The Shanghai Gesture (1941) - full transcript
A young woman, Poppy, out for excitement in Shanghai, enters a gambling house owned by "Mother" Gin Sling, a dragon-lady who worked herself up from poverty to buy the casino. Sir Guy Charteris, wealthy entrepreneur, has purchased a large area of Shanghai, forcing Gin Sling to vacate by the coming Chinese New Year. Under orders from Gin Sling, who has found out Poppy is Charteris' daughter, the smarmy Doctor Omar leads Poppy deeper and deeper into an addiction to gambling and alcohol. Gin Sling, realizing that Charteris was her long-ago husband who she thinks abandoned her, plans her revenge by inviting Charteris to a Chinese New Year dinner party to expose his past indiscretions. Charteris, however, has a suprise of his own to spring on Gin Sling.
Make up your mind!
Either quit shoving or quit pulling.
This is the last stop.
Allah be praised!...
For always providing new women!
I saw her first. Let's not forget that.
Next time I come out with you,
I'll bring a telescope!
Next time you go out with me,
bring on another face.
Let's divide the work evenly...
You take on the armed forces of justice...
and I'll tackle the girl.
That battle plan of yours has never worked
to my advantage yet.
All roads lead into Shanghai
but not everyone is welcomed so...officially.
Why are you heading this procession?
Did you spit in his eye, my little lotus?
Lotus my foot!
They're takin' me to the cooler.
I ran out of whatever they use
'round here for money.
That's serious...
What put you in hock?
I had to roost in his coop.
1st class Chinese hotel if you don't care
what 1st class means.
And all of a sudden he handed me bill
with more seals on it
than a marriage licence.
It added up to 80 'ying yang' or
two wheelbarrows full of copper cash.
I don't believe in carrying money with me.
But fortunately my fat friend
is an expert at 'squeeze'.
Whew...I wouldn't like to be squeezed by HIM!
So you're new to our shores.
'Squeeze' is an old Chinese tribute.
Popular in your country
under the name of 'graft'.
Ever heard of it?
You're an American, aren't you?
sure...if Brooklyn is still America.
Gentlemen.
Excuse me.
I beg your pardon.
Wonderful fertilizer, money!
I want you to meet an old friend.
Dixie Pomeroy, Prospect Park.
Percival Montgomery Hau, Shanghai.
- What do I do now?
- Nothing my little pigeon.
But if you step into my magnificent hearse,
you might have enough to do
before evening is over.
Sit down until the boss looks you over.
I thought the gentleman
in the black nightgown was the boss.
Moneybags?
He's an errand boy.
Like myself..
The real boss is a remarkable lady.
The most cold-blooded dragon
you'll ever meet.
She'll devour you like a cat
swallows a mouse.
Yeah? That only makes me more hungry.
When do we eat?
I'll have the chef send you up a brace
of 1000-year-old eggs.
Do you like them soft?
or scrambled?
Do you have a cigarette?
- Do you?
- I don't smoke.
Marcel.
Fake! Bad!
Rubbish.
Unless you call it a rhinestone.
You have something of value, monsieur?
Only this.
You laugh at this man?
He who laughs loudest, laughs last.
What a gold mine!
Catchee plenty fish...catchee nice!
Makee money chop chop!
If these crooks around here would only
trust me for a moment
I could show them how an honest man
could clip Shanghai in a hurry.
With things like these,
we could make a girl move any day
of the week and in any direction.
One piecee emerald...you likee?
One piecee pay-check...
Allah! Allah!
Allah is great!
What about this corner?
Well, Victoria, did I promise too much?
Isn't this place marvellous?
Look at those faces!
Half of them are Eurasian.
Who said "Never the twain shall meet"?
Java, Sumatra, Hindus, Chinese...
Portuguese, Filipinos,
Russians, Malayan...
What a witches Sabbath!
If anyone saw us coming in here
I'd certainly hear plenty.
The other places are like kindergartens
compared with this.
The smell is so incredibly evil.
I didn't think such a place existed
except in my own imagination!
It has a ghastly familiarity
like a half-remembered dream.
Anything could happen here...
any moment.
Look at that Arabian or whatever he is...
I wonder...does he sleep in his fez?
Turn this into gold for me.
Who's that female over there?
What female?
I say, he IS marvellous!
Wouldn't he look wonderful
falling off an Arabian charger?
He's not the type that falls from a horse.
What do you think he is?
What'll we drink?
Boy!
What do they drink here?
Brandy and sulfur.
I wouldn't recommend it.
I wouldn't drink it if you did.
Can you make a Planter's Punch?
There isn't a bartender within 3000 miles
who can make one...except myself.
How would you like it...à la Martinique,
Jamaica, Virgin Islands, or Trinidad?
Jamaican, don't you think?
Where are YOU from?
Wherever I can get a passport.
You sound Russian....that your country?
I have no country.
And the more I see of countries,
the better I like the idea.
Good evening Commissioner...
Nice to see you again, sir.
I forgot to phone for a reservation.
Can you find a quiet table for us?
In here, sir?
He means quiet for China.
This way, sir.
We did not expect this pleasure,
Commissioner.
I've already notified the boss.
One piecee table...chop chop!
My name is Caesar Hawkins...
in charge of the cash.
Alas, a frightful risk
for the bonding company!
Space please...no hurry.
Jackson, this is Mr Montgomery Hau,
a connoisseur of jewellery
and other lovely things.
This is Mr Jackson.
He specialises in music...and law.
This is Dr Omar.
Mr Jackson.
Spread your carpet, old boy...
and flip me 4 aces.
I cheat at everything except cards.
Lin Chi...
one piecee poker deck, chop chop!
Yes, Mr Hawkins, any refreshments
for your guests?
Yes 6 whisky soda,
chop ice, chop chop!
These confounded Asiatics insist on
trying to speak English!
What was that?
Boy!...Some water!
Water?...That will kill him...
He's not used to it...Vodka!
Let's get out of here!
Only someone trying to shoot himself.
It's Saturday night...
I say...this sort of thing's
not common, is it?
That's not you, Boris...
I thought we were good friends.
Why do you choose MY place as a
springboard to the upper air?
Why don't you go home and
attend to your little formalities there?
Sorry...
I lost my head for a moment.
You nearly lost it...permanently.
Give him 5,000 and let him continue.
Somebody give me a cigarette!
Be seated, gentlemen.
Excuse the slight disturbance.
You call that a "slight disturbance"?
You shouldn't have returned
his gun to him!
Why not?
How can you stop a man
from killing himself?
They're recommending Vitamin B1
this season!
This is Jackson...
our new legal counsel.
And this is Monsieur de Micheaux...
No. 1 man of our bank.
I'm overwhelmed!
What are we playing?
Poker?
Anything wild?
Only the joker, Mother!
You don't seem very enterprising
this evening.
Pass.
I open.
200 dollars!
Notes or gold?
Gold, of course!
Cards, my fellow pilgrims?
3 ladies, if possible.
One would be too much
for me.
Give me a king.
He's sure to get a queen.
Nuts always come to those
who have no teeth.
3 please...I still prefer aces.
I'll play these.
200 more.
Last time we played, Commissioner,
you lost quite a little.
I'd quite forgotten that.
It's so long ago.
But I didn't come here tonight
to win it back.
Win or lose, my humble house
is always yours.
It's too bad we came here to tell you
that you'll you have to close
your humble house.
You know how awkward
we must feel about this...
but you'll either have to close
or move into the Chinese city.
And 200!
I'm not leaving the International Settlement...
you know that.
Not all Chinese are like me...
there are some decent ones!
If I stepped that much across the line,
they'd sell me for pork!
It's childish! Who would visit us
in the Chinese city?
Look here, Mother...
we are nothing but messengers.
They'll send you a formal notice
cancelling your lease.
I came here as a friend.
Don't make it more difficult than it is.
Tell me...for whom are you speaking,
if not for yourself?
I see no reason for concealing it.
It's the India China Trading Co.
Every so often Shanghai decides
to clean itself...
like a swan in a muddy lake.
I shall not move, and I certainly
shall not close.
But you'll be forced to close!
This is not a moral crusade...
which might be easier for you to oppose
than "Big Business"!
You MUST close!
"Big Business"?
What do you call this?
By the way an ordinance
is being passed next week
outlawing this and
similar establishments.
I've lived by my own ordinances
for a long time now,
and I intend to disregard all others.
You're waiting to see my hand...
Small flush, jack high.
Here's another house no one can beat.
Aces full.
One thing more, we are appointing you
police commissioner also.
Have you been instructed
to make me move tonight?
But we know you need 5 or 6 weeks
to make other arrangements.
Until about Chinese New Year?
That's right...Chinese New Year.
You've delivered the message, gentlemen,
I promise to think it over.
Is there anything else i can do?
I told them you would be reasonable.
Now tell me...who is that
wonderful-looking creature over there?
I'll be glad to introduce you.
Until Chinese New Year, then?
That's right...Chinese New Year.
Here comes the warlord
of the Chinese underworld...
Straight for us.
I am Mother Gin Sling.
This is my place. I hope you will find
in it everything you desire.
May I introduce Monsieur De Micheaux?
Would you be kind enough
to give me your name?
My name is Smith, Poppy Smith.
And this is my brother.
Your name is not Smith
and he is not your brother.
That's beastly cleaver of you!
I say, I've always wanted to meet you
Mother Gin Sling.
It's awfully nice of you to join us.
I promised Miss Smith here a thrill...
and by jove, here it is!
- What will you have?
- Thank you...I don't drink.
You don't drink, Mother Gin Sling?
Is your name Chinese or English?
Indeed 'Gin Sling' is English.
It's a nickname that's common
in this part of the world.
And the drink's sold over the counter.
But why 'Gin Sling'?
Why not 'Whisky Soda'?
There was a girl called Whisky Soda, too...
and another one called Miss Martini.
one called Scotch Highball
and another Bénédictine.
In other places I might have been called
Rose, or Violet,
or Lily...
or even Poppy!
Excuse me...I have work to do.
Well you asked for it, Poppy!
Find out who that 'Smith' girl is.
I like her sheer spirit.
I thought I knew everyone
in Shanghai, Miss Poppy....
You must have arrived
quite recently.
Just last week, monsieur.
I've heard so much about
your 'wicked city'.
I've wanted to see it all my life.
I've lived here for 27 years now.
If there's anything
you want to do or see...
I'm at your disposal.
Needless to say, with the greatest
personal enthusiasm.
There's something you can do
for me right now, monsieur...
I've always wanted to meet
a Chinese gentleman.
That one at your table, for instance.
Oh he's no gentleman, he's a comprador.
You don't want to meet HIM.
What's wrong with that?
Don't you like yachts?
Not 'Commodore'...but 'comprador'!
