Welcome Mr. Marshall! (1953) - full transcript

Well, gentlemen, there was once
a Spanish town.

An ordinary little town.

And it happened that one morning...
precisely this morning...

when the... but no...

I think you should familiarize yourselves
with its houses, its inhabitants

and its customs before
the occurrences... well...

the occurrences that are going to
happen in a few moments.

Wouldn't it be better to stop them
for a few minutes?

It's easy. And as you can see,
this town is nothing in particular.

Look at the plaza.

Excuse me...



Perhaps this way there
are less distractions.

The things that are most important
happen here...

the dances, the market, the bullfights,
the moonlit nights.

The fountain is an antique, and the water
that flows from it is good and fresh.

The church is pretty old.
I think it dates from 1003...

...well, it really is pretty old, and those
who know assure us that it has great value.

This is the City Hall, with its balcony
and everything,

so that the Mayor can
give his eloquent speeches.

And this is the clock.
It is not really 3:10.

It is broken, and of course until
there are funds to fix it...

Here is the school. A little small, true,

but since it's for children without
demanding parents, it serves,

the same as that map of Europe,
sweet and optimistic,

where the Austro-Hungarian Empire
still exists.



And this is an ordinary house of an
ordinary man, of a man probably named Juan.

And there is a table, a
chair, a bed, a blanket,

just like everywhere...
Why continue?

You can also see the Café.

It's also the grand casino,
the universal inn,

a cabaret with entertainment
and the bus station.

The bus runs between Villar Del Campo,
where the railway station is,

and Villar Del Rio, which has none.

Now you more or less know the town.

Here you are again.

I will introduce you to the
most important people:

The one unloading is Genaro, the bus
driver, but perhaps he's a bit far away.

Now you can see him better.

In that sack is the movie that will be shown
on Saturday, and I think it's a western -

the horses, the bullets... but forgive me,
Genaro, that sack must weigh a lot.

Genaro learned to drive
in the war in a tank,

that's why once in a while
he goes off the road.

That package is for Don Pablo, who in spite
of his deafness is the owner of the Café,

the cabaret, the casino, the inn,
Genaro and half the town.

And in his spare time,
he's also the Mayor.

He's here to personally meet Carmen Vargas,
the most famous Andalusian singer,

who has come accompanied by her
band and Manolo, the one with the bag.

He is agent, mentor, pianist
and lady-in-waiting

to the famous songstress
of Andalusian repertoire.

José is the postmaster,
not that José is someone

who you'd want to follow
through the streets,

but little by little we will meet
more interesting people.

For example, in these towns, the most
important person is always the priest.

The one from Villar Del Rio, Don Cosme,
is sympathetic and easy-going.

Every week for many years he has
received an issue of Roses and Thorns,

and he enjoys it very much,
even though sometimes

he's not in agreement
with the main article.

This boy, being punished by having to
hold his arms in the shape of a cross

for not knowing
who was killed at Jericho,

and those children with
their tongues hanging out,

are the students of Miss Eloisa,

and that obnoxious child with the glasses
without his tongue hanging out

is Pepito, best student in the class,
whiz kid in natural history.

Miss Eloisa, the teacher,
is very cute, she's very nice,

she's very smart...
but she's still single.

Even though it's spring, she never
makes a multiplication error.

I forgot to show you the most exalted
house in town, that of Don Ruiz.

He's the most aristocratic person in town,
but he has no money.

He's always waiting for a
letter that never arrives.

His ancestors forget to
write to him, obviously.

The barber shop is the social center of the
Villar Del Rio Football Club,

that this year plans to ascend

to the first group of the second category of
the third class of the regional category,

even though this gentleman,
Don Emeliano, the town doctor,

shows an inhuman indifference
to those things,

despite the fact that he's
in the hands of the passionate barber

and also in the company of this other
arguing gentleman, who is the pharmacist

and also the president of
the Football Club,

who could care less about anything
not related to football,

except, of course,
keeping tabs on the Mayor,

who, being friendly with the artists
after getting them rooms at the Inn,

is giving them a tour of the outskirts,
so they can see his holdings,

an activity considered scandalous
by Doña Raquel and Doña Matilde,

organizers of the clothing collections
for the poor children,

and the official gossips of Villar Del Rio.

Don Pedro, the fat owner of
the fabric store,

could tell you in 3 minutes

everyone in the town who's going
to hell, in no uncertain terms.

And now I'm going to introduce
you to Geronimo.

Excuse me, I'd like to introduce you
to Geronimo, the secretary of City Hall.

At the moment he's resolving a difficult
problem of the municipal budget,

in reference to the acquisition
of some mules and repairs to the clock.

Have you lost something? Do you want to
exchange an alarm clock for cough syrup?

Julian, the town crier,
will happily announce

whatever you want sold,

or keep you abreast of what's happening.

Now he's ready to announce
that Eulalia, from the mill,

has lost the glasses she wears
for knitting socks.

But that's of no interest to
the perennially unemployed,

those who sit in the plaza thinking
about the harvest they've never had.

Well, now, I think that's all.

