"MELINA MERCOURI in" "S T E L L A" "With GEORGE FOUNDAS" "ALEKO ALEXANDRAKIS" "SOPHIA VEMBO" "Screenplay MICHAEL CACOYANNIS" "Music MANOS HADJIDAKIS" "A MICHAEL CACOYANNIS FILM" "PARADISE TAVERNA" "LIVE BOUZOUKI MUSIC" ""Anneta and the celebrated STELLA." "All the songs about LIFE, LOVE and DEATH... that mirror the soul of the Greek people. "" "Let's go to the Paradise Bouzouki" "And when the fun dies down" "Seven songs will I sing for you to pick" "The one you'll sing to make me say I love you" "Stella, Aleko is here." "My daughter isn't happy." "She always sings first, as if Stella is the star." "That's what we agreed on from the beginning." "But now we have offers galore." "Besides, my Anneta sings." "She doesn't croak like Stella." "But it's Stella who packs them in." "She's trying out a new number and she's all nerves." "Hello, Aleko." "What was my mom grumbling about?" "She resents your going on before Stella." "She's ambitious for her daughter." "Some ambition!" "Singing in a taverna!" "I'll check if Stella's ready." "How have you been?" "Getting plainer every day while Stella blooms." "Thanks to you... a gentleman." "Not a bum, like the others." " Isn't that so, Mitso?" " Keep me out of it." "And when she's through with you, she'll go back to her bums." "Why are you telling me this?" "Something she said?" "No, but I know Stella inside out." "She doesn't care about money." "She's proud that way." "But when she falls for a guy, it's all the way." "And after a couple of months, she gets over it, right?" "It's the fault of you men, she says, for being so selfish." "In other words, my time is up?" " The lights!" " Lights out!" " New tricks tonight?" " She's going to dance in a spotlight." "She saw it in the movies and liked it." "Drums!" "Higher!" "Higher!" "What's that bastard doing?" " I find her disgusting." " The men don't." "Out of my way!" "That old witch!" "She put the jinx on me." "I don't care if she is Anneta's mother." "Send her packing." "May I offer my congratulations?" "Are you putting me on?" "Just once I try to do something artistic... and I make a fool of myself." "Some joint!" " What's wrong with it?" " It doesn't even have a piano!" "It has a whole orchestra." "Try doing a classy number with bouzouki music!" "I'll get myself a piano, you wait!" "Be patient and I'll get it for you, doll!" "I'm not patient." "You know me." "Sure I do." "A heart of gold." "Right, Aleko?" " Not even a smile for me?" " Lay off, Aleko." " Come on, it wasn't so tragic." " For me it was!" "I'm not Anneta." " What was she going on about?" " Nothing that matters." "Think I don't know?" "It's always the same." "Whenever I'm stuck on someone, she tries to snatch him away." "And the lies she tells!" "Deep down, she's fond of you." "Trouble is, she's too set on getting married... and that's not healthy, not in our line of work." " And you, Stella?" "What do you want?" " You know what I want." "To sing, dance and have all the men at my feet." " What's wrong?" " Nothing." "And the man who loves you?" "He'll love me and be happy I'm his." "Do you love me, Stella?" "Careful!" "My piano!" " Congratulations." " Thanks." "You swear you can afford it?" "You wanted a piano, didn't you?" "I adore it." "I'm coming." "Help me up." "Are you going to sit up there?" "Where else?" "Leave my piano alone?" "Slow down." "We're going past the competition!" "Come on out!" " What's going on?" " I want Pepe, the pianist." "Okay." "Hey, Antigone!" "They want Pepe!" " Where's Pepe?" " He isn't here." " Is he playing somewhere?" " Wherever they ask him." "I've got work for him." "I need him right away." "He's playing at some wedding." " Where?" " In Piraeus, the little port." "First we'll drop the piano at the Paradise." "To your health, Pepe!" "To the happy couple!" "To your health, Milto!" "A beautiful piano, all black and shiny!" " What make?" " The best there is." "Who's that good-looking guy?" "Looks familiar." "It's Milto, the soccer player." " The best!" " The greatest." "So, Pepe, like we said... tonight." " Leaving so