Twentieth Century-Fox presents...
a Robert Chartoff-Irwin Winkler
production.
Michael Caine and Natalie Wood
in Peeper.
A Peter Hyams film.
Costarring Kitty Winn...
Michael Constantine...
Thayer David...
Timothy Agoglia Carey...
Liam Dunn and Don Calfa.
Production designer:
Albert Brenner.
Film Editor:
james Mitchell.
Music by Richard Clements.
Director of Photography:
Earl Rath, A.S.C.
Screenplay by W.D. Richter.
Based on the novel Deadfall
by Keith Laumer.
Produced by Irwin Winkler
and Robert Chartoff.
Directed by Peter Hyams.
Here's looking at you.
I suppose I should tell you how it all began.
Except I'm not sure
I know exactly when that was.
My name is Tucker.
I'm a private investigator...
or 'peeper"as they like
to call it here.
They have a lot of strange words
for things in America...
and none of them
are in plain English.
I came to Los Angeles
right after the war.
I guess, like everybody else,
I was looking for success and glamour...
and Betty Grable.
As it turned out, Betty Grable
had an unlisted telephone number.
So do success and glamour.
I opened a small offiice around the corner
from Hollywood Boulevard.
The rent was cheap enough,
and I figured...
if Betty Grable ever trips
on her way to a big premiere...
I could run around the corner
and help her.
You never can tell, you know.
Thoroughbreds have weak ankles.
So that's where I was that night.
It was after midnight,
there was nothing good on the radio...
and I couldn't get my heart
into doing my bookkeeping.
I kept on trying to get the numbers
on the adding machine to lie...
and tell me I wasn't broke.
The adding machine
kept telling me the truth...
which is that the robbers
make more money than the cops.
I read in the paper
the other day...
where President Truman said this country
is in the middle of a postwar boom.
I've kept my windows open,
and I still haven't been able to hear it.
I've also kept my door unlocked...
for prosperity to walk right in.
Maybe that's where it all started.
I should've locked my door.
You maybe looking for somebody, tough guy?
Good-bye, tough guy.
You're in your offiice
late at night, minding your own business...
and someone races down the hall
like that... You get curious.
judging by the sound,
it was either a guy or a 200-pound lady.
My hunch was it was a guy.
You have to go with your instincts.
I saw George Raft
do this in a movie once.
I don't know exactly what it proves...
except, if you add up
all the times I've done it...
I'm out about a dollar.
I don't like the light!
You're right.
It doesn't do you justice.
- I'm Lou Anglich.
- Oh, charming.
Don't worry. I didn't read none of that.
You must have a lot of dough...
the front you put up.
It's my cleaning lady's day off.
- These are the ones I like.
- I like 'em too.
- How'd you find me?
- I was passing by.
- Oh, really? I have a rather restricted clientele.
- Oh, I get it.
The widows' and orphans' friend. But a guy
which maybe he ain't had all the breaks...
You throw him out on his tailbone.
You know something?
You're not an American.
- I can tell. You talk funny.
- You think so?
Hey, take a look at this.
That's my little Anya.
My kid, see?
I don't see her
for 29 years. 1918.
I tell you a secret. Sit tight.
All right. Now I tell you.
I come into my own lately.
Yes, that's very nice,
but I couldn't help noticing...
- That some people were trying
to get into my office...
- Listen to me!
I put my kid in an orphanage
29 years ago.
It was a nice place... trees, fiowers,
other kids to play with.
l-I had to go away on business.
You get the picture?
When you came back, she was gone.
And you are holding my shirt.
- Oh.
- Thank you.
Only two years later,
they give her away to some stranger.
- She was adopted, you mean.
- Adopted? The place is a pawnshop!
I got ahold of this mug
that worked there.
He charged me $7 5.
In 1918, that's a million!
Anyhow, he told me
she was took by a guy named Conroy.
- Where's this Conroy now?
- Beats me. At the old address, nobody knows him.
I checked the first day
I got in town.
- What do you mean, got in town?
- I've been in Tampa, Florida.
I left L.A. 12 years ago.
I only been back a couple days.
You mean you haven't
looked for your daughter since 1 91 8?
I been busy!
Anyhow, listen to me.
It was down in Tampa that I come
into my own... in the Sunshine State.
- You're holding my shirt again.
- Oh. So, listen.
I come back to give Anya her fair share.
You are playing games with me.
I got another picture.
- I can't see in this light.
- Well, it's supposed to be the guy... Conroy.
It was taken
when Anya disappeared.
This picture was taken
in the spring of 1918 in Los Angeles...
the Wilshire area,
probably in Hancock Park.
It was probably taken around 3:00
on an April afternoon...
because the light hits from the right.
The number on the front... 547, odd... means
that the house is on the north side of the street.
So, if it's still there,
she'll be easy to find.
You are a smart guy.
Who have you shown this to?
Lately, I mean.
Only the people in the house
where Conroy used to live.
- But you drew a blank.
- Yeah.
Well, 29 years
is a long time.
This contact at the orphanage...
Would he have a name?
- What's the matter with you?
Everybody's got a name.
- So let's hear it.
Oh, Jaster... A.P. Jaster.
But he changed jobs. He moved on.
Why don't you tell me...
exactly what is bothering you,
Mr. Anglich?
I'm being hunted... by three guys who
make a habit of killing people for a living.
- Torpedoes.
- Yes! In a black Buick with a big dent on the hood.
I left a little unfinished
business in Tampa.
That's why I got to find Anya now, fast.
- Before it's too late.
- Yes. I went to this offiice thatJaster has.
- The orphanage told me...
- Just a minute. You know whereJaster is?
Nobody was there except the torpedoes.
They tracked me down.
I skipped town.
That's how come I'm hiding in here.
I'll take your case.
Tucker!
- I knew you was an all right guy.
- So did I.
You go seeJaster. I'll see if I can dig up
some facts on Conroy with that photo.
Maybe it'll be nothing.
Believe me, it sometimes is.
- Here. How can I reach you?
- Uh, I ain't settled yet. I'll call in.
