( peaceful theme playing )
( clattering )
( suspenseful theme playing )
( grunts )
Don't!
Don't!
MAN:
Come back!
Help! Come back!
MAN:
Help!
Come back.
Help!
Help. Come back. Help!
Help!
Help!
I got you.
Take it easy.
You're all right now, friend.
Just not your day
to be m*rder*d, that's all.
I'd better call you
a doctor, huh?
No, no, I'm all right.
I-I've got my breath now
and this is just a little cut.
Excuse me,
I'll get a towel.
This is her, isn't it?
You know, the first time
I ever saw Lorna Thomas,
I was tossed out
of a Saturday matinee
for throwing popcorn.
Now I hear she's making
another comeback.
Gonna make a movie with somebody
named, uh, Tony Raeburn?
Look, young man, I--
I don't know how to thank you.
If you hadn't happened by when--
You're Mr. Briggs,
aren't you?
The boss around here.
Well, I manage the club, yes.
It used to be
Miss Thomas' lake home.
I'm Fred Bushmiller.
From Portland.
Oh. I thought you'd be
reporting to me by mail.
I didn't expect--
I know.
I sure picked a time
to come in, didn't I?
Wow. That dame.
Mr. Bushmiller, whatever you
saw out there, please, I--
I just wish you'd--
Well, I mean, you did come here
to give me a report, didn't you?
The girl you wanted me
to find is Betty Clark.
She lives in Oregon City.
She's now.
Clark?
She married a fellow
named Clark.
George Clark.
She's the one?
You're sure?
As sure as you can be
about a thing like that.
The couple who adopted her wrote
the minister of their church.
I found the letter
in the minister's estate.
What did the letter say?
That she was
Lorna Thomas' daughter.
You sure get the lowdown on her
all at once, don't you?
"Lovely Lorna."
First that she's got a grown kid
that nobody knows anything about
and then wham,
she swats you over
the head with a gaff.
Now, look,
I fell into the lake
and I hit my head against
the side of the boat.
I want you to forget
everything else.
There are some things,
Mr. Bushmiller, please,
that you shouldn't try
to understand.
Sure.
Thanks.
I guess a little bonus
might be in order...
for your services to date.
Whatever you say,
Mr. Briggs.
Fine.
( ominous theme playing )
You wanted to see me?
All my life, Miss Thomas.
I told him we didn't
need the lawn mowed
or any magazine
subscriptions.
Run along, Harriet, thank you.
Well, now, Mr. Bushmiller,
what is it?
I was resting.
I'm not feeling very well.
Neither is Mr. Briggs.
You saw what happened?
( sighs )
Would you like to have a drink?
Thank you.
You know, this sure is
a beautiful place
you've got here, Miss Thomas.
Nothing like this
in Portland at all.
I was wondering if--
If a guy could find a job
down here around Los Angeles.
Heh. I was going to speak
to Mr. Briggs about that,
but he's such a funny guy.
He just works for you,
doesn't he, Miss Thomas?
Business manager
or something?
I mean,
you're really the boss.
Dennis Briggs is
a sneaky, lying thief.
Is that why you tried
to k*ll him?
( chuckles )
He was trying to k*ll me.
What sort of story
did he tell you?
Why, I can't even swim,
and he was trying to pull me
into the water.
Miss Thomas, I'm the guy
who saw you out there, remember?
But okay.
We can talk about your daughter,
if you like.
My what?
The girl you put out for
adoption February th, .
Go on.
Maybe you didn't even know
she still was alive.
Heh. Maybe you didn't even care,
unless it affects something.
Like this picture
you're making.
There's no way on Earth
it could ever be proved
that anyone's my daughter.
But one way or another,
you're determined
to blackmail me, aren't you?
I just thought we might
have interests in common.
I mean, I'm new around here.
I don't even have a car
to get around in yet,
or a place to stay.
( chuckles )
( chuckles )
( both chuckling )
You have now.
Drink your drink.
( suspenseful theme playing )
( engine starts )
Hey, what are you doing
in L.A.?
I've been waiting for you.
Yeah.
Well, maybe later, huh?
I got to run.
I'll go with you.
Clark, did you follow me here
from Oregon City?
That's Betty's real mother
up there, isn't it?
That Lorna Thomas woman.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
I'm talking about a private
detective named Fred Bushmiller
coming to Oregon City
and sneaking around and snooping
and asking my wife a lot
of questions about her past.
Listen, Clark,
I just barely got here myself.
My job has nothing to do
with all that stuff.
Mine has.
I want to know whether my wife
is really
Lorna Thomas' daughter.
Oh, I see.
Well, she's an old-timer.
She got it all before taxes.
