⚖️ Lying Lips (1939) | Oscar Micheaux’s Bold Crime Drama | Classic Black Cinema 🎬 - video Dailymotion

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🕵️‍♀️💔 Lying Lips (1939) is a landmark film by pioneering African-American director Oscar Micheaux. In a time of deep social injustice, this powerful crime drama tells the story of a nightclub singer falsely accused of murder—forced to defend her innocence against a corrupt system.   📽️ Plot Summary:  Elsie, a popular nightclub performer, is framed for the murder of her aunt. As the legal system turns against her, only one detective believes in her innocence. Will justice prevail? A trailblazing film that tackles race, corruption, and moral courage.   🕰️ Year Released: 1939  🎭 Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery  🎬 Directed by: Oscar Micheaux  🎞️ Starring: Edna Mae Harris, Robert Earl Jones, Carl Mahon   🎯 Why Watch It?  ✔️ One of the earliest surviving sound films by a Black director  ✔️ A bold commentary on systemic injustice and racial bias  ✔️ Essential viewing for students of American film history  ✔️ Rare glimpse into 1930s Black independent cinema   🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE 👍 | COMMENT 💬 | SUBSCRIBE 🔔 for more rare gems, Black cinema history, and Golden Age classics!   👇 Watch more Golden Age films & vintage dramas here:  📺  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYSxyPafGbnT7hNTlq29mZQJKn7wrNglY  ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━  🎞️ #LyingLips #OscarMicheaux #BlackCinema #1930sFilm #PublicDomainMovies #ClassicDrama #IndependentFilmHistory #GoldenAgeMovies #CrimeNoir  ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━  ⚖️✨ Truth may be silenced—but it can’t be buried. Experience the powerful tale of Lying Lips (1939) today!   ---

Transcript

00:00:00The End

00:00:30The End

00:01:00Hey, Cookie

00:01:04Uh-huh

00:01:05Will you play Beautiful Baby for me?

00:01:07Sure thing, Elsie

00:01:08Let's go

00:01:08You must have been a beautiful baby

00:01:17Why, you must have been a wonderful child

00:01:21When you were only startin' to go to kindergarten

00:01:25I'll bet you drove the little boys wild

00:01:28And when it came to winnin' blue ribbons

00:01:31You must have showed the other kids how

00:01:35Why, I can see the judge's eyes as he handed you the prize

00:01:39I bet you made the kids bow

00:01:42Cause you must have been a beautiful baby

00:01:45Cause baby, look at you now

00:01:49Why, you must have been a beautiful baby

00:01:52Why, you must have been a wonderful child

00:01:56Cause when you were only startin' to go to kindergarten

00:02:00I bet you drove the little boys wild

00:02:03And when it came to winnin' blue ribbons

00:02:07Why, I bet you showed why I can see the judge's eyes

00:02:10As he handed you the prize

00:02:12That she made the cutest bow

00:02:14Cause you must have been a beautiful baby

00:02:18Cause baby, look at you now

00:02:21See you boys

00:02:51Come in

00:02:57Hello, Elizabeth

00:03:09What's on your mind?

00:03:15Heavens

00:03:15What have you been doin' hijackin' somebody?

00:03:18May I sit down?

00:03:19By all means

00:03:20There you are

00:03:24Now

00:03:25Well, who from, how come, and what for?

00:03:30Tony Guido and Nick Covelli

00:03:32Mmm, I smell trouble

00:03:34Their gang just pulled a big job

00:03:36The Peacock robbery

00:03:38Smells like one of their jobs

00:03:40They keep me on the anxious seat, all right

00:03:42Well, what do they want?

00:03:45A little party in the private apartment upstairs

00:03:47After the joint closes tonight

00:03:49That's easy

00:03:50It's for rent for such purposes

00:03:52With a half dozen of our girls to entertain them

00:03:54Including Elsie

00:03:55Mmm, that's what I was expecting

00:03:58And what I feared

00:04:00There goes the big doe

00:04:02With 300 more on the line on delivery of Elsie

00:04:06500 bucks gone with the wind

00:04:09You know she won't go, so I

00:04:11Because I want the place to make money

00:04:13Why do you let her kid you?

00:04:15Well, you want us to kid ourselves?

00:04:16Nonsense

00:04:17You're paying a handsome manager to look after such things, aren't you?

00:04:21It's 200 without her

00:04:22500 with her

00:04:24300 dollars ought to be enough to get you to make that manager do his duty

00:04:28500 is almost enough to make me use a gun

00:04:30But I don't think they could persuade that girl to go up to that apartment if they offered it ten times that much

00:04:35It's amazing to me how you let that pair play you

00:04:39If you had the right kind of manager

00:04:41You'd soon see how quickly Elsie'd be persuaded to sit in on these parties

00:04:45Darn it, why rub it in?

00:04:47The girl is 100% for the joint for what she's been hired for

00:04:49No

00:04:50I just can't tell any girl to do what I know isn't just right or get out

00:04:54I'm a gangster, but I still haven't sunk that low

00:04:59Rats

00:05:00If you'll make my brother manager

00:05:02I'll guarantee that Elsie Bellwood will be doing just what the joint wants her to do in ten days or...

00:05:07Nothing doing, Elizabeth

00:05:08I beat up men

00:05:09I'll never win for getting rough with a woman

00:05:11Oh, Mr. Farina

00:05:21Yes?

00:05:23Step here a minute, please

00:05:25Get a load of that specialty

00:05:29Some of these days, babe

00:05:38You're gonna miss me, honey

00:05:40Some of these days, babe

00:05:43You're gonna feel so lonely

00:05:44You're gonna miss my hugging

00:05:46You're gonna miss my kissing

00:05:49You're gonna miss me, baby

00:05:50When I'm gone away

00:05:52You're gonna feel so lonely, babe

00:05:54Just for me only

00:05:56For you know, baby

00:05:58You're gonna hate your day

00:06:00And if you believe me

00:06:03You know you're gonna breathe me

00:06:04You're gonna miss your little brown skin chock drop mama

00:06:07Some of these

00:06:08You're gonna miss me

00:06:10You're gonna miss me

00:06:12You're gonna miss me

00:06:14Ow!

00:06:15What is that?

00:06:18Watch it, boys

00:06:19You're gonna miss your little brown skin chock drop mama

00:06:22Some of these

00:06:23Days

00:06:26A manager should be able to entertain

00:06:34In case you come up shorter than that some night

00:06:36You saw that

00:06:38Think it over, Mr. Farina

00:06:40As I started to say, Elsie's a good performer

00:06:49And they like her

00:06:50But she's too high-hat

00:06:52What do you mean, too high-hat?

00:06:53Well, I mean that she should set in on some of these parties

00:06:56Many of our customers are always asking her to

00:06:58You understand, eh, had not?

00:07:01I am

00:07:01But is that just right?

00:07:03You know that not Elwood

00:07:04She's a good performer

00:07:05Pleases everybody with her singing and dancing

00:07:07So don't you think that's quite enough?

00:07:09Of course

00:07:10But the other girls go in for her

00:07:12So why not her?

00:07:13That's her business

00:07:14I hired her to do just what she's doing

00:07:16If she wasn't

00:07:17I couldn't stop her

00:07:18But if she doesn't

00:07:19I understand all that

00:07:20But if we could promise some of them a date with Elsie

00:07:23Say

00:07:24Many would be willing to spend more dough

00:07:26As I said, that's up to Elsie

00:07:28But she mustn't expect me to try to persuade her

00:07:31And I hope, too, that the Poodle Dog Cafe

00:07:33Hasn't sound so low until a decent girl can't work here

00:07:35Ah, don't be so arbitrary, hard not

00:07:38Many of the people who come here call themselves slumming

00:07:40And if they want to date up a few of the girls for a little party afterwards

00:07:43It means more dough for the joint

00:07:46You understand?

