Memorable quotes for
Strictly Ballroom (1992) More at IMDbPro »

Barry Fife: There are no new steps!

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Scott: Look, a beginner has no right to approach an Open Amateur.
Fran: Yeah, well an Open Amateur has no right to dance non-Federation steps, but you did, didn't you?
Scott: But that's different.
Fran: *How* is it different? You're just like the rest of them! You think you're different, but you're not, because you're just, you're just really scared! You're really scared to give someone new a go, because you think, you know, they might just be better than you are! Well, you're just pathetic, and you're gutless. You're a gutless wonder! Vivir con miedo, es como vivir a medias!

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Fran: A life lived in fear is a life half lived.

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Fran: What happened to a life lived in fear and all that stuff?
Scott: Fran...
Fran: You really are a gutless wonder!
Scott: There's a reason for this.
Fran: I don't want to hear!
Scott: Listen to me!
Fran: No!
Scott: It's hard for me too, Fran.
Fran: *Hard*? Hard? How hard do you think it's been for *me*? To get you to dance with me in the first place? Frangipannidellasqueegymop. Wash the coffee cups, Fran, how's your skin, Fran? Hard?
Scott: You don't understand.
Fran: I understand. You've got your Pan Pacifics to win, and I'm back in Beginners, where I belong.

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Kylie: A bit of musicality, please!

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Scott: I have to help Wayne with his bogo pogo.

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Liz: What do I want? I'll tell you what I want! I want Ken Railings to walk in here right now, and say 'Pam Shortt's broken both her legs, and I wanna dance with YOU!'
[the door flies open. It's Ken]
Ken: Pam Shortt's broken both her legs, and I wanna dance with you.
Kylie: That was unexpected.

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Wayne: What's wrong with you?
Scott: That's what I've been trying to find out for the last three weeks, Wayne! What is wrong with me? What is so wrong with the way I dance?

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Doug Hastings: We had the chance but we were scared. We walked away. WE LIVED OUR LIVES IN FEAR!

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Doug Hastings: Hard to get the films these days... it's all video, video.

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Liz: Where the man goes, the lady must follow...

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Shirley Hastings: And what about Les? He's taught you everything you know, and you're just throwing it back in his face!
Scott: I'm bored with it!
Shirley Hastings: I don't believe I'm hearing this! I've been with your father for twenty-five years! Do you think I get bored? Of course I do!

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Shirley Hastings: [after berating Scott for leaving Tina hanging in order to find Fran] And what about Les? He's taught you everything you know and you're just throwing it back in his face!
Scott: I'm bored with it!
Shirley Hastings: I don't believe I'm hearing this! I have been with your father for twenty-five years - do you think I get bored? Of course I do!

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Wayne: What the hell was that all about?
Shirley Hastings: What?
Wayne: You know, with Fran?
Shirley Hastings: [uneasy laugh] Fran... Fran...
Tina Sparkle: Fran? Wasn't she the girl that um...?
Shirley Hastings: [laughs] Well, here we all are!
[Scott approaches the group]
Scott: Where is she?
Shirley Hastings: Who?
Scott: Fran.
Shirley Hastings: Fran... Fran... Fran... who?
Tina Sparkle: You know, the girl that fell.
Shirley Hastings: Oh, she went home, darling. Don't worry about her!

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Les: Come on now, Scott, Tina's waiting.
Scott: You're all so scared, you wouldn't know what you thought!
Terry: [to Les] Look, is he dancing with Tina or not?
Scott: [to Tina] I'm sorry, Tina, I'm not available.

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Barry Fife: Where do you think we'd be if everyone went around making up their own steps?
Scott: Out of a job.

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Barry Fife: [referring to Ken Railings] Let's not forget, Les, that a Pan Pacific Champion becomes a hero, a guiding light to all dancers, someone who'll set the right example.
[Meanwhile, on the dance floor]
Liz: [fake smile] You've been drinking!
Ken Railings: Bullshit! Push it!
Liz: You bloody have!

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Scott: We're telling a story. The rumba is the dance of love. Look at me like you're in love.
[Fran follows this instruction perhaps a little too enthusiastically]
Scott: That's it. Good.

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Barry Fife: If you can't dance a step, you can't teach it, and if you can't teach it - we might as well all pack up and go home. With young Liz available again, you've got a chance to get your status quo vadis back... so to speak.

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[Charm snatched the power cord from Kylie]
Charm: No you don't little miss!
Kylie: Shame on you, Miss Leachman!

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Scott: I'm just asking you what you think of the steps.
Liz: I don't think! I don't give a shit about them, we lost!

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Barry Fife: Well, of course, you can dance any steps you like! But that doesn't mean you'll...
[Slam into a close-up of Barry's mouth]
Barry Fife: ...win.

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Ya Ya: Listen to the rhythm. Don't be scared.

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Scott: Liz...
Liz: Piss off!
Scott: Liz!
Liz: I'm not dancing with you, all right? I'm not dancing with you 'til you dance like you're supposed to!

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Liz: I knew you'd come to your senses!

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[repeated line]
Doug Hastings: Son, can I bend your ear for a tick?
Scott: Not now, Dad.

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[last lines]
Doug Hastings: Shall we dance?

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