PANDORA'S BOX
VARIATIONS ON THE THEME
OF FRANK WEDEKIND'S LULU
ACT ONE
You've done well for yourself.
We haven't seen each other in such a long time.
Are you still dancing?
You've forgotten everything. You should have stayed with me.
In that old garret? I'd have run away for sure.
This newspaper editor Dr. Schön looks after you nicely,
but one friend doesn't guarantee our future.
We must put you on the stage for all the world to see.
And I've brought just the man to do that.
His name is Rodrigo Quast, and he wants to stage a big variety act with you.
Dr. Schön is coming.
I'm getting married.
You won't kiss me just because you're getting married?
The whole town is talking about us. I'm jeopardising my position.
Don't you see that we must put an end to this?
You'll have to kill me to get rid of me.
He was my first... patron.
One did the best that one could.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
"Minister of the Interior Dr. Von Zarnikow wishes to announce
the marriage of his daughter, Charlotte Marie Adelaide,
to Dr. Ludwig Schön, Editor in Chief."
I'm warning you again, my child:
Dr. Schön's behaviour makes this marriage impossible.
Don't worry, Father. I don't care about gossip.
Alwa, here are the costume designs for your revue.
How is Lulu?
Father must give her up.
His marriage can't be postponed any longer.
The famous Rodrigo Quast wants to do a big variety number with me.
We're already rehearsing.
Alwa is my best friend,
the only one who never wants anything from me.
Or do you want nothing from me because you don't love me?
My dear Geschwitz, you must design a costume like that for me too.
Is she really this beautiful?
I thought I told you never to visit me.
I didn't come to see you.
Please get me volume K of the dictionary.
Then it's settled... come see me tomorrow.
Why don't you marry Lulu, Father?
One doesn't marry such women. It would be suicide.
What did she want here?
I believe she wants to break into show business.
Someone wants to stage a trapeze act with her.
No, not a trapeze act. She'll appear in your revue.
She can dance a bit. My newspaper will guarantee her success.
Just one thing, my boy: Beware of that woman.
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
Nonsense. You should have done the trapeze act with me.
I'm not going on.
You must talk some sense into her.
Maybe we'll do that variety number after all.
I'll dance for the whole world, but not for that woman.
Tell them to start.
Where's Lulu?
No smoking here.
Satisfied now, Alwa?
Now I'll marry Lulu. It'll be the death of me.
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
I'd be a real scoundrel
if I didn't lay a rose on my little Lulu's bridal bed.
Father, I'm going away tonight... for a long time.
He's my father.
If only you'd come with me.
I can't live without you any longer.
You'll miss your train.
Take it.
Kill yourself.
Kill yourself
so that you don't drive me to murder as well.
END OF ACT FOUR
ACT FIVE
Your Honours...
I've painted a bleak picture of a tragic life.
Gentlemen of the jury, look at this woman.
Have I not shown that this woman did not commit murder,
that her husband was the victim of tragic circumstances?
Has the son of the deceased not spoken in her defence?
No, this unfortunate woman is no murderess.
You must acquit her, for she is innocent.
Your Honours and gentlemen of the jury.
The Greek gods created a woman... Pandora.
She was beautiful and charming, and versed in the art of flattery.
But the gods also gave her a box containing all the evils of the world.
The heedless woman opened the box, and all evil was loosed upon us.
Counsel, you portray the accused as a persecuted innocent.
I call her Pandora, for through her all evil was brought upon Dr. Schön.
The arguments of defence counsel do not sway me in the least.
I demand the death penalty.
Counsellor, do you know what would have become of your wife
if as a child she'd had to spend her nights in cheap cafés?
...is sentenced to five years in prison for manslaughter,
minus 41/2 months for time already served.
Fire.
END OF ACT FIVE
ACT SIX
PASSPORT... ALWA SCHÖN
How dare you come here.
Where else should I go but home?
If you feel at home here, where my father bled to death,
then I must leave.
Is this the state prosecutor's office?
Please give me Prosecutor Von Bodungen.
This is Alwa Schön.
Any news on the escapee?
We'll go away together.
Countess Geschwitz will lend me her passport.
PASSPORT... COUNTESS AUGUSTA GESCHWITZ
I have the lady's baggage.
5,000 MARKS REWARD
"RECEIVED WITH THANKS... MARQUIS CASTI PIANl"
May I prove my friendship by offering some good advice?
Don't go to Paris... too many prying eyes. Come with me instead.
I know a place that's hospitable and discreet.
END OF ACT SIX
ACT SEVEN
And Lulu's stayed here the whole three months?
It's a fine hotel... hospitable and discreet.
What can I say? It's our livelihood.
I just got engaged.
I'm going to stage a fantastic variety act with my fiancée.
We just need 20,000 francs for sets and costumes.
You must get me that money.
Ask Alwa for it. Perhaps he won today.
If I could just keep on playing, I'd win it all back.
That lucky devil gets everything.
You should only play when you're sure you'll win.
How much?
£300
The German police would give me £250 any day.
Three hundred it is, then. I'll go book a cabin.
He's acting like he wants to buy me.
I need money badly, and you have none to give me.
The Egyptian will give me £50 more than the German police.
You're in luck.
I'm looking out for your future.
The police will never look for you at his establishment in Cairo.
Hurry and get dressed. You leave in an hour.
I won't be sold.
That's worse than prison.
I need the money.
If you're not ready in an hour, I'm calling the police.
Alwa, you have to win...
or else I'm done for.
I'm warning you: If I don't have those 20,000 francs by tonight,
I'm turning you in.
Money... they all want money.
Go ahead and cry, my child.
Rodrigo wants to turn me in. Save me.
I'll take care of him.
I know how we can all get out of this mess.
Countess Geschwitz is sweet on you, and she has money.
Be nice to her and she'll give you the money.
You're the only one who can save me.
Rodrigo is madly in love with you.
Throw yourself at him. He'll do anything for you.
Otherwise he'll turn me in.
Calm down, my dear. You'll soon have your money.
Let's get out of here. I'll get a boat.
Police. Police.
We must find a ship to take us to London.
END OF ACT SEVEN
ACT EIGHT
We take only to give to others.
Brother, how can I help you?
No one can help me.
It's strange how you can get alcohol on credit...
but not bread.
Why all the paint? We like you just the way you are.
Too bad. I'd have liked to taste Christmas pudding once more before I die.
WARNING TO THE WOMEN OF LONDON.
FOR SOME TIME NOW...
A MAN HAS BEEN LURING WOMEN INTO DARK PLACES
IN ORDER TO MURDER THEM.
WOMEN AND GIRLS SHOULD NOT GO OUT UNACCOMPANIED AT NIGHT.
I have no money.
Come along anyway. I like you.
You're under the mistletoe.
You must let me kiss you.