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Stand closer.
Closer.
That's great.
Good. Don't move.
One, two, three.
-Move all these boxes up the truck. -Yes, Ma'am.
Uncle Wen, give this place another sweep.
-There will be another viewing tomorrow. -Yes, Ma'am.
You're leaving for Japan next week. Why are you here?
I came just to take a look.
-Have you packed for your trip? -Yes.
When your grandma was alive, she was something else.
Running a photo studio.
Wearing pants.
Smoking.
She was no different from a man.
I remember she nearly drove your grandpa nuts.
Help me take those photos down.
I couldn't visit grandma when she was in hospital.
Did she blame me?
Of course not.
I told her you were overseas shooting for a magazine.
She was so proud of you.
Who is coming to view this place tomorrow?
Some hair salon people.
They came last week. Tomorrow is their second viewing.
They seem interested in leasing this place.
Do you know?
These photos were your grandma's favorites.
They were taken before Brilliant Pearl moved here.
Back then, your grandma's first photo studio was at Kim Seng Road,
right across Great World Amusement Park.
When I was a kid,
Great World was the most exciting place in Singapore.
There was a night market, an amusement park.
a nightclub, restaurants and cinemas.
Every weekend,
lots of people would go there
to dine, shop and date.
Whenever your grandma was busy in the photo studio.
I would run across to Great World and play
Is that right?
Be careful of the glass!
-Come, Uncle Wen! -Coming.
Oh, dear!
Let me clean up.
Don't touch that!
Clean the mess up, Uncle Wen. I'll go get the mop.
These photos were your grandma's favorites.
"December 15,1978.
Great World Amusement Park is finally closing.
Brilliant Pearl Photo Studio has to move.
To be honest, I'm reluctant to leave.
The histories of Brilliant Pearl and Great World are intertwined.
Growing up together, going through thick and thin.
We'll be saying farewell tomorrow.
And this parting will be forever.
Leaving only beautiful memories."
Uncle Wen, do you know the people in these photos?
It's been such a long time, I can't remember.
Think harder, Uncle Wen.
Let me see.
Oh, yes.
Your grandma had an old friend.
He used to work at Great World.
He's called Ah Beng.
He attended your grandma's funeral last week.
How can I find him?
His address is probably in your grandma's phone book.
-Where are you going? -I'll be back in a while.
What is she up to?
Is anyone home?
Who are you looking for?
I'm looking for Goh Ah Beng.
Does he live here?
What do you want with that old fogey?
Is he home?
You'd better be careful of him.
He's a real nutcase.
He scolds people for no rhyme or reason.
Just yesterday, when I told him
that all these junk outside his door are a fire hazard.
You know what he did?
He sprayed me with a water hose!
Hi, grandpa.
How do you do? My name is Ah Min.
My grandma used to run Brilliant Pearl Photo Studio.
You were friends with my grandma, right?
You used to work at Great World, correct?
I found these at the photo studio.
They are my grandma's favorites.
Do you know the people in these photos?
Please take a look, grandpa.
Grandma has gone.
And Brilliant Pearl is closing down.
I'd like to return these photos to their rightful owners.
Ah Boo.
His name is Ah Boo.
The one next to him is his mom.
They lived just across Great World Amusement Park.
Next door to Brilliant Pearl Photo Studio.
(February 15, 1958)
Joyfully, we go to school
Happily, we do exercises
Mightily, the drum sounds
Sprightly, we dance
I'll teach you if you don't know how
Don't laugh if I look silly
Let's do the cha cha cha
Don't be shy
Let's do the cha cha cha
Mom.
I'm going out, Mom.
Ah Boo.
You're off to work, Ah Boo?
Yes, Mom. I'm going to work,
-to make lots of money. -That's great, son.
When he was alive, your dad used to work in the cinema.
He was a film projectionist.
People talked and moved in those movies.
I know, Mom.
Whenever a big movie star came to town,
your dad would take a picture with them.
I know that, Mom.
At dinner time,
your dad would put that photo on the table.
It was as if we were dining with a movie star.
I was so happy.
I know, Mom. I'm going to be late.
I've got to go to work
to make lots of money.
That's great.
My Ah Boo is such a clever boy.
Going to work and making lots of money.
Good boy, good boy.
Thanks.
Ah Beng's kebabs are so sweet.
Better than the noodles downtown.
One stick costs just five cents.
Cheap, fresh and convenient.
Come, come!
Ah Boo.
What's up?
What time is it now? Did you strike the lottery?
Don't you have to work today?
Aren't you scared of getting bitten by Tiger?
I took leave today.
Leave? You've got to be kidding.
I've been working at Great World for so long.
I've never heard of Tiger granting anybody leave.
