07x17 - The Case of the Bountiful Beauty

[bunniefuu]

(theme song playing)

MASON: "Sensational novel by
-year-old Deborah Dearborn."”

I'm surprised
you haven't read it yet.

Everyone else has.

And, uh...

you think this book
is a libel against you?

I thought I made it clear,
Mr. Mason,

that I am here
on behalf of a friend,

but, yes, at least part
of that book is a libel.

Certainly no teenage girl
could have had enough experience

with life to imagine
some of the incidents in there.

So you think certain incidents

are based
oh your own experiences?

My friend has had quite a life,
Mr. Mason,

but, you see, this one character
in the book, the widow...

Mrs. Seward,

I must advise you
that to win an action

for damages for libel
is difficult.

You must first prove
that the book held you up

to public hatred,
contempt and ridicule.

You must also prove
that the author of the book

had you specifically in mind

and knowingly and with malice
wrote about you.

Now, does this young girl
who wrote this book

know you or about you?

No, at least not personally.

- Well, then...
- But suppose certain information

was given to her
by the stepson of my friend

and just suppose
I could bring you proof

that the stepson supplied
the girl with details

just so he and the girl
could maliciously expose

his stepmother
to public hatred and contempt.

I'm very sorry, Mrs. Seward,

but libel suits are not
my specialty.

Now, may I refer you
to another lawyer?

You mean, you're representing
someone else?

You already know
about this case?

No, of course not.

MRS. SEWARD:
Well, then, we can learn

about libel together, can't we?

You see, Mr. Mason,
I am a stranger in Los Angeles

and I am on my way to Europe
next week, so you can understand

why I just simply haven't got
time to find anyone else.

Of course money is no object.

Mrs. Seward, it's not a matter
of money or even time.

I simply don't like to handle
this type of case.

But, of course,
you really can't decide

until you've read the book,
can you?

So I'll just call you back
in a couple of days.

Bye-bye, dear.

Now, what were you making
faces for?

Perry, we were contacted
by someone else.

That's what I went out to check.

Last week a woman
by the name of Dearborn called.

Something about an appointment
to discuss a book contract,

only she never called back.

Dearborn?

DELLA:
Hmm.

Besides, do you know
who that woman was?

Said her name was Seward,
didn't she?

That was Stephanie Carew,
I know it.

You remember
the Frederick Carew scandal?

m*rder*d by his young bride,
but then she was acquitted.

Mm-hmm.

The judge's speech
to the acquitting jury:

"You have signally failed
in your duty.”

Didn't Carew's first wife
commit su1c1de

just before the second marriage?

Mm-hmm.

There may have been two murders.

A friend.

If the widow in here is her...

Uh, you should read the book.

It's fascinating,
beautifully written,

but if the author really based
a character on that woman...

Then I'd say

she's the one who's going
to need help, and lots of it.

(classical music playing)

Ah.

Good night, ocean.

(giggles)

(turns music up)

It's all a dream,
a wonderful dream,

a dream.

MAN:
Deborah.

(gasps)

John Carew.

Where in the world
did you come from?

No lights.

What is it, what's the matter?

Deborah, Stephanie's come
out here to Hollywood, too.

Stephanie-- Stephanie who?

You've got to hide.

John, what are you
talking about?

Who is Stephanie?

Why must I hide?

The woman you used to tell me
about was named Stephanie.

Oh, John.

That doesn't matter now.

Now, we've got
to get out of here.

She may be looking
for us right now.

The woman you used to make up
those fascinating stories about,

that terrible woman--
you called her Stephanie,

but when we sat in the dark
and you told me those stories,

-you didn't say that...
-I just wanted to talk to you,

to be where you were.

And you'd listen
when I told those stories.

Oh, at first
I-I tried to tell you.

But I fell in love with you.

And I was afraid
that if I told you I was lying,

that all those stories
about Stephanie were real,

I'd lose you,

but I, I lost you anyway.

Maybe nobody got lost.

We just went different ways
for a while.

We were just kids.

What was it, ?

I never thought
you'd write a book,

at least not one like this.

Who is she, John?

Stephanie is my stepmother,

and all those things
that I made up are true.

That's why you wouldn't let me
dedicate the book to you,

isn't it?

I couldn't understand.

I-I thought you'd be so happy.

I didn't think
people would notice.

It's such a wonderful book, and
she's, she's only one character.

John, a million people
have bought the book.

All those people know about her.

Listen, Deborah,
that's why I'm here.

I found out she can ruin you

with a libel suit.

In New York all she has to do is
prove that I told you the story

and you knew you were writing
about a real person.

Now, the law may be different
in California.

Have you talked to a lawyer?

I called one
when I first got out here,

but my agent said that he could
handle all my contracts, so...

Well, you see that lawyer,
only when you talk to him,

don't even tell him
that we know each other.

How could you ever
have caused such a...?

Because I'm no good,
because I thought someday...

And now we can't even see
each other.

