Our Little Girl (1935)

Joel McCrea: Dr. Donald Middleton

Photos 

Quotes 

• Dr. Donald Middleton : This experiment is only based on a sort of a hunch.

  Sarah Boynton : All scientific experiments are based on a sort of a hunch. Backed up with knowledge and effort and patience.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : This means a great deal to me, Boynton. If it works, it means the Guggenheim Fellowship. You don't know how much I used to dream about going abroad to study. Heidelberg, Vienna. Magic words once. Now I'm married and have to settle down to being a small-time doctor in a little town.

  Sarah Boynton : I know.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : At first I thought I might save enough. But then the baby came.

  Sarah Boynton : I know.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : Oh, I'm not regretting anything, make no mistake about that. My wife and Molly are... Well, I'm a lucky stiff, Boynton. You know that, don't you?

  Sarah Boynton : Yes, Doctor.

• Dr. Donald Middleton : Hello, darling. How's the most beautiful woman in the world?

  Elsa Middleton : Just waiting breathlessly for the world's handsomest man to come home.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : Well, that's what I called you about. I won't be able to get home at all today. I wanted to call and let you know in time. You see, I'm right in the middle of an important experiment. I don't think I'll even be able to make it in time for dinner.

  Elsa Middleton : But darling, this is May Saturday.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : Uh-oh. May Saturday. Well, couldn't we possibly put it off till next week?

  Elsa Middleton : No, dear, we couldn't put it off. Oh, I know that sounds like a very selfish wife, but twice a year I reserve the right to be selfish. Twice a year I insist on coming between you and your work.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : But darling, I'm doing all this for you and Molly.

  Elsa Middleton : But May Saturday is for Molly, too.

• Dr. Donald Middleton : I'm taking the day off, Boynton, on important business.

  Sarah Boynton : But, Doctor...

  Dr. Donald Middleton : I said important business.

• Molly Middleton : You were almost late, Daddy.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : Almost never won first prize. Say, where do you want us to sit?

  Molly Middleton : Oh, as if you didn't know.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : No, honestly, I've forgotten.

  Molly Middleton : You've forgotten where we sit when we picnic at Heaven's Gate? Oh, Daddy! Have you forgotten, too, Mommy? Do I have to tell you?

  Elsa Middleton : Afraid so.

  Molly Middleton : Right over there, where we always sit every May and September.

• Molly Middleton : Do I blow my nose, Daddy?

  Dr. Donald Middleton : If you think you can get the crumbs off that way, sure.

• Elsa Middleton : I was just thinking of our early struggle.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : It wasn't any picnic for you, was it?

  Elsa Middleton : It was grand, though. When our living room was your office, and I had to chase down prescriptions and hand you the instruments. Emergency calls at all hours. Me having to hold the patients' hands.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : Molly changed all that, didn't she? I just had to hire a regular nurse.

  Elsa Middleton : Oh, I know Miss Boynton's been wonderful, but now that Molly's no longer a baby, don't you think that...

  Dr. Donald Middleton : That I could get along without Boynton? Why, Elsa, I don't know what I'd do.

  Elsa Middleton : Oh, Don, I do wish that...

  Dr. Donald Middleton : That what?

  Elsa Middleton : Forget it.

• Rolfe Brent : Look here, why don't the two of you come and go riding with me sometime?

  Dr. Donald Middleton : Thanks, Brent. Mrs. Middleton might. The only thing I ride is that old bus of mine. It bounces just as much, but it doesn't bite.

  Rolfe Brent : How about you, Mrs. Middleton?

  Elsa Middleton : Oh, I haven't ridden in years. I don't know if I could.

  Rolfe Brent : Oh, of course you could. You used to be great.

  Molly Middleton : Of course you could, Mommy. You just get on them and go.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : But don't you let her take any of those jumps until she's all set.

  Rolfe Brent : You can trust me, Doctor. I'll pick you up tomorrow morning, Mrs. Middleton, around ten o'clock?

  Dr. Donald Middleton : She'll get a big kick out of it.

  Molly Middleton : She doesn't want to get kicked, Daddy.

• Dr. Donald Middleton : Finishing your dinner off the mantelpiece?

  Elsa Middleton : I'm not as ancient and decrepit as you thought, is that what you mean?

  Dr. Donald Middleton : How'd your old riding outfit work this morning?

  Elsa Middleton : I can just squeeze into it, thank you kindly. You know, Don, I wish you'd go riding with me, or... or something.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : Me riding would be something.

• Sarah Boynton : Now that we've gotten positive results from the cultures, I'm sure you'll be able to prove your entire theory.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : If I only can, it'll mean the beginning of a whole new treatment.

