All language subtitles for Absolute Beginners (1986)

25.000

I remember that hot, wonderful summer...

when the teenage miracle
reached full bloom...

and everyone in England stopped
what they were doing...

to stare at what had happened.

The Soho nights were cool in the heat...

with light and music in the streets.

And we couldn't believe
that this was really coming to us at last.

Nobody knew exactly why.

But after so many dreary years
of bombs and blitz and slow rebuilding...

no sugar, no jam, nothing sweet anywhere...

with the whole English world
dressed in gray, it seemed, forever.

Suddenly life broke out
in warm colors again...

so young and beautiful that a lot of people
couldn't stand to look at it.

For the first time ever, kids were teenagers.

We had loot, however come by.

And loot's for spending.

And where there's loot, trouble follows.

During my last teenage year,
I kept myself by taking photographs.

Naughty pictures for profit.

And solid street pictures for love.

So that when the blossom went off,
and the flower turned to plastic...

me and my friends
could remember how it looked.

Money for looks. Money for film.

But most of all, money for Suzette.

My beautiful Crepe Suzette.

Don't be late, Colin.

- What, no trousers, Ken?
- That's fine with me.

Yeah, this is England. Go back home.

Come on. Is this enough?

All right. Fifty quid.
But that's for two of you, right?

- Where to, girls?
- Mandy's house.

You bitches, where are you going?

It was England all right,
but very un-English.

Every class, every income, every kink.

Boys, girls, black, white, yellow,
bent, versatile...

all on equal terms.

- Hey, Joe, we got us some fun!
- All right.

Let's have a night on the town, baby.

What a big boy.

You naughty child.

Leave off.

Take it easy.

Bloody teenagers.

True, sometimes a knife came out.

But that was always between friends.

You behave yourself, you're all right here.

It's not in Soho where some sex maniac
leaps on your back and violates you.

That's strictly
for the respectable neighborhoods.

All right then, come on,
I've got half an hour to kill.

Me and my pals are regulars down here.

Every night the same old young faces.

The Wizard.

Wiz, a real child of the pavements.

Baby face like a mask
over his 2,000-year-old soul.

A colored cat named Cool.

So cool for reasons too obvious to mention.

Fabulous Hoplite.

Our own low-rent Oscar Wilde...

and a very well-connected boy.

Dean Swift.

A sharp modern jazz creation.

Expensive habit.

No bread.

Big Jill.

Hiya, big boy. Give us a flash.

Chicks only for Big Jill.

But a boy's best friend anyway.

Christ. Midnight.

Hey, Nobody.

Open up.

Just doesn't do to be late
for a girl like Suzette.

- Hi, doll.
- Hi, hon.

You nearly lost me there.

Cool, honey.

Hold this.

Mods!

Yum-yum. Crepe Suzette.

Nice enough to eat.

Careful, Wizard.

Dorita, can I walk you home?

The streets have eyes, Cool.
And my mom and dad would kill me.

Why roll the dice, if you didn't want to bet?

It's one thing in there,
but it's different out here.

- I've gotta go.
- Taxi!

Come on, Suze.

Come on, it's not that late.
Your place or mine?

Some of us have to work for a living.

I have to be at Henley's show
tomorrow morning.

Why do you work for that creep, hon?
He's just using you.

You could take your designs anywhere.

I'm using him, too.
I may even get to Paris this year.

- Paris, France?
- Colin.

He could help you, too, if you'd let him.
You could take pictures of my designs.

We'd work together.

I told you, I'm not taking pics
of high-class tarts wearing your silly hats.

And certainly not Henley's glad rags.

Sorry, I forgot. You're taking all those pics
for your exhibition.

Right!

The one you're having
in your wildest dreams.

Taxi.

- Hold it! Taxi!
- Go on, get out of here.

You should be at school
in a few hours time, you ratty little sod.

Take me there. Let me in.
Come on, let me in.

Look, I found another client for you.

Harold Charms, the pop mogul?

He could easily find
his own dirty postcards.

You'll do it.
You're down to your last pair of mock crocs.

And you promised to take me to dinner
tomorrow night.

- Money isn't everything.
- I know.

It'll do until everything comes along.

Help! Somebody!

Stop! Please, stop!

They've got knives!

Don't get involved, Colin.

Let's get out of here.

Taxi.

Over here.

I need my beauty sleep.

Bayswater.

Last chance, Colin.
See you after the show tomorrow, all right?

And don't be late.

Last chance.

She means business, all right.

I couldn't even afford a down payment.

Anyway, you don't get
a girl like Suzette on the never-never.

It's not that
I've got anything against money.

It's just what you have to do to get it.

Still, there's always tomorrow.

At least there's other Casanovas
in the same boat.

Napoli, the land that time forgot.

We always came home with the night shift.

Now you might say.

"If you're so cute, kiddo, how come
you live in a disaster area like this?"

Well, for one thing,
as you might imagine, it's cheap.

Cash to the landlord once a week...

but otherwise, goods circulating
on a more or less informal basis.

I saw that.

But the thing I love most
about these streets...

was the thing that made
some people positively hate them.

Because here, nobody cared
where you came from or what color...

what you did, or who you did it with.

Unfortunately, it wasn't exactly
Suzette's idea of a desirable address...

which is why I've never brought her home.

- Catch.
- How's that?

