02x09 - The Case of the Purple Woman

[bunniefuu]

( noirish jazz theme playing )

( crickets chirping )

Yes, Mr. Kovac,
there are more.

I've got the finest collection
of Van Hootens

in the United States.

You must feel
like Alexander the Great,

weeping because there are
no new worlds to conquer.

That's where you're wrong,
Mr. Kovac.

There will always
be new worlds. Cigar?

Thank you.

There must be, um,

a dozen Van Hootens
that have never been discovered.

Believe me,
they have been lost forever.

What about
The Purple Woman?

It has been destroyed.

Well, I've got
a little surprise for you.

It's incredible.

Where did you obtain
this painting?

Let's just say
it became available.

I'd hate to tell you
what the little lady cost me.

I would advise you
to get your money back.

What do you mean?

You have been sold
a forgery.

Are you
out of your mind?

It's got to be
the real thing.

Look at that color,
the brushwork.

It is incredible,
but not a Van Hooten.

And you can decide
that with one look?

With one look.

You have been swindled
by someone

who knows a great deal more
about art than you do.

( dramatic theme playing )

( mysterious theme playing )

MAN:
Did you think I'd pay you
$ , for a fake?

Answer me, Girard.

Mr. Varner, you amuse me.

Here you are, a self-made
authority on modern art.

Your collection
is second to none.

Who would believe
that the great Rufus Varner

has been taken
in by a fraud?

Well, uh...
nobody has to know.

But you want
your money back.

Naturally, I shall
have to inform the press

about what happened.

You wouldn't dare.

Why, your own reputation
would be ruined.

Would it?

When I told you The Purple Woman
had been found,

I advised you to consult
an expert, like Kovac.

But you couldn't be
bothered.

Because I trusted you.

Oh, no. Because you thought
you knew it all.

New York, Paris, Rome...

The whole art world
is waiting to laugh

at your pretentiousness.

And you have
the enormous vanity

of most ignorant men.

But I digress.

You're waiting
for the return of your money.

I'll have Miss Andrews
make out a check.

No.

Wait.

As you wish.

Just tell me one thing:

Who painted that painting?

I was under the impression
it was Van Hooten.

( mysterious theme playing )

Mm. This is good cognac,
Mrs. Girard.

As good as I've had
in years.

Thank you, Mr. Hubble.

( chuckles )

That's right.
You should thank me.

After all, you and your husband
can afford the best

because of people
like me.

What are you
talking about?

Don't you own the building
at Broadhurst?

Yes, my grandfather
left it to me.

Mm-hmm.
And I suppose you don't know

that I've been working on
The Purple Woman there

for the past six months?

The Purple Woman?

You had no idea.

No.

You liar.

How dare you?

( mockingly ):
"How dare you?"

( laughing )

You know, I'd like
to paint you sometime.

Who knows,
I might do as much for you

as Goya did
for the Duchess of Alba.

( doorbell rings )

Or vice versa.

If you'll excuse me,
I think that's my husband.

Oh, what a bore.

I've hardly had time
to get acquainted.

But that's the traditional role
of husbands.

They always intrude
at the most inopportune moment.

Good evening, Milo.

What are you
doing here, Hubble?

You never seem to be in
when I call at the gallery.

Evelyn, would you be
good enough to...?

Of course.

It was nice seeing you,
Mrs. Girard.

Let's do it again sometime.

I don't recall
inviting you here.

Afraid I'll contaminate
the premises?

That was one of my reasons.

Well, Rufus Varner
bought The Purple Woman,

and I want to be paid off.

You promised me
a show of my own.

Did I?

Yes.

You told me if I could paint
the Van Hooten good enough

to fool Rufus Varner,
I could write my own ticket.

Oh, don't be naive.

Of course
you can imitate Van Hooten.

That doesn't mean
you're an artist.

You're a hack, Hubble.

You have all the creativity
of a house painter.

They said that about
Van Gogh.

Then why don't you compare
yourself to da Vinci

while you're at it?

You stick by your agreement,

or I'll go to Varner
and spill everything.

I very much doubt
that Mr. Varner would admit

that he was victimized.

Then I'll go to the newspapers.

I believe you tried
that once before.

As I recall, you earned quite
a reputation for yourself

as a drunken crackpot.

But don't let me prevent you
from trying them again.

What did he want, Milo?

( door opens )

( door closes )

My dear Evelyn, have I ever
allowed my business affairs

to intrude
on our marriage?

Then what makes you think
I intend to start now?

The way he talked--

Oh, yes.

Another member
of the "Hate Girard" society.

I believe
you're the president.

Aren't you, my dear?

I've earned the office.

You really despise me,
don't you?

I don't think
I'll ever be happy again

as long as you live.

( dramatic theme playing )

Good night, my child.

