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Scenes of City Life
(The video hickups go away after a minute)
A 1935 Shanghai Studios Movie, now in the public domain
Subtitles by Jeff Rutsch, with much help from Zhou Na and Heidi Lu
I'd appreciate all comments and criticisms, please send them to j_rutsch@yahoo.com
Hello?
Hello?
Where to?
Shanghai, Shanghai, Shanghai, Shanghai...
Mom, I'm so hungry...
I'm also hungry.
We're all hungry.
Even on a big day like today, you're still thinking of food?
Can we eat a little before we get on the train?
That way we won't get hungry on the train.
When we arrive in Shanghai, will there be plenty food for us?
Once we're in Shanghai, of course there'll be food!
Right, in Shanghai there'll be plenty of food.
Who is it?
I'll definitely pay the rent and the newspaper bill by tomorrow.
What do you think?
Not bad.
How much is it?
It's very cheap.
And this one?
That's good, I'll take it.
The young miss... -Isn't at home.
Please tell her I came.
She said, whoever came, tell them she wasn't at home.
Miss, Mr. Lee has come.
Business at the shop is terrible, what can I do?
There's no money for food, what can I do?
Why haven't you called on me for so many days?
Why haven't you wanted to see me for so long?
Sit.
Daddy, this is Lee Menghua, and this is my father.
Please sit. -Thank you.
I'll go to the shop.
Sit with Mr. Lee for a while.
Daddy, what time is it?
I don't have a watch.
Two o'clock.
Already two o'clock? Really...
This watch is really nice. I'll see you later.
Let's go see a movie on Nanjing Road, OK?
Isn't it too late?
No, we still have time.
Let me wash my face, wait for me.
I'll go first to buy tickets, all right?
That's fine, I'll leave soon.
Take your time, it's no hurry.
Sorry, is Ms. Zhang at home?
She's not here.
You are...
I'm her older brother.
I'm *** Junsan's personal assistant. I came to find Mr. ***.
Which Mr. ***? Is it him?
Where's the little guy?
Where's the accountant?
But I don't have enough money to food!
But the shop isn't yours alone!
The other shareholders will ask me for money, what can I do?
How much for this? -You tell me.
Two dollars.
Two dollars? Four dollars.
Two dollars. -Four dollars. -Two dollars.
Fine, two dollars.
Hey, can you hurry a bit, I have things to do.
What's so urgent?
Sorry...what time is it?
Look at your watch!
Thank you.
Wow, it's you!
What an amazing coincidence!
You're here as well?
I have something important to do. I'll go first,
Wait a bit for me.
Can you see me off? -Fine.
Oh, wait for me.
Hey, wait a bit.
Hey, wait!
Yun!
I'll go first; you should go back a little early also.
Write me a letter when you get home.
Uhhhh...tomorrow.
Oh...tomorrow.
300 Love Letters by Famous Westerners
A Dictionary of Love Terminology
My Dearest Yun:
Always yours, Menghua.
Ms. Zhang Yun / Shenjiang Daily Newspaper
Always yours, Menghua.
I'm getting married soon, please be a bridesmaid. I'll meet with you tomorrow.
Ah Xiang! Give that book to me.
Ah Xiang, look.
I'm making an outfit like this one, isn't it beautiful?
Beautiful, it's beautiful!
Come here, come!
Mom, Christmas will arrive soon, plus I'm going to a marriage.
Can I sew a set of clothes like this?
Sew clothes?
Look at this, he hasn't brought any money home for days, that old scoundrel.
Daddy arrived!
What are you doing?
Daddy, come here.
Daddy, Christmas is coming soon, and I'm going to a marriage.
Will you let me sew a set of clothes like this?
Sew clothes? Look at this.
So what, I need the money.
Money...
Here's a worthless five dollar bill, it was issued by Fengtian Bank.
If you want, go see if you can use it.
I won't, figure it out for me.
