Gosford Park (2001)

Maggie Smith: Constance Trentham

Photos 

Quotes 

• [Morris Weissman is asked about his upcoming movie project] 

  Lady Sylvia McCordle : Mr Weissman.

  Morris Weissman : Yes?

  Lady Sylvia McCordle : Tell us about the film you're going to make.

  Morris Weissman : Oh, sure. It's called "Charlie Chan In London". It's a detective story.

  Mabel Nesbitt : Set in London?

  Morris Weissman : Well, not really. Most of it takes place at a shooting party in a country house. Sort of like this one, actually. Murder in the middle of the night, a lot of guests for the weekend, everyone's a suspect. You know, that sort of thing.

  Constance : How horrid. And who turns out to have done it?

  Morris Weissman : Oh, I couldn't tell you that. It would spoil it for you.

  Constance : Oh, but none of us will see it.

• Constance : Tell me, what happened to William's little maid? I never saw her again after that dinner.

  Mary Maceachran : Elsie?

  Constance : Hmm.

  Mary Maceachran : She's gone.

  Constance : Aw, it's a pity, really. I thought it was a good idea to have someone in the house who is actually sorry he's dead.

• Mary Maceachran : They said Sir William was planning to cut Lady Sylvia out of his will in favour of Miss Isobel.

  Constance, Countess of Trentham : That's nothing. In the new will, Sir William left Lady Stockbridge 100,000 pounds. Sylvia thinks it's a huge joke, especially since she won't have to pay it.

• [everyone starts clapping after Ivor has finished a song] 

  Constance : Please, don't encourage him

• Constance, Countess of Trentham : He's still got that vile little dog, I see.

  Lady Sylvia McCordle : Yes, the ones we hate last forever.

• Constance, Countess of Trentham : Difficult colour... green.

• Constance : They're rather a mixed bunch. That Mr. Weissman's very odd. Apparently, he produces motion pictures. The Charlie Chan Mysteries. Or does he direct them? I never know the difference. Mary! I suppose it's fun having a film star staying but there's always so little to talk about after the first flush of recognition. And why has Freddy Nesbitt brought that awful common little wife of his? Isabel only asked him because another gun dropped out; that's no excuse to inflict her on us all. Mary... Tomorrow, I'll have breakfast in bed, and then get straight up into the tweeds. What shirt have you brought?

  Mary Maceachran : The green with the pink stripe.

  Constance : Oh no dear, no. No, that's quite wrong. Always something very plain for country sports - the one I wore today will do.

  Mary Maceachran : But it's soiled.

  Constance : Well you can wash it, can't you?

• [last lines] 

  Constance : Could you imagine someone being hanged because of something I said.

  Mary Maceachran : I know. And what purpose could it possibly serve?

• [Many years ago, Sylvia and Louisa cut cards to decide which of them would marry Sir William. Louisa lost] 

  Constance : Anyone care for a game of bridge after dinner? Louisa, how about you?

  Louisa Stockbridge : Oh, I don't think so. I've rather gone off cards. I've never been very lucky with them.

  Sir William McCordle : Me too.

• [Constance's car is pulled over to the side of the road] 

  Morris Weissman : Hello? Is everything all right? Are you ok?

  Constance, Countess of Trentham : Am I *what*?

• Constance : Mary, I don't think I'll wear that shirt after all. The other one's warmer, that's all I care about.

• Constance, Countess of Trentham : The time to make up your mind about people is never.

• Constance, Countess of Trentham : If there's one thing I don't look for in a maid, it's discretion. Except with my own secrets, of course.

• Constance : Bought marmalade? Oh dear, I call that very feeble.

• Constance : Mabel is so clever to pack light. Why should one wear a different frock each evening, we're not in a fashion parade.

• Constance, Countess of Trentham : So what's the gossip in the servant's quarters?

  Mary Maceachran : Um, nothing my lady.

  Constance, Countess of Trentham : Nonsense. Come on, out with it.

  Mary Maceachran : Well, is it true that Sir William could have married Lady Stockbridge if he'd wanted to?

  Constance, Countess of Trentham : Is that what they're saying?

  Mary Maceachran : Only that Lord Carton was after Sir William for one of them but he didn't care which.

  Constance, Countess of Trentham : What would you say if I told you, they cut cards for him.

• Lady Sylvia McCordle : Where's that wretched Mabel.

  Constance, Countess of Trentham : Has anyone checked her outfit? She's probably in black velvet with a feather in her hair.

  Lavinia Meredith : She's in the morning room looking perfectly normal. Don't be such a snob aunt Constance.

  Constance, Countess of Trentham : Me? I haven't a snobish bone in my body.

• Constance, Countess of Trentham : Are any of the others getting up for breakfast? The women, I mean.

  Mary Maceachran : I think Lady Lavinia may be.

  Constance, Countess of Trentham : That settles it. Come back at half past eight. I'll get dressed. It's the greatest bore, of course, but I don't want to miss anything.

• Constance : Awfully long repertoire.

• Constance, Countess of Trentham : Could we possibly get on before I *freeze to death?*

• Constance : Tell me, how much longer are you going to go on making films?

  Ivor Novello : I suppose that rather depends on how much longer the public want to see me in them.

  Constance : It must be hard to know when it's time to throw in the towel... What a pity about that last one of yours... what was it called? "The Dodger"?

  Ivor Novello : The Lodger.

  Constance : The Lodger. It must be so disappointing when something just *flops* like that.

• Constance : Do you think he'll be as long as he usually is?

• Lady Sylvia McCordle : Did you have an dreadful journey?

  Constance, Countess of Trentham : Yes, simply dreadful.

• Constance, Countess of Trentham : [referring to the temperature in the house]  It's absolutely glacial in here.

• Constance : Seems much more than just background music.

• Constance : Has anyone checked her outfit? She's probably in black velvet with a feather in her hair.