So according to something I read on the internet - thus it must be true - "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn" has been voted as the greatest line of dialogue ever uttered in a movie. The movie of course is Gone With The Wind, a classic from 1939. Yeah, a movie from more than 70 years ago.
It beat out such immortal utterances as "May the force be with you", "I'll be back", "You can't handle the truth", "You talkin' to me?" and "Mama always said life is like a box of chocolates".
I'd like to know just who the hell voted on this survey - incontinent senile members of AARP? I mean there's lots of movies out there with some really great lines.
Take for example the memorable dialogue from Caddyshack:
A flute with no holes is not a flute. And a doughnut with no hole is a Danish.
And what about this exchange from Airplane:
There's been a little problem in the cockpit, and I was...
The cockpit - what is it?
It's the little room at the front of the plane where the pilot sits,
but that's not important right now.
Or this great line from Blazing Saddles...
Excuse me while I whip this out.
Or another statement of equal gravitas from the same film:
Gentlemen, please. Rest your sphincters.
One of my all time favourites comes from Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb:
Gentlemen you can't fight in here. This is the War Room.
And who will ever forget the brilliant economy of words exhibited in that immortal classic Wayne's World:
Shwing!
From Monty Python and the Holy Grail comes the memorable line:
Just a flesh wound.
Not to mention my very favourite:
I fart in your general direction.
They just don't write great dialogue like this anymore!
So, in conclusion, when I think of which line won out in this little cinematic survey, I'm moved to quote the character Howard Beale in the movie Network:
I want you to get up right now, and go to the window, open it, and stick your head out and yell: "I'm mad as Hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!"
Comments
Animal House:
FOOD FIGHT!
See if you can guess what I am now...
Forget it, he's on a roll.
Thank you sis may I have another....
My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
Princess Bride is one of the best movies evah!
From Python.
We are no longer the Knights who say ni.
You are one ugly Mother FOOKER
Get your stinkin paws off me you damn dirty ape.
Damn you. Damn you all to hell.
"Blucher!"
"It's FrankenSHTEEN!"
I cannot BELIEVE Young Frankenstein was not quoted.
And you won't be angry?
I will....not...be angry.
Abby someone.
Abby Someone. Abby who?
Abby Normal. I'm almost sure that was the name.
ABBY NORMAL.....
Marty to Doc at the end,
What, do our kids turn out to be assholes or something?
Inside the Deathmobil:
Ramming Speed.....
He's a legacy. We need the dues.
Fat drunk and stupid is no way to go through life son. Well, out with it...
;-)
Really, I was expecting at least some Young Frankenstein quotes, too!
dufus: Now, see what you've started.
"I am serious. And don't call me Shirley."
"This tastes like an orange FOOT!" (obscure. Albert Brooks in "Mother.")
"Stop it now, I mean it!"
"Anybody want a peanut?"
"These are not the droids you are looking for."
"I love the smell of napalm in the morning."
"Bond... James Bond."
"You... shall.... not.... PASS!"
(*pause while I attempt to re-create the campfire farting scene from Blazing Saddles...*)
I also love all the Airplane quotes, the Young Frankenstein quotes, and anything Monty Python related. :)
It seems many of us are Mel Brooks, Monty Python and Airplane fans!
Pussy. Pussy Galore.
No Mister Bond, I expect you to die.
"Shake and Bake"
"Can you believe I fathered him with just one testicle? Imagine how he would have turned out if I had two."
"Yeah, Dom Focker, that's my Dad's first cousin. You meet his kids, Randy and Omy?"
Aw shucks. You're just saying that.
(Cowardly Lion, wizard of oz)
I'll get you my pretty. And your little dog to.
We're not in Kansas anymore Toto.
What would you say if you had a brain?
You cursed little brat. I'm melting. Melting.
From Its a mad mad mad mad world.
It's the big double you I tell ya, the big W.
I say, your behavior has been ruddy outrageous.
YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH....
Did you order the code red?
You're goddamn right I did!
I totally agree with you though. The fact that the Gone With the Wind line won is a perfect example of how time distorts things.
My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
Princess Bride is one of the best movies evah!
Pussy. Pussy Galore.
No Mister Bond, I expect you to die.
Get your stinkin paws off me you damn dirty ape.
Damn you. Damn you all to hell.