Dick Tracy 1945

Rita

Dick Tracy (1945) is a gripping film noir crime thriller based on the legendary comic strip detective. When a series of brutal murders terrorizes the city, ace detective Dick Tracy is on the case, using his wit, courage, and relentless drive to uncover the truth. With dark alleys, shadowy villains, and sharp dialogue, this classic crime drama delivers suspense from start to finish.  A must-watch for fans of vintage detective stories and golden age cinema.  Director: William Berke Starring: Morgan Conway, Anne Jeffreys, Mike Mazurki Release Year: 1945 Genre: Crime, Mystery, Film Noir, Classic Detective

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00:05:20Hello, Dick.

00:05:21Hello, Manning. What's the dope?

00:05:23She was a schoolteacher named Dorothy Stafford.

00:05:25About 40 years old.

00:05:27Quiet. Few friends.

00:05:29Lived a couple houses down the block.

00:05:33Any treasure of the murder weapon?

00:05:34No.

00:05:35Only thing we've found so far is Miss Stafford's handbag.

00:05:37Who reported it?

00:05:38Mr. Hill, but he wasn't the first to reach the body.

00:05:40Oh, she's over here.

00:05:44Miss Stanley, this is Detective Tracy and Detective Patton.

00:05:47How do you do, Miss Stanley?

00:05:48Did you see anybody in the block before you found Miss Stafford?

00:05:51No.

00:05:52A friend drove me home from work and let me out on the corner.

00:05:54I didn't see or hear anyone until I got right here.

00:05:57Then these people started coming out of their houses.

00:06:00Just a few seconds earlier, it would have been me lying there.

00:06:04Nobody would have any reason to kill Miss Stafford.

00:06:06Could have happened to any of us.

00:06:07Only a fiend could have slashed you like that.

00:06:10Have one of the boys take Miss Stanley home.

00:06:12Get their names.

00:06:13All right.

00:06:14Miss Stanley, what's your name, miss?

00:06:15Pat Chandler.

00:06:36It's for a concert at the Lyceum Hall.

00:06:38Say, that's where she was coming from when she got knifed.

00:06:46Twenty dollars and some silver.

00:06:48Well, that rules out robbery.

00:06:50The neighbors are right.

00:06:51We've got a maniac to find.

00:06:53Identification card.

00:06:58Balance of $1,700.

00:07:00No recent withdrawals.

00:07:02Drop of $500 in small bills and put in Street Sweeper's trash can.

00:07:06Corner of Lakeview and Ash at 8 tomorrow night.

00:07:09Splitface.

00:07:10I can spell better than that.

00:07:11He spells the important words all right.

00:07:13Yeah, Mr. Splitface knows how to spell $500.

00:07:16Dick.

00:07:18Tracy.

00:07:23Dick.

00:07:25Dick.

00:07:27Dick.

00:07:29Dick.

00:07:30Dick.

00:07:31Dick.

00:07:38What time is it?

00:07:39Why, it's a little late, Tess.

00:07:42It's almost 11 o'clock.

00:07:4611 o'clock?

00:07:49Guess that's all for tonight, Pat.

00:07:51We may as well go home.

00:08:01Dick.

00:08:17If it isn't one thing, it's another.

00:08:21Dick Tracy residence.

00:08:23Mrs. Carraway speaking.

00:08:25Who?

00:08:27Oh, hello, Mr. Patton.

00:08:29Oh, no.

00:08:30I wouldn't think of calling Mr. Tracy now.

00:08:33He didn't get home till 3 or 4 o'clock this morning.

00:08:36I'm sure he's exhausted.

00:08:38He's in a coma.

00:08:39He's in a coma.

00:08:41Oh.

00:08:42Just a minute, Mr. Patton.

00:08:44Just a minute.

00:08:45Morning.

00:08:46Morning.

00:08:48Hello, Pat.

00:08:49Dick.

00:08:50Anything wrong?

00:08:51The chief wants us over at the mayor's office.

00:08:52Tootsuite.

00:08:53I'll pick you up right away.

00:08:54Mayor's office?

00:08:56I'll be ready.

00:08:59Mayor's office.

00:09:05Has Junior had his breakfast yet?

00:09:07Oh, an hour ago.

00:09:08He's upstairs in his room.

00:09:10Working on a very strange case.

00:09:12I'll see what he's up to.

00:09:22Good morning, Dick.

00:09:24Hello, Junior.

00:09:27What have you got there?

00:09:28Something mighty funny happened around here last night.

00:09:30That so?

00:09:32Yeah.

00:09:33There was a prowler in the house.

00:09:34Anything missing?

00:09:35Yeah.

00:09:36Plenty.

00:09:37Any clues?

00:09:38I'm afraid I'll have to fingerprint you.

00:09:39Hey.

00:09:40You don't suspect me.

00:09:41Mrs. Careway says a lot of stuff is missing from the icebox.

00:09:48Yeah.

00:09:49They sure do.

00:09:50Look at these, Dick.

00:09:55You've got me dead to rights, officer.

00:09:57You better talk.

00:09:59Might as well come clean.

00:10:01It'll go a lot easier on you if you do.

00:10:04And on your accomplice, too.

00:10:07How'd you know I wasn't alone?

00:10:09Lipstick.

00:10:10Test?

00:10:12Yeah.

00:10:14But I'm taking the rap.

00:10:17It was too late to go to a restaurant, so we...

00:10:21We raided the kitchen.

00:10:22Aw, heck.

00:10:23You confess too easy.

00:10:25I thought this case would take me all day.

00:10:29So you could stay out of school?

00:10:34Let's go.

00:10:37Oh, good morning, Mr. Patton.

00:10:38Good morning.

00:10:39Hello, Pat.

00:10:40I'll be right with you.

00:10:41You've got to hurry, Dick.

00:10:42Hi, Junior.

00:10:43Any new crimes?

