WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:01.000 Suspense. 00:31.000 --> 00:34.000 This is the man in black. 00:35.000 --> 00:39.000 Here again to introduce Columbia's program, Suspense. 00:40.000 --> 00:46.000 Our star tonight is Bela Lugosi, playing the part of Professor Antonio Basile, a psychologist. 00:47.000 --> 00:53.000 The story is by J. Donald Wilson, who calls it, The Doctor Prescribed Dead. 00:53.000 --> 01:04.000 If you have been with us on these Tuesday nights, you will know that Suspense is compounded of mystery and suspicion and dangerous adventure. 01:05.000 --> 01:18.000 This series of tales is calculated to intrigue you, stir your nerves, offer you a precarious situation, and then withhold the solution until the last possible moment. 01:18.000 --> 01:27.000 And so it is with The Doctor Prescribed Dead and Bela Lugosi's performance, we again hope to keep you in... 01:28.000 --> 01:30.000 Suspense. 01:31.000 --> 01:37.000 Professor Antonio Basile has a theory, but let him tell you about it. 01:38.000 --> 01:41.000 As a psychologist, I have worked out a theory. 01:42.000 --> 01:44.000 A theory I know to be sound. 01:44.000 --> 01:54.000 I contend that a person who has decided to kill himself can very easily be turned from this desire to the desire of taking the life of another. 01:55.000 --> 02:01.000 I can prove my theory, and if necessary, that is exactly what I will do. 02:01.000 --> 02:11.000 Yes, Professor Antonio Basile has a theory, but only a theory. 02:12.000 --> 02:20.000 And he's worried about what his publisher will say, so he visits the editor whose name is Hellman. 02:21.000 --> 02:25.000 Hellman finishes the manuscript and tosses it on the desk. 02:26.000 --> 02:28.000 Professor Basile leans forward eagerly and... 02:28.000 --> 02:30.000 Well, Hellman, what do you think? 02:31.000 --> 02:35.000 Professor Basile is purely conjecture, simply a theory, and I wouldn't advise publishing it. 02:36.000 --> 02:40.000 I worked on that theory for a long time. I'm positive of it. I know it'll work. 02:41.000 --> 02:45.000 Suppose it will. What good is it? What good have you accomplished if you can prove it'll work? 02:46.000 --> 02:47.000 Are you laughing at me, Hellman? 02:48.000 --> 02:53.000 It's so silly. An ordinary human being, a suffered reverser, is sick of it all. He wants to leave it all behind. 02:54.000 --> 02:56.000 And you say he can be changed to want to kill someone else. 02:56.000 --> 03:03.000 I do. Self-destruction and the destruction of other life are closely related in the mind. 03:04.000 --> 03:06.000 The dividing line is very thin. 03:07.000 --> 03:09.000 It's ridiculous. And you won't publish it? 03:10.000 --> 03:10.000 Granger would fire me. 03:11.000 --> 03:11.000 Why? 03:12.000 --> 03:14.000 He told me that in his opinion you should be in the asylum. 03:15.000 --> 03:18.000 Mr. Granger said that? Does he think I'm insane? 03:19.000 --> 03:20.000 How do I know? 03:20.000 --> 03:25.000 Hellman, Mr. Granger didn't say that. It's you who thinks I'm crazy. 03:26.000 --> 03:30.000 You never liked me. For some reason, you are trying to tear me down. 03:31.000 --> 03:34.000 Well, we'll see, Mr. Hellman. We'll see. 03:35.000 --> 03:36.000 Wait a minute. 03:37.000 --> 03:40.000 I'll show you whether my works are illogical. I'll show you whether I'm insane. 03:41.000 --> 03:42.000 Oh, calm down. 03:42.000 --> 03:51.000 I'm going to make you eat those words. I know you don't like me, but I'm going to prove that my theory is sound. 03:52.000 --> 03:53.000 Good night. 03:53.000 --> 03:54.000 Wait a minute. Basile, wait. 03:55.000 --> 03:56.000 You wait, Hellman. You wait. 04:00.000 --> 04:04.000 Yes, wait, Hellman. Wait. 04:05.000 --> 04:10.000 Professor Basile, seething with resentment, rushes from the office and strides angrily down the street. 04:10.000 --> 04:20.000 Insane, huh? I'll prove my theory. I'll find a subject. I'll find someone who wants to take his own life. 04:21.000 --> 04:31.000 And so Basile goes home late for dinner. He finds a note from his wife, Myra, saying she's decided to attend the opera and will be home around 11.30. 