25 quotes
A Dark Turn in Los Angeles
Morty
In the middle of a drought and the water commissioner drowns! Only in L.A.
Man with Knife
You're a very nosy fellow, kitty cat. Huh? You know what happens to nosy fellows? Huh? No? Wanna guess? Huh? No? Okay. They lose their noses. Next time you lose the whole thing. Cut it off and feed it to my goldfish. Understand? Understand!?
[flicks knife, cutting open Jake's nostril]
Lawrence Walsh
Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Power Dynamics and Trust in Law Enforcement
Gittes
Evelyn, put that gun away. Let the police handle this.
Evelyn
He owns the police!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Forgotten Connections in Chinatown
Escobar
Isn't that your phone number?
[pointing to a scribbled note on the wall]
Gittes
Is it? I forget. I don't call myself that often.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Uncovering Hidden Emotions and Deceptions
Gittes
Something else besides the death of your husband was bothering you. You were upset, but not that upset.
Evelyn
Mr. Gittes. Don't tell me how I feel.
Gittes
Sorry. Look. You sue me. Your husband dies. You drop the lawsuit like a hot potato all of it quicker than the wind from a duck's ass. Excuse me, uh. Then you ask me to lie to the police.
Evelyn
It wasn't much of a lie.
Gittes
If your husband was killed, it was. This could look like you paid me off to withhold evidence.
Evelyn
But he wasn't killed.
Gittes
Mrs. Mulwray. I think you're hiding something.
Evelyn
Well, I suppose I am. Actually, I knew about the affair.
Gittes
How did you find out?
Evelyn
My husband.
Gittes
He told you? And you weren't the least bit upset?
[She nods yes]
Evelyn
I was grateful.
Gittes
Mrs. Mulwray, you'll have to explain that.
Evelyn
Why?
Gittes
Look. I do matrimonial work. It's my métier. When a wife tells me that she's happy that her husband is cheating on her, it runs contrary to my experience.
Evelyn
Unless what?
Gittes
She was cheating on him. Were you?
Evelyn
I dislike the word cheat.
Gittes
Did you have affairs?
Evelyn
Mr. Gittes.
Gittes
Did he know about it?
Evelyn
Well, I wouldn't run home and tell him every time I went to bed with someone, if that's what you mean. Is there anything else you want to know about me?
Gittes
Where were you when your husband died?
Evelyn
I can't tell you.
Gittes
You mean you don't know where you were?
Evelyn
I mean I can't tell you.
Gittes
You were seeing someone too. For very long?
Evelyn
I don't see anyone for very long, Mr. Gittes. It's difficult for me. Now, I think you know all you need know about me. I didn't want publicity. I didn't want to go into any of this then or now. Is that all?
Gittes
Oh, by the way, uh, what does this C stand for?
[After nodding yes, he remembers to ask one final question, holding up the envelope with initials "E C" for a return address]
Evelyn
Cr...Cross.
Gittes
That's your maiden name?
Evelyn
Yes. Why?
Gittes
No reason.
Evelyn
You must have had a reason to ask me that.
Gittes
No. I'm just a snoop.
Gittes
OK, go home, but in case you're interested, your husband was murdered. Somebody's been dumping thousands of tons of water from the city's reservoirs and we're supposed to be in the middle of a drought. He found out about it and he was killed. There's a waterlogged drunk in the morgue, involuntary manslaughter if anybody wants to take the trouble - which they don't. It seems like half the city is trying to cover it all up, which is fine by me. But Mrs. Mulwray, I goddamned near lost my nose. And I like it. I like breathing through it. And I still think that you're hiding something.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Misunderstandings in Professional Relationships
Evelyn
I've never hired you to do anything, certainly not to spy on my husband. I see you like publicity, Mr. Gittes. Well, you're going to get it.
Gittes
Now wait a minute, Mrs. Mulwray. I think there's been some misunderstanding here. There's no point in getting tough with me. I'm just trying--
Evelyn
I don't get tough with anyone, Mr. Gittes. My lawyer does.
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Acknowledging the Truth in Disappointment
Curly
She's just no good.
Gittes
What can I tell you, kid? You're right. When you're right, you're right, and you're right.
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Understanding Character Through Observations and Habits
Yelburton
After you've worked with a man a certain length of time, you come to know his habits, his values - you come to know him - and either he's the kind who chases after women or he isn't.
Gittes
Mulwray isn't?
Yelburton
He never even kids about it.
Gittes
Well, maybe he takes it very seriously.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Defending Integrity in Desperate Times
J. J. "Jake" Gittes
Listen, pal. I make an honest living. People only come to me when they're in a desperate situation. I help em out. I don't kick families out of their houses like you bums down at the bank do.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Reputation and Its Value in Business
Cross
You've got a nasty reputation, Mr. Gittes. I like that.
Gittes
Thanks.
Cross
If you were a bank president, that would be one thing. But in your business it's admirable and it's good advertising.
Gittes
It doesn't hurt.
