The Match King (1932) - full transcript

Hey, here's a match.

Give me a match, honey.

'What's your last request?'

Give me a match.

Hey, you! Paul!

Look here!

Boy!

My friend Oscar here
has given me an idea.

There are six of us here.

Five of us can do all the work.

What do you say,
each day we take turns



going into the ballgame?

'Our uniforms
will let us in free.'

- Good, Paul.
- Works for me.

Wait! He go first.

But suppose Foreman find out?

Ha-ha. Go on in.

Don't worry.

Never worry about anything
till it happens.

And I'll take care of it then.

Good, Paul.

Where's Oscar?

So, the Swede's gone
to the ballgame, huh?

Well, when he comes out,
tell him he's fired.

I'll send another man
up tomorrow.



Okay, but, uh, why another man?

What do you mean?

I can handle this crew, so
five of us can do all the work.

'Just because Oscar's fired,
we don't need to take his name'

'off the payroll, do we?'

They needn't know
at headquarters.

Hey, tie a can
to that highbrow music.

Play somethin' snappy
on the phonograph.

You know, my pal Paul's
a pretty smart guy.

Talks all them foreign
lingos to the crew.

Hey, Babe,
you don't know nothin'.

Why, him and me's got
the sweetest little business

in the world, huh? Ha-ha-ha.

You know, that money you put
for me in the bank every week?

Who do you suppose
earns it, huh? Ha.

You'd never have guessed
in a 100 years.

Nobody, ha.

Nobody earns it, that's who.

Why, we got eight men
on the payroll

that don't even exist.

Eight good old ghosts
all dressed in white.

White-winged ghosts,
working for Paul and me.

And that's only a beginning.

Now, who do you suppose
to thanks to them, huh?

My old friend, Paul.

He thinks a lotta things.

Hey, whe-where's your drink,
old pal, huh?

It's late, I've gotta be going.

I didn't know
it was gettin' late.

If old Paul says
it's late, it's late.

And if it's late,
I'm gonna bail.

Eight good old ghosts,
all dressed in white.

Hey! Babe?

That drunken bum.

Sweetheart.

By the way, how much is there
in that bank account now?

Four hundred and sixty dollars.

Oh, Paul, be careful.

If he thought there was anything
between us, he'd kill me.

- He'd kill the both of us.
- Don't worry.

Never worry about anything
till it happens.

I'll take care of it then.

'Babe?'

'What're you doin'?'

Thirty, forty, fifty,
sixty. 460.

Did you get it alright,
sweetheart?

- Here.
- Four hundred-sixty.

Oh, there's nothing
to be afraid of.

We'd be a 1000 miles from here

before he even
suspects we've gone.

Now, hurry home and pack,
and don't worry.

Oh, Paul, you really
do love me, don't you?

Darling, I've been
saving this for you.

It's my own dear mother's
wedding ring.

I want you to wear it until..

We must hurry.

Train leaves in an hour.

I'll meet you at the information
desk in Dearborn station.

Then we'll be on our way
to California.

- Please hurry!
- Uh-huh.

Union Station.
I've got 14 minutes

to catch the New York Limited.

So, my nephew has
returned to Holmtide

in response to our appeal

for his help and advice.

I want you to know, we're all
very grateful and happy

that you found time to leave

your vast holdings in Chicago

to help us with our
little problems here.

- Yes, indeed.
- We certainly are.

Gentlemen, and friends

'because you've all been
friends of my family for years'

I see but one solution
to your problem.

Briefly, you must buy

the Scania match factory,
and merge it with yours here.

'Now, that'll be easy,
because that village'

'is only five miles away.'

Then, you must modernize
the new factory.

Cut down overhead

and bring your manufacturing
up to date.

It's the only way
you'll save your investment

and your townspeople will be
assured of continued employment.

Sorry, the bank cannot
advance another penny.

'I must have more security,
and not one of you'

'has anything to offer.'

Now, I hate it as much
as you do, but I'm afraid

we'll have to close
the match factory.

Mr. Larsen, just a moment.

I've given this thing
some thought

and I'm willing to do this.

I'll give you my personal note
for 10,000 krona

'payable six months from today.'

'My vast holdings in Chicago'

'and your knowledge
of my success in America'

ought to constitute
sufficient security

for such a trivial sum.

Moreover, I'm willing
to handle the merger

and take charge of the new plant

at least until it's on its feet.

- That's true, Mr. Larsen.
- Mighty fine.

- You can't refuse now.
- Mighty fine.

I suppose we could do that.

Alright.

Come over
to my office, Mr. Kroll

and we'll fix things up.

Thank you, Paul. Thank you.