The rest of the neighbors, including
Juan and Rafael, are working in the fields.

Rafael is always late for everything.

Well, I'll introduce them later.

Now you have an idea of the town
and its people,

so it is time to continue
with our story.

It's morning, almost 11, spring.

Everything is OK, neither bad nor good.

Everything is as usual,
but today...

We have to find the Mayor!

- But who are those men?
- The General.

- Mamma Mia!
- They must've found everything out!

I'm going for the Mayor.
Fix up whatever you can.

Take the bike, you'll get there faster.
I'll tell the whole town.

Hurry up, there's no time to lose!

- What's going on?
- I don't know, a General has arrived.

Maria! Maria!

- Indubitably it's the war - But what war?
- The war, gentlemen, the war.

Haven't you seen the helmets of
the motorcycle riders?

- But the war against who?
- Well, that is not really known yet.

It has been decided in
different conversations.

Miss Eloisa! The Principal!

Maria! Maria, the Delegate!

- Hey, you, tell Inez.
- Inez, Inez!

Hurry up, the Delegate has come.
Go tell the priest!

Don Cosme, the Delegate!

We have to tell the people! Let's go!

Can't you keep those kids quiet?
Look, dummies, it's easy. Again...

"The harvest has been bad,
the harvest has been bad."

Since the harvest has been so good,
then we will plant again...

- Are you listening?
- Yes, I understand.

The bells, the bells...

Let's go, come on.

Don Pablo, stop!

- Don Pablo.
- What's up?

You have to return immediately,
we are lost!

- Why?
- They're waiting for you at City Hall.

- They're waiting for you!
- Eh?

- At City Hall!
- Who is at City Hall?

The General Delegate.

General?

The General Delegate!

The Delegate?

Yes, I, in person.

At your service, Senor Delegate.

You're probably tired,

please do me a favor
and sit down.

Thank you, but I'm fine
standing up.

How are you?

No, no, no, no need to be
formal, my dear Mr. Mayor.

Evidently my visit is a great
surprise to you

and from what I have been
able to ascertain,

also for the whole town.

But of course, everything
is in order...

both the wheat harvest and
the sheep harvest...

they haven't been as good
as usual because of the hail.

Please, my good friend,

you know that you have always
enjoyed my absolute confidence.

No, this beautiful town
is one of my favorites,

and I have always dreamt of spending
a vacation in Villar Del Campo.

Del Rio.

Of course, of course,
Del Rio, naturally.

Well, Mr. Mayor, I am paying a
personal visit

to these places of this
noble province

to bring good news.

- The railroad?
- What railroad?

It's that once you spoke from the
balcony about the railroad...

And I'm reiterating, Mr. Mayor,

I always repeat that about
the railroads.

And precisely this good news
that I have come to bring to you,

it is in a certain way related

to the railroad, so necessary
to this noble town of Villar Del Campo.

Del Rio...

Right, Del Rio...

as its name indicates.

Well, then, my esteemed Mr. Mayor,

I have come to communicate
that in a short time

there will be a visit from
some good friends...

the representatives of a great town...

who are willing to help their
less fortunate brothers.

Those friends, Mr. Mayor, are the
North Americans.

Exactly... the delegates to Spain
for the program of European recuperation.

The European Recovery program.

Simply, the Marshall Plan.

My visit, then, Mr. Mayor, is to announce
to you the arrival of these comrades,

and I am advising you that it is of extreme
importance to welcome them warmly.

And what should I do to receive them?

All that which is opportune,
my dear friend.

The thing is, we want them
to be satisfied.

Then I will give them some
lemonade.

No, no, no lemonade, please.

Sangria at the Café?

No, no, that's not what
we mean, dear friend,

the town must be on fire
with celebration.

- Ah, yes.
- Fireworks.

Children with flags.

And you should speak
to them from the balcony.

- Talk about what?
- About everything.

Of the town, of the agriculture,
of the stock, of the commerce,

- of the industry.
- What industry?

Well, don't worry, they only speak
English, they won't understand anyway.

Alright, alright, I'm beginning
to understand.

The important thing is that you make a
speech, that the town is celebrating.

Especially that there will be
kids with flags.

And don't you forget that
they have dollars.

Of course, of course.

Well, that's it.

I was sure about you and this
magnificent town.

Then what about the railroad?

You receive them as they deserve.

They're very generous,

and when they come they will bring
enough railroads to stop the trains.

You will send me a telegram
before they come?

You will receive the news
in plenty of time.

So, that's all. I'm leaving very
satisfied with our conversation.

Our mutual agreement
is very satisfactory.

Mr. Mayor, make use of me
as you would a friend,

and I'm very sorry your harvest
was so bad because of the hail.

But that shouldn't worry you now.

- Sir... sir...
- Mr. Mayor...

Have a good trip, Mr. Delegate.

And company...

- Don't forget my observations.
- My missions?

...don't you forget my observations.

Oh, yeah, yeah, don't worry.

I have confidence in you and this
noble town of Villar Del Campo.

Del Rio!

Sit down, Mr. Mayor, sit down,
just like you would at your own home.

