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The Whistler - "Death in Sixteen Millimeter Ep Afrs" (Old Time Radio, 1949) · The Whistler | Old Time Radio

• 0:00
  Speaker 1: July 17th, 1949 brought CBS Pacific Network listeners a Signal
• 0:06
  Speaker 1: Oil presentation of The Whistler, episode 372. In Death in 16mm,
• 0:13
  Speaker 1: Paul Benton's troubled marriage and his secret relationship with the
• 0:16
  Speaker 1: wealthy Cynthia come under pressure along the Southern California coast.
• 0:20
  Speaker 1: A sailboat outing, a Malibu beach house, and a 16mm
• 0:24
  Speaker 1: camera place money, suspicion, and private resentments on a dangerous course.
• 0:29
  Speaker 1: Featured performers include Jack Petruzzi and Virginia Gregg. Settle in
• 0:34
  Speaker 1: now for a late night visit with one of radio's
• 0:36
  Speaker 1: enduring suspense series. We now take you back to the
• 0:39
  Speaker 1: original broadcast.
• 0:46
  Speaker 2: The Whistler I am the Whistler, and I know many things,
• 1:10
  Speaker 2: for I walk by night. I know many strange tales,
• 1:14
  Speaker 2: hidden in the hearts of men and women who have
• 1:16
  Speaker 2: stepped into the shadows. Yes, I know the nameless terrors
• 1:21
  Speaker 2: of which they dare not speak. And now, the Whistler's
• 1:27
  Speaker 2: strange story, Death in Sixteen Millimeters. The buzz of conversation
• 1:39
  Speaker 2: in the little seaside cafe was low enough to permit
• 1:42
  Speaker 2: the nearby sound of the.
• 1:44
  Speaker 3: Surf to be heard.
• 1:44
  Speaker 2: Paul Benton looked past the girl sitting across from him,
• 1:48
  Speaker 2: watched the water for a moment, quietly and thoughtfully, remembering
• 1:52
  Speaker 2: the first time he'd told her that he loved her.
• 1:55
  Speaker 4: It was two years ago, Cynthia.
• 1:57
  Speaker 5: Two years, Paul?
• 1:59
  Speaker 4: Mm-hmm, the first time we came here. After your uncle
• 2:02
  Speaker 4: died and I began to manage the estate.
• 2:04
  Speaker 3: Oh, yes.
• 2:06
  Speaker 6: You did so much more, Paul. I don't know what
• 2:09
  Speaker 6: I would have done.
• 2:09
  Speaker 4: I have tried, Cynthia.
• 2:11
  Speaker 6: It can't just end. After these weeks of not seeing you,
• 2:16
  Speaker 6: I know I couldn't stand it.
• 2:17
  Speaker 4: It must end. You know that, too. Why, if Edith
• 2:20
  Speaker 4: ever found out that, well, that things have gone beyond
• 2:22
  Speaker 4: a mere attorney and client relationship, she.
• 2:24
  Speaker 6: But she hasn't found out, Paul. She doesn't have to, ever.
• 2:27
  Speaker 4: I'm sorry, dear, but I think too much of you
• 2:29
  Speaker 4: to just go on and on this way.
• 2:32
  Speaker 6: You really mean that, Paul.
• 2:35
  Speaker 4: Can you question it?
• 2:37
  Speaker 2: No. No, um.
• 2:41
  Speaker 6: Oh, Paul, I can't give you up.
• 2:42
  Speaker 4: But, darling, there's just nothing else to do. Nothing else
• 2:45
  Speaker 4: for either of us. That is, as long as Edith
• 2:49
  Speaker 4: is my wife.
• 2:50
  Speaker 6: Oh, Paul, darling. There must be a way out. We've
• 2:54
  Speaker 6: got to find that way. Oh.
• 3:04
  Speaker 3: There must be a way out. Yes, Paul.
• 3:07
  Speaker 2: You have her thinking in the right direction, haven't you?
• 3:10
  Speaker 2: The way the tears mounted quickly to her eyes.
• 3:13
  Speaker 3: Then that odd little look of determination.
• 3:16
  Speaker 4: Of hate, almost.
• 3:18
  Speaker 2: The plan you've figured out is beginning to work, isn't it, Paul?
• 3:21
  Speaker 2: It's like those waves outside the Cove Cafe. Almost ready
• 3:26
  Speaker 2: to break out into the open. Smash against the rocks.
• 3:29
  Speaker 2: Wash everything clear. Yes.
• 3:31
  Speaker 3: Your unhappy marriage.
