Black Narcissus (1947)
David Farrar: Mr. Dean
Photos
Quotes
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Sister Clodagh : Well I really don't know what to do.
Mr. Dean : What would Christ have done?
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The Old General : [Speaking to the old Ayah, who dates back to when the palace, now intended for nuns, was used to house Toda Rai's father's concubines] Now listen, Ayah. I have invited some ladies to stay here, at the "house of women."
Angu Ayah : [Ecstatic, not realizing that the "ladies" Toda Rai is referring to are nuns] Ladies! Oh, that will be like old times!
The Old General : It will not be in the least like old times. They are not that kind of "lady" at all!
Angu Ayah : Then they won't be any fun.
The Old General : They are not coming for fun. These are nuns. Do you know what a nun is?
Angu Ayah : [Disdainfully] They kneel and pray all day like the monks you invited last year.
The Old General : I'm going to give them this house to make a school and a hospital for the people.
Angu Ayah : [Agitated, her voice rising] You know nobody here wants a school, and I'm sure they don't want a hospital!
The Old General : How do they know what they want until they try?
[Mr. Dean enters the room]
The Old General : The people have all kinds of diseases. They have ringworms.
Mr. Dean : They don't mind having ringworm.
The Old General : Then they ought to mind. And it will all be free!
Angu Ayah : It was free last time, and nobody came!
The Old General : They will this time.
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Mr. Dean : [Meeting Sister Clodagh for the first time] I'm the general's agent. He welcomes you to Mopu. Understood you wanted to see me.
Sister Clodagh : We want to talk to you on business.
Mr. Dean : I didn't suppose you wanted to talk to me about anything else.
Mr. Dean : [Realizing his comment was a bit snarky] Sorry. Perhaps that wasn't fair.
Sister Clodagh : Mr. Dean, you know that General Toda Rai has given us this house for a new foundation of our Order. We very much appreciate it. It's very generous of him.
Mr. Dean : Yes. You'd like the General, Sister. He also has a superior being.
Sister Briony : [Taken aback] Really!
Sister Clodagh : I don't know why you are being so rude to me, Mr. Dean. I have to talk business with you whether I like it or not.
Mr. Dean : Well, talk it, then, and don't teach at me.
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Angu Ayah : [Ayah and Mr. Dean both admire an old wall painting which depicts the palace in its former glory days, when it served as the so-called "House of Women" - a place where Toda Rai's father housed his concubines] A convent in this house! What do you think of that?
Mr. Dean : The brothers only stayed five months. Perhaps the sisters won't stay long, either.
[Ayah and Mr. Dean grin mischievously at each other]
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Sister Clodagh : We all need discipline. You said yourself they're like children. Without discipline we should all behave like children.
Mr. Dean : Oh. Don't you like children, Sister?
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[last lines]
Sister Clodagh : You said you'd give us till the rains break.
Mr. Dean : They haven't broken yet. What will they do with you down there?
Sister Clodagh : I shall be sent to another convent with less responsibility. I shall be superseded as sister-in-charge.
Mr. Dean : Will you be able to stomach that... a stiff-necked, obstinate creature like you?
Sister Clodagh : It's what I need. I expect I shall have to remind myself of it a hundred times a day. I can't change in a minute, like the young General. But I shall have my ghosts to remind me.
Mr. Dean : You're leaving me with more than one.
Sister Clodagh : Will you do one last thing for me? I know you'd rather not do it.
Mr. Dean : Of course I'll do it.
Sister Clodagh : Will you look after the grave?
Mr. Dean : All right.
Sister Clodagh : Goodbye.
Mr. Dean : Goodbye.
