My Pal the Gypsy (Mon pote le gitan)

THIS FILM HAS BEEN DIGITALLY RESTORED IN 4K.

These subtitles are only for the restored version.

- Good day. Is the gentleman home? - No.

- I need to see him. - Shall I take a message?

- No, it’s personal. - Then try Mr. Védrines at work.

I’ll wait for him here.

I insist... my dear friend...

No... my dear friend, I insist...

that you read it again...

with great indulgence...

No... with the greatest indulgence...

the book by that postman from Castelnaudary...

- What is it? - You have a visitor, monsieur.

I’m not seeing anyone today! Remember that!

- Listen. - Yes, monsieur.

Send in Miss Rose Blanchette du Moulin.

Now, where were we... the postman.

The winner will receive the Great Bear literary prize,

which will draw a wide audience.

A wide audience... That’s it.

- Miss... anyone else expected? - No, monsieur.

Open the shutters, please.

Miss Rose Blanchette du Moulin, is everything set with the restaurant?

Yes, sir. They agreed to the price.

With the publicity, they’re expecting plenty of photographers.

Miss Rose.

Do you have a photo of that epileptic postman from Castelnaudary,

with his family?

- What is it? - Gaston, I need to see you, urgent.

- I’m on the phone. - But it’s important.

- I’ve got wonderful news. - Tell me at home.

Miss Rose Blanchette du Moulin...

Do you know if Quanard plans to put forward

that thief’s candidacy?

No? Never mind, let’s go on.

Dear Quanard... No, my dear Quanard...

Gaston, Gaston, Gaston!

You have to hear this, it’s about our son!

- What’s he done now? - Nothing.

I just came from Mrs. Vandor.

Her husband enlisted in the army voluntarily.

Idiot. He has no idea what he’s getting into.

- Now leave us, please. - That’s not all.

- He wants Theo to meet his daughter. - That cross-eyed girl?

- Oh, come on, she’s lovely. - We’ll discuss it at home.

And I’m working here, by the way.

I thought you’d be pleased.

I am, but now let us work.

Gaston, isn’t this the right moment to meet them?

Henrietta, don’t forget, our boy’s a complete fool.

- And where is our little angel? - At school, as usual.

He isn’t! He’s probably off with some tramp again!

Or down in the cellar, drumming like a madman!

Well, he’s very musical. So what?

- What do you think? Like the sound? - I do.

Listen again. Keep playing.

- Maybe… but it’s too expensive. - We can work something out.

One moment.

Zita? Zita?

What’s with her?

Zita?

- What’s wrong? Are you upset? - Leave me alone.

- Listen, - Let go. I said let go!

- Half price? - I’m in.

- Or give him the other one? - Let’s switch them.

Careful, here he comes.

We’ll let it go for 25,000.

- Take it. Half price. - What’s wrong with her?

Forget that for now. So, do you want it or not?

Bruno played it all winter. That should tell you enough.

- But what’s wrong with her? - Ask Bruno.

- I want to know. - Relax, it’s just a little problem.

- Really? With who? - He’s not telling you that.

- So, the drum, yes or no? - I’m not sure anymore.

- 25,000. Final offer. - Forget it.

- Do you get it? - Not at all.

- Forget him. - And he wanted it so badly.

Why are you staring? Never seen a harmonica before?

Not in the salon. Our guests behave properly.

What’s improper about a harmonica?

- Please, show some manners. - You’re a slave to your rules.

Everyone’s a slave to something.

My grandfather was a slave to freedom.

Whenever there was a protest, he was there.

And what are you a slave to?

I’m a free man.

- Really? Truly free? - Meaning I don’t have a penny.

But in a way, I’m rich. Like my grandfather says, accept it.

- Was your grandfather famous? - During the trial, yes.

- What’s his name? - It wouldn’t mean anything to you.

What does it matter that he did hard labor?

- What? Was he a murderer? - No.

- He forged money. - Ah.

Are you a musician?

A musician, and a slave to my notes. I improvise.

I’m a good drummer, too.

