Pillow Talk (1959)

Thelma Ritter: Alma

Photos 

Quotes 

• Alma : [Jan's just got off the phone with Brad, laying down the "rules" for the party line, which Alma's been listening in, to their whole conversation. Alma hangs up the extension, in the kitchen, and picks up her morning cocktail, as Jan comes in]  You know, he makes pretty good sense.

  Jan : Were you listening in again?

  Alma : Yes, ma'am.

  Jan : Alma, have you no shame?

  Alma : No, ma'am, he's brightened up many-a-dreary afternoon, for me.

  Jan : What did he say that makes such "good sense"?

  Alma : [quoting Brad]  "If there's anything worse than a woman living alone, it's a woman saying she likes it."

  Jan : Well, I do like it.

  [Alma makes a face of disbelief] 

  Jan : I have a good job, a lovely apartment, I go out with very nice men to the best places; the theatre, finest restaurants...

  [exasperated] 

  Jan : What am I missing?

  Alma : [chuckling]  When you have to ask, believe me, you're missin' it.

  Jan : What's a girl supposed to do? Goo out on the street, and ask the first man she meets to come home with her?

  Alma : No - don't do that, ma'am.

  [chuckles to herself] 

  Alma : It don't work.

  [Alma takes a sip of her drink] 

• Jan : [Trying to convince Alma she loves living alone]  Well, what am I missing?

  Alma : If you have to ask, you're missing it!

• Alma : If there's anything worse than a woman living alone, it's a woman saying she likes it.

• Jan : [walks in after finishing a meeting with Jonathan and seeing Alma's on the kitchen extension]  Hi, All, any calls?

  Alma : [swooning, puts her hand over the receiver]  It's him.

  [Alma goes back to listening on the phone, and Jan smirks and looks at her watch] 

  Jan : [Jan walks over to Alma, and takes the phone out of her hand]  Mr. Allen, you're on *my* half-hour.

  [Jan hangs the phone up with a smirk] 

  Alma : Party pooper!

  [Alma grabs her bag, and lumbers to the front door] 

  Jan : [Jan chuckles and starts walking away when the phone rings. She picks it up]  Hello?

  Brad Allen : Don't ever do that, again.

  Jan : Mr. Allen, we made an agreement; you were on *my* time.

  Brad Allen : Alright. So, I overlapped by a few measly minutes. What am I supposed to do when someone calls me? Be as rude as you are?

  Jan : Have you anything else to say?

  Brad Allen : Yes. Get off my back, lady. Stop living vicariously on what you think I do! There are plenty of warm rolls in the bakery - stop pressing your nose against the window!

  [slams phone down] 

• Alma : Takes only one sip of wine to tell if it's a good bottle.

• Alma : 6 foot 6 inches of opportunity doesn't come every day.