Original subtitles

♪ One two one two three and... ♪

[theme song]

♪ Chico don't be discouraged ♪

♪ The Man he ain't so hard to understand ♪

♪ Chico if you try now ♪

♪ I know that you can lend a helping hand ♪

♪ Because there's good in every one ♪

♪ And a new day has begun ♪

♪ You can see the morning sun if you try ♪

♪ And I know things will be better ♪

♪ Oh yes they will for Chico and The Man ♪

♪ Yes they will for Chico and The Man ♪♪

[car honks]

[car honks]

Yes, sir.

Gas, oil, tuna, comfort stop maybe?

None of that, please.

I have come to see the proprietor, Mr. Edward Browns.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Ed, your karate teacher is here to see you.

What?

Yeah, what is it?

Father.

- Father? - Father?

So, Edward Brown...

...you are my own papa san...

I have traveled halfway around the world to looking for you.

Yeah, well, you can stop looking

because I'm not your papa san...

You better get out of here before I call the cop.

Let me tell you one thing.

Impersonating a relative in the presence

of mechanic is a felony.

Hey, aren't you even going to listen

to what this guy has to say?

Are you kidding?

This guy is trying to pull some kind of a crooked deal.

Can't you see that? Take a look at that face.

Do you ever seen anything more crooked than that?

At least listen what he has to say.

Give him a common courtesy.

Then you hold him down while I call

a banana factory to pick him up.

I'm telling you it's some kind of a racket.

I'm sure, Ed.

I bet every crook in America is practicing to be your

next to kin so they can inherit all of this.

Okay, man, we're listening.

My name is Yoshi Nakamura.

I am visiting Los Angeles on business.

I am from Japan.

No kidding.

That proves he's full of baloney.

I haven't been in Japan in 31 years.

I am 31 years of age.

[laughing]

[chuckles] That's good enough for me.

Congratulations, Papa san.

You're now a proud father of 130 pound man.

[laughs]

Oh, yeah. It's so cute.

Japan was full of GI's 31 years ago.

There was a war going on.

You must have read it about the newspapers.

It was all over the place.

Yes, there was a war.

But as it is written, a tree of love

bears the brightest blossoms in the fields of adversity.

I am the flower of such a tree.

Well, you're the flower in the wrong branch

that's all I can say.

Chico, show him the door.

And if he doesn't take it, hit him with it.

Listen, Yoshi...

If Ed Brown is your father, believe me

you're better off being an orphan.

I understand how shocking my arrival has been.

I will not cause my father

any further discomfort at this time.

I thought you were going to hit me.

Uh, please give this modest gift

to my father with my deepest affection.

[speaking in foreign language]

Knock off that daddy san. Listen, you.

I approve of Japanese American relations.

But I never had any relations with a Madam Butterfly.

Oh, my mother's name is not butterfly.

Her name is Mariko.

Perhaps that will refresh your memory.

Good afternoon.

[engine starts]

- Sayonara. - Sayonara.

Mariko.

Mariko.

I don't remember any Mariko.

Well, let's face it, Ed.

Your memory ain't what it used to be.

Yesterday you zipped up your pants.

You weren't even in them yet.

You wrote a letter to your sister

and addressed it Occupant.

You forget a lot of things.

- Like what? - Well, like. Well, I forget.

But you see it's catching.

Well, I could forget a lot of things.

But not a son named Yoshi Mcnamara.

Nakamura.

Knock it off.

Alright, I'm going to look through your old army stuff.

- Is it in here? - Go ahead.

You'll find there a lot of mementos

of a distinguished military career.

We'll see.

- Sharp shooter medals... - Yeah.

Campaign ribbons.

200 Swizzle sticks.

What outfit were you with, the fighting winos?

In a war, a man has a lot of things to forget.

What's this?

Hey...

Hey, wait a minute.

Something is coming back to me now.

Let me see.

Yeah, it was an Inn on the outskirts of the city.

We were in a garden... by a waterfall.

We're trying to remember who we were.

Well, let's see. It was, uh...

...Kiko from Yokohama.

