Original subtitles

This story and its characters are imaginary

They should not be seen as representing real people or events

Danglard's "The Chinese Screen” presents. La Belle Abbesse

Yeah! Come on!

Come see me in the Casbah!

Not too nervous?

I'd sooner go into a cage of tigers, Monsieur Danglard

If you conceal your fear from them, they'll eat out of your hand

Easily said

I was born at Sidi Bel Abbes, in the land of beautiful women

My mother was a princess

And my father said caramba/

Don't say you'd rather go back to house-painting

When I heard you on your ladder I knew I'd make you a great whistler

- Really? - I'm telling you

- Will you be out in the audience? - Don't worry, I'll be watching you

Would you care for some lobsters?

They've got hairy legs

You're doing very nicely

Evening

After you

There he is!

This is like a weighing-in paddock; how about taking me on as a jockey?

You're too heavy. They're over there

Captain, is the country prepared?

All I need say is, lances have been restored to the cavalry

- How about Russian railway shares? - Hopeless; moujiks walk everywhere

- What say you, Coudrier? - Once I leave my office: curtains!

Have you heard that Conakry has voted a subsidy?

We'll discuss it tomorrow

Slaves!

Bring me hookah, hashish and the navel of La Belle Abbesse

The paradise of Mahomet, my dear chap

- Jealous, my friend? - Like a tiger

Good evening, dear Prince

- Come to share my worries? - I would greatly like to have worries

Dare I ask him to pay my rent?

Three cheers for the dark-haired beauty!

To "The White Queen". Who loves me, follows me

Montmartre? That's dangerous

- Where's Montmartre? - Where you were born

- Come - Strange idea

We're going to see the little ladies!

Inspector, the big fish don't come here now, they don't trust me

Neither do we, we're watching you

What a life! If only I could sell up and retire

Excuse me, Inspector

Monsieur Danglard, what an honour!

- Scram! - Keep your hands off the goods!

You'll be comfortable here

- What will you have? - Only champagne for me

The lady will have red wine

It's on the house. Cherries in brandy for everyone

What do those stuffed-shirts want here?

They're slumming, for thrills

- She's nice, that little one - Which one?

They're wild!

Didn't our grandmothers call this the cancan?

No, me sham“

Land values are rising here; you're enterprising, you'd do well here

With such customers? What do you think, Walter?

I'm only your backer

- And profit-taker - Sometimes; ideas are his department

I can't afford to back them myself, alas

- Know what I mean? - Let's dance

My little pet!

"The White Queen" is good business, don't be put off by appearances

Ladies?

- Shall we? - Let's relive our youth!

But ladies!

- You like the cancan? - Better than working in the laundry

You seem upset, dear lady

Not at all, I'm enjoying myself enormously

A waltz?

Waltzing with another man?

Our friend Danglard is off again...

...and our distraught beauty will console herself in Papa Walter's arms

Come

- You don't care about me - He danced so well

- And I dance badly? - You're different, because I love you

You've got a gold mine there

- Such a dancer, he must be a duke - Or an artiste

- Did you make a date? - That's enough!

Do as you please, Bidon, but at least I work for my money

We'll go elsewhere on Saturday, Nini

He seems rather cross

Coming, my dear?

I'm going home. Are you coming, Zizi?

You'll exhaust my patience in the end; come home with me

I take orders from no one

But we are at your command

- We'll find a carriage further along - Very well

- You're not angry now? - Of course not

What do you see in that girl?

Everything and nothing. She dances like a goddess, that's all

You said that when you met me

But I'll never tell her; I don't even know her name

- Is that true? - I swear it

Don't think I'm jealous

On the contrary. And at least admit that I'm not jealous, either

- What do you mean? - Nothing

Baron Walter and the others? Zizi, darling, that doesn't count

Yes?

It's the bailiff, sir

- A visitor, darling? - Yes, a little social call

Can you pay?

Just a moment

A drop in the ocean

There should be five hundred louis in the till of "The Chinese Screen"

Perhaps there's a little something tucked away here

Here you go.

Far from enough; I regret that I must give you this attachment...

...and commence an inventory of your possessions

They're arresting you? Why?

- It's not arrest, it's worse - What is it?

Friend Baron Walter is out for my skin

You'll give it?

