- Yes, Uncle!

(audience applauding) Did you see him?

He was mugging upstage.

If he tries that tonight.

- They don't appreciate a true artist, Mr. Copland.

(sniffing) - Do you smell that?

- Like flowers.

(crackling electricity) - Dorothea?

It can't be.

No.

Stay away.

(ethereal music) (upbeat swing music) (swing music continues) - I shouldn't be long.

Do you want to come in?

- Oh, it's him.

- Dot?

- Yes?

- I'll see you inside.

- Mm-hm.

- A bit of grease paint will cover this.

- But you must hurry, the curtain goes up in 20 minutes.

- I'm fine.

I'm fine, don't fuss.

Thank you again.

I'm in your debt.

- As am I.

No, please.

Happy to be of service.

- Phryne!

She hangs upon the cheek of night like a rich jewel in an Ethiopsia.

- You're a little old for Romeo, Bart.

- Nonsense!

Henry Irving was 45 when he played Romeo at the Lyceum.

Besides, with you as my Juliet, age is immaterial.

Miss Phryne Fisher, may I present Lin Chung.

- Mr. Lin.

- He was kind enough to come to the aid of our leading man who was sat upon by thugs outside the theater.

- I'm sure anyone would have done the same.

A pleasure to meet you, Miss Fisher.

Good luck with the show.

- You're looking ravishing as always, dear girl.

You haven't changed a bit.

Hurry, Miss Leila.

15 minutes and counting.

- Of course, Mr. Tarrant.

Love the dress!

- Unless you want me to miss the curtain, you'll have to tell me why you invited me.

- Quite right.

Tell me, Phryne, are they true, the rumors about you?

- Usually, I'm afraid.

- That you're a detective.

- That too.

I should have guessed free theater tickets would come with a price tag.

- We have a ghost.

- A ghost?

- It's not just any ghost.

It's Dorothea Curtis.

- I've heard that name.

- Dorothea was a promising soprano.

She died 20 years ago.

The last role she ever played was Rosie in "Ruddigore" in this theater.

She died at her own hand on opening night.

I found her in the dressing room.

She'd stabbed herself through the heart.

- That's unusual.

- She was an actress.

If one has to play our to death scene, Juliet's the classic choice.

- [Employee] Mr. Tarrant, five minute call!

Break a leg!

(ominous music) - Bart.

I may have a reputation for taking on difficult cases, but even I can't fix a ghost.

All this talk of specters will pass as soon as the curtain rises.

Trust me.

- I can't believe we're sitting so close.

- Close enough to get a good look at the handsome Gwilym Evans.

- Is he handsome?

- You hadn't noticed?

- It's his talent I admire.

- Which I'm sure is formidable.

If you want some advice, I'd hide your admiration of Mr. Gwilym Evans talents when your constable arrives.

- Hugh is coming?

- It was a surprise for your birthday, I thought you'd be pleased.

- Sorry I'm late.

Constable Collins asked me to send his apologies.

His football game ended in a brawl.

He ended up arresting half the opposing team.

- I didn't pick you as a Gilbert and Sullivan fan, Inspector.

- Constable Collins neglected to mention the tickets were for an operetta.

- A pleasant surprise, then.

- One for which he'll almost definitely pay the price.

(light music) - Perfect as always, pumpkin.

- Mm.

- Muah.

- Evans.

- The house is full to bursting.

Break a leg.

- Indeed.

And I'll break yours if you upstage me tonight.

This costume is not right.

Hansen.

- Poor, buckle me!

If you ain't the loveliest gal I ever set eyes on.

There, I can't say fairer than that, can I?

- No.

The question is, is it me that a total stranger should thus express himself-- - Now he's in love with her?

But they've only just met.

- Where's your sense of romance, Jack?

♪ In sailing o'er life's ocean wide ♪ ♪ Your heart should be your only guide ♪ ♪ With summer sea and favoring wind ♪ ♪ Yourself in port, you'll surely find ♪ ♪ My heart says, you've a prosperous lot ♪ ♪ With acres wide ♪ ♪ You mean to settle all you've got ♪ ♪ Upon your bride ♪ ♪ Shape my acts ♪ ♪ By word or sign ♪ - Ah!

