Song of Freedom (1936) - full transcript
A black British dockworker named Johnny Zinga becomes a famous singer and learns that he is the rightful king of the African island of Casanga.
(bright music)
(moves into upbeat music)
(moves into tribal music)
(natives chanting)
(Queen Zinga laughing)
- So you would be king, Nogwala.
You would take Zinga's throne.
All right, you shall be king
for one minute before you die.
(Queen Zinga laughs)
Kill!
- Please, please!
(woman screams)
(native shouting)
(natives speaking in foreign language)
(natives shouting)
(dramatic music)
(soft music)
(native speaking in foreign language)
(man snoring)
- What do you want?
(Nogwala speaking in foreign language)
What's that?
(Nogwala speaking in foreign language)
Oh, Pele, Pele, Pele.
What's he talking about?
(Pele and Nogwala speaking
in foreign language)
- They say they want to come with you.
- Oh.
- They ran away from Zinga on the island.
He's our son.
There have been a killing going on.
- A killing, eh?
- Are the oars ready?
What have you got here?
- They want to take a trip along with us.
- Well, they seem all right?
- All right?
Royal blood, me lad.
Go on, get them along.
Get them along before
they change their mind.
(Pele speaking in foreign language)
(soft)
(slaves chattering and shouting)
(tribal music)
(singing in foreign language)
(majestic music)
(chains clanging)
(machinery whirring)
- Hey!
Monty, come over here.
- [Bert] What do you want?
- Come over here.
- What's the matter now?
You leave a man alone five minutes?
- Five minutes, well, you
ain't done any work all day.
Go on, get on with it, get all of it.
Go on, put a jerk in it?
- You done always give me the heavy end.
- Are you going to help me
with this or are you not?
- How can I help you when
you're sitting down on it?
- I asked you a straightforward question.
I expect a straightforward answer.
- I straightforward
you myself in a minute.
- All right, Samson.
Get down there.
- Oh!
(Monty groaning)
What's the matter with you?
That's light as a feather.
Blinking elephant's feathers,
that's what I call that.
(horn blows)
♪ They're calling for freedom ♪
♪ They're calling for freedom ♪
♪ And the forests are filled
with a whispering silent song ♪
♪ To the heart of the wanderer ♪
- Ain't there any more to that song?
You keep on singing the same little bit.
- I don't know any more.
- Well, it sounds like him to me.
Where'd you hear it?
- Don't remember.
It's been in the back of my head
since I was a little fellow.
- Was you ever a little fellow?
(dock workers laughing)
- [Bert] I read in the papers
this morning about a man.
- [Paparazzi] Oh, Mr.
Donozetti, I heard the delegate-
(paparazzi chattering)
- Now look here, of
course, I see a report.
Now one moment.
Perhaps you'd like to hear
what the papers have to say
about my work in Berlin.
- You go and find the car.
I'll give him a wave before
he invites them all to dinner.
Go and find the car.
- Yes.
- Just a second.
No, here's a really good one.
- What about the new opera?
- Which one?
I have one, two, three, four, five.
- Excuse me, gentlemen.
Mr. Donozetti has an
important appointment in town.
- The fifth opera which I am now composing
will be a masterpiece.
- What's it called?
- You'll read all about it in the papers.
- No good to me, I never read the paper.
- Wise man, neither do I.
♪ Joshua fit the battle of Jericho ♪
♪ And the walls come a-tumblin' down ♪
♪ Joshua fit the battle of
Jericho, Jericho, Jericho ♪
♪ Joshua fit the battle of Jericho ♪
♪ And the walls com a-tumblin' down ♪
♪ Up to the walls of Jericho
he marched with spear in hand ♪
♪ Go blow them ram horns, Joshua cried ♪
♪ 'Cause the battle am in my hand ♪
♪ Then the lamb ram sheep
horns begin to blow ♪
♪ Trumpets begin to sound ♪
♪ Joshua commanded the children to shout ♪
♪ And the walls come a-tumblin' down ♪
♪ Joshua fit the battle of
Jericho, Jericho, Jericho ♪
♪ Joshua fit the battle of Jericho ♪
♪ And the walls come a-tumblin' down ♪
- Listen!
- Huh?
- What's the matter?
- What an amazing voice!
What, it's unique.
Never have I heard such a voice.
There he is.
A colored man.
Look, I must speak to him.
I must find out who it is.
- Oh, you can't stop it now.
- You can't be talking to village people
in the middle of the day.
- Rubbish.
- Of course not, it's absurd.
- A voice like that can
be interviewed anywhere.
To hear a voice like that and to lose it,
it is a crime, a blasted crime.
Don't argue with me like that.
Don't argue, do as I tell you.
There, we've lost him.
(dock workers laughing)
- Hello, boys, how are you?
- Got any champagne?
- What?
- I said, have you got any champagne?
- Yes.
- Good, then mind us a beer.
(dock workers laughing)
Same for you!
- [Barkeep] Where to this time, Eddy?
- Africa, pushing out tonight.
- Going to Africa?
Which part?
- West Coast, know it?
- No.
- What part do you come from then?
- I don't know.
Wish I did.
- He's at it again, the
same old subject, Africa.
- Well, they can have this blooming ship
as far as I'm concerned,
I've just got supplies.
(barkeep laughs)
Well, so long now.
- That's it, old Eddy boy!
Fetch us back a parrot, will ya?
(patrons chattering)
- Have another?
- Huh?
No, thanks.
- So you'll sing songs
tomorrow night, Johnny?
- Of course he's coming in.
We're all coming in, I'm
bringing my girl to dinner!
- Is that so?
Then I'm going to bring my chopper.
- Go on, have another one.
- No, I'll be getting along.
- Oh, there's plenty of time.
- Well, if you don't mind,
Ruth'll have my dinner ready.
And I don't like to keep her waiting.
- That's just where you
make your mistake, my lad.
The more you keep them waiting,
the more they like you.
Now, look at me.
I go home when I like.
I stay out when I like.
And my Nell, she feeds out of me hand.
If I like to stay here all eve-
- Bert Puddick, dinner.
So long.
(patrons laughing)
- Hey, boy, I thought you
were going to always do
what you wanted to do.
- Well, you've got to give in sometime.
- That's all right, Bert.
You're just like the rest of us.
The women start talking,
and we just got to do what they say.
- I wouldn't even give a
penny for your thoughts, John.
- Wouldn't you?
- No.
I know what they are.
- Met a fellow in the pub coming home.
Sailing for Africa tonight.
They'll be casting off about now.
In a week or two, he'll be on the coast.
- Africa.
It's always Africa, isn't it, John?
- After all, that's my home.
That's where we come from.
I wonder which part.
I'm always wondering.
Perhaps there.
Or there.
What wouldn't I give to know?
- But you're happy here.
The people are kind.
- Oh, I know.
Well, they're grand people,
Bert and Nell and the
fellows down at the docks.
But somewhere in those
parts are our people, Ruth.
And I've got a feeling
they're grand people too,
the people we belong to.
I even know the direction it lies.
This window points right south.
If we could see hundreds
and hundreds of miles.
It's funny.
That fellow didn't want to go.
It's natural.
He's leaving his people
to go out among strangers.
He'll be sort of out of place.
Lonely, maybe.
However hard I try,
I always feel the same here, out of place.
Wouldn't it be grand if
one of these days we could-
Why, honey, what's the matter?
- You'll never be satisfied here, John.
Whatever I do to make this home,
it'll never be really
home to you, will it?
Perhaps it's my fault.
- Honey, you can't say things like that.
You know you mean everything to me.
- Not everything, John.
- Now, now.
- I, I can't take you to Africa.
But, but if there's anything
in this world I can do for you-
There's one thing you can do right now.
Oh, Monty, now look what
you've been and gone and done.
- Now, be sure we don't
lose none of them pieces.
- I've given all this time
trying to put it together.
(Bert laughing)
It's nothing to laugh at, Bert.
You have properly broken
it this time, haven't ya?
♪ There's a sleepy river I know ♪
♪ Down that sleepy river we'll go ♪
♪ Under the crowd of stars in the sky ♪
♪ We'll watch the clouds
roll drowsily by ♪
♪ Where the breezes murmur a song ♪
♪ While the moonlight dreams ♪
♪ We'll keep driftin' lazily on ♪
♪ Down a river of dreams ♪
♪ Down a river of dreams ♪
♪ I'll be always holding your hand ♪
♪ As we sail to lullaby land ♪
♪ Just close your eyes
and peacefully doze ♪
♪ Follow the tide wherever it blows ♪
♪ There's a silver moon in the sky ♪
♪ Starlight softly gleams ♪
♪ Let the world go sleepily by ♪
♪ Down the river of dreams ♪
♪ Down the river of dreams ♪
(John and Ruth humming)
(upbeat music)
- No!
I'm very cross with you, Marian.
You should not have done it.
Now, how long have you been with me?
- Four years.
- Exactly, four years.
And how often have I been
cross with you before?
- Four years.
- Ooh!
(speaking in foreign language) Oh!
- Should I finish this letter now?
- Yes.
No, stop that tap, tap, tap, tap, tapping!
Drive me crazy!
- After all, there are
plenty of other singers.
What about the, the, tenor from-
- Plenty of other singers, yes, I know.
They come to me in the hundreds.
And they're roaring like
lions or cooing like,
like the gentlemen of the harem.
And when I hear a voice like this,
a voice that one hears once in a, in a-
- Lifetime.
- You see, we cannot stop!
Dinner is waiting.
Dinner! (spits)
- After all, he's only a colored man.
- Only a colored man.
What does it matter the color of the skin
when he has color in his voice?
Power, beauty!
I go find him.
I must find that man.
I cannot live until I find, go find him.
- I say, do you think we ought to-
I mean, if he's going-
- Don't worry, he'll be back in a minute.
- I say, what's that you
got on your third finger?
- A rubber band I got off a package.
- Oh!
- Why?
- Oh, nothing, nothing.
It gave me quite a...
I'd say, it is hot in here, isn't it?
- Mr. Donozetti's car, please.
I expect you'll find him quite easily.
I should think they all know him.
Why not try the do dock master?
- Yes, that's a very good idea.
I say, it's a jolly funny thing
about that rubber ring thing, wasn't it?
On your finger, I mean?
- Was it?
- Course I didn't think
it was anything else.
Course I didn't, on your finger like that.
No, no, no, not on that finger anyway.
Only I did think that-
(Marian sighs)
Course if, if it had
been the other finger-
- If he waits any longer
for you, he'll burst.