• 3:33
  Speaker 2: Your confused, disinterested relationship with Cynthia. A relationship that would
• 3:38
  Speaker 2: have remained strictly attorney and client if it hadn't been
• 3:41
  Speaker 2: for Cynthia's money.
• 3:42
  Speaker 3: Wouldn't it, Paul? Yes. But money is all important to you.
• 3:48
  Speaker 2: And some of Cynthia's is almost within your grasp as
• 3:51
  Speaker 2: you carefully urge things further along. Increase the tide of
• 3:55
  Speaker 2: Cynthia's emotions. Urge her to the brink of murder.
• 3:59
  Speaker 4: I've thought and thought about this, Cynthia. You know how
• 4:02
  Speaker 4: much I want you. Last night I begged you to
• 4:05
  Speaker 4: third divorce.
• 4:05
  Speaker 6: Paul, you risked letting her know about us?
• 4:09
  Speaker 4: Oh, I didn't mention you. I just said I was
• 4:11
  Speaker 4: in love with someone else.
• 4:12
  Speaker 6: Oh, darling.
• 4:13
  Speaker 4: Oh, I'd have risked anything if I thought it would
• 4:15
  Speaker 4: do any good. But it won't. She refused me. She'll
• 4:18
  Speaker 4: always refuse me as long as she lives. I.
• 4:23
  Speaker 6: I wish I dared talk to her.
• 4:24
  Speaker 4: No, Cynthia. Don't ever let her know it's you, Cynthia.
• 4:27
  Speaker 4: Because talking to her won't do any good, and certainly.
• 4:30
  Speaker 7: Edith and I have become fairly good friends, Paul. If
• 4:33
  Speaker 7: I could get her out someplace where just the two
• 4:35
  Speaker 7: of us.
• 4:36
  Speaker 4: It's useless, I tell you. There's no way, Cynthia. No
• 4:39
  Speaker 4: way in this world.
• 4:41
  Speaker 6: I'm not so sure, Paul. I'm not so sure.
• 4:46
  Speaker 4: Cynthia, what do you mean?
• 4:51
  Speaker 6: Nothing.
• 4:53
  Speaker 2: Nothing, Paul.
• 4:56
  Speaker 6: It's late. You'd better take me home.
• 5:07
  Speaker 3: It's going well, isn't it, Paul? Smoothly.
• 5:10
  Speaker 2: And you know exactly what's in Cynthia's mind. You're certain
• 5:14
  Speaker 2: of it the way she kisses you goodnight. No, Paul,
• 5:17
  Speaker 2: she hasn't any intention of giving you up. If you
• 5:21
  Speaker 2: had any doubts, they're dispelled the following day when you
• 5:24
  Speaker 2: overhear a telephone conversation from the extension in your den.
• 5:28
  Speaker 2: A very interesting conversation between Cynthia and your wife, Edith.
• 5:33
  Speaker 3: Hello, Edith.
• 5:34
  Speaker 4: Darling, it's Cynthia.
• 5:35
  Speaker 2: Cynthia!
• 5:37
  Speaker 6: I haven't heard from you in weeks. I've been wondering
• 5:39
  Speaker 6: if anything was wrong. Oh, I've just been busy, that's all.
• 5:42
  Speaker 7: I wondered, dear, could you go sailing with me tomorrow,
• 5:45
  Speaker 7: out off the port?
• 5:47
  Speaker 4: Oh, I'd like to, Cynthia, but.
• 5:48
  Speaker 3: Well, you know I'm not a good sailor.
• 5:51
  Speaker 6: Being such a poor swimmer, I.
• 5:52
  Speaker 5: Darling, you'll be with me.
• 5:54
  Speaker 7: An expert skipper.
• 5:56
  Speaker 2: Could we do something else?
• 5:58
  Speaker 4: Maybe go for a drive?
• 5:59
  Speaker 7: Edith, we must talk someplace where we won't be interrupted.
• 6:03
  Speaker 6: What?
• 6:04
  Speaker 7: I wasn't going to say this until I saw you.
• 6:07
  Speaker 3: But it's important.
• 6:09
  Speaker 2: Why don't you tell me now?
• 6:09
  Speaker 6: Please don't question me over the boat.
• 6:12
  Speaker 2: Meet me at the boat tomorrow.
• 6:14
  Speaker 4: At ten.
• 6:15
  Speaker 3: All right.
• 6:15
  Speaker 4: And Edith... Yes?
• 6:17
  Speaker 3: I wouldn't say anything about this evening.
• 6:20
  Speaker 5: Don't let anyone see you.
• 6:22
  Speaker 3: I won't, Cynthia.
• 6:24
  Speaker 2: I'll be there tomorrow.
• 6:26
  Speaker 6: It's ten o'clock.
