Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Archives - Personology and Relational Science

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Amazon Prime Video, Avon Productions

Amazon Prime Video original film Cat on a Hot Tin Roof was released September 18th, 1958.

#COAHTR made $1,872 at the international box office.

rottentomatoes: 97%

metacritic: 84

imdb: 7.9

oscars: 6 nominations

golden globes: 2 nominations

Margaret ‘The Cat’ Pollitt

Maggie Pollitt is a homemaker in rural east Mississippi.

Best Actress in a Leading Role

1 nomination: 1959

“Don’t you do that! I’m warning you, Trixie. Gooper! Gooper, can’t you stop that child of yours from getting her hot little hands in the ice cream? Like this, honey.” — Maggie Pollitt

“One of those no-neck monsters hit me with some ice cream. Because your brother’s children got no necks, that’s why. At least, none visible. Their fat little heads sit on their fat little bodies without a bit of connection. Especially because you can’t wring their necks if they got no necks to wring, isn’t that right, honey?” — Maggie Pollitt

“Did you ever hear so many dogs’ names tagged onto children? Think of it. They’ve got five monsters and number six coming up. Dragged the whole bunch down here like animals to display at the county fair. It’s so obvious, it’s disgusting. Well, it’s obvious what they’re up to. I’ll tell you what they’re up to, boy of mine. They’re up to cutting you out of your father’s estate.” — Maggie Pollitt

“Everybody knows Big Daddy’s dying of… oh, I ought to send Sister Woman a bill for a new pair of stockings. Do we what? Well, don’t you believe it? Well, suppose he is. There’s some things you gotta face, baby. There’s some things in this world you’ve simply got to face. Why did they have Big Daddy in that horrible old clinic for six weeks? If the examination didn’t show anything, then why’d brother man bring his whole screaming tribe out here in this sticky heat? And why so many allusions to you and Rainbow Hill? Know what Rainbow Hill is? It’s a place that’s famous for treating famous alcoholics and dope fiends.” — Maggie Pollitt

“No, and you don’t take dope. Otherwise, you’d be a perfect candidate for Rainbow Hill. That’s where Brother Man’s gonna tell Big Daddy to ship you, over my dead body. And if they get you out of the way, Brother Gooper gets a hold of the estate and signs all the checks and cuts off our credit whenever he wants. How would you like that, baby? Well, you’re doing just about everything you can to aid and abet them into grabbing control after Big Daddy… well, you are. Quitting work, devoting yourself to the occupation of drinking, breaking your ankle last night on the high school athletic field. Brick. We got one thing on our side. No, two things. Are my seams straight?” — Maggie Pollitt

“Big Daddy dotes on you, honey. He just can’t stand Brother Man and Brother Man’s wife, Martha, that monster of fertility. She’s downright odious to him. I can tell. Just like I can tell he likes me. That’s the second thing we got on our side. He likes me. The way he looks me up and down, over. He’s still got an eye for girls. Anybody ever tell you you were a back-aching puritan, Brick? I think it’s mighty fine the way that old fellow on the doorstep of death still takes in my shape with what I consider deserved appreciation. You know, that brother Gooper of yours still cherishes the illusion that he took a giant step up the social ladder when he married Mae Flynn of the no-neck Memphis Flynns. ‘Cause she was queen of the Cotton Carnival. I can just see Gooper falling for her Majesty. Sitting on that brass throne, riding on that tacky float down Main Street, smiling and bowing and blowing kisses to all the trash on the street. You know what happened to her?” — Maggie Pollitt

“Somebody spat tobacco juice in her face. That’s right. Some drunk at the Hotel Gayoso leaned out the window and said, ‘hey, hey, queenie. Hey there, queenie.’ Sister Mae looked up and smiled and waved, and that drunk shot a squirt of tobacco juice right in her face. Ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha! Why are you looking at me like that? Like you were just looking. I was conscious of it. If you were thinking the same thing I was… why not?! No! I know you better than you think. I’ve seen that look before. And I know what it used to mean. And it still means the same thing now.” — Maggie Pollitt

“Don’t you think I know that? Don’t you think I know… that I’ve gone through this horrible transformation? That I’ve become hard and frantic and cruel. Oh, Brick. I get so lonely. Living with somebody you love can be… lonelier than living entirely alone… when the one you love doesn’t love you. You can’t even stand drinking out of the same glass, can you? No! No, I– I wouldn’t. Why can’t you lose your good looks, Brick? Most drinking men lose theirs. Why can’t you? I think you’ve even got better looking since you went on the bottle. You were such a wonderful lover. You were so exciting to be in love with. Mostly, I guess, ’cause you were… if I thought you’d… never, never make love to me again, I’d… why, I’d find me the longest, sharpest knife I could, and I’d stick it straight into my heart. I’d do that.” — Maggie Pollitt