00:07:48Of course I do, Frida

00:07:49And they do it right along

00:07:51But you were speaking about Miss Belwood

00:07:52And I merely said

00:07:54That if she doesn't want to go out on any

00:07:55I'm not going to argue and abuse her about it

00:07:58Good evening, Mr. Grotty

00:08:00What's the matter?

00:08:05Oh, nothing much

00:08:06I was just trying to show Hadnett

00:08:08That if Elsie would consent to sit in at some of these parties

00:08:10It would help the business

00:08:11Of course it would

00:08:12What did Hadnett say about it?

00:08:14He said it was up to her

00:08:16Well, he should make it

00:08:17Who is she if she can't help us make more money?

00:08:21The other girls are always willing

00:08:22That's what I tried to show him

00:08:24But all I could get is

00:08:25It's up to her

00:08:27I'll talk to Hadnett myself

00:08:29Oh, Mr. Hadnett

00:08:33Yes?

00:08:34Will you please step in here a moment?

00:08:36Of course

00:08:36Have a seat

00:08:44Cigarette?

00:08:49No, thanks

00:08:49Mr. Hadnett

00:08:51My cousin tells me you don't like the way we run our place

00:08:54Hadnett don't think that we ought to try to persuade Elsie to go out on parties

00:08:58If she don't want to

00:08:59I said that I wouldn't try to

00:09:01Now, this Elsie girl

00:09:03She's very attractive

00:09:05Some of our customers will sit in a little party now and then

00:09:09You understand

00:09:10After the place closes

00:09:11Now, we like to oblige our customers

00:09:15So we think that you should

00:09:17Listen, Mr. Grotty

00:09:18Your partner and I have just party

00:09:20It's up to her

00:09:21But I hired her to sing and dance here in the place

00:09:23Not to go out on private parties

00:09:25Now, if you want to try to persuade her to

00:09:27That's your business

00:09:28But I won't

00:09:28Oh, you won't, eh?

00:09:30Well, what do you think we got you hired for

00:09:31Besides managing the place?

00:09:33We can do the managing

00:09:34We will

00:09:35That is

00:09:37You know the girls better than we do

00:09:39You talk the same language

00:09:41Now, we've been after this girl to help us out a long time

00:09:45Now, we say

00:09:47You get her to or

00:09:49Well, that's okay by me

00:09:51Now, now, Hadnacht

00:09:53You don't have to do that

00:09:54Let's talk it over

00:09:55You see, I tried to get

00:09:56You both made your positions very clear

00:09:58There's no alternative but to do what you want me to or resign

00:10:00I'm resigning

00:10:02You can get plenty of men in my race to do anything you ask them to

00:10:04So why waste your time on me?

00:10:07As far as Miss Bell was concerned

00:10:09She's a lady

00:10:09I have too much respect for her

00:10:11For myself to try to persuade her to do

00:10:13But you know and I know is wrong

00:10:14As to you two

00:10:16If you had any respect for the unfortunate members of my race

00:10:19Especially the girls who were forced to work here

00:10:21You wouldn't try to make them do ugly things

00:10:23But since you haven't

00:10:24I don't like your attitude

00:10:26I am quitting

00:10:27Good day

00:10:28I was coming in to see Mr. Farina

00:10:36And I couldn't help overhearing what was going on inside

00:10:39What does he mean?

00:10:44It means that I'm leaving Miss Bellwood

00:10:47You leaving?

00:10:48But why?

00:10:49If you overheard much of the conversation

00:10:50You ought to know

00:10:51It's because of you

00:10:52I'm sorry

00:10:53But you mustn't

00:10:54You can't

00:10:55I won't let you give up your job on account of me

00:10:58Now I...

00:10:59The only way I could get it back and keep it

00:11:00Would be for you to do what they wanted me to make you do

00:11:03And if you did

00:11:04I would hate both you and myself

00:11:05Oh you're so fine and noble

00:11:08And jobs are scarce

00:11:09I could never feel comfortable or happy

00:11:11Knowing that you gave up yours

00:11:13Because you wanted me to stay decent

00:11:15Why I...

00:11:16Oh let's not take it so seriously

00:11:17I don't belong in that place anyhow

00:11:19Neither do I

00:11:20If you just must quit

00:11:22Then I will too

00:11:23You'll do nothing of the kind

00:11:24There's nothing wrong with your job

00:11:26And you don't have to change your ways

00:11:27Just because some drunk and depraved customer

00:11:29Wants to go flying around with you

00:11:31Meantime the customer's like you

00:11:33And you're making more money

00:11:34Now than it is possible for you to make anywhere else

00:11:36What about me and the chief job I had

00:11:38But don't you understand that I...

00:11:40I understand all about what you want to say

00:11:42But the fact is

00:11:43I've been appointed to a job on the detective force

00:11:45I was going to quit the first month anyhow

00:11:47The prosecuting attorney is anxious to break up the cabaret rack

00:11:50And they're efforts to force you to be bad

00:11:52Whether you want to or not

00:11:53Should be a part of it

00:11:54Anyway I've got a better job

00:11:56So go in there and do your work

00:11:57And keep on being nice

00:11:59I like you that way

00:12:01There's certain something in this world that I like best

00:12:16I depend on one thing for my total happiness

00:12:20No it isn't money

00:12:23No it isn't fame

00:12:26You may think it's funny

00:12:28When I start to explain

00:12:30Got no shoes on my feet

00:12:32Ain't got nothing to read

00:12:34But I've got a heart full of rhythm

00:12:38Not a dime to my name

00:12:41But a rich just the same

00:12:44For I've got a heart full of rhythm

00:12:47Now when the skies are gray

00:12:50And everything's wrong

00:12:52I find my way

00:12:55By singing a song

00:12:57That the grace becomes small

00:12:59I'll laugh at them all

00:13:01Cause I've got a heart full of rhythm

00:13:05Got no shoes on my feet

00:13:08Ain't got nothing to read

00:13:10But I've got a heart full of rhythm

00:13:13Not a dime to my name

00:13:16But a rich just the same

00:13:19For I've got a heart full of rhythm

00:13:22Now when the skies are gray

00:13:25And everything's wrong

00:13:27I find my way

00:13:30By singing a song

00:13:31Let the grace become small

00:13:34I'll laugh at them all

00:13:36For I've got a heart full of rhythm

00:13:39Now let the grace become small

00:13:51I'll laugh at them all

00:13:55But I've got a heart full of rhythm

00:14:04Be very happy when I think of you

00:14:15Being without your job on account of me

00:14:17I tell you, Elsie

00:14:18Some may call you there

00:14:19You may, of course

00:14:21Thanks

00:14:22That makes it easier

00:14:24Getting back to what we were talking about

00:14:27I was trying to tell you that I didn't care

00:14:29You see, I've been studying for detective work for two years

00:14:34It comes under civil service

00:14:37I've took the examination

00:14:38The thing is all right

00:14:40I don't have to worry about a job for me any longer

00:14:42With a better job

00:14:44I can do more good

00:14:45Naturally, I'm glad that I can now be more independent

00:14:50And stand up

00:14:51When the occasion rises for a decent girl like you

00:14:54I sure like you for that

00:14:56And I shall always respect you

00:14:58I hated to think that you had to suffer any inconvenience or embarrassment on my account

00:15:03However, I like to think that the Negro race have such a terrible time

00:15:08If we had a few more girls like you

00:15:10Maybe it wouldn't be as hard as it seems

00:15:13By the way

00:15:15Did you happen to notice anyone hanging around to take my place?

