1934 – Marie Galante – Is she the world’s Most Dangerous woman? or a victim of circumstance?

1934 – Marie Galante – Is she the world’s Most Dangerous woman? or a victim of circumstance?

Marie Galante A coastal city in France Telegraph Marie, Marie! Hurry, Marie!
– Oui, monsieur. A telegram for the dentist.
– For the dentist. A telegram for the Moulin Café.
– Moulin Café. And another for the American ship
in the harbor. The American ship.
– And hurry up. Come right back.
– Yes, in five minutes. Good.
– Hey, always running, huh? What’s up, Marie? Be careful
don’t break your neck. Hey, Marie, where you going, pretty?
– Same as always. Good morning. Good morning!
– Morning, Marie. How can I help you? I have a telegram for the boss.
– A telegram. She’s not here, but I’ll give it to her. Don’t forget, okay?
– I won’t. Promise me?
– I promise, Marie. It’s very important.
– Yes, I’ll give it to her, bye. Bye!
– Bye! Here you go, Marie.
– Thanks, I’ll be back, you know. Good morning! Captain!
– Who’s asking for the captain? It’s me, I have a telegram for him.
– And what’s it say? You think I wrote it or what?
– Oh, no? Hey, what are you looking at? The prettiest legs in France. Cheeky! You’d be better off painting
the ship than staring at my legs. But it’s true.
Well, don’t you want to see the captain anymore? Of course I do, where is he?
– Look, he’s over there… …at the Chat Noir Café. You could’ve said so earlier. Excuse me, are you the captain?
– What? The captain of the American ship.
– Yes, that’s me. A telegram for you.
– A telegram? Yes. Here.
– Merci, monsieur. Don’t go. Wait here, wait, understand? Wait.
– That’s the word. I forgot. Sail immediately… …to Caracas, Venezuela,
to get Kristoffer. Cross through the Suez Canal to Japan… …pick up more crew in Naples… …Smyrna, Port Said, Shanghai,
Vladivostok. Pick up special cargo in Yokohama and… …meet me at the Panama Canal in six months. Ryner I need to send a reply.
– Want to write a telegram? The reply.
– Good girl. You’re not just pretty, you’re smart too. Come with me. All good, get ready to set sail.
– Very good, sir! Yes, you bet, very good, sir. Yes sir, you’ve got a problem. Oh, we’ve definitely got one. Not us, captain, you. Why did you set sail? You knew the
girl was on board. Your orders, sir.
– I was drunk. You always tell me my job is to steer the ship… …and keep my mouth shut. Now you’ll have to answer to Ryner, not me. We have to get rid of her.
– We can’t go back to port now. They’d throw us in jail… …and you can’t drop her off at any of the stops. Report her as a stowaway.
That’ll cover you. Lock her up so she doesn’t see
anything she shouldn’t… …and then we’ll put her ashore
where she won’t cause trouble. Please, don’t leave me here.
Get me out of here! A coastal city
in Central America Monsieur. Monsieur.
– Madam? Do you speak French?
– Yes, ma’am, I’m French. Monsieur!
– Ma’am, are you sick? Someone help me!
She’s fainted! So I found myself alone, then… …he grabbed me at the post office,
I was carrying the telegrams and… …he was giving all the orders. I took a telegram to
the ship’s captain and… Monsieur, if it was just
‘une couchemare’… How do you say ‘de mauvais someil’? A horrible nightmare. Sometimes I tell myself… …’wake up’ and I think I wake up
and I’m home… …but it’s not a nightmare,
it’s real… …it’s real, I’m here! Come on, come on, calm down.
– I want to go home. Don’t you get that
I want to go home? Of course, everyone here wants
to go home… …but there aren’t any ships
leaving for France from here. What? The only place you can board a ship
is the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal? Is it far from here? General Saky Tenoki… …born in 1894. Former general of the
Imperial Japanese Navy. Retired in February 1933. Currently owns an antique shop
on Central Avenue. Know anything else, Ellswoth?
– Yes, sir. He visited Japan again in January 1934,
came back yesterday… …and stopped in San Francisco.
He visited the Bank of Commerce… …and returned to the ship an hour
before it sailed. Sir, Ratcliff.
– Yes. The ship you arrived on is
leaving the harbor now. Nice ship. Nice cabins, though
a bit cramped. Want to see these photos
of Tenoki? Of course. Now you’ve seen our whole file. Any news about a guy
named Ryner? No one by that name around here.
What’s he look like? I don’t know anyone
who’s recognized him. What are you afraid of? An attack to damage the canal? During the passage of
the U.S. fleet. That man, Ryner… …what nationality is he?
– Nobody knows. He’s only known by his methods. He always uses a woman. You’ll find plenty here.
– And the woman always ends up… …mysteriously murdered. Well, if he likes working with women,
he’ll love this place. Yeah, but someone must know him,
someone must know his face. No. And I wouldn’t be surprised if it was
one of his own men. One of these days I’ll find out
he’s pretending to be me. Look, in 1926… …that lama took over
the Chinese economy. The situation collapsed suddenly… …but he escaped the authorities. Later… …he turns up as chief engineer
at the Potosí munitions factory. The factory exploded. He ran away. In 1932 there was a communist
uprising in Germany. Behind the scenes was a man
named Reynecker. Here he is, the same man.
