Wondrous Oblivion (2003) Movie Script
COMMENTATOR: Yes, it's May again,
and that can mean only one thing.
No, not that.
It's the start of the cricket season.
22 men, good and true,
a trusty willow and a leather ball.
Howzat?
For established test heroes like Cowdrey,
Bailey and Trueman, it's business as usual.
But here, on one of cricket's
less-fashionable venues,
the selectors have their eye on a rising star.
Yes, it's David Wiseman.
Tactical genius, fearless batsman
and, as always, spotlessly turned out.
Can English cricket afford to ignore
this young talent a moment longer?
BOYS: Wiseman!
Wake up!
BOY: Oh, not again!
- Oh, no.
- Typical!
TEACHER: That's the over.
Wiseman!
Are you enjoying your afternoon, Wiseman?
Yes, sir. Very much, sir.
Wondrous.
Oh, well, back on the job, then, boy!
All the way, boy.
Wondrous oblivion.
COMMENTATOR: So, as potentially
the greatest all-rounder in the world
wends his way home to South London,
cricket lovers await the 1960 season
with eager anticipation.
The best of British luck, young David.
WOMAN: What happened?
- I dived.
- Dived?
For the ball, to stop it.
Hm, clever.
So, you play cricket in a swimming pool now?
- No, Ma.
- If you don't play in a field any more,
should I buy you some trunks to play cricket in?
No... Ma.
Will...
- Will the stain come out?
- It'll come out.
Wondrous.
[CELLO PLAYS]
Wondrous oblivion.
DAVID: The coach is making his final selections
and the players are making their way
out of the pavilion now.
The captain is placing his fielders.
Now, who's going to bowl?
Compton can start them off. Erm...
OK.
Wait a minute. I need another player.
Trueman, you can open the bowling.
You two come in later.
WG, you can umpire.
You're too old to bat.
OK... Compton.
You can open the batting. Ready?
Trueman to bowl.
Well hit, Denis. It's going for a four.
Wait a minute.
The fielder's diving for it.
Has he got his hands on it?
No. Hard cheese.
And the umpire signals a four.
[DOG BARKS]
Coming, Vinnie!
Mrs Wilson.
Good evening, Mrs Wiseman.
Do you have any idea who might be moving in
next door, Mrs Wiseman, after your friends go?
I've no idea, Mrs Wilson.
Oh, I thought you might know
who'd be moving in.
I thought you might prefer
one of your own people.
I haven't really thought about it, Mrs Wilson.
I doubt if it's let yet.
Your petunias are coming on nicely.
Such a pretty plant, don't you think?
I'm going to miss your tactical know-how, Vinnie.
You see, nobody appreciates you like I do.
What do you think about Trueman's form?
Shall we keep him in the team?
[GENTLE REBUKE IN YIDDISH]
- Got that, John?
- Dora, some biscuits to keep you going.
Oh, Ruth, you shouldn't have.
David, say goodbye.
Goodbye, Suzanne.
Goodbye, Anthony.
- We're going to miss you so much.
- Oh, Ruth, we'll miss you, too.
You'll come visit, David, won't you?
They have their own house now, David.
Mr Glckstein had a promotion
and Vinnie gets promoted, too,
to a better class of neighbourhood.
With bigger trees.
Button up your coat, darling.
Don't miss the train.
- Goodbye, David.
- Bye, David.
Goodbye, Vinnie.
MAN: Cricket.
The new season is upon us
and I have much pleasure in announcing
that the new captain will be James Reece...
...who did so splendidly for us last year
both at the crease and as a bowler.
- Well done.
- Thank you, sir.
I expect the whole school to give him
every possible support,
as we attempt to regain
the Junior Challenge Cup.
For the rest of you triallists,
Mr Pugh will post the team sheet
on the notice board tomorrow.
All right. Dismissed.
- Well done, Reece.
- Nice one, Reece.
Where are you going to bat, Reecy?
Bat at number four, Reece.
How about this one?
Bailey. Essex.
Got him.
Trueman. Yorkshire.
Of course.
You young scamp.
You're as hard to please as your father.
All right. Here's one you won't have.
Jones. Glamorgan.
The wicketkeeper.
You want it, don't you?
Yes... please, Mr Woodberry.
What have you got for me, young David?
Swaps?
S-Swaps?
Oh, David.
Very Jewish, that is.
They're yours, son. Of course, they're yours.
On the house.
Thank you, Mr Woodberry.
[SEWING MACHINE]
Surely we would prefer
our own people, she said.
So? Good.
Not good.
I don't like it.
You know, it's not her business
who is going to live next door.
Nothing to worry. This is England.
You think this is Germany?
They have democracy here. Freedom.
Reece was made captain of the cricket today.
Nice for Mr Reece.
How come they didn't choose you?
Didn't they have a democracy in Germany, too?
Who was it voted for Hitler?
- Mrs Wilson?
- All the Mrs Wilsons.
Ordinary citizens.
- Gentiles that voted for Hitler.
- No comparison. Don't be stupid.
Enough.
Time for bed.
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
David, hold out your arm.
There. See?
You'll be the smartest boy in the team.
Thanks.
- Do you want me to tidy your cards?
- No. Thanks.
ELVIS PRESLEY: I Want To Be Free
...cos I know
I can't kiss you tonight
I look out of my wi-i-indow
And what do I se-e-e?
I see a bir-r-rd
Way up in a tre-e-e
I want to be free
Oh, yes
Free
Oh, yes
Fre-e-e
I want to be free...
Well done, Wiseman.
You've a head for numbers, at least.
We'll make this a regular job, shall we?
No need to wear whites.
If you don't want to.
...want to be free...
[THUDDING]
[DOOR CLOSES]
We've got neighbours again.
How am I going to get any practice done
with all this going on?
RUTH: Don't stare at people.
It's rude.
- I just wanted to see who it was.
- Yes, well, you've seen now.
- Not properly.
- That's enough, David.
- DAVID: Are they Africans?
- Loretta!
Uh-uh.
- They speak English.
- Loretta!
They're not Indians, not Red Indians.
- I know that.
- WOMAN: Boy.
Look at the size of this garden.
I'll pick flowers for the girls' room.
[WOMAN CHUCKLES]
- Yeah, boy!
- Mr Johnson.
WOMAN: Oh, look at the roses!
Yeah, look at them. Nice, see?
Where's the toilet?
- Inside, Mr Johnson.
- Inside?
MR JOHNSON: You won't catch a cold
in the winter, I tell you.
- Them children coming?
- My God, me late.
I'll see you outside, I'll wait.
MAN: Yes, man, good here.
MR JOHNSON: Think we can do it?
MAN: She can plant all round...
Just come straight back, so,
straight back so.
- Yeah?
- Yeah!
It could work, yes. Dennis!
Here, man.
[MR JOHNSON GROANS]
All right.
[CAR HORN]
The girls, man. They're here.
[CAR DOOR OPENS]
How are you doing, Judy?
Dorothy, come see me now.
Oh, them big, man.
- Dorothy, you remember me?
- No.
You remember me, Judy?
Big, man.
I bet you I can't pick you up.
DAVID: Look at all the neighbours.
I bet you I can't pick you up. I bet you I can't.
[DENNIS GROANS]
We've got our children now, Dennis.
[CHATTER CONTINUES]
Give me a piece of bread while I'm waiting.
I could eat a horse.
It's been like this all day.
I never thought for one minute that...
- They're unpacking.
- Unpacking?
And singing and shouting and laughing.
It's like a musical, Dad.
How do they get anything done?
You're not here. You can afford to be generous.
- David!
- I'm here now.
[LIVELY MUSIC FROM NEXT DOOR]
[LAUGHTER FROM NEXT DOOR]
Aren't you going to do something?
Do we get any dinner still?
They've taken out the roses.
Mrs Wilson will love that.
There are only three bedrooms.
How many are going to live there?
Who knows? 50?
Do we only have
one thing in the world to talk about?
Talk about something else, please.
Find another topic.
You are all clever people,
so talk clever, for God's sake.
You know what we can be grateful for?
Mrs Wilson.
Your good Mrs Wilson. All the Mrs Wilsons.
They won't have time
to think about us Yids any more.
- [FLIES BUZZ]
- Oh, my goodness!
Morning.
- Good morning.
- Mrs erm...?
Wiseman. Mrs Wiseman.
Mrs Wiseman, good morning.
Look...
I sorry about the noise last night you hear,
but my girls came up from back home, Jamaica,
and a few friends turn up to greet them.
We never meant to have a party,
but, well, we would have invited you.
No. Yes. No, it's all right. Don't worry.
Mrs...?
Samuels. Mrs Samuels.
These are my girls, Judy and Dorothy.
Shake hands with the lady.
I've got an older one, as well.
- [MRS SAMUELS CLEARS THROAT]
- This is my boy, David.
Oh, and where do you go to school, David?
Him don't want to talk.
Don't want to shame us, in him smart uniform.
Mustn't be late.
A good education is the most important thing,
don't you agree, Mrs Wiseman?
That good for the garden!
I hope you gave her a good talking-to.
We were up all night with that racket.
What it must have been like for you...
Why don't you complain to the landlord,
Mrs Wiseman?
He's one of your people, isn't he?
Mr Simpson? I don't know, Mrs Wilson.
He's a nice fellow, but Jewish?
I'm sure I heard it, that he was a Jew.
You would think
he'd have more concern for you.
He must have known what he was doing.
He's a businessman, Mrs Wilson.
I never heard anyone say
that he was a Jewish person.
You find out, dear, and make a complaint.
But the noise...
- The smell.
- I was born on this street, so were my children.
We don't have much,
but we'll defend what we have got.
We didn't fight a war for nothing.
Mm, Mrs Wilson, this is just what I was saying
to my husband last night.
We're relying on you, dear,
to be a good Englishwoman.
I went to a lot of trouble.
These won't come cheap, you know.
It's Sobers...
and Worrell!
Terrific.
You're a genius, Mr Woodberry.
Tell me, David...
...how come you've gone a bit "jungle happy"
all of a sudden?
I mean, these fellows, they're...
well, they're a bit on the dark side.
I've got all the English ones.
Yeah, well, how about some Australians
or some, er, South Africans, eh?
No. I want these for now,
if you don't mind, Mr Woodberry.
Suit yourself.
MR JOHNSON: That some heavy roller, is it?
- You wanna give it a try? You wanna try?
- Er, no, man.
Mum?
Pass me that bulb off the table, would you?
Help me down, please.
Just when are you going to do some work
inside this house?
I one slaving to keep order here, you know, I.
- Just give me that.
- No, man, you can't get that, Grace.
Push, Judy.
Push. Woy, woy!
[LAUGHTER]
Get down from there, David.
Mind your own business.
Haven't you got anything better to do?
- Yes, Mum.
- Well, do it, then.
What are they doing there?
I... I don't know, Mum.
MRS WILSON: Mrs Wiseman?
Oh!
Mrs Wiseman!
Ooh!
Any progress?
- Mrs Wiseman?
- Not yet, Mrs Wilson, no.
But the noise is much reduced,
much reduced, I do assure you.
Oh!
NORA DEAN: Barb Wire
[CLANGING]
Oh, Mama!
I met a boy the other day
He got barb wire in his underpants
Oh, Mama!
Oh, Mama!
I got a brick in my bag
Oh, Mama!
Oh, Mama!
Yeah
Ay-ay-ay-ay ay ay ay
Ay-ay-ay-ay ay ay ay
Ay-ay-ay-ay ay ay ay
Ay-ay-ay-ay ay ay ay
Oh, Mama!
Oh, Mama...
See there, Grace?
Yes, this nice.
Yes, man.
Some raspberries
this man thinks he's going to grow.
Doesn't he know this is England?
Dad, look!
Meshugas!
It's a cricket net!
Our neighbours are a little naive.
An Englishman's love of cricket
only goes... so far,
which is not as far
as an Englishwoman's garden.
GRACE: All right, Miss Judy?
Duck!
Yes!
[LAUGHTER]
It worked good. You see that?
Where the ball, eh?
Mum!
Mum!
Don't tell me, please. Don't tell me.
VICTOR: All that effort and what for?
It's a cricket net.
Really?
[CANTOR INTONES PRAYER IN CLASSICAL HEBREW]
How are your new neighbours?
Oh, who told you?
A little bird.
A blackbird, in fact.
