# Lights of New York (film)

* related portals: Crime film, Drama film, Sound film.
* sister projects: Wikipedia article, Commons category, Wikidata item.
Filmed in the Vitaphone sound-on-disc sound system, Lights of New York is the first ever all-talking full-length feature film. Earlier landmarks include The Jazz Singer (1927) which was the first full-length partial talkie, and Don Juan (1926), the first full-length film with a synchronized soundtrack.
| Song | Performer |
| "Where Do We Go From Here?" | Unknown |
| "At Dawnin'" | Harry Downing |
Cast and Crew :
| Cast ||
| Role | Actor |
| | Helene Costello |
| | Cullen Landis |
| | Eugene Pallette |
| | Mary Carr |
| | Gladys Brockwell |
| | Robert Elliott |
| | Wheeler Vivian Oakman |
| | Harry Downing (uncredited) |
| Crew ||
| Production company | Vitaphone |
| Distributor | Warner Bros. |
| Director | Bryan Foy (d. 1977) |
| Composer | Louis Silvers (d. 1954) |
| Based on available information, the latest crew member that is relevant to international copyright laws died in 1977, meaning that this film may be in the public domain in countries and jurisdictions with 46 years p.m.a. or less, as well as in the United States. ||
a WARNER BROTHERS
W-B
PRODUCTION
Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. and The Vitaphone Corporations present "Lights of New York" by Murray Roth & Hugh Herbert Directed by Bryan Foy Photography by E. B. Du Par Edited by Jack Killifer
The Players
Helene Costello Cullen Landis Mary Carr Wheeler Oakman Gladys Brockwell Robert Elliott Eugene Pallette Tom Dugan Tom McGuire Walter Percival Guy Dennery Jere Delaney
This is a story of Main Street and Broadway——a story that might have been torn out of last night's newspaper.
Main Street——forty-five minutes from Broadway——but a thousand miles away.
Morgan Hotel
Radio
Dan Hey, you. Shut off that music back, will you? That thing makes me homesick for Broadway. Here we've been stuck in this pint-sized town for nearly a month. It's enough to drive a guy goofy.
Jack Say, where've you been all day? I've been waiting for you. Look—there's a kiss from Cinderella.
Dan From who?
Jack It's from Scanlan. And we're okay—the bootleg rap against us has been dropped, and we can go back to the Big Town tomorrow.
Dan Great. But what are we gonna use for money when we get there? Our bootleg joint is empty and we need dough!
Jack I've been taking care of that. You know that barber downstairs? He looks like a cinch to me. And after the talks I've had with him, he thinks that joint of ours is a regular barber shop and not a speakeasy.
Dan But has he got any money?
Jack Eh, not much. But that kid Eddie whose mother runs this hotel has got some dough. I've got a hunch we can do some business with him. You know, he's crazy to go to New York. I think I've got him billed up.
Dan Now, listen, don't rush him and don't go to strong.
Jack All I can say is somebody has got to pay our way.
Dan And all I can say is somebody always did.
The New Yorker
Eddie Closed up for the night, Gene?
Gene Yep. And for all the business I did I might as well have been closed up all day.
Gene You know, Eddie, we're wasting our time in a burg like this. Now, you take Kitty Lewis, for instance. She took a chance—went to New York City—and she's doing fine.
What, since they built that big hotel over there across the street, why, your hotel is not even making expenses. Why don't you have a customer in there for hours at a time? Most of the hicks in this town would like to cut their own hair.
Eddie Well, I'm sick of this burg, too. Now, listen, I've been to New York enough to know that I belong someplace where I can do something.
Gene Hmph, me too. Do you know that I am the best barber in this town?
Eddie Yes.
Gene Now, you take those two fellows in Room 21, that have been talking to us about going in business with them. They've got one of the best barber shops in New York City. What are we gonna do about that? Are we going in partners with them?
Eddie I don't know. I've told Mother about the proposition. We've talked about it three nights already.