- Well, what do you think about the girl?
- Ah, the girl...

Very pretty, very pretty.

- And how does she sing?
- Ah, does she sing well?

What do you mean, does she sing well?
She's a prodigy of nature!

Her voice is supernatural!

Listen, what do you
think of her as a person?

Who knows?

But does the girl have talent or not?

I'm sure she does.

What going on it that you're worried
about that guy who came here.

And you haven't noticed the
strength of your feelings.

What I have noticed is her legs!

They don't even look like
they're from a human being.

Are they not hers?

- Ahh, what a joke, Mr. Mayor!
- Yeah, I'm a big joker.

The audience is impressed.

You have obtained for your theater
a supernatural artist, unique in her genre!

The Americans are going to build
a railroad to the front of your house

just to hear her sing.

Just because you're so agreeable,
I'm going to help you.. aren't you happy?

Help me? To do what?

What?

Listen, girl,

here, this gentleman who of course is
very pleased with your art and your talent,

wants to prolong our contract,

and he doubts that I can help him
to welcome the Americans.

- Explain to him who I am.
- Sure.

Who knows the Americans
better than I do?

Who spent 15 years in Boston

organizing international spectacles
that were always pleasing to

the respectable public who
filled the halls.

- Explain that to him, girl.
- Sure.

- You see?
- Yeah, sure.

- After what the girl has said...
- It's the truth!

Because I know the Americans just
like I had seen them being born,

and because I know their
likes and dislikes.

Listen, sir...

If you make me an offer

like a gentleman deserves,

I will swear to you on my
mother's salvation

that I will make such a reception
for those guys

that the Delegate will fill
your lapel with decorations

and the town will think that
the Magi have arrived

from the gifts they will
receive. What do you think?

Ah, but it is because the Americans...

that the American's don't give things?

Girl, explain it to him.

- Oh, sure.
- There, you've heard it.

And even though she never
likes to exaggerate

that the Americans give
away things...

All the same...

It is better to receive
than to give,

but when you do not know
the intentions of the donor,

you should not take any gifts.

That's what I tell my wife
all the time.

Because invisible but evil,

the enemy can appear
on a horse with those gifts.

Yes, you can't trust the animals.

I am starting to doubt everything.

And that's what we were
talking about.

I can only imagine the diverse
ways of evil.

Yes, friends... evil sends us
its messengers.

And does anyone know,
who are those Americans?

Indians! Indians!

Gaspar De Arce Alonzo De Quesada!

First Quesada of the branch
of the Arces.

He crossed with 300 horsemen
from Yucatan to Florida.

The Indians ate him up.

My good relative
Guillermo Cabral De Ximenez,

traversed the west coasts of Mexico

and crossed California to
the Llano Estacado.

The Indians ate him up.

Don Felipe and Don José.

Sons of my paternal grandfather.

They fought for the Texans
and their independence.

I suppose that the Indians
also ate them up?

No, then there were no Indians,

but their children were still there.

Did you know that a pretender
of my aunt Margarita

lost his whole hacienda
at the hands of the Yankees?

The Yankees?

Yes, my dear friend,
the Yankees.

Did you not know there was a war
between the North and the South?

An internecine war.

Don't forget, I'm a pharmacist,
of course I know that.

And the Cuban war... well, dear
friend, when they come bearing gifts

it will not be my hand
that opens up.

That's what we've come to,

those Americans... who are they,
those Americans?

Those are the inhabitants
of the United States.

The United States borders
on the north with Canada.

On the south with Mexico,
on the east with the Atlantic Ocean,

and on the west with the
Pacific Ocean.

Its area is 16 times the
area of Spain.

And its population of
151 million inhabitants

is 5 times the amount of
the population of Spain.

Its capital is Washington,
1,500,000 inhabitants.

About the economy, it is
interesting to know

that the United States is the
largest producer of iron

and steel, with 200 million
annual tons.

The largest producer of petroleum,
with 300 million annual tons,

the largest producer of cotton,

with 4 million tons annually,

the largest producer of lead,
with...

...ahem.. with...

- 800 thousand tons.
- 800 thousand tons annually.

The largest producer of pigs,
500,000 heads annually.

- The largest producer of...
- Of sins, with millions of tons annually!

There are 49 million Protestants,

400,000 Indians, 200,000 Chinese,

5 million Jews, 13 million Negroes,

and 10 million of nothing!

And what? Do you plan to
remain with your arms crossed

hoping to receive things from them
without anything in exchange?

For every grain of wheat,

for every ton of coal,
there is a soul to save.

Because to them, they will have
an excess of locomotives,

but we have an excess of
something else...

of the spirit! And that should
be our gift.

And do you know, by chance,
that there were

a million divorces in the
United States in one year?

7,000 murders,

17,000 rapes,

80,000 armed robberies,

and 60,000 robberies with injuries.

After all this, what do you think
America is going to give us?

More things for more towns, faster.

He said also that the plan
to help Europe

would not cease, but
would increase.

