Angel Face

SIREN WAILS

What is it, George?

Gas. Suicide?

No, sir, an accident. Mrs Tremaine...

All right, where is she?

Upstairs.

DOCTOR: We probably won't need that.

Just stand by.

Oh...it was like...

being smothered.

My head was pounding.

I tried to reach the balcony,

but...the doors were closed.

I called out for Charles...

All right, Mrs Tremaine, just relax the arm.

I was in my room in bed, reading.

Where is your room?

Across the hall.

I thought I heard her cry out.

She was lying there.

The room was full of gas,

so I pulled her out into the air.

I shouted to the butler,

but I guess he didn't hear me.

I saw she was coming to, so I left her to turn off the gas,

but the key wasn't there.

MRS TREMAINE: Someone took it, I tell you.

Someone tried to murder me.

DOCTOR: Now, now, Mrs Tremaine.

Key's here now.

No, that's the one from my room.

I went back across the balcony and got it.

Is this the other one down here?

Where?

Under the logs.

She might've kicked it with her foot.

Unless you think she...

Oh, no, that's out of the question.

I'll telephone the drugstore

to send up some pills which she can take

when she wakes up.

Will you need us anymore, Doc?

No, thank you very much.

Now, will you show me your room, please?

Yeah.

PIANO PLAYS CLASSICAL MUSIC

There's my bedroom.

And, er, this is my study.

PIANO IS LOUDER

She's OK.

She didn't even need this.

The doctor gave her a sedative.

SHE CRIES

Hey...

Look, take it easy.

I told you she was going to be fine...

Leave me alone, please!

Now, look...

Come on, stop it.

SHE SOBS

Stop it!

Leave me alone, please!

Now, look,

the manual says that's supposed to stop hysterics

it doesn't say a word about getting slapped back.

I'm sorry.

It's all right. Forget it.

I've been slapped by dames before.

That your mother?

Stepmother.

Next time, see if you can't remember

to pull that punch a little bit.

Yes, I'll remember.

Want to go for a cup of coffee?

No, I promised Mary I'd call her. She's waiting for me.

Lucky.

You know it.

See you tomorrow, buddy.

Good night, Frank.

Well, if it ain't the dead-body jockey.

Sure, Harry, that's why I come here.

So much like the morgue.

That ain't funny.

What's happened to business, anyway?

Got nothing to do but sit here

doping the horses.

How do you like Hilly in the seventh?

Ah, she'll still be around

when they start the eighth.

Hello.

Well, hello.

You do get around fast, don't you?

I parked my broomstick outside.

Beer, Harry.

And what do witches drink?

Just coffee. Smoke?

No.

Don't drink, don't smoke,

how old are you?

20.

Next month.

I had to get out.

I couldn't stay there after what happened.

What did happen?

I don't know.

Father wouldn't even let me in the room.

He told me to call the doctor

and just wait.

It was horrible not knowing.

TELEPHONE RINGS

Shouldn't someone answer it?

HARRY: Hey, get that phone, will you?

Maybe it's for you.

Maybe it's the girl you were calling when I came in.

Now, what makes you so sure I was calling a girl?

It would have to be.

Unless she's your wife.

What's the matter, can't you hear the phone?

Hello.

I'm not married.

You here, Frank? Yes or no?

Yeah, I'm here.

Yeah, he says he's here.

Hello.

Yes.

Where did I get to?

Where were you when I called?

But you know I can't hear the phone

when I'm in the shower.

Darling, what's got into you?

Nothing's got into me.

I'm just beat, that's all.

'What was it, a rough call?'

Yeah, rough.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

But I've got everything ready.

Darling, you stay there.

I'll be right over, and...

I said we'll skip it for tonight.

Besides, I just had a sandwich.

Yeah. Yeah, good night.

You know something?

I haven't eaten either.

Well, let's go and eat.

Good night, Harry. HARRY: Good night.

Hey, now. This yours?

Mm-hmm.

It's not a stock XK.

Twin stacks...

what is it, the Le Mans job?

That's right.

You know how to drive it?

Oh, I think so.

Did you race professionally?

Oh, yeah.

Midgets, Hot Rods,

everything but Indianapolis.

I was getting ready to try that

when the war came along.

Oh.

That's when you started driving ambulances.

No, I drove a tank

till they shot me out of it.

Ambulance driving's just a job

till I make enough money

to open my own shop.

"Jessup Automotive.

"Racing car specialists."

I got some ideas for a power plant

that'll make this mill look sick.

Sounds exciting.

I think your carburetion's a little sloppy.

Perhaps it's a little hungry, too.

Hmm?

Oh, yeah, we're supposed to eat, weren't we?

We'll be right there.

So I figure another 5,000, 6,000,

I'm in business.

Of course, Mary has some money, but...

She was the one on the phone.

Yeah.

Do you love her?

You ask an awful lot of questions.

I know, it's a very bad habit of mine.

