Your pal just drove into town, Mr. McCarthy.
I'll have one more, Toybo.
I'm afraid I'll have to pay my bar bill tomorrow.
- You're good with me, Mr. McCarthy. - Thank you, Toybo.
- Good night, Toybo. - Good night, Mr. McCarthy.
Operator.
Operator, I want...
...489 Thunder Bay. I want to speak to Mrs. Manion.
M-A-N-I-O-N.
This is Paul Biegler speaking. Iron City 700.
- Will they know when she'll be there? - No, they don't.
I see. You just leave a message. Tell her to call this number.
- What do you say there, Counsellor? - Save your money.
- What's in the brown paper bag? - It might be a cabbage head.
But it wouldn't be.
You're a very suspicious man.
True.
I'm everlastingly suspicious of...
...andlor fascinated by...
...the contents of brown paper bags.
- Can I sneak a peek? - You do that, Counsellor.
You do that.
After you sneak a peek, why, you uncork whatever you find.
Shall I pour?
- Your privilege. - My pleasure, sir.
You fought this soldier by yourself. You've been drinking alone, Pauly.
I don't like that.
Drop the stone, Counsellor. You live in a glass house.
My windows were busted a long time ago, so I can say as I please.
- Have an Italian cigar? - No, thanks.
Those stinkweeds are another sign of your decadence.
Pauly, it's a fact.
Since Mitch Lodwick beat you out of the office of public prosecutor...
...you haven't been worth salt for peanuts. Not that I don't understand how you feel.
A man who gets beat out of an office he's held for a long time...
...feels his community has deserted him. The finger of scorn is pointed at him.
None but the lonely hearts shall know my anguish.
Pauly, you are a good lawyer. You ought to make like one.
Be here ready for clients, not fishing...
...and playing that rooty-tooty jazz.
I'm making a living.
I run a few abstracts and divorce Jane Doe from John Doe every once in a while.
Threaten a few deadbeats. And in the evening I sit around...
...and drink bourbon whiskey and read law with Parnell Emmitt McCarthy.
One of the world's great men.
That was a kind word, Pauly. You know, I might have been.
That's one of the reasons I hate to see your talent pushed aside by lesser men.
I look at you and see myself years ago, with the same love for the smell...
...of the old brown books in a dusty office.
Here's a rose, a lily...
...a sweet lupine.
The United States Supreme Court Reports.
What shall we read this evening, Counsellor?
How about a little Chief Justice Holmes?
Restrain Chief Justice Holmes for a minute. I might have a client. Waiting for a call.
- Hello? - Mr. Biegler?
This is Paul Biegler speaking. Hello, Mrs. Manion?
- What? - Mr. Biegler?
I'm sorry I missed you. Did you get my message?
Who? What is that name?
Just a minute, please. We seem to have a bad connection.
It's a woman named Manion. Maida took a message from her.
In Thunder Bay? If she wants you to represent her husband, say yes.
- I don't know what it's all about. - Pretend you do and say yes.
- Hello? - Mr. Biegler?
This is much better now. Yes, I can hear you fine.
I waited for your call all afternoon.
Yes, well, I just got in a few moments ago.
You've read about my husband? Muffy, please.
Yes.
Mr. Biegler, have you read about my husband?
Yes, I have. A little.
Will you defend him?
I don't know. I'd have to know more about it.
Will you talk to him?
He's in the county jail. Will you see him in the morning?
He's very anxious to see you. You've been so highly recommended.
I have?
Yes, someone told him about you. Will you see him?
I suppose I could. I'll see him tomorrow morning.
- Would you want me there, too? - I think that would be fine.
Let's make it about 10:00.
- Thank you so much. - You're quite welcome.
What's this all about?
A man named Barney Quill raped Mrs. Manion.
Her husband is a lieutenant in the Army.
There's a base in Thunder Bay, gunnery or something.
The lieutenant goes to Quill's place and plugs Quill about five times...
...which causes Quill to die of lead poisoning.
- When? - A couple of nights ago.
If you hadn't been out fishing in some godforsaken place, you'd have known.
Good morning, Maida.
- There it is. - What?
The newspaper. I thought maybe they didn't bring it.
We haven't paid the bill. Did you get my note?
We may be in the case. I'm reading up on it now...
...before talking to Lt. Manion.
Doesn't he ever go home?
You mean Parnell? We were up late last night.
Is that a fact?
I think maybe you'd better cancel all my appointments for today.
What appointments? People think you've migrated to the woods.
If this refrigerator gets more fish in it...
...it'll swim upstream and spawn all by itself.
May I have your attention for a moment, please?
Yeah.
I went over your cheque-book yesterday. I can't pay me my salary.
What happened to the fee for the Walkers' divorce?
Help salt a uranium mine or something?
I bought a few bare necessities.
Like a new outboard motor. I wish I could be classed as a necessity.
- Aren't you going to have any toast? - No.
I'll call you. Let you know how things are going.
Now, don't let him pay you off in Purple Hearts.
Those professional soldiers never have a dime.
I ought to know, I was married to one.
Pardon me. Are you Mrs. Manion?
- Hi. - I'm Paul Biegler.
- I'm Laura. - How do you do?
