Original subtitles

Joyless Street

Act 1

Vienna 1921

Melchior Street

Tomorrow Morning: Meat from Argentina

The tyrant of Melchior Street: Josef Geiringer

In the cellar of a house on Melchior Street lives the Lechner family.

Marie has not yet arrived with the margarine.

On the first floor of the same house, Counselor Rumfort lives

with his two daughters; Grete and Mariandl

Cabbage again!

Mariandl, if you eat your cabbage, you will have meat tomorrow.

Marie, The daughter of the Lechners.

What, no margarine! You street urchin!

I am going to the butcher, Father.

You have to stand in line all night long.

My Dear Egon,

Take me in your apartment

You said that we would get married.

I would even walk the streets for you

As long as I could get out of this hell.

I love you eternally, Mizzi

What's going on?

Get in line for the butcher!

What's this crowd!

I should get the police!

Madame Greifer, owner of "Merkl Boutique"

Behind her fashionable shop,

she operates a private club.

Do you have a winter coat?

Yes, but have you paid for your dress yet?

You haven't earned anything for a week.

But Madam, I have been so kind to the men.

What else can I do?

Madame, May I have the evening free?

I have to wait in line for the butcher.

At the same time as these events

At #7 Melchior St.

Mr. Alonso Canez de Valparaiso

arrived at the Hotel Carlton.

With $10,000 dollars in his pocket

and the firm intention

to make half a million in three weeks.

The Director-General, Rosenow.

Mr. Canez, an associate.

My wife

and my daughter, Regina.

I have something for you.

Vienna is freezing. Vienna needs coal

Only the Petrowitz mines can deliver.

Mr. Egon Stirner, my private secretary...

We will start a rumor of a strike.

The stock will fall and we will buy at a low price.

Once the rumor is denied, the stock will go back up.

We will sell at a profit of a half a million in gold.

My attorney, Dr. Leid and his wife.

Let's be brief.

You want to give me a declaration of love.

Naturally, because of my wealth

Save your words.

You may deny it but I will not believe you.

What must I do for you to believe me?

You should become rich,

or I should become poor.

Then I will believe you.

My love for you drives me mad.

May I take your young man, Regina?

I want to know where you were

just now, with Regina.

Now say to me what you said to her.

Not here, Egon

I prefer a dark and secluded house

Like a true hooligan

I know a small hotel on Melchior St.

where we can share some beautiful moments.

You can put on a false beard and I will put on a veil

so we will not be recognized.

Go home without me.

I still have many details to discuss with Canez.

You can use this opportunity to enrich yourself

The way you flirted with Canez was perfectly scandalous.

My dear Canez

I will show you the fine nightlife of Vienna.

End of Act 1

Act 2

Let's drink to Vienna. Vienna the beautiful, the joyous!

And its beautiful women, who are the envy of the world!

Mr. Counselor, come with me without delay!

Otherwise we will lose our places!

Six hours later, most of the people in the queue

learned that there was not enough meat for them.

Without meat, I do not dare to return home.

Just now, both girls knocked at the cellar window.

This is my husband.

Without work and without a home for three months

The Innkeeper allowed us to sleep in the stable.

Keep the whole piece!

I don't need it as much as you.

I have a home to go back to.

End of Act 2

Act 3

Decree of the Austrian Federal Counsel

The corps of officials will be disbanded.

The resigning officials

will receive two years pay.

Egon Stirner

Keep me with you, Egon!

Be reasonable, my child, I cannot keep you here.

I will give you everything you need

to be a happy man!

These days you need money to be happy.

Don't you get enough salary

for us to live quietly together?

You stupid girl! You don't understand a thing!

Then explain it to me!

Here is an example

Tomorrow, if I have 100 dollars,

I can earn $500 on the Stock Market

And the next day $1000!

If it makes you happy I will get $100.

Trebitsch, the owner of the office.

Well, Miss Rumfort, you seem tired today.

Did you overdo it last night with your "boyfriends"?

You need a small advance?

This time invest in something secure.

Like English money, or American

I prefer to place it in things that will go up quickly.

I suggest you invest in Petrowitz.

