What are some gripping opening lines from films or books, and why do you think they work so well? View other answers

I have never seen a book, film, song, or anything with an opening line to match one old entry by daysgoby (formerly anjimito), here:

On the way home today, while crossing the Fuller-Warren bridge, someone threw a kitten out of their window.

God themself could not write a more gripping first sentence.

(Edit: This entry was reposted to readers_list here, in the event that daysgoby is lost.)

(Also: The kitten came out all right, and went to live in a new, loving home. Sorry to spoil the ending for you. ^_^ )