[theme music]
[music continues]
[soft music]
Oh, that's the cocktail bar, huh?
- What's in there? - It's a private dining room.
From now on, it's the gambling room.
- Make a note of that, Charlie. - Right.
Take him out for a walk. It's too stuffy in here.
That, it's crummy. Change it.
But, Mr. Vanning, it's French. I had it specially designed.
It's still crummy.
None of the classy spots use that kind of stuff.
I want the kind that sticks up in the ceiling.
- Indirect lighting. - That's what I want.
Hello, Gabby. Still around?
Yeah.
Emmy Lou is the name, Mr. Vanning.
Alright, now. This is it.
I'm taking over this joint.
From now on, you're working for me, understand?
Most of you've been around long enough to know how I operate.
If you don't, read the papers and find out.
Up to now, this night club racket's
been run on a penny-ante basis. That's out.
From now on, I'm organizing it.
When I organize anything, I make it pay big money, or else..
Now, this town is full of big shots from the stakes.
They keep pouring in by the carload
looking for one thing.
The kind of time they can go home and brag about.
And torch songs with soft lights aren't going to satisfy them.
We know the kind of action they want
and we are going to give it. From tiddlywinks to roulette.
But they're going to pay for it, plenty. Understand?
In other words...a clip joint.
Yeah...and run on a high-class basis.
'Your job is to soften them up, so, they can be taken.'
'There's only one way to work on chumps..'
'...our way.'
'With no holds barred.'
High-class?
You don't like it, huh?
It all depends.
How much is there in it for us?
About 50 times what you're getting now.
But you don't get it for nothing.
Every week, you're going to kick back
part of what you make to me.
That goes for protection, hush money, lawyer's fee, bail bonds
anything else to square the rap, in case, the law steps in.
That's one thing you wouldn't have to worry about.
Anybody that sticks with me
gets taken care of.
Maybe you like this setup, maybe you don't.
But you're going to take it.
'I got every nightclub in town'
'and every girl working in every nightclub, sewed up.'
'You're going to work the way I tell you'
'or you don't work at all.'
You got that straight?
Alright, the place will be closed
until we get it fixed like I want it.
Oh, and cut a peephole in the door.
The chumps go for that hard-to-get-inangle.
Come on, let's get outta here.
Wait till I get my pay.
(female #1) 'Hurry up. We'll be outside.'
Hey, you. Yeah, you. Kind of old, ain't you?
I need young dames here.
The kind men go for in a hurry.
But, Mr. Vanning, I've been here a long time--
That's the trouble.
You won't do. You're through.
You said you took care of people who're loyal to you.
- She never worked for me. - But she has for Beler.
And she's always been on the level.
How do you know what she can do?
Why kick her out just because you're taking over?
Sure, she's okay, Vanning.
Why don't you give her a break and let her prove it?
You know, she can't wreck the place.
Yeah?
- Okay. - Thanks, Mr. Vanning.
Pretty smart girl, aren't you?
I get along.
How about coming up to my place for a drink?
- I'd like to know you better. - No, thanks.
Why not?
Well, you've told me I was working for you.
So, I work for you. That's as far as it goes.
Anyway, I'm sort of afraid of your social set.
- Afraid? - Yes, I..
I might get to learn too much about you
like, Audrey Fleming did.
Remember?
Anyway, if I'd wanted to end up in the river
I'd have taken a jump off Brooklyn Bridge, five years ago.
You're not afraid to talk, anyway.
We're among friends.
And I think we'll get along a lot better
if we understand each other.
I think I'll be a big help to your business.
Maybe you will at that.
Goodnight.
- Smart girl. - Maybe too smart.
- Thanks, Mary. You were swell. - Forget it, Estelle.
- Goodnight, Mr. Vanning. - Goodnight.
- What's her name? - Emmy Lou.
Make a note of it.
- Here you are, girls. - Wait a minute, let's walk.
We'll need some fresh air after that one.
That sign, what's it mean?
- Come on. What does it mean? - Intimate.
- What does that mean? - You know, intimate.
Personal. Get together.
Like, uh, like this..
Oh, well, why don't it say what it means?
- Change it. - To what?
- What was that you said? - Intimate.
- Intimate. Make a note of it. - Right.
[soft music]
Good morning.
I don't really look old, do I?
'What does he expect a girl to look like'
'at six in the morning after dragging'
a lot of heavyweight shoe salesmen all night?
Like a debutante?
I bet if he saw me when I'd just come to work and my makeup--
Oh, let's skip it, Estelle, and go to bed.
We're all fagged out.
Well, let him fire me. What do I care?
I don't want any part of his clip joints anyway.
And if you do, you're crazy.
He might as well put a gun in our hands
and send us out on stick-ups.
Well, what are you going to do?
You heard what he said. It's Vanning or nothing.
Well, this isn't the only way to make a living.
Do you know a better one?
Well, of course, I can always go back into Vaudeville.
Stop kidding yourself, Estelle. Your dancing days are over.
You'd have counterweights to keep your arches from falling.
Then I'll get one in a factory, behind a counter, anyplace.
- At 12 and a half a week? - That's enough for me.
- For cigarettes? - Mm-mm.
We've all tried this 12 and a half a week stuff. It's no good.
Living in furnished rooms, walking to work.
Going hungry a couple of days a week
so you can have some clothes to put on your back.
I've had enough of that for the rest of my life.
- And so have you. - Well, of course she has.
She's just burned up 'cause Johnny said she was gettin' old.
Aren't you, honey?
You're a sweet little hyena, aren't you?
(Emmy) 'Well, it's true, isn't it?'
(Mary) 'Working for Vanning isn't gonna be any bed of roses.'
- 'You don't have to rub it in.' - 'You're gonna work for him.'
Uh-huh, but I'm not getting into his trap.
And I'm not taking any chances of getting
a slap in the face with a spade either.
We're letting ourselves in for enough as it is.
Some will wind up in the short end.
But not me, baby.
I know all the angles, and I think I'm smart enough
to keep one step ahead of them
till I get enough to pack it all in
and live on easy street the rest of my life.
I know how to beat this racket.
Yeah? How?
That's what I've been trying to find out for years.
- Good evening, gentlemen. - Here you are.
- Oh, look at that. - Oh, keep the change.
This way, please. Where are they from?
I picked them up at the Waldorf Ritz, metal industries banquet.
It's locked. Hey, captain, commodore, come on.
Just a second, gentlemen.
[knocking on door]
From the Waldorf Ritz. McGrew sent them.
Say, are we having fun?
- Good evening, gentlemen. - How do you do?
- How many? - Four, please.
Right this way, please.
* Ain't it funny that paper money *
* Don't seem like genuine Jack *
* And every check has a knack *
* Of jumpin' and a-bumpin' and bouncing back *
* I like nothin' but silver dollars *
* And I've collected a few *
* When silver starts in ringin' *
* It rings so true *
* My silver dollar man *
* He ain't a tie-and-collar man *
* A rough and ready man *
* But he's a mighty steady man *
* And though he can't supply *
* A lot of luxuries that I demand *
* He never leaves me till he leaves *
* A bit of silver in my hand *
* He's the.. *
Are there going to be any more in your party?
I don't know.
* Upon the easy fame and.. *
Are there?
* You don't know how my heart feels *
* Playing those cartwheels *
Mary.
* But I'll try to love him *
* If he didn't *
* Have a dime *
* He's truly divine *
* That silver dollar man of mine *
* He's so divine *
* That silver dollar man *
* Of mine *
Florrie, sit here.
