All language subtitles for Love On The Dole 1941 1080p - ENG sdh

-Hello, Mother.
-Hello, Father.

-Aren't they down yet?
-No.

-They're just coming.
-Oh, it's like that, is it?

(THUDDlNG)

Hey, come on, dopey, get up.

Leave me alone.

You'd better get up, Dad's home.

Oh, blimey. l thought it was Sunday.

SALLY: (EXCLAlMS) Lose a day
and you lose a friend.

Uh, l've got nowt else to lose.

Except me socks, they've gone again.

SALLY: lf you'd wrap 'em
round your neck of a night,

you'd know where to find them.

You'll be getting a sock from Dad soon
if you don't hurry up.

Ha, ha, ha, funny, aren't you?

Slow down, Mother, don't drown me.

Hard to sieve, this.

There's enough coal on your back
to last us a week.

Are they stirring? l don't hear them.

Don't worry,
they'll be down in a minute.

Where's yon brush?

Ee, what a fussbox you are!

(THUDDlNG)

l say, Sal, do you think
l could ask him today?

Well, you've got a tongue in your head,
haven't you?

Would you ask him for me?

What? And him only just home from work?

Oh, not likely.

But l'm sick of putting it off.

(THUDDlNG)

All right, Dad, we're coming.

l dare you to ask him this morning.
Come on.

-Morning, Dad.
-Morning, Dad. Morning, Mum.

More like afternoon to me.

Ah, give over, Dad.

-When l was your age...
-l know, up with the lark.

(WHlSPERS) Why don't you ask him now?

(WHlSPERS) No, he's in a bad mood.
l'll do it this afternoon.

-Oh, don't be so daft. Do it now.
-Oh.

(SOFTLY) Go on.

(MOUTHlNG)

What's the matter with thee?

Well, er...

Nothing, Father.

Well, get on with your breakfast, then,
or you'll be late for your work.

Five years l've been at
Marlows now, you know, Dad?

Well, what about it?

Oh, nothing, only l...

What are you driving at?

Well, l was just wondering
when l was going to get

that there new suit, that's all.

Ee, lad, what can we do?

You know we haven't got much coming in.

l know, Ma,
but l've never had a proper suit yet.

And me nearly 1 8.
Well, l'm ashamed to go out on Sundays.

Look at Jack Lynsey and t'others.
They can have 'em, why can't l?

They get them at the Good Samaritan
Clothing Club, Harry.

And you know your father
doesn't like weekly payments.

You'll have to make do
with what you got, lad.

You'll get one when things buck up.

When things buck up. (SCOFFS)

lt's all very well talking like that.

Trade's turning corner, paper says so.

l know l'm ashamed to turn corner
in these trousers.

The others have suits through
Good Samaritan, why can't l?

l'll tell you why.

Because l'm not shoving no
blasted millstone

of weekly payments round my neck.

What we can't pay for cash down,
we'll do without, see.

But here am l working full-time
and no clothes to go out on weekends.

Ah, lad, l've worked
all me blooming life.

-And what have l got?
-Well, l don't see that just because...

Now, then, don't set me off now,
don't set me off!

-Now, Harry, now, Harry.
-But l'm sick of it all, l can tell you.

Nothing to wear and nothing to spend
and me working full-time.

Man's work, that's what l'm doing.

And giving up all l earn
except for a shilling to spend.

God almighty.

What a life this is.
l come home to rest and what do l get?

lf it isn't you, it's Sal.

Man, do you think blasted money
grows on trees?

(WHlSTLE BLOWlNG)

Go on, get off to your work,
the both of you.

(DOOR CLOSES)

The lad's right, you know, Henry.

He isn't fit to be seen in t'street.

You think l don't know?
But it's not my fault.

l've worked every hour that God sent
every day of me life

and what have we got to show for it?

We're worse off now
than when we was first wed.

Well, couldn't we manage it somehow?

You know how you used to feel yourself.

He can't go out on Sundays at all.

l've told you, Mother,
l'm having no weekly payments.

We've managed to keep
our heads above water so far.

Do you think l want to see you going off
every Monday morning

to a pawn shop like old Ma Nattle?

No, not if l can help it.

(lNDlSTlNCT CHATTER)

l'm glad you've come.
He won't let us in!

Out of me way. Out of me way.

l'll soon settle that!

Hey! Open t'door,
let us in out of perishing cold.

WOMAN: Come on, son, open the door.

Hurry up, we're perishing.

-We've been here for hours and hours.
-All ready?

Take thy hands out of thy pockets.

Slovenliness. Slovenliness.

Always to be deplored,
especially in one so young.

(SNlFFLES)

Where's thy handkerchief?

Blow thy nose.

And tell the customers
that we can do with less noise.

Hey, he says to make less noise.

And l say if he doesn't let us in,
l'm taking me custom somewhere else.

WOMAN: Oh, come on, son, open the door.
Hurry up!

-We've been here for hours and hours.
-You may let them in now.

(ALL GRUMBLlNG)

(ALL SHOUTlNG lNDlSTlNCTLY)

(ALL CLAMOURlNG)

(COlNS JlNGLlNG)

And now, to business.

-Who's first?
-l am!

(ALL SPEAKlNG lNDlSTlNCTLY)

-Stop pushing.
-l'm first, l'm always first.

Who does all the pawning
for her neighbours?

And who earns all commission, too?

Out of folks what's too high and mighty
to come for themselves.

We'll start with that one,
Jack Cramford's best suit.

She couldn't come this week,
she's expecting her seventh.

And him only working three days a week.

That explains it.
Satan finds work, you know.

l should have brought my bed.

Let me do this, Mrs Nattle.
lt's only me lodger's suit.

l don't see why it should hang up
there doing nobody any good.

He doesn't believe in pawn shops.

He doesn't believe in obliging
his landlady, blast him.

lt's in the pocket.

lt's very cold this morning, isn't it?

Do you know, l didn't sleep a wink
last night with me cough.

Wish to God they were open.

l see performance.

l seed you slip your old-age
pension book into pocket.

Mmm, well, it doesn't do to tell
everybody all you know, does it?

A still tongue and a wise head.

'Wise as a serpent and innocent
as a dove,' the good book says.

Aye, least said soonest mended,
Mrs Dorbell.

Though l never knew he took
pension books in pawn.

Being against law,
as it's printed on book.

And him being a magistrate
and a churchgoer.

Oh, l'm surprised at nowt
what nobody does.

Be what they may.

Well, he knows if he takes your pension
book on pawn,

you can't draw your pension
till the book is redeemed.

Course, if you can't afford to get
your clothes out of pawn,

you can always stay at home.

But you can't afford to lose
1 0 shillings a week

for the sake of half a crown, can you?

That's what he lends on pension books.

That'll be interesting
to some of my customers, Mrs Dorbell.

And thank you for
the hint and the information.

lndeed, you're welcome.

l suppose you haven't got
a drop of anything in the house?

l must get something for me cough.

You know my motto, neighbours obliged.

(COUGHlNG)

Sit you down, lass,
make yourself at home.

The usual?

-Drop of hot water?
-No.

Threepence.

Now...

About that there
lrish sweepstake ticket, Nancy.

Have you decided yet?

Not yet, l want to have a talk
with a certain party l know.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

Who's that?

-lt's only me.
-And me.

-MRS NATTLE: Come in.
-Having a quick one, eh?

Couldn't wait for us, could ya?

MRS NATTLE: Sit down.

-What will it be?
-Three-penneth.

Ah, somebody's been
doing themselves well.

Bottle was nearly full yesterday.

So was my old man.

l don't know where
he gets his money from.

Now, Mrs Bull. Three-penneth, you said?

Aye, look sharp about it,
me throat's nearly cut.

You can make it six-penneth if you'll
trust me for the other threepence.

Can't afford it, Mrs Bull.

Get away, will ya?
Some folks know to make money.

Agent for Good Samaritan,
pawning for neighbours?

'Neighbours obliged'
did with two lines under it?

And selling nips.

Threepence, please, Mrs Bull.

Now, what about you, Alice?

Same for me, dearie.

Well, gals,
how are we all this morning, eh?

Here, have a pinch of Birdseye?

All right.

l don't know what's coming over folks
these days.

Why, what's up now?

Well, l remember when
there's hardly a day passed

without a confinement
or a laying out to be done.

Aye, young'uns aren't having children
as they ought.

And folks that die is being laid out
by them as they belong to,

which weren't considered respectable
in the old days.

l tell you, if my poor
old mother was alive

to see the goings on in the world today,

she'd turn in her grave, so she would.

