The Falcon - The Case of the Broken Fingerprint

0:00Hello? Yes, this is the Fork and Speaking. Oh, Myra. Oh, thanks for calling, but I can't make it tonight, Angel. Now, I have a client who's getting a lot of help from a boyfriend, and if I'm not careful, he's going to help her right into the electric chair. This is Ed Hurley, he's friends in fighting you to listen to you. I'm going to tell you something. I'm going to tell you something. I'm going to tell you something. This is Ed Hurley, he's friends in fighting you to listen to the adventures of the Falcon. You met the Falcon first in his best selling novels, that you saw him in his thrilling motion picture series. Now, join him on the air when the Falcon solves the case of the broken fingerprints. And now, the case of the broken fingerprints.

1:02It's Wednesday night in New York, and the apartment of Barry Barrow in the East 60s is in darkness. Ethel Barrow sits in the darkened apartment, drumming on the arm of her chair with her fingernails. Now, she reaches out to the table beside her and crumbles about on it for a cigarette lighter. She finds the lighter, lights it, and uses its light to show her the time on her wristwatch. But when she hears voices outside the apartment, she fix out the light quickly and stands up facing the door. A key turns in the lock. The front door opens, the light is turned on, and a man and woman enter the apartment. Well, darling, we'll just have a little careful. Hello, Barry. Oh, well. Where did you... I decided not to go away after all. I thought things might be more interesting around here. Laurence, you're going to introduce me to your friend? Yes, Barry. How about it? Who is this? I know him. I... She... Perhaps I'd better since he's having so much trouble.

2:04I'm his wife, Ethel Barrow. And your normal Wallace. You live at 321 PSP. You work at Corby's department store, and you've known Barry for three months. I know all about you, Ms. Wallace. Though I can't say I'm pleased to meet you. Barry, you never told me. I... I was going to. When? When you got tired of me? Oh, me. Oh, what can I say? If we give you a couple of minutes to get over the shock, darling, I'm sure you'll think of plenty to say. But it's what you do that interests me. What do you expect me to do? I expect you to act like a heel you always have. You want a divorce, Ethel? I'm not so sure I want to make things that easy. Do you want a divorce, Barry? I... I don't know what I want. I know what you want. You want an easy out. This is one of those times when three is a crowd. Somebody has to be eliminated. The only question is, who is it to be?

3:05Yes, where can I do... Oh, Ted, what are you doing here? I'm just shopping. I have like a five-pound box of chocolate, send it to normal Wallace, 321 Pierce Place, with all my love. Ted, please. I'm taking you to lunch. You won't believe it's all over between you and me. Just because of Barrel? Oh, he's got money, but I've got charm. Besides, I'm serious. So is he. What a bet. He asked me to marry him. You're not going to. Soon as he gets his divorce. Divorce? I didn't know he was married. Neither did I. Nice guy. He was going to tell me. What was going to? Does that mean that you found out for yourself? I... I met his wife. It gets better all the time. You picked a Lulu. Now look normal. No matter how things are between us, you can't go on with a guy like that. No lectures, Ted. I'm not a child. And don't act like one. You've got to break this off now. We're settling it tonight. It's coming up to my place. We're going to make our plans. Does his wife know? No. Let's not discuss it here. All right, at lunch. If you insist. But I'm warning you, you'll be wasting your time.

4:05I'll risk it. If there's any chance, I can keep you from wasting your life. Hello? Ted, can you come here right away? Where are you? At home. What happened? It's awful. I should have listened to you. What is it? I told you Barry was coming up here. Yes? When I got home, he was already here. Well? I found him on the floor. He... He's dead. Ted, come in. Yeah. There he is. Did you touch anything? No, that's just the way I found him. How'd he get in? Did he have a key? No. I don't know how he got in. Maybe the door was open. Well, he doesn't have a key. Norma, I'm trying to help you. If you don't believe me, search him. All right, he doesn't have a key. And how are we going to explain his being here? I don't know. We'll have to think of something. We can't afford any holes in your story.

