Memorable Quotes from James Garner
25 quotesConfrontation Over Unfollowed Rules
Jason McCullough
Joe. I took the bullets out. You just won't play the game, will you? I keep layin down the rules, and you don't pay any attention.
[Joe jumps and starts to pull his revolver out of the holster]
Joe Danby
You just wait til my Pa and two brothers find out you got me in here, boy.
[glowers as he hands over the gun and belt]
Jason McCullough
Oh, I'm lookin forward to meetin your whole family.
[he leads Joe back inside the jail]
Joe Danby
If it weren't bad enough that I had to get dragged outta that saloon in front of all my friends...
Jason McCullough
Oh, I don't think you have all that many friends that you really need to worry.
Joe Danby
Then I have to sit there in that lousy cell! Pa's gonna skin me alive for gettin caught!
[he returns to the cell and sits down]
Jason McCullough
He don't mind you murdering a man, he just doesn't like you gettin caught, huh?
Joe Danby
I didn't murder anybody, that was self-defense! It was him or me!
[holds out his wrists as McCullough puts handcuffs on him]
Jason McCullough
Well, we'll let the judge decide that. Ah, we...do have a judge around here, don't we?
Joe Danby
We never needed one til you came along and ruined everything!
Jason McCullough
Spoiled all your fun, huh, Joe?
Joe Danby
You can say that again! Oh, thats funny. That's REAL funny!
[he notices McCullough emptying bullets from his revolver; McCullough grins, winks at him and walks away]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Indifference of Southern Summers to Young Love
Duke
Southern Summers are indifferent to the trials of young love, armed with warnings and doubts. Noah and Allie gave a remarkably convincing portrayal of a boy and a girl traveling down a very long road with no regard for the consequences.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Love Amidst Differences
Duke
They didn't agree on much. In fact, they rarely agreed on anything. They fought all the time, and they challenged each other every day. But despite their differences, they had one important thing in common. They were crazy about each other.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Debating the Nature of Self-Defense
Joe Danby
Alright, y'all saw it! And it was a fair fight. He drew first... so it's self-defense.
[having just killed a man in a draw at the saloon]
Bartender
Oh, I saw it, Joe, he drew first!
Barfly
Oh, you couldn't call that anything but self-defense!
Jason McCullough
Well, it may have been a lot of things, but self-defense it wasn't. And he didn't draw first; you did.
Joe Danby
...What do you mean by that?
Jason McCullough
Oh, it's an old trick. You did it pretty well; not really well, but pretty well. You feinted him into drawing with your left shoulder, while you were going for your gun with your right hand. It's an old Arizona trick, but I- I have seen it used as far north as Montana.
Joe Danby
... Are you callin me a liar?
[nods]
Jason McCullough
Well, now you heard every word I said, and not once did I call you a liar. All I said was, you feinted him with your left shoulder into going for his gun while you were going for yours with your right hand.
Joe Danby
So what?
Jason McCullough
You beat that poor man to the draw. He's dead, and you're alive; that's the whole idea of the game, isn't it?
[coldly]
Joe Danby
... What's your name?
Jason McCullough
Jason McCullough. What's yours?
Joe Danby
Joe Danby. And you had better remember it.
Jason McCullough
Oh, I'll remember it, Joe. That's about all I'm gonna do, the rest of my life, is go around rememberin your name.
[sarcastically; finishes his drink and leaves]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Intervening in a Conflict
Jason McCullough
Break it up!
[the various mud-covered townspeople stagger apart and stare at him as the water is turned off]
Jake
Whattaya think you're tryin to do?!
Jason McCullough
Stoppin a fight.
Jake
Who're you?
Jason McCullough
Ah, I'm the new Sheriff.
[gestures to his badge]
Jake
Oh- we got a new Sheriff! Let's see if he scares as easy as the last Sheriff.
[grins; the townspeople laugh]
Jason McCullough
Now, I want all you people to quit disturbing the peace, and clean up this mess.
Jake
Uh, yes sir. Anything else?
Jason McCullough
You got a name?
Jake
Jake.
Jason McCullough
All right, now Jake, I want you to go down to the men's saloon. There's a fellow in there by the name of Joe Danby. You tell him I remember his name, and he's under arrest for murder. I'll be around to pick him up in about twenty minutes.
Jake
...You talking to me?
[looking horrified]
Jason McCullough
You hard of hearin'?
Jake
You want me... to go tell Joe Danby... that he's under arrest for murder?! What are you gonna do after he kills me?!
[McCullough nods]
Jason McCullough
Then I'll arrest him for both murders.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Impact of Greed on Relationships
Jason McCullough
Hey Jake! How do you think we ought to split whatever we find? Sixty-forty?
[Relaxing against a tree]
Jake
Sixty for who, and forty for who?
[With backpack filled with dynamite and equipment on his back and a wet fish in either hand]
Jason McCullough
There you see? See what gold does to men? We haven't even found anything, and already we're arguing about it!
Jake
Sixty for who, and forty for who?
Jason McCullough
I just wish you could see the greed in your face.
Jake
What you mean is sixty for you, and forty for me!