If I'm lying to you, I'll get struck down by a bicycle.
Before you get hit by a bike, you'll be killed by a tiger!
I'm so scared.
-I've no time to chit chat. -Get lost.
-Over here. -Sorry.
The boss was around earlier. Be careful.
Don't dirty it. I have to return it later.
Does it fit?
It's perfect.
That westerner is as short as you.
-Perfect fit. -Thank you so much.
I'll return the suit to the Seventh Storey Hotel tomorrow.
I'll buy you lunch one of these days.
No need for that.
When my kid celebrated his birthday, you came and performed.
You made him so happy.
I didn't buy you lunch either.
I'm glad your son was happy.
Don't worry. I'll take good care of the suit.
What are you up to? Wearing a suit to court a girl?
Yes.
I'm going to court a white girl!
Ah Boo.
What are you doing here?
Why is your face like that?
-Did you meet a ghost? -No.
Tiger is hunting high and low for you.
He swore to kill you if he finds you.
Did you get your facts right?
Tiger granted me leave today.
I told him I'm going to take a photo with Elizabeth Taylor.
You're dressed to the nines.
Going to a wedding?
You granted me leave.
I told you I had something important to do today
Is that right?
Impossible!
I couldn't have granted you leave.
You know why?
Because we are all hungry, we need to eat.
Because we need to eat, we need to work.
And if we need to work, I couldn't have granted you leave.
Am I right or not?
-But you granted me leave! -You're still whining?
-You did grant me leave! -Still whining?
Go get ready!
My flowers.
(Children's Theatre)
Hello, everybody.
I am Tiger.
A great show is starting.
Great!
Introducing our first monster.
She's really scary.
She's the world's ugliest monster.
Red Hair!
Didn't I tell you she's uglier than a ghost?
But have no fear.
Next up,
we have our second monster.
His name is
Tiny Tot!
Come here, Tiny Tot.
Walk properly.
You're nothing but a tub of lard.
I told you to walk properly, but you're not listening.
I'm going to whip you till your butt falls off.
Great!
-Shall we thrash Tiny Tot till he cries? -Yes!
-Shall we? -Yes!
Elizabeth!
Tiny Tot.
Why aren't you crying yet?
I'm warning you.
The kids want to hear you cry.
Damn you.
I'm ordering you to cry!
Cry quickly, Ah Boo.
You're still not crying?
I'm going to whip you till you scream.
If I don't get you to cry,
my name is not Tiger!
I quit!
I'm quitting, too!
Wu Song subdues the tiger!
Run, Ah Boo!
You're Ah Boo, right?
I'm Ah Huay from Brilliant Pearl Photo Studio.
Ah Huat is busy, so he sent me.
You want to take a picture, right?
It's better over there. Come.
Over here.
You can't pass here.
Over there.
Go! Nothing to see!
No autographs!
Over there.
Here, there, everywhere.
This is like a marathon.
Make way!
No shaking hands!
This way, please.
What do you want me to shoot?
Ah Boo.
Look there.
Put the camera here.
Welcome to Singapore.
You're so cheeky. Said you were off to work,
when you actually went to take a picture with a movie star.
You're as sly as your dad.
It's your birthday today, Mom.
This is a beautiful photo.
If your dad knew that you took a photo with an American movie star,
-he would be so happy. -That's right.
Blow out the candle, Mom.
Great.
Good.
Here's wishing that you'll be free of wrinkles and beautiful forever.
Would you like that?
I do.
Free of wrinkles and beautiful forever.
Let's take a picture together at Brilliant Pearl tomorrow.
-Would you like that? -That's a great idea. Good boy.
The American movie star is sitting right beside us.
-I'm so happy. -Me, too.
Have some cake, Mom.
Let's eat together.
Tuck in.
This cake is so sweet!
After he took that picture with Elizabeth Taylor.
Ah Boo became famous at Great World.
Tiger retired.
His children's show was renamed,
and became Tiny Tot's Children's Show.
So, you sold kebabs at Great World.
That's right. I sold kebabs at Great World till it closed down in 1978.
That's when I retired.
Your grandma loved my kebabs.
I've taken so many pictures,
but I've never shot anyone laughing so happily.
You're a photographer, too?
I'm a fashion photographer.
A photographer nonetheless.
Don't think I am old and ignorant.
Dress nicely, take a picture,
and that's called fashion photography, right?
Look at this, grandpa.
Do you know her?
She's called Mei Juan.
She used to work at Great World, too.
Whenever my business suffered,
she would help me out.
Mutes who eat it can talk.
Blind people who eat it can watch TV.
Ogres who eat it can marry pretty wives.
Lunatics who eat it can milk a cow.
Hunchbacks who eat it can become prime ministers.