A go-between...carries water on both shoulders
without spilling any.
Takes money from both sides.
A trifle shady, mademoiselle.
You'll protect me, monsieur.
I'd love to meet him.
Soyez gentil!
Ah bien!?...vous parlez français?
Alors...vous connaissez la France?
Nous parlons français plus tard.
What's that?
We speak French later.
Oh...ça vas...ça vas!
What are you up to, Victoria?
I could have introduced you
to a Chinese gentleman.
Ring Lyle and phone that I'll be late.
They might become uneasy.
I'm waiting to see the boss.
How long before she turns up.
Me no savvy English.
You'll savvy if you listen closely
for a minute.
Big shot...number one man...
I mean number one woman.
You know what a woman is?
Woman.
Yeah, I guess you're right.
I better wait.
Miss Smith. This is Mr Hau,
one of our more influential merchants.
I was influential. I was.
.
But I'm retired now...
if you please...retired
And I have 5 wives...also retired.
And I'm looking for No.6.
In France happy enough with one.
That is, one at a time!
Speaking of wives,
what is your first name, Miss Smith?
My first name?
How do you like Poppy, "Mr Hau"?
Poppy...that's a flower that's caused
my family a ot of trouble.
My unworthy great grandfather for instance
in the opium war of 1842.
This is my very best friend, Omar.
Miss Poppy Smith.
Are you an "Egyptian comprador"?
No I'm a doctor...Dr Omar...of Shanghai
and Gomorrah.
Any relation to the poet Omar?
"A book of verses
underneath the bough...
"A loaf of bread, a jug of wine,
And thou beside me
singing in the wilderness."
You said "Doctor" Omar.
Doctor of what?
Doctor of nothing, Miss Smith.
It sounds important
and hurts no one.
Unlike most doctors.
And your burnous?
Is it as real as your title?
Where were you born?
My birth took place under a full moon
on the sands near Damascus.
My father was an Armenian tobacco dealer
and was far away.
And my mother...
The less said about her the better.
She was half French...
and the other half was lost
in the dust of time.
In short I'm a thoroughbred mongrel.
I'm related to all the earth.
And nothing that's human...
...is foreign to me.
Then perhaps you can explain how
our friends suddenly vanished.
We were alone since
I first saw you.
Do you come here often?
From now on I'll be here
every evening, waiting for you.
I'm afraid I won't come here again.
Then I'll have to take steps
to wipe out your image.
What steps?
There are quite a few steps
provided by the management.
There's one for instance...
You're wanted.
At your convenience.
The whole district has been sold.
They're going to call be back and give me
the name of the No.1 man.
That's what I thought.
Some big speculation in land values is all...
They want us out.
The name is Sir Guy Charteris.
Charteris? Who is that?
Find out when he arrived,
where he's from.
Find his mistakes.
Every man makes them.
If he's successful,
he makes quite a few.
Should be easy to find
a few things to stop him.
A bullet will stop him.
Call up the bank and find out
what he's worth.
He's worth plenty. I can tell you that
without phoning.
Have a photographer to his house
to get his picture.
I want to see what he looks like.
See if there's anyone in Shanghai
who knows this Guy Charteris.
I know him.
What are you doing here?
Who are you?
Your tall friend brought me here
and promised me some chow...
I haven't even seen the chopsticks yet,
let alone the rice.
Are you playing at being
the Caliph of Bagdad again?
Another one of your pickups?
She seems to be a useful one
for a change.
Anyway, she'd be in jail by now,
had I not found her pleasing.
Wouldn't you my little tulip?
If you're thinking of putting your little tulip
in your buttonhole...
you'd better get her
something to eat.
Leave me alone with her.
Order some food.
Now then, sit down, my child, and tell me
what you know about this Charteris.
Well before I had to beach comb in Shanghai
we had a swell little leg show in Singapore.
We really started out in 'Frisco,
and some agent soft-soaped us
across the Atlantic to Marseilles.
We lost some of the kids there.
We then went to Cairo...
and most of them are still
walkin' up and down the pyramids.
How do you happen to know Charteris?
I met him in Singapore.
He sent his orderly backstage
to make a date with me.
Orderly? Is he a military man?
No...you know what I mean...the flunky.
The fellow who does the dirty work.
Well, he invites me out to dinner
in one of the joints...
I bring the girlfriend along to referee...
Because you never know what
you're up against in the clinches.
Anyway, it wasn't necessary...
He turned out to be a gentleman.
Bought me pop, and gave me orchids.
How often did you see him?
Oh...Couple of times,
maybe 5 or 6.
Of course I had to see him on the q.t.
We only went out in the dark.
Why?
Why? He's a big shot!
Men like that put us on the ice.
Besides, he's got a daughter.
Has he? How old is the daughter?
About my age, I guess.
That's why I couldn't see him
any more...
He said his daughter was joining him
from a finishing school in Switzerland.
Then he gave me some money,
and I invested it in a ruby
that turned out to be phony.
- What's he look like?
- Oh, he's okay!
Tallish, about 50. Has a good line...
knows what he wants.
And once in a while his arm
reaches for the ceiling
for no reason at all.
Just likes to stretch, I guess.
What colour were his eyes,
were they blue?
Yes, I think they were.
Are you certain his name
was Sir Guy Charteris?
Sure, his picture was in the paper once.
He was the real thing alright.
Wait a minute, maybe I can find a clipping...
I think I saved it.
No I guess I threw it away.
Will this be on the river?
It used to be marshland.
Full of factories now...storehouses.
Most of that sector is now ours.
And as far as I can see
it's only a question of making it nice and
comfortable for the others before they sell.
There shouldn't be much delay
since out friend here suggests
the city is not averse to
the elimination of this quarter.
Look here, I told you
we were not to be disturbed.
Personally I would recommend that
additional funds be added, say 200,000.
This is Charteris.
I don't wish to be interrupted again.
- I'd like to have a new man
on the switchboard in the morning.
- Very good sir.
There's a Mother Gin Sling
who wishes to speak to you...
and the person on the other end of the line
insists that the phone will ring
until you answer.
And who is Mother Gin Sling?
She runs the casino
in the district we're clearing up.
Quite an establishment
and quite an income.
Some of these tenants we're dispossessing
seem to have a good deal of power.
Well, they'll have less when
we're through with them.
Let's get on with this meeting.
"Mother Gin Sling'...quite a name!
Sounds like rather a hard character.
On the contrary, she's
a very charming woman.
Really?
Careful! You'll break the bank!
How much have you accumulated?
I'll know in a minute.
Let's have it cashed.
Aren't you proud of me master...
am I not a good pupil?
It's either that,
or beginner's luck.
The beginning and the end.
I'm not going to play anymore.
Not tonight, or any other night.
Otherwise I'd be here for good.
What's wrong with that?
Do you know a better way
to spend your life?
There's something
you don't know about me.
I can stop whenever I want to.
Let's go out for a ride...
I need some air.
I didn't know I'd won so much!
Sir Guy...
- Where's my car?
- We can't find your chauffeur.
- You're car is in the garage.
- Well have someone else bring it.
I'm sorry sir, your car won't move!
Alright, get me a taxi.
I'm trying my best, sir,
but they're all taken.
How about a rickshaw?...A clean one.
Big fellow, isn't he? Too big to be Chinese.
Must be Chinese, no one else
would be a coolie.
Roppingwile Rd, corner of Gordon Rd.
Get out! One is enough!
This way.
This way!
That's Sir Guy alright...isn't he handsome?
I should have gone over
and talked to him.
I'll tell you when I want you
to talk to him.
So he calls himself Charteris...
Sure he calls himself Charteris,
why shouldn't he?
That's his name.
She reminds me of my first wife.
Money meant absolutely nothing to her.
So long as I provided it.
17!
And black!
And red!
Pair, with your permission.
Boy, bottle of champagne!
That was the last of the Mohicans.
Now's the time to go after it,
my plucked bird of paradise.
What'll I use for chips?
What about that rope of stones
around your neck.
I couldn't do that.
It's a present from my dad.
What do you care...Buy it back
when you've won.
Your luck's bound to change.
You mean bound to get worse.
I'm beginning to wonder
if I'll ever win.
I wonder...will I get
a good price for it?
Your question insults the house.
We buy and sell everything
in the most honourable manner.
You're a beautiful woman, Poppy.
The sparkle is artificial.
You won't need it.
I wonder how you'd look
with your hair down?
Misha.
45,000.
- What's that in pounds?
- 790 English pounds.
Minus a few
unavoidable
deductions.
Ritziest drink you got, Comrade!
Don't call me "Comrade"!
What's ritz to one is nix to another.
You can call me anything you like, as long as
you give me something with a cherry in it.
I suppose you'd like to add ME
to your collection.
Which number do I remind you of?
No.2 and no.4...
except they talked less and weighed more.
Boy!
I'm not a boy!
I'm 49 years old and my name is
Vladimir Nicolaievitch Krestov-Dvijensky.
My name is Volochine.
Sit down Hawkins.
I want you to send out some invitations
for our New Years Eve dinner.
Very good. White tie?
But you're not going to close
on New Year's Eve, are you?
I'm only closing a chapter of my life.
To begin with, to give the occasion
some tone...Lady Blessington.
She won't come.
It would be easier to have
the late dowager empress.
She'll come.
Very good...she'll come.
That settles HER.
See that Jackson, Van Aalst
and de Micheaux are here.
Jackson, Van Aalst and Micheaux...
They'll kowtow.
And Mondragonen.
Boy!...We'll have more fireworks at dinner
than in the street.
Put down Sir Guy Charteris.
I say Mother, aren't you putting me
to rather unnecessary trouble?
You'll have an empty table.
It will not be empty.
We haven't been able
even to approach him.
How are you going
to get him to accept?
Kidnap him?
Stop behaving like
a disabled flamingo
and put down Sir Guy Charteris.
Very well, but I tell you,
he won't come.
- How much has she lost?
- Over 50,000 in the last hour.
What are her references?
She won't give any,
but I think she'll pay.
What makes you think so?
Omar thinks so too.
Omar should avoid thinking.
Doesn't suit his personality.
I'll go out and see her.
Good evening, Miss Smith.
I hope you aren't going to
ask for credentials, too?
You asked for $50,000.
And why not?
I might have asked for more.
If your credit is good, any sum you wish
is at your disposal.
My credit is as least
as good as yours.
I'm sure it's better.
But unless you can furnish me
with exact references...
I can't advance more than...
say 5,000.
5,000!
Rouge.
Black.
Of course it can't be forced.
But you know there's is such a thing
as good fortune.
Can I add 200 more?
I'll see you again.
Coming, Doctor?
You look better today, Boris.
It's a pity she left.
Here is your 5,000.
Another couple of hours
and I could have paid all my debts.