Daddy, go to the store to get some money for me.
I'll go with you.
Hey, slow down - look at this.
What's your problem?
But business at the store is terrible, I don't know if I can get anything.
Why is the business doing so poorly?
Look how well everybody else's business is doing.
Fox!
How much will you pawn it for?
Five dollars.
Is three dollars doable?
Fine.
Can you consider letting me borrow from the store?
But the store also isn't yours alone.
If every shareholder is owned money, what can I do?
Damn it!
Every day there are many people pawning things, but few people buying their things back.
The money is all going out the door.
I could simply go out of business.
You need to get that idea out of your head.
How did it go, daddy?
It's not possible.
The store is pathetic, we can't even advertise.
So I'll go take this fox.
You can't do that!
I don't care.
Yun!
You can't just take that fox!
Twenty cents, twenty cents, sit sit sit!
Twenty cents, twenty cents, sit sit sit!
I pull, you go, I pull, you go...come, come here!
Come come come, come come come.
Hey, how much do these two cost together?
No, let me pay for them.
Don't be so polite. The normal custom is,
the bride pays for things.
Oh really? That's the custom?
Well then, I'm glad I'm not the bride!
Come here, I'll take care of the bill.
Oh, I want a coat like this one.
Fine.
I want the collar a little smaller.
Fine.
Can I have this done today?
Fine.
Yun, I'll go first.
Why are you in such a hurry?
I have something to do.
Can I make a phone call?
Fine.
Can I pay a deposit? I'll have all the money tomorrow.
Fine.
Hello?
Want to come to my house tomorrow, and have some noodles?
Eat noodles? So then, tomorrow's your birthday?
You aren't trying to trick me?
Who's on the phone?
Yeah? Yeah?
Hello? Oh, Ms. Zhang!
Mr. ***, there's a visitor looking for you.
Who is it? -A woman.
A woman?
Hello? Sorry, sorry.
OK, I'll plan on tomorrow then.
All right, see you tomorrow .
Hey!
Who was it, to make you so worried?
Uhh...it was about business...
How is business doing? Very well?
Ha, this is an attractive box...
Although the package is beautiful, business isn't so good.
In fact, I'm not good at business.
I did the tea leaf business for many years.
And so far, I'm just clear on the basics, like what is what.
Ah, Longjin!
Yuqian!
Longjin!
Yuqian, have a look.
You see, I'm really not very good at business.
Especially this tea, it's a really bad business.
Before, China's tea industry was much better that it is now.
But these days, foreigners are taking over the industry.
So I want to change my line of business.
Change it?
Yes, I'll show you.
What? -The newspaper.
Look, I'm studying new lines of business.
But I can't do any of them, either.
Mr. Chen, I looked for a long time, but I still don't understand.
It's not so difficult.
Just trade a few stocks, you'll get the hang of it.
No money, no money?
These things I brought can't be exchanged for money?
Exchanged for money? This is what era? Mister.
If you have skills, then you can earn money.
Fine, I'll go, I'll hand them over to the pawnshop.
Wow, what the hell is this?
Are you all right?
Congratulations. -Congratulations.
What for?
Here's a small gift.
Thank you.
Why did you buy so many things?
Didn't you say today was your birthday?
So, Mr. *** bought these things for you.
Look, this doll really is you!
That's not at all what I had expected...
Ah Xiang, tell the cooks to bring us noodles.
Noodles? Cooks?
Idiot!
Longjin?
No.
Yuqian?
No.
Look!
Low-Grade Tea
What is it, acting so stealthy?
Uhhh...it's nothing. So about your father, why haven't we seen him?
Right, we should congratulate him on this happy occasion.
What, why so polite? He's not at home. He went to the bank.
Sorry, I have some used goods.
Actually they can't be considered so old, they're like new. Will you look for a bit?
Hey, bring them over here!
I don't need to see them, we aren't receiving goods.