- Sit right down, honey. - Oh, no, no. I saw her first.
Alright, I've got my gal right here.
Gabby...go to work on 'em.
How do you want it, honey? Soft and smooth or loud and hard?
Soft and smooth. Only don't put 'em to sleep, just yet.
[piano music]
What is your party drinking?
Why, uh, what have you been drinking?
- Champagne. - Fine!
We don't wanna change your diet.
- Champagne for everybody. - Everybody!
Champagne! Gallons of it!
Are you in the mood for music?
I'll say. I am, baby.
Alright. Hey, Gus.
- They're all set. - Who ordered?
The young fellow with Mary. Champagne.
Tell Mary, the dice table for him.
Okay.
* City people, pity people, who don't know a lot *
* About the night life *
* But they are wrong *
* Though they may be witty people *
* They don't know the folks who lead the right life *
* Still get along *
* To a plain old-fashioned couple *
* Let me dedicate my song *
* They're not sophisticated people *
* And though they're only common folks *
* You don't know how I envy people *
* Like Mr. and Mrs. Doe *
* They don't know much about swing music *
* They wouldn't care for risque jokes *
* But every morning *
* Birds sing music *
* For Mr. and Mrs. Doe *
* I've got a little wreath of holly hanging on my window *
* They've all gotten old *
* I've got a cunning little colleague *
* They were little angels *
* Dressed in silk and wool *
* They call each other mom and pappy *
* She does her sewing while he smokes *
* But I wish I were half as happy *
* As Mr. and Mrs. Doe *
Come on. Come on over here and sit up here, baby.
[jazz music]
Here's how.
[music continues]
Thanks, sugar.
(male #1) 'Snake eyes.'
Well, honey, I guess this isn't our night.
Oh, keep on trying, you'll get hot.
Un-un, not with three pair of snake eyes in a row.
- How much am I in for? - Eighteen hundred dollars.
- Is that all? - 'Yes.'
Would you mind taking my check?
I don't like leaving myself without any cash.
- Glad to accommodate you. - That's what I call service.
I believe you ordered for the party.
You might as well add this to it.
[whistles] That's a lot of party. Where are the others?
They got a bit tight and left with the girls.
- Thanks. - Come on, honey, let's go.
- Cab. - Yes, sir.
[whistles]
Goodnight.
Need a cab?
[whistles]
Tail that cab.
Boy, they sure took me to the cleaners.
You had a good time, didn't you?
The best in my life. I'd like to do it all over again.
- I guess you can afford it. - Afford it?
- What's so funny? - You think I can afford it?
Listen sister, I don't make that much money in a year
let alone spend it.
You're tellin' that you haven't got the money to pay off?
- Nope, not a red cent. - I was just putting on an act.
I wanna see the look on their faces when they try to cash it.
- Will that be funny. - Yeah, like a funeral. Yours.
And that's what you're going to have if you don't pay.
Don't you know that you're messing around with Vanning?
They'd cut your throat for a dime.
So, you could imagine what they're going to do to you.
Say, you kidding me?
Well, if you don't believe me, stick around and find out.
Well, what am I gonna do?
Have you got enough money to pay your hotel bill?
Yeah, I paid that in advance. I got my railroad ticket too.
Use it, check out of that hotel and grab the first train home
before it's too late.
- Goodnight. - Goodnight.
- Remember what I told you. - Oh, I will.
- Mary. - Yeah?
I haven't even got enough to pay for the cab.
Oh.
- Here. - Thanks. I'll send it to you.
- What's your address. - Forget it.
No, no, no. Please, write it down here.
Alright.
Oh, gee, you're swell.
I don't know why. A sap like you deserves to be taken.
I guess you must bring out the mother instinct in me.
Now, go on, get in. Hurry.
- Goodnight, chump. - Goodnight.
- Be careful. - Alright.
Take him to Waldorf Ritz and step on it.
- Goodnight. - Goodnight.
- Hello, McGrew. - Hiya.
Mind if we park around here for a while?
Keepin' an eye on one of those guys till we can get his check.
- How much did you take him for? - 'Plenty.'
[phone ringing]
Yes, sir, 319? Yes, sir. Right away.
He's checking out.
Pennsylvania Station.
Whew! What a night.
Oh, does that feel good to stand up and stretch.
- Good mornin'. - What's good about it?
You all look as if you had hangovers.
No, stomachaches. I never ate so much chop suey in my life.
Me neither. One more dish and I'd have put my hair in a braid
and opened up a laundry.
- Well, I like chop suey. - You like anything.
What happened?
Well, our boyfriends' idea of a swell evening
was to take us from one chop suey joint to another.
Yippy. Did we have fun.
The only laugh I got out of the whole night
was when this screwball, nearly choked to death on a chopstick.
[laughter]
- How'd you do, Mary? - Oh, alright.
(Gabby) 'Did they take that chump for much?'
Well, I-I-I don't know.
'Where did you go after you left the club?'
Home.
Gee, it must be swell to get some sleep.
And where did you disappear to last night
that makes you so smug?
I spent a very charming evening with Mr. Vanning.
Oh.
Emmy Lou!
- You're a fool. - Don't kid yourself.
Girls, good morning.
Don't you believe in knocking twice?
Don't you believe in payin' once?
- No. - So, we're even.
How about it, girls, according to my book
you owe me for enough dresses to start a new business.
Now, it's gonna come to a showdown.
Either you're gonna pay me or you ain't, one or the other.
Louie, I'm kinda afraid it's gonna have to be the other.
Give us a break. You know us. We're good for it.
Girls, if it was up to me, honest
I'd do it in a minute. I like you, you like me.
But what am I gonna do, that guy Vanning and his bunch are on my
neck every minute of the day. Collect, collect, collect.
Vanning? What's he got to do with it?
Everything. He's taken this over too.
Yeah, it's the truth.
All my life I've been in business for myself.
If I lost all the money I made, at least it was mine.
But now, I don't even get that satisfaction.
Everything is his. Just like with you girls. Nice, huh?
Pretty soon, that guy is gonna charge us for breathing.
Listen, if you'll promise to pay a little..
...I'll show some new stuff that I got.
And I positively guarantee you that it was stolen
from the best shop in town. But you gotta promise.
- Sure. - Oh, we promise.
- Sure. - I'll bet we're gonna love it.
- Oh, it's heavy. - I want the white one!
Hey, take it easy. Take it easy.
You can't do that, that's mine.
Oh, look at this. Isn't this..
Yes, sir.
Pick me up in about a half-hour?
- So long. Bye. - So long.
- Emmy Lou, look. - Isn't it adorable?
I'll guarantee you that's one of the most beautiful pieces
of merchandise I ever seen.
[knocks on door]
- Come in. - Come in.
- Betty. - Hello, Mary.
Gee, I'm glad to see you.
Girls, this is my kid sister, Betty
that I've told you so much about.
How do you do?
(Mary) 'Oh. Oh, Betty.'
'Th-this is Louie, o-our designer.'
- 'Designer?' - 'Yes.'
You see, our store is giving a fashion show..
...and they sent him up with some models to wear.
And, well we were rehearsing.
That is, E-Emmy Lou was. Weren't you, Emmy Lou?
Oh, yeah-yeah. Sure.
What, do you have to rehearse for a fashion show?
Oh sure, just like being an actress.
And you have to keep on rehearsing, don't you?
(all) 'Sure, sure.'
Louie, we'll see you back at the show room.
Show room?
Oh, so this is the sister you're always
talking about, huh, Mary? Nice looking girl.
