DA Farley dropped a bomb in the Harrison case...
...in the person of a surprise witness.
Mr. Prentice pulls a tricky defense, it's too bad for Harrison.
A surprise in the morning. I'm telling you.
Case will go to a jury before tomorrow afternoon.
How about a statement for the press, Mr. Prentice?
I'd like to oblige you but I have nothing to state.
Why don't you see the district attorney?
He's probably full of statements.
Oh, uh...
- What luck? - Everything is fine.
I found a doctor in Brooklyn, Gillette, got the x-ray plates.
- When can I see him? - Any time after 6.
- Have him at my house at 8:30. - Right.
- Have Dr. Lyons and the nurse there. EDDIE: Right.
- Good night, Mr. Prentice. - Good night, Lloyd. Good night.
I don't think you need wait, Mrs. Harrison.
- I'm a little worried now, Mr. Prentice. - Why? I'm not.
You're not on trial for manslaughter.
- Will you do me a favor? - Certainly.
Go see a show tonight, forget all about this.
You have nothing to worry about.
Well, I'm in your hands.
- Sorry? - You know I'm not.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
- Good night. And don't worry. - Good night.
Both doctors and the nurse will be at my house at half past 8.
- Aren't you forgetting about tonight? - Tonight?
Mrs. Prentice is entertaining your house guest.
- House guest? - Ms. Drexel.
Oh, of course.
Well, I don't see how I can make it. But I'd like to drop in for a cocktail.
Have Delaney change appointment from my house to my office.
- Yes, sir. - Thank you.
[IN FRENCH ACCENT] Oh, bonsoir, Albert.
[IN NORMAL VOICE] Hello, Evelyn.
- Hello, darling. - Being the little woman about the house?
Yes, like to help?
[SPEAKS IN FRENCH]
Your dress is charming.
Oh. Look at all the forks.
One, two, three. Hurray, we're gonna have an entrée.
I put your friend Chester Wylie next to you.
Besides being a very bad drinker, what is he?
Well, he thinks he's an artist.
I met him in Paris, has a studio in Greenwich Village, shack in Connecticut.
The modern school, you know? Draws lines that look like a skyscraper...
...then tells you it's a sleeping dog. Adores canned peas.
[CHUCKLES]
And in spite of that, I sort of like him.
- Here, let me do that. - Are you good?
Darling, I'm perfect.
The last time I mixed a cocktail, four people eloped...
...and a man made love to his wife.
Oh, then, please do it.
- Gin and French vermouth. - Anything else?
Sure, cognac, absinthe and a dash of bitters.
Oh, Amy, you'll kill my guests. Now, these are respectable people.
Marriage has changed you a lot, Evelyn.
You used to have plenty of zip and bounce.
And now you're so old, so good and bounce-less.
- Does your husband beat you? - No, I wish he did.
- He'd have to come home to do it. - Not necessarily.
I know a gentleman who beat his wife in a night club...
...and she loved it too. Where's the ice?
- Here. - Oh.
No, I'm lucky if I have dinner with John once a week.
- Don't tell me that you and he... - Oh, no.
No, I love him more than ever and he loves me.
But I'm sick and tired of the word "law."
[INTERCOM BUZZES]
And everything that goes with it.
Yes? I'll be right up.
Dorothy wants me to say good night to her.
If the guests come, will you take care of them?
After my cocktails, they won't know whether you're here or not.
Take it easy. Ho hum.
Good night, dear.
Can't I stay up and see the company?
Oh, no, darling. It's a grown-up party.
Kiss Mommy good night.
And one for Daddy?
Oh, dear. I'm always kissing you for Daddy.
I wish he'd come home...
[SLEEPILY] ...and get his own kisses from me.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[SLURRING] Albert, I am extremely depressed.
Give me a cocktail.
Chester, that's your sixth and I've only had two.
[SPEAKS IN FRENCH]
Albert, I'm still depressed.
I don't understand it at all.
After all, a dinner party's a dinner party.
I can understand John's being late.
- He's got a tough case. - You think she'll be convicted?
With her figure and 12 men on the jury?
Not a chance.
[ALL LAUGH]
- There you are. - What's so amusing?
- I was asking Ms. Drexel about... - You better let me tell.
He asked me if I noticed the change in the attitude of French people lately.
I merely said that I hadn't.
They're still perpendicular when they're standing...
...and horizontal when they're lying down.
[ALL LAUGH]
John Prentice.
Amy. Well... Ha-ha.
- You haven't changed. - You have, you're better-looking.
John, go and get dressed. You and Amy can talk through dinner.
I'm terribly sorry but I can't stay for dinner.
I dashed in to offer my apologies, I've got to dash out again.
- How's the baby? - She's all right, asleep. You can't stay?
You mean you'll walk out on your guest of honor?
Amy, I'm awfully sorry. But, actually, there's a woman's liberty at stake.
- I can't tell you how badly... - Try one of my cocktails.
- Maybe you'll feel better. - That's a good idea. I'll have just one.
JOHN: How are you? MAN: Hello.
If a man left me alone that much, I'd get married tomorrow.
- Is there a chance of winning? - Very good chance.
I don't know. I'd be a little worried.
Nancy Harrison has had a lot of escapades.
Well, people talk a lot, you know.
And rich young widows are an easy target, eh?
- Right. - Is she as pretty as they say she is?
She's a very attractive woman.
Of course, she's having rather a bad time now.
But I think we'll win. I've got to dash.
- I'll say good night. - Good night, sorry you've gotta go.
- Bye-bye. - Good night, Amy.
- I'll take you to the door. - Yes.
- You won't be very late, will you? - I don't know, dear. Why?
I thought we might run down to the village with Amy and Mr. Wylie...
...after the others have gone.
Oh, dear. I don't think I'll be able to make it.
Couldn't you run along without me?
I could.
Darling, don't you think I'd be doing my job rather badly...
...if I didn't do everything in my power to try to have this woman acquitted?
Of course.
If people could only keep out of trouble.
[SIGHS]
Well, we can't remake the world.
But, John, do you realize that all we have for breakfast, lunch and dinner...
...are thieves, embezzlers, murderers?
Thieves, embezzlers, murderers.
Good night.
MAN: Now, this one was taken after the second operation.
That was only four months ago?
Yes, sir. He was still coming to us for treatment.
- You performed both operations? - Yes.
- You, doctor? - I assist him.
- You were the nurse, Miss Lloyd? LLO YD: Yes, at both operations.
Mm-hm.
Oh.
Will you excuse me just a moment, please?
NANC Y: Please don't scold me.
JOHN: But I shall. Thought I told you to go amuse yourself tonight.
Oh, I know but I couldn't. I honestly couldn't. I... Tsk.
All I could think of was tomorrow.
And the difference it might make in my entire life.
Before I realized what I was doing, I found myself coming here.
Please let me stay.
All right.
This is Dr. Gillette, Dr. Lyons and Miss Lloyd. Mrs. Harrison.
How do you do?
- Sit down, please. - Thank you.
If you gentlemen will be in court by 10 in the morning...
...l'll try to finish with you just as soon as possible.
I appreciate you coming to my office at this hour.
