Tag Archives: Movie Quotes

Movie Wisdom – John Mitchum Edition

24 Nov

It is probably too soon for another edition of Movie Wisdom, but I have been inspired by one of my favorite movies, which is on television at this very moment. El Dorado stars John Wayne, James Caan, Robert Mitchum and a ton of character actors. One of those actors is Robert Mitchum’s brother, John.

John Mitchum was never a leading man like his brother, but he was in a bunch of good movies. In honor of finding this gem deep in the heart of my satellite dish, this is the Movie Wisdom that can be found in the movies of John Mitchum.John Mitchum

From Stalag 17

Just because they are dumb doesn’t mean that they’re stupid.

From My Fair Lady

The difference between a lady and a flower girl is not how she behaves, but how she is treated.

The French don’t care what they do actually, as long as they pronounce it properly.

There even are places where English completely disappears; in America they haven’t used it for years.

Women are irrational, that’s all there is to that!

From El Dorado

Next time you shoot somebody, don’t go near ’em till you’re… sure they’re dead!

Faith can move mountains, but it can’t beat a faster draw.

From Bandolero!

There things a man ought never do – spit in church, scratch his self in front of his ma, and pick his nose.

From Chisum

Because no matter where people go, sooner or later there’s the law. And sooner or later they find God’s already been there.

We may have to be neighbors, but I don’t have to be neighborly.

From High Plains Drifter

It’s what people know about themselves inside that makes ’em afraid.

They say the dead don’t rest without a marker of some kind.

From Magnum Force

A man’s got to know his limitations.

From The Outlaw Josey Wales

Dyin’ ain’t much of a livin’.

Now remember, when things look bad and it looks like you’re not gonna make it, then you gotta get mean.

It’s sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues.

Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms.

Don’t piss down my back and tell me it’s raining.

Without a doubt, those are wise words.

 

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Movie Wisdom – Barry Corbin Edition

6 Sep

Tonight, we watched Monte Walsh, a western starring Tom Selleck as a cowboy during the final days of cowboys. As the world changes around him, Monte has a hard time adjusting. It was a good movie, but, as often happens, I noticed a bunch of popular character actors.

I have seen Barry Corbin in a ton of movies. People might think that he plays the same character all of the time, but I have seen him in roles of great wisdom and in roles where his character did not have a lick of sense. Seeing him in Monte Walsh inspired me to look for words to live by in the movies of Barry Corbin.images-4

From Any Which Way You Can

Sometimes we can’t always do what we want to do.

A hand out is what you get from the government, a hand up is what you get from a friend.

From The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

Well, I always just thought if you see somebody without a smile, give ’em yours!

From WarGames

The only winning move is not to play.

People sometimes make mistakes.

From My Science Project

When you’re cool, the sun shine on you 24 hours a day.

From Lonesome Dove

A man who wouldn’t cheat for a poke don’t want one bad enough.

A man that does like to rent pigs is… he’s hard to stop.

The only healthy way to live life is to learn to like all the little everyday things.

Yesterday’s gone, we can’t get it back.

A man ought not to leave his land and his people.

A man that will talk to a pig ain’t no better than a farmer.

From Monte Walsh

As time goes by, we all have to take the best we can get.

From No Country for Old Men

You can’t stop what’s coming, it ain’t all waiting on you.

Age will flatten a man.

Once you quit hearing “sir” and “ma’am,” the rest is soon to foller.

Even in the contest between man and steer the issue is not certain.

All the time ya spend trying to get back what’s been took from ya, more is going out the door.

Yep, those are truly some words to live by. Thanks Barry.

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Movie Wisdom – Matt Clark Edition

7 Jun

Last night, we saw A Million Ways to Die in the West. It was not the worst movie I have ever seen, but it was not the best, either. Being a fan of Westerns, I knew what they were trying to do, but they could not quite accomplish it. However, there were a few things that I noticed.

They filmed in two of my favorite locations in the West, Monument Valley and the area around Santa Fe. Monument Valley was immediately recognizable, and, to the discerning eye, the other landscape was undoubtedly northern New Mexico.

I also noticed something else. One scene involves a grizzled old prospector, typical with his white beard and ragged clothes. As he spoke, I thought that I recognized the voice. It took a few seconds, but I finally realized that it was Matt Clark, who has appeared in a bunch of great movies.Matt Clark

He is another one of those character actors whose face people may know even when they do not know his name.

Seeing him in A Million Ways to Die in the West inspired me to compile wise quotes from some of his movies. Remember, a movie only qualifies if I have seen it and if it contains words to live by.

From Will Penny

That stuff’s for doctorin’! It’s not for drinkin’!

Sharin’ a blanket don’t make us married.

Ain’t no good way to go.

We don’t all have the same choices.

From The Cowboys

Well, it’s not how you’re buried, it’s how you’re remembered.

Every man wants his children to be better’n he was.

We’re burnin’ daylight.

Big mouth don’t make a big man.

Sometimes it’s hard to understand the drift of things.

The cow is nothing but trouble tied up in a leather bag.