Come on!

You owe me two months' rent.
I'm not going until I've got it.

You can't charge rent for that, Saltzman.
You need to put a roof on it first.

- Ciao.
- Buon giorno.

- Hiya, Big Jill.
- Hiya, lady killer.

Oh, Napoli, Napoli, Napoli

Not the one in Italy!

Come on, darling.

Home.

Sweet and sour home.

People often ask me
how I became dressmaker to the Queen.

My answer is always
that I owe it all to my wonderful clientele.

And I can only hope that you kind ladies...

will grace our latest collection
with your favor.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you
Henley's new Elizabethan collection.

Opening with a selection
of costumes de baigneuse...

with a touch of rococo...

in aquamarine...

bleute, and nuit...

decorated with cerulean oysters...

pearled fish, scallop shells...

and shimmering starfish.

Guaranteed to sink any passing ship.

And for evening wear,
our shell and mermaid creations...

in crepuscule and turquoise...

and inlaid with over 18,000 Majorcan pearls.

And for the more daring among you...

our latest bikini styles
in oyster and coral motifs.

Henley, you have got to be kidding.

I mean, you are not seriously
going to show these gowns in Paris.

Honey, they will laugh you off the stage.

And, Henley, hemlines can't come down.
They've got to go up.

Dido, there's nothing worse
than the back of a woman's knees.

They remind me of uncooked rock cakes.

- Help me!
- Oh, God, Suzette.

Colin.

I said I wouldn't do this.
And here I am doing it.

A few painless shots,
and I can pay for dinner.

That's what I call integrity.

But you've never
heard it like this, Mr. Charms.

It's a sure-fire hit.

Just look at these fame-starved urchins...

putting on the agony,
all trying to sing like hillbillies...

just praying for Harry Charms
to snap them up...

and sell them into pop slavery.

I mustn't throw stones,
especially not at Americans.

Yanks invented teenagers.

England for the English, and all that.

But being anti-Yank's a sure sign of defeat.

I've got the tickets for the Stravinsky recital.

- Harry Charms, I've got an appointment.
- He's in there.

Do me a favor,
don't drive me mad down there.

He was precious, all right.

Loonies.

And very nasty in the wrong hands.

Listen.

You know the three most useless
things in the world?

The pope's balls, a nun's tits
and a good write-up in The Record Mirror.

Harry Charms?

- Who are you?
- My name's Colin.

Sonya, how many times must I tell you...

Suzette sent me.

I've come about the dirty pictures.

Dirty pictures? No.

Where'd she get that idea from?

Do you mind?

This is the Harry Charms Stable of Stars.

Each one a star in their own right.
Come and sit down.

No, over here.

Whitey Britain, Charles Harold,
Zesty Boy Swift...

all my own discoveries.

And over here...

at least one more, maybe two.

They don't know it yet.
Neither do I, for sure.

Right, come in here and have a look.
All right, settle down, everybody.

All right, stars?

Right.

It's not just their talent, you see, it's mine.

Look at this.

Stand up. No, not you, you.

No, not right. Who else?

You, let's have a look at you.

I'm a great drummer.

Too many cream buns.

Naming them, taming them,
famousing them up.

- He's very musical. He's a great mover...
- Leave it out, Mom.

You could be right.

Colin, I've got a new song.

With your help...

I'm gonna make it a hit.

Well, there's gonna be some changes

What a mover.

Around the garbage can

Get a shot, Colin, get a shot.

When you lean, lean right forward.
That's good, baby.

It's a hit. We've got a hit. I can feel it.

I may look like a little kitten

That's good. Give it to us, baby.

Boom it out.

Look out, Big Cat, Little Cat's moving in

Now move your hips.

Move your hips forward, back.
Now twirl them around.

Come on, baby, boom it out!

Sing it, baby.

Baby, boom it!

Baby Boom!

Baby Boom! That's it!

Get a shot of Baby Boom.

Come on, Suzette, I need to go.

I'll pin you underneath.
Oh, God, I'm caught!

- Stop, Camilla. Stop.
- Get off.

Will you get off?

Henley, you've been holding out on me,
you rascal, you.

Watch it, will you?

I love this look. What do you call it?

This is one of yours?

I'll bloody well get you for this!

There she is! Her!

Bravo, bravo.

Get her.

Henley, you're a genius.

Get this.

I'll bloody well get you for this.

- It's a very exclusive club.
- I had it.

What seems to be the problem?

Look out. What are you doing?

I don't think she'd appreciate
your presence here right now.

- Come on.
- What's that supposed to mean?

Come on, boys!

Look at that!

Disgraceful!

Fantastic!

Henley! Henley!

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

You have witnessed an historic event...

the birth of Henley's Young Idea.

Bravo.

Darling, I didn't know you were so talented.

Let's talk about it over dinner.

A friend and I were going to eat.

The Paris collections start next week.

I know a lot of people who'd like to
get acquainted with you, design-wise.

Would you like to meet Yves?

Christian?

I'd love to.

I've got whores!

Anybody want a whore?

Out of the way. Watch out. Thank you.

Young men and young women.

Two coffee-coffees coming up.

Can't you two get a room?

Move it!

I will tell the whole truth,
and others will continue what I have begun.

I am like Zola...

I'm in a trance!

I'm your boy, Suze.

Forever and ever.