So, in the last few months
there has been received in France

5,000 tractors, 10,000 jeeps,

100,000 tons of Manitoban
wheat from Canada,

and at least 80 locomotives.

See, see, gentlemen, the
pleasant trip of one of them.

Did it get seasick?

The program of goodwill
towards Europe

will continue.

And after the symbolic presentation
to the mayor of Naples

of the 500th shipment of goods

the delivery of materials
to the Italian public will

resume with increased frequency.

Atlantic City...

The western movie... remember?
It's almost over.

As usual, the good guys
have arrived on time.

The boy and the girl kiss.

Yes, it's the end.

Well, there they are.

But tonight, no one will stop
to discuss the picture.

Nobody will ask anyone if
they enjoyed it.

No. Not tonight. Tonight
everyone is very silent.

With a strange look. With a head
full of... how should I say...

full of things.

You can imagine what's
happening.

Since the Honorable Delegate's
visit, the town is a bit shaken up.

Yes, something strange
is going on.

The things they have seen and
heard have changed them a bit.

Some of them walk the streets
as if in a dream.

Or all of a sudden a young woman
starts staring at the moon.

To Don Ruiz, who delights in the
murmurings of his terrible ancestors.

"El perro"... the dog. "La Casa"...
"Una Casa"? "La Casa"... the house, Miss.

And Manolo, who announces and manages the
greatest star of the Andalusian repertoire.

What damsel in distress will
Don Pablo save?

The western movie enthusiast.

What ideas and what
illusions haunt others?

What misconceptions will they bring?
What will people accept from them?

There are few lights burning.

Marcial's will be the last one out.

It seems that the little boy
is somewhat of a night owl.

It's of no account.

That's it. Listen.
Listen to the silence.

The hour. In conclusion, the town
is a little bit on edge.

I ask myself, what will happen?

What marvelous things are
on the verge of occurring?

I am curious to know how
this all ends.

Well, let's allow these good
people to sleep.

Till tomorrow afternoon,
when they'll be a dance on the plaza.

The Americans? Listen, you...
the Americans, from where?

Three, four...

Mr. Mayor, Mr. Mayor!

The Americans are here!

How can they be here?!

- The Americans? For sure!
- Let's go!

Girl, show yourself so the
Americans can see you.

Excuse me, Mr. Mayor,
are we ready?

Oh, noble American people!

- What did you say?
- I said, noble American people!

- You're nuts!
- What do you mean, I'm nuts?

Because we're not Americans.

And what are you doing
here, then?

And what the hell do you care?

You're speaking to the Mayor!
Be careful!

Listen, you have to treat
the Mayor with more respect.

Yeah, sure, sure.

We're the crew that
fixes the highways.

You know, we're from the
Department of Public Works.

And so what?

We are fixing up the road for
when the Americans come.

And all these little flags, all these
decorations, all these silly things... why?

We are dressed up in case
they show up.

But are they coming so soon?

Oh, yeah, you have to have
the whole town prepared.

The town prepared?

I believe so. That's the truth.

Look, have you guys seen them?

Naturally, when they let
themselves be seen.

Have they gone through Jaraque?

Through Jaraque, through Alora,
through Villa Gordo...

They went through Villa Gordo?

Villa Gordo... ooo!

But they're not explaining
anything.

It's all very secret. And also,

we have a schedule. You can
do whatever you want in this town...

But I am advising you, there
is no time to lose, Mr. Mayor!

What are you doing,
standing there, idiot?

Go immediately and tell
the town crier

that in 2 hours everyone should
meet at City Hall. Move!

Good. Let's go!

I say, dear friends...
get me a chair...

that our town cannot
remain with their arms crossed

while the rest of the towns prepare to
make a great welcome for the Americans.

Something has to be done.

And in order to do something,
something must be done.

And in order to do something
I need everyone's collaboration.

- Very well.
- Eh?

- Very well!
- Ah, thank you very much.

And I have to tell you that
since the Delegate's visit,

I have not slept a wink.

So that tells you the problems
that this situation presents.

And nothing has come to mind.

Hey, listen... close the window
so we can understand each other.

Nothing? Nothing?

Nothing! Not a thing.

Besides the flags and the
kids, nothing.

Nevertheless, Mr. Mayor,
I think the problem is fairly simple.

- I also think so.
- And I - And I.

Well, well, then let me
have your ideas.

Well, for example... for example,
we could display banners.

I am opposed to displaying banners
with our colors to welcome the Indians.

- Very good!
- Thank you.

In my opinion, I think
that it would be better

to build at the entrance of the
town, a triumphal arch

- with a sign that says...
- That says what?

That says... hello.

I firmly oppose construction
of a triumphal arch

at the entrance of the town
to welcome the Americans.

Very well!

What if we organize some
pretty fireworks?

All the other towns have
probably already thought of that.

How about a sack race?

That's stupid, my friend,
that is really stupid.

What about a fair?

What about if the women
threw flowers at their feet?

I won't have our women throwing
flowers at those gentlemen!

I also concur.

A moment, gentlemen..

Without disparaging
all the magnificent ideas

that have been presented,
my opinion is that

you have forgotten something.

