The Night of the Hunter (1955) - Quotes

Compassion in Times of Grief

Icey Spoon: [about Powell] It's a mighty good man would go out of his way to bring a word of cheer to a grieving widow.

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The Importance of Partnership in Parenthood

Icey Spoon: No woman is able to raise growing youngsters alone. The Lord meant that job for two...It ain't a question of want it or not want it. You're no spring chicken. You're a grown woman with two little young-uns. It's a man you need in the house, Willa Harper.

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A Father's Promise in Hard Times

Ben Harper: [to Powell] I got tired of seein children roamin the woodlands without food. Children roamin the highways in this here Depression. Children sleepin in old abandoned car bodies and junk heaps. And I promised myself I'd never see the day when my young-uns would want.

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The Search for Hidden Treasure

Ben Harper: The rock in the smokehouse, no, the bricks in the grape arbor, no, no, they'll dig for it. Sure. That's the place.

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The Hidden Truth Behind Their Marriage

Willa Harper: [to Powell] It ain't in the river, is it, Harry?...Ben never told you he throw'd it in the river, did he?...The children know where it's hid. John knows. Is that it, Harry? Then, it's still here amongst us, taintin us. You must have known about it all along, Harry? But that ain't the reason why you married me. I know that much...He made you marry me, so you could show me the Way and the Life and the salvation for my soul. Ain't that so, Harry? So you might say that it was the money that brung us together. The rest of it don't matter.

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Confronting a Child's Falsehood About Money

Willa Harper: John, you always make up that lie. There is no money. Why can't you get that through your head?

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A Reflection on Sin and Responsibility

Willa Harper: You have all sinned. Which one of you can say, as I can say, that you drove a good man to murder because I kept a-houndin him, for perfume, and clothes, and face paint? And he slew two human beings. And he come to me, and he said, Take this money, and buy yourself the clothes! And the paint!'...But brother-n, brother-n, oh that's where the Lord stepped in, that's where the Lord stepped in...He said, the Lord, to that man, You take that money, and you throw it in the river!

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Embracing a Sense of Purity

Willa Harper: I feel clean! My whole body is a'quiver with cleanness!

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A Plea for the Innocence of Children

Rachel Cooper: Lord, save little children. You'd think the world would be ashamed to name such a day as Christmas for one of them and then go on in the same old way. My soul is humble when I see the way little ones accept their lot. Lord, save little children. The wind blows and the rain's a-cold. Yet they abide...They abide and they endure.

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The Value of a Precious Gift

Rachel Cooper: [about John's present to her of an apple] That's the richest gift a body could have.

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The Strength of Childhood Endurance

Rachel Cooper: You know, when you're little, you have more endurance than God is ever to grant you again. Children are man at his strongest. They abide.

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The Struggles of Innocence in a Harsh World

Rachel Cooper: It's a hard world for little things.

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The Search for Love and Strength

Rachel Cooper: You were looking for love, Ruby, in the only foolish way you knew how. We all need love, Ruby. I lost the love of my son. I found it with you all. You're going to grow up to be a strong, fine woman and I'm gonna see to it that you do.

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Strength and Purpose in Adversity

Rachel Cooper: I'm a strong tree with branches for many birds. I'm good for somethin in this old world, and I know it, too.

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Consequences of Deception in the Night

Rachel Cooper: [about a young couple] Goodness, fools. Look at that. She'll be losin her mind to a tricky mouth and a full moon, and like as not I'll be saddled with the consequences.

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Rachel Cooper's Call for Obedience

Rachel Cooper: [to John and Pearl] You two youngsters get up here to me this instant. Get on up to my house. Mind me now. I'll get me a switch!

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Lessons on Judgment and True Character

Rachel Cooper: Now, you remember children how I told you last Sunday about the good Lord going up into the mountain and talking to the people. And how he said, Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. And how he said that King Solomon in all his glory was not as beautiful as the lilies of the field. And I know you won't forget, Judge not lest you be judged, because I explained that to you. And then the good Lord went on to say, Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly, they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit. Neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Wherefore by their fruits, ye shall know them.