- So now she's getting engaged to the other fella?

- Shh!

♪ This heart of mine ♪ ♪ In sailing o'er life's ocean wide ♪ ♪ No doubt the heart should be your guide ♪ ♪ But it is awkward when you find ♪ ♪ A heart that does not know its mind ♪ ♪ A heart does not know its ♪ ♪ A heart, a heart ♪ ♪ That does not know its mind ♪ (light orchestral music) (crowd murmuring) (audience applauding) - Is that what you call a modern interpretation?

- No.

Walter Copland looked like he was dying on stage.

- Absolutely.

Gwilym Evans really should be the lead.

- Phryne, come quickly.

Do you think anyone noticed we went off book?

- The interval did come a tad early.

How's the patient?

- Can't someone just give Walter a tonic?

- Is this a usual occurrence?

- Mr. Copland.

- There's a doctor down the lane.

- If Copland isn't up for it, I know his part.

I'm happy to step up.

- And who plays Richard?

- Bradford knows all the parts.

- Brad!

- He may not be much to look at, but he sing a damn sight better than Copland.

- That's just for rehearsals, sir.

I couldn't step out on the stage.

- Nonsense, this is an emergency.

Look at him, he's three sheets to the wind.

- Is he?

- You can hold off on that doctor.

Looks like your man's dead.

Any enemies?

- Surely you don't suspect murder?

- We won't know until we get the autopsy, but contracted pupils, sudden coma could indicate poison.

- If the press gets hold of this, I'm ruined.

- Are you all right?

- Oh, I'm...

I'm perfectly fine.

- Thank you, once again, for the theater tickets.

It seems we won't be seeing the second act.

- It's a murder, Jack.

Surely you don't expect me to just walk out.

- One can only hope.

- I need to look after the interests of my client.

Mr. Tarrant employed me this evening to um, look into some strange occurrences in the theater.

- I engaged Miss Fisher right before the curtain went up.

- How convenient.

- I know this is a terrible time for everyone, just ghastly.

- Not now, Gwilym!

- It's just, don't you think Bradford should get Walter's costume back before they remove the body?

Whoever replaces him will need it.

- Actors, Jack.

You need somebody who understand their language and I speak fluent thespian.

- Ah.

I'll stumble through.

Thanks all the same.

- Come on, ladies.

Standby in the wings, please.

(whimsical music) - Not quite the birthday celebration I had planned for you, Dot.

- Not to worry, Miss.

Hardly awful that poor man died.

- I saved your show tonight, you owe me!

- I'll decide in the morning.

- I'm sorry.

In all the ruction we haven't yet had the pleasure.

- [Phryne] No, we haven't.

- Gwilym Evans.

- Phryne Fisher, Mr. Evans.

There were some questions I was hoping I might ask you.

- Anything to help a lady.

- But first, may I present Miss Williams.

She's a great admirer of your talents.

- Charmed.

- Do you think I might have an autograph?

- Dressing room.

- Yes, sir.

- Oh, it's for my mother.

Her name is Dot.

(clearing throat) - Mr. Evans, shall we?

- I was going to have a word to Miss Fisher.

- Oh, Miss Fisher has to leave.

- Did you see him?

He spoke to me.

And that voice!

His eyes.

- May I?

Hm.

Different hand.

- Sorry, Miss?

- I said, Gwilym Evans has a lovely hand.

- I've heard talk of young ladies being snatched from around here, Miss.

- You mustn't believe everything you read in Yard and Stock.

There's absolutely nothing to be-- (man shouting) (thudding) - Afraid of.

(men shouting) - Well, that's just rude.

(men shouting) (whooshing) (men shouting) - I do approve of a man who can fight.

And still maintain his sartorial elegance.

- Shall we?

- But Miss.

- Come along, Dot.

- Miss.

(speaking in foreign language) - I am sorry.

She wants to protect me from the decadence of the west.

- A losing battle, I'm guessing.

Dot, try one of these.

- Your skills with the chop sticks are very impressive.

- So are your fighting skills.

- Sometimes in my business it is necessary to employ them.

- And your business is?

- I'm an importer.

- May I ask what you import?

