A Star is Born (1954) · 20 quotes
Most-quoted character in A Star is Born (1954): in 10 of its 20 quotes
Most scenes with: Esther Blodgett / Vicki Lester (3)
Listen to me, Esther, a career is a curious thing. Talent isn't always enough. You need a sense of timing - an eye for seeing the turning point or recognizing the big chance when it comes along and grabbing it. A career can rest on a trifle. Like - like us sitting here tonight. Or it can turn on somebody saying to you, 'You're better than that. You're better than you know.' Don't settle for the little dream. Go on to the big one...Scared? Scared to take the plunge? Don't ever forget how good you are. And hang on to that. Because I'm right. [pause] I just want to take another look at you.
Norman Maine You've got that little something extra that Ellen Terry talked about. Ellen Terry, a great actress long before you were born. She said that that was what star quality was - that little something extra. Well, you've got it.
Norman Maine You know, Oliver, I sometimes think I was born with a genius - an absolute genius - for doing the wrong thing.
Norman Maine I shall have to introduce myself all over again to a lot of people. They won't know me when I'm not drinking.
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.
Norman Maine What kind of luck?
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.
Norman Maine Yes, and then?
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.
Norman Maine There's only one thing wrong with that.
I know--it won't happen!
Norman Maine No, it might happen pretty easily--but the dream isn't big enough.
Norman Maine Don't I now?
And you're cold sober.
Norman Maine Well, you'd better make the most of it!
Norman Maine Do you ever go fishing?
Norman Maine Well, do you like prizefi--have you ever watched a great fighter?
I-I uh--
Norman Maine I'm trying to tell you how you sing.
Do you mean like a prizefighter or a fish?
Norman Maine Look...em--
Norman Maine There are certain pleasures that you get--
Norman Maine 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?
Norman Maine You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?
No, not yet. Why don't you try bullfights?
Norman, don't you know how I feel about you?
Norman Maine Yes, yes I do.
Well, then dear, don't you know that nothing about you could make any difference?
Norman Maine It's too late.
No, it isn't.
Norman Maine It is, I tell you...Now listen to me. I destroy everything I touch. I always have. Forget me. I'm a bad loss.
I don't believe that.
Norman Maine You've come too late.
When something like this happens to you and I'm not going to lie to you and tell you I didn't keep hoping it would happen. All the speeches that you've made up in your bedroom or in the bathtub go out of your mind completely and you find that, out of all the words in the world, just two stick in your mind - thank you. And all I can do is say them to you from my heart and...
Norman Maine Congratulations, my dear. I made it just in time, didn't I? May I borrow the end of your speech to make a speech of my own? My method for gaining your attention may seem a little uncon-unconventional, but, uh, hard times call for harsh measures. My - I had my speech all prepared, but I - it's gone right out of my head. Let me see - why, it's silly to be so formal, isn't it? I-I know most of you sitting out there by your first names, don't I? I made a lot o' money for you gentlemen in my time through the years, didn't I? Well, I need a job now. Yeah, that's it. That-that-that-that's the speech. That's the - I need a job. That's what I wanted to say. I - I need a job. It's as simple as that. I - I need a job, that's all. My talents, I may say, are not confined to dramatic parts. I can play comedy, too.
Friends, my eye! Listen. I got you out of your jams because it was my job, not because I was your friend. I don't like you. I never did like you. And nothing made me happier than to see all those cute little pranks of yours catch up with you and land you on your celebrated face.
Norman Maine Pretty work, Libby. Always wait till they're down, then kick them.
