Come in Welcome I'm EG Marshall. I've been waiting
for you Welcome to the world of suspense imagination
a world where nothing is impossible and everything
is foolproof At least that's what Peter Vincent
thought the hero of our tale Peter Vincent is
approaching middle -aged not quite fair but already
beginning to experience the disillusions, the
restlessness that comes from feeling we're capable
of better things and fearing time will run out
before we achieve them. But Peter Vincent, who
lives by his wit, his charm, his cunning, hit
one day on a scheme that appeared to be his great
triumph. I'm going to kill myself. Well, that's
one way to... Your what? I'm going to kill myself.
But it won't be suicide. You're gonna kill yourself,
but it won't be suicide. That's right, Murray.
And my wife will receive $50 ,000 in insurance
money. Now I know you're crazy. I'm serious,
Murray. Well, you can go ahead and kill yourself,
but your wife isn't gonna get any 50 grand. You're
not even married. That's right, Murray. Don't
you see now why it's so perfect? Our mystery
drama, Dressed to Kill, was written especially
for the Mystery Theater by Bob Juran and stars
Robert Morse. I'll be back shortly with Act One.
Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we
practice to deceive. And Peter Vincent is about
to weave a tangled web of deception, the likes
of which he has never tried before, and hopes
never to have to try again. Our story begins
in a cheap but clean and well -run apartment
house on New York City's west side. Oh, Mr. Vincent.
Yes, Mrs. Gresh. It's the fifth of the month.
Well, thank you, Mrs. Gresh. Do you tell the
time, too? Look, I'll thank you not to be so
smart when you're late with the rent. Two months
late at that only two months this time things
are looking up for you I got my bills to pay
to you know and everything going up everything
goes up around here except the heat I've been
meaning to speak to you about there is an energy
crisis I have to conserve will have your own
crisis if I catch pneumonia and can't work I
shall sue you mrs. Gretch for depriving me of
my livelihood I'd like to know just what that
is you know what I do Well, you call yourself
an actor. Actors act. You haven't been in a show
since you started living here. Does that make
me any the less an actor? We are all acting,
Mrs. Gretch. You, I, everyone. We're playing
out our roles in this great stage. We are never
really ourselves. We hide behind the masks and
we act out our little lives. I mean, you're acting.
You don't want to press me for the rent, but
you must. It's your role in life. So you step
up on the stage as you are now, the star of this
mini -drama acting the part of the miserable,
harassed landlady insisting on the rent. And
you do your part extraordinarily well. Have you
ever thought of going on the stage? Well, my
sister was always telling me I had a nice boy.
And she's right, she is. I may speak to my agent
about you. I might just be able to get you a
part. Yeah, but get me the rent instead. Beautiful,
Mrs. Gretsch. That was beautiful. You have a
natural sense of timing. You'll make a wonderful
heroine someday. You're past the ingenue roles,
but still... You have till the tenth, Mr. Vincent.
Not a day after. That's it, Mrs. Gretsch. Keep
studying. Stupid old frump. Hi, Pete. Murray.
What are you doing here? Drinking your scotch.
I thought you were in Cleveland. Ah, the show
folded. How'd you get in? You gave me a key a
year ago, remember? Well, remind me to change
the lock. I'm sick of your freeloading, Murray.
But just a couple of days till I get settled.
I gave up my room when I went on the road. You're
not staying here. Oh, come on, Pete. I'll pay
half the rent. Well, welcome home, Murray. You're
looking pretty good, Pete. You've been eating
regularly? Off and on. I pulled a little flim
-flam job a few months ago, paid the back rent.
What about acting? Any leads? No, but I'm working
on something, Murray. Something really big. I'm
sick of those ratty little deals for peanuts.
Aw, come on. Not another con game. The greatest,
Murray. The one that'll set me up for life on
that sunny little beach in Mexico. I'm going
to pull one last gigantic hoax and then retire.
I mean, just settle down for life. I've been
thinking about it for months. Great. What's the
scheme? I'm going to kill myself. Well, that's
one way to... You what? I'm going to kill myself.
