Night and the City (1950)

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'Night and the city.

'The night is tonight, tomorrow night,
or any night.

'The city is London.'

Mary?

Mary?

You won't find any money there, Harry.

What do you mean, spying on me?

I, uh...

I was just looking for a cigarette.

Mmh.

Would I steal from you?
What makes you think I'd...?

Who are you running away from now?

Running? Me?
You know me better than that.

Three days and three nights
and not a word from you.

Oh, I've been very busy.

For all I knew, you were lying in the gutter
with a knife in your back.

Lying in the gutter?

Now, look, sweetheart,
I'll tell you what happened.

- I was in Birmingham.
- Birmingham?

Yes! There's a fellow up there
starting a new greyhound track

and he wants me for a partner.

It's a chance of a lifetime.
I'll be in on the ground floor.

I only expected to be gone for a day,
but when I saw that layout, I stayed over.

And when you see...

Look, honey. Look, here's the plan.

How much?

How much?

Look, Harry, we've been through this
a thousand times. How much?

Well...

Well, all right.

For our share, it's only £300.

- £300 and it's a life of ease and plenty.
- No!

You've got the money.
You've got it right here.

Sure. Sure I've got it.
But not for any greyhound track.

- Last month...
- But this is different, Mary, this can't lose!

Oh, Harry,
why can't you ever grow up?

Harry...
you've got to get hold of yourself.

You can't go on forever,
always running, always in a sweat.

Do you think I enjoy working
night after night at The Silver Fox?

Getting drunks drunker?

But I'm sticking it out,
waiting for the day we can marry.

Lead decent, normal lives.

Remember them, Harry?

Nice people.
Nice to know and be with.

Remember the plans they used to make?

The kind of life they were going to live?

I just wanna be somebody.

I've got to hurry, Harry.

You'd better hurry too.

Nosseross is angry with you.

Let him wait.

Him and his big, fat belly.

I'm not leaving here.

You mean you're afraid to leave.

How much?

I paid him everything but five pounds.

He's the one that put up the money
for the football pool.

Wait here.

Come in!

- Adam!
- Open the windows!

Don't tell me you tried
cooking spaghetti again.

Yes, with the usual disastrous results.

Mary, get that siphon bottle there, quickly!

- The soda?
- Yes, hurry, hurry!

- Here...
- Oh!

Don't just stand there, woman.
Squirt! Squirt!

There.

You're just in time to enjoy
the most heavenly spaghetti dinner.

Ah, thanks, but I've just had breakfast,
unfortunately.

I admit, it does look a little overdone.

Oh, well, try again next week.

Probably starve doing it,
but I'll master it in the end, I promise.

That's the thing that keeps us apart,
you know.

Your spaghetti?

Yes, in a way.

When I'm having my spaghetti,
you're looking for your morning toast.

Do you think we might ever
arrange our day to meet around tea time?

Come on, sit down.

Oh, here, let me get these
hideous little monsters out of the way.

- Oh, I think he's cute.
- She.

Well, she's cute.

The shops tell me it's the
best-selling design I've given them so far.

Discouraging.

- You're probably pleased as punch.
- Of course.

Sit down and really be comfortable.

Thanks, Adam,
but I've got to get on to work.

- I've come to ask for a favour.
- Name it.

Could you let me have three pounds
until tomorrow?

Help yourself. Punch the night bell.

The old lady of Threadneedle Street
is well-stocked and quite generous.

It does look like the Bank of England.

Well, it should.
I spent half my youth reproducing it.

- It's very good!
- Of course.

Wonderful!

You're very clever, Adam.

I am about unimportant things.

Help yourself.

Thanks, Adam. I, um...
I happen to need this right now for...

Well, I didn't expect them to deliver the...

Sure.

Harry's back.

- You knew that, didn't you?
- These walls... Just one big, happy family.

He gets so excited, almost like a child.

But Adam, one has to fight
not to get pulled in by his excitement.

His ideas always have
so much imagination.

I know.
Harry's an artist without an art.

What does that mean?

Well, that's something that
can make a man very unhappy, Mary.

Groping for the right lever,
the means with which to express himself.

Yes, he is that, isn't he?

I like that, Adam.

- It's a very nice thought.
- Yes, but it can be dangerous.

Oh, no, you don't. Not again.

Every time you talk, you mix me up so,
I can't think straight for a week.

- Thanks, Adam.
- Anything. Anytime.

- Aye aye, Harry.
- Evening, Maggie.

Can't win, boys.

Evening, boys.

How's Fabian's Stocks And Shares,
Harry?

Never mind!

When are you going to open up
your Paris office, Harry?

- Evening, Molly! Evening, Molly, my dear!
- Hello, Harry!

How are you?

Well, you're sober.
Trade must be slow.

Slow? Disintegrating!

Here, you need a fresh carnation.

- Thanks, Molly. Put it on my account.
- That's all right. I'll trust you.

There you are, Bert.

- Bless you, half a crown!
- Don't mention it.

To work for my husband
you must start off on the right foot.

You must understand the rules.
What he'll stand for and what he won't.

First... no stealing from the gentlemen
while you're in the club.

Outside, it's none of his business,
but in here we take it from them legitimate

and no complaints later.

Remember...

if a gentleman wants to dance,
or if he wants you to sit with him,

your time costs anything from a quid up,
but don't harp on money. Be subtle.

Whatever he gives you, take it first,
look disappointed afterwards.

If a man offers you a Turkish cigarette,
tell him you only smoke Virginian.

If he's smoking Virginian,
then you smoke Turkish.

Oh, yes, chocolates.
Fancy boxes, we sell at two pounds.

Isn't two quid a bit steep
for a box of chocolates?

They're hand-dipped, dearie.

When the night's out,
I'll buy them back from you

for a third of what the gentleman paid.

Evening, Phil.

Well, need any help with that stuff?

- Where have you been, dear boy?
- Well, I've been...

Been having a pleasant holiday
at Cannes?

Or spending the weekend
at Windsor Castle?

- I've been ill.
- Oh!

Poor boy's been ill.

I've read all about it in The Times.

Mr Fabian, it is reported,
is suffering from

a highly enflamed imagination,

coupled by delusions of grandeur.

