Mr. and Mrs. North (TV-1953) HOT MINK

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Exploring the Charm of Vintage Television: "Mr. and Mrs. North"  The 1950s were a golden era for television, introducing a variety of shows that have since become classics. Among these is the delightful detective series "Mr. and Mrs. North." The show featured Richard Denning and Barbara Britton as a married couple living in New York City who find themselves embroiled in various mysteries, often solving them before the police.  One notable episode from this series is "Hot Mink," which aired in 1953. The plot revolves around a mix-up involving a mink coat that leads to a humorous and engaging con game. The episode showcases the Norths' wit and charm, as they navigate through the confusion and deceit to uncover the truth.  "Mr. and Mrs. North" is a testament to the enduring appeal of vintage television. The show's combination of comedy, drama, mystery, and romance, along with its charismatic leads, makes it a delightful watch even today. Episodes like "Hot Mink" remind us of the simpler times of television storytelling, where the focus was on clever plots and charismatic characters.  For those interested in revisiting this charming piece of television history, "Hot Mink" is available for viewing on various platforms. It's a perfect example of the kind of light-hearted entertainment that made "Mr. and Mrs. North" a beloved show of its time and a nostalgic treasure for contemporary audiences. Whether you're a fan of classic TV or just looking for a delightful mystery, "Hot Mink" is sure to entertain.

Transcript

00:00Mr. and Mrs. North, starring Barbara Britton and Richard Denning.

00:30Myra! Come in. How are you, honey?

00:48Don't how are you me. I brought back my introduction to you a long time ago.

00:56Hey, what is this, a gag?

01:00It's no gag. I've just been wanting to do that for a long time.

01:05I guess I had that coming.

01:15It's good to see you, Myra.

01:17Really? You could have seen plenty of me while I sat around that crummy hotel room for two days.

01:23Waiting? While you were out having yourself a good time with all that money?

01:29Well, $2,500 of that is mine.

01:35Look, honey, I can explain. I don't want any explanations. I just want the money.

01:39What about your husband?

01:41This has nothing to do with Bruce. I only want the dough that's coming to me.

01:46Look, darling, it's a long story. If you'll only... You conned me for the last time, Neil.

01:50Look, baby, I'm working on a deal, a big deal. And if it comes through, we'll be rolling in money.

01:56I know what your big deal is. It's George McMahon's daughter, the oil man.

02:03It's quite a nice break for you, Neil. And she's pretty, too.

02:08And rich.

02:16So I want my money.

02:18Okay, Myra, just give me a couple of days.

02:20No, now.

02:21Look, baby, I haven't got it.

02:23You know, I've been following your career in the gossip columns.

02:26You must have spent quite a good deal on the McMahon girl.

02:29That's just the point. I've got a tremendous investment. And if it pays off...

02:32If it pays off, I won't be around.

02:36And neither will you, unless you give me that money tonight.

02:44I hope I make myself clear.

02:47Tonight.

02:56This is called dreamy.

03:03Well, you see, it's for my wife's birthday.

03:07What was the name of that perfume again?

03:09Something about Paris, I think.

03:11Oh, you probably mean honeymoon.

03:14Yes, that's it.

03:17The small or the large size, please?

03:19Large. And can it definitely be delivered this afternoon?

03:24Charge or cash, please?

03:25It's a charge. Gerald North, 24 St. Anne's Place.

03:40Okay.

03:46Happy birthday, darling.

03:48Jerry, you promised to be home early tonight, and it's after 7 o'clock.

03:51I know. I'm sorry. I had trouble with some contracts.

03:53You've been promising to take me to dinner to Pierrot's for two months.

03:56Look, I just want to shave, and I'll be ready within 10 minutes. I promise.

04:03Jerry, a package arrived this afternoon.

04:05I didn't know whether or not I should open it.

04:08Sure. Go ahead and open it.

04:20Oh, Jerry.

04:23It's beautiful.

04:27Good. I'm glad you like it.

04:29I'm going to wear it tonight.

04:31What you've got on now is good enough for me.

04:34You're silly. This is a must.

