Quartet (1981) - full transcript
It's 1927 Paris. Following the conviction of her art dealer husband, Stephan Zelli, for theft for which he was handed a one-year prison sentence, Marya Zelli, originally from West India, moves in with her acquaintances, expatriate Brits H.J. and Lois Heidler. Marya knows that H.J. in particular has more in mind than just providing her lodging out of the goodness of his heart. From behind bars, Stephan encourages Marya to move in with them not knowing H.J.'s intentions. Marya agrees in part because she, being a foreigner, cannot get work and would thus become destitute otherwise. She learns she is the latest in a long line of lodgers. She also learns that H.J. and Lois' marriage is not all that it appears on the surface. The Heidler's hold on Marya becomes stronger when they convince her that Stephan not only has no money but has no future in France after his release. Their collective lives become more complicated when Stephan is released from jail and tries to figure out what he's going to do with his life to regain the high standard of living to which he became accustomed.
- Mado, look at this.
Napoleon's.
- Napoleon's?
- Mm-hmm. Napoleon's sabre.
One of his sabres, I suppose.
He must've had several of them.
A man like Napoleon.
- Stephan?
- Well?
- Where did you get that sword?
- From a Frenchman
named de Coligny.
It belongs to his family.
- Why are they selling it?
- Because they need the money.
Everybody needs money.
You know that. I know that.
- But shouldn't he be taking it
to a museum?
- He has to do it on the sly.
His uncle and his mother
don't want him to sell it.
They would stop him
if they could.
- He probably has no right to sell it
without his mother's consent.
- His mother has nothing to say.
- What you going to do with it?
- I'm going to send it
to America.
- But... that's illegal.
- I saw a dress in the window
of Jean Veron's today.
A sort of peach colour.
You might call it apricot.
It would suit you.
- Really?
- Oh, you don't think
I'm too pale?
- Oh, you can't take
strong colours.
- You're probably right.
- No, except black.
I like you in black.
- My black crepe de Chine,
that's chic, isn't it?
- Mm. Makes you look
like a little nun.
We should get you
a white-lace collar to go with it.
- Ah, there you are, Anna.
- Lola's in the Select.
She'll be along in a minute.
I'm not in my assiette,
as the dear French say.
- Now,
what are we going to have?
- I've been trying to decide
- men or women.
- Well, are we ready to order?
- Women are worse. They'll kick your face
to bits if you let them.
- Oh, darling,
don't be depressed.
Have a fine.
H.J., do call Lefranc.
We are ready to order.
Monsieur Lefranc.
- Did you see Cri-Cri
count me dead, H.J.?
Considering she came to my party
last Saturday.
- Oh, don't worry about her, my dear.
She's having her little hour.
- Till her painter
throws her out.
- She's a character.
She's a type.
They have their little hour,
then we hear no more about them.
- Mar ya.
- Hello.
- There's that little...
Zelli girl.
- Couldn't you turn up tomorrow?
I wish you would.
I'd like to talk to you.
- I can't.
I have to meet my husband.
- Where did she come from?
Does anybody know?
- Somewhere rather vague
and exotic.
Martinique? Could that be right?
Anyway, her mother's
supposed to be a West Indian.
- That means she's a Creole.
- What is a Creole?
I thought it was a way of cooking chicken.
- Oh, you know the Heidlers,
do you?
- Not very well.
- Keep it that way.
- Why?
If you have something to say,
I wish you'd say it.
- I'm not too clear
about the whole thing, but...
it seems there was a girl
who killed herself.
Someone Heidler
had had an affair with.
And then he had
some sort of breakdown,
and his wife
had to take him away.
To New York or somewhere.
I believe Mrs. Heidler paints.
It's pretty awful to think of
the hundreds of women round here
painting away, isn't it?
- She's a decorative
little person.
You should get her
to sit for you, Lois.
- What does he do?
- He's a very important man.
He makes discoveries.
He helps young people.
He has flair.
He also has money, of course.
And that helps.
- ...working their fingers
to the bone for him,
he doesn't have to do a thing;
he doesn't have to pay
for servants.
- I hate all that kind of thing.
Astral bodies and all the rest of it.
- Astral bodies is theosophy.
- You've been neglecting us.
You want to avoid English people
in Paris.
H.J. and I most completely agree
with you.
If you see only Anglo-Americans
in Paris,
what's the use of being here
at all?
Oh, your husband's French,
of course.
- He's a Pole.
- And he, uh...
- He's an art dealer.
He acts between Frenchmen
who want to sell and foreigners.
It's usually foreigners
who want to buy.
- And what do the Frenchmen
want to sell?
- Pictures, fur coats...
Madame Dubarry's prie-dieu.
Anything.
- H.J.and I
have quite made up our minds
that eating is the greatest
pleasure in life.
Haven't we, H.J.?
Well, I mean, it is, isn't it?
It's one of the few pleasures
that never let you down.
Oh, the music.
- What about sex?
I mean, really. What about sex?
Well, are you forgetting about the sex?
- What?
- He... he didn't say anything?
- I see that the Zelli girl's husband...
been sentenced.
One year, to be followed
by expulsion from France.
In other words, theft.
- Ah, I feel sorry for her,
all the same.
I can just see how it happened.
People do get hold
of girls like that.
- We should do something
for her.
- Poor little devil.
What did you have in mind?
- We could have her
in the spare room.
She probably hasn't got a bean.
- Huh. But... we don't know
anything about her.
We don't even know
where she's from.
People say she was born
in the West Indies, Martinique,
or some place like that.
- Is that supposed to be good,
or bad?
- I'm not saying it's either.
I'm merely stating a fact.
We don't know anything
about her,
except that her husband
is in jail.
It's true.
- I'm not going to have a discussion
on that sort of level.
- I think you're getting bored
again.
That's the reason you're ready
to bring in anybody at any cost.
- You just want to shut me off and shut me in,
make me into a tame husband.
- As if anyone could do that.
- I won't live like that.
- It's no use doing too much
for people, H...
It's simply no use
doing too much for people.
You know that, H.J.
- All we've ever done for anyone
is to have them in the spare room.
- And look what trouble
they brought with them.
All those types
we tried to be kind to.
- I'm not interested in being kind
to anyone. I'm interested in them.
In character.
In forms of life.
You should've married
a stockbroker
and stayed with him
in South Kensington.
- That is unfair. H.J.
You know perfectly well
I'm only thinking of you. I...
...I don't want us to get into
any more impossible situations.
- Don't you see
how dangerous it is to... to...
close oneself off?
Be afraid of...
Well, just because of some...
...unpleasant experience
in the past?
It's only a cubbyhole of a place,
but she'll be alright.
- Hello, Mado.
- My poor boy.
What rotten luck.
- Mado, listen.
The worst, th-the very worst,
is that this has happened
when I have no money.
What will you do?
I worry myself to death about you.
- I'll manage something.
Tell me what happened exactly.
I'd rather know.
- It's so stupid.
My defending lawyer
didn't know his métier.
Instead of making a case...
Instead of making a case,
he told the court
how I speak six languages.
Well... no luck.
If only I had some money
for you.
You must write at once to your family
to send you some money.
Have you written yet?
- Yes.
Mm... no.
I'll manage. I'm telling you.
- How?
- I will. Only, I have
such an awful cold, I can't think now.
This noise.
- What will you do?!
- Never mind.
As a matter of fact,
some people asked me
to go and live with them.
- Who? For godsakes, speak up!
- The Heidlers. You don't know them.
They're English.
- It's alright, then.
You go and live with them.
- I don't want to.
- Listen.
Do you want drive me mad?
They'll take care of you.
And I can have
some peace of mind about you.
- My darling, I love you.
You'll be out in spring.
The time will pass quickly.
- Quickly? My God, that's funny.
Quickly.
- I'll come to see you
every week.
And... in spring, we'll go away.
To...
to Berlin or Brussels.
- Promise you'll go and stay
with these people. Promise.
- Yes, yes. Yes.
- Say something.
Quick, speak to me.
- I love you.
I do.
- Alright. And you go and live
with these English people.
Good. Finally.
My poor little Mado.
Are they nice?
- Oh, yes.
Very nice.
- I won't be able to stand it.
- It's awfully good of you
to worry about me.
- Oh, nonsense. Rubbish.
We're your friends.
- Of course we are.
- I do love your frock.
I shall paint you
with short black gloves on.
Or - no,
she'll have short green gloves.
What do you think, H.J.?
- Do show her the room.
- So here we are.
- You are very kind, you know,
but--
- Oh, if you mean you're afraid
of being a bother,
put that right out of your head.
I'm used to it.
H.J. is always rescuing
some young genius or the other
and installing them in here.
- I really haven't got any money
at all.
I feel I ought to do something
about it.
- Well, what...
what will you do?
- I used to be on the stage,
just sort in the chorus,
in England.
- You must let us
take care of you.
I want it.
H.J. wants it.
I shall be awfully disappointed,
and hurt, if you don't let me.
I know what it is.
I love H.J. so terribly, but...
...he isn't always awfully nice
to me.
- It's just so difficult for me
to trust anyone.
- Well, naturally, with the life you've led
and your marriage.