- Something?
- What?

Our fountain. Our magnificent
fountain in the plaza.

What's happening with
the fountain?

Well, the first thing is to
make it more noticeable

to install a mechanism
to make the water shoot up higher

and inside the water install
a couple of electric bulbs

with a double filament of
luminescence.

And then?

That due to solar reflection

and the double effect of
the luminescent arch

over the areas that are
not transparent,

sometimes the fountain
cap will glow blue,

or green, or red.

The idea of the cap
sounds good to me.

Well, those kinds of things
are what those people really like.

Well, Don Emeliano, nevertheless,
you have forgotten something.

What do you say?

That the Americans will only see
the water if they come at night

but if they come during the day,
which is natural,

they won't see the little
epileptic dribble.

Yes, very well!

The Mayor is correct.

Yes, but nevertheless,
I believe...

Forget it, you outvoted.
The dribble is forgotten!

Well, then, you'll have to
think of something else.

Well, of course, that's
not so easy.

My friends, I'm going to
propose a solution.

Get rid of the flies,
they're bugging me!

In this town there is a
man who has been to America,

and who knows Boston
like the palm of his hand.

He has presented several
spectacles with great success.

Of course, I am referring to the
singer's manager.

Well, that's certainly an idea.

- A good thing.
- And she's very agreeable.

Very, very agreeable. If you only
knew how fine her conversation is.

Her best feature is her legs!

Yeah, you're right!

And her...

And I am just talking to you
about her talent.

Yeah, she has lots of talent!

Well, gentlemen, are we going to talk
about hanky panky, or the Americans?

We could put this man
in charge of

the welcome for the Americans,

paying him a small stipend for his work.
He knows their tastes.

It'll be better than the little
epileptic dribble that you thought of.

I do not tolerate ironies
about the dribble.

A modicum of scientific knowledge,

it would help you to
understand that the solar rays...

- Enough! - Do you want me to talk...?
- Yes, sir.

Well, the meeting is adjourned.

We're adjourned, but against
my wishes.

I oppose any kind of welcome that
you're planning for the Yankees.

Understood?

Can you tell me what's going on?

Why are you stuck in this room,
not watching me perform?

Stop jabbering, girl, you
make me dizzy.

It's just that I take these
things badly, you know how I am.

Well, you shouldn't...

Why do you have such
a long face, my dear?

You look like a sad sack.

Look, girl, you wanna shut up?
Can't you see the men are talking?

- Keep quiet!
- I was discussing with my friend here...

It turns out that he's in charge of
the welcoming for the Americans,

and he has thought of something.

- Something that rocks!
- What is it?

What I told you about
before, girl.

The song? And this idiot
didn't like it?

This idiot has his doubts.

I'm assuring you one thing:

if my plan is not a success,
you'll not have to pay my fee.

And furthermore, my client, the
foremost Andalusian songstress,

will remain here and perform for
the next four months free

as a benefit for the poor children,

and I, as publicity, will give you
a box of cigars.

But what are you assuring me?

That despite the hurry the Americans are in

- and Americans are always in a hurry -

they're going to remain in town four days,

giving gifts to the people,

and leaving all kinds of dollars behind
in your Café. What do you think?

- And what do you think?
- Oh, sure, I believe that.

I say so

and think that for her,
4 days is too little time.

They'll probably stay 4 months.
Isn't that right, girl? - Right.

Yeah, sure.

Perhaps you're right, but
it's going to cost a bundle.

Naa, they're giving me the stuff
on credit at a place I know.

- Can we use the bus?
- Sure.

Well, then, you and I will go to the
capital to pick up the stuff... you ready?

- Yeah, I am.
- See you tomorrow, girl.

Till tomorrow, Manolo.

Till tomorrow, girl.

Everything ready, Jenaro?

- Yes, sir.
- To the Capital!

After you.

Half an hour! Are you aware?

Half an hour waiting!

Yes, sir, I am aware.

Half an hour waiting.

But do you have any idea
where he could be?

Well, what do I know, maybe
he's in the pasture,

or he went to the mill,
or maybe he went to the depot.

Maybe, maybe.

Why don't you go find
him immediately!

The Americans, we are receiving
them with joy!

Don Pablo! Don Pablo!

Hello, Jeronimo.

- They're waiting for you, Mr. Mayor.
- Waiting for me? Who?

I have no idea. He came in that
motorcycle. He's upstairs.

The one on the balcony?

Yeah, and he's been waiting
for about an hour.

Oh, well, he can wait
a little longer,

let's go get a drink...

Americans...

I'm sorry, Mr. Mayor, but he has
the humor of someone at a wake...

Let's go, come on!

I think the Delegate sent him.

You know, I don't give a
hoot about the Delegate

- I know that, but...
- Listen, Manolo...

make sure they take care
of unloading the things.

Your wish is my command,
my General!

Listen, come here.

I'm going to put you
under the orders of that man

and you're going to play everything
he tells you, but without backtalk.

- Understand?
- Yes, sir, I understand.

Come on!