- Silk.

- I didn't realize the silk business was so dangerous.

Two fights in one evening.

- Welcome to Chinatown.

There are those few here that would rather rob their own kind than make an honest living.

- So that's what the skirmish was about, an attempt to rob you?

(speaking in foreign language) - And what, may I ask, were you doing in the lane ways at this hour?

- I'm always interested when somebody avoids answering a question.

As you know, we were at the theater.

Until one of the actors up and died.

Your friend, Walter Copland.

- I only met him tonight.

(speaking in foreign language) - Mr. Lin.

You'll get me hooked.

- Thank you for coming, darling girl.

- A little earlier than I'm used to.

Did the inspector keep you up half the night?

- Oh, he did!

- I expect he asked you who might stand to gain from Walter Copland's death.

- He also told me I shouldn't speak to you about the case.

- And?

- I told him there was no love lost between Mr. Copland and Mr. Evans.

- Don't let Dot hear you say that, she worships the man.

And the reason for the conflict?

- Oh, nothing apart from the obvious.

Two rival actors competing for the same roles.

- Creditors.

- Painters, stage hands, orchestras, even the actors.

Oddly enough, they all expect to be paid.

- What, they're not in it for the love of theater?

- Only me.

- Are you quite all right?

- I've been better, my dear.

The truth is, Miss Fisher, I have everything riding on this show.

Every last cracker.

If "Ruddigore" goes down, I'm ruined.

That's the end of me.

- Apparently, there's some tension between your Mr. Evans and Mr. Copland.

- I can't think what about.

Unless it was jealousy of Mr. Evans' talent.

- Could it be jealousy of the attentions of Miss Esperance?

- That's impossible, Miss.

- How so?

- Well, Miss Esperance was engaged to Mr. Copland and Mr. Evans would never dally with the affections of an engaged lady.

- Really?

They're engaged?

- Mm-hm.

Table Talk Magazine does not lie.

- Ah, I wondered when you'd be back.

- Did you miss me?

- I never get a chance to miss you.

It feels as if you're in my office every second day.

To what do I owe the pleasure?

- A development in our case.

- Our case?

- I expect the actors let slip about the ghost.

- They did.

Don't tell me you suspect a ghost.

It might be a little difficult to clap an apparition in irons.

- I was thinking more about whoever faked the apparition's appearance.

And given that it's a woman... - Do you suspect Miss Esperance?

- At the time I didn't question her indifference to her fellow actor's collapse.

But is that the behavior of a fiance?

- Doing "Ruddigore" gave Walter and I a chance to work together.

We didn't like to be apart.

- So how long have you been engaged?

- Oh, two, is it?

Just before we began rehearsals.

Yes, two months.

- I would have thought most engaged women could count out the minutes.

- It wasn't my idea.

- What wasn't?

- It was just for an article in Table Talk.

The engagement was supposed to sell tickets.

- Then you weren't really engaged?

- So much of what we do is make believe.

It was just one more thing to pretend.

- Mr. Tarrant tells us it was your idea to mount a production of "Ruddigore."

(clearing throat) - Yes.

I wrote to him in England.

I thought it would be the perfect opportunity for him to return home after all those years away.

- Did you see the ghost?

- No.

When we finally heard about it, I looked for her, but she'd vanished.

- Where were you when the ghost appeared?

- Downstage left.

We were in the middle of a dress rehearsal.

- So Walter was the only one who saw it?

- No, his dresser Hansen was with him.

Following Walter around like a puppy.

- It just appeared out of thin air.

Walter recognized her.

He worked with Dorothea 20 years ago.

And he told her to stay away.

- This note?

- Yes, that's it, yes.

- Rather unusual, isn't it, for a ghost to leave behind such a palpable item like a note?

- I'm sure I have no idea what ghosts do or don't do.

- They don't usually do anything, given they don't exist.

- Oh ye of little faith.

- It wasn't just the note.

- I beg your pardon?

- That the ghost left behind.

When I returned from the dressing room, the sand had vanished.

- Not entirely.

- Do you have any idea who'd want to murder Walter Copland?

- I shouldn't say.

But Mr. Evans spent all last night rehearsing Walter's role.

