MovieChat Forums > Clue (1985) Discussion > Is THAT what he said!

Is THAT what he said!

posted 10 years ago by fiatlux-1
9 replies | jump to latest

Ever watch a film more than once, yet never quite *catch* a line?

Wadsworth & Prof. Plum are talking:

Prof. Plum: "Is the FBI in the habit of cleaning up after multiple murders?!"
Wadsworth: "Of course Why do you think its run by a man called Hoover?"

I'd NEVER known what the heck Wadsworth said there. I'd always thought he said
"...Michael Hoover." 
Figured it was some political reference I'd missed!

I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus.
Didn't he discover America?
Penfold, shush.

[–] sisterdebmac 10 years ago

Political reference? Not really. He was just making a joke about the fact that the man who was the head of the FBI at the time was named J. Edgar Hoover. That's not the only reference to him in the movie since various characters claim to work for the FBI. Guess they don't teach about Hoover in school anymore? Which is kind of hard to believe since he was so notorious, especially in the 50's and 60's during the height of the cold war and the the dawn of the Civil Right Movement, etc. There are those who believe Hoover had Martin Luther King Jr assassinated. Just curious, how old are you?
________________
there will be snark

[–] zen_and_the_art 10 years ago

You are assuming that OP is from the US(which he may or may not be). Admittedly a lot of people outside know about Hoover too but it was definitely not taught in school..

[–] HalHopandPop 10 years ago

That's my favorite line of the movie, one of the many examples of the genius script. But yeah, Wadsworth/Curry delivers it kind of fast so it can be tricky to make out.

Milo, I've told you again and again - please, don't walk on the chickens!

[–] staticline1 10 years ago

Just for those who don't get the connection, Wadsworth is making a reference to the Hoover Company, famous for manufacturing vacuum cleaners and other appliances. Hence, "cleaning up" after multiple murders.

Put your signature in italics or something so I don't mistake it as part of your post.

[–] fiatlux-1 10 years ago

Just for those who don't get the connection, Wadsworth is making a reference to the Hoover Company, famous for manufacturing vacuum cleaners and other appliances. Hence, "cleaning up" after multiple murders.

YES! THANK YOU!
That is what I thought it meant too! It has nothing to do with politics....just vacuum cleaners!

I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus.
Didn't he discover America?
Penfold, shush.

[–] PinkPancreas 10 years ago

That's what subtitles are for.

[–] fiatlux-1 10 years ago

I grew up in the '80s, where there was only VHS. No subtitles there!

It was only when I saw this film as an adult on DVD & again on television (with subtitles available)that I could know what was said.

I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus.
Didn't he discover America?
Penfold, shush.

[–] Lunchbox-3 9 years ago

A lot of VHS tapes from the '80s did have closed captioning though (so did most TVs).

[–] GreenGoblinsOckVenom86 9 years ago

That's what subtitles are for.

Actually in the DVD version I have with subtitles they don't pick up on everything. There were quite a few lines that didn't show up in the subtitles. One instance being the "No meaning yes" scene.

Green Goblin is great! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1L4ZuaVvaw