Harmony Lane (1935)

Evelyn Venable: Susan Pentland

Quotes 

• Stephen Foster : [Finishes playing a song]  That's it. Now if I could only get a lyric.

  Susan Pentland : You might sell it?

  Stephen Foster : And if I did, I could buy you such lovely things. A parasol. Blue... to match your lavender dress.

  Susan Pentland : [laughs]  That would be nice.

  Stephen Foster : And all sorts of surprises. A little white cottage. The one that has always been waiting for you and for me. With hollyhocks... maybe some moonbeams... maybe fields of sunflowers that run all the way into the horizon.

  Susan Pentland : All that with just one song?

  Stephen Foster : I'd write some more. Then you and I could be together always. Would you like that?

  Susan Pentland : Yes, Stephen.

  Stephen Foster : Just you and I.

  Susan Pentland : [laughs]  And the piano.

  Stephen Foster : By all means, the piano.

  [They laugh] 

• Professor Henry Kleber : [Susan is badly playing a Mozart piece]  Wait, wait! Stop! Please! You know, dahling, when you do these things here, it makes indignant in my ears. Off tempo, off notes, everything. Liebschen, I'm sorry but I don't think Mozart ever wrote this for you.

  Susan Pentland : Oh, if you don't mind, I'd like to keep trying. You see, Stephie likes this piece.

  Professor Henry Kleber : [laughs]  So, you... you want to please Stephie, eh?

  Susan Pentland : Oh, Professor Kleber, do you think he'll ever make a living from his music?

  Professor Henry Kleber : Ah, what's the difference? He's got a soul. A great gift for melody.

  Susan Pentland : Oh, but father says he isn't practical.

  Professor Henry Kleber : Ah, machts nichs aus. A genius doesn't have to be practical.

• Stephen Foster : [after he finishes playing Oh, Susannah]  Like it?

  Susan Pentland : It's lovely.

  Stephen Foster : What did you think, Professor?

  Professor Henry Kleber : That's all right. A nice little thing. But you can do better. Now, now, don't... please, don't misunderstand me. It's very good.

  Susan Pentland : It's wonderful!

  Professor Henry Kleber : Yes, not so hard to play as Mozart either.

  Stephen Foster : That's the idea. It's easy to pick up. It might become popular

  Professor Henry Kleber : Popular, yes. For a day, a month, a year maybe. But Steven, you've got music that didn't come out yet. Rhythmic emotion, pathos. That's what you want to cultivate. Maybe someday you'll write something that... that lives forever.

  Stephen Foster : Forever is a long time, Professor.

  Professor Henry Kleber : Well, we shall see what we shall see. Time will tell.

• Stephen Foster : Once upon a time you were supposed to be in love with me and now, well, you're Mrs. Robinson. Why did you do it, Susan? Why?

  Susan Pentland : You can't blame me very much, can you? We heard how you were behaving in Cincinnati.

  Stephen Foster : What did you hear?

  Susan Pentland : Well, I didn't expect you to give up your music. I wouldn't have wanted you to. There were all sorts of rumors and they hurt. I felt you didn't care enough for me to try. Oh, Stephen, why didn't you?

  Stephen Foster : Who told you I didn't?

  Susan Pentland : That can't possibly matter now.

  Stephen Foster : Was it Jane? Was it?

  Susan Pentland : Well, after all, she loved you too.

  Stephen Foster : And you believed her? You let me go on loving you and waiting. Oh, Susan. Why did you try to kill something that can never die? I needed you then. I need you now. I'll always need you.

• Susan Pentland : We had the pleasure of seeing you perform in Pittsburgh.

  Edwin P. 'Ed' Christy : Ah, Pittsburgh! A delightful spot. You know I often wished I had been born there. And I assure you if it ever occurs again, I shall see that it takes place in your fair city.