He Walked by Night (1948) – The Killer Who Hid in the Shadows
A gripping classic crime thriller about a dangerous killer who operates under the cover of darkness while police investigators work tirelessly to uncover his identity.
As the investigation deepens, a trail of clues leads detectives through the shadows in a tense search for a criminal who seems almost impossible to catch. Filled with suspense, mystery, and atmospheric noir storytelling, He Walked by Night remains a compelling classic of 1940s crime cinema.
#HeWalkedByNight #HeWalkedByNight1948 #ClassicMovies #ClassicFilm #CrimeMovie #CrimeFilm #FilmNoir #MysteryMovie #MysteryFilm #CrimeThriller #SuspenseMovie #VintageMovies #OldMovies #ClassicCinema #1940sMovies
A gripping classic crime thriller about a dangerous killer who operates under the cover of darkness while police investigators work tirelessly to uncover his identity.
As the investigation deepens, a trail of clues leads detectives through the shadows in a tense search for a criminal who seems almost impossible to catch. Filled with suspense, mystery, and atmospheric noir storytelling, He Walked by Night remains a compelling classic of 1940s crime cinema.
#HeWalkedByNight #HeWalkedByNight1948 #ClassicMovies #ClassicFilm #CrimeMovie #CrimeFilm #FilmNoir #MysteryMovie #MysteryFilm #CrimeThriller #SuspenseMovie #VintageMovies #OldMovies #ClassicCinema #1940sMovies
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FunTranscript
00:02:09We're going to take you into the city hall where police headquarters are located.
00:02:14Here in communications are the ears and voice of the police.
00:02:18The lights on the complaint board flash 24 hours a day.
00:02:21Citizens reporting a prowler, a lost child, a man molesting a woman, an auto accident, a wild party.
00:02:27Spend an hour or two here and you will think the whole city has gone berserk.
00:02:31Minute by minute, the orders go out to the radio cars in the far-flung divisions.
00:02:36Watts and Wilshire in West Los Angeles.
00:02:38Hollywood and Hollenbeck Heights in North Hollywood.
00:02:40The work of the police like that of woman is never done.
00:02:46This is the case history of a killer, taken from the files of the detective division.
00:02:51The facts are told here as they happen.
00:02:54The story properly starts here in Hollywood division headquarters at one o'clock of the June morning last year.
00:03:00Officer Robert Rollins had finished his tour of duty and signed out.
00:03:04It had been a tough day.
00:03:05He'd be glad to get home.
00:03:07His wife would be waiting up for him as she always did.
00:03:21His wife would be a little bit, but he was able to see her since the two of the boat
00:03:21recognize him and his home.
00:03:21Be sure to read the swath music in the attends.
00:03:22O'clock in the 18- jump.
00:03:28O'clock in the chat empty reels.
00:03:34A 24-month-long-level bill심 boat,
00:05:01Come here.
00:05:05What were you doing back at that radio shop?
00:05:08Miss Logan.
00:05:09I was on my way home.
00:05:11Live around here?
00:05:12Yeah, a couple blocks down.
00:05:15Let me see some identification.
00:05:17Sure.
00:05:20Yeah, I guess I forgot my wallet.
00:05:23Look ahead.
00:05:24I've got to see some identification.
00:05:26How about my army discharge?
00:05:28I've got it right here.
00:05:29Come here.
00:05:56Come here.
00:05:58I've got it.
00:06:10I've got it.
00:06:13I've got it.
00:06:15I've got it.
00:06:16I'm waiting to report the shooting of a policeman.
00:06:18What's the address?
00:06:195057 State Street, just west of Santa Monica.
00:06:22Just a minute.
00:06:23I've got it.
00:06:24Preceding hospital.
00:06:25Operator 2.
00:06:26Operator 27.
00:06:285057 State Street.
00:06:305057 State Street.
00:06:32An officer has been shot.
00:06:33Sent an ambulance.
00:06:34All units.
00:06:35All units in the vicinity of State Street, Santa Monica Boulevard.
00:06:38Proceed at once to 5057 State Street.
00:06:425057 State Street.
00:06:43An officer shot.
00:06:45Code 3.
00:07:0880K to Control-1.
00:07:10Control-1 to 80K.
00:07:11Go ahead.
00:07:12This is Breen.
00:07:13Instruct Tom aside to throw out a drag dead and pick up all suspicious characters in the
00:07:17area of the shooting.
00:07:18Also notify Sergeants Marty Brennan and Chuck Jones to report to me at the scene of the crime.
00:07:23Control-1 to 80K.
00:07:25Roger.
00:07:38I see.
00:07:39Well, what have you got so far?
00:07:40Well, not much, Captain Breen.
00:07:42A couple of cartridge cases.
00:07:45Hello, Marty.
00:07:46Chuck.
00:07:46Hi, Captain.
00:07:48Eyewitnesses?
00:07:48Who was first on the scene, reported it?
00:07:50I was.
00:07:51I live here.
00:07:52I'm a light sleeper, but my hearing is good.
00:07:55Did the officer say anything before he collapsed?
00:07:58Yeah, he gave a description to the fellow.
00:08:00He was...
00:08:01On the shooting of the officer.
00:08:01Suspect is a white male American.
00:08:04Age 26 or 7.
00:08:065 feet 10 or 11.
00:08:09155 to 165 pounds.
00:08:12Brown hair.
00:08:13Regular features.
00:08:15Pencil mustache.
00:08:18Repeat broadcast.
00:08:19All units.
00:08:20Is that about it?
00:08:21Yes, sir.
00:08:22Exactly.
00:08:23And the officer kept saying, he looked like such a nice kid.
00:08:26He looked like such a nice kid.
00:08:28As if he couldn't believe what had happened to him.
00:08:33I see, is that all?
00:08:34Yeah.
00:08:35Thank you very much.
00:08:36Yeah, well, anything else I can do, I'd be glad to help you.
00:08:39We may call you.
00:08:40Get his name and address for you, Bob.
00:08:45This door been checked, Lee?
00:08:46Yeah, it's okay, Captain.
00:08:52Find anything?
00:08:53Nothing but some smudges so far.
00:08:56Found this in the glove compartment.
00:08:58I think it's nitroglycerin.
00:09:01Doesn't look quite right.
00:09:03Well, check it down at the left.
00:09:05Right.