Jason McCullough
Well thank you Jake. That's very generous of you.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Qualifications for the Job Discussion
Olly Perkins
... You ain't said nothing yet about your qualifications for the job.
Jason McCullough
Oh, don't worry, if I take it, you'll be glad you had me.
Olly Perkins
Well, it ain't just the question of you taking the job, it's also a question of you bein able to handle it!
Henry Johnson
Olly, we ain't exactly in a position to be choosy.
[warningly]
Fred Jackson
And him bein willing to talk about it at all, certainly shows the right attitude!
Olly Perkins
I don't care what it shows! I'm the mayor of this town, and it's my responsibility to hire us a sheriff that's not only got qualifications, but that ain't gonna get himself killed the first time he sticks his nose out the door!
Henry Johnson
We both know that-
[He breaks off as McCullough steps away, pulls a washer from one of the hardware shelves, flips it into the air, and fires his revolver at it. Catching it, he passes it to Perkins, who examines it]
Olly Perkins
... What's your point, Mr. McCullough?
Jason McCullough
Oh, no point, just exhibition of marksmanship. The bullet went right through that hole in the center there.
Olly Perkins
Yeah, well, maybe it did, and maybe it didn't.
Jason McCullough
Oh, it did, you can take my word for it.
Olly Perkins
Yeah, well, I'd like to take your word, but... Would you mind doing it again, Mr. McCullough?
[he goes behind the counter, covers the washer's center with tape, and returns]
Jason McCullough
... You want me to do it again?
Olly Perkins
If you don't mind.
Jason McCullough
Well, I already shot one hole through your roof-
Olly Perkins
That's all right.
Olly Perkins
... I hope you didn't take offense, at anything I might've said earlier.
[swallows]
Jason McCullough
Oh, not at all.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Conversation About Walt Whitman
Allie
Did you write that?
Duke
No, that was Walt Whitman.
Allie
I think I knew him.
Duke
I think you did too.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Questioning the Town's Violent Lifestyle
Jason McCullough
Now, is this the kind of town you people want for yourselves? Is this the kind of life you want to lead? I mean, three killings in one saloon alone, and the sun hasn't even gone down yet! Now, any more of this foolishness, and I'm gonna close this place up tight!
[addressing the saloon's patrons]
Bartender
Yes sir! I wouldn't blame you one bit, sir!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Badge with a Story
Jason McCullough
Is there some kinda badge that comes with this job?
Olly Perkins
Oh, you bet there is! I'm afraid it's a little bent-up.
[he brings it over]
Jason McCullough
Oh, that's no trouble. Must've save the life of whoever was wearing it at the time.
[examines a bullet-dent in the badge]
Olly Perkins
Well it sure would've, if it hadn't been for all them other bullets flyin in from everywhere!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Power of Love and Miracles
Allie
Do you think our love can create miracles?
Duke
I think our love can do anything we want it to.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Nature of Summer Romances
Duke
Summer romances end for all kinds of reasons, but when all is said and done, they have one thing in common. They're shooting stars, a spectacular moment of light in the heavens, fleeting glimpse of eternity, and in a flash they're gone.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Conversation About Origins in the West
Jake
How long you been out West?
Jason McCullough
About four years.
Jake
From where?
Jason McCullough
...the East.
Jake
I was raised up in ]!
[[w:Indiana|Indiana]
Jason McCullough
Well, that could be either good or bad.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Love's Potential and Boundless Possibilities
Allie
Do you think our love can take us away together?
Duke
I think our love can do anything we want it to.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Inquiries About the Sheriff Position
Jason McCullough
Are you the man I talk to-
Olly Perkins
You’ll have to wait your turn, Mister, there’s three ahead of you-
[not looking up]
Jason McCullough
About the job of sheriff?
[everyone in the room turns towards him, shocked]
Olly Perkins
...You interested in the job of sheriff?
Jason McCullough
Oh, maybe; how much does it pay?
Customer
Well, none of our sheriffs ever lived long enough to find out!
[Everyone else laughs]
Olly Perkins
Uh, boys, why don't you go watch the fight outside? You can go too, Sam. Very good fight out there. I'm Olly Perkins, the mayor here.
[Offers McCullough his hand]
Jason McCullough
Jason McCullough.
Olly Perkins
Henry Johnson, Fred Jackson, and Tom Jeffries. And Fred and Henry are members of the Town Council.
[indicates his three friends as they shake hands]
Tom Jeffries
And I represent the mine-owners.
Jason McCullough
Nice to meet you, gentlemen.
Olly Perkins
What that fellow said just now, ain't strictly true. We've had three sheriffs in the last six months, but only two of em got killed.
Jason McCullough
Well, what happened to the third?
Olly Perkins
Well, he quit, kinda sudden-like. I don't think he had exactly the right temperment for the job.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confrontation Over a Child's Detention
Pa Danby
I believe you got one of my children in your jail here!
Jason McCullough
How dare you walk into my office and pull a gun on me.
Pa Danby
Get your finger outta the end of my gun!
[shocked]
Jason McCullough
How dare you pull a gun on me!
Pa Danby
I said, take your finger outta the end of my gun!
