Charlie Chan at the Wax Museum Page #2

Joe Rocke was convicted

on my scientific evidence.

- How dare you insinuate

- Now, boys, don't get violent.

People have been arguing for years

over whetherJoe Rocke fired that poison dart.

You could settle it tonight

on my broadcast.

Sorry. Must decline.

Ach. Surely, you're not afraid...

to cross the wits

with my logic and science.

Perhaps you leave the town

because of Steve McBirney's threats, ja?

My pop don't run away from anybody.

But it might look that way

if you don't accept this challenge.

- What'll I tell the fellas in my class?

- Challenge?

Dr. Cream make same in presence

of offspring's classmates?

Yeah, and I accepted for you.

I'm sorry you're turning us down,

Mr. Chan.

It would be an unusual

experience for you.

You most anxious for humble presence

at broadcast tonight.

It's a question of showmanship.

I know what the public wants.

Will imitate woman and change mind.

Most happy to accept

unusual radio invitation.

- Splendid, Mr. Chan.

- This is news. Thank you, Mr. Chan.

You be there at 8:00.

We go on at 8:
15.

- I'll be there.

- So long.

I'll be there too, Pop,

in case you need any help.

Contradiction, please.

At 8:
00, young legal sprout...

have date for lecture

on Old Roman law.

- No hooky.

- Okay, no hooky.

Say, Charlie, you certainly

changed your mind in a hurry.

I'd have given odds you wouldn't go

for that phony challenge.

Correction, please.

Challenge may solve more

than Rocke case tonight.

Dr. Cream once famous surgeon.

Now friend of many criminals...

like Steve McBirney.

- What's on your mind, Pop?

- Yeah. Come clean.

Possible McBirney

visit doctor for perfect disguise.

Underworld once whispered

his former partner, Butcher Dagan...

receive same from Dr. Cream

a new face.

Well, he wasn't wearing it

when they found his body.

- Say, what are you driving at?

- Perhaps wrong man found and buried.

Faceless body in water three months.

Have long suspected Butcher Dagan,

ruthless killer...

not dead, but still alive...

and hiding behind face

created by Dr. Cream.

Perhaps worthy doctor have secret purpose

behind challenge tonight.

You think Cream's coming here

has something to do with McBirney.

- A trap.

- Knowledge only gained through curiosity.

I think I'll catch your act tonight, Charlie.

- In fact, I'll go with you.

- No, please.

Mice only play

when cat supposed to be in bed.

[Thunder Rumbling]

[Cream]

The mother, the son...

and the music teacher

correctly seated

at the fatal breakfast table...

that sentJoe Rocke to the gallows.

We'll be seated that way tonight.

My pal.

And he sits right there.

- [Object Clatters]

- [McBirney] Hey, you.

Don't touch that.

You'll get burnt to a crisp.

Dr. Cream, I didn't do this.

- I wouldn't. It's dangerous.

- Shut up and get out of here.

- Come on. Get out.

- Mac.

Don't go through with this insane plan.

It'll ruin me.

Oh, it can't.

It's all part of a gag

that goes wrong.

Crazy Willie there

rigs up an electric chair.

He puts too much heat on,

and someone gets hurt.

No cop will ever believe that one.

Well, what are you

gonna do about it?

You queer this

and you're both through.

- Don't get excited. We're all in it with you.

- No choice.

It's about time Grenock

got down off that pole.

[Thunder Continues]

You know, listening to the broadcast

week after week...

give me the idea.

Von Brom, the old Rocke case.

The one case Chan would go for.

And that phony challenge got him.

Now all we have to do is to wait

for Chan to be seated comfortably.

Then

- [Footsteps]

- Okay?

Yeah. She's hooked up

to the switchboard now.

Just tapped 2,300 volts

from that high tension line.

- Now, it can't fail?

- Not a chance.

If you'll please excuse me.

You can't go through with this.

It'll ruin everything this place, your racket.

What can I do?

It may turn out the way he says.

- You know it can't.

- My throat, it's very dry.

[Door Closes]

[Loud Thunderclap]

[Tapping On Glass]

- Am I too late?

- We're closed up, ma'am.

But you said you'd let me in.

You told me Dr. Von Brom was coming.

Oh, I I forget.

I thought you were

Joe Rocke's friend.

I am. I am.

He's my pal.

Then... give him this.

Oh, no, no.

I never touch those things.

You know he needs

protection tonight.

- He's in great danger.

- Yeah. That's right.

You can't letJoe down.

Uh, you take it to him.

No, no. Not that way.

[Whispering]

This way. This way.

Use the upstairs way

and then go right home.

I understand.

Gotta make my rounds and

Where's my clock?

[Rain Pouring]

Bad night, ain't it, Frank?

You know about people.

They open windows and they never close 'em.

Who did that?

- Who did that?

- [Thunderclap]

[Muttering]

[Door Closes]

[Thunderclap]

[Room Door Hinges Creak]

[Hollow Knock]

[Hollow Knock]

[Thunderclap]

[Muttering]

[Yelps]

- Lily, you wanna give me a test?

- Sure.

One, two, three.

Testing.

- One, two, three. Testing.

- Okay.

The Crime Museum

is honored by your visit, Mr. Chan.

Of course, you recollect the tragedy

of the Broadway Butterfly.

Here are some more

of my wax creations.

This is Jack the Ripper,

London's mystery murderer of the year 1888.

He was never caught.

And here we have Henry Dsir Landru...

the Bluebeard of Paris.

They say that he destroyed 40 women

in that very same stove.

Excellent likeness.

Oh. Here's Mr. Agnew now.

Well, we're all ready downtown

for Charlie Chan.

[Engineer]

I'm nearly ready here.

- Mr. Tom Agnew, the director

and announcer of our program.

- Glad to know you, sir.

- [Cream] Miss Latimer, my assistant.

- Miss Latimer.

How do you do, Mr. Chan?

And Mr. Edwards, our engineer.

- Is Mary here yet?

- She's with Dr. Von Brom, looking at the exhibits.

Von Brom?

You didn't tell me he was in this show.

[Cream]

Sort of a last-minute idea.

I didn't come prepared

to handle two masterminds.

I'm sorry, Tom. I phoned to tell you,

but you weren't in.

[Von Brom, Laughing]

Ach, liebes Frulein.

Do I know these men?

This is the Butcher Dagan.

I see him in Chicago many years ago.

I have a photographic memory.

My eyes, they never forget

anything they see once

you know, uh the, uh, face,

the shape of the head.

It is my scientific training.

- Wasn't he killed many years ago?

- Ja. Murdered.

My friends, good evening.

Mr. Chan, I'm here.

- Delighted, Dr. Von Brom.

- We are ready, ja?

- Looks like we'll have a swell show tonight.

- Sure.

That is if the two bloodhounds

bite each other.

- How about supper later?

- I'd love it.

Well, gentlemen,

we go in 12 minutes.

- Is everyone ready?

- I'm ready.

I am famous for this case.

[Whispering]

The doctor. The doctor's voice.

Well, Doctor and Mr. Chan, we hope

you settle the Rocke case tonight.

The Rocke case?

I thought we were doing the Gradley case.

- I'm sorry. It's all my fault.

- I have no notes on Rocke.

I have.

I'll get them for you.

Mr. Agnew, I will help.

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