- I hear you're taking on Mr. Copland's role.

- The show must go on.

- You weren't exactly on the best of terms with Mr. Copland.

- The man was a ham.

Yes, it's a pity he's passed on, but I'm not going to pretend he was the world's greatest actor.

He could hardly stumble on the stage without a little help.

- What kind of help?

- The sort of help usually found in a bottle.

- You saw him take a drink before he went on stage?

- I didn't, but my dresser Bradford saw everything.

- He made a great show of pretending there was something wrong with his costume.

- But there wasn't.

- It was just an excuse to have another tipple.

- And what was it he was drinking?

- You would have to ask his dresser.

He was the keeper of the flask.

- I believe Mr. Copland had a drink that night.

- Walter would never compromise his performance.

- You're his dresser.

It's understandable you'd be loyal to Mr. Copland.

- You'd know what he was carrying.

You're responsible for his costume.

- Not just his costume.

The dresser is the actor's ally, his closest friend.

- We're trying to find out what happened to your friend, Mr. Hansen.

Is there anything that you can tell us that might help us get to the truth?

- He had a drink before the play opened?

- It was for his nerves.

To calm him before he went on.

- And who filled the flask?

- I did.

- I can only assume you were planning to tell me about this.

- No planning involved, Jack, you know me.

- You really can't go around removing evidence from a corpse.

- I'll try and remember that next time.

Am I forgiven?

- Provisionally.

- So you think the dresser did it?

- He had access to the flask.

If he was poisoned, it seems likely he's the culprit.

- Isn't that a bit easy, given that everybody knew he carried Copland's booze.

- Quite right, must have been the ghost.

- Are you sure this is a good idea, Miss?

- Walter Copland was killed with an overdose of opium and I need to find out if there's any connection with our Mr. Lin Chung.

- What makes you think there is?

- For a start, Walter Copland's hands showed signs he'd used an opium pipe.

Add to that, his scrape with some thugs in an alleyway only to be saved by Lin Chung.

At the very least, our Chinese friend knows more than he's letting on.

(chiming bells) Would you care for champagne, Mr. Lin?

- Yes, please.

- You didn't get a chance to tell me about the silk trade.

- Ah, there's not much to tell.

- I'm guessing my overly curious nature is not a virtue in your culture.

- I've always enjoyed explorations beyond my culture.

- Here's to exploration.

I do have one question for you.

- After a meal like that, it'd be rude not to answer one question.

- Did Walter Copland ever buy silk from you or...

Anything else?

- Anything else?

- Opium.

- You take me for an opium trader.

- I'm asking.

- Mr. Copland came to the same conclusion.

I am Chinese and so it follows that I must know where to buy opium from.

That was why he followed me outside the theater.

- Why were you at the theater?

- To show Mr. Tarrant silks for his next production.

"The Mercado."

- So, you didn't help Walter Copland obtain opium?

- I'm very sorry to disappoint you, but I'm an importer of silk and silk alone.

Now, if you'll excuse me.

It's late.

- It's early.

My apologies, if I've offended you.

- Thank you for your hospitality.

But I have an early meeting tomorrow.

- Miss Williams, visitor for you.

- Oh.

- Hello, Dot.

Sorry to bother, I just wanted to pop in before work to bring you this.

It's for your birthday.

I know it's a little bit late, but... - Thank you.

- I hope you like them.

- They're... Lovely, very, um, useful.

- I thought it might make up for me missing out on the theater the other night.

- Oh.

Ow.

- Sorry.

- No.

- Kiss it better?

- Constable Collins, how delightful.

- Miss Phryne.

Sorry, Hugh was... A birthday gift.

- For our walks.

- How romantic.

- Uh, I have some darning to do.

- Uh, yes, me too.

Not darning, but other important police work.

- Did the inspector find Walter Copland's flask?

- He, I...

I can't say, Miss.

- And were there traces of opium?

(sighing) I'm not one for card games, but a little advice.

Don't ever play poker.

- If the inspector asks anything, I didn't breathe a word.

- You didn't have to, dear Hugh.

I can read you like a book.

Speaking of books, I'm in a delicate situation and I'd like your opinion.

The book was sent to me as a gift.