EVELYN:
Perhaps you'll think
I'm being disloyal, Mr. Mason,

but frankly,
I don't trust my husband,

and I can't afford
to be sued.

I have reason to believe

that recently
he defrauded a collector

with a painting called
The Purple Woman.

In the first place,

you're not responsible
for the torts of your husband.

Torts?

Wrongful acts

for which civil action
may be brought.

But suppose they can prove
that I cooperated with him?

Did you?
No.

No, but the collector
may think so.

The copy was painted
in a building which I own.

Even the artist,
a man named Aaron Hubble,

is under the impression that he
had my approval to work there.

I thought your husband
was so successful,

he needn't resort
to this kind of thing.

My husband is a very
peculiar man, Mr. Mason.

If there are two ways
to do something,

and one of them
is illegitimate,

you can trust Milo
to pick that way.

If, by chance,
you were wondering

why I don't get
a divorce--

No, I'd-- I'd assumed
you had your reasons.

I come from a very strait-laced
family, Mr. Mason.

My father--

My father is a very
prominent churchman.

But that doesn't mean

that I have to condone
my husband's actions,

or suffer for them.

All right, Mrs. Girard,
I'll do what I can.

Thank you.

I have an associate,
a Mr. Paul Drake,

who may get in touch
with you.

All right.
Thank you again for seeing me.

Goodbye, Miss Street.
Goodbye.

What do you think?

Quite disillusioned.

Quite right.

( mysterious theme playing )

Della.
I know.

Get Paul on the phone?
Mm-hmm.

How about this, Mr. Girard?

Is it true that Varner's paid
a big price for a new canvas?

My dear friend, why come to me
about the Varner collection?

Well, he won't see
any newspapermen,

and you are his dealer.
Not anymore.

Oh? I understood he bought
this picture from you.

Mr. Gordon, you understand
the relationship

between dealer and client.
Even a former client.

As a man of integrity,
I couldn't possibly--

Oh, I'm sorry, Milo.

Miss Andrews didn't tell me
you were busy.

Oh, don't go,
darling.

Oh, Mr. Gordon, I don't think
you've met my wife.

Evelyn, this is Wayne Gordon,
best art critic in town.

Thank you for the kind words.
Even if they are true.

How do you do, Mrs. Girard?

I must apologize
for breaking in this way.

Nonsense, darling. You know
I'm always too happy to--

( intercom buzzes )

Yes, Doris?
DORIS: Mr. Brady's here.

Ask him to wait.
I'll be right out.

I'm sorry, Mr. Gordon, but you
will excuse me for a moment?

Oh, yes, of course.
Evelyn,

will you entertain
Mr. Gordon?

I shan't be long.

Why haven't I heard
from you?

It isn't right.

Evelyn, I've got to see you.
Oh, please.

If Milo found us...

I'll call you.
When?

Tonight. I promise.

MILO:
Goodbye, Mr. Brady.

Goodbye, Mrs. Girard.
Goodbye, Mr. Gordon.

Oh, leaving already?

Well,
since you wouldn't talk to me,

I thought I'd try
Varner again.

Good luck.

Well, that was
an amusing little charade.

( chuckles )

"Mrs. Girard."
"Mr. Gordon."

Oh, yes.
I know all about Wayne.

Where did you get those?

Darling,
you should be more careful.

A child could pick that lock
on your vanity table.

( chuckling )

I can't imagine how he got
a job on a newspaper.

Mmm.

Well, I-I did think
Wayne could do better.

I never answered
any of those letters.

That's the truth, Milo.

Mm.

I may have been guilty
of bad judgment,

but that's as far
as it went.

( chuckles )

Wh-what are you
going to do?

I haven't quite
decided yet.

A nice, juicy divorce
has a certain appeal.

( chuckles )

I'd love to see
your father's face

when he reads the papers.

Or do you think
the very Reverend Dr. Bates

might even come down
for the trial?

Darling, careful.

You might hurt yourself.

I'll k*ll you.

So help me,
I'll k*ll you.

( knock on door )

Mr. Girard, I--

Oh, I-I'm sorry.
I thought I heard--

You heard me,
Miss Andrews.

You must forgive
my wife, Doris.

She's the emotional type.

As an intellectual,
you wouldn't understand that.

Doris, rub my neck.

I'm afraid I'm getting
one of my headaches.

Want me to do anything
for you before I go?

No.

What's wrong?

Paul has a theory
that Mrs. Girard

hasn't exactly been
honest with us.

Do you mean she made up that
story about The Purple Woman?

I don't know if that's
one of her inventions.

But this afternoon, her husband
retained Stauffer and Walton

to institute suit for divorce
on grounds of infidelity.

( mysterious theme playing )

Good morning,
Mr. Girard.

