Mr. O.F.'s Suitcases (a fairytale for adults)
# Ladies, gentlemen
# what is revolving here is a star
# this star is called earth
# that earth is big
# and wherever we might go everywhere is begins
# in Australia and America
# and in Asia and in Africa
# and last but not least on that continent
# which is called, as you can read, Europe
# Ladies, gentlemen
# that place is modern
# those spots are cities
# those cities are loud
# and they sit like spots on the star's skin
# that's Leningrad, that's Berlin
# that's Paris, Rome, Madrid and Vienna
# But can you see this spot here, which nobody knows?
# this is a dark spot
# it's called Ostend (East end)
# the world is sold out, cleared out
# Ostend isn't aware of that
# it's sleeping and dreaming
"It's better to take two steps backwards than one step forward" A.D.1532
Municipal fire brigade
God's greeting, Peter
God's greeting, Johann
my congratulations, I've heard twins were born to you
two boys, now we have half a dozen
I've only managed five so far
nobody is going to overtake me in Ostend
hearts is trump
we can draw up our will now
very true
- king of hearts - follow suit
the queen isn't missing either
Mr. Postman, my father sends me
an express letter
come back tomorrow morning when I'm free
it can't be that urgent
all tricks mine
I've been holding this knife for 25 years now
and I haven't cut anybody with it yet
why is that so?
in Ostend there's a saying:
it's better to be badly shaved than well cut
what's the matter?
for you, Mr. Brunn
- for me? - a new guest
Peter, Alexander
unload
careful
slowly
careful, careful
this way
slowly, slowly
this way
don't drop anything!
this is not a sack of potatoes
careful
6 7 8 9 10
11 12
13, that's right. sign here, Mr. Brunn
alright
Semiramis Cairo
Bombay Hotel Majestic
Hotel Imperial Port Said
Grand Hotel, Ostend. The European Travel Agency hereby orders 6 rooms in your hotel.
The guest will arrive within the next days. His date of arrival will be communicated by telegram. Yours sincerely - European Travel Agency
6 rooms?
and the hotel only has 5!
gentlemen
I must ask you, you must leave now
the hotel's management has to... Peter...
don't let the suitcases out of your sight!
Alexander!
don't let anybody inside!
oh God oh God oh God
O.F.?
O.F.
who is O.F.?
what does O.F. want?
Semiramis Cairo O.F.
this is the management
clear out of this room!
this is the management
clear out of this room!
this is the management
gentlemen, 13 suitcases
India, Egypt, Australia
he's been everywhere, he's seen the whole world
gentlemen, what business can he have in Ostend?
gentlemen, there's not one word in this letter about the owner of the suitcases
gentlemen, if that doesn't mean something I'll hang myself
perhaps he wants to invest here?
build
silence, gentlemen
in such an important moment, silence is the citizen's first duty
but I must go now
as Mayor of this city I have the duty to consider the affair carefully
Mayor, I suspect ...
the affair must be talked over somewhere quiet
tonight, at my place?
there's something in the air
golly!
out of 5 we shall make 6
so Mr. O.F. will get a room from our own apartment
faster!
faster! faster! faster! faster!
faster! faster! faster!
Grand Hotel Ostend owner: I.Brunn
Johann ??? barber
Dorn Schneidermeister (tailor)
Coiffeur Jean
Old Gentleman Tailor Dorn
Grand Hotel Ostend owner: I.Brunn
Mr. O.F. may arrive now.
come in
preparations for the celebrations, Mr. Editor?
Mr. Architect
tomorrow will be a great day
Ostend will be in the newspapers again
so you finally have your sensation
Mr. O.F.'s Suitcases
how about it, my good friend?
if we ourselves sat on Mr. O.F.'s suitcases?
and would show the world....
... what two clever fellows are capable of?
would they be capable?
they would
enough of that brooding, Mayor now it's time to go to bed
I think...
great events are imminent
chins up, father, make your daughter proud!
- now you go to bed - good night
who might it be?
O.
F.
he had been in India too
that O.F.
in India?