He bought up my mortgages, I can't fight this paper

Is that all the trouble?

I must place it directly in the hands of the person concerned

Give me that

Vixen!

The person concerned

I shall leave my clerk to make the inventory

General Boulanger often calls on me; I'll remember you when he's in power

You're tilting against windmills; they've no end of such bits of paper

- Are you unhappy? - Not when I have you

If you wish, I'll give up everything for you

Can you see yourself living in a cottage on bread and love?

I don't need much

In the big fireplace we could roast the wild boar you'd kill in the hunt

We'd just have a very ancient cook...

...and a terribly young servant-girl to do the cleaning

It sounds like a perfectly balanced bill

- Get dressed, darling - I will

Walter will pay for this!

Is this really the horn used in Emilienne de Passy's famous number?

She sounded it like the English queen herself. I found her in rue Mouffetard

In my spare time I'm a bit of an artiste myself; I sing, I dance

My friends all call me Serpentine Casimir

Couldn't you give me a chance at "The Chinese Screen"?

I'd drop everything else at once. See what I can do

I see

But is "The Chinese Screen" still mine?

Zizi, help me

You've got a good job, Casimir; the theatre isn't a living

Art, audiences, applause, that's all very nice...

...but you're at the mercy of the man with the money

He twists you when he pleases

Tighter!

Slaves, that's what we are, my friend

if I had a son I'd make him a civil servant, anything with a pension

Maybe, but the stage is in my blood; from now on, I'm your man

Well, poor Casimir, you've got a lovely future ahead of you

I've seen some changes in the neighbourhood, sir, I can tell you

Our customers were all locals...

...but last night we even had a grand duke

Mind! You'll drown your absinthe

He wanted champagne, but he got absinthe

He even tipped me a louis

Only "The White Queen" doesn't change

Who was your bloke last night?

He's not the sort to set me up; he bought me a beer, then I went home

- Good day, Henriette - Hello, girls

- Been shopping, Henriette? - What have you got there?

It's veal. My boyfriend has a delicate stomach...

...he eats white meat

Six months ago she carried baskets, too

Some have all the luck

Still, before she accepted, she found out all about him

- What about you and Paulo last night? - What about it?

Are you still horrible to him?

I like him a lot, but he's too young. Can you see him with a family?

- He's nice - He'll be nicer when he's the boss

I'll take the first that's serious, provided he gets me out of the laundry

- There's your dancer from last night - Oh, heavens!

- He's following us - You think so?

You have all the luck

He's a wonderful dancer

I've got a pebble in my shoe

You do not. Look, you got your way

I did it for you

- Would you like to become a dancer? - Everyone knows what that means

She's my daughter

She interests me, Madame

- She's an honest girl - I'm sure. How much does she earn?

- She's not for sale - She'll have a career

What career?

The finest of all, dear lady: the theatre

But there's nothing I can do

We'll teach you

And don't suck your thumb

What would you pay her?

Three francs in training, five francs when she appears

Five francs! What luck

- When does she start? - At once, if you like

She must finish the day

I'll call for her tonight

All very well...

...but how do I know you're serious?

Here's an advance

I've got a say in this. What's your name and where will you make me dance?

My name's Danglard. At the moment I'm running "The Chinese Screen"

And tomorrow, well, that's another story

Shall I call later?

The pleats in this blouse are a disgrace

How's the pleat in your backside?

It's expected with theatre people; you have to do it, or you get nowhere

That's what bothers me

In your shoes...

I dreamt that Paulo would be first. I might look silly with Danglard

You've still time to take a lesson before tonight

Listen to you!

- Where's your uncle? - Asleep upstairs

My little Nini, now you are my wife

- It's nothing to cry about - I'm not crying, I'm just happy

Come on. There's no need to be frightened

Say 0/é with more passion

- Where are we? - At Guibole's, your teacher

- It's really for dancing? - What did you think?

Well, I thought I'd have to...

Not nowadays, you're behind the times

A nupu?

An idea

Let's see your idea

Come into the light, child

- I'm not a freak animal - I do the talking here

- What am I to make out of her? - You'll be astonished

- Remember your cancan triumphs? - Is that your idea?

Yes, and not only for her; for all your girls and others

Are you dotty?

Imagine a line of girls with such faces, dressed like at the Opera

But the cancan is finished. What could she do with it now?

