Latest / Great Detectives of Old Time Radio Volume 2|Mystery Audio Dramas / Lux Radio Theater: The Lady in the Lake (EP1271)

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Lux Radio Theater: The Lady in the Lake (EP1271) · Great Detectives of Old Time Radio Volume 2|Mystery Audio Dramas

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Welcome to the Great Detactives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This
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is your host, Adam Graham. If you have a comment, send it
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to me Box thirteen at Great Detectives dot net, follow us on Twitter at
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Radio Detactos, and become one of our friends on Facebook, Facebook dot com
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slash Radio Detectives. Well, before we get started, I do want to
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let you know that this program is brought to you by the financial support of
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our listeners, and I especially want to thank you Edward for his support.
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We'll send access to the premium site, as we do with alternations of seven
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dollars or more. Well, now it is time for us to take a
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listen to a lux radio theater presentation of Lady in the Lake. Lady in
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the Lake was originally released during the war and it was Raymond Chandler's third Philip
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Marlowe's story. It starred Robert Montgomery, and the film was best known for
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something we won't see in the radio version because we're not seeing it, of
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course, and that is the point of view camera where everything would be seen
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from Marlow's perspective and marlow himself. I think it's only seen a couple three
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times in there, so everything's kind of coming at Marlowe, so you know
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somebody will you know, you'll see Marlow's hand grab a cigarette, but it's
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all through Marlow's eyes. But of course yours radio version doesn't have that advantage
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or perhaps disdvantage, depending on how you look at it. And what more
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to say about the movie, the book and the radio drama. But now
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we go to the Lux Radio Theater for an hour with Lady in the Lake.
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From February month of nineteen forty eight, Lux Presents Hollywood Leaber Brothers Company,
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the makers of Lux Flake, bring you the Lux Radio Theater, starring
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Robert Montgomery and Audrey Totter In Lady in the Lake, Ladies and Gentlemen,
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your producer, mister William Keeley readings from Hollywood Ladies and Gentlemen. Almost all
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of us, at one time or another, have a secret hank to play
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detective. To night, we give you that opportunity to join in solving one
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of the screen's most baffling murder mysteries. You'll meet the possible suspects and you'll
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find the clues in Metro Golden Mayre's thrilling screen hit, Lady in the Lake,
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based on Raymond Chandler's novel and currently playing in theaters throughout America, And
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you'll have the help of Robert Montgomery in the starring role of Ace detective Philip
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Marlowe, co starred with Bob is that exciting new performer Audrey Totter who adds
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romantic interest to our story at the same time that she stirs up plenty of
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action on her own. For women are often as persistent as men in tracking
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down the answer to a problem, and when it comes to the problem of
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caring safely for fine fabrics, they've found a ready answer in Luck's Flakes.
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And now I won't say it takes any detective work to discover the merits of
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Luck's Flakes, but their ever increasing popularity does reflect on the smartness of our
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modern housewives. We invite them now to exercise that smartness in solving the mystery
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of the Lady in the Lake, starring Robert Montgomery as Philip Marlowe and Audrey
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Totter as Adrian prompse It. My name is Marlowe. Philip Marlowe, occupation,
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Private detective. You know somebody says follow that guy, so I follow
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him or find that female. So I find it, and what do I
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get out of it? Ten bucks a day in expenses. Right now,
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you're hearing a lot about a murder. They call it the Case of the
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Lady in the Lake. That's a good title, it fits. But what
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you've heard about is one thing, and the real thing is something else.
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Again, there's only one guy who knows that I know it. I started
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finding out about it a few days before Christmas. I was tired of being
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pushed around for Nichols and dimes, so I decided I'd write about murder.
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I pounded out a story and send it to the Kingsby Publications Incorporated specialists in
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literary gore. Oh, come in, mister Marlowe. You'll hear about the
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story you wrote. Yeah. Yeah, I got a letter from a guy
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named A FROMCID. I'm from sid Adrian proms to be precise. Tell me
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something, mister Marlowe, Have you done much writing? No, you do
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very well for a beginner. Well, it's based on an authentic case.
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Uh you run this publishing business or by yourself, Miss Ramson. No,
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No, mister Kingsby runs it. Tell me, are there really detectors like
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to warn your story? Who never lie, cheat or double cross the client.
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Yeah, there are a couple of dopes like that. Good, then
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you were writing about yourself. Look, you don't really want to buy my
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story, do you? I was about to offer you two hundred dollars.
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Oh no, you. Why don't you quit being cute? The real reason
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I'm here is because you want a smooth operator who keeps his mouth shut.
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When you read my story, you said, that's my boy. He's dumb,
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he's brave, and he's cheap. Am I right? Partly? Then
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why all this mickey bouse about my story? I want you to buy mister
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Kingsby's wife without his knowing you're looking for her. She's a vicious woman,
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a liar. I don't want to be nosy, miss frompsaid, But what
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makes that any of your business. I handle all of mister Kingsby's affairs.
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He wants to divorce her, and I don't like your manners. I'm not
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selling my manners. I'm not selling my story either. I don't like getting
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mixed up with a tricky female, even one as good looking as you,
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who wants to dispose of the boss's wife just so she can marry him herself.
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People don't talk to me like that, mister Marlowe. Maybe somebody should
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talk to you like that more often. I beg your pardon hol him in,
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Dearie, this is Philip Marlowe. He submitted a story, mister Marlowe,
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mister Kingsby. I always nice to see one of our writers, mister
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morlow but he isn't one of our writers. He just turned down off of
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two hundred dollars rather indignantly too. But maybe he's right, Darry. This
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story has part of mister Marlowe's soul in it. I would say it's worth
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five hundred dollars as souls go these days. Congratulations, mister morrow a businessman
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as well as a writer, eh, and a private detective detective. That's
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what makes the story so authentic. It's so full of what would you say?
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It's full of, mister marlow short sentences, heydrin, If there's anything
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you want before I leave, I don't believe so, Darry, Oh,
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good night, Darling, good night. Right, don't met you, mister
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morlow Yeah. Five hundred dollars EH, two hundred for your story, three
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hundred for your services and finding missus Kingsby. You don't need any help there,
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darling, not you, Please, don't be too difficult. I do
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need help, like I need four thumbs. I wonder how it would be
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to discuss this over a couple of ice cubes. Would you care to try?
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Imagine you needing ice cubes? Show miss Prompson, let's try. She
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had a very cozy apartment, Miss Rompston? Did she left me alone while
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she fixed a drink? I couldn't help spotting the telegram. It lay there
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staring at me on top of the piano. It was addressed to Deis Kingsby
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going to Juarez. It said to get a divorce and marrying Chris Lavery in
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Mexico. You're loving ex wife to be Crystal. If you're going to take
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this case, mister Marlowe, the first person you should see is Chris Slavery.
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Oh who's he? CRISTELH. Kingsley ran away with him a month ago,
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or so we thought? A month ago? Eh? Take him that
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long to get to El Paso? Who said anything about El Paso? A
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telegram on the piano? Why didn't you tie it on my ear? I
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might have found it quicker? Oh? What's the mystery of Kingsby's wife?
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Is in Mexico. The mystery is that Chris Lavery's here in town, and
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she isn't She's vanished and the telegrams of phony it must be maybe you had
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it sent you. Oh very funny. If she's missing, why isn't Kingsby
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looking for her? I don't know. Maybe think she's off on a tooth
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but a Mexican divorce with no property settlement. Oh no, that's not crystal.
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Besides, she'd never marry Chris Lavery. Why not? You don't marry
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the Chris Laveries of this world. You just lend them all the money they
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need and forget to ask what bet you seem to know all about him?
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I see I'm wasting your time, mister mallow. Why don't you just run
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along now and play with your fingerprint collection? Yeah? Lavery? Eh?