Dead people who eat it can drive trucks.
-Come. -Uncle Beng.
-Slow day? -Zero sales.
I would have been swatting flies the entire morning,
if only there is a single fly to be found.
Kebabs!
One stick costs just five cents.
Come.
Wow, your kebabs are tasty.
I've eaten kebabs at the New World Amusement Park,
the Gay World Amusement Park, but yours still taste the best!
Of course! The best tasting kebabs.
Ah Beng's kebabs are so sweet.
Come and take a look.
Yeo family's No Fear Oil.
Whether you are kissed by a mosquito.
Bitten by a fly.
Or bruised by a butterfly.
Kids who get scared by ghosts at night.
Old people scared by cars while crossing the road.
Or folks traumatized when they fail to win the lottery.
Please use Yeo family's No Fear Oil!
Come and take a look.
-I want an ice ball! -Wait a minute! There you go.
Meat kebabs!
Crackers!
Ice cream wafers! Chocolate biscuits!
Come and try your luck!
Three shots for just five cents.
Lots of great prizes to be won.
Everything you can possibly want.
Low risk, big prizes.
Come! Three shots for just five cents.
Lots of great prizes to be won.
Everything you can possibly want.
Damn it!
Told me his oil can cure everything.
Now I've got rashes all over my neck.
If I catch that rascal. I'll kill him!
Over there!
Your boyfriend?
Are you nuts?
Why are you so fierce?
If you don't know him, why did you kiss him?
He kissed me.
That was your first kiss?
Bullseye!
I'm so sorry.
There must be something wrong with my oil.
Don't be mad.
Please accept this token of apology.
This isn't too shabby.
You tell that son of yours.
He'd better hide in a drain whenever he sees me in the future.
A drain is no good. I'll tell my son to hide in a cesspit.
I'm so sorry.
Dad, why did you pay that hooligan?
There's nothing wrong with our oil.
His skin is problematic.
For all you know, that oaf has a venereal disease.
Don't tangle with people like them.
We came here from Malaysia to make a bit of money.
Live and let live. Let's get to work.
Why the long face?
Afraid I'll win all your prizes?
Go ahead and win them if you're a sharpshooter.
If I hit the target three times,
you'll have to...
Sure. But what if you miss?
If I miss, I'll buy all the prizes from the opposite stall.
You're on.
I've been doing this since I was a kid.
First shot.
Second shot.
That doesn't count!
Be cool. You've got one more shot.
There's something wrong with your gun.
There's something wrong with your eyes.
Why the long face? Can't admit defeat?
Ten bucks.
What?
Didn't you say just now that you'll buy all of my prizes if you lose?
I didn't!
If you're broke, say so.
Useless bum.
You win this time.
Tomorrow night ten o'clock.
The scariest place in Great World Amusement Park.
Come if you dare.
He likes you, huh?
Nonsense.
Remember to drink the coffee he bought you.
One,
two, three.
I missed again.
Hang on. Let me see.
This is your last shot.
Watch the target.
One, two
three.
Bullseye!
Third prize.
An imperial sword.
-Thank you. -Please come again.
You've got a lucky face.
It's real easy to win my prizes.
-Is that right? -Of course.
I'll give it a go.
Shucks. Try again.
You didn't win again. To win, you must draw one with a number.
Ah Ting. Help me watch my stall.
You're paying for the cab fare home.
Okay.
Come and check it out!
Great World's famous ghost train.
Better than a Hock Lee bus ride.
It won't take you downtown.
It won't take you to the coast.
Instead, it'll take you straight to hell.
Come and check it out!
We've got all kinds of ghosts in here.
Gambling ghosts, drunk ghosts, red-haired ghosts.
We've got them all.
Come alone if you dare. Come with a friend if you don't.
Come and check it out!
Great World's famous ghost train.
How about it?
Scared?
The hell I am.
Sit tight and hug each other tight.
If you get spooked later, you can hug me.
Yeah, right.
I'm telling you.
This ghost train is really haunted.
Ooh, I'm so scared.
You find that funny?
If you scream out loud later, you'll have to kiss me.
Kiss, kiss, kiss.
Didn't your mommy kiss you when you were a baby?
My snack.
Ghost!
Thanks, I'll buy you all coffee tomorrow.
You've been conned, you fool.
Coward.
-See you guys tomorrow. -Okay, okay. Bye.
Are you done laughing?
You're such a joke.
Combing your hair in such a dumb way. Putting on cologne.
You reckon you're very cool?
It's so obvious you're just a country bumpkin.
Guess what?
I've been doing this since I was a kid, you country bumpkin.
Cut it out.
Country bumpkin!
Go back where you came from, you bumpkin!
A big fellow like you, screaming like a girl.