• 6:26
  Speaker 5: I'll be waiting, darling. I'll be glad to get this
• 6:29
  Speaker 5: off my mind.
• 6:30
  Speaker 2: Goodbye.
• 6:32
  Speaker 8: Goodbye.
• 6:58
  Speaker 2: Well, Paul, so Cynthia's planning a sailing trip with Edith.
• 7:02
  Speaker 3: A secret one.
• 7:03
  Speaker 2: With a promise of telling her something about you. You're
• 7:07
  Speaker 2: certain that it can have all but one meaning. And
• 7:11
  Speaker 2: it can't happen soon enough to fit in with your
• 7:13
  Speaker 2: own plan for some of Cynthia's wealth. At least $ 100, 000, Paul.
• 7:18
  Speaker 3: Perhaps even more later on. But there's still one more move,
• 7:23
  Speaker 3: isn't there? That evening takes you downtown to an.
• 7:26
  Speaker 2: Out-of-the-way studio apartment, which serves as a base of operations
• 7:30
  Speaker 2: for a client and friend of yours, a commercial motion
• 7:33
  Speaker 2: picture producer, Fred Mason. I'm afraid I don't get Liz Benton.
• 7:38
  Speaker 4: I don't get it at all. What's the matter, Fred?
• 7:39
  Speaker 4: You've never questioned any other deal that's been offered you?
• 7:42
  Speaker 4: This isn't nearly as unusual as most. Sure, I take
• 7:45
  Speaker 4: pictures of lots of things.
• 7:46
  Speaker 2: But this doesn't sound so good.
• 7:48
  Speaker 4: $ 10, 000 sounds good, doesn't it?
• 7:51
  Speaker 8: Yeah, but sometimes it depends on how you earn it.
• 7:57
  Speaker 4: You could afford to move away from all that racket. Oh,
• 8:00
  Speaker 4: it doesn't bother me.
• 8:01
  Speaker 2: Dust the milk train, let the guy know what.
• 8:04
  Speaker 4: Time it is. Quit stalling, Fred. Business hasn't been good
• 8:08
  Speaker 4: and you know it. All you have to do is
• 8:10
  Speaker 4: take a half a reel or so of movies for
• 8:13
  Speaker 4: a client of mine.
• 8:13
  Speaker 2: Yeah, movies of what? Not commercial, I'll bet.
• 8:16
  Speaker 4: Not exactly. You see, my client believes the wife of
• 8:19
  Speaker 4: a friend of his is going to meet with an unfortunate... Accident?
• 8:23
  Speaker 4: Wait a minute.
• 8:24
  Speaker 2: If this is murder, I don't want any part of it.
• 8:26
  Speaker 4: Who said anything about murder? Besides, you wouldn't be involved.
• 8:31
  Speaker 4: I just want your pictures for proof in case it
• 8:33
  Speaker 4: should happen.
• 8:34
  Speaker 8: Why doesn't your client's friend save himself a lot of
• 8:37
  Speaker 8: trouble and just get himself a divorce?
• 8:39
  Speaker 4: He thought of that. His wife won't give him one. Now,
• 8:41
  Speaker 4: it seems that he has a girlfriend who's the jealous type,
• 8:44
  Speaker 4: and she's taking the wife sailing tomorrow.
• 8:47
  Speaker 3: Where?
• 8:48
  Speaker 4: Oh, Fisherman's Point. You know the spot. Tomorrow morning, sometime
• 8:51
  Speaker 4: after 10. My friend has a feeling something will go wrong,
• 8:55
  Speaker 4: so I want you around in another boat with a
• 8:57
  Speaker 4: movie camera to get pictures of the whole thing.
• 9:00
  Speaker 2: What for?
• 9:01
  Speaker 8: Well, like I said, for proof. Sounds more like blackmail. Look,
• 9:07
  Speaker 8: suppose I did go along.
• 9:09
  Speaker 2: And nothing happened.
• 9:10
  Speaker 4: There's still a thousand in it for you.
• 9:12
  Speaker 2: But if there is an accident, your client will pay
• 9:16
  Speaker 2: me ten thousand.
• 9:16
  Speaker 4: For the picture? And for keeping your mouth shut. Why
• 9:19
  Speaker 4: don't you do it yourself? I've seen some pretty good
• 9:22
  Speaker 4: stuff you've shot. I want a professional job. It's safer.
• 9:25
  Speaker 4: Then there's the developing of the film.
• 9:27
  Speaker 8: Look, I'll do a lot for Doe, but like I said,
• 9:30
  Speaker 8: you can handle it. I don't figure getting mixed up
• 9:32
  Speaker 8: in any murder. You're forgetting something, aren't you, Fred?
