TOHO CO., LTD.
STRAY DOG
Produced by SOJlRO MOTOGl
Screenplay by AKlRA KUROSAWA, RYUZO KlKUSHlMA
Cinematography ASAKAZU NAKAl
Music by FUMlO HAYASAKA
Cast:
TOSHlRO MlFUNE TAKASHl SHlMURA
KElKO AWAJl, ElKO MlYOSHl NORlKO SENGOKU, FUMlKO HONMA
Directed by AKlRA KUROSAWA
It was an unbearably hot day.
Someone stole your gun?
Yes, I have no excuse.
POLlCE HEADQUARTERS HOMlClDE
The pistol had been lifted off of Murakami, a rookie in Homicide.
How many bullets were in the gun?
All seven, sir.
A Colt?
The stolen piece was a compact Colt revolver,
pinched right after firing practice.
How'd you do?
No good. I was up all night on a stakeout.
- Missed every shot? - No, one bull's-eye in a stump.
Get home and rest those bloodshot eyes.
Actually, everything looks yellow.
- I'm off, then. - Right, bye.
Murakami was beat.
And then there was that awful heat.
On the bus, the air was so thick, he felt woozy.
A wailing infant shook with tears,
and the woman beside him reeked with the stink of cheap perfume.
Sir, I 'll accept any punishment you give me.
Sir...
Will you cut all that "sir" crap? This isn't the army.
Yes. Lieutenant, sir, what am I supposed to do?
Supposed to do? Well, you can't just stand there while we decide.
I'd check with the pickpocket experts. Might as well go to the source.
LARCENY
Well, that was rotten luck.
So, they gonna sack you?
Yes, probably.
You're under...
Lt. Nakajima.
Oh, man. He must've raked you over the coals.
He looks like he'll rip you apart, but he's cooler than you'd think.
He's not enough of a stickler to dump you.
Take a seat.
So I hear you got a look at the pickpocket's face?
Go over to Evidence, where they got mugs on everyone with a record.
Give 'em an age range
and tell 'em he's "a rider," vehicles are his stock in trade.
What else?
We break 'em down by age, sex, methods, type of goods --- that's about it.
Any luck?
He's not so bad,
your lieutenant. Called me and asked me to look out for you.
What's the problem?
I don't see him here.
But you know,
pickpockets sometimes work in pairs,
passing the goods off to a partner.
Remember any other suspicious characters on the bus?
Well, there was a middle-aged lady in a dress next to me.
On which side of you? This side?
Yes, my right. On the side where I carry my pistol.
Sounds fishy to me.
We got some famous light-fingered ladies, too.
Say, show me the women's file.
Boy, do these faces ever bring back memories.
Say, this train pickpocket just kicked the bucket.
Is that so?
Hey. This is the one.
You mean her?
It was definitely her.
But you said she had on a dress.
That's strange. Ogin's always been known by her kimonos.
And way off her turf.
I'm sure. She had a perm and stank of perfume.
A perm, Ogin? Times sure have changed.
Get me her record.
No need. I know her down to the moles on her back.
But she's always gone after cash. Why'd she want a piece?
Must've hit the skids.
Where is she?
I know her haunts, but she'll never confess.
I'll manage.
Manage, huh?
Let me see her.
See her, huh?
The boss must be out flat in this heat.
After all, he's 78 years old.
Will she come?
Ogin? Oh, yeah, shows up every day like clockwork.
She's the type that's conscientious about petty stuff.
She's been a regular here since the boom years.
What's wrong?
A story on a stolen pistol.
A homicide detective shocked by a stolen gun?
No, I just wondered if it might be mine.
Hey, long time no see.
Oh, it's you, lchikawa-san. I figured you'd kicked the bucket.
That's a helluva welcome.
Better than some.
What's better?
The way you look in a dress. My associate here said
you'd taken up dresses, so I had to see for myself.
You know this guy, don't you?
Who knows? At my age, I've stopped noticing handsome young men.
You're slippery as the eels on the menu here.
Why say that? I've got nothing to hide.
You sure? Didn't you pull a terrible misdeed on the bus?
Give me back my pistol. I'll leave you out of the rest.
What's that supposed to mean? Don't go accusing me.
Please, I just need to get it back.
Just give me a clue.
Help him out. The guy's just a greenhorn.
Listen, mess with a rookie and you'll be sorry later.
I don't know. You're violating my civil rights.
Awful stylish language, there.
- I can do better than that. - Like what?
Bye-bye.
She's a dead end.
No, she's not.
But...
Then I'll tail her until she comes clean.
Thank you so much.
Watch the buildings with two exits.