00:09:12Open this up, Joe.
00:09:14No key, Captain.
00:09:15Try it open.
00:09:16Give me that bar, Frank.
00:09:17Let's go.
00:09:33Hmm.
00:09:35Regular arsenal.
00:09:36Yeah, get a load of that.
00:09:38What is it?
00:09:39I don't know.
00:09:40It looks like some kind of an electrical device.
00:09:43The United States Navy.
00:09:46By the stolen of war surplus.
00:09:49Send all this stuff down to the lab and check the serial number on that Navy equipment.
00:09:53Yes, sir.
00:09:53Captain Breen.
00:09:55We found these in the weeds over by the radio store.
00:09:58Hmm.
00:09:59What do you got?
00:09:59A pair of cloth gloves, Captain.
00:10:02Well, he thought of everything, didn't he?
00:10:04All right.
00:10:05Give them to one of the technicians.
00:10:06Yes, sir.
00:10:07Marty, you and Chuck come along with me.
00:10:09Let's go downtown and see what they picked up in the dragnet.
00:10:11Right.
00:10:25You know him, Marty?
00:10:28Yeah.
00:10:30I know his wife, too.
00:10:32Ever since high school.
00:10:37Captain, I wish you'd let Chuck and me handle this case.
00:10:44All right.
00:10:45I don't want any dead heroes.
00:10:48I just want the man who shot Rollins.
00:10:53The suspects began to arrive at headquarters in droves.
00:10:56The police tossed every motel and hotel and many private homes in a four square mile area around the scene
00:11:02of the shooting.
00:11:03Every available radio car and patrolman and detective was out on the dragnet.
00:11:07The strings were being drawn tighter and tighter.
00:11:10Many a man returning from a date or a late party or a poker game surprisingly found himself in a
00:11:16squad car, its sirens screaming as it brought him to the detective bureau.
00:11:21The dragnet gathered in some strange fish and many ordinary ones.
00:11:26All the rest of that night the detectives probed.
00:11:29Needles.
00:11:30Questions.
00:11:31Quizzed.
00:11:32Everything was checked.
00:11:34Fingerprints, names, addresses, stories.
00:11:38Every fish in the net was examined.
00:11:40Most of them thrown back into the sea, not worth keeping.
00:11:43Except a few parole violators and slightly shady characters whose stories needed a lot of verifying.
00:11:49I wasn't prowling no cards.
00:11:51Just taking a walk.
00:11:53You know, getting in condition.
00:11:54You were running when the radio car picked you up.
00:11:56Yeah.
00:11:58Maybe that's why the guys call me Punchy.
00:12:00He's got a point there.
00:12:01Two felony convictions.
00:12:03No warrant.
00:12:03No warrant.
00:12:04He's on parole.
00:12:05Book him.
00:12:06Violation of parole.
00:12:07Let's have the next one, Joe.
00:12:08Ralph.
00:12:09What were you doing in that vacant lot?
00:12:12The vacant lot.
00:12:14Lot?
00:12:15What were you doing at it at that time of night?
00:12:18Don't ask me so much.
00:12:20I've been working for a long time.
00:12:22I've been working for 30 years.
00:12:24I've never been working for 60 years.
00:12:25My name is陳.
00:12:27I've been working for my family.
00:12:30You say your name is Ralph Henderson.
00:12:33So what?
00:12:34Well, you know, it's a funny thing, Ralph.
00:12:35There's a guy around this town that's been wearing your fingerprints.
00:12:38Only his name is Pete Hannon.
00:12:41Okay.
00:12:42So I'm dead.
00:12:44So what's one more confession in my life?
00:12:48You're talking.
00:12:49Okay, Andy.
00:12:53Hello, Harry.
00:12:54What have we got here?
00:12:55There are some robbery suspects.
00:12:57Candidates for San Quentin.
00:12:59Handsome here is the big shot.
00:13:01He runs the outfit.
00:13:03Have a gander at his record.
00:13:05Car theft.
00:13:07Escape from reform school.
00:13:09Robbery.
00:13:10Assault with a deadly weapon.
00:13:12Not bad.
00:13:13Look at the heater we found on him.
00:13:14German Luger.
00:13:15Fully loaded.
00:13:17Redhead here tried to carve up one of the arresting officers with this pretty toy.
00:13:22Nice boys.
00:13:23By dawn, many minor wrongdoings had been uncovered.
00:13:27And a few incipient felonies.
00:13:28The checking of the suspects had been thorough, painstaking and tedious.
00:13:32But all the work was for nothing.
00:13:34The man who had shot Officer Rollins was not among them.
00:13:37He remained no more than a description.
00:13:40A shadow of a man.
00:13:42Mysterious, elusive, deadly.
00:13:45Hidden away somewhere in the vast city.
00:13:51As for Rollins himself, he couldn't help.
00:13:54He was in a coma at receiving hospital.
00:13:57Mrs. Rollins waited out the long, tense hours while her husband fought to live.
00:14:02Many another officer's wife had so waited.
00:14:05Many another will.
00:14:06The word came.
00:14:08Shortly after Sonner.
00:14:16Oh.
00:14:19Oh, no.
00:14:30A white male American.
00:14:33Twenty-six or seven.
00:14:35Five feet ten or eleven.
00:14:37One hundred and fifty-five to one hundred and sixty-five pounds.
00:14:40Brown hair.
00:14:41Regular features.
00:14:43Pencil mustache.
00:14:46This was no frightened fugitive.
00:14:49What went on in his mind?
00:14:51Why had he set his hand against his fellow men?
00:14:54Taken the life of another.
00:14:56Of a stranger.
00:14:57Of a man who is merely doing his duty.
00:15:00He must have some plan.
00:15:02Some goal that called for sudden death to anyone who got in his way.
00:15:07To anyone who got in his way.
00:15:09To anyone who got in his way.
00:15:11To anyone who got in his way.
00:15:29To anyone who got in his way.
00:15:43How could she not even hurt?
00:15:46There's room.
00:15:47Double- тому.
00:15:53Good morning, boys.
00:15:54Good morning, Lee.
00:15:56Hiya, Professor.
00:15:58Well, I thought this was safe cracker soup.
00:16:01You gonna drink it, I hope?
00:16:03I'm really a nice guy.
00:16:05Stick around. I'll prove it.
