Good evening, Miss Shaw.
It's a lovely evening, no?
Hi, honey.
Did you park
my car out in front?
Don't you honey me,
you liar.
You just pack your things
and get out of here.
All right, Marian.
If this is a gag,
I give up.
I'll show you
what kind of a gag it is.
Use my suitcase
and don't bother
to bring it back.
Now just a minute.
You have a room
at the Bartlett's
where you work.
Why don't you stay there?
Because I like to
spend my weekends off
where I please.
But you're not
going to stay here.
I have as much right here
as you do.
Diana, I'll give you
exactly five seconds.
[g*n f*ring]
Miss Reynolds,
what is the meaning of this?
It was an accident,
Mr. Kessler.
Wasn't it, Marian?
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
The mail just come,
Miss Diana.
Oh, thank you, Carlos.
The gardener's here, too.
He's got estimates
on the fruit trees
Mr. Bartlett wanted.
Thank you. Would you
tell him to wait, please?
I'll be right there.
Yes, ma'am.
Tony, I've told you
not to do that.
It's your own fault, honey.
It's practically
a reflex action.
Why don't you admit
you like it?
I wish Marian
could see you now.
Why did you tell her
those stories about me?
A fella's got to
protect himself.
You told her
stories about me.
Mine were true.
I don't want to
see her get hurt.
Oh, when are you gonna
grow up?
Don't you know some people
are born to suffer?
It's Marian's role in life.
She'd be unhappy
any other way.
Did my stepfather write
when he was going to
get back from Chicago?
What have you got there,
a letter from the President?
Excuse me, Miss Diana,
but the gardener
got to leave.
Thank you, Carlos.
I'll be right there.
[TONY READING]
"They live at 1417
Lincoln Road in Fernwood
in the San Fernando Valley.
"The kid's name is Bobby.
"He's four years old."
[SIGHING]
You work and you plan
for security
and then someone writes
an anonymous letter.
If that thing's true
and your darling new husband
has got a grandson,
where do I fit in?
The question is,
is it true?
I know Matthew's son,
Robert, married some girl
five months before he d*ed.
Her maiden name was Norma,
Norma Carter.
Whoever wrote this letter
is no friend of hers.
Well, he's no friend of ours,
either.
Look, Mother,
if we destroyed it...
Oh, it's no good.
Diana will tell them.
Suppose you leave
Diana to me.
You're the only thing
that matters to me, Tony.
I married Matthew Bartlett
so you'd have security
and I'm not letting
anybody destroy that.
[HENS CLUCKING]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
Hello there, young fella.
Hello.
What's your name?
Bobby Carter.
Is your mother home?
She's in the back.
We got chickens.
Will you tell her there's
someone here to see her?
[DOOR OPENING]
You wanted to see me?
Yes, I did.
You Mrs. Carter?
My name's Phillips.
I'm from the Beekman
Land Enterprises Company.
We're interested in
new housing development
out here in the valley.
I see.
That's a fine looking boy
you've got there.
I can't make up my mind
whether he favors you
or your husband there.
Just what is it you want?
Well, I was wondering
whether you'd be interested
in selling this property.
You see...
There's a big "For Sale" sign
right out front.
You must have passed it
on your way in.
And you were wondering
if I'd be interested
in selling?
Get out.
Now, look here,
Mrs. Carter...
I said, get out.
[CRICKETS CHIRPING]
What are you doing in here?
That's an interesting
question, Diana.
Perhaps you can
explain this.
Leave that alone.
That's mine.
And these
happen to be mine.
What else have you stolen?
This is ridiculous.
I never saw those before.
You have no right
to be in here.
I want you out of here
in five minutes.
Are you crazy?
And you're not to take
anything with you.
We'll send everything
to your apartment
after the police
have searched this room.
I'm staying right here
until Mr. Bartlett
gets back tonight.
And believe me, when he hears
about that missing letter...
Keep your hands off me.
Let me go.
[DIANA GROANING]
I'm sorry, Paul.
I couldn't possibly
make it tonight.
I'm too tired.
[DOOR OPENING]
I'll tell you what, though.
If you want to set it up for
tomorrow night, it's a deal.
Fair enough?
Good.
