Lottie: [on the opening of Mildred's restaurant] This is just like my wedding night, so exciting!

- Butterfly McQueen (as Lottie) in Mildred Pierce (1945)

Mildred: Cut it out, Wally. You make me feel like Little Red Riding Hood.
Wally: And I'm the Big Bad Wolf, huh? Now, Milly, you've got me all wrong. I'm a romantic guy, but I'm no wolf.
Mildred: Then quit howling!

- Joan Crawford (as Mildred Pierce) in Mildred Pierce (1945)

Mildred: I'm sorry I did that... I'd've rather cut off my hand!

- Joan Crawford (as Mildred Pierce) in Mildred Pierce (1945)

Mildred: Sold...
[holds up glass to toast]
Mildred: One Beragon.

- Joan Crawford (as Mildred Pierce) in Mildred Pierce (1945)

Mildred: That Ted Forrester's nice-looking, isn't he? Veda likes him.
Monte: Who wouldn't? He has a million dollars.

- Zachary Scott (as Monte Beragon) in Mildred Pierce (1945)

Mildred: Wally, you should be kept on a leash! Now why can't you be friendly?
Wally: But I *am* being friendly!
Mildred: No, I mean it. Friendship's much more lasting than love.
Wally: Yeah, but it isn't as entertaining.

- Jack Carson (as Wally Fay) in Mildred Pierce (1945)

Mildred: You look down on me, because I work for a living. Don't you.

- Joan Crawford (as Mildred Pierce) in Mildred Pierce (1945)

Wally: [to Ida] I hate all women. Thank goodness you're not one.

- Jack Carson (as Wally Fay) in Mildred Pierce (1945)

Wally: My client feels, and I am in complete accord with her, that she has been irrep - ih...
Mrs. Forrester's lawyer: 'Irreparably'?
Wally: ...unduly damaged. Therefore there is one more little formality that we should discuss first.
Mrs. Forrester's lawyer: What's that, Mr. Fay?
Wally: The financial settlement. You see, my client would like ten thousand dollars.
Mrs. Forrester's lawyer: I think I'm safe in observing that almost anyone would like ten thousand dollars, Mr. Fay. But ih -...
Wally: But ih - ?
Mrs. Forrester's lawyer: We see no necessity for a financial settlement of any kind.
Wally: You don't, huh?
Mrs. Forrester's lawyer: No.
Wally: [Smirk] You will.

- Jack Carson (as Wally Fay) in Mildred Pierce (1945)

Wally: Oh boy! I'm so smart it's a disease!

- Jack Carson (as Wally Fay) in Mildred Pierce (1945)