Fallen Angel (1981 TV Movie)

Melinda Dillon: Sherry Phillips

Quotes 

• 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.

• 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] 

• 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.