Original subtitles

(slow gentle music)

(young women chatter)

(whistle blares)

(train horn blares)

(piano scales clang)

(knocking on door)

- Telegram.

(upbeat piano music)

Hey, don't stop.

- [Bert] Do as you're told!

- [Brownie] I ain't taking orders from you.

- [Bert] Well, If you were my son...

- I ain't.

He started it!

- And I'll finish it too!

- [Mrs. Hansen] The neighbours!

- Oh, bugger the neighbours!

Any more lip outta you, sonny Jim, and I'll...

- Leave him alone, Bert!

♪ Everybody sing along ♪

♪ Let's all sing ♪

♪ When any little thing goes wrong ♪

♪ Do-da-lay, do-da-loo ♪

♪ Sing for me that simple tune ♪

♪ Do-da-lay, do-da-loo ♪

(radio chatters)

You'll ruin your eyes with all that reading.

He only wants a bit of respect.

- [Brownie] He orders me around like he owns the place.

- [Mrs. Hansen] He pays rent.

- [Brownie] So do I.

- Well, he pays more.

- [Brownie] He gets more.

- [Mrs. Hansen] What did you say?

Where are you going?

- [Brownie] Movies.

- Come, gentle night.

Come, loving, black-brow'd night.

Give me my Romeo and when he shall die,

take him and cut him out in little stars.

And he will make the face of heaven so fine,

that all the world will love night

and pay no worship to the garish sun.

Isn't that beautiful, Mum?

- It's a lovely story, a touch sad.

- [Lola] You've read it?

- No, heard it on the radio once.

Oh, that will have to do, or I'll be late.

- Enjoy yourself.

- Ha, enjoy myself, playing the piano for a bunch of drunks?

- Will you be late?

- Who knows?

I am doing this all for you.

- [Lola] Can I go to the pictures?

- [Mrs. Lovell] All right, dear.

- [Manager] I'm sorry ladies and gentlemen,

but the house is full.

- Come on, mate. - What?

(crowd chatters disappointingly)

- Is there, uh, is there any standing room?

- [Manager] No standing room, try again tomorrow.

- Oh, come on, I've been standing here for an hour.

- Come back again tomorrow, kid.

- [Brownie] Wait a minute, I was in front of them.

- [Manager] Tell it to them.

- Oh, come on, I've been standing here...

(door slams)

(faint mid-tempo dramatic music and chatter)

- [Announcer In Movie] This lonely character

is Olympic champion Bush, 300 yards ahead

of his nearest (drowned out by laughter)

in the Australian championship (drowned out by chatter).

(Lola chuckles)

- [Announcer In Movie] Get away to a good start.

The Tasmanian crew rode a surprisingly good race.

- 'Scuse me.

Will you be getting Rock Around the Clock

back again anytime?

- Doubt it, didn't like it.

- [Lola] It was really popular.

- Not with normal people.

- [Announcer In Movie] Gradually, the King's Cup developed

into a two crew race with New South Wales

and Victoria fighting it out.

The South Australian crews tending the field

inside the final 1/2 wire.

Victoria has the race in their view,

only 150 yards to go in a three mile race,

and New South Wales chosen as our...

- Thanks.

- [Announcer In Movie] Are falling behind.

The Victorians running firmly and right down on the rails,

rating 34...

- [Brownie] I've seen it three times, anyway.

- [Lola] (laughs) Me too.

- I'm Brownie.

And you're Lola?

- I'm only delivering telegrams until I can get a job on a ship.

My grandfather was a sailor, he's Norwegian.

My father is too, but he's an American.

- [Lola] I thought that he was, you know.

- No, God no, that's not my father, that's Bert.

My father's away.

- Hmm, so is mine.

- I was born here, but after the war my father

took us back to the States, Seattle.

He was at sea most of the time,

and this one day he didn't come back.

And my mom gets homesick for this place.

- [Lola] My mother teaches piano and plays in pubs.

We move around a lot.

I read a lot of books.

- So do I, I love books.

Call of the Wild, all the Jack London books.

- I just read Anne of Green Gables.

- Zane Grey and The Cruel Sea.

- Wuthering Heights is my favourite.

- And well, now I'm reading Horatio Hornblower.

- Have you read Romeo and Juliet?

- Who's that by?

- William Shakespeare.

- No.

(people on boat scream)

- [Brownie] Oh, rock and roll.

- Yeah, Little Richie.

- [Brownie] Ah, what about Bill Haley?

- Gene Vincent.

- The Platters.

- [Lola] Fats Domino.

- Wait, Jerry Lee Lewis.

- [Both] Goodness, gracious, great balls of fire.

- I hate Bundaberg.

(Lola giggles)

(lively upbeat music)

Those kids are called bodgies and widgies.

There's tonnes of them in Brisbane.

There's none in this burg.

- [Lola] We could be the first.

- [Brownie] Yeah.

- We'd have to be able to dance like that though.