But it won't be suicide. You're gonna kill yourself,
but it won't be suicide. That's right, Murray.
And my wife will receive $50 ,000 in insurance.
Now, I know you're nuts. I'm serious, Murray.
How can you be? You may go ahead and kill yourself,
but your wife isn't gonna get any 50 grand. You're
not even married. I'm going to have another martini
while I try to focus in on this. It has to work,
Murray. It's foolproof. Nothing is foolproof.
I've been looking at it from every angle, and
the more I look, the more I'm convinced it's
going to work. Now, Peter Vincent will die. His
wife will disappear forever, and I'll come out
of the whole thing with $50 ,000. Let me get
this straight. You're going to fake your own
death. and then impersonate your wife to collect
the insurance? Precisely. I've got a $25 ,000
double indemnity policy. I've had it for years.
I got it back in the better days when I was working
regularly and traveling a lot. My mother was
a beneficiary. But after she died, I just never
did anything about changing the policy. I kept
it up. You're not only out of work, you're out
of your mind. No, listen, Murray, when I thought
of this thing last year, I went and changed the
beneficiary on that policy. I made up a name,
Tina Vincent. The beneficiary is Tina Vincent,
wife of the deceased. I've just been waiting,
letting enough time go by so it looks legitimate.
Well, it's a blockbuster, all right. If you get
away with it, there are a lot of things to consider.
How are you going to pass for a woman? The impersonation
is the main. Yeah, that's it. Can you be convincing?
When I put my mind to something, I can be very
convincing. I don't believe it. When did you
learn to talk like that? I used that voice in
a night club act a couple of years ago. It's
perfect. It's a perfect day. Say something else.
It was sweet of you to invite me to dinner, Murray.
Oh, Murray, pay the check and let's just get
out of here. Fantastic! Well, the first thing
to do now is create, you know, Tina Vinson. Now
will you help me, Murray? Hey, give me that voice
again. That really spooks me, hearing that dame's
voice coming out of you. Well, that's because
you haven't seen me at my best, Murray. Wait
till I'm dressed for the part. May I help you,
sir? Oh, yes, I was interested in these pants
suits. Oh, well, these are on sale today. Is
it a gift for your wife, perhaps? Yes, you might,
yes, you might say that for my wife, yes. Oh,
how nice. Oh, what's her size? Size? Oh, about
like mine. Like yours? Oh, rather tall, then.
Decidedly. Well, let me see, I'd say about an
18 tall. And if it doesn't fit, you can always
bring it back. Fine. Now, all the suits on this
rack are all size 18. I'll take this blue and
that black velvet. That was fast. You certainly
know your wife's taste. Yes, I do, rather. All
right. Well, I'll have these boxed and get trapped.
Will there be anything else, sir? Yes. As a matter
of fact, she's been wanting a new wig. Yes, sir.
Step this way. Next kind of day. Now, what does
she wear? Blonde, brunette? Black? Oh, dear me,
yes. Funny, I've never really noticed. Oh, well,
uh, what's her coloring like? Fair? Dark? Fair,
fair. Like, uh, like mine, almost. Oh, uh -huh.
Oh, this frosted blonde would be perfect. Now,
this one. Yes, yes, I think that was too. Oh,
here, just for fun. Try it on. You say her coloring
is like yours. No, please, that's silly. Oh,
here, here, let me just flip it over your head.
Adjust it a little. It's incredible, sir. What's
incredible? Well, I don't know, but this wig,
I... Well, I hope you'll forgive me for saying
so, but with that wig on, you could ask for a
rather attractive woman, really. Except for one
thing. And what's that? Well, your mustache.
Well, Murray, how do I look? Like a tall Doris
Day. Come on, will you? Come on, what have I
forgotten? What is wrong with this whole image?
Nothing. I gotta admit, it's perfect. Yeah. Have
I got on too much makeup? No, I don't think so.
Lots of women go in for heavy makeup. Well, there's
only one sure way to find out. The acid test.