- I know how busy you are. - It's all right.
All I can say by way of apology is that you're aiding the cause of justice.
LLO YD: Good night. - Good night, doctor.
- I'd like to be on that jury. - I wish you were.
- Best of luck to you. - Thank you.
- Morning at 10, then. - Right.
By this time tomorrow, you'll be a free woman.
- What do you mean? - The man whose car you struck...
...was suffering from tuberculosis of the spine.
- What? - Before your accident...
...he had been operated on twice.
And after the second operation, his life really hung by a thread.
Both these doctors will testify to that.
Also that even the slightest shock...
...might have produced the most disastrous results.
Dr. Gillette will testify that he strongly advised the man...
...against driving a car in the first place.
Why, it's entirely possible that the man might have been dead from shock...
...or undue strain even before your car struck him.
Of course, I can't prove that...
...but I can throw doubt in the mind of the jury.
And a jury in doubt is a jury in the bag.
[BAND PLAYING DANCE MUSIC]
[TAP DANCING SOUNDS]
Clever dancers, aren't they, Mr. Kennard?
Yes. Say, Barney, who's that woman in black over there...
...sitting with the man and the other woman?
I don't know. I don't think she's ever been here before.
Right.
Pardon me, I think I'll call John. If he's home now, I'll ask him to join us.
[SLURRING] Well, allow me to do it for you.
- You'd never make it. - Excuse me.
Hello? This is Mrs. Prentice.
Has Mr. Prentice come in yet?
Oh, I see.
No, no message. We'll be home shortly.
Goodbye.
[APPLAUSE]
Why, Mrs. Prentice, how are you?
- Don't you remember me? - I'm afraid not.
My name's Kennard. Lawrence Kennard.
- Yes? - We've met.
- We have? - Yes.
But I can't seem to remember where.
Was it at Carol Gibson's?
- Carol Gibson? - The author.
Oh, yes. I don't know Mr. Gibson.
Could it be at Mrs. Alan Blakely's, at one of her teas?
I don't know Mrs. Blakely. I've heard of her.
This is terribly embarrassing.
I know.
- What? - You.
I mean, the smile.
Oh, do forgive me, but it's really startling.
I knew I met you before.
That mysterious smile.
I'm sorry. I'm afraid I'm being awfully rude.
Would you pardon me? I'll go back to my table.
I'm sorry if I've annoyed you.
- Good night, Mrs. Prentice. - Good night.
Who was the broad-shouldered thrill you were just talking to?
Oh, did you see me?
- Nothing ever escapes a Drexel. - Who was he?
I don't know. He introduced himself to me and said we had met before.
He couldn't remember where and neither could I.
Mmm. He was a handsome brute.
He was good-looking, wasn't he?
- I think that's all. - Thank you, Mr. Prentice.
- So long, Mr. Prentice, and thanks. - Quite welcome. Bye.
Anything to the rumor that you're going to defend Senator Drake?
[INTERCOM BUZZES]
Excuse me. Yes?
WOMAN [O VER INTERCOM]: Mrs. Prentice is on the phone.
Oh, that's another case.
I'm rather not discuss that now.
- Thank you, Mr. Prentice. - Goodbye.
Yes, darling?
Oh, well, now, thank you.
Yes, it was easier than I anticipated. The jury was out only two hours.
[LAUGHS] Oh.
Well, go away where?
Darling, I'd love to take a rest.
But I just discovered I've got to go to Boston tonight to see Senator Drake.
Well, I'm sorry too, dear. But...
Well, it'll only be four or five days, a week at the most.
That's right, honey.
Just one bag as usual.
Yes, I know.
Shirts, ties, socks, pajamas.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
Drawing Room A, Car 45.
- You haven't much time. - Thank you.
- Where's he going with those bags? - He's taking them to the train.
- What train? - The train Daddy's taking to Boston.
Aren't we going on the train too?
- No, darling. - Honey, dear.
Daddy'd love to take you and Mommy to Boston.
But he'll be so busy there, he'd never have a chance to see you.
Gonna be a good little girl while I'm gone?
I'm always a good little girl. Heh, heh.
- Well, I should say you are. MAN: All aboard!
- There it is. Goodbye, sweetheart. - Bye.
[CHUCKLES]
Goodbye, dear.
I'll be at the Company Plaza, I'll phone you every night.
- Goodbye. Goodbye, honey. Bye-bye. - Goodbye, Daddy.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
- Oh, diner's in the rear? - Yes, sir.
- Is it open? - Yes, sir.
WOMAN: It's a brown bag, porter.
A little brown bag with my initials on it right by the handle.
- Now, please try and find it for me. MAN: Yes, ma'am.
[TRAIN HORN SOUNDS]
Where are you going?
Boston.
Please don't be angry with me, John.
Today, you saved me from prison.
And I'm so grateful.
But you can't tell a man how grateful you are...
...if that man is taking a train, can you?
Unless you the take the train too.
- Good morning, Evelyn. - Good morning, dear.
- Bonjour and how are you, darling? - I'm fine.
There's some letters on the desk for you.
[SPEAKS IN FRENCH]
Don't tell me you go in for early morning reading.
- What's the book? - It's called Sonnets to the Sun.
- What to the which? - Sonnets to the Sun.
EVELYN: Pretty, isn't it? It's a book of poems.
Poems? In the morning? Darling, it's your liver.
So that's what Boston does to your husband.
My first husband went there once, but all I got was a pot of beans.
John didn't send this. Here's a letter that came with it.
"Dear Mrs. Prentice, I have a feeling the night before last in Barney's...
...you thought of me as one resorting to a vulgar technique...
...to make your acquaintance."
The good-looking thrill with broad shoulders. Go on.
"Couldn't we have tea this afternoon at 4?
Maybe the tea leaves will recall our past fortunes.
Especially mine."
Nice work, fella, nice work.
"I'm taking the liberty of sending you, along with this letter...
...a book of my poems.
May I call later in the day for your answer to my tea invitation?
Please accept.
Sincerely yours, Lawrence Kennard."
A poet. It's an awful waste of broad shoulders.
Ever hear of him?
[SPEAKS IN FRENCH]
- Neither have I. Coffee? - Uh-uh.
That needn't interfere with the tea leaves.
Don't be absurd.
Well, I can't see any harm in having tea with a nice clean poet.
And he certainly seemed clean.
Maybe you have met him sometime, somewhere, somehow.
What if I have? That doesn't give him a right...
...to send me gifts and invite me to tea. - Gifts? Oh, the book.
Probably that's the only way he can get them into circulation.
Here, you take it. I don't want it.
Evelyn, don't tell me you're not tingling with excitement over the whole thing.
A tall, good-looking fellow just dying to meet you?
Probably write a poem to your eyebrows or something?
You wouldn't be human if you didn't tingle a little.
You're absurd for words. Where will we lunch?
What do you say to the Waldorf? Head waiter's so handsome.
- Waldorf wins. - Then we can shop around...
...until it's time for your tea date.
I haven't a tea date.
[PHONE RINGS]
I'll answer.
Hello?
- Who? Put him on. - Who is it?
- It's the thrill. - I'm not in.