Well, where's he been?

Now, now, now, Helen.
Mustn't be unkind.

The dear boy's been at death's door.

Well, I'm glad to see
you're fully recovered.

- We were worried about him, weren't we?
- Indeed we were.

It's getting late.

Time for 'dear boy' to get dressed...
and hop it.

- Hop it!
- Take care of yourself, dear boy!

Hey, Harry. Three live ones.
What's it worth to you?

- Depends on how much you know.
- Depends on how much you'll go.

From Chicago.
Men's clothing business.

One of them, the half-pint,

kept on talking about a friend of his
called Lamont he must write to.

This here Lamont's
in the motor supply business

in something he called The Loop.

- Good evening, sir.
- Good evening.

- The usual?
- If you please.

- It's good to have you back in London, sir.
- Thank you, Charles.

Good evening.

Uh-oh.

I beg your pardon, does this wallet
belong to one of you gentlemen?

- Why, no, it doesn't.
- No.

- Good evening, Mr Fabian.
- Good evening, Emile.

Someone must have dropped this.
Soon come running for it, no doubt.

Thank you, Mr Fabian.

Happened to me once
back in the States.

Travelling from New York
to San Francisco.

Changed trains in Chicago, you know.

Darned if I don't lose my wallet.

Luckily I knew a chap in The Loop -
motor supplies. Fella named Lamont.

- Lamont? Did you say Lamont?
- Yes.

- You mean Stubby Lamont?
- Why, yes?

Well, what do you know?
We were just talking about him!

- No!
- Oh, wait till I tell Stubby!

- Yes, just wait!
- It's like meeting someone from home.

That's quite a coincidence.

- Yes! Here, have a cigarette.
- Yes, have a cigarette.

No, thank you, gentlemen,
thank you very much.

- Been in London long?
- Uh... just two days.

- On business?
- Well, you know...

Yes, I know.

I'm sure your business will be a great
success. Good night, gentlemen.

- Good night.
- Good night.

Say, er... You boys surely don't plan
to spend the entire evening here?

- Always open to suggestions!
- Yeah!

As a matter of fact,
I do know of a place.

- Yeah?
- It's a bit naughty...

...but great fun.

- Silver Fox, private club.
- Private club?

Mm-hm. Oh, here, take my card.
You'll be well taken care of.

- Thanks, that's swell.
- Not at all, it's a pleasure.

Good night. And when you write to Stubby,
give him my best, will you?

- You bet!
- Sure!

- Good night.
- Good night, Harry.

- Good night, gentlemen.
- Good night.

Break his neck, Strangler!

Come on, Strangler!

Uh-oh.

Pardon me. Does this wallet
belong to one of you gentlemen?

Out.

- I beg your pardon?
- Out!

What do you mean?
This is a public place.

So is the morgue. Move.

Well, evidently you don't know who I am.

Mr Kristo don't like club touts
hustling suckers in his arena.

Get out!

Pigs! Pigs! Pigs!

- Gregorius! Gregorius!
- Let them hear! Pigs! Come on.

Why, that... that's Gregorius!

- Who?
- Finest wrestler the world's ever known.

Papa, please.
Where are you going?

Is it for this you brought me from Athens?
This circus?

What have you done to wrestling?

Do you think I permit Nikolas
to wrestle with such filth?

Now, now, now, take it easy, old boy.
Take it easy.

You do not talk like that to my father.
Get out.

For this, I do not thank you, my son.

Please, Papa, listen to me.

You must understand
that times have changed.

Tastes, people - everything changes.

Tomorrow morning
I'll take you and Nikolas to Liverpool.

Tomorrow I go back to Athens.

I demand my money back.

How dare you
call this filthy exhibition wrestling!

- I beg your pardon?
- I demand my money back!

- Easy on, easy on! Where's your ticket?
- It's right here!

Disgusting.
I've never witnessed such a spectacle!

No... No, it can't be!

You're not... Gregorius?

Gregorius the Great!

You see, Nikolas, there are people
who do not forget great wrestling.

Forget? Forget the greatest wrestler
the world has ever known?

I was just a kid, but how can one ever
forget your glorious struggle with, er...

- Heiterschminn?
- Heiterschminn, yes, of course!

- I thank you, young man.
- I thank you, sir.

- My name is Harry Fabian.
- This is Nikolas.

- A fine-looking lad.
- Thanks.

Uh... do you suppose you could pin a man
like The Strangler, say?

- Yes.
- Oh.

Strangler?
Nikolas beat ten Stranglers!

All in same ring, same time.

Well... Well, yes,
I should think he could!

I would consider it a great honour, sir,

if you and Nikolas
would have a drink with me.

Mr Fabian, you fine young man.
I like you.

We'll drink to your great contemporary,
Heiterschminn.

Young man, you are too charming.

- Very well, young man.
- Fine, fine.

You know, I have a strange feeling
that our meeting tonight is...

- Well, we'll talk over our drinks.
- All right.

♪ Raise your elbow

♪ Raise your elbow, raise your elbow!

♪ Down she goes

♪ Here's to La France

♪ Here's to champagne

♪ Empty your glass

♪ Fill it again

♪ Here's to the Frenchman who knew

♪ What to do with the grapes that he grew

♪ Here's to the sun

♪ Ripening the vine

♪ Here's to the bubbles

♪ Holding the wine

♪ Drink till the daylight is dawning

♪ Here's to tomorrow morning ♪

- Like it, my love?
- Yes.

Yes, it's nice. Thank you, Phil.

I've long thought it appropriate that
the wife of the owner of The Silver Fox

should wear silver fox.

Not only generous,
but a sense of humour.

Then you won't mind rewarding
my generosity and wit with a kiss.

Yes, I...
I do have need of humour, don't I?

Phil! Phil!

I've hit it!
I've hit it, I've hit it, I've hit it!

Hundreds, thousands, a fortune.
Fabian Promotions, I've hit it!

- Here, now, here, now, what's all this?
- Wrestling. All-in wrestling.

- Yes?
- Phil, I hold here in the palm of my hand

the means to control wrestling
in all London!

- Control wrestling?
- In all London.

