If This Ain't Heaven
- Description
- Reviews
- Citation
- Cataloging
- Transcript
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If This Ain't Heaven offers a portrait of an African American man that may very well challenge any number of sterotypes and assumptions about masculinity and African American men. The film shows us the very private side of Mr. G, a seemingly ordinary man, by allowing us inside his home where he interacts in a most loving, charming and humorous way with his cat, Africa. It is a kind of performance, and Mr. G — who speaks to and for his cat — becomes the "ventriloquist/artist par excellence." One can debate whether Mr. G is lonely or not, but his life is most assuredly enhanced by the story that he has invented about himself and the cat, and the manner in which he has filled in the details.
“The movie gives a deep perception into the challenges of masculinity…Cantow uses an experimental film technique to capture imaginatve life beneath the surface.” —Allen Lee Vay, Penn State University Collegian
“There is an anonymity to Mr G, a solitary figure who wiles away the hours by talking with his cat, Africa. A fan of ventriloquism, Mr. G supplies both sides of the conversation. Aside from a few excursions, the film stays in Mr. G’s apartment, where his love for Africa blunts and remedies the realities of the world outside. Cantow balances the melancholy of Mr. G’s lonely existence, with a real respect for the bond he and Africa have forged, allowing these one-sided conversations to be silly, sad and tender all at once. What’s amazing about Cantow’s approach is how genuinely private Mr. G’s dialogue with Africa seems to be. It’s the type of thing a person might do unconsciously when they are alone, but would be too self-conscious to replicate on camera, that is, if a documentarian even recognized the utterly disarming beauty of what they were seeing.” —Nellie Killian, Metrograph Journal
“Mr. G is a 50 year old black man who speaks to and for his cat, Africa. 'Speak darlin’, speak,' his voice implores, as images of dark exotic jungle swirl by. Roberta Cantow’s camera work shimmers between shadows and light, hard edges and softly blurring imagery. 'I’ll speak for you,' he says in his gravely, seductive voice…a voice that trails off into choppy grunts of hesitation as he begins to talk about his life. Extreme close-ups of shining black skin and fingers running through Africa’s thick brindled fur depict the sensual relationship between the man and his pet. But as Mr. G’s narrative unravels, a sketchy life story emerges as the film probes the abstractions of need, loneliness and love. Anthropomorphism is a tender form of ventriloquism. With the invention of a voice and a language emerges a complete character from the imagination of the pet owner in much the same way that a ventriloquist invents a character. [The film] reinforces the potent link between humans and animals. These needs call out to life itself and are the unspoken commonality u7nderstood by all warm-blooded creatures. If This Ain’t Heaven is a suggestive portrait of an individual, evocative of emotions rather than information. Mr. G is not a glamorous person. He is the man who lives down the hall, or upstairs, or on the next block. He is the man who quietly comes and goes as he lives his ordinary life. Cantow has made an oddly beautiful and powerful film, a discourse on extreme solitude that is frightening because nobody wants to be lonely and estranged, endearing because Mr. G is a kind and loveable man.” —Lee Sokol, Art Papers
“Cantow has taken seemingly unpromising subject matter and fashioned an unexpectedly engaging, even compelling portrait of a very odd couple." —The Film Center
“A moving portrait of a single black man just turned 50 who lives alone with his cat in his small apartment on the Upper West Side of New York. This portrait speaks of aloneness and loneliness and of racial stereotypes and survival in the US of A. Film poet, storyteller, documentarian. Each of her [Roberta Cantow's] films, like different children, offers unique and penetrating observations about the lives of everyday folks” —Vic Skolnick, New Community Cinema
Citation
Main credits
Cantow, Roberta (film producer)
Cantow, Roberta (film director)
Cantow, Roberta (director of photography)
Cantow, Roberta (editor of moving image work)
Creshevsky, Noah (composer)
Cohen, Alice Eve (composer)
Other credits
Music, Noah Creshevsky, Alice Eve Cohen.
Distributor subjects
New York City; American Studies; Urban Sociology; Leisure; Men's Studies; African-American Studies; Experimental Film; Documentary FilmsKeywords
00:00:02.061 --> 00:00:04.879
(birds chirping)
00:00:04.879 --> 00:00:07.629
(birds chirping)
00:00:08.779 --> 00:00:11.612
(birds whistling)
00:00:13.541 --> 00:00:16.940
(birds whistling)
00:00:16.940 --> 00:00:19.773
(birds whistling)
00:00:22.009 --> 00:00:25.618
(birds whistling)
00:00:25.618 --> 00:00:27.118
- [Mr. G] Come on.
00:00:29.981 --> 00:00:34.695
Oh, my, my, my.
00:00:34.695 --> 00:00:35.528
Oh, my.
00:00:40.074 --> 00:00:41.991
You mad at me tonight? Huh?
00:00:44.188 --> 00:00:45.684
You mad?
00:00:45.684 --> 00:00:46.517
Come on.
00:00:46.517 --> 00:00:47.350
Don't be mad.
00:00:47.350 --> 00:00:48.183
I'm sorry.
00:00:49.404 --> 00:00:52.670
(Mr. G laughing)
00:00:52.670 --> 00:00:55.013
Want a piece of ham?
00:00:55.013 --> 00:00:56.994
Want some ham?
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(Mr. G smooching) Mwah!
00:00:58.674 --> 00:00:59.507
You forgive me? Huh?
00:01:00.340 --> 00:01:01.194
Let' kiss and make up.
00:01:01.194 --> 00:01:02.614
Okay?
00:01:02.614 --> 00:01:04.709
One little kiss. Mwah.