This is the man I’m after. Come in, Crawbett.
– I don’t want to bother you. Not at all, come in. Let me introduce Mr. Ratcliff. Nice to meet you.
– Pleasure’s mine. Dr. Crawbett, from Wisconsin. How are you?
– Sit down. No thanks, I can’t stay.
– He’s here studying… …tropical diseases. Tropical diseases? Have you studied them in China? – Yes, in China, Japan, Russia… …Germany…
– Germany? You’ve studied tropical diseases
in Germany? In the state hospitals. Right… …in the Canal Zone you’ll find
a good breeding ground. Yes, General, you’d be surprised
at the variety of insects… …you find in the canal.
– Really? Have you seen any glacerus paparis
or estigironia glaucus? Don’t tell me you’re an entomologist too! I know a little. I’d love to hear more about
your research. Anytime.
– Dinner tonight? Perfect, where?
– Palace Hotel at eight. Alright, it’s a deal. And after we talk bugs… …I’ll take you to the Pacific Gardens to
see some strange… …human specimens.
And a great show too. I’ll see you later, General,
when you’re not so busy. I think Dr. Crawbett is going to
be very interesting. Maybe it’s better if I don’t tell him who I am. She’s a great performer. Whiskey? Amazing. Whiskey and soda?
– Don’t you have any blazy? If you care about your life in this climate,
I’d go with whiskey. I forgot, you’re a doctor. Two whiskeys with soda. Interesting guy, the bartender.
– Cephalic, index 60… …cranial capacity 94.
– I’d say 95. Facial angle -7.
– Expert in criminology, huh? I know a bit about criminal types. Mr. Tenoki, welcome. I’m flattered, you came to see us your first night. I brought you a little gift… …inside is an old Japanese poem. How kind! Good evening, gentlemen. May I sit down, Dr. Crawbett?
– Have a drink with us. Thank you.
– This is Mr. Ratcliff, from England. Nice to meet you.
– My name’s Tenoki. Yes, I know. It’s a pleasure to meet you. How did you leave things in Japan? As you Americans say, OK. But I’m not American. Ladies and gentlemen! Don’t get nervous.
– I’m not nervous, I’m just alone. I’m really happy…
– be careful. It’s a great pleasure for me…
– and for me, it’s a shame. To present to you, for a change… …a singer who can sing
without sitting or leaning on a piano. A girl from France.
A woman who can sing and… …she’ll do it in her native tongue…
– French. Miss Marie Galante. Interesting. Good luck!
– Smile, you’re supposed to… Who’s she?
– I don’t know, never seen her before. She doesn’t lean on a piano,
she sits on a table. If you sat down,
nobody could lift it. A whiskey. Would you like to dance now? Who’s the French girl? I’ll bring her, she’ll tell you. Excuse me, I’ll be right back. Who’s the French girl? No idea, she got here yesterday. Don’t know anything about her yet.
– Is she with a man? Good evening, Dr. Crawbett.
– Good evening, Mr. Brogard. Where does the girl live? I don’t know.
– Find out. They just want you to sit at their table
and have a few drinks. All us girls do it. Drinks? Alcohol? I don’t like it, it makes… …my head… Bye! You don’t have to drink alcohol.
– No? Of course not, do what we do,
order a special. It’s just orange juice with water… …and every time you order a special
you get a cut, 25 cents! Four francs!
Get it? When they offer you a drink, just say:
‘A special, please.’ A special, please.
– That’s it! And if you drink a lot of specials,
you’ll pay off France’s debt. No, I just want to earn enough
to go home. Tell me, Mr. Ratcliff, if you wrote
a poem, would you say… …’a pepper seed, if it could fly,
would be a dragon.’ I’ve never seen a dragon.
– Or would you say: …’a dragon, if it spreads its wings,
is a pepper seed.’ I don’t know, I hate pepper. To me a good poem is ‘Fifteen men… …on a dead man’s chest and a bottle of rum.’ But that’s not a poem,
it’s a sea shanty. You’re both wrong, it’s
a gramophone record. Gentlemen, this is Marie. Good evening.
– Want to sit down? Mr. Ratcliff from England.
– Nice to meet you. Mr. Tenoki from Japan and I’m
Crawbett, from Wisconsin. I’m Marie, from France,
where there’s, how do you say? The League of Nations. Hope you’re not as quarrelsome. Would you like a drink?
– A special, please. Want another?
– A special, please. Want another? If you don’t stop drinking that orange juice
I’m going to cry. Put that down and have a real drink. You talk too fast, I can’t understand you. Please, speak to me in French. No, I only speak French with family. You’re teasing me. Please, parlez moi en français,
just a little. No, I won’t.
– Je suis sure que vouz parlez. And you, sir, do you speak French? Can’t really say I speak French. Actually, I understand it
better than I speak it. Nobody speaks French here,
it’s really sad. I miss my country and my
friends, I want to go back to France. It’s tough, huh? Don’t you like the people here?
– Yes, they’re very nice. They think your song
was very pretty. Especially that big guy
over there. Did you see how he was looking at me
while I was singing? Cretin, who is he?
– Brogard, the owner of the French bazaar. Bazaar? French shop? 94 Central Avenue. Is Brogard French?
– At least his customers are. The French lady just walked in… …to the Parisian bazaar. It would be desirable… …to know more about the French lady. Oh God, help me! Monsieur.
