse?
She must've dropped it there.
It's a good thing we found it first.
What happened, Andrew?
Where did you leave her?
Well, the last I saw of her
she was dragging my
scarf along the sidewalk
on the way to her house, so help me.
Then it is your scarf?
Do you think they can trace it to you?
Probably, it must've had a label.
I don't know.
Now we have to work quickly.
What?
Find out what happened to her
before the police do
it's your only chance.
Oh, Martha.
You must.
All there is to connect
you with it right now
is the scarf and the diary.
What diary?
Did...
Now what's this about a diary?
A nice juicy account
of everything she did
and everything she thought.
Your name is all over it.
Where's the nearest police station?
Not so fast.
I don't think anybody will
find it for a while yet.
She kept it pretty well hidden.
Where?
In the pocket of an old red polo coat
hanging in a bedroom closet.
What else was in the diary?
Other names.
Other people she knew.
Other men.
Did she say anything to
you about anybody else?
Yes, Freddie.
A man called Freddie.
Yeah.
I need to see your license.
Oh, sorry.
They let you park in front
of red curbs in New York, bub?
Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see it there.
Has that been red all this time?
Okay, I'll let you go this time
because you're an out-of-towner,
but watch yourself.
Right.
What is this strange talent I have
for getting into trouble.
Red curb stone.
Look out.
Not my day.
Not my day at all.
By the way, is this a rented car?
Yes, it's a drive yourself.
You better turn it in today
and exchange it for another,
just in case they got a description of it.
That's right.
Say, who is this Freddie?
Freddie Blair.
He and Arnold Sykes are mixed up
in some sort of shady business.
They're as thick as thieves,
and I mean thieves.
But she said she was in love with him.
How does Mr. Sykes feel about that?
Say, maybe we're onto something.
Jealous husband?
Not Arnold.
He's just this side of a weasel.
He's known about Catherine
and Freddie for sometime,
and had hasn't seemed to
make much difference.
It gets better and better.
How'd I ever get into this anyway?
I was just minding my own business.
If only we could lay
our hands on that diary
before the police get to it.
Wait a minute.
Catherine's keys.
One of them must be the house key.
Here it is.
I'll have Arnold meet me somewhere,
and you'll have the house all to yourself.
What are you...
Oh, no, Martha, I can't do that.
Oh, yes, you can.
Did you find a body?
Still looking.
What makes you so sure there is a body?
There's always a body.
Anything new?
Yeah.
The neighbor next door said
she heard a man and woman arguing
outside her window last night.
Yeah.
And another lady down the
block said she heard a scream.
And still another lady says
she was accosted by a stranger,
"Who made improper advances
"as she was driving into her garage
"causing her to bend a fender."
She describes him as
looking like Frankenstein.
Can we arrest Frankenstein?
Just the same, I think
we got a body on our hands.
Yeah, nice looking body, too.
Anything new on her husband?
Ryan's been tailing them all day.
Oh, he made a phone call this afternoon?
Who to?
His bookie.
He bet 50 bucks on Little Goose Girl
in the Eighth at Santa Anita on the nose.
Mr. Sykes
doesn't seem to be disturbed
about losing the wife, does he?
Think he did it?
Maybe.
What about the scarf?
It's got a New York label.
We'll check, and we'll know
more about that tomorrow.
Good that'll help.
Hey, tell Ryan to phone me
if Sykes goes out tonight.
Why?
I wanna give that
house a little look-see,
when Sykes ain't there.
You be back here by seven o'clock.
We'll go together.
You don't trust Sykes, do you?
I've been a detective for 23 years.
I don't trust my own mother.
Well, you know your own family.
Yeah.
This Sykes has got some funny connections.
Racetracks, big time gambling,
no other visible means of support.
Yes, sir, we keep our eye on Mr. Sykes.
What about the guy who
brought her home last night?
You know the mystery man?
We keep looking for him too.
Okay.
Anything else?
- Yeah.
- What?
Find a body.
Sure, sure.
Don't tell me you got the wrong key.
Keep your shirt on, will you?
It's one of these I got it
from the landlord today.
See, you got to have faith.
Hey, that's a dangerous looking animal.
I don't think he cares for us.
Tell him that man is dog's best friend.
Hey, man is dog's best friend.
He's not convinced.
Well, let him alone.
Take a look around.
Who's bothering him.
Wish we could find a body.
It's not asking too much, isn't it?
Woman, body.
I like these case where
you don't have no body.
They give you a real
solid foundation to go on.
We'll, know the name of the man
that bought the scarf by tomorrow.
Maybe that'll clear the whole thing up.
Hey, here's something.
What is it?
"A can of tomato soup,
a can of green peas,
"one can of pork and
beans, a can of peaches."
Shopping list.
That reminds me my wife told me
to bring home some ginger ale.
Don't let me forget it.
Hey maybe there's a code.
Yeah, the secret of
how to make a bad dinner.
Take a look in that closet.
Get that.
Sykes residence.
Oh, Ryan.
Pacciano.
Yeah, all right I'll tell him.
Hey, boss.
Ryan he says Sykes and the weird girl
are getting ready to leave that bar.
They're just around the corner.
He thinks we better get out of here.
Okay.
He wants to know do you want
him to switch to the girl?
No, no, no, I may put
somebody on her tomorrow.
Tell him stick with Sykes.
Okay.
Hey, Ryan, stick with him.
All right see you later.
Come on, come on let's go.
Hey, boss, come on, stop making
like a bloodhound, will you?
You don't wanna be here
when Sykes gets back.
Yeah, I guess you're right.
What makes you so sure it's Sykes?
Because it's too simple.
I'm a simple man.
I like simple solutions.
I get nervous headaches
when things get complicated,
and besides he gave me a bum tip.
A Little Goose Girl.
We haven't looked in the bar yet.
Hey, that dog will tear us to pieces.
Nice doggy.
This whole case is
giving me the willies.
Even the dogs act screwy.
Bourbon bonded.
Yeah, come on, come on.
Made in Kentucky.
Yeah, let's go.
Hey, maybe you better get
the dog back and lock him up.
You trying to get me killed?
Come on.
Joe.
Arnold talking.
Freddie was here.
Wrecked my place and beat up my dog.
I'll have to report it to the police.
The cops are on my tail, but good.
You just let me catch
up with him that's all.
I'll keep in touch with you.
Operator connect me with the police.
Did you get it?
Andrew?
Don't worry.
It's my own blood.
What happened?
Well, it seems there was a dog.
Oh, no, I forgot about him.
I should've warned you.
It's all right.
I won by a knock out.
Bandage, iodine, I stopped on the way.
Here let me help you.
Careful.
Come on let's wash it out.
I hope it was worth the trouble.
Don't worry.
Wait till you've read a couple of entries.
Oh, he really got you, didn't he?
I don't think they've
been feeding him lately.
Well.
Here we are.
"January 23rd, woke up early this morning
"had a dream about Andrew Gentling."
You know, there ought to be a law
against woman keeping diaries.
I told you it'll be worth it.
Now this is going to hurt.
At this point nothing can hurt.
There that should do it.
Incidentally, I got a slight
lead from Arnold Sykes.
He was questioning me about Freddie.
Seemed to be more concerned about Freddie
than about Catherine.
I gather that Freddie had disappeared,
and Arnold would like
very much to know where.
You think it means anything?
Mm-hmm, could be.
By the way we can't see each other again.
Why not?
The police are after you too.
I forgot to mention that I
had to hide in that closet
while two detectives ransacked the place.
I heard them say they'd
start trailing you tomorrow.
Don't you think you
better bow out of this?
Hold your hand still.
Well, don't you?
You can get into a lot
of trouble helping me.
Lovely help I've been so far.
No, I don't think I'd better bow out.
Here's an item.
"Freddie got into a fight over me tonight
"at the Silver Club.
"At the bar Johnny Marino came over dunk
"and started to bother me.
"When Freddie pulled his
hand out of his pocket,
"had a glove on,
"and when Johnny wasn't
looking, he hit him.
"There must've been
something else in the glove
"besides his hand because
Johnny took an awful beating.
"Freddie hit him in the
face again and again."
Nice boy, Freddie.
He carries a loaded glove.
How did Catherine ever get
mixed up with such people?
Oh, here's something else.
"Freddie called today from SF.
San Francisco?
Probably, and here's the
number Klondike 2-6-7-1-4.
Must be San Francisco.
Wait a minute.
Hello, Operator.
Would you place a call
to San Francisco please?
The number is Klondike 2-6-7-1-4.
Yes.
Thank you.
What can we lose?
You can't just ask him
point blank about her.
If there's anything to it,
you'd be tipping him off.
- Yes?
- Here's your party.
Hello.
Hello, is this you, Freddie?
Who's this?
This is Martha Wier, Freddie.
You've got the wrong number.
There's no Freddie here.
But I was calling to...
You got the
wrong number I said.
That was Freddie all right.
Well, what do you think?
I think that Freddie knows
what happened to Catherine,
and I think Arnold
Sykes would like to know
what happened to Freddie
that's what I think.
And the police would like
to know what happened to me.
You know, Freddie, hmm.
I think I had better have
a little talk with Freddie, don't you?
Over the phone?
No, personally in San Francisco.
Oh, no.
It's the only practical
thing left to do.
If I started now, I could
be there by morning.
Alone?
Of course, I can't very
well ask for a police escort.
But he's dangerous, Andrew.
You don't know about men like him.
He's a gangster, a gunman.
Martha, we might as well face it.
I'm in this thing, and I
can't very well get out of it
unless I see it through.
The truth of the matter is,
I should've given myself up this morning.
Oh, come in.
Do you always take this
long to open the door?
Who have you got in here with you?
A woman?
Oh, no, no, no women please.
We have got enough trouble
with Mr. Arnspiger now.
I'm sorry, I was on the phone.
Where have you been all
afternoon and evening?
We've called you at least a dozen times.
What are you doing operating
another business on the side?
No, I went
out for a little ride,
after that session with His Nibs.
Don't remind me.
Whatever got into you anyway, Andy?
You couldn't have been more damaging
if you had been deliberate.
Yes, I know, it was
pretty awful, wasn't it?
Oh, Morris.
