The Damned Don't Cry (1950)

Joan Crawford: Ethel Whitehead (Lorna Hansen Forbes)

Photos 

Quotes 

• Ethel Whitehead : Don't talk to me about self-respect. That's something you tell yourself you got when you got nothing else. What kind of self-respect is there living on aspirin tablets and chicken salad sandwiches?

  [beat] 

  Ethel Whitehead : Look Marty, the only thing that counts is that stuff you take to the bank, that filthy buck that everybody sneers at, but slugs to get.

  [beat] 

  Ethel Whitehead : I know how you feel. You're a nice guy. But the world isn't for nice guys. You've got to kick and punch and belt your way up because nobody's going to give you a lift. You've got to do it yourself, cuz nobody cares about us except ourselves.

• Ethel Whitehead : Don't talk to me about self-respect. That's something you tell yourself you got when you got nothing else.

• Sandra : I'm gettin' myself a new partner!

  Ethel Whitehead : You should get yourself a couple of other new items, if you'll pardon the expression.

• Nick Prenta : [intercepting and examining the check she's offered for her gambling losses]  Your check's no good, Mrs. Forbes.

  Ethel Whitehead : [coldly]  My check's good anywhere.

  Nick Prenta : [tearing up the check]  Except here.

  Ethel Whitehead : [looks annoyed] 

  Nick Prenta : That's right. I'm fresh. But I'm also generous. Tonight, you're the guest of the house. Now tomorrow night, that's different. Tomorrow night you can lose your shirt.

  [looks her over and bends closer] 

  Nick Prenta : I'll even pay to see that.

• Ethel Whitehead : He's promised me the world, Marty, and I've got to have it.

• Ethel Whitehead : The only thing that counts is that stuff you take to the bank, that filthy buck that everybody sneers at, but slugs to get.

• Patricia Longworth : [at the roulette table]  What's happened to that system of yours, darling? I thought you always quit while you were still ahead.

  Ethel Whitehead : I've been experimenting with a new one: stay to the bitter end.

  [to croupier] 

  Ethel Whitehead : If you'll write out the obituary, I'll give you a check.

• [Ethel and George kiss] 

  Ethel Whitehead : You're asking for trouble, aren't you?

  George Castleman : I never got anything yet worthwhile, without trouble. Only don't take this for anything more than it's worth.

  Ethel Whitehead : It might be worth more than you think.

• Ethel Whitehead : We can't always have what we want... can we, Tommy?

• George Castleman : There must be a place in my organization for someone like you.

  Ethel Whitehead : I already have a place in your organization.

  George Castleman : I had a somewhat more prominent place in mind... although there's a LOT you'd have to learn.

  Ethel Whitehead : I could learn it.

  George Castleman : For example, lesson number 1 - it's an Etruscan vase, not a flower pot. To be able to own one is one thing. To appreciate it, another.

  George Castleman : Lesson number 2 - cheap perfume is cheap perfume, no matter who tells ya', Caveny or Castleman.

  George Castleman : And lesson number 3 - a well-dressed woman never wears anything that deflects a man's attention from her face.

  [removes a flowered hat from her head] 

• Ethel Whitehead : You enjoy making a person look like two cents, don't you? Well, get this straight, I don't like being made to look like two cents.