# the world is so big
# and Ostend is so small
# it's invisible at night
# here one dreams alone and sleeps as a couple
# here nothing can happen to one
# the world is so big
# and Ostend is so small
# so dream on, Ostend, and fall asleep
You're the Mayor of the most beautiful city in the world
# so dream on, Ostend, and fall asleep
# welcome welcome welcome
- are you ready, Mr. Teacher? - we are, Mr. Mayor, we'll give you a sample at once
no, good heavens, I don't have time
but at 1 o'clock, if you please, and loud, quite loud
yes, Mr. Mayor
# welcome welcome welcome
OF welcome
13 suitcases
for one person!
O.F.
Mr. Mayor...
but gentlemen!
Mr. Mayor, when will the gentleman arrive?
for how long will he be staying in Ostend?
you must introduce me to him
but gentlemen!
I don't even know who he is!
what? you don't know who he is?
well...
so he realized his old plans
you know him! you know his name!
- Mr. Editor - gentlemen!
all in its time.. everybody will learn about everything
they will
Mr. Editor
my daughter and I shall expect you at 5 o'clock for coffee
- Mr. Mayor - gentlemen
Mr. Editor, you must tell us
- in all confidence - we'll won't tell anyone
you must ... you must...
gentlemen
I may tell you one thing
only one thing
O.
F.
O.F.
you'll never make it, like O.F. did
I'll make it to 13 suitcases yet
don't brag
just you wait who wins in this game
you're such a conceited boy
my father doesn't agree at all
"this Stark will never amount to anything"
"him? as a son-in-law? don't make me laugh!"
the Mayor may laugh for all I care
it should sparkle like a mirror
everything must be in order
just a bit
now it's right
beautiful
have another, Mr. Stix
homemade apple strudel
another piece
one asks a sick person, one gives to a healthy person, that's what I say as a doctor
too kind, thank you, I'm eating all the time
and now Mr. Stix will tell us
who this O.F. is
Mr. Editor, do tell us
Mr. Mayor, please, please
but Mr. Mayor, he doesn't know himself who O.F. is
please!
O.F.
is Oskar Flott
a billionaire
yes, I know him
a billionaire
have another piece
another glass of cognac?
look how this liqueur smiles at you!
Mr. Editor, please
this wine!
have mercy, gentlemen
I can't anymore
mercy
today there's no mercy, today you're my guest
your health, Editor
- Robert! - I don't have the time - I've been waiting for half an hour now
since we're sitting here so cozy, our esteemed editor won't torture us any longer...
and tell us...
yes
because you've been so kind
I'll tell you
Flott is the name
Oskar Flott
a billionaire
Oskar
a billionaire!
coming to us, to Ostend?
of course he's a billionaire, a man with 13 suitcases
what business does he have in Ostend?
any business deals?
build
gentlemen
build
how do you know?
but gentlemen, what other business might a billionaire have in Ostend?
come on, what's the matter
- I've been waiting here for an hour - Robert!
Robert, how can you let Mr. Stark keep waiting for so long?
Mr. Stark
today you're my guest
Robert, quickly
tell me, since you're an expert
what do you think one might build in Ostend?
give us a tip
I? Mr. Stix. Do come to our table
Mr. Stix, why do you keep such a secret about your friend Flott's building projects?
yes, certainly, he wants to build
gentlemen, you know how business deals are
I'm a discreet person
yes yes
Robert, quickly
please, doctor, help yourself
gentlemen, one wants a guest who is a billionaire to be as comfortable as possible
what might the hotel do for Mr. Flott?
Mr. Brunn, take a note:
first of all, the hotel needs "a jazz"
yes, "a jazz". Mr. Flott loves music at his dinner
second, the Grand Hotel needs a cabaret
yes, it needs a cabaret
Mr. Flott likes distractions after dinner
I? a cabaret?
- where? - but here, in the café
tomorrow we'll start alterations
you must send a telegram at once
- jazz - girls
Mr. Director
a new customer has applied
from which city?
Ostend
Ostend?
Grand Hotel
never heard
what is it?
Ostend?
where is it?
Ostend?
where is it?
but it's nowhere to be found
perhaps with the magnifying glass
let me have it
Ostend ... Ostend
Ah, there it is!
only visible under the magnifying glass
and needs jazz and "laughing girls"
must be a funny little town
Dolly, a new sheet for the registry
Ostend
Grand Hotel
Ostend Grand Hotel
Viola Volant
The Wild Harmonists
Jack's Laughing Girls
must depart at once
send a wire to the Grand Hotel, urgent
the great moment has arrived
Art makes its entrance
art...
shall...
art...
will...
art...
can...
it can.