- Heh.
(crowd murmuring)
(piano music)
- Johnny, you've got
that tune on the brain.
- Wish I could get it.
- That reminds me of Africa.
They go on like that for hours and hours.
Do you come from Africa?
- I wasn't born there.
Most of us colored folks
come from there originally.
- Yeah, we've got rhythm deep down inside.
(lively music)
Whoa!
Now, you're going to ruin it.
- You don't seem to appreciate good music
when you hear it, Monty.
- Yeah, I appreciate it, all right.
But I just don't like it.
- All right, let's get started.
Order, please.
Quiet, please.
Ladies and gentlemen,
we are now about to begin our sing song.
I've got a good program
for you this evening.
(patrons shouting)
All right, all right.
- Did you say he was a colored man?
- Yes.
- Big fellow?
- Yes.
- Wearing a dark suit?
- Yes.
- Well, there's about
200 like that down here.
- Yes, but my dear fellow,
they're not all singers, surely.
- Oh, it's a singer you're looking for?
- But of course.
Who else but a singer should
I, Donozetti, be looking for?
- Donozetti?
Oh, pleased to meet you, sir.
- Thanks very much, but-
- Matter of fact, I got a daughter.
She's very ought at this here crooning.
Everybody says she ought
to go on the stage,
you know, with one of them dance bands.
I suppose there's no chance?
- Chance?
Oh, explain to the idiot.
Explain.
- Mr. Donozetti doesn't keep a dance band.
He presents an opera.
- Oh, that.
Can't think of anybody as
I could recommend for that.
Except John Zinga, perhaps.
Now, there's a voice,
if you want to hear one.
- And who's John Zinga?
- One of the darkies
here, great big fella.
Sings all day long.
- That must be the man.
Where can I find him?
- Well, they're having
a bit of a sing song
over in the Crown and Anchor.
I expect he'll be there.
- Crown and Anchor, that's
probably the local hotel.
Where is it?
- Over there, can't you hear them?
- Come along, come along.
- Thank you very much.
(audience cheers and applauds)
- Quiet, please, quiet.
Ladies and gentlemen,
there's something I know
you'd all like to hear.
I have much pleasure in
announcing the next item
on our program this evening.
It will be your old friend, Johnny Zinga!
Give us a song!
(audience cheers and applauds)
Come on, Johnny boy!
♪ I've been tramping all the day ♪
♪ Underneath the skies of gray ♪
♪ But the home I'm heading
for seems far away ♪
♪ Lonely road, I'm weary and beat ♪
♪ You hard and stonely road,
you're burning my feet ♪
♪ As I go tramp, tramp, trampin' on ♪
♪ Heading for I don't know where ♪
♪ Lonely road, you're getting me down ♪
♪ 'Cause you're the only road
that leads to the town. ♪
♪ I've got to tramp, tramp, tramp along ♪
♪ Draggin' my load of despair ♪
♪ I don't know or care where you go to ♪
♪ I'm lonely and sad as can be ♪
♪ Got no pal to shout a hello to ♪
♪ There's only my shadow and me ♪
♪ Lonely road, please come to an end ♪
♪ You dark and lonely road,
I'm counting each bend ♪
♪ As I go tramp, tramp, trampin' on ♪
♪ Headin' for I don't know where ♪
♪ Lonely road, I'm weary and beat ♪
♪ You hard and stonely road,
you're burning my feet ♪
♪ As I go tramp, tramp, trampin' on ♪
♪ Heading for I don't know where ♪
♪ Lonely road, you're getting me down ♪
♪ 'Cause you're the only road
that leads to the town. ♪
♪ I've got to tramp, tramp, tramp along ♪
♪ Draggin' my load of despair ♪
♪ I don't know or care where you go to ♪
♪ I'm lonely and sad as can be ♪
♪ Got no pal to shout a hello to ♪
♪ There's only my shadow and me ♪
♪ Lonely road, please come to an end ♪
♪ You dark and lonely road,
I'm counting each bend ♪
♪ As I go tramp, tramp, trampin' on ♪
♪ Heading for for I don't know where ♪
(audience applauds)
- My friend, you have a wonderful voice.
I am lucky to have heard it.
You are lucky too, I am Donozetti.
Come and see me tomorrow, we will talk.
- But I am working at the docks.
- You'll see no more of the docks.
With me, you have a great future.
Your wife, huh?
- Yes, but-
- Oh, I congratulate you both.
You have the world before you
with a voice like that, oh!
Bring him to me tomorrow,
you'll see what I can do.
- Do you mean he could
earn his living by singing?
- Make a living, oh, a career.
A fortune.
It's agreed, tomorrow
at my hotel, 11:00, huh?
Here is my card.
(Donozetti speaking in foreign language)
(dramatic music)
- John, take your hat off.
- Yes?
- The gentleman asked us to call.
- Which gentleman?
Appointment?
- Yes, sir.
- This way.
- Don't call him sir.
- No, what shall I call him?
- Call him nothin'.
- These people want to see Mr. Donozetti.
- Name, please?
- Mr. John Zinga.
- And Mrs. Zinga.
- Wait.
Take a seat.
There, 11 o'clock, he has not come.
We should have sent for him.
(bell rings)
(claps) Huh, answer the phone.
Answer quickly!
Answer, answer.
Yes?
- Yes.
- Yes, send him up at once, please.
There you are, he's here.
- Ah, he has come!
I'm so happy.
Now, if I've not found a
great artist, a real artist,
I am not Donozetti.
(calm music)
Mr. And Mrs. John Zinga.
(Donozetti speaking in foreign language)
- Oh, my friends, at last.
I thought you were never coming.
Look after the lady.
I'm delighted to see you.
I cannot tell you what a joy it is to me.
We'll waste no time.
To work at once.
Now, come along.
A note, Blaney.
(Donozetti singing)
Come along, come along,
come along, come along.
(John singing)
No! Stop.
The breathing is all wrong.
You see, the method for the breathing-
they come from the diaphragm.
So, and the voice, it come from here.
So you see, voice, breathing.
Breathing, voice.
Now, again, another note.
♪ Me ♪
♪ Mee ♪
- No, no, no, chin up, so, so.
Now again.
♪ Me, ahh ♪
♪ Ahh ♪
- And now, we will try a scale.
(Donozetti singing)
(piano music)
- You want me to do that?
- Yes, please.
(John singing)
(piano music)
- Good.
Not let's go higher.
(Donozetti and John singing)
- I came here to sing,
not to make these noises.
- But my dear fellow,
Mr. Donozetti really wants to help you.
It's part of your training.
- I don't want any training.
You smack me in the stomach,
and I sing, la, la, la.
Always been able to sing on the docks
without being smacked in the stomach.
And what's more, I can't
sing with all this stuff on.
I like to be comfortable.
I'm not a tailor's dummy.
- John.
- Well, if they want me to
sing, I've got to be free,
not trussed up like a chicken.
Can I sing you a song
instead of this la, la, la.
- That will come later.
- I don't like this, I want to go home.
- But John, you must be patient.
This gentleman only wants
to do something for you.
- What can you do for me?
- I can teach you to sing.
- I can sing already.
I sing because I like it.
- With me, you'll have a career.
- I'm earning my living
all right on the docks.
- You're finished with the docks.
Now, wouldn't you like
to have money to spend,
money to buy beautiful
things for your wife,
everything she wants?
- John, we might even be able to travel.
- Yes, travel.
We go to all the great
cities for you to sing!
- Travel.
- Perhaps some day, we might even-
do you think he'll ever go to Africa?
- Someday even Africa, perhaps.
It's quite possible.
Your home?
- Somewhere out there.
I don't know where.
I don't even know which
people I belong to.
But I've always wanted to go there.
I might be able to find out.
- But this may be your chance, John.
- Big doors, big rooms,
big houses, big countries.
- John, we are not afraid, are we?
- All right.
What do you want me to do?
- Ah, that's better.
There will be much to do.
Work, practice, and lots of
♪ La, la, la, la, la, la, la. ♪
♪ La, la, la, la, la, la. ♪
♪ La, la, la, la, la, la, la. ♪
♪ La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la. ♪
(lively music)
♪ Stepping stones, help
me cross the river ♪
♪ To that other shore that
my soul is longing for ♪
♪ The land of my dreams ♪
♪ Stepping stones, guide
me to that quiet forest, ♪
♪ Cool and deep, where the
trees are lulled to sleep ♪
♪ By murmuring streams ♪
♪ Lead me to woodland shadows
away from the noisy town ♪
♪ Away from this mighty whirlpool ♪
♪ That's tryin' to drag me down. ♪
♪ Stepping stones, help
me cross the river ♪
♪ Where the rapids roar,
lead me to home once more ♪
♪ My kingdom of dreams ♪
(lively music)
(audience applauds)
(door knocking)
- Finale, please.
Finale, please.
- Final fit, boss.
I wouldn't mind more like it myself.
And I always say it takes a good suit
to set off a fine figure.
- Can I come in?
- Hello.
What are you doing here?
Enjoying yourself, honey?
I should say I am.
It's one of the finest
parts I've seen you in.
You're marvelous.
- I'm even enjoying it myself.
Strange that I should
be playing this part,
a black ruler who built
an empire of slaves.
I'll be happy when this
act is finished, though.
This is the hard one.
- You've nothing to worry about.
- Superb!
Magnificent, my friend.
Congratulations,
congratulations everywhere!
And they've not yet seen the finale,
where you will surpass yourself.
- The curtain's just going up.
We'd better get back to our seats.
- Yes, not a second to miss.
Come along, quick, quick.
- Bravo, got everything
you want, Mr. Zinga?
- Yes, thanks, Monty's
looking after me all right.
- No, Mr. Blane, just don't you interfere
with my department.
- I was only trying to-
Absolutely magnificent!
- All right, Monty, we'd
better be getting ready.
(audience murmuring)
(door knocking)
- Mr. Zinga, please.
All right.
Come on, boss, there's no
need to get nervous, boss.
You got plenty of time.
- Come along, John, it's
getting near your entrance.
- All right, I'm just coming.
Have I got everything, Monty?
- Yes, boss.
- My disk?
- What is it, what is it?
- My mascot.
- He certainly couldn't
go without that, boss.
- And now, my friend.
You must sing as you've never sung before.
And remember, at the last cut,
you will have to make a speech.
- No, no, I'm no good at making speeches.
- Rubbish.
With the triumph that will be yours,
it doesn't matter what you
say, but speak, you must.