You ask me some, just for a change.

All right, I will.

Uh...what does your father do?

He's a very famous novelist.

He hasn't published anything

since we came to America

after my mother was killed in a raid.

But he's started to write again,

a novel.

He's been reading parts of it to me.

It's wonderful.

Catherine - that's my stepmother -

she's very jealous,

because he only talks to me about his work.

I suppose it's only natural that she should be.

It's as if I robbed her of something in a way.

Oh, sure, I suppose she feels...

Here, let me do this. I asked you.

Will you relax?

I can pay the check, even on my salary.

But you're saving up for your shop and to get married and...

Who said anything about getting married?

Well, Mary expects it, doesn't she?

What's her last name? What's she do?

Her last name is Wilton.

She's a receptionist at the hospital,

she has blonde hair, blue eyes,

she weighs 105 pounds stripped.

She sleeps in pajamas, she's a first-rate cook,

and she doesn't ask questions.

She does, too.

Anyway, let me pay my share. I insist.

All right, if that's the way you want it.

I'd like a nightcap. How about you?

Oh, no, you don't smoke or drink, do you?

I only ask questions, and I love to dance.

Tonight?

JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS

If I tell you something,

will you promise not to laugh at me?

No, but I'll promise to try

not to laugh at you.

You're the first man I've danced with

since I've been in America, except my father.

Really?

You're doing all right.

CLOCK STRIKING

Diane!

Daddy, why aren't you in bed?

That's just what I was going to ask you, my dear.

Where have you been so late?

For a drive.

I had to get out

just for a little while.

How is she?

Sleeping quietly.

Have the police found out

what really happened?

Well, they suggested she might have

accidentally kicked the key with her foot.

You don't think

that she could have intended to commit...

With her bridge club meeting tomorrow?

You should know Aunt Catherine better than that.

Good night, my pet.

Go to bed.

It was nice of you to come.

You must've been surprised,

getting a phone call from a complete stranger.

Frankly, I was.

You're no stranger to me.

Frank told me so much about you.

Frank?

I was with him last night

after he made the phone call

from our house.

You must forgive me for that.

And him, too.

Frank is free to go out

with whoever he pleases, Miss Tremaine.

But you're angry

because he lied to you on the phone.

Wouldn't you be?

Put yourself in the poor man's place.

What could he have said

without hurting your feelings even more?

You must know that I wouldn't be telling you this

if it wasn't completely innocent.

WAITRESS: Excuse me.

Don't be cross, please.

Miss Tremaine...

Do call me Diane.

Diane, I'm sure your motives

for telling me all this are good,

but frankly, I wish you hadn't.

But why?

We spent most of the time

talking about you,

and about his plans for his racing car place.

That's why I called.

I'm afraid I don't understand.

Mary, would you accept 1,000 from me

to add to that garage fund?

1,000?

But why...

I have few friends.

None, actually.

And last night, after I left Frank,

I got to thinking about you two.

And I thought that if I could help you both

to realise your dream,

I'd have a little part in your life.

Well, it's very generous of you

and all that, but...

I'm sure Frank feels the same...

You mustn't tell him, ever.

It would be our secret.

Hasn't anyone ever told you about hospital salaries?

How do you think

I could explain away 1,000?

You could say you won it on the radio or in a contest.

There are all sorts of ways.

And he wouldn't believe any of them.

Well...

I can see my little plot didn't succeed.

Oh, I wouldn't say that.

You brought me here today

because you wanted to shake my faith in Frank.

You have.

You wanted to find out

how clever or stupid I am.

I guess you've done that, too.

So your little plot has succeeded after all.

And what do you intend to do about it?

Nothing.

Not one thing.

I suppose I could pick up the check,

but I'm too practical.

You see, I have to work for my money.

I won't say goodbye, Diane.

I'm sure I'll see more of you.

What do you say, Janie?

Hi, Frank.

Hi, honey.

Good night, dear.

Good night, Mary.

Hello, Frank.

Well, what'll it be?

Gilmore field or a drive-in movie?

Aren't you too tired after your rough night?

Oh... I'll buy you a T-bone

twice as big and twice as beautiful

if it takes my whole paycheck,

which it will.

You do that... some other time.

Oh, honey, stop.

You're not going to let a T-bone steak come between us?

Now, come on, dimple up.

All right.

I would've been lousy company last night.

Ten minutes after I left Harry's, I was in the sack.

I can believe that.

Well, you can head for that same sack tonight.

I've got other plans.

Oh, you have.

Yes, I have.

OK. OK.

OK! Shh! Quiet, please.

This is a residential district.

Now, don't tell me. Just let me hope, hmm?

Hello, Bill.

You know in times like these,

a guy can offer a girl a handkerchief,

or a double old fashioned.

What'll it be?

Both.

Come on, you redheaded double-crosser.

Who, me,

double-cross a pal?

I should say.

What's the matter?

