The Member of the Wedding (1952)

Brandon De Wilde: John Henry

Photos 

Quotes 

• Frances 'Frankie' Addams : Why can't I be a member?

  Berenice Sadie Brown : I wouldn't pay them club girls no mind. All my life, I been wanting things I ain't been getting. Besides, them club girls are fully two years older than you.

  Frances 'Frankie' Addams : I think they've been spreading it all over town that I smell bad. When I had those boils and had to use that black, bitter-smelling ointment...

  Berenice Sadie Brown : I know.

  Frances 'Frankie' Addams : And old Helen Fletcher asked me what was that funny smell I had. I could shoot every one of them with a pistol!

  [collapses on kitchen table] 

  John Henry : [strokes her hair]  I don't think you smell so bad. You smell sweet, like a hundred flowers.

  Frances 'Frankie' Addams : I bet I use more perfume than anybody else in town. Crooks!

• Frances 'Frankie' Addams : [about Jarvis and Janice]  They were the two prettiest people I ever saw. I just can't understand how it happened.

  Berenice Sadie Brown : Whatever ails you? Acting so queer!

  Frances 'Frankie' Addams : I don't know. I bet they have a good time every minute of the day.

  John Henry : Let's us have a good time!

  Frances 'Frankie' Addams : Us have a good time? Us?

  Berenice Sadie Brown : Yes, us. Come on, let us play a three-hand game of bridge.

  Frances 'Frankie' Addams : Janice and Jarvis. Winter Hill. The wedding. It's all so queer.

• Frances 'Frankie' Addams : [playing bridge]  Even with this trick, I can't win.

  Berenice Sadie Brown : Well, just where is the cards? Three days, I ain't had a decent hand. Getting to suspicion something, too. Come on, let's count these old cards.

  Frances 'Frankie' Addams : We've worn these old cards out. If you'd eat these old cards, they would taste like a combination of all the dinners of the summer, together with a sweaty-handed nasty taste.

  [they turn all the cards face-up] 

  Frances 'Frankie' Addams : Why, the jacks and the queens are missing.

  [John Henry sinks in his chair] 

  Berenice Sadie Brown : John Henry, how come you do a thing like that? So, that's why you asked for the scissors and stole off quiet behind the arbor. Why you take our playing cards and cut out all the pictures?

  John Henry : 'Cause I wanted 'em. They're cute.

• Frances 'Frankie' Addams : [running the girls' club off after they elected a new girl instead of her as a member]  What're you doing in my yard? You're never to set foot on my papa's property again. You crooks! I could shoot you with my papa's pistol!

  John Henry : Crooks!

  Frances 'Frankie' Addams : WHY DIDN'T YOU ELECT ME?

• John Henry : Berenice, which eye's your mind's eye?

  Berenice Sadie Brown : Don't yank my head back like that, Candy. Me and Frankie ain't going to float through the ceiling and leave you.

• John Henry : Mean old bossy Frankie!

  Berenice Sadie Brown : Just what is she doing that's so mean? Just trying to get some rest.