- You'll never know what...
- Paul, with you to help us..

'Things are bound to work out.'

'Thank you, Paul.'

Paul, you know
your signature on that note

won't be worth the ink
it takes to write it.

You haven't any vast holdings
in Chicago or anywhere else.

You asked me when I saw you
in Chicago a couple of years ago

to say nothing about
your affairs here at home.

I haven't, but, now

I-I feel it's my duty
to say something.

Erik, old friend, what really
have I done here today?

I've saved the money
of these old men.

I've rescued their little
factory and put it a position

to compete with modern
match manufacturing.

And most important of all..

I've saved the jobs of most
of the men in Holmtide.

But you misrepresented. You're..

Why, this thing is fraudulent.

But did I do it for myself?

What difference does it make
what means I used

to accomplish all this?

What if I did have a hard time
getting a start in America?

After you and I finished
at the university in Stockholm

I never found exactly
what I wanted over there.

But at last, I've found the
opening I've been looking for.

But you'll never be able
to meet that note in six months.

Of course, I will.
In six months

the merged factories
will be doing so well

that Larsen will be
glad to renew it.

And anyway, why worry?

Never worry about anything,
Erik, till it happens. Ha-ha.

And I'll take care of it then.

Why don't you quit that job
in Larsen's bank

and join me
in working this thing out?

I'm going a long way
before I finish

and you might as well
be my companion on that journey.

What do ya say?

I'm giving you a draft
on the Gothic Bank in Stockholm

for 50,000 krona, and my
personal note for one year

at six percent, for the balance.

But, uh, but the price
was of the-the arrangement

was to be for cash, Mr. Kroll.

That's fine, Mr. Borglund

and I don't mind saying that
I've never had to do business

on the other man's terms before

but it's been a pleasure,
Mr. Borglund, I assure you

it's been a pleasure.
Good day, sir.

And he actually
signed the contract.

Well, Erik, there's the Borglund
Timber. Lock it up, Erik.

We're going to have other things
to lock up in that safe.

In fact, we're going to need
a much larger safe

before we're through.

But how are we going to repay

the Gothic Bank loan?

Ha-ha, you asked me that

when we got the first loan
from Larsen, didn't you?

Mm, that was 10,000 krona,
this is 100,000.

Why worry? Never worry about
anything, Erik, till it happens.

Then I'll take care of it.

We might even let Larsen
pay it for us.

But then you'll be
owing 100,000 krona.

- No.
- No?

No! I'll owe a 155,000.

You forget the 50,000 we paid,
uh, Borglund, and the interest.

But you can't keep on like this.

Don't you see,
the amount you owe

will keep growing
constantly until...

Until I own or control

every match factory in Sweden.

When you started out to save
this little match factory

from ruin, I was willing
to go along with you.

- But now, I'm afraid I...
- That's all I am trying to do.

But to do that

I must have every other
match factory in Sweden.

And after you get
all the Swedish

match factories, what then?

I'll then be able
to make matches

cheaper than any
other man on earth.

I'll then be ready to begin.

Begin? To begin what?

Erik, can't you see

the vision I see?

What is the most
valuable thing in the world?

You think it's gold,
don't you? Well, it isn't.

Any day, any man in the world
decides to the contrary

gold will become
a valueless metal.

Gold is precious only because
man wants it to be.

But a match..

Do you know that a cheap,
simple little match

is the most valuable thing
in the world?

It's the one
indispensable commodity.

The one thing
every person on earth uses

regardless of race,
color, or creed

climate and circumstance.

It's the one commodity
the rich must have

that even the poorest
can afford.

Why, the richest man on earth

or the lowest pauper
will give you a match.

But I'm not going to
give them away, Erik.

I'm going to sell them
to all the world

and with them

I am going to buy the world.

Uh, during the last year

we've induced almost
every line of business

to use matches
for goodwill advertising.

Why, even the gum people
are fallin' in line.

That's good, but it isn't enough

that everybody uses matches,
they've got to use them.

What we've got to do now
is to keep one person

from using one match
to light more than one thing.

I don't quite
understand, Mr. Kroll.

But permit me to remind you
that quality suffers

every time you try and do
a thing like that.

Oh, I'm not talking
about an inferior article

that'll only stay lighted
for a moment.

It isn't a problem for
our chemists or manufacturers.

We've got to make
the people themselves

voluntarily quit using one match
for more than one light.

But, Mr. Kroll,
that can't be done.

People will do as they please.

I'll tell you
how it can be done.

We've played on vanity,
fear of burns

the love of cautious parents
for their careless children.

But we've overlooked one
important fact in humanity

and that...is superstition.