[IN FRENCH ACCENT] Hello?
No, this is not Mrs. Prentice. Mrs. Prentice is out.
But she leaves word she is pleased to accept your invitation for tea at 4.
- Amy. - The gold room at the plaza?
[SPEAKS IN FRENCH]
I'll tell her.
[SPEAKS IN FRENCH]
Amy, why, of all the...
[IN NORMAL VOICE] For you and the flag, a poet.
Oh, I hope you don't get stuck with the check.
What are you gonna call your play when it's finished?
It's not really my play.
You see, I'm writing it with another chap.
It's his idea and he's already written most of it.
I've never met a man who's so reluctant to talk about himself.
Your gardenia, sir.
Won't you have something with your tea?
Cinnamon toast or crumpets?
- Our crumpets are delicious. - Some strawberry jam?
Oh, I really shouldn't. No, thank you.
- Just tea. - Very good, sir.
- And a lovely gardenia. Thank you. - There's a story that goes with that.
- Like to hear it? - Story? Yes, please.
Once upon a time, there was a young man who was terribly broke...
...and terribly in love, and it was Christmas.
Now, you're laughing at me. This is true.
He went into a flower shop and asked the man if he might do...
...some work around the place.
And I suppose because it was Christmas and it was snowing...
...and the shop was littered with papers and stems and broken flowers...
...the man said, "Go ahead, sweep it up."
He worked all morning.
When he had finished, the owner asked him how much he wanted.
He said, "I don't want any money.
But I would like one of those gardenias."
And he gave it to the young lady?
Yes, I gave it to the young lady.
And did she like it?
I don't know how much she liked it.
You see, somebody else had sent her a box of orchids.
Oh.
This is the first time since that day...
...l've ever given a gardenia to a beautiful lady.
But now, you're rich and successful, you can buy all the gardenias you want.
Perhaps.
But I'm awfully glad you didn't order those crumpets.
- Hello, everybody. MAN: Oh, there you are.
Sorry to be late. I had to see a big producer.
- Larry, why didn't you phone? - Couldn't, I was waiting in his office.
Never mind the excuses. Where's the whisky?
I ordered some stuff. It'll be here in a minute.
I'll help you, Greg. How are you, Abby?
Swell.
What's the matter, Judy?
I can always tell when he's lying.
- Who's the producer you had to see? - I didn't see any producer.
I happened to be out with the wife of a prominent man in New York.
- I'm meeting her again tomorrow. - Who is she?
Heh. I'll never tell that to anybody.
- Good-looking? - Beautiful.
I told her my gardenia number, she went for it hook, line and sinker.
I know all about that gardenia number. I went for it once myself.
- You double... - Don't call me names.
Now, let me out of here. I haven't done a thing.
- Now, listen... - Will you calm down for a minute?
- I wasn't with any woman. - I heard what you said to Greg.
I know what you heard. I was stringing him along.
But I want a cut in on that play of his. Great idea. A sure money-getter.
What's that got to do with being out with a woman?
I told him I was with the wife of a very prominent man.
I want him to think I can get backing for the play.
Why not say it was a prominent man? Why say it was his wife?
I don't know. I guess I wanted to show off.
- You believe me, don't you? - No, I don't.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
That must be the boy from the liquor store.
Just a minute.
Have you got $6? That's why I had them sent up.
- I didn't have any cash. - You'll find some money in my bag.
Oh. Oh, you're a darling.
Now, go and tell them the cocktails will be ready in a jiffy.
There. Everything's all right now, isn't it?
I guess so.
You couldn't stay sore at Larry, could you?
- If I thought you were playing around, I... - What would you do?
I couldn't stand it.
I'd never let you do it, Larry.
I think I...
[SOBBING] Oh, Larry, darling.
And Mildred and Peggy and Bindy and Petercon and Fluffy and Roly-Poly.
And all so well-behaved.
That's because they're having a special treat.
- Ice cream? - No.
Something better than that. They're gonna sit up and see Daddy.
He's coming home today and I have on my best dress too, see?
Well, so you have.
- You miss your daddy? - Uh-huh.
And so do Mildred and Peggy and Bindy and Petercon and Fluffy and Roly-Poly.
- But I explained to them. - About what?
That daddies are always busy.
[LAUGHS]
Well, you've learned a lot for a small person.
- Where's your mommy? - She's dressing.
Look, here. I think all these children better have a nap before train time.
I know. A big family is such a worry.
Don't I know, with my cat and two dogs.
[GIGGLES]
AMY: Ah.
[SPEAKS IN FRENCH]
- In other words, what are you doing? - Packing.
I'm old and feeble but my eyesight's still middling.
What I mean is, what's the packing about?
Look at that.
AMY: Sounds like a traveling salesman than a lawyer.
Can't he find people in trouble here without going on the road?
"Will explain later. Heaps of love to you and Dorothy."
- Look at those flowers. - Roses for forgiveness.
Roses, yes, but Larry sent them.
- Larry? - Mr. Kennard.
So it's reached the Larry stage.
Say, how often have you seen this bird?
Face cream, powder, mascara...
Eye shadow, lip rouge, nail polish, bath salt, perfume.
But that still doesn't answer my question.
How often have you seen this bird?
Mr. Kennard? Oh, a couple of times for tea.
A few lunches and a walk in the park, you know.
I don't get the combination.
Telegram from husband, plus flowers from friend equals a packed suitcase.
- It doesn't make sense. - More than you think.
- I'm running away. - With Larry?
- From Larry. - As bad as that?
Oh, it's really not as bad as that.
- After all, Amy, I am a married woman. - Might I ask where you're going?
With you. To Chester Wylie's barn dance.
He'll be tickled stiff, if he isn't stiff already.
He was so disappointed when I told him you hated barn dances.
Well, I loathe them.
Gingham dresses, hayseed in your hair, cows in the barn, turkey in the straw...
...but we're going.
[DANCE MUSIC PLAYING]
[MAN SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY]
[RHYTHMIC CLAPPING]
MAN: Trade!
Promenade!
You know where and I don't care.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
Oh, Evelyn, aren't you ever coming in?
- No. - Why not?
I told you I hated barn dances.
Oh, it's so lovely here.
Moonlight on the water, quiet, peaceful.
No telephone calls, no interruptions.
No interruptions? Here's a telegram for you.
Oh, it is a beautiful night.
I wish Chester was sober.
I hope it isn't bad news.
John?
No.
Oh, it's from the pet canary and it's all in French.
He's not giving the old girls in the telegraph office any breaks, is he?
[READS IN FRENCH]
"What has happened? What have I done to make you angry?
Have I done anything to offend you?
If I have, I ask forgiveness and offer abject apologies.
Please, please write to me. Larry."
I think not. No, thank you.
Pardon? Oh.
To be honest with you, I haven't read them.
Poetry isn't my language.
Well, maybe it isn't my language.
Why don't you come down, have tea this afternoon?
- I'll tell you what they meant to me. - No, thank you.
Oh, because it's daylight and my head is clear.
Well, Larry, I have a hard-working husband...
...and it just happens that I like him.
Oh. No, I'm not angry.
Thank you.