- This is Muff. - Hello, Muff.
The jail's right here.
You're tall!
- Hello, Pauly. - Hi, Sulo.
You wait here, Muffy.
- Good to see you. - How're you feeling?
Fine. I guess you've come for the soldier boy?
Yes. Do you think we could talk in the sheriff's office?
Sure, I'll bring him down.
Would you mind taking your glasses off, Mrs. Manion?
Gee-whiz. Barney Quill do that to you?
More than that. You should see. All over.
You can put them back on, if it's more comfortable for you.
This is Pauly Biegler. This is the bucko, Pauly.
- Lt. Manion? - Hello, there.
- Hi, Manny. - Hello, Laura.
I wonder if you could meet me down at my office about 2:00 p.m.
It's 305 West Barnham.
- Of course. - Fine.
- Is there anything I can get you, hon? - I'm all right, hon.
Right in here.
Wanted: The Big 10.
They got the 10 best-dressed dames, the 10 top teams, the 10 top tunes...
...and now the 10 most-wanted.
Don't knock it. That's the American dream.
Those boys made the grade.
You were the district attorney around here, weren't you?
Yes. Ten years.
What's your experience as a defence lawyer?
Not very much.
How do I know you can handle my case?
I guess you don't know. Shall we talk about it?
I suppose so.
Come on. Don't be so bored.
You know, it might very well be that no lawyer can "handle" your case...
...if you mean getting off scot-free.
You seem to be forgetting: Barney Quill raped my wife.
I have the unwritten law on my side.
The unwritten law is a myth.
There is no such thing as the unwritten law.
Anyone who commits murder on the theory it does exist...
...has bought himself room and board in the state penitentiary.
Maybe for life.
With that in mind, perhaps we can proceed with a few questions and answers that...
Can I borrow your lighter?
We can proceed with a few questions...
...that might be of some help in your defence.
But probably won't be.
That's a nice lighter.
- How old are you? - Twenty-eight.
- How long have you been in the service? - Since '50.
- Have you seen any action? - Korea.
- Do you have any decorations? - Plenty.
- Is this your first marriage? - No.
You're not on the witness stand.
You don't have to answer yes or no. Just give me the matrimonial rundown.
Is this necessary?
I'll be the judge of that.
My first wife divorced me. Charged cruelty.
Eating crackers in bed, you know, the usual stuff.
The truth was, she found another guy when I was in Korea.
I met Laura four years ago, in Georgia. We were married right after her divorce.
Did you know the husband?
He was in my outfit down there.
You mean you were buddies?
I'll withdraw the question. That's a little old-fashioned.
Have there been any children by or from any of these marriages?
- No. - Any present prospects?
Not unless Barney Quill started something.
What kind of a gun did you use on Quill?
War souvenir. Luger. The police have it now.
I suppose you've read the newspaper stories about your case?
Some of them.
- Are they substantially correct? - Yes.
And you didn't see Quill rape and beat your wife?
No. When she got back to the trailer, she told me what had happened.
How long was it before you went to Quill's and killed him?
I don't know exactly. Maybe an hour.
That long?
The newspapers say your wife volunteered to take a lie-detector test.
Know anything about this?
Only what I read and what she told me.
Do you know how the lie-detector test turned out?
- They didn't tell her. - Yes, Sulo?
Pauly, we got lunch served for the jail. Do you want to eat with us?
- Does your sister still cook for the jail? - Sure, she cooks.
You give her my compliments, Sulo. I've got a luncheon date downtown.
- Nice going... - I'll be back after lunch.
I'm sorry if I offended you a while ago.
No, you're not.
Come on, bucko.
Pass the salt, Pauly.
Thank you.
Did you give the lieutenant the well-known lecture?
If you mean, "Did I coach him into a phoney story?" No.
Maybe you're too pure, Paul. Too pure for the natural impurities of the law.
Could be that you owe the lieutenant a chance to find a defence.
You might guide him, show him the way and let him decide if he wants to take it.
- Want some salt? - No, I'm not ready.
I'm not the right lawyer for this fellow. He's insolent, hostile.
You don't have to love him, just defend him.
What's the matter, don't you need a fee?
You know something? I think you might be a little bit afraid.
- Afraid of what? - That you might get licked.
You know, there's only one thing more devious than a Philadelphia lawyer...
...and that's an Irish lawyer. Pass the salt.
Put it down!
- Hello, there. - I usually answer to the name Paul.
Are we gonna have some more jokes?
Not unless you want to be the comic.
- I brought you some cigarettes. - Thanks.
- Peace? - Sure.
Fine. Now, Lieutenant...
...there are four ways I can defend murder.
Number 1: It wasn't murder. It was suicide or accidental.
Number 2: You didn't do it. Number 3: You were legally justified.
Like protecting your home or self-defence.
Number 4: The killing was excusable.
Where do I fit into this rosy picture?
I'll tell you where you don't fit. You don't fit in any of the first three.
Why wouldn't I be legally justified in killing the man who raped my wife?
The time element.
If you'd caught him in the act, the shooting might be justified. But you didn't.
You had time to get the police. You didn't do that, either.
You're guilty of murder, premeditated and with vengeance.