♪ Lucille, you won't do your sister's will ♪

♪ Lucille, you won't do your sister's will ♪

♪ She ran off and married, but I love you still ♪

♪ Lucille, please, come back where you belong ♪

♪ Lucille, please, come back where you belong ♪

♪ I been good to you, baby, please, don't leave me alone ♪

♪ I woke up this morning, Lucille was not in sight ♪

♪ I asked my friends about her but all their lips were tight ♪

♪ Lucille, please, come back where you belong ♪

♪ Lucille, please, come back where you belong ♪

♪ I been good to you, baby, please, don't leave me alone ♪

♪ I woke up this morning, Lucille was not in sight ♪

♪ I asked my friends about her but all their lips were tight ♪

♪ Lucille, please, come back where you belong ♪

♪ I been good to you, baby, please, don't leave me alone ♪

♪ I woke up this morning, Lucille was not in sight ♪

♪ I asked my friends about her but all their lips were tight ♪

♪ Lucille, please, come back where you belong ♪

- In the hotel lounge, I have to live here.

What's his father do?

- He doesn't have a father.

- Well, you know what he wants.

Remember now girl, it's a mortal sin.

- We only kissed.

- [Mrs. Lovell] That's where it starts.

Oh my love, it's hard enough as it is.

- I am loved, I am loved.

- [Mrs. Lovell] Are you listening?

- I am loved, I am loved.

- What?

I can't hear what you're saying.

- I am loved.

- [Mrs. Lovell] Oh, oh, Lola.

(Lyle and Bert grunt)

- Apologise, apologise to your mother!

(kick thuds)

(belt thwacks)

- Hey, that'll do, mate.

- Bert, he's had enough.

(dog barks)

(bird squawks)

(Bert and Mrs. Hansen chatter)

- Oh.

(radio chatters)

- Brownie Hansen.

- What are you doing here?

- You stood me up.

- [Brownie] I didn't want you to see me like this.

- Everyone in town knows you had a fight.

They reckon you gave him some back too.

- He's a bastard!

My mom just stood there and watched.

After a while it didn't even hurt anymore.

All I kept thinking is how I wanted somebody there

to hold me in their arms.

- Your hair's still beautiful.

- Ow!

- [Lola] Sorry.

- They just don't understand, do they?

- [Lola] What?

- About love.

- Yeah, just like Romeo and Juliet.

But bigger and more exciting because it's us.

Oh, it's all because of you, thank you!

- Ow, ow, ow.

- I'm sorry, but I can't help it,

I'm in love with Brownie Hansen.

♪ Now there are three steps to heaven ♪

♪ Just listen and you will plainly see ♪

♪ And as I travel on ♪

♪ And things do go wrong ♪

♪ Just follow steps one, two and three ♪

♪ Step one, you find a girl to love ♪

♪ Step two, she falls in love with you ♪

♪ Step three, you kiss and hold her tightly ♪

♪ Yeah, that sure seems like heaven to me ♪

- [Brownie] Hold a second, yeah, yeah.

♪ The formula for heaven's very simple ♪

♪ Just follow ♪

- Ow!

♪ The rules and you will see ♪

♪ And as life travels on ♪

♪ And things do go wrong ♪

♪ Just follow steps one, two, and three ♪

♪ Step one, you find a girl to love ♪

♪ Step two, she falls in love with you ♪

- Help!

- [Brownie] Ooh, sorry, sorry (grunts).

♪ Step three, you kiss and hold her tightly ♪

Ow!

- [Lola] I'm, I'm sorry.

- [Brownie] My arm.

- [Lola] My hips.

♪ Seems like heaven to me ♪

♪ Just follow steps one, two, and three ♪

(Brownie grunts)

(slow gentle music)

(horses neigh)

(Lola laughs)

- [Brownie] Ah!

Ah!

(Lola laughs)

(mid-tempo lighthearted music)

Well?

- I waited six weeks just to make sure.

- [Brownie] What do you want to do?

You wanna try to get rid of it?

- No, we can't do that.

It's a terrible mortal sin.

- I know that.

- It's not that we're not old enough,

Romeo and Juliet were teenagers.

Helen of Troy was only 12 when she ran away with Paris.

- 12?

- Yeah, well, they started a lot younger back then.

Dear Mother, I'm going to have a baby.

I'm going anywhere where I will not be a humiliation to you.

I'm well looked after by someone who loves me

and wants to look after me.

Your loving daughter, Lola.

What have you got?

- Dear Mum, I've gone away.

Don't call the police. I am all right, Brownie.

- Well, at least she won't have

any trouble understanding it.

♪ Only you can make all the world seem right ♪

♪ Only you can make the darkness bright ♪

♪ Only you and you alone ♪

♪ Can thrill me like you do ♪

♪ And fill my heart with love for only you ♪

- This was my grandmother's, my dad's mom.

I've inherited it anyway, so.

(train horn blares)

- Oh, Brownie, we can do anything we want,

go everywhere in the whole world.

- We could go to Norway.

- London and Paris.

- Seattle, no?

All the places I read in books.

I just wanna see everything and meet everyone.

And I wanna be with you, whatever we do.

- We'll carry everything we own in a bag, be fast and free.

- But we'll have a baby.

- He can come too, it'll be just the three of us.

- Fast and free.

- Fast, fast.

- Fast.

- Fast, fast, be very fast.

Fast.

(slow serene music)

- Two minutes, train's departing in two minutes.

- And can you get some chocolates and some chips.

- Is that good for the baby?

- Baby likes what I like, hey.

- Oh.

(moves into slow uneasy music)

- [Mrs. Lovell] Here she is.

Come on, Lola, we're going home.

- Brownie!

(whistle blares)

- Lola!

(glass smashes)

Get your hands off!

- Brownie, help me!

No, no, Brownie (sobs).

Brownie, you gotta help me!

Brownie, no!

(punch thuds)

- Come over here, kid, can't talk to you down there.

