Back Street (1932)

Irene Dunne: Ray Schmidt

Photos 

Quotes 

• Ray Schmidt : I know myself so well: it's all the way or zero with me.

• Ray Schmidt : There isn't one woman in a million who's found happiness in the back streets of any man's life.

• Ray Schmidt : Most of them think they can have me without marrying me.

• Walter D. Saxel : What's your name?

  Ray Schmidt : Ray.

  Walter D. Saxel : Gee, I'm glad.

  Ray Schmidt : You're glad? Why?

  Walter D. Saxel : Because I think a name should always suit a person and your's is perfect. Ray: ray of sunshine, ray of delight, ray of my heart.

• Ray Schmidt : He's just another traveling salesman.

• Walter D. Saxel : This is the most perfect day I've ever known.

  Ray Schmidt : Why, you're crazy. It's hot and sultry and its been threatening rain all day.

  Walter D. Saxel : You're crazy yourself. The sky is clear as crystal, the air is like wine, God's in his heaven, and you're on earth.

  Ray Schmidt : Say, you'll have me blushing in a minute.

  Walter D. Saxel : You're blushing now. It's most becoming.

• Walter D. Saxel : I don't think I caught your name.

  Ray Schmidt : Does it matter?

  Walter D. Saxel : Not a darn bit.

• Ray Schmidt : What have you been doing with yourself, Walter?

  Walter D. Saxel : Oh, lots of things. I'm in line for junior partnership at Friedlander Kunz Bankers.

  Ray Schmidt : Oh, tremendous.

  Walter D. Saxel : And I've given birth to two children.

  Ray Schmidt : Well, aren't you clever.

  Walter D. Saxel : And you, what have you been doing?

  Ray Schmidt : Well, I'm not exactly in line for junior partnership; but, I am about the highest paid woman in my firm.

  Walter D. Saxel : Swell!

• Freda Schmidt : Ray, I've got to talk to you now.

  Ray Schmidt : About what?

  Freda Schmidt : Hugo is leaving town.

  Ray Schmidt : Well, what of it?

  Freda Schmidt : Oh, Ray. We've got to stop him. He's got to stay here and...

  Ray Schmidt : Freda!

  Freda Schmidt : Oh, don't Ray. If Mama were to find out anything, she'd... Oh, Ray, you've gotta do something.

• Walter D. Saxel : Your memory has followed me day and night like a shadow. I finally tore you out of my mind - and now you've come back to torture me.

  Ray Schmidt : Oh, Walter, darling. What can I say? What can I do?

• Ray Schmidt : Walter, I'm awfully sorry I can't ask you up. But, "gentlemen and dogs" are not allowed.

  Walter D. Saxel : I see.

  Ray Schmidt : I have a landlady with all the instincts of a bloodhound.

• Ray Schmidt : He's not worth it. I wonder if any man is.

• Mrs. Dole : Oh, dear.

  [picks up a photograph of Walter] 

  Mrs. Dole : Is *this* your husband?

  Ray Schmidt : Why, yes.

  Mrs. Dole : My, but he's good looking. Oh, dear, he's so dark.

• Ray Schmidt : What can a man like that do for you? Can he take you out any place? Can he be seen with you in public? Introduce you to his friends? No. All he can do is tuck you away some place in a side street and let you wait. Wait for the telephone to ring. Wait for unsigned postal cards and typewritten letters.

• Ray Schmidt : There's something we've got to have out with each other. It's been fiendish at times, Walter. I gave up my job so I could be free when you were here. Well, that was all right. But, what have I got? Solitaire. Waiting for the telephone to ring. Waiting for you to - come. Dying when you don't. I can't meet your friends. I can't make any of my own. You don't know how empty my life is.

  Walter D. Saxel : Ray, darling, empty? When you have me?

  Ray Schmidt : That's just the point, darling. I don't always have you. I didn't have you this summer. You're going to be a busier man as the days go by. And there'll be other trips where Ray can't go along. I can't go on, Walter, waiting, hoping, empty handed. Walter, give me a child.

• Ray Schmidt : Take my advice, get out of it before it's too late. Find some nice boy, marry him, settle down, have kiddies. That's the only way to be happy. I know what I'm talking about.

• Ray Schmidt : A woman likes to have a few coins in her purse once in awhile.

• Walter D. Saxel : Don't you start an argument either. I'm in no mood to be trifled with.

  Ray Schmidt : [giggles]  You wouldn't strike a lady, would you, Mr. Saxel?

  Walter D. Saxel : Wouldn't I though.

  [long kiss] 

  Ray Schmidt : Paris always brings out the beast in you.

• Walter D. Saxel : I adore this place. It's only a hotel suite, but, you do something to it.

  Ray Schmidt : The magical touch of a woman's hands, makes even the darkest corner seem grand.

• Ray Schmidt : I wonder, Walter, what would have happened if I'd met your mother that day in Eden Park?

• [last lines] 

  Ray Schmidt : I'm coming, Walter. I'm coming. I'm coming.