[Jessica] Tonight on Murder, She Wrote.
This old place must be haunted
with the spirits of old actors.
This has gotta be the Jessica I’ve heard so much about.
I have never collaborated, Glenda, and I don’t intend
to start now.
Let’s be quite clear about something.
I don’t write plays, Miss Shaughnessy.
At any cost, I’m going to protect Glenda.
For goodness sakes, stay out of this, Lawson.
I’m not going to let anybody hurt you.
Could be it’s all an act.
I think these will do the job.
The murder weapon was wiped almost clean,
except for your prints, Mrs. Fletcher.
Don’t forget what trouble I can make for you.
God, you’re repulsive!
If I may be permitted an opinion.
You’re not, Mr. Harrington.
Glenda, this is bloody unconscionable.
You can’t just walk out of rehearsal on the second day.
I’m bloody well doing it.
We have a contract.
The contract stipulates
that I have all creative approval.
I approved a very clever novel by Jessica Fletcher,
which, during its adaptation for the stage play,
developed major problems.
Mae, I’m sorry.
I can’t think of a more tactful way of putting it.
Oh, please, Glenda.
Darling, I know you’re hurt,
but the truth is, you’ve lost touch
with the heart of the story.
Perhaps it’s because you’ve never done a mystery before.
Glenda, you know we can’t open without you.
Just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it... won’t we, Mae?
I’m not doing another thing until Jessica gets here.
Jessica?
I have never collaborated, Glenda,
and I don’t intend to start now.
Won’t you at least meet her?
I know Jessica.
She respects your talent.
The woman can write.
I’ll talk to her.
Well, Glenda, looks like we’re on the right track.
Jessica will be at the Hyde Park Hotel
in 50 minutes.
Don’t fret, I’ve got somebody meeting her.
[actor] And I challenge you to come up with the proof
and the ambiguous conjecture I’m hearing now.
It’s going fairly well,
but, Sally, I want you already at the couch,
and sitting on Glenda’s line...
if we ever have Glenda.
Peter.
Give ’em an early lunch break.
A break? What’s goin’ on?
I couldn’t help hearing. Is there something--
Leading lady’s playing all her aces, that’s all.
If it’s about the rewrite you had Mae do last night,
it’s not working.
Well, it’s your job to make it work.
Okay?
By the way,
I’ve been watching Franklin.
He’s god-awful.
Gonna have to replace him.
Martin, I don’t agree.
That’s because he was your choice.
[Peter] That’s it for now.
We’ll pick it up after lunch.
Crew dismissed. Save the lights.
What, uh, is wrong with Glenda?
Damn it, Lawson.
Be thankful you’ve got some time to go over your lines.
And try not to drink your lunch.
Oh, oh, oh.
Come on, kids, and buy me a lemonade.
-Sally? -Mmm.
Don’t let it get to you.
Thanks, Oliver.
It’s almost summery out on the street.
You could hang meat in this place.
Can’t you afford any heat?
Theater makes its own temperature.
Tell me something I don’t already know.
Well, at some time or other,
there was definitely something going on
between Glenda Highsmith and the 17th Earl of Glenhaven.
Strange thing is,
I ran into an old acquaintance of mine the other day.
Another private investigator.
Seems the Earl’s family have got him
looking into Miss Highsmith’s private affairs, too.
Any help?
No. He knows less than I do.
Which is nothing.
What do you expect in two-and-a-half weeks?
Besides, there is still a small matter of £300.
I told you you’ll get it.
[laughs, snorts]
Yeah. Be quite sure that I do, Kramer.
Better that than a visit from some of my friends
on the seamier side of this fair city.
They could make life very painful for you.
Very painful.
Listen, Brooker.
There’s one more to add to your list.
J.B. Fletcher, an American.
She’ll be at the Hyde Park around 12:30.
She and Glenda were friends when they were kids.
How nice.
-Thank you very much. -Thank you.
Pardon me.
Hello, Jessica. Nice flight and all that?
Martin.
