 And so in conclusion, young ladies, let me again remind you, there's a psychological reason behind every crime. Now, once we have that reason, we have the motive. And once we have the motive, the finding and apprehension of the criminal is merely a matter of police routine. And as for murders, we find that the greater percentage result from the psychological reactions to frustrated ambitions, jealousy, and hate. I thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much, Dr. Danfield. This year college is offered by your family. The honor is all mine, Dean Chase. Now I believe Ms. Perpex and I will run along. Oh, ready, Rusty? Right, where do you dance? Goodbye, Dr. Danfield. Goodbye, Dean Chase. Yeah, how'd you like to meet your Rusty? Yeah, I... Listen, I have you autographed, Doc. Of course, you let me have your book. There you are. Oh, thank you. Danny? I asked you, Rusty, how was my lecture? Those girls will make me so mad. Why? What do they do? Well, they didn't hear a word you said. What makes you think that? Well, they were too busy watching that cute way you raise your eyebrows when you talk. Well then, how did you like my lecture? Well, I... Hello, Dan, you do look like Michael Dunn. Dr. Danfield, student of crime psychology, has many times provided the police with the solution to a battling crime. There's an interesting case ahead for the doctor today. We'll call it the case of a little meteorite who wanted to be a star. Hello, I'm disappointed in you, Rusty. You, of all people, not listening to my lecture. Oh, I've heard it before. What's going on? What a hotel. My room doesn't have a door. Still snowing on? What a hotel. My room doesn't even have running water. Of course not. Neither is mine. Rusty, is it still snowing? Just as hot as ever. Well, I guess that's it. This keeps up. We won't get out of this town for a couple of days. Well, at least not tonight. Oh, what do they do on a snowy night in Elmhurst? Oh, what are they doing? I've got a couple of good ideas. Mm-hmm. What brings them? Well, look, there must be a theater in this town. Oh, yes, there is. I noticed it this afternoon. Tonight, they're playing Vogueville. Vogueville? I thought Vogueville was dead. It is. Believe me. This is just some way resurrected. I think you know all about music, do you, Tiny? Sure, Slim. I know all about music. Okay, then. What is a scale? A scale? Yes, a scale. What is a scale? A fecalon of fish. No, no. A scale is a system of notes running from sea to sea. Well, doesn't a fish run from sea to sea? Forget about the fish, Tiny. A scale starts with dough. Oh, money. Oh, no, not money. Not money? Of course not. Dough is the first note of the scale. Now, I have to tell you. A scale is a system of notes running from sea to sea. Well, doesn't a fish run from sea to sea? Dough is the first note of the scale. Now after dough comes raised. Oh, raised after the money. Raised not after the money. Then she isn't the same way that I know. Those fellows are stopping at our hotel. Oh, yeah. They're leaving just because they're making money. After eight comes me. I thought so. Raised after the money and you have to raise. Not me. I didn't say me. Then what did you say? I said me. Oh, that's what I thought you said. I said me. Am I me? Am I spelled me in Italian? Now, why don't you speak English? Oh, oh, oh, oh. Then comes soul. Ah! Yeah, now that I've got that move, Tony, I'm supposed to tell you. Yes, but that's the only thing. Why do I have to give the poor guy a chance? I don't say no fish. Now, after soul comes large sea dough. Oh, no dough, yes. A scale has dough on the top and dough on the bottom. Dough on the top and dough on the bottom? Yes. Now do you know what a scale is? Sure. All right, then. What is a scale? A piece of apple. Why did you stink tonight? What do you mean me? Come on, let's take another bow. I can smell you clear down a forest. Oh, yeah? Hey, another bow. Won't you ever learn to wait for laughs? Me wait? Why, you jumped all over? Oh, hiya, peaches. Hi, Tony. See you boys were swell tonight. Oh, I was okay, but trim here, brother. What a lousy statement. Why are you silly looking, Paddy? I can find a better comic than you down at the zoo. Boys, boys, what do you want to do? Break up a good act? Oh, nuts. I'm going to change. Yeah, me too. Well, I got a song this thing. See you after, Tony. Yeah, see you after. Brother! That wasn't