Hot, hot, much too hot to handle The lady is hot
Too hot to handle The lady does not act like a prude
Just try a kiss in the dark and you'll think you've been barbequed
Because the lady's much too much, too hot to handle
Hot, hot, much too hot to handle
Well then the lady's much too much, too hot to handle
Much too much, too much, too hot, hot
Coming up.
Hold it, hold it, hold it, hold it.
No no, absolutely no good. You'll be wearing a tight
dress Maureen, and one more high kick like that and you'll bust it clear to the belt.
Not quite the effect intended. Or else you'll end up on your back with your brains knocked out.
Well, that's just about where her brains are... Do you mind, little...
Okay girls, come on, no hen fights at this point. All right, swing it Paderewski.
Gentleman Johnny in yet?
He's got somebody in the office. Tell him it's time to look over the new bunch would you?
Who's he got in there this time in the morning?
Oh some whiz kid from a Paris magazine
is going to make us all famous. No Maureen you're kicking too high.
Come in, no one's taking a bath.
Hello Novak. new problems?
Bank book Johnny. Huh. Old problems.
Oh, this is Mr Robert Jouvel of Paris Quick. This is Paul Novak my manager.
Hello. He's going to write about us.
You know the sort of thing. Starts as a boost, ends as a knock.
Oh sure, Read All About It. Sexy sordid Soho.
England's greatest shame. Send for the missionaries before it's too late.
Forgive my manager, Mr Jouvel. When he was a child he was bitten by a newspaper.
Well, they always say the English have strange eating habits.
Well, you better get this over to the bank before they shove us all out on the street.
Right. Oh, ah, Midnight says don't forget the lineup.
Ready in a minute.
Don't mind him, he's useful. Besides-
I like unpleasant people, when I'm paying.
But I'm not paying you.
Why do you want to write about this club in particular?
Our London office says it's the best. Yours, and a
place called Diamond Horseshoe. Man named Dinelli.
How much is it worth to you if I say all right, go ahead?
Nothing. if you say no I cross the road and go to Mr. Dinelli.
All girls look alike in the dark room. Mm hmm.
Okay, you've got a deal but don't make me any trouble.
Novak talks tough. I am tough. You see I made this place, and I like it.
Faith, Mr Solo. You have no faith. Come on, I'll show you around.
Now come forward, turn around... This is where we sift the diamonds from the dead.
We hold these lineups every Monday morning. The nidged and the dead, I call it.
Well, the barman will give you what you want while you watch.
A martini on the rocks.
Right, swing around. And again.
Uh, turn around please.
Fine, and around again. Thank you girls, very nice.
Now can we see the next group, and leave your names at the desk as you leave. Thank you.
All right, turn around please.
Fine and back again.
She's not wearing anything on top. She's okay... What about the little blonde?
Who? That with a rock and roll hair do?
Oh Johnny, she's a baby Johnny. She's hardly out of the Girl Scouts.
We don't want trouble with the cops. To hell with the cops, get her.
Johnny, already the cops don't love you. Get her, Twelve O'Clock, they'll eat her up.
That's what I'm afraid of. All right, you stay behind, young lady. And you too Miss, uh.
Adams. Marjorie Adams. Looks like it's me and you.
Out of all the others, just two left... Just like on TV.
Well that's it, the man says. Not too bad a catch considering.
I still say the little one's too small to hook. Throw her back in the water Johnny.
Any good fisherman would give her that chance.
Any good fisherman knows fresh bait when he sees it.
Johnny, you're a rat.
So in a rat race you want me to be a mouse?
This is Mr. Robert Jouvel. Miss Midnight Franklin.
Hello. Hello.
He's the one who's going to do the write up about us.
Oh? What's he using for facts? Oh, just facts.
And photos. Every picture tells a story. These should be some pictures.
As long as it isn't some story. Orange juice please, Charlie.
Right miss. Soda water for you, Major?
Mm-hmm. You told me all about D-day.
You were together in the Airborne weren't you? Yeah those were the days. Not like these days.
You see how it is Mr Jouvel, we just can't keep them all away.
Nurses, models, even schoolteachers. Housewives by the dozen.
All in line to take their clothes off. Psychological I call it.
You think they'd know better. What with the hot breath from the customers,
and the cold drafts in the doorways. It's a wonder they all don't drop
dead from pneumonia. Oh, company, Johnny.
Mr. Arpels is one of my backers. Must keep the Angels happy.
Morning. Come on in.
Yeah. I've seen angels who look a bit more like angels than Mr Arpels, if you ask me.
Oh he's not very pretty, I agree. Just not my type, let's say.
His mother probably liked him. Scenery's nice your side as well.
Who is she? Came in here one morning peeled at the skin,
and Solo signed her on. Says she's Austrian, says
her name is Lilliane Decker, and says no questions.
Now come on, tell me more. She's one for the books. You know,
I'd give my left arm to find out what's going on behind that deep freeze pan of hers.
I'll find out. Secrets behind the mask are a speciality of mine.
300.370.600.
Kickback from a grateful company director.
We helped him entertain a buyer from Mexico. He bought.
I've always envied Solo's inside friends. I never seem to meet the right kind of people.
I tell you Diamonds, with me on the inside you can't go wrong.
Novak, I have never objected to the idea of helping you to nudge
Solo out of the way. But I just don't like your approach. Call it delicacy,
but I just don't like it. After all, I have to supply the men. I take the risks.
All right, chop it down the middle and that's delicacy.
That's delicacy. Now perhaps we ought to leave a
small memento on Solo's desk tonight. No point in wasting time is there now?
That's up to you. I got to go back now. Solo gets kind of nervous when I'm visiting the bank.
(If) you were my manager, I'd have the bank visit me.
Why hello. Hello Novak. Fancy seeing you here.
Fancy seeing you. I thought you were one of ours.
Oh didn't you know? That's our secret weapon.
Good evening sir. Good evening.
Lovely grub. Now let's get something a little more X certificate, eh? Oh yeah.
You think this one will be any good? Might be a bit overexposed.
Would you want another one? No thanks I'm driving.
Like when I see Mr. Solo. Like when I'm wearing nothing but me nail polish.
Honey he says, you are the maximum utmost. He didn't actually say maximum utmost, because, well,
between you and me, Solo's a bit of a square. Still he's the boy with the dough.
Pieces of eight, you know. So I said sure, crazy, I'll do the gig for you.