Got a name?

- Jim Smith.

- So you're Jim Smith?

- [Brownie] Mmm.

- Can you swim?

- Oh, God.

Actually, my name is Brownie Hansen.

I'm from Bundaberg,

and I'm going to Brisbane to see my girlfriend Lola.

- I know a lot of Lola's son, but none in Brisbane.

- Well, they told me that she might be there.

My dad was a sailor.

- [Sailor] Well.

- His dad was a sailor.

Oh, yeah.

Is that right, you wanna be one too, is that it?

Get your bag.

From now on, you're down below.

Name's Bosun.

Come on move your ass, you'll freeze up here.

- How much?

Yes, all right, all right.

Well, as soon as possible.

Eight weeks.

15?

The day after tomorrow.

- I want to have it.

- Oh, yes, that's the easy part.

And who supports it, who feeds it?

- Well, I'll get a job.

- You're too young, you're still a baby yourself.

- It's not really your decision, Mother.

- Oh, it's my decision

because you don't know any better, Lola.

I won't let you ruin your life,

I know how it's done, believe me.

- [Lola] You're not living my life.

It is my decision, lady,

you're still a minor till you're 16,

don't want to hear anymore about it, Lola.

- [Lola] It's just as a illegal here as it is in Bundaberg.

- [Mrs. Lovell] Yes, but nobody knows us here.

(mid-tempo mellow music)

- [Bosun] Brownie, hang on a minute.

Just wait for that copper.

Okay, off you go, good luck, son.

- [Man] Why don't you go to the police?

- Yeah, thanks anyhow.

I don't even know if she's still here.

- [Bosun] Well, it's a big city, kid

- [Brownie] She's pregnant.

- Well, you ought to be with her.

- I know that.

I got no job, I got no money.

- I was coming to that.

Dick Boyd signed off this morning.

Job's yours if you want it.

- Really?

Oh, that'd be great, but I don't know.

- Well, it's over to you, son.

If you still want to be a sailor, we ship out Friday.

- Friday.

- [Mrs. Lovell] I'm just popping downstairs

for a little while, dear, won't be long.

(door thuds)

- I won't do it, I'm gonna keep it.

Oh, Brownie, where are you?

(sobs)

(mid-tempo sombre music)

- Hey, hey cab, hey, stop!

The docks, please.

- [Driver] You got the money, cash?

- Yes.

(metal clangs)

(bells chime)

(Lola whimpers)

All over now, darling.

(sombre saxophone music)

(knocking on door)

- No luck, eh?

There's only one woman you can rely on, it's the sea.

She'll always be there.

Come on, sit yourself down.

What kind of music do you like, Brownie?

There's stuff here from all over the world.

Damascus, San Francisco, London.

- [Brownie] I've never seen this.

- Here, you might go for this one.

♪ My baby don't stand no foolin' around ♪

All right?

Here, get this in you.

♪ She don't stand no foolin', my babe ♪

Don't worry son, you'll acquire a taste for it.

♪ My babe, true little baby, that's my babe ♪

♪ True little baby, she's my baby ♪

♪ True little baby, yeah, she's my babe ♪

♪ True little baby ♪

- Where do you think you're going?

I know what you're going through, darling.

Look, we'll start again, you know,

we'll put it all behind us.

He's forgotten you, love.

You're not the first one to go through this, you know.

I know it's hard.

- How do you know?

- Oh, I just know.

When I was your age, I made some mistakes, but life goes on.

- Am I one of your mistakes, am I?

- No, you're my daughter and I love you.

- He's trying to find me, I know he is.

You never even gave him a chance.

- Don't make a mess of your life, Lola, forget him.

Men are all the same.

- You're the one to give advice about men.

Goodbye, Mum.

I'll write so that you'll know I'm all right.

- [Mrs. Lovell] Lola.

(slow emotional music)

- [Lola] I'm from Bundaberg, I'm looking for work.

- Why did you decide to come to Melbourne?

- [Lola] My mum's in Brisbane.

- Rents 30 a week, two weeks in advance,

extra for gas and electricity.

What you do is your own business,

but if you break the law, I'll call the cops first time.

♪ Heaven please send to all mankind ♪

♪ Understanding and peace of mind ♪

♪ But if it's not asking too much ♪

♪ Please send me somebody to love, somebody to love ♪

♪ Show all the world how to get along ♪

♪ Peace will enter when hate is gone ♪

♪ But, if it's not asking too much ♪

♪ Please send me somebody to love ♪

♪ Please send me somebody to love ♪

- Apple pie, turkey minced steak, mixed grill, no onions.

Missy, more bowls, cups, and saucers.

♪ My answer is always the same ♪

- [Man] Come on, get the tables,

I've gotta get home tonight.

♪ Men puts an end to this ♪

- [Lola] Can I have that candle?

♪ Hate will put the world in a flame, what a shame ♪

- [Waitress] What's that you're doing?

- Making a wish, today's my birthday.

♪ I'm in misery ♪

♪ I don't beg for no sympathy ♪

♪ But if it's not asking too much ♪

(coughs)

♪ Please send me someone to love ♪

(knocking on door)

Yeah?

- [Landlady] Monday, rent's due.

- [Lola] I'll pay on Friday.

- Sorry, you know the rules, rent's due on Monday.

- Look, I've been sick, I haven't bee able to work.

- Sorry, you're out.

I've got somebody waiting to pay double for this room.