• 9:37
  Speaker 4: What? That little hit-and-run accident you were involved in last week.
• 9:42
  Speaker 4: The one you came to see me about?
• 9:43
  Speaker 2: You told me to keep quiet unless something came up.
• 9:45
  Speaker 4: Yes, yes. At the time, silence seemed like the best defense, but...
• 9:50
  Speaker 4: Since the victim died, I'm not sure it is my
• 9:52
  Speaker 4: duty to report it to the authorities.
• 9:55
  Speaker 8: You can still count me out, Paul.
• 9:58
  Speaker 2: There's not enough money in the world to mix me up...
• 9:59
  Speaker 2: in a deal like that.
• 10:02
  Speaker 4: But, uh, I'll.
• 10:04
  Speaker 2: Forget you were here tonight if that'll help any.
• 10:08
  Speaker 4: All right, friend. If that's the way you feel about it,
• 10:12
  Speaker 4: just forget it. Forget the whole thing.
• 10:22
  Speaker 2: Well, Paul, Fred Mason wasn't as easy as you thought
• 10:25
  Speaker 2: he'd be. You're surprised and disappointed that he wouldn't go through.
• 10:29
  Speaker 3: With a deal. For it leaves just one answer, doesn't it?
• 10:33
  Speaker 2: You'll have to use your own movie camera, develop your
• 10:36
  Speaker 2: own film. Do the whole job yourself. In a rented
• 10:46
  Speaker 2: fishing boat, you follow Edith and Cynthia's course. A mile
• 10:50
  Speaker 2: down from the point, there's a vast formation of rocks.
• 10:54
  Speaker 2: And Cynthia skillfully sails amidst them to gain protection from
• 10:57
  Speaker 2: anyone watching from shore. Approaching the area behind them, you
• 11:00
  Speaker 2: cut the motor. Allow the current to carry you along
• 11:03
  Speaker 2: quietly until you drift into a commanding but protected position.
• 11:08
  Speaker 2: The telescopic lens does the rest as the whole scene
• 11:11
  Speaker 2: appears in the camera finder. Cynthia pointing suddenly to divert
• 11:15
  Speaker 2: Edith's attention and quickly shifting the sail. Edith is hit
• 11:18
  Speaker 2: squarely and topples overboard. Cynthia dives in as if to help,
• 11:23
  Speaker 2: but actually she merely watches Edith's feeble struggles until she
• 11:26
  Speaker 2: goes under. Then it's all over with Cynthia sailing off alone.
• 11:40
  Speaker 2: Minutes later, piloting in and out between the rocks, you
• 11:43
  Speaker 2: navigate to the spot. React excitedly as you see Edith
• 11:46
  Speaker 2: struggling back to the surface. The tide helping her toward
• 11:50
  Speaker 2: the rocks. She might make it and hold on, but
• 11:54
  Speaker 2: you take care of that.
• 11:57
  Speaker 3: You swing the boat around. You catch her with a bow.
• 12:03
  Speaker 6: Yes.
• 12:05
  Speaker 3: Yes, it's really complete now, isn't it, Paul? All over.
• 12:11
  Speaker 3: For good.
• 12:17
  Speaker 2: It isn't easy in the week that follows. The recovery
• 12:20
  Speaker 2: of the body. Your seeming grief.
• 12:22
  Speaker 3: The funeral.
• 12:24
  Speaker 2: A couple of weeks later, you decide it's time. Phone
• 12:28
  Speaker 2: Cynthia and drop by her apartment.
• 12:30
  Speaker 6: Another cocktail, Paul?
• 12:31
  Speaker 4: No, thanks, Cynthia. Just a cigarette.
• 12:33
  Speaker 8: Light?
• 12:34
  Speaker 3: Thanks.
• 12:34
  Speaker 4: Thanks.
• 12:37
  Speaker 6: Why did you ask me to set up my movie projector, Paul?
• 12:40
  Speaker 4: I have some pictures, some last shots of Edith.
• 12:44
  Speaker 2: Oh.
• 12:44
  Speaker 4: I developed them myself. Quite a process.
• 12:47
  Speaker 6: Poor Edith.
• 12:48
  Speaker 4: The stuff came out a little rough, but clear enough
• 12:51
  Speaker 4: to make me glad I have them.
• 12:52
  Speaker 6: I understand, dear. Paul, you do need a drink. I'll
• 12:56
  Speaker 6: get more ice.
• 12:57
  Speaker 4: Okay. Maid's off tonight, isn't she?
• 12:59
  Speaker 9: That's right.
• 13:01
  Speaker 2: Taking advantage of Cynthia's absence, you open a desk drawer.