I've always known
you could read my mind.
Let's say we call it a night.
You have a would-be client
waiting to see you.
Mmm-hmm.
Tell him
I'll see him in the morning.
It isn't a him,
it's a her.
I'm not interested.
A very pretty her.
Blonde.
Still not interested.
Has a black eye.
Uh-huh.
And she practically just
stepped out of the bath.
I don't think
she's had time
to dress.
[SIGHING]
Perhaps you better
bring her in, Della.
And then they threw me out.
I didn't have a chance
to do anything.
I didn't even have money
for car fare.
Well, how did you get here?
Truck driver
gave me a lift.
I left my car at
the apartment this morning.
I couldn't get it started.
Do you suppose the houseman...
What was his name?
Carlos.
Do you suppose Carlos
might remember that letter?
There's no reason he should.
It was typed on plain paper.
There were over a dozen
pieces of mail this morning.
Then when you come
right down to it,
there's actually no proof
there was such a letter.
I should have known
you wouldn't believe me.
I didn't say that.
Della, would you get
the camera, please?
When was Mr. Bartlett
expected home?
About 8:00 tonight.
Della, make it
a real close sh*t.
I want that black eye
to show.
You stand right there.
That's fine.
Take Miss Reynolds
to her apartment.
First thing in the morning
I want to see
Matthew Bartlett.
Well, what do you intend to
do about this, Mr. Bartlett?
Naturally, I expect you
to hear your wife's side...
I don't have to.
I know Diana's
telling the truth.
Thank you.
What kind of a fool do Helen
and Tony take me for, anyway?
Obviously, it doesn't
come as a surprise to you
that you have a grandson.
I've known about Bobby
for five months.
Up to that time,
I never dreamed
there might be a child.
I got my first hint
on January 25th,
when I received
an anonymous phone call.
Man or woman?
I couldn't tell.
But my caller launched
into a tirade
about my daughter-in-law,
Norma, being an unfit mother.
I pretended I wasn't
interested and hung up.
Then the letter
was a follow-up?
There was no need for it.
I'd already hired
a private detective
agency to investigate.
According to them,
my daughter-in-law
is doing a wonderful job
raising the boy.
Have you ever seen him?
Only once.
I drove by and watched him
playing in the yard.
I was ashamed to go in.
You see, my son, Robert,
walked out of here one day.
It was five years ago.
He said he never
wanted to see me again.
I told him
what I thought of his wife.
It wasn't much.
Five months later
he was k*lled
in a plane crash.
That's when
I started running.
I didn't stop running
till I got married.
Isn't it funny how
you can be so smart
in business
and so stupid
when you deal in emotions?
I thought Tony would be
a substitute for my son.
You can see I'm a great
judge of character.
[DOORBELL RINGING]
That must be
my wife and Tony.
I'm very anxious
to meet them both.
Listen, Mason,
how about representing me?
I want my grandchild.
What about his mother?
Well, she couldn't live here.
That'd never work out.
There are too many things
she'd have to forget.
And no woman could.
But I want that boy.
I don't care
how much it costs.
Why not?
Well, for one thing,
I have an old-fashioned idea
that money
can't buy everything.
For another, I already
have a client, Diana Reynolds.
Suppose I write her
a check now.
$1,000.
Would $1,000
make Diana happy?
I'm afraid nothing can.
Are you Matthew Bartlett?
And who are you?
This is Lieutenant Tragg
of the police.
He's with Homicide.
Homicide?
What do you mean,
nothing can make Diana happy?
She was m*rder*d last night.
I understand
you were her employer.
Hold this just a minute
for me, will you?
Yeah.
Did you ever
see this before?
I'm sorry, just, uh...
Well, it looks familiar.
It should.
It's registered in your name.
I remember now.
I gave that g*n
to Diana a month ago.
You see, she lives here
during the week
and on her days off she stays
in her apartment in Hollywood.
That still doesn't explain
why you gave her this g*n.
Well, driving home
one night
she was frightened
by a couple of hoodlums.
They almost forced her
off the road.
I suggested she carry a g*n
to protect herself.
Just where do you
fit into this picture?
I...
Diana Reynolds was my client.
Well,
then you certainly should
know what she looked like.
