How Many Movies Have You Quoted Today?
One of my favorite movies to quote is Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid. The movie stars Steve Martin and Rachel Ward, is directed by Carl Reiner, and affectionately dedicated to its costume designer, Edith Head. The New York Times called it a “charmer.” Which I thought was an odd way to say, hilariously funny; but who am I to question a New York Times film critic?
I’ve exhausted friendships quoting this movie. At every available opportunity I refer to Germans as, “Gemermans,” and a cleaning woman is always a “Heinemacher Frau.” I have also pantomimed Rigby Reardon making his cup of java, countless times. Always, while making "shh shh shh shh shh shh shh shh" sounds. Here's a video of it, it's towards the end.
In my opinion, there is something incredibly satisfying about a well-placed movie line. It’s an art form. Throwing out a quote is also a way for us to gauge our group. It helps us make quick assessments about which complete stranger we will hang out with based solely on who laughed at, “there’s always money in the banana stand.” I know that’s not a movie quote, but if you get it, we can be friends.
Richard Harris, a professor from Kansas State University, did some interesting research on this in his study, Social Movie Quoting: What, Why and How?. According to the report, “nearly 100 percent of Americans quote a movie in conversation,” and nearly always from a comedy. Harris says quoting from movies is, “kind of a way to cement in-group membership.” It creates solidarity and forms a bond which challenges newcomers, saying “We all get this, it’s our special thing, we have limited space for new people, so the quotes will be harder for you, and in French.” I made that last part up.
Beware, however, this exercise in coalition building can backfire horribly if poorly appropriated, as one student found out. “The worst is when you might quote a dirty line from a movie, and you just get a blank stare ….They just think you’re a total pervert.” I think we can all learn something from that.
Other movies I quote from regularly:
The Other Guys
Fletch
Caddy Shack
Animal House
The Life Aquatic
Princess Bride
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
Galaxy Quest
Love and Death, and most every other Woody Allen movie
Gentlemen Broncos
The Burbs
Young Dr. Frankenstein
Three Amigos
What are your favorite movies to quote from?
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Comments:
Dec '10
Re: How Many Movies Have You Quoted Today?
Mama Toad
Princess Bride, right?
Indeed.
Jimmy Carter: The staples are:
With a little History of the World: Part I thrown in fer good measure.
"Wash this!"
Apr '11
Re: How Many Movies Have You Quoted Today?
"Careful, man, there's a beverage here."
May '10
Re: How Many Movies Have You Quoted Today?
"Mongo only pawn in game of Ricochet..."
Mar '11
Re: How Many Movies Have You Quoted Today?
If this thread does not reach at least 200 posts, I will be most put out.
Jan '11
Re: How Many Movies Have You Quoted Today?
Some movie quotes are just part of the culture. The Godfather alone is an industry.
The other posters have some great lines, but let me pitch The In-Laws, a personal favorite:
Involved? That was my idea.
And of course, a quote that sums up my pride in my church:
Jul '10
Re: How Many Movies Have You Quoted Today?
I used this one just this morning.
Oct '10
Re: How Many Movies Have You Quoted Today?
Blazing Saddles and Caddyshack provide endless rifs during inappropriate moments. The list of quotes is endless...
"We don't need no stinkin' badges!"
"But this is my shootin' hand."
"...at Augusta...its a Cinderalla story...."
"Gunga-gungungala."
"In the lumberyard, Danny."
Edited on June 22, 2012 at 3:44amMar '12
Re: How Many Movies Have You Quoted Today?
Your list is excellent, but Broadcast News has the most quotable lines per minute of film. Love the Arrested Development reference, by the way.
Apr '11
Re: How Many Movies Have You Quoted Today?
"I'm trapped in a glass cage of emotion."
Mar '12
Re: How Many Movies Have You Quoted Today?
And, I too am a fan of Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid.
Jul '10
Re: How Many Movies Have You Quoted Today?
Vacation:
Re: How Many Movies Have You Quoted Today?
I quote Heist probably once a day. "Everybody needs money. That's why they call it money."
Oct '10
Re: How Many Movies Have You Quoted Today?
Without movie quotes, our family would sit around and grunt. Absolute Essentials:
Caddyshack/All the Peter Seller Pink Panthers/Richard Lester's 3 & 4 Musketeers/Serenity/Life of Brian/The Holy Grail
TV series: Jeeves and Wooster/Yes Prime Minister/Fawlty Towers/Firefly
If you show up at our door conversant in any of these tongues, you will be welcomed.
Edited on June 22, 2012 at 4:40amAug '11
Re: How Many Movies Have You Quoted Today?
Nat Lamp Xmas Vacation: "If that cat had nine lives he just used all of 'em."
"I don't know a bout the cat, but I'm sure enjoying it."
"I appreciate that, Clark."
"The little lights aren't twinkling."
"I wasn't talking to you."
"Fixed the newel post." On and on.
Also, Office Space: "Yeeaah. I'm gonna have to go ahead and ask you to come in on Saturday."
"Corporate accounts payable, Nina Speaking. Please hold..."
Idiocracy: "'Batin'!" "I like money."
Big Trouble: "We're arriving, but we're also departing."
"Miami sucks, but the cops are kinda nice."
Jurassic Park: "Dotson! We have Dotson here! Nobody cares."
Jaws: 'We're gonna need a bigger boat."
On and on.
Mar '11
Re: How Many Movies Have You Quoted Today?
"Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail."
Mar '11
Re: How Many Movies Have You Quoted Today?
A personal favorite bound to cause trouble, "Would you stop rubbing your body up against mine, because I can't concentrate when you do that."
Sep '10
Re: How Many Movies Have You Quoted Today?
Collateral
Max: I think he's dead.
Vincent: Good guess.
Max: You killed him?
Vincent: No, I shot him. Bullets and the fall killed him.
Jul '10
Re: How Many Movies Have You Quoted Today?
Governor William J. Le Petomane: How do you think I got elected?
Dec '10
Re: How Many Movies Have You Quoted Today?
"The new phone books are here! THE NEW PHONE BOOKS ARE HERE!"
- The Jerk
Edited on June 22, 2012 at 8:12pmDec '10
Re: How Many Movies Have You Quoted Today?
From the first part of Captain Ron -
Ben - "How'd you lose your eye, Capt Ron?"
Ron - "Shark attack, Swab."
Ben - "Too Cool! So your boat sank!?!"
Ron - "Not my boat, Swab, my Boss' boat. Hit this reef off the coast of Australia. Huge bastard, ran the whole coast."
Katherine - "The Great Barrier Reef?"
Ron - "Ah, so you've heard of it, then."
Edited on June 22, 2012 at 8:15pm