Son of the Gods (1930)

[bunniefuu]

Come on, Lee, let's see it!
Come on, Lee!

Come on, Lee!

Come on, Lee! Come on, Lee!
Come on, Lee!

Come on, buddy, get the ball in there!

Frank, be sure to take a good
look at that cut, will you?

You bet I'll take care of that,
yes, sir.

Oh, Lee.

- Good work, old man.
- Thanks.

And by the way, thanks very much for
the loan of your pony this afternoon.

- Oh, that's quite all right.
- Well, thanks again.

Hey, Sam!

Gee, that last ride of yours
was better than Paul Revere's.

- Thanks, Kicker.
- Say, Sam, could you, um...

Well, um...
Oh, you know what I mean.

Just till the first of the month.

Just what do you want it for this time?

Well, Spud and I are stuck with
three dames from the Art school.

He asked one down to the game
and she had to bring a girlfriend.

Well, all right, but I haven't
got any money in these clothes.

You'll have to come over
to the locker room with me.

It's a pleasure.

Oh... just a minute, Kicker,
I'll be right back.

Take as long as you like.

- How much do you want, Kicker?
- Wait a minute, Sam!

- What are you doing tonight?
- I've got some studying to do.

Studying? On a night like this?

Hey, if you get any more knowledge,
you're gonna burst.

Why don't you come along with us?
We've got an extra dame on our hands...

...and the girls are just admiring
your new padding wagon.

Well, I'd like to, but I... really, I...

You'd better come along,
you'll save money.

- Well, I...
- Oh, they're nice girls.

They won't stick gum under the seats.

Do you think it would be all right?

Are you sure that they understand?

Why, certainly, it's absolutely okay.

Well, all right, I'll be with you
in ten minutes.

Fine!

- Hurry up, Kicker.
- Make way, children, make way.

Gather around one and all.
Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye!

This is to give you notice
that Mr. Sam Lee,

the gentleman that owns this chariot,

will join us this afternoon in
our festivities...

...so you dames won't have to ride
in my lizzie.

No kidding, isn't that marvelous?

Say, you'll go crazy about Sam.
He's one swell fellow.

- He sure is, no kidding.
- He must be swell.

Come on, get in. Let's see what
it looks like in it.

My, this car runs like silk,
doesn't it?

The same make as that car
in The Green Hat.

Oh, no, I think that was
an Hispano-Suiza.

Oh.

Well, didn't you just adore
that play, Mr. Lee?

Yes, I enjoyed it very much.

Hey, how about a little cord harmony,
what do you say? Let's get acquainted.

I'm willing.

Okay. Hey, Spud, grab out that ukelele,
will you, and play something?

Anything, I don't care,
I write my own words.

Oh, red hot, oh,
bop-beep-a-dee-doo.

Wait a minute, let's have this one.

# Every little star that shines above #

# Tells me the reason, dear, #
# Why I'm in love #

Do you sing, Mr. Lee?

- Not very well.
- Who does outside of Italy?

I just can't keep up with the new songs.
I haven't a radio.

There isn't room for one
in my little apartment.

It's about the size of a canoe.

I suppose you have a tent.

Oh, Mr. Midas, what haven't you got?

Where's your home, Mr. Lee?

My home? New York City.

Oh. I'm a Westerner.
Martinsville, Ohio.

I thought you wealthy fellows always
put up in some fraternity house.

A great many do. I don't belong
to any fraternity.

Oh.

Well, who cares?

# I love you #

Wow! Hey, I'm hungry.
How about a hot dog?

- Spud.
- Yeah?

What do you say we go back to the shore
road and stop in at the Bird Cage?

- Atta boy!
- Oh, no, we're not dressed for it.

Oh, not that place, why, it's too swell.

Hey, what are you talking about?

Why you dames look like three
plush horses.

- Wouldn't you like to go, Miss Hart?
- It's so expensive.

Hah, fish and two tuches.

You're not with Spud and me.
Why, you're with Sam Lee.

It's all up to you,
do you want to go?

Oh, I'd love it. I've never been
inside a place like that.

All right, then we'll go.

- We won't be a minute, boys.
- We'll be back in a second.

Oh, listen to that sax appeal.

You know, Spud, heaven
must be rose garden.

- Good evening, Mr. Lee, how are you?
- Fine, thank you, Albert.

I want a table for six tonight.

- Near the dance floor?
- You bet!

All right, Mr. Lee.

Hey, I wonder where are those sopranos,
anyway? I crave nourishment.

Give a dame a free lipstick and face powder,
and she'll stretch it into a permanent wave.

I bet they stopped to get shaved.

A young lady wishes to speak
with you, sir.

- Oh, excuse me a minute, Sam.
- Certainly.

Thank you. Will you leave us?

You've got your nerve!

- Why, what's wrong?
- You know very well what's wrong!

I want you to get us out of here
this minute!

Why, Connie's crying,
she's almost hysterical!

Oh, you mean Sam?
Oh, don't be a goofer.

I'm going to tell my father.

How dare you bring us out
with a Chinaman!

Now listen, dearie...

Listen nothing. I have a brother,
Kicker Wave.

And you'll hear from him.

Why, we don't think of Sam
as a Chinaman.

Why, he's a high-class gentleman.

You gotta go through with this.

And have him ask us to dance?
I'd die!

So would I. Are you going
to take us home?

Say, who do you think you are?

Besides, Sam doesn't look Chinese.
And nobody here knows hum.

Oh, is that so? Well, Connie knows
one of the girls who saw us come in...

...with that yellow friend of yours.

She told us. Sam Lee, hah! A chink.
Oh, I wouldn't let him touch me!

Oh, is that so? Well, Alice let him
touch her all right.

Everything would have been jake
if that yap friend of yours...

...hadn't started a broadcast.

Why, Sam's father is the richest
Oriental in New York.

Why, he has more stores
than Carter has pills.

Why... he's the Chinese Marshall Fields.

Sam has millions.

More millions than you halfwits
can think of.

You're crazy to do a trick like this.

Working your way through college and turning
up your nose at a swell fellow like him.

Are you going to call a taxi?

Is who gonna call what taxi?

If you must go, Sam will
drive you back.

- Well, he won't drive me back.
- Nor me either.

You can tell him somebody's sick,
dying, anything.

I wish it was the truth.

I'd like to tell him truthfully
and with tears in my eyes...

...that you all had hydrophobia.

All right, I talked us into this buggy ride.

And I suppose I can talk us out of it.

I hope you dames have to walk back from
every place you go to for the next year.

And that goes for me, too.

Sam.

Our party's broken up.

Mabel has something wrong with her
and wants to go home.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Can anything be done?
Would she like to leave at once?

Yes, and she wants me
to call a taxi.

You see, there's too much air
in that open car.

It's neuralgia, or toothache
or something.

It... gee, it grabbed her just like that.

Well, if she's suffering, will you please
say good night for me...

...and express my regrets.

Gee, that's white of you, Sam.

I don't know how much it'll cost
to get them back home.

And... well, I have...

Thanks, Sam. I'll see you tomorrow.

Well, good night, Sam.

Good night, Spud.

The table is ready for you, Mr. Lee.

Well, the ladies have changed
their minds, Albert.

- I won't need the table.
- Oh, I'm sorry.

Thank you, sir.

You know, Spud, I feel just like
I've stepped on a baby's fingers.

Thank you, Moy.

Is that all you want, mister sir?

Can I bring you some dinner?

No, thank you, Moy, I'm not hungry.

Did you have a nice time
this evening?

Yes... quite interesting.

Hello?

Yes. Mr. Lee?

One moment, please.

A lady.

Hello?

Hello, Mr. Lee. Know who it is?

It's Alice Hart.

Oh, yes?

I thought you'd like to know
that Mabel's all right now.

Oh, I'm glad to hear that.

I was so sorry the party
broke up, Mr. Lee.

I had an awfully good time
while it lasted.

I thought some time you might...

We might...

Well... at least I hope we'll
meet again.

I'm afraid that would be impossible,
Miss Hart.

I'm leaving for New York tomorrow.

Goodbye.

- Are we leaving?
- Oh yes, I forgot to tell you, Moy.

We're leaving tomorrow.
We'd better start packing.

- But where do we go?
- Home.

- Home? But...
- Never mind, Moy.

Good night.

Good night.

( In Chinese )

( In Chinese )

( In Chinese )

( In Chinese )

( In Chinese )

"I am leaving college returning home today"

What does that mean?

Let me explain, Father.

I am waiting your explanation.

Well, my quest of knowledge
is at an end.

Conditions became unbearable.

The only friendships I could make were
those that I bought with your money.

I've been insulted and ostracized.

Looked down upon, treated as
something unclean.

Race prejudice has always
existed, my son.

I think it will not help.

The only w*apon one can use
to defeat it is tolerance.

I know, but I haven't your
greatness, Father.

I can't stand it.

It made no difference to them
that I was an honor student.

Nothing mattered but the fact
that I was Chinese.

You should take pride in it, my son.

Chinese were men of learning...

...when the white race was k*lling
and was spearing frogs from slime.

We are different, but not inferior.

They are liars and hypocrites.

Their religion teaches love,
and brotherhood, and equality.

But they worship money and prejudice.

You not need to rancor, my son.

The virtuous man must learn to find
all that he wants within himself.

It's the inferior man who must find
in others what he lacks.

There are other colleges at which
you can continue your studies.

Oh, not an American college, Father.

I couldn't. I haven't the necessary
humility and...

...self-control.

What do you have in mind?

Oh, I don't know.
Travel, perhaps.

Very well. The world shall be
your college.

You shall travel like a prince
and see it all.

