People ought to be ashamed of themselves.
Kicking up all that racket
at this time of night.
What is it?
Is it a fire?
Well, why can't they knock quietly?
Oh, blast it. We never...
It's about 3 doors down.
That's where Diana baring is staying.
I say,
there's a policeman coming over I think.
Where?
Well, just coming around the corner.
What?
Well, that's funny. I could've sworn.
No, you're right. Look. There he is.
Coming down the side of the road.
I say!
That's Druce knocking.
Looks as though he's tight again.
Here. here. Where's my shoes?
I better get down.
Aye. I'm on my way.
What, at this time of night?
My wife Edna!
...with Diana baring.
She's a--
Yeah, wait for me. I'm coming.
I can't stop now.
I gotta go see what's the matter with Druce.
Ohh.
Say, what's the matter, Mr. Druce? Anything wrong?
My wife.
Will you please take this man away?
Come along now, Druce, there's a good fellow.
No. Stop it.
There.
Open this door, will you?!
Open this door!
Hold on. One second.
Open the door.
Come on.
Let go. Now, wait a minute now.
I can't wait to see what's going to happen.
Open the door, please!
Open the door for the love of god!
Open the door, for god's sake.
One of you run down to the station
and ask the inspector to come along.
Tell him it's serious.
Is this woman a lodger of yours?
No, but miss baring is.
And she had Mrs. Druce to supper with her tonight.
As a matter of fact, it was about--
well, you see, Mr. constable,
both these ladies are--
I mean, were--
you see, we're all members of the company
that's playing at the theatre royale this week.
And as I was leaving the theatre,
you see I'm the stage manager,
and Mr. Druce here, he's the general manager.
Well, you see, when I left the theatre tonight,
I was invited to join them.
Wait. wait a minute, wait a minute.
One at a time, please.
They killed you, Edna.
They killed you.
Tell me, darling.
Who, darling? Did she do it?
You always hated Edna.
Thought yourself too good for us...
With your high and mighty ladylike ways.
Now, pull yourself together.
Ohh! leave me alone.
Is there any Brandy in the house?
You'll find some Brandy in the flask on the table.
I was just giving some to Edna when...
When...
I can't think.
I can't remember.
Well, there's none there. It's empty.
I'll run back and fetch some.
Perhaps you'd like a cup of tea, dear.
It'll warm you up.
I'll go and make it.
I'll give you a hand, dear.
Shall I light this gas, dear?
Please, dear.
It's still hot.
It only wants a drop more in it.
Light the stove, will you, dear?
I, uh...
uh!
I suppose Mrs. Druce really is dead,
you know, uh...
You know, Diana never did get on well
with poor Edna Druce,
and I know for a fact
that they hadn't been on speaking terms
for the last 7 weeks.
Miss Diana said nothing to me about it.
Well, it's a fact. You can take it from me.
I don't believe she could have done it,
though there's no denying she is headstrong.
I should say so.
Why, she gave in her notice
the other day over Edna.
Who, miss Diana?
Yes, but, uh...
Jinx didn't want to lose her,
so Edna would've been glad enough
to see her go.
Then suddenly...
Suddenly, last night, she changed,
asked if they could make it up.
Diana was puzzled
but asked her home to supper.
Now, I can't help feeling now
that she had some reason
for getting Diana here alone.
Of course, perhaps it's been...
Hot stuff like she is,
she thought one of her men
was getting too keen on Diana baring
and wanted her out of the way.
What kind of tea did you use, dear?
Oh, my dear, I've tried so many kinds,
I don't really remember which this is.
I'll get the door, right?
Would you mind...
Open the door, yes, if you don't mind.
Here. I say, I've just made tea.
That's all right, ma.
We'll get some down at the station.
Third act beginners, please.
Your call, miss baring.
That's miss baring's understudy.
There you are, see? Going on now.
You are answering the door?
Answer the door? Of course.
You know that.
Well, I don't know where we shall go.
Oh, Tom. Tom.
Just a minute.
The inspector would like to have a word with you.
This is Mr. Tom druid, inspector.
How do you do, sir?
It's about the murder, Mr. Drake.
Now, there are one or two points
we're clearing up.
I suppose you didn't happen to see
Mrs. Druce and miss baring
leave the theatre together last night.
Yes, I did.
As a matter of fact,
I remarked to Fane, our leading man, about it.
He saw them, as well, you know.
Why? is it very unusual?
Unusual? I should say so.
Unusual?
It's an absolute miracle.
As I was saying to my wife,
I said, "Annie, we met--"
hold on, old boy. My cue.
Say, which of the 2 women is this?
Mrs. druid?
Oh. ha ha ha.
Now, I'm afraid
you're unlucky this time, inspector.
This is Handel Fane, 100% he-woman.
Mr. Fane's our leading man.
I assure you, inspector,
I'm not the other woman
in the case.
I know that, Mr. Fane,
but I understand you saw
the 2 women together last night.
Yes, just before I left the theatre,
then I went straight to my rooms.
Alone?
Yes. well, ion Stewart came with me.
He came and he wanted to borrow some cigarettes.
He'd lost his case or something,
and then I went straight to bed.
Say, excuse me, I'm on.
Reginald, darling,
has that cat gone yet?
Ooh, it's you, cousin yettie.
Don't you dare to try to run away from me.
Come here when I speak to you.
No, no, you don't.
That's the bathroom.
Come here,
or are you afraid of a poor, weak woman?
He promised to meet, dear.
Say, who's that man?
Oh, that's our heavy lead.
Ion Stewart. Very sound actor.
Is he married?
How did he get on with the prisoner?
Excuse me, inspector.
Say, how did he get on
with the prisoner miss baring?
So-so, you know?
Was he popular with the ladies?
You talking about the jerk?
He's a bit too popular if you ask me.
Please, if you could call her a lady.
Shh. now, Doucie, remember,
she's only just dead.
Oh, all right, all right.
I've never heard yet that telling the truth
was a disgrace. Only been one year
about Edna and Stewart anyhow.
And the way I take it,
Mr. Stewart and Mrs. Druce...
Excuse me. My line.
Oh! don't bother to show me through.
I know my way.
This is not the first time, Reginald.
Everything's going splendid.
Well, perhaps I ought not to say
Edna and Stewart like that.
But, Ted, you know what Edna was like,
anyone she liked had to be wrote in.
I can't wait any longer.