• 13:05
  Speaker 2: Take out Cynthia's. 22 revolver and slip it into your pocket.
• 13:09
  Speaker 2: Cynthia bought it a year ago after a series of
• 13:11
  Speaker 2: robberies of wealthy women. She's never touched it since. You're
• 13:16
  Speaker 2: sure she's even forgotten it. But you feel safer knowing
• 13:19
  Speaker 2: it's no longer in her possession. You're sitting down again
• 13:23
  Speaker 2: as she comes back into the room.
• 13:25
  Speaker 6: There. Just help yourself if you want anything.
• 13:28
  Speaker 4: Okay, thanks, Cynthia.
• 13:30
  Speaker 3: Paul.
• 13:32
  Speaker 6: You've been wonderful about everything. I know what a sharp
• 13:36
  Speaker 6: Edith's death was to you. Was to me, too. I...
• 13:42
  Speaker 6: I can't help but feel I'm to blame.
• 13:45
  Speaker 4: Drop the act, Cynthia. Edith's death wasn't an accident.
• 13:49
  Speaker 6: Wasn't an accident? I don't know what you mean.
• 13:53
  Speaker 4: Oh, yes, you do, Cynthia. And I have the evidence
• 13:55
  Speaker 4: to prove it.
• 13:56
  Speaker 6: Paul, you... You're not inferring that.
• 13:58
  Speaker 4: As I said, I have the evidence. I'll switch off
• 14:01
  Speaker 4: the light and you'll see what I mean.
• 14:09
  Speaker 2: What?
• 14:10
  Speaker 6: It's a movie of Edith and me.
• 14:13
  Speaker 4: Sure. You're the star.
• 14:17
  Speaker 6: How did you.
• 14:17
  Speaker 4: This scene coming up is my favorite. It's the one
• 14:20
  Speaker 4: where you deliberately push Edith overboard. What's the matter, Cynthia?
• 14:26
  Speaker 4: Don't you like it? Stop it!
• 14:28
  Speaker 6: Shut it up!
• 14:29
  Speaker 4: Okay.
• 14:33
  Speaker 6: Paul, you won't believe it.
• 14:37
  Speaker 7: I planned to tell you about everything later. You said
• 14:41
  Speaker 7: you'd marry me if anything ever happened to Edith.
• 14:43
  Speaker 4: I know. And it turned out exactly as I thought
• 14:45
  Speaker 4: it would when I said it. Something did happen to Edith.
• 14:49
  Speaker 6: Yes, darling. And in a little while, we can get married.
• 14:54
  Speaker 6: That's what we wanted.
• 14:55
  Speaker 4: Well, not exactly. I never figured on marrying you, Cynthia.
• 15:00
  Speaker 4: Not at all. You see, I'm in love with someone else.
• 15:04
  Speaker 6: Oh, you can't.
• 15:07
  Speaker 3: Oh.
• 15:09
  Speaker 6: You planned it from the beginning. All the things you
• 15:14
  Speaker 6: said about loving me. It was a big joke with you,
• 15:17
  Speaker 6: wasn't it?
• 15:17
  Speaker 7: You never cared about me at all.
• 15:21
  Speaker 4: Oh, I wouldn't go that far. I like you a lot.
• 15:24
  Speaker 4: So much that if you were to give me, say, $ 100, 000,
• 15:26
  Speaker 4: I wouldn't even tell the police about what happened. I'd
• 15:30
  Speaker 4: even give you the pictures, too, the negatives. I've already
• 15:34
  Speaker 4: picked out the stocks you can sell to raise the
• 15:36
  Speaker 4: cash amount. But you can sell the first thing in
• 15:39
  Speaker 4: the morning. Then you'll have plenty of time to get
• 15:41
  Speaker 4: the cash for me before the banks close. Let's say
• 15:44
  Speaker 4: tomorrow evening, shall we, Cynthia?
• 15:53
  Speaker 2: Back at your apartment, you congratulate yourself.
• 15:56
  Speaker 3: The money is as good as yours, isn't it, Paul?
• 16:00
  Speaker 2: You pour yourself a drink, settle back in your favorite chair,
• 16:03
  Speaker 2: and think of all you can do with $ 100, 000.
• 16:04
  Speaker 3: And then.
• 16:06
  Speaker 2: Hello, Paul.
• 16:13
  Speaker 4: Ah, Fred Mason. How about asking me in? Oh, sure, sure.
• 16:17
  Speaker 4: Come in. Sit down. I'll make you a drink. Oh, no, no.
• 16:21
  Speaker 3: Don't bother.