Go out in public. Precisely. Because I've got
to be convincing as a woman before I've gone
too far. Where are you gonna start? Well, first
I'm gonna open a bank account. I've got to establish
some sort of identity. for Tina Vincent. Just
impersonating a woman isn't good enough because
when I get down to the final act, applying for
the insurance, I've got to prove that I really
am Tina Vincent. I've got to have identification.
You sure have brought this thing up, Pete. I've
been planning it for almost a year. Well, I'm
going to start with the bank. Lend me 50 bucks,
will you? I promise you, you'll get it back in
spades when this whole thing's over. Yeah, when
you're in Mexico, you mean. Come on, Marie, be
a patron of the art, huh? Where's your imagination?
Now, come on, don't let a little thing like a
few bucks keep us from carrying out one of the
greatest schemes of all time. No wonder you don't
have to work. Okay, here. You won't regret it.
You want to come along and watch the fun? I wouldn't
miss it for the world. I paid 50 bucks for that
reserved seat. Stage fright? No. At this point
I have nothing to lose. Let's call it a first
read -through. Okay. Give me that Tino voice
again. You gotta get in character. Good afternoon.
I'd like to open a savings account. Perfect.
Is the wig straight? Yeah. Everything looks fine
to me. Okay, Murray. All right. All right. Here
I go. I beg your pardon. Oh, good afternoon,
madam. May I help you? Yes, I'd like to open
a savings account. Certainly. Sit down, please.
Will this be an individual or a joint account?
An individual. I'm starting to save a little
for a surprise vacation for my husband in Mexico.
Well, that's very nice, very nice. May I have
your name, Mrs.? Vincent. Tina Vincent. All right,
Mrs. Vincent, if you fill out both these cards,
name, address, social security number. Social
security number? I beg your pardon? Oh, a little
catch in the throat. No, a social security number.
No, I don't have one. I mean, my card must be
at home. I haven't worked for so many years.
I see. Well, you can always send that in to us
later. How much would you like to deposit? Well,
fifty dollars. Very well, Mrs. Ibsen. You should
have seen his face when I dropped back to my
own voice for that horrible second. Did he realize?
I don't think so. He was startled, but I carried
it off. I have to do better than that, though,
when I face an insurance company. I've got to
be totally convincing. Well, you just need more
practice. You're right, Murray. I've got to try
and live an entire week as Tina Vincent. Everywhere
I go, everything I do will be Tina Vincent. Yeah,
but I got my doubts, a lot of big doubts. Why?
Well, maybe you can talk like a woman and dress
up like one for a while. But I don't think you
can keep up the pose. Sustain it, I mean. That's
what I want to find out, and I've got a great
idea. This will be the test to end all tests.
If I can fool that hawkeye superintendent, Mrs.
Gretch, the toughest insurance man, will be a
pushover. Yeah, how are you going to do that?
Another brilliant piece of business, Murray.
I just hope I can keep from laughing in her face.
because I've got to fool her in order to live
here this week as Tina Vincent. In fact, she
doesn't know it, but she's going to be an unwitting
supporting player in our little drama. And I
do mean supporting, particularly if there should
be an insurance investigation later. Yeah, and
that's a very likely possibility. I've been wondering
how you plan to stage your own death. That's
act two, Marie. Now let's establish the bereaved
beneficiary first. But there's got to be a body.
Yes, it is, customer. Insurance companies don't
pay out until they're sure the policyholder is
dead. That's right, Murray. Then as I see it,
if you're going to get away with this thing,
you've got to get away with murder. Indeed. Get
away with murder. And get away with being a convincing
Mrs. Tina Vincennes. in order to get away with
$50 ,000. A call order for even the best actor
or female impersonator, particularly when someone
else is in on the whole scheme. But first things
first, let's see how well Peter Vincent makes
out spending a week as Mrs. Vincent when we return
shortly with Act Two. Peter Vincent, con artist,
sometime actor, is preparing what he considers
the greatest scheme of his career. Impersonating
his own beneficiary, Mrs. Tina Vincent, to collect
his own insurance. But first, he must prove to
others, and to himself, he can carry out the
impersonation. So, for the next few days, Peter
Vincent will disappear, and Mrs. Tina Vincent
will take over. I'd like to see the superintendent.
