Sister Act (1992)
Maggie Smith: Mother Superior
Photos
Quotes
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Monsignor O'Hara : You took a vow of hospitality for all in need.
Reverend Mother : I lied.
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[in a casino, to a group of nuns all dressed in full habit]
Reverend Mother : Brace yourself, sisters. Spread out and look for Mary Clarence. Try to blend in.
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Vince : [refuses to shoot Deloris] Joey, do it.
Joey : I can't, Vince. She's still a nun.
Vince : She's a broad. Y'got it? Just a broad!
Reverend Mother : I guarantee you she is no broad! She is Sister Mary Clarence of St. Katherine's Convent. She's a model of generosity, virtue, and love! You have my word for it, gentlemen, she is a nun!
Willy : Ya hear that? Now, aren't you glad we didn't shoot her?
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Reverend Mother : Girl groups? Boogie-woogie on the piano? What were you thinking?
Deloris : I was thinkin' more like Vegas, y'know, get some butts in the seats.
Reverend Mother : And what next? Popcorn? Curtain calls? This is not a theater or a casino.
Deloris : Yeah, but that's the problem. See, people like going to theaters, and they like going to casinos, but they don't like coming to church. Why? Because it's a drag. But we could change all that, see? We could pack this joint.
Reverend Mother : Through blasphemy? You have corrupted the entire choir!
[in the hall, Monsignor O'Hara enters]
Monsignor O'Hara : Excuse me.
[he listens to the argument between Deloris and Reverend Mother]
Deloris : How can you say that? I worked my butt off with these women! They've given up their free time to do this, and they're good! I mean, sister, we could, we could Rock this place!
Reverend Mother : Out of the question! As of tomorrow, Mary Lazarus resumes her leadership of the choir.
[Monsignor knocks on the door]
Reverend Mother : Come in!
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Deloris : [after putting on the habit] Oh, no! No, no, no! I can't do this. I'm sorry. This is fine for covering a little bulge, but now I've got holster hips!
Reverend Mother : People wish to kill you. Anyone who's met you I imagine. A disguise is necessary to protect us all. While you are here, you will conduct yourself as a nun. Only I will know who and what you truly are. You will draw no attention to yourself whatsoever.
Deloris : But look at me! I'm a nun! I'm a - I'm a penguin!
Reverend Mother : As from now and until you leave, you are Sister Mary Clarence.
Deloris : Mary Clarence? Like Clarence Williams III from The Mod Squad?
Reverend Mother : Mary is in deference to our Holy Mother. The Clarence is in honor of Saint Clarence of Concordia. There are 3 vows every nun must accept: The vow of poverty.
Deloris : Mmm.
Reverend Mother : The vow of obedience.
Deloris : Mm-Hmm.
Reverend Mother : And the vow of chastity.
Deloris : I am outta here with that.
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Reverend Mother : [about Deloris] That is not a person you can hide. That is a conspicuous person designed to stick out.
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Reverend Mother : [about Deloris] She isn't a nun. Her real name is Deloris van Cartier. She witnessed a vicious murder and has been hiding in our convent
Choir Nun : She... she lied to us?
Sister Mary Patrick : She wasn't a nun?
Sister Mary Robert : But she made us sing so perfectly!
Sister Mary Patrick : [thoughtfully] Now that should have tipped us...
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Sister Mary Robert : [looking at Reno from the helicopter] It's beautiful!
Sister Mary Patrick : And what a lovely name, Reno!
Reverend Mother : ...and Gomorrah!
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Deloris : What do we do now? Pray? What?
Reverend Mother : It's 9:00. Pleasant dreams.
Deloris : W-Wait. Are you tellin' me we go to bed by 9:00?
Reverend Mother : If I were you, I would use this time to think about my life and its direction. Or lack thereof.
Deloris : There's nothing wrong with my life. You know, before I came here, I had a career, I had friends, I had clothing that fit. Before I came here, I was okay.
Reverend Mother : Oh, really? From what I've heard, your singing career was almost non-existent, and your married lover wants you dead. If you're fooling anyone, it is only yourself.
[pointedly]
Reverend Mother : God has brought you here. Take the hint.
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Reverend Mother : I fear I am a relic, and I have misplaced my tambourine.
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Deloris : Ugh! Ugh! Gee, what are you people? A Pridikin order? This stuff is terrible! it tastes like shh...
Reverend Mother : Sisters, we shall spend the rest of the day in silence.
Deloris : Well, why?
Reverend Mother : Only when we are silent may our prayers TRULY be answered.
Deloris : Then you don't have to eat this food!
Reverend Mother : [bangs on table] Silence begins now... And ends at sundown.
Deloris : How can you eat this stuff? It's terrible!
Reverend Mother : [exasperated] Mary Clarence, I think you might enjoy a ritual fast.
Deloris : A ritual f...? No. No, no. I don't think I would. I'll put a little salt in it, and it'll be fine. Look, I'm gonna... Somebody pass me the salt over there.
Reverend Mother : A fast. To remind you of those who have to endure without food.
Deloris : [as a nun goes to take her plate, she grabs onto it] No, I don't want you to... I don't want you to take my plate!
[slumps as her plate is taken away]
Reverend Mother : And silence!
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Reverend Mother : I shall ask Monsignor O'Hara and Lt. Souther to find a safer, and more suitable situation for you.
Deloris : Oh, no. Come on. Don't send me away. Really. I mean, I'm just startin' to get the hang of this. I mean, look. I'm not gonna endanger anyone or anything else. I swear! What about forgiveness? Isn't that what you preach? There's gotta be something around here I can do that's not gonna chip my nails or annoy anybody.
Reverend Mother : You're right, Mary Clarence. To err is human, to forgive divine. You may stay. But I shall restrict your activities to a single task.
Deloris : What's that?
Reverend Mother : Singing. You will join the choir.
Deloris : Choir? No!
Reverend Mother : You will sleep and you will sing. That will be your task until you leave.
Deloris : No! The choir? I mean, have you heard them?
Reverend Mother : The choir, Mary Clarence.