Roma wines present Suspense Roma wine made in California for enjoyment throughout the world Hello your health senior Roma wines toast the world the wine for your table is Roma wine made in California for enjoyment throughout the world This is the man in black here to introduce this weekly hop hour all suspense Tonight from Hollywood.  Allen lad In the character mr. Lad assumes with us tonight He reveals the thoughts and through them the dramatic story of a young man on trial for the crime of murder But before we take you to the scene of our drama Let's imagine ourselves for a moment in flower garland at Bermuda We are seated on the terrace of the exclusive coral beach in tennis club At the next table a party of Bermudians and Americans are taking turns each paying compliments to the delights of the others native land An American is just praised the famed Easter lilies of Bermuda Then a Bermudian tops him with something like this Among great American delights. He says one of my favorites is right here on our table. It's this splendid wine We're all enjoying Bermuda imports it from the justly renowned wine district of California It is your internationally esteemed Roma wine Yes, and Americans themselves have certainly not overlooked the great and enjoyable qualities of these fine Roma wines Proof is Roma wines are America's largest selling wines Such outstanding popularity must mean here are wines that are more taste-delighting More satisfying in their richness and fine wine quality Yet with all that is your reward for specifying Roma wines You'll be amazed and delighted to hear your dealer say Roma wines cost only pennies a glass That's because here in America you pay no high import duty or long void shipping charges for these fine Roma, California wines So why put off this taste treat another day be sure to ask for our OMA Roma wines made in California for enjoyment throughout the world And now with the defense rests and with the performance of our star Alan Ladd as defendant Robert Tasker supported by John McIntyre as the noted criminal lawyer Max Krager. We again hope to keep you in suspense The people versus Robert Tasker the defendant charged on the indictment with murder in the first degree His counsel for the defense prepared to proceed. I am very well, Mr. Krager Your honor the court, please I Think it is fitting that for a moment. I should speak openly to your honor and to the jury The matter which has albeit indirectly nonetheless is substantial bearing on this case. I Refer of course to the rather unique relationship existing between myself and the defendant Robert Tasker It's true that my interest in him and in his fate is far greater than the normal interest of a lawyer and his client It's true that that interest might be reasonably described as it has been so many times as father Yet I ask your honor and the gentlemen of the jury to think of me in all fairness and without bias simply as a lawyer defending his client It needs no Expatiation on legal or practical ethics to demonstrate that if I did not My name is Robert Tasker. I am sitting in a courtroom on trial for murder As Mr. Krager my lawyer stands there now telling the judge and the jury about me and about him I can't help thinking that it went for him. I wouldn't be here today and Thinking what irony it is to Because mr. Krager is the only friend I've ever had in the world I am an ex-con My sentence was for ten years After I'd been there about a year. I began to write just short stories little things. I had lots of time Finally, I sent one to a magazine and they published it Mr. Krager happened to read it. He wrote to me Then he came to see me He remembered my case. He said he'd try to help me Then one day I was called to the warden's office Hello, mr. Krager Robert. I've got some good news for you. I've got your parole. You're free happy Sure, it's just that I still don't quite believe it. It's official Tasker. Here are your papers papers It'll make everything easy. Won't it? Passport to a brilliant future Ex-con Robert. I know it's going to be a little hard to adjust at first But there's a job in my office that I thanks mr. Krager But I don't want charity even from you isn't charity Robert I need a clerk in my office or I wouldn't have offered you the job You don't have to stay if you don't want to but you'll be doing me a favor if you try it Well, I guess are you at least one favor? Yeah, don't ask him. Goodbye. Good luck. Just remember that what's happened up here is water over the dam Don't hold any grudges. I don't hold any grudges There's one man.  What's the use of kidding about it? His name is Arthur Heinz and I hate him Simple as that. I'll forget it son Heinz was DA then he was just doing a job.  