E. K. Hornbeck: [about Drummond] The Athiest who believes in God.


--Gene Kelly (as E. K. Hornbeck) in Inherit the Wind

E. K. Hornbeck: [Cates rises as his girlfriend is called to testify] Sit down, Samson, you're about to get a haircut.


--Gene Kelly (as E. K. Hornbeck) in Inherit the Wind

E. K. Hornbeck: [to Dr. Britton's chimp] Grandpa! Welcome to Hillsboro sir, are you here to testify for the defense or the prosecution?


--Gene Kelly (as E. K. Hornbeck) in Inherit the Wind

E. K. Hornbeck: [to Drummond] Hello, Devil. Welcome to Hell.


--Gene Kelly (as E. K. Hornbeck) in Inherit the Wind

E. K. Hornbeck: [watching the reverend spur the crowd with his sermon] Whatever happened to silent prayer?


--Gene Kelly (as E. K. Hornbeck) in Inherit the Wind

E. K. Hornbeck: Aw, Henry! Why don't you wake up? Darwin was wrong. Man's still an ape. His creed's still a totem pole. When he first achieved the upright position, he took a look at the stars - thought they were something to eat. When he couldn't reach them, he decided they were groceries belonging to a bigger creature; that's how Jehovah was born.
Henry Drummond: I wish I had your worm's-eye view of history. It would certainly make things a lot easier.
E. K. Hornbeck: Oh ho, no! Not for you. No, you'd still be spending your time trying to make sense out of what is laughingly referred to as the "human race." Why don't you take your blinders off? Don't you know the future's already obsolete? You think man still has a noble destiny. Well I tell you he's already started on his backward march to the salt and stupecy from which he came.
Henry Drummond: What about men like Bert Cates?
E. K. Hornbeck: Cates? A monkey who tried to fly. Cates climbed to the top of the totem pole, but then he jumped. And there was nobody there to catch him. Not even you.


--Gene Kelly (as E. K. Hornbeck) in Inherit the Wind

E. K. Hornbeck: Disillusionment is what little heroes are made of.


--Gene Kelly (as E. K. Hornbeck) in Inherit the Wind

E. K. Hornbeck: He that sups with the devil must have a long spoon.


--Gene Kelly (as E. K. Hornbeck) in Inherit the Wind

E. K. Hornbeck: I do hateful things for which people love me, and I do loveable things for which they hate me. I'm admired for my detestability. Now don't worry, little Eva. I may be rancid butter, but I'm on your side of the bread


--Gene Kelly (as E. K. Hornbeck) in Inherit the Wind

E. K. Hornbeck: Looks like you're going out in a blaze of glory counselor. You were pretty impressive for a while there today, Henry. "Your Honor, after a while you'll be setting man against man, creed against creed" etc, etc, ad nauseam unquote. AHH, Henry! why don't you wake up? Darwin was Wrong! Man's still an ape. His creed still a totem pole. When he first achieved the upright position he took a look at the stars... thought they were something to eat. When he couldn't reach them, he thought they were groceries belonging to a bigger creature... that's how Jehovah was born.


--Gene Kelly (as E. K. Hornbeck) in Inherit the Wind