– Madame. Are you the owner?
You’re French and so am I. Say something! Do you speak English? Yes, but you’re French, aren’t you? No. I came because I thought you were French and… …maybe you’d want to help me get back home. No one wants to help me… …but you’re French, you have a French name. Well, to run a Parisian bazaar,
you need a French name. Where you’re from doesn’t matter,
you can be from anywhere. But you speak French.
– Yes, but I don’t practice much. I’ll never go back to France. Do you really want to go back? Very much, so much. No, please, don’t cry. No, ma petite. See? I said it in French!
Come to my office… …I’ll lend you some French books to read… …and maybe, someday, when I’m really busy… …you could help me out in my shop. Oui, monsieur.
– And maybe, I can help you… …get back home, perhaps?
– Monsieur! Thank you so much!
– You’re welcome, it’s a pleasure to help you. A blonde girl resting
is like a flower in the sun… …but when she gets mixed up
in men’s affairs… …she can be as dangerous as a tiger,
like the terrible spotted beast. Why not just be happy
being a flower? The French lady has entered… …the back room of the bazaar,
with Brogard. It would be good to know how long
she stays there… …and whether she buys anything or not. Oh my, that’s beautiful!
– Do you like it? It’s wonderful, it’s Paris,
Place de la Concorde. Look at the people! And look at this one. Monsieur Brogard… …this is the French coast,
where my home is. Look, that’s my house. Look.
– I have six boxes of these pictures. You can come whenever you like. Yes… …whenever you like. That’s all for today. Come back tomorrow at the same time. The French doll! Take it, it’s a gift, I’m giving it to you. Whenever you want, it’s always
a pleasure to serve you. Don’t forget about tomorrow. You should see my selection
of perfumes and silks. I have some delicious
French perfumes… …and we have creams brought from Paris. Everything for your toilette. Good morning, please come again.
Dr. Crawbett! How can I help you?
– Hello. Well, if it isn’t Marie! Back to playing with dolls, huh?
– What? You didn’t overcharge her, did you?
– No, no. Will you be at the Pacific Gardens tonight? See you there.
– I hope so. How’s business?
– Not so good. I was afraid it was bad.
– Want to help by buying something? Yeah, do you have any insecticide? What kind of insecticide? Something that gets rid of
poisonous bugs. One, two, three, four, turn. Two, three, four, turn. Two, three, four, turn. Two, three, four… What are you looking at? Where did you learn to be a barber? In jail.
– Why’d you go to jail? For shaving a gentleman
a little too close. Hold on, hold on! What are you dancing, a minuet?
And you, with the fan… …tell them to drop the crutches and get
to work, will you? I want something lively and bright,
and if I don’t get it… …there’s a ship leaving Friday. Alright, let’s try again. Ready? And one, two, three… Do you like it this way, sir? Like me.
– What? Should I make your face like mine? Give me that razor. I wanted to finish it myself. Come on, get over here and lift him up. Lift him up, higher. Now lower him. Hold him so he can see me well. That’s it, very good. Smile. Mr. Plosser, can I finish it? Whose face am I shaving,
yours or mine? Yours, because mine doesn’t bleed. What’s going on here?
I think you need a doctor. Right, know where I can find
a real one? Give me that mirror!
Go downstairs and mop the bar. Who was here this morning? Tenoki.
– What did he want? To see the French lady.
– Did you see the Englishman? Yes… …he ran in, downed a brandy and soda… …and ran out again. Following Tenoki? No, Mr. Plosser just wants style,
that’s all. Plosser, you’ve got a visitor. At the back door. Bon jour, Marie.
– Bon jour, mon amie. You didn’t come to see me. No, I had to rehearse. Can you come this afternoon? I have something interesting to tell you. That French girl gets a lot of visitors, huh? Hello. The doctor!
– Does he live here? I see you’ve been back to the Parisian bazaar.
– Yes. It’s very pretty… …was it expensive?
– No, not really. He gave it to you, didn’t he?
– Do you like it? Yes.
– It’s lovely. No doubt about it.
– It’s French. Would you like to come in?
– Yes, of course, thank you. This is wonderful, I like it. Do you like it?
– Yes, it’s very nice. Would you like to sit down?
– After you. After you?
Après moi! Après moi!
That’s how you say it in French, right? Give me a cigarette, please.
– A cigarette? Sure. How do you say that in French?
– Donnez moi une cigarette. Sounds nice. Do you like it?
– Yes. Want me to teach you?
– Sure. Je vais vous apprendre le français. Do you also speak French with
Brogard, from the Parisian bazaar? No, we speak English.
– In English? Funny, two French people
speaking another language. But he’s not French.
– Oh no? Where’s he from? I don’t know.
– Are you going to help him somehow? Maybe, sometimes. How? I guess with the shop. With the shop? Well, I’d think about it if I were you. You know, I want so much to go home. Is your homeland so beautiful?
Do you really want to go back? Monsieur, it is… …it is.
– I see. So that’s it, huh?
– My village is beautiful. The old church,
the trees, the flowers! Tell me why you’re not there, where
the geese and cows… …say good morning to you. I’ll tell you if you want, but it’s sad.
– Go ahead. Is it the same story you
told Brogard? I didn’t tell him. What are you doing?
