Good afternoon, Mr. Phelps.
These two men, Emil Skarbeck and Kurt Lom,
are bitter rivals for the vacant post of chief of secret police
for the East European People's Republic.
Both are hard-liners determined to turn their country
into one vast concentration camp.
Your mission, Jim, should you decide to accept it,
is to eliminate both from contention,
so that this third candidate, Paul Trock,
who is friendly to the West, becomes the new chief.
As always, should you or any of your IM Force be caught or killed,
the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions.
This tape will self-destruct in five seconds.
Good luck, Jim.
Dr. Becker had the letter microfilmed and smuggled out to his brother
just before Skarbeck murdered him six years ago.
How's the act coming, Rollin?
Well, we've added a few touches, Jim,
but essentially, it's the same act Carlotta used to do with Fritz Mueller.
- How about the playback, Willy? - All set.
I've been rehearsing with it all afternoon.
Good.
Jim, will our three candidates show up for the opening?
Yes. Our man Trock is bringing Skarbeck with him.
I'm certain that Lom will show up just to keep an eye on the two of them.
There you are.
Pretty.
Too bad Carlotta Kleve didn't have one.
It might have saved her life.
The needle contains a knockout drop.
And these
will create the equivalent of a hypnotic state.
How much danger will Cinnamon be in?
We know from Dr. Becker's letter
that Skarbeck has a deep psychological disturbance
triggered by jealousy,
capable of erupting into violence at any moment.
Now, we're gonna use that.
Just remember that we're dealing with an emotional time bomb.
Come on, Trock, you didn't ask me here to entertain me.
What do you want?
Skarbeck, you do me a disservice.
Perhaps all I want is your friendship.
Look, Lom.
A little paranoid, wouldn't you say?
Undoubtedly, he thinks we're making plans against him.
Just for the record,
if I can't have that job,
I want you to have it, not him, ja?
Well, gentlemen, what an unexpected pleasure.
Will you join us?
You're very kind.
Otto.
Fräulein, two bocks.
Well, Lom, what a surprise to see you in such a frivolous place.
Perhaps you have a secret life we know nothing about.
Not at all, Emil. The Traumerie is an institution.
And I like to know what's going on.
Welcome.
Welcome to the Traumerie Café.
The café of dreams and illusion.
This face is illusion.
This place is illusion.
Even this music...
...is illusion.
So, meine Herren und meine Damen,
be happy.
For tomorrow... Tomorrow...
Tomorrow your head will hurt.
Your bock will buck.
Your wife will find out.
Who knows what tomorrow will bring, huh?
But who cares? Who cares?
Who cares?
And now the one reality.
The one and only
Mona Bern.
If you buy my glass of wine
Darling, you are truly mine
Lover, while the wine still pours
Hold me, I am yours
So we'll dance until the dawn
And when all the wine is gone
Only look into my eyes
To know it all was lies
You fool, who'll think of you again?
Till you return and then
If you buy my glass of wine
Darling, you are truly mine
Lover, while the wine still pours
Hold me, I am yours
I've got ten tiny toes Tucked in shiny black hose
Topped with shocking Pink garters of lace
They're my favourite things
They're such snappable rings
That to lose them Would be a disgrace
But to show where my heart is
Though I love my garters
I'll make you a present of these
My two stockings may fall For I do like you all
'Cause I heard nobody Knocking my knees
Topped with shocking Pink garters of lace
That to lose them Would be a disgrace
But to show where my heart is
Though I love my garters
I'll make you a present of these
My two stockings may fall For I do like you all
'Cause I heard nobody Knocking my knees
I heard nobody knocking my knees
She plays good music.
Why don't you watch where you're going?
A thousand pardons, Herr Skarbeck.
One moment.
How did you know my name?
You are very well-known, Herr Skarbeck.
I'm not well-known. I take pride in not being well-known.
Oh, you are too modest, Herr Skarbeck.
Excuse me.
Skarbeck, did you notice the resemblance between this act
and the act Carlotta Kleve used to do with Fritz Mueller?
Notice it? Of course I noticed it. It was a direct steal.
They never did solve her murder, did they?
They never did solve her murder.
What did you say, Trock?
I said, they never did solve her murder, did they?
It was Fritz Mueller.
What happened to him?
He was killed in an automobile accident near the border.
Do you remember them?
Very well. You didn't know Emil in those days, Trock.
But those of us who did felt very sorry for him.
You were very deeply in love with her, weren't you, Emil?
I don't care to discuss Carlotta Kleve with you, Lom.
You or anyone else.