- I didn't mean my marriage.
Not Stephan.
- Y-you mustn't think
I don't see the...
the angle that you look
at life from.
Because I do.
Please rest now.
Do rest.
Don't let's talk anymore.
- It really wasn't any use
talking to Lois about Stephan,
or how things were with me
when I met him.
Women like Lois,
who've always had money,
just don't understand
what it's like for somebody like me,
who've never had any.
- Oh, I'm sorry!
- I wasn't looking.
- Oh, you speak English.
Very good.
Very nice.
Uh... I...
I understand perfectly.
You'd just come down
from the second floor.
M. Gauthier, impresario.
And there was no job.
And you're feeling rotten.
- Yes.
- But I... I'm going up
to the third floor,
in hope and joy,
to M. Perron et Dussolier,
art dealers, auctioneers,
with this precious object,
which you nearly--
- What is it?
- Voila.
Yes, to you,
an ordinary rocking horse,
but do you know who sat on it?
One of Swinburne's children.
The great English poet.
- He didn't have any children.
- Uh, then it was Millet,
the great English painter.
He had many children.
Please, don't deny me again.
I've set all my hopes...
on this little horse.
- Stephan, Stephan.
- That's right, she likes it.
: Do you intend
to keep going there?
- To see Stephan? Yes.
- Well... we don't approve.
You know, lots of girls
make extraordinary marriages.
You know,
for all sorts of reasons.
But the time comes
when you must cut loose.
Can't you see that?
- No, I can't.
- Tsk.
You're a very tiresome child.
You'll be alright.
You'll row your little boat along,
but if you try to help
your husband, you are done.
I hate myself made up.
I don't think it's my genre.
But H.J. likes it.
And I always give way to H.J.
I give him what he wants -
till his mood changes.
- Will you lend me 100 francs?
If I had 100 francs,
I could leave.
- Well... why on earth
should you want to leave?
- You'll never have to see me
again.
- We are making a great deal of fuss
about nothing at all, aren't we?
Drama is catching, I find.
Don't let H.J. hear you,
or he'll be very cross.
With both of us.
- You ought to do it often.
Do you think so?
- Don't rush off.
Oh, God, I get so utterly sick
of myself sometimes.
Do you ever get sick
of yourself?
- No.
- Well, I get sick of myself.
Don't bother with coats...
Ah, bonsoir, monsieur.
Pardon.
J Toot toot toot &
3 He'll keep me syncopated &
3 And feelin' fine &
3 Here comes that 5-09 ¢
;5097
J I hear the whistle &
J Blowin' down the line J
3 I hear the train a-comin' &
3 Down the track &
J Oh my Jack [
J When it gets goin' ♪
3 There's no holdin' back &
J It's right on time [
J With something very special
J Gettin' it home for me J
♪ I... ♪
35 Won't be doint
no more waitin' &
J Toot toot toot &
5 We'll be syncopated &
3 And feelin' fine &
3 Here comes that 5-0-9... &$
- Oh, there you are, Guy.
Where have you been?
- Oh, I've been hiding
in the fog.
I didn't think anyone
would want to see me.
What is it?
- Oh, look.
- Oh, yes!
- Would you like to try?
I can drink whatever I like,
and pull myself together
in a second with that.
Break it. Sniff it up.
- Oh.
- Oh, my dear,
it was in all the newspapers.
- What's this rubbish
we've got here?
- What are you trying to do?
Heidler doesn't like me talking to you.
- Why shouldn't he?
You're imagining it.
He's very kind.
- Kind?
Heidler kind?
My God.
- I can't stand that self-righteous American
Cairn fellow
Mar ya keeps on seeing.
I wonder if she's alright.
You're such a fool, Guy.
- Don't shout in my ear.
- Well, get out of the way.
Blocking up the bar.
- It's my bar.
- Then you ought to give
your clients a chance.
Come, my dear.
You alright?
- French people pretend
just as much as anybody else.
Ha. Maybe they pretend
about different things.
Maybe not quite so obvious,
but they all pretend.
You'll find that out, dear,
when you've been here
as long as I have.
- Sure. Excuse me.
- You see, Michel,
men feel disgusted by what they do,
and so they drink,
they take drugs,
and they're forever changing
partners.
- What about women?
- Oh, that's quite different.
They can stay happy
with each other
because they only do
what is beautiful.
Excuse me. I'm so sorry.
- They're like members of a harem
who can't get on.
- It'll all blow over, no doubt.
- He doesn't know himself.
That's what's so frightening.
He doesn't know his own nature.
I suppose it's a sort
of innocence in him, really.
Oh, God, this damn thing hurts my head.
- Do you know why your door
is open every morning?
Come over here,
listen to what I have to say.
Must you do that? When I'm alone
with you for five minutes,
you paint your mouth
or perform some other monkey trick.
Your door is open,
because I come up at night,
I look at you,
and then I go away again.
Don't you know I've wanted you
from the first moment I saw you?
Well, I kept off you, didn't I?
I knew I could have you
by putting my hands on you,
but I kept off you.
I thought it wouldn't be playing
the game, you see,
but there comes a limit.
I watched you tonight
and now I know
that somebody else will get you
if I don't. You're that sort.
- You're abominably rude
and stupid.
You have no idea
how other people feel.
- You think I don't know
how you feel?
- It's odd, the way he always
picks out the same kind of girl.
The crushed-petal type.
- This one's quite tough.
- Mm-hmm.
- But they tend to wear the same kind
of little-girl's frocks.
You know...
You know, and the other one...
...when she died...
...I cleared out the spare room.
I got rid of all her things,
except this one
pathetic little frock.
It was the one I painted her in.
God knows why I kept it.
I pushed it out of sight
up on a shelf.
Somehow I...
I just couldn't bring myself
to throw it away.
It... it seemed...
It was too like a person.
It was like her.
I found it the other day
when I went to get
the room ready for Mar ya.
Oh, God.
Just to touch it
made me feel sick.
I hid it before H.J. came in.
God knows why I didn't burn it.
Bad enough I had to see it.
No need for him
to go over all that again.
- You take very good care
of him.
- She'll take care of herself.
I'm there to take care of him.
That's what he depends on,
that in the end I'll pull him through.
- What about Lois?
- My dear, you simply
don't understand Lois at all.
You are a funny little thing.
Why, look here. Do you know
what she said about you?
I tell you this because I...
I want you to realize
that Lois simply doesn't come into this at all
between you and me.
She said, "The matter with Mado
is she's too virtuous."
There. That's what she thinks
about the situation.
- Ah, there you are.
- Come on.
- Miss Mar ya?
- You don't know anything about him,
what he's like, or anything.
Oh, what is he like?
- I detest all this self-restraint we're all
supposed to be exercising all the time.
I'm sick of it.
One might as well be dead.
One is dead.
- He's right, huh? I haven't got
any money myself, as you know.
But I'll borrow some for you.
I'll borrow 500 francs.
It's not a whole lot,
but at least that way,
you can live for a while at the Dome
on coffee and croissants.
- I don't need money.
- Heidler is a humbug.
And God help you
if you don't see that.
J I need a good time huggin' &
3 Good time kissin' man &
J Don't want a part-time lover &
J Want a good time huggin' J
J Full-time lover man &
Kisses. Kisses for you?
Ah, drink, drink, drink.
- What are you doing
out here in the cold?
We're looking for you.
Lois is very worried about you. Come.
- Will you lunch with me again on Tuesday?
- Tuesday.
- There's something not right about Cairn.
I can't put my finger on it,
but I don't think
he's the sort of person
you ought to know,
quite frankly.
I'd like it
if you didn't see him again.
Look, we don't have to stay here
if you don't want to.
- I want to.
- Why?
They're an abominable lot
of people.
It's just scruff.
- You don't know what it is
to want to be like other people
and have a good time
and be happy.
- Why are you drinking that?
You're drunk already.
- It makes me feel wonderful.
- I love you so much,
I wish I were dead.
Be nice to me.
I'll make you happy.
That's what I'm here for.
J I need a good time huggin' &
J Good time kissin' man... &
J Don't want a part-time lover &
J I want a good time huggin' J
J Full-time lovin' man... J
J Don't want a part-time lover &
J A full-time... I
JLlovin'... J
J Full-time lover man... &
3 Oh that man &
- Do you think I'm mad?
Possessed?
- Shhh.
- Go away.
- I want to comfort you.
- I'm so scared.
- I want to hold you safe and tight.
- I'm so scared of being happy.
- There. There now. You're--
- I can't stand anymore.
- You're excitable.
You'll tear yourself to bits.
I'm holding you safe.
Safe and tight.
Yes.
Wh-wh-what are you saying?
- You don't understand.
- Oh, yes, I do.
I do, my dear, I do. I do.
Ah.
- And, uh, what about the job
with the modiste?
- They wanted to see
my work permit.
- Same old story.
What it is to be foreigner
in Paris.
You will be able to come,
won't you, next Sunday?
I mean, it's not too much
trouble for you, is it?
- It's only half an hour
on the tram. I told you.
It's nothing.
- Perhaps it's true, then.
You do care for me.
- I love you.
I'm waiting.
- You went to the prison again
today, didn't you?
