THE DEVIL'S WHEEL
SCENARIO: A. PIOTROVSKY
DIRECTORS: G. KOSINTSEV, L. TRAUBERG
CAMERAMAN: A. MOSKVIN
SETS: E. ENEY
A SEVZAPKINO PRODUCTION 1926
AURORA
Yesterday in the village, today a sailor on the Aurora.
Vanya Shorin (Pyotr Sobolevsky)
In the suburb of Leningrad,
ramshackle houses on the verge of collapsing.
They look deserted,
but inside they are teeming with life.
Drunken parasites, hardened beggars,
and thieves inhabit these houses.
At times, in the light of day, you meet them wearing frock coats.
THE MYSTERY MAN
A magician - "The mystery man" (Sergueï Guerassimov)
Not yet corrupted, young Valya (Lyudmila Semyonova)
shouts excitedly on the roller coaster.
June 15th,
before the Aurora sets sail for abroad,
a squad of sailors
on leave in town until the end of the day.
The House of the People with its 1001 attractions:
toboggans, roller coasters, shows, "the devil's wheel"...
- So, shall we go in? - It's too late, boys.
- I've never seen this. We should have a look.
The next act is the "mystery man".
He is famous worldwide.
- I request citizens from the audience to come see for themselves:
it is no more than a conjuring trick.
Unbeknownst to her father, Valya is at the House of the People.
Down, up, down, up...
- What's your name?
- Shorin Ivan. And you?
- I'm Valya.
- We need to go back to the cruiser. Hurry up, Shorin!
Fireworks.
Crowds of onlookers have rushed to the fireworks,
and separated Shorin from the others.
AN ORGANIZED PROLETARIAT CAN DO ANYTHING!
- We can't wait anymore. Shorin must already be on board.
- Comrade Vanya, let's go back one more time.
- OK, just once. Maybe I have time.
On the boat.
- Comrade Captain, delay the departure.
Someone is late.
Time flies and Valya cannot stop it.
The House of the People with its 1001 attractions:
roller coasters, toboggans, the devil's wheel.
On the wheel, Vanya flies away.
P. ALEXEYEV, BUTCHER
- Father is here. So long, Vanya.
- Where were you last night?
- Go back to where you came from with your chap!
The "mystery man"
and a fellow artist (Emil Gal)
are in a bad mood.
THE MYSTERY MAN AND CLOWN COCO
ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE ARTISTS' UNION
BECAUSE OF ANTISOCIAL ACTIVITIES
They all meet on a bench on the boulevard.
- My father has kicked me out. Where shall I go?
He has problems too.
He has no papers, he missed his boat.
A Navy deserter and a homeless girl are easy prey for crooks.
- I'm going to help you, kids.
RESTAURANT
The tavern's owner (Antonio Tserep)
agrees with his buddy's plans.
- Let's go to the pool table and talk business.
- We have a tiny apartment in a "manor".
You can move in as caretaker.
In the suburb,
ramshackle houses on the verge of collapsing...
These houses are kept by "people in charge"
which the police have not yet arrested. (N. Gorodnichev)
- Vanya !
- I'm this low because of you, Valka!
- What is this? Vanechka cannot leave his Valechka ?
- If I must perish, let's do it with a bang!
- With a bang? Verr-r-ry good. Let's go to the Fine Arts Club.
FINE ARTS CLUB
The mystery man and his associates are conspiring.
- It's time for our business!
- Have fun, enjoy yourself, honey.
We shall leave soon.
Vanya and Valya are dragged into shady business.
- We'll go in there for a minute. You wait for us.
Understood, missy?
The police.
The hideaways are cleared out one after the other.
If Vanya hadn't left earlier,
the police patrol would have saved him from the scoundrels.
- So, did you keep watch, kids?
- That's what it was?
- A burglary.
- Forget about him. You are a lady.
Let's go to the "Bar".
He remembers his comrades' stories.
The Winter Palace and the other October night.
- You've really sunk low. Deserter. Theft accomplice.
You're finished, buddy.
VALKA
Leningrad.
A crowd of rascals wants to dance but...
THE CLUB IS CLOSED
- Your chick has left you. You'll find another.
Come on, "Georges", better go have a beer.
- Stop it, bastards! What's this?
I used to be a sailor and now... Pff....
Valya is waiting by the window.
"Maybe Valya is going to come out. He'll forgive me.
"We'll make peace with one another."
- Enough! Let's go somewhere else!
Close to the entrance of the Workers' Club.
- Let's go to the Club, boys, let's have fun.
- Stop! I won't let you in here.
Go to your shanties but not here.
IN DESTROYING THE OLD PRISON,
WORKER, YOU FIGHT DARKNESS.
...an odd guy wanted a feather from Chimchura, chura-ra
That'll teach him Ah ah, peek-a-boo!
- Pick him up! Carry him to the hideaway, you hear me?
- All is lost.
- It's over.
- Hang on. I'm looking for a way out.
The cruiser has returned to port. And on board...
- Comrade Officer, deserter Shorin reporting for duty.
THE MYSTERY MAN
- Pff… He was a man and now, what is he?
Just a wreck, Mr. Chief of Police.
Let's take out the trash, clean out the hideaways.
In the suburb,
ramshackle houses on the verge of collapsing...
Sooner or later it will be...
THE END
SOUND TRACK ADDED BY GTRC "CULTURE" IN 2002.
MUSIC: M. KRAVCHENKO
Subtitles: E. Fuchs, N. Guechi et A. Mouillie-Bannikova