Beetlejuice Manipulation Quotes

How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Beetlejuice.

Quote #7

BEETLEJUICE: I'm the ghost with the most, babe. You know, you look like somebody I can relate to. Maybe you could help me get out of here, you know, because I gotta tell you, this death thing it's just too creepy. See, here's my problem. I've got these friends on the outside that I said I'd meet. You know, and it's the kind of thing I have to be there in person, you know. So I was just wondering, could you help me get out of here?

LYDIA: I want to get in.

BEETLEJUICE: Why? Well, you know, hey, you've probably got your reasons, but the thing is I can't do anything from over here. If you could get me out, over there, then maybe we could talk or something. But, you know, in order to do that you've got to say my name three times.

LYDIA: What's your name?

BEETLEJUICE: Well, uh, I can't tell you.

LYDIA: Why not?

BEETLEJUICE: You know why? Because if I tell you, you'll tell your friends, you're friends are calling me on the horn all the time. I've gotta show up at shopping centers for openings, and sign autographs, and s*** like that. And that makes my life a hell, okay. A living hell. But maybe if you have a pen, maybe we can—I know! You ever play charades?

Our guy is pouring it on, but Lydia's not as naïve as the Maitlands. She thinks twice about letting Betelgeuse out.

Quote #8

LYDIA: Where are you? Help them, please.

BEETLEJUICE: Sure, I can help them. But you gotta help me.

LYDIA: What?

BEETLEJUICE: Look, I'm what you might call an illegal alien. I want out for good. In order for me to do that, hey, I gotta get married. Hey, these aren't my rules. Come to think of it, I don't have any rules. Come on. Come on. Think of it as a marriage of inconvenience. Okay? We both get something. I get out. You get to say you're hitched to the most eligible bachelor since Valentino came over. We're even, babe.

LYDIA: Okay, just help them.

BEETLEJUICE: Sure.

LYDIA: Betelgeuse. Betelgeuse. Betelgeuse!

BEETLEJUICE: It's showtime!

Finally, Betelgeuse has everyone right where he wants them. He knows Lydia's desperate to help the Maitlands and will agree to anything. It's the perfect quid pro quo. Say what you want about him, but he's very smart. Good manipulators have to be able to read people.

Quote #9

PREACHER: Do you, Lydia, take this man...

LYDIA: No! Beetle—

BEETLEJUICE: She's a little bit nervous. Maybe I should answer for her, okay? I'm Lydia Deetz and I'm of sound mind. The man next to me is the one I want. You asked me, I'm answering. Yes, I love that man of mine.

When Betelgeuse's real-world powers of persuasion aren't doing it, he pulls out his supernatural abilities to get what he wants. Totally not a fair fight.