04:31.000 --> 04:40.000 Then Professor Basile gets an inspiration. He goes to the bridge over the deep canyon, the bridge called Suicide. 04:41.000 --> 04:51.000 And strangely enough, he hasn't long to wait. As he stands against the railing in the fog, a figure appears a few feet beyond, stops, prepares to leap. 04:52.000 --> 04:54.000 Don't do it. Wait a minute. 04:55.000 --> 04:56.000 Listen. 04:57.000 --> 04:59.000 That's very silly. 04:59.000 --> 05:00.000 Let go of me. 05:01.000 --> 05:04.000 Oh, no. I couldn't do that. I need you. 05:05.000 --> 05:06.000 I don't need you. 05:07.000 --> 05:08.000 Don't you know this is against the law? 05:09.000 --> 05:11.000 You're not an officer. You can't stop me. 05:12.000 --> 05:16.000 It's 500 feet to those tracks below. Hard steel rails. 05:17.000 --> 05:25.000 And don't believe what they all tell you about not being conscious of what happened. You'd know. People don't die instantly. 05:26.000 --> 05:27.000 Let loose. 05:27.000 --> 05:32.000 They're in agony for minutes and sometimes for an hour. It's a horrible death, I know. 05:32.000 --> 05:33.000 How do you know? 05:33.000 --> 05:34.000 I'm a doctor. 05:34.000 --> 05:35.000 Doctor? 05:35.000 --> 05:40.000 Yes. I can tell you much simpler ways, much less painful ways and quicker. 05:41.000 --> 05:51.000 You're a nice young girl, an intelligent girl. You wouldn't want it to happen this way. Maybe after I talk to you a while, you wouldn't want to do this at all. 05:52.000 --> 05:53.000 No. 05:53.000 --> 05:54.000 No. 05:54.000 --> 06:01.000 Come on. Let's talk it over. Maybe a few minutes talk will change the entire picture for you. 06:01.000 --> 06:03.000 What could you do to help me? 06:03.000 --> 06:11.000 If you'll come, I'll tell you. There's a motive bag of you wanting to do this and I'd like to know what it is. 06:11.000 --> 06:12.000 Nothing doing. 06:12.000 --> 06:16.000 And you any relatives? Any loved ones you'd like to do something for? 06:17.000 --> 06:18.000 Yes. 06:18.000 --> 06:24.000 Then if you talk with me for a while, maybe I can find my way clear to help those people. 06:24.000 --> 06:25.000 You sound crazy. 06:25.000 --> 06:26.000 Oh no. 06:26.000 --> 06:30.000 All right. Where? 06:30.000 --> 06:31.000 My apartment. 06:31.000 --> 06:32.000 Let's go. 06:41.000 --> 06:45.000 Well, here we are. Come in, please. 06:45.000 --> 06:47.000 Well, what do you want to know? 06:47.000 --> 06:51.000 Sit down first. Are you hungry? 06:51.000 --> 06:53.000 No, I'm not that broke. It isn't pop. 06:53.000 --> 06:56.000 I knew that. I could tell by your voice. 06:59.000 --> 07:02.000 Now first, why did you come here? 07:02.000 --> 07:05.000 Why? Why, because you talked me into it. 07:05.000 --> 07:08.000 I see. You're not afraid of me? 07:08.000 --> 07:15.000 Afraid? In my frame of mind. What could I lose? 07:15.000 --> 07:18.000 Suppose I told you that I really brought you here to kill you. 07:18.000 --> 07:20.000 Kill me? 07:20.000 --> 07:26.000 You know, you're a very pretty girl, don't you? 07:26.000 --> 07:30.000 Yeah. That doesn't always mean so much. 07:30.000 --> 07:32.000 The right man it might. 07:32.000 --> 07:36.000 That's what I thought. But I found out it didn't mean a thing. 07:36.000 --> 07:40.000 Ah, then it was because of a man. I knew it. 07:40.000 --> 07:43.000 Really? How did you guess? 07:43.000 --> 07:46.000 I'm a student of psychology. I'm Professor Antonio Basile. 07:46.000 --> 07:50.000 I see. And you want to know what makes me tick. 07:50.000 --> 07:54.000 You want to know the reason behind my action tonight. 07:54.000 --> 07:58.000 That's right. I would like to know what happened to make you want to kill yourself. 07:58.000 --> 08:01.000 Suicide is a mental aberration. 08:01.000 --> 08:02.000 Yeah. 08:02.000 --> 08:06.000 I'd like to know what preceded the decision to destroy yourself. 08:06.000 --> 08:10.000 What you thought about until the moment I stopped you on the bridge. 