Picnic (1955)

Kim Novak: Madge Owens

Photos 

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Quotes 

• Millie Owens : When I graduate from college I'm going to New York, and write novels that'll shock people right out of their senses. I'm never gonna fall in love. Not me! I'm not gonna live in some jerkwater town and marry some ornery guy and raise some grimy kids. But just because I'm a dope doesn't mean you have to be.

  Madge Owens : Millie.

  Millie Owens : Go with him, Madge.

  Madge Owens : Millie?

  Millie Owens : For once in your life, do something right.

• Flo Owens : If she loses her chance when she's young, she might as well throw all her prettiness away.

  Madge Owens : I'm only 19.

  Flo Owens : And next summer you'll be 20, and then 21, and then 40.

  Madge Owens : You don't have to be morbid.

• Flo Owens : He's no good. He'll never be able to support you. And when he does have a job, he'll spend it all on drink. And after that they'll be other women. I know!

  Madge Owens : Mom, you don't love someone because he's perfect.

• Hal Carter : Now, don't you blow your top, ma'am. I'm leaving town.

  [Turning to Madge] 

  Hal Carter : Aren't you gonna say good bye?

  Madge Owens : bye.

  Hal Carter : Are you mad at me?

  Madge Owens : no

  Hal Carter : I gotta know how you feel. Last night I thought you liked me.

  Madge Owens : I did like you. I liked you from the first time I saw you.

  Flo Owens : Madge, are you out of your senses?

  Hal Carter : Look. I, I've been thinking all night. I've never said this before, because it... It'd make me seem like such a freak, but...

  Madge Owens : What?

  Hal Carter : I love you, Madge. Do you hear?

  Flo Owens : Millie, I want you in the house this minute.

  Hal Carter : Do you love me? Do you?

  Flo Owens : I'm gonna call the police and have you put where you belong.

  Hal Carter : [Train horn sounds]  If you please, ma'am. I'm catching that freight. Meet me baby. We'll get married. They'll give me a room in the hotel. It'll be ok until we find something better.

  Flo Owens : Oh, Madge, don't listen.

  Hal Carter : Look, baby. I got a chance with you. It won't be big time, but that isn't important, is it? :

  [Train horn sounds twice] 

  Hal Carter : Come on.

  Madge Owens : oh, Hal, I can't.

  Hal Carter : Why?

  Madge Owens : Don't you see why? Don't you?

  [Train horn sounds several blasts] 

  Hal Carter : Listen, baby, you're the only real thing I ever wanted, ever. You're mine. I gotta claim what's mine, or I'll be nothing as long as I live. You love me. You know it. You love me.

  [as train passes, Hal runs to jump a freighter, shouting] 

  Hal Carter : You love me.

  [Hal turns as he runs for passing freight train] 

  Hal Carter : You love me.

  Flo Owens : oh, Madge...

  [Madge runs up to her room and Flo walks to Mrs. Potts] 

  Flo Owens : You liked him, didn't you Helen?

  Helen Potts : Yes, I did. I got so used to things as they were: Everything so prim, the geranium in the window, the smell of mama's medicines. And then he walked in, and it was different! He clomped through the place like he was still outdoors. There was a man in the place and it seemed good!

• Madge Owens : I get so tired of just being told I'm pretty.

• Millie Owens : How do you talk to boys?

  Madge Owens : Why you just talk silly.

  Millie Owens : Well, but, how do you think of things to say?

  Madge Owens : You just say whatever comes into your head.

  Millie Owens : Supposing nothing ever comes into my head?

• Madge Owens : Oh, Ma, what good is it just to be pretty?

  Flo Owens : What a question.

  Madge Owens : Maybe I get tired of only being looked at.

• Millie Owens : The way she primps and fusses, somebody'd think she was the Queen of Sheba.

  Madge Owens : Well, if you fussed with yourself a little, maybe you'd have a date for the Picnic today.

  Millie Owens : I don't want any of these crazy boys in town take me anywhere.

  Madge Owens : [singing]  Beggars can't be choosers

• Madge Owens : Bomber was right. You are a goon!

  Millie Owens : Madge, you slut, you take that back or I'll kill you! Take it back, Madge! Take it back!

• Flo Owens : Madge, does Alan ever make love?

  Madge Owens : Sometimes we park the car by the river.

  Flo Owens : Do - do you let him kiss you? Well, after all, you've been going together all summer.

  Madge Owens : Of course, I let him.

  Flo Owens : Does he ever want to go beyond kissing?

  Madge Owens : Oh, Mom!

  Flo Owens : Well, I'm your mother, for heaven's sake, these things *have* to be talked about.

• Madge Owens : I'll try hardest of all not to get conceited.

• Flo Owens : It would be awfully nice to be married to Alan, Madge. Better get busy.

  Madge Owens : Busy?

  Flo Owens : A pretty girl doesn't have long. Just a few years.

• Madge Owens : I'm going to Tulsa, Mom.

  Flo Owens : You don't know what you're doing. You can't.

  Madge Owens : I'm going Mom.

• Madge Owens : You're a wonderful dancer.

  Hal Carter : Thanks.

  Madge Owens : Oh, I can tell a lot about a man by dancing with him. You know, some boys, well, when they take a girl in their arms to dance they - well, they make her feel uncomfortable. But, with you, I - I had they feeling you knew exactly what you were doing. And I could follow you every step of the way.

• Madge Owens : The others. We've got to get back to the Picnic.

  Hal Carter : Do we?