You're plotting your revenge
like an engineer.
The blueprints of your guests could
have been made more flattering.
Especially mine.
You'll be on my left.
And HE'll sit there...opposite ME.
What is it?
Miss Smith wants more credit.
50,000 more.
I told them to give her
whatever she wants.
No limit.
Anything she wants.
Thank you.
This reminds me of a friend of mine.
A general.
He started and planned
the battles superbly.
He himself was to lead
the central attack.
On paper, it was perfect.
But it turned out differently...
He was promptly captured.
Do you wish for more?
Will that be enough for madam?
I don't want any more.
I've had enough.
Here comes your girlfriend.
Don't go away, Miss...
Pomeroy. My name is Dixie Pomeroy.
Stay here and
have another drink.
Thanks but I gotta run along.
Business before...pleasure.
Were YOU paying for the drinks,
or was SHE paying for them?
I can say with pride, I've never
paid for anything in my life.
Do you think you can keep up
that enviable record?
Why not?
You're not going to
make me jealous, are you?
Don't make a scene.
How can you be jealous
of a little chorus girl
who doesn't own
the clothes on her back?
Don't play with me!
I won't stand for it!
I've been watching you both
for an hour.
That's why you lose...
Why don't you watch the game?
I told you not to play with me!
Please forgive me...
I didn't mean it!
Maybe I had too much to drink.
Come now...don't be angry with me.
What next?
An invitation to spend
the Chinese New Year
at the house of this Gin Sling woman.
Let me see that.
I dispossess her...throw her
out of Shanghai...
and she invites me to celebrate
her departure!
In my younger days
I shouldn't have refused.
Send my regrets as politely
as you know how.
Answer that phone!
Nobody there, sir.
- Have that call traced.
- Very good, sir.
I wouldn't go out there
if I were you sir.
It might be dangerous.
Well, that's the best way to find out
if they're aiming at me.
Ryeson!
It's that rickshaw coolie again.
Looks to me like the first shot
of a 21-gun salute.
Give him a coin and tell him
I'd like to see him.
I'm becoming fond of the fellow!
He's here, sir.
So, we meet again..eh?!
You savvy the English?
Speakee Chinee, Cantonee?
Let me see that invitation.
You know anything
about this?
You breakee window?
You didn't by any chance
hear any shots, did you?
If I find you in the vicinity
of my house again,
I'll have you put in jail.
I assume you do speak English.
Wait!
Lock him up...
That should take care of him.
I'll do my very best sir.
That sounded slightly Russian, didn't it?
What did he say?
I think he said no Chinese jail
is strong enough to hold him, sir.
From what I hear of Chinese jails,
he might be right.
Well, let's get on with the rest
of this correspondence...
I hope it will be easier
to dispose of.
I'm sure it will sir.
Give me that invitation.
8.30.
Formal.
"Mother Gin Sling requests the pleasure
"of your company at dinner
on Chinese New Year."
Mother Gin Sling.
Bring me some brandy
and sulfur for a change...
and chase away the evil spirits.
Where's Omar to tempt me?
Where's that Persian poet?
Behave yourself, Poppy! You're in China,
and you're white!
It's not good for us
to see you like this.
You'll bring discredit to your race
if you continue.
Don't preach to me!
And let my race
take care of itself!
What's upsetting you?
What's the matter?
Didn't I lose enough tonight?
So far you've lost nothing but pieces of paper
with my endorsement on them.
You wouldn't endorse anything
that wouldn't be paid.
I know it will be paid.
Come...get some sleep...
then you can play some more.
Don't touch me!
Don't paw me!
I've got enough money
to buy this whole outfit!
And everything that's in it.
All that counts here is money, anyway.
But this is the last time
you'll see ME!
Do you understand?
The last time!
Open up!
Open up...you!
Come on honey...let me in!
My ankle hurts!
Oh, I've hurt my ankle!
Help!
Did you hurt yourself,
my little one?
I've hurt my ankle.
I can't walk!
Well, that's too bad!
Omar, won't you carry me in, please?
Does it hurt badly, my sweet?
Where is she?
Where's who,
my little broken-footed antelope?
You know exactly who I mean!
I knew it!
This very very small powder puff
doesn't belong to you, does it?
Or maybe it's an illusion!?
Come, quick...what does the poet say
when he sees a mirage?
I'm no authority on mirages
or powder puffs.
This belongs to Dixie, doesn't it?
Since when has Dixie had
a monopoly on powder puffs?
Omar, don't torture like this!
Victoria!
Sit down.
Tell me, Victoria...
has there ever been in any doubt
in your mind
that I love you better than
anything in the world?
Why no Dad, why do you ask?
We haven't been very close to each other
since we came to Shanghai...
and it's MY fault.
You mustn't say that, Dad,
you've been busy.
You've had other things to do.
What's the matter?
Is something wrong?
How do you feel?
I'm fine...you know, Dad...
I'm always fine.
Is everything alright?
Anything troubling you?
You sound awfully strange.
Why do you ask?
It's not unusual for me
to be solicitous about you.
You're all I have, Victoria.
I've spent a good deal of my life
trying to protect you
from anything that could
possibly hurt you.
What's wrong, Dad?
Is there anything I can do?
Are you feeling happy?
Yes, I'm happy.
What's the matter?
I'm sending you back to Singapore...
and I'll join you in a week.
I've chartered a plane for you.
When do you want me to leave?
This morning.
This isn't much notice,
but I make quick decisions...
sometimes they're wrong,
but mostly they're right.
- That's impossible. I can't get ready.
- Go as you are.
- I'll have your things sent after you.
- I won't do it!
Hear, Victoria...you must do
as I tell you!
I don't like saying this, but you've
overdrawn your bank account
and some of the trinkets
I gave you are missing.
This morning a man offered
to sell me this necklace.
I paid his price without
asking any questions.
I don't know what you've been doing
with your money or you time...
I've always had an instinct
about bringing you here...
and I'm not going to ignore
my feelings any further.
I'll join you in Singapore
in a little while
and we'll talk about it there...
and have a good laugh about it.
Sorry, Dad.
Let's forget about it.
Take care of yourself, Victoria.
Take care of yourself.
You likee Chinee New Year?
I like it!
Why!...Mr Van Aalst!
This is indeed a surprise!
This is the last place on earth
I would have expected to find YOU!
As you're here,
Lady Blessington...
so it really can't be
the last place!
You haven't told anyone
I own this building?
Mr Hau!
How nice to see you again, Mr Hau.
It's ages since we met.
You adore European women,
don't you?
I wonder why, you old rascal!
I love them because they're
so intelligent...
they have such a sense of humour.
My name is Caesar Hawkins,
no relation to the Roman emperors!
May I hope to acquaint you
with the other guests?
Who would you like to meet?
Good evening.
I haven't seen you for many months...
since I had the good fortune
of selling you a fine piece of jade.
What piece of jade?
Nothing. Mr Hau must be confusing me
with someone else.
Sir Guy Charteris!
- Good evening, sir.
- Good evening.
Dr Omar.
I didn't expect
to see you again so soon.
You work here, don't you?
Yes, I should have known that.
Anyway, I'm grateful you made it possible
for me to repurchase the necklace.
I'm grateful to you
for the price you paid.
Nice seeing you again!
Miss...
No, don't tell me!
Watch your step, Sir Guy.
- Pomeroy!
- That's right!
You said it! I never thought
I'd see YOU again, Sir Guy!
How did you happen to drift into
this cesspool of the Far East?
Are you in trouble?
Judging by appearances,
I'd say you'd done very well!
By a couple of miracles
I broke into the best circles,
as you can plainly see.
Good evening.
It's a great pleasure
to meet you socially, Sir Guy...
You know Miss Pomeroy...
Mr Van Aalst.
I don't want to disturb you gentlemen.
Quite a crowd!
Are you going to be
in China long, Sir Guy?
Long enough to settle my affairs,
then I'm returning to Singapore.
Well...what do you think?
I'm happy to see that no one
has disappointed me.
You will please find your places
at the table.
I had some figures made
in your image.
I beg your pardon...
That's your place.
Where am I?
That may be you,
Lady Blessington.
A broken doll?
That's not me!
How clever!...
Dear me!
Is this you or me?
My hair's white...
Your hair is still grey.
Head of the table!
I wonder why.
Oh, you deserve it, Sir Guy!
The Chinese have for generations
specialised in stimulating dishes.
Birds’ nests from Formosa.
Seaweed from the inland sea
and shark fins from Gadar.
I've also not ignored an appetiser
for our male guests.
We're going to auction off
the girls to the junkmen.
Once in a while they have to
replenish their 'Flower Boat'.
Shanghai has to live up to
its reputation.
I say, Mother Gin Sling...
Are you sure those junk fellows
down there aren't the real thing?
They look awfully convincing.
Nevertheless they are fake.
What about those poor little
innocents up there?
They look really frightened.
They are fake too...they are
neither frightened nor innocent.
That's an idea!...
Putting my wives in cages!
Never thought of that.
Did you tell her
we had met in Singapore?
Sure I'd tell the kike I work with,
I'm so proud of it.
Perhaps I should have
worn a white tie.
I never take any chances
Chinese New Year.
Did you have to inspect them
so closely?
[Don't start anything.]
[Silence, idiot!]
Our little Chinese girls used to be
sold like that, not so many years ago.
I'm glad such a thing
can't take place again.
It couldn't have been
so very pleasant.
Oh...I don't know!
This is our New Year's...
We're happy today!
As you can judge by the noise outside,
it's our most important festival.
It's a sacred day.
On this day we pay our debts.
I know of no Chinese who would dare
incur the ill-will of his gods...
or his creditors...by not starting
the year with a clean slate.
Hawkins...
Why don't you take the occasion to return
the 200 mex I loaned you in a confused moment.
Sorry old boy,
but I'm still using them.
Well, there are other New Years.
Cigarette, Sir Guy?
How long have you had that?
Thank you, I prefer my own.
Sir Guy, I'm particularly happy
to see YOU here tonight.
You have of course
been in China before...
or are you new to our customs?
Indeed, I'm quite familiar with them.
I know the North
in fact, I like it better
than the South.
It has more...tradition...
More poise...more character
and beauty.
You too come from the North,
don't you?
My people were Manchus.
Do you prefer this climate?
Why did you leave the North?
I had little to do with it.
I was washed ashore here.
Picked up on the Shanghai waterfront
Mr Hau then took me in tow.
He found me stealing some food.
And he liked me.
Later he gave me enough
to establish this...gallery.
But that was long ago, wasn't it?
It was a good investment.
She paid back a hundredfold!
I always pay my debts,
a hundredfold.
There's a tiger for you,
and showing her claws.
Those claws can stand
a bit of trimming.