I want you to create
a worldwide propaganda

in every language,
until mankind believes

that it is bad luck
for more than one person

to light a cigarette
from the same match.

Mr. Kroll, that would counteract

our courtesy
and chivalry campaigns.

Alright, let's make it
three cigarettes.

It's bad luck to light
a third cigarette

from the same match.

Tie up your new campaign
with the war.

Spread stories that it was
a superstition in the '20s

that when three men
lit their cigarettes

from the same match

one of the three
never came back.

Get writers to use it.

Have playwrights build scenes
around this theme.

It may take a year
and a fortune to put it all

but I want it done.

It will mean that one-third
more matches will be used.

Our sales ought to go up
around 33 and a third percent

and that will swell
our profits 42 percent.

Alright, get up and get busy.

Phone the hangar
to get out my plane.

I'm leaving for Warsaw at four.

Paul?

Darling!

May I ask what you mean
by sending me such a telegram?

Means I've stood
for all the lies I'm going to.

If you think you can say,
"I love you, Sonia," one day

and an hour later,
send me a 1000 miles away

on one of your errands,
you've lost your mind.

I'm through with all
your schemes and plans.

I am sorry, my dear.

The schemes are dreams

in which everything
is built around you.

There you go again.

Go on, talk some more.

Go on, my dear liar.

I'm listening.

Tell me how much
you've missed me.

You're cruel, Sonia.

If words could describe the pain
I feel when you're away from me.

My dear, I'm so lonely
and wretched without you.

- Paul?
- A thousand times..

I've almost decided
to throw everything overboard

to forget Stockholm,
New York, Paris

banks, factories, railways..
That I might come to you.

I often feel that I can
go on no longer, alone.

I understand, Paul.

It's only the vision
of that paradise deferred

when we can be together,
that inspires me to carry on.

How much longer must we wait?

It won't be long.

I can't go on much longer
without you.

Neither can I.

By the way, Sonia, were you
able to inspire Wadinski

with confidence in you?

So soft and pink and warm.

So cruel.

To hold all my future.

- It might be even my life.
- What do you mean?

My dear, do you think I could've
asked you to come here

and do what you've done

unless my very life
depended upon it?

Paul!

Is it Wadinski
who could do you harm?

Then you've nothing
to worry about.

I can twist him
around my little finger.

Besides, he has enough
troubles of his own

to keep him occupied.

What trouble, dear?

I'm not sure, but it's something
about the government's budget

not balancing.

He told me in confidence,
the whole ministry's

frightfully worried
and alarmed.

I don't suppose
you learned the amount

the government needs, my dear?

Wadinski said something
about a deficit

of five and a half
million dollars.

Paul, where are you going?

Something of
the utmost importance.

- When are you coming back?
- As quickly as I can.

I don't know
whether to believe you.

My dear, how can you doubt me?

But, Kroll, you must be mad!

I can hardly conceive
your entertaining for one moment

the idea that Poland should
grant to you, a foreigner

the Mexican section
of this country.

I'm astonished.

'You evidently know very little'

'about Poland's
economic condition.'

Notwithstanding which,
my dear Wadinski

the ministry needs
five and a half million dollars

to balance its budget,
and they've got to face

'your parliament
tomorrow night.'

'For the government
to confess that it cannot'

'balance the budget
would, I'm afraid'

make a very dangerous
situation for somebody

considering the temper
of the people at present.

Why, even you, the leading
banker of the country

and financial advisor
to the government

might unhappily

be the target
for a firing squad.

You've been grossly misinformed.

- The budget balances.
- I hope so.

For your sake, Wadinski.

However, should you
succeed in persuading

your friends in the cabinet

to accept from me the money

which they happen to require

I might say that you'll find

half a million in bonds

under Sonia Lombard's
pillow tonight.

Do you realize, Kroll,
that that's blackmail?

Of course.

Uh, what do you know
about Sonia Lombard?

It's a practice of mine
to know a little something

about everything,
and about every prominent man

and woman in Europe.

I have always disliked matches.

Very well, Kroll.

I can assure you that
the ministry will grant you

the monopoly you desire.

From this time on

there will be no matches
allowed in Poland

but yours.

'Mr. Kroll is expected back
at any moment. Have him wait.'

Well, there's Poland, Erik.

Lock it up in the safe
with Finland, Austria, Denmark

Brazil, Canada, and Romania

and all our other trophies.

I told you when we locked up
the Borglund Timber, long ago

that we'd need a larger safe
than that.

Yes?

- It's Ilse Wagner in Berlin.
- Ah!

And now we'll find out
what really is happening

behind the scenes in Germany.

Hello?