But that's not what I want.

Oh, you've hastened to grant me this wish
just like every other one that I've made.

But I must go alone, I must earn
my own bread.

You mean a pilgrimage?
You want to go as a beggar?

Oh, no, I'll earn my way.

Not vague.

Oh, I merely want to be a man.

Why, Father, I've leaned
upon you for so long...

...that I'm weak. I just want to find out
if I can stand alone.

It is nothing more than the yearning
for adventure.

The itchy curiosity of youth.

To me your idea seems utterly fantastic.

Well, I would be a most ungrateful son
if I disobeyed your wishes.

Oh, Sam!
I just heard that you were back.

- How are you?
- Fine, Eileen.

- How have you been?
- Putting on weight.

Your father doesn't work his
secretary hard enough.

Well, come along now, Sam,
tell me all about yourself.

Well, I've left college for good.

Why?

I don't know.
I guess I didn't belong.

I suppose I was lonesome.

You've let them hurt you,
haven't you, Sam?

You've let them get your goat.

Oh, I'd like to get my hands
on some of those snobs.

What I'd do to them.

Ah, the same Eileen, still fighting
my battles for me.

Battles?

Don't you remember the day
that you licked all the kids...

...in the neighborhood when the
k*lled my fighting beetles?

You fighting... Oh, yes!

I remember the day we licked them.

You weren't so bad yourself
after you started.

You'll be keeping him with us
now I suppose, Mr. Lee.

No. Sam Lee is going abroad.

Abroad?

- Soon?
- As soon as passage can be arranged.

You are no doubt tired, my son.
Eileen will excuse you.

Sure, Sam. Run along.

- I'll see you again, Eileen.
- I hope to tell you you will.

You don't want him to go,
do you, Mr. Lee?

The selfish wishes of a weak and
sentimental old man should never...

Weak and sentimental?

Oh, I assure you're the finest man
I ever knew.

No one ever came into your life
that you haven't helped.

Look at all you've done for us.

It has been very little.

Ah, it's been the difference between
existing and living.

Paying me $50 a week just to come
here and watch you do the work...

Sure it was the only luck
the Dugans ever had...

that one of them was a cop
in San Francisco...

...and knew you.

Your uncle did me a great favor once.

He was my friend.

And we Chinese never forget.

Well, I guess I'll be running
along, Mr. Lee.

And don't you go to worrying
about Sam.

He's a thoroughbred.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

All in readiness, my son?

Yes, Father. The boat leaves at eleven.

I must report at nine.

Will your duties be hard?

Well, no harder than others performed
by my countrymen every day.

I'm to assist in the feeding
of the cattle.

Serving food to the sailors,
and such useful labors.

It is no doubt training for the soul.

But remember, Sam Lee,
that you are a son of the gods.

For they sent you in answer to prayer.

You will not let me give you money,

but I have tried to fill your mind
with generous wisdom.

You are going far, my son,
where I will no longer be able to guide you.

But you must go.

And I shall await your homecoming.

You promise you'll write often?

About the everyday things
that I shall hunger to know.

You write clearly, for my eyes
may be dimming.

You better go now,
while I can still see you.

Dan, are you leaving without
a goodbye to me?

Why, of course not, Eileen.

Oh, I know you're sore and hurt.

And I don't blame you.

But just rushing off like this
without a cent in your pocket.

Oh, sure, that's an Irishman's trick.

Oh, Sam, you'd make an awful Mick.
You're so fine, and foolish and impractical.

Oh, I brought you something
to take along.

It'll do you no harm,
and it may do you some good.

It's a Catholic scapular, Sam.

I don't know if my religion is any better
than yours and Lee Ying's.

But it won't do any harm to mix them.

A Catholic scapular on a Chinese breast.

No harm should come to me, Eileen.

Goodbye, Sam, come back
as clean as you go.

( In Chinese )

( In Chinese )

- Good morning, Sam.
- Good morning, Mr. Bathurst.

You don't look as if you were going to do
much work this morning.

I'm not. I have at least three,
four more important engagements.

I'm afraid the Riviera is not
a very good place for you to work.

Seems that we did much
better in London.

Well, I'm not anxious to finish the play.

You may disappear probably,
go back to New York or something.

And then where the devil would I be?

I don't think I've been a tremendous help
on this play that you pretend.

Nonsense, my dear boy,
of course you have.

I know nothing about the Chinese.

But when you turned up, it was like
a gift from heaven.

It pleases you to say that.

You don't know what your friendship
has meant to me, Mr. Bathurst.

You see, it's the first friendship
that was ever just given me.

Why, even on the boat where I was
peeling potatoes before you found me,

the crew couldn't forget
that I was Chinese.

Oh, nonsense, my boy.

I'm proud to know you.
Proud to have you in my home.

Proud to work with you.

And I haven't noticed any of the ladies
running away from you.

Everybody's been most gracious,
but it's all because of you.

