A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945)

James Dunn: Johnny Nolan

Photos 

Quotes 

• Francie Nolan : Out the window, our tree they killed it!

  Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : Well, would you like at that now.

  Francie Nolan : They didn't have any right to kill it did they papa!

  Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : Now wait a minute. They didn't kill it. Why they couldn't kill that tree.

  Francie Nolan : Promise?

  Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : Why sure baby. Don't tell me that tree is gonna lay down and die that easily. Look at that tree. See where it's coming from. Right up outta that cement! Didn't nobody plant it. Didn't ask the cement to grow. It just couldn't help growing so much it just pushed that old cement out of the way. Now when you bust it with something like that, can't anybody help it, like... like that little ole bird up there. He didn't ask anybody could he sing and he certainly didn't take any lessons. He's so full of singing it just has to bust out someplace. Why they could cut that ole tree right down to the ground and a root would push up someplace else in the cement.

• Katie Nolan : Flossie Gaddis died last night.

  Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : The poor baby. It was nice that her Mama got her all them pretty dresses.

  Katie Nolan : Only now the poor thing will have to lie in Potter's Field!

  Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : But at least she had the dresses!

• Francie Nolan : Mama says not to be too late, Papa.

  Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : Look, God invented time and when He invents something, there's always plenty of it.

• Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : I wonder what people did before they invented coffee.

• Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : Gee, if there isn't a woman for you.

• Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : Why ain't you layin' out my clothes?

  Francie Nolan : Oh, Papa, you always make fun. You know you haven't any more clothes.

  Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : Haven't any more clothes, huh? What's this?

  Francie Nolan : A tie.

  Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : And this?

  Francie Nolan : A dickey.

  Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : And this?

  Francie Nolan : An Apron.

  Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : Well them's clothes, ain't they?

• Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : You know something, a day like this is just like somebody gave you a present. Everything just right.

• Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : Anybody seen Johnny Nolan's wife?

  Katie Nolan : Johnny, you all right?

  Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : And why not? Ain't I married to the most beautiful lady in all Williamsburg, Brooklyn?

  Katie Nolan : Well, you're shoutin' it so loud they'll hear you over to Manhattan.

  Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : Don't you get fresh with me tonight, Mrs. Nolan.

• Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : Well, will you look at our beautiful princess tonight in a brand-new gown.

  Girl on Staircase : It's made out of silk.

  Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : Silk? Don't you tell me that. This dress is made out of flower petals and birds' wings and a little old piece of cloud. Anybody can tell that.

• Katie Nolan : I guess you won't get home until the sun comes up.

  Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : The later, the better. The more tips, the more fine silk stockings for my wife's pretty legs.

  Katie Nolan : [sarcastically]  Silk stockings is just what I need!

• Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : His stomach's like the Irish Sea, no bottom to it.

• Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : Look, prima donna. After all, you know, this ain't exactly according to the rules.

  Francie Nolan : You mean it's wrong?

  Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : No, sir. Not by a jugful it ain't wrong.

• Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : Pop, why don't the Katzenjammer Kids talk plain English?

  Neeley Nolan : Supposed to make it funny, I guess.

• Johnny Nolan aka The Brooklyn Thrush : [singing]  Maxwellton braes are bonnie, Where early fa's the dew, And 'twas there, That Annie Laurie, Gave me her promise true, Which ne'er forgot will be, And for, Bonnie Annie Laurie, I would lay, Me doon, And dee.