- Hello, is that you, Paul?
- Yes.

Wait.

I just got the information
five minutes ago.

Yes, go on.

I'll be there
early in the morning.

Goodbye.

Well, this is big news.

Tomorrow morning,
the Rothschilds

and the international bank
will refuse

to come to Germany's aid.

That means the end for Germany.

Eleven o'clock.

We still have four hours
in the bourse

in Paris and Brussels.

Five hours
in the London exchange.

Does anybody else know this?

Then we can unload slowly
and prevent the market

from breaking completely.
I'll get...

No, wait! I'm not going to sell.

When the news gets out,
our German securities

will be worth nothing.

Why, it means Germany's
complete collapse.

I've seen
little matchsticks hold up

more than one collapsing nation.

I know, but Germany
isn't Poland or Turkey.

- It will take...
- 125,000,000 American dollars.

I thought that out
while you were talking.

- But, Paul...
- When I have Germany cornered..

Then I will have
cornered Europe.

I know, but when the Rothschilds
refuse to step in, it's suicide.

They could've demanded
and received the railways

streetcar systems,
public utilities

custom house receipts..
Anything they wanted!

And I will do it
for the simple right

to sell matches,
at 200 for one penny.

I'll get those
other things later.

- Thank you.
- Congratulations..

We are deeply grateful to you.

'Look like matches to me.'

'I suppose
I must've overlooked them.'

Only Kroll's matches
allowed in this country.

Good evening, sir.

Remember the wine is to be but
slightly chilled, 42 degrees.

Everything is prepared, sir.

Are you happy, my dear?

Then I'm sorry
to have to tell you

that I must be in Paris

early tomorrow morning.

But I planned on having you
all to myself tonight, Paul.

- I might stay a little while.
- Until midnight?

I'm afraid I can't, Ilse.

'This way,madame.'

Must you really
be in Paris tomorrow?

I might not have to after all.

- I might telephone.
- Please, do.

- Shall we dance?
- If you wish?

- You don't mind, Hans?
- 'Not at all.'

Won't be long.

Shall we dance?

I'd love it.

Did you ever do that
for a woman before?

Do what?

Give up business,
drop everything for a woman.

No.

That's why I'm happy.

- Marvelous, isn't it?
- Marvelous.

Gorgeous.

Oh, it was lovely!

Waiter? Wine.

You know, I've never known you
in such a mood.

You're perfectly tender.

To tell the truth, Ilse,
I hardly know myself.

Please don't try to.

If you don't mind, my dear

I'll put in that
telephone call to Paris.

Perhaps I can arrange to stay.

Of course not, darling.

Who is the lady in white?

At that table over there.

That'sFrauleinMarta Molnar,
the cinema star.

- Do you know where she lives?
- At the Adlon.

Thank you very much.

I've made all our plans
for tomorrow.

- After breakfast, Paul, we'll...
- I'm sorry.

You don't mean to say you're
going back to Paris after all?

Well, I'm going to be
frightfully busy.

These require
your immediate attention, sir.

- Is everything in readiness?
- Yes, sir.

Remember the wine has to be
but slightly chilled.

Please leave it to me, sir.
About 42 degrees.

- Oh, yes, and the flowers?
- I'll attend to that also, sir.

But these must be got out
to Stockholm at once, sir.

You think you've got
what I wanted?

I'm sure of it, sir.

He does things as a king would.

After all, why shouldn't he?

Isn't he the Match King?

It's only slightly chilled, sir.

'The, uh, man you have
at the door knows what to do?'

He's to escort your guest here
or to the main dining room.

FrauleinMarta Molnar, please.

TheFrauleinMolnar suite
does not answer, sir.

Who's speaking, please?

Oh, Herr Kroll. I had a message
for you. Just a minute.

Oh, theFrauleintold me
to tell you she was on her way.

Frauleinis on her way.

Frauleinis on her way.

Mr. Kroll.

I was told to deliver
this to you in person.

- When did you receive this?
- 6 o'clock, sir.

So, why didn't you
deliver it till now?

Well, the lady told me not
to deliver it until 10 o'clock.

Adlon hotel, please.

FrauleinMarta Molnar's room.

The Fraulein checked out
at 6 o'clock.

Why did you tell me
she was on her way here

when I called
at a quarter to nine?

Well, I'm sorry, that was
the message theFraulein

told me to give you
if you'd call.

And after he almost wrecked
the hotel

Carl says he started
on the studio.

And when he told him I had gone

they thought he would tear
the place to pieces.

He will find out somehow
that we are here in Salzburg.

How can he? Only Carl knows.

Maybe somebody
may recognize you here.

In these?