• 16:22
  Speaker 8: This isn't a social visit. I got to thinking over
• 16:25
  Speaker 8: the little deal you offered me. Decided it was an
• 16:28
  Speaker 8: easy way to pick up $ 10, 000 after all. You're a
• 16:31
  Speaker 8: little late, Betty.
• 16:32
  Speaker 4: I didn't want to disappoint my client, so I took
• 16:34
  Speaker 4: the pictures myself.
• 16:36
  Speaker 2: Maybe you like mine better.
• 16:38
  Speaker 6: What?
• 16:39
  Speaker 2: I was fishing further down, you see. You took pictures, too?
• 16:44
  Speaker 4: Mm-hmm. Of you, Paul.
• 16:47
  Speaker 2: Finishing Edith off with your boat.
• 16:51
  Speaker 4: How much do you want? $ 10, 000. When? Tomorrow's going to be.
• 16:56
  Speaker 4: And if I can't raise the $ 10, 000?
• 16:57
  Speaker 2: Oh, I know another party who'd come across right away.
• 17:02
  Speaker 2: A lady named Cynthia Winder.
• 17:06
  Speaker 4: Okay, Fred. I'll have it for you tomorrow.
• 17:09
  Speaker 2: Good.
• 17:10
  Speaker 4: Bring it to my apartment.
• 17:11
  Speaker 2: Around 5 o'clock.
• 17:13
  Speaker 4: I'll be there. Okay, here's your money, Fred, and let's
• 17:26
  Speaker 4: have the picture. Sure, as soon as I count this.
• 17:30
  Speaker 4: Looks pretty.
• 17:32
  Speaker 8: Well, okay, your film's on the desk. The projector's in
• 17:34
  Speaker 8: the other room if you want to run it and
• 17:36
  Speaker 8: make sure it's all there. I'll check on that later. Fred,
• 17:38
  Speaker 8: now there's a little favor I'd like to ask you
• 17:40
  Speaker 8: to do for me.
• 17:41
  Speaker 2: What kind of favor?
• 17:42
  Speaker 4: I want you to write a letter to Cynthia saying
• 17:44
  Speaker 4: you won't give her the print of the negative of
• 17:46
  Speaker 4: the film she wants unless she pays you $ 100, 000. But
• 17:50
  Speaker 4: if you don't get the dough by tomorrow, you'll take
• 17:52
  Speaker 4: the pictures to the DA.
• 17:53
  Speaker 2: What are you trying to pull? I'm not that crazy.
• 17:55
  Speaker 4: You won't write it?
• 17:56
  Speaker 2: Not on your life.
• 17:57
  Speaker 4: Maybe this will help you change your mind.
• 18:00
  Speaker 3: But.
• 18:01
  Speaker 2: Now, wait a minute.
• 18:02
  Speaker 3: Put down that gun.
• 18:03
  Speaker 4: Ah, Fred, I won't put it down until you write
• 18:06
  Speaker 4: the letter. Now walk over to that typewriter and sit down.
• 18:08
  Speaker 2: Very good.
• 18:20
  Speaker 4: Now, one other thing, Fred. This print you gave me
• 18:23
  Speaker 4: of the film, it isn't enough. I'll have to have
• 18:25
  Speaker 4: the negative. Well, that will cost you more. I figured
• 18:29
  Speaker 4: you'd pull something like that, Fred. That's why I made
• 18:31
  Speaker 4: you write the letter before I brought the matter up.
• 18:33
  Speaker 4: And that's why I brought along this gun.
• 18:35
  Speaker 2: You won't shoot as long as you don't have the negative.
• 18:39
  Speaker 4: You're wrong. I will.
• 18:41
  Speaker 2: You'd never get away with it. Somebody would hear you.
• 18:43
  Speaker 4: You've forgotten about the milk train, Fred. The one that
• 18:46
  Speaker 4: tells you what time it is. I timed it over
• 18:49
  Speaker 4: very carefully. It'll cover the sound of a shot easily.
• 18:52
  Speaker 2: No.
• 18:53
  Speaker 4: And this is Cynthia's gun. They'll pin this on her.
• 18:56
  Speaker 4: Maybe figuring you were blackmailing us. You've got it all figured,
• 19:00
  Speaker 4: haven't you? Uh-huh. There's still the negative. Oh, I know
• 19:04
  Speaker 4: it's here in your apartment someplace. You'd better play it smart, Fred,
• 19:07
  Speaker 4: and give it to me. Then I won't have to shoot.
• 19:09
  Speaker 3: You're bluffing. Uh-uh.
• 19:10
  Speaker 4: There's not much time left.
• 19:15
  Speaker 3: How about it?
