Dark Command (1940)

Walter Pidgeon: William 'Will' Cantrell

Photos 

Quotes 

• William Cantrell : I know what I'm doing, Ma. I'll be running Kansas yet. I'm going clear up to the top. But I'm not going for the climb or the view.

• [she holds a rifle on her son, William, to prevent him from going upstairs after his wife] 

  William Cantrell : Say, what's the matter with you? What's that gun for?

  Mrs. Cantrell : It's for you, Will. I thought I'd borned a man-child when I first hear'd you squallin'. But I didn't. I borned a dirty murderin' snake that's broke my heart to see it crawlin' along. You're no good, Will.

  William Cantrell : I've killed a lot of men for saying less than that.

  Mrs. Cantrell : You've killed a lot of men for sayin' nuthin' at all! Kansas is red with their bleedin'. I curse the day I ever had you.

• [Cantrell has been defeated by Bob Seton in the election for marshal] 

  William Cantrell : Learning, studying, working like a dog... and what did it get me? The first chance I have to be somebody, I'm beaten out of it by an ignorant cowhand who can't even write his own name! Well, I can write mine... and I'm going to write it across the territory in letters of fire and blood if I have to! I'm going to be somebody in this country! Somebody big!

• [repeated line] 

  William Cantrell : You have families and futures. When you vote, think of them!