00:10:44Why, I've got to go to school.

00:10:46Well, land sakes.

00:10:47Aren't you even going to have your breakfast?

00:10:49I'll get a cup of coffee downtown.

00:10:50Come on, Pat.

00:10:51See you.

00:10:52Bye, Mrs. Careway.

00:10:53Goodbye.

00:10:55Hmm.

00:10:57Hmm.

00:11:00Good morning, Chief.

00:11:01Good morning, Mayor.

00:11:02Morning.

00:11:03What's happened?

00:11:04The mayor will explain.

00:11:05Here, Tracy, read this.

00:11:07Cave special delivery a half an hour ago.

00:11:10Wrap up $10,000 in small bills and put in street sweepers' trash can

00:11:15at corner of Davidson and 9th Street

00:11:18at 11 tomorrow night or be slashed to pieces.

00:11:21Split face.

00:11:22The same handwriting and the same words misspelled.

00:11:25Well, if you know the handwriting, of course you can tell me who split face is.

00:11:29The man who killed Miss Stafford.

00:11:32Just a moment.

00:11:34Did your Honor know Dorothy Stafford?

00:11:36Why, I can't recall.

00:11:37Why?

00:11:38Did she get one of these extortion letters?

00:11:40Yes.

00:11:41For $500.

00:11:43That's what's strange.

00:11:45An extortionist doesn't usually demand $500 from one victim and $10,000 from another.

00:11:49You mean he'd operate in one bracket?

00:11:52That's right.

00:11:53Well, what are you going to do, Chief?

00:11:55Now, don't worry, Your Honor.

00:11:56We'll assign bodyguards to you immediately.

00:11:58Bodyguards?

00:11:59Those are the fellows that always shoot second.

00:12:01I guarantee your safety.

00:12:02You do?

00:12:03I suppose if you don't live up to your guarantee,

00:12:05you'll bring your resignation over to my funeral.

00:12:07Now, Mayor.

00:12:08Now, look!

00:12:09I only want one thing and you know what that is.

00:12:12Split face.

00:12:22I've gone through every crank letter and extortion message in our files.

00:12:26There's nothing that even looks like the writing of split face.

00:12:30Think of anything more on Miss Stafford?

00:12:32Uh, one thing.

00:12:33Going through her personal effects and business papers,

00:12:36I kept coming on to the name of Wilbert Thomas.

00:12:38Who is he?

00:12:39Well, that's what's funny.

00:12:40I asked all her school teacher friends and none of them ever heard of him.

00:12:43But he's in the phone book and I've been calling him all night.

00:12:46Let's go out to his house.

00:12:47We can wait for him if he hasn't arrived by the time we get there.

00:12:52Meow, meow, meow, meow.

00:13:00That's the number.

00:13:16Meow!

00:13:17Meow!

00:13:22Let's see what that dog's howling about.

00:13:26There's a car out there.

00:13:32Meow!

00:13:34That dog is in the next yard.

00:13:35Yeah?

00:13:36Evidently nobody home there either.

00:13:47Meow!

00:13:55Just like the Stafford woman.

00:13:56Throat slashed, knife cuts on face and chest.

00:14:00We're only a couple of minutes late.

00:14:02Call headquarters.

00:14:03I want the neighborhood called.

00:14:04Right.

00:14:07Look.

00:14:08He stepped in some oil on that driveway.

00:14:10When you phone, get the car and cruise along until you spot me.

00:14:12Right.

00:14:17Come on.

00:14:47Meow!

00:15:03Say, does he live in this place?

00:15:05I don't know.

00:15:06But I think we've got him penned in here.

00:15:08Go around to the back.

00:15:09Cover the door and porch window.

00:15:18I'm from headquarters.

00:15:19Do you live here?

00:15:21Yes.

00:15:22My name's Owens.

00:15:24Steve Owens.

00:15:25I followed a man into your backyard and lost him.

00:15:27I believe he's taken refuge in your house.

00:15:29That's impossible.

00:15:31I've been home all evening.

00:15:33But come in and look around if you'd like to.

00:15:39This man slashed his school teacher to death.

00:15:43And committed another murder not far from here tonight.

00:15:47Hmm.

00:15:52I guess a crazy killer like that can give you police a lot of trouble.

00:15:56You never know where or when he may get the urge to kill again.

00:16:01Let's take a look at the back.

00:16:03This way.

00:16:12I'll be right back.

00:16:17Let's go.

00:16:36Oh.

00:16:37I found this window open and some blood stains on the carpet.

00:16:40That may mean Owens lives here.

00:16:42I'll keep him busy in the study.

00:16:44Continue looking the place over.

00:16:47Let's go.

00:16:57You're alone in the house tonight, Mr. Owens.

00:16:59Yes.

00:17:00My daughter is visiting relatives out of town.

00:17:03Our cook goes home every night.

00:17:06Would you sit down?

00:17:07Thanks.

00:17:12It's very unusual for me to spend an evening at home like this.

00:17:15I own the Paradise Club.

00:17:18Did you ever know a woman named Dorothy Stafford?

00:17:21That's the school teacher who was killed.

00:17:23Yes.

00:17:24I never heard of her until I read about the murder.

00:17:27Did you ever hear of a man who calls himself Splitface?

00:17:31No.

00:17:34Who is he?

00:17:35The killer.

00:17:36I'm concerned about your safety, Mr. Owens.

00:17:41My assistant.

00:17:42I think we'd better leave a police guard with you.

00:17:45I don't think that'll be necessary.

00:17:49Apparently you had this man cornered in my backyard and he ran through the house to get away.

00:17:54He's not likely to come back.

00:17:56He's not in the house now anyway.

00:18:07Good night, Mr. Owens.

00:18:08Good night.

00:18:12I didn't find a thing, Dick.

00:18:14No weapons.

00:18:15No blood stains on his clothes.

