Fort Apache (1948)

George O'Brien: Capt. Sam Collingwood

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Quotes 

• Captain Collingwood : You did what you did... rode to glory. I did what I did... wound up at Fort Apache. Well, you've wound up here, too.

  Lt. Col. Thursday : No, by thunder, I've not wound up; not by a jugful! They've pushed me aside, sent me out to this ten-penny post; but they'll not keep me buried. I'll find something.

  Captain Collingwood : This isn't a country for glory, Owen.

  Lt. Col. Thursday : I'll take my risks. I always have.

  Captain Collingwood : Well, then all I can do is wish you good luck; and I wish you that sincerely.

• Lt. Col. Owen Thursday : Assuming you found Cochise, would he listen to you? Would he believe you?

  Captain Yorke : Cochise knows me, sir. I've never lied to him. And if you can assure him decent treatment for his people...

  Lt. Col. Owen Thursday : I'll confess he interests me. These eastern newspapers... I hadn't realized Cochise was so well known.

  Captain Collingwood : Oh, he's known. He's had the laugh on every troop in the southwest, these three years. Six campaigns... out-generaled us, out-fought us, out-run us.

  Captain Yorke : That's just the point, sir. There aren't enough troops in the whole territory to MAKE Cochise come back. But, one man - a man he trusts - might persuade him.

  Lt. Col. Owen Thursday : Carbine against his spine might be more persuasive.

  Captain Yorke : Well, I'll go in unarmed, sir. I can't fight my way in. Either walk in or...

  Lt. Col. Owen Thursday : [to himself]  The man who brought Cochise back...

  [to Capt. Yorke] 

  Lt. Col. Owen Thursday : I'm for it, Captain. How many men will you need?

  Captain Yorke : One, sir. Sergeant Beaufort.

  RSM Michael O'Rourke : PRIVATE Beaufort, sir!

  Lt. Col. Owen Thursday : Why him?

  Lt. Col. Owen Thursday : He speaks Spanish - so does Cochise. My Apache has its limits.

  Lt. Col. Owen Thursday : Shouldn't you take another officer instead?

  Lt. Col. Owen Thursday : Well, Sergeant Beaufort was...

  RSM Michael O'Rourke : PRIVATE Beaufort, sir!

  Captain Yorke : Private Beaufort was a major in the Confederate army... an aide to Jeb Stuart.

  Lt. Col. Owen Thursday : Hmm. I remember "Kaydet" Stuart. He was...

  Captain Collingwood : Quite.

  Lt. Col. Owen Thursday : Were you saying something, Captain?

  Captain Collingwood : I said, "Quite," sir.

  Captain Yorke : I'd like to leave at once if the Colonel has no questions.

  Lt. Col. Owen Thursday : Hmm? What?

  Captain Yorke : Questions, sir?

  Lt. Col. Owen Thursday : No. No questions. Proceed, Captain... take your ex-rebel.

• Captain Collingwood : In that case Owen, all I can do is wish you luck, and I wish you that sincerely.

  Lt. Col. Thursday : Thanks Sam.

  [turns and gets a whiskey bottle] 

  Lt. Col. Thursday : Have a drink?

  Captain Collingwood : No thanks; it's a little early in the day. Even for me.