Quotes
Lavond (as Madame Mandelip): Once you're in my shop, I'll wager you'll do anything I ask.
Share thisLorraine Lavond: [referring to the disguised Lavond] Toto, I have the strongest feeling I've seen him somewhere before.
Toto: You have.
Share thisLavond (as Madame Mandelip): [with emotion] Then he said
[clearing his throat]
Lavond (as Madame Mandelip): that was the most important thing of all. He told me to tell you to forget him, to find happiness and keep it, to marry and give your children all the love you might have given him if he hadn't been taken from you.
Share thisMalita: We'll make the whole WORLD small!
Share thisCharles Matin: There'a a certain amusing irony in offering a man's own money for his capture. Fifty thousand francs? Why not?
Share thisLavond (as Madame Mandelip): Look at me and see what seventeen years in the grave has done to me. No, Radin, without my hatred I never could have lived to exhume myself. What swine you three are!
Share thisMarcel: [Marcel and Lavond are escaping from prison] I have work to do. I've dreamt only of my work.
Lavond (as Madame Mandelip): Well, my work is no "dream" - I've been awake for 17 years!
Marcel: But you have only hatred in your heart. My work will help the world to live!
Lavond (as Madame Mandelip): And my work will help three men die.
Share thisMarcel: [Referring to Lachna, the servant girl] Malita, where did you get her?
Malita: In a Berlin slum. She's an in-bred peasant half-wit. But I wanted no prying wits about me.
Share thisLavond (as Madame Mandelip): I may not look it, madame, but I was once a very successful banker. Three men - my partners - lied and tricked me into prison. Well, three lives are going to pay for it.
Share thisMarcel: [Explaining why he thinks shrinking people and animals is a good idea] Lavond, my friend, millions of years ago the creatures that roamed this world were gigantic. As they multiplied, the earth could no longer produce enough food. Think of it, Lavond: every living creature reduced to one-sixth its size. One-sixth of its physical need. Food for six times all of us!
Share thisMarcel: Malita, get the big dog!
Share thisMalita: [after Lachna has been shrunk] You've corrected her brain, Marcel. She's no longer the stupid half-wit. Oh, she's going to be beautiful!
Share thisLavond (as Madame Mandelip): [after having observed the shrinking of Lachna] This is like some horrible dream. I don't want any part of this! Restore her to what she was!
Malita: No, she will always remain small. Small! We can make the whole WORLD small, as Marcel wanted. We can go to Paris. There are many people there... There's where we begin our work!
Lavond (as Madame Mandelip): Yes, Malita.
Share thisLavond (as Madame Mandelip): [a policeman has just left the shop, failing to recognize Lavond in disguise] Stupid policeman... To let an old white wig cost him 100 thousand francs.
Malita: It might have been safer to take him downstairs and make him "small."
Lavond (as Madame Mandelip): He's small already, in mind. In fact, Malita, if most men were reduced to the dimensions of their mentality, Marcel's plan wouldn't be necessary.
Share thisLaundry Proprietress: Huh! It's amazing how you washed-out Cinderellas can speed up work when 5 o'clock comes around.
Share thisLavond (as Madame Mandelip): [Examining Madame Coulvet's expensive necklace up close] Forgive me, madame, but I do love the beautiful. You can tell that from my workmanship.
Share thisMalita: This is wonderful, Lavond. Now that you are free, we can go on with our work, without being bothered by the police.
Lavond (as Madame Mandelip): No, Malita, my work is over, but I am not free. Why, if they ever found out who I was, the police would want a lot of questions answered: What happened to Radin? Who paralyzed Coulvet? No, Malita, when I proved my innocence, I condemned myself forever.
Share thisEiffel Tower Elevator Operator: [Final lines] It's a nice evening, monsieur.
Lavond (as Madame Mandelip): Yes... Probably the nicest evening of my life.
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