Cross
It's, um, why you attracted a client like my daughter.
Gittes
Probably.
Cross
But I'm surprised you're still working for her - unless she's suddenly come up with another husband.
Gittes
No. She happens to think the last one was murdered.
Cross
Umm, how'd she get that idea?
Gittes
I think I gave it to her.
Cross
I hope you don't mind. I believe they should be served with the head.
[about the fish served for lunch]
Gittes
Fine. As long as you don't serve the chicken that way.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Unusual Timing of Jasper Lamar Crabb's Death
Gittes
A memorial service was held at the Mar Vista Inn today for Jasper Lamar Crabb. He passed away two weeks ago.
Evelyn
Why is that unusual?
Gittes
He passed away two weeks ago and one week ago he bought the land. That's unusual.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Finding Oneself Amidst Complications
Escobar
You look like you've done well by yourself.
Gittes
I get by.
Escobar
Well, sometimes it takes a while for a man to find himself. Maybe you have.
Loach
Yeah, goin through other people's dirty linen.
Gittes
Yeah. Tell me. You still puttin Chinamen in jail for spittin in the laundry?
Escobar
You're a little behind the times, Jake. They use steam irons now. And I'm out of Chinatown.
Gittes
Since when?
Escobar
Since I made Lieutenant.
Gittes
Congratulations.
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Discovery of a Dark Secret
Gittes
I found these in your backyard in the pond. They belonged to your husband, didn’t they? Didn’t they?
[referring to the bifocals]
Evelyn
I don’t know. Yes, probably.
Gittes
Yes, positively! It’s where he was drowned.
Evelyn
What?
[in disbelief]
Gittes
There's no time to be shocked by the truth. The coroner's report proves that he had salt water in his lungs when he was killed. Just take my word for it, all right? Now, I want to know how it happened, and I want to know why, and I want to know before Escobar gets here because I don't want to lose my license.
Evelyn
I don’t know what you’re talking about! I mean this is the craziest, the most insane—
Gittes
Stop it! I want to make it easy for ya. You were jealous. You had a fight. He fell. He hit his head. It was an accident but his girl is a witness. So you had to shut her up. You don't have the guts to harm her, but you got the money to keep her mouth shut. Yes or no?
Evelyn
No!
Gittes
Who is she? And don't give me that crap about your sister because you don't have a sister.
Evelyn
I'll tell you. I'll tell you the truth.
Gittes
Good. What's her name?
Evelyn
Katherine.
Gittes
Katherine who?
Evelyn
She's my daughter.
Gittes
I said I want the truth.
Evelyn
She's my sister.
Evelyn
She's my daughter.
Evelyn
My sister, my daughter.
Gittes
I said I want the truth!
Evelyn
She's my sister and my daughter!
Evelyn
Kahn! No, please! Go back! For God’s sake, keep her upstairs! Go back!
Evelyn
My father and I.... Understand? Or is it too tough for you?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confrontation Over Water Supply Issues
Gittes
Mulvihill! What are you doing here?
Mulvihill
They shut my water off. What's it to you?
Gittes
How'd you find out about it? You don't drink it; you don't take a bath in it... They wrote you a letter. But then you have to be able to read.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Making Decisions in Leadership
J. J. "Jake" Gittes
Come on, Lou, you're in charge. Make a decision.
[To Escobar, mocking him]
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A Humorous Exchange About a Nose Injury
Loach
What happened to your nose, Gittes? Somebody slam a bedroom window on it?
Gittes
Nope, your wife got excited. She crossed her legs a little too quick. You understand what I mean, pal?
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Unexpected Encounters in Professional Life
Evelyn
Tell me, Mr. Gittes: Does this often happen to you?
Gittes
What's that?
Evelyn
Well, I'm judging only on the basis of one afternoon and an evening, but, uh, if this is how you go about your work, I'd say you'd be lucky to, uh, get through a whole day.
Gittes
Actually, this hasn't happened to me for a long time.
Evelyn
When was the last time?
Gittes
Why?
Evelyn
It's an innocent question.
Gittes
In Chinatown.
Evelyn
What were you doing there?
Gittes
Working for the District Attorney.
Evelyn
Doing what?
Gittes
As little as possible.
Evelyn
The District Attorney gives his men advice like that?
Gittes
They do in Chinatown.
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Perceptions of Intelligence and Underestimation
J. J. "Jake" Gittes
You're dumber than you think I think you are.
[To Lt. Lou Escobar]
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A Chance Encounter in Chinatown
Gittes
Hello, Miss Sessions. I don't believe we've had the pleasure.
[on the phone]
Ida Sessions
Oh, yes we have. Are you alone?
Gittes
Isn't everybody?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Conversation About a Shaving Injury
Yelburton
My goodness, what happened to your nose?
Gittes
Cut myself shavin'.
Yelburton
Oh, you ought to be more careful. That must really smart.