- You let me know what.
- Everything. - What?

You do it and shut up!

Good.

Don't you want to sit down, sir?

Sir, I have been sitting for
45 minutes.

It's incredible how time flies!

Well, I just returned
from a trip, a trip.

And here I am at your service.

- OK...
- What nonsense are you bringing me now?

What are you saying, man?

I'm bringing you a personal message
from His Excellency, the Delegate.

Ah, yes, the Delegate.
Is he in good health?

- Perfectly!
- Oh, good!

Here is the message.

Good.

What do you mean, good?

The day after tomorrow
the Americans will be here.

And you're being so
blasé about it!

- What do you want me to do?
- Do me a favor and come here...

- Notice...
- And what do you want me to notice?

What do you see from here?

The usual... the church tower,

the fountain, the houses,
the Café, the bus...

and the walls. - The walls!

Can't you see? You see
the same thing,

Sure... the same shit.

The fountain the same, the Café
the same, the houses the same,

and the whole town the same!

This is where we live...

Are you questioning me?

What will they say when
they see it?

What impression will the
Americans take away with them?

Are the Americans coming
to take something away?

Because I thought
everything to the contrary.

Don't you try to
make excuses for yourself.

In the other towns of
this province,

they have made big
floral arches,

they have whitewashed their
houses, and hung banners,

and even their poor fountains,

they have converted them
to magnificent light displays.

With the little dribble...?

Yes, sir, with the little
dribble that...

- And what!
- No, nothing...

Personally, to me,
that of a dribble...

Silence!

His Excellency the Delegate...

...will have news of what's
happening in Villar Del Campo.

Villar Del Rio!

- Good day!
- Go with God...

Dribble...!

Hey, hey, listen, sir...!

Give my regards to the
honorable Delegate!

By the order of the
honorable Mayor...

I'm letting you know...

that everyone here
should maintain silence!

Dear neighbors of Villar Del Rio!

As your Mayor, I owe
you an explanation.

And this explanation I'm
going to give you

is that I, as the elected
Mayor, owe you an explanation,

- Because I...
- One moment, one moment...

just relax, Mr. Mayor...

Hush, hush...

I'm not doubting that the Mayor
will give you an explanation,

but if he's not clear,
I'm here to do it.

Because you, neighbors, have rights,
are involved and deserve

the respect, listen to and be
be disciplined at his orders,

so that you can enjoy with them

the heroism without peer of
this noble town,

that will gain you the most
pride in the whole world.

- Listen, kid, please...
- Yeah?

Change hats with the kid next
to you because your is too small.

That's better.

I... because I'm the Mayor,
I owe you an explanation...

And I'm going to give you an
explanation because I owe it...

The explanation is not
necessary.

Because you are intelligent
and smart,

specially, and this is the
fundamental reason,

you are noble and brave...

- Very well...
- And no other town around,

could steal the triumph
that you deserve,

for your courage, pride
without peer.

- You, good looking...
- Who, me?

Yeah, you the one
with the glasses...

Move your flower to another place,
we can't see the girl behind you.

I'm telling you, because I am
your Mayor...

...that the Americans are coming!

And the Honorable Delegate
has offered a prize

to the one who welcomes them
best. Ah, but not just best...

but also to their taste.

I, my friends, who have
been in America,

I, who knows that
noble but infantile mentality,

I will show them Spain through
they eyes of Andalusia!

But, understand me:

It is not that I speak
as they deserve

of these Castilian towns,
for their exemplary ways...

- Those ways!
- It is the fame of our bullfights

of our bullfighters, of our gypsies,

and above all our
Flamenco singing

that has erased the fame of all the rest,
and seeks from us our Folkloric ways.

We will win the prize for our
welcome because

the other towns have only
put up banners,

triumphant arches and
illuminated fountains.

With dribbles! With dribbles!

Frivolous frippery!

Tomorrow, when the
rest of the supplies arrive,

and we finish decorating
the streets and houses,

we will hold a general
rehearsal of the Welcoming.

And I recommend, my good friends,

that you should start thinking about
what you're going to the Americans for,

because I'm giving you
my word of honor

that they'll remain a great amount
of time here, spending all their money!

And in conclusion,
I am telling you

that this is the time to
unite our efforts

to give the best Welcome of anyone,
to these friends.

To these formidable friends!
To these...

Indians! Indians! Indians! And
you're all a bunch of clowns!

A bunch of spineless jellyfish,
a bunch of nincompoops!

You're masquerading to
impress strangers to get gifts.

And what kind of a Mayor are you?
What are you trying to do?

Listen, Don Luis, I...

Don't 'Don Luis' me!

Where has all the money
come from to buy...?

...this! And this!

From our own pockets?
From the pockets of all the constituents?

And what do you think you're
going to achieve with all this 'piñata'?

To be an Indian in front
of those Indians!

Doesn't anyone here have
any pride, dignity? No one?

It's shameful! Let me pass!
Let me pass! Let me pass!

Dear friends, we don't have to pay
much mind to good old Don Luis,

you know he gets mad
about everything.

And whom I will convince

with a few words, that he is
completely wrong!

