Dramatic Famous Movie Quotes We Use Everyday
Hollywood's Great Quotes & Famous Lines from the Drama Genre
Sep 11, 2009
Dramatic classic movies can claim responsibility for many quotes and catch-phrases that have become part of everyday conversation. These great quotes have found their way into everyday language because the public impact of the movie, or just the quote itself, is unforgettable.
In no particular order:
The Godfather (1972) Starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan and Talia Shire
The Godfather is the quintessential gangster movie that has found it's way into everyone's dialogue at one point or another. This is one of those rare movies where even people who haven't ever seen it recognize the famous lines.
Many movies have taken to quoting these classic lines within their scripts for the simple reason that most everyone will recognize the reference and the point being made usually succeeds.
In You've Got Mail (1995), the psychology of this tactic is reversed. There is an ongoing discussion about 'going to the mattresses' and how all the men Meg Ryan's character asks recognize it from The Godfather while she remains oblivious, creating the sense that she is out of touch.
- I'll make him an offer he can't refuse.
- It's nothing personal. Strictly business.
- Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
- (He's) thinkin' of goin' to the mattresses already.
- Some day, and that day may never come, I'll call upon you to do a service for me.
- Keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer.
The Wizard of Oz (1939) Starring Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Margaret Hamilton, Bert Lahr and Jack Haley
How is it that The Wizard of Oz, a movie made seventy years ago, can still have the kind of everyday impact it does? It plays regularly on television, particularly at Christmas and there are so many common references made to it everyday.
In the early scenes of The Secret of My Success (1987), Michael J. Fox arrives in New York after having left his humble farm upbringing and states, "(Well) Toto, (I guess) we're not in Kansas anymore."
Another example is a scene in Field of Dreams (1989); one of the baseball players is passing into the infamous cornfield when he stops suddenly, turns and cries out, "Im melting! I'm melting!"
- Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.
- I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!
- If I only had a brain ...
- There's no place like home.
- Follow the yellow brick road.
- I'm melting! I'm melting!
Casablanca (1942) Starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid and Claude Rains
Casablanca. Arguably the most quotable movie out there, it is interesting to watch it today and hear the lines emerge from the script. Aside from the starring roles, there are so many other memorable characters such as those played by Sidney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre to name but a few, that it will beg the question, "Is it over already?"
One of these great quotes was actually the inspiration for a movie title, The Usual Suspects (1995) starring Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Chaz Palminteri and Benicio Del Toro. This movie plot ends up being a play on words as all is not what it seems.
Over the years one of the well-known lines from Casablanca has become distorted and had the word 'again' added to it. Such is the way of movie legends and the making of them. The change, however, does not limit it's use in everyday language. If anything, it has made it more useable over time.
- Here's looking at you, kid.
- Play it (again), Sam.
- Round up the usual suspects.
- ...I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
- Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine.
- We'll always have Paris.
- You'll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow but soon and for the rest of your life.
Famous Movie Quotes Have Proven to be Good Conversation Over the Years
There are many other quotes that are worth mentioning but in keeping with only completely recognizable quotes, here are some notable single movie quotes virtually everyone knows, in no particular order:
- I'll be back. - The Terminator, 1984 - Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn
- You can't handle the truth! - A Few Good Men, 1992 - Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore
- Say 'Hello' to my little friend! - Scarface, 1983 - Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert Loggia
- I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore! - Network, 1976 - Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch
- Why so serious? - The Dark Knight, 2008 - Heath Ledger, Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart
- Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get. - Forrest Gump, 1994 - Tom Hanks, Sally Field, Gary Sinise
- Go ahead; make my day. - Sudden Impact, 1983 - Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Pat Hingle
- Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn. - Gone With the Wind, 1939 - Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard,Olivia de Havilland
- You had me at 'hello'. - Jerry Maguire, 2000 - Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., Renee Zellweger
- Here's Johnny! - The Shining, 1980 - Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Scatman Crothers
- You talkin' to me? - Taxi Driver, 1976 - Robert De Niro, Albert Brooks, Jodie Foster
- What we have here is a failure to communicate. - Cool Hand Luke, 1967 - Paul Newman, George Kennedy, Strother Martin
- Houston, we have a problem. - Appollo 13, 1995 - Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise
- It's alive! - Frankenstein, 1931 - Boris Karloff, Colin Clive,May Clarke
There Will Be More Famous Lines
Many movies made in a series, such as The Godfather, are now available in director's cut boxed sets. Boxed sets are also available for particular stars such as Jack Nicholson, Clint Eastwood, Robert De Niro, Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks. Collectors will tell you the scenes, and lines, that didn't make it to the theatrical release can be surprising.
With all of the up and coming stars and the anticipation of new releases all the time, one can only wonder what lies in store for the avid movie quote buff.
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