Quick! in here!
Excuse me a minute, inspector.
Shan't be long. There's a quick change.
How do you do?
No, I'm sorry. He's not here.
What have they done with her?
Who, miss baring?
Why, she's down at the station, I expect.
Did she say anything, do you know?
Is there anything I can do?
Markham, you don't really think
she's done it, do you?
Why have they arrested her?
Saw it with me own eyes.
She was with the poker in her hand
just by her side anyway. Blood. Covered with blood.
Oh. don't.
Why, what's the matter with you?
Blood always makes me feel sick,
even the mention of it.
Well, that's all right. Here's your helmet.
Ready?
Yeah.
hurry up, Markham.
There you are.
Ok?
Yeah.
Yeah. why not?
Members of the jury,
Diana baring is indicted and stands charge
with the willful murder of Edna Druce.
For this indictment,
she has pleaded not guilty.
It is your duty to inquire
whether she is guilty or not.
I need not remind you
that in the eyes of the law,
men and women are equal.
The crime of murder in England, at least,
is judged dispassionately.
Neither beauty nor youth nor provocation
can mitigate...
She gave me the strangest look.
Half-surprised...
And half-angry.
And she said,
how dare you!
And I don't remember anymore.
I just don't remember.
Whatever I did...
Must have happened when I was not conscious of myself.
That's all I can say.
Our defense is a complete denial
of all responsibility.
You've been able to observe
the behavior of the prisoner in the dock...
And in the witness box.
My learned friend has referred to her behavior
as hardened.
Gentlemen and ladies of the jury,
is there anything so Hardy
as the behavior of sheer innocence?
If you're convinced that the story
of the defense represents the facts
of the case,
it is your duty to discharge the accused.
I shall like to remind you
that truth is often stranger than fiction.
If, on the other hand,
you are convinced that the evidence
is indeed fiction, then I must tell you
in the words of the counsel
of the prosecution
that neither youth nor beauty
nor provocation can be held to mitigate
the crime of murder.
Go and consider the facts for yourselves.
Well, uh, ladies and gentlemen,
we can't talk standing.
Would you ladies like to sit together?
Anyway...
why, I say, may we look?
Yes. I don't see why not.
That is, if the ladies haven't any objection.
No. not at all.
Now, I think the best thing to do...
If you agree...
Is to allow me to go over the broad facts of the case.
Because after all, I think it's pretty clear
and I really don't think it'll be necessary
for us to examine
all the evidence again in detail.
Now, in the first place,
the prosecution.
They say that the girl and the dead woman
were on bad terms.
They make it up.
Edna Druce comes to supper,
they both have a drop too much
and begin quarreling about some man.
For instance, you heard how the landlady said
that she heard raised voices.
And the girl admits as much
but won't give the name of the man.
Now that in itself is fishy.
The girl gets hold of the poker,
loses her temper,
and there's the end of Edna Druce.
The prosecution argues that it has proofs.
Practically caught red-handed.
Girl's dress all over blood,
the poker at her feet,
Brandy flask empty,
and the girl half-silly.
And in addition to that,
no other person was known to have entered the house.
I think that's pretty clear.
I think you ought to mention that the girl
comes of a good family.
Yes, but it's those so-called
well-bred people
who are able to remain so brazen
in the face of a thing like this.
Well, look at the way
she behaved in the box.
Half a minute, ladies.
Let's get on.
Now, take the defense.
They don't deny she did it
but argue that their case is
that the thing happened when...
She was in a fit or something.
Surely it is clear to you
that in the evidence for the defense
the doctor put forward a theory
that it was due to the independent
activity of the suppressed experience.
In other words, disassociation,
which in this particular form
is called a fugue. So that a person
displaying the strangest behavior
for a considerable period of time
would be quite unaware of this
when he or she regained normality.
Well, I think the best thing for us all to do
is to write down our opinions
on a piece of paper,
and then we can see how we stand.
Whichever in the minority...
Can then give their individual reasons
and the thing can be worked out that way.
That makes 7 guilty...
And 3 not guilty.
There are 2 not in.
I take it you haven't come
to any decision at all.
I think the whole business is hateful.
There's too much responsibility
put on our shoulders.
Either we've got to let her go free--
that's not fair to the rest of the world
if she's guilty-- or we got to hang her
and that's barbarous.
But if we recommend her to mercy.
Mercy? is that what you call it?
20 years cut out of life.
The best years and to spend them in hell.
Have you ever been inside a prison?
It takes a civilized community
to think out a punishment like that.
I think you exaggerate.
It's no use confusing
the issue like this.
People who do wrong
have got to be punished somehow.
You can't run the world on sentiment.
No, but that's what we've tried to do.
Save the unfit. Get more children
and make glorious wars to be rid of.
The whole world's a reeking pit of sentiment.
Your verdict, Mr. Shackleton.
Guilty, I suppose.
Who's the other one?
You, Mr. Matthews?
Is there anything special troubling you
so that you can't make a decision?
Uh...no.
What is it prevents you from making a decision?
Well, nothing really.
Uh, well, uh...
Have you made up your mind at all
what it's going to be?
Uh...no.
You heard the case for the prosecution.
That's pretty clear, isn't it?
Uh, yes.
And you know what the defense is, don't you?
Yes, but I, uh...
Don't quite understand what the lady meant
when, uh...
When she said no.
When, uh... When she spoke.
My dear man,
Mrs. ward was only trying to tell you
that the defense was
that murder was committed
in a fit of daytime sleep walking.
Yes. but, uh...
The murder took place at nighttime.
Can you write?
Huh? yes.
Well, will you please write down
on a piece of paper
whether you think the prisoner guilty or not?
Now that leaves only 3 for not guilty.
I'll give you my reasons for not guilty.
The evidence for the defense by the doctor
is to my mind conclusive.
Anyone who's followed the modern trend
of pscyhological investigations
must be aware that any person
suffering from severe mental strain,
such as the prisoner may have been
following on so many rehearsals and things,
may bring about a sudden condition
in which the patient is no longer either
conscious of or responsible for their actions.
We've already had evidence
that the prisoner's mind
is a delicately balanced one
and quite liable through some hidden flaw
in that mind to become deprived
of all consciousness
and readily enter into a state
wherein the body is still functioning,
though no longer under the control of the will.
And it is on these grounds,
that I feel that Diana baring
must have been the victim of circumstance.