This time I'm making no fresh coffee.

It's all right,

I don't care for any right now.

Go ahead, hit me.

First I'll buy you a dinner,

then maybe I'll hit you.

I wish I could,

but the family expects me.

This is definitely not my day.

When I tell you what I did,

you probably won't want to see me again, ever.

It sounds pretty grim.

I had lunch with Mary.

I told her about last night.

Oh, not everything, just that-that we went out together.

Well, why did you say that?

I told her I was... Ohh...

I only did it because I wanted to help get the garage.

Oh, you're a big help.

I offered Mary 1,000.

You offered her 1,000 just like that?

And what did she say?

She was rather angry.

I gathered she resented you knowing anybody else.

Look, I'm a free agent.

Mary admits that, but...

you know what girls are.

It's only natural.

Look what I found.

They're running the Pebble Beach road races

later on next month.

I thought that we could enter the car and...

you drive.

I drove that course in '41.

Well, then you're eligible,

even though you were a pro.

As long as you haven't raced for two years.

Two years? I haven't raced in ten.

You could tune it up,

change anything you wanted,

and we could take it out weekends.

Do you think Mary would mind?

Oh, Mary has nothing to do with this.

If we take that race,

it'll mean a lot of publicity,

make it easier to get backing for the shop.

Come on, let's have dinner. I'll talk to you about it.

I can't. The family.

I could get away later, though.

10.00?

Here.

Here.

CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYS

Charles, if you must play that,

would mind turning it a little lower?

TURNS OFF MUSIC

I'll have another, Ito.

You needn't have turned it OFF.

Evening, family.

Well...

you seem particularly festive this evening.

What is it, a new dress?

Yes. I got the bill this morning.

Really, Diane, when I gave you permission

to pick up something simple...

Oh, Catherine, darling,

you know that the simple things always cost the most.

Ito, you're an angel.

Now, what is it tonight?

Don't tell me. Let me guess.

Pineapple, certainly...

orange...

What's the other?

It's creme de fraise, dear.

I'm sure you knew it all along.

Tell Chio to hurry dinner, please.

I'm famished.

Catherine...

don't you think we ought to have a chauffeur?

I thought you enjoyed driving

that horrible little jet-propelled torpedo.

Well, I do, but you don't.

No argument there.

Catherine, you how nervous and absent-minded you are

after your bridge bouts.

I wouldn't say that.

Only three tickets last month

for not observing stop signals,

only one collision.

That was definitely not my fault, Charles.

I distinctly signalled I was making a left turn.

ITO: Dinner is served, please.

But you turned right, darling.

I think Diane has a point.

And besides, I think it would be a good idea

to have another man in the house.

Might keep away the prowlers.

Please, Frank.

You could make just as much money

as you do at the hospital.

There's an apartment over the garage.

Not very large, maybe, but at least it has a regular bed

and not something that leaps out of a wall at you.

No, I don't think I'm quite the type for that

"Yes, sir, no, ma'am.

"Home, driver. Walk the dog, Franklin."

We don't have a dog, and the family isn't like that.

Father never goes out and mother just goes to her bridge clubs

and I'm no trouble.

Just think...you could get set for Pebble Beach.

Well, what'll it be? Home, James?

No, not yet.

SPEAKING JAPANESE

THEY SPEAK JAPANESE

What'd she say?

I asked if she trimmed the toast for Miss Diane.

She said, "I always do it."

Then she got angry and said...

Well, in America now

I guess it would be "drop dead."

I thought the men wore the pants in Japan.

Maybe she's been too long with Mrs Tremaine.

One acquires bad habits so easily.

INTERCOM BUZZES

I'll get it. >

Hello.

Is that you, Frank?

How wonderful to hear your voice in the morning,

even if it is just "hello".

You might have said, "Awake thee, my lady love.

"Awake thee and rise.

"The sun through the bow peeps into thine eyes."

Or something like that.

Well, I might have.

Then again, I might not.

Especially not over the intercom.

What do you mean, not romantic?

You try me sometime later in the day,

and not on the phone.

Oh, I spoke to Catherine last night.

She seems interested.

No, really.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Come in.

She wants to see you.

Have you got your figures ready?

Good morning, Miss Diane.

Good morning, Ito.

SHE LAUGHS

I'll see you later.

You can tell me then in person.

I hope you find everything perfect, Miss Diane.

Oh, it looks wonderful, as usual, Ito.

Thank you, Miss Diane.

I was under the impression

these uncomfortable little cars were just a fad.

There's a great deal more to it than that, Mrs Tremaine.

Why, you have over 5,000 sports car owners right here in this area.

So I see, but aren't there any repair shops?

Oh, sure, but most of them specialise in just one make.

With one big repair shop

carrying all the important parts

for all the leading sports cars,

I don't see how it can miss.

I must say, you're persuasive.

Your figures seem to make sense.