That's first-degree murder in any court of law.
- So I should plead guilty? - When I advise you to cop out, you'll know.
- Cop out? - That's plead guilty and ask for mercy.
If you're not telling me to cop out, what are you telling me?
I'm not telling you to do anything.
I just want you to understand the letter of the law.
- Go on. - Go on with what?
Whatever it is you're getting at.
You're very bright.
Let's see how really bright you can be.
Well, I'm working at it.
Because your wife was raped, you'll have a favourable atmosphere in the courtroom.
The sympathy will be with you if all the facts are true.
What you need is a legal peg...
...so the jury can hang up their sympathy in your behalf.
- You follow me? - Yes.
What's your legal excuse, Lieutenant?
What's your legal excuse for killing Barney Quill?
Not justification, huh?
Not justification.
Excuse.
Just excuse, huh?
What excuses are there?
How should I know? You're the one that plugged Quill.
I must've been mad.
- How's that? - I said I must've been mad.
A bad temper's no excuse.
I mean, I must've been crazy.
Am I getting warmer?
Okay, Sulo. I'm going...
Am I getting warmer?
I'll tell you that after I've talked to your wife.
In the meantime, see if you can remember just how crazy you were.
Is Mrs. Manion here yet?
She's been waiting quite a while.
She's been through all your albums from Dixieland to Brubeck.
What do you think of her?
Soft, easy. The kind men like to take advantage of, and do.
Did you get any money?
- Huh? - Money.
I haven't decided to take the case yet. You surprise me, sometimes.
Why? I've been around.
Yeah, well...
- Hi. - Hi.
I hope you don't mind. I think we'd better talk.
You're a funny kind of a lawyer. The music, I mean.
Aren't lawyers supposed to like music?
Not that kind of music.
I guess that settles it. I'm a funny kind of a lawyer.
Where's your home, Mrs. Manion? Where'd you go to school?
Where did you grow up?
No place in particular. We moved around. My father was a boomer.
Construction boomer. Building dams mostly. Call me Laura.
- Is your family still alive, Laura? - No.
I have some cigarettes around here someplace.
- Want a cigarette? - No, I wanted to offer you one.
- You could light it for me. - Oh, yes.
Here.
That's just like your husband's, isn't it?
He gave me this because I liked the one he had. He's like that.
He gives me presents all the time.
You have a happy marriage?
Yes.
What went wrong with the first marriage?
What went wrong is when I went for Manny.
- That's honest enough. - It was more than just that.
Like I told you, I grew up on the move, and Jack, my first husband...
...didn't like to move.
He wouldn't even take a transfer.
I was really bored. Manny likes to go. We're always going.
Whenever we get the chance. We've been all over.
I'm thirsty.
Water? Or would a beer do?
I think a beer would do fine.
Bring me a bottle of beer, will you?
- Are you married? - No.
That's nice.
What do you do alone in this house if you aren't married?
It's a family home. I'm the last of the family...
- There you are. - Thank you.
- Aren't you having one? - No, not right now.
There you are.
Could Muff have a little? In that ashtray, maybe? He loves beer.
You want a beer for the dog?
Well, here we are.
He'll go to sleep now.
- Isn't he cute? - Yeah.
Well, how about it? Are you ready?
I mean, are you ready to tell me the story?
I know what you mean.
Suppose you tell me everything you told the state police...
...plus, everything you didn't tell the state police.
Where shall I begin?
What time did you leave for Quill's bar?
Right after dinner. About 8:30, I guess.
Manny was late getting home from the firing range. So, we had dinner.
He laid down and went to sleep.
I hadn't been out of the trailer all day, so I took Muff and a flashlight...
...and walked over to the bar.
I bought a drink and played the pinball machine.
Many people in the bar?
Not many. Barney came over and challenged me to a game. For drinks.
How well did you know Barney?
He owned this bar where Manny and I went sometimes, that's all.
- Had he ever made a pass at you? - No, nothing like that at all.
Was he drinking heavily that night?
He didn't seem to be. At least, not when we were playing pinball.
Were you with him the whole time you were there?
No, there were other people playing.
What time did you leave the bar?
About 11:00, I guess.
I left by the side door. Muff was carrying the flashlight.
He carries it in his mouth.
He's so cute, running along with the light shining.
Was he sober?
Muff? Of course he was sober. You're joking now, aren't you?
Yes, I'm joking. Go on.
Well, Barney came from somewhere, not the door I left by.
He said he was going my way and he could drive me home.
He said the bears were prowling around and I oughtn't to walk home.
The bears come out at night to scavenge.
They're harmless enough, aren't they?
I suppose I wouldn't have been afraid in the daylight, but...
...the dark isn't the same.
Yes, I know. Now, you got into Barney's car...
I got in and he drove to the trailer park.
He made overtures?
No, nothing.
When we got to the trailer park, the auto-gate was closed.
Mr. Lemon closes it about 11:00, or a little after.
I thanked Barney and started to get out of the car...
...but he said there wasn't any need for me to walk.
That he could drive me into the park on another road.
I didn't know there was another road, but he drove on...
...before I could say yes or no.
- Were you alarmed? - No, I'm not usually afraid of men.
