Come along, little one.
Roger.
Gaston!
I knew there'd be a hullabaloo.
Roger, go get some water.
I'm busy. The mayor's coming.
Don't expect me to do it.
- Mr. Mayor, how are you? - You made it!
Well, well, the official mayoral handshake!
It only took him a year to plan the celebration.
It's all written down in his notebook.
They'll work it out over some wine.
There's Bondu. He'll have to have his say.
He didn't want to be left out,
so he repainted everything nice and shiny.
I wouldn't sit there, my boy. It's not dry.
Not there either.
What the hell happened to your chairs?
Ain't you never seen paint?
Marie, bring me the paint.
Where'd I put that can? Here it is.
Quick, snip that thread.
Here's your paint.
Your wife spared no expense!
Is that dress from Paris?
Nope, that's her own creation. Cheers.
Just wait till the Lafarge woman sees her.
Go on, take another peek. Hardly needed emptying, did it?
Get down.
Careful. It's heavy.
I got the heaviest one.
Roger...
snap out of it and grab an end.
Where you going?
Gotta get a haircut.
Message.
Tonight on the main square, a big motion-picture show.
Romance with the gorgeous...
Gloria Parson,
and heroic exploits with the daring Jim Parker
and his horse Dixie.
Adventure and thrilling stampedes
with the riders of the Far West.
I don't see you alone around here much, Daphné.
I'm surprised to come in from a rough ride and find you
at the ranch gate.
Jim, I hear you're the strongest man in Arizona.
You've become as pretty as a picture, Daphné!
Pardon me.
Roger.
The Charpi girl's too busy to pick up her finery for the dance.
Her poor old dad has to do it.
Sit down.
Thanks.
- Shave or haircut? - Just a haircut.
Here we go.
That'll do.
- What do I owe you? - Two francs.
There. Gentlemen...
Marcel, come over here.
That pole is making fools of the whole bunch.
I've been watching these gentlemen struggle.
Why don't you give them your opinion?
My opinion?
Poor distribution of force.
These gentlemen's suspenders must be too tight.
Roger, you seen the dogs?
Oh, they were inside. You mail my letter?
I'll do it now.
- This way? - No, over there.
- I don't see it. - On your right.
See it now?
I missed the collection time.
Pay no attention to that.
- Put it in. He'll pick it up. - Think so?
Sure.
A little more.
Are you crazy?
Riding that thing into my café!
Don't make me come up and get you!
Look what you did to my plant!
Shall we get a closer look?
Well done, gentlemen. What do you think, Marcel?
I believe these gentlemen lack coordination.
With him, I'm not surprised.
But our postal employee showed some initiative.
- You've traveled around. - I know the area.
He's got instinct, intelligence.
Nature's been generous with him.
Just look at him.
If he'd been here earlier, this wouldn't have happened.
To pull off such a delicate operation,
you need a man with a sense of responsibility.
A man who's calm, decisive, and smart.
- In other words, a leader! - Exactly.
Okay, right ropes pull right, left ropes pull left.
On my command. You stay there.
What are you up to? Put my bike over there.
- What are you waiting for? - My orders.
You'll get 'em.
Wait for my orders.
Give that a whack.
No, right here.
Fine, I'll move it over there.
Try again, pal.
Okay, let's try another way.
Hit this one.
Good. Same thing from the other side.
Same thing.
Once more.
No need to panic. We got there in the end.
What do you want? Go take your place.
Ready?
Easy, now. Higher.
What are you doing?
That's not how you do it.
Grip it firmly with both hands. Got that?
That way it won't slip. It's not hard.
On my command.
Can't you hold it higher?
Firm grip.
Ready...
How many times do I have to tell you?
Heave ho!
Got anything for me?
Everyone in position.
Put your backs into it.
Ropes horizontal, weight low.
Like I told you.
You there, don't pull yet!
On my command.
Now I can't whistle.
Those pulling on the right, pull right.
This telegram isn't for me.
Then I got nothing for you. I'm busy.
Who's gonna get this pole up?
Him and his telegram...
A little more.
The telegram!
They need someone to give orders. Heave ho!
Get back in here.
This way, friend.
- He's for the fair. - But he won't do much dancing!
I'll bind his feet.
- You have a letter for me? - A telegram.
I had it
a moment ago.
What's the telegram say?
- Adrien... - Which Adrien?
Look.
I know several.
So do I!
It's not my fault if your goat gobbles up telegrams.
What can I do?
She'll get me fired.
