Mary (1931)

[bunniefuu]

People ought to be ashamed of them
selves, making noise at this hour!

What's the matter? Is there a fire?

Can't they knock more quietly?

Damn window!

Hey, they're knocking
at Mrs. Miller's.

That's where Mary Baring is staying.

Here comes a police man!

Where?

I could swear I saw
one on the corner.

No way, there he is
on the other side.

Look, it's Moore!
He seems drunk.

Then let's go down there.

Now, where are my pants? There!

What's going on here,
what's this noise?

I'm looking for my wife,
she's here in this house.

- I've come to get her.
- In the middle of the night?

She was invited to dine
with Mary Baring.

Hey, wait for me,
I'm coming with you!

Then Moore will have
enough time to sober up.

Nonsense, I'm coming!

Open! Open, please!

Come on, open!

You! You did this!
You've always hated her!

You! You did it!

Sir, pull yourself together.

It is no use.
- Let me be...

Is there any brandy in the house?

Empty, not a drop.

- Is the deceased your tenant?
- Oh, no.

Ms. Baring is my tenant.

We had invited Mrs. Moore for
supper. Yes, that's how it was...

Yes, yes, yes...
The thing is, officer,

these two women are actually,
like all of us here,

part of the company of
actors at the Royal Theatre.

I was there tonight.
You see, I am the manager, and...

Yes, yes, and I'm an actress.
I'm his wife.

And I was also invited here
tonight, but I had...

Calm down people,
one after the other.

Some tea will do you well, dear.

I'll bring you some.

- Shall I light the stove?
- Yes, please.

I'll put on some more water.

Oh well, now poor Ellen
has really had it.

You know, Mrs. Miller,
I'll tell you something...

Ellen and Mary didn't get along.

And I know for a fact
that they didn't talk for weeks.

Ms. Baring never said
anything about that.

But I assure you it's true!

I can't believe she
could have done it.

But, come to think of it,
she was always hot-tempered.

And how!
She resigned because of Ellen.

Who?

- Miss Baring?
- Yes!

And Moore rejected her resignation.

And to think that tonight, Ellen
was suddenly completely changed.

You can't imagine what change!

She was! Suddenly got the idea
to reconcile with Mary Baring.

Mary Baring was very surprised.

But despite that, she invited
both Ellen and me to supper.

I refused.

I suddenly got the impression
that the two wanted to be alone.

Apparently Ellen was jealous again

that a man was interested in Mary.
You understand?

Officer, can I bring her a cup of tea?

No, she'll get something
at the police station.

DUE TO SUDDEN ILLNESS
THE PARTS PLAYED B Y

MARY BARING AND ELLEN MOORE
WILL BE REPLACED.

Ms. Baring's understudy
is now on stage.

One moment, Brent.
Come over here.

The inspector would like
to have a word with you.

This is Brent, inspector.

We would like to clarify some
points about the m*rder.

Do you remember if
Mrs. Moore and Ms. Baring

left the theatre at the
same time last night?

Yes, they left together.

I made a remark to Fane,
our leading man, about it.

He said it was good news.

Was it unusual?

It was a miracle!
I even told my wife...

Your turn! Your turn!

Which one of the two
ladies is Ms. Brent?

You wouldn't have any
luck with that lady.

She is a man!

May I introduce you to your
biggest admirer, Mr. Fane?

I can assure you, inspector,
I am not the other woman!

I'm convinced, Mr. Fane.

They told me that you saw
the two ladies yesterday night.

Yes, before I left the theatre.
Then I went straight home.

- Alone?
- Yes, that is, no!

Stewart came with me.
He wanted some cigarettes.

Does this happen often?

No, I think he had lost his
cigarette case.

- Your turn!
- Pardon, this is my reply.

- Who is that man?
- That is Stewart.

The one just referred to by Mr. Fane.

A good actor.

- Married?
- He? Hardly!

- His relationship with the accused?
- Well, so-so. Excuse me.

Is he popular among the ladies?

Ah, you talk of Mr. Stewart?

A little too popular,
if you want my opinion.

Though, I don't know if you could
call Mrs. Moore a "lady"...

Don't forget that she is dead.

Please, I thought I had
a right to tell the truth?

And everyone knows that
Ellen Moore and Stewart... Well...