00:01:04.709 --> 00:01:07.542
(Mr. G smooching)
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Oh, my, my, my.
00:01:13.455 --> 00:01:14.288
See?
00:01:15.244 --> 00:01:16.577
That feels good.
00:01:19.523 --> 00:01:20.973
And how was your day?
00:01:23.180 --> 00:01:24.187
What's the matter?
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All right.
Come on.
00:01:26.740 --> 00:01:28.040
I'll make up for it, okay?
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All right, I'm sorry I wasn't
here when you came down.
00:01:34.270 --> 00:01:35.183
You forgive me? Huh?
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Tell me something good.
00:01:39.444 --> 00:01:40.357
Please.
00:01:40.357 --> 00:01:42.363
Please, Miss. tell me something sweet.
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Tell, Mr. G, something good.
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Tell me.
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What's the matter?
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Speak, darlin'.
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Speak.
00:01:51.754 --> 00:01:55.135
Darlin', darlin', darlin'.
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Darlin'.
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Come to my fingers, darlin'.
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(wolf howling)
00:01:59.941 --> 00:02:01.762
Come to my arms, darlin'.
00:02:01.762 --> 00:02:03.640
Come on, darlin'.
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Darlin', talk to me.(more wolf howls)
00:02:05.680 --> 00:02:07.023
Oh, oh, oh, oh.
00:02:10.100 --> 00:02:13.077
Sweetheart, you staying
down tonight? (Foo9tsteps)
00:02:14.233 --> 00:02:15.816
Come on, answer me.
00:02:18.372 --> 00:02:21.289
You going to sleep with me tonight?
00:02:22.910 --> 00:02:24.533
Why are you so devilish?
00:02:25.503 --> 00:02:28.170
(somber music)
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I call myself Mr. G.
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I'm the man in number four.
00:02:36.660 --> 00:02:37.987
I'll make a joke out of anything.
00:02:37.987 --> 00:02:41.154
(happy caliope music)
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You know, from a kid up,
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I've been crazy about these dummies.
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I really enjoy venquiloists.
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(Mr. G laughing)
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My first time, I was about,
00:03:02.300 --> 00:03:03.660
well, I guess about five, six years old.
00:03:03.660 --> 00:03:06.231
I was in school, and I was so amazed
00:03:06.231 --> 00:03:07.870
that this dummy is talking.
00:03:07.870 --> 00:03:11.240
Now here, I couldn't
figure out how he's wooden,
00:03:11.240 --> 00:03:15.873
and yet he's talking,
and I was so moved by it.
00:03:17.550 --> 00:03:21.028
Of course, now I know it's
the man who's doing it,
00:03:21.028 --> 00:03:22.392
and you gotta give credit where it's due.
00:03:22.392 --> 00:03:25.290
I mean, the guy has to be good.
00:03:25.290 --> 00:03:27.082
(happy caliope music)
00:03:27.082 --> 00:03:29.426
- [Mr. G as Cat] Oh G.
00:03:29.426 --> 00:03:32.594
- [Mr. G] Let me tickle your tail.
00:03:32.594 --> 00:03:34.467
(happy caliope music )
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And this has been something special to me.
00:03:38.343 --> 00:03:40.093
This is one of my great loves.
00:03:41.223 --> 00:03:45.070
I gets great pleasure out of this dummy
00:03:45.070 --> 00:03:46.373
and this man.
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(Mr. G laughing)
00:03:48.900 --> 00:03:52.230
It's an art, on the part
of the man, you know,
00:03:52.230 --> 00:03:55.180
because, the better the dummy perform,
00:03:55.180 --> 00:03:58.973
it's a reflection of the
man, the artist in the man.
00:04:02.262 --> 00:04:04.480
Come on, darlin'.
00:04:04.480 --> 00:04:05.370
Come on.
00:04:05.370 --> 00:04:08.190
- [Mr. G as Cat] Oh, I'll
speak in the mic Mr. G.
00:04:08.190 --> 00:04:10.114
I'll speak for you.
00:04:10.114 --> 00:04:12.302
(Mr. G smooching)
00:04:12.302 --> 00:04:13.830
- [Mr. G] Darlin'.
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Come here, you sweet hunk of cat, you.
00:04:18.663 --> 00:04:21.853
( Bullfight Fanfare music)
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(crowd cheering)
00:04:25.693 --> 00:04:28.794
(crowd cheering - Ole's)
00:04:28.794 --> 00:04:31.933
(crowd cheering)
00:04:31.933 --> 00:04:34.683
(crowd cheering louder)
00:04:35.684 --> 00:04:38.434
(crowd cheering) Ole, Ole
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(crowd cheering)
00:04:43.413 --> 00:04:46.163
(crowd cheering wildly)
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(crowd cheering) Ole
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(crowd cheering)
00:04:59.206 --> 00:05:00.804
(trumpet playing)
00:05:00.804 --> 00:05:01.870
Well, you can always laugh.
00:05:01.870 --> 00:05:02.820
You can always laugh.
00:05:02.820 --> 00:05:03.653
Believe me.
00:05:03.653 --> 00:05:04.983
Regardless of how bad things are,
00:05:04.983 --> 00:05:06.870
there's always a bright side,
00:05:06.870 --> 00:05:09.433
and I'll always look for the bright side.
00:05:09.433 --> 00:05:12.350
(crowd applauding)
00:05:14.213 --> 00:05:15.290
(woman humming)
00:05:15.290 --> 00:05:16.512
(wind instrument playing)
00:05:16.512 --> 00:05:17.832
Couple of years ago,
00:05:17.832 --> 00:05:21.165
I found this cat in the hall downstairs.