Sorry to launch myself unannounced on you like this,
but I wanted a chance to set a few things straight.
I think that Glenda plans to do just that.
She must’ve told you that I was in London.
And I couldn’t be happier.
I bought your book, didn’t I?
Outbid the world for it, too,
and got Mae Shaughnessy for the adaptation.
Mistake number one, but who’s to know?
Look, Glenda trusts you, right,
and, well, you can do a lot to pull this whole deal together.
-But don’t make too many waves, okay? -Waves?
One more individual living at the top of her emotions
could push this whole deal over the edge.
Well, I’m here to help Glenda,
and I hope that I shall be able to help you,
and the project.
Now, if you don’t mind, Edward is waiting for me.
Of course.
[man] The production’s in terrible trouble, yes,
and as Glenda’s solicitor,
I’m not at all sure her attitude gives us
a legal leg to stand on.
But I will defend to the death
her right as an artist to take that position.
Well, bravo, Edward.
Sounds like Glenda, all right.
You’ve known her for a long time, I take it.
Oh, longer than either one of us care to remember.
I was making my first trip to London,
Glenda was with the old Vic Company
playing pageboys to Olivier and Gielgud.
Madly in love with a man who was twice her age.
Johnny something, as I remember.
And Glenda says you’ve been friends ever since.
Mmm.
You must know Brett Dillon then.
No. Should I?
He’s the young man who lives with her.
Jessica!
Oh, Glen.
This has gotta be the Jessica I’ve heard so much about.
Jessica, this is Brett Dillon.
Brett.
Ma’am, Glenda has told me all about you.
-It is a real pleasure. -For me, too.
Brett, why don’t you take Edward to look at
your cabbage patch,
or somewhere equally uninspiring.
Jessica and I have lots to discuss.
Okey-dokey. Come on, Edward.
How are you at pullin’ weeds, Edward?
Well, one at a time.
I suppose you think I’m a silly old fool.
Brett?
I think he’s a very nice man.
I think I’ve seen most of Mae Shaughnessy’s plays,
and for the first time, she seems to be floundering,
as if she isn’t comfortable with the mystery form.
Well, it’s partly our commercially minded producer.
Martin’s first and only production before this
was some dreadful exploitation piece
with bare bottoms and rude songs.
And I’m sure it made tons of money.
Unfortunately, yes.
Glenda, isn’t there an alternative?
I mean, you still have your wonderful talent,
and there are so many other plays.
Thank you.
And yes, but the juicy parts are written for the young,
and let’s face it, I can’t pass anymore.
Oh, Jess, I don’t think I’m kidding myself,
but I think this could have a really long run.
[Brett] Edward, you’ve got to be kidding.
I don’t need this just for myself.
I want to build something for Brett.
Enough to allow him to keep this place.
He loves it so.
And to give him some income.
Bless you, Jess.
You are an absolute lifesaver.
And one who must be getting back to London.
Edward has set up a meeting for me and Mae Shaughnessy
-at the theater. -I’ll round up Edward.
-I'd like to give you a few of my notes. -Good.
Mrs. Fletcher.
Please call me Jessica.
Jessica. Uh...
I don’t get into London that much,
and Friday is Glenda’s birthday.
Well, there’s this jewelry shop on German Street.
You’re a woman, and you know Glenda, and I was thinking--
Brett, much as I’d like to help,
a gift of jewelry is a very personal thing.
I think it would mean much more to Glenda if you pick it out yourself.
Are we ready?
Yes, we’re ready.
Good luck with your project, Brett.
[Glenda] Another project, Brett?
Haven’t you got enough between staking the asparagus
and trenching the string beans?
I think that goes the other way round.
Does it? Thank you again, Jess.
It’s September, Glenda is a virgo.
I suggest you might try a sapphire.
Let’s get something on the table here.
I’ve never allowed anybody to second-guess my work,
and I don’t intend to start now.
I can assure you, the situation is as uncomfortable for me
as it is for you, Miss Shaughnessy.
But I am here for Glenda.