So there's plenty
for everybody.
Don't get greedy, friend.
You don't see, Bushmiller.
I'm only greedy about one thing:
my wife's peace of mind.
( ominous theme playing )
In California, Mr. Clark,
a child placed for adoption
through the court
ceases to have
any legal bonds whatever
with its natural parents.
I see.
At the same time, of course,
it assumes all the rights
of a natural child
of its foster parents.
But suppose the child
is now over ?
And suppose the child is
the only relative
of the real parents?
That wouldn't have any
particular bearing, I'm afraid.
Now, suppose you give me
some more details.
Just how old
is this friend of yours?
Well, Betty's now.
And the foster parents,
the couple who adopted her,
both died in
an automobile accident
when Betty was only .
She was raised
in a state orphanage.
I mean, she's had
some pretty tough breaks.
So she deserves any benefit
from whoever
her mother really is,
don't you think?
Is Betty your wife, Mr. Clark?
Yes, sir, she is.
And now you want to make sure
of your wife's parentage
and discover just what
her rights might be.
I guess that's the idea,
Mr. Mason.
Well, then,
if her adoption was all in order
in the first place,
just remember the files
of the state welfare board
are confidential.
They won't say yes or no
to who the mother was.
If you think you've
discovered it by accident
and the woman chooses
to deny it,
you just have
no legal claim whatsoever.
Never mind,
I get the idea.
You think the only thing that
I'm after is somebody's money.
No, Mr. Clark.
I'm just telling you
some facts.
And, you know,
sometimes it's best
to leave certain questions
unanswered.
Mr. Mason, have you got any idea
what it's like for a girl
to go through her whole life
wondering who her mother
really is,
and then suddenly finding
that it's somebody--
Somebody beautiful and famous
like the fairy princess?
Well, would you just sit there
if it turned out
to be somebody--
Somebody like Lorna Thomas?
The actress?
All right,
Mr. Clark.
We'll look into it for you.
Thank you.
You know, that young man
showed quite a bit
of understanding
for his wife's feelings.
Mm.
Della, ask Paul Drake
to come in, will you?
Mm-hm.
And see if you can find me
some fan magazines.
I think Gertie has quite a few
of them under her desk.
Della...
Mm?
from .
( suspenseful theme playing )
Yes, sir.
I won't. I won't!
Please, George,
I just can't do it.
You've got to.
Right now. Tonight.
But if Mr. Mason investigates...
Betty, there's not a lawyer
in the world that can do a thing
until that woman admits
who you are.
Oh, I wish we could just
go back to Oregon City.
And forget the whole thing.
Just forget it?
But what will I say?
What'll you say?
What else have you been saying
ever since I've known you?
"Mother, mother, mother.
I wonder who she is.
"Hey, maybe it's that
flower woman over there.
Maybe it's the queen of France."
Over and over again.
Well, how could I help it?
Well, you can help it now.
You can face it.
You can look it in the eye.
I'm afraid.
Okay.
We'll just pack up
and go back home, then.
It's all done,
and that's the way
it'll be the rest of your life.
You'll never be able to ask
yourself another question.
( sighs )
Lorna, didn't you understand
one word I've told you?
Didn't that crook you call
a manager even get the idea?
It's nearly p.m.
By a.m., one of you has got
to produce $,.
Oh, darling, something else
has come up, that's all.
But the bank won't wait.
I've put up every bit
of cash I have, it's gone.
If the bank doesn't see
the rest of the advance money,
your share,
they'll cancel
the whole production on us.
So, what of it?
I never really liked
that script very much anyway.
Listen to me, Lorna.
We made an agreement,
you and I.
Don't you dare muss me up!
I don't have to make any picture
unless I want to.
And the way you've
been acting lately,
I'm not at all sure I--
( door opens )
Excuse me, Miss Thomas.
No. Not now.
We're talking business.
What is it, Harriet?
Name's Clark.
Mrs. Betty Clark.
Oh?
I-- I didn't realize
you had company.
I-- I'm sorry.
It's all right.
This gentleman is just leaving.
Lorna, I won't be put off
this way.
"Clark," did you say?
Really, I'm afraid I don't--
Oh, yes.
"Clark."
You're the one
Fred told me about.
Claiming to be my daughter.
Lorna, this isn't the ti--
Good night, Tony.
I said, good night.
I-I shouldn't have come.
Miss Thomas,
I'll take care of Mrs. Clark.
I'll take care of this
little imposter myself.
No, please--
Whatever you say,
I'll deny it.
Whoever you are
and whatever you want,
I don't know anything
about you.
And if I ever see
your face again,
I'll tell the police
you're trespassing.
