On Golden Pond (1981)

Katharine Hepburn: Ethel Thayer

Photos 

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Quotes 

• Ethel : [to Chelsea]  Don't you think that everyone looks back on their childhood with a certain amount of bitterness and regret about something? You're a big girl now. Aren't you tired of it all? Bore, bore. It doesn't have to ruin your life, darling. Life marches by, Chels. I suggest you get on with it.

• Norman : There's someone at the door!

  Ethel : It's me, you old poop!

• Norman : You want to know why I came back so fast? I got to the end of our lane. I couldn't remember where the old town road was. I went a little ways in the woods. There was nothing familar. Not one damn tree. Scared me half to death. That's why I came running back here to you. So I could see your pretty face and I could feel safe and that I was still me.

  Ethel : You're safe, you old poop and you're definitely still you picking on poor old Charlie. After lunch, after we've gobbled up all those silly strawberries we'll take ourselves to the old town road. We've been there a thousand times. A thousand. And you'll remember it all. Listen to me, mister. You're my knight in shining armour. Don't you forget it. You're gonna get back up on that horse and I'm gonna be right behind you holding on tight and away we're gonna go, go, go.

  Norman : I don't like horses. You are a pretty old dame aren't you? What are you doing with a dotty old son of a bitch like me?

  Ethel : Well, I haven't the vaguest idea.

• Ethel : You know, Norman, you really are the sweetest man in the world, but I'm the only one who knows it.

• Charlie Martin : How old will you be? On your birthday?

  Norman : A hundred and three.

  Charlie Martin : Ms. Appley had a birthday. She turned 97.

  Ethel : Do you hear that Norman? Ninety-seven!

  Norman : [referring to the fact that Ms. Appley was a lesbian]  There's something to be said for a deviant lifestyle!

• Ethel : That son of a bitch happens to be my husband.

• Ethel : Come here, Norman. Hurry up. The loons! The loons! They're welcoming us back.

• Ethel : Sometimes... you have to look hard at a person and remember... that he's doing the best he can. He's just trying to find his way, that's all. Just like you.

• Ethel : Don't be such an old poop!