The Falcon - The Case of the Rolling Stones

0:00Hello? Yes, this is the Falcon speaking. Oh Nancy, I'm glad you called. Are you busy to laugh? No, you are. All right, angel, you know what that means. Anything that happens to me this evening will be a dead loss. This is Ed Hurley. It's inviting you to listen to the adventures of the Falcon, starring Les Stamen. You met the Falcon first in his best-selling novels. Then you saw him in his thrilling motion picture series. Now join him on the air when the Falcon solves the case of the unwelcome Christmas present. In a Saturday afternoon in New York, two days before Christmas. And on Manhattan's busy corners, Galey dressed Santa Claus as ring their nails while people rushed to do their last minute shopping.

1:02What are those frenetic shoppers? It's a man named Larry Sterling. Of a crisis of a storm in those Super Falcon. And as he shakes his head, sadly, a small delivery truck pulls alongside. And the driver, the watch you give for a minute, calls to it. Hey, Les, Les, huh? Me? Yeah. It's a little bit. It's a matter. You look like a nice guy. Oh, thanks. I'll wait. Don't go away. I'll touch you. I'm sorry, I'm busy. I take it easy. Let's do it. What's your name? Sterling. Larry Sterling. Glad to know you. My name is Haynes. Walter Haynes. I've been watching you. So I noticed. You got a girl? What's it to you? Look, Sterling. I don't want to do your favorite. Well, don't bother. Okay. That's the way you feel. Hey, wait a second. What kind of a favor? How would you like to give your girl a silver fox jacket for questions? You crazy. Then you know what those things cost. Yeah, and I haven't got the Canada doll. Well, would you be willing to spend 75 bucks for one?

2:02What? Get in the car. Well, make up your mind, Sterling. You want to look at this jacket or your doll? Well, why can't I see it out here? Of course there's a cop watching us. Hey, careful. Don't sit on the box. Is it in here? Yeah. Take a look. Pretty, huh? Is this stolen merchandise, Haines? I look sterling. There's been no questions. I tell you no lies. All I know is that any Gallo gets a jacket like this is going to think a boyfriend is plenty. All right. That's 75 bucks you said? That's right. And throw in that gift box. Do you notice a label? Two pocket brothers. Hey, that's one of the biggest furries in town. Oh, sure. When your girlfriend gets a load of that, what do you think she'll say? She'll wonder where I got the money. Okay, if you don't want the car. No, no. I'll take it, Haines. There. You got yourself a buy there, sterling? Take it from me, pal. You don't know what you worked in, do you?

3:04You better fill up the tank, Joe. I'm going out again. Only sold one silver fox today. I think I'll have to try lower broadway. I wouldn't. I wouldn't. Oh. Hello, buddy. Hello, Haines. Oh, which, which you dropped from? Steve Ellis told me you kept your truck here. Oh, what's up? Mr. Reyno is looking for you. We know. Uh-huh. What for? Don't you know? No, no. What I do. It's what Reyno thinks you didn't do. Oh, he's crazy. You want to sell him that? All right. You know, there's no truck in here once you get an idea this head. Hey, finally, what do I do? How would you like to hide out in my place? You mean you'd let me? Why not? Oh, but if Reyno ever found out about this... Why should it? But somebody might rent. I'm not worried. Oh, I want you to know, honey. I'll never forget you for this as long as I live. I know you mean well, darling. But if Mr. Reyno ever discovers this little deceit, that's not saying very much, is it? Please, please, please, please.

4:08Please, please. Please, please, please. Uh, look, Haynes. Maybe it would be better if... If what? I'll skip it. Go ahead. Thanks. You know, if I'd wait for a minute, there was a fear to change the mind. Oh, there's a very little danger of that. I don't know. I'm delighted you remember me. Oh, Bonnie, will you please shut the door? So was the trev, yes. But your very lucky hands. Not every rat is offered such attractive fate. That was a very fine piece of work, Bonnie. Listen, Rayno, you promised me nothing would happen to him if I brought him here. Did I? Well, let's not worry about it, shall we? Oh, hands, I believe you know, Leonard. Sure he does. We're old friends, aren't we proud of him? Oh, come get out. Bonnie's right, Leonard.