Gittes
Only when I breathe.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Cultural Observations on Intimacy and Relationships
J. J. "Jake" Gittes
So there's this guy Walsh, do you understand? He's tired of screwin his wife... So his friend says to him, "Hey, why don't you do it like the Chinese do?" So he says, "How do the Chinese do it?" And the guy says, "Well, the Chinese, first they screw a little bit, then they stop, then they go and read a little Confucius, come back, screw a little bit more, then they stop again, and then they go out and they contemplate the moon or something like that. Makes it more exciting". So now, the guy goes home and he starts screwin his own wife, see. So he screws her for a little bit and then he stops, and he goes out of the room and reads ] magazine. Then he goes back in, he starts screwin again. He says, "Excuse me for a minute, honey". He goes out and he smokes a cigarette. Now his wife is gettin sore as hell. He comes back in the room, he starts screwin again. He gets up to start to leave again to go look at the moon. She looks at him and says, "Hey, whats the matter with ya. You're screwin just like a Chinaman!
[[w:Life (magazine)|Life; Laughs hysterically]
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Understanding Disturbance and Misunderstanding in Chinatown
Cross
Gittes. You're dealing with a disturbed woman who's just lost her husband. I don't want her taken advantage of. Sit down.
Gittes
What for?
Cross
You may think you know what you're dealing with, but believe me, you don't. Why is that funny?
[Gittes smiles]
Gittes
It's what the district attorney used to tell me in Chinatown.
Cross
Yeah? Was he right? Exactly what do you know about me? Sit down.
Gittes
Mainly that you're rich, and too respectable to want your name in the newspapers.
Cross
Course I'm respectable. I'm old. Politicians, ugly buildings, and whores all get respectable if they last long enough.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Clash of Wits Between Escobar and Gittes
Escobar
You must really think I’m stupid, don’t you, Gittes?
Gittes
I don’t think about it that much, but give me a day or two and I’ll get back to you.
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Deception in a Confrontation
Escobar
So, tell me Gittes, how'd you get past the guard?
Gittes
Well, to tell you the truth, I lied a little.
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The Connection Between Death and Innovation
Cross
What does it mean?
Gittes
That you killed Hollis Mulwray - right here - in that pond. You drowned him, and you left these . Coroner's report shows Mulwray had saltwater in his lungs.
[the bifocals]
Cross
Hollis was always fascinated by tidepools. You know what he used to say?...That's where life begins. Sloughs, tidepools. When he first come out here, he figured if you dumped water into the desert sand and let it percolate down to the bedrock, it would stay there instead of evaporate the way it does in most reservoirs. You only lose 20% instead of 70 or 80. He made this city.
Gittes
That's what you were going to do in the valley.
Cross
That's what I am doing. If the bond issue passes Tuesday, there'll be eight million dollars to build an aqueduct and reservoir. I'm doing it.
Gittes
Gonna be a lot of irate citizens when they find out that they're paying for water that they're not gonna get.
Cross
Oh, that's all taken care of. You see, Mr. Gits. Either you bring the water to LA or you bring LA to the water.
Gittes
How you gonna do that?
Cross
By incorporating the valley into the city. Simple as that.
Gittes
How much are you worth?
Cross
I've no idea. How much do you want?
Gittes
I just want to know what you're worth. Over ten million?
Cross
Oh my, yes!
Gittes
Why are you doing it? How much better can you eat? What can you buy that you can't already afford?
Cross
The future, Mr. Gits - the future! Now where's the girl? I want the only daughter I've got left. As you found out, Evelyn was lost to me a long time ago.
Gittes
Who do you blame for that - her?
Cross
I don't blame myself. You see, Mr. Gits, most people never have to face the fact that at the right time, the right place, they're capable of anything.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Negotiations and Complications in a Small Town
Gittes
I'm not in business to be loved, but I am in business. And believe me, Mrs. Mulwray, whoever set your husband up set me up. LA's a small town, people talk. I'm just trying to make a living. I don't want to become a local joke.
Evelyn
Mr. Gittes. You talked me into it. I'll drop the lawsuit.
Gittes
What?
Evelyn
I said I'll drop the lawsuit. So let's just drop the whole thing.
Gittes
I don't want to drop it. I'd better talk to your husband about this.
Evelyn
Why? What on earth for? Hollis seems to think you're an innocent man.
Gittes
Well, I've been accused of a lot of things before, Mrs. Mulwray, but never that. Look. Somebody's gone to a lot of trouble here and lawsuit or no lawsuit, I intend to find out. I'm not supposed to be the one who's caught with his pants down. So unless it's a problem, I'd like to talk to your husband.
Evelyn
Why should it be a problem?
Gittes
May I speak frankly, Mrs. Mulwray?
Evelyn
Only if you can, Mr. Gittes.
Gittes
Well, that little girlfriend. She was pretty in a cheap sort of a way, of course. She's disappeared. Maybe they disappeared together.
Evelyn
Suppose they did. How does that affect you?
Gittes
It's nothing personal, Mrs. Mulwray.
Evelyn
It's very personal. It couldn't be more personal. Is this a business or an obsession with you?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.