And now for some
memorable movie quotes

The American Film Institute has assembled a list of the 100 most used

By Byron Toben

March 23, 2023

Since the invention of the “Talkies,” certain quotes have become enshrined in the public vernacular. The American Film Institute has assembled a list of the 100 most used. On that list, 96 films have generated only one such quote. Four films have multiple quotes. They are:

Casablanca (1942)

“Here’s looking at you, kid.”
“Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
“Round up the usual suspects.”
“Play it, Sam. Play As Time Goes By.”
“We’ll always have Paris.”
“Of all the gin joints in all the towns of the world, she walks into mine.”

Frame from The Wizard of Oz – “I’ve got you, my pretty, and your little dog, too.”

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

“Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”
“There’s no place like Home.”
“I’ve got you, my pretty, and your little dog, too.”

Gone With The Wind (1939)

“Frankly, My dear, I don’t give a damn.”
“After all, tomorrow is another day.”
“As God is my witness, I’ll never be hungry again.”

The Graduate (1967)

“Plastics”
“Mrs. Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me. Aren’t you?

Frame from The Graduate – “Mrs. Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me. Aren’t you?

The other 96 films have only one memorable quote listed.

My ten selected favourites of that 96 are:

The Godfather (1972)

“I’m going to make him an offer that he can’t refuse.”

On the Waterfront (1954)

“I coulda been a contender. I could’ve been somebody instead of a bum, which is what I am.”

Network (1976)

“I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore.”

When Harry Met Sally (1980)

“ I’ll have what she’s having.”

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1940)

“Badges?… I don’t have to show you any stinking badges.”

The Godfather II (1974)

“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”

Frame from When Harry Met Sally – “ I’ll have what she’s having.”

A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

“I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.”

42nd Street (1933)

“… you’re going out as a youngster, but you’ve got to come back a Star!”

Wall Street (1987)

“Greed… is good.”

Knut Rockne All American (1940)

“… win one for the Gipper.”

Not on the AFI list, I would also choose:

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

“Que sera, sera. Whatever will be, will be.”

Frame from Forest Gump – “Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.”

Star Wars (1977 and on)

“May the Force be with you.”

Finally, one that is on the AFI list but is inaccurate:

Forrest Gump (1994)

“Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.”

Why inaccurate? There are a number of chocolate filling guides. You can tell by shape (square/rectangular/oval/circular) or wrapping, or surface (bumpy or smooth), aided by type (milk or dark).

Dear reader, do you have any memorable movie quotes to cite other than the 17 listed above? The best answer before April 8 gets some chocolate mints from me.

Feature image: frame from Casablanca – “Play it, Sam. Play As Time Goes By.”

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Byron Toben, a past president of The Montreal Press Club, has been WestmountMag.ca’s theatre reviewer since July 2015. Previously, he wrote for since terminated web sites Rover Arts and Charlebois Post, print weekly The Downtowner and print monthly The Senior Times. He also is an expert consultant on U.S. work permits for Canadians.