Do you understand?

Not ever again.

I know how you feel about
not letting some crude producer

turn your book
into a cheap movie, dear,

but that's what I'm for.

As your agent I'll protect you.

I'll get you a top production
with top stars,

done in the very best of taste.

I can't sign
the contract, Rubin.

The contract is only for the
movie rights to your book, dear.

It doesn't have anything to do

with any money you make from
book sales or anything else.

Just the rights to make
a feature picture is all.

I'm sorry, Rubin,
but I can't sign the contract.

Can't sign-- why not?

I'm your agent, I make a deal.

Is it more money you want?

I'm sorry, Rubin.

You promised.

You made promises to me
and so I made promises.

What are you, a liar, a cheater?

I hope not, Rubin.

It's just that I've made
a big mistake

and I don't want it to go on,
getting bigger and bigger.

I want you to create an image
of Miss Deborah Dearborn,

capturing the quality
of this innocent young girl

who could lay bare the very soul
of a woman of incredible evil.

I want
the finest publicity campaign

this studio has ever mounted,

for I am going to create
a motion picture

around Miss Dearborn's novel

that will immediately become
a classic.

Did you put the flowers
in Miss Dearborn's workshop?

- SECRETARY (over intercom):
Yes, Mr. Long. -Good.

And Mr. Rubin Cason
is here to see you.

Good, thank you.

Now, this campaign will be
of stature and dignity

but not overlooking
the fact that the novel

is a sensational story,
a scandalous work of art.

Yes.

(sighs)

(door opens)

Top of the morning
to you, Gideon,

even if it is afternoon.

Rubin, good to see you.

Bearer of glad tidings, I hope.

Do you remember the one about,

if a woman makes
a hand signal from a car,

it means the window
is rolled down?

(chuckles)

There are exceptions
to every rule,

including my own reputation
for delivering

when I say I'm going to deliver.

Are you preparing me
for bad news, Rubin?

No, no, no,
it's just that I wanted

to deliver the Dearborn contract
on time,

but she's gone off
on some stupid picnic

and I can't find her.

I like that.

The biggest contract
she'll ever sign in her life

and she drifts off
to some picnic?

I like that.

As soon as she turns up again,

I'll have her sign
the contract right away

and I'll deliver it
to you myself in person.

You don't mind holding up
the deal a day or two,

do you, Gideon?

No, n-no, n-no.

A gentleman's agreement.

So when the picnic is over,
call me.

(chuckles)

Herb.

HERB (over intercom):
Yes, Gideon.

Did you hear that dialogue?

(over intercom):
I did.

Get ready to sue Rubin Cason

for breach of contract
and possibly grand theft.

- And, Herb...
-(over intercom): Yes, Gideon.

From now on I will deal
with Miss Dearborn personally

in all matters financial.

(over intercom): What happens
if she won't sign, Gideon?

You've committed about a million
dollars to her book already.

That could be the straw
that breaks this studio's back.

You devote yourself
to the studio finances, Herb,

and I will take care of the
artistic temperament department.

Miss Dearborn will sign.

I have my little ways
of arranging these matters.

Oh, Chet.

I have some bad news, darling.

My wife has suddenly decided
to return home.

Oh, is she the jealous type?

Unfortunately, yes.

Without reason, of course.

Being your fifth wife must give
her a sense of insecurity.

Well, that leaves me stranded
for the evening.

Guess I'll go out to the beach
and see that Dearborn creature.

May I borrow a car
once more, dear?

The Rolls-Royce will do.

Which one?

(laughing):
You know, I think I'll marry you

simply because you're so rich.

My sweet, I simply can't afford
another divorce.

Stephanie, why don't you leave
this Dearborn girl alone?

Why drag all this stuff
about you and your dead husband

through the courts again?

WOMAN:
Excuse me.

A Mr. Rubin Cason for you,
Mrs. Carew.

And just who is Mr. Rubin Cason?

Is that what you've done

with Tuesday and Thursday
nights this week?

Sorry to barge in on you, Chet.

I thought it was
your wife, of course.

CHET:
Welcome, old friend.

Stephanie, this is Gideon Long.

Stephanie Carew.

A pleasure,
very much a pleasure.

How do you do, Mr. Long?

Tell me, what brings you out
of the woodwork at this hour?

A party, of course.

Man throws a party,
he needs guests, doesn't he?

I know it's useless to ask
if your wife could attend,

but I thought of you, Chet,

and perhaps your charming friend
would enjoy my humble home.

Well, if you're talking
about tonight,

it's completely
out of the question.

Stephanie and I
thought we might...

None of that, none of that.

: or : , whenever you
like, the beach place of course.

Really, Chet,
you owe your friend

at least one party in Malibu.

- Malibu?
-(phone rings)

Worth residence?

Oh, darling, it's you.

I was just waiting
for you to call.

Well, what happened?
I rang before but I was cut off.

Stephanie, I've got to see you,
it's important.

