Original subtitles

Yes, I know.

And what is this?

You save your pennies. You're like a little hormiguita.

- You're gonna open a club. - I wanna have something...

to show my wife and my baby.

But you don't come to me?

Yes, I do, but...

Well, come on. That is it.

A man without a family, who the hell is that?

He's nobody.

Yeah.

- Do you know how much I love you? - Yes. I love you, too.

You don't forget that.

No.

Good work, kid.

Maria.

Dump it right on the scale.

Delores is on the telephone. It's her time.

Delores! The baby! Come on!

Come on!

He's beautiful, huh?

- Isn't he? - Beautiful.

I got this for you.

I hope they're good.

Jane Eyre.

Crime and Punishment.

How did you know what to choose?

Fellow at the store, he knew.

I hope they're good.

It's the most wonderful present. Thank you.

I'm so happy for you.

Hey, let me see him, huh?

He's a Castillo.

Look at the expression on his face.

Like a headache.

Look at this little angel.

Good evening.

Good evening, gentlemen. It's good to see you.

- Miguel. Good to see you again, my friend. - Welcome.

You remember Mike, my business manager? Mike Wells.

- Good to see you again. - Always a pleasure.

Miguel, these fellows are fantastic. I'd like to invite them over to our table.

- Would you ask them to join us, please? - With pleasure.

Gracias, Miguel.

Thank you.

Desi Arnaz.

Oh, my God.

It's Desi Arnaz.

- This is my manager, Mike Wells. - Pleasure to meet you both.

- Hi, Mike. How are you? - Mike. Hello.

- I am so pleased to meet you. - Me, too.

- I'm Cesar Castillo. - I am his brother...

- Nestor. - Nestor.

What a surprise. What a nice surprise.

- Please, sit down. - Oh, God!

How about that?

Mike and I wanted to compliment you on your performance.

- That was a wonderful song. - Thank you.

Beautiful Maria of My Soul.

I have written many different songs of different...

Many different version of this song. Excuse me.

Have you written any other songs?

- Yes, a few songs. - He's got a suitcase full.

Suitcase. Suitcase.

- So, where are you fellows from in Cuba? - Las Pinas.

That's the sugar mill town there in Oriente, you know that.

So am I, from Oriente, too. Santiago.

If you put a couple of Cubanos together we're all related, right?

- This calls for a celebration, huh? - Yeah. Salud!

That's right.

You don't know how nice it is to just relax for a change.

You are probably tired of dining out with the Rockefellers all the time.

Rockefeller?

We get tired of eating with them, too, you know?

Do you fellows have un conjunto?

Yeah. We got Mambo Kings.

- Mambo Kings. - Mambo Kings.

- Where have you been playing? - Around.

We haven't played a gig in months, you know.

- We are butchers. - What a stupid thing to say.

But it's true, brother. It's true.

You know this kid, he worries himself to death.

I tell him everyone starts this way.

He don't listen to me. You don't listen, you know?

You know how I got started? I did all sorts of things.

- I know that. - Cleaned bird cages.

Mr. Arnaz, this is our boy, Eugenio.

Please, call me Desi.

How wonderful your family is, senora Castillo.

Tomorrow's work. Always work.

Sorry, I have to go.

You know, I want to tell you something before I do.

That cancion you fellows played at the club tonight Beautiful Maria...

- Of My Soul. - Yeah.

- That's a great song. I really like it. - Thank you.

I want you to come on my show. Do it for me there.

That's nice.

The nightclub show?

No, I mean the I Love Lucy show.

- In Hollywood? - I Love Lucy show?

- No. - Yes. Hollywood.

I mean, yes.

Oh, my God!

He's coming!

It was a beautiful evening.

I'm glad we had this chance to meet, my friends.

You'll be hearing from me soon, okay?

Take care of yourselves.

My God, this is something, huh?

Didn't I tell you this would happen?

It's a miracle, Cesar.

That's what you wanted.

