 Ipanna Toothpaste and Sal Hepatica present Mr. District Attorney champion of the people defender of truth guarding of our fundamental rights to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Mr. District Attorney is brought to you by Ipanna Toothpaste and Sal Hepatica. Ipanna for the smile of beauty. Sal Hepatica for the smile of health. Ipanna, Sal Hepatica. It shall be my duty as district attorney not to prosecute to the law. All persons accused of crimes perfect within this county but to defend with equal vigor the rights and privileges of all its citizens. In our experience, in our war against crime ladies and gentlemen, nothing in the popular conception of crime is so widespread and so erroneous as the idea that honor exists among thieves. In tonight's case of the deadly snowflake we see this so-called criminal code for what it is. A cold stubborn selfish fear based on a colossal contempt for decency. We begin in a bedroom darkened by shades drawn type to the seal. Agnes, Agnes, is that you? Go back to sleep, Blair. The doc says you should rest. I hit my doc. They threw him out years ago. Did you talk to him, Agnes? I told him not to. Don't you think you're better? What's the matter? You get the bandages off your head, huh? I'm lucky I'm alive, he said, Agnes. That cop's bullet went right across my skull. I know you're lucky you got home. I still got my fingers, too. That's real talent, Agnes. One in a million. What do you mean you still got your fingers? I'll get to that. First I just want to say I'm sorry about the way I've been treating you. You're what? I don't mean to, well, knock you around, Agnes. I just get nervous when I'm gone out on a job. What's come over you, Blair? You know how it is. Feeling those tumblers fall with your fingers. It's tough work, Agnes. Oh, that reminds me. What? I want you to get hold of a guy. You remember him? Rudy Bowie? What's the matter? Nothing, Agnes. I just haven't heard you mention Rudy in so long. What do you need him for? To help me. I got to get back to work, Agnes. We'll be needing dough. We could sell that crazy boat. The snowflake? No, I mean big dough. More jobs, Agnes. Like that transfer office I had cased out. I don't see what you need Rudy for. He sounds safe, man. I don't need a Peterman, Agnes. Just a helper. Someone to take me around. Take you wrong. Fred, what do you mean? Agnes, I... Something the matter. Now, what is it, Blair? I'm blind. There's a few more chiefs. Squad D report the total arrest on the arson case. Yes, I know, Miss Mitter. Send a copy of the findings over to the commissioner if you will. It's on the way. Well, what about you, Harrington? Anything on that warehouse robbery? Chief? I've been over that job with a fine-tooth comb. I told McHenry out of his prowl car all day yesterday just to get his story again. McHenry is the officer who shot at the men as they escaped. Yeah, shot and missed, I'm sorry to say, Chief. Missed completely? I thought the officer's report a week ago indicated that he might have hit one of the men. Yeah, that's right, Chief. He might, but nobody's been shown up dead in any of the alleys, though. That adds up to what? You've no idea at all? Just one, Chief. Yeah, and I'll say this before I start, Miss Miller. It ain't scientific. Harrington, I haven't said a word. I know it, but you will, you will. The point is, Chief, I want to... Well, I want to play this one on a hunch. Oh. Well, we've played your hunches before, haven't we? Yeah. Yeah, and we've good results, too. What's your thought? Okay, let's go back to this warehouse job for a minute, okay? I don't have to. The warehouse people have been on the phone about it all week. So what was it? A Petermann job. Am I right? No powder, no dynamite, no blastin', just a straight Petermann. A what? A Petermann, Miss Miller, a man who opens safes. Oh. Yeah, you're welcome. Chief, I went over that warehouse safe 20 times. The guy opened it with his fingers. Yes, yes. You put that in your original report. Right. Now think about this then. Feelin' for those tumblers ain't easy, you know. That's very delicate work. You've got to be trained to it. Yes, go on. Okay, so it comes down to this, Chief. There's three guys I know who could have fingered a safe the way that warehouse job came on. Yeah, and one of them's in the happy house. Yes, and the other two? One's in California, Chief. At least I think he is. I'm checkin' on it. And the other? The other. The boy named Morton. Lead Morton. I got his file out of the master, Miss Miller. Is that M-O-R-T-O-N? That's right. He's been quiet for a couple of years, Chief. It might take me time to find him. Now let me get this straight. You really think you can narrow down that warehouse robbery to certain