Brief Moment (1933)

Carole Lombard: Abby Fane

Photos 

Quotes 

• [first lines] 

  Rodney Deane : Here, we're going out.

  Abby Fane : Going out?

  Rodney Deane : Yeah, the whole family's waiting for us.

• Abby Fane : [singing]  Say what you mean, And mean what you're saying to me...

• Abby Fane : Dear, why do you want to marry me?

  Rodney Deane : I happen to be terribly in love with you.

  Abby Fane : Is that enough?

• Abby Fane : Maybe I'm old fashioned, worrying about your family. But, its an awful lot to fight.

  Rodney Deane : We don't fight them dear. We just, pay no attention.

  Abby Fane : You can't do that. You belong to them. You're part of them.

  Rodney Deane : Part of that pack of snobs? Ah, can't you see how unimportant they are? Honey, if they don't like you, its because you're too good for them.

  Abby Fane : You think you'll always say that?

  Rodney Deane : Always. Darling, the family's out. From now on its you and I. If you'll have me. Will you?

  Abby Fane : You and I.

• Abby Fane : [reading the local newspapers]  Oh, dear. She nabs millionaire. She gets her man. Banker's son this. Millionaire's son that. They certainly make me out a high-class gold digger.

  Rodney Deane : You're not taking that seriously, are you?

  Abby Fane : Did you ever have such a thought about me?

  Rodney Deane : Sure. Look at that hard face - and those grasping lips.

  [kiss] 

  Rodney Deane : I think I'm entitled to a little grasping lips on my honeymoon.

• Abby Fane : I almost wish you didn't have any money or any mid-Victorian family.

• Rodney Deane : Darling, what's there to do at home?

  Abby Fane : We'll rest up for an hour or two so we can go some place else.

  Rodney Deane : What do you mean?

  Abby Fane : Well, that's what home means to you, doesn't it?

  Rodney Deane : Well, at four o'clock in the afternoon.

  Abby Fane : Yes, that's the time other men are working.

  Rodney Deane : So what?

  Abby Fane : But, I suppose it isn't as important as drinking.

• Rodney Deane : Well, get it off your chest.

  Abby Fane : What's the use. I've tried for six months.

• Rodney Deane : I don't understand, darling. What's wrong?

  Abby Fane : Oh, Rod, it's been nothing but a merry-go-round. Running around all the time with different people we don't care anything about. Drinking - morning, noon and night. I'm tired Rod! I want to get off the merry-go-round. I want to start being married. If we can't, there's not much use to going on.

  Rodney Deane : Why didn't you tell me all this before?

  Abby Fane : Oh, I've tried! But, you've always offered me another drink. I can't live like this.

• Abby Fane : Sig's all right, but...

  Rodney Deane : No, buts! Sig's a hundred per cent. You don't know him, that's all, Abby. That guy, Hemingway said it. He said to have stuff was to have "grace under pressure." Well, that's Sig. Grace under pressure.

• Abby Fane : He's an idler and a waster! You surely don't want to be like him?

  Rodney Deane : Why not?

  Abby Fane : Well, you can't spend your life having a good time.

  Rodney Deane : Well, I can try.

• Abby Fane : Come on, honey, wake up. Baby, you've got to get to bed.

• Mr. Deane : Now, what's this terrible state of affairs you're talking about, child? I've seen no evidence of it.

  Abby Fane : You never see him, that's why. I'm married to him. So far, my marriage has been one long drunk.

• Abby Fane : Hold me tight, darling.

• Abby Fane : Are you still the boy wonder?

• Abby Fane : It isn't very pleasant to realize you're a liar too.

  Rodney Deane : Along with being a rotter, a waster, parasite and all around heel. Is that it?

  Abby Fane : You left one out.

  Rodney Deane : Oh, yes. And drunkard.

• [last lines] 

  Rodney Deane : Now, I suppose you'll nag me until I get a raise.

  Abby Fane : Why not? You're worth more.