Or was it Yoka from Okinawa.

Was it Mata Hari from Harry Kerry?

[indistinct] Naming with a Japanese son...

Anyhow, that was a long time ago.

Things were different then.

Yes, I remember those beautiful nights, they were magic.

Things I can't forget if only I could remember...

Yeah, but, he brought you a present.

Here's one of those pictures with the Geisha girl

and the chopsticks in her hair and everything.

Let's see what we got here.

Looking good!

[chuckles]

- You are gorgeous. - Who is gorgeous?

What are you talking about?

Hey...

...now it's really beginning to come back to me.

Then you are Yoshi's old man?

Well, uh... no...

You see, I was on rest and recreation in Kyoto

and I met Mariko. Yes.

We were together for what, six weeks, two months?

I don't know. Anyhow we thought we were madly in love.

Chico, you realize I may have thrown

my own child out of this garage?

I must find him and tell him how sorry I am.

I know just how to get hold of me.

That's his business card here on the picture.

Yeah?

Torahama Electronics International.

Yoshi Nakamura, Vice President.

Vice President.

A Vice President.

That's my boy. How proud I am.

Yeah, call him on the phone right away.

Tell him his dada san is anxious to see him immediately.

Okay.

Hey!

Ah... Amazing.

31 years ago and I haven't changed a bit.

Ed, will you stop pacing?

Your kid's coming by car, not by a stork.

Ah, I can't help, but I'm nervous.

What do I say to a son I never knew I had?

Suppose he asked me about the facts of life.

What do I tell them, at my age who can remember?

Dear father, I have come again as you have asked.

- Thank you. - Oh, thank you.

I am so glad to see you, Mr. Vice President.

Thank you.

Please accept humble apologies for having given

you the heave-ho last time you were here.

- I thank you. - And I thank you.

Please call me Yoshi.

It will be my pleasure.

Papa san.

Son!

My name is Chico Rodriguez. Pleased to meet you, Yoshi.

- Chico. - Ha, Chico san.

- My pleasure. - My pleasure.

You know, there's a distinct family resemblance.

You guys have the same left eye.

[laughs]

- Come on, son. - Most fascinating.

Come on. I want to talk to you.

If I really am your dad

there are a lot of things I should find out.

I want to find out certain things, like...

Well, you see, there's, uh...

How about, uh...

How's your mother?

Oh, well, why not ask her yourself?

Huh?

Until I was sure she would be welcome

I had her wait outside in the car.

[indistinct]

Come here, come here, I'll fix you right up.

What's that?

[speaking in foreign language]

Mariko...

Is that you?

Edward, I would know you anywhere.

Uh, Yoshi, why don't we take a walk

while these kids get reacquainted?

We'll be right back.

After this word from your heart association.

[imitates heart beats]

Come on, Mariko.

I think you ought to sit down.

Oh, am I so ancient I may not stand.

No, no, no, I'm ancient.

You're terrific.

Come on, sit down over here.

Oh, how could I even have forgotten you for a moment?

Yeah, I remember those wonderful days by the seashore.

- The mountains. - Whatever.

Yes, and I'll never forget the day I left you.

I said, Sayonara, in a rainy day in October.

You left in August.

It was very sunny and clear.

You're right. I just wanted to see if you remember.

Say, tell me, why didn't you let me know we had a son?

- We did not, Edward. - We did not?

But Yoshi says that.

Why does Yoshi think so?

Because that is what I have told him, Edward.

Since he was old enough to speak

I have shown him your picture and said

grow to be a fine man like him

and you will bring me much pride, much happiness.

Oh! Why did you do that?

When you left Japan, I missed you very much.

Too much, I fear.

Because I married another American soldier

who was a person of no worth.

He was killed in a street fight, leaving me

with nothing but debts, regrets and Yoshi.

Oh, yeah, but why did you choose me?

Because, Edward Brown, you were the finest man I ever met.

Now Yoshi has become a fine man...

...just like his almost papa san.

I hope you will forgive me.

Of course.

After all, what is there to forgive?

I, uh, I'm proud that you pick me as his model.

