1. And have made it look like
Jean's death was a mistake.
Copy !req
2. I would never typecast you
as a detective.
Copy !req
3. - I've been in love with you all my life.
- Are you insane?
Copy !req
4. - I'm afraid she's dead.
- Oh, I'm sorry.
Copy !req
5. If Charles ever found out
I took that money...
Copy !req
6. Unless, of course,
he's a blackmailer.
Copy !req
7. Whose bedroom did you
pry into this time?
Copy !req
8. I'm here to arrest you
for the murder of Jean Davis.
Copy !req
9. Hmm, darn. Missed him.
Copy !req
10. Cut! Print it!
Copy !req
11. I don't own this studio anymore.
Copy !req
12. Come in for a close-up, huh?
Nice, tight, just about here.
Copy !req
13. Jean. Where's Jean?
Copy !req
14. - Miss Chandler.
- She was here a few minutes ago.
Copy !req
15. - Look who's here.
- Are they inside?
Copy !req
16. Yes.
Copy !req
17. - Thanks, Bob.
- Okay.
Copy !req
18. Oh, happy birthday, darling.
Copy !req
19. - Save it for tonight.
- I want you to know I have everything arranged.
Copy !req
20. I've completely organized your birthday.
Copy !req
21. That's why you're such
a good social secretary.
Copy !req
22. Now, you have to be
at the Beverly bookstore...
Copy !req
23. every night
this week for an autograph session.
Copy !req
24. - So...
- So, when I get home, I want the candles all lit.
Copy !req
25. - My dinner waiting.
- And your hostess likewise.
Copy !req
26. Just don't let the wicked witch hold you
up. Remember, tonight is your night off.
Copy !req
27. Jean!
Copy !req
28. Jean?
Copy !req
29. Oh, Jerry.
I didn't know you were in town.
Copy !req
30. Had to rush home. Do some
local promotion for my new book.
Copy !req
31. Oh, another book?
Whose bedroom did you pry into this time?
Copy !req
32. Just a collection of some
of my own movie columns, Nora.
Copy !req
33. Uh, Jean, dear.
Thanks for bringing him here.
Copy !req
34. Now, would you run along
and tell the director...
Copy !req
35. that it's too late
to try for my close-up.
Copy !req
36. Oh, yes.
Copy !req
37. - It's nice to see you again.
- Right. So long, Jean.
Copy !req
38. All right. Why are you here?
Copy !req
39. Why, to see you, of course, Nora.
Copy !req
40. To see if you've given my little
proposition any more thought.
Copy !req
41. I have. I've decided to write my
own biography. Good-bye, Mr. Parks.
Copy !req
42. Well.
Copy !req
43. I understand there's a big gathering
of studio brass coming up.
Copy !req
44. Real estate developers,
TV moguls... all the hucksters.
Copy !req
45. Oh, come on, Jerry.
Get to the point.
Copy !req
46. Nora, while I was in New York,
Copy !req
47. I did some more research
on my book about you, remember?
Copy !req
48. Aren't you gonna pour me one?
Copy !req
49. Buy your own.
Copy !req
50. Thank you.
Copy !req
51. And I finally managed to dig up
some hidden accounts...
Copy !req
52. on that last picture
you made in Italy.
Copy !req
53. That bomb.
You didn't lose a penny on it,
Copy !req
54. but the studio
lost two million dollars.
Copy !req
55. I'm afraid I'm just too tired
to talk right now, if you don't mind.
Copy !req
56. Sure. I won't bore you with details.
Copy !req
57. But I also understand that the biggest brass of
them all is arriving here tonight, isn't he?
Copy !req
58. Mr. Conglomerate himself?
Frank Simmons.
Copy !req
59. And I got to thinking.
Copy !req
60. With all the trouble you're having
with the studio right now,
Copy !req
61. wouldn't they just love
some ammunition?
Copy !req
62. Wouldn't Simmons just love to hear
how one little has-been movie queen...
Copy !req
63. managed to fix the books
and out-swindle him?
Copy !req
64. I'm not gonna write
any of it, you understand.
Copy !req
65. I'm on your side.
Copy !req
66. Oh, I know how much
all of this means to you, Nora.
Copy !req
67. I understand.
Copy !req
68. How much do you want?
Copy !req
69. Just a reasonable amount
for my research, that's all.
Copy !req
70. For my time?
Copy !req
71. All right. I'll call you
first thing in the morning.
Copy !req
72. Right.
Copy !req
73. Toodle-loo.
Copy !req
74. Nora? You changed already?
The director said that...
Copy !req
75. What have you been
telling Jerry Parks?
Copy !req
76. What? Nothing. Really.
Copy !req
77. Don't lie to me. Don't you know he's
a blackmailing, smut-peddling...
Copy !req
78. No.
Copy !req
79. You think he likes you.
Copy !req
80. Nora, I simply
won't listen to you.
Copy !req
81. - Oh, yes, you will.
- No, I won't.
Copy !req
82. He loves me.
He's asked me to marry him.
Copy !req
83. He what?
Copy !req
84. It's true.
Copy !req
85. Well, when did all this happen?
Copy !req
86. We saw a lot of each other
before the trip to New York.
Copy !req
87. The last one.
Copy !req
88. He's been writing to me.
Copy !req
89. He asked me in his letter
the day before yesterday.
Copy !req
90. I-I was going to wait to tell you
for a while, but...
Copy !req
91. - And you believed him.
- Oh, please, Nora.
Copy !req
92. You really think that creep
is a prince in disguise.
Copy !req
93. Stop it!
Copy !req
94. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Copy !req
95. - And so am I.
- I didn't mean to...
Copy !req
96. Nora, I've never told him
anything about you.
Copy !req
97. And he's never asked. Not once.
Copy !req
98. It's not the way you think.
Copy !req
99. Oh, I would never do anything
to hurt you, or let him.
Copy !req
100. Now, look. That's enough.
That's enough.
Copy !req
101. I'm the one that
should be apologizing to you.
Copy !req
102. I just didn't understand.
I didn't...
Copy !req
103. I didn't understand
how deeply you felt about him.
Copy !req
104. All right. We just forget it.
Copy !req
105. And it's 6:00
and you have errands to run.
Copy !req
106. - It's a very long list I'm afraid.
- What?
Copy !req
107. Well, you've got my dress to pick up.
That's urgent, of course.
Copy !req
108. But I was sort of
planning tonight to... to...
Copy !req
109. Oh! Oh. Oh.
Copy !req
110. You were going to take that Dorothy
what's-her-name to the concert.
Copy !req
111. - Isn't that what you told me?
- Well, yes.
Copy !req
112. But I'll never get through
all of this before 9:00 or 10:00.
Copy !req
113. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Copy !req
114. I just...
I don't know what it is.
Copy !req
115. I suppose we've been together
so many years,
Copy !req
116. I just can't stand
the thought of losing you.
Copy !req
117. Now, look. You never mind
how I feel about Jerry Parks.
Copy !req
118. I'll get rid of that somehow.
Copy !req
119. Oh, he does admire you.
Truly he does, Nora.
Copy !req
120. Oh, yeah, of course.
Who doesn't?
Copy !req
121. Now, darling, you will do
those errands for me, won't you?
Copy !req
122. I'm sure poor Dorothy
won't mind missing another concert.
Copy !req
123. Well, I-I guess I can.
Copy !req
124. But I-I am sorry about everything.
Copy !req
125. Could I change my order to lobster?
Copy !req
126. - It's a little late for that.
- What?
Copy !req
127. No! No, no, no, darling. Whatever you like.
You can have whatever you wish.
Copy !req
128. Weren't those lobsters in Boston
absolutely divine?
Copy !req
129. - I've never tasted anything as good.
- Oh, darling, Boston.
Copy !req
130. - I'll never forget that night.
- When were you in Boston, Nora?
Copy !req
131. Last month, when I invited her.
Copy !req
132. I didn't realize you two
knew each other so well.
Copy !req
133. Mr. Fallon,
Copy !req
134. before I bought your studio, I made a
personal inventory of all of your property.
Copy !req
135. Pardon me for interrupting. Miss Chandler,
may I see you a moment, please?
Copy !req
136. If somebody wants an autograph,
just sign it yourself, Joe.
Copy !req
137. - What is it, Joe?
- A gentleman to see you.
Copy !req
138. He said it's rather urgent.
Copy !req
139. Oh, all right. Excuse me.
Copy !req
140. - Don't be long.
- No, no, no.
Copy !req
141. - Joe, how've you been?
- Fine.
Copy !req
142. Uh, Miss Chandler,
we've been trying to reach you.
Copy !req
143. I'm afraid there's been
a pretty bad accident.
Copy !req
144. What?
Copy !req
145. There was an explosion and fire at the house
of a friend of yours, Mr. Jerry Parks.
Copy !req
146. Oh, no.
Copy !req
147. Why come to me? I mean, Mr. Parks
isn't particularly a fr...
