The Best Years of Our Lives Quotes
[ Al is explaining to the bank president why he made the loan to Mr. Novak ]
Al Stephenson : You see, Mr. Milton, in the Army I've had to be with men when they were stripped of everything in the way of property except what they carried around with them and inside them. I saw them being tested. Now some of them stood up to it and some didn't. But you got so you could tell which ones you could count on. I tell you this man Novak is okay. His 'collateral' is in his hands, in his heart and his guts. It's in his right as a citizen.
Al Stephenson : You see, Mr. Milton, in the Army I've had to be with men when they were stripped of everything in the way of property except what they carried around with them and inside them. I saw them being tested. Now some of them stood up to it and some didn't. But you got so you could tell which ones you could count on. I tell you this man Novak is okay. His 'collateral' is in his hands, in his heart and his guts. It's in his right as a citizen.
Movie: The Best Years of Our Lives
Mr. Mollett : Say, uh, do you mind if I ask you a personal question?
Homer Parrish : I know what it is. How did I get these hooks and how do they work? That's what everybody says when they start off, "Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?" Well, I'll tell ya. I got sick and tired of that old pair of hands I had. You know, an awful lot of trouble washing them and manicuring my nails. So I traded them in for a pair of these latest models. They work by radar. Look. [ He takes a scoop of his ice cream sundae with a spoon ]
Homer Parrish : Pretty cute, hey?
Homer Parrish : I know what it is. How did I get these hooks and how do they work? That's what everybody says when they start off, "Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?" Well, I'll tell ya. I got sick and tired of that old pair of hands I had. You know, an awful lot of trouble washing them and manicuring my nails. So I traded them in for a pair of these latest models. They work by radar. Look. [ He takes a scoop of his ice cream sundae with a spoon ]
Homer Parrish : Pretty cute, hey?
Movie: The Best Years of Our Lives
Wilma Cameron : Tell me the truth, Homer. Do you want me to forget about you?
Homer Parrish : I want you to be free, Wilma, to live your own life. I don't want you tied down forever just because you've got a kind heart.
Wilma Cameron : Oh, Homer! Why can't you ever understand the way things really are, the way I really feel? I keep trying to tell you.
Homer Parrish : But, but you don't know, Wilma. You don't know what it'd be like to have to live with me. To have to face this [ his hooks ]
Homer Parrish : every day, every night.
Wilma Cameron : But I can only find out by trying. And if it turns out I haven't courage enough, we'll soon know it.
Homer Parrish : I want you to be free, Wilma, to live your own life. I don't want you tied down forever just because you've got a kind heart.
Wilma Cameron : Oh, Homer! Why can't you ever understand the way things really are, the way I really feel? I keep trying to tell you.
Homer Parrish : But, but you don't know, Wilma. You don't know what it'd be like to have to live with me. To have to face this [ his hooks ]
Homer Parrish : every day, every night.
Wilma Cameron : But I can only find out by trying. And if it turns out I haven't courage enough, we'll soon know it.
Movie: The Best Years of Our Lives
[ Homer has asked Wilma into his bedroom to see what happens as he prepares for bed. After removing his hooks and harness, he 'wiggles' into his pajama top ]
Homer Parrish : I'm lucky I have my elbows. Some of the boys don't; but I can't button them up.
Wilma Cameron : I'll do that, Homer.
Homer Parrish : This is when I know I'm helpless. My hands are down there on the bed. I can't put them on again without calling to somebody for help. I can't smoke a cigarette or read a book. If that door should blow shut, I can't open it and get out of this room. I'm as dependent as a baby that doesn't know how to get anything except to cry for it. Well, now you know, Wilma. Now you have an idea of what it is. I guess you don't know what to say. It's all right. Go on home. Go away like your family said.
Wilma Cameron : [ She kneels in front of him ] I know what to say, Homer. I love you and I'm never going to leave you... never. [ She kisses him ]
Homer Parrish : I'm lucky I have my elbows. Some of the boys don't; but I can't button them up.
Wilma Cameron : I'll do that, Homer.
Homer Parrish : This is when I know I'm helpless. My hands are down there on the bed. I can't put them on again without calling to somebody for help. I can't smoke a cigarette or read a book. If that door should blow shut, I can't open it and get out of this room. I'm as dependent as a baby that doesn't know how to get anything except to cry for it. Well, now you know, Wilma. Now you have an idea of what it is. I guess you don't know what to say. It's all right. Go on home. Go away like your family said.
Wilma Cameron : [ She kneels in front of him ] I know what to say, Homer. I love you and I'm never going to leave you... never. [ She kisses him ]
Movie: The Best Years of Our Lives