00:18:16And the shoes in the closet are all clean.

00:18:18Maybe he's telling the truth.

00:18:19Maybe he is and maybe he isn't.

00:18:22But right now we're going back to the Thomas house.

00:18:31Hello, Dick.

00:18:32Hello, Manning.

00:18:34I thought I had him, but I ran second.

00:18:36Too bad.

00:18:37It's Thomas, all right.

00:18:39What did you find on him?

00:18:40Usual stuff.

00:18:41Wallet.

00:18:42Around 50 bucks.

00:18:43Medium price watch.

00:18:58Dick Tracy reporting.

00:18:59Oh, it is.

00:19:00Well, I was told a Miss Lovelace was calling.

00:19:03I was afraid you wouldn't talk to me if I gave my right name.

00:19:06Did I apologize for last night?

00:19:08No, you didn't.

00:19:09But I suppose I'll have to forgive you.

00:19:11I won't think I'm really forgiven unless you let me make up for it tonight.

00:19:14Tonight?

00:19:15Gee, at least well.

00:19:16Good, Tess.

00:19:17I'll call for you early.

00:19:19We'll dine.

00:19:20We'll dance.

00:19:22Maybe we'll even look at the moon.

00:19:23You can't fool me for a minute, Dick Tracy.

00:19:26I know you're not going off on fun.

00:19:27You're going off for work.

00:19:28And if you examine the moon, it'll be for fingerprints.

00:19:31You're wrong, Tess.

00:19:33Work's forgotten.

00:19:34And besides that, I have something interesting to tell you.

00:19:37Know what?

00:19:38Tracy is crazy about you.

00:19:40What about your date with the mayor?

00:19:41The mayor?

00:19:42He's just a figurehead.

00:19:44Nobody pays any attention to him.

00:19:47Pick you up at eight.

00:19:48So I'm just a figurehead, eh?

00:19:51So no one pays any attention to me, huh?

00:19:53Of course not, Your Honor.

00:19:54I mean, won't you sit down?

00:19:55So my life's in danger and no one pays any attention to me.

00:19:58No wonder our citizens are being slashed to ribbons by some maniac.

00:20:01Your Honor, we're all doing everything possible.

00:20:03Have you forgotten if I don't put $10,000 in some trash can tonight,

00:20:06that I'm going to join Miss Stafford and Wilbur Thomas in the morgue?

00:20:09We've checked the movements of Thomas.

00:20:11Thomas is dead.

00:20:12Have you checked the movements of this split face?

00:20:14That's what I want to know.

00:20:15We have a suspect.

00:20:16I've told the mayor about Owens.

00:20:17He wants us to arrest him.

00:20:21If we do, an attorney will get him out in a few hours.

00:20:23All we'll do is put him on his guard.

00:20:25Has Your Honor ever met Owens or Thomas?

00:20:27I may have.

00:20:28I meet lots of people.

00:20:29I'm a popular man.

00:20:31But remember, I expect action and before 11 o'clock tonight.

00:20:51Well, it looks like no soap.

00:20:54I've been standing here for three hours.

00:20:56My feet are killing me.

00:20:58You didn't really expect him to show up, did you?

00:21:00Why not?

00:21:01We put the package in the can, just as the note instructed.

00:21:04I don't think split face is especially interested in a package of money.

00:21:07You mean Stafford, Thomas, and the mayor were all marked for murder,

00:21:09whether they paid or not?

00:21:10Right.

00:21:12Don't let me start with got a note asking $500.

00:21:14She didn't pay it and was killed.

00:21:16Thomas got one and paid $1,000.

00:21:19He was killed.

00:21:22Say, isn't that crazy?

00:21:23There's some central idea behind it.

00:21:26Some spring that ties all these people together.

00:21:29That's encouraging.

00:21:31What am I going to tell the mayor about tonight?

00:21:33Congratulate him on being alive.

00:21:35And ask him where he ever encountered Stafford, Thomas, and Seabones.

00:21:42We might as well go.

00:21:44Don't bother to book him, boys.

00:21:46That's all for tonight.

00:22:14I hope you made a reservation.

00:22:16No.

00:22:17It would only take a minute to call and I...

00:22:19Oh, yes.

00:22:20I didn't want anyone to know me here.

00:22:23Ah, Mr. Tracy.

00:22:24Good evening.

00:22:25Oh, Jules.

00:22:26Good evening.

00:22:27A table for Mr. Tracy.

00:22:29It's a pleasure to see you, Mr. Tracy.

00:22:31This way, please.

00:22:35I see what you mean.

00:22:44Good evening.

00:22:57Good evening, Mr. Tracy.

00:23:00You're the best known unknown I've ever known.

00:23:11Yes, ma'am.

00:23:14Good evening.

00:23:19Mr. Owens around this evening?

00:23:20I'm not sure, but I'll find out, Mr. Tracy.

00:23:24Who is Mr. Owens?

00:23:25He owns the place.

00:23:26I ran into him last night.

00:23:28All right.

00:23:29Stop being so mysterious and tell me why we're here.

00:23:31I'll let you know as soon as I find out myself.

00:23:34Mr. Tracy asked me about your father.

00:23:36He did?

00:23:39All right.

00:23:44Good evening, Mr. Tracy.

00:23:45I'm Judith Owens.

00:23:46You were asking about my father?

00:23:48Why, yes.

00:23:49Oh, this is Miss...

00:23:50How do you do?

00:23:51I'm so happy to know you, too.

00:23:53I've been away for a few days, but when I came home this morning,

00:23:56my father told me about your visit to the house last night.

00:23:59Your father has good nerves.

00:24:01That experience would have terrified a lot of people,

00:24:03but he took it right in stride.

00:24:05I'm certainly glad you were there.

00:24:08But do you think it was entirely an accident

00:24:10that the killer ran through our house?

00:24:12That's what I've been asking myself.

