Big Heat, The (1953)

[bunniefuu]

(g*nsh*t)

(CAR PASSING OUTSIDE)

Mr. Lagana.

I know it's late.

Wake him up.

Tell him it's Tom Duncan's widow.

I'm very sorry, Mr. Lagana but there's

an important call on the private line.

A woman who says

she's Tom Duncan's widow.

- Widow?

- That's what she said.

Yes? This is Lagana.

No, I'm glad you

called me, Mrs. Duncan.

I appreciate it.

Yes, of course,

we will get together.

But now I suggest

you call the police immediately.

Call Vince.

Mr. Lagana wants Vince Stone.

It's his girl.

She says he's playing cards.

This is not a social call, Debby.

Tell Vince I want him.

Right away.

Oh, sure, Mr. Lagana.

I always like to tell

Vince you're calling.

I like to see him jump.

Vince.

It's him.

I'll pass the deal, huh?

Why don't you shut the door

and see if anybody needs a drink?

Well, I don't know about your politicians,

but I'm so bored I need one.

Two.

Debby!

Shut the door!

Yes, Mike?

Well, I didn't know it was


the private line ringin'

or I would've answered it myself.

When?

When did it happen?

Oh sure, I'll see to it.

Too bad you had to make the trip

out from headquarters, Sergeant.

From out of bed, you mean.

When a cop kills himself,


they want a full report.

- Did you know him?

- No, just to say hello to.

He was in charge of

the Record Bureau.

Single contact wound.

Powder burn on his

temple and right hand.

Suicide, no question.

Tell the wagon boys


they can have him, huh?

Yes.

- No note or anything, huh Gus?

- No. Nothing.

Better make a list of all this stuff

for the report, huh?

Right.

I'm going upstairs to have


a talk with Mrs. Duncan.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Please, come in.

Mrs. Duncan?

I won't keep you very long.

You needn't apologise.

I know this is necessary.

- Please, sit down.


- Thank you.

My name is David Bannion.

I knew your husband slightly.

Tom had many friends.

Would you mind telling me

what happened?

When I first heard the shot,

I was too surprised to move


for a few seconds.

Then, I ran downstairs.

When I found him, he was...

He was dead.

(SOBBING)

I'm sorry I have to ask you

these questions

but they want

a full report downtown.

Of course.

When a policeman kills himself,

the department gets worried.

That depends on the circumstances.

There weren't any circumstances.

Everything Tom ever did

was clean and wholesome.

That's the kind of man he was.

Do you know why he took his life?

It must have been his health.

Several times

the past few months, he complained

about a pain along his left side.

When I suggested

he see the police surgeon

he'd make excuses.

I think he was afraid to.

Then he didn't see a doctor?

Not that he ever told me.

You've been most helpful.

Now look, if there's

anything you need,

anything at all,

you get in touch with us, huh?

Thank you, Mr. Bannion.

Goodbye, Mrs. Duncan.

What's with dinner?

How about putting

the paper down and helping?

All right.

Whoops!

Hey...

- Is that steak?

- Medium-rare.

How do you manage steaks

on my salary?

Y'know, downtown they just

don't believe me.

Tell them you married an heiress.

All right.

Next year, when Joyce

starts kindergarten,

you're gonna have to kiss the steaks

goodbye until she finishes college.

Unless you become

Police Commissioner in the meantime.

Hmmm, that's inevitable.

Oh, naturally.

Okay, Commissioner, you get

the stringy end of the steak.

Hey what about Joyce?

She go to bed all right?

Just the usual tug of w*r.

She had to go to the

bathroom a few times,

hear three stories

and have a glass of water

before she finally went to sleep.

She's angelic all day,

but at night she's a holy terror.

That's the way

I usually describe you.

Hey, that's what the book says,

though, doesn't it?

"Be patient, but firm."

The book, the book.

Very scientific and calm.

Trouble is, the authors

have never met our daughter.

It's very simple.

She's madly in love

with me, that's all.

Hey, you know somethin'?

That's the conflict

between the two of you.

You're both in love

with the same wonderful guy.

- Right?

- Wrong.

We're just used to you.

Well?

How is it?

- It's good steak.

- Thanks.

- You want some beer?

- I'll take a sip of yours.

You see, that's exactly what I mean.

It's the perfect marriage.

We share the same scotch,

the same cigarette,

the same can of beer.

Among other things.

Hey, you know something?

I'm going to drink mine

and take a sip of yours.

That'll be something

different for a change, huh?

- (PHONE RINGING)

- Oh, they'll wake Joyce!

Hello?

He's having dinner.

Oh.

It's Sergeant Kahn.

Hello, Marty.

Y...

Wha...?

Who says Duncan

didn't k*ll himself?

I saw the body, Marty.

There's no question

about it being suicide.

All right, what's her name?

All right, I'll go see her.

(BAND PLAYING)

Is Lucy Chapman around?

The last stool on the other end.

Lucy Chapman?

- Yeah.

- I'm Bannion, Homicide.

Oh.

With this band playing, you need

megaphones to talk at the bar.

- We can sit in a booth.

- All right.

Okay, what is this

information you have?

This story is all wrong,

Mr. Bannion.

Why, Tom wouldn't k*ll himself.

He wasn't worried about his health.

Not for a single minute.

No? Then what was he worried about?

Nothing.

Nothing at all.

Not after his wife

agreed to divorce him.

Duncan told you he

was getting a divorce?

He talked about nothing else.

- When was this?

- Night before last. My night off.

What will it be, folks?

Oh, you don't have to

order anything.

That's all right, I'll have a beer.

- What about you?

- Only when I'm working.

How'd you get to know Duncan?

Well, I met him a year ago.

A year last May 11 th,

down on Lakeside.

Tom owned a summer place there.

I liked him right away.

He was a real wonderful guy,

Mr. Bannion.

Nice and gentle.

Thirty-five, mister.

Pay now.

Thank you.

Tom used to come

to the club every night.

His wife travelled a lot.

Sometimes, when she was away, I...

I used to go to the house.

We'd go swimming

and then lie around in the sun.

That sounds very cosy.

Oh, it wasn't that way,

Mr. Bannion!

Oh, sure.

Sure.

Please, please you

gotta to believe that.