Because to fix the town
costs money,

but not one penny has come out of
the municipal funds.

Because the municipal lockbox,
as well you know,

has never had a penny in it,
and has always been empty.

Because all these costumes
have been advanced on credit

by a friend of this great friend
of mine, Manolo, here present!

To whom we can never
be grateful enough,

for his efforts on behalf of our town!

We shall pay all that we owe
when the American dollars come.

We are very optimistic.

The good days are just
around the corner!

Let's all knuckle down
and get to work!

Here comes the moment...

- Men... - Women...
- Children.

To work! Viva Villar Del Rio!

Let's raise this section first.

And second we'll put up
the lamps.

Loosen the cape,
one, two, three...

- This is the third time...
- One, two, three.

One, two, three,
and with grace...

The hat, the jacket,
the shirt, the pants,

the comb, the flower,
the ruffles, the stole.

Remember that the long
one is the one for the minutes.

But be careful that the
semi-circular rotation of the big hand

coincides with the meridian at
Greenwich, understand?

Just set the hands like
you see on this clock.

...and don't forget that this
chronometer

has a six-second base delay,
have you understood that?

I'm going to see if
the supplies have arrived...

Don't let the clock be slow, the Americans
must see a clock that's working!

And also, to ring the hours,
strike this with the hammer.

Listen, fill that up with
flower pots.

Not too low, we don't want them
to hit the head.

To the right... to the right...
a little more...

More...

- Yeah.
- Paco?

- Yeah?
- Listen, lower the head.

A little more to the right...

Listen, the Street of the Dew...
make it a little narrower.

More... more...

Curro... connect the lamp.

- And make sure they're well secured.
- Yes, sir.

Hurry up, we've got
lots more to do.

I know, I know -
you can turn it on now.

I'm letting you know that
Mr. Mayor proclaims

that you must be present dressed
as Andalusians

for the rehearsal of the
Welcoming

for the Americans!

And nobody is excused!

We're receiving you, Americans,
with happiness...

A pair of mules.

A pair of oxen.

And a truck.

- Do you want no more than that, Chulario?
- No, sir.

Next.

What do you ask?

I want 20 sacks of fertilizer
for the potatoes.

A new yoke and a bird clock...

- You mean a cage?
- No, a clock.

It cannot be,

you know you can only
ask one thing from the Americans.

Choose between the yoke
and the clock.

The bird clock.

- The yoke would be best for you.
- A car, a car, I want a car...

- To pull it?
- No, to hook up to the mule.

Well, grandpa, decide...
don't you need anything?

- Nothing.
- But surely there's something you need?

What?

Come on, man, you have a
right to ask.

A color magazine.

But what colors? Speak, speak.

With all the junk.

What junk?

Perhaps better a clarinet.

The gentleman needs a clarinet.

Take it down. Next!

I want...

You don't want anything
because you've already asked.

No, I have not asked before.

He's right, he's Ingracia's boy.

Ingracia?

And what do you need, shoes?
Tee-shirt?

A racing bike.

Noted. Next...

Well, really, I want...

- With a bell!
- Yeah, with a bell.

Pardon, what do you want?

A pair of dairy cows.

Ah, milk cows.

Two milk cows.

Step up. What do you want?

I want...

Don't be an ass, that can't be.

Then, a she-mule.

- It's the same.
- Go on. Next!

What is it that you want?

Come on, hurry up,
what is it you want?

I want a big mirror, I want
an embroidery frame, and a...

And nothing!

I have already said you can only
ask one thing of the Americans.

Come on, decide.

Maria, what are you asking for?

A sewing machine!

A sewing machine?

Now because I told you last night
about the sewing machine,

- you go and ask for it!
- I have a right to ask for what I want!

Order! No fighting! Each one
can ask for whatever they want!

That's my last word!

What do you want?

- Eh?
- What do you want?

What do you need?

Eh?

Tell them what you like best.

Eh?

It's impossible. Mama Dolores
is very deaf,

and it will be a long time before
she understands the question.

But I'll tell you in secret:
Mama Dolores wants chocolates.

Well, there you have it.
Villar Del Rio.

642 inhabitants are
making their wish list.

All have a right to ask,
whatever their age.

Male or female, all have a
right to ask for one thing.

Only one.

And that is so difficult.

Frankly, difficult.

You can imagine, of all the desires... one.

Of all the things that you
want or need,

only one. Yes, it is
very difficult.

Frankly, difficult.

All of a sudden, one
realizes that in reality

you want something else.

Instead of a yoke, what you
really need

is a suit to dance in on Sundays.

How can you know what you wish?

You have worked the land for
30 years, and in the long run

what you wish for is a
pair of binoculars.

All this is very strange.

Why does the lazy man, Julio,

who spends all his days on his back
watching the clouds go by,

ask for weights to do exercises?

And who could know that Rafael,

our official chronometer keeper,

besides getting always late,
all he wants is a good umbrella.

Don Cosme has asked for
a new bell.

And who knows, maybe he's
listening to it now.

Well. That's it. Everything
is back to normal.