And anyway, he hadn't touched me or even said anything out of the way.
Doesn't a woman sort of instinctively know when a fellow's on the make?
Sure, but that's only usual with me, with almost all men.
Ever since I was a kid. You, for instance. You're interested.
But there isn't any reason to be afraid of you. It was like that with Barney.
Mrs. Manion, believe me, I'm not in the least...
Call me Laura.
Laura, I'm only interested in helping your husband. Nothing more.
I don't mean you'd try anything.
I just mean, it's the way you look at me.
It would be very difficult not to look at you.
The way I dress, you mean? You don't like it?
I love it. I just love it.
We'd better keep moving along with this thing.
How were you dressed that night?
In a sweater, like this, and a skirt.
And the rest? What about that?
Underneath? I had on a slip and panties and a bra.
No girdle?
I don't need a girdle. Do you think I need a girdle?
I don't know. How should...
I'm only concerned with the few facts that might be of help to me...
...to defend your husband. That's all.
- Well, I don't wear one. - Okay, no girdle.
All right. Now, go on.
He turned off the highway into a lane in the woods, and he stopped the car...
...and turned off the lights.
And then he grabbed me and he said, "I'm gonna rape you." Just like that.
He used those words?
Exactly those words. Muff began to bark, so he threw him out the window.
I could hear little Muffy whining outside the car, all through it.
Barney began to try to get at me and I fought him off as best I could.
But he was terribly strong.
Did you cry out? Did you scream?
Didn't seem to be much use, out there in the woods.
He began to shout names at me like "army slut" and some other names.
Then, he drew back and hit me with his fist.
He hit me again and I didn't fight anymore.
I must've been only half-conscious...
...but I know that he tore my panties off and did what he wanted.
The newspapers said a doctor examined you...
...and he didn't think you'd been raped.
I don't care what the doctor thought, a woman doesn't mistake these things.
All right. Go ahead.
I don't know exactly what happened then, I must've fainted.
The next thing I remember, the car was moving.
Barney was driving very fast and he was breathing hard.
An ugly, gasping sound.
We were on the main road to the trailer park...
...and he swung in by the gate and stopped.
I opened the door to get out.
Muffy jumped out with a lighted flashlight in his mouth.
Wait a minute.
You said he'd thrown Muff out of the car, back in the woods.
He did, but he must've let him back in. I don't remember.
All right. You opened the door and Muff got out first.
Before I could get out, Barney grabbed me and said he was gonna...
...tear all my clothes off and attack me again.
I got away and ran.
I could see Muff at an opening in the fence.
He was scooting back and forth with the flashlight.
Barney caught me from behind and I fell to the ground.
He fell on top of me and began to beat me with his fists.
I thought he was gonna kill me.
I screamed and somehow I got to my feet again and ran.
I went through the opening in the fence, followed Muffy...
...who was running ahead with the flashlight.
I kept following the light until he led me to our trailer.
And you didn't see Barney again?
I never laid eyes on him again, dead or alive.
I think that's enough for now.
I've got lots of time. All you want.
Where can I reach you?
I'm still in Thunder Bay, but I can drive down again in the morning.
- Was there something else? - No.
- Thanks for letting me play the records. - You're very welcome.
- Who was that? - The lady in the case.
You're not gonna take the case?
I don't know. That depends on what Manion has to tell me tomorrow.
He's thinking things out.
That's more like it.
If I take the case, I'll want you in it.
Me? In a big murder case?
The sight of this whiskey-drinking old man at the counsel table would ruin you.
I need you.
You mean that?
Why else would he say it?
I'll be glad to work with you outside the courtroom, but not in the courtroom.
You suit yourself about that.
Either way, I'm gonna have to be able to depend on you.
Will you lay off the booze?
I don't know about that.
Why don't you know?
Do you think I could lay off the booze?
Have you ever tried it?
Try it.
I've never been in a big murder case. Not once in all my life.
Well, it's up to you, Parn.
Will you be around tonight?
Yeah, I'll be around.
Maida, darling, I might manage it.
I might manage to be a real lawyer again...
...for a little while, anyway.
I tried remembering. There were still some pieces missing.
I remember...
...going to Quill's bar with a gun.
And I remember Quill's face behind the bar...
...but I don't remember anything else. Not even going home.
Don't you remember firing the gun?
Five shots. That's a lot of noise to forget.
I remember hearing shots, but they don't seem connected with me.
They seemed far away, like somebody else was doing the shooting.
Lt. Manion, I'll take your case.
Thanks, Mr. Biegler.
There's the little matter of the fee.
$3,000. That's reasonable enough, isn't it?
More than reasonable.
I'll pay you later. I'm broke.
- You're what? - I'm flat busted.
I don't have $3, much less $3,000.
Can you raise it?
Yeah, as soon as I get out of jail.
Next week's payday, I'll be able to give you $150.
If you get me off, I'll give you a promissory note for the rest.
Suppose I don't go along with you unless you pay me half the fee?
I'll have to take a lawyer the court appoints. I got my defence now.
Right? Insanity?
I think I'll stick around and make damn sure you get off.
- Where do we start? - We're gonna need a psychiatrist.