But I warned him I got no eyes for the casting couch. By the way-
you're pretty cool dad. I'm through here at half past one and I,
and I haven't got a thing on. You surprise me my dear.
That's the way the cookie crumbles.
You mind?
Go ahead. What do you know Mar,
what do you know about this one? [Hold it.]
Nothing. I'm Johnny Come Lately here. But to see a girl like that working in this flesh market,
I'd say that was a surprise. Well, you surprise me too.
I do? Look Mister, where else can a girl earn 25 a week and still have the day free to go to school?
School?
Art school. I'm a model in life class. But I want to get on the
working side of the easel. I want to do this. So this, um, flesh market is a solution.
Why not? Nude modeling at Art School pays half a crown an hour. Over here
it works out at half a crown a minute, for the same thing. And here it's warmer.
Gee you're beautiful, you know that? And you're sitting on my face towel.
Oh, I'm sorry! That's all right. What's your name?
Stephanie. Can you beat that? Stephanie Swanson. Honestly, I think my mother must have been out
of her tiny little mind when she decided to saddle me with a name like that. Stephanie.
Can't tell you what a handicap it's been in my career. Like being born cross-eyed.
What would you like to be called? Pony Tail. It'll look good in lights.
Sort of catchy. Pony Tail.
Presenting Pony Tail Swanson. The new overnight sensation. The latest sex
kitten. It is quite commercial, isn't it? I mean, what do you really think?
If I told you what I really think, you wouldn't listen to me.
Oh I would, really!
I would get out! Go away now.
No, wait a minute.
Do you know what they do with little girls like you in a place like this?
They eat you for breakfast.
They put you in a machine and you come out hard and tight and cold like the rest of us.
That's my girl, hold it.
I don't have photographs taken. Ever!
What the blazes? I told you.
Take it easy. What are you doing? ...I'm sorry but I don't like pictures of me.
Why not? You watch out she doesn't bust you on the nose.
The moment I turn my back the house falls down. Now what goes on?
I was only trying to take a picture. I don't like publicity.
Why? Okay okay, that's enough.
Leave her alone. You got everything you want in here?
In here, yes, thank you. Come on Flash.
Okay kids, I'm changing the order for tonight. Maureen you open. Terry follows. Where's Cynthia?
Oh uh, she went to see her mother in hospital. Visiting hours 5 to 7.
We got visiting hours here too, or haven't you heard? She's on in a couple of minutes.
But her mother's very- I don't care.
[Curtain. Stand by 2 minutes.] Melody you fill in for Cynthia.
Sure, I can do the- As long as you do it on your two feet.
[Curtain standby 2 minutes.] Just like the man says, hurry up.
I say again, stand by to curtain 2 minutes. So everybody get a move on.
Where the heck have you been? I, I left a message!
I had to see my, my sick mother. let me go!
I'll let you go, you little tramp! I'll let you go for good!
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,
and welcome to Gentleman Johnny Solo's Pink Flamingo,
where once again it's cabaret time.
Well I did everything I could. I said you were at the hospital.
Might as well have been a hospital. I never got out of bed once.
I said you were visiting your sick old mother... Yeah she's sick all right.
Sick to death by the sight of me. Old man Arpels is here tonight.
And I think he's got great big eyes for you. Anyway-
I heard Solo talking to him about you for later.
Well he's not very pretty but with the landlord beating on my door, anything goes.
Oh quick honey, the wolves are howling. Okay, let's go and give them their dinner.
Well, if it isn't Little old Miss Florence Nightingale. How's your sick mother doing?
One should think I just got out of jail or something.
Don't give us ideas honey. Oh come on.
Now how did you like that? Pay no attention. I want to
show you the man with all the bail money. Old man Arpels.
Old man Arpels. In all his glory. Well at least your landlord will be happy.
You underestimate me dear. Hurry up Joe we're late.
Okay. And now, ladies and gentlemen, to start
the evening for you we give you London's-
Now why stop at London? We give you the world's most glamorous number.
The one and only Midnight Franklin! And you can
see for yourselves why all men describe her as:
Hot, hot, much too hot to handle The lady's a dish
Too hot to handle Her every wish must be obeyed
You'll have to learn how to live in the sun with no sign of shade
Because the lady's much too much, too hot to handle
The lady is hot Too hot to handle
The lady does not act like a prude
Just try a kiss in the dark and you'll think you've been barbequed
Because the lady's much too much, too hot to handle
The lady is much Too hot to handle
Her tenderest touch a tropical thrill
Unless you think you can live like a steak on a silver grill
Well then, the lady's much too much, too hot to handle
Now, teachers and scholars, professors and mystics have all of them studied her vital statistics
Presidents, ministers, leaders of nations have broken off talks
to discuss her gyrations Here's the decision they got to
Too much, much too hot to handle
The signal is red, too hot to handle
As Shakespeare once said Gee what a dame
So here's your chance to behave like a moth round a candle flame
Because the lady's much too much, too hot to handle
The lady's a trap Much too much, too hot to handle
So don't be a sap Take my advice
Keep well away or expect to be burnt as a sacrifice
Because the lady's much too much,
too hot to handle Too hot to handle
Novak. Good evening Mr Arpels.
Hello Novak. Have a cigar. Thank you very much sir.
Solo tells me you hired two new ones today. What are they like?
One is just a kid. Police problems, don't touch. The other's more your
fighting weight. Says she goes to art school.
So I can go up and see her etchings eh? What about the kid? How young?
Jailbait. Mustn't touch.
Oh today at Dinelli's, what did he mean by secret weapon?
Well, we have his little joke. Please, I must watch.
That's right. The tired businessman getting himself a bit more tired. Suits me.
See what I mean? Not a seat in the place any night every night and what for my boy?
JJst to see half a dozen silly little girls taking this off, taking that off, beats me.
And you cater to their tastes apparently.
I don't twist their wrist to make them come in. And it's a living. Come and have a drink.
Hi Gene. Hi. Good evening Mr Dinelli. What more do you
need to advertise yourself? Neon lights? Hm? Just tell Solo I want to see him.
Why? I don't like it. You don't have to.
You just take it. I'll be in his office. It's empty?
Sure it's empty, but I don't like it.
That's too bad. Pardon me.
Uh, Johnny.
Diamonds. What's the load on your back?
Problems Johnny, only problems.