Why I'd love to, darling.

I was just wishing I had
something to do this evening.

Huh? Stephanie?

Oh, and there's a party
we can go to, maybe later on.

Where? Yes,
I'll meet you right away.

Yes.

Bye-bye, gentlemen.

♪♪

Thank you.

John. Oh, John.

Stephanie.

Isn't it a small world, darling?

Friend of mine told me
I might find you out here.

Yeah, I'm going back to Chicago.

You mean, you're running away.
(clicks tongue)

What?

Oh, John, stop it.

You've been out here
seeing that girl, haven't you?

Girl? What girl?

I don't know any girls
in Los Angeles.

I got a job
in Chicago selling...

and I've got to travel
quite a bit.

All right, all right,
don't admit it.

I'll just tell her you left her

to face the music all alone.

You'll what?

(chuckles)
You see, John,

I'm on my way to have a little
talk with Deborah right now.

Now, look, Stephanie...

So I'll simply tell her

that you're a coward
as well as a thief.

Bye-bye, dear.

Don't miss your plane.

♪♪

Shall we end this little game

of cat and mouse, my dear?

Mmm.
I just adore martinis.

So you want to be a writer,
do you?

I am a writer.

Would people think so
if I proved

that your book is not original?

That certain details
were supplied to you

by my stepson, John Carew?

I've already told you,
I don't know any John Carew.

But that's not
what he just told me.

But wouldn't you have to prove
that those certain things

in the book are true?

Then you admit they are?

End of game, Miss Dearborn.

Now you listen to me.

You're going to sign
that contract

with Gideon Long

for $ , ...

to make a movie of our book.

And then, to persuade me
not to sue you,

John, and Gideon Long...

you're going to pay me...

and very handsomely.

How can you possibly want
a movie made of my book

if it is really
the story of your life?

Oh, don't be naive, my dear.
It bores me.

Now here's an agreement
between you and me

which, when you pay me,
will make it impossible

for me to sue you.

So just be a good little girl
and sign it.

I'm not going to sign that.

Nor am I going to allow anyone
to make a movie about a woman

as terrible as...

If you don't sign
this agreement,

I shall simply have to sue you
for everything the book

has made, or will make.

You'll lose everything,
this house,

your reputation
as an honest writer,

and, of course,
dear John will be ruined.

So I shall
leave this with you, my dear,

while I go up the beach
to a little party.

And I shall be back
to pick it up...

signed...

at : .

By the way,
if I do sign,

about how much money
will I have to give you?

Why, all of it, of course.

Mason...

Mason.

Perry.

But I rang his office twice.

Well, please, Miss Dearborn,
if you'll wait just a moment.

Now I did reach his secretary,

and she said Mr. Mason
was out of town today,

but he will be back
later tonight.

Oh, perhaps an hour or two.

An hour?

Oh, all right.
Thank you.

(waves crashing loudly)

(knocking)

-(door opens)
- Hi, Paul.

-(door closes)
- What are you doing out tonight?

Oh, I thought you might want
a report on that Carew case.

- On what?
- Stephanie Carew,

she's a client of yours,
remember?

Who told you
she was a client of mine?

Well, she did. She got a hold
of me this afternoon,

when you were out of town.

Wanted me to catch her stepson

with a lady writer
named Deborah Dearborn.

Well, I didn't spot
them together,

but I did tag the boy
to the airport.

However, the Carew dame

was apparently doing some
tagging herself because...

(phone rings)

Hello.

Mr. Perry Mason?
This is Deborah Dearborn.

I'm in trouble
and need a lawyer.

What sort of trouble
Miss Dearborn?

I'd rather not discuss it
on the phone.

May I come and see you now?

I know it's late, but...

You see, I'm afraid.

Of Stephanie Carew?

Well, yes,
but how did you know that?

I think I know, too,
the sort of trouble

she's threatening you with,
Miss Dearborn.

Let me assure you it's
not going to get any worse

during the night.

In fact, it might be a lot
better by morning.

She is threatening me.

I know.

So, tonight,
don't sign anything,

nor make any promises to anyone.

Just get a good night's sleep,

and I'll come up to Malibu
in the morning.

We'll find out if,
perhaps, these...

these threats
aren't pretty empty.

All right?

Oh, thank you so much,
Mr. Mason.

Where's Stephanie Carew now?

At Chet Worth's, I imagine.

As I understand it,
she's a houseguest out there.

My client?

We'll see about that.

Perry, it'll be midnight
before we get out to Worth's.

That woman isn't going to get
away with calling herself

my client,
at midnight or any other time.

Let's go.

Perry, what are the ethics
in a thing like this?

I can't very well tell her
I didn't see young Carew

at the airport.

The ethics are
that you're not interested

in becoming an accomplice
in blackmail.

Also, she lied to you
when she said...

Well, I guess ethics
aren't a problem anymore.

We found the body at : .

Paul took her from the pool and
started artificial respiration,

-but...
- Yes, Doctor?