As neither one of us has money...
...do you think the Army'll stir one up for you?
I know a colonel in the Pentagon. I'll write.
Good, do that. Sulo?
Where are you going now?
I'm going to see your wife, for one thing.
Why? Didn't you see her yesterday?
That's right, I did. She's a very pretty woman, your wife.
A man gets used to the way his wife looks.
Yeah, I guess he does. I'll see you.
Come on in, Pauly.
You haven't been in here since you vacated.
Hardly recognise the old place? Mary did it for me.
She just finished a decorator's course. Smart girl.
- Look at this, a real genuine Picasso print. - Very nice.
Try this chair. It sort of does things for you.
Here, sit right down.
Great, isn't it? "Good for the nerves," they say.
How do you shut it off?
Here we are. Feel better?
I feel all shook up.
I just dropped by to tell you I've got both feet in the Manion case.
- You're going to cop out, aren't you? - No.
That's a mistake. It's open and shut.
Maybe. We'll see.
Judge Maitland's in the hospital.
Maybe you'd like a continuance until he gets back.
If we go now, we'll have to try...
...before some grab-bag judge they'll send in.
- I'd rather have Maitland. - Yeah, so would I.
But, of course, that also means my client lies around in jail another two...
...or three months before the trial.
If you drop the charge down to manslaughter...
...so he can get out on bail, we'll agree to a continuance.
You wouldn't do that if you were still D.A.
I don't know, I might.
I might, since a big fat lie-detector test on his wife has given proof...
...to the rape story. The jury'll be with him.
How did you know what the lie...
- Bit, didn't I? - Yeah, you did.
A lie-detector test isn't admissible evidence.
You can't use it.
No, but it carries moral weight. I wouldn't sit in that chair too much.
It could shake a fellow's brains loose. I'll see you later.
He remembers you, Paul. He likes you.
He likes the beer in my icebox. What's the occasion today, a buffalo hunt?
No, I bought these in Arizona when we were stationed there.
Aren't they smart?
We can sit in my car.
Here you are.
Several things have occurred to me.
The undergarments that Barney Quill tore off:
Who has them now? The police?
You mean my panties?
All right, your panties.
I haven't seen them since.
I gave the torn skirt and sweater to the police.
Then I went with them into the woods to look for the panties...
...but we couldn't find anything but my glasses.
Your glasses!
You mean, you were wearing glasses through all that?
I had them in a case in my hand.
I wear them for reading, playing pinball, things like that.
I must've tried to get out of the car and dropped them.
You might be interested to know that your lie-detector test turned out...
...in your favour.
Of course it did. I could've told you it would.
You weren't worried about it?
No, why should I be?
Would you like to have something to worry about?
Silly.
Like your husband watching us from his cell window?
All right, let's have it.
Did he say something to you?
Just enough. Are you afraid of him?
Yes.
Is that why you volunteered for a lie-detector test? For him?
Yeah.
Does he have reason to be jealous?
He was jealous even before we were married.
I should've known how it would be.
It's funny, though. He likes to show me off.
He likes me to dress the way I do, and then he gets furious...
...if a man pays any attention to me. I've tried to leave him, but I can't.
He begs, I give in.
Now, if you think I've forgotten my question, I haven't.
I have.
Then I'll ask it again. Does your husband have any reason to be jealous?
No. Not once.
Not ever.
Like the place all right?
I was just looking at those pictures. That was Barney Quill, wasn't it?
- That's right. Barney Quill. - I'm Paul Biegler...
I know who you are. I've seen you around Iron City.
You didn't tell me your name.
Paquette. We don't open till 5:00.
That's all right. I can wait. I don't have the shakes yet.
You were on the job that night, weren't you?
The night Barney Quill was killed.
Like the newspaper said, I was present.
You were the fellow that stopped Lt. Manion outside.
That's right.
He pointed the gun at me and said, "You want some too, buster?"
And you said no, because your name isn't Buster.
Wasn't anything funny about it.
No, there wasn't anything... I'm sorry.
Where were you when Barney Quill was killed?
I gather you don't want to talk about that night?
That's right. I don't want to talk about it.
You'll have to talk to me about it in court, why not now?
'Cause I don't have to now. Reason enough, okay?
Okay.
Old Barney, he was kind of a rugged character, wasn't he?
Ex-prize fighter and muscleman, and fancy with guns.
He paid his debts, ran a clean place. Me, I liked him.
You run the place now?
No, I just work here. Mary's running things.
Mary? Was that Barney's wife?
No. He didn't have a wife. Mary was his manager.
I wonder who's going to inherit the place.
- Mary, I guess. - Mary again, huh?
What's the matter with that?
You mean, what's the matter with Mary? I don't know.
Mary what?
Pilant. Mary Pilant.
She's in the back booth.
We don't talk about our customers here, but if we did, which we don't...
That's her. That's Mary Pilant.
Do you know Lt. Manion's wife?
Sure. I know the lieutenant, too. He's a good officer.
She's all right, too. Friendly, a good kid.
- What do you know? Knock it off. - I didn't mean anything. She's a dish.
What's wrong with that?
You want this lawyer to get wrong ideas? What chances has the lieutenant got?