( dramatic theme playing )
That was pretty cruel,
even for you.
( sighs )
Leave me alone.
Isn't there anything
in you for the girl?
Don't presume on your years
of service.
What else can I presume on,
your loyalty?
You'd throw me out tomorrow
if you didn't need me.
Your affection?
You just showed
an inexhaustible supply of it.
Enough to fill a thimble.
You just don't know
your place.
Oh, excuse me, ma'am.
Have a pleasant evening.
Mr. Bushmiller said he was
going to the liquor store
and would be right back.
Good night, ma'am.
( sighs )
( sighs )
( suspenseful theme playing )
Ten-thirty.
They're still up.
Anything you want me
to say, Perry?
No, no.
This is just a friendly visit.
I want to stall off any chance
of the client being stuck
with invasion of privacy,
that's all.
Besides, you're curious.
Mm-hm.
Oh, excuse me, we were
looking for Miss Lorna Thomas.
Do-- Do you know how to tell
when a person is dead?
( dramatic theme playing )
( sobbing )
( dramatic theme playing )
( camera clicks )
Weren't you
Miss Thomas' manager?
Yes.
She was one of the great ones,
you know,
one of the really great ones.
Mr. Briggs, will you, uh,
come with me, please?
Please.
E-excuse us, Perry.
I guess you were planning
to go out this evening,
Mr. Bushmiller.
Sure.
With Miss Thomas.
I noticed that you drove
in right after the police.
Uh-huh.
Did I hear that doctor say
she died around
I really don't know
if they've been able
to pin it down
to that exact time.
You, uh, live here?
Mr. Mason, I still haven't
got it quite straight
who you are.
Uh, Mr. Bushmiller,
I wonder if you'd mind
just stepping in there, please.
Please.
Sure, lieutenant.
Any way I can help.
Uh, excuse us, Perry.
Uh, protecting them from me like
a good shepherd, lieutenant?
Until I find out which
of them is the black sheep.
You'd care to tell me
just what you're doing here?
It's only a civil matter.
But I am curious as to what
your examining doctor says.
Oh, the doctor said
she was strangled, Perry.
And since that's not exactly
a civil matter,
good night, Miss Street.
Good night, lieutenant.
Yes.
( suspenseful theme playing )
Morning, Della.
See if Paul's up in--
Well, hello.
This is Mrs. Betty Clark, Perry.
She's been waiting
since the building opened.
Where's your husband?
I-- I don't know.
That's why I came here to you.
He-- He hasn't
been home all night.
Come in, won't you?
And while you went
in to see Lorna Thomas,
George waited outside
in your car?
Yes.
What time did you leave?
Oh, about :.
I'm not exactly sure.
I was terribly upset.
How long did it take
you and George
to drive back to your motel?
Oh, it's just
a couple of blocks.
All I really know is I kept
screaming at George.
For some awful reason,
everything she had told me
just made me angry with him.
Mr. Mason, I--
I'm afraid I said
some terrible things.
It wasn't George's fault.
( sobbing ):
He didn't make me go there.
Here, you better drink
some of your coffee.
Here, dear.
All right?
George didn't stop with you
at your motel at all?
He said he was going
to get some gas for the car
and then we'd leave town.
I-I waited a while
and then I went into the café
to get some coffee
and because I could see
the driveway from there.
And how long did you stay
in the café?
Oh, I waited and waited.
I guess it was about two hours
before I heard the radio.
I tried to reach your husband
myself last night by telephone.
( knocking on door )
Come in, Paul.
Hi, Perry.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I didn't know you were busy.
( door closes )
MASON:
Ah, it's all right.
This is, uh, Mrs. Clark.
How do you do,
Mrs. Clark?
You free, Paul?
Mm-hm.
Just finished up downtown.
Good. We wanted you to help
find Mrs. Clark's husband.
Clark?
George Clark.
About '", dark hair,
brown eyes.
PAUL:
I know where he is, Perry.
I'm sorry, Mrs. Clark,
but they've been grilling
your husband ever since Tragg's
men picked him up at a.m.
At the present moment he's being
booked on suspicion of m*rder.
First degree.
I don't say I mightn't
have wanted to k*ll her.
You did go back to her house.
Of course.
Why?
Well, to tell her off.
The way that dirty dame
treated Betty--
Is that the sort of thing
you said to the police?
Sorry, Mr. Mason.
What did you do
when you got to the house?
All the lights were on in all
those rooms off the terrace,
I looked in the study.
You mean, you walked
into the study.
Your fingerprints were
on the doorknob.
Yes, sir.
I guess I walked in.
Also you apparently
picked up a jade statue
and a jewel box in that room.
Well, I'd never been
in a place like that before.
