Original subtitles

If you can no longer live with me, then go ahead.

But...

But one thing has to be said.

My daughter stays with me.

That's not up for discussion.

Hey, we'll manage it all right.

No. You won't manage a thing.

Nothing at all. You can depend on that.

NOTICE OF INTENDED MARRIAGE

Well.

- Yep. - That sure was a load of work, wasn't it?

I never dreamt we'd need all those papers.

Come on.

Come on.

Yes, Manfred will be a good best man.

I'm sure he'll be way more nervous than us.

-Irmgard too. - Come again?

It's obvious lrmgard will be my maid of honor.

Come on now, she's been my friend for years.

CITY COUNCIL REGISTRY OFFICE

- Speak German. You're better at it. - Over my dead body.

- She'll bring us 30 years of sorrow. - It's just a formality.

- But it will mean a lot to her. - Never.

- She has a load of crap in her head. - No. That's just all she's learned.

- Okay. But what's in it is in it. - At her core, she's good.

- Says you. - That's right.

- No. - Yes.

- No. - Yes.

- And I'm inviting all my girlfriends. - Yeah, sure.

And I meant that seriously.

- What? - What I said about my girlfriends.

Two coffees, please.

Now, be honest. They're sure to be a bunch of silly women.

- Pardon me? - Well...

I just mean a bunch of girls, that's sure to be pretty stupid.

- Stupid? - Well, yeah.

- Then your friends are crude. - Because they're workers?

- Nice. - I didn't mean that.

Sure you did. Just be honest. Seeing as we're at it.

But I didn't mean it that way.

Please forgive me.

Here you are.

So we finally get to know each other.

Look, my mother is ill.

She needs help now and then.

I mean, a certain sense of responsibility, everyone has that.

Okay.

I mean, I like your mother well enough.

At least there's that. But...

Living with her?

I just don't know.

All right. Then where do you want to live? With your parents?

- Well, I would rather do that. - Rather than live with my mother?

Well, she is a bit odd.

Look at your family. Like they're not odd.

Odd? They're not at all odd. What's odd?

You said it! You said my mother was odd!

She is.

Okay, fine. Then she's odd.

All the same, I'll never move in with your parents.

- Never. - Then forget it.

- Okay, if you say so. - Fine, let's forget it.

It doesn't matter to me. Not in the least.

- Don't be so angry. Life goes on. - Leave me in peace, Mama.

Good, I'll keep my mouth shut.

- Oh, Mama. - Well, you're right.

- What business is it of mine? - Mama.

I'll get it.

Hello. What an eminent visitor.

- Troubles? - I'm all right.

- Who is it? - Monika.

Go on in.

- Hello. How are you? - Well, things aren't getting any easier.

And you?

- I'm alive. - Could be worse.

Look.

What is it?

A letter from Harald's lawyer.

What has he written?

- Hey. - What?

What does it say?

Oh.

Yeah, well...

Seems Harald doesn't want to agree to a divorce anymore.

What a dirty trick.

I mean, good God. We had discussed it all, nice and calm.

We had come to an agreement.

And now...

I have to live under the same roof with someone like him.

Well, you may really want to rethink it.

What?

- Mama said you may want to rethink it. - That's right.

I still don't think you understand me. I'm not joking.

The way life is now is unbearable. Unbearable, do you understand that?

Well, it can't be all that bad.

After all, you did want to be with him once.

I mean, I told you back then - - I'm not interested in what you said then.

I'm interested in how you act now.

He just means you may want to reconsider your actions calmly.

I've considered my words very carefully.

And I've explained exactly why to you often enough.

We just mean that sometimes people can be a little...

-impulsive. -Impulsive. Exactly.

And - - Thanks.

Thank you very much for your help. Thank you so very much.

Now, Monika...

You guys really are a bit stupid.

All we said was that she shouldn't jump the gun.

Oh, yes, you're so clever.

Do you understand that?

No.

- Where are you going to go now? - No idea.