Nice looking coat too.
It looks like, sure I remember. I sold it to you a year ago.
- I said goodbye, Louie. - Yes goodbye, Louie.
- Hey, what about the money? - You can send us the check.
Send you a check? Are you crazy, or am I?
- Come on, Louie. - Now, wait a minute.
Cut it out, will you? What is this?
Halloween. We're putting on a masquerade.
Can't you get it through your head
that she doesn't want sister to know what she's doing?
Oh...I get it now.
I thought you'd get it sooner or later.
Oh come on will you, quit kidding.
You've never seen so much excitement in your life.
For weeks, the whole school has talked about
nothing else but this football game.
You see, the boys who're playing
come from a college right near us.
We know most of them all and..
...and, you know..
- Sweet. - Like sugar.
So, we decided to come and see it.
It didn't cost much, Mary. Besides, I was dying to see you.
Oh I'm glad you came, darling.
Gee, it must be fun going to school.
(Betty) 'Oh, it's not exciting if that's what you mean.'
Mostly going to classes and studying.
Of course, once in a while we have dances
and parties, and that's about all.
I don't think you'd like it.
Sounds much easier than standing on your feet all night--
How long are you going to stay, Betty?
Just for the day. Came to see the game and then back.
(Betty) 'You're coming with us, aren't you?'
No, no, you go with your friends.
I think I'll just stay home and rest.
You're tired, aren't you?
You all look so tired.
'You must work awfully hard in that dress shop, don't you?'
Oh, It just happened that this week was very busy.
Yeah, sugar. They practically rushed us right off our feet.
I wish there was something I could do, Mary.
You keep right on going to school.
I know, but it sort of makes me feel so helpless.
I go to school and a have good time and..
...you have to work so awfully hard to keep me there.
I'll pay you back for it someday, Mary.
You'll pay me back every time I look at you.
[door knocking]
That must be my friends. I'll answer it.
Which one of you is Mary Dwight?
I am.
Know a fella named Ralph Krawford?
Yes, I was out with him last night.
Did you ever see this before?
Sure.
Sure, I gave it to him.
- What about it? - Nothing.
Only it was in his pocket when we found him.
Murdered.
Murdered?
(male #2) 'Yeah, we found him layin' in an alley earlier this morning.'
Well, what's that got to do with me?
You'll find out when we get down to headquarters.
I don't wanna go. Tell me what I'm being arrested for.
Well, if you must know sister, we're holding you
on suspicion of murder. The rest of you get dressed.
Well, you don't think it took all of us to kill him, do you?
You'll get a chance to answer that. Get going.
And you say that these men asked you to recommend a night club?
Yes, sir.
Why'd you send them to the Club Intimate?
No particular reason.
It was the first place that popped into my head.
Because you were paid so much a head
by Vanning for steering suckers in there, don't you?
Vanning? Who's Vanning? Never heard of him.
You never heard of two years in jail for perjury either?
If a guest in the hotel asks me a question
it's part of my job to answer it.
What he does or where he goes
after that is none of my business.
That's all. Thanks.
Well, I guess that's that.
He was lying, and so were the rest of them.
They know just how and why that man was killed and who did it.
Just as you and I do. It's marvelous, isn't it?
One man, Johnny Vanning, completely terrorizes the city.
Commits every crime from murder to mayhem.
We all know it, yet we can't do a thing about it.
Look, son.
My files are bulging with quashed indictments
'hung juries, verdicts of "not guilty."'
'So long as Vanning is able to buy politicians'
and hire unscrupulous lawyers
who take advantage of every technicality of the law..
...who coach and buy perjured testimony..
...and so long as Vanning is able to continue
intimidating witnesses, it's futile.
How long is it gonna keep on being futile?
I don't know.
We've got to wait for Vanning to make that one false move.
I don't like waiting.
Well, do you wanna take the case into court?
'Sure.'
- With those witnesses? - Sure, why not?
If Vanning can get away with intimidation
why can't I?
You're a young man, Dave.
At this stage of your career
a fiasco isn't going to help you much.
Yeah, well, I'll take that chance.
Alright. From now on, it's your case. Go to it.
- Thanks. - Good luck.
- Did you pick up those girls? - Yes, sir.
- They're in with the others. - 'Step into my office.'
- Not at all. - You too, Casey.
Right this way, gentleman. Step right over here.
Oh, Casey, will you close that blind?
Yes, sir.
Ferguson, have all those girls lineup facing this way.
(Ferguson) 'Stand up, please.'
Those the girls you were with last night?
You've got nothing to be afraid of. They can't see you.
- Were those the girls? - Yes, sir. Yeah.
All except that one on the end.
- Which one? - The one with the leather coat.
(Dave) 'The girl with the leather coat, step forward.'
You sure you didn't see her around the club?
Yes, sir.
Alright, which one was with Krawford?
- One on the end, the blonde. - That's Mary Dwight.
'Ferguson, bring Mary Dwight into my office right away.'
Alright, thank you. That's all.
- Mary Dwight? - That's right.
Sit down.
Go ahead, sit down.
Alright.
You work at the Club Intimate?
Are you telling me or asking me?
Those other girls, they work there too?
You know everything.
That little girl with the leather coat. What does she do?
She's got nothing to do with this.
We'll find out about that later.
No, we'll find out about that right now.
That kid's my sister and she was down here visiting me
from college when those gorillas of yours blew in
and pulled us all in. I'll tell you something else.
If you get her mixed up in this--
Nothing of that sort, if she had nothing to do with it
I'll let her go
just as I'll let you go, if you had nothing to do with it.
Last night about ten o'clock, four men came into the club.
They sat down with you girls.
You had some drinks and you danced.
There isn't any law against that, is there?
One of those men was Ralph Krawford. He was with you.
The other four left about one o'clock. You and he stayed.
He lost a lot of money gambling.
Then, you left together in a cab.
- Where'd you go? - Home.
What'd you do when you got there?
Nothing. I got out, and he went off in the cab.
- Where? - I don't know.
Well, the cab driver just testified a few minutes ago
that you told him to take Ralph to the Waldorf Ritz Hotel.
How do you account for that?
Supposing I did?
Then, you did know where he was going?
Well, I knew where he was starting for
but I didn't know where he was going to wind up.
And you didn't see him between the time
he checked out and the time we found him murdered?
- No. - Can you prove you didn't?
Can you prove I did?
- You're a pretty smart girl. - So they tell me.
Much too smart to be protecting a murderer like Vanning.
I'm not protecting anybody but myself.
'Now, Mary, we're trying to help you.'
- I'm doing alright. - For how long?
Until Vanning gets as much as he can
and then throws you in the ashcan just like
with everything else he's ever laid his hands on.
Now, we're trying to put a stop to that. Help people like you.
But there's nothing we can do
unless you're willing to help yourself.
Now, why don't you give us a break.
What kind of a break have you ever given us?
Outside of kicking us around every chance you could get?
There's only one kind of a break we want from you
and that's to leave us alone.
And let us make a living in our own way.
Or is that asking too much?
Anything else you wanna know?
How do you like the inside of a jail?
- Me? - Yes, you.
Because that's exactly where you're going.
Maybe you don't know it, young lady
but there's law that states an accessory to a murder
equally as guilty as the murderer himself.
Now, unless you tell me exactly what happened and who did it..
...I'm going to indict you for murder.
[dramatic music]
Nice, huh? Just when I got everything running fine.
- It'll blow over. - Yeah.
In the meantime, every one of my joints gets a bad reputation.