You can't go to those places and...
come home and expect everything
to be alright.
- Lois? I want to leave.
The sooner, the better.
- Don't be silly, Mado.
You know that I'm pulling
every string I can to fix you up.
So is H.J.
I'm almost sure I can get you
a mannequin job in about a month or six weeks
with... what's his name
on the Rue Royale?
I don't believe
in forcing things.
I believe in letting them alone.
And I hate scenes.
Of course you can't go.
- The stupid thing is,
I really can't,
unless you lend me some money.
- Could you move your head
a bit?
No, to... to the left.
- The only thing I can think about
is not getting paid!
It inhibits my performance.
- We must get Mado another hat, H.J.
She must be chic.
She must do us credit.
Is she coming to the country
this weekend?
Oh, no. No,
she's going to the prison again.
You must stop her, H.J.
Ah, aren't they pathetic?
They really look as if
they could do with a good meal.
Not to speak of a bath.
You wouldn't care to have them
in the spare room, would you, H.J.?
Do sit down, darling.
I can't see a thing.
- I may be young and innocent...
...but I know a hussy
when I see one.
- Darling Mar ya!
Ah, really, Guy,
you don't know her very well.
She's a sweet, young thing,
on the sentimental side.
- You go away, Guy!
- He wasn't doing anything.
He's just a little pink-eyed,
aren't you, darling?
I like your scarf.
Very dashing.
- It's Hugo's. It's the only thing
he left behind when he ran off.
- I expect you to come
to the country this weekend.
- You know I have
to see Stephan next Sunday.
- Must we have all that again?
- Let's go to Luna Park.
We'll put Mado on the joy wheel
and watch her
being banged about a bit.
Well, she ought to amuse us
sometimes.
She ought to sing
for her supper.
That's what she's here for,
after all, isn't it?
Well, shall we go to Luna Park?
- No, I don't think so.
- I'm bored to death
with Montparnasse!
Bored, bored... bored!
Well, let's go
to a proper musical.
That's what I feel like.
Something really low-life.
- What?
- You'd like that, wouldn't you, Mar ya?
Something really canaille?
- You're coming to Brunoy
on Saturday, aren't you?
What's the matter?
- Nothing.
- Can't you come?
Just to please me.
Can't you not go to the prison
just for once?
- Do you think I'm the maid
to be made love to...
every time
the mistress's back is turned?
H.J., I can't go on with this.
It isn't my line at all.
- But that's not playing
the game, is it?
Not any sort of game.
- What game? Your game?
Lois's game?
Why should I be playing
Lois's game?
- I must tell you that
you misunderstand Lois utterly.
You will persist in judging us
by the standards of the awful life
you've lived.
Can't you see
you're in a different world now?
You're not going to be let down.
You're with friends.
Now what's she doing there?
What's keeping her?
My dear, must we have
this conversation now?
Lois doesn't want
to be given away.
She just doesn't want
anybody to know.
And I assure you,
that is all she cares about.
I see.
: Why don't you take Mar ya?
They'll be some company for you.
: She may refuse.
You know how she is.
- Yes, she is terribly surly.
She's very embarrassing
sometimes,
you know,
when there are people.
You ought to tell her.
- Don't forget her background.
- You mustn't think
that I don't know
the arrangement that you two
have made about me!
- You're mad.
- You've made an arrangement:
If he wants the woman,
let him have her.
Do you think I don't know?!
- Don't shout.
They can hear every
single word next door.
No, no, let me talk to her!
You don't understand how to deal
with a woman of this sort. I do.
- Look out, Heidler,
I'll kill you!
- You're hysterical!
Talk calmly.
- I am not going to live
with Lois and you any longer!
I am not!
- What's this all about?
What do you want? Money?
- Swine! Incredible swine!
Let me get at him again!
- You're right, you're right!
Oh, God. Oh, God.
Leave me alone!
I'm done with you!
- Oh, H.J., my dearest--
- Damn you! Leave me alone!
- Hadn't you better
get back to bed, Mar ya?
- I'm going to bed.
I'm very drunk.
I shan't remember anything at all
about this in the morning.
- He always does that.
When there's been a scene,
he always says next morning
that he was too drunk
to remember anything.
It's his way
of getting out of things.
I say, you're not going to talk
to anybody in Paris...
about this, are you?
- Is that all
you're worried about?
- Yes... as a matter of fact.
- Shall I send Lois away?
I'll do anything you want.
If you're not happy with us,
I'll find somewhere else for you.
There now. Be quiet now.
It's all going to be alright.
I'll break with her.
I'll take you away somewhere.
Is that what you want?
- No.
- I'll take a hotel room for you.
We'll have a place of our own.
Don't worry.
- H.J.? I'm coming up.
- H.J., be good to Lois.
You must be good to Lois.
- I shouldn't worry too much
about Lois if I were you.
I don't intend to let you go.
Make no mistake about that.
Get up at once.
Please. Get up.
I can't stand this.
I won't tolerate this.
Lois, please, please. Get up.
Now, now, now.
Go and wash your face.
Please.
Here, here, here.
Please.
Please.
You left those people?
Really, you must be mad.
Where are you now?
- In a hotel.
What's it matter where I am?
I'm waiting for you.
- And when I am free,
I'll have no money.
I will have to leave France.
You have friends
and you lose them.
It's not so funny, you know!
- Don't quarrel with me.
- Forgive me. I'm, uh...
I'm going off my head in here.
Last Sunday,
when you didn't come--
- No, don't.
- You couldn't help it.
You were ll.
- Yes.
- Every number they called,
I thought it was mine.
I was glad when the time was up,
I can tell you.
You go mad, shut away in here.
- I never will not turn up
again, Stephan.
So don't worry.
- I'm not late.
Your clock is fast.
- What happened
the day before yesterday?
And Saturday.
One week.
I haven't seen you for one week.
- Open your eyes, savage.
- I feel as if I'd fallen down
a precipice.
- You funny thing.
- Please.
- Hmm?
- Be nice with me.
I love you so.
- There. There.
There. You're such a darling...
...pretty little thing.
Such a funny,
pretty little thing.
I say, did you notice what I did
with my wristwatch?
Lois has got hold
of two Hungarians for tonight.
I promised I'd turn up.
Lois asked me to meet that young
American guy, what's-his-name...
Sculptor.
Are you alright for money?
Better leave you some money and,
uh...
Whew. Say,
it's frightfully hot in here. Ahem.
Mind if I open the window?
Get some air in.
Ah. It's better.
Now, where's your handbag, hmm?
Now, look here.
Do go and dine somewhere decent,
for godsake. Hmm?
Lois is expecting you
on Saturday. You know that.
- Oh, she is, is she?
- She certainly is.
And so am I.
- Why should I be a butt
for Lois and her friends?
She wants me there
so she can talk at me,
so she can watch
for the right moment
to put her enormous foot down!
- You talk the most awful
nonsense sometimes, don't you?
- Aren't Lois's feet enormous?
Huge, big feet like puddles?
Alright, I'll come.
What's it matter, anyway?
- I hate
having to explain things.
I hate having to talk
about things.
Surely you must see
that you can't let Lois down.
- What about letting me down?
- We must keep up appearances.
We must play the game.
Savage.
Bolshevist.
You'll end up in Red Russia.
That's what'll happen to you.
- It's horrible when someone
has no self-control,
the consequences
for everyone else around.
- She was pretty.
- Mm. She tried to kill herself
at least twice.
And that was ages
before we even knew her.
Once,
she tried to cut her throat.
I didn't put the scar in, of course,
but one could distinctly see it.
"It's as if all the blood
in my body
is being drained very slowly,
all the time.
All the blood in my heart.
What can I say
to make you believe me?"
- You're right, of course.
It's my fault
for getting involved
with these neurasthenics.
But it's not I
who seek them out.
They who find me.
It's as if they sensed
a weakness in me that...
...they fasten onto.
- Ah, Mar ya! Hello, my dear.
Now, you just pop upstairs,
put on something warm,
we'll go out
and have a lovely day together, huh?
- Who sent you?
- Sent me?
I've come to take you out.
- Lois sent you, didn't she?
- She thought you might be seedy
when she got your letter to them.
- My letter to them?
- You did write to them,
didn't you, saying you were ill or something?
- You mean she read my letter?
My letter to H.J.?
- I find...
don't you, that married people
often have rather strange relationships?
Everyone thinks they're on the point
of breaking up,
and then it turns out
they're thicker than ever.
Of course, you'd know
better than I do,
being married yourself.
Lois...
...Is a very rare person.
I'm very, very fond of her.
If I were to tell you everything
she's been through with him...
I don't know why she puts up
with him, really. Do you?
But that's the sort of person
she is.
Come on.
Really, don't you think...
Honestly, don't you think women
are truly superior beings?
I only have to think
of my own parents.
Father -
very charming and all that,
but weak, shiftless.
Oh, we children were on Mother's side.
Absolutely.
I suppose that's made me
the way I am.
I can't bear to see a woman
taken advantage of,
whether it's you or Lois or...
whoever.
What a beast.
She's most extraordinarily fond
of you.
She thinks about you,
wants to help you.
