Out of the Past (1947)

Kirk Douglas: Whit

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Quotes 

• Whit : Joe couldn't find a prayer in the Bible.

• Whit : You just sit and stay inside yourself. You wait for me to talk. I like that.

  Jeff : I never found out much listening to myself.

• Whit : My feelings? About ten years ago, I hid them somewhere and haven't been able to find them.

• Jeff : Why me?

  Whit : Well, I know a lot of smart guys, and a few honest ones. And you're both.

• Whit : You're gonna take the rap and play along. You're gonna make every exact move I tell you. If you don't, I'll kill you. And I'll promise you one thing: it won't be quick. I'll break you first. You won't be able to answer a telephone or open a door without thinking, 'This is it.' And it when it comes, it still won't be quick. And it won't be pretty. You can take your choice.

• Jeff : [answering the door]  Well, the last guy in the world...

  Whit : I hate surprises myself. You wanna just shut the door and forget it?

• Jeff : You get your five grand back and Stephanos can take over from here.

  Whit : You're wrong. I fire people but nobody quits me. You started this an you'll end it.

• Joe : Newspaper guys. Wise guys! Who do they think they're kidding? So, he shot himself cleaning a cap pistol. So, I shot the ace of spades out of a sleeve during a gin game. A guy can't even get shot in his own apartment by a dame without the whole town starting to buzz like a, like a...

  Whit : Like you? Smoke a cigarette, Joe.

• Whit : You know San Francisco, don't you?

  Jeff : Yeah, I was there once for a party.

  Whit : And you got around?

  Jeff : Like the monkey and the weasel.

• Whit : Well, you told me about your business. Mine is a little more precarious and I earn considerably more.

  Jeff : So I've heard.

  Whit : So has the government.

  Jeff : Well, this may sound ridiculous, but you could pay 'em.

  Whit : Oh, that would be against my nature.