I’m asking you! It’s a little musical breeze.
– Well, take it outside. Good morning.
– What’s so good about it? Plosser… …I just heard the most amazing story
I’ve ever heard. Yeah?
– Yeah. That French girl doesn’t have
a single relative. She was kidnapped somewhere
on the French coast… …and abandoned in Yucatan. Do you know any girl around here
without a story? I get the feeling she’s a good girl. Give me some paper, I’m going to telegraph
the French government. What?
– I’m going to telegraph… …the French authorities.
– Hold on. Don’t start with your nonsense,
give me some paper, quick. What kind of nonsense do you like?
Tenoki is fishing in the canal… …next to the old French dredges. What’s he fishing for?
– Maybe some caviar… …for the French lady’s dinner.
He talked to her for a long time last night. You think that’s nonsense too? Didn’t I tell you to leave? What do you want? A man told me that… …he wants to give something to Miss Marie. Who is he?
– A yellow man. Not Chinese, Filipino… …or Japanese, just yellow. He’s Tenoki’s clerk.
– What is he? I don’t know, he just wants to give it to her. I don’t know what it is, I didn’t ask. Take it and bring it to me. Hello, Mr. Brogard.
– Good afternoon. You have a beautiful chess set. Yes, and it’s pure craftsmanship. Chinese?
– No, it’s a Persian antique. How much?
– Sorry, it’s not for sale. I’m sorry too.
It reminds me of an old set… …that was in a museum in China. Maybe it’s the same one. Yes, I thought so too.
– We’ll have to ask Mr. Tenoki. He traded it to me for other goods.
– Where did he get it? Ask Tenoki.
– I will. I’m going to see him right now. Mr. Tenoki has gone fishing. When will he be back?
– I think tonight. Thank you. We should ask Mr. Tenoki. You always have to ask
Mr. Tenoki. Good catch? An excellent catch.
– Freshwater fish, huh? I didn’t know that kind of fish
came to this lake. You find fish in the most
unexpected places. You use a very interesting sinker.
– This one? I see you have a grappling hook, must be
to check the bottom. Of course, that’s very important. This kind of fish only gathers
on sandy bottoms. And only at a certain depth… …that’s why you use a line
that’s several fathoms long. And what are you doing here?
Fishing too? I’m looking for a very big,
dangerous mosquito. By the way, I gave your letter to Marie. My letter? Yes, your clerk took it to the Pacific
Gardens and I took care of it. You see, we’re both interested
in poetry. I sent her a quote from a Japanese poet.
– Yes, I know. Do you know what was in my letter? I know you both like poetry. I’m also interested in the American fleet. Yes, I’m aware of that too. Your knowledge seems to have no limits. Do you also know that right now… …the American fleet is about
to drop anchor? And now I’ll leave you to your mosquito. If you want me to help you get home,
you have to help me. This is my big chance to do business. The officers will go to the Pacific Gardens,
make friends… …and send them to my shop. I’ll pay you a commission for
every purchase they make. Alright, I’ll do what I can. Try to find out what day
and what time… …the fleet will cross the canal. It’s for inventory, you know? If they’re staying a long time,
I’ll have to buy more stock. Alright. Three things to remember… …the day and time when
the fleet crosses the canal. Bring officers to the shop
and, very important… …don’t tell anyone.
If you do… …the other merchants will do the same
and I won’t profit… …from our little plan.
– I understand. It’s a beautiful Chinese chess set. Genuine ivory. A rare quality.
– The one I’m interested in… …is the one you sold to Brogard.
– Ask Mr. Brogard. He doesn’t want to sell it. Ask him anyway. You wouldn’t happen to have a knife… …like this one, would you? I wouldn’t know what to do with
a knife like that. Wouldn’t it be good for fishing
by the French dredges? I think it’d be more useful in the kitchen,
for cleaning fish… …after you’ve caught them. Is this your mark? It’s a Japanese mark. Can I see your clerk? Not if you’re here to tell me that… …he managed to get himself killed
in the American zone of the canal. Come in! Now that I’m in, what do you want? I told Tenoki that your clerk… …gave me a message before it ever got to Marie. Now he’s dead.
– Who, Tenoki? No, the clerk.
– Who stabbed him? That’s what we have to find out. Maybe he stabbed himself. Yeah, sure, he stabbed himself,
shot himself in the heart… …then stood in front of himself… …and stuck a knife in his own neck. That’d be a first. Shot and stabbed, huh? Shot with a foreign-made automatic. Stabbed with a long Japanese knife. They didn’t mess around. No, we’ve got to find out what happened. Hello? Okay, I’ll wait. I’m waiting for a call from Washington.
– My second wife lives there. Hello?
– What do we do now? Tenoki’s letter told Marie
to meet him tonight. Hello?
– And matches, don’t you have any? Right there. Hello? A French girl named
Marie Galante? Yes, write it down. Yes, Crawbett. Tenoki? T-e-n-o-k-i. Write it down. Hello?
– A man named what? One moment.
– Ah, Ratcliff. I’ll check with Scotland Yard.
– Call from London. Just a second. Yes, Crawbett. I’ll leave it to your discretion. I’ve got London on the line, goodbye. The Scotland Yard commissioner, sir. Washington D.C.
