Lightning (稲妻)

Inazuma (1952)

LIGHTNING

Story: Fumiko HAYASHI Screenplay: Sumie TANAKA

Cinematography: Shigeyoshi MINE

Music: Ichirô SAITÔ

Starring:

Hideko TAKAMINE

Mitsuko MIURA

Kyoko KAGAWA

Chieko MURATA

Jun NEGAMI

Sakae OZAWA

Kumeko URABE

Directed by Mikio NARUSE

Ginza Street starts from Kyobashi.

It's Tokyo's downtown.

Lined with willows,

like the marronier in Paris,

they impress foreign visitors

with exoticism.

Not much during the day,

but after dark, it's beautiful,

with the flood of red and blue lights and music.

Thank you.

I hope you enjoyed the tour.

Thank you.

You're very kind.

What is it?

I like old couples.

Find a lover first.

Thank you.

Thank you. Come again.

I don't think she'll see the man.

Has she got any lovers?

No. She dislikes men.

You should know her better.

So, he's a baker?

He has a nice shop with two employees. Rich, too.

His bread is delicious.

It whets my appetite.

You must be hungry. Have some lunch.

Not now.

The baker wants to run a hotel in Shibuya.

Hotel?

A small one for lovers.

My husband has stock in it.

He plans to make money from it.

Congratulations.

Finance us too.

You're joking! That's my line.

Your husband is a good businessman.

Does Kiyoko pay you?

No. She wants to, though.

But I tell her to save it.

You're generous.

This is nice.

Is it for sale?

Sell it to me at cost.

It suits you.

- You're young. - Thanks. How much is it?

Nevermind.

Thank you. I'll be going.

How old is the baker?

35.

I see... My husband's age.

Will she be late?

- She'll see Mother. - I told Mother.

Really?

Mother, shall I help you?

Nothing to help me with.

You like bean curd?

I think the man is all right.

A bit too old, but...

you can't ask for much.

They say that one man is proposed to by 23 girls.

So what?

You can't keep your job all your life.

My son likes it.

He got a job?

No. He plays pinball all day long.

He lived too long in the south.

You spoiled him too much, Mom.

Like a kid.

I love all my children equally.

Is Mitsuko getting along with her man?

Would a man like him have an affair?

You can't tell what a man will do.

And you want me to get married?

It's up to his wife.

I saw him walking with a girl in Ginza.

Mitsuko looks even older than Nui.

Her shop isn't prosperous.

Her Father was timid.

Was mine stubborn?

Well...

I'm back.

Welcome home.

Do you know anyone that wants to live here?

She's a few months behind in her rent.

None of my friends could afford it.

Hello Kiyoko.

Hello.

Where were you?

Look what I got.

All for you.

I've got a good son.

- Can I go to the bath? - Go anywhere.

Kiyoko, about your husband-to-be...

I'm glad that he's a baker.

Oh, no!

Go!

Kiyoko, make yourself at home.

Your kimono is finished.

I'll give you a raise... 150 yen.

No. For my children, free of charge.

You always complain.

- Goodbye. - Going out?

She's working her way through school.

I want to study.

You're 23 already.

Mom.

You got married four times.

Were you happy?

Happy? That's something new.

Mother, looking at you and my sisters,

I doubt marriage brings happiness.

You're so wrong.

You're a good girl. Educated too.

Between you and me...

I've kept this for you.

Your father's present.

A ruby.

- Looks fake. - No.

Look.

My husband's bought me nothing.

You married him for love.

If you talk Kiyoko into marrying me,

I'll let you run the hotel.

You always trade!

You proposed the deal.

You're shrewd.

Unlike your husband.

You know me well.

Let's go.

I'm back.

Welcome home.

My man isn't back.

Maybe there was an accident.

It's not late.

He said that he'd be back at three.

He shouldn't worry you.

- Supper? - I've had it already.

Mom wants me to marry.

Nui found a man for you. She came by today.

Looking at her and Mother, I think marriage is hell.

You're an exception.

Nui got a dope for a husband.

I'm ashamed of having a sister like her.

Three sisters from three different fathers.

Poor Mom.

She isn't sorry.

Do you pity yourself?

No.

I think he's precious.

I ate supper alone. I wasn't happy.

Women are sad.

I'll look around. Take care of the shop, ok?

Hello. Isn't Nui here?

She went home long ago.

She's been out all day.

She came here during the day.

Where the hell did she go?

Mitsuko?

She's out.

Will you give me a glass of sake?

Is there any sake?

Thanks.

Kiyoko...

Be a good wife.

Don't leave your husband.

Rohei isn't back.

Men have their work to do.

Goodbye.

Weather Report:

Tokyo fair, with north-northeast wind,

becoming cloudy.

Tomorrow will be windy.

Fair during the day.

He never stayed out before.

If he's gone, I'll look for him.

Where?

Tokyo. I drive all day.

What? The bus?

Goodbye.

You can see the Ryogoku Bridge over there.

The Sumida River.

Tokyo's counterpart to the Seine.

It's famous for its fireworks displays.

Thank you.

You made a lot of mistakes today.