French Cancan Page #3

What do you say?

- Nothing.

Then I'll go.

Good-bye, Monsieur Danglard.

Madame Guibole.

- Good-bye, sweetheart.

After all, the laundry isn't so bad.

My friend's in a hurry.

It's their busy day at the delicatessen.

Who shall I let in,

the two gentlemen or the girl?

All three.

I'm afraid Walter

has an administrative meeting.

- What about Lola?

- The same meeting.

Administrative?

He asked me

to give you this check.

I hear you sold

the Chinese Screen. Why?

For a down payment

on the White Queen.

- Wasn't that for your old age?

- Walter is my partner.

If this flops, he'll employ me

as a messenger in one of his banks.

Any dancing experience?

No, but I was first

in my gymnastics class.

Let's give her a chance.

Report back here tomorrow.

Wear pantaloons.

Next.

I pose for painters.

"The Temptation of Saint Anthony,"

well, that's me.

Let's see what you can do.

- You haven't got it.

- What do you do with the rejects?

Do you need more mine workers?

Excellent idea.

She could do some overtime.

Not likely.

Bring us some punch.

Punch?

Do you need warming up,

my great big Coco?

- I think it's broken.

- Relax. It doesn't break.

She did the splits.

Positions, girls.

Quickly!

Behave, Adrien.

Let's go to the Comdie Franaise.

Madame's dress and coat.

And get the carriage ready.

Come help us.

Ladies, take your positions.

Are you pleased?

You're still rather stiff. Relax.

Now that you're warmed up,

let's take the diagonal.

My dear.

Don't speak, don't move.

I've an awful headache.

I just wanted to say I've arranged

to visit the new building.

My dress, quick!

- What about your headache?

- What headache?

What if we call it

the Palace of La Belle Abbesse?

- Admirable idea.

- Very original.

- What do you think?

- Nothing.

You hypocrites!

I suggest the Cancan Palace.

Enough!

This isn't the circus.

We're working.

Ladies and gentlemen, the establishment

will be called the Moulin Rouge.

At the Moulin Rouge the upper crust

will drink red wine till they burst

No, they'll drink champagne!

I love you, Nini.

I love you too, darling.

I've made great progress.

If it depended on me, Monsieur Danglard

could open the show now.

- You're not staying?

- I can't.

A government official is coming to see

how the Moulin Rouge is coming along.

We're all going to be there.

An official is coming.

An official at the Moulin Rouge?

Nothing surprises me in the Republic.

What pickings!

A government official!

Monsieur Danglard is sorry

he couldn't receive you personally.

He's up to his ears in work.

Hi, Nini.

What a squadron!

They're taking the bread

from our mouths.

Watch your step, sir.

- Honored.

- How are you, Gustave?

Are you a patron of the arts, Walter?

May I present Lola de Castro

de la Puente y de Extremadura?

Honored, madame.

I greatly admire your choreography.

Thank you.

I adore compliments.

I've seen you somewhere before.

It was here, madame,

when it was the White Queen.

Why are you here?

I dance the French Cancan.

- Did Danglard hire you?

- Yes, madame.

Not in front of the minister.

Thank you for coming, Gustave.

Good-bye, sir.

- She's gone crazy.

- What did you do to her?

Get a hold of yourself!

So you wouldn't see her again.

You didn't know her name! Hypocrite!

Lola!

You want to dance the cancan?

Let's see!

Leave me alone!

I love your impulsiveness,

but is this the place?

You should have punished that girl.

- That's not my role.

- I don't understand.

Quiet! Get me my salts.

- I'll go get a doctor.

- Hurry.

She's not dead?

The boss is lifting your girl's skirts.

Does that hurt?

You're a brave little soldier.

Hey, that's my wife!

Your wife? Where did you marry her?

On a street corner?

I'll slap you silly!

Take care of him.

- She'll pay for this!

- Your leg!

Let me go!

Nini, that will do.

No scandal, I warned you.

If our lovely lady has crippled Nini,

I'll break your jaw.

Next number, gentlemen.

"Butterflies and Violets."

What about us?

- Excuse me, sir.

- Don't mention it.

I love hand-to-hand combat.

This is really absurd.

Let's put an end to this.

Nini, that's enough.

You too, Lola.

That's enough!

This was supposed to be

a friendly meeting.

A family gathering.

We all belong

to the Moulin Rouge family.

Not again!

Are you satisfied?

What's going on here?

The girl's lover

pushed Danglard in the pit.

That's a lie!

- Come with me.

- Let me through.

- Hold on there.

- We haven't done anything.

- Take them in.

- Is this justice?

- He didn't do anything.

- Calm down or we'll arrest you too.

- What's this?

- A souvenir from my mother.

- And this one?

- From my grandmother.

Quick, doctor, over here!

- I'm so happy you're all right.

- Leave me alone!

- Forgive me.

- I never want to see you again!

Are you family?

Congratulations.

A nice fracture.

Forty days out of action.

The neighborhood's quieted down.

Like the days of the White Queen.

Danglard's not beaten yet.

He'll never find another backer.

His star's on the wane.

What are you doing here?

It's good to see you're better.

I want a word with you, in fact.

- I'm listening.

Don't get upset, but the last payment

for the White Queen was outstanding.

- I was in the hospital.

- Still, business is business.

I've got enormous commitments.

- To fish!

- No, to my family.

My son's going to the polytechnic

and my daughter to the conservatory.

I've been forced to accept

a most tempting offer.

From whom?

I've been asked not to reveal that.

Well, neither of us has

any more business here.

Congratulations.

There's Madame Prunelle.

So, you're gathering up the leftovers.

You'll come out all right.

You're a prince.

Lend me a louis, will you?

May I see that?

I know that perfume.

May I have it?

My pleasure.

What are your conditions?

No more cancan

and everything as it used to be.

Much too high a price.

My means no longer permit such folly.

You lout!

Monsieur Danglard,

may I have a word?

- Certainly.

- In private.

Will you excuse me?

We're very upset.

I've never been

in such an embarrassing situation.

Such an old customer and friend -

You have to take my room.

The gentleman looked most upset.

He's got money troubles.

He looked like he was at a wake.

- Well, good-bye.

- I've plenty of time.

When might I take the luggage,

Monsieur Danglard?

You might take it

whenever you wish.

Cheer up, my friends.

I'm sure it must be a wake.

What's all this about luggage?

Are you leaving?

When you're a big star,

you'll discover that hotel managers

suffer from a painful lack of cultivation.

You didn't pay for your room?

I can't hide anything from you.

Off you go now.

They're throwing us out, boss.

Where will we go?

Well, there are plenty of bridges

over the Seine.

- Wait for us at Guibole's.

- Really?

What a tragedy.

Matter triumphs over mind.

If I were a poet,

I'd write a poem entitled

"Soliloquy of the Homeless."

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote