--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: 'Paris, Texas' is the first film that…" description: "\"'Paris, Texas' is the first film that I've totally cared about, the first movie I totally wanted to do - and that after 27 years that I considered my p..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/harry-dean-stanton-4043_cinema_paris-texas-is-the-first-film-that-i-ve_641842.jpg" --- # 'Paris, Texas' is the first film that I've totally cared… ![“'Paris, Texas' is the first film that I've totally cared about, the first movie I totally wanted to do - and that after 27 years that I considered my prison term.” quote by Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/harry-dean-stanton-4043_cinema_paris-texas-is-the-first-film-that-i-ve_641842.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/harry-dean-stanton-4043_cinema_paris-texas-is-the-first-film-that-i-ve_641842.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/harry-dean-stanton-4043_cinema_paris-texas-is-the-first-film-that-i-ve_641842.jpg) > “'Paris, Texas' is the first film that I've totally cared about, the first movie I totally wanted to do - and that after 27 years that I considered my prison term.” [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He expresses deep personal connection to the film 'Paris, Texas' after decades of feeling trapped. **In simple terms:** Film resonated after long confinement. Key Takeaway Seek art that frees you. Themes art personal growth freedom Mood reflective inspired Type cinematic personal When to use this quote - career choice - creative projects - mental health - breaking routines Key Concepts cinema self-discovery Questions to Reflect On - What art has liberated you? - How long does it take to find such connection? A Different Perspective Emotional intensity may be subjective. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Movie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movie/) [Paris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paris/) [Prison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prison/) [Texas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/texas/) ## Related quotes > [If I never did another film after 'Paris, Texas,' I'd be happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/if-i-never-did-another-film-after-paris-texas-i-d-be-happy/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I like to watch 'Paris, Texas,' but I have no desire to see it. I did it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-like-to-watch-paris-texas-but-i-have-no-desire-to-see-it-i-did-it/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I totally cared - that I didn't have access to the money to get the coolest clothes ate away at me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-mccary/i-totally-cared-that-i-didn-t-have-access-to-the-money-to-get-the/) [Dave McCary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-mccary/) > [I'm from Paris, Texas, okay! I remember looking up and just dreaming to one day make it on an airplane.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shangela/i-m-from-paris-texas-okay-i-remember-looking-up-and-just-dreaming-to/) [Shangela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shangela/) > [My favorite films are 'Paris, Texas' and 'Repo Man.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/my-favorite-films-are-paris-texas-and-repo-man/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > ['Paris, Texas' gave me a chance to play compassion, and I'm spelling that with a capital C.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/paris-texas-gave-me-a-chance-to-play-compassion-and-i-m-spelling-that/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I once found myself in Paris, Texas, possibly the most curious juxtaposition of place names in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-macdonald/i-once-found-myself-in-paris-texas-possibly-the-most-curious/) [Neil Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-macdonald/) > [I grew up as a little gay boy in Paris, Texas, which was a very conservative community and I had a strong religious background…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shangela/i-grew-up-as-a-little-gay-boy-in-paris-texas-which-was-a-very/) [Shangela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shangela/) > [I made it from Paris, Texas, to Paris on the Strip. Who else can say that?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shangela/i-made-it-from-paris-texas-to-paris-on-the-strip-who-else-can-say-that/) [Shangela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shangela/) > [I promised my wife 27 years ago when I left Florida State that I'd bring her back to Florida. I'm a little late, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-corso/i-promised-my-wife-27-years-ago-when-i-left-florida-state-that-i-d/) [Lee Corso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-corso/) > [I became a head football coach when I was 27 years old at Miami of Ohio.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ara-parseghian/i-became-a-head-football-coach-when-i-was-27-years-old-at-miami-of/) [Ara Parseghian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ara-parseghian/) > [The important thing is that ever since I realized all the wrongs that I had done, I have been trying to correct them for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-wahlberg/the-important-thing-is-that-ever-since-i-realized-all-the-wrongs-that/) [Mark Wahlberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-wahlberg/) > [Nelson Mandela is a leader Barack Obama should try to emulate... He could start by spending 27 years in prison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-imus/nelson-mandela-is-a-leader-barack-obama-should-try-to-emulate-he/) [Don Imus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-imus/) > [Barbra Streisand developed overwhelming performance anxiety at the height of her career; for 27 years she refused to perform for the general public, appearing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-stossel/barbra-streisand-developed-overwhelming-performance-anxiety-at-the/) [Scott Stossel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-stossel/) > [I did not know it then, but Frida had already become the most important fact in my life. And would continue to be, up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-rivera/i-did-not-know-it-then-but-frida-had-already-become-the-most/) [Diego Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-rivera/) ## More by Harry Dean Stanton > [Fame in itself is, you know... It involves a whole discussion on just that word, 'fame.' It's a power; it's another degree of power,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/fame-in-itself-is-you-know-it-involves-a-whole-discussion-on-just/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I watch television. Game shows - I hate the hosts and the people on them, and I love the questions and the answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-watch-television-game-shows-i-hate-the-hosts-and-the-people-on-them/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I was singing the blues when I was six. Kind of sad, eh?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-was-singing-the-blues-when-i-was-six-kind-of-sad-eh/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I never liked being ordered around - which, of course, was an overreaction. I eventually found out that I didn't mind being ordered around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-never-liked-being-ordered-around-which-of-course-was-an/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I've never been ambitious about recording](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-ve-never-been-ambitious-about-recording/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I know little stories that happen to people around me, and I can repeat that in a way that has some color.