5:05But what can we say? We'll have to make up some explanation that'll hold water. Maybe I'd better just call the police and tell the whole truth as far as I know it. You asked me to help you, didn't you? Yes. Then do it my way. But he was here. That's the truth. Why can't I just say it? I'll never believe it. I don't believe it. It's the truth. There's no use repeating that. It's just no good. Now, let's see. He was killed here. There's no avoiding that. But the door being unlocked will never stand up. I know. What? You can say you were here when it happened. You let him in. Don't worry. But they're not seen. Not necessarily. I'll drag him over here to the door. Then I'll tell you what to say. And then you'll call Michael Wearing. Michael Wearing? Yes. The fog. He's a private detective. But what do I want with him? He might find out something the police overlooked. If it's something we're trying to hide. That's the chance we'll have to take. And that's just the point. If you were guilty, you wouldn't want to take that chance. By hiring Wearing, you convince the police of your innocence. Well, I hope you know what you're doing. Don't worry, darling. You can stake your life on it. I'd better be able to, Ted,

6:06because that's exactly what I'm doing. When I found out he was married, I didn't want to have anything to do with him. But you know how it is, Mr. Wearing. He wouldn't take no for an answer. He found out where I lived and came up to see me. And you gave him the final brush? Yes. And then? He went to the door, opened it, and then he saw someone in the hall. They had a few words, and then there was a shot. What words? I don't remember exactly. He said something like, oh, it's you. And she said, yes, surprise, isn't it? I think that's what it was. You say she said. Yes, it was a woman's voice. But you didn't see her? No, he was in the way. No, where were you? Right over here. That's funny.

7:06What is? That he blocked your view of the doorway. You say he dropped immediately when he was shot and you haven't touched anything? That's right. On the block of view, we would have had to be standing in the doorway. And he fell forward, because he's lying on his face, so he should have fallen into the hall. Instead, he's in the room and to the side of the door, so that we can swing it open and close without hitting him. Well, maybe he staggered back. Did he? I don't remember. I was too startled. He must have. What are you doing? What you should have done when it happened instead of calling me. I'm calling the police. What you are going to help me? I'll try to find out what the murder is, if you still want me to. But I'm not so sure that comes under the heading of help. Are you? Are you?

8:07Hello, Mike! Well, I had house business. Oh, hectic. And for you, too. Huh? Yeah, Sergeant Corbin has fallen three times for you this morning. Oh, thanks, Ed. I told him I was having lunch here. What did he want? Oh, I don't know. Nobody sounded sore. Well, now what can be troubling him? I call him in on the case as soon as things broke yesterday. Well, all I know is he keeps calling here and he sounds like he has more than hamburger and coleslaw on his mind. Well, maybe he has... Oh, oh. He's more than I can say for your interview with Sergeant Corbin. Here he comes. And if you think I was kidding about his being sore, catch that look in his eye. All right, wearing a risci. Where is who? Of course you don't know who I'm talking about. Well, I'm glad we agree on something. That girl, Norma Wallis, you're working for her. And you found it out all by yourself. All right, what do you want to pat on the head or a recommendation to the chief? I want to know what's become of the girl. Well, I assume she's done a vanishing act. You assume. I questioned her last night. Wanted to talk to her again today? And she stood you up. You better start reading the ads, jump. You know where she is. Your confidence is touching. But as a matter of fact, Corbin,

9:07I have the slightest idea. How you're working for her? Yes, so you said. So I ought to be the one who's excited. Not you. Seems I've lost a client. I was stopping funny. Well, thanks for the compliment. Are you going to talk? Oh, gladly. What about? All right, wearing all right. But I'm going to prove you've been holding out. And when I do, I should have to think of it. Come on, sit down, Corbin. I see they have brains on the menu today. Why don't you try some? Yes? Hello, Mrs. Barron. Yes? My name is Michael Waring. I'm investigating your husband's murder. Are you a detective? Yes. That girl sent you. What girl? Normal was. What do you know about her? Enough. Enough to be jealous. That's what she'd like you to think, Mr. Waring. She wants you to believe that I killed Barry. You had motive? No, to cheat. It takes three to make a triangle. And then there's Donahue.

