Original subtitles

It'’s strange to see Pietro Forragano'’s blinds drawn.

Yes. It'’s midnight.

I'’ve never known Pietro to open late.

I'’m gonna get you, I swear.

Shut up! Come on. Hurry it up.

I swear I'’ll get you both.

You do that, old man. [ grunts ]Aah!

[ grunting ]

[ gunshot ]

[ whistle tooting ]

The one with the satchel.

Come on. let'’s go. [ whistle continues tooting ]

♪ [ trumpet ]

Howdy, folks. I'’m the Old Ranger.

From its early Gold Rush days,

San Francisco has always been a city of excitement and adventure.

A city where men risked and dared.

A city, above all, with a heart.

Nowhere but in San Francisco could this story have taken place.

I call it...

[ sighs ]

[ inhales sharply, groans ]

Please, Clorinda, take it easy.

I got to one of them.

Right through here!

Shh! Hold still, Pietro. [ door opens ]

Did you get him?

No, no, no. How is he?

Never mind me. Did you get-a the money?

Huh? Maybe he drop somewhere.

No, he got away in the crowd.[ sighs ]

He took everything.

All my life savings.

Ten years are gone. Gone.

How much did they get?

[ sighs ] How much...

Eight, nine thousand dollars.

All the money I got. All of it.

Why did you keep so much money here in the office?

Why didn'’t you keep it in the bank?

[ chuckles ] Clorinda,

your papa and mama is Italian, huh?

Did they keep their money in a bank?

Well, no, but--Do they keep-- You keep the money in a bank, Amadeo?

Yes.You do?

Oh. [ laughs ]

In Italian bank. In Italy. [ laughs ]

[ chuckling ] No, no, no.

The Crowder Bank, right here in San Francisco.

All right.

Maybe bank is all right for Amadeo.

He'’s americano.

He'’s a-born right here in California.

But is not a-good for an immigrant!

Too fancy. All the marble.

Gold in the ceilings, fancy people.

Aha! And nobody speak Italian!

How can an Italian workman in overalls go to the bank, huh?

No, no. He'’s ashamed.

That'’s what.

[ panting ]

That'’s my little bank.

The bank of the little man.

But when they rob and steal,

the little man is a bust.

But you still got your business, Pietro.

Business, business.

How do I buy, huh, fruits and a-vegetables with no money, huh?

[ chuckles ] No, no, no.

Pietro is no more in business.

The banks-- But the banks--It'’s finished.

Won'’t they lend you the money?

I just a-told you.

These-a banks is no good for a fella like-a me.

I'’m afraid he's right.

But Guido Lombardi borrowed from the bank--

Guido Lombardi is a rich man.

Rich men are always welcome at the banks.

That'’s right. Amadeo understands.

He was in a fruit-a business one time too.

Pietro, there is one bank

that will lend you the money you need.

The Bank of Italy, right here in San Francisco.

Where the immigrant will receive

the same respect as the Native American,

and the little man will receive

the same courtesy as the rich man.

Oh, no. Amadeo, what do you mean?

I don'’t understand. Bank of Italy. What do you mean?

Pietro, I'’m gonna raise the money and open a bank.

A bank without marble or gold ceilings.

A bank for the little man.

Where all a man needs to borrow money

is to have a straight eye and calluses on his hands.

Pietro Farragano,

you are the first customer of the Bank of Italy.

What could be a better investment, Mr. Lombardi?

Bank of Italy. Think of it.

A bank right here in San Francisco,

owned and financed by Italian-Americans.

You believe me, it'’s a bank for men like you.

No marble or gold ceilings.

A safe place to keep your money.

And that'’s what I'’m trying to tell you, Mr. Carlotti.

A bank for the little fella.

And shares for only $100 apiece.

$150,000, Mr. Crowder.

The assets of the Bank of Italy.

Now, since as yet, uh, my bank does not have a vault of its own,

I'’ve chosen the Crowder Bank in which to deposit our funds.