My lawyer will have to look them over,

and there are a few questions.

Anything you'd like to know, Mrs Tremaine.

Very well. Sit down, please.

Diane's told me a little about you,

that you were driving the ambulance the night of that...accident

and how she happened to run into you the next day.

I gather that was when you told her about your plans for this garage.

Yes, that's right. We got to talking.

I see. Doesn't really make any difference,

but did you or she suggest the possibility of my investing in it?

When we talked about my shop,

I had no thought of coming here to work.

I've been saving my own money and...

So it was Diane's suggestion?

Well, with her interest in sports cars...

Of course. Well, thank you, Frank.

I'll call my lawyer today.

Oh, I don't want you to feel that you're a prisoner here.

In the evening, I mean.

Surely you have a girl.

Yes. She's working the late shift

at the hospital this month.

So that explains it. Anytime you want the car and we're at home,

don't hesitate to take it.

You'll hear from me, Frank.

Thank you, Mrs Tremaine.

Arthur Vance, please.

Catherine Tremaine.

May I invade the sanctum sanctorum?

Hello, Arthur.

Can you picture me as the co-owner of a garage?

In overalls, of course.

No, I'm really quite serious.

I have the facts and the figures right here.

I'd like you to look them over.

Oh, he's a very nice young man.

I'll send the papers over to you.

Or better still, I'll...

Oh, I see.

Well, then, when you come back from San Francisco, call me.

Goodbye, Arthur.

Well, now that I've completed the timeworn gesture,

you expect me to ask the usual favour.

Do I?

At this precise moment,

you are, with the speed of a mechanical brain,

weighing and computing an infinite number of possibilities.

Such as?

Well, one - he spent this month's allowance.

Two - he's borrowed against next month's allowance.

Three - he's charged something at a store,

which he promised word of honour he'd never do again,

and, four...

he's just kissed you because he's very sorry

and he loves you very much.

And are you guilty on all four counts?

All, especially the fourth.

Oh, I'm terribly sorry, darling,

but the moment I saw that dress,

I knew there was only one person in the world

who could wear it...

my own beloved and spoiled Diane.

I dashed into the shop.

"Is that a size ten?" I asked. It was.

"I'll take it," I said, "and hang the cost."

It was 300 plus sales tax.

I have just enough for the tax.

Charles, at times your charm wears dangerously thin.

Right now it's so thin, I can see through it.

Do you mean that 300 could so alter your perspective?

Don't speak so contemptuously of 300.

How long has it been since you've earned that much?

I've been working incessantly.

Working.

Sitting in your study sharpening pencils, listening to music.

You used to write a whole chapter at one sitting,

at least that's what you told me.

True, my dear.

That was before I met you.

CAR ENGINE ROARS

TYRES SCREECH

You're not that late.

Frank, look what I found in her wastepaper basket...

Your figures.

I don't get this.

Did she talk to the lawyer already?

Of course she hasn't. I checked.

He's out of town.

Well, then why did she talk to me like...

This isn't against you. It's to get at me.

She's done this to me so often before.

Just because I wanted her

to put up the money for you.

She could've said no right away, couldn't she?

That's too easy, don't you see?

It wouldn't hurt.

It doesn't make sense to me.

Of course it doesn't.

That's the way her mind works.

Act the lady bountiful, raise your hopes,

and then...

Oh, Frank, I'm so sorry.

Well, don't take it so hard.

You had a nice idea. It just didn't work, that's all.

I'm so sorry for you.

She changed her mind. Forget it.

We'll make a big night of it, huh?

Not tonight.

Now, why?

It would be safer not to.

We have to be careful for a few days,

more than ever now.

What do we have to be careful of now?

If she finds out, she'll dismiss you,

and I couldn't stand to lose you now.

So she fires me and I get another job.

Maybe it's better that way.

At least we won't have to play around like this,

hiding like kids.

You don't know her, Frank.

She'd lock me in.

Don't be silly.

How could she lock you in?

She could do anything to me because of my father.

If I try to fight her, she makes HIM pay for it.

She knows I can't stand that.

Please, try to understand.

OK, if that's the way you want it.

Well?

You little beast.

Oh, I concede.

You could win anytime you wanted if you really tried.

You know that.

More brandy?

Just a little.

Whoa!

Thank you.

Ambulance dispatch desk, please.

Hello, Mary?

Oh, Janie, this is Frank.

Yeah, I have been busy.

No, I tried the apartment.

Your milk and biscuits are by your bed,

and your cigarettes and matches.

What would I do without you?

Good night, Daddy.

Good night, sweetie.

Sleep tight.

No, no message.

All right. Good night, Janie.

PLAYS SLOW CLASSICAL PIECE

Frank?

Yeah?

Something wrong?

What time is it?

No, don't turn the light on.

Oh, Frank.

Ah, calm down.

What's the matter?

I can't help you if you don't tell me.

What is it?

I'd gone to bed.