I have no doubt that Mrs. ward is right.
That being the case,
it is quite liable to recur,
possibly with the same results.
Well, that's a point I hadn't considered.
Well, it's really important.
Because with this poor gal,
you have to consider not only this one tragedy
but others that may follow it.
There may be other crimes
lying latent in her.
You mean, there's a sort of dual personality in her.
One of these persons is violent and cruel
and the other, just an ordinary woman.
Of course.
If we set this bad personality free,
we must be prepared
to show her the responsibility.
Yes.
If we let her go and anything should happen...
The blood would be on our hands.
Do you wish to alter your verdict, Mrs. ward?
Now, Mr. Daniels... After all you've heard,
does your opinion still remain the same?
Well, you know, I find it very difficult to believe
that a girl of that sort should do such a thing.
After all, she looks perfectly riveting, you know.
Well, you know what I mean?
A sort of girl one would like for a daughter.
I presume, sir, that an ugly woman
would stand very little chance at your hand.
The thing you've got to decide,
Mr. Daniels, has nothing to do
with the qualities of the young lady
as they appeal to you.
Yes, of course. I know that.
But, that's all, well, you know what I mean.
It's...it's pretty awful and all
that sort of thing.
Besides the thing you're thinking of,
what's your verdict?
Well...
Oh...
Guilty, I suppose.
Well, now we're practically complete.
There's just sir John.
Well, don't dismiss me as easily at that, Mr. foreman.
Yes? we mustn't be long.
Time is money, you know?
Time in this case, may I remind you, is life.
If I'm delaying you all, I apologize.
I admit that I am not...
A man of business.
I'm a poor actor.
Oh, come now, dear sir John.
I repeat...
The poorest of poor players.
And my time on the stage will be shortened
had I not for years trained myself to...
How shall I put it...
To apply the technique of life...
To the problems of my art.
But today, ladies and gentlemen,
that process is reversed.
I find myself applying the technique of my art
to a problem of real life.
And my art is not satisfied.
In the first place,
I am fairly convinced that Diana baring
was telling the truth
when she said she remembered nothing.
In fact, I have been impressed
by her behavior all through the trial.
But my dear sir!
Oh, I say, sir John.
Oh, please don't think I'm taking
the same line as our friend Mr. Daniels here.
He made a very gallant attempt,
but I assure you my reasoning goes a little deeper.
I am convinced further
that she was again telling the truth
when she said she had drunk no Brandy.
Buy you've forgotten the evidence
of the police sargant.
He said she smelled of drink
and appeared dazed on arrest.
How do you know
that was not the wine she had at dinner?
What about the evidence
of Markham, the stage manager?
He found the empty Brandy flask
right on the spot. Yes, but--
what about the evidence of the actor, Stewart?
He said the women
had been enemies for some time.
Ah, he was the one who said
prisoner was rough to Mrs. Druce
on the stage once.
All pointing to her violent nature, sir John.
Yes, but that was not altogether
borne out by fame.
You know, the, um...
Well, the female impersonator man.
But his evidence was of little use.
He was so obviously in love with the prisoner.
In any case, everything was perfectly clear
when the body was discovered.
Why, the woman was actually caught
in the room red-handed.
And found with a poker by her side.
And her dress all over blood.
And quarrelling over a man.
That's right.
Any answer to that, sir John?
Think of her personality.
She's not the kind of girl to get drunk.
Brandy in the flask, was there?
She doesn't deny it.
That's right.
Any answer to that, sir John?
Not at the moment.
Then there is the question,
was there anyone entered the house that night?
Landlady says not.
Girl says not.
They were alone.
That's right.
Any answer to that, sir John?
Not at the moment.
But have we taken it too much for granted
that no one else could've done the murder?
They were alone.
Says they quarelled.
Admits it.
That's right.
Any answer to that, sir John?
She does not admit it.
She says she doesn't remember.
Is that a guilty woman's answer?
Red-handed.
And her dress all over blood.
Make an exhibition of yourself.
Waste of time, waste of money.
Quarelling.
Hands all over blood.
Any answer? Any answer?
Any answer to that, sir John?
Well, now that we've all agreed on our verdict,
I can inform the judge that we're ready.
Stand up.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,
have you agreed upon your verdict?
And do you find the prisoner guilty or not guilty?
Guilty.
Diana baring, have you anything to say?
My sentence of death
should now be passed upon you
according to law.
It's absurd, I tell you.
It's absolutely absurd.
* oh, yes, oh, yes, oh, yes *
praise silence, all of you,
on the pain of imprisonment
while sentence of death
is passed upon the prisoner at the bar.
So the conference
adjourned until tomorrow.
The baring murder trial
came to a conclusion today
with a verdict of guilty,
and sentence of death was passed on Diana baring.
And that is all the news.
But here is an S.O.S.,
which has just been brought into the studio.
We've been asked by the commissioner of police
to broadcast the following--
will anyone...
Brandy cocktail you ordered, sir.
Right.
Ring up Mr. Bennett, will you?
And ask him to bring around details
details of the particulars for the last 3 nights.
For the last 3 nights.
Also, plan on looking at the flask.
Very good, sir John.
Kindly communicate at once
with news cup in jar to telephone Victoria 7000
or with any police station.
This is the national program.
Our concert tonight is an orchestral one,
given by the radio symphony orchestra.
They start by playing the overture
to Tristan und Isolde by Wagner.
Funny that S.O.S.
Coming on top of that other.
Save her soul.
Save her.
If I'd stood up longer,
I might have worn them down.
Why couldn't they see the girl as I did...
The rest of the fellows on the jury.
But anyone standing in the dark
on a charge like that...
Probably looks different from the same person
somewhere else.
Ah, amusing the way she stood up to everybody.
There's no doubt that did her a lot of harm.
Yet, it was that manner of hers that...
Very attractive I thought.
And I wonder what her feelings are now.
Who drank that Brandy?!
Why didn't I force that point home to them?
Easy to figure these things out afterwards.
The girl said she didn't drink it.
Yet she admits she might have killed Edna Druce.
That's queer.
Why admit a big thing like that
and yet be sure she didn't do a small thing
such as drink a drop of Brandy?
All that came to light to me today.
I'm sure I was right when I raised that.
Quite frankly, more certain now.
How do we know that someone else didn't drink the Brandy?
Perhaps there was someone else,
that's the whole thing.
