Original subtitles

Mr O.F.'s Suitcases (a fairytale for adults)

Ladies and gentlmen...

What is revolving here is a star.

This star is called Earth.

This Earth is big...

and wherever we might go everywhere it's beginning...

In Australia and America...

and in Asia and in Africa...

and last but not least... on that continent...

...which is called, as you can read... Europe.

Ladies... gentlemen...

That place is modern.

Those spots are cities...

Those cities are loud...

and they sit like spots on the star's skin

That's Leningrad, that's Berlin...

That's Paris, Rome, Madrid and Vienna.

But can you see this spot here, which nobody knows?

This is a dark spot...

It's called Ostend.

The world is sold out, cleared out.

Ostend is unaware of that...

It's sleeping and dreaming.

"It's better to take two steps backwards than one step forward" A.D.1532

Municipal Fire Brigade

Greetings, Peter!

Greetings, Johann.

My congratulations... I've heard you got twins.

Two boys... Now we have half a dozen.

I've only managed five so far.

Nobody in Ostend is going to overtake me!

Hearts are trumps.

We can draw up our will now.

Very true.

- King of hearts. - Follow suit.

The queen isn't missing either!

Postmaster, my father's sent me...

An express letter.

Come back in the morning when I'm free.

It can't be that urgent.

All tricks are mine.

I've been holding this razor in my hand for 25 years now...

...and I haven't cut anybody with it yet.

How come?

In Ostend there's a saying...

It's better to be badly shaved than well cut.

What's going on?

For you, Mr Brunn.

- For me? - A new guest.

Peter..! Alexander!

Unload it!

Be careful!

Careful!

Slowly!

Slowly!

Careful... careful!

Slowly and carefully.

This way

Slowly, slowly...

This way.

Don't drop anything!

That's is not a sack of potatoes!

Careful!

Careful!

6-7-8-9-10...

11-12... 13

13, that's right. Sign here, Mr Brunn.

All in order.

Semiramis Cairo

Bombay Hotel Majestic

Hotel Imperial Port Said

Grand Hotel, Ostend...

The European Travel Agency hereby orders 6 rooms in your hotel.

The guest will arrive within the next days. The date will be advised by telegram.

6 rooms?

And the hotel only has 5!

Gentlemen...

I must ask you... You must leave now.

The hotel's management has to...

Peter...

Don't let the suitcases out of your sight!

Alexander!

Don't let anybody inside!

Oh God, oh God, oh God.

O.F.?

O.F.

Who is O.F.?

What does O.F. want?

Semiramis Cairo O.F.

This is the manager...

Vacate this room!

This is the manager...

Vacate this room!

This is the manager...

Gentlemen, 13 suitcases.

India, Egypt, Australia...

He's been everywhere... He's seen the whole world.

Gentlemen, what business can he have in Ostend?

Gentlemen, there's not one word in this letter...

...about the owner of the suitcases.

Gentlemen, if that doesn't mean something, I'll hang myself.

Perhaps he wants to invest here?

Or build?

Silence, gentlemen.

In such an important instance, silence is the citizen's first duty.

But I must go now...

As Mayor of this city, it's my duty to consider the affair carefully.

Mayor, I suspect...

Mayor, I suspect...

This affair must be discussed somewhere quiet.

Tonight, at my place?

Something's going on.

Boy oh boy!

We'll make 6 out of 5.

Mr O.F. will get a room from my own apartment.

Faster!

Faster!

Faster!

Faster! Faster! Faster! Faster!

Faster! Faster! Faster!

Grand Hotel Ostend owner: I.Brunn

Johann Zoese Barber

- Dorn - Tailor

Coiffeur Jean

Old Gentleman Tailor Dorn

Grand Hotel Ostend Owner: I.Brunn

Mr O.F. may arrive now.

Come in.

Preparations for the celebrations, Mr Editor?

Mr Architect.

Tomorrow will be a great day.

Ostend will be in the newspapers again.

So you finally have your sensation.