00:05:22.010 --> 00:05:25.590
His name was Gideon, and
he was a lot of company.
00:05:26.690 --> 00:05:27.740
He would come down.
00:05:27.740 --> 00:05:28.590
He would scratch on the door.
00:05:28.590 --> 00:05:29.540
I would let him in.
00:05:30.520 --> 00:05:32.270
We would sit and watch TV together.
00:05:33.300 --> 00:05:36.470
I would talk to him, and I would, in time,
00:05:36.470 --> 00:05:37.963
sometimes answer for him.
00:05:39.580 --> 00:05:42.020
He would spend the night with me.
00:05:42.020 --> 00:05:45.990
In the mornings, he would
come in the bathroom with me,
00:05:45.990 --> 00:05:46.823
and we would go out.
00:05:46.823 --> 00:05:49.093
He would go upstairs, and
I would go on to work.
00:05:50.100 --> 00:05:52.673
I felt the love between us was such that,
00:05:53.552 --> 00:05:54.385
he would sit in the window.
00:05:54.385 --> 00:05:57.290
I never had to worry
about him going anywhere,
00:05:57.290 --> 00:05:59.133
and I didn't think he would leave me.
00:05:59.133 --> 00:05:59.966
(somber music)
00:05:59.966 --> 00:06:01.240
He got sick.
00:06:01.240 --> 00:06:02.253
He had leukemia,
00:06:03.420 --> 00:06:05.520
and instead of going upstairs,
00:06:05.520 --> 00:06:06.720
he wanted to go with me.
00:06:08.800 --> 00:06:11.143
I took him in my arms, and we took a taxi.
00:06:12.980 --> 00:06:17.137
He sat on my lap the whole
time until we got to the vet
00:06:17.137 --> 00:06:20.423
and went in to see him,
and they took him from us.
00:06:23.760 --> 00:06:26.840
We were left then with Africa.
00:06:26.840 --> 00:06:29.490
All this time, we did have,
it was two cats involved,
00:06:30.380 --> 00:06:32.280
and my attention then turned to Africa
00:06:33.720 --> 00:06:37.233
and it somewhat became the same.
00:06:39.331 --> 00:06:40.164
Africa.
00:06:41.663 --> 00:06:44.830
(drum beating slowly)
00:06:47.060 --> 00:06:49.560
(cat meowing)
00:06:50.401 --> 00:06:53.568
(drum beating slowly)
00:06:54.761 --> 00:06:57.928
(drum beating slowly)
00:07:00.281 --> 00:07:03.448
(drum beating slowly)
00:07:07.329 --> 00:07:09.740
(cat meowing)
(door opening)
00:07:09.740 --> 00:07:11.521
(door closing)
00:07:11.521 --> 00:07:12.557
You know what we got to do?
00:07:12.557 --> 00:07:14.020
We got to put on an act.
00:07:14.020 --> 00:07:14.853
Okay.
00:07:14.853 --> 00:07:16.173
Come on.
00:07:17.464 --> 00:07:18.297
Come on.
00:07:18.297 --> 00:07:19.130
Let's sit down.
00:07:19.130 --> 00:07:19.963
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
00:07:19.963 --> 00:07:21.230
That's it.
00:07:21.230 --> 00:07:22.063
Come on.(Cat purrs loudly)
00:07:22.063 --> 00:07:23.200
We got to do a little talking.
00:07:23.200 --> 00:07:24.270
All right?
00:07:24.270 --> 00:07:25.430
This film is about us.
00:07:25.430 --> 00:07:26.497
All right?
00:07:26.497 --> 00:07:27.330
(cat meowing)
00:07:27.330 --> 00:07:28.163
Okay.
00:07:28.163 --> 00:07:29.665
Are you going to act right?
00:07:29.665 --> 00:07:30.498
(cat purring loudly)
00:07:30.498 --> 00:07:32.340
- [Mr. G as Cat] Tell
everybody to keep quiet.
00:07:32.340 --> 00:07:33.740
Then, I'll be nice.
00:07:36.417 --> 00:07:38.580
- [Mr. G] Let me see you close the eyes.
00:07:38.580 --> 00:07:39.795
Come on.
00:07:39.795 --> 00:07:40.735
There you go.
00:07:40.735 --> 00:07:42.415
See how happy that.
00:07:42.415 --> 00:07:46.717
- [Mr. G as Cat] That's
what makes me happy.
00:07:46.717 --> 00:07:47.550
Oh, oh.
00:07:50.806 --> 00:07:53.993
Oh, Mr. G, back of my neck, Mr. G.
00:07:57.180 --> 00:07:59.080
Oh, my.
00:07:59.080 --> 00:07:59.913
Oh.
00:08:01.200 --> 00:08:02.033
My tail.
00:08:03.316 --> 00:08:05.310
- [Mr. G] Is that what you want me to do?
00:08:05.310 --> 00:08:07.023
- [Mr. G as Cat] How about my little ear?
00:08:07.023 --> 00:08:10.640
Oh.
Oh, my, Mr. G.
00:08:10.640 --> 00:08:11.683
I feel like heaven.
00:08:13.100 --> 00:08:14.930
- [Mr. G] You ain't mad at me no more?
00:08:14.930 --> 00:08:17.735
- [Mr. G as Cat] How can I be mad
with you, Mr. G? (Loud purring)
00:08:17.735 --> 00:08:20.735
Oh, Mr. G, I feel a song coming on.
