Original subtitles

The lady is very attractive, but too hot to handle. She doesn't act prudish; try

her kids in the dark, and you'll think she's driving cute, because she's much too

hot.

The lady is.

And...

She's much too hot to handle.

She's much too, much too, much too hot.

Hold it, hold it, hold it.

No, no, absolutely.

You'll be wearing a tight dress, Maureen.

One more high kick like that, and you'll bust a clear to the belt.

Not quite the attendant, or else you'll end up on your back with your brains

knocked out.

Well, that's just about where her brains are.

Do you mind, little...

Okay, girls, come on, no hen fights at this point, all right?

Swing it, Paderewski!

He's got somebody in the office.

Tell him it's time to look over the new bunch, would you?

Has he gotten there this morning?

Oh, some whiz kid from a past magazine is going to make us all famous.

No, Maureen, you're kicking too high.

Come in, no one's taking a bar.

I don't know, they.

New problems?

Bank book, Dunning.

Not no problems.

Ah, this is Mr. Robert Juvelle of Paris Quake.

This is Paul Novak, my manager.

Hello.

He's going to write about us.

You know, the sort of thing.

Starts as a boost, ends as a knock.

Sort of.

Read all about it.

Sexy, sordid, soho.

England's greatest shame.

Sent from the missionaries before it's too late.

Forgive my manager, Mr. Juvelle.

When he was a child, he was bitten by a newspaper.

Well, they always say the English have strange eating habits.

Well, I'd better get this over to the bank before they shove us all out onto the

street.

Right.

Oh, uh, Midnight says don't forget the line-up.

Ready, isn't it?

I don't mind him.

He's useful.

Besides, I like unpleasant people.

When I'm paying.

But I'm not paying you.

Why do you want to write about this club in particular?

Our London office says it's the best.

Yours and a place called Diamond Horseshoe.

A man named Dinelli.

How much is it worth to you if I say, all right, go ahead?

Nothing.

If you say no, I cross the road and go to Mr. Dinelli.

All girls look alike in the dark room.

You've got a deal, but don't make me any trouble.

You see, I made this place.

I like it.

Faith, Mr. Soto.

You have no faith.

Come on, I'll show you around.

Now come full.

Turn around.

This is where we sift the diamonds from the dead.

We hold these lineups every Monday morning.

The naked and the dead, I call it.

Well, the barman will give you what you want while you watch.

Martina Leroy.

Right, swing around.

And again.

Uh, turn around.

Thank you, girls. Very nice.

Now, can we see the next group?

And leave your name to the desk as you leave.

Thank you.

All right, turn around, please.

Again.

She's not wearing anything on top. She's okay.

What about the little blonde?

Who?

That with the rock and roll hairdo.

Oh, Johnny, she's a baby, Johnny.

She's hardly out of the girl's couch.

We don't want trouble with the pops.

I know where the cops get her.

Johnny, already the cops don't love you.

Can't I, Charlie?

Don't eat that up.

That's what I'm afraid of.

All right.

You stay behind, young lady.

And you too, Miss, uh...

Adams, Marjorie.

Addams. Looks like it's me and you. Out of all the others, just two left. Just like

on TV.

Well, that's it, man says.

Not too bad to catch, considering.

Still say the little one's too small.

Throw her back in the water, Johnny. Any good fisherman would give her that chance.

Any good fisherman knows fresh bait. He sees it. Johnny, you're a rat.

Sir, in a rat race, you want me to be a nut? Yes. Says Mr.

Robert Jouvel, Miss Midnight Frank. Hello?

She's the one who's going to do the write- up about it. Oh?

What's he using for facts?

For facts. And photos.

Every picture tells a story.

These should be some pictures.

As long as it isn't some story.

Aren't you, Mr. Rightness?

Sir to Waterview, Major? Mm-hmm.

He told me all about D-Day.

You were together in Diablo.

Those were the days. Not like these days. You see how it is, Mr.

Gervais?

You see now?

I'm sorry.

I don't know.

Just can't keep them all aware.

Nurses, models, even schoolteachers, housewives by the dozen.

All in line to take their clothes off.

Psychological, I call it.

You'd think they'd know better what the hot dress in the costume is and the cool

dress in the doorways.

It's a wonder they all don't drop their pneumonia.

Who's comfortable, Johnny?

Mr. Ruffell is one of my backers.

Let's keep the angels happy.

Good morning.

Come on in.

Yeah.

I've seen angels who look a bit more like angels than Mr. Ruffells, if you ask me.

Oh, he's not very pretty, I agree.

Just not my type, let's say.

His mother probably liked him.

The scenery's nice your side as well.

Who is she?

Came in here one morning, peeled at the skin, and solo-signed her on.

Says she's Austrian.

Says her name's Lillian Decker, and says no.

It's just something more.

She's one for the books.

You know, I'd give my left arm to find out what's going on behind that deep-freeze

pan of hers.

I'll find out.

Secrets behind the mask down.

I feel it here.

$300.

$370.

$600.

Kickback from a grateful company director.

We helped him entertain a buyer from Mexico.

He bought.

Always envied Solo as inside friends.

They never seem to meet the right kind of people.

I tell you, diamonds, with me on the inside, you can't go wrong.

Novak.

I have never objected to the idea of helping you tonight, Solo, out of the way.

But I just don't like your approach.

Call it delicacy, but I just don't like it.

After all, I have to supply the men.

I take the risks.

All right.

Chop it down the middle.

That's delicacy.

That's a delicacy.

Now, perhaps we should leave a small memento on Solo's desk tonight.

No point in wasting time, is there?

That's up to you.

I have to go back now, as it gets kind of nervous when I'm visiting the bank. If

you were my manager, I'd have the bank visit me. Hello. I don't recognize you.

Aren't you seeing someone here? I thought you were one of us. Oh, didn't you know?

That's our secret weapon. Good evening. Lovely grouse. Now, let's get something a

little more exciting every day. Do you think this one will be any good? It might be

a bit overexposed.

Would you like another one? No, thanks. I'm driving. Like when I see Mr. Solo. Like

when I'm wearing nothing but nail polish, he says.

You are the ultimate.

You didn't actually say 'ultimate,' because, well, between you and me, he's a bit

of a square.