Pretty good, I'd say, with a couple of character witnesses like you.
I'd like to help him out, I sure would, but we're moving out.
The whole outfit. Berlin.
Tell me, who is this "babe" at the hotel?
Her name is Mary Pilant. She was Quill's private property.
- Would you like a table, sir? - Yes, please.
Will you be alone?
No, I'll be joined by two others.
- May I take your hat? - Thank you very much.
How was the manicure?
Ask me any questions about anybody. I've got all the dope.
Can you tell me about a woman by the name of Mary Pilant?
Easy. Mary Pilant may or may not have been...
...the mistress of the late B. Quill.
The manicurist is in favour of the mistress theory...
...but the hairdresser is against it.
However, they both agree that some kind of hanky-panky must've been going on.
To be continued.
- Menu? - Thank you.
- Pretty, huh? - Yes, very pretty. Well, go on.
There's one story that says that Barney's wild night with Mrs. Manion was...
...somehow triggered by Mary Pilant.
Seemed she'd been seeing some soldier and Barney blew his stack.
He got tanked up and exploded.
- Is Mary Pilant local? - No, she's a Canadian.
Barney brought her in to dress up the place...
...and she stayed on to manage it for him. Looks like she's done all right.
It's better than all right. She's in for the estate.
She doesn't look like a bad sort, does she?
Where?
What do you mean, "where"? The pretty one with the menus.
This girl, right here?
Miss Pilant, may I introduce myself?
I'm Paul Biegler, attorney for Lt. Manion.
This is Mrs. Rutledge and Mr. McCarthy, my associates.
Could you sit with us for a minute?
- Yes, I can take a minute. - Thank you.
I'd like to ask you a few things, if you don't mind.
What sort of things, Mr. Biegler?
Like, what kind of man your employer was?
A very nice man.
If that's true, how do you explain what happened with Lt. Manion's wife?
I don't know what happened with Lt. Manion's wife...
...so there isn't anything for me to explain.
Your loyalty to the dead Mr. Quill is very touching.
Barney was well-liked here by everyone, Mr. Biegler.
It's very generous to overlook his little faults, like raping other men's wives.
If you will pardon me.
The waitress will take your order when you're ready.
Nice to have met you, Mr. Biegler, Mr. McCarthy, Mrs. Rutledge.
You've just been ginned, Lieutenant.
Manion?
- Any word, Lieutenant? - Yeah, this. From Washington.
They'll let a doctor come to testify, but there's a string on it.
They want me to go to an army hospital in Detroit for an examination.
Doesn't the Army understand you're in jail on a non-bailable offence?
That's it, as far as the Army's concerned.
I don't know how I can get around this. I'll try to think of something.
My wife hasn't been here for two days.
- Have you seen her? - No. Not for a while.
- Where the hell is she? - You've got other things to worry about.
I'll get in touch with her and tell her you miss her.
Yeah, you tell her that.
- Thanks, Sulo. - Okay, Pauly.
I know just how you feel, Lieutenant.
I'd be tearing my hair out, too, if I had something like that outside.
Something like what outside?
You know what I mean. Something like that running around on the loose.
Now, what's the big noise, buckos?
It's me, dummy. I hit my elbow on this lousy iron bar.
You want some rubbing alcohol, maybe?
No, but a little bourbon might help.
Knock it off, buckos!
Let's finish the game, Lieutenant.
Hey, what a crazy lawyer we got! Hi, Pauly.
That's what they call you, isn't it? Pauly? That's a crazy name for a crazy lawyer.
- Thanks for letting me sit in, Pie-Eye. - You're not splitting the scene, man?
- I mean, you're not cutting out? - No, I'll be back.
Hi, Pauly. Fellas, this is Manny's lawyer.
- Sit down, won't you? - Sorry, I can't right now.
Mrs. Manion, may I talk to you for a moment outside?
Mrs. Manion? I thought we dropped the formalities a long time ago.
We'd better pick them up again. This is important.
- All right, I'll go with you. - All right, come on.
- You're coming back, aren't you? - Sure, what do you think?
- See you later, Pie-Eye. - Okay.
Did you get my phone message?
Yeah, but I got busy.
Why haven't you been to see your husband?
I don't see why I have to go every day.
It would be a very good idea if you did.
All right. I'll see him every day.
- Okay? - No, it's not okay.
- Where's your car? - I came with them.
- Mine's right over here. - Now wait, I got friends inside.
Friends or not, you're going home.
Who do you think you are?
I'm the lawyer trying to save your husband. Remember?
- What's that got to do with... - You listen to me!
Until this is over, you're going to be a meek little housewife...
...with horn-rimmed spectacles.
You're going to stay away from men, juke joints, booze and pinball machines.
You're gonna wear a skirt and low-heeled shoes.
And you're gonna wear a girdle. Especially a girdle.
Believe me. I don't usually complain of an attractive jiggle...
...but you save that jiggle for your husband to look at...
...if and when I get him out of jail. Now, come on. Let's go.
I'm sorry. I really am.
I wouldn't hurt Manny's chances for anything.
Come on.
Is this about where Barney knocked you down?
Yeah. Right over here.
