# favorite scenes/lines in film noir movies **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 10, 2019, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-lines-in-film-noir-movies/843261 "2019-11-10T23:07:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-lines-in-film-noir-movies/843261/21 "2019-11-11T22:22:36Z")
“_You go to far Mr Marlowe_” “_Those are harsh words to throw at a man, especially when he’s walking out of your bedroom_” ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-lines-in-film-noir-movies/843261/22 "2019-11-11T22:36:33Z")
“This is a very complicated case, Maude. You know, a lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-you’s. And, uh, lotta strands to keep in my head, man. Lotta strands in old Duder’s head.” ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-lines-in-film-noir-movies/843261/23 "2019-11-11T23:28:05Z")
From a 1982 comedy/homage: “Carlotta was the kind of town where they spell trouble T-R-U-B-I-L, and if you try to correct them, they kill you.” From a 1982 sci-fi/thriller/noir: “They don’t advertise for killers in the newspaper. That was my profession. Ex-cop. Ex-blade runner. Ex-killer.” From a 1947 classic noir: “Maybe I’ll live so long that I’ll forget her. Maybe I’ll die trying.” Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid / Blade Runner / Lady From Shanghai ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-lines-in-film-noir-movies/843261/24 "2019-11-11T23:35:35Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > The exchange between the examining doctor and Frank Bigelow, whom he’s just diagnosed with “luminous poisoning,” in **DOA** (1949). > > Doctor: “…of course, I’ll have to notify the police. This is a case of homicide.” > Bigelow: “Homicide?” > Doctor: “I don’t think you fully understand, Mr. Bigelow. You’ve been murdered.” Not quite up to the opening: Bigelow: I want to report a murder. Cop: Sit down. Where was this murder committed? Bigelow: San Francisco Cop: Who was murdered? Bigelow: I was. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-lines-in-film-noir-movies/843261/25 "2019-11-11T23:48:53Z")
I considered that, but decided I preferred mine. Chacun a son gout. ---
**Author:** ![Sefton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Sefton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sefton)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-lines-in-film-noir-movies/843261/26 "2019-11-12T00:30:11Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Let’s just start with one of the best. Harry Lime showing up in the middle of The Third Man. That movie also has one of the best lines of all time: “In Italy, for thirty years under the Borgias, they had warfare, terror, murder and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance. In Switzerland, they had brotherly love, they had five hundred years of democracy and peace – and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.” ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-lines-in-film-noir-movies/843261/27 "2019-11-12T00:44:27Z")
_The Man Who Wasn’t There_ was an underrated 2001 film noir with Billy Bob Thornton. > [@](#): > > Yeah, I guess I’m sorry about the pain I caused other people, but I don’t regret anything. I used to. I used to regret being the barber. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-lines-in-film-noir-movies/843261/28 "2019-11-12T03:47:46Z")
Nick Nolte had a good one after he kicks the crap out of Daniel Baldwin in _Mulholland Falls_. Nolte gives the beaten Baldwin the “Don’t screw with me” speech, ending with: “Your only hope is that I don’t find you. And I’ve already found you.” ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-lines-in-film-noir-movies/843261/29 "2019-11-12T04:00:24Z")
> [@Mike\_Mabes](#): > > neo-noir counts, in fact would love to hear of some that I can watch. My favorite in that category is Body Heat, which is partially derived from Double Indemnity I loved the interplay between Ted Danson and William Hurt. “Assistant County Prosecutor is not the end of the line for me.” “No, no. Someday, Deputy County Prosecutor.” ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-lines-in-film-noir-movies/843261/30 "2019-11-12T13:22:40Z")
This Sam Spade bit in _The Maltese Falcon_: “I’m in this up to my neck, Gutman. I’ve got to find somebody - a victim - when the time comes. If I don’t, I’ll be it. Let’s give 'em the gunsel. He actually did shoot Thursby and Jacobi, didn’t he? Anyway, he’s made to order for the part, look at him. Let’s give him to 'em.” Got a iffy slang term by the censors there. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-lines-in-film-noir-movies/843261/31 "2019-11-12T13:55:41Z")