What do you want? I'm looking for a man named
Peter Vincent. I was told he lives in this building.
His name's on the mailbox, 2A. But I don't think
he's in. I haven't seen him since yesterday.
Well, would you be kind enough then to let me
into his apartment? Certainly not. I don't know
you. I'm... Mrs. Vincent, his wife. His wife?
Hey, I didn't know he was married. He's lived
here two years. We're separated, but I'm still
Mrs. Vincent. Oh, sorry, B. What next from that
man? I know Mr. Vincent wouldn't mind your letting
me in. He doesn't know I'm in town. I want to
surprise him. I'm afraid not, Mrs. How do I know
he'd be glad to see you? Look, if he wants you
in his apartment... He'll be the one to let you
in. Well, how'd it go? Smooth, Murray, smooth.
The old crow didn't bat an eyelash. To her, I'm
a perfect stranger. If he wants you in his apartment,
he'll be the one to let you in. That's just what
she said. Come on. We have to arrange for my
wife's lodging. Where now? Uh, that phone booth
there. Lend me a dime, Murray. I've got to make
a call. I'll put it on your bill. Consider it
an investment. I told you, you'll share in the
spoils. I hope you know what you're doing, because
I sure don't. Another scene in our little drama,
Murray. Hello? Hello, Mrs. Gratch, this is Peter
Vincent. Oh, Mr. F... I'm out of town, Mrs. Gretch.
I had an unexpected chance for a part and I won't
be back for at least a week. Would you keep an
eye on my apartment for me? I've done that already.
There was a woman here, not five minutes ago,
said she was your wife. Tina? Tina was there?
Oh, that's what she called herself. Is she really
your wife, Mr. Vincent? Yes, yes, we're separated.
I haven't seen Tina for years. Oh, well, she
wanted me to let her into your apartment to surprise
you, but I wouldn't do it. Oh, Mrs. Gretch, I
wish you had. What? You mean it's alright? Well,
you wouldn't have had any way of knowing. Tina
and I are the best of friends, Mrs. Gretch. If
she should come back, you know, if you see her
again by any chance, please, please let her in.
In fact, she can stay there until I get back.
Let her use my apartment if she likes. Well,
alright, if you say so. a good run. A what? Just
a little show talk. You did say you're a play.
Oh yes, yes. It's going to be a very good run,
Mrs. Gratch. In fact, it seems to be going beautifully.
Just a minute, sir. Yes? I know you've been staying
with Mr. Vincent, but now things have changed.
He's out of town. Yeah, I know. And Mr. Vincent
is occupying the apartment. See? You mean Tina's
here? And with Mr. Vincent away, I don't think...
Oh, don't worry, Mrs. Gretz. You didn't know.
I'm Peter Vincent's brother -in -law. What? Mrs.
Vincent's my sister. Oh. Well... Well, I hope...
I hope she's not here to make trouble. Mr. Vincent
said they were separate. Don't worry. It's probably
a reconciliation. They've always admired each
other, even though they couldn't live together.
I certainly hope so. Stupid old lady. Uh, Tina?
It's Murray. Murray, surprise! When did you get
into town? Just today. Come in. Oh, good show,
brother dear. You know, I'm beginning to enjoy
this part. Yes, keep you in practice. And what's
next for you? Us, Murray. We're going out on
the town tonight. What? That's right. We're going
to an east side bar and here's what I want you
to do. Another martini, Murray, please. Uh, bartender,
a martini for the lady. And let's make this the
last. Oh, Murray! You've been drinking too much
and you know it. Murray, please! Look, I know
when you've had too many martinis. I don't know
why I'm sapping up to keep ordering them for
you. Murray, I am all right. Yours at once. I'm
the one. I'm as sober as a judge and I can see
what's happening to you. Murray, this is good.
