Welcome to Subterranean Cinema.

The perfect place to watch classic movies originating from your local TV station, PBS Fort Wayne.

I'm your host, Kris Hensler.

And tonight's movie is Fear in the Night from 1947.

Also tonight, I am once again joined by Jane Martin.

Jane, thanks for stopping by the great basement screening room.

Why don't you tell people what you do when you're not down here?

I teach film at the University of Saint Francis.

Excellent.

Thank you.

So you might have noticed that we have Jane on when we do a particular type of movie.

Those considered film noir as these films are one of her specialties.

Fear in the Night is a 1947 film noir written and directed by Maxwell Shane in his directorial debut.

The film stars Paul Kelly and DeForest Kelley, who most people will recognize as Dr. Bones McCoy from the original TV Star Trek .

Film noir is both the content and the creative look of a film.

They're usually crime dramas and feature someone who is not in control of their life, feeling stressed, alienated or lonely.

This film does all of that quite well, and that's also one of the reasons film noir holds up so well over time.

So here's a bit of the plot.

Bank teller Vince Grayson wakes up from a nightmare in which he and an unknown woman murder a man in a strange mirrored room.

Only a dream.

But Vince finds that he has physical objects and bruises from his dream.

His cop brother-in-law dismisses the story and convinces him it was all just a dream.

But later, it turns out that there were indeed murders close by.

And one of them happened in a mirrorred room.This film uses the film noir expectations of voiceover narration, low key lighting, unbalanced shot compositions, night scenes with deep shadows and dimly lit apartments and hotel rooms to great effect.

It is based on a Cornell Woolrich story called End So to Death.

This film was later remade by the same director in 1956 with the title Nightmare , This time starring Edward G. Robinson as the cop and Kevin McCarthy in the lead role.

When the film was released The New York Times was not kind in its review.

But more recently, critics have written that Fear in the Night is an excellent, low budget psychological thriller with a tight story and brooding mood, which serves the film well.

DeForest Kelley, in his debut performance, does a fine job as our protagonist.

Well, you know, I am more than ready to watch this film, so we should probably get out the popcorn, pour some drinks and settle in for a night at the movies with Fear in the Night , starring DeForest Kelley and Paul Kelly.

You're watching Subterranean Cinema only on PBS Fort Wayne.

(bright music) (eerie music) (suspenseful music) (mystical music) >> Vince Voiceover: At first, all I could see was this face coming toward me.

Then I saw the room.

A queer, mirrored room.

And somehow I was inside it.

There was danger there.

I knew that.

I wanted to turn and run, but I couldn't.

It seemed as if my brain was handcuffed and I had to do what I'd come to do.

(dramatic music) >> What a dream.

(dramatic music) >> Vince Voiceover: Those two thumbprints on my neck.

They weren't there last night when I undressed.

But it couldn't be.

It was a nightmare.

Talk about your realistic dreams.

I couldn't have done it to myself.

Choked myself, without waking up.

(suspenseful music) Must've scratched myself.

There they were, the button, and that odd-shaped key.

The things out of the dream.

I'd never seen them before.

I didn't have them when I undressed last night.

That button wasn't mine.

The key wasn't mine.

But if they were there, it must've happened.

The dream, the struggle, the murder, everything but how?

Could something like that happen and I not know it?

Was I going insane?

A jackhammer started pounding inside my head.

I had to see if the outside world was still there.

(eerie music) The street below looked the same as it did last night, the same greasy spoon where I eat now and then, the same traffic noises, the same characters, lounging around.

There was nothing the matter out there.

It was in here with me.

My stomach was riding a roller coaster.

I was sick.

I couldn't face going to work.

(dramatic music) Hello.

Gimme Fitzroy, 5103.

(phone rings) >> Freemont National Bank, Bilyou speaking.

Oh yes, Grayson.

What seems to be the trouble?

Oh?

Could be the flu.

Yes.

All right, all right.

Goodbye.

>> Good morning, Joe.

Good morning, Mr. Jackson.

Oh, isn't it a lovely morning?

Lots of things I'd rather do than work today.

Good morning, Mr. Bilyou.

>> Morning, Betty.

Vince Grayson just called.

He's not feeling well.

Will you take his window today?

>> Oh, is Vince sick?

What did he say it was?

(eerie music) >> Vince Voiceover: The more I tried to figure it out, the sicker I got.

Suddenly the room started spinning.

(dramatic music) >> 40, 50.

Federal 7648.

Hotel Commodore, Vince Grayson's room, please.

(phone rings) He doesn't answer?

Thank you.

>> Funny he shouldn't be there, isn't it?

If he was sick, you know what I mean?

>> No, I don't.

>> I better check his books, just to make safe.