Speaking of the waterfront...
you're so pretty, Miss Pomeroy...
Are you one of the Pommeroys
who have a villa near Nice?
She's a chorus girl out of work,
your ladyship.
And but for the grace of Allah
and Mother Gin Sling,
she'd be floating down the river.
Oh, can the sentiment!
Pommeroys of Nice...
Pommeroys of Flatbush!
We had a marvellous villa there...
And what a landlord!
From Nice to Flatbush is quite a swim.
It doesn't matter where we come from,
what matters is that we're HERE.
Miss Pommeroy of course has
never witnessed this charming holiday.
Yeah...it's like our 4th of July.
I adore noise...it's so refined.
Mario, we're leaving!
Please excuse me. I feel sick
and I wish to go home.
Sit down!
You might become more ill if I remind you
a little incident that took place
in Rio 5 years ago.
Don't disturb yourself, Your Excellency,
your wife has a good constitution.
As questionable as her career has been,
it's no worse than yours.
Or do you wish me to amplify
that statement.
Mother Gin Sling,
you've no idea how happy
I am to be here.
I'm going into the casino later
and drop quite a bit of money!
I'm left so often with idle time
on my hands...
with nothing, nothing,
nothing to do!
Do tell me, who's going to
sit next to me?
I hope it's a man!...
By the way...
Who broke this,
and why isn't it here?
That represents a very
distinguished young lady...
who's being sobered up...
so that she can walk in
and take her place at this table.
To complete the list of
my illustrious guests.
Another glass for Sir Guy.
Good gracious!
What is it Lady Blessington?
Someone has pinched you, I hope.
Indeed not!
One, two, three, four...
13 chairs...I'm going home!
You must excuse me!
Sit down!
Does anyone else
wish to leave?
I take it Mother Gin Sling
that there is some reason
which compels each
of your guests to stay.
There's none which can
make ME stay.
I came to see you
out of sheer curiosity...
I can appreciate an invitation
issued to a man
you've been trying to intimidate.
Without wishing to give offence,
I'll go.
Good night, Miss Pomeroy.
You act as if there were really nothing
to compel you to remain...Sir Guy.
I thought we may have had
a longer chat...
But since, as you say, there is
no way of detaining you...
I'll say good night, Mr Dawson.
How do you know that name?
Mr Dawson has decided to stay.
Which after all is quite proper,
considering this dinner was given in his honour.
Who are you?...What's behind
this mask of yours?
Look at me!
Is my face so changed,
you no longer know me?
Or do all Chinese girls
look alike to you?
Look at me closely!
The only mask I wear
is the mask of time.
Surely you didn't expect shining faith
and blind love to remain
in my face forever?
I never saw you in my life.
The Hon. Sir Guy chooses
not to recognise me!
But he chooses to drive me
out of Shanghai...
What a joke! I dare say he wasn't
prepared to meet me again.
But we do meet again...
and on New Year's Eve...
And we pay out debts...
Great and small!
You've looked at me
a long time now...
Do you still say
you don't know me?
Yes...why should I know you?
Wait a minute...
No!?...
That's impossible!
That girl's dead!
Yes!...You're right...
That girl is dead.
That meek girl who trusted you
with her life...she IS dead!
But in her place stands
Mother Gin Sling...
...who's strong, and who now trades
in the weaknesses of others.
And who because of that has again
as many boxes of silver as you
once stole from that stupid little fool.
Now do you know me?
Look at me once more
and tell them who I am!
And why it is YOU will leave Shanghai...
and not I!
Yes, I said STOLE!
Dawson was a thief...
Whatever you may be today.
That's not possible!
You're not...
Quickly! Tell them the little name of love
you used to call the Manchu girl.
There were little love names
we had for each other then.
I was Miss Ladybug...and he
This is some sort of a trap!
There was a woman once, yes...
I admit it...but...
It couldn't have been you!
I beg you...Let us have
no more of this!
Be silent Commissioner!
That man's name is Victor Dawson.
How he happens to be Sir Guy Charteris...
I don't know.
Perhaps he'll be kind enough
to explain...
Yes, I'll be kind enough to explain.
Since she's made a public issue
of the past
I think it's only fair to say
that she's right.
I came to China as a youngster.
Because I wanted to make
my own way
I dropped my family name
and assumed the name of Dawson.
And I did marry a Chinese girl...
I saw nothing dishonourable in that.
And he saw nothing dishonourable
in leaving her.
He saw nothing dishonourable
in taking her money!
I was that girl!
When I met this Mr Dawson, .
I gave him my father's wealth
to keep for me.
And I gave myself with it!
And I gave him a child, poor thing.
Then, all at once he was gone.
I waited...the days were like years.
His friends came...I thought
they were my friends, too.
Then one day I found myself
like those caged animals out there!
Only there was no "fake"
about THAT sale!
Do you know what
the China Sea looks like
from a boat filled with
passengers without hope?
Told to laugh, and be gay...
and kicked into not weeping.
A new port every few weeks...
Tientsin,
Amoy,
Canton,
Foochow,
and then Shanghai!
How could I dream that an hour
would come
when I could pay him back
in full!
And how was I to know
he would make it so easy?!
The soles of my feet cut open
and pebbles sewn inside
to keep me from running away.
I don't know what kept me alive.
Unless it was the hope of a nice
social evening like this one.
Perhaps now I can persuade you
to return to your seat, Sir Guy?
I'm not through with you, yet!
Well, Dad...I guess you didn't expect
to see me here!
Did you!?
But planes can turn back, too.
Or did I imagine that you
put me on a plane?
Are you surprised, Dad,
to see your daughter in this company?
Somebody give me a cigarette!
Go on, Omar...
Give me a cigarette!
Do you know him, Dad?
This is the poet laureate of Shanghai.
Some day I'm going to kill him.
Go on Doctor...
Recite something for Dad!
Go on!
Go ahead!...Hurry up!
"The moving finger writes
"and having writ, moves on.
"Nor all your piety nor wit
"shall lure us back
"to cancel half a line.
Nor all your tears
wash out a word of it"
How do you like him, Dad?
And how do you like this?
Want a cigarette, Dad?
Cost me thousands.
Cheap though, isn't it?
Like a lot of things
around here.
Looks like she means me,
I guess.
You don't mind if I overstep
my allowance once in a while
to make a few presents,
do you Dad?
While we're on the subject
of presents, Dad...
I owe Lady Shylock over there,
£20,000.
And I haven't much to show for it...
except that dressed-up clown!
This whole thing reminds me
of an argument I once had
with the mother of my 2nd wife...
It also was a question of money.
What time is it, anyway?
No tickee...no watchee!
to point out there are
two sides to every question.
Save your rope, Jackson.
I require no defense.
Whatever I have done, is done.
Come, we're going.
You can't possibly have any reason
to detain either of us any longer.
We've served out purpose.
Don't bother me...
I don't want to go yet.
Why don't you listen to your father...
he wants you to go with him.
We Chinese at least bring up our children
to respect their parents...
To obey them.
Even when everything
else goes, that remains.
I want you to come home.
Van Aalst, come over here a moment.
Come to my office in the morning
and pick up a cheque for £20,000.
Bring it to her.
And tell her that the funds
she claimed I took
are, and always have been,
in a North China bank, in her name, in Tientsin.
I'm sorry, Sir Guy.
Anything else I can do?
The sins of the fathers...
Thanks, and good night.
Why don't you wait a minute!
Wait outside...
I have a few things
I want to settle!
Nothing to settle...the money you owe
will be paid.
I must say goodbye!
I can't run away like this.
No, you're coming home with me.
Why do you treat me like this?
I'm old enough to know
what I'm doing!
Once before you forced me
to leave.
What good was that?
I came back, didn't I?
You've forced me
all my life
and now you KNOW
it hasn't done any good!
There were always other people
to tell me what to do and what to think...
You've had me on a chain
all my life!
Now I want to think for myself.
The only trouble with that chain was
that it wasn't strong enough!
Rickshaw!
I thought I'd be spared the pleasure
of seeing you again, Sir Guy.
There's no reason why you should
remain in my house.
The slate is clean.
Let me get that girl in there,
before it's too late.
It's already too late.
Your daughter is no good
for anything.
Wherever you take her,
she'd be no good.
I could have torn down
the whole world to get at you...
But it wasn't necessary.
It was made easy for me...
because her soul was hollow.
Her emotions were cheap.
She had no more control
than her father had.
She had no more humour
than he had.
Her blood is no good!
Alright...
You're forcing me to something
I wanted to avoid.
I didn't want to say this
before the others...
I wanted to deal with it myself...
But I can't now.
Her blood isn't bad...
unless yours is bad.
Her emotions aren't cheap
unless your emotions are cheap.
She's not MY daughter...
she's OUR daughter.
Why do you say such a stupid thing?
Our child was gone
before it could babble "mother"!
You're daughter is in there!
Who would boast of
a child being yours?
After you disappeared, as you claim...
she was picked up for dead
and brought to a hospital.
I took her far away where
the word 'China' is never heard.
She doesn't know to this day
that she was born in China.
Nor did she know, nor did I know
that he mother was still alive.
If that's my daughter in there...
then I think this should
be left to me.
Alright, see what you can do.
I'm not gonna hang around
here any longer!
Don't either of you leave this room
before I'm through with you!
Say, don't make it tough for me...
I'm just workin' here...I'm takin' orders.
There's nothin' between US!
Of course there's nothing between you...
I'm doing you a great injustice!
You're just friends...he's protecting you
from evil...educating you...
teaching you how to convert that
cheap tongue of yours into poetry.
Well, maybe I haven't had education,
but I know how to behave!
Makin' a holy show of yourself!
You oughta be ashamed!
Everybody goes through troubles...
I've had MY share!
Just because it's tough for us, we don't
have to make it tough for others!
You can have him as far as
I'm concerned.
Won't do you any good...
Guy like that doesn't help
to make life any better!
He'd never help you up...
he'd only help you down.
"I sent my soul to the invisible
"some letter of that afterlife to spell.
"And bye and bye my soul returned to me
And answered...
"I myself am heaven...
and hell."
If you wanna...you can listen to
that Persian tripe...
I'm going.
Stay where you are!
You're not going.
Let me go!
Get out Omar! You too Dixie.
Get out of here yourself!
They'll stay here!
This is my house, and I want to be
left alone with you.
I don't care WHO's house it is!
They'll stay here
until I want them to go!
If you can still listen to anything,
then listen now.
I've just been informed
that I'm your mother!
What are you talking about?
You're crazy!
Dixie, get out!
And Omar, you too!...Go!
Don't go, Omar!
I didn't know what I was saying!
Let him go.
I have the right to command you.
Do you hear me, I'm your mother!
Let him go!
What right have you
to command me?