Bureau of Investigation. They’re asking if we know
anyone named Ratcliff. What? Who’s that? Admiral Ratcliff… …is head of British Naval Intelligence. Isn’t he an admiral? He says he’s one of ours? Then he’s an impostor. Call Paris on the private line.
– Yes, sir. A Japanese man named what?
Tenoki? Get me the chief of police
in Paris, please. There was a man by that name
at the Japanese embassy. That’s no problem.
– Chief of police? I’ll call you back, goodbye.
– Paris, sir. Bonjour, my dear Philip. Oui, my dear colleague. Marie Galante? Je connais pas.
– We have no report on her. Of course, if you find out the city
and district, I can look into it. Gladly, anytime. Who? Spell it out. P… T! T-e-n… …o-k-i. Tenoki. Come in. Your umbrella. Why did you call me? What do you want from me? Talking isn’t good for a hungry man
or a soaking wet woman. Here’s some dry clothes.
– I’m not cold. I can’t stay. Just tell me what you want. You can change behind the screen. Move! Close the curtains!
– What’s going on? Just in time for the curtains.
– Great view until you ruined it. You ruined some of my ideas too.
– About the girl? You believe all that about her
being kidnapped and… …wanting to go back to France?
– Maybe. She must like to travel, that’s for sure.
– Why’s that? Now she wants to go back
to France via Japan. Stay here a while,
I’ll cross the street. Alright. Can I offer you a cigarette? I’d offer you coffee… …but unfortunately my servant… Did you know my servant? A very helpful person,
but a bit too talkative. However, he won’t be talking anymore. Tell me what you want. Do you know about the French dredges? The French brought them here… …when they started building
the canal sixty years ago. France started the Panama Canal? France started what America
finished. Thousands of French lives
were lost in this canal… …and many more could be lost
to keep it open. Japanese lives, English lives… all our lives. Didn’t Mr. Brogard tell you that?
– No, monsieur. Mr. Brogard is very interested
in the canal. Tell him to take you to see
the French dredges… …maybe they can help you
get back to France. What do you mean? In Japan we say: “There are great secrets
and a price for keeping them.” And sometimes… I don’t know any secrets.
– And sometimes we say… …the price is even higher
for not keeping them. You could find out a secret. About the French dredges? Find out why it was so unhealthy
for my servant to be there. Because of Brogard? In Japan we say: “Accept knowledge
and bless the giver.” And we also say: “Knowledge always
finds an answer.” Did you get… …the information you wanted
from Mr. Tenoki? There was a wealth of information. They found his clerk murdered,
did you know that? By the French dredges. Check. I’m giving you check. I’ll return the kimono tomorrow. Please accept it as a gift. Remember our conversation. Goodbye. Show’s over, let’s go home.
– Yeah. Were you trying to get information
from the officers about… …when the fleet would cross the canal?
– Yes, sir. This is very serious.
We’ll send someone to find her and… May I suggest… …that you don’t arrest the girl? It’s obvious she’s trying to get
information for someone else. Someone planning to attack
the fleet in the canal… …using a woman. You mean Ryner?
– Yes. This is the first clue we’ve had
that Ryner is here. Maybe she’s with him now. Just because he asked me to go see him. And you go alone to a man’s room at three in the morning… …just because he asked you?
– That’s my business, isn’t it? Sure, it’s your business.
I’m just trying to understand you, that’s all. I thought you were a decent girl I could help… …but you run after anyone who blows a whistle. Please don’t talk like that.
– I’m trying to keep you out of trouble, Marie. What did Tenoki ask you to do?
– Nothing. Alright, alright… …I guess I’m getting mixed up
in a romance. Are you jealous again?
– Not a chance! I’m not the jealous type about
a woman who goes with anyone. Watch what you say. You spend a lot of time
with Brogard too, don’t you? I like him a lot.
He’s a gentleman. Don’t you see if I wanted easy money
I’d go back to France right now? Come on, Marie, I didn’t say anything.
– No! Because you’re afraid to say it,
but you were thinking it. You’re awful!
– Wait a minute. Marie!
– Please, let go of me. Marie, please listen to me.
– I don’t want to talk to you. Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us… Mary, pray for me! Mary, help me, please. Marie, I’m sorry I spoke to you like that. I didn’t mean it. It doesn’t matter.
– Yes it does, it matters to me. I believe every word you said,
I want to help you get home. You’re a good girl, Marie.
I just want to protect you, don’t you see? Why don’t you go see the French consul? He won’t do anything.
– Try it. Do it for me. And if he does nothing… …I’ll get you out of here myself. Will you go see him right now?
– Yes. Go then. Hurry up.
What are you waiting for? Move. I’m going. Promise me you won’t see… …any of those men again.
– I promise. Alright, I’ll come by later
for the report. When you come to my house for it… …I’ll give you a cup of coffee.
– I’d like that. Crawbett, General Phillips
wants to see you in his office. What for?
– He’ll tell you himself. It all would’ve been easier… …if you’d told us about yourself
from the start. I couldn’t, my orders from Washington
were to work alone. Now I’m confused,
I suspect everyone. I even asked Scotland Yard
for a report on you, Ratcliff. You thought I was Ryner?