Why not the barn dance?

We'll find a new name for it

They only go for English names now

Macadam, Macfarlan, Pick-pocket, Lavatory... poor old cancan

French Cancan!

Not bad

The only thing is, these children will never be able to do that

NW sum!

Only you can revive the cancan, Guibole

- Oh, stop - I'm serious. Play, Oscar

Quiet down!

I can't sleep for all that row!

Belt up, philistine!

Help me UP

Off with you

- No better than washing clothes? - Yes, but I'll never manage it

Sit down

Sit Still

It's not funny!

- She's supple - So you'll start tomorrow?

- Start at eight tomorrow morning - Yes, madame

Good night

Hallo, Danglard

- I've found a pretty ribbon - Vanity will be your downfall

You'll always be a prince

Do you know her?

That's Prunelle, Queen of the Cancan. The toast of Paris before you were born

Good night, Monsieur Danglard

I was in despair

Seeing her skipping along the street, it was a revelation

Do you know what I'll give them?

Low life for millionaires, adventure in comfort

Garden tables, the best champagne, great numbers by the finest artistes

The bourgeois will mix with skirt, without fear of pox or knifing

- But where? - I've just bought "The White Queen"

What with?

Well, with drafts, promises, rustling up the breeze

Money's not lacking; it's getting it out of backers' pockets that's awkward

A little song, sir?

Ancient heroes were lauded in chorus; are our heroes unworthy of the luxury?

Wouldn't it be nice if I were your chorus?

Money is as shy as a turtle-dove

Money can be wooed like a maiden's love

Money hides 'neath widows' beds. Money mounts up in misers' heads

Millionaire, banker, courtesan, bigot, aristocrat, hold-up man

There's all that money to be shaken from trees

What's money for Danglard but shooting the breeze?

Fon/vard! Charge the windmills!

Soldiers, hold your positions

Fonrvard! Capture the pretty frills!

Shake the temple's columns!

Soldiers! Remember that from the top of the Moulin de Ia Galette...

...forty centuries look down on you

- Casimir, I'm pleased with you - Long live the emperor!

Zizi, I bring a sinner who wants to repent

Forgive me. The only seat is the edge of my bed

I am punished by my own sins

Lola has told me about your idea of a "Chinese Screen" for the masses

High life for modest purses

Illusion of high life

Society needs its illusionists, so I've decided to help you

I'll return your furniture

No, I'd rather live in a hotel

In my profession, a home is a luxury I can't allow myself

As you wish

I would like to clear up certain delicate points in our relationship

Casimir, leave us, will you?

- You're not going to fight? - Don't be silly

As you well know, my dear friend...

...my action has not been provoked by jealousy; I am not jealous

Adrien, don't you love me any more?

Lola, I adore you

The precarious modern world...

...judges by appearances only

Respect them, and I'll remain your supporter

Appearances. What do I care? I do as I please

Yes, you can afford to indulge

In future, when you provoke the resentment of our Belle Abbesse...

...see that it doesn't happen in public

What a bill

- The Prussians! - Fear not, dear lady, I am here!

Magnificent explosion, Baron

- The Cossacks have arrived! - There's no peace any more

- They're demolishing "The White Queen" - It's Danglard's doing

A harmless meeting place for skivvies, destroyed for Danglard's den of vice

- I'll not set foot inside - It's progress, Commandant

- That's enough - Another go, just to please me

No favouritism in the dance! She'll never get it

- What have you to say? - Nothing

Well, goodbye, Monsieur Danglard

Madame Guibole

After all, the laundry isn't so bad

My pal's in a hurry; it's their busy day at the delicatessen

Who shall I let in, the two gents or the girl?

All three

Walter has an administrative meeting

- What about Lola? - The same meeting

Administrative?

He asked me to give you this cheque. Why sell "The Chinese Screen"?

For the down payment on "The White Queen"

- Wasn't that for your old age? - Walter is my partner

if this flops, he'll employ me as a messenger in one of his banks

Any dancing experience?

No, but I was top in gymnastics

Play, Oscar

Let's give her a chance

Report tomorrow; wear pantaloons

Next.

I pose for painters. "The Temptation of Saint Anthony"... well, that's me

Let's see what you can do

You haven't got it

- What do you do with rejects? - Do you need more mine-workers?