An utter disgrace. Go kill yourself.
Come and check it out!
Great World's famous ghost train.
The Hungry Ghost Festival is over and you're still here?
I'm out of time.
I've to take a photo of a bank manager in Katong.
Got to run. I'll pay you next time.
Be careful. Watch where you're going.
-Don't cause an accident. -Stop cursing me.
Be careful.
-Ah Juan, Ah Ting. -Uncle Beng.
Why so happy?
Want to share the joke?
We closed early today to go to the movies.
-What's playing? -The Twin Swords.
Jimmy Wang Yu and Ivy Ling Po are in this kung fu flick.
Oh, that picture.
Uncle Beng.
Does your back still hurt?
My dad told me to bring you a bottle of our oil.
Your dad's so kind.
I haven't finished the last bottle he gave me.
Have you had dinner? Go ahead, be my guest.
Let me introduce you.
Ah Ting, Ah Juan. This is...
What's up? You two owe him money or what?
What happened between you and him?
Nothing. The show's starting.
-We're off, Uncle Beng. -Have a good time.
Come, kebabs for sale!
Yeo family's No Fear Oil.
Whether you are kissed by a mosquito.
Bitten by a fly. Bruised by a butterfly.
Or mauled by a tiger.
Kids who get scared at night...
Yeo family's No Fear Oil!
Hey, strike the gong.
I'm going to give you a nosebleed.
Fine, you win! I'll treat you to the movies!
What's up?
No coffee today?
Are you dating him?
Hell, no.
Why would I go out with a country bumpkin?
If you don't want him. You can let me have him.
You want that country bumpkin?
Be my guest.
It's a real bargain.
So many bottles of No Fear Oil for just two bucks.
The oil seller said he's going back to Malaysia and not coming back.
That's why he was selling his oil so cheaply.
Ah Ting, help me watch the stall.
Where are you going?
Every time we look back
on this moment when we signed this agreement
to sever Singapore from Malaysia,
it will be a moment of anguish.
We are a people connected by geography,
economics,
and ties of kinship.
(A year later)
Come and try your luck!
Three shots for just five cents.
Lots of great prizes to be won.
Everything you can possibly want.
Low risk, big prizes.
Come and try your luck!
Ah Juan, help me watch the stall.
I'll get the cab fare home tonight. Be a doll.
Scram.
Let's go on the ghost train.
-There's no one there right now. -You bet.
Didn't you go back to Malaysia?
My dad did. I didn't.
I stayed on and enlisted in the army.
I'm a Singapore citizen now.
Tinkering with your gun.
You're such a cheat.
So what if you're a soldier and can shoot real well?
Mei Juan and Ah Leong got married,
and started a factory making No Fear Oil.
Even now.
Whenever I'm kissed by a mosquito.
Or bitten by a fly.
I still use Yeo family's No Fear Oil.
Grandpa, what about this photo?
Do you know her?
Who doesn't know her?
The hottest diva in Great World during the 1960s.
Mei Gui.
Tycoons from Indonesia and Sarawak flocked to Great World to hear her sing.
Cheap, fresh and convenient.
Bosses who eat it will get rich.
Chauffeurs who eat it will get customers.
Gangsters who eat it become bulletproof.
Cops who eat it get braver.
Where does it all go, you bottomless pit?
Hey, Ah Beng.
You ever thought of remarrying after all these years?
Of course. I'm just waiting for you to ask me!
Are you nuts?
I'm a married woman and a mother.
I'm off. I'm just wasting my breath on you.
There's a beauty pageant at the trade fair tonight.
-I've got to go over. -What?
-A beauty pageant? -Yup.
You?
-What's good to eat? -Everything's good to eat.
Kebabs for sale.
I heard that Flamingo Nite-club's got a diva called Mei Gui.
Apparently, she's got a killer figure...
You lunatic.
When was the last time you came to the Flamingo?
Mei Gui is way over the hill.
Gone moldy.
Moldy?
Look at her, can't even put her lipstick on.
Her lips are like a baboon's ass.
What's so great about her?
Peter treats her like a goddess.
If I'm like Mei Gui, old and wrinkly,
I would have killed myself a long time ago.
If I was her,
I'll leap off a building on the main street, land on the road,
and get run over by a truck.
My corpse will then bounce to the harbor,
and sink into the water, never to be found again.
I heard she's like this because of a man.
You got that right. That fellow was called Henry.
Handsome, and rich to boot.
He used to come nightly to watch Mei Gui sing.
That's right.
One night, Henry proposed to Mei Gui.
The next day, he left the country and hasn't been back for ten years since.
Mei Gui is a real fool.
Her man stayed away for ten years,
and she waited for ten years like a stupid stone.
She doesn't realize she's too old to sing anymore.
