🗞️ Star Reporter (1939) Full Movie | Crime Mystery Classic 🎥🕵️‍♂️ | Old-School Journalism Meets Murder & Mayhem 📰⚖️ - video Dailymotion

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🖋️ Star Reporter (1939) is a gripping B-movie crime thriller where a determined journalist risks everything to uncover the truth behind his father's mysterious murder. As clues unravel, corruption and criminal networks are brought into the harsh light of justice.   📽️ Plot Summary:  John Randolph, a sharp young reporter, discovers his father’s suspicious death may be linked to a larger crime ring. As he investigates, he faces mounting danger, hidden secrets, and shocking revelations. A thrilling ride through classic newsroom drama and noir suspense!   🕰️ Year Released: 1939  🎭 Genre: Crime, Mystery, Drama  🎬 Directed by: Howard Bretherton  🎞️ Starring: Warren Hull, Marsha Hunt, Wallis Clark, Clay Clement   🎯 Why Watch It?  ✔️ Classic newspaper noir in the golden age of film  ✔️ Tightly-paced mystery with B-movie charm  ✔️ For fans of crime exposés and justice thrillers  ✔️ Solid performances and snappy dialogue   🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE 👍 | COMMENT 💬 | SUBSCRIBE 🔔 for more vintage crime thrillers, forgotten gems, and classic cinema favorites!   👇 Explore More Crime Classics & Public Domain Films Here:  📺 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYSxyPafGbnT7hNTlq29mZQJKn7wrNglY  ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━  🎞️ #StarReporter1939 #ClassicCrimeFilm #FilmNoir #PublicDomainMovies #GoldenAgeCinema #OldHollywoodMystery #VintageThriller #WarrenHull #MarshaHunt  ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━  🕵️‍♂️🗞️ Truth. Corruption. Murder. Watch the investigation unfold in Star Reporter (1939) — where headlines meet homicide!  ________________________________________

Transcript

00:00:00The

00:00:30If it is too much, what is holding up the parade?

00:00:57Well, nothing would save your business waiting until John Randolph gets here.

00:01:01Well, he's got a lot of nerve, keeping all of us waiting for another reporter.

00:01:05Say, what is he, the star reporter?

00:01:07Well, he is around here. His paper made for him at district attorney.

00:01:11His old man did that for him before he died.

00:01:13Say, even you could do it if it was dumped in your lap.

00:01:16Oh, well, his old man started the campaign, but give John credit.

00:01:20He finished it after his father was killed.

00:01:21I always did think it was a strange accident to kill old man Randolph.

00:01:25You don't suppose John could be having one of these strange accidents right now, I hope.

00:01:32Hello?

00:01:34No, he hasn't come in yet.

00:01:37Yes, Miss Barbara, I'll tell him.

00:01:39Oh, just a minute. He just came in the door.

00:01:41Hi, John.

00:01:42Hi.

00:01:42Hello.

00:01:43Mr. Randolph, there's a telephone call for you.

00:01:45Thanks, Molly.

00:01:47Hello.

00:01:48Oh, hello, Barbara.

00:01:49Yeah, I tried to get you ten minutes ago.

00:01:53No, I won't forget.

00:01:55All right, we'll be there on time.

00:01:57You bet.

00:01:58Goodbye, dear.

00:02:00If you're on time for that date, it'll be the first time in your life.

00:02:03Mother always told me, never keep a lady waiting.

00:02:06Why don't you marry the girl?

00:02:07Don't be so crude.

00:02:08You're talking about the district attorney's daughter.

00:02:10Boys, I'll let you in on a little news.

00:02:12Tonight, at a private family dinner,

00:02:14the district attorney will announce the engagement of his daughter, Barbara,

00:02:17to Mr. John Randolph,

00:02:19the rising young reporter who is so successfully operating the Star Tribune.

00:02:24Can you imagine?

00:02:25Listen, Molly, why didn't you tip us off?

00:02:27Hello, John.

00:02:28Hello.

00:02:29You know Lane, our chief investigator?

00:02:31Sure.

00:02:31How are you?

00:02:32He's been telling me a story that'll interest you.

00:02:35I'm picking up a fellow tonight,

00:02:37a man who's going to prove that your father's death was not an accident.

00:02:40Good.

00:02:40I've always thought that Dad knew something

00:02:42that would make it too hot for a lot of people in this town.

00:02:44Yes, and on the day of the accident,

00:02:46he said he was about ready to print a story

00:02:48blowing the lid off the underworld

00:02:49and uncover some leading citizen.

00:02:52I have a good chance tonight to find out who that is.

00:02:55I hope so.

00:02:57Say, John,

00:02:58we better not keep those reporters waiting any longer.

00:03:00Oh, no.

00:03:00Will you come along and help me face them the first time?

00:03:03Good.

00:03:07Gentlemen,

00:03:08I want you to meet our new district attorney, Mr. Burnett.

00:03:11Hi, D.A.

00:03:11Good to see you again.

00:03:12How do you do, Bill Burnett?

00:03:13Well, I remember some of these men.

00:03:16You're Hogan of the Hill, don't you?

00:03:17Yes, Mr. Burnett.

00:03:18I worked with you on the Malcolm case last year.

00:03:20Yeah, that's right.

00:03:21I remember.

00:03:22I'm glad to see a man like you

00:03:23on the prosecutor's side of the fence.

00:03:25Yes, Wilkins here was one of the last to fall in line in supporting you.

00:03:28I waited to make sure he'd be elected.

00:03:30Smart boy.

00:03:31Well, I want to thank all you fellas for your support during this campaign.

00:03:36It was my first attempt at running for public office,

00:03:38and I hope my last.

00:03:40That is, if I make a good enough job of it this time.

00:03:43And don't waste any time glorifying me, boys.

00:03:45Just back me up when you think I'm right.

00:03:47Hey, get a good picture of a man who can say a thing like that and mean it.

00:03:50That's news.

00:03:52Hey, you stay in that picture.

00:03:53That's where you belong.

00:03:54Right with him where you've always been.

00:03:56That was a strange dinner, Barbara.

00:04:02Yes, ma'am.

00:04:05John, I think your mother would like a favorite chair.

00:04:08Thank you, Barbara.

00:04:11No, the minute those newspapers announced our engagement,

00:04:14the telephone started ringing.

00:04:17You might expect that.

00:04:20Helen McGregor's arranging a party for us Thursday evening at her house.

00:04:24She's inviting all our friends.

00:04:29And then Friday evening,

00:04:30they're giving us an engagement party at the country club.

00:04:33And I'm warning you,

00:04:34I'm going to look pretty silly arriving alone.

00:04:36I know just how you feel, Barbara.

00:04:38My wedding guests were kept waiting

00:04:40while a special edition was run off.

00:04:42All about her tiger that escaped from the zoo.

00:04:46I'm glad Barbara realizes what she's up against,

00:04:48because Friday night,

00:04:49they're dedicating the new city hall.

00:04:51If I don't show up,

00:04:52they'll say I lack public spirit.

00:04:54You'll have to be there, too.

00:04:56They'll expect to see our new district attorney.

00:04:59It begins to look as though

00:05:00I'll have to engage a professional escort.

00:05:02Darling, I have an idea.

00:05:04After we're married,

00:05:04you can furnish the press room with living quarters.

00:05:06That way I can run in and see you,

00:05:08between murders.

00:05:10That's killing.

00:05:12Well,

00:05:13have you and John decided

00:05:14where you're going to spend your honeymoon?