Like for instance? Like this for instance. A telegram.
Well well well, all the boys together. What a switch.
Hey that's a very nice dress you nearly got on. I like it.
Quite the little gentleman aren't you?
Did you say something about a telegram?
Yeah. Diamonds Dinelli. Diamond Horseshoe. Soho Street. Etc. We got eyes on your club.
So don't give us no trouble, and do what we say. No signature. Here, see for yourself.
May I ask you one question. Anything.
Why did you come and see me for? Do you think maybe I sent you this?
No Johnny I don't think you did. But you know something? You might be next.
There's been talk going around about protection. Maybe the mafia's back in Soho.
I don't believe in fairy tales. Some of the other clubs have
been getting little warnings all of a sudden. This could be a big operation.
Could be Diamonds is right, Johnny. Maybe you better think this thing over.
What thing? Which thing? One lousy telegram and suddenly London Bridge is falling down.
Play it safe Solo. Separately, we could be knocked off by a big combination.
Together, they may think twice. Telegram without a name?
A kid with a shilling in his pocket could have sent a thing like that.
Besides, the postman didn't ring my doorbell, old chap.
You see? Solo by name, Solo by nature.
All right, so maybe you don't need a friend.
I had a friend once, Diamonds. it didn't take.
Would you give me a light darling? Oh certainly.
Thanks. How does a good-looking boy like you come to be on his own?
I was born that way. Well that's no reason to stay like that.
Why don't you buy me a drink? You won't be lonely with me around. Charlie?
Lay off. He's a friend of Solo's doing a story for us.
Well, how was I to know? Okay okay. I'll buy you a drink anyway.
MWB or for real? For real. Martini on the rocks.
MWB? What did he mean? Metropolitan Water Board.
Or Gin and Tick, it's the same thing. Water which looks like gin,
and a tick on the slate for my commission. Cigarettes?
No thanks dear, he's on our side. Give her a packet anyway. Come on.
Passing Clouds, Kings Way, Bristol? ...I'll take Kings Way. You really are nice.
Would you like a picture taken? Stay like that. At £10 a time, now don't push it too far.
Oh but they're only 30 shillings for two. Only? You better both have a drink, but no MWB.
Get him. When I learn I learn pretty fast.
Lilliane darling, it was beautiful. Such class, such finesse. You make
the others look like monkeys. Mr. Arpels, I've told you before,
you're wasting your time. I'm sure you will find the monkeys much more obliging.
Always like an iceberg! What's the matter with me Lilliane? You'll find I'm not so bad!
What's the matter, Mr. Arpels? Nothing's the matter, Cynthia darling.
I just burnt me hand with my cigar. Silly. Let little Cynthia kiss it and make it well, huh?
You're such a comfort to a man, Cynthia. What are you doing? I mean tonight.
I'm in your hands, you know what I mean? And you might burn your fingers again.
My car will come down for you just after the show. You're a
great comfort to a man Cynthia, and a man needs his comforts.
Lilliane? Yes Mr. Solo?
Night. Good night. You were very unkind to Mr.
Arpels. He's an important client. I hope I marked him for life.
Lilliane. Mr Arpels spends a lot of money in the club. He even has money invested in it.
I don't ask you to go out with him, but for Heaven's sake, to burn a man. With his own cigar!
And a Havana one at that! As long as it was a good cigar.
Good night honey. Are you the last? The others have all gone. Good night.
What do you make of that one? She doesn't really belong in this joint,
that's for sure. Does anybody?
Taxi! 55 Meadow-oh, you. I'm off duty, cross my heart,
no questions, nothing. Don't worry, I'll get another taxi.
Not at this time of night. I'll manage.
Um, drive up the corner fast. Fast he says, fast!
Good night guv. Was that Charlie?
Mm-hmm. Same old Gentleman
Johnny. Nobody ever locks up the place but him. And nobody ever puts out the lights... but him.
Silly superstition. I like it.
I like to watch you. That's cause you've got simple tastes.
Sure, like you, for instance. Like me. And I don't get it. You
could walk out of that door and any man in London would be glad to fall into your lap.
Suppose I said I don't want any man in London. Only one.
Then I'd say you were badly brought, I'd say.
I was brought up on a farm, near Dallas Texas. Nothing wrong with that.
The girl from the Golden West. And she's
a long long way from home. Where do we go from here?
Taxi. Taxi. Bonsoir, Mademoiselle.
I told you I've got the last taxi left in London. So come in.
This time not so fast. Blimey. Not so fast he says.
Thank you for bringing me. Oh, please come quickly.
You mean me? Don't say anything. Just walk with me.
That's all right. What's going on? What's the hurry?
No! Don't put on the lights. Go over to the window. Under the lamp post. There's a man.
Yes I see him. Is he watching you? Perhaps.
Shall I go down and-what are we whispering for? Shall I go down
and ask him what he wants? No no no don't be a fool.
You sure you've never seen him before, huh. No, not that I can remember.
There you are. That explains your mystery. Come on, take a good look if you don't believe me.
Yes he has gone. Of course he has. Your
imagination is too vivid. But anyhow I'm grateful to that stranger. Nobody else would have got me
into your apartment quite so quickly. And I must ask you to leave just as
quickly. I-I'm grateful to you, Monsieur, for seeing me home. but please, go now. Please.
Oh not just yet. Is it your own apartment? Your own books? Sigmund Freud, Havelock Ellis,
Krafft-Ebing. My goodness, you're very well read. But your tastes seem monotonous.
Please, go. Not even a cup of coffee for the first
white man to fly the Atlantic single-handed? Please, don't force me to be ungracious.
Okay. In the words of a famous American General, I shall return.
Thank you. Bonsoir, Mademoiselle. Bonsoir. "Sur le Pont d'Avignon. L'on y danse, L'on y danse."
"Were made for a lover, and
baby you were made-" Johnny! Don't understand. But who?
I don't know. How. Did they take anything? money?
No nothing. Just left their little souvenir and flew away.
Oh Johnny last night I told you I was scared. That's their general idea.
But why? Solo. listen carefully.
This might answer that question. Give the 500 to Miss Midnight. She will be picked
up by car at 5 o'clock tonight outside Lambeth Palace. She must be alone. Don't try anything
funny Solo. Do as I say and nobody will be hurt. They want you to deliver the money.
5 o'clock outside Lambeth Palace. I wonder why. that's where the Archbishop lives.