Excellent idea! They would be on overtime

Not likely

Bring us some punch

Punch? Do you need warming up, my great big Coco?

- I think it's broken - It won't break

She's done the splits

Positions, girls

Quickly!

Behave, Adrien. Let's go to the Comedie Frangaise

Madame's dress, her coat and the carriage

Come help us

Ladies, take your positions

- Are you pleased? - You're still rather stiff. Relax

Now that you're warmed up, let's take the diagonal

My dear

Don't speak, don't move. I've an awful headache

I just wanted to say that I've arranged to visit the new building

My dress, this very moment!

- What about the headache? - What headache?

What if we call it "The Palace of la Belle Abbesse"?

- Admirable idea! - Very original

- What have you to say? - Nothing

You hypocrites!

I propose: "The Palace of the Cancan"

Enough!

This isn't the circus; we're working

Ladies, gentlemen, the establishment will be "Le Moulin Rouge"

At "Le Moulin Rouge" the upper crust will drink red wine till they bust!

No, they'll drink champagne!

I love you, too, darling

I've made great progress; if it depended on me, the show could start

You're not staying?

I can't. A minister is coming to see how "Le Moulin Rouge" is progressing

We're all going to be there

A minister's coming

A minister at "Le Moulin Rouge"? Nothing surprises me in the Republic

What pickings!

The minister!

This way, Minister. Monsieur Dangiard and the others are waiting inside

What a squadron!

They're taking the bread from our mouths

Watch your step, sir

- Honoured - How are you, Gustave?

Are you a patron of the arts, Walter?

May I present Lola de Castro de la Puente y de Extremadura?

Honoured, Madame. I greatly admire your choreography

Thank you, I adore compliments

I've seen you somewhere before

Here, when it was "The White Queen"

- Why are you here? - I dance the French Cancan

- Did Danglard engage you? - Yes, Madame

Not in front of the Minister

Thanks for coming, Gustave

Goodbye, sir

- She's gone crazy - What did you do to her?

Get a hold of yourself!

So you wouldn't see her again, you didn't know her name! Hypocrite!

Lola!

You want to dance the cancan? Try it!

Leave me alone!

I love your impulsiveness, but is this the place?

- You should have punished this girl - But that's not my role

- I don't understand - Quiet! Get me my salts

- I'll fetch a doctor - Hurry

She's not dead?

The boss is lifting your girl's skirts

Does that hurt?

You're a brave little soldier

- That's my wife - Your wife?

Where did you marry her? On a street corner?

Take care of him

- She'll pay for that! - Your leg!

Let me go!

Nini, that will do

No scandal, I warned you

If our lovely lady has crippled Nini, I'll break your jaw

Next number, gentlemen. "Butterflies and Violets"

What about us?

- Excuse me, sir - Don't mention it

I love close combat

This is really absurd

Let's put an end to this

Nini, that's enough

You too, Lola

That's enough!

This is supposed to be a friendly meeting, a family gathering

We all belong to the "Moulin Rouge" family

Not again!

Are you satisfied?

What's going on here?

- This girl's lover pushed Danglard - That's a lie!

- Come with me - Let me through

- Hold on there - We've done nothing

- Take them in - Is this justice?

- He didn't do anything - Calm down, or we'll arrest you, too

- What's this? - A souvenir from my mother

- And this one? - From my grandmother

Quick, doctor, over here!

- I'm so glad you are all right - Leave me alone!

- Forgive me - I don't want to see you ever again

Are you family? Congratulations

It's a nice fracture; forty days out of action

- The neighbourhood's quieter - Like the days of "The White Queen"

Danglard's not beaten yet

He'll never find another backer; his star's on the wane

What are you doing here?

It's nice to see you're better. I want a word with you, in fact

I'm listening

Don't get upset, but the last payment for "The White Queen" was outstanding

I was in hospital

Still, business is business. I've got enormous commitments

- To fish! - No, to my family

My son's going to the Polytechnic, my daughter to the Conservatoire

Well, I was forced to accept a most tempting offer

From whom?

I've been asked not to say

Well, neither of us has any more business here

Congratulations

There's Madame Prunelle

So you're gathering up the leftovers

You'll come out all right; you're a prince

Armand, lend me a louis, will you?

May I see that?

