Daily Dialogue — July 1, 2015

J.D. Sheldrake: Say, Baxter, you gave me the wrong key.
C.C. Baxter: No, I didn’t.
J.D. Sheldrake: But this is the key to the executive washroom.
C.C. Baxter: That’s right, Mr. Sheldrake. I won’t be needing it because I’m all washed up around here.
J.D. Sheldrake: What’s gotten into you, Baxter?
C.C. Baxter: Just following doctor’s orders. I’ve decided to become a “mensch”. You know what that means? A human being.
J.D. Sheldrake: Now, hold on, Baxter…
C.C. Baxter: Save it. The old payola won’t work anymore. Goodbye, Mr. Sheldrake.

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

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week: Quitting.

Trivia: This is the first Best Picture Oscar winner to specifically refer to a previous winner, in this case two of them. First Grand Hotel (1932), which Baxter attempts to watch on television but is too long delayed because of commercials. Bud’s boss also refers to Bud and Fran having “a lost weekend” together in Bud’s apartment, a reference to Billy Wilder’s earlier Oscar winner, The Lost Weekend (1945).

Dialogue On Dialogue: In my view, one of the greatest quitting scenes in all movie history as it perfectly represents Baxter rejecting his Want (success at work) and embracing his Need (be a mensch).