Getting in the way of younger talents like us.
Don't worry.
If she doesn't leave on her own,
we'll have to help her on her way.
Is that real?
Mei Gui!
Are you ready?
The customers are getting impatient.
I've been ready for a long time.
You call this ready? Look at you.
Your lipstick is all wrong.
What's wrong with you?
There. Over here, too.
Stop drinking.
Peter.
Sister Mei Gui is unwell today.
Me, Orchid and Chrysanthemum have a new dance.
One, two, three!
What do you think, Peter?
If you want, we can...
Shut up, you three.
I'm begging you, Mei Gui. Hurry up!
It's showtime! Quickly!
What do we do now?
This time, we must get rid of her for good.
Once again, welcome to the Flamingo Nite-club.
After that dance number,
sit back and enjoy the rest of our exciting program.
Showtime!
Put your hands together for the one and only flower of Flamingo.
Mei Gui!
Rose, Rose so delicate
Rose, Rose so pretty
Rose, Rose I love you
Mei Gui!
A thousand apologies.
Because of a technical malfunction, we'll be taking a short break.
Sister Mei Gui, you're unwell.
That's right. You must take care of your health and body.
Look at you, Mei Gui.
Your hands and legs are wobbly.
Go home and rest.
We three will take over for the rest of the night.
Mei Gui!
You've really done it this time.
You're a disgrace to the Flamingo.
You know what they are saying out there?
They're saying you are over the hill. They're saying Flamingo should shut down.
I'm giving you two minutes. Hurry up and get back out there.
If you screw up again, you need not come back tomorrow!
What are you three standing there for?
Practicing to be trees?
Go and entertain the customers.
Mei Gui.
Age is catching up with you.
Do you know how hard it is for me to make you the main act?
I do it because I think you've still got the spark.
But look at you.
You're drunk all the time and out of tune.
Very soon, it won't be me chasing you away.
It won't be those three either.
It'll be the customers who want you to go.
Stop drinking.
I've been here longer than you.
I've seen all kinds of men.
They all come here just to have fun.
Whatever they say after a drink or two,
they'll forget the moment they walk out of here.
Don't be a fool.
Life is short.
Get ready.
It's showtime. Be good.
Henry.
Dragonfly, come over here.
Have a chat with Tycoon Chen.
Have a good time.
Rose, Rose
So delicate
Rose, Rose
So pretty
Blooming through the seasons
Rose, Rose
I love you
Rose, Rose so delicate
Rose, Rose so pretty
Blooming through the seasons
Rose, Rose I love you
Heartfelt promises and feelings
Shine across the earth
Heartfelt promises and feelings
Shine across the earth
Rose, Rose so slender
Rose, Rose so prickly
Despite your soft petals
Rose, Rose I love you
Rose, Rose
I love you
Thank you.
First, let me apologize for my earlier gaffe.
You know why I fell just now?
It's because all of you are too handsome.
I took one look and my knees went weak.
All these years,
thank you for supporting me and taking care of me.
But the song I just sang is not for you.
I sang it for a special someone
whom I haven't seen in ten years.
He's finally here today.
His name is Henry.
That's me.
I am Henry.
No, you're not. Sit back down.
My name's Harry, but you can call me Henry.
I am Mak Heng Li.
Will that do?
I am Henry, too.
Mei Gui.
That's great. Now that the real Henry is here,
let's get on with our show.
Next up are three lovely ladies bringing you an exciting dance.
How have you been?
Fine.
I've been fine.
You haven't changed.
Neither have you.
Really?
All these years.
Where did you go?
After leaving you that night.
I went to Thailand on a business trip.
Near the Thai-Malaysian border,
I was stopped by Communist rebels.
They took me prisoner and locked me up for five years.
I was later rescued by government forces.
They killed the rebels and got me out.
I was brought to Bangkok to recuperate and got well after a long time.
Mei Gui.
Many times, I wanted to come back to Great World.
But...
All that is no longer important.
What's important is that you're finally back.
Me and my wife are en route to Indonesia.
We're in Singapore for just a day.
I often told her about you and Flamingo Nite-club.
She really wants to meet you.
She's outside right now.
This is the Rose I‘ve often spoken about.
My wife, Suchin.
My son, Som, and daughter, Phueng.
So nice to finally meet you.
Say hello to Daddy's friend.
Hello, auntie.
You have a beautiful family.
I'm so happy for you.
We've got to get going. Take good care of yourself.
-Farewell. -Farewell.
I was supposed to dance in front.
So, why were you two shoving me from behind?
Watch your mouth. You get to dance in front because you've got a big ass?
Take your turn!
I've never met dancers like you two. Brawling on stage.
I had to duck your blows. Made me fall down.
