Otley (1969)

Tom Courtenay: Gerald Arthur Otley

Photos 

Quotes 

• Lin : [sarcastically, after overhearing pretentious chit-chat at a smart party]  I suppose we'd better discuss Antonioni.

  Gerald Arthur Otley : Oh, no - I can't stand all that Spanish dancing.

• [opening scene: close shot of Otley lying in bed with his landlady] 

  Gerald Arthur Otley : You know, as landladies go, you are undoubtedly the most warm-hearted, generous and gracious... that I've ever owed rent to.

  Landlady : Three months is a lot to owe

  Gerald Arthur Otley : I'm expecting a cheque - I've entered this filthy limerick compettiion and I'm almost certain to win.

  Landlady : Not to mention all the things you've lifted. You're a naughty boy, d'you know that? When you moved in here, this was a *furnished* flat.

  [wide shot of room with bare floorboards, a bed, a chair, a wardrobe - and not much else] 

  Landlady : Now everything's on a second-hand cart in the Portobello Road.

  Gerald Arthur Otley : I never did trust your cleaning woman.

  Landlady : And what about the damaged sink and the Confirmation medal in the gas-meter?

  Gerald Arthur Otley : Dearest one, I thought you came up here to sample my unbridled sensuality, not to take a bloody inventory.

  Landlady : You're a luxury I can't afford, love.

  [she turns and hugs him] 

  Landlady : Still, come here and give us a goodbye kiss.

  Gerald Arthur Otley : Goodbye? Where are you going?

  Landlady : Oh, not me, you. You're being evicted this morning.

  Gerald Arthur Otley : I'm being evicted? After our night of passion?

  Landlady : Well I felt I had to get *something* out of you before you left.

• [having been evicted, Otley is desperate for somewhere to stay] 

  Gerald Arthur Otley : Can you put us up?

  Jean : No, we can't.

  Gerald Arthur Otley : Oh, just for a couple of nights?

  Jean : No. Miles is at home and the dog's on heat.

  Gerald Arthur Otley : Well, she's got nothing to worry about from me!

• Johnston : Do you know who I am?

  Gerald Arthur Otley : I don't know anything. I don't know anything about anybody any more. I just assume somebody's slipped LSD in my Bovril and I'm on a trip.

  Johnston : I'm Johnston.

  Gerald Arthur Otley : Oh really. D'you work for ICS?

  Johnston : [casually]  On and off. I'm their assassin.

• Gerald Arthur Otley : Strain? Last night her boss nearly blew me halfway to The Dolomites!

  Superintendent Hewitt : Well, I expect he had his reasons, sir.

• Gerald Arthur Otley : [trying to dissuade his captors from torturing him]  Do what you like with my mind, just leave my precious body alone!

• Gerald Arthur Otley : [surrendering to the police]  I'm Gerald Arthur Otley, and I've had enough!

• Superintendent Hewitt : Good day for the match!

  Gerald Arthur Otley : The match?

  Superintendent Hewitt : Chelsea. Playing at home.

  Gerald Arthur Otley : Oh, yes. I wish I could be there.