Where should I go? There's no one else I can go to.

Well...

We can go to Grandma's.

I didn't even think of that.

Of course. Grandma always thinks of something.

You know...

our parents have no clue.

They're not being mean or anything.

They just don't know any better. - I know that.

Nonetheless, I still think that sooner or later they'll get it.

How are things between you two?

Do you still speak?

Hardly. Just about the absolute necessities.

I come home at about 6:00 or so.

A pretty nasty state of affairs.

“Nasty” doesn't even begin to describe it.

It really is almost impossible to bear.

And he grins the whole time.

He doesn't stop grinning.

You know his grin.

Sometimes I really feel like hitting him.

But that's just what he wants,

for me to hit him.

Or for me to get hysterical or something. - Yes, probably.

Sylvia?

Oh, she's quite sensible.

I told her that she should stay out of it all.

Because“.

She may have to stay there.

I don't know what to do about anything.

Come on. Everything will work out.

Well, well, well.

Now, that is mean. - Typical lawyer.

- Yes. So mean. - Right?

Yes.

Come on, love, have a drink. It helps.

Take it from an old woman. - Grandma.

I always say that.

I've always said he's mean.

- Grandma. - Yes.

I know that doesn't help now.

Still, it always feels good to be right.

- Now, Grandma - - Yes, I'll keep quiet.

So what should we do now? Do you have an idea?

- If you don't have one, I certainly don't. - Always the same. How about you?

- No. - You?

Well, I...

I have no idea either. - Same as me.

Oh, yes, I do! I'll have a talk with Aunt Klara.

- Aunt Klara is worse than Harald. - That's just it.

We have to cast out one evil with another evil.

Advertising office, please.

I'd like to speak to Marion.

Who is calling?

She's asking who I am.

- Tell her the truth. - But then -

- Come on, do it. - Whatever you say.

Hello?

Hello?

Hung UP-

- Who was that? - No idea.

- Dial again. - Whatever you say.

Three, four...

two, four...

five...

nine.

Could you get me the advertising office?

Hello.

Hello.

Yes, it's me again.

Our call just got cut off.

I'd like to speak to Marion.

I'm Manfred Muller.

She's not in. Try another time, please.

Was that Jochen?

Maybe it's better this way.

My goodness. It's what you wanted.

- No. - Yes.

I forgot. Honest.

- Hey. - Yes?

Can I leave two hours early today, Franz? I -

- I have to do something. - Not sorted out yet?

- No. - Okay, then beat it.

Thanks. Thank you, boss.

If- If he calls back again, then -

Then I'm in. - He won't, not if he has any character.

Jochen.

- Come with me. - You stay put.

I have to go.

- It's my fault - - No, mine. I was wrong.

- No, I was. - I insulted your mother.

- You didn't. In fact - - Yes, I did.

- I insulted your parents. - You'd never do that.

- I did. I said they're odd. - They are.

I insulted your friends. - You said they were stupid.

And they are. I called your friends crude.

You didn't really mean that. You can't have really meant that.

No.

I'm pretty happy now. Honest.

So am I.

Once you've signed this, you're married.

- Do you want to go first? - No, you go ahead.

No, you go ahead.

All right, then.

Well - Fair enough.

Fair enough?

Yes. Fair enough.

Right, and now you.

I hereby declare you man and wife.

Congratulations.

Congratulations.

Congratulations. Congratulations.

Next, please.

It sure is a strange mix of people here.

İsn't it?

Well, sure.

Most of them are already pretty drunk.

Most people are not pleasant when they've been drinking.

It's all right.

You're not exactly very talkative at the moment.

No.

- I'm so hot for you. - Oh, come on.

- Honestly. - Oh, Wolf. Stop it.

But if I tell you I want you?

You have time for that later.

- But I want to now. - No.

I'll never get married. Never.

It only brings unhappiness and such.

On the other hand,

I'm not actually at all...

Sure.

I had my honeymoon in the Black Forest.

At a lake - Titisee.