Still, he's the one with the money.

Pieces of eight.

You know.

I said, sure, crazy, I'll do it for you.

But I warned him, I've got no interest in the casting couch.

By the way, you're pretty cool.

I'm free at half past one, and I haven't got a thing to do.

Surprise me, my dear.

That's the way it goes.

Do you mind?

Go ahead.

Gina, what do you know about this one?

All right.

Nothing, I'm Johnny, come lately here.

Seeing a girl like that working in this flesh market.

I'd say that was a surprise.

Well, you surprise me too.

I do?

Look, mister, where else can a girl earn 25 a week and still have the day free to

go to school?

School?

School?

School?

School?

School?

School?

Thank you.

I'm a model in life class.

And I want to get on the working side of the easel.

I want to do this.

So this flesh mark, this is her do.

Why not?

Mude modeling at art school pays half a crown an hour.

Over here it works out at half a minute for the same thing.

And here it's warmer.

Gee, you're beautiful. You know that?

You're sitting on my face towel.

Oh, I'm sorry.

That's all right.

What's your name?

Stephanie. Can you beat that?

Stephanie Swanson.

Honestly, I think my mother must have been out of her tiny little mind when she

decided to saddle me with a name like that.

Stephanie.

Can't tell you what a handicap it's been in my career.

Like being born cross-eyed.

What would you like to be called?

Ponytail.

It'll look good and light, sort of catchy.

Ponytail.

Presenting Ponytail Swanson.

Good night.

New overnight.

Good night.

sensation. The latest fat kitten. It is quite commercial, isn't it? I mean, what do

you really think? If I told you what I really think, you wouldn't listen to me. Oh,

I would.

Really, I would.

Get out. Go away. Now.

No, wait a minute.

Do you know what they do with little girls like you in a place like this?

They eat you for breakfast.

They put you in a machine and you come out hard, tight, cold, like the rest of them.

That's my girl.

Hold it. I don't have to go to the house station. Whatever I told you.

Well, I'll take it easy. Hey, what are you doing?

I'm sorry, but I don't like pictures of me. Why not? You watch here.

She doesn't bust you on the nose.

The moment I turn my back, the house falls down. Now.

Was I only trying to take a picture?

I don't like publicity. Why?

Okay, okay, that's enough. Leave her alone. You got everything you want in here? In

here, yes.

Thank you. Come on, Fletcher.

Okay, kids. I'm changing the order for you.

Maureen, you...

Oh, here it follows.

Where's Cynthia?

Oh, she went to see her mother in hospital, visiting hours five to seven.

We've got visiting hours here, too, haven't you heard?

She's on it.

But her mother's very...

Curtain, stand by, two minutes.

Melody, you feel interested.

Sure, I can do to my left ear.

As long as you do it on your two feet.

Curtain, stand by, two minutes.

Just like the man says, hurry up.

I say again, stand by to curtain, two minutes, so everybody got to move on.

I have to do this.

I left a message.

I have to see my sick mother.

Let me go.

I'll let you go, you little tramp.

I'll let you go for good.

No.

Welcome to Gentleman Johnny Solo's Pink Flamingo.

Well, once again, it's Amoray time.

Well, I did everything I could.

I said you were at the hospital.

Might as well have been a hospital. I never got out of bed once.

I said you were visiting your sick old mother.

Yeah, she's sick all right. Sick to death by the side of me.

Old man Arpheus is here tonight. He's got great big eyes for you.

Anyway, I heard Solo talking to him about you for later.

Well, he's not very pretty, but with the landlord beating on my door, anything goes.

Quick, honey. The wolves are howling.

Okay, let's go. Give them their dinner.

Oh, this is little old Miss Florence Nightingale. How's your sick mother here?

Don't you think I just got out of jail or something?

Don't give us ideas, honey.

Oh, come on.

Now, how did you like that?

Pay no attention. I want to show you the man with all the bail money.

Old man Arpheus. Old man Arpheus.

In all her glory. Well, at least your landlord will be happy.

You're on this to make me, dear.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, to start the evening for you, we give you London's.

Now, why stop at London?

We give you the world's most glamorous number, the one and only Midnight Franklin.

And you can see for yourselves why all men describe her as.

Ha, ha, much too hot to handle.

The lady's addition.

Too hot to handle.

Her every which.

Must be obeyed.

You have to learn how to live in the sun with no sign of shade.

Because the lady much too, much too hot to handle.

The lady is hot.

Hot, much too hot.

Too hot to handle.

Much too, much too.

The lady does not.

Hot.

Hot.

It's much too hot.

Act like a prude.

It's much too hot.

Just try a kiss in the dark and you'll think you've been barbecued.

It's much too hot.

It's much too hot.

Because the lady's much too much, too hot to handle.

The lady is much…

Hot.

It's much too hot.

Too hot to handle.

It's much too hot.

A tenderest touch.

Hot.

It's much too hot.

Tropical thrill.

It's much too hot.

Unless you think you can live like a steak on a silver grill.

It's much too much, too hot.

Well, then the lady's much too much, too hot to handle.

Now, teachers and scholars, professors and mystics have all of them studied her

vital statistics.

Presidents, ministers, leaders of nations have broken off talks to discuss her

gyrations.

You're under jalpages, temple, and mobile collapsed.

And you've been underdeveloped in an interview, honestly.

Here's the decision they got to Much too hot to handle The signal is red Hot, much

too hot Too hot to handle Much too much As Shakespeare once said Hot, much too hot

Gee, what a dame Much too hot So here's your chance to behave like a moth round a

candle plate Much too much too much Because the lady's much too much Too hot to

handle

The lady's a trap Hot, much too hot Too hot to handle Much too much So don't be as

sad Hot, much too hot Take my advice Much too much Keep well away Or expect to be

burnt as a sacrifice Hot, much too much

Because the lady's much too much, too hot to handle, to handle.

Hey, Mrs. Ardwells.

I've never seen you.

Thank you very much, sir.

Senator tells me you're like two new ones today.

What are they like?

Why is this a kid?

Police problems don't touch.

The others while you're fighting weight, says she goes to art school.

So I can go out and see her routines, eh?

What about the kid?

Our young jailbait wasn't touched.