I wonder if you'd mind
leaving these closed.
I think, I'm coming down with a cold.
Oh, that's why.
You don't get enough fresh air.
What happened to your hand?
Oh, I cut it.
Broke a glass.
What is that?
You're packing.
Are you going somewhere?
- Yes, I am.
- But you can't do that.
Not tonight, Andrew.
Yes, tonight.
Andrew, are you in trouble?
Can't we help you?
No, Morris, I don't think so.
Thanks just the same.
I've got to go to San Francisco.
San Francisco?
Well, this is the end.
And it's most important
that I go tonight.
I'd like to tell you
what this is all about,
but I can't, at least not now.
You see, Andrew, the thing is like this.
Henry and I we spent the whole afternoon
and evening with Mr. Arnspiger.
We talked him into
giving us another chance.
Yes, we told him that perhaps a room
wasn't exactly the right place.
Morris, what are you driving at?
We've arranged for
you to give a lecture.
A lecture?
Yes, at the college tomorrow night.
But, I may not be
back by tomorrow night.
So what's the matter with San Francisco?
San Francisco they do
just as well as Los Angeles.
We can have the lecture up at Berkeley,
and I have a very good friend there,
Dr. Markheim.
He can arrange everything.
I'll call him up tonight.
How about Arnspiger?
Maybe he won't come?
He'll come if I have
to drag him by the heels.
Morris, get on the phone
and make some reservations
for Saint Francis Hotel.
Andrew, I'll see you tomorrow.
Maybe all this has turned
out for the best after all.
Give them a good lecture, my boy.
We can't miss.
Everything will work
out all right, Andrew.
Don't worry.
Goodnight.
Goodnight, Morris.
Are you all right?
Slight case
of frostbite that's all.
I'm so sorry, but I
couldn't get rid of them.
You sure you ought to do this, Andy?
I'll be a dead duck anyway
when they find out who bought that scarf.
I might as well die trying.
Nothing I can say?
No, I'll just pack a
few things and be off.
All right then.
I'll run along.
We better not be seen
leaving the hotel together.
Take care of yourself.
Let me know the minute
you find out anything.
I will.
Martha.
Thanks.
In fact, thanks for everything.
That's it.
Gin.
Captain you're a jinx.
Why don't you go home and go to bed?
Nobody's committing any crimes tonight.
It's illegal.
Boys, I got a little present for you.
Something nice and fresh on
the Catherine Sykes case.
You find the man who bit the dog?
Well, not exactly, but I
think he'll show up pretty soon.
No, this is a report from a vet.
That dog had rabies.
Hydrophobia.
We destroyed him a half-hour ago.
Robbie, city desk, take this down.
The murderer in Mr. Sykes home
was bitten by a rabid dog.
- Rabies.
- No, not rabbit.
Rabies, R-A-B-I-D.
In the home of Catherine Sykes.
But I'm not in the gin mill.
I'm right here in the pressroom.
Hi, stranger.
What are you running away from?
- What?
- To be out
this hour of the morning,
you must be running away from something.
What'd you do rob a bank?
Can you just fill it up please.
I ...
Oh, just pay the girl inside it's okay.
And now for
the early morning news.
- First the weather report.
- Chow's on, folks.
The weather man promises
more rain for this weekend,
and approaching storms
heading down from Atlanta.
Howdy, what'll it be?
- Coffee.
- One coffee.
More local news.
In Los Angeles a weird twist was given
to the Catherine Sykes case last night.
The home of the pretty housewife
who has been missing for two days now,
was broken into early yesterday evening.
The intruder according to police,
was driven off by the Sykes' police dog,
who was found unconscious
with blood on his jaws
by Arnold Sykes, husband
of the missing woman.
The intruder escaped, but not completely.
In a routine examination of the animal,
the police department made
a startling discovery.
The dog was suffering from the
most dreaded of all diseases.
Rabies.
Hydrophobia if the bitten man
is not treated immediately, he is doomed.
All doctors in the
Southern California area
have been requested by Los Angeles Police
to report immediately any
case of dog bite that...
Ah, shut up!
I wanna hear some music.
Now we're cooking.
Hey, Mister, you forgot your paper.
Absentminded Professor.
All fixed up and raring to go, Mister.
Office hours 10:00 to 1:00.
What do you want?
Dr. Thatcher?
I'm Dr. Thatcher.
What's the trouble?
Doctor, I've
been bitten by a dog.
I'm afraid he had rabies.
Come in.
This way.
Sit down.
Name?
John Simmons.
John Simmons.
Where you from?
- Cleveland.
- Cleveland.
Doctor, couldn't you
take my history later?
I'm in need of attention.
Easy now.
Just hold on.
The important thing in matters
like this is to keep your head.
More folks die of the fear of rabies
than the disease itself.
You don't see my glasses
around anywhere, do you?
You're wearing them.
Yes.
Of course.
Well, now,
when were you bit?
Two days ago.
Two days ago not so good.
Where did this happen?
Oh, what difference does that make?
Listen, either you want me
to treat you or you don't.
You're in my office,
and I have a certain system.
A doctor without a system isn't worth
the paper his diploma is written on.
I've been practicing 45 years.
I do things in a certain way.
I put everything on paper.
Now then, where did it happen?
Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara.
What kind of dog?
Well, Doctor, how do I know?
It was a large brown dog.
You want his pedigree too?
Don't shout at me.
I didn't bite you.
Let me see the wound.
Did you report the accident?
No, why should I have done that?
Because it's the law, Mr. Simmons.
It's the law.
Every case of dog bite has to
be reported and investigated.
Well, I was in a hurry.
Hurry.
Hurry.
Everybody's in a hurry
to get to the cemetery
before his neighbor.
Look, Doctor, I didn't
come here for a lecture.
I've been bitten by a mad dog.
Now I know that there are some
injections that may save me,
and I want you to start them immediately.
Everything in due course.
First, I'm going to put on some clothes.
Then, we'll go down to
the county hospital.
Well make some tests,
and we'll call Santa Barbara,
and see if the police there
can't round up that big brown dog.
It might save you a lot of
trouble if they found him,
and he turned out to be healthy after all.
He had rabies I'm sure.
Of course, you're sure.
Still, we'll investigate anyway.
I haven't time, Doctor.
I have an important
appointment in San Francisco.
Sit down, Mr. Simmons.
Nature don't know about appointments.
Your blood stream don't know anything
about your business in San Francisco.
Disease is very democratic, Mr. Simmons.
It kills the patient and the impatient,
except it kills the
impatient a little faster.
Hey!
Bang you're dead!
Hello.
Hello.
When I grow up my father's
gonna get me a machine gun.
He is, eh?
Yeah, on my 10th birthday.
My name's Horace what's yours?
- What?
- Your name.
What's your name?
Oh, John.
I have three uncles named John.
We're going to Oregon.
My Aunt Bertha lives in Oregon.
She has a big house.
We're poor.
My father's says if Aunt Bertha
doesn't invite us to live with her,
he's gonna split her head
open with a baseball bat.
But I betcha he'll put me
to bed before he does it.
Anytime something happens,
they make me go to sleep.
What's the matter with your hand?
Oh, I cut it.
Yeah, Horace, I think
your mother wants you.
Nah, she yells when she wants me.
I know what the police are looking for.
I heard it over their radio before.
Yeah.
What are they looking for?
If you give me a dime, ['ll tell you.
There you are?
Is it a real dime?
Sure.
What could I buy with a dime?
Could I buy a catcher's mitt?
- No.
- Could I buy a rifle?
Well, no, not quite.
What is it the police are looking for?
For the guy who got bit by the dog.
Better get going, Jack.
The kid just spotted the guy
we're looking for in
the back of that truck.
We may need room.
Right.
Your call please?
Klondike 2-6-7-1-4.
Just one minute please.
Yeah?
Hello, Freddie?
Who's this?
You don't know me,
Freddie, but I know you.
We have mutual friends.
I've got to talk with you.
It's very important to both of us.
Well, talk.
Not over the telephone.
I've got to see you personally.
The boys send you?
The who?
All right, all right,
play it dumb if you want to.
I got nothing to hide.
I'm willing to talk.
Where will it be?
I could come to your place.
You don't know
how to get to my place.
You could tell me.
Wise guy.
All right, you say where?
Corner of Camino and Viaduct.
Know where that is?
I can find it, Camino and Viaduct.
What time?
Eleven o'clock tonight.
Eleven tonight?
What's the matter
you afraid of the dark?
I was hoping
we could make it sooner.
It's that or nothing and come alone.
I'll be alone.
And don't try
any funny business either.
I'm not playing for pennies these days.
Nor am I.
Be seeing you.
Call please?
Operator, I wonder if you could
get me the address of this phone number.
Klondike 2-6-7-1-4.
I seem to have misplaced it.
One moment please.
I'm sorry, sir, but that
is a private number.
Information will not give us the address.
Thank you.
Professor Gentling.
This is Dr. Markheim.
Morris Avrum...
Yes, I'm downstairs in the lobby.
May I come up?
8-2-4 thank you.
Come in, Doctor.
How are you, Professor.
I won't take up too much of your time.
I just dropped in to welcome
you for the committee
and see if there's anything you want.
Oh, thank you.
- Sit down, won't you?
- Thank you.
Can I order you anything?
No, thanks, I just
dropped in for a minute.
What's the matter with your hand?
Oh, I cut it.
On a glass.
Want me to have a look at
it see if it's all right?
Oh, thanks, it's perfectly all right.
The lecture is schedule for 8:30,
and my wife sent me out with instructions
to bring you back dead
or alive for dinner.
Wants to lionize you a little
for the local society.
You know how women are.
Well, that's very good of Mrs. Markheim,
and I'd be very happy to come,
but I am a little tired.
Thought I'd use the time to sort of
collect my thoughts for the lecture.
Sure, sure, I know what you mean.
Whenever I have to make a speech,
I can't stand anything on my stomach.
Goes up and down like a pogo stick.
Till 8:30 then.
You'll be on time, won't you?
On the dot.
Allow yourself a good three quarters
of an hour to get there.
You're sure there's
nothing I can do for you?
No.
I'm a very influential man in this town.