It's just because you're yourself, my boy.

Come on, chuck the play.
We'll tackle it tomorrow.

By the way, I see by the papers...

...that that Miss Wagner,
that American soap sud heiress...

You know, the one we met in Nice.

Arrived here last night with
her father.

- Oh, yes?
- Yes.

She gave you quite a rush
if I remember rightly.

You'd better watch out.

Goodbye.

Faites vos jeux, messieurs dames,
faites vos jeux.

Fa?tes vos jeux, messieurs.

Faites vos jeux.

Les jeux sont faits.

Dix noir.

Dix noir, pair.

Hello, Wagner.

Hello, Johnson, glad to see you.

Good evening, Miss Wagner.

I thought you were on your way
to Switzerland.

I was. But as usual Allana
changed our minds.

I thought the excitement
might be good for him.

Excitement? Good Lord!

You know we haven't stayed a week in
any place since we came to Europe.

Indeed?

I'll be glad for the peace and quiet
of New York.

Let's go and sit down somewhere
and have a chat.

Oh, Dad, I think I'll go
and try my luck.

- Got enough?
- Enough to lose.

It seems to be a gift, Mr. Lee.

Good evening, Miss Wagner.

Well, you don't seem very surprised
to see me here.

Mr. Bathurst told me you
were here this morning.

- I thought it was in the newspaper.
- Oh.

Would you like to play?
You may have my seat.

No, no, please don't go.
I'd like you to place a bet for me.

I'm sorry, I make it a practice never
to gamble for anybody except myself.

J'ai fini de jouer.
Vous pouvez me payer, s'il vous pla?t.

Messieurs, dames, faites vos jeux.

- Faites vos jeux.
- Merci.

Good night, Miss Wagner.

Mr. Lee.

- It's been quite an experience.
- What has?

Asking a favor and having it refused.

- I asked you to play for me.
- Oh, I'm sorry.

I'll gladly go back to the table
with you.

No, I don't think I want to play now.

Well, what do you want, Miss Wagner?

I believe I'm thirsty.

Oh. Well... shall we go to the caf??

All right, I'll get my wrap.
Will you wait on the veranda for me?

Certainly.

Merci.

- I've been looking for you.
- Oh, hello, Dad.

Come on, let's get back to the hotel.

I've got to get some sleep
even if you don't.

Not a chance. The evening's just
getting interesting.

Just a minute.

I saw you talking to that fellow we
met in Nice. Is he rushing you?

No, darling, I'm rushing him.

Well, that's out of the ordinary.

What's the matter with him?

I wish I knew.

Is this the dawn of another of your
famous infatuations?

Maybe.

But you don't know who he is
and where he came from.

No, and I don't care.
Now listen, darling.

A little later on I'll be able
to tell you more about him.

And about myself.

- Later on?
- After he kisses me.

Now don't worry, I haven't disgraced
your gray hairs yet.

You know, I'm not thirsty anymore.
Let's stay here.

Very well.

It's beautiful, isn't it?

It reminds me a little of California.

- Have you ever been there?
- Why, yes.

I was born in San Francisco.

But I left there when I was so young,
I don't remember much about it.

Oh.

You know, you're frightfully interesting.

You are, really.

Only I wish you'd show something
besides indifference.

I don't seem to be in very
good form tonight.

Why don't you like me?

You know, I can be very nice
if given a little encouragement.

I'm sure you could.

Then for heaven's sake stop acting
like a wooden indian.

Do something, seize me!

Take me in your arms...

...and dance with me.

- Good evening, Lee.
- Good evening, how do you do?

- Nice fellow, isn't he?
- Charming.

Allana.

Did you notice that woman
I spoke to on the terrace?

Yes.

She's lovely, isn't she?

I don't like any woman
you speak of in that tone.

They're friends of Bathurst's.

There's a very interesting story
connected with their marriage.

- Oh, yes?
- Yes.

He's from Oklahoma.

When he first saw her he fell
madly in love with her.

He was trying to arrange
an introduction...

...when one day she surprised him
by smiling at him.

Spanish hussy.

But she's not Spanish, that's just it.

She's an American indian from
his own state.

And she knew him as a child.

When Bathurst first told me about it,

I thought it was an extraordinary
love match.

Extraordinary, why?

Because most people have such
strong racial prejudices.

Sam, you have the strangest ideas.

There are no such rules among
people of our class.

Why, only last year I was engaged
to an East Indian.

I would have married him too,
had I really cared about him.

I'd marry any man I was really
in love with.

Allana, do you mean that?

I'd marry him, or no one else would.

Shall we go back and dance?

Sam, don't you care anything
about me at all?

Oh... you love me?

Oh, I've dreamed a thousand times
of holding you like this.

Oh, why didn't you say so?

Because, I was... I was afraid.

I didn't know how you would feel.

How I feel?
Oh, you darling!

When I've done everything
but tell you that I love you.