>> Bank Patron: Miss, would you like to take this money or should I try another bank?

(suspenseful music) >> Vince Voiceover: I had to get outta my room, out into the sunshine.

I had to stay outta the shadows.

I knew that tonight, I'd be afraid of the dark.

I had to talk to somebody about this crazy thing.

Betty?

I'd get sympathy from Betty.

What I needed was an explanation.

Cliff, my brother-in-law.

He oughta be able to figure out something.

I got to Cliff's place just before dinner.

My sister, Lil, told me he was out in the garage.

>> Vince: Hello, Cliff.

>> Hiya, Vince.

How's it going?

>> Vince: Cliff, I wanna talk to you.

>> Be with ya as soon as I finished sanding this.

Exact reproduction of Martha Washington's bed.

(sander buzzing) What's the matter, kid, something on your mind?

>> I need your help.

>> Cliff: You and Betty have a fight or something?

>> Cliff, this is gonna sound screwy.

Last night, I dreamed I killed a man.

I don't know who or where it was supposed to be.

I stabbed him with a steel bore.

During the fight, a button came off in my hand, and when I'd killed him, I locked the body in a closet and took the key.

And then when I woke up- Look.

And this morning there was blood on my wrist.

I figured maybe I'd scratched myself in my sleep, my ear or my nose or someplace.

So I just washed it off.

There was before I saw these.

>> You're all in pieces, aren't ya?

>> Cliff, you gotta help me.

You don't know what I've been going through all day.

>> Where'd you get this?

I mean, where'd you first get it before you dreamed about it?

>> Don't you understand what I've been telling you?

I didn't have it before I dreamed about it.

I never saw it before that.

Then when I wake up, it turns out real.

>> Now look, Vince, I've warned you before.

You're working too hard.

>> Don't you understand?

There's a door somewhere this very minute this key belongs to.

There's a man propped up behind it, dead, and I don't know where nor who he is or how or why it happened, only that I must've been there.

I must have done it.

Or why would it come to me in my sleep like this?

And these things- >> Now look!

You had those things before.

You picked them up somewhere and you misplaced them a long time ago.

And last night, you had a Welsh rarebit, or one drink too many so you had dreamed up a nightmare and in it you remember these old things and wove them in it.

>> No, no.

>> No, don't say no.

Can be a dreamer thing or it really happened.

Don't worry.

If you dreamed that you had a fight with a guy and rammed something in him, you'd wake up.

>> It happened, Cliff.

I tell you, it happened!

>> You dreamed it.

Ya had those things before.

You've been stretching your nerves thin, kid.

>> So that's your answer.

That's all you can tell me, huh?

>> Lil: Cliff, Vince, dinner's ready!

>> If I tell ya I didn't have these before- >> Throw those things away, and look, not a word of this to Lil, you understand?

She's been worrying about you enough already.

>> You haven't helped me a bit.

Not even a nickel's worth.

>> Well, naturally not.

You expect me to arrest you for murdering a man in your dream.

Well, the rest will have to happen in a dream too, because I'm off duty when I'm dreaming.

Come on, kid, let's get some dinner and smile for Lil, will ya?

>> You men coming in or not?

You want your soup to get cold?

I keep cracking the polish off of that one nail.

>> Are you lucky, Lil's got a rib roast tonight!

You know, I'm getting jealous of that butcher.

>> Vince, why did you tell me you'd been working hard at the bank all day?

>> Because I di- >> How are you feeling, Vince.

Thought you were sick.

>> I was, I just didn't feel well.

>> I kept calling your room all day.

No one was there.

Mr. Bilyou got suspicious.

>> Can't a guy take a day off?

I just didn't feel like going to work and I wasn't sick enough to stay in my room.

Now, why does everybody have to make such a big thing of it?

>> Betty: Vince!

>> The blood!

I washed it off.

(dramatic music) >> Vince Voiceover: I don't know how long I was blacked out.

I hazily remembered coming to for a moment, then falling asleep again.

It was some time past midnight when something awakened me.

>> Cliff, I blacked out.

>> Ya certainly did.

The truth.

No, not what you think.

Not that dream business.

The real truth, that you've been wearing yourself out.

Why you passed out like any neurotic- >> Take the key and button.

You must've often had less than that to start out on.

Find out where they came from and find out what they were doing on me.

Find out where that mirrored room is.

>> Forget them once and for all, forget them.

>> Vince: I can't, they're my only clue to what happened.

>> Nothing happened.

You're just selling yourself a phony bill of goods, just as phony as that idea that the nail polish was blood.

That's the kinda trick your mind's been playing on ya.

>> It can't be that.

>> And don't crack to Lil about this nonsense or I'll- Well, just don't crack.

