Mildred Pierce (1945)

Ann Blyth: Veda Pierce

Photos 

Quotes 

• Veda Pierce : With this money I can get away from you. From you and your chickens and your pies and your kitchens and everything that smells of grease. I can get away from this shack with its cheap furniture. And this town and its dollar days, and its women that wear uniforms and its men that wear overalls.

• Veda Pierce : You think just because you made a little money you can get a new hairdo and some expensive clothes and turn yourself into a lady. But you can't, because you'll never be anything but a common frump whose father lived over a grocery store and whose mother took in washing.

• Veda Pierce : [kissing the check from the Forresters to keep Veda's pregnancy quiet]  Well, that's that!

  Mildred Pierce : I'm sorry this had to happen; sorry for the boy, he seemed very nice.

  Veda Pierce : Oh Ted's all right really. Did you see the look on his face when we told him he was going to be a father?

  [Veda laughs] 

  Mildred Pierce : I wish you wouldn't joke about it.

  Veda Pierce : Mother, you're a scream, really you are. The next thing I know you'll be knitting little garments.

  Mildred Pierce : I don't see anything so ridiculous about that.

  Veda Pierce : If I were you, I'd save myself the trouble.

  Mildred Pierce : [pause]  You're not going to have a baby?

  Veda Pierce : At this stage, it's a matter of opinion. And in my opinion, I'm going to have a baby. I can always be mistaken.

• Veda Pierce : It's the dress. It's awfully cheap material. I can tell by the smell.

  Kay Pierce : What did you expect? Want it inlaid with gold?

  Veda Pierce : Well, it seems to me, if you're buying anything, it should be the best. This is definitely not the best.

  Kay Pierce : Oh, quit. You're breakin' my heart.

• Mildred Pierce : You've been snooping around ever since I got this job, trying to find out what it is... and now you know. You know, don't you.

  Veda Pierce : [innocently]  Know what? Know what mother?

  Mildred Pierce : You knew when you gave that uniform to Lottie that it was mine didn't you.

  Veda Pierce : [feigns surprise]  Your uniform!

  Mildred Pierce : Yes, I'm waiting tables in a downtown restaurant.

  Veda Pierce : [contemptuously]  My mother - a waitress.

• Veda Pierce : That's what I like about you, Ida. You're so delightfully provincial.

  Ida Corwin : [sarcastically]  And I like you, too.

  Ida Corwin : [to Monte]  Don't look now, Junior, but you're standing under a brick wall.

  Monte Beragon : I don't get it.

  Ida Corwin : You will... when it falls on you.

• Veda Pierce : It's your fault I'm the way I am. Help me!

• Monte Beragon : [as Mildred caught Monte and Veda in a romantic embrace]  We weren't expecting you Mildred, obviously.

  Veda Pierce : It's just as well you know. I'm glad you know.

  Mildred Beragon : How long has this been going on?

• Kay Pierce : [talking about her derriere]  You ought to do something about your sit-down.

  Veda Pierce : What's wrong with it?

  Kay Pierce : It sticks out.

• Veda Pierce : I don't like this house.

  Mildred Pierce : Neither do I. But that's no reason to marry a man I'm not in love with.

  Veda Pierce : Why not?

  Mildred Pierce : Veda, does a new house mean so much to you that you would trade me for it?

  Veda Pierce : I didn't mean it, Mother.

• Veda Pierce : With this money I can get away from you.

  Mildred Pierce : Veda!

  Veda Pierce : From you and your chickens and your pies and your kitchens and everything that smells of grease.

• Miriam Ellis : I didn't know you had a mother.

  Veda Pierce : Everybody has a mother.

• Veda Pierce : This is Miram Ellis, mother. She sings.

  Miriam Ellis : That's what they tell me anyhow, Mrs. Pierce.

  Mildred Pierce : I'm glad to know you.

  Miriam Ellis : Oh, it's mutual, I'm sure. I guess this calls for a medium-class celebration. Maybe I better send out for a beer. Full of vitamins.