"Ostend Express - transportation society"
Mr. ... Mr. ...
yes please?
is that a city?
it's a village
you only have goats here
but madam, you're doing us an injustice!
we have a big future
future? this place?
here lies Ostend's future
gentlemen
I've designed the plan last night
here is the Grand Opera
the Casino, the City Hall
we must hurry, gentlemen, before Flott snatches everything
very true! excellent!
as this is very fine, but why doesn't the great boulevard connect with my property?
that would suit you, that my property should remain outside on the cattle meadows
and you of all people on the Great Boulevard
silence, gentlemen!
financing is your business, but you leave the building business to me
this is the border
6 metres to the right of the pylon
mark the spot
"Film Palace Excelsior Ostend"
"to the architect's office"
Architect Stark
gentlemen, silence
silence, gentlemen
be patient, think of it, even Rome hadn't been built in a day
I've come here now for the fourth time, Mr. Mayor
I've been waiting the whole day, Mr. Mayor
it's urgent, Mr. Mayor
patience, patience!
it'll be everybody's turn
gentlemen
Ostend has gone mad
totally mad
I can't cope any more
I'm going to have a nervous breakdown
- your fault, Mr. Mayor - why?
yes, your fault
the Mayor of Ostend must be unapproachable
unapproachable?
yes. the Mayor of Ostend needs a servant
- a servant? - yes, a secretary
- a secretary? - yes, a page - a page?
a servant?
a secretary
yes, you're right
look, Mr. Mayor, look!
and you're popping your eyes out because of such a made-up person
and to me you're showing your...
Johann!
come to dinner
dinner
- if I had such a dress... - you men!
you don't need decent wives
I too can... I too can...
be indecent...
I too can...
we have three lipsticks on stock
we couldn't sell them for three years
and now all of a sudden all the ladies need lipsticks
make-up
powder
where can we get all that from?
I've ordered it all by telegram
Madame
how can I help you?
Mr. Apothecary, please
a lipstick...
and...
powder
and...
everything
express delivery for Ostend
11 wagons of brassieres
40 wagons of special articles
60 wagons without any specification for the same purposes
- everything ready? - let's go
good day
air express delivery Paris - Ostend
A 53: 1300 evening gowns
plane C 17: 1800 ladies' hats
place B23: 30.000 pairs of silk stockings
- everything ready? - let's go
express delivery to Ostend
7000 tons of lipstick
with the steamer Europa
10.000 tons of powder
steamer Asia
12.000 tons of perfume
with the steamers of the Royal Oil Company
- everything ready? - let's go
my mistress isn't right in the head
my mistress has gone crazy
she imagines she's become a Venus overnight
and mine has ruined all the laundry with that damned lipstick
and the way those old cows start talking posh with their painted lips
instead of looking after the children, they spend the whole day with that stuck-up foreign woman
fashion salon
"First Ostend Salon for Fashion and Good Taste"
Ladies from Ostend...(British accent)
you've learned a lot
now you'll pass a short exam
ladies, what would you wear for the "five o'clock"?
Ladies, what would you wear for the opening of your new opera?
wonderful!
very good!
I've heard you're expecting a Mr. Flott
Ladies...
what would you wear when he arrives?
Ladies, a record!
well? what do you think of my buildings?
great? great? isn't it?
have a seat, Madame
very kind
you'll learn some things
so that you'll finally realize whom you're dealing with
that the architect Dr. Karl Stark is to be appointed Director of the Public Building Projects of the city of Ostend
signed
The Mayor
- totally crazy! - who is?
the Mayor
- because he chose me...? - because he chose you.
- crazy? - crazy.
all they same we shall build, build, build here!
Mr. Mayor, I thank you for the honour of your visit
Ostend is in bloom, my dear Brunn
art...
civilization...
culture...
progress!
