Detective Story (1951)
Kirk Douglas: Det. James McLeod
Photos
Quotes
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Detective James McLeod : I built my whole life on hating my father. All the time he was inside me, laughing.
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Lieutenant Monaghan : Can't you say "Yes, sir" without makin' it sound like an insult?
Detective James McLeod : Yes, sir.
Lieutenant Monaghan : You're gettin' too superior, McLeod, a one-man army against crime. What's eatin' you?
Detective James McLeod : I hate criminals. I don't believe in coddling them.
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Detective James McLeod : At an autopsy the other day I watched the medical examiner saw off the top of a man's skull, take out the brain and hold it in his hand.
[holds out his hand]
Detective James McLeod : Like that.
Mary McLeod : Why are you telling me this?
Detective James McLeod : Because I'd give my soul to take out my brain, hold it under the faucet and wash away the dirty pictures you put there tonight.
Mary McLeod : Dirty pictures?
Detective James McLeod : Yes!
Mary McLeod : Oh, I see. I see. Yes, that would be fine... if we could. But when you wash away what I may have put there, you'll find you've a rotten spot in your brain, Jim. And it's growing. I know, I've watched it.
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Detective James McLeod : Take a couple of drop dead pills.
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Detective James McLeod : I ought to fall on you like the sword of God.
Karl Schneider : That sword has two edges. You could cut your own throat.
Detective James McLeod : I'm going to give you a piece of advice, Karl. When they let you free again, get out of New York. You butcher one more patient and law or no law, I'll find you. I'll put a bullet in the back of your head, and I'll drop your body in the East River. And I'll go home and I'll sleep sweetly.
Karl Schneider : You don't frighten me. Now I'll give you some advice. I have plenty on you, too. I know why you're so vindictive.
Detective James McLeod : Why?
Karl Schneider : Just watch your step. Because I happen to have friends, downtown, with pull.
Detective James McLeod : Have you?
Karl Schneider : Lots of pull.
Detective James McLeod : Well, what do you know? Aren't you the big shot? Pull. Have you got any friends with push, like that?
[Shoves him and begins slapping him]
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Detective James McLeod : I wanna put him in the electric chair where he belongs, and pull the switch myself.
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Detective James McLeod : Detective James McLeod. In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost; Oh my God, I am heartfully sorry for having offended Thee. And I detest all of my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell.
Det. Lou Brody : Detective Lou Brody. But most of all, for having offended Thee my Lord Who art all good and deserving of my love, that I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life. Amen.
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Detective James McLeod : You shouldn't drink so much. It melts the lining of your brain.
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Detective James McLeod : [leaving the office] Mind if I shave?
Lieutenant Monaghan : Gotta have the last word, don't ya?
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Detective James McLeod : Where's your boy?
[Asking about Karl Schneider]
Lieutenant Monaghan : He's ready to surrender himself on the warrant you had issued.
Detective James McLeod : Fine. Bring him in.
Endicott Sims : Before I do, I have here some photographs. Now these were taken only an hour ago.
Lieutenant Monaghan : Nudes. Ugly, isn't he?
Endicott Sims : He's no Mr. America.
Lieutenant Monaghan : No, that he's not.
Endicott Sims : Now you'll observe there are no bruises or lacerations of any kind. This is the way I'm delivering my client to you, and this is the way I want him back.
Detective James McLeod : I should think that any change whatsoever would be an improvement.