Milo...

What's the--?

( dramatic theme playing )

( screams )

( dramatic theme playing )

This is ridiculous,
Mr. Mason.

How could anyone possibly
believe I m*rder*d my husband?

I can think of two
or three reasons, offhand.

One, your husband
instituted suit for divorce,

and you didn't want it.

Two, the police have
several statements

concerning your quarrels
with him.

Three,
they found your fingerprints

on the m*rder w*apon.

Do you think I'm guilty?

According to the police,
your husband was k*lled

between midnight
and in the morning.

Now, where were you
at that time?

Home.

The servants say that you
left your home at :

and didn't return
until after .

Well, I, um, couldn't sleep.
I went for a drive.

What time did you go
to your husband's office?

I didn't go
to my husband's office.

Someone b*rned a number
of letters there last night.

Well...

Now, listen,
Mrs. Girard.

The police
are very efficient.

You'd be surprised

what they can do
with a handful of ashes.

Those letters
were addressed to you.

Well, I don't know
anything about them.

The only other person
who might have had a motive

to destroy those letters
was the man who wrote them.

No, he didn't have anything
to do with it.

I went to my husband's office
to plead with him.

I asked him
to give me the letters back.

When I walked in, I--
I saw him leaning over the desk.

By his side,
there was his favorite figurine.

I picked it up.

Why?

Oh, I don't know. I didn't
realize what I was doing.

Then I saw the blood.

I dropped it.
I started to leave.

And then I remembered
about the letters.

They were in the top drawer
of his desk.

I got them out...
and b*rned them.

And that's all I did,
I swear.

Who's the man?

There's no reason
to involve him in this.

You don't seem to realize
you've been charged with m*rder.

That's all the more reason

not to involve
an innocent party.

I didn't k*ll my husband,
Mr. Mason.

You've got to believe that.

I was Milo Girard's secretary
for almost ten years.

He was my first employer.

I never wanted to work
for anybody else.

He knew more about art than all
his patrons put together.

I can think of several men
who might argue the point.

Does the name Hubble
mean anything to you?

Hubble? No.

According to Mrs. Girard,

Hubble had business dealings
with her husband.

That's ridiculous.

Mr. Girard handled only
top-flight names.

He wouldn't touch Aaron Hubble
with a ten-foot pole.

Oh, did I say his first name
was Aaron?

Now, look, Mr. Mason,
( intercom buzzes )

I came here--
Excuse me.

Yes, Della?

Good.

Yes, right away.

Yes.

I'm sorry, Miss Andrews.
You were saying?

I don't like your attitude.

I was obliging enough
to come up here tonight,

and then to sit while you
question every--

Well... Well, well, well,
looks like Old Home Week.

Come in, Mr. Hubble.

Who painted that?
Paul Daly.

He's a hack.
Get rid of it.

I'm surprised you're not
in mourning, angel.

You'd look well
in black.

Then you know Miss Andrews?
Know her?

Why, every time I tried
to see Girard,

she was guarding
his door like--

like a tigress
defending her young.

( chuckles )

Take care of yourself,
dearie.

( door slams )

Oh, she's
real crazy about me.

That's why she
rushed off like that.

She didn't want
to give herself away.

Hey, you, uh, wouldn't happen to
have a drink around, would ya?

Della...
What would you like?

Anything,
and forget the ice.

Well, actually,
I can't stand the stuff.

I just drink
because it's expected of me.

I understand you're a very
talented artist, Mr. Hubble.

Well, you're obviously a man
of great discernment, Mr. Mason.

You did some work
for Mr. Girard, didn't you?

I spent six months
on a job for that peasant.

No other artist in the country
could do what I did.

Here you are.

( chuckles ):
Thanks.

Uh, remind me
to paint you sometime.

You, uh, ever hear
of The Purple Woman?

That the name of a portrait?

It was supposed to be
by Van Hooten...

only it wasn't.

You mean,
you forged a Van Hooten?

That's right.

Why, I once forged a Gauguin
that was so good,

Girard kept it himself.

Is that such an achievement?

I mean,
you could probably fool me,

but that wouldn't take
very much.

Say, listen...

I fooled one of the biggest
collectors in the world,

Rufus Varner.

Did you tell that to Varner?

No.
No, he wouldn't see me.

And then after Girard
was m*rder*d,

I went to
the district attorney.

What did Mr. Burger
have to say?

He said I was
a screwball wino

who was just looking
for cheap publicity.

Are you looking
for publicity?

Well, why not?

I'm one of the greatest
talents alive.

If they knew
I fooled Rufus Varner,

they'd look at me
with new respect.

All I need is publicity.
That'd get me a one-man show.

All right, Mr. Hubble,
keep in touch.

You may get
all the publicity you want.