I seem to have hit a nerve.
A nerve?
Skarbeck covered it very well,
but he murdered Carlotta Kleve.
- You get funnier all the time. - You are my inspiration.
Me, your inspiration?
Come in.
Herr Skarbeck.
It seems I am always in your way.
Forgive me.
Fräulein Bern.
A friend of mine.
Yes, that was obvious. What is his name?
Eric Neustadt. He's a journalist.
Some schnapps?
Why not?
You know,
it's amazing.
You don't look like her,
but everything else...
You're talking about Carlotta Kleve?
Yes.
She was a great friend and a great entertainer.
Which is why I copied her style. I knew she would not object.
Because she was dead, you mean.
Why do you want to see me?
I told you, Carlotta and I were friends.
We grew up together in Flensburg. We danced together on the Riviera.
She wrote to me of your relationship.
I thought it would be nice if we met.
You are a liar.
She wasn't born in Flensburg. She never danced on the Riviera.
Those were stories she told.
She was dragged up in the slums of Dresden.
Who put you up to this?
You have very strong hands, Herr Skarbeck.
Now, I would like to dress, if you would allow me.
If you will talk while you're doing it.
You are a very attractive man, Herr Skarbeck.
Much more attractive than I was led to believe.
As long as it is reasonable to do so, I will talk.
Reasonable?
I'm being paid 10,000 marks to seduce you.
You're very frank. I like that.
I might let you earn those 10,000 marks
if I know who's paying them.
I might even give you another 10,000 marks.
Kurt Lom.
I thought so.
Tell me about it.
He saw us in Hamburg, Fritz and I.
What, you already had this act?
Yes, of course. We worked it up from old films.
Where do you live, Herr Skarbeck?
Morgenstraße 15.
In an hour. You had better open the door.
Oh, I... I didn't know you were occupied. I'm sorry.
It's one of your worst characteristics, Fritz.
You are always sorry.
- I'm sorry if I... - You see?
Fritz Elb, this is Herr Skarbeck.
Herr Skarbeck was just telling me
how much he enjoyed the performance.
You are most kind, Herr Skarbeck.
Not at all. Fräulein Bern, good night.
Good night.
Herr Neustadt, you have certainly been misinformed
if you think there is any rivalry between Herr Skarbeck and myself.
We are the best of friends.
I see. Forgive me for taking your time, Herr Lom. I did have a certain
piece of information I thought you might be interested in
concerning the murder of Carlotta Kleve.
However, good night.
Herr Neustadt.
May I offer you some brandy?
Thank you.
After so long a time,
why would anyone want to resurrect the Carlotta Kleve case?
Do you believe that Emil Skarbeck killed her?
Because I know that he did.
How do you know that, Herr Neustadt?
My name is not Neustadt, it's Becker.
And I'm the brother of psychiatrist Dr. Josef Becker.
Does that name mean anything to you?
I'm afraid not.
Skarbeck killed him too.
But why?
To keep a secret he felt was even more damning than Carlotta's murder:
The fact that he blacked out during the crime
and afterwards, suffered an almost complete mental collapse.
Skarbeck was a recluse during that period.
Exactly.
He smuggled my brother Josef in to treat him.
He prescribed drugs, cared for him.
And then Skarbeck murdered him.
You have proof of all this?
Yes.
Josef managed to get this letter out on microfilm.
The disdain in which he must hold me.
Because I loved Carlotta, it follows automatically I must love you.
Am I so hard to love?
There's been no one since Carlotta.
Then you are missing a great deal.
Don't feel sorry for me. I have known many women.
I just haven't allowed myself to become involved.
I won't ever again.
I suppose not.
After I became hopelessly infatuated, what then?
I don't know.
I'm supposed to report to him for instructions.
Do that. Do that, report to him.
Only
I want the instructions
recorded on this.
Why would you like that?
Well, the proof of his conspiracy will destroy him.
Emil, this could be dangerous, could it not?
Everything is dangerous.
I suppose I am a great deal like Carlotta.
I imagine that I feel some of the things that she must have felt once.
I think I had better go now.
According to this, Skarbeck is not completely well.
Will never be completely well.
Exactly. And you can destroy him with Mona Bern.
He's already very taken with her.
How do you know that?
I was in her dressing room after the show. He came back.
What were you doing in the lady's dressing room?
We are friends.
I made very certain of that as soon as I saw her act in Hamburg.
I knew that she was the only way to get Skarbeck.
Then what you are proposing is that we instigate some scandal.
I am proposing we instigate a mental collapse.