Copy !req
148. You tell her yet?
Nora, it's Jean.
Copy !req
149. - Jean.
- Miss Jean Davis, ma'am.
Copy !req
150. She was alone
in Mr. Parks's car and...
Copy !req
151. Well, I'm-I'm afraid she's dead.
Copy !req
152. You're a little late.
Copy !req
153. Yeah, I know.
I got tied up on the freeway.
Copy !req
154. The stunt cars are up in the backlot.
Copy !req
155. Go up this street, make a left
and straight up the hill.
Copy !req
156. - Right. Okay, yeah.
- Excuse me, Officer.
Copy !req
157. - Officer.
- What is it?
Copy !req
158. I don't know anything about any stunt cars.
I'm here to see Miss Chandler.
Copy !req
159. This isn't for the demolition derby,
uh, sequence?
Copy !req
160. I'm here on official business. I thought you
saw my police sticker on the windshield.
Copy !req
161. - What sticker?
- That sticker.
Copy !req
162. - Right, right, okay.
- What happened to my sticker?
Copy !req
163. - Yeah, I'll tell her
- Someone took my sticker.
Copy !req
164. Mister, you either state your business
or get out. You're holding up the traffic.
Copy !req
165. I had the sticker this morning.
Copy !req
166. Oh. Yeah, uh... Lieutenant Columbo,
police department.
Copy !req
167. - I'm here to see Miss Chandler.
- Okay, Lieutenant.
Copy !req
168. Her bungalow is right up the street.
Copy !req
169. - Make a right. You can't miss it.
- Right.
Copy !req
170. - Okay.
- Hey, Lieutenant.
Copy !req
171. Did you ever think
of getting another car?
Copy !req
172. Yeah, but I got another car.
Copy !req
173. My wife drives it. Of course, it's
nothing special. Just for transportation.
Copy !req
174. - What do you want?
- I understand this is where Miss Nora Chandler...
Copy !req
175. - She can't see anybody right now.
- Uh, my office called.
Copy !req
176. I'm from the police.
Lieutenant Columbo.
Copy !req
177. All right.
Copy !req
178. There's, uh, there's a lieutenant...
Copy !req
179. Lieutenant Columbo
from the police.
Copy !req
180. All right, all right.
I'll take care of it.
Copy !req
181. This gentleman will take care of you.
Copy !req
182. - You're the police.
- Uh, yes, sir.
Copy !req
183. All right now. Miss Chandler had to
be hospitalized last night, you know.
Copy !req
184. I'm terribly sorry to hear that, sir.
Copy !req
185. I'm sure that there's very little
you have to bother her with now.
Copy !req
186. The Davis girl was her secretary
and constant companion for 18 years.
Copy !req
187. - I wouldn't do anything to upset her.
- You can imagine the kind of shock...
Copy !req
188. that Miss Chandler's experiencing.
Copy !req
189. - So, you get out quickly. You understand?
- Fully, sir.
Copy !req
190. Frank? Please, it's all right.
I wanna see him.
Copy !req
191. Good, girl. See you at 2:00.
Copy !req
192. Make it quick, don't lean on her,
Copy !req
193. or you'll have to answer
to me personally.
Copy !req
194. You understand? Go on in.
Copy !req
195. Please, come on in.
Copy !req
196. Oh, yeah.
Copy !req
197. Uh...
Copy !req
198. What's the matter, Lieutenant?
Copy !req
199. - Are you all right?
- No, it's just that...
Copy !req
200. You know, Miss Chandler, if anybody
ever told me I'd be standing here,
Copy !req
201. I mean, right face-to-face with you.
Copy !req
202. I mean, I've been in love
with you all my life.
Copy !req
203. I know. You never expected
to meet a legend.
Copy !req
204. Would you do me a favor?
Copy !req
205. Would you call my wife?
Copy !req
206. Just say hello.
It'd give her a tremendous thrill.
Copy !req
207. I mean, she saw every picture you've
ever been in ever since she was a kid.
Copy !req
208. - I mean, ever since high school.
- I know how long ago that was, Lieutenant.
Copy !req
209. - It's right there.
- Thank you very much.
Copy !req
210. Just take a minute.
Copy !req
211. She'll get a big bang out of it.
Copy !req
212. It's me. Put her on.
Copy !req
213. Where is she?
Copy !req
214. Went to get fish.
Copy !req
215. When she comes back in the house,
tell her not to leave.
Copy !req
216. Now don't hang up.
I'll be right back.
Copy !req
217. Say hello to my brother-in-law.
His name is George.
Copy !req
218. Just say, "Hello, George."
Copy !req
219. Hello, George.
Copy !req
220. Guess who that was.
Copy !req
221. What do you mean you don't know?
Don't you go to the movies?
Copy !req
222. What are you, a moron?
Copy !req
223. Hello, George. This is Nora Chandler.
How are you?
Copy !req
224. Ask him how tall he is.
Copy !req
225. George, how tall are you?
Copy !req
226. Sorry, George. I gotta run.
Copy !req
227. - You're terrific.
- Oh, thank you. We try.
Copy !req
228. Now, what else can I do for you?
Copy !req
229. Well, as a matter of fact, ma'am, uh,
Copy !req
230. I would like to ask you a few questions,
if you don't mind.
Copy !req
231. Oh, of course not. Why don't, uh...
Why don't we out on the lanai?
Copy !req
232. Oh, certainly.
Copy !req
233. Boy, right here in the middle
of a huge movie studio.
Copy !req
234. This is like a regular house.
Do you live here?
Copy !req
235. Mm-hmm. When I'm filming.
Copy !req
236. It originally was built for me
when I was a child actress.
Copy !req
237. I saw those pictures, too,
on television.
Copy !req
238. The ones where you were dancing.
Wonderful.
Copy !req
239. Why don't they make them like that anymore?
Without all that violence.
Copy !req
240. Lieutenant, you said
you wanted to ask me some questions.
Copy !req
241. You see, I hardly remember what happened
last night myself. It's still a blur.
Copy !req
242. Must have been a terrible shock to you.
Copy !req
243. That Miss Davis
was very close, I guess.
Copy !req
244. Very close.
Copy !req
245. I'll tell you why I'm here.
Copy !req
246. It's because the arson squad
is investigating that fire...
Copy !req
247. that trapped her in Mr. Parks's car.
Copy !req
248. Arson?
Copy !req
249. They're not sure yet. Could be nothing.
Copy !req
250. But the neighbor, he's the one
who called the fire department,
Copy !req
251. he said he saw something
that looked like an explosion.
Copy !req
252. Oh? What else did he see.
Copy !req
253. Who? Oh, the neighbor.
Nothing, I guess.
Copy !req
254. Say, your husband was
just a little guy, wasn't he?
Copy !req
255. Al Cumberland practically built this
studio, in case you didn't know.
Copy !req
256. No, I meant short.
I mean, I always figured he was tall.
Copy !req
257. Like you, Miss Chandler.
I always thought you were tall.
Copy !req
258. I thought everybody
in the movies was tall.
Copy !req
259. I notice he was a big man in the Shriners
too. Now that's something I know about.
Copy !req
260. That's a double eagle ring,
Scottish rite, 32 degrees.
Copy !req
261. I had an uncle. He played bagpipes
in a Shriner's band.
Copy !req
262. He couldn't play a note,
but nobody could tell the difference.
Copy !req
263. When was this picture taken?
Copy !req
264. As a matter of fact,
that was taken the day before he died.
Copy !req
265. Uh, Lieutenant, do you mind?
I really am very tired.
Copy !req
266. Would you mind coming to the point?
I'd like to know about Jean.
Copy !req
267. Excuse me.
Copy !req
268. Hello.
Copy !req
269. Yes, yes,
there is a lieutenant here.
Copy !req
270. From which office?
Copy !req
271. Oh, yes, of course.
Uh, it's for you.
Copy !req
272. Ma'am, please excuse me.
I'm terribly sorry.
Copy !req
273. Yeah.
Copy !req
274. Look. Don't bother me now.
Copy !req
275. Yeah.
Copy !req
276. Oh. Right away.
Copy !req
277. Ma'am, uh, please excuse me.
Copy !req
278. Oh, no, no.
That's quite all right.
Copy !req
279. What a lovely garden.
Fountain and everything.
Copy !req
280. Hard to believe this exists
right in the middle of the studio.
Copy !req
281. Yes, you know, that fountain
was part of a set...
Copy !req
282. from a picture I made a long time
ago called Sarah Goes to College.
Copy !req
283. Can I have a memento?
Copy !req
284. - Not for me, for my wife. She loves mementos.
- Certainly.
Copy !req
285. Every time we go into a fancy restaurant,
she steals an ashtray.
Copy !req
286. But, for me, it's embarrassing
in my line of work.
Copy !req
287. Oh, but your work, according to that caller
is homicide. Correct?
Copy !req
288. Yeah, that's true.
Copy !req
289. Can you imagine the embarrassment
if she ever got caught?