She's fretted about you for years, ever since your mother died.

And right now'd be the worst time of all.

>> Now?

What do you mean?

>> Well, I wasn't gonna tell you until later.

Lil's gonna have a kid.

>> Oh, that's fine.

That's great, Cliff.

>> Okay so now you know, so forget it.

If you harp on that spooky business, so help me, I'll drag you off to a doctor.

Now go on, kid, try and get some sleep.

(suspenseful music) >> Vince Voiceover: Sleep, I felt I'd never sleep again 'til I knew the answer.

I had to find that house where the nightmare took place.

I had to know.

(eerie music) >> I have a lovely house with a mirror-lined powder room on the second floor.

Octagonal?

No, it's only four square.

However, Mr. Grayson, if you would come and look at it, I'm certain- >> No thanks.

I'm sorry, that's not what I'm looking for.

>> Vince Voiceover: Six days went by without a lead.

I scoured the papers, not one line about the murder, and all week I'd been avoiding Betty.

I just couldn't face her with this thing gnawing at my brain.

(door taps) >> Vince: Who is it?

>> Cliff: Cliff.

>> Hello, Cliff.

>> Hiya, boy.

Wait 'til ya see what I've got downstairs.

Come on.

Put it on, let's go.

>> I don't wanna go anywhere.

>> I want you to see my new secondhand car that I just got in exchange for my old secondhand car.

>> Please, Cliff, I don't want to go anywhere.

>> What are you trying to be, a groundhog?

Lil and I are takin' a ride in the country.

Little picnic.

>> Listen, I'm all right.

I don't need any fresh air jaunts to shake the devils outta me, if that's what you're doing.

>> Now look, do you want Lil to worry any more than she is, after what I told you about her?

Come on (horns beeping) >> Now look, Cliff, of you think this is going to do any good- >> Don't be a drip.

Come on.

>> Hello, Betty.

>> Hello, Vince.

>> How are ya, Lil?

>> I'm fine.

>> Vince, I want you to know this wasn't my idea.

>> What do you mean?

I'm glad you picked me up.

>> Well, were should we go kids?

>> Betty: Oh, anywhere, I don't care.

>> How about Solanda Canyon.

>> Cliff: All right.

(suspenseful music) >> Vince: Solanda Canyon, it just popped into my head.

Why?

Betty and I always preferred the beach but something made me say Solanda.

Somehow it seemed important.

>> Do you know where you're going?

>> Nope, but I got a hunch further down this road we'll find just the right spot.

>> Do you ever see anything so stubborn?

I'm sure that the ants here are just as friendly as the ants farther down.

Now what's wrong with that place over there?

>> Nothin', but- >> Well, stop then!

It's getting late, and besides, I'm hungry.

>> Okay, okay, my love.

That's just what I was going to do.

(birds chirping) Ah, this is the life.

Toss me another one of those marshmallows, will you, beloved?

>> At thy wish, master.

Plop!

>> Mummy, you're wonderful.

>> Uh-huh, just as long as the marshmallows last.

>> Vince, are you coming back to work tomorrow?

>> I don't think so.

>> Mr. Bilyou asked me to go out with him yesterday.

>> Well, why didn't you go?

Why tell me?

>> Vince, what is it?

What's the matter?

>> Just forget about me, will you?

>> What is it?

Did I do something?

>> No, it's not your fault.

It's just that, look, we're through.

There's nothing we can do about it.

Don't call me up.

Don't pay any attention to me.

Get somebody else.

Get anybody.

It'd be better for you.

(thunder rumbles) (Lil gasps) >> Lil, Lil, you're a big girl now.

>> I can't help it.

You know what lightning does to me.

>> We'd better go.

Hey kids, it's gonna rain.

(Lil shrieks) Holy smoke, you didn't have to take me seriously!

>> Vince, Betty, come on, let's go!

(rain pattering) (thunder rumbles) >> Now the wipers won't work.

>> Well, you shoulda tried 'em before you bought it, dear.

>> All right, all right.

(thunder rumbling) >> I can't stand any more.

Stop at the first place you come to and let's get out of this.

>> All right, baby, now calm down.

No houses around here.

(suspenseful music) >> Vince Voiceover: That bridge.

I'd seen it before.

But where?

>> There's a cutoff a little ways ahead.

Just around the turn.

There's a big house up there, I think.

>> You know this section?

>> You've been here before?

>> There's the cut off >> Are you gonna get us more lost than ever?

>> No, keep going.

You'll come to it.

Two big posts and then turn the car between them.

>> Vince Voiceover: I didn't know myself how I knew that, but the closer we came, the harder my heart pounded, and the more frightened I got.