00:08:23.596 --> 00:08:27.036
♪ Never let me go ♪
00:08:27.036 --> 00:08:30.150
♪ Love me much to much ♪
00:08:30.150 --> 00:08:31.634
Give me a little kiss.
00:08:31.634 --> 00:08:33.910
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
Oh, G.
00:08:33.910 --> 00:08:35.150
Oh, oh.
00:08:35.150 --> 00:08:36.345
Stop it.
00:08:36.345 --> 00:08:39.070
Them folks think I'm going attack Mr. G.
00:08:39.070 --> 00:08:41.876
I'm only going to attack
you with love, Mr. G.
00:08:41.876 --> 00:08:43.796
Oh, my, Mr. G.
00:08:43.796 --> 00:08:45.263
- [Mr. G] What's the matter?
00:08:45.263 --> 00:08:47.476
Don't you want a little loving? Huh?
00:08:47.476 --> 00:08:51.095
- [Mr. G as Cat] Tickle my
ear, Mr. G, my little ear.
00:08:51.095 --> 00:08:52.262
Oh.
My, my, my.
00:08:55.036 --> 00:08:56.750
Oh, Mr. G.
(cat purring)
00:08:56.750 --> 00:08:58.770
The Lord is my shepherd.
00:08:58.770 --> 00:09:02.070
I shall not want anything
but these fingers.
00:09:02.070 --> 00:09:04.920
Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me
00:09:04.920 --> 00:09:07.620
all the days of my life,
00:09:07.620 --> 00:09:11.810
and I shall dwell in the
house of Allah forever.
00:09:11.810 --> 00:09:15.810
Oh, Mr. G, you make me
feel so unnecessary.
00:09:15.810 --> 00:09:16.643
Oh.
00:09:17.825 --> 00:09:19.396
Oh.
00:09:19.396 --> 00:09:21.844
♪ Never let me go ♪
00:09:21.844 --> 00:09:24.916
♪ Love me much too much ♪
00:09:24.916 --> 00:09:27.796
♪ If you let me go ♪
00:09:27.796 --> 00:09:30.735
♪ Love will lose its touch ♪
00:09:30.735 --> 00:09:35.055
♪ What would I be without you ♪
00:09:35.055 --> 00:09:40.055
(high pitched soothing electronic music)
00:09:50.825 --> 00:09:52.908
- [Mr. G] Come here, wife.
00:09:53.775 --> 00:09:56.980
(electronic music continues)
00:09:56.980 --> 00:09:59.243
She's like a wife, you
know, sleeps together.
00:10:03.360 --> 00:10:06.610
I feel like I'm coming home to someone.
00:10:09.860 --> 00:10:10.693
She's company.
00:10:12.960 --> 00:10:14.323
We talk to each other,
00:10:15.970 --> 00:10:19.183
and I don't believe like I'm
talking to myself either.
00:10:19.183 --> 00:10:21.110
Maybe she doesn't understand everything,
00:10:21.110 --> 00:10:24.143
but I think that she does
understand some things.
00:10:25.280 --> 00:10:27.530
There's some communication.
And we get along fine.
00:10:32.330 --> 00:10:36.673
I do know that, if I didn't
have her, if she wasn't there,
00:10:37.903 --> 00:10:38.840
yeah, I would know the difference.
00:10:38.840 --> 00:10:41.323
I mean, it would be much more lonely.
00:10:44.240 --> 00:10:46.300
I mean, I give her love,
and in her own way,
00:10:46.300 --> 00:10:47.353
she gives me love.
00:10:49.604 --> 00:10:51.553
Oh, there's love between us,
00:10:51.553 --> 00:10:54.720
and I believe that this is gonna last.
00:11:00.633 --> 00:11:01.466
I mean, what it amounts to,
00:11:01.466 --> 00:11:03.510
when I come home in the
afternoon from work,
00:11:03.510 --> 00:11:05.810
I know that I'm not gonna
meet an empty house.
00:11:08.800 --> 00:11:09.853
I can talk to her.(Slow,low drum rumble)
00:11:12.431 --> 00:11:14.100
She'll answer back, too,
00:11:14.100 --> 00:11:16.273
especially when I greet
her in the afternoon.
00:11:18.190 --> 00:11:20.550
I know I love her. In some ways...
00:11:20.550 --> 00:11:21.750
I know she loves me.
00:11:21.750 --> 00:11:22.583
I mean, not.
00:11:23.540 --> 00:11:24.942
What are we talking about love?
00:11:24.942 --> 00:11:27.109
I mean.
We Talking about...
00:11:31.670 --> 00:11:33.370
She calls me "Black Daddy" (laughs),
00:11:36.800 --> 00:11:40.070
but mostly I just joking
with her, teasing with her.
00:11:40.070 --> 00:11:41.470
That's all.
00:11:41.470 --> 00:11:44.403
I said she's "soul sister."
00:11:47.490 --> 00:11:52.400
She's black like me. But
life with Africa, it's good.
00:11:52.400 --> 00:11:55.760
It's a good relationship, I think,
00:11:55.760 --> 00:11:58.753
between man and his best friend.
00:12:03.783 --> 00:12:07.616
(haunting dramatic music)
00:12:07.616 --> 00:12:09.130
(footsteps)
00:12:09.130 --> 00:12:11.385
Let's speak about my love life,
00:12:11.385 --> 00:12:15.237
very dull, very dull. Not much happening.
00:12:18.076 --> 00:12:23.076
First, I got married at
a very early age, 17.
00:12:24.335 --> 00:12:29.070
Now, that didn't work out,
I mean, because, at 17,
00:12:29.070 --> 00:12:30.013
what do you know?