It's not a problem.
It's a cheek being called Samuels.
Samuels is a Jewish name.
- RUTH: Are they Jewish?
- It's after the prophet, Samuel.
The Jews gave the Bible to all people.
Isn't that true?
We gave too much. That's also true.
I don't see so much gratitude around.
So other people get the wrong idea,
like David, and think they're one of us.
We aren't really "Wiseman". We're...
"Weissenkopf" or something. You told me.
We haven't got our own name.
Thank goodness, I have to say.
You are not to start getting ideas.
David!
You can talk and be polite,
speak when you're spoken to,
but that is as far as it goes.
Understand?
These are not our kind of people, OK?
We have nothing against them, but we don't mix.
Do I make myself clear?
Good!
Now... eat.
OK, Sobers, you're in. It's a good pitch.
This might be a record breaker.
DENNIS: Nice stroke, Judy.
Your grandpa teaching you well, man.
Sorry, old chap. Wait a mo.
[THUD OF CRICKET BAT AGAINST BALL]
Just keep your body above the ball, right?
Watch the ball, all right?
All right. I'm coming up a little faster now.
Judy, just because it's faster...
Maintain the same technique.
Watch the ball.
DAVID: Great shot, driving past silly mid-on.
Well, they call him silly, but he isn't silly, really.
That's just what we say in cricket.
And that brings Sobers up to 23.
Some people think that Garfield Sobers is the
greatest all-rounder this game has ever seen
and now he faces Wesley Hall again.
I'm coming straight down now.
VICTOR: I'm going back to the shop.
RUTH: Must you?
- It's late.
- I can get it straight while it's quiet.
You want to go out one night?
We could go and see a play or something.
Find a sitter.
Why start paying for sitters?
Go yourself, if you have to.
Play has resumed.
The tension is mounting for the upcoming test.
It's all right.
Well...
It's a professional.
It's a real professional.
Evening.
Evening.
You want to play?
Ah, come and show us
how it's done, young man.
Ah... Does your mother know where you are?
All right. Come on.
All right.
I got you. Waaay!
- So, what is your name, young man?
- It's David, isn't it?
- Yes.
- David.
It was David killed the giant, uh?
Now you can have a go at me.
Ah, you know my daughter, Judy?
- You can call me Dennis.
- Like the cricketer?
Just like the cricketer.
Come, come. Take your bat.
Show us some sweet music.
Here, Judy. Take mid-off for me, here.
Ready, David?
Good.
Ready now?
Don't worry. It's just failing light, man.
Take the wicket for me, Judy.
I tell you what. I want you to take
a good, clean swing at it, all right?
A nice, clean swing.
Maybe you're a bowler. Wanna try bowling?
Oh, look out, Judy.
I feel this young man has a mean streak in him.
A real mean streak.
All right. Steady, David. Steady.
Way, boy!
Your body a little out of control there.
[GLASS SMASHES]
Er, that's good. That's...
It's not bad. It's not bad. Erm...
Come, come, sweetie.
Listen, they give you any coaching at school,
a boy as keen as you?
They coach you if you're in the team.
Hm.
Erm...
So, it's "winner take all"?
That's the philosophy they're teaching you?
Are you in the team?
I'm the scorer.
David, scoring's a very good job,
you know, very, very useful.
But it's just not the same as playing.
You want to play, right?
You want to be on the team.
You say after me,
"I want to be in the team."
I want to be in the team.
That's good, David.
You see, if you know what your goal is,
you can reach it more easily.
Right, sweetie?
Yeah.
What say you we give this young man
another tryout?
All right.
You wanna come again tomorrow?
- Yes.
- See what my shift is tomorrow.
Come, er, 5:30 sharp tomorrow, right?
And, look, listen, now.
You don't have to wear full kit...
...if you don't want to.
RUTH: David, where are you?
David?
Wondrous.
Excuse me.
DANDY LIVINGSTONE:
Rudy, A Message To You
Excuse me!
Stop your running about
It's time you straightened right out
Stop your running around
Making trouble...
Straight and steady. Right there, exactly.
I'll watch your action.
It's like you're making a big face
on the bat, right?
Like a big smile.
- Say to yourself, "No-one can walk past me."
- No-one can walk past me.
Good. Now you just... step forward.
Head up. Watch the ball.
Head up and watch the ball.
...you're growing older each day
You ought to think of your future
Or you might wind up in jail
Then you will suffer...
There's more than enough of me to go around
and you need a friend your own age, anyway.
You wanna play?
...a message to you, Rudy
A message to you...
Judy.
Your bowler won't always bowl it straight.
This last ball was spinning.
So you must have a different stroke
for every ball.
All right, Judy, I soon come back.
I need a little refreshment.
How come you're so keen on cricket?
Don't your father teach you?
My dad doesn't play cricket.
Erm...
They don't play where he comes from.
Anyway, he's got the shop.
I'll show you my cricket cards one day.
I've got hundreds. I've got a bat
signed by the whole Surrey team.
Who's Surrey?
Oh, it's a team.
You want to bowl?
OK.
I'll just...
I didn't see my dad for nearly four years.
My mum came to visit me one time, though.
Who looked after you?
My grandmother.
Where is she now?
Back home. In Jamaica.
I haven't got a grandma.
How come?
I'm not sure, exactly.
They all got killed in the war.
That's terrible.
No, it's not. I never knew them.
My dad says you don't miss what you never had.
You wouldn't have to know them to miss them.
It doesn't stop you, does it...
missing them?
Children, we have to stop now.
Judy, it's time you do some homework.
All right?
Do you like it here?
And tomorrow, we do a bit of bowling.
- All right?
- OK.
How do you do?
David, go inside.
Your son has a raw talent,
but he needs a little shaping up yet.
Yes.
I'm Dennis.
Ruth.
You met my daughter, Judy.
Any time your son wants to come over
and practise, he just knock on the door.
Thank you very much.
So?
Mr Samuels is coaching me.
He says I need proper coaching.
- And?
- Judy's grandpa used to play for Jamaica.
Everybody plays cricket over there.
I mean, even the girls.
Did anybody give you permission
to play next door?
- Did you ask your father about it?
- They're really nice, Mum.
They gave me a bit of a mango.
It tasted like a melon or a pear.
You will get us into trouble.
Next time, you ask first.
- Understand?
- Yes, Mum.
Yes, Mum.
But you're not to go into the house.
Stay in the garden.
Maybe Daddy won't mind
if you stay in the garden.
GRACE: Come and get your colas.
You're entitled to a break.
I entitled to something a little stronger,
you know, Mrs Samuels.
You're not entitled to anything.
So, David, you is a Jewish boy?
Judy told us about your grandma
and your grandpa.
Girls, we got a real live Jewish boy here,
you know, same as Jesus.
Me never met a Jew before.
The people of the Bible, girl. These people gave
us the Old Testament, from Genesis to Ruth.
Grace, the boy is a boy, you know.
And all boys need to know
how to learn to play cricket.
- Isn't that true, David?
- This is a special boy.
We are glad to have you here, David.
Good day.
[MRS WILSON SPITS]
- Good afternoon, Mrs Dunkley.
- Mrs Wiseman.
Is there anything the matter, Mrs Dunkley?
We were just noticing how friendly
your son is with the new arrivals.
Yes. I haven't encouraged it, Mrs Dunkley.
You haven't stopped it, neither, my dear.
I also am an immigrant, Mrs Dunkley.
Should I teach my son to despise immigrants?
Don't upset yourself, Mrs Wiseman.
Not all immigrants are the same, I'm sure.
Must move off.
- Sorry to bother you.
- No bother, Mrs Dunkley. No bother.
[CREAKING]
Since when was Tuesday Friday?
This is a piece of magic I can do without.
Yes.
Yes, I know you do your best.
Dad, can I go home?
As long as your mother is in the shop...
...you stay here.
But Mr Samuels will be there. He's on earlies.
And when are you going to do your homework?
I don't see you
doing your homework these days.
You go to a good school. You want to be
a schlump who's no good for anything
but working in a factory, like Samuels on earlies,
or running a shop like this,
every hour of day or night,
fawning at stupid customers,
who bring back mangled goods and want
a refund and think you can't refuse them?
- I wonder if you could show me the curtains.
- Of course.
All right, go.
But come back if he's not there.
I don't want you
to stay in the house on your own.
I do my homework every day, Dad,
honestly, I do.
If you say so. Now, now, go.
LORD BEGINNER: Victory Test Match
Cricket, lovely cricket...
Forward block now.
...at Lord's where I saw it
Cricket...
Very good, man! Good.
Cover drive.
...Yardley tried his best...
Just one step... and cut. Right?
But it's a winner, man! Good, David, man!
...the second test and West Indies won
With those little pals of mine
Ramadhin and Valentine
The King was there, well-attire
So they started with Rae and Stollmeyer
Stolly was hitting balls round the boundary
But Wardle stopped him at 20
Rae had confidence,
so he put up a strong defence...
David.
Got it?
...hats went in the air
People shout and jump...
Ruth!
Thank you.
...it bound to go down in history...
Step, step.
Over.
I'm very grateful.
Oh.
It's not a problem, man.
Are you OK? You look like the roof has fallen in.
Do I?
I'm sorry.
No, it's...
Would you like a cup of tea?
Yeah, er, whatever you have is fine.
Hey, you look really pretty now.
You look like a young girl.
Too young to have these children here.
I married very young.
Well, your husband was very smart.
He snapped you up quick
before somebody else could get a hold of you.
- Thank you.
- And this is the bat I told you about.
No, no, you can't use it.
How come?
Seem good to me.
Because of the autographs.
I don't know. We'd spent three hours
after supper making cushions.
Then we did a lot of erm... not pillow talk,
we do cushion talk.
[DENNIS GUFFAWS]
Every county and test match
for the past three years.
You're too brainy for cricket.
No, I'm not.
We stuff a lot...
We stuff a lot of cushions.
Ruth.
[DOG BARKS]
I'm freezing.
Sir?
Oh, I doubt if we'll be playing again
today, Wiseman.
No, sir.
- Sir?
- Yes, boy?
I don't want to score any more
after today, please, sir.
What's the matter, Wiseman?
I thought you liked scoring.
I do,
but I'd like to play now.
Oh, would you?
That's a nuisance halfway through the season.
All right.
Thank you, sir.
Look on the notice board on Tuesday.
- Yes, sir.
- Let's not get wet, boys.
Let's call it a draw.
Three cheers for St Dunstan's firsts.
Hip hip, hooray. Hip hip, hooray.
- Hip hip.
- BOYS: Hooray!
- Hip hip.
- Hooray.
Mum, I've got some news!
- Mum?
- David!
Thank goodness you're here. Quickly! Quickly!
Aaah!
- David, come in here, man.
- No.
- Dennis, I've got some news.
- Just a minute, David.
Oh.
It's... It's a washing machine.
It's for washing clothes.
Victor bought it. I've hardly used it yet.
OK.
- This is the problem here?
- Yeah.
No, no. It's cross-threaded, man.
The man who connected this
should have screwed his own head on first.
Hold it fast. Ruth, give me a hand here.
Now, hold it tight. Nice and tight, yeah?
There.
- Watch your hand.
- OK.
There.
And there
and there.
Would David like to come to a charity do
on Saturday?
A couple of the cricketers will be there
signing autographs.
I'm not sure. On his own?
You come too.
And Victor.
- Well, why not?
- Victor?
Sure.
I don't expect so.
I'll ask him.
He puts in some long hours, eh, your husband?
Well, you and David, then.
And Judy.
Mrs Samuels is working nights
this weekend, so erm...
I would have the pleasure of being your escort.
Yes.
Good.
Good, good.
Dennis, no...
Mum, I'm stopping scoring.
I'm going to play next week.
- Dennis?
- Oh, David!
Good man, David.
Wait. Just...
Now you show them what you're made of.
Hey, Saturday...
...you're gonna meet
some true gods of the game.
Bah.
Mum?
DENNIS: Maybe.
BOY: Hurry up and get out, Wiseman.
We want to go home.
TEACHER: Over.
- Can we go and get changed, sir?
- You've got to support your last man, Baxter.
Don't you want to know
whether you've won or lost?
No, sir.
Extraordinary.
Play.
What's wrong with him?
Wiseman's on drugs.
He's Superboy.
It's just not natural.
Over.
Good grief, Wiseman, it's only a game.
