Top Ten misquoted movies lines
With every big hit or blockbuster movie that comes out, fans and movie buffs alike quote scenes like they’re Shakespeare. But oftentimes the exact lines get a bit distorted, perhaps even jumbled or misused in a reference, creating a sort of telephone-game like phenomenon.
Thus, the very lines that inspired someone to repeat them become clouded in the confusion. While most of the time the gist of the dialogue still remains, the substance and timber of the original line is lost.
Here are ten movie lines that are repeatedly mis-repeated, and the correct statements as they were originally spoken in the films they came from (with possible spoilers).
10. Fields of Dreams
Ray Liotta comes from corn
Misquote: If you build it, they will come.
What they really said: If you build it, he will come.
While the misquote for Fields of Dreams most likely developed from parody and satirical references to the original movie, it also has a better ring to it. After all, once the field is built, the players and fans come from all around to play and watch.
Seems like “they” is more fitting in this case – even if it is incorrect.
9. She Done Him Wrong
Mae West can do no wrong
Misquote: Is that a pistol in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?
What they really said: Nothing
While this quote is often attributed to She Done Him Wrong, Mae West never said the line in that movie. Instead, she delivered it in real life at a train station in Los Angeles when a police officer was assigned to escort her home.
She did, however, say the line in the film Sextette.
And to answer Miss West’s question: No, that’s not a pistol.
8. Planet of The Apes
Charlton is kind of a sweet name
Misquote: Get your stinkin’ paws off me, you damn dirty ape!
What they really said: Take your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape!
While this misquote is fairly close to the original, the essence of it is lost. Not only was this the first sentence spoken by a human in a fictional world literally run by monkeys, it was a well spoken and grammatically correct one.
It was extremely powerful when it was yelled out in the intense scene from Planet of The Apes, even more so because it showed that the lowly “human” (played by Charlton Heston) was educated.
7. The Graduate
Dustin Hoffman before he was a Focker
Misquote: Mrs. Robinson, are you trying to seduce me?
What they really said: Mrs. Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me.
This timeless quote is very frequently used in comedies in a sort of ironic tone – rightfully so, as everyone is pretty much familiar with the quote … except that it’s wrong.
The original movie had this quote wrapped up in a conversation between Dustin Hoffman’s character Benjamin and the lovely Anne Bancroft’s Mrs. Robinson.
Of course, like some of the other phrases in this list, the misquote has a better sound to it. Perhaps there is a pattern emerging?
6. Gone With the Wind
Giants on fire ... apparently
Misquote: Frankly Scarlett, I don’t give a damn!
What they really said: Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.
This one is similar to the misquote from The Graduate, and is also frankly a little better sounding.
But, a misquote is a misquote.
5. Dracula
I like your perfume!
Misquote: I want to suck your blood!
What they really said: Nothing.
For a movie that’s from 1931, it’s no wonder that this line has been used incorrectly countless times. But, as a matter of fact, this line was never said by Bela Legosi in Dracula at all.
Since it is such a commonly used quote, it doesn’t really matter anymore – as long as your Legosi impression is spot-on.
4. Dirty Harry
That is, in fact, his pistol. And he is very happy to see you!
Misquote: Do you feel lucky punk?
What they really said:
Dirty Harry: I know what you’re thinking. “Did he fire six shots or only five?” Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you’ve got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?
Get it right. Punk.
3. Snow White
There are a lot of strange Snow White images on Google...
Misquote: Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?
What they really said: Magic mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?
Makes you think twice about what you say to your mirror when you wake up and start your day.
Or maybe I’m the only one that does that.
Yeah … never mind.
2. Star Wars
He must have really bad helmet hair ... err burned scalp...
Misquote: Luke, I am Your father.
What they really said:
Luke: I’ll never join you!
Darth Vader: If you only knew the power of the Dark Side. Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father.
Luke: He told me enough! He told me *you* killed him!
Darth Vader: No. *I* am your father.
Luke: No. No. That’s not true. That’s impossible!
While this misquote can be attributed to every single Star Wars fan ever, the blame shall instead by placed onto the lightsaber wielding, cape wearing, dark side loving Darth Vader himself.
When asked for a comment, Mr. Vader had this to say:
1. Casablanca
Go watch this movie if you haven't seen it!
Misquote: Play it again, Sam!
What they really said: Play it, Sam. Play “As Time Goes By.”
This quote, taken from the classic Casablanca, is often seen in Looney Tunes cartoons or other parody type instances.
When heard in the movie, a story about long lost lovers in Africa during the early days of World War II, it makes a very strong connection between the characters and the viewer.
The only time in which you can purposely misquote this line is if you can actually play “As Time Goes By” on the piano (and sing!).