5:08That's hardly the way to treat a guest. Really? I'm so sorry about this. May I offer you something? No, no, I don't want anything. That's where we differ. Because I do. Two weeks ago, you received your usual consignment of third jackets. One coat was different. Where is it? Yeah, in my truck. Leonard, well, you've got enough to check, sure. I never mind. I've already looked. It doesn't seem. It ain't? No. Yeah, you know, it's something I must have sold it by mistake. Oh, you've got to believe me, Mr. Rayno. Of course I do. Who was the lucky buy? Well, it's just a trouble, I don't know his name. Leonard. I've been looking forward to this for a long time, hein? I'll get through with you, your own mother won't know you. What was his name? I don't know. What the heavens, Rayno? He'd let it away from him, you'll kill him. I hope not, Bonnie. But if he does, well, in our trade,

6:11best there's always an occupational hazard. Carry on, Leonard. Yeah, you're the superintendent of this building, and that's right. You got a Larry Sterling living here? Oh. Come on, Pop. Get with it, Larry Sterling, do you know him? Sure. What apartment does he live in? 380. Thanks. But he ain't home now. He's not? Help. Went out about 20 minutes ago. What does he do back? He didn't say. Well, how's that letting me wait for him? Well, help yourself. Well, I mean, it is apartment. And it is apartment? Yeah, he got a pass key, haven't you? Oh, am I sure? Well, suppose you let me borrow it. Oh, I couldn't do that. Why not? I'll make it with you well. Did you use ten bucks?

7:12Yeah. Well, what you got to do is let me borrow your key. I know, I told you can't. You don't understand, Pop. My name's Leonard. You see, I have an old friend of Larry's. I want to surprise him. Sorry. All right. And I'll tell you what I'll do. You still want to make that ten? And not if it's done. Don't forget the key. Well, I want to know, is when Larry came home tonight, did he have a big package with him? Big package, eh? A package about this size. Ah. Why do you want to know? They'll listen to you, jerk. I'm asking the questions. Well, I don't have to ask. And I'll say it through. Oh, you keep your hand. Myself. Good morning. Help. Help. Just keep them trying to touch. Oh, you. It's fine. You got me alone, Pop. I don't want to hurt you. And why don't we forget this ever happened? You'll just get out of here. Okay. If I was you, I wouldn't mention to Larry that anybody dropped around a sim. I wanted to be a surprise. Yeah? Yeah. I'm going to be awful angry if you spoil it. I'll take care of yourself, Pop. I'd hate to drop around again to do it for you.

8:16And I shouldn't do this, George. And we promised we wouldn't open our presence till Christmas Eve. Now, Larry, 24 hours one way or the other will make any difference. Is it a rope? Nope. Lounge in pajamas. Ah. You'll never guess. They'll let me see. Oh, Larry. Didn't expect the fur coat. No. I didn't. Well, what do you say? God. I think it's lovely, Larry. Go on. Try it on. Oh, sure. It's certainly not enthusiastic about it. I'm sorry, honey. I guess I'm behaving badly, but you see. Hello? Yes, I do. Miss Colin? Yes, I do. Miss Colin? Yes, I do. Miss Colin? Yes, I do. Hello? Yes, I do, Miss Colin. Yes, I do. This is Parker, the superintendent, where Mr. Sterling lives. Do you expect to see him tonight? As a matter of fact, he's here now. Oh, could I talk to him, please?

9:16Sure. It's for you, Larry. Who is it? The superintendent, your building. Fine. Hello. Hi, I'm Mr. Sterling. Oh, what's the trouble, huh? I just heard you order something. And Phil was around here tonight asking questions about you. Phil? You wouldn't give us name, but he wanted me to let him in your apartment. He was awful interested in that big box you brought home tonight. When I wouldn't tell him anything about it, he almost hit me. Oh, listen, Papa. Are you sure he was after me? Positive. If I was you, Mr. Sterling, I'd be careful. Yeah. Thanks a lot, Papa. I'll be seeing you. What was the trouble, Larry? Somebody's awfully curious about that fur coat. Now, why would anybody in his right mind be interested in that coat? Well, it's a nice way for you to talk. I don't want to hurt your feelings, darling. But if you paid more than $20 for this, you were stuck. So you think I was a sucker? I do. You know, you could be wrong, too. How are you going to prove it? Maybe I can, but if you give me the classified directory, I'll find me someone who can. Yeah, I don't know whether I've got the right party.

