2nd most-quoted character in A Star is Born (1954): in 8 of its 20 quotes
Most scenes with: Norman Maine (3)
What is it that makes him want to destroy himself?...You don't know what it's like to watch somebody you love just crumble away bit by bit, day by day, in front of your eyes, and stand there helpless. Love isn't enough, I thought it was. I thought I was the answer for Norman. But love isn't enough for him.
Esther Blodgett / Vicki Lester I can remember my first job singing with the band. And then one night stands clear across country by bus. Putting on nail polish in the ladies rooms of gas stations, waiting on tables. Wow! That was a low point. I'll never forget it. And I'll never never do that again, no matter what. But I had to sing. I somehow feel most alive when I'm singing.
Esther Blodgett / Vicki Lester He gave me a look at myself I've never had before. He saw something in me nobody else ever did. He made me see it too. He made me believe it.
Esther Blodgett / Vicki Lester Sometimes, I hate him. I hate his promises to stop, and then the watching and waiting to see it begin again. I hate to go home to him at nights and listen to his lies...I hate me cause I've failed too.
Esther Blodgett / Vicki Lester Mr. Maine is feeling no pain!
Esther Blodgett You know as much about me as I do myself. But...you see how long it's taken me to get this far. Now, all I need is just a little luck.
What kind of luck?
Esther Blodgett Oh, the kind of luck that every girl singer with a band dreams of--one night a big talent scout from a big record company might come in and he'll let me make a record.
Yes, and then?
Esther Blodgett Well, the record will become number one on the Hit Parade, it'll be played on the jukeboxes all over the country...and I'll be made. [laughs] End of dream.
There's only one thing wrong with that.
Esther Blodgett I know--it won't happen!
No, it might happen pretty easily--but the dream isn't big enough.
Esther Blodgett Hello, Mr. Maine. You turn up in the strangest places.
Don't I now?
Esther Blodgett And you're cold sober.
Well, you'd better make the most of it!
Do you ever go fishing?
Well, do you like prizefi--have you ever watched a great fighter?
Esther Blodgett I-I uh--
I'm trying to tell you how you sing.
Esther Blodgett Do you mean like a prizefighter or a fish?
Look...em--
There are certain pleasures you get, little-little jabs of pleasure when a swordfish take a hook, or-or when you see a great fighter get in right for the kill, see?
Esther Blodgett No, not yet. Why don't you try bullfights?