Get rid of him, sir. He's spoiling it for everybody.
- ALL: Yes.
- 38.
Very good. Wiseman.
Only eight runs short of victory.
I'll er, tell Mr Pugh to give you a proper game.
Thank you, sir. I want to be in the team.
I'm sure you do.
GRACE: OK. David.
Just wait here a moment.
Loretta.
Dorothy!
Dennis.
Mr Johnson!
Come here. Mrs Jackson is waiting.
GRACE: Dennis, where's your hat?
[WHISPERS] Forgive me, I'll go...
No, you have no time for that.
Put this on. Put this on.
It's all right.
Johnson.
All right, David.
Him a-read backward?
Ssh. That's how them do it.
Shalom aleichem
Malachei hashaaret
Malachei elyon
Mimelech
Malachei hamlochim
Hakadosh baruch hu
Boachem I'shalom malachei hashalom
Malachei elyon
Mimelech
Malachei hamlochim
Hakadosh baruch hu
Very good, David.
GRACE: Lovely.
Mrs Jackson, why don't we ask David to give
a presentation at Sunday School Prize Day?
David?
We would be truly honoured.
- Mum. Mum.
- Do you know what I'm saying?
Can I show Judy a bagel?
She hasn't seen a bagel.
- What's the matter?
- Nothing.
I bought a dress.
Not an expensive dress,
a cheap dress. it was a special offer.
It's not a problem.
You bought a dress.
I can take it back, if... If you want,
I can take it back.
I hope you're ready.
No, no, no. No, Ruth, let me, all right?
Judy. I want the first dance, you know.
A beautiful dress, Ruth.
You look nervous. Are you all right?
- I'm fine.
- Are you sure?
I said."What do you expect
with the weather in England?"
[LAUGHTER]
He did not know what to say.
Hey, Dennis.
- How are you doing, Frank?
- Hey, my father sends his best to you.
Look, I have two youngsters here
who want to listen to your chat and gossip.
All right. Well, bring them up. Come.
Go on, Judy.
- He's a friend of mine.
- You wanna bat like Weekes?
Two of the best players in the world there.
...do yourself a favour
Go home
Bad-minded woman go home
Go home...
You wanna dance with me?
I want this dance, man.
- I want this dance right now.
- No.
All right. We'll sit down for a while, all right?
Er, hold on a second.
Can I borrow this chair, all right?
You see? Look, look. Watch this. Watch this.
- Cheers.
- Oh, cheers.
OWEN GRAY: Please Let Me Go
Please let me go
When you hold my hand
I love you so...
MAN:..people don't understand that.
I had a very old head on my shoulders.
And I said to myself."Just go out there and bat.
Bat. That's the responsibility you've got."
Anyway, at the end of play on the third day
I was on 228.
Conrad Hunte was on 2...
THE SKATALITES: Phoenix City
Come on.
Dance.
Come on.
It's all right.
Just move your hips.
Yes.
Yes.
- I don't know how to do it with my feet.
- It's all right. It's fine. Come on.
Oh.
- If my husband could see me...
- He would be proud of you, darling.
So, you will dance with her, but you won't
dance with me? I catch you, all right?
I catch you, all right?
Dance, man.
Ha ha ha.
Woo.
That's really getting the groove.
You're getting it. Yes. Ha.
I like that move. Show me the move, now.
Show me the move there. Ah, ah.
Ha ha.
Phoenix City.
Yes.
Dancing Mood
Oh, I want this dance. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on.
I'm in a dancing mood
I'm in a dancing mood...
Come now. Come now.
... when you build a beat
You got to move your feet
You got to clap your hands
You got all the soul
Deep inside
Cos you can't hide
I'm in a dancing mood
I'm in a dancing mood
I'm in a dancing mood...
Look. Dennis is teaching her how to bat.
Does your mum play cricket too?
See the guy there,
in the hat and the cream suit?
Mm.
He's a poet. you know.
One of the finest poets we have.
Mm.
You're not watching. You're not watching.
[RUTH GIGGLES]
I give up. I give up.
[PHONE RINGS]
Hello?
Mrs Simmonds, I'm just back from the shop.
Yes, I'll come and pick up Lillian, yes.
Yes...
Just a moment, Mrs Simmonds.
Mr Wiseman? Mr Wiseman?
What are you doing?
[MUMBLES]
Accounts?
Not now.
I'll do some ironing.
That's it. See? You got it.
Do you know this one?
Which one?
It's rude.
Hitler, he's only got one ball
Gring has got two, but very small
Himmler has something similar
But poor old Gbbels' got no balls, at all
One little, two little, three little golliwogs
Four little, five little, six little golliwogs
Seven little, eight little, nine little golliwogs
School.
They sing it all the time, because...
I don't know their silly skipping songs.
I bet you know lots of things.
I read. I write.
I know my tables,
my Bible.
I can milk a goat,
sew a dress,
birth a calf,
plough a field.
But...
They don't ask me what I know.
They don't ask me anything.
So...
Was it Hitler that killed all your grandparents?
I suppose so.
Yeah.
BOYS: ...Reece, Reece, batting at the crease,
in the stores, in the stores
There was Reece. Reece
Batting at the crease
in the quartermaster's stores
My eyes are dim. I cannot see...
I thought your job was scoring, Wiseman.
Too much for you, was it?
Sort of.
BOY: Stop it. Fisher!
FISHER: Drat!
Quick! Go!
Lucky shot. Wiseman.
Knock his block off!
Give him one of your killers. Fisher!
MR PUGH: 42 runs.
A useful innings. Wiseman.
- Done you good, watching the first every week.
- Yes, sir. No, sir.
Thank you, sir.
Wasn't a fluke, was it, boy?
No, sir.
The Junior Challenge Cup
beckons even for you.
We're short a solid middle-order batsman.
I'll give you a go.
Wondrous.
Wondrous oblivion.
BOY: Wiseman.
So, what did Mr Pugh say, Wiseman?
- Are you in the team?
- Great show, Wiseman.
I didn't know you had it in you. Come on.
- Where are you going to bat, Wisey?
- Great batting, Wiseman.
DENNIS: Well done. David.
Now you're ready for the next level.
CLR James.
This man is like Moses to me.
He's a political theorist
and the best cricket writer in the world.
Listen to this.
[READS] Another name
for the perfect flow of motion is "style",
or, if you will,
"significant form".
See that?
We are talking about an art form.
It's like dance or music.
You have to relax.
Feel it inside you.
Easy. Yeah?
Yeah?
You just forget about the strokes
and you just...
free yourself up now.
See?
You've grown up a little,
but now it's time you be a child again.
MICKEY KATZ: Barber Of Schlemiel
MICKEY KATZ: Barber Of Schlemiel
Do you like it?
Sure.
Er, it's my parents.
Here. Listen to this one.
Go on. Go and sit.
THE JIVING JUNIORS: Sugar Dandy
Sugar dandy, sugar dandy
Sugar dandy, sugar dandy
You're mine
You're mine
You're my sugar dandy
Mm-hm
You're mine
You're mine
You are as sweet as candy
I love you
I need you
- You are my only fancy...
- Come on.
Oh, I... I couldn't.
What you say?
...you're mine
You're mine
Yes, you got my heart
You're mine
You're mine
Right from the start
Mm-hm
I love you
I need you
Say we'll never ever part
Your kiss is so sweet, it thrills me so
Eyes are like beautiful diamonds
I'm yours, you're mine
Till the end of time
You should realise we were meant to be...
[FRONT DOOR SLAMS]
[FRONT DOOR SHUTS]
Ruth? What? What is it?
Excuse me. I just come back from the foundry.
Er...
Come in. Come in.
Oh, shit.
Have a seat. Have a seat here.
Erm...
Er, tea... Some tea...
Er, you want some tea?
Yes.
ELVIS PRESLEY: I Want To Be Free
...there's no joy in my heart only sorrow...
Er, tea...
...and I'm as sad as a man can be
I sit alone in the darkness of my lonely room
And this room is a prison to me
I look out of my wi-i-indow
And what do I se-e-e?
I see a bir-r-rd
Way up in a tre-e-e
I want to be free
Oh, yes
Free
Oh, yes
Fre-e-e
I want to be free
Like the bird in the tree...
[WHISPERS] We can't do this.
Ruth, we have to stop before we get started.
Don't you want me?
Of course.
I do.
We're married, Ruth.
I love you.
Sure.
Sure you do.
Yeah, nice one, Wiseman.
Mum?
Do you still love Dad?
Yes, of course.
- Why?
- I just wondered.
He's always at the shop.
He never plays.
Dennis would be better.
VICTOR: The laws of cricket. Number 30.
...pass the striker,
without touching his bat or person,
and any runs be obtained.
the umpire shall call or signal
"bye".
So..."bye",
the over's over.
All change, please.
What a game.
Change him to there...
I'm just looking for a button for my coat.
I thought I had one.
I'll get one from the shop.
[BALL THUDS]
What is it?
Oh, nothing. A cat.
Go back to sleep.
- Did you change your shirt?
- Yes, Mum.
- The one I put out?
- Yes, Mum.
- And your socks?
- Yes, Mum.
Brush your hair.
- I brushed it.
- It's sticking up.
You want to look a schlemiel
in front of your friends?
- Do I have to?
- You have to. What time is it?
Ten to three. Victor?
Where are you?
Get down to the station. You want them
to take the next train straight back home again?
I'm going. I'm going.
Oh, now we've got bloody royalty.
Thank you. I won't get out.
Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?
Thank you so much, but I have to run.
See you later, Toby.
Be a good boy.
[MOCKING] Toby.
[CAR HORN]
Happy birthday, David. Have a wicked time.
Golly. Gosh.
Would you like a cup of tea?
Oh, no, thank you, but, erm,
I wonder if I could just use your bathroom?
Of course, of course.
Let me take your coat.
It's the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
Yes, of course.
- It's just through here.
- Thank you.
I didn't think to polish in there.
BOY: You've got tarts on the brain.
Did you see?
David's got nig-nogs living next door.
- Choose a card.
- You are a card. Bloom!
Queen of hearts.
- She stole some tarts.
- You've got tarts on the brain!
- What a very nice house you have.
- Oh, thank you very much.
Now, I've got some tickets
for the Lord's test next week.
Now, I know David loves his cricket.
Would he like to come?
Oh, yes.
Oh, this is...
Look at this. Oh, it's the best present yet.
Thank you very much, James.
It'll be a wonderful day.
I'm going to be like him.
BOY: It was amazing.
- [DOORBELL]
- I... I'll get it.
Now, I don't suppose any of you like cake?
BOYS: Yes!
I... I can't really play right now.
I've got my friends here.
Later.
Happy birthday.
Thanks.
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Wondrous oblivion, dear Wiseman
Wondrous oblivion to you
[BOYS CHEER]
She doesn't want to play with you today.
She don't want to play with you any day.
So you can take your bat
and go play somewhere else.
It's only a practice, Wiseman, you nana.
Good evening, sir.
Good evening, madam.
Tickets, please.
- Ticket, please.
- Sod off, wog.
Oi! Take your filthy hands off me.
Don't touch me, coon.
Go back to your own country, wog.
[THEY TITTER]
He ain't got one.
Bastards.
You can check mine.
Get out of here.
DENNIS: Not bad.
Pick them up now.
Is she all right now?
Yeah. She all right.
[THUD OF CRICKET BAT AGAINST BALL]
Go carefully, now, David.
Steady the ship. This bowler isn't so hot.
REECE: Good luck.
[SMATTERING OF APPLAUSE]
FIELDERS: Howzat?
A bit erratic for you, Wiseman.
Not quite the innings we needed.
Still, 14 runs.
The big game next Saturday.
Stay cool for that one, eh?
Yes, sir.
Win that and we've won the cup.
- Are you with me?
- Yes, sir.
That's a nice place.
It's too big.
You are so...
Why would anybody want such a big house?
What are you doing here, Wiseman?
BOY: Not at the match. Wiseman?
2ND BOY: You weren't on detention. were you?
Wiseman's too good to get detention.
Do you want a ciggy, Wiseman?
No, thanks.
Go on.
The master's coming. Let's go.
[THUNDER RUMBLES]
[APPLAUSE AND CHEERING]
Good shot.
- Good shot.
- Wizard.
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
Oh, no.
Watch Wesley and Lance
rough up the English batsmen, then.
