Million Dollar Mermaid (1952)

Victor Mature: James Sullivan

Photos 

Quotes 

• James Sullivan : Baby, somewhere along the line, we got our signals crossed. You've got it into your head that you're Joan of Arc. Well, get it out fast. You're a swimmer doing a tank act in Sullivan's water carnival, and not a bad show either.

  Annette Kellerman : And how long can it last? After all, all we're doing is capitalizing on a lot of cheap bathing suit publicity.

  James Sullivan : Well, what do you think this Aldrich thing is anyway? All he's trying to do is cash in on the same dodge, a ballyhoo that I arranged.

  Annette Kellerman : That you arranged?

  James Sullivan : Sure. Who do you think got that cop to arrest you?

  Annette Kellerman : Oh no, Jimmy, you didn't.

  James Sullivan : Didn't I?

  Annette Kellerman : Can you stand there... what about all that talk of a crusade and how...

  James Sullivan : Bunk. Who cares what a lot of females wear on the beach, as long as I can keep you in a one-piece bathing suit? Baby, you're a swimmer. You belong in the water. Wet, you're terrific. Dry, you're just a nice girl who ought to settle down and get married.

  Annette Kellerman : Thank you very much for the advice. One thing I know for sure, if and when I do get married, it will never be to a cheap, stubborn, flea circus proprietor.

  James Sullivan : This flea circus does alright for the fleas in it, except when they jump out of their cages.

• James Sullivan : Mmm... What smells so good?

  Annette Kellerman : I'm making an Australian stew.

  Doc Cronnol : Uh, what's that?

  Annette Kellerman : Same as an Irish stew - only the meat's down under.

• Annette Kellerman : Swimming's very popular in Australia.

  James Sullivan : I can understand why.

• James Sullivan : Forgive the intrusion. But, would you be interested in a shipboard romance?

• James Sullivan : He's frisky and full of energy,

• James Sullivan : I've been standing over there watching you for the past 10 minutes.

  Annette Kellerman : I know. Women always know when men are watching them.

• James Sullivan : I meet a girl for the first time two days ago and I can't get her out of my mind. I keep saying to myself, "Sullivan, this is without a doubt the prettiest girl you've ever met." And a voice comes back, "Nonsense, it's the tropical night, the stars. Your hot jungle blood." And then I reply, "But, you've seen tropical nights before and you don't have hot jungle blood."

• James Sullivan : Annette, I wanna manage you.

  Annette Kellerman : Manage? Did you say manage?

• Annette Kellerman : What's wrong with the ballet?

  James Sullivan : Oh, I don't know. I guess I've always associated it with long hair and swans.

  Annette Kellerman : Oh, and I'm more the duck type?

• James Sullivan : I know when we're licked.

• James Sullivan : I propose to stage a show. Our own show, a water carnival.

  Annette Kellerman : A water carnival?

  James Sullivan : Why not? It's something brand new. We get a tank and we charge admission. Our own private ocean. Oh, I can see it now. The people flocking to see the gorgeous mermaid from down under. I see something beautiful, something graceful, a ballet. That's it! A water ballet set to music.

• James Sullivan : Did you ever hear of the New York Hippodrome?

  Doc Cronnol : The Hippodrome?

  Annette Kellerman : New York!

• James Sullivan : I don't know what I'm going to do. Probably run up to Boston. A friend of mine owns a concession at Revere Beach. He wants me to help him ballyhoo it.

• Annette Kellerman : Hello, Jimmy. Jimmy.

  [Jimmy grabs Annette] 

  Annette Kellerman : Jimmy, I'm soaking wet.

  James Sullivan : Good. Maybe it'll put the fire out.

  [long kiss] 

• James Sullivan : We can dream, can't we?

  Doc Cronnol : There she is, dreamer.

• James Sullivan : Don't you realize that you're the standard-bearer for all American womanhood? In your hands lies the power to wreck the shackles of prudery. Free the feminine sex from the armor of convention. Go ahead, run away if you want to. But I tell you, this is *more* than a trial. *More* than a newspaper headline. This is a crusade.

• James Sullivan : Oh, baby, I knew we were a team from the first time I saw you. We'll stand that town on its ear.

• Annette Kellerman : What's his name?

  James Sullivan : Rin Tin Tin.

  Annette Kellerman : What a funny name. Chinese?

  James Sullivan : French.