Copy !req
290. But surely, Lieutenant,
Copy !req
291. surely they don't think
Jane was murdered, do they?
Copy !req
292. You know, I'm having such a good time here,
I keep getting sidetracked.
Copy !req
293. Miss Chandler, would you mind coming for
a ride with me down to police headquarters?
Copy !req
294. I'm sorry if it's
a bit dusty in there.
Copy !req
295. Oh, that's quite all right,
Lieutenant.
Copy !req
296. Didn't get a chance to wash it.
Been very busy this past week.
Copy !req
297. - Uh, Jeffries, you got everything?
- Yes, sir.
Copy !req
298. Oh! Is that...
Copy !req
299. Yes, miss, that's Mr. Parks's car.
Don't look at it.
Copy !req
300. - Don't look at it.
- Uh, Mr. Parks says...
Copy !req
301. Just a minute.
Are you all right?
Copy !req
302. I'm fine.
Copy !req
303. - You sure?
- Thank you. Yes.
Copy !req
304. All right.
Copy !req
305. Mr. Parks says that he and Miss Davis
traded cars last night a little after 7:00.
Copy !req
306. - Traded?
- A boy in the bookstore confirmed it, sir.
Copy !req
307. Heard Miss Davis say
that she just had to run an errand,
Copy !req
308. and then she was gonna go on out to
Parks's house to wait for him.
Copy !req
309. I-I don't understand any of this.
Copy !req
310. Jean was just running errands
for me last night.
Copy !req
311. Is this your handwriting, ma'am?
Copy !req
312. Yes. Yes, that's the list
I wrote for her. Where did you find it?
Copy !req
313. Mr. Parks gave it to us, ma'am.
It was in her car.
Copy !req
314. The one he drove out to his house
in later,
Copy !req
315. while she was supposed to be
getting their little party ready.
Copy !req
316. - Only, of course...
- Their little party?
Copy !req
317. Oh, I don't believe it. She barely knew
Mr. Parks. He's lying to you.
Copy !req
318. Well, not entirely, ma'am.
You see, Miss Davis did have a flat tire.
Copy !req
319. - Which one was it?
- Left rear.
Copy !req
320. - Flat tire.
- What?
Copy !req
321. Parks got the boy in the bookstore
to change it for him.
Copy !req
322. Uh, Miss Chandler, I'm afraid...
Copy !req
323. Mr. Parks claims your secretary
had a date with him last night.
Copy !req
324. But when she got down
to the bookstore where he was,
Copy !req
325. she was all upset because you'd given her
those errands to run.
Copy !req
326. Well, he said it wasn't too hard
to talk her into skipping the errands,
Copy !req
327. except for the dress?
Copy !req
328. Poor little Jean.
Copy !req
329. She never could make up
her own mind.
Copy !req
330. Anyway, when they went outside,
her car had this flat tire.
Copy !req
331. Oh! Oh, so that's...
why they traded cars.
Copy !req
332. And then she drove off.
If I'd only known.
Copy !req
333. If I had any idea.
Copy !req
334. - There, there.
- I'm sorry.
Copy !req
335. There, there. All right.
Copy !req
336. All right, boys. Let's get this flat tire
carefully checked now.
Copy !req
337. The valve stem and the nail
or whatever did it.
Copy !req
338. That might be a slow leak.
You never know about that.
Copy !req
339. Could we have this area
cleared here, please?
Copy !req
340. Please, I-I wanna go home.
Copy !req
341. I guess you can see now, ma'am,
why we need your help.
Copy !req
342. It's apparent that it was just by accident
that they traded cars last night.
Copy !req
343. So, a murderer, if he had his plan set
to set a fire,
Copy !req
344. would have no way of knowing that.
Copy !req
345. - A murderer?
- Yes, ma'am.
Copy !req
346. So what we have to do now is look for
somebody who wanted to kill Jerry Parks.
Copy !req
347. You understand, Miss Chandler, the only
reason your poor secretary is dead...
Copy !req
348. is because somebody
made a terrible mistake last night.
Copy !req
349. Mistake?
Copy !req
350. Of course it occurred
to me, Lieutenant.
Copy !req
351. You see, Miss Chandler just couldn't
think of...
Copy !req
352. anybody who might have
wanted to hurt Jean Davis.
Copy !req
353. But maybe a thousand
who hate my guts, right?
Copy !req
354. Oh, no, sir. No.
Never said anything like that.
Copy !req
355. Look. Nobody's even proved there was
arson here yet, so until they do...
Copy !req
356. Sir, they sort of have.
Copy !req
357. You see that empty gas can he's got?
Copy !req
358. Well, you've been away
for a while, haven't you?
Copy !req
359. Well, he just found that
on the side of the hill there.
Copy !req
360. You told these people that you never store
extra gasoline here, didn't you?
Copy !req
361. - That's right.
- Mm-hmm. Yeah.
Copy !req
362. And they found another one back here in
those bushes by the swimming pool.
Copy !req
363. And scorch marks from there, from that
bush, right back here to the garage.
Copy !req
364. Boy, this is a terrific view
you have here, sir.
Copy !req
365. Meaning what exactly?
Copy !req
366. Well, that could mean that, uh,
Copy !req
367. somebody used gasoline
to start the fire.
Copy !req
368. You see, our laboratory says
that that car's gas tank...
Copy !req
369. just couldn't have blown up first.
Copy !req
370. The worst burning was outside,
from underneath.
Copy !req
371. All right.
Maybe it was a crank.
Copy !req
372. I don't know who it was.
That's your department, Lieutenant.
Copy !req
373. Yes, sir, it is.
You're right about that.
Copy !req
374. Now, if you'll excuse me.
Copy !req
375. - Oh, Mr. Parks.
- Yes.
Copy !req
376. Uh, may I use your telephone?
Copy !req
377. Certainly.
Copy !req
378. - There you are, Lieutenant.
- Thank you very much.
Copy !req
379. Boy, they're really impressive.
You must know a lot of celebrities.
Copy !req
380. Did she sign that personally?
Copy !req
381. Yes, she did, Lieutenant.
Copy !req
382. May I ask you something,
as one professional to another?
Copy !req
383. Well, I wouldn't dream
of trying to stop you.
Copy !req
384. Writers fascinate me.
I don't know how you do it.
Copy !req
385. Where do they get their ideas.
That fascinates me.
Copy !req
386. Where do you get your ideas?
Copy !req
387. But I'm not that kind of writer.
Copy !req
388. I'm really a reporter.
Copy !req
389. Ah. I see what you mean. Hmm.
Copy !req
390. Well, I guess a writer like you
has to collect everything, doesn't he?
Copy !req
391. What's that supposed to mean?
Copy !req
392. I never read any of your books.
No offense, sir.
Copy !req
393. But my brother-in-law, he's got one or two
around the house, and, boy,
Copy !req
394. how do you manage to collect all those
things about all those famous people?
Copy !req
395. Gossip, that's all. I keep my ears open.
Copy !req
396. Well, listen. I suppose you do it
the same way we do it.
Copy !req
397. You listen to an informant.
Maybe you pay off a servant here and there.
Copy !req
398. - Get next to an employee.
- Like somebody's secretary?
Copy !req
399. - Is that what you're trying to suggest?
- No, sir.
Copy !req
400. Well, get this straight, Columbo.
I don't know what Nora told you,
Copy !req
401. but I was seeing Jean Davis
because I was very fond of her.
Copy !req
402. Certainly, sir. I'm sorry. I certainly
didn't mean to imply that at all.
Copy !req
403. No, no, not at all.
No, I guess I was just wondering...
Copy !req
404. if you had a file here on Nora Chandler
and, of course, I never asked to see it.
Copy !req
405. I would never do that without a subpoena.
Copy !req
406. Be my guest, Columbo.
Copy !req
407. Dig in there.
Copy !req
408. Learn the truth about Hollywood's
most idyllic marriage,
Copy !req
409. about Nora's secret fights
with her husband,
Copy !req
410. about Al Cumberland's
famous casting couch.
Copy !req
411. Oh, a casting couch.
Yes, I've heard of that term.
Copy !req
412. Read how he left her in tears at the
studio on that lovely summer weekend...
Copy !req
413. and went fishing in Malibu,
Copy !req
414. where he went floating off
into his drunken sunset forever.
Copy !req
415. That's not new.
You can see that in any old police file.
Copy !req
416. Of course.
And in every newspaper.
Copy !req
417. Why, that was 12 years ago.
Practically ancient history by now.
Copy !req
418. I don't think I've written
a word about Nora since. Why would I?
Copy !req
419. Who cares about an aging actress,
sliding downhill?
Copy !req
420. Listen. She's still
pretty important on TV.
Copy !req
421. And on The Late, Late Show,
I don't miss a picture she's in.
Copy !req
422. However, that's another story.
Let me say this.
Copy !req
423. You'll never know how relieved I am...
Copy !req
424. to find out that there is no scandal
connected with Nora Chandler.
