Blonde Venus (1932)

Marlene Dietrich: Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones

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Quotes 

• Johnny Faraday : Go on, Mommy. It was springtime in Germany.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : It was springtime in Germany, and it was warm. I had spring fever, and the air was full of blossoms.

  Johnny Faraday : Now it's your turn.

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : Well, let's see. I was out with some other students on a walking trip, and pretty soon we came to a dragon sitting in an automobile who told us there was a magic pool in the forest.

  Johnny Faraday : And what did you do?

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : Oh, we went to the pool, of course. And what do you suppose we saw?

  Johnny Faraday : What?

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : Imagine! Half a dozen princesses taking a bath.

  Johnny Faraday : And what did you do when you saw him?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Oh, I told him to go away.

  Johnny Faraday : And did he?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : He did not.

  Johnny Faraday : And what happened then?

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : The most beautiful princess of all said that if I'd go away, she'd grant me my wish.

  Johnny Faraday : And what'd you wish?

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : I wished to see her again. I couldn't think of anything better to wish. So that night, I went to a theater. The music began to play. And out upon the stage stepped this princess, and she looked more beautiful than ever. Oh, she was beautiful.

  Johnny Faraday : And then your heart began to go like this, huh?

  [he thumps his doll] 

  Johnny Faraday : And Mommy began to sing?

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : And my heart stopped beating entirely.

  Johnny Faraday : What happened to you when you saw him?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : I could hardly sing, and I could barely wait until I saw him again.

  Johnny Faraday : But you did see him again, didn't you?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Mm-hmm. I met him later that night.

  Johnny Faraday : What happened then?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : You can never guess. We went walking.

  Johnny Faraday : Go on, walk.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Okay, skipper.

  [she takes Ned's arm and they walk] 

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : And then we came to a park.

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : Only there was a tremendously large yellow moon up in the sky. It was altogether too big and too bright.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : But it was dark under the trees. Very dark.

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : [Ned drapes a blanket over their heads]  This is a tree, Johnny.

  Johnny Faraday : And what happened under the trees?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Then he kissed me.

  Johnny Faraday : And what happened after that?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : He kissed me again.

  Johnny Faraday : And what happened then?

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : Then we were married.

• Johnny Faraday : Please tell me a story before you go, Mommy.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Which one do you want to hear?

  Johnny Faraday : About Germany, You know, springtime in Germany. I haven't heard that for a long time.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Father knows it better than I do.

  Johnny Faraday : But he says he's forgotten it.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Ask him again.

  Johnny Faraday : Oh Dad!

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : What is it, Johnny?

  Johnny Faraday : Mommy says you do too know the story about Germany.

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : I told you I've forgotten it.

  Johnny Faraday : But try to remember it. It was springtime in Germany and you were on a walking trip.

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : Now let's see. I was out on a walking trip with some other students, and as I remember it, I was very happy.

  Johnny Faraday : And then what happened?

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : I've forgotten.

  Johnny Faraday : Don't you remember, you came to a dragon sitting in an automobile?

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : Yes, I remember that.

  Johnny Faraday : And you went and saw a lot of princesses taking a bath, didn't you?

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : Yes, I suppose I did.

  Johnny Faraday : What did you do then?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : I told him to go away, but he wouldn't until I granted him a wish.

  Johnny Faraday : What was the wish?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : He wanted to see me again.

  Johnny Faraday : You didn't want any other wish, did you?

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : No, I was very sentimental in those days, and very foolish.

  Johnny Faraday : Why were you foolish? That night you went to a theater, didn't ya?

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : Yes, I went to a theater.

  Johnny Faraday : And then you saw Mommy on the stage. She was very beautiful. And then your heart went like this -

  [Johnny knocks on the side of his bed] 

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : I didn't know much about women in those days.

  Johnny Faraday : Oh, you're trying to do it different. You tell it, Mommy. What happened when you saw him?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : I don't know, Johnny dear.

  Johnny Faraday : Don't you remember, Mommy?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : I could hardly sing.

  Johnny Faraday : What happened then?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : You could never guess. We went walking.

  Johnny Faraday : Please walk, Mommy.

  [Helen stands next to Ned] 

  Johnny Faraday : And then you came to a par, and there was a dark tree and a yellow moon! Aw, you're not doing it right at all. You're supposed to kiss each other.

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : Better be a good boy and go to sleep, Johnny. Your mother's got to go away now.

  Johnny Faraday : All right, Daddy.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : [Helen sings "Leise zieht durch mein Gemüt"]  Let me stay with you both, Ned.

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : That's where you belong, Helen.