>> There they are.

Turn, Cliff, between those posts like he told you.

(thunder rumbling) (thunder rumbling) >> Let's make a dash for it!

(suspenseful music) (doorbell buzzes) >> Doesn't seem to be anybody home.

>> Lil: I wish we could get in.

(suspenseful music) >> Thought there'd be a key someplace.

>> Lil: Vince, are you gonna stay out there all day?

Come on in.

Let's have some light.

>> Vince: Not that one!

>> What is this, a rib?

How do you know so much about this place?

>> It's a rib.

Your brother Vince, the great joker.

Hello, anybody home?

>> Don't do that.

>> He's cold, he's shaking.

>> So are you.

Let's find a place to dry out before you catch a cold.

(eerie music) >> Looks like they've been away a long time.

>> You're being a detective comes in handy, in case anybody shows up, we won't get into trouble for crashing in like this.

>> Yeah, yeah.

Let's see what gives with the fireplace.

That's a break.

It's a gas log.

Plunk yourself down, dry out, before you catch a chill.

>> Lil: Oh, I am tired.

Come on Betty, share the warmth.

>> I'll scout the kitchen.

Some hot tea wouldn't hurt you a bit.

>> I feel better already.

Vince, why don't you come over here by the fire?

(suspenseful music) (dramatic music) >> This is the place.

This is the place all right.

>> Yeah.

Wipe your brow.

Have you got it?

>> Lil: What are you two doing up there?

>> Keep her downstairs.

Keep her downstairs.

>> Down in a minute, Lil.

Watch the tea in the kitchen, I got some water boiling >> Lil: All right, but I wish you'd stop poking around.

>> Look.

That's what he was crossed in front of, that night.

He must've been using a blowtorch.

That's what made that bluish light, made her face stand out in the reflections like a mask.

That must be the one I propped him up in after I- No, don't!

Give me a chance.

>> Cut it out.

Dried blood.

Someone who was hurt was in here.

>> Somebody who was dead.

>> Lil: Vince, Cliff, come on down and have some tea.

(thunder rumbling) >> I'll take these back to the kitchen.

>> I'll take 'em.

The rain oughta let up soon.

Meanwhile, catch yourselves a nap.

Close it, I don't want them to hear this.

Now let's hear about another dream.

>> You think I lied, don't you?

>> You know how to get hit from a dream, didn't you?

You knew where the key was from a dream, didn't you?

All that fumbling around didn't fool me.

Even knew where the light switch was, from a dream.

If you weren't Li's brother, I'd push your lyin' face out through the back of your head.

>> But I tell you, Cliff, I tried- >> You came to me for help but you didn't have guts enough to come clean, to say, Cliff, I went out to such and such a place in the canyon last night and killed a guy.

Such and such a guy for such and such a reason.

>> Vince: But I tell ya- >> No, you had to cook up a dream.

I can respect the guy, no matter how rotten a crime he's committed, who'll own up to it.

I can understand a guy who'll deny it flatly, but a guy that'll come to someone, trading on the fact he's married to his sister, abuse his common sense and make a fool out of him like you did to me.

>> But I didn't- >> I got no use for him.

He's lower than the lowest rat we ever brought in for knifin' somebody in an alley.

Look, I found this key in my pocket when I woke up.

I found this button.

Playing on my sympathies, getting me to think in terms of doctors and medical observation, was that it?

Was it?

>> No, Cliff, I swear!

>> Some dream that was!

Well, the dream's over with and baby's awake now.

I'm gonna get the facts out of you and whether they go any further than me or not, that's my business, but at least I'm gonna have them.

>> How can I tell you what I don't know?

>> What were you doin' here that night?

What brought you here?

>> I was never here before.

I never saw the place until today when I came here with you and Lil.

>> Who was the guy you killed?

What was his name?

>> I'm in agony already without- >> Are you gonna answer me, are ya?

>> I can't.

You're askin' me things I can't answer.

Ask the Almighty or whoever watches over us at night when we're unconscious.

>> Who was the guy?

Why did ya kill him, why?

I've handled closed-mouthed guys before you.

You're gonna tell me or I'm gonna half kill you with my own hand.

(rain pattering) >> Get over there.

>> What is this?

>> I'll ask the questions.

What are you two doin' in here?

>> We came in outta the rain that suit you?

>> Not yet.

Identify yourselves and be quick about it.

>> Help yourself.

>> Thanks, Herlihy.

Headquarters, homicide division, huh?

>> How about doing a little identifying yourself?

>> Well, I'm a deputy attached to the county sheriff's office out this way.

Torrence is the name.

>> My brother-in-law, Vince Grayson.

>> How do you do?

I'm detailed to keep an eye on this place.

