The Women (1939)

Florence Nash: Nancy Blake

Photos 

Quotes 

• Nancy Blake : You just can't bear Mary's happiness, can you, Sylvia? It gets you down.

  Sylvia Fowler : How ridiculous! Why should it?

  Nancy Blake : Because she's contented. Contented to be what she is.

  Sylvia Fowler : Which is what?

  Nancy Blake : A woman.

  Sylvia Fowler : Ah! And what are we?

  Nancy Blake : Females.

  Sylvia Fowler : Really. And what are you, pet?

  Nancy Blake : What nature abhors: I'm an old maid, a frozen asset.

• Nancy Blake : [to Countess DeLave]  Chin up.

  Miriam Aarons : Right, both of them.

• Sylvia Fowler : Well, heaven be praised, I'm on to my husband, I wouldn't trust him on Alcatraz, the mouse.

  Peggy Day : Sylvia, you oughtn't talk about him like that! Why, I think it's disloyal!

  Sylvia Fowler : Oh now, listen Peggy, do we know how the men talk about us when we're not around?

  Nancy Blake : I've heard rumours.

  Sylvia Fowler : Exactly... And uh... While we're on the subject, have either of you wondered whether the master of this maison might not be straying?

  Nancy Blake : I haven't.

  Sylvia Fowler : Well, for all you know Mary Haines may be living in a fool's paradise.

  Nancy Blake : You're so resourceful darling. I ought to go to you for plots.

  Sylvia Fowler : You ought to go to *someone*.

• Sylvia Fowler : [Showing her nails to Mary]  Mary, how do you like that?

  Nancy Blake : Too, too adorable.

  Sylvia Fowler : Ah, you have no idea how it stays on... I get it at Sydney's. You should go, Mary. A wonderful new manicurist. Olga's her name; she's marvelous. Isn't that divine? Jungle Red!

  Nancy Blake : Looks like you've been tearing at somebody's throat!

  Sylvia Fowler : [Smacks her hand on the table]  I'll be darned, Nancy, if I'll let you ride me anymore!

  Mary Haines : Oh Sylvia, Nancy's only trying to be clever, too.

  Sylvia Fowler : Well, she takes a crack at everything about me... Even my nails!

  Mary Haines : Well, I like them, I really do. Sydney's, Olga's, Jungle Red... I'll remember.

• Edith Potter : What are you going to write next, Nancy? Animal stories?

  Nancy Blake : [looking at Sylvia Fowler]  I wouldn't have to go to Africa for that.

• Peggy Day : Oh, I wish I could make a little money writing the way you do!

  Nancy Blake : If you wrote the way I do, that's just what you'd make.

  Sylvia Fowler : You're not a very popular author, are you, dear?

  Nancy Blake : Not with you.

• Sylvia Fowler : I'd die before I hurt Edith.

  Nancy Blake : [offering Sylvia a tray of nuts]  Nuts.

• Sylvia Fowler : What are you, pet?

  Nancy Blake : What nature abhors. I am an old maid, a frozen asset.

• Jane : [Opens the door for Edith]  How do you do, Mrs. Potter?

  Edith Potter : Hello, Jane.

  Jane : And how are you feeling today?

  Edith Potter : Too awful. I wouldn't wish my woes on my worst friend.

  [Looks around the corner] 

  Edith Potter : Oh Jane, will you tell Mrs. Fowler that I'd like to speak to her out here for just a moment.

  Jane : Yes, Mrs. Potter.

  Nancy Blake : [Comes around the corner and surprises Edith]  How's the little mother?

  Edith Potter : [shouts out to Jane]  Jane! Never mind about that...

  [to Nancy] 

  Edith Potter : Hello, dear...

  Nancy Blake : The spider's in the parlor. Let's go join her.

• Edith Potter : Weren't you going to Africa to shoot, Nancy?

  Nancy Blake : As soon as my book's out.

  Sylvia Fowler : I don't blame you. I'd rather face a tiger any day than the sort of things the critics said about your last book.

• Nancy Blake : [looking at Sylvia Fowler's blouse]  Great guns. What are you made up for? The Seeing Eye?