What do you suppose people thought they were before this?
- Ice cream parlors? - Never mind that.
I want it stopped.
What kind of a guy is this Graham?
- Young, ambitious. - What's his price?
Did you ever hear the story about the virtuous young man?
Someday you're going to give me one of those screwy answers
and I'm going to bust you right in the nose.
Tell it to me in English.
He can't be bought.
Is that plain enough?
Yeah.
Too plain.
Anybody that wouldn't take dough is crazy.
Crazy men are dangerous.
A guy like that is liable to get too big
and really put the clamps down. And where will we be?
Oh, I've got a little something worked out
that will take care of that possibility.
- Is it cute? - Everything I do is cute.
When I get through with him, he'll be lucky to be able
to get a job as a second assistant to a notary public.
Swell.
- Did you spring the girl yet? - No.
What are you waiting for?
When I promise to get my girls out
in case they get jammed up, I mean it.
- Get her out. - She stays in jail.
Listen, Gordon. You're doing alright as my lawyer.
But I don't like it when you start trying to be my boss.
Get that girl out before she starts squawking.
That's just what I want her to do.
What?
Only, she's going to squawk..
...the way I tell her to.
How do you do, Miss Dwight? Sorry, I was delayed.
I got here as soon as I could.
Now, before we accept this case, there are
several things I'd like to discuss with you.
- Who sent you? - Vanning.
- And keep it under your hat. - It's about time.
- Well? - Sit down.
That's all I've been doing for the past two days
is standing up and sitting down.
I don't need a lawyer to tell me that.
- When do I get out of here? - You don't.
- Oh, I see. A little conniving. - Yeah, that's right.
I go to bat for Vanning
and I get paid off by taking the rap for him.
Listen, jurisprudence, I pay Vanning good money
to settle little things like this
and he's going to get me out of here.
Now, listen, you know that Vanning takes care
of all the people that play ball with him.
You've got to stay here and help him.
Help him?
What is this, a charity affair?
He's gonna' help me, and do it fast.
If he doesn't get me out of here by tonight, I am--
Do nothing.
Vanning was telling me that you said something about a girl
that was found in the river by the name of..
...Audrey Fleming.
Now, you don't wanna' be found in that spot, do you?
You sit down.
and listen to what I've got to say.
What did you want to see me about?
How long are you going to keep me in this place?
That entirely depends on you.
You wouldn't do this if I were somebody important, would you?
No.
You'd be afraid. Somebody higher up might find out.
You might lose your job.
but with me, you can get tough. People like us, we don't count.
We're nobodies. Set-ups to be kicked about by everyone.
I won't stand for it. Either you let me out of here, or--
Or what?
Coming in here like this isn't gonna help you.
There's only one way for you to get out.
'Tell me what happened the night Krawford was murdered.'
- I can't. - 'Why not?'
- I'm afraid. - Of Vanning?
'Yes. He'll kill me.'
- He did have a part in this. - No, he didn't-he-he was..
Oh, oh, please don't ask me to talk. He'll kill me.
Help me to prove that he was responsible
and I'll put him behind bars.
You don't know what he's like.
People just disappear and are never heard of again.
I don't want that to happen to me.
I'm young and, and I wanna live.
[sobbing]
I don't wanna die.
Alright come on, now. Pull yourself together.
Here...use this.
Thanks.
'It's pretty tough going for you girls, isn't it?'
Yeah.
Sometimes it's too tough.
There's no use crying about it.
That's the way it is. That's the way it's gotta be.
No, it doesn't.
You're not the only one that was born with
two strikes against him.
I probably got kicked around just as much as you did.
I didn't like it any better than you do.
The only difference between us is that..
...well, I did something about it. You won't.
Now, Mary, if you'll help me to put Vanning and his crowd
where they belong...you'll not only be helping yourself
but you'll be helping thousands of other girls just like you.
If you won't...well, then, you'll just
keep on getting in deeper and deeper until..
...well, I...I guess you know the rest of the story
just as well as I do.
Now, you see that, don't you?
Yeah, I see.
Well, now, why won't you tell me what you know?
Well, what have you got to lose?
Nothing. Not a thing.
Then you'll talk?
- Why not? - Good girl.
'Oh, Smith, come in here and bring your book.'
[dramatic music]
And now Miss Dwight, you've testified that when you arrived
at the Waldorf Ritz Hotel, you saw the deceased being dragged
into a taxicab by two of the defendants.
- Is that right? - Yes, sir.
Can you identify these men?
Yes, sir.
(Graham) 'Will the defendants please rise?'
Will you indicate the men you saw that night?
(Dave) 'Go ahead, Miss Dwight, you've nothing to be afraid of.'
'Which are the men?'
Those two men standing there behind Mr. Vanning.
'And you positively identify William Borno and James Meller'
as the two men you saw drag the deceased
Ralph Krawford, into the taxicab?
Yes, sir.
Have you ever seen these men before?
Oh, sure. They're a couple of Vanning's strong-arm men.
They work as bouncers at the club.
Thank you, Miss Dwight.
Your witness.
You say your name is Mary Dwight?
- 'Yes, sir.' - 'Is that your true name?'
Answer the question.
- Is that your true name? - No, sir.
- Then what is it? - Mary Strauber.
Why did you have to change it, Miss Strauber?
- For professional reasons. - What is your profession?
I object, your honor. That's immaterial.
(male #3) 'I'm merely trying to establish the character of this witness.'
- 'Overruled. Proceed.' - 'I repeat the question.'
What is your profession, Miss Strauber?
I'm a hostess, in a nightclub.
Now, will you please explain to the jury
just what your duties as hostess are?
Well...we have to entertain all the men
'that come into the club alone.'
And just how, do you entertain these men?
I object. That's a deliberate attempt to degrade the witness.
Overruled. I believe it's material.
And now, just how do you entertain these men?
Well, we dance with them and get them to buy us drinks.
Is that all?
We're nice and pleasant to them..
...and see that they have a good time.
In other words, you've got to be nice and pleasant to men
you don't know, who ordinarily, you'd have nothing to do with.
- 'Isn't that right?' - 'Yes, sir.'
'Now, Ms. Strauber, isn't it true that about a week previous'
to the night in question, you were threatened with dismissal
by Mr. Vanning for exceeding your duties as hostess?
Objection, Your Honor. It's irrelevant and immaterial.
I believe it both relevant and material
to inquire into the motives of this witness.
Overruled.
I ask you again, Ms. Strauber.
Is it true, that in spite of repeated warnings by Mr. Vanning
that he would not tolerate such conduct
in any establishment of his
you persisted in entertaining the men outside the club?
- Yes, but I-- - That's all, Ms. Strauber.
Thank you.
(judge) 'The people rest.'
The defense calls John Truble.
Will you please take the witness stand, Mr. Truble?
(bench clerk) 'Put up your right hand.'
'Do you swear to tell the truth nothing but the truth?'
- 'I do.' - 'What's your name?'
- John Truble. - Please be seated.
Mr. Truble, as sheriff for Maco County..
...do you recall arresting two men named William Borno
and James Meller for drunken driving?
Yes, sir.
What disposition was made of that charge?
They both pleaded guilty, so they got a $50 fine
and 10 days in jail apiece.
Will you please look around this courtroom and see
if you see either William Borno or James Meller, or both.
There's the two of them, sitting over there behind the table.
Will you two men rise, please?
- 'You mean, these two men?' - That's right. That's them.
May the record show that the witness has indicated
the defendants Borno and Meller.