- You can't just kick me out into the street,

I've got nowhere else to go!

- Go back to Bundaberg then.

- Hello, feel like a drink?

Big dance on tonight.

- [Bosun] Been dancing all day, love.

- [Woman] How about later on?

(bosun whistles)

- Oh, leave 'em.

- Where are we going?

- Sorry kid, promised to look up an old lady friend tonight.

- Well, what'll I do?

- If you're 82 and a direct descendant of Queen Victoria,

Melbourne's your town, otherwise,

head straight for the pubs, see ya.

(metal clangs)

(slow piano music)

- [Bartender] What'll it be mate?

- Beer, thanks.

- [Woman] Go and set the last four tables.

- [Brownie] Lola?

- Oh, Brownie!

- You're so thin.

- You're so strong.

(Lola moans)

I only started here a while ago.

I've had the flu.

I've still got the flu.

Got kicked out by my landlady.

She's a right old bitch.

They're letting me sleep in the storeroom out the back.

- You've changed.

- [Woman] Hiya, Lol.

- Maxine, this is Brownie.

- The Brownie?

Well, I'm pleased to meet ya.

Now she might stop yapping about ya.

- You wanna eat with us?

- No, I'm not hungry.

If I can't get a few beers

out of that bunch I'll join a nunnery, see ya.

Hi, guys.

- Hey. - Hey, babe.

♪ Can you feel that boogie beat ♪

♪ And feel that boogie beat ♪

- I had an abortion.

Mum dragged me off to Brisbane.

- I tried to find you.

I looked everywhere.

♪ Roll with me Henry ♪

- It was so hard, Brownie.

♪ Roll with me Henry ♪

♪ You better roll ♪

- You've got a fever.

(Maxine laughs)

So, she's a friend of yours?

- Yeah, she helped me get this job.

- Before that, what did you do to eat?

- We'd try and talk some of them into buying dinner for us.

Well, you do what you can, don't you?

Look, I drink them under the table,

that what you want to know? - No, what I wanna know is why...

- I know what you wanna know,

you've got no business asking if you're not here.

♪ Gonna go home, go home, go home ♪

♪ Rollin' with me Henry ♪

- I'm sorry.

♪ Roll with me Henry, any old time ♪

- Sailors are much worse than soldiers, anyway.

♪ You better roll on, rollin' on ♪

♪ Roll with me Henry ♪

- Let's get out of here.

- Brownie, make love to me.

- Here, put that on your head.

- [Lola] Why is it so dark?

- [Brownie] One of the generator's down.

(slow gentle music)

- This is your room?

- Cabin.

- This is like a dream, it's so romantic.

Where is everyone?

- They're on leave, they'll be back tomorrow.

- [Lola] Oh, Brownie.

- [Brownie] Oh, God.

- I know I look terrible, I've been so sick.

And maybe I haven't always done the right thing,

but I loved you all the time.

- [Brownie] Me too, I'm so sorry.

- Say you still want me.

- [Brownie] Oh God, I want you more than I ever wanted you.

(door clatters)

(footsteps thud)

- I hope no union rep finds you on board.

They got strict rules.

You got a name?

- Lola.

- Lola, well, I'm glad you two

finally caught up with each other,

but the union boys won't be.

You'll have to go.

- Oh, come on, Bosun, she's sick.

She just got kicked out of her room.

- You're the Bosun,

got records from all around the world?

You looked after Brownie for me.

- She'll just try and hitchhike her way back to Brisbane.

- Not my problem.

- Well, I'm not sailing without her.

- Hey, is that some kind a threat?

I am not impressed.

- Look, it's just that once we get to Brisbane,

we'll be all right, I could be there to look after her.

- Oh yeah, and what about when you wanna go back to sea?

God, you got a lot to learn, kid, especially about women.

- Please, Bosun, I love her.

- [Bosun] Just keep her out of sight.

But let's see you on deck occasionally.

♪ Only you ♪

♪ Can make all this change in me ♪

♪ For it's true ♪

♪ You are my destiny ♪

♪ When you hold my hand ♪

♪ I understand the magic that you do ♪

♪ You're my dreams come true ♪

♪ My one and only you ♪

♪ Only you ♪

♪ Can make a change in me ♪

♪ For it's true ♪

♪ You are my destiny ♪

♪ When you hold my hand ♪

♪ I understand the magic that you do ♪

♪ You're my dreams come true ♪

♪ My and one and only you ♪

♪ One and only you ♪

(Lola giggles)

- We'll take these.

(partygoers chatter)

♪ Ooh, well I got a gal with a record machine ♪

- [Man] Stella's ruined your status, huh?

- [Woman] Not.

- Hang time 30, mate.

♪ All alone I can hold her tight ♪

♪ But she lives on the 20th floor uptown ♪

♪ The elevator's broken down ♪

♪ So I'll walk one, two flight, three flight, four ♪

♪ Five, six, seven flight, eight flight, more ♪

♪ Up on the 12th I'm startin' to drag ♪

♪ 15th floor, I'm ready to sag ♪

♪ Get to the top, I'm too tired to rock ♪

♪ When she callin' me up on the telephone ♪

♪ Say, come on over honey, I'm all alone ♪

♪ I said, baby you're mighty sweet ♪

♪ But I'm in bed with the achin' feet ♪

♪ This went on for a couple of days ♪

♪ But I couldn't stay away ♪

♪ So I'll walk one, two flight, three flight, four ♪

♪ Five, six, seven flight, eight flight, more ♪

♪ Up on the 12th I'm ready to drag ♪

♪ 15th floor I'm startin' to sag ♪

♪ Get to the top, I'm too tired to rock ♪

- Hi.