for peaches. I quit the act right now. I may do it anyway. That's another thing. That peaches thing. Well, she's a troublemaker. I'm warning you. Don't you say anything about peaches? Well, Bob, she's the reason for all of it. I'll shut up. If it wasn't for her, we'd have... Don't you tell me to shut up, you little scum. You slap me. Next time, I'll knock your teeth out. One of these days, I'm going to kill you for that. In a moment, we'll return for the second act of danger Dr. Danfield. But first, now back to Michael Dunn for the second act of danger Dr. Danfield. Sure that was. No wonder Vaudeville did. What kind of guys would kill this? Oh, they weren't so bad. The tall ones kind of cute. I guess they'd be alright if they had some decent material. Well, the picture wasn't bad till the evening wasn't entirely wasted anyway. Would it ever stop snowing? I guess not. Well, here's the hotel. And what a hotel. Must have been built before this country had ended. Well, at least it's a roof over our heads. These gas lights really get me. Dan, that was screened. You see the cutest things, Rusty. No. Come on, it came from up there. Sounds like our landlady, Mrs. Main. She's got a voice like an air raid alarm, too. Come on in here, Rusty. Mrs. Main, what is it? What's the matter? Dr. Danfield, I'm so glad you're here. Oh, this is terrible, terrible, terrible. What is? Look. Dan on the bed. Yes, as I see, our little Vaudeville friend. The fat one. And he's as gold and stiff as an iceberg. Oh, stop it, Mrs. Main. Try and get a hold of yourself. I need a cigarette. Rusty, don't light it. This room is full of gas. Yes, he's dead, all right. I'm fixated. There must be a leak in the light. Oh, dear, oh, dear, the poor man. Poor man. Oh, Mrs. Main, how did you discover this? I was coming up to deliver this telegram. All the actors stopped here. I thought it might be important. A telegram for Tiny Hill? One of us for the both of them. Actors always get telegrams. Oh, poor, poor man. Mrs. Main, Mrs. Main, please. Coming down the hall, I smell the gas. Actors are such nice people. I knock on the door. There wasn't any answer, so I opened the door and it comes in. And there it was, just as stiff and cold as an iceberg. Oh, tell me, Mrs. Main. Tiny's parking is slim. Slim miles, is he around? Oh, wonderful man. A fine actor. I saw him down to California. He gave me a ticket. I know, but have you seen him tonight? Yes, come on. Come on. I don't know what I said. That's it. That's it. That's it. Wonderful man seems to be staggering in. Yeah. Oh, hello, folks. This is your friend yours? I picked him up for being drunk in disorder. Bring him right in, will you, officer? Okay, okay. Yep. Oh. You know, with his load, that makes two roads you carry him. That's Jones. Now, don't anybody like a match. You, uh... You don't like a match. You ain't his partner, young fella. I know he ain't. I've seen him down to Calvin. Well, he'd give me a ticket. No, no, no. His partner is over there. Oh, oh, oh. Sleep, man. No, dead. What? What's that? Who's dead? Tiny is slim. Can't do this to me. Tiny can't do this to me. I'm afraid it's already been done. Tell him there's a telegram for you. I wish you'd please open it. Telegram? Uh, give it to him, will you, Mrs. Main? Here. Um, my agent. He's got an opening for us in Hollywood. In the picture. Tiny. Tiny, what did you do it? Oh, no. No, you can't be dead. It's you pretty hard, doesn't it, Slim? Tiny. Tiny, I loved you like a brother. Now, what's gonna happen to me? You'll never get another partner like Tiny. Why? Why did he do it? Oh, you seem to be pretty sure he was a suicide, don't you, Slim? Of course it was. What's going on in here? Where's Tiny? Over there on the bed, Miss Darling. On the bed? What's the matter with him? He's dead. Oh, the poor old man. He's dead. Oh, no. No, not Tiny. I'm afraid he is, Miss Darling. No. Oh. No. Oh. Quick. Put him on the mattress. Oh, Miss Darling, please. Please, try and get a hold of yourself. Tiny, I... Oh, rest will help me. Will you please take Miss Darling to her room? Of course, Danny. The rest of you, it better go to your rooms. And Mrs. May, lock the door, please, and give the key to the chief. No, no, no, no, no, Sean. She better give it to you. No, I'm not much good in investigating things. All right, if you wish, Chief. Come on, Miss Darling. Rusty? No, no, honey, don't cry. I'm