00:05:16I tried to discuss it with him,

00:05:18that he was always too busy campaigning for you.

00:05:21And now, I suppose,

00:05:22he'll be running his newspaper from your office.

00:05:24That's not a very interesting place

00:05:26to spend a honeymoon.

00:05:27It might be,

00:05:27if you live up to your campaign promises.

00:05:29I know of one person

00:05:30who would have been happy

00:05:31to spend the next year

00:05:32in that office of yours.

00:05:34Julia, you're right.

00:05:35If your husband could only have lived

00:05:36to be with us tonight,

00:05:38it was his ambition

00:05:39to see me district attorney.

00:05:40And tonight,

00:05:41I'm proud that my son,

00:05:42whom he adopted as his own,

00:05:44has helped to carry out his wishes.

00:05:46I propose a toast to your husband.

00:05:48I loved him as a brother.

00:05:50To me,

00:05:50it's a sacred obligation

00:05:51to carry on his purpose.

00:05:53To your husband.

00:05:55I'm sorry,

00:05:56Mr. Burnett left strict orders

00:05:57that he was not to be disturbed tonight.

00:05:59Can I ask him to call you?

00:06:03Oh.

00:06:04Oh, I see.

00:06:06Yes, sir.

00:06:07Yes, right away, sir.

00:06:08When is it, Mason?

00:06:13Mr. Burnett is wanted

00:06:14on the telephone, miss.

00:06:16Oh, but didn't you tell him

00:06:17that he couldn't be disturbed tonight?

00:06:19Yes, Miss Barbara,

00:06:20but it's your officer,

00:06:22and they said it was very urgent.

00:06:24Excuse me a moment.

00:06:31This is Burnett.

00:06:33Oh, hello, Lane.

00:06:37What?

00:06:38Well, they must have found out

00:06:40you were meeting him.

00:06:43Do you know the fellow

00:06:44who did the shooting?

00:06:46Where have you got him?

00:06:49Get my hat and coat.

00:06:51All right, all right.

00:06:51I'll be right down.

00:06:52Don't let anyone get to him.

00:06:57John, this ought to be news.

00:06:59The man that Lane

00:07:00was meeting tonight

00:07:01was killed.

00:07:02They've arrested

00:07:02a fellow called Drake.

00:07:03Mason, get my things, please.

00:07:05Don't wait up for me, dear.

00:07:06All right, dear.

00:07:06Darling, it's important

00:07:07that I get down

00:07:08to the office right away.

00:07:10Thanks, Mary.

00:07:11Oh, I forgot.

00:07:13Will you drive Mother home?

00:07:14Well, you run along.

00:07:15We'll take care of ourselves.

00:07:17I always prepare

00:07:18for something like this,

00:07:19so I ordered my own cop

00:07:20at 10 o'clock.

00:07:21Good.

00:07:30Hello, Max.

00:07:30District Attorney's men

00:07:33just grabbed Draper

00:07:34for murder.

00:07:36The short paper?

00:07:37Yeah, I saw him grab him.

00:07:50Capital 842-8.

00:07:53It's a bad time

00:07:54to have this happen.

00:07:55That new District Attorney

00:07:56is going to eat this up.

00:07:57Hello, Sam.

00:08:00Sam.

00:08:00This is Mike.

00:08:02Did you hear

00:08:02where they hooked

00:08:02Draper for murder?

00:08:04Yeah.

00:08:04Joe, Joe Draper.

00:08:07Somebody better

00:08:08get a lawyer to him.

00:08:09That's not so good

00:08:10for us right now.

00:08:11Okay, I'll pass

00:08:12the word to Gil.

00:08:14Call Gil Blake.

00:08:15Tell him to wait for me.

00:08:16I'm coming right over.

00:08:19Yeah, I know all about that.

00:08:21But we're raising cash

00:08:22for Draper.

00:08:23I'm down for $500

00:08:24and it'll cost you the same.

00:08:25That's right, $500.

00:08:28We've got to get him

00:08:29the best lawyer in town

00:08:30and that's Whitaker.

00:08:32Yeah, but this is

00:08:33going to cost money.

00:08:35We're trying to get

00:08:36Whitaker to defend him.

00:08:38I can't represent

00:08:39a cheap crook like Draper.

00:08:42Now forget about it.

00:08:42I'm going back to show.

00:08:44Wait a minute, Whitaker.

00:08:45This is one case

00:08:46you'll have to take.

00:08:48Draper's important to us.

00:08:49We raised $10,000

00:08:51to pay you.

00:08:52Why does he mean

00:08:53that much to you?

00:08:54To stop that new

00:08:55district attorney

00:08:55before he gets started.

00:08:57And what other reason?

00:08:59Well, you remember

00:08:59the automobile accident

00:09:00that happened

00:09:01to old Randolph?

00:09:02What about it?

00:09:04Do you realize

00:09:04who Draper killed?

00:09:05Who cares?

00:09:06You're better.

00:09:07It was Henshaw.

00:09:09That's good riddance.

00:09:11Now somebody

00:09:12ought to get Draper.

00:09:13It's too late for that.

00:09:14He'll be safe in jail

00:09:15where he can squawk

00:09:16about us.

00:09:17We have to take care of him.

00:09:19So that's why

00:09:20you could collect

00:09:21$10,000 in an hour.

00:09:22Yeah, and you ought

00:09:23to be paying part of it

00:09:24instead of getting it.

00:09:27All right.

00:09:29I'll get to work on it.

00:09:35City desk.

00:09:36This is Gordon.

00:09:38Oh, hello.

00:09:39What's on your mind?

00:09:41I'm taking on

00:09:41the Draper murder case.

00:09:44Yes, I have to.

00:09:45So, you'll find out.

00:09:48Now here's what

00:09:49I want you to do.

00:09:50Use your newspaper

00:09:51to play up Draper

00:09:53as an innocent victim.

00:09:54How can I do that?

00:09:56Young Randolph

00:09:57has taken that

00:09:57out of my hands.

00:09:58He's writing

00:09:58the murder story now,

00:09:59picturing the district

00:10:00and her as a saint.

00:10:02That's exactly

00:10:03what I don't want.

00:10:04You get busy

00:10:05and kill that.

00:10:07This is the time

00:10:08when you have to do it.

00:10:09And I don't want you

00:10:10to give me any excuse.

00:10:11Well, I'll do all I can.

00:10:12But you know

00:10:14the circumstances.

00:10:17Okay, goodbye.

00:10:18What's that?

00:10:18Something you

00:10:19and the Draper murder case?

00:10:19No, just a fellow

00:10:20who wants to have

00:10:21lunch with me tomorrow.

00:10:22Oh.

00:10:22Yeah, spread that

00:10:23front page

00:10:24for a tradition tomorrow

00:10:25and put District Attorney

00:10:26Burnett's picture

00:10:26right smack in the middle.

00:10:27Young, you'd better

00:10:28drop this stuff off

00:10:29to the front page

00:10:30and stop hammering at it.

00:10:31Your District Attorney

00:10:31has been elected,

00:10:32so forget it.

00:10:33And this new crime

00:10:34is like any other,

00:10:35just news for the day.

00:10:36Now, that's where

00:10:37you're wrong, Gordon.

00:10:38Henshaw was killed

00:10:38just before the District

00:10:39Attorney was to question him.

00:10:41Now, that was no accident.

