×

Some lines are stars of the show

I was in a local bar the other day (heaven forbid, but an old widower has to talk to someone, once in a while). Then someone, I don’t remember why, quoted a line from that movie, “Cool Hand Luke.” The prison official, who was getting no answers to his mass inquisition of the prison population spoke it. He said, in a weak sniveling voice, yet somehow a bit of authority, “What we have here is a failure to communicate.”

Everyone remembered the line with glee. It was perhaps the only line from that movie that everyone remembered, and I have never forgotten it.

It struck me that there have been many lines from many movies that just somehow rang a bell of reality, or something, because everyone remembers them. It immediately recalled for me another such memorable phase from the movie, “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.” Humphrey Bogart was one of the main actors as was Walter Huston, the father of John Huston, who directed the movie. They were camping in the mountains of Mexico looking for gold. They were approached by a roaming band of bandits, looking for whatever was available. They told Bogart’s crew that they were the law, and wanted to check their camp. When Bogart asked them to show their badges, their leader an obvious bandit said in a disgusted tone, “Badges! We don’t need no stinking badges.” Every one at the bar seemed to remember that line also.

It wasn’t near as resonant in my memory, but a line I remember from that old movie, “Gone With the Wind” is when Clark Gable was leaving his wife, Vivian Leigh, and she said in effect, “What am I going to do?” and he answered. “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a dam.” That was pretty strong language to get by the sensors in those days. Maybe that’s why I remember it. Then there was the time when a baby was being born to Scarlet’s sister, played by Olivia De’Haviland. Scarlet O’Hara asked Prissy, a black slave nanny to help her, who in a desperate, fearful voice replied, “I don’t know nuthin’ ’bout birthin’ babies Scarlet.”

Of course every one remembers Clint Eastwood’s “Make my day,” and Humphrey Bogart’s parting words to Ingrid Bergman in “Casablanca” on the airport runway saying, “Here’s lookin’ at you kid.” Also from “Casablanca” when the bar pianist was playing their forgone love song, “As Time Goes By” Bogart telling the pianist, “Play it again Sam.” We almost believed in witches when in “The Wizard of Oz” the Wicked Witch of the West said to Dorothy, (Judy Garland) with a crackly witch voice “I’ll get you my pretty, and your little dog too!”

It seems inevitable that there have been many movies over the years, which have included many memorable, unforgettable lines. I had a bit of help from my daughter Elaine with a couple of these that I have quoted. Maybe we should compile a list of some of the better bell ringers. If there are any of you who may recall a particularly memorable line from a movie, let me know. I’ll make a list of memorable times and lines.

Perhaps many young people have never seen the movies mentioned. I haven’t been to a movie in a few years, but most of them seem today to go in for more razzle- dazzle than moving dialogue. Oh well, time goes on.

I cannot forget the melody that accompanied one of the first Disney movies “Bambi.” The movie came out when I was just a teenager, if there ever was such a time. It was a beautiful pastoral melody that accompanied the deer frolicking in the fields.

I have never heard it since, but have never forgotten it, I guess we can’t put a tune on the list. May God bless America.

Richard Westlund is a Collins resident. Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today