I know that perfume. May I have it?

My pleasure

What are your conditions?

No more cancan and everything as it used to be

Much too costly; my means no longer permit such folly

Rotter!

May I have a word?

- Certainly - In private

Will you excuse me?

We're very upset; I've never been in such an embarrassing situation

Such an old customer and friend

You're forced to dispose of my room

- The gentleman looked most upset - He's got money troubles

I thought it was a bereavement

- Well, goodbye - I've plenty of time

When might I take the luggage, Monsieur Danglard?

You might whenever you wish

Cheer up, my good friends

I'm sure he? lost somebody

What's all this about luggage? Are you leaving?

When you're a big star...

...you'll discover that hotel managers suffer a painful lack of cultivation

You didn't pay for your room?

You find out everything

Off you go now

They're throwing us out. Where shall we go?

Well, there are plenty of bridges over the Seine

- Wait for us at Guibole's - Really?

What tragedy. Matter triumphing over mind

If I were a poet, I'd write a poem entitled:

Soliloquy of the homeless

You've got it all wrong

Once upon a time there sat...

...a big, fat, Persian pussy cat!

Then the concierge gave the cat...

...a really pretty little rat

Little rats are tasty fare

In hotel rooms to be crunched up rare

Haven't you gone yet?

You'd better go, I must pack

What is it?

- Waiter, bring champagne - What's gotten into you?

I wasn't speaking to you, sir

The best

- Silly girl - I forbid you to laugh

I'd never have believed I'd make love and drink champagne in a smart hotel

I'd never have believed I'd fall in love with a little laundress

So in love that I feel like a king when I ought to feel desperate

A little champagne?

Before being Danglard, what were you?

Waiter in a café

No, a wine waiter

Lola, I've waited two years for this moment

Two years ago, even a few days ago, I wanted for nothing

You didn't even exist

So you've done it out of spite?

Out of despair

- Good day, Titi - Hello, Thérese

- Enjoy your meal - You too

- Discard - I'll take that

Lunch!

They're stale, but they're all I could pinch

It's a good thing you kept your job

Monsieur Danglard. Madame Guibole

- Delicious -inedible!

-"When the pelican - Can it!

Does the sun feel good, Paulo?

The good thing is finding you

Act Ill, scene 4. Enter the avenger

You're breaking my heart

Don't sneer

I'm not, you're heartily welcome; I'd no idea how to make my exit

The window? I hate heights

Revolver? Too noisy. Gas? It's cut off

I do apologise

That's how things are?

He catches on quickly

Keep out of it, you lot!

Go on, you're doing me a favour

- Too much a coward to do it yourself - That's right

- Don't count on me - Then I'll finish my lunch

Where's Nini?

Eating at her mother's

- I'll go there - As you like

No, I know Nini; she'll stick to you because you're down and out

But watch out for me if things look up

Tell Nini that I'll be waiting, whenever and wherever she likes

- What a brute! - He's berserk

Well... two months in jail

- Think he had a knife? - Nini had better watch out

He'll leave her alone. He got the picture

Let me listen

Isn't that a pretty voice?

The steps up the hill...

...are steep for the lovelorn

But the windmills' sails shield lovers from the storm

Princess of the street your welcome is sweet

In my wounded heart...

You're not afraid to go back alone?

Are you kidding?

- Paulo isn't too happy, you know - Neither am I

Don't take the Camembert again

Goodbye, Mother

Thérese

Have you got the Camembert?

Where's that cheese?

I don't even like Camembert - Neither do I

I'll slap all of you!

- I'm calling for my blouse - Not ready

- I was frightened - Of me?

Of someone else?

What are you doing here?

Waiting for you; I've decided to wait for you all my life

- Here? - Anywhere

What lovely roses

I know it's uninspired to offer roses to a young lady...

...but what I want to say is so serious, I feared I might not dare...

...so I brought some roses...

To break the ice

But now I see you I want to plunge in and speak to you seriously at once

I must go to my dancing lesson, or Guibole will scold

I'm sure she'll understand when I explain

Shall we sit on the grass up there?

Do you know it?

Let me imagine I'm a boy out for the first time with the girl next door

How beautiful it is here. May I sit down?

How polite you are

Too polite for a boy next door?

So there's a big gap between us?