00:15:19Yes

00:15:20Those Landry boys

00:15:22Incidentally, distant relatives of mine

00:15:24They're made to order for dirty work

00:15:26They'd hardly stop in murder

00:15:28So

00:15:29I may have to quit after all

00:15:32No

00:15:32The customers like you too well

00:15:34Just you stand pat

00:15:36And they'll soon quit trying to persuade you

00:15:38I hope you're right

00:15:39It was bad enough for the help while you were there

00:15:42But with those

00:15:43Outfit like my relatives in charge

00:15:45Why shudder when I think that those poor girls

00:15:48Will have to put up with now

00:15:50Oh, you don't need to

00:15:54I'm on the getting outside

00:15:55I can be out in a jiffy and upstairs

00:15:57Before you can get around on this side

00:15:59I want to thank you for a fine evening

00:16:05But if I find out that you're lying about that detective job

00:16:10I'm going to make you let me do something

00:16:13That I never thought I'd ever do

00:16:15Take care of a man

00:16:18Come on

00:16:23By the way

00:16:25And I'll make you because I'm a gon'

00:16:27Oh, Auntie, oh, Auntie, are you asleep?

00:16:54You're playing possum on me tonight, Auntie.

00:16:56But why all the light?

00:16:58It'll hurt your eye.

00:17:37THE END

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00:20:09DO THIS

00:20:11IT'LL MAKE ME

00:20:13SO HAPPY

00:20:15THE PHONE

00:20:17THAT'S STRANGE

00:20:20I WONDER WHO

00:20:21COULD BE CALLING

00:20:22IN TOOT

00:20:23CALL AN HOUR

00:20:25DO YOU SAY

00:20:26WE START THE

00:20:27CESSION WITH A

00:20:28LITTLE DRINK

00:20:29YES?

00:20:30WHO CARE FOR US

00:20:33BOSS

00:20:34Oh, care for us, boss.

00:20:41What can you want to talk to my aunt about at this hour?

00:20:44Please give me the message.

00:20:46She's a scanty.

00:20:47But if you say that it's a matter of life and death,

00:20:50I guess I'll have to call her.

00:21:03Oh, auntie.

00:21:04Auntie, someone warns you over the phone.

00:21:07Do you hear me?

00:21:10Poor auntie.

00:21:11You're tired.

00:21:13I just won't do it.

00:21:14Whoever it is has got to give me the message

00:21:16or wait until you wake up.

00:21:28Hello?

00:21:30Hello?

00:21:32Hello?

00:21:33Hello?

00:21:35Hello?

00:21:40Hello?

00:21:43That's strange.

00:21:45Oh, auntie.

00:21:57Auntie.

00:21:58Wake up.

00:21:59Please wake up.

00:22:00Help!

00:22:14Help!

00:22:15Help!

00:22:16Help!

00:22:17Help!

00:22:18Help!

00:22:19Help!

00:22:20Help!

00:22:21Help!

00:22:22Help!

00:22:23Help!

00:22:24Help!

00:22:25Help!

00:22:26Help!

00:22:27Help!

00:22:28Help!

00:22:29Help!

00:22:29Oh, operator, operator, give me the police station, please, quick.

00:22:39You say you arrived home about 3 a.m.

00:22:42I thought upon seeing your aunt laying as we discovered her that she was asleep.

00:22:46I thought she was asleep.

00:22:48When did you discover that she was dead, had been murdered?

00:22:51As I was finishing my bath, the phone rang.

00:22:54Yes.

00:22:55I left the bath and went to answer it.

00:22:57You answered the phone.

00:22:58Then, I answered the phone.

00:23:00And?

00:23:01The person calling wanted to speak to my aunt.

00:23:03They insisted upon speaking to her.

00:23:06I asked them to give me the message.

00:23:08So, finally, when they insisted that it was a matter of life and death,

00:23:12I told them to hold the phone and I would go and call her.

00:23:15Then?

00:23:16Then, I went to my aunt's room and called her.

00:23:20But she didn't awaken.

00:23:22She didn't awaken?

00:23:23Did you shake her?

00:23:25We usually do so when someone is hard to awaken.

00:23:27No, I didn't shake her.

00:23:30She was sleeping so peacefully that I decided that I would go back to the phone and insist upon them giving me the message.

00:23:37So, you went back to the telephone and...

00:23:38I went back to the telephone and I didn't get any response.

00:23:42The person calling had hung up.

00:23:44Had hung up?

00:23:44I tried and tried, but I couldn't get any answers.

00:23:48You're quite sure that no one answered.

00:23:51Positive.

00:23:52That aroused my curiosity.

00:23:54I began to feel suspicious.

00:23:57So, finally, I went back to my aunt's room and called her and shook her.

00:24:02And it was then that I discovered that she had been shot.

00:24:07That she was dead.

00:24:09Well, what do you think of her story?

00:24:24Sounds truthful.

00:24:26It does and it may be.

00:24:28But in cases like these, one can never tell.

00:24:30It always pays to reserve decision until you learn more.

00:24:34That's true.

00:24:35Who is the girl?

00:24:36Her name is Elsa Bellwood.

00:24:38Do you know her?

00:24:39In a general way.

00:24:41I've talked with her.

00:24:42She's considered a very good singer and dancer and works at the Food Law Cabaret.

00:24:46I see.

00:24:47Do you know anything about her reputation, her character?

00:24:50She's in the show business, you know.

00:24:53This case seems to offer something.

00:24:55It is unusual.

00:24:57For instance, someone calls over the telephone...

00:25:01And insists upon talking to a woman you can see who has been dead for hours.

00:25:04And times are called when you knew the girl would have returned from her work and at such a late hour.

00:25:09If the girl is innocent in this murder, then someone who called knew something about who did it.

00:25:16If they did not kill her themselves.

00:25:19Now, if the girl killed her aunt, she would have had to leave the cabaret.

00:25:23I guess, say, between 10.30 p.m. and midnight, go home, shoot her aunt while she was asleep, go back to the cabaret, go on with her work,

00:25:38and then come back here in an hour and call the police station.

00:25:43It's too complicated for the arresting officer.

00:25:49There's only one thing to do.

00:25:50We'll have to take her downtown and hold her.

00:25:53I'm sorry.

00:25:54She seems like a very nice girl.

00:25:56And truthful.

00:25:57But somebody killed that woman!

00:26:01Now, if the girl was the only one here, there's only one thing to do.

00:26:05Take her downtown and book her.

00:26:09Come on.

00:26:13Does this mean that I'm under arrest?

00:26:16I'm awful sorry, but you are.

00:26:18Oh.

00:26:18And it means that you're going to lock me up?

00:26:23Put me in jail?

00:26:25Yes.

00:26:25I'm awful sorry.

00:26:28I'm not blaming you.

00:26:30There's been a murder.

00:26:31And the Lord's got to find out who did it.

00:26:34Well, there's no one else to hold it this time.

00:26:37But me.

00:26:38So...

00:26:38If you have an idea who did it.

00:26:40No, not the least.

00:26:42I... not the least.

00:26:44I... why?

00:26:45I can't imagine anyone wanting to kill my aunt.

00:26:47And... poor auntie.

00:26:55I...

00:26:55I was thinking of myself.

00:26:58I...

00:26:58I've never been arrested before.

00:27:02And...

00:27:02And now they're holding me for something that...

00:27:05That I don't know anything about.

00:27:13I...

00:27:14I...

00:27:15I'm under arrest.

00:27:17And...

00:27:17They're going to put me in jail.

00:27:24Well, ones, if you're sure...

00:27:26I'm not sure of anything.

00:27:27I may not feel that the girl is innocent.

00:27:29We should go easy on her until we get some more evidence.

00:27:31Well, I'll speak to the matron.

00:27:32But you understand she cannot leave.

00:27:35But at least the room is in the cell.

00:27:37I've talked to the matron.

00:27:41The matron has a room here with a bed in it.

00:27:43So we're going to let you have it so you can get some sleep.

00:27:45Then when you're brought before the dear this afternoon, you'll be more rested and composed.

00:27:49And think more clearly.

00:27:50You must be awful tired after such a night and all of this.

00:27:55Thanks.

