Something to Sing About (1937)

James Cagney: Thadeus McGillicuddy aka Terry Rooney

Photos 

Quotes 

• Rita Wyatt : [laying down winning cards]  You now owe me 129 million dollars.

  Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : A mere bagatelle.

  Rita Wyatt : I'll settle for a box of candy.

  Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : You'll take chewing gum and like it.

• Hank Meyers : [reacting to Terry's real name]  Thaddeus McGillicuddy?

  Rita Wyatt : We like it.

  Hank Meyers : Are you kidding, Terry?

  Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : Oh no, absolutely on the level. I'm sorry, Hank - they did it to me when I was asleep.

• Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : I'll stand up here and let you stick pins in me, but one more tickle, and I'm going to tear off one of your legs and wrap it around your neck for a scarf.

• Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : I'm just looking for a set of pear shaped vowels.

• Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : Thanks, friends, for a wonderful send off. As you probably know, Hollywood calls. And I'm about to trade close-ups with Montgomery and Taylor and, eh, another big good looking fellow, oh, you know who I mean, eh - Gable. And, eh, may the best profile when.

  [Turns his head to the side] 

• Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : [Pouring glasses of champagne]  I'm leavin' Rita with you. Where is Rita? Rita! Rita!

  Band Saxophonist : I'll get her.

  Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : Will ya.

  Band Saxophonist : Hey, Rita. Terry wants to see you

  Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : Come on canary, get your nose wet.

• Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : Now, look here. You're not going to stand there in all this heat and tell me this Japanese lingo is an act?

  Ito : Very much so...

  Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : Pull up a chair. Sit down. I want to hear about this. Tell me about yourself.

  Ito : I came here aspiring to be an actor.

  Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : They couldn't mold you, huh?

  Ito : They didn't even try.

  Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : Tell me, how do you like being a gentleman's gentleman?

  Ito : Oh, very much. As an actor it was a long time between meals.

  Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : What are you doing for dinner?

  Ito : I know a place on Hollywood Boulevard where they serve wonderful wienerschnitzel.

• Rita Wyatt : Darling, how are you?

  Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : Oh, lower than a whale's foot.

  Rita Wyatt : Silly, a whale doesn't have feet.

  Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : You've never seen a whale's foot? You'd be amazed.

• Rita Wyatt : Oh, yes. It's such a lovely idea, Thaddeus.

  Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : Oh, Mrs. McGillicuddy, I strive to please. In fact, I strive to please Mrs. McGillicuddy.

• Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : Hey, is there something strange about me? People seem to be starring at me? What is it?

  Rita Wyatt : Oh, it's because you're so beautiful, darling.

  Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : Oh, you think that's it?

  Rita Wyatt : Yes.

  Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : Well, it has been said.

• Rita Wyatt : Oh, darling, I'm so proud of you! I don't know what to do. To think I married a celebrity and didn't even know it.

  Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : Oh, it was nothing at all! Anybody in my place would have done the same.

  Rita Wyatt : You're not having a slight attack of swell-head, are you?

  Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : Yes, darling, I'm afraid so. I've got that good old feeling coming over me now.

• Stephanie 'Steffie' Hajos : [Acting out a love scene]  Maybe someday in some far away place.

  Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : Oh, no. No place, darling. No far away place. Here and now. Here and *now*!

  [Ends love scene kissing Steffie] 

  Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : [to the Director, Mr. Blaine]  Is that what you mean?

  Mr. Blaine : Perfect!

  Stephanie 'Steffie' Hajos : [Overcome and out of breath]  The boy has talent!

• Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : My first, my childhood love? Well let me go way way back. In fact, she was the dog catcher's daughter in my hometown. And every time my pooch was snatched.

  Miss Amy Robbins : What?

  Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : Oh, I meant, every time they snatched my pooch, she'd get it back to me by hook or by crook. In fact, it happened so often, that her old man began to think my dog was quintuplets.

• Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : [to the band]  Hit it, you cats!

• Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : [Final line] 

  [to Rita] 

  Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney : Come on canary, get into your cage.