Hell's Angels Quotes

Context

This line is spoken by Helen (played by Jean Harlow) in the film Hell's Angels, directed by Howard Hughes (1930).

The biggest bombshell dropped in 1930 didn't come from a plane. It was Jean Harlow, sex goddess of the silver screen. Hell's Angels, about a team of pilots in WWII and not a band of brutal bikers, featured Harlow's big-screen breakthrough, and her skimpy wardrobe caused quite a controversy.

Harlow was as steamy as you could get in 1930, and eyeglasses fogged up across the country when her character, Helen, invites a man back to her place and casually asks, "Would you be shocked if I put on something more comfortable?" The man says, "I'll try to survive." Harlow turns around, revealing a provocatively bare back, and leaves the room to get comfortable.

Try to contain yourselves when you check out this clip. (Oh, and plug your ears for the annoying overdub.)

Where you've heard it

You've heard this when someone is being seductive, or reminiscing about one of the sultriest scenes in movie history—you know, before the Hays Code ruined everything.

Additional Notable References:

• While it doesn't mention this famous line, Hell's Angels is referenced in The Aviator, the 2004 film about director and noted crackpot Howard Hughes, here played by Leonardo DiCaprio.
• A 1998 survey named this line the fifth-most famous movie quote of all time.
• This line is alluded to by Madeline Kahn's character, Lili Von Shtupp, in Blazing Saddles.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

While no one is as seductive as Jean Harlow, we think she'd be okay with anyone borrowing her famous come-hither line. Make love, not war, and all that.