Jerry D'Amato: That Mae is some dancer. Me, I'm like a hippo on two feet.
Mae Doyle D'Amato: Yeah, MY two feet.

Earl Pfeiffer: [Peggy has just announced her engagement to Joe] Congratulations. I'm glad you put the guy out of his misery.
Peggy: Since when did you start recommending marriage?
Earl Pfeiffer: [Sardonically] Since I got my divorce.

Earl Pfeiffer: [to Mae] Jerry's the salt of the earth - but he's not the right seasoning for you.

Earl Pfeiffer: Love is rotten when it happens like this - the hard way. But we want each other, this is the fire we have to walk through, because this is forever, Mae.
Mae Doyle D'Amato: Forever?
Earl Pfeiffer: Or until he sticks a knife in me, or you walk out.
Mae Doyle D'Amato: How could I walk out?
Earl Pfeiffer: And do the next thing, get away from here. If you have a dream, live it. If you have a hope, chase it.

Earl Pfeiffer: Mae - what do you *really* think of me?
Mae Doyle D'Amato: [coolly] You impress me as a man who needs a new suit of clothes or a new love affair - but he doesn't know which.
Earl Pfeiffer: [stung] You can't make me any smaller. I happen to be pre-shrunk.

[after watching the movie, Mae and Jerry are visiting earl in the projection booth]
Earl Pfeiffer: Like the show?
Mae Doyle D'Amato: She's beautiful.
Earl Pfeiffer: Who? That celluloid angel you just saw? They oughta cut her up a little bit - she'd look more interesting.
Jerry D'Amato: Cut her up?
Earl Pfeiffer: Didn't you ever wanna cut up a beautiful dame?
Jerry D'Amato: No.
Earl Pfeiffer: Jeremiah, you're a simple man.

[Peggy watches as Mae leaves to meet Earl]
Joe Doyle: [to Peggy] Maybe you'd like to go with her.
Peggy: Maybe.
Joe Doyle: That ring on your finger - what'd you put it there for? A decoration?
Peggy: She has a right to do what she wants to if she's in love.
Joe Doyle: In love! Listen to me, blondie. The woman I marry, she don't take me on a wait and see basis. I ain't a dress she's bringin' home from the store to see if it fits and if it don't, back it goes. In my book marriage is a two-way proposition: you're just as much responsible as I am. So, that little eye is gonna roam... if what you think is Joe's alright until somethin' better comes along... honey, you better take another streetcar. Well, what's it gonna be?
[she starts to cry and hugs him tight]