P

Paul Newman Quotes

Actor
Advertisement 970×90

Memorable Quotes from Paul Newman

82 quotes
Concerns About Building Structural Safety
Chief O'Halloran (to Doug) I want to see all your floor plans, 81 to 85.
Doug Roberts Gotcha.
Chief O'Halloran This is what I'm worried about, all those beams and glass.
Emergency Response to Tower Fire Situation
Kappy Chief, this is Roberts, the architect.
Chief O'Halloran What do we got here Kappy?
Kappy Fire started, 81st floor, storage room. This is a bad one. Smoke is so thick we can't tell how far it's spread.
Chief O'Halloran What about your exhaust system?
Doug Roberts Well it should have reversed automatically. It must have been a motor burn-out or something.
Chief O'Halloran Sprinklers?
Doug Roberts They're not working on 81.
Chief O'Halloran Why not?
Doug Roberts I don't know.
Chief O'Halloran Jim?
Firefighter Yes sir.
Chief O'Halloran Alright, give us a quick refresher on your standpipe system.
Doug Roberts Well, we got outlets on every floor, both 3 1/2" inch.
Chief O'Halloran GPM?
Doug Roberts 1500 from Ground to 68, 1000 from 68 to 100 and 500 from there to the roof.
Chief O'Halloran Alright, you sure these elevators are programmed for emergency service?
Doug Roberts These two are.
Chief O'Halloran What floor do you keep your plans on?
Doug Roberts 79, my office.
Chief O'Halloran That's good, that's 2 floors below the fire. Alright, that'll be our Forward Command. Alright men, take up the equipment. Alright, let's go. (Roberts, O'Halloran, Kappy and a fireman board the elevator for the 79th floor)
Chief O'Halloran Ok. Phew...architects.
Doug Roberts Yeah, it's all our fault.
Chief O'Halloran Now you know there's no sure way for us to fight a fire in anything over the 7th floor. But you guys just keep building them as high as you can.
Doug Roberts Hey, are you here to take me on, or the fire?
A Moment of Gratitude in Adversity
John Rooney I'm glad it's you.
[to Michael, right before dying]
Confrontation Over Past Mistakes
Maggie I think I made my mistake when I tried to tell you about Skipper. That's where I made my fatal error.
Brick Maggie...
Maggie I never should have confessed...
Brick Maggie, now you shut-up about Skipper. I mean it, you got to shut up about Skipper.
Maggie The laws of silence won't work about that. Not about Skipper and us. It's like lockin the door on the fire in hopes of forgettin the house is burnin - but not lookin at a fire doesn't put it out. This time, I'm gonna finish. That night in a hotel room, Skipper and I...
Brick I don't want to hear about it.
Maggie Why won't you face the truth just once about Skipper? About me? About yourself?
Brick Do you want me to hit you with this crutch?
Maggie You're still blamin me for Skipper's death.
Brick Now don't you know that I could kill you with this crutch?
Maggie Good Lord, man, d'you think I'd care if you did?
Brick Skipper and I had a friendship. Now why won't you let it alone?
Maggie It's got to be told.
Brick But I don't want to hear it.
Maggie It's got to be told and you never let me tell it. I love you, and that's worth fightin for. Not Skipper. Skipper was no good.
Brick Maggie!
Maggie Maybe I'm no good either - nobody's good. But Brick, Skipper IS DEAD! And I'M ALIVE!
Brick Maggie!
Maggie Maggie the Cat is ALIVE! I'M ALIVE! Why are you afraid of the truth?
Brick Truth!
[hurls his crutch at her but misses]
Contrasting Realities: The Depths and Heights
Hank Anderson It's bad down here but it's worse up there!
Evaluating Vincent's Pool Playing Potential
Carmen You really think Vincent's that good?
Eddie Felson Well, he's got the eye, he's got the stroke, he's got the flake... he's got the flake down cold. But can he flake on and flake off? I don't know. That's not clear.
In a Bad Mood and Expecting More
Sidney J. Mussburger This better be good. I'm in a bad mood.
Urgent Concern Amidst Celebration in Crisis
Doug Roberts And they're celebrating... a party.
Chief O'Halloran Party? What party? Where?
Doug Roberts In the Promenade Room. 300 people.
Chief O'Halloran Well, why didn't you get them the hell out of there?
Doug Roberts Why don't you go upstairs and talk to Duncan? He ain't exactly listening to me.
Chief O'Halloran I will.
Directional Guidance in The Hudsucker Proxy
Sidney J. Mussburger Not that way, through the door!
Hud
Cherishing Youth Before It Fades Away
Lonnie Bannon I wouldn't mind driving her the long way home.
Hud Bannon You ought to take a crack at that. Get all the good you can out of seventeen cause it sure wears out in one hell of a hurry.
A Conversation About Drinking and Dependency
Big Daddy Now, why do ya drink?!
Brick Give me my crutch.
Big Daddy Tell me first.
Brick No, you give me a drink first and I'll tell ya.
Big Daddy Tell me first! First you gotta tell me!
Brick All right, disgust!
Big Daddy DISGUST WITH WHAT?
Brick You strike a hard bargain.
Big Daddy Boy, do you want liquor that bad?
Brick Yes, sir. I want liquor that bad.
[Big Daddy hands him his crutch]
Big Daddy Now tell me, what are you disgusted with?
Brick Mendacity. You know what that is. It's lies and liars.
Big Daddy Who's been lyin to ya? Maggie? Has your wife been lyin to ya?
Brick No. Not one lie, not one person. The whole thing.
The Essence of Greatness in Every Pursuit
Eddie Felson Now why did I do it, Sarah, why did I do it? I could've beat that guy, I could've beat him cold. He never would have known. But I just had to show him. Just had to show those creeps and those punks what the game is like when it's great, when it's really great. You know, like anything can be great, anything can be great. I don't care — brick-laying can be great if a guy knows. If he knows what he's doin and why and if he can make it come off.
The Complexity of Love and Family Relationships
Big Daddy I suddenly noticed that you don't call me Big Daddy any more. Ah, if you needed a Big Daddy, why didn't you come to me? You wanted somebody to lean on. Why Skipper and why not me? I'm your father! I'm Big Daddy. Me! Why didn't you come to your kinfolks, the peoples that love ya?
Brick You don't know what love means. To you, it's just another four letter word.