You mean that Mr. Stewart
and Mrs. Moore?

- Your turn!
- My reply.

Oh, don't bother!
I know my way.

This is not the first
time, Reginald.

Excuse me a moment,
change of clothes.

- What have they done with her?
- With Mary?

Still at the station, I think.

Any news? Has she said
anything? Can I help?

My God, you don't think
she really has done it?

It's terrible! Why did
they arrested her?

It was to be expected.

I saw it with my own eyes.

The blood covered fire poker
in her hand, or at least near her.

Stop it!

What's with you, my boy?

The mere mention of blood
makes me shudder.

No, no, wait!

There is still time.
Be calm, my friend.

Attention!

Go!

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury.

Mary Baring stands accused for
the m*rder of Ellen Moore.

She has pleaded not guilty.

Your task, ladies and gentlemen,

will be to determine
whether she is guilty or not.

Needless to say,
in the eyes of the law,

men and women are equal.

Even a m*rder committed by a woman

must be judged dispassionately by you.

Neither youth nor beauty...

I could certainly not let my self
tolerate her demeanour.

And suddenly she gave
me such a strange look.

And then...

then I can't remember anything else.

Did you speak about
any particular person?

I will not answer that question.

It has nothing to do with this.

Whatever I have done,

must have happened when
I was not conscious of myself.

I... I... know nothing more.

The defense stresses that
guilt has not been proven

and repudiates all charges.

You, ladies and gentlemen of the jury,

have been able to observe
the behaviour of the accused.

The prosecutor has
called this behaviour

stubborn and indifferent.

But, ladies and gentlemen,
only a truly innocent person

can be indifferent towards
such an accusation.

If you are convinced that the
defence represents the facts,

it is your duty to
release the accused.

However, I must point out

that the accused is
a talented actress.

Though if you are convinced

that she has committed the
deed in full consciousness,

then I can only remind you of
the words of the prosecutor:

that neither beauty nor youth
are extenuating circumstances.

Go and consider the
facts for yourselves.

It seems unnecessary to examine
all the evidence in detail.

With your permission,

I'd like to summarise
the facts of the case.

It has been established

that the defendant and the
victim were at odds.

The defendant invited
the victim to supper.

She wanted reconciliation.

They both drink some

and they start discussing a man.
Then there's a fight.

Proof for this is that the
landlady heard loud voices.

The defendant admits this,
but refuses to reveal the man's name.

That's understandable.

But that's not all.

The defendant lost her temper,

she grabbed the fire poker

and that's how Ellen Moore
was m*rder*d.

The prosecutor believes that
the facts are beyond doubt.

She was caught in flagranti.

The fire poker by her side,
clothes covered with blood.

The empty bottle of brandy

and she herself in a
half-unconscious state.

What's more, no one else
came into the house.

The defence argues
that there is a possibility

that she could have acted
under a fit or something like that.

Surely it is clear that in
the evidence for the defence

the medical expert put forward
the following theory:

We know that under the influence
of a very strong emotion,

an individual can act without
being aware of their actions.

Actions the individual
do not remember at all

when she regains her
normal mental state.

And for which one therefore
can not be held accountable...

Yeah, well...

It's probably best if we all
write down our verdicts.

Then we can see how we stand.

Those in the minority can then
explain their individual reasons.

And we'll work it out...

Oh...
NOT GUILTY.

And we'll work it out that way.

GUILTY.

So, here are... seven guilty
and three not guilty altogether.

I take it you haven't
come to a decision?

This whole case is terrible.

There's too much responsibility
put on our shoulders.

Either we can let her go free,

but if she's a m*rder*r,
that's wrong to society.

Or else we get her hung,
and that I find barbaric.

What if we appeal for mercy?

Do you call that mercy?

20 years in prison?

To spend the best
years in hell?

Do you even know
what jail means?

It takes a civilised society to
invent a punishment like that.

I think you exaggerate a bit.

It's no use confusing the issue.

People who commit a crime
has got to be punished.

You can't run the
world on sentiment.

You're right, but at least
you've got to try.

You have to help the guilty,

instead of having children and then
start wars to get rid of them again.

The world is a reeking
pit of sentiment!

Your verdict,
Mr. Shackleton.

Guilty.

So now remaining is only the
three who voted not guilty.