- Thank you very much. Goodbye. - Who was that? The songbird?
Yes. He knows now why he recognized me that night in the cafe.
I'm the dream girl he wrote verses to.
He should've brought that one up sooner.
- He invited me to his apartment for tea. - I knew that'd be next.
- And you're getting a kick out of it. - Right, because I'm not going.
You're not?
- You don't make sense. - Oh, yes, I do.
- Chester been to Tiffany's? - No, it's for you.
Thanks. No, Amy, I've been for a walk.
I've been telling myself how happy I should be.
And honest, it did work.
I'm married to the only man in the world.
Next time you hear me grouching, would you remind me of that?
He must've come home last night.
No, today. Changed clothes, back to office, didn't even see him.
You might as well be married to a night watchman.
[CHUCKLES]
Oh, I know.
"Sorry, darling. Can't make it for dinner.
Crazy business, have to catch a train."
All excuses, but this is his home.
He loves me and I adore him.
Have you been reading Romeo and Juliet?
No.
No, the poet's invitation to tea had a reverse action.
I see.
Do you mind if I just sit here and try to capture your mood?
- I suppose that's the way it would be. - What?
You'd have a good laugh on him, wouldn't you?
- On who? - My husband.
What are you still talking about him for?
I'm still thinking about him.
No, Larry, I'm sorry.
- It's no go. - What are you driving at?
You can't make a fool of your husband?
What's he made of you?
- That's different. - You bet it is.
I want to thank you, Larry.
If you hadn't spoken as you did...
Well, you've done me a great kindness.
- Talk sense. - I am.
I owe you an apology. I'm sorry.
You aren't gonna walk out on me like this.
- I'm afraid I am. - You'll come back.
No, Larry.
No, I lost my head for a while today.
I was pretty badly hurt.
But I'm not making excuses for myself.
Besides, there isn't just my husband.
Aren't you remembering all this a bit late?
You're right again, Larry.
I'm very ashamed and very humbled.
It's goodbye.
No, it isn't.
You aren't gonna lose me so easily.
I think it's too bad you're being more unpleasant than is necessary.
- I thought we might say goodbye... - You're not saying goodbye.
I don't know what you're saying. But I'm saying it right now.
[DOOR CLOSES]
[PLAYING THE PIANO]
[PIANO PLAYING]
Oh, hello, Mommy.
[GIGGLING]
Oh, Mommy. Don't squeeze me so tight.
Mommy, I've got to do my practicing.
[EXHALES]
Never mind your practicing. Never mind anything.
My darling.
And I'm very sorry but the case doesn't interest me.
[DOOR OPENS]
Very truly yours.
Well...
I have to see you for a few minutes. No fooling.
You hear what she says, Miss Meade. No fooling.
Now, what mischief have you been up to?
[DOOR OPENS THEN CLOSES]
Where did you get it?
From... From Evelyn.
I'm supposed to take this to Nancy Harrison...
...with Evelyn's compliments but here I am.
What does it mean?
Read the card.
It came from the Pullman Company.
Found in your drawing room.
"To Nancy from John."
I'm still in the dark.
Listen, I'm giving you the chance to fix up some lies for Evelyn.
You don't have to bother about me.
I'm not lying to you, Amy.
Well, she was on the train, wasn't she?
Yes, she was.
But she was in a compartment of her own.
I told her that I wasn't going to see her anymore.
She became hysterical, threatening.
Amy, this watch wasn't left in my drawing room.
It was placed there deliberately.
- And I think I know why. - Hm-mm-mm.
A nice girl putting a bomb under a happy home, eh?
I'd give my right arm if this hadn't happened.
Well, you feel as wretched as she does.
A lot worse.
She's not to blame, I am.
How do you get into such a mess with a creature like that?
Vanity.
Someone to tell you how big and wonderful you are.
Have I any chance with Evelyn?
I don't know, John. I don't know what she'll do.
[PUSHES BUTTON]
Cancel all the rest of my appointments for this afternoon.
And get word to Senator Drake not to come.
WOMAN [O VER INTERCOM]: Yes, Mr. Prentice.
I'm taking this, Amy.
I'm gonna finish this business.
Don't give me away.
Don't worry, I won't.
EVELYN: Uh-oh. What's happened to that leg?
It's tired, Mommy.
EVELYN: Oh, poor old lady.
If you were only a young thing like your mother. Come on, up with it.
Well, have I the two busy little women here this morning.
[GIGGLES]
- Hello, Daddy. - Good morning, darling.
- Is there room here for me? BOTH: Sure.
Here I come. Now, where are we?
EVELYN: Here we go. JOHN: Ready.
One, two, three...
Look at that old bent knee. Come on, now, straighten it up.
Where's the other leg? You're not a one-legged girl, are you?
- I got in just the end of that one. - Now, we'll do the toe-touching.
- The toe-touching. - Ready.
One, two, three...
You were asleep when I got in last night, darling.
Yes, I went to bed early.
A hard day?
Darling, touch your toes. Yes, rather.
- What did you do? Anything special? - Nothing in particular.
- You must keep your knees straight. - It hurts.
- I know it. It's meant to. - It certainly does hurt right under there.
- Yes, Daddy. - It's good for you.
What? The hurt?
Uh... No, the exercise.
Well, the hurt too.
Of course, it depends on what you've been doing.
Well, this is certainly good for the tummy.
I don't see why I have to do this exercise.
My tummy's much flatter than Daddy's.
Well, am I insulted.
Evelyn, are you bringing up this child to have no respect for its father?
Why, my tummy is as flat as a pancake.
Not a very thin pancake.
All right, darling, we'll do the arms now. Ready?
- One, two... - One, two, three four.
One, two, three, four.
- Evelyn. - Yes, dear?
How'd you like to take your exercise in Europe for the next six months?
- You mean all of us? - Me too?
Well, I should say so.
- Would you like that? - Are you sure you want to?
I was no more sure of anything in my life.
We haven't done the bicycle one yet.
That's right, we haven't done the bicycle one yet.
And we wanna do the bicycle one...
...because they have lots of bicycles in Europe.
[GIGGLES]
What do you say, dear?
I'd love to.
Great.
All right, let's get aboard. Everybody. Heh.
Ready? On your wheels.
JOHN: Let's go.
New York, London, Paris, Vienna.
[EVELYN CHUCKLES]
New York, London, Paris...
[DIALING]
Hello? I'd like to speak to Mrs. Prentice, please.
This is Mr. Prentice's office calling.
Hello, Evelyn? This is Larry.
Yes, I know I did.
I had to say that to get you to the telephone.
Yes, I got your letter.
But that's not why I'm calling you about.
I see you're going to Europe.
Before you take any boat for anywhere...
...you'd better come and see me.
Now, when you get here, I'll tell you just what I mean.
That's sensible.
Goodbye.
It's a very commonplace situation, really.
Husband and wife aren't getting along. Husband's cold, wife has peaked.
Looks for romance, finds romance.
Gets cold feet and writes letters.
Husband and wife decide to patch up differences and go abroad.
Wife drops romance overboard.
There was nothing wrong in those, they were innocent.
- Why are you here? - Nothing is safe with a man like you.
