# The mind-boggling movie quote? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 19, 2005, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mind-boggling-movie-quote/304608 "2005-05-19T17:51:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**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:** [March 27, 2007, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mind-boggling-movie-quote/304608/141 "2007-03-27T02:25:19Z")
[QUOTE=Zeldar] **NoClueBoy** found it and posted a link to it. Apparently, the zombie caught the attention of the latest posters who (it would appear) didn’t see the latest findings. [/QUOTE] No, I get that. But linking to a thread won’t cause it to float back up, only posting to it. So FriarTed **must** have seen the other thread and read enough it to catch the link. Hell, he posted in the damn thing, so why wake this one up to post another ignorant guess? ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2007, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mind-boggling-movie-quote/304608/142 "2007-03-27T12:03:31Z")
[QUOTE=Zakalwe] No, I get that. But linking to a thread won’t cause it to float back up, only posting to it. So FriarTed **must** have seen the other thread and read enough it to catch the link. Hell, he posted in the damn thing, so why wake this one up to post another ignorant guess? [/QUOTE] Well, I suppose only **FriarTed** has the real answer for that. In any event, further guesses appear to be moot (or mute to those who don’t know the difference 😃 ). ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2007, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mind-boggling-movie-quote/304608/143 "2007-03-27T12:08:00Z")
[QUOTE=Zeldar] Well, I suppose only **FriarTed** has the real answer for that. In any event, further guesses appear to be moot (or mute to those who don’t know the difference 😃 ). [/QUOTE] Hey, I got my threads crossed & for some reason thought the Burke’s Law answer wasn’t quite settled. Sorry! ---
**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:** [March 27, 2007, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mind-boggling-movie-quote/304608/144 "2007-03-27T13:21:02Z")
[QUOTE=FriarTed] Hey, I got my threads crossed & for some reason thought the Burke’s Law answer wasn’t quite settled. Sorry! [/QUOTE] Gotcha. Sorry for the overreaction. I have no idea why it bugged me as much as it did. Weird. Assuming a mod cuts the head off this zombie, the discussion is continued here: [Mystery quote: ‘‘It doesn’t do anything. That’s the beauty of it.’’](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=413962) ---
**Author:** ![SSG\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2007, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mind-boggling-movie-quote/304608/145 "2007-03-30T03:03:28Z")
[QUOTE=pessimisticgrace] I don’t know if SDMB’s ever had a post about where the darned thing came from, but I’ve seen it brought up on about 10 different message boards without a definitive answer. If it _has_ been brought up, please link me because I didn’t find it when I did a search. So, I pose it to you: “What does it do?” “That’s the beauty of it. It doesn’t \do\ anything.” [/QUOTE] Can’t find a cite, but I remember it from the miniseries _Tommyknockers_ Jim “Gard” Gardener: What does it do? Roberta “Bobbi” Anderson: That’s the beauty of it. It doesn’t do anything. I don’t have a copy of the movie, but I haven’t seen most of the others mentioned. If someone does have the Tommyknockers on tape it should be near the start when Jim first arrives in Haven. Sgt Schwartz ---
**Author:** ![ssywak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f05b48/32.png) [@ssywak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ssywak)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2008, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mind-boggling-movie-quote/304608/146 "2008-11-01T19:57:22Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > In my mind, the scene is a corporate conference room, and the IBM reps have just unveiled a glowing, floating thing. That sounds so right! How do we track THAT one down, I wonder! Steve S (the poor, stupid SOB who started “that thread” on IMDB, oh, so many years ago…) ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2008, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mind-boggling-movie-quote/304608/147 "2008-11-01T21:25:41Z")
It eats BRRRRRAAAAAIIIIINNNNNNNS! ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2008, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mind-boggling-movie-quote/304608/148 "2008-11-01T21:36:51Z")
Wasn’t this solved by someone here? Anyone have a link, so this poor creature can return to it’s long, deep slumber? ---