soon?" " Yes." " Why?" " Keep your hand to yourself!" " What's your name?" " Your hand!" " Mine's Milto." " So what?" " Where are you going?" " Anywhere I like." "I'd like you to stay." "Something tells me we like different things." "Something tells me you're wrong." "It's getting light." "That Paradise poster down there is new?" "It was my idea." "I like to look at it." "My hair needs dyeing." " What are you thinking?" " Shall I have it dyed red?" " Know what I'm thinking?" " What?" "I hate having to leave every morning like a thief." " I'd like us to be different." " I say we're fine." " For how long?" " What's gotten into you lately?" "I'm afraid you'll leave me, and if you do..." "Why don't you want to marry me?" "If you're going to start again, you'd better go." " I can't help thinking of it." " And I can't help resenting it." "You can't like the life you lead..." "Maria, Anneta." "What's wrong with them?" "Not classy enough for you?" "You're much better." "Why don't you want to change?" "And be what?" "You're insulting me!" "No, Stella." "When you love someone, it's only natural..." "Not to me!" "I love people for what they are." "I've told you a thousand times:" "Love me as I am!" "If that doesn't suit you, go back to your world... and leave me in peace!" "Is there someone else?" "Now you're being really insulting." "Think I'm hiding something?" "You should know me better." "When there's someone else, you'll be the first to know." "I'm sorry." "I'm going." "Haven't seen Aleko around lately." "Think I haven't noticed?" " Did you have a fight?" " Kind of." "I bet he took it hard." "Unlike me, you mean..." "living it up!" "Stop that horrid bouzouki noise!" "The past three nights he hasn't gone out." " At all?" " No." "Thank heavens." "What are you writing, Aleko?" "Poetry." "What about?" "Bourgeois boredom." "Fooling around instead of doing some real work." " Don't start." " You spoiled him." "You know how sensitive he is." "At least he's rid of that ghastly woman!" "Stop it, for God's sakes." "You're choking him." " Are you going out?" " Yes." "At this late hour?" "Where to?" "To the horrid bouzoukis." "It's the thirteenth of the month" "My bad-luck day" "I don't want to set eyes on" "Or greet a single soul" "Every time it's the thirteenth" "I don't get out of bed" "I close the doors and windows" "But my eyes refuse to close" "All together, everyone!" "Cursed day, you've done me in" "You've clipped my wings" "Each time I fall in love" "You trip me up and lay me low" "They say I'm superstitious" "The truth is I was fated" "On the thirteenth to be left an orphan" "On the thirteenth to become a widow" "What is it?" "A drunk driver wants to come in with his car!" "He'll wreck the place, piano and all!" "My piano?" "We'll see about that!" "Park that jalopy and walk in like a man!" "I want to drive in." "You're second best." "Others have driven in by train." "I do what I like, remember?" "If you have the guts, do it." "He's dead drunk!" "Come on, be a man!" "I'm coming." "Stella!" "Get out of the way!" "He'll kill you!" "I took pity on you, because you're an eyeful." "Pity that not all champions have guts!" " So you know who I am?" " They say you have a way with the ball." "Will you park that thing?" "It's blocking the entrance." "Tell me where." " Wherever the hell you like." " You show me." "Scared?" "If Aleko comes, tell him I'll be right back." "If his brakes hadn't worked, kaput!" "So your name's Stella, eh?" "Hey!" "Where are we going?" "I'll take the next turn, unless you care to go for a drive." "Make a U-turn while you're still in one piece." "I've brought you a cognac." "It's on me." "Thanks." " How long has it been?" " Almost 20 minutes." "She said she'd be back." "That's what she always says." "I remember last winter... she went off with this guy." "He said he'd show her his motorbike..." "Stop it!" "And she didn't come back till morning." "How could someone like you get mixed up with her?" "Look, you!" "We keep going round and round!" "I've lost my way." "Stop or I'll jump." "Don't try that stuff with me!" "Let