# Favorite "little" jokes in movies? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [December 15, 2024, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-little-jokes-in-movies/1011688 "2024-12-15T22:51:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2024, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-little-jokes-in-movies/1011688/121 "2024-12-18T22:46:40Z")
From the 1968 _Night of the Living Dead_. A reporter asks a police chief about the “zombies” (although they’re not actually called that in the movie I believe): Reporter: Are they slow-moving, Chief? Police chief: Yeah, they’re dead. ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2024, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-little-jokes-in-movies/1011688/122 "2024-12-18T22:51:27Z")
> [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](#): > > Let’s go for a holiday favorite - \*It’s a Wonderful Life \*, after the school dance; they’re walking home, and Mary loses her robe and id hiding in a bush: > > Mary: Ouch! Oh! > George: Gehsundheit. That whole scene/exchange is just fantastic, in my opinion. George had picked up her robe, and was about to throw it to her in the bush, when he stops. George: Wait a minute … what am I doing? This is a very interesting situation! Mary: Please give me my robe! George begins to wander around the bush. George (muttering to himself): Man doesn’t get in a situation like this every day. Mary: I’d like to have my robe! George: Not in Bedford Falls, anyway … Mary: Ouch! Oh! George: Geshundheit. Requires a little thought here … Mary: George Bailey! Give me my robe! George: I’ve read about things like this, but I’ve never … Mary: Shame on you! I’m going to tell your mother on you! George: Well my mother’s way up on the corner there … Mary: I’ll call the police! George: They’re way downtown … They’d be on my side, too … Mary: I’m going to scream! George: Maybe I can sell tickets … ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2024, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-little-jokes-in-movies/1011688/123 "2024-12-18T23:11:51Z")
A typical gag in movies since the 80s, but in 1940’s **His Girl Friday** Cary Grant ad-libbed “He looks like that fellow in the movies, you know … Ralph Bellamy!” to describe the character played by Ralph Bellamy. In the 1931 pre-code version **The Front Page** , the newspaper editor is chewing-out the reporters. As they shuffle out sullenly, muttering, he yells “What did you just say?” “I said you got dirty plaster!” ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2024, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-little-jokes-in-movies/1011688/124 "2024-12-18T23:19:29Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > Reporter: Are they slow-moving, Chief? > Police chief: Yeah, they’re dead. Respectfully, you failed to quote the whole exchange. [Field Reporter](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0136439/?ref_=ttqu_qu): Are they slow-moving, Chief? [Sheriff McClelland](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0466916/?ref_=ttqu_qu): Yeah, they’re dead. They’re all messed up. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2024, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-little-jokes-in-movies/1011688/125 "2024-12-18T23:25:27Z")
> [@Dropo](#): > > Respectfully, you failed to quote the whole exchange. Ninja’d! Here’s another line that makes me laugh every time: **Sheriff McClelland:** Beat 'em or burn 'em. They go up pretty easy. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2024, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-little-jokes-in-movies/1011688/126 "2024-12-18T23:28:54Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Little help with this one? > > mmm I named the movie and quoted the actors. Are you asking why it’s funny? It’s two master con men/thieves talking about the color of the paint on the wall during a key development in their super-convoluted plot to steal millions of dollars. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2024, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-little-jokes-in-movies/1011688/127 "2024-12-18T23:30:19Z")
But why is it funny? I don’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2024, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-little-jokes-in-movies/1011688/128 "2024-12-18T23:38:35Z")