Big Daddy Why, you've got a mighty short memory. What was there that you wanted that I didn't buy for ya.
Brick You can't buy love! You bought yourself a million dollars worth of junk. Look at it. Does it love you?
Big Daddy Who'd you think I bought it for? Me? It's yours. The place, the money, every rotten thing is yours!
Brick I don't want things! Waste! Worthless! Worthless!
[pushes down and smashes vases, an old athletic trophy and other accumulated objects; destroys a life-sized poster of himself throwing a football and then breaks down in a fit of uncontrollable tears]
Big Daddy Don't, son. Please don't cry, boy. That's funny. I never saw you cry before. How's that? Did you ever cry?
Brick Can't you understand? I never wanted your place or your money or any—... I don't wanna own anything. All I wanted was a father, not a boss — I wanted you to love me.
Big Daddy I did and I do.
Brick No. Not me, and not Gooper, and not even Mama.
Big Daddy That's a lie. I did love her. I give her anything, everything she wanted.
Brick Things. Things, Papa. You gave her things. A house, a trip to Europe, all this junk, some jewelry, things. You gave her things, Papa, not love.
Big Daddy I gave, I gave her an empire, boy.
Brick The men who build empires die, and empires die, too.
Big Daddy No. No, it won't. That's why I've got you and Gooper.
Brick Look at Gooper. Look at what he's become. Is that what you wanted him to be? And look at me. You put it very well indeed. I'm a thirty-year-old kid, and pretty soon I'm gonna be a fifty-year-old kid. I don't know what to believe in. Now what's the good of livin if you've got nothin to believe in? There's gotta be some, some purpose in life, some meanin. Look at me. For the sake of God, look at me before it's too late. For once in your life, look at me as I really am. Look at me. I'm a failure. I'm a drunk. On my own in the open market, I'm not worth the price of a decent burial.
Big Daddy You and Gooper and the rest of ya, blamin me for everythin', huh?
Brick Nobody, just...We've known each other all my life, and we're strangers. Now you own twenty-eight thousand acres of the richest..., you own ten million dollars, you own a wife and two children, you own us but you don't love us.
Big Daddy In my own way, I've...
Brick No sir. You don't even like people. You wanted Gooper to have kids. You wanted me to have kids. Why?
Big Daddy Cause I want a part of me to keep on living. I won't have an end with the grave.
Conflict Over Legal Strategy in a Case
Mickey Morrissey Do you know who the attorney for the Archdiocese is? Ed Concannon!
[trying to convince Frank not to take the case to trial]
Frank Galvin He's a good man...
Mickey Morrissey He's a good man? Heh, heh, he's the Prince of fucking Darkness! He'll have people testifying they saw her waterskiing in Marblehead last summer. Now look, Frank, don't fuck with this case!
Casual Apology for Being Late
Henry Gondorff Sorry I'm late, guys, I was takin a crap.
Marksmanship and Movie References
Harry Ross I also remember a movie your husband made. He shot 12 guys with a 6-shot revolver. I ain't gonna argue with that kind of marksmanship.
Decision to Proceed with Confidence
James Duncan So, how was it?
Doug Roberts Good.
James Duncan You're gonna go ahead, huh?
Doug Roberts Full steam.
James Duncan Anything I can do to change your mind?
Doug Roberts Nope, no way.
James Duncan You know there's an old saying that, uh, No matter how hot it gets up there during the day, there's -
Doug Roberts -not a damn thing to do in the night', right?
James Duncan That's right. Now just what the hell are you gonna do at night in the middle of nowhere?
Doug Roberts Sleep like a winner.
James Duncan Doug, you're a city boy with a low threshold for boredom. You'll be back in two weeks. (The elevator arrives on the 65th floor) Can you come in the office for a minute?
Doug Roberts I got people waiting upstairs.
James Duncan Well what I wanted to tell you is that Senator Parker's flying in for the dedication tonight. And he's almost guaranteed the Urban Renewal contract. Now do you know what that means? Skyscrapers like this all over the country! You design em, I'll build em.
Doug Roberts (Boarding an elevator for the 79th floor) Jim I think you suffer from an edifice complex.
James Duncan You'll never leave.
Doug Roberts Right after the party. Come on downstairs and watch me burn my black tie.
Acceptance of Agreement
Sidney J. Mussburger Sure, sure.
[repeated line]
Family Tensions and Financial Struggles
Maggie Oh, poor Big Daddy. I'm fond of him. I'm genuinely fond of that old man. I really am, you know. Oh, when he finds out. I wouldn't want to be the one to tell him. That's why you want to go now.
Brick Yeah, that's why I want to leave now. You gotta do this for me, Maggie, please.
Maggie And leave the field to Gooper and that wife of his? No sir. Let's face facts, baby. You're a drinker, and that takes money.
Brick I don't want his money.
Maggie Are you ready to settle for ten cent beer? Cause that's just what Gooper will dole out to you when they freeze you out. They got a plan, baby. Oh you should have heard them layin it on Big Daddy - a mile a minute. Big Mama's already on their side. You're a drinker and I'm childless. We got to beat that plan. We just got to. I-I been so disgustingly poor all my life. That's the truth, Brick.
Brick Have you, Maggie?
Maggie You-you don't know what it's like to have to suck up to people you can't stand just cause they have money. You don't know what it's like. Never havin any clothes. That dress I married you in was a hand-me-down from a snotty rich cousin I hated. You can be young without money, but you can't be old without it. Where did I fail you? Where did I make my mistake? Make that your last drink until after the party, please honey!
Casual Greetings and Drink Preferences
Roger Simmons Hi Doug. Honey.
Patty Duncan Simmons Hello.
Roger Simmons What are you drinking these days?
Doug Roberts Nothing right now.
Roger Simmons Well, welcome back from the wilderness. To what do we owe the pleasure?
Doug Roberts Callahan was testing a backup generator. There was a power surge and a systems failure.
Roger Simmons How can that be?
Doug Roberts Well it can't be, theoretically. Unless you've been screwing around with the electrical specifications.
Roger Simmons That's being rather blunt, isn't it?
Doug Roberts You betcha.
Roger Simmons Well then you'll understand my being equally blunt. What the hell business is it of yours anyway?
Doug Roberts Well I'm just wondering what kind of kickbacks were involved.
Roger Simmons I don't have to take crap from you.
