Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (1956) Movie Script
I pronounce
this man dead.
Score another one
for Thompson.
You don't think much
of the district attorney, do you, Austin?
On the contrary...
He's an extremely
able man.
Then why are you
always attacking him on your editorial page?
Because I think
he's trying to reach the governor's chair
Over the bodies
of executed men.
I'm fighting against
capital punishment.
That's why I wanted
you to witness that execution.
Thanks.
After you've seen one,
you...
Did you ever
meet Thompson?
No.
He just came in.
Well--
Guess I'd better
go over
And say hello
to Austin Spencer.
You looking
for trouble?
Why wait for
tomorrow's editorial?
Might as well
hear it now. Join me?
No, thanks.
I'll read about it
in tomorrow's paper.
Hello, Roy.
It's good
to see you, Austin.
I'd like you to meet
Tom Garrett.
This is our
district attorney Roy Thompson.
How do you do, sir?
Join us
for a moment?
Thanks.
Care for a drink?
No, not now.
I enjoyed your novel
very much, Mr. Garrett. Congratulations.
Thank you.
I guess you're very pleased
with yourself.
Not particularly.
Why should I be?
Oh.
Peters committed
a murder.
And it doesn't
bother you to send him to the electric chair?
I presented
certain facts to a jury.
They decided,
Beyond a reasonable
doubt,
That Peters
was guilty.
Under the law,
he must be executed.
There were
no eyewitnesses,
No direct testimony
establishing his guilt.
Only circumstantial
evidence,
Which you handled
masterfully.
You don't mean
you think Peters was innocent, do you?
He might be.
The jury
didn't think so.
Look, Roy, I've sat
in too many courtrooms
Not to know that an able
and persuasive prosecutor like you
Can make a jury believe
that a thing is a fact when it isn't,
Especially
if the defense attorney
Is not as capable
as you are.
Would you have
Mr. Thompson ignore circumstantial evidence?
No, not at all.
I just don't think
the state should take a man's life
In such a case.
In fact, I'm not sure
his life should be taken in any event.
There are six states
in this country
That don't have
capital punishment.
But this state does,
And I'm sworn to uphold
the laws of this state.
It's good to see you,
Austin.
I'm very happy
to have met you, Mr. Garrett.
My pleasure, sir.
He seems
friendly enough.
And why not?
I've always been fair
to him personally in the paper.
We just don't agree
on capital punishment, that's all.
Well, let's face it,
Austin.
That's an argument
that's been going on for centuries,
And I doubt very much
that you or Mr. Thompson are going to settle it.
Oh, I think I can,
But not just
by talking about it.
I'll have to be getting
back to the office.
Joe?
Can I drop you anywhere?
No. Susan promised
to meet me here.
Oh. You two
are beginning to sound serious.
Any objections?
If I had, I wouldn't
have let you leave the paper
When you wanted
to write that novel.
What has that
got to do with it?
My daughter
has expensive tastes.
I don't think you'd have
made much progress
On the salary
I was paying you.
[Chuckles]
Hello.
Hi.
I couldn't reach
the top of his head.
You didn't
try very hard.
Well, if you two
can spare me...
We'll manage.
See you later.
Sit down.
Thank you.
Would you like
a drink?
Mmm...no, thanks.
Thanks.
Well...
What would
you like to do?
Oh, I feel like dancing.
At 5:00
in the afternoon?
I'll take you dancing
tonight.
Mmm...but I feel
like dancing now.
All right.
Where?
I've never seen
your apartment.
Aren't we a little
mixed up?
That's supposed to be
my line.
But you've never
used it.
It all began
the day I looked
At you
You were just like
The girl
I dreamed of...
Next month,
we'll make you a June bride.
[Telephone rings]
Let it ring.
Oh, go ahead
and answer it.
I have to go home
and change anyway.
I'll get rid of this
and drive you.
Never mind.
I'll take a cab.
Hold on a second,
will you?
What time shall
I pick you up tonight?
About 8:00.
And tell her
you're spoken for.
I never thought
that I could feel this way
Your love is all I want
to sing about...
Hello.
Yes.
And spring will last
forever and a day...
It works, too.
I couldn't go through
the rest of my life
Watching you search
for matches.
It's beautiful...
And so are you.
I'm glad you two
finally set a date.
Uh...
I'm afraid we might
have to postpone it for a while.
Oh?
That telephone call
in the apartment was my publisher.
He hit the ceiling
when he found out
How much progress
I haven't made.
What's that
got to do with your being married?
He wants the new book
right away,
So I'll just
have to buckle down and get it written.
Might surprise
you to know
That there are
successful writers who are married.
But I'm not a successful
writer yet, Sue.
One book
doesn't prove anything.
That's why the second one
is so important.
I'll just have
to concentrate on it.
You can understand that,
can't you, Austin?
Yes. You can't afford
a letdown after your first book.
I hope you understand,
Susan.
Of course I understand,
And I wouldn't dream
of forcing you
To do anything
you obviously don't want.
Susan.
Yes?
Darling, I love you
very much,
And I just want
our marriage to start right.
And the only way
is to finish the book first.
I couldn't write
if I were distracted,
And being married
to you
Should certainly
be distracting.
Are you trying
to tell me
That if you were
married to me,
You'd be too distracted
to write?
I certainly hope so.
I'll try to get
used to it, though.
All I'm asking
is that we postpone it for a little while.
I'll finish the book,
And then we can
start out together
With nothing
on our minds
But ourselves.
Write fast,
will you?
I've been thinking
about what you said at the club today--
About capital punishment.
You get engaged
to my daughter,
And all you
can think about is capital punishment?
No, really.
I'm serious, Austin.
I haven't been able
to get it out of my mind.
You mean, then, that
you agree with me about capital punishment?
Oh, I'm not sure
about that,
But the idea
that an innocent man could be executed...
Kind of bothers me.
It might be a good subject
for a book.
Oh, a book.
A fictitious story
wouldn't prove anything.
It can only be proven
By a fact that no one
could deny.
How?
By having someone
whose innocence I knew and could prove...
Arrested, tried,
and convicted
For a murder
he didn't commit.
Yeah, but it
wouldn't be possible
If the police
had any real suspects.
In a large city
like this,
Homicides occur
quite frequently.
Sometimes the police
are completely baffled.
They have no clues,
No suspects,
Nothing to go on.
I believe,
in such a case,
It would be possible
For an innocent man
to plant evidence
That would lead
To his arrest, trial,
and conviction.
A case like that
doesn't come up once in 10 years.
You said a case
like this
Doesn't happen
once in 10 years, yet here it is.
A burlesque dancer
found strangled with a stocking
In a ravine
just outside of town.
Now, the police
apparently have no clues.
And you think we could have
someone who is innocent
Arrested, convicted,
and sentenced for this?
Don't you?
I don't know.
But I'll admit,
if we could pull it off,
It would make
a great story.
Who can we get
for a guinea pig?
You.
Me?
Well, why not?
It requires someone
with imagination,
Ingenuity,
Someone who would be
believable
As the unwitting
victim of circumstances.
You could do it.
That's a weird,
crazy idea,
But maybe
that's the reason it intrigues me.
What about the risks?
There wouldn't be any.
Of course,
you might be acquitted,
But if we're lucky,
you'll get the chair.
That's the part
that bothers me.
And that is where
I would come in.
After you were convicted
and sentenced,
I would reveal
the details of our plan.
I have some standing
in this community.
You would be pardoned
automatically.
You make it all sound
very simple.
Oh, it would be.
Everyone knows
that I have been trying for years
To have this law
on capital punishment changed.
Of course, we might be
criticized for the way we do it,
But that wouldn't
bother me
If we accomplish
something.
How can we be sure
the police have no suspects?
Mmm.
That's easy.
[Ring]
Charlie Miller.
Uh, yes, sir.
Just a moment.
Yes. The Patty Gray case.
Lieutenant Kennedy's
handling it.
Looks like a good story.
Do you think
you can find out
What they really
have on it, if anything?
I think so, but Kennedy
may want it off the record for the time being.
That's all right.
We'll cooperate.
But I want to know,
step by step, what they're doing.
Yes, sir.
If they haven't
got a suspect,
We'll give them one.
We've got 50 suspects.
That gal kept pretty busy.
Guy at the stage door
couldn't keep track of them.
Huh.
Any prospects
among them?
Ah, doesn't look
too good.
We've got a few descriptions
we're checking out now.
The only thing
we really know
Is that she lived alone
at a rooming house.
Strange thing
about that.
Why?
Well, after
her body was found,
We went over her room.
It obviously
had been ransacked.
We couldn't
find a thing.
No letters,
no papers,
No address book,
No fingerprints.
Nothing.
Those girls from the club
are here, lieutenant.
Send in...
Joan Williams first.
Miss Williams.
Sit down,
Miss Williams.
According to this,
At one time you lived
with Patty Gray.
Is that correct?
For a little while.
You two were
pretty good friends.
I hardly knew her.
Then how did you come
to be living with her?
When I, uh, came to town
to work at the club
A few weeks ago,
I didn't have
anyplace to stay.
Patty offered to let me
live with her
If paid her $15 a week.
I think she needed
the money.
I understand
that you moved out
A few days
before she was murdered.
Why?
You two have a fight?
Oh, no.
She just came home
one night
And told me to get out,
just like that,
For no reason.
I thought she needed
the money.
That's what I thought,
too.
And I asked her
about it.
But she just laughed
And said she didn't need
my, uh, uh...
My lousy 15 bucks
anymore.
She had an awful lot
of money with her that night.
Did she, uh...
Did she say
where she got it?
She didn't say anything.
Just told me to get out.
Is there anything
you can tell me
That might help us
find out who murdered her?
Aw, gee, I wish I could,
But I'm afraid
I can't help.
Like I say,
I only been here a couple of weeks.
This is only
my first job.
Thank you for coming in,
Miss Williams.
[Presses intercom button]
Send in those
two other girls.
What do you
want with us?
Well, I'd like
to ask you girls a few questions.
In the middle
of the night?
It's a quarter
of 3:00.
We're artists.
We need our sleep.
Yeah, we got to keep
in shape.
You're doing
a very good job.
Gee, thanks.
What about
some breakfast?
Yes. How about
some coffee?
What, no doughnuts?
No doughnuts.
Huh.
Ucchh!
You girls shared
a dressing room with Patty Gray.
What sort of a girl
was she?
All right, I guess.
All right?
She was a creep.
What do you mean,
a creep?
A creep.
A conniver.
A tramp.
What about
her private life?
Nobody knew much
about that.
But she wouldn't have won
any popularity contests.
If nobody knew much
about her private life,
Why was she so unpopular?
Well, it's like this.
She was one of those kind of people
When you knew her
a little bit, you didn't like her.
You had to know her
real good to despise her.
We're trying to find out
who killed Patty Gray.
If there's any cooperation
you can give us...
For pete's sake,
tell him!
I can't stay here
and drink any more of this coffee.
There's nothing
to tell.
I never even got
a good look at him.
Who?
The guy
who picked her up
The night
she was bumped off.
Somebody picked her up
that night?
Yeah. Patty and me
left the club together that night.
There was a fella
waiting for her in the car.
They drove off together.
What did he look like?
Well, he was sort
of average build.
He had a gray tweed
topcoat
And a brown hat,
And he was smoking
a pipe.
You see his face?
Uh-uh.
They drove off
too quick.
What kind of a car
was he driving?
It was a sort
of a...
Dark, new sedan.
I don't know
what kind.
Did you get
the license number?
What for?
Well, it's six days,
And the police apparently
don't have any more now
Than when they started.
Only a vague
description
Of the man
who picked her up that night.
Think they'll be able
to develop anything from that?
I doubt it.
That's not very much
of a lead to work on.
Well, I think I'm ready
to risk it now.
What about you?
Well, I can easily
make myself
The man
in the gray coat and the brown hat.
I even drive a dark,
late model car.
Now, we must
remember this.
Any evidence we plant
Must be things
that could happen
To any innocent,
unwitting suspect.
What about Susan?
Do we let her in
on this?
Oh, I'd rather not.
If you're arrested,
the police are certain to question her.
Under pressure,
she might let something slip.
Seems like
an awful thing to do to her.
She loves you, Tom.
She'd never believe
that you did it.
I hope you're right.
If I know Susan,
she'd even try to help.
Just you see
that she doesn't try to help too much.