Oh now, don't tell me they've got the Archbishop working for him, please.
Maybe they've just got religion. After all, they're in on every other racket.
Johnny is this on the level? I thought we were kidding.
Could be on the level. What are you going to do?
I'm not sure yet. Johnny you listen to me.
I know what you're going to say. Yes Johnny, and I'm going to say it
slowly so you can hear. Get out of this. Let's get away. You can't win Johnny. You don't even
know who they are. There's no use fighting it. No use? you think so, I don't. I always had to
fight. I had to fight to get myself out of the gutter. I had to fight to get an education,
a decent accent. I even had to fight to get myself out of the ranks in the Army and become
an officer. I wasn't born Gentleman Johnny you know. and when it was all over, and all I had to
show for it was a demob suit and a pretty little piece of ribbon. I had to start fighting all over
again to get what I am now. Wherever that is. It's too late to stop now even if I wanted to
They'll destroy you Johnny. This is only the beginning. It starts with
this. And this time an axe stuck into a table. Next time where? You tell me!
The police, Johnny? I'm not as much of a fool as that.
Hello? Hold it a minute. It's going to be all right twelve o'clock. Ah,
Diamonds? Oh? 5 o'clock huh? Are you kidding?
That's the Archbishop of Canterbury's place. Well don't worry I told you. We'll take care of
it. And don't worry about the girl. I told you. Together we'll clean up this thing in no time.
5 o'clock. Now, why can't those guys be punctual? Maybe Big Ben's fast. You keep your eyes on Novak.
This looks like it. Maybe. Get ready to tail him.
Right.
What the? Maybe they're just stalling for time.
Here we have Lambeth Palace, Lambeth bridge, and over here we have the houses of Parliament.
One of the best views in London of the houses of Parliament. And of course Big Ben in the corner.
We'll see more of that later in the day. Now here we have, in front of us, Lambeth Palace. Lambeth
Palace used to be a royal manor house standing in Green Fields. Used to belong originally to Edward-
On your marks.
Now Morton's Tower and the Gateway was built in 490-
I don't get this. Looks like we got the wrong number.
Right, I'll take the briefcase. Don't move or look around. Come on,
hand it over. There's a good girl.
A foolproof plan. Don't worry, the man says. We'll clean this up in no time, the man says.
Now look, be reasonable Johnny. You said they were coming by car. But a man
on foot, and then that boat. Yeah that fellow was pretty nifty.
You said that before. Well who would have believed it, the clergyman!
Talk, talk. Forgive me if I'm interested in what happens next.
Well it all depends. I think that 500 should keep them quiet.
Until the next time. Then another 500. Somewhere else. Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London.
How long do you think I can afford to go on standing on street corners handing out money
like a traveling soup kitchen? Take it easy Johnny.
Come on Novak. We've still got a club to run. I'll keep in touch Johnny.
Do that. Make sure they've gone.
Okay Mr. Dinelli. See if he's here yet.
They've left the building. Good. bring him in.
Gee, Mr. Dinelli. How can a guy be so dishonest?
Noah's Ark was made of pitch, to keep it on the sea
Joan of Arc was Maid of Orleans, but baby you were made for me
Starry skies were made for love, and love is made for free
Some say I was made to measure, but baby you were made for me
Darby and Joan were made for each other Porgy was made for Bess
Someone was made for Whistler's mother To each his own I guess
Every dove must seek its nest, and every lock its key
Every love is made for someone, and baby you were made for me
Kisses were made to sample, but love is made to last
Let's follow the example, of all the famous lovers of the past
I tell you truly Jack and Jill went
up the hill, to see what they could see If those two kids can reach the summit,
then baby so can you and me Romeo met Juliet beneath her balcony
If you want to play the lover, then baby just discover me
Man and Maid were made for each other, since Adam was made for Eve
(Go man go!) Some may run from one to another,
but this I do believe, eventually Every dove must seek its nest,
and every lock its key Every love is made for someone,
and baby you were made for me Baby you were made for me, ooh!
I hear I missed quite a story. You missed quite a story.
Well, fill me in. I talk too much. You get yourself a drink.
Well I never mind a pinch or two, honey, that's all good clean fun. But you look like
you went 15 rounds with a heavyweight. You got the right division anyway.
Well, I wouldn't stand for it. Well, I didn't much as I recall.
Hm! You're a case Cynthia. Case. I was in a juvenile court once
and there was this old dish. She must have been a hundred. And she looks at me through her glasses
and she said, my dear, if you don't mend your ways I'll fear you'll end up an outcast from society.
Me, a refugee from 14 camps, and she's afraid I'll end up as an outcast from society. Anyway
then she walks off to open up a garden party or something like that, you know?
You're a case Cynthia, you really are. Oh well, the girl guides have arrived at last.
And carrying in their arms their newly adopted baby child.
Well if it isn't Little Miss Big Mouth! Anytime you want, pistols at dawn, little mother!
Gee what happened to you? Did you hurt yourself? Nope. I got somebody else to do it
for me. Har har.
You're a- Case. right, Okay,
I know. And if you say it once more I'll scream. But thanks for hiding the telltale
signs of conflict. You're such a comfort to me, my darling. And an old man needs his comfort.
Well hello there. Hello. I was afraid you wouldn't talk to me.
Why ever not? Well I mean, after all that good advice,
and telling me to go away. The advice still goes.
That's your music, you better hurry. Okay.
They're playing our tune darling. Heh heh.
And now friends the Orient. The mysterious East. The land
of strange barbaric rites. The land of the monsoon. For months there's been a
drought. The parched Earth calls for rain. But the rain God waits. Angry.
Man, all that water! No wonder they call this the cleanest place in town! And now,
if the band have not been washed away by the monsoon, Professor, on with the Gavotte.
Good night sir. Good night. Good night.
Eine sprechen, eine messe. Neuf, eine
moment.
Do you mind? This lady is with me. What kept you so long darling? Come on let's go.
Who is he, that man? I don't know, I never saw him before.
What you running for? Maybe he was just making a pass.
I could handle that. No, it was more. Oh, I don't know. It looked sort of evil.
You should employ me as a bodyguard. You could get me cheap, you know that.
Please don't make fun. It's the man. I tell you. He's following us.
Let's wait and see what he wants. No, please go. Believe me.
Okay okay. Thank you.
No coffee? No questions?