Maybe you'd both come along
and identify her.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
Who found her, Lieutenant?
A telephone repairman
was out here this morning
checking some lines.
Any footprints?
Yes, a few.
We got them.
[HENS CLUCKING]
This isn't Diana Reynolds.
What did you say?
This is not my client.
That car over there is
registered to Diana Reynolds.
Her driver's license
is in the glove compartment
and this girl
meets the description.
Her name is Marian Shaw.
She shared an apartment
with Diana.
Excuse me, Lieutenant,
the woman who lives here
just came home.
She's been out shopping
all morning with her kid.
Where is she?
Seeing the boy gets his nap.
I told her to go ahead.
The boy was frightened.
Her name is Norma Carter.
Carter?
What's the matter,
Mr. Bartlett?
You know her, too?
She's my daughter-in-law.
You better follow me.
It doesn't make any sense.
It doesn't make any sense
at all.
How well did you know
this Marian Shaw?
She was a very good friend
of mine.
I met her two years ago
in San Diego
and then I lost
track of her.
About three months ago
I ran into her
in a department store
in Los Angeles.
Can you think of anyone
who might have had
a motive to k*ll her?
Well, she did say
she was having trouble
with her roommate.
This Diana Reynolds?
What did they fight about?
A man?
What's his name?
Tony Davis.
Tony?
Why, he's my stepson.
Well, thank you a lot,
Mrs. Carter, for your help.
We'll be in touch.
Goodbye.
Norma,
could I see the boy?
No.
Please, Norma,
show me the kindness that,
well, I never showed you.
He's asleep.
I just want to look at him.
In there.
Don't wake him.
Then the building
superintendent,
a character named
Otto Kessler,
let me into Diana Reynolds'
apartment.
Her bed had
not been slept in.
She has to be
around somewhere, Paul.
If she's around,
I'll find her.
Well,
I just want you to find her
before the police find her.
Anything else?
Yes, I want you to check on
a woman named Norma Carter.
She's Bartlett's
daughter-in-law.
She told Tragg
she was at a drive-in theater
with her little boy
last night until 11:00.
MASON: Come in, Diana.
Miss Reynolds,
this is Mr. Drake.
How do you do?
How do you do,
Miss Reynolds?
What about the rest
of this stuff?
You'd better
check that out.
Come here and sit down,
Diana.
Where have you been?
Union Station.
Doing what?
Just sitting.
I was there since
I couldn't think of
any other place to go.
Obviously you must have known
that Marian Shaw was m*rder*d,
even before
the police knew it.
Then you must have
seen her body
at Norma Carter's place
last night.
I didn't know that
was Norma Carter's place.
I've never been there before.
We'd better take this
from the beginning.
After we dropped you
at your apartment last night,
what did you do?
I read a while
and then about
a quarter of 9:00,
the telephone rang.
Who was it?
I don't know.
He said he was a traffic
officer out in the valley
and that my car
was involved in an accident
and they thought
Marian had stolen it.
I told him he was wrong.
Are you positive
your caller was a man?
I don't know.
The voice was muffled.
Well, I...
I took a bus out there
and I got off
and I looked around.
I didn't see anyone.
And I went to the house.
There wasn't anyone home.
I thought
I heard a dog moaning,
you know, like it was caught
in a trap or something.
And I went to look
and I saw my car
and I saw Marian.
[SOBBING]
What did you do then?
I just started running.
I ran all the way
down to Parkwood Avenue.
Look here.
Why didn't you use your car?
It was right there.
I tried.
I couldn't get it started.
It wouldn't start.
Della, what's the name
of that motel in Santa Monica?
Sea Breeze Motel.
That's the one.
I want you to take
Diana out there.
She's to register
under her own name.
I'll get my coat.
Diana, when you get
to the motel,
I don't want you
to leave your room.
You're to stay right there.
You understand?
Gertie wanted to announce me
but I told her not to bother.
Lately it seems I've done
nothing but introduce you.
This is Lieutenant Tragg,
of the police.
Hi.
I didn't get your name.
Diana Reynolds.
Yeah, that's what I thought.
I had a hunch she'd try
to get in touch with you.
I've got a warrant
for her arrest.
