Memorable Quotes from Brian Donlevy
13 quotesThe Consequences of Personal Decisions in Business
Mr. Brown
Why did you do it, Joe?
Joe McClure
I told you, he pulled a gun on me. What did you want me to do?
Mr. Brown
With your kind of brain, there's nothing else you could do. I'm trying to run an impersonal business. Killing is very personal. Once it gets started, it's hard to stop.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Reflections on Age and Capability
Joe McClure
I guess I'm getting too old to handle a gun.
Mr. Brown
Yeah, maybe you're just getting too old, Joe.
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The Consequences of Desertion and Mercy
Sergeant Markoff
The punishment for desertion is death by the firing squad. But I'm going to be merciful. You can escape again...I insist that you escape!... Drive them out where you found them. And keep them away from the oasis. Any more of you want to desert? If you do, you can go now. I won't stop you. Later, you may wish you'd taken my offer, I promise you.
[To the scouts; Turning back with a scowl toward the legionnaires]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Understanding Through Unusual Hobbies
Kent
Mr. Destry, before we start drinking, I think you and me oughta come to an understanding.
Destry
Well, I'm all for folks understandin each other. That's a mighty fine idea, Mr. Kent.
Kent
I'm glad you agree with me. So I'll start by telling you that I have a very peculiar hobby.
Destry
So have I. Mine's carvin napkin rings. What's yours?
Kent
Mine's collectin deputy sheriff's guns. Whenever I meet a new deputy, I always ask him for his gun. And I ask em real nice.
[The saloon empties out]
Destry
Well, I'm sorry Mr. Kent, I'm afraid this here's one gun your collection's gonna be minus.
Kent
You mean I'm gonna have to take it?
Destry
If you can. Now hold on, hold on. Don't get excited here. I was just tryin to tell ya that I ain't got any guns. You see, if I would have had a gun there, why, one of us might have got hurt - and it might have been me. I wouldn't like that, would I?
[Kent laughs]
Bugs
Tweet, tweet. I'm a canary. Where's my cage?
Gyp
It's gettin sunny. Where's my parasol?
Kent
Folks - seems like we got a deputy that knows what's good for him. If he don't carry a gun, he can't get into any trouble. And if anybody comes to you, you come to Uncle.
Destry
I'll remember that, Mr. Kent.
Kent
What'll you have, deputy?
[They turn and face the bar]
Loupgerou
Milk?
Destry
Yeah, I think I will.
Frenchy
I can see now how you cleaned up Tombstone. You can start right here - and don't forget the corners.
[hands Destry a broom and a wooden bucket full of water]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Cost of Duty in Conflict
Sergeant Markoff
Everybody does his duty - and soon enough. Dead or alive. We'll make those Arabs think we got a thousand men. The rest of the bullets you stop won't hurt as much as that first one.
[propping up dead bodies]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Consequences of Failed Rebellion
Sergeant Markoff
The attempt at mutiny is over, my children. You bungled it so much it wasn't really a mutiny. But you'll be punished as though it were. And now, you scum! It's my turn. I'm going to give you a lesson in putting down an attempted mutiny that'll be the last thing you'll ever see. Maybe this will make you die happy. Markoff thanks you. When he's an officer and has the Legion of Honor, he'll think often of the stupid, blundering pigs that put him where he is.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Power and Control in Military Loyalty
Sergeant Markoff
Look at them. They come when I want them, and they go when I don't need them anymore. They're beaten, but they've put down a mutiny for me. They've given me the Legion of Honor, and they've made me an officer!
[as the Arabs flee]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Planning for the Next Steps Ahead
Kent
Nice work, honey.
Frenchy
Practice makes perfect.
Kent
Well that does it. This gives us a solid strip of land right across the valley.
Frenchy
And what do we do now?
Cowboy
Nothin', until those cattlemen try to drive their herds through without payin'.
Bugs
How many steers will come through?
Kent
Last year, there were 350,000. Now if we charge em twenty-five cents a head, that makes...$87,500.
Bugs
Now that's money.
Frenchy
We're rich!
Gyp
I'll get my gal's teeth plugged with diamonds and just set and watch her smile.
[Frenchy stuffs the signed-over deed to the land into her low-cut dress]
Kent
I'll take care of that.
[as he grabs the paper]
Frenchy
I'd rather have cash - in the bank.
[She takes some gold coins from the poker game and drops them down the front of her dress]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Conversation About Loss and Regret
Major Rufus Cobb
There's no use. She's dead. This is bad! Mighty bad! I'm sure sorry!
[standing over Mrs. Samuel's body]
Barshee
Well, I'm sorry too!
Major Rufus Cobb
Oh, I wasn't talking about her. She's gone. It's you I'm sorry fer.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Call to Continue Fighting Against Adversity
Sergeant Markoff
Keep shooting, you scum! You'll get a chance yet to die with your boots on!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Importance of Discipline in Leadership
Sergeant Markoff
Discipline makes the strength of armies. It is necessary that superiors obtain from their subordinates immediate obedience without murmuring. Discipline will be firm but it will also be fatherly. Officers must use psychology when dealing with men. Any questions about the regulations? I am Sgt. Markoff. I make soldiers out of scum like you, and I don't do it gently. You're the sloppiest looking lot I've ever seen. It's up to me to prevent you from becoming a disgrace to the regiment. And I will prevent that if I have to kill half of you with work. But the half that lives will be soldiers - I promise you.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Choosing Between Liquor and Law Enforcement
Dimsdale
Then I'm off the liquor. A man has gotta choose between the bottle and the badge.
Bartender
Aw, he didn't say that, or did he?
Dimsdale
Shut up, you fools. But I'm tellin you, this town of Bottleneck has gotta respect law and order or I'll put everybody in jail.
Slade
The Sheriff's right. Now you can see why I chose such a strong-minded man.
Kent
We're all with ya, Sheriff. If you need any help, I'll be your deputy.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Conflicting Views on Authority and Justice
Joe McClure
Mr. Brown is a very reasonable man. You don't know him.
Leonard Diamond
Oh, is he? Well I'm not. I intend to make life very difficult for your Mr. Brown.
Joe McClure
You shouldn't talk like that, Lieutenant. You're overstepping your authority.
Mr. Brown
Joe, the man has reason to hate me. His salary is $96.50 a week. The busboys in my hotel make better money than that. Don't you see, Joe? He's a righteous man.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.