All right, Robert. You mustn't feel that way. You'll get along with Heinz. All right Get along with me in the office. Oh, didn't I tell you Arthur Heinz is my new partner Well, it certainly threw me for a second to here. I was going to be working side-by-side with that Well, I figured they were right and I shouldn't hold grudges and I made up my mind to play ball The work wasn't hard and I was able to do some writing on the side Mr.. Krager always encouraged me in that and Peggy helped me a lot too She helped me to believe in myself All that time I never saw mr. Heinz. He was out of town or something and then one day he came back I was nervous at the idea of seeing him, but I thought I was all over my resentment then He was in his office with someone he'd come in the private entrance I was out in the anti-room with Peggy by the switchboard when I heard the commotion Don't give me that Heinz you be the janitor, you know who I don't know anything about it I don't want to know don't you think I got enough trouble nowadays keeping mugs like you out of the pen without being the Fence for what you stole. Now you get out of my office and stay out. Okay, but I'll be back $50,000 is a lot of money Well, what do you want? Why Robert works here mr. Heinz. My name's Robert Tasker. Did mr. Krager tell you about me? I knew I'd seen you before you're that punk kid. I sent up to San Quentin What's for ten years? What do you mean you're working here? Oh, mr. Krager got me out He gave me a job job of what snooping outside my office.  Let me go stop it Calm down calm down What's the matter? What's the idea of bringing this kid into the office max isn't it bad enough to have to work with criminals all day without Robert It's not a criminal He's here because I want him to be here because I believe in him and trust him Oh, yeah, you don't still have anything against Robert. Do you I just don't like anybody hanging around outside my door I'm having a private conference. That's all right. All right now. Look Robert Tasker is one of the finest most gifted young people I've ever known I want him to get along here I want him to get along with you too, Arthur. See me. I can get along with anybody Well, I gotta be in car with him with him Now shake hands both of you will you? Well anything to keep peace in the family. That's fine Everything forgotten start off on a clean slate, right? Sure. I'll see you later in the afternoon Max Oh Robert come into my office for a minute. Will you sure terribly sorry? I don't know how to begin to apologize Why should you apologize? Oh, it was all my fault.  I know but I just don't like him. He doesn't like me Oh, Robert, you're wrong there.  Well, Robert, you know, we have to deal with some peculiar people in this business There's a poor fellow who's been in prison himself for the last five years He had quite a lot of money when he went in. Oh, he stole it. I guess. Oh, he thinks Heinz hijacked it on him, huh? If he ever really had it, he says he left it with a pal of his later The pal was killed in a gunfight Gucci. You remember the case. Yeah, I remember something about it Anyway, just before he died. He told somebody he'd left the money with Heinz. That's how the story goes You know how these things travel on the grapevine. It's all nonsense, of course that guy meant business just the same And it probably explains the whole thing Heinz a little scared But don't let it worry you Robert. You will stay. Won't you believe me? It's for the best Well, I've got to trust somebody I guess trust me Robert. I've never given you a bum steer ever No Okay, that's the spirit Any other little troubles you just bring them to me see thanks Well, I guess I'd better relieve Peggy on the board Sure Sorry, I kept you waiting Peggy. That's all right Hey Peggy. What's the matter? Please don't say anything Peggy. What is it? Robert, I'm scared of what Heinz. Don't be silly. No, no, it's not him. Well, what is it? Robert, I shouldn't but I've got to tell someone. Well, sure you have come on take it easy now. What is it? Well, I'd never told anyone before neither mr. Heinz to mr. Krager. No, I'd die if they did You wouldn't tell anyone would you of course?  Heinz about the fifty thousand dollars. Yeah. Well, it's true There is fifty thousand dollars somewhere. Yeah Well, how do you know all this? I know and I'm scared Robert he's a killer that guy I wouldn't be surprised, but how do you know? Because he's my own brother. I Had a hunch slam out of there right then. I knew something was going to happen But I hated to run out on Peggy when she was in jam and might need help And I didn't want to let mr. Krager down either. So I stayed Then one day about two weeks later. It came I Hadn't had any more trouble with Heinz. He was out of town most of the time anyway He was still out of town that day the day that that he died Krager and Heinz I'm sorry. He's out of town. You might try later this afternoon Yes, I'll tell mr. Heinz Say Peggy. Uh-huh. Do you know when mr. Krager will be in?  