Film Quote of the Day: The Eva Marie Saint Line That Made 'North by Northwest' Impossible to Forget

Key Points:

• Eva Marie Saint, renowned for her role as Eve Kendall in Alfred Hitchcock's 1959 film North by Northwest, passed away at 102, marking the loss of the oldest living Academy Award winner at the time of her death.
• Saint's iconic dining car scene with Cary Grant in North by Northwest is famous for its flirtatious and forward dialogue, notably the line "I never discuss love on an empty stomach," which was originally "I never make love on an empty stomach" before studio censors demanded a change.
• The scene exemplifies powerful sexual tension and subtext, with Hitchcock’s direction emphasizing voice control, restrained gestures, and intense eye contact to craft the character of a confident, savvy spy woman.
• Despite the forced line change due to censorship, the altered dialogue arguably enhanced the scene’s wit and subtlety, contributing to its lasting impact and frequent quotation among film fans.
• Saint's career spanned six decades, including an Oscar-winning performance in On the Waterfront and a later role as Martha Kent in Superman Returns, showcasing her enduring presence in cinema.