The Spikes Gang (1974)

Lee Marvin: Harry Spikes

Photos 

Quotes 

• Will Young : We sure didn't mean nothing like this to come of it. We didn't desire to commit murder. It just kinda ran away from us.

  Harry Spikes : Well, we all started out as somethin' else, way back.

• Harry Spikes : Don't look so scared, boys. Hell, look at me.

  [Turns around while naked, indicating his various wounds] 

  Harry Spikes : Vadalia... Northfield... Jonesboro... Elysian Township... Marysville... Gallatin. Oh, I ducked a little late a few times, but I'm still standin'. The thing to do, my friends, is to admit to your fate with Christian resignation and live bravely until your appointed time.

• [the Spikes Gang plans its first bank robbery] 

  Harry Spikes : They keep the money in back, in the vault. They keep some money in the drawer up front. It ain't much, but we'll take it to allay the cause.

  Les Richter : What if they don't want to give it to us?

  Harry Spikes : Well, then they're dead men, for sure. Remember, boys, there is no arrest or trial for this crime. Only convictions.

• [Tod has been severely wounded during a bank robbery] 

  Harry Spikes : I don't know when I liked a boy so much. He was never noisy... never rude. A born gentleman by nature. Well, let's hope the ground that covers his grave will always be green.

  Will Young : He's not dead yet!

  Harry Spikes : He's a goner. Say goodbye and let's go.

• Harry Spikes : What's your name?

  Kid White : Oh, I got a lot of names. Billy Blanco, Kid White, take your pick.

  Harry Spikes : Why, I've heard of you. You've put a few in Boot Hill haven't you?

  Kid White : Two or three rows.

  Harry Spikes : Took some from behind, I heard.

  Kid White : That's right, brother. If that's the way they were facing.

• [the Spikes Gang was forced to shoot an old outlaw] 

  Will Young : He was nearly as old as my grandfather! He had a safety pin holding up his pants!

  Harry Spikes : Son, where there ain't foolishness in life, there's misery. But, we got to hold ourselves together, somehow, or we would always be crying.

• Harry Spikes : So you went and robbed yourself a bank, did ya? Killed a man and lost the money. Don't look like you boys have the gift for it.

• Harry Spikes : You brought down a big one, boys. There's a bounty on ya. They don't care if you're cold or warm, they'll pay $1500 for each one of ya.

  Les Richter : Well, that makes us sitting ducks, don't it? Not knowing which way we're going to get flushed.

  Harry Spikes : That's the game.

• Tod : What would you do if you was us, Mr. Spikes?

  Harry Spikes : Lie close. Keep your boots by your bed. Sit up quick when a dog barks. Go out but little. Make no acquaintances. Have nothing peculiar about your manner or dress. And above all... never talk. It's the talking man gets caught.

• Harry Spikes : Well, you boys left the farm and you had some trouble. You've seen some of the world. How do you find it?

  Les Richter : We ain't really seen that much of it. We've been chased through it!

• Tod Hayhew : [the doctor is pulling Harry's tooth]  I'd never let him do that without laughing gas.

  Harry Spikes : Why, he's the same doctor that took out my appendix with only a quart and a half of tequila!

• [Spikes gets ready to leave Tod, who has been severely wounded] 

  Harry Spikes : I'd stay by his side if I thought it would do him any good and me no harm. But that ain't the way it lies.

  Will Young : Don't you care nothing for him? You just said you did!

  Harry Spikes : I've left men dead behind me. I've left men dying behind me. And I've left 'em calling my name. What you do is shut your ears and close your eyes and run like hell. If you boys were older and been in it longer, you'd know that's the only way to live.

• Harry Spikes : Boys, I'm going to be your deliverance and salvation. Now, don't ask me why I'm doing it. It don't make no sense. God knows I could get a dozen better out of any saloon down the street. But you got some spirit, and you got some crawl. And where I come from, you harness a mule but you give a horse a chance to run. How would you boys like to throw in with me?

• Harry Spikes : I'm on my way to meet my maker, but I ain't ready for Him yet.