> **[Non sequitur (literary device)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non_sequitur_(literary_device))** > > A non sequitur (.mw-parser-output .IPA-label-small{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .references .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .infobox .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .navbox .IPA-label-small{font-size:100%}English: /nɒn ˈsɛkwɪtər/ non SEK-wit-ər, Classical Latin: \[noːn ˈsɛkᶣɪtʊr\]; "\[it\] does not follow") is a conversational literary device, often used for comedic purposes. It is something said that, because of its apparent lack of meaning relative to what preceded it, seems absurd to Th... ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-little-jokes-in-movies/1011688/129 "2024-12-19T00:31:43Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > > > Little help with this one? > > > > mmm > > I named the movie and quoted the actors. Are you asking why it’s funny? > > It’s two master con men/thieves talking about the color of the paint on the wall during a key development in their super-convoluted plot to steal millions of dollars. Yes, I am asking where is the funny. Still don’t see it. mmm ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-little-jokes-in-movies/1011688/130 "2024-12-19T00:36:04Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Yes, I am asking where is the funny. Still don’t see it. It’s a non sequitur, nothing more – there’s no hidden other source of humor in it. Some people find that line funny. Some don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Cumberdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@Cumberdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumberdale)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-little-jokes-in-movies/1011688/131 "2024-12-19T01:34:11Z")
That means it’s past time for a rewatch! ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-little-jokes-in-movies/1011688/132 "2024-12-19T01:46:00Z")
And this line from Perry, introducing Clark to Lois. > Clark Kent may seem like just a mild-mannered reporter, but listen, not only does he know how to treat his editor-in-chief with the proper respect, not only does he have a snappy, punchy prose style, but he is, in my forty years in this business, **the fastest typist I’ve ever seen.** ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-little-jokes-in-movies/1011688/133 "2024-12-19T02:23:58Z")
Jackie Cooper played Perry White in the original films. Child actor who transitioned to adult actor and director. And possibly the only person who ever reported that he didn’t like Alan Alda and did not get along with him. Cooper directed early episodes of MASH and he said Alda was, get this, hard to work with. Then again, Henry Winkler didn’t get along with Tom Hanks and was fired from Turner and Hooch. It happens. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-little-jokes-in-movies/1011688/134 "2024-12-19T03:30:49Z")
When Steve Martin is hitchhiking in _The Jerk_ and a truck pulls up: Driver: “St. Louis?” Navin: “No, Navin Johnson.” ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-little-jokes-in-movies/1011688/135 "2024-12-19T03:42:34Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > Tommy Lee Jones has a great throwaway line in _Men In Black_. Or no line at all. When the two are interviewing Beatrice she offers glasses of lemonade. Jay takes a sip, makes a face, and sets the glass down. There’s no sugar in the house. ---
**Author:** ![De\_La\_Rue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@De\_La\_Rue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/De_La_Rue)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-little-jokes-in-movies/1011688/136 "2024-12-19T03:43:01Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > “I said you got dirty plaster!” That is in fact _Mr. Deeds Goes to Town_ and after the Code was created (1936). ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-little-jokes-in-movies/1011688/137 "2024-12-19T04:46:05Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > in 1940’s **His Girl Friday** Cary Grant ad-libbed “He looks like that fellow in the movies, you know … Ralph Bellamy!” In the same movie, Burns has had Bruce arrested to delay Hildy’s leaving town. At the cop station he’s on the phone with Hildy next to an annoyed-looking blonde, “I dunno. I’m minding my own business and the next thing I know I’m being pinched for being a masher… Is she _what?_” – looks the blonde up and down – “Very.” Smash cut to Hildy in the press room, “Never mind. Hang on I’ll be there as soon as I can.” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-little-jokes-in-movies/1011688/138 "2024-12-19T04:55:50Z")
> [@Doctor Christmas Jones](#): > > “Doctor Jones. _Christmas_ Jones. And don’t make any jokes; I’ve heard ‘em all.” > [@James Bond](#): > > “I don’t know any doctor jokes.” -THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH ---
**Author:** ![cieskokid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cieskokid/32/5374_2.png) [@cieskokid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cieskokid)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-little-jokes-in-movies/1011688/139 "2024-12-19T05:33:53Z")
_The Jerk_ also has this classic line: > **[The new phonebook is here (The Jerk)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7aIf1YnbbU%5C)** > > For the moment you get excited about whatever makes you "somebody." (From the 1979 movie The Jerk). ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-little-jokes-in-movies/1011688/140 "2024-12-19T12:16:17Z")
And also: “Damn these glasses!” “Yes sir!” \< to glasses \> “I damn thee!” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-little-jokes-in-movies/1011688.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-little-jokes-in-movies/1011688.md?page=8)