Charlie Chan at the Opera

What's the matter,

Joe? Nervous?

Oh, this job

gives me gooseflesh.

You're new here, but in a couple of months,

you'll get as jumpy as me.

- I worked around sanitariums before.

It's not so bad.

I like the cuckoos myself.

They're the same as anyone else...

...only they're smart enough

to admit they're nuts.

Look at him.

- That guy sings every night,

and it's making me screwy.

They oughta keep him out

of that recreation room after hours.

- Who is he?

- Nobody knows, not even the guy himself.

He was picked up on the streets.

Amnesia case.

Then he went daffy,

and he's been here ever since.

Come on.

Let's get a cup of coffee.

How many times have I told you

not to interrupt my singing?

Every night for seven years.

So there is only one answer.

Either you quit singing,

or I'll quit bringing the paper.

I don't know what

you're talking about.

Lilli.

Lilli.

Did you say something?

I remember now.

You don't mean you remember

who you are, do you?

I've got to get

out of here right away!

Sure, sure.

Only just take it easy.

Let me take you to your room.

And I'll get the superintendent.

Los Angeles Police calling car 17. Car 1-7.

Man answering description of escaped

maniac just seen at 16th and Hill.

Step on it, boys.

That is all. Roberts.

Another one of those phony leads.

Our only clue... A torn newspaper

containing plenty of pages of news...

...of which any one item may have caused

that man to become violent.

Well, this is not a sance.

Who has an idea?

Why do you keep harping on that newspaper?

Maybe he tore it up as an emotional outlet.

- Any other clever thoughts?

- How do we know he's even in the city? We have no leads.

We haven't any pictures.

The asylum never takes any.

We've run down every angle,

and most of them are phony.

Every railroad, terminal dock,

bus line and main artery is being watched.

- What else can we do?

- I even checked all the airports personally.

That's fine, Kelly. Now you better cover

the merry-go-rounds and scenic railways next.

Where would this man get money for airplane

rides? He's been a charity case for years.

I want every one of you to get this.

As long as that madman's loose, it means

he may strike at anytime, anyplace.

I want you men to cover every foot

of ground around the asylum.

Check every house, gas station, every road

out of there. Someplace there's a clue.

Find it. Now get to work.

Kelly, you stay here. It might do you

a little good to meet a real detective.

Ask Mr. Chan to come in.

Wait a minute. You haven't called

Chop Suey in on the case, have you, Chief?

No, but it's not a bad idea.

And take your hat off.

You could learn a little politeness

from the Chinese too.

Thank you so much.

Honorable father once say, "Politeness...

golden key that open many door."

Glad to see you, Charlie. I was hoping

you'd drop in before you went away.

Yes. Work finished.

Return to Honolulu by midnight boat.

Can't be separated

from that family of yours.

Become habit, like murderer

always return to scene of crime.

Oh, Sergeant Kelly.

- Salutations.

- So pleased.

- Sit down, Charlie.

- Thank you.

I wanted to congratulate you

on the racetrack case.

That gang of racketeers

nearly ruined American horse racing.

Humble servant very fortunate

in stumbling on solution.

Ah. Lucky, eh?

Yes.

Confucius say...

"Luck... Happy combination

of foolish accidents."

Tell me, Charlie. How did you ever

happen to hit on the clue?

It was so small, so obscure.

Small things sometime

tell large stories.

For instance,

very obvious here that...

...many men indulge in nervous fit.

Perhaps unfortunate assistant

receive dressing down on carpet?

Say, how did you wise up to that?

When policeman on small pay...

...discard large cigar after two puffs...

...sure sign of distress.

Also note cigarette die in infancy.

Yeah? Well, suppose you tell us what case

we were being bawled out on.

- That ought to be easy for him.

- Not difficult.

Escaped maniac,

case number A-469W.

Morning press already inform me

torn-up paper only clue.

And there's the case number!

- Congratulations.

- Charlie...

...do you think this paper

may have any bearing on the case?

Heel mark on face

of beautiful lady very significant.

Ah, that nut just stepped

on it on his way out.

Note carefully.

Heel on picture before paper torn.

Sure sign man know woman

unpleasantly.

You're right.

It's deliberate mutilation.

I tell you,

the dame is cold turkey.

I saw her at the opera house yesterday,

and she knows nothin' about him.

Yes?

Madame Lilli Rochelle to see you.

- Have her come in.

- Yes, sir.

- Inspector Regan?

- Yes.

- I'm Madame Rochelle. This is Monsieur Barelli.

- Enchant.

How do you do? Sergeant Kelly you know.

And Mr. Chan.

Mr. Chan! You here on the mainland?

This is a delightful surprise.

Plum tree blossom many time...

...since I hear silver voice

of Madame Lilli in Honolulu.

Thank you. Mr. Chan,

I'm in frightful trouble.

Someone has threatened my life.

They're going to kill me.

"They"? Who's they?

My dear inspector, Madame Rochelle

expects you to find it out.

Show him the card you have received.

Someone sent me flowers at the theater

today. This was attached to it.

- Won't you sit down, Madame Rochelle?

- Thank you.

Perhaps you're right, Charlie.

Our madman does know Madame Rochelle.

I told this officer that I do not know

your escaped maniac.

Madame meets many people,

but she usually avoids the mad ones.

- Do you suspect anyone?

- No. None in particular.

Naturally, a person in

my position makes many enemies.

They're all people who are jealous of me.

Others even imagine they're in love with me...

...and, of course, resent the fact

that I do not return their regard.

- It's the price of popularity.

- Madame is a great favorite.

But there's no one

you can actually point to?

No. But I am afraid, Mr. Regan.

I demand protection for madame, not only

for herself, but for the sake of her public.

The voice they love

must not be stilled.

- You will give her a guard.

- Just what is your connection with this case, Mr. Barelli?

Enrico is the baritone of my company

and one of my dearest friends.

All right. The opera house

will be searched and men stationed...

...at every entrance and exit during

the entire performance tonight.

Thank you. And of course

Mr. Chan will be there.

Madame's voice like monastery bell...

...when ringing, must attend.

You're so kind.

And now I must hurry.

I have costumes to be fitted.

Come, Enrico.

- See you later, Mr. Chan.

- So happy.

I don't like that guy Barelli.

I think he uses perfume.

Hello? Yes, McGrath?

What? My wife in

Inspector Regan's office?

That's right, Mr. Whitely.

She just left here.

And with Barelli again.

You want me to go to the opera house?

No, it isn't necessary.

I have other ideas.

One dozen American Beauty

Roses to Belvedere Apartments.

Miss Lotus Quong Toy.

That will be three dollars.

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