I was home having a little bite to eat then on my way back to the station.

Say, how'd you get in here?

I thought I had it locked up.

>> The key was under a flower box on the porch.

>> It was?

Must have been a spare.

I have the original.

We didn't know there was a second one.

>> What do you mean you're detailed to keep an eye on this place?

>> Oh, didn't you know?

There was a murder committed here last week.

>> There was?

I'd like to hear more about that.

Sounds interesting.

Smoke?

>> No thanks.

I cut 'em off about a month ago.

I always carry a pack of these now.

>> No thanks.

>> This place belonged to a wealthy couple named Belknap, husband frequently goes on long business trips.

He was away when it happened, Mexico.

In fact, we haven't able to notify him yet.

His wife was a pretty little thing.

>> Was?

>> Kinda flirty.

There's a young duck she used to run around with, his name was Bob Clune.

>> Was?

>> Milkman found Mrs. Belknap about daybreak Monday, near a road that leads over here.

>> Dead?

>> Dying, unconscious, both legs broken, skull fractured, insides all busted up.

>> Kinda gets him, don't it?

>> Things like this are new to him, I guess.

>> What had happened?

>> Car did it to her.

We found the car, blood and hair on the tires.

Bob Clune's car.

Well, then Warner, that's my chief, he come over here and have a look around.

He finds a safe busted in the mirrored room upstairs.

Take you up and show you if you want.

>> Mirrored room, huh?

>> Well, that gave us a case.

Clune knew that Belknap got a lot in his safe when he left for Mexico.

He came here, started to heist it, and Mrs. Belknap caught him.

She ran out, afraid he'd kill her.

He got his car, chased her down the road, and ran over her.

>> Cliff: Pretty brutal.

>> Vince Voiceover: All of a sudden life was swell again.

I don't know how to drive, I kept thinking.

Cliff knew that too.

>> Have a smoke, kid.

>> Anyway, that's the case we thought we had 'til Wednesday morning.

>> Thought ya had?

>> We sent out alarm for Clune.

Then Wednesday, Mrs. Belknap came to.

The first thing she asked was is Bob all right?

He didn't kill a Bob Clune, did he?

>> He?

>> Yeah.

What she told us sent us hot-footing right back here to find Clune's body propped up behind one of those mirror doors upstairs.

He'd been stabbed with an awl.

She died that night.

Well, there went out case.

>> Did you get anything on the real killer?

>> Practically everything except the guy himself.

All the dope's over at my chief's office.

I was just on the way over there.

Are you interested?

>> Oh, that's right up my alley.

I might be able to even help you find the killer.

>> Glad to have you come along.

>> I'll have to tell the girls we'll be gone for awhile.

>> Shouldn't let it get to ya, kid.

This is just routine with us.

>> I know, it's just that I'm not used to this kind of discussion, I guess.

>> Yeah, I can understand that.

I was a little bit squeamish myself when I first started on the job.

>> They're both asleep.

I left a note.

Come on, Vince.

>> I'll stay here.

>> Come on, Vince.

Funny, I didn't see anything in the LA papers about it, Captain Warner.

>> They've been playing ball with us.

We had an idea if the killer didn't read about us finding the bodies, he might come back to take a look, Maybe to find out what happened to Mrs. Belknap.

Here's a description she gave us before she died.

The killer was about 24, medium build, light brown wavy hair, worn rather long.

His eyes were fixed and glassy as though he was mentally unbalanced.

>> You got any pictures on them?

Mrs. Belknap, Clune, I mean.

>> We had some photographs taken in the morgue.

>> Let's have a look.

>> Got any ideas?

>> Nothing in particular.

Just thought it might tie in with something at our office.

Take a look, Vince.

Who knows, you might even know these people.

(suspenseful music) >> Vince Voiceover: It was them, all right.

The faces of the dream.

That woman and the man I killed.

Now I knew there was no escape.

I was a murderer.

>> I- (suspenseful music) >> Terrance: Out like a light.

>> Warner: What do you suppose did it?

Those death pictures?

>> Terrance: Things like this sure get him.

I noticed that before.

>> He's not well.

He gets these dizzy spells now and then.

>> It's only since I started- >> Shut up.

There, that's better.

He'll be all right.

As soon as I get him home.

Thanks, Warner.

I'll be seeing you.

>> Okay.

(rain pattering) >> Thanks, Lil.

I'm sorry the rain spoiled our picnic.

>> Well, you take care of yourself?

>> I'll call you.

>> I'm going up with Vince for awhile.

>> My pet, you happen to be in a load zone.

>> Smiley's on this beat.

If he says anything, just tell him whose car it is.

Lil's waiting downstairs.