DOCTOR:
Persistent cutis anserina,

a few sub-conjunctival
ecchymoses,

some lividity.
I'd say drowning.

No external signs

of v*olence except
a few bruises,

but I think we're gonna
find a high alcohol content.

ANDERSON: Well, I'm locating
a relative to get consent

for an autopsy.

All right, but we ought to tap
for alcohol right away.

- It'll be gone in hours.
- Sure, go right ahead.

(rings doorbell)

♪♪

Perry.

Hi, Paul. Looks like I told you
to meet me at the wrong place.

Nobody home?

Deborah seems to have vanished.

Anderson wants to see us again.

Seems the brain tap showed that
Stephanie was pretty drunk

when she fell in that pool.

Paul...

Stephanie's death takes too much
pressure off too many people

for it to have been accidental.

Rubin Cason, the agent...

I find he's financially
involved.

Gideon Long-- she could have
wrecked his picture

and his studio.

Then there's this Chet Worth
and his wife, Miriam.

Not to mention John Carew.

And where do you begin
on a list like that?

Well, I'd say John Carew
had the most to gain.

Only he was on his way
to Chicago last night.

- You sure? -Here's a picture I
took of him boarding the plane.

Even caught Stephanie
in the same shot.

Any idea where she went
from the airport?

Yeah, here.

'Cause I came out
a few minutes later myself.

She'd told me
to meet her here at : .

When I arrived, the Rolls-Royce
was parked out in front.

I went to find a phone to check
with the office while I waited,

-and when I got back the car
was gone. -Her car?

She's been jazzing around
in one of Chet Worth's buggies

for the past week.

How long do you estimate
she was here with Deborah?

Hmm, less than half an hour.

DEBORAH:
Hello.

I'm Deborah Dearborn.

Miss Dearborn,
I'm Perry Mason.

Oh, of course.
I'm sorry I wasn't here.

I mean, well, I just
went down to the store.

But you were here all night?

Well, no,
I wasn't here last night.

I was afraid
Stephanie might come back.

Did you expect Stephanie to come
back in the middle of the night?

For the papers she left.

She went down the beach
to a party

and said she would come back
at : for the papers.

These papers were, ho doubt,
a contract between you,

forcing you to pay her
handsomely

so she wouldn't sue you
for libel?

Better let me see them.

Well, they're gone.

I left them right there
in that chair.

She came back and took them.

But how did she get in?

Through this window, I guess.

And cut herself in the process.

Had you signed those papers?

No, because I want you to put
a clause or something in them

which will make her
stop hurting John.

That's her stepson.

I don't mind giving her
the money,

but I want to make sure
that she never hurts John again.

She won't.

You don't know Stephanie.

She's mean and vicious and...

Deborah, she's dead.

(knocking)

Perry, baby,

long time no see.

Rubin.

I'm here on behalf
of Deborah Dearborn.

Don't tell me she's in trouble.

No, but perhaps you are.

When did you last see
Stephanie Carew?

Who's she, an actress?

She's dead.

Oh.

Oh, that must be the girl
I read about

who drowned
in Chet Worth's pool.

That's what they're saying.

(laughs)
Why should I know her?

I can't afford to travel
in that jet set.

Rubin, you're selling Deborah's
novel to Gideon Long

for $ , , right?

Right. That's the deal.

Even though a couple of other
companies might have paid more?

Now, who told you
a thing like that?

Deborah's new to the movie
business, Rubin, but I'm not.

Besides, I've been
asking some questions.

Tell me, how much did Gideon
Long slip you under the table

to make sure
you'd close the deal with him?

(laughs): Hey, Perry, baby,
that's a good one!

Wouldn't it be great
if an agent could afford

to be unethical like that,
if a poor man like me could...?

I heard you put $ ,
in the bank the other day.

So let's see, Gideon
might have paid you what,

a hundred thousand
dollars, maybe?

I deny it.
I absolutely, categorically...

Only now I understand
Deborah refuses to sign

the final contracts
on her book sale.

Oh, she's a baby, a child.

She'll change her mind,
just like any other genius.

But what if she doesn't, Rubin?

What about that little
private payola of yours?

Have you spent it already,
the whole hundred thousand?

Categorically, I refute
every penny you say!

Or shall I guess again?

Did Stephanie Carew get
some of that money, perhaps?

Did she hold you up, too?

And now, if Gideon should sue
for breach of contract,

if he should want that money
back, want to expose you...

Stephanie was a slug!
A spider!

A black-hearted witch who
didn't even need a broomstick.

So, all right! All right! Yes!

So maybe I had my little
troubles with her, too,

but, Perry, baby,
this you got to believe--

an agent doesn't k*ll people.

The way to break glass, Rubin,

is to wrap your hand first.

Then you don't have
to bandage it later.

(door opens)

(door closes)

Herb, just remember,

if I use the word ""camellia,”

buzz me with a message
there's a crisis on stage.

