Dark Victory (1939)
Bette Davis: Judith Traherne
Photos
Quotes
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Judith : I think I'll have a large order of prognosis negative!
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Judith : Nothing can hurt us now. What we have can't be destroyed. That's our victory - our victory over the dark. It is a victory because we're not afraid.
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Dr. Frederick Steele : I'm leaving for Vermont in about fifteen minutes.
Judith : Vermont! You don't mean that narrow, pinched-up little state on the wrong side of Boston?
Dr. Frederick Steele : That's the one.
Judith : No kidding?
Dr. Frederick Steele : No kidding.
Judith : What are you going to do there between yawns?
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Judith : But I haven't time to be ill.
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Judith : Confidentially, darling, this is more than a hangover.
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Judith : I've never taken orders from anyone. As long as I live, I'll never take orders from anyone. I'm young and strong and nothing can touch me.
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Judith : I want you to have a party and be gay. Very, very gay!
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Judith : Excuse me, kids, I've won a prize.
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Judith : Michael, how long have I had you?
Michael O'Leary : One month and three days.
Judith : Remind me to think about firing you!
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Judith : Here's a tragedy for you. Jessica's Girl has bronchitis and can't possibly last the night. Jessica's Girl is a horse. Poor Jessica's Girl.
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Judith : [just before falling asleep in her hospital bed] Doctor...
Dr. Frederick Steele : Yes?
Judith : Will you do something for me?
Dr. Frederick Steele : Yes.
Judith : When you get inside my head, see if you can find any sense in it.
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Dr. Frederick Steele : [as he enters their home] How are you Ann?
[Ann runs upstairs]
Dr. Frederick Steele : Did I stumble into something?
Judith : Yes. We were on the verge of a jealous scene about you.
Dr. Frederick Steele : What?
Judith : [gently grabbing Frederick's hand] Darling - poor fool - don't you know I'm in love with you?...
[they enter the other room and order some tea from the maid]
Judith : ... Sorry.
Dr. Frederick Steele : You couldn't have said anything I wanted to hear more. Judi dear, I love you so much.
[they embrace tenderly and the scene fades out]
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[last lines]
Judith : That you, Martha?
Martha, housekeeper : Yes, Miss Judith.
Judith : I don't want to be disturbed.
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[first lines]
Michael O'Leary : [on the phone] Hello there. Is this the house? I've been trying to get you.
Miss Wainwright : Michael, do you realize it's 5:30 in the morning?
Lucy - a Servant : Who is it, Agatha?
Miss Wainwright : [to Lucy] That Michael.
[agitatedly to Michael as a different phone line rings]
Miss Wainwright : We had a party last night and the last guest hasn't driven out of the driveway yet.
Lucy - a Servant : [answering the other ringing line] Hello, kitchen. Lucy speaking... Yes, Miss Ann.
Ann King : [irritatedly in bed] What's that racket? The telephone's been ringing all over the house... I'll talk to him.
[picks up the other phone]
Ann King : Michael, what do you mean at this unholy hour of the morning?
Michael O'Leary : Oh, well good morning, Miss Ann. Cheerful morning now isn't it? I was wondering if I might talk to Miss Judith.
Ann King : No you may certainly might not! She hasn't had two hours of sleep yet, I wouldn't disturb her for the world... oh...
[obviously gives in, and the scene fades to Judith waking up in bed to answer her ringing phone with Michael on the line]
Judith : This is Miss Judith Traherne of the sleepy Trahernes.
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Judith : [Judith's overview of herself to Dr. Steele] I'm 23 years old; an only child; I weigh 110 pounds stripped; I've had measles, mumps, and whooping cough all at the proper ages; I believe I have no congenital weaknesses... shall I go on?
Dr. Frederick Steele : Yes, please.
Judith : My father drank himself to death; my mother lives in Paris; I take a great deal of exercise; I'm accustomed to a reasonable quantity of tobacco and alcohol; I'm said to have a sense of humor... is that enough?
Dr. Frederick Steele : Only inconsequential facts.
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Dr. Frederick Steele : [Out to dinner, after Judith has inadvertently learned the truth about her health] Would you mind telling me what this is all about?
Judith : Why don't you tell me? Why *didn't* you tell me?
[looks at the menu briefly]
Judith : Well I, I think I'll have a large order of *prognosis negative*!
Ann King : What do you mean?
Judith : You know, monsieur, s'il vous plaît. 'Prognosis negative'. You know what 'prognosis negative' means, doctor? Explain to her, or have you? It means a few months of pretending you're well, then blindness, then...
Ann King : Wait, Judith, we can't talk in here.
Judith : Oh yes we can. It was a question of humoring the patient, wasn't it? Give the poor dear anything she wants - time's so short, marry her if necessary. I know now why you went to his office that day: to beg him to marry me out of pity. You're kind, Dr. Steele, you're *both* so kind. So long my friends!
[Frederick and Ann try to stop her, but she storms out of the restaurant]
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Dr. Frederick Steele : [during their first meeting in Dr. Steele's office] Does that light bother you?
Judith : Not at all.
Dr. Frederick Steele : Do you use your eyes a great deal?
Judith : [dryly] I generally keep them open, Doctor.
