Fallen Angel (1981 TV Movie)
Melinda Dillon: Sherry Phillips
Quotes
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Howard Nichols : Yes?
Sherry Phillips : Mrs. Krebs, the manager?
[Howard unlatches the chain and opens the door]
Sherry Phillips : [rushes into the apartment, physically attacking Howard in a fit of rage] It was YOU!
Jennifer Phillips : Mommy!
Howard Nichols : [attempting to shield himself from Sherry's hands and fists] Please don't! Don't, please!
Sherry Phillips : You bastard!
[pounds Howard with her fists as he falls to the floor]
Howard Nichols : [trying to shield himself from the blows] Don't! Stop! I was getting her to come home!
Jennifer Phillips : Mommy, stop!
Sherry Phillips : What kind of monster are you? You are not a monster, you are worse!
Howard Nichols : [retreating towards the couch] You don't understand.
Sherry Phillips : Understand? Oh my God, I understand; look at these children! I finally understand!
Howard Nichols : Please, listen...
Sherry Phillips : I listened, all right? Get away from her!
[slaps Howard some more]
Sherry Phillips : God! I saw that window; before, I hoped - I really hoped - that this was your second apartment. I hoped it wasn't you!
Howard Nichols : I love those kids better than their parents! Better than you!
Sherry Phillips : After what you've done to them? Come on, Jennifer.
Howard Nichols : I've taken them places; I bought them things!
Sherry Phillips : You have used them! Let's go, boys.
Howard Nichols : I've given them love!
Sherry Phillips : Love?
[to the boys, insistent]
Sherry Phillips : Let's go!
Howard Nichols : I've given them love!
Sherry Phillips : Love? Oh, my God!
[to Jennifer and the boys]
Sherry Phillips : Go!
Howard Nichols : I never hurt you. Any of you! Don't leave, please; you're the most important things in my life.
[steps into the hall, where Sherry, Jennifer and the boys are making their exit]
Howard Nichols : I love you all very, very, very much!
Sherry Phillips : [sees Jennifer looking back at Howard as he pleads] Come on, honey; let's go!
Howard Nichols : Please don't hurt me!
[watches as they exit the building, then steps back inside the boys' apartment, realizing he'll soon be arrested for what he's done, now on the verge of tears]
Howard Nichols : Please don't say anything.
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Sherry Phillips : [referring to Jennifer] She's so come out of herself since she's been on your team. You're doing a terrific job!
Howard Nichols : I just treat her, and well, all the kids like people, and care for them honestly. You know, if I do get mad at them, I let them know it, and tell them you only get mad at people you care about. I'm sure you both do that, too.
Frank Dawson : Well, maybe not as good as you, but I try about the same.
Jennifer Phillips : [approaches with a rubber ball] Is this ours, Howie?
Howard Nichols : No, those rubber turkeys are theirs.
[puts arm around Jennifer's shoulder]
Howard Nichols : Hey, you know, if I had a daughter, I'd order up one just like this nut here.
[nuzzles Jennifer close, as she smiles in response]
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Jennifer Phillips : [sees various children being innocently photographed at the zoo, triggering flashbacks of her time with Howard]
Sherry Phillips : [laughing at an exhibit] Did they teach you that in school, Jennifer, the difference between apes and gorillas?
Jennifer Phillips : I think I can do it.
Frank Dawson : [thinking she's referring to Sherry's question] Good, Jennifer. Which is which?
Sherry Phillips : No. I mean, I think I can testify.
Sherry Phillips : No; it's behind us! You see, that's why we have to move.
Frank Dawson : Are you sure?
Sherry Phillips : I'm sure! She's got to go back to leading a normal life.
Jennifer Phillips : You're sure because you're my mother. I'm not sure what Daddy would think. What do you think, Frank?
Frank Dawson : [referring to Howard] People say he's sick; I suppose they're right. One thing we both know for sure: that little girl in the mental hospital is sick, because of Howard. What do I tell you? I worry about you if you testify, I worry about other kids if you don't.
Sherry Phillips : The last thing my little girl needs is more pressure. She's 12 years old!
Frank Dawson : She's 13, and she's not a little girl anymore. This could be the most important decision Jennifer ever makes; she has to know that from somebody. From somebody besides lawyers and mothers.
[to Jennifer]
Frank Dawson : You keep on thinking, Jennifer.