- You?
- Me.

Dear fellow, have you ever
heard of a citizen called Kristo?

Know what I've got in here, Phil?
Huh? Kristo.

Oh, no. No, no, Phil.
You don't understand.

I've got Kristo.
I've got Kristo where I want him.

I've got Gregorius!

Oh, dear boy!
Dear boy, you'll be the death of me!

Listen, Phil, hear me out!
I've got Kristo stopped!

Gregorius - Kristo's his son.
Don't you see?

Gregorius will protect me from Kristo,
Phil, see?

I only need a few hundred...

Just listen to me!

You give me 400 quid,
I'll make you a rich man.

Make me a rich man!

Throw him out! Throw him out!

Oh... No...
Mustn't be unkind to the dear boy.

I haven't laughed so much in years!

You big businessman,
Mr Financial Wizard,

do you know what it means
to earn £400?

Let me see you get it.

Get 300. 200...

Yes, why don't you get 200 of your own
and put it on that desk?

My husband will match it.
Right, Phil?

- That's right. Put 200 here.
- All right, I'll get it.

Twice, three times 400
and I'll fling it in your face.

Go on, laugh!

Shake yourself to pieces!
I'll show you!

I'll show everybody!

I'll be back with 200 and you match it!

I'll show you!

Harry, Harry, Harry,
can't you see this is checking-out time?

I've got a dozen workers waiting.

- But you don't understand, Figler...
- Here, strap this on.

- You look like a good type for a stump.
- Figler, listen to me.

Harry, apart from my beggars,
I'm all alone in the world.

I've got no wife, no kids, no family.

That's right.
All you need now is these specs.

There, you look lovely.

Figler, I've got an angle
that can't be beat.

Don't forget to tuck your trousers in,
or you'll give the whole game away.

Right, Mr Figler.

Harry, all I got is my money.

And between me and my money
is a kind of understanding.

Like holy matrimony: till death us do part.

But I can't miss, Figler.

- Harry...
- Figler, will you listen?

I like you, Harry.
Why don't you settle down?

Get hold of a few good beggars
and put 'em out on the street.

I'll give you all the supplies you need.
Legs, eyes, stumps...

- What are you talking about?
- You can make a nice living out of it.

I bring you a fortune,
you give me beggars!

And if I had the money,
I could help you, couldn't I? Right.

And if I could help you,
I would, wouldn't I? Right.

But if you ain't got socks,
you can't pull 'em up, now, can you?

Googin, you're a man of imagination.

With the best will in the world,
I'm just helpless.

Just plain, sprawling helpless.

But this is a golden opportunity, Googin.
One chance in a thousand.

Invest your money
where it means something.

I'm just plain simple sorry, Harry.

But if you want anything else,
I can print you a passport,

birth certificate, medical licence.

Just ask old Googin and it's yours.

- And that's how it is, Harry.
- But Anna, listen, I can give you...

You're wasting your time and mine.
Anna O'Leary's got only one business.

Balance of the nylons. Good.
I could do with another 50,000 cigarettes.

Dah! Cigarettes, stockings!
This is big, Anna!

One business and that don't call for me
putting 200 quid into another man's game.

- But it's the chance of a lifetime.
- I don't take no chances.

I'm a hard-working,
hard-headed businesswoman.

Now, look, you don't want to spend
your life living like this, do you?

Shady deals, hiding on the river...

You come in with me, Anna,
it's a life of ease and plenty for you.

I'm taking great pleasure
in bidding you good night!

Helen?

Is that you, Helen?

No, it's me, Mary.

Oh, Mary.

Why don't you go home, Mary?

Oh, I'm just waiting for Harry,
Mr Nosseross.

He'll be along soon.

Mm, yes.

Helen must have slipped out
for a breath of air. She...

She's got a slight headache.

Harry's probably still working.

No stopping Harry
once he gets started.

- Hello, Molly.
- Hello, Mary, my dear.

Time for a little nourishment.

- Mr Nosseross...
- Yes, Mary?

Perhaps it's best if I do go on home.

Would you please tell Harry
when he comes?

Very well.

I'll tell Harry when he comes.

Good night, Mr Nosseross.

Good night, Mary.

- Good night, Molly.
- Good night, Mary, dear.

We sell drinks here, Harry.

Gin.

How's trade, Bagrag?

- Say, listen, Bagrag...
- No, I don't want a life of ease and plenty.

Now, take your drink...
and drink it quietly...

and don't mess about
with my customers.

- Now, look, Bagrag...
- Now, look here, Harry...

Thank you, Mrs Nosseross.

Thank you very much
for slicing my throat.

Playing the loving wife, looking out
for her husband's interests, huh?

Well, you don't fool Harry Fabian.

I know every twist and turn
in your scheming brain.

Oh, yes, looking out for her husband!

Looking out for the day he'll
turn his toes up and leave it all to you.

He counts his quids
while you count the days,

sitting on his grave
to keep it warm for him.

Watching every penny just so you...

What do you think you're doing?

- How's Mary?
- You leave Mary alone, you hear me?

She's fine with me. You married the boss
and moved on and up.

- But I think of you.
- Yeah, you certainly showed it tonight.

"Put 200 on that desk,
my husband'll match it."

Thank you, Mrs Nosseross. No!

Good night!

Harry...

200 quid.

Now take it to Phil and get his.

Helen... He never lets you have a shilling.
Where did you get it?

Never mind.
Just listen and do as I tell you.

Yeah, sure, Helen. Anything you say.

You show that to Phil, he'll give you
the 200 quid that I made him promise you.

Helen, you're a wonder and no mistake!

You won't regret this,
I promise you, I promise you.

Fabian Promotions. Fabian Wrestling...

- There'll be no wrestling.
- What?

- I've got a nightclub.
- What?

My own. Bought a year ago.
Flamenco's club.

Fla...? Flamenco's closed down.
Struck off by the police for two years.

I got it on credit.

In a year all I have to do is put up five
shillings for a licence and I'm in business.

But I can't wait another day.

One more year living with that...

I've got to get away from him, Harry.
I must get away before I...

That's what the money's for.
A licence.

And you're the only man I know
who can get it.