We're just about ready to get started.

Tonight, we have a special show for you entitled "Cuban Pals."

- So, sit back, relax and enjoy the show. - You look terrific.

- My stomach is no good. - Your stomach is fine.

Come on, we never looked this good in our lives.

- Take it easy. - Yeah.

Just be yourself. Don't worry.

Even if you flub your dialogue, we'll take care of it.

We'll no flub.

- Let's go. - Okay. Let's go.

- What the hell is that? - Camera 3.

Oh, Jesus. I'm all right.

- Are you sure? - I'm sure.

- Lf you want... - I want. Don't worry about it.

I want. You got to be kidding me.

The light! Carmen, the light.

I'm so proud.

Lucy, Cesar and Nestor Castillo.

- Hello. - Cesar, Nestor, this is Lucy.

How do you do?

What kind of a girl did you think Ricky would marry?

No, don't tell me. I shouldn't have asked that.

Ricky told me all about your success in Cuba.

Where do you think you'll go from here?

Do you know where you'll go from here?

I think Lucy likes Nestor, Delores. Yes?

She's making ojitos at him.

"We do-nut."

Wee Do-nut?

Sounds like someplace in Arkansas.

"We do-nut speak English."

You don't speak English? Oh, well...

Well.

- Can you believe he was in the kitchen? - Yes, I know.

- I can't believe I missed that. - Did you have a nice talk?

- I'm really mad. - I had a nice talk.

Beg pardon?

He wants to know if the color of your hair is natural.

Well, certainly, tell them it's natural.

And my father and my mother both had red hair.

My parents had blonde hair, too.

- Sure. - They did!

Ricky, go ahead and tell them.

Henna rinse.

Henna rinse!

I have an idea my hair suffered in the translation.

I saw Lucy once...

standing outside the Lord & Taylor's during Christmastime.

- She seemed very nice. - She is.

- You can tell just by looking at her. - Come on. It's starting.

- Very nice. - Come on, let's go.

Well, folks, tonight I have a special treat for you.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present to you...

direct from Havana, Cuba, Cesar and Nestor Castillo...

singing a bolero of their own composition, Beautiful Maria of My Soul.

Telephone for Mr. Goodson.

You know, I was in a movie once with Ricardo Montalban.

Desperados from the Land of the Golden Sun.

Ricardo was a dreamboat.

You are a fleet of dreamboats, you know that?

- I'm going to put you on my next movie. - Do you have a part for me?

Come on. Let's not get stingy, huh?

- Come on! - Paging Mr. Castillo.

You know, I'm going to form an all-girls orchestra with you two.

I'll be right back. I'm going to tune you all up.

Don't go.

You wait for me, muchachas, huh?

Don't you go away.

Delores is on the phone. She wants to tell you that she loves you.

I'm sorry. Your phone has been busy there.

No.

See you later.

Shit.

What the hell are you looking at?

You follow your pinga wherever it goes. What's the matter with you, brother?

I don't have no wife, no son who loves me.

You worrying about me?

Thank you, brother.

You're turning into a cabron.

A cabron would've gone back to Cuba by now.

- Back to Cuba? - Yes.

You are the one that wanted to come to New York.

You're a big shot right now, on television with Mr. Desi Arnaz.

- Yeah? - Do you want to go back to Cuba?

I never wanted to be a big shot.

Why do I always have to do what you want?

- Why, brother? - I don't know.

Maybe without me you'll be singing your love songs...

in the shower somewhere, you know?

That could be good enough. You can't keep using me.

- What are you talking about? I use you? - Yes, to fulfill your dreams!

- No, I do it for you! - Come on.

I do it for you. And I did it for you.

Get the hell out. You don't even know how lucky you are.

Lucky in Cuba with Maria. No other way.

- You want to talk to me about Maria? - Why not?

Get the hell out of my life. You make me sick.

Your stupid, miserable life wasn't worth saving.

- Saving? - Get the hell out.