• Taxi Belle Hooper : So you're the Blonde Venus. Don't tell me you thought of that label all by yourself.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : No. Mister O'Connor told me it would help me in my work.

  Taxi Belle Hooper : He would. He didn't have to think up any name for me when I helped put this dump on the map. My name's Taxi Belle Hooper. Taxi for short.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Do you charge for the first mile?

  Taxi Belle Hooper : Say, you trying' to ride me? Don't get the wrong idea. They call me Taxi because I won't ride in nothin' else. Safety first, that's my motto. Good drinking partners always make bad drivers... Do I charge for the first mile.

• Nick Townsend : Hello, Helen.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Well, if it isn't old Nick himself. I expected you to pop up someday.

  Nick Townsend : If this is a dream, Helen, I hope I never wake up. Let me come backstage, will ya?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : I seem to remember you came backstage once before.

• Edward 'Ned' Faraday : [Helen speaks in German]  I'm sorry, miss, but I don't understand a word.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Will you please go away?

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : Oh, you speak English. Really quite a surprise. Have you just come from America? Rather a long swim, isn't it?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Will you go away?

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : What a charming country this is. I've half a mind to settle here for good.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Would you mind telling me how long this is going to keep up? You ought to be ashamed of yourself.

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : Now that you call my attention to it, I guess I am.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Please, we have to be back in the theater by six o' clock. Otherwise we'll all lose our positions.

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : We wouldn't dream of being the cause of that. But if we go, will you and your friends meet us for something to eat after the show tonight?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : We'll do nothing of the kind.

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : All right then, my little water nymph, we'll stay.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Oh, I think you're the most impossible person I've ever met!

• Ben Smith : What'd you say your name was?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Helen Faraday.

  Ben Smith : Nah. We gotta get something different. Something unusual. Something that's easy to say and hard to forget. Jones... I got it. Helen Jones.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : But my name isn't Jones.

  Ben Smith : What of it? My name ain't Smith either, but I get by just the same, don't I?

• Nick Townsend : What are we going to do about tonight? Shall I wait for you after the show?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : I don't know. I think I'd rather go home alone.

  Nick Townsend : Honestly, you'd do me a great favor.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : A great favor?

  Nick Townsend : Yes, a great favor.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Will I get a bracelet for it?

  Nick Townsend : Has Taxi been talking about me?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : She said some very nice things about you.

  Nick Townsend : Well, now, don't get the wrong idea. Taxi really did me a favor, and only a favor. There's nothing more between us than just that, although she likes to give people the impression that there is.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : How am I to believe that, Mr. Townsend?

  Nick Townsend : Well, I'll give you a bracelet. There's nothing between us, is there?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : I don't accept bracelets from a stranger.

  Nick Townsend : There's no reason why we should remain strangers.

• Nick Townsend : Aw, it's no use trying to fool myself or you, Helen. I'm crazy about you. I want you to like me too, if you can.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : You're making it difficult for me not to.

  Nick Townsend : Come on, honey, give me a little kiss, will you? Just a little one?

• Nick Townsend : Kinda wish now I'd never met you. No, I take that back. A little of you is worth a lifetime with any other woman. Let's end this thing right, Helen.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Can we end it right?

• Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : I wish I was someone else. Then I could stay here with you forever.

  Nick Townsend : So do I, Helen. Not only for my sake but for your own. There's trouble ahead of you.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : I know it.

• Edward 'Ned' Faraday : Where is Johnny? You haven't lived here for months. What's happened?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : If someone were to say I'd been untrue to you, would you believe it?

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : What do you mean, untrue?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : I had planned to lie about it. The money you needed - I didn't get it the way I told you. A man gave it to me.

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : Is his name Townsend?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : It doesn't matter.

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : So when you told me the manager had given you an advance and raised your salary...

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : It was a lie.

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : Why did you do it?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : How else could I have obtained money so quickly?

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : I ought to be grateful to you, I suppose. How much do I owe you and him for my life?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Ned...

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : How much beside the fifteen hundred I've gotten from you? How much?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : That's all.

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : I'll see that you get it back. That's simple enough, isn't it?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Yes.

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : Well, what next?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : I'm here if you'll have me.

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : Go on as before, eh? You saved my life and I'm very happy. Let us go and thank this gentleman for his kindness to us, or would you rather I shoot him dead? Oh, it doesn't matter. He's not to blame. The minute I was out of sight, you took up with the first man who could give you the things I couldn't. What puzzles me now is why you should want to come back to me.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : I love you, Ned.

