Contempt (1963)

Jack Palance: Jeremy Prokosch

Photos 

Quotes 

• [after viewing film shot by Fritz Lang] 

  Jerry Prokosch : You've cheated me, Fritz. That's not what is in that script.

  Fritz Lang : It is!

  [he pulls the script away from Jerry, who is attempting to grab it out of his hand] 

  Fritz Lang : Oh, no!

  Jerry Prokosch : Get the script, Francesca.

  [he reads the script and then changes his tone] 

  Jerry Prokosch : Yes, it's in the script. But it's not what you have on that screen.

  Fritz Lang : Naturally, because in the script it is written, and on the screen it's pictures. Motion picture, it's called.

• Jerry Prokosch : Whenever I hear the word "culture," I bring out my checkbook.

  [to his assistant] 

  Jerry Prokosch : Come here.

  [he places his checkbook on his assistant's back and writes out a check] 

  Fritz Lang : Some years ago - some horrible years ago - the Nazis used to take out a pistol instead of a checkbook.

• Jerry Prokosch : The wise man does not oppress others with his superiority. He does not try to humiliate them for their impotence.

• Paul Javal : In '33, Goebbels asked Lang to head the German film industry. That very night, Lang left Germany...

  Jerry Prokosch : This is not '33. This is '63. And he will direct whatever was written. Just as I know that you are going to write it.

• Jerry Prokosch : I like gods. I like them very much. I know exactly how they feel - exactly.

  Fritz Lang : Jerry, don't forget. The gods have not created man. Man has created gods.

• Jerry Prokosch : I want you to write some new scenes for "The Odyssey." Not just sex, but more - more...

• Jerry Prokosch : To know that one does not know, is the gift of a superior spirit. Not to know and to think that one does know, is a mistake. To know that this is a mistake, keeps one from making it. I have the knowledge here.

• Jerry Prokosch : "The Odyssey" needs a German director! Anybody knows that a German, Schliemann, discovered Troy.

• Jerry Prokosch : Why don't you say something?

  Camille Javal : Because I have nothing to say.

• Francesca Vanini : Mr. Prokoscha already said it: You're wrong. You aspire to a world like Homer's. You want it to exist, but unfortunately it doesn't.

  Paul Javal : Why not? It does.

  Jerry Prokosch : No!

  Francesca Vanini : You may be right, but when it comes to making movies, dreams aren't enough.

• Jerry Prokosch : [trying to impress the girl by speaking French]  What do you think... me?

  Camille Javal : Get in your Alfa, Romeo. We'll see about that!

• Jerry Prokosch : I don't believe in modesty. I believe in pride! I believe in the pride of making good films.