Man, you're a pain. Give it a rest.
Not until you talk.
And my civil rights?
I'm just on a stroll.
Suit yourself, then.
Please, just give me a hint.
What time is it?
That was the 1 1 :30 train.
That kid still hanging around?
Sure is.
I told him to come in, or the mosquitoes would get him.
He said he's not drinking, so he'd stay outside.
It's rare for a young man these days.
I don't know what's up, but why don't you go talk to him?
Gimme a beer.
Haven't you had enough?
It's not for me.
Come and get this. You must be starving. Eat up.
Come and get it.
So, you win.
Eat up. The beer's nice and cold, too.
- That's not what l... - I know.
I told you, you win.
We're not playing "What's My Line?" Just a hint, okay?
- Check the pistol dealers. - Pistol dealers?
Man, are you green.
Places that unload guns.
They buy, sell and even rent 'em. Nasty business.
Where are they?
Wouldn't know.
But I've heard if you wander the alleys downtown looking desperate,
the scouts will come and tug at your sleeves.
Isn't it time you let me off the hook?
What an awful rotten day.
No one from Homicide ever tailed me before. Day and night.
I'm beat.
Look, how pretty that is.
In the last 20 years, I've completely forgotten
how wonderful the stars are.
Can you take care of me?
- Can you afford it? - Sure.
It's loaded. It'll cost.
- How many rounds? - Huh?
- How much? - Short term...
You want a girl, right?
No, this racket.
Not my game.
Liar. My guys told me about you.
Get out of here. I'll sick the cops on you.
Too tired to get mad?
You're in pretty good shape to be so down and out.
You need a piece?
Don't act dumb.
I'm asking you if you want a gun.
How much?
You're broke, so drop the cool act.
Your rice card.
Rice card? You mean my ration card?
- If you don't even have that, no deal. - I've got it.
Come to the Café Conga on Suzuran Boulevard at 9:00.
Talk to the bitch with the white flower.
Ration card.
Right.
- What the hell! - Police.
I'm from Headquarters. Can I question her in the back?
It's awful hot in there.
The roof's tin. Even at night, it's like roasting in an oven.
Is this the only kind of gun you handle?
Any old pistol works in this racket.
Handled any Colts lately?
What's a Colt?
It's about this big.
Like this.
I loaned one out yesterday.
Where and when are you supposed to get it back?
Shut up. I was supposed to get it back tonight, where I met you.
I ran by him at the door when you took off after me.
Boy, was he shocked.
Hey, that means you've still got his ration card. Show me.
Man, you're a real amateur.
We hit 'em up for our share when they bring the gun back.
This business is all about taking 'em for everything we can.
After all, we're dealing with crooks. Tough customers.
Hardly my game.
Meaning?
Remember the guy reading the paper behind you? He's my lookout.
He holds on to the guy's ration card.
No use panicking. They've all flown the coop by now.
Get it together, man. Hurry up and take me in already.
It's so damned hot in here, I'll roast to death.
No big deal, anyway.
Why are you so desperate to get your Colt back?
You should have tried to grab
a pile of guns from that fence, not just your Colt.
Shouldn't have brought her in.
But, sir...
I know how you feel. But there's no proof she ever even had your Colt.
There's more than one Colt in the world.
There was an assault and robbery last night.
They took a bullet out of the victim's elbow.
It's over in Evidence now. It came from a Colt.
Cut it out. No point imagining the worst.
Homicide detectives can't afford to be so sensitive.
You look awful thin. Been pounding the pavement?
Well, better to suffer while you're young.
It's official. - What?
You'll work three months at half pay.
And how about taking the day off?
EVlDENCE --- WEAPONS
Yes?
Who examined that Colt bullet?
Oh, I did.
There's no record of a bullet from this Colt.
Unless there's a match, bullets never help us crack cases.
Just like a fingerprint, the spiral marks on the surface...
What is it?
I misfired over here once.
Hmm. So?
Same type of bullet.
Please compare it.
Where'd you find it?
Please.
Congratulations.
It's from the same Colt.
Excellent police work.
Have a look for yourself.
Thank you.
LETTER OF RESlGNATlON
You're taking responsibility?
There's no excuse.
Bad luck either makes a man or destroys him.
Are you gonna let it destroy you?
Depending how you take it, bad luck can be a big break.
Why not get yourself put on this case?
Officer Abe's representing Homicide on this one.
Like to join him? - Yes.
Sato's with the precinct. Great cop. Used to be with Homicide.
I'll call him and get you on the team.
And before you go... that pistol dealer's moll you brought in.
Why not talk to her again?
She may know something.
I'm on my way.