- Hi.

- Care to dance?

- Oh, can't, sorry, I've got the baby.

- Oh.

- [Lola] I'll take the baby.

- Oh, would you, oh, super.

♪ Well, they sent to Chicago for repairs ♪

♪ Till it's fixed I'm usin' the stairs ♪

♪ Hope they hurry up before it's too late ♪

♪ Want my baby too much to wait ♪

♪ Slippin' and slidin', peepin' and a hidin' ♪

♪ Been told long time ago ♪

♪ Slippin' and a slidin', peepin' and a hidin' ♪

♪ Been told long time ago ♪

♪ I been told, baby, you been bold ♪

♪ I won't be your fool no more ♪

♪ Oh, big conniver nothing but a jiver ♪

♪ I think I could be your jive ♪

♪ Oh, big conniver, nothing but a jiver ♪

♪ I think I could be your jive ♪

♪ Slippin' and a slidin', peepin' and a hidin' ♪

♪ Won't be your fool no more ♪

- This is my husband.

- Hi, I'm Brownie Hansen.

This is my girl, Lola Lovell.

- Lyle and Mavis Blackmore,

pleased to have you at our place.

- [Brownie] Thanks.

- Even though it's not really ours. - [Lola] Hmm?

- Oh, we're squatters.

- Are you?

- Well, we found it empty and moved in.

- Wish we could do that.

- Well, why don't you just take one of these rooms,

there's loads of space.

- [Mavis] Come on.

- Oh, I don't know.

All right.

Thanks.

- Oh, super.

They're not supposed to be sitting up till they start getting teeth, are they?

- About 10 months.

- How do you know all this stuff?

- Oh, I read some books on babies, once.

Now, try this.

- [Mavis] I don't think she'll like vegetables yet.

- Made our nation great.

Here we go, you wanna try some?

Mmm.

- Oh.

Do you wanna have kids?

- I nearly had one, I had an abortion.

- [Mavis] Your mother?

- Yeah, I should've fought harder.

- Oh, I dunno, took me five days to have Sharon Faylene

and then they had to cut her out.

- [Lola] Why?

- Don't know something wrong with me plumbing.

I asked the doctor what I should do,

and he said, "Make your husband sleep on the roof."

(Lola giggles)

♪ One night of sin ♪

♪ Is what I'm now payin' for ♪

♪ The things I did and I saw ♪

♪ Would make the earth stand still ♪

♪ Don't call my name ♪

♪ It makes me feel so ashamed ♪

♪ I've lost my sweet helping hand ♪

♪ I've got myself to blame ♪

♪ Always lived a very quiet life ♪

♪ I ain't never done no wrong ♪

♪ Now, I know that life without you ♪

♪ Been too lonely, too long ♪

(slow tender music)

- Oh, wait a minute.

- What happened?

- So we won't have kids.

- [Brownie] What the hell is this?

Ah, very interesting. - Brownie!

Give it to me.

(both giggle)

(Brownie snorts)

Obviously, I'm the responsible one.

- [Brownie] Well, obviously.

- [Lola] Brownie (laughs)!

- Bosun said it's a three-month cruise.

I can make some good money.

We need money, we're broke.

- Three months?

- It's not so long.

- What about us?

Isn't this what we always dreamed of?

- Yeah, but...

- Yeah, but now you're bored and restless.

You wanna get away.

- Not from you.

Lola, I love you as much as I've ever loved you,

but we need money, otherwise,

we're fair game for the cops and anyone else,

and I don't want that.

I just wanna be able to provide for us,

that's important to me.

- When?

- [Brownie] It sails in a week.

- So make love to me.

(patrons loudly chatter)

- Fact is, sailor's not meant for the domestic life,

too hard on the women.

Believe me, I tried, had me the perfect woman in Singapore,

rich, beautiful, great cook,

and she could sing like an angel.

- [Man] Need some money?

Four beers and two shandies.

- She meant a lot to you?

- Yes.

- Why didn't you stay with her, then?

- Too comfortable, not the kind of life I was cut out for.

You understand?

- Yeah, I think I do.

- [Bartender] Last drinks, we're closing up!

- Cops, cops!

- [Bosun] God, what's the matter with you, pal?

Make them see.

- [Lola] Hey, why don't we go for a walk together,

just the two of us.

- [Brownie] Whatever you want, love.

Uh-oh, come on, cops.

- [Tall Cop] Hey, hey, hey you!

- [Brownie] Come on, run!

- [Lola] Brownie!

(Brownie grunts)

- Something to be afraid of, have we?

Under-age drinking, perhaps?

- We were just on our way home. - You don't have to choke me.

- Have you got any money?

- [Tall Cop] You're in breach of the law if you haven't, kids your age.

Let's see that bank book.

- Look, I realise we're empty right now,

but I'm signed up to ship out in a week

with a pay that's guaranteed.

Now, I can get you all the paper...

- [Tall Cop] That won't be necessary, come on.

(slow tense music)

- [Lola] I know how to walk, you bastard!

- [Short Cop] Prove it!

- [Brownie] Hey, I saw that, cop!

- [Tall Cop] Maybe you did!

(punch thuds) (Brownie grunts)

- Brownie! - Shut up.