Scram.

- Hi, Colin.
- Hi, hon.

I don't believe it.

How come you're not late?

I made sure.

Listen.

I can't make dinner tonight.

I've got to work.

Don't be like that.

- Why didn't you turn up?
- I did turn up.

- You didn't.
- I did. Ask your Uncle Henley.

He knows all about it.

I even did the Harry Charms shots for you.

Don't worry about it, Colin.

Stay on here in the Land of Oz...

with the Wizard and all those other
creepy pals of yours.

You'll never need to know.

I've gotta go.

You ask me what I want

when I thought I'd made it clear

Although I won't stop loving you

you can never have me near

Don't blame me

I never asked you to fall

No one's gonna stop me from having it all

Having it all

You'll never stop me from having it all

Having it all, having it all

You'll never stop me from having

Having it all

Having it all, having it all

You'll never stop me from having it all

You've got to accept, I'm no ordinary girl

And I'll never fit in your perfect little world

Don't take it lightly

Baby, I'm not bluffing

To get what I want

I'll stop at nothing

Having it all, having it all

You'll never stop me from having it all

Having it all, having it all

You'll never stop me

My reasons are simple, so don't ask me why

I'll never forget you

Good

bye

The days really drag by when it's hot.

No Suzette to make the time fly.

Five days without her.

It seemed like a year.

Back to the old ancestral seat.

I still have my darkroom.

Down in dreary Pimlico,
where my parents live.

If you can call it living.

Hello, Ma.

Hello, blitz-baby.

What are you doing in my darkroom, Jules?

My name's Vern, ain't it?

Moron.

So why do you keep calling me Jules?

Come in.

Hello, Dad.

I tried to stop him moving in.

- Been misbehaving with the lodgers again.
- Bloody wogs.

Thanks, Dad.

How's the photo album going?

All right. Here, have a go at those.

You're not still on
the poor old 1930s, surely.

It was a terrible time to be young.

Poverty. Unemployment.

No light at the end of the corridor.

- It's better now, even with the bomb.
- Hold it a minute. We may do this.

Should've had my youth along with
all these drip-dry shirts and Sputniks...

not like then.

Dad, you're toughening it up a little.

Looks like you and Ma
had a good time in these.

My wedding day.

I remember it like it was yesterday.

I wish it was tomorrow, then I'd cancel it.

It's not that bad.

You should get out more often.
Why do you hang around this dump?

'Cause the dump has to look respectable.

She keeps him here.

Ignore him, Dad.

He's nothing to do with me.
And keep him away from my pictures.

And don't remind me, splattered
all over the ceiling in the morning.

You really are a horror.
A real unidentified slob from outer space.

Is that a fact?

Well, you're a traitor to the working class.

Well, Suze, that's the way it goes.

If you could see my weirdo family,
you'd never have to ask why I left home.

Poor Dad, sweetest bloke
you'd ever want to meet...

Iocked up with his prewar photo album
and his sad memories.

Mom trying to keep her looks,
always carrying on with the lodgers.

Half-brother Vern, born middle-aged,
thick as two bricks...

and you wouldn't even want to imagine
what he gets up to.

If this is adult life,
I think I'll stay an absolute beginner forever.

Something's happening,
but I'm just gonna turn a blind eye

If I see no evil

I ask no questions and I hear no lies

Get them down to the kitchen
and wash them.

Can't communicate
with minds that are small

With some people it's like talking

to the wall

And the fella who walks away

lives to battle another day

And I've really got no appetite

for a fight

Sign here, governor.

Not tonight

- What the hell is going on in there?
- Coming, Mom.

All I want is a quiet life

Anything for a quiet life

No ambition to rock the boat

When I can just stay afloat

And be content with a quiet life

All I want is a quiet life

Anything for a quiet life

Here, wash these.

Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil at all

You naughty boy.

Confidentially, between these walls

I'm on top of it all

I'd rather have 'em think I'm deaf,
dumb and blind

than aggravation every time

I speak my mind

Keep spoonin', have a quiet life

What, you lazy sod,
what you doing in here, anyway?

Get upstairs and vacuum the carpets.

Panty, bra.

Cin-cin.

I could easily blow my top

Hello, Dad.

Start a row, but why start now?

Give your daddy a quiet life

Give your mama a quiet life

Anything for a quiet life

The telly's on the blink.

Vacuum cleaner.

Dad!

Switch that bloody thing off!

Hey, what's going on?

Look, get off.

Come on here, pretty baby.

Switch it off!

Give your daddy a quiet life

Give your mama a quiet life

Anything for a quiet life

Confidentially, between these walls

I'm on top of it all

Colin?

Son, I want a word with you about your dad.

- I'm busy.
- It's important.

How's the male harem? The Pal Joeys?
The gigolo lodgers?

Grow up.

Bed-and-breakfast, evening meal?

You nasty little bastard.

Mother should know.

Gotta snap out of this.

I'm too young for tears.

Suzette will be back...

sooner or later.

Time's on my side.

Nice day.

So I hear.

- Hey, Cool?
- Yeah?

Couldn't lend me a quid, could you?

Crazy, man. What're you doing?

Over here.

Take all this crap furniture and all
your little schwartzes and piss off out of it.

You know, there's something odd
around these parts.

What else is new?