And it was only then that
I saw her lying on the floor.
She was dead.
Mr. Mason, I swear.
What time was this?
Oh, I don't know.
It was about a quarter
after , a little later.
Then what did you do?
I ran, Mr. Mason.
I ran just as fast as I could.
Was all this running
and soul-searching
because you thought your wife
might have k*lled Lorna Thomas?
Oh, no, she didn't.
She couldn't.
I just didn't want her
to get mixed up any more
in case I got into trouble,
don't you see?
All right.
What else?
Nothing.
Nothing?
According to my information,
a piece of jewelry figures
in the indictment against you.
Ah. Well, they showed me
this broken bracelet,
but I've never seen it before.
Where'd they find it?
They said they found it
on the front seat of my car,
stuffed halfway
down the cushions.
That all of it, George?
That's all.
When I first came
to your office,
it was to ask you
to help Betty.
Yes?
Would you help me too?
Yes.
Bracelet?
Bracelet.
Well, let me think.
I'd hoped you might remember
just what jewelry
she was wearing.
After all, you were one
of the last people
to see Miss Thomas alive.
Was she wearing any?
I know she usually does-- Did.
But, yes, I think
she did have on a bracelet.
Does that help you any?
I understand
you had a fight with her.
Yes, I told
the police about it.
Lorna was dragging her feet
about putting up her share
of the production money.
I was getting madder
and madder.
This movie was going
to be one of the first
you'd made in a long time,
I take it.
Don't try to be diplomatic,
Mr. Mason.
I'm quite broke, desperate,
if that's what you mean.
Even this place is rented.
Just an old has-been.
A tired name.
Uh, do you mind if I see
your paper, Miss Street?
I really don't know
what's going on,
not since last night when
they came here asking questions.
Mr. Raeburn, how could you
consider yourself broke
if you managed to put up
nearly $,?
Borrowed, my dear man.
Mason, you didn't tell me
your client was in jail.
"Husband of rumored daughter..."
Is it true, Mr. Raeburn?
Could she have had that child?
In she seemed to be going
around a good deal
with some Irish South American.
She may have married Raphael
for all I know.
All the girls took aim,
but none of them ever
got near any of the millions
they figured he had.
But maybe Lorna did.
What happened
to Raphael O'Connor?
He was a revolutionary
at the wrong time.
ex*cuted, as I recall.
Thank you, Mr. Raeburn.
Mm-hm.
Uh, mind if I keep this?
Oh--
Not at all.
Do you mind telling me
why it startled you?
Did you expect someone else
to be charged with the m*rder?
Me.
( mysterious theme playing )
"One brooch,
platinum scrollwork,
"the broken bracelet,
necklace with pendant emerald,
the diamond tiara."
This was all missing?
Right out of the police
department's typewriter.
How'd they compile the list?
Harriet Snow.
The housekeeper, companion,
or whatever she was.
Anyway, these are items
she now remembers
should have been
in the jewel box
that was on the study table.
It belonged
in the wall safe.
Here's a list
from the magazine pictures.
Some of the same items.
Apparently the jewelry
has quite a history.
( rings )
Yes, Gertie?
Mr. Dennis Briggs
to see you.
Send him in, Gertie.
Paul, let's get information
on all the people
involved in this.
Harriet Snow,
the servant, uh, companion,
Mr. Briggs,
Mr. Raeburn, the director,
and Fred Bushmiller.
Okay, Perry.
Hello, Mr. Briggs.
Mr. Mason,
I only have a moment.
There are reporters
waiting for me.
For some reason the police
department just doesn't seem
to know how to say
the right thing,
and that is about
a person like Lorna.
Won't you sit down?
You, uh, knew more about her
than anyone else, of course.
I don't think anyone
really knew Lorna.
A check for $,.
What for, Mr. Briggs?
Well, I don't think that
George Clark has much money.
Neither do I.
I wish you'd accept that
as part of your defense fee.
Just what is your interest
in the Clarks?
None. Absolutely none.
I believe his wife has been
put through a good deal
of emotional strain, and...
for her sake, I'd like
to make sure justice is done.
Tell me, have you always
gone around
tidying up after Miss Thomas?
You're assuming things,
Mr. Mason.
Perhaps you could tell me
why Lorna hired an investigator
to find Betty Clark
in the first place.
She didn't hire him.
I did.
Let me ask you something else:
apparently, Miss Thomas had
had her jewelry box out.
I suppose
she was trying to decide
what to wear for the evening.
Now, let's not attach
too much importance there.
They say her jewelry's missing.
All right.
Lorna may have loaned it
or just put it away.
Mr. Briggs,
I think justice
may best be served
if I don't accept this check.
