Original subtitles

Come along, little one.

I knew there'd be a hullabaloo.

Roger, go get some water.

I'm busy. The mayor's coming.

Don't expect me to do it.

- Mr. Mayor, how are you? - You made it!

Well, well, the official mayoral handshake!

It only took him a year to plan the celebration.

It's all written down in his notebook.

They'll work it out over some wine.

There's Bondu. He'll have to have his say.

He repainted everything nice and shiny.

I wouldn't sit there, my boy. It's not dry.

Not there either.

What the hell happened to your chairs?

Ain't you never seen paint?

Marie, bring me the paint.

Where'd I put that can? Here it is.

Quick, snip that thread.

Is that dress from Paris?

Nope, that's her own creation. Cheers.

Just wait till the Lafarge woman sees her.

Go on, take another peek.

Hardly needed emptying, did it?

Get down.

Careful. It's heavy.

I got the heaviest one.

"Hear ye.

Tonight on the main square, a big motion-picture show.

Romance with the gorgeous...

Gloria Parson...

and heroic exploits with the daring Jim Parker

and his horse Dixie.

Adventure and thrilling stampedes

with the riders of the Far West."

Pardon me.

Roger.

The Charpi girl's too busy to pick up her finery for the dance.

Her poor old dad has to do it.

Sit down.

Thanks.

Shave or haircut? - Just a haircut.

Here we go.

That'll do.

What do I owe you? - Two francs.

There.

Gentlemen...

Marcel.

That pole is making fools of the whole bunch.

I've been watching these gentlemen struggle.

Why don't you give them your opinion?

Roger, you seen the dogs?

Oh, they were inside. You mail my letter?

I'll do it now.

This way? - No, over there.

- I don't see it. - On your right.

See it now?

I missed the collection time.

Pay no attention to that.

Put it in. He'll pick it up. - Think so?

Sure.

A little more.

Are you crazy?

Riding that thing into my café!

Don't make me come up and get you!

That takes the cake!

Look what you did to my plant!

Shall we get a closer look?

Why, I oughta —

Well done, gentlemen. What do you think, Marcel?

I believe these gentlemen lack coordination.

With him, I'm not surprised.

But our postal employee showed some initiative.

You've traveled around. - I know the area.

He's got instinct, intelligence.

Nature's been generous with him.

Just look at him.

If he'd been here earlier, this wouldn't have happened.

To pull off such a delicate operation,

you need a man with a sense of responsibility.

A man who's calm, decisive, and smart.

- In other words, a leader! - Exactly.

Okay, right ropes pull right, left ropes pull left.

On my command. You stay there.

What are you up to? Put my bike over there.

What are you waiting for? - My orders.

You'll get 'em.

Wait for my orders.

Give that a whack.

No, right here.

Fine, I'll move it over there.

Try again, pal.

Okay, let's try another way.

Hit this one.

Good. Same thing from the other side.

Same thing.

Once more.

No need to panic. We got there in the end.

What do you want? Go take your place.

Ready?

Easy, now. Higher.

What are you doing?

That's not how you do it.

Grip it firmly with both hands. Got that?

That way it won't slip. It's not hard.

On my command.

Can't you hold it higher?

Firm grip.

Got anything for me?

A telegram.

Everyone in position.

Put your backs into it.

Ropes horizontal, weight low.

Like I told you.

You there, don't pull yet!

On my command.

Now I can't whistle.

Those pulling on the right, pull right.

This telegram isn't for me.

Then I got nothing for you. I'm busy.

Who's gonna get this pole up?

Him and his telegram...

The telegram!

They need someone to give orders. Heave ho!

Get back in here.

This way, friend.

- He's for the fair. - But he won't do much dancing!

I'll put the telegram here.

- You have a letter for me? - A telegram.

I just had it.

That takes the cake!

What's the telegram say?

- "Adrien..." - Which Adrien?

I know several.

So do I!

It's not my fault if your goat gobbles up telegrams.

What can I do?

She'll get me fired.

Adrien... the pole...

I'm coming!

A little left.

This way. A little more.

There.

You took long enough!

Come here.