Now, uh, may I have a receipt, please?

Mr. Giannini,

banking isn'’t a game, it'’s a profession.

No more. It'’s a way of life.

My father and his father before him were bankers.

You are a produce man. Or were.

A dealer in fruits and vegetables.

Well, I'’ll admit I once was a produce man, Mr. Crowder,

but right now I'’m the head of the Bank of Italy, which opens tomorrow.

You really think all you need to open a bank is a few thousand dollars?

[ chuckling ] You need--

Well, there are a lot more things

that I need, Mr. Crowder, but right now,

what I need the most is a vault in which to keep our funds.

Now, uh, may I please have a receipt?

Very well, Mr. Giannini.

Here you are. 450, 470,

490, $500.

Here, Bartolomo.

And thanks for coming to the Bank of Italy for your loan.

Thank you, Mr. Giannini.

[ sniffs ] Thank you very much.

Well, that'’s what we'’re here for. To serve you.

Oh, Bartolomo? Siì,Mr. Giannini?

Mr. Giannini was my father.Oh.

My name is A.P.

All right, Mr. A.P.

Uh, no "mister." A.P.

Oh. Good-bye, A.P.

[ chuckles ]

He lend me the money,

he shake my hands,

he give me the great big cigar,

and then he say, "Call me A.P."

[ laughter ]Ah. Yeah.

What kind of crazy banker is this

who would loan money to Bartolomo?

What kind of security you give?

Eh. My hands.

A.P., he say, "The best-a security a bank can get

"is your hands--

your hands and your work."

I need a new pushcart.

You think he--Ah, sure.

Go see A.P. Eh? [ chuckles ]

[ laughter ]

Well, Salvatore,

we made loans of $4,874.67 today.

That brings our total

to $128,962.81.

We should have $21,137.09 left.

Unless someone made a deposit today.

Eh, your mother, your wife,

and a few good friends.

Salvatore, tonight we get depositors.

[ no audible dialogue ]

Another depositor. Tovio Franco, $500.

Interest starting December 5, 1904.

At, uh, approximately 4:00 a.m.

[ no audible dialogue ]

Well, Mr. Crowder, Mr. Smith, Mr. Grey,

the leading bankers of San Francisco.

I am indeed flattered.

Isadore, uh, take this to the chief teller,

and they'’ll make out your papers.

Thank you.Oh, wait a minute.

Thank you, A.P.

Now, gentlemen, uh, what can I do for you?

Giannini, let'’s go into your office.

Well, this is my office.

I like to sit where I can greet the people coming and going.

Giannini, as bankers, we are here to protest your unethical conduct.

Unethical? What do you mean?

The way you conduct your bank and yourself.

You'’re a disgrace to the banking profession.

Soliciting accounts, like a-- a peddler.

This isn'’t a produce building conducted on the wharves at night!

I conduct my business honestly.

Honestly? You call that sign in your window honest?

"Our vault is the biggest and safest in San Francisco."

Why, you don'’t even have a vault.

Your funds are on deposit with the Crowder vaults!

Yes, and the Crowder vaults are the biggest and safest in San Francisco.

Who ever heard of a bank without a vault?

The depositors of the Bank of Italy.

We save money by not buying a vault.

And look at your customers.

Riffraff.

You lend them money without collateral, without security of any kind.

You'’re destroying the public'’s confidence in the banks of San Francisco.

Mr. Crowder,

that riffraff is San Francisco.

Those people built this city with their own hands.

You gentlemen won'’t even give them a loan.

But I'’ve opened a bank for them.

And when I make a loan, I'’ve got the greatest security in the world--

the people of the city of San Francisco.

Good day, gentlemen.

Giannini, your funds are no longer welcome

in the Crowder vaults.

Or the bank I represent.

Gentlemen, I--

You'’d better have that sign out of your window by tomorrow.

Tomorrow? I--

Because by that time, your funds will no longer be in my vaults.