Hey. Here's my number.
Oh, uh, Tucker.
Uh, you know, uh, when Anya
was a little girl...
she always loved, uh, dogs.
Really? I will remember that.
Hey.
- Don't get yourself killed.
- Oh. Right.
A guy falls into your offiice at that time of night...
in that much of a hurry,
you can believe a lot of what he says.
You have to have time to lie.
Anglich seemed to be
running out of time.
The house wasn't anywhere near where
I said it would be. It was in Beverly Hills.
Who can tell from a little photograph?
If the daughter, Anya, was in there...
she was doing a lot better
than Anglich.
I walked in the front door trying to
look like I knew where I was going.
The guy polishing the brass was convinced,
so I started to believe it.
How did you get in here?
- Uh, the front door was open.
- Was it?
- Close it on your way out then.
- Is the lady of the house at home?
I'm afraid Mrs. Prendergast
isn't seeing anyone just now.
- I was hoping to speak to a member of the family.
- You are.
- Leslie C. Tucker.
- Franklin W. Prendergast.
- Husband?
- Brother-in-law.
- Just who are you, Mr. Tucker?
- I drove over from the Examiner...
hoping to check out
a few things, Mr. Prendergast.
What sort of things, may I ask?
Well, that photo for a start.
Oh, this is Harvey Prendergast...
my brother. Deceased.
I think you'd better tell me
just exactly what you want.
l, uh... I have no patience.
- Can I sit down?
- Must you?
I suppose you'd
like a drink, Mr. Tucker.
I seldom indulge,
especially on such a beautiful morning.
Same here.
Now then, you were
going to tell me...
about how you came by
the photograph, Mr. Tucker.
Uh, no- No, I wasn't.
I stopped by to ask you
about an old photo, Mr. Prendergast.
I expect to be given the fast gate.
Instead, here we are
settling down so that you can pump me.
For a man in my position,
that's enough to make me curious.
just what the hell
is your position, sir?
My having the photo bothers you.
You being bothered bothers me.
And the fact that I haven't been thrown out
of here sooner bothers me even more.
If it'll make you happy, I will.
Nice birdie.
Gypaetus barbatus, Mr. Tucker.
Usually he's found in the mountains
of southern Europe or Asia.
He loves the heat.
Because of his habit
of gorging himself to repletion...
on carrion and garbage...
he's often considered
the most repulsive bird of prey.
- Very unfair.
- But he's very smart.
He uses his keen eyesight
to stay at great heights...
until circumstances
are healthy for him to risk descent.
Otherwise, he keeps his nose
out of other people's business.
Beg your pardon.
I was just seeing to the vulture, sir.
l, uh, think I've talked enough
for this morning.
Now I'm going to say good-bye.
Before I tell you where
I got the picture of Harvey?
- All right, where did you get it?
- Why do you want to know?
- Good day.
- Maybe I should ask your niece.
Are you sure I even have one?
I'm late for an appointment.
Trevor will have to dispense with you.
- Trevor?
- The door is this way.
- You look familiar.
- We all look alike.
I was in the Philippines.
Maybe we bumped into each other.
Where were you in 1 944?
- Beverly Hills.
- Smart.
I'm waiting to see
Miss Prendergast.
- Which one?
- You mean I have a choice?
I don't think either has any time
for you today, so I will show you out.
You've forgotten your birdseed.
I will see if the young ladies
want you thrown out on your ass!
I didn't
wait for theJapanese Imperial
Army to bring back its verdict.
I decided to take a look
around the place on my own.
To tell you the truth, I was hoping...
to run into that brunette
in the silk robe.
Now Franklin W. Prendergast
was another matter.
I never trust guys with polish
on their fiingernails.
They're trying to convince themselves
they're cleaner than they really are.
It was hot. You know,
rich people never sweat.
That's always struck me funny.
They're the ones who can
afford a lot of shirts.
Good old Robbie. Good boy.
Nice doggy.
Walking around these grounds
unescorted can be dangerous.
I'm sorry. I didn't see any signs.
- You train him yourself?
- Army trained him.
Special Forces School... Benning.
But he fiunked. He broke his tooth,
and it broke Ellen's heart.
- She wanted him to fight in the Pacific.
- He didn't miss much.
You sound like you were there.
Are you a war hero?
- Ellen your sister?
- Of course.
- What's your business here?
- My name's Tucker. I wanna talk to Ellen.
- Ellen isn't awake just yet.
- She walks around naked in her sleep then?
- Pardon me, Mr. Tucker?
- What about your mother then?
- Mother doesn't receive callers.
- Is Miss Ellen getting up for lunch then?
You use the word "then"
too often, Tucker.
And you mustn't be impertinent.
It's so tedious.
See? I knew she was up.
- If you wander inside, she'll probably rape you.
- There's no rush.
Let's have a little stroll
around the garden and a chat.
- You're capable of doing both
at the same time, are you?
- I'll give it a try.
I can't imagine what we'd talk about.
Morning. Milkman.
- Is that your bird?
- My cat.
- It's nice of you to see me
on the spur of the moment like this.
- I'm very nice.
- Your dressing gown's open.
- Oh. Is it?
I hope you'll forgive me
for barging in on you like this.
But I was wandering all alone
in a strange house...
and everyone was so rude.
- What's your name?
- Tucker.
- It'll have to do, I suppose.
- Oh, not necessarily.
I could change it if you like.
That sounds like some sort
of proposal, Mr. Tucker.
Something just dawned on me.
- It just came to me out of thin air.
- How exciting.
Are you thirsty?
It's so humid in here.
- Don't you think?
- No.
It's only iced tea.
Don't you want to know
what's just come to me out of thin air?
I'm breathlessly
awaiting the announcement.
It was as you moved
your head there.
I had this feeling that you were Ellen
Prendergast, but it was only a hunch.
Do I know you, Tucker, or just your type?
- I'll tell you a secret.
- Must you?
- My goodness. A concealed weapon.
- It's a terrible burden on me.
We must all bear our crosses,
mustn't we, Mr. Tucker?
I am a private investigator.