04:42Ms. North?

04:43Yes?

04:44I'm from the Lord & Fitch Department Store.

04:46I'm terribly sorry, but there's been a mix-up.

04:48A fur coat was delivered this afternoon by mistake.

04:51There was a package for this address, but it was missent to a Mrs. Donahue.

04:55The store will bring your package by first thing in the morning, but I have to get the coat.

04:59The store is awfully upset about the inconvenience, and we...

05:03Wait a minute.

05:08Jerry, what did you send me for my birthday?

05:11The perfume. Why?

05:14Nothing.

05:39You're right. It was a mistake.

05:41Thank you very much, Mrs. North. Sorry to trouble you.

05:43We'll bring your package by first thing in the morning.

05:45Good night, ma'am.

06:04Who was that, darling?

06:06A man from the store.

06:07Hmm? What store?

06:09Lord & Fitch.

06:10Oh, I thought they'd delivered it earlier.

06:13They delivered it wrong.

06:15Hmm?

06:17They sent a fur coat.

06:19Oh, darling, I love the perfume. Honest, I do, and I'm almost out of it.

06:23Darling, what are you talking about?

06:25The mink coat.

06:27The store sent it, and I thought it was your present to me.

06:30But instead, you sent the perfume that Mrs. Donahue got, and so the man came for it just now.

06:34Now, Pam, just a minute. Let me get this straight.

06:37The department store sent you a mink coat?

06:39And a man came just now to pick it up again, and he said there'd been a mistake?

06:42And how sorry the management was.

06:44Oh, Pam, that's one of the oldest confidence rackets in the world.

06:49You mean it wasn't the mistake, and the delivery man was a crook?

06:52Yes.

06:53But he had such an honest face, and he seemed so upset.

06:56Oh, not nearly as upset as I am.

06:58They forged my name, and that coat's on your bill.

07:01Do you remember what he looked like?

07:03Now, wait a minute.

07:07Oh, Jerry, I'm sorry he got away.

07:10Maybe the doorman knows that cab driver.

07:12Come on, Pam, we've got to find that coat.

07:18Come on, hurry up.

07:22It's a good pelt.

07:23It gives a full price, $1,500.

07:25I gotta have $2,500.

07:26$1,500 is tops.

07:28Look, it's an $8,000 coat. I'm only asking $2,500.

07:31$1,500, take it or leave it.

07:35I'll take it.

07:38You've been pretty busy lately, huh?

07:41Yeah, I'm working on something big.

07:43Something to make this look like chicken feed.

07:45That's why I need the extra grand.

07:47Well, if you do something else, you know where you can find me.

08:06I'm closed for the night.

08:08Look, we don't want a lot of...

08:09I'm closed for the night.

08:10I know, but did a man come here with a mink coat?

08:12The fellow had dark hair.

08:13He was about my height and about my age.

08:15You're not so unusual, mister.

08:16Well, I think he is.

08:18Pam, please, look, we traced the cab through the dispatcher.

08:20We know the driver brought him here.

08:22He was wearing a uniform.

08:24The man is a thief.

08:26He stole a mink coat that's on my husband's account.

08:29I thought he brought it home for my birthday, but...

08:32Oh, they're rude.

08:34Well, come on, there's nothing we can do about it here.

08:37I'm starving.

08:39If you have any idea how much a coat like that costs,

08:41how can you eat at a time like this?

08:44I'm hungry and it's my birthday.

08:47Oh, darling, that's right. I'm sorry.

08:50This is a pretty rotten celebration for you.

08:53Come on, we'll get you something to eat.

08:55I'm starving.

08:57I really shouldn't drink anymore.

09:00High school doesn't bother you.

09:03Daddy says you theatrical people drink all the time.

09:06Of course, he does a lot of drinking himself,

09:08but, well, it's different down home.

09:11Well, then you can drink as much as you like

09:13because you're theatrical people,

09:15and I'm theatrical people,

09:17and you're theatrical people,

09:19and I'm theatrical people,

09:21and you're theatrical people,

09:23and I'm theatrical people,

09:25and you can drink as much as you like

09:27because you're theatrical people yourself now.

