Street of shame (Akasen chitai) (赤線地帯)

DAIEI MOTION PICTURE COMPANY PRESENTS

STREET OF SHAME

Produced by Masaichi Nagata

Screenplay by Masashige Nakamura

Based on a novel by Yoshiko Shibaki

Director of Photography: Kazuo Miyagawa

Art Direction: Hiroshi Mizutani

Music: Toshiro Mayuzumi

Cast

Machiko Kyo

Ayako Wakao

Michiyo Kogure

Aiko Mimasu

Kenji Sahara

Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi

ASAKUSA CAFE COOPERATIVE COMMERCE MEMBER

- Please post this mug shot. - Sure.

- Here. It will warm you up. - Oh, thank you.

Thank you, thank you.

We are in such a fragile business.

You're not in a good mood today.

If the mistress says face right, we face right.

If she says left, we face left.

We've never once been late paying our taxes.

But nothing good came out of it. Take this hall, for instance.

The Americans came after the war...

...and we had to take in those girls.

They asked us to protect them, and we helped out.

We were barely able to build this place.

Now, they're calling us evil, saying that prostitution is illegal.

We're supposed to close up shop before we can pay off our loans.

The government is being unreasonable.

Of course they are...

...but the government has to deal with public opinion.

The public is complaining.

But, Miyazaki-san...

...this shop has been handed down for four generations.

Yoshiwara has been around for 300 years.

Do you think a business that's not needed would last that long?

Missus.

Hello, sir.

What is it, Eiko? You causing trouble?

Of course not, sir.

I've washed my hands of the business.

It's true!

I cut ties with Pon and Suke. Now I'm just a guide.

Is that so?

Please don't be so suspicious.

Missus, may I have a word with you?

Hello.

So how do you ladies feel about the law banning prostitution?

I'm for it. Completely for it!

Yorie-chan here has a man to depend on, so she's fine...

...but if the shop closes, what happens to the rest of us?

We have no other way to make a living.

The government will probably take responsibility...

...and build apartments...

...and give everyone a job.

Really? So they'll put us in an apartment?

- Come on, now. - If that's the case...

...I can finally live with my son. How nice that would be.

Then all I'll need is a young husband.

Yume-chan, you're young so you wouldn't know.

But in the old days...

...a high-ranked courtesan would be skilled in...

...Japanese poetry, the way of tea, flower arrangement...

...and even calligraphy.

They were like the wives of a feudal lord.

That's nonsense.

Hello, sir.

- Are you going out? - Regarding your current topic.

Oh, did you hear me?

It's getting pretty busy.

Since a lady councilor is visiting, I'm going to the association to pay my respects.

- Then I will go with you. - All right.

Take care.

- Good morning, sir. - Well, if it isn't Shiomi.

Are you done already?

It pains me to see you delivering.

We have no extra help.

The girls just like you too much.

Tell the girls not to tackle the customers so much tonight.

Take care.

Thank you. How much?

It's fine. You can pay me later.

- Missus. - Yes?

- Oh, hello there. - Hello.

Actually, I'll take the payment now.

Let's see, refurbishing the covers. That'll be 6000 yen.

Thank you very much for your business.

- Missus, this is the payment. - For Aoki-san, right?

Niko Niko Do had five workers until recently.

Now look at him.

He indulged too much.

Yasumi-chan.

Niko Niko Do gave you quite a lot of money.

Oh, please.

- Yat-chan. - Oh, thank you for dinner last time.

It was nothing. Anything for you.

- This is some spending money for you. - Oh. Thank you.

Yat-chan, are you free tonight?

No, I'm awfully sorry.

My brother got sick last night...

...and I have to go to Ogikubo to take care of him.

Really? Then take this and buy him something.

- I can't accept that. - It's okay, here.

Really? Then, thank you.

- Oh, Yat-chan. - I'll see you.

Yat-chan, when will you give me an answer?

- Oh, about marrying you? - I see you don't care much.

It's because I can't take you seriously.

I guess.

You're the number one girl here.

A measly wholesale manager isn't good enough for you.

Don't be silly.

I can't take you seriously because I might get hurt.

Yat-chan, I have everything ready for your new home.

You just have to bring yourself.

Do you not want to?

Here, I'll tell you the truth.

Girls who work in these places are here because of money.

You have debt?

150,000 yen.

I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to hate me.

150,000 yen, eh?

I'll take care of it.

- So you'll stay over night? - I can't.

- Why not? - I have to work.

- Forget work. - I can't.

- I can't. - Please?

I get lonely without you.

Yasumi-san.

What is it?

May I?

Can I borrow 200 yen?

I ran out of makeup.

Thank you.

I'll pay you back with interest on payday.

Hey, handsome. Stop by and have some fun.

You're too old.

You bore.

Look at her.

Isn't she great? Perfect for here.

She'll earn a lot!

Wait here.

I'm Venus.

Hey, handsome. Come up.

- I'm new here. I'm good. - I can't. I work here.

- What's this? - How absurd.

- What has the world come to? - Hey, Mickey!

Come here.

This is her.

- She looks good. - She's a lucky find.

- So give me extra for her. - In your dreams.

- What's her story? - Hey, hurry up!

There's nothing fishy.

Her father's in trading, but he's a good-time Charlie.

She couldn't stand him and ran away.

She became a delinquent.

An American picked her up, then dumped her.

Within a year, she was one of the worst in town.

-That's when I found her - -That's enough.

Hey, stand up.

Do it.

- How is she? - Pretty good.

I'm well-proportioned too.

She's always like this.

Good evening.

- It's so cold today. - How's your husband?

- He's the same. - I hear the flu is going around.

- You need to be careful too. - Thank you.

Having a husband is tough.

Your boyfriend makes clogs, right?

Yeah, but he's been so busy that he can't come by.

I miss him.

But if he hears you have a 120,000 yen debt...

...he'll run off. Without his clogs.

You're lucky.

Your son is all grown up now. Just a couple more years like this.

I'm not so sure yet.

He's still going to be a handful.

Hey, you with the glasses. Why don't you stop by, eh?

Our pay rate is 40-60.

Understand?

Here's for introducing her.

- Thank you. - Sorry I'm late.

It's okay, I'm used to it.

But Hanae-san, be careful.

- You are not here to play. - I'll be careful.

- That's why I don't like commuters. - I love this woman.

- Come on, stop by. - I'll come back later.

You cheapskate.

Come here, young one. Come play.

You in the raincoat. Stop by.

DREAMLAND SALON

Hey, handsome, play with us. Come on.

You in the jacket, come on by.

Come on, give me some of your time. Please?

Come on, handsome. Stop by.

Come on. I'll give you a special price.