00:10:42Any more than my father's death

00:10:43just when he was ready

00:10:44to print something

00:10:44that they were afraid of.

00:10:45If your father

00:10:46had information like that,

00:10:47he would have told me.

00:10:47We worked together for years.

00:10:49It took him a lifetime

00:10:49to build up this newspaper.

00:10:51I don't want to see you

00:10:52tear it down in a week.

00:10:53No, Gordon,

00:10:54I'm not going to.

00:10:55You're forgetting

00:10:55some of the training

00:10:56he gave you,

00:10:56and me, too.

00:10:58I know what he would have done,

00:10:58and that's what I'm going to do.

00:11:00You made any mistake.

00:11:00Take my advice

00:11:01and scrap this stuff

00:11:02and treat Draper

00:11:03as a scapegoat.

00:11:04What else do you hope

00:11:05to get out of it?

00:11:05Here's what I hope to get.

00:11:07Henshaw was killed

00:11:07because he knew

00:11:08what my father knew.

00:11:09Now, Draper must know it, too.

00:11:10Now, if we can get Draper

00:11:11to face a death sentence,

00:11:12we might be able

00:11:13to get him to tell us

00:11:13what it is.

00:11:14Now, go ahead and print that.

00:11:21There isn't a liar in the world

00:11:23to take your hide.

00:11:24You're not only shooting a man,

00:11:26but you're dumb enough

00:11:27to tell about it,

00:11:29and to the district attorney.

00:11:32They grabbed him

00:11:32and hustled me up to his office.

00:11:34What else could I do?

00:11:35Why'd you have to sign that thing?

00:11:36Somebody should have broken

00:11:36your arm so you couldn't write.

00:11:38I'll tell you

00:11:39I couldn't get out of it.

00:11:40I didn't know

00:11:41I'd have a lawyer like you.

00:11:42Well, you don't have me now.

00:11:43I'm through.

00:11:44Please, Mr. Whittaker,

00:11:45don't quit me now.

00:11:46I don't take cases

00:11:48that can't win.

00:11:49And with the Star Tribune

00:11:50making a little thin guard

00:11:51of the district attorney,

00:11:52you're sunk.

00:11:54If I can tell you something

00:11:55that'll shut that newspaper up.

00:11:57Will you stick with me?

00:11:57Don't be silly.

00:11:59What could you do?

00:12:00Shoot the editor

00:12:01or blow up the place?

00:12:05This is something you can do.

00:12:07And I'll tell you how.

00:12:08It better be good.

00:12:10Time out in two minutes,

00:12:11Mr. Whittaker.

00:12:12Okay.

00:12:14What is it?

00:12:16The Star Tribune

00:12:16is owned by Mrs. Julia Randolph

00:12:18and her son.

00:12:18Oh.

00:12:19Oh, Randolph,

00:12:20who was killed

00:12:21accidentally

00:12:22was his second husband.

00:12:24What of it?

00:12:25She's supposed to have

00:12:26lost her first husband

00:12:27over 25 years ago.

00:12:29A fellow named Charlie Benton.

00:12:31What did that add up to?

00:12:33They never found out

00:12:34what happened to Benton.

00:12:36He was declared legally dead.

00:12:38I suppose you're going

00:12:39to tell me she killed him.

00:12:41No.

00:12:42He didn't even die.

00:12:45Just disappeared.

00:12:46If he showed up now,

00:12:48they wouldn't want

00:12:49to print that

00:12:49in their own paper.

00:12:57Where is he now?

00:13:01I've been known

00:13:02as Draper ever since.

00:13:05All right.

00:13:07If you're not lying,

00:13:08that is something

00:13:09to work on.

00:13:12I'll stand your case.

00:13:14Thanks, Mr. Whittaker.

00:13:15When I get out of here,

00:13:16I'll dig up plenty

00:13:17of dough for you.

00:13:18It's all been taken care of.

00:13:20Who paid it?

00:13:21None of them there.

00:13:24There's only one bird

00:13:26could raise enough cash

00:13:26to pay you.

00:13:28That's Sam Gray.

00:13:31Hey, why should he

00:13:32do that for me?

00:13:33Because you can do

00:13:34something for him.

00:13:37No matter what happens,

00:13:39you keep your mouth

00:13:40shut about that accident

00:13:41that happened

00:13:41to old man Randolph.

00:13:43So that's why

00:13:43they sent you to me.

00:13:45Didn't want to save me,

00:13:46just trying to save themselves.

00:13:48What if you're

00:13:48on the other foot?

00:13:49You open your mouth

00:13:51and they're through with you.

00:13:52And if I do open my mouth,

00:13:53they'll be in here with me.

00:13:54And you too.

00:13:58Okay, Whittaker.

00:13:59That's the deal.

00:14:01You'll get me out of this

00:14:02alive.

00:14:04Time's up.

00:14:06I'll do what I can.

00:14:07I tried to get here

00:14:12before you arrived.

00:14:15I didn't mean

00:14:15to keep you waiting.

00:14:16Why don't you sit down?

00:14:23I'm sorry I was so blunt

00:14:25over the telephone,

00:14:26but I knew you were

00:14:28the only person in the world

00:14:29that had any interest

00:14:30in Charlie Benton.

00:14:31I thought he was dead.

00:14:33No, he's very much alive.

00:14:35How do you know?

00:14:42And unless you and I

00:14:43do something about it,

00:14:45your own newspaper

00:14:46is going to be clamoring

00:14:47to have him hanged.

00:14:48But I can't do anything

00:14:49about that.

00:14:50My son runs a newspaper,

00:14:52and I couldn't ever let him know

00:14:53I was married to that man.

00:14:55My job is to save

00:14:56Draper's life.

00:14:58And I'm going to prove

00:14:59that he's not

00:15:00such a desperate character.

00:15:02You can testify to that.

00:15:04But that would destroy

00:15:05my son.

00:15:06All that scandal

00:15:07would tear down

00:15:07everything he'd planned.

00:15:09Now, let's get this

00:15:09straight, Mrs. Randolph.

00:15:11I'm not interested

00:15:13in your son.

00:15:14My job is to

00:15:15protect my client.

00:15:17What is it you

00:15:17want me to do?

00:15:19Your son uses

00:15:20Star Tribune

00:15:21to elect a district attorney.

00:15:22Now, Burnett

00:15:25must owe enough

00:15:26to you and to him

00:15:27to do anything you ask.

00:15:29But what can I do?

00:15:30Burnett has a confession

00:15:32signed by Joe Draper.

00:15:35I want you to get it

00:15:37and bring it to me.

00:15:49Hi, Mother.

00:15:51I'll bring you down here.

00:15:52I thought I'd like

00:15:53to ride home with you

00:15:54so I dismissed my car.

00:15:56Good.

00:15:56I'm glad.

00:15:57You haven't been down here

00:15:58since I took over

00:15:59Father's work.

00:15:59Seems so strange

00:16:00not seeing him here.

00:16:01It does to me, too.

00:16:03Hear the black

00:16:04being here tonight.

00:16:07Look.

00:16:08Tomorrow morning's headlines.

00:16:11Every criminal in town

00:16:12contributing to his

00:16:13defense fund.

00:16:14Because they're afraid

00:16:15that Burnett

00:16:15will get a conviction.

00:16:16John,

00:16:17is it so necessary

00:16:18that you must be the one

00:16:19to lead the pack

00:16:20in trying to hang this man?