me go!" " Aleko's waiting for you, eh?" " Yes." " Who's Aleko?" " A gentleman." " Who peels a pear with a knife?" " Yes." " Then he's not for you." " He's crazy about me!" " Wants to make a lady of you?" " Yes, he does." " Poor bastard!" " Why?" " He's playing with fire." " I'm the fire?" "Yes." "And a guy has to know how to play or he'll get burned!" " And you do?" " So they say." "And I say you don't." "I have a match tomorrow." "If we win, I'll be coming round." "And if we lose, I'll still be coming." "Anneta, what's taking you so long?" "Coming." "The customers are half asleep." "She won't be back, right?" "I told you so." "You feel sorry for me, don't you?" "Go ahead!" "Pity me." "Should I pretend I don't care?" "I care terribly." "Why should I lie?" "Why play the tough guy?" "Well, I'm not." "A few days away from her and I go to pieces." "Aleko, what's come over you?" "And to think I wanted to change her!" "I know girls who'd change their very skin for you." "You're very sweet, Anneta." "Where are you going?" "I'm leaving." "It's all over." "Shall I come with you?" "She's back, Anneta." "She's back." "Come on, Milto!" "Foul!" "Murderers!" "Good night." "Where's Mr. Aleko tonight?" "I told him not to come." "It's been a good night." "The piano brought us luck." "I feel sorry for him, but I hate lying." "Shame." "He was a gentleman." "The best." "Even bought you a piano." ""I'll never forget you," I told him." ""You and the piano will always be in my heart. "" " What did he say?" " His eyes filled with tears." ""Good-bye, Stella," he said and left... after the soccer game." "Her new number drives them crazy." "They broke five plates." " They paid for them." " They broke them on my head!" "Go on home, Stella." "In a little while." "Expecting someone?" "I was." "He'll pay for it, you wait!" "Play, Pepe, play." "Here I am." " Oh, boy!" " Get rid of him." "You got to be kidding!" "I have a wife and kids." "I'll do it myself." " The place is closed, mister." " Open it." "For me!" "Don't argue." "Okay, but only for a little while." " Where would you like to sit?" " Everywhere." "But for the moment, here." " Where are the musicians?" " Having supper." " Get them." " Right." " Where are you going?" " Inside." "Did I give you permission?" "I'm the boss tonight." "Sure." "I'm a little drunk, but even dry I'm the same way." " What's your name?" " Mitso." "Mine's Milto." "Now go tell that blonde doll to come here." "Please!" "He'll skin me alive." "Tell him to go to hell!" "She's a little difficult." "I did my best, I swear." "Please don't make trouble." " What's that?" " Dynamite." "I'll throw it to her instead of a rose." "Stella!" "Run!" "He's going to blow us all up!" "I got to hand it to you." "You're a winner!" "This is how I kneel when I like something." "I prefer you standing." "God, what eyes!" "Yours aren't so bad." "Break it up!" "Get us some wine." "Music!" " I like you, Stella." " I know." "What about you?" " You were late." " You waited for me?" " I was sure you'd come." " Why?" "Because I wanted it." "I'll be coming every night." "And I'll sing for you." "And I'll cover the ground you walk on with money." "Money doesn't impress me." "I like you, Stella." "You already said that." "Know what this feels like?" "Like entering a tiger's cage." "Beat it." "I don't spoil women." "I like them as they are." "Meaning?" "Others crawl into the cage when the tiger's asleep." "I wake it and get it all worked up." " Understand?" " Yes." " Stella." " What?" "I like you." "Stella, my love!" "Kiss me!" "Quietly." "This way, Stella!" "Hello, Thanassi!" "You sexy old devil!" " Hello, Vassili!" " Hello, Stella!" "Christo!" "Look after the lady!" "Take anything you fancy." "Take me!" " What will your wife say?" " Who gives a damn?" "How about a juicy watermelon?" " How's Milto?" " Fine." "We're going on a picnic." "It's heavy!" "Christo!" "Give Stella a hand." "Thanks, Vassili!" "Excuse me." "You're Miss Stella?" " May I have a word with you?" " Sorry, I can't right now." "Wait!" "I'm Aleko's sister." " I'm busy." " Please." "It's