I'll explain my reasons
for the verdict.

The advice of the medical
expert is beyond dispute.

As anyone who has studied
modern psychology knows,

a person with a high sensitivity
can under strong stress,

here explainable considering
that the prisoner is an actor,

end up in situations

in which they are no longer
conscious of their actions.

Perhaps she is right.

But maybe this condition
then will repeat itself,

and possibly with
the same results.

Yes, that's a point I
have not considered.

If she's found innocent and
something would happen...

Then we will have
blood on our hands!

Do you wish to change
your verdict, Mrs. Ward?

And you, dear Mr. Daniels, does
your opinion remain the same?

Well, I've got to say I find
the whole thing incredible...

I mean...

Everyone would like to have
a girl like her for a daughter.

Do not let your verdict
be influenced

by this young lady's qualities
and their appeal to you.

Yeah, I can understand
that, but I mean, I...

This whole story is so terrible!

Leaving your thoughts aside,
what is your verdict?

Well... OK...

Guilty.

Then we all agree,

With the exception of Sir John.

But you won't influence me
as easily as the others, Mr. chairman.

Let's not be too long.
Time is money, you know.

Time is money.

In this case even more than that.

A life is at stake.

I'm an actor,
not a businessman.

If I take my time,
I apologize.

So speak then, Sir John.

I am convinced that
Mary Baring tells the truth

when he says that she
does not remember anything.

Her behaviour during the trial
made a deep impression on me.

But my dear sir!

But don't think that I'm taking the
same line as Mr. Daniels here.

He wanted to be gallant.

For my part, I will go further.

To me it's obvious that she
did not drink the brandy.

You've forgotten that the doctor
said she smelled of alcohol!

But maybe that was from
the wine they had for dinner?

It confirms that the two women
had been enemies for some time.

He said the accused wanted
to att*ck Mrs. Moore on stage.

It's all proof that she
is a violent nature.

But Mr. Fane said the opposite!

Unfortunately his testimony
has no value.

He seems in love
with the accused.

Everything was clear
when they found the body,

The fire poker by her side.

And they quarrelled over a man.

What say you, Sir John?

You'll have to keep her
personality in mind.

Is she the kind of
woman to get drunk?

But there was a bottle
of cognac there!

She's not denying that.
- True!

Answers, Sir John?
- Not yet.

The question is, was someone
else in the house that night?

The landlady said no.

The accused says
they were alone.

And said that they fought.

It's clear then.

That is not the response of a guilty!

- Caught red-handed!
- Clothes covered in blood!

- You refuse to acknowledge it?
- Waste of time, waste of money.

- Cognac...
- Blood on her hands...

How do you respond
to that, Sir John?

Now that the verdict is unanimous,
I'll notify the judge.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,

have you agreed upon your verdict?

Do you find the prisoner
guilty or not guilty?

Guilty.

Mary Baring, do you
have anything to add

to avoid the death penalty?

But...

It's absurd.

It can't be true.

Oyez, Oyez, Oyez!

Silence while the death sentence

is passed upon the prisoner.

In her trial at the
criminal court today,

an unanimous jury found
the actress Mary Baring

guilty of the m*rder
of Ellen Moore,

wife of theatre director Moore,

and sentenced her to
the death penalty.

This station has
received a S.O.S.

We therefore interrupt our
program for five minutes.

After the break a concert will...

- Mr. Bennett is here.
- I'm coming.

I'm glad you're back, sir John.

The audience demands you.

And this process has
been excellent publicity.

Sure, seeing Ms. Baring again
was not all pleasant for you.

She wanted to be our star.

When was that?
Hardly a year ago.

In a way she's finally achieved it,
but in a very dramatic way.

But Bennett!

- Could you bring me my mail?
- Sure.

We continue our program.

The Radio symphony orchestra

brings you the overture

from Richard Wagner's
opera Tristan and

Strange this S.O.S. earlier.

Save our souls.

Save her soul.

Save her.

Had I been stronger, then I
would have convinced everyone.

Why did these fools not see
the poor girl like I did?

In court, everyone look different
from how they usually look.

Strange.

What are you thinking?

Who drank the brandy?

Why didn't I put more
emphasis on that point?

Easy to say afterwards...

She said she didn't
drink the brandy.

Yet she admits she might
have committed the m*rder.

