The Awful Truth (1937) - Quotes

Concern for Well-Being of a Friend

Jerry: [''about Mr. Smith''] Hey, is he getting enough to eat lately? He doesn't look very well.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Countdown to a New Beginning

Jerry: This is my day to visit Mr. Smith.

Lucy: He's only my husband for - how much longer is it now? Sixty days?

Jerry: Fifty-nine.

Lucy: Oh, that's better. Only fifty-nine days. Don't worry about him, he has a Continental mind.

Daniel: [''they shake hands''] I'm glad to know ya.

Jerry: How can you be glad to know me? I know how I'd feel if I was sitting with a girl and her husband walked in.

Lucy: I'll bet you do.

Jerry: [''to Lucy''] You know, I don't think you ought to go around telling people you're not married. He looks like a nice sort of fella. How do you think he feels?

Lucy: Why don't you go and play with the dog?

Jerry: Don't mind me.

Lucy: [''to Daniel''] Tell me some more about Arizona.

Daniel: Oklahoma.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Anecdotes of Neighborly Encounters

Aunt Patsy: [''to Lucy''] Imagine you living right across the hall from us all of this time. He's a stranger in town. He'd take it as being real neighborly of us if we show him some of the bright spots.

Daniel: We're here on a visit. I'm in oil, you know.

Aunt Patsy: Marinated, so to speak.

Daniel: [''laughing''] Say, that's a good one. I gotta remember to tell that to my mother.

Aunt Patsy: Mr. Leeson. Won't you tell us something about Oklahoma?

Daniel: Well, Oklahoma's pretty swell. I got quite a ranch down there. I'd like to have you see it sometime, Mrs. Warriner…I got cattle and horses and chickens and alfalfa.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Aunt Patsy's Desire for Adventure and Freedom

Aunt Patsy: You know dozens of men who would turn handsprings at the chance to take you out. Here I've got you all dressed up, ready to go out and you weaken and refuse…I want to go where there's life, and I don't mean plant life. I want to go to the theatre, you know, and go places later and step around and do things…I don't need an escort to get a drink. I'm going down to the bar and see Joe. Bartender or no bartender, he's still a man. Maybe he knocks off early.

Lucy: Oh, Patty, you wouldn't!

Aunt Patsy: [''Mr. Smith jumps up next to Lucy on the couch''] I wouldn't, eh? You're talking to a desperate woman. Too bad he can't wear a top-hat.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Faith and Divorce in a Troubled Marriage

Lucy: I've told you the truth about all this, Jerry. Don't you see that there can't be any doubt in marriage? The whole thing's built on faith. If you've lost that, well, you've lost everything.

Jerry: Then I guess we're washed up because we've lost faith in each other.

Lucy: [''he refuses''] Do you mean that?…All right then, that settles it. I wouldn't go on living with you if you were dipped in platinum. So go on, divorce me. Go on, divorce me! It'll be a pleasure. All right, then I'll divorce you. I believe it's customary anyhow for the wife to bring suit. It has something to do with a husband being a gentleman, if you know what I mean? I'll call up our lawyer right now.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Loss of Faith in Relationships

Lucy: It's enough to destroy one's faith, isn't it?

Jerry: Oh, I haven't any faith left in anyone.

Lucy: I know just how you feel.

Jerry: What do you mean?

Lucy: You didn't happen to mention in any of your letters what a terrible rainy spell they were having in Florida. The papers were full of it.

Jerry: Well, I can explain that, Lucy.

Lucy: You can?

Jerry: And don't try to change the subject. You think a great offense is a great defense. Don't try to justify your behavior by insinuating things about me.

Lucy: But I haven't any behavior to justify. I've just been unlucky, that's all. You've come home and caught me in a truth and it seems there's nothing less logical than the truth.

Jerry: Hmm, a philosopher, huh?

Lucy: You don't believe me.

Jerry: Oh, how can I believe you? The car broke down. People stopped believing that one before cars stopped breaking down.

Lucy: Well, his car's very old.

Jerry: Well, so's his story.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Misunderstandings in Communication and Relationships

Armand: Well, in all fairness, you should permit me to remain and explain ourselves.

Lucy: Well, American women aren't accustomed to gallantry, Armand. I appreciate your offer, but maybe you had better go.

Armand: Oh, pardon me, Mrs. Warriner, you misunderstand. I am a voice teacher, am I not? For one year, she has been my pupil. And from time to time, I pat her on the back. I mean, I congratulate her on her development. Do I express myself?

Jerry: Yes, you've been doing all right.

Armand: But now my position must be considered. I have never yet been in a scandal.

Jerry: Never been caught, huh?

Armand: No. I am a great teacher, not a great lover.

Lucy: That's right, Armand. No one could ever accuse you of being a great lover. That is, I mean to say, well, well who's to say whether you are or not. It's all so silly, but maybe you had better go.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Divorce Proceedings and Custody Dispute

Armand Duvalle: [''about Jerry''] He's free of all mean suspicion. Yes, he has more the Continental mind.

Attorney: [''on the phone''; ''to his wife''] Now, now Lucy, don't do anything in haste that you might regret later. Marriage is a beautiful thing. Please be quiet, will you?…Please shut your mouth!…Will you shut your big mouth! I'll eat when I get good and ready and if you don't like it, you know what you can do, so shut up!

Judge: If the divorce is not further contested, it will become final 90 days from this date. The plaintiff and the defendant will then be at liberty to make other marriages if such be their desire.

Judge: The custody of the dog will depend upon his own desire.

