Murder, My Sweet (1944)

Claire Trevor: Helen Grayle

Photos 

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Quotes 

• Helen Grayle : I find men *very* attractive.

  Philip Marlowe : I imagine they meet you halfway.

• Helen Grayle : I hadn't supposed there were enough murders these days to make detecting very attractive to a young man.

  Philip Marlowe : I stir up trouble on the side.

• Helen Grayle : It's a long story and not pretty.

  Philip Marlowe : I got lots of time and I'm not squeamish.

• Helen Grayle : Let's dispense with the polite drinking, shall we?

• Helen Grayle : [after Mr. Grayle takes Marlowe's gun]  You know, this'll be the first time I've ever killed anyone I knew so little and liked so well. What's your first name?

  Philip Marlowe : Philip, for short.

  Helen Grayle : Philip. Philip Marlowe... named for a duke. You're just a nice mug. I've got a name for a duchess: Mrs. Leuwen Lockridge Grayle. Just a couple of mugs - we could have got along.

• Helen Grayle : You shouldn't kiss a girl when you're wearing that gun... leaves a bruise.

• Helen Grayle : [explaining her situation to Marlowe]  My husband is 65. He's in love with me. I'm fond of him, I'm grateful. He's been understanding, but... well, I've gone out with other men.

  [approaches Marlowe, smiles seductively while tying her robe] 

  Helen Grayle : I find men very attractive.

  Philip Marlowe : [looks her over]  I imagine they meet you halfway.

• Ann Grayle : [to private detective Philip Marlowe]  Sometimes I hate men. ALL men. Old men, young men... beautiful young men who use rosewater and... almost heels who are private detectives.

  Helen Grayle : [hidden in the shadows, laughs - then she comes out]  Oh, I'm sorry, darling, I couldn't help laughing; but you should know by now that men play rough. They soften you up, throw you off guard, and then belt you one.

  Helen Grayle : [to Marlowe]  That was a dirty trick, but maybe it'll teach you not to overplay a good hand. Now she doesn't like you. She hates men.

  Ann Grayle : That was only the first half of the speech. The rest of it goes like this: I hate their women, too - especially the "big league blondes". Beautiful, expensive babes who know what they've got... all bubble bath, and dewy morning, and moonlight. And inside: blue steel, cold - cold like that... only not that clean.

  Helen Grayle : Your slip shows, dear.

  [Ann runs out of the beach house]