The Awful Truth (1937) · 50 quotes
Tied for most-quoted character in The Awful Truth (1937): in 24 of its 50 quotes
Most scenes with: Jerry Warriner (13), Daniel Leeson (5), Aunt Patsy (2)
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.
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.
Lucy Warriner And then somehow, all of a sudden, the three of us were having lunch together. The man, and Mr. Smith [their dog], 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.
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.
Lucy Warriner Jerry's always had the most fantastic way of getting into scrapes. Oh, we've had some grand laughs together. [about Daniel] 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.
Lucy Warriner I'm convinced he must care about me or he wouldn't do the funny things he does.
Lucy Warriner Tell her I'd love to meet her. Tell her to wear boxing gloves.
Lucy Warriner I've seen your pictures in the paper and I've wondered what you look like.
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.
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?
Yes, you've been doing all right.
But now my position must be considered. I have never yet been in a scandal.
Never been caught, huh?
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.
Lucy It's enough to destroy one's faith, isn't it?
Oh, I haven't any faith left in anyone.
Lucy I know just how you feel.
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.
Well, I can explain that, Lucy.
Lucy You can?
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.
Hmm, a philosopher, huh?
Lucy You don't believe me.
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.
Well, so's his story.
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.
Then I guess we're washed up because we've lost faith in each other.
Lucy 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. [he refuses] 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.
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!
I wouldn't, eh? You're talking to a desperate woman. [Mr. Smith jumps up next to Lucy on the couch] Too bad he can't wear a top-hat.
This is my day to visit Mr. Smith.
Lucy He's only my husband for - how much longer is it now? Sixty days?
Fifty-nine.
Lucy Oh, that's better. Only fifty-nine days. Don't worry about him, he has a Continental mind.
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.
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?
Don't mind me.
Lucy Tell me some more about Arizona.
Oklahoma.
Lucy Well, you don't look so hot yourself.
Are you sure you don't like that fella?
Lucy Like him? You saw the way I treated him, didn't you?
That's what I mean. Back on my ranch, I got a little red rooster and a little brown hen and they fight all the time too, but every once in a while they make up again and they're right friendly.
Lucy He's sweet and thoughtful...sane and considerate. I was married to one who was insane and inconsiderate.
I didn't expect you to get silly about him...It's fine except the rebound is rarely the real thing. As a matter of fact, it's the bunk.
Lucy Well, I'm serious about Daniel and I like him. I like him very much. I'm all through with Jerry. He doesn't mean a thing to me. I don't love him, and what's more, I probably never did. I'm sure I never loved him and now I hate him. And that surprises you, doesn't it? I hate Jerry Warriner and I like Daniel Leeson very very much and I hope he's just crazy about me because I think he's the finest man I ever met.
Ah, so you're gonna live in Ok-la-ho-ma, eh Lucy? How I envy you. Ever since I was a small boy, that name has been filled with magic for me. Ok-la-ho-ma!
We're gonna live right in Oklahoma City!
Not Oklahoma City itself? Lucy, you lucky girl! No more running around to nightspots. No more prowling around in New York shops. I shall think of you every time a new show opens and say to myself, 'She's well out of it.'
New York's all right for a visit but I wouldn't want to live here.
Lucy I know I'll enjoy Oklahoma City.
Well, of course. And if it should get dull, you can always go over to Tul-sa for the weekend. I think a big change like that does one good, don't you?
Lucy I guess it was easier to her to change her name than for her whole family to change theirs.
That'd go great out West.
Lucy It seemed to go pretty well with the cowboy here.
Do you want to change the subject?
Look, why don't you two get up and dance, or don't you dance?
Uh, Lucy doesn't care very much about dancing. Didn't you know that?
Did Lucy tell you that? She's holding out on ya. She's a beautiful dancer. Why, I used to call her 'Twinkle-toes.' [grinning] Hello Twinkle-toes.
Have you been foolin' me, you little rascal?
Lucy Well, to tell you the truth, Dan, I-I didn't think you cared much about it.
Care about it? Why, I could dance till the cows come home! I won several cups at it myself.
Lucy We never won any cups.
Maybe you had the wrong partner.
There's a lot in what you say.
What do you see in this fellow?
Lucy Oh, none of your business.
Not that I care, but uh, what kind of mind could he have that would impress you, huh?
Lucy You might be surprised. You could take a few lessons and profit nicely.
You'd be surprised what I'd give to get an earful of that.
I think Barbara and I will be very happy together.
Lucy Let's drink to our future. Here's hoping you and Barbara will be very happy - which I doubt very much...as we go down life's highway, you going your way and I going my way. I think champagne is so fitting to round out our romance. I remember the first drink we ever had together. You in your very best manner said, 'It must be champagne.' And then you offered a toast, you remember?...Being a woman, I do... You said, 'Lend an ear I implore you. This comes from my heart. I'll always adore you. Til death do us part.' Remember?...Oh dear, well, it was pretty swell, I mean, while it lasted, but uh, all beautiful things must end, so, I guess we may as well call it a day.
You just thought that if I'd stay up there, you'd show me exactly how innocent a night in the country could be, didn't you?
Lucy Are you still harping on that same old string? Well, it's a matter of complete indifference to me whether you go or stay. I was just trying to make it easier for you, that's all.
I told you we'd have trouble with this...In a half an hour, we'll no longer be 'Mr. and Mrs.' Funny, isn't it?
Lucy Yes, it's funny that everything's the way it is on account of the way you feel.
Huh?
Lucy Well, I mean if you didn't feel the way you do, things wouldn't be the way they are, would they? Well, I mean things could be the same if things were different.
But things are the way you made them.
Lucy Oh no. No, things are the way you think I made them. I didn't make them that way at all. Things are just the same as they always were, only you're the same as you were, too, so I guess things will never be the same again. Good night.
Lucy You're all confused, aren't you?
Uh-huh. Aren't you?
Lucy No.
Well, you should be, because you're wrong about things being different because they're not the same. Things are different, except in a different way. You're still the same, only I've been a fool. Well, I'm not now. So, as long as I'm different, don't you think that, well, maybe things could be the same again? Only a little different, huh?
Lucy Do you mean that, Jerry? Are you sure?
Mmm, hmm.
Lucy No more doubts?...No more being...?
Except, uh...
Lucy Except what?
Well, there's only one thing that bothers me.
Lucy What?
Lucy Oh, is that all?