I have no more connection with you
than with a toad out in the street!
"My mother"!
Why don't you forget that litany?!
Somebody had to be my mother
but I can tell you one thing...
If I had my choice, you'd be
the last one on earth I'd pick!
Mother Gin Sling!
What shall we do now?
The police will be here.
And this time we'll not bribe them
will we?
You likee Chinee New Year?
Subtitles: FatPlank [RLB] for KG.
Either quit shoving or quit pulling.
This is the last stop.
Allah be praised!...
For always providing new women!
I saw her first. Let's not forget that.
Next time I come out with you,
I'll bring a telescope!
Next time you go out with me,
bring on another face.
Let's divide the work evenly...
You take on the armed forces of justice...
and I'll tackle the girl.
That battle plan of yours has never worked
to my advantage yet.
All roads lead into Shanghai
but not everyone is welcomed so...officially.
Why are you heading this procession?
Did you spit in his eye, my little lotus?
Lotus my foot!
They're takin' me to the cooler.
I ran out of whatever they use
'round here for money.
That's serious...
What put you in hock?
I had to roost in his coop.
1st class Chinese hotel if you don't care
what 1st class means.
And all of a sudden he handed me bill
with more seals on it
than a marriage licence.
It added up to 80 'ying yang' or
two wheelbarrows full of copper cash.
I don't believe in carrying money with me.
But fortunately my fat friend
is an expert at 'squeeze'.
Whew...I wouldn't like to be squeezed by HIM!
So you're new to our shores.
'Squeeze' is an old Chinese tribute.
Popular in your country
under the name of 'graft'.
Ever heard of it?
You're an American, aren't you?
sure...if Brooklyn is still America.
Gentlemen.
Excuse me.
I beg your pardon.
Wonderful fertilizer, money!
I want you to meet an old friend.
Dixie Pomeroy, Prospect Park.
Percival Montgomery Hau, Shanghai.
- What do I do now?
- Nothing my little pigeon.
But if you step into my magnificent hearse,
you might have enough to do
before evening is over.
Sit down until the boss looks you over.
I thought the gentleman
in the black nightgown was the boss.
Moneybags?
He's an errand boy.
Like myself..
The real boss is a remarkable lady.
The most cold-blooded dragon
you'll ever meet.
She'll devour you like a cat
swallows a mouse.
Yeah? That only makes me more hungry.
When do we eat?
I'll have the chef send you up a brace
of 1000-year-old eggs.
Do you like them soft?
or scrambled?
Do you have a cigarette?
- Do you?
- I don't smoke.
Marcel.
Fake! Bad!
Rubbish.
Unless you call it a rhinestone.
You have something of value, monsieur?
Only this.
You laugh at this man?
He who laughs loudest, laughs last.
What a gold mine!
Catchee plenty fish...catchee nice!
Makee money chop chop!
If these crooks around here would only
trust me for a moment
I could show them how an honest man
could clip Shanghai in a hurry.
With things like these,
we could make a girl move any day
of the week and in any direction.
One piecee emerald...you likee?
One piecee pay-check...
Allah! Allah!
Allah is great!
What about this corner?
Well, Victoria, did I promise too much?
Isn't this place marvellous?
Look at those faces!
Half of them are Eurasian.
Who said "Never the twain shall meet"?
Java, Sumatra, Hindus, Chinese...
Portuguese, Filipinos,
Russians, Malayan...
What a witches Sabbath!
If anyone saw us coming in here
I'd certainly hear plenty.
The other places are like kindergartens
compared with this.
The smell is so incredibly evil.
I didn't think such a place existed
except in my own imagination!
It has a ghastly familiarity
like a half-remembered dream.
Anything could happen here...
any moment.
Look at that Arabian or whatever he is...
I wonder...does he sleep in his fez?
Turn this into gold for me.
Who's that female over there?
What female?
I say, he IS marvellous!
Wouldn't he look wonderful
falling off an Arabian charger?
He's not the type that falls from a horse.
What do you think he is?
What'll we drink?
Boy!
What do they drink here?
Brandy and sulfur.
I wouldn't recommend it.
I wouldn't drink it if you did.
Can you make a Planter's Punch?
There isn't a bartender within 3000 miles
who can make one...except myself.
How would you like it...à la Martinique,
Jamaica, Virgin Islands, or Trinidad?
Jamaican, don't you think?
Where are YOU from?
Wherever I can get a passport.
You sound Russian....that your country?
I have no country.
And the more I see of countries,
the better I like the idea.
Good evening Commissioner...
Nice to see you again, sir.
I forgot to phone for a reservation.
Can you find a quiet table for us?
In here, sir?
He means quiet for China.
This way, sir.
We did not expect this pleasure,
Commissioner.
I've already notified the boss.
One piecee table...chop chop!
My name is Caesar Hawkins...
in charge of the cash.
Alas, a frightful risk
for the bonding company!
Space please...no hurry.
Jackson, this is Mr Montgomery Hau,
a connoisseur of jewellery
and other lovely things.
This is Mr Jackson.
He specialises in music...and law.
This is Dr Omar.
Mr Jackson.
Spread your carpet, old boy...
and flip me 4 aces.
I cheat at everything except cards.
Lin Chi...
one piecee poker deck, chop chop!
Yes, Mr Hawkins, any refreshments
for your guests?
Yes 6 whisky soda,
chop ice, chop chop!
These confounded Asiatics insist on
trying to speak English!
What was that?
Boy!...Some water!
Water?...That will kill him...
He's not used to it...Vodka!
Let's get out of here!
Only someone trying to shoot himself.
It's Saturday night...
I say...this sort of thing's
not common, is it?
That's not you, Boris...
I thought we were good friends.
Why do you choose MY place as a
springboard to the upper air?
Why don't you go home and
attend to your little formalities there?
Sorry...
I lost my head for a moment.
You nearly lost it...permanently.
Give him 5,000 and let him continue.
Somebody give me a cigarette!
Be seated, gentlemen.
Excuse the slight disturbance.
You call that a "slight disturbance"?
You shouldn't have returned
his gun to him!
Why not?
How can you stop a man
from killing himself?
They're recommending Vitamin B1
this season!
This is Jackson...
our new legal counsel.
And this is Monsieur de Micheaux...
No. 1 man of our bank.
I'm overwhelmed!
What are we playing?
Poker?
Anything wild?
Only the joker, Mother!
You don't seem very enterprising
this evening.
Pass.
I open.
200 dollars!
Notes or gold?
Gold, of course!
Cards, my fellow pilgrims?
3 ladies, if possible.
One would be too much
for me.
Give me a king.
He's sure to get a queen.
Nuts always come to those
who have no teeth.
3 please...I still prefer aces.
I'll play these.
200 more.
Last time we played, Commissioner,
you lost quite a little.
I'd quite forgotten that.
It's so long ago.
But I didn't come here tonight
to win it back.
Win or lose, my humble house
is always yours.
It's too bad we came here to tell you
that you'll you have to close
your humble house.
You know how awkward
we must feel about this...
but you'll either have to close
or move into the Chinese city.
And 200!
I'm not leaving the International Settlement...
you know that.
Not all Chinese are like me...
there are some decent ones!
If I stepped that much across the line,
they'd sell me for pork!
It's childish! Who would visit us
in the Chinese city?
Look here, Mother...
we are nothing but messengers.
They'll send you a formal notice
cancelling your lease.
I came here as a friend.
Don't make it more difficult than it is.
Tell me...for whom are you speaking,
if not for yourself?
I see no reason for concealing it.
It's the India China Trading Co.
Every so often Shanghai decides
to clean itself...
like a swan in a muddy lake.
I shall not move, and I certainly
shall not close.
But you'll be forced to close!
This is not a moral crusade...
which might be easier for you to oppose
than "Big Business"!
You MUST close!
"Big Business"?
What do you call this?
By the way an ordinance
is being passed next week
outlawing this and
similar establishments.
I've lived by my own ordinances
for a long time now,
and I intend to disregard all others.
You're waiting to see my hand...
Small flush, jack high.
Here's another house no one can beat.
Aces full.
One thing more, we are appointing you
police commissioner also.
Have you been instructed
to make me move tonight?
But we know you need 5 or 6 weeks
to make other arrangements.
Until about Chinese New Year?
That's right...Chinese New Year.
You've delivered the message, gentlemen,
I promise to think it over.
Is there anything else i can do?
I told them you would be reasonable.
Now tell me...who is that
wonderful-looking creature over there?
I'll be glad to introduce you.
Until Chinese New Year, then?
That's right...Chinese New Year.
Here comes the warlord
of the Chinese underworld...
Straight for us.
I am Mother Gin Sling.
This is my place. I hope you will find
in it everything you desire.
May I introduce Monsieur De Micheaux?
Would you be kind enough
to give me your name?
My name is Smith, Poppy Smith.
And this is my brother.
Your name is not Smith
and he is not your brother.
That's beastly cleaver of you!
I say, I've always wanted to meet you
Mother Gin Sling.
It's awfully nice of you to join us.
I promised Miss Smith here a thrill...
and by jove, here it is!
- What will you have?
- Thank you...I don't drink.
You don't drink, Mother Gin Sling?
Is your name Chinese or English?
Indeed 'Gin Sling' is English.
It's a nickname that's common
in this part of the world.
And the drink's sold over the counter.
But why 'Gin Sling'?
Why not 'Whisky Soda'?
There was a girl called Whisky Soda, too...
and another one called Miss Martini.
one called Scotch Highball
and another Bénédictine.
In other places I might have been called
Rose, or Violet,
or Lily...
or even Poppy!
Excuse me...I have work to do.
Well you asked for it, Poppy!
Find out who that 'Smith' girl is.
I like her sheer spirit.
I thought I knew everyone
in Shanghai, Miss Poppy....
You must have arrived
quite recently.
Just last week, monsieur.
I've heard so much about
your 'wicked city'.
I've wanted to see it all my life.
I've lived here for 27 years now.
If there's anything
you want to do or see...
I'm at your disposal.
Needless to say, with the greatest
personal enthusiasm.
There's something you can do
for me right now, monsieur...
I've always wanted to meet
a Chinese gentleman.
That one at your table, for instance.
Oh he's no gentleman, he's a comprador.
You don't want to meet HIM.
What's wrong with that?
Don't you like yachts?
Not 'Commodore'...but 'comprador'!
A go-between...carries water on both shoulders
without spilling any.
Takes money from both sides.
A trifle shady, mademoiselle.
You'll protect me, monsieur.
I'd love to meet him.
Soyez gentil!
Ah bien!?...vous parlez français?
Alors...vous connaissez la France?
Nous parlons français plus tard.
What's that?
We speak French later.
Oh...ça vas...ça vas!
What are you up to, Victoria?
