Confessions of a Young American Housewife (1974)

Mary Mendum: Carole

Photos 

Quotes 

• Anna : Who is she, anyway?

  Carole : She's just some young, American housewife. Just an ordinary, young, American housewife, getting her kicks.

• Carole : Mama, why don't you get married again? You're young and pretty...

  Jennifer Robinson : But why get married?

  Carole : Oh, I don't know. But you like to bake and you like to cook...

  Jennifer Robinson : Oh, I don't think I'd ever get married again, even if I found another man. I'd probably just go off and live with him for awhile, as long as it lasted.

  Carole : Why shouldn't it last? That sounds cynical.

  Jennifer Robinson : Oh, Carole, even nice things don't last.

• Carole : Mama... Pete and Anna and Eddie and I, we're a foursome.

  Jennifer Robinson : I don't wanna be a source of trouble between Anna & Pete.

  Carole : Mama, you're not listening! The four of us are very close friends. Pete screws me, with Anna and Eddie in the same room. They're screwing too, Mama. They're screwing each other. And there are other combinations, too numerous to mention.

  Jennifer Robinson : You're a swinger? My little girl? My baby is a husband-swapper!

• Carole : Mama, I can tell you now. I'm a very hot, horny girl. I discovered that in high school. After I married Eddie and we moved here...

  Jennifer Robinson : Wasn't he... horny enough for you?

  Carole : Yes, Mama. He's ready at the drop of a pair of panties. The day Anna and Pete moved in next door, Pete began to drop in, while Eddie was at work. It was nice, very nice. 'Til Eddie walked in on us one day.

  Jennifer Robinson : What did they do? Fight over you?

  Carole : No. It was very civilized. We called Anna in and told her. Then we decided that, since we were all attracted to each other, we could share each other, without jealousy, without anxiety.

• Carole : [to Anna]  It was my turn last night. It's your turn tonight. We're just gonna split you right up the middle, baby, so be ready!

• Carole : Yeah, everybody goes for Mama. They always did. I sorta feel like I'm in her shadow. Again.

• Carole : Mama, you're much older than he is!

  Jennifer Robinson : So, I'll enjoy it while it lasts. Nothing is permanent, baby, nothing.

  Pete : But why? Why you leaving with this guy?

  Anna : You're wanted here very much.

  Jennifer Robinson : You all want me.

  [kisses Carole goodbye] 

  Jennifer Robinson : But, he needs me.

• Jennifer Robinson : I love you, baby.

  Carole : I know that, Mama.

  Jennifer Robinson : As a matter of fact, I love you all. Perhaps too much.

• Carole : She left because of me. Mama... Mama knew that... we were developing feelings about each other. Feelings... always there under different guises. Feelings that neither one of us could handle. They once came to the surface.

  Anna : I understand, Carole.

  [indicating Pete & Eddie] 

  Anna : They'd never understand.

• Carole : Mama, is all this too much for you?

  Jennifer Robinson : You mean, the pleasure? I suppose I should lie to you now, tell you I'm repelled by it. I should urge you, my child, towards a life of monogamy. But, I can't. Because I love it, Carole. I love every spasm, every quiver, every orgasm.

  Carole : I am your daughter. There's no doubt about that.