You're gonna bribe, steel, m*rder,
I don't care what you do.

With that money, you're gonna get me
a licence for my club now.

Helen, if Phil gives me the 200,
it's got to be for the wrestling.

That's right. Go through the motions
till we're ready to open the club.

- But Phil's no easy mark.
- I know. I'm going to give you...

You're crazy.
You don't know what I've got!

I've got Gregorius! A shield!
I've got Kristo stopped cold!

I can control wrestling in London!

I'm through hustling for nightclubs
for you or anybody else!

For yourself! What do you think Phil takes
in an evening? Never less than 100 quid!

And who do you think
runs the place for him? I do. Me.

I know how to make a club spin.

If he can do that,
just think, Harry, think!

We're younger,
stronger, healthier than he is!

We've got more life in our little fingers
than he has in his whole body.

Oh, Harry, we must.
I've got to get away from him!

- Please, Harry. Please, please, please...
- Helen, listen. Listen!

Listen, you can still get away from Phil.

This wrestling pitch
is going to mean a lot to us.

It's gonna mean the whole...

All right, Helen.

You always were a smart girl.

Maybe you're right.

I'm always right.

Now telephone that wrestler.

Tell him you're set.

You'll string him and Phil along.

But night and day,
you're gonna do one thing.

Rip London apart if you have to,
but you're going to get me that licence.

All right, Helen.

- Who is it?
- We're looking for a Mr Harry Fabian.

He's not here.
The place is closed. Go away.

Mr Kristo sent us.

Oh, sorry, forgive me.

It is I who must ask you
to forgive this intrusion, sir,

but it is imperative that I have a few words
with Mr Harry Fabian.

I understand he is employed by you, sir.

Well, in a manner of speaking.

He works on commission,
but I should hardly...

Ah, yes, quite. My name is Chilk.
Fergus Chilk.

I am Mr Kristo's personal solicitor.

This is Mr Yosh.
He also is employed by Mr Kristo.

- If there's anything I can do for Mr Kristo...
- Yes, quite, thank you.

Mr Kristo is disturbed. Yes, disturbed.

Word has reached him
that a certain Harry Fabian

is about to engage
in the promotion of wrestling.

It is Mr Kristo's opinion, sir,

that this Mr Fabian would find
such a venture... unprofitable.

I can assure you that Mr Kristo
need have no concern.

Tonight, Mr Fabian is pleased to regard
himself as a great sports promoter.

Tomorrow, he will undoubtedly own
Covent Garden.

- He is given to these flights of fancy.
- Oh, yes, quite.

Mr Kristo has found it necessary
to leave for Liverpool on business.

Therefore it might prove fruitful
if Mr Fabian called on me for a brief talk.

Would you give him my card, sir?

I should be delighted.

- Thank you. Good night.
- Good night.

Good night.

How's your headache, dearie?

How many times have I told you
not to eat down here?

You drop that swill and it brings mice.
Clean it up and get out.

Yes, my love.

- Still up, pet?
- Come here, Helen.

I'm just dead beat. I had
a bit of a headache, so I walked it off.

- I want to talk to you.
- In the morning.

- Didn't we do well tonight, Phil? Oh, I...
- Now!

I've been thinking, Helen.

I'm a rich man.

Richer than you know.

I want to clear out. Sell this place.

Get rid of everything.

Just travel.

Enjoy ourselves.
See a bit of the world.

- Bermuda, Jamaica...
- Mm, sounds exciting, pet.

But somehow I'm not in the mood
for a holiday just now.

Phil!

Count it. 200 quid, Phil.

Right on your desk. Match it.

Ha, ha!
You didn't think I could do it, did you?

Didn't think I could raise two bob.

Well, there it is, 200. This is it, Phil.

Put up your money. You're my partner.
I'll play it square.

I'll play it fair and square,
right down the line.

And watch our 400 quid grow, Phil.

Wrestling is just the beginning.

Later on we'll... we'll branch out.

You'll be proud of me.

You'll be proud to say,
"Harry Fabian? Why, he's my partner."

Yes, sir!

Well, say the word, Phil.
Are you in or out?

So you really did it, didn't you, Harry?

There it is.

Yes, I must admit...

I have underestimated you.

Well, that's all right, Phil.
No hard feelings.

Thank you, Harry.

Yes, you have ideas.
Very smart ideas.

There's no telling
how far this will take you.

I shall be happy to back you.

Very happy indeed.

£200.

And two make four.

- Honoured to be your partner.
- Fine, fine. You won't regret it, Phil.

I'm sure I shan't, dear boy.

Well, I'll be in touch with you... partner.

Oh, Harry...

Your silent partner.

For private reasons,
I'd prefer the business to be in your name.

Oh... just my name?

Yes. Now, remember...

Nobody must know about my connection.

For private reasons.

The business is to be in your name.

Well, all right, Phil.
If that's the way you want it.

That's the way I want it.

Hello, Strangler.

- Good?
- Bad.

Bad, bad, bad, Nikolas.

Like so you will do?

Here, take my wrist like so.

Hold it. Now try it.

Ha, ha, ha! Ha, ha!

- You go!
- I have ticket.

Get out! This place is for wrestlers.

I pay half crown and I have ticket.
If I pay my money, I can come in.

There's your money.

Now please leave.

Go on, go on, we're busy.

Charlie!
Don't ever let him in again.

I told you to keep all that Kristo g*ng
out of here.

Yes, sir.

All right, let's get back to work.
Let's get on with it.

Nikolas, you'd better have a rub.
You're getting cool.

That's it. Bend your backs, boys.

- Mr Fabian?
- Yes.

- Right there, son.
- Thank you.

- There you are, sir.
- Mm-hm?

Thank you.

- Boy...
- Er... yes, sir?

There you are, son.

Thank you, sir!

Hey, just a moment,
this is a private gymnasium!

I've got my orders.

All right, thank you.

- Mr Chilk, you will introduce us.
- Mr Fabian, Mr Kristo.

Yes, I... How... How do you do?

I have here the copy of a contract.

I've read it with great interest.

Mr Chilk is going to read it to you.

"Agreed: Strand Arena Limited
agrees to let to Harry Fabian..."