Ostend
dear citizens, honoured guests
raise your glasses with me to the health of Mr. Oskar Flott
whose imminent visits proves
that the world has discovered Ostend.
long live Mr. Flott
Ostend
and its Mayor
three pork chops and three beer
pork chops? I suggest you'd start with a small hors d'oeuvre
please three portions
also, we have obligatory champagne consumption
do you prefer it dry or sweet?
three helpings please
Pommery sec extra dry
you had to talk to me so urgently, Mr. ...?
Mr. ...?
- Stix. - Stix.
Editor Stix
and now?
now you don't say anything
I, eh...
shy?
I'd like to...
Madame
make an interview with you
I beg your pardon?
I'd like to...
you...
you naughty boy
stage
# skin had been the first dress
# which adorned Eva's body
# and it had been a good old time
# when one wasn't ashamed
# then Eva got fed up with it
# she plucked herself a fig leaf
# and only said this to Adam:
# my dear sir,
# this is the modern culture
# my dear sir
# a fig leaf, that doesn't go very far, it leaves much exposed
well, are we two clever fellows?
we are indeed!
can we?
we can indeed
how do you like my new buildings?
great
in a year Ostend will have surpassed Paris
one should erect a memorial to the suitcases
that splendid woman too I owe to the suitcases
and I owe my bride to them
- we owe everything to the... - the suitcases of Mr. O.F.
# then they shake their skirt and only say:
# my dear sir
# this is the modern culture
# my dear sir
# one even used to wear a steel corset
# and a skirt with hoops
# one lay in bed like a cuirassier
# no man had been able to understand us
# we've hacked the corset to pieces
# in the light of day we're naked again
# the skin as our dress, nothing else beside it
# my dear sir
# this is the modern culture.
# Ostend is gay
# Ostend is happy
# as if it all were a fairytale
# a bit of moonlight, a bit of wine and merriment
# Ostend, what else do you need?
don't be shy
come in
little Marie
is that you?
yes
I
little Marie
come in, my little ...
editor
here you can...
I take the liberty
here you can...
- without any scruples - make an interview with you
Madame
- be... - be...
- beabsichtigen Sie .. (do you intend to) - I do
I...
intend to
did you hear the pop?
luck is all one needs
let me listen
who is she?
the Mayor's new secretary
yes, such a secretary knows something about the butter business
everything modern office culture demands, Mr. Mayor...
I have already ordered.
room 1, to the right
you must go to the secretariat, no. 3 no. 6, also to the right
can I help the gentleman?
I'd like to see the Mayor
the Mayor isn't available at the moment
address yourself to the General Secretariat no. 4
to the left
can I help the gentleman?
and another thing, Mr. Mayor
your ties are simply impossible
well I... I...
Miss Secretary
I've already ordered new ties
thank you, Miss Secretary
Mr. Chief Editor Stix
well... I...
I don't know...
the Mayor will see him now
let him come in
about our relations with the press...
we'll talk about it later at tea time
certainly
in the evening too
about our relation... with the press
but gentlemen!
this is impossible!
my dear Miss Secretary
we've been sent from one room to the other for an hour
we must know now when Mr. Flott will arrive
- what about you, sir? - the same, Miss
- and you? - me too, Miss Secretary
but when will Mr. Flott arrive?
- we have business deals - we are building
- I've bought seven plots of property - we must know when Mr. Flott will arrive
the Mayor has instructed the General Secretariat yesterday to look into this question
I hope we'll have more precise information by Thursday
gentlemen
good-bye
Mr. Mayor, so you've made it to your own newspaper
our Mayor
- good. - it is
here, read this
Brunn, our Brunn, look at him
a newspaper of his own
very pretty, Mr. Chief Editor, but where's the main thing?
- what do you mean? - where is Mr. Flott?
the citizens are getting restless
yes, where is Mr. Flott?
calm the citizens
send a telegram to Mr. Flott
publish his portrait
- but you must know when he'll arrive! - what am I building for?
why have we founded a bank?
and why are we drinking our champagne at your place every night?
tell us, when will he arrive?
he'll certainly arrive, gentlemen
be patient
we're expecting his telegram any moment
commissions commissions commissions!
