Noir Nook: Quoteable Noir: Part 2

Quoteable Noir: Part 2

Back in 2019, I kicked off the new year with some of my favorite quotes from some of my favorite noirs. So much has changed in our world since then – but one thing that’s remained the same is the awesome lines that can be found in the films of classic noir. Because one good turn deserves another, I’m ringing in 2025 with even more great quotes. Enjoy! And happy noir year!

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Quotes_Dana Andrews in Fallen Angel
Fallen Angel

“I got everything by talking fast in a world that goes for talking. And ended up with exactly nothing.” – Eric Stanton (Dana Andrews) in Fallen Angel (1945)

“I want a monopoly on you, David, or whatever it is that people have when they don’t want anyone else to have any of you.” – Louise Howell Graham (Joan Crawford) in Possessed (1947)

“The next time you must indulge your hot, Spanish passion for dramatics, put on a uniform with polished boots and stomp around your wife’s bedchamber. Do not attempt brilliant decisions.” – Marcel Jarnac (Luther Adler) in Cornered (1945)

Gene Tierney and Jeanne Crain in Leave Her to Heaven
Leave Her to Heaven

“All my life I’ve tried to love you, done everything to please you. . . . And what have you done? With your love you wrecked Mother’s life, you pressed Father to death, and you’ve made a shadow of Richard. I don’t envy you – I’m sorry for you. You’re the most pitiful creature I’ve ever known.” – Ruth Berent (Jeanne Crain) in Leave Her to Heaven (1945)

“I don’t like blackmailers – nor would you, if you were in my business. They constitute a very bad industrial hazard.” – Frank Hugo (Fred Clark) in Ride the Pink Horse (1947)

“How far could I get with you? What do you want me to do, let him get us both? You have to watch out for yourself – that’s the way it is, I’m sorry. What do you want me to do, throw away all this money?” – Anna Dundee (Yvonne DeCarlo) in Criss Cross (1949)

Quotes_Richard Conte in The Big Combo
The Big Combo

“He used to be my boss. Now I’m his. . . . First is first and second is nobody.” – Mr. Brown (Richard Conte) in The Big Combo (1955)

“I said I liked it – I didn’t say I wanted to kiss it.” – Laurel Gray (Gloria Grahame) in In a Lonely Place (1950)

“Anybody who puts the finger on me is living on borrowed time.” – Harry Colton (Lawrence Tierney) in Shakedown (1950)

Quotes_Jane Greer in Out of the Past
Out of the Past

“You’re no good and neither am I. We deserve each other.” – Kathie Moffat (Jane Greer) in Out of the Past (1947)

“You seem like a reasonable man. Why don’t we make a deal? What’s it worth to you to turn your considerable talents back to the gutter you crawled out of?” – Carl Evello (Paul Stewart) in Kiss Me Deadly (1955)

“You like poetry, hon? George hated poetry. He hit me once when I recited Robert Burns. He hit me right in the eye. George was no good. George had no manners at all.” – Harriet Sinton (Jean Hagen) in Side Street (1950)

Faye Emerson and Zachary Scott in Danger Signal (1945)
Danger Signal

“Face it – if you’re smart, you can get just about anything you want. If you can’t get it one way, you can get it another.” – Ronnie Mason (Zachary Scott) in Danger Signal (1945)

“A girl has to keep her head one step of her heart if she wants to get along.” – Francine Huber (Signe Hasso) in Strange Triangle (1946)

“One thing about me, I never stick my nose into business that don’t concern me. It don’t pay.” – Shorty (Harry Morgan) in The Gangster (1947)

susan hayward among the living
Among the Living

“You afraid of those ghosts they’re all talking about? I guess I made a mistake. I thought you were a man. Sorry.” – Millie Perkins (Susan Hayward) in Among the Living (1941)

“One more crack like that and I’ll slap your kisser off ya. Believe me?” – Barney Nolan (Edmond O’Brien) in Shield for Murder (1954)

“You said I didn’t know the difference between right and wrong. What’s right for Walter and myself? For us to tell the truth? And hang for it? For what? What was she? A mean, vicious, hateful old woman who never did anything for anybody. What was he? A thief, a drunk, someone who would have died in the gutter anyway. Neither one of them had any right to live.” – Martha Ivers (Barbara Stanwyck) in The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946)

Quotes_Jack Palance in Sudden Fear
Sudden Fear

“I’ve got to think fast. Got to think of a nice, foolproof little accident.” – Lester Blaine (Jack Palance) in Sudden Fear (1952)

“Don’t think you’re going to walk out on me. It isn’t as easy as all that.” – Vivian Heldon (Jan Sterling) in Mystery Street (1950)

– Karen Burroughs Hannsberry for Classic Movie Hub

You can read all of Karen’s Noir Nook articles here.

Karen Burroughs Hannsberry is the author of the Shadows and Satin blog, which focuses on movies and performers from the film noir and pre-Code eras, and the editor-in-chief of The Dark Pages, a bimonthly newsletter devoted to all things film noir. Karen is also the author of two books on film noir – Femme Noir: The Bad Girls of Film and Bad Boys: The Actors of Film Noir. You can follow Karen on Twitter at @TheDarkPages.
If you’re interested in learning more about Karen’s books, you can read more about them on amazon here:

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