- That is you, Harry Fabian.
- Yes, it is.

"...the facilities of its arena
for the purpose of a wrestling match

"on June 15th of the above-dated year,

"when said Harry Fabian will present
one Nikolas versus Svenson The Viking."

June 15th.
That's four days from now.

It would seem that I have returned to
London without too many days to spare.

"It is further agreed that said Harry Fabian
will make to Strand Arena Limited

"the final payment off £100 no later than
three days before the said exhibition,

"namely June 12th
of above-dated year. It is..."

Yes, Nikolas versus Svenson.
Fine boys, fine boys.

I... I expect a big crowd.

Oh, it's nothing like your stuff.
It's real Greco-Roman wrestling.

I'd be honoured, Mr Kristo, if you came...

Go away, Mr Fabian.

Go to Montreal... which is in Canada.

There you can promote wrestling.
In London, you cannot.

I say it, Mr Fabian.

Then I suggest you say it... to my partner.

Mr Kristo... my partner.

Mr Kristo's made
an interesting suggestion.

That we go to Montreal because
we can't promote wrestling in London.

What do you think, Gregorius?

Mr Kristo says there's
no room for you in London.

Papa, you did not go home.

What do you want?

I... I want to talk to you. Now.

I have nothing to hear from you.

I beg you to listen. You must not
get mixed up with this... this club tout.

If you would say something good
about Mr Fabian, then I worry.

Papa, please.
Everybody in London knows what he is.

He'll swindle you,
cheat you, break your heart.

You have break my heart!

He is my partner and my friend.

Stay away from him, my son.

When you lift your hand to him,
you strike me.

You're very sharp, Mr Fabian.
You've done a very sharp thing.

Maybe even sharp enough
to cut your throat.

You've made my father believe in you,
but I know you.

Born a hustler, you will die a hustler.

All right... but you promised him
clean wrestling.

Give him clean wrestling.

Do not betray that wonderful old man.

Yes... Yes, all right. He's still asleep.

Are you sure?
Are you absolutely sure?

Great stroke of luck.
My connection came through.

You've got your licence.

I knew it! If there's anybody in London
who could do it, it'd be you!

It'll cost you something.
It wasn't easy.

But it's 18-carat,
straight out of the police court.

I'll bring the licence...

No, no, stay where you are.
I'll meet you there.

No. No, no, that won't be necessary.
You see, uh...

I, uh... I haven't got it yet.

But you just said you had it.
What are you up to, Harry?

Am I going to meet you or not?

Well, all right, all right...
I'll meet you at the court at three o'clock.

No... No, Helen, make it four o'clock.

All right,
but please don't keep me waiting, Harry.

I'll be there at four o'clock. Goodbye.

You did tell me once, but where is
the Motor Vehicle Department?

Out to the right,
down the Embankment steps,

- at the other end of the building.
- Thank you, thank you very much.

Mr Nosseross... you puzzle me.

You confuse me.

How is it possible that you want to
invest in Kristo's Enterprises

and at the same time
you're backing Harry Fabian?

- I don't quite understand.
- I know that you are Fabian's backer.

Now, let's have that clear.

Now, what do you really want?

Harry Fabian is in my way.

Harry Fabian is in my way because of you.
You fed him money...

I can withdraw that money,
and then you will be free to deal with him.

You miss the point, Mr Nosseross.

It isn't your money that keeps him alive.

Harry Fabian is not a competitor.

As long as he keeps his promise
to promote only Greco-Roman wrestling,

his business failure is certain.

The public simply won't buy it,
but the point is,

my father would still believe
that Harry Fabian is an honourable man,

and I can't touch him.

He is unpunished.

And I am not satisfied merely to see him
become a hustler once again.

Neither am I.

Just a minute, Mr Nosseross.
We haven't finished.

I'll deliver Fabian to you.

Your father shall learn that Harry Fabian
is not an honourable man.

Hello, Phil. Sorry to be late.
So many things to take care of.

Business, business, business.

- Why did you ask me to meet you here?
- I'm afraid of Kristo, you're not.

You bet I'm not.

He came to the gym last Monday.
You know what he said?

"Go to Montreal, which is in Canada!"

You know what I did?
Had the bouncer toss him down the stairs.

- He crawled like a sewer rat.
- I'm sure.

There's one thing more to settle.

The 100 quid for the final payment
at the arena. We're all set.

Harry, I've brought you here to tell you
that I'm withdrawing from our partnership.

What?

I'm advised that your kind of wrestling
can't succeed, this Greco-Roman.

Won't draw a fly.

But you can't back out now.
You've invested a lot of money.

I'm sorry.
I'll take the loss and that's final.

Phil, wait!

Phil... Phil, wait!

Why are you backing out?
Everything's in the palm of my hand. Why?

- I refuse to throw good money after bad.
- But you know what this means to me.

Harry... Harry, this is my last word
on the subject.

Get a box office attraction. A big name.
Then you'll get the money.

- What do you mean?
- Well, I know nothing about wrestling,

but I'm told there are men
who are big draws.

- Men like, for instance, The Strangler.
- The Strang...?

But I can't.
Gregorius would leave me.

If you don't, then I'm forced to leave you,
and then where are you?

As I see it, Harry, your only course
is to keep moving right ahead.

Get The Strangler.
That's your first problem.

Then I'm sure you'll have no difficulty
in persuading any wrestler to beat him.

Seems to me you have no alternative,
have you?

All right, I can do it. I'll do it!

But will you give me the money
to get The Strangler?

Of course I will.
I'll back you without limit.

I consider it a sound investment,
dear boy.

All right.

Give him another of the same.
Gin for me.

- Hello, Beer, what's the good word?
- Well, hello to you.

Hey, word's all over town
that you made Kristo turn tail.

- How'd you do it?
- Brains, chum. Brains and guts.

- There's no stopping you now, eh, Harry?
- Never was.

Where's The Strangler?

He's joined Madame La Posh's circus
for dinner. Look at him.

- Ain't he a cute sight?
- Yes, very cute, very cute.

Uh, Beer, uh...

How much do you get for The Strangler
when he fights for Kristo?

