Serious Charge (1959)
Irene Browne: Mrs. Phillips
Photos
Quotes
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Mrs. Phillips : Now, do let's sit down, Hester. You're taking to another woman, not one of those helpless males who can't discuss anything important or private without staring out of a window or looking confused.
Hester Peters : I don't wish to be rude...
Mrs. Phillips : You can, my dear, because I'm going to be extremely rude to you.
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Mrs. Phillips : Tell me, did you win?
Rev. Howard Phillips : What does it matter who won?
Mrs. Phillips : Did you?
Rev. Howard Phillips : Oh, I knocked him cold but I wouldn't call that winning.
Mrs. Phillips : What else would you call it?
Rev. Howard Phillips : Don't laugh at me, mother. Don't laugh. But what I'd call winning, is something of a devil sight harder. Something they tell you in all the Sunday school books. Just turning the other cheek. That's what a clergyman preaches, that's what a clergyman is supposed to do. Only... I'm not very good at turning the other cheek. Which means that I'm not a very good clergyman.
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Mrs. Phillips : Has it ever occurred to you that Hester might imagine she'd make an ideal vicar's wife?
Rev. Howard Phillips : Yes, I'm sure she would, as long as it wasn't mine.
Mrs. Phillips : Howard, if it ever comes to telling her that, be careful. Oh, be so careful how you do it. Hester, the woman scorned. Hell hath no fury... though Hell sounds more like your territory. Forgive me trespassing.
Rev. Howard Phillips : Oh, go on with you.
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Mrs. Phillips : Listen to me now, Howard. And listen carefully. I'm not a churchgoer, as you know. Perhaps not even a Christian, in the accepted sense of the word. But I like to think that I understand what my son represents. Whatever people may say or think, however much a story is distorted beyond all recognition, however much the Larry Thompsons of this world are allowed to poison other peoples minds, however much you judge your own limitations - let's face it, your inexperience - at least I know your God understands the hurt you've suffered.