Get you anything you
want anytime you want it.
Whipped up the arrangements
from this lecture
practically right out of my hat.
Oh, well, I'm sorry to have
put you through all that trouble.
No trouble.
I was happy to do it.
It's a great pleasure to
have you with us, Professor.
I look forward to tonight.
So do I.
Oh, say, Doctor.
You know there is something
that you might be able to do for me.
I've been trying to locate
a friend of mine up here.
I have his telephone number,
but the operator won't
give me his address.
She says it's a private number.
Oh, one of those, eh.
Well, why don't you call him and ask him?
I bet you never thought of that.
Well, it's this way, Doctor.
It's a sort of joke,
and I thought I'd like to
drive over and surprise him.
We were together in Army.
And Mrs. Markheim told me
to give you anything you asked for,
so let's have a try at it.
Just watch me and see
how a man of action works.
Operator, put me through
to police headquarters.
I wanna talk to Lieutenant Ed Folgerty.
Emergency.
No trouble at all to take a
gander at that hand of yours.
See if it's clean.
Oh, thanks it's quite all right.
Here's your party.
Hello, Ed.
It's Markheim talking.
Did you take those pills I gave you?
Well, now I wanna ask you a favor.
I want the address of
this telephone number.
Klondike 2-6-7-1-4.
Klondike 2-6-7-1-4.
A patient of mine.
I don't want to disturb him,
and they won't give me any information.
I'm at the Saint Francis.
Extension 8-2-4.
Fine.
Nothing to it he's gonna
call me back.
I better not tell Ed about
that bandage you're wearing.
Everybody's bandage conscience today.
That fella down in LA with the dog bite.
You read about it?
Yes, a little.
Say, you could be that
man they're looking for.
You came from LA today,
and you're wearing a bandage on your hand.
Maybe I better just be a good citizen
and turn you over to Ed.
Funny isn't it?
Very funny.
You know, my phone's rung 20 times today
asking what the symptoms of rabies are.
I haven't seen a case of hydrophobia
since I was in medical school.
I had to read up on it all morning,
so I wouldn't act like a
darn fool over the phone.
Beautiful disease.
Filterable virus they think.
Attacks the central nervous system.
The first thing that happens
the patient gets a vague
sense of apprehension.
Just a general low down feeling
that something bad is going to happen.
Then a dull pain around the wound.
Pretty soon he has trouble swallowing.
Then his voice gets husky.
Weird, isn't it?
Yes, isn't it?
Then he gets thirsty.
Wants a drink of water in the worst way,
and this is the funny part of it.
He's afraid of the water.
Can't stand the sight of it.
Just the thought of it
produces a spasm in the
throat very painful.
Then paralysis,
and when the symptoms
display themselves, fine.
No cure ever.
100% mortality.
Fascinating, isn't it?
Yes, isn't it?
That be Ed.
I'll take it.
Hello. Ed?
Yes.
1202 Lomitas.
Thanks a million, Ed.
I'll send you over a
bottle of those pills free.
- There you are.
- Oh, say that's fine.
Fine.
I'm very grateful to you, Doctor.
Not at all don't mention it.
Sure you don't want me to
have a look at that hand?
Oh, no, no, no.
It's perfectly all right.
Okay.
Well.
Keep away from strange dogs.
Oh, yes.
See you later.
Right.
Need any help?
Yeah.
Give me a lift into town.
Get in.
Fight?
Could be.
I know a good doctor.
So do I just drop me off in town.
Wasn't that Freddie Blair's
house you came out of?
What do you know about Freddie Blair?
What were you doing there anyway?
- Well, I...
- Are you a cop?
No, I'm not the police.
It's not important who
I am for the moment.
What's important is that I
know who you are, Mr. Sykes.
Say, how do you know my name?
You one of the guys from the East.
Yes, I'm from the East.
Look, I had nothing to do with it.
It's all Freddie.
I didn't see a nickel of that money.
He held out on me too.
Let me out of here.
- Stop the car!
- Wait a minute!
Let me out.
Look out!
Look out you fool.
I'm trying...
Mr. Andrew Gentling please.
Hello, is Mr. Gentling there?
Oh, I'm Martha Wier, Mrs. Gentling,
a friend of your husband's.
I'm downstairs.
May I come up?
It's very urgent.
Thank you.
There's no time to be
polite, Mrs. Gentling.
We've got to find Andrew at once.
Have you any idea where he is?
No, as a matter of
fact, I haven't seen him.
I only just arrived.
He left word in Los Angeles
for me to meet him here.
Has something happened?
Is there anything wrong?
You'd better prepare yourself
for something of a shock.
Andrew is in great trouble.
Here.
Read this.
But I don't see what...
It's Andrew.
He's the man they're looking for.
That's absurd.
You must be mistaken.
Oh, believe me, there's
no mistake, Mrs. Gentling.
I know it sounds like
I'm not making any sense,
but there is no mistake
and every second counts.
I've got a doctor to help him,
a friend of mine.
We've got to get Andrew
to Los Angeles at once.
But it's quite impossible don't you see?
You must be confusing
him with someone else.
My husband is Professor Andrew Gentling.
He's going to lecture here tonight.
I just spoke to Dr. Markheim about him.
He arranged the lecture.
He said that he'd been talking to Andrew
just a few...
He said that Andy had cut his hand
and was wearing a bandage.
He was bitten by that dog.
Catherine was a friend of his.
He took her home from my house.
Nevermind the details.
You can tell me about it on the way over
to the lecture hall.
He's due there in three
quarters of an hour.
He won't have time to stop here.
He'll probably go directly there.
They haven't heard from him.
Not a word.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Professor Gentling seems to
have been delayed for a few moments,
but I'm sure he'll be along very shortly.
In the meantime, Professor Herbert Watson,
who is well-known to all of you,
has kindly consented to speak on a subject
that is of great importance to all of us.
Soil balance.
Professor...
Professor Watson.
Soil balance
traumatic words.
Look I just don't like it.
- I don't like...
- Shh, quiet.
It is difficult to speak calmly
and with scientific detachment.
Deep in the soil,
down where the earthworm dwells,
all our fates are being decided.
Before man came...
There she is sitting
next to Mrs. Gentling.
I see them.
I don't get it.
I think we're up a blind alley.
We follow her all the
way to San Francisco,
and wind up in school.
I think she's just nuts
for education that's all.
Keep your shirt on, will you?
She talked to that doctor in Los Angeles
about a guy with rabies.
Keep your shirt on.
The hawk,
and the hare,
consider the earthworm.
Oh, dry up,
or I'll bite you.
By giving back to it
more than it took out.
Then disaster.
The plow,
the irrigation ditch,
the tractor,
the bag of chemical fertilizer,
the earthworm...
The earthworm...
Professor Gentling is here.
Gentling.
I thank you for listening.
If any of you wish to hear
the conclusion of my remarks,
I shall be most happy to
continue them later on.
Ladies and gentlemen,
it gives me pleasure to introduce.
Professor Andrew Gentling.
Well, I must beg your
indulgence for being late,
but I was unavoidably detained.
One of the great ideals
of the classic world
was the sane mind in the sound body.
Now by extension,
that meant the well-rounded man.
The man who at the same
time could be a soldier
and defend the state by force of arms,
and could be a poet and philosopher
and increase the well being
and understanding of the state
by force of intellect.
In ancient Greece and Rome,
it was not unusual for a man
to be a farmer and a scholar,
a merchant and a statesman,
a general and a historian.
Under their guidance,
the new university
will help form citizens
who will be free,
intelligent, informs, and just.
I thank you.
Very, very well done, Andrew.
Thrilling, Professor.
- Thank you.
- I do wish you'd said
a little something about soil balance.
I'm proud of you, Andy.
I couldn't have done better myself.
Well, young fella, supposing you and I
go back to the hotel
and have a little talk.
Mr. Arnspiger, I'm sorry,
but I have a very important appointment.
But, but, but, but, but...
He can't do this to me.
Professor Gentling?
Yes?
I'm Captain Gledhill,
Los Angeles Police Department, Homicide.
Well, yes?
I listened to your speech tonight
with a great deal of interest.
I was really impressed.
You see, I'm a kind of a
semi-professional theoretician,
in my own field, of course, crime.
I see.
Matter of fact, I'm in town right now
on a little business of crime.
Yeah.
What I wanted to ask you was this.
Did you ever stop to consider
it might be a good idea
to have a department of crime
in that new university of yours?
Oh, well, yes, that's a good idea.
That's a very excellent idea.
I'll try to include such
a department in our plans.
Thank you, thank you very much.
Accident?
Oh, no, nothing very serious.
Just a little cut.
If you'll excuse me me,
I have a rather important engagement.
Oh, sure, sure.
Sure, Professor, I'll be
seeing you, Professor.
Oh, yeah.
Call me if you need any help.
Thank you very much.
Bye.
Hey, boss, just got news from New York.
They found out who bought that scarf.
Who?
Hold on to your hat, boss.
Professor Andrew Gentling.
Oh, my aching head.
Pick up the weird girl and
Mrs. Gentling with her.
Get to a phone.
Call headquarters.
Tell them to put an
alarm for a green sedan.
Rented, drive yourself.
Bashed in right front fender, one light.
Professor Andrew Gentling driving.
Tall, dark, handsome, mustache.
Come on, I'll give you five minutes.
Meet me at the police station.
- Okay.
- And bring some aspirin!
Just saw that car
heading down Camino Street
toward a freight yard.
I'm over here.
Freddie?
That's right.
Step inside off the street.
I don't know you,
but I know who sent you.
I knew they'd be after me.
Well, just in case you're
thinking of trying anything fast,
let me tell you that if I'm hurt,
they won't see a penny of the money.
I tried to give them a fair shake.
I tried to deliver.
A lot of the money I spent
just the way I said I would.
It's not my fault if
people double cross me.
Listen, did they send
anybody else with you?
No, I'm alone.
You're alone all right.
I've been hanging around
here since nine o'clock.
I know you're alone.
Listen, pal.
We can do business.
There's still plenty of that dough left.
Plenty.
Now why don't you go back
and tell them you couldn't find me?
I'm leaving tomorrow
anyway out of the country.