Obviously, it has artistic merit, but I'd hate to discover it was in breech of the Obscene and Indecent Publications Act.

- I...

I, ahem, I suppose I could take a look at it for you.

- You might enjoy it.

There's an excellent chapter on kissing.

- A whole chapter on kissing?

- Oh, yes.

When it comes to seduction the East have a few thousand years head start on us.

- Um, Miss Phryne?

- What is it, Dot?

- Sorry to trouble you, but Mrs. Lin is here.

She says she wants to speak with you.

- Ah, why don't you let her in?

- She won't come in, I've asked.

- My apologies, Mrs. Lin.

Please, join us.

- You are a fox spirit.

Fox spirits take man's property and waste it.

- I assure you, I have no interest in anyone else's property.

- Lin Chung is promised to be married to a good family in Shanghai.

Leave him alone or you will be cursed until your dying day.

- Fox spirit.

I quite like the sound of that.

- Oh, here's one.

Actress takes her own life.

- What date?

- June 15, 1908.

- Sounds about right.

Read on, McDuff.

Dorothea Curtis, while performing in the opening night of Gilbert and Sullivan's "Ruddigore" was found dead by her own hand in her dressing room.

- Well found, old thing.

Here we go.

Dorothea had been wooed by two suitors.

One of them was a rather handsome fellow by the name of Maurice Sheffield.

And the other... Well, well.

Why didn't you tell me you and Dorothea were sweethearts?

Did you love her?

- Passionately.

That wasn't enough.

- Who was Maurice Sheffield?

- Dorothea and I had just finished "Penzance."

The world was at our feet.

We'd been offered roles in London.

But she decided not to come.

She retired from the stage for a year.

While I was away she was won over by Sheffield.

When I came back she was engaged to him.

Then the three of us were cast in "Ruddigore."

But it became clear that Dorothea and I still had feelings.

- You got back together?

- I wasn't gonna let her get away again.

I asked her to marry me, to break it off with Sheffield.

- I'd wager Sheffield wasn't thrilled.

- Dorothea said she'd give me her answer the night we opened.

But instead, she uh... She sent me this note.

- My darling Bart, I cannot go on.

Please forgive me.

The ghost's hand matches Dorothea's.

(ominous music) - Oh, this is punishment!

I should never have gone to London.

I should have stayed.

This is where I found her.

She was late for an entrance.

I ran back, swung open the door.

- Do you have any notion of how I might contact Maurice Sheffield?

- He gave up the theater, as far as I know.

Her death broke both our hearts.

- Did Dorothea have any family?

- Her cousin.

Her name was Mobbs.

- Miss Fisher.

- Inspector, what brings you back to the theater?

- A development in the case.

- Do tell.

- It turns out the beneficiary of Walter Copland's will is his dresser, Mr. Hansen.

- I wouldn't get too excited if I were you.

Inheriting an actor's estate is not exactly winning the Melbourne Cup.

What do you expect he'll inherit, a fake mustache and stick of grease paint?

- It seems Walter Copland was that rare thing.

An actor with independent means.

He came from a well to do family.

Open up, Hansen.

Oh, I'm sorry to disturb.

I was actually looking for Mr. Hansen.

- Well, he's not here.

This is Mr. Evan's room now.

- So Hansen's been let go?

- I wouldn't know.

- [Evans] Bradford!

My hat!

- Yes, my lord and master.

- No, I move down left and you follow.

- That may be the way Walter did it.

- Enough.

I will come back when you are ready to rehearse.

- Do me a favor, Miss Fisher.

- With pleasure.

I thought you didn't like operetta?

- I didn't, but I do now.

- You just follow along as best you can.

- Where's my mark?

- Right here.

Mistress, Rose.

- Master Robin.

Do you smell hyacinths?

(creaking) - Actually, that's not-- - Oh my god, look out!

(grunting) - Phryne?

Phryne.

Slowly, that's it.

- Gwilym?

- You were very lucky, my dear.

I'm afraid Gwilym is not quite so.

- Ah!

It was Dorothea, wasn't it?

- Miss Esperance, there is no such thing as ghosts.

- This is just what happened to Walter and now Gwilym.

