Gold Diggers of 1937 (1936)

Joan Blondell: Norma Perry

Photos 

Quotes 

• Rosmer Peak : Would you call Andy if I kiss you?

  Norma Perry : Not unless you want to kiss him too.

• Norma Perry : [singing lyrics to All's Fair in Love and War]  If I could snare some millionaire, I'd have a lovely love affair, for he's the kind of man I could adore. Oh yes, yes, I wouldn't care if he's a wreck, as long as he could sign a check, and keep the wolf away from my front door... I'd be willing to take my chances, if his finances were okay, I'd make him pay... Or am I too brutal? Maybe... I'd encourage his bold advances. If he got reckless, I'd get a necklace - diamonds and things... A nice old man with lots of wealth, who isn't in the best of health. Who could ask for more? See what I mean? A sudden love attack, and I'd have all his jack... For love is just like war.

• Irene : A girl doesn't have to be a gold digger exactly, but if she wants to be a little nice to a man and takes a present or two from him - in a nice way, I mean.

  Sally : And men just *love* to give presents to little girls and it's such fun. I mean, opening packages.

  Norma Perry : Yeah, if y'all's conscience don't jump out at you.

• Genevieve Larkin : What are you doing?

  Norma Perry : I'm doing nothing in this world but looking for a job.

  Genevieve Larkin : They don't advertise for chorus girls. They just whisper it.

• Genevieve Larkin : Six months ago, she was working for a seamstress. Now she's engaged to a broker.

  Norma Perry : How'd she get such a break?

  Genevieve Larkin : One day, my children, the broker ripped his pants. The rest is history. And I've come to the opinion she's got the right idea. That's only way to get ahead in this business.

  Norma Perry : Work for a seamstress?

  Genevieve Larkin : Yeah - no. Be a gold digger.

• Rosmer Peak : Well, then sit down. It's comfortable there. Sit down. All right. Begin at the beginning. Name, age, weight, height, and occupation.

  Norma Perry : Name: Norma. Age: You can see I'm just a baby. Weight: I won't discuss.

• Genevieve Larkin : What's life insurance got to do with a girl that looks like you?

  Norma Perry : Well, it's a job.

  Genevieve Larkin : If you get it. When they start passing out jobs in a mens washroom, a new day has dawned.

• Genevieve Larkin : Norma, I don't think this is the right place for you.

  Norma Perry : Well, I'm sure it will be all right if Mr. Callahan will have me.

  Andy Callahan : Okay. We'll give you a whirl. Salary is 22.50 a week.

• Norma Perry : How does your head feel now?

  Rosmer Peak : Oh, terrible. Just like somebody was poking at it with a nut pick.

• Rosmer Peak : I've been reading books all week. Just finished one Saturday.

  Norma Perry : What's the name?

  Rosmer Peak : Well, it was a swell one, and it was called "Mutual Attraction".

  Norma Perry : "Mutual Attraction"?

  Rosmer Peak : Uh-huh. It's all about love and how to find one's mate. Eight easy lessons. Look, look. When I hold your hands, how do you feel?

  Norma Perry : Silly.

  Rosmer Peak : When I put my arm around you, how do you feel?

  Norma Perry : I can't tell with only one arm.

  Rosmer Peak : [puts both arms around Norma]  Now what's the reaction?

  Norma Perry : Dithery.

  Rosmer Peak : [holds Norma tight]  Now?

  Norma Perry : Is this the seventh lesson?

  Rosmer Peak : Uh-huh.

  Norma Perry : What's the eighth?

  Rosmer Peak : Oh?

  Norma Perry : What's the matter?

  Rosmer Peak : The page was torn out.

  Norma Perry : Oh, quitter.

• Rosmer Peak : Well, here we are. Let's shake the dust of 42nd Street off of our feet and mingle with the elite.

  Norma Perry : Oh, it's too good to be true. We're not dreaming now, are we?

  Rosmer Peak : Well, certainly not. Look at the moon up there. Look at this garden, the crowd.

  Norma Perry : Look at you.

  Rosmer Peak : Yeah.

  Norma Perry : Oh, if it would only last.

• Norma Perry : We could get married but there are things we should talk over first.

  Rosmer Peak : Like for instance, what?

  Norma Perry : Like for instance, are we really in love?

  Rosmer Peak : We'll find that out soon enough. Just let's...

  Norma Perry : Let's what?

  Rosmer Peak : [singing]  Let's put our heads together, Is it love or is it weather? How are we to know so soon, With so much April, And with so much moon?

• Norma Perry : It can't flop. Don't even think of it! Think of the audiences of America. Think of the millions that will be out there standing and cheering. Think of posterity! Oh, Ross, I'm so scared.

  Rosmer Peak : Now, don't you be scared. It's a good show and you're swell in it. You can't miss! You're a woman of destiny - like Joan of Arc.

  Norma Perry : Yeah. But, honey, they burned her.

• Norma Perry : Hello, honey, is everything all right?

  Rosmer Peak : Oh, I think so. The angel's wings didn't come. The mule refuses to be painted like a zebra. The second act scenery got rained on. The character woman's got hiccups. The adagio dancer can't find his tights or partner. Outside of that, I think everything's all right.

  Norma Perry : Well, don't worry, Ross, the show's gonna be swell!

• Rosmer Peak : [singing]  The soldiers of the world, Can conquer you, With powder and with steel

  Norma Perry : The women of the world, Can do the same, With charm and sex appeal

  Andy 'Boop' Oglethorpe : A soldier must be patriotic

  Sally : A woman's got to be exotic...

• Andy Callahan : Miss?

  Norma Perry : Perry. Norma Perry.

• Rosmer Peak : Where did you just come from?

  Norma Perry : Fresh from the chorus.

• Norma Perry : I'm looking for a job right now.

  Rosmer Peak : What kind of a job?

  Norma Perry : Oh, there must be someplace where you work and get paid for it.

• Genevieve Larkin : You can throw down that pencil of Commerce now and climb back into a pair of shorts.

  Norma Perry : Why? What's happened?

  Genevieve Larkin : Well, Mr. Wethered, the new boyfriend, is a partner of J.J. Hobart, the producer - and J.J. is putting on a show.

• Rosmer Peak : Knock, knock.

  Norma Perry : Who's there?

  Rosmer Peak : Remember me?

  Norma Perry : Oh, yes. You're the guy what brung me.

• Rosmer Peak : I'll get my commission check tomorrow and end up by being one of the wealthy class. It's probably time I thought about getting married.

  Norma Perry : Somewhere before I've heard that speech.

  Rosmer Peak : Oh, but I mean it. Look, with my commission check, we could start right out with a dining set and with a bit of straining we could get a radio. And then, if J.J. lives a while, we could get a bedroom set and then...

  Norma Perry : We better dance.