Oh, today Denali's.

What did he mean by his secret weapon?

Well, we'll have his little joke.

He's on his watch.

business, man. Getting himself a bit more tired.

Suits me.

See what I mean?

Now, I'm seated on the press.

A very night, every night.

Now, what for me, boy?

Just to see half a dozen silly little girls taking this off, taking that off.

Be to me.

And you cater to their tastes, apparently.

Oh, I don't twist their wrists to make them come in.

And it's a living.

Come and have a drink.

What more do you need to advertise yourself?

Neon lights?

Just tell Solo I want to see him.

Why?

I don't like it.

Just take it.

I'll be in the vault.

Is it empty?

Sure, it is.

If you don't like it.

That's too bad.

Diamonds, what's on your back?

Problems, Johnny. Only problems.

Like, for instance?

Like this, for instance. A telegram.

Well, well, it's all together. What a switch.

Hey, that's a very nice dress you almost have on. I like it.

Quite the gentleman, aren't you?

Did you say something about a telegram?

Here. Diamonds, Dinelli, Diamond Horseshoe, Soho Street, etc.

We've got eyes on your club, so don't cause trouble.

Do as we say. No signature.

See for yourself.

May I ask a question?

Anything?

Why don't you come and see me?

Do you think maybe I sent you this?

No, Johnny. I don't think you did.

But you know...

know something. You might be next. There's been talk going around about protection.

Maybe the Mafia's back at Soho. I don't believe in fairy tales. Some of the other

clubs have been getting little warnings all of a sudden. This could be a big

operation. The B. Diamonds is right, Johnny. Maybe you better think this thing over.

What thing? Which thing? One lousy telegram and suddenly London Bridge is falling

down. Play it safe, Soho. Separately we could be knocked off by a big combination.

Together, they may think twice. Telegram without a name. A kid with a shilling in

his pocket could have sent a thing like that.

Besides, the postman didn't ring my doorbell, Chuck. You see? Solo by name, Solo by

nature.

All right. So maybe you don't need a friend. I had a friend, Runstone. It didn't

take.

Would you give me a light, darling?

Oh, certain.

Thanks.

How does a good-looking boy like you come to be on his own?

I was born that way.

Well, there's no reason to stay like that.

Why don't you buy me a drink?

You won't be lonely with me around.

Charlie?

The office is a friend of Solo's doing a story for us.

Well, how was I to know?

Okay, okay, I'll buy you a drink anyway.

MWB or for real?

For real.

Martini on the rocks.

MWB, what did he mean?

A metropolitan water ballroom.

Or gin and tip.

It's the same thing.

Water which looks like gin.

And a tick on the slate for my commissioner.

Is that right?

No, thanks, dear.

He's on our side.

Give her a packet anyway, come.

Passing cloud, Kingsway, Bristol.

I'll take Kingsway.

You really are nice.

Would you like a picture taken?

Yes, stay like that.

At ten pounds a time, don't push it too far.

Oh, but they're only thirty shillings for two.

Only.

You'd better...

They both have a brain, but no M.W.B.

Get him.

When I learn, I learn pretty fast.

It was beautiful. Such class, such finesse. You make the others look like monkeys.

Mr. Atkins, I've told you before, you're wasting your time.

I'm sure you will find the monkeys much more obliging.

Always like an iceberg. What's the matter?

With me, Lillian. You'll find I'm not so bad.

What's the matter, Mr. Apples? Nothing's the matter, Cynthia, darling. I just burnt

my hand with my cigar. Sitting.

A little Cynthia kissy.

Make it well.

You're such a comfort to a man, Cynthia.

What are you doing for me tonight?

I'm in your hands. You know what I mean.

And you might burn your fingers again.

My car will come down for you just after the show.

You have a great comfort to a man, Cynthia.

And a man needs his comforts.

Yes, Mr. Sola?

Good night.

You were very unkind to Mr. Apples.

He's an important client.

I hope I marked him for life.

Well, Jan, Mr. Apple spends a lot of money in the club.

He even has money invested in it.

I don't ask you to go out with him, for heaven's sake, to burn a man with his own

cigar.

And a Havana with that.

As long as it was a good cigar.

Good night, honey.

Are you the last?

The others have all gone.

Good night.

What do you make of that one?

She doesn't really belong in this joint, that's for sure.

Is anybody?

Fifty-five meters.

Oh, you.

I'm off, Judy. Cross my heart.

No questions, nothing.

Don't worry, I'll get another taxi.

Not at this time of night.

I'll manage.

Drive out the corner, fast.

Fast, he says.

Fast.

Good night, gun.

What's that, Charlie?

Same old gentleman, Johnny.

Nobody ever locks off the place but him.

And nobody ever puts off the lights but him.

Silly superstition, I suppose.

I like it.

I like to watch you.

That's because that's a little taste.

Sure, like you, for instance.

Like me.

And I don't get it.

I could walk out of that door and any man is another big lamp falling into your lap.

Suppose I said I don't want any man in London.

Only one.

Then I'd say you were badly, brother.

I was right up on a farm.

You're done.

It's just something wrong with that.

No, I don't do it.

Bye-bye, mademoiselle.

I told you I've got the last taxi left in London, so come in.

This time, not so fast.

Blimey.

Not so fast, he says.

Thank you for bringing me.

Oh, please come with me.

You mean me?

Don't say anything. Just walk with me.

It's all right.

What's going on? What's the hurry?

There's a man.

Shall I go down and ask him what he wants?

No, no.

No, no, don't be a fool.

You're sure you've never seen him before, huh?

No, not that I can remember.

There you are.

That explains your mystery.

Come on, take a good look if you don't believe me.

Of course he has.

Your imagination is too vivid.

But anyhow, I'm grateful to that stranger.

Nobody else would have got me into your apartment quite so quickly.

And I must ask you to leave just as quickly.

I am grateful to you, monsieur, for seeing me home, but please, go now.

Please.

Oh, not just yet.

Is it your own apartment?

Your own books?

Sigmund Freud, Abloch Elis, Kraft, and my goodness, you're very well read.

Now, will you please go?

Not even a cup of coffee for the first white man to fly the Atlantic single-handed?

Please.

Don't force me to be ungracious.