Whoever drank that Brandy!
Mr. Bennett has come up to see you, sir John.
Sir Bennett.
Glad you're back, sir John.
Been reading about it all.
Plenty of publicity.
Been awful for you, though.
You having met days before.
Well, she wanted to become a star,
a year ago that was.
I suppose you can say in a sense that she has.
A star in a murder--
Bennett, please.
Look here.
Get hold of my understudy.
Tell him he has to go on again tonight.
Pray god that I give him a better role.
Oh, and, um...
Get on the telephone straight away
to my lawyer, Mr. vice senior.
Oh, I can give it to you.
Temple bar.
5-9-9-3.
Yes.
I want you, as well,
to get hold of as many as you can
of the members of that company.
You know, the touring company
at the time of the murder.
In particular, the, um...
Funny little man, the stage manager.
I forget his name.
I'll see him at the office in the morning.
Temple bar, 5, double 9, 3.
But I thought the trial
was over, sir John.
No, my dear, Bennett,
the trial is not over,
by a hell of a long way.
Well...is it conscience, sir John?
Conscience. A lying man's conscience.
Oh, they're-- they're engaged, sir.
Ok. I'll try later. Don't wait.
I am.
No, don't wait. Go.
Diana baring...
Why did I send her away?
Told her it'd be good for her
to gain experience in the Providence.
Good for her.
And now she's come back.
Uh...
I think, uh...
Boiling it all down, dear,
I think perhaps we better, uh...
Accept sir John's offer after all,
don't you?
Oh, yes. Either that one
or one of the other 2. It's all the same to me.
That would be sir John himself.
I don't think.
Oh, well.
Seems she won't let us stay on here any longer.
That means Lucy will have to go back
to her aunt's-- oh, I mean, uh--
Sophie will have to go back to her aunt Lucy.
I don't want to go back to aunt Lucy.
I want to go on tour with you.
I can't let you go back to sir John's.
Here's a letter.
I really thought you were kidding me, I really did.
What is this?
Ooh. it's from sir John himself.
He'd be happy
if we could be in his office at 12:00.
Do you think we could get there
in time today?
If we try.
I'll turn the kettle off.
This just needs a little benzine.
Dear, I don't think...
Petrol will get the shine out of this suit.
I'll say! There's a job for you!
Look sharper.
I think it must be an ankie.
Yeah. I think so somewhere.
Ted? yes, dear?
What have you done with me nail Polish?
I haven't seen it.
Here.
Hope this...Hope this smell of petrol goes off.
Oh, well, you can blame it onto the car.
I think we shall just about do it.
Actually, my dear, it won't be.
Oh, that's all right, missus.
I promise you your bill
shall be paid the first.
I'm not referring to bills.
It's Druce I'm after.
2-6 to the first 10.
All right. We'll see.
How do you do, Mr. Markham?
Nice. thanks, sir John.
Ohh. how do you do, sir John?
Won't you sit down?
Thank you.
You know, it seems to me, Mr. Markham,
that we as artists have a double function.
We use life to create art
and we use art to, how shall I put it...
To criticize life.
You agree?
Oh, certain, Mr. John.
Uhh!
Yes. I knew you would.
Now, Mr. Markham,
between artists...
Ahem.
Do we always fulfill our double function?
Are we not so much occupied
in using life to create art
that we forget our other function?
I foresee your objection.
You're going to say,
what opportunities does the round
of daily life offer?
I wonder if...
If you ever saw
a problem play I once did.
Pistols for two.
Oh, yes.
You did. Yes.
What the critics describe as a high-brow shocker.
Now...
When a high-brow shocker occurs in real life,
does the public call in the actor?
No.
Uh...
Mr. Markham, I read your thoughts.
You know, you're saying to yourself,
this man is, um, talking to his hat.
Oh, no.
Oh, of course you are.
Otherwise, you wouldn't be the practical man
I take you for.
You're also wondering to yourself,
why on earth I've brought you here.
Well...
That brings me at last...
To my object.
Now...
Yesterday and the day before,
I was on the jury at the baring trial.
You impressed me both as an artist and as a man.
Ooh.
By the way you gave your evidence.
Now, I want from you,
if I'm not being too indiscrete--
oh, no.
The inner history of that case.
Oh, what is it that, uh...
See, now, of course, um...
Bennett talked over with you
the question of that engagement?
No, sir.
You see, we'd rather, uh...
Rather hoped that you'd be free to take on
the stage management when I send off
this tour at Christmas of the green eye.
Whew.
I also thought of working out some arrangement
of a yearly basis,
but we could easily talk that over later
with Bennett, can't we?
Oh. thank you very much indeed, sir John.
I, uh...
Well, I am free at the moment.
And I've had a lot of experience
that I'm sure will come in very handy.
Then that's settled, huh?
Uh, yes.
What? what is it, Mr. Markham?
Well, it's my wife, sir John.
You see, we've always been joint,
as you may say and, uh...
Well, would it be asking too much, sir John,
if a part, I mean, any part that you--
ohh. I see. Mrs. Markham acts.
Acts, sir John?
Heh. well, uh...
Perhaps it's not for me to say, but...
But my Doucie--
well, you may say I'm prejudiced, sir John,
but I've been stage manager now for 10 years,
and it is a fact that a wife, even a good one,
is not always the right thing to have in a company,
if you understand what I'm getting at,
but my Doucie, my wife,
she's--well, professionally, she's been my right hand.
And there's no one she can't play 24 hours' notice.
All ladies.
From a Gladys Cooper to a Molly Lloyd part.
Has she ever-- she has her--
oh, but--
no, no, no. Go on. Do.
I was going to say she has her off days, of course.
Well, who hasn't?
Yes. I mean, only last summer
I had to speak to her seriously about it.
She had a quick change-over from a barmaid
to a salvation army lass.
And it told on her, there's no doubt about it,
it told on her.
After about a week, I said to her straight out,
now look here, my dear,
this can't go on.
If you can't pull yourself together,
we shall have to go into Shakespeare.
Well, she didn't say much.
Not one that was reasonable.
But she thought it over.
And for the rest of that tour
I'll give you my word, sir John,
she was tallulah.
Pure tallulah.
Where is Mrs. Markham now?
She's downstairs waiting in the--
oh. one minute then.
Let's send for her to come up.
What, is that you, Bennett?