I'm gonna take her home first before I do anything.

I love Lil.

I think you love Betty, but that's you business.

All I know is I love Lil.

It's bad enough what this is gonna do to her when she finds out.

I'm going to say that she gets at least one good night's sleep, before she does.

>> What am I gonna do, Cliff?

>> I don't have to ask ya if ya killed 'em.

You passed out cold when you saw those photographs of them dead.

In the morning, I'm gonna take you down, turn in what I know at my own precinct house.

And they can pass it on to Warner.

And then I'm gonna turn into my badge.

>> I'm scared stiff.

>> Killers always are, afterwards.

I'll be back in the morning.

(suspenseful music) (dramatic music) >> I beg your pardon.

>> Look, he's trying to make up his mind.

(dramatic music) >> Could you go any faster?

>> Got it wide open.

Nine.

>> No, let go!

(man shouting) Why didn't you let me?

>> I didn't think of that way out.

>> Vince, oh Vince!

>> I didn't wanna drag you into this.

>> What is it?

If you're in trouble so horrible that you wanted to- >> Darling, don't.

>> He won't try it again, Betty.

Just keep that thought.

>> But why, Cliff, why?

>> Nevermind now.

You go on down.

Take Lil home, but don't tell her anything about that.

Just say that I thought it was better if I stayed here with Vince tonight.

He's not feeling well, okay?

>> Cliff, whatever it is, that's come between us.

Promise me you'll help him.

>> You go on now and take care of Lil.

Cliff, I wake you up?

>> No, I can't sleep.

>> Have a smoke.

>> Vince: What about the arrest, Cliff?

>> Canceled, for now.

When a guy's willing to die like you were, there must be something to his story.

>> Vince: I tried to tell ya.

>> I don't think you really knew what you were doing that night.

I think you're telling the truth to the best of your ability.

>> I'm licked.

I'd rather not even talk about it.

You might as well have let me jump.

I'm dead inside already.

>> Still, I can't figure why you picked that way.

Most of them try the bridge or poison or even gas.

>> Thought of that but this place hasn't any gas.

>> Yeah, good thing too.

More houses didn't have gas, there'd be less.

>> Yeah?

It'd be darned inconvenient if an electric light bulb burns out unexpectedly.

Happened to a fella in the next room the other night.

>> Yeah?

>> Yeah, he had to use a candle.

Same night I had the dream.

>> Use a candle?

How did you know?

Were you in there with him?

>> No, he rapped, stuck his head in the door.

Wanted to know if my light had gone out too.

>> What did he have to come in here for?

Couldn't he have told by the hall?

>> I don't know.

There's a little night light around the bend in the hall.

Maybe that's on a different circuit.

>> Still no reason for him to barge in on you.

I'd like to hear the rest of this.

>> There isn't any rest of it.

I've told you all there is.

>> Nevermind.

Now, who was he?

Did you know him?

Now tell it to me step-by-step, like to a six-year-old kid.

>> Okay.

Well, the guy's name was Byrd.

He'd been living in the room about, oh, a week or 10 days before that.

Used to see him in the elevator.

Chatted with him a couple of times in the lobby.

>> All right, now tell me what happened.

The night his light went out.

>> Well, I'd been in bed for some time, reading the paper like I do every night.

Just put the lamp out and gotten to sleep when I heard this knock on the door.

(door tapping) Who is it?

>> Harry Byrd, from next door.

Pardon me, did I wake you?

>> No, I just turned out the light.

>> Oh, you did.

The light in my room just went out.

That's why I wanted to see you.

I thought maybe the circuit was off.

Your light working?

>> Vince: Try.

(switch clicking) >> Yes, it must've been the globe that burned out.

Sorry I troubled you.

>> Vince: Not at all.

>> Your tired, aren't you?

I can see you're pretty tired.

I'm sorry.

>> No, really, it's all right.

>> You're tired and I woke you up.

>> It's all right.

I guess he kinda had a one-track mind.

Used to mumbling to himself maybe.

Anyway, he finally closed the door and went away and I dropped off to sleep.

>> Now wait a minute.

Are you sure the door closed after him?

Did you see it close?

Did you hear it close?

Did it go like this?

(door clicks) Did it make it click or did it go like this without a click?

I can see you're having trouble giving me a definite answer.

You don't remember it either way.

>> What difference does it make?

Door must've closed.

He went away and I went to sleep.

>> He was standing there with a candle in his hand and he kept saying, you're tired.

>> Vince: So what?

>> Eyes fixed and glassy, as though he were mentally unbalanced.

>> What?

>> I was just remembering something in the deathbed statement Mrs. Belknap gave to Warner.

You say you chatted with this fellow once in a while.

What about?