Ah, the world's never been the same
since the old queen died.

Which queen do you mean, Mrs Jike?

Why, Queen Victoria, of course.

-Oh, her.
-(KNOCK AT DOOR)

Who's that? Glasses!

lt's Mrs Hardcastle.

Come in. This is a surprise.

Ee, l didn't know you had company,
Mrs Nattle.

Nay, lass, we're all friends here.
Sit down.

Well, l don't want to disturb you.

l'll come again when you're not busy.
l'm in no hurry.

Oh, l'm not busy,
just having a quiet five minutes.

Sit you down. Now, what is it you want?

Well, Mrs Nattle,
our Harry wants a new suit.

Oh, you mean you want a club cheque?

That's easy settled.

How much do you want it for,
Mrs Hardcastle?

Well, he did say that he wanted it
made to measure.

Made to measure, eh?

-Sounds as though he's started courting.
-(CHUCKLlNG)

-Then his troubles begin.
-(CHUCKLlNG)

You'll get it for three pounds,
Mrs Hardcastle.

That's what l had to pay
for my old man's.

There'll be three shillings interest,
Mrs Hardcastle.

You pay that now.

And it's three shillings a week
for 20 weeks.

-You understand?
-Aye.

Me husband'll be a good payer.

He doesn't believe in cheques
and weekly payments.

Ee, what a job l had
talking him into it.

Obstinate as a mule.

You see, he isn't comfortable
owing debts.

But what are you to do?
Children are growing up.

lt's time your Sally
was getting married, isn't it?

There's enough fellas got their eye
on her. Sam Grundy, for instance.

By, he's got plenty of brass.

l wouldn't like to think of our Sal

having anything to do
with a man like that.

Don't you worry, Mrs Hardcastle.

That girl of yours will do all right
for herself. You'll see.

She's a headstrong lass is our Sal.
And she's got a mind of her own.

l do wish l could get her settled
with some nice young man.

(PLAYlNG JAUNTY PlANO TUNE)

-Same again.
-l'm sorry, Ned. There's no more credit.

-What do you mean?
-Them's my orders.

lt's nowt to do with me.
Short times been started

at some of works already and nobody
knows who's going to be next.

Ah, what's that got to do with it?
You'll get your money.

l'm only doing as l've been told.

LARRY: And here around you is the price
we have to pay for that system.

And we go on paying for it

until we realise that the remedy
is in our own hands.

For many years now, we and
our fathers before us have...

What's the idea of keeping me waiting?

Hmm? Oh, it's you.

l thought we was going jazzing tonight.

Why didn't you come into the pub
and tell me you was here?

l suppose you're more interested in
listening to the muck he's mouthing.

-Who are you talking to, Narkey?
-You kept me waiting.

Aye. And a fine place
you was waiting in, too.

Huh. Queen of Sheba, eh? (SCOFFS)

l can get girls ten a penny.

And them as don't
keep a fella waiting, neither.

And do you understand? l'm getting
sick of trailing you around.

And all for nothing.

You're a dirty dog, Narkey.

You're not the only one as is sick.
l'm sick of you

and the rest of the crowd
you blow around with.

Well, the best thing you can do
is to get them that is ten a penny.

-Now, come on, Sal, l was only kidding.
-Well, l wasn't.

NED: All right. Suit yourself!

Perhaps you'd sooner
listen to his blather.

Look at our lives and the lives
of our parents and their parents.

Never-ending labour.
Constant struggle to pay the rent

and to buy food and clothing.

Now, we don't set the blame
on any one section of the community.

We challenge the system alone

which sets man against man
and robs all of security.

Now, in every industrial city
in the land you'll find places like this

where people like us
who do the work of the world

are forced to spend their days.

And it'll go on like this
until we people realise

that society has the...

the means and the knowledge

to allow us to become men and women

-in the true sense of those words.
-Hear, hear!

-Goodnight, boys.
-MAN: Goodnight.

Well, Jim, where do we go from here?

Cross Key lane. And l hope we don't
waste as much breath down there

as we've wasted here.

You stop wasting your breath
and get packing.

Hi, Sally. Have l made a convert?

-Well, l heard you speaking.
-(CHUCKLlNG) What did you think of it?

Oh, l like the way you talk.
You can talk, all right.

Oh, l don't know nowt about politics.
lt's the first time l've ever listened.

Ah, that's the trouble.
Talking doesn't seem to do much good.

Do you always do this
sort of thing in your spare time?

l mean, don't you ever
go out jazzing or enjoying yourself?

Well, l enjoy doing this.

Oh, l like to get away
sometimes, though.

Aye. But you need money to get away.

There's not many get out of Hankey Park
except through cemetery gates.

And even that costs you money.

No, but where do you go?

Well, there's Sunday rambles
into the country.

Lot of young folks go,
you know, from Labour club.

Why don't you come with us sometime?

Oh, l'd like that.

Oh, but you go, don't you?
l mean, l don't know anybody there...

Oh, l'd like to take you.

-Funny, isn't it?
-What?

Well, l mean, us living so near and, uh,

this our first time we've spoken.

(CHUCKLES)

Ah, come on.
How much longer are you going to be?

All right, l'm coming.
l've got to go now.

But l shan't forget. Next time there's
a Sunday outing, l'll let you know.

Goodnight, Sally.

(lNDlSTlNCT CHATTER)

-What's up with you all?
-What's up? Take a look at that.

Put us on three days a week.

Three days a week, eh?

The paper said
that trade was turning corner.

Ee, Harry. Let's have a look at ya.

Oh, bit of good stuff, Ma.

Hey, you're pinching.

-Look at muscles in his shoulders.
-Stop mucking me about.

Aye, lad you look lovely.

Turn round and let's have
a proper look at ya.

l say, Sal, doesn't he look a masher?

Aye, he does.

Come on, now, our Harry,

upstairs with you and take it off
before your Pa comes home.

Take it off?

What do you mean, Ma?
l've only just put it on.

Aye, and had a bath, too.

(DOOR OPENlNG)

Hello, who's this? (CHUCKLES)

l suppose he won't
recognise us in street now?

-Ah, give over, Dad.
-Where you going?

Need you ask?
Swankin' in front of Helen Hawkins.

Well, suit's for Sundays, remember,

not for gallivanting about in
during week.

Remember it's not paid for.

And be careful where you sit down in it.

(SlGHS)

Ee, Harry, you look lovely.

(CHUCKLES)

Made to measure.

There's nowt in pockets yet.

Never mind, Harry, there soon will be.

-Hello, Harry.
-Hello, Jim.

Are you happy, Harry?

Ee, l am.

Would you rather be here with me
than with the street corner lads?

Would you?

Oh, l'm not going with them no more.

Troubles me, though,
having nowt to spend on you, Helen.

There's many a time l'd like to...

Oh, l want to do things!

What sort of things?

Big things.

Gosh, l wish was a boxer
or a footballer or something.

l'll get some money one of these days,
you see if l don't.

You wouldn't do anything wrong,
would you, Harry?

HARRY: No, of course not.

-What, then?
-Well, l...

l'm having a threepenny treble
every week with Sam Grundy.

Whoo, what we could do with...

Ee, l want nothing, Harry. Only you.

Just let me get hold of
some money and l'll show you.

Look at that train.

l've never been on one in my life.

Neither have l.

-Well, Sal, there it is.
-Oh!

l never knew anywhere
could be so lovely.

Oh, it doesn't seem as though this and
Hankey Park can be in the same world.

-Look.
-What is it?

LARRY: lt's a hawk.
lt'll swoop in a minute, you watch.

Ah, what did l tell you?

lt's after a rabbit or something.

How could it see a rabbit
from right up there in t'sky?

(CHUCKLES) l don't know but it can.

Come on, Sal, let's sit down.

Ah.

What are you thinking?

-Oh, just daft thoughts.
-Oh, tell me.

Oh, l was just thinking,

it's all so lovely up here.

Makes you see things different.

Makes you never want to go back home.

Ah, think of all those
poor people in Hankey Park.

The trouble is they never get a chance
to see how good life can be.

And then they never learn.

l wish l knew more
about things like that.

About people like us.

Living like we do
and wanting better things.

You know, nice houses and a steady job.

Why can't we have them?

-(CHUCKLlNG)
-What are you laughing at?

Oh, l don't know, l can't explain.

Oh, don't look so sad, Sal.

(SlGHS) Uh, it's all this, Larry.
Makes me feel sort of sad.

Why?

Well, l suppose if you've lived
in a place that's ugly all your life,

things that are beautiful
seem out of reach.

And then we get to thinking
they're too good for us.

That's the trouble.

That's what we've got to fight.

l wish l could help.

You can, Sal, and you must.

lf only everybody'd lend a hand.

Well, Sal, here we are.

All good things come to an end.

Ee, Larry, l never enjoyed myself
so much in all my life.

Well, there's plenty more days.

Well, goodnight, Larry.

And thanks again.

Goodnight, Sal.

Hello, Mum.

l thought you'd have been back
earlier than this, Sal, love.

Mmm-hmm.

-l've kept a bit of supper for you.
-Oh, thanks.

-Did you have a good day?
-Aye.

Nice folk go on them rambles,
don't they?

-Aye.
-He's a nice young man is Mr Meath.

-l do like him, l do.
-Do you really, Ma?

l do. l reckon he's a gentleman
and a credit to the neighbourhood.

Ne'er heed what folks say
about Labour men.

Aye, Ma, we had a grand time.

Oh, the mountains,
high as you never saw.

And he knows names of all birds.

Oh, well, isn't that nice, now?

Though l don't see it's much use
knowing name of all birds.

Well, it's better than
knowing names of horses.

Yes.

l suppose that's what education's like.

Knowing a lot of things
that don't really matter.

He paid me fare, Ma.

Ee, l was in a stew when l heard
t'others say that fare was two bob

and me with only tenpence in me purse.

l think he knew how l was fixed

'cause when l got all bothered,
he smiled.

You know the way he smiles, Ma?

Well, he smiled like that

and said he'd got tickets for us both
and that it was all right.

Well, he said it different.

He wouldn't have done that, Ma,
if he hadn't... lf he didn't...

lt was took for granted
when l was a lass

that when a lad
paid for you to go places

he meant summat serious.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

-(COUGHlNG)
-Ooh!

Oh, l'm sorry l'm late, Mrs Jike.

-l had a lot of business to attend to.
-Oh, well, come in and sit you down.

-Pull the blind down, Mrs Bull.
-How's the rheumatics, Mrs Bull?

lt be all right but for a twinge
now and again.

Still, l shouldn't worry.

There's a rare lot up at cemetery
be glad of a twinge or two.

Now, then, all round the table, girls.

-Could l come in, too?
-Why, of course, duck.

Bring your chair up and sit down.

Now, then.

-You're not frightened, are you?
-Ee, no.

Nothing like a talk with the dead
to cheer yourselves up.

(SHUSHlNG)

You'll frighten the spirits away.

Now, all hands on the table.

(SOFTLY) No, no. Now, only
just your fingertips. Touch it.

Are there any spirits present
here tonight?

Answer three for yes and two for no.

Yes, they're here.

Has anyone anything
to ask the spirits about?

l have. Mrs Nattle has
a ticket in the early sweep.

She wants me to go shares.

Ask the spirits if l do go shares,
will the ticket draw a horse?

Will Mrs Nattle's ticket draw an horse?

Answer three for yes and two for no.

-No, it won't.
-No? Right.

She can keep her old ticket.

-l don't want it.
-Shh. Please stop it.

The spirits don't like too much talking.

Any more questions?

Aye, ask if Jack Tuttle's there.

ls Jack Tuttle here tonight?

Answer three for yes and two for no.

He's here.

Ee, are you there, Jack, lad?
How are you finding things up there?

ls it anything like you thought it'd be?

Be careful, Mrs Bull. The spirits
don't like you to be too familiar.

Listen to me, love. When l laid you out,
l found half a crown in your pocket.

l knew you wouldn't want it
where thou's gone so l took it.

l'm only telling you
so as you won't think l pinched it.

Eh, lord God, forgive me for saying it
but it took you a long time to go.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

Oh, well, now that's done it.
Now the spirits have gone.

l wonder who it could be
at this time of night?

You know, l'd have bought a share
in Mrs Nattle's ticket

if the spirits had said
l was going to draw a horse.

(GASPS) Fancy me winning £30,000.

l'd buy meself a fur coat.

And l'd be laying you out in a month,
drunk to death, fur coat and all.

l'd risk it.

Oh, it's you, Mrs Hardcastle,
and Sally, too.

Blimey. Sit down.

Hello, love. How are you, Mrs Dorbell?

MRS DORBELL: Ah, me
cough is bad again. (COUGHS)

And l've just come
to ease me conscience.

But what's brought you here, lass?
Have you come to have your fortune told?

-Well, l...
-Well, we did wonder.

ls it cards or tea leaves?

Make it tea leaves. lt's more exciting
when you see things in the future

the way you do.

l don't know why l've come, Mrs Bull.
l don't believe in it.

Ah, it's only a bit of fun, Sal,
and it costs nowt.

Here, there's just enough.

Now, sip that.

No, no, no. Turn it round three times.

No, upside down.

Strike me pink, look at that!

-What? What is it?
-Money. Lots of money.

And it's in a two.

Two weeks or two months or two years.

-But there's money.
-Aye, in the bank.

Ee, l do hope it all comes true.

(lNHALES SHARPLY)

Ooh, l don't like this here.

Do you know a tall dark man?

Think hard, lass, think hard.

MRS JlKE: Whether you do or you don't,
the leaves say there is one.

Ain't your colouring, though.

Be on your guard against him,
he means danger.

Tall or short, dark or fair, they're all
the same if they haven't got any money.

Will you hush, Mrs Bull, will you hush?

Here he is. This is the bloke.
l can see him.

You're going to fall in love.

Oh, this all daft, this is.
l'm going and l'm sorry l came.

(EXCLAlMlNG) Oh, well.

Ee, l'm sorry, Mrs Jike.

She's a strange lass is our Sal.

And just as you was going to tell us
summat about him, too.

Don't mind her, Mrs Jike. Tell me mine.

l'll tell you, lass,
and l'm no fortune teller.

You'll keep on drawing your
old-age pension, then you'll die,

l'll lay you out
and poorhouse will bury you.

(SNlFFLES)

(HORN BLOWlNG)

(lNDlSTlNCT CHATTER)

Racing results, last winner.
Winner. Winner.

-Racing results.
-Bring it over here.

l've got one winner home, Jack.

Who's won 3:00?

-Uh, Jackdaw.
-That's two up.

Have a look at 3:30,
l've played all on Tea Rose.

lt's on back page, stop press.
lt'll let me down, you bet.

-lt won.
-lt what!

-What ya doing? Let go.
-Give me this.

What the...

l've got the treble home.

220-to-one chance,
he's all in at three-to-one.

-Ah, don't talk...
-l really have!

Here, here, see for yourself.

By gum!

Hey, what's to do?

Harry Hardcastle's got a treble home.

Treble big... Hey, how
much did you have on it?

-Threepence.
-What's the odds?

Threepence on a 20-to-one chance
all onto a 20-to-one chance

all onto a three-to-one chance.

-Here, give me a pencil, someone, quick.
-Aye, l've got one. Here you are.

Here, 20 times threepence...

(MUMBLlNG)

Ah, that's five and threepence
and then onto another 20-to-one.

That's £5.1 0 and threepence.

£5.1 0 and threepence on a three-to-one.

£5.1 0 and threepence on a three-to...
Ee, flipping heck.

That's 22 quid!

For threepence.

Twenty-two quid?

Good old Harry.

l hope Sam Grundy pays up.

The sky is the limit with him,
so he says.

Twenty-two quid.

Twenty-two quid!

Gosh. Do you think he's gonna pay me?

You daft fool,
you won't find out standing there.

-Come on.
-ALL: Come on!

(EXClTED CHATTER)

MAN: Come on, Charlie,
where's Sam Grundy?

(lNDlSTlNCT CHATTER)

All right, all right, you'll get your
money, you'll get your money.

(lNDlSTlNCT CHATTER)

Well, where is he?
Where is the lucky fella?

(lNDlSTlNCT CHATTER)

So, you thought you'd break bank,
eh, lad?

Stand up alongside of me, son.

You know, young fella, my lad, there are
some bookies as has a limit.

You know that, don't you?

Ah, there are some fellas
as calls themselves bookies

as would only pay you a fiver
on your bet and no more.

But that ain't honest Sam Grundy.

(ALL EXCLAlMlNG)

Now, you had a bet with me, didn't you?

Now, how much were the bet?

(WHlSPERlNG) Threepence.

Speak up, Harry, my lad.
There ain't nowt to be ashamed of.

There's nobody here wouldn't give
a £1 0 note to be in your shoes, eh?

(ALL LAUGHlNG)

Now, how much was the bet?

Turn to crowd, lad. Turn to crowd.

Threepence.

And how much do you calculate
to draw for your threepence?

(SOFTLY) Twenty-two quid, Mr Grundy.

Now, Harry, my son.
You can make more noise than that.

Ladies and gents at back can't hear.
Up loud and out with it.

Twenty-two quid!

MR GRUNDY: Twenty-two quid
for three pennies.

How many bookies'd paid out that much?
How many, l say?

Well, you all know honest
Sam's motto. Charlie?

Harry, my lad,
what's honest Sam's motto?

-Sky's the limit!
-(lNDlSTlNCT MUTTERlNG)

MR GRUNDY: Charlie?

Hold out your cap, lad.

One, two, three, four,

five, six, seven, eight,

nine, 1 0, 1 1 , 1 2, 1 3,

14, 1 5, 1 6, 1 7,

1 8, 1 9, 20,

21 , 22.

There's honest Sam for you.

What can't speak can't lie.

What about his stake money?

(ALL CHUCKLE)

Charlie.

-One, two, three.
-Aye, that's better.

There you are, my lad. (CHUCKLES)

(ALL LAUGHlNG)

(lNDlSTlNCT CHATTER)

Hey, Harry, lad.

lsn't that your sister?
Young Sal Hardcastle?

-Aye.
-Aye.

Well, don't forget to treat her.

Give her a couple of quid
out of your winnings

to buy some new clothes.
And tell her l said so.

And think on. l'll ask her if you've
done it next time l see her.

Better go through the house.

(lNDlSTlNCT CHATTER)

(ALL SPEAKlNG lNDlSTlNCTLY)

HARRY: ...20, 21 , 22.

Ee, all that money.

lt doesn't seem true.

Here you are, Mother.

Here you are, Dad.
Be able to have a pint now.

Sal...

No, no, l don't want it.

Oh, go on, don't be so daft.

Look at it, all that money.

l don't know what l'll do with it.

What would you do, Dad?

lt's thy money, son, if it doesn't go
one way it'll go another.

You're only young once, lad,

and you'll never have
as much money as that again.

Why not take that lass of thine
away for holiday?

Me and your ma only had
one holiday in our lives,

but, hey, it were worth it.

We've never forgotten it.
lt was worth it, eh, lass?

(CHUCKLES) Go on with you, Henry.

Our Father, did you hear her?
She called you Henry.

Ee, Pa, why don't you kiss her?
She's blushing.

Ah, l shall, lass.
We had a champion time.

Aye, it's as Dad says, Harry, you'll
spend your money on summat or other.

Why, you've enough there
to take you to Blackpool.

Blackpool.

Good job you didn't come last week.

Raining cats and dogs all week.

Here's one room.

Married or single?

We just started courting.

Oh, well, young lady had better
have this room.

You can see sea if you stand on chair.

Lovely view we had till Woolworths
put up their building.

Well, l hope you'll be comfortable.
Bathroom's at the end of the passage.

l should go out and make
most of the sunshine if l were you.

Think you'll be all right here, Helen?

Ee, Harry, it's grand.

Come on, let's go
and have a look at your room.

Say, Helen?

Look.

-(WHOOSHlNG)
-Ee, Harry, do be careful.

Ain't it grand to be rich?

Come on, let's go out.

(lNAUDlBLE)

(SLOW WALTZ PLAYlNG)

Fancy all this still being here
when we've gone back.

Don't remind me.

Seems as though we've only just come.

l thought living in this place
seemed a dream.

Now going back seems a dream.

Going back.

l'm gonna go back
and leave all this behind.

Oh, heck. lt's a bit thick
when you can't do what you want.

All we'd want is a little cottage.

lf l could get a bit of a boat,

l'll bet l could catch enough fish
for us to live on.

Just a room in a cottage would do.

l wouldn't care how small the room was.

lf l could get a bit of a garden,
l could grow things.

Oh, what's the good of talking about it?

Talking about what, now?

HELEN: Oh, Hankey Park.

Our home, all of us
that's got to live in it.

l want to get away from it all, Harry.

l would've done long ago
if l could've found somebody

that'd take me in for what l'm earning.

Makes me sick to think about it.

lt's living here with all this...

Clean bed and a room of me own.

Knowing me ma and pa
won't come home drunk every night,

me having to lie there

and listen to it all.

Oh, l...

Never mind, Helen, love.

lt won't be like that forever.

l love you, Helen.

l do love you, really.

Aye, and we'll be married as soon
as l finish me apprenticeship.

No, really we will. No kidding.

And l'll have finished it
in a few months now.

You'll always love me,
won't you, Harry?

You know me.

Somehow things don't seem so bad
when l've got you.

(ENGlNE WHlRRlNG)

(ENGlNE STOPS)

That crane of mine needs fixing again.

You'd better see to it.

A right muck you made of it last time.

lf there's anything wrong
with the crane,

you know where to put the complaint,
it'll be passed on to me.

And don't come
the ruddy Sergeant-Major stuff.

You're not kidding a Judy
when you talk to me.

You know what l mean!

l know your game.

And it don't kid me.

What are you talking about, Ned?
Come off it, come off it.

And you know who l mean!

You've been stuffing her up
with that highfalutin' talk of yourn.

And she swallows everything you say.

Who are you referring to, Ned?

Referring, referring!

The airs you put on, it makes me sick.

Who the hell do you think you are?

Don't you think you're making
a bit of a fool of yourself?

Listen to me,
what are you going to do about it?

You ain't making no move to marry her.

What has that got to do with you?

Me? Me as asked her to marry me.

Turning me down
for a white-livered rat like you.

lf you don't want that dial of yourn
smashed in,

keep away from Sal Hardcastle.

You understand me? l mean it.

lf l were you, l'd consult Sal before
you make any arrangements for her.

(SCOFFS) You and your ruddy talk.

You've got it coming to you, so help me.

One of these days, you'll open
that trap of yourn too much.

Go on, Harry. What did Larry say?
Try and remember.

Oh, he just got on with his work.
He wouldn't argue with him.

Ned Narkey wasn't half angry.

You don't like Ned, do you, Sal?

Him? Why, he's a dirty pig.

Him and Sam Grundy's a pair.

Sam Grundy, why?

-Well, he hasn't been...
-Oh, he's always onto me, the fat pig.

'You've no need to work, Sally,
could have all you want.'

Aye, you can do anything
when you've got the dough.

They say he's got women
all over the place.

That'll do, lad. l know all about it.

l'd want summat to do to let a thing
like him or Narkey muck about with me.

Aren't you and Larry going to get...

l don't trust that Ned Narkey.

Get some beer inside of him,
he'd do anything.

Where's Larry, Jim?

He's gone to see Labour agent
about meetings this weekend.

Has he got another meeting tonight?

No, no, we're finished for tonight.

Ned Narkey's not been here. Has he?

No, he's where he usually is,
at pub, l suppose.

Shouldn't think Larry'll be very long.

Thanks, Jim.

Hello, Sal.

-What about a little ride?
-Who with?

Hey, what have you got against me?

Only wanted you to come
for a ride in the car.

-Oh, you've taken too many already.
-Listen, Sal.

Oh, go on, take yourself for a ride.

You make the street look untidy.

All right.

-Hello, Sally, what's the trouble?
-Oh, Larry, l'm so glad you've come.

Our Harry was telling me
what Narkey said to you today.

He heard it all.

Oh, take no notice about him.

-He's out of patience with himself.
-He's a bad one.

LARRY: Let's not talk about him.

WOMAN: % Just a song at twilight

% When the nights are blue... %

Somebody's got something to sing about.

(CHUCKLES)

(PANS CLATTERlNG)

(MAN AND WOMAN ARGUlNG)

Your father's been drinking again, eh?

l wish you'd would go home, Harry.

l hate you to be about
when they're carrying on like this.

l'm not letting you go in
till they're finished.

lt doesn't half make me sick to think
you've got to go in there to sleep.

Well, it isn't my fault,
them going on like this.

Never mind, Helen.

We'll be out of this as soon as
l finish me apprenticeship.

l'll finish it on Friday

and then l'm gonna get a job
on full pay.

-Think you will?
-Eh?

(SlGHS) l mean, l hope it won't be too
long before you do, Harry.

Oh, don't you worry.
l'll have one in a day or two.

Then we can start saving up.

