Mildred Pierce (film)

"We lived on Corvallis Street where all the houses looked alike. Ours was number 1143. I was always in the kitchen. I felt as though I'd been born in a kitchen and lived there all my life, except for the few hours it took to get married."

"I'll never forget it. Never as long as I live. She said, "Mommy," and that was all. Oh, I loved her so much. Oh, please God, don't ever let anything happen to Veda."

"Sure was a big night for me. I come out looking for an evening of fun and laughter and what do I get? Dishpan hands and a date with a Girl Scout."

"[first lines and last words] Mildred!"

"Personally, I don't think you're the type for the work. But against my better judgment, I'll give you a trial. Now you need white shoes. Ask for nurses' regulation. Any of the stores. $2.95. We furnish your uniform but it comes off your first check. $3.95. You get it at cost and keep it laundered. If you don't suit us, we charge you twenty-five cents on the uniform. That comes off your check too. Keep your own tips."

"When men get around me, they get allergic to wedding rings. You know, big sister type. Good old Ida. You can talk it over with her man to man. I'm getting awfully tired of men talking to me man to man."

"Personally, Veda's convinced me that alligators have the right idea. They eat their young."

"I love you, Mother. Really I do. But let's not be sticky about it."

"The trouble is, you're trying to buy love from those kids and it won't work. I'm no bargain, but I make enough to get by. But no, that isn't good enough. Veda has to have a piano and lessons and fancy dresses so she can sit up on a platform smirking her way through a piece any five-year-old with talent could play."

"[last lines, to Mildred] You can go now. We'll call you when we want you. You know, Mrs. Beragon, there are times when I regret being a policeman."

"Joan Crawford - Mildred Pierce Beragon"

"Jack Carson - Wally Fay"

"Zachary Scott - Monte Beragon"

"Eve Arden - Ida Corwin"

"Ann Blyth - Veda Pierce Forrester"

"Butterfly McQueen - Lottie"

"Bruce Bennett - Albert "Bert" Pierce"

"Lee Patrick - Mrs. Maggie Biederhof"

"Moroni Olsen - Inspector Peterson"

"Veda Ann Borg - Miriam Ellis"

"Jo Ann Marlowe - Kay Pierce"

"In her heart of hearts she knew it would happen this way!"

"A mother's love leads to murder."

"Please don't tell anyone what Mildred Pierce did!"

"The kind of Woman most men want - but shouldn't have!"