Ever Since Eve (1937)

Frank McHugh: 'Mabel' DeCraven

Quotes 

• Abbie Belldon : It's about time you showed up. It's getting so, I have to stand over you writers like a policeman to make you get your stuff out on time. You're cheating on the little girls of America! Where are the last chapters of "The Motorcycle Girls in the Everglades"?

  'Mabel' DeCraven : Oh, it's wonderful! I got them all, everyone of them on their motorcycles in the middle of the swamp. This is Chapter 12. And I got them up to there

  [hold hand under his chin] 

  'Mabel' DeCraven : - in water. But, I don't know how to get them out?

  Abbie Belldon : Have 'em swim out.

  'Mabel' DeCraven : Yeah, but, what about the motorcycles? They can't swim!

• Abbie Belldon : Your next series will be - eh - "The Airplane Girls in Africa" - and pick a new name for yourself.

  [dismissingly] 

  Abbie Belldon : 'Mabel DeCraven'.

  'Mabel' DeCraven : Well, it was a toss up between that and Rosa Bell Heart. I kinda felt Rosa Bell Heart was too effeminate.

• Abbie Belldon : For the next series, pick a new pseudonym.

  'Mabel' DeCraven : Prudence Parker?

  Abbie Belldon : No, not Prudence. Let me see?

  Marge Winton : Priscilla!

  Abbie Belldon : Excellent! How's it sound to you 'Mabel'?

  'Mabel' DeCraven : That's fine. Priscill - they might call me Prissy for short?

  Abbie Belldon : They won't. I'll make it a house rule.

• Abbie Belldon : It's Freddy Matthews, at last.

  'Mabel' DeCraven : That's fine. Now you can ball him out.

• 'Mabel' DeCraven : For the love of Mike, Abbie. That's a dirty trick to play on Freddy!

  Abbie Belldon : What are you talking about?

  'Mabel' DeCraven : That girl!

  Abbie Belldon : What's the matter with her?

  'Mabel' DeCraven : Everything! Sex takes a holiday. Freddy'll throw a fit. Imagine working all day in front of a face like that?

• 'Mabel' DeCraven : I'd give anything to get a look at Freddy's face when he sees that comic valentine!

• 'Mabel' DeCraven : She decided that she would rather have marriage than a career. So, she went back to it.

  Marge Winton : Oh, that's a beautiful story, Mr. Matthews. I'm sure it will be a great success.

  'Mabel' DeCraven : It always has been.

• 'Mabel' DeCraven : Miss Winton, you are a clock watcher. You will never succeed with that attitude.

• 'Mabel' DeCraven : [dictating]  Sylvia secretly watched Charles as he undressed before the open window. As he removed his shirt, revealing his bronze biceps, the wind ruffled his golden hair.

• Freddy Matthews : That typewriters taking plenty punishment.

  'Mabel' DeCraven : The typewriter and me both.

  Freddy Matthews : Been makin' you work?

  'Mabel' DeCraven : I don't mind. The quicker I finish this book, the sooner I'll get rid of her.

  Freddy Matthews : Not so good between paragraphs, huh?

  'Mabel' DeCraven : It has never occurred to me to try. She'll make somebody a good wife. Probably a blind man.

• 'Mabel' DeCraven : Miss Lansing will see that he's charmingly entertained at the Bayview.

  Marge Winton : The Bayview? Oh, goodness. Did I tell Mr. Matthews the Bayview?

  'Mabel' DeCraven : You certainly did.

  Marge Winton : Oh, isn't that awful. I meant to tell him the St. George. Oh, I'm afraid you'll think I'm awfully stupid.

  'Mabel' DeCraven : Yes, I do. Stupid like a fox.

• Abbie Belldon : Where's Marge?

  Freddy Matthews : Marge is gone forever. This is Sadie.

  [pointing to Marge] 

  Jake Edgall : Now, wait a minute. Let's get this straight. Who are you?

  [pointing to Marge] 

  Marge Winton : Sadie.

  Abbie Belldon : Who is Sadie?

  Sadie Day : Marge.

  Jake Edgall : Why?

  'Mabel' DeCraven : Oh, I get it. She's Sadie that's really Marge. Just like I'm Mabel when I'm not Mike.

  Jake Edgall : Who am I?

  Marge Winton : You're Jake.

  Jake Edgall : Well, now we're gettin' somewhere. If she ain't Marge anymore. And she's Sadie. Who have I been keepin' company with?

  Sadie Day : Me.

  Jake Edgall : Who are you?

  Sadie Day : Susie.

  Jake Edgall : Then, I never met you before?

  Sadie Day : That's right.

  Marge Winton : I wish you'd get your names straight.

  Freddy Matthews : So do I.