THE CHARACTERS, NAMES AND EVENTS OF HIS PHOTOPLAY ARE ENRIRELY FICTITIOUS.
NO ACTUAL PERSON, LIVING OR DEAD, IS INTENDED TO BE REPRESENTED
BY ANY CHARACTER PORTRAYED IN THS PICTURE,
AND ANY RESEMBLANCE TO ANY PERSON, LIVING OR DEAD,
IS ETIRELY COINCIDENTAL.
The Return of DOCTOR X
Screen Play by LEE KATZ
From a Story by WILLIAM J. MAKIN
'Hello? "Morning Dispatch."'
'Hello. Park Vista Hotel?' Give me Angela Merrova's apartment.
Tell her it's Walt Garrett. Mr. Garrett of "The Morning Dispatch."
Here's your peanuts, Wichita. - Oh, thanks, Pinky, my boy.
Ah, ya cheapskate. - Hey, wait a minute, what...
Hello, Miss. Merrova.
It's you, Mr. Garrett. How are you? - Oh, I'm fine. Thank you.
'How about an interview this morning? - What about?
How about your ideas on love and marriage?
Well, I have somefresh views on ove since my last trip to Europe.
Oh, I'm terribly booked up, but I might find
a few minutes for you, Mr. Garrett.
Alright, come right away, will you?
Goodbye, Mr. Garrett.
Say, uh, tootie, if a redhead calls tell her I'm finding out about love, will ya?
I'll cut you guys in if there's any new angles.
New angles? You don't know the old ones.
Say, listen, I'm gonna show you retired old hacks how to write an interview.
PARK VISTA HOTEL
Uh... It's a fine thing.
Leave that door open like that, anything's liable to drop in.
Miss. Merrova?
Your favorite newsboy is here.
City editor. - Hello, Andy? Listen, Angela Merrova's dead.
Yeah, croaked. Sure, I'm sure.
Oh, this is Walt. I don't know.
There's nobody here except the monkey and he couldn't have done it.
Anybody else got it? - No, nobody knows it.
Not even the cops.
Oh, let 'em read about it in the paper.
Yeah. Yeah, give me a rewrite.
STAGE BEAUTY MURDERED
PROMINENT ACTRESS FOUND SLAIN IN HER APARTMENT
Angela Merrova Mysteriously Stabbed by Unknown Assailant
This is a horrible thing. What will people think, lieutenant?
Oh, they'll probably figure out the joint's a hangout for gorillas.
Exactly! What?
Who's this guy? - Well, lieutenant.
Imagine finding you here of all places.
Well, if it isn't the Kansas Sherlock. Which room? - In here.
I'll see you later, brain trust. - Any time I can be of service, any time.
Madam.
Come on, come on. What is this? - I... I don't know. The newspaper said...
There's no dead body in here. - Oh, sit down, will you?
He's a very funny guy, this Garrett.
Well, where is it? - Yes, where is it? - Where's what? - The body.
Of course, I just represent the law here
and if you're saving it for another one of your scoops don't let me interfere.
Cut it out, will you, Kincaid? What's the rib?
You tell me. There's no corpse in there.
I... No corpse?
Well, what the...
Well?
Well, what gives that now? - I don't know.
The body was lying right there on the floor. It was dead. I'd take an oath.
It had a deep knife wound right under the heart. - Is this your idea of a joke?
Honest to Pete, it isn't, Kincaid. She was murdered. I know!
Somebody came in and swiped that body. That's what happened, she was kidnapped.
Kidnapped? - First she was murdered now she was kidnapped.
Oh, this is horrible. It'll ruin the hotel.
Positively ruin it! - Take it easy. Well, genius?
I just can't figure it out.
Well, I'll tell you. We're gonna play a new game.
Body, body, who's got the body? You wanna join us?
Come on, boys.
FILE ROOM
# When a body meets a body
# Comin' through the rye
How you doin', Wichita? - Not so good.
I've been in the morgue, the medical institute I've even had the river dragged.
There's something awful cockeyed about this whole setup.
Anymore dope on this dame? - That's the works. - Well, it's no help.
No friends, no family. An orphan.
Did you ever hear of an orphan with a family?
File room. - Pinky. Is that corn- fed wizard in there?
Yes, sir. Yes, sir, he's here. - Tell him to come in right away.
Yes, sir!
Hey, Wichita, Picklepuss wants to see you.
And he don't mean in 10 minutes. - Alright, alright.
Jiminy Christmas.
Darned kids.
Don't forget to try the comic section.
Hi, Walt. Say, who's that body I seen you with last night?
Yeah, we heard you sat up with a corpse. - Was it awake?
You guys are very funny.
But that dead body will turn up yet.
Hello, boss. Do you want me? - Not after today.
Oh, well, Pinky said... What? - You heard me. You're through!
I don't get it. - You know this lady, I believe.
How do you do, Mr. Garrett? - No, I don't believe it.
'I'm glad to see you recognize Ms. Merrova.'
But, but- but it isn't possible.
You must be... Boss, this girl's a phony.
I saw Angela Merrova. She's dead. - If you don't mind,
she seems very much alive to me.
'And it may interest you to know that she's suing the paper'
'for a $100.000. damage to her reputation.'