If she starts
to fight for me,
We might have
a little difficulty in getting me convicted.
Well...what's
the next move?
What about an evening of
cultural entertainment?
Didn't a couple
of these girls
Share a dressing room
with Patty Gray?
Yes, this one,
Terri Larue,
And this blonde,
Dolly Moore.
How do you know?
Charlie Miller said so.
Oh.
[Whistling
and cheering inside]
May I take
your things?
Anytime.
The hat.
Oh.
[Lounge combo plays]
Hubba hubba!
Awooo!
[Laughter]
What impression did you
get about this girl
From Charlie?
Oh, so-so.
No genius, but not
too stupid, either.
[Whistling]
What'll you have?
Do you have
any suggestions
How I might go about
meeting Miss Moore?
The artists don't date
with the customers.
But the artists
eat in the joint across the street.
Scotch and soda,
please.
[Inserts coin]
[Big band music plays]
Oh, I--
Drunken crumb!
I'm terribly
sorry.
Having a good time?
Uh--uh, really,
I'm sorry.
I--I was only
trying to help.
Who, you or me?
Well, uh,
could I pay
For the damage
I've done?
Well, that's the least
you can do.
This is very
embarrassing.
I don't seem to have
much money with me.
Huh! Wouldn't you know?
Ah-choo!
I'm sorry.
Well, could I get
in touch with you?
You've touched
enough already.
I apologize
for the trouble I've caused you.
I think
he's a doll.
Crumb.
Gray tweed looks
particularly well on you, sir.
Well, that's fine.
I'll take it.
How much is it?
That'll be 39.50.
I'll just wear it.
There you are.
Thank you, sir.
I'll have your change and receipt in a moment.
O.K.
Wait a minute.
Why don't you get
yourself in the picture?
In the mirror.
That's a good idea.
This ought to be
about right.
Can you direct me
to Miss Dolly Moore's room, please?
Room 2.
Thank you.
[Burlesque music plays]
[Man]
all right, girls, on you go.
Hi.
I'll be back
in a couple of minutes.
I'm looking
for Dolly Moore.
Oh.
You again.
Get lost.
Why, I hate
to bother you,
But I told you
last night
I want to pay you
for that outfit I ruined.
[Spits]
So, uh, if you'd tell me
how much it costs...
Well, I don't remember,
But it was a very
expensive outfit, of course.
Of course.
Would, uh...
Say, 100 cover it?
Well, it, uh,
probably cost more,
But I'm not greedy
like some girls.
I'm, uh, sorry
I lost my temper, but, uh...
My performances
are very tiring.
I can imagine.
Just to show
there are no hard feelings,
Would you let me
buy you dinner?
Well--I mean,
I don't usually...
I understand.
Have you ever been
to the continental?
Hey.
I hear that's
a real classy place.
It's very nice.
Would you like
to go there tomorrow night
After you're
through work?
Say, you're all right.
So are you, Dolly,
And I'll pick you up
after the show tomorrow.
Good night.
Goodbye.
Cheers.
Hello, darling.
Hello.
Darling, you look
absolutely wonderful.
Oh, you've been
neglecting me,
So I want to show you
What you've
been missing.
What can I
fix you to drink?
Oh...sherry?
How's the book
progressing?
Oh, it's coming along,
But there's an awful lot
of research involved.
Well, I'll try to
take your mind off it.
What would you like
to do after dinner?
I know what
I'd like to do,
But unfortunately,
I've got to get back to work.
You asked me
to write fast, remember?
Oh, I wish
it were finished.
So do I, darling.
I don't enjoy this
any more than you.
Do you
believe that, father?
I would hate
to think
He was having
a good time.
[Band playing]
Hello.
Well, hi.
All right if I wait
in here for Dolly?
If you're in a hurry,
I'm ready to leave.
Thanks
for the offer.
Anytime.
Cigarette?
No, thanks.
What's this?
Body makeup.
Do you all use
the same kind?
Mm-hmm. Why?
I just wondered.
Did Patty Gray
use this kind?
Yeah. Did you
know Patty?
No. I was just
curious about it.
Her hair wasn't
the same color as yours and Dolly's.
How do you know
it wasn't?
Her picture was
all over the papers.
A lot of good
the publicity does her now.
[Band finishes]
[Crowd applauds]
Give me a hand,
will you, honey?
Sure.
Have more trouble getting into this
Than getting out
of it, huh?
Ain't it the truth?
Hello, Dolly.
You two having
a good time?
I was just entertaining him
while you were gone.
I can do my own
entertaining.
Can't I?
Quote, "a rising young
author, whose initials are Tom Garrett,
"Has been seen lately
in several spots with a dazzling blonde.
"They were
at the continental the other night.
"We wonder what
Susan Spencer thinks about this." Unquote.
Is this your idea
of research?
It's nothing for you
to get upset about, believe me.
Oh, no. It's
perfectly natural
For you to be
celebrating our engagement
With a dazzling blonde.
Did you two
have a good time?
I'm trying
to write a book.
About...women?
Well, actually,
that is part of my work.
Oh, Tom,
I'm hardly a prude,
And I think I'm
reasonably modern.
If you're giving
your ego a workout having a fling--
Hmm--Have fun,
but dishonesty?
Not with me.
Susan, this is
something I have to do.
All right.
Give me one good
reason why.
Why--
I can't
explain it now,
But you'll
understand later.
Just trust me.
You were on page four
three weeks ago,
And you're
on page four now.
You're not
a slow writer.
You just don't write.
Susan, you've got
to listen to me.
There's a point
to all this.
Oh, and I've just
gotten it.
You're obviously
distracted enough without me,
So I'll make things
easy for you.
You wanted
a postponement?
Oh, dear boy,
You've got one.
She was pretty sore.
It was no fit of temper.
She means it.
I know.
What could I do?
We agreed
not to tell her about this.
True, but I don't
want to see
Your happiness
or hers jeopardized.
Neither do I.
I think
it'll be all right
When we tell her
what we're doing.
You're sure
this is where they found her?
Oh, yes.
There were enough
pictures of it
In the newspapers.
They found the girl's body
down there.
I hope the police
find this.
I'm sentimental about it.
Can you get the date
of the newspaper in?
If I get close enough.
Well, let's see...
They ought to find it
in there.
When are we going
to start to work on the car?
Tonight, after I have
dinner with Dolly.
Has she seen you in the
coat and the hat yet?
She will tonight.
There you are.
Pretty good.
Thanks for dinner.
Sorry I don't have more time.
How about later?
It's a nice night.
We could go
for a drive.
Sounds great.
Hey, you two,
break it up.
We're going
to be late.
O.K., you run along.
I'll pick you up later.
Good night, Terri.
Night.
Want a candy?
Uh-uh.
[Car door closes]
[Engine starts]
Hey, Terri,
Quit digging
the scenery.
I thought
we were late.
How much do you know
about that guy?
He's the best score
I've made in a long time.
Maybe--
Maybe you shouldn't
get so...
So chummy with him.
Yeah, and give you
a chance to move in?
No kidding.
Maybe you ought to be
a little more careful.
Remember what happened
to Patty.
Oh, come on!
Notice what
he was wearing?
Gray tweed topcoat...
Brown hat,
And how about
that new black car he drives?
Ah, your head's
drafty.
This guy's got
a lot of class.
If he's got so much class,
what's he doing with you?
There's something
wrong with me?
Oh, I don't mean it
like that, Dolly.
No?
Aw, honey, you
figure it out.
A guy shows up
out of nowhere,
Goes on the make.
With his looks
and his dough,
What's he
shopping around in the basement for?
Why, you got--
Here's
the two aspirin I owe you.
I like to keep
my credit good.
Huh. Is this kid
for real?
He did ask me to go
for a ride later.
Yeah. Well,
just remember
That last ride
Patty took.
Well...
I guess it won't hurt
to play safe.
But if you try
to move in,
I'll put you
in bandages.
I'll call that
lieutenant Kennedy.
The police will
naturally be looking
For Patty Gray's
fingerprints.
Since we can't
give them hers,
It should make them
suspicious
If they can't find
any fingerprints at all.
It'll give them something
to think about, anyway.
Well, I bought
this body makeup today.
Here's
a dated sales slip.
You better keep it
with the pictures.
You ready?
Just a second.
O.K.
I'll rub most
of this stuff off.
I'm sure enough of it
will stick in the seams.
All through?
Not quite.
Hey.
Looks pretty good.
This is
a very important little item.
I hope
it's the right size.
Now hold it.
Well...
That should do it.
Oh, Austin,
you better take
That bottle of makeup
and that rag
And those gloves
when you go.
I can't have those
found around here.
O.K.
Tom...
Are you sure you want
to go through with this?
Oh, we're into it
too far.
I couldn't back out now
if I wanted to.
[Water running]
Gee, lieutenant,
if the guy's o.K.,
I don't want him
to get sore at me.
Well,
we'll be as discreet as possible.
You just act normal,
and don't be afraid.
We'll be watching you
every minute.
[Sigh]
What are we
doing here?
It's a nice view
from up here.
I thought
you might like it.
Yeah,
I-It's very pretty.
Let's go back.
What's your hurry?
I'm--I'm tired.
Now, just relax.
You'll feel better.
I don't want to.
You will.
Stop it!
Let me go!
Let me out of here!
All right,
unwind.
What do you want?
Lieutenant Kennedy,
homicide.
You've been
asking me questions for four hours now.
We're investigating
a homicide, Mr. Garrett.
And I've been
telling you
I never knew that girl
or anything about her.
What were you doing
wednesday evening,
The ninth of this month?
That was almost
three weeks ago.
Not a very long time.
Can you remember
what you were doing that night?
I am asking
the questions, Mr. Garrett.
I can't recall
what I was doing.
Try.
[Long sigh]
Yeah, I think I went
to the movies.
At what time?
Well, I went
to the late show.
It was about 11:00.
Then I went home
and went to bed.
What's that got
to do with all this?
Did you go alone?
Yes.
Can you
substantiate this?
I told you
I went alone.
How can I
substantiate it?
You'll just have to
take my word for it, that's all.
Thank you,
Mr. Garrett.
Please wait outside.
Are you through
with Dolly Moore, Roy?
You can
send her home.
Watch your step
on this case, Roy.
Meaning what?
Garrett's Spencer's
future son-in-law,
And everybody knows
Spencer's been
opposing you
On capital
punishment.
If the idea
ever gets started
That you're
prosecuting rrett
To get back
at Spencer...
This case can be
the biggest step I've ever made,
If I handle it right.
And I will.
I'll send out
for coffee if you want some.
Thanks. I don't expect
to be here that long.
Take him
downstairs, joe.
Pete's waiting
to book him.
You're booking me,
Thompson?
That's right,
Mr. Garrett.
For what?
Suspicion of murder.
I wear
a gray topcoat,
Drive a black car,
And a burlesque
dancer
Gets suspicious,
And for this
you're booking me for murder.
There's more to it
than that.
What more
could there be?
I'm not going
to try the case here, Mr. Garrett.
I'll do that in court.
Let's go, Garrett.
You know as well as I do
Tom had nothing to do with this.
If you're
going to be honest,
You'll insist the police
find the real murderer.
No newspaper
can do that.
Once a case starts,
we can't take sides.
We just report.
I cannot understand
your attitude.
It's quite simple.
I don't want to
prejudge this case.
That's what
trials are for.
Did you run down
his background?
Yeah. Went to college
in Michigan. Good record.
Apparently
ran out of money and had to quit.
Worked on a newspaper
in Chicago for a while
Before he worked
for Spencer.
Quit to write a novel,
hit big with it,
But none of this
helps us much.
Maybe you'd better
have a talk
With Austin Spencer
and his daughter.
I, uh, I wish you'd
ask someone else
To do that, Roy.
Why?
Well, I used to know
Susan Spencer.
We went together
for a while.
Oh...
What happened?
Nothing happened.
I guess she just
wasn't interested.
Were you?
And still?
Well, then,
she'll understand.
You're just
doing your job.
Sure.
This is very difficult
for all of us,
But if you can shed
any light on this case...
Did you know,
or did you have any reason to suspect
Garrett's relationship
with Patty Gray?
Certainly not.
I knew nothing
about it, Bob.
Oh,
I know you think
I'm trying
to protect Tom,
But I've no reason
to do that.
You're engaged to him.
No, we broke it off
long before this happened.
Can you tell me why?
