Island of Doomed Men

I'm Mark Sheldon sir, reporting for duty.

Oh yes, glad to meet you Mark. Have a nice trip?

Well, I lost a lot of sleep worrying about this meeting.

Yes, I felt the same way myself the first time I reported for duty.

But I got over it, so will you.

- Sit down. - Thank you.

Now, we'll have our first and possibly our last talk.

- How's everything in Kansas City? - Fine, thanks.

- You, you know what you getting into Mark? - Yes sir.

In joining our under cover staff, you'll have to burn all your bridges behind you.

- I've done that sir. - You are joining an army.

An army, where there are no banners, no medals for heroism...

and death is the only honorable discharge.

When you walk out of that door you're starting on a lonely road.

You get into trouble, we won't help you. We'll deny that you're one of our men.

I understand.

Well, I'd hoped you would let me talk you out.

Your full instructions.

Of course, you'll have to use various names from now on...

depending upon where and what you are working on.

Now, with us you will always have a number.

It'll never change, remember, 64.

Sixty four.

Your opposite number will be 46.

My opposite number?

Yes, you see, wouldn't be fair or even sensible...

to send you out on your first assignment alone.

Now, 46 is been with us a long time, he's a good man, you'll like him.

May I ask what he's working on?

Well, I won't know until his work is finished and he's made his report.

You can still change your mind.

All right, good luck 64.

Thank you sir.

Raise your right hand and repeat after me.

- I, Mark Sheldon do solemnly swear... - I, Mark Sheldon do solemnly swear...

What do you want? The office is closed.

It's too bad. I came a long way to talk business.

- A long way? - Kansas City, by way of Washington.

Oh, come in.

All right, what is it you want?

Want to find out the market price of National Debentures.

Those Washington specials.

- Are you a stockholder? - Yes.

- For how long? - Since last Tuesday night at 9:46.

- How many shares do you own? - Sixty four.

- How many do you want to buy? - Forty six.

I have exactly 46. I think we can make a deal.

Certainly glad you got here.

Let's go into my office, we'll get acquainted.

- Well, you ready to go to work? - Yes sir.

Now look, we're partners. None of that sir business with me.

Come on, sit down.

I've been working on this case for six months.

I've got a lot of information but so far I haven't been able to prove a thing.

Now, I'll tell you one thing.

You and I are going to try to smash the dirtiest racket any man ever invented.

- Don't tell me there's a new racket? - Yeah, right here.

That is an island, Dead Man's Island.

And a very good name for it too.

It's United States territory but it's so small and...

unimportant nobody pays any attention to it.

Except the man we're after, he owns it.

Did you ever hear of a man by the name of Danel, Stephen Danel?

I don't think so.

Well, Stephen Danel is our man, Lincoln freed the slaves.

Mr. Danel is back in the trade, doing very well at it too.

- What's his nationality? - I don't know, might be anything.

He's an American citizen now and that makes him our problem.

He deals in paroled men.

Convicts, who think he's giving them a new start in life.

But what they really get is a slow, living death.

Stop it, stop shooting.

Hello, hello. Information?

Get away from that telephone. Don't you know any better than that?

You've got to have a doctor.

Beat it, the fire escape.

If they catch you in here, spoil everything.

Remember, Danel.

Good luck.

Get back. Get back, come on.

Get back now.

All right, stand back. Will you please?

Get back. Watch it.

All right, stand back there, get back.

Come on, come on.

- Why did you kill him? - I didn't.

- Then who did? - I wish I knew.

Who are you? What's your name?

Ok, we'll find out.

- Your fingerprints are on that gun. - I told you I used that gun...

Shooting at whoever was on the fire escape.

You burnt something here, what?

That's my business.

You admit you were here when this guy was killed?

Yes.

All right.

You're locked in this office with the guy, he gets shot in the back.

Your fingerprints are on the gun, nobody else, we catch you trying to make a getaway.

That's right.

- And you didn't kill him? - No.

And you haven't got a name.

If you want a name, make it John Smith.

