Laura (1944 film)
From Wikiquote
Laura is a 1944 film about a police detective who falls in love with the woman whose murder he is investigating.
- Directed by Otto Preminger. Written by Jay Dratler, Samuel Hoffenstein, and Betty Reinhardt, based on the novel by Vera Caspary.
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[edit] Waldo Lydecker
- Laura had innate breeding, but she deferred to my judgment and taste. I selected a more attractive hair-dress for her. I taught her what clothes were more becoming to her. Through me, she met everyone — the famous and the infamous. Her youth and beauty, her poise and charm of manner captivated them all. She had warmth, vitality. She had authentic magnetism. Wherever we went, she stood out. Men admired her. Women envied her. She became as well-known as Waldo Lydecker's walking stick and his white carnation. On Tuesday and Friday nights, we stayed home, dining quietly, listening to my records. I read my articles to her. The way she listened was more eloquent than speech. These were the best nights.
- Perhaps our friend can weave all the loose ends into a noose, eh, McPherson?
- When you were unattainable, when he thought you were dead, that's when he wanted you most.
[edit] Shelby Carpenter
- I can afford a blemish on my character but not on my clothes.
- I don't know a lot about anything, but I know a little about practically everything.
[edit] Anne Treadwell
- He's no good, but he's what I want. I'm not a nice person, Laura, and neither is he. He knows I know he's just what he is. He also knows that I don't care. We belong together because we're both weak and can't seem to help it. That's why I know he's capable of murder. He's like me.
[edit] Dialogue
- McPherson: Were you in love with Laura Hunt, Mr. Lydecker? Was she in love with you?
- Lydecker: Laura considered me the wisest, the wittiest, the most interesting man she'd ever met. And I was in complete accord with her on that point. She thought me also the kindest, the gentlest, the most sympathetic man in the world.
- McPherson: Did you agree with her there, too?
- Lydecker: McPherson, you won't understand this; but I tried to become the kindest, the gentlest, the most sympathetic man in the world.
- McPherson: Have any luck?
- Lydecker: Let me put it this way. I should be sincerely sorry to see my neighbors' children devoured by wolves.
[edit] Cast
- Gene Tierney - Laura Hunt
- Dana Andrews - Det. Lt. Mark McPherson
- Clifton Webb - Waldo Lydecker
- Vincent Price - Shelby Carpenter
- Judith Anderson - Mrs. Ann Treadwell
[edit] External links
- Laura quotes at the Internet Movie Database
- Laura at Rotten Tomatoes
- Laura at Filmsite.org
