The Notorious Bettie Page (2005)

Jared Harris: John Willie

Quotes 

• [Bettie reacts angrily when John sings a ribald song during a bondage photo shoot] 

  John Willie : What's the matter, Bettie?

  [John pulls the gag from Bettie's mouth] 

  Bettie Page : It's your language, Mr. Willie.

  John Willie : Oh, it's just an old army ditty to help keep our spirits up while fighting the beastly Hun. Do you approve?

  Bettie Page : I believe in Jesus.

• [for her photo shoot, Bettie is tied up wearing slinky lingerie] 

  John Willie : Do you mind if I ask you a question, Bettie? What do you think Jesus would say about what you're doing now?

  Bettie Page : Well, Mr. Willie... I've thought about this quite a bit and I'm...

  [shakes her head] 

  Bettie Page : not really sure anymore. I think... God has given each of us some kind of talent and he wants us to use it. That's why he gave it to us. Mr. Willie, would you mind untying my hands? It's hard for me to think like this.

  John Willie : Certainly.

  [he starts to oblige] 

  Bettie Page : God gave me the talent to pose for pictures. That... it seems to me, make people happy. Well, that can't be a bad thing, can it?

  John Willie : Not to me it's not, but what does God think?

  Bettie Page : Well, I can't say for certain, I can't speak for him. I do worry sometimes about some of the things I've done.

  John Willie : What things?

  Bettie Page : I've posed naked for photographs.

  John Willie : [scoffs]  Have you, my dear? Naughty girl.

  [fighting back laughter] 

  Bettie Page : But is that really bad? Adam and Eve were naked in the Garden of Eden!

  John Willie : So they were!

  Bettie Page : I don't know what God thinks about all this. And I hope that... if He's not happy with what I'm doing... He'll let me know somehow.

  John Willie : I'm sure he will, my dear.

  [continues taking photographs] 

  John Willie : I'm sure he will.

  [perplexed-looking, Betty raises her elbow-gloved arms above her head in mock surrender] 

• Bettie Page : God gave me the talent to pose for pictures and it seems to make people happy. That can't be a bad thing, can it?

  John Willie : Not to me it's not, but what does God think?

• John Willie : Tell me...

  [fights back breaking wind] 

  John Willie : what do you think of all this tying-up business? You seem to have a knack for posing, and I'm always on the lookout for comely wenches... who don't mind a bit of the old rope and gag!

  Bettie Page : Well, it certainly was different.

  John Willie : [shaking his head blissfully]  I like what you did with that riding crop. It's a treat to see a girl with so much spirit!

  Bettie Page : Oh, I enjoy acting very much. I've been taking lessons.

  John Willie : Ah. We shall have to put you in a little film or something, shan't we?