Oh, no, no. I'm sorry. No.
Wait.
Hello, Bennett, Mrs. Markham is somewhere downstairs.
Would you have her sent up, please?
Yes. yes, of course. Up to my room.
Now, Mr. Markham...
About this trial...
I confess to feeling very uneasy about it.
You see, I played a part in the thing,
the part of a juryman.
And it was not until the curtain was rung down
on the death sentence, that I said to myself...
This is not a play, this is life.
Life can be less kind
than your dramatists, Mr. Markham.
Life permits a beautiful and unfortunate girl
to go to the gallows. Unless--
art for once can bring its technique to bear.
Good lord, do you mean to say
you think she's--
innocent, my dear Markham, yes.
It was assumed she was guilty
because she couldn't deny it.
Yes, but I saw the--
what did you see?
Diana baring sitting beside the dead body.
She was dazed you say.
What was the cause? Drink?
She hardly ever touched anything.
And who did? Think it over, Mr. Markham.
Then there was the pain in her head.
Was she examined by a doctor?
Might he not have found traces of a blow
if he'd examined her?
But no, he didn't.
He assumed like everyone else
that she was guilty
because she didn't deny it.
And there was no private investigation,
no inquiry,
think it over, Mr. Markham.
You know,
I feel the most terrible responsibility.
I was one of the 12 people
who decided the fate of this poor girl.
I'd found myself caught up
with the machine that--
That makes these things...
Ah, Mrs. Markham, so good of you to come
with your husband this morning.
Oh, I was quite glad,
glad as a breath of fresh air.
Ohh. what a charming place you have up here,
sir John.
And Piccadilly,
with all the shops so near.
You'll, um...
You'll stay to lunch, of course.
Ohh!
You know, I must confess,
I find it difficult sometimes to wait
to a reasonable hour for my luncheon.
Yes, I must say,
I feel the same way myself.
It's very rare
that I can do without my little
tidbits in the morning...
Oh, Javier, a cocktail at once, please,
and serve lunch.
Hey.
He's engaged us to see him.
Joint. no.
Yes. I find Mr. Markham is free to join me.
So...please.
So I thought he could, um...
Oh, we can settle all that later,
can't we? Yes, please.
Thank you.
Oh, thank you.
Oh, one more, please.
In the meantime, success to our researches.
Your husband and I have been discussing
the baring case.
And we feel that if the murder
were approached from another angle,
it--oh, sorry. We shall be able
to arrive at a different result.
What?
What? and get Diana off you mean?
But she can't get away from that poker.
If you don't share our convictions
that miss baring is not guilty--
Well...
Well, I mean to say Diana baring
was such a nice girl.
I never thought for one moment
she could've done a thing like that.
Didn't I always say, Ted,
that anybody who knew her
never could've thought it for one moment?
Oh, sir John, have you found anything out?
Are you going to take it up yourself?
Oh, we would be so glad
to help, wouldn't we, Ted?
Shall we now?
I really don't know where to begin
this thing, do you, Markham?
Well, uh... Well, yes, sir John.
Oh, I see. Uh...
Oops.
Yes. I wish I knew where to begin.
Here.
Yes, can I help you there?
Sir John didn't know where to begin, Ted.
Huh?
No, no. Let's hear it, Mrs. Markham.
See, I'm completely in the dark.
If your husband could show the way,
I shall be more than grateful.
Go on. What is it, Markham?
Well, sir John...
I should say the best place
would be the back of the town
where the murder was committed.
Yes. do you think you could spare me
a day or two of your time?
Why, yes, of course we could, sir.
See, if I might suggest
that we could go over the ground
and you could show me one or two places
connected with the murder.
But, you mean, it might have been
someone else altogether,
what killed Edna Druce?
Well, I don't know.
It might've been somebody from outside.
How do you make that out?
Well, I don't know.
Miss Mitcham didn't do it.
And miss Diana didn't.
So it must've been somebody from outside.
If it was, they'd have to get in.
And they'd have to get out again.
Heh. that's clever.
Well, all I can say is...
The first thing we got to do
is to find out who saw somebody,
apart from Druce, anywhere near there
at half-past one that morning.
Well, Ted, for start, there's that chap
we thought was the policeman
coming around the corner.
Oh, that was nothing.
Just a minute.
I shall like to hear something
about this policeman.
Well, you see, sir John,
it was like this...
Only after the murder,
when the knocking woke us up,
I was over by the window
slipping on my negligee,
and I popped my head out of the window
to see who it was making all that noise.
And I saw the policeman
coming around the corner.
So I said to Ted,
I said, hey, it's the police.
And then I took my eyes off him
to tell Ted here...
And when I looked again,
there was no one in sight.
And then Ted said,
yes, you're right. Here he comes.
And when I looked again,
it was a different policeman altogether.
What had become of the first one?
I have no idea, sir.
He must have turned the corner and come back.
Is that the corner down there?
Yes, that's it, sir.
You're sure it wasn't the same man?
Well, it couldn't have been.
We only took our eyes off of him about 2 seconds.
Oh, blast.
Uh...is there anymore here do you think, sir?
I shouldn't think so.
My god, that's Druce.
He must be crazy.
Yeah, we better get down.
You are not going in my house.
Take him away, please.
He's done this before.
Please, promise to stop it.
Yes, that's all right.
Now come along, Druce.
My wife's...
Yes, I know.
But you're much better at home.
Come on. Come on now.
Oh, this is terrible
for me this business is.
I shall have to move. I'm sure I shall.
Yes. well, uh...
Mrs. Mitcham,
we'd like to show
this gentleman around.
That is, if you don't mind.
May I?
Oh. yes, sir. Of course.
Yes. certainly. Will you come in?
Well, sir John,
that's where they found the body.
Right in front of the hearth there.
And, uh...
Miss baring was sitting just about there.
Oh, by the way, did you ever get your poker back, miss--
oh, I can't bear to talk about it,
especially with poor miss baring
being where she is.
Why, you might as well convict Cleopatra.
You think anybody could've got in
from the back of the house?
You see just beyond the backyard
there's an alleyway,
and just beyond there
there's the theatre.
And look, sir, the dressing rooms
are off the back.
Yes, it would take quite an athlete
to get in that way.
I don't see how
anyone could get in here
with this aspedstria
filling up the window.
Anyway, without upsetting it,
and look at the size of it.
Yes. it's a fine plant.