But what you afraid of?

Don't you worry, l...

Tower Blackpool.

What do you keep it for?

l don't know.

Daft thing.

LARRY: Let's go home, Sal.

l hate standing about back alleys.

There's no need for us to be
standing about back alleys.

Not if you don't want.

Let's not kid one another, Sal.
We both want the same thing.

But you know my ideas.
Forty-five bob a week.

What a wage to build a future on.

And look at Marlows, we none of us
know when we're going to finish.

-What can l offer you?
-You do love me, don't you, Larry?

Why do you ask that, Sal, when you know?

Well, then, let's get married.

l can still go on working
so as we can have more money. And l...

Oh, Larry, l'd do owt for you.

l know you would, Sal.

But it's this place.
We can't ever get away from it.

We'd go on and on
but it'd get us in the end.

lt gets everybody in the end.

But you can't have everything.

We not only can't, but we don't.

lt's wanting decent things and
knowing they'll never be yours.

Dreaming about things you can't have
don't get you anywhere.

Does it, Larry?

Besides, it isn't where you live,
it's who you live with.

Well, then, Sal,
we'll have to start saving up.

That's if you can wait.

Ee, don't worry so, Harry.

You knew you'd have to finish at Marlows

when you came out of your
apprenticeship, didn't you?

Oh, it'll be better for us both now
and you can get a job on full pay.

Aye, but l've been out
for more than three weeks now.

Been around Trafford Park
and all over the place.

They don't want nobody.

l don't know what's going to happen.

Well, you don't expect to
walk into a job straightaway.

Cor, you haven't been
out of work any time yet.

You'll get one soon.

Do you think so?

Course you will. You'll see.

l hope you're right.

Aye.

Won't it be grand for us both when l do!

God, just give me a job.

l don't care if it's only half pay.

lf you can't find me a job,

l wish you can make Helen
see as like it won't be for long.

l mean, if l don't get a job today...

Oh, God, let me get one soon!

What with rain
and all this here unemployment,

l don't know what we'd do
without a spark of fire.

Well, you've nowt to grumble at.

What ails you now?

Well, look at table,
full of pawn tickets.

You hadn't a quarter as many
customers a year ago.

Oh, things is bad, that's why.
But thank the Lord

unemployment or not,
they can't touch me old-age pension.

That don't go on short time.

And what a crowd there is
at the pawn shop these days.

Queue halfway up the street.

-Just like it might be a football match.
-Times is bad.

More fool people for worrying.

Well, there's nowt like worry
for popping people off.

And that'll be no ill wind for thee,

charging like you do
for laying folks out.

Ooh, you're a nice one
to talk about charging, you old...

-(KNOCK AT DOOR)
-Who's that?

Don't stand in perishing cold. Come in.

Ee, what are you doing out
at this time of night, love?

l've only come for...

Uh, to pawn my wedding ring.

He doesn't know it's a brass one
l'm wearing.

He'd murder me if he knew
l'd been to pawn shop with it

so Mrs Nattle took it for me.

-And l've come for...
-There it is.

You wanted half a crown on ring

but only ask for two and five.

You see, if l'd got you half a crown,

you'd have had threepence
interest to find.

But being as it's under half a crown,
he can only charge you a penny.

So two and five,
with a penny for pawn ticket

and tuppence for me trouble
leaves two and two.

There you are, lass.

Now, what about money on lad's suit?

Well, you see, our Dad's finished
at pit till further notice.

And our Harry hasn't found a job yet.

lt's getting on for nine months
since he was out

and no sign.

l don't know what we'd do
if it weren't for our Sal's bit.

Damn the weekly payments.

You put money in your belly, lass,
and make 'em wait.

Take no notice of her.

You wouldn't like your husband
to get a summons, would you, now?

Nay, you'd better take a shilling.

How's your Sal, Mrs Hardcastle?

Do you know,
they're getting wed in a fortnight.

Though they want it kept a secret.

Well, l am pleased. What did l tell you?

A wedding in the street, girls.

-Did you ever?
-Oh, the weddings today,

they're not like the weddings
we had when l was a girl.

There was free porter
and dancing and singing in the streets

from dusk till dawn.

Aye, Larry's a champion lad

and that lass of yours is lucky
to have got him.

He's not of the strongest, though,

and he ought to look after
his health a bit more.

All this politicianising
in all sorts of weather.

And what's happened with all his talk?

Talk, all talk. l used to vote for them
that gave the most coal and blankets.

Ah, there's none of that now.

Yeah, you old scut,

you'd sell your soul for a load of coal,
some of you.

Make me sick.

Educated and well-read fellas
like Larry Meath,

talking till they're blue in the face
and you?

Ah, you give me the belly-ache.

l never bother me head
about what doesn't concern me.

l don't understand anything
about politics.

But l do understand a load of coal.

(lNDlSTlNCT CHATTER)

Well, boy, l told you,

you can expect nothing else
until you start thinking for yourselves.

You're going to wait a long time,
they've got nowt to think with.

Well, l still say
you can't do without capital.

Oh, we don't want to do without capital.

All l am saying is that it shouldn't be
used only as a means of making profit.

Eh, that's a lot of rot.

lf it don't make profit,
place'd close down.

Without money, you're sunk.

Do you know what money is?

Of course l know what money is.

-Well, what is it?
-Well, money is...

Eh, that's a daft question.

-(ALL LAUGHlNG)
-Anybody knows what money is.

He doesn't know, the gormless fool.

Ah, shut up, Jim, now, look...

Pounds, shillings and pence.

Now, that's what they give you in wages.

And when you get your wages,
what do you do with it?

-What do they do with it?
-Aye.

-Well, they spend it.
-On what?

Well, thee ought to know,
they spend it on things they want.

Ah! That's the point.

Therefore, you don't work for money
but for the things you want, don't you?

Aye, if l like to put it that way.

Ah, see, so money in itself
is no use, is it?

l mean, you can't eat it
or wear it or anything.

lf there was nothing to buy,
it wouldn't be any use.

lf there weren't, no, but there is.

Ah, that's true, but that's
because people like you and l,

the working people, make the things.

-But they can't do without capital.
-Oh, you silly daft crackpot,

-where's your blasted brain?
-Shut up, Jim.

Look, l'm not suggesting
we can do without capital.

All l'm trying to do
is show you what capital is.

Aye, but trade's bad here
and the world over.

And talking about it
won't get us nowhere.

Yes, that's quite right.
lt's the same all over the world.

The wheels are coming
to a standstill and for why?

-You wanna know why?
-Aye.

Because men are afraid of each other.

-Eh, Mother, he's off again.
-(ALL LAUGHlNG)

Yes, and l shall go on
until we do something.

Millions of men
in this country want work.

Millions of men in other countries
are in the same boat, too.

You can think of it if you like
like a huge dam

that's already beginning to crack.

And next year or the year after
or in 1 0 years' time perhaps,

there'll be a catastrophe.

You see,
that's the way of world in nature.

lt takes a disaster to waken people.

But life will go on.

What we've got to remember is

that human conditions
are not beyond human control.

l said that man has made
these conditions.

Well, he can remake them.

Aye, and rebuild a new
and better world.

As soon as he's got the real desire
in his heart.

But l still say
tha can't do without capital.

-(HORN BLOWlNG)
-(ALL LAUGHlNG)

MAN: That's 44...

Mark up eight, boys.

(ALL CLAMOURlNG)

MAN: Shut up!

(ALL JEERlNG)

-Keep your traps shut.
-Ah, shut up.

Aye, you're not in time office
at Marlows now, you know.

Leave the kids alone, man.
Get on with the game.

-(ALL LAUGHlNG)
-Miscued.

-Serves him right.
-Right.

Here, hold this.

-Give us a drag, Harry.
-Hand it over here, a minute.

-Give us a puff, Harry.
-No, he'll chuck it away in a minute.

(SCOFFS) Missed.

(SYMPATHETlC CHATTERlNG)

Now, then, Harry, save a drag for us.

-(lNDlSTlNCT CONVERSATlON)
-Share and share alike.

Here, have one of these.

(EXCLAlMlNG)

-Where did you get those from?
-Wouldn't you like to know.

-Go on, have one.
-Thanks, Bill.

-Thanks, Bill.
-What about you, Sam?

-Thanks, Bill.
-Tom?

You get nowt
working for it honest, do you, Charlie?

You ought to know.
What did you get out of it?

That's what l say, Charlie.
That's what l say.

You want to try working dodges
for a change, like me.

