23 quotes
The Hope of Defying the Odds
Miss Phillips
Still want to go in the movies? You know what your chances are? One in a hundred thousand.
Esther Blodgett
But maybe... I'm that one.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Tastes Evolve Like Natural Trends
Oliver Niles
All the experts seem to think that your type is a little mild for present day's taste. But I'd rather believe that tastes change, like eyebrows. And I think that also like eyebrows, tastes are going back to the natural.
[to Esther]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Empowerment Against Heartbreak in Relationships
Grandmother Lettie
If you've got one drop of my blood in your veins, you won't let Mattie or any of her kind break your heart, you'll go right out there and break it yourself.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Aspiration for a Better Future
Esther Blodgett/Vicki Lester
Some day you won't laugh at me! I'm going out and have a real life! I'm gonna be somebody!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Listening Dynamics in Family Conversations
Aunt Mattie
Of course, no one ever listens to me!
Grandmother Lettie
They do if they're within ten miles of ya.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Value of Awards and Performance
Norman Maine
I won one of those once - They don't mean a thing! What I want is a special award for the worst performance of the year. Lord knows I earned it!
[When Esther is accepting her Academy Award]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Introduction of a new identity
Esther Blodgett/Vicki Lester
Hello, everybody. This is Mrs. Norman Maine.
[last lines]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confronting Reality in a Star's Decline
Norman Maine
Do you think I'm slipping?
Oliver Niles
Can you take it?
Norman Maine
Yeah, go ahead.
Oliver Niles
The tense is wrong. You're not slipping - you've slipped.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Fame's Cost: Love and Loss
Taglines
Fate raised her to fame - and killed the man she loved!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Acknowledging Personal Struggles and Vulnerabilities
Norman Maine
I don't want to sound immodest, but I think I've stripped a gear.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Raising Rats from Mice
Matt Libby
There are a couple of rats I raised from mice.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Comfort and Iron Bars in Luxury
Oliver Niles
Are you comfortable here, Norman?
[at a sanatorium for treatment of alcoholism]
Norman Maine
Comfortable? It's positively luxurious! They even have iron bars in the windows to keep out the draft.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Cost of Stardom and Heartbreak
Taglines
Is the price of stardom a broken heart?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Cost of Fulfilling Dreams
Grandmother Lettie
For every dream of yours you make come true, you'll pay the price in heartbreak.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Lifetime of Commitment and Resilience
Grandmother Lettie
It took me more than 70... more than 60 years to get here, and here I mean to stay!
[to the radio audience]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Misunderstandings in Hollywood Ambitions
Pop Randall
Mr. McGuire is a big director.
Esther Blodgett
Oh, are you really? Oh, could you possibly use me in a picture, Mr. McGuire? Of course, I haven't had much experience, but I don't think that really matters if you're willing. And I really feel that...
Danny McGuire
Listen, lady. In the first place, I'm not a director; I'm an assistant director. In the second place, if I had any jobs to give away, I'd confer one on myself. And in the third place, you should have stayed back home in the first place.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Planning a Unique Wedding Celebration
Matt Libby
That elopement thing is out; we're gonna have a wedding. Where are we going to have it?
Oliver Niles
The customary place, I believe, is a church.
Matt Libby
Nah! It's been done. This has gotta be something big... The beach! I can visualize it. The bridesmaids in bathing suits; twenty thousand Santa Monica school children spelling out the word "love"... but is it big enough?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Contrasting Characters in Relationships
Matt Libby
That's a charming match. A nice girl like Vicki and Public Nuisance Number One.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Introducing the Press Agent with a Warning
Oliver Niles
Now, I'm going to turn you over to our demon press agent, Libby. Don't let him frighten you. He has a heart of gold... only harder.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Final Glimpse of What Was
Norman Maine
Do you mind if I take just one more look?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Courage in the Face of Tragedy
Grandmother Lettie
Tragedy is a test of courage. If you can meet it bravely, it will leave you bigger than it found you. If not than you will have to live all your life as a coward, because no matter where you may run you can never run away from yourself.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Actors and Their Absence in Film
Norman Maine
What do they do with the actors while you're away?
Matt Libby
Oh, they cut em into slices and fry em with eggs.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Balancing Work and Personal Challenges
Casey Burke
His work is beginning to interfere with his drinking.
Danny McGuire
The program tonight's gonna be swell. Take this fella ]: I'm a pushover for him. And ] - well, he's not so dusty, either.
[[Beethoven; [Chopin]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.