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Alfie (1966 film)

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Alfie is a 1966 film about an unrepentant ladies' man who gradually begins to understand the consequences of his lifestyle in 1960s London.

Directed by Lewis Gilbert. Written by Bill Naughton, based on his play.
Is every man an Alfie? Ask any girl.  taglines

Alfie Elkins

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  • My understanding of women only goes as far as the pleasure. When it comes to the pain I'm like any other bloke - I don't want to know.
  • A married woman, see. Every one of 'em in need of a good laugh. It don't never strike their husbands. I always say, make a married woman laugh and you're halfway there with her. Of course, it don't work with the single bird. Start you off on the wrong foot. You get one of them laughing, you won't get nothing else.
  • What I loved once and what I love now are two different things.
  • I've never told her that I love her - except at those times when you've got to say something for appearance's sake.
  • [about Gilda's appearance while she is pregnant] Mind you, she came over quite beautified for a while, particularly during the early months. And I told her: I said "Blimey, girl, you ain't as ugly as I thought".
  • I don't want no bird's respect - I wouldn't know what to do with it.
  • She's got a little ginger moustache. But I find I'm quite willing to overlook the odd blemish in a woman, providing she's got something to make up for it. Well, that's what we're all here for, innit - to help each other out in this life.
  • If you lose a bird you can always replace her. But with a child it's different.
  • I told Gilda from the start that I ain't the marrying sort. And do you know what? She don't mind. She's a stand-by and she knows it. And any bird that knows its place in this world can be quite content.
  • When a married woman gets too hot on, it's time to cool off.
  • It don't do to get dependent on nobody in this life.
  • You've got to live for yourself in this world, not for others.
  • Do you know, I'm beginning to think she was beautiful. After all, it ain't through the eyes that you feel beauty, it's how the heart hungers for something that makes it beautiful.
  • If a bird ain't got you one way, she's got you another.
  • You know what? When I look back on my little life and the birds I've known, and think of all the things they've done for me and the little I've done for them, you'd think I've had the best of it along the line. But what have I got out of it? I've got a bob or two, some decent clothes, a car, I've got me health back and I ain't attached. But I ain't got me peace of mind - and if you ain't got that, you ain't got nothing. I dunno. It seems to me if they ain't got you one way they've got you another. So what's the answer? That's what I keep asking myself - what's it all about? Know what I mean?

Dialogue

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Siddie: [inside a parked car] Here, are you starting all over again?
Alfie: What about if I am?
Siddie: Well, supposing the police was to come along?
Alfie: Let 'em come. The windows are steamed up, the doors are locked. It's like a Turkish bath in here.
Annie: Them's my secret thoughts.
Alfie: You ain't entitled to secret thoughts - not livin' with me!
Annie: Everyone's entitled to secret thoughts.
Carla: You should be in bed.
Alfie: I couldn't sleep, so I come down and made meself a cup of tea.
Carla: You're not supposed to.
Alfie: I've been doing things all my life I'm not supposed to.
Alfie: Harry, all I want is for you to see life, see what it is, and what it does to you. I never wanted to hurt you, Harry. I never want to hurt anybody.
Harry: No, I suppose not. But you do, Alfie. You do.
Alfie: Here, don't you dig your nails in again like you did last Thursday night. I've got scratches all down me back.
Ruby: Here, I may do more than that to you today.
Alfie: With a bird, you can never tell where it's been, nor what it's done.
Harry: Here, would you mind saying "she". You're talking about my wife.
Alfie: She or it, they're all birds. What you've got to do, Harry, is start living for yourself. Like I do.

Taglines

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  • Is every man an Alfie? Ask any girl.
  • What's it all about... Alfie.

Cast

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