James Whitmore Quotes

Dr. Swanson He hasn't got enough blood left in him to keep a chicken alive.

Cobby Here's to the drink habit. It's the only one I got that don't get me into trouble.

Cobby How can things go so wrong? How is it possible? One man killed, two others plugged. I'm out thirty grand. We got a load of rocks we can't even peddle...I must be awful stupid. Here I am with a good business, money rolling in, I-I gotta get mixed up in a thing like this. I ought to have my head examined.

Commissioner Hardy He loses you five blocks from the depot and one of the most dangerous criminals alive is now at large in this city.

Gus Minissi Take my advice and knock off for a while. The happiness boys are on a rampage. Headquarters is givin em a push...Go home, Dix, stay home. Don't get your flag at half-mast. Remember, you still got ol Gus.

Emmerich I could tell them that I'd fence the stuff myself, you see, promise them cash on delivery. Then, when the time comes, I simply wouldn't have the cash, do you understand? I'd tell them it would take a few more days to raise it. I'm certain I could get them to leave the stuff with me while we're waiting...Well, then I'd disappear. I'd take a plane to another country, to another life. The gold and platinum, I could melt up and sell as bullion, you see. And the rocks - sell them one at a time. There'd be no hurry. They'd last a lifetime.

Louis Ciavelli I never saw a hooligan I did like. They're like left-handed pitchers, they all have a screw loose somewhere.

Louis Ciavelli If you want fresh air, don't look for it in this town.

Angela Phinlay Imagine me on this beach here in my green bathing suit. Yipe! I almost bought a white one the other day, but it wasn't quite extreme enough. I mean, don't get me wrong, if I really went in for the extreme extreme, I would have bought a French one. Run for your life, girls, the fleet's in. Oh, Uncle Lon, am I excited? Yipe! ] Look, Uncle Lon, isn't it romantic? Real palms and ocean and everything.

Angela Phinlay Haven't you bothered me enough, you big banana-head? Just try breaking my door and Mr. Emmerich will throw you out of the house!

Brooks Hatlen Dear fellas, I can't believe how fast things move on the outside. I saw an automobile once when I was a kid, but now they're everywhere. The world went and got itself in a big damn hurry. The parole board got me into this halfway house called "The Brewer" and a job bagging groceries at the Foodway. It's hard work and I try to keep up, but my hands hurt most of the time. I don't think the store manager likes me very much. Sometimes after work, I go to the park and feed the birds. I keep thinking Jake might just show up and say hello, but he never does. I hope wherever he is, he's doin okay and makin new friends. I have trouble sleepin at night. I have bad dreams like I'm falling. I wake up scared. Sometimes it takes me a while to remember where I am. Maybe I should get me a gun and rob the Foodway so they'd send me home. I could shoot the manager while I was at it, sort of like a bonus. I guess I'm too old for that sort of nonsense any more. I don't like it here. I'm tired of being afraid all the time. I've decided not to stay. I doubt they'll kick up any fuss. Not for an old crook like me. P.S: Tell Heywood I'm sorry I put a knife to his throat. No hard feelings. Brooks.

Billy I couldn't come home, mama. My dogs had a coon up this tree.

Grandpa Well, he sure picked a big sycamore.

Billy Biggest one in the whole river bottom.

Grandpa That's all right. The bigger they come, the harder they fall.

Father Well, there's no sense chopping down a tree like this, just for one coon. Come on, Billy, we gotta go.

Billy I can't, papa.

Father Why not?

Billy I made a bargain with my dogs. I told them if they'd put one up a tree, I'd do the rest. They did their part, it's up to me to do mine.

Mother Well you're quitting, and that's that, so come on. Let's go. Billy, do I have to whip you on top of all the punishment you already brought on yourself? Do I?

Billy Yes, ma'am.

Father A man can't keep his word, Jenny, he's not much good. Especially to himself.

Grandpa I say amen to that, Jenny.