Lean on Me (film) Quotes

Lean on Me (film) is a TV program that first aired in 1970 . Lean on Me completed its run in 1970.

It features Norman Twain as producer, Bill Conti in charge of musical score, and Victor Hammer as head of cinematography.

Lean on Me (film) is recorded in English and originally aired in United States. Each episode of Lean on Me (film) is 124 minutes long. Lean on Me (film) is distributed by Warner Bros..

The cast includes: Morgan Freeman - as Joe Clark, Robert Guillaume - as Dr. Frank Napier, Beverly Todd as Ms. Levias, Jermaine Hopkins as Thomas Sams, Karen Malina White as Kaneesha Carter, Lynne Thigpen as Leonna Barrett, Robin Bartlett as Mrs. Elliott, Ethan Phillips - as Mr. Rosenberg, Alan North - as Mayor Don Bottman, Michael Beach as Mr. Darnell, Karina Arroyave as Maria, Michael P. Moran as Mr. O'Malley, and Mike Starr as Mr. Zirella.

Lean on Me (film) Quotes

Robert Guillaume - as Dr. Frank Napier

• (Robert Guillaume -) "Don, the man has a legitimate problem. How's he supposed to keep drug dealers out of his school if their buddies can just push open the exit doors and let 'em walk on in?"
• (Ethan Phillips -) "He's got a point, sir."
• (Alan North -) "Rosenberg, this doesn't concern you."

Jermaine Hopkins as Thomas Sams

• (Jermaine Hopkins) "No. I don't wanna kill myself, sir."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "You're quite sure about this, are ya?"
• (Jermaine Hopkins) "Yes, sir."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "All right, Sams. I'll tell you what I gonna do: I'm gonna go back on my own word just this once and let you back into my school, because you're still a baby and you don't know s***. But you understand this, boy: You're not gonna get a moment's rest. I'm gonna be on your case every minute. You mess up just once and your outta here. Now you understand me? Do you understand me?"
• (Jermaine Hopkins) "Yes, sir."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "Now go on back downstairs."

• (Jermaine Hopkins) "Girl. I look at you and I want that oochie coochie."

Morgan Freeman - as Joe Clark

• (Morgan Freeman -) "-- I want all of you to take a good look at this slovenly, sloppy boy; as an example of how NOT to dress. If you look like THIS in the morning, find some other clothes to wear. Self-respect permeates every aspect of your existence. If you don't have respect for yourself, you're not gonna get it from anyone else."

• (Morgan Freeman -) "Wow -- Somebody tell me why I can't get this kind of turnout for study hall."

• (Morgan Freeman -) "I'll tell you what I do see here --"
• (Beverly Todd) "No. I'm talking now. Let me finish. Everybody here may not like you as a person, but we all applaud your efforts. But what you don't understand is the same people that support you are the ones you're beating up. You don't even take the time to say 'Thank you. Job well done'. Nothing. You just step on their necks. Constantly abuse them."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "Ms. Levias --"
• (Beverly Todd) "Criticize them."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "What do you want from me?"
• (Morgan Freeman -) "What the HELL do you want?"
• (Beverly Todd) "I want you to get this straight. Most of the teachers here are here because they care. About those children out there. This school, this fight, they are in it with you. They take it home at night, the same as you. They are a part of those children's lives. You are thoughtless and cruel, and it hurts. And none of them deserve it. They are sick of it, and so am I."