Doug Roberts Now listen. We had an electrical flare-up in the main utility room. It looked to me like some of that wiring wasn't exactly what I asked for.
Roger Simmons Every piece of wire I put in that building is strictly up to code, inspected and approved.
Doug Roberts The code's not enough for that building. And you know it. That's why I asked for installations that were way, way above standard!
Roger Simmons Buddy you live in a dream world. I deal in realities.
Doug Roberts I want your wiring diagrams and copies of your work orders.
Roger Simmons It would take weeks to get that all together and someone with a lot more clout than you to make me do it!
Doug Roberts In my office, tomorrow, 9:00. (Roberts leaves)
Patty Duncan Simmons They say he used to wrestle grizzly bears in Montana. Of course he was younger then, probably in better condition.
Roger Simmons You must have enjoyed all this immensely.
Patty Duncan Simmons No, I didn't. Actually, I'm depressed for both of us.
Roger Simmons What did you expect me do - punch him in the nose?
Patty Duncan Simmons Roger, if you've done anything to Dad's building, God help you!
Roger Simmons Baby I don't need God's help, or your old man's, not anymore. So don't expect me to shake everytime Daddy barks, even if that's what you want me to do.
Patty Duncan Simmons All I want is the man I thought I married! But I guess we're running out of reasons to stay married, aren't we?
Roger Simmons It's getting late. We mustn't miss the party.
Confrontation About Truth and Relationships
Big Daddy What are you runnin away from? Why'd you hang up on Skipper when he called you? Answer me. What did he say? Was it about him and Maggie?
Brick He said they'd made love.
Big Daddy And you believed him.
Brick Yes.
Big Daddy Then why haven't you thrown her out? Somethin's missin here. Now, now why did Skipper kill himself?
Brick Cause somebody let him down. I let him down. When he called that night, I couldn't make much sense out of...There was one thing that was sure. Skipper was scared. Scared! It would happen that day on the football field, that I'd blame him, scared that I'd walk out on him. Skipper afraid - I couldn't believe that. I mean inside, he was real deep-down scared. And he broke like a rotten stick. He started cryin': I need you. He kept babblin': Help me! Help me! Me help him? How does one drownin man help another drownin man?
Big Daddy So you hung up on him.
Brick And then that phone started to ring again. And it rang and it rang and it wouldn't stop ringin'. And I lay in that hospital bed. I was unable to move or run from that sound and still, it kept ringin louder and louder! And the sound of that was like Skipper screamin for help. And I couldn't pick it up.
Big Daddy So that's when he killed himself.
Brick Yep. Cause I let him down. So that disgust with mendacity is really disgust with myself. And when I hear that click in my head, I don't hear the sound of that phone ringin anymore. And I can stop thinkin'. I'm ashamed, Big Daddy. That's why I'm a drunk. When I'm drunk, I can stand myself.
[Tears well up in his eyes]
Admiring Skillful Movement in a Player
Eddie Felson He is great! Geez, that old fat man. Look at the way he moves, like a dancer... And those fingers, them marshmellow fingers. And that stroke, it's like he's, uh, like he's playin a violin or somethin.
Ambition and Betrayal in Hustling Life
Eddie Felson With that fifteen hundred, I could have beat him. That's all I needed, Charlie... You'd love to keep me hustlin for ya, huh, wouldn't ya? I mean, a couple more years with me scufflin around in them little towns and those back alleys, you might make yourself enough to get a little pool room back in Oakland, six tables and a handbook on the side... Lay down and die by yourself.
[After discovering that Charlie kept some money from him]
Reflecting on Repeated Choices and Regrets
Butch Cassidy Boy, y'know, every time I see Hole in the Wall again, it's like seeing it fresh for the first time, and every time that happens, I keep asking myself the same question, How can I be so damn stupid as to keep comin back here?
The Dilemma of a Grifter's Identity
Henry Gondorff No sense being a grifter if it's the same as bein a citizen.
Stitching Preferences in Tailoring Discussion
Luigi Mr. Moose-burger, I give-a you pants a nice-a dooble stitch, eh? Make em strong, and they look-a real sharp.
Sidney J. Mussburger No, single stitch is fine.
Luigi But the double stitch will last forever.
Sidney J. Mussburger Why on earth would I want a double stitch? To pad your account? Single stitch is fine.
Luigi Ah, what the heck. Mr. Moose-burger is such a nice man, I'm gonna give him a double stitch anyway. That's some strong stitch, you bet.
A Sore Loser's Final Wish
Butch Cassidy Not to be a sore loser, but, when this is done if I'm dead, kill him.
Hud
Humor in Serious Situations
Hud Bannon Lay off him, he's diabetic; don't worry, I'll cool his temperature but good. Relax, Fantan; you'll be able to charge a stud fee for yourself, after that story gets around town.
[Having slept with Joe's wife, Hud blames it on Lonnie - who has just come to collect Hud. Joe is ready to murder Lonnie on the spot, but Hud prevents him from doing so; to Lonnie, as they're driving away]
Tension is Building in a Dangerous Situation
Hank Anderson This thing's a powder keg!
Betting on Pool: A Conversation About Winnings
Eddie Felson How much did you take off Moselle? I heard a hundred...
Vincent Lauria One fifty!
Eddie Felson A hundred and fifty?
[sarcastically]
Vincent Lauria That's right, a hundred and fifty.
Vincent Lauria You walk into a shoe store with a hundred and fifty bucks, you come out with one shoe! We were working on five thousand!
A Tense Exchange of Ideas at Hudsucker
Sidney J. Mussburger This better be good. I'm in a bad mood.
Norville Barnes Well, sir. I've got something for you from the mailroom, but first if I could just take a minute or so from your very valuable time to show you a little something I've been working on for the last two or three years. . You know, for kids! Which is perfect for Hudsucker not that I claim to be any great genius; like they say, inspiration is ninty-nine percent perspiration, and in my case I'd say it's at least twice that, but I gotta tell ya, Mr. Mussburger, sir, this sweet baby-
[Shows him the drawing of the circle, but sees that it's upside down and flips it over]
Sidney J. Mussburger Wait a minute!
The Nature of Character in Competition
Eddie Felson You're some piece of work... You're also a natural character.
Vincent Lauria You see? I been tellin her that. I got natural character.
