“If the halo fits, put it on. And don't pretend you don't love winding people up like little toys.”

– Glenda Esmond

“Sloane! Be lucky!”

– Paul Gregory

Having tea*

“A geisha’s lie is not a real lie. It’s a cornerstone of our profession.”

– Miyoharu

 

* the Bales 2025 Film Challenge for December has a few dateless themes. This is one of them.

 

Sisters, for one of the OPs' sister's birthday.

 

Expelled prostitute Maddalena returns to her home island Vulcano (Salina in disguise) and moves in with her sister Maria. A handsome fisherman becomes first Maria's, then Maddalena's catch.

 

A revenge film à la lettre, but not as you may think. Anna Magnani was cast as the lead for her lover Rossellini's Stromboli (Terra di Dio) (1950), and – after him having set eyes on Ingrid Bergman – was ditched in the latter's favour. While Rossellini fawned over the blonde, Magnani shot “her” film on a neighbouring volcanic island, blowing her former beau's efforts out of the water.

“A scientist is not like a politician who can answer every question.”

– Japanese Bar' Ucyū-ken' Madam Ohana

“I'm not just an entertainer. I'm an influence, a wielder of opinion, a force… a force!”

– Lonesome Rhodes

“I'm trying to run an impersonal business. Killing is very personal. Once it gets started, it's hard to stop.”

– Mr. Brown

Until November 3.

“No pleasure, no pain… no emotion, no heart. Our superior in every way.”

– Dr. Arthur Carrington

“It's in the trees! It's coming!”