They'’ll be here in this firetrap.

Let'’s see how long your bank stays open

when your depositors learn that!

I am giving you 24 hours.

Mr. Crowder, I can'’t move a third of a million dollars in a--

By noon tomorrow,

April the 18th, and not one minute later.

Good day, Giannini.

PIETRO: 497, 498,

499, 500.

Is-a pay my loan in-a full.

Grazie,Pietro. Grazie.

Here'’s your receipt.Mm.

Ah.

[ sniffs ] Mmm.

Amadeo, you worried about being thrown out from the Crowder Bank?

Who told you about that? Everybody'’s a-know.

Well, what are you gonna do now?

I'’ll think of something.

It'’s still only a little past 5:00.

And you'’ve been here since midnight, you know that?

And you produce men work all night too.

Amadeo, no banker bosses do [ rumbling ]

what you'’re doing for us produce men.

[ rattling ]

Earthquake!

[ people screaming ]

[ clamoring ]

[ screaming, clamoring continue ]

[ all shouting ]

Mr. Giannini!

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Who wants me here?

We want our money!My money is safe.

Nothing'’s safe!

The scavengers are looting the whole city!

Now, wait a minute. There'’s no need to panic.

This bank will open in a few minutes as usual.

Your money is safe. Just be patient.

[ chattering ]

Oh, I'’m-a so happy to see you, A.P.

I was afraid they'’d break down the door.

Funds from the Crowder Bank.Crowder?

You mean at a time like this, he forced you?

I insisted. I wanted to avoid a panic.

It'’s 300,000 altogether.

300,000? That will not be enough if they start a run.

I know. It'’s that way in front of every bank in San Francisco.

Whole town'’s gone crazy, Salvatore. It'’s like the end of the world.

What'’s Crowder doing?Nothing he can do.

The fire'’s within a block of his bank.

You think it will reach us?

Possibly tomorrow.

Nothing we can do about it.

The water main'’s burst.

Well, we still have the better part of our $300,000.

I felt sure when the customers knew they could get their money, they'’d change their minds.

[ bell clanging ] [ door opens ]

Market Street is in flames.

The Palace Hotel is like a blaze in a torch.

Pack up all the books and records.

And you-- you-- I want you to go out and get a truck from Scapitos.

You hear? A produce wagon. Right away.

[ woman screaming ]

[ clamoring ]

The wagon ready?Yes, A.P.

Get the records, huh?Right here. But when are we going?

Well, they say when there'’s trouble, there'’s no place like home.

I hope.You mean you'’re gonna take-a this money?

I'’m gonna hide this money in my house.

Guns?But across the streets they'’re full of looters.

Well, let'’s go, huh?

Looters!Let'’s-- Let's go!

[ chattering ]

[ horse whinnying ]

The Bank of Italy-- gone.

What do you mean, gone? Our funds are still safe in my home.

But our building.Other banks have lost their buildings.

What are they doing?

Well, the first thing they'’re doing is have a meeting this morning

of all the city'’s business and financial leaders.

Salvatore, don'’t worry.

We'’re still in business.

Now, you gentlemen represent most of the important business

and financial houses in our city.

With our buildings gutted, our vaults inaccessible,

it is patently impossible to attempt to continue

our banking operation at this juncture.

Therefore the bankers of San Francisco

have resolved a moratorium

during which all of the banks will remain closed.

[ chattering in discontentment ]Now, gentlemen. Gentlemen, please.

I'’m sorry, but we have no choice.

In the present state of public hysteria and panic,

to open our banks now would mean disaster.

Absolute disaster.

I disagree.

The people of San Francisco need the banks now so that they can rebuild.

Eventually.No, now.

Your gold is safe. Your vaults are intact.

Maybe a little too hot to handle for a couple of days.

Mr. Giannini,

the banks will remain closed for an indefinite period.

Possibly six months.

Then you might as well stay closed forever,

'’cause there'll be no San Francisco.