It was you who stepped on my foot.
I was knocked down by your big fat bum.
That's enough! Quit squabbling!
You three are such show-offs.
Pushing and shoving till you all fell down.
What a joke!
Who put this ring here?
No one's owning up?
All of you want me to leave.
I'll leave.
-Mei Gui. -Shut up.
I'm old and wrinkly, right?
-I am a disgrace to the Flamingo, right? -Mei Gui.
I'm a drunkard and an awful singer.
I make your life as a manager difficult, right?
-Sister Mei Gui. -Quit pretending.
You three want me to leave so you can have all the limelight, right?
Fine, I'll go.
-Mei Gui. -What?
Listen.
Mei Gui...
Showtime!
Hurry up.
It's been ten years.
And I've sung "Rose, Rose, I Love You" all those years.
I also waited in vain for a person all those years.
I had always thought he loved me.
But now,
I realize that
the ones who truly love me
are you all.
Tonight's a new beginning,
and I'm going to do a new number.
Are you all ready?
Yeah!
You look at me and I look at you
Have you ever seen me this happy?
You look at me and I look at you
Have you ever seen me this proud?
No need to ask me
Why I am this happy and proud
Even if you asked me
I won't tell you the reason
Listen up.
I borrowed money from loan sharks to buy that ring.
So you'd better find it.
It's too dark and there's nothing here but grass.
Shut up and start looking.
Use your eyes, not your mouth.
You didn't dare to give her the ring yourself.
Now you're blaming us.
Shut your mouth or I'll make you do a striptease on stage.
You like her but had no guts to tell her.
-How long have you been in love with her? -Shut up,
or I'll rip your mouth to pieces.
I'm warning you.
I borrowed money from loan sharks to buy that ring.
If I don't find it, I'm dead meat.
I'll never be able to repay the loan.
Look for it quick.
Who is in love with me?
Since that night, Mei Gui became even more popular,
all the way till 1978,
when the Flamingo shut down along with the rest of Great World.
Grandpa, why did Great World close down?
Singapore became prosperous in the 1970s.
Night markets were falling out of fashion.
Supermarkets were opening everywhere.
Cinemas, too.
Most importantly, TV came.
People who had TV sets stayed home at night.
The world had changed,
and Great World was falling behind.
It had no choice but to shut its doors.
Great World was torn down in 1978.
During the 1990s, a mall was built over the site.
So, you sold kebabs till 1978?
The last stick of kebab I sold
was five-spice flavored
right outside Sky Cinema.
The last movie being screened
was Eliza Fraser.
It's working.
Thank you.
Grandpa.
Who are they?
That's me...
and my wife.
This photo
was taken at Brilliant Pearl, just before
we held our wedding dinner at Great World.
(Spring Court)
Congratulations.
Thank you. Please.
Have a cigarette.
Thank you.
By this gift, you are wishing our children will bear offspring soon.
I'm looking forward to having grandchildren.
-Tycoon Lim? -That's me.
I'm Ah Huay from Brilliant Pearl.
-Congratulations. -Thank you.
She's from the photo studio. Come.
Let's have a picture with the bride and groom.
Stand closer.
Squeeze a little.
Closer.
Don't move.
Smile. One, two, three.
I'll send the photos to you when they're ready.
Develop more copies.
Send everybody one. It's a gift from me.
-Have a great dinner. -Thank you.
You are too kind.
Our son couldn't afford to pay for a proper dinner
and was going to make do with a simple meal back in the village.
But you booked Great World's Wing Choon Yuen Restaurant
specially for this wedding.
You've even invited all the kids from the village.
You've gone to great expense.
You are too kind.
You're welcome.
I'm marrying my daughter off tonight.
Even though she was born a mute,
she's still my flesh and blood.
And it's your son who is getting married tonight.
It's a happy day for both our families.
Spending a little bit of money is no big deal.
What did she say?
She told me not to be such a big show-off.
Ah Beng.
My daughter is now your wife.
What are your plans henceforth?
After me and Ah Luan took our wedding portrait,
we strolled around Great World.
It's packed with people here.
So, we had an idea to start a food business.
Perhaps selling kebabs.
Business should be good.
That's a good idea.
Sure beats growing vegetables back in the village.
Have some tea.
A toast.
The roast duck's here.
Ah Dong, do you like cha-cha or joget?
I like joget.
I like joget, too.
-Ah Kiang. -What is it?
-You... -What is it?
Do you like tall or short girls?
Tall or short? Let me see.
I like
chubby girls! I like chubby girls!
You pair of Hainanese twits.
Always yakking and not working.
If you like to talk so much
you should go tell stories on radio like Lee Dai Soh.
You'd better work faster today.