It won't be much of a lie.
I'll give you 10 what do you say?
Ten?
Ten grand no questions asked.
I see.
I'll make a better bargain with you.
Yeah, what?
Just tell me what
happened to Catherine Sykes.
Who wants to know?
I do.
You know who that is, boss?
It's Freddie Blair.
Was Freddie Blair.
Andy!
Where'd you come from?
How'd you get in here?
Nevermind the details.
I had a fight with your...
With Freddie.
The police came.
You had a fight with Freddie.
Where is he?
He's dead, Catherine.
There were two trains.
He ran across the tracks.
He's dead.
We were going away tonight on a boat.
Panama.
That's all I have.
I'm taking you back with me, Catherine.
No, you're not.
I don't wanna go back.
Nobody can make me go anywhere.
Now why don't you be sensible
and come along with me.
I won't go.
Arnold will kill me if he ever
gets his hands on me again.
He will!
You wanna see me killed?
I won't.
I won't go. You can't make me go.
Everybody makes me do
things I don't wanna do!
I won't go! I won't!
What are you doing, who do
you think you're calling?
The police.
Oh, no, Andy.
Please I don't wanna
get mixed up with them.
Put the phone down please, Andy.
Well?
All right.
I'll go with you just
don't call the police.
I'll get even with you
though, Andy, you'll see.
I just picked up Sykes slightly damaged.
Won't talk yet.
Where is he now?
Cell 17, second tier, vagrancy.
Anything new?
Yes, I've decided to
apply for my pension.
Police department, Pacciano.
He's right here now.
Yeah.
Yes.
Yep.
They spotted the car outside of Hayward.
He's got a girl with him.
They're heading south
toward the coast highway.
Hayward that's right there.
That gives them a good half-hour start.
But you can head them
off by going this way.
It's about 10 miles shorter.
All right, we'll do that.
Andrew?
Yes.
I don't wanna sound callous,
but what happened to Freddie,
I don't feel too badly about that.
I'm not gonna lie and pretend
that I'm heartbroken because I'm not.
He was no good.
That night when I left you,
he was waiting for me in my hallway.
He beat me up.
I broke a date with
him earlier in the day.
We were supposed to go away together.
He beat me up and I passed out,
and when I woke up,
I was on my way to San Francisco with him.
The silly maid shouldn't have
reported it to the police.
And Arnold he knew I wasn't dead.
He was just trying to make trouble for us.
Freddie owed him a part of the money.
Andy.
There's something I wanna tell you.
The money, all the money
that Freddie was holding out,
I know where it's hidden, Andy.
It's almost a $100,000.
It was money Freddie was
collecting for a syndicate.
They book races all over the country.
He was holding out on the collection,
so we could go away.
I'll give it to you, Andy.
We can go away together, you and me.
You can do whatever you want to.
No, Catherine.
Why?
Why not.
It just can't be.
You know better.
I don't wanna know better!
I want the money. I wanna go away.
Please, please, Andy.
Alright.
I'll show you.
I'll show everybody.
I won't go back to Arnold Sykes.
I'd rather be dead!
Catherine, come back!
Don't come any closer!
I'm gonna jump!
Please get away from there.
This is it, Andy, I told
you I'd get even with you.
It's all or nothing with me.
If you labor, I jump.
Oh, no, no, you wouldn't.
Won't I? Take another step and see!
Well, go on!
All right.
I'll go.
Leave the keys to the
car and start walking!
Well, go on what are you waiting for?
No, no, no, no, no!
Let me go!
No!
Andy.
Oh, darling.
There you are, boss.
Told you I'd find a body.
Well, what's the matter,
Professor, what's the hurry?
Hydrophobia, the dog,
I've got to get to a doctor!
Oh, all that forget it.
That dog didn't have hydrophobia.
- What?
- No.
No, I made all that up.
Pretty good story, huh?
Smart.
Psychology.
Hey, boss.
You'll excuse me, will you?
And don't worry about the dog.
He's fine he's home playing
with my kids right now.
Nice pup.
Mr. Arnspiger, whose
generosity and understanding,
have made this great project possible,
and those courageous men
who have joined with me
in this gallant undertaking.
Dr. Horace Willoughby,
Professor George Resnick,
Professor Morris Avrum,
Dr. Henry Pritchard,
and Professor Clarence L. Clark.
It is my great honor and privilege
to dedicate this project
with the laying of this cornerstone.
Why Andrew Gentling.
Catherine.
Out of all people.
Well, aren't you gonna kiss me?
Of course.
Oh, that's not like the old days.
Well, no, it's not like the old days.
I've been reading all about you, Andy.
You're all over the newspapers.
"Leading educator visits the city."
How'd you get to be a leading educator
so suddenly?
What's all this about you
starting a new university?
Aren't there enough colleges?
I can't keep up with all
the football games now.
I'm afraid this is going to be
a different kind of college.
We may not even have a football team.
Oh, sounds gruesome.
How about buying me a drink?
Well, of course.
Yeah, you're looking well, Catherine.
Ravaging as ever.
Watch your language, Professor.
I'm feeling susceptible.
Imagine running into you.
You know, I was thinking
about you just today.
Oh, I was thinking about you too.
That's why you ran into it.
I read you were staying at this hotel.
Oh, this strategy.
What'll it be?
Martinis very dry.
It's still martinis, isn't it?
For a starter.
I do better as the night gets older.
Make mine double.
One single.
- One do you believe.
- That's right.
Say where's Charlie isn't he here anymore?
Charlie?
Yes, the bartender who
used to take care of us.
Before my time.
Well, the old order changeth.
I'm afraid we're just
a couple of memories.
You're kind of cute, Professor.
You're different, but you're cute.
You know, this is the first time
I ever saw you in civilian clothes.
I think, I liked you better in uniform.
You were shinier and more accessible.
You know, I used to feel rather
embarrassed about those eagles.
It seemed to me like a lot of nonsense.
All I ever did was work
on a few equations.
Just the same, you were very handsome.
Ooh, easy now.
Oh, you were.
You ever see Martha?
All the time.
She's having a party ton.
She'll be mad to see you.
Oh, not me.
No parties.
I'm out here strictly on business.
Tsk, tsk.
How stuffy.
When'd you arrive?
Yesterday.
I flew out with a couple
of colleagues of mine.
We're meeting out here with a gentleman
who's going to give us the money we need
for our university we hope.
Did your wife come with you?
No, she stayed in New York.
Good, I like wives who stay in New York.
Catherine, the war is over remember?
Is she pretty?
Yes.
Are you happy?
Very.
How dull.
Andy.
Yeah?
Did you know her then?
No, we met back east
after I was discharged.
She never saw me in uniform.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Colonel Gentling.
Professor Gentling.
You've led a double life.
Well, I've led a double life too,
double, triple, and quadruple.
I am now Mrs. Catherine
Sykes if you please.
Well, congratulations.
Congratulations aren't in order.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Skip it.
Let's drink up.
- To the future.
- Oh, no, no.
To the past.
To the dear delightful, wicked past.
All right, that finishes
the list for the faculty.
Willoughby, Resnick, and Clark,
Mr. Arnspiger should be quite pleased.
I wouldn't be too hopeful, Andrew.
I'm a little worried about Clark there.
Why, what's the matter with him?
Well, he had the misfortune
to get involved with one of his students.
Blonde, plump, and willing,
economics major, I believe.
You see Arnspiger has the theory
that only the pure in
heart are pure in mind.
Oh, nonsense.
If either of you was contemplating
anything scandalous between
now and tomorrow morning,
let me know.
Oh, personally I was planning to runaway
with a stripteaser from the burlesque
by the name of Laverne La Rouge.
You know, she was timed scientifically
at 63 convulsions a minute.
Well, I'm afraid I have to
call off the whole thing.
She'll be terribly upset.
I'm turning in now, gentlemen.
My stamina is still
working on eastern time.
I'm three hours behind myself.
I guess, we've said everything.
We might as well adjourn.
It's up to Arnspiger now.
Well, one more day.
I think, I'll say a
little prayer together.
Say something nice about Arnspiger.
Oh, yes.
Bless Mr. Arnspiger
if he comes across.
What a call at this hour?
Oh, it must be Helen
calling from New York.
I'll see you in the morning.
- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.
Hello.
Hellen?
Hellen indeed.
Who is this?
Out of sight, out of mind.
Didn't I make any impression on you?
Catherine.
I thought you were my wife.
Oh, wife.
When you coming to the party, Andy?
We're all waiting for you.
Now, Catherine, I told you.
Oh, Andy, after all these years,
you can't deny me one little party.
Look, Catherine, I'm sorry, but...
I'll tell you what.
Maybe we can arrange
to have dinner some night before I leave?
Sounds horrible.
If you don't come, Andy,
I'm gonna come over to
the hotel and get you.
I'll make a scene in the hotel lobby
and disgrace you forever.
Remember what I did
that time in Las Vegas?
Now look,
Catherine, behave yourself.
Are you coming or
must I come and get you?
Be reasonable.
I'm coming.
No, no, no, now wait a minute.
Wait a minute.
I tell you what, I'll come over,
but just for a few minutes.
One drink and home, right?
The address is 723 Arroyo Street.
That's in Westwood.
I'll have a drink waiting for you,
and, Andy, hurry.
Now remember I...
Yes, Mr. Gentling?
Operator, would you
please get me New York City
Grindlander 4-1-5-9-8.
I'll call you, Mr. Gentling.
Yes.
Here's your
party, Mr. Gentling.
Hello.
Hello, Andy.
Helen, how are you, darling?
Did I wake you?
No, I've been lying
here hoping you'd call me.
How's Fran?
She's fine.
She keeps asking for you.
Well, you give her a
big hug and a kiss for me.
I miss you terribly, Andy.
How are things going?
Helen,
darling,
I've got a brainstorm.
Yes?
Why don't you hop on a
plane and come on out here?
Andy, do you think I could?
Call Tim, and tell him that I said
for him to make arrangements for you.
Tell him the same plane that I took.
It makes only one stop.
I'll tell him.
I'm so excited, darling.
Thank you for wanting me.
Ah, I'll see you at the airport.
Goodnight, dear.