- And tape everything...
-(door opens)

Ah, Mr. Mason, what a pleasure.

I've heard
a great deal about you.

All very good, of course.

Oh, I'm sorry,
there's no place to sit.

You see, my time is
very valuable to the studio,

and I've found if
my visitors sit down,

they stay longer.

(chuckling)

Mr. Long,

I understand that
your preproduction cost

on Deborah Dearborn's book

is close to a million dollars,
is that correct?

I'm sparing
neither money nor effort

to create a film classic
from the book, Mr. Mason.

Even though she hasn't signed
the final contracts yet?

We have verbal commitments
and letters

that are just as binding.

No, it's no problem.

You mean, now it's
not so great a problem.

Now that
Stephanie Carew is dead.

I thought you were here
on behalf of Miss Dearborn.

I have to insist, Mr. Mason,
that my visitors

concern themselves only
with the business at hand.

But weren't you acquainted
with Stephanie?

Oh, of course not.

How fortunate.
It occurred to me that

she might have been in contact
with you for some time.

Privately, of course.

Really, Mr. Mason.

Or even worse, that she might
have threatened to sue you

and your studio for libel,

unless you paid her,
oh, maybe a quarter

or half a million dollars.

Lovely camellia this,
don't you think?

I use the same device
in my office...

but not the same key word.

Good day, Mr. Mason.

♪♪

JOHN: No! No! I will not
consent to an autopsy.

ANDERSON: Now, look, we only
got you back from Chicago

-as a formality.
- What reason would you have

for not consenting, Mr. Carew?

I just don't want it,
that's all.

I'm her relative,
and I have the-the authority...

All right, let me explain
something to you.

If, in the opinion
of the coroner's office,

death is the result
of criminal v*olence,

casualty, su1c1de, or suddenly
while in apparent health,

or in any suspicious
or unusual manner,

we have the power
to examine that body

without the consent
of the nearest relative.

But none of those things
applies to Stephanie.

She was drunk
and fell in the pool.

Now, I-I've consulted a lawyer,
and he says if you go ahead

I could sue you, even if
you do work for the county.

I trust that the lawyer
was not Mr. Mason.

They have justification
for going right ahead, John.

You don't have to consent,
but isn't it pointless not to?

Wouldn't it look
rather strange, in fact,

if you kept on objecting?

(knocking)

Oh, it's you.
Come in.

What's the answer, Paul?

Did you talk
to the medical examiner?

Yep. They ran the Gettler
on Stephanie.

She didn't fall into that pool.

What?

Her death wasn't
caused by drowning?

No, she drowned, all right,

but not in Chet Worth's
swimming pool.

Stephanie drowned in the ocean.

- All right, what else?
- Well, with the bruises and all,

they say she
could've been held under

or even knocked out first.

You mean they're
gonna call it m*rder?

That's what
it'll say on the warrant.

Warrant? You mean they think
they already know who did it?

Yeah.

You.

Doctor, on what do you base
your decision

that Stephanie Carew was drowned
in the ocean?

Well, seawater,
with its high concentration

of sodium chloride,
when inhaled during drowning,

causes the blood in the left
side of the heart

to acquire a much higher salt
content than that in the right.

Is it possible, Doctor,

that Mrs. Carew was almost
drowned in the ocean,

that is to say up to the point

where she was unconscious
but still alive,

and then actually drowned
in the swimming pool?

No. No, there would have been
inhalation

of a detectable amount
of freshwater.

There was no freshwater.

BURGER: In short,
she was drowned in the ocean

and then her body was put in
a swimming pool?

I can only say that she was
drowned in the ocean.

Thank you, Doctor.
That will be all.

Cross-examine.

No questions.

Just where was this beach robe
found, Lieutenant?

On the day after the m*rder,

police officers in a patrol car,
found this robe stuffed

in a culvert on Ellis Street.

They notified Homicide
later that day.

Ellis Street?

Is that anywhere near
the Worth residence,

where the decedent's body
was found floating in

the swimming pool?

It's about two blocks
from there, yes.

On the same street.

I see. Now, did you have this
robe subjected

to a laboratory analysis,
Lieutenant?

Yes, sir, I did.

We found that the inside of the
robe had been in contact

with saltwater, enough so the
saltwater had penetrated

through the cloth
to the back of the robe.

As if it had been worn
by somebody

wet with saltwater?

ANDERSON:
Exactly.

And now I call your attention
to this label, Lieutenant.

Would you please read it
for us?

"The Varsity Shop,
Lansing, Michigan"

Thank you.

Your Honor, at this time I would
like to introduce into evidence

a duplicate sales slip
sent to my office

by the Varsity Shop,
Lansing, Michigan.

It shows that this beach robe
was purchased

by Deborah Dearborn
when she was a student

at Lansing two years ago.

This slip shows

that the defendant bought
a beach robe, Mr. Burger,

but not necessarily the one
in evidence.

