The Little Princess (1939)

Mary Nash: Amanda Minchin

Photos 

Quotes 

• Sara Crewe : I thought you said you didn't have any more rooms.

  Amanda Minchin : I didn't know then what a dear little girl was coming.

  Sara Crewe : Why does that make more rooms, Daddy?

• Amanda Minchin : Sara, I shall expect an explanation of this.

  Sara Crewe : Yes, Miss Minchin. As soon as I can think of one.

• Captain Crewe : Sara has no mother, and we've never been separated for more than a few days.

  Amanda Minchin : How touching.

  Captain Crewe : This is going to be very hard on her.

  Amanda Minchin : Have no fear, Captain Crewe. I'm a mother to all my little girls.

• Amanda Minchin : Please be seated, Mr. Barrow.

  Mr. Barrows : How much did you advance for this party? Quite a sum, I suspect?

  Amanda Minchin : What does it matter? Captain Crewe is a very wealthy man. His check will be here shortly.

  Mr. Barrows : No, Miss Minchin. There'll be no check.

  Amanda Minchin : What? What do you mean by that?

  Mr. Barrows : The late Captain Crewe.

  Amanda Minchin : The late Captain Crewe?

  Mr. Barrows : Captain Crewe is dead. He was so reported in the list this morning. Moreover, he died a bankrupt.

  Amanda Minchin : Bankrupt? But, his property and his mines!

  Mr. Barrows : His property and his mines were confiscated by the enemy.

  Amanda Minchin : You mean to tell me that the child is penniless, and she's left on my hands with nothing?

  Mr. Barrows : She's certainly left penniless, and she's certainly left on your hands. She hasn't a relative in the world that we know of.

  Amanda Minchin : But her father's account is overdrawn. I was expecting a check in advance, the money for this party.

  Mr. Barrows : So, I understand.

  Amanda Minchin : But, this is monstrous.

  [20 seconds later] 

  Amanda Minchin : I'll turn her out in the streets.

  Mr. Barrows : Do you think that wise, Miss Minchin? The reputation of your school, you know?

  Amanda Minchin : My school?

  Mr. Barrows : Well, the report might get about. And it might not sound well to the parents of some your other pupils.

  Amanda Minchin : Yes, that is so.

  Mr. Barrows : Of course. The child could be made to serve in your employ until her indebtedness is worked out.

  Amanda Minchin : But, that would take years.

  Mr. Barrows : Quite so. But at least, it's better than nothing.

• Bertie Minchin : Today, my good woman, the British army is behind me.

  Amanda Minchin : Hubert, that uniform! You're not going to war?

  Bertie Minchin : Quite. To the very cannon's mouth, if need be!

  Amanda Minchin : But why?

  Bertie Minchin : Because, old girl, I'm fed to the teeth with your bullying. And your treatment of Rose and little Sara is the last straw! I prefer the less painful horrors of the battlefield.

  Amanda Minchin : Are you daring to criticize me?

  Bertie Minchin : Astonishing, isn't it? But it proves that I'm competent to lead my men into the very jaws of death!

• Amanda Minchin : Sara, where have you been? Answer me. You've been out, haven't you?

  Sara Crewe : Yes, Miss Minchin.

  Amanda Minchin : What do you mean by disobeying my orders?

  Sara Crewe : I had to. I had to look for my father.

  Amanda Minchin : This ridiculous search for your father! All this making believe and refusing to face facts, it's... it's indecent. I've had enough of it, you must realize once and for all that your father is dead.

  Sara Crewe : Don't you say that! He's not dead, he's not! And you can't stop me from looking for him, either.

  Amanda Minchin : How dare you speak to me in that manner, you impudent little... I'll attend to you further in the morning.

• Amanda Minchin : Sara, how dare you -

  [sees that the things are in Sara's room, gasps] 

  Amanda Minchin : Why, what happened to this room?

  Sara Crewe : That's what we would like to know. I woke up this morning, and here everything was, even to the food and the fire.

  Amanda Minchin : [sees the special robe]  Where did you get these things?

  Sara Crewe : I don't know. It must be because I dreamed such a beautiful dream last night that it came true.

  Amanda Minchin : These articles are rare and costly.

  [turns to Sara] 

  Amanda Minchin : You stole them, didn't you?

  Sara Crewe : Oh no, Miss Minchin. We didn't take these things.

  Amanda Minchin : I'll give you one more chance to tell me the truth.

  Sara Crewe : But, I am telling you the truth. They just came.

  Becky : They didn't need, mum.

  Amanda Minchin : You go to your room. This is a matter for the police.

  Sara Crewe : Please, Miss Minchin. Don't call the police.

  Amanda Minchin : Of course, I'll call them.

  [shuts the door and locks up] 

  Sara Crewe : Oh, Miss Minchin.

• Bertie Minchin : Don't be ridiculous, Amanda.

  Amanda Minchin : Then, how do you account for those silk coverlets, those robes and other things that are there?

  Bertie Minchin : Perhaps a little bird brought them in. Perhaps they grew legs and walked in. I don't know. All I do know is that little Sara wouldn't steal.

  Colonel : Bertie!

  Bertie Minchin : Yes?

  Colonel : Bertie, what do you think has happened? The little princess found her father!

  Bertie Minchin : She's found him!

  Amanda Minchin : Captain Crewe is alive?

  Bertie Minchin : Of course, he's alive! How could she find him, if he wasn't alive?

  Sara Crewe : Oh, Mr. Bertie! I've found my father!

  Bertie Minchin : Darling, I'm so glad!