Denying such a detail

and letting herself be convicted
of m*rder without protesting.

I was right.

How do we know that someone else
didn't drink the brandy?

Could be!

That is the crucial point!

Who drank the brandy?

Have I done the right thing?

No.

- No what?
- No mail.

Make sure you get hold of my
understudy. I won't play.

And call my lawyer.

No wait, I know the
number by heart.

Museum 1223.

It's an inquiry into
the current whereabouts

of the troupe with which
Miss Baring was at work.

And locate that small man...

...stage manager, or theatre
director or what he was.

I'll see him in my office
in the morning.

I thought the trial was over.

It is far from over!

- Oh, it's for the publicity!
- Come on, Bennett. Publicity?

The line is busy

- Publicity?
- Well, why not?

Hello? Yes Mr. Brown lives here

Yes, but he is not at home.

He is ill and is
in the hospital.

Yes that's right,
he didn't feel right...

What? Dr. Meyer?

If I can transmit a message?

But I haven't got
a transmitter...

Pardon? Sir John?

Oh, eh... Wait a second, hold on!

I think Mr. Brown came
home just now...

Hey, they're calling
on behalf of Sir John!

Hello? Yes I'm Mr. Brown.
Good morning, Doctor.

Oh, thank you. No, no, nothing
serious, just a small scratch.

Yes, from the briefcase...

Of course, with pleasure!
I'll come at once.

I was about to go to the bank,
but never mind.

Yes, at once.
Thank you.

Hey, that was about a job.

Oh Bobby, in that case
we won't have to pack!

Don't talk about packing.
I have to get dressed!

Bring me my white gloves!

If this works out, then I'll...
- Then!

Ah, Mr. Brown!
How are you?

Quite good, thank you.

- Have a seat.
- Thanks.

At the Baring trial
these last few days,

you made a strong impression
as a man and as an artist.

I mean the way you gave
your testimony.

That's why I would like to
review some details with you.

Has Bennett already told you
about your employment?

Yes, I wanted you to work
with us as stage manager.

A year's employment. But we'll
talk to Bennett about that.

Thank you very much,
I'm lucky...

I mean, how fortunate that
I'm free at the moment.

I will do everything I can.

You can be sure that
everything will be swell.

So, it's settled then?

Any problems, Mr. Brown?

My wife...

My wife and I have always
worked together...

and I thought, if it's
not asking too much...

Maybe a small role?

- Where is your wife?
- Waiting downstairs.

Why didn't you say so?
Let's have her come up.

- Should I? I can...
- Never mind, I'll call.

Hello? Oh, excuse me,
it's a mistake.

Bennett? Could you
send up Mrs. Brown?

Returning to the trial...

I have taken this matter
very seriously.

I played a difficult role.

The role of a juryman.

And when the curtain fell

on the death penalty

fear gripped me.

This was not theatre, it was life!

And life is not as kind
as the theatre

It permits a poor innocent girl
to be condemned to death.

Unless art comes to correct life

at the last minute.

My God! Do you mean...

That Mary Baring is innocent?
That's right.

That's what I mean.

She was convicted only
because she did not deny it.

- But I saw...
- What did you see, Mr. Brown?

Mary Baring next to the
dead body, confused.

Why? Drunk?

She never drinks.

So someone else must have
done the drinking, Mr. Brown.

Why did she go into the
other room for the fire poker?

Accused of murdering Mrs. Moore
because she didn't deny it.

And everyone is happy.

Without any questions!
Without any responsibility!

I'm delighted, Ms. Brown!

It is a pleasure to be here.

Getting some fresh air,
seeing some people...

What a wonderful apartment!

And this neighbourhood
with all its stores!

You'll have lunch with us?

God, I'm starving!

Thank you.

Harvey, bring us a cocktail.

And then have the lunch served.

Hey, he's hired us,
the both of us!

- Really?
- Yes!

But please, sit down.

I happened to notice
that you are unemployed, and...

A toast to our research!

Yes, your husband and I seem to
agree that the Baring trial

must be approached from a
completely different angle.

Really?

Ah, to free Mary Baring!

But that's futile,
unfortunately.

So you do not share our opinion?
That Ms. Baring is innocent?

No, I mean, yes...

Mary Baring was an
adorable colleague

and I personally never thought
her capable of such a thing.