“Oh, Brick, how long does this have to go on, this punishment?! Haven’t I served my term? Can’t I apply for a pardon? Is it any wonder? You know what I feel like? I feel all the time like a cat on a hot tin roof. Jump where? Into what? I don’t deserve that. I can’t see any man but you. Even my eyes closed, I just see you. Oh, why can’t you get ugly, Brick? Why can’t you please get fat or ugly or something do I can stand it? Oh, I’m more determined than you think. I’ll win all right.” — Maggie Pollitt

“Just staying on it, I guess, as long as she can. Pretty seedy looking flowers for Big Daddy. Don’t you think, Gooper? That’s the best birthday present of all. Yeah, and U.P. and thanks to your professional legal advice every other P. For your birthday, what else? You know how Brick is sometimes. Why, Brick loves you. Well, he does. What do you want, proof?” — Maggie Pollitt

“Brick. I got news, honey. Big news. Big Daddy’s gonna live. That’s right. He’s a well man. That’s what Big Mama said, and Doc Baugh was right there with them. You should have seen Mae and Gooper’s face. They almost dropped dead from shock themselves. Feeling like 40. Talking like 20. I’m taking no chances on moving you. Or on letting them poison Big Daddy’s mind against you. I just want you to get dressed and come on down to Big Daddy’s birthday party. The first thing Big Daddy asked about was you.” — Maggie Pollitt

“The heat has made you cross. Why don’t you put on your nice silk pajamas, honey, and come on down to the party? There’s a lovely cool breeze. Lean on me, baby. Mmm, you got a nice smell about you. Was your bath water cool? I know something to make you feel cool and fresh. Alcohol rub. Alone. It’s cool on the lawn. At least you can give him this present. I remembered to buy it for you for his birthday. You can write a few words on this card. It’s got to be your handwriting. It’s your present. It’s got to be your handwriting. Well, what’s the difference? And have him know you didn’t remember his birthday? Well, you don’t have to prove it to him. Just write ‘Love, Brick’ for heaven sakes. You’ve got to!” — Maggie Pollitt

“I’m not living with you! We occupy the same cage, that’s all! You know, that’s the first time you’ve raised your voice in a long time? A crack in the stone wall? I think that’s a fine sign. Mighty fine. To give us a little privacy for a while. I don’t mind making a fool of myself over you. Feel embarrassed! But I can’t live on this way! I know I did, but I can’t, I can’t! Uh, Brick’s getting dressed, Big Mama. He’s still getting dressed. I told him already. I know you do, but people gotta have some moments of privacy, don’t they?” — Maggie Pollitt

“Not sweet enough for Big Daddy’s birthday party. Out! Out! Out! Out! You little monster! Mae and Gooper are so touchy about their children, you hardly even dare suggest there’s any room for improvement. Why, that’s not true. I adore them, well brought up. Big Mama, what you said about having children, it’s still kind of a secret but… huh? Oh. Well, he may have had a little highball… that’s not fair! Why don’t you ask me if he makes me happy? It works both ways. That’s not fair. You know how Brick is, Doc. He hardly ever complains. Even when he had that awful back injury in football. Uh, Brick’s birthday present for Big Daddy.” — Maggie Pollitt

“Oh– uh… you forgot to write out the card, honey. Mmm? Thanks, Doc. Nothing. But Maggie sad and Big Mama said– why, that’s no way to talk. Take over. When we all know Big Daddy’s gonna live to be at least 100. Brick, honey, I brought you something to eat. What’s that supposed to mean? We can’t. They’re bringing a whole party up here. You just can’t walk out on Big Daddy’s birthday party. Don’t you care nothing about him? You got no cause to dislike him. Well, it’s obvious to everybody. Especially to him. What’s he ever done to you? What? Why do you hate him so much? What’s he ever done to you? What was Doc Baugh doing up here? What did he… I– I don’t believe that. Doc Baugh wouldn’t lie to Big Daddy. Ohh. Poor Big Daddy. I’m fond of him. I’m genuinely fond of that old man. I really am, you know. Oh, when he finds out… I wouldn’t want to be the one to tell him. That’s why you want to go now.” — Maggie Pollitt

“And leave the field to Gooper and that wife of his? No, sir. Let’s face facts, baby. You’re a drinker, and that takes money. You ready to settle for 10 cent beer? ‘Cause that’s just what Gooper’ll dole out to you when they freeze you out. They got a plan, baby. Oh, you should have heard them laying it on to Big Daddy, a mile a minute. Big Mama’s already on their side. You’re a drinker, and I’m childless. We gotta beat that plan. We just got to. I’ve been so disgustingly poor all my life. That’s the truth, Brick. You don’t know what it’s like to have to suck up to people you can’t stand just ’cause they have money. You don’t know what it’s like, never having any clothes. That dress I married you in was… was a hand-me-down from a snotty, rich cousin I hated. You can be young without money, but you can’t be old without it. Where did I fail you? Where did I make my mistake? Make that your last drunk until after the party, please, honey. I think I made my mistake when I tried to tell you about Skipper.” — Maggie Pollitt