No Match King is going
to spoil my vacation.

Oh,FrauleinMolnar.

What a delightful surprise
to find you here.

I'm Paul Kroll.

Yes, I know.

Out for a walk?

Do you mind if I join you?

No, not at all.

Are you sure you don't mind
a long walk?

I'd love it.

It's rather rough country.

The rougher the better.

What time is it?

It's 20 minutes to three.

Oh, fine, it's early.

We'll have time
to climb the Mt. Berg.

- Uh..
- Will you like that?

Like it? I was
about to suggest it.

A good beginning
don't you think?

That I like
the same things you do.

I wonder if you really do.

Why don't you trust me?

I'm going to.

I adore walking
in the rain, don't you?

I wouldn't have missed this
for anything in the world.

And weren't we in rare luck
to have got a storm up here.

There wasn't a sign
of a raindrop in the valley.

It always rains on the mountain
at 3 o'clock.

Regular as clockwork.

Never misses.

It's going to be rather slippery
going back this way.

Are you sure you want to come?

My dear,Fraulein,I...

I wouldn't miss it for,
for anything in the world.

Oh, oh, it's cold.

- Oh, it's so cold.
- No!

Oh..

Good.

- Oh..
- Oh..

- Scrub harder.
- Alright.

Harder.

- Mm.
- Oh.

You are up early today,
Fraulein.

Up early and out early.

And I won't be...annoyed
by the Match King today, Trudi.

Has he gone?

Oh, no, he's still here.
Poor man.

I'm afraid he'll be here
for some time.

Why will he be here
for some time?

I'm afraid he has
a terrible cold this morning.

And he was sneezing terribly
when we came in last night.

- You little devil!
- Poor man.

Oh!

Have Frau Niecker
to send out some broth to him.

Never mind, I'll,
I'll tell her myself.

What's the matter?

I think I'm going to be ill.

Yes, I'm going to be ill!

I'm not going to leave
this room again.

Well, don't stand
staring at me like a silly lily!

Do something, get me the books
we brought, the phonograph..

Where's the phonograph?

Oh!

Oh.

Trudi. I'm sorry, Trudi.

It's just that I hate
to have him spoil my vacation.

Who spoiled your vacation?
What has happened?

Oh, your great Match King.

He's not ill at all. No.

He's downstairs eating sausages.

Sausages!

I'm not going
to leave this room again.

At least I can read these books.

And I've got
five of Trino's records.

Who is it?

I brought your broth,Fraulein.

I'm so sorry you're ill.

'And so was the gentleman
when I told him.'

Ho!

'Would you please register?'

"Love is Joy."

How many times have we played it
the last two days?

You want me to change it?

Trino!

And he's here!

Match King or no Match King.

Nobody's going to keep me
out of that garden tonight.

I've been waiting.

You did this to me?

For you.

No one ever did anything
so sweet for me.

I've never been so happy.

since periwinkles made me sick.

What are periwinkles?

Stars or little flowers?

No.

It's a little shellfish..

...that comes from the North Sea
near my home.

I adored them
when I was a little girl.

Barclay Bank loan. The lease...

There goes
the Barclay bank loan.

Power company refuses
right of way.

'That's all very important'

'but it doesn't compare
to the Barclay bank loan.'

Now, wait just a minute,
gentlemen.

We've located Mr. Kroll.

- When's he coming back?
- He's in Salzburg.

I have a call in for him now.

And I've sent
a special messenger

by plane with all the papers.

We'll have them back
with his signature.

On your Salzburg call,
Mr. Borg..

- Yes.
- Mr. Kroll refuses to talk.

And the special messenger
says he refuses to see him

or look at any documents.

Operating calling.

Mr. Kroll wants
to speak to Mr. Borg.

- Oh..
- Ah..

Hello.

Hello!

Yes.

Get this it's vitally important.

Find out what village
on the North Sea

has the best periwinkles.

Peri-periwinkles?

Yes, I said periwinkles.

P-E-R-I-W-I-N-K-L-E-S.

Have them packed in ice and get
them here by special plane.

I want them by noon tomorrow.

But, Paul,
about that Barclay bank loan..

What's that?

No, I don't want
to hear about business.

You handle things
and stop worrying

till something happens.

And I'll take care
of it later. Goodbye.

He hung up on me.

- What does he mean?
- Why did he do that?

I'm not sure he realizes..

Thanks a lot for the periwinkles
and everything.

- You're a dear.
- This isn't goodbye.

I'll be back on Tuesday.

We'll go to Mirabel together.

Mirabel, Tuesday?

I'll be waiting.

Are you sure, you come back?

Nothing on earth
can keep me away.

