Scarface Has One Of The Coldest Lines In Gangster Movie History, And It’s Not “Say Hello To My Little Friend”

Published Oct 3, 2026, 3:55 PM EDT Anthony is a news reporter and a guide writer who has covered the entertainment industry for five years. He has covered a wide range of genres, including aviation incidents and international crime, and has a keen eye for details that may slip under the radar. When he's not writing, Anthony can be found at Brands Hatch race track or at home watching indie horror movies nobody has heard of. Scarface is widely - and rightfully - regarded as one of the greatest gangster movies ever made. That acclaim is no small feat, considering the other movies in that conversation. Al Pacino stars in a career-defining role as Tony Montana. He's a small-time criminal with grand ambitions, and he quickly climbs the ranks, standing shoulder to shoulder with some particularly dangerous people. Montana's sudden rise to power in the criminal underworld is almost as fascinating as his colossal downfall. He's driven and ruthless, but that drive also gets him into trouble. Montana has no boundaries. However, despite making exorbitant amounts of money and owning everything he set out to get, he's still left wanting more by the end as his empire crumbles around him. Al Pacino brings Montana to life, with a commanding presence in every scene. He's not a hero, and the film doesn't portray him as one. We see Montana hurt those around him the most, and the toll it takes on him as he becomes increasingly reliant on drugs. Events reach a boiling point when he refuses to let a plan claim the lives of innocent children. It's a redemption moment for Montana, even if that decision ultimately claims his life. Montana's wild behavior makes him extraordinarily watchable. He also has a sharp tongue and a dangerously short fuse. That combination makes him endlessly quotable, with dozens of memorable lines fans can quote off the top of their heads. One-liners like "Say hello to my little friend" are legendary and remain an important part of pop culture. Still, some lines are arguably even more impactful, shaping Montana into one of the gangster movie genre's most memorable characters. Why Say Hello To My Little Friend Isn't The Best Line In Scarface "Say hello to my little friend" is widely regarded as a legendary movie quote. It's so well known that it transcends the genre, and many casual moviegoers have heard of it even if they've never watched Scarface. The line is also referenced and parodied in other titles. Even Jim Carrey's Ace Ventura uses it as he attacks people armed with a skunk in When Nature Calls. The line is also very on-brand for Montana, aggressively defiant in the face of unbeatable odds. However, another line that arguably defines Montana even more is from much earlier in the movie. Montana tells Sosa (Paul Shenar), "All I have in this world is my balls and my word." It's a brilliant line, and one Tony mostly stays true to throughout the movie. Montana does some terrible things in Scarface, but he's usually brutally honest, and his word really does mean something. He also appears fearless, even as he witnesses his friend getting attacked with a chainsaw. Several characters in Scarface comment on Montana's honesty throughout the movie, which likely contributes to his rapid climb to power. His words aren't always what people want to hear, but he stays faithful to that mantra until the end. 5 More Iconic Scarface Quotes & Why We Love Them Al Pacino portrayed Tony Montana in a way that makes it feel like nobody could be better suited to the role. The movie is almost three hours long, yet so much of Montana's dialogue is memorable and quotable. Before Montana says his line about his word to Sosa, he claims, "I never ****** over anybody in my life [who] didn't have it coming to them." It's a great, revealing quote that tells the audience about his moral compass. Another quote Montana drops early on comes during a conversation with Manny (Steven Bauer). A woman has just slapped Manny by a pool. Montana says, "When you get the money, you get the power. Then when you get the power, then you get the woman." These quotes go hand in hand, foreshadowing Frank's (Robert Loggia) downfall. Frank's failed hit forces Montana to take action because he crossed him. He quickly assumes power, and later weds Elvira (Michelle Pfeiffer). The scene where Montana meets Frank after the failed assassination attempt is extraordinarily intense. Manny ultimately shoots Frank, and Montana shoots Bernstein (Harris Yulin). Ernie (Arnaldo Santana) is the only other person in the room, and the brooding music suggests Manny or Montana may just execute him. Instead, the music suddenly stops, and Montana asks, "Wanna job Ernie?" Ernie accepts, and shakily takes a deserved drink. "Say goodnight to the bad guy" is another incredible quote, putting the icing on the cake of the already brilliant restaurant scene. Montana has just been ejected from an upmarket restaurant. He rants about people not having the guts to be what they want, but the uncomfortable silence around the venue makes the moment hit so much harder. Finally, Scarface is a serious movie, but it does have some funny moments. One of those happens when Montana is arguing with Elvira while watching TV. Elvira is angry that Montana is always talking about money. Out of nowhere, Montana suddenly blurts out, "Manny, look at the pelican fly. Come on, pelican!" It's hilarious, and even funnier when you realize the birds are, in fact, flamingos. Release Date April 9, 1932 Runtime 93 Minutes Director Howard Hawks Cast Paul Muni Antonio Tony Camonte Ann Dvorak Francesca Cesca Camonte Writers Armitage Trail, Ben Hecht