Steel Magnolias (1989)

Julia Roberts: Shelby Eatenton Latcherie

Photos 

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Quotes 

• Shelby : Pink is my signature color.

• Truvy : What are your colors, Shelby?

  Shelby : My colors are "blush" and "bashful."

  M'Lynn : Her colors are "pink" and pink."

  Shelby : My colors are "blush" and "bashful" Mama!

  M'Lynn : How precious is this weddin' gonna get, I ask you?

• Shelby : I am going to be very, very careful, nobody is going to be hurt or disappointed or even inconvenienced.

  M'Lynn : Least of all Jackson, I'm sure.

  Shelby : You're jealous, because you no longer have a say so in what I do and that drives you up the wall. You're ready to spit nails because you can't call the shots.

  M'Lynn : I did not raise my daughter to talk to me like this.

  Shelby : Yes, you did.

  M'Lynn : Oh no, I didn't.

  Shelby : Whenever any of us asked you what you wanted for us when we grew up what did you say?

  M'Lynn : Shelby, I'm not in the mood to play games.

  Shelby : Just tell me what you said, Mama, what did you say?

  M'Lynn : The only thing I have ever said to you, ever, is that I want you to be happy.

  Shelby : Okay, the one thing that would make me happy is to have a baby. If I could adopt one I would, but I can't. I'm going to have a baby, and I wish you'd be happy too.

  M'Lynn : I'll tell you what I wish. Well, I don't know what I wish.

  Shelby : Mama, I don't know why you have to make everything so difficult. I look at having a baby as the opportunity of a lifetime. Sure there may be risk involved, but that's true for anybody. But you get through it and life goes on. And when it's all said and done there will be a little piece of immortality with Jackson's good looks and my sense of style, I hope. Please, please I need your support. I would rather have thirty minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special.

• Shelby : Remember what Daddy always says - an ounce of pretension is worth a pound of manure!

• M'Lynn : We have this new psychiatrist that comes in two days a week and of course I pick her name out of the grab bag, I have to pick something up for her tomorrow. Would you put that on the list, I have no idea what to get your father. What's Jackson giving you, do you know?

  Shelby : Furniture.

  M'Lynn : Furniture, well, my. Must be nice to be married to a rich lawyer. What's it for, the living room?

  Shelby : No, for the nursery.

  [seeing M'Lynn's stricken look] 

  Shelby : We wanted to tell you when you and daddy were together, but you're never together so it's every man for himself. I'm pregnant.

  M'Lynn : I realize that.

  Shelby : Well is that it? Is that all you're gonna say?

  M'Lynn : What do you want me to say?

  Shelby : Well, something along the lines of congratulations.

  M'Lynn : Congratulations.

  Shelby : Would it be too much to ask for a little excitement, not too much I wouldn't want you to break a sweat or anything. It's in July. Oh Mama, you have to help me plan. We're gonna get a new house. Jackson and I are going house hunting next week. Jackson loves to hunt for anything.

  M'Lynn : What does Jackson say about all of this?

  Shelby : He's so excited. He says he doesn't care whether it's a boy or a girl, but I know he really wants a son so bad he can taste it. He's really cute about the whole thing. It's all he can talk about: Jackson Latree, Jr.

  M'Lynn : Does he ever? Listen, I mean when doctors and specialists give you advice. Does he listen? I know you never do, does he? Huh? What? Well, I guess since he doesn't have to carry the baby it really isn't any of his concern.

  Shelby : Mama, I want a child.

  M'Lynn : What about adoption? You've filled out all the applications.

  Shelby : Mama, no judge is gonna give a baby to someone with my medical records. Jackson even put out feelers about buying one.

  M'Lynn : People do it all the time.

  Shelby : Listen to me. I want a child of my own. I think it would help things a lot.

  M'Lynn : I see.

  Shelby : Mama, you worry too much. In fact I never worry 'cause I always know you're worried enough for the both of us. Jackson and I have given this a lot of thought.

  M'Lynn : Has he really? Well, there's a first time for everything.

  Shelby : Don't start on Jackson.

  M'Lynn : Your poor body has been through so much. Why would you deliberately do this to yourself?

