Original subtitles

From the long, hot night with an ocean breeze to the damp and to the rain of

London City.

We come from the sun to live in the cold, I'm in the rum, I want my coconut

tree.

Don't scratch my soca.

Till the party's over.

Let's keep the music sweet, wind up your waist and feel the air.

Don't scratch my soca.

I don't like the look of that face.

It's looking old.

Ah, that's better.

Desmond Ambrose, 58, and not a mark on you. Oh, yes, there is. Where? There.

Oh, yes.

Look, Desmond, we're supposed to be spring cleaning.

At the rate you're going, it'll be spring before we finish.

Are you going, Tony?

Aye, how sweet is a nutshell. Just leave the money in the usual place. You mean

to tell me you're giving him... I'm only joking, Dave.

All right.

What are you doing with that shower cap on your head?

Because me don't want to get water in me hair.

Why are you supposed to be washing the floor?

Yes, me know that, but we supposed to be spring cleaning. So we cleaning the

shop from top to bottom.

In that case, we will clean the top and you only have to clean... His bottom.

Dry cleaning.

Hello, Michael.

Yes, well, I suppose it's good to see the old shop being cleaned. I've been

asking for months.

Michael, do you consider yourself a man of action?

Yes. A man of driving ambition that gets things done.

Yeah, well, you're getting closer, yeah. So why haven't you cleaned the shop

yourself?

Father, look, I've got to go back to work. I only came in to put this poster

See, the bank has sponsored a talent competition to celebrate...

I don't like that word for music.

No, no, no, no. You've got it all wrong. You see, P .O .P. stands for Proud of

Peckham. Oh, yes, I've heard about that.

Ah. P .O .P., Proud of Peckham, and you're running a music competition.

Hmm. I like it, I like it. Yes, it is good, isn't it? It was my idea, of

Of course it would be.

A thousand pounds for a spray? What?

That's a lot of money, Michael.

You're sure that ain't going to just encourage greed rather than

Oh, you hear that, Popeye? I like when she talk nice like that.

Musicianship. Well,

I think you have to offer young people incentives today, Mother.

Well, it still don't look right to me. In my day, this was all the incentive we

needed. Ain't that right, Popeye?

So what is it? First prize.

June 1959.

Local heaps of the National Steel Bank Competition.

How you know that?

I used to clean them.

You can spring clean them. He used to blow this old thing. Look, give me that.

Tony, that trumpet got the best chat -up lines I ever heard.

Name that tune.

Is it Bert Lacks to get and a Lally to let?

Nope. Let me see. This could really be difficult.

Could it possibly be the Georgetown Dreamers featuring... Desmond Jesse D.

Ambrose on trumpets.

Augustus Popeye Grant on guitars.

No, man. What is this? You? That's wicked.

We know.

You're not thinking of entering that competition, are you? Well, I just...

competition is to give young people a chance.

Since when have young people given us a chance? It says nothing about age on

that poster. All it says is music competition.

P -O -P, pop, and I'm a pop.

There's no fool like an old fool, Desmond. Remember that.

But any old fool can win a thousand pounds. Remember that.

to remix this and enter that competition, mate. I tell you, people

revivals nowadays.

It's true. Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson. Oh, they're really kicking it, you know.

You mean they kick the bucket, them dead?

I don't want to be dead for my revival.

I want to be around and alive to spend my cut.

Oh, I don't know.

I've not a pan play since Sweet Sticks died.

What about Sean?

Yeah, I could play the pans.

What do you know about playing pans?

We'd really look like old fools with a young amateur on the stage next to us.

Well, I can mix it for you. What do you know about mixing?

Why don't you have to go to school? Yeah, yeah, I'm going. I'll see you

old man.

You know that, Popeye? I mean, these youngsters have no respect for the

There's only one way to teach them respect, and that's through our music.

Listen up, my man.

Let's show them that we is not too old.

Popeye, I believe you've said the first sensible thing all day. Don't tell

Shirley anything about this.

The Georgetown Dreamers ride again.

The Georgetown Dreamers ride again.

If the Rolling Stones can do it, so can we.

I'm a star!

I must get a tree, the drummer with the sticks. If you don't hit time, I'll give

you licks.

I must get a 40 man with the bass. I never rush, I just hit the bass.

I must get a five.

I'm not alive.

If we're going to reform this band, Vincent and me would like to see a few

changes made.

Like what?

Popeye mustn't stand in front of me on stage so that nobody could see my face.

When I stand in front of you, it's you who does always stand in front of me.

How old are you, Bert?

Go on, have a guess.

Twelve? Because that is how old you're behaving.

I am not behaving like a twelve -year -old.

All right, I'll tell you what.

Popeye and Bert will stand side by side on the stage. You happy?

Yes. No.

So what's your problem? You don't need a drummer?

Tell us about this competition.

One thousand pounds.

How much?

A thousand pounds.

For that sort of money, I will stand behind the drum kit.

Are we overlooking a big problem?

What about your son, Michael?

No. Michael doesn't have a musical bone in his body. His idea of music is the

sound of coins rattling in his pocket.

