1776 (1972)

Howard Caine: Lewis Morris (NY)

Photos 

Quotes 

• Lewis Morris : [as John Hancock is about to swat a fly]  Mr. Secretary, New York abstains, courteously.

  [Hancock raises his fly swatter at Morris, then draws back] 

  John Hancock : Mr. Morris,

  [pause, then shouts] 

  John Hancock : WHAT IN HELL GOES ON IN NEW YORK?

  Lewis Morris : I'm sorry Mr. President, but the simple fact is that our legislature has never sent us explicit instructions on anything!

  John Hancock : NEVER?

  [slams fly swatter onto his desk] 

  John Hancock : That's impossible!

  Lewis Morris : Mr. President, have you ever been present at a meeting of the New York legislature?

  [Hancock shakes his head "No"] 

  Lewis Morris : They speak very fast and very loud, and nobody listens to anybody else, with the result that nothing ever gets done.

  [turns to the Congress as he returns to his seat] 

  Lewis Morris : I beg the Congress's pardon.

  John Hancock : [grimly]  My sympathies, Mr. Morris.

• [repeated lines] 

  Lewis Morris : New York abstains, courteously.

  Charles Thomson : [recording vote]  New York abstains.

  Lewis Morris : Courteously.

• Lewis Morris : Mr. President?

  Hancock : Mr. Morris?

  Lewis Morris : [after abstaining throughout the whole movie]  To hell with New York. I'll sign it anyway.

  Hancock : Thank you, Mr. Morris.