Best Line In
"While The City Sleeps"

In Fritz Lang's ""While the City Sleeps" (1956)" (1956), Dana Andrews plays a boozing cad who nearly cheats on his virginal fiance, (played by Sally Forrest) with seductive, world weary Ida Lupino, then doesn't get why she's so mad. He's apologetic, but protests that he "only" kissed her in a taxi, when in actuality, the only reason things didn't go further was because he got too drunk to "perform".

But even before all this drama happens, Sally Forrest delivers my favorite line in the film. I don't even remember what Dana Andrews said, but she promptly replies, "shut your obscene face", while playfully pushing her hand into his puss.

It's slightly shocking coming from such a solid, "good girl", especially since he didn't really even deserve it for what he said, yet it foreshadows the odd relationship they have. She portrays the "good little wife" image, playing tough with his "good man being a bad boy" qualities.

Back to the Film Noir Blog.

Return from While The City Sleeps to the Film Noir Alley home page.