Nightmare Alley (1947)

Joan Blondell: Zeena Krumbein

Photos 

Quotes 

• Hoatley : Nice work, kid. You kept your head. You're a real carny, no mistake.

  Molly : You ought to have heard Stan spout the gospel to that old hypocrite. It was like being in Sunday school.

  Zeena Krumbein : You must have been raised pretty religious.

  Stanton Carlisle : Yeah, in a county orphanage.

  Molly : Didn't you have any folks?

  Stanton Carlisle : If I did, they weren't much interested.

  Zeena Krumbein : Where'd you learn all this gospel?

  Stanton Carlisle : In the orphanage. That's what they used to give us on Sunday after beating us black-and-blue all week. Then when I ran away, they threw me in the reform school. But that's where I got wise to myself. I let the chaplain save me, and got a parole in no time. Boy, how I went for salvation! Comes in kind of handy when you're in a jam.

• Stanton Carlisle : You've got a heart as big...

  Zeena Krumbein : Sure, as big as an artichoke, a leaf for everyone.

• Zeena Krumbein : I'm about as reliable as a two dollar cornet.

• Zeena Krumbein : You like this racket, don't you?

  Stanton Carlisle : Oh, lady, I was made for it. I had all kinds of jobs before this one came along; but, none of 'em were anything but jobs. But this gets me. I like it. All of it. The crowds, the noise, the idea of keeping on the move. You see those yokels out there, it gives you sort of a superior feeling, as if you were in the know and they were on the outside looking in. Kinda hard to explain, but I like it.

• Zeena Krumbein : Look at him. He's like a dog waiting for somebody to throw him a bone.

• Stanton Carlisle : What kind of deck is this?

  Zeena Krumbein : This is the tarot. Oldest kind of cards in the world. Pete says the gypsies brought them out of Egypt. They're a wonder for giving private readings.

  Stanton Carlisle : I'd say. They look plenty weird.

• Stanton Carlisle : I can't understand how anybody could get so low.

  Zeena Krumbein : That can happen.

• Zeena Krumbein : Now then, people have asked me if I have spirit aid in doing what I do. I always tell them the only spirits I control are the ones in this bottle. Spirits of alcohol!

• Zeena Krumbein : I'm gettin' top carny dough right now.

  Stanton Carlisle : I wasn't talking about doing it in this mouse menagerie.

• Zeena Krumbein : You and I? Where else would we do it?

• Zeena Krumbein : I did everything I could to make it up to him, but you see how it is. The more I try, the worse he gets. And I'm not gonna give up on him. It's the least I can do.

  Stanton Carlisle : Zeena, you're a real woman.

• Bruno : Where's Molly?

  Zeena Krumbein : She's in there pounding her pretty little ear.

• Zeena Krumbein : Stan, you sure done noble.

• Zeena Krumbein : What's the boss been razzing you about?

• Zeena Krumbein : Oh, Stan. You think I can make the big time again?

  Stanton Carlisle : You'd know more about that than I would. How about it, baby?

  Zeena Krumbein : Don't rush me. Let me think about it.

• Stanton Carlisle : Listen, honey. I don't want to make you unhappy. You know that. If you want to forget about the whole thing, it's all right with me.

  Zeena Krumbein : You won't get sore, Stan?

  Stanton Carlisle : What do you think I am?

  Zeena Krumbein : [after Stan gives her a long kiss]  Let me alone for a minute. I've got to think.

  Zeena Krumbein : [after Stan gives her an even longer kiss]  You're terrible!