Okay.

As the famous American general said, I shall return.

Thank you.

Good evening, miss.

Good evening.

On the bridge of Avignon.

We don't dance there, sir. We don't dance there.

We don't.

The baby you were made for.

Johnny.

I don't understand.

But who?

Ah.

Did they take anything? Money?

No, nothing.

Just left it there.

Look what's up there.

Come on, boy.

Johnny, that's not what I told you. That's their general idea, but why solo? Listen

carefully, this might answer that question. Give the 500 to Miss Midnight. She will

be picked up by car at five o'clock tonight outside Lambeth Palace. She must be

alone. Don't try and think funny, solo. Do as I say and nobody will be hurt. I want

you to deliver five o'clock outside Lambeth. Couldn't know what that's where the

archbishop lives. Oh, now don't tell me they've got the archbishop working for him.

Please, maybe they've just got religion after all. They're in on every other rank.

Johnny, is this on the level? I thought we were kidding.

What are you going to do?

I'm not shy, eh?

Johnny, you listen to me.

I know what you're going to say.

Yes, Johnny, and I'm going to say it.

Slowly, so you can hear.

Get out of this. Let's get away.

You can't win, Johnny. You don't even know who they are.

There's no use fighting it.

There he is.

He'll fix it.

I've always had it.

I had a fight to get myself out of the gutter.

I had a fight to get a decent accent.

I even had to fight to get myself out of the ranks in the army and become an

officer.

I wasn't born, gentlemen, Johnny.

And it was all I've earned.

All I had to show for is a de-mob suit.

He said, I'll start fighting all over again to get where I am now.

Whatever that is.

It's too late to stop now, even if I want to.

I'll destroy you, Johnny.

This is only the beginning. It starts with this.

And this time, an axe.

Stuck into a table.

Next time, where?

You tell me.

The police, Johnny?

Not so careful as that.

It's going to be all right, 12 o'clock.

Hey, diamonds.

Are you kidding?

That's the Archbishop of Canterbury's place.

Well, don't worry.

I told you.

We'll take care of it.

And don't worry about the girl.

I told you.

Together, we'll clean up this thing in no time.

Five o'clock.

Now, why can't those guys be punctual?

Maybe Big Ben's part.

You keep your eyes on Navey.

This looks like it.

Maybe.

Get ready to tail him.

Right.

What the...

Maybe they're just stalling for time.

Here we have Lampet Palace, Lampet Bridge, and over here we have the Houses of

Parliament.

One of the best views in London of the Houses of Parliament, and, of course, Big

Ben in the corner.

We'll see more of that later in the day.

Now here we have, in front of us, Lampet Palace.

Lampet Palace used to be a royal manor house, standing in Greenfields.

Used to belong originally to Edward.

On your marks.

Now Morton's Tile and Gateway were built in 1490.

I don't get this.

Looks like you've got the wrong one.

Right, I'll take the briefcase.

Don't move, look around.

Come on, hand it over.

There's a good girl.

A foolproof man.

You really hear the means, sir.

We'll clean this up in no time, the man says.

Now, look, be reasonable, Johnny.

You said they were towed by a car.

Put a man on foot and then that boat.

Yeah, that fellow was pretty nifty.

You said that before.

Who would have believed it?

Good pleasure.

It's a little talk.

Forgive me if I'm interested in what happens next.

Well, it all depends.

I think that 500 should keep them quiet.

Until the next time.

Then another 500.

Somewhere else.

Westminster Abbey.

The Tower of London.

How long do you think I can afford to keep standing on street corners handing out

money like a traveling soup kitchen?

Take it easy, Johnny.

Come on, Novak.

We've still got a club to root for.

I'll keep in touch, Johnny.

You there.

That's where they're going.

Okay, Mr.

See if he's here yet.

Bless him.

Bless him. Amen.

Gee, Mr. Nellie.

You're not glad to be so dishonest.

No, I was made a pitch to keep it on the sea.

Joan of Arc, I was made for Louis, but baby, you were made for me.

Starry skies were made for love, and love is made for free.

Some say I was made to measure, but baby, you were made for me.

Dobby and Joan were made for each other.

Poggy was made for best.

Someone...

was made for whistler's mother, to each his own, I guess. Every dove must seek its

nest, and every lock its key. Every love is made for someone, baby, you were made

for me. Kisses are made to example, but love is made to last. Let's follow the

example of all the famous lovers of the past. I tell you truly, Jack and Jill went

up the hill to see what they could see. If those two kids can reach the summit, but

maybe so can you and me.

Romeo met Juliet beneath her balcony.

If you want to play the lover, then baby, just discover me.

Man and maid were made for each other since Adam was made for Eve.

Some may run from one to another, but this I do believe.

Eventually, every dove must seek its nest, and every lock its key.

Every love is made for someone, and baby, you were made for me.

Baby, you were made for me.

Yeah, I missed quite a story.

You missed quite a story.

What, for me?

I talked too much.

You'll get yourself a drink.

Well, I never mind a pinch or two, honey.

That's all good, clean fun.

But, I mean, you look like you went 15 rounds with a heavyweight.

You got the right division anyway.

Well, I wouldn't stand for it.

Well, I didn't much as I recall.

You're a case, Cynthia.

Okay, I was in a juvenile court once, and there was this old dish.

She must have been 100.

And she looks at me through her glasses, and she said, My dear, if you don't mend

your ways, I'll fear you'll end up an outcast from society.

Me, a refugee from 14 camps, and she's afraid I'll end up as an outcast from

society.

Anyway, then she walks off to open up a garden party or something like that.

You're a case, Cynthia. You really are.

Oh, well, the girl guides have arrived at last.

Carrying in their arms their newly adopted baby child.

Well, if it isn't Little Miss Big Mouth any time you want pistols at dawn, Little

Mother.

Gee, what happened to you? Did you hurt yourself?

Nope. Got somebody else to do it for me.

You're a case, I know it.

Well, if you say it once more, I scream.

Thanks for hiding the child's ear signs of conflict.

You're such a comfort to me, my darling.

And an old man needs his comfort.

Well, hello there.

Hello. I was afraid you wouldn't talk to me.

Why ever not?

Well, I mean, after all that good advice telling me to go away.

