Female (1933)

Ferdinand Gottschalk: Pettigrew

Quotes 

• Pettigrew : You don't appreciate her. She's the only honest woman I've ever met. There's nothing of the hypocrite about Miss D. That's more than you can say about the men she comes in contact with. Look at them. A pack of spineless "Yes"-men. All after her for her money. She sees through them. That's why she tosses them aside. Just as Napoleon would have dismissed a ballet girl. Why, she's never met a man yet that's worthy of her. And she never will.

• Pettigrew : Have you changed your mind about coming up to my flat - to see my pictures?

  Miss Frothingham : Oh, I really shouldn't.

  [Begins quickly typing] 

  Miss Frothingham : Oh! I made a mistake.

  Pettigrew : It's encouraging to know that you *do* make mistakes.

  Miss Frothingham : Oh, Mr. Pettigrew.

• Alison Drake : That blonde stenographer of Thorne's, I want her discharged immediately!

  Pettigrew : Certainly, Miss D.

• Alison Drake : What's happened to me? I'm getting petty!

  [Lights a cigarette] 

  Alison Drake : Look here, what kind of woman do men like? How do they want them to act?

  Pettigrew : Well, that depends. A man of Jim Thorne's type, for example, wants a woman who'll look up to him. Gentle. Feminine. Someone he can protect. That's because Jim Thorne is strong and - rather primitive, perhaps. The dominate male, my dear.

  Alison Drake : Gentle and feminine, eh? So that's what they want. Well, we strive to please.

• Alison Drake : I can't go on! I don't belong here! This is no place for a woman! I know, I've always thought I was different. I've always tried to beat life the way men beat it - but, I can't. I can't! All this crazy, frantic struggle! Fighting with bankers. Trying to save the business! What's it to me? You do what you like with it - I don't care!

  [Runs out of the board room to her adjoining office] 

  Pettigrew : That's right, my dear, have a good cry. It's just what you need. Of course, I've been expecting this for some time. It's only natural. You couldn't go on as you have been - living on your nerves, running this big business all by yourself. You're just a woman, after all. This job is too much for you. I don't wonder you quit.

  Board Member : [Alison returns to the board room]  What are we going to do?

  Alison Drake : Gentlemen, I apologize. Please forget that that ever happened.