Gene Why don't you talk to her again? I've got some money saved up. Why, they'll take us in for five-thousand dollars.
Eddie All right, I'll do it. You stick around here. I'll go up and have another talk with Mother. This nine o'clock town is getting on my nerves.
Gene Okay, now, listen—I'll tend to the office, and you hurry back just as soon as you can get here, will you?
Eddie All right, Gene.
Gene Okay, now.
Dan How are you, Mr.—
Gene Now, never mind that "Mr." stuff. Just call me Gene.
Dan All right, Gene. Let me have a blank check, will you?
Gene Why, sure!
Jack Never mind that check, Dan. Give it to me tomorrow.
Dan This fellow's pretty lucky—beat me for four hundred at rummy again.
Gene Four hundred dollars for rummy?
Dan He took me for six hundred yesterday.
Gene Gee whiz!
Jack Many's the time he took me for plenty.
Dan Well, Gene, we just came down to say goodbye. We're leaving for New York in the morning.
Gene Yeah? You are?
Dan Yes.
Jack Got to get back to the Big Town on some business.
Gene Tomorrow, huh?
Dan Mhm.
Gene Well, what about that proposition we were talking over? Don't we get in on that?
Jack I'm afraid it's too much for you, Gene. I think you'd better let it go.
Gene Oh, no. I think we can arrange it. I think we can arrange it. You see, Eddie's upstairs talking it over with his mother right now.
Jack Yeah?
Eddie Mother, dear, I know it's a good proposition, and if you'll give me the money, I'm positive that I won't fail.
Mrs. Morgan Eddie, dear, I'm willing to give you anything—anything in the world—but I cannot afford to risk it. You know this hotel hasn't been doing so well lately.
Eddie That's just the reason I want to go, Mom. I'm positive I'll make a success of it. You'll see. Oh, please.
Mrs. Morgan When children leave home...they forget. Now, take Kitty Lewis, for instance. She hasn't written to you, has she? Are you sure that you're not over-anxious to be where she is? Are you?
Eddie Naturally, I want to be near her, Mother. You don't blame me, do you?
Mrs. Morgan No. I don't blame you. She's a dear, sweet girl. And I know you love her.
Eddie Now, listen, Mom, give me the money, please. I just worked my head off to make a success of everything. And I'll fix it so you can take things easy for the rest of your life.
Eddie Hello, who is it?
Eddie Oh, wait a minute, Gene.
Eddie Those two men are going to leave in the morning. You see, they didn't say a word about it. Now, I've got to see them before they leave.
Mrs. Morgan Where are they?
Eddie Well, they're down in the lobby. Oh, Mother, let me take the money, won't you? I'm sure everything will be okay.
Mrs. Morgan Well, why not have the gentlemen come up here?
Eddie All right.
Eddie Hello, Gene. Have the gentleman come up to our rooms, will you? And listen, you come up, too.
Eddie Right.
Mrs. Morgan Thank you, dear. I know you're anxious to do something big. But... I'd loan you the money is in a moment, but I cannot afford to lose it, and you cannot afford to fail.
Eddie Oh, don't you worry about me failing, Mother. I'm just sure everything's gonna come out great.
Eddie Come in, gentlemen.
Gene Hey, there, Mrs. Morgan.
Eddie Mother, do you know these two gentlemen? Mr. Dickson, and Mr. Jackson.
Jack How do you do?
Dan How do you do?
Mrs. Morgan How do you do? I think I've had the pleasure of meeting you. You're the gentlemen in Room 21, aren't you?
Dan Yes, we are.
Jack 21.
Mrs. Morgan My son's been telling me of the wonderful proposition.
Jack Yes?
Dan It's a wonderful proposition, Mrs. Morgan. And I think a young fellow like Eddie will do great.
Jack Absolutely.
Gene You see he means two fellows, like me and Eddie, Mrs. Morgan.
Mrs. Morgan I see. Well, I think you're both very nice boys.
Jack Thank you.