Copy !req
425. I mean, the shock that I felt
when I saw her name on this file.
Copy !req
426. Believe me, listen.
I remember this woman when she was 17.
Copy !req
427. Don't ask me
the name of the picture.
Copy !req
428. Played a teenager, 17 years old,
Copy !req
429. gets married the same night
she graduates from high school...
Copy !req
430. to an older man
and the guy didn't love her.
Copy !req
431. Relax, Lieutenant.
Copy !req
432. Take my word that Nora Chandler and I
are very, very good friends.
Copy !req
433. Good. I'm pleased to hear that.
Copy !req
434. Now we can get down to business.
Copy !req
435. We'll go looking into some of these other people
that you've been collecting information on.
Copy !req
436. Excuse me.
Copy !req
437. Hello. Who?
Copy !req
438. Oh, I'm very sorry.
I'm afraid you've got the wrong number.
Copy !req
439. Would you mind, uh, dialing again?
Copy !req
440. It's quite all right.
No trouble at all.
Copy !req
441. You see, Lieutenant, famous people
don't mind being gossiped about.
Copy !req
442. They thrive on my little publicity.
Copy !req
443. Well, one sure didn't. I mean,
if someone tried to kill you last night.
Copy !req
444. Do you think he'll try to kill me again?
Nonsense.
Copy !req
445. Whoever he is, must be scared to
death right now. Don't you think?
Copy !req
446. You know, I'm sorry, Lieutenant.
I have things to do.
Copy !req
447. Oh, forgive me.
I understand. Sorry.
Copy !req
448. - Why do you keep saying "he"?
- Hmm?
Copy !req
449. About the person
who made that mistake last night.
Copy !req
450. Well, it's perfectly natural, isn't it?
You say "murderer," I say "he."
Copy !req
451. Male chauvinist at heart.
Copy !req
452. I guess you're right.
You know, it's sort of like if, uh...
Copy !req
453. That was a woman who just called
you on the phone, wasn't it?
Copy !req
454. Because I notice when a man calls
and he gets the wrong number,
Copy !req
455. I just say, "Sorry. Wrong number,"
something like that.
Copy !req
456. Only when it's a woman, well, I guess
it's just natural to be more polite.
Copy !req
457. - You see what I mean?
- I'll try.
Copy !req
458. You know, I'm terribly sorry,
but I have writing to do.
Copy !req
459. Oh, Lieutenant. I thought you wanted
to use the phone?
Copy !req
460. Yeah, but I was just gonna call my wife,
and she's probably still talking.
Copy !req
461. Hello? Nora.
Copy !req
462. Hi, doll.
Copy !req
463. I was wondering if you wouldn't
try to get in touch with me.
Copy !req
464. Oh, just, uh, leave it right there.
I won't be a moment.
Copy !req
465. Well, you certainly
got here on time.
Copy !req
466. Good ol' Nora. Never a wasted motion.
Come on in. I'll buy you a drink.
Copy !req
467. No, no, somebody will recognize me. Look.
What, uh, what about over there? Come on.
Copy !req
468. Nora, dear, I can't tell you
how badly I feel.
Copy !req
469. Spare me your grief-stricken act.
It's not one of my favorites.
Copy !req
470. Now, what have you told
the police?
Copy !req
471. What is there to tell?
Copy !req
472. That you tried to kill me?
Copy !req
473. That would be like disposing of the goose
who owes me a golden egg. Don't you think?
Copy !req
474. I had nothing to do with it.
Not that I wouldn't be delighted.
Copy !req
475. Of course not. Well, I can hardly
believe it myself.
Copy !req
476. Oh, you might have wanted
to maim me a little.
Copy !req
477. Never mind about that.
Copy !req
478. The point is what will Mr. Simmons
and the other studio people believe?
Copy !req
479. To say nothing
of that persistent police lieutenant.
Copy !req
480. You mean, if, uh...
Copy !req
481. if I don't pay you
what you want to keep quiet?
Copy !req
482. Oh, pay me about 10 times
what I would have asked for before.
Copy !req
483. I'm sure you understand, Nora.
Copy !req
484. If they ever suspected your lovely motive
for wanting me out of the way...
Copy !req
485. Well, I certainly know
you need the money.
Copy !req
486. The way you cried to Jean
in that letter the other day,
Copy !req
487. about how your former wives
attach every penny you earn.
Copy !req
488. - Where did you get this?
- From a copying machine.
Copy !req
489. I made copies of every letter
you wrote from New York.
Copy !req
490. Jean never knew, of course.
Copy !req
491. Oh, that proposal.
That was a classic.
Copy !req
492. "Darling, as I lie here awake, I..."
Copy !req
493. Careful, Nora.
Copy !req
494. The head of the studio mail room
is one of my dearest and oldest friends.
Copy !req
495. You're not going to get a cent.
Copy !req
496. Suppose the police...
Copy !req
497. knew about your motives
for committing murder last night.
Copy !req
498. My what?
Copy !req
499. Oh, you could have arranged it
very easily. Now, couldn't you?
Copy !req
500. Yes, and, uh, and have made it
look like Jean's death was a mistake.
Copy !req
501. - Are you insane?
- What happened?
Copy !req
502. Did she finally realize
why you were interested in her?
Copy !req
503. Oh, I knew she was making
withdrawals from savings.
Copy !req
504. And I gather from her letters, you
were, quote, borrowing from her heavily.
Copy !req
505. She catch on?
Copy !req
506. Nora, stop this! You know it just isn't
true. I was not after Jean's money.
Copy !req
507. I don't know
whether it's true or not.
Copy !req
508. But the point is,
what will the police think?
Copy !req
509. You've used so many women before.
Copy !req
510. Miss Chandler, I sure didn't expect
to find you here. I mean, not with, uh...
Copy !req
511. I was just on my way to an appointment
and ran into Mr. Parks here.
Copy !req
512. Oh. Well, it was really you
I came to see.
Copy !req
513. Only then I noticed
your car was parked there in the...
Copy !req
514. - Oh, yes.
- Columbo, did you follow me?
Copy !req
515. Oh, no, sir. No, no.
Uh, not at all sir, no.
Copy !req
516. You see, what happened was, the arson
investigator said you kind of left in a hurry,
Copy !req
517. and I thought you were
going to be busy writing.
Copy !req
518. I decided it could wait.
Copy !req
519. You know, Columbo,
I don't enjoy being watched.
Copy !req
520. And I certainly don't need
police protection.
Copy !req
521. Don't be so certain about that, sir.
Copy !req
522. That's what I came to tell you.
Copy !req
523. We just located another neighbor of yours, and
he remembers almost being hit by a car...
Copy !req
524. tearing down that road
in back of your place last night.
Copy !req
525. And it was just after the fire.
Copy !req
526. Uh, what kind of car was it?
Copy !req
527. Oh, nothing fancy.
Not like you movie people drive.
Copy !req
528. No, it's just a small, dark,
American compact car.
Copy !req
529. I'm afraid
he didn't notice the driver.
Copy !req
530. So, you see,
I thought that maybe by now...
Copy !req
531. you'd have come up with somebody
that you think wants to harm you.
Copy !req
532. Because, sir, that's what this thing
looks like, more and more.
Copy !req
533. No. No, I can't think of
a single person yet, Lieutenant.
Copy !req
534. Oh. Gee, that's too bad.
Copy !req
535. Because I thought maybe that's
why you two were getting together.
Copy !req
536. Oh, no, no.
We were just talking about Jean.
Copy !req
537. Oh. Yeah, I noticed
you looked very upset.
Copy !req
538. Um... but I thought, Miss Chandler,
that you didn't approve of Mr. Parks.
Copy !req
539. And, sir, quite frankly, some of the things
that you said about...
Copy !req
540. would indicate to me that...
Copy !req
541. You just don't understand
show business, Lieutenant.
Copy !req
542. Now, if you'll excuse me.
Copy !req
543. I... I have an appointment with
some very important financial people.
Copy !req
544. You see, Hollywood is fighting
for survival, Lieutenant.
Copy !req
545. You know, Lieutenant, she's so right.
Copy !req
546. Her dear, departed husband
would be spinning in his grave,
Copy !req
547. if he had one.
Copy !req
548. Ma'am.
Copy !req
549. Ma'am.
Copy !req
550. Oh, I-I'm sorry.
We just can't help you now.
Copy !req
551. Neither one of us
can help you now.
Copy !req
552. There! You see that?
Copy !req
553. Millions of people still love her.
Copy !req
554. I really don't know what
you're talking about, Sergeant.
Copy !req
555. Don't misunderstand me. I haven't
officially accused you of anything.
Copy !req
556. But it seems to me you could have
put your husband's body in the car,
Copy !req
557. driven it off
and ditched it somewhere.
Copy !req
558. I-I really don't understand you,
Sergeant, or your insinuations...