I don't know for how long.

I couldn't sleep.

I was thinking of you.

But I must have dozed, because...

the next thing, I had a feeling

that someone was in my room.

I was too scared to move.

And then I saw her.

You saw who?

Catherine.

She stood there looking down at me.

Didn't you say anything?

No.

It was so strange.

I wanted to speak, and I couldn't.

Then she went over and closed the window.

I heard her cross the room.

She seemed to pause at the fireplace.

I couldn't see from my bed.

And then I heard her go out...

very quietly close the door.

I lay there for a second...

and then I heard it...

the gas.

That awful hissing sound it makes.

I jumped out of bed

and turned it off and waited.

I didn't dare leave the room.

And then after a while,

I looked out into the hall...

..and there was no-one there.

So I came over here.

Did you tell your father about this?

Well, how could I?

Well, we're going to have to tell it...

to the police.

No, Frank!

We mustn't do that.

Why not?

She'd deny it.

And we have no proof.

The police couldn't do anything.

They didn't before.

I've been thinking about that, too.

If she's trying to kill you,

why did she turn on the gas in her own room first?

To make it look as though somebody else were guilty.

Is that what you'd do?

Frank, are you accusing me?

I'm not accusing anybody,

but if I were a cop, and not a very bright cop at that,

I'd say that your story was as phony as a 3.00 bill.

How can you say that to me?

Oh, you mean after all we've been to each other?

Diane, look. I don't pretend to know what goes on

behind that pretty little face of yours,

and I don't want to.

But I learned one thing very early...

never be the innocent bystander.

That's the guy that always gets hurt.

If you want to play with matches, that's your business,

but not in gas-filled rooms.

That's not only dangerous, it's stupid.

I think you ought to go on back to the house

and get in bed and do some serious thinking.

Yes, Frank, I will.

I'm very tired.

Yeah, that I can believe.

DOORBELL BUZZES

BUZZING

Frank!

Hi.

Come in.

Why didn't you call me?

Oh, I have to call ahead of time now?

I thought maybe you forgot the number.

You ought to stick around more.

I called last night, twice.

I was out with Bill.

I've got to get dressed. I'm on early duty.

It's all right, I've been here before. Remember?

Yes, I remember.

Had your breakfast?

Yeah.

There's some coffee in the pot, if you like.

Help yourself.

What did you call me about last night, Frank?

Oh, I had some time off.

Why didn't you show up, then?

Bill was sure that you'd get there.

Show up where?

Where?

I suppose it was some other guy

who entered the singles in the hospital's bowling tournament.

Oh, that.

I've been busy.

You have? Mm-hmm.

How did Bill make out in the tournament?

Wonderful.

He rolled a 245 in the second game.

He's been making out all right with you, too, huh?

Bill was very sweet to me, Frank, after you walked out.

I took a job that pays better

than being a lousy ambulance driver.

Is that a crime?

Is taking the boss' daughter to the Mocambo

part of the job?

They've got a good band there.

Remind me to take you some time.

Who told you?

Oh, things get around.

Are you driving her car at Pebble Beach?

I don't know.

I've been thinking about quitting.

It's a weird outfit. Not for me.

Here, zip me up, will you, Frank?

Are you planning on coming back to the hospital?

Nah. I was a dope to stay there that long.

What's the score, Mary?

Has Bill taken over, or do I still rate?

That's a hard question to answer, Frank,

and I don't think a fair one to ask.

Very simple question. Yes or no?

Bill or me?

Can't you make up your mind?

Yes, but I want to be sure you can make up yours.

Can't we let it go at that for a while?

Oh, I'm on probation, huh?

OK, how about tonight? Have we got a date?

Why not?

You know something?

You're a pretty nice guy...

for a girl.

Where are you going?

I'm quitting.

Why?

Oh, let's just say it's the altitude.

Living up there makes my heart pound.

SHE CRIES

Now, let's face it.

I never should've taken this job.

You shouldn't have asked me.

It's not that I mind...

Leave me alone.

You know I'm right.

You have your world, I have mine.

You've got beautiful clothes, a big house.

Someday you'll come into a lot of money.

I've got a pair of hands, not much else.

But all I want is you.

I can't let you go now. I won't.

It's no good, I tell you.

I'm not getting involved.

Involved in what?

How stupid do you think I am?

You hate that woman,

and someday you're going to hate her enough to kill her.

It's been in the back of your mind all along.

So she's fooled you, too...

just like she has everyone else.

You don't know what she's done to my father.

I told you he was writing a wonderful book.

I believed it...

..until one day last year, I went into his study

to hide a present in his desk.

Just something between him and me.

And I found that in the drawer

where he's supposed to keep his manuscript,

there was nothing but a stack of blank paper.

He hasn't written a line since she married him.

So he got tired.

A writer marries a rich widow,

what do you expect from the writer besides checks?

Don't joke about my father.

OK, OK.