Now, Mr. Truble.
You positively identify them
as the two men, remanded into your custody
at Maco County Jail, from October 4th to October 14th?
Yes, sir.
And you're certain that you didn't permit them to leave
the jail, so that they could be seen dragging the deceased
Ralph Crawford, into a taxicab, on the night of October 9th?
No, sir. I'm very strict about that.
[public laughing]
[Judge banging gavel]
Your Honor, I wish to offer into evidence
these duly attested records
of the arrest, conviction and imprisonment
of the defendants, William Borno and James Meller
on the charges and for the period
just stated by the witness.
(Judge) 'They may be so received.'
And so, ladies and gentlemen of the jury
you can readily understand why the district attorney
floundering in his desperate attempt to prosecute my client
has the effrontery to bring into this court
such an obviously trumped-up charge.
And as if this were not enough, he expects an intelligent jury
to convict the defendants for murder on the testimony
of a woman, who he tries to tell you, is an innocent victim
'of circumstances, but who, by her own admission'
'is unreliable, unscrupulous and unfit to be heard and believed'
'in any court of justice, and is definitely objectionable'
'in the eyes of all decent and upright men and women.'
"We, the jury in the above entitled action
find the defendants, and each of them, not guilty."
[Judge banging gavel]
The clerk will record the verdict as read.
The jury is excused and the defendants are discharged.
Boy, I've been in some rotten ones
but this smells to high heaven.
Nice going, kid.
Thanks.
Yes, it's reached my nose by now.
Oh, just a minute.
You know, for a little while, you had me believing in you.
I thought maybe you were different.
My mistake. Thanks for the ride.
If I weren't in such a hurry, I'd break right down and cry.
So long, chump. I'll be seeing you.
Ah! I wish it was all over. It's getting on my nerves.
Yes, and your talking about it is getting on mine.
Well, what happened?
- Where's the kid? - Inside.
- Vanning won, didn't he? - Yeah, Vanning won.
- How's she taking it? - Pretty tough.
If you want me to, I'll talk to her first, Mary.
No, thanks, Estelle.
Had to happen sooner or later.
So I..
I suppose I might just as well go in and face it now.
Hello, Betty.
Betty?
You know...this isn't gonna get us anywhere, darling.
Why didn't you tell me?
Why did you let me believe that..
Well, I..
I just couldn't.
I guess, I didn't ever want you to find out.
I wish now I had.
I've hurt you, haven't I, darling?
Betty.
You're not gonna let this make a difference between us, are you?
Are you?
You can't.
You'll see.
You'll forget all about it.
And in a couple of weeks, you'll be going back to school.
Mary.
I'm not going back to school.
Not going back to school?
Why?
Oh, I-I don't know.
I just don't like school anymore, that's all.
I've been thinking of leaving for a long time.
- That's not the reason. - Yes, it is.
Betty, I want you to tell me the truth.
I wanna know why you're not going back to school.
Alright.
I'll tell you.
I can't.
Don't you think my friends have read the papers?
Don't you think they've seen your picture and mine plastered
all over the front pages?
I couldn't go back and face them now.
I'd be too ashamed.
Ashamed of what?
Of you.
Mary.
Mary, please, I didn't mean it.
- Oh, please, don't. I didn't-- - I know you didn't, Betty.
That's alright. Let's forget all about it.
Pretend you never said it.
[humming]
Hello?
- Oh, it's you. You scared me. - I'm sorry.
Don't you ever get tired sitting around in the dark by yourself?
I like it.
I like it too, but not by myself.
I'm going to a party, I'm gonna get dressed.
- Do you wanna give me a hand? - I'd love to.
It's gonna be a big party. I'll wear my prettiest dress.
As a matter of fact, everybody in town is gonna be there.
Which one do you want?
(Emmy) 'The silver one with the little black jacket.'
'It's hanging towards the back.'
Oh, this one.
Why, Emmy Lou, it's beautiful.
Well, all my dresses are beautiful.
They gotta be in this racket.
There's nothing like clothes, honey.
That's the sugar that makes the flies come around.
I'll bet it'd look nice on you, too.
I once had a dress like this.
Of course, it wasn't nearly so pretty, but it was silver.
I wore it to the junior prom.
Gee, I had fun that night.
- Lots of boyfriends, huh? - I never missed a dance.
You miss dancing, don't you?
Kind of.
How'd you like to go the party with me tonight?
- Party? - Sure.
Vanning's throwing it. It'll be the classiest affair in town.
You'd have the time of your life. Come on, what do you say?
- Why, I'd love to, but-- - But what?
It's alright for an old maid to sit around
but a swell-looking kid like you ought to go out and enjoy life.
Get some fun outta it. You could use a little fun, couldn't you?
- Yes, I-- - Well, then, that settles it.
- You're going, in this dress. - But, Emmy Lou, I--
Come on, Cinderella, get out of these pajamas.
You're gonna have a marvelous time.
You'll meet loads and loads of people.
'Alright, but Emmy Lou..'
[Betty laughing]
[jazz music]
- Swell, isn't it? - Marvelous.
Very lovely, Johnny. Where have you been keeping that?
- The one in silver? - Like it?
What do you think?
It's yours.
- Who's the kid? - Friend of mine.
Is she alright?
Do you think I'd have brought her, if she wasn't?
Okay.
A particular friend of mine I want her to meet, understand?
- Sure, Johnny. Where is he? - Over at the bar.
Big fellow by the end.
- What's his name? - Crandall. Bob Crandall.
Okay, Johnny.
Come on, sugar.
Well, if it isn't Bob Crandall.
Where have you been keeping yourself?
How are you?
I want you to meet Betty Strauber.
Bob Crandall. I've known him for years.
- How do you do? - Will you have some champagne?
- Champagne? - Why, sure, we'd love it.
- More champagne. - 'Yes, sir.'
Would you excuse me for just a minute?
There's somebody I've gotta see. I'll pick you up later.
- Won't you sit down? - Thank you.
I'm way ahead of you. Think you can catch up?
- I'll try. - Great.
Here's to a large evening.
Tickled? Good.
[music continues]
- How you doing, sugar? - Swell.
(driver) 'Eighty cents.'
Wait a minute, lady, I ain't got no change for no $100 bill.
- 'Oh, I'm sorry.' - 'Thank you.'
- Oh, hello. - 'Hello.'
- Where were you? - At a party.
- Who took you? - Emmy Lou.
I'm terribly sorry for having come in so late
but we were having such a marvelous time, and I..
- Where'd you get that money? - Oh, this?
- Mr. Crandall gave it to me. - Why?
Why, I told him I had to leave, he gave it for taxi fare.
He must've been a little drunk.
I suppose you're going to see him again?
- Yes, tomorrow for lunch. - You little fool!
- Take it easy. - Shut up!
- But, Mary, what's wrong? - Get upstairs.
- What have I done? - I said, get upstairs.
- Mary, the kid didn't know. - Shut up. This is my affair.
Mine too. I wanna know why it's alright for you
to go to Vanning's parties and not alright for me.
So that's where you were.
Betty. Betty, you listen to me.
If you wanna go to a party again, you get advice from me.
Do you hear?
But you still haven't answered my question.
Well, you're different.
- That's why. - Well, maybe I'm not.
- Maybe, I'm just like you are. - Betty.
I'm not gonna stay cooped up in a room forever
'cause you're afraid, I'll do the same things you do.
- Oh, Betty, be quiet. - No, I won't. It's the truth.
You're afraid. Well, I'm not. Not anymore.