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Where does he live? Bay City? Six seventy six Altes Street, the
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edge of the canyon? And you hope he throws me into it? One
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more question, Miss Promp said, what would happen if I kissed you?
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Why don't you try? And see? You always close your eyes when you
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think somebody's going to kiss you? What stopped you? Did you close your
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eyes when Lavery kissed you. Get out? You want to marry Kingsby because
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lavery child? John? Get out? Sure, and I'll see Lavery.
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But don't try to be cute anymore. Just edit my manuscript. Yes,
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I plan to snash the emotion right out of it. That's the manuscript.
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This is me, good night, sweet high Yes, I'm lavery. Mister
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Marlowe, come right on in, sir, Well, I declare business must
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be bad if you have to go from door to door, So listening,
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client, Look, uncle Tom, I don't need a job. I've got
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one, and if you tell me where missus Kingsby is, I'll stop bothering
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you. I haven't seen Crystal in two months, and I've never been to
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El Paso if that's what you're about to ask. Oh you know about the
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telegrammer? Why yes, miss Adrian told me. Miss Adrian did, did
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she? Well? I guess there's nothing to do then but go to the
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cops. For some reason, mister marlow I don't think mister Kingsby would allow
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that. Sir, you might have to to protect himself in case anything's happened
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to his wife happens Crystel Kingsby has money Once in a wild boys like you
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have to make it the hard way. You offend me, mister Morrow,
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loosen up, lavery, You'll save yourself a lot of trouble. I'll never
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speak disrespectfully of a lady, not even one as fascinating as missus Kingsby was,
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sir. Oh, just a slip of the tongue, mister Morlow.
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No, no, I don't hanker for any part of missus Kingsby. The
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little lady must have sent that telegram just to mbrangle me, uh and brangle
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you. Oh yes, you're a Yankee. You wouldn't understand. But pardon
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me, sir. Do you have the time? What's the matter? Your
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clock? And brangle too? Bartley, sir, do you have the time?
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Do you have the time? Shortening bread and let me have it.
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When I looked at my watch, brass knuckles, Southern Fried. When things
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came back in focus, I was in the Bay City jail. A detective
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opened the cell and walked me down the corridor like I jail, mister Morrow,
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Fine the matter all right? Oh no, it's fine. When you
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came out of your blanket, you started slugging. I had to put your
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sleep again. Oh fine, all right wise guy in here. Captain King
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wants to see you. Come here. This is Marlow, Captain. He
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likes Sarchiail. Everything is fine. What's the charge, captain? Drugging your
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car ran up over the curb and found you were out cold. This empty
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bottle was in your hand. Oh fine. We don't think it's fine at
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all. The only reason I'm talking to you instead of the judge is that
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your papers say you are private detective. You're on some kind of a case
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hunt. Sure, and my clients slugged me, dump me in my car,
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ran it up over a curbin pulled whiskey on me. Then he phoned
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for you boys. Maybe it wasn't a client, right, there's a southern
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gentleman named Chris Lavery. Who is your client. I don't reveal my client's
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name. You're talking to the police. The names of my clients are confidential.
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If they want, I wouldn't have any clients. Okay, but that
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private license doesn't give you the right to start trouble in Bay City without letting
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me in on what you're after. I don't like private dicks, Captain.
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I never met one yet that wasn't a crook. I've heard of people that
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don't like cops. That seems impot, doesn't it. Your car's in back
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of the jail. Get in at Marlow and get out of his town.
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Good morning, miss Ramson. How did you get in here without being announced?
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I told the receptionist it was an emergency. You looked like an emergency.
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Well, it's an old sickness reoccurring black eyes. Mister Laby impressed his
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brass knuckles. Did well, well, nothing, I woke up in the
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Bay City jail. All right, back, will we start? Yeah,
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maybe this is a good place for me to get off. What do you
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want for three hundred dollars a funeral? You were hired to find Christer Kingsby.
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You'll be asking too much to start working as a detective. Crystal Kingsby
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was last see in Little Fawn Lake. That's a place in the mountains beyond
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Arrowhead, a few cabins in a private lake owned by mister Kingsby. Drive
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up there and talk to the caretakes. Excuse me, miss Bromsaon, Yes,
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there's a man here to see mister Kingsby and mister Floyd Greer. Greer,
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he's a newspaper man. He says it's about something that's happened at the
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lake, Miss John. How fine, mister Kingsby show mister Greery in you'd
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better sit down to mister Marler. You're a reporter, mister grere What can
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I do for you? We just got word about tragedy, a little fawn
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like, mister Kingsley, tragedy. Do you have a caretactor named William Chess,
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Well, yes I do. He suspected to murder his wife was fond
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drawn than the lake Muriel. That's right at Mauriel Chess. How long since
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you've been up there, mister Kingsley, Oh not since last month? How
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about your wife? Would she know anything about Muriel Chest? Of course not,
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nothing more than I would. Mister Marlow, would you mind stepping out
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in the hall with me? Excuses please? You'd better get right up to
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the lake. You think Crystal Kingsby shoved this lady in the lake, Hank,
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It's quite possible she hated missus Chess, and you like the idea?
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Yes, I do find out what happened and report to no one about it.
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At me little fawn lake, it reminded me of Adrian Fromset, So
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beautiful and so cold. First she wants me to find missus Kingsby. Then
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she wants me to prove she's a murderer. She's a sweetheart. Adrian is
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well. I'm back in town at four in the morning, and I go
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straight to Adrian's apartment. If I can tramp through the mountains, she can
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get waked up. I have to come here. I didn't have a nickel.
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You know something, Miss Promp said, you look good in this light?
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Why did you find it like snow? I was being cute. Now
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you are, there'll be an item on your bill for the bribes. I
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spent finding out that Muriel Chess had another name? What name Mildred Havlin?
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Ever hear of her? She married your boss's caretaker because she wanted a place
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to hide. It seems that a cop was after her. What's this got
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to do with Christ King? Crystal Kingsby and Muriel or shall I call a
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Mildred had a fight over a man? What man? The guy I was
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slipping the twenty dollar bills to kept claiming he didn't know, but I suppose
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you do. Yeah. Look look what I found? An ankle, bracelet
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and grave to Mildred from Chris it was hidden in Kingsby's cabin. There could
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be any number of Christmas. Oh, come on now, miss from said
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Lavery's our boy. That ties him up with two women, Crystal Kingsby and
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Muriel. You think he'd drown Murial chess. It would have drowned me if
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there'd been any water. Handy, No, Crystal did it. Maybe you
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could find something else, a gun maybe. Oh look, just give me
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the dough I'd put out for expenses, and now go on home without finding
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missus Kingwah, why don't you concentrate on just looking beautiful and quit worrying about
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guns and dead females and missing ones and that million bucks you want to marry.
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Huh, Crystal drank Alachi. She had a bite on temper. Start
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being a woman. Quiet down long enough to hear your heartbeat. You might
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wake up and find it's a different world. I'm paying you to wake up
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and find Crystal Kingsby. Okay, I'll go back and see Lavery. No,
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no, you stay away from Lavery. Go back to the lake.
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You did find there, all right, but only because you're so full of
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persuasion, so full of what would you say you were full of? Miss
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prompts it my you're being backward for a detective. No, it's just that
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I'm tired playing around. As far as the next woman in my life is
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concerned, it's everything or nothing, then I'd better be nothing. You'd be
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crazy to fall in love with me. Phone me from the lake. Let
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me see now, I'm not to fall in love with you, and I'm
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not to see Lavery. That's it, exactly. Good night, mister Marlow.
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I got a little sleep, and then I went straight to Lavery's house.
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I rang the bell, no answer, so I just walked in.
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He'd forgotten to lock his front door. A woman was coming down the stairs.