important." "Come on up." "Take a seat." "I don't like discussing my affairs with strangers." "If Aleko wants something, he should come himself." "Aleko is ill." " He has a fever?" " No." "What, then?" "It's his nerves." "A breakdown." "He's shut himself up and won't see anyone." "If he doesn't have a fever, then it's nothing serious." "The doctor is very worried." "It happened once before and..." "He tried to kill himself." "Heaven forbid!" "What an idea." "You realize that my coming here wasn't easy." "I know about your liaison with Aleko and..." "Then you must know it's over." "We had a family council... and decided to give our consent." "To what?" "His marrying you, of course." "Say that again." "Marrying you." "Look here, you!" "I may not be high society... but I don't go into people's homes and insult them." "Who said I want to marry Aleko?" "And if I did, who said I'd need your consent?" "I broke off with him because I play straight." "Or did you think I was after his money?" "All I know is that he's ill." "It's not my fault." "I was honest with him." "And don't think I'm not sorry for him." "He's a lovely man." "But don't try to pin his illness on me." "Blame yourselves!" "Think he didn't tell me about you?" "I forbid you!" "You're a worse slut than I thought." "Coming!" "Get in the back with us." "My mom's up front with Milto." "Isn't my wife a doll?" "Put me down!" "Not until you tell me you'll always be my girl!" " I don't know about always." " Say it, even if it's a lie." "I don't lie to those I love." "Then say it for real." "You men are too free with words." "Not me!" "Ask me anything, and I'll risk my life." "Today, yes." "I'd do as much for you, and more, much more." "Do you hear that, world?" "Stella is Milto's girl!" "The moon is red The river is blue" "And my love in your arms is a soft white bird" "The moon is green The river is deep" "Come, my love, dance all night long" "The moon dived into the river" "And my love turned yellow like a flame" "I never felt like this." "It's scary, like being scorched by the sun." "Go on, sun." "Go on scorching us." "I don't like being tied this way." "Thief!" "Bandit!" "What are we headed for?" "A journey..." "Switzerland..." "A good psychiatrist..." "Stella... forget..." "Don't open!" "Who can it be?" " Who is it?" " Aleko." "Tell him to go away." "He'll go by himself." " You're mine now." " Don't." "Why?" "I don't know." "I'm sorry for him." "He's gone." ""Death"" "They turned me away." "Why?" "It wasn't my fault." "No, sweetheart." "They sent me away." "Why?" "Don't cry, my love." "They think I'm heartless, that I killed him." "Let them try to say it to me." "You're Milto's girl." "You don't need anyone." "I've made up my mind." "We're getting married." ""That's Milto's wife," they'll say, and they'll respect you." "What's she doing?" "She sits there without saying a word." "It's been a terrible shock for her." "She should have thought of that before dumping him." "I told him it would end this way." "Watch your words, or there'll be hell to pay." "Hasn't Milto shown up?" "Not yet." "Come here, Maria." "I've got something to tell you." "What?" "Milto asked me to marry him." "He's like all the others." "Wants to own me body and soul." "And you?" "I love him." "What did you tell him?" "Nothing." "I said nothing." "I can't breathe." "I want to sing, to feel alive!" "I'm choking, do you hear?" "Love, you've become" "A two-edged knife" "Once you only gave me joy" "Now you drown the joy in tears" "I see no escape, no cure" "She said she wouldn't sing, but she couldn't resist it." "The very day he was buried!" "It'll be your turn next!" "I'm not like the others." "We're getting married." " What did you say?" " We're getting married." "I just saw my mother." "We've set the date." "Fires burn in his eyes" "The stars tumble down when he looks at me" "Put out the lights" "Put out the moon" "Let him not see my pain when he takes me away" "When?" "October 28th." "The national holiday." "Why, Milto?" "Why?" " I want to know you're mine." " You know that." "I