Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)

Emma Dunn: Mrs. Meredith

Photos 

Quotes 

• Anderson : [walks up to the farmer]  Longfellow Deeds. Where does he live?

  Farmer : Oh, that's what you want. Why didn't you say so in the first place instead of beating around the bush? Those other fellows don't know what they're talking about. Come on, I'll take you there in my car. If they'd only explained to me what they want, there'd be no trouble.

  Mrs. Meredith - Housekeeper : [the group arrives at Longfellow's house and knocks]  Oh. Will you come in, please, gentlemen?

  John Cedar : Is Mr. Deeds in?

  Mrs. Meredith - Housekeeper : No, he's over to the park arranging a bazaar to raise money for the fire engine.

  [turning to farmer] 

  Mrs. Meredith - Housekeeper : Mal, you should've knowed he was in the park.

  Mrs. Meredith - Housekeeper : Knowed it all the time but these men said they wanted to see the house. Can't read their minds if they don't say what they want.

• Cornelius Cobb : He writes poetry?

  Mrs. Meredith - Housekeeper : Oh, my goodness, yes. Longfellow's famous! He writes all those things on post cards. You know, for Christmas and Easter and Birthdays. Sit down, please. Here's one. He got $25 for this one! "When you've nowhere to turn, And you're filled with doubt, Don't stand in midstream hesitating, For you know that your Mother's heart cries out, 'I'm waiting, my boy. I'm waiting.'" Isn't that beautiful? Isn't it a lovely sentiment?

  Cornelius Cobb : Yeah.

• John Cedar : I have good news for you, sir. Mr. Semple left a large fortune when he died. He left it all to you, Mr. Deeds. Deducting the taxes, it amounts to something in the neighborhood of $20,000,000.

  Mrs. Meredith - Housekeeper : How about lunch? Are the gentlemen going to stay or not?

  Longfellow Deeds : Of course they're going to stay. She's got some fresh orange layered cake, you know, with the thick stuff on the top. Sure, they don't want to go to the hotel.

  [starts playing the tuba] 

  John Cedar : Perhaps you didn't hear what I said, Mr. Deeds. The whole Semple fortune goes to you: $20,000,000.

  Longfellow Deeds : Oh, yes, I heard you, all right. $20,000,000. That's quite a lot, isn't it.

  Cornelius Cobb : It'll do in a pinch.

  Longfellow Deeds : Yes, in deed. I wonder why he left me all that money. I don't need it.

  [returns to playing the tuba]