You've gotta understand

how things were with Tom.

How he was caught

between the two of us.

Between me and that...

That leech he was married to.

What's your pitch, Lucy?

Trying to use us for a shakedown?

Shakedown?

Me?

Sure, I understand.

You're covering up

for a cop's widow!

You don't want anything

that'll change her story.

I wanna find out facts.

Oh, in a pig's eye, you want facts!

The only difference between

me and Bertha Duncan

is that I work at being a B-girl,

and she has a wedding ring

and a marriage certificate.

- That'll be all.

- Maybe for you.

- I can still talk to the newspapers.

- Yeah, I know.

You can talk yourself

into a lot of trouble.

So what?

At least I'll show she's a liar.

Tom had no reason to k*ll himself.

The fact is he did k*ll himself,

and that's positive.

Can I have a brandy?

Well, she claims she saw your

husband a few nights ago,

Wednesday night,

and there was nothing wrong

with his health.

What are you trying to say,

Mr. Bannion?

I... Just trying to

check up on her story.

Find out why your

husband took his life.

Maybe I've been trying too hard

to keep our dirty family linen

from being washed in public.

I suppose that woman told you

about their relationship?

She said your husband

was in good health

and very cheerful, Mrs. Duncan.

And that you'd

agreed to divorce him.

She's a liar!

Tom never wanted a divorce.

And he wasn't a well man.

I have no choice, now,

except to tell you

about Tom and myself.

In the years we were married,

there were four Lucy Chapmans.

Four that I found out about.

Tom was vain.

He had to prove to himself

that he was still

attractive to women.

Maybe he did boast to that woman

that he was in good health.

What else would

you expect him to do?

I wish this visit

hadn't been necessary.

There's a chance Lucy Chapman

might try a little blackmail.

She knows you own that house

at Lakeside.

Probably thinks you're wealthy.

A wealthy policeman

would be a novelty.

Thank you for your

patience, Mr. Bannion.

There's one small thing

I'd like to clear up.

You know,

so there'll be no loose ends.

Of course.

Would you mind telling me

about the house at Lakeside?

When it was bought,

price that was paid,

small details like that?

I'd mind very much.

For Tom's sake, I resent the

implication of your questions.

Look, Mrs. Duncan,

there was no implication.

Lucy Chapman may

run to the newspapers

and it's my job to

have the material

to offset any insinuations

that she might make.

And it's my job, with Tom

dead and defenseless,

to preserve his good name

the best way I can.

Goodnight, Mr. Bannion.

Goodnight.

POLICEMAN: So long.

Here you are, sir.

Trouble automatically

catches up with girls like her.

Looks like a sex crime to me.

You said she wasn't attacked.

Oh, that's not unusual

in this type of case.

I'd say pretty definitely

it was psychopathic.

You saw those cigarette

burns on her body.

Yeah, I saw them.

Every single one of them.

What's that name again, Sergeant?

Miss Chapman.

Lucy Chapman.

Hey, the Lieutenant's been

buzzing you every ten minutes.

He didn't say what for.

(TAP RUNNING)

Sit down, Dave.

I had a call from upstairs.

What have you been

bothering Mrs. Duncan about?

Just routine.

The first time was,

not the second visit.

Did she complain?

Somebody did.

It was bad judgment

to bother a cop's widow

about the love life of her husband.

Good or bad, it was my judgement.

You're missing the point.

I'm the one that gets the

pressure calls from upstairs.

I'm the one who has to explain.

You don't keep an office

like this very long

stepping on a lot of corns.

You want me to go

upstairs and explain?

Not you.

You're a corn-stepper by instinct.

No, all I'm asking you to do,

and I'm not even ordering it, Dave,

stop bothering Mrs. Duncan.

I don't wanna jam you up Ted,

but I may have to

see her once more.

Why?

You any doubt

Duncan k*lled himself?

No, none at all.

But I just got back

from the county morgue.

Hmm, the barfly?

I read the teletype about

your identification.

Lucy Chapman used to be

Duncan's girlfriend.

And the Army's and Navy's.

Yeah, maybe so.

She talks to me, just once,

and, like that, she's dead.

That's County Homicide's headache.

Let's worry about this office.

We're spilling over

with unfinished business.

Lucy Chapman was probably trying

to shake down some sucker

who wouldn't shake.

When barflies get k*lled,

it's for any one of a dozen crummy

reasons, you know that.

Let the Sheriff's Office

sort out this jigsaw.

Meanwhile, we'll stop

pestering the widow.

Okay?

You still asking?

No more.

I'm telling you.

First I know Lucy's quitting

is about two in the morning.

She comes to me and

asks to be paid off.

- Did she say why?

- I don't ask.

All any of these dames owe

me is a night's work,

one night at a time.

They come and go like flies.

Only this fly

got herself strangled.

These things happen, Sergeant.

Outside of my place,

some of these babes keep

pretty shady company.

It figures.

They know nobody cares

much what happens to 'em.

She have any close friends

among the other girls here?

They don't stay long enough

to make friends.

Where did she live?

If I ask for an address, they lie.

It's not worth the bother.

They're floaters.

Not much more than a

suitcase full o' nothin'

between them and the gutter.

Hey, y'know somethin'?

You ought to be doing

radio commercials.

How to talk a lot and say nothin'.

Why, I'd be tickled to

help if I could.

Sure.

When I get some answers,

I'll be back.

Glad to see you anytime, Sergeant.

This is Tierney.

Tell him it's important.

Sorry to bother you.

Bannion just left here.

No, sir, I just gave him

a lot of double-talk.

He said he'd be back again.

Yes, sir, I will.

Okay, buster, who'd you call?

My mother.

Would you rather go downtown

to answer the questions?

Don't scare me, Sergeant.

Five minutes after we get downtown,

you'll be answering the questions.

- Get your coat.

- Sure.

Only somebody'll wanna know

why you're butting

into a County case.

Why you don't stop annoying people.

Especially after

you've been told once.

You get your news fast, don't ya?

Special carrier pigeon.

Do we still go downtown?

No, not today.

When we do, I'll have enough

answers to close this joint up.

Tell that to your mother.

That's the most beautiful

castle in the whole world.

It's a police station, Daddy,

just like yours.