08:10.000 --> 08:12.000 What good will that do me? 08:12.000 --> 08:17.000 You said you weren't broke. But you also said you had some loved ones you'd like to do something for. 08:17.000 --> 08:23.000 I meant I wasn't broke to the point of being hungry. I have a few dollars. 08:23.000 --> 08:27.000 But you suggested help for someone in larger terms. 08:27.000 --> 08:32.000 Yes, I did. Who is the loved one? 08:32.000 --> 08:33.000 My mother. 08:33.000 --> 08:35.000 You are her only means of support? 08:35.000 --> 08:36.000 Yes. 08:36.000 --> 08:39.000 And you intend to kill yourself? 08:39.000 --> 08:40.000 Yes. 08:40.000 --> 08:42.000 That's being selfish, isn't it? 08:42.000 --> 08:43.000 Selfish? 08:43.000 --> 08:46.000 Yes. You are concentrating solely on self. 08:46.000 --> 08:47.000 You think so? 08:47.000 --> 08:51.000 What else? The first law of human nature is self-preservation, right? 08:51.000 --> 08:52.000 I suppose so. 08:52.000 --> 08:54.000 The second law is the preservation of family. 08:54.000 --> 08:55.000 Yeah. 08:55.000 --> 08:58.000 So you decide to deny the first law and destroy yourself. 08:58.000 --> 09:03.000 And as a consequence, deny the second and leave your mother alone and in need. 09:03.000 --> 09:05.000 You indicate a form of insanity. 09:05.000 --> 09:06.000 What would be normal? 09:06.000 --> 09:10.000 To destroy the other person. The one who has done you wrong. 09:10.000 --> 09:11.000 Have you hurt him? 09:11.000 --> 09:12.000 No. 09:12.000 --> 09:18.000 Then the one who has done wrong should be the one to suffer. 09:18.000 --> 09:21.000 You have no legal recourse? 09:21.000 --> 09:24.000 Legal recourse? No, I haven't. 09:24.000 --> 09:26.000 I'm sorry to say. 09:26.000 --> 09:31.000 And you would kill yourself to let your poor mother suffer because of the wrong of another. 09:31.000 --> 09:34.000 Why shouldn't he be the one to suffer? 09:34.000 --> 09:37.000 I suppose you're right. Why shouldn't he? 09:37.000 --> 09:43.000 What happened after all? Why not tell me about it? Were you married? 09:43.000 --> 09:48.000 No. He never seemed to find time to get around marriage. 09:48.000 --> 09:49.000 What's your name? 09:49.000 --> 09:52.000 Gladys. Gladys Tanner. 09:52.000 --> 09:54.000 How long have you known him? 09:54.000 --> 09:56.000 Almost four years. 09:56.000 --> 09:58.000 And you always thought he meant to marry you? 09:58.000 --> 10:02.000 Yes. Until three weeks ago. 10:02.000 --> 10:03.000 Yes? 10:03.000 --> 10:07.000 On July 1st, he had to leave town for a week on business. 10:07.000 --> 10:10.000 Said he was going to Kansas City. 10:10.000 --> 10:14.000 When he came back, he seemed to be too busy to see me. 10:14.000 --> 10:19.000 Then a week ago, I found a snapshot along with several others in his desk in his home. 10:19.000 --> 10:21.000 May I see it? 10:21.000 --> 10:26.000 Certainly. It's a picture of him and another woman. 10:26.000 --> 10:28.000 But the picture was not taken in Kansas City. 10:28.000 --> 10:29.000 It wasn't? 10:29.000 --> 10:32.000 No. It was taken on the beach at Atlantic City. 10:32.000 --> 10:35.000 And it's dated by the finish of July 3rd. 10:35.000 --> 10:38.000 Since he returned, he's refused to see me. 10:38.000 --> 10:43.000 Yesterday, he finally said he didn't care to see me anymore. 10:43.000 --> 10:45.000 But I'd better forget him. 10:45.000 --> 10:47.000 But it isn't so easy as that, is it? 10:47.000 --> 10:51.000 No. I figured I'd done something. 10:51.000 --> 10:53.000 And blame myself. 10:53.000 --> 10:55.000 Do you... 10:57.000 --> 11:02.000 Do you know this blonde woman in this snapshot? 11:02.000 --> 11:03.000 No. 11:03.000 --> 11:08.000 Then it must be a woman he has met recently. 11:08.000 --> 11:12.000 You've known him for four years. 11:12.000 --> 11:15.000 I don't think you have to blame. 11:15.000 --> 11:17.000 He's the one in the wrong. 11:17.000 --> 11:19.000 And he should be made to suffer. 11:19.000 --> 11:21.000 How? 11:21.000 --> 11:23.000 You were going to kill yourself. 