J

James Tolkan Quotes

Actor

Memorable Quotes from James Tolkan

4 quotes
Choosing a Path in Aviation Training
Stinger They gave you your choice of duty, son. Anything, anywhere. Do you believe that shit? Where do you think you wanna go?
Maverick I thought of being an instructor, sir.
Stinger Top Gun?!
Maverick Yes, sir.
Stinger God help us.
Aircraft Launch Delayed Due to Malfunction
Stinger What about Willard and Simkins?
Officer Both catapults are broken sir, we cannot launch any aircraft yet.
Stinger How long?
Officer It'll take ten minutes.
Stinger Bullshit ten minutes! This thing will be over in two minutes, get on it!
Ego and Consequences in Aviation Leadership
Stinger Maverick, you just did an incredibly brave thing. What you should have done was land your plane! You don't own that plane, the taxpayers do! Son, your ego is writing checks your body can't cash. You've been busted, you've lost your qualifications as section leader three times, put in hack twice by me, with a history of high speed passes over five air control towers—and one admiral's daughter!
Goose Penny Benjamin?
[Maverick shrugs]
Stinger And you, asshole, you're lucky to be here!
[to Goose]
Goose Thank you, sir.
Stinger And let's not bullshit, Maverick. Your family name ain't the best in the Navy. You need to be doing it better and cleaner than the other guy. Now what is it with you?
Maverick Just want to serve my country; be the best fighter pilot in the Navy, sir!
Stinger Don't screw around with me, Maverick. You're one hell of an instinctive pilot. Maybe too good. I'd like to bust your butt but I can't. I got another problem here. I gotta send somebody from this squadron to Miramar. I gotta do something here, I⁠—I still can't believe it. I gotta give you your dream shot! I'm gonna send you up against the best. You two characters...are going to Top Gun. For five weeks, you'll be flying against the best fighter pilots in the world. You were number two, Cougar was number one. Cougar lost it⁠—turned in his wings. You guys are number one. But you remember one thing: if you screw up just this much, you'll be flying a cargo plane full of rubber dog shit out of Hong Kong!
[pinches fingers for emphasis]
Maverick Yes sir!
Confidence Amidst Confrontation and Loss
Evil-Lyn Outnumbered? Outclassed is more like it.
Detective Lubic Nobody takes pot shots at Lubic!
Detective Lubic The only thing I will miss about Earth is the World Series.