The Letter

Howard: Tell us exactly what happened. Withers: Take your time, Mrs. Crosbie, remember, we're all friends here. Leslie: I ate dinner rather late and started working on my lace. I don't know how long I'd been working when suddenly I heard a footstep outside. Someone came up on the veranda and said: 'Good evening, can I come in?' I was startled because I hadn't heard a car drive up. Withers: Hammond left his car about a quarter mile down the road. Your houseboy noticed it as we were driving here. Robert: Well, he probably didn't want anyone to hear him drive up. Leslie: Well, at first, I couldn't tell who it was. 'Who is it?' I asked. 'Jeff Hammond.' 'Oh, of course,' I said, 'Come in and have a drink.' Howard: Were you surprised to see him? Leslie: Well I was rather. We hadn't seen him for ages, had we, Robert? Robert: Three months, at least. Leslie: I told him Robert was out at our No. 4 Plantation getting out a shipment or something. Was that it?...Well he said, 'Oh, I'm so sorry, but

The Letter (1940 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Leslie: Would I have to be - arrested? Howard: I think you're by way of being arrested now. As a matter of form, you must surrender herself up to the Attorney General in Singapore. Leslie: Shall I be imprisoned? Howard: It depends on what the charge is...Why, I think it not unlikely that he can say that only one charge is possible - and in that case, I'm afraid an application for bail would be useless. Leslie: What charge? Howard: Murder.

The Letter (1940 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Withers: [about Hammond] You know the sort, very breezy, devil-may-care, generous with his money. Howard: Did you like him? Withers: He was the sort of chap you couldn't help liking. Howard: Could you have imagined him doing anything like this? Withers: Well, how can you tell what a man will do when he's drunk? Howard: That's true.

The Letter (1940 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Howard: When I was looking at Hammond's body...[Leslie freezes] Oh, I'm sorry, my dear, but this is a question that's bound to come up. Leslie: Yes, Howard, what is it? Howard: It seems to me that some of the shots must have been fired after he was lying on the ground. Leslie: Oh, I know it was so terribly cold-blooded, but I was so terrified. Everything was confused and blurred. I didn't know what I was doing.

The Letter (1940 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Howard: It's strange that Hammond was able to keep his life so hidden. That gambling house he owned and especially the Eurasian woman. I think it was finding out about her that turned opinion so completely against him. Robert: Will she be one of the witnesses? Howard: I shan't call her. I'll just produce evidence that Hammond was married to her.

The Letter (1940 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Ong: A circumstance has come to my attention, sir, which seems to me to put a different complexion on the case...A friend has brought me information, sir, that there is in existence a letter from the defendant to the unfortunate victim of the tragedy. Howard: That's not surprising. During the course of seven years, I've no doubt Mrs. Crosbie often had occasion to write Mr. Hammond. Ong: But the letter, sir, was written on the day of the late Mr. Hammond's death. Howard: Well? Ong: As you will no doubt recall, sir, that Mrs. Crosbie has stated, that until the fatal night, she had had no communication with the deceased for several weeks. Howard: Yes? Ong: In my opinion, this letter indicates that her statement perhaps was not in every respect accurate. Howard: Have you seen the letter? Ong: I have with me a copy, sir. The original is in possession of a woman - she happens to be the widow of Mr. Hammond, deceased. Howard: It's inconceivable that Mrs. Crosbie should have written such a let

The Letter (1940 film), CC BY-SA 4.0