From Jeremiah Johnson

Elk don’t know how many feet a horse has!

Keep your nose in the wind and your eye along the skyline.

Watch your top knot.

From Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid

It feels like… times have changed.

Comes an age in a man’s life when he don’t wanna spend time figuring what comes next.

From White Lightning

The good, they die young!

From The Outlaw Josey Wales

Now remember, when things look bad and it looks like you’re not gonna make it, then you gotta get mean. I mean plumb, mad-dog mean. ‘Cause if you lose your head and you give up then you neither live nor win. That’s just the way it is.

Dyin’ ain’t much of a living, boy.

It’s sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues.

Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms.

Don’t piss down my back and tell me it’s raining.

I guess some folks don’t like to be called ‘high rollers’.

From Brubaker

You can’t reform the system if you’re not in it.

From The Quick and the Dead

Why is it that the man who begs for mercy never gives it?

From Back to the Future Part III

Your future is whatever you make it.

We all have to make decisions that affect the course of our lives.

From Barbarians at the Gate

Let them curse the darkness – we’re not handing out any candles.

From 42

Roses and sleep are two wonderful things. But sleep you can get when you’re in your casket, and flowers look great on top of it.

From A Million Ways to Die in the West

Hey, dude, you really shouldn’t drink and horse.

 

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Movie Wisdom – John Qualen Edition

29 May

I like watching old movies, and, as a watcher of old movies, I see the same actors show up time after time. These are not the ones who are famous and play in the leading roles. These are the ones who play in the supporting roles. They have familiar faces, but they do not have familiar names.

John Qualen was one of those actors. He was in tons of movies and television shows. In almost all of them, he had a Scandinavian accent. That is pretty good for someone who grew up in Illinois. In honor of John Qualen and other character actors, I have decided to continue the “Movie Wisdom” series with his movies.John Qualen

In the past, I have searched for nuggets of wisdom from the movies of different actors. There have been many, but the search for wisdom in the films of Burt Reynolds and Don Knotts are the most popular. I have also covered Kevin Costner, Steve McQueen, Ellen Barkin, Don Johnson, Paul Newman, Jodie Foster, Tommy Lee Jones, Sheb Wooley, Lee Marvin, and George Peppard.

The rules are always the same. I must have seen the movie, but it does not matter which character spoke the line.

From The Grapes of Wrath

I wouldn’t pray just for a old man that’s dead, ’cause he’s all right. If I was to pray, I’d pray for folks that’s alive and don’t know which way to turn.

Seems like the government’s got more interest in a dead man than a live one.

Takes no nerve to do something, ain’t nothin’ else you can do.

Maybe there ain’t no sin and there ain’t no virtue, they’s just what people does.

From Knute Rockne All American

Anyone who follows the truth in his heart never makes a mistake.

From The Devil and Daniel Webster

A man can always change things. That’s what makes him different from the barnyard critters.

From Casablanca

I never make plans that far ahead.

If we stop breathing, we’ll die.

Well there are certain sections of New York, Major, that I wouldn’t advise you to try to invade.

From The Searchers

Figure a man’s only good for one oath at a time.

I don’t believe in surrenders.

From North to Alaska

A bullet through the head is always the best cure for love.

From Two Rode Together

Well, there are some men you just can’t trust to stay where you put ’em.

You know, sometimes it takes a lot more courage to live than it does to die.

I can tell when a man walks through that door whether he prefers blondes or brunettes, drinks whiskey or beer, plays blackjack or poker, is a cheapskate or a high roller.

From The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.

Courage can be purchased at yon’ tavern!

From Cheyenne Autumn

Does it ever matter who fires the first shot?

Now, as I understand it, a mademoiselle is a madam who ain’t quite made it yet – only younger and friskier.

From A Big Hand for the Little Lady

There’s a whole world waitin’ for you out there.

That’s a bargain all right, but a bargain ain’t a bargain unless it’s something you need.

Now look, mister, the first rule of the game of poker, whether you’re playing eastern or western rules, or the kind they play at the North Pole, is put up or shut up!

 

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Movie Wisdom – Sheb Wooley Edition

23 Jan

In the olden days, albums were sold on television. They would play snippets of a few songs and scroll song titles over the screen. The performer would appear and lip synch a few words. Those commercials fascinated me, and I begged my parents to send a check to the address on the screen.

One of those ads was for a singer named Ben Colder, the country music version of Weird Al Yankovic. He sung parodies of country music’s biggest hits. My parents agreed to buy a few albums, but they never bought anything for me by Ben Colder. It is still a disappointment.

Years later, I learned that Ben Colder was not really Ben Colder. He was Sheb Wooley, and he had done a lot more things than sing parody songs.Sheb Wooley

Sheb Wooley was a true Renaissance Man. He had a huge hit in the 1950s with “The Purple People Eater” and acted in a bunch of movies. However, he was not just in a bunch of movies. He was in a bunch of great movies. Sheb Wooley was one of those character actors who popped up everywhere.