( mysterious theme playing )

Now let's come to the point,
Mr. Mason.

I only agreed to see you

because your secretary said
it was of vital importance.

Do you consider m*rder of
"vital importance," Mr. Varner?

Whose m*rder?
Milo Girard's.

It's of no importance to me.

The police may think
otherwise.

Are you trying
to intimidate me?

I'm just stating one
of the basic facts of life.

When a man is m*rder*d,
sooner or later,

the police get around
to investigating

all his acquaintances.

Friendly
or otherwise.

Are you insinuating that I was
one of Girard's enemies?

I'm just curious
as to how well you knew him.

I bought a few paintings
from him, that's all.

Suppose one of them
was a forgery?

Do you know who
you're talking to?

Do you honestly think that
anyone could sell me a forgery?

Milo Girard did.

Get out.

Mr. Varner...

an innocent woman
may go to her death

because of your vanity.

Now, won't you go with me to see
the district attorney?

Mason, I've dealt with
men like you before.

Better too.

Take my advice.

Don't try to involve me
in this mess.

That a thr*at?

Let's just say that...

I'm giving you the benefit
of my experience.

I'll bear that in mind.

( ominous theme playing )

From what I can remember,

Varner started collecting
about , years ago.

I mean,
collecting on a big scale.

I think he made his money
in South America.

Gold mines, I believe.
No, tin.

Oh. You obviously know more
about the man than I do.

But I know considerably
less about art.

Now, would you be willing
to testify for the defense?

So that's why you
got me up here.

That's why.

What can you tell me
about Van Hooten?

Aside from what
I've read here.

Well, I see you've got his
letters to his sister, Marte.

I guess you know
it all then.

In one of his letters,

he mentioned a painting
called The Purple Woman.

Oh, yes.

That was painted in Ireland
in or ' .

Van Hooten
gave the painting

to the girl he used
for his model.

For some unknown reason, she
wasn't happy with the portrait

and kept it in the cellar.

Then around ,
I think it was,

the place b*rned
to the ground.

Suppose that painting
would show up today.

Apparently,
we've heard the same rumor.

A couple of weeks ago,

someone told me
Girard had sold Varner

a forged Van Hooten.

Do you recall
who this "someone" is?

Well,
I tried to run the thing down,

but got nowhere.

Now, uh, if I should
run across the painting,

whom would you nominate
to establish its authenticity

or lack of it?

Well, there's Brocklyn in
Amsterdam, Haversham in London.

Then, of course, there's Kovac.
He's the greatest of all.

Incidentally, he's right here
in Los Angeles.

I understand he's leaving for
Paris at the end of the week.

Well, thank you again
for your help, Mr. Gordon.

Not at all.
If there's anything I can do

in the future to help,
don't fail to call on me.

Goodbye, Mr. Gordon.
Goodbye.

I think he'll be
a good witness.

( knock on door )

There's our wandering boy now.

Come in, Paul.

Hi, beautiful.
Hello, Perry.

Well, you look like
you hit the jackpot.

I did.
I have just seen Laslo Kovac.

Do you know who he is?

World's greatest expert
on Van Hooten.

And just how
did you know that?

You're not the only
detective around here.

Well, here's something
you didn't know.

When Kovac arrived
in Los Angeles,

Varner invited him
to visit his collection.

Did he see
The Purple Woman?

He did. He said it was
a phony from way back.

He even volunteered to testify
if you want him to.

Oh, that's
wonderful, Paul.

Now we won't have to use
Wayne Gordon.

Now we won't have
to use who?

Wayne Gordon, the art critic
on the Chronicle.

Uh-huh. That's not all he is.

He is also
Evelyn Girard's boyfriend.

You sure of that?
I am.

Well, I certainly hope
the district attorney's office

doesn't find out
about that.

They don't have to.
They're way ahead of us.

Where do you think
I picked up this information?

( dramatic theme playing )

( ominous theme playing )

And-- And then, just before
I left for the evening,

Mr. Girard asked me
to call his wife.

He wanted me to tell her
he wouldn't be home to dinner

because he was gonna be
working late at the gallery.

So Mrs. Girard was aware

that her husband was at the
gallery the night of the m*rder?

I object, Your Honor.

The witness cannot testify
to what anyone else knew.

She can only testify
to what she herself knew

and to what she did.
Sustained.

Then let me
put it this way:

Did Mr. Girard ask you
to instruct anyone else

that he was gonna be
at the gallery that night?

No. As a matter of fact,
he asked me not to tell anyone.

He wanted to make sure
he wasn't disturbed.

I see. Now, Miss Andrews,
you testified earlier that

the defendant only visited
her husband's office

on five occasions
that you can remember,

and that on four of those
occasions, everything seemed

to be very amicable.
DORIS: Yes.

