Picking the best movies lines of all time is a challenge similar to picking your favorite quote from a San Jose mayor. Well, okay, it’s not exactly like that. Alright, it’s not like that at all.
You might get into a bar room argument over movie lines. It’s hard to imagine the same happening when discussing our civic leaders. But if an argument over mayoral eloquence happens anywhere within the city borders, I’ll buy Tom McEnery a new Bartlett’s Book of Quotations. His current copy appears shopworn.
So let’s start the debate with the movies. The American Film Institute (link) this year picked the best winning quotes. Here’s the top ten:
1. Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn. GONE WITH THE WIND 1939
2. I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse. GODFATHER, THE 1972
3. You don’t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could’ve been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am. ON THE WATERFRONT 1954
4. Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore. WIZARD OF OZ, THE 1939
5. Here’s looking at you, kid. CASABLANCA 1942
6. Go ahead, make my day. SUDDEN IMPACT 1983
7. All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my closeup. SUNSET BLVD. 1950
8. May the Force be with you. STAR WARS 1977
9. Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night. ALL ABOUT EVE 1950
10. You talking to me? TAXI DRIVER 1976
But let’s not forget our mayors. Here are five quotes from San Jose mayors. Correctly guess the speaker, and you’ll be honored as mayor for the day on our blog.
A. “Show me the efficiencies.”
B. “Let’s make San Jose better before we make it bigger.”
C. “My intent is to lock in a permanent green line around the city of San Jose.”
D. “This is great news for the city of San Jose and the Sharks.”
E. “They should build on the present Civic Center site.”
Hmmm. actually some of the movie lines could have been said by mayors.
#3 “I coulda been a contender” Ron Gonzales
Jude…
I think you may have wrongly attributed the #9 quote:
9. Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night.
I think that quote was at a meeting between Ron and Joe before they gave testimony to the Civil Grand Jury.
Actually, now that I think about it – more of those quotes may be appropriate:
1. Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn. JOE TO REBECCA ABOUT THROWING THE MAYOR UNDER THE BUS…
2. I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse. RON TO NORCAL…
3. You don’t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could’ve been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am. YOU FIGURE THIS ONE OUT…
6. Go ahead, make my day. CIVIL GRAND JURY TO RON AND JOE…
9. Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night. SEE ABOVE…
10. You talking to me? THE CITY COUNCIL WHEN THEY ARE PUT UNDER OATH…
Gonzales could have said #5 (Here’s looking at you kid) and #9(Fasten your seat belts it’s going to be a bumpy night).
I’d go into more detail but isn’t this a family orientated site?!
TJ
Well, there’s that video email I sent to you and Tom a couple of weeeks ago. You should post it. I don’t know the name of the movie, but it stars a young Bob Hope.
One character describing zombies says: “A zombie has no will of his own. You see them walking around with dead eyes, following orders, not knowing what they do, not caring.” Hope deadpans his response :You mean like Democrats?” If you have the capability of posting video, I’ll reforward it to you. It’s funnier in video than in print.
If we’re going to get into famous quotes why not go all the way such as: “I am not a crook.”
Seems many of todays politicians might be looking for this bit of trivia to use in many different situations. Garbage anyone?
A. ???
B. Janet Gray Hayes
C. Susan Hammer
D. Tom McEnery
E. Al Ruffo
It’s a trick question!
None of the quotes are from San Jose Mayors:
A. “Show me the efficiencies.”
Ex-Councilman Terry Gregory trying to get a free washing machine.
B. “Let’s make San Jose better before we make it bigger.”
Former City Manager Dutch Hamman getting a laugh over drinks at Lou’s Village.
C. “My intent is to lock in a permanent green line around the city of San Jose.”
Morgan Hill Mayor Dennis Kennedy, in a wishful moment.
D. “This is great news for the city of San Jose and the Sharks.”
Former Mayor Tom McEnery’s Staff when they heard the city hired lawyers to recover the lost bond money.
E. “They should build on the present Civic Center site.”
Norcal Waste Systems Board of Directors discussing the location their next garbage dump. (Said with a wink and a nudge.)
Mal Conten: Yo! You are VERY knowledgeable about wassup in San Hozay. Good response.
Hey Jude:
Don’t know the answers to your quiz, but I think that I’ve come up with a new nickname for San Jose’s mayor that just might stick.
Let’s all start calling him…“Garbage-man!”
From, Simon Says
JMC-
Aw shucks. Just a good citizen who follows the news, knows his local history, frequently holds his nose…and tries to keep a sense of humor about it all.