All the other families are moving out
or being moved out...

which, to my mind,
means somebody else is moving in.

Who the hell'd wanna move in around here?

Trouble.

It's only your kid sister.

Hey, Cool, I know
you was rolling dice last night...

and I'm gonna tell Mama on you,
Mr. "I'm Cool" Cool.

I'll tell Dad as well,
and it'll mean big trouble.

See you later, Cool.

God, I love this city.

And I never wanna leave it.

'Cause though it seems
so hard and untidy...

if you get to know it well...

if you're its son,
it's always on your side, come what may.

That's what I imagined, anyway.

Hello, bad boy.

Why are you pounding around down here?

I've moved down here.

My God, it talks.

And why's it moved down here?

'Cause I moved in with me gran.
She lives here.

Anyways, I live where I like.
It's a free country, isn't it?

Face it, Ed, you old-style Edwardians
have been put to pasture in the provinces...

where, no doubt, you'll live forever.

But down here, Ted is definitely dead.

Never.

You're an old man,
and only last week a snot-nosed little kid.

Watch it.

Your problem was
never being a teenager in between.

Teenagers? Get out of here.
That's kid's stuff.

Drown the lot of them.

If you say so, sucker.

Yank!

Go home, Yank!

And take Sambo with you.

- Are you all right, Colin?
- What's going down?

Who threw that brick?

Was it you?

You bloody hooligan.

Come here, I want a bloody word with you.

What's your game over there?

Hey, we're trouble on the rubble
at the bum side hop

Hey, you guys, stop

Come on, Teds!

We're trouble on the rubble
and the bum side is the hop

I know you don't like it,
but it ain't gonna stop

Like it or lump it,
you can't show us the door

We licked Hitler in 1944

Ted ain't dead

Look at my bleeding window.

We could use them, Mr. Saltzman.

They've got nothing better to do.

But if we use them, what's it gonna cost?

Ted ain't dead, Ted ain't no dead

Ted ain't dead, he's alive

Ted ain't dead, gonna kick you in the head

Since I was a young boy, round about 13

I knew rocking Ted would outlive
any passing scene

Still do now, still do now

Still do now

Still do now, still do now

Ted ain't dead

Ted ain't dead

Oh, hello, Ted

Here they are, my two latest discoveries...

Eddie Sex and Baby Boom.

Hey, Colin.

I'd asked everyone,
but Suzette hadn't been around in weeks.

Now this is urgent.

I need a new whosit
for my whatsit, you dig?

Tough.

Give me your jacket, Eddie.
And they're all mine.

My boys!

What a mover!

We want Baby Boom!

Go on, give her a kiss.

We want Baby Boom! We want Baby Boom!

Hold it.

- This teenage scene's getting out of hand.
- You should know, Wizard.

Hello there, pop pickers.

You will give my boys a mention,
won't you? That's it.

Sorry, boy.

I won't regret it when the teenage label's
torn off my drip-dry, sky-blue jeans.

It's not working! I want my money back!

Shut up and keep singing.

New label.

They never know the difference.

I'll show you the real thing later, girls.

That's his kick, not mine.

Baby Boom, 14 years old
with a mental age of 9.

It blows younger every year.

From what I hear, your snaps played
a certain part in that experiment's rise.

Don't knock it, Colin.

Milk it, shake it, rake it, make it.

Take it for all it's got.

The power of youth.

Have you seen Suzette, Wiz?

You're a born adult number.
Good for your girl.

Paying for nosh.

You need educating.

Hi, Wiz.

- Hello.
- Hello.

Shut up.

You're a real specimen. It's surprising
you aren't used in an experiment.

Her name's Dorita. Going into business.

- What?
- You heard.

Gotta blow. Give my hi to Crepe Suzette.

Hello?

Hello, Suze?

Oh, Colin. It's you.

What're you doing lately?

I'm getting ready to go out.

Where you going?

I'm going to Dido Lament's party,
if you must know.

Dido Lament, the gossip columnist.

That vampire?

Chumped-up spivs and body snatchers,
that's her scene.

Watch out, Suze.
You don't know what you're getting into.

Deary me, child, what are you doing here?

Socializing, like everyone else.

Everyone you hate.

All the parasites are here.

The Fabulous Hoplite.

Dido.

And a new friend.

Not your usual type, Hoplite.

Doesn't swing my way, sugar.

Dido, this is Colin.

Colin is one of Olde London's
hottest talents, with his camera.

Honey, if you're so handy
with this little thing...

why don't you fix me up
with a few party snaps?

What's the price these days?

You do it for love.

Cocktail, madam? Sir?

- Thanks.
- To life. To love.

Careful, child. It's got alcohol in it.

To love.

You've never seen
my little place here, have you?

- Darling.
- Darling.

- One-hee
- One-hee

- Two-hee
- Two-hee

- Can he?
- Can he?

- May he?
- Maybe

Colin, I'm so glad I caught you.

I've got so much work for you. Now call me.

Dreadnought, 7-7-77.

Dreadnought, 7-7-77.

Bitch.

I'll see you later, Fido.

It's Dido.

What a shame. Nobody's wild about Harry.

Are you ready for something
a little more potent?

Don't worry about it, Colin.

Stay on here
in the Land of Oz with the Wizard...

and all those other creepy pals of yours,
and you'll never need to know.

- Who are you talking to?
- I'm talking to you.

