A King in New York (1957)

Charles Chaplin: King Shahdov

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Quotes 

• [after being told that the political turmoil in America is just a "passing phase."] 

  King Shahdov : Quite so. In the meantime, I'll sit it out in Europe.

• King Shahdov : I'd sooner be thought a successful crook than a destitute monarch.

• Lawyer : Your Majesty, first and foremost, you must stand on your rights and demand immunity on the ground of your Royal Prerogative.

  King Shahdov : Immunity from what?

  Lawyer : That I don't know, but I intend to find out. But if they put the 64 dollars question to you, as if you are, or ever have been a communist, then again you must stand on your Royal Prerogative.

  King Shahdov : But that question is absurd.

  Lawyer : There are many things absurd these days...

• [Rupert is haranguing the King] 

  Rupert Macabee : Monopoly is the menace of free enterprise. As I look back, sixty years ago...

  King Shahdov : Where were you sixty years ago?

  another schoolboy : He was a glint in his great-grandfather's eye!

• Queen Irene : You want a divorce?

  King Shahdov : I want you to be happy.

• King Shahdov : Remember? Huh, after what I've been through, I want to forget.

• Queen Irene : Why is life so complicated?

  King Shahdov : How dull it would be if it weren't.

• King Shahdov : Ladies and gentlemen, that's how I lost my throne. I wanted atomic energy for domestic use; but, my ministers wanted atomic bombs. Nevertheless, I have nuclear plans that will revolutionize modern life and bring about a utopia undreamed of!

• King Shahdov : If you knew what it means to this breathe free air. This wonderful, wonderful America. It's youth. It's genius. It's vitality. The glamour of it all. New York. America.

• King Shahdov : There's one thing we haven't discussed: alimony.

  Queen Irene : I don't need it. I'm quite rich, you know that.

  King Shahdov : From a lady about to get a divorce, that's an incredible statement.

  Queen Irene : Do you realize that today happens to be the anniversary of our wedding?

  King Shahdov : Well, you look happier now than you did then.

  Queen Irene : What a bore I must have been.

  King Shahdov : Considering we were on our honeymoon, you weren't exactly amusing.

• King Shahdov : I'm in no mood for dinner parties.

  Ambassador Jaume : Ah, your majesty, the Queen's departure has upset you.

  King Shahdov : To part is to die a little.

• TV Commercial Actress : How fortunate that people no longer consider the problem of perspiring in stuffy rooms.

  King Shahdov : I beg your pardon?

  TV Commercial Actress : Think of pretty young girls being unpopular at dances and they don't know why.

  King Shahdov : I - I don't follow you?

  TV Commercial Actress : The answer is: B.O.

  King Shahdov : B.O.?

• Ann Kay - TV Specialist : You really are funny.

  King Shahdov : You think so? I must tell you some of my jokes. Naughty ones.

• Rupert Macabee : Politics are rules imposed upon the people.

  King Shahdov : In this country, rules are not imposed, they are wish of all free citizens.

  Rupert Macabee : Travel around a bit, then you'll see how free they are.

• King Shahdov : What's that you're reading?

  Rupert Macabee : Karl Marx.

  King Shahdov : Surely, you're not a Communist?

  Rupert Macabee : Do I have to be a Communist to read Karl Marx?

• Rupert Macabee : The monopoly of power is a menace to freedom. It degrades and victimizes every individual. And where is the individual?

  King Shahdov : I don't know.

  Rupert Macabee : Lost in terror; because, he's made to hate instead of love. If civilization is to survive, we must combat power until the dignity and peace of man are restored.

• Rupert Macabee : Today man has too much power. The Roman Empire collapsed with the assignation of Caesar and why? Because of too much power. Feudalism blew up with the French Revolution and why? Because of too much power. And today the whole world will blow up and why?

  Rupert Macabee , King Shahdov : Because of too much power!

• Rupert Macabee : I dislike all forms of government.

  King Shahdov : But, somebody must rule.

  Rupert Macabee : And I don't like the word rule!

  King Shahdov : Well, if we don't like the word rule, lets call it leadership.

  Rupert Macabee : Leadership in government is called political power and political power is an official form of antagonizing people.

• Rupert Macabee : It's a crime that when the world cries for atomic energy, *you* want to make atomic bombs.

  King Shahdov : Me? I'm against atomic bombs!

  Rupert Macabee : You want to wipe out civilization, destroy all life on this planet. You still think you're living in the 19th Century.

  King Shahdov : I lost - I lost my throne because I didn't want atomic bombs!

  Rupert Macabee : You and your kind think that atomic bombs can solve your problems.

• Ambassador Jaume : Would you like some lunch, sir?

  King Shahdov : Oh, something simple. Caviar, toast and onions.

  Butler : Caviar?

  King Shahdov : Yes. A large size tin of it - and chop the onions - very fine. Same for you, Jaume?

  Ambassador Jaume : Thank you, Your Majesty, I'll take a ham sandwich and a glass of beer.

  King Shahdov : Oh, and some vodka - on ice.

• Ann Kay - TV Specialist : We're in! We got it rolling! Shell Oil, Imperial Tobacco, Lipton Tea - they're all hot. You can write your own ticket.

  King Shahdov : I - I don't understand?

  Ann Kay - TV Specialist : Neither does anyone! But, it's a sensation! A smash hit! Everyone's talking about it.

  Ambassador Jaume : Talking about what?

  Ann Kay - TV Specialist : The broadcast! It's the biggest laugh on television. They all think that it was deliberate. The sponsor thinks its the most original idea he's ever had. They're going to give it another nationwide hook-up!

  King Shahdov : Hiccup?

• King Shahdov : You're nothing but a delusion and a snare.

  Ann Kay - TV Specialist : I'm not really.

  King Shahdov : This is my revenge!

  [abruptly moves on top of Ann, starts kissing her, rolls over with her on the floor] 

  Ann Kay - TV Specialist : You Majesty...

• King Shahdov : The whole thing is too silly for words. "Royal" Communist. Huh! The expression is a reductio ad absurdum

• King Shahdov : There. You see? I've made a complete ass of myself.

• King Shahdov : There's a man outside waiting to subpoena me.

• Ambassador Jaume : I have an idea. You wear my hat. I'll wear your's. He'll follow me and think I'm you. And that'll give you a chance to get away.

  King Shahdov : Now, wait a moment. I'm all confused. Who am I?

  Ambassador Jaume : You're me and I'm you. We just exchange hats.