10:21What a problem, do you want? The 12A? This is it. Are you, uh, Mike Wearing the Falcon? That's right. My name is Larry Sterling. I hate the body, Mr. Wearing it. But all right. Come in. Thank you. What's on your mind? I look out too busy. I'd like to talk to you about what? I don't know. I've got the right party. What a problem, do you want? The 12A? This is it. Are you, uh, Mike Wearing the Falcon? About what? This. Go on. Open the box. Oh, it's a fur jacket. Yeah, I bought it this afternoon. A man named Walter Haynes. How come it's sporting the Dupont Brothers label? This guy Haynes led me to believe it was stolen. Oh, the old racket, huh? There's a new one on me. Well, what do you want me to do? Get your money back? No, I was a sucker, Mr. Wearing it. And I'm willing to take my loss. And what's your problem? How much would you guess I paid for this coat? Well, I don't know a hundred dollars. A seventy-five. But my girlfriend says it isn't worth twenty. Well, if this coat's worthless, why is somebody so anxious to get it from me? What do you mean?

11:21My superintendent told me several parties were making inquiries about me. What does mean anything? Finally, they should all ask if I brought home a big, bulky box that looked like it might contain a fur jacket. Let me see that coat again. Well, it still looks like a skin rabbit to me. That I've been wrong before. Let's see what the experts down at DuPont Brothers have to say. Yes, sir? Is there something I can do for you? There it is. I've been one of your fur jackets in this box. Oh, I'm awfully sorry, sir, but the exchange department has closed to after Christmas. But I don't want to exchange it. I just wanted to pray. I'm afraid that's out of the question now, Mr. Wearing. Well, as you can see, we're practically rushed to death. Well, how long would it take you to look at it? My dear fellow, you just won't understand. Mr. DuPont himself would have to look at it,

12:21and I wouldn't dare disturb him now. Oh, I see. But I suppose I'll leave the jacket here. Well, I can't make any promises, Mr. Wearing. Oh, that's all right. I wouldn't take my chances. I'll be back in an hour. Hello. Huh? Oh. Hello, a lady burglar. Oh, but I didn't start it, you. Not particularly. Well, if I'm in your way... Oh, think nothing of it. You must be Mike Wearing. Also called the Folk. I guess I must be. And you? You can call me Bonnie. Well, I'd like nothing but him. Hmm. A young man named Larry Sterling dropped in to see you about an hour ago. Oh, did he? Well, that's what I've been led to believe. How did you get in here? I could say the door was unlocked. Yes, you could, but I wouldn't necessarily have to believe you. In that case, you may as well know the truth. I used these. Oh, that's not nice, Bonnie.

13:21It's a penal offense. Oh, thinking of calling someone? Just a question. I don't know. Oh, thinking of calling someone? Just a police? Oh, let's not be hasty, shall we? Who are you? Oh, I'm terribly, sorry. Mr. Wearing, Mr. Reno. You'll forgive me for not shaking hands. As I understand, a gun makes it rather awkward, doesn't it? There. What do you want, Renon? Did Bonnie explain? I didn't get very far. Mr. Wearing, I have reason to believe that the young man named Larry Sterling left the fur jacket with you today. Why should he do that? Maybe he became suspicious. Maybe he had reason to be. Maybe. But that's hardly the point. Where is the coat, Mr. Wearing? My client bought that coat in good faith. In good faith? As he gave 75 bucks for it. I assure you neither of you will lose by this transaction. Well, I don't know. His girlfriend was awfully crazy about it. Shall we say a thousand dollars?

14:22Shall we say nuts? Suppose I send one of my agents around. He's much more persuasive than I am. Come, Bonnie. Yeah, hold it. What do you think you're going? Home, naturally. Have you any objections? Yes, several. You're staying here to the police arrive. You're overlooking one thing, Mr. Wearing. What's it, gun? Uh-huh. Well, somehow I've got a feeling... You could go, Reynolds. Stupid, lunderer. Hold on. Your type can never let well enough alone. You better take a slug of this, Mike. I'll never mind stealing. I want to hear the rest of your story. It's just like I told you. I walked in here, I found you stretched that on the floor. How come you decided to pay me a visit? Well, I know, Reynolds was on his way home. You didn't think it necessary to warn me. I tried to call you, but it was no answer. Why did you tell Reynolds you hired me?