No questions. Black or white?
Black. Milk is for babies, my father used to say. As water is for washing.
And so you follow his example? Wherever possible. I see you take black
as well. So do you take after your father too? My father died in the first year of the war.
But why do you ask me these things? What has it to do with you?
You are afraid of me as well, huh? Think I want to nose out your guilty
secrets and write a brilliant expose. Striptease dancer is
missing Atom spy, huh? I have no secrets.
Lilliane, I think you're a liar and not a very good one.
You sure you hadn't better tell me everything? You sure this isn't a story for the police?
No. Not the police. Okay. Go in the bathroom. Quick.
Put the lights on. (groaning)
You're sure you don't know this man? You've never seen him before?
Never. Conrad Moeller. Company director, Hamburg.
Born 1907 Leipzig. Married with one child. Aha, it's even worse than I thought.
He's in a very dangerous trade. What is it?
Merry Christmas. Conrad Moeller, toy salesman. Poor little man.
It serves him right Why? Because he frightened
you? Or just because he's a man, and you want to hurt all men? Because you do, don't you?
I have good reason to. What reason?
Oh. Oh. Ich wurde auf den Kopf gesagen. Wo ist mein Geld?
Sind sie warum haben sie mich verfolgt!
Ich war so einsam. London ist eine einsame Stadt. Sieind Deutsch. Ich wollte nur mit dir sprechen.
All right all right, give me the subtitles.
He was lonely that's all. He doesn't know any English.
And so he goes to a strip tease club huh. Because there he don't need to
know any English. I'll give him that. I only wish to speak German again I
was so lonely, she's a beautiful- Why didn't you speak English before?
All right, old friends. I've let you have your little German lesson. on your way.
You didn't have to be so rough with me. You didn't have to frighten Miss Decker
or to follow her home. A girl from a show like
that! have you never done such a thing? I have no wife and no child. now get out.
Well. He's an old fool.
Perhaps, but lonely. so like many other stupid people, he goes to sad places like Solo's Club to
forget how lonely he is. And he sees you dance, although your dance is joyous and vindictive,
as if you despise the men you're paid to please, and you are paid for that, remember.
And you for trying to find out things. why do you keep asking about me? I don't ask about you.
Why not? I'd tell you. I'm 28 years old, white, unmarried. I have a mother in Paris. my father
died in a home for alcoholics at the age of 35. he was a writer. not a very good one. that
bothered him too much. Stop it, stop it!
Why? should I be ashamed? I loved my father and you, you have parents?
My life is none of your business. go away and leave me alone! no I don't want you! go away!
How fast or far you run you can never leave yourself behind.
One last thing. you're beautiful.
Midnight, I told you to go home. I've got business.
Johnny, I've got a feeling. Now you've had these feelings before,
remember. the little people who were coming to fetch me and carry me away in the night?
Stop trying to play it so cool and listen to me Johnny. what do you think they're going to
do when they open that briefcase and find 500 photographs of Miss Midnight Franklin? Sit back
and Laugh? Don't go back to your place tonight, Johnny, come home with me, you'll be safe.
And tomorrow night? what happens tomorrow night? do I take a room in a hotel in a
side street? and the night after that? No, I'll take my chances. you go on home.
Only tonight, Johnny. please, please. Twelve o'clock, you're a very special
girl. you deserve something better than me. I'm not talking about all that, not now.
Look, I find trouble as though I'd invented it. it'll rub off on you and I don't want
that to happen. Johnny-
You're a wonderful girl Midnight. You should have a wonderful man. look, find him, marry him, and be
happy. now go on home, Twelve O'Clock. go on home. I'm not looking for marriage Johnny. I
know the tag. Solo by name. And it's true. it's no good,
Twelve O'clock. now go on home now, before you get yourself into real trouble.
Director inquiry? Will you give me the number of the Imperial All Night Garage? Picadilly.
Your car won't go anywhere without this.
Right out, there you go!
All right, let's get out of here. get out.
The Imperial All Night Garage is Gerard 1071. Hello? Hello? Are you still there caller?
Johnny? Oh, Johnny. I came as soon as I heard. The little people. the ones you were always
telling me about. they were waiting. Johnny, your face.
Yes. it's not very pretty but then it never was. Oh.
It's a nice place we've got here. Sure. Humble but it's home. Problem,
what are we going to do? We're going to get this
place cleaned up. And open this club tonight. What's all that stuff about,
we never closed. they played rough. How do you figure to get all this
organized by tonight? I don't know. And what
I do know is that Johnny Solo is not going to close on account of any bunch of hoods.
Mr Solo, my boyfriend's got a kind of catering firm. You know, weddings,
garden parties and that. Well, I'm sure he'd let you have a few chairs and tables.
I'll phone him if you like. Do that Terry. Do it now.
And I'll tell you what I'll do, Mr Solo. You put me in charge of this bunch of goons, and I'll have
this place spic and span in next to no time. It's all yours.
Now then lads, and you girls! I want volunteers! volunteers for sweeping,
cleaning, and picking up bits of broken glass! now you three, sweep! you two,
clean! right. you girls get together, pick up the broken glass! now come on,
what Are we waiting for? let's get moving! we got a lot to do and little time to do it in!
Who the heck's he? The photographer.
He's the one who was taking pictures with your French newspaper man the other night.
Thought I'd seen him somewhere before. and Twelve o'Clock?
Yes. Thank you.
Thank me? what for? Not saying I told you.
Yes? now you listen to me chum for one little second. if you-
Listen Solo, this kind of talk can only end one way-
And one last thing, if ever I get my hands on you-Well what did he say?
Told us all to go to hell, and lots of other things besides.
You stupid crumb! can't you get anything straight? But Mr Dinelli, I done what you say didn't I?
"look, this is your last chance Solo. Leave the money in a plain envelope."
I know what it says. now get out of here you crumb!
Anyway I read it didn't I? what else could I do? I told you I wasn't cut
out for that kind of thing! leaving messages and all that gear! I told you I was no good!
Get out of here! I found that creep lining up on the embankment
for a free bowl of soup. now he tells me he's not cut out for this sort of thing. he's no good!
Well we're a great success aren't we? we plant an axe on his desk,
we beat him to a pulp and we wreck the joint. and what do we get in return? I'll tell you what we
get. we get 500 happy snaps of Miss Midnight, and an invitation to go to hell, that's what we get.