The advice still goes.

That's your music. You better hurry.

Okay.

Playing our tune, darling.

mmm EMILY

And now, friends, the Orient beckons, the mysterious East, the land of strange

barbaric rites, the land of the monsoon.

For months there's been a drought, the parched earth calls for rain, but the rain

god waits, angry.

I'm a kid.

I'm a kid.

I'm a kid.

is the cleanest place in town.

And now, if the band have not been washed away by the monsoon, Professor, on with

the Gabat.

Thank you.

We are seeing you.

I want to be with you.

Let me be with you.

I have to be with you.

What do you mean?

No, I'm not a moment.

Do you mind?

Stay this with me.

What took you so long, darling?

Come on, let's go.

Who is he, that man?

I don't know.

I never saw him before.

What do you want him for?

Maybe he was just making a pass.

I could handle that.

No, it was more...

Oh, I don't know.

It looked sort of evil.

You should employ me as a bodyguard.

You could get me cheap, you know that?

Please don't make fun.

It's the man.

I tell him he's following us.

Let's wait and see what he wants.

Let's see.

No, please, believe me.

Okay, okay.

Thank you.

No coffee?

No questions?

No questions.

Black or white?

Black.

Milk is for babies, my father used to say, as water is for washing.

And so you follow his example.

Wherever possible.

I see you take black as well, so do you take after your father too?

My father died in the first year of the war.

But why do you ask me these things?

What has it to do with you?

You are afraid of me as well.

I think I want to nose out your guilty secrets and write a brilliant expose.

You are afraid of me as well, so do you have to say?

Sleptease Dancer is missing Atomspire.

I have no secrets.

I think you are a liar.

It's not a very good...

You hadn't better tell me everything.

You're sure this...

isn't a story for the police.

No, not the police.

Okay.

On the bathroom, quick.

Put the lights on.

You don't know this man.

You've never seen him before.

Never.

Conrad Muller, company director, Hamburg.

Born 1907, Leipzig.

Married with one child.

It's even worse than I thought. He's in a very dangerous trade.

What is it?

Merry Christmas, Conrad Muller.

How are those men?

What a man.

It serves him right.

Why? Because he frightened you? Or just because he's a man?

And you want to hurt all men?

Because you do, don't you?

I have good reasons.

What reasons?

Where is my money?

Where are you? Why did you follow me?

I was...

All right, all right. Give me the subtitles.

He was lonely, that's all. He doesn't know any English.

And so he goes to the Stripis club, huh?

This day you don't need to know any English. I'll give him that.

I only wish to speak German again. I was so lonely.

Why didn't you speak English before?

All right, old friends.

Have you had your little German lesson on your way?

You didn't have to be so rough with me.

You didn't have to frighten Miss Decker or follow her home.

A girl from a show like that. Have you ever done something like that?

I have no voice or chant.

Our girl.

He's an old fool.

Perhaps, but he's lonely.

Like many others, he goes to sad places like Solent's Club.

We forget how lonely he is.

And he sees you dance.

Although the dance is joyless.

It's vindictive, as if you despise the man you're paid to please, and you are paid

for that, remember?

And you for trying to find things out. Why do you keep asking about me? I don't ask

about you.

Why not? Let me tell you. I'm 28, white, unmarried, and my mother lives in Paris.

My father died in a home for alcoholics at 35. He was a writer, but not a very good

one.

That bothered him too much. Oh, stop it. Why should I be ashamed? I loved my father.

And you have parents. My life is none of your business. Go away and leave me alone.

No, I don't want you.

Go away. No matter how fast or far you run, you can never leave yourself, dear. You

are beautiful.

Midnight.

I told you to go home.

I've got business.

Johnny, I've got a feeling.

You've had these feelings before, remember?

The little people who are coming to fetch me and carry me away in the night.

Stop trying to play it so cool and listen to me, Johnny.

What do you think they're going to do when they open that briefcase and find 500

photographs of Miss Midnight Franklin?

Sit back and laugh?

Don't go back to your place tonight, Johnny.

Come home with me.

You'll be safe.

And tomorrow?

What happens tomorrow?

Do I take a room in a hotel in a side street?

And the night after that?

No, I'll take my chances.

You go on, Harry.

Only tonight, Johnny.

Please, please.

12 o'clock. You're a very special girl. You deserve something better than me.

I'm not talking about all that. Not now.

Look, I find trouble as though I'd invented it. It'll rub off on you, and I don't

want that to happen.

Johnny!

You're a wonderful girl at night. You should have a wonderful man.

Look, find him, marry him, and be happy.

Now, go on home for a while. Go on home.

I'm not looking for marriage, Johnny. I know the tag.

Solo by name.

And it's true. It's no good, 12 o'clock.

Now, go on home. Now, before you get yourself into real trouble.

Congratulations, Craig.

Will you give me the number of the Imperial all night?

I can't go anywhere without this.

No!

He came as soon as I heard.

The little people, the ones who are always telling me about it, they were waiting.

John, your face?

Yes, it's on to it, and it never was.

Oh.

It's a nice place we've got here.

Sure.

Humble, but it's home.

Probably, what do we...

We're going to do? We're going to get this place cleaned up. We'll open this club

tonight.

Once all that stuff will probably never close, they play rough. How do you figure

to get all this organized by tonight? I don't. And what I do know is that Mr.

Solo's not going to close on account of any bunch of hoods. Mr. Solo, my

boyfriend's got a kind of catering firm. You know, weddings, garden parties and

that. Well, I'm sure he'd let you have a few chairs and tables. I'll phone him if

you like. Do that, Tony. Do it now. And I'll tell you what I'll do, Mr. Solo. You

put me in charge of this bunch of goons, I'll have this place pick and sparing next

to no time. It's all yours.

Now, you three, sweep. You two, clean. All right, you girls, get together, pick up

the broken glass. Now, come on, what are we waiting for? Let's get...

Where did I see him?

The photographer.

He's the one who was taking pictures with your French newspaper man.

Thought I'd seen him somewhere before.

At 12 o'clock.

Yes?

Thank you.

Thank me? What for?

Not saying I told you, sir.

Yes?

Now, you listen to me, chum, for one little second.

If you...