Copy !req
559. Or whoever wrote this,
I can't remember the next line.
Copy !req
560. Cut it.
Copy !req
561. - Honey, what's the matter?
- Well, it's so ridiculous!
Copy !req
562. She just sits there while this policeman
all but puts the handcuffs on her.
Copy !req
563. Nora. Nora, look. I've got to go with
the script here. It's television.
Copy !req
564. - I know it's only been two days since...
- No, no, no, no. It's all right.
Copy !req
565. Quiet back there, please.
Copy !req
566. Let's, uh, let's do it again, please.
Copy !req
567. - You're uptight. Now, just easy.
- Yeah, I'll cool it.
Copy !req
568. Jerry? All right.
Copy !req
569. Let's get ready.
Copy !req
570. - Go ahead.
- Roll it, please.
Copy !req
571. And... action.
Copy !req
572. I really don't know what
you're talking about, Sergeant.
Copy !req
573. Don't misunderstand me. But I haven't
officially accused you of anything.
Copy !req
574. But it would seem to me that you
could have put your husband's body...
Copy !req
575. - Quiet, there!
- Cut it. Wait, wait. Cut it.
Copy !req
576. - I'm sorry, Sid. I'm sorry.
- You dropped the cue.
Copy !req
577. - Look, you mind if I just walk around a minute?
- No, go.
Copy !req
578. Jerry, kill 'em all.
Copy !req
579. Cut!
Copy !req
580. I'm sorry.
I hope I didn't spoil anything?
Copy !req
581. Well, hello. No. No, no.
Copy !req
582. I... I like to take a break
now and again,
Copy !req
583. and I was just going over
this section of the scene.
Copy !req
584. - Please. Don't let me interrupt.
- Oh, no. No.
Copy !req
585. Not at all. What are...
What are you doing here, Lieutenant?
Copy !req
586. Oh, I'm just, uh,
Copy !req
587. talking to all sorts of people here
on the lot, finding out what I can.
Copy !req
588. This is fascinating. You know,
as long as I've been in Los Angeles,
Copy !req
589. this is the first time
I've ever been on a movie studio.
Copy !req
590. Oh, it's true,
Fourteen years, never been here before.
Copy !req
591. I thought you were supposed to be
looking for Jean Davis's killer?
Copy !req
592. Uh, yes, ma'am, only it's not easy.
Copy !req
593. You see, I found out that almost nobody
liked this guy Jerry Parks.
Copy !req
594. Some people really hate him. Only he
still won't help us with any suspects.
Copy !req
595. I don't understand why. Do you?
Copy !req
596. Of course not. Why would I?
Copy !req
597. Unless, of course, maybe he's a blackmailer.
You don't think that's a possibility, do you?
Copy !req
598. A what?
Oh, really, Lieutenant.
Copy !req
599. I realize I'm just guessing.
Only it's funny.
Copy !req
600. They're a lot of people that
just won't talk about him.
Copy !req
601. I thought that was maybe because
he had something on them.
Copy !req
602. I'm not sure. What do you think?
Copy !req
603. I think you're wasting your time,
Lieutenant.
Copy !req
604. Well, you know, it always takes a long time
to figure out what really happened,
Copy !req
605. but this case...
this case is particularly difficult.
Copy !req
606. I wonder if you'd excuse me?
I-I really am holding up...
Copy !req
607. Remember the tire?
Miss Davis's tire?
Copy !req
608. We found out the car had been serviced
that day. They couldn't even find a nail.
Copy !req
609. We're still trying to figure that out.
Copy !req
610. They even took the tire,
they put it in a tub of water and, uh...
Copy !req
611. Miss Chandler?
Copy !req
612. Well, it sounds very important, darling.
Don't get wet.
Copy !req
613. Mm. Oh, one other thing
that I did find out.
Copy !req
614. The American compact?
Copy !req
615. You know, that the neighbor,
he saw tearing away right after the fire?
Copy !req
616. Oh. Yeah?
Copy !req
617. Well, I noticed 20 cars just like that
parked right here on the lot.
Copy !req
618. I... I don't understand.
Copy !req
619. What I discovered was studio regulations.
Copy !req
620. You see, if you park a car near a soundstage,
you have to leave the keys inside.
Copy !req
621. And these crew members, they work late.
Copy !req
622. So almost anybody who noticed
that Mr. Parks was back from New York,
Copy !req
623. they could have taken one of those cars
and gone right out to his house.
Copy !req
624. We're ready, Miss Chandler.
Copy !req
625. Makeup!
Copy !req
626. My, my.
Aren't we perspiring?
Copy !req
627. - Terrific person, isn't she?
- She sure is.
Copy !req
628. - Huh?
- Sure is.
Copy !req
629. Tell me about these movie stars.
What do they do, they drink a lot?
Copy !req
630. Oh, not her. No.
Copy !req
631. What's in the thermos?
Copy !req
632. This? I just keep this
in case she needs it.
Copy !req
633. She only takes a drink when she's under
the pressure. You know what I mean.
Copy !req
634. Oh.
Copy !req
635. I know you're busy, but if you could
give me 10 minutes, I'd appreciate it.
Copy !req
636. Of course.
Copy !req
637. Bob.
Copy !req
638. Listen.
Copy !req
639. It's all right. I'd rather have you
taking up my time than...
Copy !req
640. holding up their schedule in there.
Copy !req
641. - Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize...
- What is it you want to know?
Copy !req
642. Um, well, you know, I keep hearing these
stories about, uh,
Copy !req
643. Miss Chandler having
some sort of trouble with the studio.
Copy !req
644. When hasn't she?
Copy !req
645. Ever since she inherited
a big piece of it from her husband.
Copy !req
646. But Nora made the mistake of sinking
most of her money into her own films,
Copy !req
647. one bomb after another,
I'm sorry to say.
Copy !req
648. But, you know, I've kind of enjoyed it.
Copy !req
649. What you're talking about... there.
Right there.
Copy !req
650. That's the current problem.
Nora's half acre.
Copy !req
651. Huh? Her cottage?
Copy !req
652. Al Cumberland gave it to her
before they were even married.
Copy !req
653. But about 12 years ago,
Copy !req
654. when Cumberland's fishing boat was found
smashed up in the surf out there at Malibu,
Copy !req
655. the movie business
was already on the rocks.
Copy !req
656. By the time the court declared him dead,
this studio was near bankruptcy.
Copy !req
657. I don't understand.
What does this have to do with...
Copy !req
658. Cumberland gave her title
to that property, Lieutenant.
Copy !req
659. She won't sell,
no matter how much we offer.
Copy !req
660. By now, it's about all she's got left,
but she still won't sell.
Copy !req
661. Gee, you know, in a way,
I don't blame her.
Copy !req
662. I mean, it must have
real sentimental value to her.
Copy !req
663. Right in the middle of the most valuable
piece of real estate in Southern California.
Copy !req
664. How do you think we're gonna put this place
back on its feet anyway? By subdividing.
Copy !req
665. But there she sits, holding up every
sensible development plan we've got.
Copy !req
666. We even tried to buy off the back part...
which she rarely even uses...
Copy !req
667. wouldn't even sell that.
Copy !req
668. Well, maybe sometime,
she'll change her mind.
Copy !req
669. Yeah, when hell freezes over...
Copy !req
670. or some genius upstairs finds a way
so we can legally blast her out of here.
Copy !req
671. Actors, Lieutenant. Take my advice...
avoid actors. They'll kill you.
Copy !req
672. Well, thanks, Mr. Fallon.
Copy !req
673. I'll be sure to tell your boss
I appreciate your hospitality.
Copy !req
674. - I am the boss.
- Oh, gee.
Copy !req
675. You know, it never occurred to me.
I mean, anybody so young...
Copy !req
676. It's all right.
Copy !req
677. I would never typecast you
as a detective, either.
Copy !req
678. Well, I certainly am impressed, sir,
the way you handle your inventory.
Copy !req
679. You handle it the same way
we handle a piece of evidence.
Copy !req
680. Well, we have to, Lieutenant.
Copy !req
681. If the script calls for a shrunken head
or a Ming llama,
Copy !req
682. we have to know
right where we can lay our hands on it.
Copy !req
683. Fascinating.
Copy !req
684. I only wish we could locate things as quick
and as easy as you people do.
Copy !req
685. Glad to help you.
Copy !req
686. Lieutenant Columbo.
I've been looking all over for you.
Copy !req
687. See that? Tracked me down
just like that. Thank you again.
Copy !req
688. What's on your mind, sir?
Copy !req
689. Uh, Miss Chandler wants to see you
in Edith Head's, uh, office.
Copy !req
690. It's just down here
around the corner, sir.
Copy !req
691. Here we are.
Copy !req
692. Right through that door there.
She ought to be there by now.
Copy !req
693. Oh, Lieutenant.
She said it was urgent.
Copy !req
694. Hey, Lieutenant, stop ogling those girls
and come in here.