Well...
Nothing to do
with the case,
But I just realized
he wasn't the man for me.
What reason could
he possibly have for such a crime?
Well, Thompson believes
that Garrett
Had some sort
of clandestine affair with this girl.
She resisted him,
or he couldn't get rid of her,
And he strangled her.
That's ridiculous.
I admit that
I'm disillusioned about Tom
For personal
reasons,
But he's certainly
no murderer.
Then
I have to tell you
That a gold
cigarette lighter
With the inscription
"to Tom from Susan"
Has been found
by the police
Near the ravine
where the girl's body was discovered.
Do you know anything
about this lighter?
I gave that lighter
to Tom.
Now will you
help me if you can?
Neither Susan nor I
have any information
That would substantiate
Tom Garrett's guilt.
Forgive me for
troubling you.
I'm sorry, Susan.
Goodbye.
Murder, after all,
can be committed by anyone--
Rich or poor,
Successful
or unsuccessful,
Famous or unknown,
And I will
demonstrate to you that Tom Garrett,
Successful author,
is in fact a murderer.
That beneath his intellectual
and cultured exterior,
He was moved
by brutal impulses
Which induced him
to commit,
Deliberately
and premeditatedly,
A particularly
vicious murder.
I shall prove it,
as the law requires,
Beyond a reasonable doubt.
Before Patty Gray
was murdered, she told you
She didn't want you
to room with her anymore.
You also testified
that she had
Quite a bit
of money with her. Is that correct?
Yes, sir.
She took it
out of her purse
And sort of
flashed it around in front of me.
How much money
would you say she had?
I couldn't say
for sure,
But there must've been
at least 2 or $3,000.
Did she say where
she got the money?
No.
I asked her,
but all she said was,
"Wouldn't you
like to know?"
[Laughter]
I told her I would,
But she still
didn't tell me.
[Laughter]
There you are,
my dear.
Well, things didn't
go too badly today.
Particularly when
I made it clear that Tom's gray topcoat
Is a popular,
ready-made model
Worn by thousands
of other men.
And those two dancers
didn't help Thompson's case, either.
Ha ha.
I tried to point out
That Terri Larue's
description of the man
Who picked up
Patty Gray that night
Could apply
to a lot of men. I hope I succeeded.
I think you
made your point.
Well, they're
showing highlights of the trial every evening.
Let's see how
it looked today.
Following the testimony
of Terri Larue,
The last person to
see Patty Gray alive,
District attorney Thompson
put john higgins,
A police laboratory
technician, on the stand.
I ask you,
As an expert
of the subject of fingerprints,
If it is likely
That in
the ordinary cleaning of a car,
All fingerprints
would be removed
From the interior
and exterior surfaces?
I think that would
be very unusual.
In other words,
Cleaning a car
in such a manner
Would indicate
a desire to remove fingerprints
Rather than any passion
for cleanliness. Is that correct?
I object, your honor.
This is not proper examination.
The district attorney's
attempting to draw a conclusion
From the witness.
I withdraw
the question, your honor.
This is a conclusion
which should be made by the jury.
Thompson
has a great talent
For making minor points
seem important.
Later in the day,
Thompson recalled
Dolly Moore to the stand.
The laboratory
technician of the police department
Has testified that
traces of makeup
Were found in the seams
of the upholstery
Of the defendant's car.
This makeup has been
identified as foster's makeup number nine.
Do you know
what brand of makeup Miss Gray used?
Foster's number nine.
To your knowledge,
did she ever use any other kind?
No, sir.
We have presented
highlights of today's session
Of the Garrett trial.
Be with--
Seems to me that Thompson
Didn't make very much
of the body makeup.
Yes. That worries me.
Having brought it up,
I didn't expect him
to make so little of it.
He must have something
up his sleeve.
And when did you
give this lighter to the defendant, Miss Spencer?
May 7th.
Well, only two days
before the murder of Patty Gray. Mm-hmm.
What did
the lighter cost?
$275.
Do you recall when you
last saw this lighter
In the possession
of the defendant?
Miss Spencer,
I ask you again,
When did you last
see this lighter in the defendant's possession?
I...
I don't remember.
Well, I don't know
how it got up there.
I'd lost the lighter.
Whoever found it must
have dropped it up there.
Now, it
has been testified
That Patty Gray
wore a brand of makeup,
Particles of which were
found in the upholstery of your car.
Was Patty Gray
ever in your car?
She was not. I never
met her in my life.
Dolly Moore has been
in my car several times.
She's a performer,
wears body makeup.
I guess the makeup
must have rubbed off her.
I'm sure
that explains it.
Now, it has also
been testified
That the man
seen driving off with Patty Gray
The night
she was murdered was smoking a pipe.
Do you now or have you
ever smoked a pipe?
I have never smoked
a pipe at any time.
Then you
want us to believe
That you lost this
gold cigarette lighter
Between the time
Miss Spencer gave it to you
And the time Patty Gray
was murdered,
The space
of only two days?
It's true.
And am I right that
you and Susan Spencer
Became engaged two days
before the murder of Patty Gray?
I don't see what one thing
has to do with the other.
Oh, might there
not be a connection,
If, for instance,
you had to get rid of Patty Gray
In order to fulfill
your commitment to Miss Spencer?
Your honor, I object
strongly to this--
All right, Mr. Wilson.
I withdraw the question.
Did you
file a claim with the insurance company
For the loss of
this valuable lighter,
Which you now allege to
have lost so innocently?
Uh...
No, I guess not.
Oh, uh, yesterday's
transcript.
Mr. Garrett...
Yesterday,
in attempting to explain
The absence
of fingerprints in your car,
You testified,
and I quote...
"What is so unusual
about that?
"I am very fussy
about my car,
And I keep it clean
at all times." Unquote.
That's true.
Well,
Mr. Garrett, with such a fetish for neatness,
How do you explain
the fact that a woman's stocking--
One stocking--was found
in the glove compartment of your car?
Well, some time ago,
a lady friend of mine
Got a bad run
in her stocking.
She took it off and put it
in the glove compartment.
Who was the lady?
I don't remember.
I believe it was someone
I met at a party.
I merely drove her home.
I didn't really know her.
You've testified,
Mr. Garrett,
That you never
smoked a pipe.
That's right.
You sure? You
may have forgotten.
I'd certainly remember
whether or not I'd ever smoked a pipe.
Really? Perhaps not.
You can't even remember
What you were doing
the night Patty Gray was murdered.
I told you
what I was doing.
I went to the movies.
Oh, of course.
You went to the movies, alone.
That's your claim,
isn't it?
That's the truth.
Is there a pipe smoker
among the gentlemen of the jury?
Will you please fill and
light your pipe for us,
And stand up
so they can all see.
Oh, one moment,
please. May I?
You'll recall
it's been testified
That the man last seen
with Patty Gray
On the night
she was murdered was smoking a pipe.
Now, please note
the circular brown stain
On the back
of this match cover
Just used by
your fellow juror here.
You'll also notice
similar stains on these match covers,
Which were found
by the police
In the home and the garage
of the defendant after his arrest.
[Crowd murmurs]
And you have never
smoked a pipe, Mr. Garrett?
I told you that.
I do have visitors
occasionally, however.
Some of them smoke pipes.
I guess that would explain
how the match covers became stained.
I doubt it,
Mr. Garrett.
I doubt it very much.
Now, Mr. Garrett,
Miss Joan Williams
has testified
That Patty Gray
had a considerable sum of money with her,
Perhaps
as much as $3,000,
Two days before
she was murdered.
Have you any idea
how she might have obtained it?
How would I know?
I've told you a hundred times,
I don't know anything
about Patty Gray.
But our investigation
of your bank records
Discloses that two days
before Patty Gray was murdered,
You withdrew
the sum of $3,000 from your account.
Did you give that money
to Patty Gray?
I certainly did not.
Then why did you
withdraw the money?
Not that it's
any concern of yours,
But I withdrew
the money to purchase an engagement ring.
Well, how do
you explain the fact that three days later,
You redeposited $2,800?
Did you purchase
an engagement ring for $200?
I didn't purchase
an engagement ring.
My engagement was...
postponed.
Are you sure you didn't
withdraw that money
To give to Miss Gray,
And after murdering her,
ransack her apartment,
Reclaim what was
left of the money, and redeposit it?
That's absolutely untrue.
It was just
an awful coincidence that I happened--
Another coincidence,
Mr. Garrett?
Apparently, that's your
explanation for all the evidence in this case.
Well, now, let's
move on to another, uh, coincidence.
Other than Patty Gray
and Dolly Moore,
Can you tell us
what other female theatrical performers
Have recently been
in your car with you?
Patty Gray
was never in my car.
I told you,
I never even met her.
Ah, yes, yes, you did
say that, didn't you?
Well, other than
Dolly Moore,
What other female
performers have recently been in your car?
There were no others.
With the court's
permission,
I would like to excuse
this witness temporarily
And recall Miss Moore
to the stand.
You may do so.
Miss Moore, please.
You realize, Miss Moore,
that you're still testifying under oath.
Yes, sir.
Miss Moore,
the defendant has testified
That the particles
of body makeup
Which were
found in his car
Must have
rubbed off you.
Don't you believe it.
I always take
my body makeup off before I leave the club.
I see.
Uh, tell me, was this
Miss Patty Gray's habit also?
No, just the opposite.
She always waited
till she got home to take it off.
[Laughter]
The body makeup,
I mean.
Thank you, Miss Moore.
The jury has been out
since early yesterday.
After being locked up
for the night,
They resumed
their deliberations early this morning.
Although there
has been no indication
When they will be ready
to render their verdict,
It is the feeling
of most observers
Who have followed
the trial closely
That a decision
may be expected some time this morning.
Court sessions
usually open at 10:00,
But before 9 a.M.,
spectators and members of the press
Had already begun to
congregate at the courthouse.
The trial of Tom Garrett
has attracted increasingly wide attention.
[Radio]
at the time of his arrest,
Garrett was at work
on his second novel.
Aah!
And so, the fate
of Tom Garrett today
Rests solely in the hearts
and minds of 12 jurors.
Hello, Jonathan.
Hello, Tom.
Don't get up.
The jury still out?
Yes.
Relax, Jonathan,
you're not on trial.
Getting upset's not
going to help at all.
They've been out
two days now, almost.
I'm worried.
Well, so am I,
but I can't do anything about it.
Neither can you,
so take it easy.
What's the trouble,
Jonathan?
I've never seen you
like this before.
You've got
enough troubles.
Come on, something's
on your mind.
What is it?
I didn't want to burden
you with this now,
But you'll have to know
sooner or later.
Something terrible
has happened.
Austin Spencer was
killed this morning in an automobile accident.
That's impossible.
It's a great shock
to me, too, Tom.
He's got to be alive.
Well, I wish he were, but
we just have to face it.
He can't be dead,
Jonathan!
Everything
depends on him.
I don't understand.
Austin's the only one
who knows I didn't kill that girl.
He knows
the whole story.
What are you
talking about?
He was in on
the whole thing from the beginning.
We planted all
the evidence together
After the girl
was killed--
The lighter, the makeup,
the stocking, everything.
It was all
part of a plan we had to prove...
And in view of this
extraordinary revelation by Mr. Garrett,
I respectfully move
that this case be reopened
For the submission
of new evidence.
Your honor,
This is obviously
the frantic effort of a desperate man.
It is highly significant
that the defendant comes up with this incredible,
Fantastic story
of an alleged plan now, after Mr. Spencer's death.
To reopen the case
at this point
On the grounds
presented by Mr. Wilson
Would be a travesty
of our judicial process.
The state vigorously
opposes such a motion.
I'm inclined to agree
with the district attorney, Mr. Wilson.
However, the court
is deeply cognizant of the fact
That a man's life
is at stake here.
I'll give the defense
an opportunity
To present tangible,
corroborative evidence in support of this motion.
The verdict of the jury
will be withheld
Until I make final ruling
on this motion tomorrow.
He said the pictures
would be here.
There's certainly no reason
for him to mislead us.
Are you sure he said
they were in the safe?
He was positive.
Said he'd seen your father put them there.
But Austin may have
taken them to the office.
We'd better
check there, too.
Lg
Let's check
his desk first.
Rise.
This court
is now in session.
Be seated.
The defense has failed
to indicate to the court
That it is able to present
any further testimony
Which could properly
be considered new evidence.