[to Carmen]
Eddie Felson That's not what I said, kid. I said you are a natural character; you're an incredible flake.
Eddie Felson But that's a gift. Some guys spend half their lives trying to invent something like that. You walk into a pool room with that go-go-go, the guys'll be killing each other, trying to get to you. You got that... But I'll tell you something, kiddo. You couldn't find Big Time if you had a road map.
Hud
Conflict and Apologies in Relationships
Hud Bannon Well, it looks like we're losing a good cook. Maybe we should've boosted your salary. You're not letting that little ruckus we had run you off, are you?
[He smiles; She gazes at him but doesn't say anything]
Alma So far as I can get on a bus ticket.
[evenly]
Hud Bannon Are you claiming I'm the first guy who ever put his foot in your door? But I'm the first one who ever got rough, huh...? Well, I'm sorry. That wasn't my style. I don't usually get rough with my women. I generally don't have to.
[She shakes her head negatively; He smiles again]
Alma You're rough on everybody.
Hud Bannon So they tell me.
[unruffled]
Alma You want to know something funny? It would have happened eventually, without the roughhousing. You look pretty good without your shirt on, you know...The sight of that through the kitchen window made me put my dish towel down more than once.
Hud Bannon Why didn't you speak up sooner?
[wry]
Hud Bannon I'll remember you, honey. You're the one that got away.
Hank Anderson's Experience in the Crater Duran
Hank Anderson I was down in the crater Duran!
Hud
Self-Reliance Amidst Past Hardships
Hud Bannon You're a fine housekeeper, a fine cook, and a fine laundress. What else are you good at?
Alma Brown Taking care of myself.
Hud Bannon A piece of corn-silk like you shouldn't need to.
Alma Brown That's what my first husband used to tell me. Then he took my wallet and my gasoline card, left me stranded at a hotel in downtown Albuquerque.
Hud Bannon What did you do, wear your curlers to bed? Is that why he made for the hills?
Alma Brown He was a gambler. He's probably up at Vegas right now, dealing all night and losing it back in the daytime.
Hud Bannon Man like that sounds no better than a heel.
Alma Brown Aren't you all?
Hud Bannon Honey, don't go shooting all the dogs just because one of them's got fleas.
Alma Brown I was married to Ed for six years. Only thing he was ever good for was scratching my back where I couldn't reach it.
Hud Bannon You still got that itch?
Alma Brown Off and on.
Hud Bannon Well, let me know when it gets to bothering you.
Hud
Afternoon Rendezvous and Suspicion
Alma Brown You and your car smell like Chanel #5. You weren't riding the range this afternoon, were you?
Hud Bannon I sure wasn't.
Alma Brown How does Truman Peters's wife make time for you, in the middle of the day?
Hud Bannon She just drops everything for me, honey.
Alma Brown I guess it beats housework, doesn't it?
Safety Concerns in a Crisis Situation
James Duncan I know, I know. Callahan called me. Now just how bad is it?
Doug Roberts Depends on how good your imagination is. (Roberts drops the burned wire on Duncan's desk) Jesus Christ. Specs called for Conduit safety covering!
James Duncan How many fuse terminals did you check?
Doug Roberts How many do I have to?
James Duncan Yes?
Duncan's Secretary Mr. Bigelow's here, sir.
James Duncan Ok, send him in. Now Doug, one piece of scorched wire from a burned-out circuit breaker is hardly conclusive.
Doug Roberts Maybe not. But after that I'm worried about what other shocks we're in for!
Dan Bigelow Will, Doug, J.D., wait til you see this. (Bigelow opens a box containing golden scissors for the Tower's dedication but the men do not react) What happened? Somebody hang the wallpaper upside down?
James Duncan We have an equipment problem.
Dan Bigelow No problem in the Tower is there?
Doug Roberts Could be.
James Duncan Oh now come on Doug. You're just guessing!
Doug Roberts Alright I'm just guessing. But I wanna talk to that son-in-law of yours and I wanna talk to him right away.
James Duncan Ok. (Talking to his secretary on the intercom) Get me Roger Simmons.
Duncan's Secretary Yes, sir.
Will Giddings We're going to check this thing out Mr. Duncan, I guarantee you.
James Duncan Sure, sure, we're all going to check it out.
Dan Bigelow (clearly confused) I'm missing something.
Doug Roberts We damn near had a fire.
Doug Roberts Yeah. A fire.
Dan Bigelow In this building? Come on.
Will Giddings You know we haven't even finished installing the safety equipment? The party should have been put off for at least another month...
James Duncan (Duncan cuts Giddings off) Now hold it Will, hold it! Everybody's overreacting! (Intercom buzzes) Yes?
Duncan's Secretary Mr. Simmons is out, sir.
James Duncan (clearly frustrated at this development) Out where?
Duncan's Secretary They don't know, sir, but I left word for him to call.
James Duncan (to his secretary) Ok. (pauses before speaking to Doug) We'll talk to Roger tomorrow. And then we'll decide what to do, that's ok isn't it?
Doug Roberts No, it won't wait! (Roberts and Giddings leave)
Desperation and Truth in Relationships
Brick Why you heard what Big Daddy said? That girl's got life in her body.
Mae That's a lie.
Brick No. No, truth is somethin desperate and Maggie's got it. Believe me, it is desperate and she has got it.
Mae Why don't you say somethin', honey?
[to Gooper]
Gooper All right, honey. SHUT-UP!
Brick Maggie?
Maggie Yes?
Brick Come on up here.
Maggie Yes, sir. Thank you for keepin still, for backin me up in my lie.
[at the door to their bedroom]
Brick Maggie, we are through with lies and liars in this house. Lock the door!
Tension Between Brick and Maggie Unfolds
Brick Big Daddy! Now what makes him so big? His big heart? His big belly? Or his big money?
Maggie The heat has made you cross.
Brick Give me my crutch.
Maggie Why don't you put on your nice silk pajamas, honey, and come on down to the party? There's a lovely cool breeze.
Brick Give me my crutch, Maggie.
Maggie Lean on me, baby. You've got a nice smell about you. Is your bath water cool?
[He turns and stiffly ignores her]
Brick No.
Maggie I know somethin that would make you feel cool and fresh. Alcohol rub. Cologne.
Brick No thanks. We'd smell alike. Like a couple of cats in the heat.
Maggie It's cool on the lawn.