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Vengeance and Threats from Harry Powell

Preacher Harry Powell: [after Rachel pulls a shotgun on him] All right, but you haven't heard the last of Harry Powell yet. The Lord God Jehovah will guide my hand in vengeance. Devil! You whores of Babylon! I'll be back, when it's dark.

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The Tragic Tale of the Pretty Fly

Preacher Harry Powell: Once upon a time there was a pretty fly, he had a wife this pretty fly but one day she flew away, flew away. She had two pretty children, but one night those pretty children flew away into the sky, into the moon.

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A Preacher's Pained Reflection on Lost Innocence

Preacher Harry Powell: Oh, them poor little lambs. To think I never hoped to see them again in this world. No, dear Madam, if you was to know what a crown of thorns I've borne in my search for them stray chicks.

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Faith and Security in Uncertainty

Preacher Harry Powell: [singing] Leaning, leaning!Safe and secure from all alarms!Leaning, leaning!Leaning on the everlasting arms!

Manipulation and Anger in Desperation

Preacher Harry Powell: [to Pearl; banging his hand on the table; Pearl begins to cry] No, no. No little lamb. Don't touch it. Now, don't touch my knife. That makes me mad. That makes me very, very mad. Now just tell me, where's the money hid? John doesn't matter! Can't I get that through your head, you poor silly, disgusting little wretch! There now, you made me lose my temper. I'm sorry. I'm real sorry. Now just tell me, where's it hid, honey?

Imminent Threat to the Children

Preacher Harry Powell: I can hear you whisperin', children, so I know you're down there. I can feel myself gettin awful mad. I'm out of patience, children. I'm coming to find you now.

A Disturbing Encounter with Innocence

Preacher Harry Powell: Chilld - ren. Chilld - ren?

A Struggle with Guilt and Responsibility

Preacher Harry Powell: [to the Spoons about Willa, after saying she ran off] It's my shame. It's my crown of thorns. I must wear it bravely...She'll not be back. I reckon I'm safe in promising you that. I tried to save her...But the devil wins sometimes. Can't nobody say I didn't do my best to save her.

The Struggle Between Good and Evil

Preacher Harry Powell: [He raises his left hand; He raises his right hand] Ah, little lad, you're starin at my fingers. Would you like me to tell you the little story of Right Hand-Left Hand - the story of good and evil? H-A-T-E! It was with this left hand that old brother Cain struck the blow that laid his brother low. L-O-V-E. You see these fingers, dear hearts? These fingers has veins that run straight to the soul of man. The right hand, friends! The hand of love! Now watch and I'll show you the story of life. These fingers, dear hearts, is always a-warrin and a-tuggin', one agin the other. Now, watch em. Ol brother Left Hand. Left hand, he's a-fightin'. And it looks like LOVE's a goner. But wait a minute, wait a minute! Hot dog! LOVE's a winnin'? Yes, siree. It's LOVE that won, and ol Left Hand HATE is down for the count!

Divine Timing and Hidden Opportunities

Preacher Harry Powell: Lord, you sure knowed what You was doin when You put me in this very cell at this very time. A man with $10,000 hid somewhere and a widow in the makin'.

A Sword for Justice and Retribution

Preacher Harry Powell: The Lord blinded mine enemies when they brought me in this evil place...I come not with peace, but with a sword...This sword has served me through many an evil time.

Struggles with Overwhelming Chaos

Preacher Harry Powell: There are too many of them. Can't kill the world.

A Preacher's Dark Reflection on Divine Purpose

Preacher Harry Powell: [He tips his hat] Well now, what's it to be Lord? Another widow? How many has it been? Six? Twelve? I disremember. You say the word, Lord, I'm on my way...You always send me money to go forth and preach your Word. The widow with a little wad of bills hid away in a sugar bowl. Lord, I am tired. Sometimes I wonder if you really understand. Not that You mind the killin's. Your Book is full of killin's. But there are things you do hate Lord: perfume-smellin things, lacy things, things with curly hair.