- Are you all right, Dennis?
- Good, man. Good.
Well, well, well.
What are you looking at?
Huh?
You no business with this.
Oh, I have plenty of reasons
to need a drink, you know.
Because a man has got to survive
in this shit-hole country some damn way.
Right? Right?
Go on your ways, man.
You can enjoy your ice cream, David,
but we have some very serious talking to do.
- Thank you so much.
- Oh, it's our pleasure.
I wanted to ask you about your brooch.
The bomb. It's a terrible thing.
Mm.
Would you like to meet for coffee some time?
Come on, then, young man. Bed for you.
Yes, I'd be delighted.
I'll call you.
Come on.
[CAR DRIVES AWAY]
A cup of tea?
What?
Would you like a cup of tea? I'm on my own.
The girls are out, too, but no.
No tea, Ruth.
You want one of these?
No, thank you.
I wanted to say sorry.
I'm glad to hear that.
You stirred up so much in me.
And I'm glad.
I... When I came here, I was...
...David's age.
My parents couldn't get out of Germany.
Nobody taught me how to be a woman.
I always make a...
...a fool of myself.
You're not a fool, Ruth.
He's trying now,
trying his best...
...with David...
with me.
I thought we were gonna talk about
something else.
I'm so sorry, Dennis.
ANNOUNCER:...ladies and gentlemen.
we're Educating Archie...
[THEME TUNE AND APPLAUSE]
Ladies and gentlemen.
Ladies and gentlemen, listen, please.
I have an announcement to make.
We can exchange contracts
on the Hendon house this week.
We can move in two weeks' time.
- Hooray.
- I never thought it would happen.
Your mother chose a nice new house
in North London, near your cousin, Simon.
- When can we see it?
- Oh, in good time, in good time.
- How much did it cost?
- I hate to think.
I'm employing a manager for the shop,
and opening a new branch in North London.
- You can take the tube to school.
- There are some tea chests at the shop.
- You can have one each for your toys.
- I don't have toys any more.
I'm not going.
What did you say, David?
I'm not going.
I'm not going.
I'm not going.
[DOOR SLAMS]
David?
David?
Get out.
David?
I'm not interested in snobby North London
with snobby rich children.
Nobody asked me. I'm staying here.
- Listen to me.
- They think they run the world.
They think they run everyone.
They tease people. They bully people.
They try to make you feel small.
Well, I'm not going.
Victor!
Victor!
Victor.
[WHISPERS] Don't be too hard. just be gentle.
[CLEARS THROAT]
David...
It is for you we are doing this, understand?
So you should grow up
with other Jewish children.
Here is no place for a Jewish boy.
You will do as you are told.
VICTOR: David?
Open that door!
[BANGING]
The only people
who ever bothered about me are here.
The only friends I ever had are here
and I sent them away.
You let me send them away.
Don't talk to me like that, young man.
I work my socks off for this fa...
What is it?
My back... My back has gone.
- RUTH: David, please.
- He's always spoiling things. It's not fair!
- Walk.
- I'll try.
RUTH: Right. now.
I'm not going.
David, you can still see your friends,
Judy, Mr Samuels, at the weekend.
We will talk to them, explain.
No. Don't.
Anyway...
Dennis.
Dennis is his name. You should know.
What does he mean? What's he talking about?
Night-night, now, David.
Erm, we've got lots more talking to do tomorrow.
A big day tomorrow. Sleep well.
Er, sleep well, David.
Er, good night, David.
Tell me, Ruth.
Ssh, no. There's nothing to tell.
Why does he say that? Is there nothing to tell?
[FOOTSTEPS RECEDE]
[FAINT CRACKLING OF FLAMES]
Dennis.
Judy.
Judy!
Judy.
Quick!
Wake up your mum and dad. Get everyone out.
- So, when will the investigation start, Officer?
- What was that, sir?
- I said, when would the investigation start?
- What investigation would that be, sir?
Who put fire in my house.
Sir, I think you'll find that's an accident.
- An accident?
- Yes, sir.
It's one house I see on fire here.
It's one house I see on fire, right?
- Can I ask you, sir, does anyone smoke?
- Nobody smokes.
- Nobody smokes?
- Nobody smokes.
- Did you have a chip pan on?
- For what?
- Well, for cooking chips, sir. For cooking.
- I was sleeping, man.
The family was sleeping.
- Sir, have you got an open fire?
- No, man.
- You haven't got an open fire?
- You hear him?
I have my family here, right?
You see my wife and my children there, right?
- Calm down, sir.
- No, I won't calm down.
- Please restrain yourself, sir.
- Restrain myself?
- Please be quiet, sir.
- Them who did this should restrain themselves.
- I'm asking you to be quiet...
- It was no accident.
- He's right, Officer. It was no accident.
- I can prove it to you.
GRACE: Dennis.
Dennis. [SOBS]
RUTH: It's all right. We'll wait here.
He'll come back. He'll come out.
Dennis.
Dennis?
[VICTOR COUGHS]
Dennis.
[CHOKES]
GRACE: Dennis!
Here. You see this?
You see this?
And this?
- And this?
- GRACE: No. no. no.
This is what me and my family is living with.
This is what we're living with.
You see that?
You should be ashamed.
We should all be ashamed.
VICTOR: Officer...
Ask those two.
Ask them about their grandson.
Now, the prize for Scripture learning
for the young ones.
We are very honoured to have here
to present the prize a good friend,
also, a hero of the hour,
David Wiseman.
David is a Jewish boy,
as was also our Lord Jesus.
The prize goes to Wilhemina Jones.
- Where's Grace and Dennis?
- With the police, I think.
Judy and Dorothy are here, though.
David will now recite for us Psalm 23,
The Lord Is My Shepherd,
in the original Hebrew.
Adonai ro-i, lo echsar
Bin'ot deshe yarbitseini
Al mei m'nuchot m'nuchot
Y'nachaleini...
...the quiet waters by
Naf'shi y'shovev
The Lord is my shepherd
Yan'cheini
I shall not want
B'ma'aglei tsedek
He makes me down to lie
B'ma'aglei tsedek
In pastures green he leadeth me
L'ma'an sh'mo...
The quiet waters by
The Lord is my shepherd
I shall not want
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green
He leadeth me
The quiet waters by
The quiet waters by
Hello, David.
Hello, Mrs Samuels.
Are you all right?
We alive.
Still got a house here, more or less.
That was a good throw, David.
We thank you for that.
Dennis and Judy are out back.
Come through.
Hello, David.
Hello, Dennis, Judy.
I'm not a hero, Dennis.
My parents are moving house and didn't tell me.
I want to stay here, where you are.
You're the only proper friends I ever had.
I never meant...
I'm sorry about the party, really, I am.
It was stupid.
It's not because she's...
She's too good for them.
not the other way round.
I want... to live next door to you,
go on playing cricket.
I hear what you're telling me, David,
and you know what?
I really admire a young man
who can admit his mistakes.
Judy took it very hard, David.
My whole family did.
I'm so sorry, Judy.
Judy?
Do you accept David's apology?
Now. this is your choice. you know.
and if you don't want to. you don't have to.
It's up to you.
David...
You really have to go with your parents.
David. look...
your parents are very, very good people.
I'm sure they have their reasons
and I know they have your interests in mind.
Hey, it may not look like that
from where you stand, but...
You have to go.
It may not be any better, it may be worse,
but it's what you have to do next
and then you learn from that.
We will miss you.
We'll miss you a lot.
What about you?
- Will you stay?
- We're right here to stay. man.
Yeah.
We're here to stay.
Hey. I tell you what.
We have er... a little picnic thing coming up.
It's a very, very special do.
I want you to come...
...and why don't you bring your whole family,
on Saturday?
- Saturday?
- Mm.
I told you we still had it.
See? Throw nothing away.
I should throw you away, you cheap,
good-for-nothing Polack. It's rotten.
We'll order new. Woodberry is here.
Mr Woodberry, sir?
Yes. Mr Wiseman?
I have a commission for you.
Something more important has come up.
And that's it, Reece, I can't play.
But it's the Junior Challenge Cup.
What could be more important?
I'll explain it to you one day.
...messing with the fire.
So, myself and Victor...
Steel drums
You excelled yourself here, Mrs Samuels.
Thank you, Mr Samuels.
Grace.
- It looks wonderful.
- Thank you.
I'll come back in a minute and have some.
Chicken. Mr Johnson?
This is... This is for you.
I can't take that.
This is your Surrey bat.
It's all right. Have it, really.
It's all right. We're friends now.
Keep it, David, please.
- I've never played with grown-ups before.
- They aren't grown-ups.
They're friends of my daddy.
Good luck.
Good luck.
DENNIS: Shot. sweetie!
Run, man, run.
All right.
Been eating his spinach.
Come here, Victor. Come here.
Do me a favour. Come here.
Stand right there. by the fence. there.
- Right by the boundary and stop the ball, man.
- Right now?
Right now. Give him a hand.
Run, Victor, run.
All right, David. Your time now.
Your time now.
It's done.
Good.
And I've booked the removal men.
But should we stay here?
RUTH: No. it's too late now.
I wouldn't like the Wilsons
to think they'd got rid of us.
I don't think they will.
I just wanted a nice place, a nice area.
I was poor a long time.
Victor, why didn't you tell me
about the letters? Why?
I didn't want to worry you.
I'm not a child any more, Victor.
I'm not the girl that you married.
You're not. It's true.
You're a lot more than that now.
Ruth...
...without you...
...the house means nothing.
I know.
- MAN: It's Frank Worrell.
- It's Gary Sobers.
Look. it's Frank Worrell!
It's Gary Sobers!
DENNIS: What is this?
- What time do you call this?
- How are you doing, man?
These two are hogging all the batting.
Gary, do me a favour,
throw down a few for these children.
All right, man.
Run. We in trouble.
SOBERS: Here you go. young man.
- All right.
- You're on Gary Sobers now.
Get yourself ready, David.
MAN: Come on. Gary.
Get a little spin on the ball now.
All right. Don't worry about that.
No-one can walk past you.
[MOUTHS] Go on.
[CHEERING]
Good. Good.
Good shot, man. Good shot.
Run, Judy. Run, Judy, run.
That's my son. That's my son.
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
DENNIS: Yours. Victor. yours!
[LAUGHTER]
Too good. Too good for me, man.
I've been bowling to that old fella for too long.
He done ruined me!
[APPLAUSE]
UMPIRE: Over!
What a laugh.
Mind the step. Mind the step.
Is you winding me up?
All right.
You can open your eyes.
Grace...
Give me a erm...
...a nice cup of tea or something.
[SIGHS]
MILLIE: My Boy Lollipop
You make my heart go giddy-up...
DOROTHY:
That Victor, him dance like an elephant.
Yeah, it's a good party, though.
...you are my sugar dandy
Woah, my boy...
- Not upon the net now.
- I can't wait to try it out tomorrow.
...ever leave me
Because it would grieve me
My heart told you so...
This is how it is. I'm going away soon
and you're not coming with me.
[GASPS OF SURPRISE]
WG GRACE: The end of the innings.
I'm sorry.
I might have seen it coming.
Oh, don't worry.
I'm going to leave you in safe hands.
You're too old for us.
Yes.
Goodbye, David.
Bye. David.
Bye. David.
Well done. David.
[APPLAUSE REVERBERATES]
London is a good place for me
London, this lovely city
You can go to France or America
India, Asia or Australia
But you must come back to London City...
I... I'm a hopeless case.
Victor, no, no, no.
This is a good school, Victor.
- The best.
- David.
Here, let me show you.
...I've been travelling to countries years ago,
but this is the place...
One.
Two.
Three.
And, remember, no-one can walk past you.
Ready? All right. Take your stance now.
Sweetie, come.
Here.
Underarm. Take it easy.
...because the English people
are very much sociable
They take you here and they take you there
And they make you feel like a millionaire
So, London, that's the place for me...
- Ah.
- VICTOR: Yes!
[DENNIS LAUGHS]
I make a run.
DENNIS: Give me this. Good man.
...at nights, when you have nothing to do
You can take a walk
down Shaftsbury Avenue
There you will laugh and talk
and enjoy the breeze
And admire the view and the scenery
Of London
That's the place for me
Yes?
I cannot complain of the time I have spent
I mean, my life in London is really magnificent
I have every comfort and every sport
And my residence is at Hampton Court
So, London
That's the place for me...
and that can mean only one thing.