I've got the whole thing figured out.
Betty. Betty, listen to me. I've done an awful lot for you.
All you've ever done for me is mess up my life.
Fixed it so the things that I wanted to have
I can't have anymore. Alright.
If I can't live one way, I can live another.
- Why not? I'm young, pretty-- - And dumb!
But you're smart. You can teach me the rest.
Alright. If that's the way you feel about it
you can go anywhere you want to from now on.
You can even go back to Vanning's party.
That's exactly what I'm going to do.
[car door slams]
[engine starts]
[jazz music]
Hello, beautiful. You back again?
Hello. I'm looking for someone.
Well, you can stop looking right now, because you've found him.
That's something to celebrate about, isn't it? Or is it?
- Yes, it is. - You look sad, beautiful.
I don't want to see you look sad.
What you need is champagne, lots of it.
Maybe I do.
Not there, out on the terrace. All by ourselves.
That something to cheer your little heart up?
The champagne, the terrace...and me.
That worth a smile?
Come on, give it to me.
That's better.
[piano music]
Well, now for a little champagne.
Well...here we are.
Big, isn't it?
Yeah, but not so big you can't have anything that's in it.
It's too big. It makes you feel lonely and scared.
Well, if that don't suit you, there's the moon.
You can ask me for that. Or the stars.
But you don't need them. They're right in your eyes.
- You say pretty things. - Pretty things, pretty people.
I say them and give them.
- Please, don't! - You're a funny kid.
Please, don't, please. No, please don't.
No, you don't. Come on, honey. Don't act that way.
Give me a little kiss.
That's right, beautiful. Go up to the sky. I'll meet you there.
- Emmy Lou. - Why, Betty, what's the matter?
Take me home. Please take me home.
What's eating her? She stewed or something?
Come on, kid, stop putting on an act.
- Johnny-- - Shut up.
- You heard me, come on. - Let go of me!
- You're going to go nice? - No, I won't do it!
[screams]
Looks bad. She ain't breathing good. Shall I get an ambulance?
(Vanning) 'And have her talk? Don't be a sucker.'
Where's Betty?
Betty?
You heard me. Where's Betty?
- Well, didn't she come home? - She did, but she went back.
She didn't return to the party. At least, I didn't see her.
- Emmy Lou, you're lying. - Why should I lie to you?
- Where did she go? - I tell you, I didn't see her.
- Oh, I could kill you. - Let me alone.
- Who told you to take her? - She wanted to go herself.
She's not the kind to get mixed in such parties.
- I know nothing. - Why didn't you look after her?
Why didn't you look after her yourself?
She was your sister, not mine.
- If anything happens to her.. - Nothing's happened to her.
- 'How do you know?' - 'I just do, I'm telling you.'
I just know.
- Where you going? - I've got to find her.
Stick around a while. She might show up.
Oh, I can't wait, Gabby.
- Where's my sister? - Your sister?
How should I know? I never saw your sister in my life.
You're lying. She came last night at your party.
She came with Emmy Lou.
- Oh, was that your sister? - Yes.
Nice-looking kid.
Yeah, but went home about 2 o'clock.
- Ain't that right, Charlie? - Yeah.
- You're lying. Both of you. - Now, take it easy.
You know you're lying. Betty returned here, I can prove it.
- Yeah, by who? - Never mind that.
Where is she? What happened to her?
What's the matter with you, Mary?
Don't you think I'd tell you if I knew?
Why should I hold out on you?
I don't know. But I'm gonna find out.
Alright, I tried to be nice to you.
- Now get out, and fast! - You don't scare me.
Oh, hot-headed, eh? Just like..
- Like who? - Like me.
I'm the same way.
Now, go home and cool off.
I'll send some of the boys out. Maybe they'll help you find her.
Listen, Vanning.
All I know is that kid sister of mine came back here again
last night, and nobody has seen her since.
And get this straight.
If I find out, you or anybody else has laid a finger on her..
- You'll what? - I'll get you.
Even if I have to crawl back from my grave to do it.
Her sister, eh? That's bad.
- Who do you think tipped her? - Who do you think?
Emmy Lou. Go over there and grab that ditzy blonde
before she shoots off her face.
I know she went back to the party. I can prove it.
Emmy Lou is just covering up for Vanning.
He just tried to pawn the same story off on me.
You know Vanning doesn't duck around corners for nothing.
That's what's driving me crazy.
- And that's why-- - Alright, now. Take it easy.
You say, you reported to the missing persons bureau?
Yes.
Then, there's nothing I can do about it.
I'm sorry, but that's out of my department.
Did they cut your heart up into departments too?
That kid's my sister.
Any one of a million things could've happened to her.
- What do you expect me to do? - Arrest Vanning.
- Will you testify against him? - Yes.
Like you did last time?
You'll pardon me, but I don't believe a word you're saying.
You think I'm pretty low, don't you?
Now, what do you expect me to think?
I meet a lot of people here. I feel sorry for some of them.
They just can't help themselves. They don't know any better.
They're the misfits of the world, but you're not that kind.
You know what's right and you know what's wrong.
You know better, but you won't do anything about it.
You think you can get through the world by outsmarting it.
I've learned such people end up by outsmarting themselves.
And that's exactly what's going to happen to you.
And I won't feel a bit sorry about it
because, lady, you've got it coming to you.
Thanks for telling me.
The coroner's reports.
Oh, Mary. Will you come here a moment, please?
Sit down.
They found your sister.
Where?
In the river...dead.
It isn't true.
- I'm sorry. - Oh, no.
No, you don't have to be sorry for me.
You were right. I had it coming to me.
Oh, but why did it have to happen to her?
Why did it have to happen to her?
Alright. Now, let's go back.
You say Emmy Lou looked as if something terrible had happened?
Did she say anything?
- Well, when she came-- - She didn't say a thing.
I told you, she went into the bedroom and didn't say a word.
I suppose you didn't hear her say anything, either?
Well, I was tired and I wasn't paying much attention to her.
Oh, why don't you all stop stalling?
You know you heard every word she said.
I said, we didn't hear a thing. Not a thing.
I suppose, you girls realize that Emmy Lou
is the key witness to this whole business.
You know as well as I do who murdered Betty.
For years, we've waited for Vanning
to make one false move, and this is it.
Oh, what's the use?
I thought they were your friends.
So did I.
Alright, then I don't have to handle them with kid gloves.
Now, let's understand each other.
I've given you all a chance, and you've turned it down.
Now, when I get Vanning, which I will
I'm gonna get everybody connected with him.
And that means all of you.
- Mary. - Get away from me.
- You've got this all wrong. - I said, get away from me.
- What else could we do? - The law isn't for us.
Then what is?
That's another thing I've been trying to figure out for years.
Well, I'm sick of figuring things out.
Sure, we know all that. We know how hard it's hit you.
We know what you'd like to do about it. So would we.
We're in a spot.
Remember, once, I wanted to quit this.
You said there was nothing else we could turn to.
That we didn't know any other way of making a living.
Well, you're right, Mary, we don't.
If we go to Graham we'll really find out
for the first time just how tough it can be for us.
That is, if we're lucky enough to be alive that long.
Oh, you can understand that, can't you, Mary?
I only understand that Betty was my sister.
That Vanning killed her, and you won't help do anything about it.
Mary, there's nothing anybody else can do to bring her back.
We can get Vanning, make him pay, put him where he belongs.
So what?
So somebody else will take his place.
There'll always be somebody else.
Sure, as long as there are gals in the world like us
who are afraid of guys like that.