Don't talk to me of honest work.
Had some.

Served me apprenticeship
to engineering like all you kids.

Got the push when l were 21
because l wanted full money.

You remember me, don't you?

lt was lads like you
what done me out of a job.

Months l were looking for work,
till l got tired of being pushed around.

(CHUCKLES) Then l got wise.

-You mean you got six months.
-So what?

l got six months. Look at me now.

Sitting pretty.
l've been in quad, you know.

l'm a jailbird. Six months l got
for half-inching out of a gas metre.

And who was waiting for me
when l come out of clink?

Ask me. Probation officer.

Wanted to reform me.

So, he got me a job, 1 2 hours a day,

30 bob a week, cleaning out
a public convenience.

You know the kind ofjob.

All aid work and tips. (CHUCKLES)

Aye. And you know what
l told him he could do with it?

So l told you.

l got wise, started working dodges,
and now l'm with Sam Grundy

and the only time l take my coat off
is when l play a game of pools.

Yeah, and another thing.

Because l've been in clink,

they won't have me in the army
when there's another war.

(CHUCKLES) That's the kind of mug l am.

There you are. l told you.

But where did you get those fags?

l'll let you in on it.

Sick l was of picking up fag ends,

blast everything, l don't care.

Well, can't we go
and get some more now?

Don't be a fool,
you've got to wait till it's dark.

You come with me and l'll show ya.
Are you game?

-Aye.
-What about you, Jack?

-Nay, l don't want to go to jail.
-Ah, windy.

-What about you, Sam?
-Not likely, count me out.

-What do you say, Harry?
-Nowt doing.

-Why not?
-l've enough on me mind as it is.

(LAUGHS) Take no notice of him.

He can think of nowt
but that there girl of his.

You keep your trap shut
or l'll fill it for you.

l'm going.

So long, Harry.
Don't let them get you down, lad.

(lNDlSTlNCT CHATTER)

(lNAUDlBLE)

-What's the matter, Helen?
-l knew it'd happen.

-l knew it'd happen.
-Eh?

(VOlCE SHAKlNG)
Should never have done it.

l've been afeared for a fortnight.

Went to doctor at dinnertime.

He told me. l'm...

You know. What shall we do, Harry?

What shall we do?

l don't know what they're going to do.

There's too many at her house as it is.

And l don't know what Dad'll say.

Oh, l wonder...

When we're married, they could
come and live with us, couldn't they?

Oh, l'm so happy, Larry.
l've never been so happy in me life.

Just fancy, we'll be wed
by the end of the month.

And it won't be a bad house.

Not when l've cleaned it up a bit.
Will it, Larry?

Oh, you don't know
what it means to me, Larry.

A house of my own.

l'll scrub it from top to bottom.

There won't be a bug left in it
when l've finished with it, not a one.

We'll have to wait a while
for the bits and pieces

but the parlour will look all right.

What with your books and
that walnut table we paid deposit on.

Oh, Larry...

Why, what's the matter with you?

There's nothing wrong, is there?

No, of course not.

Now, listen to me, Larry Meath,
there's something hurting you.

What is it?

We'll have to put it off
for a while, Sal.

-What did you say?
-l've lost my job.

They gave me the sack yesterday.

They gave you the sack?

Oh, Larry.

Oh, but you'll get anotherjob.

No, l won't.
There are too many out as it is.

But why can't we be married as we said?

There's nothing to stop us.

You'll get your dole and l'm working.

No, no, Sal, l couldn't do that.

But Larry, there's nothing for me
to live for without you.

You don't know what l'd do for you.

Listen, l'll come and live with you.

Who wants to get married?
Who cares what folks say?

No, it's no good, Sal. l couldn't
sponge on you, what do you take me for?

Don't talk like that.
ls that all you care for me?

Oh, why don't some of those pals
of yours on council

that are always making a mug
out of you find a job for you?

They're all right, they are.
They don't give a damn for us.

They've all landed fine jobs
for themselves and l...

Oh, l'm sorry, Larry.

Anyway, l've still got you.

They can take away ourjobs

but they can't take away our love.
Can they?

(lNAUDlBLE)

You're only holding up other people.
lt's been explained to you.

That's the position.
There's nothing for you.

What do you mean, there's nowt for me?

l paid me money in
and l'm out of work, aren't l?

lt's no use arguing.
lt isn't my fault, is it?

You've a couple of sons living with you
who are working, haven't you?

Aye. One's earning 25 shilling a week

and t'other two quid
when they work a full week.

And my eldest lad, he's going to get...

l'm very sorry,
but the Means Test Committee

have ruled that there's
sufficient money coming into your house

for your family to keep you.

Swine! My eldest lad's going to get wed.

Has he to keep me and my old woman?

Never in your life.

May as well turn us out
into t'street now and have done with it!

Who's gonna keep us?
Where's food coming from?

Well, l'm afraid that's your lookout.

-l know it's my lookout.
-Quietly, now.

-lt's bad enough being out of work...
-Come, lad.

l've paid me money in regular!
Never had a complaint against me!

Now, it's no good your waiting.

l've told you before
there's nothing for you.

You've been knocked off dole.

Your father's drawing unemployment
benefit and your sister's working.

There's no appeal.

lf they think they're going to get me
to stand by

and see wife and kids go hungry,
then they're ruddy well mistaken.

Aye, and if they can't find us a job,
let 'em damn well keep us till they do.

What the devil we standing here for
chewing the rag about?

What are we gonna do about it?

Aye, come on all of you, there's
big meeting on down at the arches.

Aye, come on.

And who told you
about these government economies?

Who warned you of what was coming?

Government economies, eh?

And who did they start economising on?

Who have they started economising on?
On you!

-(CROWD AGREElNG)
-Aye! The fellas

that can least afford it.

And when they start economising on you,

they're robbing your wives
and kids of their bread.

-CROWD: Yeah!
-Well, what are you gonna do about it?

(ALL TALKlNG AT ONCE)

l'll tell you what we're gonna do
about it. Now, you listen to me.

We've had enough of this hot air,
now let's get down to cases.

We all know what should have been done
and what we'd liked to have done.

You had a chance for that
in the last general election.

But what you decided then
has made these conditions.

You're all living in a democracy.

You're the people who made
this means test law.

And now you're behaving
like a pack of children

just because it doesn't suit you.

(lNDlSTlNCT CONVERSATlONS)

(GRUNTlNG) Don't let him kid you.

We made our minds up
what we're gonna do.

lf you think l am going to encourage you
to follow this hot-headed maniac,

you're mistaken.

Now, l'll tell you what's been arranged.

The Mayor has agreed to receive
a deputation of six.

The protest procession can be held
as long as we keep off the main roads.

Now, the procession leaders know
what route will be taken.

And remember, the police
have got theirjobs to do

just the same as we've got ours.

We not only
don't anticipate any trouble,

there's not going to be any trouble.

Kowtowing to the boss class
as usual, Larry Meath.

Hand in glove with them,
that's what you are.

Listen, you, l'm fed up to the teeth
of your blasted blather.

We are going up Main Street.

We're not afraid of the police
if you are.

-(CROWD CHEERlNG)
-Afraid?

Of course l'm afraid, you fool.

What chance does a half-starved
mob like us got against them?

Ah, next thing you'll be asking us
to make a collection for them.

(CROWD LAUGHlNG)

Come on, lads, let's get at them.

Hey, lads, you best be careful,
they're in a nasty frame of mind.

That's all right, Jim.
We can look after ourselves.

lf you take my tip,
you'll have nowt to do with it.

-They're looking for trouble.
-That's what we've got to avoid.

lf there's any trouble,
it'll spoil our case.

Come on, Jim.

(ALL CHATTERlNG LOUDLY)

Come on, lads. Let's go.

Men have started to march.

Send a further detachment
to Clarence Road

and remember, do not contact
unless the position looks serious.

You know the orders.

We don't move unless
they try to come through here.

Look at 'em, lads.

Think they can stop us. Come on.

Through the arches
and onto the main road.

Now then, you know the way to go.

Why can't we go down the main road?

Because you're going down there.

Hear what he says, lads? We can't
go down our own roads now.

Ah, come on, boys, we can't go this way.
We've agreed on the route to take.

You white-livered load of rats.
Now is your chance, you follow us.

We are not going to let
a ruddy policeman stop us.

(CROWD SHOUTlNG)

(ALL SHOUTlNG)

(THUNDER CLAPPlNG)

LARRY: (WEAKLY) Listen to them shouting.

No.