I can hardly wait.
Hurry to me.
Andy.
The party's this way.
I didn't see any lights.
It's a dark party.
A secret party.
Well, isn't there anybody else here?
We're here.
How many people do you need for a party?
Now, Catherine.
Let's be grown up and behave ourselves.
What do you say?
The Colonel Professor is
not the man he used to be.
That's what I say.
Come on in.
No, I think, that I'd better
go on back to the hotel.
Oh, don't be gruesome.
If it's there's one thing I can't stand
it's a gruesome ex-gentleman friend.
Come on.
Well...
Where's the party?
Here it is.
Welcome to the party.
But there's no one here.
I'm here.
You're not completely deserted.
Martha.
I am glad to you see.
Hello, Andrew.
Ooh, this party's dying.
The next 10 minutes are crucial.
I'll get some drinks.
You entertain the guest, Martha.
Tell him the story of my life.
That ought to give him a laugh.
What's going on here?
Oh, Catherine's had a standard evening.
A fight with her husband.
Refused to go home.
He left.
And I'm conducting the
mopping up operations.
Say, she's changed, hasn't she?
Yes, she has.
You haven't changed, Martha.
Haven't I?
Not at all.
What a shame.
You look the same.
A little more serious perhaps.
You've been doing wonderful things, Andy.
I followed your career like a bloodhound.
What's all this about a new university?
Break it up, Martha.
The well-known educator is my territory.
Here have a drink.
It's getting gloomy out.
And you might as well stop
chasing the professor.
It's a waste of time.
The male sex has become cautious.
It used to be different in the old days.
There was a war.
It changed everybody.
It changed everything.
It was a state of emergency.
I'm the only one left in the whole world
who's still in the state of emergency.
I think, I'll go to bed.
I've got a new rule
about getting some sleep one night a week.
This seems as good a night as any.
Why do people
give parties anyway.
Nice seeing you, Andrew.
I'll be looking for you in the papers.
Wear your best cap and gown.
Thanks, Martha.
Let's you and me go some place
and have a good time.
We'll pretend the war is still on.
Huh, just you and me.
You and I will do no such thing.
Oh, don't be a school teacher.
Come on before I change my mind.
Look, Catherine.
Now there's one thing
you've got to get straight.
What?
The war is over.
Oh, not for me it isn't.
In my whole life I was
in love with two men.
I didn't get either one of them.
Watch out. Watch out.
Now you don't want an accident, do you?
I don't care.
Either one of them.
You.
You were sweet and gentle
and I thought you liked me.
Then you went away, and
you got yourself married.
Now there's Freddie.
Freddie's nice.
But he's a hermit.
He keeps himself locked up in his house,
and he never goes everywhere.
Intelligent fellow.
The only one I'm not in
love with is my husband.
He's not a nice man.
I'm cold.
You still use the same lotion.
I always liked it.
Where are we going?
You're going home.
Is this it?
I don't wanna go in the house.
Now let's say goodnight,
and you go on in like a good girl.
I don't wanna.
I wanna stay here and talk
to my ex-gentleman friend
who got married when my back was turned.
Now, look, Catherine.
We've had a nice little visit,
and I'll see you again some time soon.
Some afternoon for lunch let's say.
I don't wanna go in the house.
I wanna stay here and talk to you.
Kiss me, Colonel.
Keep quiet down there.
What's the matter with you?
Now sit up.
Sit up.
I'm sorry, Catherine.
Are you hurt?
Only fatally!
Here let me look at it.
Let me see it.
Nice soft silky scarf,
that's Andrew's scarf.
It's nothing serious.
But you'd better get
into the house right away
and put a bandage on it.
I don't wanna go in the house.
Now, Catherine, listen to me.
You've got to home.
This has all been mistake.
I never should've come
over when you called me.
I don't wanna go home.
I wanna stay here with you!
People are always
making me do what I don't wanna do!
Well, I'll have to do it the hard way.
What are you gonna do?
I'm leaving you here.
No.
Andy!
Andy, please don't go!
Please don't leave me here, Andy, please!
Dr. Horace Willoughby on social history,
Professor George Resnick
on political history,
and Professor Clarence
L. Clark on economics,
and that about concludes
our present faculty list.
Did you say, Clark?
Clarence L. Clark?
Yes, one of the most
brilliant men in his field.
Isn't that the man
we were talking about?
Why...
Can't use him.
He's got a bad record.
Well, his scholastic record,
Mr. Arnspiger is above reproach.
Now, A.K., perhaps we could
talk this over a little later.
We'll talk it over now.
The man's involved in a scandal.
Finished.
I don't like scandal of any kind.
High thinking, clean living,
keep your name out of the
newspapers that's my motto.
Clark goes, and anybody
else goes who can't live up
to decent standards of conduct.
Well, it doesn't seem fair to me.
Just one mistake that may
not have been his fault.
I am not interested in being fair,
and I don't care who's fault it was.
I am interested in trying to start
a new type of school on your blueprint.
Andy?
On your blueprint, Mr. Gentling!
Oh, yes.
I never went to college myself.
Country clubs with libraries attached.
It was much the fault of the
colleges as anything else
that the world is going to the
dogs in a caboose these days.
Andy?
Get out of here.
Now, A.K.
Get out of here.
Gentlemen, please.
You expect me to hand over
two million dollars to you.
If you're not interested enough
in what I have to say to listen to me,
then I don't want you.
I'll very sorry, Mr. Arnspiger.
I beg your pardon.
I'm not quite myself today.
If you'll excuse me please.
- Hello.
- It's Martha.
I've been trying to
reach you all afternoon.
I have to see you.
It's no use.
I'm going to the police
and get it over with.
No, please, please don't
do anything until you see me.
Pick me up on Cannon Drive and Clifton.
Do you know where that is?
Martha, I can't hide.
- I...
- Don't be an idiot.
I'll be waiting for you.
What's this?
Catherine's purse?
She must've dropped it there.
It's a good thing we found it first.
What happened, Andrew?
Where did you leave her?
Well, the last I saw of her
she was dragging my
scarf along the sidewalk
on the way to her house, so help me.
Then it is your scarf?
Do you think they can trace it to you?
Probably, it must've had a label.
I don't know.
Now we have to work quickly.
What?
Find out what happened to her
before the police do
it's your only chance.
Oh, Martha.
You must.
All there is to connect
you with it right now
is the scarf and the diary.
What diary?
Did...
Now what's this about a diary?
A nice juicy account
of everything she did
and everything she thought.
Your name is all over it.
Where's the nearest police station?
Not so fast.
I don't think anybody will
find it for a while yet.
She kept it pretty well hidden.
Where?
In the pocket of an old red polo coat
hanging in a bedroom closet.
What else was in the diary?
Other names.
Other people she knew.
Other men.
Did she say anything to
you about anybody else?
Yes, Freddie.
A man called Freddie.
Yeah.
I need to see your license.
Oh, sorry.
They let you park in front
of red curbs in New York, bub?
Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see it there.
Has that been red all this time?
Okay, I'll let you go this time
because you're an out-of-towner,
but watch yourself.
Right.
What is this strange talent I have
for getting into trouble.
Red curb stone.
Look out.
Not my day.
Not my day at all.
By the way, is this a rented car?
Yes, it's a drive yourself.
You better turn it in today
and exchange it for another,
just in case they got a description of it.
That's right.
Say, who is this Freddie?
Freddie Blair.
He and Arnold Sykes are mixed up
in some sort of shady business.
They're as thick as thieves,
and I mean thieves.
But she said she was in love with him.
How does Mr. Sykes feel about that?
Say, maybe we're onto something.
Jealous husband?
Not Arnold.
He's just this side of a weasel.
He's known about Catherine
and Freddie for sometime,
and had hasn't seemed to
make much difference.
It gets better and better.
How'd I ever get into this anyway?
I was just minding my own business.
If only we could lay
our hands on that diary
before the police get to it.
Wait a minute.
Catherine's keys.
One of them must be the house key.
Here it is.
I'll have Arnold meet me somewhere,
and you'll have the house all to yourself.
What are you...
Oh, no, Martha, I can't do that.
Oh, yes, you can.
Did you find a body?
Still looking.
What makes you so sure there is a body?
There's always a body.
Anything new?
Yeah.
The neighbor next door said
she heard a man and woman arguing
outside her window last night.
Yeah.
And another lady down the
block said she heard a scream.
And still another lady says
she was accosted by a stranger,
"Who made improper advances
"as she was driving into her garage
"causing her to bend a fender."
She describes him as
looking like Frankenstein.
Can we arrest Frankenstein?
Just the same, I think
we got a body on our hands.
Yeah, nice looking body, too.
Anything new on her husband?
Ryan's been tailing them all day.
Oh, he made a phone call this afternoon?
Who to?
His bookie.
He bet 50 bucks on Little Goose Girl
in the Eighth at Santa Anita on the nose.
Mr. Sykes
doesn't seem to be disturbed
about losing the wife, does he?
Think he did it?
Maybe.
What about the scarf?
It's got a New York label.
We'll check, and we'll know
more about that tomorrow.
Good that'll help.
Hey, tell Ryan to phone me
if Sykes goes out tonight.
Why?
I wanna give that
house a little look-see,
when Sykes ain't there.
You be back here by seven o'clock.
We'll go together.
You don't trust Sykes, do you?
I've been a detective for 23 years.
I don't trust my own mother.
Well, you know your own family.
Yeah.
This Sykes has got some funny connections.
Racetracks, big time gambling,
no other visible means of support.
Yes, sir, we keep our eye on Mr. Sykes.
What about the guy who
brought her home last night?
You know the mystery man?
We keep looking for him too.
Okay.
Anything else?
- Yeah.
- What?
Find a body.
Sure, sure.
Don't tell me you got the wrong key.
Keep your shirt on, will you?
It's one of these I got it
from the landlord today.
See, you got to have faith.
Hey, that's a dangerous looking animal.
I don't think he cares for us.
Tell him that man is dog's best friend.
Hey, man is dog's best friend.
He's not convinced.
Well, let him alone.
Take a look around.
Who's bothering him.
Wish we could find a body.
It's not asking too much, isn't it?
Woman, body.