Jason McCullough
Well, until I do, you better take your finger off that trigger, and let that hammer down real slow.
Pa Danby
If that gun had gone off, it'd have blowed up right in my face!
Jason McCullough
Yeah, well it wouldn't have done my finger a hell of a lot of good, either, would it? What can I do for you, Mr. Danby?
Pa Danby
My son, Joe!
Jason McCullough
Well, it seems Joe murdered a man this afternoon.
Pa Danby
The way I heared it, he killed a man in a fair gunfight!
Jason McCullough
I was standin right there...
Pa Danby
You was standin right where?
Jason McCullough
In the saloon, when Joe killed him.
Pa Danby
Well now, that was real smart of him, weren't it?
Jason McCullough
I've been around Joe all afternoon, and I haven't seen him do one smart thing yet. Anything else?
Pa Danby
Can I see him?
Jason McCullough
Now, why didn't you take that approach when you first came in? He's right back there.
[smiles]
Pa Danby
I'm obliged to ye.
[sarcastically]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Simple Acknowledgment of Love
Allie
They fell in love, didn't they?
Duke
Yes, they did.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Improbable Love Across Different Worlds
Duke
It was an improbable romance. He was a country boy, she was from the city. She had the world at her feet while he didn't have two dimes to rub together.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Value of Love in Ordinary Life
Duke
I am no one special. Just a common man with common thoughts. And I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect, I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who's ever lived. I've loved another with all my heart and soul, and for me, that has always been enough.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Commitment to Love and Home
Duke
Look guys, that's my sweetheart in there. I'm not leaving her, this is my home now. Your mother is my home.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Sheriff and His Deputy Discuss Jail Conditions
Pa Danby
That's a lousy jail you got back there.
Jason McCullough
Oh, we're just getting started.
Pa Danby
What's he supposed to be?
Jason McCullough
Oh, that's my deputy.
[Jake shows his badge]
Pa Danby
Why, just last week he was shovelin horse- he was workin around the stables!
Jason McCullough
Well, he's been promoted.
Pa Danby
...I'm gonna find out what's happenin to this town!
[storms out]
Jake
... What'd Danby want?
Jason McCullough
Oh, he came in, we talked a little while, he went in to see Joe, he came back out, we talked a bit more, then he left. You know... he strikes me as bein a lonely man.
[Jake nods]
Jake
Lonely? Danby?! Why, he's a mean, low-down no-good bushwhacker!
Jason McCullough
There, you see? No wonder he's lonely.
[Jake looks confused]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Town's Despair and Shared Responsibility
Prudi Perkins
Well, you might as well forget gettin any help outta this town! Or from any town, from about a hundred miles around!
Jason McCullough
Well, that covers just about everyone, doesn't it?
Prudi Perkins
They can throw an unarmed girl out of a courtroom, but they can't even defend their own town against a bunch of cutthroats like the Danbys! Well, what are we gonna do now?
[Jake enters]
Jason McCullough
We?
Jake
Don't turn down any help you can get.
Jason McCullough
How's Joe?
Jake
Oh, he figures he's gonna be out by tomorrow, and we're all gonna be dead.
Jason McCullough
Did he seem to feel any... sorrow, over the fact that we might all be killed?
Jake
No, it's more like he planned to dance and spit, all over our graves.
Jason McCullough
Sounds like Joe.
Jake
That- that sure was a good idea you had about leavin town.
Jason McCullough
Well, you don't have to stay.
Jake
Oh, yes I do. I have to stay if you do, because I took the job!
[firmly]
Jason McCullough
So did I.
[smiles]
Jake
I tell you what: I'll even go to Australia with you, if we leave right now!
Jason McCullough
Oh, we'll get to Australia all right, but right now there's some things for us to take care of. Prudi, you really want to help?
Prudi Perkins
Sure!
Jason McCullough
Well, then: I've got a couple of ideas, and if they work, we might just live through this!
[leaves]
Jake
...I sure did like his idea about leavin'.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Qualifications for an Unexpected Sheriff Role
Jake
You ever been the sheriff of a town that needed cleanin up before?
Jason McCullough
No, I haven't.
Jake
You ever been the sheriff of any kinda town?
Jason McCullough
No, not that either. But, the mayor seemed to think that my qualifications suited the job perfectly.
Jake
Yeah, well, he'd've thought that if you was blind in both eyes, and crippled in both legs!
Jason McCullough
I think you've got the situation pegged, Jake.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Limits of Science and Faith
Duke
Science only goes so far and then comes God.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Job Offer and Uncertainty in Sheriff Role
Jake
How much money am I makin at this job?
Jason McCullough
Well, let's see: I'm the sheriff, they're payin me about a hundred and fifty dollars a month, so that would put your salary at about half that, plus room and board? Plus all the ammunition you'd need to carry out the job. Of course, I haven't checked out your employment with the mayor and the town council yet...
Jake
You mean there's a chance they might turn me down?
[eagerly]
Jason McCullough
...no, I don't think so. No, I think their attitude is gonna be, "if we found somebody cra--willing to take the job, don't rock the boat.
[Jake looks crestfallen]
Jake
] You can bet that's what their attitude's gonna be.
[grumpily]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.