00:16:21That's the newspaper's duty

00:16:23to make the crooks realize

00:16:24that Burnett means business.

00:16:25Don't you do that

00:16:26without hanging him?

00:16:28Mother,

00:16:28you know that Father

00:16:29would have welcomed this chance.

00:16:30You just can't seem to realize

00:16:32that some people are bad.

00:16:33Why,

00:16:34this man Draper

00:16:34has already admitted his guilt.

00:16:36And Burnett

00:16:36has a signed confession.

00:16:38Oh, come on, Mother.

00:16:40You can't read

00:16:41your own newspaper anymore.

00:16:42What you need

00:16:43is a good night's sleep.

00:16:43that I was married

00:16:44to this criminal.

00:16:45I know what Draper's lawyer

00:16:46is bound to drag

00:16:48that out of the trial.

00:16:49He promised not to

00:16:50if I'd come to you.

00:16:51You.

00:16:54Oh, sir.

00:16:55So that's his scheme.

00:16:56Yes.

00:16:57He said you had

00:16:58a signed confession

00:16:58and he wants you

00:16:59to give it up.

00:17:01Julia?

00:17:03It's a good thing

00:17:04I have that for you

00:17:05and John,

00:17:05but I can't

00:17:06and won't make

00:17:07a deal with criminals.

00:17:08Of course you can't.

00:17:09I shouldn't have asked.

00:17:11I was waiting

00:17:11for your answer

00:17:12to answer him.

00:17:13I'd like to prosecute him

00:17:15for threatening you.

00:17:16Oh, but that wouldn't.

00:17:17It would only hurt you.

00:17:21Now you know

00:17:22would it make you

00:17:22feel differently

00:17:23about Barbara Maric?

00:17:24How could I?

00:17:25Mother.

00:17:33Why don't you tell your son

00:17:34and have him use

00:17:35his influence with Burnett?

00:17:37Mr. Whittaker,

00:17:37if you force me to do that,

00:17:39then there's no longer

00:17:40any reason

00:17:40for keeping it a secret.

00:17:41I think you've done

00:17:47enough to help our case

00:17:48by just talking

00:17:50to Burnett.

00:17:51And I'm quite sure

00:17:52now that I can convince

00:17:53the district attorney

00:17:54myself.

00:18:08Send Clipper in here.

00:18:11I've got a quick job

00:18:21for you, Clipper.

00:18:23I want you to go up

00:18:23to Burnett's house

00:18:24and in any safe

00:18:25you'll find a paper

00:18:26signed by Draper.

00:18:27It's that murder

00:18:28confession of his.

00:18:30And don't grab anything else.

00:18:31How much for me?

00:18:36Fifty.

00:18:40Five hundred.

00:18:41Fifty.

00:18:43Now and

00:18:44fifty when you get back.

00:18:46I've got a question.

00:18:58I want you to go up

00:19:02Mason!

00:19:18Yes, sir?

00:19:19Have you been in all day?

00:19:21Why, yes, sir.

00:19:22What time did my daughter leave?

00:19:24I should say about five o'clock, sir.

00:19:26She left with Mrs. Randolph.

00:19:30How long is Mrs. Randolph here?

00:19:32Possibly an hour, sir.

00:19:34Oh, now that I recall it,

00:19:36Miss Barbara sent me on an errand for Mrs. Randolph.

00:19:39I should say I was gone about half an hour, sir.

00:19:44That'll be all, Mason.

00:19:45Yes, sir.

00:20:02Oh, hello, Billy.

00:20:13No, Barbara isn't here.

00:20:15Oh, Julia.

00:20:16Does Barbara know anything about that little matter we talked about today?

00:20:20Oh, I'm glad you didn't mention it to her.

00:20:26Well, have you spoken about it to anyone?

00:20:28Naturally not.

00:20:29Except, of course, I went back to Mr. Whittaker's office.

00:20:32Whittaker.

00:20:34Now, Julia, I want you to think carefully.

00:20:37Did you say anything to him about where I keep that document?

00:20:41I don't know.

00:20:42I might have.

00:20:43He insisted I tell him everything you said.

00:20:47Is anything wrong?

00:20:48Yes, Julia.

00:20:50It's gone.

00:20:52Someone's taken it out of my safe.

00:20:55No, no.

00:20:55No, there's nothing you can do about it.

00:20:58Yeah, I think I know where it is.

00:21:00Well, now, don't you worry about it.

00:21:02I left Whittaker in my office first thing in the morning.

00:21:04Good night, Julia.

00:21:12Why didn't you stay up there until you had a chance to get it?

00:21:15Not me.

00:21:16I hung around too long anyway.

00:21:18I was trying to get in after Burnett came home.

00:21:21Tell me what I do, Clipper.

00:21:23You get it tonight and there's 200 in it for you.

00:21:28I don't like getting caught in a district attorney's house.

00:21:32You better get somebody else to pull this, John.

00:21:34I got too much to lose.

00:21:36I know a fellow could get that thing in two minutes.

00:21:39Sure.

00:21:40Joe Draper.

00:21:41But look where he landed.

00:21:43I'd get it myself if I was saving my own neck.

00:21:51There's no question who had that thing stolen from your safe.

00:21:54You better let me pick up Whittaker and get it out of him.

00:21:56If he ever had his hands on it, it's destroyed by this time.

00:21:59Yes, and with that gone, so are your chances to convict Draper.

00:22:02Yeah, Whittaker suddenly blocked our case.

00:22:04Why, he's put me in the position of having to dicker with him.

00:22:06He's on his way here now.

00:22:08So, he's come pro.

00:22:09Yeah, I'll have to make the best deal I can.

00:22:12Why, I'll be lucky if he lets Draper plead guilty to manslaughter.

00:22:15If he makes that offer, you better,

00:22:17before he rings in a lot of fake witnesses and gets him off scot-free.

00:22:20Eh.

00:22:21Yeah?

00:22:22Mr. Whittaker is here.

00:22:23Show him in.

00:22:25Good luck.

00:22:26I rather expected this invitation from you.

00:22:36It's the way I always handle my cases with your predecessors.

00:22:39It's so much better than waiting till we meet in court.

00:22:42Never mind a stalling, Critica.

00:22:44You know I'd like nothing better than to put you in a sane jail with Draper.

00:22:48But you wouldn't try it.

00:22:49It might cause a great deal of trouble for some pretty good friends of yours.

00:22:53If I'm not mistaken, Randolph is part owner of the newspaper that puts you in office.

00:22:58We'll keep her name out of this.

00:23:00Okay, that's agreeable with me.

00:23:02Now, stop squirming and let's hear why you sent for me.

00:23:06Well, I...

00:23:07I want to talk to you about Draper's trial.

00:23:10I'm willing to listen.

00:23:12I'm considering the advisability of reducing the charge from first-degree murder.

00:23:17Now you're coming to your senses.

00:23:19But what do you want me to do?

00:23:21On condition that I never mention that signed confession,

00:23:25I want you to make him plead guilty to manslaughter.

00:23:28Why not?

00:23:30Then I can take him out on bail.

00:23:31Oh, no, I wouldn't agree to that.

00:23:34He'd never show up for his trial.

00:23:36To make certain he's there, you must not take him out on bail.

00:23:41All right.

00:23:43It's the best you've been able to get anyway.

00:23:46If he hadn't been cool enough to sign it.

00:23:49I think you have no backbone.

00:23:52It's not like you.

00:23:53I had to do this.