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : Ah, send Johnny back here and clear out. Go on! What are you waiting for?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Are you going to take Johnny away from me?

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : You've been a rotten mother to him. You're through with him. The law will give him to me if you don't. If you and your friend try to put up a fight for him, I'll take the case to court, and you'll find out soon enough who's entitled to the custody of the child.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : I've been a good mother to Johnny.

  Edward 'Ned' Faraday : Let's not dispute that point, Helen. Johnny's all I've got left. Bring him here, or tell me where he is and I'll get him myself!

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : No. I'll bring him here.

• Johnny Faraday : [Johnny shows Helen a newspaper]  Isn't this your picture, Mommy?

  [She tears it up] 

  Johnny Faraday : Why'd you do that?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Oh, it was such a bad picture.

  Johnny Faraday : I thought it was pretty good.

• Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : [On telephone]  Please send a maid to One Fifty-one.

  Johnny Faraday : [Over Helen's shoulder]  One hundred and sixty-two.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : No, One Fifty-one.

  Johnny Faraday : Hundred and seventy-five.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Johnny!

  [On phone] 

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : No, it's definitely One Fifty-one.

  Johnny Faraday : Hundred and ninety-eight.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Yes.

  [She hangs up] 

  Johnny Faraday : Hope they never find us.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : You bad boy.

• Norfolk Woman Manager : [showing Helen her "wanted" picture]  There you are. You'd better not try to get a job in this town, young lady, if you want to keep out of sight. I've had that circular for two days, and there was a man here an hour ago that I think was your husband.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : My husband?

  Norfolk Woman Manager : Whoever he is, I've got the feeling that he doesn't like you very much. And if I were you, I'd keep away from cabarets altogether.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Please don't tell anyone I was here.

  Norfolk Woman Manager : Don't worry. I've got a kid of my own. Good luck.

• Detective Wilson : Terribly warm today, isn't it?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Warm? It's hot.

  Detective Wilson : You look as cool as a cucumber.

  Bartender Bringing Two Beers : What'll you have, folks?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : I'll have some beer. Cold beer.

  Detective Wilson : Make it two.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : What are you doing down here, big boy?

  Detective Wilson : Nothing much. Why?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : You don't look like the kind of a man who comes down this way.

  Detective Wilson : Cigarette? I might ask you the same question.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Why?

  Detective Wilson : You don't look anything like these other women.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Give me time.

• Cora, Helen's Maid in New Orleans : Howdy, boss.

  Detective Wilson : Hello, Annie.

  Cora, Helen's Maid in New Orleans : Lookin' for somebody?

  Detective Wilson : No, nobody in particular. Why?

  Cora, Helen's Maid in New Orleans : Oh, I knows everybody in the street and thought maybe I might be able to help you out.

  Detective Wilson : No, I wasn't looking for anybody. Just browsin' around. Thanks just the same. Just browsin' around.

  Cora, Helen's Maid in New Orleans : Yes sir, boss, I can see that. Just browsin' around.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : What did he say, Cora?

  Cora, Helen's Maid in New Orleans : He says he ain't lookin' for nobody. He's just browsin' around. But he can't fool me. No, sir. That white man's up to somethin'. I know when a white man's browsin' and when he ain't.

• Detective Wilson : What kind of business do you think I'm in?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief...

  Detective Wilson : You're gettin' hot.

• Detective Wilson : You sympathize with her, don't you? Well, I don't. She ought to get wise to herself. The way she's living now isn't doing that kid any good. Some people might call it mother love, but I don't.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : What does a man know about mother love?

• Detective Wilson : Mind if I take off my coat?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : No. Make yourself at home.

  Detective Wilson : What's the matter, baby? Did I hurt your feelings?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : I haven't got any anymore.

• Detective Wilson : Say, is that your kid?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : I'll give you three guesses, Sherlock Holmes.

  Detective Wilson : Oh, you're Helen Faraday.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : What a brain.

  Detective Wilson : Gee, what a chump I was. You pegged me right off the bat, didn't you?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Yes, I pegged you right off the bat. You've got your badge on your face, not under your coat. You and your whole crowd. You could never have caught me, not in a thousand years. And now get out, and don't forget to tell that husband of mine that I'm giving the kid up, not because he hounded me into it, but because I'm no good. You understand? No good at all. You get me? No good for anything... except to give up the kid before it's too late.

• Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Snap out of it, kid. Tomorrow is another day.

  Elderly Woman in Flophouse : Maybe for you, but not for me.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Why? What's the matter with tomorrow?

  Elderly Woman in Flophouse : I'm gonna kill myself tomorrow. That's what's the matter with it.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Me too. Make a hole in the water.