And the Park Vista Hotel also is suing
for a mere $50.000.
Boss, I tell you that the girl I saw in that room couldn't be alive.
I know. She's your twin sister.
I have no sister.
I've already extended the paper's regrets.
And I've assured Ms. Merrova that we'd print a complete apology.
I thought before you left the building
you also might care to apologize.
Why, certainly.
I'm very sorry for the mistake... Wait a minute.
'Cashier has your check waiting for you, Garrett.'
Oh, boss, give me another chance. - Go back to Wichita, son.
Maybe they'll give you another chance there. - But...
No sister.
'Get out!'
'Calling Dr. Rhodes. Dr. Rhodes.'
'Calling Dr. Rhodes.'
And there she was sittin' in the boss's office. Alive.
Well, I almost went through the ceiling.
So I thought I'd better talk to you about it
on account of you're the only doctor friend I got.
I don't know, maybe there's somethin' wrong with me.
Maybe I oughta be psyched or somethin'. - Superintendent calling.
Dr. Rhodes speaking.
Go in to my office. I'll be right with you.
But hurry up, will you, Mike?
Yes, sir. It's scheduled for ten o'clock sharp.
Yes, we purposely postponed the operation until this morning
so that Dr. Flegg could perform it.
Right, sir. We'll be ready.
The blood donor show up yet, Ms. Sweetman? - Not yet.
He should be here any moment.
Whom did you call? - 'Stanley Rodgers.'
Rodgers? He's in blood group one, isn't he?
'That's right.' - Is the patient group one?
That was the lab report.
Well, that's funny. I thought she was ordinary group four.
Better call Rodgers again. Dr. Flegg doesn't like to be kept waiting
and we must have a transfusion before he can operate. - Yes, doctor.
Vance, look up Rodger's number see what's keeping him.
Yes, Ms. Sweetman.
Hello? - Hello, Mr. Rodgers? Jules Hospital calling.
Remember, you have an appointment this morning with Dr. Rhodes.
Gosh, what time is it? I guess I must have forgot to set the alarm.
I'll be right over.
Sorry to have kept you waiting, Walt.
Oh, I know you're busy, Mike, but you don't
have to treat me like the forgotten man.
I had to check up on some blood test reports.
Go ahead, spin the rest of your yarn. - Well, that's all there is.
The dame that was sittin' in Picklepuss' office was Angela Merrova.
There's no getting around that.
But the thing is... I can't figure it out.
What makes you think I can help you? - Well, this is a chest x-ray.
Isn't it? - Yes. - Well, how do you get a good look at it?
I wanna show you something. Pull down the blinds.
Now, what's on your mind, Walt?
Mike, isn't the heart about here?
Well, did you ever hear of a person surviving
with a deep knife wound about there?
Offhand, I'd say it's impossible.
Maybe the wound wasn't as deep as you thought it was.
No, it was at least four inches.
And it was as clean as if you'd done it with your scalpel.
Me? - No, I don't mean you.
But it did look as if it had been done by a surgeon.
And then the corpse got up and walked away, eh?
Oh, Mike. Give me an even break, will ya?
I know it sounds as crazy as a loon.
You probably think I'm the one that's crazy
but I'm on the level. I'd take an oath.
If what you say is true, even if the heart puncture
didn't kill her, she'd bleed to death.
That's it. That's what made the body look so peculiar.
I never saw a corpse that color before.
What color? - Absolutely dead white.
It looked as if every ounce of blood had been drained out of her body.
Extreme pallor setting in within ten minutes.
I've never heard of it. - Well, you're hearin' about it now.
And when I saw her in the boss' office
she looked exactly as when I saw her as a corpse. Clammy.
Yes? - Dr. Flegg's arrived, sir.
Thank you, I'll be right there.
I'll tell you what I'll do, Walt. I'll speak to Dr. Flegg about it.
He's usually in a pretty decent mood before an operation.
And if anybody can give you an answer when it comes to hematology, it's Flegg.
Hematology?
Yeah, the science of the blood. Stick around a while, will you?
I ain't got any place to go, except back to Wichita.
Don't forget to ask Flegg, now, will you? - Right. - Thanks, Mike.
I'll give you a full-column write-up for this someday.
Rodgers get here alright? - No, doctor.
He still hasn't shown up. - What's the matter with him?
It's time for the operation. Call his apartment again.
You won't forget to ask Dr. Flegg about it?
Yeah, yeah, I'll remember, now go ahead and get a magazine and relax.
Walnut 4-3-7-0-1.
I can't understand what's the matter with Rodgers.
He's never disappointed us before.
Well? - No.
I can try and get another donor for you.
We can't find another number-one blood type as easily as that.
There are only seven people in a hundred in group one.
Notify the superintendent.
Dr. Rhodes? - Yes? - I was tested last week when
I first came to the hospital. I'm in group one.
You're sure, nurse? - She's right, doctor.
Dr. Baum made the test. - I'd be willing to help if I could.
Hey, Mike, you better hurry up. Flegg's liable to walk out.
You know him. - Right, coming.
Take Nurse Vance to surgery and prepare for transfusion.
I'll see you there. - Alright, nurse, come with me.
Frightened? - No.
Ever done this before? - No.