The motion
to reopen is denied.
Bring the jury in.
Have you
reached a verdict?
We have, your honor.
What is your verdict?
We find the defendant
guilty of murder in the first degree.
Tom, I've got
to know the truth.
I can't take
any more lies.
I'm not lying, Susan.
There were pictures.
Your father even
wrote dates and places
On the back
of the pictures.
Well, this plan,
whose idea was it?
I believe he
mentioned it first,
And then the idea
began to intrigue me.
Don't you
believe me, Susan?
I don't know
what to believe now.
Do you think I could
have killed that girl?
No, I--I never
thought so, but...
Perhaps I can't face
the possibility
That someone who had
been so close to me
Might have done
such a thing.
I've never done anything
to make you doubt me.
There were pictures.
Find them,
and then you'll know I'm telling the truth.
I hope so.
[Door opens and closes]
Come to think of it,
Father did behave
rather strangely at the time of Tom's arrest.
He was very
fond of Tom,
And--and yet he...
He didn't seem as
surprised or disturbed as he should have been.
If was almost as if...
As if he were confident,
as if he knew something.
If what Tom says is true,
That could explain it.
Might be.
But if it is true
and there were pictures,
What could have
happened to them?
You've searched
the house, the office.
Father would never
destroy the pictures.
Unless...
Unless he had them
with him in the car
At the time
of the accident.
They were photographs,
all right,
But they're charred
beyond recognition.
The lab couldn't
determine what was on them.
But there
must be negatives.
My father always
used one of those self-developing cameras,
And there
are no negatives.
But, surely,
isn't this enough?
No, they're just
remnants of photographs.
But now we know
he's telling the truth.
They could be
pictures of anything.
Oh, Tom's always been
insisting that there were photographs,
But he couldn't
possibly have known
About the pictures
in the car.
Oh, that's more than
just a coincidence, Bob.
You might be right.
But, officially,
the situation hasn't changed.
You still don't have
any real evidence to back up his story.
If you love someone,
you must believe in him.
I understand
how you feel, Susan,
But these
charred photographs
Do not prove Garrett's
innocence legally.
They do for me, and
I'll start from there.
I must see him, Bob.
I'm afraid
you can't now.
He's being transferred
to the state prison.
But that's less than
an hour from here.
A new prisoner
in...death row
Can't have visitors
the first week.
You didn't run
much of a story
On the denial of
Mr. Garrett's appeal.
What was there
to say?
We can only report
that they denied it.
Oh, but I want
more than that.
Use the newspaper
in every way you can--
Editorials,
feature series,
Anything to arouse
public opinion in support of Mr. Garrett.
Miss Spencer, your father
told us to handle this case
The way we would
normally.
I don't know
how he would have felt about our taking sides.
I own this
newspaper now.
Not that I'm
qualified to run it. I don't intend to.
My father made
provision in his will
For a committee
to run it.
But the executor
is in europe and won't return for some time.
Meanwhile, the will
can't be probated.
That leaves things
pretty much in my own hands.
I'm willing to take
the responsibility,
But I must insist
you do as I say.
Well, that's quite
an editorial.
Even Austin Spencer
never went that far,
And that's the girl you
were once interested in?
I still am.
After this?
Don't you have
any doubts about Garrett's guilt?
None at all.
I've never doubted it,
neither did the jury.
They do now.
Oh, I read those interviews
with the jurors.
I know all about
the petitions and telegrams
Pouring in for Garrett.
But that's
because that girl
Has used the paper to arouse
everyone's emotions.
And she's even got
you all steamed up.
What's more important,
she may even get under the governor's skin.
I understand he's
been following the case quite closely.
That's why
I can't let myself be swayed emotionally.
Whatever happens
in this case
Has got to be based
on facts and the law,
Not on how people feel.
Yeah, that might be,
But it might also be
that you're hanging yourself politically.
You could end up
as popular as poison ivy at a picnic.
I can't help that.
If I retreat now just
because of public pressure, I'm dead.
Wounded, maybe.
You're not dead
till the governor pardons him.
We've still got another
week before the execution.
I want to know more
about Patty Gray.
Her last job
was in kansas city.
Start there and
work back to her first job in Miami
If you have to.
Why?
If we could find
any possible connection
Between Garrett and
Patty Gray in the past,
The governor couldn't
possibly pardon him,
In spite of all
the artificial emotion
Susan Spencer's
stirring up.
You're beating
a dead horse, Roy.
Nothing about this case
will be dead until Garrett's executed.
Get started.
I've tried everything.
I talked to
the governor personally.
He wouldn't do anything?
He'd like to, but...
He says he can't
without new evidence
Or some other valid
reason for him to step into the case.
I even tried to get him
to postpone it
To give us more time.
But he won't do it
without a recommendation from Thompson.
Thompson.
He wouldn't lift
his little finger to help me.
Maybe Susan
can do something through the paper.
I'm afraid not.
Allen Kirk,
her father's executor,
Has just returned
from europe.
He's in charge now.
Tomorrow night.
What time?
11:00.
[Piano plays]
A little out of
your territory in Miami, ain't you?
Yeah, a little.
You remember
a girl by the name of Patty Gray?
There are
lots of girls.
Why expect me
to remember their names?
Well, this one
worked here for you some time ago.
What did this mouse
look like?
[Director] all right, girls.
Oh, yeah. Her.
+
Six, seven years ago.
Some dish.
She sure could
throw it around.
What did she do?
She was a waitress.
But with a build like hers,
I told her she was wasting
her time waiting on tables.
Gave her a chance
to show what she had.
Worked out great.
Guys were drooling
all over the place.
Yeah, Patty Gray.
Then this was her first
dancing job, huh?
Sure. I gave her
her start.
I even named her.
You mean her name
wasn't Patty Gray?
You kidding?
You know what this cookie's
real name was?
Emma Blucher.
How about that?
Burlie queen
named Emma Blucher.
She have any family?
Nah, she was an orphan
or something.
What about
her friends?
Friends? Emma?
She was out
to take everybody.
She didn't Miss an angle.
She even tried
to put the squeeze on me.
I gave her a fast brush.
Served her right,
getting mixed up with Mike Robinson.
Robinson?
Who is he?
Played the drums in a band
I had working here.
Emma tried to
play him for a sucker.
But he was too much
for her to handle.
He gave her
a real rough time.
In what way?
Oh, if he didn't
like something, he'd rough her up.
Sometimes
he'd rough her up for nothing,
Just to keep
in practice.
She finally beat it
out of here one night,
Just to get away
from him.
Leave it to Emma.
She took off
with all of his dough.
Mike was really fried.
Said he'd get her
if it was the last thing he did.
Uh, rum and coke?
No, just coke, thanks.
Did he ever find her?
Don't know.
Never heard
from him again.
Is this Robinson?
Nah.
Mike was
kind of blond.
Little skinny guy.
But real rough.
Do you ever remember
seeing this man at any time?
Nope,
never seen him.
Say, what's this
all about?
Oh, just curious
about Patty.
Is the kid in trouble?
Not anymore.
And as far as
Garrett's concerned,
I couldn't find
any possible connection
Between him
and this girl,
Either when
she was Patty Gray or Emma Blucher.
Then does this mean
the governor might postpone the execution?
If Thompson
recommends it, he will.
After all,
this is the first possible suspect
We've had
with a motive.
But that doesn't mean
Tom will be set free.
No, but
it'll give us time to run the thing down.
Thompson
started a tracer on Robinson yesterday,
Just as soon as
I phoned him from Miami.
You know,
it's strange.
I never thought
I'd be leaning on you,
Relying on you like this.
I'm not sure
I deserve it.
I'm very grateful to you.
Forget it.
[Intercom buzzes]
Yes?
Are you alone, Bob?
No, Roy.
Susan Spencer's here.
What is it?
Mike Robinson died
four years ago in Chicago.
I'm sorry, Miss Spencer.
Excuse me,
Mr. Thompson,
But Jonathan Wilson
is very anxious to see you.
You must forgive me,
Roy, for barging in.
Allen?
Oh, Susan.
I'm glad you're here.
This is Allen Kirk,
Austin Spencer's executor.
He's preparing the will
for probate, and--
Well, Allen,
maybe you'd better tell him about it.
Mr. Spencer's personal
and business affairs
Were quite considerable
and involved, as you may imagine.
We had to
get court orders
To open his various
deposit vaults.
In one of them,
we found this envelope.
It's addressed to you.
"This document
is hand-written by me
"For delivery to you
in the event
"That Tom Garrett
shall have been convicted
"For the murder
of Patty Gray,
Subsequent to my death."
[Skimming aloud]
"...Under oath."
Is there any question
about this being
The handwriting
of Austin Spencer?
Absolutely none.
It's definitely his.
Well, it's all here--
The dates, the places,
the explanations.
He kept a written
and photographic record
Of everything
he and Garrett did.
Garrett has been
telling the truth.
He sent a recommendation
to the governor
For pardon immediately
and notified the press.
Trying to save face
at the last minute?
Oh, no, I'm sure
he was sincere.
He even made
arrangements for us
To meet here
in the warden's office
So I could tell you
about the party.
Very big of him.
Oh, don't be bitter.
Don't be bitter?
If Thompson had
had his way,
He would have kept
this thing pinned on me, and you know it.
But it's all over now.
Be grateful, darling.
I told him from the start
I'd never even met this girl.
If Thompson hadn't
been trying so hard
To make a name for himself,
over my dead body,
He would've admitted
he was wrong a long time ago.
He should've been
trying to find out who really killed Emma,
Instead of putting me
through all this.
I don't have anything
to be grateful to him for.
How did you know
the girl's name was...Emma?
I read it
in the newspaper.
It hasn't been
in the newspaper.
Oh, I--I must've
heard it from someone.
You killed that girl,
didn't you?
You did, didn't you?
Look, this girl...
A long time ago--
I was just a kid-- We...
I had to marry her.
I found out later
that it was just a trap.
I never lived with her.
I gave her all the money
I could raise,
And she promised
to go to mexico and get a divorce.
I never saw or heard
of her again...
Until she came back,
after my book was published.
And then I found out
she hadn't divorced me at all.
But all you could
think of was murder?
I didn't, at first.
I didn't even
think about it.
And then...
your father started talking about capital punishment,
And all of a sudden,
I realized
He was showing me a way
I could get rid of her
Without any risk.
We had our whole lives
ahead of us.
That's what
I was trying to save...
And I did.
I thought
you were innocent.
You would've
fought for me anyway,
If you'd known
why I did it.
I--I don't know
what I would've done.
Darling...
I know what
you've done for me,
What you've
been through.
Please.
Please let me go.
I--I can't think.
Please let me go.
I called the prison,
but they said you'd left.
I thought you'd
want to know--
The governor has called
a press conference at 9:00.
He'll officially
announce and sign the pardon then.
In less than an hour,
it'll all be over.
How did he take it?
I'm glad
you're here, Bob.
You've done a lot
for me.
Well, I wanted to help
if I could.
Why?
I guess
for the same reason
That you wanted
to help Garrett.
You know
how I feel about you.
If I were accused
of a crime
And you thought
that I might be guilty,
That I wasn't the same person
you thought I was,
Would you still help me?
How could I love you
and not do anything I could?
Anything?
Even if you believed
that...I committed murder?
What is it, Susan?
What's wrong?
You've helped save
the man you love.
He'll be free soon.
This should be
a very happy moment for you.
The man I saw in prison
wasn't the man I loved.
He was a stranger,
someone I never knew.
What happened
at the prison, Susan?
If something happened,
something important,
You can't keep it
to yourself.
Oh, please, Bob,
please.
In half an hour,
Garrett will be free.
If he's pardoned,
He can never
be tried again, nor punished.
If you know something,
you must speak now,
No matter how much
it hurts.
State prison.
I can't. I--I can't.
I can't do it.
I can't do it.
State prison.
Hello.
[Sobbing]
Hello. This is
the state prison.
Nice smile,
governor.
Are you going to resume
with your writing, Mr. Garrett?
Well, I suppose so.
That's the way I make my living.
What about you
and Miss Spencer?
[Ring]
Hello?
Yes. Who is this
talking?
Just a moment.
It's for you,
governor.
Hello?
Are you quite sure
about this?
Is Miss Spencer
with you now?
I see. Thank you.
Warden, have Mr. Garrett
taken back to his cell.
There will be no pardon.