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She had a gun in her hand, and for some reason didn't seem
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at all concerned about my presence there. Just to disgrace. I read this
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house, and look at the way he abuses it. Well, just look,
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I'd be glad you if you wouldn't keep pointing that thing at me.
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This well, if you're one of miss Lavery's wild friends, you can get
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it right out. I'm not even one of mister Lavery's tame fad burns on
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the furniture carp it's all stained. I want is my rent? I own
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this. How's i Missus Holbrook. Well, I'm truly enchanted, Missus Holker.
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You may I ask finance company about his car behind in his car payments
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too. I don't like that. I don't like that at all. Well,
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we don't like it. If he was going where, you think he'd
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leave a check under the door or something. But oh no, all I
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found was this gun. I found it on the stairs. Here you take
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it. I wonder why he'd leave it on the stairs. Probably had a
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hole in his pocket. So you've been looking for him upstairs. Huh,
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you're a naughty girl. I only wanted my money. I think I should
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call the police. On the other hand, maybe we should stop and consider
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finding a gun doesn't mean anything. Everybody keeps guns. Oh oh, and
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I'm sure the Bay City police would frown upon us disturbing them over such a
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trifle. Oh you think so? Just let the AJAX finance comey take care
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of this. We'll see that you get your money. Well, if you
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think, I'm sure I can, Missus Holbrook, you'd be a good girl
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now and run along, silly man. You know you're sweet. Thank you,
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Missus Hallbrook. Well goodbye now, Oh brother as soon as she left,
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I went upstairs. It looked at first as if Lavery had packed a
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bag and blown down on his dresser was a woman's handkerchief. I thought of
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missus Holbrook, but the initials on the handkerchief were a f. Then I
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became aware of a muffled sound, and I knew that i'd heard it vaguely
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ever since i'd come up the stairs. It was the trickle of water running
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in the bathroom shower. But I didn't bother to turn it off, not
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when I saw the five bullet holes neatly drilled through the glass shower door,
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and behind the door, crumpled on the tiles, the body of that fine
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Southern gentleman, Chris Lavery, returning act too of Lady in the Lake.
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Here's Libby Collins our Hollywood Fashion Report, reporting on one of the loveliest Trousseau's
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I've ever seen. Move's the Lucky Bride. While someone you'll never see on
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the screen. She was the stand in for celest Home and Daryl F.
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Senex's Gentleman's Agreement. Oh, any part in that picture would be a great
20:18
experience. It's a remarkable document of present day intolerance made outstanding by the fine
20:25
performances of Dorothy McGuire, Gregory Peck and Celest Holme. No wonder it was
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voted the best picture of the Year by the New York Motion's Picture critics.
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While Gentlemen's Agreement was in production, Celeste showed me the wedding present she'd bought
20:37
for her stand in what was it the laziest filmiest, negligee and matching ninety
20:41
she could find. I hope she added a box of lucks for luck.
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Well. I suggested that, of course lux and CELESTI old friends. Well
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then Shooty especially interested in the wonderful news about lucks. It's the result of
20:55
wartime research. But the new Lucks couldn't be produced until new machinery was the
21:00
designed and built now is ready. There's nothing in the world just like these
21:04
new tiny diamonds of lucks, so shimmering white, so sheer, so tiny.
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They not only look different, they act different. They are different.
21:15
They're so much faster. Right, the little diamonds burst into SuDS at the
21:19
touch of water. Wait till women see those thick, abundant SuDS that last
21:25
and last, ladies. Just compare these new diamonds of lucks with any other
21:30
soap you've ever used. They give richer suns, and they keep und these
21:33
lovely three times as long. Many tests prove it. That's just like getting
21:38
three pretty slips for the price of one. Smart girls, avoid harsh washing
21:44
methods. Always give undise gentle lux care. You can be sure anything safe
21:49
in water is safe in this new lux. We return you now to William
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Keeley, Act two of Lady in the Lake, starring Robert Montgomery as Philip
22:00
Marlowe and Audrey Totter as Adrian prompts It. I didn't waste any time getting
22:15
out of Lavery's house. I went straight to Kingsby Publications. They were having
22:18
a Christmas party, but I managed to convince Adrian prompse It that I wanted
22:22
to see her alone. Are you trying to be funny? Mister marlow Where
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did you get that gun at Lavery's house? Lavery's dead. This gun killed
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him. You hinted this sooner or later i'd find a gun. Were you
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afraid he'd talk? Miss Prompson? You didn't go to the lake, then,
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no, And here's another little item for you, a handkerchief. Do
22:41
you recognize it? The initials are a f I don't have to ask the
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obvious question, do I No? And so far nobody knows about it but
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me? Can whoever kill Lavery? Yeah? Whoever killed him? Or was
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he the type of guy who kept this sort of souvenir? If I say
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no, that makes me a murderer a good suspect. If I say yes,
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what does that make me? Maybe? What are you trying to do?
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Play the bright hard lady. You're afraid of life, Miss Thrompson,
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and people. You don't give yourself a real chance. You never come in,
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mister Kingsby, Come in? What's going on? Relax? Mister Kingsby.
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You've seen guns before. Maybe I like a sense of humor. But
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if Slavery didn't think it was funny either, he's dead dead. Did your
23:25
wife own a gun? Mister Kingsby? What does my wife have to do
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with this? Break it to him gently, Miss Rompson, Darry I hired
23:32
mister Mordel to look for Christal. I told you crystals to be left alone.
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Oh Norry, No, you didn't. What you said was you were
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tired to death of her cold. Then you're not well? Why didn't you
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say so? I won't have you prying in my private police may be prying
23:44
into your private affairs. Mister Kingsby, your wife was mixed up with lavery.
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He's dead. The Evans points to a woman. Now does she own
23:51
a gun? Or doesn't she? I don't know. What are you proposed
23:55
to do, mister Malloch call the police? What else can I do?
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One thousand dollars make a change your Ah? So your wife did have a
24:02
gun, yes, but a thousand dollars. Think I'm too proud to take
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it. I'm just too smart to get stuck with it. Very well.
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I'll tell the authorities anything they want to know. As for you, Adrian,
24:12
if you think you're gonna harm Chrystal, you're very much mistaken. And
24:15
understand this clearly. If I ever said anything endearing to you, it was
24:18
because I was lonely. I don't intend to make the same mistake again.
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You say that for my benefit of yours, Miss Prompson, Mine all mine?
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So you lost me my million dollars? Like you smart? He deliberately
24:34
forced a show down with him. Yeah, he thought you'd make me lose
24:37
kingmy and then I'd come flying straight to your arms. Tell me, mister
24:41
Marlowe, do you always fall in love with your client. Only the ones
24:44
in skirts. Well, there's more than one. King's beyond the Christmas tree,
24:47
mister Marlow, and I'll shake one Lucy. Yet, don't you worry,
24:49
And it's for you. You just haul yourself out of here and send
24:52
me a bill for your failure. Very Christmas, I said, Merry Christmas.
24:56
I'm glad you have met you and have a good cry tomorrow. Wait,
25:02
why please step into the other room. I want to talk to you.
25:07
I don't know what your arrangement is with Adrian, but anymore, Oh
25:12
well, then I'd like to make one with you. Now. I know
25:15
my wife has made mistakes, but no matter how things look, Crystal couldn't
25:19
have killed anyone. She must be found and kept out of this. That'll
25:22
be tough. You can name your own price. I'm imploring you to help
25:26
me. And if we keep your wife in the clear, who do we
25:30
pin the murder on? Huh? Well, well, what do either of
25:33
us really know about Adrian? Don't you know anything about her? Actually?
25:37
Very little? Oh I was aware she knew l avery, just how well?
25:41
I don't know when I was beginning to like you. You want the
25:44
facts, don't sure? Sure? I want the facts. She fires me,
25:48
you hire me? Happy Phil Marlow, the boy detective. Where are
25:52
you going back to Lavery's house? Oh? A little yule Tide celebration for
25:56
the Bay City cops. You mean to say you've been handling this gun?