It will certainly go up.

We will start the rumor.

When the stock falls,

We will corner the market.

Then we will make a 100% profit.

This means that we are rich people!

We must celebrate that

we have suffered for long enough.

What is this?

The daughter of the Counselor is dressed poorly?

Go to Greifer's and buy a new coat.

At the Carlton

Two members of the American Red Cross

Well, Davy! Do you like Vienna?

Isn't it a beautiful city with beautiful women?

Of course, James.

But we didn't come here for that,

We are here to help Vienna's misery.

Tomorrow I will move from the hotel.

I will find lodgings with the people.

Where did you leave Madam Lia?

She wanted to see the first act of the opera

She will rejoin us soon.

When a lady arrives, have her enter immediately.

End of Act 3

Act 4

This is too expensive for us.

Did I ever press you

if you couldn't pay immediately?

It is private. With Madame Greifer

I wanted to see if Madame Greifer was ready.

It is for my husband.

Midnight

Await me in the small parlor.

At the Carlton: A moment of anguish.

The opera must be finished by now!

Do you want to bet, Dr. Leid,

that your wife will arrive in the next 10 minutes?

Dear Doctor, something has happened.

Something horrible happened to his wife.

She was choked in a Hotel on Melchior Street and robbed.

It's done

Petrowitz, fell to 200 dollars.

The investigation.

I could not see well in the semi-darkness.

But he had a moustache and a beard.

Were you able to see anything?

Maybe

I think he went to Greifer's

The matter does not concern you, Madame Greifer.

I must spend a little time with your customers

Sir, you match the description of the murderer.

I must arrest you

Arrest me? Sir, you are joking! I am a diplomat.

Then I must make a phone call.

Please excuse me, Counsel. You are free.

Pardon, but this lady is my secretary.

Don't be afraid. With me you are safe.

Arrest that man, down below in the street.

We were forced to free him just now.

End of Act 4

Act 5

I have waited here for an hour.

I am ready to flee with you.

Flee? Why?

But you are about to be arrested!

Arrested? Great God, but why?

Because you robbed and murdered Lia Leid

in order to make a killing in the stock market

Regina, How can you think such a thing?

You do not like me, otherwise you would not lie to me!

Are you still going to say that you don't have "boyfriends"?

I will not remain here another moment!

Go walk the streets where you belong, you little tramp!

I will not let you soil my office!

Petrowitz has fallen 10 points.

You must sell now in order to save anything!

That is much too expensive

Your coldness and your indifference are unbearable.

Do you really have no wish?

I would like you to take me to the House of Greifer

The Stock Market - all is lost.

and what's more - I am in debt.

Father, we will not die of hunger.

You have your job.

No, not since yesterday.

Now I would like to have my job.

We should give more thought to renting the room.

Today, my father lost all he had in the Stock Market.

Then you probably have an urgent need for money.

Can you lend me a little?

We have nothing in the house.

Alas, I have nothing myself.

But a very rich uncle is coming to the cafe tomorrow.

I will introduce you.

If you want to come for a few moments.

I heard that you are looking for a waiter.

Room for rent.

Marie, what would you like?

Why are you so silent and never laugh?

I would like the same hotel room

that we had last night.

Look at Rosenow. It is his dream mistress.

So noble, so aristocratic!

Why did you want this room?

Just to look at it.

Marie, I don't understand. Do you have a secret?

I have a secret and I will tell it to you.

The other night after you had left...

A woman was killed in the next room.

Then I looked in.

I recognized the man who did it.

Who is it?

A certain Egon Stirner

End of Act 5

Act 6

The following afternoon.

the first tenant arrived at the Rumfort home.

I am lucky

to find a room with so charming a hostess.

It is a very nice room. What does it cost?

Miss Rumfort, I get $60 a month

So I can't spend too much.

I hope that we will become good friends.

Miss Rumfort, it is with great displeasure

that I inform you of your father's debts

This is all that we have.

Take it, but say nothing to my father.

I do not want to make him worry.

The secret room of the pimp, Madame Greifer

He is already here. Be very kind to him.

Mr. Canez, I am sorry about the other day, you need not worry now.

