Ten quotable movie lines to use in a pinch

June 27, 2014 – In the movie “Mary Poppins”, the character Bert explains to Jane and Michael Banks that “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” is what to say when you don’t know what to say. Movie quotes are always appropriate in conversation, as well, and here are 10 of the best:

1. “Be careful out there among the English.” – The line from the movie “Witness” with Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis is a classic in my world. The old Amish man, Eli Lapp, says it to his family members every time they venture off Amish land, and I often say it to my son whenever he leaves the house.

2. “Toto, I don’t believe we’re in Kansas anymore.” – Who hasn’t used this quote from “The Wizard of Oz”, the very one Dorothy murmurs as she steps out of her black and white world and into living color? It might be slightly overused – all the good ones are – but it’s the perfect thing to say whenever you’re out of your element.

3. “Surely, you can’t be serious.” – We have the comic classic “Airplane” and the deadpan delivery of Leslie Nielsen’s comeback, “I am serious, and don’t call me Shirley,” to thank for this gem. “Airplane” is loaded with quotable lines that work well in many situations.

4. “Nobody puts Baby in the corner.” – I’m not sure when this line would be appropriate, but I had to include it on the list because it is the most hilarious and dramatic of the bunch. Patrick Swayze, not really known for his stellar acting ability, delivers this cheesy line with perfection when he confronts Baby’s parents in the closing scene of “Dirty Dancing”.

5. “Show me the money!” – Admit it you’ve used this one from “Jerry Maguire” before. Life gives us plenty opportunities to make this claim just as Cuba Gooding Jr.’s character did when he negotiates a big sports contract.

6. “You can’t handle the truth!” – Like #6 above, the same is true for this line from “A Few Good Men.” I’ll bet you can deliver it as well as Jack Nicholson did when Tom Cruise questioned him in the courtroom scene, too.

7. “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.” – Too bad this Rhett Butler to Scarlett O’Hara line from “Gone with the Wind” doesn’t have the same punch that it did in 1939 when it was scandalous! It’s still quite recognizable and useable, which is amazing for a 75-year-old movie line.

8. “Here’s looking at you, kid.” – Another oldie but goodie from the movie “Casablanca” that is well-known. Who doesn’t love it when Humphrey Bogart’s Rick whispers these words to Ingrid Bergman’s Elsa? Contrary to popular believe, the line, “Play it again, Sam,” was never used in the movie, but it deserves an honorable mention as another well-used line from this classic film because everyone thinks it was.

9. “Please sir, I want some more.” – This one is best said in a British accent if you can manage it, just like in the movie, “Oliver!” Master Twist, the brave boy that he is, speaks these words to the mean schoolmaster because he’s still hungry after the pittance given to him. One-way or another, we can all relate to not receiving enough of something.

10. “The new phone book is here. The new phone book is here!” – Steve Martin’s “The Jerk” is another one of those movies filled with quotable lines. Even though people don’t use phone books anymore in this technological age, this is still one of the best used by Martin’s character, who finds out he was adopted and is on a quest to discover who he really is.