Barbara: [''to Jerry, after Lucy answers his phone''] Have you made up your mind who the woman is?

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Lola's Purse Mishap in The Awful Truth

Lola Warriner: [''the purse is found between the cushions''] Sa-ayy wait a minute! Don't anybody leave this room! I've lost my purse. Oh, well, am I relieved.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Reflections on Sacrifice and Opportunity

Lola Warriner: I was working my head off at the Virginia Club but the minute he started doing better, you know what I mean, why he made me give up my job and, uhm, take a trip to London and Paris and uh, I think that was pretty swell, don't you?…it was a little act, kind of uh, well, it's a little hard to explain.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Reflecting on Dad's Love for Princeton

Lola Warriner: What in the world was Dad ever doing with a football?…Of course I remember. Pop loved Princeton. He was there nearly twenty years. If ever a man loved a place, he did - he just adored it. And he certainly kept it looking beautiful. You've seen the grounds, of course?

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Jerry the Nipper's Sneaky Drinking Habits

Lola Warriner: [''to Mrs. Vance, about Jerry''] We call him Jerry the Nipper. He likes to sneak em when nobody's looking. So cute about it too. I've seen him go along a whole evening and apparently not have a thing to drink and all of a sudden fall flat on his puss.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Motherly Lessons on Women and Friendship

Daniel Leeson: [''to Mrs. Leeson''] Well, I guess a man's best friend is his mother. I certainly learned about women from you.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Expressions of Happiness and Contentment

Daniel Leeson: [''to Lucy''] You make me the happiest man in the world! I'm so happy I could eat three steaks.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Expressions of Unrequited Love and Longing

Daniel Leeson: Just to prove that you're not mad, will ya give me a little kiss?…If you knew how crazy I am about ya, you wouldn't hesitate. I can't sleep nights…I must be in love, cause I started writin poetry to ya.To you my little prairie flower,I'm thinkin of you every hour.Though now you're just a friend to me,I wonder what the end will be.Oh, you would make my life divine,If you would change your name to mine.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Curiosity About Someone's True Appearance

Lucy Warriner: [''to Barbara''] I've seen your pictures in the paper and I've wondered what you look like.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

A Playful Invitation for a Meeting

Lucy Warriner: [''to Jerry, about Barbara''] Tell her I'd love to meet her. Tell her to wear boxing gloves.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Understanding Care Through Quirky Actions

Lucy Warriner: [''about Jerry''] I'm convinced he must care about me or he wouldn't do the funny things he does.

Unresolved Love and Fond Memories

Lucy Warriner: [''about Daniel''] Jerry's always had the most fantastic way of getting into scrapes. Oh, we've had some grand laughs together. I can't marry him because I'm still in love with that crazy lunatic and there's nothing I can do about it…I tried to forget Jerry.

Communication Signals in Relationships

Lucy Warriner: Put a light in the window if it's yes, two if it's no, and if you can't make up your minds, just pull down the shade.

Unexpected Lunch Leads to Marriage Decision

Lucy Warriner: [their dog] And then somehow, all of a sudden, the three of us were having lunch together. The man, and Mr. Smith , and I. And then things began to happen rather swiftly. And finally I said, well I think we'd better get married. And we did. And that way, we were able to give Mr. Smith a better home and live happily ever after. Until now.

Trust is essential for a happy marriage

Lucy Warriner: (You) can't have a happy married life if you're always going to be suspicious of each other…No one's interested in my night's adventure except Jerry and he knows it's innocent, just as well as he knows that, well, that he just got back from Florida.

A Comedic Misadventure on the Way Home

Lucy Warriner: Well, if we haven't had the most terrible time. Armand's car broke down last night a million miles from nowhere and we had to stay at the nastiest little inn you ever saw. No modern conveniences at all. It was dreadful. We were on our way home from the Junior Prom. A pupil of Armand's invited us. And, oh well, it's a long story.

Trust is Essential for a Happy Marriage

Jerry Warriner: [''to Barbara''] You can't have a happy married life if you're always suspicious. No. There can't be any doubts in marriage. Marriage is based on faith and if you've lost that, you've lost everything.

An Apology for Erratic Behavior

Jerry Warriner: [''to Lucy''] I certainly acted like a prized lunatic and I'm sorry…Nothing except the most ridiculous and sickening exhibition mortal man ever made of himself. Oh, I don't know why I act like that….The main idea is, do you accept my apology? Aside from making a blue-ribbon sap of myself today, I must have embarrassed you beyond words. You took it fine, though.

A Trip to the Circus for Refreshments

Jerry Warriner: Oh, I've heard everything. I'm going out to get some popcorn and pink lemonade. I've just seen a three-ring circus.

A Farewell with Wistful Wishes

Jerry Warriner: [''to Daniel''] Take good care of her. Maybe you'll succeed where I failed. And I'm sure that the three of you will be very happy out where the West begins. If you ever think of me, send me a postcard. Just say, Having a wonderful time! I'll understand.

Acceptance of a New Relationship

Jerry Warriner: So you two are gonna be married. I was glad to hear that. I said to myself, That Leeson's just the man for Lucy.

Questioning the Value of Marriage

Jerry Warriner: Perhaps our marriage doesn't mean anything to you?…Perhaps you have no sentiment left for me.

The Impact of Fun on Marital Relationships

Jerry Warriner: I wish Lucy would go out and get some fun for herself now and again. It would do her good. That's the trouble with most marriages today. People are always imagining things. The road to Reno is paved with suspicions. And the first thing you know, they all end up in a divorce court.