I’d put anything on the line for Glenda, except collaboration.
I’ve never collaborated, not now, not ever.
Let’s be quite clear about something.
I don’t write plays, miss Shaughnessy,
and I did not come here to write yours.
There are some moments in my novel
that I believe that you have missed,
and I believe that I could just help you to strengthen them.
Now, surely, when Martin Kramer brought you my book--
Martin Kramer wouldn’t know a piece of material
if it bit him on the bottom.
I brought the book to her.
He had nothing to do with it.
Didn’t Glenda tell you?
No, she didn’t.
Then maybe we’ve something in common.
We’ve both been lied to by that sly Martin.
Just what is it you feel I missed in your book?
I think the key is in the character
that Lawson Childress plays.
-That’s Harrington. -Yes.
I didn’t pick up my life to come to London
to be used as a scapegoat.
Franklin...
I don’t need this in my...
Franklin, look, it’s all in your head.
Tell me that tomorrow after he replaces me.
Come on, sweetheart.
The handwriting’s on the wall.
Look, if you won’t believe me,
the creep’s right over there with my replacement.
His name is Lance Pistol.
If you find that amusing,
you should’ve seen him in that monstrosity Kramer put on last year.
I heard. Look, Peter really wants you, sweetheart.
Oh, sure.
What Peter wants is his first West End Production more,
and he’ll dance to Martin’s tune to get it.
[rings]
This is Jessica Fletcher.
Malcolm Brooker, Mrs. Fletcher.
Yes, Mr. Brooker?
Forgive the hour,
but knowing how busy you’ll be
in the next week or two,
I thought we might set aside a time to talk.
It’s very late, Mr. Brooker.
What did you want to talk about?
Oh, not what, but who, Mrs. Fletcher.
And please, call me Malcolm.
I’m a writer like yourself,
working on a piece for Empire Magazine,
about Glenda Highsmith’s return to the stage.
Look, surely you’ve talked to Miss Highsmith,
and I can’t think of anything that I could add.
Oh, but you can,
about when Miss Highsmith was very much younger.
Apparently, you two were friends,
and she was involved with a certain Earl of Glenhaven.
I’ve never heard of any Earl of Glenhaven.
And as I said--
Then perhaps you might have some thoughts about
her current amour, this American chap.
Mr. Brooker, if I knew anything about
either of these people, which I don’t,
I wouldn’t discuss it with a stranger over the phone,
or anywhere, for that matter.
Now it’s very late. If you’ll--
Better the facts than rumor, Mrs. Fletcher.
Think about that.
Thank you, Mr. Kramer.
Hello, Eddie. You’re up late, chappy.
You should know that Glenda received a call from Mae Shaughnessy,
and she’s satisfied that Mrs. Fletcher has Mae on the right track.
She’ll be at rehearsal in the morning.
Very good news, Eddie.
You seem to be on top of things.
Kramer, there’s a Malcolm Brooker
who’s hounding everyone on the production,
trying to get privy information about Glenda.
He says he’s writing an article for Empire Magazine.
I want you to do something to get him off our backs.
Brooker.
Haven’t a clue, Eddie.
Well, understand this.
Our arrangement aside,
if I thought for a moment
that Brooker was one of your blasted control mechanisms
that in your deceitful, underhanded way--
Don’t use your old school tie with me, St. Cloud.
And don’t forget what trouble I can make for you.
At any cost, I’m going to protect Glenda.
At any cost?
One phone call, Eddie, and we both know what your next stop will be.
Would it really matter?
Thanks to you, every shred of my reputation
with clients and colleagues rests with this production.
All you have to do
is make sure Glenda works,
and we have a show.
[actor] Barbara’s right.
We’ve been shut up in this mausoleum for two days.
If I may be permitted an opinion--
No, you’re not, Mr. Harrington.
[dialogue continues indistinctly]
Oh, Martin, I had a very bizarre phone call
late last night. Malcolm Brooker.
Sure. He’s the write who’s doing a piece on Glenda
for Empire Magazine.