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-know-little-stories-that-happen-to-people-around-me-and-i-can/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I worked with the best directors - Martin Scorsese, John Huston, David Lynch, Alfred Hitchcock. Alfred Hitchcock was great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-worked-with-the-best-directors-martin-scorsese-john-huston-david/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [The first film I ever remember - I think my mother took me to it - was called 'She Married Her Boss' with Melvyn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/the-first-film-i-ever-remember-i-think-my-mother-took-me-to-it-was/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [The band I've played with for 10 or 12 years now, we've been all over, but we mostly play in LA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/the-band-i-ve-played-with-for-10-or-12-years-now-we-ve-been-all-over/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [When man began to think he was a separate person with a separate soul, it created a violent situation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/when-man-began-to-think-he-was-a-separate-person-with-a-separate-soul/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I was the classic killer. I always played an angry man. I think it was because I used to really be like that -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-was-the-classic-killer-i-always-played-an-angry-man-i-think-it-was/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I like to watch 'Paris, Texas,' but I have no desire to see it. I did it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-like-to-watch-paris-texas-but-i-have-no-desire-to-see-it-i-did-it/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I would've preferred to blossom earlier in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-would-ve-preferred-to-blossom-earlier-in-life/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I do the same series of five exercises 21 times each day - an ancient Tibetan practice that stimulates your chakras.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-do-the-same-series-of-five-exercises-21-times-each-day-an-ancient/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [I've never seen a Western that was really truthful. Most are just morality plays. Good guys and bad guys - and the good guys…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-ve-never-seen-a-western-that-was-really-truthful-most-are-just/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) [Explore all 116 Harry Dean Stanton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) ## More Cinema quotes > [I made, like, five movies while I was in college. I think they just weren't memorable movies. I've taken breaks as the years have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodie-foster/i-made-like-five-movies-while-i-was-in-college-i-think-they-just/) [Jodie Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodie-foster/) > [You have to have a great director to make a great movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/you-have-to-have-a-great-director-to-make-a-great-movie/) [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [I wasn't attracted to American cinema, but I fell in love with Los Angeles the minute I arrived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-varda/i-wasn-t-attracted-to-american-cinema-but-i-fell-in-love-with-los/) [Agnes Varda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-varda/) > [There was a time in the 1980s when I worked in 22 films a year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radha-ravi/there-was-a-time-in-the-1980s-when-i-worked-in-22-films-a-year/) [Radha Ravi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radha-ravi/) > [To an ever greater extent out experience is governed by pictures, pictures in newspapers and magazines, on television and in the cinema. Next to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-crimp/to-an-ever-greater-extent-out-experience-is-governed-by-pictures/) [Douglas Crimp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-crimp/) > [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/) [Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [I love film people and actors and I am in the right world because I am one of those people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ewan-mcgregor/i-love-film-people-and-actors-and-i-am-in-the-right-world-because-i/) [Ewan McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ewan-mcgregor/) > [Personally, I prefer contemporary films, but the market calls for more period choices, especially since China opened up a cinema market in Hong Kong.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/personally-i-prefer-contemporary-films-but-the-market-calls-for-more/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [I'd love to work in the States; I'd love to work anywhere where you get a good script and a good part to play.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-carmichael/i-d-love-to-work-in-the-states-i-d-love-to-work-anywhere-where-you/) [Laura Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-carmichael/) > [I even see the cinema itself as a woman, with its alternation of light and darkness, of appearing and disappearing images](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/federico-fellini/i-even-see-the-cinema-itself-as-a-woman-with-its-alternation-of-light/) [Federico Fellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/federico-fellini/) > ['Rear Window' isn't really a horror film, but it is a psychological drama, which I love. It is very tense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-silvers/rear-window-isn-t-really-a-horror-film-but-it-is-a-psychological/) [Diana Silvers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-silvers/) > [What a thrill. You know you've entered new territory when you realise that your outfit cost more than your film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-yu/what-a-thrill-you-know-you-ve-entered-new-territory-when-you-realise/) Jessica Yu > [I am not interested in churning out a certain number of films every year. For me, it's about the quality of work. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepika-padukone/i-am-not-interested-in-churning-out-a-certain-number-of-films-every/) [Deepika Padukone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepika-padukone/) [Browse all 23,940 Cinema quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "'Paris, Texas' is the first film that I've totally cared about, the first movie I totally wanted to do - and that after 27 years that I considered my prison term.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Harry Dean Stanton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/paris-texas-is-the-first-film-that-i-ve-totally-cared-about-the-first/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cinema" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/paris-texas-is-the-first-film-that-i-ve-totally-cared-about-the-first/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/harry-dean-stanton-4043_cinema_paris-texas-is-the-first-film-that-i-ve_641842.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/harry-dean-stanton-4043_cinema_paris-texas-is-the-first-film-that-i-ve_641842.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/harry-dean-stanton-4043_cinema_paris-texas-is-the-first-film-that-i-ve_641842.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“'Paris, Texas' is the first film that I've totally cared about, the first movie I totally wanted to do - and…” — Harry Dean Stanton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Harry Dean Stanton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "'Paris, Texas' is the first film...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/paris-texas-is-the-first-film-that-i-ve-totally-cared-about-the-first/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/paris-texas-is-the-first-film-that-i-ve-totally-cared-about-the-first/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```