09:29I sure wouldn't call what I've done being real theatrical

09:32a few high school plays.

09:34Of course, I did do Joan of Arc

09:36in a little theater group in Dallas.

09:39I suppose that was mostly because

09:41Daddy gave him the new switchboard and curtains.

09:44Well, he certainly didn't have to.

09:46You're a real talent, Kathy.

09:48You mean that for sure, Mr. Webber?

09:51For sure.

09:56I've never been so high in my life.

09:58Darling, you have anything you want.

10:00Sky's the limit up to 250.

10:04Thank you, Max.

10:06I thought you were just teasing

10:09or maybe being nice,

10:11saying you wanted to put me into your show.

10:13Oh, no, no, Kathy.

10:15I meant it.

10:17I know I've got no right at all drinking like this.

10:20You know, Neil, I spoke to Daddy about back in the show.

10:24He was a little suspicious at first,

10:26but, oh, not after he met you, but before.

10:30You see, Daddy always says

10:32oil draws more flies than honey.

10:38That's very clever of your father.

10:42What's the matter, Neil? You got a toothache?

10:45No, no, I just remembered a telephone call I have to put in.

10:49It's very urgent.

10:51Oh, is it about financing?

10:53Yes, yes, I won't be long.

10:55I'll be right back.

10:57I'll be right back.

10:59I'll be right back.

11:01I'll be right back.

11:03I'll be right back.

11:05I'll be right back.

11:07I'll be right back.

11:09Yes, I won't be long.

11:13Your eyes get a bug out every time you see that guy.

11:16You told me you were washed up.

11:18I am washed up.

11:20What I've got to say to him is strictly business.

11:24Wait here.

11:26She isn't going to enjoy her dinner.

11:29Who isn't?

11:30That woman. She's awfully mad about something.

11:33Here, dear, concentrate on your food instead of the gossip.

11:36Oh, excuse me.

11:39Excuse me.

11:45Does Bruce know you came to see me?

11:48Bruce knows that the only thing I want from you is money.

11:52And I want it tonight.

11:54Or else I'm going to blow up your little deal with the McMahon girl.

11:58Oh, now, look, honey, this isn't just a calm deal. It can be legitimate.

12:01I can marry the girl.

12:03And just because it's legitimate doesn't mean that we can't see each other.

12:09I saw how limp-eyed she was.

12:12I think it's just about time for the jealous girlfriend routine.

12:16No, we can't do that. It would ruin everything.

12:18It's your responsibility, honey, not mine.

12:20Just give me a few more days.

12:21Tonight.

12:23I'll be at your hotel in an hour. Make sure you're there.

12:26You two have been here long enough to raise a family.

12:28Shut up, Bruce.

12:30I told you that this was strictly a business deal.

12:32Yeah, it's always been a business deal. Only I get the business.

12:35You walked out on me twice to go with him.

12:37Now you...

12:38Now I'm going to get what's been over me for a long, long time.

12:41And that's the last that either of us will ever see of him.

12:46Let's get out of here.

12:57Are you sure enough to want me to be in your play?

13:00Sure enough.

13:02Why don't we go up to my place and look over a copy of the script?

13:07What's wrong?

13:09Well, I...

13:12All right.

13:30Jerry, that's the man.

13:31Hmm? What man?

13:32The mink man, the one with the coat. He just went out of here.

13:34Are you sure?

13:35Sure, I'm sure.

13:36Well, go ahead, quick. Watch where he goes.

13:42Keep changing.

13:48Let's drink to us, Kathy.

13:52No, no, that won't do it at all.

13:55It's like blowing out the candles on a birthday cake.

13:58You have to do it all at once so you don't get your wish.

14:00Like this.

14:06There. Is that the way?

14:09No.

14:11This is the way.

14:19So, this is the woman.

14:23This is my rival.

14:25I won't stand it, Neil. I told you that.

14:27Stop being a fool and get out of here.

14:29I won't stand it. You can't do this to me.

14:31We've never meant anything to each other.