He’s been on to me, too. He’s quite harmless.
Just tell him what he wants to know.
Probably do the show some good.
Mae, you’re a genius.
-It’s really beginning to work. -Couldn’t agree more.
Oliver, make a note.
The armoire has got to be larger than we’ve got here,
and be sure it’s a Sheraton like the rest.
Uh... Mrs. Fletcher.
Since you’re our resident expert on murder,
I wonder if you’d do me a huge favor
and help me pick out a weapon of your choice.
You go ahead, Mae, and I’ll catch up with you.
I’d just love to, Mr. Childress.
Truth be known, I wore that in The Misanthrope.
Moliere. One of my favorites.
I was 19 when I played Alceste.
I was young, handsome, had inordinate ambition.
Somebody said that the theater is supposed to be
a means for us all to grow bigger than we actually are.
I just seem to have grown smaller.
Why don’t you poke around in here,
-see what you can find. -All right.
Oh, these look as if they’d do the job.
Robert Graves gave us a choice, you know,
of women, drink, or snuff.
Women, no more.
Snuff, I can’t stand the stuff.
Isn’t much left other than this.
Oh, yes, that’s much better.
I’m indebted to your expertise, Mrs. Fletcher.
Surely you know that Glenda has placed
a great deal of faith in you.
Yes, good old Glenda.
You know that she made it a condition
that I played Harrington.
Yes.
Shall we?
Oh, this furnace seems to be in working order. I wonder why--
why our penny-pinching producer prefers
to fast-freeze his cast
rather than drop a shilling?
Yes, well, welcome to the world
of Martin Kramer theater, Mrs. Fletcher.
I don’t doubt that you each have a reason
to have killed Amelia Fredericks.
Whichever of you it is,
your conscience will indict you before the law does.
Much, much better.
Glenda, say your last lines upstage more, please,
and try to cheat toward the armoire.
By now, she’s beginning to realize
the white raincoat inside holds a solution to the puzzle.
Very nice, everyone.
Jess, dinner. You, too, Mae.
-i’m meeting Brett at Binky’s at 7:00. -Okay.
Lights, please. Take your brollies, people.
It’s raining cats and dogs out there.
Oh, bother. I forgot my raincoat.
-Come along with me. We’ll share a cab. -All right.
That won’t help your memory.
I’m toasting a memory.
Some things are best forgotten.
Not this one.
Ten years ago today,
September 14th.
No. It wasn’t September.
It was spring.
April or may.
[sighs]
That’s when we first slept together, May 9th.
I’m talking about September when you ran off.
Nothing the matter with your memory.
Nothing wrong with me running off, either.
Really?
I know you better than you know yourself.
There was something else you were running away from.
-Oh, Lawson! -Don’t tell me to shut up.
It’s to do with that narky little sniveler,
Malcolm Brooker, who’s been wandering around,
asking a lot of very important questions.
For goodness sakes, stay out of this, Lawson.
I’ve got nothing to lose, Glenda.
And I’m not gonna let anybody hurt you.
Dearest man.
I love you for saying that.
But this girl will take care of herself, don’t worry.
Learn your lines. Do a good job.
That’s what I need from you.
Oh, you’re a peach to come down here with me.
I’m starting to get goosebumps.
Ooh, I rather like it.
This old place must be haunted
with the spirits of old actors
and property masters.
Stage managers.
Will you shut up?
Now pray that there is a Macintosh
in here for me.
What about that White on in the corner?
Oh, by no means.
You ought to know, it’s the main clue, isn’t it,
-What she has in the pocket. -Yep.
Ah, okay, here’s something.
Well, now, this will do nicely.
Martin.
Could I have your ear for a moment?
You can have any part of me, love.
Franklin thinks that you don’t like him,
that you’ve already found his replacement.
I just want to hear you say it wasn’t true.
Oh, dear.
You put me in a very difficult position.
It’s not me, it’s your director.
Well, Peter hasn’t said anything.
This part is Franklin’s biggest break.
