Quotes from William Powell movies and TV shows

Billie Burke: I wonder what General Grant would think if he knew we were using the very shadow of his tomb as our meeting place?
Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.: Well, I never knew the general personally but I have an idea that he'd approve.

Sandow: This cheese is so strong it could walk over and say hello to your coffee.
Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.: Well, it had better not. This coffee's too weak to answer it.

Nora Charles: Who is she?
Nick Charles: Oh, darling, I was hoping I wouldn't have to answer that.
Nora Charles: Come on.
Nick Charles: Well, Dorothy is really my daughter. You see, it was spring in Venice and I was so young, I didn't know what I was doing. We're all like that on my father's side.
Nora Charles: By the way, how is your father's side?
Nick Charles: Oh, it's much better, thanks. And yours?

Nick Charles: Now don't make a move or that dog will tear you to shreds.

Tommy: Say, I'm getting out of here.
Nick Charles: No, you stay here.
Tommy: If I stay, I know I'm gonna take a poke at him.
Nick Charles: Then I insist that you stay.

Lieutenant John Guild: You got a pistol permit?
Nick Charles: No.
Lieutenant John Guild: Ever heard of the Sullivan Act?
Nora Charles: Oh, that's all right, we're married.

Nick Charles: How'd you like Grant's tomb?
Nora Charles: It's lovely. I'm having a copy made for you.

Reporter: Well, can't you tell us anything about the case?
Nick Charles: Yes, it's putting me way behind in my drinking.

Nick Charles: I'm a hero. I was shot twice in the Tribune.
Nora Charles: I read where you were shot 5 times in the tabloids.
Nick Charles: It's not true. He didn't come anywhere near my tabloids.

Tanner: Julia Wolf got me a job as her bookkeeper.
Nick Charles: Well, that's a hot one. Bookkeeper. Where did you ever learn bookkeeping?
Tanner: That last time you sent me up, I learned bookkeeping in Sing Sing.

Nick Charles: Say, how did you people happen to pop in here?
Lieutenant John Guild: We hear this is getting to be sort of a meeting place for the Wynant family, so we figured we'll stick around just in case the old boy himself should show up. Then we see this bird sneak in, we decide to come up. And lucky for you we did.
Nick Charles: Yes, I might not have been shot.

Nora Charles: Take care of yourself.
Nick Charles: Why, sure I will.
Nora Charles: Don't say it like that! Say it as if you meant it.
Nick Charles: Well, I do believe the little woman cares.
Nora Charles: I don't care! It's just that I'm used to you, that's all.

Nick Charles: The important thing is the rhythm. Always have rhythm in your shaking. Now a Manhattan you shake to fox-trot time, a Bronx to two-step time, a dry martini you always shake to waltz time.

Reporter: Why are you in town?
Nick Charles: My wife is on a bender. I'm trying to sober her up.

Nora Charles: All right! Go ahead! Go on! See if I care! But I thinks it's a dirty trick to bring me all the way to New York just to make a widow of me.
Nick Charles: You wouldn't be a widow long.
Nora Charles: You bet I wouldn't.
Nick Charles: Not with all your money.

Nora Charles: You know, that sounds like an interesting case. Why don't you take it?
Nick Charles: I haven't the time. I'm much too busy seeing that you don't lose any of the money I married you for.

Nora Charles: Nick? Nicky?
Nick Charles: What?
Nora Charles: You asleep?
Nick Charles: Yes.
Nora Charles: Good. I want to talk to you.

Nick Charles: Now how did you ever remember me?
Dorothy: Oh, you used to fascinate me. A real live detective. You used to tell me the most wonderful stories. Were they true?
Nick Charles: Probably not.