That's the most sensible observation you've made.
If I don't give you $ 15,000, you'll show those letters to my husband?
- Right. - Very well. Do as you like.
Wait a minute, wait just a minute. Let me read you one.
The one you wrote after you scurried out of my apartment.
Maybe it will changed your mind. Here we are.
One, two, three. Heh.
Worth 5000 bucks apiece.
If you pardon my mentioning money.
"Dear Larry, please don't try to reach me again.
The greatest kindness you can do me...
...is to help me forget that yesterday ever happened."
You know what I meant.
Sure I know what you meant.
But who'll believe what you meant?
"And I can't tell you how deeply I regret having gone to your apartment."
How is that, huh?
Larry, give me those letters.
Give me those letters.
Sure.
I meant to give them to you all along.
Thought I might teach you a lesson.
Might make you more discreet next time.
What is it they say? Only women and fools write letters.
[GUNSHOT]
JOHN: Evelyn?
Yes, dear?
Oh, there you are.
Can you stand an awful shock?
Turn up the lights, sweetheart.
Your passport photo.
Oh.
[SNIFFS]
And this is your husband.
[JOHN LAUGHS]
Will you tell me why it is...
...that people always look like convicts on those passport photos?
[CHUCKLES]
What's the matter, dear? Aren't you feeling well?
I have a headache.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
But how did you get that cut on your lip?
Oh, uh...
The car door swung back.
It struck me.
I don't like that.
AMY: Evelyn, did you hear the...?
- Oh, hello, John. - Hi, Amy.
Darling, I'll get you a nice cocktail. It'll be good for you.
- Shall I bring you one? - One? Bring up the jug.
[JOHN CHUCKLES]
Did you hear about Lawrence Kennard?
- No, what? - He's been murdered.
- Some girl shot him this afternoon. - Really?
Caught her standing over his body with a gun.
Imagine how I felt when I picked up the paper, saw that? She's good-looking too.
- What's her name? - Williams or something like that.
- Did you ever hear him mention her? - No.
- Oh. That isn't her name. - What is it, then?
Judith Wilson.
Charles, I wish you'd be a little more careful...
...when you're driving Mrs. Prentice.
How'd she happen to have her lip cut today?
I don't know, sir. I didn't drive Mrs. Prentice today, sir.
You mean she drove herself?
I don't think so, sir, car was in the garage all day.
Oh, I see.
Oh, I'll take this up, Albert.
Now, would you mix a big shakerful?
- That's all. - Yes, sir.
I know, dear. I was shocked too.
But there's no reason for you to be so upset, is there?
No.
No, you're quite right. Of course not.
I told him to change that frame.
It's not very becoming, do you think?
[PIANO PLAYING]
Why isn't Dorothy in bed?
What's she doing up so late?
What time is it?
Evelyn, what is the matter with you?
That girl didn't shoot him. I did. I went to his apartment.
- He struck me, I shot him. - What? How do you know?
I killed him.
Evelyn.
Enter the doctor.
Now, here's your medicine, dear. This will fix you up.
Your jug will be up in a minute.
Well, see, I was just about to leap down Charles' throat...
...about that cut on your lip there.
He tells me he didn't drive you today.
No, he didn't.
- Well, and you didn't drive yourself. - We were in a taxi.
- Oh, you were with Evelyn? - Oh, yes, John.
Oh, was it the driver's fault?
No, he couldn't help it. It was just an accident.
That's too bad, darling.
- Will you be down for dinner? - Yes, dear.
[DOROTHY SINGING "BRAHM'S LULLABY"]
What's this? A concert at this hour?
I'll have to look into that.
I'm going to tell him.
- I can't let that girl... - What?
I'm going to give myself up.
[BOTH SINGING]
[SINGS THE LAST NOTE AT A LOW KEY]
[LAUGHS]
What are you going to do?
I don't know.
MAN: Special extra! Girl kills sweetheart!
All about the Judith Wilson murder case. Extra!
Now, look at this plan here.
What's to prevent someone going out of those doors...
...while someone comes in one of the others? Tell me.
But how about the motive? Tell me that.
When a dame wants to plug a guy, she don't need a motive.
- What has that to do with cocktails? - Beg pardon, sir. Right away.
This Judith Wilson case, sir, has everyone talking.
- You think she's guilty? - Well, I'm not so sure, sir.
- Why? - Oh, she hasn't the look, sir.
She don't sit for the flashlights.
Let's them shoot her any old way, with her hair mussed and nose shiny.
And if she were guilty?
Don't you think she would try to gain the favor of the public...
...by looking pretty and soft and innocent-like?
That's a shrewd observation, Albert.
Well, that comes of serving in your home, sir.
I wish you had the case, sir.
Albert, less flattery and more cocktails.
Yes, sir.
- I'm afraid that we'll have to be patient. - What happened?
They're trying the Wilson girl in the pantry.
Say, that case has certainly caught on, hasn't it?
Do you think she has a chance, dear?
Well, I don't know. She's in rather a bad spot.
Farley's up for re-election, he's bearing down on everything these days.
You can be certain he will use his whole bag of tricks to convict her.
He'll get a lot of extra votes and she'll probably get 20 years to life.
Oh, at last.
- Here you are, dear. - Thank you.
Here you are, John.
And here we are, darling.
- Daddy? - Mm.
- Yes, darling? - I'm in trouble, terrible trouble.
Well, now, what is the terrible trouble, old lady?
[SNIFFLING]
You know that vase...
...that little flowered one Mommy likes so well?
Yes?
I broke it.
Oh, you did? Well, now.
[CRYING]
I don't think that's such terrible trouble, do you, Mommy?
Now, you just watch Mr. Fix-lt.
You come over here...
...and I'll show you just what we do with vases that get broken.
We take some glue, some good old glue...
...and we smear it all over the edge like that.
Then we put the two pieces together like that.
And presto, just as good as new.
Why, it's no trouble at all, is it, Mommy?
- No, darling. - No.
[CHUCKLES]
Daddy and I were just talking about a girl who is in a real trouble.
Yes.
[CRYING] Why doesn't her daddy help her?
I don't think she has any daddy, dear.
Couldn't our daddy help her?
Yes, dear, our daddy could.
Why don't you, Daddy?
Well, we're going to get on a great big boat...
...and we're going all the way across the ocean.
Do we have to go?
Well, don't you wanna go?
I don't know.
My teacher says she's sorry I'm going away...
...because I'm doing so well in my school.
John, we really shouldn't take Dorothy out of school.
And we wouldn't wanna go without her, would we?
I should say we wouldn't.
Dear, would you think me insane if I ask you to call off this trip?
Well, this is rather sudden, isn't it?
No.
No, I've been thinking about it for some time.
John, who will defend her?
I don't know, the court will probably appoint...
...some overworked public defender who'll be just a football for Farley.
- It's terrible. - Mm. Not so good.
I wish you'd help her.
You do?
Say, you are interested in this case, aren't you?
Well, seems to me she certainly deserves a first-rate attorney.
Thank you. That's a very pretty compliment.
Even if we did stay home...
...l'd probably be head over heels with work at the office.
Well, could you at least go down and talk with her?
