Famous Last Words (of movies, that is)

This page is devoted to movies that end with particularly choice bits of dialogue. An entry here could be a surprise punchline that caps off a comic film; a final bit of pathos guaranteed to leave the audience in tears; or -- one of my favorites -- a line that ends the movie, but raises new questions to think about on the way home from the theater. The point is to build appreciation for scripts that pop in little gems immediately before the final fade out and credit roll -- and for the writers who create them.

I've started with a short and eclectic list because I want you to be part of this page, by suggesting items for inclusion. (You'll get credit, too -- see below.) Enjoy!

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)

"Why was I not made of stone like thee?"

Quasimodo (Charles Laughton), speaking to a gargoyle . Writers: Sonya Levien; Bruno Frank (adapted from the novel by Victor Hugo).

Casablanca (1942)

"Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." *

Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), to Captain Louis Renault (Claude Rains). Writers: Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, and Howard Koch; from a play by Murray Burnett and Joan Allison. * According to the Internet Movie Database, this line is actually credited to producer Hal Wallis, who thought of it after production had ended. He had Bogart record it, and dubbed it into the soundtrack during editing.

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

"There's nothing else. Just us, the cameras, and all those wonderful people out there in the dark. All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up."

Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), speaking to her butler, Max von Mayerling (Erich von Stroheim). Writers: Billy Wilder, Charles Brackett, D.M. Marshman, Jr.

Some Like it Hot (1959)

"But you don't understand. I -- I'm a man!"

"Well, nobody's perfect."

Osgood Fielding III (Joe E. Brown) replying to his new "bride" Jerry (Jack Lemmon), who has spent most of the movie in drag. Screenplay by Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond, based on a story by R. Thoeren and M. Logan.

The Gods Must Be Crazy (1980)

"Xi was beginning to think he would never find the end of the earth. Then one day, suddenly, there it was."

Narrator (Paddy O'Byrne) in voiceover, describing Xi (N!xau), the main character. Writer: Jamie Uys.

Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)

"Do you think -- after we've dried off, after we've spent lots more time together -- you might agree not to marry me? And, do you think not being married to me is something you could consider doing for the rest of your life? Do you?"

"I do."

Charles (Hugh Grant) "proposing" to Carrie (Andie Macdowell), standing in the rain after Charles' having cancelled his scheduled wedding to another woman. Writer: Richard Curtis.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

"I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope."

Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman), in voiceover. Writer: Frank Darabont, based on Stephen King's short novel Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. (No, there's no "the" in the book title!)

True Lies (1994)

"I'm sick of being in the van. You guys are gonna be in the van next time. I've been in the van for fifteen years, Harry."

Gib (Tom Arnold), speaking via radio to his secret agent partners. Writers: James Cameron; Claude Zidi, Simon Michael, Didier Kaminka.

If you want to propose a film for this list, feel free! NOTE: It takes a lot of time to check the credits and text of each entry for accuracy. So, it really speeds things up if you compile as much of this information as possible. And remember -- every suggestion used here will be noted on the Credits Page!