Mrs. Morgan And I trust you implicitly.
Gene Oh, they're lovely fellows, Mrs. Morgan. I've talked to them a great deal since they've been here.
Broadway——forty-five minutes from Main Street——but a million miles away.
Chinatown and the Bowery $1.$^{00Round}$
Vendor Right this way, folks! Chinatown and the Bowery! One dollar! Round trip! Come on, folks! Everybody ride! See the lower east side of the Chinese den! One dollar, folks!
Antiques
Man by antique shop Well, where'll we go?
Woman by antique shop I tell you, let's go upstairs to the Royal Buffet. Charles White lives up there.
Man by antique shop Okay, baby.
Theater announcer Tonight for all the big show hits in town! Theater tickets—this is where we sell them inside! Step right in! Theater tickets—this is where we sell them!
Inquirer Pardon me, Officer, but could you tell me where the other side of the street is?
Officer Why, it's right over there.
Inquirer That's strange. The fellow over there told me it was over here.
Officer Go on! Run along now, before I...
Old Century
Newspaper man Extra! Paper! Big police murder! Extra! Paper! All about the big police murder! Extra! Paper! Policeman killed by bootleggers! All about the big police murder!
Gene Oh, Eddie? Eddie!
Eddie What's the matter?
Gene A whole 'nother bootleg murder. "Officer Thomas Kerwin Killed in the Bootleg War."
Eddie That's just another reason that I wanna get out of this place and this racket. If I'd have known six months ago what I know now, I wouldn't be here.
Gene Yeah. We're a couple of smart fellas.
Eddie Well, we thought we were buying a respectable barber shop, and get hooked into a speakeasy and a warehouse for bottled goods.
Gene Yeah. About the only thing I ever shave around this joint is labels off of bottles. They quit paying for us—they didn't try to sell us Central Park or Coney Island. Yeah. We're a couple of smart fellas.
Eddie Now, listen, Gene, if I didn't have my mother's money tied up in this thing, I'd quit right now. And believe me, as soon as I get even, I am through.
Gene Well, you and me both. But, you see, we got tricked into this thing, Eddie. And we've got to go through with it. See, we were tricked by a couple of...fine gentlemen.
Eddie Yeah, and we went into it too quickly.
Gene There come those two fine gentlemen now.
Eddie Look out they don't steal your watch.
Jack And how are the little tonsorial brothers today?
Gene Great! And all I ask is to get one of you birds in that chair for about a minute.
Dan Ah, there's no use getting sore about it.
Eddie What do you expect him to do, kiss you, with the deal you handed out?
Dan Well, you've got no kick coming. We split with you.
Eddie I don't want that kind of money.
Gene No, and what we bought was a regular barber shop, not a speakeasy.
Dan Well, here's your chance to have a regular shop. Did you see tonight's paper?
Eddie Yes, I did.
Jack You know, that's enough for Dan and me. You know, this town is going to be so hot from now on, you won't be able to live in it.
Dan So this joint is yours! It's in your name anyway. Well, so long, Eddie. See you in church.
Dan Come on, Jake.
Jack No, wait a minute, Dan. Aren't you going to say goodbye to the best little barber in the country? Haha!
Gene I hope you two guys spend your old age in jail!
Gene Imagine those eggs.
Eddie Hello?
Eddie Oh, hello, Kitty.
Eddie All right, honey. Well, I'll drive over and get you in the car. I'll meet you in front of the apartment. Now, you'll have plenty of time for the show. All right.
Eddie That was Kitty. I'm going over to see her. I don't know what time I'll be back.
Gene Well, at least you've got somebody decent you're going to talk to.
Eddie I'll see you later.
Gene All right, watch yourself, Eddie.
Central Park
Kitty Oh, another bootleg murder. You see that's why I want you to quit that business. Sooner or later, the cops are going to find out it's only...that your barber shop's only a speakeasy. There're so many other things you can do, Eddie.
Eddie Oh, I know it, darling, and I am gonna quit. And when I do, you quit that night club, too.