I see.
I only wanted to help,
Mr. Mason.
( door opens, closes )
He seems to have devoted
his whole life
to Lorna Thomas' greatness.
You're quite perceptive, Della.
I want you to tell Paul
to get a complete rundown
on her estate,
her properties, her will
and her jewelry,
despite Mr. Briggs' denial
that it was stolen.
( mysterious theme playing )
( dramatic theme playing )
BURGER:
From what vantage point
did you see this man, Miss Snow?
From my window.
I'd been upstairs
maybe ten or minutes.
It's when I opened my windows
to get some fresh air
that I looked down and saw him.
And, uh, what did
you see him doing?
Well, he ran across the terrace
and off through the trees
toward the street.
And what did you do then?
I went downstairs and--
And found Miss Thomas dead.
I see.
Can you now identify for us
this man you saw?
Yes, that's him.
The defendant,
George Clark.
BURGER:
Thank you, Miss Snow.
Your witness.
Miss Snow, how long were
you employed by Miss Thomas?
Almost years.
And you lived at the house?
Yes.
I believe you said you saw
this man run across the terrace
and through the trees
toward the street.
Yes.
Is there any other way
to get to the street?
Why, yes, through the house.
Did you hear or see anybody else
at this time,
or prior to this time?
No.
I was in my room.
Did you hear a commotion?
A noise? A blow?
No.
But I wouldn't
have heard it anyway,
not from my room
with the windows closed.
Miss Snow,
when you went downstairs
and found Miss Thomas,
did you see her jewelry
anywhere in the room?
No.
Now, you testified
that you were in your room
possibly ten or minutes,
during which time
Miss Thomas must have
been k*lled,
before you opened your window
and saw Mr. Clark
on the terrace below?
Yes.
Then there was time, certainly,
for the k*ller to have made
his way through the house
to the street
while George Clark was
going around the house
to the terrace in the rear?
Well, there was time, I guess.
As a matter of fact,
you could have k*lled her
during that time, could you not?
If I had wanted to k*ll her,
I could have picked
any time I wanted to.
BURGER:
Do you recognize this bracelet,
Mr. Raeburn?
Yes.
It was one
of her favorite pieces.
I see.
Now, on the night of the m*rder,
what time was your meeting
with Miss Thomas?
It started at :, went on
to about a quarter of ,
when the girl showed up.
What girl?
Mrs. Betty Clark.
Well, what was she there for?
Did she say?
I'm not at all sure.
It was something about
whether or not she
was Lorna Thomas' daughter.
( court murmuring )
( tapping )
What did Miss Thomas
say to this?
Well, I don't remember
exact words,
but she denied it
vehemently.
I see.
Mr. Raeburn, thank you.
Cross-examine.
Mr. Raeburn, you testified
that you had a meeting
with Lorna Thomas
on the night of the m*rder.
It wasn't a meeting, it--
It was an argument.
She was reneging
on a business deal.
That meant ruin for you,
did it not?
Yes.
When you left Miss Thomas
that night,
where did you go?
Back to my house
across the lake.
What time was that?
A little before .
Is there anybody
who can corroborate
your crossing the lake
at that precise time?
No.
Thank you, Mr. Raeburn,
that'll be all.
Now, lieutenant,
I show you this bracelet marked
as an exhibit for the state
and I ask if you recognize it.
Yes, sir.
It has my identifying mark.
Would you explain
where it was found, please?
Yes, sir.
In George Clark's--
The defendant's. --automobile.
Between the cushion
and back of the driver's seat.
And when did this happen?
Uh, the night
of the m*rder.
Or rather, the early morning
hours immediately afterward.
Thank you, lieutenant.
Cross-examine.
Lieutenant, is that bracelet
the only piece of jewelry
you found
in the defendant's car?
Yes.
Or anywhere among
the defendant's belongings?
Yes.
May I ask you
for your evaluation
of the worth of that bracelet,
lieutenant?
Your Honor, I object to that.
This witness
is hardly qualified--
MASON:
I'm not asking
for an expert appraisal,
just the roughest
kind of a guess.
Say within $,.
I don't understand your purpose,
Mr. Mason.
I think both Mr. Burger
and the witness
know the answer to that,
Your Honor.
Answer the question, lieutenant.
Well, I would say the bracelet
is worth somewhere
between, uh...
and $.
MASON:
In other words, lieutenant,
the stones in that bracelet
are not precious stones.
No, sir. They're paste.
Practically worthless.
Thank you, lieutenant.
That will be all.
Lieutenant, a couple
of questions on re-direct,
if it please the court.
Whether the bracelet was
worth $ or $,,
what happened to it?
It was stolen.