26:10
How stupid are you? Mom? I'm giving you the gun to gambo.
26:12
Maybe I should have tossed it down as sue. You've got an alibi model.
26:15
I told you about missus Hallbrook, Captain. She was here ahead of
26:18
me. It could have been her, and it could have been you.
26:21
You said you'd come back and get Lavery hot in those words, but in
26:23
that tone. I told you not to start troubling this town. Who's your
26:27
client this time? You better tell me? His name is Daris Kingsby runs
26:32
his string of magazines. Keep talking. His wife ran out on him about
26:34
a month ago from a place he has up in the mountains, Little Fawn
26:37
Lake. How did you run off? Well, A good guess would be
26:38
Lavery. I came here the day before yesterday to ask Lavery if you knew
26:41
where she was, and for my pains, I landed in the cairn.
26:45
In case you've forgotten, we remember people, what was Lavery's story about Kingsby's
26:49
Ward said he hadn't seen her in two months. After you turn me loose,
26:52
I went up to Little Fawn Lake. Why because something peculiar happened up
26:56
there. They found a woman in the lake, a dame named Muriel chest
27:02
Just stick to what happened here. I am this Muriel Chess had an ankle
27:06
bracelet. It was given to her by somebody named Chris. Oh what so
27:10
she's dead and upstairs is a corpse named Chris. I see. So you
27:12
go through this joint, take the gun collect or, steal anything you can,
27:15
and finally get around and calling us, Well, I don't buy it.
27:19
What do I care about a drowned dame in a lake. Man's been
27:22
murdered here and that's enough for me. Who are you trying to cover?
27:26
Marlow? I told you all I know. Okay, big shot, I'm
27:30
going upstairs to Garmo. I'll see how the corner's doing. You. Uh,
27:36
you ever been to Little fewn Lake? Degamo? You look kind of
27:38
interested. We asked the questions, peaper, and when I mentioned the lady
27:42
in the lake, you look still more interested. You heard me, ever,
27:47
hear of a girl named Mildred Havelen. There was a fellow up there
27:51
a few weeks ago looking for Mildred Haveln. They tell me he acted like
27:55
a cop, a tough cop with bad manners like you. What's have one
28:00
got to do with it? She and me, or eel Chest were the
28:02
same girl. She changed her name because she was trying to hide from this
28:04
tough cop. Does it add up? No? I think it does.
28:08
They gave me a pretty good description of that cop. They said she I
28:15
was about to say that this female had a shady past, and I think
28:19
you know something about it that sort of confirms it, doesn't it? Garmel,
28:26
Now we're getting somewhere. You'll stick your nose in my business and you'll
28:30
wake up in an alley with a catch looking at you. What did she
28:32
do this, Mildred Dame? Bump somebody off down here? Is that what
28:34
you had on it? Cut it out? What's going on here? To
28:41
Garbo? He got cute? What your gun away? You'll keep on acting
28:45
smart, Marlowe, You'll see what happens. Only reason I'm giving you another
28:48
chance to talk is because of what the coroner says. He claims Lavery was
28:52
killed last night that does let you out, though I don't say it doesn't.
28:55
People come on, talk off. You better take a walk to Garbald.
28:57
Have you let me work? Come on with just a little while on,
29:00
take the night off, Yes, sir, Now, if a corner
29:06
is right, how can you prove where you were last night? I didn't
29:07
leave Little Thawn Lake till after midnight. I stopped at red service station halfway
29:11
down the mountain and got gas in San Bernardino. I got a cup of
29:15
coffee at the dinner bell. Dinah, the waitress with the big eyes will
29:18
remember me because it was two am and I was the only customer in the
29:19
place. What about Missus Holbro? You'll love Missus Holbrook. She's charming.
29:23
But I don't know where she is. One of my boys upstairs just check.
29:26
She's going to Las Vegas. We'll have her back here tomorrow. That
29:29
about winds up everything, doesn't it? You mind if I go now?
29:32
There's still a charge of striking an officer. You funny guys, kill me
29:37
Cavin before you toss me in a cell. Did you ever hear of a
29:40
dame named Mildred Halin? No, that's the real name of that woman.
29:44
Drowned in the lake. Ask de Gamo about it? Why should I?
29:47
Because de Gamo knew Lavery? Any new Mildred Havelin, Well, they're both
29:51
dead. That's a big statement, bottled. Why do you think de Gamo
29:52
slapped me around? Look, you turn me loose and I'll do some finding
29:56
out tonight. You can too by talking to the gun You know what you're
30:00
doing, don't you. You're practically forcing on me the rottenest job a police
30:04
official can have, investigating one of his own men. I'll work with you
30:08
in any way you want. All right, here's what you do. Call
30:12
the disk sergeant and get him to give you a nice quiet cell. For
30:22
a minute, I thought you were on the level that you want me out
30:25
of the way, don't you? So you and de Garmo can fix this
30:27
up anyway that suits you. This wasn't Christmas, even if my kids weren't
30:34
waiting for me to all right, you didn't murder Lavery. The charge of
30:38
taking a swing at the Garmo has dismissed. Just do me a great,
30:41
big favor and get out of here. Fine flow. I made a phone
30:51
call as soon as I left. I have a friend downtown on one of
30:53
the newspapers. I asked him to dig up anything he could for me on
30:56
Mildred Havilan. He said he'd call me at Tell in an hour. Come
31:03
in even and a Merry Christmas to you, miss Rampson. I had to
31:10
see you. Why I didn't need that handkerchief in Lavery's house? You still
31:15
worrying about that? I read a story once about a killer who left clues
31:19
around appointed somebody else. That was a story. Oh, I wouldn't kill
31:22
anyone. I wouldn't, Oh, of course, not just a nice,
31:26
sweet campfire girl. I'm all mixed up to me. If it turns out
31:30
that you're the little girl who held the hot and smoking pistol, You're going
31:33
to be really mixed up. You think I could do a thing like that?
31:37
Yes, I thought you liked me. The girl I like won't be
31:41
looking for a million dollar marriage or trying to hang a murder around another woman.
31:45
What will this girl do? Take care of me? Unglamorous, isn't
31:52
it? Would you consider buying me a drink? No, I'm expecting a
31:56
call. But there's a time and place for everything. This is Christmas,
31:59
eve see, I wasn't kidding. Hello, Dougan. Go ahead, Dugan,
32:06
here's what we have on the Mildered Halin. She was mixed up on
32:08
a suicide about a year and a half ago. Just a minute, hey,
32:12
miss Promson, would you mind leaving? I thought you were off the
32:15
case. Who's your client? Now? I never reveal a client's name.
32:19
It's I have to eat, don't I blow me your kiss and close the
32:23
door gently as you leave. I'll call you if I need you. Drexel
32:28
three three three nine one. I'm sorry, Dugan. Well, this milded
32:37
Hablin was a nice for a doctor my mouth One Bay City Almoy. So
32:40
one night Florence Almour, that's the doctor's wife, was found dead. Cop
32:45
named de Garmo investigated Verdick's suicide. What happened to Mildred Halin? She disappeared
32:50
right after that? Anybody figure Florence Almore was murdered, just a folks,
32:53
mister missus Grayson raised a big fusser fish. Since then they've clammed up.
32:58
Somebody scared them, so somebody has has he? Where do the Graysons live?
33:02
Eugene Grayson names in the phone book. I'm much obliged to you,
33:06
Dugan. What name did you say, Marlow, I'm a private detective.
33:16
Mister Grayson. I want to talk to you about your daughter. You leave
33:19
us alone. We told the police everything. I only want to help you,
33:22
missus. My daughter's dead. Can you bring her back? We've had
33:24
just about enough, mister Morrow. He was here before for one solid hour.