My affairs in Vienna are finished. I leave tomorrow.

I called you

to explain the murder of Lia Leid

... and she told me the name of the assassin.

It is Egon Stirner, the secretary to Rosenow.

She said no more and I cannot verify it.

Moving in

Lieutenant, we do not need your charity.

We do not lack anything.

Grete, the cabbage isn�t so bad.

- I want to eat... to eat meat!

I need your help.

My sister is hungry and I have nothing to give her.

But you have not been very kind to my uncle.

I will be happy to help you one last time.

Allow me to introduce myself:

formerly attached to the stables of his Majesty the Tsar...

...at present the "Maitre D" for Madame Greifer

Upon my honor, I will tell you straight out:

I like you!

You are one of the most charming women that exist.

My word of honor!

Tomorrow evening, I will have a small private party.

You must be there.

End of Act 6

Act 7

Have you packed your suitcase?

Yes, you have to leave until the scandal is over.

But why would I leave?

Bank Employee suspected of murder.

We have just learned

that a bank employee, Egon Stirner

was arrested for the murder of Lia Leid

while preparing his escape.

More details tomorrow.

Extracts from the Stirner case Date 10/29/1921

I plead not guilty.

I had an appointment with Lia Leid at the scene of the crime.

We talked about a stock market trade

that would soon make me rich.

Because I did not have the necessary capital,

she proposed to put up her jewels for cash.

I accepted this proposition.

After an hour I left by myself,

so that she would not be seen with me.

She was in good health and very happy.

And why did you wear this false beard?

A romantic whim of the murder victim.

The "small private party"

You must understand

that I cannot grant this wish of yours.

These girls sleep with everyone.

I asked you for a girlfriend

and you give me that!

I am sorry, sir.

I have so many problems with my girls!

This cannot go on like this.

But I will help you again.

You will be in my show. Do you understand?

Are you angry with me?

I will go looking for someone to fix the window.

And a little girl came in and

Took two cans of preserves from the closet.

You lie!

A Rumfort does not steal!

I must ask you to leave this room.

Ah well, old man, you must pack your bags.

You don't know what women are like.

These are poor girls

who need money.

Let me make a suggestion, in all friendship.

I will take you to some places in Vienna

Where you will learn what these women are like.

We must apologize to the Lieutenant,

and tell him that he can remain here.

They left.

What will we do, Father?

He must eat or he will starve.

End of Act 7

Act 8

Things are better for us.

The innkeeper has allowed us to live in his attic.

Why do you stare up there each night?

It would be better if you returned to your parents.

You are ill.

I will get you some hot soup.

Then you will feel better.

Mother, bring me a newspaper.

Will you lend me an egg and a little wood, Neighbor?

The case of Lia Leid is over.

The proof is overwhelming against Egon Stirner

even as he still proclaims his innocence.

Mother, I committed a crime and I must pay

I was anxious to see you one last time.

Forgive me the sorrow I have caused you. Marie

Now I believe in your innocence.

I have left my parents. I love you.

Please repeat your confession in the presence of the accused.

Can you forgive me?

I have always held you dearly.

End of Act 8

Act 9

Miss Grete Rumfort, Melchior Street, Vienna

$60 for rent.

Where is Grete?

I believe she went straight out to Madame Greifer's

Change quickly into these clothes!

Be-gin! Be-gin! Be-gin!

Do you hear what is happening inside?

You will see! We will also "Be-gin"!

Why have you done this?

Doubtless for the same reason as the other girls.

To prevent my family from dying of hunger.

Die of hunger!

And the $60 for rent! What about that?

Listen to me! She is innocent.

Get out of my way, I've seen enough!

I was sent here to relieve the misery,

and I see only gold, luxury and debauchery!

One cannot open any door

without seeing misery in all its nakedness.

It is my fault.

$60 for rent.

The child is starving.

I cannot give him the milk he needs to live.

I am too weak

Maybe the butcher will give me something

if I ask him.

Will you give me something, just a little, my child is dying of hunger.

Yes, I have enough meat.

But none for you!

The girl killed the butcher with his own hatchet!

The attic is on fire.

Save the child!