00:24:15Where's your father now, Miss Owens?

00:24:18He's not here tonight.

00:24:20Is he at home?

00:24:21No.

00:24:22No, and right after he left, I saw a man walking through our garden.

00:24:26I was frightened, so I jumped in my car as quickly as possible

00:24:29and came right to the club.

00:24:31Would you let me have the key to your house?

00:24:33Well, yes, of course.

00:24:34Darling, I'm terribly sorry.

00:24:35Do you mind waiting?

00:24:36Oh, no, you're not going to leave me here.

00:24:42You stay in the car, Viv.

00:24:44Not me.

00:24:45I'd feel safer with you.

00:24:46I don't expect to find anyone around here now.

00:24:48I got her key so I could make a thorough search of the house

00:24:51while they're both out.

00:24:52Well, then I'll help you.

00:25:06Don't worry, Viv.

00:25:07I'm sure you'll be all right.

00:25:09Don't worry about being blind.

00:25:11You go first.

00:25:27Something wrong?

00:25:28Must be the fuse.

00:25:30Let's take a look at the master switch.

00:25:32You take a look.

00:25:33I'm staying right here.

00:25:39Dick.

00:25:44Dick.

00:25:50Dick.

00:25:56Dick.

00:26:02Dick!

00:26:09Dick!

00:26:39Dick!

00:26:57Call headquarters and tell them where we are.

00:27:09Dick.

00:27:39Dick.

00:27:57Who are you and what are you doing up here?

00:27:59I?

00:28:00Oh.

00:28:01I am Professor Linwood J. Starling.

00:28:03Astrologist.

00:28:04Doctor of the occult sciences.

00:28:06How long have you been up here?

00:28:07Time and space are beyond human conception.

00:28:09Cut out the double talk.

00:28:10I'm from police headquarters.

00:28:11Obviously.

00:28:12Well, I've been here since darkness fell.

00:28:16Meditating.

00:28:17Communing with my soul.

00:28:19Studying the course of the stars.

00:28:26Sagittarius.

00:28:29Did you see anyone cross this roof a moment ago?

00:28:31No.

00:28:32Oh, but I wouldn't have unless he flashed momentarily

00:28:34across the section of the heavens at which I was looking.

00:28:37You see, I'm a man who knows how to concentrate.

00:28:40Where do you live?

00:28:42All right, go ahead.

00:28:43Let's have a look at it.

00:28:49Go ahead.

00:28:55I suppose you'd like to prowl around a bit.

00:28:57Any objections?

00:28:58None.

00:28:59Being a doctor of the mystic sciences, I'm used to the persecutions of the police.

00:29:03I'll bet you are at that.

00:29:04While you're amusing yourself, you won't mind if I return to my telescope?

00:29:08Oh, now, the stars will be there a long time, and I may be only a few minutes.

00:29:12And I might want to chat if I find something interesting.

00:29:15Have a chair.

00:29:16Over here.

00:29:18It's more centrally located.

00:29:21And you can keep an eye on me.

00:29:29Stupid fools, the police.

00:29:32If they had my knowledge of the occult and this crystal ball,

00:29:35there'd be no need of detectives.

00:29:37In it, I can see anything.

00:29:38And there wouldn't be any crooks either.

00:29:41Because you could look in there and foresee what's at the end of the line for them.

00:29:44Might discourage them.

00:29:55Blood drips from two.

00:30:02Say, you didn't see anybody cross the roof.

00:30:05Maybe you ought to take another look in that crystal ball.

00:30:08Blood drips from two.

00:30:10What?

00:30:12Blood drips from two knives.

00:30:16But there will be twelve more.

00:30:19Fourteen people.

00:30:21Men and women.

00:30:24Rich and poor.

00:30:26I see fourteen people.

00:30:29And all of them are dying.

00:30:31Yes.

00:30:33When the last of the fourteen is dead,

00:30:36the cycle will be complete.

00:30:39But now...

00:30:41Now I see a fifteenth.

00:30:45He is...

00:30:47He is...

00:30:55Well, mow me down.

00:30:57He's having his fortune told.

00:30:59Well, whatever we were doing, it's over now.

00:31:01What do you mean?

00:31:02Professor here was telling me some very interesting things

00:31:04when you crashed in and snapped him out of it.

00:31:06I don't believe it.

00:31:07I couldn't have told you anything.

00:31:08I don't even know what you're looking for.

00:31:11This is one of the things I'm looking for.

00:31:13And I found it without the help of your crystal ball.

00:31:16Under your mattress.

00:31:18You probably also put it there.

00:31:20The man I chased across your roof put it there.

00:31:23Well, I...

00:31:24I don't know anything about it.

00:31:25I never saw it before.

00:31:26Maybe if we take him down to headquarters

00:31:28and put him in another trance,

00:31:29it'll refresh his memory.

00:31:32Just a minute.

00:31:34You boys better stay around

00:31:35until we send somebody up to fix the lock on his door.

00:31:37Right.

00:31:48This is Professor Starling, Tess.

00:31:50Take a good look and tell me if you ever saw him before.

00:31:56Of course you've never seen me before.

00:31:59Have you?

00:32:00Tess.

00:32:02Look at me, Tess.

00:32:04Are you sure you never saw him before?

00:32:08I'm positive.

00:32:10Take him to headquarters.

00:32:12Have this checked by the medical examiner.

00:32:14We want to know if it's the weapon

00:32:15that killed Miss Stafford and Thomas.

00:32:17Okay, see you later.

00:32:18Let's go, Professor.

00:32:26Do you feel all right?

00:32:28Of course.

00:32:29Why?

00:32:30You acted like you were hypnotized.

00:32:31Oh, that's ridiculous.

00:32:33Say, who was that man, anyway?

00:32:35The professor?

00:32:36Uh-huh.

00:32:37He's a doctor of the mystic sciences

00:32:39and a darn good hypnotist.