33:29
We don't want to talk anymore. He was here, eh, that
33:30
cop. He thinks she committed suicide, doesn't he? Well, I don't.
33:34
I think your daughter was murdered. I think Mildred Havelin murdered her.
33:36
Get out. He covered up for her. That's why he wants to keep
33:37
you quiet. My wife told you to get out, haven't. We had
33:40
trouble enough. Leaving Grayson's house, I saw this other car down the block.
33:51
Two miles later. It was still on my tail. I stepped on
33:53
the gas and cut across town, but I couldn't shake it all right.
33:57
Then i'd stop. As I started to slow down, he pulled up alongside
34:00
of me and turned a spotlight full in my eyes. At forty miles an
34:04
hour, you hit a ditch pretty high. In the split second before I
34:10
passed out, I saw who it was, Digamo. We pause now for
34:24
session identification. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System. Our stars will
34:51
return in a moment with Act three of Lady in the Lake. Our guest
34:54
this evening is Lovely Blonde Dorothy Patrick, who won so many admireds as missus
35:00
Jerome Kern on the screen. She just completed her latest picture in Brilliant Company,
35:06
Robert Taylor, Audrey Totter, and Herbert Marshall. Do you think the
35:09
fans will end your playing Bob Taylor's wife in Metro Golden Mayre's new thriller High
35:15
Wall, Dorothy, Well, perhaps until he's accused of murdering me. You
35:19
though Bob Taylor does a marvelous job with his fine dingling role. That picture
35:22
packs plenty of mystery and high powered drama. Who in Romance too? Yes,
35:28
You and Audrey Totter, who, by the way, is in our
35:30
radio play tonight, have won high praise from the critics for your performances and
35:35
from women for your smart costumes. Audrey and I were both ecstatic about some
35:38
of the gorgeous blouses designed by MGM for a wear in the picture. John
35:44
Kennedy may be interested in what happened one day when we were lunching at the
35:46
studio. What was that, Dorothy will Someone jiggled the waiter's arm and he
35:50
spilled some billion on Audrey's blouse, the one she was wearing for a scene
35:53
in High Wall. She was almost sure it was ruined, but the wardrobe
35:58
department came to the rescue with luck. How did you know? Oh,
36:00
it happens every day in Hollywood studios and in homes all over the country.
36:06
That's not news. But there is big news about Lucks. Lux has been
36:09
improved. Yes, wonderful as Lucks has always been, these new tiny diamonds
36:15
of Lucks are even better. That's certainly interesting news. John. Women everywhere
36:20
will be thrilled with these new tiny diamonds of lux. They're so shimmering white
36:24
and so sheer and so tiny. They look different from any other soap,
36:29
and they act different. They are different. They're so much faster. Why,
36:34
you can see the little diamonds burst into the SuDS at the touch of
36:37
water, and they make richer SuDS that last and last, And as Libby
36:43
Collins can tell you, they do more for you too. That's right.
36:45
The new diamonds of Lucks actually remove soil. Other types of SuDS canned.
36:51
They leave things cleaner, fresher colors stay lovely up to three times as long.
36:55
Many tests prove it, so it's wise to avoid harsh washing methods.
37:00
You can be sure anything safe in water is safe in this new lox.
37:06
Here's mister Keeley at the microphone Act three of Lady in the Lake, starring
37:10
Robert Montgomery as Philip Marlowe and Audrey Totter as Adrian Prompson. I don't really
37:23
know if ta Gamo had figured on killing me in that crash or not.
37:27
I don't think it much mattered. In any event, I'd be taken care
37:30
of. When I came to there. I was soaked in whiskey in an
37:32
empty bottle on the floorboards, but I got one break. I didn't sleep
37:37
quite as long as de Gamo figured. I must have looked real cute crawling
37:40
out of what was left in my car. I was dizzy and sick,
37:44
my face over blooding my legs so them I couldn't walk. Across the highway
37:49
was a gas station. It was closed for the night, but outside was
37:52
a public telephone board. Number. Please lossentious number, Please Drexel Drexel three
38:05
three three nine one. Your number, please, Bay City one eight seven.
38:12
Thank you sens for five minutes. Please, you're most too much there,
38:17
Well shut up and get me my number. Hello, this is this
38:30
is Marlowe. Oh, so you've changed your mind. I'm in a phone
38:35
booth in the gas station on the south road. You're aware the south road
38:43
two miles out suppose gas station? Why are you talking like that? Come
38:46
and get me, Come and get hello. Hello, Hello, Well,
39:02
so you're awake. How do you feel the way I look? You look
39:06
a lot better than you did in spite of the eydeine. I'm working over
39:08
you for an hour. How did I get here? I brought you here
39:13
in my car. From then on the doorman and help me. Does the
39:15
doorman think anything of dumping bruised, unconscious men on your living room sofa?
39:20
I told him you were drunk and had fallen down. Pray you call the
39:22
police? Oh no, I love policemen, especially one named de Gamo's de
39:29
Gamo just a hard working cop who figured to frame me the same way Lavery
39:31
did. He pulls this little stunt and then calls headquarters saying he's a public
39:36
spirited citizen reporting a drunk driver. Only you got to me first. What's
39:42
obliged? What's Degamo got to do with all of that? That's why I
39:45
keep asking myself how did he know I was going to visit Florence Soundmore's folks?
39:49
Oh, a girl who committed suicide, maybe about a year and a
39:53
half ago. Oh, I wonder. Just get off the case. Why
39:58
be private detective at all? I eat, you only get hungry again.
40:01
Oh, you don't have to make a living that way. You can write,
40:04
remember, and I can help you. Oh we be fine together and
40:08
everything, We be fine together. If only you, if only i'd want
40:15
Oh you don't think you can trust me? I want you to know that
40:17
you can. It's true. I've been a long time wanting things, thinking
40:23
I wanted things. What do you want now? I want to take care
40:28
of you. Maybe it isn't glamorous, but I want to be your girl.
40:34
That's what I want for Christmas. And don't you laugh at me.
40:37
I'm not laughing. Come here, you close your eyes too, don't you
40:45
die? Why are you frowning? You're still not convinced I didn't kill Lavery?
40:52
Yeah, how can you think that? I have to think of everything?
40:54
Oh, don't just think of me? Quit being a detective. Please,
40:59
I can't till this is over. You're in love with me. I
41:04
might have killed someone, but it doesn't matter. It has nothing to do
41:07
with it. Oh, I was going to be the bright girl with big
41:12
league boots and a vas's heart, stepping over people. It must have been
41:16
somebody else. I'm going to start out all over again, promise it.
41:22
Crying I always do on Christmas Eve. Oh, I wish I could tell
41:28
you how I feel. You mean, you've got that. Uh, I'm
41:31
scared, but it's wonderful feeling. Yes, scared, but yeah, scared,
41:37
but you're not scared of me. I don't know. I'm glad.
41:42
It proves how you feel. You see, I'm glad about everything. I've
41:46
never felt this way. Before you go to sleep now, i'll see you
41:52
in the morning. Good night, good night. We were eating breakfast the
42:05
next morning in the kitchen. She was like a little girl. I don't
42:07
know. Maybe it was because it was Christmas Day. Anyway, she had
42:10
our future together all figured out. The first thing we'll do is leave here
42:15
and go to New York. In New York, sure, what do we
42:16
use for money? Oh? We can start with the store you wrote and
42:19
go on from there. We'll make lots of money together, we'll own the
42:22
world. And if you're the guilty girl, what does that leave me?
42:23
Besides? I got another worry this morning? No what other worried? Dog?
42:27
Gamo By, Now he knows I'm on the loose, he'll start on
42:30
the prowl for me with a cold, howling heart of hate and the gun
42:32
full of bullets to stop me from talking about what. I don't know.