won't share you with other men's eyes." " Don't you trust me?" " I don't know." "That slays me." "Trust me and go away for years..." "I'll be waiting." "Don't you understand?" "Being my girl means nothing." "I want to say "my wife. "" "To know people look up to you." "Then you shouldn't have gotten involved with me." "I hate the very thought of marriage!" "I hear other women longing to be married and I laugh!" "Why can't we go on as we are?" "Like wild animals." "Either you're all mine or not at all." "I'll never marry you..." "never!" "Then I'm leaving, Stella." "We either get married... or I leave and you never see me again." "I swear it on my mother's life." "Why are you tormenting me?" "I'm waiting, Stella." "Yes or no?" "Why can't I say no?" "What's happened to me?" "Yes or no?" "Why make me say something I may regret later?" "You won't regret it." "For the last time... yes or no?" "The wedding will take place on the 28th." "I'll go tell the others." "It's Milto, the soccer player!" " What time's the wedding?" " At 4:00." "What's her name?" " Is she pretty?" " What else, stupid!" "It's all arranged." "Take me to the bride." " You'll wait outside." " Yes, Mother." "You mustn't see her before the ceremony." "Maria, the wedding bonbons!" "Not now, children!" " Try it on." " It's lovely." " A little further back." " It'll do." "Those bells drive me crazy." " Did he have to pick today?" " It was his mother's idea." "As for her, don't get me started!" "His mother wants this, his mother wants that..." "For her son's happiness, why shouldn't she?" "I'm Milto's mother." "Please come in." "You're Maria." " And who are you?" " Anneta, a friend of Stella's." "I thought I should meet the bride before the wedding." "I've been urging her to call on you." "That's as it should be." "Not the other way around." "My son's not bad, but you're a shade too pretty for him." "You don't laugh?" "Do I scare you?" " No." " I thought not." "You have my blessing." "Should I ask why you didn't visit me, or just forget it?" " Forget it." " Okay." "My son came home one day and said..." ""Mother, I want to get married. "" ""About time," I said." ""Who is she?"" ""A fine girl," he said." ""Poor, but beautiful and proud." "I had a hard time talking her into it. "" "Is that how it was?" "Yes." "Good." "Shows you weren't out to hook him." "I've never tried to hook anyone in my life." "You're a proud one, all right." "I like that." "Thank God we won't be living together." "I doubt we'd hit it off." "Yesterday Milto bought your own house." "Our own house?" "Where?" "Not too far from mine." "He had to borrow for it." "Why didn't he ask me?" "He knows I like living around here." " Where are you going?" " For a cigarette." "And why here?" "Because I like being near my work." "Listen..." "I'm from Crete and I don't like mincing words." "Marriage changes a woman's life." "Husband, home, kids." "You'll have to forget all this." "My son may have played up his gentle side." " No." " I thought not." "He's a good boy, but stubborn as a mule." "He'd kill or get killed in order to have his way." "Get me?" "I get you." "Good." "Know why I told you all this?" "Because neither of you seems cut out for half measures." " Am I right?" " Right." "It's not for nothing you have those big, hungry eyes." "I'll see you in church." "Don't be late." " So that's Stella." " What did you think of her?" "For those two, it'll be heaven or flaming hell." "Let's go." "Good-bye." " Congratulations!" " Thanks!" "Hope you're next." "Fat chance, with that snout!" "I'm going home." "I've got things to do." " What things?" " That's my business." " We agreed you'd get dressed here." " I've changed my mind." " Pick me up in the car." " What about lunch?" "She's marrying the best and she's all nerves." "I wish it were me." "Come on." "Let's see to the flowers." "It's almost noon." "Miss Maria sent me." "I've brought you something to eat." "Leave it there." " You've been crying?" " A little." "Why?" "Because of all the boys like you." "I don't understand." "Never mind." " I've got