Yeah, but you can’t prove it.
Genuine
Yes. In She Done Him Wrong (1933), Lady Lou’s introduction to Serge Stanieff, after he says he has heard much about her, said by Lady Lou. These are the character’s words, not a statement in West’s own voice.
Checked against She Done Him Wrong (Paramount, 1933), directed by Lowell Sherman; Lady Lou’s introduction to Serge Stanieff; published dialogue transcription at Springfield! Springfield!, in a full-text transcription.
- Work
- She Done Him Wrong, 1933
- Where
- Lady Lou’s introduction to Serge Stanieff, after he says he has heard much about her
- Source
- She Done Him Wrong (Paramount, 1933), directed by Lowell Sherman; Lady Lou’s introduction to Serge Stanieff; published dialogue transcription at Springfield! Springfield!
- Checked
- In a full-text transcription
Researched by AI. Entry updated 29 October 2026. Editorial review: pending. How we check
About this quote
The scene
Rita introduces Serge Stanieff to Lady Lou. Lou tells Gus to take a look and learn something, and Serge declares himself delighted and says that he has heard much about her. Lou treats the conventional compliment as an accusation needing evidence; the conversation then turns to Serge’s work as Rita’s assistant and to Lou’s photographs.
What it means
She implies that her reputation is scandalous, while refusing to confirm any of the stories. The comic effect comes from answering a polite greeting as if it were a legal allegation.
Often misread
The line is fictional dialogue by Lady Lou, not documentary evidence about Mae West’s private conduct. The compliment belongs to Serge; only the reply is quoted here as West’s character’s speech.
Topics
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Cite it
Mae West, She Done Him Wrong (1933), Lady Lou’s introduction to Serge Stanieff, after he says he has heard much about her. Spoken by Lady Lou. Checked at Quotogeny, https://quotogeny.com/q/yeah-but-you-cant-prove-it/ (29 October 2026).
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Checked by people
People who checked this entry against its source, under their own names. Their checks do not change the verdict: an editor reviews every entry.
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