I could have introduced you
to a Chinese gentleman.
Ring Lyle and phone that I'll be late.
They might become uneasy.
I'm waiting to see the boss.
How long before she turns up.
Me no savvy English.
You'll savvy if you listen closely
for a minute.
Big shot...number one man...
I mean number one woman.
You know what a woman is?
Woman.
Yeah, I guess you're right.
I better wait.
Miss Smith. This is Mr Hau,
one of our more influential merchants.
I was influential. I was.
.
But I'm retired now...
if you please...retired
And I have 5 wives...also retired.
And I'm looking for No.6.
In France happy enough with one.
That is, one at a time!
Speaking of wives,
what is your first name, Miss Smith?
My first name?
How do you like Poppy, "Mr Hau"?
Poppy...that's a flower that's caused
my family a ot of trouble.
My unworthy great grandfather for instance
in the opium war of 1842.
This is my very best friend, Omar.
Miss Poppy Smith.
Are you an "Egyptian comprador"?
No I'm a doctor...Dr Omar...of Shanghai
and Gomorrah.
Any relation to the poet Omar?
"A book of verses
underneath the bough...
"A loaf of bread, a jug of wine,
And thou beside me
singing in the wilderness."
You said "Doctor" Omar.
Doctor of what?
Doctor of nothing, Miss Smith.
It sounds important
and hurts no one.
Unlike most doctors.
And your burnous?
Is it as real as your title?
Where were you born?
My birth took place under a full moon
on the sands near Damascus.
My father was an Armenian tobacco dealer
and was far away.
And my mother...
The less said about her the better.
She was half French...
and the other half was lost
in the dust of time.
In short I'm a thoroughbred mongrel.
I'm related to all the earth.
And nothing that's human...
...is foreign to me.
Then perhaps you can explain how
our friends suddenly vanished.
We were alone since
I first saw you.
Do you come here often?
From now on I'll be here
every evening, waiting for you.
I'm afraid I won't come here again.
Then I'll have to take steps
to wipe out your image.
What steps?
There are quite a few steps
provided by the management.
There's one for instance...
You're wanted.
At your convenience.
The whole district has been sold.
They're going to call be back and give me
the name of the No.1 man.
That's what I thought.
Some big speculation in land values is all...
They want us out.
The name is Sir Guy Charteris.
Charteris? Who is that?
Find out when he arrived,
where he's from.
Find his mistakes.
Every man makes them.
If he's successful,
he makes quite a few.
Should be easy to find
a few things to stop him.
A bullet will stop him.
Call up the bank and find out
what he's worth.
He's worth plenty. I can tell you that
without phoning.
Have a photographer to his house
to get his picture.
I want to see what he looks like.
See if there's anyone in Shanghai
who knows this Guy Charteris.
I know him.
What are you doing here?
Who are you?
Your tall friend brought me here
and promised me some chow...
I haven't even seen the chopsticks yet,
let alone the rice.
Are you playing at being
the Caliph of Bagdad again?
Another one of your pickups?
She seems to be a useful one
for a change.
Anyway, she'd be in jail by now,
had I not found her pleasing.
Wouldn't you my little tulip?
If you're thinking of putting your little tulip
in your buttonhole...
you'd better get her
something to eat.
Leave me alone with her.
Order some food.
Now then, sit down, my child, and tell me
what you know about this Charteris.
Well before I had to beach comb in Shanghai
we had a swell little leg show in Singapore.
We really started out in 'Frisco,
and some agent soft-soaped us
across the Atlantic to Marseilles.
We lost some of the kids there.
We then went to Cairo...
and most of them are still
walkin' up and down the pyramids.
How do you happen to know Charteris?
I met him in Singapore.
He sent his orderly backstage
to make a date with me.
Orderly? Is he a military man?
No...you know what I mean...the flunky.
The fellow who does the dirty work.
Well, he invites me out to dinner
in one of the joints...
I bring the girlfriend along to referee...
Because you never know what
you're up against in the clinches.
Anyway, it wasn't necessary...
He turned out to be a gentleman.
Bought me pop, and gave me orchids.
How often did you see him?
Oh...Couple of times,
maybe 5 or 6.
Of course I had to see him on the q.t.
We only went out in the dark.
Why?
Why? He's a big shot!
Men like that put us on the ice.
Besides, he's got a daughter.
Has he? How old is the daughter?
About my age, I guess.
That's why I couldn't see him
any more...
He said his daughter was joining him
from a finishing school in Switzerland.
Then he gave me some money,
and I invested it in a ruby
that turned out to be phony.
- What's he look like?
- Oh, he's okay!
Tallish, about 50. Has a good line...
knows what he wants.
And once in a while his arm
reaches for the ceiling
for no reason at all.
Just likes to stretch, I guess.
What colour were his eyes,
were they blue?
Yes, I think they were.
Are you certain his name
was Sir Guy Charteris?
Sure, his picture was in the paper once.
He was the real thing alright.
Wait a minute, maybe I can find a clipping...
I think I saved it.
No I guess I threw it away.
Will this be on the river?
It used to be marshland.
Full of factories now...storehouses.
Most of that sector is now ours.
And as far as I can see
it's only a question of making it nice and
comfortable for the others before they sell.
There shouldn't be much delay
since out friend here suggests
the city is not averse to
the elimination of this quarter.
Look here, I told you
we were not to be disturbed.
Personally I would recommend that
additional funds be added, say 200,000.
This is Charteris.
I don't wish to be interrupted again.
- I'd like to have a new man
on the switchboard in the morning.
- Very good sir.
There's a Mother Gin Sling
who wishes to speak to you...
and the person on the other end of the line
insists that the phone will ring
until you answer.
And who is Mother Gin Sling?
She runs the casino
in the district we're clearing up.
Quite an establishment
and quite an income.
Some of these tenants we're dispossessing
seem to have a good deal of power.
Well, they'll have less when
we're through with them.
Let's get on with this meeting.
"Mother Gin Sling'...quite a name!
Sounds like rather a hard character.
On the contrary, she's
a very charming woman.
Really?
Careful! You'll break the bank!
How much have you accumulated?
I'll know in a minute.
Let's have it cashed.
Aren't you proud of me master...
am I not a good pupil?
It's either that,
or beginner's luck.
The beginning and the end.
I'm not going to play anymore.
Not tonight, or any other night.
Otherwise I'd be here for good.
What's wrong with that?
Do you know a better way
to spend your life?
There's something
you don't know about me.
I can stop whenever I want to.
Let's go out for a ride...
I need some air.
I didn't know I'd won so much!
Sir Guy...
- Where's my car?
- We can't find your chauffeur.
- You're car is in the garage.
- Well have someone else bring it.
I'm sorry sir, your car won't move!
Alright, get me a taxi.
I'm trying my best, sir,
but they're all taken.
How about a rickshaw?...A clean one.
Big fellow, isn't he? Too big to be Chinese.
Must be Chinese, no one else
would be a coolie.
Roppingwile Rd, corner of Gordon Rd.
Get out! One is enough!
This way.
This way!
That's Sir Guy alright...isn't he handsome?
I should have gone over
and talked to him.
I'll tell you when I want you
to talk to him.
So he calls himself Charteris...
Sure he calls himself Charteris,
why shouldn't he?
That's his name.
She reminds me of my first wife.
Money meant absolutely nothing to her.
So long as I provided it.
17!
And black!
And red!
Pair, with your permission.
Boy, bottle of champagne!
That was the last of the Mohicans.
Now's the time to go after it,
my plucked bird of paradise.
What'll I use for chips?
What about that rope of stones
around your neck.
I couldn't do that.
It's a present from my dad.
What do you care...Buy it back
when you've won.
Your luck's bound to change.
You mean bound to get worse.
I'm beginning to wonder
if I'll ever win.
I wonder...will I get
a good price for it?
Your question insults the house.
We buy and sell everything
in the most honourable manner.
You're a beautiful woman, Poppy.
The sparkle is artificial.
You won't need it.
I wonder how you'd look
with your hair down?
Misha.
45,000.
- What's that in pounds?
- 790 English pounds.
Minus a few
unavoidable
deductions.
Ritziest drink you got, Comrade!
Don't call me "Comrade"!
What's ritz to one is nix to another.
You can call me anything you like, as long as
you give me something with a cherry in it.
I suppose you'd like to add ME
to your collection.
Which number do I remind you of?
No.2 and no.4...
except they talked less and weighed more.
Boy!
I'm not a boy!
I'm 49 years old and my name is
Vladimir Nicolaievitch Krestov-Dvijensky.
My name is Volochine.
Sit down Hawkins.
I want you to send out some invitations
for our New Years Eve dinner.
Very good. White tie?
But you're not going to close
on New Year's Eve, are you?
I'm only closing a chapter of my life.
To begin with, to give the occasion
some tone...Lady Blessington.
She won't come.
It would be easier to have
the late dowager empress.
She'll come.
Very good...she'll come.
That settles HER.
See that Jackson, Van Aalst
and de Micheaux are here.
Jackson, Van Aalst and Micheaux...
They'll kowtow.
And Mondragonen.
Boy!...We'll have more fireworks at dinner
than in the street.
Put down Sir Guy Charteris.
I say Mother, aren't you putting me
to rather unnecessary trouble?
You'll have an empty table.
It will not be empty.
We haven't been able
even to approach him.
How are you going
to get him to accept?
Kidnap him?
Stop behaving like
a disabled flamingo
and put down Sir Guy Charteris.
Very well, but I tell you,
he won't come.
- How much has she lost?
- Over 50,000 in the last hour.
What are her references?
She won't give any,
but I think she'll pay.
What makes you think so?
Omar thinks so too.
Omar should avoid thinking.
Doesn't suit his personality.
I'll go out and see her.
Good evening, Miss Smith.
I hope you aren't going to
ask for credentials, too?
You asked for $50,000.
And why not?
I might have asked for more.
If your credit is good, any sum you wish
is at your disposal.
My credit is as least
as good as yours.
I'm sure it's better.
But unless you can furnish me
with exact references...
I can't advance more than...
say 5,000.
5,000!
Rouge.
Black.
Of course it can't be forced.
But you know there's is such a thing
as good fortune.
Can I add 200 more?
I'll see you again.
Coming, Doctor?
You look better today, Boris.
It's a pity she left.
Here is your 5,000.
Another couple of hours
and I could have paid all my debts.
You're plotting your revenge
like an engineer.
The blueprints of your guests could
have been made more flattering.
Especially mine.
You'll be on my left.
And HE'll sit there...opposite ME.
What is it?
Miss Smith wants more credit.
50,000 more.
I told them to give her
whatever she wants.
No limit.
Anything she wants.
Thank you.
This reminds me of a friend of mine.
A general.
He started and planned
the battles superbly.