• 19:17
  Speaker 4: Okay, Fred, if that's the way you want it.
• 19:20
  Speaker 10: No, no, wait.
• 19:20
  Speaker 8: Wait, don't.
• 19:21
  Speaker 6: I'll give it to you.
• 19:22
  Speaker 2: The negative's there in the middle desk drawer.
• 19:27
  Speaker 3: Yeah.
• 19:29
  Speaker 4: You're all right? Well, thanks, Fred. That's all I wanted
• 19:33
  Speaker 4: to know.
• 19:34
  Speaker 8: Wait.
• 19:35
  Speaker 2: Wait.
• 19:35
  Speaker 3: You said you wouldn't do it.
• 19:36
  Speaker 9: You said you wouldn't do it.
• 19:41
  Speaker 3: Sorry, Fred.
• 19:42
  Speaker 4: I say a lot of things.
• 19:49
  Speaker 2: You make sure you have the negative in all the
• 19:52
  Speaker 2: prints of Fred's film. Then you walk to the fireplace,
• 19:55
  Speaker 2: touch a match to the edge of the blackmail note
• 19:57
  Speaker 2: which Fred typed, and snuff it out quickly so that
• 20:00
  Speaker 2: the police will think Cynthia attempted the burn. You're having
• 20:04
  Speaker 2: to alter your plans as far as Cynthia's money is concerned,
• 20:07
  Speaker 2: aren't you, Paulie? You'll have to be satisfied with a
• 20:10
  Speaker 2: hundred thousand because Cynthia's arrest for the murder of Fred
• 20:13
  Speaker 2: Mason will close the source of any future supply. You
• 20:18
  Speaker 2: decide to get the money as soon as possible. You're
• 20:21
  Speaker 2: sure Fred's body won't be discovered for several hours. So
• 20:24
  Speaker 2: you look quickly around the studio, wipe the fingerprints from
• 20:27
  Speaker 2: everything you've touched, shut the door and hurry outside. You
• 20:31
  Speaker 2: hurl Cynthia's gun into a small flower bed as though
• 20:34
  Speaker 2: Cynthia had hidden it. But where you're sure the police
• 20:38
  Speaker 2: will find it. Then you hurry home, destroy Fred Mason's films,
• 20:42
  Speaker 2: and phone Cynthia.
• 20:50
  Speaker 4: Yes? Hello, Cynthia.
• 20:52
  Speaker 7: Oh, Paul.
• 20:54
  Speaker 4: How are things? Ready to complete our little deal?
• 20:57
  Speaker 2: Yes, Paul, I'm ready.
• 20:58
  Speaker 4: You've got everything for me?
• 21:00
  Speaker 3: Everything, Paul. Good.
• 21:04
  Speaker 4: I'll be there in just a few minutes.
• 21:25
  Speaker 2: So, Paul, at last your plan is going to pay off.
• 21:28
  Speaker 2: As you sit across the room from Cynthia in her
• 21:31
  Speaker 2: Malibu beach house, you're sure everything is going to be
• 21:34
  Speaker 2: all right.
• 21:35
  Speaker 3: Yes.
• 21:36
  Speaker 2: Because you're completely in the clear.
• 21:38
  Speaker 3: And then... I, um.
• 21:41
  Speaker 5: Have a disappointment for you, Paul.
• 21:44
  Speaker 6: I'm not giving you the money.
• 21:45
  Speaker 4: Now, wait a minute, Cynthia. The police will be very
• 21:48
  Speaker 4: interested in that film.
• 21:49
  Speaker 5: They'll be more interested in the last half.
• 21:52
  Speaker 6: The part where you kill Edith with your boat. What?
• 21:55
  Speaker 9: You see, Paul, a man named Fred Mason came to
• 21:57
  Speaker 9: see me a few days ago. His price was a
• 22:00
  Speaker 9: lot cheaper than yours, and his merchandise much better.
• 22:04
  Speaker 4: Double cross.
• 22:06
  Speaker 9: Clever picture man, isn't he? Why don't you see how clever, Paul?
• 22:11
  Speaker 9: I have the projector set.
• 22:12
  Speaker 4: Up for you. Another print. He made another print.
• 22:15
  Speaker 9: I wouldn't be surprised if he made several prints. And
• 22:18
  Speaker 9: the part where you become the star is ready to go.
• 22:23
  Speaker 6: Go on. Run it off, Paul.
• 22:27
  Speaker 4: What are you going to do, Cynthia?
• 22:29
  Speaker 5: I haven't thought about it.
• 22:31
  Speaker 4: You're in the first half of this film. If you
• 22:33
  Speaker 4: showed it to the police, you'd only implicate yourself.