**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:** [November 1, 2008, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mind-boggling-movie-quote/304608/149 "2008-11-01T22:13:14Z")
> [@ssywak](#): > > That sounds so right! > > How do we track THAT one down, I wonder! > > Steve S > (the poor, stupid SOB who started “that thread” on IMDB, oh, so many years ago…) so you’re the one who started it, huh? Welcome to the Dope, you’ll be a celeb here. Before this thread gets closed, just check a few posts above where a link to the answer can be found. Someone found your quote in an episode of Burkes Law, and even posted a video of it. see here > **[Mystery quote: ''It doesn't do anything. That's the beauty of it.''](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=413962)** > > This question has come up a number of times. I happened upon this little gem today: Pretty dog-gone close, huh? And the link to the video > **[Private Group Photo & Video Sharing](https://s98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/hosmackah/beauty/?action=view¤t=img002.flv)** > > A private space for your group's photos and videos. Share, react, and relive moments together. Available on iOS, Android, and desktop. Free for new sign-ups. ---
**Author:** ![feppytweed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/feppytweed/32/4280_2.png) [@feppytweed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/feppytweed)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mind-boggling-movie-quote/304608/150 "2008-11-02T01:30:33Z")
Wow… this thread was started in '05, revived in 07, and now is back! ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mind-boggling-movie-quote/304608/151 "2008-11-04T07:01:16Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > The longer this topic goes on, the more I believe the explanation that it was a joke created to drive people nuts. Lol maybe. I think it’s most likely that it’s a ‘play it again Sam’ situation where the actual original quote wasn’t as eloquent or catchy as people are remembering it to be. ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mind-boggling-movie-quote/304608/152 "2008-11-04T15:23:50Z")
So, what is the oldest, confirmed sighting? I have seen it in a Blondie comic strip. But can’t be bothered to look it up, if there is already something older. ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mind-boggling-movie-quote/304608/153 "2008-11-04T22:17:49Z")
If its IS a _HHGttG_ quote, it might have come from the radio play scripts that preceded the books. I have the first 12 episodes on tape somewhere in the wreckage of my apartment. I’ll try to excavate when I get home. Whoops. I was only at the bottom of page 1 when I posted. Never mind. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mind-boggling-movie-quote/304608/154 "2008-11-05T04:15:14Z")
[Movie Quotes II Quiz](http://www.sporcle.com/games/moviequotes2.php) Heres a few. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mind-boggling-movie-quote/304608/155 "2008-11-05T04:17:02Z")
[Movie Quotes Quiz](http://www.sporcle.com/games/moviequotes.php) And more. A quiz . ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mind-boggling-movie-quote/304608/156 "2026-04-14T09:51:38Z")
Zombifying this thread, 21 years on, to share a Youtube video essay by Tor Parsons, which determines that the earliest identifiable usage of “That’s the beauty of it! It doesn’t do anything!”, in that specific wording, is in fact, THIS THREAD. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/uW8iKh0Bc1o/maxresdefault.jpg "Everybody Knows This Quote. Nobody Knows Where It's From.") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW8iKh0Bc1o) ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mind-boggling-movie-quote/304608/157 "2026-04-14T10:32:35Z")
Wonderful. He’s so young, he calls us a “messag_ing_ board.” 🙂 (at 8:00) Good analysis, though - well researched and well told. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mind-boggling-movie-quote/304608/158 "2026-04-14T13:08:49Z")
He probably wasn’t even born when this thread started! ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mind-boggling-movie-quote/304608/159 "2026-04-14T17:18:09Z")
I thought it was solved back in 2007, with a link to the video? ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mind-boggling-movie-quote/304608/160 "2026-04-14T17:29:00Z")
It does look like it’s the forementioned “Who Killed 711?” episode of Burke’s Law (which would explain part of its hidden-ness: I would assume it was from something more Sci-Fi, Twilight Zone-ish, or at least quirky). [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0533831/mediaviewer/rm3859577856/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0533831/mediaviewer/rm3859577856/) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mind-boggling-movie-quote/304608.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mind-boggling-movie-quote/304608.md?page=9)