Oh, Harry. I told you not to come. I begged you Sure, sure always a little pal always a little hey wait a minute. What does this guy know? I told him that we were that you were my brother, but nobody else knows Sure, okay, what do I care? I only care about one thing Harry you promised you wouldn't come up here Where's Heinz? I don't know he's out. Well, then I'll wait till he comes back Harry you must I'm staying I'll get it out of him Harry. Yes, this is how you should leave keep out of this punk I don't like that word pal Robert listen. Will you watch the board for a few minutes? Sure. It's lunchtime anyway Harry I've got some things. I want to talk over with you privately. Yeah, what things about Heinz and you know Come on. We'll go downstairs to the grill in the lobby. You wouldn't be trying to ease me out of here Would you know honest? I've got to talk to you Harry. Come on. Okay, and listen pal. Yeah If mr. Heinz comes in you tell him I was here and telling me better come across or else is that all that's enough, isn't it? You'll know what I mean Sure Gregor Heinz. Oh, yes, mr. Gregor Yes, she is well, that can't be helped. I'm in a hurry now. I'll tell you what I want you to do Yes, sir. I'm across the street in the courthouse judge Andrews court the Ellsworth case now There's some notes. I've got to have over here right away They're in my own handwriting and pencil and clearly marked Ellsworth. Yes, sir You'll find them mr. Heinz office the pages all clipped together I don't know exactly where in his office it may be on his desk Maybe one of the drawers or in the files are under the blotter, but keep looking you see all right, sir Then bring it over to me right away. Got it? Yes, sir. I'll be waiting for you I left the switchboard went into mr. Heinz's office. I Start looking around for the notes. I looked everywhere the desk drawers the filing cabinet I even tried to look in the safe, but it was locked Then I noticed some yellow papers on top of the bookcase. I reached up and took them down I was standing there with my back to the private entrance Looking the papers over to be sure there were right ones went What are you doing in here mr. Craig I wanted some papers mr. Heinz. I thought I told you to stay away from my office But he's still being around in here for well, mr. Craig. I told me to look in here for yeah Something mighty funny going on around this office There's nothing funny. Mr. Mr. Craig. I just say there is once that switchboard girl doing sneaking around the lobby with Harry Marvin tried to duck me, but I saw him first the switchboard girl turns out to have a crazy ex-convict for a Boyfriend and that's why He's her brother a brother oh So that's it. I should have said that mr. Heinz. I I don't know anything about you don't I will I do I get it now I knew there was something all of a sudden. I get it mr. Heinz There's nothing to get so the girl and her brother go down to the lobby and set themselves an alibi because they know I'll suspect them and then they get you to do that dirty work for a nice fat cut I suppose that's what you think please mr.   I Told you not to talk that way he fell and just lay there For a minute. I didn't know what to do And I knew I'd have to tell mr. Craig. I Knew I was all worst up there anyway. I Couldn't very well expect even a man like mr. Craig it to choose between his law partner and me And I couldn't stay in the same office with mr. Heinz after what had happened But somehow I wanted to tell mr. Craig or myself before Anyone else did I went out to the switchboard And dialed the courthouse number Speaking I want to speak to mr. Max. Craig of this is office calling, please Well, I don't see him around here right now the court's in recess. I know but try to locate him will you it's important Okay, I sat there waiting for them to find mr. Craig and all of a sudden I remember the papers he wanted I Cut off the call in the switchboard. I Had to take the papers over into him anyway, and I thought I might as well go over and give him the papers and tell him what it Happened and get it over with I was starting for the front door of the office Then I heard a sound from mr. Heinz's office behind me At first I thought he was just coming to and I kept going And something sort of clicked in my mind and I stopped Sound hadn't seemed quite right for a man just coming to I Listened but I Didn't hear anything more And that didn't seem quite natural either. I went back and opened the door to mr. Heinz's office He was lying there just as I'd left him and But there was something different. I went over and looked at him more closely his face was a terrible gray I touched his wrist feeling