Gabrielle: It's quite all right, really. I once worked for an American novelist who could only write in the bathtub. I'm used to anything.
Richard: You can unpack -
[surprised]
Richard: in the bathtub?
Gabrielle: Yes. On the second day, I gave him a packet of bubble bath and from then on we got along swimmingly.
Richard: I see.
[pointing to the name on the birdcage]
Richard: Uh, does that imply that the bird's name is Richelieu?
Gabrielle: Oh, it's inferred, I believe, rather than implied.
Richard: [pause] "Swimmingly." Interesting figure of speech.


--William Holden (as Richard Benson / Rick) in Paris When It Sizzles

Gabrielle: What's the story about?
Richard: It's an action/suspense, uh, romantic melodrama with lots of comedy, of course. And, uh, deep down underneath, a substrata of social comment.


--William Holden (as Richard Benson / Rick) in Paris When It Sizzles

Gabrielle: You're not middle aged, Mr. Benson. In fact I think you're remarkably well preserved.
Richard: As chilling a compliment as I've ever received, Miss Simpson.


--William Holden (as Richard Benson / Rick) in Paris When It Sizzles

Oliver Larrabee: I'm not saying that all Larrabees have been saints. Thomas Larrabee was hung for piracy. There was Benjamin Larrabee who was a slave trader. And there was my great-great uncle Joshua Larrabee who was shot while attempting to rob a train. But there was never a Larrabee who has behaved as you, David Larrabee, have behaved tonight!
David Larrabee: What have I done now, Father?


--William Holden (as David Larrabee) in Sabrina

Betty Schaefer: I've been hoping to run into you.
Joe Gillis: What for? To recover that knife you stuck in my back?


--William Holden (as Joe Gillis) in Sunset Boulevard

Betty Schaefer: Oh, the old familiar story. You help a timid little soul cross a crowded street, she turns out to be a multimillionaire and leaves you all her money.
Joe Gillis: That's the trouble with you readers, you know all the plots


--William Holden (as Joe Gillis) in Sunset Boulevard

Betty Schaefer: Perhaps the reason I hated "Bases Loaded" is that I knew your name. I'd always heard you had some talent.
Joe Gillis: That was last year. This year I'm trying to earn a living.


--William Holden (as Joe Gillis) in Sunset Boulevard

Betty Schaefer: Where have you been keeping yourself? I've got the most wonderful news for you.
Joe Gillis: I haven't been keeping myself at all, lately.


--William Holden (as Joe Gillis) in Sunset Boulevard

Loren Phineas Shaw: After all, that's only part of our business. Eventually we can cut down on the line...
McDonald Walling: We'll drop that line! And we'll never again ask a man to do anything that will poison his pride in himself or his work.


--William Holden (as McDonald Walling) in Executive Suite

Alvarez Kelly: God deliver me from dedicated men.


--William Holden (as Alvarez Kelly) in Alvarez Kelly