Bird (1988)

Diane Venora: Chan Parker

Photos 

Quotes 

• Chan Parker : Dizzy sent you a birthday card. Seems he's back in town. Do you owe him a phone call?

  Charlie 'Bird' Parker : I owe Dizzy everything... except a phone call.

• Chan Parker : I remember when Don Byas was leaving Dizzy's group. I knew the club 's press agent. I asked him, "Who could you possibly get to replace Don?" And he said, "Some cat in Kansas City. His name is Charlie Parker. " And I said, "Is he cute?" And my friend said, "No, but you'll dig him."

• Chan Parker : I'm half Jewish and my hero's Duke Ellington. I mean, wow!

• Chan Parker : Okay. You walked me home. You got me alone. You managed to get me talking and I've told you some of my girlish secrets. But you haven't told me a thing. What's going on?

  Charlie 'Bird' Parker : There's one night in my life I never want to forget. I never want to go through it again. I was 15 and I woke up feeling more pain than I've ever felt. I didn't know why until somebody told me I was strung out. Somebody had to tell me that. You know, I always thought that, if I hadn't asked, then I wouldn't be. You make me feel very peaceful. You know?

  Chan Parker : You're not my type, man.

  Charlie 'Bird' Parker : I know that.

• Charlie 'Bird' Parker : I'm going on the road again. To Hollywood, back with Dizzy. You know, I hear things about it that make me jumpy.

  Chan Parker : What?

  Charlie 'Bird' Parker : Stuff's not easy to find, for one thing. Tough cops. We'll be the first group to play the new sound out there. I don't know how they'd like that. What do you think about keeping me company?

  Chan Parker : [sarcastically]  Oh, yeah. Hunt for drugs during the day and - lead the applause at night.

• Chan Parker : Hey. If men could get pregnant, how many kids would you have - by now?

• Charlie 'Bird' Parker : It's my wish that you remain my child wife. Would you do that for me?

  Chan Parker : You've switched from Bette Davis movies to Jane Eyre. Come on home and eat, Rochester.

• Chan Parker : [after seeing Charlie having a overdose]  That was stupid. Now I have to call an ambulance.

• Charlie 'Bird' Parker : Work that psychology on him. He's just an overgrown, goddamn adolescent anyway. Dangerous when contradicted, but - an adolescent!

  Chan Parker : God, you're weird.

  Charlie 'Bird' Parker : God, I'm weird? Is that what they say in Westchester?

• Charlie 'Bird' Parker : Everyone knows I lost that gig.

  Chan Parker : That's right.

  Charlie 'Bird' Parker : That's right.

  Chan Parker : So?

  Charlie 'Bird' Parker : So?

  Chan Parker : So why are we conning each other?

• Chan Parker : I don't want to make anybody feel peaceful, man. I was born to drive men crazy!

• Charlie 'Bird' Parker : I learned something. They can get it out of your blood.

  Chan Parker : Sure.

  Charlie 'Bird' Parker : But they can never get it out of your mind.

• Charlie 'Bird' Parker : You could use a vacation from me. Hold this home together. We both want to do that, right?

  Chan Parker : Oh, Bird. You and your George Brent dialogue.