– I had as much right… …to suspect you
as you did me. And I still believe the girl’s story. She was kidnapped somewhere in France… …and now she lives only to go back. What’s your interest in that girl? That’s got nothing to do with this. Crawbett, that kind of thing
doesn’t fit with our job. Our responsibility
is to protect the canal… …and keep it open. And we can’t let personal matters… …influence our thinking. There’s a ship coming from the south. General, there’s nothing personal here,
the girl shouldn’t be here. She didn’t ask to be kidnapped,
she just wants to go home. A merchant ship,
about two thousand tons… …and a long voyage judging
by the paint. And there’s no reason she can’t go home,
and if necessary… …I’ll send her myself.
– What did you say? Yes? What’s going on?
– A telegram, sir. It’s for you, Crawbett. I’ll spot the ship’s name in a moment. Read it, General. “Marie Galante, accused of stowing away
on the Heavy King… …in Saint Drian, Bordeaux province.
Please investigate… …and if necessary, detain her.” She’s a very dangerous woman… …and under no circumstances can she leave.
She must stay here. Maybe she still thinks
we don’t know anything. We have to watch her
every move. Crawbett, handle it
yourself. Understood?
– Yes, sir. What was the name of the ship?
– The Heavy King. Funny, the ship that’s coming
is the Heavy King. What?
– Its name is Heavy King. If you need me I’ll be in the harbor
captain’s office. Captain. What was your last port of call? I picked up a cargo in Yokohama. Those crates of Japanese goods?
– Yes, sir. All consigned to Tenoki. Did you stop here on your way to Japan? I took on coal at Pago Pago. I see you hired two new sailors in Shanghai. Yes, sir.
– I want to see them. Arohnson, Yermack, come here. Do either of you speak my language? Sure.
– Yes, sir. Have you been to the U.S.? Sure.
– Yes. Why did you hire these men? Two of my men died… …and I had to bury them at sea. That’s the custom. Captain, bring your logbook.
– Yes, sir. Excuse me, please.
Thank you, sir. It’s the best-equipped ship
I’ve ever seen… …why would you need these guys
aboard this ship? To play the organ and sing.
– They seem about as useful… …as an umbrella on
a fire truck. Here it is, sir. Did you dock at Saint Drian, France,
about six months ago? Yes, sir.
– Did you report a stowaway, a girl? That’s right.
How did you know? The French authorities are looking for her. She got off in Yucatan for water
and escaped. She escaped? We had dropped anchor… …and during the night she disappeared. You can’t keep a girl chained up
in the tropics. Wilson! It’s about that stowaway girl. Yes, sir. She escaped in Yucatan. One of the harbor boatmen
must have helped her. Did you do anything about it?
– We’d been sailing for six hours… …when we found out. It’s all in the logbook.
– Alright, Captain. Your papers are in order,
your entry permit. Thank you, sir.
– Captain… …do you have any idea
where the girl might be now? I suppose she managed to get ashore,
or maybe she drowned, I don’t know. Bonjour, Marie.
– Bonjour, monsieur. I’m very busy cooking. Why haven’t you come to see me at the shop? I’m very busy.
– Cooking all the time? Not every day. Well, I came to pay you your commission. I don’t want it. I’ve made five hundred dollars… …selling to the officers.
Ten percent is yours. And when I find out the day
the fleet will cross the canal… …I’ll give you your ticket to France
and more money. No, I don’t want it. I don’t want it.
– That’s funny. No, it’s not funny, but I don’t want it. You don’t want to go back to France? Yes, I want to go, but
I’ll do it another way. I see, wonderful. Until your friend changes his mind. He won’t do that.
– That nice gentleman, he won’t? Well, when you find out he’s just
a man like all the others… …come to the shop and your commission
will be waiting for you. And your ticket to France too,
which you can still earn. Now go take care of your cooking. I’ll send a nice gift to the ship… …when that gentleman
takes you to Paris. Goodbye Marie, arrivederci… …auf wiedersehen, bon voyage. I’ll see you soon. It’s you! Come in.
– Thank you. How are you? Fine, and you?
– Fine. Let me take that.
– Thanks. Come, look, everything’s ready. I’ll bring you some coffee. No, please, don’t bother. It’s no bother, it’s been ready for an hour. Yeah, but really, I don’t want any, Marie.
I just had lunch. I went to see the French consul… …and he told me, ‘I can’t do anything. Forget it, I don’t think you’re French. Go away and don’t come back!'” I’m really sorry. It’s all right, come on, sit down.
– Look… Why are you so serious?
Why aren’t you happy? Not happy? I’ve got a grin from ear to ear. Why do you think I’m not happy?
Look, Marie… Sit down, I made you
a French omelet. No, I already had lunch.
– It’s really good! Yeah, I know, but are you sure
you told me everything… …about how you left France?
– Of course I did. I took a telegram to the captain.
The captain told me: …’come with me to the ship
for the answer.’ I went, he locked me up, and the ship sailed. You don’t remember the captain’s name… …or the ship?
– No, but I have it. You have it?
– Yes, I do. I kept the telegram in case when
I went back to France… …I’d forgotten his name.
– Are you sure? Look, here it is. Sent from Panama.
– I don’t know. Good heavens! Why
didn’t you give it to me before? You didn’t ask me. ‘Sail immediately to Caracas,
Venezuela for Kristoffer. Pick up a special cargo in
Yokohama and meet me… …at the canal in six months.
Ryner.’ That explains the crew
and the cargo… …and it was delivered by a Japanese boy.