It just means so much to him.
You love the guy, right?
Well, I’m not sure if it’s love, but...
Franklin means a great deal to me.
I guess that shows.
Oh, does it ever.
And, you’re right.
Things don’t look too good for Franklin right at the moment.
But you can help.
How?
Well, Peter Drew doesn’t make the decisions.
-I do. -Yes--
You and me, nothing serious, on the side.
My place is only five minutes from here.
Franklin need never know, and I guarantee, he’ll stay in the cast.
God! You’re repulsive!
Repulsive?
Love, you don’t know what repulsive is.
Say good-bye to your friend.
Sal, you’ve got to tell me what’s going on.
I’m sure I can help. Just tell me.
No, I can’t.
Please don’t ask me any more questions, okay?
All I gotta say is,
something has brought the color back into Glenda’s cheeks,
and I think I have the two of you to thank for it.
Well, I admit it.
Jessica has shown me a few of the tricks of her trade.
And vice-versa.
Sally, please! Please, just...
Sally, wait!
Sally, I’ll get a cab.
Well, I owe both of ya.
Now I’m gonna have to say good night.
Oh, Brett. I thought you were staying with me at the hotel.
Uh, I can’t.
I got some errands to run. Good night.
Good night, ladies.
Good night.
I suppose it’s beddy-bye for me, too.
I’ve got gobs to memorize, thanks to you two.
I’ll ride with you, Glen.
Comin’ along, Jessica?
It’ll take you out of your way.
I’m gonna just sit here and finish my coffee.
All right. Good night then.
Good night. See you in the morning.
So, your unvarnished opinion, Jessica.
Is it really coming together,
or am I kidding myself?
Come off it, Peter. I’ve been watching you work.
You’re as an accomplished a director as I have ever seen.
With all the improvements, I wish Glenda was more into it.
What do you mean?
There’s still something standing between her and the play,
a pall of some kind,
and it’s affecting her concentration.
Can you put a name on that?
I think I can.
Martin Kramer.
[woman] Martin, nice to see you.
Speak of the devil. Excuse me, Jessica.
Peter.
Jessica, what can I say?
You’ve saved the play.
Mae did all the work.
Call for you, Mr. Kramer.
Martin Kramer.
So you’ve come around.
Yeah, what, 9:00?
Hey, of all places.
Yeah, all right. I’ll be there.
You’ll excuse me, Jessica.
Unexpected business.
Oh, of course.
Hello?
Anybody home?
[door opening]
Hide-and-seek, is it?
[squeaking]
[siren blaring]
Oliver Hopkins, our stage manager,
found him first thing this morning.
-What brought Mr. Hopkins down here? -I’d gone down--
Mr. Drew, if you please.
He, um, he’d gone down to the wardrobe locker
for a raincoat which figures importantly in the play.
Get it over to forensics immediately.
I want fingerprints and blood analysis by 11:00.
Yes, ma’am.
-And, ma’am? -What is it?
There’s this lady downstairs.
I left Binky’s at 8:00.
Brett had gone just a few minutes before.
-Who’s Brett? -Who the hell’s asking?
Detective Chief Inspector Jarvis is asking.
Who’s Brett, Miss Highsmith? He’s not on our list.
No, he’s not.
Brett is a young man who, at the moment,
happens to be living with me.
Arrange to see him, too. Now...
can anyone tell me who a Mrs. Fletcher is,
and what she has to do with this?
[man] Look at this over here; what do you make of that?
You’re the J.B. Fletcher who writes books about murder and mayhem.
The former, mostly, yes. And you are?
Detective Chief Inspector Jarvis, Scotland Yard.
I’ll have to ask you to leave this area. It’s not customary.
I quite understand.
-I just can’t resist. -Mrs. Fletcher.
Mrs. Fletcher, are you coming?
Oh, yes, of course.
Lester, this is Jessica Fletcher.
Jessica!
How marvelous to hear your voice.
Will we be able to have lunch?
Well, I’d love to, Lester, but I don’t have much time.
