Nicholas Nickleby (2002)

Nathan Lane: Vincent Crummles

Photos 

Quotes 

• Mr. Crummles : In every life, no matter how full or empty one's purse, there is tragedy. It is the one promise life always fulfills. Thus, happiness is a gift and the trick is not to expect it but to delight in it when it comes. And to add to other people's store of it. What happens if too early we lose a parent, that party on whom we rely for only everything? What did these people

  [indicating Nicholas, Kate and Madeline Bray] 

  Mr. Crummles : do when their families shrank? They cried their tears but then they did the vital thing. They built a new family, person by person. They came to see that family need not be defined merely as though with whom they share blood, but as those for whom they would give their blood.

• Mr. Crummles : Happiness is a gift and the trick is not to expect it, but to delight in it when it comes.

• Mr. Crummles : [about Nicholas writing a play for him]  Whatever you write, could you please include a washtub as I've just bought one at a sale.

• [first lines] 

  Vincent Crummles : What happens when the light first pierces the dark dampness in which we have waited? We are slapped and cut loose. If we are lucky, someone is there to catch us and persuade us that we are safe. But are we safe? What happens if, too early, we lose a parent? That party on whom we rely for only everything? Why, we are cut loose again and we wonder, even dread whose hands will catch us now? There once lived a man named Nicholas Nickleby...

• Mr. Crummles : Ladies and gentlemen, based on the receipts Mrs. Crummles has shown me, Liverpool has little relish for high-minded theatrical entertainments properly conducted. We must give them our pity. Now, we must give them something they will pay to see. 'Romeo and Juliet.'

  Mrs. Crummles : But we have no Romeo. Mr. Leadville's leg is broke.

  Mr. Leadville : I don't mind! I can manage!

  [Winces] 

  Mr. Crummles : Old friend, it may be time for you to move on from Romeo.

  Mr. Leadville : Move on?

  [Winces Again] 

  Mr. Leadville : To what?

  Mrs. Crummles : [aside]  Lear?

• Mr. Crummles : But there is tragedy in the family.

  Nicholas : The pony's family?

  Mr. Crummles : Yes... the father drank. Ended up in the circus, drinking port wine with the clowns. Got greedy, couldn't quit and choked on the bottle.

  [Gasps] 

  Mr. Crummles : At any rate, I'd Iove to bring you and your friend out.

• Mr. Crummles : And this is the infant phenomenon. She is but 10 years old.

  Nicholas : [the Infant Phenomenon is clearly older]  Not... older?

  Mr. Crummles : [Raises eyebrow]  Not a day.

• Vincent Crummles : Mr. Nickleby took to his bed until he surrendered to the one certainty of life - which no amount of speculation can prevent.

• Vincent Crummles : So, Nicholas Nickleby, who had never speculated - speculated.

• Vincent Crummles : It is a particular sort of triumph that bankers have made the word "speculation" synonymous with "adventure". When, indeed, it means only that one may gain a great deal - or one may lose a great deal.

• Vincent Crummles : Arise, young man. You've been transformed! You went to sleep a wretch, you awake an actor!