- You don’t have to stay. - I want to.

- Alone here? Afraid I’ll steal something? - I’m not alone. The place is full...

- Let me go! - What if I were a thief? Or could be?

See? Easy.

You’re pretty strong.

And flexible.

- I once dreamed of being an acrobat. - Show me something.

In these clothes? What if the landlord walks in?

- Too bad. I do acrobatics too. - Really? I thought you were a musician.

That too. I do many things, like all Pittuits.

What’s that?

- Our family name. - Are you a foreigner?

- Miss? - Yes, Odette?

There’s a gentleman here. He wants to see your father.

I’ll see.

- Good day. - Good day, sir.

I’m Miss Védrines. You wanted to see my father?

- Who’s Odette? - The maid.

Odette isn’t a name. What’s your first name?

- Gisèle. Is that all right? - I’m Bruno.

My father won’t be home until late.

Should I leave?

- Do you still go to school? - It’s called university.

- Do you like it? - It’s interesting.

- What’s it for? - The laboratory.

- And that’s for? - Research.

- And if you get bored? - It’s quite varied.

Funny.

- Sorry, I need to study. - Go ahead, make yourself at home.

I’ll play the harmonica. If I get bored, I’ll leave.

There are magazines here, though maybe you can’t read.

I can read, write, and count.

- I’m just not interested. - How charming, for a grown savage.

- Where’s the kitchen? - Over there.

- Are you hungry? - I’d rather talk to the maid.

Intellectuals wear me out.

And savages depress me!

Odette? Odette?

Gisèle? Gisèle?

Anyone home?

Gisèle, I’ve got big news!

What a day, I’m exhausted.

In the end, it worked out. You can’t rely on your father.

- What worked out, Mom? - Paula and Théo’s wedding.

- That’s the big news? - Please, don’t start.

- Don’t disappoint me! - Of course not, Mom.

- Where are you going? - To study. - Not even a word about my hair?

It’s nice, actually.

Odette? Odette?

Look.

- See? - That’s amazing.

Who are you, sir? What are you doing?

Just showing Odette something.

- Are you Mrs. Védrines? - Yes.

- Is your husband in? - No. Why?

- I came to see him. - Quiet, Odette.

Will he be back soon? I’m getting hungry.

- Are you staying for dinner? - I’m dining in Montreuil.

Good. That works too.

Strange man. Gisèle?

Gisèle?

- Guess who I found in the kitchen? - A savage.

- You’re not afraid of him? - He’s harmless.

Harmless...

A man who walks on his hands and plans to dine with your father.

Mom, I need to study.

You’re just like your father.

Work, work, and more work.

And I’m just the spare wheel here.

You didn’t even notice my hair.

You look beautiful, Mom. It really suits you.

Oh please, you’re just saying that.

You’re not like your father.

But what could that savage want from Gaston?

- Again, but on the table. - Why?

- Let’s see what you’ve got. - Okay.

Go on.

Go.

One, two, three, four. And one, two, three, four.

Now with your legs.

- One, two, three, four. - Wow!

Breathe. Three and four.

Give it everything you’ve got. Two, three, four.

- Théo, you’re finally home, darling. - What’s going on?

- Your wedding to Paula. - Of course.

- Who’s drumming? - A savage waiting for your father.

- That must be Bruno. - You know him?

Start thinking about marriage.

- Gisèle? - What is it?

- I’m in trouble. - Gisèle? Théo?

Open up, it’s your mother! I love you!

Gisèle? Théo?

Gaston, it’s awful, they don’t respect me anymore!

- Théo. - What did he do now?

- Nothing. - Then why drag me away from work?!

Gaston, I’m just a poor woman.

There’s an acrobat in the kitchen. He wants to see you.

- An acrobat? - Yes, he drums like an African.

- Quite entertaining. - Is this a madhouse? Théo!

- Is he your friend? - Yes… and no.

- I need to talk to you, Dad. - Oh no.

Yes.

Fine. Let’s go to my study.

- And what about me? - You stay here.