Go on.
Skarbeck has avoided any emotional involvement
ever since he killed Carlotta.
His greatest fear is the fear of recurrence.
So I say, let us get him involved, obsessed,
the way he was with Carlotta.
Then rejection, jealousy, humiliation.
He will fall completely to pieces.
But will the lady cooperate?
You have the power to persuade her to cooperate, Herr Lom.
I will let you know.
You will never have another chance like this...
Good night, Herr Becker.
I will keep this.
Good night.
He doesn't see all the possibilities, does he?
No, Otto.
It's too late to prove that Skarbeck killed Carlotta Kleve.
But it is not too late to prove that Skarbeck killed Mona Bern.
Is it possible, Emil, that you are getting involved?
Such rules are made to be broken.
It won't work.
Why not?
I don't know.
It's just that no matter how beautiful I try to make myself,
I still feel there is something ugly inside.
Oh, it's very strange. She used to say something like that.
Only in her case, the reason was too obvious.
Men, too many men.
How do you know it's not the same with me?
Emil.
They'll go away.
Good.
Herr Skarbeck. Is Fräulein Bern here?
No.
May I see her, please?
What do you mean by following me here?
I'm sorry. I was worried about you.
You are always trailing me.
I do not need you to worry about me.
You do not own me.
Please, try to understand that.
- I'm sorry. - You're sorry.
I came to bring her back to the hotel.
The lady does not want to go back to the hotel.
It is all right, Emil.
He has ruined the evening, anyway.
Tomorrow?
I'm sorry.
He's taking a pill.
He'll go under in 30 seconds.
Good evening. Police.
What do you want?
You are Fräulein Mona Bern, aren't you?
- Yes. - We want to talk to you.
- She has done nothing. - Never mind what she has done.
Be on your way. Fräulein.
Fräulein Bern, either you cooperate or your work permit will be rescinded
and you will be expelled.
Now, what is your relationship with Emil Skarbeck?
He is a friend.
Herr Lom, she had this in her purse.
Emil?
I'm going to ask you some questions.
Do you understand?
I want you to answer those questions without reservation.
No reservation at all. Do you understand that?
Why did you kill Carlotta Kleve?
I don't want to talk about it.
Emil, it will make you feel better.
It will make you feel so much better.
Now, it happened at the chalet, didn't it? In the country at the chalet.
Now, you tell me.
Yes, I was afraid I was losing her.
We were to meet there to talk things out.
I had to stay at headquarters late that night, so she went down ahead.
When I got there,
I heard laughter coming from our room.
The door was locked. She was with a man.
She was talking about me. She called me a fool.
She made fun of me.
She said she could never love me,
that I didn't know how to love a woman.
I couldn't stand them talking about me.
I couldn't stand it. I...
I started to force the door.
But he must have gone out the window,
because when I broke in, he was gone.
And then what, Emil?
Well, she tried to lie to me.
But then she flaunted it in my face. She...
She said it was all true, that she despised me,
that she cheated on me every chance she could.
God. I wanted to choke her. I...
And then...
I can't remember. I can't remember.
That's all right. It is all right.
Now, just tell me the next thing you do remember.
Coming to at the Traumerie Café.
I spent so many evenings there.
I did love her.
But I knew I'd killed her.
But you have killed others, Emil, many others.
Oh, yes, but...
But I loved her.
Fräulein Bern, I do not make idle threats.
This could easily be construed as an attempt at espionage.
Espionage?
I could not care less about your foolish politics.
Where did you get it?
Fräulein Bern, I warn you.
From Herr Skarbeck.
For what purpose?
I seem to be caught in some kind of game between the two of you.
Would you explain that?
He said you would try to use me against him.
That I should record whatever you told me.
You see, Otto?
Emil is a rival to be respected.
How much is he paying you?
Ten thousand marks.
Would you like to make 25,000 marks?
Of course, if it is not dangerous.
Keep seeing him and being seen with him.
At the café, make it obvious
that your interest is more than just casual.
And then what?
You will be informed.
Agreed?
Do you know what I want done with Fräulein Bern?
Of course.
You want her killed in such a way that Skarbeck will be blamed for it.
Exactly.
Emil?
You want to love Mona Bern, don't you?
Yes.
The same way that you loved Carlotta Kleve,
with your whole heart, your whole being.
You want to love Mona that way, do you not?
Yes, yes, yes, I do.
But if she is unfaithful to you,
you will hurt her in the same way you hurt Carlotta.
Do you understand?
Yes, I understand.
In the same way.
