When a Woman Ascends the Stairs

WHEN A WOMAN:

ASCENDS THE STAIRS

Produced and Written by

RYUZO KIKUSHIMA:

Cinematography by MASAO TAMAI

Production Design by SATOSHI CHUKO

Music by TOSHIRO MAYUZUMI

Edited by EIJI OOI

Costumes by HIDEKO TAKAMINE

Starring

HIDEKO TAKAMINE:

MASAYUKI MORI, REIKO DAN

TATSUYA NAKADAI:

DAISUKE KATO, GANJIRO NAKAMURA

EITARO OZAWA, KEIKO AWAJI

KYU SAZANKA, JUN TATARA

YU FUJIKI, MASAO ODA

KEN MITSUDA, CHIKAKO HOSOKAWA

SADAKO SAWAMURA:

NORIKO SENGOKU, KIN SUGAI

Directed by

MIKIO NARUSE:

An afternoon in late autumn.

Bars in the daytime

are like women without makeup.

THE LILAC BAR:

Not like that!

You got married in a church,

so kiss like foreigners do.

That's right!

Hurry up.

Not like that.

Try again.

Stop teasing.

He's sweating.

I'm surprised Miyuki got married first.

She loved working here.

Marriage is what

every woman wants.

Not me.

I'm going to save some money

and open my own place.

Shall we cut the cake?

Shouldn't we wait for Mama?

Mama?

We're waiting for you.

What?

Well, please hurry.

The owner's chewing out

Mama and Mr. Komatsu.

Mr. Komatsu?

I wonder why.

It's obvious.

"You're not making

enough money!"

I guess it isn't easy

being a mama.

Sales were down last month

and the month before.

Why?

Mama's doing her best.

Isn't it because

Mr. Minobe stopped coming in?

Sorry my phone call

took so long.

Mama, do you know

where Mr. Minobe goes these days?

Yuri's bar.

The same Yuri

who worked for you.

Minobe has contacts

at big companies.

If you call him,

he'll come by.

I wonder.

Your job

is to make money for me.

If sales are down again this month,

I'll replace you.

Understand?

Don't be so prim.

Yuri goes all out.

He's trying to humiliate me!

Telling me to do such a thing!

But business has plummeted.

Even so, I won't call him.

It's not just Mr. Minobe.

I've never begged

anyone to come in.

It's not pride.

I hate doing that.

I hate liquor,

yet I drink my fill every night.

Isn't that "going all out"?

Get your own place.

Where would I find a million yen?

Mama, don't worry.

Any of the 700 bars

in the Ginza would hire you.

What's that?

I hate that sound.

I've got a bill to collect on.

Regards to Miyuki.

- Mama!

- What happened?

Suicide.

The Bluebird hostess.

The fortune-teller was right.

Fortune-teller?

I took her to a fortune-teller

who predicted misfortune,

and it hit her hard.

Something awful's happened!

I heard.

I'm sorry I'm late.

The Bluebird was

heavily mortgaged.

- I heard it was a love triangle.

- Not debt?

Her patron and her lover

had a fight.

How old was she?

Forty-three,

but she looked younger.

- Aging's hard on a woman.

- I'd better save up for the old folks' home.

Enough of that talk.

Sing, somebody!

We've got a train to catch.

Thanks for everything.

I'll go see them off.

He could at least buy

second-class tickets.

Try to think more positively.

It won't be easy!

Be grateful you got

a chance to marry.

Compared to handling drunks,

his mother will be easy.

Mr. Matsui,

take good care of her.

We're not far.

Please come visit.

Thank you.

As the office girls

are leaving work,

our work is just beginning.

This is nice.

Or is it too plain?

No, but it's a bit matronly.

Really? I'd still like it.

You sure?

Twin matches - good luck!

Stop acting

like a cheap cabaret girl.

It's vulgar.

You sure know how to eat.

You just ruined the taste.

- Other shops sell these for less.

- Ours are better.

I'll take these.

How about a discount?

You'll ruin me!

How much is this?

Don't say that.

Just come by.

We haven't seen you

in so long.

I'm Ionely. I really am.

Welcome!

Don't bother.

He's from the savings plan.

Sorry I'm late.

So it's 100 yen from Sachiko,

and 200 from Kiyomi.

It's all here, pops.

Night fell...

I hated climbing those stairs

more than anything.

But once I was up,

I would take each day as it came.

Mr. Minobe, welcome.

You're quite a stranger.

You called, so here I am.

You'd completely disappeared.

Pardon me a moment.

Mr. Minobe's here.

Did you call him?

I said it was the Lilac Bar calling,

not you.

Same thing.

He's my customer.

Don't meddle.

It's business.

Just don't.

Do you like this tiepin?

Very nice.

You're not even looking.

I bought it for you.

For me?

Put it on.

- No, give it to a customer.

- But -

Good evening.

They're cracking down.

It's harder to get the goods.

- You mean Tetsu got caught?

- Yeah.

Next time I'll be the one

sent to the slammer.

You've got it good here,

surrounded by girls,

and with a regular paycheck.

That girl's crazy about you.

- I'm not interested in the girls here.

- Really?

You can't succeed as a manager here

if you fiddle with the goods.

Maybe, but what a waste!

Welcome.

You've got new girls,

but this place is dead!

That's because it's still early.

Right, Mama?

He's hinting

it's because he's been away.

That's right.

So come by every night.

- This place is so routine.

How rude!

You can't take him seriously.

He'll always act mean

and then turn on the charm.

- Is that true?

- That's my... routine.

But seriously,

I've run a lot of companies.

Any place headed downhill

is always depressing like this.

I see.

Is Yuri's place lively?

You bet.

Not like here.

Want to see for yourself?

Please.

I could learn a lot.

Welcome!

Is this seat okay?

Mari.

Mr. Inagaki came by last night.

Yuri worked for me

until last summer.

She has a gift

for handling men.

Forgive me

for neglecting you.

Care for a drink?

My stomach's been bothering me.

- Swimming in dough, eh?

- Sure. Maybe I'll lend it out.

Can you teach me

to calculate interest?

Don't imply

that's my line of work.

- It's great you're so busy.

- Thanks.

Actually, I barely scrape by.

Liar.

Didn't you buy a new car?

A used one that barely runs.

It uses so much gas

it drives me crazy.

- Still, you're succeeding.

- See, she -

Be quiet and drink.

Mama and I have a lot to talk about.

Mama, that kimono is stunning.

Those stripes really suit you.

I gasped when I saw you come in.

Your dress is lovely too.

Enough. I'm not paying

to listen to this chatter.

Well, hello there!

Hello.

I used to see him

at your place.

A brewery executive.

He's very nice.

Mr. Minobe.

Sorry I've been out of touch.

Busy as usual?

Only at night.

Business is dead.

Always the kidder.

Excuse me.

He's president

of an appliance firm.

I taught him how to use

a radio during the war.

Now his company's thriving.

Shall I introduce you?

Yes, please.

No problem.

I'm leaving for Izu tonight

to go golfing. Come along.

I can't golf.

What would be the point?

I'll play the golf, okay?

It's too sudden.

Your place just phoned.

A guest...

Thank you.

I'll be going.

I'll be here. Phone me.

Leaving already?

I'll drive you back.

Don't bother.

Walking's faster.

Please come again.

Take care.

Mama, scouting out the enemy?

I know where you're going.

Please, go ahead.

It's my first time here.

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