  Elderly Woman in Flophouse : Why are you gonna kick off?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : 'Cause that's the way I feel. Isn't that reason enough?

  Elderly Woman in Flophouse : That's no reason for anything. I've got a good reason. Haven't got a dime. Never had any money and I never will have.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Is that all? I can fix that. In this envelope are fifteen hundred dollars. It represents my life work. Had I had time to exploit it properly, I could have made a fortune. Queen of hearts. That's me. Queen of hearts.

• Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : I'm not going to stay in this dump anymore. I'm going to find myself a better bed. Don't you think I can? Just watch.

• Ben Smith : Now, don't tell me you're working just for the love of your art. Who's your boyfriend?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : I haven't any.

  Ben Smith : Will you work for $25 a week?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Oh, yes!

  Ben Smith : Well, you're in luck, baby. You came to the right man. I guess, maybe I can get you 30 or 40. I might be able to raise it to 50. That includes commission, of course. I generally get 20%, but seeing it's you, I'll make it 15. Is that okay?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Oh, yes!

• Ben Smith : You know that ain't a high commission considering the personal service I give my clientele. Why, the minute you put yourself in my hands, baby, your interests are closer to me than my own. Get me? Get up and walk around a bit. Let's see what you got.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : What I've got?

  Ben Smith : Let's see your legs.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Is that enough?

  Ben Smith : For the time being.

• Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : [singing]  Did you ever happen to hear a voodoo? Hear it and you won't give a darn, what you do, Tom-toms put me under a sort of hoodoo, And the whole night long, I don't know the right from wrong, Hot voodoo, black as mud, Hot voodoo, in my blood, That African tempo, Has made me a slave, Hot voodoo, dance of sin, Hot voodoo, worse than gin, I'd follow a caveman, Right into his cave, That beat gives me a wicked sensation, My conscience wants to take a vacation, Got voodoo, head to toes, Hot voodoo, burn my clothes, I want to start dancing, Just wearing a smile...

• Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : [singing]  Hot voodoo, I'm aflame, I'm really not to blame, That African tempo is meaner than mean, Hot voodoo makes me brave, I want to misbehave, I'm beginning to feel like an African queen, Those drums bring out, The devil inside me, I need some great big angel to guide me, Hot voodoo gets me wild, Oh, fireman, save this child, I'm going to blazes, I want to be bad!

  Nick Townsend : [clapping and talking]  Not bad, eh, Henry?

  Henry : I should say not.

  Nick Townsend : Where'd you dig her up, O'Connor?

  Dan O'Connor : How do you like her, boys?

  Nick Townsend : Pretty good.

• Charlie Blaine : How about ordering something to drink? What'll you have, Miss Jones?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : I don't drink.

  Henry : Smoke?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : No, thank you.

  Charlie Blaine : You won't last very long in this place.

  Dan O'Connor : Why won't she?

  Charlie Blaine : She's got too much class for this joint.

• Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : [singing]  It isn't often that I want a man, But when I do, It's just too bad, I know you're acting hard to get, And yet I've got a feeling you can be had, You so-and-so, You little so-and-so, Look what you've done to me...

• Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : [singing]  But you little so-and-so, You so-and-so, You little so-and-so, How did you get this way? Although you know, that I have lost my control, You sit and talk about my beautiful soul...

• Greek Restaurant Owner : What do you think this is, a free soup kitchen? This is the third time today I've been gypped out of a meal. And, by golly, I won't stand for any more of it. I'm going to call up the police.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Don't call the police. I'll wash dishes, clean up, anything.

  Greek Restaurant Owner : You going to wash my dishes?

• Cora, Helen's Maid in New Orleans : There's that man out there again.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : What man?

  Cora, Helen's Maid in New Orleans : Oh just a white man that's been snooping up and down the street for the last couple of days.

• Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : You've never had an idle day in your life. I can tell. You're a man who's been up and around. A go-getter, that's what you are.

  Detective Wilson : Say, you're a pretty smart girl, aren't you?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Am I?

• Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Come on, let's go.

  Detective Wilson : That's just what I was thinking. I'm getting sick and tired talking about that dame. Got anything to drink at home?

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : You better take something along.

• Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : [Detective Wilson moves in for a kiss]  You seem to be in an awful hurry.

  Detective Wilson : Well, I ain't exactly got a lot of time on my hands.

  Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : I have.

• Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones : Well, Nick, did you succeed in forgetting me?

  Nick Townsend : Forget you? I should say not. I haven't stopped thinking about you a single day since I last saw you.