Kitty Oh, you're right. I don't wanna work there any longer than I have to. Oh, you know, Hawk Miller is always hanging around me.
Eddie Hawk Miller? Hawk Miller likes me. He's my friend. And, besides, he knows that you're my girl.
Kitty You don't know Hawk like I do. It's me he likes.
Eddie Aw, don't you be silly. He has a girl of his own, Molly. She's been his girl for years.
Kitty All right. But just remember that I told you.
Eddie Now, he's all right, honey. Besides, I don't want to have any trouble with him. I expect to sell him all my stuff.
Kitty Well, I want to get out of there as soon as possible. You know, it gets pretty rough. Fights...oh, and everything. I get almost afraid sometimes.
Eddie Well, don't you be afraid of anybody, honey.
Here. Look. I've had that for years. My father gave it to me to practice with when I was a kid. And if anybody annoys you, why, you just fire it in the air a couple of times, and that'll scare them away.
Kitty Cute, isn't it?
Eddie You come along, honey. It's getting late. You've got to get over to the cafe and do your stuff.
Kitty All right. Let's go. I'll be glad to get it over with. Gee, I hate that place.
The Night Hawk——a night club where anything can happen and usually does.
The Night Hawk
"Hawk" Miller——owner of the Night Hawk Cafe.
Hawk Say, Bob, I want you to be very careful who you let in here tonight. Make sure that everybody has a card.
Bob Don't worry, Hawk. Leave it to me.
Molly Thompson——the Hawk's girl for more years than she cared to admit.
Master of ceremonies And now, folks, now, folks, we're going to have the dancing pirates. And, believe me, boys, take it from me, they'll take it from you.
Kitty Come in.
Eddie Hello.
Kitty Hello, Eddie.
Eddie Wouldn't be nobody else.
Kitty Now what do you want?
Eddie Well, I want a lot of things, but most of all I want you.
Kitty Don't you ever get bored looking at me, Eddie?
Eddie Well, I get bored at looking at anyone else but you. In fact, I don't like anyone looking at you.
Kitty You know, I believe you're jealous.
Eddie You believe I'm jealous? And why shouldn't I be, of the prettiest girl in the world? You know, someday, I'm going to have a nightclub all my own, with no one in it to watch you but me.
Kitty Oh, no. You promised that we were all finished with nightclubs, didn't you, Eddie?
Eddie That's right, I did.
Kitty Well, that's settled. Now, run along, dear, because I have to dress.
Eddie How about a little kiss? Now, I'll run out and get my ringside seat.
Kitty I'll be seeing you.
Master of ceremonies Now, folks! Now... Hey, folks! Now comes that horrible moment in every night club, when the master of ceremony feels a song coming on, and this is that horrible moment—you know, that terrible time—and a girl, she leans over to her escort and she says, "Daddy, give that boy two dollars!" Well... Well, here it is.
Master of ceremonies
The Hawk's office in the Night Club.
Sam Hey. Here comes a hawk. Better sit down.
Sam Hey, listen, Hawk, I don't think we'd better take any chance with this stuff. You know it's Old Century, don't you?
Hawk You don't think! You know we're not going to take any chances when a cop has been bumped off.
Sam Well, I didn't bump him off. Don't blame it on me.
Hawk Shut up! Who asked you? He was killed, wasn't he?
Sam Sure, he was killed.
Hawk Well, somebody's gotta take the rap.
Hawk The only evidence they have is those twelve cases of Old Century. And it's right here in this joint.
Tommy We were a bunch of saps to bring it here. We've gotta get rid of it.
Hawk That's just what I'm going to do. And I want you to handle it for me, Tommy.
Tommy What? Me? You must think I've got marshmallows for brains, Hawk.
Hawk Why, you poor crumb. You're scared. You're afraid to take a chance.
Tommy Why don't you take it?
Hawk You take it, Sam. This guy's got a streak of yellow a yard wide.