00:16:07Come over here.
00:16:29Hold this for me, will you, Jack?
00:16:36Now, if you'll hand me that hammer, Marty.
00:16:52Well, nitroglycerin.
00:16:53I didn't ask for a collection of fingers, just fingerprints.
00:16:57All those nice fingerprints on the car belong to the man who was stolen from, Captain.
00:17:02Nothing on the guns or pick locks.
00:17:04Not even an interesting smudge.
00:17:06The gloves.
00:17:07Common type, worn by undertakers.
00:17:10I'll check on them. They won't show anything.
00:17:12What did your scientific test show?
00:17:14A couple of little things.
00:17:16Tool identification on these pick locks.
00:17:19I got one under the scope. Do you want to take a look?
00:17:21Yeah.
00:17:32Take a look.
00:17:36Oh, I see.
00:17:39Well, it seems to tie the tool up with the lock.
00:17:43Now, if that microscope could only tell us who did it.
00:17:46I'm working on it.
00:17:48No, only an amateur would carry that liquid dynamite in a car.
00:17:52This boy's no amateur.
00:17:54Took the precaution of desensitizing it, so it'll take normal shock.
00:17:57A lot of other precautions, too.
00:17:59No fingerprints, no identification.
00:18:01Nothing definite.
00:18:03Except he's scientific.
00:18:06Now he's electricity.
00:18:08He's inventive.
00:18:09Yeah.
00:18:11Happy on the trigger.
00:18:16This is Captain Breen.
00:18:18Get me Captain Stevens a burglary, will you?
00:18:21I hate to disappoint you, Lee, but I think you've come up with something.
00:18:25Hello, Steve?
00:18:27How are you?
00:18:29Did your daughter's marriage come off all right?
00:18:32Good.
00:18:33Look, Steve, on those burglaries of electrical equipment lately, were there any where picklocks were used to gain entry?
00:18:43Good.
00:18:45Well, let me know if there's another report of one, will you?
00:18:48I've got an idea the Rawlins Killer may be tied in with those.
00:18:52All right, and give my regards to the newlyweds, too.
00:18:56So long, Steve.
00:18:59Well, what are you waiting for?
00:19:01You've got a job, haven't you?
00:19:03Get going.
00:19:04Yeah, let's go, Junior.
00:19:06Hold this for me, will you, Lee?
00:19:07Thanks.
00:19:11And so, with no fingerprints and only a vague description to go by,
00:19:15Sergeant Brennan turned to the modus operandi file.
00:19:17A criminal, like any human being, has his own habit patterns,
00:19:22unconscious traits that can lead to his downpour.
00:19:30Where you are, Junior?
00:19:32A list of burglars who use picklocks for entry.
00:19:34Oh, great.
00:19:35This narrows it down to just a couple of hundred suspects in this area.
00:19:38Give me a match, will you?
00:19:43That may not be so bad.
00:19:45This guy's improved on the system.
00:19:46So maybe he's left his trademark on some other job.
00:19:49Well, here we go.
00:19:50Legging it all over town, asking a million questions.
00:19:52What you paid for, isn't it?
00:19:54Am I paid to associate with you, too, Junior?
00:19:57You could do worse.
00:19:58Not this year.
00:19:59Come on.
00:20:13Car 12, car 12, car 12, in the 10,000 block on Mississippi.
00:20:19A 394-15 disturbance.
00:20:26Car 80K, code 1.
00:20:42Car 80K, code 1.
00:21:00All units, on the broadcast of the suspect arrested in the shooting of patrolman Rollins.
00:21:06Cancel the cancellation.
00:21:08Suspect released from custody.
00:21:26Oh, hello, Mr. Martin.
00:21:28You find Mr. Reeves in the machine shop.
00:21:47Hello, Roy.
00:21:48Glad to see you.
00:21:49How are you, Mr. Reeves?
00:21:50Hi.
00:21:51I was hoping you'd drop in.
00:21:52I wanted to thank you for showing us how to handle that repair job.
00:21:56That was a lot.
00:22:05Well, what have we got this time?
00:22:13Siligraph.
00:22:19There are plenty of these around, Roy.
00:22:22Not like this one.
00:22:25Yes, I see.
00:22:26I suppose, as usual, you've added your own improvements.
00:22:31You know, it seems wrong that a man of your talents should bother consigning equipment for rental.
00:22:38I'd like to see you devote yourself entirely to experimental electronics.
00:22:43It'll come one day.
00:22:46I'll live a place like this.
00:22:48Why wait?
00:22:49I've got a pretty good setup here.
00:22:52I have modern equipment to work with, a lab, and my confidence.
00:22:58Thanks, Mr. Reeves.
00:23:00I have other plans.
00:23:01But, Roy, you can't tell where it'll lead.
00:23:03Might even work your way around to a percentage of the business.
00:23:08I like it this way.
00:23:10You just rent out my equipment.
00:23:12All right, Roy.
00:23:13All right.
00:23:15What if you should change your mind?
00:23:17I'm not likely to change my mind.
00:23:19I suppose you want me to set this up for rental, too.
00:23:25Mr. Reeves, you've already got five pieces of my equipment.
00:23:30You'd like to know what results I've had from the rental so far, hmm?
00:23:34Well, I can't say as I'd buy you.
00:23:37I think you'll find this satisfactory.
00:23:41Satisfactory.
00:23:44Goodbye, Mr. Reeves.
00:23:45You'll come back again soon, won't you?
00:23:47Sure.
00:23:48Oh, incidentally.
00:23:50You know that television projector coming along?
00:23:52The one you said would reflect a 12-foot image.
00:23:55Still working on it.
00:23:56I just wanted you to know I've already set up a rental on it.
00:23:59In fact, I think they'd like to buy.
00:24:02It'll come pretty high.
00:24:04Oh.
00:24:05Money is no consideration with this customer.
00:24:12Tell them we can pick it up tomorrow.
00:24:14I thought you said it wasn't finished yet.
00:24:16It'll be finished.
00:24:25It uses an image fixer and then projects by ordinary incandescent.
00:24:30Roy, this is the best television projector I've ever seen.
00:24:36Let's hope that your customer thinks so.
00:24:38He will.
00:24:43Yeah?
00:24:46Send him right in, Charlotte.
00:24:49There.
00:24:49You see?