Suspicion of m*rder.
I didn't k*ll her.
Then you have nothing
to worry about.
You'll have to go with him,
Diana.
It'll be all right.
All right, Sergeant.
[HENS CLUCKING]
Here, chickie, chickie.
Well, hi there, young fella.
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
I bet your name
is Bobby Carter,
isn't that right?
Well, come on.
Isn't that your name?
My mommy
don't want me
to talk to strange men.
Well, then it's all right
if I talk to you, isn't it?
Mmm-hmm.
I remember
when I was a little boy,
we used to have some chickens.
Of course, they weren't
as nice as yours.
Every day, I remember,
we used to go looking
for eggs.
And one day
you know what I found?
What do you think
you're doing?
Well, hello there.
You run inside and play,
honey.
Bye, Bobby.
Bye.
That's a very fine boy
you have there.
You must be very proud of him,
Mrs. Bartlett.
The name's Carter.
I'm sorry. I thought
your maiden name was Carter.
I still prefer to be
known as Mrs. Carter.
I told that to your client,
Mr. Matthew Bartlett.
I beg your pardon.
You know he came
out here to see me.
I wasn't good enough for him
when his son was alive.
Well, I want no part of him
or the Bartlett name now.
I'm afraid you're laboring
under a false impression.
I don't represent
your father-in-law.
Well,
just who do you represent?
Diana Reynolds.
The girl who k*lled Marian?
Did it ever occur to you that
Diana might have been
the intended victim?
The two girls looked alike.
In the dark someone easily
could have made a mistake.
All I know is Marian's dead.
I tell you, Diana had
nothing to do with it.
Then why did she hide
from the police?
Because she was frightened.
Haven't you ever
felt that way?
I never ran away
from anything.
You were more fortunate
than most of us.
You don't have to do that.
I can do my own work.
I'm convinced you're
an independent spirit.
You don't have to
carry things to extremes.
Do you know anyone
who would want
to hurt you?
Well, didn't you
ever wonder why
Mr. Bartlett suddenly
appeared on the horizon?
I figured he just
found out about Bobby.
Have you any idea
how he found out?
Well, first he received
an anonymous phone call.
The caller said
you weren't a fit mother.
What?
That was followed
a couple of days ago
by an anonymous letter
to the same effect.
Now can you think of anyone
who might be responsible?
Why, no.
Well, if you do,
would you let me know?
Why? What difference
would it make to you?
Because my client,
Diana Reynolds
was lured out here last night
by an anonymous phone call,
too.
I think the same party
was responsible.
Mrs. Bartlett claims
she and Tony were out driving
the night of the m*rder.
At 9:30 they were somewhere
near the beach.
That's vague enough.
I wonder which one of them
need the alibi?
Well,
don't forget Mr. Bartlett.
He can stand one, too.
His plane got in at 7:00.
He has no motive.
Hasn't he?
Marian was a blonde just
like his daughter-in-law,
Norma Carter.
In the dark he could
have made a mistake.
And, if he is so convinced
his wife and stepson destroyed
that anonymous letter
and then tried to frame
Diana with the jewelry,
why hasn't he said
anything to them?
He told me he wanted
to take care of them
in his own way
and in his own time.
Do you believe that?
Where was Norma Carter
at the time of the m*rder?
Well, she could have been
at that drive-in movie
like she claims
but I wouldn't want
to stake my life on it.
When you come
right down to it,
none of them have an alibi.
And neither
has Perry's client.
Anything else?
Yeah, but you're
not gonna like it.
Do you remember
Otto Kessler?
Yes, he was the superintendent
of Diana's apartment house.
He is also going to be
a witness for Burger.
Did your client
ever tell you
she once tried to
k*ll her roommate
and that Kessler saw her
with a g*n in her hand?
Funny,
Diana didn't mention that.
All right, Paul.
Keep checking
everything out.
Where are you going?
Over to see my client.
I wonder what else
she forgot to tell me.
I swear that's the truth.
Mr. Kessler made a mistake.
It was Marian who had the g*n.
It went off in the fight.
That's all there was to it.
I hope we can convince
the court of that.
Now, is there anything else
you should tell me?
I can't think of a thing.