And where was it found?
In the defendant's car.
Thank you, lieutenant.
BURGER:
Mr. Briggs, how long were you
business manager
for Lorna Thomas?
More than years.
I see. Now, would you tell
the court, please,
what happened approximately
three months ago
on the th of May?
Yes, sir.
I hired a private detective
in Portland, Oregon.
What for?
I knew Miss Thomas
had been married
and had had a child,
a daughter.
I wanted the daughter traced,
if possible,
and her identity discovered.
BURGER:
Could you explain to the court,
please, why you wanted
this accomplished?
Well, it was
my hope that Miss Thomas
would provide for her
after all those years,
give her the advantages
her daughter should
have had all along.
I see.
Thank you, Mr. Briggs,
that will be all.
Cross-examine.
In what condition is
the estate of Miss Thomas
at the present time,
Mr. Briggs?
It's still being evaluated.
Good? Bad? Indifferent?
Good.
Very good, I'd say.
Thank you, Mr. Briggs.
That'll be all.
JUDGE:
You may stand down.
My investigation in Portland
led to a daughter
by Miss Thomas.
Her adopted parents died
in an accident years ago.
What happened
to the daughter then?
She went into an orphanage.
Well, when she was
old enough to work,
she went to work for a lumber
company in Oregon City.
In she married
George Clark of that city.
Now, let's be perfectly clear
about this, Mr. Bushmiller.
Can you identify
the George Clark
to whom you keep referring?
Him, the defendant.
And his wife Betty.
BURGER:
Now, did you have
an encounter with Mr. Clark
on the day of the m*rder?
BUSHMILLER:
I did. Yes.
Can you remember anything
that was said at that time?
I asked him
if he'd followed me here
all the way from Oregon City.
And he said yes.
He said, uh...
"That's Betty's real mother
in there, isn't it?"
Oh, yes,
and he said something about:
"She's one of the old-timers,
isn't she?
Made it all before taxes."
He's lying.
He said that.
"Made it all before taxes."
That's interesting.
Did he say anything else,
Mr. Bushmiller?
He said,
"I'm gonna get some of that."
And before he started trying
to manhandle me, he said,
"That dame owes my wife plenty.
So don't get in my road,
because I'm gonna collect."
That'll be all, Mr. Bushmiller.
Thank you. Your witness.
Mr. Bushmiller, when you
arrived in Los Angeles--
( door opens )
Is something wrong, counselor?
Your Honor, I'm just trying
to estimate how much time
my cross-examination
of this witness will take,
and, uh, it may take
some little while.
Then since it is within
ten minutes of :,
we'll recess until after lunch.
Court adjourned until p.m.
( dramatic theme playing )
I got him, Perry.
He's isn't much, but I got him.
PAUL:
Mr. Smith, you know,
was a diamond cutter
before he got these, uh,
nervous disorders.
Now he makes evaluations for
some of the best fences in town.
Don't you, Smitty?
Y-yes, sir.
Well, I suppose he could
testify if necessary.
Well, he's not so good
on faces, Perry,
but he can remember a brooch
like it belonged to an elephant.
Y-yeah.
You can identify
these pieces, Mr. Smith?
Uh, oh, the pictures? Yeah.
Sure. Yeah, yeah. Pictures.
I checked on the dates.
The stuff was peddled to him
the day after the m*rder.
Mr. Smith, you were shown
all of Miss Thomas' jewelry
and you saw that all of it
was nothing but paste,
is that right?
Yeah. Yeah, t-that's right.
Junk. Glass. Paste.
You mean, you already
had it figured out?
And here I've been
breaking my neck?
I need confirmation, Paul.
And identification.
W-well, that's just it.
What's "just it"?
Well, this-- This fellow who
wanted to sell me this stuff--
What about him?
You can remember him, can't you?
Well, I--
I ain't exactly sure.
Smitty, ten minutes ago
you were positive.
Blue eyes, you said.
Young man. Sandy hair.
Look, I'm sticking my neck
out far enough like it is.
I don't know for sure
what the guy looks like.
All I know for sure
is I can identify the ice.
Like the man said:
for stones I'm an elephant,
but for faces?
Oh, faces...
Faces to me
is like cockroaches.
I don't know the difference
one from another.
Paul, if, uh, this gentleman
won't identify the person
who showed him that jewelry,
we just have to work it
the other way around.
No, I didn't know what
Lorna Thomas was going to wear.
I didn't see her all evening.
Then you don't recall having
seen any of the jewelry
she was so well known for?
Uh, perhaps you saw
the jewel box
she had taken out
of the wall safe in the study.
No. How could I?
I was back
in my own room dressing,
then I went
to the liquor store.
