Driving Miss Daisy

I'm gone to the market, Idella.

Pepsodent's new improved formula

cleans teeth whiter than ever.

Are you all right, Miss Daisy?

That's good!

You two get back to work.

- Mama!

- No!

It's a miracle you're not laying at

Emory Hospital or the funeral parlor.

Cucumbers are pretty this summer.

You didn't even break your glasses.

It was the car's fault!

- You had the car in the wrong gear.

- I did not!

Idella, want a pickle with lunch?

Not me.

I'm putting up a jar for

you to take home to William.

You backed the car into

the Pollack's yard.

You should have let me keep my Lasalle.

It wouldn't have behaved this way.

Mama, cars don't behave.

They are behaved upon.

You demolished that

Chrysler by yourself.

Think what you want.

I know the truth.

The truth is you just cost

the insurance company $2,700.

You are a terrible risk.

Nobody will issue you a policy now.

You're just saying that to be hateful.

Okay. Yes, I am!

I am making it all up.

Look out on the driveway!

Every insurance company in

America is out there...

...waving their pens

to get you to sign up.

If you're going to stand in my pantry

and lie like a rug, go somewhere else.

I better get back to the office.

Florine will have a fit if I don't

get home on time tonight.

You all must have plans tonight.

The Ansleys' dinner party.

This is her idea of heaven on earth.

What?

Socializing with Episcopalians.

You are a doodle, Mama!

I'll stop by tomorrow evening.

How do you know I'll be here?

I'm not dependent on you for company.

Fine, I'll call first.

But you know, we have got some

real serious talking to do.

No!

I need you now. I have to be at

the beauty shop in half an hour.

No, I most certainly did not know you

had to call a minimum of 2 hours ahead.

Why call yourself a taxicab company

if you can't provide taxicabs?

Why don't you call your son?

He'd send someone to carry you.

That won't be necessary.

I'll cancel the appointment

and fix my own hair.

Sometimes I think you ain't

got the sense God gave a lemon.

Two dots. I want that!

And a five bamboo.

Well, this is not my day for mah-jongg.

Nine bam!

Thank you all for coming here again.

I am a real pariah without my car.

Oh, nonsense!

When do you get the new one?

I don't know! Boolie's

being real pokey about it.

I'll come after you for temple tomorrow.

That's sweet of you, honey.

Mama, you there?

It's just us!

Why didn't you call?

We can't stay.

So I gather.

The Millers are giving a hay ride.

I had these made.

Doesn't your baby look cute?

Well, it's not exactly

the word I'd pick.

New Graham Greene?

I been wanting to read that.

Sorry, but it's due back

at the library tomorrow.

- Want me to return it for you?

- No, thank you.

I'll go to the library on the streetcar.

Damn it, Mama! Quit being so stubborn.

You know perfectly well...

Go on! Don't keep the horses waiting.

Bye!

Is that door making contact?

Oscar?

I'm here.

- Are you all right?

- No, sir, I'm stuck.

I know. Fiddle with the lever.

It fiddled out. I done all I know how.

Call Bell Elevator.

I already did. They're

backed up until around 1:00.

Did you tell them it's an emergency!

You don't have to holler, Mr. Werthan.

I did not break the elevator.

Got that stuff for Davis & Paxon?

Wrapped and ready to go!

I promised it for today.

Call Bell again.

I hear you.

Look up where the gate is supposed

to close. See a do-hickey?

Wait a minute.

Right here!

Reach up and mash it

up until it catches.

I done it. Now what?

Operate the lever.

Do you work here?

No, sir. This here Hoke.

Hoke Colburn, sir.

How'd you know about the elevator?

I used to drive for a dairy, sir.

Their elevator was

worse than this one.

Hoke the one I told you about.

Of course.

Excuse me, sir.

Y'all people's Jewish, ain't you?

Yeah, we are. Why?

I'd rather work for Jews.

I know folks say they stingy and cheap.

But don't say none of that around me!

Good to know you feel that way.

What was your last job?

I worked for Judge Harold

Stone, a Jewish gentleman.

You worked for Judge Stone?

Seven years. I'd still be

there if he didn't up and die.

Mrs. Stone asked me to move

to Savannah with her.

Of course, my wife was dead by then.

But I said, "No, thank you, ma'am."

I didn't want to be too

far from my grandbabies.

Judge Stone was my father's friend.

You don't say?

Sit.

Later, Miss McClatchey.

Oscar said you needed somebody

to drive for your family.

Will I be taking your

children to school...

...and your wife to the beauty parlor?

I don't have any children.

What I need...

You're still a young man.

Don't worry too much.

Thank you. I won't.

Hoke, I need somebody

to drive my mother around.

Yes. Well, if you don't

mind my asking, sir...

...why ain't she hiring for herself?

It's a difficult situation.

She done gone around the bend a little.

That will happen as they get on.

No, she's all there!

Too much there is the problem!

I want you to understand something.

My mother is a little high strung.

The fact is, you would

be working for me.

She can say anything she likes...

...but she can't fire you. Understand?

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir, I sure do.

Don't worry, Mr. Werthan.

I'll hold on no matter

which way she run me.

I was a little boy back on the farm

above Macon where I come from.

I wrestled hogs to the

ground during killing time.

Well, sir, there ain't a

hog got away from me yet!

How are you, Idella?

Living.

- Where's the new vacuum cleaner?

- In the closet.

She won't touch it.

It gives me a shock

every time I'm near it.

It works for me.

Good! Then you clean and I'll

go down and run your office.

Where's Mama?

Up yonder.

I guess you know who this is.

I'll be right back.

I wouldn't be in your shoes...

...if the sweet Lord Jesus came

down and asked me Himself.

Good morning, Mama.

Just come down and say hello.

You listen here.

Unless they rewrote the Constitution

and didn't tell me, I still have rights!

Of course.

What I do not want, and absolutely

will not have, is...

...some chauffeur sitting in my kitchen,

gobbling my food, using my phone.

I hate that in my house.

You have Idella.

Idella's different!

She's been coming to me for years.

We stay out of each other's way.

Even so, there are chips

in my wedding china.

You think Idella has a vendetta

against your wedding china?

Don't be sassy.

When we couldn't afford them,

we did for ourselves.

That's still the best way.

"Them?" "Afford them?"

You sound like Governor Talmadge.

What a thing to say!

I'm not prejudiced!

Aren't you ashamed?!

You might as well make the best of it.

I knew a Miss Idella once.

Back down in Macon.

You don't say?

She sang!

What are you talking about?

I'm talking about this

woman had some lungs!

She'd be a whole church

choir by herself!

I declare!

Fat, too!

She was as big as that stove!

Don't talk to Idella!

She has work to do.

What are you doing?

Dusting the bulbs, Miss Daisy.

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