- There, there.

I know it's terrible.

But we're going to get through this.

We must.

- I smelled hyacinths just before the sand bag dropped.

- My men will search the whole theater.

- Yes, yes, of course.

- How's your head?

- It'll be fine.

I just need a moment.

(ominous music) (crackling electricity) Not again.

(ethereal music) What do you want?

(ethereal music) (footsteps) (exhaling) Must you sneak around?

- I heard something.

- So did I, in the fly tower.

- We found the rope with the counter weight.

It was frayed all the way around.

It was like an accident.

- A very convenient one.

- I agree.

- Did you smell it?

- What, the flowers?

- It's hyacinths.

- Now I really can't let you out of my sight.

Why go to all the trouble of faking a ghost?

- It didn't look fake to me.

- Well, who stands to benefit?

Is it to close down the shop?

You know how superstitious actors are.

- Kill the leads and you kill the production.

- Had to be Hansen.

- Even if he killed Copland for the money, why kill Gwilym?

And why threaten me?

(grunting) - Wait, Jack, I know him.

- Wrong neighborhood for sneaking about in the shadows.

- I am aware of the neighborhood.

- Inspector Robinson.

Mr. Lin.

- I was on my way to the theater and I hoped that you would be there.

Perhaps you'd like to join me for supper?

- Miss Fisher was on her way home.

- Actually, Miss Fisher is feeling a tad peckish.

- I'd appreciate it if you saw the lady safely home.

- You have my word.

Miss Fisher.

(street chatter) - I understand my grandmother paid you a visit.

- She's a charming woman, your grandmother.

- I've never heard her described that way before.

- She told me you were to be married.

- The marriage is arranged, it is between our families.

I never even met the girl.

My family has been importing silk for three generations.

Our business isn't what it was.

The family my grandmother wants me to marry into is the Hu's.

They're very powerful, but they need respectability.

- So... A marriage of convenience to solve both families problems.

- She's in Shanghai waiting for me to agree to the contract.

- You have a problem with an arranged marriage.

- My problem is marrying into a family that deals in opium.

My father smoked opium.

Once he took to the pipe, he was consumed by it.

First his family, business, honor.

And then his life, all turned to smoke.

- I'm sorry.

- It is a dirty business and I want nothing to do with it.

- But your granny is keen for you to marry into the Hu family.

- I had hoped to recover my family's wealth.

But at what cost?

- To marry or not to marry.

- That is the question.

- While you decide, I suppose there's nothing to stop us from taking supper.

- Nothing at all.

(upbeat swing music) (swing music continues) (kissing) (upbeat swing music) ♪ He can't dance, but the real romance ♪ ♪ He's the last word ♪ ♪ Seldom talks, but the moonlight walks ♪ ♪ He's the last word♪ (birds chirping) - I'm very sorry about Gwilym Evans, Dot.

- Why would anyone want to hurt him?

- Perhaps it wasn't him they were aiming for.

- Miss?

- At the time I was wearing part of Miss Esperance's costume.

- You think he was killed by mistake?

- There's one way to find out.

I think it's time we became better acquainted with our ghost.

Dorothea Curtis has a cousin.

A Mrs. Mobbs.

- It doesn't seem right, Miss, to spy on people.

- It's all in the service of truth.

You'll have to stop being such a goody two-shoes.

- Leila?

- "Curiouser and curiouser," said Alice.

- Alice who, Miss?

- I think we be sure we have the right Mrs. Mobbs.

- I don't often get the chance to meet Leila's friends from the theater.

I don't know why Bart would put on "Ruddigore" again.

- You think it's cursed?

- No, just not very good.

It's not exactly "H.M.S.

Pinafore," is it?

- You were an actress?

- Oh, I flirted with the stage.

It didn't return my affections.

No, I was busy with other things.

- Like bringing up Leila.

- Mm.

- Were you in the production of "Ruddigore" with her at the... - No, I'd retired by then.

- And that would have been after Dorothea's year away from the stage.

Was her absence for the age old reason?

- I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name.

- Phryne Fisher.

- So, what does a lady detective do?

Stir up trouble?

- I'm investigating the murders at the theater.

And the ghost.

