BackgroundA masterfully-directed, poignant melodramatic comedy by "woman""s director" George Cukor and producer David O.Johnny: Well, just a few weeks ago, we drank a toast o the three of us.Gilda: Well, who was the third one then? Should I be jealous?Mundson: Hardly darling.Just a friend of mine.Gilda: Is it a ""him"" or a ""her""?Mundson: That""s a very interesting question.What do you think, Johnny?Johnny: A ""her.""Gilda: Oh!Mundson: Why that conclusion?Farrell explains how the dagger could be compared to a woman, deceitful in character: "Because it looks like one hing, and right in front of your eyes, it becomes another thing.""Don""t be an idiot,"" I said.""Sit back where you were and talk sensibly or I shall have to send you home.""Withers: But Mrs.Crosbie, I wonder you didn""t throw him out there and then.Leslie: Well, I didn""t want to make a fuss.You know, there are men who think it""s their duty to flirt with women whenever they have he chance.I believe they think women expect it of them.Howard: When did you first suspect that Hammond was serious?Leslie: The next thing he said to me.He looked at me straight in he face and said, ""Don""t you know I""m awfully in love with you?""Robert: Swine!Howard: Were you surprised?Leslie: Of course I was surprised...Even while they obeyed the will of Caesar, the people clung proudly o their ancient heritage always remembering the promise of their prophets that one day there would be born among them a Redeemer o bring them salvation and perfect freedom." [His character was based upon Harper Lee""s childhood friend and neighbor, Pulitzer prize-winning author Truman Capote.