I don't care, boys, where you roam
One thing makes you feel at home
It's found in any port of call That you can name
In saloons both near and far
You can bet a good cigar
That something hanging on the wall Will be the same
So put your foot upon the rail
Look up and see, there she will be
Staring you straight in the face Without a trace of shame
Disgraceful!
But no matter where you are There's a lady 'bove the bar
Who's wearing nothing much at all Except a frame
Except a smile, a small pink cupid
And a little purple grape
Except a ribbon around her neck And a heck of a shape
Undraped!
Yes, no matter where you are There's a lady 'bove the bar
Who wears just a touch of talcum
And a welcome in her eye
No, nothing much at all
Except a frame
Mona?
Let me in.
Let me in! I know you're in there!
Let me in! Where is she?
- Where is who? - Mona, where is she?
Tell me where she is or I kill you.
I heard her. I tell you, I heard her.
- Where? - In here.
Ja, you were laughing.
You were making love.
Making love? Mona and me?
Do you think any woman could fall in love with me?
An auto accident the night Carlotta was killed.
You're Fritz Mueller.
Yes.
You wanted to kill me
that night you killed Carlotta.
But you are wrong.
You were wrong then, just as you are wrong now.
It was never me.
No. It was Lom, Kurt Lom.
Kurt Lom.
It was Lom?
I was nothing but a dog to her.
But I loved her.
And it gave me great pleasure just to be with her.
So after she died, I found Mona
and I made her into another Carlotta.
But she, too, had no use for me.
You heard her. I mean nothing to her.
It's Lom.
Still Lom, just like it was for Carlotta.
She's with Lom right now.
But I know that she wanted to see me.
Yes, but Lom called and invited her to his apartment between shows.
She obeyed.
Just as Carlotta used to obey Lom.
I want my money. I want it now.
Or I will not go on with it.
You will get your money within 48 hours, I guarantee it.
It better be soon.
Otto, if she is with him tonight, wait your chance.
Then kill her.
Mona!
- Who told you I was here? - What were you doing in there?
- It was Fritz. - I came backstage to see you,
as you said. You weren't there.
He called me. He asked to see me between shows.
And you ran to him.
What is this, Emil? You asked me to get his instructions, did you not?
Ja, ja, instructions.
Where are they?
Emil, we cannot talk about this here. Come, we'll go to your apartment.
Lom? This is Paul Trock.
Ja, ja, the deputy prime minister has arrived
and would like to see the three of us informally tonight.
Ja, "A jovial evening," he said.
And the old fellow suggested the Traumerie Café.
Yes, what do you think of that, huh?
Ja, good.
We could make the second show.
I'll stop by and pick you up.
I will be waiting for you.
Good.
We can't be certain of the exact moment,
so you have to wait for the blackout.
I understand.
You know why I went to his apartment.
He wants to know about us. That's what he is paying me for.
Ja, paying you. What has he paid you so far?
Five thousand marks.
Where is it?
What were you doing there?
The tape recorder.
It's all on the tape recorder.
Let me see.
There's nothing.
Nothing? There must be something wrong with the machine.
- I know I turned it on. - You're a liar, you're a filthy liar!
You're a miserable man. What right have you to talk to me that way?
You made love to him, didn't you?
- No. - You're a tramp, just like she was.
You and your precious Carlotta.
If she cheated on you, I understand why.
You don't know how to make a woman happy.
You're clumsy, you're stupid. I despise you.
Yes, I made love to him and we laughed.
Stop it, stop it.
- We laughed while we made love. - Stop it.
We laughed at you.
- We laughed... - I'll kill you. I'll kill you.
Be happy, be happy.
For tomorrow... Tomorrow your head will hurt.
Your bock will buck.
Your wife will find out.
Tomorrow...
Who knows what tomorrow will bring, eh?
But who cares?
Who cares? Who cares?
Who cares?
And now the one reality.
The one, the only
Mona Bern.
Mona? Where are you, Mona?
Mona?
Mona, where are you?
She's dead, Skarbeck.
She is dead, isn't she?
You killed her. You strangled her just like Carlotta.
How did you know that?
We arranged it.
- Arranged it? - Yes, we made you kill her.
We wanted you to kill her because this time, we have the proof.
Lom, just a second.
My billfold, I...
Who are you?
The brother of Dr. Josef Becker, whom you killed.
You remember him, don't you, Skarbeck, from last night?
I sent him, Skarbeck.
I sent him to make you kill Mona Bern.
You made me do it?
You made me kill her.
The show must be starting. Ringside table, after you.