Listen, sir, this kind of talk can only in one way.

And one last...

Interesting. If ever I get my hands on you...

Well, what did he say?

He told us to go to hell and a lot of other things.

You stupid fool, can't you get anything right?

But, Mr. Dillard, I did what you said, didn't I?

Look, this is your last chance, sir. Leave the money in a plain envelope.

I know what it says. Now get out of here, you fool.

Anyway, I read it, didn't I? What else could I do?

I told you I wasn't putting up with that.

Leave a message and all that stuff. I told you I was no good.

That creep is waiting on the embankment for a free meal.

Now he tells me he's not cut out for this kind of work.

He's useless.

Well, we're a great success, aren't we?

We plant an axe on his desk, beat him up, and wreck the place, and what do we get?

I'll tell you what we get.

We get 500 pictures on this midnight invitation to hell.

That's what we get.

Maybe we didn't hurt him enough.

Do you think so?

You know, you can twist a man's arm until he gives up.

If he doesn't give up, you break it.

No dice.

You know what he's doing right now?

He's got half the nudes in London, scrubbing the place out like a parcel of

charlman.

You gotta hand it to that boy. He doesn't crack easy.

And I'll tell you another thing, Mr. Donnelly.

And this you're not going to like.

Maybe he starts thinking.

How come it's always my head that gets busted open?

My joint that gets getting the work over?

How come Diamonds Donnelly never gets beaten up like me?

You push it too far.

Well, seven new memberships in the mail today.

What is it, honey?

I've been hearing voices, you and Joan of our... what is this? I woke up just a

moment too soon.

What a name, that voice, or a face. Certainly, I'm full of ideas. Is muscles out

there? What do you want of you? It's all right, be careful crossing muscles. Hello,

Mr. Cellar. What was that you said? Say me. I said nothing. What's what you said

then? You said just enough. You could tell.

You shouldn't play with things like this. You might get hurt.

If I can do without it, so can you.

During my career, I'm going to play in a renowned Distribution.

In gierten Londoner Nachtclub, wenn dann.

Das würde manchem Journalisten gut bekommen, wenn er mehr körperlich arbeiten würde.

When are you departing?

Tomorrow.

Already tomorrow?

Thank you.

That was the nicest thing you've said to me during our entire acquaintance.

May I take that off your hands?

I wish I could take off my sweater too.

I'm starting to sweat, or if you like, to cook.

Cooked or stewed?

I like you in any form.

You shouldn't look me up and down like that.

Ah, here it is, yes.

No, please don't open it. I don't want to know what's inside.

You don't want to know what's inside?

No, it's a surprise.

I have to open it.

I have to let you see the contents of the package.

I might be wrong about you.

Understand you?

Two particularly valuable silver hairbrushes with the initial T from R.

Yeah, T from R.

Paris? Ja, I have signed. Give them to her.

Ja? Was ist? Haben Sie was gefunden?

B from R.

Tilly von Rale.

Countess of Liechtenstein.

Age 67.

No, no, continue.

Tanja von Räder.

Age 19.

Captain of the Austrian Olympic Rock Team.

No, that's not the fish we're looking for.

Continue.

Yes?

Teresa von Roth.

22.

Yes, yes, that's her.

Disappeared a year ago from Basel.

Yes, I...

Yes, I...

Yes, I...

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

All right.

Fine.

Thank you.

Teresa von Roth?

When your father died, she disappeared.

She was dead.

Yes.

The German newspapers made a lot of noise.

You've proven that you're a damn lulling.

The daughter of a millionaire works as a dancer in a London nightclub.

Quite a story.

Here.

That's her.

That's Lilian.

A moment, please.

That's her.

Aeris vanished.

Teresa von Roth.

Oh dear, someone's going to prison for seven years, bad luck.

Starting when?

But I do believe this.

Eventually, every dove must return to its nest.

And every lock has its key.

Every love is meant for someone.

And darling, you were made for me.

Baby, you were made for me.

Ooh.

From the steaming jungles of Africa, Johnny Solo presents the...

They told me you'd gone tomorrow. This isn't the nature of au revoir.

Aren't you going to be saying goodbye to Liliad? I never expected you to get behind

the deep praying, but you seem to be warming it up there. You better say goodbye

for me. By the time my next story gets out, I don't think she'll be leaning over

backwards to kiss me. Hello, goodbye, bye bye, and you're always welcome.

Apples wants Pennytail and a couple of the others to join him and his friends off

with her.

It seemed to be in a tank with an octopus and with him.

No, Apples isn't all that bad.

Pennytail, she's a kid.

So dumb she can't even find her head with both hands.

She wasn't engaged for her head.

You know how old she is?

She's underage.

You want me to write out the numbers for you?

The only numbers I'm interested in are 41, 18, 35 and a half.

Well, you never learn.

You're breaking my heart.

Ah, Ponytail.

There's an associate of mine in Mr. Arpels out here.

He and a couple of business friends would like you to join in for supper after the

show.

All right, Mr. Solo, this child shouldn't be involved.

Now, Lillian, don't you start.

I'm tired of being looked at as a white slaver just because Ponytail's going out to

supper with Arpels.

Maureen and Jackie will be there, too.

Besides, he might be a great help for her in her career.

But she doesn't know what...

I wish she'd all leave me alone.

This could be my big chance.

Exactly.

And Lillian, it wouldn't be in too much of an idea to call in the Salvation Army.

I'm taking a bit of a chance on you, too.

No passport, no working permit.

You ought to be more grateful, chick.

I wish you wouldn't interfere.

Mr. Arpels has film connections.

He has a lot of important people behind him.

Did he say how far behind him?

Novak.

What is it, Johnny?

Where are you going to be tonight after we shut up, Sean?

I'll go to Mickey's for a shimmy game. Why?

Well, stay at Mickey's till I'm talking.

If the hatchet men come again, I want to be prepared.

And they don't mean like a boy scout.

William, is that you? I'll be with you in a minute.

Tell Tony Tell I want to see you, would you?

Let me tell you, quick.

Tell him it's Novak. Tell him it's urgent.

Hello, are you alone?

Listen, I've got to talk quick.

I'll get this. You stay away from the club tonight.

That's what I said. Stay away from the club.

