Harold and Maude (1971) quotes
Director
Hal Ashby.
Cast
Ruth Gordon.
Bud Cort.
Vivian Pickles.
Young, rich, and obsessed with death, Harold finds himself changed forever when he meets lively septuagenarian Maude at a funeral.
A lot of people enjoy being dead. But they are not dead, really. They’re just backing away from life. *Reach* out. Take a *chance*. Get *hurt* even. But play as well as you can. Go team, go! Give me an L. Give me an I. Give me a V. Give me an E. L-I-V-E. LIVE! Otherwise, you got nothing to talk about in the locker room.
– Maude
The earth is my body; my head is in the stars.
– Maude
Who said that, Harold?
– Maude
I don’t know.
– Harold
Well, I suppose I did, then.
– Maude
Harold, *everyone* has the right to make an ass out of themselves. You just can’t let the world judge you too much.
– Maude
I like you, Maude.
– Harold
I like you, Harold.
– Maude
You know, at one time, I used to break into pet shops to liberate the canaries. But I decided that was an idea way before its time. Zoos are full, prisons are overflowing… oh my, how the world still *dearly* loves a *cage.*
– Maude
Oh, Harold… That’s *wonderful.* Go and love some more.
– Maude
I haven’t lived. I’ve died a few times.
– Harold
A very common neurosis; particularly in this society, whereby the male child subconsciously wishes to sleep with his mother. Of course what puzzles me, Harold; is that you want to sleep with your grandmother.
– Psychiatrist
Vice, Virtue. It’s best not to be too moral. You cheat yourself out of too much *life.* Aim above morality. If you apply that to life, then you’re bound to live life fully.
– Maude
You sure have a way with people.
– Harold
Well, they’re my species!
– Maude
Dreyfus once wrote from Devil’s Island that he would see the most glorious birds. Many years later in Brittany he realized they had only been seagulls… For me they will always be – *glorious* birds.
– Maude
I would be remiss in my duty, if I did not tell you, that the idea of… intercourse – the fact of your firm, young… body… commingling with the… withered flesh… sagging breasts… and flabby b-b-buttocks… makes me want… to vomit.
– Priest
*Don’t* get officious. You’re not yourself when you’re officious – That is the curse of a government job.
– Maude
That was fun! Let’s play something together.
– Maude
I don’t play anything.
– Harold
Nothing? Dear me, everybody should be able to make some music. That’s the cosmic dance.
– Maude
Grab the shovel, Harold.
– Maude