She's humiliated him and destroyed him.

There's never been anything in my life

that she hasn't begrudged or spoiled somehow.

There's no law that says you have to stay here.

Lots of other girls work for a living.

You think I'd stay one day longer

if it weren't for him?

That's where I came in.

I guess that's where I leave.

Frank, please.

Will you tell me one thing?

Do you love me at all?

I must know.

Well, I...

I suppose it's a kind of love.

But with a girl like you,

how can a man be sure?

Will you take me with you?

You had it all figured out, didn't you?

You mean you'd really leave your father and everything here?

If I have to...

to keep you.

I could be wrong about you.

I have my jewels, so we can raise a little money.

I can sell my car,

and we'll get you a shop.

Not the big one that we'd planned, but something.

I know it won't be very easy.

It'll be rough.

Maybe you'd better think it over.

I want to be sure that you know what you're getting into.

But I am sure.

Aren't you?

CAR APPROACHES

That must be her now.

You'd better get out of here.

We'll think it over for a couple of days.

You won't leave?

You won't go without me, promise?

FOOTSTEPS

I promise.

SHE SPEAKS JAPANESE

Ito.

What's the matter?

Heavy, she says.

The only trouble with America...

it spoils the women.

Oh, yeah?

I put a new set of spark plugs in this.

It ought to run a lot better.

ENGINE STARTS

Sounds very good.

Have a nice day.

Chio, Chio.

Chio. Is she in here?

No. Thursday off.

Oh, could you help me, dear? I've looked everywhere.

I can't find a single pair of gloves.

I don't know where they've all gone.

Take a pair of mine.

Oh, thank you, dear.

Will these do?

But they're new. I'd hate to lose them.

Haven't you any...

Please take them. I'd like you to.

Why, thank you, dear.

You can be so sweet at times.

Oh, dear. I must rush.

Oh, Diane. Now I can't find Frank.

Do you know where he is?

That man's never there when you want him.

Frank?

Yes. I don't know what's got into him the last few days.

I'm so sorry. It's my fault.

I completely forgot.

It's something to do with a tappet rod.

I said he could take my car and pick it up.

You forgot?

Well, you know I have to be in Santa Barbara by 12.00.

Well, maybe he'll be back soon.

Maybe? They don't just hold up bridge tournaments, you know.

Well, I'll drive you.

Oh, no, thank you. I'll drive myself.

Goodbye, dear. Wish me luck.

Where are the keys?

In the car.

SHE PLAYS PIANO

Catherine.

I'm in a dreadful hurry, Charles.

I was wondering if you'd drop me in Beverly.

I'm very late. Any other time.

Why don't you ask Diane?

Her car's not here.

Very well, I'll drop you, but hurry, please.

Wonderful. This way I can keep my appointment.

I won't take you out of your way, my darling. I promise.

Just drop me off at Wilshire and Rodeo.

ENGINE STARTS

TYRES SCREECH

Aah!

Hello, Frank. How you been?

Fine, Ed. How are you?

Fine. Sit down.

Someone was asking about you just the other night.

That redheaded partner of yours?

Oh, Bill.

I haven't seen much of him lately.

Driving for people like the Tremaines

made you kind of exclusive, huh?

I wouldn't say that.

Job just kept me pretty busy, that's all.

Looks like you'll have to find a new one now,

with the Tremaines dead.

How long were you up there?

About a month.

How'd you happen to land that job, anyway?

Just happened to fall into it.

We got a call from up there one night.

Yeah, I know.

I got the report right here.

Asphyxiation case. Mrs Tremaine.

Probably accidental.

Sure makes you wonder, don't it?

What do you mean?

She claimed somebody tried to murder her.

She was hysterical.

Why would anyone try to murder her?

Are you kidding?

A woman with her kind of money?

Oh, by the way, Frank,

what sort of a girl is this stepdaughter, er...

Diane?

Very nice girl. Very pretty girl.

Any boyfriends?

None that I ever saw.

She and her father were very close.

But didn't get along with her stepmother, huh?

I didn't say that, Ed.

OK.

When was the last time you drove the Tremaine car?

This morning when I took it out of the garage.

You notice anything wrong with it?

Not a thing.

Well, do you remember whether you left it in gear?

In reverse, maybe.

No. No, I'd say not.

With me, it's automatic to shift into neutral

before I cut a motor.

TELEPHONE RINGS

Yeah.

Oh?

That so?

All right, bring it in.

Getting back to the stepdaughter,

you say she had no boyfriends, huh?

Well, not that I know of.

You and the girl weren't planning to run off together,

now, were you? No.

Then how do you account for her suitcase

in your room?

Well, Ed, it's the suit...

Hold it.

If I were in your spot, Frank,

I'd hire myself a lawyer.

You can imagine what a shock it was.

I've known Catherine for 20 years.

Her father was one of my first clients.

Did you draw up the will?

Two years ago.