You'll probably be a little weak when we finish. - I won't mind.
Everything ready? - Yes, Dr. Flegg.
Took you long enough. - Sorry to have kept ya waiting.
Very well. I thought you were gonna have Rodgers.
We weren't able to reach him, sir.
Start the transfusion. - Right.
Fine job, Dr. Flegg. - Yes, worked out rather neatly.
Saved that patient's life.
You're the only man that could have done it.
Interesting stuff, blood. Make a thorough study of it, Rhodes.
It's important enough for you to devote your whole life to it.
I've been doing some research not nearly as much as I'd like to.
Good. Stick to it.
It's going to transform the entire future of surgery.
The day is coming when man will be able to control blood.
And when that time does arrive he'll be able to control his destiny.
Blood is the source of life.
Remember "The Bible."
"And the life, which is the blood thereof."
Aren't you gonna take a look at your donor? - Oh, yes. Yes, sir.
By the way, who is she? - 'A girl by the name of Vance.'
'One of the new student nurses.'
Doctor? - Yes? - Uh, would you say
it's possible for a person to survive with, uh
a deep incision at the base of the thoracic aorta?
Why do you ask? - An old friend of mine
thought he knew of such a case. - Ridiculous.
Tell him to change his brand of liquor.
Oh, hello, doctor. - Feel a little weak?
I can take it. - I think you better rest an hour or so.
Did you drink any of this? - Not yet.
Here, take it down in one big gulp. It'll pick you up.
What is it? - Come on, drink it.
It was pretty swell of you to help us out.
It's part of a nurse's education. - That's the right spirit.
Say, why haven't I seen you before?
You never looked before. - I guess I've been missing something.
Just one more thing, I have an important operation
scheduled for tomorrow evening and I'd like your assistance. Are you free?
Yes, doctor. - Good.
I think you'd better wear another outfit.
Evening gown. We're going dancing.
I'd like to very much. But you know, we nurses...
Yes, I know, "Rules for nurses, number 114
keep away from staff physicians."
What's the good of rules if no one breaks them?
Well, what did Dr. Flegg have to say?
He thought you ought to be more discriminating in your choice of hooch.
Oh, Mike, cut it out now, will you? This is serious. I'm out of a job.
'Dr. Rhodes.' - Yes? - Excuse me, I have a message for you.
You're wanted at 438 Gore Street right away.
The police called. - The police?
Yes, doctor, they said it was very urgent.
Thanks. - What's up, Mike?
I don't know yet. Look me up next week when you're sober up.
Oh, no. Where go the police, there go I.
I'm Dr. Rhodes. The officer downstairs sent me up.
Yes, sir. Go right in.
Dr. Rhodes. - Come in, doc. - Oh, hi, lieutenant. - Who asked for you?
Oh, have a heart, will you, Kincaid? A guy makes a mistake once in a while.
What do you got here? - Now take it easy, big shot.
Is he a friend of yours? - Yeah. Well, since you're an ex-reporter
I guess it's okay. Doc, come here a minute.
You know this fellow?
That's Stanley Rodgers. How did this happen?
Come here.
You mind telling me what this means?
'Yes, simply a memorandum of an appointment'
he had this morning at the hospital. An appointment for what?
A blood transfusion. He was a professional blood donor.
Hey, Mike, come here.
Look at this guy, look at his face and look at his body.
Why, there's no color. - Yeah. That's exactly the way Merrova looked
when I found her in her bedroom. - And I suppose this geezer's alive, too.
Well, I'll tell you, lieutenant, there's pro and con.
Well, doctor? - The blood's been drained out of the body.
I know that, but where is it? That's what I wanna find out.
There's only a few stains around.
I don't know. - Well, maybe I can help you.
That operation at the hospital this morning.
Did you perform it? - No, Dr. Flegg did. He's one of our blood specialists.
But you do operate? - Why, yes.
Did you take a good close look at that wound, doctor?
Yes. Yes, I did. - Well, the coroner tells me that man wasn't stabbed
he was operated on with a surgical instrument
and by someone who knew how to use it.
But that's what I'm trying to tell you, just like Merrova.
Listen, rigor mortis, if you mention
that Merrova dame's name again, I'll...
I know what you're thinking.
A doctor did it. Perhaps, myself.
I'm not saying anything. All I know is the coroner says
he never saw a case just like it.
You got the coroner's report? - Yeah.
You want to see it? - Please.
"The type of blood found on the stains
in the carpet is group four."
Why, that's impossible, unless the murderer was wounded.
'How do you figure that?' Rodgers was definitely group one.
I've used him in several transfusions. I'm sure of it.
What is this group one, group four business?
Well, you see, medical science has discovered
that the human blood is divided into four different groups.
Number one being the most rare, number four the most common.
We must see to it that certain of these types are not mixed in the transfusion.
Then would you say that whoever came in to Rodgers' room
to kill him was looking for a number one blood?
It's possible, that's why I think
the coroner made a mistake in his report.
So do you mind if I make a test of these stains for myself?
No, go ahead, doc. One, two, four, seven, eleven.
It doesn't matter to me.
All I know is, this poor guy's number was up.
Yes, and who done it? - Go sit down.
If I find out anything, lieutenant, I'll let you know. - Yeah. Do that, doc.