- You know nothing about Maria. - What do you mean?

If I hadn't brought you to America, you'd be playing trumpet with the angels!

- What do you mean? - Stay the hell out of my way.

You must tell me, brother!

You want to talk to me about Maria?

Maria begged me. She begged me to take you out of Cuba.

- Liar! - Luis would've slit your fucking throat...

- if he saw you again. - It's not true.

If she hadn't married him, he'd have killed you!

She saved you.

And I called her a whore. A whore?

She's too good for you. Delores is too good for you.

We are all too good for you!

Stop!

You knew this about Maria and didn't tell me?

Why, brother?

Why?

- To save your life. - My life?

What do you think, why?

You didn't save my life, Cesar. You ruined my life.

No!

Oh, man!

$5,000 from Desilu Productions!

And God bless this country.

Not bad for one little bolero, bro?

Now, let's see Perez try to keep us from playing the Palladium.

The salesman said he's going to send you a new encyclopedia every month.

- I want to show you something. Look. - It's so beautiful. Thank you.

- What? - It's got power steering.

It's got power brakes. Power everything. Wow, huh?

You're crazy.

I guess Mr. Vanderbilt was right, eh, bro?

"Chinaman, Indian, or from the planet Cuba."

Cuba!

A man can find happiness the American way.

Whether he likes it or not.

Come on, cut the cake and pour that champagne.

Yeah, but don't wet the check.

Don't wet that check, please.

You're on top of the world.

Don't be so modesto.

We are working.

Nothing that will make us rich, but...

we are bringing in a few dollars and...

Well, you seem in good shape. It's a good beginning.

It is okay for the time being. But we have a long way to go.

Then we shouldn't lose more time in our friendship.

So, Nestor, what is it I can do for you?

Do you need money? Please tell me.

- I want to open a club. - Good.

My brother doesn't think this is the time to settle down.

He thinks that we will be stars.

But you are the one who writes the songs, no?

And your brother, he doesn't want anyone to own him.

But he thinks he owns you.

No. Cesar does not own me.

Nobody does. Nobody.

Then you sign with me, mi amigo...

and your future is gold.

El Morocco, the Palladium...

and then, your own little club.

Palladium.

Yes.

Let's drink to my freedom.

I'm going to play the Palladium.

I'm going to open...

my own little club in Havana...

without Cesar.

Honey, you really are seeing pink elephants.

No.

Adios, Mambo Kings.

Adios, Cesar.

Nestor, what happened?

Let's drink to my freedom.

Bartender, no coffee.

Two Nestor Libres.

Cesar can't keep using me.

I told him that.

Nestor, he's your brother, your family.

What's a guy without a family?

Nothing.

Double nothing without love.

You know how that is, don't you?

To love someone so much.

- Nestor, can't you see how Cesar feels... - About Delores?

Stop being a big jerk, huh?

He'd do anything for you.

Please, don't break his heart.

I want to go back to school and be a teacher.

I want to go back to school and make something of myself.

Yeah, you should do that.

That's what you wanted before you...

met me.

I know it's been very hard for you.

I never meant it to be that way.

But you must know in my own way...

I have loved you.

I love this country.

Where is everybody?

I love this country. Come here.

You want to see something?

Compliments of Mr. Ricci. With an invitation to play the Palladium.

Did I tell you this was going to happen and we'd make it on our own?

Did I?

Come on, toma.

That's for real. From now on, we get what we want.

Maybe even our own television show.

I mean, what the hell?

What the hell did we come to this country for, if not for that?

Come on, let's call the fellows, huh? Come on.

Can you imagine, we call the fellows now...

and we tell them The Kings of the Mambo are going to play Palladium?

I think I'm having a heart attack today. I got to find us a doctor.

How many times?

How many... Did I keep my promise to you?

Now, ladies and gentlemen, the song I know you've been waiting for...

so patiently.

I predict that Nestor Castillo...

will be remembered among the greats...

with, Machito, Puente...