Anything at all, no matter
how unimportant it seems?
How did Marian
and Tony Davis meet?
Well,
that started when
Marian went out
to be interviewed by
Mr. Bartlett for a job.
Did you recommend her?
No.
It was the other way around.
Marian didn't want the job.
She recommended me.
But while she was out there
she met Tony
and he asked her for a date.
Let me get this straight.
You mean the job was first
offered to Marian?
I told him I didn't have
any secretarial experience.
Then why did he hire you?
Did he ask you
if you knew Bobby Carter?
Well, that's funny
because he did.
As a matter of fact,
he was always asking
questions about Bobby.
Such as?
What does he look like,
how often he came over
to the apartment.
How often did Bobby
come to your apartment?
At least a dozen times.
Then you knew Norma Carter?
No. Marian would drive out
and pick him up.
Mrs. Carter would let him
spend the day with her.
How long had this been
going on?
Ever since Marian
bumped into Mrs. Carter.
About three months ago.
Does that mean anything?
It explains
how you got the job.
Bartlett was pumping you.
He wanted to find out
just as much as he could
about his grandchild.
Now do you see
his motivation?
Oh.
I don't blame him.
I mean, Bobby's a doll.
Marian used to say
that he was the only man
she ever wrote about
in her diary.
Marian kept a diary?
Yes.
She made quite
a mystery of it.
I ran across it one day.
I never told her.
She kept it hidden
in the typewriter case,
under the machine.
All right, now listen, Diana.
Preliminary hearing starts
the day after tomorrow.
I know.
I want you to wear
something simple.
Do you have
a tailored suit?
The matron picked
one out for me.
It's dark blue.
No, that won't do.
Suppose
you authorized my secretary
to pick out something for you.
From your apartment.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
Hi, beautiful.
Where's Perry?
He had to leave.
I thought he wanted
to see me.
How would you like
to take me to dinner?
It would be a pleasure.
Of course, we'll have to
make a detour on the way.
What kind of a detour?
I have to pick up a dress
for Diana Reynolds.
At her apartment?
Mmm-hmm.
Well, the cops have
taken the place over.
I know.
Of course, it may take me
a little while to find
something suitable.
Just what do I do
in the meantime?
Oh, I thought
you'd find something
to keep yourself busy.
Incidentally,
Marian Shaw kept a diary.
After you.
I'll fill you in on the way.
Say, how long does it take
to pick out a dress, anyway?
It isn't easy, Officer.
And you know how important
it is for a defendant
to make a good impression
in court.
Yeah, but
she's been in there
How about this one?
Uh, too jazzy.
I might have known it.
Oh, I don't see why
this is such a problem.
Look, Miss Street,
we haven't got
all night, you know.
Dr. Rose,
as medical examiner
for the coroner's office,
did you perform an autopsy
on the decedent, Marian Shaw?
I did, sir.
Would you please tell
this court your findings.
Well, there were multiple
and perforating wounds
of the body
which might have been
caused by b*ll*ts.
One entered the region
of the right clavicle
and came out the spine.
The other went through
the heart and right lung.
Did you make an attempt to
determine the time of death?
I have.
In my opinion, death occurred
at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Thank you, Doctor.
Cross-examine.
[CLEARING THROAT]
Now, Doctor,
you've testified that
time of death was 9:30 p.m.
Is that correct?
That's right, sir.
How did you arrive
at that conclusion?
By the development
of rigor mortis,
postmortem lividity
and body temperature.
Was there anything else?
Well, when the victim fell,
she broke her watch.
It was stopped
at 25 minutes after 9:00.
Well, that is hardly
a scientific test,
is it, Doctor?
Now, if you hadn't
seen that watch,
would you have attempted
to pinpoint the time of death
to virtually the exact minute?
Well, uh, no.
Now, Dr. Rose,
could your estimate of
the time of death be off,
say, as much as an hour?
Yes.
Two hours?
Possibly.
Thank you, Doctor.
That's all.
Well, I was sweeping
the carpet on the third floor
when I heard this sh*t,
so I immediately
opened the door.
And what did you see
when you went into
the girls' apartment?
Well,
Miss Shaw was crying
and Miss Reynolds
was holding a g*n.