And, uh, doctor
if I were you, I wouldn't try to go away.
I mean, leave town or anything like that.
There's one thing I definitely do know, Walt. This is not Rodgers' blood.
I checked it with his file specimen.
Well, it's very simple. It's the murderer's, then.
It doesn't even look like human blood.
A gorilla murder. Oh, Mike.
If you can figure that one out, we'll have our front- page spread
on every newspaper in the United States for weeks!
Oh, I must be ready for the bug house or something
but it doesn't even seem to be animal blood.
Well, you got vegetable and mineral left.
Uh, it's no use.
Think I'll call it a night.
You're not giving up, are you, Mike?
No, no, this will take a long time and I'm pretty tired.
I'll take another look at it in the morning.
How'd you like to go down and mangle a few ham and eggs before you turn in?
No, I think I'll hit the hay. - Okay.
If you run across any good ideas, let me know about 'em.
Right. - Goodnight.
Give me a ring in the morning. - You're on.
West 86th.
You may wait in here. Dr. Flegg will be back any minute. - Thank you.
Looking for something?
Perhaps I can help you.
I, uh, I was waiting for Dr. Flegg.
What is it you want? - I wanted to speak to him about a blood smear.
I'm Dr. Rhodes.
Oh, hm, Dr. Rhodes.
How do you do? My name is Quesne.
I've often heard Flegg speak of you. - Oh, yes? - Yes.
He thinks you show great promise
particularly in the study of blood composition.
That's very kind of him. - Yes. I may wish to discuss that subject
with you myself someday.
I'd like to. Any time.
Oh, he's ill.
We're both victims of...
Of what?
Go on, Quesne. Victims of what?
Circumstance.
Go back to your work.
You wanted to see me, Rhodes? What's the matter? Did our patient have a relapse?
No, sir, I came here to ask a favor of you.
Well, speak up, man. What is it you want?
Your opinion on a blood specimen as to group. - Blood group?
You must need a genius to figure that out.
Have you forgotten your hematology? Perhaps, you never learned it.
I hate to bothe you this late, doctor, but...
there's something unusual about this. - Unusual?
There's something I can't understand.
Oh, very well. Quesne!
Yes, sir? - Uh... Dr. Rhodes has a blood specimen
I want prepared for the microscope.
'At once.'
Strange-looking creature, isn't he?
Yes, rather.
What is it? Terminal case of primary anemia?
No, he hasn't completely recovered from a rather severe shock.
'He's been a very valuable man for me, though.'
Has he been with you a long time? - Yes, a couple of years.
His interest in blood almost equals my own.
Let's take a look at that slide.
Ready? - Yes.
Where did you collect this smear, Rhodes? At a murder this morning.
How did it happen you were called in on the case?
To identify the body. - Someone you knew?
Yes, a blood donor. 'The man who was supposed to report to you'
'at the hospital this morning.' 'Stanley Rodgers.'
Rodgers, murdered? - Yes.
Well, that's too bad. Blood group one, isn't he?
Are you working with the police? - No, sir.
Then why did you bring this to me?
The police laboratory classified it as blood group four.
'I know it's not one, but I'm certain it's not four, either.'
'I disagree.' 'I think the police laboratory is correct.'
It is group four. Is that all?
Well, don't you notice anything peculiar about it?
Merely the usual chemical changes accompanying post- mortem coagulation.
Oh, I don't know how to explain it
but hasn't it some sort of, uh...
'artificial quality?'
Hm! What have you done?
Clumsy fool.
'Go in to the office and bandage it.' 'See that you're more careful.'
Case of hemophilia? - No, merely a great deal of trouble.
It's the second time this week he's cut himself.
Well, I'm sorry we were interrupted.
I see no need for further discussion.
This stain is blood group four and nothing else.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I've a great deal of work to do.
Could I have the slide, doctor?
Why, yes. - Thank you.
You may go out this way.
Goodnight. - Goodnight.
I had to see you.
What's the matter? - I feel cold.
My ears are ringing.
'I can hardly breathe.' Yeah.
You see, Flegg? I told you.
You'll never find what you're looking for.
You're a failure, Flegg. - You're lying.
What does he mean, "You're a failure?" Nothing.
Nothing, I assure you.
I haven't failed yet. Now get out of here.
Hello, Michael. - Hiya, Walt. Glad you dropped in.
Anything new? - Yeah, I went over to see Flegg last night.
Oh, what'd you find out? - Uh, he wasn't much help.
He said the police report was right.
But as sure as I'm sitting here, he knows this bloodstain
isn't ordinary group four.
Who was the, uh, fellow with the pasty face?
How do you know about him? - 'Well... ' I was watching from outside.
You followed me? What did you do that for? - Well, Kincaid said the murder
had to be committed by a doctor.
And you suspected me? - Oh, no, of course not.
But maybe Flegg. - Flegg? That's ridiculous.
Alright, ridiculous, perhaps, but possible.
Who was the other fellow? I've seen him someplace before.
A fellow by the name of Quesne. He's Flegg's assistant.
You know, Mike, there's something awful phony going on in that joint.
'Good morning, doctor. Come in.'
Rhodes, may I see you a moment? - Certainly. - Alone.