Not receiving goods?
Not receiving goods.
Let's go to a cafe and sit down for a bit?
I still have something important to do.
Then I'll go with you, all right?
OK, I'll go get dressed for it.
Changxin Noodle Stand
So, I'll give you a special price, OK?
It's already approaching spring festival, the market is really worrisome.
Nobody has any money to buy things.
Couldn't you help me?
No, there's nothing that can be done.
Nothing that can be done!
Waiter, the bill?
I'll pay him.
No, no, I'll treat you.
Be Careful About Your Bags and Goods.
Pawn Shop
Haven't I seen you before? -Haven't I seen you before?
Long time no see!
I came to see a friend.
I have a couple antiques.
I went inside to let them have a look, and estimate the price.
I'm the owner of Dexin Pawn Shop, maybe you've heard of it?
Oh, so we are of the same profession.
Please come in, please come in and have a seat.
Don't be so polite.
It's a small store in a small space.
I realized there's a lot of things, and no place to put them all.
And...now that we're all colleagues, it's easy to discuss.
I want to...store them, at your place.
This sort of thing can be done.
Wait for the boss to return, I'll ask.
Can I still use the normal paperwork?
Your meaning is...
Uhh... pawn them...
You have to be kidding me!
OK, I'll see you later then.
See you.
Where are you going, boss?
Get going, take off!
What do you think?
Not bad.
Can you go a little cheaper?
Fine.
Oh no! My purse!
You didn't leave it at the cafe, did you?
Why did you insist on paying for my bill?
I really hate when people insist on fighting over who pays the bill.
It's indecent.
Don't get angry.
Let me take care of the bill.
I won't.
I'll pay now, and then we'll go find it.
I really hate it!
How much money was in your purse?
None of your business!
Sorry.
So, how much money is the coat?
Twenty nine and a half dollars.
Ms. Zhang, I'll go find it with you, OK?
Forget about it, I'll just go and give them a call myself.
I don't need your help, just go home.
Sorry.
Oh, can I give a phone call from here?
Fine.
Sorry.
Hello? Mr. ***? He went back home.
Please put me through to 35135.
Fine.
Hello? Mr. *** left for work.
Oh...
Who? Oh, it's you!
What's your problem? Don't you have an eye for quality?
That doll's face really bugs me, I don't want it, I want to exchange it.
Bring the receipt to me.
Fine, fine, wait a bit and I'll tell someone to deliver it to you.
Didn't you have an urgent matter to tell me?
So why are you asking an employee to send it?
I'm still...doing business.
Help me move all these things inside.
Who? Who?
Hurry.
Daddy!
Hey, wait, wait, wait.
Go and give these things to my wife.
Tell her, the small one warms the hands, the big one warms the feet.
Look, aren't these Western Clothes for New Year's great?
Yeah, great. And for me? Where's the gifts for me?
Wait! Wait!
Hey slow down, what are you looking for?
Leather shoes, a bag, a hat...
A what?
A hat!
Here.
I don't want it.
Sir, you wife says she wants to know if you have money to bring back home for New Year's?
Money? Aren't these things worth money?
That's right daddy, I also want money.
I'm going to a marriage tomorrow, I want to give a gift.
Money? I don't have any.
Giving a gift...aren't those all right?
That's true!
Sir, I forgot, your wife said you need to come upstairs.
Go upstairs? I definitely will not.
I'm bringing these back downstairs.
What is this? What is this about?
This is a receipt I was given.
Oh, bring it here.
Thirty dollars.
What?
You look here.
What is this for?
I'm going to return an item.
Wait, a letter.
Thanks.
I got some money.
Isn't it a pity I still don't have a hat?
It's terrible.
Bring the hat back up!
Hurry, hurry!
Why are you so dressed up today?
I thought we could go dancing for a bit.
It's Christmas today, right?
Right, it's Christmas.
So, I brought you a gift.