15:22I didn't. And who did? My girlfriend, Georgia Cohen. He found out where she lived. Well, I guess it wasn't very bright ever, but Georgia told my gun over to see you. Mike, that coat must be worth thousands. What was the name of that character you bought it from? Waterhands. I get the phone book and see if he's listed. Don't bother, I can tell. I'm wearing it. He lives at 2719 West 93rd apartment, 2D. Thanks. And you're Leonard. I think Mr. Reynolds told you I'd be around. As he did. I want that coat wearing. You know, Leonard, Reynolds made a bad bet. You're on the more persuasive than he is, and you're not nearly as pretty as Bonnie. You tell me you're a pretty tough cooking. You don't want to believe everything you hear. Oh, there's one way to find out. On the way, Mike. Hey, Robert. Nice going, Larry. Hope you don't mind me ruining that decade. Oh, no. I've had a lot easier to get a new bottle and this boy will a new head. Come on, let's go, fella.

16:27The apartment to be... See, here we are. He showed us the right place. The name plate says Walter Harvey. That's probably an alias. Notice the initials are the same. Could be a coincidence. Yes, could be. The Leonard son of his own in New Way was... Uh-oh. What's that? Door is open. Careless of Mr. Haynes. Yes, that sort of thing can cost you your life. And in this case, it did. What? Isn't that a hand sticking out of that trunk? Yeah, I think so. Oh, no. That's a good easy, Larry. Oh, look at his face. He was beaten to death, wasn't he? Yeah, that's a fairly safe assumption. Oh, poor Haynes. Mike, you've got to find out who did this. Why? Well, you can't let Bruno get away with this. Look, maybe we ought to take this from the beginning. Who am I working for anyway? I don't understand. You came to my apartment this evening with a yarn and hanged a soldier hot for a coat. Well, it's true. And if you were stuck, why don't you ride the whole thing off? Why'd you bring me into this?

17:27Well, my soldier there. Don't you understand, wearing that coat must be worth thousands? All right, all right. Let's assume for the sake of argument it is. What does that mean to me? Well, we'll split the money. What money? You admit the coat must be stolen? Well, maybe it is a reward. Well, there's one way to find out. Suppose we see the brother's dupont. Yes, sir. Can I help you? I hope so. My name is wearing. I was in here a little earlier today. I left a coat to be appraised. Oh, yes, of course. I had Mr. Dupont look at it. Would you be good enough to identify your merchandise? That's the same one, Larry. Yeah, good enough for me and that for. What's the coat worth? Would you care to venture a guess? I'm judging by the trouble it's caused. I'd say $10,000. Oh, you're way off, sir. What did I tell you? 20? If I might be so bold, what'd you pay for this coat? Well, you can't judge by that. If I'm got it at bargain rates.

18:27And he gave? Believe it or not, $75. Really? Well, strictly, I'm renewing Mr. wedding. This is a very rare example of Genesis Philly die. English translation, please. Skinned alley cat. And as such, it isn't worth a dime. You don't understand it, Mike. You sure that's the same coat's positive? That the coat's worthless. Why was Haynes killed? I don't ask me, Larry. I'm a stranger to you myself. Maybe Ray know. It doesn't know it's value. Well, I doubt that. Ray know Leonard and Bonnie are too psychiatry or they can work up over a phony fur piece. But it must mean something. That's obviously. And brother Ray know knows. Well, maybe you won't mind sharing his information with us. Are you going to fight him through Leonard? Do you think you'll cooperate? If it's put to him the right way. Remember how you knocked him cold? Yes. Well, don't forget how you did it. I may want you to try it again.

19:30Still here, Mike. Right way left. Come on, Leonard. Get up. Come on, palsy. You'll miss Santa Claus. Yes, but I won't miss you. Mike, don't move, Chomer. I'll let you have it from here. Well, it wasn't nice of you to fool us that way, Leonard. I would have sworn you hadn't moved an inch since we left. Oh, don't feel too bad wearing. I only moved to. From here to where you left my gun and back. Where's the coat? Are you still hopping on that? You're wasting your time. It's worthless. You're just to soon take it over your dead body. I think he means that, Mike. Well, I don't. You're bluffing, Leonard. You shouldn't have called me, pal. Is that where he... Larry. Larry, are you all right? Yeah. I think so. I didn't feel afraid, you folks. Oh, that's perfectly all right, friend. Mother's second in this fork and would have been cold turkey. What about him? And he's dead. Well, to whom are we indebted? Yeah, who are you? That's a night of Larry, don't you know me? Mr. the way your face looks. I don't think you're on Motherwood. Hey, buddy.