I don't know where my head stands with all those commissions
they all want to build!
and they don't care what it is
my newspaper comes out three times daily
but it isn't enough for Ostend yet
gentlemen, I'm lost
Flott keeps on delaying his arrival
they'll have my head for it
we must do something about it!
at once!
but we couldn't conjure Flott like that?
gentlemen, think hard
perhaps we could
"Citizens of Ostend! The committee invites you to Mr. Flott's reception Wednesday at 8 o'clock in front of the Grand Hotel. The chairman of the committee - the Mayor
# welcome ... welcome ... welcome
gentlemen
our guest asks to be excused
he deeply regrets, he cannot see the esteemed gentlemen
he is unwell
the doctor accompanying him has ordered total rest
only with the greatest effort he was able to receive the acclamations from the balcony
he has been deeply moved
our guest will be honoured to pay his call on our Mayor within two days
well...
he's to be pitied
never out of the doctors' sight
one must spare him
well...
- but what... - but what are we to do?
- doctor - doctor, what is your opinion of the situation?
buy and build!
build and buy!
- tell me, where can I found something here? - too late, everything's been founded already
# they run and they quarrel and they buy and they sell
# Hausse ... hausse
- can't I make a deposit at your bank? - I regret, we're flooded with money, I can't accept anything
- what if I pay? - we don't even have a bank safe left
# the whole world is bankrupt, only Ostend is expanding
# Hausse ... hausse
where can I buy bond stocks?
sold out
they're all in good hands
# and it rises, from branch to branch
# in Ostend there's hausse, in Ostend there's hausse
gentlemen
the hausse in Ostend remains a mystery
our International Economics Conference has established...
the whole world is suffering under a terrible economic crisis
there's only one exception
Ostend
so let us learn from Ostend
how to solve the most urgent problem of our times
I propose...
to hold the next International Economics Conference in Ostend
let's take a vote
passed
Ostend, an unheard-of development
a metropolis, an interesting problem
a global problem
attention attention
this is radio Ostend
we're transmitting the reception of the delegates of the Economics Conference
by our city's Chief Mayor
ladies and gentlemen
on this historic spot
here at the metropolis' cradle
Ostend
I salute the leaders of the International Economics Conference
it makes our city proud
that especially our city has been elected
to show to the leaders of the International Economics Conference of all continents
the way to the solution of the economic crisis
what would the economy be without a crisis?
what would the crisis be without a conference?
our motto has always been
for centuries
Always forward, no step backwards! ("It's better to take two steps backwards than one step forward" A.D.1532")
and in this spirit
I wish the International Economics Conference
a fast and total success.
this is a historic moment
gentlemen
the first session of our conference
has on its agenda: The World Crisis
I open the session
and hand over to...
gentlemen
the whole world looks upon us
we're facing a very grave problem
they've gone mad
everything's topsy turvy
no more order around here
why do we cook if the Mayor is nowhere to be seen?
he probably prefers the secretary's cooking
and the bridegroom doesn't have time for us either
but my dear, you forget we're a metropolis now
hallo
ah Mayor, it's you
tell me, where have you been?
such bad luck, my child
I can't come to dinner
work
work, my child
work?
now? in the middle of the night?
tempo
this is the new tempo
Ostend is progressing
It's going to be very late
till I'm finished here
but I'm the Mayor, my child
go ahead, we'll do it like that
Schulze, you've solved the design brilliantly
but the windows might be a bit wider
yes, wider
is the design for the central heating finished?
you must check the sums again
what about the façade?
hallo
Helene?
darling, you?
you too are only living for your Flott and his metropolis
and I'm sitting here waiting for two hours
what? already 9 o'clock?
that late?
but Helene
but my darling... can't you see that this is all wrong?
don't you see this?
yes
but I'm busy with a most interesting job here which you too...
would enjoy a lot
yes, if you were here you'd... get me the final draft!
hallo
hallo, Helene
don't forget the central heating, check the sums
don't forget the layout of the ground plan
I must... I must
courage, Mr. Mayor
you must...
to the Mayor's health
and his bride
you... you are...
I don't need any kissing here and here
kissing everywhere
I need a marriage
but what about love, feelings...
love?
when a Grand Hotel marries a Great Salon
that is the greatest love
it must be, must be
I'm chief editor of the biggest newspaper, it comes out four times daily
I'm the greatest star of Ostend, I perform for times nightly
our position in society demands it, we must marry
so it's marriage after all
a pity
what about our illegitimate...
interviews?