- Number 1 8, please. - She's out.
- Out? - A precinct cop took her in.
- Precinct cop? - Yes. Room 4.
Thank you.
Excuse me.
I'm Murakami, Homicide.
That's the guy who booked me.
I'm Sato.
What? Oh, Sato-san.
What is it?
They've put me on that new case of yours.
I just got orders to work with you.
I'll need your advice.
Looking forward to it.
About the Colt this woman handled?
Yeah, Abe filled me in on it.
Besides, it's the rare thief that packs a Colt.
This guy you loaned the Colt to, what's he like?
What's he like? Let's see...
He had a winter jacket, even in this heat. - Black?
- How did you know? - He's also a lefty.
Yeah? Is that right?
Well, you can think it over while you're smoking.
Hey, I remember. He lit a match with his left hand.
I remember he was shaking bad.
I said, "You're not gonna blow your brains out with that pistol?"
What's the guy's name?
- How would I know? - Liar. You saw his ration card.
Sure I did. But it was pretty hard to make out the letters.
I always hated school.
And who's got the ration card?
His name?
- Dunno. - It's Kimura, right?
No, it isn't.
Who is it, then?
Guess you're protecting your boyfriend.
- I am not. - Liar.
- I'm not lying! - When they protect 'em like this,
you can be sure they're an item.
- Name's Honda. - Okay, spill it all while you're at it.
I'll help myself to another one.
Honda's digs?
I wouldn't know.
I really don't know.
He's just stringing me along. He'd never tell me.
Where's he hang out, then?
I don't know.
I remember.
I've heard he's keen on baseball. I bet he goes to the stadium.
Does he have a record?
Yup.
He was bragging how he did time for half-killing a woman.
- When was that? - Who knows.
All right.
C'mon, wait till I've finished my smoke.
Shoot. You get what you need and you're gone.
Go see what you can turn up on Honda.
It may just be an alias, but it'll get you started.
And where are you going?
Well.
What's the coolest place around?
Sato-san.
I found it. His real name's Tachibana.
Get a bunch of copies of this photo. Then a warrant.
I don't know anything about the location or the investigation.
Your arresting her was a big break. We're nearly done.
We pick up Honda, get the ration card, and put out an APB. It's got to be him.
A black winter jacket.
A Colt.
Which he clutched in his left hand.
A hand that was shaking
Iike a leaf.
'Cause he panicked and shot it off for no reason.
Just your typical case of an amateur running amok,
although the consequences for the victims are severe.
A young woman?
Yeah, he got 40,000 yen off of her.
Three years' worth of savings. Her whole dowry.
Got to work another three, four years.
By then, she won't be young anymore.
Groom's waited 1 0 years, counting the war.
The injury's nothing. Just wants her money back.
That terrible gun.
What is it?
What's wrong?
The Colt, it was mine.
Someone stole it from me.
If only I hadn't screwed up.
If it wasn't a Colt, it'd have been a Browning.
I have an awful feeling something worse will happen.
We're all set.
The hawkers have his picture.
Well done.
Quite a game, huh?
Not again.
It's just that something's bothering me.
What's that?
What?
That night, the perp came back to return the gun.
But there I was, busting that woman.
He must have thought I got his card, too.
Maybe that's why he went out and robbed and shot that girl.
Hey, there now.
Is the perpetrator your responsibility?
No, but I checked. There were no armed assaults the night before.
I mean, he'd gotten hold of the gun, then had second thoughts.
And he wanted to return it, but then...
So what?
Instead of brooding, prevent the next incident.
He stole 40,000 yen. He's bound to run through it pretty fast.
And what happens when he runs out of dough?
He'll rob again. Once does not a habit make, but the second time,
a stray becomes a rabid dog. Am I wrong?
No.
We'll put everything we've got into grabbing Honda.
He'll turn up today. No baseball fan would miss this game.
Thank you for your patience.
The Giants vs. the Hawks.
And the lineup is...
How many people we got here?
- 50,000 they say. - One of 50,000, huh?
How 'bout some ice pops? Sweet popsicles.
Popsicles here.
We'll take two.
Twenty yen, please.
Play ball!
Popsicles. Anyone want a popsicle?
Gimme a popsicle.
Hey, hey.
Sorry, I'm all out.
Then why push 'em?
- Now, the hard part. - I'll get him.
Don't you see anything but Honda?
We can't put this crowd at risk.
We have to assume he's armed. And a bullet's nothing like a foul ball.
Got to get him away from the crowd.
But how?
We mull it over. We've got five innings to go.
Kawakami's coming up to bat.
Time for the seventh-inning stretch.