Limelight

Terry: Worms can't smile! Calvero: Oh, how would you know, have you ever appealed to their sense of humour?

Limelight (1952 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Terry: What is there to fight for? Calvero: Ah, you see, you admit it. What is there to fight for? Everything! Life itself, isn't that enough? To be lived, suffered, enjoyed! What is there to fight for? Life is a beautiful, magnificent thing, even to a jellyfish. Huh, what is there to fight for? Besides, you - you have your art, your dancing! Terry: I can't dance without legs! Calvero: I know a man without arms who can play a scherzo on a violin and does it all with his toes. The trouble is you won't fight! You've given in, continually dwelling on sickness and death. But - there's something just as inevitable as death, and that's life. Life, life, life! Think of the power that's in the universe, moving the earth, growing the trees. That's the same power within you if you only have courage and the will to use it!

Limelight (1952 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Terry: [after attempting suicide] I'm sorry. Calvero: You should be. A young girl like you wanting to throw your life away. Heh! When you are my age you want to hang onto it.

Limelight (1952 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Calvero: At this stage of the game life gets to be a habit. Terry: A hopeless one. Calvero: Then live without hope. Live for the moment. There are still - there are still - there are still wonderful moments.

Limelight (1952 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Calvero: I want to forget the public. Terry: Never. You love them too much. Calvero: I'm not so sure. Maybe I love them, but I don't admire them. Terry: I think you do. Calvero: As individuals, yes. There's greatness in everyone. But as a crowd, they're like a monster without a head that never knows which way it's going to turn. It can be prodded in any direction.

Limelight (1952 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Terry: I'd despise myself if I thought that. Calvero: That's the trouble, you do. That's the trouble with the world. We all despise ourselves.

Limelight (1952 film), CC BY-SA 4.0