to get going..." " Wait." " What's your name?" " Antoni." " How old are you?" " Nearly 20." "You don't say!" "Every inch a man." "Let's have a smoke." "Please have one of mine." "Is that your wedding dress?" "You'll be stunning in white." "Only in white?" "You always are." "I've seen you often." "Why did you never speak to me?" "I didn't dare." "Has any girl told you you've got beautiful eyes?" "No." "I'm glad I'm the first." "Me too." "Aren't you scared saying such things on my wedding day?" "Scared of what?" "Of my husband." "Do you know him?" "No, but he's very lucky." "Are you coming to the wedding?" "Unfortunately, I must go to the parade." "I'm standard-bearer for my college." "Pity I can't watch you." "I'm sorry, I have to..." "You're going?" "I have to." "Good-bye, Miss Stella." "Bye, Antoni." "I wish I were in his place." "It looks like rain." "Aren't you dressed yet?" "What are you waiting for?" " I'm not going with you." " What did you say?" "I'm not getting married." "You can't!" "Who says?" "There's nothing I can't do to keep my freedom." " Why did you say yes?" " Why?" "Because I loved him." "He forced me to say it." "You mean you've stopped loving him?" "I mean I'll dry up inside when he locks me up." "You can't make a fool of him!" "Not like this!" "Better now than later." " You know him." "He'll kill you!" " Let him!" "I only wanted his love, and I gave him all I had." "Why do they all want to change me?" "To make a lady of me, a housewife?" "Whatever suits them." "Why?" "Name one who hasn't tried!" "What the hell am I?" "A record player?" "Better to be killed than marry him against my will!" "You selfish bitch!" "If you think what I'm doing doesn't hurt... you're wrong." "Let her go to hell!" " What shall we tell him?" " The truth!" "Everything!" "Make him see what a tramp she is!" " You're jealous." " No, I'm not jealous." "It's Milto I bleed for." "We should've dragged her by force." "I'm sorry for him too, but I take my hat off to her." " For spitting on her luck?" " Do the same if you can." " I've no luck to spit on." " And you never will." "Stella listens to her heart." "Nothing else counts." "In her place you'd do the same?" "No..." "I wouldn't have the guts!" "For me, she's like a shot in the arm, a good dream." "Stella's fresh, full of life... like a field of flowers." "Let's go." "I couldn't believe my eyes!" "I told you I wanted to see you." "But... the wedding?" " Glad to see me?" " And how!" " You have a date?" " No." "How would you like to be my escort?" "Oh, would I!" "We'll have fun!" "Today everyone has fun." "I don't give a damn, I tell you!" "Not for a thousand like her!" "Why are you staring at me?" "Is something the matter?" "I said, is something the matter?" "Go on, play!" "Tonight we'll have a ball!" "Mitso, come here!" "Whatever you say, Milto." "Okay, Stella." "Forget her." "She isn't worth thinking about." "You're right." "This is going to be quite a night!" "We'll show her I don't give a damn!" "I don't like the look of him." "Pray he leaves early, in case Stella shows up." "The prettiest girls are crazy about you!" "Don't take it so hard!" "Me?" "Can't you see I'm laughing?" "Think of all the people laughing tonight." "They say Milto was made a fool of... that the bride ran out on him." "Let them laugh!" "Tonight there'll be plenty of fun." "What?" "Shall I take you home?" "No." "To Maria's." "She's a friend." "Here we are." " Shall I see you in?" " No." "I don't want to wake up Maria." "Go now." "Quickly." " And don't look back." " Why?" "It's bad luck." "Tomorrow?" " Tomorrow." " Good-bye, Stella." "Good-bye, Antoni." "Stella, go away!" "I'm going to kill you!" "Didn't you hear me, Stella?" "I've got a knife." "Say you're sorry." "Say you'll marry me and I'll drop the knife." "Stella, go!" "Why don't you go?" "Why?" "Kiss me, Milto, kiss me." "Kiss me!" "Help!" "Murder!" "What's going on?" "What have you done, Milto?" "Why?" "Why?" "Go away, all of you!" "Leave her and go!" "Milto!" "It's all her fault!" "He's not a murderer!" "Go, Milto!" "It's all her fault!"