Daily Dialogue — July 4, 2015

Dowager in Cab: I’ve never gone this way before.
John Winger: Well, I’m sure there are a lot of ways I’ve gone that you haven’t.
Dowager in Cab: What is your name? (reading the license) John Ringer? What kind of a name is Ringer?
John Winger: Winger. I’m adopted, I’ve spent most of my life in institutions.
Dowager in Cab: Doesn’t surprise me, who look like a typical low-life character to me.
John Winger: Actually I’m a photographer, I took this job because I love people. There’s nothing I enjoy more than meeting someone like yourself, getting to know you and then taking a few action photos of you while I drive.
[John starts photographing her]
Dowager in Cab: Will you stop! Turn around, watch the road. Turn around, stop with the pictures.
John Winger: Thank-you so much.
Dowager in Cab: Aren’t you going too fast?
John Winger: No, it’s not the speed really so much, I just wish I hadn’t drank all that cough syrup this morning
Dowager in Cab: Oh no…We’re going to be killed.
John Winger: Oh no. Not killed.
Dowager in Cab: Just keep your hands on the wheel…And slow down.
John Winger: Not killed.
Dowager in Cab: You should have your license taken away. I am going to write your name down and see that it is given to the proper authorities…g-e-r. You’re a bum! And that’s all you’ll ever be, a bum!
John Winger: Well, that hurts Ma’am. And I don’t think I want to take your abuse. And I know I don’t want to take you and your luggage to the airport. How ‘bout that, huh?

Stops the taxi in the middle of the bridge.

— Stripes (1981), written by Len Blum, Dan Goldberg and Harold Ramis

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week: Quitting. Today’s suggestion by James Schramm.

Trivia: Part of a mini-cycle of Hollywood movies made during the early 1980s centering around military cadet training. The pictures include Taps (1981), Stripes (1981), Private Benjamin (1980), Up the Academy (1980), The Lords of Discipline (1983) and An Officer and a Gentleman (1982). Then the mid-late 1980s saw a few more: Cadence (1990), Biloxi Blues (1988), Heartbreak Ridge (1986) and Full Metal Jacket (1987).

Dialogue On Dialogue: Commentary by James: “A perfect introduction to the lovable loser John Winger. We see him hit rock-bottom after this incident and we are cheering for him the rest of the movie. One of Murray’s best roles.”