00:12:31.280 --> 00:12:33.377
But anyway, it didn't work out.
00:12:34.223 --> 00:12:37.723
(haunting dramatic music)
00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:42.863
I am, by no means, a lonely person.
00:12:45.110 --> 00:12:47.190
I live alone, yes.
00:12:47.190 --> 00:12:52.190
Now, I would like a relationship
with a woman if...if...
00:12:58.200 --> 00:13:00.143
To me, this is very important.
00:13:01.003 --> 00:13:02.913
Understanding is the key.
00:13:05.370 --> 00:13:06.873
I said I was a born loser.
00:13:07.810 --> 00:13:10.153
It's my philosophy pertaining to women.
00:13:11.948 --> 00:13:14.830
- [Mr. G as Cat] Oh, my Mr. G.
00:13:14.830 --> 00:13:19.743
- [Mr. G] First of all, I...
women, to me...uh...I...
00:13:22.320 --> 00:13:27.320
well, you know I feel that this
is a handicap in some ways.
00:13:33.920 --> 00:13:36.760
Sometimes she, with this
attitude that I have
00:13:37.930 --> 00:13:40.520
it's kind of frightening,
00:13:40.520 --> 00:13:44.573
but I feel that maybe
these are the problems.
00:13:46.395 --> 00:13:47.228
(sirens whirling and intensifying)
00:13:47.228 --> 00:13:51.223
I'm hoping that, eventually,
I'll have something,
00:13:52.940 --> 00:13:57.420
more long term, but by the same token,
00:13:57.420 --> 00:13:58.950
I'm not pushing the panic button,
00:13:58.950 --> 00:14:03.230
and I'm satisfied to wait
until it comes along.
00:14:03.230 --> 00:14:06.007
I'm not pushing into something.
00:14:12.030 --> 00:14:14.210
Well, these are, you know.
00:14:19.472 --> 00:14:20.555
You like ham?
00:14:21.712 --> 00:14:22.545
Talk to me.
00:14:22.545 --> 00:14:23.628
You like ham?
00:14:24.692 --> 00:14:25.525
Tell me.
00:14:26.431 --> 00:14:27.514
You like ham?
00:14:28.612 --> 00:14:29.529
Talk to me.
00:14:30.732 --> 00:14:31.732
Let me know.
00:14:32.783 --> 00:14:33.750
You act nice, I give you a piece of ham.
00:14:33.750 --> 00:14:34.750
Want a piece of ham? Huh?
00:14:36.932 --> 00:14:38.099
Tell you what.
00:14:39.412 --> 00:14:40.761
Come on, let's get a little piece of ham.
00:14:40.761 --> 00:14:41.594
Okay?
00:14:43.412 --> 00:14:44.245
All right.
00:14:44.245 --> 00:14:45.078
You can't cheat, now.
00:14:45.078 --> 00:14:46.481
You got to talk to me.
00:14:46.481 --> 00:14:48.223
You want a piece of ham, yes or no?
00:14:50.850 --> 00:14:52.111
You ain't going to answer?
00:14:52.111 --> 00:14:52.944
(bag opening)
00:14:52.944 --> 00:14:54.412
You don't answer, you don't get no ham.
00:14:54.412 --> 00:14:55.780
(bag opening)
00:14:55.780 --> 00:14:57.920
- [Mr. G as Cat] Come on, give
me a piece of that ham, G.
00:14:57.920 --> 00:14:59.310
- [Mr. G] All right.
00:14:59.310 --> 00:15:00.410
We can do it your way. Uh!
00:15:03.050 --> 00:15:03.883
What's the matter?
00:15:03.883 --> 00:15:05.228
Your smeller ain't workin'? Huh>
00:15:05.228 --> 00:15:07.728
(bag opening)
00:15:09.071 --> 00:15:09.904
Look here.
00:15:09.904 --> 00:15:11.871
How do we get into this thing.
00:15:11.871 --> 00:15:13.119
Oh, here we go.
00:15:13.119 --> 00:15:14.631
I do all the work, right?
00:15:14.631 --> 00:15:15.798
You do all the eating.
00:15:15.798 --> 00:15:17.079
(cat meowing)
00:15:17.079 --> 00:15:18.068
Well, you can help, here.
00:15:18.068 --> 00:15:20.150
(cat meowing)
00:15:20.150 --> 00:15:21.260
You ain't got no hands?
00:15:21.260 --> 00:15:22.093
All right.
00:15:23.706 --> 00:15:26.217
Okay, okay.
(cat meowing)
00:15:26.217 --> 00:15:28.239
- [Mr. G as Cat] You
gonna open it or what?
00:15:28.239 --> 00:15:29.072
(bag opening)
00:15:29.072 --> 00:15:29.905
- [Mr. G] Here we go.
00:15:29.905 --> 00:15:30.738
Here we go.Huh?
00:15:32.556 --> 00:15:37.556
(bag opening)
(cat meowing)
00:15:38.137 --> 00:15:39.470
All right.
Okay. (Tropical bird soundds)
00:15:40.393 --> 00:15:41.310
Here we go.
00:15:50.416 --> 00:15:51.391
You can't pick that up?
00:15:51.391 --> 00:15:52.834
(cat roars like a lion)
00:15:52.834 --> 00:15:54.914
What's the matter?
00:15:54.914 --> 00:15:55.815
- [Mr. G as Cat] Let me taste it, G,
00:15:55.815 --> 00:15:57.133
then I'll tell you.
00:15:57.133 --> 00:15:58.042
- [Mr. G] All right, here.