00:27:55You're very kind.

00:27:57I am tired.

00:27:58Very tired.

00:28:00I feel...

00:28:01Oh, I guess I just don't feel anything anymore.

00:28:04I'll call the matron now.

00:28:07Do you know a lawyer?

00:28:09Have you some friends?

00:28:10I have no lawyer.

00:28:12I know a lot of people.

00:28:14But I'm afraid they won't understand this.

00:28:18I...

00:28:18I just don't know what to tell them.

00:28:21Do you have a boyfriend?

00:28:24No, I...

00:28:25A pretty girl like you?

00:28:26You must have somebody you like or who like...

00:28:29Oh, I didn't say that I...

00:28:31I didn't know anybody.

00:28:33I know a man.

00:28:34But I don't...

00:28:35He would come closer to...

00:28:36Than anybody else.

00:28:38If you have a pencil, I'll give you his name and answer.

00:28:40I'll give you his address.

00:28:49Hello, Wonser.

00:28:50Hello, Adonis.

00:28:51Come here.

00:28:58Have a seat.

00:29:03If Miss Bellwood didn't want to go on these private parties...

00:29:06You know what that means.

00:29:07I wouldn't make her go.

00:29:09Say, if I had my way, I'd clean up every cabaret like the food log in this town.

00:29:13I stay so annoyed when I have to look upon other girls...

00:29:16Forced to put up with all they have to...

00:29:18That it just makes my blood boil.

00:29:21Well, that was the trouble.

00:29:23And why I lost my job.

00:29:25Miss Bellwood is a good girl.

00:29:27She's a good performer.

00:29:29And the people like her.

00:29:29So I was thumbs down on making her do anything...

00:29:33Other than the work she had been hired to do...

00:29:35For her to hold a job.

00:29:37So that's why I'm out of the poodle dog.

00:29:39That's too bad, Hadnock.

00:29:42But what about your appointment to the detective force?

00:29:45That's gone through.

00:29:46And I'm starting to work the first of the month.

00:29:48Good.

00:29:49I'll be glad to welcome you.

00:29:50Thanks.

00:29:51But getting back to the girl...

00:29:53Can you imagine her committing a murder?

00:29:55Who couldn't even force her to go on a private party?

00:29:58I'm positive that she doesn't know anything about it.

00:30:01But this is the law, so you'll see what we are off against.

00:30:03Sure, I understand.

00:30:04Well, get your things on and come on down to the station with me...

00:30:06And we'll see what we can do.

00:30:08Of course.

00:30:08I'll be ready in a few minutes.

00:30:10Come in.

00:30:15Oh, Elsie.

00:30:22Benny, I mean...

00:30:23Can you imagine such a terrible happening?

00:30:25And to you.

00:30:26Mr. Wanzer brought me the news.

00:30:28I'm so sorry for you.

00:30:30Oh, yes.

00:30:31Mr. Wanzer has been very kind.

00:30:33Let me thank you again, Mr. Wanzer.

00:30:35I'm glad to have been of little help.

00:30:38I imagine you and the young lady would prefer to discuss this between yourselves.

00:30:42So you will please excuse me.

00:30:46Now, let's have a seat and you can tell me all about it.

00:30:53As I understand it, she had been dead several hours when you found her.

00:30:58After your arrival home.

00:31:00Oh, it was too terrible for words.

00:31:03Well, I walked about the house talking to her.

00:31:06At intervals.

00:31:07For about 15 minutes after I had...

00:31:09And called, or maybe had called, to see if I had returned home.

00:31:13And when they found that I had, and didn't know that she was dead, then that's the way it all ends.

00:31:21I can't even imagine beyond that.

00:31:24She was shot between 11 and 12 o'clock last night.

00:31:27Now, what time were you called?

00:31:29Between 3 and 4 a.m.

00:31:30She must have been dead at least three hours before the girl, according to her story, discovered the body.

00:31:36Just about.

00:31:38You know, this case offers something.

00:31:40There are two colored women living alone together.

00:31:42One finds the other mysteriously murdered.

00:31:45Now what?

00:31:46I've detailed Wanzer to investigate it.

00:31:49That's sensible.

00:31:50Being a colored man, he might be able to find out things that one of our other officers could not.

00:31:55And I expect him to uncover something by this afternoon.

00:31:59Come in.

00:31:59Now tell Mr. Eckert, the district attorney, how you're related to Miss Bellwood and what you know about her arm.

00:32:17Well, I don't know that I ought to.

00:32:20Go ahead, sister.

00:32:21Tell them all about it.

00:32:22Well, all we know about the murder is what we read in the morning papers.

00:32:27Of course we know, um, that is, we knew the victim, Josephine Hawkins.

00:32:32In fact, she was a cousin of ours.

00:32:33Oh, you're a cousin.

00:32:35So you were related.

00:32:37All right, go on.

00:32:38And this Miss Bellwood was her niece and lived with her.

00:32:42That we have already found out.

00:32:44Miss Bellwood told us that one went to her house this morning.

00:32:46Of course, I merely mentioned the facts so that you'd understand.

00:32:49Now, what did this Mrs. Hawkins do?

00:32:53How did she live?

00:32:54You mean Miss Hawkins.

00:32:55She wasn't married, had never been married.

00:32:57Oh.

00:32:58No, she owned a beauty power that she ran downstairs in the same building.

00:33:02Have you any knowledge or idea how the expenses of the apartment were shared?

00:33:06No, I don't know.

00:33:09But I do remember once talking to her and of her saying that she had an awful lot of insurance for a woman.

00:33:15But that Elsie, her niece, had taken it out on her and was paying the premiums.

00:33:18So she was heavily insured.

00:33:21And her niece, whom we are holding here, paid the premiums.

00:33:24Even had the insurance taken out.

00:33:26That's what she told me.

00:33:29Just when did she tell you that?

00:33:31Oh, three or four months ago, I'd say.

00:33:34That, of course, could be a motive for the murder.

00:33:37But we want to know more, Mrs. Green.

00:33:39The whole story.

00:33:40All you know.

00:33:41It's all right, Linda.

00:33:44Ron, tell them all you know.

00:33:45Well, I...

00:33:46Now, just a minute.

00:33:48Come here.

00:33:49You keep telling her to talk.

00:33:51How about you doing some talking yourself?

00:33:53What are you ordering her to tell?

00:33:55What do you know?

00:33:57Well, you see...

00:33:57You see, I just got a job to manage the Poodle Dog Cafe last night.

00:34:02Oh, I see.

00:34:03You got a job to manage the Poodle Dog Cafe.

00:34:05And you got it last night.

00:34:07So what?

00:34:08Yes, you must tell all he knows.

00:34:10A murder has been committed.

00:34:12And the law must find the guilty persons.

00:34:14So tell all you know, if anything, about it.

00:34:17Well, we don't know anything much, mister.

00:34:21But you said the murder was committed between 11 and 12 o'clock last night.

00:34:25We were at the Poodle Dog Cafe from 9 o'clock last night

00:34:29waiting to see Mr. Farini and Mr. Garotti about this job.

00:34:34At around 11 o'clock, I...

00:34:50The Poodle Dog Cafe from 9 o'clock, I...

00:35:20The Poodle Dog Cafe from 9 o'clock, I...

00:35:50Gee whiz, I wonder when are those guys going to get around to me.

00:36:03We've been waiting here for two hours.

00:36:06I'm getting tired.

00:36:08Well, go on outside and catch some air.

00:36:10But we're going to keep on waiting until they send for you if it takes all night.

00:36:16All right, I'm going outside.

00:36:18I'll go along with you.

00:36:22What time is it, anyhow?

00:36:25Eight minutes to 11.

00:36:27Now, how long are you going to stay out there in case they send for you?

00:36:30Oh, I don't know.

00:36:31Five or ten minutes.

00:36:33All right.

