Daily Dialogue — April 9, 2016

Professor Terguson: Is she right? ’Cause I know that’s the popular version of what went on there. And a lot of people like to believe that. I wish I could, but I was there. I wasn’t here in a class room, hoping I was right, thinking about it. [shouting] I was up to my knees in rice paddies, with guns that didn’t work! Going in there, looking for Charlie, slugging it out with him; While pussies like you were back here partying, putting headbands on, doing drugs, and listening to the goddamn Beatles albums! Oh! Oh! Oh!
Thornton Melon: Hey Professor, take it easy. These kids were in grade school at the time, and as for me… I’m not a fighter, I’m a lover.
Professor Terguson: I didn’t know you wanted to get involved in the discussion, Mr. Helper. But since you want to help, maybe you can help me. You remember that thing we had about 30 years ago called the Korean conflict? And how we failed to achieve victory? How come we didn’t cross the 38th parallel and push those rice-eaters back to the Great Wall of China? [rips a desk apart] Then take the fucking wall apart, brick by brick and nuke them back into the fucking stone age forever? Tell me why! How come? Say it! Say it!
Thornton Melon: [incensed] All right. I’ll say it. ’Cause Truman was too much of a pussy wimp to let MacArthur go in there [shouts] and blow out those Commie bastards!
Professor Terguson: Good answer. Good answer. I like the way you think. I’m gonna be watching you.

— Back to School (1986), screenplay by Steven Kampmann & William Porter and Peter Torokvei & Harold Ramis, story by Rodney Dangerfield & Greg Fields & Dennis Snee

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week: Tantrum.

Trivia: Rodney Dangerfield always looked out for younger comedic talents. He was a big proponent for Sam Kinison’s part as a crazed professor in Back to School. They also considered Jim Carrey, but he was rejected as too young. Later when producer Chuck Russell got the chance to direct The Mask (1994), he was finally able to use Jim Carrey, transforming the Mask from a “very dark horror film” to a comedy.

Dialogue On Dialogue: A great comedic tantrum performed by the late Sam Kinison.