Mr O.F.'s Suitcases

How about it, my good friend...?

What if you and I were to sit on Mr O.F.'s suitcases?!

And show the world...

...what two clever fellows are capable of?

Could they do it?

They could!

Enough of that brooding, Mayor... now it's time to go to bed.

I believe...

...that great events are imminent.

Chin up, father... Make your daughter proud!

You get off to bed.

Good night.

Who might he be?

O.

F.

In India...

He'd been there too.

This O. F.

In India?

The world is so big...

and Ostend is so small.

By night there is nothing to see...

Here one dreams all alone or sleeps with a spouse...

Nothing can happen to you here.

The world is so big...

and Ostend is so small.

So dream on, Ostend... sleep.

You're the Mayor of the most beautiful town in the world.

So dream on, Ostend... sleep.

Welcome, welcome, welcome...

Are you ready, schoolmaster?

We are, Mr Mayor, we'll give you a sample at once.

Good heavens, no, I don't have time.

But at 1 o'clock, if you please, and loud, really loud.

Yes, Mr Mayor.

Welcome, welcome, welcome...

O.F. Welcome

13 suitcases

for one person!

O....

F.

Mr Mayor...

But gentlemen!

Mr Mayor, when will the gentleman arrive?

- How long will he stay in Ostend? - You must introduce me.

Please, gentlemen!

I don't even know who he is!

What? You don't know who he is?

Well...

So he realized his old scheme...

You know him! You know his name!

- Mr Editor... - Gentlemen!

All in good time... You'll all get the full story.

You will.

Mr Editor...

My daughter and I will expect you at 5 o'clock for coffee.

- Mr Mayor... - Gentlemen...

Mr Editor, you must tell us!

- In strict confidence. - We won't tell anyone.

You must! You really must!

Gentlemen...

I can tell you one thing...

Only one thing.

O.

F.

O.F.?

You'll never make it, like O.F. did.

I'll make it to 13 suitcases yet

Don't boast!

Just you wait and see who wins in this game.

You're such a conceited boy!

My father doesn't agree at all.

"That Stark will never amount to anything."

"Him as my son-in-law? Don't make me laugh!"

Let the Mayor laugh, for all I care!

It should sparkle like a mirror.

Everything must be just right.

Just a bit.

Perfect.

Lovely.

- Have another, Mr Stix. - Thank you.

Homemade apple strudel.

Another piece.

One asks a sick person, one gives to a healthy person...

That's what I say as a doctor.

Too kind, thank you... I seem to never stop eating.

And now Mr Stix will tell us...

...just who this O.F. is.

Mr Editor, do tell us!

Mr Mayor, please, please!

But Mr Mayor... He doesn't know himself who O.F. is.

Please!

O.F....

...is Oskar Flott...

...a billionaire.

Yes, I know him.

A billionaire!

Have another piece!

Another cognac?

Look how this liqueur smiles at you!

Mr Editor, please.

A wine!

Have mercy, gentlemen...

I can't take any more.

Mercy!

Today there's no mercy... Today you're my guest!

Your health, Mr Editor!

- Robert! - I don't have time.

I've been waiting for half an hour now.

While we're sitting here all cozy...

...our esteemed editor won't torture us any longer, and tell us.

Yes.

Yes.

Because you've been so kind.

I'll tell you.

Flott is his name.

Oskar Flott.

A billionaire.

Oskar.

A billionaire!

Coming to us, to Ostend?

Of course he's a billionaire, a man with 13 suitcases.

What business does he have in Ostend?

Any business deals?

Building...

...gentlemen.

Building.

How do you know?

But gentlemen, what other business could a billionaire have in Ostend?

Come on, what's the matter?

- I've been waiting here for an hour - Robert!

How can you keep Mr Stark waiting for so long?

Mr Stark...

Today you're my guest.

Robert, here, quickly!

Tell us, since you're an expert...

...what do you think someone might build in Ostend?

Give us a hint.

Me?

Mr Stix... Do come to our table.

Mr Stix...