Yes, I could do that if you want me to.
I wish you would.
All right, dear.
I'll go down and talk with her tomorrow.
You're very sweet, John.
Well, there's nothing in the world we wouldn't do for our Mommy, is there?
[CHUCKLES]
- Good morning. - Good morning.
Good morning, Ms. Wilson.
This is Mr. John Prentice. Heard of him?
Yes, I think so.
Mr. Prentice has interested himself in your case.
- I thought you were my lawyer. - No.
I'm only the public defender appointed by the court.
I will be in my office if you want to get in touch.
Right.
Now, suppose we go over this from the beginning, Ms. Wilson.
But I haven't any money.
Don't worry about that. Sit down.
[VOICE BREAKING] And that's all I remember, Mr. Prentice.
The next thing I knew, I was in a room with big lights shining down in my eyes.
And a lot of men shouting at me, telling me I'd killed Larry...
...and asking me to confess.
But I didn't kill him, Mr. Prentice.
Did you ever threaten to?
- Yes, I did. - Why?
I was jealous.
But I didn't do it, Mr. Prentice.
Who was this other woman?
I never knew her name.
I only heard Larry say that she was the wife of a prominent man.
But you never heard her name?
No, sir.
Well, that's all for now. You'll hear from me later in the day.
And don't worry.
Thank you.
[DOOR OPENS]
Thank you.
Eddie, I want you to have Clark and Thompson at my house tonight at 8:00.
Right.
Get a court order, look over that flat.
Number is 78 Greenwich Avenue. Meet me there at 4:00.
Right. You're gonna take the case?
Yes. Got a match?
- Good evening, chief. - How are you?
- Good evening. - Evening, Mrs. Prentice.
Delaney will be along shortly. Sit down.
You're in the headlines of the evening papers.
Yes, I saw one of them.
- I bet Farley's seen all of them. - Are we going to lick him?
I shouldn't be surprised if we did.
But we got a pretty tough case in front of us.
There's another woman involved.
A woman who may possibly have been clever enough...
...to kill Kennard in his own apartment with his own gun without leaving a clue.
We've got to find that woman. Smoke, Mack?
PAT: Was this Wilson girl able to give you any help?
Not much. All she knew was the woman was the wife of some prominent man.
- Sounds like a blackmail set-up. - That's my conclusion.
I've already got a pretty good line on Kennard. He's quite a ladies' man.
He had no qualms about allowing the ladies...
...to help him out every now and then, financially.
Man like that, when he got a married woman in the right spot...
...especially the wife of a prominent man...
...he'd probably make it very difficult for her.
MACK: How about the apartment? Anything there?
PAT: Bloodstains? - Yes.
Of course, there was the pool of blood on the carpet...
...of the living room where Kennard fell.
But in the hall, just outside the living room door...
...there was a trail of blood spots that lead all the way down the stairs.
That blood was not from Kennard.
Someone came out of that apartment who had been hurt?
Right, and as there was no evidence of any weapon having been used...
...it was probably caused by a blow from a fist.
PAT: Nosebleed. MACK: Or a cut in the mouth.
JOHN: Yes, and the Wilson girl's face was absolutely unmarked.
How about having a look at the man's hands for teeth marks?
Planned that. He was buried yesterday.
We'll get an order, have the body exhumed.
MACK: Suppose the DA tries to hold us up?
We'll look at the body without an order.
ALBERT: Mr. Delaney, sir.
Good evening. How do you do, Mrs. Prentice, Mack, Pat?
What luck, Eddie?
We're batting 100 percent. I got the janitor...
...from 81 Greenwich Avenue, 81 is after 78.
She was in front of the house that day and saw the grocery boy go to 78.
Minutes before the boy went in, she saw a woman come out...
...holding a handkerchief to her face.
She claims she can identify that woman.
Good work, Eddie.
It looks like we're in luck.
I think I'll go upstairs, dear.
No, darling, I'd like you to hear this woman's story.
Bring her in, Eddie.
EDDIE: Come right in, Mrs. Blake.
Mrs. Blake, Mr. Prentice.
- How are you? - How do you do?
- Mr. Thompson, Mr. Clark. - How do you do?
These gentlemen are our special investigators.
- Hmm. - And this is Mrs. Prentice.
How do you do, ma'am?
How do you do?
This is a nice place you've got here.
Well, thank you.
Won't you sit down?
Thank you.
[EXHALES]
I'm on my feet all day, and sometimes half the night...
...if Jerry comes home with a load on.
- Jerry's my husband. - Never mind about Jerry and his load.
You know you can identify the woman you saw come out of the house?
What sort of looking person was this woman?
Oh. That's pretty hard to say with the handkerchief and everything.
- But, oh, I'd know her again, all right. - Was she tall or short?
Well, let me see, she was about...
Well, she wasn't short and she wasn't tall.
BLAKE: Sort of medium-like, I'd say.
Could you be a bit more definite? It's important.
Well, it seems to me she was more on the tall side.
But maybe it was the hat that made her look that way.
Would you say she was 5-feet-5?
I don't know, sir. I have no head for figures.
[CHUCKLES]
JOHN: Darling, would you mind standing for a moment?
Now, would you say she was as tall as my wife?
She was just about her size, maybe a little shorter.
Good. Thank you, dear.
Was she dark or blond?
Well, that's pretty hard to say at that distance.
But I should say she was on the dark side, like your wife here.
- How was she dressed? - Oh, swell.
In the height of fashion, as my dead mother used to say.
Was she wearing dark or light clothes?
She had a dark, short coat, brown, with fur.
- Fur collar? - Oh, no, not on the collar.
Only on the sleeves.
There are hundreds of those. Mrs. Prentice has one.
Had one, I gave it to the mission two weeks ago.
The fur was completely gone, you know.
Ho-ho. I understand.
Them fur sleeves are great places for the moths, ain't they?
Did you notice her hat?
Yes, it's one of them little dinky ones that sits on the top of the head, brown.
Hmm. How does it happen that you didn't speak about this woman before?
She went out of me mind when I heard the Wilson girl had been arrested.
I never thought of it again till this fella come down...
...and started asking me if I'd ever seen any woman going in...
...or coming out of number 78.
I see.
I appreciate it if you don't mention having been here to see me tonight.
- Oh, I won't tell a soul. - Good.
How much will I get?
Now, I haven't promised you anything.
Of course, you will be paid for your time.
I understand. Anytime you want me, I'm always on the job.
Thank you. Come to my office tomorrow morning.
- I'll be there. - Delaney will call for you around 10.
First thing I know, I'll be getting talked about...
...having strange men call on me while Jerry's at work.
And a homely-looking mug like him too.
[CHUCKLES]
Darling, would you show Mrs. Blake to the door?
- It's been nice meeting you, Mrs. Blake. - Same here, Mrs. Prentice.
Now, can I tell you something that's gonna hand you a great big laugh?
Yes, what is it?
When I walked over to you in that room before...
...I could have sworn you were the woman I seen coming out of 78.
Oh, but only for a second or two. But she was on your style, all right.
But I can see now she wasn't nearly as beautiful as you are, Mrs. Prentice.