11:23.000 --> 11:24.000 Why should you? 11:24.000 --> 11:25.000 Kill him instead. 11:25.000 --> 11:28.000 He double-crossed you. He deserves it. 11:28.000 --> 11:31.000 Now let me go a little deeper into the situation. 11:31.000 --> 11:46.000 Whenever a person has reached the conclusion... 11:50.000 --> 11:52.000 You are sure you have made up your mind, Miss Tanner? 11:52.000 --> 11:53.000 Positive. 11:53.000 --> 11:57.000 Now, if you're careful, you won't be caught. 11:57.000 --> 11:58.000 No. 11:58.000 --> 12:03.000 But whether you are or not, I am giving you this check for a thousand dollars made out to cash... 12:03.000 --> 12:09.000 to be sent to your mother only after the man is dead. 12:09.000 --> 12:13.000 Write his name on this pad. 12:13.000 --> 12:15.000 There you are. 12:15.000 --> 12:17.000 I will know what has happened by the newspapers. 12:17.000 --> 12:22.000 And I will withhold payment until I learn that you have gone through with it. 12:22.000 --> 12:24.000 It'll happen tonight. 12:24.000 --> 12:26.000 Very well. 12:26.000 --> 12:29.000 You are sure? You are determined? 12:29.000 --> 12:32.000 Absolutely. Nothing could stop me. 12:32.000 --> 12:33.000 Very good. 12:33.000 --> 12:35.000 But... 12:35.000 --> 12:38.000 Just what would happen if I did get caught? 12:38.000 --> 12:43.000 You won't get caught if you follow my instructions. I know. 12:43.000 --> 12:47.000 Now, here is a small revolver. 12:47.000 --> 12:50.000 It'll fit easier in your purse. That's all you need. 12:50.000 --> 12:53.000 Be sure to wipe your fingerprints off. 12:53.000 --> 12:56.000 And leave the gun near the body. 12:56.000 --> 12:58.000 Yeah. 12:58.000 --> 13:02.000 Well, goodbye, Dr. Basile. 13:02.000 --> 13:05.000 Goodbye, Gladys. And good luck. 13:09.000 --> 13:15.000 Professor Basile watches Gladys as she crosses the street to the dimly lighted bus stop. 13:15.000 --> 13:20.000 Then he rushes to his car and drives away. 13:20.000 --> 13:23.000 A few minutes later he comes to a stop at Hellman's house. 13:23.000 --> 13:28.000 Hellman, the editor who ridiculed his theory. 13:29.000 --> 13:31.000 Just a minute. 13:34.000 --> 13:37.000 Oh. Hello, Basile. 13:37.000 --> 13:39.000 Good evening, Hellman. 13:39.000 --> 13:41.000 Thought I had the power to have a little chat with you. 13:41.000 --> 13:45.000 Well, why this time of night? It's kind of late, isn't it? 13:45.000 --> 13:48.000 Eleven. Didn't think that was late for you. 13:48.000 --> 13:50.000 No? 13:50.000 --> 13:51.000 Come in. 13:51.000 --> 13:53.000 Thanks. 13:53.000 --> 13:55.000 Sit down. What's on your mind? 13:55.000 --> 14:02.000 I want to talk to you about my theory you ridiculed so definitely. My theory about suicide. 14:02.000 --> 14:05.000 Well, I just don't believe it, that's all. 14:05.000 --> 14:07.000 And I said I'd prove it, didn't I? 14:07.000 --> 14:10.000 Yes, but what are you getting at? 14:10.000 --> 14:16.000 It's going to be proved. My theory is going to be proved tonight. 14:16.000 --> 14:20.000 Well, that's fine. Go right ahead and prove it. 14:20.000 --> 14:26.000 I don't like you, Hellman. I'd never like you. And I know you don't like me. 14:26.000 --> 14:29.000 I can't help that, Basile. 14:29.000 --> 14:31.000 What are you staring at? 14:31.000 --> 14:32.000 Is there someone here with you? 14:32.000 --> 14:33.000 Certainly not. Why? 14:33.000 --> 14:36.000 That's a woman's purse on the Davenport. 14:36.000 --> 14:40.000 Oh, my secretary dropped by earlier this evening with a manuscript. She must have forgotten it. 14:40.000 --> 14:41.000 She's not here now? 14:41.000 --> 14:42.000 Of course not. 14:42.000 --> 14:49.000 I found a subject. A girl who was ready to commit suicide because a man jilted her. 14:49.000 --> 14:59.000 In a few hours I was successful in changing her thoughts from suicide to homicide, and she is going to kill the man tonight. 14:59.000 --> 15:01.000 What do you think of that? 15:01.000 --> 15:03.000 Maybe a dozen murders tonight. 