- Are you a dangerous man, Mr. Tucker?
- Only when excited.
- Do you think...
- Twice as fast as you do.
Do you think I might have
a small talk with your mother?
Small talk is all
you'll get from Mother.
She doesn't often have
uninvited gentlemen callers.
Not to change the subject, but did you
ever know a man named Conroy?
That's a common name.
Conroy what?
- Fred.
- Conroy Fred?
- No. Fred Conroy.
- I never heard of him.
- A friend of yours, is he, Tucker?
- No.
You haven't said why
you're asking these questions.
That's right. I haven't.
- But I haven't given you many answers, have I?
- No. You're very tight-lipped.
Do you think so? Actually, you should talk
to Mommy. She loves to gossip.
The way I hear it,
she isn't seeing anybody.
- Nonsense. Where did you ever get that idea?
- Your sister.
Mianne is overprotective.
She's a goody-goody.
Mother's like me.
We both thrive on mysterious visitors.
- Really?
- Really. She'll get a big kick out of you.
Mother? This is a Mr. Tucker to see you.
Can you smell it?
- Smell what?
- A hint of perfume in the air...
In a room where a princess has slept.
I don't believe
I know you, Mr. Plucker.
Uh, Tucker, ma'am. I'm a private investigator.
I appreciate you seeing me.
I'll leave you alone.
You two behave while I'm gone.
I'll be brief, ma'am.
I'm trying to trace a child...
who was adopted from an orphanage
in Los Angeles in 1 91 8.
A little girl with brown hair.
- Father's in the chips now and
wants his daughter to benefit.
- Who sent you here?
just following a lead, ma'am.
Lots of leads lead to nowhere.
- I'm a dying woman!
- Is this your daughter?
There must be something in the picture
that I didn't notice.
Would you care to try this one?
Well, thank you for your assistance.
That about rounds out things nicely.
Get out! You creeping, filthy looey!
I'm on my way, ma'am.
Which one of the girls
was adopted anyway?
Who let you up here?
Get out.
I hope Mommy
wasn't rude.
Mommy was rude.
- Are you walking right out of my life, Tucker?
- You'll get over me.
I'd like to make it up to you.
Perhaps if we met again, we might discover
something we have in common.
My offiice is in the Banshire Building,
and I'm in the phone book.
- Do you know the Penguin Lounge?
- No. I don't get out much anymore.
It's in the phone book.
At 2:00 tomorrow?
Leave Mommy at home.
The old lady was either really crazy or really smart.
I didn't know which.
I learned two things. One... She had an adopted
daughter, and she didn't want to admit it.
Two- She liked strawberryjam.
My hunch was that one
of those two girls was Anya.
And whichever one she was,
she didn't know she was Anya...
because the old lady
never told her.
I wondered which one was Anya.
The iceberg with the Doberman
seemed straight enough.
The one who couldn't keep
her robe closed spelled trouble.
I didn't want her to keep her robe closed.
That was the trouble.
I went back to my offiice,
and, by late afternoon...
I figured out I hadn't the faintest idea
what was going on.
Leslie Tucker, investigator.
Select your detective as you
would your lawyer or physician.
Hello. Yes, I know you.
Go ahead.
Let me have the address.
Now, what kind of trouble?
Hello?
Hello?
It was Anglich on the phone.
He was yelling that he was
in some kind of trouble.
He always yells.
It's really very irritating.
The address he gave me
was on the other side of town.
Traffiic was light,
and I made it in about half an hour.
I see ya.
- It's a little dark.
- I'm growin' mushrooms. That's why.
- You the boss?
- Bazooka himself. I ain't his kid sister.
- Don't tell me you wanna play pool.
- I don't wanna play pool.
- You come to the right place.
- You know a guy named Anglich?
- He work here?
- Ask the boss.
- Who wants to know?
- Private cop.
- Good-bye.
- I'm working for Anglich. My name is Tucker.
- You're Tucker?
- Yes.
- You talk funny.
- Really? I didn't get a laugh all day.
Mr. Anglich is taking a nap.
- You know him long?
- Not before today.
But I'm renting him space
at premium rates.
- Space for what?
- His body.
You make good time, Tucker.
- You need a doctor?
- No doctor and no cops.
- Oh? Why no cops?
- Because I think I scragged one of them punks.
Oh, we are gonna
have fun, aren't we?
They hit me on the head.
They drag me in a shed.
They bounce me around pretty good.
But one of them...
He gets too close.
I got strong hands, Tucker.
I was holding his neck.
After a while, I think
I feel something break in there.
And I kicked the shit out of
the other two mugs, and I come here.
- You keep grabbing my shirt, Anglich.
- Sorry.
- Where did all this happen?
- Back of a bar... at Terry's over on Alamitos.
I go in there once in a while
to nibble a few.
- Anybody see this fight?
- Nobody around.
You just walked off
and left three guys lying around...
for the cop on the beat to trip over.
- I closed the door.
- What makes you think you can't be traced here?
I move pretty good.
You find Conroy yet?
- Not yet. You seeJaster?
- I was detained!
Listen. Here, give him some money.
You find him for me.
That guy don't do nothing for free.
But make it fast, Tucker.
The next time I see those guys, it's curtains.
They don't screw up twice in a row.
- Call the cops.
- No cops! Tucker!
- Yeah?
- Wait a minute! Listen!
One thing those mugs don't get.
I put something in the mail for you.
- What are you talkin' about?
- It's for Anya.
You find her, Tucker.
You give it to her.
Suppose I don't find Anya?
If you don't find her...
If I'm not around...
it's yours.
Anglich went back
to his nap in the corner pocket...
and I went to seeJaster.
I had some money, and Jaster
had some information about Anya.
That seemed like
a fair enough exchange.
- Hello.
- Hello.
- You're going to six too.
- Popular fioor.
- What are you doing here?
- What are you doing here?
- I asked you first.
- I wanna talk to a man named Jaster.
- Popular man. Are you working for him?
- Me? No.
Jaster?
- Do you wanna tell me what's going on here?
- I really have no idea.
