The New Health Food Nut Margarine, Circa 1918 vintage advertisement
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Health Food Quotes from Classic Films, Movies, and TV

The New Health Food Nut Margarine, Circa 1918 vintage advertisement
“The New Health Food”! A Nut Margarine made from “Cocoanut” (no “Cow’s Butter or Animal Fats”). Circa year 1918, I feel like this almost fits into today’s lifestyle (in a way).

Movie quotes and quotations as heard from/about the Vegetarian or “health food nut” (that’s what they used to call ’em) of yesteryear, in classic film, movie, and/or television show.

These snippets of dialogue from the old movies give a glimpse at the different ways that people have judged just what foods are considered “healthy” (check out how “gluten” was once considered a health food).

    1.  Annie Hall (1977) — An outdoor table at a trendy Los Angeles health food restaurant (filmed at the 1970’s restaurant,”The Source”, on Sunset):
      • New Yorker, Alvy Singer (played by Woody Allen), giving his order to the waitress: “I’m gonna have the alfalfa sprouts and a plate of mashed yeast.”
    2.  Sitting Pretty (1948) — On the house stairs, the new live-in babysitter, Mr. Lynn Belvedere (played by Clifton Webb), and Tacey King (Maureen O’Hara), his employer:
      • Mr. Belvedere: “Mrs. King, before I retire for the night may I inquire what time you serve breakfast?”
      • Tacey King: “About 7:30, usually.”
      • Mr. Belvedere: “Thank you. Perhaps I should tell you – I’m a vegetarian. I like fruit juice, coffee, and thinly sliced gluten bread, toasted.”
    3. The Women (1939) — Mary Haines (played by Norma Shearer) serves luncheon (well, her maid does) to a small group of gal pals:
      • Sylvia Fowler (Rosalind Russell), when offered a roll: “No, thank you.”
      • Mary: “Go ahead, dear – no starch, it’s gluten.“
      • Sylvia: “Did you ever know such a housewife!”
    4. Another quote in a scene from The Women (1939) — Setting is at that same “meeting of the gals” luncheon table, when served a salad plate:
      • Edith Potter (Phyllis Povah): “Ohhh, watercress. You know I’d just as soon eat my way across a front lawn.”
    5. By Your Leave (1934) — Ellen Smith (Genevieve Tobin) is talking to her maid, Whiffen (Margaret Hamilton), on the topic of Ellen’s husband, Henry “Hank” Smith:
      • Whiffen: “There’s something wrong with him.”
      • Ellen: “Oh, I don’t think so. He’s perfectly healthy.”
      • Whiffen: “That’s what you think. Now I know he doesn’t want his food seasoned, but what harm is there in a little salt?”
      • Ellen lightly laughs and says: “Well, Mr. Smith says that salt hardens the arteries.”
      • Whiffen: “Huh! He just says that to spite me!”
    6. Symphony of Six Million (1932) — Felix and Jessica (childhood sweethearts, now grown and dating – he’s a doctor) are on a date at Dreamland Park, standing next to a hot dog stand.
      • Jessica (played by Irene Dunne): “I’m starved! Would you prescribe a Hot Dog, doctor?”
      • Felix (played by Ricardo Cortez): “I should say not, they’re not good for you. Take any mustard?”
      • Jessica: “Well, if it isn’t too hot! (he scoops some from a small bowl onto a hot dog).”
        (A roller coaster ride follows.)
    7. Week-End With Father (1951) — Setting: a health food restaurant near a kid’s summer camp, characters Don Adams (Richard Denning) and Jean Bowen (Patricia Neal) are out for lunch with her two young sons, Gary and David.
      • Don: “Now, after that we’ll have a Soya-Bean Meatloaf – uh, that’s a meat loaf without any — say, maybe you’d prefer some Swiss Gluten Steaks.”
      • Jean: “Oh, yes – a steak would be nice, wouldn’t it, boys?!”
      • Don: “It’s not really a steak. It’s made of gluten, flour, gravy, and a couple of other things that are good for you.”
      • Gary: “Why can’t I have a hamburger, Mom?”
        (A wee bit later Don says “Keep yourself alert with yogurt for dessert!” — Oh that wacky health food nut!)
    8. The Doughgirls (1944) — The “Doughgirls” are inside their hotel room (the bridal suite) at the “Grayson Hotel” in Washington D.C. at the height of a wartime housing shortage:
      • Nan (played by Alexis Smith): “Nevermind, Natalia. Now get going – and bring home the bacon.”
      • Sgt. Natalia Moskoroff (played by Eve Arden, as a Russian unfamiliar with American slang): “No bacon. It’s Meatless Tuesday!”.
        (Note: Nan is referring to money, but Natalia mistakes it for real “bacon”. —- Also to note: Meatless Tuesday was a real WWII day to “help win the War. Also was in WWI.)
    9. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) — Engaged couple Toula Portokalos (Nia Vardalos) and Ian Miller (John Corbett) are at a “meet the family” party with Toula’s big, extended Greek family including Aunt Voula (Andrea Martin):
      • Toula: “Ian is a vegetarian. He doesn’t eat meat.”
      • Aunt Voula: “He don’t eat no meat?”
      • Toula: “No, he doesn’t eat meat.”
      • Aunt Voula: “What do you mean he don’t eat no MEAT?!!” (followed by shocked silence as the whole room goes quiet!).
      • Aunt Voula: “Oh, that’s okay. That’s okay, I make lamb.”
    10. Sleeper (1973):
      • Miles Monroe (played by Woody Allen): “This stuff tastes awful. I could make a fortune selling it in my health food store.”
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