Most Quotable movie ever - Sweet Smell of Success (1957) Discussion

[–] philk-4 19 years ago

Check out Barry Levinson's first movie, Diner. One of the characters is so hooked on SSOS that he wanders round quoting it by the yard.

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It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that sting

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[–] johndeckbose 11 years ago

And he actually misquotes the line, saying "when everybody know this guy is toting this guy around for you."

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[–] jgravely 18 years ago

What is this thing integrity?
Sidney sweetheart.
The brains may be Jersey City but the dress is Trina Norrell.
I like Harry but I gotta admit he sweats a lot.
Match me Sidney.
We're expected to shovel a columnists dirt and call it manner.

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[–] pacwarbuff 18 years ago

"It's a dirty job but I pay clean money for it!"

It's spelled "Definitely".

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[–] geoff-185 18 years ago

I haven't seen the film recently but isn't it- speaking of Harry-" he sweats a little" ?

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[–] johndeckbose 11 years ago

I like Harry but I can't deny he sweats a little.

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[–] mike_schilling 18 years ago

We're expected to shovel a columnists dirt and call it manna.

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[–] koeos 18 years ago

I heard manna too. However, I had sub-titles on while watching it and they displayed the word "manners".

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[–] rodsta69 16 years ago

I always thought it was manna, as in manna from heaven.

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[–] Cinephile46 12 years ago

It is manna according to Criterion subtitles

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[–] jgravely 18 years ago

"Here's your head. What's your hurry?"

"I don't relish shooting a mosquito with an elephant gun."

"...out in the open. Where every hepcat knows...that this one...is toting this one...around for you. What are we kids?"

J.J.Hunsecker

It's a dirty job, but I pay clean money for it.

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[–] pagutrecht 17 years ago

Any ideas what this line means? It's fascinating, but I can't quite make it out...

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[–] cruddy 17 years ago

Turns out it's based on a popular expression of the time, When you wanted someone to scram, you handed them their hat without them asking for it, and said, "Here's your hat. What's your hurry?" --basically telling them to get lost.

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[–] X-Evolutionist 14 years ago

"Here's your hat. What's your hurry?" is also in "It's a Wonderful Life". George Bailey's (Jimmy Stewart) mother is telling him to go see Mary since she is back from college (and a marriagable girl...), and that is his response.

X

Reasons Why I Believe in God:
http://X-Evolutionist.com/

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[–] lydia-37 18 years ago

You're dead son, go get yourself burried.

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[–] p_griffiths69 18 years ago

"Conjugate me a verb. For example, to promise"

"Come back Sydney. I wanna chastise ya."

If people went around quoting this instead of Withnail and I the world would be a better place.

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[–] jgravely 18 years ago

"It's later than you think."

"The penalty could be severe."

"It's a dirty job,but I pay clean money for it."

"I hate JJ,but not THAT much."

[M. Night Shyamalan]"He had 2 1/2 good ideas. The well's clearly dry." - Tim Briody

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[–] terrythomas 18 years ago

"That's fish four days old -- I won't buy it."

"I'm a schoolboy -- teach me, teach me."

"Watch me run a fifty yard dash with my legs cut off."

"You're a liar - that's a publicity man's nature. I wouldn't hire you if you wasn't a liar."

"You're walking around blind, Frank, without a cane."

In response to Steve asking why Falco was around his apartment: "Begging your pardon, I haven't been in a bowery in years!"

"Harvey, I often wish I were dead and wore a hearing aid...with a simple flick of a switch I could shut out the greedy murmur of little men..."

"My right hand hasn't seen my left hand in years."

"Senator, do you believe in capitol punishment? Because a man has just been sentenced to death."

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[–] sjl004 18 years ago

Start thinking with your head instead of your hips.

I got nothing against women thinking with their hips. Thats their nature.

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[–] johnlsullivan 18 years ago

Everybody knows Manny Davis. Except Mrs. Manny Davis.

President!...My big toe would make a better president.

Where's your coat, Sidney? Saving tips?

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[–] rainmaker_freefall 11 years ago

When I heard that line, I thought it was so jerky and ignorant... but I kinda liked it anyway.

"I am the Rumble Suppressor."

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[–] KayDrama 11 years ago

Cigarette girl to Sidney Falco:
"Don't you get messags, Eyelashes? I called you twice."

It may not be deep or cutting the way the rest of the dialogue is, but I loved seeing someone on film acknowledging Tony Curtis and those dark swept eyelashes! lol

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[–] johndeckbose 11 years ago

It's "on the Bowery" -- "I haven't been on the Bowery in years."

The Bowery is a stretch of lower Third Avenue in Manhattan that used to be home to many curb-dwelling drunks and their SRO hotels.

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[–] KoreanFilm-Fan 18 years ago

Sidney, this syrup you're giving out, you pour over waffles, not JJ Hunsecker.

He's full of juice and vinegar, waiting for a big shot like you to put on the squeeze.

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[–] whalers1080 18 years ago

JJ on shaking hands with the detective:

"What am I supposed to do; holler 'uncle?'"

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[–] arnis12 18 years ago

"Where's your coat? Trying to save on tipping?"

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[–] fanaticita 18 years ago

"MATCH ME, SYDNEY!!" Gawd!! What a creep!

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[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] csu16387 18 years ago

"Watch me run a 50-yard dash with my legs cut off."

"President? My big toe would make a better President!"

"My right hand hasn't seen my left hand in 30 years."

"You've got more twists than a barrel of pretzels."

"Dry your eyes baby, it's out of character."

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[–] ilketheroldmysterioustuf 18 years ago

"Sydney is a man of 40 faces, not one, none too pretty, and all deceptive."

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