the one that I find most useful to quote is
“bad piece of luck, that”
(by Goodman after Holly Hunter asks ‘what’s that smell’, and he admits that during the tunneling they hit a sewer pipe)
THe most brilliant piece of understatement.
(and of course, the entire scene where Frances & family come to visit)
How’s that joke go? Something like “Why does it take so many Pollacks to screw in a lightbulb? Becasue their so dang stupid!” No wait that ain’t it.
It was pointed out to me only earlier this week that it was Frances McDormand who played the visiting wife and her dip-tet. Fabulous!
My favorite line is “son, you’ve got a panty on your head.” but there are just so many priceless lines. I love the scene when John Goodman and the other convict think they’ve left Nathan Jr. on the roof of the car and turn the car around, screaming wordlessly to each other in their panic. (Love it after knowing the baby was OK; the first time I was as panicked as they are!)
Glen: How many Pollacks does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
H.I.: How many, Glen?
Glen: 4! Aw, shit, I told it wrong. How come it takes 4 Pollacks to screw in a lightbulb?
H.I. I don’t know, Glen.
Glen: 'Cause they’re so dang stupid!
H.I.: I don’t get it, Glen.
Glen: I guess that’s why they call it a “way Homer.”
H.I.: How’s that, Glen?
Glen: 'Cause you only get on the way home!
H.I.: I already am home.
Glen: Say that reminds me…
I just want to let y’all know that I’m pleased as punch that my dumb question inspired all these wonderful memories from that incredibly delightful movie.
Keep 'em coming.
Love to All,
TN*hippie
“whatcha ya don’t cut yourself Mordecai!”
I could have sowrn I had it on DVD, but it looks like I don’t! Time to hit amazon…
“Is it true your son was abducted by aliens?”
“Now don’t go printing that, Son. If his mother reads that, she’s gonna lose all hope.”
“Sometimes your career has to come before family.”
“Bill Parker?”
“Naw, not that mother scratcher! Bill Evans!”
“We’re using code names.”
“Guv’ment sho do take a bite, don’t she?!?”
“That’s on account of there’s something wrong with my semen. Say, that reminds me, what you gonna name him?”
“Sure is a CRAZY world”
“Someone oughta sell tickets”
“Sure…I’d buy one. Say, that reminds me…”
“YOU NEVER LEAVE A MAN BEHIND!!!”
I always heard that as “Mind ya don’t cut yourself Mordecai”
and I love the “sometimes your career has got to come first. (reply) Work’s what’s kept us happy”
I think you are right. It sounds better that way.
“Take that diaper off your head and put it back on your sister”
It’s a subtle point, but when Neville and Gale are fixing themselves up in the gas station pisser, the walls and door are full of grafitti that says “P.O.E.” and “O.P.E.” and other references to Doctor Strangelove… this movie just gets deeper and subtler the more you watch it!..TRM
Thanks! Those letters always bugged me, 'cause I was sure they were a reference to something, but I didn’t know what.
“Maybe it was Utah …”
(yeah, well, all the really good lines have already been said)
Don’t forget that this movie contains the best fight scene ever committed to celluloid: Nick Cage v. John Goodman.
Hey, Ferggie, I think that IS one of the best lines in the movie. It always makes me burst out laughing.
Okay, and how does this one go? It’s when they’re trying to talk up the robbery spree idea.
Something like:
“You’re young and able-bodied. Why would you want to work?”
Help me out again, here, folks.
thanks,
TN*hippie
“Yer young and you got yer health, what do you want with a job ?”
I b’lieve that’s it, Tn*Hipp.
And Holly Hunter’s a Southern gal, too, from Georgia.
“Well, it ain’t Ozzie and Harriet.”