Hello, little bossy.

Where's big bossy?

- Here.

- Hello, darling.

Oh, I say, get a look at the suit.

Expecting company or something?

Al and Marge are coming to dinner.

Come, Daddy,

help me build the roof.

You better shower

and get some c*ck ready.

You look down in the dumps.

It's nothing much.

- Is it a case?

- I told you it's nothing.

You have to use a different tone

if you expect me to believe that.

All right, I'll bring home

an affidavit tomorrow if...

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, baby.

It's all right.

You're entitled to let off steam.

It's just a letdown.

I dunno, I guess it's a kind of an

occupational disease with cops.

You know that girl who phoned?

That Lucy Chapman?

Mm-hmm.

Well...

She's a case now.

County Homicide.

I'm sorry, darling. I'm...

- (CHILD SOBBING)

- It's all right, darling.

Daddy'll help you

build even a bigger one.

(PHONE RINGING)

Let's go see who's phoning us.

- Can I talk?

- Of course.

Hello?

Yes, it is.

Who is this?

He wants you.

Who is it?

I... I don't know.

This is Dave Bannion.

Listen, slob.

Stop minding other

people's business

if you wanna stay alive.

Some big people

are getting annoyed.

- Who is this?

- (RECEIVER CLICKS)

What did he say to you?

You can fill in the

four-letter words

better than I can.

Honey, I'll try to be back

before Al and Marge leave.

But, Dave, you don't

even know who called.

It's just another part of a scheme

to make me crawl back in my shell.

I don't know who called.

But I know where to go to find out.

Just a moment.

Who do you wanna see?

Mike Lagana.

Oh sorry, I didn't

recognise you, Sergeant.

How many men on

this detail, Officer?

Three of us on the

day and night shift

and four after midnight.

Ten cops to watch over Mike Lagana.

One hundred bucks a day

of the taxpayers' money.

Well, Mr. Lagana kinda runs things.

I guess that's no secret.

No, that's no secret at all.

- You like this detail?

- I do what I'm told.

That's what we're all

supposed to do, isn't it?

(DOORBELL RINGING)

- Good evening, sir.

- I'm from the police department.

- Is Mr. Lagana in?

- I'll see, sir.

It's a little draughty outside.

(BIG BAND MUSIC PLAYING)

Please, wait.

This way, Officer.

I promised my daughter

her father wouldn't be

seen or heard tonight.

What's your name again?

I think the butler missed it.

Bannion. Dave Bannion.

I'm from Homicide.

I think I've heard of you.

My mother.

A great old lady.

They broke the mold

when they made her.

She died last May.

She lived here with me.

Had her own suite of rooms,

her own bath, everything.

Never got over being

surprised about my success.

But you didn't come

here to listen to me.

Well, what is it this time?

Benefit dance?

Pension fund drive?

I came about a m*rder.

You came here to my home

about a m*rder?

A girl named Lucy Chapman

was m*rder*d last night.

Or this morning.

First she was tortured,

then strangled.

- Who runs your department?

- It's Lieutenant Wilks.

- Wilks, huh?

- Mm-hm.

It was an old-fashioned k*lling,

Prohibition kind.

That's why I thought...

I don't care what you thought!

I'm glad to help you boys

whenever I can.

But I got an office

for that sorta thing.

This is my home.

And I don't like dirt

tracked into it.

I see.

And I've violated your

immaculate home, is that it?

That's exactly it.

And tomorrow morning,

I'll see you don't get the

chance to do it again.

What'll you do?

Make another phone call

or have somebody make it for ya?

I've seen some dummies in my time,

but you're in a class by yourself.

I'm stupid because I want some

answers about a m*rder, is that it?

Shut up and get out.

We don't talk about those

things in this house, do we?

No, it's too elegant,

too respectable.

Nice kids.

Party.

Painting of Mama

up there on the wall, huh?

No place for a stinkin' cop!

It's only a place for a

hoodlum who built this house

outta 20 years of

corruption and m*rder.

I'm gonna tell you something.

You know, you couldn't

plant enough flowers

around here to k*ll the smell!

- I warned you to get out.

- Cops have homes, too.

Only sometimes there isn't

enough money to pay the rent

because a cop gets hounded off

the force by your thievin' c*ck

for trying to do an honest job.

George!

What's the matter, you think

I live under a rock or somethin'?

Your creeps have no compunction

about phoning my house,

giving me orders, talking

to my wife like she was a...

Yes, sir?

Get rid of him.

- Let's go, mister.

- Take your hand off, George.

It comes off when

we get to your car.

Better not, George.

You wanna pinch hit

for your boy, Lagana?

(BIG BAND MUSIC FLOODING IN)

What makes you think you can

walk into Lagana's house

and slug his bodyguard?

You're no rookie. You been around

long enough to know better.

I'm not askin' you

to take the rap for me.

I'll stand up for what I do.

Big fancy words.

Well, I'm in no mood for 'em.

I'm getting the squeeze

from upstairs.

What should I do

when some cop-hater

phones my home and insults my wife?

Sit home and like it?

Are you trying to tell me

Lagana phoned your house?

I'm trying to tell you that

nothing dirty happens in this city

without Lagana's okay.

I'm not interested

in your theories.

Not when they affect my job!

You're just begging

to go back into uniform,

pounding a beat out in the sticks!

That Lucy Chapman k*lling

is a County squeal.

It's the Sheriff's headache,

not ours.

Now, I told you that once

and I'm telling you again.

I won't tell you a third time.

That'll be all, Sergeant.

Let the pans soak.

I'll scour them when we come back.

The main feature

doesn't start for about an hour.

Do you mind if I put

my two cents in?

No, honey, I don't mind.

I've been thinking

about Lieutenant Wilks.

That leaning tower of jelly.

You know how long he and his wife

have looked forward to retirement?

We've done it ourselves

when we've looked that far ahead.

Wilks only has a few

more years to go.

He's worried about his pension.

If I had any sense,

I'd have turned in my badge.

Your big trouble is that you

attack yourself from all sides

like Jersey mosquitoes.

You don't want to quit the

department, not for one minute.

What am I supposed to do?

Hold on to my job

by just stringing along,

afraid to look to left

or to the right

because I might see something

that they don't want me to see?