Solo's laying a trot.

I know you've got lots of plans, you'll have to change them, that's all.

I'm sorry. Wait a minute.

You come over here tonight, there'll be a shooting.

I'll call you back.

You've heard nothing, understand nothing?

That night?

Yeah. It's a night for surprises all around.

You hear anything just now?

Nothing?

Should I have? I've just come out of the shop.

Nobody else was hearing?

No, nobody.

Take it from me, old man Arthur, he's tired of fighting.

Loud footwork, I would say.

He's pretty spry with his hands.

He said he's going to introduce me to a movie producer.

Wer das glaubt?

Unpenschen.

After all, look what happened.

What have they done?

Just look at this.

You know whose busy little fingers are responsible for this.

So do I.

I'm going to bash that heading.

I'm with it.

Terry, Marjorie.

Don't try to stop us now.

You busy slut.

I've heard of some dirty tricks in my life, but this beats the lot.

Why don't you take it over to a sewing circle?

You bother me.

Why can't you two mother superiors stay out of our heads?

It knocks you, doesn't it? That your sugar daddy's got eyes for somebody else. So

what's it to you? I've been dying to do this. I think this is Snake Pit. Come on,

let's have it. Who started it? Here's what started it. Miss Precious Cynthia tried

to make quite sure that ponytail went no wet night. Is that right? You bunch of...

Is that right? Sure, that's right. All right, Cynthia, get the blazers out of here

and don't come back. So what? Marine, get yourself cleaned up. You've got a date,

remember? Ponytail, Mr. Raffles is waiting. Well, what do you like?

If we get another peep out of any of you, I'll fire a whole sordid bunch of you.

Come on. Yeah. Well, Ponytail, come in and see me a minute. Yes, Miss Midnight? Kip,

do yourself a favor. What? You know what? Raffles. Forget him. Stand him up. Go

home and curl up with a good book. Gee, everybody's getting at me like I'm a

juvenile delinquent or something.

You're only trying to do what's best for you, Ponytail. I know there's not enough

milk of humankind.

Us around here to fill a baby's bottle, but there is a little. Well, I'm not a baby

anymore. Gee, Miss Midnight, this is the chance I've been waiting for. I know. I

even know the dialogue. Baby, I can get you a spot in a movie. Baby, you be nice to

me, and I'll fix it so you get to be the leading lady in the promised land. Then

the next morning, they hand you your taxi fare, and it's don't call us.

We'll call you. Well, it doesn't have to be like that. Not always. At least I've

got a chance to be seen. Back home, it was just the boys in the street, errand boys

with clammy hands, all trying to grow mustaches so they could look older. I mean,

what future has a girl got out there? Future? I've seen a hundred girls go out

those doors with creeps who called themselves producers, impresarios, and the rest.

Little Mr. Fix-It's all of them. Some of the girls came back with promises as long

as their sly trombone. One came back with a baby. Some never came back at all. But

nobody ever came back.

Back with the future and you're not going to be any different, Ponytail. Am I

getting through? Lolita, but watch yourself in the clenches. That's all, Miss

Midnight. Um, would you tell me something? After all you said about this kind of

place, what keeps you here? Well, I guess that's the 64-dollar question, kid. And

even when I'm looking at him, I kind of ask myself the same thing, you know?

Never seemed to get an answer except if you gotta swim, birds.

Oh, cherries. I love cherries. I'm a regular old greedy guts about them.

You shall have cherries by the million.

Well, you will swim in cherries.

That's silly.

Well, go on, do it up. It won't bite you.

Oh, dear, dear, dear.

It's nice, isn't it?

Oh, golly.

I feel so woozy.

Oh, relax, relax.

I'm not going to hurt you.

Oh, I don't know.

I've never felt like this before.

Oh, golly.

I think I better get some water on my face.

Oh, golly.

Hello, my dear. I've got another little drink for you.

Hi. Coming.

Five o'clock.

Johnny, what are you doing?

Coming.

Why are you still here?

Where have you been?

In my dressing room.

Waiting.

Like you.

Waiting? What for?

I was just trying to think.

I'm trying to work something out.

You, Junie, just don't know what to do.

Well done, you're in some sort of trouble?

No.

You are.

Listen to me, I'm going to tell you.

I'm going to hurt you.

You little fool.

You want everybody to hear.

Come here.

Come here.

Stop.

Stop.

Stop.

Stop.

You heard him say it?

Yes.

Donnelly.

He was talking to Donnelly.

You heard him say Donnelly?

Johnny, I went over it a hundred times in my mind, remembering every way.

Remembering every way.

Like my own.

Johnny, no.

You mustn't think like this.

Johnny, listen to me.

This is just a sham game at the case.

The fun and games are over, Mr. Donnelly.

Johnny, you've got to listen to me.

It's rude to see the parties.

Mickey, give me another, quick.

Johnny, you've done a million lousy things in your life and you've dirtied your

hands many times.

But you've never had...

You know that?

Yes, Sola. I want to see you right away.

No, I can't tell you on the television.

At the Flamingo.

I'll be waiting.

Johnny, you go for a gun and I'll stop you.

I'll know enough to stop you, Johnny.

You'll stop me?

What is this, step Sola in the back week?

Johnny, you go for a gun and I'll be the one that lets you away.

I know there's no hope for us.

But I'm thinking of you.

Because I've seen you roughly and roughly every day.

What will be dark tonight?

I'm thinking if I tell him, what will he do?

And if I don't tell him...

Fixing the back so there are no skies.

Be them and be.

Oh, that's stupid.

Well, it's probably some...

Who is it?

Who's there?

Mr. Solo.

May we come in?

Seems as if you're in already, Inspector.

Working late tonight, aren't you?

Not unusual in my profession, Inspector.

Midnight, Franklin.

I work here.

Going to the office, Inspector.

Unusual hours for a visit, Inspector.

And you're acquainted with a girl named...

Stephanie Beatrice Swanson.

Swanson?

No, I don't believe I...

She was perhaps known to you as Ponytail Swanson.

Was?

She's dead, Mr. Solo.

Very dead indeed.

Do you mind?

No.

Certain questions I could ask you both.

How did it happen?

When did you last see Miss Swanson?

She was here tonight, at midnight.