Darling, do you think...
do you think that your father would...

Oh, don't talk about him now.

What does he matter?
What does anything matter?

Oh, there's nothing sane
or sensible about this.

Darling, you could have six wives,
be a m*rder*r,

thief, beggar wouldn't make
any difference.

But darling, I'm not a beggar,
my father is...

Not now.

Why is it that you utterly detest
about my warm heart?

Detest you? Darling, I...
I worship you.

Then kiss me.

And don't talk.

- Hello!
- Good morning.

Well, I didn't expect to see
you up so early.

I'm rather surprised myself.

Tell me, Lee, what time did you
get in last night?

Not last night. This morning.

Oh... Miss Wagner?

Yes, Miss Wagner.

Oh, the most wonderful thing in the world
has happened to me.

I found out last night that she loves me.

And nothing makes any difference.

Nothing matters to her except that
we're in love with each other.

I can hardly believe it yet.

Well, that seems natural.

But I'm glad.

You know, I wasn't very keen
about her at first.

I was afraid she might hurt you.

Hurt me?

Good Lord no.

Well, I'm off for some tennis.

By the way, I'm having tea with her
this afternoon at the Royale.

- Maybe drop in here later?
- Be delighted.

- And the best of good luck to you, old man.
- Thanks.

I promise you I'll do some work
on that play tonight.

Oh, you'd better give it a rest
for a couple of days.

We're not writing the love scene,
you know.

For heaven's sake!
Allana, when will you be ready?

Coming now, practically with you, darling.

How are you anyway?

Where were you last night?

Oh, don't ask.
I was on a long journey.

Exploring unknown lands.

Sailing uncharted seas.

- With who?
- Aha, the plot thickens.

Not with that Lee fellow?

With that adorable Lee fellow.

What do you mean?

You'll throw us a lovely wedding,
won't you, darling?

- And give us a nice present?
- Why, Allana, you can't...

Daddy, for the first time in my life
I'm really happy.

I'm madly, deliriously in love
with Sam.

And he loves me.

He means my life, my happiness.

My very existence.

- And we're going to be married.
- Married?

Allana, I told you I investigated
and I found out that...

I hope you didn't find anything that
would keep you from the wedding.

I found out... that he's a Chinaman.

It seems everyone in his set knew it.

It's so accepted that no one
speaks of it.

That's how we didn't know.

Oh, monsieur, bon jour!
Bon jour, mesdames.

Je vous f?licite de votre chance
hier soir.

Oh, merci.

- Au revoir.
- Ao revoir, monsieur.

- Bon jour, Monsieur Lee.
- Bon jour.

Que puis-je vous en servir,
Monsieur Lee?

- Non, merci. J'attend mademoiselle.
- Tr?s bien, merci.

? votre service.

Bon jour, mademoiselle.

You cad! You liar!

You cheat!

You dirty rotten Chinaman!

Mr. Lee, puis-je vous ?tre utile?

Enfin, laisse-moi vous aider.

Miss Wagner to see you, sir.

I'd like to see Mr. Lee.

He's not here.

- Oh, but I must see him!
- I'm sorry, but you can't.

- Why not?
- Because he's on his way to Paris.

He's sailing for America in the morning.

But this was waiting for him when he
got back from the Royale this afternoon.

Thank you.

And Miss Wagner,

I'd like awfully to give you
a piece of my mind.

Do, please.

I came uninvited.

Thanks. It won't help you a lot,
but it will do me no endeavor.

Now, to put it politely, Miss Wagner.

I think you're the most arrogant,
the most ruthless,

the most selfish creature I've ever known.

You're thoroughly spoiled.

And I don't approve you at all.

I gathered as much.

I'll wager you were one of those
nasty brats...

...who pulled kittens' tails just
to hear them squeal.

You think it clever to ignore
everything conventional,

to outrage all of the decencies.

On the other hand, Sam Lee
is a fine, clean boy...

...who held you at arm's length
just as long as he could.

- And that made you furious.
- Yes?

Yes! I saw by the way you went at him.

And now you've wounded a proud,
sensitive nature.

What about my pride?
I'm a Californian.

I was raised among Chinamen.

Pardon me, among coolies.

Sam Lee is a gentleman of breeding.

Oh, it's an unpardonable thing to strike
a fellow who couldn't defend himself.

It was wicked! Inhuman!

And terribly unfair.

Now, may I escort you to your hotel?

Just a moment.
You're right in most everything you say.

But I want you to know that I came here
to apologize to Mr. Lee.

Oh, I see.

I'm sorry I ran on as I did.

Oh, that's all right.

I'm beginning to learn the
truth about myself.

I'm like my father's soap.

Highly scented, beautifully wrapped up...

...and the boxes are terribly expensive
and all that.

But it's made of scraps from
the stockyards.

You see, I'm madly in love with Sam.

Oh, I know, that doesn't change
the situation any.