I like these case where
you don't have no body.
They give you a real
solid foundation to go on.
We'll, know the name of the man
that bought the scarf by tomorrow.
Maybe that'll clear the whole thing up.
Hey, here's something.
What is it?
"A can of tomato soup,
a can of green peas,
"one can of pork and
beans, a can of peaches."
Shopping list.
That reminds me my wife told me
to bring home some ginger ale.
Don't let me forget it.
Hey maybe there's a code.
Yeah, the secret of
how to make a bad dinner.
Take a look in that closet.
Get that.
Sykes residence.
Oh, Ryan.
Pacciano.
Yeah, all right I'll tell him.
Hey, boss.
Ryan he says Sykes and the weird girl
are getting ready to leave that bar.
They're just around the corner.
He thinks we better get out of here.
Okay.
He wants to know do you want
him to switch to the girl?
No, no, no, I may put
somebody on her tomorrow.
Tell him stick with Sykes.
Okay.
Hey, Ryan, stick with him.
All right see you later.
Come on, come on let's go.
Hey, boss, come on, stop making
like a bloodhound, will you?
You don't wanna be here
when Sykes gets back.
Yeah, I guess you're right.
What makes you so sure it's Sykes?
Because it's too simple.
I'm a simple man.
I like simple solutions.
I get nervous headaches
when things get complicated,
and besides he gave me a bum tip.
A Little Goose Girl.
We haven't looked in the bar yet.
Hey, that dog will tear us to pieces.
Nice doggy.
This whole case is
giving me the willies.
Even the dogs act screwy.
Bourbon bonded.
Yeah, come on, come on.
Made in Kentucky.
Yeah, let's go.
Hey, maybe you better get
the dog back and lock him up.
You trying to get me killed?
Come on.
Joe.
Arnold talking.
Freddie was here.
Wrecked my place and beat up my dog.
I'll have to report it to the police.
The cops are on my tail, but good.
You just let me catch
up with him that's all.
I'll keep in touch with you.
Operator connect me with the police.
Did you get it?
Andrew?
Don't worry.
It's my own blood.
What happened?
Well, it seems there was a dog.
Oh, no, I forgot about him.
I should've warned you.
It's all right.
I won by a knock out.
Bandage, iodine, I stopped on the way.
Here let me help you.
Careful.
Come on let's wash it out.
I hope it was worth the trouble.
Don't worry.
Wait till you've read a couple of entries.
Oh, he really got you, didn't he?
I don't think they've
been feeding him lately.
Well.
Here we are.
"January 23rd, woke up early this morning
"had a dream about Andrew Gentling."
You know, there ought to be a law
against woman keeping diaries.
I told you it'll be worth it.
Now this is going to hurt.
At this point nothing can hurt.
There that should do it.
Incidentally, I got a slight
lead from Arnold Sykes.
He was questioning me about Freddie.
Seemed to be more concerned about Freddie
than about Catherine.
I gather that Freddie had disappeared,
and Arnold would like
very much to know where.
You think it means anything?
Mm-hmm, could be.
By the way we can't see each other again.
Why not?
The police are after you too.
I forgot to mention that I
had to hide in that closet
while two detectives ransacked the place.
I heard them say they'd
start trailing you tomorrow.
Don't you think you
better bow out of this?
Hold your hand still.
Well, don't you?
You can get into a lot
of trouble helping me.
Lovely help I've been so far.
No, I don't think I'd better bow out.
Here's an item.
"Freddie got into a fight over me tonight
"at the Silver Club.
"At the bar Johnny Marino came over dunk
"and started to bother me.
"When Freddie pulled his
hand out of his pocket,
"had a glove on,
"and when Johnny wasn't
looking, he hit him.
"There must've been
something else in the glove
"besides his hand because
Johnny took an awful beating.
"Freddie hit him in the
face again and again."
Nice boy, Freddie.
He carries a loaded glove.
How did Catherine ever get
mixed up with such people?
Oh, here's something else.
"Freddie called today from SF.
San Francisco?
Probably, and here's the
number Klondike 2-6-7-1-4.
Must be San Francisco.
Wait a minute.
Hello, Operator.
Would you place a call
to San Francisco please?
The number is Klondike 2-6-7-1-4.
Yes.
Thank you.
What can we lose?
You can't just ask him
point blank about her.
If there's anything to it,
you'd be tipping him off.
- Yes?
- Here's your party.
Hello.
Hello, is this you, Freddie?
Who's this?
This is Martha Wier, Freddie.
You've got the wrong number.
There's no Freddie here.
But I was calling to...
You got the
wrong number I said.
That was Freddie all right.
Well, what do you think?
I think that Freddie knows
what happened to Catherine,
and I think Arnold
Sykes would like to know
what happened to Freddie
that's what I think.
And the police would like
to know what happened to me.
You know, Freddie, hmm.
I think I had better have
a little talk with Freddie, don't you?
Over the phone?
No, personally in San Francisco.
Oh, no.
It's the only practical
thing left to do.
If I started now, I could
be there by morning.
Alone?
Of course, I can't very
well ask for a police escort.
But he's dangerous, Andrew.
You don't know about men like him.
He's a gangster, a gunman.
Martha, we might as well face it.
I'm in this thing, and I
can't very well get out of it
unless I see it through.
The truth of the matter is,
I should've given myself up this morning.
Oh, come in.
Do you always take this
long to open the door?
Who have you got in here with you?
A woman?
Oh, no, no, no women please.
We have got enough trouble
with Mr. Arnspiger now.
I'm sorry, I was on the phone.
Where have you been all
afternoon and evening?
We've called you at least a dozen times.
What are you doing operating
another business on the side?
No, I went
out for a little ride,
after that session with His Nibs.
Don't remind me.
Whatever got into you anyway, Andy?
You couldn't have been more damaging
if you had been deliberate.
Yes, I know, it was
pretty awful, wasn't it?
Oh, Morris.
I wonder if you'd mind
leaving these closed.
I think, I'm coming down with a cold.
Oh, that's why.
You don't get enough fresh air.
What happened to your hand?
Oh, I cut it.
Broke a glass.
What is that?
You're packing.
Are you going somewhere?
- Yes, I am.
- But you can't do that.
Not tonight, Andrew.
Yes, tonight.
Andrew, are you in trouble?
Can't we help you?
No, Morris, I don't think so.
Thanks just the same.
I've got to go to San Francisco.
San Francisco?
Well, this is the end.
And it's most important
that I go tonight.
I'd like to tell you
what this is all about,
but I can't, at least not now.
You see, Andrew, the thing is like this.
Henry and I we spent the whole afternoon
and evening with Mr. Arnspiger.
We talked him into
giving us another chance.
Yes, we told him that perhaps a room
wasn't exactly the right place.
Morris, what are you driving at?
We've arranged for
you to give a lecture.
A lecture?
Yes, at the college tomorrow night.
But, I may not be
back by tomorrow night.
So what's the matter with San Francisco?
San Francisco they do
just as well as Los Angeles.
We can have the lecture up at Berkeley,
and I have a very good friend there,
Dr. Markheim.
He can arrange everything.
I'll call him up tonight.
How about Arnspiger?
Maybe he won't come?
He'll come if I have
to drag him by the heels.
Morris, get on the phone
and make some reservations
for Saint Francis Hotel.
Andrew, I'll see you tomorrow.
Maybe all this has turned
out for the best after all.
Give them a good lecture, my boy.
We can't miss.
Everything will work
out all right, Andrew.
Don't worry.
Goodnight.
Goodnight, Morris.
Are you all right?
Slight case
of frostbite that's all.
I'm so sorry, but I
couldn't get rid of them.
You sure you ought to do this, Andy?
I'll be a dead duck anyway
when they find out who bought that scarf.
I might as well die trying.
Nothing I can say?
No, I'll just pack a
few things and be off.
All right then.
I'll run along.
We better not be seen
leaving the hotel together.
Take care of yourself.
Let me know the minute
you find out anything.
I will.
Martha.
Thanks.
In fact, thanks for everything.
That's it.
Gin.
Captain you're a jinx.
Why don't you go home and go to bed?
Nobody's committing any crimes tonight.
It's illegal.
Boys, I got a little present for you.
Something nice and fresh on
the Catherine Sykes case.
You find the man who bit the dog?
Well, not exactly, but I
think he'll show up pretty soon.
No, this is a report from a vet.
That dog had rabies.
Hydrophobia.
We destroyed him a half-hour ago.
Robbie, city desk, take this down.
The murderer in Mr. Sykes home
was bitten by a rabid dog.
- Rabies.
- No, not rabbit.
Rabies, R-A-B-I-D.
In the home of Catherine Sykes.
But I'm not in the gin mill.
I'm right here in the pressroom.
Hi, stranger.
What are you running away from?
- What?
- To be out
this hour of the morning,
you must be running away from something.
What'd you do rob a bank?
Can you just fill it up please.
I ...
Oh, just pay the girl inside it's okay.
And now for
the early morning news.
- First the weather report.
- Chow's on, folks.
The weather man promises
more rain for this weekend,
and approaching storms
heading down from Atlanta.
Howdy, what'll it be?
- Coffee.
- One coffee.
More local news.
In Los Angeles a weird twist was given
to the Catherine Sykes case last night.
The home of the pretty housewife
who has been missing for two days now,
was broken into early yesterday evening.
The intruder according to police,
was driven off by the Sykes' police dog,
who was found unconscious
with blood on his jaws
by Arnold Sykes, husband
of the missing woman.
The intruder escaped, but not completely.
In a routine examination of the animal,
the police department made
a startling discovery.
The dog was suffering from the
most dreaded of all diseases.
Rabies.
Hydrophobia if the bitten man
is not treated immediately, he is doomed.
All doctors in the
Southern California area
have been requested by Los Angeles Police
to report immediately any
case of dog bite that...
Ah, shut up!
I wanna hear some music.
Now we're cooking.
Hey, Mister, you forgot your paper.
Absentminded Professor.
All fixed up and raring to go, Mister.
Office hours 10:00 to 1:00.
What do you want?
Dr. Thatcher?
I'm Dr. Thatcher.
What's the trouble?
Doctor, I've
been bitten by a dog.