Miss Franklin was here, wasn't she?

You saw her at the same time?

Yes, she did.

She worked for you?

Yes.

And she left here to meet a certain Mr. Arpels at his apartment, correct?

You arranged this appointment, correct?

Mr. Solo, were you aware of the age of the dead girl?

You must have told us I aged at some time.

Isn't it your practice to keep a record of the ages of the girls in your employ?

Solo, I want to see your staff, girls included.

Now, Sergeant Taylor, he'll help you telephone around.

If necessary, we'll send a van out.

Oh, and before I ask you any more questions, here's something that might interest

you.

Ponytail Swanson was 16 years old a month ago.

Interesting little statistic, isn't it?

Robert!

Be quiet, the police!

Yes?

Okay.

If I find him, I'll tell him.

I can't promise.

Okay, in half an hour.

I'd like to know that too.

At least not to read.

Mist, Robert.

That's a mess.

The police want to interrogate us.

Why?

They're calling around town and summoning everyone who's ever had anything to do

with the Flamingo Club.

My brother will be in an insane asylum in ten minutes.

Hold on, Flech.

If you interrogate Lilian, you'll find out where she comes from, who she is.

So what, why not?

I need to know before the police get here.

Just say it clearly.

Later, I won't let anyone dictate my story.

Lilian.

I knew you would come.

You're afraid you might lose me, aren't you?

Okay, but that's not the only reason.

In less than half an hour, she'll be picked up by the police.

The devil is loose in your club.

Oh, come on.

So you're a step ahead of me?

And that will stay that way from now on.

A step ahead.

Ahead of everyone.

Lilian, I'm here to help you.

It's about a murder.

You mustn't run away, Lilian.

This is material for you.

What happened tonight will make a well- paid story.

With the death of Ponytel as the punchline.

Ponytail?

How did you say that in your club is the hell out of your club?

Is that all you have to say about the death of this half child?

Lilian, I swear I had no idea.

It was Armelini, wasn't it?

It was Armelini.

Armelini or Solo, that's right. What's the difference?

Solo has a lot of guilt.

I hate men, that's what they told me a few days ago.

Do you know that I had every reason to hate a man?

And that's why the hatred stuck, until all the men were upset.

When I met you, I believed you were different.

But I was surprised.

You are exactly like all the others.

It's just because of your story here.

It’s so easy to exploit others’ misfortune for writing material.

Go on, I'll listen.

Even without the police, I would have escaped today.

Just to be in your good graces.

I’m used to fighting.

It first happened when my grandfather shot himself.

He was a good man.

A remarkable man.

My mother loved him dearly.

She cherished him above all.

Until he was arrested for his criminal deeds.

He asked me to help him cross the border.

On the German side, he gave me a list of women to contact.

He had friends in major cities, with whom he had dealings.

Then he shot someone in my face.

I was afraid of being killed by his murder.

First I wanted to be attacked.

But then I flew to London.

Okay, I left many things out of it.

I have to all thought about what Johnny Solo and his business partner.

I have drunk with them and wits made with them.

I have become with them.

But what happened with Ponytail, don't have to meet the others.

Lilian, if you are convinced that Solo is in your death, you must also say and

prevent more young people from the ground.

Come with me.

If I ask the police, they will also take my affairs off.

Then they will appear to me.

Then the name of my mother will be in the public.

That's not the case.

Think about it.

I'm done.

It's not me.

Not me.

I came here because I hoped to find a good story in London.

I hide my story.

She is too dirty.

I'm done.

I'm done.

With you, I'll find a better one.

Yes. I am prepared as well, then.

And you, Miss Van Rolfe, will you testify that Solo persuaded, encouraged this girl

to keep her rendezvous tonight with the late Mr. Harpoot?

Yes, I will.

Thank you.

But one witness isn't enough.

I need corroboration.

Anybody.

Who the hell do you think you're protecting, anyway?

I'm telling you.

Arpels was a man with three convictions for criminal assault, and Solo must have

known that.

Are you afraid of losing your jobs?

Your skins, then. Is that it?

All right.

I personally will guarantee every one of you police protection if you come clean

with me.

Did you get that, Mr. Solo?

Miss America has nothing to say.

Get out of here.

You don't need to worry about me.

But I want to worry about you, Lillian.

I'll be difficult to keep track of.

They don't like people without visas or passports.

I do.

And they're sending me out of the country.

Fine.

When they do, I'll be there to support you.

What's that in the car?

Inspector, would you like a drink before you go?

Thanks.

Of course, you're on duty.

No, it's not that.

I'm being careful, I think.

Inspector?

What is it?

I have something to tell you.

A lot of things.

You lied to me, Johnny.

Midnight.

Wait a minute. Don't feel, Johnny.

It's too late.

Trouble. Let me talk to you a moment.

The moment isn't enough, Johnny. It never has been.

Don't do it, 12 o'clock. Don't let me down now.

Not Johnny. That's just it. I'm not letting you down.

Go on.

I'll tell you anything you want to know instead.

I'll tell you that Johnny knew about the girl's age.

So did I.

He knew and did nothing about it.

I warned him, so did all the others.

But Johnny knew best. Johnny always.

I always knew best.

We'll take your statement to the station, Miss Franklin.

Johnny?

Solo by nature.

I should have known better.

I want you alive, Johnny.

I want you alive and in one piece.

This was the only way to stop you shooting at Novak if Novak didn't kill you first.

This hurts you and it hurts me.

Don't laugh at me, Johnny.

No, it's...

You mean it's going to be true.

That's enough of the rough stuff, Solo.

Solo, you're coming with us.

Hi, Johnny.

What is it?

No, there.

The knife will be knife.

You'll know my manager.

I have no secrets from him.

Oh, is that so?

Well, in that case, maybe you'd better come with us, too.

Now, wait a minute.

You can't put anything on me.

It was Denali's idea to try to help Monsieur make all that trouble.

I need nothing about it, nothing at all.

Apparently.

Put him in the car.

And make sure it's not the same one as Solo.

Who do?

Take me to your lead.

Johnny?

Tom, let's look down again.

Come on, Mr. Solo.

Well, all right, sir.

I'm watching after that, Captain Walker.

Don't ask me.