It merely explains my actions.

Do you honestly care for him?

Oh, if I didn't care so terribly,

I could never have done it.

I'm sorry.

I apologize for all I said.

Thanks.

And after this, when you see me
grinning like an ape and...

...cutting red capers,

you'll know I don't mean it.

And you can say to yourself...

there's a kid who cracked up.

Good night.

- How are you, Eileen?
- Quite well, thank you, Sam.

I... I got your second cable
on the boat.

- Where is he?
- I'll take you to him.

Those letters about Miss Wagner
worried him.

He read more in them than I did.

And he was right.

That last dispatch in the papers
telling about your trouble with her...

...was a shock.

And Sam, he left a message
with me for you.

He said it grieved him to leave you,

but that he was feeble
and needed rest.

He said you must go on alone...

...and know that the gods are
watching over you.

Don't, Sam.

I'll never forget, Eileen,
that you were at his beside...

...when I, the most undutiful son
should have been there.

And for that I owe you a great debt.

And we Chinese...

Oh, I know I haven't lived up
to many of our customs...

Oh, you couldn't, Sam, Dear,
you're an American.

Oh, no. No.
I had hoped to be an American.

I tried to become one.

But there were forces
too great opposing it.

I've discovered that there are voids between
the races too deep to span.

And I was a fool.

But all things are ordered
by the gods.

Stop talking like that!

You don't believe in gods and superstition
any more than I do.

I believe in nothing! Every belief
I ever had has been destroyed.

I used to believe in love.

Brotherhood, charity.

And oh such pleasant nothings.

But they're only names, words, lies!

My father was a benevolent
and noble man.

He practiced all of the estimable
Christian virtues.

And yet he was despised
by you white people.

I'm not of your race, Eileen,
nor no longer wish to be.

In it I found only treachery
and contempt.

I fled from it here in America.

While I was in Europe,

I might have been anything as a white man,
a swindler, a m*rder*r,

a beggar, a thief.

But as Sam Lee, a prince of the
ancient house of Lee Ying,

I was publicly flogged.

You say it hastened my father's end.

I shall always hate them for that.

I am Chinese, Eileen.

And from now on, I shall live as one.

Allana, put that down!

Allana, I don't know what's
come over you.

You go at it at a pace that's
impossible to stand,

and when your body gives out,
you fill up on that dynamite.

Put it down!

This is no time of day to start
drinking anyway.

Not turning Prohibitionist,
are you, Daddy?

Never mind your wisecracks.

I'm fed up of all your craziness.

Ever since we left Europe you haven't
stood still long enough for a...

...snapshot.

You've lost flesh, you look like a ghost.

You don't eat. What's the matter
with you anyhow?

Oh, maybe I swallowed a grasshopper.

Oh...

Don't, Daddy. It's bad for
the digestion to get mad.

Oh, I know it's tough on you.

But you see, if you move fast,

very fast,

and keep on moving,

you haven't time to think much.

Oh, that's it, is it?

I had an idea this infernal Lee fellow
was at the bottom of all this.

Let's not talk about him.

Why not?

Listen, we can't go on like this.

Do you think I didn't guess why you insisted
on New York this time of the year?

- Do you think that I don't know...
- Oh, Daddy, run along, dear, will you?

I've got a date in half an hour
and I'm not dressed.

Your date can wait!
Honestly, Allana,

If I thought you cared for
this Chinaman, I'd...

- Oh, you must be mad!
- All right, I am mad!

Mad for want of him!
I want to see him!

I want to hear his voice!
I want... I want...

Oh, get out, get out, can't you?

Oh, Daddy, don't nag.

I know it's all impossible,
but it hurts just the same.

Run along, there's a darling.
I've got to get dressed.

All right.

Naturally, if you want me to do this,
I'll have to do it.

But it will be very embarrassing.

I appreciate your feelings
in the matter, but...

I wish you would start the suit at once.

But you cannot do this, Mr. Lee.

Your father always did business
with this firm.

- And the credit they now ask...
- I extend credit to no white firm.

They wish to do business with me,
they will do it in Chinese fashion.

Honorably and with a prompt
settlement of accounts.

But you have not been fair.

The name of Lee Ying is a loved
and revered one.

His kindness was universal.
His charities were many.

You in a few months have
destroyed it all.

You have caused much hardship.

I am not interested.

And I do not wish to listen
to a continual repetition...

...of my offenses against white people.

You know my wishes.

Very well, Mr. Lee.

( In Chinese )

Hello? Yes?

Just a minute, please.

( In Chinese )

( In Chinese )

Hello?

Hello, is that you, Sam?

This is Allana.

You haven't forgotten me
already, have you?

Are you busy?

No. No, I'm not busy.

What can I do for you,
Miss Wagner?

Why... why, there's nothing
you can do.

I want to see you.
I have something I must say.

I'm afraid that will be impossible.

Oh, please, Sam, why?