Sam Me? No, not me! Why don't you take it? Take it yourself. You know, when it comes right down with it, you...you killed the cop, you know. We didn't have anything to do with it. Did we?
Hawk Shut up, will you? Would you pin those lips together and quit making those cracks about who bumped him off?
Sam Well...
Hawk Get you guys a couple of megaphones.
Private Office
Hawk Hey, it's Eddie Morgan outside. Does that give you beggars any ideas?
Sam No, but it might give you an idea.
Hawk Yeah, why?
Sam Well, you know, Eddie runs that joint over on 46th Street. You know that.
Tommy And he's got a chicken that ain't so bad either. Maybe you could kill two birds with one stone.
Hawk Why, what do you mean, Tommy? Now, you don't think for a minute that I would frame Eddie, do you?
Sam No, no, no, you wouldn't frame anybody, Hawk. No, not you. It's a mistake.
Tommy Well, there's an idea there. If they find the goods here, it'll go pretty hard with you, Hawk.
Hawk Well, it won't go so easy for you two guys, either. Now, listen, if they grab Eddie, we can help them if we're going outside, can't we?
Sam Sure, we could do that, yeah.
Tommy You're always a great guy for fixing things, Hawk, supposing you do it.
Hawk Yeah, you'd better leave it to me.
Sam Yeah. We'll leave it to you. We'll leave it right to you.
Hawk You guys make us neat. I think I've got an idea.
Hawk But don't leave town!
Sam Don't leave town? Why not?
Hawk Well, it might look bad.
Sam Well, all right. We'll just hang around the joint, huh?
Hawk If you see Eddie Morgan out there, tell him I wanna see him.
Sam All right.
Sam Hey, Eddie, the Hawk wants you in the office.
Eddie I'll see him a little bit later.
Sam Look, Eddie, you'd better go in now. He wants to see you right away.
Eddie All right.
Eddie Hello, Hawk, did you want to see me?
Hawk Ah, hi, Eddie. Come on inside.
Eddie What's on your mind?
Hawk Oh, nothing in particular. How is everything over at the shop? All right?
Eddie Just fair. You know how it is.
Hawk I'll tell you what I want to see about, Eddie. I just got a tip from headquarters that I might be raided, by Federal men.
Eddie Oh.
Hawk And I was wondering if you wouldn't mind a few cases for me for a few hours, till it blows over.
Eddie Why, certainly! Why not? Where is it?
Hawk Right here. There're only a few cases. Where's your car?
Eddie Right outside.
Hawk Good.
Eddie Oh, I see. I'll take it over right now.
Hawk That's a good idea. Take it out the back way. Here's the key. I certainly appreciate this, Eddie.
Eddie Anytime at all, Hawk.
Hawk Thanks.
Dancer 1 Oh, hello, Mr. Miller.
Dancer 2 Hello, Mr. Miller.
Hawk Wait a minute, Kitty. I want to see you for a minute.
Kitty Look, please, Mr. Miller. I have to hurry.
Hawk Why the "Mr." stuff, Kitty? Why, you're the coldest propositioner I ever met. Why the icicles? You ought to know that high-hat stuff will never get you any place with me.
Kitty Well, I'm not trying to high-hat you, Mr. Morris. I have to make another number.
Hawk Wait a minute, Kitty. I want to tip you off to something. Are you running around with that sappity Morgan and wasting your time? What can he do for you—a piking bootlegger?
Who was it that took you out of the chorus, huh? Me, wasn't it? Who was it that gave you a chance to leave numbers? Me! Why, I could set you in a big show—get you anything. And you run around with a bologna like that simp. Come on inside and sit down, huh?
Kitty Well, I can't, I have to hurry.
Hawk Will you be back?
Kitty I'll try.
Molly Wait a minute, Hawk. You're a hound for chickens, ain't you?
Hawk Well, what do you want?
Molly Nothing much. Only this—that kid don't want any part of you.
Hawk Hey, you mind your own business, will you? I'll take care of that kid.