The pole... They're waiting for me.
I want to know what it says.
Ask her!
She handles the mail.
She's laughing at me! Look at that.
That takes the cake!
I'm not done with that pole.
A little left.
This way. A little more.
There.
You took long enough!
Just look at that.
You can't go off looking like that.
I got my route to finish.
Where's my bike?
The gentleman's bike.
Turn around.
Let's dust you off a bit.
No, allow me.
- Thanks, boys. - You're welcome.
Off you go!
Hello, boys.
The flagpole was tottering back there,
so what did I do?
When I saw that, I said, on my command...
Emile Vigeon.
All gussied up for the big day?
François, deliver this cake, will you?
To who?
Randau. You go right by there.
Not always.
- Any mail for me? - On your windowsill.
Now, that really takes the cake!
What are you doing in there?
Me? Can't you watch where you're going?
- Your darn cart! - You should have honked!
What do you think the bell's for?
I already almost got beaned by that pole.
Hello.
I almost got beaned by that pole back there.
So what did I do?
I just whirled around...
Hold this.
That pole almost hit me on the noggin.
Know what I'm saying?
When I saw that, I said, on my command...
I'd like to have seen you back there!
What would you have done?
You won't believe what happened.
I almost got beaned by that pole back there.
What did I do? I rode right into the café!
Hurry, here he comes!
Robert, will you settle down?
You'll get your clothes all dirty.
If you do, no merry-go-round for you.
You'll go right to bed.
I'm warning you: no merry-go-round.
The Pibois are back from the station.
Missing your curly locks?
Go on, strike up the band.
Up you go, tubby!
Is it dry?
No, and it never will be!
It's the Guisard and Randau girls
going to get Emilienne.
Look how high my heels are!
- Let's call her. - She's not ready yet.
Jeanette?
Ah, she's ready.
- Got the tickets for the dance? - Yes.
You certainly look ready for it!
Have fun, girls...
in your colorful dresses.
I've always worn black.
You won't see me in pink anytime soon!
Marcel.
I'll go help Germaine.
Okay.
Such luxury goods are usually beyond your means.
- Got the key? - No.
But don't buy 'em... win 'em!
Anyone can be the lucky owner...
Leave me alone!
Anyone can win. Nothing's rigged.
Anyone can win a lovely lamp, a leather handbag,
or even a mantel clock with matching candelabras.
- Roger, answer me. - Here's your key.
Just pick a number and a color
and put down a mere ten francs.
And we spin the wheel.
Who bet on the ace of spades? You, miss?
Candy or a ticket?
Five tickets win you a prize. Let's go.
Try your luck on the ace of hearts.
Pick a number and a color.
Just 10 francs.
Place your bets.
You'll wear out those soles.
Why are you up there again?
What did you do to my bike?
Marie, telephone!
Ah, take your bike and go!
Marie, the phone!
François broke it.
Then he better get it fixed!
- A glass of Málaga. - Don't have any.
Drink white wine like everyone else.
Don't sit there! It's not dry.
- What'll it be? - White wine.
Beat it, you.
Go deliver your letters.
Ma'am?
- What? - He's bothering me.
Leave the boy alone, you hear?
Go play.
That takes the cake!
François, come and see.
- Come on. - I don't have time.
I have mail to deliver.
Come on. You have time!
Okay, then watch this.
I'll show you.
- You won. - I didn't throw yet.
If I say you won, you won.
Watch this.
- What the... - Think that's funny?
Yes, I said anyone can win.
Any one of you could be the proud owner of a lovely lamp...
or a handbag...
or even the clock with two candelabras.
François, join us for a drink.
No, I gotta fix this.
- Come on, join us. - I've got work to do.
François, come have a drink with us.
I still got letters to deliver.
Don't make such a fuss. Come join us inside.
Here he is. He didn't want to come.
François, come have a drink.
Your mail. What a celebration!
Come on, François.
- I don't have time, boys. - Sure you do.
I haven't finished my rounds.
Bottoms up. Last to finish loses.
Here we go. One... Two... Three!
- I won. - Well done.
Hey, you, don't break my piano.
Out of my way.
It's not working.
He'll fix it for you.
- Polka or waltz? - Polka.
Monsieur François, that's enough now!
Today's the big day!
Time for a rematch.
I'll give the count:
- One... Two... - Three!
Two white wines, on the double.
I don't call that bottoms up.
Maybe he can't do it.
That'll be the day.
Three. My round.
Get ready.
Ready, Marcel? On your mark! One... Two...