But you're tagging along
without any objections.
I'm hardly tagging along.
I was here first.
It's too easy.
What did you want with Jaster?
- What did you want with Jaster?
- I asked first.
Congratulations.
It's Tucker!
Come out of your hole, Jaster.
Hello.
A.P. Jaster?
- A.P. Jaster. But then you knew that.
- I did not.
- Who was he?
- I haven't the slightest idea.
- This is all incredible.
- You never met him before, right? I bet.
jaster called the house
late yesterday... out of the blue...
asked me to drop by his office and chat.
- What about?
- Some problem named Anglich?
- Where'd you meetJaster?
- I never even heard ofJaster
before that phone call.
And you came just like that...
an unapproachable young lady like yourself?
Actually, I wasn't going to...
until you showed up at the house too.
What the hell happen... I'm sorry.
Look, mister, I'm sorry.
- It's none of my business.
- What are you doin' up here?
I'm looking around. I'm looking for
office space. I have a mail-order house.
- What's your name?
- Sidney.
- You know this guy?
- You kill him?
- I said, you know this guy?
- I can't tell. He's upside-down.
Seems like we seen you
and the old Hungarian together someplace.
You're barkin' up
the wrong tree, fellas.
You hadn't oughta hang around
with them kinda guys.
Hey, if I'm not mistaken...
didn't I just hear you
discuss a guy by the name of Anglich?
You're mistaken, I think.
You're hungry.
You want maybe a desk sandwich?
- We're wastin' time, Rosie.
Let's squeeze this monkey.
- Open up, peeper.
We got other people
to hurt today besides yourself.
I only hope they're not
as pretty as you are, toots.
Why don't you go hurt the other
people, then come back?
Maybe by that time,
I'll have changed my mind.
Hey. Hey, what's
the big bimbo to you, huh?
- Tell us his address.
- Come on. He's not your father, is he?
Where's he holed up at?
We're gonna find him anyhow.
This man give us a clue
before he passed on.
The peeper likes it.
He wants to talk about the Hungarian now.
It's gettin' late, Rosie. Let's break
his arms and legs and stuff him in a drawer.
What about her?
Stay there.
- Who are they?
- Enemies of a client of mine.
Anglich?
Don't move, or the tootsie gets it.
Rosie. Over here. I'm not kidding.
Drop it, or I'll put her to sleep.
- Kill her, and you're dead.
- Oh, that's terrific.
- It's the best I can do.
- What's goin' on?
We got a problem.
We're going down.
Get in, Rosie.
- In here.
- Oh, perfect.
We'll duck in here and lay low.
Three, dear.
- I could scream.
- That's perfectly true, darling.
I could also kill you.
Ticket, please.
Ticket, please.
- Those guys are torpedoes.
- I don't care if they're submarines.
- You still need a ticket, pal.
- I'll be back in one minute.
I was walkin'down the street.
Apanhandler came over to me.
He said, "Pal, can you spare 30 cents
for a bus? I wanna go home. "
I said, "All I have is a 1 0-dollar bill."
He says, "I'll take a cab."
All of a sudden, five panhandlers came over to me.
One of them was wearin'a tuxedo.
- Is there an orchestra pit down here?
- Yeah.
- How do I get there?
- Through that door, but after you buy a ticket.
One minute. One more minute.
- Rosie, it's...
- Shut up. I'm thinkin'.
If you're smart,
you'll just let me go.
- I'm not part of any of this.
- Any of what?
- Where's Anglich?
- I don't know. That's what I mean.
I don't even know who Anglich is.
...I see him with a big saw in his hand...
and he's sawing off the legs
ofhis kitchen stove.
I said, "What are you doin'?"
He says, "I'm makin'a new dish.
- Police. Act natural.
- The recipe says to use a low flame. "
And then tragedy struck.
The dog ate the Avon Lady.
I have an uncle. He's halfJapanese and
halfJewish... Yamashuta Levine.
- Thank heaven for heroes.
- Get up, Ellen.
- Excuse me.
- You got a ticket?
Cor blimey!
- Where are they?
- They crawled away.
Crawled away? Get in here.
Nobody sleeps when I'm on!
You saved my life.
We'll discuss my fee later.
Get her outta here. Take her down
in the basement or something.
I'll see you tomorrow
at the Penguin Lounge if I'm still alive.
Come on, lady. You comin' or not?
I was tired, and I knew I was over my head...
which made me more tired.
I didn't like the way Ellen
just showed up atJaster's.
I didn't like the way
jaster showed up atJaster's.
I'm sure he didn't like it either.
I did like Ellen's perfume, though...
and the way she felt
when I picked her up.
I knew she would get home all right.
She could take care ofherself.
I didn't know if I could.
Don't do anything exciting.
I promise your heart won't stand it.
Put my file back.
Heard from Jaster lately?
Planning to take a bite
out of that hat, or what?
jaster was a guy to know the angles,
all right, or thought he did.
Eh, there were some loose ends.
You heard about the bump.
- What are you doing there?
- I'm winding upJaster's affairs.
You see, we had
a little business goin'.
- What's your name?
- Billy Pate.
There was a memo on the material
you developed for him.
- I'll take it right now.
- You'll take it right now? Get outta there!
- Hand over what you got!
- Do you know a guy named Sid?
I know a lotta people.
I'm amazed at how many people I know.
- What was your last name again?
- Pate.
- Spell it.
- P-A-T-E.
And let's not mouse around.
What do you want?
What do I want?
Did I ask you to drop by here?
We're still kiddin' each other.
Let's get down on the rug.
Then let's talk about Anya.
Does that make it easier?
- Jaster had some dope on Anya, right?
- Oh, I suppose.
- Bullshit, you suppose.
- I don't know what routine
Anglich gave you, Mr. Tucker.
But you give it to me just the way he
gave it to you, and I'll pick out what we need.
- What we need for what?
- Come on. To parlay the play into the big money.
jaster knew Anglich.
Knew plenty on the guy.
Don't you think maybe it's gettin'
a little too dangerous?
I am very smart.
But you bleed, don't you?
