Homer Boy, oh boy, hey, look at that. Look at those automobiles down there. You can see them so plain, you can even see the people in them.
Yeah, it looks like we're flying by a roadmap.
Played by Harold Russell 
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) · 50 quotes
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) · 50 quotes
3rd most-quoted character in The Best Years of Our Lives (1946): in 10 of its 50 quotes
Most scenes with: Fred Derry (4), Wilma (4), Al Stephenson (2)
Scenes with Homer
10 scenes Homer Homer I didn't see much of the war...I was stationed in a repair shop below decks. Oh, I was in plenty of battles, but I never saw a Jap or heard a shell coming at me. When we were sunk, all I know is there was a lot of fire and explosions. And I was on the topsides and overboard. And I was burned. When I came to, I was on a cruiser. My hands were off. After that, I had it easy...That's what I said. They took care of me fine. They trained me to use these things. I can dial telephones, I can drive a car, I can even put nickels in the jukebox. I'm all right, but...well, you see, I've got a girl.
She knows what happened to ya, doesn't she?
Homer Sure, they all know. They don't know what these things look like.
What's your girl's name, Homer?
Homer Wilma. She and I went to high school together.
I'll bet Wilma's a swell girl.
Homer She is.
Then it will be all right, sailor. You wait and see.
Homer Yeah, wait and see. Wilma's only a kid. She's never seen anything like these hooks.
There's the golf course, people playing golf just as if nothing had ever happened.
Homer Hey, there's Jackson High football field. Boy, I sure would like to have a dollar for every forward pass I threw down there. Good ol' Jackson High. Say, that must be the new airport.
We're turning into her now.
Holy smoke. [They view an airfield graveyard]
Homer I never knew there was so many planes.
And they're junking them...Boy, oh boy, what we could have done with those in '43!...Some of 'em look brand new, factory to the scrap heap. That's all they're good for now.
Homer Wilma? What does she want?
Butch You.
Homer Oh, why can't they leave a guy alone?
Butch Because they're fond of ya, that's why. What made you leave the house and get them all worried?
Homer Oh, they, they got me nervous...well, they keep staring at these hooks, or else they keep staring away from them.
Butch Do you mean, whatever they do is wrong?
Homer Why don't they understand that all I want is to be treated like everybody else?
Butch Give 'em time, kid. They'll catch on. You know, your folks will get used to you, and you'll get used to them. Then everything will settle down nicely, unless we have another war. Then none of us have to worry because we'll all be blown to bits the first day. So cheer up, huh?
Homer What about us? We're all right, aren't we?
No, listen to me, Homer.
Homer I'm listening.
You wrote me that when you got home, you and I were going to be married. If you wrote that once, you wrote it a hundred times. Isn't that true?
Homer Yes, but things are different now.
Have you changed your mind?
Homer Have I said anything about changing my mind?
No. That's just it. You haven't said anything about anything...I don't know what to think, Homer. All I know is, I was in love with you when you left and I'm in love with you now. Other things may have changed but that hasn't.
Homer I'm sorry, Luella. It isn't your fault. Just go on and play with your friends. [To Wilma] I know Wilma, I was wrong. I shouldn't have acted like that. It wasn't her that burned my hands off. I'll be all right. I just got to work it out myself.
I could help you, Homer, if you'd let me.
Homer I've got to work it out myself. All I want is for people to treat me like anybody else instead of pitying me. It guess it's, it's hard for them to do that. I've just got to learn to get used to it and pay no attention.
Couldn't I...?
Homer No, I've got to do it myself.
Homer I know what it is. How did I get these hooks and how do they work? That's what everybody says when they start off with 'Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?' Well, I'll tell ya. I got sick and tired of that old pair of hands I had. You know, an awful lot of trouble washing them and manicuring my nails. So I traded them in for a pair of these latest models. They work by radar. Look. [He takes a scoop of his ice cream sundae with a spoon] Pretty cute, hey?
Customer
You got plenty of guts. It's terrible when you see a guy like you that had to sacrifice himself - and for what?
Homer And for what? I don't getcha Mister?
Customer
...We let ourselves get sold down the river. We were pushed into war.
Homer Sure, by the Japs and the Nazis so we had...
Customer
No, the Germans and the Japs had nothing against us. They just wanted to fight the Limies and the Reds. And they would have whipped 'em too if we didn't get deceived into it by a bunch of radicals in Washington.
Homer What are you talkin' about?
Customer
We fought the wrong people, that's all. Just read the facts, my friend. Find out for yourself why you had to lose your hands. And then go out and do something about it.
They figure you don't want me around. You don't want to see me, and if I go away for awhile, maybe I'll get all of this out of my mind...Do you want to get rid of me? Tell me the truth, Homer. Do you want me to forget about you?
Homer I want you to be free, Wilma, to live your own life. I don't want you tied down forever just because you've got a kind heart.
Oh, Homer! Why can't you ever understand the way things really are, the way I really feel? I keep trying to tell you.
Homer But, but you don't know what it would be like to live with me. Have to face this every day, every night.
I can only find out by trying. And if it turns out I haven't courage enough, we'll soon know it.
Homer Wilma, you and I have been close to each other for a long time, haven't we? Ever since we were kids.
Yes, Homer.
Homer I'm going upstairs to bed. I wantcha, I want ya to come up and see for yourself what happens.
All right, Homer.
Homer I'm lucky I have my elbows. Some of the boys don't, but I can't button them up.
I'll do that, Homer.
Homer This is when I know I'm helpless. My hands are down there on the bed. I can't put them on again without calling to somebody for help. I can't smoke a cigarette or read a book. If that door should blow shut, I can't open it and get out of this room. I'm as dependent as a baby that doesn't know how to get anything except to cry for it. Well, now you know, Wilma. Now you have an idea of what it is. I guess you don't know what to say. It's all right. Go on home. Go away like your family said.
I know what to say, Homer. I love you and I'm never going to leave you, never. [She kisses him]
Homer You mean you, you didn't mind?
Of course not. I told you I loved you.
Homer I love you, Wilma. I always have and I always will.
Good night, darling. Sleep well.
Homer I was afraid you wouldn't be able to stand up for me.
I'd stand up for you, kid, 'til I drop.