All right, wise guy.

Maybe you'll change your story tomorrow.

Come on, Mr. Smith.

- What happened sir? - A guy just killed somebody.

- Shot him down like a dog. - Oh, but that's shocking, isn't it?

They're bringing him out now.

Say, I never saw a murderer before, did you?

No.

All right folks, break it up, let him get out. Break it up, come on, get out.

- Back up, get off. - All right. Come on, get back you.

- Is everything ok? - Of course.

Police just took the unfortunate gentleman away.

Why should an old story affect you so deeply Mr. Brand?

This were the first time but, of course it isn't.

Chicago was the first time, wasn't it? And then San Francisco?

You ought to do something about your nervous condition Mr. Brand.

Nervous men sometimes talk too much and they make mistakes.

And you mustn't make mistakes Mr. Brand.

And you must never talk too much.

But I got a right to know what's happened.

Oh, yes, of course. You see Mr. Brand...

the man who was so interested in my personal affairs is quite dead.

And a gentleman who came to see him is under arrest for murder.

But maybe know something.

You don't have to worry about that.

I'll watch this case.

Good night Mr. Brand and...

pleasant dreams.

Before imposing sentence I must say to you, John Smith...

I feel as I'm sure the jurors felt...

that much of the real story of your crime is not been told.

And I must add that your refusal to tell the true story...

to identify yourself or to offer any believable defense...

probably had much to do with the jury's verdict.

No evidence was introduced to show there was any gain for you in the crime you committed.

The peculiar circumstances of this case...

justify the jury in returning a verdict of guilty.

Under the law, I must sentence you to be committed to the State Penitentiary...

and there to serve a term of from one to 20 years.

Have you any statement you wish to make to this court?

I have nothing to say.

We're all set Mr. Danel.

Thank you Captain.

I trust you understand why it is necessary to punish this young man.

Where men live and work together discipline is essential.

Quite essential and...

Sometimes an object lesson becomes necessary as it has today.

Unfortunately, this is causing all of us to lose valuable time from our work.

- Twenty lashes Captain. - Yes sir.

Eddie, I hope I'll hear good reports on your conduct hereafter.

Come Doctor.

Oh come on, shake hands, now shake hands. Come on give me your hand, give me your hand.

- Siggy. - Yes sir.

Don't you have any work to do for Mrs. Danel?

Keep that monkey away from me.

Yes sir.

Very lovely, these flowers.

I had a very annoying afternoon.

Please Lorraine, put on something else, I don't like that.

Then come back, I want you to play for me.

I wouldn't, if I were you.

Your hands, Doctor.

You really ought to keep yourself cleaner.

I'm sorry.

You know, I am leaving for the mainland tomorrow Doctor.

- Yes? - Yes.

To bring back some friends I've kept track of.

Friends like Mr. Smith.

The young man is made repeated applications for parole.

Naturally he wants to get out of prison, all convicts do but...

in his case he might've a special reason for wanting out and...

I think I ought to help Mr. Smith to get his parole.

What do you think Doctor?

Mr. Danel, I probably shouldn't say this.

I don't want you to be offended, but I wonder...

You're trying to say I should stop...

shall we say, recruiting paroled men for my island?

- Yes, yes, it's dangerous. - Yes, very dangerous.

But not as dangerous Doctor, as if I were to employ ordinary workmen who might...

be able to tell too much. Also the work is very hard.

Men who could leave, would.

No Doctor, I think for our purpose paroled men are much better.

Men like yourself.

Yes Mr. Danel.

I'm so glad you agree with me Doctor.

Yes, Mr. Smith,

I shall talk to you very soon.

You may go Doctor.

My favorite gown.

And one of my favorite pieces of music.

How did you know I like the Nocturne so well?

Oh, you told me, a long time ago.

I, I didn't want to play it for you until...

until I was sure I knew it perfectly.

It's very thoughtful of you Lorraine.

You going away tomorrow, aren't you?

I wish I could go with you.

I get so lonely when you're away.