To make up for the fact that I never got a Ben Colder record, we will examine the movies of Sheb Wooley to see if we can find a few bits of wisdom. As before, the quotes must come from movies that I have seen.

From High Noon

People gotta talk themselves into law and order before they do anything about it. Maybe because down deep they don’t care.

It takes more than big, broad shoulders to make a man.

It takes a pretty smart man to know when to back away.

From Johnny Guitar

A man who can’t hold on to a glass should drink like a baby from a bottle.

There’s only two things in this world that a ‘real man’ needs: a cup of coffee and a good smoke.

From Giant

Money isn’t everything.

Well, there’s one thing you got to say for cattle… boy, you put your brand on one of them, you’re gonna know where it’s at!

From Rio Bravo

Sorry don’t get it done.

From The War Wagon

That’s what I’ve always said the world needs… more simple understanding to bring people together!

From The Outlaw Josey Wales

Now remember, when things look bad and it looks like you’re not gonna make it, then you gotta get mean. I mean plumb, mad-dog mean. ‘Cause if you lose your head and you give up then you neither live nor win. That’s just the way it is.

It’s sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues.

Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms.

Dyin’ ain’t much of a livin’, boy.

Don’t piss down my back and tell me it’s raining.

From Silverado

Some people think because they’re stronger, or meaner, that they can push you around. I’ve seen a lot of that. But it’s only true if you let it be. The world is what you make of it.

A grown man can’t have a little boy with him everywhere he goes.

The world is what you make of it, friend. If it doesn’t fit, you make alterations.

From Hoosiers

If you put your effort and concentration into playing to your potential, to be the best that you can be, I don’t care what the scoreboard says at the end of the game, in my book we’re gonna be winners.

Sun don’t shine on the same dog’s ass everyday.

There you have it. The world according to Sheb Wooley movies.

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Movie Wisdom – Kevin Costner Edition

23 Jun

Welcome to the continuing series providing movie quotes to live by. Previously, we have delved into the classic works of Burt Reynolds and Don Knotts. This post focuses on the films of Kevin Costner. Remember, these are movies that must star the mentioned performer and that I have seen.

From Silverado

“A grown man can’t have a little boy with him everywhere he goes.”

“I’m a great believer in doin’ nothin’.”

“The world is what you make of it, friend. If it doesn’t fit you make alterations.”

From The Untouchables

“Never stop fighting ’til the fight is done.”

“If you’re afraid of getting a rotten apple don’t go to the barrel. Get it off the tree.”

From Bull Durham

“The world is made for people who aren’t cursed with self-awareness.”

From Field of Dreams

“We just don’t realize life’s most significant moments while they’re happening.”

From Dances With Wolves

“Of all the trails in this life, there is one that matters most. It is the trail of a true human being.”

From Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

“There are no perfect men in the world, only perfect intentions.”

From Wyatt Earp

“I think the secret old Mr. Death is holding is that it’s better for some of us on the other side.”

“Nothing counts so much as blood. The rest are just strangers.”

From Tin Cup

“Greatness courts failure.”

“Sex and golf are the two things you can enjoy even if you’re not good at them.”

“There’s no such thing as semi-platonic.”

From The Postman

“Wouldn’t it be great if wars could be fought just by the assholes who started them?”

From For Love of the Game

“A lot of little bottles makes a big bottle.”

From Dragonfly

“Death is like being pregnant. You either are, or you’re not.”

From Open Range

“Man’s got a right to protect his property and his life.”

“A man’s trust is a valuable thing. You don’t want to lose it for a handful of cards.”

“It’s a shame to go forever without takin’ a taste of somethin’.”

From Mr. Brooks

“You always want to invest in things people can’t do without.”

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Movie Wisdom – Don Knotts Edition

12 Jun

Before proceeding, I have an important announcement to make. The “Mystery Reader”, who spiked my View statistics a few days ago, has been found. She is one of the cool librarians on our campus and has a great blog of her own. So, head over and check it out.

Now, to our regularly scheduled blog post, a continuation of my goal to find words of wisdom in movies that star certain people. To read the rules that I placed upon myself, you may want to skim through the last Movie Wisdom post. This one delves into the cinema classics of Don Knotts, one of my all time favorites. He is best known for The Andy Griffith Show and Three’s Company but starred in several movies as well. Without further delay, here is the wisdom within the works of Don Knotts.

From It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

“Everybody pays taxes! Even businessmen, who rob and cheat and steal from people every day. Even, they have to pay taxes!

From The Ghost and Mr. Chicken

“When you work with words, words are your work.”

From The Shakiest Gun in the West

“Just because I’m rough and dirty and don’t wear underwear, doesn’t mean I’m not creative.”

“Brush your dentist twice a day. Visit your toothbrush twice a year.”

From The Love God?

“When will the government stop interfering with private business?”

“The public want sex, sex and more sex!”

From The Apple Dumpling Gang

“Well, there’s one good thing about luck – it always changes.”

“You don’t thank a man for hanging you.”

From Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo

“Sometimes a comeback comes second.”

From Hot Lead and Cold Feet

“Something good is bound to happen when love is in your heart.”

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