Copy !req
695. Take a look at this.
Copy !req
696. Have you ever seen such beading
in your life? Feel it.
Copy !req
697. Look how heavy it is.
Can you imagine walking around in that?
Copy !req
698. Look. A little overdressed
for this time of the day, huh?
Copy !req
699. What do you think?
Copy !req
700. You couldn't care less.
Copy !req
701. Edith is designing
a whole new wardrobe for me.
Copy !req
702. Oh, Edith,
this is Lieutenant Columbo.
Copy !req
703. - How do you do?
- Edith Head.
Copy !req
704. How do you do?
Copy !req
705. Which of these do you think
would be better for the new scene?
Copy !req
706. - This one?
- No, I like this one.
Copy !req
707. I'm wedded to it, but I don't like the red.
This would be a lot better.
Copy !req
708. - In other words, using this fabric on this here.
- I think it'll work just as well.
Copy !req
709. Are you still wearing that tie?
Copy !req
710. Do you know ever since I met you
you've been wearing this stupid thing?
Copy !req
711. Edith, haven't you got
a decent tie around here?
Copy !req
712. Of course I have.
Copy !req
713. Oh, let's get this off.
All right.
Copy !req
714. Is she the one I see
on the Academy Awards?
Copy !req
715. - Yeah.
- What's her name?
Copy !req
716. - Edith Head.
- Edith Head.
Copy !req
717. - Those are her Oscars?
- Yeah. Aren't they fantastic?
Copy !req
718. - She won these?
- Yeah.
Copy !req
719. Lieutenant, I've been lying to you.
Copy !req
720. - About what?
- About Jerry Parks and me.
Copy !req
721. Remember when you found us together
yesterday...
Copy !req
722. and I said we were just
talking about Jean?
Copy !req
723. Yes?
Copy !req
724. Well, Jerry Parks has some awful...
awful stuff on me.
Copy !req
725. He has research records in his files,
and I didn't want him to tell anyone...
Copy !req
726. - How about this one, dear?
- Oh, that's perfect.
Copy !req
727. Oh, yeah, too much.
Copy !req
728. - Here. Oh, Edie.
- Thank you.
Copy !req
729. Would you, uh, would you
bring in that ombre chiffon?
Copy !req
730. - The one from the dress?
- Yeah. Thank you, darling.
Copy !req
731. See, that was wrong of me, wasn't it?
Copy !req
732. I mean, for Jean's sake.
Copy !req
733. F-For Jean's sake
you ought to know everything...
Copy !req
734. and stop wasting your time around here
and start looking in the right places...
Copy !req
735. for whoever it was
that was responsible for her death.
Copy !req
736. Well, what sort of things
does Mr. Parks have on you?
Copy !req
737. Oh, I want to show you. All of it.
Copy !req
738. The whole truth,
right out in the open. Listen.
Copy !req
739. Listen. Can you get a court order
and make that man show you his files?
Copy !req
740. Well, I guess I can.
Copy !req
741. - Oh, isn't it beautiful?
- Here it is.
Copy !req
742. Oh, yes. Oh, yes, that's it.
Isn't that lovely?
Copy !req
743. - It's gorgeous. Don't you love it?
- Yes.
Copy !req
744. I think it's perfect, dear.
No question.
Copy !req
745. Thank you so much.
Copy !req
746. Yeah. Divine.
Copy !req
747. Well, Lieutenant, I guess you
better do what you have to do.
Copy !req
748. Yeah. I was just thinking, uh...
Copy !req
749. I've got an anniversary coming up
next week.
Copy !req
750. I wonder if I could have that back
and save this for a special occasion.
Copy !req
751. Sure. Here.
Copy !req
752. Why don't you get your wife to take you on
a shopping tour for your anniversary, huh?
Copy !req
753. Take a look at some suits and shirts,
Copy !req
754. slacks, socks, shoes...
Copy !req
755. - Are you sure you want to do this?
- Yeah, I'm sure.
Copy !req
756. Hey, look at some raincoats
while you're at it.
Copy !req
757. Casting couches, gossip,
a rehash of the old Al Cumberland story.
Copy !req
758. Who gives a damn about any of that?
Copy !req
759. All right, Jerry, where is it?
Copy !req
760. - Where is what?
- The new entries. The Italian movie.
Copy !req
761. Nora, what are you trying to pull...
Copy !req
762. - Where is it? Show him.
- Are you out of your mind?
Copy !req
763. - Do you realize...
- Make him show them.
Copy !req
764. - I don't believe you.
- Make him show them.
Copy !req
765. Well, I-I guess you better show us.
Copy !req
766. Well, I certainly never intended
to let anybody see this.
Copy !req
767. I don't care what happens to me.
Copy !req
768. Finding Jean's killer is all that
interests any of us at this point.
Copy !req
769. All right.
Copy !req
770. Here you are.
Copy !req
771. Lieutenant.
Copy !req
772. Those are ledger sheets.
Copy !req
773. Yes, ma'am.
Copy !req
774. - Can you read a budget?
- No, ma'am.
Copy !req
775. Well, I'll cut to the bottom line.
Copy !req
776. The production manager
was an old, old friend.
Copy !req
777. And in order to save my own skin, we
made the studio lose two million dollars.
Copy !req
778. You mean, you deliberately falsified...
Copy !req
779. Absolutely.
The word is swindled, Lieutenant.
Copy !req
780. - Are you sure you want to reveal this?
- Yes.
Copy !req
781. - It's just what Mr. Fallon is looking...
- I know. I know.
Copy !req
782. Mr. Simmons...
Copy !req
783. Miss Chandler
has voluntarily disclosed...
Copy !req
784. What are you doing?
Just a moment.
Copy !req
785. - That is evidence.
- No, that is not evidence.
Copy !req
786. My company owns Mr. Fallon's
company, Lieutenant.
Copy !req
787. And I already know all about this.
Copy !req
788. Wait. Just give me a minute.
Copy !req
789. You already knew about this?
Copy !req
790. And you don't care about this money?
Copy !req
791. I don't understand.
Copy !req
792. Well, of course,
I care about two million dollars.
Copy !req
793. But, uh, well, Nora and I
have talked the whole thing over...
Copy !req
794. and we've reached an understanding.
Copy !req
795. Ooh. Well, that must be
a big relief to you, ma'am.
Copy !req
796. - But when did this...
- Uh, 10 days.
Copy !req
797. - Ten days ago. She told me the whole thing.
- Ten days ago?
Copy !req
798. Yes. And if you have any further
blackmail you'd like to...
Copy !req
799. Just a minute, Mr. Simmons.
Copy !req
800. I'd like to remind you that
blackmail is still illegal.
Copy !req
801. You have to be able to prove that
before you can say it again.
Copy !req
802. Well, I suggest that if you've got anything
to say at all, you get it out now.
Copy !req
803. - There might be something else.
- Such as?
Copy !req
804. - And then again, there might not.
- Sir?
Copy !req
805. If you have anything pertinent to this
case, I advise you to get it out now.
Copy !req
806. There's nothing else, is there, Nora?
Copy !req
807. He's bluffing.
Copy !req
808. Sure of that, Nora?
Copy !req
809. You're damn right I am.
Copy !req
810. You heard the lieutenant.
Let's see what else you've got.
Copy !req
811. Just my suspicions.
Copy !req
812. You can't get a search warrant
for what's in here.
Copy !req
813. You couldn't get bus fare
for what's in there.
Copy !req
814. This is his humor, Lieutenant.
Copy !req
815. There's nothing else.
Copy !req
816. All in all, Jerry, you are a bore.
Copy !req
817. Let's go, darling.
Copy !req
818. I find you somewhere
beneath contempt, Mr. Parks.
Copy !req
819. And, Lieutenant, as for you,
Copy !req
820. you have an obtuse manner which
some people find ingratiating.
Copy !req
821. - I do not. Do you follow me?
- Yes, sir.
Copy !req
822. I hope we can assume that it's clear that Nora
had no reason to kill this... this journalist?
Copy !req
823. Yes, sir.
Copy !req
824. She has nothing to hide.
You saw that for yourself?
Copy !req
825. Yes, sir.
Copy !req
826. I am gonna hold you responsible...
Copy !req
827. for any further harassment
of Miss Chandler.
Copy !req
828. Yes, sir.
Copy !req
829. Hmm.
Copy !req
830. Well, you think it's good enough
for the working press?
Copy !req
831. Too good for them.
Copy !req
832. Oh, Tom, would you get that?
I still have to finish my makeup.
Copy !req
833. And, uh, darling, look,
would you take this up with you?
Copy !req
834. - Certainly, Nora.
- Thank you so much.
Copy !req
835. Yes?
Copy !req
836. Lieutenant Columbo
to see Miss Chandler.
Copy !req
837. Is, uh, she expecting you?
Copy !req
838. I don't think so,
but this is official business.
Copy !req
839. Oh. Uh, well, she isn't,
uh, quite dressed yet...