- That all depends, Harry. Sometimes...
- 50 quid, that's what you get.

All right,
now that I've shown you managers

that Kristo's all bubble and squeak...

I'm ready to throw
a little business your way.

Next week The Stranger fights for me.
100 quid.

Hey, you ain't in such a cushy spot
after all, are you, Harry?

You really need The Strangler,
don't you?

200 quid, Harry.

All right, all right, 200 it is.

- The Strangler fights Nikolas.
- Nikolas? Hey, that's a good show.

Yeah, but how are you going to make
old Gregorius swallow that?

Don't look surprised
at anything that happens.

Come on, keep your mouth shut.

No, no, no, no.
I'd do it to oblige you, Beer,

but Gregorius wouldn't let The Strangler
within ten feet of him.

Know what he did to him that morning?
Threw him out of the gym.

The Strangler fight Nikolas?

Why, that clown isn't fit to breathe
the same air as Nikolas!

Hey, you! I'd k*ll Nikolas.
I'd break him in pieces!

- Well, hello, Strangler.
- "You k*ll, you break!"

You didn't do it that morning.

Your boy's quite a comedian, Beer.

I saw Nikolas take one step toward him.

Your boy turned white
and took two steps back.

I step back from that dancing boy?

- Next time I see him...
- You can see him now, brave man!

He's at the gym. Why don't you drop in?
Oh, yes, yes, I know. You're having dinner.

- Ah!
- Mm...

Move.

If I move here, you give me wrist lock.

If you move here, I give you head lock!

Move.

Be a brave boy. Move.

Hello, boys. Why don't you both move?
It's time to go home.

No, no, no, no, no.
Just a few minutes' rest, but plenty work...

Strangler, what's the matter?
Are you crazy?

You! Nikolas! I crush you!

- I threw you out of here once...
- You call me clown!

We don't want you here! Get out!

Come and fight, dancing boy!
Why, are you too afraid?

- Get out!
- Beer, take him away. Get him outta here.

You... You old woman!
Why don't you let him fight me?

- Come, fight!
- Wait! Wait! All right!

All right, you'll fight him!
Nikolas will fight you!

But a match, in public, with a referee.

Gregorius, we've got to show 'em.

Once and for all, we've got to show 'em.

We'll let Nikolas break this clown in half.

Yes.

I let my boy crush you.

Crush me?

Beer... take your boy in my office.

I'll be in in a minute.

Gregorius, it's the only way.

We'll let Nikolas finish him
and his whole cheap circus,

once and for all!

Once and for all.

- Harry, you're...!
- Shh!

You're sensational! You're a wonder!

Do you know what you've just done?

You've just cooked up the biggest
wrestling match London will ever see!

- How'd you do it, boy?
- Just brains and guts.

You're clever, Harry, and no mistake.

Yes, and you're quick too.

How quick can you pay me that 200 quid?

Mickey, hold your breath.

Be back by the time you read the contract,
with the 200 quid.

Have yourself a drink.
Here, use my pen to sign it.

Harry boy, I don't know how you do it.

Phil, I've done it. Beauty versus the beast,
yesterday versus today.

You'll get 1,000 per cent on your money.

I told you never to come here.

- I told you...
- I've got The Strangler.

Is this the truth?

He's at the gym right now
with his manager.

Go ahead, see for yourself. Call my office.
Temple Bar 0001. Ha-ha!

0001! Yes, sir!

Strangler and his manager
sitting at my desk, sitting at my desk.

Contract's ready, ready to be signed,
and all he wants is...

...200 quid.

So you've got The Strangler

and he's in your gymnasium
at the moment.

- That's right.
- Wonderful, Harry.

You really are a wonder and no mistake.

- I knew I could count on you.
- Sure.

Hello. Mr Nosseross here.
I want to talk to Mr Kristo, please.

Thank you. I'll hold on.

- Kristo?
- Yes, dear boy, Kristo.

There comes a time when a lad must
learn the true facts of life... and death.

- Well, dear boy, your time has come.
- What are you saying?

You see, Kristo and I are old friends.

Consequently, I feel it my duty
to tell him about The Strangler.

What are you saying?

I'm saying that nobody...
nobody cuts in on Philip Nosseross.

No, dear boy,
I am not giving you 200 quid.

I am giving you
the sharp edge of the knife.

Hello? I'll wait.

- You've been trying to k*ll me.
- I have.

Why?

Because you're a thief.

You tried to steal something from me,
something that I've bought and paid for.

Helen?

Helen?

Oh, no, no, Phil.
Listen to me, it's crazy.

Put down that phone.
Put that phone down!

I don't want Helen.
She means nothing to me! Nothing!

She gave you the money.

Yes, but I took it
because I was desperate, Phil.

You wouldn't listen to me, remember?

But I didn't cross you, Phil.
I played it straight with you.

Hello?

Oh, well, find him, please.
It's very urgent.

Tell him to go at once
to Fabian's gymnasium.

He'll find The Strangler there.

Phil... Phil!

Now, please don't make a scene.

You committed a crime against me,

but it'll be Kristo who'll punish you
for betraying his father.

Now, just leave quietly,

like the little gentleman
you've always wanted to be.

So you think you've done me in, huh?

Well, you're wrong!

I have a little information for you,
'dear boy'!

The old man, Gregorius,
he's standing by me.

Yes, he wants Nikolas to fight
The Strangler. I made him want it.

He wants it!

You are a wonder.

You did it.

And now you can get rich.

You've got Kristo stopped,
you've got The Strangler.

And Gregorius is on your side.

It's a wonderful situation,
because you've got it all.

But you can't put the fight on...
because you don't have the money

and there isn't a man in all London
who'll let you have a shilling.

You've got it all...

but you're a dead man, Harry Fabian.

A dead man.

Yes, Harry, I will. Just stay where you are.
I'll come at once.

Hello, Harry.

- Still living a life of ease and plenty?
- Oh, yeah.

Taxi! Taxi!

Taxi!

- Taxi, ma'am?
- Oh, thanks, Adam.

- I thought I'd have to stand here all night.
- Where can I drop you?

I've got to go to Harry. He's in trouble.

Harry? You'll get there sooner
if you walk back to your flat.

