Clark Kent quotes from Superman (1978)

Been showing off a bit, haven't you, son?

Uh...I didn't mean to show off, Pa. It's just that...well, guys like that Brad, I just wanna tear 'em apart...I know I shouldn't, but...

I know. You can do all these amazing things, and sometimes you think that you will just go bust unless you can tell someone about it.

Yeah!...I mean, every time I get the ball, I can make a touchdown. Every time! Is it showing off for a person to do what he's capable of? Is a bird showing off when it flies?

No! No, now you listen to me. When you first came to us, we thought that people would come and take you away because if they found out about the things you could do, well, that worried us a lot. But then a man gets older and he thinks very differently, better, starts to see things very clear. And there's one thing I do know, son. And that is, you are here for a reason. I don't know whose reason it is, or whatever the reason...maybe it's...I don't know...but I do know one thing: it's not to score touchdowns.

Thanks Dad. C'mon Dad! I'll race you to it!

You will?

C'mon! C'mon! [runs into the barn with his dog]

Oh, no. [collapsed dead]

Jonathan...? [realizing] Jonathan!

Dad...

I have to leave.

I knew this time would come. We both knew it from the day we found you.

I talked to Ben Hubbard yesterday, and he said...that he'd be happy to help out from now on. [struggling to maintain his composure] Mother...

I know, son. I know. Do you...know where you're headed?

North.

Remember us, son. Always remember us.

Jor-El

My son, you do not remember me. I am Jor-El. I am your father. By now, you will have reached your 18th year as it is measured on Earth. By that reckoning, I will have been dead for many thousands of your years. The knowledge that I have, matters physical and historic, I have given you fully on your voyage to your new home. These are important matters, to be sure, but still matters of mere fact. There are questions to be asked, and it is time for you to do so. Here in this...this Fortress of Solitude, we shall try to find the answers together. So, my son, speak.

Who am I?

Jor-El

Your name is Kal-El. You are the only survivor of the planet Krypton. Even though you have been raised as a human being, you are not one of them. You have great powers, only some of which you have as yet discovered.

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]

Perry White

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.

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.

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

Uh-huh.

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

Clark! Clark, are you okay?

Golly, I...I guess I might have fainted.

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.

Hmm. Wild guess. [runs off] Taxi!

Perry White

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!

I, I don't think he would, uh, lend himself to any ch-cheap promotion schemes, though, Mr. White.

Perry White

Exactly how would you know that, Kent?

Um...uh, uh, j-just a first impression?

Perry White

Well anyway, who's talking cheap? I'll make him a partner if I have to! Right?

Right, Chief.

Perry White

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

"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!

Perry White

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!

Superman

We forgot to time ourselves. Maybe next time. [starts walking back to the edge of the terrace]: You okay?

Lois Lane

Uh-huh!

Superman

Good night.

Lois Lane

Good night. [watches Superman flying away, thinking to herself] What a super man! [pauses] Superman!

Anybody home? Hello? Lois? [Lois answers the door] Hi. Can I come in?

Lois Lane

Oh, yeah.

Lois, for goodness sake, didn't you hear me knocking?

Lois Lane

Uh-huh!

Lois, we did have a date tonight, remember?

Lois Lane

Oh!

You haven't been--hmm?

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, 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

That's Clark, nice.

I was thinking maybe we could go for a hamburger or whatever you want to do...