Ah. Really fears...
for you sometimes.
But I told her that basically
you're quite a sensible sort of person.
You wouldn't
ever do anything silly.
- So Lois has sent you
to make sure I don't kill myself,
like the other girl.
- You mustn't get hysterical.
You really mustn't.
- I didn't like those dark
circles around your eyes.
I hope you haven't been
overdoing anything.
- She was singing
an English parody!
- ...French are like, sometimes.
- I hate people who try
to get by with nothing
but their sensitivity.
- Your sensitivity, what is it?
Clergymen's daughters with long,
slim fingers and no money.
- Don't worry.
They're getting killed off slowly.
- I say, a riddle.
Why is love like Rasputin?
- Why do you want money?
- Stephan is coming out next week.
- If you go back
to your husband,
I can't see you again.
You understand that?
- Are you going to try and stop me,
you and your damned Lois?!
- What... what's the matter?
- She's getting worked up again.
Her husband's coming out.
Your husband will be expelled
from France.
He'll go to Brussels and then
to Amsterdam, from pillar to post.
Then he'll try and get back to Paris,
where they'll arrest him again.
Now, is that the sort of life
you want to share with him?
- And what sort of life
do you think
I'm going to share with you
and her?!
- I'm not going
to have my party spoiled.
- Were you trying
to borrow money from him?
- Why don't you give it to me?
You should want to.
- Well, H.J. calls the shots,
you know.
- Why is love... like Rasputin?
Why is love... like Rasputin?
- I haven't the faintest idea.
- Because... you can...
...poison it...
and you can...
stab it!
And you can...
knock it down in the mud...
...and it will always
get up again.
- Ha!
- Well, don't you think
that's good?
Don't you think that's funny?
Love will not die.
It simply will not die.
Just like Rasputin.
- Why is your hair so long?
- The barber there always lets
people grow it before they come out.
Decent of him.
A lot of the wardens
are quite decent types.
They do their work.
I expect they'd prefer
to do something else.
Now what do you wish?
An éclair?
Choux a la creme?
Meringue? The ones you like!
- But I can't eat
all those cakes.
- But you must.
Mado, you don't look well.
You haven't been eating
properly.
You haven't been taking care
of yourself.
Now, come on.
I'll be able to stay four days
in Paris.
A type I left Fresnes with this morning
may be able to lend me some money.
Bernadet. Marcel Bernadet.
Lives with a girl in Montmartre.
She was there to see him
this morning.
A bit cold it seems,
but she's a good girl.
Huh. She was so pleased
to see him, she cried.
Ah.
The fun of that man is women,
you know.
You've got some cream
on your lip.
I don't blame you.
- Will you just be kind to me
for a little?
- A year in jail doesn't make
a man appetizing, huh?
- That'll be Schlamovitz
arguing with his lady friend.
Still, it's nice of him
to let me stay here.
He was in there with me.
Came out two weeks ago.
Pierre.
Pity.
Transparent soaps.
Skin food.
A very good business.
- I know a type who makes
a fortune every three years in the Argentine.
Then he comes to Paris
to spend it, the fool.
My God. Paris.
- Yes.
Provided you turn your back on the towns
and go right out in the country.
- But you can't ride.
- I can always learn.
- Yes.
In charge of accounts.
- Do you think you could get
a job like that?
- I need a haircut.
- I met her one night
at the Moulin de la Galette.
She had nowhere to go,
so I brought her home.
- Hmm.
You have very nice, soft hair, monsieur.
I'm glad you don't use pomade.
Not like that one.
Makes you sick,
so much pomade.
- If I tell you he has to leave Paris
as quickly as possible,
I say it for his sake.
I'm quite safe;
nobody's bothering about me.
He goes out and someone who knows him
sees him on the boulevard...
- You've been very kind to him,
Mr. Schlamovitz.
Thank you.
We worked together
in the library there.
They have some
very fascinating books.
You would be surprised.
One can get an education
- I had a friend who went to Berlin
when he came out.
He did very well there.
- I was thinking more
of Amsterdam.
- Well, Amsterdam can be nice,
too.
- I thought you were
so enchanted with Paris.
- Well, every place can be nice
with a nice friend.
- They are late.
Are we sure we want to do this?
My poor H.J.
- I thought we decided that
we were going to see it through.
- Don't let's go.
- But they're waiting for us.
I don't care. I want to be able
to thank your friends.
- I don't want to see them.
I don't want them to see you.
- Naturally not.
- It's they
who are not good enough.
- Stephan...
...wherever you're going,
don't go without me.
- I only have just enough
for my own fare.
- I'll borrow some money from the Heidlers,
and then I can go with you.
Why not? Why not?
- I must get away.
I've lost my luck.
- We always said we'd be together
when you came out.
- You don't come out.
Nobody ever comes out.
- For godsake, ask the waiter
for another fine. I'm so thirsty.
- Don't have brandy, Mado.
She oughtn't to drink brandy.
- I'm afraid you must come.
- You're coming back with us, aren't you?
We'll drop you off
at your hotel.
- You're very kind, monsieur.
I'll take her home.
- No, no, no, I think she should come
with us. It's all on the way.
- Let's dance.
- You've done so much
for my wife, madame.
You are very kind.
There's nothing I can do
to thank you.
- But you don't need me
to tell you
that she's a very highly strung girl.
There have been difficulties.
One has had to protect her,
rather.
- Against whom?
- Against herself, principally.
We've seen too many girls left alone
to drift around Paris.
- Yes.
People take advantage of them.
- So it all comes down
to a question of money.
I might've known with you!
- Do look at H.J.
He can't dance and he hates it.
I don't know
why he's doing it with her.
Do you?
- I expect you can tell me.
Don't forget... I've been away.
- I'm the last person to be able
to forget that,
Monsieur... Zelli.
Let's just sit here
and wait for them, shall we?
- You've made a mistake, madame.
I'm not the type to sit and wait.
- I've had to long enough.
- I've never shared a woman
in my life,
and now to have to share her
with someone like that.
He smells of jail.
- Oh, you disgust me.
- I have a horror of you.
When I think of you,
I feel sick!
- Don't let her
stew up our game.
- What is it
that you want of me?
I told you I have to leave Paris
very soon.
- Take her with you.
Don't you see what will happen?
- That's between
the three of you.
- She is your wife.
- I carry very little
when I travel.
- That must be very convenient,
but not everyone can do it.
Some of us have to put up
with things.
- Well, I wouldn't.
I'm used to living in a decent way
among decent people.
- You know the conditions.
- As if I could...
leave him that way.
- It's all so abominably sordid.
And pitiful.
Pitiful.
- You should stay with Lois.
Just be with her.
She's your sort.
- Don't you think I long to?
So that I can be rid of you
once and for all.
And let you stay with your sort,
your convict husband.
Ah.
Don't you think it's time
we rejoined our companions?
He went off, did he?
- He went off.
- Thank God.
- Are you going alone?
I've had enough, too!
Up to here!
- So now we know.
- You've got to take me away
with you.
Away from them.
Please help me.
- You must think
I'm Jesus Christ.
So all the time you came
to visit me in jail,
you were Heidler's mistress.
You just came to laugh at me,
well put away behind the bars.
- Don't leave me, Stephan.
You're all I have.
Please.
Help me.
- Tell me...
when you were living
in the hotel...
Heidler came to visit you.
When did he come? Huh? Often?
No!
I don't remember.
It doesn't matter!
- It doesn't matter.
You're funny, you.
You have a special way
of looking at things.
- He said he had a horror of me.
And when he thought of me,
he felt sick.
Be kind to me, Stephan.
Be good to me.
Because I'm unhappy that I think
I'm going to die of it.
- Unhappy?
Of course you're unhappy.
Can't you see that this man,
who is at the end of his love,
this bag of bluff,
he just wants you as a sort of dessert
to finish off his meal?
My poor Mado.
Poor Mado.
- No, don't touch me.
Don't kiss me.
That isn't what I want.
- Then what is it you want?
Alright, I'll help you.
Only, do this.
Send a pneumatique to Heidler,
tell him to come here.
Say you have to speak to him urgently.
Go on, do it now.
- And then?
- Then [I'll be waiting for him.
- You must be mad.
- He's made a fool of you.
He forgot me when he did that.
I'll be waiting for him.
I'll jump on him from behind the door
and break his back!
- You are mad!
- Go on, send a pneumatique.
I'll come with you.
- No!
- You poor thing, you.
What fools women are.
And it isn't only that they are
beasts and traitors,
but they are such fools!
Well, stay here and weep.
I'll go and find Heidler myself.
Look here. You see this?
You thought I was well put away
behind the bars.
Wait a bit. Let me pass.
- No!
- Let me pass!
- No! You think
I'd let you touch him?!
I love him. I love him!
You think I care for you?
Not this much!
It's him. I love him! Heidler!
- Will you get away
from that door?
- You shan't go!
If you go, I'll call the police!
I'll go straight to the police station
and give you up!
No!
Ah!
- Take me with you.
- No, I don't want anyone.
I'm late. Please leave me alone.
- Take me with you.
- I don't have any money.
- Well, I have some.
- I'm going to miss my train.