Why do you keep your friend Flott's building projects such a secret?

Yes, certainly, he wants to build.

Gentlemen, you know how business deals are.

I'm a discreet person.

Yes I am.

Robert, quickly

Please, Doctor, help yourself.

Gentlemen, one wants a guest who is a billionaire...

...to be as comfortable as possible.

What might the hotel do for Mr Flott?

Mr Brunn, take note...

First of all, the hotel needs a jazz band.

Yes, a jazz band. Mr Flott loves music with his dinner.

Second, the Grand Hotel needs a cabaret.

Yes, it needs a cabaret.

Mr Flott likes a diversion after dinner.

My place? A cabaret?

Where?

Here, in the cafe!

Tomorrow we'll start alterations.

You must send a telegram at once.

- Jazz! - Girls!

Sir...

A new customer has applied.

From which town?

Ostend.

Ostend?

Ostend?

Grand Hotel

Never heard of it.

What sort of place? Ostend?

Whereabouts is it?

Ostend?

Whereabouts is it? It's nowhere to be found

Perhaps with the magnifying glass.

Let me have it.

Ostend... Ostend.

Ostend... Ostend.

Ah, here it is!

Only visible under the magnifying glass.

And it needs a jazz band and chorus girls.

Must be a gay little town.

Dolly, a new file for the registry.

Ostend.

Grand Hotel.

Ostend Grand Hotel.

Viola Volant.

Viola Volant.

The Madcap Harmonisers.

The Madcap Harmonisers.

Jack's Laughing Girls.

Must depart at once.

Send a wire to the Grand Hotel, urgent.

The great moment has arrived.

Art makes its entrance.

Art...

...should...

Art...

...will...

Art...

can...

It can.

It can.

"Ostend Express - Transportation Company"

Sir...

Yes?

Is that a town?

It's a village.

You only have goats here.

But madam, you're doing us an injustice!

We have a great future.

This place has a future?

Here we have the future of Ostend.

Gentlemen.

I drew up the plan last night.

Here is the Grand Opera.

The Casino, the City Hall.

We must hurry, gentlemen, before Flott snatches everything.

Very true! Excellent!

As this is very fine...

But why doesn't the Grand Boulevard connect with my property?

That would suit you...

That my property should remain outside with the cow paddocks...

...and the likes of you on the Grand Boulevard!

Silence, gentlemen!

Finance is your business, but you leave building to me.

Here is the border...

6 metres to the right of the pylon.

Mark the spot.

"Film Palace Excelsior Ostend"

"To the architect's office"

Architect Stark

Gentlemen, silence.

Silence, gentlemen.

Be patient, remember... Rome wasn't built in a day.

I've come here now for the fourth time, Mr Mayor.

I've been waiting all day, Mr Mayor.

It's urgent, Mr Mayor.

Patience, patience!

You'll all get your turn, gentlemen.

Ostend has gone mad...

Completely mad.

I can't cope any more.

I'll have a nervous breakdown.

It's your fault, Mr Mayor.

- How? - Yes, your fault.

The Mayor of Ostend...

...must be unapproachable.

Unapproachable?

Yes. The Mayor of Ostend needs a servant.

- A servant? - Yes, a secretary.

- A secretary? - Yes, a page.

A servant?

A secretary.

Yes, you're right

Look, Mr Mayor, look!

So your eyes are popping out at a woman made up like that!

And to me you're showing your...

Johann!

Sit down to eat!

Eat.

- If only I had a dress like that! - You men!

You don't need decent wives.

I can also... I can also...

...be indecent.

I could, too!

We have three lipsticks in stock.

We haven't sold any in three years.

And now all of a sudden all the ladies need lipsticks...

make-up...

...powder.

Where can we get all that from?

I've ordered it all by telegram.

Madame... How can I help you?

Mr Apothecary, please... I'd like a...

lipstick...

and...

powder...

and...

...everything.

Everything!

Express delivery for Ostend.

11 wagonloads of brassieres.

40 wagonloads of special articles.