I'm holding plenty of cards, guy.
Don't you ever doubt it.
You take a person like Anglich and put him
together with a family like the Prendergasts...
and milk's gotta fiow.
We sell Anglich a Dutch... Is that the idea?
Or do you like the blackmail angle better?
I gotta figure the best route.
Take the knife away, will ya?
Come on. Be a sport.
What do you say? Be a sport.
Answer it.
Three rings, and you're dead.
Hello.
Yes, he's right here.
- Find out who it is.
- Who's calling, please?
- It's Lou Anglich.
- Tell him I'm making progress.
He wants to talk to you direct.
Hi, Lou. Long time no see.
Yeah? Hang on a minute, will you?
He found Anya all by himself.
That lets you and me out of the picture.
Tough luck, huh?
Excuse me, Lou. That's it then.
Yeah, send me a check.
What package?
I didn't receive any package.
It's not my birthday.
Hang on a minute, Lou.
You don't by any chance
drive a big black Buick, do you?
Uh, they lifted my license.
I'll lift your head off your shoulders
I catch you around this office again.
Now beat it!
I went to
the Penguin Lounge to keep my date with Ellen.
I waited for over an hour,
and she hadn't shown up.
I got to thinking
ofher perfume again.
I decided to give her another two or three hours.
A Gibson... big and strong.
How you doing, Tucker?
Very well, thank you. I've been waitin'
an hour for your sister.
No, you haven't. At any rate,
she couldn't make it... or didn't want to.
I can't recall.
- I thought I'd come instead. Disappointed?
- Time will tell.
You showed my mother
a picture of a little girl.
- Who was it?
- I am just a fellow groping about in the dark.
- Groping for what?
- A client came to me with a problem.
I tried to help him with it.
It didn't work out, so he sacked me.
What's it got to do
with us Prendergasts?
- If I knew that, I'd have it solved.
- But if he's fired you...
I never give up.
It's the bulldog in me.
A penny for your thoughts.
- Can I trust you, Tucker?
- Definitely.
Tucker, I'm frightened
for Mother's safety.
- Your mother can take care of herself.
- I'm serious.
Uncle Frank tried to blackmail me.
Now just a minute.
Go back on that
and fill in the details.
He came to me and told me he could prove
I'm not really my mother's daughter.
- Oh, did he now?
- He said that before Daddy married Mother...
Mother was a singer
in some cheap dive.
And before she even met Daddy,
she had twins... two girls out of wedlock.
- Yes, that happens.
- He said that Mother never saw the babies...
had them put into an orphanage.
But Daddy found out,
insisted upon raising them...
and he and Mother
sent Frank around to pick them up.
And when Frank
got to the orphanage...
there was only one little girl left,
not a matching pair.
- It was Ellen.
- And Frank replaced the missing girl...
- Who had recently been adopted
by a family named Conroy.
- Me.
And Frankie and Daddy decided not to tell
Mummy because it would break her heart.
Yes. It's all beginning
to make sense to me now.
I don't want Mother hurt,
and I don't know what Frank will do.
- Are you listening to me?
- Yes.
Will you help me? Please.
- Do what?
- Frighten Frank.
jump out of a dark corner at him?
I mean call him up, talk to him, intimidate him...
however you private eyes work.
just so he realizes
that you're on my side.
I'm not sure I am on your side.
- How much will it cost?
- I'll send you a bill.
- How much a day?
- Twenty-five.
- Twenty-five?
- A fella could get killed.
- All right.
- Plus expenses.
- What sort of expenses?
- Oh, bandages, aspirin, iodine.
- How do you propose to start?
- I'd like to think about it for a day.
- Free of charge.
- Thank you.
You're very welcome.
It was after 4.;00 in the afternoon...
and I had a lot to think about.
Mianne was being blackmailed by Frank
because she was adopted.
So she must be Anglich's daughter.
She must be Anya.
But something didn't fit.
Anglich said he'd already
found Anya.
And Mianne didn't act like
she'd been found by Anglich.
I wondered...
where the hell was Ellen?
And while we're on the subject,
where the hell was Anglich?
Hello?
Leslie Tucker?
- What the hell do you want?
- It's a special delivery for Leslie Tucker.
If you touch me, it's a federal offense.
- That package?
- You Tucker?
That's right. Private cop.
When was this mailed?
- Two days ago. Sign here.
- Two days? Special delivery? Right here in the city?
- We-We've been busy.
- A man passed away because this is late.
I'm... I'm sorry.
- May I come in?
- Why the hell not? Better late than never.
I didn't come here to fight with you.
Things have been rough lately.
I take it you found your own way home
from the theater last night.
I'm a big girl. But I didn't come here
to fight with you, I said.
I'll bet you're willing
to go a few rounds though.
- You outweigh me, Tucker.
- I never hit a lady.
Would you be willing
to help one out?
- What's in the great big package?
- Biscuits.
What can I do for you today?
- Have you got a cigarette?
- No.
Can't we go in your office
and sit down and talk?
Um, it's, uh, messy.
I'm embarrassed.
- You are a private detective, aren't you?
- In a small way ofbusiness.
Is there some reason
I shouldn't employ you?
Is there some reason you should?
Whatever you think I am, whatever
sort of opinion you have of me...
We hardly know each other.
I know. That's what
I'm trying to say.
I'm notorious for striking people
the wrong way. First impressions...
- You're a spoiled brat.
...are usually wrong.
But I'm keeping me distance anyway.
I know. I don't blame you.
But you must see that I've come here
to ask for your help.
I need your help. Please.
- What makes my help so special?
- But you're already involved, aren't you?
- You have information.
- Oh, do I? Don't you be so sure.
I am misunderstood also.
I just look very clever. It's the glasses.
You look... very kind actually.
Really? That could be
the glasses too.
It's my Uncle Frank.
He's trying to blackmail me.
- I don't know what's going on.
- That makes at least two of us.
He says that l...
I have to cooperate with him...
or he'll bring certain facts
out into the open...
drag my mother into a scandal
and... and Mianne and...
And I'd lose everything.