Well, Your Honor,
she bought a robe

which was terry cloth
and maroon.

Mr. Mason?

I have no objection
to the exhibit, Your Honor.

Thank you.

Now, Lieutenant,
I call your attention

to this evening wrap or stole.

You heard
Mrs. Miriam Worth testify

that this wrap belonged
to the decedent,

and furthermore, she said
that she saw the decedent

actually wearing it
the night of her death.

- Is that correct?
- It is.

Will you tell us where

the police found this stole
next day?

It was locked in the trunk
of Deborah Dearborn's car.

And in what condition was the
stole in when it was found?

It had been soaked in seawater

and was heavily encrusted
with beach sand.

Now, Mrs. Mitchell, from your
house, which you say is

only feet up the beach
from the defendant's house,

just exactly what did you see
on the night in question?

Well, when I glanced out
of my window,

I saw the deceased come out
of Deborah...

Miss Dearborn's house
and walk down along the beach.

She was wearing that black
evening outfit

like you showed me
in the picture,

with the stole
around her shoulders.

And the next time I glanced up,
Deborah was out there with her,

down further on the beach,
walking along.

Deborah was wearing that
beach robe and her slacks.

And it seems to me as though
they were arguing or something.

Why do you think
they were arguing?

Well, I can't say for sure,
of course,

but they seemed
to be tugging at each other.

It looked to me as though
Miss Dearborn was trying

to strike that other woman.

And then what happened?

Well, then the telephone rang.

You see, unfortunately,
this friend of mine,

she just had an operation,

and complications had set in,
and she wanted to explain.

Now, Mrs. Mitchell,
how long did you talk

to your friend on the phone?

minutes? minutes?

Oh, heavens, I don't know.

But anyway,
the next time I looked out,

all I could see was
Deborah alone.

She was just coming up
out of the surf,

running up to her house
and inside.

And then?

That's all there is.
I don't want to spy on people.

Besides, nothing else happened,
so I watched the TV.

I think you managed to see
quite enough, Mrs. Mitchell.

Thank you. Cross-examine.

Mrs. Mitchell, from your house
can you actually see the door

and steps
of Miss Dearborn's house?

Well, not on the roadside,
I can't see that.

But the beachfront?
Yes, indeed.

- I can see every bit.
- Even at night?

Well, of course.

You could see the color
of that beach robe,

for instance, so well that you
could identify it

-as Miss Dearborn's?
- Well, no.

I didn't say I saw the color.

Besides, they were way down
by the surf.

But I saw Deborah earlier
that evening before dark

and that's what she was wearing,
her robe and slacks.

Oh, it was her, all right.

It was a car just like
the defendant's, all right.

I live six houses down.

I've passed her up almost
every day since she moved in,

and on that narrow road.

Will you please just describe
how you passed the car

that particular night?

Well, she was picking up speed
from the front of her house

like a bat out of...

Well, I had to turn
toward the ditch;

she was on the wrong side
of the road.

But you say that you could
recognize the car.

Now, could you see
anything inside the car?

Not much.

I got a glimpse of the passenger
on my side.

It was a woman with her head
flopped back like she was drunk

or going to sleep or something.

And her hair was a mess.

Could you see whether she was
wearing a black evening gown?

No. No, but she had something
wrapped around her shoulder.

Something like, uh...

like that robe there.

I was walking my dog, you see,

and I walked past
the Chet Worth residence.

And what did you see there?

Well, I saw a car like the car
you showed me in the photograph,

the defendant's car,
parked in the Worth's driveway.

Could you tell if Mr. and Mrs.
Worth were at home at the time?

Well, no,
there weren't any lights.

Just the empty car there
in the drive.

And did you see
that car again later?

A few minutes later, down the
block, it came past me, I guess.

Well, at least I heard it
and then saw lights.

Oh, but I didn't really look.

Then it drove off
down Ellis Street,

and of course I live
on Vandermere.

MASON: Now I'd like to show you
another picture of a car.

That's it, that's the same one,
with the top down like that.

Thank you.

And here is an overview.

Why, that's the same one, too!

They're just all pictures
of the same car!

No, they're all different cars,
only the same make and model.

They belong to a car rental
company, Your Honor.

The same company from which
the defendant rented her car

when she arrived in town
ten days ago.

As I'm sure
the prosecutor is well aware.

Well, I knew that Stephanie
had been trying to keep tab

on her stepson, John Carew.

And I'd heard that he was going
to take a plane that night,

so I told her about it,

and later drove her out
to the airport.

And what did you do after that?

Then I drove Stephanie out

to Miss Dearborn's house
at Malibu.

I waited for Deborah
to answer the door

and let Stephanie in, and then
I went on about my business.

And during the drive to Malibu,
did Stephanie say anything

about the meeting she planned
to have with the defendant?

Oh, yes, yes. She said she was
going to have a talk with her,

that she'd sue the kid for
every dime her book ever made.

"I'll shape her up,” she said.