60 wagonloads with no specification, for the same purposes.

- Everything ready? - Let's go!

Good day.

Air express delivery. Paris - Ostend.

A 53... 1,300 evening gowns.

Aircraft C17... 1800 ladies' hats.

Aircraft B23... 30,000 pairs of silk stockings.

- Everything ready? - Let's go

Express delivery to Ostend.

7,000 tons of lipstick.

With the 'SS Europa'...

10,000 tons of powder

'SS Asia'...

12,000 tons of perfume.

With the ships of the Royal Oil Company...

- Everything ready? - Let's go

My mistress isn't right in the head!

My mistress has gone crazy.

She imagines she's become a Venus overnight.

And mine's ruined all the laundry with that damned lipstick.

And the way those old cows start talking posh...

...with their painted lips!

Instead of seeing to their children...

...they're all day in that stuck-up foreign woman's fashion salon.

"First Ostend Salon for Fashion and Good Taste"

...you've learned a lot.

Now you'll take a short test.

Ladies, what would you wear for the "five o'clock"?

Ladies, what would you wear for the opening of your new opera?

Wonderful!

Very good!

I've heard you're expecting a Mr Flott.

Ladies...

What would you wear when he arrives?

Ladies, a record!

Well? What do you think of my buildings?

Great? Great? Isn't it?

Have a seat, Madame.

Thank you.

There are things... you'll learn...

...so that you'll finally realize whom you're dealing with.

That the architect Dr. Karl Stark

is to be appointed Director of the Public Building Projects of the city of Ostend.

Signed...

The Mayor.

- Totally crazy! - Who is?

The Mayor.

- Because he chose me? - Because he chose you.

- Crazy? - Crazy.

All they same we're going to build, build, build here!

Mr Mayor, I thank you for the honour of your visit.

Ostend is blooming, my dear Brunn.

Art...

Civilization...

Culture...

Progress!

Ostend.

Dear citizens... Honoured guests...

Raise your glasses with me to the health of Mr Oskar Flott...

...whose imminent visits proves...

...that the world has discovered Ostend.

Long live Mr Flott!

To Ostend...

...and to its Mayor!

Three roast porks and three beers.

Roast pork? I suggest you start with a small hors d'oeuvres.

Three of those.

We also have the obligatory champagne.

Do you prefer it dry or sweet?

Three of those, please.

Pommery sec extra dry.

You had to talk to me urgently, Mr...?

Mr ...?

- Stix. - Stix.

Editor Stix.

And now?

You're not saying anything.

I, eh...

Shy?

I'd like...

Madame...

- ...to interview you. - Pardon?

I'd like to...

You...

You...

You naughty boy!

Stage.

Skin had been the first dress...

...adorning the body of Eve.

And it had been a good old time...

...when no one was ashamed.

Then Eva felt she was quite fed up...

...and she plucked herself a fig leaf...

Then to Adam had this to say...

My dear sir...

My dear sir...

This is what modern culture's all about...

My dear sir...

My dear sir...

A fig leaf doesn't suffice... leaves much exposed...

- Are we two clever fellows or not? - We are indeed!

Can we do it?

We can indeed!

How do you like my new buildings?

Great!

A year from now, Ostend will have surpassed Paris.

We should erect a memorial to the suitcases.

I also owe that splendid woman to the suitcases.

And I owe my bride to them.

We owe everything to...

The suitcases of Mr O.F.

Then they shake their skirt and only say...

My dear sir...

My dear sir...

This is what modern culture's all about...

My dear sir...

My dear sir...

One even used to wear a steel corset...

And a skirt with hoops.

One lay in bed like a knight in armour...

No man had been able to fathom us.

Now we've hacked the corset to shreds...

In the light of day we're naked again...

The skin as our dress, nothing else besides...

My dear sir...

My dear sir...

My dear sir...

My dear sir...

This is what modern culture's all about!

Ostend is gay.

Ostend is happy...

As if it all were a fairytale.

A bit of moonlight, a bit of wine and merriment...