Brick Politt

Best Actor in a Leading Role

1 nomination: 1959

“Now why did you call Gooper’s kiddies no-neck monsters? Oh. That’s too bad. What are they up to, Maggie? Do we? Know that Big Daddy is dying of… you’ll know soon enough. I’m not famous, Maggie. Rainbow Hill. That kind of talk is disgusting. No, what happened to her, Maggie? Like what, Maggie? I wasn’t conscious of looking at you, Maggie. No, Maggie. Would you please keep your voice down?”

“You’re not the same woman now, Maggie. Know what Maggie? Are you planning on meeting Big Daddy’s plane? Everybody gets that. Would you like to live alone, Maggie? You’ll be late. Lady, that finishing school voice of yours sounds like you was running upstairs to tell somebody the house was on fire.”

“Then jump off the roof, Maggie. Jump off it. Cats jump off roofs and they land uninjured. Do it, jump. Take a lover. You’ll make out fine. Your kind always does. Win what? What is the victory of a cat on a hot tin roof? But does he love you? If I was married to you for 3 years, you’d have the living proof. You’d have three kids already and the fourth in the oven. Get me out of this. I want to talk to Brick.”

“Then he’s all right? Then we can drive back to New Orleans tonight. I won’t break. Big Daddy, Big Daddy. Now what makes him so big? His big heart, his big belly? Or his big money? Mm-hmm, give me my crutch. Give me my crutch, Maggie. No. No, thanks. Then we’d smell alike. Like a couple of cats in the heat. I am not going down there, Maggie. Not for you and not for Big Daddy. You write something, Maggie. I didn’t get him a present. If there’s no difference, you write the card. I didn’t remember! No.”

“I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to! Now, you keep forgetting the conditions on which I agreed to stay on living with you! What’d you do that for, Maggie? Don’t make a fool of yourself, Maggie. Well, I mind. I feel embarrassed for you. Now, you agreed to accept that condition! Let go, Maggie. Now, let go, Maggie! I’m coming. Can I get you something cool, Doc? Itches some. Some. What is it, Doc? You didn’t leave the party just to come up here and discuss my health. I already heard the good news about– Gooper? He’s gonna die?”

“What kind of truth is that? I’m not hungry. We’re leaving. I can. If you won’t drive me, I’ll get one of the boys to do it. Get out of my way, Maggie. Get out of my way, Maggie. Do I dislike him? Nothing. That’s right. Big Daddy is gonna die. Wouldn’t he, Maggie? Yeah, that’s why I want to leave now. You gotta do this for me, Maggie. Please. I don’t want his money. Have you, Maggie?”

Big Daddy

“Kiss your grandmother. Doc, you want to tell them the news? Where’s Brick? How? Let’s go home. No! Be quiet, woman! Well, I’m gonna live, Maggie. I’m gonna live. You know they had me real scared. You know, I’ve wasted so much time. You know, I’ve got a million different kinds of feelings left in me. And I want to use them. Gonna use them all.”

“Why did you and Brick suddenly decide to drive up from New Orleans? I had a birthday last year and the year before, didn’t see you then. Maybe he thought he was coming to my funeral instead of my birthday.”

“Pass the black-eyed peas. Tell them to sit down and eat. Over there. No! Who gave us nothing. Every scrap on this table was raised right here on this place, Deacon. I made a pasture land out of this place when it was nothing but a swamp. And it was done with the help of God and not any governor. Great balls of fire! What are they up to now? Don’t they get any intermission? Will you put some honey on this?”

Mother Pollitt / The Pollitt Estate

“Hi. Hello, Mae. Hello, children. Hot dog, isn’t is great? Mae, darling. The exploratory operation proved there’s nothing wrong with with Big Daddy. Nothing at all! Just a little old spastic colon. And that’s all! What? What’s that? Don’t you want to ride with the children, honey? Ha ha ha ha! He’s his sassy old self again, all right.”

“Welcome home, Captain Pollitt. ♪ Big Daddy… ♪ He wants some more ice, Miss Margaret. ♪ We love you in the morning ♪ We love you in the night ♪ We love when we’re with you ♪ And we love you out of sight ♪ skin-a-marink a-dink-a-dink ♪ Skin–marink-a-doo ♪ Big Mama, too ♪”

“Son! Son, son! We’ve got the most wonderful news about Big Daddy! What’s this door been locked for, Becky? Y’all think there’s robbers in the house? It won’t be the first time I’ve seen Brick not dressed. Come on, open this door. Brick, honey. Sweetheart, how’s your leg feel? Come on out of there, son. I want to give you the news about Big Daddy. I just hate locked doors in the house. No, ma’am, not in my house. What you took this off for, honey?”

