Quotes

Dialogue

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

Dialogue

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!

Dialogue

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.

Dialogue

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.

Dialogue

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.

Dialogue

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.

Dialogue

Calvero's partner: If one more person tells me this is just like old times, I swear I'll jump out the window! Postant: [enters] Here we are again, lads, just like old times!

Dialogue

Terry: What a sad business, being funny. Calvero: Very sad if they won't laugh. But it's a thrill when they do. To look out there and see them all laughing, to hear that roar go up, waves of laughter coming at you.

Dialogue

Terry: So few of us have the ability to really feel. Calvero: Or the opportunity.

Dialogue

Terry: If all else fails, there's always that little home in the country. Calvero: My home is the theater. Terry: I thought you hated the theater. Calvero: I also hate the sight of blood, but it's in my veins.