Edmond O'Brien Quotes

Awareness of Public Opinion in Journalism

Dutton Peabody I'd be a poor newspaperman indeed if I didn't know what everybody else knows!

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The Conscience of Shinbone

Dutton Peabody No! No! No you don't! No! I... I'm a newspaperman, not a politician! No, politicians are my meat - I build em up and I tear em down but I wouldn't be one I couldn't be one - it'd destroy me - gimme a...

[protesting his nomination to the statehood convention]

Tom Doniphon Bar's closed.

Dutton Peabody Good people of Shinbone, I... I... I'm your conscience - I'm the still, small voice that thunders in the night. I'm your watchdog that howls against the wolves! I'm - I'm your father confessor! I... I... I'm... what else am I?

Tom Doniphon Town drunk?

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The Killers

Unraveling Secrets of the Swede's Money

Jim Reardon You don't know what the Swede did with the money or you wouldn't be here tearing his room to pieces. But maybe you do know things that put together with the things I know will tell me where the money is.

[to Dum Dum]

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D.O.A.

Suspicion and Betrayal in Relationships

Frank Bigelow You're mighty careful about the picture of a man you haven't heard from in months. What does the Ray stand for?

[about Reynolds; about a signature on the photo]

Marla Rakubian It was a pet name. Do you mind?

Frank Bigelow It all sounds very cozy, Miss Rakubian. You and Reynolds call each other pet names while you make a sucker out of Philips.

Marla Rakubian Philips made the deal because he wanted it.

Frank Bigelow Yeah, I'll bet you weren't above using what it takes to make him want it. Who's paying for this trip?

Marla Rakubian I am.

Frank Bigelow Really? A first class trip to Buenos Aires on a model's salary? Don't make me laugh. Since you and Reynolds won't be seeing each other anymore, you don't mind if I keep this, do you?

Marla Rakubian If I were a man, I'd punch your dirty face in.

Frank Bigelow You know I really believe you would.

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The Killers

Mysterious Motives Behind a Killings

Jim Reardon This isn't a two-for-a-nickel shooting. Two professional killers show up in a small town and put the blast on a filling station attendant. A nobody. There was no attempted robbery. They were out for only one thing. To kill him. Why?

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The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

The Unsteady Hand Reveals Truth

Dutton Peabody The unsteady hand betrays.

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The Web

Wealth and Expectations in Relationships

Bob Regan When I'm worth forty million dollars, I'm going to have a secretary looks exactly like you.

Noel Faraday Oh, my tastes are fairly simple. Twenty million would be quite enough.

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The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

Courage and Redemption in Challenging Times

Dutton Peabody Liberty Valance defeated. D-E-F-E-E... T-E-D? The unsteady hand betrays. What's the matter, Mr. Peabody? Are you afraid? The answer is indub... yes. No courage left. Well, courage can be purchased at yon tavern. But have we credit? That is the question. Have we credit? Well, credit is cheap. Wait for me, old servant of the public weal. Our shining hour is yet to come. As for you, ], go west, old man, and grow young with the country.

[Finding his liquor jug empty; [Horace Greeley]

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The Web

Accessing Mr. Colby: A Business Inquiry

Bob Regan How many doors and secretaries do you have to go through to get to see this guy?

Noel Faraday Anything I can do for you?

Bob Regan Any number of things but unfortunately I'm here on business. I want to see Mr Colby.

Noel Faraday What did you want to see him about?

Bob Regan Well he's been carrying on with my grandmother, I'd like to find out what his intentions are...

Noel Faraday If you have any business with Mr Colby...

Bob Regan I've lots of business but it's all personal.

Noel Faraday I'm his secretary - his personal secretary.

Bob Regan Well it just goes to show you how far a girl can get if she keeps her stockings seams straight. Don't get up! I'll announce myself...

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D.O.A.

The Impact of Love on Relationships

Frank Bigelow But you don't know what it can do to two people, Paula, and the woman always gets hurt more than the man.

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The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

The Rise of Law and Order

Tom Doniphon Well, now; I wonder what scared em off?

[after facing down Valance]

Dutton Peabody You know what scared em - the spectacle of law and order here, risin up out of the gravy and the mashed potatoes.

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D.O.A.