00:24:50Our customer is here.
00:24:51Begging for the privilege of buying.
00:24:54Better be running along.
00:24:55I'm not much good at business.
00:24:57Oh, but Roy, he'll want to congratulate you.
00:25:01Just see that the price is right.
00:25:04All right, Roy.
00:25:05I'll get you a good deal.
00:25:07So long.
00:25:08See you.
00:25:13Well, Mr. Dunning, come in.
00:25:19Isn't it a beauty?
00:25:32It's a beauty, all right.
00:25:34You like it?
00:25:35I certainly do like it.
00:25:37You see, it's mine.
00:25:38What do you mean?
00:25:39Let me have the police.
00:25:41I built it.
00:25:42Spent years on it.
00:25:43Oh, you must be crazy.
00:25:45Roy built this machine himself.
00:25:46Your friend's a crook, Paul.
00:25:48You've been taken in.
00:25:49Hello.
00:25:49Hello.
00:25:50Give me the burglary details.
00:25:53Here, Jim.
00:25:55Regarding your inquiry on a 38-caliber smith and lessen revolver serial.
00:25:59Oh, come in, boys.
00:26:01Burglary detail just sent this report through.
00:26:04It's a man named Dunning.
00:26:05Reports tracing a stolen television projector to the Reeves Electronics Lab.
00:26:10Think it's a tie-in with the Rawlings case?
00:26:12Well, take a look at this fellow Reeves and see what gives.
00:26:15I'll notify burglary.
00:26:16We're following up on it.
00:26:18Right.
00:26:19Come on, Junior.
00:26:22What else did he place with you for rental?
00:26:24Oh, a number of things.
00:26:26All war surplus that he bought on his veteran's rating.
00:26:29Oh, is this more of his equipment?
00:26:31Yes.
00:26:31Yes, he left it here on consignment.
00:26:34Roy, I'm sure that Roy can explain everything.
00:26:37Well, maybe he can, Mr. Reeves, if he'll tell us where he lives.
00:26:40But I don't know.
00:26:42Mr. Martin's on the phone, sir.
00:26:45I'd better talk to him.
00:26:47I think so, Mr. Reeves.
00:26:48I'll take it in the superintendent's office.
00:26:59Tell him that you sold the set.
00:27:00His money's waiting for him here.
00:27:02Find out what time he's coming by.
00:27:08Put Mr. Martin on.
00:27:14Hello, Roy.
00:27:17Yes.
00:27:18Yes, I've sold it.
00:27:20Your money is waiting here for you.
00:27:23Yes, I'll be working late tonight.
00:27:26What time will you be by?
00:27:28First thing in the morning.
00:27:30Well, maybe you'd better come in tonight, Roy.
00:27:32A couple of things I want cleared up.
00:27:35Like what?
00:27:36Oh, technical things.
00:27:39Besides, I don't like to leave the money in the plant overnight.
00:27:46How about 8.30?
00:27:47Fine, fine.
00:27:49I'll see you then.
00:27:50I'll leave the front door unlocked.
00:27:58You'll be here at 8.30.
00:28:08Well, I'll just run along home and get some dinner.
00:28:11We'd like you to stay, too, Mr. Reeves.
00:28:14Why?
00:28:15For company.
00:28:15You want to cooperate, don't you, Mr. Reeves?
00:28:18Certainly.
00:28:19Good.
00:28:19Now, you just wait in your office.
00:28:21We'll be around.
00:28:21Very well.
00:28:24This way, gentlemen.
00:28:25Mm-hmm.
00:28:26Mm-hmm.
00:30:28Who's in here?
00:30:29No one.
00:30:31I'm alone.
00:30:38Come on in.
00:30:39I've got your money for you.
00:30:41Bring it out here.
00:30:45All right.
00:30:48Just a minute.
00:35:00He had no interest in anything but electronics.
00:35:04Where did he pick up the subject?
00:35:06Books, magazines.
00:35:09Mostly from the signal call.
00:35:10He was attached to a radar unit.
00:35:13Get a teletype off of the War Department.
00:35:16It might help.
00:35:18Yes?
00:35:19Ready on your call to receiving hospital, Captain Breen.
00:35:22Hello, this is Captain Breen.
00:35:25What is the latest report on Sergeant Jones?
00:35:33I see.
00:35:36Well, let me know if there's any change, will you?
00:35:41Thanks.
00:35:45Chuck's in pretty bad shape, Marty.
00:35:47He's paralyzed.
00:35:49He may never walk again.
00:35:59It's funny that Martin showed up at 7 when he told you he wouldn't be there until 8.30.
00:36:03I don't know why.
00:36:05Except he was always unpredictable.
00:36:08I'll tell you why.
00:36:08Because you warned him.
00:36:09That's why he came early.
00:36:10That's why he came in the back way.
00:36:12But you heard me tell him the front door would be open.
00:36:13And the key that let him in the back way?
00:36:15He must have had one made.
00:36:16Why don't you tell us the truth?
00:36:17Marty.
00:36:27Now, look, Paul.
00:36:29You can make it a lot easier for us to believe your story if you'll just give us some facts.
00:36:34Something that might help us.
00:36:36I told you all I know.
00:36:40I've been gullible, all right, letting him make a fool of me.
00:36:45But I'd do anything to make up for what he did to Detective Jones.
00:36:50Sure.
00:36:50Sure you would.
00:36:53You can go now.
00:36:55Oh, thanks.
00:36:58Thanks.
00:37:01My friend.
00:37:03They can vouch for my character.
00:37:04That's good.
00:37:05We'll call you for nature.
00:37:06Thank you very much.
00:37:08I think he's telling the truth, Marty.
00:37:10I think he's just gullible, like he said.
00:37:12What about the stoner stuff he was trying to peddle for Marty?
00:37:15We'll use it for bait.
00:37:16Maybe Martin will come back for it.
00:37:18Then we can ask him.
00:37:21Here.
00:37:22Nevertheless, I want a 24-hour tale put on Reeves,
00:37:25and I want to watch on his home and his factory.
00:37:27Right.
00:37:29You can keep those.
00:37:31Okay, Captain.
00:37:37And now the killer changed his tactics, his modus operandi.
00:37:42It would baffle the police.
00:37:43They always expected burglars to remain burglars,
00:37:46not go in for stick-ups.