And now my friend, go.
Show them what you can do.
Show them what Donozetti has done!
("Death Scene")
♪ The trees have spears for branches ♪
♪ And men have hands to kill ♪
♪ Even the birds are jeering ♪
♪ I who am emperor hastened and hid ♪
♪ Even the skies are
frowning, hatred has a face ♪
♪ A hand with which to kill ♪
♪ The trees, they leer at me,
the leaves whisper death ♪
♪ I cannot die, for I am a god ♪
♪ Come if you dare ♪
♪ I was your emperor and now you hate me ♪
♪ The bushes creep towards
me, I see them sway ♪
♪ No one dares to slay a
king, except the king ♪
♪ And as a king, I die ♪
(gun bangs)
(audience cheers and applauds)
- Bravo!
- Bravo!
- Bravo, John!
- Bravo!
- Bravo!
- Ladies and gentlemen,
I thank you very much.
I can't make a speech, but-
- Well, sing us a song then!
(audience cheers and applauds)
- I'd like to sing you
a fragment of a song
which I've never sung in public before.
I really don't know it,
but I'll try and put some words to it.
- What's he doing?
I told him to make a speech.
♪ I hear the voice of my people ♪
♪ I hear the voice of my people ♪
♪ There's a call from the south ♪
♪ That shall ring over mountain and sea ♪
♪ They are calling for freedom ♪
♪ They are calling for freedom ♪
♪ And the forests are filled ♪
♪ With a whispering sigh of their song ♪
♪ And to the heart of the wanderer ♪
♪ And to the heart of
the wanderer there is ♪
- I've heard that song before somewhere.
And I can't think where.
(audience cheers and applauds)
(Donozetti speaking in foreign language)
- Well I say, I'm most frightfully sorry.
- Don't mention it, you ought
to have done it months ago.
- Then you mean you-
- The most extraordinary experience
which I've ever been
privileged to witness.
But tell me, what was that song you
were trying to sing just now?
- I don't really know.
- Ah?
- It must be,
but I know what that means
to those people out there.
Somehow that song I was
singing means as much to me.
I can't understand it, but I know.
(patrons chattering)
- Excuse me.
He appreciates your, your enthusiasm.
But it's not good for him.
This air, this atmosphere,
is too stuffy, too hot.
We have to look after him, he's delicate.
Please, gentlemen.
(fans murmuring)
- Hello, Ruth, how are you, duchess?
Aren't you proud of him?
- Don't talk, well, of course she is.
- Don't talk with yourself,
you put that down, yeah.
Blimey, they're running
like a lot of rats.
- Bert, I'm glad to see you.
And you too, Nell.
- I thought you might
like to have a moment
with your old friends.
I'll look after these people.
It's been wonderful.
- What about the old docks now, John?
- I often think of them, Bert.
- Gentlemen to see you, boss.
Sir James Pyrie, very important.
Come in, sir.
- Mr. Zinga, I hope I'm not intruding.
My name's Pyrie.
- Glad to see you.
Won't you sit down?
- Sir James.
Come on, old girl, we better be off.
- Think you're right there.
- I think we better be going now, John.
Good night, Ruth.
- Good night, Bert.
- Good night, my lordship.
- I am an explorer and
somewhat of an anthropologist.
My reason for coming out tonight
is I'm rather curious about
that song you sang at the end.
Where did you hear it?
- I never heard it.
Seems to have been born in me somehow.
- Strange you should sing it tonight.
It strikes a chord of
memory in me somewhere.
Perhaps you've heard it
from your own people.
You're from Africa?
- No, he was born in London.
- I don't know which part
my people come from at all.
- [Pyrie] Oh, that's extraordinary.
- The only link of any
kind I have is this,
belonged to my father.
Came to him from his grandfather.
I think it's a slave talon.
- Ooh, let me see, let me see.
Casanga.
I've got it.
- You know what it is?
- Yes.
And it's also given me
the clue to that tune.
Casanga.
That's it.
- Casanga?
- Yes.
An island off the west coast of Africa.
I remember it all quite clearly now.
That's where I heard it.
It's the King's Song,
the sacred Song of
Freedom of their people.
I'm probably the only white
man who's ever heard it.
And I was very lucky
to escape with my life.
And you've never been there?
- No, never.
- My friend, this disk is the
symbol of kingship in Casanga.
Do you know you're probably
a direct descendant
of Queen Zinga?
- You mean I come from Casanga?
- Undoubtedly.
When Queen Zinga died
and her son disappeared,
the witch doctors gained
ascendancy over the island.
They sold their trees to the
unscrupulous slave traders.
And ever since, the islanders
suffered terrible drought
because there's nothing
to attract the clouds.
The people still dominated
by these witch doctors
will never allow the white
man to come near them.
And so they are still backward,
uncivilized, impoverished.
- But if I am their king,
they would let me help
them, wouldn't they?
- If you could prove you are their king.
Heaven knows they need someone
to help them in their ignorance.
- Ruth,
at last.
I always thought we should know someday.
Casanga.
Our home, our people.
- Wonderful, wonderful
news, a big contract.
New York wants you, the
Metropolitan Opera House.
- I'm sorry, Mr. Donozetti, I can't go.
- Oh, you will have your little joke.
Now, let's talk business.
- But John is quite
serious, Mr. Donozetti.
Something's happened that
makes everything different now.
- Who's this?
- What do you mean?
My name is Pyrie.
I'm afraid I brought
some rather momentous
news to our friend here
that perhaps I'd better leave
you to talk this matter over.
If I can help you in any way, let me know.
You have my card, yes, good night.
- News?
- News I've been waiting for all my life.
You know, I've always
wondered who my people are.
At last I know.
And soon, I'll be going to them.
- Going to them?
You mean leave me?
Give up your career?
Oh, but you're mad, crazy, insane.
Madam, talk to him, make him
see reason, I implore you.
- But my husband isn't mad, Mr. Donozetti.
Something bigger than his
success has come to him tonight.
He may come back later.
But he's got to go now.
- But you're joking.
Tell me you're joking.
- No, I'm not joking.
- This is madness.
Crazy!
Mad!
- You'll come with me, Ruth?
(tribal music)
(villagers chattering)
(native speaking in foreign language)
(tense music)
Do any of you speak English?
Can you understand what I say?
You are my people.
I have come from across
the seas to be with you.
I am Zinga.
- Show them the disk, John.
- Stranger, what do you want with us?
You who call yourself Zinga.
- I am no stranger.
I'm of your race, your blood.
And even more than that, I am your king.
- Our king?
You think you are a king
because you come to us dressed
up in a white man's clothes.
- But he brings you knowledge
from the great countries over the sea.
It's not for himself
that he wants to be king.
Why, all his life,
his face has been turned
towards this island.
There's so much he wants to do for you.
- So we shall see what he can do for us.
Let him come and take salt with us.
Later, we shall have
more of this king palava.
(natives speaking in foreign language)
- Come on, Monty.
(tense music)
(children laughing)
(villagers shouting)
Can we have a hut?
My wife is tired.
(villagers speaking in foreign language)
(crowd murmurs)
So this is the kingdom
I've brought you to.
- Don't say that, John.
This is only the beginning.
You'll be able to change all this in time.
- I wonder.
It's so difficult.
Everything is so different
from what I expected.
It's all so primitive.
- But they're your people, John.
The people you've always longed for.
The worse things are, the
more you can help them.
- You're right.
It's got to be changed.
It's not going to be easy,
but once they accept me, we'll start work.
Where is Monty?
(villagers laughing)
- Boss, if I wasn't here,
there's one thing I'd do.
- What?
- Resign.
And Missus, there's just one thing
you were sure right about.
- Well?
- Yes, ma'am.
When you said not to pack
the boss's dress suit.
- (laughing) Well, we may a
swell try to make ourselves
as comfortable as we can.
- I don't mind being uncomfortable.
It's the discomfort that's worrying me.
(villagers chanting and crying)
(villager speaking in foreign language)
- What's the matter with
him, what are they doing?
- He is dead.
- Dead?
But he was alive, he was moving.
- He has a sickness which
is death, it is the same.
(villager speaking in foreign language)
- Wait a minute.
What happens in there,
what do you do for him?
- He is with the others for
whom nothing can be done.
- You mean to say you
leave him in there to die?
- The hand is already upon them.
- Stay here a minute, will you, Ruth?
I'm going inside there.
- But what's in that place?
- As far as I can see,
a sort of living death.
(villager speaking in foreign language)
(villagers moaning)
(villager speaking in foreign language)
Listen, Ruth, these
fellows have got the fever,
and they're just stuck in there
without any effort to save them.
We brought some quinine
with us, didn't we?
- Yes.
- Will you go and get it?
Monty, go and get some water,
will you, gallons of it.
Those poor devils in there
haven't got anything at all.
- Yes, boss.
- And who are you to
interfere in this matter?
- Well, those men aren't dead yet.
And something ought to be done for them.
- This is the custom of the people!
- Endobo is a wise man.
And even they are beyond his medicine.
- That may be.
But in the country where I come from,
people are saved when
fever's much worse than that.
And I'm going to see what I can do.
- Take care, stranger.
Only the spirits welcome
those who enter there.
- I don't want to interfere
with your customs.
But a lot of these lives could be saved.
This hut ought to be burnt down
and another one built up on the
hill, away from the village.
I'll see what I can do now.
And later on, I'll send
for some more medicine
so that we can fight this fever.
- [Monty] That's the
best I can find, boss.
They ain't got none in
sanitation in this place.
- We can't give them that,
that would be the end.
- Try and get a fire going, will you,
and see if we can boil it clean.
- [Monty] Yes, boss.
- And give me a call when you get back.
- [Monty] Yes, boss.
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
- And how are things going?
- Well, I did everything I could, but-
- You have not eaten.
- That's very kind of you.
And what's your name?
- I am Mandingo.
- Seems we have a friend at last.
'Cause I am your friend that I'm here.
- And you have come to help us?
- In the only way I can.
- Then you believe that he is your king?
- If he be a Zinga, he is indeed a king.
- But I am Zinga.
That I believe, but yet the
heart of Mandingo is heavy
because you have come.
- Should not a king come to
bring help to his people?
- You are a stranger to them.
Although you are of our
color, you are not of us.
The lion that's not bred in the jungle
does not know the jungle ways.
- You speak truly.
But I have more than jungle
ways to bring to you.
I have learned much from
the people across the sea,
their wisdom, their
government, their medicine.