How many times
have I got to say it?
It does seem to me
you're being unnecessarily
insistent, counselor.
I'm quite concerned
with this one particular point,
Your Honor.
Very well.
You may continue, Mr. Mason.
Your Honor.
Mr. Bushmiller, have you
at any time since the m*rder
seen any
of Miss Thomas' jewelry?
( door opens )
( whispering indistinctly )
No.
I told you before.
Have you at any time shown any
of her jewelry to anyone else?
Of course not.
Your Honor, I'll object to that.
It's improper cross-examination.
It assumes facts
not in evidence.
It's incompetent, irrelevant
and immaterial.
Your Honor,
it has been established
that most of Miss Thomas'
so-called jewelry
is still missing.
Now, this ties in strongly
with certain new developments,
and since prosecution
has already
introduced this one bracelet,
it seems to me the door is open
to further pursue the subject.
But not on cross-examination,
Your Honor.
I am inclined to allow
the defense attorney
great latitude
on cross-examination.
Since he seems to have
some definite point
in regard to that jewelry,
I will overrule the objection.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Now, Mr. Bushmiller,
isn't it possible that you could
have gone into the study
and taken the jewelry
from that box?
No.
MASON:
It is not possible?
What time did you
leave the house
to go to the liquor store?
I don't know exactly.
Then perhaps we can find
someone to establish
what time you left the house.
No.
Why not?
No one was there.
You mean,
no one now alive saw you.
Perhaps Lorna Thomas
was in the study
putting on her jewelry.
No.
Then where was she?
The wall safe was open,
the jewel box was on the desk.
( sighs )
She was dead.
You testified you'd had
an encounter with George Clark
earlier in the day.
That's right.
Now, let's suppose
you did find Miss Thomas dead
and saw the jewel box
open and tempting.
She was dead when I saw her.
And let us suppose
that you stole the jewelry
and started through the house
toward the front
at the very time George Clark
was going around the house
to the rear.
And then you saw George's car
and you thought:
"What a wonderful opportunity
to throw suspicion
on someone
who had assaulted you."
Now, you did put that bracelet
in the defendant's car,
did you not?
Yes. All right.
But I didn't k*ll her.
You didn't?
I took the jewelry, yes,
I admit that,
and I started out the front.
And I put the bracelet
in George Clark's car.
Next day I went to see a man--
Him, that man.
--about selling the stuff
and discovered
all the jewels were--
They were junk...
I threw in the lake.
But I didn't k*ll her.
Were you trying
to blackmail her?
No.
Well, everybody seemed to know
all about that daughter
business anyway.
Miss Thomas hadn't
paid me anything yet.
I hadn't asked her.
We just talked about
what I'd seen in the boat.
Something happen in the boat?
Yes. I saw them fighting.
When Miss Thomas tried
to m*rder Mr. Briggs.
( all murmuring )
( gavel tapping )
Your Honor, I would like
to recall Mr. Briggs
to the stand.
Mr. District Attorney?
Your Honor,
I certainly have no objection
to Mr. Briggs
retaking the stand.
You may stand down.
He's lying.
There are some people
who just can't understand.
She was my dearest friend.
Then she didn't try
to k*ll you?
No.
Now, Mr. Briggs, you previously
testified Miss Thomas' estate
to be in very good shape.
What about that jewelry
being false?
Well, I think there's been
entirely too much
importance attached to--
Yes, Mr. Briggs,
you have kept trying
to cover things up, haven't you?
Now, I am prepared to introduce,
if necessary,
a letter indicating
that the insurance
on Miss Thomas' jewelry
lapsed five years ago.
Why was that?
Well, yes, the jewelry
was originally insured.
Of course. It--
It had to be.
But through the years,
I'm afraid that--
Well, we had to very carefully
replace each piece
with an imitation.
Finally it was no longer
necessary to insure just paste.
I'm also prepared to introduce
certain data on real estate
supposedly owned
by Lorna Thomas.
In brief, it suggests that aside
from a small lake club area,
there isn't a single piece
of her property left
with anything
like a clear title.
Yes, that's true.
She didn't even own
her big house anymore.
You handled her finances.
What happened?
I didn't steal from her,
Mr. Mason.
I didn't even draw a salary
the last five years.
There wasn't anything left,
but I had to keep her up there.
A person in the public heart
like Lorna--
Don't you understand?
All right, Mr. Briggs.
Let's go back to the day
when you and Miss Thomas
went for a visit to Mr. Raeburn
across the lake.
You returned to the club landing
in a boat, is that correct?
She did not try to k*ll me,
Mr. Mason.
Then did you try to k*ll her?