00:37:48They never tie this up with him.
00:37:51So wearing a variety of disguises,
00:37:53coming and going like a shadow,
00:37:55ready to kill of cornered,
00:37:56he struck the bottle stores in a one-man blitz
00:37:59that had the robbery detail dizzy.
00:38:19The killer, always resourceful,
00:38:21always thinking along lines
00:38:23that would baffle his hunters,
00:38:24had discovered an ideal avenue of escape.
00:38:27Under Los Angeles is a vast and intricate system
00:38:30of huge storm drains
00:38:31built to siphon off the flash floods of the rainy season.
00:38:35Many of the tunnels are large enough
00:38:36for two cars to drive abreast.
00:38:38Here were 700 miles of hidden highways.
00:38:42Ideal for the use of someone
00:38:44who needed to hurry from place to place
00:38:46without being seen.
00:38:47Ideal as a hiding place for guns and supplies
00:38:50in case of emergency.
00:38:55Well, the reason I asked you to come over
00:38:57is I think I've hit on something.
00:38:58An identification?
00:38:59No, not quite, but a tie-up.
00:39:02Now, these are the shells
00:39:03from the gun that killed Rawlins.
00:39:06These were fired in the liquor store holdup
00:39:08in which the bandit got away.
00:39:10And these were fired at Chuck.
00:39:13Now, as you know,
00:39:14every ejector,
00:39:15even in guns of the same model and caliber,
00:39:17is different.
00:39:18Each one leaves its own markings
00:39:20on the cartridge casing.
00:39:22Now, look at these fine striations.
00:39:26This deep gouge.
00:39:28The same on all three.
00:39:35In other words,
00:39:36the man who killed Rawlins,
00:39:37the man who shot at Jones and Brennan,
00:39:40the stick-up who was blitzing the liquor stores,
00:39:42are all the same man.
00:39:43Right.
00:39:44All we need to know
00:39:45is what that man looks like.
00:39:50Get me Chandler in robbery, will you?
00:39:53I've got an idea about that.
00:39:56Also, it'll give us a chance
00:39:57to see if Reeves is on the level with us.
00:40:00Uh, Steve.
00:40:01Green.
00:40:02About those blitz holdups you're on.
00:40:05Round up all the victims
00:40:06and have them down here tonight, will you?
00:40:09Oh, it's just a little scheme.
00:40:11Thanks, Steve.
00:40:16Mm, that's good.
00:40:18Now, sketch another one of the same type,
00:40:20only this time thin it out a little, huh?
00:40:21All right.
00:40:22Hi, Lee, how's it coming?
00:40:23You ready for tonight?
00:40:24We'll be ready.
00:40:25Think it'll work?
00:40:26It should.
00:40:27What'd you get the idea?
00:40:29From a kidnapping case in Chicago.
00:40:31I thought these slides might be an improvement
00:40:33over the method they used.
00:40:35Could be.
00:40:35Captain thinks so.
00:40:41Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
00:40:43May I have your attention for a moment, please?
00:40:46You've all been asked to sit in
00:40:47on a little experiment tonight.
00:40:49We're going to try to build a picture of a face.
00:40:53A face of a man who's cunning,
00:40:56resourceful, and deadly.
00:40:58He's a man who killed a police officer.
00:41:01Now, some of you, he held up at the point of a gun.
00:41:04You may have seen his face,
00:41:06remembered something about it.
00:41:08And we want you to tell us
00:41:10exactly what you remembered.
00:41:12Whether it's his hair, eyes, nose, or mouth.
00:41:17And we're going to try to put those pieces together
00:41:20so that they add up into a picture
00:41:22of the face of the man we want.
00:41:25Now, you can see how we're depending on you.
00:41:28Lights.
00:41:30Now, first, we're going to concentrate
00:41:32on the type of hair our man had.
00:41:35And if the picture looks anything like his hair,
00:41:38I want you to speak right up.
00:41:40All right, the first slide, please.
00:41:48His hair had waves in it.
00:41:50Well-groomed.
00:41:51That's the idea, Miss Smith.
00:42:00Is that any closer?
00:42:02No, it was parted on the side.
00:42:10Oh, that's more like it.
00:42:11Except it was thicker.
00:42:20Oh, that's very close.
00:42:23Yes, that's the way his forehead looked.
00:42:25It was broad and high.
00:42:27All right, hold that slide.
00:42:29Now, the next series of slides
00:42:30will take into account his eyes.
00:42:40Oh, one minute, please.
00:42:42Wait, one minute.
00:42:43His eyes were a little like that.
00:42:45Maybe a little smaller.
00:42:47Like beads.
00:42:50Go on, Lee.
00:42:58Now, now you've got it.
00:43:01Now, hold that slide, Lee.
00:43:03Anyone else?
00:43:06That looks like him,
00:43:07only a little madder.
00:43:09He had a patch over one eye
00:43:10when he come into my dive,
00:43:11my place of business.
00:43:12I remember noticing
00:43:13that the one showing was blue.
00:43:15Well, the guy that stuck me up
00:43:16had on horn-rimmed glasses.
00:43:17he was wearing a band-aid
00:43:19across his nose
00:43:20when he knocked me over.
00:43:21Uh-huh.
00:43:24All right, hold that, Lee.
00:43:26Enough so much for the eyes.
00:43:30Go ahead.
00:43:46Mr. Capitán.
00:43:48Yes, Miss Montalvo.
00:43:50Hey, how do you say it in English?
00:43:53It's a sort of, señorita.
00:43:54Ah, that's good.
00:43:55In this band-aid,
00:43:56his nose was a little bit
00:43:58like that.
00:43:59But a little bit more
00:44:00and a little bit wider.
00:44:02Like that, Captain,
00:44:03but more snubbed, wider.
00:44:05Try another one, Lee.
00:44:10Like that.
00:44:11Almost the same.
00:44:13She says that's about it.
00:44:15Thank you very much,
00:44:16Miss Montalvo.
00:44:17Get Reeves.
00:44:20Any more comments?
00:44:22That's pretty close, all right.
00:44:23Pretty close.
00:44:24Perfect.
00:44:25All right.
00:44:25Now we'll start on the mouth
00:44:26and chin.
00:44:27The next series, Lee.
00:44:32I think his lower lip
00:44:33stuck out more.
