The Elephant Man (1980)

Wendy Hiller: Mothershead

Photos 

Quotes 

• Mothershead : Sir! I don't quite... I don't quite understand why it is you allow that sort of people in there.

  Dr. Frederick Treves : Why? Because he enjoys it, and I think it's very good for him.

  Mothershead : Yes, but, sir, you saw the expression on their faces. They didn't hide their disgust. They don't care anything about John! They only want to impress their friends!

  Dr. Frederick Treves : I think you're being rather harsh on them, don't you, Mrs. Mothershead?

  Mothershead : I beg your pardon!

  Dr. Frederick Treves : You yourself hardly showed him much loving kindness when he first arrived, did you?

  Mothershead : I bathed him, I fed him, and I cleaned up after him, didn't I? And I see that my nurses do the same. And if loving kindness can be called care and practical concern, then I did show him loving kindness, and I am not ashamed to admit it!

• Night Porter : [to Treves]  Only Mothershead can sack me now.

  [unknown to the night porter, Mothershead is behind him, she who proceeds to clobber him over the head, rendering him unconscious] 

  Mothershead : [in a satisfied voice]  Done!

• Mothershead : If you ask me, people are laughing at him all over again.