Harry and Tonto (1974) Writers: Paul Mazursky, Josh Greenfeld http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/490221/Harry-And-Tonto-Movie-Clip-Great-Town-For-Cats.html (embed code is available on the TCM web site, or the raw video URL is: http://i.cdn.turner.com/v5cache/TCM/cvp/container/mediaroom_embed.swf?context=embed&videoId=490221 Dialog on Dialog: Retiree Harry Combes has been tossed out of his New York apartment because it's being torn down, so he decides to move to Chicago to be near his daughter, and begins a long cross-country trip that changes him entirely. In this sequence he refuses to release his grip on his cat's carrier, so he can't fly and must take the bus instead. This is one of those scenes that ties bigger pieces together. There's nothing grand revealed here--it's small talk, but through it we begin to get a feel for Harry and some of his backstory, and why his cat Tonto is so prominent in his life. HARRY: Where can I get a bus to Chicago? TAXI DRIVER: At the bus station. HARRY: How much does it cost to go to the bus station? TAXI DRIVER: About ten bucks. HARRY: It's a deal. There we go. (Harry loads his luggage into the front of the cab, then climbs into the back seat.) HARRY: It's not far, is it? My cat is thirsty. TAXI DRIVER: Oh, is that a cat in there, sir? HARRY: Yeah. TAXI DRIVER: I'm gonna have to charge you for it as if it was luggage. HARRY: All right. TAXI DRIVER: Hey, are you a salesman? HARRY: Yeah. I'm one of the last of your traveling salesmen. TAXI DRIVER: We don't see many of you fellas anymore. HARRY: We're a dying breed. TAXI DRIVER: What do you sell? HARRY: Cats. TAXI DRIVER: Oh, is that so? HARRY: Let me tell you something. Times are bad. Don't you believe what they're saying in the papers about a recession. We're in a depression. TAXI DRIVER: You better believe it. HARRY: Time was when I could go into a town, sell six or seven cats before lunchtime. Siamese, Burmese, Manx, Persian... TAXI DRIVER: Hey, my mom had a Persian. HARRY: Russian blue, chocolate, calico, rex. TAXI DRIVER: What's a rex? HARRY: See what I mean? People don't know cats anymore. A rex is a 20-pounder. TAXI DRIVER: Geez, it must cost an arm and a leg to feed that thing. HARRY: That's why nobody buys them anymore. But Chicago--great town for cats. TAXI DRIVER: Why is Chicago a great town for cats? HARRY: I don't know. It just is.

Thanks, Will. That's a great one. Harry's reluctance to let go of the cat at the airport is a crucial narrative device which creates the road trip element of the story.

Movie: The Wizard of Oz Youtube: http://youtu.be/AldxVQ8z5FQ Miss Gulch: [stopping bicycle and getting off] Gale? Uncle Henry Gale: Well, howdy, Miss Gulch. Miss Gulch: [comes into the Gales' yard] I want to see you and your wife right away about Dorothy! Uncle Henry Gale: Dorothy? Well, what has Dorothy done? Miss Gulch: What she's done? I'm all but lame from the bite on my leg! Uncle Henry Gale: Oh! You mean she bit you? Miss Gulch: No, her dog! Uncle Henry Gale: Oh, she bit her dog, eh? [Uncle Henry tries to shut the gate, but it hits her on the backside] Miss Gulch: [exasperated] No! Miss Gulch: That’s dog a menace to the community, I’m taking him to the Sheriff to make sure he’s destroyed. Dorothy: Destroyed? Toto? Oh you can’t, you mustn’t. Auntie Em, Uncle Henry you won’t let her will you? Uncle Henry Gale: Of course we won’t, ah will we Em? Dorothy: Please Aunt Em, Toto didn’t mean to. He didn’t know he was doing anything wrong. I’m the one that ought to be punished, I let him go in her garden. You can send me to bed without supper. Miss Gulch: If you don't hand over that dog, I'll bring a damage suit that'll take your whole farm! There's a law protecting folks against dogs that bite! Auntie Em: How would it be if she keeps him tied up? He's really gentle... with gentle people, that is. Miss Gulch: Well, that’s for the Sheriff to decide. Here’s his order allowing me to take him. Unless you want to go against the law. Auntie Em: Well, we can’t go against the law Dorothy, I’m afraid poor Toto has to go. Miss Gulch: Now you’re seeing reason… Dorothy: No. Miss Gulch: [grabs basket] Here’s what I’m taking him in so he can’t attack me again. Dorothy: No, no I won’t let you take him. You go away or I’ll fight you myself. Auntie Em: Dorothy. Dorothy: You wicked old witch. Ah Uncle Henry, Auntie Em don’t let her take him, please. Stop her. Auntie Em: Put him in the basket Henry. Dorothy: No, no, oh Toto. [Dorothy runs out of the room crying] Auntie Em Gale: Almira Gulch, just because you own half the county doesn't mean that you have the power to run the rest of us. For twenty-three years, I've been dying to tell you what I thought of you! And now... well, being a Christian woman, I can't say it! Comment: The most famous pet in the world and this scene is the catalyst for Dorothy and Toto running away and setting the rest of the movie in motion. Come on, admit it, you cheered when Toto escaped from that escape-proof basket.

Wow, great one, James. Toto functions as a Trickster in that movie. Great little character. Thanks!