Mr. Kessler, is this the g*n
Miss Reynolds was holding?
I object, Your Honor.
Mr. Kessler is hardly
an expert on g*ns.
Sustained.
Very well.
Here's something
you can testify to.
Mr. Kessler,
is this the b*llet
that you dug out of the wall
of the girls' apartment
the following day?
Yes, sir.
Thank you, Mr. Kessler.
Cross-examine.
Mr. Kessler,
you testified
you saw the defendant
with the g*n in her hand?
Yes, sir.
Did you actually
see her fire the sh*t?
No, sir.
You pried the b*llet out
of the wall the following day?
Yes, sir.
When did you turn the b*llet
over to the police?
Maybe a week later.
And why did you keep
the b*llet so long?
Did you intend
to incriminate
the defendant?
It never once
entered my mind.
Then what was your reason?
I really can't tell you.
I just kept it, that's all.
Thank you, Mr. Kessler.
That's all.
You may stand down.
Call your next witness.
BURGER: I call Anthony Davis
to the stand, please.
You were in love
with the deceased,
weren't you, Mr. Davis?
Yes, sir, and Marian
was in love with me.
We were engaged
to be married.
That's not true.
And did you ever
tell the defendant
of your intention
of marrying Miss Shaw?
Yes, sir. One night
when we were alone.
What was the reaction
of the defendant?
Diana got very mad.
She said one way or another
she'd get even with Marian.
I see.
Your witness, Mr. Mason.
Now, you testified
that the defendant
used to throw herself
at you.
Is that correct, Mr. Davis?
Yes, sir.
How did you defend yourself
against these
unprovoked att*cks?
I just made sure
that we were never
alone together.
But by your own admission
you were alone
with the defendant
when you told her you planned
to marry Miss Marian Shaw.
Well, yes.
That was on the 20th of May?
Yes.
Is that the time
you gave her the black eye?
[STUTTERING]
I never hit her. I never
hit a woman in my life.
Except in self-defense
or do you mean that even then
you'd turn the other cheek?
Oh, when a woman starts
to scratch my eyes out
I'm not gonna
just stand still.
That's quite understandable.
Now, why did the defendant
try to scratch you?
Well, we wanted her
to leave the house.
You see, Diana had stolen
some things of my mother's.
Oh.
And when Miss Reynolds
wouldn't leave peaceably,
you then decided
to put her out?
There wasn't much else
I could do.
Of course.
Now, Mr. Davis,
weren't you afraid
to tackle a big girl
like Miss Reynolds?
After all,
you only outweighed
her about 50 pounds.
Why didn't you
go to the police?
I just wanted to
get her out of the house.
And naturally,
when she struggled,
you had to defend yourself.
That's right.
And just how did you do that?
I don't remember exactly.
You're positive you did not
give her a black eye?
Well, I would have remembered
if I had.
You don't remember
exactly what did happen,
but you do remember
exactly what didn't happen,
is that it?
Yes.
Thank you, Mr. Davis.
That's all.
All right, Mr. Davis,
you may step down.
Why didn't you ask
about the letter?
I was afraid to.
He'd deny there ever was one.
When I call him a liar,
I want to be able to prove it.
Uh, since it's nearing
the hour of adjournment,
has counsel any objection
if we recess?
No, Your Honor.
No, Your Honor.
Very well.
Court stands adjourned
until 10:00 tomorrow morning.
I know I've done you
a terrible injustice,
Norma,
and I can't expect
you to forgive me,
but I appeal to you
as a mother.
Well,
that's a new approach.
You never thought of me
as a mother before.
I admit
I've handled this badly.
I insulted
and humiliated you.
I realize you can never
forget that.
But think of Bobby,
think what I could
do for him.
Why,
he would have everything.
Except his mother.
You could visit him
whenever you like.
I know how much you love him
and I realize the sacrifice
you'd be making.
I hope you'll accept this
in the spirit in which
it's offered.
$100,000.
I guess you mean it.
You can have Bobby
because you can do
a lot for him.
But I wouldn't take
one cent from you.
Please, let me do something,
Norma.
Maybe I haven't
handled things right,
but let me
make it up to you.
If only for Bobby's sake.