00:23:54With Whitaker against me and without that, get a murder conviction.

00:23:57This way, I'm certain of getting Draper for manslaughter.

00:24:00You know what they're going to say when this gets out?

00:24:02They're going to say that you made a deal with Whitaker.

00:24:04Why, you're ruining everything we worked for.

00:24:06You're making it very difficult, John.

00:24:08But you've got to give me some reason,

00:24:09some leg to say I can print it and try to justify what you're doing.

00:24:11I can't print a ridiculous excuse that you can't even keep a confession after you get it.

00:24:16Then I'm afraid I haven't got any other excuse.

00:24:19What I did was in the best interest of all.

00:24:21I want you to believe that and have faith in me.

00:24:24Faith?

00:24:24How can I?

00:24:25Well, you've given an invitation to every hoolam in town to commit murder and get away with it.

00:24:30It certainly looks as if you've sold out.

00:24:33If that's your interpretation,

00:24:35then I'm afraid it's the first time we've ever been on different sides of the fence.

00:24:38I'm afraid I can't do anything about that.

00:24:40You put yourself there.

00:24:43And if I can prove that you made this deal with Whitaker,

00:24:46I'll use the Star Tribune against you just as strongly as I used it for you.

00:25:04Well, did you get a denial?

00:25:05I just waste a lot of time while the other papers scooped us.

00:25:07The story's true, all right, but ours will be different.

00:25:10What's the matter?

00:25:10Wouldn't he dance when you pull the strings?

00:25:12From now on, we're going to lead the parade in cracking down at Burnett.

00:25:15We're going to make public opinion for some our way.

00:25:17What about the stuff I wrote of that?

00:25:19Just what we want.

00:25:20Get it together and bring it in.

00:25:26That deal will save your life.

00:25:28I suppose I'm to congratulate you.

00:25:30Manslaughter.

00:25:31Whoever said you were a liar.

00:25:32Yes, I made a mistake.

00:25:34I should have left it first-degree murder.

00:25:36Then I'd have had the pleasure of seeing him stretch your neck.

00:25:38Yeah, but you won't.

00:25:39He'll see to that.

00:25:41And I don't get put away for 20 years.

00:25:42And don't forget you're hired to keep my mouth shut.

00:25:45Now get busy and get me out of here.

00:25:46You have any sense you see from that the DA is in enough trouble pulling that much for you?

00:25:50I'm not interested in his trouble.

00:25:52I got my own.

00:25:54Take it easy, Joe.

00:25:55We'll handle it some way.

00:25:57This will give us a little more time to work.

00:25:58Yeah, that's all right for you birds on the outside, but I'm the guy sitting in jail.

00:26:04Now, what are you going to do about it?

00:26:05Keep your shirt on, Joe.

00:26:15Hello, Mason.

00:26:16Hello.

00:26:18Hello, Barbara.

00:26:20You must wonder why I'd send for you at this time of day.

00:26:23No, I think I know why.

00:26:25After what happened between your father and me, I knew you'd have to see it his way.

00:26:30What I can't understand is why you won't have more faith in him.

00:26:34Barbara, did he ask you to speak to me?

00:26:36No.

00:26:37But he did ask me not to let your quarrel with him interfere with our plans to get married.

00:26:42That makes it even harder for me to understand him.

00:26:45He doesn't seem to be himself at all.

00:26:48He's terribly worried.

00:26:49But I don't see why I should be worried over prosecuting this man.

00:26:52Unless he was threatened the way my father was.

00:26:54You know he'd never run away from anything like that.

00:26:57Doesn't it seem strange that every prosecutor should fail when he's up against Whitaker?

00:27:02Wouldn't it be better if you'd try to help father?

00:27:05If you keep this up, you'll have to resign.

00:27:07I don't want to attack your father.

00:27:08It's the last thing I'd ever do.

00:27:09But he's forcing me to do it.

00:27:11He believes he's as right as you think you are.

00:27:13But how can he when he knows he's dealing with the very men who must have planned my father's death?

00:27:17This is the very chance we were looking for, to convict a man like Draper.

00:27:20But he will send him to prison.

00:27:21Yes, but how, for manslaughter, the way your father's handling this case,

00:27:25he won't scare Draper into saying anything we'd want to find out.

00:27:28Oh, John.

00:27:34Go.

00:27:35You're making it impossible.

00:27:38I had hoped that we could reach an understanding.

00:27:40But I won't go on this way.

00:27:42Go.

00:27:43What do you want to see him about?

00:28:01He asked me to come over here.

00:28:03What's your name?

00:28:04John Randolph.

00:28:05Oh, yeah.

00:28:06I thought I was to meet Whitaker.

00:28:23Oh, he won't be here tonight.

00:28:25Sit down.

00:28:26I had a phone call asking me to come over.

00:28:28But not to see him.

00:28:30How do you know?

00:28:32Because I'm the one who called.

00:28:33I asked if you could come over to Whitaker's office.

00:28:35Who are you?

00:28:36I'm Clipper.

00:28:37Why didn't you come to my office?

00:28:39I don't dare be seen talking to you.

00:28:42It wouldn't be so good for my health.

00:28:45What's on your mind?

00:28:46How much money you got on you?

00:28:51Why?

00:28:53I've got something you want to buy.

00:28:55Why me in particular?

00:28:57Because I figured I got four possible customers.

00:29:00One of them's Draper, but he's in jail and he's got no dough.

00:29:03The next is Whitaker, but he chisels.

00:29:06Then there's Burnett, the district attorney.

00:29:08But he'd know where I got it from.

00:29:10And I figured you wouldn't want him to have it anyway.

00:29:13Why did you think I'd want it?

00:29:15Because you're battling him.

00:29:16And with this, you can set him right in his ear.

00:29:19Okay, Clipper, what is it?

00:29:22Draper's signed Confession.

00:29:25Let's see it.

00:29:27It's in your right hand coat pocket.

00:29:38I thought there might be a cop trainer, so I put it in a safe place.

00:29:41I've got about $200 with me.

00:29:47I'll take it.

00:29:55$210.

00:30:00And a check for $1,000.

00:30:03Is that all?

00:30:06That's all.

00:30:06Sold.

00:30:07Sold.

00:30:16How do you spell your name?

00:30:19C-A-S-H.

00:30:22Hey, wait a minute.

00:30:38Half is no good.

00:30:40That's right.

00:30:41But I can't do anything with my half either.

00:30:44That's your protection.

00:30:46Now, if you don't stop payment on this check in the morning, I'll see that you get the other half of this.

00:30:50All right.

00:30:51Now, right behind you at the bank when you cash it.

00:30:53And I'll take the other half.

00:31:06And that little document shows we're right.

00:31:08I want you to get out a special edition.

00:31:15Say that we have the confession in our hands and that it uncovers a plot between Whitaker and the district attorney.

00:31:20Wait a minute.

00:31:20You better lay off a Whitaker.

00:31:21When you tackle him, you're up against a shrewdest liar in town.

00:31:24I know.

00:31:24That's the ringleader for every crook around here.

00:31:26But you can't get Whitaker without ruining your friend the D.A.

00:31:28We're demanding Burnett's resignation.

00:31:30And then we're going to use this little confession to force a first-degree murder charge against Draper.

00:31:34Okay.

00:31:38That's a pretty cute trick.

00:31:43Making a deal with me and then sidestepping it by passing the confession to Randolph.

00:31:47If I did that, do you think he'd be attacking me along with you?