Please.
- I know a little hotel
in Amsterdam where we can stay.
Come. Hurry up.
- Stephan!
- Never mind, mademoiselle.
There are hundreds like them.
I must explain to you,
mademoiselle...
...that I am an old-fashioned
sort of person.
You can call me conservative
or traditionalist if you like,
but I believe in the family.
Parents and grandparents,
grandchildren, children.
Nowadays...
people live in a dirty way.
There's no tradition.
There's nothing beautiful.
Difuze
Napoleon's.
- Napoleon's?
- Mm-hmm. Napoleon's sabre.
One of his sabres, I suppose.
He must've had several of them.
A man like Napoleon.
- Stephan?
- Well?
- Where did you get that sword?
- From a Frenchman
named de Coligny.
It belongs to his family.
- Why are they selling it?
- Because they need the money.
Everybody needs money.
You know that. I know that.
- But shouldn't he be taking it
to a museum?
- He has to do it on the sly.
His uncle and his mother
don't want him to sell it.
They would stop him
if they could.
- He probably has no right to sell it
without his mother's consent.
- His mother has nothing to say.
- What you going to do with it?
- I'm going to send it
to America.
- But... that's illegal.
- I saw a dress in the window
of Jean Veron's today.
A sort of peach colour.
You might call it apricot.
It would suit you.
- Really?
- Oh, you don't think
I'm too pale?
- Oh, you can't take
strong colours.
- You're probably right.
- No, except black.
I like you in black.
- My black crepe de Chine,
that's chic, isn't it?
- Mm. Makes you look
like a little nun.
We should get you
a white-lace collar to go with it.
- Ah, there you are, Anna.
- Lola's in the Select.
She'll be along in a minute.
I'm not in my assiette,
as the dear French say.
- Now,
what are we going to have?
- I've been trying to decide
- men or women.
- Well, are we ready to order?
- Women are worse. They'll kick your face
to bits if you let them.
- Oh, darling,
don't be depressed.
Have a fine.
H.J., do call Lefranc.
We are ready to order.
Monsieur Lefranc.
- Did you see Cri-Cri
count me dead, H.J.?
Considering she came to my party
last Saturday.
- Oh, don't worry about her, my dear.
She's having her little hour.
- Till her painter
throws her out.
- She's a character.
She's a type.
They have their little hour,
then we hear no more about them.
- Mar ya.
- Hello.
- There's that little...
Zelli girl.
- Couldn't you turn up tomorrow?
I wish you would.
I'd like to talk to you.
- I can't.
I have to meet my husband.
- Where did she come from?
Does anybody know?
- Somewhere rather vague
and exotic.
Martinique? Could that be right?
Anyway, her mother's
supposed to be a West Indian.
- That means she's a Creole.
- What is a Creole?
I thought it was a way of cooking chicken.
- Oh, you know the Heidlers,
do you?
- Not very well.
- Keep it that way.
- Why?
If you have something to say,
I wish you'd say it.
- I'm not too clear
about the whole thing, but...
it seems there was a girl
who killed herself.
Someone Heidler
had had an affair with.
And then he had
some sort of breakdown,
and his wife
had to take him away.
To New York or somewhere.
I believe Mrs. Heidler paints.
It's pretty awful to think of
the hundreds of women round here
painting away, isn't it?
- She's a decorative
little person.
You should get her
to sit for you, Lois.
- What does he do?
- He's a very important man.
He makes discoveries.
He helps young people.
He has flair.
He also has money, of course.
And that helps.
- ...working their fingers
to the bone for him,
he doesn't have to do a thing;
he doesn't have to pay
for servants.
- I hate all that kind of thing.
Astral bodies and all the rest of it.
- Astral bodies is theosophy.
- You've been neglecting us.
You want to avoid English people
in Paris.
H.J. and I most completely agree
with you.
If you see only Anglo-Americans
in Paris,
what's the use of being here
at all?
Oh, your husband's French,
of course.
- He's a Pole.
- And he, uh...
- He's an art dealer.
He acts between Frenchmen
who want to sell and foreigners.
It's usually foreigners
who want to buy.
- And what do the Frenchmen
want to sell?
- Pictures, fur coats...
Madame Dubarry's prie-dieu.
Anything.
- H.J.and I
have quite made up our minds
that eating is the greatest
pleasure in life.
Haven't we, H.J.?
Well, I mean, it is, isn't it?
It's one of the few pleasures
that never let you down.
Oh, the music.
- What about sex?
I mean, really. What about sex?
Well, are you forgetting about the sex?
- What?
- He... he didn't say anything?
- I see that the Zelli girl's husband...
been sentenced.
One year, to be followed
by expulsion from France.
In other words, theft.
- Ah, I feel sorry for her,
all the same.
I can just see how it happened.
People do get hold
of girls like that.
- We should do something
for her.
- Poor little devil.
What did you have in mind?
- We could have her
in the spare room.
She probably hasn't got a bean.
- Huh. But... we don't know
anything about her.
We don't even know
where she's from.
People say she was born
in the West Indies, Martinique,
or some place like that.
- Is that supposed to be good,
or bad?
- I'm not saying it's either.
I'm merely stating a fact.
We don't know anything
about her,
except that her husband
is in jail.
It's true.
- I'm not going to have a discussion
on that sort of level.
- I think you're getting bored
again.
That's the reason you're ready
to bring in anybody at any cost.
- You just want to shut me off and shut me in,
make me into a tame husband.
- As if anyone could do that.
- I won't live like that.
- It's no use doing too much
for people, H...
It's simply no use
doing too much for people.
You know that, H.J.
- All we've ever done for anyone
is to have them in the spare room.
- And look what trouble
they brought with them.
All those types
we tried to be kind to.
- I'm not interested in being kind
to anyone. I'm interested in them.
In character.
In forms of life.
You should've married
a stockbroker
and stayed with him
in South Kensington.
- That is unfair. H.J.
You know perfectly well
I'm only thinking of you. I...
...I don't want us to get into
any more impossible situations.
- Don't you see
how dangerous it is to... to...
close oneself off?
Be afraid of...
Well, just because of some...
...unpleasant experience
in the past?
It's only a cubbyhole of a place,
but she'll be alright.
- Hello, Mado.
- My poor boy.
What rotten luck.
- Mado, listen.
The worst, th-the very worst,
is that this has happened
when I have no money.
What will you do?
I worry myself to death about you.
- I'll manage something.
Tell me what happened exactly.
I'd rather know.
- It's so stupid.
My defending lawyer
didn't know his métier.
Instead of making a case...
Instead of making a case,
he told the court
how I speak six languages.
Well... no luck.
If only I had some money
for you.
You must write at once to your family
to send you some money.
Have you written yet?
- Yes.
Mm... no.
I'll manage. I'm telling you.
- How?
- I will. Only, I have
such an awful cold, I can't think now.
This noise.
- What will you do?!
- Never mind.
As a matter of fact,
some people asked me
to go and live with them.
- Who? For godsakes, speak up!
- The Heidlers. You don't know them.
They're English.
- It's alright, then.
You go and live with them.
- I don't want to.
- Listen.
Do you want drive me mad?
They'll take care of you.
And I can have
some peace of mind about you.
- My darling, I love you.
You'll be out in spring.
The time will pass quickly.
- Quickly? My God, that's funny.
Quickly.
- I'll come to see you
every week.
And... in spring, we'll go away.
To...
to Berlin or Brussels.
- Promise you'll go and stay
with these people. Promise.
- Yes, yes. Yes.
- Say something.
Quick, speak to me.
- I love you.
I do.
- Alright. And you go and live
with these English people.
Good. Finally.
My poor little Mado.
Are they nice?
- Oh, yes.
Very nice.
- I won't be able to stand it.
- It's awfully good of you
to worry about me.
- Oh, nonsense. Rubbish.
We're your friends.
- Of course we are.
- I do love your frock.
I shall paint you
with short black gloves on.
Or - no,
she'll have short green gloves.
What do you think, H.J.?
- Do show her the room.
- So here we are.
- You are very kind, you know,
but--
- Oh, if you mean you're afraid
of being a bother,
put that right out of your head.
I'm used to it.
H.J. is always rescuing
some young genius or the other
and installing them in here.
- I really haven't got any money
at all.
I feel I ought to do something
about it.
- Well, what...
what will you do?
- I used to be on the stage,
just sort in the chorus,
in England.
- You must let us
take care of you.
I want it.
H.J. wants it.
I shall be awfully disappointed,
and hurt, if you don't let me.
I know what it is.
I love H.J. so terribly, but...
...he isn't always awfully nice
to me.
- It's just so difficult for me
to trust anyone.
- Well, naturally, with the life you've led
and your marriage.
- I didn't mean my marriage.
Not Stephan.
- Y-you mustn't think
I don't see the...
the angle that you look
at life from.
Because I do.
Please rest now.
Do rest.
Don't let's talk anymore.
- It really wasn't any use
talking to Lois about Stephan,
or how things were with me
when I met him.
Women like Lois,
who've always had money,
just don't understand
what it's like for somebody like me,
who've never had any.
- Oh, I'm sorry!
- I wasn't looking.
- Oh, you speak English.
