Ball of Fire (1941)

Henry Travers: Prof. Jerome

Photos 

Quotes 

• Professor Bertram Potts : Before we attempt to get back to work, I'd like to say a few words. You've been very kind and very tactful. If I may say so, over-tactful. The entire ride home in the car you avoided a certain subject to make empty conversation. Now let's have it out. I made an ass of myself and I know it.

  Prof. Jerome : Oh, well, we all have, Potts.

  Professor Bertram Potts : Yes, but I was the lead donkey.

• Prof. Jerome : You don't mind if we talk, do you?

  Duke Pastrami : Just keep it funny.

• Garbage Man : I could use a bundle of scratch right now on account of I met me a mouse last week.

  Prof. Oddly : Mouse?

  Garbage Man : What a pair of gams. A little in, a little out, and a little more out.

  Professor Bertram Potts : I am still completely mystified.

  Garbage Man : Well, with this dish on me hands and them giving away 25 smackaroos on that quizzola.

  Professor Bertram Potts : Smackaroos?

  Prof. Oddly : Smackaroos? What are smackaroos?

  Garbage Man : A smackaroo is a...

  Professor Bertram Potts : No such word exists.

  Garbage Man : Oh, it don't, huh? A smackaroo is a dollar, pal.

  Professor Bertram Potts : Well, the accepted vulgarism for a dollar is a buck.

  Garbage Man : The accepted vulgarism for a smackaroo is a dollar. That goes for a banger, a fish, a buck, or a rug.

  Professor Bertram Potts : Well, what about the mouse?

  Garbage Man : The mouse is the dish. That's what I need the moolah for.

  Prof. Oddly : Moolah?

  Garbage Man : Yeah, the dough. We'll be stepping. Me and the smooch - I mean, the dish, I mean, the mouse. You know, hit the jiggles for a little drum boogie.

  Professor Bertram Potts : Please, please, not so fast.

  Garbage Man : Brother, we're going to have some hoytoytoy.

  Prof. Oddly , Prof. Robinson , Prof. Jerome , Prof. Gurkakoff , Prof. Magenbruch , Prof. Quintana : Hoytoytoy?

  Garbage Man : Yeah, and if you want that one explained, you go ask your papas.

• Professor Bertram Potts : You see, the word "puss" means face.

  Prof. Peagram : Yes.

  Professor Bertram Potts : As for instance, sourpuss, picklepuss. Sugarpuss implies a certain sweetness in her appearance.

  Prof. Peagram : Sugar, yes, yes.

  Prof. Robinson : Never mind the etymology, was she...

  Prof. Jerome : Was she blonde or brunette?

• Prof. Quintana : Potts, could you tell us what was it like backstage?

  Prof. Oddly : Very vivacious, I imagine.

  Prof. Gurkakoff : And perhaps, ballerinas giggling up and down iron staircases.

  Prof. Magenbruch : Around and around.

  Prof. Jerome : Possibly wearing tights.

  Prof. Robinson : Tights...

  Prof. Oddly : And that ineffable smell of rice powder.

  Prof. Peagram : On nude shoulders.

• Prof. Jerome : [doorbell rings]  It must be the statistics on San Salvador's saltpeter.