sorry, I can't help it. Tiny was nuts, but he was a good guy. Yes, yes, yes. Help her to a chair, will you, Miss Darling? There. There you are, peaches. Well, nobody knew what a good guy he was. Nobody. Dr. Denman, you just got to find the guy who killed him. Oh, and you think he was murdered? Of course he was murdered. Tiny didn't want to die. Can't have everything to live for. I'm afraid, Miss Darling, that everything points to an accident. Well, it could have been one of several things. Tiny could have come home intoxicated, for instance. Nobody was. I met him after the show. We had one drink with Slim and then came straight to the hotel. Tiny was tired. Went to bed early. Well, there's still the possibility of a leak in the gas fixer. I don't believe it. Well, of course I can settle that with further investigation. Oh, by the way, Miss Darling, just why are you so upset over Tiny's death? If you can't guess, I'm not going to tell you. Oh, that's easy, Dave. If you think Tiny was murdered, just who do you think did it? That's something I'm not going to tell you either. This is something I'm going to settle in my own way, myself. You know, I'm not a bit satisfied. This was an accident, Rusty. Well, it looks simple enough to me. What's worrying you? Well, Miss Darling, for one thing, and this light fixture for another, doesn't sound reasonable for it to spring a leak all of a sudden. Well, gas will leak if there's a hole in it. Yes, if there's a hole. You know, well, hand me a match, Rusty, will you? Here's my lighter. Thank you. Now, if there is a leak, it will burn when I hold the flame around. This fixture is up high. Let me reach it. There. Now, you see, Rusty? No gas leaking out of this thing. What do you mean? That means somebody turned it on. You better have this valve checked for fingerprints, Rusty. This has to be either suicide or a peaches his right. It's murder. Uh, pass Mr. Miles and meet Dr. Danfield. That big one's for you, Slim. I received a report on the fingerprints, Mrs. Maine. Fingerprints? Yes, on the gas valve in your room, Slim. The only ones on it were yours, Mrs. Maine. Mine? Yes. Now, I want you to think back to last night. When you entered that room, did you turn off the gas? Of course I did. Will you mind passing Mr. Miles the codfish cake stuff, then? Certainly, yes. Here you are, Slim. Now, Mrs. Maine, was the gas lighted when you entered the room? Of course it wasn't. But gas cost money if it's lit or not. I smelled it, so I knew it was on, so I turned it off. And, uh, how may I ask, did you turn it off? You're quite, uh, short. Well, I climbed up on a chair. That's how I turned it off. I see. A lighter counts for Mrs. Maine's fingerprints, then? Yes, it does not, though. Oh, then what, Mrs. Maine? Well, then I took a look at Mr. Corbett. Sorry, I was dead and began screaming like any respectable woman would. Would you mind passing Mr. Miles the big bean's doctor? Yeah, yeah, it was pleasure. Here you are, Slim. Thanks. Actors are the hungriest, people. Now, peaches, are you ready to tell me why you were broken up over Tiny's death? I-I love the guy. Oh, I see. Yeah, him and me was going to get married. Did you know about that, Slim? Ah, she's talking through her head. That's the first time I heard of him. Oh, Tiny was playing her all right, but... That's all you know about us, you lousy bum. What? Miss Darling, please, you shouldn't talk that way about dear Mr. Miles. Dear Mr. Miles, my fortune is nothing but a hand. Doctor, would you please pass Mr. Miles the brown bread? Yes, yes, of course. Go on, Mrs. Darling. Just to prove that we was going to get married, Tiny went out and sat down payment on the farm just three days ago. You mean you and Tiny were going to quit your business? Sure we was. And Tiny was going to tell you to take the old act and go to a nantucket and a buck. Oh, my, what language? Slim, what about you? Yeah, what about me? Well, judging from your condition last night, you'd spent quite a spongy evening. Tell me, did you and Tiny ever have any argument? Oh, sure we did. And what act doesn't? We had one yesterday in fact. Oh, serious? Nah, just the usual stuff. We made up. Him and pictures of me went in and had a drink together. Tiny was tired, so he'd come up here to the hotel. Now, some of the boys at the bar said that you were telling them that Tiny, uh, spun. Nah, they got it all wrong. But