Movie Quotes that Saved My Life

The movies have always been a source of escape, solace, entertainment and even education for me. And while beautiful scenery, exciting car chases and huge explosions make an impact, it is the dialog that stays with me...those wonderful quotable movie quotes. I believe that's because dialog - what the characters speak - reveals true personalities and intentions. Here are my top ten movie quotes.

#10 - "I've got a bad feeling about this"
This movie quote is spoken by three different characters in the original Star Wars trilogy, and at least once in the new trilogy. It is first spoken by Luke Skywalker when, in the middle of trying to rescue Princess Leia, Leia, Luke and Han Solo end up in the garbage bin. Right after that line, the bin begins to close in on them. That movie quote becomes a "running joke" which precedes the next terrible disaster. I feel it is something so familiar to all of us, that it somehow connects me to the greater cosmic consciousness. I use it sarcastically for small disasters frequently, so I can keep things in perspective.

#9 - "Follow the Yellow Brick Road"
This movie quote is from a perennial favorite, "The Wizard of Oz". Nearly everyone in the film tells Dorothy, who is off to see the wizard, to "follow the yellow brick road". For me this means when we're not sure which path in life to take, we should follow the most obvious route, or the simplest route. Sometimes I make things more complicated than they need to be. But it's the "keep it simple" philosophy that often works best. So when you think you've lost your way, follow your own yellow brick road.

#8 - "It's only a flesh wound"
The Black Knight speaks this movie quote in Monty Python's "Quest for the Holy Grail". In fact, it is not a flesh wound. He has just had his arm cut off and is bleeding in spurts. The humor of Monty Python movies is often very dark. Next his leg is lopped off by his opponent, but still the Black Knight insists he is fine and can still beat the other knight. There are many popular dialog exchanges from Monty Python. Fans memorize and repeat many of them over and over. They are cleverly written and great fun. Personally, I've often had to continue on in a terrible situation thinking I couldn't go any further. Everyone suffers their share of difficult situations in life. I know I've had mine. But the dark humor in this movie quote has done wonders to help me get through things. I may have had to carry on with a broken limb, but never a severed one. If the Black Knight can keep going, then so can I.

#7 - "You can't swim? Hell the fall will probably kill you"
From "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" the glorious Paul Newman chides Robert Redford for admitting his silly weakness just before they jump from the cliff into the swirling water. Jumping is their only escape from the posse in this classic western. My mother used to tell me that the thing you fear the most won't be the thing that kills you. So for me this movie quote reinforces that philosophy. It wasn't the high jump, it was the water below that scared Sundance the most. I find it reassuring as well that a macho movie character should be forced to admit such a mere human weakness as not being able to swim.

#6 - "Snozzwangers? Vermicious Knids? What kind of rubbish is that?" "I'm sorry, but all questions must be submitted in writing."
From the fabulous "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" Mr. Salt asks the question, Willy Wonka answers it. Throughout this fanciful tale of the Chocolate Factory the kids and grownups persistently question the far-out imagination of Willy Wonka and his inventions. Wonka's answer is always a non-sequiter, but leaves the question asker speechless. I find it to be the best comeback for a rude or ridiculous question. It does shut people up - they don't know what to say.

#5 - "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
This movie quote is spoken by Atticus Finch in "To Kill A Mockingbird". This movie if full of great wisdom. It is a true classic. Atticus says the line speaking about the accused Negro he is defending. I find this to be such a true and powerful quote. We hear enough about trying to put ourselves in other people's shoes in order to understand them better, but I think the world needs to try harder. At least listen to the other point of view.

#4 - "We're on a mission from God"
This popular movie quote is spoken by The Blues Brothers - Jake and Elmo throughout their movie. Although considered sinners by the nuns they had in school, their hearts are in the right place. Jake and Elmo decide to put the band back together for one big concert to pay off the mortgage on the school and convent. Highly irreverent taken out of context, it is a great sarcastic line when you've been assigned to do something ridiculously insignificant.

#3 - "Dog and cats, living together, mass hysteria"
Bill Murray at the top of his game as Dr. Peter Venkman in "Ghostbusters". I love this movie quote line. It's comic genius and just a lot of fun. Venkman uses it as part of his speech to the mayor of the city trying to convince him of the seriousness of their situation. It's a great line to break the tension in a situation when things get too serious. Or in my family when we get too worried or fixated on something, one of us will say it to bring perspective back.

#2 - "What elephant?"
Billy Rose's JUMBO has Jimmy Durante's character "pop" Wonder trying to hide the circus' biggest asset - the elephant. It's the only good act the little circus has left. For me, it represents denial. Often times we even use denial on ourselves to keep from admitting to something that is quite obvious to others. If you say it with conviction, others will begin to doubt their own observations.

#1 - "You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you are left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays."
The fast talking Music Man says this to Marion the Librarian in "The Music Man" as he convinces her to meet him at the footbridge for a kiss. I remember being quite struck by this movie quote the first time I heard it many years ago. It took me by surprise because so much of the story was just plain fun. The story about a con man lets him say this one line that rings so true. Don't put off your dreams and desires until tomorrow, because tomorrow may never come. Don't wait for what you think may be the "right" time. None of knows how much time we have, so don't wait until tomorrow - do it now.