The Awful Truth

Armand Duvalle: [about Jerry] He's free of all mean suspicion. Yes, he has more the Continental mind. Attorney: [on the phone] Now, now Lucy, don't do anything in haste that you might regret later. Marriage is a beautiful thing. [to his wife] Please be quiet, will you?…Please shut your mouth!…Will you shut your big mouth! I'll eat when I get good and ready and if you don't like it, you know what you can do, so shut up! Judge: If the divorce is not further contested, it will become final 90 days from this date. The plaintiff and the defendant will then be at liberty to make other marriages if such be their desire. Judge: The custody of the dog will depend upon his own desire. Barbara: [to Jerry, after Lucy answers his phone] Have you made up your mind who the woman is?

The Awful Truth, CC BY-SA 4.0

Armand: Well, in all fairness, you should permit me to remain and explain ourselves. Lucy: Well, American women aren't accustomed to gallantry, Armand. I appreciate your offer, but maybe you had better go. Armand: Oh, pardon me, Mrs. Warriner, you misunderstand. I am a voice teacher, am I not? For one year, she has been my pupil. And from time to time, I pat her on the back. I mean, I congratulate her on her development. Do I express myself? Jerry: Yes, you've been doing all right. Armand: But now my position must be considered. I have never yet been in a scandal. Jerry: Never been caught, huh? Armand: No. I am a great teacher, not a great lover. Lucy: That's right, Armand. No one could ever accuse you of being a great lover. That is, I mean to say, well, well who's to say whether you are or not. It's all so silly, but maybe you had better go.

The Awful Truth, CC BY-SA 4.0

Lucy: It's enough to destroy one's faith, isn't it? Jerry: Oh, I haven't any faith left in anyone. Lucy: I know just how you feel. Jerry: What do you mean? Lucy: You didn't happen to mention in any of your letters what a terrible rainy spell they were having in Florida. The papers were full of it. Jerry: Well, I can explain that, Lucy. Lucy: You can? Jerry: And don't try to change the subject. You think a great offense is a great defense. Don't try to justify your behavior by insinuating things about me. Lucy: But I haven't any behavior to justify. I've just been unlucky, that's all. You've come home and caught me in a truth and it seems there's nothing less logical than the truth. Jerry: Hmm, a philosopher, huh? Lucy: You don't believe me. Jerry: Oh, how can I believe you? The car broke down. People stopped believing that one before cars stopped breaking down. Lucy: Well, his car's very old. Jerry: Well, so's his story.

The Awful Truth, CC BY-SA 4.0

Lucy: I've told you the truth about all this, Jerry. Don't you see that there can't be any doubt in marriage? The whole thing's built on faith. If you've lost that, well, you've lost everything. Jerry: Then I guess we're washed up because we've lost faith in each other. Lucy: Do you mean that?…All right then, that settles it. I wouldn't go on living with you if you were dipped in platinum. So go on, divorce me. Go on, divorce me! It'll be a pleasure. [he refuses] All right, then I'll divorce you. I believe it's customary anyhow for the wife to bring suit. It has something to do with a husband being a gentleman, if you know what I mean? I'll call up our lawyer right now.

The Awful Truth, CC BY-SA 4.0

Aunt Patsy: You know dozens of men who would turn handsprings at the chance to take you out. Here I've got you all dressed up, ready to go out and you weaken and refuse…I want to go where there's life, and I don't mean plant life. I want to go to the theatre, you know, and go places later and step around and do things…I don't need an escort to get a drink. I'm going down to the bar and see Joe. Bartender or no bartender, he's still a man. Maybe he knocks off early. Lucy: Oh, Patty, you wouldn't! Aunt Patsy: I wouldn't, eh? You're talking to a desperate woman. [Mr. Smith jumps up next to Lucy on the couch] Too bad he can't wear a top-hat.

The Awful Truth, CC BY-SA 4.0

Aunt Patsy: Imagine you living right across the hall from us all of this time. [to Lucy] He's a stranger in town. He'd take it as being real neighborly of us if we show him some of the bright spots. Daniel: We're here on a visit. I'm in oil, you know. Aunt Patsy: Marinated, so to speak. Daniel: [laughing] Say, that's a good one. I gotta remember to tell that to my mother. Aunt Patsy: Mr. Leeson. Won't you tell us something about Oklahoma? Daniel: Well, Oklahoma's pretty swell. I got quite a ranch down there. I'd like to have you see it sometime, Mrs. Warriner…I got cattle and horses and chickens and alfalfa.

The Awful Truth, CC BY-SA 4.0