Q Planes (1939)

Valerie Hobson: Kay Hammond

Photos 

Quotes 

• Tony McVane : You're pretty fresh for a new girl.

  Kay : New things should always be fresh.

• Kay : [Kay slams her article down on editor's desk] 

  Newspaper Editor : Less enthusiasm, please. This is Britain.

  Kay : Well, a story's a story, even in Britain. And this is a story.

  Newspaper Editor : If it's yours, it's a pack of lies.

  Kay : Isn't that what you want?

  Newspaper Editor : [Reading the copy]  Blenkinsop killed in Barrington Ward!

  Kay : Yes, I worked in the canteen. He sacked me.

  Newspaper Editor : And you murdered him.

  Kay : Yes.

  Newspaper Editor : That wouldn't surprise me.

  Kay : If you don't want it, I can take it across the street.

  Newspaper Editor : [Reading copy]  Plane disappears!. Secret service man on the premises! Confidential clerk murdered! Maj Hammond baffled! SCOOP! That's a Times double!

  [to clerk] 

  Newspaper Editor : Hey! Hold that front page!

  [to Kay] 

  Newspaper Editor : Follow it up! Get down to the works. Find out all you can about Jenkins. You're on to the biggest thing since that film star was bitten by an Icelander. I love you!

  [Jumps up and hugs Kay] 

  Kay : Less enthusiasm, please. This is Britain.

• Tony McVane : [at Major Hammond's home, making stew]  Seriously, why don't you get yourself a husband?

  Kay : Where from?

  Tony McVane : Oh, anywhere. You'd have no difficulty.

  Kay : No?

  Tony McVane : No, not if you put your mind to it.

  Kay : Oh. My mind.

  Tony McVane : Yes, good women are scarce. You'd make a grand wife -- honestly.

  Kay : Because I can cook?

  Tony McVane : Well, that is a selling point.

  Kay : I suppose you don't want a nice, plain cook?

  Tony McVane : Me? No. Whatever made you think that?

  Kay : Pass me the pepper, please.

  Tony McVane : Mmm.

  [hands her the pepper] 

  Tony McVane : Think of the advantages of marriage... well, Al least you wouldn't have to go tramping around making an ass of yourself just to earn money.

  Kay : I take that to be a description of newspaper reporting?

  Tony McVane : Ohh, all that sort of thing. I mean, a married woman doesn't have to descend to vulgarities just to keep herself going.

  Kay : Of all the pompous, conceited snobs I have ever met, you are the most insufferable. Do you know that for one appalling moment I thought you were going to propose to me? And luckily, I was wrong- otherwise I would have had the *great* pleasure of telling you that life with you would be just exactly my idea of purgatory. I hope I never set eyes on you again. Goodbye!

  [she stalks out of the kitchen, but then returns] 

  Kay : Oh, I, uh... forgot, I'm living here. As I can't bounce out of the house, would you mind removing yourself?

  Tony McVane : [on his way out Tony gives her a kitchen towel, apron, and a wooden spoon]  Goodbye, darling.