A Kiss for Corliss (1949)

Richard Gaines: Taylor

Photos 

Quotes 

• Corliss Archer : Daddy, I've just got to have a dollar and a half.

  Harry P. Archer : I told you to wait outside.

  Kenneth Marquis : Rather than witness your churlish behavior, I should be most happy to advance or let's say donate the money myself.

  Corliss Archer : That's very sweet of you.

  Harry P. Archer : Don't take that money!

  Kenneth Marquis : Your poor father's ungraciousness stems partly from a natural tendency to be stuffy, and an unnatural reluctance to part with his holding money.

  Taylor : Kenneth, take it easy.

  Corliss Archer : Oh, you don't know my daddy at all. He's really very -

  Harry P. Archer : Don't speak to that man!

  Corliss Archer : Daddy, about my dollar and a half -

  Taylor : Archer, if we could get back to the business at hand -

  Harry P. Archer : [to Corliss]  I'll talk to you outside. Now. Alone.

  Kenneth Marquis : If I were in your position, I should be completely underwhelmed.

  Corliss Archer : It's been awfully nice meeting you, Mr. Marquis.

  Kenneth Marquis : Oh, and if the indignity of taking money from Daddy Dear ever becomes too great to bear, don't hesitate to call on me.

  Taylor : Stop needling Archer, or we'll never get a settlement.

  Kenneth Marquis : You know, I'm seriously considering dedicating my entire life to the needling of Harry P. Archer. Nothing gives me greater pleasure.

• Harry P. Archer : [Holding a paper announcing his daughter's engagement to Kenneth Marquis]  Did you see this?

  Kenneth Marquis : I gave out the story.

  Harry P. Archer : Did you - ?

  Kenneth Marquis : Dad, do I take it that you're not altogether pleased?

  Harry P. Archer : Why you -

  Taylor : Congratulations, Archer.

  Harry P. Archer : Shut up! I'm going to sue your client -

  Kenneth Marquis : Oh, Dad, I hope Corliss hasn't inherited your bad temper.

  Harry P. Archer : What do you mean by this? Answer me! Answer me.

  Kenneth Marquis : Do you think I was just trifling with a good woman's love?

  Harry P. Archer : I wouldn't let Corliss marry you if - if - if - Call up and issue a denial!

  Taylor : Oh no! All denials will be issued by you. We don't want any breach of promise suits.

  Harry P. Archer : I'll have a retraction in the paper by - by - by six o'clock, and maybe earlier if I can get them to print a special edition.

  Kenneth Marquis : Very well, if your daughter's happiness is so unimportant to you, I will try to bear up manfully.

• Taylor : If I were Archer, I'd be after you with a shotgun!

  Kenneth Marquis : Well, a shotgun is customary only in cases where the bridegroom is unwilling. I, on the other hand, am panting with eagerness. Ha. Ha. Ha.

  Taylor : Humph! One slip up and you're the formerly wealthy Mr. Marquis. Aside from Archer, your stockholders won't stand for any more escapades in court.

  Kenneth Marquis : [phone buzzes]  Yeah? It's Pop. Probably wants another retraction. Hello, Pop. This is Sonny. Oh! Language! I don't know why you're so upset. Everyone knows that young love is, um, impetuous. Oh, please, Daddy Dear. I seem to notice a certain beligerence in your tone. You what? Consent? What? When? Oh, I see. You do? Oh, you don't. You will? Who? Me? Oh.

  [hangs up phone] 

  Kenneth Marquis : I'm about to become a husband.

• Kenneth Marquis : Perhaps you could explain to me how I happened to find myself in this position?

  Taylor : Because you belatedly came to what little sense you have. Try and get out of it now, and you have a breach of promise suit, a stockholder suit, and why go on with the list?

  Kenneth Marquis : Well, I certainly shan't number it among the gayer weddings to which I have participated. Maybe I'm spoiled, but the others were much more fun!

  Taylor : I don't know, I thought the blood in your father-in-law's eye lent a nice touch of festive color.