Won't you let me
do this for him?
Perry, I just heard
from my contact again.
He double-checked.
Burger's got the diary.
Positive?
Uh-huh.
I hear it won't do
your client much good.
What else?
Well,
I don't know if this
means anything or not.
Little Bobby Carter
is going to live
with Matthew Bartlett.
You mean his mother's
going to give him up?
That's right.
Well, one thing's sure.
Whoever wrote
that anonymous letter
should be very happy now.
It's just what...
Now, Lieutenant,
I show you this plaster cast
and ask if you recognize it.
Yes, sir.
It's a
plaster cast of footprints
we discovered near the body.
And do you recognize
these shoes?
Yes. The defendant
was wearing them
when we arrested her
in Mr. Mason's office.
Would you explain, please,
the relation between
these shoes and the cast?
Well, we, uh, tried them
in the plaster cast
and they fit perfectly
as you can see.
So they do.
Now, Lieutenant,
do you recognize this item?
Yes, sir.
It's a diary we found
in Miss Shaw's apartment.
I see.
It was concealed
in a typewriter case.
If it please the court,
I would like these
three items entered
in evidence
and the diary
marked for identification.
All right, Your Honor.
However, I will stipulate
that the diary may be
received in evidence
only for the purpose of
showing that Marian Shaw
kept a diary
and that this is it.
And for the purposes
of stipulating
on the question
of handwriting.
Now, Lieutenant,
will you please read
the name on the inside cover?
It's "Marian Shaw."
Now, hold it a minute.
I want you to read the entry
dated May 7th of this year.
If the court please,
this is pure hearsay.
The district attorney
knows full well
the question is improper.
If the court please, I think
this should be permitted.
This will allow us to hear
in the dead girl's own words,
what she feels
about the defendant.
Furthermore, Mr. Mason
stipulated that...
Your Honor,
I made a stipulation,
but I did not waive
my right to object
whenever I feel that
the evidence is inadmissible.
I'm going to allow Mr. Burger
a little latitude here.
Thank you, Your Honor.
The witness may read
from the entry of, uh,
what was the date again?
May 7th.
Oh, yes.
Go ahead, Lieutenant.
"I had another fight
with Diana today.
"Tony told me
that she persists in
throwing herself at him.
"It's obvious
I can't trust her.
"I've got to watch her
every minute of the day."
Thank you, Lieutenant.
That's all.
You may cross-examine.
If the court please,
before I cross-examine,
I think I should be
allowed the opportunity
of examining
this entire diary.
I'll object to that,
Your Honor.
I examined this witness
on only one entry
from this diary
and Mr. Mason
may cross-examine him
only on that same entry.
Your Honor, I intend to direct
the attention of the witness
to certain other passages
in the diary.
It well may be that this
quotation was out of context.
If it please the court,
defense counsel is
obviously stalling
for time.
This diary covers
several years
and it would needlessly
delay this hearing
if Mr. Mason tries
to read the whole diary,
let alone introducing
other entries
to prove that I may be
quoting out of context.
Nevertheless,
Your Honor, I maintain
I am within my rights.
Since there's another
important matter coming up,
I'm going to recess now.
That will give Mr. Mason
an opportunity to look
at the diary
without removing it from
the custody of the clerk.
But, I'll expect you
to continue, without delay,
at 2:00 this afternoon.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Oh, Lieutenant,
you may step down.
Court stands adjourned
till 2:00.
Thank you, Mr. Burger.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
NORMA: Won't you come in?
Thank you.
[DOOR CLOSES]
I have to
leave very shortly.
I have to get these things
over to Bobby.
He's staying
with his grandfather.
This won't take very long.
Were you in court
this morning
when Marian's diary
was introduced?
Yes. I heard Lieutenant Tragg
read the entry of May 7th.
I ran across a couple of
entries much more interesting.
For example,
the entry dated July...
July 27th, four years ago.
Since we weren't allowed
to remove the diary
from the courtroom,
Miss Street took down
the entries in short hand.
Would you care to hear them?
"July 27th.
The day I made the decision.
"I know Norma will do
everything she can for him.
"Once I get on
my feet again
"I want to forget all
about Saint Catherine's."