- Don't bug me.
- What are you doing here?

- Let's get legitimate.
- Why don't you disappear?

- How far are you going?
- Hey man, I'm going all the way.

- We'll never live this down, man.
- I don't care what people say.

If I become a swinging somebody,
I'll get my Crepe Suzette

I'm selling out

Selling out

Selling out

Selling out

It's ready.

Selling out

Don't try to stop me

Cheers.

I'm pulling out

Are you with me or without me?

Let's party.

Right. Go and circulate.
Push yourself forward.

You know, give it some of that.

Hoplite.

Who got you ready?

Hi, call me Cobber.

He's researching a TV special.

Do you know any authentic teenagers?

What are they?

Teenagers are the new economic class.

This is the age of the teenager.

It's my aim, it's my mission in life...

to bring pop culture to the masses.

Why don't you give me a ring?

My number's Speedwell...
What is my number, anyone?

Speedwell, 8-7-6-5.

Yes, that's it.

What he actually wants to know is...

do you teenagers have an active sex life?

Well, do you?

None of your business, nice bitch-girl.

I love anger.

You know, you and I
ought to argue sometime.

Selling out, selling out

Good idea. You need a nose job, Harry.

Having it all, having it all

You'll never stop me

We meet at last, Colin.

Harry's been telling me all about you.

Fantabulous.

He tells me you have integrity,
just the kind of thing my agency stands for.

Tomorrow's watch, today.

I can use a guy like you.

Bell me. Mayfair, 0-0-00.

What was that?

Mayfair, 0-0-00.

I'm seeing double

Suze.

Come on, surrender

It's what she's hoping

- Do you like my designs?
- What designs?

- Colin, what are you doing here?
- I'm selling out.

What are you doing here?

I can still see you.

The French have a word for it.

I don't care what the French call it.
He's an old queen, and I call it disgusting.

I can understand why he'd do it.
But you? He's just using you.

You're just a front for his...

Is this some kind of a gag?

What, you going out with Suzette?
Aren't you a little old for her, Henley?

I'm only 37.

37?

Around the waist, maybe.

Afraid that can't be, dear boy.
I'm afraid we've named the day.

- Show him, my dear.
- Not now, Henley.

Show him.

You couldn't afford her in the first place.

You'll ruin everything

We'll never live this down, man

I don't care what people say

If I become a swinging somebody,
I'll get my Crepe Suzette

I'm selling out

My friends, a specter is haunting Britain.

The specter of immigration.

People of Kensington, time is running out.

But a great man
has returned to our shores...

and he has chosen these streets
to launch a campaign...

which will cleanse the country
of this pestilence.

Now is the time to act.

Come to a public meeting,
and hear him speak about this evil.

It is a black tide,
which threatens to engulf our country.

Only last week, in Tilbury docks...

a black spider over 8 inches long...

was discovered, concealed
in a crate of bananas from Africa.

Your women are being sold
into sexual slavery, to pander to the lust...

Give me that.

...of the African barbarians.

The time for talking...

Way out. I'll see you out with pleasure.

What the hell...

right do you think you've got coming here,
stirring up trouble?

You want to smell my broom?

You shut up, curly-locks.

Naturally, we're doing all we can
for anyone who can't afford it.

You know what I mean?
Little incentive schemes.

Don't you worry.

Is this who I think it is, Maury?

He lives at one of ours,
in Ladbroke Crescent.

Bright boy.

He'll land on his feet.

Hey, ease up.

Hello, Tradewind.

Jump in.

Close shave, Colin.

City's full of people, kid.

People looking for rainbows, Colin.

Cantare

But I've been looking for you.

You deserve a drink. It's over there.

I don't drink.

Not anymore.

Smoke? Take a Strand.

You're never alone with a Strand.

What's this?

A housing development for newlyweds.

It's lovely.

No, it's not, son. It's horrible.

But it's lucrative.

Which brings us back to you.

I've been looking at your photographs.

You are talented.

Smile.

But you're wasting your time.

I think I can safely say
you could get anything you want...

by working for me.

What, selling things to people
who don't want them?

Never things. We don't sell things.

We sell dreams.

- Rich.
- Mellow.

- Dazzling.
- Radiant.

- Fresh.
- King-size.

Do you hear what I hear?
Do you see what I see?

I want you to use your imagination.

You wake up one morning
and you ask yourself:

Why am I so exciting?

What makes me dramatic?

You're trying to say something
about yourself

This dazzling crime of wisdom

You fall for reality

You're bruised and bewildered

Then you learn to fall in love with yourself

That's motivation

You raise yourself high,
presenting your soul

You step from the shadows,
you hear the command

An image to dream, you tremble permission

Tomorrow's rewards flood the skies of today

You're swept by the tide
of delight's every dream

A life of such powerful meaning

Now you has class

Now you has flash

Now you has mass motivation

There's an image I can recommend

There's a product you will die for

Here's a nightmare that will never end

Get's you fired up running,
then you go-go-go-go

You know you got something

You know you got style

We don't take much, just a little bit

That's motivation

Welcome to the world of your dreams, Colin,
where you can do what you want.

Commit horrible sins and get away with it.