• 22:35
  Speaker 2: Uh-huh.
• 22:37
  Speaker 9: But the picture also proves I didn't really kill Edith.
• 22:41
  Speaker 9: I might be able to talk myself out of my pardon.
• 22:45
  Speaker 5: You couldn't.
• 22:45
  Speaker 4: Look, Cynthia, I... Who's that?
• 22:48
  Speaker 5: How would I know? Whoever it is with the impatient cat.
• 22:52
  Speaker 4: Miss Cynthia Waters?
• 22:56
  Speaker 2: Yes?
• 22:56
  Speaker 4: Lieutenant Blake, homicide.
• 22:58
  Speaker 3: Oh?
• 23:00
  Speaker 10: After what you did this afternoon, I somehow didn't expect
• 23:03
  Speaker 10: to find your home.
• 23:04
  Speaker 6: What do you mean?
• 23:05
  Speaker 4: You're under arrest, Miss Winters, for murder.
• 23:07
  Speaker 6: Oh, but there must be some mistake.
• 23:09
  Speaker 3: No mistake.
• 23:10
  Speaker 4: We know you did it. What's going on, Cynthia? Who's
• 23:13
  Speaker 4: this man? Who are you? I'm Paul Benton, Miss Winters' attorney.
• 23:16
  Speaker 4: You better be a good one. She's going to need it.
• 23:19
  Speaker 4: I'm Lieutenant Blake, homicide. Well, what's wrong?
• 23:21
  Speaker 10: My boys and I stopped by Fred Mason's apartment a
• 23:23
  Speaker 10: few minutes ago. We got a tip he was mixed
• 23:26
  Speaker 10: up in a hit-and-run accident last week. We found him
• 23:29
  Speaker 10: buried dead.
• 23:29
  Speaker 6: But, officer, why would I have anything... You got a.
• 23:31
  Speaker 4: Little careless when you left his apartment.
• 23:33
  Speaker 10: The blackmail letter you left didn't burn up.
• 23:35
  Speaker 6: But I didn't kill Fred Mason.
• 23:38
  Speaker 10: We found a gun outside, too, hidden in a flower bed.
• 23:42
  Speaker 4: 22, the kind ladies like to use. You ever see
• 23:45
  Speaker 4: this gun before?
• 23:45
  Speaker 9: Yes, but I didn't have.
• 23:48
  Speaker 4: You see, Cynthia, we'll straighten this out.
• 23:51
  Speaker 6: Oh, you did it and fixed it so I'd get
• 23:53
  Speaker 6: the blame.
• 23:54
  Speaker 4: Cynthia, you're hysterical.
• 23:55
  Speaker 10: I'm afraid you can't put the blame on anyone else,
• 23:57
  Speaker 10: Miss Winters. The evidence against you is too strong. Well,
• 24:02
  Speaker 10: now here's a coincidence. A movie projector.
• 24:06
  Speaker 4: All set up.
• 24:07
  Speaker 10: That blackmail letter we found mentioned some film. We couldn't
• 24:10
  Speaker 10: find a trace of it in Mason's apartment.
• 24:13
  Speaker 4: Now, this wouldn't be it in the projector, would it? No, Lieutenant.
• 24:16
  Speaker 4: It's just snap off the lights and run it.
• 24:18
  Speaker 2: Yes, sir.
• 24:19
  Speaker 4: But it isn't anything, I tell you.
• 24:21
  Speaker 3: Keep it going.
• 24:26
  Speaker 4: Well, they've been fishing, eh, Mr. Benton?
• 24:29
  Speaker 10: Looks like you're going to have a chance to make
• 24:31
  Speaker 10: a rescue. You're a pretty good skipper.
• 24:36
  Speaker 4: You can turn a boat on a dock. Turn on
• 24:39
  Speaker 4: the lights.
• 24:41
  Speaker 10: Well, that's the first time I've ever seen anyone murdered
• 24:44
  Speaker 10: by a boat. I don't think you'll do her much
• 24:47
  Speaker 10: good defending her for that mason killing, Mr.
• 24:49
  Speaker 4: Benton.
• 24:50
  Speaker 10: You're going to need an attorney yourself for the murder.
• 24:53
  Speaker 4: Of your wife. This is the United States Armed Forces
• 25:06
  Speaker 4: Radio Service, the voice of information and education. Thank you.
• 25:52
  Speaker 9: Oh, my God.
• 26:33
  Speaker 1: That concludes The Whistler. Death in 16mm. This is Victor Sterling.
• 26:38
  Speaker 1: Until next time, good night. Follow The Whistler for more
• 26:41
  Speaker 1: classic broadcasts.