Just a minute. Hold on.
Exactly what is he trying
to make you do?
Loot my mother's estate... advise my mother
to give him power of attorney.
Or he'll prove...
That my father...
That when Harvey Wade Prendergast
married my mother...
Well, that...
she was not exactly the kind
of girl you bring home.
And Uncle Frank says that
before she met your father...
she had illegitimate twins,
that she put 'em in a home...
that your father agreed to raise 'em
and sent Frank down there...
to pick 'em up
and sign the forms.
- How do you know?
- I've been doing me homework.
- Keep going.
- I don't know what to think.
I don't want my mother
involved in anything ugly.
- She's very frail.
- But you don't want to be
left out in the cold either.
Oh, that has nothing to do with it.
Frank is a hateful person.
How do you and Mianne get along?
All right, like sisters.
Except you're not sisters.
Leslie Tucker
Investigations.
Select your detective...
He's up there.
Hello?
Hello?
We'd better continue
this conversation elsewhere.
What's wrong?
What's bothering you, Tucker?
Who, me? What would be bothering me?
I lead a full, fine life.
I get to go out and mingle among
the upper crust, not to mention the lower crust.
Rich old ladies insult me.
Rich young ladies give me the brush-off.
People I hardly know invite me
to their private office parties...
and try to break my bones, while
perfect strangers wander into my office...
and scatter my meager possessions
all over the floor.
I rescue beautiful young ladies
from the jaws of death...
and then they stand me up, and then they
try to hire me, and then they lie to me.
- Tucker.
- Yes?
If you believe only one thing
in all of this, believe I'm not lying to you.
I couldn't.
Nice. That was warm and soft.
Now come on.
- Your package.
- What about it?
It looks important.
You're not leaving it behind?
- Let's take the stairs.
- They'll take the stairs.
- Who will?
- My creditors. We'll take the elevator.
Trust me.
Get in, fast.
Take this. I'll need both hands.
- What's wrong?
- We've annoyed some people.
- We have?
- I don't feel right about this.
We should've taken the stairs.
- I said we should have taken the stairs.
- Did you?
- Yes.
- It's a good idea.
Good afternoon.
Come on.
Afternoon.
Stop. Do you hear anything?
- Are they the same two?
- That's right.
- Do you hear anything?
- No.
So do I.
Ellen?
Ellen?
Stop right there!
Watch out behind you,
Rosie.
- Where's the peeper at?
- Right behind you.
- You're bluffing. What's in the parcel?
- Biscuits.
- Hello.
- I'm gonna kill you, peeper!
- You're off to a pretty bad start, aren't you?
- He's crazy, Tucker.
He's upset. He's had a lot
of bad breaks lately, right?
- Get down on your nose, pal.
- No soap.
Listen, friend, when someone points a gun
at you, you are supposed to do what he says.
Get down on the fioor.
- Let's go.
- Where are they?
- I don't know. Come on.
- Did you kill him?
Are you coming or not?
- This is easily the worst
hiding place I've ever been in.
- At least it's small.
And this is the first place they will look,
because this is the first place that I looked.
They are not half as smart as you are.
Is Uncle Frank trying to kill you?
- Why do you say that?
- He's reckless.
He's not that reckless. Those torpedoes
were imported from Florida.
But why are they after you?
Is it because ofJaster?
It's very complicated. Listen.
What did you tell your uncle when he
brought up his little extortion scheme?
I was probably very stupid, I'm afraid.
I told him to go to hell. I told him
I was glad I wasn't related to him after all.
You seen a guy
and a tootsie around here?
- Here?
- No, in Chicago.
What's in here?
Supplies.
Why, it's locked.
You alone down here?
Hey, are you lawmen?
There a back entrance to this joint or anything?
The way in is the way out.
- Who you lookin'for?
- Cold-blooded killers.
Oh, there's plenty of places here in
the basement where they could be layin' low.
Storage rooms, closets,
dark passage...
Show us.
- And they got guns too?
- Yeah. But so do we, huh?
This is how I always hoped
it would be.
- Being a private eye, you know?
- And it hasn't been.
No. It's always lacked the excitement
before... and dark intrigue.
Do you know, I have done all
my work in bright sunlight...
because it never rains out here
like it does back home?
No cold, wet pavements. No fog.
And do you know,
people out here don't drink tea?
And, confidentially,
I don't like bloody hot dogs.
I'll just look and see if it's safe to go out.
I was growing accustomed
to your face, Tucker.
I look better
in electric light.
The coast looks clear now.
Why?
- I'm really sorry, Tucker.
- Sorry?
My head hurt, and I felt like a sucker.
I don't know
which bothered me more.
It took me until 8.;00 to stand up
and figure out which were my hands...
and which were my feet.
I drove over to the Prendergast place.
Frank was blackmailing both girls...
telling them they were both Anya.
Only one of them was Anya.
My hunch was that Frank
was lying to the other one.
You've got to go with your instincts.
Anglich was dead.
I promised him Anya would get the money,
and I was gonna keep my promise.
I don't know why.
Neither of them deserved it.
Anyway, I wasn't doing it for them.
I was doing it for Anglich.
Nobody was home...
and the Doberman was trying to eat
the inside of the car, so I was free to look around.
I didn't know what I was looking for...
except I made a rule awhile back...
Never let a lack ofknowledge
get in your way.
It seemed strange that
the old lady wasn't home.
The samurai butler
wasn't there either.
Nobody. Just a lot of doors
that looked like they led someplace.
And most of them
turned out to be closets.
Frank's room
was at the end of the hall.
It looked like he hadn't
been there for a while...
although with rich people
you can never tell.
They always have people
cleaning up after them.
Get lost! Get lost!
I am lost.
Look... Please, mister.
Please!
What the hell
are you doing here?
- I beg your pardon?
- I said what the hell are you doing here?
You better turn that question around.
I want an answer from you.
I didn't find anything.
I didn't find one thing.
Look!
I can't breathe.
- Breathe later.
- Please.
You are very bad at
whatever it is you're doing, friend.