If I'm not back at home by eleven,
I'll chop you up into cubes and cook you in a pot.
Listen up, shorty.
You may be the head chef,
but you can never order me around,
because you don't understand me. Got it?
You and your gibberish.
The shorty's wife is due soon.
You think it's a girl or a boy?
Shorty? All I know is his kid will be a shorty, too.
What's so funny?
You Hainanese are useless.
Don't forget,
we have a buffet to prepare tomorrow afternoon.
Is the abalone, sea cucumber, and the bird's nest soaked in water?
Done.
Don't let him know we understand Cantonese.
Not only can we understand, we can speak it, too. He's dumb.
And short, too.
No zest when you work, but all alive when you ask for money.
Whoops.
We want soda!
Look, this is a new kind of soda.
This is not soda!
This is soy sauce!
What's the ruckus about?
Didn't I tell you to give them soy sauce?
I did. They don't want it.
We want soda!
Stop yelling or I'll sell you away.
We want soda!
Excuse me, Mr. Lim.
Can I confirm that you want the normal menu?
-How many menus do you have? -Two.
The normal one and the Double Happiness Gold menu.
You want the normal one, right?
What do you mean by that?
Just because I come from the countryside
you think I cannot afford that whatever gold menu?
Let me tell you.
I, tycoon Lim, am marrying off my daughter tonight.
I am a businessman. I own a provision store.
So you need not fear I can't afford to eat here.
That's not what I meant.
But didn't I hear you tell that little girl
to pass soy sauce off as soda?
Nonsense! You heard wrong!
How much is that whatever gold menu?
Double Happiness Gold menu is 10 dollars per table.
So expensive?
With this menu, you get shark's fin soup instead of lotus root soup.
Abalone instead of cuttlefish.
Garoupa instead of pomfret.
As for soda and beer, it's free flow all night long.
It's three dollars more expensive than the normal menu.
Ten dollars per table, four tables will cost...
Forty dollars. Twelve dollars more than the normal menu.
I knew that. I'm a businessman, so I know my math.
But 12 dollars more...
We want soda!
Tycoon Lim, the Double Happiness Gold menu includes free flow soda.
How much is one bottle of soda?
Three cents.
Fine. Give me five bottles.
Will that be enough?
How much soda can a bunch of kids drink?
Ah Siong, five bottles of soda for table four!
Five bottles of soda for table four.
We want soda!
No more! You think I own a soda factory?
Tell the chef to hurry up with the food.
Come on, try some of this.
Normal menu for tables one, two, three and four.
The customer wants you to hurry up with the food.
Hurry up?
Tell him to eat this!
Nuts!
Ah Kiang, Ah Dong.
Hello, chubby girl.
Any goodies to fill my tummy?
What do you fancy? You want some rice?
-Or do you want some vegetables? -You're asking me to eat crap?
Anyone around? Here comes the fish.
Garoupa.
Garoupa? I didn't order that!
Your boss did. He said it's for tonight's banquet.
-Sign here. -My boss got it wrong.
Tonight's customers ordered the normal menu.
The cheaper package. It's pomfret not garoupa.
None of my business.
The boss must be crazy.
The garoupa is for Mr. Tung's buffet tomorrow.
What do we do now?
What do we do?
Why don't you bring the garoupa home.
Take a bath together. Hug them to sleep.
Have breakfast with them tomorrow morning.
After that, help them comb their hair.
And then bring them back here!
Nuts!
What's going on?
Ah Kiang.
Is it an earthquake?
Are you nuts?
There're no earthquakes in Malaya.
What are the two of you muttering about?
Run for your lives!
The Japanese are bombing Keppel Harbor!
What are you saying, mad woman?
You don't understand Hakka?
Run for your lives! The Japanese are bombing Keppel Harbor!
Can you speak Teochew?
You don't understand Shanghainese either?
Can you speak Cantonese?
-Run for your lives! -Run for our lives?
You can speak Hainanese? Why should we run for our lives?
The Japanese are bombing Keppel Harbor!
-You're sure it's the Japanese? -Yes, it's the Japanese!
The Japanese are bombing us?
Yes, the Japanese are bombing us!
-What are you all talking about? -The Japanese!
The Japanese!
(December 8,1941)
I'm sorry, chef, but I have to go.
The customers!
We want soda.
Ah Siong!
What's wrong, Sister Zhen?
Ah Dong, clean the sea cucumbers thoroughly.
Yes, chef!
Ah Kiang.
Is the shark's fin ready? How about the bean sprouts?
Everything's ready, chef.
Well, since the Japanese are here,
I might as well prepare a Super Duper Happy Gold Medal
Victory-over-the-Japs Wing Choon Yuen feast!
Everything's fine.
Have some tea.