- The medicine of Endobo
is greater than that any man can teach.
- That is not true, Mandingo.
Have you not seen the ships
that move without oars?
Can Endobo make such magic?
- Our people do not wish for great ships.
We do not need them.
- Perhaps not.
But there are greater wonders than those,
machines to till your
land and sow your crops.
I can bring them to you.
And how many of your people have died
from famine and disease?
Does Endobo keep them alive?
That's what I'm here for.
Tell your people if they
will accept me as their king,
I will do these things and much more.
- Zinga, I am your man.
But while Endobo rules,
there can be no king.
(villagers chanting)
(tribal music)
- What's he doing, John?
- The usual business, scaring
the mind of those poor fellows
with superstitious nonsense.
That's what's keeping them back.
What's Endobo saying?
- He is saying that the spirits are angry
that you've come to the island.
He's telling the people
they must drive you away.
- Oh, is he?
- Be careful, John.
- I've got to put a stop
to this straight away.
Don't you see, honey?
If they think I'm afraid,
we'll never get anywhere.
- Don't go into that circle.
- Why not?
- It is taboo.
It would mean death for you.
- Death.
Suppose they think it means death too.
Well, let them see.
(villagers chanting)
(tribal music)
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
(villagers shouting)
Now you can tell them, tell
them that all this is finished.
Tell them that I am their king
and that I bring them a better magic,
a magic which they can all learn.
Tell them if they will trust me,
that there is much we can do together,
that we can become a great people.
(Mandingo and Endobo
speaking in foreign language)
- So, stranger from over the
sea, you claim to be our king.
Therefore, you insult our gods
and boast of the mighty
things that you will do.
There goes some of your magic.
(villagers chanting)
(tribal music)
Yesterday, you gave them medicine
and said they would live.
But in the night, he died.
And now, they carry him off to burial.
Does all your magic end in this manner?
- I did what I could for
him, but I was too late.
There's no need for men to
die because they have fever.
If the people will help me, we
will do away with death huts.
We will make clean places
where the sick can be cured.
We will take the poisons out of the water
which brings these fevers.
(Endobo laughs)
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
(villagers laughing)
(villager speaking in foreign language)
- Empana speaks wisely.
He says if you can do
such magic with water,
can you then bring us rain?
- Rain?
- Yes, for many moons there
has been a drought in the land.
Our cattle have died, and
our crops do not grow.
If with your wisdom you can bring rain,
then perhaps the people will
listen to this king palava.
- I can't do that.
But this I can do.
If the people will put their trust in me,
when the rain comes, as come it will,
I can teach them how to save the rain.
I will show them how to make great basins
which will water their fields
when the rains have gone.
(villagers speaking in foreign language)
- They say you are not their king,
that you can do nothing but promise.
- Endobo, I know you hate my husband
because you feel in your heart
that he is indeed a Zinga.
Therefore you ask him to do
what you cannot do yourself.
- This is not woman's talk.
We shall see, oh king who would be.
Tonight, you shall look
upon the power of my magic.
Then shall the people show you
if they want you king in Casanga.
(villagers chanting)
(villager shouting)
- Why, Monty, what's the matter?
- Have you seen a ghost?
- Yes, six of them.
- Come on, pull yourself together.
- Boss, let's get away from here.
I don't like it.
It's getting on my nerves.
There's something going on out there
that ain't no good to nobody.
- It's all right, Monty.
It's nothing to get scared about.
Ruth and I have just been talking it over.
She's ready to stick it out with me.
Aren't you, honey?
- There's no turning back now, Monty.
Oh, John, if we could only do something.
It's this waiting and
waiting that I can't stand.
And those horrible tom-toms
keeping on like that.
They make me feel as
though I want to scream.
Oh, John, I'm sorry.
- It's all right, honey.
It's just one of their ceremonies.
But I'm going to find
out what it's all about.
- Oh, John, do be careful.
- [John] Mandingo.
- Say, Mister, what's all this
funny stuff going on outside?
Your gentleman friends
aren't cannibals, is they?
It's the night of the full moon,
and Endobo will leave the tribe,
and they call to the gods for rain.
There will be a great dance.
And they will sing their sacred song.
- What do they do?
That I cannot speak of
in front of a woman.
It's the law.
- Then I am going too, Mandingo.
The people shall see that
I respect their customs,
even though I may not understand them.
- You have spoken wisely.
Endobo has told them that
your fear will keep you away.
You will stand well in the dance.
Their hearts will turn towards you.
It's good.
- I don't like it, John.
Don't go, it's a trap of some kind.
Endobo means to do you some mischief.
- I must go, Ruth.
Don't you see this is my
big chance to win them over?
If they think I'm afraid,
they'll never listen to me.
If I don't do this, we might
as well pack up and go back.
And you don't want us to do that, do you?
- No.
All right, John, but try
not to make them angry.
- I'll be all right.
- Boss, just a minute.
- What is it, Monty?
- I've been hiding this
up, you'd better take it.
- No, Monty, that's not the way.
These are my own people,
I can't shoot them down.
You stay and look after Ruth.
We don't need things like that.
(villagers chanting)
(tribal music)
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
- So you dare to come to the
sacred ceremony of the people.
- Why should I fear, I'm not a woman.
I have a right to be here.
It is the law.
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
(villagers shouting)
- They challenge your right to be here.
And they say if you're their
king, prove your kingship
by leading them in the dance.
- Endobo, you know that
I don't know your dance
or this custom of the people.
But you also know that this is not magic
and cannot help them.
Mandingo, you will speak to them for me.
You will tell them that I have proof
that Endobo's magic is
false and that they will-
- Be silent!
Or I'll whither you where you stand.
So you are a Zinga.
And you do not know the dance.
All right, then you shall learn.
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
(villagers chanting)
(tribal music)
- It's no good, Monty.
I can't stay here.
- You mustn't go up the
hill with them fellows.
Didn't you hear what the foreman said?
- I know, but I've got to see somebody.
I'll go and find the women,
they've been kind to me.
If I stay in this place, I'll go mad.
- Mad?
I'm just plum crazy already.
(villagers chanting)
(tribal music)
- Tell me what's going on up there.
What's happening?
(villagers chanting)
(tribal music)
John, John!
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
- Now shall be sung the sacred song,
the song that no stranger has ever heard.
The King Song, the Song of Muzeah.
They say if you're indeed their king,
it is for you to lead them.
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
(villagers chanting)
(tribal music)
(Ruth screams)
- John!
(villagers shouting)
(Ruth screams)
♪ There's a sleepy river I know ♪
♪ Down that sleepy river we'll go ♪
♪ We'll make our dreams
of happiness blend ♪
♪ Into a dream that never shall end ♪
♪ We will find our haven at last ♪
♪ Where the sunlight beams ♪
♪ When our long, long journey's passed ♪
♪ Down the river of dreams ♪
♪ Down the river of dreams ♪
(villagers shouting)
- My wife, what are they
going to do with her?
Come on, tell me.
- She is a woman.
She looked upon that which is forbidden.
It is the law.
- You mean they're going to?
They can't do it, they daren't do it.
Let them kill me.
I'm to blame, I brought her here.
Come on, do something.
Take this off, take this off!
Let me get free.
- It would be no good.
You are alone.
You can do nothing.
- Then tell Endobo to come.
I'll talk to him.
I'll tell him we'll go away.
(villagers chattering)
- Ah, you shall come with us
and see that justice is done.
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
(villagers chanting)
(tribal music)
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
(villagers shouting)
(villagers chanting)
(tribal music)
Now then Zinga, you're our king.
We place you in the king's seat.
Now, you shall act as our king.
Before you is a woman
who has broken one our ancient laws,
the penalty which has always been death.
If you are indeed king,
then you know that our
laws must be obeyed.
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
(villagers shouting)
Come now.
Let's see if you show your kingship.
Sentence that woman to death.
- Endobo, Endobo, don't do that.
Let her go, let her go free.
Do anything you like to me.
Kill me if you want!
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
(Ruth screams)
- John, help!
(John singing in foreign language)
(villagers murmuring)
- Song of Muzeah, the King's song!
He knows it!
(villagers shouting)
They say, sing on, oh King.
- Will I sing the King's song
while your Queen goes
to her death in fetters?
(Mandingo speaking in foreign language)
(villagers cheering)
♪ Just as the voice of the thunder ♪
♪ Can steal the call of the wild bird ♪
♪ So the thunder is stilled ♪
♪ By the voice of the Muzeah, the King ♪
♪ Just as the towering mountain ♪
♪ May overshadow the palm tree ♪
♪ So the mountain bows down ♪
♪ To the might of the Muzeah, the King ♪
♪ Muzeah, lead us to freedom ♪
♪ Muzeah, lead us to freedom. ♪
♪ Let the forest be filled ♪
♪ With the voice of
the Muzeah, the King. ♪
♪ Muzeah, lead us to freedom ♪
♪ Muzeah, lead us to freedom ♪
♪ For thy people bow down to
the might of Muzeah, the King ♪
♪ Just as the lion may perish ♪
♪ Upon the spear of the hunter ♪
♪ So thy pole men shall die by
the spear of Muzeah the King ♪
♪ And from the shadow of darkness ♪
♪ I lead my people to freedom ♪
♪ To the end of eternity,
I am Muzeah the King. ♪
♪ Hearing my song that my
voice may bring into my land ♪
(majestic music)
- I suppose he's just
as popular everywhere.
- Yes, everywhere.
- He's a grand fellow.
And Donozetti, he hasn't
let you down after all.
- No, he's splendid.
He makes a lot of money for me.
But for himself, nothing.
It all goes to help those people of his.
Every season, he returns to sing.
Tomorrow, he goes back again.
Until next time.
♪ Lonely road, wherever you go ♪
♪ You're not that lonely
road that I used to know ♪
♪ But I'll keep tramp,
tramp, trampin' on ♪
♪ Singin' my song till the dawn ♪
♪ Lonely road, you're rollin' ahead, ♪
♪ You hard and stonely road
that brings to my dread ♪
♪ I'll just keep tramp, tramp, trampin' ♪
♪ For someone keep drivin' me on ♪
♪ Left behind the gloomiest weather ♪
♪ The sun up above is my guide ♪
♪ Now my load's as light as a feather ♪
♪ 'Cause I've got a pal by my side ♪
♪ Lonely road, wherever you come ♪
♪ You're still the only road
that's leadin' me home ♪
♪ So we'll keep tramp,
tramp, trampin' on ♪
♪ Singin' a song till the dawn ♪
(bright music)
(moves into upbeat music)
(moves into tribal music)
(natives chanting)
(Queen Zinga laughing)
- So you would be king, Nogwala.