If you do, you're going to

have trouble from me.

Just keep leading with your chin

and don't you compromise.

That's what I wanted

to hear you say.

Thanks, Inspector.

- Honey?

- Hmm?

If I tell you something,

you won't laugh?

No, I won't laugh.

I love you.

See, I'm not laughing.

Let's stay home, huh?

We're having company.

I can't sleep.

Nonsense, Miss Bannion,

you trot right back to bed.

Hey, the thing for you to do now,

according to the book,

is to lead her to B-E-D

with great kindness

and great firmness. Let's go.

Suppose you try it.

I'll drive over to get the sitter.

- Who d'you get?

- Maxine.

Tell her not to bring

half the high school along

to keep her company this time, huh?

Hey! Little girls like you should

be sleeping right about now.

Tell me a story.

In bed, darling, in bed.

Which story, Daddy?

Well, let's see...

How about The Three Little Kittens?

That lost their mittens!

KATIE: Commissioner...

I need the car keys.

Here.

Hey!

Nothing.

Nothing at all.

Be back in a minute.

All right.

Go on, Daddy.

In bed, first, darling.

There we go.

The three little kittens

that lost their mittens.

Go on, Daddy.

All right.

The three little kittens, er,

they lost their mittens

and they began to cry and

oh, they had a terrible time,

and their mother came

home and she said,

"Oh my! You kittens,

you've lost your mittens..."

(expl*si*n)

Stay in bed, darling!

(BUZZER SOUNDING)

Yes?

- Bannion's here, Commissioner.

- Have him come right in.

I have a lot of work waiting

for me in my office, Commissioner.

Let it wait.

Your being here will make

Bannion more comfortable.

I didn't get to speak to

you at the funeral, Sergeant

to tell you how hard

your tragedy has hit us all.

Sit down, will you?

I've put an around-the-clock detail

at your in-laws' house.

The report says

that's where your child is staying.

- That's right.

- Yes, it pays to play it safe.

How is the little girl?

She thinks her mother

went on a trip.

Is there anything else we can do?

Maybe a loan from the fund

to tide you over this period?

Don't hesitate, Sergeant.

Find out who planted

the dynamite in my car.

That's item one

on the department's agenda.

I've ordered Wilks

to shove everything else aside.

I want this case broken,

if it takes 100 men to do it.

We're checking back on

every homicide you've handled.

Why?

I beg your pardon?

I asked you why

you're checking the files?

You've made a lot of

enemies, Bannion.

Relatives and friends

of K*llers you've sent to the chair.

The motive was revenge.

That's obvious.

Is that the way it looks

to you, too, Lieutenant?

Well, it's worth exploring.

COMMISSIONER: Of course,

I'm only an appointed official.

I haven't the training and

experience you men have.

But I'm certain we'll find the answer

in one of these old homicides.

Wilks has eight men

on it, full-time.

Don't worry, there'll be a payoff.

When?

It's natural to be impatient,

but these things take time.

Sometimes, they take forever.

Now, that's no way to talk.

Why, there isn't a man

in the entire department

wouldn't give a month's

pay to break this case.

What about you, Commissioner?

How much would you give?

Just what are you

inferring, Sergeant?

I'm asking how much would you give

besides a lot of phony stories

to the newspapers,

a pat on the back

and a few kind words for me?

Why don't we go down

to my office and talk.

Oh, look Dave,

you've gotta ease up.

Take a few days off.

I'll keep you informed.

You...

Why you frightened

excuse for a cop...

Now, just a minute, Bannion...

Why don't you trot on

down to your office

and wait for him to

call your orders?

Oh, he'll phone you

just as soon as he gets

his orders from Mike Lagana.

I don't want to exert the

authority of my office.

I prefer remembering that

you've been through a lot.

And I'm going to give you good

reason to never forget it.

You're under suspension!

You better check with Lagana first.

He might not approve.

I'll have your badge and g*n.

Now.

You can have it...

permanently.

One moment.

I asked for your g*n, too.

That doesn't belong

to the department. It's mine.

Bought and paid for.

I'm warning you, officially.

Don't try to use it.

I won't.

Not until I catch up with the people

who m*rder*d my wife.

Hold on a minute.

Take this along, too,

will you please?

- Is the carriage for the truck?

- No, it's...

They'll bill you quarterly on

the storage charges, Mr. Bannion.

Yeah, I know.

Thanks a lot.

Dave!

I was just leaving.

Let the cab go.

I'll give you a lift.

I'd prefer the cab, thank you.

Taxi!

I just left Wilks.

He said any off-the-record

help you need is yours.

He feels lousy about what happened.

Put this carriage in the cab,

will you please?

Wilks gave me a list of

mechanics with records.

He got 'em from the b*mb squad.

- I have a list.

- Wilks didn't know that.

Tell him to stop bleeding for me.

It'll run over his pension.

You're way off base, Dave.

You don't really know Wilks.

I don't wanna know him.

Look, I've had a bellyful

of the department and Wilks.

And you.

Dave.

I wish you'd see Father Masterson.

Why?

Because you're on a hate binge.

You've decided people

are all scared rabbits

and you spit on 'em.

Look, I gotta lock up.

No man's an island, Dave.

You can't set yourself against

the world and get away with it.

Get out.

(CALYPSO MUSIC PLAYING)

(HUMMING)

Is that you, Vince?

Yeah. Larry's with me.

You weren't expecting

somebody else, were ya?

You'll do.

It's better than drinking alone.

- Hi, Larry.

- Hi, Debby.

Whaddya been doin' all day?

Shopping.

Some career, huh?

Six days a week, she shops.

On the seventh, she rests.

All tired out.

On her, it looks good.

Thanks, friend.

Go pour yourself a drink.

Hey, that's nice perfume.

Something new.

It attracts mosquitoes

and repels men.

- Doesn't work that way with me.

- It's not supposed to.

(DOOR BUZZER SOUNDING)

Ooh, that's His Highness.

I forgot to tell you

he was stopping off.

She forgot?!

Do you ever go

to the circus, Larry?

Uh-uh.

You should.

And take Vince.

There's a man with a big hat

that holds up the hoop,

cracks the whip and

the animals jump through.

Hup, Vince! Hup, Larry!