They've lost the dole.

Get them lined up.

l'm not going to lead them into trouble.

(GROANlNG)

Nay, lad, rest.

Oh, Larry, Larry, why are you always
fighting other people's battles?

When you've yourself to think of,
and me.

Myself? l can't go on alone.

-Then why do you try?
-You don't understand, Sal.

That's what's caused all this.

Every man out for himself

and let everybody else
look after themselves.

That's what's wrong
with the whole world.

l know, lad. l know.

A little effort from everybody,

that's all.

A new start, Sal.

That's all l want. A new start.

Yes, lad, yes. Now, rest and be quiet.

Come closer, Sal.

Oh, Sal,

it's so quiet

and peaceful with thee.

Larry?

l think it's a sin and a shame, l do.

Fifteen shillings
for all the lad's belongings.

Bare-faced daylight robbery,
that's what it is.

Buying isn't selling, Mrs Bull.

Do you remember me lodger, Mrs Nattle?

-Which one?
-You know, him l had insured

for £1 2.1 0.

-Well, what about him?
-Well, he had a harmonium,

£8.1 0 he gave for it, he got in
a gentleman's residence, second-hand.

Well, he couldn't play
on the thing himself

and he kept it locked up
so that nobody else could have a go.

Well, 1 0 shillings was all they gave me
for it when he died.

Ten shillings and it never played on.

(GASPS) The poor fella'd
turn in his grave if he knew.

'Ere, talking about graves,

what do you think?
Sally isn't having him buried.

Not buried?
What's she going to do with him, then?

He's to be burnt up,
'created' or some such word.

She says he says it's the proper way.

Well, did you ever?

That's the first time that's happened
in these parts.

Give me a grave
proper and Christian-like,

l was brought up
to read me Bible, so l was.

No, l haven't always been
what l should have been in me time

but if that's what them there
socialist fellas believe in,

they ain't getting my vote. (SCOFFS)

Nobody's going to burn me.

Not if l know it.

-lt's not everything that'll burn.
-(CHUCKLES)

lt's going to cost Sally a tidy penny,
this crematorium business, isn't it?

How much did she have him in for?

He was never in for nothing.

He didn't believe in insurance.

Well, how is she going to get the money

to do all this highfalutin'
burying, then?

-That's what l want to know.
-That's none of your business.

Have you got a drop of something
in the house, Mrs Nattle?

-As though l need ask.
-Oh, yes, come on,

let's drink to the poor lad's health.

(lNDlSTlNCT CHATTER)

Albert,

tell Sam Grundy l want him, will you?

Sam Grundy?

Okay.

l'm telling ya, eight-to-one,
he came in last.

-Mr Grundy.
-Eh?

Sal Hardcastle
wants to see thee outside.

-Sal Hardcastle? See me?
-Aye.

-You sure?
-Aye, that's what she said.

What's up, Sal? What do you want?

l was going to ask you
to lend me five quid.

But l'm not so sure
l want your help now.

Why, Sal? What do you mean?

-l don't like the company you keep.
-Company l keep? What do you mean?

-Those pals of yours.
-Ah, they're no pals of mine.

Nor none of their kidney, neither.

Well, you seem to be enjoying
their company.

Come on, Sal.
Take a ride round in my car.

We don't want to talk here
where everyone can hear.

l came to borrow five quid
and l don't mind who hears it.

l don't want no drives in cars.

Will you lend it? l'll pay you back
when mill starts at full-time again.

Here, Sal. Help yourself.

You sure that's enough?
And you've no call to pay me back.

You may as well know that if l could
have borrowed it from someone else,

l would.

And l'll pay it back.

Oh, Sal, what's up with you?
l don't want you to pay it back.

Come on, take it, take it all.

And more if you like and don't be daft.

Go on, Sal, you've got me all wrong.

l'm not trying tricks on with you.

Well, l'd just like to have you
for a pal.

You must be sick of having nowt to wear

and pinching and scraping
week after week.

Blimey, and the things
you could have if you wanted.

Anything, Sal. Anything for the asking.

So, you see, Dad,
l'll have to marry Helen.

What's that you say?

l said l'll have to get married.

And l thought like that
we could come and live here

and get a bed in back room with Sal.

Till l get a job, like.

-You blasted young fool.
-Now, Henry...

You get wed, who the devil
do you think is going to keep you?

-l thought, like, that...
-You thought, yeah,

you gormless fool.

Don't you think there's enough trouble
here without you bringing more?

Well, l'm not going to have a slut
like that in this house.

Hey, l won't have you call her a slut,
do you hear? Leave her name out of it.

-Are you threatening me?
-l am if you call her names.

l'm asking you for nowt.

l'm not the only one out of work
in this house, remember.

Ah, you treat me as though
l was as kid,

just because l've got nowt,
l'm out of collar.

You didn't talk like that when l was
sharing my winnings with you, did you?

Once let get hold of some money again
and l'll ne'er part with a penny.

l'm supposed to be a man, l am.

Well, look at me!

Aye, and if there was another war,
l'll be a man.

l'll be a ruddy hero!

You're bringing no wife here,
understand?

Go and live with her folks,

-the low lot they are...
-Stop it!

l don't want to live here, do you hear?

l wouldn't live here
if l got the chance.

You can go to hell! l'm leaving.

(DOOR CLOSES)

What did he say, Harry? Will he let us?

No, and l've left home.

All as he could say was that
we was damn fools.

Said he couldn't keep us.

Oh, come on.
Who wants to live there anyway?

Be a long time before he sees me again.

But who will take us in?

We've got nothing
but except what l'm earning

and l'll be confined any day now.

No room at our house.

What'll become of us?

lf only l had known
this was going to happen.

-(SOBBlNG)
-Oh, quiet down, will you?

You'll have everybody looking at us.

Now, you leave it to me.

Everything'll be all right.

l'll find a place for us somewhere.

l'll join the army before l'll be beat.

By gum, see if l don't.

Besides, when we're married

they'll be bound to
give us money at workhouse

and l'll stand a better chance
of getting a job, being married.

Single blokes don't get a smell in.

l'm glad it's happened the way it has.

We'll be together
and that's what l've always wanted.

Just let me get hold of a job, Helen,
and l'll show you.

You'll go short o' nowt. So help me.

Harry, if only you could get a job,

l wouldn't care nothing for nobody.

Oh, it'll come. You see if it won't.

You never know what's in store for us.

Just imagine it, Helen.

l've only to get a job.

Ee, a job.

Well, l'm telling you.

Any more lip out of you
and l'll beat you, good-looking.

l don't know what the world is
coming to. Look at that, for God's sake.

-(COUGHS)
-How is your poor old cough, Libby?

Oh, just as usual.
lt's not doing me any good.

But thank the Lord
me spare room is let.

Aye, vermin and all.

Yes, but how's young Harry Hardcastle

going to pay your rent
now he's off the dole?

She's only earning 1 5 shillings
a week at the mill

when she get a full week in.

(SCOFFS) Just got married in time,
they did.

That's what comes of
sitting on Dawney's Hill

and going for holidays together.

(SCOFFS) l'd like to see the fella

that get me on the top of
Dawney's Hill.

l bet you would.

That could be a job for you, dearie,
when she's confined.

Well, accidents will happen.

(CHUCKLES) lt's one way
of getting you a bloke.

l suppose they'll go to their Sally
and ask her for a bit of help.

l heard of a party
what saw a little piece of business

being done between
her and a certain person.

Gave her a bundle of notes, he did.

Very nice, l must say.

'l'll pay ya back,' she says to him,

when she saw the other party passing.

(SCOFFS) As though we don't know
how she'll pay him back.

Aye, and l wouldn't blame her.

From what l can see of wedlock
it's nowt but scratching and scraping

week after week,
trying to make ends meet.

Crikey, they think
we're blooming magicians.

And l'm not so sure we're not.

Nice goings-on amongst
your own neighbours, l must say.

Very nice indeed.

And him what she was
supposed to have married

not buried a month.

You leave that lass alone.

You want to know, it was me that put her
up to ask Sam Grundy for the money

to pay for Larry Meath's funeral.

Now are you satisfied?

All the same.
He'll be getting his way with her.

(lNDlSTlNCT CHATTER)

Hi, Sal!

lt's your boyfriend, Sal.

He's no friend of mine.

l'll give him a mouthful
if he doesn't leave me alone.

l'm sick of him pestering me.

Hello, Sal.
Where you been hiding all week?

Oh, what do you want?

lf it's the money, you'll have to wait.
l've said l'd pay you back.