Brick I'm not goin down there, Maggie, not for you and not for Big Daddy.
Maggie At least you can give him his present that I remembered to buy for you for his birthday. Do you think you could write a few words on this card?
Brick You write somethin Maggie.
Maggie It's got to be your handwritin'. It's your present. It's got to be your handwritin'.
Brick I didn't get him a present.
Maggie Well, what's the difference?!
Brick Then if there's no difference, you write the card.
Maggie And have him know you didn't remember his birthday?
Brick I didn't remember.
Maggie Well, you don't have to prove it to him. Just-just write Love, Brick for heaven's sakes.
Brick NO!
Maggie You've got to.
Brick I don't have to do anything I don't want to! Now you keep forgettin the conditions on which I agreed to stay on livin with you.
Maggie I'm not living with you. We occupy the same cage, that's all. You know, that's the first time you've raised your voice in a long time. Crack in the stone wall? I think that's a fine sign. Mighty fine.
A Conversation on Education and Background
Sidney J. Mussburger Let's get to know one another, shall we? Let's chat man to man. Now you're from the basement, aren't you? And weren't blessed with much... education?
Norville Barnes Well, I am college graduate.
Sidney J. Mussburger But you didn't excel in your studies?
Norville Barnes Well, I made the Dean's List.
Sidney J. Mussburger Oh.
Norville Barnes At the Muncie College of Business Administration.
Sidney J. Mussburger Oh. And your friends called you "jerk" didn't they?
[laughs]
Norville Barnes No.
Sidney J. Mussburger Dope? Dipstick? Lamebrain? Schmoe? Not even behind you back?
Norville Barnes No, as a matter of fact they voted me most likely to succeed.
Sidney J. Mussburger You're fired.
Speculation on Design Changes
Will Giddings Did you find Simmons?
Doug Roberts Yeah, I found him......
Will Giddings Well did he or didn’t he change your specs?
Doug Roberts He didn’t admit it, but two bucks will get you ten he did.
Will Giddings Payoffs and kickbacks, that’s the only way he could have swung it (assembles a pile of plans with the electrical specifications). Well, here you are. It's your original specs. Zone one only, but we gotta start somewhere.
Doug Roberts Son of a bitch gave us an impossible job.
Questioning Choices in Difficult Situations
Sidney J. Mussburger It's a pity to waste a whole ].
[[w:Montecristo (cigar)|Montecristo]
Board Member 1 He could have opened the window.
Board Member 2 Waring Hudsucker never did anything the easy way.
Myron Addison Yeah, but why? Why did he do it? Everything was going so well.
[crying]
Sidney J. Mussburger What am I, a head shrinker? Maybe the man was unhappy.
Myron Addison He didn't look unhappy.
Board Member 4 He didn't look rich.
Board Member 5 Waring Hudsucker was never an easy man to figure out. He built this company with his bare hands, every step he took was a step up... except of course this last one.
Sidney J. Mussburger Sure, sure, he was a swell fella. But when the president, chairman of the board, and owner of eighty-seven precent of the company stock drops... forty-four floors...
Board Member 6 Forty-five!
Board Member 7 Counting the mezzanine.
Sidney J. Mussburger ...then the company too has a problem. Stillson, what exactly is the disposition of Waring's stock?
Stillson Well, as you know, Hud left no will and had no family. The company bylaws are quite clear in that event. His entire portfolio will be converted into common stock and be sold over the counter as of the first of the fiscal year following his demise.
Sidney J. Mussburger Meaning?
Stillson Well, meaning simply that Waring's stock, and control of the company, will be made available to the public January 1st.
Sidney J. Mussburger Do you mean to say that any slob in a smelly T-shirt will be able to buy Hudsucker's stock?
Stillson The company bylaws are quite clear.
Myron Addison My God, you're animals! How can you discuss his stock when the man has just leapt forty-five floors?
Board Member 6 Forty-four!
Board Member 7 Not counting the mezzanine.
Sidney J. Mussburger Quit showboating, Addison, the man is gone. The question now is whether we're going to let John Q. Public just waltz in here and buy our company!
Board Member 4 What are you suggesting Sidney? Certainly we can't afford to buy an controlling interest.
Sidney J. Mussburger Not while the stock is this strong. How soon before Hud's paper hits the market?
Board Member 8 January 1st.
Board Member 2 Thirty days.
Board Member 4 Four weeks.
Board Member 5 A month at the most!
Sidney J. Mussburger One month... to make the blue chip investment of the century look like a round-trip ticket on the Titanic.
Board Member 7 We play up the fact that Hud is dead...
All Long live the Hud!
Board Member 4 We depress the stock...
Board Member 5 ...to the point where we can buy back fifty percent!
Board Member 6 Fifty-one.
Board Member 7 Not counting the mezzanine.
Board Member 5 It could work!
Board Member 3 It should work.
Board Member 4 It would work!
Sidney J. Mussburger It's working already. Waring Hudsucker is abstract art on Madison Avenue. What we need now is a new president who will inspire panic in the stockholder.
Board Member 6 A puppet!
Board Member 5 A proxy!
Board Member 2 A pawn!
Sidney J. Mussburger Sure, sure. Some jerk we can really push around.
The Unresolved Click in Brick's Mind
Brick Somethin hasn't happened yet.
Big Daddy What's that?
Brick A click in my head.
Big Daddy Did you say "click"?
Brick Yes sir, the click in my head that makes me feel peaceful.
Big Daddy Boy, sometimes you worry me.
Brick It's like a switch, clickin off in my head. Turns the hot light off and the cool one on, and all of a sudden there's peace.
Big Daddy Boy, you're, you're a real alcoholic!
Brick That is the truth. Yes, sir, I am an alcoholic. So if you'd just excuse me...
Big Daddy No, I won't excuse you.
[grabbing him]
Brick Now I'm waitin for that click and I don't get it. Listen, I'm all alone. I'm talkin to no one where there's absolute quiet.
Big Daddy You'll hear plenty of that in the grave soon enough. But right now, we're gonna sit down and talk this over.
Brick This talk is like all the others. It gets nowhere, nowhere, and it's painful.
Lunch Hour Distraction in the Workplace
Doug Roberts Can I talk at all?
Susan Franklin No. It's my lunch hour.
Doug Roberts Well I'm not a cheeseburger, you know.
