A character in On Golden Pond (1981)

Norman Thayer Jr. quotes from On Golden Pond (1981)

Henry Fonda

Most-quoted character in On Golden Pond (1981): in 9 of its 14 quotes
Most scenes with: Billy Ray (3)

A line from Norman Thayer Jr. [to Ethel]

Wanna dance or would you rather just suck face?

More lines from Norman Thayer Jr.

1 quote
Norman Thayer Jr.
[to Bill]

Would you like the room where I first violated her mother?

Scenes with Norman Thayer Jr.

7 scenes

You're having a good time, aren't you?

Norman

Huh?

Chelsea told me all about how you like to have a good time messing with people's heads. She does too, sometimes. Me, sometimes I can get into it. Sometimes not. You know, it's not imperative that you and I become friends. I thought it would be nice. I'm sure you're a fascinating person, and I thought it would be fascinating to get to know you, but that's obviously not an easy task. So you just go ahead and be as... poopy, to quote Chelsea, as you want to be, and I'll be as nice and as civil as I can be. But I think there's one thing you should know while you're jerking me around and making me feel like an asshole. I know precisely what you're up to. And I'll take just so much of it. Now what is the bottom line on this illicit sleeping together question?

Norman

Very good. That was a good speech. Bottom line, huh? You're a bottom line man? All right, here's the bottom line... O-kay.

Huh?

Norman

You seem like a nice man. A bit verbose, but nice...

Thank you.

Norman

...and you're right about me. I am fascinating.

I'm sure you are.

Norman

But let's get back to the sex thing... anything you want to know, just ask me. Go ahead.

No, no... I just, uh, wanted to clear that up. Chelsea and I can sleep together.

Norman

Sure, please do. [pauses, resumes reading] Just don't let Ethel catch you.

So, I heard you turned 80 today.

Norman

Is that what you heard?

Yeah. Man, that's really old.

Norman

You should meet my father.

Your father's still alive?

Norman

No, but you should meet him.

A canoe! Just like the Indians used.

Norman

Actually, the Indians used a different grade of aluminum.

[as he heads out to the lake to go skinny-dipping with Ethel and Chelsea]

Are there any bears around here?

Norman

Oh, sure. Black bears, grizzlies. One of 'em came along here and ate an old lesbian just last month.

Chelsea

It just seems like we've been mad at each other for so long...

Norman

I didn't think we were mad; I just thought we didn't like each other.

Norman

You want to know why I came back so fast? I got to the end of our lane. I couldn't remember where the old town road was. I went a little ways in the woods. There was nothing familiar. Not one damn tree. Scared me half to death. That's why I came running back here to you. So I could see your pretty face and I could feel safe and that I was still me.

You're safe, you old poop and you're definitely still you picking on poor old Charlie. After lunch, after we've gobbled up all those silly strawberries we'll take ourselves to the old town road. We've been there a thousand times. A thousand. And you'll remember it all. Listen to me, mister. You're my knight in shining armor. Don't you forget it. You're gonna get back up on that horse and I'm gonna be right behind you holding on tight and away we're gonna go, go, go.

Norman

I don't like horses. You are a pretty old dame aren't you? What are you doing with a dotty old son of a bitch like me?

Well, I haven't the vaguest idea.
Note: The bolded quote is ranked #88 in the American Film Institute's list of the top 100 movie quotations in American cinema.

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