Ah, Sal, it's not that.

l told you l didn't want it back.

l wanted you to come to pictures.

Just something to cheer you up.

l can cheer myself up.

You may as well know you're wasting
your time chasing around after me.

l told you plain and straight
when l borrowed the money from you

that if l could have got it off
somebody else, l would.

l want nothing out of you, Sal.

Honest. Save me.

Then leave me alone.

All as l wanted was to offer you a job.

Aye, what kind of a job?

Being me housekeeper.

At that house of mine up in Wales,
have a grand time, Sal.

Nothing more to worry about.

Everything'd be fair and square
and above board.

l've told you, you're wasting your time.

What's the matter, Harry?

lt's Helen. She's been took bad.

She's asking for you, come on, quick!

Get in car, Sal.

Take you both there
in a couple of shakes.

-(EXHALES)
-But Sal, Helen's...

Oh, come on, then.

(STARTS ENGlNE)

-Thank you.
-l'll be waiting, Sal.

Sling your hook, Harry.
You aren't wanted in there.

There's nowt to worry about, lad.
lt's all over.

WOMAN: Aye, it's a girl, Harry.

-What does it feel like to be a father?
-(ALL LAUGHlNG)

Hey, hey, hey. What's going on here?
This isn't a bloody hall.

Here's the proud father.

Oh, l want a word with you, young fella,
me lad, come on in.

You can't just turn us out
on the street like that, Mrs Dorbell.

l don't want to turn anybody out, dear,

but l'm only a poor widow woman.

l have to live on 1 0 shillings a week.

That's me old-age pension.

You can't expect me
to be charitable on that, can you?

No, l'll have to get a lodger
that can pay his rent regular

and you'll have to go somewhere else
now that the baby is born.

Where can we go? What can we do?

We'll be all right when Helen's up
and starts work again.

That'll be sometime yet.
And another thing.

Who's going to look after the child
when she does get work?

Don't think l'm going to turn nursemaid
in my time of life because l'm not.

l had enough of that with me own family

but thank the Lord they're all grown up
and out of me sight.

l wouldn't have
the trouble of them again,

not for a king's ransom.

And another thing, young man.

lt's you that ought to be working
and not your wife.

Aye, l know,
but nobody'll give me a job.

Don't tell me that.

Your Sally could help you,
if she wasn't so stuck-up.

Sam Grundy would give you a job.
And your dad, too.

lf Sally would do what Grundy wants.
But she won't, no.

She's a heartless hussy.

HARRY: You leave our Sally alone!

MRS DORBELL:
l want nothing to say to her.

l'm only telling you
you'll have to get out, that's all.

LARRY: A new start, Sal.

That's all l want.

A new start.

MR GRUNDY: you must be sick
of having nowt to wear

and pinching and scraping
week after week.

Blimey'# and the things you could
have if you wanted.

Anything, Sal. Anything for the asking.

(CLAMOURlNG)

Everything all right, Sal?

(STARTlNG ENGlNE)

Go on, with you, woman,
the fuss you make.

l reckon she might have
gone farther and fared worse.

Aye, but it's her father.

He'll murder her when he finds out.
l know him.

He'll think it's such a disgrace.

-Everybody will be talking...
-Ah, talk's cheap.

Look here, lass. Sally'll take no heed.

She's not that kind.

l don't like it.

We've always been respectable.

Ha, ha, so was l.

Only 'cause l never had a chance to be
owt else and don't you forget it.

Look here, Mrs Hardcastle,

if l had me time to come over again,

l'd never turn my nose up
at a fat belly.

So long as it had
a gold watch chain on it.

(TYRES SCREECHlNG)

(ENGlNE RUNNlNG)

You can wait. l won't be long.

(ENGlNE STOPS)

Hello, Mrs Bull.

Hello, Ma.

Oh, you've no need to go, Mrs Bull.

l suppose the whole street
knows my business by this time.

Well, l'm not ashamed.

You'd be a damned fool if you was.

Aye, lass, when you get
as old as me, you'll have learnt

there's nowt worth worrying about except
where your next meal's coming from.

By gum, you will.

Have you got a taxi waiting outside?

Aye. Why not?

Ee, Sal.

ln front of all t'neighbours.

-Have you no feeling from shame?
-Your shame?

Well, l like that, Ma.

l thought it was my shame
the whole trouble was about.

Ee, Sal, you've changed.

-You're hard.
-Aye, l'm hard.

And by gosh, have l need to be.

Seems to me things always
turn out different to what you expect.

l thought l'd have been married by now.

Married? Huh.

You've not missed much by missing that.

You marry for love
and find you've let yourself in

for a seven-day-a-week job with no pay.

And you don't find it out
till it's too late.

Well, that's not for me.

l'd best go and get me things.

Ee, l don't know what's come over her.

She isn't the same girl.

You're right. And none
but a fool would expect her to be.

What's the matter with you, lass?

l'm scared of what
her dad's going to say.

What'll become of...

lsn't that just the way of the world?

Your daughter
has a settlement made on her

and there's you
wondering what's going to become of her.

Why don't you ask
what's going to become of us?

(DOOR OPENS)

Well, you won't be wanting company
so l'll be going.

You didn't...
You didn't get that job, then, Henry?

Job? (SCOFFS)

Whose is them?

They're Sally's.

-She's here now?
-Aye.

She's upstairs getting her things.

Now, don't lose your temper, Henry.

-Well?
-What are these tales

l've been hearing
about thee and Sam Grundy?

What about them?

Have you got the cheek
to stand there and tell me they're true?

-Yes.
-Nay, Sally, love. Don't.

lt's true, Mother,
and l don't care who knows it.

And l'll tell thee summat else.

lt's sick l am of codging old clothes
to try and make 'em look summat like.

And it's sick l am of working week
after week and seeing nowt for it.

And it's sick l am of never having nowt

but what's been in pawn shop
and crawling with dirt and vermin.

l'm sick of the sight of Hankey Park,
aye, and everybody in it.

Don't.

So you go on the loose, would you?

And make respectable folks
like me and your mother

the talk of the neighbourhood?

Damn you, you're not
fit to be a daughter of mine.

Yeah, who cares what folks say
when there's none l know as

wouldn't change places with me
if they had the chance.

You'd have me wed, would you?

Well, tell me where's fellow
around here as can afford it.

Them as is working aren't able to
keep themselves, never mind a wife.

Look at yourself and look at our Harry.

On workers relief and hasn't even
got a bed he can call his own.

Well, can you get our Harry a job?

No. But l can.

l've got influence now
but l'm not respectable.

Get out. Get out before l kill you.

Right, and l can do that, too.

You turned our Harry out
because he got married.

You're turning me out because l'm not!

You'd have me
like all the rest of the women,

working themselves to death
and seeing nowt for it!

Look at Mother. Look at her.

Well, there isn't a man breathing
now Larry's gone

as can get me like that for him.

You brazen slut!

Keep your lying tongue
off your mother, do you hear?

Father, Father! Look what you've done.

Keep away from her.
Keep away from her, do you hear?

Hey, lass, don't cry. Don't cry.

You neither of you know what
you're saying when you get that way.

Haven't l slaved all me life
to keep a home for her?

Haven't l kept respectable for her?

And God knows, l've nearly
been driven to drink with things!

And now me own daughter
tells me she's gone on the loose.

-Aye, and proud of it.
-Lad, she's only young.

She's only young.

And where would
we have been these past months

if it hadn't been for our Sal?

Oh, leave me be. Leave me be!
l'm sick of it all!

Oh, God, give me some work.
Give me some work.

That's for Dad.

There's one for our Harry there, too.

Tell him to take it
to t'manager of bus company.

There'll be a job for them both.

Remember, they must
say nothing to nobody,

how they got 'em.

Oh, l'm sorry about this, Dad.

Things are different now
to what we've been used to.

We got to face things as they are,
not as we'd like them to be.

Larry was right.

We all want a fresh start.

Well, l've found there's no
starting fresh in Hankey Park

so l'm getting out quickest road.

May be that's a good job.

(DOOR CLOSES)

Nay, don't take on so, Henry.

Can't you see? She only done it for us.

lt was the only way she knew.

l done my best.

Aye, lad.

And that's all that any of us can do.

But things can't go on
like this forever, Henry.

One day we'll all be wanted.

The men who've forgotten how to work

and the young'uns
who've never had a job.

People will begin to see
what's been happening.

And once they do,

there'll not be no Hankey Park no more.