Eraserhead (1978) - Quotes

A Dream of Dark and Troubling Things

Taglines: A dream of dark and troubling things

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Nightmares and Their Conclusion

Taglines: Where your nightmares end...

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The Nightmare Continues Unabated

Taglines: Warning: the nightmare has not gone away

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Heaven's Assurance of Peace

Taglines: In Heaven Everything Is Fine.

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The Nightmare Lingers On

Taglines: Be warned. The nightmare has not gone away...

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A Request for Unexpected Company

Beautiful Girl Across the Hall: Where's your wife?

Henry: She must have gone back to her parents again. I'm not sure.

Beautiful Girl Across the Hall: Can I spend the night here?

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Desire for Rest Amidst Frustration

Mary X: [to the crying baby; Baby continues to cry] Shut up! I can't take it anymore! I'm going home!

Henry: What are you talking about?

Mary X: All I need is a decent night's sleep!

Henry: Why don't you just stay home...

Mary X: I'll do what I want! And you better take good care of things while I'm gone!

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A Proposal with Uncertain Commitment

Mary X: You wouldn't mind marrying me, would you Henry?

Henry: Well... No.

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Uncomfortable Questions About Intimacy

Mrs. X: Henry, may I speak to you a minute? Over here. Did you and Mary have sexual intercourse?

Henry: [stammering] Why?

Mrs. X: Did you?

Henry: Why are you asking me this question?

Mrs. X: I have a very good reason, and now I want you to tell me.

Henry: I'm, I'm very... I love Mary!

Mrs. X: Henry, I asked you if you and Mary had sexual intercourse!

Henry: Well, I don't... I don't think that's any of your business!

Mrs. X: Henry!

Henry: I'm sorry.

Mrs. X: [nuzzling at his neck] You're in very bad trouble if you won't cooperate...

Henry: Well, I... Mary!

Mary X: [grabbing her away; sobs] Mother!

Mrs. X: Answer me!

Henry: I'm too nervous.

Mrs. X: There's a baby. It's at the hospital.

Mary X: Mom!

Mrs. X: And you're the father.

Henry: Well that's impossible! It's only been...

Mary X: Mother, they're still not sure it is a baby!

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Carving Chickens: A Guest's Responsibility

Mr. X: Mary usually does the carving but tonight since you are our guest, you could do it, Henry. All right with you?

Henry: [as the chickens begin moving] Of course. I'd be happy to. So I just, uh... I just cut them up like regular chickens?

Mr. X: Sure, just cut them up like regular chickens.

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A Conversation on Knowledge and Ignorance

Mr. X: Well Henry, what do you know?

Henry: Oh, I don't know much of anything.

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Neighborhood Changes and Personal Histories

Mr. X: I thought I heard a stranger. We've got chicken tonight. Strangest damn things. They're man-made. Little damn things, smaller than my fist - but they're new!...... I'm Bill.

Henry: Hello. I'm Henry.

Mrs. X: Henry's at Lappell's factory.

Mr. X: So, printin's yer business, eh? Plumbin's mine. Thirty years! I've watched this neighborhood change from pastures to the hell-hole it is now! I put every damn pipe in this town!

Mary X: Dad!..

Mrs. X: Bill...

Mr. X: People think pipes grow in their homes! Well they sure as hell don't. Look at my knees! Look at my knees!

Mrs. X: Bill...

Mr. X: Are ya hungry?

Mrs. X: Bill...

Discussion of Henry's Printing Skills

Henry: I work at LaPelle's Factory. I'm a printer.

Mary X: Hen-Henry's very clever at printing.

Mrs. X: Yes, he sounds very clever.

A Brief Encounter Between Henry and Mrs. X

Mrs. X: It's Henry isn't it?

Henry: Yes.

Mrs. X: Mary tells me you're a very nice fellow. What do you do?

Henry: Oh, I'm on vacation.

Mrs. X: What did you do?

Invitation to Dinner from Mary

Beautiful Girl Across the Hall: Are you Henry?

Henry: Yes?

Beautiful Girl Across the Hall: A girl named "Mary" called on the payphone in the hallway about an hour ago. She said that she's at her parents and that you're invited to dinner.

Henry: [after a long pause] Oh, yeah? Well... thank you very much.

Heaven's Comfort Amidst Everyday Struggles

Lady in the Radiator: [singing; [w:In Heaven|In Heaven] In Heaven, everything is fine.In Heaven, everything is fine.In Heaven, everything is fine.You've got your good things, and I've got mine.In Heaven, everything is fine.In Heaven, everything is fine.In Heaven, everything is fine.You've got your good things, and you've got mine.In Heaven, everything...is fine.~ ]

Beautiful Girl Across the Hall: [pause] I locked myself out of my apartment... and it's so late.

Pencil Factory Manager: [exasperated from his assistant's constant buzzing] OKAY, PAUL!

The Struggle of Regained Sensation

Mr. X: The girls have heard this before but... 14 years ago I had an operation on my left arm here. The doctors said that I wouldn't be able to ever use it. But what the hell do they know, I said. So I rubbed it for a half hour every day. And slowly I could move it a little, and use it to turn a faucet... and pretty soon I had my arm back again. And now, I can't feel a damn thing in it. All numb! I'm afraid to cut it, you know?