00:32:41Well, do you think he's Splitface?

00:32:43You're the one to answer that.

00:32:45You saw Splitface in Owens' hallway.

00:32:47Oh, but that horrible scarred face...

00:32:49Discount that.

00:32:50It could be a trick makeup job.

00:32:52Well, then Owens, too, could be Splitface.

00:32:54Exactly.

00:32:55And we're going right back to the Paradise Club.

00:32:57What for?

00:32:58I'm going to make Judith Owens' producer partner

00:33:00so you can get a look at him, too.

00:33:02You can bring our dinner now.

00:33:04Dinner?

00:33:05We are getting ready to close.

00:33:07Everybody in the kitchen has gone home.

00:33:09But I can bring you some coffee, if you wish?

00:33:12Let's have some.

00:33:13I'm swell.

00:33:15Dismissed.

00:33:16Oh.

00:33:18You can bring our dinner now.

00:33:25Dinner?

00:33:26We are getting ready to close.

00:33:27Everybody in the kitchen has gone home, but I can bring you some coffee if you wish.

00:33:32Let's have some.

00:33:33Frank, I'm so glad you're back.

00:33:36I've been trying to reach you at headquarters.

00:33:38Did you see anyone at the house tonight?

00:33:40Yes, but they saw us first.

00:33:42They got away.

00:33:43Oh, I'm so worried.

00:33:45I don't understand what's going on.

00:33:47Now Dad has disappeared.

00:33:48What makes you think so?

00:33:49Well, he hasn't come in all evening, and he's not at the house.

00:33:53Where was he supposed to go when he went out tonight?

00:33:56Dad likes to gamble.

00:33:59Yes, he has a club uptown and an apartment.

00:34:02I suppose he was there last night, too.

00:34:05Maybe we should drop over there.

00:34:06Oh, no, no.

00:34:07No, it wouldn't do any good.

00:34:08He left there at 9 o'clock to come here.

00:34:11That's what worries me.

00:34:12Well, remember to give me the address.

00:34:14I may look in there later anyway.

00:34:18Well, if you'll excuse me, I...

00:34:21I'll go with you.

00:34:23My nose can stand a little powder, too.

00:34:25Oh, but I was going to make a telephone call.

00:34:28Did you think of someplace else your father might be?

00:34:30No, no, I was going to call some friends

00:34:33and make arrangements to stay the night with them

00:34:35until I heard from Dad.

00:34:36Until we know who Splitface is,

00:34:38you wouldn't be safe even with friends.

00:34:40Anyway, it won't be necessary to make a call

00:34:42because I'm taking you with me.

00:34:43I'm under arrest?

00:34:44Let's call it protective custody.

00:34:46But... but jail?

00:34:48I didn't say anything about jail.

00:34:50Well, then.

00:34:51Maybe I can take you home with me.

00:34:54Well, how cozy.

00:34:56I've got a housekeeper who's also a good cook,

00:34:58and we'd better be going.

00:35:00Yes, because we'll have to stop by my place

00:35:02long enough for me to pack a bag.

00:35:03Pack a bag? You going someplace?

00:35:05Mm-hmm.

00:35:06I've had a hankering for some of Mrs. Carraway's good cooking.

00:35:09Besides, I wouldn't want Miss Owens to be lonesome.

00:35:21Well, I've looked through all the books,

00:35:23and I can't find a picture of the man

00:35:24that jumped out of Owens' closet.

00:35:26If we get at page one of volume one

00:35:27and go through them again,

00:35:28you'll have to stop and study each picture.

00:35:30I did.

00:35:31But you can't expect to find a picture

00:35:33that looks exactly as he did last night.

00:35:35We might have one that was taken

00:35:36before he got that scar.

00:35:40Just had a call from the mayor.

00:35:42He says he doesn't remember ever meeting Stafford or Thomas,

00:35:44and only knows Steve Owens vaguely

00:35:46as being a nightclub operator.

00:35:48You know, I think Owens is split-faced.

00:35:50Didn't Dick show you a picture of him?

00:35:51No, for the simple reason that there aren't any.

00:35:53Owens' daughter says he has an aversion

00:35:55to having pictures taken.

00:35:57Please, it's bad luck.

00:35:58Strange his disappearing

00:35:59right after split-face jumped you in his house.

00:36:01It's strange how well his daughter's holding up.

00:36:03After all, she admits that he might be murdered.

00:36:07Hey, look.

00:36:09I found a surgical supply dealer

00:36:11who admits selling three of these

00:36:12to an undertaker on Pine Street.

00:36:14What would an undertaker want

00:36:15with a surgical instrument?

00:36:16They use them for post-mortems.

00:36:18We'd better both go right out there.

00:36:20You stay with the pictures, Tess.

00:36:37Business seems to be quiet.

00:36:40He can't be getting any split-faced customers.

00:36:43Hey, maybe he's split-faced.

00:36:46Good afternoon.

00:36:47May I help you?

00:36:48We're from the Homicide Squad.

00:36:49Oh.

00:36:50I'm sure there have been no irregularities.

00:36:52I have burial certificates.

00:36:53That's all right.

00:36:54I just want you to take a look at this.

00:36:56Oh.

00:36:57That dealer says it's one of three

00:36:58he sold you recently.

00:36:59Yes.

00:37:00Yes, I believe it is.

00:37:02Strange.

00:37:05They all disappeared soon after I bought them.

00:37:07Do you think one of your employees stole them?

00:37:09No, no.

00:37:10I have a small establishment

00:37:11and I do most of the work myself.

00:37:13Where did you keep the knives?

00:37:14I'll show you.

00:37:17I have as fine a collection of caskets

00:37:19as there is in the city.

00:37:20Well, congratulations.

00:37:27I do most of my work in here at night.

00:37:31And this door is frequently left open?

00:37:33Oh, yes.