15:03.000 --> 15:08.000 Ah, but you'll know which one I mean. You'll know about this murder. 15:08.000 --> 15:09.000 What do you mean? 15:09.000 --> 15:13.000 Because I'm going to tell you who the victim is going to be. 15:13.000 --> 15:16.000 You know who the intended victim is? Why don't you stop it? 15:16.000 --> 15:22.000 But then I wouldn't have proved my theory. If you put this girl up to it, you're as guilty as she is. 15:22.000 --> 15:25.000 You're insane, Basile, hopelessly insane. 15:25.000 --> 15:26.000 You think so, Hellman. 15:26.000 --> 15:29.000 The whole idea is mad, too utterly ridiculous for words. 15:29.000 --> 15:35.000 No sane man would ever think of such a useless, senseless idea. And for heaven's sake, stop laughing. 15:35.000 --> 15:39.000 I'm thinking about the victim when he learns. 15:39.000 --> 15:40.000 Who is the victim? 15:40.000 --> 15:41.000 Martin Hellman. 15:41.000 --> 15:42.000 Me? 15:42.000 --> 15:43.000 Yes, you. 15:43.000 --> 15:47.000 I don't believe you. You will this time. 15:47.000 --> 15:52.000 Who is this girl? I know no girl who'd want to kill me. This one does, now. 15:52.000 --> 15:58.000 Oh, nonsense. However, I wouldn't put a past you to hire someone to do something like this. 15:58.000 --> 16:03.000 No, no, this girl is no fake. This girl is serious, deadly serious. 16:03.000 --> 16:08.000 You probably hypnotized some poor woman, figuring she'd never remember what happened. 16:08.000 --> 16:11.000 Oh, Hellman, you underestimate me. 16:11.000 --> 16:16.000 Maybe I do underestimate your evil mind. But believe me... 16:16.000 --> 16:20.000 Put up your hands, Hellman. Get away from the desk. 16:20.000 --> 16:24.000 I'll just take care of the gun, Hellman. 16:24.000 --> 16:25.000 That's better. 16:25.000 --> 16:29.000 Well, since when did you start carrying a gun, Basile? 16:29.000 --> 16:36.000 I a gun? Don't be silly. This isn't a gun in my pocket. It's just my pipe. See? 16:36.000 --> 16:42.000 Well, what do you hear, Hellman? 16:42.000 --> 16:43.000 Nothing. 16:43.000 --> 16:48.000 Oh, yes, you do. I heard it, too. The sound on the porch. I leave now. 16:48.000 --> 16:54.000 The back way. I put your gun in the kitchen. And I'll be very careful to remove all my fingerprints. 16:54.000 --> 17:03.000 You insane fool. Fancy you. You, Hellman, you are going to help prove my theory. 17:03.000 --> 17:11.000 Good night, Hellman. 17:11.000 --> 17:19.000 Crazy devil. I'll have him locked up before he gets across town. 17:19.000 --> 17:21.000 Good evening, Mr. Hellman. 17:21.000 --> 17:25.000 Huh? How did you get in here? 17:25.000 --> 17:27.000 Through the patio door. 17:27.000 --> 17:28.000 What do you want? 17:28.000 --> 17:31.000 I wanted to talk to you. 17:31.000 --> 17:34.000 Very strangely. 17:34.000 --> 17:36.000 You're just imagining things. 17:36.000 --> 17:37.000 And what are you doing here? 17:37.000 --> 17:39.000 I wanted to tell you something. 17:39.000 --> 17:41.000 Yeah? What? 17:41.000 --> 17:46.000 When you first indicated to me that you were through with me, I was terribly hurt. 17:46.000 --> 17:50.000 I thought all along that we were to be married. I couldn't understand. 17:50.000 --> 17:54.000 I tried and tried to think of something I'd done to cause our breakup. 17:54.000 --> 17:57.000 Then I happened to find this snapshot in your desk. 17:57.000 --> 17:58.000 Snapshot? 17:58.000 --> 18:05.000 Take a look at it. Kansas City. No, Atlantic City, New Jersey. You and a blonde. 18:05.000 --> 18:11.000 And the date is stamped on the back. A business trip. Ha! 18:11.000 --> 18:14.000 Well, what about it? 18:14.000 --> 18:20.000 I just wanted you to know that you weren't so slick. 18:20.000 --> 18:25.000 I wanted you to know that I knew about the blonde. That I knew you'd lied. 18:25.000 --> 18:27.000 Now that you've told me, what good does it do you? 18:27.000 --> 18:31.000 A lot of good. 18:31.000 --> 18:34.000 First, I thought you came here for money. 18:34.000 --> 18:36.000 How could you think such a thing? 