But, if I'm honest, it was pretty dull.

Aren't you going on a honeymoon?

Well...

No, we're not. - People don't do that anymore.

And it's right that way. Marriage is a sensible, everyday thing.

Don't you agree?

Your grandma's great. She always knows the deal.

I'm super great, as my Gregor always says.

Right?

- Are you a worker too? - Got a problem with that?

No. But you don't look like one at all.

- But I am one. - Oh, well.

None of that matters nowadays anyway.

Of course they'll live with me. My apartment's big.

One person more or less makes no difference.

The apartments they build today, on the other hand,

are absolutely atrocious, right?

You should see our apartment.

They're dumps, real dumps.

Then put cheese on the dough.

And on top of that, fishes. - Fishes?

Yes, fishes. Anchovies.

Then bake. - Bake.

- Bake. But not much. Okay? - Okay. And then?

- Jochen, do you think I should get started? - No, wait a bit.

Okay.

Whatever you say.

Grandma, you always have some trick or other up your sleeve.

What? Was there something there?

- Should I dance with Mother-in-law? - Mother-in-law?

- Jochen's mother-in-law, of course. - Of course.

- So you're Monika's husband? - Yes.

So you're Jochen's brother-in-law and Marion's...

- Brother-in-law too. - Yes, probably. And what are you to me?

- There's no name for it. - Mother-in-law. I want a dance.

- Are you drunk again? - Leave him be. He has reason enough.

And it's none of your damn business. Now, do you want to dance?

Yes, I'd love to. Let's go.

- Don't sit around sulking. - That's easy for you to say.

Do you want to dance with me?

Sure. Let's go.

So are you having a good time?

It's all right.

Do you want to dance?

Maybe some other time.

Are you the one who can't stand workers?

Me?

Yes, well...

No matter. You can always learn new things.

- Do you think so? - Yes.

No one pays any attention to me here.

I get the feeling you could do just as well without me.

Aunt Klara, we could never do that.

- What would we be without you? - That's right.

You'll have to take the reins yourself if you want attention.

Please, Kathe. You're drunk.

İsn't he a good foreman?

Yes, more or less.

More or less. I see.

Yeah, well.

- He can hardly pay me compliments. - He can hardly do that, yes.

- Most people don't put in “garalic.” - Garlic.

Garlic, yes.

But very important, because taste... is more.

- Come with me. - Why? I want to stay here.

- I want you away from that wop. - But he's very nice.

Swine.

- Spaghetti. - Spaghetti's better than pork.

Come on.

You dance very well, really.

That's due to you. You know how to lead. Most men can't do that anymore.

Oh? In that case...

You know how to hold your partner.

Well, girls? Enjoying yourselves?

- Kathe's drunk. - Klara wants a fight.

- Kathe's contradictory. - Kiara's talking drivel.

You're both ill-mannered. Come on, Klara. I have to talk to you.

That's what you get.

- May I sit down next to you? - Yes, be my guest.

- We've been dancing quite a while. - I'm enjoying it.

Me too.

Well? Lots of dreadful people?

No, actually...

You're mean.

Sure.

- Harald is just too good for Monika. - Thank you.

Why are you suddenly -

speaking so extremely well of Harald?

Let me be honest with you. I am fond of Harald.

- You're making fun of me. - That isn't true.

There you go again.

Why don't you just come to me and say, “I need your help”?

- Because“. - I'll tell you why.

Because you think I'm stupid. - Oh, that's not true.

Just a little. - But I'm not stupid.

Besides, I don't think Harald and Monika are right for each other either.

You see, that's where you start.

You go over there and tell him he's too good for her.

He'll be certain to believe you.

Are you here alone? Without a girl, that is.

- I don't have one. - You don't...

At your age, when one...

Life has let me down.

Oh.

I'm going, Marion.

- No one is paying any attention to me. - Why is that?

There are lots of lovely people here.

No one is paying any attention to me.

I'm going. - You've had plenty to drink.

Yes.