00:37:34And I suppose if the telephone rings,

00:37:35you have to go into the front office

00:37:36to answer that, right?

00:37:37Yes.

00:37:38That would make it pretty easy

00:37:39for anyone to wait

00:37:40until you were called to the front office

00:37:41then slip in and steal the knives.

00:37:43Yes.

00:37:44Yes, it would.

00:37:45Now, this is where I kept the knives.

00:37:47Careless of me, perhaps,

00:37:48but one doesn't expect thieves

00:37:49in a place like this.

00:37:51It is a strange place

00:37:52for a murderer to come for a weapon.

00:37:54A murderer?

00:37:55Oh, dear me.

00:37:56I am sorry.

00:37:58Did you ever know a man

00:37:59who calls himself Splitface?

00:38:00No.

00:38:01I can't believe Splitface

00:38:02would come here only to obtain a weapon.

00:38:04What do you mean?

00:38:05Maybe you were number one on his list.

00:38:07And some lucky accident

00:38:08frightened him away

00:38:09when he came to kill you.

00:38:10Wait a minute.

00:38:12What about Professor Starling?

00:38:14Do you know him?

00:38:15No, never.

00:38:16I read in the papers

00:38:17that one of the knives

00:38:18was found in his room.

00:38:20Isn't he the murderer?

00:38:22I don't know.

00:38:24Goodbye, Mr. Detheridge.

00:38:27I shall not speak

00:38:28except on a vice of counsel.

00:38:32I hope you boys

00:38:33haven't been annoying the professor.

00:38:35The shoe's on the other foot.

00:38:36He's got me ready

00:38:37to confess to anything.

00:38:39How long have they been questioning you?

00:38:41Time and space

00:38:42are beyond human conception.

00:38:45Leave him with me for a while.

00:38:46Right.

00:38:47Okay.

00:38:48I'll be back in a minute.

00:38:49Good-bye.

00:38:50Good-bye.

00:38:51Good-bye.

00:38:52Good-bye.

00:38:53Good-bye.

00:38:54Good-bye.

00:38:55Good-bye.

00:38:58Relax, Professor Starling.

00:39:02Those fellows mean well.

00:39:03They just get too enthusiastic.

00:39:08Might as well relax.

00:39:13Let you and I play a word game.

00:39:18We'll get our minds off this for a minute.

00:39:20Don't class me with the morons

00:39:22who usually fall into your net.

00:39:24I know all about your word games.

00:39:26If you tell us the truth,

00:39:27the word can't trip you.

00:39:29Come on, Professor,

00:39:30two minutes of playing,

00:39:31I promise you won't be bothered

00:39:32for the rest of the day.

00:39:33Go ahead

00:39:34if you think it'll get you anything.

00:39:36I'll say a word,

00:39:37then you speak the first word

00:39:38that comes into your mind.

00:39:39Light.

00:39:40Dark.

00:39:41Fish.

00:39:42Water.

00:39:43Snake.

00:39:44Grass.

00:39:45Hot.

00:39:46Cold.

00:39:47Table.

00:39:48Chair.

00:39:49Knife.

00:39:50Knife.

00:39:51Surgeon.

00:39:52Blood.

00:39:53Women.

00:39:54Deathwedge.

00:39:57Deathwedge.

00:39:58There's no such word.

00:40:01What does it suggest?

00:40:03Nothing.

00:40:05Thanks ever so much, Professor.

00:40:07You've helped me more than you realize.

00:40:10Take care of the Professor,

00:40:11and leave orders he's not to be disturbed again today.

00:40:13Right.

00:40:24I'm getting groggy, Dick.

00:40:25I've been through these books

00:40:26a half a dozen times.

00:40:27Then skip it.

00:40:28As soon as I've had a word with Pat,

00:40:29we'll go out to the house for dinner.

00:40:34Hello, Pip.

00:40:35Hello.

00:40:36What did you get out of it, Pat?

00:40:38Well, he tripped over the critical words

00:40:39like knife, extortion, deathwedge.

00:40:42I think he knows our undertaking friend.

00:40:44At least by name.

00:40:45Anyway, I'm going to bring them face to face.

00:40:47Do you want me to bring Deathwedge down here?

00:40:49Yes.

00:40:50But we'll let the Professor worry

00:40:51for an hour or so first.

00:40:52Get something to eat.

00:40:53Then pick up Deathwedge.

00:40:55Call me at the house as soon as you have him.

00:40:56Okay?

00:40:57See you later, Pip.

00:40:58Bye.

00:41:11Nobody's coming around here without me knowing it.

00:41:13Well, good work, Junior.

00:41:14What have you got to report?

00:41:15No strangers called today,

00:41:16or Miss Owens didn't go out.

00:41:23Hello there.

00:41:24Everything all right?

00:41:25No.

00:41:26No?

00:41:27Better run along and wash up for dinner.

00:41:29Okay.

00:41:30I'm a prisoner here, and you know it.

00:41:31A prisoner?

00:41:32Well, look at me.

00:41:33What's wrong?

00:41:34I have no clothes.

00:41:35You know, I just can't go

00:41:36in an evening gown in the daytime.

00:41:38You were going to take me home after lunch

00:41:39so I could pack some dresses.

00:41:41I'm sorry.

00:41:42We'll go over there this evening.

00:41:43I don't want to go there at night.

00:41:45I don't want to go there at night.

00:41:46I don't want to go there at night.

00:41:47I don't want to go there at night.

00:41:49I don't want to go there at night.

00:41:50I don't want to go there at night.

00:41:51Then we'll go in the morning.

00:41:53I have nothing to wear in the morning.

00:41:55Dinner's ready.

00:42:00Anything wrong between you and your guest?

00:42:03No.

00:42:04Too bad.

00:42:05I'll see if I can't stir up something.

00:42:07Let's get dinner.

00:42:09I've changed my mind.