You can't go off looking like that.

I got my route to finish.

Where's my bike?

The gentleman's bike.

Turn around.

Let's dust you off a bit.

No, allow me.

- Thanks, boys. - You're welcome.

Off you go!

Hello, boys.

The flagpole was tottering back there,

so what did I do?

When I saw that, I said, "On my command..."

Oh... Vigeon.

Emile Vigeon.

All gussied up for the big day?

François, deliver this cake, will you?

To who?

Randau. You go right by there.

Not always.

- Any mail for me? - On your windowsill.

Now, that really takes the cake!

What are you doing in there?

Me? Can't you watch where you're going?

Your darn cart! - You should have honked!

What do you think the bell's for?

I already almost got beaned by that pole.

Hello.

I almost got beaned by that pole back there.

So what did I do?

I just whirled around...

Hold this.

That pole almost hit me on the noggin.

Know what I'm saying?

When I saw that, I said, "On my command"...

You won't believe what happened.

I almost got beaned by that pole back there.

What did I do? I rode right into the café!

Hurry, here he comes!

Fred, will you settle down?

You'll get your clothes all dirty.

If you do, no merry-go-round for you.

You'll go right to bed.

I'm warning you.

The Pibois are back from the station.

Jean-François, say hello to Mrs. Pibois.

Is it dry?

No, and it never will be!

It's the Guisard and Randau girls

going to get Emilienne.

Have fun, girls...

in your colorful dresses.

Don't you look chic!

Marcel.

I'll go help Germaine. - Okay.

Ladies and gentlemen, listen to me!

Such luxury goods are usually beyond your means.

- Got the key? - No.

But don't buy 'em — win 'em!

Anyone can be the lucky owner —

Leave me alone!

Anyone can win. Nothing's rigged.

Anyone can win a lovely lamp, a leather handbag —

Roger, answer me!

I'm talking to you! - Here's your key.

Just pick a number and a color

and put down just one franc.

And we spin the wheel.

Who bet on the ace of spades? You, miss?

Candy or a ticket?

Five tickets win you a prize. Let's go.

Try your luck on the ace of hearts.

Pick a number and a color.

Just one franc.

Place your bets.

You'll wear out those soles.

Him and his bike!

Why are you up there again?

What did you do to my bike?

Marie, telephone!

Ah, take your bike and go!

Marie, the phone!

François broke it.

Then he better get it fixed!

- A glass of Málaga. - Don't have any.

Drink white wine like everyone else.

Don't sit there! It's not dry.

What'll it be? - White wine.

Beat it, you.

Go get my telephone fixed!

Parisians! That takes the cake!

Ma'am?

- What? - He's bothering me.

Leave the boy alone, you hear?

Go play.

That takes the cake!

François, come and see.

- I don't have time. - Come on. You have time.

I have mail to deliver.

Come on.

Okay, then watch this.

I'll show you.

- You won. - I didn't throw yet.

If I say you won, you won.

Watch this.

- What the — - Think that's funny?

Yes, I said anyone can win.

Any one of you could be the proud owner of a lovely lamp...

or a handbag...

or even the clock with two candelabras.

François, join us for a drink.

No, I gotta fix this.

- Come on, join us. - I've got work to do.

François, come have a drink with us.

I still got letters to deliver.

Don't make such a fuss. Come join us inside.

Here he is. He didn't want to come.

François, come on.

Your mail. What a celebration!

Come on, François.

I haven't finished my rounds.

Bottoms up. Last to finish loses.

Here we go. One... two... three!

- I won. - Well done.

Hey, you, don't break my piano.

Out of my way.

It's not working.

He'll fix it for you.

- Polka or waltz? - Polka.

Monsieur François!

Today's the big day!

Time for a rematch.

I'll give the count:

one... two — - Three!

Two white wines, on the double.

- You didn't finish. - I don't call that bottoms up.

Maybe he can't do it.

That'll be the day.

- The merry-go-round... - So hurry.

One... two...

You missed it!

- I can't see you because of his — - Allow me.

Come on, Marcel.

Marcel, don't waste time. One...

two...