I ask it as a favor.
I must see you.

I want to apologize.

That will not be necessary,
Miss Wagner.

Goodbye.

Mister Sam, why you very sad
now all the time?

I... I'd k*ll myself to make you happy.

I'm sure you would, Moy.
But you won't have to do that.

I'm quite happy.

No, you stay all the time alone.

That's not good.
You like to laugh, maybe, sometimes?

Why, of course I do.

Then tonight you come along with me
and have good time.

To hear funny song, funny music.

Do you like dance?
Do you like white arms?

White arms?

- Do you know any white women, Moy?
- Oh, plenty.

Nice kids. They taught me
American dancing.

See?

You come along one evening and have
fine time with pretty ladies.

Not tonight, Moy.
Maybe some other time.

Yes? You promise to come
along one evening?

Maybe.

Give me a load of dollars' worth, please.

- Are you having a good time?
- Ah, you bet.

- Will you have the next dance with me?
- Sure!

Say, don't you ever dance?

No, I'm not dancing.

Oh, I get it kid, just getting
an eyeful, hm?

Good evening, what can I do for you?

I'm looking for Mr. Sam Lee.

They told me at his home he'd be here.

There he is up there.

- Thanks.
- You're welcome.

I've been looking all over
for you, Mr. Lee.

Yes?

Why?

My daughter Allana is very ill.

Ill?

Perhaps you'd better tell me
what has happened.

I don't know exactly.

She's been hitting it up,
running wild.

I couldn't do a thing with her.

And last week she collapsed
all of a sudden.

I didn't think anything of it.
Got her the best doctors.

Yesterady she began somehow
calling your name.

Not that it means anything, you know.

Oh... I understand.

Well, anyway, no one seems
to be able to quiet her.

The doctors thought that
if you would humor her,

if you will get her what she wants.

But we've got to hurry,
tonight is the crisis.

Don't you see,
if you would come with me,

- you could help.
- Help?

Why, of course.

I haven't told them who you are,
the doctors and nurses, you know.

- They don't know...
- Oh, never mind.

I won't tell them either.

I promise not to add to your
embarrassment either tonight or later.

She's sleeping like a child.

There's nothing else for us
to worry about.

Hm... how can I thank you, doctor?

Don't thank me,
thank that boy in there.

Without him, no telling what
might have happened.

Well, I'll be running along.
I'm pretty well done up.

And you'd better get some rest too.

Thank you, doctor, good night.

Good night, Dr. Wagner.

Mr. Lee, I know I owe you more
than I can ever pay.

That's all right.
You don't have to thank me.

Anyway, you must allow me
to show my appreciation.

I can't stand obligations.

You can have every dollar I've got.

Money?

Money?

It buys everything, doesn't it?

Well, I can afford to pay as high as you.

So let's make a bargain.

Bargain? What do you mean?

I'll give you every dollar that I have
for Allana.

That hurts, doesn't it?

Hurts? Why, of course it hurts.

Didn't I drag you out of the dive
to bring you here?

- Didn't I...
- Yes.

You had to sit and watch
while I held her in my arms.

You had to listen while I spoke words
that brought her peace.

She wanted me, the man you despise.

I brought her back. I gave her
back her life and reason.

Do you think you can pay me for that?

( In Chinese )

( In Chinese )

Oh, Sam, we have the most
marvelous news for you.

Oh, this is my Uncle, Mr. Dugan,
from San Francisco.

- Oh, how do you do?
- How do you do, sir?

Won't you sit down?

Well, thank you kindly, sir.

Well...

You see, sir, Eileen, she wrote me
that you were...

Well, kind of broken up, and knowing
Lee Ying as I did...

and being sure that he'd never
want to see you unhappy, I...

I just decided that I'd come on here
and tell you the truth.

- The truth?
- Yes.

You see, twenty years ago
in San Francisco...

...I was a policeman assigned
to the Chinatown District.

Sure, it was there that I
first met Lee Ying.

And the day he was burying
his dear wife,

I happened to be on duty watching
the funeral procession.

( In Chinese )

I'm sorry to butt in at a time
like this, Mr. Lee, but, um...

Officer Dugan is always
welcome in my home.

Hello, Sam.

( In Chinese )

You know it's about him
that I came.

There's a couple of meddling women
that are asking a lot of questions.

You see, I never reported finding
Sam when he was a baby.

I thought maybe he might be a Chinese.

So I figured out that it would
be a much better break...

for him if you and Mrs. Lee would...

Begging your pardon, sir.

Were to take a fancy to him.

Sure, I know he'd be much better
out here in this beautiful home...

...than he would be in foundling's home.

But...

Now that the lad's grown up,
it's plain that he ain't Chinese...

...and you have never adopted him.

That is, I mean to say, not legally.

Adopted him, why?

He is ours.

You brought him to this house when
Fen Yei, my beloved and I,

...were praying for a son to worship
at our tomb.

