Lean on Me (1989)

Robert Guillaume: Dr. Frank Napier

Photos 

Quotes 

• Joe Clark : [in a conference room at city hall]  I don't have time for Mrs. Elliott's problem!

  Dr. Frank Napier : You better make time!

  Joe Clark : We are being crucified by a process that is turning blacks into a permanent underclass here, Frank. A permanent underclass!

  [Dr. Napier turns away from him and puts some papers in his briefcase] 

  Joe Clark : See! See, nobody wants to talk about that! NOBODY! Mrs. Elliott's missionary zeal about Mozart has nothing to do with our problem. Nothing! What good is Mozart going to do a bunch of children who can't go out and get a job?

  Dr. Frank Napier : Joe, your personal battles are gonna cost us the war. Worry about the test scores.

  Joe Clark : WHAT THE HELL YOU THINK I'M WORRIED ABOUT?

  Dr. Frank Napier : END OF DISCUSSION! Debate is over! You will write a formal apology!

  Joe Clark : I will what?

  Dr. Frank Napier : A formal apology for your treatment of Mrs. Elliott and Darnell and for your vicious and thoughtless insults to the women of this community! You will kow tow. You will step and fetch!

  Joe Clark : If you think that I'm gonna...

  Dr. Frank Napier : [slams briefcase shut]  Get used to it! It's the WAY OF THE WORLD! If you're so hot on discipline, then goddammit

  [pounds on briefcase] 

  Dr. Frank Napier : start by accepting mine because contrary to popular opinion, I'M THE HEAD NIGGER IN CHARGE!

  [He grabs his briefcase and heads for the door] 

  Dr. Frank Napier : Come on, let's get something to eat.

  Joe Clark : [following him to the door and walking out with him]  Boy... you really think you bad, don't you?

• Joe Clark : [in a conference room at city hall]  Don't talk to me about saving those kids. The mayor wants to save his budget. And you wanna save your ass!

  Dr. Frank Napier : Well, so what? You want the truth?

  Joe Clark : Yeah, Frank. Let's have some truth.

  Dr. Frank Napier : The truth is that for all your talking, all your 'Crazy Joe' routine, what have you ever done? Nothing. You're nothing but an insignificant man. It's like you were never born. Your life hasn't made one bit of difference, and neither has mine. Wanna take that to the grave?

• Dr. Frank Napier : Did you see this yet?

  [holding up newspaper story about Clark's fight with a former student] 

  Dr. Frank Napier : You know, a lot of your shit comes down on my head.

  Joe Clark : Oh, Frank! Look, this is...

  Dr. Frank Napier : No, You let me talk! It's like you're a big bird with radar and I'm tired of getting hit!

  Joe Clark : Th... this is my fault?

  Dr. Frank Napier : This is nothing! I've got union lawyers threatening me and there's talk of a walk-out!

  Joe Clark : Well, let 'em! They're not doing anything down there anyway!

  Dr. Frank Napier : It is your job to...

  Joe Clark : None of them have a personal stake at that school! Not one!

  Dr. Frank Napier : The fire chief was just in here. He said it was illegal to bar those doors. Mrs. Barrett is organizing a parents' group to try and get you removed since you insulted them at that meeting the other night when you suggested they should get off welfare...

  Joe Clark : Oh, I didn't mean all of...

  Dr. Frank Napier : ...because the fact is quite a few of them need it.

  Joe Clark : I wasn't talking to all of them, Frank! Look, you came and recruited me, man, but you disappoint me, brother. You disappoint me!

  Dr. Frank Napier : The disappointment here is you!

  Joe Clark : Me?

  Dr. Frank Napier : Yes!

  Joe Clark : You know who I am. You've known me thirty years! You knew what I would do! You know how I operate!

  Dr. Frank Napier : Nigger, will you keep quiet! the fact is you're screwing up! You're alienating everybody! Look at you, you have no life! Your wife left you! Hell, I oughta walk out on you myself!

  Joe Clark : Well, go ahead! Bail the hell out!

  Dr. Frank Napier : But I said I'd back you up!

  Joe Clark : That's what you said, man! That's what you said!

  Dr. Frank Napier : I would go through the... fire with you, but you are not taking care of business! This shit you're pulling now, you've just gone plain loco! Now you suspend Darnell! What the hell was that?

  Joe Clark : Darnell is symptomatic of the disciplinary problems...

  Dr. Frank Napier : He is a good, strong, young Black teacher! So he... dumped that desk right on top of your head. Well, right on! Good for him! You will reinstate that man, you hear? And you fire Mrs. Elliott! Why? Because she didn't want to kiss your ass! I wouldn't neither! How about that?

  Joe Clark : Mrs. Elliott has an ego problem!

  Dr. Frank Napier : Well, you lost the best teacher we ever had! We couldn't get her back now if we wanted to!

• Dr. Frank Napier : Don, the man has a legitimate problem. How's he supposed to keep drug dealers out of his school if their buddies can just push open the exit doors and let 'em walk on in?

  Mr. Rosenberg : He's got a point, sir.

  Mayor Don Bottman : Rosenberg, this doesn't concern you.