Well, we'd better go.

Put it on my tab.

See you.

Cognac?

Hello, Madame Bireau.

Bireau...

That rings a bell...

Yes? You have something for me?

François.

They're showing a film about postmen in America!

They're showing a film about postmen in America!

Come on!

Wait for me.

No one writes as much as in America.

Progress makes it possible to sort and deliver

350 million letters and packages daily,

mailed by 130 million users, with astonishing speed.

Many civilized nations still use outdated methods,

but always at the forefront, the U.S. Post

puts helicopters at the disposal of their modern postmen.

In the not-too-distant future,

every postman will train

one hour a day in this new mode of delivery.

Helicopters and planes

are these experts' new surefire technology!

Not all four million square miles have proper roads.

No matter.

Nothing stops our Yankee postman.

Where the road ends, he takes to the sky.

A lack of airports

means the intrepid postman himself gets airdropped.

All admire the courage and heroism

of the aerial postman as he regains his Spitfire.

Yes, the Americans are turning postmen into acrobats

and previously insurmountable obstacles into child's play.

Their motto: "Speed plus reliability equals efficiency!"

Time is money!

The U.S. Postal Service is willing to share its methods

with other countries who so desire.

Some countries, not wanting to be left behind,

have already requested instructors, including France.

Will French postmen soon be landing on our balconies

with bills, birth and death notices, and love letters?

The French don't know the meaning of "impossible."

But that's not all.

It's no exaggeration to say

that a postman can even be a true hero.

This latest type of training

teaches him how to overcome any obstacle

barring the path of his motorbike.

Every year in Oklahoma,

a contest is held

to choose the sexiest Apollo in the U.S. Post.

Ladies, would you like the postman to ring your bell

in a get-up like this?

I can't imagine you in America in a helicopter!

Or in New York on a motorbike!

I just saw a movie about postmen in America.

They whiz by so fast you hardly see them!

Our postman won't be happy about that.

Maybe it'll take him down a peg.

Seems things are really jumping in America.

Everyone's talking about it.

Why weren't you up on that screen?

He was so high up you couldn't see him.

How's it going, Mr. America?

François, don't go.

Come have a drink.

You can't just abandon us like that.

You're off-key. It's true.

I can't say you're not when you are.

Hey, that's enough!

Listen to him. François is right.

The Americans have the means.

You know how our civil service is.

He's been asking for a new tire for ages!

In America they've got the equipment,

and things are hummin'.

Come on.

Well, good night.

Good night, my artist friend.

How's business? Our friend doesn't look too happy.

- Your pal's feeling down. - Why?

He saw a movie about postmen in America.

How about a drink, cap'n?

That movie's already outdated, you know.

Now a letter's delivered practically before it's mailed.

But how can they deliver to skyscrapers?

They put a propeller on your back.

Look into this and you'll see a ship.

Turn it left and right.

See anything?

That should do it.

- Did you run into an oil tanker? - Didn't see a thing.

One for the road, cap'n? Come on.

Come on. One last drink.

I still got mail.

Okay, good-bye.

"The postman"!

Mr. America, where's your helicopter?

So now you drink Coca-Cola like a Yankee?

That's not gonna make you a U.S. postman.

America!

To hell with your helicopters!

Take that, "Yankee"!

The Americans...

I'd like to see them in a fix like this.

Texas, my foot.

Postman.

Looks like they got a little wild in there!

There's the artist.

He's already up.

But I think he's done with painting everything.

The whole town got to bed pretty late.

Breakfast will be late, my chickies.

You're lucky there's not a fair every day.

As usual, old man Godot is the first one up.

He even slept in his Sunday shirt.

Looks like a doozy of a hangover.

François, what are you doing in there?

Trying to hitch a ride to America in my Pullman?

It's no ferryboat.

You and your "ferryboat" and your "Pullman"!

Where's my bike?

You and your English!

Here comes Mr. Postman.

You don't look so great.

Maybe he's got bad news for us.

No, it's just that everything's "Americans this, Americans that,"

with their motorbikes and helicopters.

I can't keep up.

Don't take it so seriously.