You would take Zinga's throne.
All right, you shall be king
for one minute before you die.
(Queen Zinga laughs)
Kill!
- Please, please!
(woman screams)
(native shouting)
(natives speaking in foreign language)
(natives shouting)
(dramatic music)
(soft music)
(native speaking in foreign language)
(man snoring)
- What do you want?
(Nogwala speaking in foreign language)
What's that?
(Nogwala speaking in foreign language)
Oh, Pele, Pele, Pele.
What's he talking about?
(Pele and Nogwala speaking
in foreign language)
- They say they want to come with you.
- Oh.
- They ran away from Zinga on the island.
He's our son.
There have been a killing going on.
- A killing, eh?
- Are the oars ready?
What have you got here?
- They want to take a trip along with us.
- Well, they seem all right?
- All right?
Royal blood, me lad.
Go on, get them along.
Get them along before
they change their mind.
(Pele speaking in foreign language)
(soft)
(slaves chattering and shouting)
(tribal music)
(singing in foreign language)
(majestic music)
(chains clanging)
(machinery whirring)
- Hey!
Monty, come over here.
- [Bert] What do you want?
- Come over here.
- What's the matter now?
You leave a man alone five minutes?
- Five minutes, well, you
ain't done any work all day.
Go on, get on with it, get all of it.
Go on, put a jerk in it?
- You done always give me the heavy end.
- Are you going to help me
with this or are you not?
- How can I help you when
you're sitting down on it?
- I asked you a straightforward question.
I expect a straightforward answer.
- I straightforward
you myself in a minute.
- All right, Samson.
Get down there.
- Oh!
(Monty groaning)
What's the matter with you?
That's light as a feather.
Blinking elephant's feathers,
that's what I call that.
(horn blows)
♪ They're calling for freedom ♪
♪ They're calling for freedom ♪
♪ And the forests are filled
with a whispering silent song ♪
♪ To the heart of the wanderer ♪
- Ain't there any more to that song?
You keep on singing the same little bit.
- I don't know any more.
- Well, it sounds like him to me.
Where'd you hear it?
- Don't remember.
It's been in the back of my head
since I was a little fellow.
- Was you ever a little fellow?
(dock workers laughing)
- [Bert] I read in the papers
this morning about a man.
- [Paparazzi] Oh, Mr.
Donozetti, I heard the delegate-
(paparazzi chattering)
- Now look here, of
course, I see a report.
Now one moment.
Perhaps you'd like to hear
what the papers have to say
about my work in Berlin.
- You go and find the car.
I'll give him a wave before
he invites them all to dinner.
Go and find the car.
- Yes.
- Just a second.
No, here's a really good one.
- What about the new opera?
- Which one?
I have one, two, three, four, five.
- Excuse me, gentlemen.
Mr. Donozetti has an
important appointment in town.
- The fifth opera which I am now composing
will be a masterpiece.
- What's it called?
- You'll read all about it in the papers.
- No good to me, I never read the paper.
- Wise man, neither do I.
♪ Joshua fit the battle of Jericho ♪
♪ And the walls come a-tumblin' down ♪
♪ Joshua fit the battle of
Jericho, Jericho, Jericho ♪
♪ Joshua fit the battle of Jericho ♪
♪ And the walls com a-tumblin' down ♪
♪ Up to the walls of Jericho
he marched with spear in hand ♪
♪ Go blow them ram horns, Joshua cried ♪
♪ 'Cause the battle am in my hand ♪
♪ Then the lamb ram sheep
horns begin to blow ♪
♪ Trumpets begin to sound ♪
♪ Joshua commanded the children to shout ♪
♪ And the walls come a-tumblin' down ♪
♪ Joshua fit the battle of
Jericho, Jericho, Jericho ♪
♪ Joshua fit the battle of Jericho ♪
♪ And the walls come a-tumblin' down ♪
- Listen!
- Huh?
- What's the matter?
- What an amazing voice!
What, it's unique.
Never have I heard such a voice.
There he is.
A colored man.
Look, I must speak to him.
I must find out who it is.
- Oh, you can't stop it now.
- You can't be talking to village people
in the middle of the day.
- Rubbish.
- Of course not, it's absurd.
- A voice like that can
be interviewed anywhere.
To hear a voice like that and to lose it,
it is a crime, a blasted crime.
Don't argue with me like that.
Don't argue, do as I tell you.
There, we've lost him.
(dock workers laughing)
- Hello, boys, how are you?
- Got any champagne?
- What?
- I said, have you got any champagne?
- Yes.
- Good, then mind us a beer.
(dock workers laughing)
Same for you!
- [Barkeep] Where to this time, Eddy?
- Africa, pushing out tonight.
- Going to Africa?
Which part?
- West Coast, know it?
- No.
- What part do you come from then?
- I don't know.
Wish I did.
- He's at it again, the
same old subject, Africa.
- Well, they can have this blooming ship
as far as I'm concerned,
I've just got supplies.
(barkeep laughs)
Well, so long now.
- That's it, old Eddy boy!
Fetch us back a parrot, will ya?
(patrons chattering)
- Have another?
- Huh?
No, thanks.
- So you'll sing songs
tomorrow night, Johnny?
- Of course he's coming in.
We're all coming in, I'm
bringing my girl to dinner!
- Is that so?
Then I'm going to bring my chopper.
- Go on, have another one.
- No, I'll be getting along.
- Oh, there's plenty of time.
- Well, if you don't mind,
Ruth'll have my dinner ready.
And I don't like to keep her waiting.
- That's just where you
make your mistake, my lad.
The more you keep them waiting,
the more they like you.
Now, look at me.
I go home when I like.
I stay out when I like.
And my Nell, she feeds out of me hand.
If I like to stay here all eve-
- Bert Puddick, dinner.
So long.
(patrons laughing)
- Hey, boy, I thought you
were going to always do
what you wanted to do.
- Well, you've got to give in sometime.
- That's all right, Bert.
You're just like the rest of us.
The women start talking,
and we just got to do what they say.
- I wouldn't even give a
penny for your thoughts, John.
- Wouldn't you?
- No.
I know what they are.
- Met a fellow in the pub coming home.
Sailing for Africa tonight.
They'll be casting off about now.
In a week or two, he'll be on the coast.
- Africa.
It's always Africa, isn't it, John?
- After all, that's my home.
That's where we come from.
I wonder which part.
I'm always wondering.
Perhaps there.
Or there.
What wouldn't I give to know?
- But you're happy here.
The people are kind.
- Oh, I know.
Well, they're grand people,
Bert and Nell and the
fellows down at the docks.
But somewhere in those
parts are our people, Ruth.
And I've got a feeling
they're grand people too,
the people we belong to.
I even know the direction it lies.
This window points right south.
If we could see hundreds
and hundreds of miles.
It's funny.
That fellow didn't want to go.
It's natural.
He's leaving his people
to go out among strangers.
He'll be sort of out of place.
Lonely, maybe.
However hard I try,
I always feel the same here, out of place.
Wouldn't it be grand if
one of these days we could-
Why, honey, what's the matter?
- You'll never be satisfied here, John.
Whatever I do to make this home,
it'll never be really
home to you, will it?
Perhaps it's my fault.
- Honey, you can't say things like that.
You know you mean everything to me.
- Not everything, John.
- Now, now.
- I, I can't take you to Africa.
But, but if there's anything
in this world I can do for you-
There's one thing you can do right now.
Oh, Monty, now look what
you've been and gone and done.
- Now, be sure we don't
lose none of them pieces.
- I've given all this time
trying to put it together.
(Bert laughing)
It's nothing to laugh at, Bert.
You have properly broken
it this time, haven't ya?
♪ There's a sleepy river I know ♪
♪ Down that sleepy river we'll go ♪
♪ Under the crowd of stars in the sky ♪
♪ We'll watch the clouds
roll drowsily by ♪
♪ Where the breezes murmur a song ♪
♪ While the moonlight dreams ♪
♪ We'll keep driftin' lazily on ♪
♪ Down a river of dreams ♪
♪ Down a river of dreams ♪
♪ I'll be always holding your hand ♪
♪ As we sail to lullaby land ♪
♪ Just close your eyes
and peacefully doze ♪
♪ Follow the tide wherever it blows ♪
♪ There's a silver moon in the sky ♪
♪ Starlight softly gleams ♪
♪ Let the world go sleepily by ♪
♪ Down the river of dreams ♪
♪ Down the river of dreams ♪
(John and Ruth humming)
(upbeat music)
- No!
I'm very cross with you, Marian.
You should not have done it.
Now, how long have you been with me?
- Four years.
- Exactly, four years.
And how often have I been
cross with you before?
- Four years.
- Ooh!
(speaking in foreign language) Oh!
- Should I finish this letter now?
- Yes.
No, stop that tap, tap, tap, tap, tapping!
Drive me crazy!
- After all, there are
plenty of other singers.
What about the, the, tenor from-
- Plenty of other singers, yes, I know.
They come to me in the hundreds.
And they're roaring like
lions or cooing like,
like the gentlemen of the harem.
And when I hear a voice like this,
a voice that one hears once in a, in a-
- Lifetime.
- You see, we cannot stop!
Dinner is waiting.
Dinner! (spits)
- After all, he's only a colored man.
- Only a colored man.
What does it matter the color of the skin
when he has color in his voice?
Power, beauty!
I go find him.
I must find that man.
I cannot live until I find, go find him.
- I say, do you think we ought to-
I mean, if he's going-
- Don't worry, he'll be back in a minute.
- I say, what's that you
got on your third finger?
- A rubber band I got off a package.
- Oh!
- Why?
- Oh, nothing, nothing.
It gave me quite a...
I'd say, it is hot in here, isn't it?
- Mr. Donozetti's car, please.
I expect you'll find him quite easily.
I should think they all know him.
Why not try the do dock master?
- Yes, that's a very good idea.
I say, it's a jolly funny thing
about that rubber ring thing, wasn't it?
On your finger, I mean?
- Was it?
- Course I didn't think
it was anything else.
Course I didn't, on your finger like that.
No, no, no, not on that finger anyway.
Only I did think that-
(Marian sighs)
Course if, if it had
been the other finger-
- If he waits any longer
for you, he'll burst.
- Heh.