00:36:33I'll expect you back in ten minutes.

00:36:36Be sure you're back in ten minutes, however.

00:36:38And I hope you get back before they send for you.

00:36:42Surah.

00:36:43The Poodle Dog Cafe from 9 o'clock.

00:36:43Oh, hi.

00:36:43The Poodle Dog Cafe.

00:36:53The Poodle Dog Cafe from 9 o'clock.

00:36:55Go over there.

00:36:56Go over there.

00:36:57How long are you going to stay out of here?

00:36:58I'll just wait.

00:36:59Hold there.

00:36:59The End

00:37:29The End

00:37:59Glad to get out of that stuffy place

00:38:10Cigarette?

00:38:13Yeah

00:38:13Oh, taxi

00:38:23Drive me to 1415 Yandy Street, please

00:38:30Quick

00:38:31I sent my brother back inside

00:38:37And asked him to call me if I was sent for

00:38:39It was pleasant outside

00:38:41And I hung around half now

00:38:43It was perhaps 25 or 30 minutes later

00:38:47When...

00:38:49It's great to see you now

00:39:12Okay

00:39:14When I entered Mr. Garrod in Farina's office

00:39:19I happened to look up at the clock and remember

00:39:22That it was 11.35

00:39:24Yes, sir?

00:39:29Bring Miss Bellwood to my office at once

00:39:31Yes, sir

00:39:32I thank you people for the information you have given me

00:39:36I'll take your address

00:39:38And if and when we need you, we'll send for you

00:39:40You may go now

00:39:41I sure hope you don't send for me

00:39:43Oh, what an awful story

00:39:48Why, I didn't leave the cabaret from the time I went to work

00:39:52Until Mr. Hadnard picked me up and drove me home

00:39:54Shortly after 2 o'clock that morning

00:39:56Why has the man chose to lie like that?

00:39:59Perhaps he's trying to, uh, shield a real murder

00:40:01Would he have any motive for killing her himself?

00:40:04Oh, I don't know

00:40:05The whole thing has become so confused

00:40:07Until I can't think clearly anymore

00:40:09But I can't see where he would have any motive

00:40:12And why are they trying to put it on me?

00:40:15These cousins of your aunt

00:40:17Seem to have hated her, or you both

00:40:19Can you prove that you didn't leave the place

00:40:21At the time he said you did?

00:40:23I'll try to

00:40:24Now let me think

00:40:27I remember

00:40:31After the first show

00:40:33Or I should say, between shows

00:40:35We always do two shows

00:40:37I went to my dressing room

00:40:39And had a nap

00:40:40I always do

00:40:41If someone saw you go to your dressing room

00:40:43And could swear you stayed there until the second show

00:40:46That would counter this evidence

00:40:49Which Landry will no doubt repeat

00:40:50When he's placed on the stand at the trial

00:40:52That's it, Miss Bellwood

00:40:54You took the words out of my mouth

00:40:56I see

00:40:57No

00:40:58Because I always lock myself in

00:41:00And I don't recall seeing anybody

00:41:02When I went in

00:41:03Or when I came out

00:41:05That will make his statement

00:41:07About seeing you leave the place

00:41:09Hard to this prove

00:41:10But we've got to produce evidence

00:41:12To prove that he's lying

00:41:14There's no use, Benny

00:41:41Why give me false hope

00:41:43Just leave me here

00:41:45To slowly succumb to this living day

00:41:47I want to forget that I was never born

00:41:50And that I ever had any hope

00:41:52And that I was never a free person

00:41:55Once happy and hopeful

00:41:59I can both understand and appreciate your hopelessness

00:42:02And despair, Auntie

00:42:03But I want to tell you, dear

00:42:05That I love you

00:42:06Have loved you long before you even knew it

00:42:09And that I've dedicated my life

00:42:11To righting this great wrong

00:42:12And setting you free

00:42:13Since you didn't kill your Auntie

00:42:15Somebody else did

00:42:17So you see

00:42:18I must ultimately succeed

00:42:20And I will succeed

00:42:21Oh, what you say

00:42:24Sounds so beautiful, Benny

00:42:26But I'm only a convict now

00:42:29And I shall always be pointed out

00:42:31As a convict

00:42:32I...

00:42:33You're a victim of circumstances, Elsie

00:42:34You're not the first person

00:42:36To suffer this misfortune

00:42:37When the guilty persons

00:42:39Are brought to justice

00:42:39You'll be a martyr

00:42:40And no person can point a finger

00:42:42Of guilt or spawn at you

00:42:44I'm going to help you, dear

00:42:46But you must help me

00:42:47To enable me to help you

00:42:49Help you, Benny?

00:42:51How can I?

00:42:52Easily and simply

00:42:53I believe Mrs. Green and her brothers

00:42:55Either killed her off

00:42:56Or hired somebody to do it

00:42:58At least know who did

00:43:00Either way, the truth is not before very long

00:43:03Some Negro mixed up in this

00:43:05Is going to talk

00:43:06They always talk

00:43:07And they can never keep a secret

00:43:09Especially one so important

00:43:10As a murder

00:43:11Maybe

00:43:12But why haven't they talked

00:43:14They know

00:43:14Don't you catch my point, dear

00:43:15You had to be convicted first

00:43:18They've kept so busy

00:43:19Telling lies to put you here

00:43:21That they couldn't start

00:43:22Talking up to now

00:43:23But with you convicted

00:43:25And here in prison

00:43:25They'll soon relax

00:43:27They'll think they've been smart

00:43:28In putting you here

00:43:29And don't know enough

00:43:31To realize that you can be gotten out

00:43:32Their first move now

00:43:34Will be to try to get

00:43:35The insurance money

00:43:35I'll bet

00:43:37I'll be able to write you

00:43:38In less than a week

00:43:39And they've made application for it

00:43:40I love you, dear

00:43:43You're my great incentive

00:43:45Kiss me

00:43:47Well, how are you, Mr. Wonset?

00:43:55Would you have a chance?

00:43:56Sit down here

00:43:57You told me once

00:44:01That Mrs. Green's husband

00:44:02Had been in love with your aunt

00:44:04Many years before

00:44:05Back in the South

00:44:05And he loved her dearly

00:44:07And he was still in love with her

00:44:09When she was killed

00:44:10And would come to see her often

00:44:12But he's disappeared

00:44:13I haven't seen or heard of him

00:44:16Since the night she was murdered

00:44:17That's strange

00:44:19I'm sorry you didn't tell me that before

00:44:22I didn't think it was that important

00:44:24Maybe he just went away

00:44:26And we'll come back sometime

00:44:27Time

00:44:27He may and he may not

00:44:30Meantime, this might prove a connection

00:44:33It might turn out to be the link that's missing

00:44:35Maybe you'll find out something

00:44:38When you go to the city

00:44:39From, uh, Reverend Bryson

00:44:41He knew us all before we came from the South

00:44:43Maybe you'll find out something from him

00:44:46About Mrs. Green's husband

00:44:47Although it has been a long time

00:44:50Since we came north

00:44:51This looks like a lead

00:44:53I'm going to follow

00:44:54I have a feeling we'll get somewhere

00:44:56Now that this Elsa Bellwood

00:44:59Has been convicted of murder

00:45:01And sent to prison for life

00:45:02Who will the company pay the money to?

00:45:05Oh, that will be decided by the court

00:45:07In the meantime

00:45:08This Green family

00:45:09Elizabeth, John, and Clyde

00:45:11Have applied to it of next of kin

00:45:13Oh, they have

00:45:14So soon?

00:45:15Yes, I have the application papers here

00:45:17You won't be paying them the money

00:45:20Not until authorized by the court

00:45:22And that will take considerable time

00:45:24I'm glad to hear you say that

00:45:27Did they give me the impression

00:45:29When they filed the application

00:45:30That they understood it would be some time

00:45:32Before the matter would be settled?