for his pulse The next thing I knew I was down on my knees tearing open his collar, but Even then I know it wasn't any use Mr. Heinz was dead when I stood there in the room Might have been ours. It might have been only a couple of minutes I Just stood there my mind dazed and yet at the same time racing through a thousand half-form plots and schemes I've escaped of what I could say of some way out of it Switchboard began to buzz with an incoming call it sort of brought me to my senses more enough habit than anything else I I went to answer it crager and Heinz Mr. Krager, I guess I found them all right wait mr. Krager. I I just killed mr. Heinz Just making it hard for yourself Teske. I've told you what happened in the pigs eye you have Well, I don't have to talk if I don't want to oh, no I'm waiting for mr. Krager. I told you that right here. What do you think he's gonna do for you? I don't know what I do. He's gonna see that you're burned.   I only told him he'd come down. Sure. Of course. He'll come down to give evidence against you now.  We may be able to get your break. All right Mr. Krager is outside captain. He wants to see you sure send them in Okay, mr. Krager. Thank you Hi boys. Hey mr. Krager. Hello, Robert. Hello, mr. Krager. I've been treating you all right Pretty good fine. I don't like to have my people Treated roughly you know what you heard me captain and while you're at it You might as well take those handcuffs off of him because from this moment. He's out on bond released in my custody I've got the papers right here. Say are you crazy? Certainly not. I simply don't believe the boy did it. That's all well I'll be all right. Hawkshaw. Who do you think did it that captain is your department? My job is simply to defend an innocent man. Oh, look Craig. I don't try to kid us It's an open and shut case task is the only person who had the opportunity the only one I had a motor Well not to speak ill of the deed captain and although Arthur Heinz was my law partner It is unfortunately true that quite a number of people at least thought they had a motive sure so maybe this ex-con Harry Marvin had a motive or even the day when the switchboard had a motive for all I know But they couldn't have done it 50 people saw him together downstairs in the lobby of the building at the time the murder was committed Oh, you talked to him that is sure so what listen this kid admits. He had a quarrel with Heinz He always hated him anyway.  This kid's fingerprints are all over What's so funny? This is murder, mr I'm sorry But you find out if you ever try to bring this boy to trial for killing Arthur Heinz with a paper lesson Craig I know you're pretty smart. I know you go round bragging you never lost a case and that goes for this one double But you're not gonna make a jump out of me. This boy is gonna be indicted for murder He's gonna be convicted of murder and he's gonna burn for murder indicted convicted burnt Three promises and the first one's already happened the second one Well, even I can see we don't stand much chance and the third one. I just try not to think about it There's mr. Krager up before that jury Acting as though it was an absolute certainty that I'd be cleared Plating for me as though I were the only guy in the world because Well, that's the kind of a man he is It is my firm conviction that when you've heard this boy's story from his own lips and when through it You have in some measure as I have in large measure gained insight into the depth and integrity of his character and spirit You will also believe him innocent He isn't Robert I'll ask you to take the stand Raise your right hand you swear to tell the truth the whole truth nothing but the truth is happy gun I do now Robert just for the record where you tell the court your full name Robert Loring Tasker your age 24 your mother and father are dead. You have no living relatives. No not one now before you begin your story There are one or two extremely important points that I particularly wish to emphasize to the court Now tell me Robert How long was it between the time you quarreled with mr. Himes and the time you went back into his office and found him dead? Not long six or seven minutes perhaps but it was long enough for someone to have entered mr. Himes office by the back entrance struck him and left again was it not yes It was long enough for that to have happened Would you have necessarily heard such a person enter the office? No, you can't hear much from outside when the doors closed Particularly if there were no conversation because mr. Hines is already unconscious is that correct? Yes, then I wouldn't have heard anything now Concerning this famous paper weight the prosecution has talked so much about I have it here Do you recognize it? Yes, it was always on mr. Hines's desk now when