Guard, take Garrett
back to his cell.
this man dead.
Score another one
for Thompson.
You don't think much
of the district attorney, do you, Austin?
On the contrary...
He's an extremely
able man.
Then why are you
always attacking him on your editorial page?
Because I think
he's trying to reach the governor's chair
Over the bodies
of executed men.
I'm fighting against
capital punishment.
That's why I wanted
you to witness that execution.
Thanks.
After you've seen one,
you...
Did you ever
meet Thompson?
No.
He just came in.
Well--
Guess I'd better
go over
And say hello
to Austin Spencer.
You looking
for trouble?
Why wait for
tomorrow's editorial?
Might as well
hear it now. Join me?
No, thanks.
I'll read about it
in tomorrow's paper.
Hello, Roy.
It's good
to see you, Austin.
I'd like you to meet
Tom Garrett.
This is our
district attorney Roy Thompson.
How do you do, sir?
Join us
for a moment?
Thanks.
Care for a drink?
No, not now.
I enjoyed your novel
very much, Mr. Garrett. Congratulations.
Thank you.
I guess you're very pleased
with yourself.
Not particularly.
Why should I be?
Oh.
Peters committed
a murder.
And it doesn't
bother you to send him to the electric chair?
I presented
certain facts to a jury.
They decided,
Beyond a reasonable
doubt,
That Peters
was guilty.
Under the law,
he must be executed.
There were
no eyewitnesses,
No direct testimony
establishing his guilt.
Only circumstantial
evidence,
Which you handled
masterfully.
You don't mean
you think Peters was innocent, do you?
He might be.
The jury
didn't think so.
Look, Roy, I've sat
in too many courtrooms
Not to know that an able
and persuasive prosecutor like you
Can make a jury believe
that a thing is a fact when it isn't,
Especially
if the defense attorney
Is not as capable
as you are.
Would you have
Mr. Thompson ignore circumstantial evidence?
No, not at all.
I just don't think
the state should take a man's life
In such a case.
In fact, I'm not sure
his life should be taken in any event.
There are six states
in this country
That don't have
capital punishment.
But this state does,
And I'm sworn to uphold
the laws of this state.
It's good to see you,
Austin.
I'm very happy
to have met you, Mr. Garrett.
My pleasure, sir.
He seems
friendly enough.
And why not?
I've always been fair
to him personally in the paper.
We just don't agree
on capital punishment, that's all.
Well, let's face it,
Austin.
That's an argument
that's been going on for centuries,
And I doubt very much
that you or Mr. Thompson are going to settle it.
Oh, I think I can,
But not just
by talking about it.
I'll have to be getting
back to the office.
Joe?
Can I drop you anywhere?
No. Susan promised
to meet me here.
Oh. You two
are beginning to sound serious.
Any objections?
If I had, I wouldn't
have let you leave the paper
When you wanted
to write that novel.
What has that
got to do with it?
My daughter
has expensive tastes.
I don't think you'd have
made much progress
On the salary
I was paying you.
[Chuckles]
Hello.
Hi.
I couldn't reach
the top of his head.
You didn't
try very hard.
Well, if you two
can spare me...
We'll manage.
See you later.
Sit down.
Thank you.
Would you like
a drink?
Mmm...no, thanks.
Thanks.
Well...
What would
you like to do?
Oh, I feel like dancing.
At 5:00
in the afternoon?
I'll take you dancing
tonight.
Mmm...but I feel
like dancing now.
All right.
Where?
I've never seen
your apartment.
Aren't we a little
mixed up?
That's supposed to be
my line.
But you've never
used it.
It all began
the day I looked
At you
You were just like
The girl
I dreamed of...
Next month,
we'll make you a June bride.
[Telephone rings]
Let it ring.
Oh, go ahead
and answer it.
I have to go home
and change anyway.
I'll get rid of this
and drive you.
Never mind.
I'll take a cab.
Hold on a second,
will you?
What time shall
I pick you up tonight?
About 8:00.
And tell her
you're spoken for.
I never thought
that I could feel this way
Your love is all I want
to sing about...
Hello.
Yes.
And spring will last
forever and a day...
It works, too.
I couldn't go through
the rest of my life
Watching you search
for matches.
It's beautiful...
And so are you.
I'm glad you two
finally set a date.
Uh...
I'm afraid we might
have to postpone it for a while.
Oh?
That telephone call
in the apartment was my publisher.
He hit the ceiling
when he found out
How much progress
I haven't made.
What's that
got to do with your being married?
He wants the new book
right away,
So I'll just
have to buckle down and get it written.
Might surprise
you to know
That there are
successful writers who are married.
But I'm not a successful
writer yet, Sue.
One book
doesn't prove anything.
That's why the second one
is so important.
I'll just have
to concentrate on it.
You can understand that,
can't you, Austin?
Yes. You can't afford
a letdown after your first book.
I hope you understand,
Susan.
Of course I understand,
And I wouldn't dream
of forcing you
To do anything
you obviously don't want.
Susan.
Yes?
Darling, I love you
very much,
And I just want
our marriage to start right.
And the only way
is to finish the book first.
I couldn't write
if I were distracted,
And being married
to you
Should certainly
be distracting.
Are you trying
to tell me
That if you were
married to me,
You'd be too distracted
to write?
I certainly hope so.
I'll try to get
used to it, though.
All I'm asking
is that we postpone it for a little while.
I'll finish the book,
And then we can
start out together
With nothing
on our minds
But ourselves.
Write fast,
will you?
I've been thinking
about what you said at the club today--
About capital punishment.
You get engaged
to my daughter,
And all you
can think about is capital punishment?
No, really.
I'm serious, Austin.
I haven't been able
to get it out of my mind.
You mean, then, that
you agree with me about capital punishment?
Oh, I'm not sure
about that,
But the idea
that an innocent man could be executed...
Kind of bothers me.
It might be a good subject
for a book.
Oh, a book.
A fictitious story
wouldn't prove anything.
It can only be proven
By a fact that no one
could deny.
How?
By having someone
whose innocence I knew and could prove...
Arrested, tried,
and convicted
For a murder
he didn't commit.
Yeah, but it
wouldn't be possible
If the police
had any real suspects.
In a large city
like this,
Homicides occur
quite frequently.
Sometimes the police
are completely baffled.
They have no clues,
No suspects,
Nothing to go on.
I believe,
in such a case,
It would be possible
For an innocent man
to plant evidence
That would lead
To his arrest, trial,
and conviction.
A case like that
doesn't come up once in 10 years.
You said a case
like this
Doesn't happen
once in 10 years, yet here it is.
A burlesque dancer
found strangled with a stocking
In a ravine
just outside of town.
Now, the police
apparently have no clues.
And you think we could have
someone who is innocent
Arrested, convicted,
and sentenced for this?
Don't you?
I don't know.
But I'll admit,
if we could pull it off,
It would make
a great story.
Who can we get
for a guinea pig?
You.
Me?
Well, why not?
It requires someone
with imagination,
Ingenuity,
Someone who would be
believable
As the unwitting
victim of circumstances.
You could do it.
That's a weird,
crazy idea,
But maybe
that's the reason it intrigues me.
What about the risks?
There wouldn't be any.
Of course,
you might be acquitted,
But if we're lucky,
you'll get the chair.
That's the part
that bothers me.
And that is where
I would come in.
After you were convicted
and sentenced,
I would reveal
the details of our plan.
I have some standing
in this community.
You would be pardoned
automatically.
You make it all sound
very simple.
Oh, it would be.
Everyone knows
that I have been trying for years
To have this law
on capital punishment changed.
Of course, we might be
criticized for the way we do it,
But that wouldn't
bother me
If we accomplish
something.
How can we be sure
the police have no suspects?
Mmm.
That's easy.
[Ring]
Charlie Miller.
Uh, yes, sir.
Just a moment.
Yes. The Patty Gray case.
Lieutenant Kennedy's
handling it.
Looks like a good story.
Do you think
you can find out
What they really
have on it, if anything?
I think so, but Kennedy
may want it off the record for the time being.
That's all right.
We'll cooperate.
But I want to know,
step by step, what they're doing.
Yes, sir.
If they haven't
got a suspect,
We'll give them one.
We've got 50 suspects.
That gal kept pretty busy.
Guy at the stage door
couldn't keep track of them.
Huh.
Any prospects
among them?
Ah, doesn't look
too good.
We've got a few descriptions
we're checking out now.
The only thing
we really know
Is that she lived alone
at a rooming house.
Strange thing
about that.
Why?
Well, after
her body was found,
We went over her room.
It obviously
had been ransacked.
We couldn't
find a thing.
No letters,
no papers,
No address book,
No fingerprints.
Nothing.
Those girls from the club
are here, lieutenant.
Send in...
Joan Williams first.
Miss Williams.
Sit down,
Miss Williams.
According to this,
At one time you lived
with Patty Gray.
Is that correct?
For a little while.
You two were
pretty good friends.
I hardly knew her.
Then how did you come
to be living with her?
When I, uh, came to town
to work at the club
A few weeks ago,
I didn't have
anyplace to stay.
Patty offered to let me
live with her
If paid her $15 a week.
I think she needed
the money.
I understand
that you moved out
A few days
before she was murdered.
Why?
You two have a fight?
Oh, no.
She just came home
one night
And told me to get out,
just like that,
For no reason.
I thought she needed
the money.
That's what I thought,
too.
And I asked her
about it.
But she just laughed
And said she didn't need
my, uh, uh...
My lousy 15 bucks
anymore.
She had an awful lot
of money with her that night.
Did she, uh...
Did she say
where she got it?
She didn't say anything.
Just told me to get out.
Is there anything
you can tell me
That might help us
find out who murdered her?
Aw, gee, I wish I could,
But I'm afraid
I can't help.
Like I say,
I only been here a couple of weeks.
This is only
my first job.
Thank you for coming in,
Miss Williams.
[Presses intercom button]
Send in those
two other girls.
What do you
want with us?
Well, I'd like
to ask you girls a few questions.
In the middle
of the night?
It's a quarter
of 3:00.
We're artists.
We need our sleep.
Yeah, we got to keep
in shape.
You're doing
a very good job.
Gee, thanks.
What about
some breakfast?
Yes. How about
some coffee?
What, no doughnuts?
No doughnuts.
Huh.
Ucchh!
You girls shared
a dressing room with Patty Gray.
What sort of a girl
was she?
All right, I guess.
All right?
She was a creep.
What do you mean,
a creep?
A creep.
A conniver.
A tramp.
What about
her private life?
Nobody knew much
about that.
But she wouldn't have won
any popularity contests.
If nobody knew much
about her private life,
Why was she so unpopular?
Well, it's like this.
She was one of those kind of people
When you knew her
a little bit, you didn't like her.
You had to know her
real good to despise her.
We're trying to find out
who killed Patty Gray.
If there's any cooperation
you can give us...
For pete's sake,
tell him!
I can't stay here
and drink any more of this coffee.
There's nothing
to tell.
I never even got
a good look at him.
Who?
The guy
who picked her up
The night
she was bumped off.
Somebody picked her up
that night?
Yeah. Patty and me
left the club together that night.
There was a fella
waiting for her in the car.
They drove off together.
What did he look like?
Well, he was sort
of average build.
He had a gray tweed
topcoat
And a brown hat,
And he was smoking
a pipe.
You see his face?
Uh-uh.
They drove off
too quick.
What kind of a car
was he driving?
It was a sort
of a...
Dark, new sedan.
I don't know
what kind.
Did you get
the license number?
What for?
Well, it's six days,
And the police apparently
don't have any more now
Than when they started.
Only a vague
description
Of the man
who picked her up that night.
Think they'll be able
to develop anything from that?
I doubt it.
That's not very much
of a lead to work on.
Well, I think I'm ready
to risk it now.
What about you?
Well, I can easily
make myself
The man
in the gray coat and the brown hat.
I even drive a dark,
late model car.
Now, we must
remember this.
Any evidence we plant
Must be things
that could happen
To any innocent,
unwitting suspect.
What about Susan?
Do we let her in
on this?
Oh, I'd rather not.
If you're arrested,
the police are certain to question her.
Under pressure,
she might let something slip.
Seems like
an awful thing to do to her.
She loves you, Tom.
She'd never believe
that you did it.
I hope you're right.
If I know Susan,
she'd even try to help.
Just you see
that she doesn't try to help too much.
