A Damsel in Distress (1937)

Joan Fontaine: Lady Alyce

Photos 

Quotes 

• Lady Alyce : [She has just jumped into Jerry's taxi to get away from Keggs]  I suppose you're wondering what this is all about?

  Jerry Halliday : Oh, no. It's none of my business.

  Lady Alyce : And, and of course, you're much too well bred to inquire in other people's business?

  Jerry Halliday : Of course I am.

  [He turns to her] 

  Jerry Halliday : What's it all about?

  Lady Alyce : Well, I'm in a simple piece of trouble, and it would bore you to death if I told you about it.

• Lady Alyce : It's a lot of fun, isn't it?

  Jerry Halliday : Yeah, it's all right.

  Lady Alyce : What do they call this thing?

  Jerry Halliday : The tunnel of love.

  Lady Alyce : Oh.

• Jerry Halliday : I got here just as quickly as I could.

  Lady Alyce : You did?

  Jerry Halliday : Yes.

  Lady Alyce : You're feeling quite well?

  Jerry Halliday : Well, I'm used to all the excitement

  Lady Alyce : One of our gardeners got sunstroke yesterday.

  Jerry Halliday : Is that so?

  Lady Alyce : Yes, uh, he stood out in the sun too long without his hat on.

• Jerry Halliday : Now what happens? What can I do to help?

  Lady Alyce : Help?

  Jerry Halliday : You're in distress aren't you?

  Lady Alyce : Why, in a way, yes.

  Jerry Halliday : They're keeping you prisoner?

  Lady Alyce : Yes.

  Jerry Halliday : Well, I wouldn't have dreamed it possible in this day and age. Locking a girl up like a prisoner to keep her away from...

  Lady Alyce : The man she loves. How did you know?

  Jerry Halliday : Uh, you're quite sure about this being in love thing... I mean, it isn't just a quick schoolgirl crush?

  Lady Alyce : Oh, no.

  Jerry Halliday : The real thing.

• Jerry Halliday : You do really... shall we say, uh, care for this man?

  [He thinks she's fallen for him] 

  Lady Alyce : I love him.

  [She's talking about her American skier] 

  Jerry Halliday : [Thinking she means him]  Why?

  Lady Alyce : Well, in the first place he's the most charming man in the world.

  [Jerry lowers his head sheepishly and then smiles] 

  Lady Alyce : And in the second place, he's divinely handsome.

  [Jerry gets a sober look for a moment and then smiles] 

  Jerry Halliday : You're crazy.

  Lady Alyce : Well, I beg your pardon. I think so.

  Jerry Halliday : [Shrugs and tosses up his hands]  Well, all right, then. We won't argue that point any further. Go on.

  Lady Alyce : [Pointing to Jerry]  Uh, American?

  Jerry Halliday : Yes.

  Lady Alyce : You'd say, "He's got what it takes."

  Jerry Halliday : Listen, you know, I can stand just so much and then...

  [a knock at the door precludes another slap] 

• Lady Alyce : You see, I came to say that I'm sorry I slapped you. You see, father just explained everything to me, and now I understand how it happened.

  Jerry Halliday : Oh, I see. Your father explained to you why you slapped me?

  Lady Alyce : No, no, it seems to have... I mean, father made a mistake about you, and then after he spoke to you yesterday, well he naturally thought you were somebody else.

  Jerry Halliday : Naturally.

  Lady Alyce : And I don't know, of course. I thought you were being yourself. And then father explained that he thought you were the other man, and of course, how were you to know that I didn't mean you. And do you understand?

  Jerry Halliday : [Shaking his head solemnly]  Perfectly.

  Lady Alyce : And do you see why I slapped you?

  Jerry Halliday : Let me get this straight. Who did you slap, me or the other fellow?

  Lady Alyce : Why, you.

  Jerry Halliday : And who's the other fella?

  Lady Alyce : Jeffrey.

  Jerry Halliday : Jeffrey? Who's he?

  Lady Alyce : An American I met in Switzerland about a year ago.

• Lady Alyce : I suppose you're wondering what this is all about.

  Jerry Halliday : Oh, no. Its none of my business.

  Lady Alyce : And - and, of course, you're much too well-bred to inquire onto other people's business.

  Jerry Halliday : Of course, I am. What's it all about?

• Jerry Halliday : Slapping me made you love me.

  Lady Alyce : Yes.

  Jerry Halliday : Darling, slap me again.

• Lord Marshmorton : You said just now you didn't?

  Lady Alyce : I didn't say I didn't. I said I did!

• Lord Marshmorton : He's a stranger.

  Lady Alyce : But he's not a stranger. That is, in a way he is, and he isn't.

• Lady Alyce : He's done it again.

  Lord Marshmorton : What a man!