Lady with Red Hair (1940)

Richard Ainley: Lou Payne

Quotes 

• Lou Payne : It takes a stout heart to be in show business, Caroline. You got to know how to stay fat on failures and happy on hopes.

• Stock Company Manager : Why don't you try to understand, Lou. This is business!

  Lou Payne : Oh, business, my eye. You've got me skating in the ring so the stage-struck gals can make my acquaintance. Sitting in the park so the nurse maids can stare at me. Posing around cigar stores so as to be popular with the boys. I draw the line - I will not meet strange women after the show.

  Stock Company Manager : But, that's what makes stock stars, Lou. You've got to mix!

  Lou Payne : I'm paid to act.

  Stock Company Manager : Rats! You're paid because you have a matinee face that makes the women feel reckless. But, if they can only look at you over the footlights without being introduced, they get that, "well, he ain't for me" feeling and they stay away from the theater. You've got to hold your female clientele by a slight acquaintance. Not too much. Just enough. See what I mean?

• Mrs. Leslie Carter : Tell me about yourself.

  Lou Payne : Oh, I just plogged along. Now I'm a ham leading man in a cheap stock company.

• Lou Payne : You can't walk out of a production. Think of all the money invested in you and those actors jobs. Even if you can't be a hit, at least you can be a trooper!