Susan Franklin You're better - all protein, no bread. All I need to go with you is about eight glasses of water.
Doug Roberts All I need to go with you is in that suitcase over there.
Susan Franklin What's in that suitcase over there?
Doug Roberts I got about $140 worth of vulgar underwear for ya.
Susan Franklin First things first. (Susan opens a door to a private room)
Doug Roberts That's nice.
Susan Franklin Years from now when they talk about this and they will, remember to tell them that it was my idea.
Doug Roberts Yeah, right.
Hud
A Tense Exchange Over Alcohol and Boundaries
Hud Bannon ...Where's my Jack Daniels?
Alma Brown I'd say you already drank it.
Alma Brown I don't like sudden passes.
Hud Bannon Well, there's another coming up on your right.
Alma Brown Don't you ever ask?
Hud Bannon The only question I ever ask any woman is, "What time is your husband coming home?" Now come on, let's get our shoelaces untied.
Alma Brown I've been asked with more finesse in my day.
Hud Bannon I wouldn't want to come off crude. Want some perfume?
Alma Brown Sure; how about some colored beads and wampum, while you're at it?
Hud Bannon Whatever I need to make you trade.
Alma Brown Thanks, but I've done my time with one cold-blooded bastard; I'm not looking for another.
Hud Bannon It's too late, honey. You've already found him.
The Value of Loyalty Beyond Work
John Rooney What men do after work is what made us rich. No need to screw them at work as well.
Hud
Life's Inevitability of Mortality
Hud Bannon It happens to everybody - Nobody gets out of life alive.
A Conversation Between Michael and John
Michael Sullivan Hello John.
John Rooney You're a smart man, Michael.
Michael Sullivan I wanna talk.
John Rooney Here?
Michael Sullivan Downstairs.
John Rooney I didn't think I'd see you again.
Michael Sullivan Read this. Connor's been stealing from you for years. He keeps accounts open under the names of dead men. Men like the McGoverns. I stood there and helped him kill Finn to line his own pockets. I thought was I working for you, but I wasn't.
John Rooney You think I'd give up my son?
Michael Sullivan He was betraying you.
John Rooney I know. Now, listen to me. I tried to avoid more bloodshed. You wouldn't accept that, so I did what was necessary. But I've always loved you like a son. And now I'm telling you, leave before it's to late.
Michael Sullivan Think. Think. They're protecting him now, but when you're gone, they won't need him. This ends with Connor dead regardless.
John Rooney That may be. But you are asking me to give you the key to his room so you can walk in, put a gun to his head, and pull the trigger. I can't do that.
Michael Sullivan He murdered Annie and Peter!
John Rooney There are only murderers in this room! Michael! Open your eyes! This is the life we chose, the life we lead. And there is only one guarantee: none of us will see heaven.
Michael Sullivan Michael could.
John Rooney Then do everything that you can to see that that happens. Leave. I'm begging you. It's the only way.
Michael Sullivan And if I go?
John Rooney Then I will mourn the son I lost.
Curiosity About Unknown Assailants
Butch Cassidy Who are those guys?
Maggie's Perspective on Power and Desire
Maggie We've got one thing on our side. No, two things. Are my seams straight? Big Daddy dotes on you, honey. He just can't stand Brother Man and his wife...that fertility monster. She's odious to him. I can tell. Just like I can tell he likes me. That's the second thing we've got on our side. He likes me. The way he looks me up and down, and over... He's still got an eye for girls.
Brick That kind of talk is disgusting.
Maggie Anybody ever tell you you were a back-aching Puritan? I think it's mighty fine how that old fellow, on death's doorstep takes in my shape with what I consider deserved appreciation.
Concerns About Widespread Fire Hazards
Doug Roberts Urgency? Hey Dunc, if that fire was caused by fluky wiring in this building, we could get fires breaking out EVERYWHERE!!!
Hud
Self-reliance in a harsh world
Hud Bannon If you don't look out for yourself, the only helping hand you'll ever get is when they lower your pine box.
A Toast to Honor and Redemption
John Rooney Let's drink to Danny's honor. Let's wake him to God and hope he gets to Heaven... at least an hour before the devil finds out he's dead.
Confronting the Nature of Truth and Maturity
Big Daddy But it's always there in the morning, ain't it — the truth? And it's here right now. You're just feelin sorry for yourself. That's all it is — self-pity. You didn't kill Skipper. He killed himself. You and Skipper and millions like ya are livin in a kid's world, playin games, touchdowns, no worries, no responsibilities. Life ain't no damn football game. Life ain't just a bunch of high spots. You're a thirty-year-old kid. Soon you'll be a fifty-year-old kid, pretendin you're hearin cheers when there ain't any. Dreamin and drinkin your life away. Heroes in the real world live twenty-four hours a day, not just two hours in a game. Mendacity, you won't... you won't live with mendacity, but you're an expert at it. The truth is pain and sweat and payin bills and makin love to a woman that you don't love any more. Truth is dreams that don't come true and nobody prints your name in the paper til you die... The truth is, you never growed up. Grown-ups don't hang up on their friends... and they don't hang up on their wives... and they don't hang up on life. Now that's the truth and that's what you can't face!
Brick Can you face the truth?
Big Daddy Try me!
Brick You or somebody else's truth?
Big Daddy Bull. You're runnin again.
Brick Yeah, I am runnin. Runnin from lies, lies like birthday congratulations and many happy returns of the day when there won't be any.
Brick You said it yourself, Big Daddy. Mendacity is a system we live in.
Exploring Jealousy and Betrayal in Relationships
Brick That's what you hated. Bein shut out.
Maggie Not by the crowds, baby. By you, by the man I worshipped. That's why I hated Skipper.
Brick You hated him so much that you got him drunk and went to bed with him.
Big Daddy Well, is that true?
[After a long pause]
Maggie Oh Big Daddy, you don't think I ravished a football hero?
Brick Skipper was drunk.
Maggie So were you most of the time. I don't seem to make out so well with you.
Brick Are you? Are you trying to say that nothing happened between you and Skipper?
Maggie You know what happened!
Brick I don't know what happened. I don't know, Maggie. Now I wasn't there. I couldn't play that Sunday. I wasn't in Chicago. I was in the hospital...