Copy !req
840. and, uh, she is going to
a press reception.
Copy !req
841. Oh, I won't bother her.
Copy !req
842. I'll just wait right here in the
living room. Thank you very much.
Copy !req
843. - Miss Chandler.
- Yes?
Copy !req
844. - Lieutenant Columbo.
- Oh. What is it?
Copy !req
845. On, nothing important. I'm just here
to bring you up-to-date on the case.
Copy !req
846. Oh, that's very considerate of you.
Copy !req
847. Um, I'll be out in a moment.
Just make yourself at home.
Copy !req
848. You mind if I use your telephone?
It's a local call.
Copy !req
849. No, not at all.
Go right ahead. Help yourself.
Copy !req
850. Hi. It's me. Is she there?
Copy !req
851. Why does she have to go shopping
every day?
Copy !req
852. Do you have any idea
where I am right now?
Copy !req
853. Don't get smart, George.
I'm in Nora Chandler's bungalow.
Copy !req
854. You're what? No kidding?
What's the title?
Copy !req
855. I never heard of that one.
What channel?
Copy !req
856. Thank you, George.
Copy !req
857. Hello, darling, it's me.
Copy !req
858. Yes. Yes, I delivered the package.
Copy !req
859. No. No, no one saw me.
Copy !req
860. No, don't worry, darling.
No, no.
Copy !req
861. You see, I took Charles's coat and hat.
Copy !req
862. So even if anyone did see me,
the street was so dark,
Copy !req
863. they would have thought it was Charles.
Copy !req
864. Phillip. Phillip, I'm frightened.
Copy !req
865. Are you sure we did the right thing?
Copy !req
866. Darling?
Darling, when can I see you?
Copy !req
867. I can't go on like this.
Copy !req
868. You're... You're leaving tonight?
Copy !req
869. But we were going to go together.
Phillip, you promised.
Copy !req
870. Phillip, don't hang up.
Darling.
Copy !req
871. Phillip, I love you.
You know I love you.
Copy !req
872. What more can I do to prove it to you?
Copy !req
873. If Charles ever found out
I took that money...
Copy !req
874. Lieutenant Columbo.
Copy !req
875. Right here, Miss Chandler.
Copy !req
876. I hope you don't mind my watching your TV?
You're on.
Copy !req
877. Oh, no.
Copy !req
878. I never saw this picture before.
George told me.
Copy !req
879. Oh. Isn't that awful?
Copy !req
880. I didn't like it when I made it
and I don't like it any better now.
Copy !req
881. Really?
I found it very interesting.
Copy !req
882. Uh, I hope you'll excuse me.
Copy !req
883. I have a press reception and then
we're shooting process tonight.
Copy !req
884. Well, if you don't mind, I'll just tag
along and I can fill you in as we go.
Copy !req
885. - Is that all right?
- Yes.
Copy !req
886. Listen. That guy Phillip in the picture,
what does he do, he frame you in the end?
Copy !req
887. - Uh-huh. You have seen it.
- No, no, no. I just had a hunch.
Copy !req
888. From that conversation I just heard,
I knew he was no good.
Copy !req
889. I know he's up to something.
Copy !req
890. I just knew it had to be
something like that.
Copy !req
891. Thank you.
Copy !req
892. Have you been able to persuade Mr. Parks
to suggest someone who might have...
Copy !req
893. Oh, yes, ma'am.
Those files of his.
Copy !req
894. There's a hundred people in there that
might have wanted to kill him, only, uh...
Copy !req
895. it's really this flat tire that
I wanted to tell you about.
Copy !req
896. Uh, this what?
Copy !req
897. Uh, Miss Davis's, remember?
Copy !req
898. 'Cause see, the trouble is,
that tire just won't go flat.
Copy !req
899. I mean, not for us.
Copy !req
900. We thought it might be a rim leak,
Copy !req
901. but in all this time, there hasn't been
a single bubble.
Copy !req
902. Oh, that sounds very interesting.
Copy !req
903. Yes, ma'am, only it does mean
I've been sort of wrong.
Copy !req
904. About Miss Davis's death
being a mistake, I mean.
Copy !req
905. About what?
Copy !req
906. Well, what I mean is,
if there's nothing wrong with that tire...
Copy !req
907. and it'd just been checked that day
when she had the car serviced,
Copy !req
908. well, that means that somebody
must have let the air out of it.
Copy !req
909. - Do you see what I mean?
- No.
Copy !req
910. Right there in back of the bookstore.
Copy !req
911. Somebody who was watching them,
somebody who wanted them to trade cars...
Copy !req
912. so that it would just look like
Miss Davis's death was a mistake.
Copy !req
913. Anyway, I'll tell you
what it boils down to.
Copy !req
914. - I gotta start all over again. I was wrong.
- Oh, you know, you're priceless.
Copy !req
915. Some hoodlum lets air
out of a tire and you think...
Copy !req
916. But the valve stem was nice and tight.
Copy !req
917. And when kids let the air out of the tire,
they just loosen it and they run away.
Copy !req
918. Anyway, there are other things.
Copy !req
919. Like that car that was tearing away
from the house just after the fire.
Copy !req
920. Well, what about it?
Copy !req
921. Well, if the person in that car
actually lit the fire...
Copy !req
922. I mean, if it wasn't started by
some kind of device or something...
Copy !req
923. well, you don't really believe someone that
close couldn't see who was in Mr. Parks's car,
Copy !req
924. couldn't see that it was Miss Davis
that was gonna be killed?
Copy !req
925. I haven't the slightest idea.
Copy !req
926. No, ma'am, that's it.
I was wrong before, dead wrong.
Copy !req
927. Even my bosses agree. It was Miss
Davis that the murderer wanted to kill.
Copy !req
928. Clever idea, huh?
Copy !req
929. Mr. Parks, he's got all those enemies.
We might never have guessed.
Copy !req
930. Lieutenant, do you mind?
I really have to go.
Copy !req
931. Well, ma'am, you're the only one
that can help me now.
Copy !req
932. I mean, you're the only one
that really knew about Jean Davis.
Copy !req
933. And what's worse, I'm afraid,
Copy !req
934. who else besides Mr. Parks could have possibly
known where she was gonna be that night...
Copy !req
935. and you?
Copy !req
936. Well, I still think Jean's death was a
mistake. It just had to be a mistake.
Copy !req
937. - All right, cut it. Cut it.
- Okay?
Copy !req
938. That's good, dear. That's a print.
Okay, Doug? Good here?
Copy !req
939. Thanks.
Copy !req
940. Honey, I'm gonna have to break for
dinner to avoid a meal penalty, you know?
Copy !req
941. So, we'll come back and do a few shots
of you going the other way, okay?
Copy !req
942. - Sounds thrilling.
- Relax.
Copy !req
943. Nora?
Copy !req
944. How do you like your stockholders...
before or after dinner?
Copy !req
945. Surely, you're not gonna feed them here?
Copy !req
946. No, no. They just came here to gawk.
I promised them dinner later.
Copy !req
947. Uh, I think I'll meet them later.
Copy !req
948. I really have to go to my dressing room.
I've been on location all day,
Copy !req
949. and I have a wardrobe change
for the next scene.
Copy !req
950. Oh, all right.
I'll hold them at bay.
Copy !req
951. - See you later.
- Mm.
Copy !req
952. Hi.
Copy !req
953. Fellas, I think that, um...
Copy !req
954. She's got a lot to do.
We can get together...
Copy !req
955. Okay, Charlie,
see you tomorrow night.
Copy !req
956. Officer.
Copy !req
957. Lieutenant.
Copy !req
958. Officer, I understand somebody
tried to run down a Mr. Parks.
Copy !req
959. That's right.
Missed him completely.
Copy !req
960. - He wasn't hurt at all?
- No. Just a few scratches.
Copy !req
961. Took him to the hospital,
a few X-rays just to play it safe.
Copy !req
962. - Anybody see who did it?
- Not a soul around here.
Copy !req
963. - Anything else I can...
- Shh.
Copy !req
964. - Well, like I said. We'll get to you...
- Are you a Shrine...
Copy !req
965. - Excuse me. Are you a Shriner?
- No.
Copy !req
966. - Is your partner a Shriner?
- I don't know. Why don't you ask him?
Copy !req
967. - Excuse me, are you a Shriner?
- No.
Copy !req
968. Is anybody here a Shriner?
I'm Lieutenant Columbo, police department.
Copy !req
969. I could use some help. Is anybody here a
Shriner or does anybody here know a Shriner?
Copy !req
970. - Lieutenant.
- Are you a Shriner?
Copy !req
971. No, but, uh, Frank the bartender
on the corner is a Shriner.
Copy !req
972. Thank you.
Copy !req
973. Does he have a Shriner's ring?
I don't know. Why don't you ask him?
Copy !req
974. Thank you.
Copy !req
975. Hey, just a minute, mister.
You can't go in there. They're shooting.