Goodbye.

Till Tuesday then.

Take a wire, Erik.

FrauleinMarta Molnar,
Salzburg in Salzburg.

Business makes it imperative
for me to remain in Stockholm.

Impossible for me
to meet you at Mirabel. Paul.

- Why don't you give it up?
- What?

This, everything.

True, you have more power
than any man in the world.

But, Paul, does
it really bring you anything?

There's nothing
I really want now.

Then give it up.

Don't I wish I could.

Oh, why can't you?

Really, Erik,
it's quite simple.

I haven't accomplished
what I started out to do.

What you really started out
to do was

to save the little match factory
in Holmtide.

I suppose that's so long ago
you've forgotten.

No, that's what
I'm still trying to do.

- But, Paul, I wasn't joking.
- Neither am I.

We saved the Holmtide factory
with the 10,000 kronor

I borrowed from Larsen,
didn't we?

Have you ever stopped
to think what has happened

to that 10,000 kronor?

Well, you paid it back
to Larsen long ago.

No, it's never
really been paid back.

And now it has grown
to 10,000 times 10,000 kronor.

Oh, it's alright
as long as I keep going.

- But if I ever stop..
- I see it now.

My great heavens!

You'll always be
in debt to somebody.

Why..

...why you'll never be able
to catch up

with this thing you've started.

You're, you're caught
in an endless chain.

No, you're only
partly right, Erik.

Someday I won't owe
anybody anything.

What do you mean?

I mean it when
I circle the world

when I own it all, I will be
in debt only to myself.

And there are other things
besides owning the world.

Don't you suppose I know it?

I've been able
to save Germany.

I've been able to save France.

I've been able to save
Europe and other continents.

'But I can't save myself.'

Accommodations for two
on the Blue Train for Nice.

- You're really going?
- For three weeks.

And you won't tell me where.

So you could drag me back

like you did from Salzburg?

But something may go wrong.

Nothing possibly can.

Why do you suppose I've been
killing myself all these months?

For the glory
of Kroll Match company?

No. So, I could get away
from matches for three weeks.

Three weeks in paradise.

By the way Nyberg is outside.

You ought
to see him before you go.

- Oh, what does he want?
- I don't know.

He insists on seeing you.

Says it's vital.
He's pretty excited.

Probably wants to tell me
that he has found a box

of Japanese matches on a German
freighter docked in Liverpool.

Alright, show him in.

Well, Nyberg?

What is it?

Something that'll revolutionize
the match industry.

A man who..

Nyberg, if you're lying,
if you're even mistaken...

I'm not lying
and I'm not mistaken.

- Where is he?
- I can take you to him.

Can we get one of them?

I've attended to that too.

I've won
the old man's friendship.

- I'm the only one he trusts.
- Come on.

Wait here.

It's Nyberg, your friend.

It's alright.

This is the friend
I told you about.

My friend, here's the gentleman
I told you about.

He has no love for the rich
and powerful.

He's a friend
of the downtrodden

protector of the poor.

He has money
and he's...willing to help you.

- Very well. I believe in you.
- Good.

You may believe me
when I say I hastened here

when my friend Nyberg told me
I could help you.

The everlasting match.

What does it cost to make?

Less than a tenth of a cent.

Does anybody else
know about this?

Does anybody know your formula?

Good. Tell nobody.

Absolutely no human being.

'Above all we must
guard against this'

'becoming known
to the match trust.'

We must first seek out
a secret patent.

Then we can wreck
the Kroll Match Company.

Let me have one of them.

I've arranged
to take out a patent

in your name in Switzerland.

Kroll has no agents there.

I'll attend to everything
for you.

Leave this to me.

Stay here, watch him.

Personal telegram for you, Paul.

Send a wire at once
to theFrauleinMarta Molnar

Adlon Hotel, Berlin.

Regret exceedingly
I cannot join you.

Well, the telegram I have
is fromFrauleinMolnar.

Oh?

Never mind sending
that telegram, Erik.

That's all!

This is Paul Kroll.

An old pensioner of my company,
a simple chemist named Hobe

has become demented.

I'm afraid
he'll do himself harm.

He has delusions
that I am his enemy.

No, but I'd want him
to have the best of care.

A private ward.
Let no one annoy him.

I'll be glad to pay for it,
but I don't want my name known.

The address is number 17
Borguster. Top floor.

And the name is Christian Hobe.

I don't think
he'll ever recover his mind.

Well, gentlemen,
we need waste no time.

We'll vote to pass the dividend.

And immediately pull down
our company about our heads.

Surely you don't mean
to declare a dividend.

At this time? It's suicide.