- [Tall Cop] Well, who's gonna believe you?

Hush up, boy.

- What you do at sea is your own business,

and that of your employer.

But on land you will abide by our laws,

one of which requires that you show

that you have some visible means of supporting yourself.

Breaking this law, I fine you 10 pounds.

Furthermore, I order you not to attempt

to see Lola Lovell for the next 12 months.

Dismissed.

- [Lola] Brownie!

- [Man] Hold it, girlie!

Come on.

- [Cop] Okay.

- [Brownie] Come on, let me see her. - They just want to say goodbye!

- Let me see you.

- Settle down.

- No, get off me!

- [Brownie] Let me go!

- [Bosun] Brownie, back off, will you?

Come on, I'll look after him, okay?

- Normally, for a first offence,

I can say I'd give you a fine.

However, your mother claims that you are uncontrollable.

I therefore order you to be sent

to a state-approved house of care

for a period of not less than 12 months detention.

And you are ordered not to contact

or see Brownie Olaf Hansen within that time.

Dismissed.

- When my own baby died,

and I couldn't have any more myself.

I decided to devote my life to unwanted girls.

I've been auntie to two generations of poor unfortunates.

And I tell them how much happier

one can be in one's own home,

instead of chasing cheap thrills.

Eat up, dear, we've got to fatten you up.

(bells chime)

(hand thuds) Oh!

- Can't it be a bit tighter?

- No, dear, that's cheap, full is much smarter.

- It oughta be okay if I was pregnant.

- Oh my, that's the road to ruin.

I think we'll give you a home perm.

It'll make you feel like a new person.

- I don't wanna feel like a new person, Auntie.

- Most girls do it to feel that they belong to someone,

that's why you keep putting in that cheap bleach, isn't it?

- [Lola] What did you say?

- Girls live for men, for sex, it's their downfall.

- I'll try and remember that.

- You can't tell me you actually enjoy it.

- [Lola] Actually, I enjoy sex a lot.

Love it with Brownie.

- Stop talking like that.

- Love it when he pulls of his shirt.

And then he pulls off mine,

and I feel the muscles around his chest and his arms.

Then he kisses me.

My whole body feels it.

- It's quite enough, Lola.

- You know what I love the most?

I love the way he looks when he's just about to...

- Get to your room.

- [Lola] Humph.

(doorbell rings)

(Sharon cries)

- Hi. - Looks who's here.

- [Lola] Oh, you're beautiful.

- Oh gee, I wonder where she gets her looks from.

We got a card from Brownie,

he's on the boat with Bosun in San Francisco.

- In San Francisco.

- [Auntie] Can I help you?

- Oh, these are friends of mine. This is Mavis, and Lyle, and this Sharon.

Well, come in, have a cup of tea.

- I'm sorry, all visitors have to be approved

by the court in writing.

- Oh, but these are friends of mine.

- [Auntie] Well, while you are here, Lola,

I choose your friends.

Now give the baby back to its mother.

- Come on, darling.

Say goodbye to Auntie Lola.

- How dare you?

They're my friends.

- It's for your own good.

Otherwise, you'll go to an institution,

and your sentence will start again.

Lola, where are you?

- [Lola] Can't I even shit in peace?

- Lola!

(reserved piano music)

- [Lola] Dear Brownie,

I love you wherever you are.

Please come and rescue me, I'm living at the above address.

They've thrown me into the hands of the most terrible woman,

she's a doer of good deeds.

Please excuse pencil and incoherence,

I'm writing in the dunny in great haste,

it's the only place I can be sure she's not watching me.

I had so much to say, now all I can think of

is that I love you and I'm frightened.

First time in my life I've been really truly frightened.

Please come back, my love,

all I'll think of till then is you, Lola.

- [Postman] There we go, Mrs Westbury.

- Thanks, postie.

(upbeat piano music)

That's quite enough, Lola.

If you would care to learn proper music,

I'd be happy to arrange it.

But there's someone I want you to meet.

(teapot whistles)

Lola, this is Isobel, one of my successes.

- Pleased to meet you, Lola.

- I'm not sure yet.

- She couldn't keep out of trouble in the city,

so I sent her to work in the country.

Now she's married with a healthy, beautiful little girl.

(Isobel chuckles)

- [Lola] Sounds perfect.

- You'd love Isobel's home, Lola,

wall-to-wall carpet, Mixmaster, electric stove, Hoover,

Westinghouse, and it's all a credit to how far she's come.

- You deserve all the credit, Auntie.

- [Auntie] (chuckles) Do you know all she had

when she left here were a couple

of little frocks I'd made her.

- Oh, you know, Auntie, I saw this marvellous dress in town.

I was tempted but I said to myself, no, Isobel,

put the money into some linoleum for the kitchen.

(whistle blares)

- I'll get the mail.

- I think you and Lola could become fine friends.

- [Postman] Sorry, love, nothing from him today.

- [Lola] Who're you talking about? - [Postman] The travelling feller,

Spain, Singapore, San Francisco.

Hope you're collecting the stamps.

(whistle blares)

- Where are my letters from Brownie?

- Excuse me, what are you talking about?

- You've been stealing my mail, now where are the letters?

- I really don't know what you're talking about.

- Will you cut the bull, Auntie,

the postman's been delivering mail addressed to me,

and you've been keeping it.

Now where are the letters.