Over there's the opening in the fence where Muffy...
...was running back and forth with the flashlight.
Where's your trailer?
Up there on the hill.
This is my favourite place.
Sometimes when Manny was sleeping, I'd come out here and just sit.
I had to get out of that trailer.
I couldn't stand being cooped up all the time.
I'm lonely, Paul. I'm awful lonely.
I wouldn't have gone to that roadhouse if it weren't for that.
Maybe you're getting in some good practise for being lonely.
You think maybe Manny won't get off?
That'll be up to the jury and you never can tell about them.
If he didn't, it'd be one way to end it.
No, I don't mean that.
I may think it sometimes, but I don't really want it.
Hello, sweetie. Did you miss me? Of course you missed me.
You want to come in, Paul? You can if you want to, you know.
No, thank you, Laura.
I'm sorry I had to spoil your fun over at that place.
- Good night, Laura. - Good night.
Hear ye, hear ye.
The Circuit Court for the County of Iron Cliffs is now in session.
You can be seated.
For those of you I haven't met, my name is Weaver.
I'm from downstate and I'm sitting temporarily...
...while your good Judge Maitland is recovering from a severe illness.
There's no need, I think, to dwell at length upon my methods.
One judge is quite like another.
The only differences may be in the state of their digestions...
...or their proclivities for sleeping on the bench.
For myself, I can digest pig iron...
...and while I might appear to doze occasionally, you'll find...
...that I'm easily awakened...
...particularly if shaken gently by a good lawyer...
...with a nice point of law.
We will now take up the criminal docket.
Case Number 1: The People versus Clarence Madigan.
Breaking and entering in the nighttime.
Will the defendant rise and come forward?
That's me, Your Honour.
"State of Michigan, Court of Iron Cliffs. I, Mitch Lodwick, prosecuting attorney...
"... come into said county and give the court to understand...
"... that Clarence Madigan, alias 'One-Shot Madigan,' alias 'Smoky Madigan'...
"... did enter the dwelling of Casper Katz...
"... and did there commit the felony of larceny on said premises."
Does Mr. Madigan have an attorney?
No. A man's got to have money to ask them fellows the time of day.
Mr. Madigan, if you're impoverished, it's my duty to appoint an attorney...
...on your behalf.
I wouldn't bother, Your Honour. I stole the whiskey. I'm guilty as hell.
It was a full case of expensive bourbon.
Did you sell this whiskey?
No. I drank it.
- All of it? - You bet, Judge.
Are you aware that it will be necessary to punish you for this crime?
It was worth it.
I'll accept your plea of guilty. You'll be sentenced later.
- You may now return to your place. - Thanks, Your Honour.
Case Number 2:
The People versus Frederick Manion. The charge: Murder.
Paul Biegler for the defendant. My formal appearance is already on file.
Which of these men is your client, Mr. Biegler?
None of them.
Mr. Sheriff, will you produce the prisoner?
I'm afraid I can't do that, Your Honour.
Perhaps someone should explain. I'm not clairvoyant.
The defendant is in Detroit being examined by a psychiatrist.
Shouldn't the court have been consulted...
...before the defendant was allowed to leave its jurisdiction?
We're dealing with the Army in this matter.
They only gave us one crack at one of their psychiatrists.
The court was not present and it was urgent...
...to get the defendant to the psychiatrist.
What does the attorney for the People say?
It was done with my knowledge, Your Honour.
I've always heard this Upper Peninsula of our fair state...
...was a queer place.
If it's customary here to allow a man charged with first-degree murder...
...to wander about at will, I don't suppose it behoves an outsider...
...to point out that the law makes no provision for such quaint liberalism.
The defendant is in the care of a deputy and will be returned this afternoon.
We'll formally arraign the defendant on his return.
For the sake of the docket, can you give me a clue as to his plea?
The defendant will waive reading of the information and stand mute.
A plea of not guilty will be entered.
The case of Frederick Manion will be placed first on the trial docket.
Can you hurry it up?
If the judge hears the prisoner was lounging at the railroad station...
...he'll really give it to me.
It'll just take a minute. Come over here.
Lieutenant, how did things turn out?
I was temporarily insane.
- Did he tell you that? - Yeah.
He said he'd write you a letter, but I took notes on my own.
- The doctor's name was Smith. - Smith?
Anatole Ludwig Smith or Ludwig von Smith, I hope.
- Name like that would impress the jury. - Just plain Matthew Smith.
He said when I shot Quill...
...I was suffering from "dissociative reaction."
Dissociative reaction. Sounds pretty good, doesn't it, Parn?
What does it mean in English?
It means I had an "irresistible impulse" to shoot Quill.
That's okay, isn't it?
Did he say you knew the difference...
...between right and wrong when you shot Quill?
I don't think he said anything about that. Is that important?
We'd better not keep the sheriff waiting. You'd better go.
You ever heard of a Michigan court accepting irresistible impulse as insanity?
No. Maybe we'd better switch to self-defence.
Even Mitch Lodwick would make a monkey out of us on that.
Damn strawberry soda.
- Here, do you want a peanut? - No, thanks.
Tomorrow is Saturday.
We just have the weekend before the trial.
When do we start working?
