Watch the Birdie (1950)

Pamela Britton: Mrs. Shanway

Quotes 

• Mrs. Shanway : it is my privilege to turn the first spadeful of earth of the second unit of Lucky Vista.

  [the crowd applauds as Mrs. Shanway hands the silver shovel to Miss Lucky Vista] 

  Grantland D. Farns : Lucia, why don't you sell out so I can get some sleep?

  Lucia Corlane : You better start taking sleeping tablets, because I'm going to finish this project myself.

  Mrs. Shanway : In honored memory of that estimable, that foresighted, that public spirited individual, the late lamented Cornelius Schuyler Corlane, whose lifelong dream was the completion of this project.

  [Miss Lucky Vists hands the shovel to Mrs. Shanway, who uses it to break the ground; the crowd applauds] 

  Mrs. Shanway : I hereby dedicate this ceremonial moment to Mr. Corlane's daughter, who will carry on the work: Miss Lucia Corlane!

  Lucia Corlane : Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. They told me that a girl couldn't carry on this project; that's all I needed to hear. We're having a big turkey raffle at 4:00, I hope you will all participate. Turkeys are courtesy of the Lenard-Vulty turkey ranch, oh and here they come now.

• Mrs. Shanway : [from the film]  It is my privilege to turn the first spadeful of earth

  [the video portion of the film abruptly changes from Mrs. Shanway to a turkey with Mrs. Shanway's voice due to a film error] 

  Mrs. Shanway : of the second unit of Lucky Vista...

  Mrs. Shanway : Why, that's my speech! That horrible turkey is making my speech!

  Rusty Cammeron : Well, Mrs. Shanway, it's not the film's fault, it's- it's that projector.

  Movie Projectionist : Nothing wrong with my projector!

  Rusty Cammeron : Why, there must be, we didn't shoot anything like...

  Mrs. Shanway : [the film continues]  In honored memory of that estimable, that foresighted, that public spirited industrialist, the late lamented Cornelius -

  [the audio switches to a turkey gobbling] 

  Mrs. Shanway : [Miss Lucky Vista quietly laughs to herself]  Oh! That's the most humiliating thing I've ever seen! You stop this picture at once!

  Mr. Hugh Shanway : Me? I didn't have anything to do with it!

• Miss Lucky Vista : [Miss Lucky Vista runs into Mr. Shanway's arms]  Oh, why Mr. Shanway, why I had no idea you were so strong.

  Mr. Hugh Shanway : I wouldn't be surprised if you weren't the prettiest girl I ever saw.

  Miss Lucky Vista : You shouldn't say that, you're a married man.

  Mr. Hugh Shanway : Let's forget about the old battle-ax.

  Mrs. Shanway : Ohh! Ohh!

  Lucia Corlane : Please turn it off.

  [the film ends and the lights go on] 

  Mrs. Shanway : Hugh Shanway, you worm! You viper!

  Mr. Hugh Shanway : But honey, it...

  Mrs. Shanway : "Old battle-ax", huh? You know very well I'm only 29!

  Mr. Hugh Shanway : Honey, use some sense, that film's all mixed up. You know you didn't talk like a turkey to those people.

  Mrs. Shanway : You didn't talk like a married man to that skin tomato!

  Mr. Hugh Shanway : Oh honey, that dialogue was from another scene.

  Mrs. Shanway : And as for you trying to steal my husband, I ought to have you arrested for petty larceny!

  Miss Lucky Vista : Well what is she -

  [Mrs. Shanway pushes Miss Lucky Vista down into a chair and leaves] 

  Miss Lucky Vista : I don't know why she's so jealous of me, I'm not jealous of her!