"I'll settle that girl-writer's
hash, don't you worry!"

Thank you, sir.
That'll be all.

Cross-examine.

Mr. Cason,
after you left Mrs. Carew

at the defendant's house,
where did you go?

Well, uh, there was this party
in the Malibu Colony,

and Stephanie,
she said that, uh,

she'd walk up the beach
and meet me there.

At the home of Mr. Gideon Long?

CASON:
Oh, yes, and real fancy stuff.

Mr. Cason, how did it happen

that you drove Mrs. Carew
that evening?

Hadn't she been using a car
that belonged to Mr. Chet Worth?

CASON: Perry, baby,
when a gal says drive, I drive!

I don't know. Maybe she left
Mr. Worth's car at home.

Who cares?

And you just drive a small car,
I believe?

Is it my fault I'm a poor man?

How about later that evening?

You went back
to Deborah's house, correct?

Well, now...

And there cut your arm
while breaking a window?

CASON:
Now see here.

MASON:
Mr. Cason,

did you steal,
out of the defendant's house,

a certain agreement,
or contract,

left there earlier
by Stephanie Carew?

Now, one moment, Mr. Mason.

You're leading this witness
into matters we haven't yet...

May it please the court.

We had not intended to introduce
this particular matter just yet.

However, since it bears
on documentary evidence

we intend to introduce later

of the defendant's strong motive

for k*lling Mrs. Carew
that night,

and since the question
has been asked at this time,

we have no objection
to the witness answering.

CASON:
Well... yeah.

Yeah, I broke
into Deborah's house.

But those papers might have said
something about me, understand?

I mean, I didn't do it
till after I heard on the radio

about Stephanie drowning.

Ask Mr. Burger.

I didn't do that crazy thing

till : ,
: the next morning.

So what?

With a couple of martinis,

a man makes a little mistake
in judgment.

So what?

(panting)

Say, didn't I turn over that
burned document to Mr. Burger?

Perry. Perry baby,
I didn't k*ll anybody.

DELLA: Deborah, what about
that evening wrap,

the stole they found hidden
in the trunk of your car?

Well, I couldn't help it

if they found it there
before I could tell Mr. Mason.

See, I discovered the stole
on the beach the next day,

but you'd gone back
to your office or someplace.

Only I was afraid by then,

and I thought
I'd better hide it.

I knew about the stole, Della.

But it's-it's just one more
circumstantial thing, isn't it?

And they keep adding up
the circumstances against me

that I can't explain.

Yes, Deborah, I'm afraid
they've made a good enough case

to have you bound over
for trial,

thanks largely to Rubin Cason.

Any luck, Paul?

Well, maybe.

Here's your stuff
from the airport.

Only, Perry,
what about that car testimony?

I'll swear it was the Rolls

I saw in front
of Deborah's house.

Yes, Perry, you didn't
cross-examine those witnesses

hardly at all.

Why, that neighbor could have
seen anything that...

It wasn't the right time, Della,
that's all.

And you'll get your turn, Paul,

as soon as you do
a little closet-raiding for me.

Do what?

I'm going to put on a defense...

starting with Mr. John Carew.

But I was in Chicago.

You said yourself

your own investigator
photographed me

getting on the plane.

Mr. Mason,
I couldn't possibly...

Mr. Carew, my investigator
has now found

that there were ticketed
passengers for that flight.

But the stewardess tells him her
onboard count showed only .

So I'll ask you again.

When did you fly to Chicago?

JOHN:
I took a later plane.

Little after midnight.

After I got to my seat
the first time,

I realized I couldn't leave
Deborah alone with Stephanie.

So, I ran off the plane just
before they shut the doors.

And then where did you go?

Straight to Deborah's house
at the beach?

JOHN:
No.

No, of course not.

You didn't have any way
of getting there, did you?

What?

Where did you go, Mr. Carew?

To the car rental place
at the airport.

MASON:
And asked for a car similar

to the one they'd rented
to Deborah ten days before?

JOHN: No! They all look
the same. I didn't notice.

And then what?

I remind you,
you've sworn to tell the truth

and nothing but the truth.

Young man, I've already declared
you an unfriendly witness,

now answer the question.

I want to know
what you did that night, too.

I went out to Malibu,
but there wasn't anybody there.

At Deborah's, I mean.

So I walked around
to the beach side,

and I saw something
in the shallow water.

It was Stephanie.

(gallery murmuring loudly)

(gavel banging)

(murmuring subsides)

Go on.

She was dead.

All I could think of was that
Deborah might be in trouble.

I'd already put her
in so much trouble.

So you carried Stephanie's body
up to your car?

Yes.

What about the beach robe?

Well, she looked half naked

in that evening dress.

I mean, in the open car.

And I found Deborah's robe

on the deck
where she always leaves it.

MASON: And then you drove
Stephanie's body

up to the Worth house?

JOHN:
Yes.

After I put her in the pool,

I-I thought I'd better get rid
of that robe.