Leila didn't mention the ghost?

Dorothea's ghost?

Haunting the theater.

- Oh.

No wonder the poor girl's been such a wreck.

- Dorothea gave you her baby to raise as your own.

- How did you know?

(sighing) - Her reaction to the ghost was a clincher.

- I told her the truth about her mother when she turned 18.

That's when she decided to be an actress herself.

- So the poor girl thinks the ghost is her mother.

How horrible.

- Do you have any idea of the whereabouts of Maurice Sheffield?

- Maurice was a charmer.

Not very practical, though.

He tried to talk our Dorothea into acting in the cinema.

Thought he was Cecil bloody B. DeMille.

- Really?

- Leila doesn't know anything about her father, not from me.

- She doesn't know who her father is?

- There's already been enough misery from that story.

- But it's Bart Tarrant.

- Mm-hm.

- Do you think there is the slightest chance the ghost really is Dorothea?

- She always did like an encore.

- Even if Leila is Dorothea's daughter, it doesn't change anything.

- It gives her a reason to seek revenge.

- On?

- On the theater that took her mother's life.

Or perhaps she blames Bart.

Leila encouraged him to mount "Ruddigore" and now he's ruined.

(knocking) - Do we have him?

- He's in the interview room, sir.

- We picked up Hansen at Spencer Street.

He was on Aubrey Train.

- I killed him.

- Gwilym Evans?

- No, no, Walter.

I killed Walter.

I told him it would end badly.

I mean, how could it go on the way it was going?

- You mean, his opium habit?

- He developed a taste for it a few months back.

First it was just the occasional visit to Little Onsel Street.

I would have to drag him out to get him ready for the show.

But Walter wasn't the most agreeable person.

He could be insulting, so he was no longer welcome in the dens.

- That's why he needed someone to buy the opium for him.

- Walter thought the Chinaman at the theater could help.

Mr. Lin.

- Your Chinaman?

- But that just led to a punch up.

Walter was beside himself.

He couldn't concentrate, he couldn't remember his lines.

To get him through I convinced the doctor down the lane to give me laudanum.

- And that worked?

- I thought I followed the doctor's instructions to the letter.

But I must have put too much in.

I tried to help, but I couldn't.

I should have found a way.

But you have to believe me, I would never do anything to hurt Walter, never.

He meant the world to me.

I didn't mean to kill him.

I didn't mean to kill him.

(whimpering) - I checked with Mack.

The amount of laudanum Hansen gave him wasn't anywhere near a lethal dose.

- We only have Hansen's word on the amount.

- He clearly loved the man, why kill him?

- Copland's estate might be motivation enough.

As far as I'm concerned, he can cool his heels in a cell until a better suspect comes along.

- Anyone could have spiked that flask and put in enough laudanum to do him in.

- Do you have someone in particular in mind?

- Anyone who knew Copland's dirty little secret.

- You forgot to mention your new friend sells opium.

- Walter tried to buy opium from some thugs in a lane way.

Lin Chung stepped in when things got ugly.

- That's quite a story.

- It sounds like you're questioning my judgment.

- No, no.

I'm questioning your taste in men.

- I didn't know you had such a talent for the dramatic.

(ethereal music) - What are you doing?

- I'm trying to create a ghost.

- Any luck?

- Not so far.

- Are you doing this for small mercies?

- No, I'm stumped.

If I were enough of a detective I'd work it out.

- I think you're far and away the best detective in the world, Miss.

- Thank you, Dot.

- Perhaps there are some cases that can't be solved.

Time just runs out and there are no clues left.

- Oh Dot, why didn't I see it before!

You are brilliant!

- I am?

- As we all know, this theater has more than its fair share of misfortune over the past few days.

The source of that misfortune has been the ghost of Dorothea Curtis.

Who I will now summon before us.

(crackling electricity) - It's Dorothea!

I can almost touch her.

- But I'm sorry to say, there is no ghost.

Just trickery.

It's a thin curtain of falling sand.

Dot gave me the idea.

Like sand running through an hourglass.

A scene from the one motion picture Dorothea ever made is projected unto the falling sand.

- All very clever, but who did it?

- Someone who knew Dorothea very well.