- Benny More, Tito Rodriguez... - I never told my brother about the deal.

Believe you me.

Your brother will thank you for it in his sunset years.

No, senor Perez.

A promoter I know, an Englishman...

wants to mount a show at the London Palladium.

Of course I told him about you.

It's all being planned right now. And who knows...

Stop, senor Perez.

I've made a mistake.

I can't do it. I can't.

- Nobody owns the Castillo brothers. - All right, Nestor.

Then tonight's your last night. Tell that to your brother.

Delores should be with us tonight.

- The baby has a fever. - Listen to him. Senor Sensible here.

Brother, I have something to tell you.

It's a long way from Havana, kid.

See that? Mambo Kings, baby.

- Mambo Kings, forever. - Give me the keys.

- Give him the keys. - No, I'm gonna drive.

- Give him the keys. - I'll drive.

All right. I'll get in the car before I turn into a Popsicle.

You'd probably love that.

You're going to turn me into a roast pork sandwich.

- I might. - Well, get going.

You know, we didn't get the job the way you think.

There's plenty of time to talk. We're on top, kid. Just enjoy it.

What the hell are you doing? You're choking me. Are you crazy?

Come on, honey.

- Come on. - God help me.

Where the hell are we?

What the hell did he do? He smashed up the goddamn car.

What do you people think I'm made of? Look at that.

What a waste.

The insurance company will buy another one.

What happened?

Oh, God.

Nestor.

Nestor!

Hey, mister, throw me the ball.

Come on, let's go.

- Come on, let's play. Let's start. - All right, ready?

- Ready? Here we go. - Get it.

- Stop. - No.

Come on, stop.

Stop. It's no use.

Stop acting like a little girl.

I'm about as far from a little girl as you can get.

It's over, Cesar.

It's over.

There's nothing I can do for you.

I'm drunk. Can't you see that?

I'm going to miss you.

What can I do?

Evalina. Oh, my God.

You know, I thought you were my mother.

Cesar, Miguel tells me...

- you left the band. - It's better this way.

Come, sit.

I thought you were my mother.

Cesar. When my mother died...

I wanted only to live in my sadness.

It was all I thought I had left of her.

But the music within me...

would not be silent.

And when I finally sang...

I found my mother, in the happiness of the people.

I killed him.

He was the music.

And so are you.

Fire and water...

both beautiful, Cesar.

But they have different life.

"In today's America...

"every obstacle is temporary.

"Every problem can be solved.

"Where there is a will, there is a way.

"For the man of tomorrow...

"in today's America."

We gotta take a vacation, you and me. We gotta get down to Miami.

And if we're too big in Miami, we'll go straight back to Hollywood.

We'll go see Desi. Remember what he told us?

We could always just... drop by.

What's the matter?

I know.

"Chinaman, Indian, or from the planet Mars.

"A man can find happiness the American way."

I guess you couldn't find happiness after all.

We want to make a toast...

to our friend whose dream it was to some day have a little club. ;

Nestor Castillo.

May he rest in peace.

But, as not to let this little gathering slip into sadness...

I make a toast...

to all the lovely ladies who have brought us warm smiles.

To the fabulous Mambo Kings.

- To Manuel and Tito Puente. - And to Cesar Castillo.

To America. Salud!

And now, ladies and gentlemen...

a little cancion that will live forever. ;

Beautiful Maria of my Soul.

Cesar, come on up here.

No, you play now.

- Cesar. - Go on.

Sing it for Nestor, huh?

He worshipped you, Cesar.

He was always happy to go with you to places, to play for the people.

Those were good times.

Nobody can take that away.

I hurt him in so many ways.

No, Cesar.

You didn't hurt him.

Nestor hurt himself.

Nobody could save him.

Do you know everything I was in my life...

was because of him?

I would change places with him right now...

if I could.

- It's his club. - Cesar, this is your club.

Now sing the bolero.

I don't have it in me anymore to sing.

Sing it for me.

English