Really, Mr. Mason, if your
purpose is to confuse me,
you've succeeded.
Now, Della,
would you read the entry
dated July 27th
of the following year?
"July 27th.
Last year at this time
"I was in a hospital
in Mexico City.
"Norma remembered the day.
She sent me a sweet note.
"She says everything's fine.
"Maybe I did the right thing."
That's all very interesting,
but I've already explained
those entries to Mr. Burger.
In all fairness
to Mr. Burger,
he doesn't know about
the anonymous letter
sent to Mr. Bartlett.
So he didn't realize
that the him
referred to in the diary
was a baby.
I don't think I follow you.
Yes, you do.
Bobby isn't your child,
he's Marian's.
He was born at
Saint Catherine's Hospital,
in Mexico City.
Are you trying to say
I wasn't married to
Robert Bartlett?
I'll be happy to show you
my marriage certificate.
I wasn't trying
to say that at all.
Of course you were
married to young Bartlett.
But Bobby isn't your child
or your husband's.
He is Marian's.
And since she wasn't married,
she agreed to let you take him
and raise him as your own.
Well, why would
I agree to that?
Because you had
a long-range plan.
You were literally going
to sell Bobby to Mr. Bartlett
after you had convinced him
that Bobby was his grandson.
Well, that's very funny.
Next you'll be accusing me
of k*lling Marian.
I am.
You didn't even know
Marian was in Los Angeles
until you ran into her
about three months ago.
By that time
your plan was well underway.
You finally had to k*ll her
because you knew
she would interfere.
I don't want to seem rude,
but I really have to leave.
Here, allow me.
Thank you.
There's just one thing
you're forgetting
in all this, Mr. Mason.
I wish you'd show me what.
Well, that anonymous
phone call to my father-in-law
that started the whole thing.
Oh, you were
responsible for that.
Now, why would I call
myself an unfit mother?
That was just
good psychology.
First of all,
you alerted him
to the fact that
he had a grandson,
and then thinking
you were an unfit mother,
he'd pay any amount
to get Bobby away from you.
And I suppose I wrote
that anonymous letter, too?
Yes. It's easy enough
to check.
All we have to do is compare
the typing on the letter
with your typewriter.
Can you spare a cigarette,
Mr. Mason?
[SIREN WAILING]
[TIRES SCREECHING]
Can we talk to her?
How do you feel,
Mrs. Carter?
How much time have I got left?
That's what I figured.
Do you have anything
you want to tell us?
Yes.
Mr. Mason was right.
I k*lled Marian.
I called her and asked her
to come out there that night.
Why did you do it?
I didn't want
anybody to find out.
Find out what?
I k*lled her, that's all.
Well,
there's our dying declaration.
We better pick up Tony Davis.
I'm going to charge him
with perjury.
She did try to make up
for things, didn't she?
That's it, that's it.
Hello, Mason, Miss Street.
DELLA: Hello.
Look at him, he'll be
an expert in no time.
I tell you,
blood will tell every time.
The spitting image
of his father.
I'd know my grandson anyplace.
Mr. Bartlett,
there's something
you should know.
Something I ought to know?
Well,
I think you'll need someone
to help take care of Bobby.
After all, he's just a child.
You're right.
I'd spoil him pretty bad.
We do need a woman
around here.
Do you think Diana
would be interested?
Well,
she's very fond of him.
It's a deal,
if she'll have us.
Come on, Bobby.
Let's go call her.
Oh, you coming?
Right behind you.
So, you're going to go on
letting Mr. Bartlett believe
that Bobby's his grandson?
Well, let's put it this way,
Della.
Mr. Bartlett has
a new lease on life,
Bobby has a home
and all the love
he'll ever need.
Can you give me
one good reason
we should destroy
all that?
I can't even
give you a bad one.
01x37 - The Case of the Black-Eyed Blonde
Watch/Buy Amazon Merchandise
Defense attorney Perry Mason defends dozens of falsely accused people during courtroom drama, and he manages to clear all of them, usually by drawing out the real criminal on the witness stand.
Defense attorney Perry Mason defends dozens of falsely accused people during courtroom drama, and he manages to clear all of them, usually by drawing out the real criminal on the witness stand.