If she starts
to fight for me,
We might have
a little difficulty in getting me convicted.
Well...what's
the next move?
What about an evening of
cultural entertainment?
Didn't a couple
of these girls
Share a dressing room
with Patty Gray?
Yes, this one,
Terri Larue,
And this blonde,
Dolly Moore.
How do you know?
Charlie Miller said so.
Oh.
[Whistling
and cheering inside]
May I take
your things?
Anytime.
The hat.
Oh.
[Lounge combo plays]
Hubba hubba!
Awooo!
[Laughter]
What impression did you
get about this girl
From Charlie?
Oh, so-so.
No genius, but not
too stupid, either.
[Whistling]
What'll you have?
Do you have
any suggestions
How I might go about
meeting Miss Moore?
The artists don't date
with the customers.
But the artists
eat in the joint across the street.
Scotch and soda,
please.
[Inserts coin]
[Big band music plays]
Oh, I--
Drunken crumb!
I'm terribly
sorry.
Having a good time?
Uh--uh, really,
I'm sorry.
I--I was only
trying to help.
Who, you or me?
Well, uh,
could I pay
For the damage
I've done?
Well, that's the least
you can do.
This is very
embarrassing.
I don't seem to have
much money with me.
Huh! Wouldn't you know?
Ah-choo!
I'm sorry.
Well, could I get
in touch with you?
You've touched
enough already.
I apologize
for the trouble I've caused you.
I think
he's a doll.
Crumb.
Gray tweed looks
particularly well on you, sir.
Well, that's fine.
I'll take it.
How much is it?
That'll be 39.50.
I'll just wear it.
There you are.
Thank you, sir.
I'll have your change and receipt in a moment.
O.K.
Wait a minute.
Why don't you get
yourself in the picture?
In the mirror.
That's a good idea.
This ought to be
about right.
Can you direct me
to Miss Dolly Moore's room, please?
Room 2.
Thank you.
[Burlesque music plays]
[Man]
all right, girls, on you go.
Hi.
I'll be back
in a couple of minutes.
I'm looking
for Dolly Moore.
Oh.
You again.
Get lost.
Why, I hate
to bother you,
But I told you
last night
I want to pay you
for that outfit I ruined.
[Spits]
So, uh, if you'd tell me
how much it costs...
Well, I don't remember,
But it was a very
expensive outfit, of course.
Of course.
Would, uh...
Say, 100 cover it?
Well, it, uh,
probably cost more,
But I'm not greedy
like some girls.
I'm, uh, sorry
I lost my temper, but, uh...
My performances
are very tiring.
I can imagine.
Just to show
there are no hard feelings,
Would you let me
buy you dinner?
Well--I mean,
I don't usually...
I understand.
Have you ever been
to the continental?
Hey.
I hear that's
a real classy place.
It's very nice.
Would you like
to go there tomorrow night
After you're
through work?
Say, you're all right.
So are you, Dolly,
And I'll pick you up
after the show tomorrow.
Good night.
Goodbye.
Cheers.
Hello, darling.
Hello.
Darling, you look
absolutely wonderful.
Oh, you've been
neglecting me,
So I want to show you
What you've
been missing.
What can I
fix you to drink?
Oh...sherry?
How's the book
progressing?
Oh, it's coming along,
But there's an awful lot
of research involved.
Well, I'll try to
take your mind off it.
What would you like
to do after dinner?
I know what
I'd like to do,
But unfortunately,
I've got to get back to work.
You asked me
to write fast, remember?
Oh, I wish
it were finished.
So do I, darling.
I don't enjoy this
any more than you.
Do you
believe that, father?
I would hate
to think
He was having
a good time.
[Band playing]
Hello.
Well, hi.
All right if I wait
in here for Dolly?
If you're in a hurry,
I'm ready to leave.
Thanks
for the offer.
Anytime.
Cigarette?
No, thanks.
What's this?
Body makeup.
Do you all use
the same kind?
Mm-hmm. Why?
I just wondered.
Did Patty Gray
use this kind?
Yeah. Did you
know Patty?
No. I was just
curious about it.
Her hair wasn't
the same color as yours and Dolly's.
How do you know
it wasn't?
Her picture was
all over the papers.
A lot of good
the publicity does her now.
[Band finishes]
[Crowd applauds]
Give me a hand,
will you, honey?
Sure.
Have more trouble getting into this
Than getting out
of it, huh?
Ain't it the truth?
Hello, Dolly.
You two having
a good time?
I was just entertaining him
while you were gone.
I can do my own
entertaining.
Can't I?
Quote, "a rising young
author, whose initials are Tom Garrett,
"Has been seen lately
in several spots with a dazzling blonde.
"They were
at the continental the other night.
"We wonder what
Susan Spencer thinks about this." Unquote.
Is this your idea
of research?
It's nothing for you
to get upset about, believe me.
Oh, no. It's
perfectly natural
For you to be
celebrating our engagement
With a dazzling blonde.
Did you two
have a good time?
I'm trying
to write a book.
About...women?
Well, actually,
that is part of my work.
Oh, Tom,
I'm hardly a prude,
And I think I'm
reasonably modern.
If you're giving
your ego a workout having a fling--
Hmm--Have fun,
but dishonesty?
Not with me.
Susan, this is
something I have to do.
All right.
Give me one good
reason why.
Why--
I can't
explain it now,
But you'll
understand later.
Just trust me.
You were on page four
three weeks ago,
And you're
on page four now.
You're not
a slow writer.
You just don't write.
Susan, you've got
to listen to me.
There's a point
to all this.
Oh, and I've just
gotten it.
You're obviously
distracted enough without me,
So I'll make things
easy for you.
You wanted
a postponement?
Oh, dear boy,
You've got one.
She was pretty sore.
It was no fit of temper.
She means it.
I know.
What could I do?
We agreed
not to tell her about this.
True, but I don't
want to see
Your happiness
or hers jeopardized.
Neither do I.
I think
it'll be all right
When we tell her
what we're doing.
You're sure
this is where they found her?
Oh, yes.
There were enough
pictures of it
In the newspapers.
They found the girl's body
down there.
I hope the police
find this.
I'm sentimental about it.
Can you get the date
of the newspaper in?
If I get close enough.
Well, let's see...
They ought to find it
in there.
When are we going
to start to work on the car?
Tonight, after I have
dinner with Dolly.
Has she seen you in the
coat and the hat yet?
She will tonight.
There you are.
Pretty good.
Thanks for dinner.
Sorry I don't have more time.
How about later?
It's a nice night.
We could go
for a drive.
Sounds great.
Hey, you two,
break it up.
We're going
to be late.
O.K., you run along.
I'll pick you up later.
Good night, Terri.
Night.
Want a candy?
Uh-uh.
[Car door closes]
[Engine starts]
Hey, Terri,
Quit digging
the scenery.
I thought
we were late.
How much do you know
about that guy?
He's the best score
I've made in a long time.
Maybe--
Maybe you shouldn't
get so...
So chummy with him.
Yeah, and give you
a chance to move in?
No kidding.
Maybe you ought to be
a little more careful.
Remember what happened
to Patty.
Oh, come on!
Notice what
he was wearing?
Gray tweed topcoat...
Brown hat,
And how about
that new black car he drives?
Ah, your head's
drafty.
This guy's got
a lot of class.
If he's got so much class,
what's he doing with you?
There's something
wrong with me?
Oh, I don't mean it
like that, Dolly.
No?
Aw, honey, you
figure it out.
A guy shows up
out of nowhere,
Goes on the make.
With his looks
and his dough,
What's he
shopping around in the basement for?
Why, you got--
Here's
the two aspirin I owe you.
I like to keep
my credit good.
Huh. Is this kid
for real?
He did ask me to go
for a ride later.
Yeah. Well,
just remember
That last ride
Patty took.
Well...
I guess it won't hurt
to play safe.
But if you try
to move in,
I'll put you
in bandages.
I'll call that
lieutenant Kennedy.
The police will
naturally be looking
For Patty Gray's
fingerprints.
Since we can't
give them hers,
It should make them
suspicious
If they can't find
any fingerprints at all.
It'll give them something
to think about, anyway.
Well, I bought
this body makeup today.
Here's
a dated sales slip.
You better keep it
with the pictures.
You ready?
Just a second.
O.K.
I'll rub most
of this stuff off.
I'm sure enough of it
will stick in the seams.
All through?
Not quite.
Hey.
Looks pretty good.
This is
a very important little item.
I hope
it's the right size.
Now hold it.
Well...
That should do it.
Oh, Austin,
you better take
That bottle of makeup
and that rag
And those gloves
when you go.
I can't have those
found around here.
O.K.
Tom...
Are you sure you want
to go through with this?
Oh, we're into it
too far.
I couldn't back out now
if I wanted to.
[Water running]
Gee, lieutenant,
if the guy's o.K.,
I don't want him
to get sore at me.
Well,
we'll be as discreet as possible.
You just act normal,
and don't be afraid.
We'll be watching you
every minute.
[Sigh]
What are we
doing here?
It's a nice view
from up here.
I thought
you might like it.
Yeah,
I-It's very pretty.
Let's go back.
What's your hurry?
I'm--I'm tired.
Now, just relax.
You'll feel better.
I don't want to.
You will.
Stop it!
Let me go!
Let me out of here!
All right,
unwind.
What do you want?
Lieutenant Kennedy,
homicide.
You've been
asking me questions for four hours now.
We're investigating
a homicide, Mr. Garrett.
And I've been
telling you
I never knew that girl
or anything about her.
What were you doing
wednesday evening,
The ninth of this month?
That was almost
three weeks ago.
Not a very long time.
Can you remember
what you were doing that night?
I am asking
the questions, Mr. Garrett.
I can't recall
what I was doing.
Try.
[Long sigh]
Yeah, I think I went
to the movies.
At what time?
Well, I went
to the late show.
It was about 11:00.
Then I went home
and went to bed.
What's that got
to do with all this?
Did you go alone?
Yes.
Can you
substantiate this?
I told you
I went alone.
How can I
substantiate it?
You'll just have to
take my word for it, that's all.
Thank you,
Mr. Garrett.
Please wait outside.
Are you through
with Dolly Moore, Roy?
You can
send her home.
Watch your step
on this case, Roy.
Meaning what?
Garrett's Spencer's
future son-in-law,
And everybody knows
Spencer's been
opposing you
On capital
punishment.
If the idea
ever gets started
That you're
prosecuting rrett
To get back
at Spencer...
This case can be
the biggest step I've ever made,
If I handle it right.
And I will.
I'll send out
for coffee if you want some.
Thanks. I don't expect
to be here that long.
Take him
downstairs, joe.
Pete's waiting
to book him.
You're booking me,
Thompson?
That's right,
Mr. Garrett.
For what?
Suspicion of murder.
I wear
a gray topcoat,
Drive a black car,
And a burlesque
dancer
Gets suspicious,
And for this
you're booking me for murder.
There's more to it
than that.
What more
could there be?
I'm not going
to try the case here, Mr. Garrett.
I'll do that in court.
Let's go, Garrett.
You know as well as I do
Tom had nothing to do with this.
If you're
going to be honest,
You'll insist the police
find the real murderer.
No newspaper
can do that.
Once a case starts,
we can't take sides.
We just report.
I cannot understand
your attitude.
It's quite simple.
I don't want to
prejudge this case.
That's what
trials are for.
Did you run down
his background?
Yeah. Went to college
in Michigan. Good record.
Apparently
ran out of money and had to quit.
Worked on a newspaper
in Chicago for a while
Before he worked
for Spencer.
Quit to write a novel,
hit big with it,
But none of this
helps us much.
Maybe you'd better
have a talk
With Austin Spencer
and his daughter.
I, uh, I wish you'd
ask someone else
To do that, Roy.
Why?
Well, I used to know
Susan Spencer.
We went together
for a while.
Oh...
What happened?
Nothing happened.
I guess she just
wasn't interested.
Were you?
And still?
Well, then,
she'll understand.
You're just
doing your job.
Sure.
This is very difficult
for all of us,
But if you can shed
any light on this case...
Did you know,
or did you have any reason to suspect
Garrett's relationship
with Patty Gray?
Certainly not.
I knew nothing
about it, Bob.
Oh,
I know you think
I'm trying
to protect Tom,
But I've no reason
to do that.
You're engaged to him.
No, we broke it off
long before this happened.
Can you tell me why?
Well...