Maybe we didn't hurt him enough. You think so?
You know you can twist a man's arm till he cries Uncle. If he doesn't cry Uncle you break it off.
No dice. you know what he's doing right now? He's got half the nudes in London scrubbing
the place out like a parcel of charwomen. You got to hand it to that boy, he doesn't
crack easy. And I tell you another thing Mr Dinelli, and this you're not going to like.
Maybe he starts thinking. How come it's always my head that gets busted open? My joint that gets
given a workover? How come Diamonds Dinelli never gets beaten up like me? You can push it too far.
Well seven new memberships in the mail today. What is it honey?
I've been hearing voices. You and Joan of Arc. What is this?
I hung up just a moment too soon. If I could put a name to that voice or a face. Suddenly I'm full
of ideas. Is Muscles out there? What do you want with him?
It's all right. I'll be careful crossing the road. Muscles!
Hello Mr. Solo. What was that you said?
Said? Me? I said nothing. What was I supposed to've said then?
You said just enough. Get him.
Read any good telegrams lately? You shouldn't play with things
like this. You might get hurt. If I can do without it, so can you.
Good morning. Good morning! Good morning.
You, uh, look fine from down here. It wouldn't do you any harm to
do some work yourself, you know. Oh. So you don't strain yourself my dear.
It makes you think. I broke a leg parachuting into Algeria. I was at the Hungarian border
when the trouble started. But this is the first time I was persuaded to climb the ladder in a
strip club, and start painting a wall. You know what they say, there's always got to
be a first time. When, when do you go away? Tomorrow.
Tomorrow? Thank you. That was the nicest thing anybody
has said to me all day. Oh come on, I'll help you. I wish I could take this off too. I'm beginning
to bake. Eh, how do you say, roast? I'd say you taste much the same either way.
I don't like the way you look at me with my clothes on.
Ah. Here we are. No, don't open it.
I don't want to know what's in it. You don't want to know what's in it?
No. it's a kind of a present you know. Oh this won't do at all. I'm obliged to
reveal the contents of this package to you by law. Otherwise you might claim that I'd
handed you something quite different. Don't you see? Oh. Two extremely fine
hair brushes backed by silver with the initial T Von R. Yes, T Von R.
Yes? Oh, Paris on the line, put them on. Yes,
now what did you get from those files? T Von R. Tilly Von Raal. The Countess of Lichtenstein,
age 67. No no. Next. Tanya Von Rader age 19. Captain of the Austrian Olympic hockey team
huh? No that's not the fish we're looking for. Any more? Right. Teresa Von Rothe. 22. Yes,
yes. Disappeared a year ago from West Berlin. Yes I remember the story. Family all big steel barons
or something. Yes. Oh one second. Pictures on this girl and be quick about it. Yes,
yes. Something about her father. Big scandal. All right fine. Thanks very much, goodbye.
Teresa Von Rothe. Her father died suddenly. The girl vanished. The whole story was hushed
up. That's it! It was in every German newspaper.
From where I'm sitting I'd say your sense of smell didn't let you down this time!
A daughter of a millionaire stripping in a London clip joint. If that isn't a
story! That's it! It's her! Look that's Lilliane! Wait a moment!
That's her. Heiress vanishes. Teresa Von Rothe.
Golly. Somebody's in for seven years bad luck. Starting when?
But this I do believe, eventually Every dove must seek its nest,
and every lock its key Every love is made for someone,
and baby you were made for me Baby you were made for me, ooh!
And now folks, we give you something new,
from the steaming jungles of Africa. Johnny Solo presents the exotic, exciting Jungle.
Why hello. They told me you'd gone. Tomorrow. This is in the nature of au revoir.
Aren't you going to be saying goodbye to Lilliane? I never expected you to get behind the deep
freeze but you seem to be warming it up a bit. You better say goodbye for me. By the time my next
story gets out I don't think she'll be leaning over backwards to kiss me. Hello or goodbye.
As far as I'm concerned you're always welcome.
Arpels wants Pony Tail and a couple of the others to join him and his friends after the show.
I'd sooner be in a tank with an octopus than with him.
Oh, Arpels isn't all that bad. Pony Tail. she's a kid. So dumb she
can't even find her head with both hands. She wasn't engaged for her head.
You know how old she is. She's underage, you want me to write out the numbers for you?
The only numbers I'm interested in are 41, 18, 35 and a half.
Will you never learn? Midnight you're breaking my heart.
Ah Pony Tail. There's an associate of mine, a Mr. Arpels, out in front.
He and a couple of business friends would like you to join him for supper
after the show. All right.
Mr. Solo, this child shouldn't allowed- Now Lilliane, don't you start. I'm tired of
being looked at as a white slaver just because Pony Tail is going out to supper with Arpels.
Maureen and Jackie will be there too. Besides, he might be a great help to her in her career.
But she doesn't- I wish you'd leave
me alone. This could be my big chance. Exactly. and Lilliane, I wouldn't be in
too much of a hurry to call in the Salvation Army. I'm taking a bit of
a chance on you too. No passport, no working permit. You ought to be more grateful, chick.
I wish you wouldn't interfere. Mr Arpels has film connections. He has a lot of
important people behind him. Did he say how far behind?
Novak. What is it Johnny?
Where are you going to be tonight after we shut up shop?
I'm going off to Mickey's for a shimmy game. Why? Well stay at Mickey's till I call him. If
the hatchet men come again, I want to be prepared. And I don't mean like a Boy Scout.
Oh Lilliane is that you? I'll be with you in a minute.
And tell Pony Tail I want to see her, would you?
[Get me Dinelli quick. Tell him it's Novak. Tell him it's urgent.]
Hello, are you alone? Listen I got to talk quick. Now get this. You stay away
from the club tonight. That's what I said, stay away from the club. Solo's
laying a trap. Sure I know you got lots of plans, you'll have to change them,
that's all. Look Dinelli, no questions. - I'm sorry. -Wait a minute.
I know he's got a gun! You come over here tonight there'll be a shooting! I'll call you back.
You heard nothing, understand? Nothing!
Hey. Jungle's sure killing them out there tonight. Yeah. It's a night for surprises all around.
You hear anything just now, on that thing? Should I have?
I've just come out of the shower.
Nobody else was here? No, nobody.
Take it from me, old man Arpels is quite a fighter. Lousy footwork I always say,
but he's pretty spry with his hands. He says he's going to introduce me to
a movie producer. You believe that?