The post office clerk remembers him. The original is signed in Japanese.
– By Tenoki? No, that would be too easy.
But Tenoki was there… …and the cargo from Yokohama
is addressed to Tenoki. What’s the cargo?
– It’s listed as notions… …but I’ve talked to customs so they’ll
let us know when they check it. Suppose we compare Ryner’s
photos with Tenoki’s. That ship, the Heavy King, has sailed… …and is crossing the canal. They can’t have unloaded
the cargo. Did Tenoki get scared
and leave it on board? Let me use your phone.
– Go ahead. With the harbor master. Through the back door. The Heavy King hasn’t unloaded
any cargo, all right, thanks. That French girl sees a lot of Tenoki.
I suggest that… …we leave the girl alone, the telegram
confirms her story. In my opinion, we still have no proof. The girl is innocent and I won’t pursue her.
My duty doesn’t require that. It forbids it, Crawbett, and so does
my position as governor. But there’s a big difference between
pursuing an innocent person… …and investigating the suspicious conduct
of someone. That girl is accused of
stowing away… …and spying on the fleet’s movements… …and nothing has happened
to clear her of those charges. Wait!
– Look. Could these two be
the same man? Ryner and Tenoki? I’m going to draw a mustache on the lama. In half an hour a tourist bus leaves… …we’ll take it and go
on a sightseeing tour… …of the locks and
the power plant. That’s how they open the locks to let
the ships through the canal. Now follow me this way, please. Without that, the locks can’t be opened. I told you to forgive me.
– No, you forgive me. I’m really sorry.
– Me too. Try to lose that belly. This is a wonderful place.
– Yes, we like it. Are you the foreman?
– Yes. Do you work long hours?
– No, we have three shifts. I come in at six
and leave at two. My relief stays until ten,
then I come in at six again. And your men work
the same hours as you? Yes, it’s a small shift,
just eight men… …all the machinery is automatic. Excuse me, I have to work.
– And I’d better go too… …or they might close the door
and I can’t get out. Come in, come in. Tonight I’m singing a new song! I’ll sing for you in English.
– Great. I’m so glad you came tonight! I’m going to ask you some questions and I want
you to answer honestly. And I told Brogard:
‘I don’t want the commission… …I’ll find another way
to get home.’ All right, what did Tenoki say to you
the night he came to your house? He asked if I knew a secret
about the French dredges. What secret?
– I don’t know. What did Tenoki want you to do? He wanted me to go see the French dredges. Why?
– He said maybe I’d find… …a way to get back to France.
Tenoki plays rough jokes. Come on, Marie! Didn’t you hear my introduction?
– Find someone else, I want to talk to her. Had to happen to me the night I’ve got
the place full of wild hyenas! No, my song.
– Forget it, she’s got other things to worry about. Don’t you see I’m trying to keep you
out of jail? Jail? I haven’t done anything.
– Fooling with military secrets… …in a fortified zone
is dangerous business. I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m trying to help you, Marie, do you get that? Yes, but you’re always asking me questions and… …I don’t know any answers. The canal leads to many countries,
and it could take you home. But it also leads to a place
that’s not on the maps. A place that doesn’t smell good
and where the geese… …don’t say: Bon jour, Marie. You can’t leave now, you have to stay
until the mystery is cleared up. Don’t make me hold you here by force.
– I don’t care what you do… …I haven’t done anything.
I want to go home and I’m going. Do you hear me?
I’m leaving. Encrypted message, sir.
The fleet will start crossing the canal… …tomorrow at two. In twenty-four hours. Come in, please. So your gentleman didn’t
send you home after all. No.
– That’s why you came to Brogard… …who always keeps his promises. First, your commission. Fifty dollars.
You’ll need it. And now your ticket. You don’t have a passport… …so I’ll send you on a ship
with the captain in charge. Some friends will get you on board
at the other end of the canal. Mr. Brogard! I’m going home! But first you’ll do something for me. The fleet? No, no!
– I know that. It sails tomorrow. It’s just a little personal favor. I want you to go see Mr. Tenoki. Did you notice yesterday, while I was
at the power plant entrance… …talking to the foreman, that
we look a lot alike? Yes, sir.
– Did you buy the car? Yes, sir.
– Who’s driving? Johnson, one of our men.
– I’ve made this map for you. This is the power plant,
the foreman lives here. Wait at this spot on the road
until our man shows up. Get him to get in the car… …and take him to the French dredges… …where I’ll change my clothes
for his. At six I’ll go into the plant
with the night shift. Our new boxes will already
be scattered… …over the Japanese notions.
That’ll cover Tenoki’s name. Take the boxes to the station… …leave them there while
the night train… …unloads its passengers.
I’ll give the order so that… …an army truck picks up the boxes… …and delivers them to the plant. You’ve got everything planned out! I’ve been studying the plan for a year… …and I know the plant
like this room. At two in the morning,
I’ll finish my shift… …on the night shift. I’ll leave the detonator set… …for five thirty. The fleet sails at two, all the
ships will be in the canal by five. We have to be quick… …we’ll meet at
the French dredges. I wonder why Tenoki wanted
the French girl to come here. You never know, maybe it was out of
sympathy, you know… …she’s French, French dredge. This is where Tenoki’s
clerk’s body was found. He talked too much, asked
too many questions. What are you going to do?