Honest to God, I'm... I'm just
his lawyer winding up his affairs.
I thoughtJaster was a lawyer.
- You never heard of a lawyer's lawyer?
- What the hell are you up to?
Now fast, because
I am going crazy!
Shake your head if you think of something!
l... I work for Frank Prendergast,
notJaster.
- I lied to you.
- For Prendergast? Now come off it!
- And you're tearing his room apart?
- Right.
Never mind about "right."
I want to know why!
Oh, I can't say.
I just can't tell you, Tucker.
- Privileged information.
- Privileged information, huh?
How come you told me
you worked forJaster?
- I couldn't trust you.
- You couldn't trust me?
Listen, friend, you're under every rock
that I turn over around here!
Have you any idea
where Anglich is right now?
- Uh, beats me.
- I'll bet it does.
- Honest.
- And the Prendergasts...
Where are they right now?
Privileged in...
Frank is taking a boat
down to Mexico or Brazil...
someplace with his bird-watchers.
- And the girls?
- Went with him, I guess.
- Both of them?
- Yeah, I guess. But it was dark.
- I was in the bushes.
- You mean they're gonna leave
the old lady behind here?
No, no. As a matter of fact,
they took her, too, in a wheelchair.
- Now that I could see.
- Get up. You're coming with me.
- Where? I ain't goin' nowhere.
- Come on.
Where are you takin' me?
What is this?
I'm a member of the California
Bar Association!
Did you ever hear of
the Mann Act?
I don't find anything funny
about kidnapping.
You crossed the line now, far as I'm concerned.
- What is this anyway?
- Will you shut up please?
Nice car. You're doing all right.
- That's not my car.
- My father was a mailman.
He got nearly
bit to death once!
Will you shut up?
Hey, Tucker.
Listen to me.
You let me alone, and you can have
this whole thing to yourself.
- All right?
- Thanks. I'll remember that.
- Oh, I wish I could tell you the truth.
- You will.
- When does the boat leave?
- Tonight.
- I know. When?
- I don't know!
- You know everything.
- It's a cruise ship.
Leaves in maybe an hour from the Wilmington pier.
- Which berth?
- Oh, Berth 154.
154. The butler drove 'em.
What's that?
- Gun.
- Why?
To shoot with.
Don't try nothin' serious,
unless you wanna be an angel, Dick Tracy.
Now you keep your eyes
peeled on that road for my friend.
- What's he driving?
- None of your business.
No, the... The reason I ask is that
I think he's in the car right behind us.
I'm sorry, ma'am.
I'm gonna have to steal your car.
So please, just get out!
Excuse me.
- Excuse me.
- Yes, sir.
- Are all these people bird-watchers?
- Are they what, sir?
Bird-watchers... people who look at birds...
sailing in a group charter together.
- Oh, no, not everyone, sir.
- Oh, thank you.
- Take your bag for you, sir?
- It's all right. I'll carry my own...
I want my case back.
Which one is mine?
- It's this one, sir.
- Are you sure?
- Yes, sir.
- Just one second.
- Porter, this is my bag.
- No, miss, it's his. This one is yours.
Steward! This is my bag. There's been
a mix-up, and the porter won't admit it.
- Is that your suitcase, sir?
- Yes it is.
- Make him open it and be sure.
- Do you have any objections?
Yes, I bloody well do. I don't like
strangers looking at my personal items.
Open the one on the cart.
See?
Excuse me.
Beg your pardon.
Hello? Sid?
Sid?
It's R... It's Rosie, Sid.
You okay?
All right, now, well...
Roll way back.
I'm gonna blow the lock off.
Do you hear me?
Roll way back.
You got the room?
Okay.
- Excuse me.
- Yes, sir. The baggage is stored below, sir.
Right. Could you tell me where
the Prendergast party is?
Prendergast?
Prendergast.
- It's, uh, not my money.
- It's in your pocket.
They're up on "M" deck.
There's an awful lot
of staterooms up on "M" deck.
All ashore that's going ashore.
All ashore
that's going ashore.
You see, we were coming along the free...
I jumped right out
of the car to get here.
Are you all right? Now you just rest yourself.
Take it easy. You want to...
I know... I know it looks strange...
me just turning up
like this and all.
But you see,
I wasn't lying to you before...
when I told you
I was working for the Prendergasts.
Huh? I'm on a retainer.
I do odd jobs for the family.
- What's in the suitcase?
- Odd jobs?
You see, Frank...
Frank asked me to tail you...
when you started
nosin' around askin' questions...
Billy, I think I'm gonna murder you.
Well, come on, Tucker.
Oh, don't get upset. It's just
that you never help me...
but you get in my way.
Now, I could strangle you
or stab you.
Take your choice.
Well, you can't just snuff me out
in here. Be reasonable.
I think that strangling is nicer.
- Don't you?
- I'll talk.
I'll tell you just what's goin' on.
It's... It's Frank and Ellen.
He's got her draining
her mother's estate.
He's blackmailing her.
And I'm reinvesting the funds...
- For Frank and Ellen in South America.
- An odd job?
- Yeah.
- Frank and Ellen or Frank and Mianne?
Oh, Ellen...
Frank and Ellen. Honest.
Oh, hon... Oh, my God!
Look!
That's a cheap trick, Billy!
Excuse me, sir. But have you, by any chance,
encountered an Englishman...
carrying a small tan suitcase?
Yes? What is it, please?
Ship-to-shore telegram, ma'am.
- May I join you?
- How did you find us?
It wasn't easy.
And it's going to get harder.
Well, what a nice place you have here.
You're on thin ice, Mr. Tucker.
- Yes, and I can hear it cracking.
- Tucker, would you like a drink?
- You look an absolute mess.
- You look unusually pretty tonight.
Big ocean liners have that effect on
some women. What's in the funny suitcase?
Funny clothes.
Billy Pate filled me in...
on the gory details of your little
South American investment fund.
- When was this, may I ask?
- Just five minutes ago, so it's fresh news.
- I bumped into him in the lounge.
- On this ship? Billy Pate?
Now, don't tell me.
You didn't know he was on this ship?
