Advise & Consent (1962)

Henry Fonda: Robert Leffingwell

Photos 

Quotes 

• Johnny Leffingwell : The phone - Senator Munson.

  Robert Leffingwell : Tell him I've gone out.

  Johnny Leffingwell : Why?

  Robert Leffingwell : Because, Johnny, he'll want to do some things that might obligate me.

  Johnny Leffingwell : I mean why do you want me to lie? If you're in, you're in; if you're out, you're out.

  Robert Leffingwell : Son, this is a Washington, D.C. kind of lie. It's when the other person knows you're lying, and also knows you *know* he knows. You follow?

• Robert Leffingwell : I'm an egghead. I'm not only an egghead, I'm a premeditated egghead. I set out to become an egghead and at this moment I'm in full flower of eggheadedness, and I hope to spread the spores of egghead everywhere I go.

• Senator Orrin Knox : Don't you feel we're worth the effort of an opening statement?

  Robert Leffingwell : I'm only being practical, senator.

  Senator Orrin Knox : Well, then I too shall be practical, Mr. Leffingwell. Are you loyal to the United States?

  Robert Leffingwell : I don't mind admitting that I'm loyal to the United States.

• Senator Brigham Anderson : Mr. Leffingwell, I'm sure you know all the members of the committee here. Senator Cooley is not a member of the subcommittee... but the full committee voted him permission to join us... for the purposes of cross-examination.

  Robert Leffingwell : I welcome Senator Cooley's participation, Mr. Chairman. If not wholeheartedly, certainly without fear.

  Senator Brigham Anderson : I commend your courage. Frankly, the senator scares the wits out of everybody else.

• Senator Brigham Anderson : [with an air of desperation]  Call the press and announce your withdrawl and forget the President.

  Robert Leffingwell : I've given the President my word.

  Senator Brigham Anderson : Your word is not exactly coin of the realm.

  Robert Leffingwell : No, maybe it isn't thanks to your committee, but I still place a value on it... and there's nothing more to be said.

  [with finality] 

  Robert Leffingwell : Good night, Senator.