The Gay Divorcee (1934)

Erik Rhodes: Rodolfo Tonetti

Quotes 

• Tonetti : [unable to remember his passphrase "Chance is a fool's name for fate," Tonettie repeatedly muffs it]  Chance is the foolish name for fate. / Give me a name for chance and I am a fool. / Fate is a foolish thing to take chances with. / I am a fate to take foolish chances with. / Chances are that fate is foolish. / Fate is the foolish thing. Take a chance.

• Tonetti : You're absolutely sure, Mr. Tonetti, that my client will be safe?

  Tonetti : Oh signore, with me strictly business. My slogan: your wife is safe with Tonetti, he prefer spaghetti.

• Egbert Fitzgerald : Your life, Mr. Tonetti, must be full of excitement.

  Tonetti : Full of excitement and full of danger.

  Egbert Fitzgerald : Oh, yes, of course, from the husbands.

  Tonetti : No, from the ladies.

• Tonetti : At home, my wife she do not like me to sing.

  Egbert Fitzgerald : Unquestionably a woman of great perspicacity.

• [last lines] 

  Tonetti : Oh, scusi, scusi, I'm also very good at parties.

• Egbert Fitzgerald : Your life, Mr. Tonetti, must be full of excitement.

  Tonetti : Full of excitement, and full of danger.

  Egbert Fitzgerald : Oh, yes, of course... from the husbands.

  Tonetti : No, from the ladies.

  Egbert Fitzgerald : Oh, how interesting!

  Tonetti : But, Tonetti, he know what to do. Yes, sometimes, the lady and I have the conversation... somtimes, I play the concertina... sometimes, I play the solitaire... but, mostly, I practice my singing. At home, my wife, he do not like me to sing.

  Egbert Fitzgerald : Unquestionably a woman of great perspicacity.

  Tonetti : Oh, si, si, signor, you bet!

• Tonetti : Rodolfo Tonetti at your service.

  Egbert Fitzgerald : Yes... well, I am Mr. Fitzgerald.

  Tonetti : Mr. Fitzgerald?

  [shaking hands] 

  Tonetti : Oh, I'm delightful!

  Egbert Fitzgerald : Oh, I shouldn't doubt it, old man, I shouldn't doubt it. But, don't you think that a corespondent ought to come to work quieter? Let's have more repose and less Rigoletto.

  Tonetti : Ha, I am ready for action, and I will do a first-class job.

  Egbert Fitzgerald : Well, don't be too determined about it. Remember, the lady in question is very sensitive, and you must treat her accordingly.

  Tonetti : Bene, whichever way the wind she is blowing, that is the way I sail.

• Egbert Fitzgerald : And now, Tonetti, remember: I want delicacy, tact, assurance, finesse.

  Tonetti : I've brought everything.

• Tonetti : Señora. Fate is a foolish thing to take chances with!

  Aunt Hortense : [pauses]  So are you.