- No, I loved her.

- It wasn't Bart.

(crackling electricity) (actors murmuring) - Dorothea, it's you, it's really you.

You left me, my love.

You left me behind.

- I had so much to tell you, but I never had the chance.

I had your child and you never knew.

- What?

A child?

- The killer is someone who kept Dorothea's letters and could imitate her handwriting.

Someone who had full access to the theater, enabling him to setup the projector and to spike Walter Copland's flask with a lethal dose of laudanum.

- Maurice Sheffield.

(ominous music) - Sheffield, is that you?

- It's a trick, sir.

Someone stop this!

- That's not his only crime.

I didn't kill myself.

You wrote that suicide note.

- That's ridiculous!

You can't believe this!

- You're the only one who could have faked the ghost.

You, who photographed Dorothea's one foray into the cinema.

A picture that never saw the light of day.

(ominous music) - Move!

(grunting) - I should have killed you all those years ago when I had the chance.

- Why did you come back?

- You stole her from me.

I tried to put it behind me, I did, and then he comes back from London, like he just did, and puts on "Ruddigore."

- So you murdered two innocent men?

- I wanted him ruined.

His leading man dead on opening night, he'd be finished.

- And Gwilym Evans?

- That one was meant for you.

She was mine.

I killed her so as you'd never have her.

(grunting) - Oh, you look so like her.

- That's because she's Dorothea's daughter, Bart.

And yours too.

(light music) - Is this true?

- I thought playing Rose would bring me closer to my mother.

I never imagined it would bring a father too.

(light music) - Thinking of Gwilym Evans?

- This is where he stood and sang just a few days ago.

- Did ya... Did ya like him?

(scoffs) - I didn't even know him.

- Dotty.

You're so beautiful.

(light music) - I got your note.

- I thought you should know.

I agreed to the marriage.

- Congratulations.

- But I wanted to explain.

- There's no explanation necessary.

- Nonetheless, you should know I have my reasons.

- Which I'm sure are honorable.

- What my father lost, I hope to regain.

- And your new family alliance will bring you that?

- We provide the Hu family with respectability and they provide us with their financial resources.

- And their opium.

- The Hu family trade in many things.

Once I'm in control, I decide what is imported.

- Is it that simple?

- There is a Chinese proverb.

The reed which bends to the breeze does not break.

- And eventually that reed will stand tall.

- You're an idealist, Miss Phryne Fisher.

Although you hide it.

- Guilty as charged.

- To ideals.

- And your Shanghai bride.

- Congratulations.

- Flattery from a policeman?

You'll turn my head, Jack Robinson.

- But there is one thing you didn't figure out.

- And that is?

- My aversion to operetta.

- You know I like a mystery.

Let me see... A bad experience on the stage.

- "Pirates of Penzance."

(Phryne laughing) - The reviewer thought my performance as the major general was underwhelming.

- Why don't you let me judge for myself?

- I can't remember a word of it.

- Oh what rot!

Once you live one of those patasogs, it's in there for good.

- I'm more of a Shakespeare man.

- The stage is all yours.

- Age cannot wither her.

Nor customs stale her infinite variety.

Other women cloy the appetites they feed, but she makes hungry where most she satisfies.

- Perhaps a career in the theater beckons after all, inspector.

- I think I'll stick to crime.

(upbeat swing music) ♪ Another bride ♪ ♪ Another jewel ♪ ♪ Another sunny honeymoon ♪ ♪ Another season, another reason ♪ ♪ For making whoopee ♪ ♪ A lot of shoes ♪ ♪ A lot of rice ♪ ♪ The groom is nervous ♪ ♪ He answers twice ♪ ♪ It's really killing ♪ ♪ That he's so willing ♪ ♪ To make whoopee ♪ ♪ Picture a little love nest ♪ ♪ Down where the roses cling ♪ ♪ Picture the same sweet love nest ♪ ♪ Look what a year can bring ♪ ♪ She's washing dishes and baby clothes ♪ ♪ He's so ambitious, he even sews ♪ ♪ But don't forget, folks ♪ ♪ That's what you get, folks ♪ ♪ For making whoopee♪ (upbeat swing music) (shimmering)