Kilometres. Prince, listen to me

First, something important: I shall never be in love again

You are the love of my life

One more thing

Ask of me what you wish

Remember, I can do much for you. Want to be my country's princess?

It is not very rich, but it is nice

No steel, no coal; just sheep, tobacco and roses

We'll get married in the capital

The Archbishop Alexis will bless our union

The archbishop?

If you'd rather stay here, I'll make you Queen of Paris

Jewels, a palace built for you

You are sweet, you are handsome, you are rich; all the virtues

I wish I could love you; I would need neither archbishop nor palace

Bu“ cam

The baker-boy?

Is it him?

Yes, it's him

You can't be baker's wife and dancer, but you can be princess and dancer

- I won't be a dancer - But what about your lesson?

"Le Moulin Rouge" will never be; La Belle Abbesse has bought the site

- Things might be arranged - The land is expensive

If it's only money, it's yours

I can't, I'd despise myself

Nini, don't make me suffer. My life is at stake

Now you're joking with me

You think so?

Not really; that's what upsets me

Life is not as simple as it seems

They're building again; we're done for

A prince has bought the site and is backing Danglard's "Moulin Rouge"

All for love of a dancer

Ah, love

A real song of the streets

- I need the piano for rehearsal - Take it

Make use of your eyes; they're pretty, so flash them about

- We must rehearse - Take it. You come with me

Do understand how sensitive I am

The slightest interruption and my inspiration vanishes

- Dance class - Right away

No one understands artistes

- What are you waiting for? - My foot hurts

- Is she here? - Every day, like me

- And you have no suspicions? - Like all lovers. I try to hide mine

- Has she told you she loves Paulo? - She has

- You've not noticed her and Danglard? - The usual artistes' familiarities

You are blind, my friend. Let us see if you are deaf, too

Nini, come here

- I'll come if I please - Don't interrupt work, Lola

I'll interrupt something more than work

Hurry, boss!

What do you want?

First, to congratulate you; you're doing well for a beginner

You came to say that?

No, and you know it

Perhaps it's all for the best. I've been wanting to tell you, Alexandre

The truth is, I'm a bad lot

And you're so sweet, I can't bear to hurt you

So it's true?

Yes, it's true. I'm his mistress and I'm proud of it

Come now, little one

Leave me alone, Oscar!

All right, all right

I'm so sorry, but the operation was necessary

May I ask another favour of you? Clear off!

Your French is improving

A few more such adventures and you'll be a true Parisian

Nothing to say to me?

Just that you're the queen bitch and you'll always have a spot in my show

My poor darling... your show!

That's all, girls. Get dressed

Prince Alex, when you're free, remember me

Special edition! Prince Alexandre hovering between life and death!

- Another foreigner - Necessary evils

Poor Alexandre

- It's really most upsetting -indeed

Well, to finish my story: the surgeon noticed he'd lost his monocle

Where do you suppose it was? Stitched up inside my poor mother

- Be quiet - Why?

This is no place for wit; we're not at "The White Queen"

You know me, once I leave the office...

Curtains! All the same, you are a symbol of our class

Appearances are all that can save us

- It's also called hypocrisy - I admit it

- You're gloomy - Of course; poor Alexandre

Yes, true; a remarkable chap

- A considerable fortune - A future king

- A real gentleman - Descended from Mahomet Ali

Finished your act, wailing women?

When I think that I was responsible, I'm disgusted with myself

- My dear! - What a sensitive heart!

You know how our quarrels are; vanity, nothing but hot air

After what I've done, you may not believe this...

...but if things work out, I'll be with you

I owe it to Alexandre

And, Nini, be my friend if you can

I wish you every happiness with Danglard

I could never be happy again

Don't hold it against me

When I'm in a fury, I don't know what I'm doing

I'm not angry with you

Who could not succumb to such a scene of burgeoning friendship?

Danglard, let's forget our quarrels; if you need a backer, I'm your man

Have you turned into a statue?

So we continue "Le Moulin Rouge"?

A miracle!

- Barjelin has understood - Miracles I believe, but not surgeons

Suppose Alexandre dies

His royal father may make a bird sanctuary out of "Le Moulin Rouge"

Curtains for our cancan!