42:36
But you're safe here at least for I won't answer it. You better answer
42:42
no, Adrian. Open the door, Kingsby let him in just a minute.
42:46
Darvis, what's the idea. I've been pulling you for an hour?
42:52
I've had the receiver off well, I thought you might know where I could
42:53
find money. I've been searching everywhere for you. I even went to the
42:58
police. They're looking for you too. They happen to follow you here.
43:00
Yes, yes, two detectives have been following me all morning. Why didn't
43:04
you invite them up? I don't know what your troubles are, but I
43:07
have my own, all right, let's hear yours. Well. I have
43:08
been trying to find you because my wife's in Bay City. How do you
43:12
know well, Crystal phone me. She's in trouble and the police are after
43:15
her. She needs money, she wants money. Take it to it with
43:16
two detectives following me. Oh no, you're gonna take her the money?
43:20
Oh I am am? I OK. That's five hundred dollars. So it's
43:22
all I could raise on a holiday. It's worth anything to me to get
43:25
it to her. You've used that word anything a couple of times. How
43:29
much is anything? You'll get? Five thousand dollars? Morlow, that's the
43:34
deal, Santa Claus? What's the deal? I don't want you near her.
43:37
She's trouble. Two people have been killed alreadybe she has some answers.
43:40
Well, what else can I do? Stay here and let the cops come
43:43
after me. Oh, we'll figure out a way for both of them and
43:45
end up where And I got it with my teeth kicked in, smelling of
43:46
whiskey. I never drank running down alleys. The only way out of this
43:51
is to see Crystal. This out. No, let someone else in the
43:52
money five grand, just in case my typewriter breaks down and I can't write
43:57
stories. It's enough to start more than to bury you with. No.
44:00
I won't let you go, still trying to make me duck the wind up?
44:04
Eh? Why any personal reason? Though? Don't be ridiculous. I'm
44:08
not. If I run away and never find the answers, I'll never know
44:13
for sure about you. Well, I all right? Then go? Where
44:20
do I meet your wife? Mister Kingsby? In front of a coxail bar
44:22
called the Peacock Cafe. It's on the main boulevard near fourteenth Street. Here,
44:27
take my scarff word. She'll recommend you'll leave first. Kingsby, take
44:30
those detectives on a tour of Chinatown. Keep them following you while I go
44:32
down to Bay City. Good luck, Mullow. Thanks. You realize,
44:37
of course it may be a trap to Kingsby said for you himself. Yeah,
44:38
oh, please don't go. I told you once it's everything or nothing.
44:42
I'm gonna trust you. If you're not on the level, I'll get
44:44
a head full of bullets. If you are, I'll see you in Bay
44:45
City. Get hold of Captain Cannon. Come after me, well, Hollow,
44:49
we know where to fight. Make Crystal take me to wherever she's hiding
44:51
out. You'll follow me from there. Maybe I won't be able to go
44:53
wi. There's a box of rice in your kitchen, quoting a girl named
44:58
Prompsid, I read a st once our detective carried rice around in his pocket.
45:04
It left a very nice trail. Maybe it'll work again. Are the
45:07
keys in your car? Yes, I'll go down the backstairs to the garage.
45:13
Goodbye, Miss from said you've been charming company. Wait, this is
45:19
the payoff, isn't it? Say that again? But I'm scared, but
45:22
it's a wonderful feeling. I'm scared, but it's wonderful. Goodbye. I
45:37
didn't have to wait long in front of the Peacock cafe. The girl hardly
45:40
glanced at me as she walked over to a shop window next door and stood
45:44
there waiting. I tried being casual as I swing it up. Give me
45:49
the money. You get right to the point, don't you, missus Kingsby
45:52
just hand it over where you're staying? What makes it your business? An
45:57
envelope in my pocket for five hundred bucks five one hundred dollars? You want
46:00
it? Or would you rather just crab about it? Give it to me?
46:04
I will, but not here? Come on? How far is it
46:07
not far? I promised i'd phone your husband. As soon as I phone
46:10
he can wait another two minutes. You can phone from my room after you,
46:24
Missus Kingsby closed the door. Yeah, it's kind of hot in here,
46:31
is it. I wouldn't think of my guests being uncomfortable. What's out
46:37
there beyond that window the room? You must come again sometimes we'll take a
46:43
Sunday. I'll quit stalling. It's convenient having a pair of them, isn't
46:47
it? A pair of them, A pair of little guns, little guns
46:51
that kill just the same as big guns. Why don't you take it out
46:53
of your coat, Parker? Yes, I will. It is nice,
46:57
isn't it now? If you'll hand over that. I was a good action
47:00
you put on as Missus Holbrook the landing. You weren't so bad yourself as
47:04
the finance company. The cops say Lavery was killed the night before we met.
47:07
What I can't figure is what you came back for the next morning.
47:09
I was looking for money, and I still as I'd be crazy to carry
47:12
any money with me. Think of my trading position. Where is it if
47:15
you haven't got that money? Of what? Shoot me? Don't you think
47:20
I will? Sure I do, Mildred What I said? Sure I do,
47:25
Mildred? You don't think I really believe your Crystal Kingsby, do you?
47:30
Although Kingsby believed it when you talk to him on the phone, didn't
47:32
he Now you're Mildred Havilin. You murdered the Almore woman. I didn't.
47:37
She was asphyxiated in the car. There was an accident. The lady in
47:39
the lake instead of being you as Crystal Kingsby. Was that an accident?
47:44
Yes? It was Crystal and I. We traded close one night and she
47:49
had on my things and I had on hers. We went across the lake
47:51
to see if we could pull Bill Bill chess my husband. Crystal fell on
47:52
the lake and sank to the box. Yes, yes she did. I
47:55
didn't know what to do, so you ran away to well Pass. Oh
47:58
you met Lavery there. His death was an accident too. I suppose he
48:00
took a gun into the shower bathroom. I don't know. I don't know.
48:04
Avery was the only man who knew the real identity of the lady in
48:06
the lake, wasn't he Mildred. I'm through talking, and you'd better have
48:09
that money on you. You can't shoot Mildred, not with a safety catch
48:13
on him. Let me fix it, Come on, let me give you
48:20
a tip, Milded. Never try to shoot a man when he's looking at
48:23
you. I'm frightened. I'm so frightened. Get me out of here.
48:29
Please, please take me with you. I'll bet that act went over big
48:31
with Lavery. Please. It went over big with de Gamo, too,
48:35
didn't it. He covered up for you on the Almore case. Every time
48:38
you look at a man, he falls over, doesn't he. Milion,
48:40
I'm a nice girl. You don't understand me. I'm a nice girl.
48:43
Yeah, you're a lovely girl. I'd like to play dolls with you.
48:47
That the cops, Mildred. I invited them here to meet Crystal Kingsby.
48:52
They're going to be quite surprised to see you. No, oh no,
48:57
you wouldn't. Man Adrian and bring the gallon Captain Kane with you. Get
49:00
him up, mao, the Grmo. Honey, get him with that gun.
49:04
Honey, kill him, kill him. Just don't talk to me like
49:09
that, sweetheart. De Gamo doesn't like you anymore, Mildred, Yes he
49:13
does, don't you. Honey. You weren't expecting the Gamo, were you.
49:16
He was expecting the other cop, Honey, not you. It's been
49:19
a long time since he's seen you, Mildred ever since you double crossed him.
49:22
You ran away and changed your name from Mildred to Muriel and married that
49:27
poor little guy named Chess. The God must have been looking for you,
49:31
have you, honey? Or why don't you laugh, Mildred like he's laughing.
49:38
Take care of him, William. Let's get out of here. You're
49:40
not going any place I thought you would. Then I wish you were,
49:47
because you're a murderer. And this time that's the way I'm gonna leave you.
