Golly, Miss Lane, how come you get all the best stories?
Lois Lane A good reporter doesn't get great stories, Jimmy...
Played by Margot Kidder 
Superman (1978) · 52 quotes
Superman (1978) · 52 quotes
Tied for 2nd most-quoted character in Superman (1978): in 12 of its 52 quotes
Most scenes with: Clark Kent (5), Superman (4), Perry White (3)
Can you read my mind? Do you know what it is that you do to me? I don't know who you are. Just a friend from another star. Here I am, like a kid out of school. Holding hands with a god. I'm a fool. Will you look at me? Quivering. Like a little girl, shivering. You can see right through me. Can you read my mind? Can you picture the things I'm thinking of? Wondering why you are...all the wonderful things you are. You can fly. You belong in the sky. You and I...could belong to each other. If you need a friend...I'm the one to fly to. If you need to be loved...here I am. Read my mind.
Scenes with Lois Lane
11 scenes Lois Lane 
Excuse me, Mr. White. I was wondering if, if, uh, perhaps you could arrange for half my salary to be sent to this address on a weekly basis.
Lois Lane Your bookie, right?
My what?
Lois Lane [cynical as ever]: Don't tell me. He sends a check every week to his sweet, grey-haired old mother.
Actually, she's silver-haired. [brief pause as they both realize he's not kidding]
Yeah. I'll see what I can do.
Lois Lane Any more at home like you?
Uh, not really, no.
Lois Lane I didn't think so.
Lois Lane So, how did you enjoy your first day on the job?
Frankly, the hours were somewhat longer than I expected, but meeting you and Jimmy and Mr. White on the whole, I think it's just swell.
Lois Lane "Swell"? You know, Clark, there are very few people left in the world who feel comfortable saying that word.
What word?
Lois Lane "Swell".
Really? It just sort of comes naturally to me.
[Clark and Lois are being mugged] [points the Mugger's gun away from himself and Lois]
Now just a minute, mister. I realize times are tough for some these days, but this isn't the answer. You can't solve society's problems...with a gun.
Mugger
You know something, buddy? You're right. I'm gonna turn over a new leaf.
Now, that's the spirit. [to Lois] See, he really doesn't want to hurt anybody.
Lois Lane [Mugger points the gun back at them] [sarcastically]
Uh-huh.
Mugger
Right after I rip off this lady's purse. Now c'mon, lady. Hand it over.
Now, Lois, I think you better... [Lois begins to hand the Mugger her purse, but instead drops it] Lois! What are you doing?!
Lois Lane [The Mugger bends down to receive Lois' purse, but Lois kicks him in the face causing him to fire the gun. Clark Kent catches the bullet and falls over as the Mugger runs away]
Clark! Clark, are you okay?
Lois Lane Fainted? You fainted!
Sorry. [Lois walks away as Clark opens his hand, looks at the audience, and tosses the bullet aside] Really, Lois, supposing that man had shot you? Is it worth risking your life over ten dollars, two credit cards, a hairbrush, and a lipstick?
Lois Lane How did you know that?
Know what?
Lois Lane You just described the exact contents of my purse.
Lois Lane You...you've got me? Who's got you?!
[Having rescued Lois Lane from a crashing helicopter and lowers the helicopter on the roof] [to the techicians about the pilot]
Gentlemen, this man needs help! [to Lois] Well, I certainly hope this little incident hasn't put you off flying, miss. Statistically speaking, of course, it's still the safest way to travel. [prepare to flies away]
Lois Lane Wait! Who are you?
A friend. [flies away] Bye.
[Lois waves at Superman and, quite understandably, faints]
[to the crowd of reporters]
Now, look. [throws newspapers down in succession, reading out their headlines] The Post: "IT FLIES!" The News: "LOOK MA - NO WIRES!" The Times: "BLUE BOMB BUZZES METROPOLIS". The Planet. [the headline on the Daily Planet reads: "CAPED WONDER STUNS CITY"] We're sitting on top of the story of the century here! I want the name of this flying whatchamacallit to go with the Daily Planet like bacon and eggs, franks and beans, death and taxes, politics and corruption!
[raises his hand]
I, I don't think he would, uh, lend himself to any ch-cheap promotion schemes, though, Mr. White.
Exactly how would you know that, Kent?