00:45:34Since you've come to speak to it

00:45:35I think that will be settled very shortly

00:45:36Thank you

00:45:39That is all I wanted to know

00:45:40By that, you can see

00:45:44That they're counting on the money

00:45:45Much sooner than it is even possible

00:45:47For the claims to be paid

00:45:48This case isn't going to be long

00:45:50Before something cracks

00:45:51When this outfit finds

00:45:54That they can't lay hands on the money

00:45:55As quick as they had planned

00:45:56Some of them

00:45:58Are going to get impatient and drop something

00:45:59And I'll be Johnny on the spot

00:46:01To pick it up

00:46:01And land all three of them in jail

00:46:03Right quick

00:46:03Well, I'm depending on you

00:46:05To keep checked up on them

00:46:06And help them get somewhere

00:46:07I've been feeling

00:46:08That there's a story yet to tell

00:46:10In the meantime

00:46:11Let's get over this Reverend Bryson

00:46:12And see what we can find out

00:46:14You said something, brother

00:46:15Be seated, gentlemen

00:46:21You're nothing but a whiskey head

00:46:28And no good

00:46:29We have liquor here

00:46:31To sell to customers

00:46:32Not to be soaked up by the manager

00:46:33You stay drunk

00:46:35Nobody likes you

00:46:37So you're through

00:46:37Now get out

00:46:39Yes, I know everybody

00:46:51That's involved

00:46:52In this unfortunate affair

00:46:54I knew Josephine Hawkins

00:46:57When she was just

00:46:59A pretty young girl

00:47:00Having bows

00:47:01For the first time

00:47:02I knew Elizabeth Landry

00:47:05When she pulled

00:47:06A trick on Ned Green

00:47:08That made them man and wife

00:47:10She said that she's

00:47:15Going to have a baby

00:47:16And that I'm his father

00:47:18Are you?

00:47:20Uh, I

00:47:21Well, uh

00:47:22Maybe I am

00:47:23And maybe I ain't

00:47:24You know I ain't

00:47:26The only one

00:47:27That's been running around

00:47:28With her

00:47:28I

00:47:28Well, that's the chance

00:47:29You take, young man

00:47:30She has your charge

00:47:32With fatherhood

00:47:33There's no alternative

00:47:35Uh, what do you mean

00:47:37There's no alternative

00:47:38Well, I mean

00:47:39That you must marry the girl

00:47:40But I don't love her

00:47:42Never did

00:47:43And never will

00:47:45You know who my girl is

00:47:47You know who I've been

00:47:48Going around with

00:47:50And I ain't afraid

00:47:51To tell you

00:47:52That I love

00:47:53Josephine Hawkins

00:47:54She wouldn't come up

00:47:56With no tale like this

00:47:57Why should she want me

00:47:59To marry her

00:48:00When she knows

00:48:01That I'm in love

00:48:02With her cousin

00:48:03Well, that I don't know

00:48:04Young man

00:48:05Now you admit

00:48:06That you've been

00:48:06Having clandestine affairs

00:48:07With that girl

00:48:08She charges you

00:48:10With being the father

00:48:11Of her unborn child

00:48:12If you do not

00:48:15Marry the girl

00:48:15She'll have you arrested

00:48:16And put you in jail

00:48:18You have a very good

00:48:21Reputation

00:48:22And you shouldn't

00:48:23Permit

00:48:24Either yourself

00:48:25Or the girl

00:48:25To be scandalized

00:48:26When you get ready

00:48:29For the ceremony

00:48:30Bring the girl

00:48:32Here to me

00:48:32Well, I married the couple

00:48:36And three months later

00:48:39She lied

00:48:46She's no more

00:48:48To become a mother

00:48:48Than you are

00:48:49She tricked me

00:48:50Into marrying her

00:48:51The dirtiest trick

00:48:53A woman could pull

00:48:54On a man

00:48:54That's why I came to you

00:48:56To find out

00:48:57What could be done

00:48:58By

00:48:58Well, you might ask

00:49:00For a doctor's examination

00:49:01And if the examination

00:49:03Proves what you say

00:49:04I think the court

00:49:06Would grant you

00:49:07An annulment

00:49:08I don't want

00:49:09To wait that long

00:49:10I can't be

00:49:11Bob with no

00:49:11Nulling

00:49:12I'm leaving town

00:49:13I'm afraid

00:49:14If I stayed here

00:49:15I'd kill her

00:49:16I ain't got time

00:49:18To be bothered

00:49:19I am leaving town

00:49:20Tonight

00:49:21Goodbye

00:49:21Heartbroken

00:49:25Josephine Hawkins

00:49:27Had left town

00:49:28Gone north

00:49:29And Elizabeth

00:49:31After Green

00:49:33Had left her

00:49:33She left shortly afterward

00:49:36Also for the north

00:49:37And feeling that Green

00:49:38Had followed Josephine

00:49:39Which perhaps he had

00:49:41Elizabeth took her brothers

00:49:43Whose reputation

00:49:44Was rather unsavory

00:49:46North with her

00:49:47Ten years later

00:49:49I was transferred

00:49:50To my present charge

00:49:51And when I came here

00:49:53I learned that

00:49:54Under the threat of death

00:49:56Elizabeth's brothers

00:49:58Had virtually

00:49:59Forced Green

00:50:00To live with her

00:50:00And in the meantime

00:50:02Green's love

00:50:03For Josephine

00:50:04Had never died

00:50:05And he insisted

00:50:07On seeing her

00:50:08Whenever he had a chance

00:50:09I think you have

00:50:10Given us the key

00:50:11Doctor

00:50:11To the missing leg

00:50:12In this tragedy

00:50:12And we'll start

00:50:14From here

00:50:14And run this thing

00:50:15Down

00:50:15You can bet

00:50:16Here we are

00:50:23Both

00:50:24Strapped

00:50:25It may be months

00:50:26Before we get this money

00:50:27If at all

00:50:28And you must keep

00:50:28Pouring liquor

00:50:29Down your dirty throat

00:50:31Until the Italians

00:50:31Get disgusted with you

00:50:33And kick you out

00:50:34Oh you make me sick

00:50:36Well what do you expect

00:50:37You planned this whole thing

00:50:39For twenty years

00:50:42I've been a slave

00:50:43To your design

00:50:43Ever since the time

00:50:46You tricked Nate Green

00:50:47Into marrying you

00:50:48Everything has been

00:50:49Subodinated to your convenience

00:50:51And the only way

00:50:53I've been able to keep up

00:50:54Is to keep pouring a lot

00:50:55Of rotten liquor in me

00:50:57And I couldn't quit drinking

00:50:59No

00:50:59Because I had that cheap job

00:51:01At the Poodle Dog Cafe

00:51:03And just as soon as you get this money

00:51:07I'll go out of your life forever

00:51:08And you won't never need be bothered me again

00:51:11I'm sick and tired of the whole thing

00:51:14And I'll be glad when it's through and all over with

00:51:17Here's Elfie

00:51:28Dearest Elfie, we're getting somewhere.

00:51:45Very soon the case will be cracked wide open and you'll be free.

00:51:48In the meantime, now and always, dear one, that I love you.

00:51:55Love you.

00:51:56Benjamin.

00:51:58We'll wait right here until somebody comes out or goes in.

00:52:11I have a feeling we won't have to wait long.

00:52:16Hey, son, come here.

00:52:18Yes, sir?

00:52:20Live around here?

00:52:21Right across the street in that house with the yellow shade.

00:52:24How about the house next door?

00:52:25Mrs. Green lives there.

00:52:29Mrs. Green?

00:52:30Yes, sir, and her two brothers, John and Clyde.

00:52:32Nobody else?

00:52:33Well, her husband used to stay there, but he don't know more.

00:52:36He doesn't anymore.

00:52:36Why?

00:52:37I don't know.

00:52:38He just don't.