It's only an electrical blackout.
Ah Siong!
I'm sorry. There's a blackout.
Here you go. Shark's fin.
Pan-fried tiger prawns.
Ah Siong!
Braised vegetables with dried oysters.
Congratulations.
Come, have another glass.
It's liquor.
Roasted suckling pig.
Steamed chicken with ham and Chinese broccoli.
Is that sea cucumber?
Ah Beng.
Is that shark's fin?
Yes, it's delicious.
This shark's fin is fantastic.
You shouldn't have spent so much money.
Steamed garoupa!
Eat up, Tycoon Lim.
These bandits.
Think I'm a fool?
Where's Ah Kiang and Ah Dong?
Their father is ill.
I told them to go home and check on him.
What about you?
Your wife's due any moment now.
It'll be fine.
My first kid came 10 days late.
This one won't be punctual either.
There're so many customers outside.
Someone must man the kitchen.
What about you?
I need to lock up later.
Shark's fin, abalone, garoupa,
beer, liquor.
The boss is going to kill us.
Have no fear.
Tell the boss to bill the Japanese.
Cheers.
What the hell are you up to?
When did I order abalone and shark's fin?
Don't think I am a country bumpkin.
You've got it all wrong.
You people are really something.
Conning me and living it up back here.
Setting off fireworks, too.
Tell that boss of yours
-I'm not paying extra for the fireworks. -Calm down.
Something's not right! War!
The Japanese are coming!
Yes. The Japanese are here.
But what can we do? Your daughter is getting married tonight.
Let her and the groom have a good time.
This just might be the happiest day of their lives.
The same goes for your relatives and all the children.
Let everybody enjoy themselves just for one night.
Because starting tomorrow,
only God knows what kind of lives we'll lead.
Do you understand me?
But tonight's dishes are really expensive.
I don't have that kind of money.
Don't worry.
It's Wing Choon Yuen Restaurant's treat tonight.
Come.
-Drink up! -Here you go, Tycoon Lim.
Sister Zhen, I gave that cute girl
an entire chicken drumstick surrounded by flowers.
I'm so happy.
-Is that right? -Yes.
Ah Kiang, Ah Dong. Come.
Take a seat. Let's eat.
Let's eat.
-Sister Zhen, have some vegetables. -Good boy.
Chubby girl, have some vegetables.
You're always asking me to eat crap.
Drink up!
Dear Ah Beng.
We've only just met.
But I have so much to say to you.
First, I want to tell you that I snore at night.
Also, I am a terrible cook. I am sorry.
Even so, I wish that every morning.
I can tell you "Good morning."
When you come home, I want to ask you, "Have you eaten?"
When you sleep, I will cover you with a blanket.
I want at least three kids.
I hope we'll have lots of children.
I also wish I can tell you simple things such as "You have mail today,"
"Close the window, it's going to rain,"
"Walk carefully, don't fall down."
I would like to wish you happy birthday.
Happy New Year.
Most importantly,
I want to tell you on this special day,
"Thank you for not minding."
I've so much to say,
even though I can't say a single word.
Yours, Ah Luan.
My wife
died during the Japanese invasion.
You have found the rightful owner of this photo.
Thank you
for returning this to me.
Grandpa.
Thank you for telling me so much about the past.
It's all in the past now.
Just faded memories.
If you want to hear more stories about Great World.
Come back any time.
Thank you, grandpa.
I'll definitely visit you again.
Ah Min. Where were you the whole afternoon?
Nowhere special. Just visiting an old friend of Grandma's.
Excuse me.
Are you closed?
How can I help you?
Our daughter needs a passport photo.
I'm sorry. We are no longer in business.
Why don't you go to the opposite studio?
Passport photo? Not a problem. Follow me, little girl.
Chloe, go with the lady.
-What's your name? -I am Chloe.
Great, stand straight.
You're off to Japan next week,
and you're taking passport photos for her?
I'm not leaving. I've decided to stay.
Brilliant Pearl is Grandma's lifework. We can't shut it down just like that.
Let's call Uncle Wen back tomorrow.
In the future, he'll be in charge of taking passport,
graduation and wedding photos.
I will be in charge of securing fashion projects.
By combining the old and the new, Brilliant Pearl can reopen.
That's my girl.
Well done.
I won't disturb you. Take your time.
Go ahead.
Chloe. You heard of the Great World Amusement Park before?
No?
If you give me a big smile,
I'll tell you some Great World stories.
Good, get ready.
One, two, three.
Not bad, one more.
I should be on the left?
Hang on.
Get ready.
Great World's longest face.
Wait a minute, she's not ready.
Hold your hands up higher.
-Pay attention. Remember to smile. -Okay.
She's ready.
We're done. Thank you!