Very good.
Very nice.
Uh... I...
I understand perfectly.
You'd just come down
from the second floor.
M. Gauthier, impresario.
And there was no job.
And you're feeling rotten.
- Yes.
- But I... I'm going up
to the third floor,
in hope and joy,
to M. Perron et Dussolier,
art dealers, auctioneers,
with this precious object,
which you nearly--
- What is it?
- Voila.
Yes, to you,
an ordinary rocking horse,
but do you know who sat on it?
One of Swinburne's children.
The great English poet.
- He didn't have any children.
- Uh, then it was Millet,
the great English painter.
He had many children.
Please, don't deny me again.
I've set all my hopes...
on this little horse.
- Stephan, Stephan.
- That's right, she likes it.
: Do you intend
to keep going there?
- To see Stephan? Yes.
- Well... we don't approve.
You know, lots of girls
make extraordinary marriages.
You know,
for all sorts of reasons.
But the time comes
when you must cut loose.
Can't you see that?
- No, I can't.
- Tsk.
You're a very tiresome child.
You'll be alright.
You'll row your little boat along,
but if you try to help
your husband, you are done.
I hate myself made up.
I don't think it's my genre.
But H.J. likes it.
And I always give way to H.J.
I give him what he wants -
till his mood changes.
- Will you lend me 100 francs?
If I had 100 francs,
I could leave.
- Well... why on earth
should you want to leave?
- You'll never have to see me
again.
- We are making a great deal of fuss
about nothing at all, aren't we?
Drama is catching, I find.
Don't let H.J. hear you,
or he'll be very cross.
With both of us.
- You ought to do it often.
Do you think so?
- Don't rush off.
Oh, God, I get so utterly sick
of myself sometimes.
Do you ever get sick
of yourself?
- No.
- Well, I get sick of myself.
Don't bother with coats...
Ah, bonsoir, monsieur.
Pardon.
J Toot toot toot &
3 He'll keep me syncopated &
3 And feelin' fine &
3 Here comes that 5-09 ¢
;5097
J I hear the whistle &
J Blowin' down the line J
3 I hear the train a-comin' &
3 Down the track &
J Oh my Jack [
J When it gets goin' ♪
3 There's no holdin' back &
J It's right on time [
J With something very special
J Gettin' it home for me J
♪ I... ♪
35 Won't be doint
no more waitin' &
J Toot toot toot &
5 We'll be syncopated &
3 And feelin' fine &
3 Here comes that 5-0-9... &$
- Oh, there you are, Guy.
Where have you been?
- Oh, I've been hiding
in the fog.
I didn't think anyone
would want to see me.
What is it?
- Oh, look.
- Oh, yes!
- Would you like to try?
I can drink whatever I like,
and pull myself together
in a second with that.
Break it. Sniff it up.
- Oh.
- Oh, my dear,
it was in all the newspapers.
- What's this rubbish
we've got here?
- What are you trying to do?
Heidler doesn't like me talking to you.
- Why shouldn't he?
You're imagining it.
He's very kind.
- Kind?
Heidler kind?
My God.
- I can't stand that self-righteous American
Cairn fellow
Mar ya keeps on seeing.
I wonder if she's alright.
You're such a fool, Guy.
- Don't shout in my ear.
- Well, get out of the way.
Blocking up the bar.
- It's my bar.
- Then you ought to give
your clients a chance.
Come, my dear.
You alright?
- French people pretend
just as much as anybody else.
Ha. Maybe they pretend
about different things.
Maybe not quite so obvious,
but they all pretend.
You'll find that out, dear,
when you've been here
as long as I have.
- Sure. Excuse me.
- You see, Michel,
men feel disgusted by what they do,
and so they drink,
they take drugs,
and they're forever changing
partners.
- What about women?
- Oh, that's quite different.
They can stay happy
with each other
because they only do
what is beautiful.
Excuse me. I'm so sorry.
- They're like members of a harem
who can't get on.
- It'll all blow over, no doubt.
- He doesn't know himself.
That's what's so frightening.
He doesn't know his own nature.
I suppose it's a sort
of innocence in him, really.
Oh, God, this damn thing hurts my head.
- Do you know why your door
is open every morning?
Come over here,
listen to what I have to say.
Must you do that? When I'm alone
with you for five minutes,
you paint your mouth
or perform some other monkey trick.
Your door is open,
because I come up at night,
I look at you,
and then I go away again.
Don't you know I've wanted you
from the first moment I saw you?
Well, I kept off you, didn't I?
I knew I could have you
by putting my hands on you,
but I kept off you.
I thought it wouldn't be playing
the game, you see,
but there comes a limit.
I watched you tonight
and now I know
that somebody else will get you
if I don't. You're that sort.
- You're abominably rude
and stupid.
You have no idea
how other people feel.
- You think I don't know
how you feel?
- It's odd, the way he always
picks out the same kind of girl.
The crushed-petal type.
- This one's quite tough.
- Mm-hmm.
- But they tend to wear the same kind
of little-girl's frocks.
You know...
You know, and the other one...
...when she died...
...I cleared out the spare room.
I got rid of all her things,
except this one
pathetic little frock.
It was the one I painted her in.
God knows why I kept it.
I pushed it out of sight
up on a shelf.
Somehow I...
I just couldn't bring myself
to throw it away.
It... it seemed...
It was too like a person.
It was like her.
I found it the other day
when I went to get
the room ready for Mar ya.
Oh, God.
Just to touch it
made me feel sick.
I hid it before H.J. came in.
God knows why I didn't burn it.
Bad enough I had to see it.
No need for him
to go over all that again.
- You take very good care
of him.
- She'll take care of herself.
I'm there to take care of him.
That's what he depends on,
that in the end I'll pull him through.
- What about Lois?
- My dear, you simply
don't understand Lois at all.
You are a funny little thing.
Why, look here. Do you know
what she said about you?
I tell you this because I...
I want you to realize
that Lois simply doesn't come into this at all
between you and me.
She said, "The matter with Mado
is she's too virtuous."
There. That's what she thinks
about the situation.
- Ah, there you are.
- Come on.
- Miss Mar ya?
- You don't know anything about him,
what he's like, or anything.
Oh, what is he like?
- I detest all this self-restraint we're all
supposed to be exercising all the time.
I'm sick of it.
One might as well be dead.
One is dead.
- He's right, huh? I haven't got
any money myself, as you know.
But I'll borrow some for you.
I'll borrow 500 francs.
It's not a whole lot,
but at least that way,
you can live for a while at the Dome
on coffee and croissants.
- I don't need money.
- Heidler is a humbug.
And God help you
if you don't see that.
J I need a good time huggin' &
3 Good time kissin' man &
J Don't want a part-time lover &
J Want a good time huggin' J
J Full-time lover man &
Kisses. Kisses for you?
Ah, drink, drink, drink.
- What are you doing
out here in the cold?
We're looking for you.
Lois is very worried about you. Come.
- Will you lunch with me again on Tuesday?
- Tuesday.
- There's something not right about Cairn.
I can't put my finger on it,
but I don't think
he's the sort of person
you ought to know,
quite frankly.
I'd like it
if you didn't see him again.
Look, we don't have to stay here
if you don't want to.
- I want to.
- Why?
They're an abominable lot
of people.
It's just scruff.
- You don't know what it is
to want to be like other people
and have a good time
and be happy.
- Why are you drinking that?
You're drunk already.
- It makes me feel wonderful.
- I love you so much,
I wish I were dead.
Be nice to me.
I'll make you happy.
That's what I'm here for.
J I need a good time huggin' &
J Good time kissin' man... &
J Don't want a part-time lover &
J I want a good time huggin' J
J Full-time lovin' man... J
J Don't want a part-time lover &
J A full-time... I
JLlovin'... J
J Full-time lover man... &
3 Oh that man &
- Do you think I'm mad?
Possessed?
- Shhh.
- Go away.
- I want to comfort you.
- I'm so scared.
- I want to hold you safe and tight.
- I'm so scared of being happy.
- There. There now. You're--
- I can't stand anymore.
- You're excitable.
You'll tear yourself to bits.
I'm holding you safe.
Safe and tight.
Yes.
Wh-wh-what are you saying?
- You don't understand.
- Oh, yes, I do.
I do, my dear, I do. I do.
Ah.
- And, uh, what about the job
with the modiste?
- They wanted to see
my work permit.
- Same old story.
What it is to be foreigner
in Paris.
You will be able to come,
won't you, next Sunday?
I mean, it's not too much
trouble for you, is it?
- It's only half an hour
on the tram. I told you.
It's nothing.
- Perhaps it's true, then.
You do care for me.
- I love you.
I'm waiting.
- You went to the prison again
today, didn't you?
You can't go to those places and...
come home and expect everything
to be alright.
- Lois? I want to leave.
The sooner, the better.
- Don't be silly, Mado.
You know that I'm pulling
every string I can to fix you up.
So is H.J.
I'm almost sure I can get you
a mannequin job in about a month or six weeks
with... what's his name
on the Rue Royale?
I don't believe
in forcing things.
I believe in letting them alone.
And I hate scenes.
Of course you can't go.