00:31:50I thought all the time you had it stolen from my safe.

00:31:53If I thought you'd let it get away from you, I'd have to handle young Randolph myself.

00:31:56Oh, you're too late for that now.

00:31:58He's told the public he hasn't signed confession.

00:32:00Well, that takes the whip out of your hands.

00:32:02Oh, you're on your own, Whitaker.

00:32:03Okay.

00:32:05The deal's off.

00:32:06And while Draper's still charged with manslaughter, I'm taking him out on bail.

00:32:10No, he won't be out long.

00:32:11That confession will yank him right back, and this time on first-degree murder.

00:32:15And when that happens, I'm dragging Mrs. Randolph into the trial and letting Draper face her.

00:32:20All right, you try that.

00:32:22And when you fail to say Draper, perhaps you'll be only too glad to help me blow the lid off the underworld.

00:32:27And that might uncover you.

00:32:29You hope.

00:32:30You hope.

00:32:36I'm John Randolph from the Star Tribune.

00:32:46Is that so?

00:32:49What do you got against me, kid?

00:32:51Nothing personally.

00:32:52You just happen to be a member of the outfit I'm trying to put out of business.

00:32:55So that's why you and your paper are picking on the DA for letting me off easy with a manslaughter charge.

00:32:59Certainly.

00:33:00You killed Henshaw.

00:33:01That's first-degree murder.

00:33:03You talk as well you know all about it.

00:33:04I ought to.

00:33:05I'm the fellow who has your signed confession.

00:33:10Does Whittaker know this?

00:33:12He does if he can read.

00:33:13Then why isn't he down here?

00:33:14You might ask him, unless he's dropped you.

00:33:16Kid, you're chewing on a stick of dynamite.

00:33:20It might go off in your face.

00:33:22How do you suppose my attorney was able to make a deal?

00:33:24I don't know.

00:33:25That's what I'm asking you.

00:33:27If you want to be smart, you'll go over and get the answer to that from your friend Burnett.

00:33:30And for your own good, you'll keep that confession where nobody will ever find it.

00:33:36I'm going to use that confession to see that you get what's coming to you.

00:33:39Unless you tell me why you killed Henshaw.

00:33:42To keep him from killing me.

00:33:44Say, why are you so interested in Henshaw?

00:33:47Because the night you shot Henshaw, he was going to tell who staged the murder of my father.

00:33:50I don't know anything about that.

00:33:53You must.

00:33:54A barrel of money has been collected just to save you.

00:33:57And if I knew anything like that, why would I tell you?

00:34:00Don't forget, I'm holding on to your confession.

00:34:04Are you trying to tell me that you'll make a deal?

00:34:07It might go easier with you.

00:34:09I've got things to tell that will spin your head.

00:34:12If you think you can take it, just get Whittaker down here with you.

00:34:16Whittaker hasn't a chance in the world to save your neck.

00:34:17I have, so you better do business with me.

00:34:21What can you do for me?

00:34:22I might be able to save your life,

00:34:24if you'll give me the evidence to convict the whole outfit.

00:34:26How do I know you can do that?

00:34:28Because that information would be worth it to everybody.

00:34:30What are you talking to him for?

00:34:32Did you see his paper today?

00:34:33What difference does that make?

00:34:35I just put a bail to get you out of here, come on.

00:34:39Now get wise to yourself, kid.

00:34:42Shut up that newspaper of yours and keep your nose out of this case.

00:34:47We must stop John and his newspaper attack on your father.

00:34:52Oh, Dad won't think of that.

00:34:53He won't let you tell John that he's that criminal's son.

00:34:56But this man, Whittaker, knows I was married to Draper.

00:34:58He'll surely go after John and tell him.

00:35:01Oh, Father says it's too late for that

00:35:03because John's already announced he has Draper's confession.

00:35:06Even he can't take that back.

00:35:08But John is accusing your father

00:35:09of deliberately plotting to free a criminal.

00:35:11I want you to know that your father refused to do that, even for me.

00:35:16After the confession was stolen,

00:35:17he did the best he could without it.

00:35:20Yes, but nobody believes that now.

00:35:23And John would never trust giving it back to Dad

00:35:25unless we tell him everything.

00:35:26I'm not so sure he'd give it up even if we told him.

00:35:30If only we could get it in some way.

00:35:32Where do you think he has it?

00:35:38In his office, I suppose.

00:35:40Oh, you can't think of anything like that.

00:35:43Well, why not?

00:35:44If anybody sees me, I'm just looking for John.

00:35:46But he'd have it locked in his safe.

00:35:50But there must be some way you could find out how it's opened.

00:35:53As a matter, I have some private papers in it.

00:35:56Well, let's see what we can do about it.

00:35:58They are working on a new warrant for Draper.

00:36:04And this time, it'll be first-degree murder.

00:36:06Our job is to stop it before it gets half-started.

00:36:11Draper's old record shows that he was hooked for safe-cracking.

00:36:14And if he hasn't forgotten how it's done,

00:36:16it'll come in very handy tonight.

00:36:19Gordon's here to take you up to that newspaper office.

00:36:23And you're coming back with that confession that you signed.

00:36:27And if you don't get it,

00:36:28you'd better keep right on going.

00:37:02You better lock that.

00:37:32If anyone comes in, I've got you here on a news article.

00:37:53I'll watch outside.

00:37:55You'll find it on the third drawer of the safe on the left-hand side.

00:38:02You'll find it on the third drawer.

00:38:32You'll find it on the third drawer.

00:39:02You'll find it on the third drawer.

00:39:04You'll find it on the third drawer.

00:39:09Draco.

00:39:10Put that on the table.

00:39:14Say, I know you.

00:39:20I know you.

00:39:22I've seen pictures of you.

00:39:24Put your hands up or I'll shoot.

00:39:26You're Burnett's daughter.

00:39:28You wouldn't dare shoot me.

00:39:30I will if you don't give that to me.

00:39:32Then you know what it is.

00:39:34Yes.

00:39:36That's why you're here.

00:39:38Yes.

00:39:39So your old man can use it against me.

00:39:42Well, he's in too much trouble now for you to be handling a gun.

00:39:58If you go out that window, I will shoot.

00:40:04Miss Burnett.

00:40:05Barbara.

00:40:06I want you to reach into his right hand coat pocket and get that paper for me.

00:40:13Stay where you are, Gordon.

00:40:17She won't do any shooting.

00:40:19She knows I was married to Mrs. Randolph.

00:40:21That's why she wouldn't dare do anything.

00:40:24Now you can see why they didn't want anybody to know about me.

00:40:28Better let me take that gun, Miss Burnett.

00:40:30I'll handle him.

00:40:31I wouldn't trust you either.

00:40:33You're too of a kind.

00:40:34I heard you out there.

00:40:35And now, Mr. Gordon, are you going to get that paper for me?

00:40:38On one condition.

00:40:40That you never mention what went on here tonight.

00:40:42I can't tell that any more than you can.

00:40:44Just keep that gun on him.

00:40:46And shoot him if he makes a move.

00:40:58And now give it to me.

00:40:59I'll hang on to this, Miss Burnett, just to keep you quiet about me.

00:41:03Using that gun will only get your father into more trouble.

00:41:07And Draper, you can do anything you like about it.

00:41:14Gordon!

00:41:29OK.

00:41:35Go ahead.

00:41:37I'm starting now.

00:41:42Cock.

00:41:43Let's go ahead.