00:52:39He ain't been there in a long time.

00:52:41I think he went away somewhere.

00:52:43Anyway, he ain't there no more.

00:52:45But Mrs. Green's brothers, do they still live there?

00:52:47Oh, yes, sir.

00:52:48One of them's there now.

00:52:49He always is.

00:52:51The other one will be coming along soon.

00:52:53They eat about this time, and the other one will be coming along soon for his dinner.

00:52:56Which one's there now?

00:52:58John.

00:52:59He sleeps up until about this time, then he gets up and eats, and then he goes down to the

00:53:03Maple Leaf Social Club.

00:53:04Maple Leaf Social Club, eh?

00:53:06Well, what time does he get back?

00:53:08He's never back before I go to bed, so I guess he gets back kind of late.

00:53:11Now, this brother John that you mentioned, does he work?

00:53:14They say he does.

00:53:15My papa says they gamble down there, and he does something.

00:53:18Thank you, son.

00:53:20Oh, there's something for you.

00:53:22Oh, thank you, sir.

00:53:24Now, what time do you go to bed?

00:53:25About 9 o'clock, sir.

00:53:27About 9 o'clock.

00:53:28I see.

00:53:29How would you like to meet us, say, right here at 8 o'clock?

00:53:32We want you to carry a note.

00:53:34We'll give you another quarter.

00:53:35Oh, I'd be glad to, sir.

00:53:36Right here at 8 o'clock.

00:53:38Right here at 8 o'clock.

00:53:39But remember, don't tell anybody.

00:53:41We won't be able to meet you and give you that other quarter.

00:53:43Oh, I know how to keep my mouth shut.

00:53:45I'm studying to be a G-man.

00:53:47I won't tell nobody.

00:53:49Be sure that you don't.

00:53:50You can go now and meet us back here at 8 o'clock.

00:53:52At 8 o'clock?

00:53:53Don't tell nobody.

00:53:54I'll get you, mister.

00:53:55Goodbye.

00:53:58What's the idea, anyhow?

00:53:59I want to have a little talk with Brother John.

00:54:02A little private talk, and I need the boy to help me to arrange it.

00:54:05Let's go down to Morrison and offer a glass of beer,

00:54:07and I'll tell you the rest when we get there.

00:54:08Now, that's the way we'll work it.

00:54:12Sir, that's a clever plan to have thought up all by yourself.

00:54:15Why didn't you think of it before?

00:54:17And why didn't Napoleon think of airplanes and howitzers?

00:54:19He could have really conquered your plans.

00:54:21You go love the men into two cars and stop in the next block.

00:54:27They don't need you to know what we're doing until we're doing it.

00:54:30I got you, Steve.

00:54:31Now, when I drive up, be sure and have your hand on your gun

00:54:34and be ready to get in the car and cover it.

00:54:36Understand?

00:54:37I got you twice.

00:54:38Okay, now I'm going.

00:54:51All right, mister.

00:54:52Here I am.

00:54:53So I see.

00:54:54Johnny on the spot.

00:54:56Always be on time, and you'll get somewhere by the time you become a man.

00:54:59Yes, sir.

00:55:00Say, do you know where the Maple Leaf Club is?

00:55:02Sure.

00:55:03I want you to show me this.

00:55:04So you drive up to the next corner, and you turn right, and there you are.

00:55:09All right, here it goes.

00:55:16That's the club there, mister.

00:55:18Yeah?

00:55:19Well, go in there and see this man, John,

00:55:21and tell him that his brother wants to see him down there right away.

00:55:23Understand?

00:55:24Yes, sir.

00:55:25When you bring him here, I'll give you the other quarter.

00:55:28Now, when he's sitting here by me,

00:55:29you come around on this side of the car, and I'll give it to you easy light.

00:55:32Yes, sir.

00:55:34Now, if you do just as I say, and keep your mouth shut,

00:55:36it may be two quarters or half a dollar that I'll be giving you.

00:55:39Yes, sir.

00:55:40You can go now.

00:56:04Hello, John.

00:56:11Well, hello, Hayden.

00:56:11Ain't seen you in a long time.

00:56:19Been kind of busy since I left the poodle dog.

00:56:20Say, where's my brother?

00:56:21You'll soon see you, you contemptible liar.

00:56:39That was just an excuse to get you out of here.

00:56:40I wanted to see you.

00:56:41What's the mean of this?

00:56:43We should try to hope somebody...

00:56:44All right, I got him covered.

00:56:46Say, what's the mean of this, fellas?

00:56:47I ain't done nothing.

00:56:48What y'all gonna do with me?

00:56:50We're taking you for a little ride, and you won't be coming back.

00:56:54I ain't coming back?

00:56:55How come?

00:56:56Ever heard of Tolston Manor?

00:56:58You mean that headed house we are there on Tolston Point?

00:57:01Yeah.

00:57:01Who said that do to me?

00:57:04We're taking you there.

00:57:05For a little seance with the ghost of the manor.

00:57:08Not if I knows anything about it.

00:57:10Oh, no, my good fellow.

00:57:13Not only are we taking you there, we are going to tie you up and leave you there to starve to death and die.

00:57:21You've been telling lies and have done an innocent person of great wrong.

00:57:27So we're going to take you up to meet the ghost of Tolston Manor, and I'll his end ghost, after which you die.

00:57:33Oh, bloody.

00:57:34Come on.

00:57:35Say, what's the mean of this?

00:57:36Come on.

00:57:36That's all right.

00:57:37What y'all gonna do with me?

00:57:39I ain't done nothing.

00:57:41Get on it now.

00:57:43Come on.

00:57:44All right, Wander.

00:57:57Make a light, please.

00:58:05Ghosts.

00:58:06Working by...

00:58:06Control.

00:58:07Control.

00:58:07I hear that the only living thing to visit here are huge buzzards with pink necks and white gills who fly down through the chimney and pick the bones of liars like John here, whose lips have caused great suffering.

00:58:27They tie them to that ghost over there, and when the buzzards lie down and devoured our bodies, old Tolston turned their soul into imp ghosts.

00:58:42And every night at twelve, great goodness, it's midnight now.

00:58:51When that hand reaches twelve, the ghost I've heard appear.

00:59:01At the stroke of twelve, now watch.

00:59:09Well, that's set of it.

00:59:11The party's over for a while, so we'll tie John up and leave him here and...

00:59:15Oh, please, man, please don't.

00:59:16Of course, if you care to do a little talking, tell us who killed Josephine Hawkins.

00:59:23We might decide to wait a while.

00:59:26If you promise them hands won't come back, I'll tell you anything.

00:59:30Everything.

00:59:31Just don't leave me here.

00:59:33You're such a rotten, dirty liar until I hesitate to believe anything you say.

00:59:37You swore in court under oath, so how do you expect us to believe you out here?

00:59:41But I'll tell you why we brought you here and why we're going to leave you here with these ghosts.

00:59:46You killed Josephine Hawkins.

00:59:48I killed who?

00:59:49Josephine Hawkins.

00:59:50And you lied about Miss Bellwood when you swore she left the cabaret, went home, and shot her eye.

00:59:55I didn't, I didn't.

00:59:56What do you mean?

00:59:57I means I did lie about Miss Bellwood.

01:00:00So did my brother.

01:00:01But I didn't kill her, and neither did my brother.

01:00:04I don't believe you.

01:00:05But we're going to tie you up and leave you here for the dirty lies you told on that poor innocent girl.

01:00:09We didn't kill her.

01:00:10I swear we didn't.

01:00:12But we did lie about seeing Miss Bellwood.

01:00:14And if you won't leave me here, I'll tell you all about it.

01:00:17Well, what do you think about it?

01:00:19Oh, I wouldn't believe this guy on a stack of bibles.

01:00:22I don't see any use in wasting more time listening to this dirty liar.