00:42:11I'd like to go home and get my clothes now

00:42:13if you'll go with me.

00:42:14Right away.

00:42:15Fourteen.

00:42:17What comes in groups of fourteen?

00:42:19What in the world are you talking about?

00:42:21The professor.

00:42:22I'm thinking about his cycle of fourteen.

00:42:25Men and women.

00:42:26Rich and poor.

00:42:27All dying.

00:42:28Oh, well.

00:42:29That could be most anything

00:42:30from a family dinner to two poker games.

00:42:37Chief Chase's residence.

00:42:39Oh, yes, Chief.

00:42:40Chief Brandon.

00:42:41Thanks.

00:42:42Hello, Chief.

00:42:43We still haven't heard anything from Pat.

00:42:45And Deathreach doesn't answer his phone.

00:42:46I'll run right over there.

00:42:49Right away.

00:42:53I have to run downtown, but I won't be long.

00:42:55What about my clothes?

00:42:56We'll get them later.

00:42:59Can I go with you, Dick?

00:43:01I'm depending on you to watch things here.

00:44:19What's going on?

00:44:37Somebody slugged me from behind.

00:44:41Pat said you were on the way to the office.

00:44:44Deathreach dead, huh?

00:44:45Yeah.

00:44:46I came down to get the professor.

00:44:48I want to take him out there and show him Deathreach.

00:44:51Although this sure gives an airtight alibi.

00:44:53Not quite.

00:44:55What?

00:44:56The professor was released on a writ of habeas corpus.

00:44:59When?

00:45:00An hour or so ago.

00:45:01That's why I wanted to see you tonight.

00:45:10Let's go.

00:45:40Charlie!

00:45:57Charlie!

00:46:06What do you want?

00:46:08I'm up here.

00:46:09But I... I...

00:46:11Come on up.

00:46:34You shouldn't have come back here.

00:46:36I've been in jail for 24 hours.

00:46:38I know that, you fool.

00:46:39I sent the lawyer to get you out.

00:46:41Oh.

00:46:42Well...

00:46:43Why did you want to get me out?

00:46:45I wanted you out before you talked anymore.

00:46:4714 will die, you said.

00:46:49But you were wrong.

00:46:5015 will die.

00:46:5215?

00:46:53What do you mean, I...

00:46:5415.

00:46:55Because I can't take a chance on you any longer.

00:46:57All those years, thinking.

00:46:59Thinking of nothing except paying them back.

00:47:01Getting even.

00:47:02You think I'm going to let you stop me?

00:47:04I'm not trying to stop you.

00:47:05What have I done to stop you?

00:47:06I know about those rotten letters you've been writing.

00:47:08I didn't care.

00:47:09Until they brought the cops to your door.

00:47:11I admit that I wrote them.

00:47:12But it was an easy way to get the money.

00:47:13And it didn't hurt you any.

00:47:14Not as long as you were going to kill them anyway.

00:47:16I'll give you half the money.

00:47:17I got a thousand from Thomas.

00:47:18And now there's Death Ridge.

00:47:19He'll pay.

00:47:20No, there isn't Death Ridge.

00:47:27I paid him a visit tonight.

00:47:29Funny.

00:47:30He saw me.

00:47:32He looked just like you look now.

00:47:34No.

00:47:35No, don't.

00:47:36Don't be frightened.

00:47:38This knife is very sharp.

00:47:40It won't hurt.

00:47:42Not like when I got this face.

00:47:44It wasn't done so nice.

00:47:46Besides, people won't have to look at you.

00:47:49And turn sick at the sight of you.

00:47:51No, it's no good killing me.

00:47:52She saw you.

00:47:53She knows you.

00:47:54She'll identify you.

00:47:55Ah!

00:47:56Ah!

00:47:57Ah!

00:48:05Ah!

00:48:14You're going fast.

00:48:15And there's nothing anybody can do.

00:48:17Who is Spliffface?

00:48:19Talk, Professor.

00:48:20Who is he?

00:48:21Why did he want to kill you?

00:48:35See, the mayor's arrived, right?

00:48:48Thank you for coming down, your honor.

00:48:49Listen, Tracy, what's all this nonsense about me telling you who Splitface is?

00:48:53I'll come to that in just a moment.

00:48:54The professor was the extortionist, true enough.

00:48:57It totals $1,000, and it's made up of the exact number of fives, tens, and twenties

00:49:01that Wilbur Thomas drew from the bank.

00:49:03The professor and Splitface were partners?

00:49:05I doubt it, but the professor knew Splitface, maybe from prison, and he was wise to him.

00:49:10He saw a chance to pick up some money.

00:49:12Well, what's all this got to do with me telling you who Splitface is?

00:49:16The professor said that 14 people, men and women, rich and poor, were marked for murder.

00:49:21Did he make any statement before he died?

00:49:24But 14 people, in such varied financial circumstances, and of both sexes, would have to become associated

00:49:30in only one place that I can think of.

00:49:34That would be a jury box.

00:49:3512 jurors and two alternates.

00:49:37Did you ever serve on a jury in a criminal trial, your honor?

00:49:41Well, yes.

00:49:42Can you remember the year you served as a juror?

00:49:45Well, I was in the grocery business.

00:49:46Now, let me think.

00:49:48It was the year we moved from Larchmont to...

00:49:50Can you remember who was being tried?

00:49:51Well, I recall the case perfectly.

00:49:54The defendant was a criminal.

00:49:56He stabbed his sweetheart to death.

00:49:58That sounds like the Alexis Fanning case.

00:50:00Now it all comes back to me.

00:50:02Alexis Fanning is the name.

00:50:04He was crazy then.

00:50:05Why?

00:50:06When we brought in the verdict, he screamed he'd kill us all.

00:50:12Put out a general alarm for Alexis Fanning.

00:50:14He is split-faced.

00:50:35We interrupt this program for a special news bulletin.

