MovieChat Forums > Life with Father (1947) Discussion > Favorite Line?

Favorite Line?

posted 17 years ago by RowenaMorgan
27 replies | jump to latest

What is everyone's favorite line from this movie? Mine is when Clarence Day, Sr. sees the rubber plant again and says something along the lines of "Get this botanical freak out of here!" Cracks me up everytime!

[–] YoPec 17 years ago

When Clarence Jr explains why he dumped Elizabeth Taylor off his lap: "It was Father's suit!" Don't know why but it cracks me up.

When all else fails, read the instructions!

[–] Harold_Robbins 16 years ago

Well, we only got an abbreviated version of the play's famous last line, "I'm going to be baptized, dammit!"

"I don't use a pen: I write with a goose quill dipped in venom!"---W. Lydecker

[–] sandra-168 16 years ago

Remember this was a 1947 film about a New York family in 1883, and it was a COMEDY. Father's advice to the oldest son was interesting:
Men have to run this world, and it's not an easy job. It takes work and it takes thinking. A man has to reason things out. Now you take a woman, a woman doesn't think at all. If a man thinks a certain thing is wrong, he shouldn't do it. If he thinks it's right, he should do it. You just have to let the women know that what you're doing is for their good. Be firm.

[–] cms-18 16 years ago

Without a doubt, it's the mother's response to news of another train wreck:

"I do wish the New Haven would stop having wrecks. If they knew how much it upsets your father."

[–] R_U_Spongeworthy 16 years ago

There are so many funny lines in this movie, but one that I've always loved (and somewhat prepares the audience for Mr. Day's demeanor) is when Vinnie is showing the new maid which napkin rings go where at the table. She says that hers and Mr. Day's are exactly the same, except that Mr. Day's "got bent... one morning." Too funny.

[–] sgivantexas 16 years ago

I love it when Father is reading the newspaper about the mayor, and says,

"I don't know why God created damned fools and Democrats!"

[–] LadyJaneGrey 15 years ago

Every time Father barks out "GAD!" I giggle. Also when he is talking to Vinnie about the pug dog statue and says "What is that monstrosity?"

Am I anywhere near the imaginary cliff?

[–] rachelwitmer 15 years ago

"And I'm warning you, Vinnie. If the market ever goes up, I'm going to unload that pew!"

That is, hands down, the funniest line in the movie. I love the image of Father unloading a big dump in church!

[–] LadyJaneGrey 15 years ago

I hate to rain on your parade, but "unloading the pew" just means selling it when the price is highest.

Am I anywhere near the imaginary cliff?

[–] MissMcCrocodile 15 years ago

"I can't go to heaven in a cab!"

Yes, sir, I'm going to do nothing like she's never been done before!

[–] gdd55 14 years ago

"Madam...I am the character of my home"

[–] ellysway 14 years ago

When Clarence JR. asks his father tell him all about woman, his father replies," Son, that's a subject gentlemen never discuss."

[–] jrangers19 14 years ago

I love when the father discovers that his wife has become ill after ingesting some of the patent medicine that John had been selling. "You gave your mother DOG medicine?!!"