The Corner

Small Parts

Jonah: Along the same lines, I wonder what is the smallest significant

speaking part in any movie? (Not counting, I mean, the 14th bad guy in a

Schwarzenegger flick who just has to say “Aaaargh!” or servants saying “You

rang, Sir?”)

In Samuel Beckett’s play HAPPY DAYS, if memory serves, the hero, Willie,

utters only the single word “It”. Winnie is musing about whether she should

refer to her hair as “them” or “it,” and pesters Willie for an opinion. I

am pretty sure it’s Willie’s only line.

John Derbyshire — Mr. Derbyshire is a former contributing editor of National Review.
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