- The stupid thing is,
I really can't,
unless you lend me some money.
- Could you move your head
a bit?
No, to... to the left.
- The only thing I can think about
is not getting paid!
It inhibits my performance.
- We must get Mado another hat, H.J.
She must be chic.
She must do us credit.
Is she coming to the country
this weekend?
Oh, no. No,
she's going to the prison again.
You must stop her, H.J.
Ah, aren't they pathetic?
They really look as if
they could do with a good meal.
Not to speak of a bath.
You wouldn't care to have them
in the spare room, would you, H.J.?
Do sit down, darling.
I can't see a thing.
- I may be young and innocent...
...but I know a hussy
when I see one.
- Darling Mar ya!
Ah, really, Guy,
you don't know her very well.
She's a sweet, young thing,
on the sentimental side.
- You go away, Guy!
- He wasn't doing anything.
He's just a little pink-eyed,
aren't you, darling?
I like your scarf.
Very dashing.
- It's Hugo's. It's the only thing
he left behind when he ran off.
- I expect you to come
to the country this weekend.
- You know I have
to see Stephan next Sunday.
- Must we have all that again?
- Let's go to Luna Park.
We'll put Mado on the joy wheel
and watch her
being banged about a bit.
Well, she ought to amuse us
sometimes.
She ought to sing
for her supper.
That's what she's here for,
after all, isn't it?
Well, shall we go to Luna Park?
- No, I don't think so.
- I'm bored to death
with Montparnasse!
Bored, bored... bored!
Well, let's go
to a proper musical.
That's what I feel like.
Something really low-life.
- What?
- You'd like that, wouldn't you, Mar ya?
Something really canaille?
- You're coming to Brunoy
on Saturday, aren't you?
What's the matter?
- Nothing.
- Can't you come?
Just to please me.
Can't you not go to the prison
just for once?
- Do you think I'm the maid
to be made love to...
every time
the mistress's back is turned?
H.J., I can't go on with this.
It isn't my line at all.
- But that's not playing
the game, is it?
Not any sort of game.
- What game? Your game?
Lois's game?
Why should I be playing
Lois's game?
- I must tell you that
you misunderstand Lois utterly.
You will persist in judging us
by the standards of the awful life
you've lived.
Can't you see
you're in a different world now?
You're not going to be let down.
You're with friends.
Now what's she doing there?
What's keeping her?
My dear, must we have
this conversation now?
Lois doesn't want
to be given away.
She just doesn't want
anybody to know.
And I assure you,
that is all she cares about.
I see.
: Why don't you take Mar ya?
They'll be some company for you.
: She may refuse.
You know how she is.
- Yes, she is terribly surly.
She's very embarrassing
sometimes,
you know,
when there are people.
You ought to tell her.
- Don't forget her background.
- You mustn't think
that I don't know
the arrangement that you two
have made about me!
- You're mad.
- You've made an arrangement:
If he wants the woman,
let him have her.
Do you think I don't know?!
- Don't shout.
They can hear every
single word next door.
No, no, let me talk to her!
You don't understand how to deal
with a woman of this sort. I do.
- Look out, Heidler,
I'll kill you!
- You're hysterical!
Talk calmly.
- I am not going to live
with Lois and you any longer!
I am not!
- What's this all about?
What do you want? Money?
- Swine! Incredible swine!
Let me get at him again!
- You're right, you're right!
Oh, God. Oh, God.
Leave me alone!
I'm done with you!
- Oh, H.J., my dearest--
- Damn you! Leave me alone!
- Hadn't you better
get back to bed, Mar ya?
- I'm going to bed.
I'm very drunk.
I shan't remember anything at all
about this in the morning.
- He always does that.
When there's been a scene,
he always says next morning
that he was too drunk
to remember anything.
It's his way
of getting out of things.
I say, you're not going to talk
to anybody in Paris...
about this, are you?
- Is that all
you're worried about?
- Yes... as a matter of fact.
- Shall I send Lois away?
I'll do anything you want.
If you're not happy with us,
I'll find somewhere else for you.
There now. Be quiet now.
It's all going to be alright.
I'll break with her.
I'll take you away somewhere.
Is that what you want?
- No.
- I'll take a hotel room for you.
We'll have a place of our own.
Don't worry.
- H.J.? I'm coming up.
- H.J., be good to Lois.
You must be good to Lois.
- I shouldn't worry too much
about Lois if I were you.
I don't intend to let you go.
Make no mistake about that.
Get up at once.
Please. Get up.
I can't stand this.
I won't tolerate this.
Lois, please, please. Get up.
Now, now, now.
Go and wash your face.
Please.
Here, here, here.
Please.
Please.
You left those people?
Really, you must be mad.
Where are you now?
- In a hotel.
What's it matter where I am?
I'm waiting for you.
- And when I am free,
I'll have no money.
I will have to leave France.
You have friends
and you lose them.
It's not so funny, you know!
- Don't quarrel with me.
- Forgive me. I'm, uh...
I'm going off my head in here.
Last Sunday,
when you didn't come--
- No, don't.
- You couldn't help it.
You were ll.
- Yes.
- Every number they called,
I thought it was mine.
I was glad when the time was up,
I can tell you.
You go mad, shut away in here.
- I never will not turn up
again, Stephan.
So don't worry.
- I'm not late.
Your clock is fast.
- What happened
the day before yesterday?
And Saturday.
One week.
I haven't seen you for one week.
- Open your eyes, savage.
- I feel as if I'd fallen down
a precipice.
- You funny thing.
- Please.
- Hmm?
- Be nice with me.
I love you so.
- There. There.
There. You're such a darling...
...pretty little thing.
Such a funny,
pretty little thing.
I say, did you notice what I did
with my wristwatch?
Lois has got hold
of two Hungarians for tonight.
I promised I'd turn up.
Lois asked me to meet that young
American guy, what's-his-name...
Sculptor.
Are you alright for money?
Better leave you some money and,
uh...
Whew. Say,
it's frightfully hot in here. Ahem.
Mind if I open the window?
Get some air in.
Ah. It's better.
Now, where's your handbag, hmm?
Now, look here.
Do go and dine somewhere decent,
for godsake. Hmm?
Lois is expecting you
on Saturday. You know that.
- Oh, she is, is she?
- She certainly is.
And so am I.
- Why should I be a butt
for Lois and her friends?
She wants me there
so she can talk at me,
so she can watch
for the right moment
to put her enormous foot down!
- You talk the most awful
nonsense sometimes, don't you?
- Aren't Lois's feet enormous?
Huge, big feet like puddles?
Alright, I'll come.
What's it matter, anyway?
- I hate
having to explain things.
I hate having to talk
about things.
Surely you must see
that you can't let Lois down.
- What about letting me down?
- We must keep up appearances.
We must play the game.
Savage.
Bolshevist.
You'll end up in Red Russia.
That's what'll happen to you.
- It's horrible when someone
has no self-control,
the consequences
for everyone else around.
- She was pretty.
- Mm. She tried to kill herself
at least twice.
And that was ages
before we even knew her.
Once,
she tried to cut her throat.
I didn't put the scar in, of course,
but one could distinctly see it.
"It's as if all the blood
in my body
is being drained very slowly,
all the time.
All the blood in my heart.
What can I say
to make you believe me?"
- You're right, of course.
It's my fault
for getting involved
with these neurasthenics.
But it's not I
who seek them out.
They who find me.
It's as if they sensed
a weakness in me that...
...they fasten onto.
- Ah, Mar ya! Hello, my dear.
Now, you just pop upstairs,
put on something warm,
we'll go out
and have a lovely day together, huh?
- Who sent you?
- Sent me?
I've come to take you out.
- Lois sent you, didn't she?
- She thought you might be seedy
when she got your letter to them.
- My letter to them?
- You did write to them,
didn't you, saying you were ill or something?
- You mean she read my letter?
My letter to H.J.?
- I find...
don't you, that married people
often have rather strange relationships?
Everyone thinks they're on the point
of breaking up,
and then it turns out
they're thicker than ever.
Of course, you'd know
better than I do,
being married yourself.
Lois...
...Is a very rare person.
I'm very, very fond of her.
If I were to tell you everything
she's been through with him...
I don't know why she puts up
with him, really. Do you?
But that's the sort of person
she is.
Come on.
Really, don't you think...
Honestly, don't you think women
are truly superior beings?
I only have to think
of my own parents.
Father -
very charming and all that,
but weak, shiftless.
Oh, we children were on Mother's side.
Absolutely.
I suppose that's made me
the way I am.
I can't bear to see a woman
taken advantage of,
whether it's you or Lois or...
whoever.
What a beast.
She's most extraordinarily fond
of you.
She thinks about you,
wants to help you.
Ah. Really fears...
for you sometimes.
But I told her that basically
you're quite a sensible sort of person.
You wouldn't
ever do anything silly.
- So Lois has sent you
to make sure I don't kill myself,
like the other girl.
- You mustn't get hysterical.
You really mustn't.
- I didn't like those dark
circles around your eyes.
I hope you haven't been
overdoing anything.
- She was singing
an English parody!
- ...French are like, sometimes.
- I hate people who try
to get by with nothing
but their sensitivity.