Listen, you must know as much as anybody
about the current peerage in England.
Does the name Glenhaven mean anything to you?
Well, of course. The 17th Earl of Glenhaven.
Oh, he’s a splendid fellow.
He’s a member of my club.
But surely, you know that John’s dying.
He’s in the hospital now.
John? John who?
[knocking on door]
Just a moment.
John Camden, the 17th Earl of Glenhaven.
Now, Jessica, what does your calendar look like?
No time, Lester. I’ll call, I promise.
You look as if you’ve just about had it.
Come inside.
Oh, save me from policemen.
The only good thing that’s happened
is that Edward’s checked the financing,
and the show can go forward without Martin.
Oh, I’m so happy to hear that, Glen.
Listen, I’ve got a question to ask.
When we were much, much younger,
I remember that you were madly in love with
a very handsome grenadier.
Of course you remember.
John Camden.
To put it a little obviously,
I wasn’t aware of his lineage then.
You’re on to me, aren’t you?
John never told me,
and infatuation blinded me to
any such possibility
that he could be the heir to
the Earldom of Glenhaven.
I was so much in love.
We married secretly,
and by the time he told his parents,
I was already pregnant.
With Brett.
I noticed that you don’t touch the way lovers touch,
that’s all.
Why the deception, Glen?
John’s parents were insisting on
an abortion and divorce.
I was touring in America at the time,
so I ran away and had the baby in Tulsa.
With the Dillon family.
Well, they seem to have done an excellent job as parents.
When the divorce was final,
I told John I’d miscarried.
I haven’t spoken to him since.
But his family found out anyway.
They only suspect.
John’s dying,
and his family have started fishing.
Of course, which would explain
what this Malcolm Brooker’s real game is.
He must be working for the family.
Has he found out anything about Brett?
I don’t think so.
But he could be close.
Oh, Mrs. Fletcher.
Forgive the mess, but as you can see...
I take it you’re just moving in.
Right.
Now, you said on the phone
that you wanted to be helpful to this investigation.
I’m not sure what that means.
We took your deposition.
Well, I’m a good friend
of Glenda Highsmith.
If I can help her to get past this tragedy,
and see that the play succeeds...
Well, go on.
Well, there was a man haunting the production
who says that he wants to write a magazine piece on Glenda.
On the phone, he didn’t sound
anything like a writer to me.
I don’t think he’s on your deposition list,
but I do think it might be a good idea to question him.
His name is Malcolm Brooker.
Tell me how to deal with the world of men,
and who knows,
maybe we’ll solve Martin Kramer’s murder.
Malcolm Brooker.
Malcolm Brooker couldn’t write a ruddy magazine piece
if his life depended on it.
He’s a grifter, a petty crook,
masquerading as a Private Investigator.
Yes, Inspector?
Ma’am, we have the print report from forensics.
Go on.
[whispering] Her prints are on the murder weapon.
Oh, thank you, Martindale.
That will be all, Inspector.
We must excuse Inspector Martindale.
I was only made DCI on Friday.
He lost the job to you.
Yes, and finds it difficult to adjust to a woman
running a Scotland Yard Murder Squad.
Well, we can’t help that, can we? [knocking on door]
Ma’am, Liverpool says they’re expecting you up there
first thing in the morning.
Pardon, but they said no excuse.
Oh, damn. Get Martindale back.
He’s interviewing the people from the theater, ma’am.
-Get him, Constable. -Yes, ma’am.
First week on the job,
first homicide, and the Divisional Superintendent
calls a ruddy stupid brainstorming session
-for chief inspectors. -I’m so sorry.
Leaving Martindale in charge.
Oh, he’s a good enough policeman,
but he’s too impulsive.
Forensics say that the murder weapon was wiped almost clean,
-we’re looking for what it was done with. -Almost clean.
Except for your prints, Mrs. Fletcher.
Oh, I don’t really believe you killed the man,
but you will be staying in London, won’t you?
I don’t quite see how I can leave right now.
Good luck with the job, Inspector.