Sean would be good.

That boy has natural rhythm. No. I am sure you can coach him through.

Father handing down to son. Well, I dare say he could learn.

But Desmond, you already told Sean you didn't want him. He's my son. I can tell

him he's no good. I can also tell him that he's good.

But I don't think that Sean will be a judge till... Viva!

Mum, Dad's not really going to enter the competition, is he?

Well, I'm supposed to know, am I, Tony?

Uh -uh. My lips are sealed.

What, do you reckon he did so wacky? Yeah, I suppose being a musician's like

riding a bicycle.

You never forget.

No, but you can't fall off.

And I just don't want Desmond to hurt himself too much.

What sort of musician is he?

He's miraculous by the sounds of things.

Do you know, Louise, that man could chat up women while playing a trumpet?

Well, Tony, most men would benefit from blowing that trumpet instead of blowing

their own. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I agree, I agree with you, Louise, but you

see, I'm not most men.

Upstairs. Quick, quick, here they come, here they come. I'm relying on you,

Tony. Yeah, yeah, go on, shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot.

No,

that's pot pie, yeah, you're right, Evan, go right in the park, yeah?

Yes!

Listen, I don't have to stand next to Bert, do I?

No. I mean, yes.

Where's Shirley?

Upstairs. Tony, today's a new day. The Georgetown Dreamers are back on the map.

We're going to make everybody sit up and listen.

I thought you said it kind of like that.

Including Shirley. This is my house. And if I want to reform the band, I can.

You showed me up here?

Yes.

Oh, Desmond Ambrose.

You are... Cool, cool.

Popeye Grant, you are... Bold.

Hello, Desmond. Ah, Charlene.

Yes? You remember that music competition? Don't tell me. You reform

and you're going to enter.

Well, not if you mind. It's just that the boys them phoned me up and asked me

reform the band.

Isn't that... That's nice.

It is, isn't it? Isn't that right, Popeye? Yeah, man.

You sure?

Desmond Ambrose, have I ever stood in your way?

Ah, sure.

Are we there?

You want to talk to me? Yes.

Who do you want, Dad?

Nothing. Just a father want to talk to his son.

What is this? I thought you didn't talk to amateurs.

Amateurs? Is that what I called you? No, what I meant was how would you like me

to teach you to play the pans?

Yes, so what's in it for me?

Well, me.

My expertise, that age -old tradition of a father handing down his skills to his

son with hard work and discipline.

How about ten pound extra pocket money a week during rehearsals?

Three. Five. Done. Done.

I thought you said a cop was the only incentive young people needed.

Yes, but sometimes you have to compromise.

Father like son.

I was never late.

Oh, yes, you were.

Well, not as late as this.

All right, ready?

One, two, three, four.

Sir, I'm late. Yes, you're late. Just get your backside behind here.

You know what? I'm just going to get my computer first.

Computer? Sean, don't get me mad, man. Just get on those steel pants.

You don't expect me to play that, do you? Oh, no, I wasn't expecting you to

anything. What are you expecting to play? A hard disk.

I thought they were called floppies. Not when you put hard music on them folks.

No, you can do everything on this. Bass, drums, guitar, everything.

Sean, I don't want you to play everything. I just want you to play the

I taught you.

Yeah, but Dad.

And I'm paying you, remember?

Yeah.

All right.

I want you to have these.

Oh, but Dad, man, they're sweet sticks.

He has to know he's dead in human. My son and the boys thought you should use

it. All right, enough of this sentimental.

This is strictly instrumental.

Okay, Georgetown Dreamers, take one.

Two, three, four.

Cut, cut, cut, cut, cut. Look, this is the note, right?

E comes before G.

That's the note. Okay, Georgetown Dreamers, take two.

Well, it sounded good.

Well, I've heard better.

Father, I've been thinking, maybe you should change your name from the

Georgetown Dreamers, you know? It's too remote.

Maybe you should change your name to the Peckham Pixies.

Maybe I should go upstairs.

Yes!

Can't get beyond the intro.

Of course they can.

Just give them time.

Do you think they'd finish this tune before the end of the year?

Why not? It's just that the intro is a little bit tricky.

It's just that the intro is a little bit tricky.

You sound like an old pro, Mrs. Ambrose. Well, you've heard of groupies.

Yeah. Well, I was the original.

I certainly hope not.

I hate it when he sneaks in like that. Gloria, I didn't sneak in, I walked in.

Sneaking is an adolescent phrase and it's high time you grew up. And by the

Mother, today's definition of groupie means... Oh!

Well, I followed a one -man band.

That was your father.

Michael, do you mind?

Gloria, this is business.

What are you up to? Your nose is twitching.

Damn, it's engaged.

I was hoping Peter was going to get a couple of booking for the Georgetown

Dreamers. Oh, your father didn't tell me.

My father doesn't know yet.

Oh, yes.

I wasn't in it for you.

Mother, look, I really want to make sure they don't get ripped off.

There's a lot of sharks out there in today's music business.

There's a shark in here.

Gloria.