Tiny was the greatest comic that ever lived. Uh, Doctor. Uh, yes, Miss. Oh, would you mind passing Mr. Miles the Apple Pie? Yes, yes, of course. Here you are. Thanks. Uh, Mrs. Mayne. Yes, Doctor Danfield. Would you mind passing me the nuts, please? In a moment we'll return for the third act of Danger, Doctor Danfield, but first... And now back to Michael Dunn for the third act of Danger, Doctor Danfield. Danny, what a beautiful day. Yes, yes, isn't it, Rusty? The snow has stopped snoring, the wind has stopped blowing. Oh, by the way, did I tell you that Elmhurst was my hometown? You know, I used to live on Elizabeth Street. Do you mean that people are actually born here? That is not very funny, Rusty. I'm sorry. Dan. Hi. My hands are cold. Oh, why don't you sit down? Oh, Dan! I'm sorry, honey. I was kidding. Here, let me blow on them. What are we coming way out here for? Oh, I thought you'd like to play a ride. Oh, I do, but what are we coming way out here for? Well, I can't quite reconcile it. They think that Peacock has made it. She and Tiny were going to be married. Fine, Dan. Oh. Now, if we're holding this, won't it get cold again? Sure. Look, no hand. Oh, well, a horse probably knows the way anyway. What's the matter with Peacock and Tiny getting married? What's driving way out here got to do with it? Well, despite the fact that Peacock's kind of rough, she's a very beautiful girl, and strictly broadway, if you know what I mean. Why would a girl like that want to marry a homely, fat little man like Tiny? Because she loves him? Well, if she does, she's got more character than she's shown her so far. After coming out here, I... Well, I want to check up on that farm story, see if they really did make a down payment. And, incidentally, while we're on that subject, this must be the place. Hmm. Look at it, Dan. A rocky and wind-down it is. Yes. Hold it there, Doven. Hello? Howdy. What do you want? I want to talk to you in a minute. Hey, Dan, it's the policeman. In miles, that's nice. Yes, that's nice. Hey, what do you want? Oh! Hey, you, Dr. Dainty. Yes, yes, Chief. I just wanted to ask you a few questions. Yeah, go ahead, Chief. Tell me, do you own this place? I sure do. Did, uh... Did Tiny Corbett and Peacock's darling make a down payment on it? I mean, before Tiny died, of course. Ah, yes, Dag. Remember, it did. Now, I suppose you'll never sell the place. Or do you suppose he went and committed suicide? He probably came out and looked at the farm when it wasn't smelling. You, uh... You believe it was suicide? Of course you do. Of course you do. Couldn't have been ending up. Okay, Chief, that's all. Oh, uh... If you're in town tonight, you better drop by the hotel. I might just happen to be able to close the case. A closed case, huh? Yeah. Well, it was just a shame to you. I'd rather get open one. I can joke, sir. See you later, Chief. Goodbye, sir. Get up there, Doven. Well, then, you didn't learn much there. Oh, but I did, Rusty. Yes, what? You were right. She really loved the guy. Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh. Come on, Rusty. I want to take one more look at Tiny's room. Oh, right, but I... Close the door, will you, please? Sure. Dan, what are you going to find? Hey, take a look at this confection. The gas, Jim? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Look. Oh! Jokey! Okay. Okay, it's off. That's all the Rusty needs to tighten up. What is that prove? I've noticed the handle on this valve. One of those one-sided kind. It sticks straight up when it's closed. Well, for what? So I think we'd better have another little talk with Mrs. Maine. Well, here's the good lady in person. Well, what are you two doing in here? Having no respect for the dead? Enough to want to avenge his murder. Murder? Oh! Mrs. Maine, just where did you find that telegram that came for Tiny and Slim? I didn't find it. It was delivered. When? Around supper time. And, uh, did you keep it in your possession until you gave it to Slim? Of course not. Put it on the hall table where I always put telegrams. Well, honey, do you know who, uh, someone else saw it with you? Well, how do I know? They could have. It was laying there long enough. I see. Now, once more. Exactly what did you do when you went to the boy's room? I already told you. I kicked his clothes out of the way. Grabbed a chair from in front of the dresser. His clothes? What clothes? His