20:30You've got a girl. Haines. Sure. Mike, this is Waller Haines. Wait a minute. If your Haines was just dipping your apartment. Ray, no. Leonard killed her. Oh, the old double cross, huh? Yeah. Well, where have you been? Well, they kept me tied up and sometimes the apartment. On his? Yeah, yeah, on his. After I got loose, I went to Larry's apartment and some other day I told me I could locate him here. I must have been there, George. What's this all about, Haines? What sweat all about? This fur coat. Believe me, Larry. I don't know. I got it in a consignment with my regular merchandise. Where does Bonnie come in? Right on cue, Mr. Waring. But you want to do something about that door, Mike? Yes. Next time, get a spring, so it'll close. Where's the coat, Mike? I want it. Well, what do you say, Haines? I say give it to her. No. She's a pretty determined young lady, Larry. Here you are, Bonnie. Where'd well? No, just drape it over the chair. No. All of you stay put for the next five minutes. The first one who gets careless enough to show his face out of the doorway

21:32will get it blown off. Good night, folks. Thanks, a million. Get the phone sterling. Maybe we can get a ride for you. Hurry up, Larry. Call downstairs. I thought you were going to rush away. Have you worried about that coat, Haines? Forget it. You won't get away. Oh, she could keep the coat for all I care. I might fill it in this business. I don't blame him. Oh, it's a deadly... What happened to the box that came in? Watch it away. Your kid. Why I wasn't worth anything, was it? Look, I walked that box wearing it on my cloud. Why make an issue over a little thing like that, Haines? Unless it isn't a little thing. As far as we see. Get away from that door. You want the box, don't you? I'm done if I can see why. Looks like any other cardboard box to me. Maybe if I were to rip the cardboard apart, they cut that out. Well, what do you know? Pretty cute, huh? Whatever I think I'm looking for a letter pasted between two sheets of cardboard. You did. Well, you gave me the lead. This is pretty important piece of stationary, Haines.

22:34I got the name on top. Moscow Federation. I watched that letter wearing. Yes, I'm beginning to understand why. What do I get it? Mr. You certainly do. Did you have to do that, Larry? And I have to do that. You realize he was going to kill you? Sure, but I might as well be dead. You realize that was my last bottle of Christmas cheer? Now what am I going to do? What am I going to do? What am I going to do? Wearing this is a real great job. Oh, thanks, Larry. Say, hadn't you better be running off to see your girls? I found out I'd get the complete story. I'm going to happen from yesterday morning till last night. What was in that letter anyway? Something the boys in the department of justice have been looking for for a long time. You've heard of the International Movement known as Moscow Federation. Yes, unfortunately. Well, that letter contained a complete list of outfits here and in South America that are cooperating with them. Well, how did it wind up in Hayden's hands? Great old had it originally.

23:34He was an agent for Moscow. He was told to contact these organizations and keep them in line. Oh, then Hayden's was working for a novel. Oh, sure. Peddling hot fruit was a blind for the mob. He was a renowned boy until he realized what a wonderful source of blackmail that list was. So he got you to hold the list for him while he carried out his plan. He killed Reno and messed up his face so it would pass for his own. Well, where did Bonnie figure it out? Well, in case you didn't even know the score, she thought the coat was the all-important thing. How did you know it wasn't? Had a praise that gave me the tip-offs. And the one thing we'd overlooked in the case was the box that came in. Well, what made you realize Hayden's was the killer? It was a story, you told. He claimed he was beaten up and kept a prisoner in Bonnie's place. And he came to my house right after he escaped and learned where you were. But when I asked him about the corpse in his own apartment, he wasn't even surprised. Right off the bat, he knew what was right now. Against that all, aren't we? Well, thanks a lot, Mike. I'll be saying it. Wait a minute, where are you rushing off to? I can't see you forgotten. This is the night before Christmas.

24:35My girlfriend, George, you must still be wondering what happened to me. Oh, yes, of course. But what about you? Well, I guess this is my unlucky night. I don't have a date. On Christmas Eve? Mm-hmm. Isn't that irony for you? Me and Santa Claus are the only two guys in town who are left holding the bag.