Blood and Black Lace (Sei donne per l'assassino)

BLOOD AND BLACK LACE

Directed by MARIO BAVA

What's got into you? Why did you come here?

Don't you realise that Isabella could see us?

- Have you got any? - No.

I can't take this any more.

If I don't get some soon I'll go crazy.

Don't be like that, Franco. Have you tried asking lsabella?

We had an argument.

She even stole what I had, damn her.

Try to hang on in there.

When I've finished work we'll find some.

Trust me. I'll help you.

Now go.

I'm counting on you. Thanks. I'll be waiting.

Bye.

Isabella. Your scarf.

Thank you.

- Bye. - Bye.

What's wrong?

The sign's fallen off again.

- Do you want me to go and fix it? - No, not tonight.

You can do it in the morning.

Same old story... Isabella's late again.

I don't know what's wrong with that girl. This is the third time.

There's no need to get angry, just give her a hefty fine.

l certainly will, and I'll fire her if she's as late as she was yesterday.

- Good night, Madame. - Good night.

Nicole.

Look at this dress. Try to take more care of the clothes.

There's another show tomorrow. Look at this.

- I'Il be more careful. sorry. - You're always rushing off out of here.

You're all the same, that's all you think about.

What does she expect? she's so annoying.

It's not easy being a widow.

Isabella!

No, thanks.

- How Iong were the lights off? - Ten minutes.

How long had the girl worked for you?

About two years.

What was she like?

Very lively.

A bit unruly, but there's nothing bad I couId say about her.

As far as you know, did she have a lot of friends?

Inspector, I'm not going to be much help here.

I'm the managing director.

You should ask the two girls who lived with her.

I can't believe it. Such a terrible thing. I still can't get my head round it.

Poor thing, she was always so cheerful, so...

Come on, stop crying. It's not going to do any good.

Inspector silvestri, this is Countess Cristiana, the owner of the company.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Haven't I met you before, madam? Or am l mistaken?

Yes, we have actually met before.

Because of my husband's accident.

Exactly. It was a car accident.

I imagine you'Il be able to help me. You must know alI about your girls.

Inspector, this isn't a boarding school.

l don't know or care about what they do when they're not here.

All right, I'm going to be in the studio.

- Will you excuse me? - Of course.

Come on, Peggy. Stop crying.

What good is it going to do?

Come on.

What time was it when you went out to fix the sign?

About seven. It was banging and the noise was irritating Madame Cristiana.

I went out and fixed it as best I could.

I protest!

Mr Morlachi, I demand an expIanation.

I'd only just come through the gates when these men grabbed me.

- Ask the inspector. - Inspector?

Calm down and tell me why you're here.

- I'm Marquis Riccardo MorelIi... - All right, but answer my question.

He's come to pick me up. He's my fiancé.

Fiancé!

- Why are you laughing? - Because we live together.

Did you know Isabella?

Isabella?

You introduced us once, didn't you?

Yes, I guess I knew her, but only by sight.

I see.

Come on, Peggy.

Be strong.

Stop crying.

lt looks like she's the only one who's upset.

They were very good friends.

- Did she live with you two? - Yes.

Who had she gone out with? Who was the last person to see her?

I don't know.

Leave her alone. Everybody knows who Isabella's lover was.

- Who are you? - Cesare Lazzarini, fashion designer.

- Will you tell me his name? - Whose?

The lover's.

Scalo. Franco scalo, the famous antique dealer.

- Police. Where's the inspector? - ln there.

I can assure you I don't know anything.

- Excuse me a second. - sure.

It's confirmed.

ShalI I go?

- Yes, go. - All right.

So...

Tell me, what kind of relationship did you have with Isabella?

- We were friends. - Or lovers?

I'm going to admit to something, but you mustn't be shocked.

l don't believe in permanent and everlasting relationships.

I understand.

Do you know what this is?

No, I don't.

- What is it? - Cocaine.

It was found in your friend Isabella's house.

In Isabella's house?

- so you didn't know about this? - No.

Never mind.

But I must ask you to remain at my disposal.

I'll see you again.

Autumn Evening.

Turn around.

AlI right, you can go. Quickly.

- What's wrong, Cesaretto? - lsabella was supposed to model this.

- You're right. - Who should I give it to?

Let's see...

- Peggy... - Not me, please. I can't.

For heaven's sake don't cry or you'Il ruin your make-up.

- Greta, you model it. - No, l'm sorry, I can't wear it.

- Don't be silIy. - lt'll bring me bad luck.

- someone's going to have to model it. - l will.

Good. Come on, hurry up.

Why doesn't that surprise me? she's so cynical.

AlI right, you can go.

Turn round. Good. Walk.

Hold on a second.

Something's missing.

The brooch! The green brooch.

We can fix that now. Where is it?

Isabella brought her own. She kept it in one of these boxes.

Here it is.

Look what l've found. Isabella kept a diary.

It'll be an interesting read.

Listen. "He's a man who arouses deep and desperate feelings in me.

"I'd be prepared to die for him."

Let me see.

- I don't think we've got the right... - What are you doing? Are you all mad?

Does this seem like the right time? Go on, off you go. Get ready.

I think we should give this to the police.

I found it and I'd like to hand it in myself, if you don't mind.

As you wish.

Ray of MoonIight.

- Ηello? - HeIlo. Hello, Franco.

Why didn't you come?

I was on my way out but I'm not feeling well. You know why.

Sure, I understand.

Try to come right away. I've got some.

Listen, Franco. I've found a diary.

- lsabella's diary. - What?

Isabella's diary? Who else knows about it?

Everybody, unfortunately.

l realised too late that there could be something compromising about you in it.

I kept it and said I'd hand it in to the police.

Good. We'll have time to take a look at it.

- I'll come straight over. - You don't sound well at all, Franco.

Franco!

Franco, can you hear me?

Yes, Nicole.

Sorry, I can't even breathe. But now you've got some I'll feel better. Bye.

I'll see you soon.

Hurry up, girIs. Greta, you're on next.

- Everything all right there, Marco? -Yes, Madame.

- Cesaretto, where were you? - I'm here.

I looked everywhere for you. Why do I have to do everything myseIf?

- Nicole? - What is it?

Telephone call.

- For me? - Yes, for you.

- Hello? - Hello. Nicole, is that you?

- Yes. Who's speaking? - It's Franco.

I can't make it over there. I feel too ill.

You come over. Please. Now. I feel like I'm suffocating.

How am I supposed to get away?

AlI right, I'll do my best.

I'll try to come right away.

There, it's all right now.

Peggy, Franco's sick. He needs me.

I need to rush over and see him. Will you lend me your car?

But the show's not over yet.

I don't care. Give me the keys but don't let anyone see you.

Hold on.

- Peggy, what are you doing? - Nothing, just getting my handkerchief.

The alarm switch is hidden in the gIove compartment.

AlI right.

Thank you.

ANTIQUEs

Franco?

- Have fun but don't come home too late. - Don't worry.

Marco!

I want to keep you company till Tao-Li gets back.

Aren't you scared of being at home on your own?

I'm actually very tired and I'd like to go straight to bed.

But you'lI have to stay up till Nicole brings your car back.

PIease.

AlI right. As you wish. Come in.

Thank you. I didn't want to leave you.