Where did "Genius of the restoration, aid in our resuscitaition!" come from?

May 22, 2006 6:51 AM

What is the etymology of "Genius of the restoration / Aid in our resuscitation" from The Last Crusade? Remember? Marcus and Dr. Jones Sr. do a little dance in a german tank, and Jones says "Genius of the Re-Sto-Ration!" and Marcus automatically replies "Aid in our Resus-ci-tation!" Anybody know where this came from? It smacks of inside Ivy League joke, and I want to know bad. Thanks metafilter.
posted by excitementMD to media & arts (5 comments total)

From the script:


They exchange an old University Club toast, swinging their arms at one another
and missing. Then HENRY flaps his arms and tugs his ears.

HENRY
"Genius of the Restoration—"

Now BRODY tugs his ears, flaps his arms and touches his head.

BRODY
"—aid our own resuscitation!"

They exchange a handshake.
posted by CunningLinguist at 6:59 AM on May 22, 2006

Its an old toast traditionally given at the University Club in Manhattan.
posted by ND¢ at 7:41 AM on May 22, 2006

Well, the actual quote is "Dad thinks he recalls it's an old toast traditionally given at the University Club in Manhattan." Not exactly nailed-down, I'd say, though certainly suggestive. Try contacting the club.
posted by languagehat at 8:19 AM on May 22, 2006

Um, did you even read the script snippet I posted?


They exchange an old University Club toast
posted by CunningLinguist at 8:29 AM on May 22, 2006

If you're talking to me, yes, I read it, and that's suggestive too. But as someone who's very picky about accuracy and sourcing, I'll believe it when I hear it from the club or see it at an official club site.
posted by languagehat at 8:44 AM on May 22, 2006