- You didn't say "Three". - Well, pal...
- He didn't wait. - And you missed it.
I can't see you.
His visor blocks my view.
Perhaps the gentleman could step back.
- The merry-go-round... - So hurry.
One... Two...
You missed it!
- I can't see you because of his... - Allow me.
I see the problem. Allow me.
That's better.
- It doesn't hit me back there. - Come on, Marcel.
Marcel, don't waste time.
One... Two...
Well, we'd better go.
Put it on my tab.
See you.
Hello, Madame Bireau.
Bireau...
That rings a bell.
Yes? You have something for me?
François.
Come see!
They're showing a film about postmen in America!
Come on, hurry up!
Wait for me.
No one writes as much as in America.
Progress makes it possible to sort and deliver
300 million letters and packages daily,
mailed by 130 million users,
with astonishing speed.
Many civilized nations still use outdated methods,
but always at the forefront,
the U.S. Post puts helicopters at the disposal of their modern postmen.
In the not-too-distant future,
every postman will train
one hour a day in this new mode of delivery.
Helicopters and planes make for amazing technology!
Not all four million square miles have proper roads.
No matter. Nothing stops our Yankee postman.
Where the road ends, he takes to the sky.
This method is especially used for telegrams.
A lack of airports
means the intrepid postman himself gets airdropped.
All admire the courage and heroism
of the aerial postman as he regains his Spitfire.
Yes, the Americans are turning postmen into acrobats
and previously insurmountable obstacles into child's play.
What's more, this approach to training postmen
need not remain limited to the USA.
The U.S. Postal Service is willing to share its methods
with other countries who so desire.
Some countries, not wanting to be left behind,
have already requested instructors,
including France.
Will French postmen soon be landing on our balconies
with bills, birth and death notices, and love letters?
The French don't know the meaning of "impossible".
François, come see.
But that's not all.
It's no exaggeration to say
that a postman can even be a true hero.
This latest type of training teaches him
how to overcome flames
and any other obstacle barring his path.
Every year in Oklahoma, a contest is held
to choose the sexiest Apollo in the U.S. Post.
Ladies, would you like the postman to ring your bell
in a get-up like this?
What would the Americans do with a postman like you?
You're not about to fly with that piece of junk.
I just saw a movie about postmen in America.
They whiz by so fast you hardly see them!
Our postman won't be happy about that.
Maybe it'll take him down a peg.
Seems things are really jumping in America.
Everyone's talking about it.
Why weren't you up on that screen?
He was so high up you couldn't see him.
How's it going, Mr. America?
François, don't go.
Come have a drink.
You can't just abandon us like that.
You're off-key.
I can't say you're not when you are.
Hey, that's enough!
Listen to him.
François is right.
The Americans have the means.
You know how our civil service is.
He's been asking for a new tire for ages!
In America they've got the equipment,
and things are hummin'.
Come on.
How's business? Our friend doesn't look too happy.
- Your pal's feeling down. - Why?
He saw a movie about postmen in America.
How about a drink, cap'n?
That movie's already outdated, you know.
Now a letter's delivered practically before it's mailed.
But how can they deliver to skyscrapers?
They put a propeller on your back.
Some folks don't believe Jules Verne, but look at us now.
Just like some say you can't hear the sea in this thing. Try it.
No, other way.
The sea's rough today.
Look what they put on his back.
That's not nice.
Look into this and you'll see a ship.
Turn it left and right.
See anything?
That should do it.
- Did you run into an oil tanker? - Didn't see a thing.
One for the road, cap'n? Come on.
Okay, good-bye.
One last try.
The Americans have you beat, eh, François?
You'll be a laughingstock.
You'd never make it as a U.S. postman.
Very funny, wiseguy.
The Americans...
I'd like to see them in a fix like this.
Stop fooling around. Now's not the time.
Anyone home? Postman.
- Good night. - Bye now.
Looks like they got a little wild in there!
The whole town got to bed pretty late.
Breakfast will be late, my chickies.
You're lucky there's not a fair every day.
As usual, old man Godet is the first one up.
He even slept in his Sunday shirt.
Looks like a doozy of a hangover.
I bet your head's pounding.
Shoulda stuck with water in the first place!
Where do you think you're going?
Trying to hitch a ride to America?
The fair's over.
Anyone can make a mistake, smart aleck.
Where's my bike?
Just wait till you end up sleeping in there.
Here comes the postal service's finest.
You don't look so great.
Maybe he's got bad news for us.