- To tell you the truth dear,

I don't know exactly where they are,

only that they've been disposed of for your own good.

- Disposed of, you've been throwing them away?

(glass smashes)

You tell me,

tell me or I'll smash every dish in this prison!

Sit down or I'll spill something on your head.

(Isobel yelps)

So what's it going to be, Auntie?

- Brownie Hansen was instructed to avoid contact with you.

My definition of that includes written contact.

I was simply carrying out the court's wishes.

Now please, put down that cup.

(cup smashes)

- Your definition?

It's lucky the world isn't made according

to your definitions, because it'd be an ugly one.

With your cakes, and frocks, and linoleum, and no love.

Because love's the thing you fear most, isn't it, love?

You're afraid of it, you try and kill it in other people,

But you can't stop people from loving each other!

You can throw away all of Brownie's letters

but you can't keep him from me, 'cause he's in me!

Oh, you wouldn't understand, there is no love in you!

- You're angry now, Lola, but in time you'll understand.

- I'm not doing anymore time, I'm leaving!

- The court won't allow that.

- Get out of my way.

- I did it for your own good, Lola.

(punch thuds) (Auntie yelps)

- And here, had such fun running this up

on your nice little electric machine

that goes frontwards and backwards, and sideways, and all around the town,

and buttonholes, and God knows what other shit!

Well, you can stick your stupid little frock...

- You're going back on the streets again, aren't you?

- Anywhere's better than here!

- Yes?

Hello?

- Mom, mom, it's Lola here.

- [Mrs. Lovell] Lola, where, where is she?

- No, mom, I'm here.

I need some help.

- Oh, Lola, Lola, isn't here.

- Dammit, mom, this is Lola.

Will you sober up for Christ's sake?

(Lola screams and sobs)

I just hope he got my letters.

- [Mavis] Oh, he'll understand.

- [Lyle] How does it feel?

- Bit better, thanks.

- [Lyle] And don't worry about Brownie,

sailors always come back to their true loves.

- Oh, Lyle, sometimes you're that stupid,

it amazes me.

- Time us two went to bed.

We're going to see about a job tomorrow.

Night. - Night.

- Wave goodnight to Auntie Lola.

- She can say mama and daddy now, can't you piggy?

- I'll be happy when she can say daddy-o.

See you in the morning.

- You've got a good man there.

- Well, you know the poor sod's hopelessly in love with me.

What will you do now?

- I don't know, go to Sidney, I guess.

I've gotta try and find Brownie.

You wanna know something funny?

- [Mavis] What?

- Today's my birthday.

- Did you make a wish?

- Yep.

- Cheers.

(knocking on door)

- We have courses in dressmaking,

nursing, weaving, hairdressing.

We also have commercial courses.

- I'd really like to learn the guitar.

- [Matron] Typing is more useful

- Might come in useful when I write my book.

It's about cops and social workers.

It's called Bastards I Have Known.

- Listen girly, I've seen them smarter and tougher than you,

and none of them ever got the better of me.

You'll be spending the next 12 months here.

It's up to you.

("Piano Sonata No. 15 in C" by Mozart)

- [Matron] I saw you do it.

- It was already like that when I here.

- Stop lying, lying (drowned out by music).

Oh, look what I found here.

You know you're not supposed to have, and that is it.

- You see, I might not be back for months.

Listen, I've gotta see her, do understand me?

- [Guard] Look mate, I don't make the rules.

You visit on Sundays.

- Oh, just this once, please.

- [Guard] No.

- What the hell do you want from us, huh?

(guard mutters angrily)

- [Girl] Bitch!

(punch thuds) (girls scream)

♪ Well, be bop a Lula, she's my baby ♪

♪ Be bop a Lula, don't mean maybe ♪

♪ Be bop a Lula, she's my baby ♪

♪ Be bop a Lula, I don't mean maybe ♪

♪ Be bop a Lula ♪

(door thuds)

♪ She's my baby doll, my baby doll, my baby doll ♪

♪ Well, she's the girl in the red blue jeans ♪

♪ She's the queen of all the teens ♪

♪ She's the one that I know ♪

♪ She's the woman that loves me so ♪

♪ Be bop a Lula, she's my baby ♪

♪ Be bop a Lula, I don't mean maybe ♪

♪ Be bop a Lula, she's my baby doll ♪

♪ My baby doll, my baby doll, let's rock ♪

(girls shout and scream)

- Well, Lola, how are you feeling today?

Do we know where we are?

- Yes, matron.

- [Matron] Do we know what special day this is?

- It's my 18th birthday.

- That's right, Lola, it's your 18th birthday.

What would you like to do to celebrate?

- I'd like to live to see 19.

- (laughs) Ah, that's very clever, Lola.

I hope for your sake, it comes true.

You've only two more weeks left on your sentence here.

I trust they'll go quietly.

Happy birthday, Lola.

(slow gentle music)

- Lyle, Mavis, look what I brought home!

- Well, look at this, who's this?

(Lola laughs)

- Lola!

- [Lola] Oh, Mavis, you're pregnant again!

- Oh, just my luck to marry a bleedin' rabbit.

(all laugh)

- [Lola] It was a horrible place.

- [Brownie] Shh, we're together now.

- Brownie, I never want us to be apart again, ever.

Promise me we'll always stay together.

- Of course.

- I don't think you understand what being together means.

- [Brownie] Lola, wherever I am, I still love you.

- That's not enough anymore.

The only way we'll survive is if we stay together.