10:07Who? Ted Donahue. He fits another triangle. And I'm not in that one. Oh, how so? He was the Wallace Girl's boyfriend. He could have resented Barry's cutting him out. Yes, so he could. Oh, thank you, Mrs. Barron. You would help me. You're easy to satisfy. Well, I'm not striking you off my suspect list yet. But right now, I'm not looking for the murderer. I'm looking for my client. Yes? What do you want? You Ted Donahue. Yeah? Who are you? Mike Waring. May I come in? Why? I want to talk to you. What about? Normal Wallace. We can talk here. Yes, but it'll be more comfortable inside. What do you want to know where she is? What makes you think I'd know? Or are you trying to keep me out for one thing? You think she's here? I'm beginning to. All right? Come on in. Look for yourself. Thanks, that's better. I haven't seen Norman Weeks.

11:08Why not, you get the air? No, it's just that I never knew Norman very well. That's not what she says. What do you mean? She didn't tell you anything about me? How do you know if you haven't seen her? There's nothing to say. OK, if Norman isn't your girl, who is? I don't have a girl. And who's the girl who was up here a little while ago? What girl? They want to let the lipstick on that glass. Or just a friend? No. Do you mind if I take this glass? What do you want with it? I'm looking for Norman. I think you're a lead, but in case corporate needs convincing, it may be the prince on this glass that will change his mind for him. Put that down. Look over here, it doesn't like it. I said, put it down. Hey, watch out, me that glass. You shouldn't knock it out of my hand. Now it's broken. It's not a shame. I'll go your fingerprints. Not my, Norman. You can't prove that. Looks like you've already done it for me. Are you going to tell me where I can find it? I don't know where she is. Now get out of here. OK. But when you see Norman, tell her... I'm not going to see her. I know, but when you do, tell her that if she wants me to help her, she'd better call me.

12:18Hello? Norman, listen quick. Right after you left, Mike Wearing was here. He was. How did he know about you? Oh, I suppose he's not a detective or nothing. Ted, I'm afraid my running away was a mistake. There was no use taking chances, but I've got to talk to you. All right, where should I meet you? Well, you can't come here, and I've got to be careful. I'm not followed. Wearing, they think I'll lead him to you. And what are we going to do? Go to Penn Station. Keep yourself lost in the crowd. At 3.30 by the station clock, go upstairs on the 7th Avenue side. You know what a big column is. Yes. At exactly 3.30, walk out of the curb. I'll drive by and pick you up. All right. I'll make sure I'm not being followed. But if anything goes wrong, you just wait two minutes. If I haven't come in that time, get away from there fast. Then call me from the phone booths. All right, Ted, but I wonder if it wouldn't be better. It'll be better if you do just like I tell you. I'll see you at 3.30. All right, Norma, quick.

13:18Yes, Ted. 3.30 on the note. I don't like this hide and seek, Ted. It's going to mean trouble. Will you leave things to me? But who likes playing it? You won't have to. You and I know that Mrs. Barrow killed her husband. And the police are bound to find it out. Once they do, it won't matter what you've done. Then why is it necessary for me to run away? I told you, they can't prove anything against you, but until they have a case against Mrs. Barrow, they may suspect you. They could lock you up and make things pretty unpleasant. Well, this isn't exactly my idea of pleasant. Only there were some way to speed things up. Maybe there is. That's why I wanted to see you. Do you think there's something we can do? Yeah, but first, you'll have to get rid of wearing. But you wanted me to hire him. I know, but he's getting in a way. And for what I have in mind, uh-oh. What's the matter? Police car. I think it's following us. I thought you said no. I did. I was positive nobody following it. I can't understand it. Maybe they're just cruising this way. I'll turn this corner and see. All right. If we are following, what do we do? Try to shake them. I hate to get you involved.

14:18I'm glad I have a chance to help. Here they come. And here I go. I'm afraid this isn't such a good idea. What else can we do? I don't know, but try now. Run a police car. Hang on. Corner coming. All right. If they catch us, it's going to be in trouble for you too. I know. They're gaining. And look at that. Traffic's against us. We never get through. Unless it's it. Sorry. You couldn't. All right, buddy. What's the hurry? Fun? And to see that red light back there. Red light? Yeah. When I try to call you on it, you stop playing tag. You want me for going to a red light? You're hitting 60 in silly traffic. A girl friend thinks it's funny. Officer, she has a scurry sense of humor that I can't even answer your word. Here's my license. Hello? Hello? Is that Mr. Wearing? Yes. It sounds like my disappearing client. Oh, ex-client, Mr. Wearing. That's why I'm calling. You picked a great time to fire me. I don't think I need you anymore. If Sergeant Corbett catches up with you,

