Reform School (1939)

Louise Beavers: Mother Barton

Quotes 

• Mother Barton : Discipline should be tempered with justice and understanding.

• Mother Barton : I must have failed you.

  Freddie Gordon : No, you haven't. You've been swell.

• Mother Barton : Have you ever stopped to consider the meaning of the word "reform"? Well, I'll define it for you. It means to change from bad to good. To make better morally!

• Mother Barton : I hope you've been able to locate that boy of your's.

  Mr. Gordon : We haven't laid eyes on him, since his boss fired him for having a reform school record.

  Mother Barton : Those narrow-minded businessmen with their high and mighty ways. They make me sick!

• Mother Barton : Don't fret. Just leave it to me.

• Mr. Stone : Discipline *must* be maintained.

  Mother Barton : Oh, I see.

  Mr. Stone : I'm glad you do.

• Mother Barton : His head is awfully hot. Looks like a case of phonyphobia to me.

• Mother Barton : I would change the system in handling these youngsters. There is no reason why they should be treated like caged animals. They should be permitted to - to talk, play games, sing, dance, have regular recreation hours. In other words, they should live a life as nearly normal as possible. Educate the public and businessmen in this country to know that when reform school boys are released, they're not criminals! They're ready to take their place in society.

• Mother Barton : They all seem to be affected by the same thing - an acute case of possumitis.

• Mother Barton : Come on, you crazy kids.