49:52
Oh that's crazy, you're talking crazy. I went crazy to night Florence
49:55
Halimore died, and you made a clown out of me. Even have to
50:00
you run away, I still loved you. You made a bad cup on
50:04
of me. Moly, But this is the end of it. Don't do
50:07
it to Gamo. She's the killer. Don't get yourself in any more trouble.
50:10
Take her in if you're a good cop. Lay off people. Yeah,
50:13
more case won't come up. They're convict her for Crystal Kingsby's murder or
50:15
laveries. You'll be clear. I'll be clear. This is her gun.
50:20
If she dies by it and you die by it, I'll be clear because
50:24
I'll be the officer who investigates. You're a fool. To guy, I'm
50:28
no fool, and I'll be a good cop. I'll be the best cup
50:32
in the world. But she isn't gonna hurt anybody again. No, no,
50:38
please, I don't, honey, I love you now. First you
50:51
cover up a murder for her, and then you kill her. It doesn't
50:57
make any sense, does it? To Gamo? Something's done? Petty coat
51:02
fever. Eh yeah, we all get it, Beeper, we all get
51:08
it. I once had petty code fever myself. They took a chance and
51:13
lost. When you walked in that door instead of king, A lot of
51:15
things suddenly ended for me. I'm scared. It isn't wonderful anymore. I'll
51:22
say you lost my drunk driving frame didn't stick with this one? Will How
51:27
does it feel dying in the dirty middle of somebody else's love if I don't
51:30
want to seem selfish, but I'm thinking of my own. I followed your
51:32
ice here, well, thanks a lot. I followed it, and I
51:36
kicked it into the streets so nobody else would follow it. So don't be
51:38
expecting any friends or relationship. How did you know about how do you suppose
51:44
your girl, Adrian. That's a lot. How else do you think?
51:45
I know that was a cheap gag, that Rice, But that's the way
51:50
all private dicks end up, a last cheap trick, a cheap double cross.
51:53
You're in the same boat I am, but you're going to be in
51:57
it dead, Kaye. I never thought you'd get here, gaggs. Still
52:02
thinking of gags. You want me to turn around? Eh, there's nobody
52:07
out on that roof. How crazy do you think I am? Be careful,
52:10
Caine. That gunn of his is pointed right at me. Cut it
52:13
out, Mono, get him with the first slug, Cane, or he'll
52:15
get me. I'm getting you right now. Gags, nothing but gags.
52:24
Wow? You all right? Yeah, I'm all right? What about him?
52:32
Take a look for his sake. I hope he's dead. I might
52:37
have been here a lot sooner, but he messed up your trailer. Rice.
52:40
You get the story on all this? Yeah? I got this story?
52:45
All right, let's have it. I'll write it. I'll see that
52:47
you get the first copy fresh out of the typewriter. What about her,
52:52
This Dame Mildred Havilan, She murdered the Almore woman Crystal Kingsby and Chris Lavery.
52:58
The Garmo kill her. Yeah, he had a wonderful motive. He
53:05
was in love with her. Well, I had promised Kane the first copy,
53:20
and there it is. The Grandma may not be so hot, but
53:23
I'll let it. Oh, yeah, you're wondering about her, aren't you?
53:29
About Adrian? De Gamo had said she tipped him off. What had
53:32
happened was that de Gamo had overheard Adrian's phone call to Caine. That's how
53:37
de Gamo got to me first. Those things happen sometimes. But Adrian,
53:42
I come in, Yeah, come in. Have you got the tickets?
53:47
Yes? To New York one way? Are you scared? H But it's
53:54
wonderful. In just a moment, Our stars will return for their curtain calls
54:28
with a very important announcement For next week, Ladies, are you and Leafer
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brother sensational fur coat Contest. Remember they're giving away one hundred thousand dollars worth
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of furze and cash every week for four more weeks. First prize every week
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is a three thousand dollar mink coat. Next prizes are three fur coats worth
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one thousand dollars apiece fur jackets for scarves and two hundred and fifty CRISP ten
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dollar bills three hundred and twenty nine prizes every week. You are just in
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time to get in on the second of five big weekly contests one thousand,
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six hundred and forty five prizes in all, So hurry. Your entry for
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this week's contest must be received by midnight February sixteenth. Entries received after that
55:10
date will be entered in next week's contest. You still have a chance to
55:14
win over thirteen hundred prizes. It's easy to win. Here's all you do.
55:19
On entry blank available from your dealer or any piece of paper, Write
55:22
twenty five words or less telling why you like any of six famous Lever products
55:28
Lux Flakes, Lux Toilet Soap, Life Boy, Rinso, Swan or Spry.
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You can send in as many letters as you wish, just be sure
55:36
to win close with each one a box top or a wrapper from any one
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of these six products. Print your name and address on your letter, together
55:43
with the name and address of the dealer from whom you buy your Lever products.
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Mail your letter together with box top or wrapper to Lever l e v
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R Lever Fur Contest Box one, New York eighth New York. Only residents
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of the continental United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, are eligible. These
56:04
contests are subject to all federal, state, and local regulations and to complete
56:07
rules printed on official entry blanks, which you can get from your dealer.
56:12
Winners of the big prizes will be announced on this program. Here's our producer,
56:17
William Keeley. In this season of Awards, I wish we had a
56:22
special radio award for tonight stars who gave such thrilling performances in Lady in the
56:28
Lake, Bob Montgomery and Audrey Totter. Bob, as one director to another,
56:43
you deserve an orchid for your fine job of directing Lady in the Lake
56:46
for the screen as well as acting in it. Well, thank you,
56:50
Bill. It did give me a chance to use a camera technique that I'd
56:52
always been interested in. You mean, letting the audience see the action through
56:57
the hero's eyes. You might call it participation. Whatever happens to me and
57:01
the picture happens to the audience, which is quite an experience for moviegoers.
57:07
Well, it was quite an experience for me kissing a man who wasn't there
57:09
and talking to a camberl in. But I'm sure Audrey that every man in
57:14
the audience got quite a thrill from the illusion of playing opposite Audrey Totter on
57:19
the screen. Tell me, Bob, are you going to use that same
57:22
technique a game sometime? Well it's a little early to say, Bill,
57:25
but Audrey and I are currently making a picture together at Universal International called The
57:30
Saxon Charm, which we look forward to with great interest, Bill, John
57:35
Kennedy mentioned earlier a very important announcement about next week. Yes, something special
57:38
coming up on Lucks one of the most exciting evenings of the year, in
57:43
fact, one of the year's outstanding events in radio. Not because we say
57:47
so, but because theater goers all over America have said so in selecting their
57:52
favorite motion picture for nineteen forty seven. Now what picture is it? Bill?
57:57
Don't keep us in suspense. I'm sorry, Audrey, but we're pledged
58:00
to secrecy. You mean you can't tell us a thing about it? Oh,
58:04
you'll have to use your imagination. But I can assure you it's the
58:07
motion picture that moviegoers of America voted most popular of all in nineteen forty seven.
58:15
Not only that, but we're presenting it with two of America's best love
58:19
stars who helped to make the pictures so delightful? How was the picture selected?
58:23
Bill through a nationwide pole conducted by doctor George Gallup's Audience Research Incorporated for
58:30
Photoplay Magazine. The winner to receive photoplays coveted Gold Medal Award. The name
58:36
will be announced in Photoplay Magazine's next issue, which reaches the stands this Wednesday,
58:42
February eleventh. Till then, our lips are sealed, except to say
58:46
that it's the play that our audience themselves selected, the one above all others
58:52
you'll most want to hear with two superlative and famous stars. You got me
58:55
so curious. Now I've got to listen. Bill, I certainly would miss
58:59
it. Bill, toodn night and be sure to listen in next Money Leave
59:09
a Brothers Company. The makers of Lux Blake's join me in inviting you to
59:14
be with us again next Monday evening, when the Lux Radio Theater presents With
59:17
Two Great Stars. The screenplay America voted as its favorite during nineteen forty seven.