>> Oh, sports, politics.

Going down the elevator one time, he had a box of mentholated cough drops in his pocket.

>> Go ahead, have one.

>> No, thanks, I don't like them.

>> Oh, go on.

They're good for ya.

>> No thanks, really.

>> You should have one.

Your voice sounds kind of hoarse.

>> I took one because I kind of felt sorry for him.

I really hate those cough drops.

>> Testing willpower.

>> You seem to make something out of this silly thing.

What is it?

>> I'm just guessing, that's all.

You get some sleep kid.

>> Well, where are you going?

Hey, I thought you were gonna stay here tonight.

>> Gonna have to take one of your hats.

I'm going out to the Belknap home and the Warner's headquarters while I'm out there.

>> Now?

All the way out there, this hour of the morning.

>> I don't know what I've got yet, if anything.

And Vince, don't try anymore shortcuts.

(door thuds) (people chattering) >> That clock is always a little slow.

It's like the horse I had yesterday.

>> Hello, kid.

Come on up to your room.

>> Lil called a while ago.

She's been worrying.

>> Married to a cop for 15 years and still worrying.

You didn't tell her anything?

>> No.

>> Good.

>> Have you been out there all this time till now?

>> I went back to town once in between, get something I needed.

Get a leave of absence.

>> What for?

>> I'll tell you later.

Open it.

Well?

>> Who is it?

That's Byrd.

The man that had the room next door.

Where'd you get this?

>> I didn't have to ask you who it was.

I already know it from the desk clerk.

A couple of others I showed it to when I stopped back here earlier this morning.

He's also Dorothy Belknap's husband, Lewis Belknap.

>> What about me?

Does this mean- Was he the one who- >> There's no out in this for you, Vince, not yet.

I checked your fingerprints with the ones Warren had from the mirror door.

You found your way into Belknap's home.

You punctured Bob Clune's heart with a bore and shoved his body into a closet.

>> And Mrs. Belknap?

>> You didn't kill her.

You can't drive.

We think Belknap drove you up there, was waiting for you outside.

Mrs. Belknap ran out and her husband, using Clune's car, deliberately ran over her >> Why didn't I know what I was doing?

>> We think we know why, Vince.

But there's only one way to prove it.

Show that it could have happened in the first place by making it happen all over again.

>> You mean go back and commit the crime over again?

>> Not exactly.

You killed a man, Vince.

Right now, you're guilty.

We've got to prove you didn't know what you were doing and why you didn't know.

>> What do you mean?

We haven't got much time.

They located Belknap yesterday.

He's flying back from Mexico this afternoon.

He wired Warner to have his wife reburied in the family plot today.

He'll be back in time for the funeral.

Get your coat on.

>> Where are we going?

>> To the place you'd rather not go than all other places right now.

>> The mirrored room where I- >> I know, kid.

It's not gonna be easy.

You've got to go back there and stay tonight and wait for Belknap.

He may be a dangerous killer, but it's your one chance to save yourself from pinning for a murder.

Think you can make it?

>> Vince Voiceover: I was scared sick, but I got back into that house before Belknap returned from the funeral.

A couple of friends drove back with him.

I waited upstairs, looking down into the living room as they said goodbye.

>> Male Friend: Why don't you come and stay at our place tonight, Lewis?

>> Female Friend: Yeah, we'd love to have you.

>> Lewis: Don't worry yourselves about me.

>> Male Friend: Well, goodbye.

>> Female Friend: Goodnight.

>> Lewis: Goodnight.

>> Vince Voiceover: He was coming up.

My blood turned to water.

I wanted to scream out, to run away from there.

But I had to stay.

It was my only chance to save myself.

(suspenseful music) >> How'd you get here?

>> You showed me the way, didn't you?

>> You remembered coming here?

>> You didn't think I would, did you?

>> You couldn't have!

>> Then how did I get here, you explained it.

>> How long have you been in here?

Like this?

>> Since shortly before dark.

I got in while you were at the funeral.

>> Who'd you bring with you?

>> Just this.

>> You remembered the drive up.

You couldn't have.

You had the look.

The typical look- >> Of the hypnotized subject.

I faked it.

I was holding a thumbtack pressed into each palm the whole way so I wouldn't go under no matter how good you were at it.

>> Then why did you do everything I directed?

When I put the knife in your hand and told you what to do, you took it- >> I thought maybe you'd pay off to keep me quiet.

And then if I balked, I figured I'd get a knife in my back.

>> But what happened?

What went wrong inside?

I let you outta the car, told you what to do.

>> I dropped the knife somewhere in the dark, but I came up anyway.

Clune was stealing your dough and about to run out with your wife, wasn't that it?

>> Yes, yes.