00:50:38The police have identified the maniac killer

00:50:40who has been terrorizing the city.

00:50:42He is Alexis Fanning, alias Split-Face.

00:50:44Well, after that, there should be no objection

00:50:46to my leaving this charming little jail.

00:50:48People are asked to be on the lookout.

00:50:50No, I'm sure it'll be all right.

00:50:52Only if your father decides to come out of hiding,

00:50:54it would be nice if he'd get in touch with Mr. Tracy.

00:50:59Well, good night.

00:51:00Good night.

00:51:01I've got to phone Dick.

00:51:03I'll talk to him.

00:51:04I want a report on his house guest.

00:51:05OK.

00:51:06If you want me, I'll be up in the lab.

00:51:08I'm checking some fingerprints on Billy Brown's piggy bank.

00:51:11Looks like we got his old man red-handed this time.

00:51:20Mr. Tracy, please.

00:51:23Hello, Dick?

00:51:25This is Ted.

00:51:27Oh, you guessed that, huh?

00:51:29Hey.

00:51:30Ted!

00:51:31Ted!

00:51:32What's the matter?

00:51:33This is Split-Face, Tracy.

00:51:35Split-Face, do you hear?

00:51:36Call off your cops and quit trying to interfere

00:51:38if you ever want to see a girl alive again.

00:51:48Help!

00:51:49Help!

00:51:59Junior, put this car away.

00:52:01Mr. Tracy.

00:52:02Mr. Tracy.

00:52:03Ted has been kidnapped.

00:52:05Yes.

00:52:06Does it look like Junior can hang on?

00:52:09Good.

00:52:10Split-Face, grab Ted.

00:52:11Come on.

00:52:12I...

00:52:16Calling.

00:52:17Attention all cars.

00:52:19Calling all cars.

00:52:20All cars.

00:52:21All cars.

00:52:22All cars.

00:52:23All cars.

00:52:24All cars.

00:52:25All cars.

00:52:26All cars.

00:52:27Calling all cars.

00:52:28Look for a black sedan with a 10-year-old boy

00:52:30riding the rear bumper.

00:52:51I just spotted a car with a kid hanging on the back.

00:52:53I'm on the corner of Pine and Alden.

00:52:57All cars.

00:53:13He headed down Alden Street a few minutes ago.

00:53:23The kid threw this at me.

00:53:24That's why I called the police.

00:53:25He must have been in trouble.

00:53:26Which way did the car go?

00:53:27Down Elm towards the waterfront.

00:53:28Thanks.

00:53:56Come on.

00:53:57Let's go.

00:54:26Come on.

00:54:27Let's go.

00:54:56Let's go.

00:54:57Let's go.

00:54:58Let's go.

00:54:59Let's go.

00:55:00Let's go.

00:55:01Let's go.

00:55:02Let's go.

00:55:03Let's go.

00:55:04Let's go.

00:55:05Let's go.

00:55:06Let's go.

00:55:07Let's go.

00:55:08Let's go.

00:55:09Let's go.

00:55:10Let's go.

00:55:11Let's go.

00:55:12Let's go.

00:55:13Let's go.

00:55:14Let's go.

00:55:15Let's go.

00:55:16Let's go.

00:55:17Let's go.

00:55:18Let's go.

00:55:19Let's go.

00:55:20Let's go.

00:55:21Let's go.

00:55:22Let's go.

00:55:23Let's go.

00:55:24Let's go.

00:55:25Let's go.

00:55:28Let's go.

00:55:30Say, what are looking around here for?

00:55:32I'm not looking for anything.

00:55:34Just playing.

00:55:35I play on this old boat all the time.

00:55:38Say, I know you now.

00:55:41I saw you through the window at Tracy's.

00:55:43Now you don't want to run away so you hit in my car and came along.

00:55:48That's fine.

00:55:49You just doubled my grip on Tracy.

00:55:50Hello, Towne. I'm afraid we missed one of Junior's clues.

00:55:57I don't think so. There's some old abandoned docks along here, maybe split place of a setting for them.

00:56:02Now, if Tracy does what I say, you've got nothing to worry about.

00:56:07I'll be back in a minute. I warn you, don't try to get away.

00:56:14Junior, how did you get here?

00:56:15I found him in the back of the car.

00:56:16Oh, you shouldn't have.

00:56:37This looks like Junior's shoe.

00:56:39Yeah? Well, it could be anybody's shoe.

00:56:41Sure, but right now we're looking for a clue, and I'll take my chances on this being one.

00:56:45Let's go down this way.

00:56:59I moved the car just in case.

00:57:05Tracy was a fool to think he could stop me.

00:57:22I'm knocked. This is Junior's, all right.

00:57:24Well, it looks like we still haven't reached the end of the trail. No sign of the car.

00:57:28It depends on whether you're looking for a car or a split face.

00:57:32I think this is the end of the trail for split face.

00:57:37See, the tire track's leading into the shed.

00:57:43Here, look.

00:57:45Come on, Ben.

00:58:41All right.

00:59:10All right.

00:59:39Take charge of the path.

01:00:07Let's get Tess and Junior.

01:00:14Yes, Chief.

01:00:15He's safely locked up.

01:00:17And photographed this time.

01:00:19No, the scar was real.

01:00:21He got it in a fight with another convict.

01:00:23Served two extra years for it.

01:00:25Right.

01:00:27Thanks.

01:00:29Good night, Chief.

01:00:31Okay, Tess, I'm through with the report.

01:00:33Let's eat.

01:00:35You didn't say that a moment too soon. I'm dying of starvation.

01:00:39Come on, Junior, disentangle yourself from those guns.

01:00:42Hey, Dick, a taxi driver was just shot and tossed out of his own cab on 18th and Main.

01:00:47I'm sorry. Will you take Junior home?

01:00:49Here we go again.

01:00:51Come on, Junior.

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