59:24
This is William Keeley saying good night to you from Hollywood. If you're
59:36
a young man. From seventeen to thirty one, the United States Navy offers
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you perhaps the greatest opportunity of your life to continue your education, enjoy high
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pay, clean living, travel, and adventure in a service that has won
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the admiration of the world. Get in touch with your nearest Navy recruiting office
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for full information on life in America's great peacetime Navy Audi appeared by arrangement with
1:00:00
Metro Golden Mayer producers of Sinclair Lewis cast Timberlane, starring Spencer Tracy and Lana
1:00:06
Turner. Heard in our cast Tonight, where Tom Tully is Captain Kane,
1:00:09
Gerald Moore as Kingsby, Bill Johnstone as de Garmo, Francis Robinson as Mildred,
1:00:15
and George Nie, Eddie Marr, Robert Griffin, Janet Scott, Herbert
1:00:20
Butterfield, and Marie Windsor. Our music was directed by Lewis Silvers. This
1:00:24
program is rebroadcast to our men and women overseas through the worldwide facilities of the
1:00:29
Armed Forces Radio Service. And this is your announcer, John Milton Kennedy,
1:00:34
reminding you to join us again next Monday night to hear America's favorite screenplay of
1:00:37
nineteen forty seven, Pepsident One by three to one. Yes. In a
1:00:44
recent survey, families throughout America compared New Pepsident toothpaste with the brands they'd been
1:00:50
using at home by an overwhelming average of three to one. They preferred New
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Pepsident with erium over any other brand they tried. They said, New Pepsident
1:01:00
toothpaste tastes better, makes breath cleaner, makes teeth brighter. Yes. With
1:01:07
families who made comparison tests, Pepsident one by three to one. Be short
1:01:15
of listen next Monday Night to the Lux Radio Theater presentation of America's most popular
1:01:21
screenplay of nineteen forty seven. Stay tuned for My Friend Irma, which follows
1:01:25
immediately over most of these stations. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.
1:01:46
Welcome back a very interesting performance. I have to say, there's so
1:01:55
much to say about this. There were three major portions of Lady in the
1:02:01
Lake that were different from the book. In the movie, those three portions
1:02:07
are the beginning, the middle, and the end. I'm not going to
1:02:13
go through step by step everything that was different, because well I could do
1:02:21
that, you wouldn't listen all that long. Probably the big thing was the
1:02:27
romance angle wasn't in the book. There was a little flirting between Marlow and
1:02:32
the secretary, and it was actually the missing woman's husband that hired Marlowe.
1:02:39
I don't know what it is about the radio version, but the whole romance
1:02:45
really does come off as particularly weaken this story. There's also a bit of
1:02:55
a problem with the way that Montgomery played this. I thought Montgomery actually went
1:03:01
into the Navy in nineteen forty one and this was his first big film after
1:03:07
World War Two, and I can't help but wonder if that was the if
1:03:15
that was the problem here, because the way he plays Marlow's it's got a
1:03:21
very nineteen thirties feel to it. It's very different from I think, the
1:03:28
much more appealing work that was done by Dick Pilell and Humphrey Bogart in playing
1:03:35
the role of Marlow and bringing that to the big screen. And when people
1:03:38
take a look at the forties films, invariably it'll either be The Big Sleep
1:03:45
or Murder My Suite that will end up the number one, and then the
1:03:51
other number two. This one will definitely always be number three of the four
1:03:55
films that was made. And it just seemed like he was trying heart now.
1:04:00
Robert Montgomery very talented actor, and I think that he would go on
1:04:10
to do some great work over television, but I think he just overacted on
1:04:15
this. I also have to say, in the film version, Audrey Totter
1:04:25
did make her role work pretty well despite the implausibilities. It didn't seem to
1:04:30
work as well over radio, but that's probably what comes with compressing a one
1:04:35
hundred and five minute movie into a fifty minute radio play. There's just not
1:04:42
time to get everything, and I think some of the relationship stuff may have
1:04:46
been kot It's been a while since I've seen that. The film's decision was
1:04:54
bold, and it was the type of thing that would serve Montgomery well,
1:04:58
particularly as he went into the nineteen fifties and he'd have his own show,
1:05:01
Robert Montgomery Presents. He wouldn't do that, but he would be a very
1:05:06
popular, very well made program. I think Philip Marlow, for this type
1:05:13
of experimentation with the camera like they did in the movie, was just a
1:05:16
very odd choice. I do have to say the plot here is very much
1:05:21
simplified from the original novel by Chandler, and I can't urge strong enough.
1:05:28
If you're curious about the story, to check it, to check it out.
1:05:31
To me, it really was even with a much better story than the
1:05:40
film version, because really there were some memorable characters, particularly up at the
1:05:45
Lake, that we don't get to see and either on the either in the
1:05:51
film or on the radio version, you know, small town characters. Great
1:05:57
character they had was a small town constant that Chandler created but not included in
1:06:05
either the film or the radio version. I think that Lady in the Lake
1:06:12
is right up there in that same echelon of brilliant, hard boiled detective writing
1:06:19
that we associate with Chandler, just as Farewell, My Lovely, and The
1:06:29
Big Sleep are. So. I think the film version, just the way
1:06:32
it was adapted, didn't quite serve well. To be fair, I think
1:06:35
it would be a very tough story to tell. The mystery does have some
1:06:41
great features and some good, solid, hard boiled moments. Now, for
1:06:47
those of you who've been listening for any length of time, we heard William
1:06:53
Johnstone playing the heavy and given that we heard Bill Johnstone playing in the lineup
1:07:00
might seem to be a bit of a miscast, but so was the film
1:07:02
featuring Lloyd Nolan, who actually gave an outstanding performance, and Nolan's parts were
1:07:09
usually a lot softer, lot nicer guys probably best known for the Michael Shane
1:07:15
series, but did a magnificent job as a Degamo. It's not it's worthwhile
1:07:26
listening and viewing, and certainly the viewings at least worth watching once, but
1:07:31
probably something i'd recommend checking out from Netflix rather than buying. But the book
1:07:38
is better, and so is a radio drama from the BBC if you can,
1:07:44
if you can pick it up, the latest BBC adaptation is available audible
1:07:49
dot com. The other really interesting thing is, and this has been the
1:07:54
weird thing about all of these episodes we've done over the past five of the
1:08:01
five of the past six weeks where we've been doing the pre Gerald Moore Marlow's,
1:08:11
and Gerald Moore keeps popping up in other parts other than Philip Marlow.
1:08:15
It's the most uncanny thing. I've never noticed that before. But in four
1:08:20
of the five pre Gerald Moore as Philip Marlow plays out there, he plays
1:08:28
another role in them. You know. It's it's amazing because he was in
1:08:32
both the adaptation of Murdermise Suite and of This as well as in two episodes
1:08:40
of the Van Heflin series. Well, he's been on the stage so much.
1:08:45
We're going to get to that great series, the best Philip Marlow radio
1:08:50
series there was, starting next week, so be sure and listen to that.
1:08:56
Join us tomorrow. We'll have Nick Carter Master Detective in and we do.
1:09:01
Let me go ahead and check take a look if we've got any particular
1:09:04
listener comments. Edward says, I greatly enjoy your podcast and listen to them
1:09:10
every night as I fall asleep. I especially like your commentary of the episodes
1:09:14
and on the history of radio detectives. Keep it coming. Well, thanks
1:09:17
so much, Edward, and we will see you on Thursday. Follow us
1:09:21
on Twitter Radio Detectives and follow us on Facebook, Facebook, dot com Slash
1:09:28
Radio Detectives. But from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam
1:09:30
Graham signing off.