It's a chance. After all look what happened- Oh no! What have they done? Just look at this.
I know whose busy little fingers are responsible for this.
So do I. I'm going to bash her head in.
I'm with you. Terry, Marjorie.
Don't try to stop us now! Get out my way. Come on!
You crazy slut! I've heard of some dirty tricks in my life but this beats the lot!
Why don't you take it over to a sewing circle? You bother me.
Why can't you two Mother Superiors stay out of our hair?
It knocks you, doesn't it, that your Sugar Daddy's got eyes for somebody else?
So what's it to you? I've been dying to do this.
Come on, get in! What was that you said about not getting in your hair?
Break it up. Break it up! What the devil do you think this is? A snake pit?
All right, come on, let's have it. Who started it?
Here's what started it. Miss Precious Cynthia tried to make
quite sure that Pony Tail went nowhere tonight.
Is that right? You bunch of-Is that right? Sure, that's right.
All right Cynthia, get the blazes out of here and don't come back.
So what?
Maureen, get yourself cleaned up. You've got a date, remember? Pony Tail,
Mr. Arpels is waiting. Wear what you like.
If I get another peep out of any of you, I'll fire the whole sordid bunch of you, so help me.
Come on. Oh, Pony Tail. Come
in and see me a minute. Yes Miss Midnight?
Kid, do yourself a favor. What?
You know what. Arpels. Forget him, stand him up, go home and curl up with a good book.
Gee, everybody's getting at me like I'm a juvenile delinquent or something.
They're only trying to do what's best for you, Pony Tail. I know there's not
enough milk of human kindness around here to fill a baby's bottle, but there is a little.
Well, I'm not a baby anymore. Gee Miss Midnight, this is the chance I've been waiting for!
I know. I even know the dialogue. Maybe I can get you a spot in a movie, or maybe you'd be
nice to me and I'll fix it so you get to be the leading lady in the promised land.
And the next morning they hand you your taxi fare, and it's don't call us we'll call you.
Well it doesn't have to be like that. Not always. At least I've got a chance
to be seen! Back home it was just the boys in the street. Errand boys with clammy hands. All trying
to grow mustaches so they could look older. I mean what future has a girl got up there?
Future? I've seen a hundred girls go out those doors with creeps who call themselves producers,
impressarios, and the rest. Little Mr Fixits, all of them. Some of the girls came back with
promises as long as a slide trombone. One came back with a baby. Some never came back at all.
But nobody ever came back with a future. And you're not going to be any different,
Pony Tail. Am I getting through? Okay, Lolita, but watch yourself in the clinches, that's all.
Miss Midnight? Mm-hmm?
Would you tell me something? After all you said,
about this kind of place, what keeps you here? Well, I guess that's the 64 dollar question kid.
And even when I'm looking at him I kind of ask myself the same thing. You know,
I never seem to get an answer. Except, except that fish gotta swim. Birds gotta fly.
There you are my darling. One for you, one for me.
Oh cherries, I love cherries. I'm a regular old greedy guts about them.
You shall have cherries by the million. There. You will swim in cherries.
Silly! Well go on,
drink it up, it won't bite you. Oh dear dear dear. There. That better? Better? Perhaps I-
Oh it's nice isn't it? It is, isn't it?
Oh golly, I feel so woozy.
Oh relax, relax. I'm not going to hurt you. Oh, I don't know. I've never felt like
this before. (laughs) Oh golly. I think I better get some water on my face. Oh golly.
Come along my dear. I've got another little drink for you.
All right, coming.
Twelve O'Clock.
Johnny. Johnny, what are you doing? Coming.
Why are you still here? Where have you been? My dressing room. waiting. Like you.
Waiting, what for? I was just trying to
think. Trying to work something out. Oh Johnny, I just don't know what to do.
Twelve O'Clock, are you in some sort of trouble?
No. You are.
Listen to me Pony Tail! I'm not going to hurt you! Come here you little fool!
You want everybody to hear? Come here! For God's sake! Stop, stop,
stop screaming! Stop screaming! Stop it! Stop! Stop! Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop.
"Stay away tonight, Solo's laying a trap." You heard him say that?
Yes.
Dinelli. He was talking to Dinelli. You heard him say Dinelli?
Johnny, I went over it a hundred times in my mind. Remembering every word.
Novak. He was like my own right hand. I'll kill him, so help me!
Johnny no! You mustn't think like this. Johnny, listen to me.
He's got a shimmy game over at Mickey's. The fun and games are over for Mr. Novak.
Oh Johnny, you've got to listen to me. I'm through listening. The party's
over. Mickey, give me Novak, quick. Johnny, you've done a million lousy
things in your life, and you've dirtied your hands many times,
but you never had blood on them. Hello Novak? Hello, I want to see
you right away. No, I can't tell you on the telephone. At the Flamingo. I'll be waiting.
Johnny, you go for a gun and I'll stop you. I know enough to stop you, Johnny.
You'll stop me! What is this? Stab Solo in the back week?
Johnny, you go for a gun, and I'll be the one who puts you away. I know there's no hope for us,
but I'm thinking of you. Because I've seen it, I've seen it getting rougher and rougher every
day. I sat there in the dark tonight and I kept thinking, if I tell him what will he do? And if
I don't tell him, then what will they do? You did right. Anyway, I haven't got a gun.
I'll fix Novak so there are no scars. It can't be them. It can't be!
No, they wouldn't be that stupid. Oh it's probably some drunk.
Who is it? Police!
Who's there? Police. Open up!
Mr. Solo. May we come in? Seems as if you're in already, Inspector.
Working late tonight aren't you? Not unusual in my profession,
Inspector. Oh, who are you?
Midnight Franklin. I work here. Come into the office, Inspector.
Unusual hour for a visit, Inspector? Are you acquainted with a girl of
the name of, um, Stephanie Beatrice Swanson?
Swanson, no, I don't believe I-She was perhaps known to you as Pony Tail Swanson.
Was? Oh no.
She's dead, Mr. Solo. Very dead indeed. Do you mind?
No. Certain questions I
shall require you both to answer. How did-how did it happen?
When did you last see Miss Swanson? She was here tonight about midnight.
Miss Franklin was here with me. You saw her at the same time?
Yes she did. She worked for you.
Yeah.