14:33I've never given you any reason.

14:36Never given me any reason.

14:38I love you. Isn't that reason enough?

14:41Do you think you can squeeze a woman's heart as though it were a grapefruit?

14:45Put that down.

14:46I'll kill you and I'll kill her.

14:48Neither of you.

14:59She shot herself.

15:02She's dead.

15:04Don't cry, darling.

15:06We can't go to pieces now.

15:11We're in a nasty spot.

15:13This would be awful publicity.

15:15It could ruin my entire show.

15:17And what's worse, darling, it could ruin your reputation.

15:20I don't care about that, Neil.

15:22They might even try to say that we killed her.

15:24What are we going to do, Neil?

15:26There's just one chance.

15:28It's not legal, but it certainly can't matter to her now.

15:31We've got to get rid of the body.

15:33How?

15:35I know some people who would do the job,

15:37but it would take about, well, $5,000.

15:40You see, I've got every cent I have tied up in my production.

15:44Oh, I have a few assets.

15:46I could raise the money naturally in a day or two,

15:49but, well, that would be too late.

15:52I could get the money from Daddy.

15:54I could get it right away. I know he's home.

15:57It would have to be in cash.

15:59Oh, Daddy always has lots of cash around.

16:01Daddy says oil don't do anybody any good in the ground,

16:04and money don't do anybody any good in the bank.

16:07This is a terrible beginning, Kathy,

16:09but I swear I'll make it up to you.

16:20Hurry, darling.

16:32Well, you sure haven't lost any of your charm.

16:35So a dumb date like that is hardly a fair test.

16:38You're a cynic, Myra.

16:40You can't appreciate the beauty of innocence.

16:43You probably can't even remember it.

16:45And by the way, you almost lost out the whole act

16:48when you started on that squeeze a woman's heart like a grapefruit.

16:52I thought I was going to laugh right in your face.

16:57How can I answer riddles?

16:59Now, we have 400 rooms and 700 tenants.

17:02But we know he's here. We followed his cab.

17:04He's good-looking in a sleazy, mean way.

17:07About 5'11", with brown hair.

17:09Potted on the right side.

17:11Dinner clothes and a white shirt.

17:13And a maroon tie and black shoes.

17:15And a white handkerchief in his breast pocket.

17:19No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

17:23And a white handkerchief in his breast pocket.

17:269.36.

17:54Jerry, look.

18:03Dear.

18:24Jerry, stop him.

18:28What's the hurry?

18:29I didn't do it.

18:30Then who did?

18:32A guy named Weber.

18:34She's always carried a torch for him.

18:36I'd have done anything for her, but all she ever wanted was him.

18:39Even when she was hating him, he was all she ever wanted.

18:41Why should he kill her?

18:43He's been playing around with Kathy McMahon.

18:45Her old man owns half of Texas.

18:47I suppose he didn't want anyone lousing it up.

18:49You didn't kill her. Why did you run?

18:51I thought you were the cops.

18:53I've still got a couple of forgery wraps around my neck, but no murders.

18:56I never killed anybody.

18:58Yet.

18:59What were you doing here in the first place?

19:01I came to kill Weber.

19:03Who is she?

19:05My wife.

19:10Jerry, she has a gun in her hand.

19:12To make it look like suicide.

19:15All right.

19:17Get back now.

19:19I thought he was really grief-stricken.

19:21I am.

19:22Enough to get the guy who did this.

19:24Come on, move.

19:25Over there.

19:29Now.

19:31You two will stand there nice and quiet, and nobody will get hurt.

19:34But don't try to follow me.

19:36I'm going to get Weber.

19:38I'm going to get Weber.

19:40But don't try to follow me.

19:42I'm going to get Weber.

19:44And I'll get anybody else who gets in my way.

19:48I'm going to lock you in here.

19:50Give me five minutes.

19:52Then you can start to yell.

19:57Just keep out of my way.

20:04Jerry, I'm glad you got Bill Wigand.

20:06We must stop that man before he finds that Weber.

20:08Wait a minute.

20:09He said Weber was going around with Kathy McMahon.