Murray, Murray, Murray, that's all I ever hear
from you. I'm getting out of here. I'm sick of
you whining and complaining. Goodbye. Molly!
Hey, honey. What? He ain't coming back. What
do you drink? I don't drink with strangers. I'm
Harry Watson. How do you do? You see, now we're
not strangers. No, I'm not interested. Ah, come
on. Good -looking dame like you. Man runs out
on her. Come on, let's have a little fun. No,
please, you don't understand. It's not like that
at all. Baby, I know all about what it's like.
Believe me, and you're something. Oh, you really
think so? Baby, I know so. What's your name?
Oh, well, Tina. Tina what? Just Tina. Pretty
name. Come on, let's have another drink and let's
get acquainted. Well, all right. Maybe just one.
Hey, bartender, another... What are you drinking?
Martini. Yeah, a martini. Harry, do you really
think that I'm attractive? Sure I do. Would I
be buying you a martini if I didn't? You're not
just feeling sorry for me. Nah, of course not.
You're interesting. And I wouldn't be surprised
if things got more interesting later. Oh, you'd
be surprised, Harry. Would you ever be surprised?
And then what happened? I tracked the martini
and left. I proved my point. Tomorrow I'm going
to apply for a social security number and keep
on good terms with Mrs. Gretch. She's going to
be important to us later on. Look, Pete, don't
you think you've carried the joke far enough?
What do you mean? Look, you've proved you can
be a convincing dame. It's been fun and funny.
But you're not really serious about knocking
some guy off and trying to make the insurance
company think it's you. Of course I'm serious.
I might add that I am dead serious. But that's
murder. Not really. Not with what I have in mind.
Now, stop worrying so much. Just think about
that $50 ,000... and it's a lot closer than you
think. I don't have to prove myself anymore,
Murray. I can carry off the masquerade. The time
has come for act two. Act two? The victim. I
have to find my corpse. We have to plan this
carefully because when I leave here, I'll never
return, you see, as Peter Vincent. I want you
to get a hotel room. some sleazy out -of -the
-way place where we can get past the desk clerk
without being seen. Whereabouts? Near the Bowery,
but not actually on it. Now call me from there.
I've got some preparations to make here because
today Peter Vincent meets with his accident.
Hello? Uh, Pete? Where are you, Murray? The Hotel
Matador, room 218. I'll find it. Now, I'll meet
you there in about an hour. Drop off the necessary
things and then, Murray, we'll go shopping for
a corpse. What a neighborhood. Perfect hunting
ground. Yeah, if we get out alive. They're all
too drunk to care about anything but where their
next drink is coming from. Look, look at that
creature there. Let's try him. You'll never get
him on his feet. Hey, wake up. Wake up. How would
you like to make ten dollars? What ten bucks?
Enough to keep you in Muscatel for two weeks.
Hey, what do you guys want? A little of your
time. I don't know you. You will shortly, and
all your troubles are going to be over. Oh, well,
that's nice. Now, just come on, come on, come
on. Come with us. We'll make you nice and comfortable.
Isn't he perfect, Murray? He's so disgustingly
depraved. Yeah. Ten bucks for what? For doing
us and yourself a favor. What's that? Just, just
these. Come with us. Take it, Murray. Take his
arms. Take his arms. All right. Let's get him
to the hotel. Can you see anyone in the lobby?
No, just the clerk at the desk. Do you think
you can distract him? What's the difference?
This place is full of guys in this condition.
I don't want any suspicions aroused. I want to
get up to that room and out again without being
seen. Hey, wait a minute. The clerk's going toward
the elevators. And what's this all about? Shut
up! He's gone up. All right, now! Come on. Move.
Let's take the stairs. It's only one flight up.
I hope that clerk hasn't gone to the second floor.
If we do meet anyone, just keep going. I can't.
Shut up and keep moving. All right. Now, wait
a second. I'll check the hall. Okay. Stop it
now. Okay. I want to head and open the door.
All right. I don't see how anyone who doesn't
eat regularly could have so much weight. Really
bad bugs, huh? Well, we made it. I'll get him
into that chair. Yeah. All right, now get the
hot water going. My case has shaving cream, soap.
