The Big Shakedown (1934)

Bette Davis: Norma Nelson

Photos 

Quotes 

• Norma Nelson : Oh, Mrs. Fagan, what a lovely boy.

  Mrs. Fagan : Not lovely, Miss Nelson, good natured. He's my sister's child. I come in to get some plaster for his ears.

  Norma Nelson : Plaster for his ears?

  Mrs. Fagan : Adhesive plaster. Just look at them ears.

  Norma Nelson : Well, they are sort of large.

  Mrs. Fagan : Large? Why, he was two years old before his mother knew whether he was going to walk or fly!

• [first lines] 

  Norma Nelson : [scooping ice cream]  That'll be six cents now.

  Boy Buying Ice Cream : *Six* cents? You mean, with everything going down, ice cream cones gotta go up?

  Norma Nelson : That's a sales tax - government gets it.

  Boy Buying Ice Cream : The government? What for?

  Norma Nelson : Why, for the support of the government!

  Boy Buying Ice Cream : You mean, because I like ice cream cones, I gotta support the government?... Ohhh, I gotta support the government... My pop can remember when ice cream cones were only three cents.

  Norma Nelson : My father can remember when there weren't any ice cream cones.

• Man Requesting Change : Hi ya, Beautiful.

  Norma Nelson : Okay, what your's?

  Man Requesting Change : Nothing you can bring me on a plate, baby. A pair of nickels, honey, I want to phone.

  [Norma gives him the change, rolls her eyes] 

  Man Requesting Change : Thanks, babe.

• Norma Nelson : Well, the Depression's over.

  Jimmy Morrell : Yeah?

  Norma Nelson : I just made a 15 cent sale.

• Lefty : Give me a bottle of Hercules beer.

  Norma Nelson : No can do. I can give you Blue Seal or Nightclub.

  Lefty : I want Hercules.

  Norma Nelson : Well, I want a seal skin coat too, but I can't have it.

• Jimmy Morrell : How are you, honey?

  Norma Nelson : It's a wonder you wouldn't come around and see me sometime.

• Jimmy Morrell : Oh, you're such a darling.

  Norma Nelson : And you're such a fool.

  [kiss] 

• Norma Nelson : Doctor, do you know anything for expectant fathers?

  Norma's Doctor : For expectant fathers, I have to prescriptions: whiskey or work. In this case, I suggest work.

• [last lines] 

  Jimmy Morrell : That's what we're here for: To give people what they want. Credit, gossip, stamps... medical advice, slugs for the telephone. We're gonna be just a neighborhood drugstore again. I don't know. I may never be a success - but I'll never be a sap again.

  Norma Nelson : Never?

  Jimmy Morrell : Well, hardly ever.

  [kiss]