Sir, please buy a ticket first.
Sir, you forgot your form.
Form?
Oh, my mistake.
Thanks.
Sir, what will you have?
Tea.
Orange juice.
I'll introduce you two.
We've met before.
Sir, what will you have?
Brandy.
What? You're not comfortable?
Right, I've got a headache. I'm leaving, OK?
That's fine.
Sorry, I'm going now.
Thank you.
Mr. *** didn't come?
He hasn't come, he told me to come first.
No matter what business he has...
He always sends me to the front lines.
Sorry I got here late.
Champagne.
Champagne...
And you two?
Orange juice, brandy...whose is this?
Her older brother's.
Older brother?
Oh, so he lied to me!
Give this man a ten dollar dance ticket. -All right.
Yun,
Why are you going out so early?
Look at the time.
It's still so early?
Hurry and go to sleep, look at your face.
New clothes?
Your clothes are also new!
Where are these clothes from?
Where are you going, this early? Daddy!
Can't I earn money for New Year's?
Yun honey, it's snowing outside.
Give me twenty cents for my ride.
For how many days haven't you brought home money? And you still ask me for cash?
I don't have one piece of copper!
Daddy, I have it here, take it.
Business at the shop isn't good, what can I do?
There's no money to buy any food, what can I do?
Yun is dressed very well lately, where does the money come from?
Yes, I wanted to ask you.
I don't have money to give her. -I really don't have money to give her.
So you should do your motherly duty.
Go, look inside her bag!
Go, hurry and go!
If her purse has money in it, confiscate it for me!
Who's there?
Miss, you've returned?
Drop dead, you stupid servant.
You live a comfortable life, now where's my daughter?
Miss told me to sleep here.
You idiot servant, get out of here.
What is it? What is it?
Old Fuddy, you wonder about your daughter?
Look!
What will you do, as a father? You need to tell her what to do.
What are you standing around for?
Who is it?
Ah Xiang, wake up, go sleep in your own room.
Didn't you hear me?
You sleep like a dog!
Daddy!
You came back!
Tell me the truth, where did you come here from?
Tell me!
Daddy, I...
Tell me the truth!
Was it with that beggar, Mr. Lee?
So who was it? Tell me!
*** Junsan
OK, tomorrow I'll find him and have a talk!
Why has he still not come?
How should I know?
You have people waiting for you.
Who are they?
Why so early?
Who is this?
Father.
It's great to meet you, please sit.
Mr. Chen has come?
He's come, he's seeing a guest outside.
Mr. ***, I came today...
I must speak with you about something important.
Very good, very good.
Were there any phone calls? -Yes.
Who?
Oh, it's so early.
Mr. ***, I think you can guess
What I want to talk about with you today.
Yes, yes.
But I don't know if you want Longjin or Yuqian?
No, I didn't come here to talk business.
So...
You and...
Yun, you go out and play.
You went and had your fun.
So what's so important?
I'll ask you - isn't this an important thing?
You and her...
Mr. ***.
This...person named Liu also came.
Tell them I'm not here.
Yes.
You tell Liu that running a business is straightforward.
OK.
I'll also be straightforward.
Yesterday evening, she told me everything.
Now there's nothing else that can be done...
Now there's nothing else...
Now there's nothing else that can be done, just waiting...
Mr. ***, now there's nothing else that can be said, just wait for conditions to improve.
Very good.
But what about the discount he mentioned...
Disgusting, how terrible, ask him what he really wants!
Yes.
Pathetic! I'm asking you, do you really want her from the bottom of your heart?
Me? Her?
From the bottom of your heart?
So you'll take responsibility?
Responsibility for what?
It's very simple, the meaning is...
Sign the contract soon.
Get engaged soon.
Fine.
You'll deliver the goods within the month.
All right.
Marry within the year.
All right.
Do it!
Do it!
Who got you so angry?
Shut up!
Take these things with you when you leave.