I'll get these foul clothes off him. A second...Murray,
I'll run the tub. You undress him. I never believed
it. All it took was a shave, some cleaning up,
my best suit, and he looks like a human being.
What's this all about? It's just a joke on a
friend. Now look, here's a wallet. Now lend me
a ten spot, will you, Marie? We did promise him.
Now here's your ten dollars in this wallet. Now
we'll just put it inside your coat like this,
and you can keep the wallet too, and the clothes.
And there stands Peter Vincent, my clothes, all
my identification, and heading for eternity.
We'll wait till 5 .15, the height of the subway
rush hour. This looks like home. Move to the
rear of the platform, Murray. That way, when
the train passes us, it'll be going full speed.
But this is ridiculous, Pete. We've got 200 witnesses.
Safety in numbers, Murray. We're lost in the
crowd, and not one of them will know what's happened
until it's all over. A man falls in front of
a subway train. There'll be 30 different versions
of what happened. We should have done this at
2 o 'clock in the morning. Yeah, then we would
have witnessed this. We stand out like a red
nose. Edge a little closer. I don't want to lie
down. You will, very soon. Murray, just before
the train reaches the platform, let go of it.
We won't step back. When he tires and falls,
we lose ourselves in the confusion. Isn't there
an easier way? It has to be an accident to collect
the double indemnity. And I don't want any body
left to identify just the wallet and my identification.
Here it comes. Have another drink, Murray. You'll
feel better. It seemed kind of cruel. He was
standing too close to the track. He was unsteady
on his feet. Yeah, we put him there. Look, will
you forget him? That was Peter Vincent who went
under the wheels of the train. If you want to
feel remorse, just remember it's for your brother
-in -law, your dear sister's husband. All right,
don't worry. I'll play along. Look, we're really
in this for keeps, Murray. We have to go through
with it all the way because Peter Vincent is
dead. I can't ever be Peter Vincent again without
admitting to murder. Well, what do we do now?
Act three, brother dear. Tina's going to get
dressed. go back to her husband's apartment and
wait to be told she's a widow. Peter Vincent
has certainly got himself into a tangled web,
but that unabashed self -confidence of his has
seen him through many a tight squeeze. Let's
see if it carries him through this one final
scheme, his greatest hopes, as he called it,
to set himself up. for life. I'll be back shortly
with Act 3. So Peter Vincent has been conveniently
disposed of, to all intents and purposes, under
the wheels of a speeding subway train. And now
Tina Vincent is back at the apartment, nervously
awaiting the news of her husband's death. Hello?
What's the word? I told you not to call me tonight.
I just want to know if anything's happened. No,
no, nothing yet. Now, I'll be in touch with you.
Stay at that hotel. Look, there's the door. I've
gotta go. Who is it? Police. Police? What is
it, officer? I'm Detective Sergeant David, ma
'am. Is this the apartment of Peter Vincent?
Why, yes, it is. You are Mrs. Vincent? Yes. There's
been an accident, Mrs. Vincent. I'll have to
ask you to come down with us to headquarters.
Wait, what is it? Has something happened to Peter?
Yes, ma 'am. Well, tell me. He, uh... He fell
in front of a subway train at the Times Square
station. I know this is painful for you, Mrs.
Vincent. Yes. This is Peter's wallet, all right.
Cigarette lighter I gave him for his birthday.
And this is all that's left? Well, there's no
use asking you to identify the body. What happened?
Well, until we find the complete report, there's
nothing official. The witnesses' stories differ.
All we know is that he fell in front of that
train. We don't know how or why. Do you know
where your husband was going? No, not really.
He just said he was... Heading downtown did he
often do that? I mean go without telling you
where he was going well Peter had been drinking
heavily for several days Oh, that's important.
It may have a strong bearing. Do you suppose
he? passed out We'll have to hold judgment on
that mrs. Vincent we we may need more information
from yes, of course. Oh, that's all for now We'll
get you back home Unless there's some other place
you want to go A friend's perhaps. No, no, no,
no, no. No, thank you. I'll go back to the apartment.