Hup, Vince! Hup, Larry!

Hup, Vince! Hup, Larry!

Hup, Vince! Hup...

Putting on a vaudeville act, Debby?

Just impersonations.

How's your daughter, Mr. Lagana?

She was going out formal tonight.

DEBBIE: Oh.

Can you imagine that?

She wanted me to wait and

put the final okay on her dress.

I told her, what I thought

didn't matter.

"Just impress

that football player."

Oh, sometimes their father

means more than football players.

They come and go,

but Dad's around for keeps, hmm?

I hope Angela

feels that way about me.

Oh, I bet she does!

Check the kitchen, will ya baby?

Sure.

Now, it's Debby.

Hup, Debby! Hup, Debby!

Hup, Debby! Hup, Debby!

Hup, Debby! Hup, Debby!

Hup, Debby!

She's a young girl, Vince.

Don't let her drink so much.

If she keeps it up, she's

goes outta here on her ear.

She's got no claim-check on me.

Well, when that happens,

give me a ring.

I'm a rebound man from way back.

I don't like gutter talk.

Sorry.

"Sorry"?

I'm tired of hearing you

sound off and then apologise.

Vince gave you two simple contracts

and you loused up both of 'em.

- Oh, no, wait...

- Shut up and listen!

Throwing the Chapman girl

out on a county road

brought us all the

advertising we didn't want.

k*lling Mrs. Bannion...

How stupid can you get?

How did I know

she'd be using the car?

Prisons are bulging with dummies

who wonder how they got there.

I can't afford people

who make mistakes.

- I make myself clear?

- Sure.

Vince and I have

things to talk about.

I got an appointment

in half an hour

with Mrs. Duncan.

She's raised her salary

to $500 a week.

Are we gonna pay it?

You sound like Larry.

As long as that letter her husband

left stays in her safe deposit box

we'll pay what she asks.

- Now, what about Bannion?

- Running around in circles.

- You sure?

- Positive.

But, if you want insurance,

we can take care of him now.

Vince, you worry me.

We've stirred up enough headlines.

The election's too close.

Things are changing

in this country, Vince.

A man who can't see that

hasn't got eyes.

Never get the people steamed up,

they start doing things.

Grand juries,

election investigations.

Deportation proceedings.

I don't wanna land in the same

ditch with the Lucky Lucianos.

(TRAIN BELL RINGING)

(TRAIN RUMBLING BY)

Slim Farrow around?

Not anymore.

Where can I reach him?

Spring Rock Cemetery,

six feet under.

Died three days ago.

Bad ticker.

He owe you some money?

No. I was hoping to

get some information.

Then it makes no difference.

Slim wouldn't give information

to his own minister,

if he had a minister.

Well, maybe you can help me.

My wife was m*rder*d ten days ago.

Someone planted

dynamite in our car.

- You Bannion the cop?

- That's right.

Was Slim mixed up in that?

That's what I'm trying to find out.

Sorry, I can't help you.

Did he have any visitors?

Did he get any phone calls?

All I know about Slim

is that he's dead.

Did he have a set spot to work?

You know, a place

where he kept his tools?

All the tools are mine.

There's nothing here for you,

mister.

Nothing at all.

Do you mind if

I walk around the yard?

Talk to your men?

I have to mind.

When it comes to my bread

and butter, I stay careful.

It doesn't matter to you

that Slim might have been

mixed up in a m*rder, huh?

Sure it matters.

But what can I do about it?

I don't know anything.

You're a liar.

You can't insult me, mister.

I said I don't know anything

and that's how it stands.

You know I've been meeting your

kind every day now for ten years.

Scared rabbits

that never see a thing.

You wouldn't stick out your big,

fat neck for anybody, would ya?

That's the truth.

But it's my big, fat neck.

So, now, if you're through talkin',

I'll get back to work.

I oughta...

That won't change my story.

Cops are paid to take risks.

I'm not.

You see, I've got

a wife and kids, too.

WOMAN: Mr. Bannion?

Mr. Bannion!

Mr. Atkins might come outside.

He isn't a mean man.

Not many people

would hire someone like me.

It's just that he's frightened.

I am, too.

But there was a man came

to see Slim about two weeks ago.

They had a long talk

out in the yard.

Do you remember what

he looked like?

Well, I'm not much

good at those things.

He was...

Well, he was about

your height, and he...

Well, he wore rather fancy clothes.

You know, colourful.

Would you be able to

recognise him again?

Oh, yes. He came into the office

and asked me where Slim was.

- How about phone calls?

- A few.

A man named Larry

left a message once,

just about the same time.

No last name?

No.

He just said to tell Slim

to call him at a place...

A most peculiar name.

Something like a monastery.

You know, where people

go off alone, to think.

The Retreat?

That's it.

He said to call him at The Retreat.

I'm very grateful, Miss...

Parker. Selma Parker.

Miss Parker.

You've been most helpful.

Oh, I'm glad.

- Good luck, Mr. Bannion.

- Thank you.

Shall we say good night to Daddy

and put baby to bed now?

Yes.

Goodnight, darling.

- Good night, Daddy.

- Sleep tight, honey.

- Thanks, Marge.

- You bet.

- Goodnight, Joyce.

- Goodnight.

Say, Al,

do me a favour, will you?

Call this number at

exactly 9:30 on the dot

and ask for Larry.

Larry who?

That's what I'm trying to find out.

Larry's all I know.

Is it a lead?

I'm hoping so.

I got my fingers crossed.

Thanks, Al.

(ACCORDION MUSIC PLAYING)

A beer.

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

Thirty-five.

Retreat.

Larry who?

You must be kidding, mister!

What am I supposed to do,

page Larry anybody?

VINCE: Look, keep your hands off!

I won't tell you again!

I'm sorry, Mr. Stone.

When I say, "Don't pick up

the dice so fast," I mean it!

- I'll roll them again, if you like.

- Go ahead.

- (SCREAMING)

- Stop it!

(SOBBING)

Honey, that guy's way outta line.

- Reds, don't fight!

- I gotta.

Please Red!

Sit down, junior!

Get your boyfriend

outta here sister.

- Come on, let's go home.

- Look, you're not scaring me!

Please, Reds, come on!

Where you going, thief?