- Kroll, I won't stand for this.
- Nor will I.

Very well then, you'll stand for
the Amalgamated Bank of Sweden

withdrawing their loan?

What does
declaring a dividend now

got to do with that?

Just this.

If we declare
not only a dividend

but an extra dividend,
they're bound to renew.

But if we pass our dividend

we advertise to the world
that we need money.

And gentlemen,
it is my experience

that bankers and pawnbrokers

are reluctant to loan money

when you actually need it.

and frantic to accommodate you
when you don't.

The committee from
the Amalgamated Bank of Sweden

is here.

And I shall
give them confirmation

of the two dividends.

Show them in, Erik.

Kroll.

Gentlemen,
I am glad to see you.

Won't you sit down?

My directors have
just voted an extra dividend.

'I fancy that
this will be pleasant news.'

For at a time like this
I imagine

that the Amalgamated
Bank of Sweden

will be glad to know
that its loans

are in profitable corporations.

I wish that all of our debtors
could say the same, Mr. Kroll.

Your earnings warrant
an extra dividend?

I know of no other way
of paying dividends

except through earnings.

We are very happy indeed
to learn

of the splendid condition

of your company.

'Because otherwise,
we wouldn't think of straining'

'the financial position
of Sweden's leading industry.'

Now that we know
that your situation

and position
cannot be jeopardized

'we feel that...'

You mean, you're not
going to renew our loan?

'Precisely.'

'It's the people's money,
you know?'

'And we feel that it is
to the interest of the people'

to use it to, uh..

To assist the smaller concerns.

Which have not been
so well managed as Mr. Kroll...

I understand
your viewpoint perfectly.

And I agree
with it...absolutely..

...in such times as these.

And, now, about the loan.

Would a repayment of the money
in 30 days be satisfactory?

It's due in five days.

It's entirely satisfactory,
Mr. Kroll

Thank you. Good day, gentlemen.

- Good day, sir.
- Good day.

Forty governments owe you money.

You control
more than one billion

two hundred million dollars
in your match interest alone.

To say nothing
of your vast holdings

in other lines.

You're turning out
30 billion boxes of matches

a year.

You own 250 factories
in 43 countries in Europe

North and South America
and Asia.

And still, the shape
the world is in today

I don't know of a place
where you can borrow

one penny on this statement
of your financial standing.

We've come a long way
from Holmtide, haven't we?

Oh, well, don't worry, Erik.

Wait till it happens..

...and I'll take care of it.

Cognac?

No thanks.

You've led me
to understand,senor

that you can use some paper
of great value.

I have here
some truly magnificent work.

May I see it?

You are quite alone here.

We have here 50
Treasury Certificates

of the Italian government

in the denomination
of one million dollars each.

They are as good,senor,
as the original.

If possible,senor,
they are better.

You say this will be alright.

But I can only tell
how good they are

by comparison
with the genuine.

How many can you use,senor?

All of them.

I'll pay you $5000 now
as evidence of good faith.

The balance to be delivered
to you in Paris tomorrow.

Or the paper returned and
the incident considered closed.

That is satisfactory,senor.

You're going to America soon,
senor?

And why do you think
I should be going to America?

Why, only the Americans
could possibly have money

enough for those.

Did you have any difficulty
getting into Sweden?

Difficulty?

I, Scarlatti?
I make my own passport.

I stamp my own visas.

Nobody even knows
I am in Sweden.

Come on.

Will you cast off at the stern?

Oh, yes.

Help! Wait!

No!

Where have you been
this last week?

I have been busy.

I've been going crazy here
while you were away.

What are we going to do
about that Swedish loan?

Erik, I told you not to worry.
That I would look after it.

You mean to say you know
where you can get your hands

on $14,000,000 in cash?

Certainly.

Paul. Why, you're a magician.

You pull things out of the air.

You always have.

How in the world do you do it?

Oh, I'll
just take some of those

Italian bonds to Wall Street.

Italian bonds?
What Italian bonds?

You disposed of those
long ago.

Did I?

Erik, haven't you learned by now

that there are a lot of things
about me you don't know?

But I'll explain everything
when I return to New York.

Meanwhile there's
nothing to worry about.

Oh, by the way, I wish you'd
sendFrauleinMolnar a cable.

You know her Hollywood address.

Tell here to meet me
in New York next week.

Tell her I must see her.

Paul, you're a wizard.

And the music?

All is arranged, sir,
as you ordered.

"Love is Joy" is the name
of the selection you sent.

The Limited is on time, sir.
I phoned.

The lady's on her way
from the station.

Paul!

Oh, it's good to see you again.

It's been a million years.