Call my brother to be with me. Stop worrying,
Murray. You're absolutely in no danger. I'm the
one with my mask on. Suppose there is some way
to identify that bomb. Well, there isn't. The
police told me that themselves. There wasn't
enough left to identify. That's exactly what
I wanted. Besides, it's been three days. Hold
it, hold it. I've got to get in character. Hello?
Mrs. Vincent? Sergeant David again. Yeah, Sergeant.
We're closing the file on Mr. Vincent. Several
witnesses corroborated the fact that Mr. Vincent
wasn't steady on his feet. And the lab report
showed a high level of alcohol. I see. If you'll
come down to headquarters and sign a few papers,
we'll release the remains for burial. And you'll
receive a death certificate. You'll need that
for any insurance Mr. Vincent may have had. Yes,
thank you. I'll be there this afternoon. Thank
you Mrs. Vincent. And I'm sorry. Case closed.
Witnesses said he was unsteady on his feet. Death
was accidental, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
Hey, we have to arrange for my burial, Murray.
We've got to go all the way to keep up appearances.
But hey, look, Murray, do me a favor. Make it
simple, Murray, a simple burial. I really would
have wanted it that way. Yes, who is it? I'm
from the Independent Insurance Company. I'm looking
for Mrs. Tina Vincent. Oh, just a minute. I'm
Mrs. Vincent. May I come in? Yes, certainly.
Richard Stevens, Mrs. Vincent, my card. First,
I want to offer my sympathy. Thank you. I know
these times are hard to live through, but the
living must go on living. Yes. Mrs. Vincent,
you've made a claim on your husband's policy
with our company. Term life policy number H22098.
$25 ,000, double indemnity. Yes, is anything
wrong? Oh, no. The death certificate was in order,
premiums were up to date. I'd just like to ask
a few questions, if you don't mind. I'm afraid
that I just... I don't understand. Well, you
see, Mrs. Vincentine, accidents of this kind,
we just want to rule out certain exigencies.
Well, if you have any questions about my husband's
death, I'm sure you'll find the answers in the
police report. Not all of them. Was your husband
given to heavy drinking, Mrs. Vincent? Mr. Vincent
drank at times, yes. Was he disturbed about anything
in particular? Mr. Stevens, if you're trying
to suggest my husband's death was a suicide,
you are very mistaken. Well, we always try to
get to the bottom of accident cases when there's
double indemnity involved. But, um... I think
you have a legitimate claim. Hmm. There's no
further problem, then? I don't think so. I'll
be running along. When can I expect the check?
Well, we'll have it out to you before the end
of the week. Good day, Mrs. Vincent. Goodbye.
Oh, oh, excuse me. You've been to see Mrs. Vincent.
Are you a doctor? No. Oh. Well, I'm Mrs. Gretsch,
the superintendent. How is she? She seems to
have held up well so far, poor thing. She seems
well. How long have the Vincents lived here,
Mrs. Gritch? Who are you to be asking? I'm investigating
her insurance claim. Well, if it'll help Mrs.
Vincent get what's coming to her, I'll be glad
to help too. I guess it won't hurt to answer
your questions. Was Mr. Vincent a heavy drinker?
Not that I know of. Because I don't snoop into
the tennis business. How about Mrs. Vincent?
Well, I don't know much about her. She only just
got here. What do you mean? Oh, they'd been separated.
She only arrived here a week ago for a reconciliation,
her brother said. Her brother? Yeah, yeah. He
and Mr. Vincent are good friends. I see. Well,
thank you, Mrs. Gretch. You've been very helpful.
Calm down, Dick. Hank, I just know this Dame
and her brother did that Vincent guy in for the
insurance. It all adds up. They were separated.