After today I don't want to see you again.
So you and him are really getting married?
Either way, what does it matter to you?
But...
I don't have the time for this, I'm leaving...
***!
What?
Your fox...
You still remember me?
You're my only true friend, come back home with me.
Cutie...
Mr. Lee, did you not bring your rent money?
If you have no money, move out tomorrow.
All right, I'll move tomorrow, stop bothering me!
Yun, I'll kill myself.
Yun, I'll kill myself.
Menghua, Menghua!
Don't despair, Yun.
Regard this as my last gift to you.
Menghua, I really regret things...
Regret?
Yes.
Yes, I knew it, I knew you would regret it.
So I thought about getting back at you, by overdosing on pills.
What? You lied to me?
No, don't think I'm lying to you.
Aren't you still lying?
If you don't believe me, I'll do it right now...
I don't want to see your lying face!
What is it? What is it?
I swallowed sleeping pills, to commit suicide.
I tell you, don't rent rooms to scholars!
Great, so now it's become a *** case.
Hurry, go get the doctor.
To the doctor? He doesn't pay his rent, I also should cover his doctor bills?
So we'll just let him die like this?
Hurry, go tell the police.
Yeah, go find the police.
Don't do it, don't do it.
There's no need for you to deal with this.
I'll go to the hospital by myself.
Romance Author Lee Menghua Attempts Suicide
What is it?
Who told all of you to help me?
Here, drink a cup of milk.
Mr. ***, the phone's for you.
Thank you.
It's a woman calling, isn't it?
Who in the world has so many women?
He's coming, wait a minute.
Who is it?
Go and keep an eye on her.
What the hell are you doing?
Don't worry about it, it's what your husband told me to do.
Nonsense!
You think he's a good man?
You know who the phone call is from?
A woman?
The store's business is no good, what can I do?
There's no money to buy any food, what can I do?
There's no use in quarrelling. I have an idea, give me some things to pawn.
All right.
You can just take all of these.
You count, one two three four...
Five six seven eight nine...
The glass is broken, how can you pawn this?
So look at these things, can we get some money for them?
About pawning, you're the expert, not me!
But leave them here for now.
For New Year's, I'll help you with all of this.
Sorry to trouble you, sorry.
Don't be silly, we're family.
OK, see you later.
Hey.
I'll give this all to you, you're very good at hiding things.
Thank you, thanks so much!
We'll really leave together?
We can't trust Mr. *** to give us anything for New Year's.
Really? So where will we go?
Hangzhou, all right?
That's good, is Hangzhou far?
It's not far, we'll just take Mr. ***'s car to get there.
But...
I will if you order this kind of hat for me.
Fine, fine.
Tomorrow I'll go buy it for you.
Mr. Lee, this is your bill.
My friend will come tomorrow and pay the bill, tomorrow...
Friend, you've gotten so thin!
How do you not become thin, living in the hospital?
Tomorrow I...tomorrow I must think about how to flee.
Room Now Available For Rent
Hello.
So, New Year's is coming...
Tell them I left for work.
Hello, Mr. *** left for work.
Hello?
Hey, it's New Year's now.
Say I went back home.
Oh, Mr. *** went back home.
What can I do, Mr. Chen?
Isn't Mr. Yan very rich?
Why don't you ask him for help?
Recently I went, he said...
Money? I have plenty of it, but I can't lend you any.
Can not?
Cannot.
Cannot.
So why don't you try the stock market?
All right.
You go first, I'll come soon.
Hold the dog, I forgot something.
Hurry up.
Yun, Yun.
Daddy!
Why did you leave the front gate wide open?
Ah Xiang, Ah Xiang!
Junsan, Junsan!
You don't want burglars to come in, right?
Look!
Yun, Junsan's letter.
Hurry, hurry, go right now and find him!
Right.
What terrible luck, I don't have any clothes!
It's not important, this is fine!