20:11Her father just bought the Belden mansion.

20:12We'll start looking there.

20:16That was the elevator.

20:17We can go now.

20:18Come on, let's try the fire escape.

20:24Darling, I thought something was wrong.

20:28There is.

20:29There's a lot wrong.

20:31You're not going to get the money from my father or anyone else.

20:39I went back, Neil.

20:41I went back to get my purse.

20:44I heard the two of you discussing the frame-up.

20:51It's true, Kathy.

20:53I don't know how to say this.

20:56I've done a lot of things in my life I'm not proud of.

20:59I'm not excusing myself.

21:02I'm just trying to say that probably the only honest emotion I've ever felt was for you.

21:09And that's why you arranged for that woman to cheat me.

21:17Five thousand dollars?

21:20I could have had a hundred times that by just marrying you.

21:24No, Kathy, this was an old debt.

21:26Something that had to be paid off.

21:29I thought with your help I could change all the rotten things I'd been.

21:33The things I'd done.

21:36I know it's too late to even hope for another chance.

21:39But at least believe that this wasn't a lie.

21:48You better enjoy that, Weber.

21:51It's the last thing you're ever going to do.

21:56Myra always wanted you.

21:58Well, she can have you now.

22:00I'm going to kill you the same way you killed her.

22:03Killed Myra? What are you talking about?

22:05But it was a frame-up. She's not really dead.

22:07Try and tell her that.

22:09I just left your hotel room.

22:11I found her body.

22:12Look, you must be crazy. What reason would I have for killing her?

22:15There he is.

22:23That's him, Jerry. That's the delivery man.

22:25What have you done with that mean coat?

22:27I guess you're Kathy McMahon.

22:29Quite a crowd you got yourself mixed up with.

22:32Oh, no, you don't. I've had enough trouble with you tonight.

22:35He killed my wife.

22:36He was afraid she'd lost his plan to marry into all that McMahon dough.

22:39Well, you're going to have some trouble explaining what you were doing in the apartment with her body.

22:42Oh, no, I'm not.

22:43Because I can prove where I was up to the minute you found me.

22:46And they can tell she was dead a lot longer than that.

22:48All right, I'll tell you who killed her.

22:50It was Kathy.

22:52We'd work a frame-up, Myra and me.

22:54Kathy came back and heard it.

22:55Is that true?

22:57I did come back and hear what they were saying, but...

23:00All right, it's true. I killed her.

23:02But I didn't mean to.

23:03We had a fight and there was a struggle and she hit her head on the table.

23:06I tell you, it was an accident.

23:07She wasn't shot?

23:09I'm sorry, Kathy.

23:11I really did want to start a new life.

23:13I thought you and I could be a swell combination.

23:16This is one thing you won't get away with, Weber.

23:18All right, keep back, all of you.

23:19Keep away from me. Keep back.

23:31Myra!

23:36That's a pretty funny ending.

23:38The gun she used for the frame-up.

23:40It was loaded with flakes.

23:46Yes, darling.

23:48Oh, wait a minute. There's someone at the door.

23:54Mrs. Gerald North?

23:56Yes.

23:57A package for you from Lord & Fitch.

23:58Will you sign here, please?

24:00What's in it?

24:01A mink coat.

24:07Jerry, they're trying it again.

24:09The mink coat. A man just tried to deliver it.

24:11Damn, I sent that man.

24:14Happy birthday, darling. You've earned it.

24:17You mean it's mine?

24:19Oh, Jerry!

24:21I'll put it right on and come down to your office and you can take me to lunch.

24:24Bye.

24:29Isn't my husband wonderful?

24:31Lady, will you sign this, please?

24:33Oh, you have no idea how much trouble we've had with this mink coat.

24:37Yeah, lady, but just imagine how much trouble the minks had.

25:00Mr. & Mrs. North is directed by Ralph Francis Murphy.

25:04A John W. Lofton production.

25:07Produced by Federal Telefilms.

25:10Starring Barbara Britton and Richard Denning.

25:12Featuring Francis DeSales.

25:29This has been a film presentation.

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