00:15:58.042 --> 00:15:59.402
(birds chirping)
00:15:59.402 --> 00:16:00.645
What?
00:16:00.645 --> 00:16:02.563
Oh, now you like me.Huh?
00:16:02.563 --> 00:16:04.263
I got a ham you like me.
00:16:04.263 --> 00:16:05.363
You ain't mad no more.
00:16:07.870 --> 00:16:10.965
Let me know how it is.
00:16:10.965 --> 00:16:12.540
(cat meowing)(more jungle sounds)
00:16:12.540 --> 00:16:14.790
What's the matter?
You want more?
00:16:14.790 --> 00:16:16.354
You sure?
00:16:16.354 --> 00:16:18.015
All right, here.
00:16:18.015 --> 00:16:18.848
Okay.
00:16:20.245 --> 00:16:21.078
Go ahead.
00:16:21.937 --> 00:16:22.822
Yeah, eat that.
00:16:22.822 --> 00:16:24.213
That's it.
00:16:24.213 --> 00:16:25.152
It's about 11:30,
00:16:25.152 --> 00:16:27.342
and I got to get ready to
go to work tomorrow, okay?
00:16:27.342 --> 00:16:28.759
Go ahead, finish.(Lullabye music begins)
00:16:33.051 --> 00:16:34.870
All right.
All right.
00:16:52.622 --> 00:16:55.971
(birds chirping)
00:16:55.971 --> 00:16:59.201
(lullaby music)
00:16:59.201 --> 00:17:00.891
(lullaby music)
00:17:00.891 --> 00:17:03.641
(birds chirping)
00:17:07.005 --> 00:17:10.263
(lullaby music)
00:17:10.263 --> 00:17:13.010
(lullaby music)
00:17:13.010 --> 00:17:15.677
(drum beating)
00:17:16.621 --> 00:17:18.362
My name is Mr. G,
00:17:18.362 --> 00:17:21.113
(birds chirping)
00:17:21.113 --> 00:17:26.113
and I deal in a service where
I make shipping containers.
00:17:27.189 --> 00:17:29.856
(lullaby music and light drum beats)
00:17:32.253 --> 00:17:35.003
(birds chirping)
00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:42.210
I would love to be able to get
up at 12:00 in the afternoon.
00:17:42.210 --> 00:17:45.990
I love to sleep, but unfortunately,
00:17:45.990 --> 00:17:47.303
I have to work to survive,
00:17:48.490 --> 00:17:53.490
so I sell my time for
dollars to maintain myself.
00:17:56.770 --> 00:17:58.520
It's not that I plan to get rich
00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:01.780
or even want to get rich from work.
00:18:01.780 --> 00:18:06.363
It's just to give me the
necessary thing to sustain life.
00:18:09.270 --> 00:18:10.762
After all, we're not gonna
be the richest person
00:18:10.762 --> 00:18:13.320
in the cemetery, and I don't choose to be.
00:18:13.320 --> 00:18:14.363
I want to enjoy it.
00:18:16.090 --> 00:18:21.090
I believe I gets paid X
amount of dollars to do a job,
00:18:23.140 --> 00:18:28.140
and I try to give him a
good day for that pay.
00:18:28.613 --> 00:18:30.271
(lullaby music)
00:18:30.271 --> 00:18:31.104
The only thing about that,
00:18:31.104 --> 00:18:32.200
sometime Africa wake up in
the middle of the night.
00:18:32.200 --> 00:18:33.650
See, Africa like to wake up
two o'clock in the morning,
00:18:33.650 --> 00:18:35.150
and wants to play.
00:18:36.311 --> 00:18:37.711
She likes to tickle my toes.
00:18:39.320 --> 00:18:41.830
She'll keep after me until I get up.
00:18:41.830 --> 00:18:43.010
(lullaby music)
00:18:43.010 --> 00:18:45.410
I got to get up five
o'clock and go to work.
00:18:45.410 --> 00:18:46.950
We get into an argument.
00:18:46.950 --> 00:18:48.421
(Mr. G laughing)
00:18:48.421 --> 00:18:51.553
(lullaby music)
00:18:51.553 --> 00:18:52.930
Now, I know she's in the bed,
00:18:52.930 --> 00:18:54.490
so if ever I'm gonna roll over,
00:18:54.490 --> 00:18:56.959
I'm always careful that
I don't,...you know...
00:18:56.959 --> 00:19:01.110
because there's a reason for that.
00:19:01.110 --> 00:19:02.520
I mean she's comfortable sleeping with me,
00:19:02.520 --> 00:19:03.890
and I wouldn't want to do anything
00:19:03.890 --> 00:19:07.860
that would prevent her from
not sleeping in the bed,
00:19:07.860 --> 00:19:08.873
if she chooses to.
00:19:10.730 --> 00:19:12.910
Naturally, if I roll over
and hurt her one night,
00:19:12.910 --> 00:19:15.551
I mean, she's not gonna
sleep there anymore.
00:19:15.551 --> 00:19:17.010
Oh.
00:19:17.010 --> 00:19:18.130
If it's really cold,
00:19:18.130 --> 00:19:20.920
she finds a warm spot
right between my legs.
00:19:20.920 --> 00:19:23.020
That's when I really have to be careful.
00:19:23.020 --> 00:19:24.780
Hey, that's down at the foot,
00:19:24.780 --> 00:19:26.480
down at the foot of the bed, okay?
00:19:27.489 --> 00:19:30.930
(Mr. G laughing)
00:19:30.930 --> 00:19:32.798
I was dreaming, see?
