Johnny Allegro (1949)

Morgan Vallin: That can't happen again, Johnny. I like this. It's a new experience. It's exhilarating, hunting man. Sooner or later, you'll give me another opening.
Johnny Allegro: Why don't you give me a chance to fight back?
Morgan Vallin: You, asking for a chance? A man who can perform miracles? A man who can kill a detective without a bullet? Perhaps you can perform the same magic on me.

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Morgan Vallin: Hello, Glenda.
Glenda Chapman: Morgan.
Morgan Vallin: Welcome home.
[For the first time, he sees there's another man in the room]
Glenda Chapman: Morgan, this is...
Morgan Vallin: How chummy! You brought a friend with you. How hospitable.
Glenda Chapman: I was just going to explain that.
Morgan Vallin: Why trouble to explain? It's so touchingly natural.
Glenda Chapman: This is Johnny Allegro.
Morgan Vallin: You actually know his name! I'm Morgan Vallin. Always glad to meet any of Glenda's friends, though she doesn't usually bring them with her.
Glenda Chapman: I had to bring him here, Morgan. He killed a detective for me so I could get here.
Morgan Vallin: How adventurous! How romantic!
Glenda Chapman: Morgan, don't be foolish.
Morgan Vallin: Forgive me, Johnny whatever your name is. I want to thank you for any assistance you may have given my little wife.
Johnny Allegro: Wife?
Morgan Vallin: She forgot to tell you, of course. She usually does. Or were you afraid he might not have come here with you?
Glenda Chapman: I told you why I brought him here. He had no other getaway. This is Johnny Rock. They want him for escaping a stretch at Sing Sing.
Morgan Vallin: And what have you told him?
Glenda Chapman: Nothing. He doesn't even know where he is.
Morgan Vallin: And how did that minute mind of yours conclude that anyone could be of service to me with his pictures in all the papers, with a number across the front of them?
Johnny Allegro: They took those a long time ago. I've changed a lot since then.
Morgan Vallin: But your type never changes. Just looking at you makes one think of alley fighting, tommy guns.
Johnny Allegro: Is that bad?
Morgan Vallin: It's not for me. You see all this?
[He gestures around the room at the paintings, sculptures, and mounted animal heads]
Johnny Allegro: Nice museum.
Morgan Vallin: You would call it that. But it's my library, my concert hall, my trophy room. Here I have the best the world has to offer, and I don't intend to let anything jeopardize it. I can permit only people around me of whose methods I am sure.

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Morgan Vallin: That bulge in your coat pocket - the gun with which you shot the detective, no doubt.
Johnny Allegro: No doubt.
Morgan Vallin: Give it to me.
[Allegro gives the gun to Vallin]
Morgan Vallin: Ugly, noisy, smelly. No skill needed. A stupid, dangerous toy. Any doddering fool without muscle or talent could fire that.
[He picks up a bow and arrow]
Morgan Vallin: Now this - this is something different. Strength, skill, grace. A weapon for a man of culture.
Johnny Allegro: In a tough spot, give me a trigger instead of a piece of string.
[Vallin draws the bow and points it at Allegro]
Morgan Vallin: You're in a tight spot now, or didn't you know it?
Johnny Allegro: Maybe I'm not very bright.
Morgan Vallin: Either you're a very brave man, or you underestimate me. And I will not be underestimated. Do you hear?
[He fires the arrow and hits the mounted head of a ram on the far wall. The hit is directly between the eyes]
Johnny Allegro: Not a bad shot.
Morgan Vallin: Thank you. Would you care to demonstrate your skill with this thing?
[He hands the gun back to him]
Johnny Allegro: I couldn't match that with a shotgun. You win, Mr. Vallin.
Morgan Vallin: Just get the feel of this bow.
[He takes back the gun and gives Allegro the bow]
Morgan Vallin: Pull back on that string. Takes muscle to pull 70 pounds, doesn't it? That bow will outshoot anything but a high-powered rifle. An arrow from it is more deadly than a bullet. Why, I've killed antelope, wild boar, mountain lions...
Johnny Allegro: Suppose a man wanted to commit suicide with a thing like this. How would he go about it?
Morgan Vallin: You have a sense of humor. I like that. And it's not inconceivable that I might like you. You no doubt need some rest.
Johnny Allegro: Sounds like a good idea. I could use a little sleep.
Morgan Vallin: [Vallin speaks to the servant] Take the gentleman's things and show him up to the guest room.
Johnny Allegro: Oh, I don't have any things. I didn't get a chance to pack.
Morgan Vallin: Who knows? Perhaps you have enough. Maybe more than you need.
Johnny Allegro: Good night. Good night, Mrs. Vallin.
Glenda Chapman: Good night, Johnny.
[Allegro leaves the room]

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