All of a sudden, she shows up on the scene. Boom,
he's dead and she's 50 grand richer. Where's
your proof? I haven't got any. But I'm going
to do a little checking on Mrs. Vincent. The
guy's death was accidental. Now how can you prove
she had anything to do with it? That's what I'm
paid to find out. This is the first time I've
seen you lose your cool. I'm sick of hanging
around like this, but I don't dare let down the
masquerade. I want to get that money and get
out of here. Maybe you should have gone down
to the insurance company. Yes? Who is it? Richard
Stevens from Independent Insurance. Just a minute.
Come in. Thank you. This is my brother, Mr. Wilcox.
Mr. Stevens. Adieu. Adieu. I'm, uh... Sorry for
the delay, Mrs. Vincent, but as I said, we have
to be careful. When can I expect the money, Mr.
Stevens? Well, in the next mail. Now, if you'll
just sign this form. Oh, very well. Anything
to get this over with. Sign here and here. I
hope this is the end of it. So do I. Oh, my pen,
please. Yes. I hope I haven't inconvenienced
you, but you do understand. My sister's been
under a great strain, Mr. Stevens. Yes, I imagine
she has. Well, good day, and good luck. There's
something in his manner I don't like. He's paid
to be suspicious. Well, he's sure earning his
money. Murray, there it is, the check. $50 ,000?
I don't believe it! Mexico! Here I come! Murray,
I'm on my way to the bank. Make me a plane reservation
for Acapulco. And I'll be right back to give
you your split. And then I'm splitting for Sonny
Mayo. We're going to the bank. What? You don't
trust me, eh? Not at this point in time. No.
You know, you are totally unprincipled, Murray.
Ah, but what would I have done without you? Come
on. I'm not even packing. You're welcome to the
apartment. The furniture and Mrs. Gretch. Thanks.
Now, now for my final performance. There you
are, Mrs. Henson. Fifty thousand in fifties and
hundreds. And I can't tell you how sorry I am
about your husband. You were saving for a vacation,
weren't you? Yes, I'm surprised that you remember.
Well, again, my sympathy. And good luck. Thank
you. Good morning, Mrs. Vinson. Oh, Mr. Steven.
Did you cash the check, Mrs. Vinson? Why, yeah.
Okay, Hank. You're under arrest. What is this?
We'll talk about it at headquarters. You're under
arrest for suspicion of fraud and murder. You
can drop the pose now, Mrs. Vincent. This is
preposterous. Yes, it is. And so is this. Stop
my hair! You're weak, Mr. Vincent. And my compliments.
You're a most convincing actor. I was afraid
of this. How did you know? We were ready to pay
the claim until I learned that your wife had
just arrived in town. Mrs. Gratch, you have some
support. I thought Mrs. Vincent and her so -called
brother here had to kill you for the insurance.
So I decided to do some checking up on Mrs. Vincent.
I needed her fingerprints and I got them from
the pen she, or rather you, signed these forms
with. Remember? Yes. Now it happens that in checking
out the deceased Mr. Vincent, I learned he applied
for a passport some years back. I had his fingerprints
too. And what do you think I discovered? I can
hardly guess. that the prints on both Mr. Peter
Vincent and Mrs. Tina Vincent were identical.
How extraordinary. So I knew what your hoax was,
Mr. Vincent, because no matter how much a man
and wife share in a marriage, they can never
share the same fingerprints. Peter Vincent's
greatest hoax indeed proved to be his last. It's
too bad. He cashed that insurance check because
until then it was really only attempted fraud
But then I wonder if that isn't exactly what
the insurance man wanted him to do And of course
there was murder to answer for If there is a
lesson here somewhere, I suppose it's always
be yourself Unless of course, you know where
to pick up an extra set of fingerprints. I'll
be back shortly and we men and women merely players.
Sometimes we have our choice of roles. Sometimes
the role is forced upon us. Peter Vincent chose
his role, and if you'll pardon the expression,
it was curtains for him. Our cast included Robert
Morse, Michael Toland, Bryna Rayburn, Dan Ako,
and Earl Hammond. The entire production was under
the direction of Hyman Brown. This is EG Marshall
inviting you to return to our mystery theater
for another adventure in the macabre until next
time pleasant dreams