Tremaine was to get a fixed income as long as he lived.

He wasn't very practical about money.

The bulk of the estate was to go to Diane.

The district attorney will use that against us.

Hello, Kelly.

Oh, hello, Mr Barrett.

We're here to see Miss Diane Tremaine.

Come in.

You're looking good, boy.

Thanks. This is Mr Barrett, Sergeant.

Hello, Sergeant, and Arthur Vance.

Good morning, good morning, Sergeant.

I wish you wouldn't speak too much about her father.

Today's the first day that she's gone without sedatives.

She idolised the man, Fred.

It's no wonder her nerves are cracked.

Ah.

Theresa.

Hello, Theresa.

Hello. Right over there.

Legal eagle Barrett.

That Tremaine dame really must be in trouble.

Quiet, Lorna. That's no way to talk.

Tremaine.

Miss Tremaine, your lawyers are here.

Diane, this is Fred Barrett.

He's going to handle your defence.

Fred is just about the best trial man in the country,

and we were very lucky to get him.

But I don't want anyone to defend me.

I know just how you feel.

It's the most natural reaction in the world.

I would want my daughter to feel the same.

She's just about your age.

But, Diane, a girl of 20 has her whole life ahead of her.

You must not permit your grief, understandable as it may be...

But I did it.

You mustn't say such things.

That's all right. Let her talk.

Go ahead.

I did it all by myself.

Not Frank.

BARRETT: You're a very sick girl.

You know that, don't you?

Otherwise you wouldn't be here.

I know what I'm saying.

Sure, but the doctor doesn't want you to make any statement.

That's why he hasn't permitted the district attorney

to question you yet.

But Frank is innocent.

The law says you're both innocent until proved guilty.

Both. Do you understand?

Now, I want you to listen, Diane, very carefully.

Everything the district attorney has...

all the evidence... links you and Frank together.

The motive, the means, the opportunity.

It wouldn't do either one of you any good

to shoulder the blame or to pass it on.

It would only convince a jury you're both lying, both guilty.

But I'm telling the truth.

The truth is what the jury decides.

Not you, not me, not Frank.

If you quit, he's through, too,

but if you want to fight, he has a chance...

I think a pretty good chance.

I don't have to cooperate, Mr Barrett,

and I already have my own attorney.

You'll keep your own lawyer.

Mr Louis is not going to leave the case.

Of course not, but I don't think

we should disregard Mr Barrett's offer.

To be very blunt, Mr Jessup,

I'm not particularly interested in saving your neck.

My only concern is with my client Diane Tremaine.

Yeah, that's what I figured.

But the point is,

you have a much better chance together than separately,

and the evidence actually points much more to you than it does to her.

The fact that an automobile was involved...

If she thinks she can get away with that,

she's lost her mind.

No-one's trying to get away with anything,

but in cases like this, you can't overlook the personal equation.

She'll get a lot of sympathy.

A pretty girl, deeply devoted to her father,

on the best of terms with her stepmother,

who was a kind and generous woman, as you well know.

Oh, do I?

The family lawyer told me she was planning

to set you up in the garage business.

That's not what Diane said. Somebody's lying.

Probably a misunderstanding,

but it's not important. What I want to know

is whether you're willing to follow our strategy.

Frank, you ought to bear in mind Mr Barrett's record.

He's never lost a case yet.

Let's not say never.

Suppose you tell us what you have in mind, Mr Barrett.

Your client and mine are getting married.

We're what? Just a moment.

I don't quite follow you on this marriage idea.

It's very simple. All the world loves a lover.

Juries are no exception.

No, Mr Barrett. Nothing doing.

The DA is going to make a lot of that suitcase in his room.

He'll accuse them of having an affair.

We'll make a virtue of it.

Certainly they were lovers,

and not ashamed to admit it,

but a tragic accident

and the intervention of the police prevented their elope,

but even prison bars cannot change their love or halt the marriage.

But wouldn't the district attorney block it?

He wouldn't dare stand in the path of true love

with an election coming up in November.

Think it over, Mr Jessup.

Let me know his decision as soon as possible.

I now pronounce you man and wife.

Congratulations. You're married now.

You may kiss the bride.

May I take just one?

No pictures, please.

Never let it be said this wedding was arranged

with any thought of publicity.

Congratulations.

All the happiness in the world.

Sorry we can't stay for the party.

We thought you'd like a cake,

so the girls chipped in.

There ain't much we can say,

but, kids, we sure hope you beat the rap.

# Oh, promise me that someday you and I

# Will take our love together to the sky

# Where we can be alone and then renew

# And find the hollows where those flowers grew

# The birds we fly with, the birds will sing... #

Have you reached any decision about the plea?

Not guilty.

Isn't that too much of a gamble?

Well, what happens if we plead insanity?

They turn her over to the DA'S psychiatrist.

You know what that means -

questions, answers...

No. We wouldn't want that.

