The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996)

James Carville: Simon Leis

Quotes 

• Simon Leis : Mr. Flynt, can you please turn to page 77? Can you describe to the jury what is on that page, please sir?

  Larry Flynt : It's a picture of Santa Claus.

  Simon Leis : What is Santa Claus doing?

  Larry Flynt : He's talking to Mrs. Claus, and holding in his hand what appears to be a large, erect penis.

  Simon Leis : And could you read the caption underneath that cartoon, please?

  Larry Flynt : "This is what I've got to ho-ho-ho about."

• Simon Leis : Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Before we begin, I must apologize for the unpleasantness of this task. What you are about to see is going to take your breath away. "Hustler" magazine depicts men and women posed together in a lewd and shameful manner. "Hustler" magazine depicts women and women posed together in a lewd and shameful manner. "Hustler" magazine depicts Santa Claus posed in a lewd and shameful manner.

• Simon Leis : [Referring to the Santa Claus cartoon while in court]  Do you think the founding fathers had a cartoon like this in mind when they wrote the first amendment to our Constitution?

  Larry Flynt : [while on the witness stand]  No but I don't think they had Playboy in mind or people either for that matter because I saw a couple of four letter words in there a few weeks back.

  Simon Leis : But isn't a community allowed to set its own standards?

  Larry Flynt : No that's just the disguise for censorship. This country belongs to me just as much it belongs to you, if you don't like Hustler Magazine, don't read it.

  Simon Leis : I don't but what about our innocent children that gaze upon it in our grocery stores?

  Larry Flynt : If a kid gets caught drinking beer in a tavern, we don't ban Budweiser across the nation.

• Simon Leis : I'm going to ask that you review this material very, very carefully; because, it's important that you know that I did not buy these at a smut store. These were not purchased at a dirty book shop. I bought this - in a neighborhood grocery store - in full view of our children.

• Isaacman : Your Honor, with the court's permission, at this time, the defense would like to introduce into evidence 27 other men's magazines sold in the Cincinnati area. Titles such as "Penthouse", "Playboy"...

  Simon Leis : Objection!

  Judge Morrissey - Cincinnati Court : Sustained.

  Isaacman : Sustained?