The Swimmer (1968)

Diana Van der Vlis: Helen Westerhazy

Photos 

Quotes 

• Ned Merrill : 'Member how we used to take off our suits and swim for miles up that river? We just never got tired.

  Stu Forsburgh : Yeah. We had nice, new, pink lungs in *those* days.

  Ned Merrill : And the water up there. Remember? That transparent, light green water. It felt different. God, what a beautiful feeling. We could've swum around the world in those days.

  Stu Forsburgh : That was before we ever touched a drink, or a cigarette.

  Donald Westerhazy : Or a girl!

  Stu Forsburgh : Or a girl!

  Helen Westerhazy : That doesn't zap a man's strength.

  Ned Merrill : Or I'd be in a wheelchair today.

• Ned Merrill : I could do it. I could *really* do it.

  Helen Westerhazy : Do what, Neddy?

  Ned Merrill : Well now with the Grahams there's a string of pools that curves clear across the county to our house. Well look: the Grahams, the Lears, the Bunkers. Then over the ridge. Then a - portage through the Paston's riding ring to the - Hallorans and the Gilmartins. Then down Erewise Lane to the Biswangers, and then - Wait a minute, who's next? I can't think, I had it just a minute ago. Who is it? Well, who is it? Who's next to the Biswangers?

  Helen Westerhazy : [softly]  Shirley Abbott.

  Ned Merrill : Shirley Abbott. And across Route 424 to the recreation center pool, and up the hill and I'm home. Well don't you see? I just figured it out. If I take a sort of a dogleg to the southwest... I can swim home.

• Helen Westerhazy : [sitting in a bathing suit by her home pool]  I don't believe it! Neddie!

  Ned Merrill : How beautiful are thy feet in sandals, oh Princess daughter.

  [kisses her feet] 

• Helen Westerhazy : Where are you coming from?

  Ned Merrill : Oh, I was around. I thought I'd come over and have a swim with you. God, look at that water. And look at that sky.

  Donald Westerhazy : You look at it. You know, I think everybody drank too much last night.

  Helen Westerhazy : It was that rum! I drank too much of that rum.

  Ned Merrill : Who's party?

  Helen Westerhazy : Our own. Don't worry, you didn't miss a thing.

  Donald Westerhazy : Your usual Saturday night blowout, you know.

  Helen Westerhazy : The same old jokes. The same old faces. We've all known each other so long there's not even anyone to flirt with.

  Ned Merrill : I'd've flirted with you.

• Ned Merrill : Come on, how about a swim? Put oxygen in your blood. Good for your hangover!

  Helen Westerhazy : What in the world makes you think I'm hung over?

• Helen Westerhazy : Where'd he get that nutty idea?

  Donald Westerhazy : He's just joking.

  Helen Westerhazy : Are you sure?

  Donald Westerhazy : Sure! We'll find him waiting for us down at the Grahams.

  Peggy Forsburgh : God, I hate Columbus.

  Helen Westerhazy : Swim to his house? Why would he want to do that?