The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of Movie Quote
“The stuff that dreams are made of” is a famous movie quote that has been quoted, referenced, and parodied in numerous films, TV shows, and pop culture references. The quote originates from the 1941 film noir classic, The Maltese Falcon, directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, and Peter Lorre.
The Maltese Falcon Plot
The Maltese Falcon is a story of greed, betrayal, and murder centered around a valuable statue, the Maltese Falcon. Private investigator Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart) is hired by a woman named Brigid O'Shaughnessy (Mary Astor) to find her missing sister. But as the plot thickens, Spade learns that Brigid is not who she seems, and he becomes embroiled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a cast of shady characters, including the effeminate Joel Cairo (Peter Lorre) and the menacing Kasper Gutman (Sydney Greenstreet).
The Origins of the Quote
The quote, “The stuff that dreams are made of,” is spoken by Gutman in the climactic scene of the film when he realizes that the Maltese Falcon is a fake. He compares the disappointment of the fake statuette to life itself, saying, “It’s the stuff that dreams are made of.”
The line is a variation of a quote from Shakespeare’s play, The Tempest, where Prospero says, “We are such stuff as dreams are made on.”
Pop Culture References
The quote has been referenced in countless films, TV shows, and other pop culture references. In The Big Lebowski, Jeff Bridges’ character, The Dude, paraphrases the quote when he says, “That rug really tied the room together,” referring to the disappointment of losing something valuable.
The quote also appears in the 1989 film, Batman, when the Joker says, “This town needs an enema,” which is followed by the line, “It’s the stuff that dreams are made of,” spoken by Bob the Goon, played by Tracey Walter.
Conclusion
The Maltese Falcon and the quote, “The stuff that dreams are made of,” have become iconic symbols of film noir and American cinema. The line captures the essence of the film’s themes of greed and betrayal, as well as the fleeting nature of happiness and fulfillment. The quote’s enduring popularity is a testament to the power of cinema and its ability to capture the human experience in memorable and enduring ways.