Well anyway, who's talking cheap? I'll make him a partner if I have to! Right?
Secretary
Right, Chief.
I want the real story! [bangs his desk. Lois is taking notes and finds a card with a personal message on it] I want the inside dope on this guy! Has he got a family? Where does he live? What does the "S" stand for? Family? Relatives? How does he fly?
Lois Lane [reading a note out loud in a whisper]
"TONIGHT AT EIGHT - YOU PLACE - HOPEFULLY - A FRIEND". [remembers what Superman had said to her and realizes that the notes is from him] A friend!
Tony, who is he? Mike, what's his name? What's he got hidden underneath that cape of his, batteries? Why did he show up last night? Dick, where does he come from? [to Lois] Does he have a girlfriend? [to Clark] What's his favorite ball team, Kent? Now listen to me! I tell you, boys and girls, whichever one of you gets it out of him is going to wind up with the single most important interview since...God talked to Moses! What are you standing around about for? Move! Get on that story!
Lois Lane [Lois Lane is waiting for Superman at her apartment]
Eight o'clock, he says eight o'clock. Hm. Some friend. [pours herself some wine] Story of my life. [sits down] Cinderella bites the dust.
Lois Lane U-Uh...hi!
Oh, I'm sorry. Did you have plans this evening?
Lois Lane Oh. Oh, this old thing?...No.
Well listen, it's no trouble at all for me to come back later-
Lois Lane No! [rushes forward] Don't move! Um, er, uh...sure, you can move. Um, just don't fly away, all right?
[smiles, hops down onto the terrace, and walks forward]
Sorry to, uh, just drop in on you like this, Miss Lane, but I've been thinking. You know, there must be a lot of questions about me that people in the world would like to know the answers to...
Lois Lane Of course. Yes. Uh... [begins to light a cigarette]
Uh, you really shouldn't smoke, you know, Miss Lane.
Lois Lane Don't tell me. Lung cancer, right?
Lois Lane Um, um, would you like a glass of wine?
Uh, no, no thanks. I never drink when I fly. Nice place.
Lois Lane Oh, thank you. Thank you. Um...should we get started with that interview? [goes to sit down and Superman goes to get her chair] Oh! Huh. Thank you. [Superman sits down, too] Well, ah, let's start with your vital statistics. Are you married?
Uh, no. No, I'm not.
Lois Lane Do you have a girlfriend?
Uh, no, I don't, but, uh, if I did, Miss Lane, you'd be the first to know about it.
Lois Lane Um, how old are you?
Over 21.
Lois Lane Oh, I get it, you don't want anyone to know how old. And how big are you? How tall are you?
Uh, 'bout six-four.
Lois Lane Six-foot-four and, uh, how much do you weigh?
Hm, around two, two-twenty five.
Lois Lane Two-Two-twenty five? Hm. Uh, well, um, um, I assume then that-that the rest of your bodily functions are...normal?
Sorry, beg your pardon?
Lois Lane Well, putting it delicately. [leans forward] Do you...eat?
Uh, yes. Yes, I do. When I'm hungry.
Lois Lane You do? Of course you do. [gets up from the table and stands besides a large lead planter] Well, then. Uh, is it true that uh, you can...see through anything?
Yes, I can. Well, pretty much.
Lois Lane Mm-hm, and that you're, uh, totally impervious to pain?
Well, so far.
Lois Lane What color underwear am I wearing?
Lois Lane Oh, I'm sorry. I embarrassed you, didn't I?
Oh, No, no, not at all, Miss Lane, it's just that this planter must be made of lead.
Lois Lane Uh, yes it is. So?
Well, you see, I, uh, I sort of have a problem seeing through lead.
Lois Lane Oh! That's interesting. [writing] 'Problem seeing through lead'. Hmmm. Uh, d-do you have a first name?
What, do you mean like Ralph or something?
Lois Lane No, no, I mean like, uh... [walks away from the planter]
Pink.
Lois Lane Huh?
Pink. [Lois scurries back to the planter] Um, sorry, Miss Lane, I didn't mean to embarrass you.
Lois Lane Oh, huh, you didn't embarrass me. Um, uh, what's your background? Uh, where do you hail from?
Well, that's kinda hard to explain actually. See, I'm from, um, well, pretty far away. Another galaxy, as a matter of fact. I come from a planet called Krypton.