I didn't think
they'd look in the culvert.

And I went back to the airport
and grabbed the next plane.

And I lied to the police
about where I'd been.

(sighs)
I'm sorry, Deborah.

Mr. Burger,
it would seem you have here,

at the very least,
an accessory after the fact.

It would also seem your case
against the defendant

would need reexamination.

May it please the court.

I believe our case
against Deborah Dearborn

is only strengthened
by this young man's confession.

Obviously, he, too, was sure

the defendant k*lled
Stephanie Carew.

So sure that
he was willing to...

And may it please the court,

I would like to go on with
my defense of Miss Dearborn.

Very well, Mr. Mason.

You may proceed.

I saw what I saw.
I've already explained.

Yes, you've already admitted
it was dark,

that the beach
was some distance away,

and that the road
was even less visible.

I'm not going to change
one word I said.

MASON:
But, Mrs. Mitchell,

could you hear a car, or cars,

driving to or from
Deborah's house that night?

Well, let's see.

Well, yes, of course,
we always hear them.

Over your telephone
conversation?

Over the television?

That's right.

I guess I didn't hear anything
that night.

Thank you, Mrs. Mitchell.

You also say
you did not see any cars

at her house that night.

MITCHELL: Well, I was only
in the living room,

so I didn't see on that side.

MASON: So, of course
you can't tell us

what kind of a car was there,

how big a car?

No.

Your Honor, I would like

to have this witness step down
for a moment.

For what reason, Mr. Mason?

I'd like to call
Mr. Gideon Long to the stand.

Worth? Chet Worth?

Yes, he came to my party.

What about Mrs. Worth?

I believe she was there, too.

Oh, of course she was.

I remember my surprise...

Well, never mind.

How did they come?
Do you recall that?

In a Rolls, I suppose.

(chuckling):
Really, Mason.

With all these people
running in and out,

perhaps you should ask one of
my servants that sort of thing.

I have men doing so right now.

Indeed?

MASON: Because I'm really
concerned by this--

did either Chet Worth

or his wife leave your party
at any time?

Let me think now.

I believed they arrived
rather early.

And then of course, there was
a crisis in the kitchen,

and someone spilled some claret
over my favorite polar bear.

Good heavens, Your Honor,

I can't really answer
that properly.

I can't really say
who came and went.

Rubin Cason was there, too,
of course.

No, no, no.

I wouldn't dare point
the finger.

My parties
are far too entertaining

for anyone
to notice who's there.

All right, Mr. Long.
Then you might as well...

(door opening)

May I have a moment, Your Honor?

If the court please,
I'd like Mrs. Mitchell

to return to the stand now.

JUDGE
Very well.

Mr. Long, you may step down.

I remind you

you are still under oath,
Mrs. Mitchell.

Oh, just a moment, Mr. Long.

Now, Mrs. Mitchell,

when you looked
out on the beach that night

and saw Stephanie Carew
in evening dress,

fighting with a person clad
in dark slacks

and what you thought
was a beach coat,

did that person look
anything like this?

MITCHELL:
Oh, my, for heaven's sakes.

JUDGE:
Order, order, please. Order.

Anything like a man
in evening clothes and a cape?

How dare you.
What do you think you're doing?

Well, Mrs. Mitchell?

I didn't even know
that Stephanie creature.

And I submit that you only
pretended not to know her.

I submit that you'd been dealing
with her for some time.

I'm not going to admit anything.

Mr. Long,

who else would wear
an evening cape like yours?

Who else would...

I'm warning you,

if you broke into my house,
into my closet,

without a search warrant...

And, Mr. Long, what kind
of a car do you drive?

A Rolls, of course.

Don't you know who I am?

Yes, Mr. Long.

You're a m*rder*r.

I was going to make
a masterpiece

out of your little book,
my dear.

The sort of picture
only Gideon Long can produce.

If only that creature
hadn't gone to you for money.

Gone to Rubin.

You see, I'd already made
a deal with her.

But then I realized what
she was doing behind my back,

and I saw the endless depth
of her greed.

I am only an artist.

What else could I do but...

k*ll her?

Do you mean,
I was in swimming while...

Ooh.

She was already in the surf dead
when you came out of the house.

Their fight didn't last long.

Gideon just blew up, hit her,

and then he shoved her
into the water.

And ran, when he saw you
coming out to go swimming.

He really had no intention
of your being blamed.

Something else?

That wasn't really Gideon's cape

that Perry scared him with
in court.

Looking in a closet
is one thing,

stealing's another.

So, I just rented a cape
that looked like his.

But, Mr. Mason,
what about Johnny Carew?

I'll help him all I can,
Deborah,

but he was an accessory.

But only to protect me.

That's all he was trying to do.

That's all
that's really important.

No, the courts
will still have to...

DELLA:
Oh, Perry.

She means important to her.

Johnny finally got up
and did something.

What else is important
to a woman?

(theme song playing)