He is as much ours as though
Fen Yei had borne him.

Sure, I know you believe
all that, Mr. Lee.

But you see, this is America,
not China.

And if them two women do
much more investigating...

I lose me badge and you lose...

...Sam.

What would you advise?

Well, you have stores in New York.
And I'd advise you to...

...change your headquarters to there
and take Sam with you.

Thank you, Officer Dugan.

Your friendship can never be repaid,
only carried in my heart..

Oh, sure, I understand all that.

Well, I'll be seeing you again
before you leave.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

Lee Ying took my advice and brought
you out here to New York.

To be sure, I've not laid eyes
on you from that day until this.

- Well, what further proof have you that...
- Proof is it?

Oh, sure, I can prove every
word that I've said.

Why, there's a couple of cops
still living in San Francisco...

...who knew all about it at the time.

Well then...

Who am I?

Who were my parents?

Well, that I couldn't say, sir.

Nobody ever claimed you.

Oh, Sam, isn't it marvelous?

Why, aren't you glad?

Glad?

Why should I be glad to find out that
parents who cast me aside were white?

Why should I be glad to find out
that I'm not the son...

...of that man to whom I
owe everything?

The man who tried to fill my mind
with gems of wisdom.

Just because he's Chinese?

Everything fine that's ever happened
to me has been through him.

But Sam, you must think of Miss Wagner.
She loves you.

Miss Wagner?

Love?

No, Eileen. Love knows no barriers.

- Oh, but, Sam...
- Please.

Please, I beg of both of you...

...never to mention to a single soul
what you have told me tonight.

For I'm happy and proud to remain
and be known as the son of Lee Ying.

You look like a walking delegate
or something, Dad.

You're feeling more like yourself,
aren't you?

Some.
Where are you going?

I thought I'd run over to the club
for a while.

But if you say the word,
I'll stay right here.

- I don't really want to go.
- Oh, no, run along and have a good time.

- Well, goodbye.
- Oh, Dad...

Would you sit down for just
half a moment?

I want to talk to you about something
that's been on my mind for some time.

- Yes?
- I'm going to ask you a question.

And I want you to answer
me truthfully.

What is it, Allana?

- Do you promise?
- I promise.

Well, when I was so very ill,

I had a strange dream.

Or at least it seemed like a dream.

That Sam had come here to see me.

Did he?

Yes.

You see, you kept calling for him.

Oh, Allana, you simply must
get him out of your mind.

I know, but you must.

Don't you realize I'd give everything
in the world I have to make you happy?

Don't you realize it kills me
to see you looking like this?

What I'm going to say to you
is not nice,

but it's necessary like a surgeon's Kn*fe.

Sam Lee is not even a decent Chinaman.

The night I went looking for him
I found him in the Thalier.

It's a dance hall,
an Oriental taxi dance hall.

Where white women dance with...

Oh, the reputation of the place
is bad enough,

but it's nothing compared
to the place itself.

It's vile, disgraceful, degrading.

And Sam spends most of his
time there.

He's become dissolute.

- Not Sam.
- Yes, Sam.

And he realizes it himself.

Because the night he was there he
promised me he would never see you again.

Now the rest is up to you.

All right, Daddy.

Run along and don't let's ever
talk of this again.

Are you sure you don't mind
being left alone?

Sure. I'd rather be alone anyway.

Go to bed early.

Yes, darling.

( In Chinese )

( In Chinese )

( In Chinese )

( In Chinese )

Um, Rhineland 4296.

Rhineland 4296.

- Sam!
- Allana, I don't know why you're here.

But I've had my man telephone
your father to come here and get you.

Oh, my father, what does he matter?
What does anything matter?

- Allana, why are you...
- Oh, don't, Sam.

I came here because I wanted
to see you.

I had to see you.

I can't get along without you.

I know that now.
So I've stopped fighting.

Allana, you're ill.

- You don't know what you're saying.
- Oh, I'm not ill now.

Don't you understand, I love you!

I can't live without you.

You wouldn't come to me,
so I came to you.

We'll be married at once if you wish.

But if you don't, I'm still
not going to leave you.

Allana, you don't know
what you're saying.

Oh, if I'd had the courage of a jellyfish,
I would have told you ages ago.

You love me, and you're my life.

My love.

Nothing else matters.

Oh, Allana... wait.

- There's something I must tell you.
- But Sam, darling!

Please, come with me.

Allana, look.

I am not the son of that gentle
and godly man.

And my mother is not Fen Yei,
the one of sacred memory.

- But Sam.
- I am not Chinese.

I was a foundling. A white child.

Picked up in the slums of San Francisco.

And my parents were... who knows?

But darling, you are you.

You're the one I love.
Nothing else makes any difference.

I've told you that once.

Oh, and to think that I
nearly lost you.

Oh, the Chinese gods appreciate humor.

I wonder if they're smiling now.