• (Morgan Freeman -) "Now let me tell you something: The trouble with being a teenager is you don't know nothing. The problem with teenagers is you think you're smarter than people who already been down the road you're traveling. You know what I'm tryin' to say to you, boy? DO YOU?"
• (Jermaine Hopkins) "Yes, sir."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "Did you tell your father I threw out of school?"
• (Morgan Freeman -) "Look at me DAMNIT."
• (Jermaine Hopkins) "No, sir."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "Why not? No guts, huh? Afraid of what he's gonna say to you, aren't ya?"
• (Jermaine Hopkins) "My father doesn't live with us anymore, sir."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "Oh, is that you're doing right now? Going around, feeling sorry for yourself, boy? Huh? Go on. Get outta here. You're wasting my time."
• (Jermaine Hopkins) "Please let me back in, sir. I have to get back to school. I can't go home and tell my mama I got kick out of school."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "Now why should I let you back into my school, Sams?"
• (Jermaine Hopkins) "'Cause I'm gonna do better, sir."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "How?"
• (Jermaine Hopkins) "By doin' my work."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "What else?"
• (Jermaine Hopkins) "And stayin' out of trouble."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "What have you been thinking about all this time? Why should I believe you now?"
• (Jermaine Hopkins) "'Cause I've changed my ways."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "I don't believe you, Sams. I don't think you changed a thing. Go on, jump."
• (Jermaine Hopkins) "No, I don't wanna jump."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "Yes, you do. You smoke crack, don't ya? You smoke crack, don't ya? LOOK AT ME, BOY. Don't you smoke crack?"
• (Jermaine Hopkins) "Y-yes, sir."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "You know what that does to you? Huh?"
• (Jermaine Hopkins) "No, sir."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "It kill your brain cells, son. It kill your brain cells. Now when you're destroying your brain cells, your doing the same thing as killing yourself. You just doing it slower. Now, I say, if wanna kill yourself, don't f*** around with it. Go on and do it expeditiously. Now go on and jump. JUMP."

• (Morgan Freeman -) "I want all of you to take a good look at these people on the risers behind me. These people have been here roughly five years, and done absolutely nothing. These people are drug dealers and drug users. They have taken up space. They have disrupted this school. They have harassed your teachers. And they have intimidated you. Well, times are about to change. You will not be bothered in Joe Clark's school. These people are incorrigible. And since none of them could graduate anyway --"
• (Morgan Freeman -) "-- you are all expurgated. You are dismissed. You are out of here, forever. I wish you well. Mr. Wright --"
• (Morgan Freeman -) "Next time, it may be you. If you do no better than they did, next time it WILL be you. They said this school was dead, like the cemetery it's built on. But we call our Eastside teams "Ghosts", don't we? And what are ghosts? Ghosts are spirits that rise from the dead. I want you to be my ghosts. You are going to lead our resurrection, by defying the expectation that all of us are doomed to failure. My motto is simple: If you do not succeed in life, I don't want you to blame your parents. I don't want you to blame the White Man. I want you to blame yourselves. The responsibility is yours. In two weeks we have a practice exam, and on April 13th we have the Minimum Basic Skills Test itself. That's 110 school days from now. But it's not just about those test scores. If you do not have these basic skills, you will find yourselves locked out. Locked out of that American Dream that you see advertised on TV, and that they tell you is so easy to get. You are here for one reason. One reason only: To learn. To work for what you believe in. The alternative is to waste your time, to fall into the trap of crime and drugs and death. Does everybody understand that? Do all of you understand me? Then welcome to the new Eastside High."

• (Morgan Freeman -) "Ms. Levias, these miscreants don't know the school song; they've got three days detention."

• (Morgan Freeman -) "Hey, son -- Put something in your head, not on it."

• (Morgan Freeman -) "Because you are failing to educate them, this is the posture that many of our students will wind up in. Only they'll be staring down the barrel of a gun."

• (Morgan Freeman -) "You know what he's saying right now? "Black bastard can't throw me out." You know where he's saying it? Out in the parking lot."

• (Morgan Freeman -) "Get this disgrace to his race out of here."

• (Morgan Freeman -) "What do you got in here, Sams?"
• (Jermaine Hopkins) "You don't want to go in there Mr. Clark it stinks."

• (Morgan Freeman -) "You will sing the school song upon demand, or suffer dire consequences."

• (Morgan Freeman -) "-- You'll be dead in a year, son. Hear what I'm saying? You'll be dead in a year."

• (Morgan Freeman -) "They used to call me Crazy Joe. Well now they can call me Batman."

• (Morgan Freeman -) "Mr. Major, on behalf of myself and on behalf the students of Eastside High, you can tell the State to go to hell."