He himself was to lead
the central attack.
On paper, it was perfect.
But it turned out differently...
He was promptly captured.
Do you wish for more?
Will that be enough for madam?
I don't want any more.
I've had enough.
Here comes your girlfriend.
Don't go away, Miss...
Pomeroy. My name is Dixie Pomeroy.
Stay here and
have another drink.
Thanks but I gotta run along.
Business before...pleasure.
Were YOU paying for the drinks,
or was SHE paying for them?
I can say with pride, I've never
paid for anything in my life.
Do you think you can keep up
that enviable record?
Why not?
You're not going to
make me jealous, are you?
Don't make a scene.
How can you be jealous
of a little chorus girl
who doesn't own
the clothes on her back?
Don't play with me!
I won't stand for it!
I've been watching you both
for an hour.
That's why you lose...
Why don't you watch the game?
I told you not to play with me!
Please forgive me...
I didn't mean it!
Maybe I had too much to drink.
Come now...don't be angry with me.
What next?
An invitation to spend
the Chinese New Year
at the house of this Gin Sling woman.
Let me see that.
I dispossess her...throw her
out of Shanghai...
and she invites me to celebrate
her departure!
In my younger days
I shouldn't have refused.
Send my regrets as politely
as you know how.
Answer that phone!
Nobody there, sir.
- Have that call traced.
- Very good, sir.
I wouldn't go out there
if I were you sir.
It might be dangerous.
Well, that's the best way to find out
if they're aiming at me.
Ryeson!
It's that rickshaw coolie again.
Looks to me like the first shot
of a 21-gun salute.
Give him a coin and tell him
I'd like to see him.
I'm becoming fond of the fellow!
He's here, sir.
So, we meet again..eh?!
You savvy the English?
Speakee Chinee, Cantonee?
Let me see that invitation.
You know anything
about this?
You breakee window?
You didn't by any chance
hear any shots, did you?
If I find you in the vicinity
of my house again,
I'll have you put in jail.
I assume you do speak English.
Wait!
Lock him up...
That should take care of him.
I'll do my very best sir.
That sounded slightly Russian, didn't it?
What did he say?
I think he said no Chinese jail
is strong enough to hold him, sir.
From what I hear of Chinese jails,
he might be right.
Well, let's get on with the rest
of this correspondence...
I hope it will be easier
to dispose of.
I'm sure it will sir.
Give me that invitation.
8.30.
Formal.
"Mother Gin Sling requests the pleasure
"of your company at dinner
on Chinese New Year."
Mother Gin Sling.
Bring me some brandy
and sulfur for a change...
and chase away the evil spirits.
Where's Omar to tempt me?
Where's that Persian poet?
Behave yourself, Poppy! You're in China,
and you're white!
It's not good for us
to see you like this.
You'll bring discredit to your race
if you continue.
Don't preach to me!
And let my race
take care of itself!
What's upsetting you?
What's the matter?
Didn't I lose enough tonight?
So far you've lost nothing but pieces of paper
with my endorsement on them.
You wouldn't endorse anything
that wouldn't be paid.
I know it will be paid.
Come...get some sleep...
then you can play some more.
Don't touch me!
Don't paw me!
I've got enough money
to buy this whole outfit!
And everything that's in it.
All that counts here is money, anyway.
But this is the last time
you'll see ME!
Do you understand?
The last time!
Open up!
Open up...you!
Come on honey...let me in!
My ankle hurts!
Oh, I've hurt my ankle!
Help!
Did you hurt yourself,
my little one?
I've hurt my ankle.
I can't walk!
Well, that's too bad!
Omar, won't you carry me in, please?
Does it hurt badly, my sweet?
Where is she?
Where's who,
my little broken-footed antelope?
You know exactly who I mean!
I knew it!
This very very small powder puff
doesn't belong to you, does it?
Or maybe it's an illusion!?
Come, quick...what does the poet say
when he sees a mirage?
I'm no authority on mirages
or powder puffs.
This belongs to Dixie, doesn't it?
Since when has Dixie had
a monopoly on powder puffs?
Omar, don't torture like this!
Victoria!
Sit down.
Tell me, Victoria...
has there ever been in any doubt
in your mind
that I love you better than
anything in the world?
Why no Dad, why do you ask?
We haven't been very close to each other
since we came to Shanghai...
and it's MY fault.
You mustn't say that, Dad,
you've been busy.
You've had other things to do.
What's the matter?
Is something wrong?
How do you feel?
I'm fine...you know, Dad...
I'm always fine.
Is everything alright?
Anything troubling you?
You sound awfully strange.
Why do you ask?
It's not unusual for me
to be solicitous about you.
You're all I have, Victoria.
I've spent a good deal of my life
trying to protect you
from anything that could
possibly hurt you.
What's wrong, Dad?
Is there anything I can do?
Are you feeling happy?
Yes, I'm happy.
What's the matter?
I'm sending you back to Singapore...
and I'll join you in a week.
I've chartered a plane for you.
When do you want me to leave?
This morning.
This isn't much notice,
but I make quick decisions...
sometimes they're wrong,
but mostly they're right.
- That's impossible. I can't get ready.
- Go as you are.
- I'll have your things sent after you.
- I won't do it!
Hear, Victoria...you must do
as I tell you!
I don't like saying this, but you've
overdrawn your bank account
and some of the trinkets
I gave you are missing.
This morning a man offered
to sell me this necklace.
I paid his price without
asking any questions.
I don't know what you've been doing
with your money or you time...
I've always had an instinct
about bringing you here...
and I'm not going to ignore
my feelings any further.
I'll join you in Singapore
in a little while
and we'll talk about it there...
and have a good laugh about it.
Sorry, Dad.
Let's forget about it.
Take care of yourself, Victoria.
Take care of yourself.
You likee Chinee New Year?
I like it!
Why!...Mr Van Aalst!
This is indeed a surprise!
This is the last place on earth
I would have expected to find YOU!
As you're here,
Lady Blessington...
so it really can't be
the last place!
You haven't told anyone
I own this building?
Mr Hau!
How nice to see you again, Mr Hau.
It's ages since we met.
You adore European women,
don't you?
I wonder why, you old rascal!
I love them because they're
so intelligent...
they have such a sense of humour.
My name is Caesar Hawkins,
no relation to the Roman emperors!
May I hope to acquaint you
with the other guests?
Who would you like to meet?
Good evening.
I haven't seen you for many months...
since I had the good fortune
of selling you a fine piece of jade.
What piece of jade?
Nothing. Mr Hau must be confusing me
with someone else.
Sir Guy Charteris!
- Good evening, sir.
- Good evening.
Dr Omar.
I didn't expect
to see you again so soon.
You work here, don't you?
Yes, I should have known that.
Anyway, I'm grateful you made it possible
for me to repurchase the necklace.
I'm grateful to you
for the price you paid.
Nice seeing you again!
Miss...
No, don't tell me!
Watch your step, Sir Guy.
- Pomeroy!
- That's right!
You said it! I never thought
I'd see YOU again, Sir Guy!
How did you happen to drift into
this cesspool of the Far East?
Are you in trouble?
Judging by appearances,
I'd say you'd done very well!
By a couple of miracles
I broke into the best circles,
as you can plainly see.
Good evening.
It's a great pleasure
to meet you socially, Sir Guy...
You know Miss Pomeroy...
Mr Van Aalst.
I don't want to disturb you gentlemen.
Quite a crowd!
Are you going to be
in China long, Sir Guy?
Long enough to settle my affairs,
then I'm returning to Singapore.
Well...what do you think?
I'm happy to see that no one
has disappointed me.
You will please find your places
at the table.
I had some figures made
in your image.
I beg your pardon...
That's your place.
Where am I?
That may be you,
Lady Blessington.
A broken doll?
That's not me!
How clever!...
Dear me!
Is this you or me?
My hair's white...
Your hair is still grey.
Head of the table!
I wonder why.
Oh, you deserve it, Sir Guy!
The Chinese have for generations
specialised in stimulating dishes.
Birds’ nests from Formosa.
Seaweed from the inland sea
and shark fins from Gadar.
I've also not ignored an appetiser
for our male guests.
We're going to auction off
the girls to the junkmen.
Once in a while they have to
replenish their 'Flower Boat'.
Shanghai has to live up to
its reputation.
I say, Mother Gin Sling...
Are you sure those junk fellows
down there aren't the real thing?
They look awfully convincing.
Nevertheless they are fake.
What about those poor little
innocents up there?
They look really frightened.
They are fake too...they are
neither frightened nor innocent.
That's an idea!...
Putting my wives in cages!
Never thought of that.
Did you tell her
we had met in Singapore?
Sure I'd tell the kike I work with,
I'm so proud of it.
Perhaps I should have
worn a white tie.
I never take any chances
Chinese New Year.
Did you have to inspect them
so closely?
[Don't start anything.]
[Silence, idiot!]
Our little Chinese girls used to be
sold like that, not so many years ago.
I'm glad such a thing
can't take place again.
It couldn't have been
so very pleasant.
Oh...I don't know!
This is our New Year's...
We're happy today!
As you can judge by the noise outside,
it's our most important festival.
It's a sacred day.
On this day we pay our debts.
I know of no Chinese who would dare
incur the ill-will of his gods...
or his creditors...by not starting
the year with a clean slate.
Hawkins...
Why don't you take the occasion to return
the 200 mex I loaned you in a confused moment.
Sorry old boy,
but I'm still using them.
Well, there are other New Years.
Cigarette, Sir Guy?
How long have you had that?
Thank you, I prefer my own.
Sir Guy, I'm particularly happy
to see YOU here tonight.
You have of course
been in China before...
or are you new to our customs?
Indeed, I'm quite familiar with them.
I know the North
in fact, I like it better
than the South.
It has more...tradition...
More poise...more character
and beauty.
You too come from the North,
don't you?
My people were Manchus.
Do you prefer this climate?
Why did you leave the North?
I had little to do with it.
I was washed ashore here.
Picked up on the Shanghai waterfront
Mr Hau then took me in tow.
He found me stealing some food.
And he liked me.
Later he gave me enough
to establish this...gallery.
But that was long ago, wasn't it?
It was a good investment.
She paid back a hundredfold!
I always pay my debts,
a hundredfold.
There's a tiger for you,
and showing her claws.
Those claws can stand
a bit of trimming.
Speaking of the waterfront...
you're so pretty, Miss Pomeroy...
Are you one of the Pommeroys
who have a villa near Nice?
She's a chorus girl out of work,
your ladyship.
And but for the grace of Allah
and Mother Gin Sling,
she'd be floating down the river.
Oh, can the sentiment!
Pommeroys of Nice...
Pommeroys of Flatbush!
We had a marvellous villa there...
And what a landlord!