No, not that.
It's the start of the cricket season.
22 men, good and true,
a trusty willow and a leather ball.
Howzat?
For established test heroes like Cowdrey,
Bailey and Trueman, it's business as usual.
But here, on one of cricket's
less-fashionable venues,
the selectors have their eye on a rising star.
Yes, it's David Wiseman.
Tactical genius, fearless batsman
and, as always, spotlessly turned out.
Can English cricket afford to ignore
this young talent a moment longer?
BOYS: Wiseman!
Wake up!
BOY: Oh, not again!
- Oh, no.
- Typical!
TEACHER: That's the over.
Wiseman!
Are you enjoying your afternoon, Wiseman?
Yes, sir. Very much, sir.
Wondrous.
Oh, well, back on the job, then, boy!
All the way, boy.
Wondrous oblivion.
COMMENTATOR: So, as potentially
the greatest all-rounder in the world
wends his way home to South London,
cricket lovers await the 1960 season
with eager anticipation.
The best of British luck, young David.
WOMAN: What happened?
- I dived.
- Dived?
For the ball, to stop it.
Hm, clever.
So, you play cricket in a swimming pool now?
- No, Ma.
- If you don't play in a field any more,
should I buy you some trunks to play cricket in?
No... Ma.
Will...
- Will the stain come out?
- It'll come out.
Wondrous.
[CELLO PLAYS]
Wondrous oblivion.
DAVID: The coach is making his final selections
and the players are making their way
out of the pavilion now.
The captain is placing his fielders.
Now, who's going to bowl?
Compton can start them off. Erm...
OK.
Wait a minute. I need another player.
Trueman, you can open the bowling.
You two come in later.
WG, you can umpire.
You're too old to bat.
OK... Compton.
You can open the batting. Ready?
Trueman to bowl.
Well hit, Denis. It's going for a four.
Wait a minute.
The fielder's diving for it.
Has he got his hands on it?
No. Hard cheese.
And the umpire signals a four.
[DOG BARKS]
Coming, Vinnie!
Mrs Wilson.
Good evening, Mrs Wiseman.
Do you have any idea who might be moving in
next door, Mrs Wiseman, after your friends go?
I've no idea, Mrs Wilson.
Oh, I thought you might know
who'd be moving in.
I thought you might prefer
one of your own people.
I haven't really thought about it, Mrs Wilson.
I doubt if it's let yet.
Your petunias are coming on nicely.
Such a pretty plant, don't you think?
I'm going to miss your tactical know-how, Vinnie.
You see, nobody appreciates you like I do.
What do you think about Trueman's form?
Shall we keep him in the team?
[GENTLE REBUKE IN YIDDISH]
- Got that, John?
- Dora, some biscuits to keep you going.
Oh, Ruth, you shouldn't have.
David, say goodbye.
Goodbye, Suzanne.
Goodbye, Anthony.
- We're going to miss you so much.
- Oh, Ruth, we'll miss you, too.
You'll come visit, David, won't you?
They have their own house now, David.
Mr Glckstein had a promotion
and Vinnie gets promoted, too,
to a better class of neighbourhood.
With bigger trees.
Button up your coat, darling.
Don't miss the train.
- Goodbye, David.
- Bye, David.
Goodbye, Vinnie.
MAN: Cricket.
The new season is upon us
and I have much pleasure in announcing
that the new captain will be James Reece...
...who did so splendidly for us last year
both at the crease and as a bowler.
- Well done.
- Thank you, sir.
I expect the whole school to give him
every possible support,
as we attempt to regain
the Junior Challenge Cup.
For the rest of you triallists,
Mr Pugh will post the team sheet
on the notice board tomorrow.
All right. Dismissed.
- Well done, Reece.
- Nice one, Reece.
Where are you going to bat, Reecy?
Bat at number four, Reece.
How about this one?
Bailey. Essex.
Got him.
Trueman. Yorkshire.
Of course.
You young scamp.
You're as hard to please as your father.
All right. Here's one you won't have.
Jones. Glamorgan.
The wicketkeeper.
You want it, don't you?
Yes... please, Mr Woodberry.
What have you got for me, young David?
Swaps?
S-Swaps?
Oh, David.
Very Jewish, that is.
They're yours, son. Of course, they're yours.
On the house.
Thank you, Mr Woodberry.
[SEWING MACHINE]
Surely we would prefer
our own people, she said.
So? Good.
Not good.
I don't like it.
You know, it's not her business
who is going to live next door.
Nothing to worry. This is England.
You think this is Germany?
They have democracy here. Freedom.
Reece was made captain of the cricket today.
Nice for Mr Reece.
How come they didn't choose you?
Didn't they have a democracy in Germany, too?
Who was it voted for Hitler?
- Mrs Wilson?
- All the Mrs Wilsons.
Ordinary citizens.
- Gentiles that voted for Hitler.
- No comparison. Don't be stupid.
Enough.
Time for bed.
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
David, hold out your arm.
There. See?
You'll be the smartest boy in the team.
Thanks.
- Do you want me to tidy your cards?
- No. Thanks.
ELVIS PRESLEY: I Want To Be Free
...cos I know
I can't kiss you tonight
I look out of my wi-i-indow
And what do I se-e-e?
I see a bir-r-rd
Way up in a tre-e-e
I want to be free
Oh, yes
Free
Oh, yes
Fre-e-e
I want to be free...
Well done, Wiseman.
You've a head for numbers, at least.
We'll make this a regular job, shall we?
No need to wear whites.
If you don't want to.
...want to be free...
[THUDDING]
[DOOR CLOSES]
We've got neighbours again.
How am I going to get any practice done
with all this going on?
RUTH: Don't stare at people.
It's rude.
- I just wanted to see who it was.
- Yes, well, you've seen now.
- Not properly.
- That's enough, David.
- DAVID: Are they Africans?
- Loretta!
Uh-uh.
- They speak English.
- Loretta!
They're not Indians, not Red Indians.
- I know that.
- WOMAN: Boy.
Look at the size of this garden.
I'll pick flowers for the girls' room.
[WOMAN CHUCKLES]
- Yeah, boy!
- Mr Johnson.
WOMAN: Oh, look at the roses!
Yeah, look at them. Nice, see?
Where's the toilet?
- Inside, Mr Johnson.
- Inside?
MR JOHNSON: You won't catch a cold
in the winter, I tell you.
- Them children coming?
- My God, me late.
I'll see you outside, I'll wait.
MAN: Yes, man, good here.
MR JOHNSON: Think we can do it?
MAN: She can plant all round...
Just come straight back, so,
straight back so.
- Yeah?
- Yeah!
It could work, yes. Dennis!
Here, man.
[MR JOHNSON GROANS]
All right.
[CAR HORN]
The girls, man. They're here.
[CAR DOOR OPENS]
How are you doing, Judy?
Dorothy, come see me now.
Oh, them big, man.
- Dorothy, you remember me?
- No.
You remember me, Judy?
Big, man.
I bet you I can't pick you up.
DAVID: Look at all the neighbours.
I bet you I can't pick you up. I bet you I can't.
[DENNIS GROANS]
We've got our children now, Dennis.
[CHATTER CONTINUES]
Give me a piece of bread while I'm waiting.
I could eat a horse.
It's been like this all day.
I never thought for one minute that...
- They're unpacking.
- Unpacking?
And singing and shouting and laughing.
It's like a musical, Dad.
How do they get anything done?
You're not here. You can afford to be generous.
- David!
- I'm here now.
[LIVELY MUSIC FROM NEXT DOOR]
[LAUGHTER FROM NEXT DOOR]
Aren't you going to do something?
Do we get any dinner still?
They've taken out the roses.
Mrs Wilson will love that.
There are only three bedrooms.
How many are going to live there?
Who knows? 50?
Do we only have
one thing in the world to talk about?
Talk about something else, please.
Find another topic.
You are all clever people,
so talk clever, for God's sake.
You know what we can be grateful for?
Mrs Wilson.
Your good Mrs Wilson. All the Mrs Wilsons.
They won't have time
to think about us Yids any more.
- [FLIES BUZZ]
- Oh, my goodness!
Morning.
- Good morning.
- Mrs erm...?
Wiseman. Mrs Wiseman.
Mrs Wiseman, good morning.
Look...
I sorry about the noise last night you hear,
but my girls came up from back home, Jamaica,
and a few friends turn up to greet them.
We never meant to have a party,
but, well, we would have invited you.
No. Yes. No, it's all right. Don't worry.
Mrs...?
Samuels. Mrs Samuels.
These are my girls, Judy and Dorothy.
Shake hands with the lady.
I've got an older one, as well.
- [MRS SAMUELS CLEARS THROAT]
- This is my boy, David.
Oh, and where do you go to school, David?
Him don't want to talk.
Don't want to shame us, in him smart uniform.
Mustn't be late.
A good education is the most important thing,
don't you agree, Mrs Wiseman?
That good for the garden!
I hope you gave her a good talking-to.
We were up all night with that racket.
What it must have been like for you...
Why don't you complain to the landlord,
Mrs Wiseman?
He's one of your people, isn't he?
Mr Simpson? I don't know, Mrs Wilson.
He's a nice fellow, but Jewish?
I'm sure I heard it, that he was a Jew.
You would think
he'd have more concern for you.
He must have known what he was doing.
He's a businessman, Mrs Wilson.
I never heard anyone say
that he was a Jewish person.
You find out, dear, and make a complaint.
But the noise...
- The smell.
- I was born on this street, so were my children.
We don't have much,
but we'll defend what we have got.
We didn't fight a war for nothing.
Mm, Mrs Wilson, this is just what I was saying
to my husband last night.
We're relying on you, dear,
to be a good Englishwoman.
I went to a lot of trouble.
These won't come cheap, you know.
It's Sobers...
and Worrell!
Terrific.
You're a genius, Mr Woodberry.
Tell me, David...
...how come you've gone a bit "jungle happy"
all of a sudden?
I mean, these fellows, they're...
well, they're a bit on the dark side.
I've got all the English ones.
Yeah, well, how about some Australians
or some, er, South Africans, eh?
No. I want these for now,
if you don't mind, Mr Woodberry.
Suit yourself.
MR JOHNSON: That some heavy roller, is it?
- You wanna give it a try? You wanna try?
- Er, no, man.
Mum?
Pass me that bulb off the table, would you?
Help me down, please.
Just when are you going to do some work
inside this house?
I one slaving to keep order here, you know, I.
- Just give me that.
- No, man, you can't get that, Grace.
Push, Judy.
Push. Woy, woy!
[LAUGHTER]
Get down from there, David.
Mind your own business.
Haven't you got anything better to do?
- Yes, Mum.
- Well, do it, then.
What are they doing there?
I... I don't know, Mum.
MRS WILSON: Mrs Wiseman?
Oh!
Mrs Wiseman!
Ooh!
Any progress?
- Mrs Wiseman?
- Not yet, Mrs Wilson, no.
But the noise is much reduced,
much reduced, I do assure you.
Oh!
NORA DEAN: Barb Wire
[CLANGING]
Oh, Mama!
I met a boy the other day
He got barb wire in his underpants
Oh, Mama!
Oh, Mama!
I got a brick in my bag
Oh, Mama!
Oh, Mama!
Yeah
Ay-ay-ay-ay ay ay ay
Ay-ay-ay-ay ay ay ay
Ay-ay-ay-ay ay ay ay
Ay-ay-ay-ay ay ay ay
Oh, Mama!
Oh, Mama...
See there, Grace?
Yes, this nice.
Yes, man.
Some raspberries
this man thinks he's going to grow.
Doesn't he know this is England?
Dad, look!
Meshugas!
It's a cricket net!
Our neighbours are a little naive.
An Englishman's love of cricket
only goes... so far,
which is not as far
as an Englishwoman's garden.
GRACE: All right, Miss Judy?
Duck!
Yes!
[LAUGHTER]
It worked good. You see that?
Where the ball, eh?
Mum!
Mum!
Don't tell me, please. Don't tell me.
VICTOR: All that effort and what for?
It's a cricket net.
Really?
[CANTOR INTONES PRAYER IN CLASSICAL HEBREW]
How are your new neighbours?
Oh, who told you?
A little bird.
A blackbird, in fact.
It's not a problem.
It's a cheek being called Samuels.