Pardon me, I was just leaving, doc. - How's the patient?
Excellent this morning, doctor. Temperature practically normal.
Last night you asked a favor of me.
Today I'd like to ask one of you in return.
Of course, Dr. Flegg. - Forget everything and everyone
you saw at my home last night.
We'll call it professional ethics.
Yes, sir. - Oh, uh...
What did you say that girl's name was
the one we used yesterday for the transfusion? - Joan.
Joan Vance.
A nurse here, you said? - Yes.
I always like to keep my list of group ones complete.
Have you her home address? - 1233, South Cedar.
Thank you.
Now do you still think he's an innocent bystander?
I still don't think he's a murderer. If that's what you mean. - Alright.
What would you think if I told you
that Angela Merrova paid him a little visit last night
and she had a blood transfusion?
Now do you still think I'm wacky?
You're sure it was Merrova? - Am I sure?
Brother, that's a face I'll never forget.
Oh, and another thing I'd like to point out to you.
Did you notice the peculiar coloring on that kisser of Quesne's?
Yeah. Like a piece of white marble. - Like something dead, huh?
Yeah, I remember, when I shook his hand it was,
it was cold and lifeless like a dead person's.
What do you think's the matter with him?
I don't know. Flegg says he's suffering from a severe shock.
Well, whatever it is, Merrova has got
that same cold, graveyard look.
Mike, you gotta help me out.
Every newspaperman in town is giving me the rib.
You suppose we could have a talk with Merrova?
There are a few questions I'd like to ask her.
Well, we could try. I'd like to ask her a couple myself.
How about tonight? - Oh, I can't make it tonight.
I've got a date with Joan. - Oh, why don't you break it?
This is no time for dames. - Walt, I can't do it.
I'll tell you what we'll do. We'll take her along.
You can drop us at the Club El Rey later.
Okay, that's a deal. We'll be at Merrova's at 21:00. - Okay.
I've got a table reserved at the Club El Rey.
This won't take long. - I don't mind waiting.
Six sixteen, it's right down here.
Here.
Last time I was up here, she left the door open and I fell in. Heh.
Oh. I guess she left the door open again.
Is that you, Dr. Flegg? - No, ma'am, it's not.
What are you doing here?
What right have you to come in to my apartment like this?
Now, now, take it easy, Ms. Merrova.
We just wanna have a little talk with ya.
I have nothing to say to you, Mr. Garrett.
And so please get out.
That girl's always passing out.
Her hands are as cold as ice.
Is that whisky over there? - Yeah.
'Here, Mike.'
Thank you. - Gee. It's sure lucky we dropped in.
This is Dr. Rhodes of the Jules Hospital. He can probably help you.
I don't need any help. I'm alright.
Besides, I expect my doctor any moment.
Well, uh, would you mind answering a few questions before he comes?
What kind of questions?
Are you anemic?
Has Dr. Flegg been your physician for some time?
Why, yes.
For several years. Why do you ask?
Did he ever make a blood test of you? You see, we're trying to find out
if you are a group number-one blood type.
Well, I'm not sure, but I think so.
Why do you want to know these things? - Because we think you can help us.
Somewhere in this city there's a murderer at large.
The only possible clue we have is that he seems
to be interested in obtaining type-number-one blood.
'Yesterday morning a young chap named Stanley Rodgers'
'was found murdered in his apartment.'
He was type number one.
His body was completely drained of blood.
Another thing, the knife wound was identical
to that which Mr. Garrett found on you.
This is untrue.
Mr. Garrett suffers from hallucinations. - Not since I was 14.
Remember, you may be helping us to save someone else's life.
Very well. It's true.
When you called me for an interview
'as I hung up the phone, I realized'
'someone had entered the room.'
I was terrified.
A hand went over my mouth.
And then I felt a sharp pain on my chest.
Then I lost consciousness.
That's when I found you lying there on the floor.
I suppose so. - But where'd you disappear to?
I don't know. All I know is that the next morning
I woke up in this room.
Well, why didn't you tell all of this to the police?
I didn't want this kind of publicity.
But can't you just give us a hint on who stabbed you
and where he took you afterward?
I'll be alright as soon as Dr. Flegg gets here.
I'll see you tomorrow morning at ten o'clock in your office.
Then I'll tell you all.
Good evening.
Dr. Flegg was out. The nurse gave me the message.
I came to see if there was anything I could do.
How do you do, Dr. Rhodes? How do you do? - And, uh...
This is Mr. Garrett. Walt, this is Dr. Quesne.
Pleased to meet you. - Yes. How do you do, Mr. Garrett?
I'm sorry to disturb you, gentlemen
but as you can see, Ms. Merrova is...
'...ill.'
Yeah. Uh, oh, we were just leaving.
Yes. That's very considerate of you.
Goodbye. - Goodbye.
By the way, doctor, I haven't forgotten
that you and I are to have that talk on blood composition.
Yes, sir.
I told you I was right about that dame. I'm gonna go tell the boss.
You could drop us off at the club. - Ah, no, Mike. You gotta come along.
He won't believe me. - Success? - You bet. - But, Walt, I can't...
Then we're ready to go, huh? - Well, I tell you, Joan.
Walt wanted me to drop by and see the boss...
Oh...