I didn't know he was on this ship.
- Frank?
- No. Where is the little rat?
By now, who knows?
Got ya.
What is wrong
with Mummy?
Nothing.
She's under medication.
There are few agonies which
exceed that of seasickness, Mr. Tucker.
Where did you see Billy
exactly, Tucker?
- I forget.
- Don't get cute. It'll clash with your face.
- It's nice and peaceful in here.
- Don't get comfortable, Tucker.
You were just leaving.
- Frank? Throw him out.
- I wouldn't touch him.
Wake your mother up. I wouldn't want her
to miss the best part of the trip.
I can't. She's drugged.
Make your point, Tucker.
Drugged? What have we here?
A little of the "old lady in the wheelchair"
kidnapping trick?
Blimey. I hate this job.
Why is she here?
Is Tucker out of his depth?
In over his head?
When a trained crime fighter has spent
as long on a case as I have on this one...
and has as many facts in his head...
It's just that she shouldn't be here.
- But she is.
- I have it!
I have done it again.
Tucker has such a boyish enthusiasm.
Don't you think, Uncle Frank?
Now don't let this come
as a shock to you, Ellen.
Stop me if I'm wrong.
Frank, you did see Anya.
You told her where she came from...
- And you tried to blackmail her.
- Exactly like I told you he did.
- Frank, lock that door.
- Does it still matter?
It must, right?
Put a call to Tampa, Florida.
Is that possible
from this tub, or what?
It's not a private party.
It's a place of business.
Look, tootsie...
I haven't got all year.
Where are they going?
- Tucker's in there.
- What's Pate doing here?
Ellen!
I think it's time
we had a little talk.
Oh, please sit down, ladies and gentlemen.
Everything is all right.
Please be seated. Everything's fine.
What on earth is going on?
My name is Leslie Tucker.
I'm a confidential agent.
- And this man is my prisoner.
- Are you sure?
Ask him.
- He's ready to talk.
- Put him down. Please, Mr. Plucker.
That's, uh, Tucker
with a "T", ma'am.
What in God's name are you doing
aboard this ship, Margaret?
just a wealthy old lady on holiday.
Any objections?
Excuse me, Mrs. Prendergast.
Have you seen this man here before?
I certainly have.
Mrs. Prendergast,
my apologies for this unpleasantness.
Forgotten. These people are joining
Mrs. Pennypacker and me.
- Can you seat them?
- Yes. How many?
Uh, two, please.
This is Adele Pennypacker.
Adele, this is my brother-in-law,
Frank Prendergast.
- How do you do?
- How do you do?
- And this is Mr. Plucker.
- Leslie Tucker with a "T", ma'am.
- How do you do?
- Oh, what a pretty name.
And this is my dear friend Billy Pate.
- Oh, and this is my daughter Ellen.
- Your daughter? How lovely.
What are you
doing here, Mother?
Billy, tell Frank
and my favorite daughter...
how they've been
magnificently bamboozled.
You know, I always had
a feeling that Billy held the key to this.
I sense you're a fellow
with something to contribute here.
- Pardon me for interrupting.
- That's quite all right, sir.
Mr. Tucker is a private eye.
- Oh, my goodness.
- I've done it again.
Frank did see Anya
and tried to blackmail her...
I know... Exactly like you said he did.
But you got it in the wrong order.
First, he saw the real Anya. When she
wouldn't play ball, he saw the other girl.
- Unless I'm very much mistaken.
- Because a bluff might work.
- Then...
- Thank you, Billy. I can handle this.
Frank gave you the same pitch, but only
after he saw Mianne. And you fell for it.
I know you think you're Anya,
but you're not.
- Who is Anya?
- Mianne, of course.
- Who is Mianne?
- My other daughter.
You see, Adele,
the minute Ellen and funny Frank...
- Enlisted Billy's aid to embezzle my money...
- I must object.
Be quiet, Frank. Billy,
bless his heart, came directly to me.
And he's been my double agent
ever since.
You, Pate, are a worm.
The rest is history.
Excuse me, Mrs., uh, Prendergast...
but at the risk of causing
even more confusion here...
I was hired to do a job by a man
who wanted to make certain...
that a young lady received
a very substantial inheritance.
Now that young lady... turned out
to be your daughter... is Mianne.
So, what I'd like to do, if you don't mind,
is to give you the money...
so that you can give it
to her when she wakes up.
Well, Billy will handle any
and all transference of funds.
An odd job.
Blimey, I hate this job.
Hello. Milkman.
Hello.
You noticed I keep getting
knocked about whenever you're around?
You said you liked excitement.
I remember that distinctly.
- Really?
- Oh, yes. "Dark intrigue"...
Those were your exact words.
You tried to drown me a few minutes ago.
I didn't find that so intriguing.
Don't be so melodramatic, Tucker.
It was a lifeboat, wasn't it?
- Give me that suitcase.
- Tucker?
- What the hell are you grinning at?
- You.
What is it about me that
you dislike so, Tucker?
Well, for the sake of brevity...
You are bad, and I am good.
It is said that opposites attract.
- They say that.
- They do, do they?
Yes.
Give me that suitcase.
Never hit a man with glasses!
You're apt to put out an eye.
- I want that money, Tucker.
- You'll only squander it.
- Mianne doesn't need it.
- And you don't deserve it.
- I never said I did.
- You tried to kill your sister.
She's not my sister, Tucker.
You know that. You proved it.
Look, this boat doesn't dock
anywhere for a whole week.
Let's not make some rash decision
we'll both regret later.
I have already made my decision.
Wonderful. You'll get a merit badge.
I am tired. And I'm gonna
get myself a drink.
I'll maybe even
get myself two drinks.
- I'm not sure.
- That's a good idea.
You'll have to pay
for mine though.
I think
I'm penniless now.
So, Anglich got his wish.
Mianne, who was already rich,
got her money.
Frank got seasick.
And I got to spend
a few days on a ship...
with a lady who was way
out of my league.
I told you I didn't know
when it all began.
I also don't know
when it all ends.
You never do, do you?