Unless, of course, it was somebody
who knew the room.
But miss baring did not have any visitors,
only Mrs. Markham every now and again,
and Mr. Fane and Mr. Stewart to tea
and mister-- what's his name--
the little man with the squeaky voice.
Oh, Tom druid.
Yes. yes, that's him.
Squeaky voice, that reminds me.
In your evidence, miss Mitcham,
you said you had heard angry women's voices.
Yes, sir, I did.
Would you swear to that?
Oh, yes, sir. You can't mistake a woman's voice.
You know, I had known a contralto--
oh, yes, but this was high, quite high.
Miss Mitcham. Miss Mitcham.
Oh, my god, miss Mitcham. Where are you?
The kitchen chimney's on fire, miss Mitcham!
That's Alice.
One moment, miss Mitcham.
Excuse me, sir. I can't stop just now.
That Alice of mine has set
the kitchen chimney on fire.
Didn't you hear her calling?
No, no, no. That was me.
Or did I...
You know, Markham, I never know.
I'm ashamed to say,
I played a trick on you, miss Mitcham.
Now, the high voice you heard that night
may not have been a woman's. You've just admitted it.
No. I have not admitted anything.
And I don't hold to playing such tricks.
And I'd like to ask you, sir,
what you mean by it.
And you, too, Mr. Markham.
Standing there, grinning.
You realize that your evidence as it stands
may hang miss baring?
Ohh!
Now, I'm not blaming you.
Not blaming you, miss Mitcham.
But you swore that you heard
women's voices calling.
And I have to prove to them
that it might have been a man's voice,
especially a high-pitched man's voice--
just like Mr. druid's.
Ohh! I'd do anything for miss baring.
Oh, can't something be done now?
Yes, yes. Now you're going to help us further.
First of all, could you show us
some more of the house?
Miss baring's bedroom, for example?
Yes. certainly, sir.
This way, please.
I don't think you'll find much in here, sir.
There's a few of her things
over there on the windowsill.
I didn't like to send them
to where she is now.
Oh, I think she'd like them.
Well, let me have them
and I'll send them on.
Why, it's one of you, sir.
Uh...lot more places to go to, sir John.
Thank you.
Thank you very much indeed.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Yes. lot more places, sir John.
There's the stage door
and then we'll go round to Stewart's lodgings
and then we might go along
to the police station,
have a chat with the inspector.
He knows me. And then, um...
Well, then we can go across the red lion,
have a sandwich while we're talking
to Joe the proprieter.
And then--ooh,
and then there's Stevens,
if the policeman's still on his beat.
Yes, I think that's about all we can do.
Oh, yes, we'll find out something
if it takes us all night.
I thought perhaps, um...
A little dinner...
Oh. oh, that's all right, sir John.
Don't you worry about Doucie and me.
We've had to go without before,
didn't we, dear?
Oh, I should say.
Well, shall we begin, sir John? This way.
Evening, mate.
I've come to see if any of my people
left anything behind.
No, nothing,
except that there broken basin
in number 4 dressing room.
That was some
of your chaps after they left.
They never paid for it neither.
Whose room was that?
Uh, Fane's and Stewart's, I believe, sir.
No, none of our people broke that, mate.
Oh, there is something for you.
This cigarette case left behind in number 4.
You'll know who it belong to.
Oh, righto. When I find out who it is,
I'll forward it.
Can we see that dressing room?
Uh, I'd like to see that broken basin.
I'll take you long.
Where does that window look out to?
The private houses round the corner.
I wish I knew who broke that basin.
Lot more places to go to, sir John.
Thank you, mate.
Good day.
Did you find anything?
No, nothing much.
Oh, honestly.
Well, here we are, sir John.
And, uh, I hope you sleep well.
I expect you'll find
she's left something cold out for you.
I'll be along first thing in the morning.
I'm awfully sorry but... Get to bed myself.
I must say, this street gives me the creeps.
Well, good night, sir John.
Come along, dear.
I say, Markham.
Markham...
You don't think that I'd better
eat at the red lion after all, do you?
Well, that's, uh...
Just as you like, of course, sir John,
but, uh...
I thought you wanted to sleep
at the policeman's house
so as to be able to find out something.
I mean, that's why I made the arrangements.
I mean...
Considering we haven't found out
very much today, I think that...
It'd be better if you did, sir.
Perhaps you're right.
Good night, Mrs. Markham.
Oh, good night, sir John.
Excuse me, sir.
Be quiet. You, too, children.
Take it.
Ohh.
We mustn't play on the bed.
Sir, shall I pull over the table?
Leave them things be!
Oh, please, don't trouble.
Just put the plate on somewhere.
I'll, uh...
I'll see to it. I'll dress first.
Oh, don't say that, sir.
I know what you gents like.
"A nice cup of tea and a kipper before I get up.
And I'm a new man."
That's what my last lodger used to say.
Stop playing on that bed!
Damn children.
They follow me about.
Ma this and ma that.
On my word, I don't have a moment's peace
morning or night.
What do you two be doing?
That's quite all right, really.
He's got my bootsy!
Well, I never did.
Wait till I get you downstairs.
Take this kitten down
and don't you bring it up here again.
Now, please,
if you could put this plate on the table
and bring up some hot water at once,
I'll get up.
Just as you like, sir, but...
Now, go downstairs and get the water on. Go on.
Now, why can't you leave him be?
Time and time again,
I've told them not to mess with the lodger's luggage.
I'll have your father take you to the police station
if you can't stop touching.
They do keep on touching.
Some lodgers don't like it.
Princeton, I had a couple a little while back
and one of them give them a good clip for doing that.
You know the baring case?
Well, they was in it.
As a matter of fact,
it was my husband what found the body.
He was part of the baring case.
Ohh. Well, I never.
Ha ha! She's taken a fancy to you.
There ain't many she takes to.
You're not coming around now,
I suppose.
Yes, oh, yes.
You were saying...
About hopping on the luggage...
Oh, yes. Well,
Arthur was messing about
with one of them's luggage
when he come across what he thought
was his father's helmet and uniform.
Afterwards, I went up.
Mr. Fane, it was.
And I said I don't like the idea
of having this in my home.
Just because he had a uniform in the bag
he only thought
it was his father's outfit.
I felt a bit of a fool when I finished
because he simply turned around
and he said I didn't know
what I was talking about.