Tomorrow morning. Early.
- Pauly! - Hey, listen to this, Parn.
Never mind that. Just find:
"People versus Durfee, 62, Michigan, 486, year 1886."
That's it. I have it right here in the A.L.R. Listen.
"The right and wrong test, though deemed unscientific...
"... is adhered to by most of the states, but..." Listen to this.
"But, the fact that one accused of committing a crime...
"... may have been able to comprehend the nature...
"... and the consequences of this act...
"... and to know that it was wrong, nevertheless..."
Dear, sweet, endearing word, "nevertheless."
"Nevertheless, if he was forced to its execution by an impulse...
"... by an impulse, which he was powerless to control...
"... he will be excused from punishment."
Why, the Michigan Supreme Court did accept irresistible impulse, Parn.
This is precedent.
I think we got a hold of something here.
Good old Durfee, 1886. How about that? Give me a pad.
By the saints, this strawberry soda pop is beginning to taste like whiskey.
Don't get drunk yet. We've got to convince a jury...
...that our client was irresistibly impulsed.
Remember that.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury.
Before we proceed, it will be necessary for me to examine you...
...on your qualifications to sit as jurors.
Please remember that you are under oath.
Are all of you citizens?
Will you please raise your hand if you are not?
Are there any justices of the peace or law enforcement officers among you?
No.
Are any of you related by blood or marriage to a law enforcement officer?
No.
So much for qualifications. I will now examine for cause.
Does anyone have business pending with the prosecuting attorney, Mitch Lodwick?
No.
Does anyone have business pending with Paul Biegler, attorney for the defence?
No.
Is anyone acquainted with the defendant...
...seated there on Mr. Biegler's left?
Will the defendant's wife please stand?
- Do any of you know Mrs. Manion? - No.
Thank you, Mrs. Manion. You may be seated.
Counsel may challenge the jury for cause.
Before counsel's challenge, may I introduce Mr. Claude Dancer to the court?
Mr. Dancer is an assistant attorney general from Lansing.
Because of the peculiar nature of this case...
...I asked the attorney general for Mr. Dancer to sit with the prosecution.
Your reputation precedes you, Mr. Dancer.
- It's a privilege to have you in my court. - I'm sure it'll be instructive.
Do any of you have any business pending before the attorney general's office?
No.
I must apologise for my disparaging remarks...
...about the Upper Peninsula and its customs.
I've seldom seen a murder jury selected and sworn in less than half a day.
You've won my heart completely.
Mr. Dancer, you asked for the recess. What's your problem?
There was a little suggestion I wanted to make.
By all means.
Since the defence plea is insanity, the prosecution has retained a psychiatrist.
By statute, we have the right to request a mental examination by our own doctor.
Are you familiar with that statute, Mr. Biegler?
Moderately.
It would only delay things to file a formal petition...
...so why don't we informally agree...
...to ask for an adjournment? Only a day or so...
...and our doctor can see the defendant. It would save a great deal of time.
- Yes, I'm sure it will. - Good.
But, suppose you just go ahead and file that formal petition anyway?
You're a little late, but maybe His Honour will overlook that.
I'd sort of like the jury to see that you think our insanity plea has some merit.
There's no need for our doctor to examine your client.
- I was only following the usual procedure. - I'm all for it.
Do you wish to file the petition?
- Yes... - It won't be necessary.
It won't be necessary.
Skirmish over. Shall we join now on the field of battle?
The body of Quill had sustained five gunshot wounds.
One of the bullets had passed through the heart.
Death, in my opinion, was almost instantaneous...
...and was directly caused by this wound.
Dr. Raschid, may I have your detailed report?
Certainly.
I ask that this report be marked "People's Exhibit 1" for identification.
So received and marked.
The People hand the defence a copy of the report.
Counsel may cross-examine.
Dr. Raschid, your primary purpose was to ascertain the cause of death, was it not?
Yes.
Yet I read in your report...
...you checked to determine if spermatogenesis was occurring...
...in the body at the time of death.
Objection, Your Honour!
The People call this witness only to show the cause of death.
Your Honour, the entire report was offered as evidence...
...and it contains this information about spermatogenesis.
Overruled, Mr. Lodwick. The witness may answer.
Yes, I made that examination on the deceased.
Would you tell the court your findings?
Spermatogenesis was occurring at the time of death.
In other words, the deceased, in life, was not sterile.
- He could produce children. - Correct.
If a woman says she has had intercourse with a certain man...
...who is proven fertile, though no evidence is found in the woman's body...
...could a lawyer, a prosecuting attorney...
...could he use this as evidence that the woman is lying?
Your Honour...
...I object to this line of questioning.
We are not concerned here with relations between a man and a woman.
As long as an examination for spermatogenesis had been made...
...at least we're entitled to know why.
Overruled. You may answer.
Yes, prosecution could use that...
...though it certainly would not be conclusive that she was lying.
Why not?
There could be several reasons why the test on her was negative.
The use of a contraceptive...
...or possibly, there was no completion on the part of the man.
In this post-mortem, were you asked to determine...
...if the deceased had reached sexual climax...
...shortly before death? - No, sir.
- Could you have determined it? - Yes.