clothes. Mr. Corbett. It is in the middle of the floor, at least it cold was. Had to kick it out of the way so as it could get the chair and the gas jet. I see. That's well, Mrs. Maine. Well, please notify all your other guests to meet me here at the supper. Now, it's time for a tiny at a good old-fashioned wake. I don't know what they want to do. Are they all here, Rusty? I think so. Let's see, Slim. This is Miles. Peaches and, oh yes, the Chief. Well, glad you could come, Chief. By the way, is there anything you would like to say? No, don't go ahead, sir. It's your party. Thanks. I don't see why you had to drag everybody down. Quiet, Peaches. Dad knows what he's doing. Now, as we all know, tiny was killed, asphyxiated by gas escaping from the gas jet. Sure, we know. A leak. But it wasn't a leak, Slim. Somebody turned the gas on. Poor man. He must have come home and turned on the gas and forgot the light. Oh, that was it. Must have been. Tiny was drunk. He'd had... Didn't you say he had just one drink, Slim? Well, yes. But human peaches probably stopped in somewhere else and had some more. I could be. But how do you account for the fact that tiny's coat was lying directly under the gas jet when Mrs. Maine came in? His coat. Tiny? Yes. She had to kick it out of the way in order to get a chair to turn off the gas. I don't know why. Well, let me give you my idea. Let's suppose Tiny did have a few more drinks. He comes in pie-eyed, takes off his coat, and hangs it up on the gas jet. The gas jet is loose. The weight of the coat gradually turns it on. Now, as the handle on the valve comes down under the weight of the coat, the coat slips off and falls to the floor. Tiny is asleep. The room fills with gas. Tiny dies. Oh, the poor, poor man. Danny, if you say it was an accident. For us to, it was murder. But you said... I said it was murder, Slim. He couldn't possibly have hung his coat on that jet. Why? Why couldn't he? Tiny wasn't tall enough, Slim. To do a trick like that would take a man as tall as... Well, let's say a man as tall as you. In a moment we return for the conclusion of Danger Dr. Danfield, but first, now back to Michael Dunn for the conclusion of Danger Dr. Danfield. Now, let's get away from that town, even if you were born there. No more rundown hotels or gas lights for me. Say, Rusty, look out the window. Isn't New England beautiful? It's a white and clean under a new blanket of snow. Get him waxing poetical again. Ah, it's lovely, Rusty. Lovely. Then, how did you ever guess it was murder instead of an accident? Hmm? Oh, one little mistake. A murderer always makes at least one, you know. What was that? A sack of other fingerprints on the gas jet. Slim had wiped them off. But how were they proven? Well, he and Tiny had used that room for about a week, so his fingerprints would have to be there under Mrs. Mayne. I see. But how did you ever figure out it was Slim? Well, if you had listened to my lecture, Rusty, you wouldn't have to ask. Well, what has your lecture got to do with it? I said there was a psychological reason behind every crime, and once we had that reason, we had the motive. Well, I know, but what was the motive in this case? Frustrated ambition, jealousy, and hate. Like any good Greek, you will always have a word for it. You see, Rusty, Slim saw the telegram lying on the whole table and read it. He knew about the offer to make pictures in Hollywood, but Tiny was sick and tired of Slim's bullying. He had already made up his mind to buy a farm, quit show business, marry peaches, and settle down. Now, Slim was jealous of Tiny. He secretly knew that Tiny was the best part of the act. He knew that Hollywood wouldn't buy the act without Tiny. So his ambitions to become a movie star were thwarted and frustrated. Well, how about the hate part of it? Well, wouldn't you hit a guy who did that to you? Hate him enough to kill? Hmm, yes, I would. And, of course, after figuring out the motive, the rest was just ordinary police routine. I see. Uh, then... Yes, Rusty? What's a scale? A scale, my dear Rusty, is what a poet starts with when he wants to write a song, a system of notes which when properly welded together and combined with beautiful words and sung with, say, a voice such as mine, makes the beautiful ladies fall right into our lap. Oh, pussies, oh, damn. You know, I was afraid you were going to say it was a frical on a fish.