The Paper Chase (1973) · 13 quotes
Most-quoted character in The Paper Chase (1973): in 8 of its 13 quotes
Most scenes with: Franklin Ford III (3), Professor Kingsfield (2)
When I was in college, I had three roommates. One was genius, and one was crazy, and one was inconsequential, kept to himself. It was genius who told me about Kingsfield; first guy to tell me all about Kingsfield. He read an article by him in Life or Time or something called "Contracts in Our Daily Lives". Make a long story short, genius took the law school admissions test, but didn't score high enough to get into Harvard. Genius.
Mr. Hart, would you recite for us the facts of Hawkins versus McGee? [looks up] I do have your name right? You are "Mr. Hart"?
James Hart Yes, my name's Hart.
You're not speaking loud enough, Mr. Hart. Will you speak up?
James Hart Yes, my name's Hart.
Mr. Hart, you're still not speaking loud enough. Will you stand? Speak louder, Mr. Hart! Fill the room with your intelligence!
Toombs Kingsfield drove him mad. He's driven a lot of lawyers mad over the past 40 years that he's been teaching here. I heard he ripped up a 1-L this morning so bad, the guy lost his breakfast.
James Hart That's true. That was me.
Damn good.
James Hart It was a good answer - not a complete analysis, not a hard question - but the point is, I did it. I did it in Kingfield's class, this is a goddamn dance.
James Hart I found something. There's a room above the stacks that have all the professors' old notes from when they were law students here. They're just sitting there waiting. I want to see the notes... I want to see Kingsfield's notes on contracts.
Oh no, I know what you're thinking. [shakes head] Uh-uh.
Mister Hart, here is a dime. Take it, call your mother, and tell her there is serious doubt about you ever becoming a lawyer.
James Hart You... are a SON OF A BITCH, Kingsfield.
Mr. Hart! That is the most intelligent thing you've said all day. You may take your seat.
James Hart Why didn't you tell me you were Kingsfield's daughter?
Well, I'm not his daughter very much. Why didn't you call me?
James Hart Wait a minute. You were the one who left me in the park. Why didn't you call me?
I knew I'd see you here today.
James Hart You lied to me, Susan. You said that your last name was Fields.
My last name is Fields. I'm married.
Oh my God. What have you been doing in this room? I just had this room decorated. I'm calling the police.
If you kick us out, I swear to God I'll sue your Goddamn hotel for a million dollars. I'll burn it to the ground!
James Hart Look, I know that the piece of paper we signed down there allows you to kick us out. But if you do that, I'm going to go to the newspapers. And I'm going to tell them that we're a dope ring running through this hotel. Yeah, I'm going to tell them that, and you're not going to get any more business. Now shut up, and get out!