Confronting the Illusion of Life and Death

Frank Bigelow You knew who I was when I came here today. But you were surprised to see me alive, weren't you? But I'm not alive, Mrs. Philips. Sure, I can stand here and talk to you. I can breathe and I can move. But I'm not alive. Because I did take that poison, and nothing can save me.

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D.O.A.

A Drunken Promise Amidst Financial Worries

Frank Bigelow Forget the bills. You know that coat you want? Get it.

Paula Gibson You are drunk.

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The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

The Nature of True Drinking

Dutton Peabody A beer’s not drinking.

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D.O.A.

Reporting a Murder to Law Enforcement

Homicide Detective Can I help you?

Frank Bigelow I'd like to see the man in charge.

Detective In here...

Frank Bigelow I want to report a murder.

Homicide Captain Sit down. Where was this murder committed?

Frank Bigelow San Francisco, last night.

Captain Who was murdered?

Frank Bigelow I was.

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D.O.A.

Reassurance Amidst Uncertainty

Paula Gibson Frank, I don't know how to say this.

Frank Bigelow Say what?

Paula Gibson Well, what I want to say is that there's nothing you can do that you ever have to feel guilty about.

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D.O.A.

Confronting the Reality of Mortality

Frank Bigelow Do you realize what you're saying? You're telling me that I'm dead!

[After being told his grim prognosis]

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The Killers

Betrayal Revealed Through Midnight Message

Jim Reardon He (Dum Dum) said Kitty brought him word at midnight about the changed meeting place. The half-way house didn't burn down till nearly three in the morning. That meant Kitty had a partner. And who could it be but you.

[to Colfax]

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D.O.A.

Curiosity About a Mysterious Woman

Frank Bigelow Who's the blonde?

Eddie Oh she's one of the chicks that hang around here; she's jive crazy.

D.O.A.

The Reality of a Grim Diagnosis

Frank Bigelow Give it to me straight, doctor!

Dr. MacDonald Well, a number of things are involved, the systemic condition of the individual, the amount consumed...

Frank Bigelow Yes?

Dr. MacDonald You won't feel too badly for a while. Then it will happen suddenly. A day, two days... a week at the most.

Frank Bigelow A day... Two days...

[in a daze]

Dr. MacDonald There's nothing that can be done now. If it had been caught in time, your stomach could have been washed out. But you've had it in you for some time now... for at least twelve hours, haven't you, Bigelow?

Frank Bigelow I don't know.

Dr. MacDonald You don't know?

[surprised]

Frank Bigelow No!

Dr. MacDonald Don't you know how you got it?

Frank Bigelow No!

Dr. MacDonald Then this is no accident. Somebody knew how to handle that stuff. That wax is tasteless and odorless, and the amount of alcohol in your body, you must have got it in liquor.

Frank Bigelow I was drinking last night.

Dr. MacDonald I'll arrange for your admission to the hospital immediately. Of course, I'll have to notify the police. This is a case for Homicide.

Frank Bigelow Homicide?

Dr. MacDonald I don't think you fully understand, Bigelow. You've been murdered.

The Killers

Consequences of Past Actions Catching Up

Jim Reardon As soon as you could break away, you left him flat. I'd like to have known the old Kitty Collins. You were in the clear because no one knew you'd been with the Swede. You had nothing to fear from anyone. Too bad it had to catch up with you now.

[to Kitty]

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

Fundamental Laws of Democracy Discussed at Bar

Dutton Peabody I'll have the usual, Jack.

[during voting for the territorial convention]

Jack, Barman The bar is closed, Mister Editor, during voting.

Dutton Peabody Bar's closed?

Tom Doniphon You can blame your lawyer friend. He says that's one of the "Fundamental laws of democracy." No exception.

Dutton Peabody No exceptions for the working press? Why, that's carrying democracy much too far!

The Killers

Suspicion Surrounds Missing Money and Disappearing Girl

Jim Reardon I think she knows where the money is...The Swede and some girl checked into an Atlantic City hotel the night of the holdup. Two days later, the girl took a powder. I've got an idea the dough went with her.

[to Dum Dum, about Kitty]

The Killers

Betrayal and Greed in The Killers

Jim Reardon It was Kitty Collins and not the Swede that reaped the golden harvest...When the gang met to divvy up after the robbery, the Swede pulled a fast one and walked off with the whole take...That same night, he and Kitty were together in Atlantic City. She walked out on him a couple of days later. The money disappeared when she did.

Memorable Quotes from Edmond O'Brien