00:19:32.798 --> 00:19:35.009
(lullaby music)
00:19:35.009 --> 00:19:36.118
Yeah, I woke up.
00:19:36.118 --> 00:19:38.451
Here's Africa up in my arms.
00:19:40.537 --> 00:19:43.885
(bird calls)
00:19:43.885 --> 00:19:46.552
(lullaby music and jungle sounds)
00:19:50.810 --> 00:19:53.113
I woke up, I'm just squeezing Africa.
00:19:54.180 --> 00:19:57.148
I woke up, Africa just up
there, looking up at me.
00:19:57.148 --> 00:19:59.366
(Mr. G laughing)
00:19:59.366 --> 00:20:00.583
This is true.
00:20:01.478 --> 00:20:02.728
I was dreaming.
00:20:03.748 --> 00:20:05.537
I was just squeezing Africa.
00:20:05.537 --> 00:20:06.513
- [Mr. G as Cat] Give me a kiss Mr. G.
00:20:06.513 --> 00:20:08.716
Oh, give me a kiss.
00:20:08.716 --> 00:20:10.220
(Mr. G Mwah!
00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:12.220
- [Mr. G as Cat] Once more
with feeling.(Bird call)
00:20:15.406 --> 00:20:16.980
Oh, Mr. G.
00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:18.097
- [Mr. G] I still love you. Mwah!@
00:20:18.097 --> 00:20:18.930
(cat meowing)
00:20:18.930 --> 00:20:20.263
Yes, I love you. I know.
00:20:23.857 --> 00:20:24.926
Don't you know Mr. G. love you?
00:20:24.926 --> 00:20:25.908
Give me a kiss.
00:20:25.908 --> 00:20:27.030
Give me a little kiss.
00:20:27.030 --> 00:20:28.405
Come on, give Mr. G a little kiss.
00:20:28.405 --> 00:20:29.238
Oh. G. (Mwah!)
00:20:30.886 --> 00:20:34.806
(classic romantic music)
00:20:34.806 --> 00:20:35.806
- [Mr. G as Cat] Oh, my.
00:20:35.806 --> 00:20:37.056
Oh, my, my, my.
00:20:38.308 --> 00:20:40.808
My ear, Mr. G, my ear, my ear.
00:20:43.108 --> 00:20:44.937
Under my chin.
00:20:44.937 --> 00:20:46.543
Under my chin, Mr. G.
00:20:48.390 --> 00:20:49.790
Oh, my tail, Mr. G, my tail.
00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:55.605
Right under my throat.
00:20:55.605 --> 00:20:58.948
(classic romantic music)
00:20:58.948 --> 00:21:01.388
- [Mr. G] Darlin', darlin', darlin'.
00:21:01.388 --> 00:21:05.685
(classical romantic music)
00:21:05.685 --> 00:21:08.468
- [Mr. G as Cat] Oh, I got to hold on G.
00:21:08.468 --> 00:21:12.537
(classical romantic music)
00:21:12.537 --> 00:21:14.668
- [Mr. G] Turn over.
00:21:14.668 --> 00:21:16.067
Turn over.
00:21:16.067 --> 00:21:18.095
(classical romantic music)
00:21:18.095 --> 00:21:19.077
(Mr. G as cat laughing)
00:21:19.077 --> 00:21:22.445
- [Mr. G as Cat] Mr.
G, leave my tail alone.
00:21:22.445 --> 00:21:23.895
Leave my tail alone, G.
00:21:23.895 --> 00:21:25.014
I'm going to get you.
00:21:25.014 --> 00:21:28.597
(classical romantic music)
00:21:29.725 --> 00:21:30.783
- [Mr. G] Speak, darlin'.
00:21:30.783 --> 00:21:31.824
Speak, darlin'.
00:21:31.824 --> 00:21:33.114
Speak.
00:21:33.114 --> 00:21:35.594
(Mr. G voice echoing)
00:21:35.594 --> 00:21:38.344
(Mr. G laughing)
00:21:39.474 --> 00:21:41.257
That feels good?
00:21:41.257 --> 00:21:43.460
- [Mr. G as Cat] Mr. G, it's
been a long time. (Cat meows)
00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:54.867
Mr. G, you sure you
ain't got no cat in you?
00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:57.647
(Mr. G laughing)
00:21:57.647 --> 00:21:59.863
(cat meowing)
00:21:59.863 --> 00:22:01.632
(classical romantic music)
00:22:01.632 --> 00:22:02.465
(people on roller coaster screaming)
00:22:02.465 --> 00:22:03.715
Behind my neck.
00:22:04.705 --> 00:22:05.873
Oh, Mr. G.
00:22:05.873 --> 00:22:09.456
(classical romantic music)
00:22:12.424 --> 00:22:13.801
Under the chin.
00:22:13.801 --> 00:22:15.440
Oh, boy.
00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:19.081
(classical romantic music)
00:22:19.081 --> 00:22:22.664
(classical romantic music)
00:22:31.432 --> 00:22:32.265
Oh, my.
00:22:33.143 --> 00:22:34.393
Oh, my, my, my.
00:22:37.641 --> 00:22:38.474
Oh, my.
00:22:40.273 --> 00:22:41.190
Oh, my ear.
00:22:44.463 --> 00:22:46.213
Right behind my neck.
00:22:48.044 --> 00:22:51.711
(classical romantic music)
00:22:57.010 --> 00:22:58.260
- [Mr. G] You forgive me? Huh?
00:23:00.150 --> 00:23:01.573
You forgive me?
