The Reluctant Dragon

Mrs. Benchley: [first line of the film; reading] "So they set off up the hill, arm in arm, the knight, the dragon, and the boy. The lights in the little village began to go out one by one." [is interrupted by a toy rifle going off] "But there were stars and a late moon as they climbed the downs together." [toy rifle again] Robert, please. Robert Benchley: Go on, I can hear in any position. [shoots a dart at a duck decoy in the pool] Mrs. Benchley: [continues reading] "And as they turned the last corner and disappeared from view, snatches of an old song were borne back on the night breeze. I can't be certain which of them was singing, but I think it was the dragon." Robert Benchley: Go on, I'm listening. Mrs. Benchley: That was the end, and a very lovely end, too. Robert Benchley: Yeah, charming, charming. It's funny. No matter which way I aim, I always hit the same duck. Mrs. Benchley: Robert, I have a wonderful idea. We'll sell this book to Walt Disney. Robert Benchley: Well, you can'

The Reluctant Dragon (1941 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Doris: [holding up a cel of Bambi in front of her] Like it? Robert Benchley: I'd be all right if you could get that reindeer out of the way. Doris: I'll see if I can scare up the background that goes with it. Robert Benchley: Nothing wrong with the one I just saw. Doris: Thanks. This is his background. He fits right on top of it, like this. There. Robert Benchley: And very cunning, too. I'd like to take him home with me. [Bambi suddenly comes to life, hides behind a rock in the background, and peaks his head] What do you know? He took me seriously.

The Reluctant Dragon (1941 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Robert Benchley: Yeah, but he still doesn't move. Donald Duck: Just a minute, big boy. Give me time, give me time! Donald Duck: Look, I'll show ya. I'll show ya. Now look. First my foot is up here, see? Robert Benchley: Uh-huh. Donald Duck: Then, it's down here, understand? Robert Benchley: Now I get it. Donald Duck: Like this... Robert Benchley: Yeah. Donald Duck: And this... Robert Benchley: I see. Donald Duck: And that. See? Robert Benchley: Sure. Donald Duck: When I do it faster, I'm walking. Get it? Robert Benchley: Yeah, certainly.

The Reluctant Dragon (1941 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Doris: How did you like it? Robert Benchley: Oh, fine, fine. Only after all, wouldn't it be a lot easier just to wreck a real train?

The Reluctant Dragon (1941 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Nurse: You're a quiet little fellow, aren't you? Baby Weems: Well, there really isn't much to talk about. Nurse: [gasps] He talks! Baby Weems: Why? Is it against the rules? Nurse: Oh, Doctor! [faints]

The Reluctant Dragon (1941 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

The Boy: Sir Giles, I presume? Sir Giles: Come, come, come, come, lad. Stop mumbling. The Boy: I came to talk about the dragon. Sir Giles: Ah, yes, yes, yes. Another tale of woe and misery, I suppose. Devoured your flocks, no doubt. The Boy: Oh, no, sir. He... Sir Giles: Aha! Made off with your loving parents, has he? Well, they shall be avenged! The Boy: But you don't understand... Sir Giles: What? Don't tell me he's kidnapped some fair damsel, with flaxen hair, and ruby lips, and form divine? Why, he can't do that to her! He shall pay dearly on the field of battle. The Boy: But that's just it. He won't fight. Sir Giles: Yes. He...He won't fight? Preposterous! The fellow must be an infernal cad. Bit of a rotter, what? The Boy: He is not. He's a nice old dragon who likes to write poetry. Sir Giles: Poetry? The Boy: Yes. You know, verses? Sir Giles: How jolly! Ha ha! I'm a bit of a bard myself, you know. The Boy: You a poet, too? Sir Giles: Yes. No doubt you've heard of my Ode to a Flee

The Reluctant Dragon (1941 film), CC BY-SA 4.0