Schnapps.

I drank schnapps.

I'm so happy.

Thank you.

- She dances very well. - Better than me?

Well now... Perhaps in a way.

A new broom sweeps clean.

That's exactly right.

- That's how men are. All of them. - Now, now.

- You see it again and again. - Yes. Men.

- That's right. - And women? Well.

Cheers. May I have a dance?

It's really funny.

Unbelievably funny.

- What's that? - How everyone keeps getting drunker.

You're the drunkest of all.

Me?

I'm not drunk at all.

Not at all. Not one bit.

You know, that got me thinking.

I mean, if she wants to split up, then you should seize the opportunity.

She just not on a level with you. She's working class.

That makes itself evident over time.

- And then - - Don't waste your breath.

- I know Grandma sent you. - Grandma.

Of course she did. Right?

All right then, yes.

But -

I do in some small way mean it seriously.

All right.

You can tell her I've basically come to terms with it.

I...

I accept that things between Monika and me

are pretty much washed up.

Maybe it was that way from the very start.

You can tell her I agree to the divorce.

- And . .. - Sylvia?

I think a child is better off with its mother.

Perhaps that's more important.

Well, I only know her when she's hysterical.

- Hysterical? - Of course.

She comes in and is always beside herself. Oh, well, that's how fate would have it.

Yes, how fate would have it.

- Time to move on. - Her crown's a bit tarnished, isn't it?

Who knows? Besides, whose crown isn't tarnished?

I think it's time I went home.

- Good-bye. - Good-bye. Have a safe trip home.

- And a very little flour. - Flour?

Not much, but well “steered.”

Not “steered.” Stirred.

Yes. And no cinnamon. No good cinnamon.

- Germans all use cinnamon. - Germans no understand cooking.

- I had nearly forgotten that. Sorry. - That's okay.

Well?

Go on and guess. - Guess?

Come now, this is a serious matter.

Fine then. I was able to convince him. He agrees to a divorce.

He agrees to - Oh, Klara, Klara!

- So quickly? - What?

You managed so quickly -

- You were able to persuade him so quickly? - Well, I talked quite fast.

- Klara. - Yes?

Not lying, are you?

How can you say that? You know very well -

Yes, Grandma, but...

- But? - He really will agree to a divorce.

You dance really nicely.

- Yeah? - Yes, honest. Very nicely.

No one else here dances as well as you.

- There you are again. - Why? Was I gone?

- Well, I didn't see you. Sadly. - Why sadly?

- Because I think you're nice, despite - - Despite what?

Despite the fact that you talk a lot of poop.

Poop? Oh, you mean “shit.”

No, no. I'm absolutely serious. I really think you're very nice.

- How about we go someplace else? - I'm the maid of honor.

A maid of honor can't just -

Where to then? - Someplace where...

Well, someplace different from here.

All right.

Have you seen my wife?

- Which one? - I only have one.

Just one? Poor man.

What?

Am I a Mormon?

He isn't a Mormon, you know.

He's not a Mormon.

No, he's not a Mormon.

Nonetheless, I would've thought you had more than one.

Come on now, you know me.

You've known me...

almost eight years now.

You really should know that I only have one.

Yeah.

How wrong one can be.

Think it over a bit. Maybe you have more after all.

You're all drunk.

Drunk?

I'm not at all drunk.

- Not at all. - I'm going now.

I'm not letting anyone call me drunk when I'm as sober as can be.

As sober as can be.

- Are you taking a taxi? - No, we're not taking a taxi. We're walking.

How was your wedding night?

Like this?

That was long ago.

You don't forget something like that.

You can't imagine what one forgets.

Even a wedding night?

Even a wedding night.

Could you please go and get me a drink?

- Sure, Grandma. A shot? - A double shot.

Straightaway.

Okay, now brace yourself. Lean back.

He's going to agree to a divorce.

Grandma.

- Grandma, is that true? - Yes.

Have I ever said an untrue word?

Here you go.

Right. To your future.