Well, I said if it wasn't you,
it must have been the other one
who was here-- Mr. Stewart.
I spoke to Mr. Stewart afterwards
but in the excitement of the murder
I forgot all about it.
Come in, my dear Markham.
I thought I'd drop by, miss.
I'll send the water up, sir.
Come along, now, come along.
Don't encourage her too much, sir. That's right.
Run along down.
Here, Arthur. Just come on, come on.
Now go in the street and play.
Don't you get run over. Go on.
That's right, go on.
Doucie and me found out something, sir John.
Won't you sit down?
Thanks.
You know that cigarette case you found in the theatre?
Well, last night I went to smoke in bed
just before I went off, you see?
So I took out that case.
Doucie saw it wasn't mine.
Said, I've seen it before somewhere.
I said, whose is it? She said Stewart's.
And then she took it,
she noticed what I thought was a beer stain on it...
She says, wait a minute. That's blood on it.
And sure enough. Well, look, see for yourself,
sir John. Look.
I believe you're right.
Stewart.
Who wore a policeman's uniform
in the past who lived here?
Fane and Stewart, sir.
Stewart had a quick change-over
with Fane in the third act.
But Fane had a special uniform made to fit him
so we had 2 uniforms in the company, sir John.
You're an important factor in this case, Markham.
In fact, most important at the moment.
Well, uh...
Well, if it helps, sir John.
No, the most important factor
seems to be a policeman
whom you did not see
on the night of the murder.
You remember your wife saw a policeman
coming down the street.
You went to the window and you couldn't see one.
Then suddenly there was a policeman.
Now, Markham...
That policeman was 2 different people.
And for all we know...
The first one was not a member
of the county constabulary.
You mean, the first one was a fake, sir?
A chap in policeman's clothes?
Our next job is to find out the name of the man
miss baring withheld.
Was he a member of the company?
Did he wear a policeman's uniform?
If she still refuses to give the name...
Perhaps the cigarette case will help her to remember.
You mean, the name of the man
they were calling about on the night of the murder?
This end, please.
Won't you sit down?
Oh.
Thank you.
It's very good of you to have come.
But I can't help saying...
I'm extremely surprised.
Well, you see, I...
Naturally, I...
I've taken a very great interest in your case.
Don't let's talk about it.
How's your play going?
Oh...pretty fair.
Of course you know I was away from it some time
because I was on the jury of your trial.
I know.
I wondered--
my countryhouse is in that district.
As you know, I can't discuss with you
what happened on the jury...
But I do want to tell you--
is Muriel heatherly still playing the lead with you?
Yes.
I do think she's such a good actress.
Don't you?
Miss baring...
You remember our meeting?
Oh, yes.
You do remember.
Of course.
Very well.
You see...
If I hadn't sent you away on tour
to get experience...
You wouldn't be in this position now.
That's, in a way,
why I feel...
Sort of...
Responsibility.
That's why I've come.
There might be...
There must be some grounds for an appeal.
I knew that would happen.
I knew someone would try and get me off
and think they were doing me a kindness.
Imprisonment for life.
Why, a week of it's nearly driven me crazy.
If they want to do the other thing...
They can.
I thought it and got over it.
Except at night...
It'll be no worse than the dentist.
And if I have done this thing,
as they say I have,
I'm better out of the way.
As for the other thing,
if you're a friend to me, you couldn't do it.
Lock yourself up in your own room...
For one day.
Only for one day and see.
Tell me what I want to know,
I'll have you out of here altogether.
What is that?
I can tell you.
Tell me the name of the man
discussed by you and Edna Druce.
I've said so many times before.
He has no connection with the case.
Besides,
I didn't quarrel.
I'll tell you now.
Edna Druce tried to say poisonous things about him.
And I just put my fingers in my ears
and kept them there.
So that you actually couldn't hear a sound.
You couldn't have heard of any other person
that had come into the room.
No. I suppose I couldn't.
Why wouldn't you listen to her?
Because...
I knew what Edna was trying to tell me.
What was she trying to tell you?
I can't answer that.
It involved...
Somebody else.
Plenty of other people
have been involved in this case.
Markham, Stewart, Druce...Fane.
Why shouldn't this one man's name be known?
There was something...
Something he daren't have known.
But which you knew.
Yes.
What was it?
You realize what you're admitting
by your silence?
You're shielding this man
because you know you're in love with him.
Oh, but that's impossible.
Impossible? why should it be impossible?
I see no reason why it should be impossible.
Why, the man's a half-caste.
What's that?
What did you say?
A half-caste?
Black blood.
Why haven't you said so much?
Tell me the rest.
What was his name?
I won't tell you that.
Ever.
Will this help you to remember the name
of the man you were quarelling about?
Stewart's cigarette case?
That's not one of Stewart's things.
Things?
You mustn't give the prisoner anything here, sir.
And the time for the interview
has nearly ended, sir.
Oh, sir John.
Please.
For these last few moments,
let's talk about something else.
Yes.
There was a photograph of me in your room.
How did you know?
I went there to make inquiries.
How did you come to get it?
I've always been keen on the stage
ever since I was a little girl.
One has one's heroes.
That's why I came to you for a job.
And I sent you away.
Oh, let's talk some more quickly.
Diana, I...
Miss Mitcham sent me some of my things.
Your photograph with them.
I've got it in my cell now.
They let us keep some--
come. time's up please.
Good-bye.
I'm going to find Fane.
Handel Fane.
Handel Fane?
What's become of Handel Fane?
Any news of Fane yet, Markham?
Not yet, sir John.
I'm trying some more of the agents though.
Haven't you found Fane yet, Ted?
I can't bear the suspense.
We shall be up all night, you know.
Oh, for god's sake.
Hello? hello?
Hello? is that lambersee agents?
Yes. you found Fane yet?
He's wanted for an important job, you know.
Yes, at once. What's that?
Gone back to his old job?
What? trapeeze artist?
Under what name?
Where?
No, can't stop now.
Got him at last.
Yes, that's him all right.
Dressed up as a woman, eh?
Always was good at that.
An extremely clever way of hiding.
Markham?
Yes, sir?
I've an idea.
You know your Hamlet?
Every line of it, sir.
Then let me suggest for your consideration
the series of events embodied in act 3, scene 2.
That's the play scene, isn't it, sir?
Yes. the play scene.
Do you remember the title...
The mousetrap?