18:36.000 --> 18:41.000 Well, I think you'd better go now. 18:41.000 --> 18:46.000 I'm going. Goodbye, Morton. 18:46.000 --> 18:49.000 And good luck in your new venture. 18:49.000 --> 18:51.000 What venture? 18:51.000 --> 18:52.000 This one. 18:52.000 --> 18:58.000 Gladys! Gladys! 18:58.000 --> 19:01.000 And wish me luck in mine. 19:06.000 --> 19:09.000 Gladys stands, staring a moment at the body of Hellman. 19:09.000 --> 19:14.000 Then lights off the gun, drops it to the floor, takes the professor's check from her purse, 19:14.000 --> 19:17.000 steps to Hellman's desk and writes a note. 19:17.000 --> 19:24.000 Then she puts the note in an envelope with the check, addresses it, stamps it, turns out the lights, 19:24.000 --> 19:27.000 and steps out into the dark street. 19:27.000 --> 19:33.000 At the corner, she drops the envelope in the mailbox and disappears. 19:33.000 --> 19:37.000 Professor Barseil heard the shots. His theory worked. 19:37.000 --> 19:39.000 Hellman will torment him no more. 19:39.000 --> 19:42.000 The perfect crime. 19:42.000 --> 19:48.000 So he can go home to his wife now and go to sleep. 19:48.000 --> 19:51.000 Myra! 19:51.000 --> 19:52.000 Myra! 19:52.000 --> 19:56.000 Huh? What? Oh, Antonio. 19:56.000 --> 19:59.000 What are you doing asleep on the Davenport? 19:59.000 --> 20:00.000 You know what time it is? 20:00.000 --> 20:03.000 Must be after midnight. I've been waiting for you. 20:03.000 --> 20:04.000 How was the opera? 20:04.000 --> 20:06.000 Fair. Nothing to brag about. 20:06.000 --> 20:07.000 Who sang the lead? 20:07.000 --> 20:09.000 Belchiotti. He wasn't very good. 20:09.000 --> 20:10.000 Belchiotti? 20:10.000 --> 20:12.000 He's a poor Othello. 20:12.000 --> 20:16.000 Othello? I thought they were doing Aida tonight. 20:16.000 --> 20:20.000 No, they switched because someone was ill. 20:20.000 --> 20:21.000 I just as soon as stayed home. 20:21.000 --> 20:22.000 Good night, myra. 20:22.000 --> 20:26.000 No thanks. I'm tired. I think I'll go to bed. 20:26.000 --> 20:36.000 I belong presently. Good night. 20:36.000 --> 20:39.000 Then the night passes and the morning comes. 20:39.000 --> 20:43.000 The professor rises cheerfully and prepares for breakfast. 20:43.000 --> 20:46.000 Then... 20:46.000 --> 20:51.000 I'll get it, myra. 20:51.000 --> 20:52.000 Yes? 20:52.000 --> 20:53.000 Are you Professor Barseil? 20:53.000 --> 20:54.000 Yes. 20:54.000 --> 20:56.000 May we come in? We'd like to talk with you. 20:56.000 --> 21:00.000 Of course. What is it you want? 21:00.000 --> 21:01.000 Is your wife in? 21:01.000 --> 21:02.000 Yes. 21:02.000 --> 21:04.000 We'd like to see her, too. 21:04.000 --> 21:05.000 Who are you? 21:05.000 --> 21:07.000 Oh, I'm Lieutenant Davis. 21:07.000 --> 21:09.000 Detective headquarters. 21:09.000 --> 21:10.000 Well, what do you want? 21:10.000 --> 21:12.000 Would you call your wife? 21:12.000 --> 21:14.000 Why, uh... 21:14.000 --> 21:16.000 I'm sorry. 21:16.000 --> 21:18.000 Myra! 21:18.000 --> 21:19.000 What is all about? 21:19.000 --> 21:21.000 What is it, Antonio? 21:21.000 --> 21:25.000 These men are from detective headquarters. They want to talk to us. 21:25.000 --> 21:26.000 Really? What about? 21:26.000 --> 21:28.000 May I ask where you were last night, Mrs. Barseil? 21:28.000 --> 21:30.000 Certainly. I went to the opera. 21:30.000 --> 21:31.000 What time did you get home? 21:31.000 --> 21:34.000 I imagine it was around eleven. I was shortly after. 21:34.000 --> 21:36.000 Were you at home last evening, Professor? 21:36.000 --> 21:40.000 Well, I was at the club and got home about twelve-thirty. 21:40.000 --> 21:43.000 By the way, do you know Morton Hellman? 21:43.000 --> 21:44.000 Certainly. 21:44.000 --> 21:45.000 What about him? 21:45.000 --> 21:46.000 He's been murdered. 21:46.000 --> 21:47.000 Murdered? 21:47.000 --> 21:49.000 Good Lord. When? 21:49.000 --> 21:52.000 Around midnight last night. I found him this morning. 21:52.000 --> 21:54.000 How terrible. 21:54.000 --> 21:57.000 I have known him for years. 21:57.000 --> 22:00.000 He was editor-in-chief of the company publishing my writings. 