(crowd murmuring)
(piano music)
- Johnny, you've got
that tune on the brain.
- Wish I could get it.
- That reminds me of Africa.
They go on like that for hours and hours.
Do you come from Africa?
- I wasn't born there.
Most of us colored folks
come from there originally.
- Yeah, we've got rhythm deep down inside.
(lively music)
Whoa!
Now, you're going to ruin it.
- You don't seem to appreciate good music
when you hear it, Monty.
- Yeah, I appreciate it, all right.
But I just don't like it.
- All right, let's get started.
Order, please.
Quiet, please.
Ladies and gentlemen,
we are now about to begin our sing song.
I've got a good program
for you this evening.
(patrons shouting)
All right, all right.
- Did you say he was a colored man?
- Yes.
- Big fellow?
- Yes.
- Wearing a dark suit?
- Yes.
- Well, there's about
200 like that down here.
- Yes, but my dear fellow,
they're not all singers, surely.
- Oh, it's a singer you're looking for?
- But of course.
Who else but a singer should
I, Donozetti, be looking for?
- Donozetti?
Oh, pleased to meet you, sir.
- Thanks very much, but-
- Matter of fact, I got a daughter.
She's very ought at this here crooning.
Everybody says she ought
to go on the stage,
you know, with one of them dance bands.
I suppose there's no chance?
- Chance?
Oh, explain to the idiot.
Explain.
- Mr. Donozetti doesn't keep a dance band.
He presents an opera.
- Oh, that.
Can't think of anybody as
I could recommend for that.
Except John Zinga, perhaps.
Now, there's a voice,
if you want to hear one.
- And who's John Zinga?
- One of the darkies
here, great big fella.
Sings all day long.
- That must be the man.
Where can I find him?
- Well, they're having
a bit of a sing song
over in the Crown and Anchor.
I expect he'll be there.
- Crown and Anchor, that's
probably the local hotel.
Where is it?
- Over there, can't you hear them?
- Come along, come along.
- Thank you very much.
(audience cheers and applauds)
- Quiet, please, quiet.
Ladies and gentlemen,
there's something I know
you'd all like to hear.
I have much pleasure in
announcing the next item
on our program this evening.
It will be your old friend, Johnny Zinga!
Give us a song!
(audience cheers and applauds)
Come on, Johnny boy!
♪ I've been tramping all the day ♪
♪ Underneath the skies of gray ♪
♪ But the home I'm heading
for seems far away ♪
♪ Lonely road, I'm weary and beat ♪
♪ You hard and stonely road,
you're burning my feet ♪
♪ As I go tramp, tramp, trampin' on ♪
♪ Heading for I don't know where ♪
♪ Lonely road, you're getting me down ♪
♪ 'Cause you're the only road
that leads to the town. ♪
♪ I've got to tramp, tramp, tramp along ♪
♪ Draggin' my load of despair ♪
♪ I don't know or care where you go to ♪
♪ I'm lonely and sad as can be ♪
♪ Got no pal to shout a hello to ♪
♪ There's only my shadow and me ♪
♪ Lonely road, please come to an end ♪
♪ You dark and lonely road,
I'm counting each bend ♪
♪ As I go tramp, tramp, trampin' on ♪
♪ Headin' for I don't know where ♪
♪ Lonely road, I'm weary and beat ♪
♪ You hard and stonely road,
you're burning my feet ♪
♪ As I go tramp, tramp, trampin' on ♪
♪ Heading for I don't know where ♪
♪ Lonely road, you're getting me down ♪
♪ 'Cause you're the only road
that leads to the town. ♪
♪ I've got to tramp, tramp, tramp along ♪
♪ Draggin' my load of despair ♪
♪ I don't know or care where you go to ♪
♪ I'm lonely and sad as can be ♪
♪ Got no pal to shout a hello to ♪
♪ There's only my shadow and me ♪
♪ Lonely road, please come to an end ♪
♪ You dark and lonely road,
I'm counting each bend ♪
♪ As I go tramp, tramp, trampin' on ♪
♪ Heading for for I don't know where ♪
(audience applauds)
- My friend, you have a wonderful voice.
I am lucky to have heard it.
You are lucky too, I am Donozetti.
Come and see me tomorrow, we will talk.
- But I am working at the docks.
- You'll see no more of the docks.
With me, you have a great future.
Your wife, huh?
- Yes, but-
- Oh, I congratulate you both.
You have the world before you
with a voice like that, oh!
Bring him to me tomorrow,
you'll see what I can do.
- Do you mean he could
earn his living by singing?
- Make a living, oh, a career.
A fortune.
It's agreed, tomorrow
at my hotel, 11:00, huh?
Here is my card.
(Donozetti speaking in foreign language)
(dramatic music)
- John, take your hat off.
- Yes?
- The gentleman asked us to call.
- Which gentleman?
Appointment?
- Yes, sir.
- This way.
- Don't call him sir.
- No, what shall I call him?
- Call him nothin'.
- These people want to see Mr. Donozetti.
- Name, please?
- Mr. John Zinga.
- And Mrs. Zinga.
- Wait.
Take a seat.
There, 11 o'clock, he has not come.
We should have sent for him.
(bell rings)
(claps) Huh, answer the phone.
Answer quickly!
Answer, answer.
Yes?
- Yes.
- Yes, send him up at once, please.
There you are, he's here.
- Ah, he has come!
I'm so happy.
Now, if I've not found a
great artist, a real artist,
I am not Donozetti.
(calm music)
Mr. And Mrs. John Zinga.
(Donozetti speaking in foreign language)
- Oh, my friends, at last.
I thought you were never coming.
Look after the lady.
I'm delighted to see you.
I cannot tell you what a joy it is to me.
We'll waste no time.
To work at once.
Now, come along.
A note, Blaney.
(Donozetti singing)
Come along, come along,
come along, come along.
(John singing)
No! Stop.
The breathing is all wrong.
You see, the method for the breathing-
they come from the diaphragm.
So, and the voice, it come from here.
So you see, voice, breathing.
Breathing, voice.
Now, again, another note.
♪ Me ♪
♪ Mee ♪
- No, no, no, chin up, so, so.
Now again.
♪ Me, ahh ♪
♪ Ahh ♪
- And now, we will try a scale.
(Donozetti singing)
(piano music)
- You want me to do that?
- Yes, please.
(John singing)
(piano music)
- Good.
Not let's go higher.
(Donozetti and John singing)
- I came here to sing,
not to make these noises.
- But my dear fellow,
Mr. Donozetti really wants to help you.
It's part of your training.
- I don't want any training.
You smack me in the stomach,
and I sing, la, la, la.
Always been able to sing on the docks
without being smacked in the stomach.
And what's more, I can't
sing with all this stuff on.
I like to be comfortable.
I'm not a tailor's dummy.
- John.
- Well, if they want me to
sing, I've got to be free,
not trussed up like a chicken.
Can I sing you a song
instead of this la, la, la.
- That will come later.
- I don't like this, I want to go home.
- But John, you must be patient.
This gentleman only wants
to do something for you.
- What can you do for me?
- I can teach you to sing.
- I can sing already.
I sing because I like it.
- With me, you'll have a career.
- I'm earning my living
all right on the docks.
- You're finished with the docks.
Now, wouldn't you like
to have money to spend,
money to buy beautiful
things for your wife,
everything she wants?
- John, we might even be able to travel.
- Yes, travel.
We go to all the great
cities for you to sing!
- Travel.
- Perhaps some day, we might even-
do you think he'll ever go to Africa?
- Someday even Africa, perhaps.
It's quite possible.
Your home?
- Somewhere out there.
I don't know where.
I don't even know which
people I belong to.
But I've always wanted to go there.
I might be able to find out.
- But this may be your chance, John.
- Big doors, big rooms,
big houses, big countries.
- John, we are not afraid, are we?
- All right.
What do you want me to do?
- Ah, that's better.
There will be much to do.
Work, practice, and lots of
♪ La, la, la, la, la, la, la. ♪
♪ La, la, la, la, la, la. ♪
♪ La, la, la, la, la, la, la. ♪
♪ La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la. ♪
(lively music)
♪ Stepping stones, help
me cross the river ♪
♪ To that other shore that
my soul is longing for ♪
♪ The land of my dreams ♪
♪ Stepping stones, guide
me to that quiet forest, ♪
♪ Cool and deep, where the
trees are lulled to sleep ♪
♪ By murmuring streams ♪
♪ Lead me to woodland shadows
away from the noisy town ♪
♪ Away from this mighty whirlpool ♪
♪ That's tryin' to drag me down. ♪
♪ Stepping stones, help
me cross the river ♪
♪ Where the rapids roar,
lead me to home once more ♪
♪ My kingdom of dreams ♪
(lively music)
(audience applauds)
(door knocking)
- Finale, please.
Finale, please.
- Final fit, boss.
I wouldn't mind more like it myself.
And I always say it takes a good suit
to set off a fine figure.
- Can I come in?
- Hello.
What are you doing here?
Enjoying yourself, honey?
I should say I am.
It's one of the finest
parts I've seen you in.
You're marvelous.
- I'm even enjoying it myself.
Strange that I should
be playing this part,
a black ruler who built
an empire of slaves.
I'll be happy when this
act is finished, though.
This is the hard one.
- You've nothing to worry about.
- Superb!
Magnificent, my friend.
Congratulations,
congratulations everywhere!
And they've not yet seen the finale,
where you will surpass yourself.
- The curtain's just going up.
We'd better get back to our seats.
- Yes, not a second to miss.
Come along, quick, quick.
- Bravo, got everything
you want, Mr. Zinga?
- Yes, thanks, Monty's
looking after me all right.
- No, Mr. Blane, just don't you interfere
with my department.
- I was only trying to-
Absolutely magnificent!
- All right, Monty, we'd
better be getting ready.
(audience murmuring)
(door knocking)
- Mr. Zinga, please.
All right.
Come on, boss, there's no
need to get nervous, boss.
You got plenty of time.
- Come along, John, it's
getting near your entrance.
- All right, I'm just coming.
Have I got everything, Monty?
- Yes, boss.
- My disk?
- What is it, what is it?
- My mascot.
- He certainly couldn't
go without that, boss.
- And now, my friend.
You must sing as you've never sung before.
And remember, at the last cut,
you will have to make a speech.
- No, no, I'm no good at making speeches.
- Rubbish.
With the triumph that will be yours,
it doesn't matter what you
say, but speak, you must.
And now my friend, go.
Show them what you can do.
Show them what Donozetti has done!