individuals just on... Un-technique, Chief, and like I said, on a hunch, too. So, well, can I go on? You've nothing else? No witnesses? Fingerprints? Nothing? No, not so far, Chief. I see. All right. I'll hold it over on the disposition report, Harrington. I'll say, how about three days? Starting now, Chief? Starting now. Let's see what this hunch of yours will do. Agnes! I'm right in front of you, Laird. Don't let it jump. I'm sorry. It bothers me when you move around, that's all. You here, Rudy? Yeah, just waitin' for what you say, Laird. Go on, Laird. Say what you got to say. All right, we won't waste any more time. You can lead me into the transfer office, Rudy. The way I time it, it should be three minutes from the card of the safe. Yeah, if we have luck with the watchman, Laird. Never mind him. Now, you both got this picture. You lead me, give me, oh, say, six minutes with the tumblers, and then we beat it. In fact, our car? That's right, Agnes. From there, we go directly to the snowflake. To the what? Laird's boat. I don't get it. Can you think of a better place to hide out, Rudy? We get aboard, shove off, we can cruise around for weeks. She sleeps, six. Gee. His boat. He bought it off some jerk during the war. Yeah, well, you see, Rudy, I bought it complete. Right down to the gear and galley. Yeah, sure. Well, I mean, Laird, we make the getaway on a boat. I told you, it's the safest place in the world. She's all set, too. Agnes saw everything, didn't she? I checked all the papers in your bill holder. Well, well, now I guess I'll get a little sleep. Big day tomorrow, huh, Rudy? Yeah, whatever you say, Laird. Want some help? No. I can make it. I've been practicing. Haven't I, Agnes? Go ahead, show him. Laird, watch it. I'll be all right, Rudy. You sit with Agnes. Three steps to the left. Turn and... Yeah, shut up. Forward. Yeah. Laird, you all right? Yeah. Sit still, Rudy. I misjudged, I guess. I'll be fine. Good night now. Want a drink? What's the idea, Agnes? You let him walk right into that chair. I know. I forgot to tell him I moved it. Yeah, never mind the drink. Hold still. Rudy, listen. Still nice and... What was that for? This one to be sure is something... Are you? Yeah, I'm sure. Your idea, Laird, sent in for me when he was blind. I just said it was a good idea. You didn't know then? About, uh, before? Yeah. Don't be funny. I'm not. I'm just getting organized, Agnes. You know, watching things around in the last few days, it strikes me you're, uh... For what? You've changed. Laird used to push you around like a lawnmower. That was before he lost his papers. Yeah, yeah. So now you let him walk into chairs. That ain't all he's walking into. I got it all planned to transfer off his job, the boat, everything. What is he walking into, Agnes? Rudy. Yeah? Now it's your turn to hold still. Maybe I... Still want to know what he's walking into? Yes. Okay, Chief, so it boils down to this. Yes. Either that warehouse job was a complete outsider, or it's my boy. Laird Morton, you mean, Harrington. Right. And I'm taking bets it was no outside rip-and-tear job. What makes you say that, Harrington? Because Miss Miller, when a bunch of the boys get their job the size of that warehouse deal, they line it up, see? And if they're from out of town, well, they get permission. Permission to break open a safe? From whom? From the boys in this town that know about things like safes. Yeah, isn't there pretty well cleaned out, aren't they? Aren't they, they are, Chief. And that's why, again, I think Laird's my boy. You know how to find him? Well, he's been off my books now for nearly three years, Chief, but at least here's where I try. Oh, shoot your game some other time, Harry. Yeah, and with no chalk on my cue, too. Oh, hey, hey, before I forget it, you ever hear from Morton? Yeah, Morton, you know, he used to play snooker in here. Laird Morton. Give me three, will you, Rusty? No, no, no, the panatella's at the only good cigar you got. Hey, oh, Rusty, Harry over at the billiard joint says, maybe that you heard from Laird. Yeah, Morton. Come on, Rusty, you know him, Laird Morton. Well, I'm sorry to get you out of rehearsal, Maisie. Find a new number, huh? Yeah, it's pretty good, too. Oh, I know now what I meant to ask you, Maisie. You used to go around with Laird Morton, didn't you? I mean, back before he got married. Well, tell me something, kid. Does he owe you any dough? Let me talk clear, Laird. I look both ways. What about the watchman, Rudy? Is he in the office? What up? I told you a dozen times, Agnes. It should be straight ahead of us, up the steps and to the right. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, I see it, Laird. No light on. Okay. That's it, then. Let's go in. You got him, Rudy. Yeah, I am. That's it, keep holding my coat, Laird. It won't fall. Remember now, both of you. We come right back to the car and drive directly to the boat. We know that. Go on, Rudy. The door's open. I told you it would be. The watchman leaves it on Latch till 2 a.m. What's the matter? What's that around your neck, Laird? What? These, these, these. I got hold of them. Go on in. Will you let somebody walk by in a minute? They're binoculars, Rudy. You'll need a good pair on the boat. He's still there. Rudy's opening the door. Okay. So far, now we take the first door to the right. It'll be open, too. Go on, try it. Like a barn. Look for the safe, Rudy. He's there. Should be over in a corner. I see it. All right. Leave me to it. Come on, make it fast. That snooper gets back here every 20 minutes. Right here, Laird. You feel it? Yeah. Yeah, I got it. Shut that door, Agnes. What? Well, we come in. I didn't hear a shot. I got it. Can you open it, Laird? Get a breeze. Just let me warm up my fingers. What's the door, Agnes? Don't worry about me. Anybody come through it, I'm ready for them. Can you imagine a big transfer company owner in a safe like this? The tumblers fall like bowling pins. Two more minutes and I'll have it. Agnes, shut up. I hear it. There's somebody at the door. What? Can't be. We'd come in at 1.5, didn't we? I must have got it mixed up, Laird. Really stand back. Be careful with that one. Agnes, has he got a light? No, he hasn't. Come on in, Grandpa. Welcome home. I told you I had this planned. Come on, give me your hand, Agnes. We've got to get out of here fast. We need to go on. Take it out of the car fast. Agnes, take my hand. Sorry, Laird. I ain't got the time. Agnes, you're not leaving me here. Agnes, no, you can't. Can't I? Watch me. Just watch me. Oh, I forgot your blinds. Agnes, Agnes, come back. I can't see. Agnes, no. Laird Morton, blind and safe cracker, deserted at the scene of a murder. We'll hear the next exciting development of this unusual case in just a moment. But first, let's bend an ear to one of those early morning sounds. One that says, rise and shine. Of course, sometimes you may not feel like rising and shining. Like most all of us, you may wake up feeling dull and head-achey because you need laxative. In that case, better tune in on this sound. And that's the sparkling sound of sal-hopatica in a glass of water. And remember, unlike slow-acting laxatives, a sparkling glass of sal-hopatica when you get up brings quick, gentle relief, usually within an hour. That means you don't have to feel dull all day waiting until night to take the laxative you needed in the morning. And if at the same time you're troubled with excess gastric acidity, let sal-hopatica help sweeten your stomach. So keep a bottle of sal-hopatica handy. Then any time you need a laxative. Morning, noon or night. See how much faster you feel better thanks to gentle, speedy sal-hopatica. Now back to Mr. District Attorney. You'll know you'll have to wait until the chief. Listen, I'll let you just as soon as he's right here. Come on, give us a chance with you. Come on, get outside. The reporters are going to wait, Harrington. I'll say they are, chief. Somebody tipped him to the angle in this thing. The angle, Harrington? Wouldn't you call it one, Miss Miller? A watchman gets killed. The prowl-car boys come looking for him and they find a blind man yelling his head off. Yes, as I put it together, the watchman must have been shot about one or one-tenth. He was supposed to punch his clock at one-fifteen, and he didn't. Yes, I know. Then when he didn't report it, one-thirty hour men came in to investigate. Some investigation. A dead watchman and Laird Morton blind. Oh, chief, he's being booked downtown. They'll hold him in your office until we get there. Yes, thank you, Miss Miller. Well, Harrington, where do we start? No gun on chief. None so far. Did you tell the men to search the yard outside? Yeah, Brophy's out there, chief. The gun out the window, we'll find it. Well, how could he if he's blind? And that, Miss Miller, is to break the bank question. Brother, what a lot of talking he's going to do. I hope so. There's one thing in particular I'm curious about. Yeah, which one, chief? If Morton is blind, what was he doing with a pair of binoculars around his neck? Shut the door to the cockpit, Rudy. Go. Oh, this one? There's only one. Shut it. How should I know? I ain't never been on a boat. Well, you are now. You like it? Uh, steer it with that? Sure. It isn't hard, Laird taught me. Okay, so we're moving. Now where does it go? Anyplace. I figured we just keep cruising around for a while, and all that things cool down. And what happens when this crate runs out of gas? We buy some