Funny movie quotes from The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle (1939) starring Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Walter Brennan. A sweet, biographical story with more than a little bit of humor.
Irene Foote (Ginger Rogers): I thought you could be a first dancer, a very beautiful first dancer because you are a beautiful dancer but you’re so smug and conceited that you can’t see any further than your funny nose!
Irene’s Girlfriend: Isn’t it wicked? I mean, knowing an actor.
Courtship
Irene Foote (Ginger Rogers): What’s your name?
Vernon Castle (Fred Astaire): My name’s Castle.
Irene Foote (Ginger Rogers): My name’s Foote.
Walter (Walter Brennan): My name will be mud when I try to explain this to your mother.
Irene Foote (Ginger Rogers): What does ‘ham’ mean?
Vernon Castle (Fred Astaire): That’s just an expression.
Irene Foote (Ginger Rogers): Well, what does it mean?
Vernon Castle (Fred Astaire): In the theater, we speak of certain actors as hams.
Irene Foote (Ginger Rogers): Oh, that makes me feel so professional! Am I, am I a real ham?
Vernon Castle (Fred Astaire): Well, yes. You’re a little one.
Irene Foote (Ginger Rogers): Oh, wonderful!
Mrs. Foote: Can’t you leave them alone?
Dr. Foote: I’ve been leaving them alone all winter. Aren’t we ever going to use that parlor again?
Irene Foote (Ginger Rogers): You call me a ham. Well, you’re a – a ham with mustard!
After the wedding
Irene Castle (Ginger Rogers): Vernon, would they let you dance alone? Because, if they would…
Vernon Castle (Fred Astaire): Do you think I’d want to dance without you?
Walter (Walter Brennan): When Mr. Fields tells you to dance, get up, keep your chin up, your chest out, and put your best foot forward.
Irene Castle (Ginger Rogers): I hope I don’t disappoint you.
Vernon Castle (Fred Astaire): Come on, you know, chin up, chest out, and best foot forward
Lew Fields: Who’s gonna pay money to see a man dance with his wife?
Irene Castle (Ginger Rogers): Well, Vernon, we’ve nothing to lose.
Vernon Castle (Fred Astaire): Tell them to play, “Too Much Mustard.”
Maggie Sutton (Edna May Oliver): How would you like to try out for a dancing job?
Vernon Castle (Fred Astaire): What?
Irene Castle (Ginger Rogers): Where?
Maggie Sutton (Edna May Oliver): At the Café de Paris.
Vernon Castle (Fred Astaire): Café de Paris? Irene!
Irene Castle (Ginger Rogers): Well, you know the manager?
Maggie Sutton (Edna May Oliver): My dear, the manager knows me!
Walter (Walter Brennan): Will you be spending the night here?
Maggie Sutton: I should say not. I find the country quiet very disturbing.
World War I
Hotel Manager: Don’t worry. I know what you want. A hot bird, a cold bottle, and a warm shoulder.
Hotel Manager: You’ll be as snug as a bug in a rug up here, Captain.
Vernon Castle (Fred Astaire): Explain to the lady I may be a little late.
Hotel Manager: Sure will. What name will she give?
Walter (Walter Brennan): It’s his wife.
Hotel Manager: You’re wife?
Vernon Castle (Fred Astaire): Yes. Do you mind?
Hotel Manager: No! I don’t mind; but, I don’t understand it.
Irene Castle (Ginger Rogers): Did Captain Castle say how long he’d be at the flying field?
Hotel Manager: No, ma’am. He arranged for dinner at 7:30 in the private dining room.
Maggie Sutton (Edna May Oliver): Oh, sounds almost wicked.
Hotel Manager: We cater only to a family trade, ma’am.
Maggie Sutton (Edna May Oliver): I beg your pardon.
Hotel Manager: Not at all. My card. If I can be of any service to you, call on me. [exits]
Maggie Sutton (Edna May Oliver): A wife-beater if ever I saw one.