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Was Yelburton in on the conspiracy? (Possible Spoilers)

posted 3 years ago by JackalopeCash57 (92)
6 replies | jump to latest

Hi folks, quick question - was Yelburton (Mulwray's deputy/successor), in on the entire plan to ruin Mulwray's impeccable reputation and eventual murder? I mean, Yelburton pretty much carries himself like a very corporate type of person, the type who instinctively will toe the party line when questioned about any issue/controversy that might be going on. Was he aware of the plan to take out Mulwray? Or was he just the 9 to 5 guy who happened to be lucky enough to get bumped up a notch after Mulwray was taken out?

[–] Ace_Spade (9435) 3 years ago

Hmm...never really thought about it. I'm going to guess no. I think he was a stooge who was, as you say, ready to toe the line. No imagination there. This guy was a select replacement, but he wouldn't be told more than he'd need to know, would he?

[–] Doghouse (447) 3 years ago

In order to reach a conclusion, it's helpful to review the details of the conspiracy. As Jake put it, Valley farmers were being "blown out of their land" by water department harassment, then to be purchased dirt cheap by Cross's investors - who were also members of Cross's Albacore Club and made the land transfers in the names of elderly relatives at the Mar Vista Home - in anticipation of its value increasing many times after the new dam project provided it with a steady water supply. The efforts to publicly smear Mulwray were meant to neutralize his opposition to the dam and ensure its approval.

With that in mind, the film provides a very subtle clue to suggest Yelburton's knowledge and involvement: when Jake visits him in his office, there's an Albacore Club flag insignia - identical to the one Jake spotted in the quilt at the Mar Vista - visible on Yelburton's wall behind Jake.

So, although the film doesn't state it explicitly, sharp-eyed viewers can easily draw the conclusion that he was indeed aware and involved.

[–] BourbonKing (5674) 3 years ago

I always assumed that Yelburton was a lackey of the DWP and quite possibly a minor share holder in Noah Cross' vast enterprises. I don't think however, that he had any direct knowledge or was involved with Hollis Mulwray's murder as he probably wasn't aware of Noah's incestuous offspring or that Hollis and his wife were hiding her from Noah.

[–] MovieChatUser497 (18943) 3 years ago

At the bare minimum he knew of the conspiracy and was covering it up

[–] ecarle (14979) 3 years ago

With that in mind, the film provides a very subtle clue to suggest Yelburton's knowledge and involvement: when Jake visits him in his office, there's an Albacore Club flag insignia - identical to the one Jake spotted in the quilt at the Mar Vista - visible on Yelburton's wall behind Jake.

So, although the film doesn't state it explicitly, sharp-eyed viewers can easily draw the conclusion that he was indeed aware and involved.

--

That's an interesting detail...I never noticed it.

I've generally found Yelburton to be "innocent" in that as Gittes throws a bunch of accusations at him, Yelburton literally doesn't seem to understand the accusations as being relevant to him at all. He doesn't seem to be FAKING that what Gittes says isn't the truth, he doesn't seem to BELIEVE its the truth(ie. that he would be in on the conspiracy and profiting by it.)

On the other hand, Yelburton seems to be "ready" with his story about "releasing some runoff" to get rid of water(as opposed to diverting it entirely) so he seems to be a certain distance into the plot: a bureaucratic covering up an inconvenient situation with a standard "pat" answer.

So...a little knowledgeable, but not deep within.

Indeed, one wonders just how deep and widespread Noah Cross's "conspiracy" needed to be. He just applied the usual political pressure to the usual politicos and bureaucrats in the usual way much of the time. As to the actual criminal enterprise -- How many Albacore Club investors were necessary to pull off the scam? (Rhetorical question.)

For "muscle," Cross had the former sheriff of Ventura County and his mysterious Eastern European knife wielding friend. Maybe that's all he needed for henchmen...

[–] Doghouse (447) 3 years ago

Hi, ecarle. How ya be?
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"On the other hand, Yelburton seems to be "ready" with his story about "releasing some runoff" to get rid of water(as opposed to diverting it entirely) so he seems to be a certain distance into the plot: a bureaucratic covering up an inconvenient situation with a standard "pat" answer."
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One point in support of any theory that Yelburton was involved concerns those diversions. Mulwray was clearly kept out of the loop, but was suspicious, as demonstrated by his own gumshoe work visiting the beach and the river bed where he questioned the boy on horseback. Yelburton would have been in a perfect position to direct those diversions without Mulwray's knowledge.

But as I always say, one of the many splendors of the Chinatown screenplay is that we viewers can fill in such gaps to fit the explicit details the film supplies as we like.