Every Which Way But Loose (1978)

Ruth Gordon: Ma

Photos 

Quotes 

• Cholla : [the Black Widows have shown up at Philo's home, Ma Boggs is on the porch, they pull their bikes into her yard and Cholla pulls up on the porch]  Say, old lady, where's Philo Beddoe?

  Ma Boggs : How the hell do I know? Get off my porch with that thing. Get off my property!

  Cholla : You're uh... you're not very hospitable.

  Ma Boggs : Hospitable my ass. Get off my porch!

  Cholla : Very well, if you insist.

  [Cholla chains his bike to a support on the front porch, pulling it down... bikers laugh, Ma pulls out a pump-action shotgun] 

  Woody : [seeing the gun]  Alright lady... put down that gun now!

  [bikers dive out of her way] 

  Woody : I'm warning you lady! Put down that gun now!

  [Ma fires and bike next to Woody explodes... she shoots several other bikes as they're attempting to flee] 

  Ma Boggs : [during a recoil]  Oof!

  Woody : [running after his gang on foot]  Wait for me!

  Ma Boggs : [seeing the flaming bikes on her lawn... to herself]  First the police, and I told those boys not to leave a vulnerable old lady all alone!

  [goes inside with gun] 

  Ma Boggs : Hospitable? Horseshit!

• Ma Boggs : [Ma has just learned of Philo and Orville's trip plans... turning to Philo]  What're you gonna do with the baboon?

  Philo Beddoe : Orangutan, Ma. Clyde's an orangutan.

  Ma Boggs : [scoffs]  Well, what's the difference?

  Philo Beddoe : 12 ribs. Just like you and me.

  Ma Boggs : [persistent]  What're you gonna do with him?

  Philo Beddoe : He's coming with me. Come on, Clyde!

  [Clyde enters back of camper] 

  Ma Boggs : Well, when are you comin' back?

  [turns to Orville and repeats same question] 

  Orville Boggs : Whenever it's time, Ma!

  Ma Boggs : [shruggs, exasperated]  It just don't seem right to leave an old lady alone. And what about my goddamn license?

  [they drive off... to herself] 

  Ma Boggs : This is... it's just...

  [walks off] 

  Ma Boggs : Twelve ribs... I don't believe any of that shit!

• [Putnam & Herb arrive at Ma's house; Putnam knocks on the screen door] 

  Ma Boggs : Who is it?

  Putnam : Police.

  Ma Boggs : I'm coming. I'm coming, goddamn it! What do you want with an old lady?

  Putnam : Ma'am, we're looking for Philo Beddoe. Our records say he lives at this here address.

  Ma Boggs : Well, your records are wrong. He lives at that address in the back. What do you want him for?

  Putnam : Just lookin' for him, ma'am.

  Ma Boggs : Well, he don't live there anymore. He's gone off. Took that son-of-a-bitch Clyde with him.

  Putnam : Clyde?

  Ma Boggs : His ape!

  Herb : His ape?

  Ma Boggs : You heard me. What you making me repeat myself for?

  Herb : Do you know where he's gone?

  Ma Boggs : Oh, who gives a damn? Stealing all my Oreos, crapping all over the place. 12 ribs, my ass.

  Herb : Uh, thank you very much. Sorry to bother you, ma'am.

  Putnam : Good night, ma'am.

  Ma Boggs : Yeah, I'm sorry too. S-see, leave an old lady alone, fending for herself, no protection. You just don't see...

• [Philo is sanding off a motorcycle when Ma taps him with her cane] 

  Philo Beddoe : Cut it out, Clyde.

  [Ma hits him with the cane; Philo notices it's Ma] 

  Philo Beddoe : Ma, what'd do that for?

  Ma Boggs : I've been trying to get your attention for five minutes. Did you see Orville?

  Philo Beddoe : Yeah, I've seen him.

  Ma Boggs : Well, Orville tell ya what?

  Philo Beddoe : Yeah, I'm sorry, Ma, about you missing your driver's test again.

  Ma Boggs : Oh, that ain't the "What" what I mean.

  Philo Beddoe : You mean Clyde? Yeah, well, I'm sorry about that too, Ma. He won't do it again, I promise you.

  Ma Boggs : Well, what are you gonna do about it?

  Philo Beddoe : What, the crap or the Oreos?

  Ma Boggs : About Clyde, goddamn it! I don't have no privacy in my own home no more.

  Philo Beddoe : Well I confronted about it, Ma, and I guarantee it won't happen again.

  Ma Boggs : [walks towards Clyde]  No privacy in your own home. A whole goddamn bag of Oreos!

  [Clyde smooches Ma on the lips] 

  Ma Boggs : [disgusted]  Ohh! Stop that, ya goddamn baboon. No respect! No privacy! No nothing!

  [Philo walks up to Clyde, pointing an imaginary gun at him; Clyde, standing on a stump, raises his arms high] 

  Philo Beddoe : Bang!

  [Clyde drops down on the stump] 

• Ma Boggs : Twelve ribs, my ass!