The women are going to
the rosary.

The men are in the Café.

Everything as usual.

Well... not exactly.

Now, the people are more
tranquil.

They know the wishes of
their neighbors.

And Don Pablo is going to
organize all the petitions.

Of all? No.

There is a man who
hasn't asked for anything.

Don Luis, the nobleman,
has asked for nothing.

At least, not yet,

and I don't think he will, even though,
looking at it in another way...

no, he will not ask
for anything.

Or perhaps he will, because

in the long run, to ask
costs so little.

Well, this is the time to
think about the petitions.

Now is when one thinks of
the advantages of the

polisher, or the plow that you asked
for instead of the motorcycle.

Or of the teachers' manuals
that surely Miss Eloisa...

Now there are so many things to dream
of that it becomes difficult to sleep.

Isn't that right, Rafael?

But of course, Rafael is late
for everything, even sleep.

That's the way it is.

Now they're all resting.

Now is the time for all the things that
they have, at some point,

secretly dreamed of to soon appear.

Don Cosme, for example:

What celestial music is
he hearing?

...49 million
Protestants, 5 million Jews...

It's nothing, Don Cosme,
it's nothing.

A bad dream...
an absurd nightmare.

Those infidels that you want to
evangelize are only ferocious in dreams.

Calm yourself, it has passed.

Probably your dinner didn't
sit right with you.

Well, that's it.
Get some rest, Don Cosme.

Darn! Don Luis is still awake.

Hmm... he won't be for long.

He's almost there...

See?

Yoo-hooo.

Yeah, it's just a dream,
don't give it any importance.

And besides, it's fairly late.

Why don't you go to bed?

Good night.

Good night, Don Luis.

Wouldn't you like to know what
scenario our Mayor is contemplating?

I would. I'm curious.

There's no need to worry,
Don Pablo,

in the dream tomorrow you
will kill the bandit and marry the girl.

All the movies and all the
dreams end like that.

Now, put you pistol in your
holster and sleep.

Why don't you try dreaming
about your daughters?

Poor Juan. Things are not
going well for him.

He has a large family. He works from
sunup to sundown for almost nothing,

and on top of that, at night...

Kids! Shut up!

Sweet dreams, Juan.

Sweet dreams.

Have a good time, Juan.

Have you seen their strange dreams?

It is that tonight is not an
ordinary night in Villar Del Rio.

This evening is the eve of the
most important day of their history.

Tomorrow the Americans arrive.

"Welcome, boys!"

Here they are!
They're coming over the hill!

They're here!

Get ready! Music!

Welcome to Villar Del Rio,
welcome to Villar Del Rio...

It is very possible that this
tale has no end.

In general, things never
finish altogether,

or they rarely happen
as one imagines them.

But don't think that the
town is sad

because the Americans passed
through without stopping.

No. There you have them.

Happy? Yes, they're happy.

You cannot imagine how
opportune is this rain.

With this rain, many things
will grow.

Hope, for example.

While of course they have
to shoulder between all of them

without blaming anyone,
the expenses of this carnival.

Those who cannot contribute
with money pay with goods.

It's the same.

Those who, a few days ago,
asked for tractors,

can hardly give a sack
of potatoes today.

In reality, the petitions
are reversed.

And no one is holding a grudge.

Especially, no one is sad.

Well, Manolo and Carmen Vargas
are a little sad...

They had grown attached to
Villar Del Rio.

And Villar Del Rio to them.

That's why Manolo feels a little
guilty about what happened,

and pays his debt with that
gold ring that they gave him in Boston.

Now, they have given their
bread and salt.

And everything is equally useful,

the invention of recreational
physics with which the doctor

tried to demonstrate the
ballistic trajectory of the pigeons,

or the apparatus with which Don Pablo
fought his deafness,

or the old sword that,
in America,

one of Don Luis' ancestors fought with,

before being eaten by the Indians.

Thank you very much, Don Luis.

It's all equal.

All that is given today has, for
these good people, the same value.

That of their hearts.

Well, all that is left now is to
disassemble all the props.

The artificial flowers,
the phony costumes,

the false fronts,

and the false cardboard hats
of the fake Andalusians.

In short, those speedy Americans
have crossed and that's it all...

...no influence, no memories.

Enough. Everything is becoming orderly.

No one remember anything
any more.

Now the word of the day
is not to worry.

Genaro's bus is taking away
Manolo and Carmen Vargas,

the greatest star of
the Andalusian genre,

and Villar Del Rio returns
to what it has always been:

an ordinary little town.

As you know, sometimes
things happen, but...

but later, the sun come out
and everything shines,

and everything repeats itself.
The smoke rises quietly again,

the women sew in silence.

The cows are not chewing Chiclets;
they just do it out of habit.

Yes. Now there is
sunshine and hope.

The bell rings.

The old bell.

Listen. The man who is working
straightens up and rests.

Or dreams, looking up.
Towards the heavens.

Because, definitely, who doesn't
believe in the 3 wise men?

And, "colorin Colorado, este cuento
Se ha acabado".

THE END