00:44:34The mouth was thin and mean
00:44:36like it never laughed.
00:44:40Well.
00:44:42Something like that.
00:44:43But thicker lips.
00:44:48There.
00:44:49That's it.
00:44:50That's him.
00:44:51All right.
00:44:51Now hold that right there, Lee.
00:44:54Oh, come in, Mr. Reeves.
00:44:57Good evening, Captain.
00:45:00You ever see that face before?
00:45:05Why, it's Roy.
00:45:07Except for the hair
00:45:08being a little lighter
00:45:09and the eyebrows heavier.
00:45:11It's Roy.
00:45:13You're sure?
00:45:14I'm positive.
00:45:15I'd know him anywhere.
00:45:18Lee, I want to retouch
00:45:20the photograph.
00:45:21Now lighten the hair
00:45:22and give more body
00:45:23to the eyebrows.
00:45:24Right.
00:45:25Lights.
00:45:28That's all.
00:45:29Thank you very much.
00:45:30You've been a great help.
00:45:31It's positively amazing
00:45:33how you found out
00:45:34what he looks like.
00:45:35Well, we're looking for
00:45:36an amazing criminal,
00:45:37Mrs. Johnson.
00:45:37Thank you and good night.
00:45:39Good night, Captain.
00:45:41And so the face
00:45:42of the unknown killer
00:45:43built up from fragments
00:45:44of evidence
00:45:45was sent out
00:45:45all over the country
00:45:47to chiefs of police,
00:45:49to sheriffs,
00:45:49to county constables
00:45:50and county jailers,
00:45:53to the wardens
00:45:54to the wardens
00:45:54of prisons,
00:45:56to all postmasters
00:45:57and postal inspectors,
00:46:00to the agents
00:46:01of the Treasury Department,
00:46:04to the FBI.
00:46:06They showed that picture
00:46:08to the inmates
00:46:08of jails and prisons,
00:46:10to men with a wide
00:46:11acquaintance among
00:46:12the cat burglars
00:46:13and the violence boys.
00:46:14Informers and conmen
00:46:16and sharpshooters
00:46:16were quizzed,
00:46:17those on the fringe
00:46:18of crime
00:46:19and those deep
00:46:20in the rackets.
00:46:21Many wanted to help.
00:46:23Nobody could.
00:46:24No one in the underworld
00:46:25recognized that mysterious face.
00:46:27He was as unknown
00:46:29as if he had lived
00:46:30in the 16th century.
00:46:58in the 16th century.
00:47:07He was dead.
00:47:17He was killed
00:48:17You're alone in the house.
00:48:19Act like you're alone.
00:48:21Cops are watching every move you make.
00:48:23Police here?
00:48:25I got you staked out like a muskrat hide, watching you around the clock.
00:48:29Here, at your plant, tail in your car.
00:48:33Get in that chair.
00:48:39I got three books.
00:48:45Don't look up and don't answer me.
00:48:49All right.
00:48:52Go ahead and see the book.
00:48:59Pick one of them.
00:49:05Okay.
00:49:07Now, that's the book you want to read before you go to bed.
00:49:12Now, get up and turn off the lamp.
00:49:20Come here.
00:49:22Come here.
00:49:29Come here.
00:49:32Come here.
00:49:32Go in the den.
00:49:40Follow the strape's tank.
00:49:43Go in the den.
00:49:56Follow the strape's tank.
00:50:06Take it away from them.
00:50:13What do the cops know about me?
00:50:16Not very much, Roy.
00:50:19No fingerprints.
00:50:19They haven't even got a picture of you.
00:50:21They're trying to make one.
00:50:27How much cash you got in the house?
00:50:30None.
00:50:31I never keep any cash in the house.
00:50:33It isn't good business.
00:50:35I suppose you think it was good business.
00:50:36Let me walk into that trap.
00:50:38No, Roy, no.
00:50:39Don't do anything you'll regret.
00:50:40Now listen to me.
00:50:41It isn't too late.
00:50:42Give yourself up.
00:50:43Come to your senses before you kill someone else.
00:50:53What do you mean?
00:50:54Someone else.
00:50:55What do you mean?
00:50:56Nothing.
00:50:57The two officers, they said one of them might die.
00:51:01He's still alive, isn't he?
00:51:06Reeds?
00:51:07I never thought you were a stooge for the police.
00:51:12You almost got me killed.
00:51:13Roy, you know the police are right outside.
00:51:15You'd never get away with it.
00:51:22That's right.
00:51:25I think you're being sensible.
00:51:31I know there's money here.
00:51:32What is it?
00:51:33Don't worry.
00:51:34I'll get it.
00:51:55It's not enough.
00:51:57The stuff you better mind is worth thousands.
00:51:59Get more.
00:52:02And get it.
00:52:03Keep it handy.
00:52:04We'll be back next week and next month.
00:52:06But get it.
00:52:07And have it ready.
00:52:08Just give me time.
00:52:21I don't want policemen outside my house following me around.
00:52:25That's what made Roy suspicious.
00:52:28I'm leaving in the morning.
00:52:30I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, Paul.
00:52:33Unfortunately, you're our bait.
00:52:35I won't do it.
00:52:37I've done enough.
00:52:39Look, no one's done enough.
00:52:41Until we find this killer.
00:52:44I asked you to keep a sharp lookout on this house, Marty.
00:52:48I did.
00:52:49Two of the best undercover men of an apartment were assigned here.
00:52:52That didn't keep Martin from getting in.
00:52:54What's the matter, are you tired?
00:53:06You got any idea how long you've been on this case, Marty?
00:53:10Months.
00:53:11Long enough to have come up with something by this time.
00:53:16Do you know any more about the Rawlins killer than you knew the first week?
00:53:20Yeah.
00:53:21He's about the toughest nut I've ever had to crack.
00:53:25That's what I told the chief when he called me in this afternoon.
00:53:28Wanted to know why the case hadn't been broken.
00:53:31Look, Captain.
00:53:33Rawlins was a friend of mine.
00:53:35So's Chuck.
00:53:38I've got a bigger stake in this if the chief knows.
00:53:41I'm doing everything I can.
00:53:45Well, I'm afraid it's not enough, Marty.
00:53:50Maybe you're too close to it to see it clearly.
00:53:53Maybe it needs a fresh team, a new viewpoint.