- Thank you. - Which only goes to show...
...how easy it is to be mistaken, don't it? Heh.
Well, it's gonna be awful hard going back...
...to my own little place after seeing all this. Heh.
- Good night, Mrs. Blake. - Good night.
If you ever are down around 81, drop in and see me.
- And have a little nip, if you like, huh? - Good night.
Eddie, let me have the key, will you?
Have you ever seen that before, Judith?
- No, sir. - You're quite certain?
Yes, sir.
There were four keys in Kennard's pockets when his body was examined.
We've accounted for the others, but there's no lock that that would fit.
It might be for a strongbox. Did you seen one in the joint?
- No. - Where did he keep his private papers?
In the top drawer of his desk. I found a diary there once.
- A diary? - Yes, sir.
- When was this? - About eight months ago.
- Did you read any of it? - No, I didn't have a chance.
I was opening it when Larry came and he snatched it out of my hand.
We had a dreadful quarrel about it.
- Had you ever seen it before? - No, sir.
- Ever see it again? - No, sir.
Larry said he destroyed it.
Tsk. I wish you'd told me this before.
Well, I'm sorry, Mr. Prentice.
- I hadn't thought about it. - Hmm.
Say, Eddie, suppose you hop over to Robinson's...
...and make enlargements of those photographs...
...of Kennard's room, will you? - Right. Let me out of here, will you?
Tell him I want big ones to bring out all the details of the furniture.
Right.
JOHN: Chances are he made entries in it every day...
...he'd certainly wanna have it someplace where you had easy access to it.
Well, I think that eliminates that.
We come to this bronze group...
...and I want you boys to take a special peek at that.
I kept that for the last because I've got a funny hunch about that base.
- Who got that piece? - His cousin in Newark.
The same one who got the bedroom furniture.
I don't care how you do it, Ed, but you get your hands on it.
Right. We got one, but every time I go on a binge, my wife tosses it.
- Funny how they go for foreign objects. - You know what you're looking for.
Look, examine it carefully for a small lock.
Probably concealed. And sound that base.
If it sounds hollow or if you find the lock, you get it to me fast.
- Right. - All right, hop to it.
Remember, the case goes to the jury in 48 hours.
[GIGGLES]
Good morning, Evelyn.
Good morning, Amy.
I'm going to court, Amy.
Am I gonna have to rope and tie you?
Read this.
But you know how often the papers have guessed wrong on John's cases.
I can't take any chances with this.
So help me, Evelyn. In your case, I...
I'd think of Dorothy.
I know.
I'm going crazy thinking about that...
...but I should have thought of Dorothy sooner.
- But, Evelyn, you... - Amy, please, don't go on about it.
I've gone over it and around it...
...and there's only one thing that's clear.
That girl.
Will you go with me?
Okay.
MAN: Something I can do for you, please?
Yeah, was looking at this bronze animal with the wooden base.
[KNOCKS ON WOOD]
I see you got good taste. This comes out from a very fashionable 5th Avenue home.
- Is that so? - Genuine bronze and teak wood.
- You sure it's teak wood? - Absolutely guaranteed.
- It's not very heavy. - You know, teak wood isn't so heavy.
I wouldn't tell you it was genuine if I... What's the matter? Something wrong?
No, I just thought it was broken but it's okay.
Broken? I don't sell broken things in my store.
But please, why are you so particular about the base?
Look at that piece.
- How much do you want for it? - Genuine bronze.
How much do you want for it?
I give you my word of honor it cost me...
I'll take it.
And so, gentlemen of the jury...
...faced with such overwhelming evidence against him...
...the esteemed counsel for the defense...
...baffled and in despair, discarded the whys and wherefores...
...of legal jurisprudence and turned inventor.
He invented a character, which he calls the other woman.
As far as the state is concerned...
...Mr. Prentice has sole copyright to that invention.
There is no other woman, gentlemen.
There never has been another woman.
Judith Wilson killed Lawrence Kennard.
Judith Wilson and Kennard have frequently quarreled.
On several occasions, as witnesses have testified...
...in a jealous rage, she had threatened his life.
When discovered in Kennard's flat, evening of October 9th...
...the defendant was standing over the body of the murdered man...
...the man whose life she had threatened.
The weapon of death in her hand.
Is this not conclusive evidence?
Yet counsel for the defense...
...calmly asks you to ignore these circumstances...
...and swallow a fairy story...
...about some other woman.
There were no fingerprints on the door through which this other woman...
...had to make an exit from Kennard's flat.
But there were fingerprints on the gun.
They were those of Judith Wilson.
She killed Lawrence Kennard.
Evelyn, you're trembling.
I repeat, Judith Wilson killed Lawrence Kennard.
Why does he keep saying that...
...over and over? AMY: Shh.
FARLEY: There are certain laws, gentlemen...
...that have been laid down since the beginning of civilization.
On these laws, society depends for its very existence.
A child in his teens is taught the meaning of "Thou shalt not kill."
But the law of the state, our law, goes further.
It says, "If you take a life, the state shall in turn take yours."
The state demands the life of Judith Wilson.
FARLEY: She killed... - No!
[CROWD MURMURING]
Don't.
You mustn't say that again.
She didn't kill him.
Please don't say that again.
What is the meaning of this interruption?
Who are you?
Mrs. John Prentice.
Your Honor, I object to this interruption.
Mrs. Prentice, will you tell this court...
...upon what facts you base your statement?
Your Honor, I object.
This procedure is entirely out of order.
Your objection is overruled, Mr. Prentice.
- Answer the question, please. - I object, Your Honor.
JOHN: Mrs. Prentice is not on trial.
Please, Mr. Prentice.
I repeat. Will you tell this court upon what facts you base your statement?
JOHN: If the court please... - I killed him.
[EXCITED CHATTER]
[GAVEL BANGS]
Silence.
Do you wish to testify in this case?
- Yes. - Your Honor, I agree with Mr. Prentice.
This procedure is entirely out of order.
Judith Wilson is on trial here.
And I object to this hysterical outburst before the jury.
Your Honor, I'd like a recess before we proceed any further.
Your request for a recess is denied.
Mrs. Prentice's declaration is a confession of murder.
But, Your Honor...
...it's the duty of this court to advise Mrs. Prentice...
...of her constitutional rights.
That is correct, Mr. Prentice.
JOHN: So before Mrs. Prentice testifies, she's entitled to advice of counsel.
I don't want counsel. I just want to tell everything.
I can't keep silent any longer.
I know I'm going to hurt you...
...and Dorothy.
Swear in the witness.
Swear that the testimony you are about to give in the court...
...shall be the truth, whole truth, nothing but the truth, so help you God?
- I do. - Be seated, please.
Mrs. Prentice, you...?
You knew Lawrence Kennard?
Yes.
JUDGE: When did you last see him?
In his apartment.
- When? - October 9th.
Will you please tell this court, in your own words...
...what you know about this case?
I had written some letters.
There was nothing wrong...
...but they might have been misinterpreted.
He wouldn't return them to me.
He wanted money.
He threatened to show them to my husband.
Go on.
There was a gun lying in an open drawer.
I picked it up.
I didn't intend to use it.