Lois Lane Huh?
Krypton.
Lois Lane Oh, Krypton!
Lois Lane With a C-R-I?
Uh...
Lois Lane No?
No, a-actually, it's K-R-Y-P-T-O-N.
Lois Lane K-R-Y...do you like pink?
I like pink very much, Lois.
Lois Lane Why are you?
I'm sorry?
Lois Lane I mean, w-why are you here? There must be a reason for you to be here.
Yes.
Lois Lane Mm-hm?
I'm here to fight for truth and justice and the American way.
Lois Lane You're gonna end up fighting every elected official in this country!
I'm sure you don't really mean that, Lois.
Lois Lane [to herself]
I don't believe this.
Lois, I never lie.
Lois Lane Oh. Um...uh, oh! Just how fast do you fly...by the way?
Oh, I don't know really. Y'know, I've never actually, uh, bothered to time myself.
Lois Lane No?
Say. Why don't we find out?
Lois Lane And how do you propose we do that?
Take a ride with me?
Lois Lane You mean I could fly?
Well, actually, I'd be handling the flying if that's okay.
Lois Lane This is utterly fantastic!
Wait, wait a minute, where are you going?
Lois Lane Are you serious?
Sure. What's the matter, don't you wanna go? Okay. [Lois grabs the pad and pen] Won't need these.
Lois Lane I mean. A sweater. It must be kind of cold?
You'll be warm enough. [takes Lois by the hand] Ready?
Lois Lane [stares at Superman]
Clark...said that you're just a figment of somebody's imagination. Like Peter Pan.
Clark, uh. Who's that? Your boyfriend?
Lois Lane Clark? Oh, Clark, no, he's nothing, he's just, uh...
Peter Pan, huh?
Lois Lane Uh-huh.
Peter Pan flew with children, Lois. In a fairy tale.
[Superman grip Lois's shoulders, they shoot up into the night sky. Lois gasps]
[Superman carries Lois back to her terrace and puts her down]
We forgot to time ourselves. Maybe next time. [starts walking back to the edge of the terrace]: You okay?
Lois Lane [nodding]
Uh-huh!
Good night.
Lois Lane Good night. [watches Superman flying away, thinking to herself] What a super man! [pauses] Superman!
[Knocking is heard from her door] [from behind the door]
Anybody home? Hello? Lois? [Lois answers the door] Hi. Can I come in?
Lois Lane [still infatuated with Superman]
Oh, yeah.
Lois, for goodness sake, didn't you hear me knocking?
Lois Lane [still in an infatuated, dream-like state]
Uh-huh!
Lois, we did have a date tonight, remember?
Lois Lane Oh!
Lois Lane Oh! No. No.
Well, I certainly hope not. Well, let's push off, shall we?
Lois Lane I'd better get a coat.
[Lois goes into the bedroom to get her coat. Clark then removes his glasses, straightens his posture, and takes a deep breath] [rehearsing in Superman's voice]
Lois, there's something I have to tell you. I'm really... [Lois returns with her coat, before he quickly puts on his glasses and starts slouching again, reverting back to Clark's voice] I mean...I was at first really nervous about tonight. But then I decided, well-Darn it, I was going to show you the time of your life.
Lois Lane [opening the door, still infatuated with Superman]
That's Clark, nice.
[grins to himself, exiting as well, shutting the door behind him]
I was thinking maybe we could go for a hamburger or whatever you want to do...
Lois Lane As you know, my newspaper, the Daily Planet, is very interested in that dam, Chief, but what I don't understand is why you would sell out to a faceless person that you've never met. I mean, you don't even know his name.
Indian Chief
At the stupid high price that he offered for this worthless piece of desert, I hope it's Custer!
[After Superman flies away to stop the earthquake...again]
Golly, Miss Lane, it's too bad Mr. Kent wasn't here to see all this.
Lois Lane Yeah, poor Clark! He's never around when you...wait a minute, wait a minute.... [shrugs her shoulders] Lois Lane, that is the silliest idea you've ever had...
Let me tell you something, Miss Lane: I think he really cares about you.
Lois Lane Clark? Of course he does.
No, not Clark. [looks up in the sky]
Lois Lane Oh...well, uh... Superman cares about everybody, Jimmy. But, uh...who knows, someday, y'know, maybe if he's lucky...