00:53:58I think you've got to take a couple of weeks off, Marty.
00:54:01Starting tomorrow.
00:54:05Anything you say, Captain.
00:54:22Hiya, Marty.
00:54:23Hiya, Chuck.
00:54:24Meet Miss Scanlon, my new bodyguard.
00:54:26He's the one I've been telling you about.
00:54:28Oh, you mean the one with the steel trap brain?
00:54:30How do you do?
00:54:31Hello.
00:54:32Has this guy been behaving?
00:54:33After a fashion.
00:54:34See, she takes me out in my go-kart, puts me to bed, wakes me up, dresses me.
00:54:38You're perfectly capable of dressing yourself now, Mr. Jones.
00:54:41I'll be back in a few minutes.
00:54:46Well, how's it been going, Jimmy?
00:54:49Oh, pretty good, Chuck.
00:54:50Pretty good.
00:54:52Is that why you're off the case?
00:54:55How'd you know?
00:54:56Green was in to see me this morning.
00:54:58Oh.
00:54:59I suppose he also told you they'd put a new team on the case.
00:55:02He told me everything.
00:55:04Let's see what his new boys dig up.
00:55:06Well, maybe they'll examine the facts of the case a little more carefully.
00:55:09What facts?
00:55:11That our man's shop?
00:55:12That he's intelligent and works alone?
00:55:14That he has no record, never leaves a fingerprint and knows every move we make?
00:55:17Sure, plenty of facts, only they add up to nothing.
00:55:20Sure, forget it.
00:55:21You got yourself a ten-day vacation.
00:55:22Go on down to the beach, get a suntan.
00:55:25By the time you get back, the case will be broken.
00:55:27Isn't that what you want?
00:55:28You know better than that.
00:55:30All I know is what I hear.
00:55:31You sit there batting your gums about how the old man let you down.
00:55:34Maybe he's trying to wake you up.
00:55:36He's got a funny way of showing it.
00:55:37There you go, flying off the handle, always taking things for granted.
00:55:40I wish I could get up and boot some sense into you.
00:55:43He knew what this case meant to me.
00:55:45He still does.
00:55:46That's why he's trying to get you mad enough to do something about it.
00:55:51You don't really figure that's his idea, do you?
00:55:54I know it is.
00:55:56Ah, that's a tough case, Chuck.
00:55:58Not an angle, nothing to go on.
00:56:01You'd know what I meant if you were out working with me.
00:56:03I have been working with you.
00:56:05That's all I've had to do lately, just sit around studying what little facts we have,
00:56:09trying to figure out who we might be.
00:56:11You'd know the kind of a guy we're up against, then.
00:56:14I tell you, Chuck, this guy's a genius the way he operates.
00:56:17He said he were right there with us every time he'd go out after a lead.
00:56:20Oh, sure.
00:56:21Breen's been tipping him off just to make you look bad.
00:56:23They almost like that.
00:56:25Well, he beats us to the punch every time.
00:56:28There's your angle.
00:56:29You just hit it on the head, but you don't see it.
00:56:31Look, start at him.
00:56:32One, he's unknown to the underworld.
00:56:35Two, he beats you to the punch, right?
00:56:37And three, it's almost as if he were with you.
00:56:39Isn't that what you said?
00:56:41Yeah.
00:56:41Well, tie that up with a lot of other little things,
00:56:43like the fact that he uses a police gun and the accuracy of the shooting.
00:56:48Anybody can buy a police gun, and the army could have taught him how to shoot.
00:56:51Yeah, but who taught him how the police operate?
00:56:56Oh, I know what you're driving at, Chuck.
00:56:58But a cop?
00:57:00Those things happen.
00:57:02Yeah.
00:57:03Now, if I were still in the case, I'd start with our own department first.
00:57:06Then Santa Monica, Culver City, Burbank, Pasadena.
00:57:09See you later, Junior.
00:57:10Hey!
00:57:11Don't let him out of your sight, beautiful.
00:57:12It's the first time in years he's used his head.
00:57:23But you get a print of every mug we take.
00:57:25We always send L.A. a copy, Sergeant.
00:57:27It's personnel photos I want.
00:57:29You mean of our boys?
00:57:33That's Roland's killer, isn't it?
00:57:35That's right.
00:57:36You've checked your own department.
00:57:38We did that first.
00:57:44And so the tedious quest went on.
00:57:47Sergeant Brennan wore out his shoes and his patients,
00:57:50going from police station to police station,
00:57:52checking photos until his eyes were blurry.
00:57:55For police work is not all glamour and excitement and glory.
00:57:59There are days and days of routine,
00:58:01of tedious probing,
00:58:03of tireless searching,
00:58:05fruitless days,
00:58:07days when nothing goes right,
00:58:09when it seems as if no one could ever think his way
00:58:11through the maze of battling trails of criminal leaves.
00:58:15But the answer to that is persistence
00:58:18and the hope that sooner or later something will turn up,
00:58:21some tiny lead that can grow into a warm trail
00:58:24and point to the cracking of a tough case.
00:58:41Well, that does it, boys.
00:58:42Can't say I'm sorry you didn't find him in here.
00:58:45I'd hate to think it was a cop.
00:58:47Doesn't seem to be anybody.
00:58:50Just a lot of pieces of a face that never existed.
00:58:52Would you mind if I see that again?
00:58:55Sure, Raymond.
00:58:56Put it on your dresser.
00:58:58Wait a minute.
00:58:59He wasn't a cop.
00:59:01He was a radio technician right here in our dispatch office.
00:59:04What did you say?
00:59:05I'm saying he worked here in 42.
00:59:08Well, come on, give.
00:59:10I remember the kid well.
00:59:12He was sort of strange,
00:59:13never bothered with anyone in the department,
00:59:15just kept to himself.
00:59:17He was in line for promotion when he was drafted.
00:59:19Where was he living at the time?
00:59:22I don't remember.
00:59:24Try the dead files.
00:59:30Never asked for his job back after the war.
00:59:33I remember writing to him about it, though.
00:59:34He was an excellent worker.
00:59:36Oh, yeah, here we are.
00:59:38Yeah, this is it.
00:59:40It took a while before he answered,
00:59:41but like he says in the letter,
00:59:42he wasn't interested.
00:59:52Postmarked Hollywood.
00:59:54No return address.
00:59:56What do you want us to do?