00:41:52Go!

00:41:54Get off this gun.

00:41:56Just a minute, young lady.

00:42:07I heard gunshots.

00:42:09I don't know what that was.

00:42:11You come with me.

00:42:12I think I convinced those reporters that you wouldn't make any statement tonight.

00:42:29Did anybody find out that Draper is John's father?

00:42:32No.

00:42:33And I hope they don't.

00:42:35The person they're interested in right now is you.

00:42:39What do they say about me?

00:42:40Well, they said that you were at the safe to get the confession, to protect me,

00:42:44and that you shot Gordon when he tried to stop you.

00:42:47And that puts me in the position of having to prosecute my own daughter.

00:42:51Doesn't anybody believe me that Draper shot Gordon?

00:42:54No, and to make matters worse, they positively identified John's gun.

00:42:58I saw Draper take it out of John's safe.

00:43:01I know, dear, but I can't make them believe that Draper was with you.

00:43:04We'll have to find him to prove it.

00:43:07Well, his lawyer must know Draper was there.

00:43:09Oh, he probably sent him.

00:43:11Well, if I could prove that, I'd have him up for murder, too.

00:43:15Oh, Dad, how am I ever going to explain all this to John?

00:43:18Oh, his mother's going to do that, dear.

00:43:20I had them meet in my office on the way down.

00:43:23Well, will you stay till they arrive?

00:43:26I won't leave you, dear.

00:43:33Barbara.

00:43:33He'll do anything you say.

00:43:37You explained why we're handling it this way?

00:43:40Did you tell him how Barbara happened to be there?

00:43:42I told him everything.

00:43:46Can't we get Barbara out of here on bail?

00:43:48We decided not to in the face of public reaction.

00:43:51Would it do any good if I told that Draper was my father?

00:43:54There's no reason for that.

00:43:55It won't help any.

00:43:56The most important thing to do is to prove that Draper was in your office.

00:44:00Don't you think you can ever find him?

00:44:02We have to.

00:44:03Now, John, somebody in their outfit must have given you that document.

00:44:07Would he help you?

00:44:08He would.

00:44:09I'd only find him.

00:44:11He'd do anything for money.

00:44:12His name's Clipper.

00:44:12Now, that's our first important route to make.

00:44:24I've had a dozen guys out trying to put the finger on Draper.

00:44:27I can't find anyone who even has an idea where he might be.

00:44:31I wish somebody could prove to me he was dead.

00:44:34But he'll show up when he needs money.

00:44:37He'll take more chances.

00:44:38And if he's picked up this time, he'll blab everything.

00:44:41And you know John Randolph will move heaven and earth to get that Burnett girl out of jail.

00:44:46So you better make sure we get to Draper before he does.

00:44:50There's only one person I know who could find him.

00:44:53That's Clipper.

00:44:54Yeah, but who's going to find Clipper?

00:45:11What's going to take you so long?

00:45:29I stopped by for these.

00:45:31There's your newspaper.

00:45:34Boy, they dish out plenty of money to get their hands on you.

00:45:39Yeah?

00:45:40I'm not so sure you wouldn't sell me out for the right price.

00:45:44You can thank me for bringing you here.

00:45:46They'd have picked you up at that other place.

00:45:47Now, I got an idea how we can both get some cash.

00:45:52How?

00:45:53That newspaper guy will call for plenty to get you.

00:45:56I collect, then give him the runaround.

00:46:01What's the matter with Whittaker coming up here with the cash?

00:46:04Oh, no.

00:46:05I steered clear of him when I heard he had a gun out for you.

00:46:08He don't like you running loose.

00:46:10This time, he's making sure you don't blab.

00:46:14You're lying, Clipper.

00:46:17Okay.

00:46:18Take a chance if you want to.

00:46:21But you better let me collect for you.

00:46:23How do I know you'll come back?

00:46:25Because I need this place myself to lay low for a while.

00:46:28And I'm getting enough for both of us.

00:46:30Then when the time's right, we'll clear out of here together.

00:46:34You give me my share.

00:46:37I'll travel alone.

00:46:38All right, Tracker.

00:46:43If that's the way you want it.

00:46:47And, Clipper.

00:46:50Be sure you do come back.

00:47:02Hello.

00:47:03This is John Randolph speaking.

00:47:05This is Clipper.

00:47:05Yeah, I heard you were trying to find me.

00:47:10I know what you want, and I can deliver them.

00:47:12And no checks this time.

00:47:13All cash.

00:47:15I understand.

00:47:16I'm ready for you.

00:47:16I figured on that.

00:47:18How long will it take you to get here?

00:47:20Oh, nothing doing.

00:47:21This time, you're coming to me.

00:47:23It'll cost you five grand, and bring it with you.

00:47:27Come alone and drive your own car.

00:47:29All right, certainly.

00:47:31What?

00:47:33No.

00:47:34All right.

00:47:36Yes, I can drive it in half an hour.

00:47:37Now, Clipper, I thought I was to meet you out at Strand and Wilson.

00:47:50Why?

00:47:51Have you got some cops out there waiting for me?

00:47:54I've done business with you before, haven't I?

00:47:56All right.

00:47:57What's the matter with this place?

00:47:59Nothing.

00:48:00Okay, then.

00:48:02Shut up.

00:48:03I've got the money all right, but can you lay your hands on Draper?

00:48:05Why, certainly.

00:48:06I just left him.

00:48:08Are you going to waste time talking?

00:48:09There's an extra thousand in it if you'll take me to him.

00:48:12Oh, no.

00:48:13But I want that extra thousand.

00:48:15I'm not going to be with inside of him when he finds out I told you.

00:48:19Okay.

00:48:19Now, how do I get there?

00:48:28Here's the directions to his front door.

00:48:35This is Franklin Boulevard.

00:48:36Yeah.

00:48:37Turn left at Benson Road.

00:48:39Follow the road to the bridge.

00:48:41Park your car and walk right up that lane.

00:48:44Yeah.

00:48:45Now, here's his place.

00:48:46Don't take a gun or he might misunderstand.

00:48:50And go alone.

00:48:51I bet you're finished.

00:48:54Oh, here's a key so he'll know I sent you.

00:48:57And be there tonight at 9.15 on the dot.

00:49:01Darling, I have to leave now.

00:49:02I must be there right on time.

00:49:04It's way up beyond Benson Road, and it'll take me some time to drive it.

00:49:07You listen to him at Dad with you?

00:49:08No, he'd have to notify the police.

00:49:10Then I'd never get Draper to admit he'd shot Gordon.

00:49:13I've got to do it by myself.

00:49:14And don't tell anybody where I've gone.

00:49:21Good night, darling.

00:49:22Good night.

00:49:25Good luck.

00:49:30Listen, Whitaker.

00:49:31I don't care what you say.

00:49:34Draper won't trust you any more than I will.

00:49:36I've got him or you can't find him.

00:49:38And it'll cost you money to keep his mouth shut.

00:49:40You know, and I'll make it worth plenty to you.

00:49:43And Draper will never bother either of us again.

00:49:47And then have you chisel on me?

00:49:50Oh, no.

00:49:51I've worked with you before.

00:49:54This time I'm dealing for Draper.

00:49:57How much does he want?

00:49:59Five thousand.

00:50:00In cash.

00:50:01You ever got your hands on five thousand,

00:50:03Draper would never see you.

00:50:04Or the cash.

00:50:06That's the chance you're taking.