- Both of you. - Thank you, Grandma.

Monika.

Come on, let's go.

They just aren't a good match.

She's a blue-collar girl, and he has a tuxedo on.

Different worlds.

Thank God.

Thank you, Harald.

Mama, I was looking for you.

It's a nice party, isn't it?

Yes, it's a nice party.

I have to discuss something with you.

You're so serious. ls something wrong?

Jochen and I have decided to look for our own apartment.

You want...

to leave me on my own?

No, Mama, we don't want to leave you on your own.

We want to start our own life together.

Jochen really likes you.

He likes you very much, but...

And me too. I think it's right too.

I imagined it being so nice, having lots of young people around me.

Then I could have stayed young longer myself.

I'm really not that old yet.

I'm not all that old yet. - Don't cry, Mama.

Please don't cry. I can't see you cry. - Forget about it, Marion. It's okay.

You must know what's best for you,

just the two of you.

Mama.

I'm so terribly tired all of a sudden.

I was so happy today. I was really happy.

- I'll get you something to drink. - Don't bother, love.

I'd like to go home. I -

Marion.

- Come on, I'll take you outside. - Thank you.

Have you seen my wife?

A fat, little, dark-haired lady.

- Is this maybe her? - Well, there is a certain resemblance.

- What is your name? - Me? Ursula.

Like my wife. That's odd.

- And where do you live? - Kreuzstrasse 23.

That's where I live too. Kreuzstrasse 23.

How much did your husband bring home last Friday?

-323 marks and 20 pfennig. - This is my wife.

It must be her. There's just too many coincidences.

- It would be a few too many. - May I take her home?

- Well, if you have to. - I mean, I'm not entirely sure yet myself.

But I have to take some girl home tonight.

Or my wife will bop me on the head with a rolling pin.

And she is very strong.

I have to say.

Well.

Let's go then.

Good-bye. - Good-bye.

Good-bye.

Hello.

Gregor.

We can go.

My mission is complete.

Another mission complete, my missionary. What was it this time?

You shouldn't make fun of me all the time. It's not befitting.

She decides what's befitting.

- Yeah? - Sure, because I know the score.

- Now tell him what your mission was. - Monika and Harald.

- Monika and Harald? - Yes.

Harald has agreed to a divorce. - Really?

- I've done it. - And I'm done in.

All right, then. And now hand me my fur.

I really meant it when I said we were going.

She really meant it.

No one dances as well as you. Honest. As light as a feather.

- Thanks. That's a nice compliment. - Yes, every girl likes to hear that.

- Do you say that to every girl? - Of course, if they all like to hear it.

Oh, well, all the same.

- Don't you think it's good? - Yes, I think it's good.

It's sure to be right. - There, you see.

- So Kathe is already in bed. - Yes, well, she's tired.

- And you're not? - Yes.

Yes, I'm tired too. - Well, then go to bed.

Do you think I can just go?

- Sure. There's barely anyone left. Go on. - Yeah.

Then I'll be going.

Good night. - Good night.

He's completely out of it.

I'm taking him home. - Don't let him fall.

- Thanks for the good advice. - Sometimes good advice is useful.

No harm meant. - Sure thing.

- Good evening. - Good evening.

And the pigeon, much young,

with everything else in a pot.

With vegetables, potatoes and all.

And then - - I am drunk.

I feel sick.

Really sick?

Drunk.

Do you want to take something? A remedy.

No.

Take me to a... taxi.

- Me? - I have to go home.

Of course.

You.

Are you scared?

Giuseppe not scared.

All right.

Bye. Hold me up.

HARALD AND MONIKA

EIGHT HOURS DON'T MAKE A DAY

A FAMILY SERIES FROM WDR

“Eight Hours Don't Make a Day” was shot in 1:1.37 format for WDR TV

between April and August 1972.

Digital restoration and color timing of the film

was made by scanning the preserved 16-mm original reversal film in 2k resolution

and digitizing the 16-mm original-mix audio tapes.