Copy !req
976. Police emergency.
Copy !req
977. - Hey, wait a minute! Where do you think...
- Emergency.
Copy !req
978. - Hey, what the hell's going on? Cut it!
- Mister, are you crazy?
Copy !req
979. - Sorry.
- Yeah, but you can't...
Copy !req
980. - Hey, what are you doing here?
- Police. Miss Nora Chandler?
Copy !req
981. - She's right there. We're shooting.
- Sorry. Police emergency.
Copy !req
982. Forgive me for barging in. Mr. Parks...
somebody tried to kill him again.
Copy !req
983. - What?
- This car tried to run him over.
Copy !req
984. But who? Did he see who it was?
Copy !req
985. I don't know.
He hasn't been able to say anything yet.
Copy !req
986. What?
Copy !req
987. Severe concussion. Still unconscious.
It looks very bad.
Copy !req
988. - Oh.
- Very bad.
Copy !req
989. I'm so sorry about all this.
Copy !req
990. That means Jean's death was a mistake,
just as you thought in the first place.
Copy !req
991. Miss Chandler, at this point,
I don't know what to think,
Copy !req
992. but I was hoping you'd
be able to help me.
Copy !req
993. But how?
Copy !req
994. Uh, may we have some privacy?
Copy !req
995. - Uh, yeah.
- Do you mind?
Copy !req
996. No, it's all right.
Uh, save it, fellas.
Copy !req
997. Mr. Parks was onto something new.
Copy !req
998. He didn't say what.
Didn't want to speak on the telephone.
Copy !req
999. He had some new evidence.
Copy !req
1000. I was on my way to see him
when he got hit by this car.
Copy !req
1001. You remember the other day
he said he was suspicious?
Copy !req
1002. - We thought he was just saving face?
- Yeah.
Copy !req
1003. He was onto something.
Copy !req
1004. But how can I help you?
Copy !req
1005. I want to show you something.
Copy !req
1006. The ambulance driver found this
in Mr. Parks's personal effects...
Copy !req
1007. in this envelope
with the initials marked "N.C."
Copy !req
1008. N.C. Those are my initials,
but it's certainly not mine.
Copy !req
1009. Too bad. I was hoping you'd
be able to tell me what it means.
Copy !req
1010. I have to tell you, Miss Chandler,
Copy !req
1011. at this point, I'm up in the air
on this whole business.
Copy !req
1012. Nora, is everything all right?
Copy !req
1013. Uh, yes, sir.
I was just about to leave.
Copy !req
1014. All right.
Copy !req
1015. Uh, forgive. Uh, ma'am,
as soon as he's able to, uh...
Copy !req
1016. - I'll tell you what he says.
- All right.
Copy !req
1017. Sorry.
Copy !req
1018. Uh, darling. Darling,
would you mind very much if, uh,
Copy !req
1019. you went on with the others?
Copy !req
1020. I'll try and join you later.
I've got this... sick headache.
Copy !req
1021. - But, Nora...
- Uh, please, darling. Please.
Copy !req
1022. Sidney?
Look. I'm-I'm not feeling well.
Copy !req
1023. Could we come back to this tomorrow?
Copy !req
1024. Sure. Sure, go ahead.
Copy !req
1025. Jer? Let's, uh, call the cop car in.
Copy !req
1026. We'll change the angle
and shoot them following her.
Copy !req
1027. Okay, new setup, fellas, okay?
Copy !req
1028. What is it, Lieutenant?
Copy !req
1029. I guess it's a lot of things,
Miss Chandler.
Copy !req
1030. Would you care to explain that
and what you're doing here?
Copy !req
1031. You know, a part of me
really didn't want them to add up.
Copy !req
1032. You know, Lieutenant,
I really don't feel very well.
Copy !req
1033. I wonder if you mind leaving
and perhaps we can chat some other time.
Copy !req
1034. I know you killed Jean Davis.
Copy !req
1035. I find you amusing up to a point,
Lieutenant, but you've passed that.
Copy !req
1036. There's just so many pieces
that didn't add up...
Copy !req
1037. tire that wouldn't go flat,
Copy !req
1038. why you refused to sell the cottage...
that bothered me.
Copy !req
1039. Would you kindly get out?
Copy !req
1040. I'm just not in the mood for any more
of your rambling speculations.
Copy !req
1041. I'm here to arrest you
for the murder of Jean Davis.
Copy !req
1042. Oh, you're not serious.
Copy !req
1043. You let the air out of her tire,
Copy !req
1044. you stayed to see her get into Parks's car
and then you killed her.
Copy !req
1045. I'm afraid I am serious.
Copy !req
1046. But why? Why would I do that?
I loved Jean.
Copy !req
1047. The "why" was
very difficult to figure out.
Copy !req
1048. "Meeting... Parks's study,
Tuesday, June 6."
Copy !req
1049. Do you remember after you admitted
juggling the books on the Italian movie...
Copy !req
1050. and then Mr. Parks intimated
he still had something on you?
Copy !req
1051. "Note... Parks probably bluffing.
Copy !req
1052. Nevertheless, Chandler unnerved,
quickly takes drink."
Copy !req
1053. Oh, that means nothing.
Copy !req
1054. Well, it could mean you had
something else to hide.
Copy !req
1055. The prop man told me
you only drink under pressure.
Copy !req
1056. Had a theory here...
Copy !req
1057. "Nora Chandler has secret, Jean Davis
knows secret." There's a motive.
Copy !req
1058. I have it written right here.
Copy !req
1059. "Possible motive... prevent Jean Davis
from revealing secret to Jerry Parks."
Copy !req
1060. Oh, you must be desperate, Lieutenant.
Copy !req
1061. You have no proof of anything.
Copy !req
1062. "What is the secret?
See, key? What is secret?"
Copy !req
1063. That's what bothered me.
"Fountain."
Copy !req
1064. "Why fountain doesn't run?"
That bothered me.
Copy !req
1065. Yeah, that's what started to bother me.
Right. That's what fountains are for.
Copy !req
1066. Why didn't the water run? Most people
like the sound of running water. I do.
Copy !req
1067. - Well, I don't.
- Well, that's what I assumed at first.
Copy !req
1068. And then I spoke to the head
of the property department.
Copy !req
1069. You know, they keep incredible records.
Copy !req
1070. You know, there's a number
at the base of that fountain?
Copy !req
1071. I saw it that day
that I picked the flower.
Copy !req
1072. Anyway, the prop man told me that you ordered
the fountain for sentimental reasons.
Copy !req
1073. Yes, but I told you it was from
a picture I'd just finished.
Copy !req
1074. September 16, 1960.
Copy !req
1075. That was the day
you ordered the fountain.
Copy !req
1076. Well, I don't remember
the exact day.
Copy !req
1077. September 15.
Copy !req
1078. The day before. That was the day
your husband disappeared.
Copy !req
1079. Now it starts to make some sense.
Copy !req
1080. I have a possible explanation
for why the fountain doesn't run.
Copy !req
1081. In order to lay water pipe,
Copy !req
1082. somebody would have to dig up
the lawn, wouldn't they?
Copy !req
1083. Drink, Lieutenant?
Copy !req
1084. Thank you.
Copy !req
1085. - Jerry Parks wasn't hurt, was he?
- No, ma'am.
Copy !req
1086. - Where'd you get that ring?
- Borrowed it.
Copy !req
1087. I was just playing hunches.
I had nothing to go on.
Copy !req
1088. I was just guessing. I had nothing concrete.
I just wanted to see what you'd do.
Copy !req
1089. When you came in here,
you didn't even turn on the lights.
Copy !req
1090. Just ran right straight through
to the fountain.
Copy !req
1091. You know, coincidence.
Copy !req
1092. If I hadn't called George,
if he hadn't been looking at TV,
Copy !req
1093. if it was some other movie,
Copy !req
1094. if you hadn't been dressed like a man,
'cause that's when it occurred to me.
Copy !req
1095. Twelve years ago,
somebody standing on a beach at night...
Copy !req
1096. saw your husband get in a boat
and go out to the ocean.
Copy !req
1097. I remember the photographs.
You and your husband... the same height.
Copy !req
1098. It could have been you.
Copy !req
1099. It was.
Copy !req
1100. You see, uh, I-I...
Copy !req
1101. I married Al because
I thought I could,
Copy !req
1102. oh, improve myself,
you know, my career.
Copy !req
1103. And... And then I-I began to,
uh, care about the marriage.
Copy !req
1104. So when he went playing around, you know, all
the starlets, all that bit, well, it hurt.
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1105. So... I put up with it, you know.
I put up with it until, uh,
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1106. one night he brought one of them
right in here.
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1107. And we had a hell of a fight.
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1108. We argued, fought,
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1109. and I...
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1110. I struck him with a bottle.
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1111. And he...
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1112. I-I-I panicked.
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1113. And...
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1114. I buried him out there.
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1115. Jean knew.
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1116. Well...
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1117. I'll get a coat and we'll go.
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