I Was an Adventuress (1940)

Erich von Stroheim: Andre Desormeaux

Photos 

Quotes 

• Countess Tanya Vronsky : I'm Countess Vronsky. I've heard some of the stories you've been spreading about me, Signor Rosselli

  [slaps his face] 

  Countess Tanya Vronsky : I warn you against repeating any more of this malicious gossip

  Herr Protz : [startled]  I am not Signor Rosselli!

  Countess Tanya Vronsky : You're not Signor Rosselli?

  Herr Protz : No. I've never even heard of him.

  Countess Tanya Vronsky : Oh. I've made a terrible mistake

  Herr Protz : Oh, that's alright.

  Countess Tanya Vronsky : I don't know what to say

  Herr Protz : Say nothing, Countess.

  [fawning] 

  Herr Protz : Even being slapped by such a beautiful woman is an event.

  Countess Tanya Vronsky : I only wish there was some way I could make amends.

  Herr Protz : There is

  [kisses here hand] 

  Herr Protz : You could dine with me

  Countess Tanya Vronsky : But we haven't met yet, Signor...

  Herr Protz : Oh, er, permit me to introduce myself. I am Herr Protz.

  Countess Tanya Vronsky : Herr Protz.

  [they start to walk together] 

  Herr Protz : Tell me, Countess, is this your first visit to Venice?

  Countess Tanya Vronsky : Oh, no. I've been here many times

  Herr Protz : You like it?

  Countess Tanya Vronsky : I love it!

  [they walk past Andre Desormeaux and Polo] 

  Polo : What a ravishing woman!

  Andre Desormeaux : Like a bouquet of spring flowers...

  [they grin at each other] 

• Andre Desormeaux : [already seated outside café as Polo sits down] 

  [Looking intently at Polo's feet] 

  Andre Desormeaux : No luck huh? You have tramped all over Paris from the Port de la Villette to Montrouge and found no trace of her.

  Polo : Yes, that's right. Oh, I've covered all the ballet schools. But how did you know?

  Andre Desormeaux : Your feet! Those ugly, tired peasant feet. They tell me the story. You see, I studied hands and feet. I can read them like you can read a book... if you could read.

  Polo : Oh, but I can read.

  Andre Desormeaux : Of course, you can. You can read words but you can't read between them. Now, for instance

  [gestures towards the feet of a passing woman] 

  Andre Desormeaux : To you, those are just a woman's feet. But I can tell you she's a vendeuse in one of the department stores; stood on her feet all day but she's not tired now. She's going to meet her sweetheart on some corner...

  Polo : Amazing!

  Andre Desormeaux : [indicating another woman]  Woman with the bunions...

  Polo : Yes?

  Andre Desormeaux : She has given up hope of meeting anyone.

  Polo : Remarkable!

  Andre Desormeaux : [indicating a passing man]  Tan Brogans... American tourist. Big corn on the left little toe... See?

• Andre Desormeaux : [after Paul Vernay has rebuffed her]  You know, Tanya, this is the first time I've ever seen that remarkable poise of yours desert you. It's rather gratifying to learn that under that frigid surface you do have emotions after all.

• Andre Desormeaux : Polo, dear duckling, waddle away while I ponder your fate, huh?

• Andre Desormeaux : Tanya is not only a clever dancer but a first class actress!

  Polo : Why do you suppose she was so anxious to get rid of us?

  Andre Desormeaux : I don't know yet, but I have a queer feeling *Cupid* has something to do with it.

  Polo : Who is she?

  Andre Desormeaux : Never mind that. You'll find out!

• Andre Desormeaux : [watching Polo methodically put 7-and-a-half lumps of sugar in his coffee]  Will you *stop* that!

  Polo : Stop what?

  Andre Desormeaux : I've watched you do that every day for years. Over 2,000 times. I've kept quiet... I can't do it any longer. It's too much. I wanna' know, why 5 lumps of sugar? Then why six? Then why seven? Then why seven-and-a-half? I can't stand it any longer!