The Grasshopper (1970)

Ed Flanders: Jack Benton

Photos 

Quotes 

• Roosevelt Dekker : He likes the white stuff, huh?

  Jack Benton : That's his wife. Nice girl. She's in the show.

  Roosevelt Dekker : I got a show up in my room she can be in.

• Jack Benton : What's the matter? I'm just trying to be nice.

  Christine Adams : It doesn't become you!

  Jack Benton : Yeah, yeah. Jack Benton, bastard. I hear that so often, it's like it's my full name: Jack Bastard Benton.

• Jack Benton : Christine, can I tell you something, honestly? You're not that talented. You're no genius. You've just got a pretty face and a nice chest. You're an average girl. Why are you knocking yourself out? Why?

  Christine Adams : Why not?

• Jack Benton : Vegas is here because people like it. They want it to be here. We're here because we want to be here. Why don't you go home.

  Christine Adams : And be a secretary for a 100 a week? Until I meet a nice husband, have three kids, a house, a dog, and an electric toothbrush. I don't want my life to be a cliche!

  Jack Benton : Well, what the hell is it now? Small town girl comes to big town, runs around, gets in trouble. That isn't exactly the story of Madame Curry.

  Christine Adams : I just want to be someone special.

• Christine Adams : So you do remember me?

  Jack Benton : Sure I remember you - from the party. Who can forget Danny's dates? He makes sure everybody sees, when he has a winner. But I don't remember offering you a job.

  Christine Adams : Well, you said you were always replacing girls.

  Jack Benton : Yeah, we got openings. But er... you ever been on a stage?

  Christine Adams : Oh, yes. I did "Little Women", in school.

  Jack Benton : [looks skeptical]  Nude?

  Christine Adams : What did you say?

  Jack Benton : Did you do it nude? Naked?

  [she doesn't reply] 

  Jack Benton : .Forget it.

  Jack Benton : Look, Honey, you're really not built right.

  Christine Adams : Well was I built better at the party?

  Jack Benton : [to the barber cutting his hair]  She's got a mouth, Arnold. No, but at parties I come on with every girl.

  Christine Adams : Mr. Benton, I just want to earn some money. When I've done that, I'll go back to L.A. and maybe I'll get my teaching degree.

  Jack Benton : Good idea.

  Christine Adams : But I want to try this for a while. I mean, I've seen the shows. It doesn't look too hard.

  Jack Benton : Baby, you're right - it doesn't take much talent. But you have to be built a certain way.

  Christine Adams : You keep saying that. What do you mean?

  Jack Benton : I mean showgirls gotta have gigantic tickets.

  Christine Adams : Tickets?

  Jack Benton : Yeah gigantic tickets

  [he illustrates by billowing out the towel covering his upper torso] 

  Christine Adams : Are you trying to tell me my breasts aren't big enough?

  Jack Benton : Hey, they're fine with me. I mean, I'm an... an aesthetic guy. But these morons from out of town, they come into Vegas, they want to see freaks.

  Christine Adams : Well, in my home town, I was considered one of the over-developed girls.

  Jack Benton : In your home town, Arnold would be built!

  Christine Adams : If they want me grotesque, they can always pad my costume.

  Jack Benton : What costume? You know those girls wear nothing but smiles and little paste-ies. How you gonna pad a pastey? Lots of things you can fake - dancing, cocktail waitress, nobody notices, nobody cares. But when it comes to tickets, there is no faking. Every man is an expert.

  Christine Adams : There's nothing wrong with my tickets

  [she undoes her blouse and exposes herself; Arnold drops his comb and scissors] 

  Christine Adams : .

  Jack Benton : [after a pause]  How'd you like to go to dinner tonight?

  Christine Adams : I'd rather have a job.

  Jack Benton : Gotta a lot of spunk.

  Jack Benton : Arnold, get up here. Would you pay twelve-fifty minimum to look at those?

  [Arnold nods and smiles] 

  Christine Adams : Thank you, Arnold.