Who does he think he is, Rip Van Winkle?
Sure this is the right house? - Yeah.
This is the place, alright.
Hey, boss!
Hello, chief. Uh- uh- uh... - You?
What's the idea of ringing my doorbell at this time of night?
What do you think this is, Halloween?
Ha, ha, ha! He's always kidding. - Kiddin'?
Get away from here, you, you Wichita Frankenstein!
Now, take it easy, will ya, boss? I really got a great story for you
this time. You gotta listen to me.
Well, come on in.
What is it?
I bet you can't guess where I've been.
So now it's riddles. Come to the point, Garrett.
I was over to see Angela Merrova tonight. - Merrova? You blockhead!
You want her suing the paper for another 100.000?
You can forget all about that suit.
That dame really was stabbed, just like I told ya. She admitted it. - What?
Yes, sir, and she's gonna be down at the office
in the morning and give you the whole story.
Say, this isn't another one of your screwy ideas, is it?
No, boss. It's on the level. I take an oath.
This is Dr. Rhodes, a friend of mine from Jules Hospital.
He was with me all the time. Tell him, Mike. - He's right, sir. - Well!
Could you picture that, boss, a four-column story?
"Actress to reveal truth.
"Angela Merrova tells all in the office of 'The Morning Dispatch.'"
Boss, I tell you, it's sensational.
It's terrific! Come on.
Won't the "Evening Bulletin" be surprised?
I'm going to make them print an apology
for the apology they made us print.
Garrett, I misjudged you. - Yes, sir.
'Hello, Andy. Hold the presses for a morning extra.'
Angela Merrova is coming to my office in the morning. And... - What?
If she does, I'm not gonna be here.
What do you mean? - I just got a flash.
She's dead. - What?
Are you positive about that?
'Oh, I see.'
'Alright. Thanks, Andy.' - What's up, boss?
So Angela Merrova is coming to my office in the morning
and she's going to tell the whole story, huh? - Sure, I personally guarantee it.
Listen, wise guy. Merrova's dead. - Dead?
Well, we talked to her about an hour ago.
Quesne. He killed her. She's been murdered. - What, again? - Yeah.
Why, you... Listen, phony, I don't know
where you dream up these yarns of yours
but Angela Merrova was not murdered.
She died of natural causes.
Now, wait a minute, boss, maybe it's one of those up- again
down- again routine she's been giving us. Maybe she ain't dead.
If she's not dead, they're playing a dirty trick on her
because they're taking her over to Bixby's Undertaking Parlors.
Now get out of here, both of you! - Yes, sir. - And don't ever come back!
I won't believe she's dead till I see it with my own eyes.
Even then I won't believe it.
Now where to? - The undertaker's.
Well, that's different. The undertaker's?
We won't be a minute.
We'll be out in a minute, honey.
If you find someone interesting in there send him out.
How do you do? - How do you do?
Do you have a, um, uh...
...a customer in here by the name of Angela Merrova?
You mean, the body of the deceased?
'Yes.' - She just came in.
Are you gentlemen relatives? - Not exactly.
Uh, but we sort of have an interest in her, so to speak.
Oh, friends. - Uh, yes, sir.
We were wondering if we could, uh, see the body.
This way, gentlemen.
Uh, would you mind stepping in the other room with me, please?
I'd like to ask you a couple of questions.
Certainly. Hm.
We're most willing to accommodate everyone at a time like this.
Well, tell me, Mr. Bixby... - I'm not Mr. Bixby.
Mr. Bixby's been dead for seven years.
Oh, I'm sorry.
It's quite alright. We all make mistakes.
Mm-hmm. About Ms. Merrova in here. Could you tell me who brought her in?
My dear young man, no one brought her in.
We went and got her. We were called by Dr. Flegg.
Dr. Flegg? Hm.
Did the death certificate say she died of natural causes?
I believe so. - 'Alright, Walt.'
Thank you very much, sir. - Well, I hope to see you again sometime.
I'm sure you will.
The old fellow said that Flegg was the one who called
to pick her up. What did you find out?
Merrova's death was natural, alright. Looks like we're stumped again.
Hello. Is the big mystery solved?
No. But it's after one o'clock. 'I think we'd better go home now.'
Well, don't I even get anything to eat? - Yup, we'll go over to Gus'
and get you a nice, big hamburger.
Angela Merrova Expires at Home
Hey, Wichita, ain't you found out what you're looking for yet?
No. Give me time, will you, Pinky?
Ah, Wichita, if the boss finds out about this
I'll be pounding the pavement with you.
You sure you're gonna put all this junk back?
Yes. Will you go back to that door and shut up?
I'm taking an awful chance with you.
But I tell you, there's nothing on a guy named Quesne.
Well, there's got to be. I've seen his puss in some paper.
Ah, you tried every file but X, Y, and Z. And here's the final batch.
I got it. - 'What?' The guy.
Dr. Maurice Xavier. Dr. X. - 'Hey.'
'That's the guy that starved the little kid to death, ain't it?'
'Yeah, he's the skunk who wanted to find out'
how long babies could go without eating.
'"Surgeon held in starvation slaying.'
'"Dr. Xavier to face trial.'
'"Child slayer found guilty.'
