You may not know it yet, but you’re already (we’re pretty sure) familiar with the phenomenon of the ‘one line wonder’. They mostly appear in 80s movies, but occasionally they crop up in other decades. They’re similar to, but entirely separate from, the ‘one liner’ – the throwaway pun often used by action heroes like Arnie or Stallone after they’ve killed a throwaway villain.
The one line wonder is a comment uttered by a character who takes no part in the plot or action of a movie and has no other lines. However, they are usually memorable, funny and brilliantly quotable.
We at Slashing The Seats have come up with (what we think is) a decent list, but we’d like to throw the comments open to anyone who can think of more. We’re pretty sure we’ve missed a load.
Innerspace (1987) – Martin Short is taking a leak while talking to a miniaturised Dennis Quaid, currently floating about inside his body, reassuring him that his small size doesn’t matter. A fellow toilet-user comments: ‘Play with it pal – don’t talk to it‘
Flight of the Navigator (1986) – David temporarily parks up the spaceship at a gas station to make a phone call, leaving the attendant agog. As Dave leaves, the attendant (a great big fat guy – which makes it funnier) tells the equally amazed family: ‘He just said he wanted to phone home’
Bill And Teds’ Excellent Adventure (1989) – Ted asks the lady at the Circle K when the Mongols ruled China. Her reply: ‘I don’t know I just work here’
Bill and Teds’ Bogus Journey (1991) – Jim Martin (of Faith No More) comments on the evil terrorist Chuck De Namolos: ‘What a shithead’
(Ok, he did say ’station’ before, but I think it counts)
When Harry Met Sally (1989) – After Meg Ryan does the infamous orgasm fakery scene, the lady at the diner says: ‘I’ll have what she’s having’
Predator 2 (1990) – After the Predator bursts through an old folks house, Danny Glover says ‘It’s all right, I’m a cop!’. An old lady counters: ‘I don’t think he gives a shit!’
So, STSers – got any decent One Line Wonders?
Get to the comments!
11 Comments
Surely Bob Hope is the king of this; I refer you to ‘Spies Like Us’ and his ubiquitous “Mind if I play through?”
Epic, epic genius!
The only one that i have is from Dirty Dancing, and will be familiar to women of a certain age from every slumber party they ever had.
Baby, after being introduced to Patrick Swizzle ‘I carried a watermelon?’
Sorry, I have been trying really hard on this, but it is too hot for my brain to think properly.
I like that bit in Over The Top where that bloke’s arm gets broken and you can see the bone poking through his arm.
Can you write about Over The Top please? It’s surely the best arm-wrestling film ever made.
You shits.
Spinal Tap “But this one goes up to eleven”
Carry on Cleo “Infamy, Infamy, they’ve all got it informe”
Carry on Screaming “Frying tonight”
or http://www.carryon.org.uk/sounds/abroad_stuart.wav
Missing the point of the exercise in spectacular fashion there, Nick.
Nick = THREAD KILLER
What is this all about?
Erm, Hulk Hogan in Gremlins 2: The New Batch?
‘Gremlins? In this theatre? Now?
OKAY YOU GUYS, LISTEN UP. PEOPLE PAID GOOD MONEY TO SEE THIS MOVIE, WHEN THEY GO OUT TO A THEATRE THEY WANT COLD SODAS, HOT POPCORN AND NO MONSTERS IN THE PROJECTION BOOTH.
DO I HAVE TO COME UP THERE MYSELF, DO YOU THINK THE GRIMSTERS CAN STAND UP TO THE HULKSTER. WELL, IF I WERE YOU I’D RUN THE REST OF GREMLINS 2 RIGHT NOW.
Sorry, folks. It won’t happen again.”
Does that count as an example or is it too long?
The Hulkster works just fine for me…
Sorry Dave – One line only!
Audio started playing when I opened this blog, so annoying!
I imagine it would be, causing stress which could agrevate sleep apnea. I’d suggest surgery…