("Death Scene")
♪ The trees have spears for branches ♪
♪ And men have hands to kill ♪
♪ Even the birds are jeering ♪
♪ I who am emperor hastened and hid ♪
♪ Even the skies are
frowning, hatred has a face ♪
♪ A hand with which to kill ♪
♪ The trees, they leer at me,
the leaves whisper death ♪
♪ I cannot die, for I am a god ♪
♪ Come if you dare ♪
♪ I was your emperor and now you hate me ♪
♪ The bushes creep towards
me, I see them sway ♪
♪ No one dares to slay a
king, except the king ♪
♪ And as a king, I die ♪
(gun bangs)
(audience cheers and applauds)
- Bravo!
- Bravo!
- Bravo, John!
- Bravo!
- Bravo!
- Ladies and gentlemen,
I thank you very much.
I can't make a speech, but-
- Well, sing us a song then!
(audience cheers and applauds)
- I'd like to sing you
a fragment of a song
which I've never sung in public before.
I really don't know it,
but I'll try and put some words to it.
- What's he doing?
I told him to make a speech.
♪ I hear the voice of my people ♪
♪ I hear the voice of my people ♪
♪ There's a call from the south ♪
♪ That shall ring over mountain and sea ♪
♪ They are calling for freedom ♪
♪ They are calling for freedom ♪
♪ And the forests are filled ♪
♪ With a whispering sigh of their song ♪
♪ And to the heart of the wanderer ♪
♪ And to the heart of
the wanderer there is ♪
- I've heard that song before somewhere.
And I can't think where.
(audience cheers and applauds)
(Donozetti speaking in foreign language)
- Well I say, I'm most frightfully sorry.
- Don't mention it, you ought
to have done it months ago.
- Then you mean you-
- The most extraordinary experience
which I've ever been
privileged to witness.
But tell me, what was that song you
were trying to sing just now?
- I don't really know.
- Ah?
- It must be,
but I know what that means
to those people out there.
Somehow that song I was
singing means as much to me.
I can't understand it, but I know.
(patrons chattering)
- Excuse me.
He appreciates your, your enthusiasm.
But it's not good for him.
This air, this atmosphere,
is too stuffy, too hot.
We have to look after him, he's delicate.
Please, gentlemen.
(fans murmuring)
- Hello, Ruth, how are you, duchess?
Aren't you proud of him?
- Don't talk, well, of course she is.
- Don't talk with yourself,
you put that down, yeah.
Blimey, they're running
like a lot of rats.
- Bert, I'm glad to see you.
And you too, Nell.
- I thought you might
like to have a moment
with your old friends.
I'll look after these people.
It's been wonderful.
- What about the old docks now, John?
- I often think of them, Bert.
- Gentlemen to see you, boss.
Sir James Pyrie, very important.
Come in, sir.
- Mr. Zinga, I hope I'm not intruding.
My name's Pyrie.
- Glad to see you.
Won't you sit down?
- Sir James.
Come on, old girl, we better be off.
- Think you're right there.
- I think we better be going now, John.
Good night, Ruth.
- Good night, Bert.
- Good night, my lordship.
- I am an explorer and
somewhat of an anthropologist.
My reason for coming out tonight
is I'm rather curious about
that song you sang at the end.
Where did you hear it?
- I never heard it.
Seems to have been born in me somehow.
- Strange you should sing it tonight.
It strikes a chord of
memory in me somewhere.
Perhaps you've heard it
from your own people.
You're from Africa?
- No, he was born in London.
- I don't know which part
my people come from at all.
- [Pyrie] Oh, that's extraordinary.
- The only link of any
kind I have is this,
belonged to my father.
Came to him from his grandfather.
I think it's a slave talon.
- Ooh, let me see, let me see.
Casanga.
I've got it.
- You know what it is?
- Yes.
And it's also given me
the clue to that tune.
Casanga.
That's it.
- Casanga?
- Yes.
An island off the west coast of Africa.
I remember it all quite clearly now.
That's where I heard it.
It's the King's Song,
the sacred Song of
Freedom of their people.
I'm probably the only white
man who's ever heard it.
And I was very lucky
to escape with my life.
And you've never been there?
- No, never.
- My friend, this disk is the
symbol of kingship in Casanga.
Do you know you're probably
a direct descendant
of Queen Zinga?
- You mean I come from Casanga?
- Undoubtedly.
When Queen Zinga died
and her son disappeared,
the witch doctors gained
ascendancy over the island.
They sold their trees to the
unscrupulous slave traders.
And ever since, the islanders
suffered terrible drought
because there's nothing
to attract the clouds.
The people still dominated
by these witch doctors
will never allow the white
man to come near them.
And so they are still backward,
uncivilized, impoverished.
- But if I am their king,
they would let me help
them, wouldn't they?
- If you could prove you are their king.
Heaven knows they need someone
to help them in their ignorance.
- Ruth,
at last.
I always thought we should know someday.
Casanga.
Our home, our people.
- Wonderful, wonderful
news, a big contract.
New York wants you, the
Metropolitan Opera House.
- I'm sorry, Mr. Donozetti, I can't go.
- Oh, you will have your little joke.
Now, let's talk business.
- But John is quite
serious, Mr. Donozetti.
Something's happened that
makes everything different now.
- Who's this?
- What do you mean?
My name is Pyrie.
I'm afraid I brought
some rather momentous
news to our friend here
that perhaps I'd better leave
you to talk this matter over.
If I can help you in any way, let me know.
You have my card, yes, good night.
- News?
- News I've been waiting for all my life.
You know, I've always
wondered who my people are.
At last I know.
And soon, I'll be going to them.
- Going to them?
You mean leave me?
Give up your career?
Oh, but you're mad, crazy, insane.
Madam, talk to him, make him
see reason, I implore you.
- But my husband isn't mad, Mr. Donozetti.
Something bigger than his
success has come to him tonight.
He may come back later.
But he's got to go now.
- But you're joking.
Tell me you're joking.
- No, I'm not joking.
- This is madness.
Crazy!
Mad!
- You'll come with me, Ruth?
(tribal music)
(villagers chattering)
(native speaking in foreign language)
(tense music)
Do any of you speak English?
Can you understand what I say?
You are my people.
I have come from across
the seas to be with you.
I am Zinga.
- Show them the disk, John.
- Stranger, what do you want with us?
You who call yourself Zinga.
- I am no stranger.
I'm of your race, your blood.
And even more than that, I am your king.
- Our king?
You think you are a king
because you come to us dressed
up in a white man's clothes.
- But he brings you knowledge
from the great countries over the sea.
It's not for himself
that he wants to be king.
Why, all his life,
his face has been turned
towards this island.
There's so much he wants to do for you.
- So we shall see what he can do for us.
Let him come and take salt with us.
Later, we shall have
more of this king palava.
(natives speaking in foreign language)
- Come on, Monty.
(tense music)
(children laughing)
(villagers shouting)
Can we have a hut?
My wife is tired.
(villagers speaking in foreign language)
(crowd murmurs)
So this is the kingdom
I've brought you to.
- Don't say that, John.
This is only the beginning.
You'll be able to change all this in time.
- I wonder.
It's so difficult.
Everything is so different
from what I expected.
It's all so primitive.
- But they're your people, John.
The people you've always longed for.
The worse things are, the
more you can help them.
- You're right.
It's got to be changed.
It's not going to be easy,
but once they accept me, we'll start work.
Where is Monty?
(villagers laughing)
- Boss, if I wasn't here,
there's one thing I'd do.
- What?
- Resign.
And Missus, there's just one thing
you were sure right about.
- Well?
- Yes, ma'am.
When you said not to pack
the boss's dress suit.
- (laughing) Well, we may a
swell try to make ourselves
as comfortable as we can.
- I don't mind being uncomfortable.
It's the discomfort that's worrying me.
(villagers chanting and crying)
(villager speaking in foreign language)
- What's the matter with
him, what are they doing?
- He is dead.
- Dead?
But he was alive, he was moving.
- He has a sickness which
is death, it is the same.
(villager speaking in foreign language)
- Wait a minute.
What happens in there,
what do you do for him?
- He is with the others for
whom nothing can be done.
- You mean to say you
leave him in there to die?
- The hand is already upon them.
- Stay here a minute, will you, Ruth?
I'm going inside there.
- But what's in that place?
- As far as I can see,
a sort of living death.
(villager speaking in foreign language)
(villagers moaning)
(villager speaking in foreign language)
Listen, Ruth, these
fellows have got the fever,
and they're just stuck in there
without any effort to save them.
We brought some quinine
with us, didn't we?
- Yes.
- Will you go and get it?
Monty, go and get some water,
will you, gallons of it.
Those poor devils in there
haven't got anything at all.
- Yes, boss.
- And who are you to
interfere in this matter?
- Well, those men aren't dead yet.
And something ought to be done for them.
- This is the custom of the people!
- Endobo is a wise man.
And even they are beyond his medicine.
- That may be.
But in the country where I come from,
people are saved when
fever's much worse than that.
And I'm going to see what I can do.
- Take care, stranger.
Only the spirits welcome
those who enter there.
- I don't want to interfere
with your customs.
But a lot of these lives could be saved.
This hut ought to be burnt down
and another one built up on the
hill, away from the village.
I'll see what I can do now.
And later on, I'll send
for some more medicine
so that we can fight this fever.
- [Monty] That's the
best I can find, boss.
They ain't got none in
sanitation in this place.
- We can't give them that,
that would be the end.
- Try and get a fire going, will you,
and see if we can boil it clean.
- [Monty] Yes, boss.
- And give me a call when you get back.
- [Monty] Yes, boss.
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
- And how are things going?
- Well, I did everything I could, but-
- You have not eaten.
- That's very kind of you.
And what's your name?
- I am Mandingo.
- Seems we have a friend at last.
'Cause I am your friend that I'm here.
- And you have come to help us?
- In the only way I can.
- Then you believe that he is your king?
- If he be a Zinga, he is indeed a king.
- But I am Zinga.
That I believe, but yet the
heart of Mandingo is heavy
because you have come.
- Should not a king come to
bring help to his people?
- You are a stranger to them.
Although you are of our
color, you are not of us.
The lion that's not bred in the jungle
does not know the jungle ways.
- You speak truly.
But I have more than jungle
ways to bring to you.
I have learned much from
the people across the sea,
their wisdom, their
government, their medicine.
- The medicine of Endobo
is greater than that any man can teach.
- That is not true, Mandingo.