Ostend, what else do you need?

Don't be shy.

Come on in.

Little Marie...

Is that you?

Yes.

I'm...

...Marie.

Come in, my little...

...editor.

Here I'll let you...

May I take the liberty...

Here I'll let you...

- without any scruples... - interview you.

Madame

- do... - do...

Do you intend to...?

Yes.

I...

...intend to...

- Did you hear the pop? - Luck is all you need

Let me listen.

- Who is she? - The Mayor's new secretary.

Yes, such a secretary knows something about the butter business.

Everything modern office culture demands, Mr Mayor...

...I have already ordered.

Room 1, to the right.

You must go to the secretariat, no. 3 no. 6, also to the right.

Can I help you sir?

I'd like to see the Mayor.

The Mayor is not available.

Go to to the General Secretariat no. 4...

To the left.

Can I help you sir?

And another thing, Mr Mayor

Your ties are simply impossible.

Well I... I...

Miss Secretary...

I've already ordered you some new ties.

- Thank you, Miss Secretary. - Mr Chief Editor Stix.

Well... I...

I don't know...

The Mayor will see him now.

Show him in.

About our relations...

...with the press?

We'll talk about it later at tea time.

Certainly.

Certainly.

In the evening too...

...about our relations... with the press.

But gentlemen! this is impossible!

My dear Miss Secretary...

We've been sent from one room to another for an hour.

We must know now when Mr Flott will arrive.

- What about you, sir? -The same, Miss

- And you? - Me too, Miss Secretary

When will Mr Flott arrive?

- We have business deals. - We're building.

- I've bought seven blocks of land. - We must know when Mr Flott will arrive.

The Mayor told the General Secretariat yesterday to look into this question.

I hope we'll have more precise information by Thursday.

Gentlemen...

Goodbye

Mr Mayor, so you've made it to your own newspaper.

Our Mayor.

- Good. - It is.

Here, read this.

Brunn, our Brunn.... look at him!

A newspaper of his own!

Very pretty, Chief Editor, but where's the main story?

- What do you mean? - Where is Mr Flott?

The citizens are getting restless.

Yes, where is Mr Flott?

Calm the citizens!

Send a telegram to Mr Flott.

Publish his portrait.

- But you must know when he'll arrive! - What am I building for?

Why have we founded a bank?

And why are we drinking champagne at your place every night?

Tell us when he'll arrive!

He'll certainly arrive, gentlemen...

Just be patient.

We're expecting his telegram at any moment.

Commissions, commissions, commissions!

I don't know if I'm coming or going with all these commissions.

They all want to build!

They don't care what.

My newspaper comes out three times a day...

But it isn't enough for Ostend yet.

Gentlemen, I'm at a loss.

Flott keeps delaying his arrival.

My neck's on the block.

We must do something about it!

Right away!

But we can't conjure Flott out of thin air!

Gentlemen, think hard.

Perhaps we could.

Citizens of Ostend!

The committee invites you to Mr Flott's reception

Wednesday at 8 o'clock in front of the Grand Hotel.

The Chairman of the Committee - the Mayor.

Welcome... welcome... welcome.

Gentlemen...

Our guest asks to be excused

He deeply regrets, he can't see you esteemed gentlemen.

He is unwell.

The doctor accompanying him has ordered total rest.

Only with the greatest effort was he able...

...to receive the acclamations from the balcony.

He has been deeply moved.

Our guest will be honoured to pay a call on our Mayor within two days.

Well...

The poor man...

Never out of the doctors' sight.

We need to spare him.

We do.

- But what... - But what are we to do?

Doctor, what's your opinion of the situation?

Buy and build!

Build and buy!

Tell me, where can I found something here?

Too late, everything's been founded!

They run and they quarrel and they buy and they sell.

It's a boom! It's a boom!

Can't I make a deposit at your bank?

Sorry, we're flooded with money... I can't accept anything.

- What if I pay? - No room in the safe.

The whole world is bankrupt, only Ostend is expanding.