Maggie But Skipper played. Oh, he played all right. Played his first professional game without Brick...Without you, Skipper was nothin'. Outside - big, tough, confident. Inside - pure jelly. You saw the game on TV. You saw what happened.
Brick But I didn't see what happened in Skipper's hotel room. That little episode was not on TV. Go ahead, tell Big Daddy why you were in Skipper's room.
Maggie He was sick, sick with drink and he wouldn't come out. He busted some furniture and the hotel manager said to stop him before he called the police. So I went to his room. I scratched on his door and begged him to let me in. He was half-crazy, violent and screamin one minute and weak and cryin the next. And all the time, scared stiff about you. So I said to him, maybe it was time we forgot about football. Maybe he ought to get a job and let me and Brick alone. I thought he'd hit me. He walked toward me with a funny sort of smile on his face. Then he did the strangest thing. He kissed me. That was the first time he'd ever touched me. And then I knew what I was gonna do. I'd get rid of Skipper. I'd show Brick that their deep true friendship was a big lie. I'd prove it by showin that Skipper would make love to the wife of his best friend. He didn't need any coaxin'. He was more than willin'. He even seemed to have the same idea. I was tryin to win back my husband. It didn't matter how. I would have done anythin - even that. At the last second, I-I got panicky. Supposin I lost you instead. Supposin you'd hate me instead of Skipper. So I ran. Nothin happened. I've tried to tell him a hundred times but he won't let me. Nothin happened.
[pause]
Brick Hallelujah - Saint Maggie! (He raises his drinking glass)
Maggie I wanted to get rid of Skipper but not if it meant losin you. (To Big Daddy) He (Brick) blames me for Skipper's death. Maybe I got rid of Skipper. Skipper went out anyway. I didn't get rid of him at all. Isn't it an awful joke, honey? I lost you anyway.
Hud
Interpretation of Law and Personal Morality
Homer Bannon Don't do that, Hud; they help keep the country clean. Besides, it's against the law.
Hud Bannon Well, I've always thought the law was meant to be interpreted in a lenient manner. Sometimes I lean one way and sometimes I lean the other.
Confidence and Competition in Pool Games
Vincent Lauria Hey Eddie, what are you going to do when I kick your ass?
[about to play pool]
Eddie Felson Pick myself up and let you kick me again.
Vincent Lauria Oh yeah?
Eddie Felson Yeah. Just don't put the money in the bank, kid. Because if I don't whip you now, I'm gonna whip you next month in Dallas.
[pause]
Carmen You mean Houston - there's nothing coming up in Dallas.
Eddie Felson Houston, Dallas... And if not then, then the month after that, in New Orleans.
Vincent Lauria Oh yeah? What makes you so sure?
Eddie Felson Hey - I'm back.
[stares at Vincent for a second, then gets ready to break]
Job or Problem: A Disagreement Emerges
Vincent Lauria This is my job, Eddie.
[Eddie is pushing to go on the road]
Eddie Felson You think so? Hmmm. That's funny. I don't think so. I think it's your problem.
Determining Justice in Settlement Amounts
Frank Galvin How did you settle on the amount?
[after the church has offered a check for $210,000 to settle the case]
Bishop Brophy We thought it was just.
Frank Galvin You thought it was just?
Bishop Brophy Yes.
Frank Galvin Because it struck me, um, how neatly three went into this figure: 210,000. That means I would keep seventy.
Bishop Brophy That was our insurance company's recommendation.
Frank Galvin Yes, that would be.
Bishop Brophy Nothing we can do can make that woman well.
Frank Galvin And no one will know the truth.
Bishop Brophy What is the truth?
Frank Galvin That that poor girl put her trust into the... into the hands of two men who took her life. She's in a coma. Her life is gone. She has no home, no family. She's tied to a machine. She has no friends. And the people who should care for her - her doctors... and you and me - have been bought off to look the other way. We've been paid to look the other way. I came here to take your money. I brought snapshots to show you so I could get your money. I can't do it; I can't take it. Cause if I take the money I'm lost. I'll just be a... rich ambulance chaser. I can't do it. I can't take it.
Hud
The Inevitability of Life's Challenges
Hud Bannon You know something Fantan? This world is so full of crap, a man's gonna get into it sooner or later whether he's careful or not.
The Search for Justice Within Ourselves
Frank Galvin You know, so much of the time we're just lost. We say, "Please, God, tell us what is right; tell us what is true." And there is no justice: the rich win, the poor are powerless. We become tired of hearing people lie. And after a time, we become dead... a little dead. We think of ourselves as victims... and we become victims. We become... we become weak. We doubt ourselves, we doubt our beliefs. We doubt our institutions. And we doubt the law. But today you are the law. You ARE the law. Not some book... not the lawyers... not the, a marble statue... or the trappings of the court. See those are just symbols of our desire to be just. They are... they are, in fact, a prayer: a fervent and a frightened prayer. In my religion, they say, "Act as if ye had faith... and faith will be given to you." IF... if we are to have faith in justice, we need only to believe in ourselves. And ACT with justice. See, I believe there is justice in our hearts.
Encouragement for Action at Hudsucker Industries
Sidney J. Mussburger Up! Up on your feet! We don't crawl here at Hudsucker Industries.
A Simple Solution to Robbery
Butch Cassidy If he'd just pay me what he's spending to make me stop robbing him, I'd stop robbing him.
Struggles of Love and Desperation
Maggie Why can't you lose your good looks, Brick? Most drinkin men lose theirs. Why can't you? I think you've even gotten better-lookin since you went on the bottle. You were such a wonderful lover... You were so excitin to be in love with. Mostly, I guess, cause you were... If I thought you'd never never make love to me again... why, I'd find me the longest, sharpest knife I could and I'd stick it straight into my heart. I'd do that. Oh, Brick, how long does this have to go on? This punishment? Haven't I served my term? Can't I apply for a pardon?
Brick Lately, that finishin school voice of yours sounds like you was runnin upstairs to tell somebody the house is on fire.
Maggie Is it any wonder? You know what I feel like? I feel all the time like a cat on a hot tin roof.
Brick Then jump off the roof, Maggie, jump off it. Now cats jump off roofs and they land uninjured. Do it. Jump.
Maggie Jump where? Into what?
Brick Take a lover.
Maggie I don't deserve that! I can't see any man but you. With my eyes closed, I just see you. Why can't you get ugly, Brick? Why can't you please get fat or ugly or somethin so I can stand it?