15:19you'll be fine. Hello? Hello, is that Mr. Wearing? Yes. It sounds like my disappearing client. Oh, ex-client, Mr. Wearing. That's why I'm calling. You picked a great time to fire me. I don't think I need you anymore. Mr. Corbett catches up with you. You'll think differently. Does he really think I killed Barry? You lied. You ran out. What do you expect him to think? But I hired you. Yes, and now you're firing me. Your hands look about as clean as some of the key father witnesses. But it was Mrs. Barrow who killed Barry. You know that. Corbett doesn't. He's satisfied with her alibi. Oh, she has an alibi? Yes, she has. So you better come clean, Angel. I have. I didn't do it. But then why this weird routine? I have my reasons. They better be good ones. You're on a spot, baby. Yes, I'm afraid I am. Well, I'm still willing to listen if you want to forget about firing me. Provided, of course, that you have something to say. I have. And I go ahead. Well, it's just the Ted and I thought... What was Ted? A friend of mine. I called him when I discovered the body. Oh, before you called me?

16:20Before I did anything. I decided I had to have help and luckily he was home. Wonder if it was so lucky. Why do you say that? His help didn't turn out so good. Well, it was his idea that I hire you. Was it also his idea that you fire me? Yes. He seems to have a lot of ideas. Look, where are you? I think we better get together. At the Burows Hotel on 43rd. Room 405. Okay, sit tight. I'll be right over. All right, goodbye. Is that the way you fire on Norma? Ted. I didn't know you were still here. Looks like it's a good thing I am. Yes, Ted. The only question is... Good for whom? Now, back to the adventures of the falcon. Ten minutes have passed since Mike Wearing talked himself off the unemployment line.

17:22Ted had objections, but he seems to have been overruled. Because when Norma opens the door for the falcon, Ted is nowhere in sight. Hello, Mr. Wearing. Come in. Thanks. What's going on with you? You look frightened. Frightened? No. Just bewildered. About what? You said Mrs. Barrow has an alibi. According to Corbett. I don't understand it. Why not? I told you Barry went to the door and I heard him talking to someone just before he was shot. Yeah. I said it was a woman's voice. I'm almost certain it was Mrs. Barrow's. Why didn't you say that before? I didn't like to accuse her without being sure. What made you change your mind? I haven't. I just wanted you to check. Couldn't there be something wrong with her alibi? Yes, there could be. But not as wrong as with your story. What do you mean? You're lying again. I'm not. You didn't hear Barrow talking to anybody. What makes you say that? When you spoke to me on the phone, you used the phrase, when I found the body. But... If Barrow had been killed in front of you, you wouldn't have talked about finding the body. You wouldn't have had to find it. It would have been right there. I meant when I found he was there. And that's not what you said.

18:22You misunderstood me. Yes, and apparently I still do. I suppose we go see Sergeant Corbin get this straightened out. No. Look, you can't keep running. I can try. And in case you have any idea of trying to stop me, this gun should change your mind. It's changed. But not as often as you change yours. Goodbye, Norma. Oh, Angel, have you changed your mind again? Let me in. Sure. I'll look before we go any further. I'm taking the gun. Just in case you decide to make another switch. Here it is. It's not loaded. Now she tells me. I'm sorry about what happened. I couldn't help myself. Well, I can't help yourself either, unless you start telling the truth for change. I will. Okay, at least that'll be a novelty. Go ahead. I didn't see the shooting. I didn't hear any voices. This is Barrow's or anyone else's. I just said I did because Ted told me it was on better that way.