Samuels is a Jewish name.
- RUTH: Are they Jewish?
- It's after the prophet, Samuel.
The Jews gave the Bible to all people.
Isn't that true?
We gave too much. That's also true.
I don't see so much gratitude around.
So other people get the wrong idea,
like David, and think they're one of us.
We aren't really "Wiseman". We're...
"Weissenkopf" or something. You told me.
We haven't got our own name.
Thank goodness, I have to say.
You are not to start getting ideas.
David!
You can talk and be polite,
speak when you're spoken to,
but that is as far as it goes.
Understand?
These are not our kind of people, OK?
We have nothing against them, but we don't mix.
Do I make myself clear?
Good!
Now... eat.
OK, Sobers, you're in. It's a good pitch.
This might be a record breaker.
DENNIS: Nice stroke, Judy.
Your grandpa teaching you well, man.
Sorry, old chap. Wait a mo.
[THUD OF CRICKET BAT AGAINST BALL]
Just keep your body above the ball, right?
Watch the ball, all right?
All right. I'm coming up a little faster now.
Judy, just because it's faster...
Maintain the same technique.
Watch the ball.
DAVID: Great shot, driving past silly mid-on.
Well, they call him silly, but he isn't silly, really.
That's just what we say in cricket.
And that brings Sobers up to 23.
Some people think that Garfield Sobers is the
greatest all-rounder this game has ever seen
and now he faces Wesley Hall again.
I'm coming straight down now.
VICTOR: I'm going back to the shop.
RUTH: Must you?
- It's late.
- I can get it straight while it's quiet.
You want to go out one night?
We could go and see a play or something.
Find a sitter.
Why start paying for sitters?
Go yourself, if you have to.
Play has resumed.
The tension is mounting for the upcoming test.
It's all right.
Well...
It's a professional.
It's a real professional.
Evening.
Evening.
You want to play?
Ah, come and show us
how it's done, young man.
Ah... Does your mother know where you are?
All right. Come on.
All right.
I got you. Waaay!
- So, what is your name, young man?
- It's David, isn't it?
- Yes.
- David.
It was David killed the giant, uh?
Now you can have a go at me.
Ah, you know my daughter, Judy?
- You can call me Dennis.
- Like the cricketer?
Just like the cricketer.
Come, come. Take your bat.
Show us some sweet music.
Here, Judy. Take mid-off for me, here.
Ready, David?
Good.
Ready now?
Don't worry. It's just failing light, man.
Take the wicket for me, Judy.
I tell you what. I want you to take
a good, clean swing at it, all right?
A nice, clean swing.
Maybe you're a bowler. Wanna try bowling?
Oh, look out, Judy.
I feel this young man has a mean streak in him.
A real mean streak.
All right. Steady, David. Steady.
Way, boy!
Your body a little out of control there.
[GLASS SMASHES]
Er, that's good. That's...
It's not bad. It's not bad. Erm...
Come, come, sweetie.
Listen, they give you any coaching at school,
a boy as keen as you?
They coach you if you're in the team.
Hm.
Erm...
So, it's "winner take all"?
That's the philosophy they're teaching you?
Are you in the team?
I'm the scorer.
David, scoring's a very good job,
you know, very, very useful.
But it's just not the same as playing.
You want to play, right?
You want to be on the team.
You say after me,
"I want to be in the team."
I want to be in the team.
That's good, David.
You see, if you know what your goal is,
you can reach it more easily.
Right, sweetie?
Yeah.
What say you we give this young man
another tryout?
All right.
You wanna come again tomorrow?
- Yes.
- See what my shift is tomorrow.
Come, er, 5:30 sharp tomorrow, right?
And, look, listen, now.
You don't have to wear full kit...
...if you don't want to.
RUTH: David, where are you?
David?
Wondrous.
Excuse me.
DANDY LIVINGSTONE:
Rudy, A Message To You
Excuse me!
Stop your running about
It's time you straightened right out
Stop your running around
Making trouble...
Straight and steady. Right there, exactly.
I'll watch your action.
It's like you're making a big face
on the bat, right?
Like a big smile.
- Say to yourself, "No-one can walk past me."
- No-one can walk past me.
Good. Now you just... step forward.
Head up. Watch the ball.
Head up and watch the ball.
...you're growing older each day
You ought to think of your future
Or you might wind up in jail
Then you will suffer...
There's more than enough of me to go around
and you need a friend your own age, anyway.
You wanna play?
...a message to you, Rudy
A message to you...
Judy.
Your bowler won't always bowl it straight.
This last ball was spinning.
So you must have a different stroke
for every ball.
All right, Judy, I soon come back.
I need a little refreshment.
How come you're so keen on cricket?
Don't your father teach you?
My dad doesn't play cricket.
Erm...
They don't play where he comes from.
Anyway, he's got the shop.
I'll show you my cricket cards one day.
I've got hundreds. I've got a bat
signed by the whole Surrey team.
Who's Surrey?
Oh, it's a team.
You want to bowl?
OK.
I'll just...
I didn't see my dad for nearly four years.
My mum came to visit me one time, though.
Who looked after you?
My grandmother.
Where is she now?
Back home. In Jamaica.
I haven't got a grandma.
How come?
I'm not sure, exactly.
They all got killed in the war.
That's terrible.
No, it's not. I never knew them.
My dad says you don't miss what you never had.
You wouldn't have to know them to miss them.
It doesn't stop you, does it...
missing them?
Children, we have to stop now.
Judy, it's time you do some homework.
All right?
Do you like it here?
And tomorrow, we do a bit of bowling.
- All right?
- OK.
How do you do?
David, go inside.
Your son has a raw talent,
but he needs a little shaping up yet.
Yes.
I'm Dennis.
Ruth.
You met my daughter, Judy.
Any time your son wants to come over
and practise, he just knock on the door.
Thank you very much.
So?
Mr Samuels is coaching me.
He says I need proper coaching.
- And?
- Judy's grandpa used to play for Jamaica.
Everybody plays cricket over there.
I mean, even the girls.
Did anybody give you permission
to play next door?
- Did you ask your father about it?
- They're really nice, Mum.
They gave me a bit of a mango.
It tasted like a melon or a pear.
You will get us into trouble.
Next time, you ask first.
- Understand?
- Yes, Mum.
Yes, Mum.
But you're not to go into the house.
Stay in the garden.
Maybe Daddy won't mind
if you stay in the garden.
GRACE: Come and get your colas.
You're entitled to a break.
I entitled to something a little stronger,
you know, Mrs Samuels.
You're not entitled to anything.
So, David, you is a Jewish boy?
Judy told us about your grandma
and your grandpa.
Girls, we got a real live Jewish boy here,
you know, same as Jesus.
Me never met a Jew before.
The people of the Bible, girl. These people gave
us the Old Testament, from Genesis to Ruth.
Grace, the boy is a boy, you know.
And all boys need to know
how to learn to play cricket.
- Isn't that true, David?
- This is a special boy.
We are glad to have you here, David.
Good day.
[MRS WILSON SPITS]
- Good afternoon, Mrs Dunkley.
- Mrs Wiseman.
Is there anything the matter, Mrs Dunkley?
We were just noticing how friendly
your son is with the new arrivals.
Yes. I haven't encouraged it, Mrs Dunkley.
You haven't stopped it, neither, my dear.
I also am an immigrant, Mrs Dunkley.
Should I teach my son to despise immigrants?
Don't upset yourself, Mrs Wiseman.
Not all immigrants are the same, I'm sure.
Must move off.
- Sorry to bother you.
- No bother, Mrs Dunkley. No bother.
[CREAKING]
Since when was Tuesday Friday?
This is a piece of magic I can do without.
Yes.
Yes, I know you do your best.
Dad, can I go home?
As long as your mother is in the shop...
...you stay here.
But Mr Samuels will be there. He's on earlies.
And when are you going to do your homework?
I don't see you
doing your homework these days.
You go to a good school. You want to be
a schlump who's no good for anything
but working in a factory, like Samuels on earlies,
or running a shop like this,
every hour of day or night,
fawning at stupid customers,
who bring back mangled goods and want
a refund and think you can't refuse them?
- I wonder if you could show me the curtains.
- Of course.
All right, go.
But come back if he's not there.
I don't want you
to stay in the house on your own.
I do my homework every day, Dad,
honestly, I do.
If you say so. Now, now, go.
LORD BEGINNER: Victory Test Match
Cricket, lovely cricket...
Forward block now.
...at Lord's where I saw it
Cricket...
Very good, man! Good.
Cover drive.
...Yardley tried his best...
Just one step... and cut. Right?
But it's a winner, man! Good, David, man!
...the second test and West Indies won
With those little pals of mine
Ramadhin and Valentine
The King was there, well-attire
So they started with Rae and Stollmeyer
Stolly was hitting balls round the boundary
But Wardle stopped him at 20
Rae had confidence,
so he put up a strong defence...
David.
Got it?
...hats went in the air
People shout and jump...
Ruth!
Thank you.
...it bound to go down in history...
Step, step.
Over.
I'm very grateful.
Oh.
It's not a problem, man.
Are you OK? You look like the roof has fallen in.
Do I?
I'm sorry.
No, it's...
Would you like a cup of tea?
Yeah, er, whatever you have is fine.
Hey, you look really pretty now.
You look like a young girl.
Too young to have these children here.
I married very young.
Well, your husband was very smart.
He snapped you up quick
before somebody else could get a hold of you.
- Thank you.
- And this is the bat I told you about.
No, no, you can't use it.
How come?
Seem good to me.
Because of the autographs.
I don't know. We'd spent three hours
after supper making cushions.
Then we did a lot of erm... not pillow talk,
we do cushion talk.
[DENNIS GUFFAWS]
Every county and test match
for the past three years.
You're too brainy for cricket.
No, I'm not.
We stuff a lot...
We stuff a lot of cushions.
Ruth.
[DOG BARKS]
I'm freezing.
Sir?
Oh, I doubt if we'll be playing again
today, Wiseman.
No, sir.
- Sir?
- Yes, boy?
I don't want to score any more
after today, please, sir.
What's the matter, Wiseman?
I thought you liked scoring.
I do,
but I'd like to play now.
Oh, would you?
That's a nuisance halfway through the season.
All right.
Thank you, sir.
Look on the notice board on Tuesday.
- Yes, sir.
- Let's not get wet, boys.
Let's call it a draw.
Three cheers for St Dunstan's firsts.
Hip hip, hooray. Hip hip, hooray.
- Hip hip.
- BOYS: Hooray!
- Hip hip.
- Hooray.
Mum, I've got some news!
- Mum?
- David!
Thank goodness you're here. Quickly! Quickly!
Aaah!
- David, come in here, man.
- No.
- Dennis, I've got some news.
- Just a minute, David.
Oh.
It's... It's a washing machine.
It's for washing clothes.
Victor bought it. I've hardly used it yet.
OK.
- This is the problem here?
- Yeah.
No, no. It's cross-threaded, man.
The man who connected this
should have screwed his own head on first.
Hold it fast. Ruth, give me a hand here.
Now, hold it tight. Nice and tight, yeah?
There.
- Watch your hand.
- OK.
There.
And there
and there.
Would David like to come to a charity do
on Saturday?
A couple of the cricketers will be there
signing autographs.
I'm not sure. On his own?
You come too.
And Victor.
- Well, why not?
- Victor?
Sure.
I don't expect so.
I'll ask him.
He puts in some long hours, eh, your husband?
Well, you and David, then.
And Judy.
Mrs Samuels is working nights
this weekend, so erm...
I would have the pleasure of being your escort.
Yes.
Good.
Good, good.
Dennis, no...
Mum, I'm stopping scoring.
I'm going to play next week.
- Dennis?
- Oh, David!
Good man, David.
Wait. Just...
Now you show them what you're made of.
Hey, Saturday...
...you're gonna meet
some true gods of the game.
Bah.
Mum?
DENNIS: Maybe.
BOY: Hurry up and get out, Wiseman.
We want to go home.
TEACHER: Over.
- Can we go and get changed, sir?
- You've got to support your last man, Baxter.
Don't you want to know
whether you've won or lost?
No, sir.
Extraordinary.
Play.
What's wrong with him?
Wiseman's on drugs.
He's Superboy.
It's just not natural.
Over.
Good grief, Wiseman, it's only a game.
Get rid of him, sir. He's spoiling it for everybody.