Isn't that true, Bobby?
I've always said

that no one who knows her
could have thought it.

Do you want to take the matter
in your own hands, Sir John?

Have you found anything out?

Oh, we would be so delighted

if we could be of any help.
Isn't that so, Bobby?

I really don't know
where to start.

Do you have any ideas, Brown?

Well, I've played in
many crime plays,

and there the first thing
is to lay out a real plan.

But Bobby, why would you have
a plan if Sir. John hasn't got one?

No, no, Ms. Brown, please let him.

I'm really in the dark here.

I would very much like
your husband to help me.

To begin with, we must return
to the scene of the crime.

Do you think you can spare me
a few days of your time?

But of course!

Then you could show me where
the m*rder took place.

Do you really think
someone else did it?

After all, it's even possible
it was a complete stranger.

How so?

If it was not Ms. Miller

and not Mary Baring,

then there must have
been a third person.

This person would have to get
in and get out somehow.

Good reasoning!

Most important is to find out
if there was someone else

at the scene at 1.30 AM,
apart from Moore of course.

Bobby, there was a
policeman on the corner.

- That doesn't matter, honey...
- Wait a second!

What policeman?

In the middle of night, we awoke
by a terrible banging on the door.

We went to the window to
see who made the fuss.

I saw a man on the corner
that looked like a policeman.

So I said: A policeman is coming.

And then Bobby looked outside
and saw one too,

but that one came from
the other side.

- And where did the first one go?
- I have no idea.

He must have turned
the corner and gone back.

- That corner?
- Right.

You're sure it wasn't
the same policeman?

It's impossible.

We lost sight of him
for just a short while.

God, it's Moore!
He's gone crazy!

We better get down.

Moore, be reasonable now.

My wife...

Let's go home now.

Excuse me, this gentleman would like
to take a look inside your house.

That is, if you don't mind?
- May I?

Here are a few of her things.

I can't send it to her.

Give them to me, I'll
bring them to her.

But that's your photo!

Eh, we're not finished yet.

Is it possible to come in
from the back of the house?

See for yourself!

The garden begins there.

Over there's the theatre

To me it's seems impossible.
- Yeah, right.

It would have to be an athlete.

And it would have
destroyed the plants.

Did Ms. Baring have
many visits?

No, not many.

Ms. Brown now and then,
and Mr. Stewart and Mr. Fane.

And that funny
little man...

...what's his name?
- Tom Brent.

Good afternoon, what's new?

Anything for us?

No nothing special, a broken
wash basin in the number 4.

It was certainly one of you.

Who was in that room?

Stewart and Fane, I think.

No, none of us broke that.

There is another thing.

This cigarette box was found?
You know who it belongs to?

I'll find out who it is.

Can we see that dressing room?

I'd like to see that
broken basin.

Ok, come with me.

- What do you see from the window?
- The house on the corner.

I sure would like to know
who broke that basin.

Finally we're here.

We wish you a good night's sleep.

I'll come by early in the morning.

It's time to get to bed. Good night.

Oh, be quiet now!
Take it before it spills.

Do you want the plate
in bed or on a chair?

What are you doing?
Stop it, leave it be!

Get off of there and
leave that bag alone!

Just wait until your father
comes home, then you'll see!

That child is too curious.

It earned him
a real b*ating once.

But he hadn't done
anything serious.

I wanted Mr. Stewart
to describe what happened,

but it was during
the Baring trial.

My husband found the body, you know.

And he enjoyed the trial.

Ha-ha, Edith is usually
not this merry,

but she's seems fond of you!

Do you have kids too?

Tell me, why did Mr. Stewart
give the child a b*ating?

Well, I'll tell you.

Little Arthur was playing
with the suitcase,

and he took out a police uniform.
He thought it belonged to his father.

And then I heard
a terrible scream.

Is that a reason to hit a child?

The next day I told Mr. Fane.

I wanted advice,
because I was a bit worried.

But he just turned around and
said he knew nothing about it.

I said: If it isn't yours,
it must be your colleague Stewart's.

Come in, my dear Brown.

Can we talk a minute?

I'll bring some hot water.

Come on down!

Come on, boys, get out!

Go and play in the street!

Charming house!

- I have something to inform you.
- Please.

My wife and I have
found something out.