I'm afraid he had rabies.
Come in.
This way.
Sit down.
Name?
John Simmons.
John Simmons.
Where you from?
- Cleveland.
- Cleveland.
Doctor, couldn't you
take my history later?
I'm in need of attention.
Easy now.
Just hold on.
The important thing in matters
like this is to keep your head.
More folks die of the fear of rabies
than the disease itself.
You don't see my glasses
around anywhere, do you?
You're wearing them.
Yes.
Of course.
Well, now,
when were you bit?
Two days ago.
Two days ago not so good.
Where did this happen?
Oh, what difference does that make?
Listen, either you want me
to treat you or you don't.
You're in my office,
and I have a certain system.
A doctor without a system isn't worth
the paper his diploma is written on.
I've been practicing 45 years.
I do things in a certain way.
I put everything on paper.
Now then, where did it happen?
Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara.
What kind of dog?
Well, Doctor, how do I know?
It was a large brown dog.
You want his pedigree too?
Don't shout at me.
I didn't bite you.
Let me see the wound.
Did you report the accident?
No, why should I have done that?
Because it's the law, Mr. Simmons.
It's the law.
Every case of dog bite has to
be reported and investigated.
Well, I was in a hurry.
Hurry.
Hurry.
Everybody's in a hurry
to get to the cemetery
before his neighbor.
Look, Doctor, I didn't
come here for a lecture.
I've been bitten by a mad dog.
Now I know that there are some
injections that may save me,
and I want you to start them immediately.
Everything in due course.
First, I'm going to put on some clothes.
Then, we'll go down to
the county hospital.
Well make some tests,
and we'll call Santa Barbara,
and see if the police there
can't round up that big brown dog.
It might save you a lot of
trouble if they found him,
and he turned out to be healthy after all.
He had rabies I'm sure.
Of course, you're sure.
Still, we'll investigate anyway.
I haven't time, Doctor.
I have an important
appointment in San Francisco.
Sit down, Mr. Simmons.
Nature don't know about appointments.
Your blood stream don't know anything
about your business in San Francisco.
Disease is very democratic, Mr. Simmons.
It kills the patient and the impatient,
except it kills the
impatient a little faster.
Hey!
Bang you're dead!
Hello.
Hello.
When I grow up my father's
gonna get me a machine gun.
He is, eh?
Yeah, on my 10th birthday.
My name's Horace what's yours?
- What?
- Your name.
What's your name?
Oh, John.
I have three uncles named John.
We're going to Oregon.
My Aunt Bertha lives in Oregon.
She has a big house.
We're poor.
My father's says if Aunt Bertha
doesn't invite us to live with her,
he's gonna split her head
open with a baseball bat.
But I betcha he'll put me
to bed before he does it.
Anytime something happens,
they make me go to sleep.
What's the matter with your hand?
Oh, I cut it.
Yeah, Horace, I think
your mother wants you.
Nah, she yells when she wants me.
I know what the police are looking for.
I heard it over their radio before.
Yeah.
What are they looking for?
If you give me a dime, ['ll tell you.
There you are?
Is it a real dime?
Sure.
What could I buy with a dime?
Could I buy a catcher's mitt?
- No.
- Could I buy a rifle?
Well, no, not quite.
What is it the police are looking for?
For the guy who got bit by the dog.
Better get going, Jack.
The kid just spotted the guy
we're looking for in
the back of that truck.
We may need room.
Right.
Your call please?
Klondike 2-6-7-1-4.
Just one minute please.
Yeah?
Hello, Freddie?
Who's this?
You don't know me,
Freddie, but I know you.
We have mutual friends.
I've got to talk with you.
It's very important to both of us.
Well, talk.
Not over the telephone.
I've got to see you personally.
The boys send you?
The who?
All right, all right,
play it dumb if you want to.
I got nothing to hide.
I'm willing to talk.
Where will it be?
I could come to your place.
You don't know
how to get to my place.
You could tell me.
Wise guy.
All right, you say where?
Corner of Camino and Viaduct.
Know where that is?
I can find it, Camino and Viaduct.
What time?
Eleven o'clock tonight.
Eleven tonight?
What's the matter
you afraid of the dark?
I was hoping
we could make it sooner.
It's that or nothing and come alone.
I'll be alone.
And don't try
any funny business either.
I'm not playing for pennies these days.
Nor am I.
Be seeing you.
Call please?
Operator, I wonder if you could
get me the address of this phone number.
Klondike 2-6-7-1-4.
I seem to have misplaced it.
One moment please.
I'm sorry, sir, but that
is a private number.
Information will not give us the address.
Thank you.
Professor Gentling.
This is Dr. Markheim.
Morris Avrum...
Yes, I'm downstairs in the lobby.
May I come up?
8-2-4 thank you.
Come in, Doctor.
How are you, Professor.
I won't take up too much of your time.
I just dropped in to welcome
you for the committee
and see if there's anything you want.
Oh, thank you.
- Sit down, won't you?
- Thank you.
Can I order you anything?
No, thanks, I just
dropped in for a minute.
What's the matter with your hand?
Oh, I cut it.
On a glass.
Want me to have a look at
it see if it's all right?
Oh, thanks, it's perfectly all right.
The lecture is schedule for 8:30,
and my wife sent me out with instructions
to bring you back dead
or alive for dinner.
Wants to lionize you a little
for the local society.
You know how women are.
Well, that's very good of Mrs. Markheim,
and I'd be very happy to come,
but I am a little tired.
Thought I'd use the time to sort of
collect my thoughts for the lecture.
Sure, sure, I know what you mean.
Whenever I have to make a speech,
I can't stand anything on my stomach.
Goes up and down like a pogo stick.
Till 8:30 then.
You'll be on time, won't you?
On the dot.
Allow yourself a good three quarters
of an hour to get there.
You're sure there's
nothing I can do for you?
No.
I'm a very influential man in this town.
Get you anything you
want anytime you want it.
Whipped up the arrangements
from this lecture
practically right out of my hat.
Oh, well, I'm sorry to have
put you through all that trouble.
No trouble.
I was happy to do it.
It's a great pleasure to
have you with us, Professor.
I look forward to tonight.
So do I.
Oh, say, Doctor.
You know there is something
that you might be able to do for me.
I've been trying to locate
a friend of mine up here.
I have his telephone number,
but the operator won't
give me his address.
She says it's a private number.
Oh, one of those, eh.
Well, why don't you call him and ask him?
I bet you never thought of that.
Well, it's this way, Doctor.
It's a sort of joke,
and I thought I'd like to
drive over and surprise him.
We were together in Army.
And Mrs. Markheim told me
to give you anything you asked for,
so let's have a try at it.
Just watch me and see
how a man of action works.
Operator, put me through
to police headquarters.
I wanna talk to Lieutenant Ed Folgerty.
Emergency.
No trouble at all to take a
gander at that hand of yours.
See if it's clean.
Oh, thanks it's quite all right.
Here's your party.
Hello, Ed.
It's Markheim talking.
Did you take those pills I gave you?
Well, now I wanna ask you a favor.
I want the address of
this telephone number.
Klondike 2-6-7-1-4.
Klondike 2-6-7-1-4.
A patient of mine.
I don't want to disturb him,
and they won't give me any information.
I'm at the Saint Francis.
Extension 8-2-4.
Fine.
Nothing to it he's gonna
call me back.
I better not tell Ed about
that bandage you're wearing.
Everybody's bandage conscience today.
That fella down in LA with the dog bite.
You read about it?
Yes, a little.
Say, you could be that
man they're looking for.
You came from LA today,
and you're wearing a bandage on your hand.
Maybe I better just be a good citizen
and turn you over to Ed.
Funny isn't it?
Very funny.
You know, my phone's rung 20 times today
asking what the symptoms of rabies are.
I haven't seen a case of hydrophobia
since I was in medical school.
I had to read up on it all morning,
so I wouldn't act like a
darn fool over the phone.
Beautiful disease.
Filterable virus they think.
Attacks the central nervous system.
The first thing that happens
the patient gets a vague
sense of apprehension.
Just a general low down feeling
that something bad is going to happen.
Then a dull pain around the wound.
Pretty soon he has trouble swallowing.
Then his voice gets husky.
Weird, isn't it?
Yes, isn't it?
Then he gets thirsty.
Wants a drink of water in the worst way,
and this is the funny part of it.
He's afraid of the water.
Can't stand the sight of it.
Just the thought of it
produces a spasm in the
throat very painful.
Then paralysis,
and when the symptoms
display themselves, fine.
No cure ever.
100% mortality.
Fascinating, isn't it?
Yes, isn't it?
That be Ed.
I'll take it.
Hello. Ed?
Yes.
1202 Lomitas.
Thanks a million, Ed.
I'll send you over a
bottle of those pills free.
- There you are.
- Oh, say that's fine.
Fine.
I'm very grateful to you, Doctor.
Not at all don't mention it.
Sure you don't want me to
have a look at that hand?
Oh, no, no, no.
It's perfectly all right.
Okay.
Well.
Keep away from strange dogs.
Oh, yes.
See you later.
Right.
Need any help?
Yeah.
Give me a lift into town.
Get in.
Fight?
Could be.
I know a good doctor.
So do I just drop me off in town.
Wasn't that Freddie Blair's
house you came out of?
What do you know about Freddie Blair?
What were you doing there anyway?
- Well, I...
- Are you a cop?
No, I'm not the police.
It's not important who
I am for the moment.
What's important is that I
know who you are, Mr. Sykes.
Say, how do you know my name?
You one of the guys from the East.
Yes, I'm from the East.
Look, I had nothing to do with it.
It's all Freddie.
I didn't see a nickel of that money.
He held out on me too.
Let me out of here.
- Stop the car!
- Wait a minute!
Let me out.
Look out!
Look out you fool.
I'm trying...
Mr. Andrew Gentling please.
Hello, is Mr. Gentling there?
Oh, I'm Martha Wier, Mrs. Gentling,
a friend of your husband's.
I'm downstairs.
May I come up?
It's very urgent.
Thank you.
There's no time to be
polite, Mrs. Gentling.
We've got to find Andrew at once.
Have you any idea where he is?