Back to my flat?

Yes, he just went by me like
all the devils of Bashan were after him.

Never mind.

What is it, Mary? What's happened?

- Is there something I could do?
- Adam, don't come up. Not now.

Harry.

Do you know what you're doing?

You're k*lling me.

k*lling me and yourself.

I beg you...
I beg you, don't do it to us, Harry.

Harry, don't!

It's not money you're taking.

I won't let you do it.

I won't let you do it to us!

Adam!

Listen to Papa.
He knows what's good for you.

Dyo...

- Treis... tessera...
- That's your idea for running away?

- Let me...
- Strangler, stop that.

- Me?
- Come away from there.

I only watch to learn from
Nikolas' good wrestling.

- I said come away from there.
- All right, Mickey, all right.

Let 'em.
It'll make a good grudge fight.

- Sign.
- Give.

It's a natural, Harry. A sell-out show.
Maybe I should have a cut of it.

Maybe you need a manager.

Sign.

Nikolas! Fine name for a dancing boy!

- Oh, please, Nikolas!
- Get out.

Go teach a woman! I crush you like...

- Go away!
- I break you like a chicken bone!

- That's enough of that.
- Get behind old man, shoeshine boy!

- Gregorius the Great!
- Strangler, get out of there!

The greatest wrestler
the world has ever known.

He never lose. Never lose!
He never wrestles!

- Stop it!
- Stand in ring and make so!

Wrestling joke!

Stop it, stop it!

- Let me go!
- No!

Let me go!

- Get off him, will you? Get off! Get off!
- Let me go!

Let me go!

Nikolas, I told you to get out! Get out!

Nikolas, please...

Gregorius, Nikolas' wrist is broken!

It's broken, Gregorius! His wrist!

Maniac!

Fabian!
Fabian, come out of there!

Fabian, come out of that ring.

Beer, we gotta stop 'em.
We gotta stop 'em!

We can't. The only way to stop them now
is to sh**t 'em like mad bulls.

Keep out of there! Keep out of there!
You'll get k*lled.

Gregorius, arm lever!

Arm lever! Gregorius, arm lever!

Lever, Gregorius! Now!

Get your arms round him.
Bear hug, Gregorius.

Bear hug! Bear hug!

Hold on!

Now! Now you've got him!

Hold it, hold it, hold it!

Stop! Stop it! Stop!

Keep it up, Gregorius!
Keep it up, keep it up, keep it up!

The bear hug, Gregorius!
The bear hug!

That's it! Don't let him go! Hold on!

Hold on, Gregorius! Hold on!
That's it!

You've got him! You've got him!

You've got him!

Papa...

That's...

...what I do to your clowns.

I'm all right.

My son...

You do wrong.

Greco-Roman... great art.

Great beauty.

Must fight to keep.

Please lie down, Papa.

My son...

Close the window.

Is cold wind.

That little fight make me...

I tired.

My son...

I ask you... to close window.

Please... close window. Is cold.

All right, Papa. It's closed.

Thank you, my son.

Papa! Papa...

I have good life.

Hermis... my son.

Let go of me! Let go!

- I caught him on the stairs.
- Where is Fabian?

- Where is Fabian?
- He got away.

Now, please, Mr Kristo.

It was Fabian.
I didn't know what he was up to.

Fabian did it all.
He went to work on The Strangler.

He needled him, he insulted him.

He brought him here, he gave him whisky.
Why, he pushed The Strangler into it.

He drove him so crazy,
he didn't know what he was doing.

Please, Mr Kristo. We had no idea...

I want Fabian.

Get the word around.

The East End... Soho... The Embankment.

£1,000 for the man who gets Fabian.

I want him.

- Here, here! Mind!
- Just a minute, you can't come in here!

Mr Nosseross! Mr Nosseross!

Fabian! I want Fabian!

Ring for the police.
He's not here! Get out!

Kristo find out!
You hide him, you hide m*rder*r!

What are you talking about?

Nobody say I k*ll Gregorius.

Fabian k*ll him!

- You all right, sir?
- Yes, I'm all right.

- Jerry's phoning for the police.
- Oh, never mind.

Er... Tell them
to clear up the mess.

That's a bit of an ape.

On the contrary. He's a friend of mine.
A very particular and dear friend of mine.

What is it, pet?

I'm leaving you, Phil.

Helen...

You'll be all right.
A week will go by. A month.

You'll be all right.

Helen... How will you live?

I've been making plans
for a long time, Phil.

Now I'm set.
I'm in business with Harry Fabian.

No, Helen.

You don't know
what you're walking into.

I know what I'm walking out of.

Helen, believe me...

Believe me,
there is no future with Fabian.

I'll make one.
I know Fabian and I'll control him.

I've... I've been good to you.

I've done everything for you.

I love you.

Oh, for goodness' sake, Phil.
At least say goodbye like a man.

- Helen, you'll come back.
- Oh, no, I won't!

Look, black and white.

The licence for my club.
My birth certificate.

Believe me, Helen. I know.

Oh, why don't you get out of my way?
Let me go!

Go. Get out.

But you'll end where you started,
back on the dives.

- And then you'll come crawling back to me.
- To you?

If you had all the money in the world,
I couldn't stand you another minute.

- I wouldn't come back to you...
- No, Helen, you'll come back.

And I'll want to take you back.

And if he was anywhere near here,
we'd have had him long ago. 1,000 quid!

- Good night.
- Good night, Constable.

- What's up?
- Oh, Constable.

My name is Reeves.
I'm with that construction crew.

We're putting up some lamp platforms
so we can load a few lorries with cement.

I suppose you've got permission?

Yes, the superintendent's
taken care of that.

I had in mind to take our platform...
Who are those chaps in the car?

- They're not with you?
- No, not with us. Might be loiterers.

- I'll have a word with them.
- Yes, do no harm. You never know.

Quite right, sir.
Can I help you, gentlemen?

We seem to be lost.
We're been driving around and around.

Can you tell me
how to get to York Road?

40 yards on the other side.

Look in the shot tower!

Argh!

Hey! Where are you going?
Do you belong here?

- Where's Farley?
- Who?