Michael P. Moran as Mr. O'Malley

(We don't have any quotes for this character)

Karina Arroyave as Maria

• (Karina Arroyave) "The Gospel chorus is for the blacks. Football for the blacks. Basketball, blacks."
• (Karina Arroyave) "Look at me, I'm short. Can I play basketball? NO. The point is, you're ignoring us, and we're getting really ticked off."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "You know, with a mouth like yours, You oughta study Law."
• (Karina Arroyave) "Really?"
• (Morgan Freeman -) "Really."

Lynne Thigpen as Leonna Barrett

• (Lynne Thigpen) "Listen to me. People, please. You must all disperse and return to your homes. Your presence here is helping no one. Why don't you use your brains and listen?"
• (Clarence) "Everybody, come on, listen up, listen up. Now let's just settle down, give her a chance to talk. She might actually have something to say. Now everybody just chill, settle down and let's listen to the old loudmouth wench."
• (Lynne Thigpen) "You can call me what you want, but the simple fact is Mr. Clark has broken the laws in this state and exposed you all to grave danger."
• (Lynne Thigpen) "His behavior is irresponsible. Chaining those doors was a criminal act. Why do you think they call him Crazy Joe?"
• (Jermaine Hopkins) "Because you all don't understand him."
• (Karina Arroyave) "Yeah that's right. He chained those doors to keep out the drug dealers. To make us all feel safe. You talk about the law but you're twisting the law. The laws are made to protect the people and that's what he's doing for us"
• (Reggie) "The thing you don't understand is that Mr. Clark believes in us. He's provided an environ --"
• (Karen Malina White) "He don't believe in you, 'cause you don't take care of your responsibilities."
• (Lynne Thigpen) "Despite what he himself may believe, Mr. Clark is not Eastside High."
• (Karen Malina White) "Mr. Clark is not only Eastside High. Mr. Clark is like a father. He's the only father that some of us who don't have fathers know. You don't know a thing about Mr. Clark."
• (Lynne Thigpen) "People, just hear me. The school board is meeting right now and I promise you, we will give you what Eastside High deserves- a good principal."
• (Jermaine Hopkins) "We don't WANT a good principal. WE WANT MR. CLARK."

• (Lynne Thigpen) "-- Children, you have my word that we will get you what Eastside High deserves: a GOOD principal."
• (Jermaine Hopkins) "We don't WANT a "good principal." We WANT Mr. Clark."
• (Lynne Thigpen) "You may THINK you know what you want, but --"

Beverly Todd as Ms. Levias

• (Beverly Todd) "Mr. Clark."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "Yes, Ms. Levias?"
• (Beverly Todd) "May I talk to you for a minute please?"
• (Morgan Freeman -) "What is it?"
• (Beverly Todd) "I want you to transfer me."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "To where?"
• (Beverly Todd) "Out of here."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "You know, this doesn't surprise me one bit, Ms. Levias. I have sensed resistance in you since our very first meeting."
• (Beverly Todd) "You're an egomaniacal windbag"
• (Morgan Freeman -) "Who are you talking to?"
• (Beverly Todd) "I'm talking to you. You like to whip people who can't fight back. I thought I could take it because I had a father in the same kind of pain that makes you just a bastard, but I was wrong. Life is much too short. I will NOT endure you any longer."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "You will not endure me?"
• (Beverly Todd) "The reason I haven't walked out and half the staff along with me is because those children need us here. You're so busy talking discipline that you fail to educate."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "Is THAT SO?"
• (Beverly Todd) "YES."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "What in the hell do you think I've been doing here all this time?"
• (Beverly Todd) "So you cleaned it up. That was the easy part."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "That's the easy part?"
• (Beverly Todd) "Those children want to be helped. They've worked their hearts out for you, done everything you asked them to, believed what we told them. But I feel sorry for them. They're not ready to take that test."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "What the hell are you talking about? I have done everything, everything I --"
• (Beverly Todd) "I, I, I. It is always I. There are 300 teachers on the faculty here, you do NOT do it alone."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "I don't have to stand here and listen to these accusations."
• (Beverly Todd) "You will listen. YOU WILL STAND THERE AND YOU WILL LISTEN."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "Why, Mrs. Levias? Huh? Go ahead and talk."
• (Beverly Todd) "For the past seven months, you've been flapping your mouth and you haven't heard a thing. You haven't even seen what's painfully obvious."