From Nice to Flatbush is quite a swim.
It doesn't matter where we come from,
what matters is that we're HERE.
Miss Pommeroy of course has
never witnessed this charming holiday.
Yeah...it's like our 4th of July.
I adore noise...it's so refined.
Mario, we're leaving!
Please excuse me. I feel sick
and I wish to go home.
Sit down!
You might become more ill if I remind you
a little incident that took place
in Rio 5 years ago.
Don't disturb yourself, Your Excellency,
your wife has a good constitution.
As questionable as her career has been,
it's no worse than yours.
Or do you wish me to amplify
that statement.
Mother Gin Sling,
you've no idea how happy
I am to be here.
I'm going into the casino later
and drop quite a bit of money!
I'm left so often with idle time
on my hands...
with nothing, nothing,
nothing to do!
Do tell me, who's going to
sit next to me?
I hope it's a man!...
By the way...
Who broke this,
and why isn't it here?
That represents a very
distinguished young lady...
who's being sobered up...
so that she can walk in
and take her place at this table.
To complete the list of
my illustrious guests.
Another glass for Sir Guy.
Good gracious!
What is it Lady Blessington?
Someone has pinched you, I hope.
Indeed not!
One, two, three, four...
13 chairs...I'm going home!
You must excuse me!
Sit down!
Does anyone else
wish to leave?
I take it Mother Gin Sling
that there is some reason
which compels each
of your guests to stay.
There's none which can
make ME stay.
I came to see you
out of sheer curiosity...
I can appreciate an invitation
issued to a man
you've been trying to intimidate.
Without wishing to give offence,
I'll go.
Good night, Miss Pomeroy.
You act as if there were really nothing
to compel you to remain...Sir Guy.
I thought we may have had
a longer chat...
But since, as you say, there is
no way of detaining you...
I'll say good night, Mr Dawson.
How do you know that name?
Mr Dawson has decided to stay.
Which after all is quite proper,
considering this dinner was given in his honour.
Who are you?...What's behind
this mask of yours?
Look at me!
Is my face so changed,
you no longer know me?
Or do all Chinese girls
look alike to you?
Look at me closely!
The only mask I wear
is the mask of time.
Surely you didn't expect shining faith
and blind love to remain
in my face forever?
I never saw you in my life.
The Hon. Sir Guy chooses
not to recognise me!
But he chooses to drive me
out of Shanghai...
What a joke! I dare say he wasn't
prepared to meet me again.
But we do meet again...
and on New Year's Eve...
And we pay out debts...
Great and small!
You've looked at me
a long time now...
Do you still say
you don't know me?
Yes...why should I know you?
Wait a minute...
No!?...
That's impossible!
That girl's dead!
Yes!...You're right...
That girl is dead.
That meek girl who trusted you
with her life...she IS dead!
But in her place stands
Mother Gin Sling...
...who's strong, and who now trades
in the weaknesses of others.
And who because of that has again
as many boxes of silver as you
once stole from that stupid little fool.
Now do you know me?
Look at me once more
and tell them who I am!
And why it is YOU will leave Shanghai...
and not I!
Yes, I said STOLE!
Dawson was a thief...
Whatever you may be today.
That's not possible!
You're not...
Quickly! Tell them the little name of love
you used to call the Manchu girl.
There were little love names
we had for each other then.
I was Miss Ladybug...and he
This is some sort of a trap!
There was a woman once, yes...
I admit it...but...
It couldn't have been you!
I beg you...Let us have
no more of this!
Be silent Commissioner!
That man's name is Victor Dawson.
How he happens to be Sir Guy Charteris...
I don't know.
Perhaps he'll be kind enough
to explain...
Yes, I'll be kind enough to explain.
Since she's made a public issue
of the past
I think it's only fair to say
that she's right.
I came to China as a youngster.
Because I wanted to make
my own way
I dropped my family name
and assumed the name of Dawson.
And I did marry a Chinese girl...
I saw nothing dishonourable in that.
And he saw nothing dishonourable
in leaving her.
He saw nothing dishonourable
in taking her money!
I was that girl!
When I met this Mr Dawson, .
I gave him my father's wealth
to keep for me.
And I gave myself with it!
And I gave him a child, poor thing.
Then, all at once he was gone.
I waited...the days were like years.
His friends came...I thought
they were my friends, too.
Then one day I found myself
like those caged animals out there!
Only there was no "fake"
about THAT sale!
Do you know what
the China Sea looks like
from a boat filled with
passengers without hope?
Told to laugh, and be gay...
and kicked into not weeping.
A new port every few weeks...
Tientsin,
Amoy,
Canton,
Foochow,
and then Shanghai!
How could I dream that an hour
would come
when I could pay him back
in full!
And how was I to know
he would make it so easy?!
The soles of my feet cut open
and pebbles sewn inside
to keep me from running away.
I don't know what kept me alive.
Unless it was the hope of a nice
social evening like this one.
Perhaps now I can persuade you
to return to your seat, Sir Guy?
I'm not through with you, yet!
Well, Dad...I guess you didn't expect
to see me here!
Did you!?
But planes can turn back, too.
Or did I imagine that you
put me on a plane?
Are you surprised, Dad,
to see your daughter in this company?
Somebody give me a cigarette!
Go on, Omar...
Give me a cigarette!
Do you know him, Dad?
This is the poet laureate of Shanghai.
Some day I'm going to kill him.
Go on Doctor...
Recite something for Dad!
Go on!
Go ahead!...Hurry up!
"The moving finger writes
"and having writ, moves on.
"Nor all your piety nor wit
"shall lure us back
"to cancel half a line.
Nor all your tears
wash out a word of it"
How do you like him, Dad?
And how do you like this?
Want a cigarette, Dad?
Cost me thousands.
Cheap though, isn't it?
Like a lot of things
around here.
Looks like she means me,
I guess.
You don't mind if I overstep
my allowance once in a while
to make a few presents,
do you Dad?
While we're on the subject
of presents, Dad...
I owe Lady Shylock over there,
£20,000.
And I haven't much to show for it...
except that dressed-up clown!
This whole thing reminds me
of an argument I once had
with the mother of my 2nd wife...
It also was a question of money.
What time is it, anyway?
No tickee...no watchee!
to point out there are
two sides to every question.
Save your rope, Jackson.
I require no defense.
Whatever I have done, is done.
Come, we're going.
You can't possibly have any reason
to detain either of us any longer.
We've served out purpose.
Don't bother me...
I don't want to go yet.
Why don't you listen to your father...
he wants you to go with him.
We Chinese at least bring up our children
to respect their parents...
To obey them.
Even when everything
else goes, that remains.
I want you to come home.
Van Aalst, come over here a moment.
Come to my office in the morning
and pick up a cheque for £20,000.
Bring it to her.
And tell her that the funds
she claimed I took
are, and always have been,
in a North China bank, in her name, in Tientsin.
I'm sorry, Sir Guy.
Anything else I can do?
The sins of the fathers...
Thanks, and good night.
Why don't you wait a minute!
Wait outside...
I have a few things
I want to settle!
Nothing to settle...the money you owe
will be paid.
I must say goodbye!
I can't run away like this.
No, you're coming home with me.
Why do you treat me like this?
I'm old enough to know
what I'm doing!
Once before you forced me
to leave.
What good was that?
I came back, didn't I?
You've forced me
all my life
and now you KNOW
it hasn't done any good!
There were always other people
to tell me what to do and what to think...
You've had me on a chain
all my life!
Now I want to think for myself.
The only trouble with that chain was
that it wasn't strong enough!
Rickshaw!
I thought I'd be spared the pleasure
of seeing you again, Sir Guy.
There's no reason why you should
remain in my house.
The slate is clean.
Let me get that girl in there,
before it's too late.
It's already too late.
Your daughter is no good
for anything.
Wherever you take her,
she'd be no good.
I could have torn down
the whole world to get at you...
But it wasn't necessary.
It was made easy for me...
because her soul was hollow.
Her emotions were cheap.
She had no more control
than her father had.
She had no more humour
than he had.
Her blood is no good!
Alright...
You're forcing me to something
I wanted to avoid.
I didn't want to say this
before the others...
I wanted to deal with it myself...
But I can't now.
Her blood isn't bad...
unless yours is bad.
Her emotions aren't cheap
unless your emotions are cheap.
She's not MY daughter...
she's OUR daughter.
Why do you say such a stupid thing?
Our child was gone
before it could babble "mother"!
You're daughter is in there!
Who would boast of
a child being yours?
After you disappeared, as you claim...
she was picked up for dead
and brought to a hospital.
I took her far away where
the word 'China' is never heard.
She doesn't know to this day
that she was born in China.
Nor did she know, nor did I know
that he mother was still alive.
If that's my daughter in there...
then I think this should
be left to me.
Alright, see what you can do.
I'm not gonna hang around
here any longer!
Don't either of you leave this room
before I'm through with you!
Say, don't make it tough for me...
I'm just workin' here...I'm takin' orders.
There's nothin' between US!
Of course there's nothing between you...
I'm doing you a great injustice!
You're just friends...he's protecting you
from evil...educating you...
teaching you how to convert that
cheap tongue of yours into poetry.
Well, maybe I haven't had education,
but I know how to behave!
Makin' a holy show of yourself!
You oughta be ashamed!
Everybody goes through troubles...
I've had MY share!
Just because it's tough for us, we don't
have to make it tough for others!
You can have him as far as
I'm concerned.
Won't do you any good...
Guy like that doesn't help
to make life any better!
He'd never help you up...
he'd only help you down.
"I sent my soul to the invisible
"some letter of that afterlife to spell.
"And bye and bye my soul returned to me
And answered...
"I myself am heaven...
and hell."
If you wanna...you can listen to
that Persian tripe...
I'm going.
Stay where you are!
You're not going.
Let me go!
Get out Omar! You too Dixie.
Get out of here yourself!
They'll stay here!
This is my house, and I want to be
left alone with you.
I don't care WHO's house it is!
They'll stay here
until I want them to go!
If you can still listen to anything,
then listen now.
I've just been informed
that I'm your mother!
What are you talking about?
You're crazy!
Dixie, get out!
And Omar, you too!...Go!
Don't go, Omar!
I didn't know what I was saying!
Let him go.
I have the right to command you.
Do you hear me, I'm your mother!
Let him go!
What right have you
to command me?
I have no more connection with you
than with a toad out in the street!
"My mother"!
Why don't you forget that litany?!
Somebody had to be my mother
but I can tell you one thing...
If I had my choice, you'd be
the last one on earth I'd pick!
Mother Gin Sling!
What shall we do now?
The police will be here.
And this time we'll not bribe them
will we?
You likee Chinee New Year?
Subtitles: FatPlank [RLB] for KG.