But how- >> I would've been killed by Clune, only your wife handed me a bore by mistake and I had to use it to say it myself.

>> Lewis: Oh, that explains how she got out of the house.

I had to finish her with his car.

I might've known you were under imperfect control.

>> Oh, your control is perfect enough, Belknap.

Don't let that worry ya.

You still have the knack.

>> But you just said- >> Yeah, and you fell for it.

I didn't know what I was doing when I came up here to do your dirty job I'd have never found you, but I saw your picture in the paper as a husband of the murdered woman and recognized you as Byrd.

I didn't come here to be paid off for what I did, even though your will is stronger than mine, you know you couldn't make me commit murder.

I killed that man in self defense, but I'll never be able to clear myself in the eyes of the law, ever.

I'm gonna make you pay for doing that to me.

Now, this way.

>> Wait, don't do that.

Alive, maybe I can do something for you.

I'll give you money.

I'll get you out of the country.

No one will know.

>> My conscience will know.

I've got an honest man's conscience in a murderer's body.

You should've left me alone, Belknap.

That was your mistake.

>> Wait, one minute.

Give me one minute to make you see.

Just 60 seconds.

You don't want to kill me.

Those two were plotting against me for months.

I knew it.

That's why I planned the whole thing.

I had to do it.

Don't you understand?

You can understand that.

>> Stop it, Belknap.

>> Just a few seconds, please.

You don't want to kill me.

Look up, look up, please.

See, just 30 seconds and I'm sure I can make you understand.

Just a few seconds.

>> Shall we take him now?

>> We've gotta let him finish.

We've gotta have proof for a jury that he can actually put him under.

>> Just 15 seconds, that's all.

That isn't much, is it?

15 seconds.

Killing me won't calm your conscience.

You don't really want to kill me, Grayson.

Drop your gun.

It's too heavy.

Drop the gun, Grayson.

Drop it.

(suspenseful music) You're too tired to hold it up.

Just drop it.

You'll feel so much better.

Just let go of it.

Better still, give the gun to me, Grayson.

You're tired, tired.

(dramatic music) >> Vince Voiceover: That horrible curtain closed over me again.

I couldn't fight it.

I knew he was taking me somewhere.

I didn't wanna go, but my brain was handcuffed and I was walking through another nightmare.

(eerie music) >> Awfully quiet.

We'd better get up there quick.

(dramatic music) >> Herlihy, Warner!

He's got him out in the car by the garage.

(dramatic music) >> Write what I say.

I am wanted for the murder of those two people at the Belknap house.

I have no chance.

I see no other way out.

Sign it, Vincent Grayson.

(ominous music) (dramatic music) >> Look, down there!

>> All right, get out.

(suspenseful music) Take off your coat.

This way, you'll find peace.

(dramatic music) (gun roaring) (gravel rustling) (frogs croaking) >> Cliff: Are you all right now, kid?

>> Yeah, yeah.

All of a sudden, I'm all right.

(car rumbles) (horn toots) >> Lil: Cliff, Cliff!

>> I'll see you inside.

Too bad you have to go through the arraignment, Grayson, but good luck.

>> Thanks a lot for everything.

>> Come on.

>> Vince, it must've been horrible.

>> It was.

>> If I didn't read the newspapers, I'd never know what my wonderful husband's doing.

>> If you knew, you'd never have let me do it.

Vince, we better go and face the judge and don't worry, you've got a perfect plea of self defense.

Come on, Mother.

(romantic music) >> Scared, darling?

>> I'll be glad when it's over.

>> I'll be right there with you all the time.

(romantic music) Hey, it's Kris and Jane.

And we're still down here in the basement, hoping we're not stuck in some sort of crazy dream.

And we hope you enjoyed the night just as much as we did.

Yes.

This film had some great twists and was suspenseful and gripping right up until the end.

We mentioned that the film was based on the story by Cornell Woolrich.

He is most famous for the story.

It had to be Murder, which became the Hitchcock classic.

Rear Window.

So cool.

Now, if you want to watch this film again or any of our past Subterranean Cinema movies, just head over to the PBS App on your smart TV Roku or Amazon Fire Device or your computer.

Make sure PBS Fort Wayne is selected as your local station.

You can search by the film's title or just search sub training and you'll see them all.

And you can find all the movies on the PBS Fort Wayne YouTube channel as well.

So, Kris, what do you know about next week's classic movie?

Well, next time around, we have McLintock!

starring the Duke himself, John Wayne, along with several other faces that you'll probably recognize.

And we also have a new guest host.

So check it out, Jane.

Thanks once again for being here.

Thanks for having me.

Tune in next week for Subterranean Cinema only on PBS Fort Wayne.