A Star Is Born

Esther Blodgett: You know as much about me as I do myself. But...you see how long it's taken me to get this far. Now, all I need is just a little luck. Norman Maine: What kind of luck? Esther Blodgett: Oh, the kind of luck that every girl singer with a band dreams of--one night a big talent scout from a big record company might come in and he'll let me make a record. Norman Maine: Yes, and then? Esther Blodgett: Well, the record will become number one on the Hit Parade, it'll be played on the jukeboxes all over the country...and I'll be made. [laughs] End of dream. Norman Maine: There's only one thing wrong with that. Esther Blodgett: I know--it won't happen! Norman Maine: No, it might happen pretty easily--but the dream isn't big enough.

A Star Is Born (1954 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Esther Blodgett: [in a nightclub] Hello, Mr. Maine. You turn up in the strangest places. Norman Maine: Don't I now? Esther Blodgett: And you're cold sober. Norman Maine: Well, you'd better make the most of it!

A Star Is Born (1954 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Norman Maine: Do you ever go fishing? Norman Maine: Well, do you like prizefi--have you ever watched a great fighter? Esther Blodgett: I-I uh-- Norman Maine: I'm trying to tell you how you sing. Esther Blodgett: Do you mean like a prizefighter or a fish? Norman Maine: Look...em-- Norman Maine: There are certain pleasures that you get-- Norman Maine: There are certain pleasures you get, little-little jabs of pleasure when a swordfish take a hook, or-or when you see a great fighter get in right for the kill, see? Norman Maine: You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you? Esther Blodgett: No, not yet. Why don't you try bullfights?

A Star Is Born (1954 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Vicki Lester: Norman, don't you know how I feel about you? Norman Maine: Yes, yes I do. Vicki Lester: Well, then dear, don't you know that nothing about you could make any difference? Norman Maine: It's too late. Vicki Lester: No, it isn't. Norman Maine: It is, I tell you...Now listen to me. I destroy everything I touch. I always have. Forget me. I'm a bad loss. Vicki Lester: I don't believe that. Norman Maine: You've come too late.

A Star Is Born (1954 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Vicki Lester: [accepting an Academy Award] When something like this happens to you and I'm not going to lie to you and tell you I didn't keep hoping it would happen. All the speeches that you've made up in your bedroom or in the bathtub go out of your mind completely and you find that, out of all the words in the world, just two stick in your mind - thank you. And all I can do is say them to you from my heart and... Norman Maine: [clapping loudly] Congratulations, my dear. I made it just in time, didn't I? May I borrow the end of your speech to make a speech of my own? My method for gaining your attention may seem a little uncon-unconventional, but, uh, hard times call for harsh measures. My - I had my speech all prepared, but I - it's gone right out of my head. Let me see - why, it's silly to be so formal, isn't it? I-I know most of you sitting out there by your first names, don't I? I made a lot o' money for you gentlemen in my time through the years, didn't I? Well, I need a job now

A Star Is Born (1954 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Matt Libby: Friends, my eye! Listen. I got you out of your jams because it was my job, not because I was your friend. I don't like you. I never did like you. And nothing made me happier than to see all those cute little pranks of yours catch up with you and land you on your celebrated face. Norman Maine: Pretty work, Libby. Always wait till they're down, then kick them.

A Star Is Born (1954 film), CC BY-SA 4.0