Ziegfeld Girl (1941)

Paul Kelly: John Slayton

Quotes 

• Noble Sage : Get it, honey?

  Miss Sawyer - Auditioning Showgirl : Well, yes. Yes, I do.

  John Slayton : Are you sure you know what we're driving at?

  Miss Sawyer - Auditioning Showgirl : Yes.

  John Slayton : It's kind of subtle.

  Miss Sawyer - Auditioning Showgirl : Yes. Oh, yes!

  Noble Sage : Keep on saying that and see where it gets you.

• John Slayton : Fine. Be here tomorrow at 11.

  Miss Sawyer - Auditioning Showgirl : Oh, well, don't you want to see my legs?

  John Slayton : That's not our department, honey.

• John Slayton : Take off your hat and smile winningly.

  Miss Sawyer - Auditioning Showgirl : Yes, sir. Just my hat?

  John Slayton : Yes, just your hat.

• John Slayton : Look, kid, the Follies are life, and life is a cafeteria. You look at the pretty dishes and you pick out what you want, but you've got to pay for it when you get to end of the counter.

• John Slayton : Listen, kids! I've got something important to say to you. Now, except for a couple of hardened veterans, you're all new to the big time. In a few minutes, you're going on in your first number. Do you know what that means? It means you're Ziegfeld girls. It means you're going to have all the opportunities of a lifetime crowded into a couple of hours. And all the temptations. Some of you are gonna wind up with your names in electric lights. Some of you are gonna wind up with a husband and kids. And some of you are gonna wind up - well, not so good. Now, I know what I'm talking about because I've seen all three happen. But, whatever it is, don't blame the Follies; because, it would've happened even if you were still where Mr. Ziegfeld found you. It just might have taken a little longer. So remember this, kids, and it comes straight from Mr. Ziegfeld: "The Follies is life in one stiff jolt, life running instead of walking, life speeded up to a mile a minute. But if you've got the right stuff, the pace won't bother you. And if you haven't, you'll come a cropper. It's strictly up to you."

• Susan Gallagher : [singing]  My schemes, Why all of my schemes, Are just like a-a-all my dreams, Ending, Ending in the sky, Up there in the sky, And let me tell you, Some fellows look and find the sunshine...

  John Slayton : [interupting]  Hold it! Don't you know they quit beating a song to death 10 years ago?

  'Pop' Gallagher : Oh, another intellectual.

  John Slayton : Won't do, honey, won't do. You don't slug an audience from the front nowadays. You kind of sneak up on it from behind.

• John Slayton : Hey, Grandpa, did you get Sheila?

  Noble Sage : No, she wasn't there.

  John Slayton : She's not here. Get out and find her. Look in every speakeasy like a regular barfly.

  Noble Sage : And when I get hold of her, I'll, I'll...

  John Slayton : Kick her. Kick her hard. Oh, but kick her where it won't show, will you?

  Noble Sage : With that costume she wears, it's impossible!