Molly So I see. But I'm warning you to stay off.
Hawk Yeah? Why?
Molly Oh, I'm just warning you, that's all. You might get indigestion from too much chicken.
Hawk Well, if I get indigestion, it won't be from an old hen.
Molly Wait a minute! You didn't say that when you wanted the money to run this joint. You didn't say that when you wanted me to stick by you through all the tough times.
Hawk Oh, save that gab, will you? Why don't you get yourself a tambourine and go out on the corner and peddle your blues?
Hawk You'll be careful, but you're not singing the blues, Hawk. You think you can pick any chicken you want, and throw me back in the deck? Well, you can't do it. It ain't lucky.
Hawk Who said so?
Molly I said so.
Hawk Yeah? Well, you've said too much. Now, you understand? We're through. I'm sick and tired of you sitting around this joint day in and day out, staring and watching every move I make. Now, you beat it. I have important business to attend to.
Molly So have I!
Sam Hey! Here comes two cops. You'd better duck!
Hawk Hello, boys. How are you? Sit down.
Hawk Have a cigar.
Hawk Well, what's on your mind, boys?
Detective Crosby Plenty. You've heard about Tom Kerwin being bumped off, of course.
Hawk I certainly did. There's an extra out about it. Did you land the guy that did it?
Detective Collins No, but we're well, Hawk.
Hawk Well, I hope so. It's pretty tough when a cop is bumped off. They're my best friends.
Detective Crosby Yes, and it's going to be tough on the guy who did it.
Hawk Well, I hope you get the dirty rat! Got any ideas?
Detective Crosby No. Have you?
Hawk Me? Why, what ideas would I have about a job like that?
Detective Crosby I was thinking you might know something, and if you do know, it would be a good idea to talk.
Hawk Why, I've got nothing to say.
Detective Crosby Well, I have. This killing was a bootleg job, and it concerns liquor. Until we know who killed that cop, we're going to close every joint. Yes, this one's first!
Hawk Gee, that's pretty tough, boys. I'd like to help you. Have you got any clues?
Detective Crosby Nothing much. The stuff they was after was all censured. I haven't seen any before this job in two years.
Hawk All censured...
Detective Crosby Yeah. There was a few cases missing. The ones that did the job took some of the stuff. See any around?
Hawk Why, boys, what's the matter? Surely you don't think that I would have any stuff like that lying around, do you? That or any other stuff.
Detective Crosby We're not thinking anything, Hawk, but it's about time you began thinking. You probably could tell us plenty, so open your trap and say something!
Hawk Boys, you know I'm not a squealer, don't you? You know I've always been on the up-and-up, don't you? Why, I wouldn't hurt a pal for the world. But when it comes to killing a cop, I'm against him.
Detective Crosby Well, well, come on!
Hawk You say the guy that did the job got away with some cases of Old Century?
Detective Crosby Yes!
Detective Collins Yes!
Hawk Well, I might be able to help you. I think I've got a clue.
Detective Crosby Where?
Detective Collins Who?
Hawk I can't say just now, but... You know where the White Way Barber Shop is, don't you?
Detective Crosby Over on 46th Street?
Hawk Right. Well, you be there at ten o'clock, and I might show you something interesting. Get me?
Detective Crosby White Way Barber Shop at ten o'clock, huh?
Hawk Right.
Hawk Hey, the cops were just here.
Sam Yeah, I know they were. We saw them. What do they want?
Hawk Crosby knows something.
Sam He does?
Hawk Yes. Sit down. Now we've gotta cover ourselves up. I've planted the stuff in Eddie's shop.
Sam Yeah?
Hawk And the dicks will be there at ten o'clock.
Sam Uh-huh.
Hawk But they must not find Eddie!
Sam What do you want us to do?
Hawk I want you guys to make him disappear.
Sam Disappear?
Hawk Why, certainly. If they don't find him, it will cinch everything for us. Don't you understand?
Sam But you mean...