Excuse me.
Oh, Mrs. Fletcher.
We went through Martin Kramer’s checkbook.
Brooker was his boy.
You were lucky to catch me in, Mrs. Fletcher.
I was about to depart for parts unknown,
seeing that word was out that the police
have some idea I was connected to Martin Kramer’s murder.
On the phone, you implied that you had some important information.
Yes. Well, they’ll listen to you.
Perhaps that’ll get them off my back.
The thing is, I know who murdered Martin.
What on earth are you talking about?
Well, as you can understand,
Kramer didn’t like us being seen together.
But he owed me money,
so last night, I followed him here,
from the restaurant that all the theater people go to, Binky’s.
He came in through the stage door.
I waited a few moments, and followed him inside.
He went down into the basement.
I was about to call out to him
when suddenly, this blonde-haired woman came up behind him,
and... [laughs]
well... you know the rest.
I don’t have the best relationship with the London Police,
so I ran.
-Blonde-haired woman? Surely you... -No, I didn’t.
It was dark, I couldn’t see too clearly.
Except for the white raincoat she was wearing.
Well, I’d seen enough of the rehearsals
to know who that belonged to.
It’s the one she wears in the play.
Glenda?
[sirens blaring]
Oh, Lord, I’m off.
Mr. Brooker, wait.
Mrs. Fletcher.
Inspector, what is going on?
You do not have to say anything unless you wish to do so.
But what you say may be given as evidence.
Fine kettle of fish, eh?
You’ll be out by morning, Glen.
Oh, yes.
-Call Edward for me, will you? -Oh, of course.
That’ll be all. Move along.
The police caught Brooker earlier tonight
boarding a train for Southampton.
He gave me the same story he gave you, Jessica.
But he admitted that the light was poor in the theater basement.
He didn’t say that he saw Glenda,
only that it might have been Glenda.
Brooker’s fear of police retaliation
may have prompted more embellishment than truth.
According to the charges, they’re quite aware now
that is was Martin who hired Brooker
to find out about you and Brett.
To prevent that would presume a motive on your part.
I’m sorry, darling.
But the entire Glenhaven thing is bound to come out now.
Glenda, you and Mae
left the restaurant together. You shared a cab.
That’s what’s sticky, Jess. We didn’t.
Mae changed her mind, and I did go back to the theater.
I left the new sides in my dressing room.
I wanted to be ready for the rehearsal this morning.
And what were you wearing?
Why, for goodness sake? My old raincoat.
You’ve seen it. What difference does it make?
Time’s up, I’m afraid.
You’re going to be all right, Glen.
Call Brett for me, will you? I’m terribly worried.
There’s been no answer from the phone at the house
all last night or this morning.
I can’t imagine where he’s got to.
I will, Glenda. Don’t worry.
All right.
Inspector, there are several details
that may be critical to this case. In the basement--
Nothing that can’t wait till morning, I’m sure.
When is Chief Inspector Jarvis returning?
It’ll be very late.
All right, that’s all for today, people.
Get a good night’s rest.
My God, how do we have a rehearsal
with the leading lady in jail?
-We try, Peter. -Mmm.
Call’s 10:00 sharp, people. Lights!
Mrs. Fletcher, have you seen Glenda?
Yes. Her spirits are high,
and she sends her love to all of you.
Sally.
Forgive my curiosity,
but the white raincoat,
is that not a plot requirement of the scene
that you were just rehearsing?
Yes, it was, but, um...
we couldn’t find it anywhere.
Poor Oliver’s losing his mind.
Right.
I think I may know where it is.
Will you help me to test my theory?
Maybe another time.
I’m sorry, dear,
but there can be no other time.
Finding that coat can possibly clear Glenda.
Very well.
If you’re thinking it’s in there,
Oliver’s been into it a dozen times.
And besides, I don’t know the combination.
I didn’t think that you did.
I spoke to the wardrobe mistress,
and as far as I know, only two other people
aside from her did know it.