I said that once to a guy I was crazy about.
He worked for Vanning and got into a jam.
I saw a chance for both of us to get out
of this racket, once and for all, without being afraid.
I told him. He listened to me. They killed him.
I was crazy about him, Mary, just like you were about Betty.
Oh, what's the use?
It all adds up to the same thing if you wanna live.
(Vanning) 'You took the words right out of my mouth.'
What did you tell that D.A.?
- Did she say anything? - Nothing.
- 'Did any of you?' - No.
- Why did you go to the law? - Why did you kill my sister?
- Answer me. - You answer me.
Why did you kill my sister?
I don't know what you're talking about.
Maybe, Emmy Lou does. Where is she?
- What did you do with her? - You listen to me.
You lay off that guy, Graham, understand?
If you got any beefs, you come to me, I'll straighten them out.
Not this one. You can't.
You heard what I said. Stay away from that guy.
- And that goes for all of you. - Not for me, it doesn't.
I'll tell him, and plenty more.
You'll tell him nothing.
Alright, get out of here.
Charlie.
Johnny!
Shut up, or you'll get the same.
Go ahead, Charlie.
[thud]
(Mary) 'No! Ugh!'
[thud]
(Mary) 'No, no. Oh, please! Please, don't.'
(Mary screams)
[gasps]
Remember, if anybody asks any questions
you came home and found her that way.
[groaning]
Mary. Mary!
[dramatic music]
Alright, break it in.
Alright, keep your seats, everybody. This is a raid.
[people screaming]
Put that stuff down and stay where you are.
Alright, here you are. Break that in.
You better get up there and search that floor.
Take those girls and line them up here.
There's not enough room.
I know Graham's working fast, but we've got to beat him to it.
Tell Williams to put up all the bail they want.
The sky's the limit.
Okay. Keep me posted.
Better think fast, Gordon.
It don't look like D.A.'s fooling this time.
Either Graham's putting on a show to shut up the newspapers
or he's got something on you we don't know about.
Nobody's ever got anything on me I don't know about.
[phone ringing]
Yeah.
Okay, I'll tell him. Graham's on his way here.
He's after that girl.
He wants to sweat it out of her.
And if he does, you'll fry.
- Get her out of here, fast. - Take it easy, Gordon.
Nobody's going to get a chance to sweat her.
Charlie.
(man on radio) 'In a series of raids, police are swooping down on nightclubs'
'and gambling joints owned or controlled by Johnny Vanning.'
'Neither police nor the D.A. would disclose the reason'
'for this sudden interest in Mr. Vanning's enterprises.'
'It's not hard to guess that it all ties in with the killing'
'of Betty Strauber and the beating of her sister, Mary'
'who is still in serious condition at the General Ho--'
(male) 'Alright, Johnny, you wait out here.'
Come on, sister, you're going places.
- Where to? - Never mind. Just places.
Get her stuff out of here.
No. No, I won't go.
I won't. Johnny promised me. He promised he'd take care of me.
He can't double-cross me. He can't! He can't! No!
Oh, no! No!
No! No! No! Where are you taking me?
Wait a minute, Charlie. Vanning's phoning down.
Take her to the lobby.
Come out!
Gotta open it.
[dramatic music continues]
Get on the phone. Tell the doorman to stop her.
- Tell him she's drunk. - Right.
Around the back.
Did you see a blonde come through here?
- No, sir. - Get that dame and fast!
(Gabby) 'You feel better now, don't you?'
Yes.
- We'll have to go soon. - Goodbye.
Oh, don't take it so hard, Mary.
The doctor outside told me he could fix that scar
so nobody'd ever notice it.
I got things wrong with me
that all the doctors in the world can't fix.
Mary, we were figuring that when you got out
we'd send you away, maybe to Florida
and you could lie in the sun and rest for a few weeks.
It'll do you a lot good, Mary. You'll forget all about this.
How?
By just closing my eyes and pretending it never happened?
I wish it was as easy as that...but it isn't.
You see, I...I keep seeing that poor little sister of mine..
...lying there...with that fear still in her eyes..
'...and her pretty little head all twisted.'
Me, too.
- I see her too, just like you. - Emmy Lou.
Mary.
Oh, Mary.
[sobbing]
You go on back to headquarters and I'll see you there later.
If you get any news of Emmy Lou, call me at the hospital.
Alright, Mr. Graham.
I didn't mean to take her there, Mary.
- You know I didn't. I.. - Never mind.
Never mind, Emmy Lou. It's all over now.
There's only one thing that I'm interested in.
- Estelle, call Graham's office. - What are you gonna do, Mary?
Have Emmy Lou tell him the same story she just told us.
- Do you know what you're doing? - Sure, I do.
I swore that I'd make Vanning pay for this
if it was the last thing I ever did.
Well, why make her pay for it too?
Once she tells Graham, she's gone. Don't you realize that?
You'll be equally responsible for her being gone as Vanning.
Well?
Go ahead, Mary. It doesn't make any difference anymore.
My number's up anyhow.
He'll get me, just as he'll get every one of you.
As long as we're alive, there's a chance of someone telling.
And Vanning doesn't take chances.
One by one, he'll get us.
Maybe, if we went to him and said
"Look, Johnny, you know us, we won't talk."
- Maybe we could make a deal. - I'm sick of making deals.
Well, you wanna keep on living, don't you?
If this is what you call living, I don't want any part of it.
Always being afraid.
Never knowing, what's going to happen to you the next day.
I'm fed up with being afraid of...Vanning or anybody else.
There must be...some other way for me to live.
If there isn't, I..
Well, I'd sooner put a bullet in my head, right now, and end it.
[knock on door]
- 'Hello, Graham.' - Hello, Mary.
Emmy Lou? What does she know?
- Everything. - Will she talk?
Yeah, she'll talk, and so will we.
[dramatic music]
I'm telling you, Johnny, we've got to make a deal.
What do you mean?
Plead guilty. Throw yourself on the mercy of the court.
Mercy? Don't make me laugh.
They've been waiting to get me in a spot like this for years.
We haven't got a chance with Emmy Lou testifying for them.
- Our only way out is a deal. - Me?
I don't make no deals with nobody. They make deals with me.
All the time I've been that way, ever since I was that big.
You think I care for money?
All I care about is to make people do what I tell them.
You're crazy, Johnny.
Yeah, maybe I am.
Maybe, I ain't.
I just know one thing.
I ain't going to let no five dames put the skids under me.
You want a deal? Here it is.
You tell to those dames that I'll get them before the trial
and maybe I got to wait until after it's over.
But if they talk, sure as my name's Johnny Vanning..
...I'll get 'em.
I wish that guy Graham would stop sending these banquets.
He's ruining my girlish figure.
You don't have to make a pig out of yourself.
Well, it's free, why not?
Come on, Mary, your stuff's getting cold.
No, I'm not hungry.
Gabby, look.
See that guy there, across the street, with the gray hat on?
He looks like Joe Donnera, one of Vanning's executioners.
Right. Get away from that window, Mary.
That little hophead isn't out there walking for his health.
That's all.
Be seated.
Proceed with the case of The State vs. Vanning.
The state calls Florrie Liggett.
And when Betty got out of the taxi and came up the stoop
she had money in her hand, didn't she?
Yes, sir.
- It was a $100 bill, wasn't it? - Yes, sir.
And where did she tell you she got that $100 bill?
- From a man at the party. - Just as a sort of a present?
No, sir. She said she got it for taxi fare.
'She told you that she accepted a $100 bill for taxi fare?'