Have you not seen the ships
that move without oars?
Can Endobo make such magic?
- Our people do not wish for great ships.
We do not need them.
- Perhaps not.
But there are greater wonders than those,
machines to till your
land and sow your crops.
I can bring them to you.
And how many of your people have died
from famine and disease?
Does Endobo keep them alive?
That's what I'm here for.
Tell your people if they
will accept me as their king,
I will do these things and much more.
- Zinga, I am your man.
But while Endobo rules,
there can be no king.
(villagers chanting)
(tribal music)
- What's he doing, John?
- The usual business, scaring
the mind of those poor fellows
with superstitious nonsense.
That's what's keeping them back.
What's Endobo saying?
- He is saying that the spirits are angry
that you've come to the island.
He's telling the people
they must drive you away.
- Oh, is he?
- Be careful, John.
- I've got to put a stop
to this straight away.
Don't you see, honey?
If they think I'm afraid,
we'll never get anywhere.
- Don't go into that circle.
- Why not?
- It is taboo.
It would mean death for you.
- Death.
Suppose they think it means death too.
Well, let them see.
(villagers chanting)
(tribal music)
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
(villagers shouting)
Now you can tell them, tell
them that all this is finished.
Tell them that I am their king
and that I bring them a better magic,
a magic which they can all learn.
Tell them if they will trust me,
that there is much we can do together,
that we can become a great people.
(Mandingo and Endobo
speaking in foreign language)
- So, stranger from over the
sea, you claim to be our king.
Therefore, you insult our gods
and boast of the mighty
things that you will do.
There goes some of your magic.
(villagers chanting)
(tribal music)
Yesterday, you gave them medicine
and said they would live.
But in the night, he died.
And now, they carry him off to burial.
Does all your magic end in this manner?
- I did what I could for
him, but I was too late.
There's no need for men to
die because they have fever.
If the people will help me, we
will do away with death huts.
We will make clean places
where the sick can be cured.
We will take the poisons out of the water
which brings these fevers.
(Endobo laughs)
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
(villagers laughing)
(villager speaking in foreign language)
- Empana speaks wisely.
He says if you can do
such magic with water,
can you then bring us rain?
- Rain?
- Yes, for many moons there
has been a drought in the land.
Our cattle have died, and
our crops do not grow.
If with your wisdom you can bring rain,
then perhaps the people will
listen to this king palava.
- I can't do that.
But this I can do.
If the people will put their trust in me,
when the rain comes, as come it will,
I can teach them how to save the rain.
I will show them how to make great basins
which will water their fields
when the rains have gone.
(villagers speaking in foreign language)
- They say you are not their king,
that you can do nothing but promise.
- Endobo, I know you hate my husband
because you feel in your heart
that he is indeed a Zinga.
Therefore you ask him to do
what you cannot do yourself.
- This is not woman's talk.
We shall see, oh king who would be.
Tonight, you shall look
upon the power of my magic.
Then shall the people show you
if they want you king in Casanga.
(villagers chanting)
(villager shouting)
- Why, Monty, what's the matter?
- Have you seen a ghost?
- Yes, six of them.
- Come on, pull yourself together.
- Boss, let's get away from here.
I don't like it.
It's getting on my nerves.
There's something going on out there
that ain't no good to nobody.
- It's all right, Monty.
It's nothing to get scared about.
Ruth and I have just been talking it over.
She's ready to stick it out with me.
Aren't you, honey?
- There's no turning back now, Monty.
Oh, John, if we could only do something.
It's this waiting and
waiting that I can't stand.
And those horrible tom-toms
keeping on like that.
They make me feel as
though I want to scream.
Oh, John, I'm sorry.
- It's all right, honey.
It's just one of their ceremonies.
But I'm going to find
out what it's all about.
- Oh, John, do be careful.
- [John] Mandingo.
- Say, Mister, what's all this
funny stuff going on outside?
Your gentleman friends
aren't cannibals, is they?
It's the night of the full moon,
and Endobo will leave the tribe,
and they call to the gods for rain.
There will be a great dance.
And they will sing their sacred song.
- What do they do?
That I cannot speak of
in front of a woman.
It's the law.
- Then I am going too, Mandingo.
The people shall see that
I respect their customs,
even though I may not understand them.
- You have spoken wisely.
Endobo has told them that
your fear will keep you away.
You will stand well in the dance.
Their hearts will turn towards you.
It's good.
- I don't like it, John.
Don't go, it's a trap of some kind.
Endobo means to do you some mischief.
- I must go, Ruth.
Don't you see this is my
big chance to win them over?
If they think I'm afraid,
they'll never listen to me.
If I don't do this, we might
as well pack up and go back.
And you don't want us to do that, do you?
- No.
All right, John, but try
not to make them angry.
- I'll be all right.
- Boss, just a minute.
- What is it, Monty?
- I've been hiding this
up, you'd better take it.
- No, Monty, that's not the way.
These are my own people,
I can't shoot them down.
You stay and look after Ruth.
We don't need things like that.
(villagers chanting)
(tribal music)
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
- So you dare to come to the
sacred ceremony of the people.
- Why should I fear, I'm not a woman.
I have a right to be here.
It is the law.
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
(villagers shouting)
- They challenge your right to be here.
And they say if you're their
king, prove your kingship
by leading them in the dance.
- Endobo, you know that
I don't know your dance
or this custom of the people.
But you also know that this is not magic
and cannot help them.
Mandingo, you will speak to them for me.
You will tell them that I have proof
that Endobo's magic is
false and that they will-
- Be silent!
Or I'll whither you where you stand.
So you are a Zinga.
And you do not know the dance.
All right, then you shall learn.
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
(villagers chanting)
(tribal music)
- It's no good, Monty.
I can't stay here.
- You mustn't go up the
hill with them fellows.
Didn't you hear what the foreman said?
- I know, but I've got to see somebody.
I'll go and find the women,
they've been kind to me.
If I stay in this place, I'll go mad.
- Mad?
I'm just plum crazy already.
(villagers chanting)
(tribal music)
- Tell me what's going on up there.
What's happening?
(villagers chanting)
(tribal music)
John, John!
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
- Now shall be sung the sacred song,
the song that no stranger has ever heard.
The King Song, the Song of Muzeah.
They say if you're indeed their king,
it is for you to lead them.
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
(villagers chanting)
(tribal music)
(Ruth screams)
- John!
(villagers shouting)
(Ruth screams)
♪ There's a sleepy river I know ♪
♪ Down that sleepy river we'll go ♪
♪ We'll make our dreams
of happiness blend ♪
♪ Into a dream that never shall end ♪
♪ We will find our haven at last ♪
♪ Where the sunlight beams ♪
♪ When our long, long journey's passed ♪
♪ Down the river of dreams ♪
♪ Down the river of dreams ♪
(villagers shouting)
- My wife, what are they
going to do with her?
Come on, tell me.
- She is a woman.
She looked upon that which is forbidden.
It is the law.
- You mean they're going to?
They can't do it, they daren't do it.
Let them kill me.
I'm to blame, I brought her here.
Come on, do something.
Take this off, take this off!
Let me get free.
- It would be no good.
You are alone.
You can do nothing.
- Then tell Endobo to come.
I'll talk to him.
I'll tell him we'll go away.
(villagers chattering)
- Ah, you shall come with us
and see that justice is done.
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
(villagers chanting)
(tribal music)
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
(villagers shouting)
(villagers chanting)
(tribal music)
Now then Zinga, you're our king.
We place you in the king's seat.
Now, you shall act as our king.
Before you is a woman
who has broken one our ancient laws,
the penalty which has always been death.
If you are indeed king,
then you know that our
laws must be obeyed.
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
(villagers shouting)
Come now.
Let's see if you show your kingship.
Sentence that woman to death.
- Endobo, Endobo, don't do that.
Let her go, let her go free.
Do anything you like to me.
Kill me if you want!
(Endobo speaking in foreign language)
(Ruth screams)
- John, help!
(John singing in foreign language)
(villagers murmuring)
- Song of Muzeah, the King's song!
He knows it!
(villagers shouting)
They say, sing on, oh King.
- Will I sing the King's song
while your Queen goes
to her death in fetters?
(Mandingo speaking in foreign language)
(villagers cheering)
♪ Just as the voice of the thunder ♪
♪ Can steal the call of the wild bird ♪
♪ So the thunder is stilled ♪
♪ By the voice of the Muzeah, the King ♪
♪ Just as the towering mountain ♪
♪ May overshadow the palm tree ♪
♪ So the mountain bows down ♪
♪ To the might of the Muzeah, the King ♪
♪ Muzeah, lead us to freedom ♪
♪ Muzeah, lead us to freedom. ♪
♪ Let the forest be filled ♪
♪ With the voice of
the Muzeah, the King. ♪
♪ Muzeah, lead us to freedom ♪
♪ Muzeah, lead us to freedom ♪
♪ For thy people bow down to
the might of Muzeah, the King ♪
♪ Just as the lion may perish ♪
♪ Upon the spear of the hunter ♪
♪ So thy pole men shall die by
the spear of Muzeah the King ♪
♪ And from the shadow of darkness ♪
♪ I lead my people to freedom ♪
♪ To the end of eternity,
I am Muzeah the King. ♪
♪ Hearing my song that my
voice may bring into my land ♪
(majestic music)
- I suppose he's just
as popular everywhere.
- Yes, everywhere.
- He's a grand fellow.
And Donozetti, he hasn't
let you down after all.
- No, he's splendid.
He makes a lot of money for me.
But for himself, nothing.
It all goes to help those people of his.
Every season, he returns to sing.
Tomorrow, he goes back again.
Until next time.
♪ Lonely road, wherever you go ♪
♪ You're not that lonely
road that I used to know ♪
♪ But I'll keep tramp,
tramp, trampin' on ♪
♪ Singin' my song till the dawn ♪
♪ Lonely road, you're rollin' ahead, ♪
♪ You hard and stonely road
that brings to my dread ♪
♪ I'll just keep tramp, tramp, trampin' ♪
♪ For someone keep drivin' me on ♪
♪ Left behind the gloomiest weather ♪
♪ The sun up above is my guide ♪
♪ Now my load's as light as a feather ♪
♪ 'Cause I've got a pal by my side ♪
♪ Lonely road, wherever you come ♪
♪ You're still the only road
that's leadin' me home ♪
♪ So we'll keep tramp,
tramp, trampin' on ♪
♪ Singin' a song till the dawn ♪
(bright music)