- ALL: Yes.
- 38.
Very good. Wiseman.
Only eight runs short of victory.
I'll er, tell Mr Pugh to give you a proper game.
Thank you, sir. I want to be in the team.
I'm sure you do.
GRACE: OK. David.
Just wait here a moment.
Loretta.
Dorothy!
Dennis.
Mr Johnson!
Come here. Mrs Jackson is waiting.
GRACE: Dennis, where's your hat?
[WHISPERS] Forgive me, I'll go...
No, you have no time for that.
Put this on. Put this on.
It's all right.
Johnson.
All right, David.
Him a-read backward?
Ssh. That's how them do it.
Shalom aleichem
Malachei hashaaret
Malachei elyon
Mimelech
Malachei hamlochim
Hakadosh baruch hu
Boachem I'shalom malachei hashalom
Malachei elyon
Mimelech
Malachei hamlochim
Hakadosh baruch hu
Very good, David.
GRACE: Lovely.
Mrs Jackson, why don't we ask David to give
a presentation at Sunday School Prize Day?
David?
We would be truly honoured.
- Mum. Mum.
- Do you know what I'm saying?
Can I show Judy a bagel?
She hasn't seen a bagel.
- What's the matter?
- Nothing.
I bought a dress.
Not an expensive dress,
a cheap dress. it was a special offer.
It's not a problem.
You bought a dress.
I can take it back, if... If you want,
I can take it back.
I hope you're ready.
No, no, no. No, Ruth, let me, all right?
Judy. I want the first dance, you know.
A beautiful dress, Ruth.
You look nervous. Are you all right?
- I'm fine.
- Are you sure?
I said."What do you expect
with the weather in England?"
[LAUGHTER]
He did not know what to say.
Hey, Dennis.
- How are you doing, Frank?
- Hey, my father sends his best to you.
Look, I have two youngsters here
who want to listen to your chat and gossip.
All right. Well, bring them up. Come.
Go on, Judy.
- He's a friend of mine.
- You wanna bat like Weekes?
Two of the best players in the world there.
...do yourself a favour
Go home
Bad-minded woman go home
Go home...
You wanna dance with me?
I want this dance, man.
- I want this dance right now.
- No.
All right. We'll sit down for a while, all right?
Er, hold on a second.
Can I borrow this chair, all right?
You see? Look, look. Watch this. Watch this.
- Cheers.
- Oh, cheers.
OWEN GRAY: Please Let Me Go
Please let me go
When you hold my hand
I love you so...
MAN:..people don't understand that.
I had a very old head on my shoulders.
And I said to myself."Just go out there and bat.
Bat. That's the responsibility you've got."
Anyway, at the end of play on the third day
I was on 228.
Conrad Hunte was on 2...
THE SKATALITES: Phoenix City
Come on.
Dance.
Come on.
It's all right.
Just move your hips.
Yes.
Yes.
- I don't know how to do it with my feet.
- It's all right. It's fine. Come on.
Oh.
- If my husband could see me...
- He would be proud of you, darling.
So, you will dance with her, but you won't
dance with me? I catch you, all right?
I catch you, all right?
Dance, man.
Ha ha ha.
Woo.
That's really getting the groove.
You're getting it. Yes. Ha.
I like that move. Show me the move, now.
Show me the move there. Ah, ah.
Ha ha.
Phoenix City.
Yes.
Dancing Mood
Oh, I want this dance. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on.
I'm in a dancing mood
I'm in a dancing mood...
Come now. Come now.
... when you build a beat
You got to move your feet
You got to clap your hands
You got all the soul
Deep inside
Cos you can't hide
I'm in a dancing mood
I'm in a dancing mood
I'm in a dancing mood...
Look. Dennis is teaching her how to bat.
Does your mum play cricket too?
See the guy there,
in the hat and the cream suit?
Mm.
He's a poet. you know.
One of the finest poets we have.
Mm.
You're not watching. You're not watching.
[RUTH GIGGLES]
I give up. I give up.
[PHONE RINGS]
Hello?
Mrs Simmonds, I'm just back from the shop.
Yes, I'll come and pick up Lillian, yes.
Yes...
Just a moment, Mrs Simmonds.
Mr Wiseman? Mr Wiseman?
What are you doing?
[MUMBLES]
Accounts?
Not now.
I'll do some ironing.
That's it. See? You got it.
Do you know this one?
Which one?
It's rude.
Hitler, he's only got one ball
Gring has got two, but very small
Himmler has something similar
But poor old Gbbels' got no balls, at all
One little, two little, three little golliwogs
Four little, five little, six little golliwogs
Seven little, eight little, nine little golliwogs
School.
They sing it all the time, because...
I don't know their silly skipping songs.
I bet you know lots of things.
I read. I write.
I know my tables,
my Bible.
I can milk a goat,
sew a dress,
birth a calf,
plough a field.
But...
They don't ask me what I know.
They don't ask me anything.
So...
Was it Hitler that killed all your grandparents?
I suppose so.
Yeah.
BOYS: ...Reece, Reece, batting at the crease,
in the stores, in the stores
There was Reece. Reece
Batting at the crease
in the quartermaster's stores
My eyes are dim. I cannot see...
I thought your job was scoring, Wiseman.
Too much for you, was it?
Sort of.
BOY: Stop it. Fisher!
FISHER: Drat!
Quick! Go!
Lucky shot. Wiseman.
Knock his block off!
Give him one of your killers. Fisher!
MR PUGH: 42 runs.
A useful innings. Wiseman.
- Done you good, watching the first every week.
- Yes, sir. No, sir.
Thank you, sir.
Wasn't a fluke, was it, boy?
No, sir.
The Junior Challenge Cup
beckons even for you.
We're short a solid middle-order batsman.
I'll give you a go.
Wondrous.
Wondrous oblivion.
BOY: Wiseman.
So, what did Mr Pugh say, Wiseman?
- Are you in the team?
- Great show, Wiseman.
I didn't know you had it in you. Come on.
- Where are you going to bat, Wisey?
- Great batting, Wiseman.
DENNIS: Well done. David.
Now you're ready for the next level.
CLR James.
This man is like Moses to me.
He's a political theorist
and the best cricket writer in the world.
Listen to this.
[READS] Another name
for the perfect flow of motion is "style",
or, if you will,
"significant form".
See that?
We are talking about an art form.
It's like dance or music.
You have to relax.
Feel it inside you.
Easy. Yeah?
Yeah?
You just forget about the strokes
and you just...
free yourself up now.
See?
You've grown up a little,
but now it's time you be a child again.
MICKEY KATZ: Barber Of Schlemiel
MICKEY KATZ: Barber Of Schlemiel
Do you like it?
Sure.
Er, it's my parents.
Here. Listen to this one.
Go on. Go and sit.
THE JIVING JUNIORS: Sugar Dandy
Sugar dandy, sugar dandy
Sugar dandy, sugar dandy
You're mine
You're mine
You're my sugar dandy
Mm-hm
You're mine
You're mine
You are as sweet as candy
I love you
I need you
- You are my only fancy...
- Come on.
Oh, I... I couldn't.
What you say?
...you're mine
You're mine
Yes, you got my heart
You're mine
You're mine
Right from the start
Mm-hm
I love you
I need you
Say we'll never ever part
Your kiss is so sweet, it thrills me so
Eyes are like beautiful diamonds
I'm yours, you're mine
Till the end of time
You should realise we were meant to be...
[FRONT DOOR SLAMS]
[FRONT DOOR SHUTS]
Ruth? What? What is it?
Excuse me. I just come back from the foundry.
Er...
Come in. Come in.
Oh, shit.
Have a seat. Have a seat here.
Erm...
Er, tea... Some tea...
Er, you want some tea?
Yes.
ELVIS PRESLEY: I Want To Be Free
...there's no joy in my heart only sorrow...
Er, tea...
...and I'm as sad as a man can be
I sit alone in the darkness of my lonely room
And this room is a prison to me
I look out of my wi-i-indow
And what do I se-e-e?
I see a bir-r-rd
Way up in a tre-e-e
I want to be free
Oh, yes
Free
Oh, yes
Fre-e-e
I want to be free
Like the bird in the tree...
[WHISPERS] We can't do this.
Ruth, we have to stop before we get started.
Don't you want me?
Of course.
I do.
We're married, Ruth.
I love you.
Sure.
Sure you do.
Yeah, nice one, Wiseman.
Mum?
Do you still love Dad?
Yes, of course.
- Why?
- I just wondered.
He's always at the shop.
He never plays.
Dennis would be better.
VICTOR: The laws of cricket. Number 30.
...pass the striker,
without touching his bat or person,
and any runs be obtained.
the umpire shall call or signal
"bye".
So..."bye",
the over's over.
All change, please.
What a game.
Change him to there...
I'm just looking for a button for my coat.
I thought I had one.
I'll get one from the shop.
[BALL THUDS]
What is it?
Oh, nothing. A cat.
Go back to sleep.
- Did you change your shirt?
- Yes, Mum.
- The one I put out?
- Yes, Mum.
- And your socks?
- Yes, Mum.
Brush your hair.
- I brushed it.
- It's sticking up.
You want to look a schlemiel
in front of your friends?
- Do I have to?
- You have to. What time is it?
Ten to three. Victor?
Where are you?
Get down to the station. You want them
to take the next train straight back home again?
I'm going. I'm going.
Oh, now we've got bloody royalty.
Thank you. I won't get out.
Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?
Thank you so much, but I have to run.
See you later, Toby.
Be a good boy.
[MOCKING] Toby.
[CAR HORN]
Happy birthday, David. Have a wicked time.
Golly. Gosh.
Would you like a cup of tea?
Oh, no, thank you, but, erm,
I wonder if I could just use your bathroom?
Of course, of course.
Let me take your coat.
It's the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
Yes, of course.
- It's just through here.
- Thank you.
I didn't think to polish in there.
BOY: You've got tarts on the brain.
Did you see?
David's got nig-nogs living next door.
- Choose a card.
- You are a card. Bloom!
Queen of hearts.
- She stole some tarts.
- You've got tarts on the brain!
- What a very nice house you have.
- Oh, thank you very much.
Now, I've got some tickets
for the Lord's test next week.
Now, I know David loves his cricket.
Would he like to come?
Oh, yes.
Oh, this is...
Look at this. Oh, it's the best present yet.
Thank you very much, James.
It'll be a wonderful day.
I'm going to be like him.
BOY: It was amazing.
- [DOORBELL]
- I... I'll get it.
Now, I don't suppose any of you like cake?
BOYS: Yes!
I... I can't really play right now.
I've got my friends here.
Later.
Happy birthday.
Thanks.
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Wondrous oblivion, dear Wiseman
Wondrous oblivion to you
[BOYS CHEER]
She doesn't want to play with you today.
She don't want to play with you any day.
So you can take your bat
and go play somewhere else.
It's only a practice, Wiseman, you nana.
Good evening, sir.
Good evening, madam.
Tickets, please.
- Ticket, please.
- Sod off, wog.
Oi! Take your filthy hands off me.
Don't touch me, coon.
Go back to your own country, wog.
[THEY TITTER]
He ain't got one.
Bastards.
You can check mine.
Get out of here.
DENNIS: Not bad.
Pick them up now.
Is she all right now?
Yeah. She all right.
[THUD OF CRICKET BAT AGAINST BALL]
Go carefully, now, David.
Steady the ship. This bowler isn't so hot.
REECE: Good luck.
[SMATTERING OF APPLAUSE]
FIELDERS: Howzat?
A bit erratic for you, Wiseman.
Not quite the innings we needed.
Still, 14 runs.
The big game next Saturday.
Stay cool for that one, eh?
Yes, sir.
Win that and we've won the cup.
- Are you with me?
- Yes, sir.
That's a nice place.
It's too big.
You are so...
Why would anybody want such a big house?
What are you doing here, Wiseman?
BOY: Not at the match. Wiseman?
2ND BOY: You weren't on detention. were you?
Wiseman's too good to get detention.
Do you want a ciggy, Wiseman?
No, thanks.
Go on.
The master's coming. Let's go.
[THUNDER RUMBLES]
[APPLAUSE AND CHEERING]
Good shot.
- Good shot.
- Wizard.
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
Oh, no.
Watch Wesley and Lance
rough up the English batsmen, then.
- Are you all right, Dennis?