Do you remember the cigarette case
the doorman gave us?

Someone had forgotten it.
- Yes, yes.

I had put it in my pocket
and this morning in bed

I wanted to smoke, so I said
to my wife: hand me my cigarettes.

I asked her: do you know
who this belongs to?

She looked at it and said:
My God, that's Stewart's case.

Then she saw
it had a beer stain

So I said: then I should clean it
before returning it.

My wife started rubbing
and suddenly said:

That isn't beer,
what could it be?

You know what it was? Blood!

See for yourself.

Indeed.

I think you're right.

Stewart...

Who wears a police uniform
in your play?

Fane and Stewart.

Stewart played a policeman.

And in the third act he
changed clothes with Fane.

In fact, we had an
extra uniform for Fane.

That allowed it to go faster.

So we actually had
two police uniforms.

You've become an important
factor in this case, Brown.

A very important factor.

I have an alibi!

The most important factor
is the policeman you did not see.

At the night of the m*rder, your
wife saw a policeman on the corner.

When you arrived, it was gone.

And then he reappeared.

It was not the same person!

You can be sure that the first
one was not a real policeman.

You mean that someone used
one of our theatre uniforms

to disguise as a policeman?

We must find out the name of
the man Mary is protecting.

Was he a member of the
company or someone else?

Anyway, the cigarette case
will make her talk.

It is very kind of you
to come and see me.

But...

I'm very surprised.

I've taken a great interest
in your case, and...

Please, do not talk about it.

How's your new play going?

Well, thank you.

Even though I was away for a while.
You know, as a juror at your trial?

Yes. I know.

Could you answer a question
regarding the case?

I'm convinced that there are
grounds for an appeal.

You want to help me with that?

Do you know the consequences?

Appeal...

Lifelong imprisonment.

A single week
has driven me half crazy!

If you...

If you want to appeal against
the judgment, you should do it.

I've accepted all of this.

But at night...

It can't be much worse

than going to the dentist.

And if I really did it
in a moment of sickness,

then it's better if I go away.

But prison...

If you are my friend,
do not attempt anything!

Lock yourself up in your room
just for one single day,

then you'll understand me.

Tell me, tell me frankly.

You wanted to work with me,
to become a famous actress.

This can be achieved
if you help me a little.

You can't imagine

how I suffer for having
contributed to your misery.

And if you want to, Mary,
you'll become a great actress.

I'm convinced!

What do you want me to say?

The name of the man who was
the subject of the discussion.

He had nothing to do with it
and we weren't arguing about him.

I will explain to you.

Ellen wanted to say
bad things about him.

And I covered my ears.

So you could not hear if
anyone came into the room?

No, I don't think so.

And why did you cover your ears?

- I knew what she would say.
- What was that?

I can not tell you that.

It would hurt someone terribly.

Who has not suffered in this case?

Moore, Fane, Stewart,
you and me too!

Why protect that person?

Could you reveal the past
of another person

without it being
a benefit to anyone?

But perhaps that is
the way of salvation!

I believe in your innocence!

I beg you, speak.

Do you know what
your silence means?

You are in love with this man.

That's not true!

And the one you are protecting
is Stewart. Right?

- This is Fane's case.
- Fane? Fane?

You're not allowed to give
the prisoner anything.

The visit is over.

Courage, Mary!

I'll say!

It's him, disguised as a woman.

He's always been good at that.

That's a good disguise.

I have an idea, Brown.

I'll ask Mr. Fane

to come to me.

And I'll offer him
an important role.

Hey, we've found Fane.
He'll surely fall in our trap!

Sure, sure...

Sherlock Holmes is no one
compared to you.

Don't be silly,
the plan is not mine.

Sir John had an ingenious idea.

He wrote a play for it.

That's the bait. And he'll
offer Fane the lead in it.

Any actor would bite the bait.

If he is right and
Fane is dangerous,

then why are you
mixed up in this?

I'm just the prompter!

- Do you have a moment?
- Of course!

Who is it?

This is Mr. Handel Fane.

Ah, this is the gentleman
you suggested for the role?

- Please, have a seat.
- Thank you.

Do stay Bennett,
I might need you.

I'm not good at negotiating.

I always forget the
most important details.

Has Bennett told you who is
the author of this work?

No, not yet.