more. It's easy to get gas pumps all along the shore. Well, I still don't like it, Agnes, none of it. Set up it, shall you? I got all the dope from Laird's warehouse job before. Well, I wondered why we didn't wait and grab the loot at the transfer office. What for? We got plenty. Besides, I don't think the insurance sticks on us. They can get nasty, too, you know. This way we're clear. And, uh, what about Laird? He won't talk. That's what you mean. Well, why won't he? You killed that watchman, Agnes, not him. Let's see you get a lose by talk. You think I didn't figure. Listen, so they found him with a dead duck. All right. He's blind. No court in the world has convicted him. Laird knows that. So do the cops. I still say it would have been better. I ain't finished. Finally, they got to find a gun, don't they? Well, that much in the movie. Hey, you still got it, haven't you? Certainly, I got it, right here. Come on, Rudy, relax. What is it, Laird was always saying, oh, yeah, get a load of that air. Now listen to reason, Morton. That watchman was killed with a .32 caliber slug. He was. Look at the district attorney when you're talking, Morton. I'm tired of looking at him. We've been at this four hours. You're tired of looking, huh? Which one? Are you really blind, Morton? You know, we'll be certain when the doctor gets here. Am I? What do you think, D.A.? I think you are. And so do I, Morton. Yeah, and I'll tell you how you got that. Wait, too. From a cop's bullet right across your head. Where'd that scar in? That's all. We'll know after you're examined, Morton. I can't see your point in delaying things any longer. Anything you say, D.A.? What? What do you want to know? I'll read the last question. Would you please, Miss. Yes, sir. Listen to reason, Morton. That watchman was killed with a .32 caliber slug. All right, we'll start from there. Now where's the gun, Morton? Who is with you, Morton? Come on, use your head, man. We've got you. Why shield the others? In a pig's eye, you got me. You were there, sonny. Right there waiting for you. All right, smart guy. Go ahead on that. Go on, D.A. Tell a jury I did it. Tell them. And you can also tell them I'm blind. Stop her pizza, Agnes. Let's turn this thing towards land. Not till we need gas. I'm going nuts, I tell you. Nothing but water. That's a nice crack. Huh? I'm here. I'll say you are. Just what do you mean by that? Oh, look, Agnes. We can't just spend the rest of our lives going nowhere. We've got to get back to town. What for? Well, we're layered for one thing. Oh, now look, I could call one of the boys, Agnes. They'll know if he's singing, maybe. He ain't. I told you that. But we don't know, Agnes. You know, it's driving me off my rock. They're not going. I told you before. Relax. I'm telling you, head this tub toward the shore. No, thank you. Listen, you fleek brain, little idiot. You're going to get us back to her meat now. Agnes, please. You'll look at my arm. I'll be flaking blue. Will you listen to me, Agnes? Yes, it's faster. I planned this show and I'm running it. You try any more rough stuff to help me. I'll toss you over the side. What time is it, Miss Miller? It's 7.10, Chief. The day shift will be coming on at 7.30. Well, you ought to go on home. We can send for a stenographer downstairs. No, I'm all right, Chief, really. Is there any more coffee, Arrington? Yeah, plenty, Miss Miller. How about you, Morton? Do you like talking some more? Hey, Morton, the Chief's talking to you. Aren't you guys tired yet? Boy, we've got lots of time left, Morton. All day today, tonight, tomorrow, the next night. Who shot the watchman, Morton? Where's the gun, Morton? I'll get it, Chief. How'd you lose your sight, Morton? Falling away from that warehouse job? Well, I should give up, Arrington. Excuse me, that's the Harbor Patrol. Oh, let me have that. Yes, sir, right here. What's that, Miss Miller? It's the Harbor Patrol, Harrington. The Chief told them about an hour ago from outside. Are you sure now? You're sure? The number is 20Y205. Yes, I'll repeat it. 20Y205. What's the matter, Laird? No. You look excited. No, I have a boat stand by. Will you please? We'll be right out. Arrington, we've got it. Come on. Let's go. No, Agnes. Put away the gun, will you? I didn't mean to get rough. Shut up. It's a boat. See it coming up from the port side. Where? There. See it? What's this? Rudy, that's a patrol boat. Don't get it. What patrol? What are you talking about? 