
Where is my automobile? is a famous quote from the 1984 comedy film Sixteen Candles, uttered by the character Howard, played by Gary Dubin. The film follows Samantha, whose 16th birthday is not going as planned, and the quote is part of a comedic scene involving the character Long Duk Dong, played by Gedde Watanabe, who responds with Oto-mo-biiile?. The scene has been referenced and shared widely on social media platforms like TikTok, and the quote has become a well-known line associated with the film.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Movie Name | Sixteen Candles |
| Year | 1984 |
| Genre | Comedy, Romance |
| Quote | Howard: Dong. Where is my automobile? Long Duk Dong: Oto-mo-biiile? |
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What You'll Learn

'Where is my automobile?' quote
The famous "Where is my automobile?" quote is from the 1984 comedy film Sixteen Candles. In the scene, Howard asks his grandfather, "Dong, where is my automobile?" The grandfather, played by Long Duk Dong, responds with a laugh and says, "Automobile?" Howard then imitates a race car and a crash, to which the grandfather replies, "Lake. Big lake." This is followed by Dorothy Baker kicking the grandfather in the groin. This quote has been used as a voicemail greeting and has gained popularity on TikTok, with over 44.3k likes on one video featuring the quote.
The quote highlights the comedic element of the movie, which revolves around the embarrassments and traumas of a teenage girl, Samantha, on her 16th birthday. The movie established Molly Ringwald as the "teen queen of the '80s."
The popularity of the quote and the movie has led to its continued reference and discussion online, with fans pointing out interesting mistakes and behind-the-scenes facts, such as the woman with the pearl necklace crouching behind the car instead of getting in and the reflection of a man recording the movie through a monitor.
The "Where is my automobile?" quote has become a memorable and recognisable line from Sixteen Candles, contributing to its legacy in popular culture.
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Long Duk Dong
In the scene, Howard (played by Granville Hays) asks Long Duk Dong about the location of his automobile. Long Duk Dong, confused, repeats the word "automobile" and then, laughing, imitates a race car and a crash before replying, "Lake. Big lake." This response prompts Dorothy Baker (played by Edie McClurg) to kick Long Duk Dong in the groin.
The scene has become a well-known and often-quoted moment from the film, with the line "Dong. Where is my automobile?" being referenced in various media and popular culture. The scene also includes a comedic element of physical comedy, with Long Duk Dong's imitation of a race car and a crash adding to the humour.
Overall, Long Duk Dong's involvement in the "where is my automobile" scene in Sixteen Candles has left a lasting impact on popular culture, with the character's unique delivery and the comedic timing of the scene being widely remembered and referenced even decades after the film's release.
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Samantha's 16th birthday
Samantha's sixteenth birthday is anything but sweet. In the 1984 comedy film "Sixteen Candles", Samantha suffers from every embarrassment possible. One of the famous quotes from the movie is "Dong. Where is my automobile?". This quote is said by the character Howard, who is asking about the whereabouts of his car. Long Duk Dong, another character in the movie, responds with "Oto-mo-biiile?". This scene has become a well-known and comedic moment in the film.
The quote "Dong. Where is my automobile?" has become iconic and is often remembered as one of the most memorable lines from the film. It showcases the comedic talent of the actors and the light-hearted tone of the movie. The scene in which this line is delivered adds to the humour, as Long Duk Dong imitates a race car and a crash, followed by Dorothy Baker kicking Dong in the groin.
The movie "Sixteen Candles" has gained a cult following over the years, with fans quoting lines such as "Dong. Where is my automobile?" and creating TikTok videos and voicemail greetings inspired by the film. It has become a classic coming-of-age story, with Samantha's sixteenth birthday representing the trials and tribulations of teenage life.
Overall, Samantha's 16th birthday in "Sixteen Candles" is a memorable and pivotal moment in the film. The quote "Dong. Where is my automobile?" captures the comedic tone of the movie and has become a beloved and recognisable line for fans. The film continues to resonate with audiences, even decades after its release.
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Dinner table scene
The dinner table scene in the 1984 movie Sixteen Candles is memorable for several reasons. Firstly, it introduces the character of Long Duk Dong, who makes a humorous entrance by using a fork and spoon as chopsticks. This scene also showcases the character's ambiguous Asian stereotype, as he is referred to as a "Chinaman" despite having a Vietnamese name and donning Japanese attire in another scene.
During the dinner, Long Duk Dong displays his unique take on dining etiquette by describing the quiche as a "very clever dinner. Appetizing food fit neatly into interesting round pie." The dialogue also includes witty exchanges between other characters, such as Grandpa Fred's response to the quiche: "Well, you don't spell it, son, you eat it."
The scene also sets up the romantic plotline of the movie, as it is during this dinner that the character Geek Ted expresses his interest in Samantha. Despite his awkwardness, he boldly asks, "Is there anything wrong with me trying to put together some kind of relationship between us?" to which Samantha replies with a homophobic slur, calling him a "total fag."
The dinner table scene in Sixteen Candles is a showcase of comedic timing, cultural stereotypes, and the complexities of adolescent relationships, all woven together to create a memorable and impactful scene in the movie.
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Mistakes in the movie
"Sixteen Candles" is a 1984 comedy film that revolves around a girl's "sweet" sixteenth birthday, which turns out to be anything but sweet as she faces numerous embarrassments. While the movie offers entertainment, it is not without its mistakes. Here are some of the errors that sharp-eyed viewers have spotted over the years:
The Car Scene
One of the notable mistakes in the movie involves a scene with Jake and his car. After the crazy party, Jake tells his friend, The Geek (Anthony Michael Hall), to use his dad's car, a Rolls Royce, because The Geek "couldn't drive stick." However, viewers noticed that Jake's car is actually an automatic, not a manual. This discrepancy stands out as a continuity error that some fans of the movie have picked up on.
The Woman with the Pearl Necklace
In one scene, a woman with a pearl necklace is seen crouching behind a car instead of getting into it. This mistake may have gone unnoticed by many viewers, but some keen-eyed fans have brought it up as an example of a movie error.
Dong's Portrayal and the Gong
The character of Long Duk Dong, who utters the famous line "Oto-mo-biiile?" has also been the subject of discussion. Some viewers have pointed out that someone offscreen hits a gong every time Dong appears, which was not edited out. Additionally, the portrayal of Dong has been criticized by some as perpetuating racial stereotypes.
Other Errors
Other smaller mistakes have been noted by attentive viewers. For example, at the dinner table, Dong is seen using a fork and spoon as chopsticks. Furthermore, there is a mix-up with the characters' names; one character refers to Mrs. Poole, but she is actually Mrs. Feldman (played by Billie Bird), and Edie McClurg is the correct Mrs. Poole. Lastly, in one scene, a reflection is visible in the monitor, revealing a man recording the video of the movie.
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Frequently asked questions
Howard says "Dong. Where is my automobile?" to Long Duk Dong.
Long Duk Dong replies, "Oto-mo-biiile?"
Long Duk Dong imitates a race car and a crash, saying "Lake. Big Lake."
Dorothy Baker kicks Dong in the groin and says, "Why, you little scuzzbag!"











