Yes.
Well, when he comes to my theatre
to read a part I shall offer him,
there'll be 3 of us.
2 cats to one mouse.
Yes, but what about the cheese, sir?
The cheese, yes.
The cheese will be a fat part, Markham.
A villain's part in the blood and thunder
in a play that I'm going to write especially for him.
A play based on a recent well-known murder case.
I imagine he will play his part,
as I hope we shall convince him...
To the life.
Come in.
Can you give me a minute?
Certainly.
Oh. who is that you have with you?
Of course, I remember.
This is the gentleman you suggested.
Yes, sir John. Mr. Handel Fane.
Oh, yes. Do come in?
How do you do?
Sit down.
Here you are.
Oh, thank you.
Oh.
Thank you.
No, Bennett, don't go.
I may need you.
You see, I always conduct these interviews so badly,
I'm just as likely as not to leave out
the really important points.
Now, I suppose I better begin by an explanation.
I dare say Mr. Bennett has told you
the author of the play?
No, sir John. I understand you wish
that to be kept a secret for the time being.
Well, I wrote the play.
That was a simple matter,
but it's proving astonishingly difficult
to find the right person for one particular part.
Might I ask you to stand up for one moment?
Of course.
You know, Bennett, he looks it.
He looks it quite perfectly.
Exactly what I've been thinking, sir John.
Would you mind-- oh, sit down, do.
Would you mind reading one or 2 lines?
You know, just to give me some idea?
Of course.
Oh, I say, Bennett, this is quite illegible.
Tell--what's his name-- Baldwin to bring me
a clean copy of act 3.
Thank you.
Sir John?
Might I ask you...
What kind of play is this exactly?
Well, you may question my taste,
but as an artist,
you'll understand my temptation.
My subject, Mr. Fane,
is the inner history of the baring case.
Ohh. thank you.
Really? your...
Your indifference astonishes me.
Aren't I right in thinking
that you were a member
of the Druce company at the time?
Yes, that is so.
Then you knew both women concerned.
Yes, I knew them both quite well.
Now, let's begin.
Oh, by the way, Mr. Fane,
I understand you're appearing at present
at the circus. Would that interfere?
No, it was my old job,
and I've gone back to it
because times have been a little difficult and--
however, I understand you wouldn't be starting
for 2 or 3 weeks.
No, I don't suppose so, no.
Let me give you...
Some idea of the scene.
Here is a table in front of a fireplace,
more or less a visage.
On the table there's the remains of a meal.
And, of course, the Brandy flask.
You know, Mr. Fane,
of course, you know all the details of the case.
I can't help wondering,
why nothing spectacular developed
in connection with the Brandy.
Thinking as a dramatist,
I can't help feeling that the Brandy
was not exploited with sufficient imagination.
Then, of course,
the law has no sense of drama, has it?
No.
Then again, let me see.
I'm afraid I--
I thought it best to begin from a point
just before the actual murder.
There's a short scene between the 2 women...
Which turns into a quarrel.
In the middle of it,
you make your entrance,
on the words--I got this from the evidence--
on the words...
"Friends? I can tell you things about your friends
that you don't know."
Just carry on from that point, would you?
Now, how on earth did you know
the entrance was from the window?
That's highly clever.
And look, Mr. Fane,
you've forgotten your script.
The script.
Now, where are we?
Ah, yes.
"Friends? I can tell you things..."
Wouldn't it be better if I were to pick up the poker
from the back fireplace
before I made the entrance to the room?
Excellent idea. I'll put that in.
Thank you.
May I have the poker?
No, I'm terribly sorry.
We only have electric fires here.
Would this pencil do?
Very well.
We must get on without the poker.
You can use your imagination, eh?
Now then...
Through the window,
into the room.
You creep through the double doors.
The 2 women are facing each other.
You come slowly around,
taking care not to be heard
and gradually you approach the one
whose back is to you.
Now, you raise the poker that is in your hand
as the other woman says...
"You fool! Don't you know that he's a half--"
what a pity, sir John.
The scene isn't finished.
I was getting quite worked up to it.
I thought perhaps...
Mr. Fane...
You might be able to collaborate with us.
I'm so sorry, sir John.
I'm afraid I understand so little about playwriting.
Perhaps later on...
When the script is finished...
You'll allow me to give you another reading.
Find out what time Fane comes on tonight.
I shan't be...
How do you do, sir John?
Markham.
Who'd have thought of seeing you here?
Well, you see, I'm, uh...
I'm working for sir John now.
Yes. Mr. Markham is helping me
with my new play.
I suppose you find Brandy
steadying for the nerves?
Mine's very nerving work, you see, sir John?
You never know what may happen.
Hurry up. You're next.
I presume you've come to talk to me about...
That part again, sir John.
You know perfectly well what I've come here for.
Hurry up, Fane.
There'll be a wait
if you're not careful.
If it isn't....
How are you, sir John?
Come to see the show?
No, not exactly.
I've really come to see Mr. Fane.
Sir John, if you wouldn't mind
coming down to see me after my act,
I shall only be too pleased
to talk over that little matter
we were discussing.
For god's sakes, play something!
Uh...
Fane says he has decided to colloborate
in my play after all.
He says...
"The 2 women are standing
"facing each other in dead silence.
"They are so lost in the tension of the moment
"that they do not hear the murderer creep through
"the double doors into the room.
"The murdered woman is at that instant
"going to speak.
"The murderer Springs forward.
"He hurls the first woman aside.
"She is stunned by the fall,
"but he doesn't notice it.
"Infuriated,
"he strikes out at the other woman
"with the poker.
"She falls by the fireplace,
"she's dead.
"He nearly faints at the sight of the blood.
"He drinks the Brandy,
"then he sees the other woman beginning to stir.
"He must get away...
"Through the back window.
"A leap or two.
Finally, a climb into the theatre dressing room."
That accounts for the broken basin.
"But how to get home undetected from the theatre.
"An idea.
The policeman's uniform he wore on the stage."
There's your policeman, Markham.
"He walks home a murderer.
"A murderer on an impulse.
"The silence of the mouth of a woman
"who knew his secret and was going to reveal it
"to the woman he dared to love.
There's a melodrama for you, sir John."
Well, Markham...
You have it all.
Poor devil.
And Diana baring...
She knew all the time...
He was a half-caste.
Captioning made possible by Lions Gate entertainment