The Americans are hotshots with planes,

but they're useless on bikes.

What did they call that bicycle postman

you met in America?

Ah, Eagle Eye.

Seriously though, the gentleman needs our advice.

Okay, I'm listening.

I think if he showed us his technique...

we could help him improve it.

Come on. - Where?

Go ahead.

You're making your rounds at a good clip.

You have a letter for the house on your right.

How do you dismount? - I'm the addressee.

- Let's see you mount. - Mount?

Like this.

All that wasted time!

Marcel, you'll love this. Just watch.

Yeah, but not everybody is an acrobat.

Let's combine the two movements.

Start the merry-go-round to simulate some speed.

Let's go.

And now... dismount!

Pick up the pace! And... mount!

But with my left hand on the seat...

No, your right. - I can't steer my bike.

I didn't see that ladder.

Where's your bike?

Keep going.

I'm off again.

Pick up the pace!

You gotta see this, boys.

The carnies have François on the merry-go-round.

Keep moving!

Now hand me the letter, quickly.

If my right hand's on the seat, I can't dig in my bag with my left.

He's right.

I can't think of everything.

What about quickly changing hands?

- Is that even possible? - Like this.

Like this?

He even has time to salute.

That's easy.

But the darned bag is still in the way.

I don't know what to do. - How about this?

See that? With his own personal flair too!

He'll be hard to beat. - He'll save an hour.

No need to worry.

He could beat the Americans hands down.

The Americans... let 'em fly.

I'll show 'em.

Go!

The Americans...

Hello, Paris? New York!

Watch this. I'll show those Americans.

That's better. Who's this?

For Monsieur Georges? It's for you.

Got cut off. Never mind.

The Americans? Let 'em fly.

So long.

Everything okay? Okay, okay, okay!

Hi, François.

Now that takes the cake.

What a bunch of slowpokes!

They've got no drive. I can't bear to watch them.

That's no way to work.

I can't watch this.

The Americans are right.

Speed! Speed!

Main office.

Bye, boss.

François is doing his route American-style.

Hey, Faraut!

Come on. I'm in a hurry.

Postman.

Speed! Speed!

Next!

Away we go.

I'm in a hurry.

Don't want it? Fine.

American-style. Next!

Boissicot! Anyone here?

Everyone asleep?

I'm in the well.

Cooling off?

Can't dawdle. Speed!

Go, François! American-style!

Anyone here?

Ah, I didn't see you there. Speed!

Here.

Helicopter!

Onward!

American-style!

Boys, François is delivering American-style.

Georges! Paul! Albert! Gaston!

Visor up!

Show some style!

Randau, François is delivering American-style.

What are you doing down there?

Glad you dropped by. You have a letter.

Ain't you never been to America?

For Janvier and Co.

That's rotten timing. - Where's this from?

Straight from Châteauroux.

I'm delivering American-style — quick on the draw.

I never saw it coming.

Even so, you hit a bull's-eye!

Now your shoes are —

- What do I do with them? - You did a good job on 'em.

At least they won't cramp your toes.

One more thing.

Sign, please.

Tough break.

My bike!

Look, he lost his helicopter!

Go, François!

Move those legs!

That takes the cake!

Unbelievable!

Hello, gentlemen.

Hey, François!

Aren't you delivering American-style? Hurry!

Even the Americans stop for a drink, don't they?

The Americans...

Speed...

François is making his deliveries American-style.

Sparks are flying! Here he comes.

That's it, François!

- American-style! - Speed, François!

Go, François!

That takes the cake!

François, stay right behind me.

Let's go!

Come on!

You okay?

Head down!

I guess I lost my head.

You mustn't get so worked up.

Put yourself in my place.

I wanted to be fast, but the Americans get all the glory.

Oh, the Americans can do as they please,

but they can't make the crops grow any faster.

Besides, news is rarely good, so let it take its sweet time.

Well, here I am.

I'll just get my jacket...

and my bike.

François!

I haven't finished my route.

Come give us a hand.

Your American-style delivery is over.

I've still got mail to deliver.

Gaston, go deliver the letters.

Restored and Digitized by...