Hawk Take him for a ride.
Sam Oh!
Kitty 424 Bryant. No, operator, four-two-four. Yes.
Kitty Hello? Hello, is Eddie there? Bring him to the phone quick. This is Kitty. Yes.
Kitty Hello, Eddie? Listen. The Hawk framed you. Oh, I'm telling you he did, I heard him.
Kitty Yes. Crosby and Collins are coming down to the barber shop at ten o'clock.
Kitty Yes. Oh, listen to me, Eddie, please!
Eight minutes to ten—
The White Way Barber Shop
Hawk Hello, Gene.
Gene Hello, Hawk.
Hawk Where's Eddie?
Gene Why, he was here a while ago. He went out with a couple of guys.
Hawk A couple of guys, eh?
Gene Yeah, two of them.
Hawk Well, I think I'll stick around a while.
Gene All right, Hawk. Make yourself at home. Have you lamped that new Police Gazette yet? Get a load of that third page!
Gene Not bad, eh?
Hawk Hello, Eddie.
Eddie Hello, Hawk.
Hawk Did you get the stuff done, all right?
Eddie Certainly. Everything's jake? Why?
Hawk Oh, nothing. Just wanted to make sure that you had it, that's all.
Eddie That ain't all, Hawk. You thought you'd put something over on me, didn't you?
Hawk Why, what do you mean? Why, you're all excited about nothing. You ought to know me better than that, old pal. Haven't I always been on the up-and-up with you? Why, I can't understand what you mean.
Eddie I mean just this—you tried to frame me. You knew the cops were looking for Old Century. That's the reason you wanted me to plant it in this joint.
Hawk Now, don't get excited! Don't get excited! Why, somebody must be kidding you.
Eddie Yeah?
Eddie Well, that may be so. It may not be so. But I've protected myself.
Hawk You what? You got the stuff, didn't you?
Eddie I told you, yes.
Eddie But, when the cops get here...
Hawk Cops? Now, who said anything about cops?
Eddie Say, don't try to pull that on me. You know the dicks will be here at ten o'clock!
Hawk Ah, you're crazy.
Eddie Yeah, well maybe I am, and maybe I'm not. That doesn't make any difference. I am just crazy enough to know that you're the guy that bumped off that cop!
Hawk Why, you poor chump! You're hooked! Yes, and you're hooked good! Because when the dicks get here and find the stuff, they'll grab you! And I'll grab Kitty!
Eddie Heh, don't make me laugh. They'll take nobody but you! Because Kitty quit your joint tonight! And I dumped the stuff in the river! What do you think of that?
Hawk Why, you can't get away with that stuff. Why, you haven't got a chance!
Gene What's happened, Eddie?
Eddie Somebody shot the Hawk!
Gene Who did it?
Eddie I don't know! It came from back there! Listen, we've gotta get him out of here! I'll tell you! I'll put him in my car, and dump him along the road someplace!
Gene All right.
Eddie Pick him up!
Gene All right.
Gene Give me a hand, Eddie.
Eddie It's too late.
Gene Well, what'll we do?
Eddie I don't know. Here, put him in that chair.
Eddie Got him?
Gene Slip him up.
Eddie Listen.
Gene Yeah?
Eddie Stall as long as you can. I've got to make a getaway.
Gene Okay.
Detective Crosby Am I next?
Gene Why, yes, sir. But, you'll have to wait. I just started on this gentleman.
Detective Crosby All right, I'll wait.
Gene You see, he wants a massage, too.
Detective Crosby I'll wait!
Gene All right.
Gene Yes, sir. That was certainly a great game. Made two runs in the ninth inning. Made the score two to one. Great game tomorrow, too. That's all right, old man. Go ahead and sleep. I'll wake you up when I'm through with you.
Detective Crosby It's Hawk Miller! He's dead!
Detective Collins What is it?
Detective Crosby What is this?
Gene I don't know.