Brick You'll make out fine. Your kind always does.
Maggie Oh, I'm more determined than you think. I'll win all right.
Brick Win what? What is, uh, the victory of a cat on a hot tin roof?
Maggie Just stayin on it, I guess. As long as she can.
Hud
Moral Dilemmas in Business Ethics
Homer Bannon That's your solution for getting out of a tight fix? To pass bad beef on to my neighbors who wouldn't know what they was getting? Or risk starting an epidemic in the entire country?
Hud Bannon This country is run on epidemics; where you been? Price-fixing, crooked TV shows, inflated expense accounts...How many honest men you know? Why, if you separate the saints from the sinners, you're lucky to wind up with Abraham Lincoln. Now I want out of this spread what I put into it, so let's dip our bread into that gravy while it's still hot!
Homer Bannon You're an unprincipled man, Hud.
Hud Bannon Don't let that worry you none. You got enough for both of us.
Perceptions of gazes and intentions
Maggie Why are you looking at me like that?
Brick Like what, Maggie?
Maggie Like you were just lookin'.
Brick I wasn't conscious of lookin at you, Maggie.
Maggie I was conscious of it. If you were thinkin the same thing I was...
[seductively; He coldly turns from her and rises on his crutches]
Brick No, Maggie.
Maggie Why not?!
Brick Will you please keep your voice down.
Maggie No! I know you better than you think. I've seen that look before. And I know what it used to mean. And it still means the same thing now.
Brick You're not the same woman now, Maggie.
Maggie Oh, don't you think I know that? Don't you think I know that...
Brick Know what, Maggie?
Maggie That I've gone through this horrible transformation, that I've become hard and frantic and cruel...Oh Brick, I get so lonely.
Brick Everybody gets that.
Maggie Living with somebody you love can be lonelier than living entirely alone - if the one you love doesn't love you.
Brick Would you like to live alone, Maggie?
Maggie No! No, I wouldn't.
The Importance of Honor and Integrity
John Rooney A man of honor always pays his debts... and keeps his word.
[After losing a dice game to Michael Jr., he hands over a silver coin]
The House Specialty Still in Motion
Butch Cassidy The specialty of the house and it's still movin
A Simple Change in Hotel Room
Frank Galvin I changed my life today, what did you do?
Laura Fischer I changed my room at the hotel.
Frank Galvin Why did you do that?
Laura Fischer TV didn't work.
Miscommunication in a Crisis Situation
Doug Roberts Harry?
Harry Jernigan (picking up the phone) Jernigan.
Jernigan What? Dammit man, you should have sent a man up there!
Jernigan How do you expect her to hear a phone call? She's deaf!
Jernigan Sure the kids can hear!
Jernigan I don't know, maybe they were in the shower or something when you called!
Kappy (in background, speaking into his radio) Forward Command!
Consequences of Our Chosen Path
John Rooney This is the life we chose, the life we lead. And there is only one guarantee: none of us will see Heaven.
Hud
A Request for a Clean Shirt
Hud Bannon Give me a clean white shirt.
Alma Brown Boy, you're real big with the "please" and "thank you," aren't you?
Hud Bannon Please get up off your lazy butt and get me a clean white shirt. Thank you.
Hud
Conflict Over Parking and Flowers
Alma Brown Why do you ALWAYS park that thing in my flowers!?
Hud Bannon Because you keep planting them where I park, that's why.
A Failed Attempt at Apology
John Rooney You would like to apologize? Try again.
A New Bar with Unusual Offers
Frank Galvin So Pat says, he says, "They got this new bar... and you go inside and for half a buck you get a beer, a free lunch and they take you in the back room - they get you laid... Mike says, "Now wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute. Do you mean to say there's a new bar and you go inside and for a half a buck they give you a beer, a free lunch and they take you in the back room and they get you laid?" Pat says, "That's right." "Have you ever been in the bar?" And he says, "No, but me sister has.
The Burden of Sons on Fathers
John Rooney Natural law. Sons are put on this earth to trouble their fathers.
A Father's Bitter Regret
John Rooney I curse... the fucking... day... you were born. I curse it!
[beating Connor]
Reflection on Change and Preservation
Doug Roberts I don't know. Maybe they just oughta leave it the way it is. Kind of a shrine to all the the bullshit in the world.
Confronting a Corrupt Legal System
Frank Galvin You couldn't hack it as a lawyer. You were a bag man for the boys downtown and you still are, I know about you.
[to Judge Hoyle]
A Dismissive Remark on the Future
Butch Cassidy The future's all yours, you lousy bicycles.
[Butch throws his bicycle away]
Emergency Response Amidst Towering Inferno Crisis
Doug Roberts (on the phone to security) Hello, this is 81, we've had an accident up here, a man's been burned, get an ambulance! Yes, right away!
Security Chief Harry Jernigan (as he and another man drag the badly injured Will Giddings to safety) Roberts, call Duncan in the tower! They got a lot of people there!
James Duncan Yeah Doug, we were getting worried about you. Susan's here, Senator Parker, the Mayor and his wife. Everybody wants to know why the world's greatest architect isn't here.
Doug Roberts Never mind about that. Will Giddings has been pretty badly burned.
James Duncan (surprised) Will Giddings burned? How?!
Doug Roberts Look, I've already got an ambulance coming but you better think about getting those people upstairs down on the ground floor. (pause as Duncan asks why) What for? WE'VE GOT A FIRE HERE! (pause as Duncan asks the severity of the fire) Well, I think it's under control but....
James Duncan Well then, uh, why the urgency?
Doug Roberts Urgency?! Hey Dunc if that fire was caused by fluky wiring in the building we could get fires breaking out everywhere!
James Duncan Doug, I think you're overreacting. Now I feel sorry for Will Giddings but he'll be taken care of. (Duncan covers the speaker on the phone) But I am not going to concern myself with a fire in a storage room on 81 because it can't possibly affect us up here. Not in this building! Now have someone call me when the fire department arrives. In the meantime, get in your dinner jacket and come on up here and join the party. Now come on! (Duncan hangs up)
Doug Roberts I mean-(Roberts angrily hangs up)
The Scent of Opportunity in Pool Hustling
Eddie Felson Do you smell that?
[walking into a crowded pool hall]
Vincent Lauria What, smoke?
Carmen No, Money...