“Thought it looked so sweet on you. Brick, hurry on out. Oh, shoot, Maggie. You just don’t like children. Why don’t you have some then and bring them up well, instead of all the time picking on Gooper’s and Mae’s? Darlin’, tell them to hold their horses. Why, he’s… aw, shoot, Maggie! Stop playing so dumb. I mean, is he still drinking this stuff much? Don’t laugh about it. Some single men stop drinking when they get married. Others start. Brick never touched liquor before he– fair or not fair, I want to ask you a question. One question. Do you make Brick happy? Well?”

“‘Cause I know that– something ain’t right. You’re childless and my son drinks. I’m coming! When a marriage goes on the rocks, the rocks are there, right there. All right, I’m coming.”

“♪ I’ll be a sunbeam for him ♪ Jesus wants me for a sunbeam ♪ To shine for him each day… ♪ In every way try to please him ♪ At home, at school, at play ♪ A sunbeam, a sunbeam ♪ Jesus wants me for a sunbeam ♪ A sunbeam, a sunbeam ♪ Jesus wants me for a sunbeam ♪ To shine for him each day ♪ In every way try to please him ♪ At home, at school, at play ♪ A sunbeam, a sunbeam ♪ Jesus wants me for a sunbeam ♪ A sunbeam, a sunbeam ♪ I’ll be a sunbeam for him ♪ Amen. Just look at Big Daddy eat. Ain’t it something to thank your stars for? They’ve been practicing just for you.”

“Well, look here, telegrams, hundreds of telegrams from every corner of this great state. Wishing you a happy birthday. You want me to read them? One from the Governor, United States Senator. Let’s remember, we’re all lambs in the same pasture. Everybody here, including Big Daddy, owes thanks to those in high places who gave us– he don’t mean it, Sister Woman. He loves children. Any time, any place, anywhere. To Big Daddy! ‘In the name of every man, woman, and child in this here county, in the name of the church board, the school board, and the board of trustees, felicitations on your 65th birthday.'”

Gooper Pollitt / Mae Pollitt / kids

“Trixie. Trixie! Trixie! Couldn’t you at least wash your hands before you did that? Maggie, you stop that! Maggie, how could you do that to a child?! Gooper. Gooper, did you see what she did? I told her to wash her hands first.”

“Dixie, Trixie, come on. We’re all gonna get ready. Here we are! Trixie, come on, Buster, Sonny! Everybody in the car now! We’re all gonna go!”

“Not now! Not now! Now wait a minute. Not yet. Where are the fliers, darling? Aren’t you putting it on a little thick? Get ready now. Mama, she didn’t bring anything for Big Daddy. I picked them myself. Looks like she picked them off somebody’s grave. Now you stop talking about graves when we don’t know whether Big Daddy’s gonna live or die. Get ready.”

“Kiss me. Oh, darling Big Daddy. You look fine, Big Daddy. Just fine. That’s great news. Uncle Brick got drunk and broke his leg. Yeah, seems he got drunk again and tried to jump the high hurdles at 3:00 in the morning. That tall boy thinks he’s still a great big athlete. Couldn’t keep it out of the local paper. A.P. got a hold of it, too. Hush up! Hush up!”

“Hey, Big Mama, you and Betsy gotta go! They’re waiting downstairs to say good-bye. Where’s Brick? Oh. We’re leaving, Big Mama. Good-bye, Ida.”

“Did you like the singing, Big Daddy? Children, come on. Yeah, uh, over there. It must be getting on to election time, eh, Deacon? Amen. Surprise! It’s all just part of the entertainment, Big Daddy. Say, that’s funny. That’s very funny. Of course he does. They’re all Pollitt’s, I’m proud to say. Every one of ’em, and I know that Big Daddy’s just as proud as we are knowing there’s a whole dynasty of his flesh and blood waiting to take over. What way? Well, I just meant– I’ll drink to that.”

Doctor Baugh

“Is Brick here? I’d thought I’d check his ankle. Is it giving him much pain, Maggie? Brick? I think they’re fixing to sit down at the table. Thanks. How’s the ankle? Funny, that’s the same leg you tore a muscle in– what was it? The– um… ‘Bama State. Yeah. 21 to… you miss football, don’t you? Hurt much when you put weight on it? Yeah, you were quite a team, you and Skipper. That’s right. It’s bad news. It’s what we expected. It’s malignant, and it’s terminal. He hasn’t a chance. Lies. I lied to them. And I lied to him, too. Professional ethics. I told him the truth coming in from the airfield. He’s gonna die.”