There'’ll be nothing but a bunch of empty banks.

Today, now, the people need their banks,

and we must fulfill their needs.

[ men cheering ]

Gentlemen, please.

Our decision is final.

The banks will remain closed.

Now, we cannot permit ourselves to be swayed by the rantings of a-- of a brash upstart

who'’s not even a member of our clearing house association,

and who has absolutely no comprehension

of what a bank panic can do to a city.

I know what a bank panic is, Mr. Crowder.

I'’ve seen the angry mobs in front of your bank, and yours.

But I know how to divert a panic, keep the people busy.

Tomorrow morning, I'’m putting a desk on Washington Wharf,

and I'’m putting a "Bank of Italy" sign on it,

and any man who wants to help rebuild San Francisco

can borrow all the money from me that he needs to do it.

Gentlemen, I suggest you do the same.

Do you think you can flaunt us?

Override our ruling?

Are you the law?

No, I am not the law.

But if you go on with this hair-brained scheme of yours,

you will be up against the law, and much to your sorrow.

Now, I'’m warning you.

The Bank of Italy will loan to any man here

all he needs to rebuild his home or his business.

[ chattering ]Now, I want you

to step right up here and fill out these loan slips,

with your name and your address and how much you need to rebuild.

San Francisco is a great city.

Now, let'’s help to rebuild it. Huh?

[ chattering ]

Oh, Salvatore.

Now, you hand out the money, see, and you fill in the--

A.P.Yes?

You cannot. It'’s all off.

What do you mean?Look.

"Governor declares bank holiday.

All San Francisco banks closed till further notice."

[ men chattering ]

Must be some of Crowder'’s work.

What are you going to do?Go right on.

But it'’s the governor's orders.

I don'’t care if every bank in the country is closed.

The Bank of Italy is open.

Suppose the arrest you?All the more reason to hurry.

I will loan any man double what he has in the bank if he will rebuild.

Not only what he has in the Bank of Italy,

but any bank in the city of San Francisco.

The banks of San Francisco are sound.

Your money is safe.

I repeat: I will double any loan

on any money you'’ve got deposited in any bank in this city.

[ chattering ]

Now, how much do you want?

I, uh-- I want to make a deposit.

$724.

Deposit? Well.

Well, uh, the way I figured,

my money ain'’t doing me much good in that tin can buried in my yard.

In fact, I'’m a little scared somebody might steal it.

Maybe you can loan it to somebody that can use it.

[ murmuring ]At least it'’ll be safer than in that tin can.

Yes, you'’re absolutely right.

It will be safe.

Here. Have a cigar.

Give this man a deposit slip for $724.

What is your name, sir?

Paul Haus.

[ murmuring ]

Thank you, Mr. Giannini.

God bless you, Mr. Haus.

[ chattering ]

Oh, uh, how much do you want?

$6,000.

Here'’s my passbook.

Yes, yes.

"$6,000, the Crowder Bank."

MAN: Would you honor it?

GIANNINI: $6,000 for Frank Clancy.

Go ahead, Salvatore.

$6,000 for Mr. Frank Clancy, the Crowder Bank.

[ murmuring ]

Oh, Mr. Crowder.

Hello, Mr. Clancy.

Giannini.

I thought you'’d bring the marshal with you.

No. No.

Whatever purpose I had in coming here doesn'’t matter now.

I just want you to know that when your funds here run low,

the Crowder Bank is at your disposal.

And my bank too.

[ murmuring ]

Mr. Giannini seems to be very busy.

Next.

And so San Francisco started to rebuild,

almost before the ashes were cold,

because of one man'’s faith in his fellow man.

Faith well founded.

For not one cent that Giannini loaned

during the San Francisco earthquake and fire went unpaid.

The bank of Amadeo Pietro Giannini,

of which this is one of the original passbooks,

grew into the largest bank in the world--

the Bank of America,

a monument to the little people from all the foreign lands

who helped make America

the great and free country that it is today.