And what if they did find she was off?

That wouldn't help the man, would it?

Insanity's not contagious.

At least we can't prove it.

Besides, it would tie up the estate.

GAVEL POUNDS

Will you please continue, Mr Miller?

So that rod connected to the gearshift lever...

on the steering post... comes down here...

..and is coupled to the bell crank here...

..by a Cotter pin.

Will you demonstrate just how that operates, Mr Miller?

Yes, sir, if someone would be good enough

to shift into reverse for me.

I'll try.

Just a moment.

All right, now.

See, the bell crank moves forward.

In drive.

Back.

But if I were to remove this Cotter pin...

and uncouple this shifting rod...

very simple operation, as you can see...

then no matter what you do with the shift lever,

the bell crank remains as it was,

in drive, neutral, or reverse,

wherever it may happen to be.

Thank you. You made it quite clear.

Now, Mr Miller, will you point out the throttle retractor spring

and explain its purpose?

Yes, sir.

Now, this is the throttle retractor spring.

Its function is to control the amount of gasoline released

when you step down on the accelerator.

Was this spring found in the wrecked car?

No, sir.

This part, ladies and gentlemen of the jury,

was missing from the wrecked Tremaine car.

Now, will you explain what happens if this spring is removed?

Well, a person stepping down on the accelerator opens it wide,

like putting the gas pedal right to the floor.

In other words, er, giving the motor full throttle.

Yes, sir. Thank you.

Now, this motor was removed from the wrecked Tremaine car

under your supervision?

Yes, sir.

And what did you find in connection with the gearshift rod?

That there was no connection.

It had been disconnected, and the Cotter pin had been removed.

May the answer be stricken.

The witness cannot know that the pin or any other part was removed,

or that anything had been disconnected.

Motion granted.

But the Cotter pin was missing?

That is correct.

So was the throttle retractor spring. It was off, too.

And in what position was the bell crank?

In neutral, in drive, or reverse?

It was in reverse.

And will you tell the jury in what position

was the shift lever on the steering wheel?

It was pointed at drive.

Now, Mr Miller, would you say that in your opinion

the Tremaine car had been tampered with?

Objection.

As a qualified expert,

the witness is permitted to express his opinion

as to the result of his investigation.

Exception.

Well, Mr Miller?

Yes, sir, I would say that it had been tampered with.

You may cross-examine, Mr Barrett.

Mr Miller, it has been testified that the Tremaine automobile

fell a total distance of 150 feet,

hitting and bouncing off rocks in its descent,

and now you say that, strangely enough,

certain parts of this motor are missing or damaged.

As I look at this heap of metal before me,

I can't help but wonder that any part of it escaped undamaged.

And as for missing parts,

do you see a carburetor, for instance?

No, sir. It was either unrecognisable or couldn't be found,

but there wasn't as much damage done to the shift mechanism.

Couldn't the throttle spring have been dislodged

by the impact of the crash?

The very fact that it was a spring with play in it

would make me be inclined to think...

Forgetting your inclinations for the moment, Mr Miller,

isn't it a possibility?

Yes, I'd have to say that.

You testified that the lever on the steering wheel

was found pointing to drive while the car was actually in reverse.

Now I ask whether in your opinion

this lever could not have been jarred

from one position to the other

during the course of the drop.

It might, but, uh...

And this, er, missing connection,

could that have broken off when the car struck on the rocks?

No, sir. Not in my opinion.

If it had, you'd expect to see a part

of the sheared-off Cotter pin in one of the holes,

or scratches, or marks, or some bending to show where it had pulled out.

There wasn't a sign.

Excuse me, but, er, could I ask the witness a question?

By all means.

Is it improper to ask if maybe this Cotter pin

mightn't have been defective?

I only ask because I had one bust off

when I was fixing my kid's express wagon last week.

That's a very good question, sir.

Mr Miller, will you answer the juror?

He asks, might not the Cotter pin have been defective?

Well, maybe one in a million might be, but...

Mr Miller, would you be willing to stake your life

on there being only one defective Cotter pin in a million?

Think carefully now.

Remember our juror came across one just last week.

Maybe not a million, but I...

Maybe 1 in 1,000. Maybe one in 100.

Your honour, the question is argumentative.

I object to counsel badgering the witness

over this relatively minor point.

No point is minor when the lives of two innocent people...

Now, gentlemen, let's have no bickering.

Defense counsel is quite within his rights.

Could I ask another question now?

You certainly may.

Well, what I'd like to know from Mr Miller

is whether rigging a car like he says is a very complicated thing,

or could anyone do it, even a woman?

Tell the juror, Mr Miller.

Well, as I said before, it's a very simple mechanical operation.

Once it had been explained, I'm sure you could do it yourself, sir,

in a matter of minutes.

Thank you. Thank you.

Mr Miller, you live in Detroit, do you not?

Yes, sir.

Then will you please tell the jury