This isn't your business, Bannion.

All right, thief, suppose you

tell me what my business is.

Go on, tell me.

You like working girls over,

don't you?

Don't make a mistake, Bannion.

Don't play hero with me.

Maybe you're the one

that worked over Lucy Chapman.

Well, take it easy, Sergeant.

I don't know what

you're talking about.

(SOBBING)

Here, baby.

This is for you.

Get yourself somethin' nice.

No hard feelings, huh?

That square it, Sergeant?

Get outta here while

you can still walk.

Sure. Sure.

You, too.

- Are you gonna be all right?

- Yeah. Yes, sure.

Thanks, mister.

- Sergeant.

- Yeah?

I'd like to buy you a drink.

With Vince Stone's money?

I'd choke on it.

(CAR HORN HONKING)

You get your kicks

out of insulting people?

Aren't you Vince Stone's girl?

The way you ask it, it sounds

like a bunch of dirty words.

Well, that was the general idea.

Everybody's walking out

on me tonight.

- What are they after?

- Dunno. You, I think.

Vince Stone chase you after me?

You saw him leave me in the bar

like an old beer or something.

Come on. Let's find out.

I mean, if it's you I'm after.

(CAR DOOR SLAMMING)

- I'm staying at the Marland Hotel.

- Okay.

You make up your mind

in a hurry, don't ya?

Uh-huh.

Marland Hotel.

Say, I like this.

Early nothing.

There's just scotch.

Is that all right?

Fine.

- Water?

- Good.

How come you sat still

when Stone burned that girl?

Well, I'll tell you.

The last time I butted in,

Vince worked me over.

Is that how it is being his girl?

Most of the time, it's a lotta fun.

Expensive fun.

Whadda you got against him?

I don't like thieves.

Well, you'll never get anywhere

in this town not liking Vince.

- I'm not trying to get anywhere.

- That's obvious.

Well! That's some improvement.

You know, it's funny

sometimes I feel about Vince

the way you looked at him tonight.

He can be a pretty good guy.

And other times he can be...

But why kick?

You gotta take

the bad with the good.

Is the "good" good enough?

Clothes, travel,

expensive excitement.

What's wrong with that?

Nothing, if you don't care

where his money comes from.

The main thing is

to have the money.

I've been rich and I've been poor.

Believe me, rich is better!

Did you think I was an heiress

or something before I met Vince?

I didn't think about you at all.

Thank you.

I didn't know you, how could I?

Oh, that's better.

Got a refill?

- You know Larry at The Retreat?

- Larry who?

Erm... it's Larry...

I forget his last name.

He's about my size,

wears flashy clothes.

I know lotsa Larrys.

This one was a friend

of Vince Stone's.

I don't know all his

friends, fortunately.

You know Mike Lagana, don't you?

Just to say hello and goodbye to.

When Vince talks business, I go out

and get my legs waxed or something.

I don't like to hear things.

Why don't you stop

the cross-examination?

I didn't come up here

to talk outta school.

Why did you come up?

Well, why don't we call it

"research" or something?

Or to needle Stone?

Oh, well, you're about as

romantic as a pair of handcuffs.

Didn't you ever tell

a girl pretty things?

You know, she's got hair

like the west wind,

eyes like limpid pools,

skin like velvet?

I'll put you in a cab.

Did I say something wrong?

No.

I must've broken

one of the house rules.

You really want me to go?

I wouldn't touch anything

of Vince Stone's

with a ten-foot pole.

That's a rotten thing to say.

Everybody winning?

- Hello, Debby.

- Hi Deb!

- How are you doing, Vince?

- Okay.

Where you been?

The Gaiety Club.

Late show.

Deal me out a while, huh, boys.

How was the show?

The usual routines, not too bad.

Why didn't you come straight home?

The way you ran out,

I didn't think you cared.

What do you mean, "ran out"?

It wasn't a stroll.

With the elections this close,

I can't afford trouble

with a crazy ex-cop.

He's not so crazy.

I've got a hot flash for you.

He hates your guts.

How would you know?

I was there, remember?

I'm the girl you left at the bar.

I phoned The Retreat.

Tierney said you offered

to buy Bannion a drink.

Tierney wouldn't know a gag

unless it hit him right in the face.

He said you followed

Bannion outside.

I went out looking for you.

You made better time getting away

than they make in the Olympics.

- That's a real pretty kisser.

- Isn't it?

I thought you and Bannion played

footsie while my back was turned.

You ought to trade Tierney in.

Get yourself a more

reliable stool pigeon.

Maybe I got myself a better stoolie.

- How was the Gaiety Club?

- No!

My arm, Vince!

My arm!

You like cops, do you?

Don't, Vince, please!

- Where'd you go with him?

- My arm!

My arm!

VINCE: I asked you

a question. Where?

DEBBY: I only saw

him on the street.

Only the street!

- I suggest we call it a night.

- I suggest you shut your mouth!

- Where'd you go with Bannion?

- Nowhere.

Nowhere!

He dropped me off at the Gaiety!

Sure, The Gaiety!

The Gaiety!

Oh, you pig!

You lyin' pig!

(BUBBLING SOUND)

- (LIQUID SPLASHING)

- (SCREAMING)

My face! My face!

(HYSTERICAL SOBBING)

I'll fix you and your pretty face!

- Vince, she's scalded!

- She had it comin'!

(SOBBING)

Don't just stand there.

Get her to a doctor!

You'll have to make

a police report.

That's why we're sending you.

- Go on, get moving!

- I'll try.

I'll try.

(HYSTERICAL SOBBING)

(SOBBING)

Shut the door!

Mike?

Yes, Vince?

How do you know she

didn't tell Bannion anything?

Debby isn't your problem

anymore. She's ours.

I want insurance.

But I don't want her found

off any county highway.

I don't want her found at all.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

- Who is it?

- Debby Marsh.

- Who's with you?

- I'm alone. I've been hurt.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Put it out! Please!

Vince threw hot coffee in my face.

I'm gonna be scarred.

The whole side of my

face will be scarred.

(SOBBING)

Where's Stone now?

I don't know.

They made Higgins take

me to the doctor.

Higgins, the police commissioner?

Yes.

After the doctor put

on the bandages, I ran out.