No, as a matter of
fact, I haven't seen him.
I only just arrived.
He left word in Los Angeles
for me to meet him here.
Has something happened?
Is there anything wrong?
You'd better prepare yourself
for something of a shock.
Andrew is in great trouble.
Here.
Read this.
But I don't see what...
It's Andrew.
He's the man they're looking for.
That's absurd.
You must be mistaken.
Oh, believe me, there's
no mistake, Mrs. Gentling.
I know it sounds like
I'm not making any sense,
but there is no mistake
and every second counts.
I've got a doctor to help him,
a friend of mine.
We've got to get Andrew
to Los Angeles at once.
But it's quite impossible don't you see?
You must be confusing
him with someone else.
My husband is Professor Andrew Gentling.
He's going to lecture here tonight.
I just spoke to Dr. Markheim about him.
He arranged the lecture.
He said that he'd been talking to Andrew
just a few...
He said that Andy had cut his hand
and was wearing a bandage.
He was bitten by that dog.
Catherine was a friend of his.
He took her home from my house.
Nevermind the details.
You can tell me about it on the way over
to the lecture hall.
He's due there in three
quarters of an hour.
He won't have time to stop here.
He'll probably go directly there.
They haven't heard from him.
Not a word.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Professor Gentling seems to
have been delayed for a few moments,
but I'm sure he'll be along very shortly.
In the meantime, Professor Herbert Watson,
who is well-known to all of you,
has kindly consented to speak on a subject
that is of great importance to all of us.
Soil balance.
Professor...
Professor Watson.
Soil balance
traumatic words.
Look I just don't like it.
- I don't like...
- Shh, quiet.
It is difficult to speak calmly
and with scientific detachment.
Deep in the soil,
down where the earthworm dwells,
all our fates are being decided.
Before man came...
There she is sitting
next to Mrs. Gentling.
I see them.
I don't get it.
I think we're up a blind alley.
We follow her all the
way to San Francisco,
and wind up in school.
I think she's just nuts
for education that's all.
Keep your shirt on, will you?
She talked to that doctor in Los Angeles
about a guy with rabies.
Keep your shirt on.
The hawk,
and the hare,
consider the earthworm.
Oh, dry up,
or I'll bite you.
By giving back to it
more than it took out.
Then disaster.
The plow,
the irrigation ditch,
the tractor,
the bag of chemical fertilizer,
the earthworm...
The earthworm...
Professor Gentling is here.
Gentling.
I thank you for listening.
If any of you wish to hear
the conclusion of my remarks,
I shall be most happy to
continue them later on.
Ladies and gentlemen,
it gives me pleasure to introduce.
Professor Andrew Gentling.
Well, I must beg your
indulgence for being late,
but I was unavoidably detained.
One of the great ideals
of the classic world
was the sane mind in the sound body.
Now by extension,
that meant the well-rounded man.
The man who at the same
time could be a soldier
and defend the state by force of arms,
and could be a poet and philosopher
and increase the well being
and understanding of the state
by force of intellect.
In ancient Greece and Rome,
it was not unusual for a man
to be a farmer and a scholar,
a merchant and a statesman,
a general and a historian.
Under their guidance,
the new university
will help form citizens
who will be free,
intelligent, informs, and just.
I thank you.
Very, very well done, Andrew.
Thrilling, Professor.
- Thank you.
- I do wish you'd said
a little something about soil balance.
I'm proud of you, Andy.
I couldn't have done better myself.
Well, young fella, supposing you and I
go back to the hotel
and have a little talk.
Mr. Arnspiger, I'm sorry,
but I have a very important appointment.
But, but, but, but, but...
He can't do this to me.
Professor Gentling?
Yes?
I'm Captain Gledhill,
Los Angeles Police Department, Homicide.
Well, yes?
I listened to your speech tonight
with a great deal of interest.
I was really impressed.
You see, I'm a kind of a
semi-professional theoretician,
in my own field, of course, crime.
I see.
Matter of fact, I'm in town right now
on a little business of crime.
Yeah.
What I wanted to ask you was this.
Did you ever stop to consider
it might be a good idea
to have a department of crime
in that new university of yours?
Oh, well, yes, that's a good idea.
That's a very excellent idea.
I'll try to include such
a department in our plans.
Thank you, thank you very much.
Accident?
Oh, no, nothing very serious.
Just a little cut.
If you'll excuse me me,
I have a rather important engagement.
Oh, sure, sure.
Sure, Professor, I'll be
seeing you, Professor.
Oh, yeah.
Call me if you need any help.
Thank you very much.
Bye.
Hey, boss, just got news from New York.
They found out who bought that scarf.
Who?
Hold on to your hat, boss.
Professor Andrew Gentling.
Oh, my aching head.
Pick up the weird girl and
Mrs. Gentling with her.
Get to a phone.
Call headquarters.
Tell them to put an
alarm for a green sedan.
Rented, drive yourself.
Bashed in right front fender, one light.
Professor Andrew Gentling driving.
Tall, dark, handsome, mustache.
Come on, I'll give you five minutes.
Meet me at the police station.
- Okay.
- And bring some aspirin!
Just saw that car
heading down Camino Street
toward a freight yard.
I'm over here.
Freddie?
That's right.
Step inside off the street.
I don't know you,
but I know who sent you.
I knew they'd be after me.
Well, just in case you're
thinking of trying anything fast,
let me tell you that if I'm hurt,
they won't see a penny of the money.
I tried to give them a fair shake.
I tried to deliver.
A lot of the money I spent
just the way I said I would.
It's not my fault if
people double cross me.
Listen, did they send
anybody else with you?
No, I'm alone.
You're alone all right.
I've been hanging around
here since nine o'clock.
I know you're alone.
Listen, pal.
We can do business.
There's still plenty of that dough left.
Plenty.
Now why don't you go back
and tell them you couldn't find me?
I'm leaving tomorrow
anyway out of the country.
It won't be much of a lie.
I'll give you 10 what do you say?
Ten?
Ten grand no questions asked.
I see.
I'll make a better bargain with you.
Yeah, what?
Just tell me what
happened to Catherine Sykes.
Who wants to know?
I do.
You know who that is, boss?
It's Freddie Blair.
Was Freddie Blair.
Andy!
Where'd you come from?
How'd you get in here?
Nevermind the details.
I had a fight with your...
With Freddie.
The police came.
You had a fight with Freddie.
Where is he?
He's dead, Catherine.
There were two trains.
He ran across the tracks.
He's dead.
We were going away tonight on a boat.
Panama.
That's all I have.
I'm taking you back with me, Catherine.
No, you're not.
I don't wanna go back.
Nobody can make me go anywhere.
Now why don't you be sensible
and come along with me.
I won't go.
Arnold will kill me if he ever
gets his hands on me again.
He will!
You wanna see me killed?
I won't.
I won't go. You can't make me go.
Everybody makes me do
things I don't wanna do!
I won't go! I won't!
What are you doing, who do
you think you're calling?
The police.
Oh, no, Andy.
Please I don't wanna
get mixed up with them.
Put the phone down please, Andy.
Well?
All right.
I'll go with you just
don't call the police.
I'll get even with you
though, Andy, you'll see.
I just picked up Sykes slightly damaged.
Won't talk yet.
Where is he now?
Cell 17, second tier, vagrancy.
Anything new?
Yes, I've decided to
apply for my pension.
Police department, Pacciano.
He's right here now.
Yeah.
Yes.
Yep.
They spotted the car outside of Hayward.
He's got a girl with him.
They're heading south
toward the coast highway.
Hayward that's right there.
That gives them a good half-hour start.
But you can head them
off by going this way.
It's about 10 miles shorter.
All right, we'll do that.
Andrew?
Yes.
I don't wanna sound callous,
but what happened to Freddie,
I don't feel too badly about that.
I'm not gonna lie and pretend
that I'm heartbroken because I'm not.
He was no good.
That night when I left you,
he was waiting for me in my hallway.
He beat me up.
I broke a date with
him earlier in the day.
We were supposed to go away together.
He beat me up and I passed out,
and when I woke up,
I was on my way to San Francisco with him.
The silly maid shouldn't have
reported it to the police.
And Arnold he knew I wasn't dead.
He was just trying to make trouble for us.
Freddie owed him a part of the money.
Andy.
There's something I wanna tell you.
The money, all the money
that Freddie was holding out,
I know where it's hidden, Andy.
It's almost a $100,000.
It was money Freddie was
collecting for a syndicate.
They book races all over the country.
He was holding out on the collection,
so we could go away.
I'll give it to you, Andy.
We can go away together, you and me.
You can do whatever you want to.
No, Catherine.
Why?
Why not.
It just can't be.
You know better.
I don't wanna know better!
I want the money. I wanna go away.
Please, please, Andy.
Alright.
I'll show you.
I'll show everybody.
I won't go back to Arnold Sykes.
I'd rather be dead!
Catherine, come back!
Don't come any closer!
I'm gonna jump!
Please get away from there.
This is it, Andy, I told
you I'd get even with you.
It's all or nothing with me.
If you labor, I jump.
Oh, no, no, you wouldn't.
Won't I? Take another step and see!
Well, go on!
All right.
I'll go.
Leave the keys to the
car and start walking!
Well, go on what are you waiting for?
No, no, no, no, no!
Let me go!
No!
Andy.
Oh, darling.
There you are, boss.
Told you I'd find a body.
Well, what's the matter,
Professor, what's the hurry?
Hydrophobia, the dog,
I've got to get to a doctor!
Oh, all that forget it.
That dog didn't have hydrophobia.
- What?
- No.
No, I made all that up.
Pretty good story, huh?
Smart.
Psychology.
Hey, boss.
You'll excuse me, will you?
And don't worry about the dog.
He's fine he's home playing
with my kids right now.
Nice pup.
Mr. Arnspiger, whose
generosity and understanding,
have made this great project possible,
and those courageous men
who have joined with me
in this gallant undertaking.
Dr. Horace Willoughby,
Professor George Resnick,
Professor Morris Avrum,
Dr. Henry Pritchard,
and Professor Clarence L. Clark.
It is my great honor and privilege
to dedicate this project
with the laying of this cornerstone.