Is it possible
that Mr. Bushmiller
was trying to blackmail
the wrong person, Mr. Briggs?
After all the manipulating
I've had to do.
The begging and borrowing
to keep up appearances.
When I came back from the East,
I found out that she'd obligated
herself for this picture.
It was impossible.
And in the boat
she accused you of stealing?
She didn't really mean that.
It was as though she were trying
to make excuses for herself,
keep the fiction alive
that nothing was changed.
What happened in the boat,
Mr. Briggs?
Well, I-- I just couldn't
stand it any more.
All those years
and she was calling me a liar,
a cheat, a thief, and...
Well, I got to my feet
and I started toward her.
I just wanted to shake
some sense into her,
and, uh, I...
I lost my footing
and I tripped.
Then suddenly she became afraid
and lashed out at you
with the boat gaff?
After all those years,
how could she ever think
I'd really hurt her?
Your Honor,
the testimony of this witness
with respect to the financial
condition of the deceased
is certainly subject
to scrutiny.
What's on your mind,
Mr. Mason?
I'd like to recall Mr. Raeburn
to the stand for a moment.
JUDGE:
Mr. Raeburn, please.
You may stand down.
We had a financial meeting
at my place across the lake.
Yes.
Was anything said
about Miss Thomas
not having the money
you thought she had?
By Dennis Briggs, of course.
He kept trying to paint
a picture of dreadful gloom.
Even told Lorna she'd have
to get rid of old Harriet.
MASON:
Did you believe Mr. Briggs?
RAEBURN:
Then? Of course not.
But even later,
that night at her house,
I still thought
she had the money.
What was Miss Thomas' reaction?
To Briggs?
She called him
a few short names, I'm afraid.
That's when they were leaving
together in the boat.
Mr. Raeburn, how long
have you known Mr. Briggs?
A great many years.
Have you ever known him
to raise his voice
in heat or anger
against Miss Thomas?
No.
Not that he wasn't justified
so many times,
but he never did.
Now, Mr. Raeburn,
in reconstructing the scene
in which Mrs. Betty Clark
saw her mother
for the first time,
it's been established that you
were sent away by Miss Thomas.
Yes. That's true.
She practically put me out.
And you did leave?
Yes.
That's odd.
Your Honor,
may I ask the court reporter
to read back some
of this morning's testimony?
Mr. Burger's, uh, direct
examination of this witness.
The part immediately
following his, uh,
testimony on the bracelet.
"Question, Mr. Burger:
"Now, on the night
of the m*rder,
"what time did you have
a meeting with Miss Thomas?
"Answer, Mr. Raeburn:
"It started about : and went
on to about a quarter to
"when the girl showed up.
"Question, Mr. Burger:
What girl?
"Answer, Mr. Raeburn:
Mrs. Betty Clark.
"Question, Mr. Burger:
"And what was she there for?
Did she say?
"Answer, Mr. Raeburn:
I'm not at all sure.
"There was some question
about whether or not
"she was
Lorna Thomas' daughter.
"Question, Mr. Burger:
"And what did Miss Thomas
say to this?
"Answer, Mr. Raeburn:
"I don't remember
the exact words,
but she denied it vehemently."
Thank you.
So apparently, Mr. Raeburn,
you did not leave the house.
You remained.
Yes.
For a while.
To eavesdrop.
For more than that, Mr. Raeburn.
A motion picture company
carries insurance, does it not?
In case something happens
to a star?
In case something happens
to a partner?
So that of all the people
around Lorna Thomas,
you're really the only one
who stood to gain a single penny
by her death.
( dramatic theme playing )
"A single penny"?
You insist upon
being diplomatic, Mr. Mason.
I faced--
I faced starvation.
I've never known anyone
so cruel or so selfish, so--
So completely uncaring
for anyone else in the world.
Yes.
I k*lled her.
You know, I think I would have
picked Briggs over Tony Raeburn
as Lorna's m*rder*r.
Hm.
I'll confess to you,
I did for quite a while.
Did you read Raeburn's
confession?
Mm-hm.
He insisted he hadn't
planned on k*lling her.
That he was just eavesdropping
on Lorna and Betty.
Then he went into the study.
He was so angry, he was going
to take anything of Lorna's
he could find
that would convert to cash,
and of course he knew her
well-known jewelry was there.
And then Lorna came in.
Can you imagine how
she must have laughed
when she showed him
it was only paste?
No wonder he strangled her.
He left the jewelry there,
Bushmiller came in
and picked it up.
The rest we know.
( peaceful theme playing )
Well, I hadn't thought so,
but maybe we do know the rest.
( giggles )
At least we know
the world keeps turning.
Hm?
( noirish jazz theme playing )