Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)

Deborah Kerr: Sister Angela

Photos 

Quotes 

• Sister Angela : Only God knows what'll happen to us.

  Cpl. Allison, USMC : And He won't tell, huh, ma'am?

  Sister Angela : He might.

• Cpl. Allison, USMC : I, uh... I've never loved anyone or anybody before... I've never even *lived* before. Never really... lived... inside. That's why I want to ask you to marry me. I want to look after you... not only while we're here but for the rest of our lives. So, tell me, ma'am, if there's a chance.

  [awkward pause] 

  Cpl. Allison, USMC : I don't mean to give offense. ma'am, but... is there?

  Sister Angela : No, Mr. Allison. You see, I've already given my heart... to Jesus Christ, our Lord.

  Cpl. Allison, USMC : Like you was engaged or somethin'?

  Sister Angela : Yes.

  [shows him her left hand] 

  Sister Angela : This is the ring, and when I take my final vows, I'll wear a gold one: a marriage ring.

  Cpl. Allison, USMC : Oh, I didn't know it was set up like that. I guess I didn't have no right to speak.

  [slaps the box beside him, stands up] 

  Cpl. Allison, USMC : Well, I guess I'll go fix that lean-to for ya!

• Cpl. Allison, USMC : You're alone here?

  Sister Angela : God has been with me.

• Sister Angela : [Mr. Allison has been drinking sake and is quite drunk]  Mr. Allison... what is the matter?

  Cpl. Allison, USMC : [barely able to talk]  Matter? Nothin's the matter. What makes ya think somethin's the matter?

  [Drinks some more] 

  Cpl. Allison, USMC : Whatcha gotta be a nun for?

  [Drinks again] 

  Cpl. Allison, USMC : That's my luck. That's ol' Allison's luck. If ya gotta be a nun, why ain't ya old and ugly? Why do ya gotta have big blue eyes... and a beautiful smile...

  [mumbles into his bottle] 

  Cpl. Allison, USMC : ... and freckles?

• Cpl. Allison, USMC : [Sister Angela walks up next to Allison as he stares at the waves on the shoreline; beat]  Hello, Ma'am.

  Sister Angela : Good morning, Mr. Allison.

  Cpl. Allison, USMC : I must've been off my rocker last night. A marine oughtn't to get married. His duties are with the family or the corps. One of 'em's gotta get the short end. In the service, they'd ask us, 'what's better? A bad husband, or a bad marine. Well, he ends up *both*. Do me a favor, huh, ma'am? Just... just forget I opened my big mouth.

  Sister Angela : [walking away]  ... certainly, Mr. Allison.

  [He continues to stare out at the waves] 

• [first lines] 

  Cpl. Allison, USMC : Let's just keep it quiet, ma'am. You speak English?

  Sister Angela : Yes.

  Cpl. Allison, USMC : Are there any Japs around?

  Sister Angela : You're... You're an American.