Can I stay with you?

Please can I stay?

I'll get you a room on this floor.

Who else was with Stone?

Gillen, from the city council.

George Fuller, Vince's lawyer,

and Larry Gordon.

I told the doctor

I didn't care what he

had to do, or about the pain

only I didn't want my face scarred!

Who's Larry Gordon?

You don't care.

You don't care what happened to me.

You don't care about

anything or anybody.

I was followed

when I came here with you.

That's why I got this!

Gil, this is Dave Bannion.

I'm going to need another room

on this floor.

Yeah, it's for a friend of mine.

I don't want it registered.

Yeah, that's right.

I don't want anybody

to know she's here.

Right.

You'll be safe here.

Want a shot of scotch?

Please.

Gordon is the Larry

you asked about.

Vince imported him from

Chicago a few months ago.

Thanks.

Tomorrow I'll have

another doctor look you over.

I guess a scar isn't so bad.

Not if it's only on one side.

I can always go

through life sideways.

Gordon lives at

the Wilton Apartments.

(BUZZER SOUNDING)

(BUZZER SOUNDING)

Is Mrs. Davenport at home?

You got the wrong apartment.

(BUZZER SOUNDING)

I told you it was...

Get up!

You must be nuts.

Come on, get up.

What about Slim Farrow?

You're punchy!

Go on, pick it up.

I won't k*ll you, not right away.

You got a wrong steer.

If I knew what you was

talking about...

What did Slim do for you?

I swear on my mother's...

(GASPING)

What did he do for you?

When I let go, start talkin'.

If you don't, I'll finish the job.

Talk.

He told me to get you.

Vince Stone.

I hired Slim.

What about Lucy Chapman?

Stone. He was scared

Duncan told her things.

Was Duncan on the take?

Well, yeah, for years.

Why didn't they

shut up Mrs. Duncan?

I don't know!

Did she go on the payroll?

- I think so. I'm not sure.

- What's she got on 'em?

I don't know.

I just take orders.

You're gonna give me a break,

aren't you Bannion?

I told you what I know!

I'm through with you.

But your friends aren't.

I'm gonna spread the word

that you talked.

You're out of business, thief.

VINCE: We caught up with Larry

before he got to the airport.

He was in such a hurry, it took

a couple of slugs to stop him.

What's left of him

is on the way to the river.

Debby?

What about her?

She doesn't worry me.

But Bannion does.

Larry must have talked his head off

or he wouldn't have started runnin'.

When you use second-raters

like Gordon, it's trouble.

I've told you that before.

If you had okayed

getting rid of Bannion

he wouldn't be a problem now.

And when Duncan wanted out,

I asked you to let me handle him.

But, oh no!

You thought talking

to him might keep him in line.

So what happens?

He knocks himself off!

Don't make me the fall guy, Mike.

I'm no Larry Gordon.

The reformers would be delighted

to hear us accusing each other.

All right, we both made mistakes.

The point is, correct them.

Bannion on the bottom

of the river with Larry

and there's no more problem.

Maybe a bigger one.

If he knows anything,

he's put it on paper.

Anything happens to him,

it becomes public property.

The Duncan setup all over again.

That's a gamble we've gotta take.

We don't.

Take something Bannion

values more than himself

and we keep him quiet.

As soon as you're set,

have Higgins call off

the police guard

at the Eldridge Street house.

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

Yes?

Yes, Mrs. Duncan?

He's at my door.

What'll I do?

(BUZZER SOUNDING)

He knows I'm at home.

My car's in the garage.

I'll take care of it.

You just stall him.

Yes, I understand.

(BUZZER SOUNDING)

Oh, Mr. Bannion!

I'm so sorry I kept you waiting.

The furniture's the same.

Nothing's been changed.

You haven't started living

high yet, have you?

What are you talking about?

Your husband was on

Lagana's payroll. Now you are.

He must've put down all

the facts and figures in writing

for Lagana to

hold still for blackmail.

What did you do with it?

I haven't the faintest idea

what you're talking about.

But if you want to look around,

please go right ahead.

Oh, it wouldn't be here.

You're much smarter

than Lucy Chapman.

Thank you.

You told Lagana about Lucy.

You have a horrid mind.

Poor Lucy.

You were delighted.

You were even happy when your

husband blew his brains out.

We were getting along very well

until the soul-struggling began.

Want to know something ridiculous?

It was after his affair

with Lucy Chapman

that he wanted to

turn over a new leaf.

Our city is being strangled

by a g*ng of thieves

and you protect Lagana and Stone

for the sake of a soft, plush life.

The coming years are going to be

just fine, Mr. Bannion.

There aren't going to be

any "coming years" for you.

None at all.

I don't threaten easily.

If anything happens to you,

the evidence comes out.

That's the way you arranged it.

Didn't you, bright lady?

You got it all put away someplace.

That's how you kept

Lagana over a barrel.

But I'm not Lagana.

With you dead,

the big heat follows.

The big heat for Lagana, for Stone

and for all the rest of the lice.

(CAR SCREECHING OUTSIDE)

Mr. Lagana is an excellent

life insurance agent.

What's the trouble?

Why nothing, Officer.

This is Police Sergeant Bannion.

Sorry, Sergeant.

We got a call there was trouble.

Sergeant Bannion...

Oh, I'm sorry.

It's ex-Sergeant, isn't it?

He'll be leaving with you, Officer.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

It's me, Bannion.

How about a little

light in here, huh?

I've got to get used

to being seen sometime, I guess.

I've been feeling like

something that's been shut up

because nobody wants to look at it.

Aren't you supposed to take

one of these before meals?

Here you are.

Some water?

Just sitting here

thinking's pretty rough

when you've spent most

of your life not thinking.

Now eat your soup, huh?

What was your wife like, Dave?

Twenty-seven years old, light hair,

grey eyes.

That's a police description.

Did she like to cook?

Like to be surprised?

What kind of things made her laugh?

That's what...

I'm sorry. You don't

wanna talk about her.

Certainly not with me.

Not with anyone.

Did you find Larry?

What?

Yeah.

Yeah, I found him.

And?

I ran into a brick wall.

Bertha Duncan.

The cop's widow?

He left her a million-dollar

trust fund.