This gas furnace here, Sally,
I know that Martin never allowed it to be turned on,
but yesterday, when I was down here
with Inspector Jarvis, I detected an odor
of something burned or scorched, that wouldn’t be found
in a cold, out-of-use furnace.
It didn’t mean anything to me then,
until I remembered the missing white raincoat
and a blonde wig I noticed was missing from
the wig cabinet.
It was a wig with very much the same style
and coloring as Glenda’s hair.
Mrs. Fletcher, I can’t imagine
why you’ve dragged me down here to tell me this.
Well, then, the two thoughts came together.
It wasn’t gas I smelled,
but the odor of singed hair,
and a synthetic fabric...
from the missing raincoat.
Oh, my God.
Then it was Franklin.
No, Sally.
But someone who had to know the theater more intimately.
Someone in a hurry to disguise their appearance,
who grabbed a wig and a raincoat
which, through happenstance,
looked very much like Glenda’s coat,
and I’m quite sure that that person
has as much affection for you as Franklin does.
[creaking] Oliver?
I’m thankful to you, Mrs. Fletcher.
I couldn’t have stood it much longer.
Oliver, for God’s sake.
Please, love,
getting upset won’t change anything.
I did it for you.
Franklin need never know, and I guarantee, he’ll stay in the cast.
God! You’re repulsive!
[Oliver] Last night, I was in the wings
wrapping things up after rehearsal,
when I heard martin make his offer to you.
He keeps Franklin in the show if you go to bed with him.
After you’d run off,
I saw that cruel, ugly look on his face,
and I knew that even if he hurt the production,
he would take his revenge on you by firing Franklin.
I felt so powerless.
At the same time, I was relieved you turned him down.
I ended up at Binky’s talking to Peter
when you and Franklin left.
You went to your dressing room, remember?
And I followed you.
You had a terrible argument, but you told him nothing.
I admire you for that, Sally.
And after he left, I heard you call that beast, Martin.
Trading yourself for Franklin’s sake.
You didn’t want to go to his place,
and I don’t blame you.
So you told him you’d meet him where no one would see.
But you came to me with a message from Martin.
Unless I’m mistaken,
saying that Martin couldn’t make it.
Oh, yes.
But I made it, all right.
And I have no regrets, either.
I hadn’t meant to implicate Miss Highsmith, honestly.
It was for you, Sally.
You’re going to be a big star someday,
like Judy or Marilyn.
You’ve got the talent, the looks, the je ne sais quoi.
You’ll go all the way.
[footsteps on stairs]
Got your call on my machine at home.
Ruddy brainstorming session went into overtime.
Was your hunch right?
Yes. I’m sorry, but...
you had to move before the evidence was destroyed,
and I thank you for that.
It’ll be a blot on Martindale’s notebook.
He should’ve been ahead of you.
Inspector, this is Oliver Hopkins.
I think that he has several things
he’d like to get off his chest.
Lawson phoned his regrets.
The dear man’s put himself on a regimen,
and an occasion like this is just another incentive to drink--
Everybody!
I’ve just come from the Box Office.
Advanced sales exceed all expectations.
That’s wonderful.
They’re lined up to see you, darling.
As for your problem, Brett,
I’m afraid you can’t abdicate,
so you’ll always be the 17th Earl of Glenhaven,
but you can make a gift of the assets
to the other heirs, if that’s your wish.
That’s okay with me.
Who wants 17,000 acres of Devon?
I’ve got more than I can handle right here.
Brett, you had a particular project
that you asked me about. Do you remember?
Yeah, I sure do, and I took your advice to heart.
The night mom wondered where I got to?
I went down to that little shop on German Street I told you about.
It was late, so I spent the night at a friend’s house
in London, but, uh, by the next morning,
the shop had come up with this.
[Jessica] Brett, it’s lovely.
For you. Happy birthday, mom.
And thank you.
Thank you, Brett.
My son.
Edward, Jessica.
My dear, dear friends.
I owe you all so much.
Well, hell,
life can’t be a whole lot better than this.