- Good, man. Good.
Well, well, well.
What are you looking at?
Huh?
You no business with this.
Oh, I have plenty of reasons
to need a drink, you know.
Because a man has got to survive
in this shit-hole country some damn way.
Right? Right?
Go on your ways, man.
You can enjoy your ice cream, David,
but we have some very serious talking to do.
- Thank you so much.
- Oh, it's our pleasure.
I wanted to ask you about your brooch.
The bomb. It's a terrible thing.
Mm.
Would you like to meet for coffee some time?
Come on, then, young man. Bed for you.
Yes, I'd be delighted.
I'll call you.
Come on.
[CAR DRIVES AWAY]
A cup of tea?
What?
Would you like a cup of tea? I'm on my own.
The girls are out, too, but no.
No tea, Ruth.
You want one of these?
No, thank you.
I wanted to say sorry.
I'm glad to hear that.
You stirred up so much in me.
And I'm glad.
I... When I came here, I was...
...David's age.
My parents couldn't get out of Germany.
Nobody taught me how to be a woman.
I always make a...
...a fool of myself.
You're not a fool, Ruth.
He's trying now,
trying his best...
...with David...
with me.
I thought we were gonna talk about
something else.
I'm so sorry, Dennis.
ANNOUNCER:...ladies and gentlemen.
we're Educating Archie...
[THEME TUNE AND APPLAUSE]
Ladies and gentlemen.
Ladies and gentlemen, listen, please.
I have an announcement to make.
We can exchange contracts
on the Hendon house this week.
We can move in two weeks' time.
- Hooray.
- I never thought it would happen.
Your mother chose a nice new house
in North London, near your cousin, Simon.
- When can we see it?
- Oh, in good time, in good time.
- How much did it cost?
- I hate to think.
I'm employing a manager for the shop,
and opening a new branch in North London.
- You can take the tube to school.
- There are some tea chests at the shop.
- You can have one each for your toys.
- I don't have toys any more.
I'm not going.
What did you say, David?
I'm not going.
I'm not going.
I'm not going.
[DOOR SLAMS]
David?
David?
Get out.
David?
I'm not interested in snobby North London
with snobby rich children.
Nobody asked me. I'm staying here.
- Listen to me.
- They think they run the world.
They think they run everyone.
They tease people. They bully people.
They try to make you feel small.
Well, I'm not going.
Victor!
Victor!
Victor.
[WHISPERS] Don't be too hard. just be gentle.
[CLEARS THROAT]
David...
It is for you we are doing this, understand?
So you should grow up
with other Jewish children.
Here is no place for a Jewish boy.
You will do as you are told.
VICTOR: David?
Open that door!
[BANGING]
The only people
who ever bothered about me are here.
The only friends I ever had are here
and I sent them away.
You let me send them away.
Don't talk to me like that, young man.
I work my socks off for this fa...
What is it?
My back... My back has gone.
- RUTH: David, please.
- He's always spoiling things. It's not fair!
- Walk.
- I'll try.
RUTH: Right. now.
I'm not going.
David, you can still see your friends,
Judy, Mr Samuels, at the weekend.
We will talk to them, explain.
No. Don't.
Anyway...
Dennis.
Dennis is his name. You should know.
What does he mean? What's he talking about?
Night-night, now, David.
Erm, we've got lots more talking to do tomorrow.
A big day tomorrow. Sleep well.
Er, sleep well, David.
Er, good night, David.
Tell me, Ruth.
Ssh, no. There's nothing to tell.
Why does he say that? Is there nothing to tell?
[FOOTSTEPS RECEDE]
[FAINT CRACKLING OF FLAMES]
Dennis.
Judy.
Judy!
Judy.
Quick!
Wake up your mum and dad. Get everyone out.
- So, when will the investigation start, Officer?
- What was that, sir?
- I said, when would the investigation start?
- What investigation would that be, sir?
Who put fire in my house.
Sir, I think you'll find that's an accident.
- An accident?
- Yes, sir.
It's one house I see on fire here.
It's one house I see on fire, right?
- Can I ask you, sir, does anyone smoke?
- Nobody smokes.
- Nobody smokes?
- Nobody smokes.
- Did you have a chip pan on?
- For what?
- Well, for cooking chips, sir. For cooking.
- I was sleeping, man.
The family was sleeping.
- Sir, have you got an open fire?
- No, man.
- You haven't got an open fire?
- You hear him?
I have my family here, right?
You see my wife and my children there, right?
- Calm down, sir.
- No, I won't calm down.
- Please restrain yourself, sir.
- Restrain myself?
- Please be quiet, sir.
- Them who did this should restrain themselves.
- I'm asking you to be quiet...
- It was no accident.
- He's right, Officer. It was no accident.
- I can prove it to you.
GRACE: Dennis.
Dennis. [SOBS]
RUTH: It's all right. We'll wait here.
He'll come back. He'll come out.
Dennis.
Dennis?
[VICTOR COUGHS]
Dennis.
[CHOKES]
GRACE: Dennis!
Here. You see this?
You see this?
And this?
- And this?
- GRACE: No. no. no.
This is what me and my family is living with.
This is what we're living with.
You see that?
You should be ashamed.
We should all be ashamed.
VICTOR: Officer...
Ask those two.
Ask them about their grandson.
Now, the prize for Scripture learning
for the young ones.
We are very honoured to have here
to present the prize a good friend,
also, a hero of the hour,
David Wiseman.
David is a Jewish boy,
as was also our Lord Jesus.
The prize goes to Wilhemina Jones.
- Where's Grace and Dennis?
- With the police, I think.
Judy and Dorothy are here, though.
David will now recite for us Psalm 23,
The Lord Is My Shepherd,
in the original Hebrew.
Adonai ro-i, lo echsar
Bin'ot deshe yarbitseini
Al mei m'nuchot m'nuchot
Y'nachaleini...
...the quiet waters by
Naf'shi y'shovev
The Lord is my shepherd
Yan'cheini
I shall not want
B'ma'aglei tsedek
He makes me down to lie
B'ma'aglei tsedek
In pastures green he leadeth me
L'ma'an sh'mo...
The quiet waters by
The Lord is my shepherd
I shall not want
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green
He leadeth me
The quiet waters by
The quiet waters by
Hello, David.
Hello, Mrs Samuels.
Are you all right?
We alive.
Still got a house here, more or less.
That was a good throw, David.
We thank you for that.
Dennis and Judy are out back.
Come through.
Hello, David.
Hello, Dennis, Judy.
I'm not a hero, Dennis.
My parents are moving house and didn't tell me.
I want to stay here, where you are.
You're the only proper friends I ever had.
I never meant...
I'm sorry about the party, really, I am.
It was stupid.
It's not because she's...
She's too good for them.
not the other way round.
I want... to live next door to you,
go on playing cricket.
I hear what you're telling me, David,
and you know what?
I really admire a young man
who can admit his mistakes.
Judy took it very hard, David.
My whole family did.
I'm so sorry, Judy.
Judy?
Do you accept David's apology?
Now. this is your choice. you know.
and if you don't want to. you don't have to.
It's up to you.
David...
You really have to go with your parents.
David. look...
your parents are very, very good people.
I'm sure they have their reasons
and I know they have your interests in mind.
Hey, it may not look like that
from where you stand, but...
You have to go.
It may not be any better, it may be worse,
but it's what you have to do next
and then you learn from that.
We will miss you.
We'll miss you a lot.
What about you?
- Will you stay?
- We're right here to stay. man.
Yeah.
We're here to stay.
Hey. I tell you what.
We have er... a little picnic thing coming up.
It's a very, very special do.
I want you to come...
...and why don't you bring your whole family,
on Saturday?
- Saturday?
- Mm.
I told you we still had it.
See? Throw nothing away.
I should throw you away, you cheap,
good-for-nothing Polack. It's rotten.
We'll order new. Woodberry is here.
Mr Woodberry, sir?
Yes. Mr Wiseman?
I have a commission for you.
Something more important has come up.
And that's it, Reece, I can't play.
But it's the Junior Challenge Cup.
What could be more important?
I'll explain it to you one day.
...messing with the fire.
So, myself and Victor...
Steel drums
You excelled yourself here, Mrs Samuels.
Thank you, Mr Samuels.
Grace.
- It looks wonderful.
- Thank you.
I'll come back in a minute and have some.
Chicken. Mr Johnson?
This is... This is for you.
I can't take that.
This is your Surrey bat.
It's all right. Have it, really.
It's all right. We're friends now.
Keep it, David, please.
- I've never played with grown-ups before.
- They aren't grown-ups.
They're friends of my daddy.
Good luck.
Good luck.
DENNIS: Shot. sweetie!
Run, man, run.
All right.
Been eating his spinach.
Come here, Victor. Come here.
Do me a favour. Come here.
Stand right there. by the fence. there.
- Right by the boundary and stop the ball, man.
- Right now?
Right now. Give him a hand.
Run, Victor, run.
All right, David. Your time now.
Your time now.
It's done.
Good.
And I've booked the removal men.
But should we stay here?
RUTH: No. it's too late now.
I wouldn't like the Wilsons
to think they'd got rid of us.
I don't think they will.
I just wanted a nice place, a nice area.
I was poor a long time.
Victor, why didn't you tell me
about the letters? Why?
I didn't want to worry you.
I'm not a child any more, Victor.
I'm not the girl that you married.
You're not. It's true.
You're a lot more than that now.
Ruth...
...without you...
...the house means nothing.
I know.
- MAN: It's Frank Worrell.
- It's Gary Sobers.
Look. it's Frank Worrell!
It's Gary Sobers!
DENNIS: What is this?
- What time do you call this?
- How are you doing, man?
These two are hogging all the batting.
Gary, do me a favour,
throw down a few for these children.
All right, man.
Run. We in trouble.
SOBERS: Here you go. young man.
- All right.
- You're on Gary Sobers now.
Get yourself ready, David.
MAN: Come on. Gary.
Get a little spin on the ball now.
All right. Don't worry about that.
No-one can walk past you.
[MOUTHS] Go on.
[CHEERING]
Good. Good.
Good shot, man. Good shot.
Run, Judy. Run, Judy, run.
That's my son. That's my son.
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
DENNIS: Yours. Victor. yours!
[LAUGHTER]
Too good. Too good for me, man.
I've been bowling to that old fella for too long.
He done ruined me!
[APPLAUSE]
UMPIRE: Over!
What a laugh.
Mind the step. Mind the step.
Is you winding me up?
All right.
You can open your eyes.
Grace...
Give me a erm...
...a nice cup of tea or something.
[SIGHS]
MILLIE: My Boy Lollipop
You make my heart go giddy-up...
DOROTHY:
That Victor, him dance like an elephant.
Yeah, it's a good party, though.
...you are my sugar dandy
Woah, my boy...
- Not upon the net now.
- I can't wait to try it out tomorrow.
...ever leave me
Because it would grieve me
My heart told you so...
This is how it is. I'm going away soon
and you're not coming with me.
[GASPS OF SURPRISE]
WG GRACE: The end of the innings.
I'm sorry.
I might have seen it coming.
Oh, don't worry.
I'm going to leave you in safe hands.
You're too old for us.
Yes.
Goodbye, David.
Bye. David.
Bye. David.
Well done. David.
[APPLAUSE REVERBERATES]
London is a good place for me
London, this lovely city
You can go to France or America
India, Asia or Australia
But you must come back to London City...
I... I'm a hopeless case.
Victor, no, no, no.
This is a good school, Victor.
- The best.
- David.
Here, let me show you.
...I've been travelling to countries years ago,
but this is the place...
One.
Two.
Three.
And, remember, no-one can walk past you.
Ready? All right. Take your stance now.
Sweetie, come.
Here.
Underarm. Take it easy.
...because the English people
are very much sociable
They take you here and they take you there
And they make you feel like a millionaire
So, London, that's the place for me...
- Ah.
- VICTOR: Yes!
[DENNIS LAUGHS]
I make a run.
DENNIS: Give me this. Good man.
...at nights, when you have nothing to do
You can take a walk
down Shaftsbury Avenue
There you will laugh and talk
and enjoy the breeze
And admire the view and the scenery
Of London
That's the place for me
Yes?
I cannot complain of the time I have spent
I mean, my life in London is really magnificent
I have every comfort and every sport
And my residence is at Hampton Court
So, London
That's the place for me...