And she left here to meet a certain Mr. Arpels at his apartment correct? You,
uh, arranged this, uh, appointment correct? Mr. Solo were you aware of the age of the dead girl?
Well, she must have told us her age at some time. Isn't it your practice to keep a record of the
ages of the girls in your employ? Solo, I want to see your staff. Girls included. Now.
Sergeant Taylor? Yes sir.
He'll help you telephone around. If necessary we'll send a van out to bring 'em in.
Oh and before I ask you any more questions, here's something that might, ah, interest you.
Pony Tail Swanson was 16 years old. A month ago. Interesting little statistic, isn't it?
Robert! Shut up, the police!
Yes, alright. When I find him, I'll tell him. I can't promise that.
Okay. Half an hour.
What a mess! The police want to interrogate us. - Why?
They're phoning around the city.
Everyone who ever had anything to do with the Flamingo Club.
The place will be a madhouse in 10 minutes.
Wait a minute, Flash. If they interrogate Lilliane,
they'll find out everything. Where she comes from, who she is.
- So why not? - I have to get to her before the police do.
Say that again and talk sense.
After. It's my story, you can leave me to it.
Lilliane.
I knew you'd come.
Were you afraid of losing me?
I am, but that's not the only reason.
The police are coming. Half an hour at the latest.
The devil is loose in the Flamingo Club.
- You don't say. - So you're a horse's length ahead of me?
I'll always be a horse's length ahead of everyone. I keep running.
Lilliane, I'm here because I want to help you.
It's about a murder. You can't run away from that. Lilliane.
That's all good material for you. What happened tonight.
You'll be well paid for the story. With the death of Ponytail as your punchline.
Ponytail?
What did you say? The devil is loose in the Flamingo Club.
Is that all you have to say about the death of a child?
Lilliane, I swear I had no idea. It was Arpels, wasn't it? It was Arpels.
Arpels or Solo, it doesn't matter.
What's the difference? Solo's just as much to blame.
I hate men, right? You accused me of that when you met me.
I had every reason to hate men, and they keep proving me right.
They disgust me.
When we met, I thought you were different. But I was wrong.
You're just like everyone else.
You're only here because of your story.
It's so easy to sit behind a typewriter and use other people's misfortunes as your business.
Well, I'm listening.
Even if the police weren't coming, I would have finally run away today to be safe from them.
I'm used to running away. The first time I ran was when my stepfather shot himself.
He was a beautiful man, an important man.
My mother loved him very much.
She thought only the best of him.
Then he was arrested for fraud.
He told me to take him across the border.
When we were on the German side, he gave me a list of the women I should notify.
They were his girlfriends, in every big city where he did his business.
Then he stopped his car and he shot himself in front of me.
I was afraid of being mistaken for his murderer.
At first, I wanted to shoot myself too. But then I fled to London.
Okay. I also ran away from a lot of things.
I kept silent about everything that Johnny Solo and his business partners did.
I drank with them and joked. I became complicit.
But what happened to Ponytail doesn't have to happen to anyone else.
Lilliane, if you are convinced that Solo is complicit in her death,
then you have to make a statement and prevent even more young lives from being destroyed.
Come with me.
If I talk to the police, they will expose everything about me.
These terrible things I've run from will be part of my life again.
My mother's name will be dragged into the public eye again.
She won't survive it...
You'd better think about yourself now.
I'm done, I don't care about any of it.
I don't. I came here because I was hoping to find a good story in London.
I'm burying the story. It's too dirty for me.
I'll move on with you to find a better one.
A girl has been killed tonight. Do you understand that? Killed. A girl hardly
old enough to be out of school. And all any of you can do is to sit around with your
mouth full of teeth. All right. I'll give it to you once again. Mr. Jouvel, are you prepared to
swear on oath that in your presence Solo was told that Pony Tail was under the age of 16?
Yes. I am prepared as well then.
And you, Miss Van Rothe, will you testify that Solo persuaded, encouraged this girl to keep her
rendezvous tonight with the late Mr. Arpels? Yes, I will.
Thank you. all right. But one witness isn't enough. I need corroboration.
Anybody? Who the hell do you think you're protecting anyway? I'm telling you,
Arpels was a man with three convictions for criminal assault and Solo must have known that.
Are you afraid of losing your jobs? Your skins then? Is that it? All right. I personally will
guarantee every one of you police protection if you come clean with me. Did you get that
Mr Solo? How about you? Miss America has nothing to say. All right. Get out of here, all of you.
You must not worry about me. But I want to worry about you Lilliane.
I'll be difficult to keep track of. They don't like people without visas or passports.
I do. And they're sending me out of the country.
Fine. When they do I'll be there to carry you back.
Oh um put that in the car will you? Inspector. You care for one for the road?
No thanks. Oh of course you're on duty.
Oh it's not that. It's just I'm careful where I drink.
Inspector? What is it?
I have something to tell you. A lot of things. You lied to me, Johnny.
Midnight. Wait a minute, don't be- It's too late.
Midnight, let me talk to you, a moment alone. A moment isn't enough Johnny, it never has been.
Don't do it, 12 o'clock. Don't let me down now. I'm not Johnny, that's just it. I'm not letting
you down. Go on.
I'll tell you anything you want to know, Inspector. I'll tell you that Johnny knew about
the girl's age. So did I. He knew and did nothing about it. I warned him. So did all the others.
But Johnny knew best. Johnny always knew best. We'll take your statement at the station Miss
Franklin. Johnny?
Solo by nature. I should have known better. I want you alive Johnny. I want you alive and
in one piece. This was the only way to stop you shooting at Novak, if Novak didn't kill you first.
I know. This hurts you more than it hurts me. Don't laugh at me Johnny. You know it's true.
You mean it's going to be true.
That's enough of the rough stuff Solo. You're coming with us.
Hi Johnny. You wanted to see me? Novak. Too late to knife or be knifed.
You know my manager. I have no secrets from him. Oh is that so? Well, in that case,
maybe you'd better come with us too. Now wait a minute. You can't pin
anything on me. It was Dinelli's idea to plant Arpels here and make all that
trouble. I knew nothing about it. Nothing at all. Apparently. Put him in the car. And make sure it's
not the same one as Solo. Oh, pity.
Take me to your leader. Johnny?
Come on Mac, let's get out of here. Look here mate.
So long, Mr. Solo. Bye. Why'd she have to do that for? Don't ask me.