After all, you could have chosen somebody like General MacArthur.

Oh, then you will not give me away to my son.

It is only for two days more.

Then he must return to Japan.

Oh, of course, I'll keep your secret.

After all, what's two days compared to 31 years?

Looking good.

Hey, wait till you hear what Yoshi's got working, man.

10,000 fireflies are going to boogie on your kimono.

My company has asked me to

represent them here in Los Angeles.

But I was concerned about my

mother's adjustment in a strange land.

Now I see such concern was not necessary.

I will accept.

And we will stay in Los Angeles forever.

- Forever? - Hai.

Ed, would you stop pacing?

I'm telling you, Yoshi is a mature guy.

He can take the fact you're not his father.

He may pull your eyes out.

[giggles]

Yeah, I guess you're right.

I, uh, I guess I'll have to give him the news

but I'll break it to him gently.

I'll say, "Yoshi, I am not your father."

Oh, not papa san?

Oh, a son of a gun.

Easy come and easy go.

I'll tell you one thing, papa san.

If you're not my papa san, I'd rather have someone else

as my papa san and never anybody else not my papa san.

That's for sure.

[giggles]

I'll tell you another thing.

If anybody give me any trouble, I give him this.

[grunts]

Yeah, you're right.

You know what, I'll tell him... at dinner.

Or maybe better yet, I'll tell him after a couple of toast.

Good morning, Edward.

- Ah, Mariko. - And to you too, Chico.

Uh, I hope I have not intruded.

Of course not.

I have only come to say that which

I cannot say in the presence of Yoshi.

Thank you.

Thank you for continuing to be his father.

Oh, no thanks. Unnecessary.

Why it seemed like the right thing to do yesterday.

See, what Ed's trying to say, Mrs. Nakamura

is that as long as you and Yoshi are living in LA

it's going to be hard to keep up the dada san business.

Yeah, that's...

Oh, no, hey, don't cry.

No, please don't cry. See, I'm a sensitive person.

If I cry too, the tears may shrink my mustache.

But, but, I'm not crying for myself.

I cry for Yoshi, if he discovers you are not his father, Edward

he will lose faith. Please do not ruin his life.

Los Angeles is a big city.

You will not have to see as much.

Oh, yeah. Well, I suppose, uh...

I, uh, I could be his father

on weekends and National holidays.

Uh, yes, it wouldn't be such a big deal

and after all, it might work out to my advantage.

Yeah, I could claim him as a dependent.

I knew you would not fare to me.

Oh, I wasn't so sure.

Oh, you are too modest, Edward.

Ah, we shall see you this evening at 8:00.

At 8:00.

Now, I am too happy to speak.

[speaking in foreign language]

You know something, her happy sure looks a lot like her sad.

But, Ed, you did the right thing.

You can't tell Yoshi the truth.

Yeah!

Oh, I couldn't-I couldn't let them lose face.

You know, face is very important in Japan.

Face is important every place.

Without your face, your cheeks would slam in on your nose.

♪♪

[Yoshi] Good evening, Papa san.

- Chico san. - Good evening.

We are most honored to greet you.

- Oh, it is we who are honored. - Dozo.

- Dozo. Yes, indeed. - Dozo.

[clears throat]

[speaking in foreign language]

[speaking in foreign language]

This is our chef for the evening.

- This is the chef? - This is the chef? Yes.

His name is Erving.

[laughing]

Erving.

Er... ving!

Er... ving!

[clanking]

Hey, man, be careful that turkey is packing a switchblade.

Don't worry, Chico, this is a special style of cooking.

[Mariko] Very theatrical, is it not?

Yeah, it's great if you order fingers.

[clanking]

Must be rough making soup.

[clanking]

[rattling]

Ah!

Listen, this is very entertaining, but I'm starving.

Er... ving!

Erving...

- I will cook. - Yeah, he will go cook now.

Uh, please...

I wish to make small toast.

A small toast. By all means.

- Dozo. - Thank you.

To Edward.

Though you were not present, my son learned from you.

Oh, good, I will drink--

Though you did not speak, he heard your words of wisdom.