00:59:57All the work?
00:59:59Thanks a lot, Freddy.
01:00:01Remember, he was a civilian employee.
01:00:13Well, how about it?
01:00:14Anybody recognize him?
01:00:16Not on my route.
01:00:19I never saw him before.
01:00:22Okay, fellas, thanks very much.
01:00:28I thought for a minute...
01:00:32No.
01:00:33And yet that face...
01:00:35I wonder.
01:00:36Yeah?
01:00:38Well, this may not mean anything,
01:00:39but he looks like a guy that's on my route.
01:00:41He never gets any mail,
01:00:42but I see him around there all the time.
01:00:44He lives in one of the courts.
01:00:46Where?
01:00:47Come on, I'll show you.
01:00:48It's not that easy.
01:00:51What time does your route take you past those courts?
01:00:54About nine o'clock.
01:00:55Why?
01:00:56Just thinking.
01:01:12You got any chocolate milk?
01:01:13You have, buddy.
01:01:16Hey, yeah.
01:01:17Thanks.
01:01:19Which apartment?
01:01:21Straight on back.
01:01:25Second in the L.
01:01:27Second in the L.
01:01:28Number seven.
01:01:29Right.
01:01:31Had a warm today, huh?
01:01:33Oh, it's not too bad for this time of the year.
01:01:40Good morning.
01:01:42Morning.
01:01:43You're new and you're out, aren't you?
01:01:44We had a substitute.
01:01:46What happened to the other thing?
01:01:47Sick.
01:01:48Oh, what's the matter with it?
01:01:50I don't know.
01:01:51I catch everything.
01:01:53Hear about it on the radio,
01:01:54and next morning I got it.
01:01:56Too bad.
01:01:57You aren't very social.
01:01:58The regular fellow always stops and talks to you.
01:02:01Sorry, lady.
01:02:01I'm a little late this morning.
01:02:03I was hoping maybe you could help me.
01:02:06There's something very funny going on in this court.
01:02:10Yes?
01:02:10I was scared to go to the police police.
01:02:12I thought maybe I might be poisoned.
01:02:15What?
01:02:16Yeah.
01:02:17I have a manager.
01:02:18She's a witch.
01:02:20She's a what?
01:02:21A witch.
01:02:21She puts poison in my milk.
01:02:25Oh, I see.
01:02:28Look.
01:02:29You switch the bottles once she isn't looking, see?
01:02:31Drink our milk.
01:02:33Then you'll be safe, right?
01:03:06Oh, I had a little accident.
01:03:08Got a mop, I'll clean it up.
01:03:11Leave it be, I'll clean it up myself.
01:03:15Okay, mister.
01:03:15Oh, I'll clean it up.
01:03:44The place is called Bellevue Court.
01:03:46I drew this to memory, but it's pretty close.
01:03:49That's where he's hiding out, right there.
01:03:52Are you sure he's our man, Marty?
01:03:54Captain, I couldn't go wrong on that face.
01:03:56He's our man.
01:03:58I'm sorry.
01:03:58I'm sorry.
01:04:00I'm sorry.
01:04:03There are five cottages in this area, and two in the six and seven in the L at the end
01:04:08of the row.
01:04:09Iron Man lives in number seven.
01:04:11This building department plan will show you the whole layout.
01:04:14Founded on three sides by Fuller, Santa Monica, and Poinsettia.
01:04:18Now, the court is partly surrounded by the high wall.
01:04:23Bernine, homicide.
01:04:26Thud, you keep your eyes open until we get there.
01:04:29Morgan has just gone into his bungalow alone.
01:04:32Any questions?
01:04:33All right, you all have your instructions.
01:04:35Let's go.
01:04:36Let's go.
01:04:44Let's go.
01:05:13Let's go.
01:05:40Let's go.
01:06:15We're out on time.
01:06:17Wait five minutes.
01:06:19Go around and block the side entrance.
01:06:20Keep your lights off.
01:06:40Go around and block the side of the side of the side of the side of the side of the
01:06:43side of the side of the side of the side of the side of the side of the side of
01:06:43the side of the side of the side of the side.
01:10:13He's loose.
01:10:14I want a radio car in a hurry.
01:10:44All units.
01:10:45All units in the vicinity of Santa Monica and Fuller.
01:10:47The murder suspect and the Rawlins killing is at large.
01:11:22I want a map covering the storm drain system in this area.
01:11:25Get it and meet me at Venice and Garfield.
01:11:27Jones, Miller, you stay here in case he comes up for air.
01:11:30I want a man at every other drain entrance along this line.
01:11:33He's got to come up somewhere.
01:11:35Come on, Marty.
01:11:36You're driving.
01:12:01Keep this drain.
01:12:03He's liable to pop out anywhere.
01:12:28He's liable to pop out anywhere.
01:12:3280K to control one.
01:12:3480K to control one.
01:12:34Clear frequency seven.
01:12:35This is an emergency.
01:12:36Control one to all cars on frequency seven.
01:12:38Stand by.
01:12:39Control one to 80K.
01:12:41Go ahead.
01:12:42Notify homicide.
01:12:43Send the following to Venice and Garfield.
01:12:45Four squads.
01:12:46Battle lanterns.
01:12:47Gas mask.
01:12:48Tear gas.
01:12:49Urgent.
01:12:49This is a code three.
01:12:51Control one to 80K.
01:12:53Roger.
01:13:15And he'll probably head down this main drain to where it comes out at the Rio Hondo.
01:13:19Now, you take your squad and cover that exit.
01:13:21Right.
01:13:21Keep all spare radio cars cruising back and forth along this main street.
01:13:24Watch the curb inlets.
01:13:25We'll go in here.
01:13:39Any kind of him?
01:13:41No.
01:13:41And we've searched every foot between here and the Rio Hondo outlet.
01:13:44And he must be up ahead.
01:13:46Let's go.
01:13:54Let's go.
01:13:55Let's go.
01:14:00Let's go.
01:14:01Let's go.
01:14:03Let's go.
01:14:05Let's go.
01:14:05Let's go.
01:14:07Let's go.
01:14:08Let's go.
01:14:08Let's go.
01:14:08Let's go.
01:14:08Let's go.
01:14:10Let's go.
01:14:10Let's go.
01:14:14Let's go.
01:14:15Let's go.
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