Daily Dialogue — September 8, 2014

DR. DREYFUSS: (taking a big gulp of the spiked coffee) I don’t know what you did to that girl in there — and don’t tell me — but it was bound to happen, the way you carry on. Live now, pay later. Diner’s Club! (another swig) Why don’t you grow up, Baxter? Be a mensch! You know what that means?
BUD: I’m not sure.
DR. DREYFUSS: A mensch — a human being! So you got off easy this time — so you were lucky –
BUD: Yeah, wasn’t I?
DR. DREYFUSS: (finishing coffee) But you’re not out of the woods yet, Baxter — because most of them try it again! (picks up bag, starts toward door) You know where I am if you need me.

— The Apartment (1960), written by Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week: Wisdom. Today’s suggestion by Daniel Cossu.

Trivia: Billy Wilder wrote the role of “Dr. Dreyfuss” for Lou Jacobi. But the producers of Jacobi’s Broadway play wouldn’t release him to make the film. So Jack Kruschen played the role and received an Oscar nomination.

Dialogue On Dialogue: This is a classic Protagonist-Mentor moment wherein the latter provides specific advice to the former: “Be a mensch!” Later when Baxter quits his job, he explains his actions to his boss by saying, “Just following doctor’s orders. I’ve decided to become a “mensch”. You know what that means? A human being,” a direct callback to wisdom he received from Dreyfuss.

If you have a suggestion for this week’s theme, please post in comments.

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