22:00.000 --> 22:02.000 I'm a psychologist, you know. 22:02.000 --> 22:03.000 Yes, I know. 22:03.000 --> 22:06.000 But what do you want to know from us? 22:06.000 --> 22:09.000 We weren't connected socially with Hellman. 22:09.000 --> 22:10.000 Just in business. 22:10.000 --> 22:12.000 Did you know him, Mrs. Barseil? 22:12.000 --> 22:14.000 Yes, I knew him very slightly. 22:14.000 --> 22:17.000 Either of you know of anyone who'd have reason to kill him? 22:17.000 --> 22:20.000 Certainly not. Everyone thought highly of him. 22:20.000 --> 22:22.000 Did you ever hear of a girl named Gladys Tanner? 22:22.000 --> 22:24.000 Lady Tanner? No. 22:24.000 --> 22:26.000 Did you know of a Gladys Tanner, Mrs. Barseil? 22:26.000 --> 22:27.000 No. 22:27.000 --> 22:30.000 Is this your purse, Mrs. Barseil? 22:30.000 --> 22:32.000 Why, of course it is. 22:32.000 --> 22:35.000 That's the one I gave you last Christmas, Myra. 22:35.000 --> 22:37.000 Oh, yes. I must have lost it downtown. 22:37.000 --> 22:38.000 Where did you find it, little tenant? 22:38.000 --> 22:40.000 At Hellman's home. 22:40.000 --> 22:42.000 Hellman's home? 22:42.000 --> 22:43.000 Well, how in the world? 22:43.000 --> 22:44.000 Good heavens, but how? 22:44.000 --> 22:45.000 We found it on the sofa. 22:45.000 --> 22:47.000 I can't imagine how it could get there. 22:47.000 --> 22:50.000 And this is the revolver that killed Hellman, found on the floor beside him. 22:50.000 --> 22:51.000 What? 22:51.000 --> 22:53.000 No fingerprints on it, however. 22:53.000 --> 22:55.000 May I see it? 22:55.000 --> 22:58.000 Myra, this is your gun. 22:58.000 --> 23:02.000 I bought this for you two years ago when I went on the lecture tour. 23:02.000 --> 23:05.000 Yes, I think it's mine, but it just doesn't make sense. 23:05.000 --> 23:08.000 Did you have the gun in your purse when you lost it last time? 23:08.000 --> 23:11.000 Perhaps I did. I'm so confused now I can't remember. 23:11.000 --> 23:13.000 Think, Myra. 23:13.000 --> 23:15.000 I don't think it is. It is terrible. 23:15.000 --> 23:17.000 Oh, I know. Oh dear, I feel ill. 23:17.000 --> 23:19.000 Did you ever fire this gun? 23:19.000 --> 23:21.000 Yes, once last year up in the mountains. I wanted to see how it worked. 23:21.000 --> 23:22.000 Ever reloaded? 23:22.000 --> 23:25.000 No, I've never reloaded it. I just didn't think about it. 23:25.000 --> 23:27.000 Maybe I did put it in my purse. 23:27.000 --> 23:32.000 Why, I don't know. And whoever found the purse may have used the gun to... 23:32.000 --> 23:34.000 Oh, I just can't seem to think. 23:34.000 --> 23:38.000 This gun misfired on the first two shots. The other three killed Hellman. 23:38.000 --> 23:41.000 This is the most amazing piece of coincidence I ever heard of. 23:41.000 --> 23:44.000 Why would my wife want to do such a thing? 23:44.000 --> 23:46.000 Why should she get to Hellman? 23:46.000 --> 23:48.000 She hardly knew him. 23:48.000 --> 23:50.000 Are you sure about that, Professor? 23:50.000 --> 23:51.000 Of course. 23:51.000 --> 23:54.000 Well, sorry to say that I don't believe her. 23:54.000 --> 23:56.000 What? This is ridiculous. 23:56.000 --> 24:01.000 This is going to be a shock to you, Professor, but here's a snapshot we found on Hellman's desk. 24:01.000 --> 24:04.000 Taken in Atlantic City last July. 24:04.000 --> 24:07.000 Good heavens. 24:07.000 --> 24:14.000 July? This is you, Myra. You and Hellman. 24:14.000 --> 24:18.000 You were at your mother's in Florida in July. 24:18.000 --> 24:21.000 Myra, look at me. What does this mean? 24:21.000 --> 24:23.000 I can't. I can't. 24:23.000 --> 24:25.000 And I can't believe such a thing. 24:25.000 --> 24:29.000 May I have the purse, the gun, and the photo? Thank you. 24:29.000 --> 24:31.000 I'm sorry, but I'll have to take her down to headquarters. 24:31.000 --> 24:36.000 But I didn't kill him. I didn't. I wouldn't. I loved him. 24:36.000 --> 24:39.000 Myra. 24:39.000 --> 24:44.000 You'd better pull yourself together. You'll have to go back. 24:44.000 --> 24:46.000 They'll want photos and fingerprints. 