Lust

Gluttony

Pride

Anger

Sloth

Avarice

And jealousy

You know you got something

You know you got the style

We don't take much, just a little bit

That's motivation

No more false illusion

Goodbye to confusion

Stand out from the madding crowd

Motivation is symphony

Symphony and style

That's motivation

It's thrilling, original

That's motivation

- Scintillating
- Charismatic

That's motivation

As fresh as tomorrow

That's motivation

- Say what?
- Motivation

- Say what?
- Motivation

- New soul
- Motive

Now you has class motive

Now you has mass motivation!

I'm your boy, Vendice.

For most of the summer, then, Suze and I
only saw each other in the smart magazines.

At least she could follow my meteoric career
as a professional teenager.

She must've known
I was only doing it for her...

so she wouldn't have to slip into that world
completely alone.

"From now on, " I said, "I'm gonna be
a tough nut and a very practical boy. "

My exhibition could wait.

It's funny.

Once you make up your mind to let go and
sell out, it's one damn check after another.

Money at the best time to have it,
when you're young and strong.

Money to catch Suzette when she falls.

And she's gonna fall. Wait and see.

And as for photography...

it isn't exactly difficult, is it?

Right. Hands on the handlebars, Dean,
and turn away from me.

Hands on the handlebars,
and turn around to profile.

That's it, just hold it there.
That's great, Dean.

Right, feet off the handlebars,
and look straight into the lens.

Straight into the lens. Come on.

That's it. Just hold it right there.
That's lovely.

Teenage phenomenon.

Crashing into the TV casbah, are we?

That's the name of the game.

Can't say I'm not displeased.

Cool it, man. These are serious shots.

And this is a real pearl.
And this is Mr. Dean.

Smash his trash.

Just one more. Hold it.
I haven't finished the session.

Hey, reptile.

Hiya, Wiz.

Where'd you get the new skin?

Like it?

It's all right. Must've cost a few bob.

What've you been up to, stranger?
Haven't seen you around the track lately.

I've moved out of Napoli.
It's not England anymore, is it?

I've got a pad down here now.

And I got a brand new racket.
Do you want a free sample?

Poodle Parlor. Yes.

We only do the straight shampoo.

Ten minutes? That'll be fine.

Eats.

Match me, Wiz.

That's a nice suit, Colin.

Formula works, doesn't it?

The power of youth, remember?

See, lover girl's younger than me.

None of the poodles is under 50.
It works like a dream.

Wet dreams, Wiz.

Risky. Seedy.

No class.

You could keep it clean and unreal,
look, like me.

That's a bit rich coming from a kid
I've known for flogging dirty pictures.

I was just in that kick for giggles.
I've moved on.

I knew you'd go up in the world
once you got rid of that girl.

Or did she get rid of you?

You wouldn't understand.

Motivation, that's what you need.

Self-motivation.

She's jailbait, and you're the one
who'll end up inside.

Can you imagine me in a court?

Who'll believe a baby face like me
could be in this racket?

If you could see yourself now,
you'd realize you don't look young at all.

You just look old. Old and used.

It's an old business, isn't it?

If the cowboys catch me,
you'll have money to bail me out...

you're so flash.

Don't be so sure.

You'll come running. You adore me.

Happy honeymoon!

Move out.

Say hello to the TV cameras for me.

You're going now, then?

- Gimme a break.
- See you later at Chez Nobody's.

Adiós, bambino. Adiós!

Two.

One.

Cue, Cobber.

Hi there, pop pickers.
Tonight, the teenage phenomenon.

I have with me in the studio
Amberly Drove...

Conservative member for
Beckensfield and a former headmaster.

Top pop picker Harry Charms.

Hello there, pop fans. Nice to see you.

We have that delightful lady newshound
all the way from the US of A...

Dido Lament.

Hello.

And last but not least, Colin.

Don't he look good?

He's a teenager who's really going places.

Ladies and gentlemen, teenagers,
let's get with it.

Now Colin here snaps the habits of his
fellow teens, capturing them alive.

Half-dead, some of them.

What?

I've often wondered what you'd get...

if you crossed Jayne Mansfield
with an orangutan.

What's he saying that for?

- What do you think you're doing?
- It's all right.

That bourgeois bastard.
He's the kind that's turned this scene...

into minks and Jags,
and little homes in Teddington.

Now, that's more like it.

Colin, are teenagers really as highly sexed
as we are led to believe?

I mean, if the right girl came along,
would you bother to tie the knot...

or is that just old square talk?

What the hell do you think you're doing?
These are my friends.

Harry, you're the toast
of Tin Pan Alley, I see.

I see also that you just recovered from
a very unsuccessful nose job.

Can you still smell success
in your teenage discoveries?

First of all, may I say how marvelous it is
to be on your show tonight...

with my latest discovery.

You know, my boys are always being
criticized for the way they move.

And it's a great shame we still can't show
what they do below the waist.

Amberly, I think
we'll bring you in here, now.

You have actually
taught teenagers yourself, haven't you?

Yes, Cobber, I did.

And I think it taught me a great deal.

I've always been a firm believer
in that old maxim.

"Spare the rod and spoil the child. "

Of course, the root cause of the problem
seems to be...

the unbridled promiscuity
they seem to have inherited...

from the colored influx to these shores.

And all these loud clothes
and jungle rhythms...

only serve to fan the flames...

Get your hands out of my trousers!

Who said that?

Colin, will you sit down?