I'm not cut out for the life of a sailor's girl.

I don't have the dream you do.

- I thought that was our dream.

We were gonna see the world together.

You remember fast and free?

- I've changed, I'm sick of the world

kicking me in the face.

Brownie, we've always done what you wanted,

and now I have to do what's best for me.

- She's wants me to give up the sea and stay with her.

I love her so much,

I miss her when I'm away from her, but.

- Well, I've been where you're standing now.

I chose the sea and I don't regret it one little bit.

Something to remember, Brownie,

if you ever feel any resentment towards Lola

for making you a land lover,

you're gonna end up hating each other's guts.

Same goes for the sea, of course.

You're a born sailor, kid.

(door thuds)

(footsteps clatter)

- She started labour.

- What's happening?

- [Lyle] There's complications, they have to operate.

- Mavis.

- Lyle isn't a very strong man.

If anything happens to me...

- Mavis, don't be silly.

We just stick together.

- You better go.

- [Lola] Say bye-bye.

- Stay with me darling.

- I'm right here, love.

- I'm okay with you.

- [Brownie] I got your note.

How is she?

- They had to operate.

- The baby died.

She wants to see you.

Oh, mate.

(sobs)

Are you gonna be staying in Brisbane for a while?

- I don't know.

I don't know what our next step is.

(slow uneasy music)

(moves into slow sombre music)

How's it going?

- Okay.

(Sharon babbles)

I might be going back to Bundaberg, though.

(slow gentle music)

- Well, Mr. Blackmore, the child looks very nice,

and clean, and healthy.

Your wife obviously took good care of her.

The state will ensure that she'll be well looked after.

And you'll be able to visit her regularly.

Our visiting privileges are very generous.

- But I love her, and I intend to care for her.

- But you don't have a job, Mr. Blackmore,

and your employment history is very patchy.

- We'll take care of her.

- Are you working now, Miss?

- I provide for her.

- [Social Worker] But your not married, I think.

- Well, I don't think that's any of your business.

- We place the child's welfare above all else,

that includes moral welfare.

Unfortunately, the poor, little thing

has no suitable relatives.

- If we were married?

- The department would take a different view, of course.

Well, I think that's everything.

You can bring Sharon Faylene

to my office tomorrow afternoon.

Or if you prefer, one of our officers will call.

- I'll fetch her to you.

(Brownie exhales deeply)

- I love you, Brownie,

as much as ever.

- I love you too.

(mid-tempo tense music)

- Coming aboard?

- He'll be back.

He's a sailor, is Brownie.

- He wasn't a sailor when we fell in love.

Are you off too?

- I've got to leave.

Everything reminds me of Mavis.

- Where will you go?

- Mount Isa first, there's jobs there.

When I've made some cash, I'll move on.

I'll see the world if I do nothing else.

I'll never marry again.

- No, I don't think you will.

(Sharon cries)

- Lola, will you take her to the welfare place?

I don't think I can do it.

I'll write.

- Good luck

- And you too.

(slow delicate music)

- Well, you're not going in for neglect,

that's for sure.

They look after you in those places.

You'll have a good time, won't you?

(Sharon babbles)

- Hey, taxi, taxi!

(Sharon babbles)

Taxi!

Lola?

- Whatcha you doing?

(moves into slow dramatic music)

- Lola, Lola!

(taxi screeches)

(slow gentle music)

Oh God.

(Sharon giggles)

(guests chatter)

(slow violin music)

(horn blares)

♪ Lucille, you won't do your sister's will ♪

♪ Lucille, you won't do your sister's will ♪

♪ She may now be married, but I love her still ♪

♪ Lucille, please come back where you belong ♪

♪ Lucille, please come back where you belong ♪

♪ I'll be good to you, baby ♪

♪ Please don't leave me alone ♪

♪ I woke up this morning, Lucille was not in sight ♪

♪ I asked my friends about her but all their lips were tight ♪

♪ Lucille, please come back where you belong ♪

♪ I'll be good to you, baby ♪

♪ Please don't leave me alone, ah ♪

♪ I woke up this morning, Lucille was not in sight ♪

♪ I asked my friends about her but all their lips were tight ♪

♪ Lucille, please come back where you belong ♪

♪ I'll be good to you, baby ♪

♪ Please don't leave me alone ♪

♪ Lucille, baby, satisfy my heart ♪

♪ Lucille, baby, satisfy my heart ♪

♪ I played my music, baby ♪

♪ And gave you such a wonderful start ♪

♪ You don't remember me ♪

♪ But I remember you ♪

♪ 'Twas not so long ago ♪

♪ You broke my heart in two ♪

♪ Tears on my pillow ♪

♪ Pain in my heart caused by you ♪

♪ If we could start anew ♪

♪ I wouldn't hesitate ♪

♪ I'd gladly take you back ♪

♪ And tempt the hand of fate ♪

♪ Tears on my pillow ♪

♪ Pain in my heart caused by you ♪

♪ Love is not a gadget ♪

♪ Love is not a toy ♪

♪ When you find the one you love ♪

♪ To fill your heart with joy ♪

♪ If we could start anew ♪

♪ I wouldn't hesitate ♪

♪ I'd gladly take you back ♪

♪ And tempt the hand of fate ♪

♪ Tears on my pillow ♪

♪ Pain in my heart caused by you ♪

♪ Tears on my pillow ♪

♪ Pain in my heart caused by you ♪