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Movie Quote of the Day – Jezebel, 1938 (dir. William Wyler)
Preston Dillard: Naturally, we claim the right to the customs we were born to. Even some of us who question the value of those customs.
Buck Cantrell: I like my convictions undiluted, same as I do my bourbon.
Oscar Vault Monday – Jezebel, 1938 (dir. William Wyler)
I really love this film. I have watched it many times. It’s one that gets richer each time you watch it. Often, you hear it dismissed, or at least introduced, as Bette Davis’s Gone With The Wind, but it is definitely more than just a consolation prize. This film represents a turning point in Davis’s career and it was after her phenomenal turn in this film that she became the superstar we now know and love. The film was nominated for five Academy Award, won two: Best Cinematography, Best Score, Best Supporting Actress Fay Bainter (won), Best Actress Bette Davis (won), Best Picture. The other films nominated for Best Picture that year were The Adventures of Robin Hood, Alexander’s Ragtime Band, Boys Town, The Citadel, Four Daughters, La Grande Illusion, Pygmalion, Test Pilot, and winner You Can’t Take It With You. I have actually seen all of these films, and they are ALL fantastic.
Movie Quote of the Day – You Can’t Take It With You, 1938 (dir. Frank Capra)
Grandpa Martin Vanderhoff: I used to be just like you. Then one morning I was going up in the elevator and it struck me that I wasn’t having any fun. So I came right down and I never went back. That was thirty-five years ago.
Anthony P. Kirby: [sarcastic] Admirable. And you haven’t done a thing since, huh?
Grandpa Martin Vanderhoff: Oh, yes, yes. Just the things I want to do. Collected stamps, went to the zoo when I got the notion, took up the harmonica and even found time to notice when Spring came around.
Anthony P. Kirby: [sarcastic] This would be a fine country if we all spent our time at the zoo and played the harmonica.
Grandpa Martin Vanderhoff: You used to play one yourself; Tony said so. Maybe you ought to take it up again. Maybe it’ll stop you trying to be so desperate about making more money than you can ever use. You can’t take it with you, Mr. Kirby. So what good is it? As near as I can see, the only thing you can take with you is the love of your friends.
Movie Quote of the Day – Alexander’s Ragtime Band, 1938 (dir. Henry King)
Roger Grant: Don’t you understand? I’m an artist. Like Pygmalion.
Stella Kirby: Like who?
Roger Grant: Oh, just a Greek who took a hunk of marble, molded it and polished it into a beautiful woman. Then he fell in love with it.
Stella Kirby: Then you mean you’ve just fallen in love with your, with your. . .
Roger Grant: . . .handiwork.
Stella Kirby: Oh, that isn’t so. You loved me from the first day you saw me, platinum hair, loud mouth and everything.
Roger Grant: I guess you’re right.
Stella Kirby: This is the real thing, isn’t it?
Roger Grant: It’s the realest thing that ever happened to me.
Movie Quote of the Day – Vivacious Lady, 1938 (dir. George Stevens)
Helen: Now are you going to mind your own business or must I really give you a piece of my mind?
Francey: Oh, I couldn’t take the last piece!
Movie Quote of the Day – Bringing Up Baby, 1938 (dir. Howard Hawks)
Aunt Elizabeth: Well who are you?
David Huxley: I don’t know. I’m not quite myself today.
Aunt Elizabeth: Well, you look perfectly idiotic in those clothes.
David Huxley: These aren’t my clothes.
Aunt Elizabeth: Well, where are your clothes?
David Huxley: I’ve lost my clothes!
Aunt Elizabeth: But why are you wearing *these* clothes?
David Huxley: Because I just went gay all of a sudden!
Aunt Elizabeth: Now see here young man, stop this nonsense. What are you doing?
David Huxley: I’m sitting in the middle of 42nd Street waiting for a bus.
Movie Quote of the Day – Holiday, 1938 (dir. George Cukor)
Ned: [whispers] Happy New Year.
Linda: Same to you.
[beat]
Linda: What’s it like? To get drunk, Ned?
Ned: It’s…how drunk?
Linda: Good and drunk?
Ned: Grand.
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