Farley! The engineer from the office.

Oh, I don't know.

- Where's the phone?
- Up in the shack, sir. Up in the shack.

Figler here.

Figler... Fabian.

Listen, I need help.
A place to hide till I can get away.

Yes, yes, I know, Harry. I heard.
Where are you?

It's only a few minutes away.

Please, Figler. Please let me come.

Yeah, sure. Come right away, Harry boy.
You'll be safe here.

Oh, thanks, Figler. Thanks.

Hello... Hello, Figler here.

Let me talk to Mr Kristo.

Find him.
Tell him to phone me at once.

Urgent!

No, no, no, I don't trust nobody.

I ain't doing business with nobody
but Mr Kristo himself.

Not for 1,000 quid I ain't.

Keep his glass filled.

There'll be a waiter at your elbow
all the time.

Oh... Good evening, Officer.

Good evening, ma'am.

Begging your pardon, but I had this place
listed as being struck off for another year

and I've had no word from the station.

You will have. Here.

This your regular beat?

I hope so, ma'am.
Just finished training school last month.

Well, good for you.
Let's have a drink to celebrate it.

- I'm sorry, a constable on duty...
- Oh, come on.

You can't be breaking many rules
with a little ginger ale.

We're opening here on Saturday night.
You can't refuse to wish me luck.

Thank you, ma'am.

All the best.

Well, everything seems to be in order.
I'll just make a note of the serial number.

Where did you obtain this licence,
ma'am?

I'm afraid this is not in order.

I shall have to take it up and deliver it
to the authorities at Bow Street.

I'm sure you'll be able to
explain everything at the police court.

I'm sorry, ma'am.

Good night.

Hello, Phil.

I've come back.

You said I'd come back.

Oh, forgive me, Phil, I was out of my mind.
I didn't mean those things. I...

Take me back, Phil.
I'll be good to you.

I'll do everything for you.
I'll look after you.

Let's make that trip, Phil.

Oh, it'll be wonderful!

Take me back.
Please take me back.

Phil, give me another chance!

He didn't k*ll himself.

You k*lled him.

And I've a right to this bottle, see?

I can even throw bits of swill on the floor

and bring my mice
and you can't throw me out, see?

You don't believe me, eh?

Just you have a look in this strongbox,
dearie. It's all here.

All written here in writing, it is.
Black and white.

You're afraid, ain't you, dearie?

You know what he wrote.

Left everything to old Molly.

Good as new.

Feel all right now.

- Think I'll move.
- Where? Why?

It's getting light. I got to get out of London.
I'll use the back way.

You're crazy, Harry. Not tonight.

Tonight the whole underworld's after you.
Stay here. You're safe here.

No, thanks. A beggar will pop in,
it'll be all over.

I won't let him see you.

I won't let him in.

I'll lock the door.

That's right. I'll lock the door.

Then no-one'll come in.

What I mean, Harry...

Stay here. Go upstairs.

I'll nip up and have a look round.
If I see anybody, I'll tip you off.

I'll come and tell you.

OK, Harry, you're right.

One of my beggars might come in.

I'll nip out and get my lorry.

I'll hide you in the back.

Hello?

Yes, this is Figler.

Yes... Yes, I did.

No, I can't.

I can't.

Yes, of course I do.

Yes, sir.

That would be a bit difficult.

Yes. Yes. Right on the premises.

How much are you selling me for?

Harry, you...

Who's there?

Harry!

Hello, Anna.

It's no good coming to me.

I can't help you.
Nobody can help you.

I don't want any help.

I just want...

I just want to sit down and rest.

I can't run... anymore.

Come on in.
You're a sorry sight.

Come on.

It won't do much good.

I know the river front's alive with them.

Just alive with them.

- Hungry?
- No.

- Anna...
- Yes, Harry?

All my life I've been running.

From welfare officers...

th*gs...

...my father...

See?

There they are.

There on the bridge.

I'm a dead man, Anna.

Nosseross told me that.

He told me...

He said, "You've got it all.

"But you're a dead man, Harry Fabian."

And Mary said it too.

She said it.

She said...

"You're k*lling me
and you're k*lling yourself."

Oh, Anna, the things I did,
the things I did...

She loved me.

Such a nice kid.

She loved me.

Oh, the things I did!

Here, Harry.

Thanks.

But I was so close to being on top, Anna.

You know what I had? Right here?
Right here, in the palm of my hand?

Control of wrestling... in all London.

Yes. Yes, I did, Anna.

The newspaper men, they came.

"What is your opinion, Mr Fabian?"

To me they came.

Oh, you don't know how close, Anna.

So close.

An accident.

Just an accident.

And then... everything fell apart.

Harry Fabian.

Stop running.

You'd better go upstairs, Anna.

I've been looking for you everywhere.

Mary...

You've got to get out of London, Harry.

I got some money for you.

Don't... Don't be kind to me.

Maybe it was all my fault, Harry.

I didn't know how to help you.

No woman could love anybody
like I loved you.

But you...
you kept me shut out from so much.

I couldn't keep up with you.

Oh, Harry.

Harry...

You could have been anything.

Anything.

You had brains...

ambition...

You worked harder than any ten men.

But the wrong things.

Always the wrong things.

Mary, listen... Listen, I've got an idea.

Harry Fabian's not through yet.

I always promised you
a life of ease and plenty, didn't I?

- Oh, Harry!
- I can still make you rich.

The money I took from you,
that's chicken feed. Listen. Pay attention.

There's a reward for my head. £1,000.
£1,000!

- Go, Harry!
- Out you go on the bridge.

Kristo's there,
but he doesn't know where I am.

Tell him where I am
and it's 1,000 quid for you.

- Oh, Harry!
- Somebody's got to collect.

No, Mary, for the first time in my life,
it's a fool proof idea, don't you see?

Goodbye, Harry.

Mary!

You rat!
You double-crosser! You Judas!

Harry! Harry, go back!

Turn me in!
Cut my throat for 1,000 quid!

- Go back, Harry! I'll get help!
- Goodbye, Mary.

All right, go to Kristo! Pay her, Kristo!

Give her the blood money!
She cut my throat for you!

Pay her, the...