Cut. Call the musicians.

I've got a message for you and you...

and all you telly witchdoctors
and advertising pimps.

Get that boy off camera. Get down there.

Sit down.

All you old sordids
with your toupees and your falsies.

Get off the set.

This teenage ball had a real splendor
in the beginning.

Cue Baby Boom, get on.

Because we found out no one could spit
in our faces anymore...

because we've loot to spend at last.

And our world will be our world,
the one we wanted.

But it's over now. Finished.

You choked it!

This teenage fishbowl
is as real as your rug, pop picker.

Darling, have you deserted your guests?

Of course not, Henley.

I'll be down in a minute.

Cut.

It's Colin.

Thanks.

We're so proud of you.

You were so fantastic.

Come here, stud.

Sit down.

You're just in time, stud.

Feast your eyes on a vision.

Athene Duncannon.

Pretty little thing, she held all the magic

So hard to believe

Never too far away

It's hard to conceive

Never thought she'd have to go

Never thought she'd leave

It came like a killer blow

Killer blow

Funny, isn't it

that a little girl could make the world
seem so small?

Hard to believe

the little girl can seem so tall

And the thing that he calls love

isn't thick enough

She had to go

That's the way it goes

Killer blow

Girl, love has wings
that took her to the things

he couldn't give

She's got the kiss of life

Kiss of life

She's goin' where it's so easy to live

It's so easy to leave

Searching for the scent of content

Oh, no!

It's a killer blow

Killer blow

Get along without me, boy

Get along without me

You see, things aren't quite

what they seem to be

Get along without me

Wipe me

out of your dreams

I'm no angel

I know this may come

as a killer blow

Killer blow

Killer blow

She can go to hell.

They can all go to hell.

Over! Turn it over!

Bollocks off the top floor and get out!

- What's up, Ed?
- Look what you made me done!

- Stupid.
- Fry the bastards!

Niggers out!

Fry the bastards, you black scum!

You shake my nerves
and you rattle my brain

Your kind of love drives a man insane

You broke my will, what a thrill

Goodness gracious, great balls of fire

I laughed at love,
'cause I thought it was funny

You came along and you moved me, honey

I changed my mind, this love is fine

Goodness gracious, great balls of fire

You're shite! We're white!

Goodness gracious, great balls of fire

Is that you, Cool?

No, I'm not Cool.

Oh, no. What do you want?

First of all, about these platters...

I wanna sell 'em.

Is there anything else?

Yeah.

Flikker sent me.

Who's Flikker?

He heads my gang, see.

He wants Cool out of here.

You tell Flikker I'm getting some sleep.

You don't tell Flikker.

Ed, you can go piss up your leg.

What about these platters, then?

How much do you want for 'em?

Five pound.

I'll pay anything to get rid of you.

All right, you asked for it.

Right, let's have you.

I give in, Col!

I heard some trouble.

That's it.

Him?

His crew and Flikker just introduced
themselves to my family.

Those are my records.

And this is my kid sister's toy!

I told you there was gonna be trouble.

Let's get rid of him.

Yeah.

Who is this Flikker character?

You wouldn't know.
You haven't been around here lately.

- Flikker leads the Teddy Boys...
- They're just hooligans.

Listen! They're organized.
They're an army now.

They have a general.
They wanna kick us out of your country!

What are you saying? It's your country, too.

You think so?

I'm on your side, Cool.

That's nice of you.

But you don't know what side you're on.

The truth is...

you're on your own.

He's right.

It's been building with the heat all summer...

right in front of my eyes.

How could I have missed it?

These have always been my streets.

"Henley.

"Partners."

What's this?

It's a new housing development
for newlyweds.

Lovely.

No, it's not, son. It's horrible.

That's their star, the bastards.

Suzette couldn't know about this.

Could she?

Is this really you?

No.

You are...

but I married him.

Why don't you skip, hon?

I can't.

He can't stop you, Suze.

I've ruined what we used to be.

It's all just a mess.

It's just a mess.

What do you know about this?

It's one of Henley's companies.

He seems to think
it's going to make him a fortune.

Hello.

What, no cocktail, Susan?

Sorry, Henley. What will it be?

Shall we make it a Between the Sheets?

White City Properties,
anything to do with you?

Not that it's any business of yours,
young man, but yes.

It's a company I have a small interest in.

And would that be the same company
that's redeveloping West Eleven?

Bitters?

You know what I mean. Redeveloping.

Knocking down old houses,
putting up new ones.

Down the hatch.

It's just a cover-up, isn't it?

The whole thing.

The corset, the royal jelly, and you, Suzette.

Susan, did you invite him here?

Young man, as you obviously
weren't invited, I suggest you leave.

Haven't you got enough without hiring Teds
to put people out onto the streets?

Please.

Jesus, Suze.

We must keep Great Britain white.

That is our theme for tonight.

Hate in church and hate in school...

hate at home, hate in your hands...

hate's the way to clean the land!

Hold it, boys.

This summer, it won't last forever?

Yes, it can.

It'll last until the calendar
says stop, Daddy-o.

Hey, it's not Daddy-o. It's Mario.

Listen, Henley, I'm...

Look, I've told you before
not to call me here.

If you don't get a bit lively
with some cash, we'll be in trouble.

What on earth are you saying?

I've got a feeling
the whole thing'll blow up on us!