- Your sensitivity, what is it?
Clergymen's daughters with long,
slim fingers and no money.
- Don't worry.
They're getting killed off slowly.
- I say, a riddle.
Why is love like Rasputin?
- Why do you want money?
- Stephan is coming out next week.
- If you go back
to your husband,
I can't see you again.
You understand that?
- Are you going to try and stop me,
you and your damned Lois?!
- What... what's the matter?
- She's getting worked up again.
Her husband's coming out.
Your husband will be expelled
from France.
He'll go to Brussels and then
to Amsterdam, from pillar to post.
Then he'll try and get back to Paris,
where they'll arrest him again.
Now, is that the sort of life
you want to share with him?
- And what sort of life
do you think
I'm going to share with you
and her?!
- I'm not going
to have my party spoiled.
- Were you trying
to borrow money from him?
- Why don't you give it to me?
You should want to.
- Well, H.J. calls the shots,
you know.
- Why is love... like Rasputin?
Why is love... like Rasputin?
- I haven't the faintest idea.
- Because... you can...
...poison it...
and you can...
stab it!
And you can...
knock it down in the mud...
...and it will always
get up again.
- Ha!
- Well, don't you think
that's good?
Don't you think that's funny?
Love will not die.
It simply will not die.
Just like Rasputin.
- Why is your hair so long?
- The barber there always lets
people grow it before they come out.
Decent of him.
A lot of the wardens
are quite decent types.
They do their work.
I expect they'd prefer
to do something else.
Now what do you wish?
An éclair?
Choux a la creme?
Meringue? The ones you like!
- But I can't eat
all those cakes.
- But you must.
Mado, you don't look well.
You haven't been eating
properly.
You haven't been taking care
of yourself.
Now, come on.
I'll be able to stay four days
in Paris.
A type I left Fresnes with this morning
may be able to lend me some money.
Bernadet. Marcel Bernadet.
Lives with a girl in Montmartre.
She was there to see him
this morning.
A bit cold it seems,
but she's a good girl.
Huh. She was so pleased
to see him, she cried.
Ah.
The fun of that man is women,
you know.
You've got some cream
on your lip.
I don't blame you.
- Will you just be kind to me
for a little?
- A year in jail doesn't make
a man appetizing, huh?
- That'll be Schlamovitz
arguing with his lady friend.
Still, it's nice of him
to let me stay here.
He was in there with me.
Came out two weeks ago.
Pierre.
Pity.
Transparent soaps.
Skin food.
A very good business.
- I know a type who makes
a fortune every three years in the Argentine.
Then he comes to Paris
to spend it, the fool.
My God. Paris.
- Yes.
Provided you turn your back on the towns
and go right out in the country.
- But you can't ride.
- I can always learn.
- Yes.
In charge of accounts.
- Do you think you could get
a job like that?
- I need a haircut.
- I met her one night
at the Moulin de la Galette.
She had nowhere to go,
so I brought her home.
- Hmm.
You have very nice, soft hair, monsieur.
I'm glad you don't use pomade.
Not like that one.
Makes you sick,
so much pomade.
- If I tell you he has to leave Paris
as quickly as possible,
I say it for his sake.
I'm quite safe;
nobody's bothering about me.
He goes out and someone who knows him
sees him on the boulevard...
- You've been very kind to him,
Mr. Schlamovitz.
Thank you.
We worked together
in the library there.
They have some
very fascinating books.
You would be surprised.
One can get an education
- I had a friend who went to Berlin
when he came out.
He did very well there.
- I was thinking more
of Amsterdam.
- Well, Amsterdam can be nice,
too.
- I thought you were
so enchanted with Paris.
- Well, every place can be nice
with a nice friend.
- They are late.
Are we sure we want to do this?
My poor H.J.
- I thought we decided that
we were going to see it through.
- Don't let's go.
- But they're waiting for us.
I don't care. I want to be able
to thank your friends.
- I don't want to see them.
I don't want them to see you.
- Naturally not.
- It's they
who are not good enough.
- Stephan...
...wherever you're going,
don't go without me.
- I only have just enough
for my own fare.
- I'll borrow some money from the Heidlers,
and then I can go with you.
Why not? Why not?
- I must get away.
I've lost my luck.
- We always said we'd be together
when you came out.
- You don't come out.
Nobody ever comes out.
- For godsake, ask the waiter
for another fine. I'm so thirsty.
- Don't have brandy, Mado.
She oughtn't to drink brandy.
- I'm afraid you must come.
- You're coming back with us, aren't you?
We'll drop you off
at your hotel.
- You're very kind, monsieur.
I'll take her home.
- No, no, no, I think she should come
with us. It's all on the way.
- Let's dance.
- You've done so much
for my wife, madame.
You are very kind.
There's nothing I can do
to thank you.
- But you don't need me
to tell you
that she's a very highly strung girl.
There have been difficulties.
One has had to protect her,
rather.
- Against whom?
- Against herself, principally.
We've seen too many girls left alone
to drift around Paris.
- Yes.
People take advantage of them.
- So it all comes down
to a question of money.
I might've known with you!
- Do look at H.J.
He can't dance and he hates it.
I don't know
why he's doing it with her.
Do you?
- I expect you can tell me.
Don't forget... I've been away.
- I'm the last person to be able
to forget that,
Monsieur... Zelli.
Let's just sit here
and wait for them, shall we?
- You've made a mistake, madame.
I'm not the type to sit and wait.
- I've had to long enough.
- I've never shared a woman
in my life,
and now to have to share her
with someone like that.
He smells of jail.
- Oh, you disgust me.
- I have a horror of you.
When I think of you,
I feel sick!
- Don't let her
stew up our game.
- What is it
that you want of me?
I told you I have to leave Paris
very soon.
- Take her with you.
Don't you see what will happen?
- That's between
the three of you.
- She is your wife.
- I carry very little
when I travel.
- That must be very convenient,
but not everyone can do it.
Some of us have to put up
with things.
- Well, I wouldn't.
I'm used to living in a decent way
among decent people.
- You know the conditions.
- As if I could...
leave him that way.
- It's all so abominably sordid.
And pitiful.
Pitiful.
- You should stay with Lois.
Just be with her.
She's your sort.
- Don't you think I long to?
So that I can be rid of you
once and for all.
And let you stay with your sort,
your convict husband.
Ah.
Don't you think it's time
we rejoined our companions?
He went off, did he?
- He went off.
- Thank God.
- Are you going alone?
I've had enough, too!
Up to here!
- So now we know.
- You've got to take me away
with you.
Away from them.
Please help me.
- You must think
I'm Jesus Christ.
So all the time you came
to visit me in jail,
you were Heidler's mistress.
You just came to laugh at me,
well put away behind the bars.
- Don't leave me, Stephan.
You're all I have.
Please.
Help me.
- Tell me...
when you were living
in the hotel...
Heidler came to visit you.
When did he come? Huh? Often?
No!
I don't remember.
It doesn't matter!
- It doesn't matter.
You're funny, you.
You have a special way
of looking at things.
- He said he had a horror of me.
And when he thought of me,
he felt sick.
Be kind to me, Stephan.
Be good to me.
Because I'm unhappy that I think
I'm going to die of it.
- Unhappy?
Of course you're unhappy.
Can't you see that this man,
who is at the end of his love,
this bag of bluff,
he just wants you as a sort of dessert
to finish off his meal?
My poor Mado.
Poor Mado.
- No, don't touch me.
Don't kiss me.
That isn't what I want.
- Then what is it you want?
Alright, I'll help you.
Only, do this.
Send a pneumatique to Heidler,
tell him to come here.
Say you have to speak to him urgently.
Go on, do it now.
- And then?
- Then [I'll be waiting for him.
- You must be mad.
- He's made a fool of you.
He forgot me when he did that.
I'll be waiting for him.
I'll jump on him from behind the door
and break his back!
- You are mad!
- Go on, send a pneumatique.
I'll come with you.
- No!
- You poor thing, you.
What fools women are.
And it isn't only that they are
beasts and traitors,
but they are such fools!
Well, stay here and weep.
I'll go and find Heidler myself.
Look here. You see this?
You thought I was well put away
behind the bars.
Wait a bit. Let me pass.
- No!
- Let me pass!
- No! You think
I'd let you touch him?!
I love him. I love him!
You think I care for you?
Not this much!
It's him. I love him! Heidler!
- Will you get away
from that door?
- You shan't go!
If you go, I'll call the police!
I'll go straight to the police station
and give you up!
No!
Ah!
- Take me with you.
- No, I don't want anyone.
I'm late. Please leave me alone.
- Take me with you.
- I don't have any money.
- Well, I have some.
- I'm going to miss my train.
Please.
- I know a little hotel
in Amsterdam where we can stay.
Come. Hurry up.
- Stephan!
- Never mind, mademoiselle.
There are hundreds like them.
I must explain to you,
mademoiselle...
...that I am an old-fashioned
sort of person.
You can call me conservative
or traditionalist if you like,
but I believe in the family.
Parents and grandparents,
grandchildren, children.
Nowadays...
people live in a dirty way.
There's no tradition.
There's nothing beautiful.
Difuze