00:50:08It'll be worth a lot more than that

00:50:10to the district attorney to find him.

00:50:15Wait a minute, Clipper.

00:50:16We'll settle this thing.

00:50:22You're not going to the district attorney.

00:50:24You're going to take me to Draper.

00:50:42Now open the door.

00:50:43You're going to drive me straight to his place.

00:51:11Is that you, Clipper?

00:51:12Clipper?

00:51:20Clipper!

00:51:38What are you doing here?

00:51:39I want to talk to you.

00:51:42I came alone.

00:51:53Where'd you get that key?

00:51:55From Clipper.

00:51:57I paid him six thousand dollars.

00:51:59Then he's not coming back.

00:52:01You knew he was selling me out.

00:52:02And you were a part of it.

00:52:05All right.

00:52:06You're going to take his place.

00:52:08Get in that room.

00:52:09I'm not going anywhere until I guess what I came after.

00:52:12And after you hear what I have to say,

00:52:14I don't think you'll shoot me.

00:52:15What makes you so sure?

00:52:17I found out you're Charlie Benton.

00:52:20And that you were married to my mother.

00:52:22So you finally found out about that.

00:52:24Well, you're not telling me any news.

00:52:26No.

00:52:27I have something here to show you.

00:52:28You'll let me reach in my pocket.

00:52:30Go ahead.

00:52:33This birth certificate says that I'm John Benton.

00:52:37That means you're my father.

00:52:42Christened John Charles Benton.

00:52:49She gave you my name.

00:52:54You were born after I left.

00:52:57I didn't know about that.

00:52:58So you're my son.

00:53:05No wonder you had nerve to come up here tonight.

00:53:08You.

00:53:13You're all right.

00:53:18You can't be very proud of your old man.

00:53:21I never gave you anything to live up to.

00:53:26Listen, kid.

00:53:28With Clipper running loose,

00:53:29we ain't got much time.

00:53:31We gotta get out of here.

00:53:32Now, what do you want me to do for you?

00:53:34I want you to help clear Barbara Burnett

00:53:35and get her out of jail.

00:53:37I can't do that.

00:53:38I gotta think of myself.

00:53:39That'd make it tougher for me.

00:53:41She can't mean that much to you.

00:53:42No, but she does.

00:53:43We're gonna be married.

00:53:44You've got to help me.

00:53:46She knows you're my son?

00:53:48Yes.

00:53:49She'd marry you anyway?

00:53:50Yes.

00:53:51We got her father in a lot of trouble

00:53:52trying to help Mother and me.

00:53:53Yeah, I fed that to Whitaker.

00:53:55Could have told her to you down in the jail

00:53:56if they didn't want me to.

00:53:58Now that I...

00:53:59Now that I know you're my son,

00:54:03I gotta get you out of this.

00:54:06Just Whitaker know I'm your father?

00:54:07No, we kept that away from him.

00:54:09Good.

00:54:10Don't ever let anybody know that.

00:54:14There's a chance to shut up, Whitaker.

00:54:17You got anything for me?

00:54:18To write on?

00:54:18Yes.

00:54:19Any girl

00:54:25knowing who I am

00:54:27and who'd marry my son

00:54:28is gonna get my help.

00:54:32She must be all right.

00:54:35I'll clear.

00:54:37At the same time,

00:54:38I'll give you enough

00:54:39to put Whitaker in a box

00:54:40where he can't touch anybody.

00:54:41Okay.

00:54:42Okay.

00:54:43Okay.

00:54:44Okay.

00:54:45Okay.

00:54:46Okay.

00:54:47Okay.

00:54:49I wrote it like

00:54:51Randolph was your father.

00:54:54Not me.

00:54:56Thanks.

00:54:57I wouldn't have asked you to do that.

00:54:59You didn't have to.

00:55:01I know what's good for you.

00:55:04I wrote all about

00:55:06Whitaker planning it.

00:55:08And that squares Barbara's father.

00:55:10That's what I'm counting on.

00:55:13I know you'll use this

00:55:14but put it all in one.

00:55:16How can I prove you wrote it?

00:55:18My thumbprint.

00:55:27There's a record of that on file

00:55:28that'll prove it's me.

00:55:35I'll go get my stuff together.

00:55:38You...

00:55:38You keep a look out of the window.

00:55:41Right.

00:55:41I'll go get it.

00:55:43I'll go get it.

00:55:59Hey.

00:56:00Whitaker's coming.

00:56:02Anybody with him?

00:56:03Yeah.

00:56:03Clipper.

00:56:05Go in that room.

00:56:06Hey Draper, okay, Whittaker, put that gun down.

00:56:36Take it over here.

00:56:52If you came here to give me some dough, sell it out.

00:56:55I didn't bring any money.

00:56:57I thought not when I saw the gun.

00:56:59But you've got plenty.

00:57:01You sold me out for six thousand bucks.

00:57:04I'll take it.

00:57:15John!

00:57:18So you collected from him too?

00:57:20Here, take this.

00:57:22You'll need it against this guy, Whittaker.

00:57:24I'll leave him to you to handle.

00:57:27Get over there.

00:57:29I'm sorry you came in.

00:57:33You and I'll settle this thing ourselves.

00:57:35Good luck, boy.

00:57:37Give my regards to the young lady.

00:57:39And to your mother.

00:57:41I'll be watching your papers to see when they hang Whittaker.

00:57:44I'll go through it...

00:57:46...to get over there.

00:57:48It can't be worth it.

00:57:50It can't be worth it.

00:57:51It can't be worth it.

00:57:52Yeah, but I'll just get it.

00:57:53It can't be worth it.

00:57:54But I don't see the gas.

00:57:55It won't be worth it.

00:57:56I'll give it to the gas.

00:57:57It can't be worth it.

00:57:58It's worth it.

00:57:59It can't be a little more long than any other agencies.

00:58:01Take a look at the other one.

00:58:31Have him hold, Whittaker.

00:58:46How did you get here?

00:58:48Barbara told me.

00:58:49Here, hang on to that.

00:58:51It tooks his goose.

00:58:53Take him away.

00:58:54Clipper has a chance to live.

00:58:55We're taking him to the hospital right away.

00:59:01What's holding us up this time?

00:59:07Won't you ever teach this district attorney not to keep us waiting?

00:59:10Will we always have to wait for the Smiling Star reporter?

00:59:13You will, because this time he makes the news.

00:59:16He's expected here any minute now with something worthwhile waiting for.

00:59:19Hello?

00:59:23No, Mr. Burnett.

00:59:25He hasn't come yet.

00:59:26Oh, here he is now.

00:59:29Hold everything, fellas.

00:59:30I think we're going to break some hot news.

00:59:32Hello, Mr. Jones.

00:59:33Go ahead, John.

00:59:34Tell them.

00:59:35Well, fellas, the district attorney wants me to announce that Whittaker has admitted his guilt

00:59:39and named all members of his outfit.

00:59:41Mr. Burnett will give you a written confirmation.

00:59:42Yes, and I believe my daughter has some news for you.

00:59:47I understand that reporters don't like to be kept waiting, but there was a special reason.

00:59:52On the way over from the jail, we stopped long enough to get married.

00:59:55What about a confirmation on that?

00:59:56This.

00:59:58Oh, hold it for a picture.

🗞️ Star Reporter (1939) Full Movie | Crime Mystery Classic 🎥🕵️‍♂️ | Old-School Journalism Meets Murder & Mayhem 📰⚖️

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