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In reply to the discussion: What are some of your favorite comedic movie scenes? (maybe some spoiler alerts) [View all]IrishEyes
(3,275 posts)I love the whole movie. I like the scene when Shirley MacLaine character's tough angry overprotective brother in law comes to the apartment to find her. Fran and Bud are having an innocent conversation but it doesn't sound that way. Jack Lemmon's character keeps talking and digging himself into a hole until he gives up and accepts his (undeserved) fate.
BUD
You know what we're going to do
after dinner?
FRAN
The dishes?
BUD
I mean, after that?
FRAN
What?
BUD
You don't have to if you don't want
to --
FRAN
I don't?
BUD
We're going to finish that gin game.
FRAN
Oh.
BUD
So I want you to keep a clear head.
The door bell rings. Carrying his martini glass, Bud crosses
to the door, starts to open it.
BUD
Because I don't want to take
advantage of you -- the way I did
yesterday in bed.
By now the door is open, and Bud is speaking to Fran over
his shoulder. He turns, finds himself face to face with Karl
Matuschka, who is standing grimly in the doorway.
MATUSCHKA
Baxter?
BUD
Yes?
Matuschka shoves him roughly aside, strides past him toward
Fran, who has risen to her feet.
MATUSCHKA
What's with you, Fran -- did you
forget where you live?
FRAN
(to Bud)
This is my brother-in-law, Karl
Matuschka.
BUD
(friendly)
How do you do, Mr. Matuschka?
MATUSCHKA
(pushing Bud away; to Fran)
Okay, get your clothes on. I got
the cab downstairs.
BUD
Now, wait a minute. I know what
you're thinking -- but it's not as
bad as it looks --
MATUSCHKA
(shoving him away)
It's none of my business what you
do, Fran -- you're over twenty-
one -- but your sister happens to
think you're a lady.
BUD
All we were going to do is eat and
wash the dishes --
MATUSCHKA
(grabbing him)
Look, Buddy-boy -- if there wasn't
a lady present, I'd clobber you.
FRAN
(separating them)
All right, Karl -- I'll get dressed.
She exits into the bedroom, removing her dress from the
door, and closing it. Matuschka leans against the wall
beside the hall door, eyeing Bud truculently. Bud raises a
finger to remonstrate with him -- then breaks into a nervous,
ingratiating smile.
BUD
Care for a martini? Champagne?
(Matuschka continues
glaring at him)
How about a little spaghetti with
meat sauce? Made it myself.
(Matuschka just scowls)
Your sister-in-law sure is
terrific --
(realizes his mistake;
switching abruptly)
Must be murder driving a cab in New
York -- I mean, with all that
cross-town traffic --
He gestures with the martini glass, spilling the contents
over his shirtfront. Through the partly open hall door, Dr.
Dreyfuss sticks his head in.
DR. DREYFUSS
Hi, Baxter.
He steps into the apartment, passing Matuschka without
seeing him.
DR. DREYFUSS
How's the patient?
BUD
(quickly)
Oh, I'm fine, Doc.
DR. DREYFUSS
Not you -- Miss Kubelik.
MATUSCHKA
(stepping forward)
What's the matter with Miss Kubelik?
BUD
Oh, this is Mr. Matuschka -- he's
Miss Kubelik's -- he's got a cab
downstairs --
MATUSCHKA
(to Dreyfuss)
Fran been sick or something?
Dr. Dreyfuss looks at Bud.
BUD
No, no -- just had a little accident.
MATUSCHKA
(to Dreyfuss)
What does he mean, accident?
DR. DREYFUSS
Well, these things happen all the
time --
MATUSCHKA
What things?
(grabbing Dreyfuss)
Say, what kind of doctor are you,
anyway?
BUD
(hastily)
Oh, not that kind. He just gave her
a shot and pumped her stomach out --
Behind them, the bedroom door has opened, and Fran comes
out, wearing her coat over her dress.
MATUSCHKA
What for?
FRAN
(coming up)
Because I took some sleeping pills.
But I'm all right now -- so let's go.
MATUSCHKA
Why did you take sleeping pills?
BUD
(promptly)
On account of me.
MATUSCHKA
(whirling on him)
You?
BUD
Who else?
Matuschka lashes out with a left to Bud's jaw, and while he
is off balance, catches him with a right to the eye. Bud
falls back against the Christmas tree, which topples with a
crash. Fran pulls Matuschka away from him.
FRAN
Leave him alone, Karl.
She kneels beside Bud.
FRAN
(tenderly)
You fool -- you damn fool.
MATUSCHKA
Come on, Fran.
FRAN
Goodbye, Mr. Baxter.
She kisses him on the cheek, rises, starts toward the door.
FRAN
Goodbye, doctor.
She follows Matuschka out. Bud looks after her, starry-eyed.
DR. DREYFUSS
I don't want to gloat, but just
between us, you had that coming to
you.
(tilts Bud's chin up,
examines his eye)
Tch, tch, tch. Are you going to
have a shiner tomorrow. Let me get
my bag.
(he starts out)
BUD
(calling after him)
Don't bother, Doc. It doesn't hurt
a bit.
He is on Cloud Nine.