Wrote down everything there

was to know about the syndicate.

Vince must hate her insides.

He never could take losing

or being pressured.

He's got to take it.

If she dies, the letter

goes to the newspapers.

You know, I almost

k*lled her an hour ago.

I should've.

I don't believe you could.

If you had,

there wouldn't be much difference

between you and Vince Stone.

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

Must be for me.

I told 'em downstairs

I was up here.

Yes?

Yes, Marge?

The relief detail didn't show up.

I called the police station. They

said they weren't coming anymore.

Keep the door locked

until Al gets home.

I'll be there in an hour.

Keep that for company.

Okay, Mac.

Get 'em up high.

Upstairs, Mac.

Nice and easy now.

Hold it, Mark!

Hold it!

Nice goin'.

This is my brother-in-law.

What is this?

Al said to stop everybody.

You're doing fine, Mark.

Get back downstairs.

Sorry, Mac.

Yes.

It's okay.

- Is Joyce all right?

- Sure.

Marge has her inside.

I got the boys over just in case.

This is my brother-in-law,

Bill Rutherford,

Harry Shoenstein, Hank O'Connell.

- Hi, Sergeant.

- How are ya?

I guess civilian life hasn't slowed

Mark down so much, huh?

Are you kidding?

It hasn't slowed him down at all.

When trouble comes,

it'll be from hoodlums

who know their business.

I'm afraid they won't be stopped by

amateurs whose hearts

happen to be in the right place.

Do we look like the cast

from some Maypole dance?

I've been places those

creeps wouldn't go

unless they rode in a 50-ton tank.

I went in on foot...

The story of how he won the

Medal of Honour, or something.

All right, big wit!

But I'm tellin' you, anybody

comes through that door

and touches that kid

is gonna wind up dead!

Harry 'Schoenhopper',

the angry poet!

Seriously, Bannion,

we can handle things.

I was never so sure

of anything in my life.

Do you know where

the trouble's coming from?

I'd feel easier if

all of you stayed here.

- Daddy!

- There's my girl.

Hello, sweetheart!

How are you?

Will you tell me a story, Daddy?

Why, sure.

Which story, darling?

- The Three Little Kittens.

- That lost their mittens...

We just heard the

precinct detail was called off.

You're sticking your neck way out.

WILKS: It's a fine night for it.

Hello, Dave.

Aren't you throwing that pension

of yours down into the sewer?

I got my wife's okay.

In fact, Gertie used language

I didn't think she knew.

It's the first time in years

I've breathed good, clean air.

Well, you don't have to stay,

Hal has some of his

Army friends upstairs.

WILKS: If we stick around,

it'll make it official.

- Thanks.

- Dave.

Where are you going now?

- Nowhere special.

- Want company?

Uh-uh.

A report came in this afternoon

about your barging

in on Mrs. Duncan.

You're not going there again?

No.

(INSISTENT BUZZING)

I'm Vince Stone's girl,

Debby Marsh.

May I see you for a moment?

I was just leaving,

but please come in.

Thank you.

Were you in an accident?

- Yes.

- I'm sorry.

- You have a nice home.

- Thank you.

- Did Mr. Stone send you?

- No.

I've been thinking

about you and me,

how much alike we are.

The mink-coated girls.

I don't understand you.

What are you here for, Miss Marsh?

Debby.

We should use first names, Bertha.

We're sisters under the mink.

You're not making

any sense, Miss Marsh.

I'd better call Mr. Stone

and have him pick you up.

You're not well.

I've never felt better in my life.

(g*nshots)

(DOOR UNLOCKING)

It'll burn for a long time, Vince.

(GLASS SHATTERING)

It doesn't look bad now,

but in the morning

your face will be like mine.

Look at it.

It isn't pretty, is it?

You'll walk through

side streets and alleys

so that people won't stare at you.

Oh, but you're lucky.

It won't be for long.

Bertha Duncan is dead!

No more insurance

for you and Lagana.

The lid's off the garbage can.

And I did it!

(g*nsh*t)

(DOOR BEING FORCED)

(g*nsh*t)

- Dave!

- (g*nsh*t)

Debby.

I k*lled Mrs. Duncan.

This is an emergency.

Get an ambulance to

257 Flower Street.

The penthouse.

Dave!

(EMPTY g*n CLICKING)

Go on, sh**t!

(g*n BARREL CLICKS SLOWLY)

sh**t! sh**t!

Get up.

Get up!

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

We'll take your g*n, Dave.

You can have him, too.

There's one charge

against him, to start with.

(HANDCUFFS CLICKING)

Over there.

We went to the Duncan house.

I'm sorry you got there first.

I didn't.

Did you call it in?

We wanted to catch

up with you first.

Put a cover on Lagana, Higgins

and every other thief in town.

Duncan left a confession.

It'll come out now.

The lice will try to run.

There's no use moving her.

You can close your file

on the Bertha Duncan k*lling.

Dave.

Yes.

Am I going to die?

If I said you'd live

another 100 years,

you'd call me a liar.

I don't wanna die.

I must look awful.

Vince shouldn't have

ruined my looks.

It was a rotten thing to do.

- Dave.

- Yes?

I'm going to die.

No, Debby.

Remember how angry you got

when I asked you about your wife?

I wasn't angry.

Oh, you and Katie

would've gotten along fine.

What was she like?

A real Irish blow-top.

But she always got over it fast.

She used to raise the roof with me

for missing dinner

or leaving the bathroom in a mess.

A few minutes later, she'd come in

with a drink in her hand for me

just as though nothing

had happened.

You know, Kate,

she was a 'sampler'.

She used to take sips of my drink

and puffs on my cigarette.

Sometimes she used to

taste the food off my plate.

We got a big kick out of that.

I like her.

I like her a lot.

Sometimes when I

came home from work

she'd have the baby

dressed up like a...

Oh, like a little princess.

One of the most important

parts of the day

was when I came in

and saw her looking like something

just stepped down off

a birthday cake.

I guess it...

I guess it's that way

with most families.

- How about some coffee, Hugo?

- Coming right up, Sarge!

(PHONE RINGING)

Homicide, Bannion.

Got it.

They have a hit-and-run

over on South Street.

- Keep the coffee hot, Hugo.

- Okay, sir.