you went into his office set my order to look for certain papers You touched this paper weight. Did you not yes? I? So it's just about everything on the desk exactly in other words your fingerprints would be found not only on this paper weight But on practically everything else in the room. Yes, they would In due course your honor we shall demonstrate that such is in fact precisely the case now Robert Mr. Hines found you in his room. He was irate and highly suspicious was he not yes He was in fact He even suspected that there was some plot against him involving Peggy the switchboard girl and the client of his name Harry Marvin Yes, he did you denied this saying that in fact they were brother and sister. Yes Yes, that's right How is that again? You denied the charge of a plot saying that Peggy and Harry Marvin were brother and sister Then mr. Hines were far as to accuse you of stealing your honor Yes Your honor there's something I've I've just thought of some new evidence I like a few minutes alone in my lawyer, please well Counsel has no objection Robert. What is it? It's just something that I I think I ought to tell you in private very well If your honor, please then by all means perhaps you would like to use my chambers. Thank you your honor Along Robert. Well, you didn't have to lock the door Robert. I wanted to be private All right, but Robert you mustn't worry like this. Let me do the worry they can't convict you if there's a reasonable doubt That's the law and there is a reasonable doubt somebody did come in and hit Hines in those six or seven minutes It must have been that way. Yeah, I know of course you do. We've been over the whole thing now Let's go back into that courtroom Mr. Krager There's something I haven't told you Something you haven't told me what it's a little thing, but it's kind of important because it's something. I never told anyone What is it? I never told anyone that Peggy was Harry Marvin's sister Except mr. Hines by mistake and he's dead now Robert.  Well, I there's only one way you could have found out You must have been in your office when I had to fight with Hines and heard me tell him right.   Yes. It must have been for that $50,000 you hijacked the hijacker and you knew that pennant on me with my record Maybe that's why you got me out of the pen in the first place it is isn't it? I'm not going to stay here and listen to any such.  Talk you won't get anywhere using violence with me. No Now wait a minute even if I did confess it wouldn't hold up as evidence talk We'll postpone the trial like I can get you out of the country. I'll give you money. That's all I wanted to know talk That's what you were when I found you caught me find your way You were killing Hines, right? I guess we can unlock the door now Tell me Craig er where were you when this boy phoned you here at court when they couldn't find you yeah, why? As a matter of fact, I was right here right in this very room. I had some work to do. I wanted privacy You're court was in Reese. You were out of town. Yes. I know But there's something you don't know. I hate what on the day of the murder the floor of this room was being repainted And the paint mr. Krager was quite wet your honor the defense rest and So closes the defense rest starring Alan lad tonight's tale of Alan lad appeared through the courtesy of paramount pictures producers of lady in the dark John McIntyre played lawyer Max Krager Before mr. Lad returns to our microphone Here is a definition of yourself that may interest you connoisseur One competent to act is a critical judge of an art or in a matter of taste That's what Webster says so that makes you a wine connoisseur because certainly you are competent to act as a critical judge of a wine's taste Matter of fact all you have to know to be a true wine connoisseur and the opinion of your friends and guests is a single word Roma are oh ma To get the proof make your own taste test of the tangy appetizing Roma sherry the hearty satisfying Roma burgundy The heavier sweeter Roma port or any of the many different delicious Roma, California wines If you are a favorite dealer is temporarily out of the kind of Roma wine you prefer ask for it again, please Just be sure to say our OMA Roma wines made in California for enjoyment throughout the world This is Alan lad It was a pleasure to make another prints on this program, which is a great favorite of mine Next week. They tell me lad Kreegar will be your star And I know you'll want to be listening as I certainly will good night Suspense is produced and directed by William Spear tonight's play was written by Roland Brown and Robert L. Richards Don't forget then next Thursday for lad Kregar in Presented by Romo wine R-O-M-A made in California for enjoyment throughout the world This is CBS the Columbia broadcasting system