19:24Ted told me what to say. He told me to run away. Okay. Did you have to take orders from him? I thought he was trying to help me. Some help. I was fighting. I had to turn to someone. I trusted Ted. Then he told me to fire you. I tried, but you talked me out of it. And if it's somebody talked you out of that? Yes. Ted overheard my conversation with you. He was furious. He made me say what I did to you when you got up there. He was hiding in the next room. And if you had disobeyed him? He had a gun and his was loaded. Does he know you came here? Of course not. If he finds out. He won't find out. Where is he now? He went home. Things I went home. How come he trusted you? He said if I didn't do exactly what he told me, he'd prove that I killed Barry. But I know he can't. So if you'll help me... All right, all right, I will. Now call him. Tell him you got to talk to him. Ask him to come right over. It'll take him 20 minutes to get to your place. By the time we can be there, too. But what are we going to do? Well, first I'll have to have all the facts. For change, let's have exactly what did happen today from the beginning. All right. I've let myself into the apartment.

20:25And there was Barry on the floor. The blood's still running out of that hole in his head. It was awful. Who's that? I don't know. What if it's Ted? What if he didn't go home if he followed you? All right, all right, I'll handle it. Can I get out the back? Now just sit tight. If it is, Ted knows the chance to wrap this up. And I can't do it without you. Yeah, I'm coming. You'll be all right. Just leave it to me. If you say so. I do. Oh, Sergeant Corbett, this is a surprise. Oh, I see. You didn't know where the girl was. Did you worry? You couldn't help me find her. Oh, no. That's right, Corbett. Sure. Well, Miss Wallace is wearing finished coaching you on what to say. I didn't have to, Corbett. She had lessons from an expert. Huh? Yeah, she called him in as soon as you found the body. He told her what to say and do. That's right. Who's this we're talking about? Ted Donahue. And he told her to run out on me. Yep. I'd like to talk to this Donahue. Well, I can be arranged. But first, I'd like to hear the medical examiner's report. Now, what's to hear? Bulletin of brain died instantly. 32 calibers. Okay. Okay, that's enough.

21:25All right, wearing. Do we see Donahue? If you like? I like. But don't get the idea that because I'm willing to listen, you're stirring me off your girlfriend here. But, Sergeant Corbett. And as for you, wearing, I'm going to prove you knew where she was. Oh, think whatever you want about me, Corbett. But you can't think that Norma did the shooting. Oh, can I? Of course not. Why not? Think what she did. What's that? Sure, Norma. You killed Barry. So, with Corbett's habit of always being wrong, he can't possibly think it was you. Corbett, Dan, if that please, I miss dessert before. Well, Mike, we've got the modia. When it came to a showdown, Barrow decided to stick with his wife. So, Norma planned him out. Well, keep it up, Corbett. You're doing fine. And what's to keep up? That's it. Well, not entirely. How about the clue that gave her away? She must have said something to you. But, don't you want to know what it was? All right, wearing, if you've got to structure stuff, go ahead.

22:26How did you happen to stumble onto this one? Stumble, easy. What do you want me to do? Beat my head on the floor in appreciation? That's an idea. Well, if you want to tell me how bright you are, go ahead. I'm listening. But get it over with. Well, Norma played along with Ted Donahue, in order to have a four-guy in reserve. And he was crazy enough about it to try to keep her out of trouble. Anyway, when it turned out that Mrs. Barrow had an ally by the satisfy the police, Norma decided to make use of Ted. Only if she went a little too far. How so? And if she just left it at the things he actually did, she might have been all right. But she tried to tell me he pulled a gun on her and threatened her. Oh, you only would have done that if you were actually the killer. Well, that's what she was trying to prove. Yes, but since he couldn't be the killer, gave her away. Couldn't? Why not? Well, you said Barrow was killed instantly. And Norma admits that when she found him, he was still bleeding. A bleeding stops a few minutes after a person dies. Well, so why couldn't she have found him in the first few minutes? Because she told me that as soon as she found the body, she called Donahue at his home. Oh, Donahue lives at least 20 minutes away from Norma. If he was home, he just couldn't have been at Norma's.

23:27Oh, huh. Well, we're in nice try. Try? Saw the case. Yeah, but you were trying to show me how bright you are. Can't say that I'm impressed. After all, you pulled quite a boner. Well, what? You pinned the murder on the girl and she happens to be a dainty dish. But who wants to go dating at Sing Sing? Well, you've got a point there, Colbert. But you're overlooking one thing. What's that? Mrs. Barrow. Now she's going to be lonely. Two months from now, she's going to want someone to cheer her up. A whiner, dynast, do the town. And speaking of dishes, Colbert, that's mine.