The Woman on the Beach (1947)

Charles Bickford: Tod

Quotes 

• Tod : Peggy, did it ever occur to you that to me you'll always be young and beautiful? No matter how old you grow - I'll always remember you as you were the last day I saw you - young, beautiful, bright, exciting. No one who can see can say that to you. - - Peg, you're so beautiful... so beautiful outside, so rotten inside.

  Peggy : You're no angel.

  Tod : No. I guess we're two of a kind.

• Tod : Nice young fellow. Don't you think so?

  Peggy : Yes, he is. I like him.

  Tod : A little dull though.

  Peggy : Strong outdoor type.

  Tod : You like that, don't you Peg? You always admired virility.

• Scott : You know, I don't understand much about paintings.

  Tod : There's nothing to understand! It hasn't anything to do with the brain - its the eye. A painting's like a woman - she either thrills you or she doesn't.

  Scott : Well, in that case, its easy.

• Tod : Don't try to get away. I can sense every move you make. I can sense you like an animal. My eyes don't see, but I have hands and ears and a nose. I can even smell your hate!

• Scott : [Admiring the paintings]  These must be worth a fortune now that you're...

  [Scott hesitates to say 'blind.'] 

  Tod : Since you're convinced I'm blind, go ahead... say it, but you're right. Now that I can't paint anymore, this stuff of mine gets more valuable every day. There's an old saying in my trade: a man never gets rich until he's dead. I assure you a blind painter's just the same as a dead man.

• Tod : You know, I never really started to paint well until just before the lights went out. But, I think this is one of my best. There's something about the effects of the hair and the skin texture. Of course, nudes were never my strong suit; but, here I had a particularly beautiful subject. As you can see, this is a portrait of Peggy.

  Scott : Why, excuse me Tod, I-I think you have the wrong painting. This is a picture of some roses and a newspaper.

• Peggy : If you would sell the paintings, you wouldn't have to worry about writing.

  Tod : Peg, I've never been able to make you understand that those paintings are my eyes! Everything I saw in life, I set down on canvas. If I let them go I lose the last connection to the past - strong and alive.

• Tod : I like Scott. I like him because he's good and straight. That's why he's dangerous.

• Tod : Peggy, I'm going to keep you. No matter what I have to do, I'm going to keep you as long as I live. No other man can ever take my place. Remember that.

• Tod : [dictating some text to Peggy, who is typing it out for him]  The theory that man is inherently good is bunk. Pure bunk. Each individual possesses a split personality, which...

  [pauses] 

  Tod : Oh, that's pretty dull stuff, isn't it?

  Peggy : Yes, it is.

  Tod : Thanks... That bad?

  Peggy : Mm-hmm.

  Tod : Oh, what's the use of kidding. I can't write.

• Peggy : Tod, please listen!

  Tod : I've listened to you enough. I listen to you tiptoeing in the dark, and sighing in your sleep. You think I need eyes to tell me you want to get rid of me? You murderous little sneak!

  Peggy : Tod...

  Tod : So, you wanna' be free? You'll get away when I choose to let you go! And I'm not ready yet - not quite!