I Was an Adventuress (1940)
Peter Lorre: Polo
Photos
Quotes
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Countess Tanya Vronsky : I'm Countess Vronsky. I've heard some of the stories you've been spreading about me, Signor Rosselli
[slaps his face]
Countess Tanya Vronsky : I warn you against repeating any more of this malicious gossip
Herr Protz : [startled] I am not Signor Rosselli!
Countess Tanya Vronsky : You're not Signor Rosselli?
Herr Protz : No. I've never even heard of him.
Countess Tanya Vronsky : Oh. I've made a terrible mistake
Herr Protz : Oh, that's alright.
Countess Tanya Vronsky : I don't know what to say
Herr Protz : Say nothing, Countess.
[fawning]
Herr Protz : Even being slapped by such a beautiful woman is an event.
Countess Tanya Vronsky : I only wish there was some way I could make amends.
Herr Protz : There is
[kisses here hand]
Herr Protz : You could dine with me
Countess Tanya Vronsky : But we haven't met yet, Signor...
Herr Protz : Oh, er, permit me to introduce myself. I am Herr Protz.
Countess Tanya Vronsky : Herr Protz.
[they start to walk together]
Herr Protz : Tell me, Countess, is this your first visit to Venice?
Countess Tanya Vronsky : Oh, no. I've been here many times
Herr Protz : You like it?
Countess Tanya Vronsky : I love it!
[they walk past Andre Desormeaux and Polo]
Polo : What a ravishing woman!
Andre Desormeaux : Like a bouquet of spring flowers...
[they grin at each other]
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Andre Desormeaux : [already seated outside café as Polo sits down]
[Looking intently at Polo's feet]
Andre Desormeaux : No luck huh? You have tramped all over Paris from the Port de la Villette to Montrouge and found no trace of her.
Polo : Yes, that's right. Oh, I've covered all the ballet schools. But how did you know?
Andre Desormeaux : Your feet! Those ugly, tired peasant feet. They tell me the story. You see, I studied hands and feet. I can read them like you can read a book... if you could read.
Polo : Oh, but I can read.
Andre Desormeaux : Of course, you can. You can read words but you can't read between them. Now, for instance
[gestures towards the feet of a passing woman]
Andre Desormeaux : To you, those are just a woman's feet. But I can tell you she's a vendeuse in one of the department stores; stood on her feet all day but she's not tired now. She's going to meet her sweetheart on some corner...
Polo : Amazing!
Andre Desormeaux : [indicating another woman] Woman with the bunions...
Polo : Yes?
Andre Desormeaux : She has given up hope of meeting anyone.
Polo : Remarkable!
Andre Desormeaux : [indicating a passing man] Tan Brogans... American tourist. Big corn on the left little toe... See?
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Andre Desormeaux : Tanya is not only a clever dancer but a first class actress!
Polo : Why do you suppose she was so anxious to get rid of us?
Andre Desormeaux : I don't know yet, but I have a queer feeling *Cupid* has something to do with it.
Polo : Who is she?
Andre Desormeaux : Never mind that. You'll find out!
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Andre Desormeaux : [watching Polo methodically put 7-and-a-half lumps of sugar in his coffee] Will you *stop* that!
Polo : Stop what?
Andre Desormeaux : I've watched you do that every day for years. Over 2,000 times. I've kept quiet... I can't do it any longer. It's too much. I wanna' know, why 5 lumps of sugar? Then why six? Then why seven? Then why seven-and-a-half? I can't stand it any longer!