'"Doctor's execution set for November the 2nd.'
'Dr. X dies in electric chair."'
You mean to tell me you saw that guy walking around alive?
Yeah. - Now I know you're bats.
Hey, what're ya doing? You can't take 'em clippings outta here.
Pinky, will you get me the file on...
Oh. Hello, chief. I mean, ex- chief.
Hey, boss, it wasn't my fault. Honest, I told him not to.
I thought I gave orders to you never to show your ugly pan around here again.
Oh. I knew you didn't mean it.
Well, this time you're going to regret knowing so much.
Now, wait a minute. - Get me Circulation Department.
Tell them to send a couple of boosters up here.
I want this Wichita brainchild exterminated.
Now, wait a minute, boss, I got a story that's gonna
crack the front page of every newspaper in America.
When you read it, you're gonna give me my job back.
What do you have behind your back? - Nothin'. Nothin'.
Well? - Circulations.
'But it can't be. This Dr. X was electrocuted.'
'Unless the execution didn't take place.'
Oh, but it did. I phoned the warden and made sure.
Dr. Flegg came out and claimed the body
and the burial took place in Greenlawn Cemetery.
But, Walt, that's impossible. - Okay.
Let's go out to the cemetery and find out tonight. - Alright.
I'll pick you up right after dinner. - Okay.
How are we gonna get in to Xavier's grave? It's against the law, you know?
I know the old caretaker in here. Leave it to me.
Well, sir, here we are.
"Maurice Xavier.
'1897- 1937."'
Yup. That's it.
Well, let's start, eh? - Yeah.
Boy, I never heard nails sound like that before.
Well? What did I tell you? Empty.
I've been robbed. - No.
There wasn't ever anything in that coffin to rob.
Well, let's go, Mike.
Thanks, Pop. Put it back, will you?
I'd like to hear what your friend, Dr. Flegg has to say about this.
At least we can give him a chance to explain.
It's true, I had hoped to keep it a secret
until I'd completed my experiments.
There's no use in my denying it any longer.
Quesne and Dr. Xavier... are one and the same.
Do you mean to tell us that you've discovered a way
to bring a man back to life?
Yes.
It's incredible. - Is it?
Remember, a 100 years ago
anesthesia would have seemed equally incredible.
Even 50 years back, the possibility of x-ray
would have astounded the world.
Twenty years ago, would anyone have believed
that the living, pulsing human heart
could be held in a surgeon's hand, operated on
and the patient walk again?
But to revive a dead man... - Yeah, I don't believe it.
You've told no one about your visit to the cemetery?
No, sir.
Then come with me.
After you, gentlemen.
You're fortunate. I had this equipment set up this afternoon
for some additional experimentation.
This animal died this morning. - Ah. - Double glioma.
Please satisfy yourself that he's quite dead.
Yeah. He's dead, alright.
Too much emotion in your make-up, Garrett.
You never would have made a good surgeon.
An objective surgeon can't afford the luxury of feelings.
Yes, sir. - Well, Rhodes?
No question about it. Rigor mortis has set in.
Now I'll prepare the blood for de-coagulation.
In Quesne's case, the electric chair made this step unnecessary.
His body was already prepared.
Now if you gentlemen will step to the other side
of that table, please?
This is ordinary rabbit blood
taken from the animal immediately after they die.
Rhodes, will you...
This is a special formula, my own composition.
Compound ester in which essential blood salts
have been precipitated.
Naturally, Quesne received a considerably larger dose.
And now are you satisfied?
That's good enough for me.
It's remarkable, Dr. Flegg.
Needless to say, it took a much greater period to revive Dr. X
but the procedure was essentially the same.
As you know, I claimed the body
and pretended to bury it in Greenlawn Cemetery.
But immediately after the execution I brought it here to the laboratory.
Suffice to say that after six hours of the most intense work
his heart began to beat. And in another hour
he opened his eyes and spoke to me. - Well, what I wanna know is
why did you bring Xavier back to life?
He was a convicted murderer.
True, in the eyes of society, he was a murderer.
But he was also a medical genius.
And I felt that he had been a martyr to science.
Was that the only reason?
No, not quite.
In addition to the experiments of the type you have just seen
I needed him for, uh... further research.
Gentlemen, shall we go back to my office?
Well, gentlemen, if that's all, it's late. I'm g...
One more thing I'd like to ask you, doctor. Could you revive anybody
no matter how they died?
Yes, I, I believe I could.
Then maybe you brought Angela Merrova back to life.
Ms. Merrova was a patient of mine, yes.
And maybe you know who killed her, too, huh?
I had nothing to do with that.
I'm interested in saving life...
not in destroying it.
These further experiments you mentioned what are they, Dr. Flegg?
Rhodes, surely you can understand.
After we've recreated life
the second and greater problem is to sustain it.
'In order to do that, we must be able... to give the person'
'a new bloodstream.' For six years in that laboratory
I've been striving to create
a usable, workable, synthetic blood.
Synthetic blood?
That's the blood I found in Merrova's body.
That artificial quality was your synthetic blood.
And those phony stains in Rodgers' apartment. - Yes.
But why did she die if you've created a synthetic blood?
Well, I haven't, Rhodes.