Detective Crosby That's what they all say. You'd better speak up and save yourself a lot of grief. How did it happen?
Gene Well, all I know, Eddie and me was in here talking, and the Hawk comes in. There was a lot of conversation about Old Century. And then the Hawk makes a crack about Eddie's dame, Kitty. And Hawk goes for his rod, and then he got shot.
Detective Crosby By Eddie?
Gene Oh, I don't know who done it, but it wasn't Eddie.
Detective Crosby Eddie Morgan did it and you know he did it! Where is he?
Gene I don't know.
Detective Crosby Where is he?
Gene Oh, he went out that door.
Detective Crosby Collins, take charge. I'll grab this guy, Eddie, before he knows where he stands!
Gene Now, listen, Chief, honest to God, I don't know who took...
Detective Collins Oh, listen, listen, listen.
Gene I wasn't in on the play. I don't know nothing.
Detective Collins Oh, what are you squawking about? Everything will be all right.
Gene I know.
Detective Collins Calm yourself.
Not far from the barber shop, Kitty waited anxiously in her apartment.
Eddie Kitty! We've gotta get out of here now, quickly! Pack up the things and let's go!
Kitty I know! Hawk Miller!
Eddie How do you know?
Detective Crosby What's your hurry? You're not going anywhere. Now, Eddie, looks like I caught up with you, don't it?
Eddie Now, what do you want with me, Mr. Crosby? I haven't done nothing.
Detective Crosby Of course you haven't. You must take me for an awful boob. I just left your barber shop. Hawk Miller is dead! He was killed with this. Come on. Let's go.
Kitty Oh, no! Don't take him! He didn't do it! Honest, he didn't do it!
Detective Crosby No? Then who did?
Kitty Why, why...
Eddie Keep quiet, Kitty!
Detective Crosby She doesn't have to say anything. Neither do you. I've got proof enough to send you to the chair. Come on—both of you.
Molly Wait a minute, Crosby. You've got the wrong people.
Detective Crosby What do you mean?
Molly I mean, they've got nothing to do with the killing of Hawk Miller.
Detective Crosby How do you know?
Molly I guess I'm the one person who ought to know, because...I did it.
Detective Crosby You? I don't believe it. He was your man, wasn't he?
Molly Yes. He was my man. I loved him. But I couldn't stand his loving somebody else! When he told me he was through with me, I...I made up my mind he was through with...all women. So, when Kitty here was doing her number, I went to her dressing room and took her gun and followed him to the barber shop. Then...Then, I heard him tell Eddie he was going to kill him and take his girl. Oh, I...I must have gone mad! I was jealous! I was crazy! I...I killed him! He was no good. But I loved him. Well, he's gone now. So I can tell you about double-crossing. He was the one who killed the policeman, Tom.
Detective Crosby He did?
Molly He did. Well, that's all. Come on, let's get it over with. I'm not afraid. I've lived, and I've loved, and I've lost!
Detective Crosby Molly, you're all right. You certainly saved these kids.
Detective Crosby If you both will take my tip, you'll get out of this city. Don't you see how close you've been to tragedy? Get out. Take a train to the country where there's trees and flowers and mountains. Leave the Roaring Forties to roar without you.
Eddie You're right, Mr. Crosby. We're gonna leave the first chance we get. We've made our minds up. We want to do right for each other, and everyone else. There's no luck in anything else.
Detective Crosby Right. Come on, Molly. I don't think it's gonna be so tough for you. There was a reward for the killer, dead or alive. Besides, you've saved the state a lot of expense—the cost of an electrocution. I'm gonna see that you get a break, and don't think you've got much to worry about.
Detective Crosby Don't forget the train to the country.
Eddie Phew! Train? Honey, we'll fly to the country!
The End A Warner Bros. Vitaphone Production
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1929.
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* The principal director
* The screenwriter, and/or other writers of dialogue
* The composer/lyricist (if the film is accompanied by sound)
* The cinematographer
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The longest-living of these authors died in 1977, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 46 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.
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