Dan Duryea: China Smith

Quotes 

• China Smith : [narrating]  The China seas hold peril enough for a ship far from home. There's typhoons and reefs and treacherous waters and when a freighter is pulled off the high seas and impounded, it's little short of legal piracy. It's a sad state of affairs for the owner, hereafter to be known as the Countess Van Eidel. How can a lady get her ship back? Well now, she can try the illegal services of China Smith - an honest man, to be sure.

• China Smith : Once you forbade me to steal the Mokahama, but times have changed since then. Now I'm thinking it's our best solution and if you'll but rely upon my judgement, I'll take her out at four bells. But how far she'll get is up to the angels and the luck of the Irish - which hasn't been the best of late.

• Norodam : You are a singularly well-informed man, Mr. Smith. I think I would like to know more about you. What brought you here? Who are you?

  China Smith : I am a man named Smith - William Smith. I was brought here by the winds and the tides. I am a drifting log, Mr. DeLott... a tidewalker, which is little better than a beachcomber. And if that tells you nothing¸ it's an honest answer at least, which is more than you gave me!

• Shell : These monkeys won't shoot. I say we take 'em.

  China Smith : It's an appetizing thought, but Mr. Nordom is a man of influence in Saigon. I expect he could have us shot in the back and convince the court it was suicide.

• [Smith barges into Mr. Nordam's office and finds it empty] 

  China Smith : Ah, he's the one. A back way out... and I'll be usin' it myself if you don't mind.

  Miss Giong : I'm sure that we prefer that you did.

  China Smith : And a pox on you, Miss Giong.