  Shelby : Diabetics have healthy babies all the time.

  M'Lynn : You are special Shelby. There are limits to what you can do.

• Shelby : Truvy, you know what you need in here? You need a radio, takes the pressure off of everyone feeling they have to talk so much.

  Truvy : I had one once, but I threw it up against the wall when I couldn't figure out where the batteries went. I know now I was suffering from pre-menstrual syndrome.

• Shelby : Was she prayin?

  Truvy : Yes.

  Shelby : Why.

  Truvy : Got me, maybe she was praying for Marshall and Drew and Bell. My she was praying for us cause we was gossipin. Maybe she was praying because the elastic is shot in her pantyhose. Who knows she prays at the drop of a hat these days.

• Shelby : [to Annelle]  Relax! You can't screw up her hair. Just tease it and make it look like a brown football helmet.

• Shelby : [describing her reception]  Wedding cake in the dining room, and groom's cake...

  [slyly, to M'Lynn] 

  Shelby : hidden in the carport?

  M'Lynn : Shelby and I, we agree on one thing:

  Shelby , M'Lynn : The groom's cake!

  Shelby : It's awful!

• Nurse Pam : [holding Jack Jr's costume]  Shelby this is too cute! Where did you find this?

  Shelby : Aunt Fern made it! I can't wait to get home and try it on Jack. I think I taught him how to say trick or treat or something

  [she begins to feel funny which is the sign that her body is rejecting the new kidney] 

  Shelby : Could you hand me that bag Pam?

  [Pam hands her the bag] 

  Shelby : Thanks!

  Nurse Pam : Good night!

  Shelby : Good night!

  [she leaves] 

• M'Lynn : Shelby, the boys bought the car around.

  Shelby : What did they do to it?

  M'Lynn : Well, let me put it this way... If you and Jackson want to practice safe sex, you're all set!

• M'Lynn : They brought the car around.

  Shelby : What did they do to it?

  M'Lynn : [the car is decorated with condoms]  . Let me put this way. If you and Jackson want to practice safe sex, you're all set.

• Shelby : You know what you need in here, Truvy. You need a radio. Music is a wonderful thing to have in the background and it takes the pressure off of people who feel they

  [looks at M'lynn] 

  Shelby : *have to talk so much.*

  Truvy : I used to have one, but I slammed it against the wall when I couldn't figure where the batteries went. I know know I was suffering from pre menstruatal syndrome.

• Shelby : Well, we went skinny dipping and we did things that frightened the fish.

• M'Lynn : [Shebly's father and brothers have adorned it with condoms]  My lord, the limousine's here

  Shelby : What did they do to it?

  Shelby : Well, let me put it this way: if you and Jackson plan of having safe sex, you're all set.

• Nancy Beth Marmillion : That Jackson is one big hangin' man!

  Shelby : [annoyed]  Yes, I know.

• Jackson Latcherie : So much for a card game.

  Tommy Eatenton : Movie! Movie!

  Shelby : Its old and black and white.

  Drum : Nothing dirty there.

  Jonathan Eatenton : [holds up vhs tape]  I got a classic. A Tale Of Two Kidneys.

  Shelby : [Bursts Out Laughing] 

  Drum : [angrily snatches the vhs from Jonathan]  You think that's funny?

  Jonathan Eatenton : Yeah Dad.

  Shelby : [Continues to Burst Out Laughing and puts her right hand in front of Jonathan to protect him in case their father tries to hit him] 

  Drum : [angrily throws the vhs on the couch]  That's not funny!

• Drum : That's not funny!

  Shelby : Ok Jonathan no more transplant jokes. Daddy doesn't like them?

  Jackson Latcherie : Who's turn is it?

  Tommy Eatenton : Oh Mama. Give me all your eternal organs. I mean Ases.

  Drum : [Angrily gets up from his seat and walks out of the room]  .

  Shelby : [Bursts Out Laughing] 

  M'Lynn : [Bursts Out Laughing] 

  Tommy Eatenton : Gosh Dad I'm sorry. It just slipped out.

  M'Lynn : Go Fish.