You bloody fool, can't you take care of
anything for yourself?

- Hope you're proud of yourself, Saltzman.
- Get outta my way.

Did you get the pictures, Dido?

Boy, you really wanna
nail this guy, don't you?

It's not just Henley.

There's someone else involved.

Someone we both know.

In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if
this was his idea.

Like who?

Let's just say he's moving out of
selling dreams, into property development.

My, my, my.

It seems you've been a naughty boy...

Vendice.

There he is, the nigger lover!

See the chickie run.

Come on, lads, let's get him.

Come here, you!

- Quick, Jill, inside.
- What's going on?

Shut the door. Is Cool in the house?
Where's Cool?

Haven't seen him all day,
don't know where he is.

Come on. Run for it!

Hitler had the right idea.

Don't knock him, son.

You need him here.

Jackboots smashing up your rear.

I serve in the Royal Air Force,
fighting for this country in the war.

- What's going on, Cool?
- I have a medal to prove it.

I even met Mr. Churchill
and shake him hand.

This is my country.

We must leave it up to the police
to protect us...

- not try to be the law.
- Don't worry.

Remember, this is England.

But without force. That is not the way.

Do something
before we are forced out of here.

You're sitting there doing nothing.

Shut up and listen.

- I've got to split.
- Look after yourself.

- But you're talking a whole load of shit!
- Right.

We don't need representations
or committees.

What we need is a few pieces of iron
and my organization...

so when they do come in here tonight,
we can defend ourselves!

If you go down to the woods today
You're in for a big surprise

If you go down to the woods today
You'll hardly believe your eyes

Nigger lover!

Lynch the bastard!

Good night, golliwog, sleep tight!

You have a better solution.
Have some real fun!

Burn the bastard!

What in God's name
do you maniacs think you're doing?

I'm not paying you
to cause this sort of trouble.

That's all right, Mr. Saltzman.

This one's for free.

Never. That's not my game.

Get on with it. I'm going.

Saltzman, come for yours!

Die! Die!

- Henley, stop.
- Stop, Henley.

Oh, God.

- Leave him!
- Come on, let's go!

- Cool!
- Suze. Get the hell out of here!

Hey, you.

Hello, boys. What's happening?

You choose the wrong night to be white.

Hold it.

What're you doing around here?

Cool it, kiddo.

Come to the real teenage ball.

We don't want the Blacks or Jews...

yellow, red, brown or blue.

And let's kick out the homos, too!

Fascism is here to stay.

Trains on time, regular pay.

Jobs for all the Christian whites.
Hate's the way to win our fight!

Hate's the way we shall unite!

Give me your hands to make us free!

Give me your fists to crush the beast.

Give me your pain and misery.

Give me your vote...

for victory!

Keep...

Britain...

white!

White!

Keep Britain...

white!

This guy's flipped, man.

Look. You wanted kicks and fantasy.
Whose side you on, teenager?

Keep Britain white!

That's the last white breath you'll draw.

Take this.

Stop it.

Break it up. Leave it out.

Go get him, Misery.

My man.

Go! Get him. Dust him over.

Get off! Stop it!

What's the matter, you crazy bastards?

They're ruining it.

Hello, and welcome
to the streets of Notting Hill in torment.

The flaming passions of hatred
consume these streets...

known as Jungle West Eleventh...

rent asunder by the passions
of the Color Riots.

And we have violent teenage gangs
roaming free...

causing panic in the streets.

Come on.

Take that.

- Down the club, quick.
- You bet.

- Open up.
- Open up.

Let us in. Come on, open the door.

- Come on, Paul.
- We're friends.

Hurry up. Good, thank God for that.

An uneasy calm is finally returning
to these troubled streets.

The question now
is whether this divided community...

can work together to heal the wounds.

Their task is not easy,
as a fuse has been lit...

and the whole area threatens to blow...

Hi, Mom.

Get off. This is national television.

Let me through.

- Hi, hon.
- Colin.

You all right?

Run! Run, Suze!

Don't drop me!

You all right, Jill?

Colin, where's Cool?

Leave it! There's nothing you can do now.

If you go down to the woods

He's crazy.

You don't learn.

What's up? Lost your Cool?

Didn't get me, did you, Flikker?

Golliwog pie.

You'll die for that, Flikker!

Get off him! Leave him alone!

Leave me alone!

Get off. Come here, you.

Why don't you pick on someone
your own size?

Wiz.

Yeah, a real nigger, chocolate drop?

Where you gonna run to now?

Get up, Cool! Get up!

Fight! Die!

Where are you? Show yourself!

Come on!

Where are you?

I was put up to it. I was paid!

You ain't worth it, whitey.

All right, Cool, nice one.

We'll be back.

So what?

Now whether you're white
or whether you're black

here comes a real
exclusive medical shark attack

a medical thing called So What?

- Oh, yes, we're in '58
- So what?

- The year of absolute beginners
- So what?

- This is no ordinary year
- Why not?

- Let me explain it
- Why not?

- There were race riots in the streets
- So what?

- In the longest, hottest summer
- So hot

- Stirred up by ignorance and hate
- So what?

- And indecent people
- So what?

I had to fight like me, be mad

Finders, keepers.

I just can't believe it.

It's the most incredible thing
that's ever happened to me.

It'll ruin his career.