Not quite I guess,
but it seems that long.

- Marta.
- Let me look at you.

Oh, you look older, Paul.

I'm sorry, but you work too hard
and it's told on you.

You need moments
like that one in Salzburg.

Or you won't be the handsome man
I once fell in love with.

Oh..

Just like old times.

Not old times
but all times from now on.

Marta, at last,
everything is as I've wanted it.

I've arranged a loan that'll
make it possible for me

to leave business
for as long as I want.

And that means forever, dear.
With you.

I have planned everything.

You will give up pictures, and
we'll never be separated again.

Marta, I want to marry you.

I'm sorry, Paul.

But I waited so long.
It's been ages.

- And I, uh..
- You've what?

What are you trying
to tell me, dear?

Paul, I'm in love
with someone else.

Who is he?

Trino.

But...I brought you together.

Yes, he waited for me

all the time
I've waited for you, Paul.

'Trino dropped everything.'

His entire concert too,
to come to me.

Paul, dear, he's waiting for me.

I'm going back to him tonight.

Next month,
when I finish my picture

we're going back together
to Salzburg.

I hope you'll be
very happy, dear.

Oh!

That's sweet of you.

I know what this means to you.

You can never know.

I'm afraid
you'd better go, dear.

Goodbye, Paul.

And good luck.

Imagine Kroll's colossal nerve.

Forty millions
of forged documents..

...Inspector,
I've always thought that

Kroll is nothing more or less
than a common thief!

But I tell you gentlemen

I can't believe
what this message says.

Anyway, Mr. Kroll
will be here at any moment.

Well, I believe it,
I told Kroll back in Holmtide

he was nothing
but a cheat and rouge.

And I'll t..

Why, gentlemen, I didn't expect
to find you here.

We came here, Mr. Kroll,
because something..

Something of a rather serious
nature occurred this afternoon.

'When we arrived here
a few moments ago'

'as a delegation from
the Amalgamated Bank of Sweden'

we were surprised to find
these gentleman here.

From London, Amsterdam, Berlin

and Rome.

I am not accustomed
to transacting business

at this time of the night.

I instructed Erik by cable
that I'd

take care of the loan when
it comes due tomorrow morning.

And as for these
other gentlemen

I must confess...

Oh, stop this pretense.

Tell Kroll why we are here.

'Show him that cable
Pinchot sent us'

'from New York this afternoon.'

'That's what brought us here
tonight.'

'Except there must be
some terrible mistake, Paul.'

I tried to tell them
not to worry

that you would take care
of everything.

Stop this!

Tell him what the Italian
Consul General in New York

'told Pinchot.'

Always the small town banker,
eh, Larsen?

Never the gentleman.

If you'll excuse me, gentlemen

I have to make a telephone call.

I'll only be a moment,
and then we'll

clear up this mystery
you're hinting at.

'We're a lot of cowards.'

'There wasn't one of us
had the courage'

'to tell this crook his
Italian bonds were forgeries.'

'And that Pinchot
cabled to his Paris bank'

'to cancel
the $40,000,000 credit'

'he made Kroll
to take up our loan.'

'And I can promise you,
Erik, that no matter'

'what comes out of this,
you'll go to prison.'

'I think you've been
as big a crook as Kroll.'

The foreman found out
you were inside.

he told me when you came out,
to tell you, you were fired.

I did my best
to save your job for you.

And who do you suppose
thought that stunt up, huh?

My old friend Paul.

- Get it alright, sweetheart.
- Here.

Four hundred and sixty?

I'll give you my personal note
for 10,000 kronor.

Payable six months from today.

My vast holdings in Chicago

and your knowledge
of my success in America..

My own mother's wedding ring.

To me the dearest thing
on Earth.

I want you to wear it.

The man who saved the
fatherland, Herr Kroll

is gonna sell all the matches
in Germany from now on.

I know, now you'll be alright.

You'll spend
the rest of your life

under close guard
so that nothing can harm you.

I'm not ill!

That fellow there
just came in last week.

He'll be here for 20 years.

Somebody said he was mixed up
in that Kroll forgery

of the Italian bonds.

- And here comes Kroll himself.
- How long is he in for?

Oh, he'll be with us
from now on.

They're going to send him
to Devil's Island.

If you will take my advice,
gentleman

we will not turn him over
to the police

until after the market opens
in the morning.

Then we can dispose
of our shares and protect..

- What was that?
- Sounded like a shot!

- Oh, this is horrible.
- Oh..

...extremely shocking.

- Let's go down quick.
- Yes.

Oh!

'Began in the gutter.'

'He rose until
he ruled the world.'

'And he died in the gutter.'