I only meant to frighten him into giving me back the letters.
He'd been drinking.
He struck me.
I fell back...
...my elbow hit the wall and the gun went off accidentally.
Accidentally?
Yes.
JUDGE: Then, what happened?
He fell.
I heard someone in the kitchen.
I was frightened.
I threw the gun on the chair...
...and ran out into the hall.
Mr. District Attorney, do you wish to ask any questions?
No, Your Honor.
If the court please, I move for the dismissal of the case...
...of The People vs. Judith Wilson.
I object, Your Honor.
I wanna examine the witness.
Motion for dismissal denied.
Proceed, Mr. Prentice.
You've just testified that the shot that killed Kennard...
...was fired accidentally.
Is that right?
Yes.
You're quite sure of that?
Yes.
He struck you...
...and as you fell back, your arm hit the wall and the gun went off.
Is that how it happened?
Yes.
Well, then, there was only one shot fired?
There was only one shot.
Did you notice any blood or wound on Kennard as he was lying there?
No.
Did you examine him to see if he was still breathing?
No.
No, I...
I heard someone in the kitchen.
I was frightened...
...and I ran out into the hall.
Did you pass anyone on the way out?
No.
Neither in the hall nor on the stairs?
Nobody.
You're quite certain of that?
Yes.
And you're sure that there was only one shot fired?
There was only one shot.
That's all.
I'd like to recall Miss Wilson to the stand.
JUDGE: Very well.
Will you please take the stand, Miss Wilson?
Miss Wilson, if you will recall...
...evidence has shown that after Kennard was murdered...
...these two bullets were found.
One in his body, the other embedded in a wall of his apartment.
Yes, sir.
So we know that two shots must have been fired.
Yes.
In your previous testimony, you said that you heard both those shots.
- Is that right? - Yes.
Yet Mrs. Prentice, admitting that she killed Kennard...
...has just testified that only one shot was fired.
Well, perhaps I was mistaken.
But before, you were sure.
I don't remember.
I was so frightened, so confused.
Perhaps I heard only one shot.
Suppose I refresh your memory...
...on a few points of your previous testimony.
You said that as you were about to enter the kitchen...
...you heard two shots fired.
That you rushed into the kitchen...
...flung open the door into the living room and saw Kennard lying there.
Is that right?
That's right.
That you knelt down beside him, saw that he was dead...
...picked up the gun and that at that moment...
...the grocery boy came in and saw you. Is that right?
Yes.
Well, if Mrs. Prentice went out just as you came in...
...and the grocery boy arrived only a moment later...
...I don't quite see how Mrs. Prentice avoided meeting the grocery boy...
...either in the hall or on the stairs.
Yet both Mrs. Prentice and the boy have testified that they passed no one.
Can you explain that?
Well, I...
I may have stopped in the kitchen for a few minutes.
For what?
I don't remember.
Get a drink of water or something.
I see.
In spite of the fact that you had just heard a gun fired...
...you stopped to get a drink of water.
Judith Wilson, you've been on trial in this court for your life.
All these weeks, I've been your friend and your counsel.
I've labored and I've struggled to prepare a defense for you...
...that would send you out of here a free woman.
I believed in your innocence and I believed in you.
But you've betrayed my friendship and you betrayed my trust.
You lied to me and you lied to this court.
Now, I want you to tell the truth.
I want to know what really happened...
...between the time you came up those stairs...
...and the time the grocery boy found you.
Shall I tell?
No.
No, I'll tell.
I'll tell everything.
As I came up the stairs, I heard a shot.
One shot.
I rushed into the kitchen, threw the door open into the other room.
And I saw Larry lying on the floor.
I couldn't move for a moment.
As I stood there staring at him...
...he stirred a little and I saw that he was still alive.
As I started over to him, he straightened up and got to his feet.
He was a little dazed.
He'd hit his head when he fell.
I asked him if he was hurt.
He said, "No, she didn't hurt me."
So then I knew it was a woman, someone he'd been making love to.
I asked him what she'd been doing there.
He became very brutal.
He'd been drinking.
He told me to mind my own business and get out...
...that he was through with me, tired of me.
And I saw this time that he meant it.
I pleaded with him.
I told him how much I loved him...
...what he'd done to my life, but he just laughed at me.
He told me to get out or he'd kick me out.
He took hold of me by the shoulders...
...and started pushing me toward the door.
He hurt me.
And then I...
I just went kind of crazy.
Before I knew what I was doing, I broke away from him.
I ran over and picked up the gun.
I told him he'd never live to treat another woman...
...the way he treated me and I shot him.
He fell to the floor...
...and I was kneeling beside him with the gun still in my hand.
Then the grocery boy came in with the things.
[JUDITH SOBBING]
This girl's story pleads more eloquently in her defense than anything I can say.
She was clean and decent and honest.
She met Kennard...
...and he destroyed her just as thoroughly...
...as if he had put that bullet into her brain.
What she and other women must have suffered at his hands...
...we can only guess.
But that guess alone is enough to make our spines crawl.
How can we feel anything but pity and warm compassion for that girl?
Kennard was a loathsome parasite.
He'd lived on women.
He was violently threatening this girl when she shot him.
She had every reason to believe that he was about to do her physical injury.
She shot him in self-defense.
Gentlemen...
...it is Kennard and his kind of vermin...
...upon whom you are sitting in judgment.
He died as he deserved to die.
His death was an act of high justice.
And I ask you, gentlemen...
...in the name of that same high justice to find him guilty...
...by declaring Judith Wilson not guilty.
MAN: Special extra. Read all about it.
[HORN SOUNDS]
Judith Wilson acquitted. Extra!
Extra! Read all about it.
Judith Wilson acquitted. Extra!
Get your paper, read all about it!
How could I, Amy, destroy everything like this?
I don't believe he'll let you go. I don't believe it.
Oh, he has to. How could he think of me?
For nothing at all, absolutely nothing, I've smashed all this to pieces.
Wait, dear, please.
No, he'd have come home. Court was over hours ago.
Oh, Amy, what's she going to think through all the years?
[SOBBING]
What's the matter, Mommy? What are you crying for?
Oh, my darling, don't ever forget how much your mommy loves you.
[SOBS]
Hello, Daddy.
Hello, darling.
EVELYN: I only stayed until she was asleep...
...because I couldn't tell her.
What does Mommy mean, Daddy?
Do you remember you were in awful trouble once and Daddy fixed it?
Oh, do you mean when I broke the vase?
Yes, dear.
Did you break something, Mommy?
No, sweetie.
But tomorrow, we're getting on that big boat...
...and your mommy thinks you don't wanna go.
She doesn't want to leave you.
I do want to go, Mommy.
John, John, please listen.
Evelyn...
...the Judith Wilson case finished at 5:00.
Every phase of it.
I'll go with you, Mommy. I'll go.
Now, that's fine.
- Good night, Mommy and Daddy. - Good night, dear.
Don't cry, Mommy.
I love you better than school or anything. Don't I, Daddy?
Of course you do and so do I.
Go to sleep, dear.
And you ask God to let you grow up to be a brave woman like your mommy.
[ENGLISH SDH]