Would you now tell
this court

in what respect
the fifth occasion

differed from the others?

She tried to k*ll him.

( spectators murmuring )

( gavel bangs )

Would you tell us what
you mean by that statement?

Exactly what I said.

She tried to s*ab him
with a pair of scissors.

DORIS:
He discovered
a number of love letters

some man had written her.

Thank you,
Miss Andrews.

Cross-examine,
counselor.

Now, Miss Andrews,

what are your feelings
toward the defendant?

Do you like her,
or do you dislike her?

If you want me to say
I don't like her, I don't.

I don't like her,
and I don't trust her.

But you found your employer
to be completely trustworthy?

Yes, I did.

Mr. Girard had to travel
a great deal

in the course of business,
is that not correct?

Yes.

And you accompanied him
sometimes?

Well, yes, whenever he felt

he'd need a secretary
on the trip.

Is it true that you went
to San Francisco

with Mr. Girard
on January th of this year?

Yes.

Did you see the defendant
on that trip?

No.

Are you sure,
Miss Andrews?

Yes, I'm--
I'm positive.

You're, of course, familiar
with Mr. Girard's handwriting?

Yes, of course.

I show you now what purports
to be a registration card

of the Gateview Hotel
in Palo Alto,

showing a registration
for Mr. Milo Girard and wife.

MASON:
Now, is this
Mr. Girard's handwriting?

I can't tell.

I noticed that room
is the room assigned

to Mr. Girard and wife.

Do you recall
what your room number was?

No, I don't remember.

Then let me refresh
your memory.

Don't bother.

I was in love
with Milo Girard.

And he loved me.

I have no further questions.

The witness
may step down.

I call Wayne Gordon
to the stand please.

Did the defendant
ever tell you

that she was
in love with you?

Yes, sir.

And you were in love with her?
Yes, I was.

And I still am.

BURGER:
Did you ever ask
the defendant to marry you?

WAYNE:
Is there anything wrong
with that?

Not a thing, Mr. Gordon,
but it did present a problem.

The defendant was married
at the time.

Or did you ask her
to divorce her husband?

Yes, I did.

BURGER:
What was her reply to that?

WAYNE:
She told me she didn't
believe in divorce.

BURGER:
That didn't prevent her
from seeing you.

WAYNE:
Yes, it did.

Didn't you meet her
on the th of this month

at her husband's office?

That was wholly
accidental.

Was it wholly
accidental

that she phoned you
at your office the week before?

As a matter of fact,
she phoned you three times

before she was
able to reach you.

Isn't that so, Mr. Gordon?
Yes.

What was the purpose
of these calls?

Well, she wanted some advice.

She thought her husband
had involved her in a fraud.

I suggested
she see a lawyer.

Any particular lawyer?
Perry Mason.

And how did Mr. Mason
advise the defendant?

I object, Your Honor.

The question not only
calls for hearsay,

it also calls for
a privileged communication.

JUDGE:
The objection is sustained.

No further questions.

Your witness.

( Burger coughs )

Mr. Gordon, you testified

that you advised the defendant
to consult an attorney.

Yes, sir.
Why?

Well,
Mrs. Girard was afraid

of being involved
in a lawsuit

over a painting
called The Purple Woman.

And what exactly
is The Purple Woman?

I object, Your Honor.

Not only is the question

incompetent, irrelevant
and immaterial,

but counsel is fully aware

I covered none of that
in direct examination.

If it please the court,

the district attorney
asked this witness on direct

why Mrs. Girard
wanted advice.

He replied that she
thought her husband

had involved her
in a fraud,

and I maintain I have a right
to inquire into this fraud

and determine
all its ramifications.

I'm inclined
to agree with you, Mr. Mason.

The objection
is overruled.

MASON:
Thank you, Your Honor.

Now, Mr. Gordon,

what did the defendant tell you
about this so-called fraud?

She told me that Mr. Girard
had swindled some collector

with a forged painting
called The Purple Woman.

Did she tell you the name of the
artist who painted the forgery?

Yes, sir. She told me
his name was Aaron Hubble.

MASON:
Did she tell you
the name of the collector

who bought the painting?

WAYNE:
No.

Thank you, Mr. Gordon.
That'll be all.

You may step down.

Well, gentlemen, the court
is going to take judicial notice

of the time of day
and suggest we recess for lunch.

Court's adjourned
until : this afternoon.

( mysterious theme playing )

Who gets the ham on rye
and the milk?

Our growing boy.

And the bacon and tomato?
I do.

Well, I guess by the process
of elimination,

the next one must be mine.

Thank you, Martha.
You're welcome, Mr. Mason.

Good afternoon,
counselor.

You're pretty cute.

What's the trouble,
lieutenant?

Don't play innocent.

