Paul Bassett DaviesJan 22, 2023
The classic Mae West line: "Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just pleased to see me?" doesn’t work in America any longer because:
a) it’s always a gun.
b) nobody is pleased to see anyone.
Show threadSteven Molnar
@thewritertype True enough, but apparently she also never said it, at least in a movie, at least to Cary Grant.
Jan 22, 2023 at 10:16pmWeb
Show threadPaul Bassett DaviesJan 22, 2023
@MolnarSteven Yes, it’s one of those quotes that’s notoriously difficult to attribute. It seems she did say it, at some point in her life, in some context or other, but whether she was quoting herself or someone else remains obscure.
Show threadMaggieci democracy enjoyerJan 22, 2023
@thewritertype There's always one in every crowd 🤣
Show threadHalJor Jan 23, 2023
@thewritertype @MolnarSteven https://quoteinvestigator.com/2013/08/20/glad-to-see/ -- "In 1944 the play “Catherine Was Great” which was produced by Todd and starred Mae West opened on Broadway. ... Barry, playing Lieutenant Bunin, was unaccustomed to carrying a sword, and in the second act, during an embrace, his scabbard came between him and his Empress. A covert smile stole over Mae’s face. “Lieutenant,” she ad-libbed with a Westian leer, “is that your sword or are you just glad to see me?”
Is That a Gun in Your Pocket, or Are You Just Glad to See Me? – Quote Investigator