20Y205. Stand by to be boarded. Stand by, my foot. Get out of my way, Rudy. Got your mortars and stand by. You're under arrest. You're under arrest. You're under arrest. You're under arrest. Got your mortars and stand by. You're under arrest. Agnes, it's Cubs. Listen to the mic. Don't you think I've got to hear? Get back, Rudy. They're coming alongside. Stand by. We're coming aboard. Watch it, Chief. Get back. Get back or I start shooting. Agnes, don't be a fool. The boat's loaded with police. Cover me, Arrington. I'm right with you, Chief. Easy, Billy. Keep her alongside. The Chief's going over. You rascal. I told you to get out. Don't reach for that gun. Leave it on the deck. I can't see. Here. Wait till I cut the attention. Get her. Just her arm, I think, Arrington. Stand still, both of you. Listen, I didn't do anything. Shut up, Rudy. Watch it. Can't you see I'm bleeding? We'll have you taken care of as soon as we get ashore. Take the man, Arrington. Right, Chief. No, you don't. Come on. Bring her up a little, Billy. All set? Now let's take this pair back to town. Your district attorney will return in just a moment with an explanation of his capture of Agnes and Rudy. But first... Who should know best the difference between toothpaste? Who should know best the difference between toothpaste? Well, your dentist, of course. Your dentist is the skilled guardian of your dental health. The authority on care of your teeth and gums. So ask your dentist about ipanotoothpaste and gentle gum massage. Many dentists recommend gum massage. What's more, a nationwide survey reveals that more dentists recommend ipanotoothpaste than any other dentifers. And wait a moment. More dentists personally use ipanotoothpaste than any other toothpaste. There's a difference between toothpaste, all right. And dentists know that difference. Ipana cleans teeth clean, safely too, without gritty abrasive. And followed by gentle massage aids the health of your gum. Help your dentist help your smile. Begin now getting your new ipana smile. Get ipana toothpaste. Taste the freshness. Feel the cleanness. See the sparkle. See how you look with an ipana smile. Ipana toothpaste. Now here is your district attorney. I should like to report, first of all, ladies and gentlemen, that all three of this unusual trio, Laird Morton, his wife, and Rudy Bowie, will pay the full penalty demanded for the murder of the watchman in the transfer company office. I'll say they will, chief. And that's the end of all those safe-cracking jobs on the list. Yes, Harrington, it is. Oh, chief, I think you'd better explain just how you knew Agnes and Rudy were on a boat and which boat to go after. Well, we have Laird to thank for that, Miss Miller. As you know, when we found him, he had a pair of very good binoculars around his neck. Sure, chief, a blind man would spy less. Exactly, Harrington. He intended to bring them to the boat for his wife and Rudy. Fortunately, this particular pair of binoculars was of a foreign make. I don't understand, chief. Well, during the war and before, Miss Miller, all such foreign binoculars had to be registered with the proper authorities. When we examined the pair on Laird, I checked the registration and found them assigned to his boat. With the Coast Guard number 205, right, chief? Right, Harrington. Then when the harbor police reported sight of the vessel, we went right out. You certainly did, chief. Well, it just goes to show what you said so often, chief. The cooks don't have a chance of winning ever. Indeed. For no criminal or criminal gang has the resources of the forces of law and order. And now what about next week? Well, our story for next week, ladies and gentlemen, is another colorful and exciting dramatization. It's the case of the House of Death. And I invite you to join us for it. And so until then, thank you and good night. Yes, man, the right dress for well-groomed hair. For your hair is sentry. S-E-N-T-R-Y, sentry hair cream. New liquid cream. Groom's hair without that unsightly greasy look. What makes sentries so different? Well, most hair creams are made with mineral oil, but not sentry. Sentry's the only leading liquid hair cream made without mineral oil. No wonder sentry grooms without an objectionable greasy look. Guard your grooming with sentry. S-E-N-T-R-Y, sentry, sentry hair cream. Your right dress. The names of all characters in a nice dramatization are fictitious and in a resemblance to names of living persons or actual places is purely coincidental. Our stars were J. Jostin in the title role, Len Doyle as Harrington and Vicki Vola as Miss Miller. The music was sent to the direction of Peter Van Steeden. The program is produced and directed by Edward A. Byron and written by Robert Shaw. Mr. District Attorney was originated by Philip S. Lord. Remember, I panna toothpaste for the smile of beauty. Sal hepatica for the smile of health. Bristol Myers invites you to tune in again next week for Duffy's Tavern and Mr. District Attorney. This is NBC, the national broadcasting company.