No, it's just that everything's "Americans this, Americans that".
I can't keep up.
Don't take it so seriously.
The Americans are hotshots with planes,
but they're useless on bikes.
What did they call that bicycle postman
you met in America?
Ah, Eagle Eye.
Seriously though, the gentleman needs our advice.
Okay, I'm listening.
I think if he showed us his technique...
we could help him improve it.
Come on.
Go ahead.
You're making your rounds at a good clip.
You have a letter for the house on your right.
- How do you dismount? - I'm the addressee.
That's as old as the hills!
Marcel, here's what I suggest.
A method employed by telegraph boys
around the world for ages now.
Watch closely.
Off the bike before it even stopped!
Right hand guiding my bike,
my left hand smoothly retrieves
a letter, postcard, or telegram from my bag.
What do you think?
Now that I've seen your way, I can't imagine any other.
Let me give it a try. Like this?
See that? On the very first try!
- He's great. - Now we're getting somewhere.
- Let's see you mount. - Mount?
Like this.
All that wasted time!
Marcel, you'll love this. Just watch.
Yeah, but not everybody is an acrobat.
Let's combine the two movements.
Start the merry-go-round to simulate some speed.
Let's go.
And now... dismount!
Pick up the pace! And... mount!
Dismount.
But with my left hand on the seat...
- No, your right. - I can't steer my bike.
I didn't see that ladder.
Where's your bike?
Keep going.
I'm off again.
This is getting good!
Pick up the pace!
I keep mixing up my left and my right.
I'm gonna try again.
You gotta see this, boys.
The carnies have François on the merry-go-round.
Keep moving!
Now quickly hand me the letter as you approach.
If my right hand's on the seat, I can't dig in my bag with my left.
He's right.
I can't think of everything.
What about quickly changing hands?
- Is that even possible? - Like this.
Like this?
He even has time to salute.
It could work.
But the darned bag is still in the way.
- I don't know what to do. - How about this?
See that? With his own personal flair too!
- He'll be hard to beat. - He'll save an hour.
No need to worry.
He could beat the Americans hands down.
The Americans... let 'em fly.
I'll show 'em.
Go!
The Americans...
François speaking.
Put me through to Bondu.
A telegram?
Watch this. I'll show those Americans.
That's better. A call for who?
The blacksmith? It's for you.
Got cut off. Never mind.
The Americans? Let 'em fly. So long.
Everything okay? Okay, okay, okay!
Hi, François.
Now that takes the cake.
What a bunch of slowpokes!
They've got no drive. I can't bear to watch them.
That's no way to work.
I can't watch this.
The Americans are right.
Speed! Speed!
Main office.
Bye, boss.
François is doing his route American-style.
Hey, Faraut!
Come on. I'm in a hurry.
Postman.
Speed! Speed!
Next!
Away we go.
I'm in a hurry.
Don't want it? Fine.
American-style. Next!
Boissicot! Anyone here?
I'm in the well.
Can't dawdle. Speed!
What the...?
Go, François, go!
Anyone here?
Ah, I didn't see you there. Speed!
Onward!
American-style!
Boys, François is delivering American-style.
Here he comes.
Everybody out. We'll slow him down.
Visor up!
Show some style!
Randau, François is delivering American-style.
Glad you dropped by. You have a letter.
Ain't you never been to America?
For Janvier and Co.
- That's rotten timing. - Where's this from?
Straight from Châteauroux.
I'm delivering American-style... quick on the draw.
I never saw it coming.
Even so, you hit a bull's-eye!
Just look at them!
What do I do with them? How can I wear these now?
At least they won't cramp your toes.
One more thing.
Sign, please.
Tough break.
My bike!
Look, he's motorized!
Go on!
Get those legs goin'!
My bike!
That's François's bike.
Hey, François!
Aren't you delivering American-style? Hurry!
Even the Americans stop for a drink, don't they?
The Americans...
François is making his deliveries American-style.
Sparks are flying! Here he comes.
That's it, François!
You'll be first across the finish line!
Go, François!
That takes the cake!
François, stay right behind me.
Come on!
You okay?
Head down!
I guess I lost my head.
You mustn't get so worked up.
I wanted to be fast, but the Americans get all the glory.
Oh, the Americans can do as they please,
but they can't make the crops grow any faster.
Besides, news is rarely good, so let it take its sweet time.
Well, here I am.
My jacket...
and my bike.
François, give us a hand.
I haven't finished my route.
I've still got mail to deliver.
The boy will do it.