The Best Line... Ever.

So, my love of the movies continues, and I just thought that it might be nice to explore some of the great lines of dialogue that we are all, perhaps, familiar with. Who could forget, for instance, Humphrey Bogart saying, "Play it again, Sam", in "Casablanca" (a line which, by the way, I believe was never actually spoken in the film, and what Bogart actually says is, simply, "Play it, Sam").  Or what about Jimmy Cagney saying, "You dirty rat", but again, it is thought that Cagney never actually said that.
Perhaps better then to concentrate on lines that do actually appear in movies, and returning to Cagney, I believe that he does say the line, "Top of the world, ma", before being blown to smithereens in the film, "White Heat". Or what about Robert DeNiro in "Taxi Driver", holding a gun while looking in a full-length mirror and saying, ominously, "Are you talkin' to me?". Or perhaps Robert Duval in "Apocalypse Now!", intoning to his fellow soldiers that, "I love the smell of napalm in the morning. Smells like... victory". Or even Jack Nicholson in "The Shining", wielding an axe and then looking demoniacally through a hole in the door and saying, "Heeeeres Johnny!". Or perhaps William Holden at the beginning of Sam Peckinpah's great western, "The Wild Bunch", saying "If they move, kill 'em!".
OK, so all my choices so far seem to be veering towards the more violent side of things. But I do also like more subtle lines, and I remember when watching "Rio Bravo" that I was greatly impressed by the little bit of dialogue between John Wayne and Dean Martin, in which Martin, waking bleary-eyed with a hangover, asks Wayne, "what are you looking at?", to which Wayne simply replies, "A badge with a drunk on the end of it".
Also, there are a fair few classic comedy lines, and here perhaps the most quoted of them all is one of my own favourites, Woody Allen. The particular line I like is from "Annie Hall", when Woody's character (and some might say alter ego) Alvie Singer remembers his school days, the voice over stating, "they often say that those who can't do teach. And those who can't teach teach gym". There are, of course, many other famous Woody lines, but for some reason that one sticks in my mind.
So, there are lines in movies which would appear to move into the realms of the iconic, taking on a life of their own, often remembered as almost separate entities from the films they appeared in. Of all the lines which seem to have taken on iconic status in more recent memory is perhaps the one from Rob Reiner's film, "When Harry Met Sally", in which Meg Ryan is shown sitting opposite Billy Crystal very vocally faking an orgasm, which prompts a lady at a nearby table to say, "I'll have what she's having".
I'm sure we all have our favourite movie line, then. And, no doubt, "I'll be back" to comment on your comments, should you choose to leave one. After all, tomorrow is another day!         

Comments

bazza said…
Hi David. What a great topic!
Here a few that I always remember for some reason (it's not necessarily because they are great lines - they are just memorable):
"They uh, was givin' me ten thousand watts a day, you know, and I'm hot to trot. The next woman takes me out is gonna light up like a pinball machine, and pay off in silver dollars." One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
"....you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk?" Dirty Harry
"You talkin' to me?" Taxi Diver
This is fun! I might come back and add some more tomorrow.
Click here for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
klahanie said…
Dear David,
It's amazing how certain lines from movies stick in the mind. And sometimes I don't even know what film they came from.
In this fascinating article you have brought up a most interesting topic and yes, you mentioned many familiar lines.
And you mention that one sentence in Casablanca that was misheard and the famous Jimmy Cagney line he evidently didn't say. Apparently, Cary Grant never said the words, "Judy, Judy, Judy".

"Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."

Take care and "here's looking at you, kid.."

Gary

klahanie said…
Dear David,
It's amazing how certain lines from movies stick in the mind. And sometimes I don't even know what film they came from.
In this fascinating article you have brought up a most interesting topic and yes, you mentioned many familiar lines.
And you mention that one sentence in Casablanca that was misheard and the famous Jimmy Cagney line he evidently didn't say. Apparently, Cary Grant never said the words, "Judy, Judy, Judy".

"Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."

Take care and "here's looking at you, kid.."

Gary

David said…
Hi bazza,
Yes, this is fun, isn't it? I certainly remember all the lines you mention, and of course, you're welcome back anytime!
Very Best Wishes,
David.
David said…
Hi Gary (and Gary),
Mmmm, "Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore". I must say that I often get that kind of feeling when venturing out into the streets of Stoke!
Thanks for the memories, Gare.
Very Best Wishes,
David.
bazza said…
PART TWO:
Don Corleone: I make him an offer he don' refuse. The Godfather
Michael Corleone: Keep your friends close but your enemies closer. The Godfather Part Two
I could fill a book with just Godfather quotes!
Dixie@dcrelief said…
Okay, David, here goes:
Saturday Night Fever, "Can you dig it? I knew that you could." (John Travolta)
Judge Dredd, "I am the Law!" (Sly Stallone)
Starwars, "May the force with you." (Alec Guiness); "Luke, Luke, I am your father." (Darth Vader?)
Scarface, "Say hello to my little friend." (Al Pacino).
Pirates of the Caribbean, "What happened to the rum?" (Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow).
Hahaa, that was great!!
David said…
Hi bazza (again!),
Ah yes, "The Godfather", which was one of my favourite movies when growing up. And, indeed, it is littered with lines that have become famous. Particilarly "keep your friends close but your enemies closer", a line which seems to be borrowed all over the place. I even saw it on a book the other day, used as the blurb on the front cover!
Thanks for visiting again, bazza, I'm glad you enjoyed this.
Very Best Wishes,
David.
David said…
H Dixie,
I'm glad you got into the spirit of this. It's always nice to hear from you, and it is nice, isn't it, to say hello to our little friends!
Very Best Wishes,
David.

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