It's true that my formula will sustain life for a short period...
but unlike human blood
it fails to recreate itself.
Somehow, somewhere
the magic element of life has eluded me.
How is it that Quesne manages to keep alive?
Why, I... - I'll tell you how.
By killing for human blood.
Yes, but he had to.
He warned me, told me he was dying.
Begged me to help him, but I refused.
Then I realized that my work had ended not in failure
but in disaster.
Angela Merrova had been murdered.
Quesne saw her here in my office
and knew that she was number-one blood type.
The type he needed.
She was his first victim.
When I discovered what had happened I brought her back to life.
But I knew it was only for a short period.
Her death was inevitable. - Dr. Flegg, you knew this all the time
and you didn't say anything to the police about it? - I wanted to.
But I was hoping every hour, every minute that I'd find the secret.
Thousands of lives could be saved if I could perfect my formula.
But that's all over now.
Quesne will continue to kill until he's destroyed.
'My experiments have turned into madness.'
I've created a monster.
May God forgive me.
I'm sorry, Dr. Flegg. - There's no time to be sorry.
We've got to tell the police and I've got to get to my paper.
Goodbye, Dr. Flegg.
Mike, nothing like this has ever happened before.
It's the greatest story I've ever had in my life.
Hey, uh, hold on. Not so fast. - Roy. Gee, it's lucky we ran in to you.
Yeah, lucky for me, I've been looking all over town
for you two guys. Cuff 'em, Moran.
Oh, wait a minute, wait a minute. We haven't done...
No? What were you doing at Greenlawn Cemetery tonight?
Oh, well, we can explain that. - Not to me, you can't.
Snatching bodies is against the law. - Now, hold on a minute, will you, Roy?
We got the answer to those murders. Now, listen...
Flegg.
You told them about me. - Yes.
In a few minutes, the police will be looking all over the city for you.
You might as well give yourself up.
No, you gave me this life and I'm going to keep it as long as I can.
I want that list of blood donors.
The address is in that book of yours. - I won't give them to you.
Dr. Flegg?
Quesne.
The book... He's got the book of addresses.
'What's he talking about, Mike?'
The list of blood donors. Joan's name's in that book.
And Quesne's got it now. - 'Moran, ya call an ambulance.'
'Stay here and take charge of things.' Come on, Roy. We need your help.
Alright. Boys, you can get in my car.
Paper. - Ms. Vance.
Yes?
Well, my name is Quesne.
Dr. Rhodes was called to Dr. Flegg's home.
He asked me to meet you and bring you there.
Oh. Thank you. - I have a cab waiting.
It's alright.
Come on, come on, lieutenant. Can't you go any faster?
I thought Dr. Flegg lived on 86th Street.
He moved last week to Sutton Place.
Extra. Extra. - Say, buddy. Did you see Ms. Vance tonight?
Yeah, not more than a half hour ago.
A guy stopped her and talked to her
and they got in to Shorty's cab and drove off.
Was it a pasty-faced guy? - Yeah, a funny-looking mug.
You have any idea where they went?
Before the girl come, I heard him say to Shorty something about going to Jersey.
Jersey?
Abandoned Duck Club Site of Brutal Crime Catch a gander at that.
'That's an old duck club just outside of Newark'
the place where he starved that baby to death.
It all ties up, Mike. Come on. Let's go.
Shouldn't we have turned there for Sutton Place?
I presume the driver knows a shorter way.
Really, there's no need for alarm.
No. Of course not.
Step on it, will you, Roy?
You're not taking me to Dr. Flegg's. That's quite right.
Dr. Rhodes didn't send you, either.
On the contrary... - You're lying. Let me out of here.
This okay, boss? - Yes. This will do nicely.
Looks like we walk from here. - 'Alright, let's go.'
I wouldn't scream.
No one can hear you.
I'll take care of Joan. Get after Xavier.
Ready, men?
Tell Dr. Rhodes...
we'll have to postpone our talk
on, uh, blood composition.
But think what you're giving up, you've got the makings
of a great newspaperman in you. And if you stick with me, you'll go places.
I'll give you a daily column to do.
You'll see your name in print 365 days in the year.
I'm having your contract drawn up now. - Say, how do you like that pipe?
Yeah, yeah. It's fine. But what about the contract? Will you sign it? - No, boss.
I've got my novel to do. I wanna get back, back to Wichita
where I can get close to the soil.
Well, I guess there's no use trying to keep you here.
But I'm disappointed in you, Garrett, terribly disappointed.
But no hard feelings.
Well, gee, I'm glad you feel that way about it, boss.
'If you're ever around Wichita sometime' 'I hope you'll drop in and say hello.'
Here's the contract for Mr. Garrett. - Thanks.
Hello. - Hello.
Well, hello. - I don't think we'll be needing this.
Mr. Garrett has definitely decided to leave us.
Oh, really? Well, I'm awfully sorry you aren't going
'to be with us, Mr. Garrett.' Are you? - 'That will be all.'
'Ms. Lawrence.' - Yes, sir.
Goodbye. - Goodbye.
Who was that? - My new secretary.
Yes, I'm deeply disappointed in you.
Any ink in that? - There is today.
My boy, you'll never regret this. No, sir. - Okay, boss. I'll see you later.
Correction by suadnovic