– Take a look. I wouldn’t, I’m sure there’s all kinds… …of poisonous reptiles
in there. Don’t do it, who knows what’s in there. Of course there is! There’s something here.
– What? Got a knife?
– Yes. No! A knife!
– Yes, take this. Dynamite! Yes, the missing cargo
from the Heavy King. And all in Tenoki’s name. Here’s your frog-killer, thanks. Crawbett, that building over there. Yeah, right, with that out of commission
the canal stops. We have to arrest Tenoki.
– No, that’s the last thing we’ll do. At least we should question him.
– We’ll do it right here. Stay here watching the cargo
and admiring nature… …I’ll go look for our poet friend. All right. Fifteen dollars.
– Fifteen dollars for everything? Yes, for everything, that’s what I need
to make a deal… …fifteen dollars is what I’ll give you.
– I can’t for fifteen dollars. Well, that’s my price, I can’t give you
more, that’s all I can offer. Please! Eighteen dollars! Sold! Eighteen dollars. If an American gentleman asked you
to visit the French dredges… I’d visit anywhere with
an American gentleman. All right. Let’s go. A cigarette? I see the lunchbox.
You’d better take care of this! Ratcliff! So Mr. Ratcliff is here. Will you tell me now why you brought me here? Yes, to explain four things. Why did you come here to fish?
What happened to your clerk? And why did you ask the French girl
to come here? That’s only three things.
– The fourth is in that hole. You’ll recognize it, take a look. A good look. He’s dead and the boxes are gone.
– What boxes? The boxes of dynamite sent in your
name, come on, where are they? What’s that?
– Some boxes for Wells, the foreman. Just a minute. What are you bringing there?
– They came on the night train… …we were told to pick them up
at the station. Mr. Wells?
– Yes, Wells speaking. Yes, I know what this is about. Unload them and bring them in, I’m coming down now. All right, unload them and bring them in.
The foreman is coming down now. United States Army warehouse Power plant What are you doing? Be careful, you idiot! Careful. I’m an active officer of the
Imperial Japanese Navy. My credentials. I’m here for the same reason… …the British government sent Mr. Ratcliff. And for the same reason the American
government sent Dr. Crawbett. To find Ryner, whose job is to start wars… …and who is generously paid
by those who want them… …because it brings them
huge profits. Do you know Ryner’s identity? Yesterday the Heavy King brought
explosives in my name… …made in Japan,
shipped as notions. The crew of that ship
visits my neighbor’s shop… …Mr. Brogard. I’ve kept the Heavy King under
watch at the other end of the canal. Today I got a message delivered
by a girl telling me… …to go to the power plant tonight
and ask for Brogard. Neither Brogard nor anyone else
can get into the power plant. While the fleet is passing through,
every inch of the canal… …is guarded by the army
and the navy. If I go to the plant, ask for
Mr. Brogard, and something… …bad happens, it would look like
I’m to blame and that my visit… …was an attempt to throw the blame
on Mr. Brogard. The young woman who brought you
the message, was she French? Yes, sir, French. That girl could be a big help
to us. The man who sent
the message is Ryner. Do everything you can to make sure… …Tenoki gets into the plant. And you, Mr. Tenoki, take the girl.
I’ll go to Brogard’s shop. We have to get in.
– Break down the door. Please, step back. Find the light. Maybe Tenoki tricked me.
– What did you say, sir? Report it and look into
the cause of death. Yes, sir.
– Wait a second! That’s odd! Why would
he shave off his mustache? Notify your superiors, don’t move
the body until I get back. Yes, sir.
Don’t move him from here. Are you Wells, the foreman?
– Yes. I’m Crawbett, Secret Service. My credentials. I’ll stay with you tonight.
– What’s going on? Nothing, just keep working
like I’m not here… …and have your men do the same.
– Has something happened? I don’t know yet. Are all your men here? Excuse me. My friends have come. Come on, get up Mr. Wells,
Brogard, Ryner. You won’t stop me! Maybe you should’ve brought her lilies.
– I’m so glad you came! For you. They smell nice, don’t they?
– Yes, thank you so much. Let me put them in water.
– Yes. Are you feeling better? The doctor says that
next week… …you’ll be well enough to go
home and see your friends. I don’t want to go home.
You are my best friends. What do you say to that?
– In Japan we say: …’A woman is like the moon,
she changes every day.’ Well, I’m going to Paris, Tenoki’s
going to Paris, where will Marie go? I’m going with my best friends. Bonjour, Marie.

On the French coast, unlucky Marie Galante (Ketti Gallian) is abducted and forced to board an American cargo ship bound for the Panama Canal. When an escape attempt leaves Marie high and dry in the Yucatan, she takes work as a nightclub singer to earn her safe passage to the Canal region. But Marie faces bigger problems when she gets mixed up in a destructive plot against the U.S. Naval fleet, and so she accepts the kindly assistance of secret agent Dr. Crawbett (Spencer Tracy).

Colorized version: https://youtu.be/gfO3myHriaY

Director: Henry King
Writers: Reginald Berkeley, Jacques Deval, William Absalom Drake
Stars: Spencer Tracy, Ketti Gallian, Ned Sparks
Genres: Drama, Espionage, Conspiracy Thriller, Holiday Romance