The Swindle (1955)

Broderick Crawford: Augusto Rocco

Photos 

23 more photos

Quotes 

• Augusto : We've gotta figure out something better. We can't go on like this.

  Roberto : Who's saying we should? I'm not an idiot. This is just for fun, just to keep us going. I'm going to sing. When I save up some money, I'll take lessons. I've bought all the Johnnie Ray's records. He's really my style.

  Augusto : You'll never take lessons.

  Roberto : I'm not ending up like you!

• Augusto : The most important thing when you're young is to be free. It's more important than the air you breathe. If you're scared now, imagine when you're my age. The years roll on by.

• Augusto : [Contemptuously]  You give your wife every cent! Jerk!

  Picasso : [Trying to get approval]  But, Augusto, I...

  Augusto : [Lecturing]  People like us can't have families. One must be free to move. You can't have a wife. You must be alone. The most important thing when you're young is freedom. It's more important thn the air you breathe. You're scared now! What will you do when you're my age?

• Rinaldo : [Mockimgly]  Do you still carry a skull with you?

  Augusto : [to Picasso in the back seat]  If this guy shakes your hand, count your fingers. You'll be missing a few. He'd cheat his own mother.

  Rinaldo : Look who's talking!

• Augusto : [Contemptuously and vehemently]  If you're mother wasn't worse than you, she'd have strangled you at birth.

  Roberto : Yes, but don't spit in my face.

• Augusto : Look at these clowns I have to work with. Only fit for living off women.

  Luigi : That's young people today.

  Augusto : I was never like that! I've always worked in style. I've swindled my way around the world, because the world is full of idiots. I can sell ice to the Eskimos! And I have to work with these amateurs.

• Augusto : You have to blow gently.

  Picasso : I get it. Blow gently.

• Luiginia, a local gentlewoman : We haven't got long. My husband gets home at midnight.

  Roberto : Let's go!

  Augusto : What's your husband do?

  Luiginia, a local gentlewoman : He works.

• Augusto : In this business you can't have a family. You have to be free to command and go, not tied to your wife's apron strings! You have to be alone.

• Il Baron Vargas : Are you crazy?

  Augusto : Can't I have a conscience too?

  Il Baron Vargas : That'd be a new one!