“Nobody puts baby in the corner”
That’s apparently the 10th most quoted line from a film, according to a BBC news story.
The rest of the the quotes are pretty run of the mill, and much of what I’d have expected:
1. “I’ll be back.” The Terminator
2. “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” Gone With The Wind
3. “Beam me up, Scotty.” Star Trek
4. “May the force be with you.” Star Wars
5. “Life is like a box of chocolates.” Forrest Gump
6. “You talking to me?” Taxi Driver
7. “Show me the money.” Jerry Maguire
8. “Do you feel lucky, punk?” Dirty Harry
9. “Here’s looking at you, kid.” Casablanca
But that number 10? No. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say it. And I hang out with a lot of of film-literate folk…
So. Pop quiz time: can any of you remember what film it’s from? (No peeking now!).
Simon's Backup Weblog 
on November 8, 2007 on 8:29 pm
Dirty Dancing… and the only reason I know that is because some Nth anniversary DVD was released and every single review had to quote that line.
I haven’t heard it, but I have heard variations and riffs in my time.
And I’m very pleased to say I’ve never seen the movie.
on November 8, 2007 on 8:33 pm
Dirty Dancing.
on November 8, 2007 on 8:43 pm
As above. I suspect awareness has picked ip because of the DD 10th anniversary stuff and because they used it in the Swayze Orange ad.
on November 8, 2007 on 8:46 pm
Dirty Dancing!
on November 8, 2007 on 8:51 pm
Of course, ‘Beam me up, Scotty’ was never said in a Star Trek film or in the TV series.
on November 8, 2007 on 9:01 pm
I’ve been known to say “Frankly, Scallop, I don’t give a clam.”
on November 8, 2007 on 9:27 pm
Three of them are misquotes, of course.
“Nobody puts Baby in the corner” – no, because her immense schnozz gets in the way.
on November 8, 2007 on 9:36 pm
I have to say that I know this primarily because of the publicity for the new stage musical, which has this as a tag line – and I’ve only see Dirty Dancing once, and hated every second of it.
on November 8, 2007 on 9:40 pm
Not sure I agree with that list. Who was counting, amongst what population?
Whatever happened to “You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!” or “he’s an idiot, but he’s our idiot.” I’d offer “A man’s gotta know his limitations” but they do at least have a DH quote. “Wake up! Time to die!” “Everyone remember where we parked” is a much better ST quote – if only coz someone actually said it in a film. “Micro changes in air density my arse!” leads to “Leave her alone you bitch!” and “I say we dust off and nuke it from orbit – only way to be sure”.
on November 8, 2007 on 9:47 pm
They left out “We don’t need no stinkin’ badges”!
Or do I just know that one because I hang around with fans? (Actually, at the opening for the local wine bar last night, I heard a real person say it!)
on November 8, 2007 on 10:01 pm
I’m guessing that Davis-Crawford classic, Whatever happened to Baby Jane. I don’t expressly remember that line, though. (I’m also hoping that it’s NOT from Dirty Dancing.)
on November 8, 2007 on 10:01 pm
Ah well.
on November 8, 2007 on 11:20 pm
I know it’s from Dirty Dancing — but only because I’ve heard it mentioned /twice/ on the radio in the last week!
on November 8, 2007 on 11:25 pm
If they left “You’re only supposed to blow the bloody doors off” out they’ve got it wrong.
My top ten would include “I shot an arrow in the air,
My aunt came down in Berkeley Square.” Anyone know where that’s from?
on November 8, 2007 on 11:27 pm
Kind Hearts & Coronets?
on November 8, 2007 on 11:34 pm
Dirty Dancing?
on November 8, 2007 on 11:35 pm
Dirty Dancing.
And you don’t hang out with enough girls. I’ve heard it used at least twice in the last month, once earlier this evening when referencing my nephew, who was refusing to be babysat.
on November 9, 2007 on 12:42 am
Dirty Dancing, and you clearly don’t spend much time in the company of middle aged women.
on November 9, 2007 on 1:52 am
She fell to earth, surely?
on November 9, 2007 on 6:38 pm
Maybe it’s the ( online ) crowd I hang out with, but I was surprised not to see “My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father; prepare to die!”
on November 9, 2007 on 6:53 pm
Actually, pretty much any Princess Bride quote.
on November 9, 2007 on 9:55 pm
I agree that it doesn’t seem to fit with the others; maybe there’s a steep dropoff after 9?
The only reason I knew it was that somebody explained the Orange Swayze cinema ad to me a while back.