On the Beach (1959)

Ava Gardner: Moira Davidson

Photos 

Quotes 

• Moira Davidson : There isn't time. No time to love... nothing to remember... nothing worth remembering.

• Moira Davidson : All I want to know is: if everybody was so smart, why didn't they know what would happen?

  Dwight Towers : They did.

  Moira Davidson : Well, I - I can't take it. I - oh, yes, I can take it! But, it's unfair. It's unfair because I didn't do anything. And nobody I know did anything.

• Dwight Towers : Well... how'd you recognize me?

  Moira Davidson : I love Americans. They're so naive.

• Moira Davidson : You know, I think I've discovered why you fascinate me. Shall I tell you?

  Dwight Towers : Uh-huh.

  Moira Davidson : Because you take me for granted. I know women aren't supposed to like that sort of thing, but somehow I do. I've been treated in every other way. Like a child. And sometimes like - well, like things I've probably deserved. But I've never been pushed around in - in such a nice way and treated something like a wife. - - I suppose what I mean is - like an American wife.

• Moira Davidson : A very nice man asked me to wait here. I don't think he knew what to do with me.

  Dwight Towers : That's debatable.

• Dwight Towers : Is your invitation to spread a little fertilizer still open?

  Moira Davidson : [Smiles, laughs]  Can you stay for a few day?

• Moira Davidson : I wouldn't really mind... if you could forget entirely who I am... I don't like myself very much anyway.

• Moira Davidson : When the dentist is drilling your tooth, what do you think about? The nicest thing or sex or what?

  Dwight Towers : Fishing. Trout fishing - in a clean mountain stream.

• Moira Davidson : Dwight... even if you don't like me, would you please hold on to me just for a moment longer?

• Moira Davidson : You're looking for me.

  Dwight Towers : Am I?

  Moira Davidson : I'm Moira Davidson. M-O-I-R-A. It was a very fashionable name when... my mother was young and impressionable. I'm a throwback.

• Dwight Towers : Where's Holmes?

  Moira Davidson : Oh, he's decking the halls with holly. He sent me for better or worse.

  Dwight Towers : Better, I'd say.

  Moira Davidson : I'm your date - or, whatever you call it.

• Moira Davidson : The only thing I could understand is geography. And I like geography.

• Dwight Towers : Is there a place where I might stop where I can get a little breakfast?

  Moira Davidson : What?

  Dwight Towers : A little breakfast.

  Moira Davidson : Do you mean that in addition to everything else, I have to watch you eat bacon and eggs and all that muck?

• Moira Davidson : You have to buy me a couple of drinks to get me started.

• Moira Davidson : I can't decide if I'm more objectionable drunk or sober?

• Moira Davidson : I take it you put me to bed?

• Moira Davidson : I've never had it happen quite like that before.

• Moira Davidson : My obvious job was to seduce you. So, I suppose my pride is hurt. I also feel ashamed.

• Moira Davidson : Wouldn't you like to try?

• Moira Davidson : I can't pretend any longer, Julian. I'm afraid. I have nobody, and I'm afraid.

  Julian Osborne : What about Dwight?

  Moira Davidson : He's married. He's married to a girl named Sharon, And they have two children.

  Julian Osborne : Mm-hmm, i know.

  Moira Davidson : [sighs]  but if things were different, If she were alive, I'd do anything... Any mean trick I know to get him.