MovieChat Forums > The In-Laws (1979) Discussion > Serpentine, Sheldon! Serpentine!

Serpentine, Sheldon! Serpentine!

posted 16 years ago by cindy-113
12 replies | jump to latest

I love that line.

I saw this in the theater when it came out. I was 18. I have 2 younger brothers. One of them was obsessed with football at about the time this came out. I remember him running in wavy patterns all around our yard saying, "Look, Cindy! I'm running football style. This is football style!"

I laughed out loud in the movie when Falk's character tells Sheldon to serpentine. Then Arkin runs around like my brother did in our back yard. Hilarious.

[–] Gidget 16 years ago

I love that part of the movie, and it's one of the funniest movie lines ever.

I have no idea why they re-made this movie. I'm a huge fan of Albert Brooks, but it's got to be one of the most unnecessary re-makes of all time.

Deep down, I'm pretty superficial.

[–] WarpedRecord 15 years ago

You are lucky to have seen this in the theater. This was a staple on HBO in the early '80s, and my local PBS affiliate just aired it.

I love how Arkin runs in a straight line, then Falk reminds him to serpentine, so Arkin runs back and repeats the maneuver.

[–] sanss_soleil 15 years ago

I love that part cracks me up every time.

[–] mlevans 15 years ago

Same thing with me. I was acouple of months shy of 18 & spending a couple of weeks with my cousins when we went and saw this at the theatre. It's bee a favorite ever since.

[–] BoxOfficePoison 15 years ago

One of THE funniest movies ever made. Nobody'll ever top it.

[–] nutsberryfarm 11 years ago

'serpentine! serpentine!' how i call over a waiter.

[–] ejr-4 9 years ago

To my thinking, the funniest scene in movie history. I've watched dozens of times and I still laugh out loud every time; at this and many other moments in this film, the greatest comedy ever!

[–] nutsberryfarm 9 years ago

it's up there for sure.

🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

[–] melnar1 8 years ago

You'll have to pardon me - I'm not an American, and I strongly suspect that this is an American thing that has something to do with American football, which I know nothing about:

What does "Serpentine, Sheldon, serpentine" mean?

[–] mrthursdaynight 8 years ago

You're right, meinar1. It's named after a trick play in American football, in which the running back receives a handoff from the quarterback and runs horizontally all the way toward the end zone, all while mimicking a serpent. This particular play ended the Super Bowl a year and a half ago, when the Seattle Seahawks ran "Serpentine 24," where Marshawn Lynch ran said "serpentine," but the New England Patriots shot him to death.

It was arguably the most tragic moment in Super Bowl history.

No shirt, no shoes, no SEXY.

[–] melnar1 8 years ago

Thank you kindly for your explanation, mrthursdaynight.

Unfortunately, I couldn't understand a word of it...

Never mind.

[–] Woodyanders 8 years ago

That was definitely one of the funniest moments in the film.

I've been chasing grace/ But grace ain't easy to find