You know Burger
wouldn't let you insinuate

that that painting has anything
to do with this case.

But let me tell you
one thing, counselor.

It may be that you sealed
your own tomb.

It seems
that Mr. Hubble, uh,

has long ears.

What's that
supposed to mean?

Oh, no, just because
you spoiled my meal

is no reason
for me to spoil yours.

You just go ahead
and have a good lunch, folks.

( suspenseful theme playing )

Now, Mr. Hubble, you visited
the deceased at his home

the day before
the m*rder?

Yes.
For what purpose?

I wanted to discuss
a painting with him.

Girard had exploited me.

I painted The Purple Woman,
and that's something--

Mr. Hubble, please answer just
the questions that I put to you.

Now, you visited the deceased
at his home

the day before the m*rder,
is that correct?

Yes.

And who admitted you
to the house on that occasion?

Mrs. Girard. I talked to her
about the painting, but--

Your Honor, would you please
instruct this witness

to answer only those questions
I put to him?

But you want the truth.

Mr. Hubble,
you will confine yourself

only to the questions asked
by the district attorney.

Thank you,
Your Honor.

Now, Mr. Hubble,
was Mrs. Girard present

during your discussion
with Mr. Girard?

No, she came back
as I left.

I'm afraid I was guilty
of bad manners.

What do you mean?

Well, I was curious to hear

how Girard
would explain me away,

so I waited
in the entry hall,

and, uh,
did a little eavesdropping.

And what did you
overhear?

When Mrs. Girard wanted
to know who I was,

he described me as a member
of the "Hate Girard" society.

He said she was
the president.

And what was the defendant's
response to that?

Oh, she said
she earned the office,

and that she'd never
be happy again

as long as he lived.

BURGER:
She'd never be happy again
as long as he lived?

HUBBLE:
Yes.

Thank you, Mr. Hubble.
That's all. Your witness.

Mr. Hubble...

you testified that
Mr. Girard characterized you

as a member
of the "Hate Girard" society.

That's right.

How do you feel
about Mrs. Girard?

I've got nothing
against her.

You testified
that Mr. Girard was alone

when you came
to the Girards' home that night.

Yes.

At that time,
didn't you call her a liar?

I did.

But I thought she knew
I painted The Purple Woman.

And just what
is The Purple Woman?

Your Honor,
I must object.

Mr. Mason has tried
to introduce this subject

every time
I examine a witness.

I asked Mr. Hubble
absolutely nothing

about this so-called
Purple Woman on direct.

Counsel has no right
to pursue the subject on cross.

If it please the court,

Mr. Burger
asked the witness

why he had called
on the deceased that night.

The witness's answer
was entirely responsive.

He said he had come
to discuss a painting.

I submit I have the right
to pursue this matter

since the district attorney
himself opened the door.

It seems to me,
Mr. Burger,

that since the door was opened,
even that much,

the defense has a perfect right
to walk right in.

JUDGE:
You may proceed, Mr. Mason.

MASON:
Thank you, Your Honor.

Now, Mr. Hubble,
just what is The Purple Woman?

Uh, it's the name
of a picture

Carl Van Hooten was supposed
to have painted around .

Girard had a rough sketch
in color.

He asked me if I could paint
it in Van Hooten's style.

Where did you
work on this painting?

Oh, Girard fixed up
a place for me

in an empty building
his wife owned.

He used to visit me there
and discuss my work.

I felt she had to know
about the painting,

and she must have known
he sold it to Rufus Varner.

Your Honor,
may we approach the bench?

Yes.

Your Honor,
this is patently ridiculous.

I have absolute confidence
in the integrity of this witness

and every subject
on which I interrogated him.

However,
he seems to have a fixation

about a certain painting.

And defense counsel
has adroitly insinuated evidence

on this point in an effort

to destroy
the credibility of the witness.

Your Honor, I--
If you please.

Simply because
the man nurses delusions

about a certain painting,

doesn't make the rest
of his testimony worthless.

Why not produce
the painting?

Then let a psychiatrist
determine

whether this man
with his delusion

is a trustworthy witness
in other matters.

If it please the court,

he can certainly relate a
conversation that he overheard.

He can certainly describe
things he saw happen.

If you hadn't dragged
that painting into this case,

there'd be no impression
this was an irrational witness.

Well, gentlemen,
it comes down to this:

The court ought to take
a look at this painting,

and we ought to have
an expert in to appraise it.

Very well, Your Honor.

If the, uh, district attorney
would like me

to suggest the name
of an expert...

Oh, I think I'll be able
to find an expert, Mr. Mason.

KOVAC:
And then I was invited
by Mr. Varner

to see his collection.

Of course,
I was happy to accept.

And you saw The Purple Woman
at that time?

Yes.