If I were Danglard I'd try to recover the deeds to the site

I know who I'd send on that mission

- Think of your pals, Nini - Don't count on me

A common or garden case

The sawbones aren't interested; he's saved

The patient is asking for Mademoiselle Nini

- Does it hurt? - Not even that

I've always been clumsy

I've not only been clumsy, I've...

What?

Nothing

Allow me to be less modest than you

What do you think of my little demonstration? Not bad, eh?

You're much finer than all of us

No more, no less; I'm different

In the jungle, the animals don't mix, under pain of death

I made that mistake; I'm going to get away with it, so I'm lucky

- How well you talk - Would you give me a present?

A present from me?

Before I leave, give me a make-believe memory of Paris

For one evening let me pretend I'm the boy next door...

...who takes you out for the first time and whom you tacitly allow...

...to be a little in love

When I'm old, I'll dazzle the young generation with my Parisian romance

- Where shall we go? - Everywhere

Madame Arthur set tongues wagging for so long

She'd no need of newspapers or advertisements

To entertain an army of lovers

Madame Arthur set tongues wagging for so long

You should see her dance

With all her charm

And yet I love you

And yet I love you

But you drove me crazy

And set me wandering the globe

- Lovely, isn't it? - Yes

So much grief embedded

In my poor wandering soul

You who pass through this arbour

Come in and drink

Drink, young soldiers

Drink the wine of victory

You ruby-red rascal, unequalled nectar

You fill our hearts with courage

O wine of hope

Drink, my friends this victory wine

Be kind, unknown lady

For whom I've so often sung

Any small offering is welcome

Please give what you can

Be kind, unknown lady

For whom I've so often sung

I welcome you always

O unknown lady

You'll forget me, Alex. This is just a story for youngsters

Yes, grandmother

Don't tease; I've aged ten years since I left the laundry

We are veterans of that famous campaign: "Le Moulin Rouge"

Let's embrace before we part...

...as veterans do

Goodbye, Alex

One more thing

I'm going home to a difficult profession

Here I am, incapable of managing my own little affairs...

...and one day I must lead millions

Tobacco, sheep and roses

No more roses; they were reserved for you

I ask you to accept the only heart I can still offer

- I'll never dare wear it - Mere pebbles

One soon gets used to them

I almost forgot. I think you'll find these useful

The deeds to "Le Moulin Rouge"

I've put them in Danglard's name, it's simplest

Evening, Paulo

Let me by!

You can't say I've bothered you since I came out

- Prunelle is dead drunk - We've both drowned our sorrows

Poor old woman

Nini, have you really forgotten all about me and the bakery?

Uncle's retiring, I'll be the boss

We can go out on Sundays, take country holidays

Of course

Have children

We could have been happy, but now I'm not the same Nini, my poor Paulo

You'll do as you are

But after your début, that'll be another story

I don't want a wife who gives herself to thousands every night

I'm sorry, I've chosen

You'll end up like Prunelle when Danglard doesn't need you any more

He'll never leave me

The moment you appear in public, you've lost me

Hurry, I want to see Nini dance

- Why not the Pope? - He doesn't dance

We must be mad to pay to see Nini's thighs

- She shot the Prince? - A suicide shoots himself, idiot

- His father's a king - They're called czars

She had a jailbird boyfriend, too. We could see bloodshed tonight

- I don't like dramas - Stars have no dramas, only scandals

It's no good, I surrender

- Shall we see Nini? - We can't be left out

- My dress will have to be remade - Go and put it on, all the same!

The solo violin kills my effect. It's the violin or me, make your choice

Get out of here!

Copper's slumped in New York. We're ruined

That carpet should have been down an hour ago

- You told us to buy! - It's your fault

Am I your keeper?

Lend a hand with that carpet

- This better be a success - Have we much money in this?

Rest assured, "Le Moulin Rouge" will profit us more than it will Danglard

Don't applaud until you've seen the show

I see several Russian naval uniforms

Doubtless men from The Prince 0r/01f now anchored at Brest

It is my pleasure to tell them that Catherine, Empress of all the Russians...

...in celebration of the Franco-Russian Alliance...

...has come to review the troupes of "Le Moulin Rouge"

So we've rallied our troupe to honour her.

Catherine's been dead a century, you'll say

But we of "Le Moulin Rouge" attach no importance to such details

Catherine the Great had a hearty appetite

Her mouth began to water when a real man came in sight!