01:00:26For if you'd lie enough to put an innocent girl into the penitentiary, we certainly can't afford to listen to him now.

01:00:34Please, man.

01:00:35Won't you give me a chance?

01:00:36I didn't kill my cousin.

01:00:38But I did lie about Miss Bellwood.

01:00:39I admit that.

01:00:41And if you promise you won't leave me here, I'll tell you all about how it was done.

01:00:44Shut up, you lying skunk.

01:00:48I don't know what you say.

01:00:49Wait a minute.

01:00:50After all, we can listen to his story.

01:00:52And if we still don't believe it, we can tie him up and leave him here.

01:00:55Oh, well, if you insist.

01:00:57All right, you rascal.

01:00:59But the moment I'm convinced that you're lying, we're going to tie you up and leave you here.

01:01:03I thank you, mister.

01:01:04I ain't going to lie.

01:01:05You can keep me here until you prove everything I says.

01:01:08All right.

01:01:09We're going to listen to your story.

01:01:12But we warn you that the moment it begins to sound fishy, it ends.

01:01:15And right here, you stay.

01:01:17I'm going to tell you the whole story.

01:01:19And there ain't one word.

01:01:20I ain't going to be a lie.

01:01:21All right.

01:01:22Start from the beginning.

01:01:23Way back in the south before any of you came north.

01:01:26Yes, sir.

01:01:27I sure will.

01:01:29Well, it starts like this.

01:01:31My sister, Elizabeth, took Ned Green into mind her.

01:01:35He was going with my cousin, Josephine, and was planning to marry her.

01:01:40But when Green learned the truth, he hauled off and left her and came north.

01:01:45Josie found out somehow Green was mad, so she hauled off and left too.

01:01:49My sister then followed Ned up north and brought me and my brother along with her.

01:01:53And lo and behold, she found Ned up here chasing around after Josie.

01:01:58That made her mad.

01:02:00So she had us go get him and scare him into living with again.

01:02:03He tried to, poor fellow, but it just couldn't get along somehow.

01:02:07You see, Ned was still in love with Josie and was always slipping out and seeing her.

01:02:12Then, just before the murder...

01:02:14You've made a slave out of me all of my life.

01:02:17Why don't you let me be and give me a divorce so I can go and marry Josie?

01:02:23You'd know I love Josie and have loved her always.

01:02:26We would have been happy if it hadn't been for your lying lips.

01:02:30I'll not let you alone.

01:02:33And I dare you to try to get a divorce.

01:02:35If you even as much as start to try, I'll have my brothers break your ugly neck.

01:02:40Same thing, year after year, the same thing.

01:02:44Well, you ain't never made me love you and I ain't gonna try no longer.

01:02:49I'm leaving you for good and I'm going to Josie.

01:02:52And if she won't run away and live with me, I'll steal into the house some night and kill her.

01:02:58Shoot her in the head.

01:02:59Then kill myself.

01:03:01That's what I'm going to do.

01:03:10No dumb Negro like you ever had nerve enough to shoot anybody.

01:03:15And as for killing yourself, you make me laugh.

01:03:19But my sister was mistooking that time.

01:03:24For the very next night, that was the night of the murder,

01:03:27when we returned home from the cavalry where we testified,

01:03:30we saw her to leave, then come back.

01:03:33We found a note.

01:03:40Phew.

01:03:49Hey, sis, where's the bottle?

01:03:51What about a little drink?

01:03:52Oh, go chase yourself.

01:03:53You've had enough liquor tonight.

01:03:55No.

01:03:56Just.

01:04:02Say, what's this?

01:04:04Here's a letter.

01:04:04Here.

01:04:04To my wife, I have done it.

01:04:19There is nothing to live for,

01:04:22so tonight I went to Josie's house

01:04:25and shot her through the head

01:04:27while she slept

01:04:31and turned on the light

01:04:33so her soul could find the way to heaven.

01:04:38With Josie dead,

01:04:41when you find this note,

01:04:43I will be dead too.

01:04:44I am going to tie a rock around my neck

01:04:50and jump off Tyndall's Bridge.

01:05:03If you care to bury me,

01:05:05you will find my body

01:05:07at the bottom of the river

01:05:09under the bridge.

01:05:12Unhappily,

01:05:13Ned.

01:05:14My sister then sat down

01:05:18and planned the rest.

01:05:20We knew exactly what time

01:05:21Elsie would come home,

01:05:22so she called up

01:05:23Cousin Josephine's house

01:05:25every ten minutes,

01:05:26starting at 2 a.m.

01:05:29She finally got Elsie.

01:05:30She could tell them

01:05:31that a girl didn't know

01:05:32her aunt was dead

01:05:33when she said,

01:05:34I'll go and call her.

01:05:35And when she did,

01:05:36Lizzie hung up on her.

01:05:38She knew then

01:05:38that Elsie would find out

01:05:40that her aunt was dead,

01:05:41had been killed.

01:05:42Lizzie stayed up all night long

01:05:45making up that lie

01:05:46about Miss Elsie

01:05:47leaving the cabaret

01:05:47and coming back.

01:05:49So as to make it look like

01:05:50Elsie did it.

01:05:51Then she rehearsed me and Clyde

01:05:52on how to tell it.

01:05:54We were scared

01:05:54they would mix us up.

01:05:56All the time we was

01:05:57at the district attorney's office,

01:05:58Lizzie kept on pinching me

01:06:00and Clyde

01:06:00to make us tell it

01:06:01like she rehearsed it.

01:06:03You see,

01:06:03she was after that

01:06:04insurance money

01:06:04and she figured

01:06:05if she could get Elsie

01:06:07convicted,

01:06:07why,

01:06:08she'd get it.

01:06:09Well,

01:06:10what do you think of it?

01:06:12Well,

01:06:13I guess we'll put him

01:06:13under arrest

01:06:14while we check on his story.

01:06:16And if we find Green's body...

01:06:17Then that'll re-open the case

01:06:18and set Miss Bellwood free.

01:06:20All right, fellow.

01:06:21We're calling the party off.

01:06:23Taking you back to town

01:06:24and locking you up

01:06:24until we can see

01:06:25if your story's true.

01:06:27Let's get going.

01:06:27They're yours, Liz.

01:06:57I'm giving them to you.

01:06:59Giving them to me?

01:07:00Well, what do you mean?

01:07:01Just what I say.

01:07:03They're yours, Lizzie,

01:07:04my darling husband.

01:07:06But I...

01:07:06Well, I'll explain.

01:07:08To begin with,

01:07:10I wouldn't have had them at all

01:07:11if you hadn't dedicated

01:07:12your life to the solution

01:07:14of the crime

01:07:14which set me free.

01:07:16And next,

01:07:17for some strange reason,

01:07:19when I thought that you

01:07:20had lost your job

01:07:21on my account,

01:07:23I developed a means

01:07:24to give you my money

01:07:25to take care of you

01:07:27if need be

01:07:27until you got another job.

01:07:30Then suddenly,

01:07:32all I had been through

01:07:33began to happen.

01:07:35You saved me,

01:07:36you loved me,

01:07:37and you married me.

01:07:39And I love you.

01:07:41Now, after all this,

01:07:42if you want to make me happy,

01:07:44please take these checks,

01:07:46$15,000 worth,

01:07:48and do whatever

01:07:49you want to do with me.

01:07:50Will you promise me, dear?

01:07:52Such a peculiar request.

01:07:54Such a strange desire.

01:07:57But since you insist

01:07:58on making me

01:07:58a sort of guardian,

01:08:00I'll take the checks

01:08:01and establish a trust fund

01:08:02for our children, dear.

01:08:04Will that be all right?

01:08:05So,

01:08:17you

01:08:19you

01:08:21you

01:08:27you

⚖️ Lying Lips (1939) | Oscar Micheaux’s Bold Crime Drama | Classic Black Cinema 🎬

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