I'll drink to that.

May you continue to be arrogant, though silent.

- Okay. - A moment please.

I can remain silent no longer.

I have news. Papa san, my news is this.

My company offered to purchase a suitable

residence for me here in Los Angeles.

And today I have found just such a house.

We will live together.

There's a room for me, for my mother and a room for you.

See how excited Ed is?

That's because he's very proud, man.

He could never accept free rent.

Oh, no, it's not charity, it's payment back

for being shining example of honorable papa san.

Yes, we shall all live together.

Well, Yoshi, I'm afraid to say that

you haven't given me much choice.

I think now is a good time to reveal the truth.

Yes, the truth should come out.

We should cast aside this issue of deceit

and look truth right in the face.

You see, Ed cannot live with you because

someone else has prior claim on his person.

- Who's that? - Yes, that is right.

Because I too, am his son.

- You are his what? - My papa san is your papa san?

Yes, of course. The truth is out.

The terrible truth is out.

Chico is my son.

[indistinct]

Yes, I, Francisco Ramon Rodriguez

am no more than Edwardo Brown Junior.

24 years ago

last month, Sergeant Edward Brown took his restaurant

recuperation in San Juan, Puerto Rico

to recover from the one he took in Japan seven years before.

And there, in the moonlit beach overlooking the San Juan Hilton

he met my mother while the band played them to love you

make a Soytukura song cha cha cha baby.

Hey, hey, hey, Chico, no more, no more, please.

The memories are much too painful.

There she was in a lace.

I was in my medals.

All except my good conduct medals.

You were happy with her?

Oh, happy, I was delirious.

- It was the fever. - The fever?

- What fever? - Remember the fever, father?

- Oh, the father fever. - Yes, the fever.

Yes, remember, keeps creeping up on you--

All the time. Comes right back--

Really months after he married my mother

he lay in bed tossing and turning, moaning with pain.

- And then-- - Then what happened?

- The hurricane hit, remember. - The hurricane.

[indistinct]

Oh, the hurricane, I said, "Conchita..."

I mean, Maria, whatever her name was.

I don't remember.

And I said there's nothing worse

than a hurricane for a fever.

How sad.

My mother's beloved was there sick

and she needed to get a medical attention.

She ran 20 miles to the nearest town to get a doctor.

- But it was too late. - Too late.

I had already died.

I did not die.

[indistinct]

Poor Ed roamed the storm tossed island, waking the next day

with the bad case of amnesia.

Oh, terrible, I had it all over me.

Amnesia is terrible.

I was born not knowing what had become of my father.

But then, through a kind stroke of faith

I found him. His memory restored.

And I can never leave him again or share him with anyone.

- Papa. - Son!

- Do you think they'll buy this? - I'm sure of it.

Okay.

[speaking in foreign language]

Let us drink once again to my newfound papa san...

...and my newfound grand brother Chico!

Yes, my son.

And let us also take this opportunity to

return to our own lives in Japan.

You and I have each other.

- Poor Chico has only papa san. - Yeah.

Wait a minute.

I would like to propose a toast...

...to Ed Brown, the father of us all.

[speaking in foreign language]

Chico...

That was a stroke of genius.

Inventing the story that I was your father.

Oh, Ed, don't mention it.

No thanks are necessary.

I did it as a favor.

And I want you to know I'm not going to take

advantage of a favor.

Oh, good. I'm glad to hear that.

I was... Hey, wait a minute.

What are you doing over there?

I just painted a new sign for the garage.

Really?

Has a nice ring to it, don't it?

[laughs]

My son, you've just been disowned.

♪♪

[male 1] "Chico And The Man" was recorded live before a studio audience'

at NBC Studios, Burbank, California.

♪ Chico was born in El Barrio ♪

♪ Spent much of his time in the street ♪

♪ His mind was craving for knowledge ♪

♪ His belly for something to eat ♪

♪ Times are hard ♪

♪ Chico and the Man ♪

♪ Times are hard ♪

♪ Chico and the Man ♪

♪ Yeah yeah yeah yeah baby it's alright ♪♪