Nothing to do
with the case,
But I just realized
he wasn't the man for me.
What reason could
he possibly have for such a crime?
Well, Thompson believes
that Garrett
Had some sort
of clandestine affair with this girl.
She resisted him,
or he couldn't get rid of her,
And he strangled her.
That's ridiculous.
I admit that
I'm disillusioned about Tom
For personal
reasons,
But he's certainly
no murderer.
Then
I have to tell you
That a gold
cigarette lighter
With the inscription
"to Tom from Susan"
Has been found
by the police
Near the ravine
where the girl's body was discovered.
Do you know anything
about this lighter?
I gave that lighter
to Tom.
Now will you
help me if you can?
Neither Susan nor I
have any information
That would substantiate
Tom Garrett's guilt.
Forgive me for
troubling you.
I'm sorry, Susan.
Goodbye.
Murder, after all,
can be committed by anyone--
Rich or poor,
Successful
or unsuccessful,
Famous or unknown,
And I will
demonstrate to you that Tom Garrett,
Successful author,
is in fact a murderer.
That beneath his intellectual
and cultured exterior,
He was moved
by brutal impulses
Which induced him
to commit,
Deliberately
and premeditatedly,
A particularly
vicious murder.
I shall prove it,
as the law requires,
Beyond a reasonable doubt.
Before Patty Gray
was murdered, she told you
She didn't want you
to room with her anymore.
You also testified
that she had
Quite a bit
of money with her. Is that correct?
Yes, sir.
She took it
out of her purse
And sort of
flashed it around in front of me.
How much money
would you say she had?
I couldn't say
for sure,
But there must've been
at least 2 or $3,000.
Did she say where
she got the money?
No.
I asked her,
but all she said was,
"Wouldn't you
like to know?"
[Laughter]
I told her I would,
But she still
didn't tell me.
[Laughter]
There you are,
my dear.
Well, things didn't
go too badly today.
Particularly when
I made it clear that Tom's gray topcoat
Is a popular,
ready-made model
Worn by thousands
of other men.
And those two dancers
didn't help Thompson's case, either.
Ha ha.
I tried to point out
That Terri Larue's
description of the man
Who picked up
Patty Gray that night
Could apply
to a lot of men. I hope I succeeded.
I think you
made your point.
Well, they're
showing highlights of the trial every evening.
Let's see how
it looked today.
Following the testimony
of Terri Larue,
The last person to
see Patty Gray alive,
District attorney Thompson
put john higgins,
A police laboratory
technician, on the stand.
I ask you,
As an expert
of the subject of fingerprints,
If it is likely
That in
the ordinary cleaning of a car,
All fingerprints
would be removed
From the interior
and exterior surfaces?
I think that would
be very unusual.
In other words,
Cleaning a car
in such a manner
Would indicate
a desire to remove fingerprints
Rather than any passion
for cleanliness. Is that correct?
I object, your honor.
This is not proper examination.
The district attorney's
attempting to draw a conclusion
From the witness.
I withdraw
the question, your honor.
This is a conclusion
which should be made by the jury.
Thompson
has a great talent
For making minor points
seem important.
Later in the day,
Thompson recalled
Dolly Moore to the stand.
The laboratory
technician of the police department
Has testified that
traces of makeup
Were found in the seams
of the upholstery
Of the defendant's car.
This makeup has been
identified as foster's makeup number nine.
Do you know
what brand of makeup Miss Gray used?
Foster's number nine.
To your knowledge,
did she ever use any other kind?
No, sir.
We have presented
highlights of today's session
Of the Garrett trial.
Be with--
Seems to me that Thompson
Didn't make very much
of the body makeup.
Yes. That worries me.
Having brought it up,
I didn't expect him
to make so little of it.
He must have something
up his sleeve.
And when did you
give this lighter to the defendant, Miss Spencer?
May 7th.
Well, only two days
before the murder of Patty Gray. Mm-hmm.
What did
the lighter cost?
$275.
Do you recall when you
last saw this lighter
In the possession
of the defendant?
Miss Spencer,
I ask you again,
When did you last
see this lighter in the defendant's possession?
I...
I don't remember.
Well, I don't know
how it got up there.
I'd lost the lighter.
Whoever found it must
have dropped it up there.
Now, it
has been testified
That Patty Gray
wore a brand of makeup,
Particles of which were
found in the upholstery of your car.
Was Patty Gray
ever in your car?
She was not. I never
met her in my life.
Dolly Moore has been
in my car several times.
She's a performer,
wears body makeup.
I guess the makeup
must have rubbed off her.
I'm sure
that explains it.
Now, it has also
been testified
That the man
seen driving off with Patty Gray
The night
she was murdered was smoking a pipe.
Do you now or have you
ever smoked a pipe?
I have never smoked
a pipe at any time.
Then you
want us to believe
That you lost this
gold cigarette lighter
Between the time
Miss Spencer gave it to you
And the time Patty Gray
was murdered,
The space
of only two days?
It's true.
And am I right that
you and Susan Spencer
Became engaged two days
before the murder of Patty Gray?
I don't see what one thing
has to do with the other.
Oh, might there
not be a connection,
If, for instance,
you had to get rid of Patty Gray
In order to fulfill
your commitment to Miss Spencer?
Your honor, I object
strongly to this--
All right, Mr. Wilson.
I withdraw the question.
Did you
file a claim with the insurance company
For the loss of
this valuable lighter,
Which you now allege to
have lost so innocently?
Uh...
No, I guess not.
Oh, uh, yesterday's
transcript.
Mr. Garrett...
Yesterday,
in attempting to explain
The absence
of fingerprints in your car,
You testified,
and I quote...
"What is so unusual
about that?
"I am very fussy
about my car,
And I keep it clean
at all times." Unquote.
That's true.
Well,
Mr. Garrett, with such a fetish for neatness,
How do you explain
the fact that a woman's stocking--
One stocking--was found
in the glove compartment of your car?
Well, some time ago,
a lady friend of mine
Got a bad run
in her stocking.
She took it off and put it
in the glove compartment.
Who was the lady?
I don't remember.
I believe it was someone
I met at a party.
I merely drove her home.
I didn't really know her.
You've testified,
Mr. Garrett,
That you never
smoked a pipe.
That's right.
You sure? You
may have forgotten.
I'd certainly remember
whether or not I'd ever smoked a pipe.
Really? Perhaps not.
You can't even remember
What you were doing
the night Patty Gray was murdered.
I told you
what I was doing.
I went to the movies.
Oh, of course.
You went to the movies, alone.
That's your claim,
isn't it?
That's the truth.
Is there a pipe smoker
among the gentlemen of the jury?
Will you please fill and
light your pipe for us,
And stand up
so they can all see.
Oh, one moment,
please. May I?
You'll recall
it's been testified
That the man last seen
with Patty Gray
On the night
she was murdered was smoking a pipe.
Now, please note
the circular brown stain
On the back
of this match cover
Just used by
your fellow juror here.
You'll also notice
similar stains on these match covers,
Which were found
by the police
In the home and the garage
of the defendant after his arrest.
[Crowd murmurs]
And you have never
smoked a pipe, Mr. Garrett?
I told you that.
I do have visitors
occasionally, however.
Some of them smoke pipes.
I guess that would explain
how the match covers became stained.
I doubt it,
Mr. Garrett.
I doubt it very much.
Now, Mr. Garrett,
Miss Joan Williams
has testified
That Patty Gray
had a considerable sum of money with her,
Perhaps
as much as $3,000,
Two days before
she was murdered.
Have you any idea
how she might have obtained it?
How would I know?
I've told you a hundred times,
I don't know anything
about Patty Gray.
But our investigation
of your bank records
Discloses that two days
before Patty Gray was murdered,
You withdrew
the sum of $3,000 from your account.
Did you give that money
to Patty Gray?
I certainly did not.
Then why did you
withdraw the money?
Not that it's
any concern of yours,
But I withdrew
the money to purchase an engagement ring.
Well, how do
you explain the fact that three days later,
You redeposited $2,800?
Did you purchase
an engagement ring for $200?
I didn't purchase
an engagement ring.
My engagement was...
postponed.
Are you sure you didn't
withdraw that money
To give to Miss Gray,
And after murdering her,
ransack her apartment,
Reclaim what was
left of the money, and redeposit it?
That's absolutely untrue.
It was just
an awful coincidence that I happened--
Another coincidence,
Mr. Garrett?
Apparently, that's your
explanation for all the evidence in this case.
Well, now, let's
move on to another, uh, coincidence.
Other than Patty Gray
and Dolly Moore,
Can you tell us
what other female theatrical performers
Have recently been
in your car with you?
Patty Gray
was never in my car.
I told you,
I never even met her.
Ah, yes, yes, you did
say that, didn't you?
Well, other than
Dolly Moore,
What other female
performers have recently been in your car?
There were no others.
With the court's
permission,
I would like to excuse
this witness temporarily
And recall Miss Moore
to the stand.
You may do so.
Miss Moore, please.
You realize, Miss Moore,
that you're still testifying under oath.
Yes, sir.
Miss Moore,
the defendant has testified
That the particles
of body makeup
Which were
found in his car
Must have
rubbed off you.
Don't you believe it.
I always take
my body makeup off before I leave the club.
I see.
Uh, tell me, was this
Miss Patty Gray's habit also?
No, just the opposite.
She always waited
till she got home to take it off.
[Laughter]
The body makeup,
I mean.
Thank you, Miss Moore.
The jury has been out
since early yesterday.
After being locked up
for the night,
They resumed
their deliberations early this morning.
Although there
has been no indication
When they will be ready
to render their verdict,
It is the feeling
of most observers
Who have followed
the trial closely
That a decision
may be expected some time this morning.
Court sessions
usually open at 10:00,
But before 9 a.M.,
spectators and members of the press
Had already begun to
congregate at the courthouse.
The trial of Tom Garrett
has attracted increasingly wide attention.
[Radio]
at the time of his arrest,
Garrett was at work
on his second novel.
Aah!
And so, the fate
of Tom Garrett today
Rests solely in the hearts
and minds of 12 jurors.
Hello, Jonathan.
Hello, Tom.
Don't get up.
The jury still out?
Yes.
Relax, Jonathan,
you're not on trial.
Getting upset's not
going to help at all.
They've been out
two days now, almost.
I'm worried.
Well, so am I,
but I can't do anything about it.
Neither can you,
so take it easy.
What's the trouble,
Jonathan?
I've never seen you
like this before.
You've got
enough troubles.
Come on, something's
on your mind.
What is it?
I didn't want to burden
you with this now,
But you'll have to know
sooner or later.
Something terrible
has happened.
Austin Spencer was
killed this morning in an automobile accident.
That's impossible.
It's a great shock
to me, too, Tom.
He's got to be alive.
Well, I wish he were, but
we just have to face it.
He can't be dead,
Jonathan!
Everything
depends on him.
I don't understand.
Austin's the only one
who knows I didn't kill that girl.
He knows
the whole story.
What are you
talking about?
He was in on
the whole thing from the beginning.
We planted all
the evidence together
After the girl
was killed--
The lighter, the makeup,
the stocking, everything.
It was all
part of a plan we had to prove...
And in view of this
extraordinary revelation by Mr. Garrett,
I respectfully move
that this case be reopened
For the submission
of new evidence.
Your honor,
This is obviously
the frantic effort of a desperate man.
It is highly significant
that the defendant comes up with this incredible,
Fantastic story
of an alleged plan now, after Mr. Spencer's death.
To reopen the case
at this point
On the grounds
presented by Mr. Wilson
Would be a travesty
of our judicial process.
The state vigorously
opposes such a motion.
I'm inclined to agree
with the district attorney, Mr. Wilson.
However, the court
is deeply cognizant of the fact
That a man's life
is at stake here.
I'll give the defense
an opportunity
To present tangible,
corroborative evidence in support of this motion.
The verdict of the jury
will be withheld
Until I make final ruling
on this motion tomorrow.
He said the pictures
would be here.
There's certainly no reason
for him to mislead us.
Are you sure he said
they were in the safe?
He was positive.
Said he'd seen your father put them there.
But Austin may have
taken them to the office.
We'd better
check there, too.
Lg
Let's check
his desk first.
Rise.
This court
is now in session.
Be seated.
The defense has failed
to indicate to the court
That it is able to present
any further testimony
Which could properly
be considered new evidence.
The motion
to reopen is denied.