24:46.000 --> 24:49.000 Yes. You'd better get ready, Myra. 24:49.000 --> 24:51.000 It certainly looks bad for her. 24:51.000 --> 24:53.000 Afraid it does. Looks like an open and shut case. 24:53.000 --> 24:55.000 Oh, will you come along too, Professor? 24:55.000 --> 24:59.000 Certainly. 24:59.000 --> 25:03.000 And so it all worked out beautifully. 25:03.000 --> 25:06.000 Not quite as the professor had planned. 25:06.000 --> 25:12.000 But then he changed his plan from the moment when Gladys Tanner showed him the snapshot taken in Atlantic City. 25:12.000 --> 25:19.000 And he realized that the girl's fiancée was Hellman and the blonde was Myra, his wife. 25:19.000 --> 25:25.000 He had no intention of allowing Gladys Tanner to kill Hellman until he saw that snapshot. 25:25.000 --> 25:29.000 And when he recognized Myra's purse in Hellman's home, 25:29.000 --> 25:34.000 he decided to let Gladys kill him and the blame be placed on Myra. 25:34.000 --> 25:37.000 The perfect crime. 25:37.000 --> 25:41.000 But several hours later, after fingerprints and many questions, 25:41.000 --> 25:48.000 the professor is just about to be dismissed when Sergeant Rankin steps into the room and speaks quietly to Lieutenant Davis. 25:48.000 --> 25:49.000 What is it, Rankin? 25:49.000 --> 25:51.000 I stayed at the Seals' place, as you said. 25:51.000 --> 25:52.000 Well? 25:52.000 --> 25:55.000 A few minutes ago, a special delivery letter came for the professor. 25:55.000 --> 25:57.000 This will knock your eye off. Read it. 25:57.000 --> 25:59.000 All right. 25:59.000 --> 26:03.000 Well, this fits perfectly with the writing we were trying to make out on Hellman's desk letter. 26:03.000 --> 26:11.000 Professor, here's a letter sent special delivery to you a few minutes ago, postmarked last night. Read it. 26:11.000 --> 26:15.000 Dear Professor Basile, your theory worked a certain degree. 26:15.000 --> 26:21.000 You convinced me I should kill him. 26:21.000 --> 26:29.000 I should kill him, but when that gun you gave me misfired twice, I almost quit. 26:29.000 --> 26:32.000 Go ahead, Professor. Read on. 26:32.000 --> 26:38.000 Then as I looked at him on the floor, the feeling of self-destruction came back. 26:38.000 --> 26:42.000 I'm going ahead with my plan. Here's your check. I won't need it. 26:42.000 --> 26:45.000 Besides, I lied to you. 26:45.000 --> 26:47.000 I lost my mother long ago. 26:47.000 --> 26:51.000 But next time, I'll lock her up. 26:51.000 --> 26:55.000 A half hour ago, they found her body under the suicide bridge. 26:55.000 --> 26:58.000 Well, Professor, your perfect crime has failed. 26:58.000 --> 27:00.000 Failed? Yes, failed. 27:00.000 --> 27:03.000 It's a wonderful setup on paper, but your theory backfired and you're up for murder. 27:03.000 --> 27:04.000 But I didn't kill him. 27:04.000 --> 27:08.000 But you planned it and you're as guilty as Gladys. She's paid her penalty, now it's your turn. 27:08.000 --> 27:12.000 No, no. I won't. I won't be hanged. Never! 27:12.000 --> 27:17.000 Drink and grab it. 27:19.000 --> 27:24.000 And now the doctor lies on the sidewalk 17 stories below. 27:24.000 --> 27:48.000 His entire theory worked in reverse. 27:48.000 --> 27:54.000 And so closes the doctor prescribed death starring Bela Lugosi. 27:54.000 --> 28:01.000 Tonight's story of suspense. 28:01.000 --> 28:11.000 It came to you from Columbia Square in Hollywood. 28:11.000 --> 28:20.000 This is the man in black who conveys to you Columbia's invitation to spend this half hour in suspense with us again next Tuesday. 28:20.000 --> 28:49.000 When we present the noted actor, Mr. Sidney Greenstreet in The Hangman Won't Wait. 28:49.000 --> 28:53.000 William Spear, the producer, Ted Bliss, the director, 28:53.000 --> 28:58.000 Ladd Glaskin, the musical director, Lucian Mahwick, the composer, 28:58.000 --> 29:21.000 and J. Donald Wilson, the author, collaborated on tonight's suspense. 29:21.000 --> 29:32.000 This is the Columbia Broadcasting System.