Did you make any comment
about it to Mr. Varner?

I told him that he had
purchased a fake.

BURGER:
A fake?

Well, it was obvious to me
that he had been swindled.

Would you mind stepping down
and explaining to the court

on what you base
that decision?

I'll be happy to.

KOVAC:
Now...

if you will take a look
at here,

for instance--

Go on, Mr. Kovac.

KOVAC:
One moment, please.

I cannot
understand this.

Well, what is it,
Mr. Kovac?

You will
have to forgive me,

but I may have made
a terrible mistake.

You mean, the picture
might be genuine?

I cannot say
for certain.

You're not prepared
to say that it's a fake?

It well may be
a genuine Van Hooten.

You liar!

JUDGE:
Bring that man forward.

Can you show just cause
why you should not be

held in contempt of court?
I'm not gonna stand here

and let them barter away
my talent.

I fine you $ .

You might as well
make it $ , .

In that case, I sentence you
to hours in the county jail,

sentence to begin
immediately

upon the expiration
of this hearing.

Bailiff.

The witness
may resume the stand.

Mr. Burger.

I have no further questions,
Your Honor. Your witness.

Mr. Kovac,

when Mr. Varner
first showed you that painting,

you told him
it was a fraud.

Yes, at that time
it seemed so, but now--

Now, what?

Well, I own an unpublished
letter Van Hooten wrote

to his sister
describing this painting.

He mentioned that the model
was a young French peasant girl

who had a slight cast
on her left eye.

Van Hooten thought

it gave the portrait
an interesting quality.

Now, if you would observe--

Didn't you check that point

when you saw the painting
in Mr. Varner's home?

Yes.

But at that time,

it seemed that the eyes
were somewhat different.

Could it be
that the painting

has subsequently
been retouched?

Never occurred to me.

Your Honor,
I submit there is reason

to doubt the authenticity
of this work.

Therefore I ask

that this painting
be examined scientifically.

Frankly, by now, there is
doubt in the court's mind.

How long will it take

for the scientific tests
you have in mind?

Oh, infrared
and x-ray examinations

can be arranged
in a matter of hours.

Forgive me
if I speak out of turn.

But I'd welcome such tests.

You will make the necessary
arrangements, Mr. Burger.

Court is adjourned
until : tomorrow morning.

( suspenseful theme playing )

Oh, come in.

Well?

It's a genuine Van Hooten.

Are they sure?

As sure as they can be.

The canvas
is at least years old,

and the pigments are the same
as those Van Hooten used.

Come on, Paul,
I want to check out a hunch.

All right.

( tense theme playing )

See if you can find
the light switch, Paul.

PAUL:
I got it.

What's the trouble?

Oh, there's no trouble.

I always shake like this

when I'm guilty
of breaking and entering.

Well, we used a key.

That makes a difference?

It does when
it's been turned over to you

by the surviving spouse.

( sighs )

What are we looking for
anyway?

The Purple Woman.

But Varner said that he bought
The Purple Woman.

Varner bought a forgery.

But I'm convinced
that Girard owned the original.

Did Hubble tell you that?

Well, indirectly.

Hubble testified that...

That he copied the painting
from a color sketch.

Now, the painting disappeared
in the s.

How did Girard know
the right colors?

They must have come
from the original.

Well, what are you
waiting for?

I'm thinking.

I'm trying to put myself
in Girard's place.

Now, if I wanted to hide
a valuable painting,

I certainly wouldn't put it
in the gallery vault.

It's the first place
anybody would look for it.

You know what I'd do?

I'd put it right behind
another painting

of exactly the same size.

One that no one
in his right mind

would even
consider buying.

Well?

No, not this one.

You're right, Paul.

There's another canvas
underneath.

In other words, Mr. Varner,

the deceased, Milo Girard,
acted as your agent

in obtaining most of
the pictures in your collection.

That's right.

I'll show you now this check
dated May th of this year,

made out
to the Girard galleries

and signed by you.
That is your signature?

Yes.

The amount on the face
of this check is $ , .

Is that what you paid
for The Purple Woman?

It is.

And how many Van Hootens
do you own, Mr. Varner?

Forty-two.

I have the largest collection
in the United States.

BURGER:
Thank you, sir.
Your witness.

Now, Mr. Varner,
you testified

that you own a Van Hooten
called The Purple Woman.

That's right.

Is it genuine
and not a forgery?

Do you think anyone
could fool me with a forgery?

MASON:
I think Mr. Girard did.

VARNER:
That's a lie!

Will the court allow me?

JUDGE:
Certainly.

( Paul clears throat )

Put it here.

What's the meaning
of this, Mr. Mason?

MASON:
May I ask
the court's indulgence?

JUDGE:
Very well.

Now, Mr. Varner,

I'll ask you once more.