The lines for Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor in The Maltese Falcon from about 1:00 to about 1:20 in this video, culminating with “If they hang you, I’ll never forget you.”: The final scenes come almost entirely from the book. ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_Mabes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mike_mabes/32/1782_2.png) [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2019, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-lines-in-film-noir-movies/843261/32 "2019-11-17T23:19:49Z")
watching special features of Double Indemnity, commentator says Barbara Standwick is the greatest Hollywood actress of all-time. That’s a \*\*bold \*\*statement. “She did light comedy, she could be sexy, she could be a ball-breaker.” And she did not want to play the part, thought it would ruin her career to play a murderess. No leading men of the day wanted to play the part of Neff. ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_Mabes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mike_mabes/32/1782_2.png) [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2019, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-lines-in-film-noir-movies/843261/33 "2019-11-17T23:27:46Z")
Stanwick’s entrance is one of the greatest ever. I think it is better than Rita Hayworth in Gilda. ---
**Author:** ![Personal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Personal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Personal)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-lines-in-film-noir-movies/843261/34 "2019-11-18T00:04:38Z")
The Last Seduction (1994): Bridget Gregory : A friend needs advice. I’ll set it up for you: A husband and wife do a one-time drug deal. The goal is a wholesome one. Frank Griffith : College fund for the kids. Bridget Gregory : No. The wife wants new digs. Comes off without a hitch, only the wife decides that the new house would be happier without the husband. Frank Griffith : Sharing was never her specialty. ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_Mabes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mike_mabes/32/1782_2.png) [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-lines-in-film-noir-movies/843261/35 "2019-11-18T00:45:40Z")
> [@Personal](#): > > The Last Seduction (1994): > > Bridget Gregory : A friend needs advice. I’ll set it up for you: A husband and wife do a one-time drug deal. The goal is a wholesome one. > > Frank Griffith : College fund for the kids. > > Bridget Gregory : No. The wife wants new digs. Comes off without a hitch, only the wife decides that the new house would be happier without the husband. > > Frank Griffith : Sharing was never her specialty. Linda Fiorentino. That is a fucking femme fatale. What a bitch! Linda Fiorentino walks into a bar - “Who’s a girl gotta suck around here to get a drink?” ---
**Author:** ![Sefton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Sefton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sefton)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-lines-in-film-noir-movies/843261/36 "2019-11-18T02:56:57Z")
From _The Usual Suspects_: “Then he showed those men of will what will really was.” ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-lines-in-film-noir-movies/843261/37 "2019-11-18T14:59:54Z")
In the Maltese Falcon, when Bogie says “You’re a good man, sister” it cracks me up every time. And when the sexy bookseller in The Big Sleep says to him, “You’re beginning to interest me… vaguely”. ---
**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-lines-in-film-noir-movies/843261/38 "2019-11-18T15:11:26Z")
_House of Games_ (1987) “Thank you, sir, may I have another?” by Mike, the main male character, after having been shot. Another Mike line: “You say I acted atrociously. Yes, I did - I do it for a living” Joe Mantegna is fabulous in this role. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-lines-in-film-noir-movies/843261/39 "2019-11-18T19:25:57Z")
> [@Sefton](#): > > From _The Usual Suspects_: “Then he showed those men of will what will really was.” Although the signature line from that flick was the very last one. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-lines-in-film-noir-movies/843261/40 "2019-11-18T19:30:20Z")
_My guess might be excellent or it might be crummy, but Mrs. Spade didn’t raise any children dippy enough to make guesses in front of a district attorney, and an assistant district attorney and a stenographer._ followed closely by _You getting this all right, son, or am I goin’ too fast for ya?_ Sam Spade both times, _The Maltese Falcon_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-lines-in-film-noir-movies/843261.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-scenes-lines-in-film-noir-movies/843261.md?page=3)