Bring the jury in.
Have you
reached a verdict?
We have, your honor.
What is your verdict?
We find the defendant
guilty of murder in the first degree.
Tom, I've got
to know the truth.
I can't take
any more lies.
I'm not lying, Susan.
There were pictures.
Your father even
wrote dates and places
On the back
of the pictures.
Well, this plan,
whose idea was it?
I believe he
mentioned it first,
And then the idea
began to intrigue me.
Don't you
believe me, Susan?
I don't know
what to believe now.
Do you think I could
have killed that girl?
No, I--I never
thought so, but...
Perhaps I can't face
the possibility
That someone who had
been so close to me
Might have done
such a thing.
I've never done anything
to make you doubt me.
There were pictures.
Find them,
and then you'll know I'm telling the truth.
I hope so.
[Door opens and closes]
Come to think of it,
Father did behave
rather strangely at the time of Tom's arrest.
He was very
fond of Tom,
And--and yet he...
He didn't seem as
surprised or disturbed as he should have been.
If was almost as if...
As if he were confident,
as if he knew something.
If what Tom says is true,
That could explain it.
Might be.
But if it is true
and there were pictures,
What could have
happened to them?
You've searched
the house, the office.
Father would never
destroy the pictures.
Unless...
Unless he had them
with him in the car
At the time
of the accident.
They were photographs,
all right,
But they're charred
beyond recognition.
The lab couldn't
determine what was on them.
But there
must be negatives.
My father always
used one of those self-developing cameras,
And there
are no negatives.
But, surely,
isn't this enough?
No, they're just
remnants of photographs.
But now we know
he's telling the truth.
They could be
pictures of anything.
Oh, Tom's always been
insisting that there were photographs,
But he couldn't
possibly have known
About the pictures
in the car.
Oh, that's more than
just a coincidence, Bob.
You might be right.
But, officially,
the situation hasn't changed.
You still don't have
any real evidence to back up his story.
If you love someone,
you must believe in him.
I understand
how you feel, Susan,
But these
charred photographs
Do not prove Garrett's
innocence legally.
They do for me, and
I'll start from there.
I must see him, Bob.
I'm afraid
you can't now.
He's being transferred
to the state prison.
But that's less than
an hour from here.
A new prisoner
in...death row
Can't have visitors
the first week.
You didn't run
much of a story
On the denial of
Mr. Garrett's appeal.
What was there
to say?
We can only report
that they denied it.
Oh, but I want
more than that.
Use the newspaper
in every way you can--
Editorials,
feature series,
Anything to arouse
public opinion in support of Mr. Garrett.
Miss Spencer, your father
told us to handle this case
The way we would
normally.
I don't know
how he would have felt about our taking sides.
I own this
newspaper now.
Not that I'm
qualified to run it. I don't intend to.
My father made
provision in his will
For a committee
to run it.
But the executor
is in europe and won't return for some time.
Meanwhile, the will
can't be probated.
That leaves things
pretty much in my own hands.
I'm willing to take
the responsibility,
But I must insist
you do as I say.
Well, that's quite
an editorial.
Even Austin Spencer
never went that far,
And that's the girl you
were once interested in?
I still am.
After this?
Don't you have
any doubts about Garrett's guilt?
None at all.
I've never doubted it,
neither did the jury.
They do now.
Oh, I read those interviews
with the jurors.
I know all about
the petitions and telegrams
Pouring in for Garrett.
But that's
because that girl
Has used the paper to arouse
everyone's emotions.
And she's even got
you all steamed up.
What's more important,
she may even get under the governor's skin.
I understand he's
been following the case quite closely.
That's why
I can't let myself be swayed emotionally.
Whatever happens
in this case
Has got to be based
on facts and the law,
Not on how people feel.
Yeah, that might be,
But it might also be
that you're hanging yourself politically.
You could end up
as popular as poison ivy at a picnic.
I can't help that.
If I retreat now just
because of public pressure, I'm dead.
Wounded, maybe.
You're not dead
till the governor pardons him.
We've still got another
week before the execution.
I want to know more
about Patty Gray.
Her last job
was in kansas city.
Start there and
work back to her first job in Miami
If you have to.
Why?
If we could find
any possible connection
Between Garrett and
Patty Gray in the past,
The governor couldn't
possibly pardon him,
In spite of all
the artificial emotion
Susan Spencer's
stirring up.
You're beating
a dead horse, Roy.
Nothing about this case
will be dead until Garrett's executed.
Get started.
I've tried everything.
I talked to
the governor personally.
He wouldn't do anything?
He'd like to, but...
He says he can't
without new evidence
Or some other valid
reason for him to step into the case.
I even tried to get him
to postpone it
To give us more time.
But he won't do it
without a recommendation from Thompson.
Thompson.
He wouldn't lift
his little finger to help me.
Maybe Susan
can do something through the paper.
I'm afraid not.
Allen Kirk,
her father's executor,
Has just returned
from europe.
He's in charge now.
Tomorrow night.
What time?
11:00.
[Piano plays]
A little out of
your territory in Miami, ain't you?
Yeah, a little.
You remember
a girl by the name of Patty Gray?
There are
lots of girls.
Why expect me
to remember their names?
Well, this one
worked here for you some time ago.
What did this mouse
look like?
[Director] all right, girls.
Oh, yeah. Her.
+
Six, seven years ago.
Some dish.
She sure could
throw it around.
What did she do?
She was a waitress.
But with a build like hers,
I told her she was wasting
her time waiting on tables.
Gave her a chance
to show what she had.
Worked out great.
Guys were drooling
all over the place.
Yeah, Patty Gray.
Then this was her first
dancing job, huh?
Sure. I gave her
her start.
I even named her.
You mean her name
wasn't Patty Gray?
You kidding?
You know what this cookie's
real name was?
Emma Blucher.
How about that?
Burlie queen
named Emma Blucher.
She have any family?
Nah, she was an orphan
or something.
What about
her friends?
Friends? Emma?
She was out
to take everybody.
She didn't Miss an angle.
She even tried
to put the squeeze on me.
I gave her a fast brush.
Served her right,
getting mixed up with Mike Robinson.
Robinson?
Who is he?
Played the drums in a band
I had working here.
Emma tried to
play him for a sucker.
But he was too much
for her to handle.
He gave her
a real rough time.
In what way?
Oh, if he didn't
like something, he'd rough her up.
Sometimes
he'd rough her up for nothing,
Just to keep
in practice.
She finally beat it
out of here one night,
Just to get away
from him.
Leave it to Emma.
She took off
with all of his dough.
Mike was really fried.
Said he'd get her
if it was the last thing he did.
Uh, rum and coke?
No, just coke, thanks.
Did he ever find her?
Don't know.
Never heard
from him again.
Is this Robinson?
Nah.
Mike was
kind of blond.
Little skinny guy.
But real rough.
Do you ever remember
seeing this man at any time?
Nope,
never seen him.
Say, what's this
all about?
Oh, just curious
about Patty.
Is the kid in trouble?
Not anymore.
And as far as
Garrett's concerned,
I couldn't find
any possible connection
Between him
and this girl,
Either when
she was Patty Gray or Emma Blucher.
Then does this mean
the governor might postpone the execution?
If Thompson
recommends it, he will.
After all,
this is the first possible suspect
We've had
with a motive.
But that doesn't mean
Tom will be set free.
No, but
it'll give us time to run the thing down.
Thompson
started a tracer on Robinson yesterday,
Just as soon as
I phoned him from Miami.
You know,
it's strange.
I never thought
I'd be leaning on you,
Relying on you like this.
I'm not sure
I deserve it.
I'm very grateful to you.
Forget it.
[Intercom buzzes]
Yes?
Are you alone, Bob?
No, Roy.
Susan Spencer's here.
What is it?
Mike Robinson died
four years ago in Chicago.
I'm sorry, Miss Spencer.
Excuse me,
Mr. Thompson,
But Jonathan Wilson
is very anxious to see you.
You must forgive me,
Roy, for barging in.
Allen?
Oh, Susan.
I'm glad you're here.
This is Allen Kirk,
Austin Spencer's executor.
He's preparing the will
for probate, and--
Well, Allen,
maybe you'd better tell him about it.
Mr. Spencer's personal
and business affairs
Were quite considerable
and involved, as you may imagine.
We had to
get court orders
To open his various
deposit vaults.
In one of them,
we found this envelope.
It's addressed to you.
"This document
is hand-written by me
"For delivery to you
in the event
"That Tom Garrett
shall have been convicted
"For the murder
of Patty Gray,
Subsequent to my death."
[Skimming aloud]
"...Under oath."
Is there any question
about this being
The handwriting
of Austin Spencer?
Absolutely none.
It's definitely his.
Well, it's all here--
The dates, the places,
the explanations.
He kept a written
and photographic record
Of everything
he and Garrett did.
Garrett has been
telling the truth.
He sent a recommendation
to the governor
For pardon immediately
and notified the press.
Trying to save face
at the last minute?
Oh, no, I'm sure
he was sincere.
He even made
arrangements for us
To meet here
in the warden's office
So I could tell you
about the party.
Very big of him.
Oh, don't be bitter.
Don't be bitter?
If Thompson had
had his way,
He would have kept
this thing pinned on me, and you know it.
But it's all over now.
Be grateful, darling.
I told him from the start
I'd never even met this girl.
If Thompson hadn't
been trying so hard
To make a name for himself,
over my dead body,
He would've admitted
he was wrong a long time ago.
He should've been
trying to find out who really killed Emma,
Instead of putting me
through all this.
I don't have anything
to be grateful to him for.
How did you know
the girl's name was...Emma?
I read it
in the newspaper.
It hasn't been
in the newspaper.
Oh, I--I must've
heard it from someone.
You killed that girl,
didn't you?
You did, didn't you?
Look, this girl...
A long time ago--
I was just a kid-- We...
I had to marry her.
I found out later
that it was just a trap.
I never lived with her.
I gave her all the money
I could raise,
And she promised
to go to mexico and get a divorce.
I never saw or heard
of her again...
Until she came back,
after my book was published.
And then I found out
she hadn't divorced me at all.
But all you could
think of was murder?
I didn't, at first.
I didn't even
think about it.
And then...
your father started talking about capital punishment,
And all of a sudden,
I realized
He was showing me a way
I could get rid of her
Without any risk.
We had our whole lives
ahead of us.
That's what
I was trying to save...
And I did.
I thought
you were innocent.
You would've
fought for me anyway,
If you'd known
why I did it.
I--I don't know
what I would've done.
Darling...
I know what
you've done for me,
What you've
been through.
Please.
Please let me go.
I--I can't think.
Please let me go.
I called the prison,
but they said you'd left.
I thought you'd
want to know--
The governor has called
a press conference at 9:00.
He'll officially
announce and sign the pardon then.
In less than an hour,
it'll all be over.
How did he take it?
I'm glad
you're here, Bob.
You've done a lot
for me.
Well, I wanted to help
if I could.
Why?
I guess
for the same reason
That you wanted
to help Garrett.
You know
how I feel about you.
If I were accused
of a crime
And you thought
that I might be guilty,
That I wasn't the same person
you thought I was,
Would you still help me?
How could I love you
and not do anything I could?
Anything?
Even if you believed
that...I committed murder?
What is it, Susan?
What's wrong?
You've helped save
the man you love.
He'll be free soon.
This should be
a very happy moment for you.
The man I saw in prison
wasn't the man I loved.
He was a stranger,
someone I never knew.
What happened
at the prison, Susan?
If something happened,
something important,
You can't keep it
to yourself.
Oh, please, Bob,
please.
In half an hour,
Garrett will be free.
If he's pardoned,
He can never
be tried again, nor punished.
If you know something,
you must speak now,
No matter how much
it hurts.
State prison.
I can't. I--I can't.
I can't do it.
I can't do it.
State prison.
Hello.
[Sobbing]
Hello. This is
the state prison.
Nice smile,
governor.
Are you going to resume
with your writing, Mr. Garrett?
Well, I suppose so.
That's the way I make my living.
What about you
and Miss Spencer?
[Ring]
Hello?
Yes. Who is this
talking?
Just a moment.
It's for you,
governor.
Hello?
Are you quite sure
about this?
Is Miss Spencer
with you now?
I see. Thank you.
Warden, have Mr. Garrett
taken back to his cell.
There will be no pardon.
Guard, take Garrett
back to his cell.