00:23:01.573 --> 00:23:05.190
(classical romantic music)
00:23:05.190 --> 00:23:06.153
- [Mr. G as Cat] Oh, Mr. G.
00:23:07.320 --> 00:23:09.444
You must have some cat in you.
00:23:09.444 --> 00:23:10.361
Oh, oh, oh.
00:23:17.993 --> 00:23:21.175
Oh, Mr. G, if this ain't
heaven, there ain't none.
00:23:21.175 --> 00:23:23.113
(classical romantic music)
00:23:23.113 --> 00:23:26.415
(fireworks banging)
00:23:26.415 --> 00:23:29.652
(classical romantic music)
00:23:29.652 --> 00:23:33.302
- [Mr. G as Cat] Mr.
G, leave my tail alone.
00:23:33.302 --> 00:23:36.233
(woman speaking in foreign language)
00:23:36.233 --> 00:23:37.102
(classical romantic music)
00:23:37.102 --> 00:23:37.935
Oh.
00:23:39.302 --> 00:23:40.135
Oh, G.
00:23:41.687 --> 00:23:44.255
Oh, stop, G, stop.
00:23:44.255 --> 00:23:45.684
(cat meowing)
00:23:45.684 --> 00:23:47.407
Oh, my goodness.
00:23:47.407 --> 00:23:49.513
I truly love you, Mr. G.
00:23:50.972 --> 00:23:55.362
(classical romantic music)
00:23:55.362 --> 00:23:59.195
Hmm. Hmm. Mr. G, if this ain't
heaven, there ain't none.
00:24:00.082 --> 00:24:02.143
(classical romantic music)
00:24:02.143 --> 00:24:06.680
Oh, Mr. G, you make me feel so good.
00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:08.050
I just got to hold on.
00:24:10.791 --> 00:24:15.791
Ah, Mr. G, you make me
feel so, so heavenly.
00:24:19.870 --> 00:24:21.223
You devil, you.
00:24:24.030 --> 00:24:29.010
Mr. G, G, G, G, (laughs).
00:24:34.223 --> 00:24:38.591
Oh, G, you make me feel so good.
00:24:38.591 --> 00:24:42.174
(classical romantic music)
00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:45.883
- [Mr. G] My name is Mr. G.
00:24:47.020 --> 00:24:49.963
I'll be 50 years old August 25th.
00:24:51.551 --> 00:24:55.063
I don't know about looks,
but I don't feel 50.
00:24:56.600 --> 00:24:59.780
By that, I mean, I love to joke.
00:24:59.780 --> 00:25:02.420
I like modern music.
00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:06.332
I like to clown, but I mean, I
wouldn't know about looks now.
00:25:06.332 --> 00:25:07.732
I wouldn't know about looks.
00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:12.940
- [Mr. G as Cat] Oh My.
00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:15.190
- [Mr. G] My name is Mr.
G. What is there to say?
00:25:21.820 --> 00:25:25.723
Basically, it's the same
routine, Monday through Saturday.
00:25:26.610 --> 00:25:28.383
I get up at 5:30 in the morning.
00:25:28.383 --> 00:25:29.216
I get ready.
00:25:29.216 --> 00:25:30.890
I leave the house around 5:00 to 6:00.
00:25:30.890 --> 00:25:35.370
I stop and I have coffee,
take the subway, bus terminal,
00:25:35.370 --> 00:25:36.903
take the bus to New Jersey.
00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:40.933
You know, I'm ordinary person.
00:25:41.852 --> 00:25:42.685
(caliope music)
00:25:42.685 --> 00:25:44.180
I believe in working.
00:25:44.180 --> 00:25:49.180
I try to live respectable
within the system, and I work.
00:25:49.320 --> 00:25:53.321
I work from 7:00 to
3:30, a press operator.
00:25:53.321 --> 00:25:55.010
(caliope music)
00:25:55.010 --> 00:25:56.710
Sometimes it's a little gloomy.
00:25:56.710 --> 00:25:59.822
I'll come up with something to
get everybody laughing, you know.
00:25:59.822 --> 00:26:01.840
(caliope music)
00:26:01.840 --> 00:26:03.700
My life is pretty well fulfilled.
00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:08.222
I mean, to have a woman in my
life at this stage in my life,
00:26:08.222 --> 00:26:10.139
I mean, I'm never home.
00:26:11.102 --> 00:26:12.524
(caliope music)
00:26:12.524 --> 00:26:13.357
Darlin'.
00:26:13.357 --> 00:26:14.190
Darlin'.
00:26:14.190 --> 00:26:15.023
Darlin'.
00:26:15.023 --> 00:26:17.690
(caliope music) (distant
sirens) (wolf howls)
00:26:21.063 --> 00:26:23.896
(sirens whirling) (Wolf howls again)
00:26:27.841 --> 00:26:30.674
(sirens whirling)
00:26:34.276 --> 00:26:37.276
(sirens whirling)
00:26:37.276 --> 00:26:38.898
Mr. G: What's all the noise?
00:26:38.898 --> 00:26:41.731
(Mr. G laughing)
00:26:42.938 --> 00:26:44.047
It's all right now.
00:26:44.047 --> 00:26:45.630
Everything is okay.
00:26:46.775 --> 00:26:49.525
(rain pattering)
00:26:50.495 --> 00:26:53.956
(rain pattering)
00:26:53.956 --> 00:26:56.706
(rain pattering)
00:26:57.636 --> 00:27:00.386
(rain pattering)
00:27:01.355 --> 00:27:04.105
(rain pattering)
00:27:06.854 --> 00:27:09.687
(rain pattering)