It's a boom! It's a boom!

Where can I buy stocks?

Sold out!

They're all in good hands.

And the news travels from place to place...

"There's a boom in Ostend! There's a boom on in Ostend!"

Gentlemen...

The boom in Ostend remains a mystery.

Our International Economics Conference has established...

The whole world is suffering a terrible economic crisis.

There's only one exception...

Ostend.

So let us learn from Ostend...

...how to solve the most urgent problem of our times.

I propose we hold...

...the next International Economics Conference in Ostend.

Let's take a vote.

Passed.

Ostend, an unheard-of development...

A metropolis, an interesting problem.

A global problem.

Attention, attention, attention...

This is Radio Ostend.

We're broadcasting the reception of delegates to the Economics Conference...

...by our city's Lord Mayor.

Ladies and gentlemen...

On this historic spot...

Here at the cradle of the metropolis of Ostend...

...I salute the delegates to the International Economics Conference...

It makes our city proud...

...that our city has been especially selected...

...to show to the delegates to the International Economics Conference...

...the way to the solution for the economic crisis.

What would the economy be...

...without a crisis?

What would the crisis be...

...without a conference?

Our motto has always been...

...for centuries...

Always forward, no step backwards!

And in this spirit...

...I wish the International Economics Conference...

...a rapid and total success.

This is a historic moment...

...gentlemen.

The first session of our conference...

...has on its agenda... "The World Crisis."

I declare the session open...

...and hand over to...

Gentlemen...

The eyes of the world are upon us.

We're faced with a very grave problem.

They've gone crazy.

Everything's topsy-turvy.

No order around here.

Why do we cook if the Mayor is nowhere to be seen?

He probably prefers his secretary's cooking.

The bridegroom doesn't have time for us either.

But my dear, you forget we're a metropolis now.

Hello...

Ah Mayor, it's you...

Tell me, where have you been?

Such bad luck, my child...

I can't come to dinner

Work.

Work.

Work, my child.

Work?

Now? In the middle of the night?

Tempo...

This is our new tempo.

Ostend is progressing.

It's going to be very late...

...before I'm finished here.

But I'm the Mayor, my child.

Go ahead, we'll do it like that.

Schulze, you've solved the design brilliantly.

But the windows might be a bit wider.

Yes, wider.

Is the design for the central heating finished?

You must check the calculations again.

What about the facade?

Hello

Helena?

You, dear?

You only live for your Flott and his metropolis...

...while I sit here waiting for two hours.

What? It's already 9 o'clock?!

That late?

But Helena...

But my darling... can't you see that this is all wrong?

Yes...

But I'm busy with a most interesting job...

...which you too would enjoy a lot.

Yes, if you were here you'd... Get me the final draft!

Hello...

Hello, Helena...

Don't forget the central heating. Check the figures.

Don't forget the layout of the ground plan.

I must...

I must!

Courage, Mr Mayor.

You must...

To the health of the Mayor!

And his bride.

You...

You are...

I don't need any kissing here and kissing there.

Kissing everywhere.

I need to be married.

But what about love, feelings... and stuff.

Love?

When a Grand Hotel marries a Great Salon...

That is the greatest love.

It must be, must be.

I'm editor-in-chief of the biggest paper, that comes out four times a day.

I'm the greatest star in Ostend, performing four times a night.

Our position in society demands it... We must get married.

So it's marriage after all.

What a shame!

What about our illegitimate...

...interviews?

Helena, I couldn't get home earlier.

Such an honour... Mr Chief Building Director...

Coming home in person!

But darling...

I know... "dearest"... "only beloved"... "sweetest..."

But everything I do, I only do...

You do for me... Everything is only for me!

Now listen to me... If we're going to quarrel...

...best we get married.

Make sense?

Isn't it true?

Tomorrow...

...we'll get married.

The nations of the world...

...are suffering a crisis.

You, happy Ostend...

...are getting married!

This is an historic moment...

...gentlemen.

Our conference's 87th session...

...has on its agenda... "The World Crisis".