To the strains of balalaikas there was scuffling midst begonias

But if passion ran colder it was: "Throw him in the Volga!"

Our stalwart Grenadiers are on the march

How the ladies applaud their bayonet charge

But as Queen Hortensia remarked as a palace ball progressed:

"In their uniforms so vast...

"...one has to guess the rest"

Long live the Empress!

But as Queen Hortensia remarked:

"One has to guess the rest"

Casimir, you must announce Esther Georges

Right, boss

Remember, every man in the audience must believe you sing for him alone

Understand? Now go on

Go and meet them at the entrance

Did you like it?

Now we invite you to admire a little street-flower

Our new star: Esther Georges

Above the rue Saint Vincent a poet and an unknown

Loved for a brief moment and never met again

Hoping the waif would hear it, for her he wrote this song...

...as she wandered the streets one morning in spring

The waning moon, shimmering down, crowns your gold hair

The gilded moon with glory festoons your petticoat bare

The pallid moon starkly outlines your opal, tired eyes

Princess of the street, your welcome is sweet in my wounded heart

The steps up the hill are steep for the lovelorn

But the windmills' sails shield lovers from the storm

Little waif...

...I feel your small hand searching for mine

I feel your heartbeat, your waist so neat; my sorrows decline

Yet your lips betray, feverishly, the hunger of years

At your touch I feel a rush that brings me to tears

The steps up the hill are steep for the lovelorn

But the windmills' sails shield lovers from the storm

But now the rain drips, the moon's in eclipse, my princess has gone

A sky without moon, I sing forlorn, in search of my dream

- Go and announce Roberto - As well?

I'm used to tears; I work in an undertaker's

And now, The Great Roberto!

The soul of a poet, the whistle of a blackbird!

I owe it all to you, I'll never leave you

Go now, little sparrow

Don't mind me!

Open the door, Nini

I order you to open the door

- Do the cancan without me - You picked a fine moment to say so

- Where's Nini? - She doesn't want to dance

Is she crazy? She'll ruin everything

- I'm so sorry - Go and find Casimir for me

Nini's letting us down

Have you betrayed her with Esther, a nice girl like Nini?

- I could slap you! - Now don't you start again

- All ready for the cancan? - No, keep them happy with the band

We'll have to cut down the number of dancers

- No, you'll take Nini's place - With my mug?

What about it?

I knew it in the old days

It's the French Cancan, not the chahut. Still, you could fill a gap

We crave your patience while waiting for the French Cancan

To clear the floor; those who must move can come and sit on the stage

Maestro Oscar will conduct a medley of current successes

I'll see what's happening

- She won't dance. She's realised - What a shame

I'm Nini's mother!

Nini, you're terrible!

- What's going on? - Your daughter, Madame

Playing up again?

Open up, Nini

It's your mother!

Well, I'd rather have you smack my face

Stop being mean

Do you hear them?

I'll only stay if I have Danglard all for myself

You want to put me in a cage, like a canary? I warn you, it won't last long

You wouldn't stand me after a few weeks

Danglard of the theatre...

...or Danglard in slippers? I refuse to wear them! Take my advice

If you want a lover, Alexandre's perfect

If you want a husband, marry Paulo

Choose between luxury and a happy old age by the fireside

With honour and dignity. But I can't give you either future

Have I the mug of a Prince Charming? Only one thing matters to me:

what I create

And what do I create? You!

Her!

There've been others, others will come. Does it matter what we want?

All that counts is what they want; we're at the service of the public

It breaks my heart to see you go; not because they'll wreck the place...

...but because the profession's losing a trouper - be one of us, or get out

Line up for the quadrille, girls

Lola, get ready

Wait, I'm coming

Take your places for the cancan

Your dress!

They wouldn't care about Nini if /'d shot myself because of her

You think not?

- What's going on? - Everything's fine

- What about your introduction? - You do it

- Nini isn't ready? - She will be. Get going

Ladies and gentlemen, the French Cancan!

Would you sit down?

Hurry

Never seen a behind before?

I have an idea: tomorrow I'll marry you

An end to everything?

A beginning. An Empress's husband will inspire stock exchange confidence

Mind stepping aside?

You're in the way

- Still quitting? - Are you mad?

- Would you like to go on the stage? - Oh, yes!