'Yes, sir. We always got that at Johnny's parties.'
Thank you. That's all.
[Judge banging gavel]
The state calls Estelle Porter.
- You knew Betty Strauber? - Yes, sir.
Will you speak louder so the jury can hear you?
Yes, sir.
What kind of a girl would you say she was?
She was the sweetest kid you ever saw.
'And up until very recently, she didn't know'
'the kind of work you and her sister were doing?'
No, sir. She thought we were models in a dress shop.
Mary kept her in a swell school.
Wanted her to grow up to be a god kid, and..
Objection, as irrelevant and cheap pathos
in an attempt to play on the sympathies of the jury.
I merely offer it in rebuttal to the cheap insinuations
cast upon the character of the deceased Betty Strauber.
Overruled. Proceed.
The state calls Dorothy Marvin, known as Gabby Marvin.
Why did you refuse to talk about this case to the D.A. at first?
I had a reason.
And was it for the same reason that you tried
to persuade the other girls not to talk?
- Yes. - And just what was that reason?
- Vanning. - What do you mean, Vanning?
A boy I was crazy about used to work for him.
He wanted to get out of this, so we could go away together.
But he knew too much. Vanning wouldn't let him out.
So the boyfriend got sore and talked.
George, he was that kind of a guy, sorta hotheaded and wild--
Never mind that. What happened?
They found him in a ditch, full of slugs.
[public chattering]
[Judge banging gavel]
The state calls Mary Dwight.
And when you defied Vanning's command
to stay away from the law
and threatened to tell me all you knew, what did he do?
He slapped me hard right across the mouth.
Then what happened?
He ordered all the other girls to leave the room.
And after they left?
Charlie and another member of the gang, went to work on me.
'And by that you mean?'
They started slapping me around.
They'd keep crashing their big fists in my face.
And threatening me with worse
if I didn't keep my mouth shut like Johnny said.
Then when I fell down, they started kicking me.
Oh, I begged them to lay off, but they wouldn't stop.
Then when I saw Charlie..
...lean over me and take out his knife..
...I screamed and-and fainted.
And you don't remember anything that happened after that?
No. Not until I woke up in the hospital.
Was there any reason why Charlie cut that cross on your cheek?
Sure.
Sure, that's Johnny's little trademark..
...for anyone who double-crosses him.
Emmy Lou Eagan, take the stand.
Then Betty pleaded with Vanning
not to make her go with Mr. Crandall.
And that only made Johnny mad.
He grabbed her, and when she tried to fight him off
he hit her, and she fell down the stairs.
- She fell down the stairs? - Yes, sir.
Then Vanning didn't deliberately
push or throw her down the stairs, did he?
Well, no, sir. He hit her so hard she lost her balance and--
Accidentally fell down the stairs, isn't that right?
- Yes, sir. - Then Vanning didn't kill her?
- Oh, he did! He did! - You said it was an accident.
- Now, which is it? - He killed her, I tell you.
I saw him, and that's why he wanted to kill me too.
And in summing up, I cannot impress upon you too strongly
you must never lose sight of the background of this case.
A viciously ruthless background from which sprang the motive
for this killing of an innocent girl.
You should consider not only Vanning the murderer
but also Vanning the vice czar
who, at this very moment is exacting his staggering tribute
from a supine and cowardly city.
To defend this empire of vice and crime
Vanning is pursuing the same methods he used
in building and maintaining it.
Insidious bribery to corrupt, brutal violence to intimidate
and cold-blooded murder to silence any who dared protest.
Had all these succeeded, as they had so often in the past
I wouldn't be here prosecuting Vanning for murder.
And why did he fail?
Was it because our leading citizens had risen
in righteous indignation to rid the city of this criminal?
Ladies and gentlemen.
These leading citizens, men of reputation
men of standing, men of righteousness
who cried to the high heavens that the city was overrun
with crime and corruption.
When they were called upon to testify, to do something
about it, to risk even a little, did they? No.
They were either too busy or too afraid.
Out of all the teeming millions of this great city
only five girls had the courage
'to take their very lives in their hands and accuse Vanning.'
'In spite of all threats of reprisals'
'the horror of which they knew too well'
'they were ready to appear before you to testify.'
And let me be the first to admit the truth of the accusations
that were brought against these girls in a desperate effort
to discredit them.
Frankly, they're everything the defense has said they are.
Their characters are questionable.
Their profession, unsavory and distasteful.
Oh, it's not been difficult to crucify them
but it has been difficult to crucify the truth.
And that truth is that these girls
in the face of sheer, stark terrorism, did appear in court
exposed themselves to the public gaze, told the truth
about themselves, told the world what they really are.
Then you must believe that they were telling the truth
when they testified that Vanning was responsible
'for the death of Betty Strauber.'
'And if you do believe that'
there is but one verdict you can reach..
...and that is guilty.
Be seated.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury.
Have you reached a verdict?
- We have, Your Honor. - Hand it to the clerk.
Read it.
"We, the jury, in the above entitled cause
"find the defendants guilty on counts
"one, two, three and four."
[public chattering]
Your Honor, at this time we give oral notice of our intention
to move for a new trial.
An intelligent, courageous, indiscriminating jury
has found you, Vanning, guilty of heading a combination
to commit and profit from every vicious and reprehensible crime.
This makes you responsible, in law and morals
for every foul and cruel deed
performed at your command by your henchmen.
'The evidence against you is overwhelming.'
'Your previous record shows you a incorrigible criminal.'
'A low and brutal character'
an unprincipled and aggressive egotist.
It is my sworn duty to administer to each of you
the justice and punishment of an outraged community.
But before I do, let me warn you.
That should any of the people's witnesses be injured or harassed
'specifically, if anything happens to those five girls'
'the court will request the parole authorities'
'to retain in prison'
'the defendants against whom such witnesses testified'
'for the maximum terms of the sentences to be imposed.'
'Since all of you have been found guilty'
'on every count in the indictment'
it is a judgment and sentence of this court
that you be imprisoned
for a term of not less than 30 nor more than 50 years
'in the state penitentiary.'
[Judge banging gavel]
Well, that's that.
Come on, kids.
Let's go.
- Congratulations. - Nice work, Dave.
Just a minute, Mr. Graham. Look this way, please.
Joe.
Johnny says to lay off.
Okay.
(Graham) 'Mary.'
Yes?
- Aren't you gonna wait? - What for?
- It's all over, isn't it? - Over?
Why, sure. You'd better go back inside.
They all wanna congratulate you.
Oh, no, you're the one that should be getting
the congratulations, not me.
Uh-uh. I don't want them.
- But, where will you go? - Places.
- But, what will you do? - Do?
Oh, I'll get along. I always have.
Mary, I'd like to help you.
Why?
Why? Because I..
...because I think you've got a break coming to you.
And?
And I'd like to see that you get it.
What's the use of stalling?
We both live in different worlds, that's how we leave it.
I don't want to leave it that way.
I said to you that if you ever started helping yourself
I'd be the first one to go to bat for you.
And that still goes.
No matter what you do or where you go..
...we'll meet again.
Goodbye, Graham.
I'll be seeing you.
- Here's Graham. - Been looking all over for you.
'How about pictures of our next D.A.?'
'What do you mean D.A.? He'll be our next governor.'
'Come on. Give that old personality smile.'
'You know, Graham, the old chin out.'
- 'Atta-boy.' - 'Just a few more now, Graham.'
- Wait a minute, Graham. - Let's get two more.
[orchestra music]