Do you own Van Hooten's
Purple Woman?

Just use your eyes,
Mr. Mason.

There it is,
right there.

Then would you please
tell the court...

...what this is?

It's a cheap fake.
That's what it is.

You can determine that
just like that?

I'm an expert, Mr. Mason.

MASON: No one can fool you?
VARNER: No.

And what was your reaction

when Mr. Kovac told you
you had been swindled?

I told him he was crazy.

Why did you call on Girard
the following morning?

Well, I just thought
the story would amuse him.

He was a very good friend
of mine.

He was a good friend
of yours?

Yes,
we were very close.

Less than a week later,
he told Wayne Gordon

that he was no longer
your dealer.

VARNER:
Well, he was,
uh...joking.

MASON:
It was no joke,
Mr. Varner.

I submit
that Girard swindled you.

You wanted revenge.

So on the night
of May th,

you went to the gallery,
and there you k*lled him.

No!
And after you k*lled him,

you exchanged the fraudulent
Purple Woman for the genuine.

No, no!
That's not true!

How else did you obtain
the genuine painting?

I bought it from Girard.

You bought it?

Yes.

I was afraid that
he'd tell someone the story

or Kovac would.

I had to protect myself.

They all would have
laughed at me.

So you paid Girard twice?

Yes.

And how do you explain
our finding this forgery

in Girard's office?

Girard insisted
on its return.

I swear
that's the truth.

I don't know
what he wanted it for.

It was worthless.

Yes, you're right.

It was worthless.
Completely worthless.

Tell me, Mr. Varner,

how did it feel to be
taken in by a fifth-rate hack,

a man who had
no more creative ability

than a three-year-old child?

That's a lie!
I'm a great artist!

Let that man
come forward.

( all chattering )

We will have order here.

You let me down,
Mr. Mason.

Apparently, you haven't
learned your lesson.

Yesterday, I sentenced you
to hours in jail.

I warned you there--

Your Honor, please,
you must listen to me.

Silence!
Your Honor...

may I say a word
on Mr. Hubble's behalf?

Very well.

Mr. Hubble is
a very disappointed man.

He feels he has
a great talent.

Unfortunately,
no expert agrees with him.

On one occasion, he painted
a Gauguin for the deceased.

That's right!

Girard thought it was so good,
he had it in his office,

right next to a Renoir.

But you testified you were never
in that office, Mr. Hubble.

You said Miss Andrews
wouldn't let you in.

Now, how did you know
where the painting was hung?

You must have
seen it there

on the night
you k*lled him.

No.

I-I was there
several times when--

When I was painting
The Purple Woman.

I brought it over to show him
how it was progressing.

Why did you testify
that you did your work

in an old house
owned by Mrs. Girard,

that Girard would visit you
there to discuss your work?

Shall we have the reporter
read back your testimony

on that point?

Never mind.

You're right.
I k*lled him.

( all chattering )

He was a scoundrel
and a cheat.

He promised, Your Honor.

He promised if I could
fool Varner with a Van Hooten,

he'd give me a one-man show,
where the world could learn

what Aaron Hubble
could do on his own.

I'm a genius, Your Honor.

Oh, I say this in all modesty
because it's the truth.

But Girard betrayed me.

And you betrayed me too.

I'm sorry, Mr. Hubble.

JUDGE:
Bailiff.

No.

No, why should you
be sorry?

What a fool I am.

You just got me a million
dollars' worth of publicity.

I'm gonna have
my one-man show yet.

JUDGE:
The bailiff will take
this man into custody.

Mr. Burger, you will take
the necessary steps

for prosecution.

This hearing
is adjourned.

( dramatic theme playing )

( gentle lounge music playing )

Well, Mr. Hubble finally got
what he wanted.

His picture's
in every paper in town.

Doing it
the hard way.

What put you
onto him, anyway?

When Varner admitted
paying for the painting twice.

And when you
exonerated Varner...

I had to look elsewhere.

Well, what about
Doris Andrews?

You saw Doris
on the stand, Della.

Paul, she was
still in love with Girard.

Well, that left
poor Aaron Hubble.

And you, uh, baited him
into that outburst

by calling him
a fifth-rate hack.

Well, I felt vanity
was his Achilles' heel,

just as it was Varner's.

That's incredible.

Perry, I want to
congratulate you.

That was a fine job
you did in court today.

Well, Mr. Burger,
you seem almost pleased.

I am.

Della, there was an article
in The Law Journal recently.

Let me quote you
the last paragraph.

"A well-tried criminal case
is a credit to all involved.

"There is no winning
or no losing

in the true administration
of justice."

The article was signed
Hamilton Burger.

Come on,
sit down, Hamilton.

( dramatic theme playing )

( noirish jazz theme playing )