Helene, I couldn't come earlier
such an honour, Mr. Chief Building Director
coming here in person
but darling
I know, dearest, only beloved, sweetest...
but everything I do I only..
do for me, everything only for me
now listen to me
if we are going to quarrel
then let's get married
you see?
isn't it true?
tomorrow we'll get married
the world's nations are suffering under a crisis
you, happy Ostend, are getting married!
this is a historic moment
gentlemen
our conference's 87th session
has on its agenda: The World Crisis
I open the session
and hand over to...
gentlemen
the whole world looks upon us
we're facing a very grave problem
we've been lucky so far
there's only one worry left
Flott. Still not a trace of him
what if it comes out?
how should it come out?
your son certainly won't tell that he had been the man on the balcony whom the population has applauded so stormily
don't worry about Flott
it's much more important that O.F. doesn't cross our plans
O.F.? why O.F.?
and who is Flott then?
I've invented him
- invented? - now he's surprised
invented?
you?
for Ostend's benefit
and the invention had it in it
of course Flott has to disappear now in the same brilliant fashion
nothing is easier
we'll just spread it around that Flott has died in an accident
a car accident
poor Flott
and then, what I wanted to mention, City Councilor
have you heard, Flott has been involved in a car accident
there's no hope
Flott?
which Flott?
I've never heard the name before
you've never heard it?
- Flott? - Privy Councilor
listen to me, something terrible has happened to our Flott
excuse me, who is Flott?
- you know, O.F. - O.F.?
come on, the man with the 13 suitcases
a man with 13 suitcases?
a new joke, isn't it?
you can tell me later, I can't keep a lady waiting
# Ostend is like bewitched
# Ostend, you're blooming and growing
# everybody forms couples in Ostend
# yes, luck has many fairy tales, oh Ostend
# Ostend, have courage
# if it's just a dream, so what
- but consider, Director, problems... - problems make you bankrupt
comedies bring dividends
why is Ostend a metropolis?
because they don't care about problems
why are we a global enterprise?
because we produce comedies
"I love" OTAG
"you love" OTAG
"he loves" OTAG
"we love" OTAG
"you love" OTAG
"they love" OTAG
you see:
"A Whiff of the Barracks" a sound film operetta
the air of the barracks the perfume of the barracks
the magic of the barracks
it is such fun to...
to go marching a sound film operetta
I as Director of the OTAG
the Ostend Sound Film Corporation (Tonfilm Aktien Gesellschaft)
I'm telling you: a film with a meaning interests nobody
a film without a meaning
that is what a metropolis needs!
excuse me, Mr. Chief Editor
but the world crisis is also sensation
you must keep this in mind, my young friend
when a dog bites a child in Ostend...
that isn't a sensation
but when a child bites a dog in Ostend
that is a sensation
the nations of this world are suffering under crisis
you, happy Ostend
bear children
this is a historic moment
gentlemen
the 1111th session
of our conference
has on its agenda
the world crisis
after years of collaboration
of all our delegations
and sub-delegations
we unfortunately haven't been able to...
to get to the bottom of the initial causes of this unique economical miracle in Ostend
here they are at last, the 13 suitcases of the actress Ola Felden
signed: O.F.
checked in here in Zürich
destination: Bad Ostende
Grand Hotel
and you've sent the suitcases, as our inquiry department has established after years of research
to Ostend.
and in Ostend nobody has a clue about those suitcases now
but Director
it had only been an "E"
which I forgot
one doesn't forget an "E"
you're fired without notice
but Director!
"Boulevard of the 13 suitcases"
ladies and gentlemen
we are how in the historic part of Ostend
you see here the world-famous Boulevard of the 13 suitcases
I say!
why is this boulevard called "13 suitcases"?
this comes from antiquity
12th or 16th century
something very historic
# ladies, gentlemen
# one always likes to listen to and watch fairytales
# 13 suitcases like you just saw
# are only helpful in dreams
# they are hardly a remedy for life
# not in Asia, not in Africa
# nor Australia and America
# not on that sick continent
# which from old times is called Europe. # With 13 suitcases one doesn't reach the purpose. # What you've seen had been just a fairy-tale, a game. subtitles: serdar202