I declare the session open...

...and hand over to...

Gentlemen...

The eyes of the world are upon us...

We're facing a very grave problem.

We've been lucky so far.

There's only one worry left.

Flott... Still not a trace of him

- What if it comes out? - How would it come out?

Your son certainly won't tell that he had been the man on the balcony...

...whom the population applauded so stormily.

Don't worry about Flott.

It's much more important that O.F. doesn't ruin our plans.

O.F.? why O.F.?

- So who is Flott then? - I've invented him.

- Invented? - Now he's surprised.

Invented... you?

For Ostend's benefit.

That's what it was about.

Flott must disappear now in the same brilliant fashion.

Nothing is easier.

We'll just spread it around that Flott has died in an accident.

A car accident.

A car accident.

Poor old Flott!

And then, what I wanted to mention, City Councilor...

Have you heard, Flott has been involved in a car accident.

There's no hope.

Flott?

Who's Flott?

I've never heard the name before.

You've never heard it?

- Flott? - Privy Councilor

Listen, something terrible has happened to our Flott.

Excuse me, who is Flott?

You know, O.F.

O.F.?

Come on, the man with the 13 suitcases.

A man with 13 suitcases?

Is this a new joke?

You can tell me later, I can't keep a lady waiting.

Ostend is as if bewitched...

Ostend, you're blooming and growing...

Everybody forms couples in Ostend...

Yes, luck has many fairy tales, oh Ostend...

Ostend, have courage!

If it's just a dream... so what?!

- But Director, how about a problem piece? - Problem films bankrupt you.

Comedies bring dividends.

Why is Ostend a metropolis?

Because they don't care about problems.

Why are we a global enterprise?

Because we produce comedies.

I love OTAG

You love OTAG

He loves OTAG

We love OTAG

You love OTAG

They love OTAG

Look...

"A Whiff of the Barracks" a sound film operetta

The air of the barracks... The perfume of the barracks...

The magic of the barracks...

It's such fun to go marching.

A sound film operetta.

I...

...as head of OTAG...

...Ostend Sound Film Corporation...

..am telling you... A film with a meaning interests nobody.

A film without a meaning...

That's what a metropolis needs!

Excuse me, Chief...

The world crisis is also a sensation.

Keep this in mind, my young friend...

When a dog bites a child in Ostend...

That isn't a sensation.

But when a child bites a dog in Ostend...

That IS a sensation.

The nations of this world...

...are suffering a crisis.

You, happy Ostend...

...are bearing children.

This is a historic moment...

...gentlemen.

The 1111th session...

...of our conference...

...has on its agenda...

"The World Crisis"

After years of collaboration...

...by all our delegations...

...and sub-delegations...

...we unfortunately haven't been able...

...to get to the bottom of the initial causes...

...of this unique economic miracle in Ostend.

Here they are at last, the 13 suitcases of the actress Ola Felden.

Marked: "O.F."

Checked in here in Z�rich.

Destination: Bad Ostende.

The Grand Hotel.

You've sent the suitcases...

...as our inquiry department found after years of research...

...to Ostend.

And in Ostend nobody has a clue about those suitcases now.

But Director...

It had only been an "E" which I forgot.

One doesn't forget an "E".

You're dismissed without notice.

But Director...

"13 Suitcases Boulevard"

Ladies and gentlemen...

We are how in the historic part of Ostend.

You see here the world-famous 13 Suitcases Boulevard.

I say...

Why is this boulevard called "13 suitcases"?

It comes from antiquity...

12th or 16th century.

Something very historic.

Ladies... gentlemen...

We always like to listen to and watch fairytales.

13 suitcases like you just saw...

...are only helpful in dreams.

They are hardly a remedy for life.

Not in Asia, not in Africa...

Nor Australia or America...

Not on that sick continent...,

...which from old times is called Europe.

13 suitcases will not achieve the purpose.

What you've seen has been just a fairy-tale, a game.

Subtitles: serdar202 Revised by FatPlank for KG