Zampanò quotes from La Strada (1954)

Do only what I tell you to.

Here we have a piece of chain that is a quarter of an inch thick. It is made of crude iron, stronger than steel. With the simple expansion of my pectoral muscles, or chest, that is, I'll break the hook. [collecting money from the crowd] Thank you, thank you. Now, to do this feat, I must fill myself up like a tire. If a blood vessel should break, I would spit blood. For instance, in Milan a man weighing 240 pounds lost his eyesight doing this trick. That is because the optical nerves take a beating, and once you lose your eyes, you are finished. If there's any delicate person in the audience, I would advise him to look away 'cause there could be blood. [with seemingly great effort, he breaks the chain]

Gelsomina

Where are you from?

My hometown.

Gelsomina

You don't talk like us. Where were you born?

My father's house.

Gelsomina

You're one of those men who runs around with women.

What?

Gelsomina

Who runs around with women.

If you want to stay with me, you've got to learn one thing - to keep your mouth shut!

Get in.

Is this piece of junk your car?

Don't you like it?

Are you crazy?

It's American. Hasn't broken down once in seven years.

What line of work are you in?

I'm a traveling artist. This is my sidekick. I taught her everything. When I took her on, she couldn't even quack.

You always eat standing up like a horse?

Widow

I always eat on my feet. Who's going to keep the house going if not me?

Why don't you remarry?

Widow

What? Another husband? I'm the only one who gives orders around here.

Is that all a husband is good for? Giving orders?

Widow

Think I'm not made of flesh and blood? Everybody likes sweets after a good meal.