My Man Godfrey (1936)
William Powell: Godfrey
Photos
Quotes
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Godfrey : The only difference between a derelict and a man is a job.
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Godfrey : Prosperity is just around the corner.
Mike Flaherty : Yeah, it's been there a long time. I wish I knew which corner.
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Cornelia Bullock : You can't go on like this forever. You really like me and you're afraid to admit it, aren't you?
Godfrey : You want me to tell you what I REALLY think of you?
Cornelia Bullock : Please do.
Godfrey : As Smith or as a butler?
Cornelia Bullock : Choose your own weapon.
Godfrey : You won't hold it against me?
Cornelia Bullock : It's your day off.
Godfrey : Very well. You belong to that unfortunate category that I would call the "Park Avenue brat." A spoiled child who's grown up in ease and luxury, who's always had her own way, and whose misdirected energies are so childish that they hardly deserve the comment, even of a butler on his off Thursday.
Cornelia Bullock : [hurt and angry] Thank you for a very lovely portrait.
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Godfrey : That's most of your stock. I knew it had been dumped on the market, so I sold short.
Angelica Bullock : I don't understand. You sold short. You mean gentlemen's underwear?
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Irene : Godfrey's gonna be our butler.
Angelica Bullock : He's gonna be who's butler?
Irene : He's gonna work for us.
Angelica Bullock : Oh, that's ridiculous. You don't know anything about him. He hasn't any recommendations...
Irene : Well, the last one had recommendations and stole all the silver.
Angelica Bullock : Well, that was merely a coincidence.
Godfrey : People who take in stray cats say they make the best pets, madam.
Angelica Bullock : I don't see what cats have got to do with butlers.
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Godfrey : Hasn't anyone ever told you about certain proprieties?
Irene : You use such lovely big words. I like big words. What does it mean?
Godfrey : Well, I'll try to simplify it. Hasn't your mother or anyone ever explained to you that some things are proper and some things are not?
Irene : No she hasn't. She rambles on quite a bit, but then she never has anything to say.
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Godfrey : Tommy, there's a very peculiar mental process called thinking - you wouldn't know much about that - but when I was living here I did a lot of it.
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Godfrey : But you want me to remain, don't you?
Irene : Oh, of course!
Godfrey : And I want to justify your faith in me by being a very good butler, and filling the void created by your late, lamented Pomeranian.
Irene : Oh, I've forgotten all about him. He had fleas, anyway. Besides, you're different. You use big words, and you're much cuter.
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Godfrey : Do you mind telling me just what a scavenger hunt is?
Irene : Well, a scavenger hunt is exactly like a treasure hunt, except in a treasure hunt you try to find something you want, and in a scavenger hunt you try to find something that nobody wants.
Godfrey : Hmm, like a forgotten man?
Irene : That's right, and the one who wins gets a prize, only there really isn't a prize. It's just the honor of winning, because all the money goes to charity, that is, if there is any money left over, but there never is.
Godfrey : Well, that clears the whole matter up beautifully.
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Irene : [visiting Godfrey's restaurant built on top of the old dump] Oh my, how you've fixed this place up, Godfrey! It's much nicer than when I was here before!
Godfrey : Oh, you've noticed that, huh?
Irene : Are the forgotten men having a party?
Godfrey : It's their annual reunion.
Irene : I saw the mayor out there. Is he one of them, too?
Godfrey : He's the guest of honor.
Irene : Oh, it's a lovely view - the view of the bridge. Is it always there?
Godfrey : Most always.
Irene : Oh, you have a kitchen! I'm gonna like this place very much.
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Godfrey : Why can't you let me alone?
Irene : Because you're my responsibility and someone has to take care of you.
Godfrey : I can take care of myself.
Irene : You can't look me in the eye and say that. You love me and you know it. You know, there's no sense in struggling against a thing when it's got you. It's got you and that's all there is to it - it's got you!
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Angelica Bullock : My ancestors came over on the boat. Oh, not the Mayflower, but the boat after that. What did your ancestors come over on, Godfrey?
Godfrey : As far as I know, they've always been here.
Angelica Bullock : They weren't Indians, I hope.
Godfrey : One can never be sure of one's ancestors.
Angelica Bullock : You know, you have rather high cheek bones...
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Cornelia Bullock : I'd hate to see you made the laughing stock of Boston...
Godfrey : I would hate to see anyone made a laughing stock anywhere.