Alan North - as Mayor Don Bottman

• (Alan North -) "We're in a tough spot here. I have to ask for your help, Joe. It's not for me, it's for those kids out there. They're highly emotional, they're all jacked-up. You have to send them home."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "I don't have to do nothing but stay black and die."
• (Alan North -) "Oh for crying out loud."

• (Alan North -) "What do you want?"
• (Lynne Thigpen) "Clark."
• (Alan North -) "Just like that, huh? Head on a platter."
• (Lynne Thigpen) "You think I got an attitude. Well, let me tell you what I think. I know why you like Clark. He's a guard dog. Does your dirty work. Keeps the black folk in line; that's fine. But you've got to get re-elected. I've got enough folks lined up with me to give you a DAMN hard time, and I will get more. I will organize. I will beat the streets."
• (Alan North -) "Unless I do what?"
• (Lynne Thigpen) "Appoint me to the school board so we can vote Clark out. Otherwise, we'll just have to vote you out."
• (Alan North -) "Vote me out? You know, it's always good to see citizens avail themselves of the democratic process."
• (Lynne Thigpen) "My job's gonna be easy. You're not too popular these days, are ya?"

Michael Beach as Mr. Darnell

• (Michael Beach) "Mr. Clark, just what was that all about?"
• (Morgan Freeman -) "I distinctly said, "No one move, during the singing of the school song", Now if you can't understand that, find yourself another place to work."
• (Michael Beach) "I was picking up a piece of paper."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "Then you contradicted me in front of my students."
• (Michael Beach) "They're my students, too."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "THEY ARE MY STUDENTS, MR. DARNELL."
• (Michael Beach) "Just what are you tryin' to prove? I'm workin my ass off of you, took the demotion and I'm doin' my job. You just getting your rocks off by treating me like trash."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "No sir, that's what you're picking up."
• (Michael Beach) "god**** it. YOU GIVE ME THE GODDDAMN RESPECT YOU WOULD DAMN WELL WANT YOURSELF, OR I WILL KICK YOUR BLACK ASS."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "You are suspended sir, as of RIGHT NOW. GET OUT."
• (Michael Beach) "AHHH."

Robin Bartlett as Mrs. Elliott

• (Robin Bartlett) "I would love to stay and chat, Mr. Clark, but I've a concert in New York in two weeks and I would like to be prepared."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "What?"
• (Robin Bartlett) "Prepare. You do know what prepare means, don't you? It means ready, capable and up to your job."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "What concert, Mrs. Elliott?"
• (Robin Bartlett) "The one at Lincoln Center. We do one every year."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "Until now. As of this moment, your little concert is cancelled."
• (Robin Bartlett) "What?"
• (Morgan Freeman -) "CANCELLED. You do know what cancelled means, don't you? Called off. Terminated."
• (Robin Bartlett) "WHY? Those children have worked too hard."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "And for not telling me."
• (Robin Bartlett) "I filed a form in your office. Why don't you talk to --"
• (Morgan Freeman -) "And for RANK insubordination. You have insulted my intellegence, my authority --"
• (Robin Bartlett) "You're the one that always comes to pick on me. I'll tell you what. You're a bully, you're a despicable man and I've got nothing more to say to you."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "Let's just accommodate that, Mrs. Elliott. YOU'RE FIRED."
• (Robin Bartlett) "You need a psychiatrist."
• (Morgan Freeman -) "GET OUT."
• (Robin Bartlett) "All right, fine. Fired? YOU WILL HEAR FROM MY LAWYER."

Ethan Phillips - as Mr. Rosenberg

(We don't have any quotes for this character)

Karen Malina White as Kaneesha Carter

• (Karen Malina White) "Mr. Clark don't play."

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