- I am the writer.
- Is that so?

Oh, it was very easy.

The only difficulty was to
find the lead actor.

Could you stand up, please?

Excellent!

Just as I've visualised him!
That's how he has to look.

I thought so too.

Would you like to read me
a few lines from the text?

Just to give me some idea?

This is illegible.

Tell Waldron to bring me another.

May I ask what is the theme
of the play?

My taste may surprise you.

But as an artist,

you'll understand
what tempted me.

It's about what preceded
the Baring trial.

You were a member of Moore's
company at that time?

Then you know the two
women concerned?

Quite well.

Maybe we could start?

At present you're engaged
with the Circus Olympia.

Is that an interference?

No, that's my old job.

I'm doing it again only because
the times are tough.

Besides, you'll hardly start
for another 2 or 3 weeks?

Bennett, if you may?

To give you an idea
of the scene...

The table is standing in
front of the fireplace,

more or less like this is.

On the table,
remains of a meal.

Below, a bottle of cognac...
- You know, Mr. Fane...

I'm surprised that
this bottle of brandy...

has played such an
insignificant role in the trial.

As a writer, I'd have given
it much more importance.

But of course, the court
lacks imagination, right?

I think...

I think we'll go to the
scene of the m*rder.

It is preceded by a short
dialogue between two women.

While they quarrel,
you make your entrance.

The moment one of them says...

And here we quote the
statement of a witness:

"I'll tell you things
about your prot?g?,

things you do not suspect."

That's when you enter.

Let's start, please.

Bravo!

You enter through the window.

He understands the role,
even without looking at the script.

Yes, the script...

Where were we? Ah, yes!

"I'll tell you things
about your prot?g?,

things you do not suspect."

I think it would be better

if I have the fire poker with me

before entering the room.

Don't you think?

Excellent idea!

Please, continue.

Could you give me the fire poker?

Sorry, we only have
electric heating here.

Maybe my pen will do?

Yes, this will work.

Enters through the window...

You sneak by the doors...

You slowly approaches...

The two women are
facing each other.

You are approaching slowly.
Very slowly.

So not to be seen or heard.

The two women are facing each
other. You come from behind!

One of them yells:
"I'll tell you..."

What?

The script is not finished.

I was getting myself
quite worked up.

- I was hoping you'd help me!
- No.

I know nothing about writing.

I'm not one of those actors

who contribute to the
work of eminent authors.

Complete the scene yourself.

I'll play the end.

I'm sorry.

I can not be of any help.

Please see what time he
performs at the circus tonight.

I'm curious how good a trapeze
artist is at playing comedy.

Don't get upset, Bennett.

He'll play his role
until the end.

One moment, Sir John.

I'll be with you in a moment.
- Please.

- Good evening.
- Good evening.

I did not expect to see
you again here, Brown.

- Yes, Sir John hired me...
- He helps me with my new work.

Brandy? It calms the nerves.

Yes, I have a very demanding role.

You never know what will happen.

Ready Fane? It's your turn.

I assume you came here to
talk about your play.

That's right.

Hurry, Fane!

Oh, Sir John, it's an honour!
Will you attend the show?

No, thank you. I came
to talk to Mr. Fane.

Would you be so kind
and wait for me?

I think I can give you a good idea

for the end of your play.

Good.

What's going on?

This is for you.

Perhaps this letter has something
to do with what happened.

It all fits together.

Listen to this, Mr. Brown,
here is the end of my play:

By these words, he jumps in
with the fire poker in his hand,

pushes Mary,
whose head hit the table,

and collapses, unconscious.

Then he strikes Ellen Moore

And when he sees the bloody corpse,
he nearly faints.

He picks up the bottle of
cognac and empties it,

then returns to the theatre
through the window.

In his dressing room,
he washes his hands.

And breaks the sink
in the process.

To his horror, he sees
the crowded street.

That's when he gets the idea:

To get home unnoticed

disguised with the police
uniform from the theatre.

You see, Brown,
there's your policeman.

The rest we know,
except for the motive.

The thr*at of the m*rder*d woman

who wanted to reveal his past
to the woman he loved.

Poor devil!

Mary Baring had known his
secret for a long time.

What was the secret?

He had escaped from prison.

And he lived in constant fear
of being captured again.

Please, don't cry.