Leave the fun to the big fish.

Why, Pokpai, that was stupid, eh?

Why you all always have to make fun of me, eh? We don't make fun of you. You do

it to yourself.

Put it this way, Pokpai.

Without you, I wouldn't laugh as much. So at least you're doing something

positive.

Wilbert, what about the stupid things you have done?

Like what?

Like that gig in Soho.

You was chatting up that woman.

You went to the toilet, she followed you in, you thought your luck was in, then

you ran out screaming, it's a man!

All that time, Vince, when you was going back to see that woman in Birmingham,

you jump in your car, it wouldn't start, cabaretta missing.

Well, we had a nice day, Janet and I.

All that time, that woman...

I've got to hear this one.

The only thing I want to hear is you playing the pans properly.

Yeah, well, Dad, I've been thinking about the tune.

You've been thinking about it?

Give the boy some encouragement, Desmond.

All right, all right. What have you been thinking?

Well, for starters, the tune needs more danceability.

Danceability?

Yeah, more up -tempo.

A

sampling,

Dad. Well, if there's a sample, I ain't buying none.

John, tell your friends it's time they went home to bed. Yes, ma 'am. Everybody

have to come out.

It's time for the children to go to bed.

Desmond, bed!

Put it on.

What's going on?

Just put it on.

I don't even know if this will fit me anymore.

Oh, this suit is so bright.

I'm surprised it didn't blind me.

Well, in them days, it certainly put the dazzle in your razzle. Yes, boy.

When them other chaps used to see us on the stage dressing up in our sharp

suits, they couldn't come near us.

We was the baddest.

Yes, the hottest sound around.

Yes, but that was Guyana.

This is England.

You don't think I'm making a... Oh, making a fool of yourself?

Nah.

People will see you for what you are, a good musician.

Sometimes, Shirley, I could kiss you all over.

Leave that for later, eh?

Now, in the meantime, say goodbye to Mrs.

Ambrose and hello to Miss Shirley Plechette.

Desmond, let go of me uncle. What are you doing with me uncle, you rude boy?

Miss Shirley, I just want to save a mosquito bite you.

You look just as good now as you used to look all them years ago.

Yeah, man.

I used to wait outside the dance halls just to get a little glimpse of you.

Sometimes I couldn't stay to the end, you know?

Otherwise my father would kill me if he knew I was hanging about dance halls.

That was the days.

We really used to cut the style.

Jazzy D and sexy legs.

I thought you said it best couldn't fit you.

It don't. Look.

Miss Shirley?

Yes, rude boy?

Would you like to die?

Until I die.

Yes,

Sean? You're not turning up dressed like that to the gig, are you? Yes, Sean?

Oh, no, Sean. You know, you know, like, two parents were living their teens.

And you weren't born yet, so good night, Sean.

Miss Shirley? Yes, Jazzy D. It's time for bed. Yes, Jazzy D.

You'd think they would have organised this thing. We've been waiting ages.

That's because all the bands around here are too young, yes or no?

Hello,

Sean. Hello.

What's that?

It's not your pen.

I know what it is.

Hey, you're not going to play that, are you?

That's ancient, guy.

What's wrong with it? Oh.

See where your dad longed to hold your hand.

Shame. Why don't we just go and get lost, eh?

What's the name of your band?

The Georgetown Dreamers!

You should be called Children of the Old Timers!

Come on, son, let's go.

What? I said let's go.

Edmund, where are you going?

I've never been so humiliated in my life. Why? What happened?

Oh, you don't want to know.

Get up.

Come on, Desmond.

What happened was that we were standing in this queue and this little feisty

girl... Oh, shut up, Popeye.

Popeye, where did you get that suit from?

The Salvation Army.

Looks like a four -tops reject, man. You see, these kids, they have no respect

anymore. Kids, I don't know why we have them. It seems the only way to get to an

age where all they can do is insult me.

Oh, no, not all kids. Some.

I mean, look at our three.

Louise is a nice girl.

So, Father, does this mean that you won't be doing the gig tonight?

Yes. No.

Loud. What did you arrange, Michael?

Oh, nothing.

Well, nothing that can't be cancelled anyway.

Well, I'd better go and cancel the holiday I booked with my share of the

money.

You didn't book a holiday, did you?

Only joking.

What would you have done with the prize money, Desmond?

Bought a car, probably.

I was going to get you a new outfit.

Oh.

Go play?

But you see.

New guitar.

And what about you, Vince?

A drum machine, because I fed up with all them things around.

Gentlemen, now I know you might be feeling a bit downcast.

But I'd like you to know that all your diligence and hard work during

has not gone to waste. I've been preparing a little surprise for you.

Remember this?

Danceability?

Well, we did this with it.

Danceability?

Danceability?

That's my jazzy... There,

we sung with your drums, Vince.

And your bass line, Bert.

Even your trumpet, Dad.

And we came up with this.

And what did you do with my guitar?

Oh, well, machines are no substitute for real feeling, pork pie. I'm going to

need a little life help.

Give it some of the old magic.

That's mixed in. Listen.