  Sarah Boynton : And don't worry about things while you're away.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : What do you mean? Why should I?

  Sarah Boynton : Oh, uh, I meant about the patients. I'm sure I'll be able to take care of them in your absence.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : I know I can always count on you, Boynton.

• Elsa Middleton : Oh, Don, must you go to New York?

  Dr. Donald Middleton : Darling, this is the chance of a lifetime.

  Elsa Middleton : I know, and I don't want to be a bad sport, but must you go at this particular time?

  Dr. Donald Middleton : What's the matter, Elsa?

  Elsa Middleton : I suppose I'm being foolish, but I get so bored and lonely, just waiting for an occasional glimpse of you.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : You poor dear. It isn't much fun for you, is it?

  Elsa Middleton : Darling, take me with you.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : But that wouldn't be any fun for you. I go from hospital to hospital day and night.

  Elsa Middleton : I wouldn't mind. I'd wait for you.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : But you just said...

  Elsa Middleton : That's right. I did, didn't I?

• Dr. Donald Middleton : [after Molly falls down]  Are you hurt?

  Molly Middleton : [rubbing her bottom]  I think I might have a little fever.

• Molly Middleton : Daddy, it's September Saturday, and we're not going, because I'm a big girl now. Daddy, why do we have to go and get big?

  Dr. Donald Middleton : Oh, it's not because you're so big. I think you're still pretty little. But we just can't manage Heaven's Gate anymore because... things are all changed.

  Molly Middleton : Because Mommy's going away?

  Dr. Donald Middleton : Because of a lot of things. We're all so sorry, you, and Daddy... and your mother, I guess. But we'll just have to look for something else to have fun with. There's going to be a circus in town next Saturday. Gee, I'd like to see a circus, won't you?

  Molly Middleton : I'd like to see a circus if it didn't come on September Saturday.

• Dr. Donald Middleton : I didn't particularly care for that farewell speech you just made to Brent!

  Elsa Middleton : Don, don't say anything you're going to be sorry for.

• Dr. Donald Middleton : Look at this. A few months ago, that would've meant everything in the world to me.

  Sarah Boynton : It's the fellowship! Congratulations!

  Dr. Donald Middleton : Yeah, congratulations, it's swell.

  Sarah Boynton : For once I'm going to talk to you not as your assisstant, but as your friend. It's not worthy of you to act this way.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : Please, Boynton, don't interfere.

  Sarah Boynton : Don't interfere? Do you expect me to stand idly by and watch you ruin your life? I understand what's going on between your wife and Mr. Brent.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : Keep quiet! What right have you...

  Sarah Boynton : What right have I? Because I love you.

• Rolfe Brent : Don, I want to talk to you.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : There's nothing to talk about.

  Rolfe Brent : Now, wait a minute. The blame isn't all on one side, you know. It won't do you a bit of harm to listen to the truth. I didn't take Elsa from you. You gave her to me.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : What are you talking about?

  Rolfe Brent : You were at the office or the laboratory morning, noon, and night.

• Dr. Donald Middleton : Did you and Mommy get into any mischief while I was gone?

  Molly Middleton : No, I haven't thought of any good mischief, and Mommy's been too busy riding.

• Rolfe Brent : You know, Don, I have too much time to play, and maybe you haven't enough.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : Oh, I have all I want. Elsa can represent me in the sporting world.

  Rolfe Brent : Well, if I had such a charming representative, I'd retire to the sidelines, too.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : You playboys are the ones who are really on the sidelines.

• Sarah Boynton : It's Mrs. Stevens, Doctor, on an emergency.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : Did you bring the kit?

  Sarah Boynton : Yes, I have it outside.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : You'll have to excuse me.

  Elsa Middleton : Let me come, too, Don. I can at least keep the other Stevenses out of the room.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : You stay here and finish your dinner.

  Elsa Middleton : But you may be late.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : If I am, I'm sure Rolfe will be kind enough to escort you home.

  Rolfe Brent : You mean lucky enough.

• Rolfe Brent : You know, Don, it's uncommon that you would risk such a lovely girl with someone as susceptible as I am.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : Well, if you don't think I worry about it, you're crazy.

• Dr. Donald Middleton : That job needed us both, Boynton.

  Sarah Boynton : I wish you wouldn't call me that.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : Why not?

  Sarah Boynton : Because I have a real name, you know. It's Sarah.

  Dr. Donald Middleton : All right, Sarah. Goodnight. Oh, and don't let me forget to fill out that report on the measles case tomorrow. Remind me in the morning, will you, Boynton?

  Sarah Boynton : Yes, Doctor.