While reading these quotes, try to channel the magnificent instrument that was Peter’s voice.
“Do you imagine I could take advantage, exploit, capitalize on a great scientific discovery? Cheat millions of people all the world over? Profane my profession?”
“You ought to do something about your nervous condition, Mr. Brand. You must never talk too much. Nervous men sometimes talk too much, and they make mistakes, and you musn’t make mistakes, Mr. Brand.”
Stepping in for Charlie Chan. Note Keye Luke in the billing as Number One Son.
“I have conquered science! Why can’t I conquer love?”
How about two great voices in one film? Lorre + Duryea = FUN
“How would you blow a whistle if somebody cut your throat?”
As Joel Cairo. Hungry for the stuff that dreams are made of.
“You… you imbecile. You bloated idiot. You stupid fat-head you.”
Fun stuff — thanks
Have you seen Herbert Lom’s affectionate riff on Lorre in The Man with Bogart’s Face? If not, the movie’s worth it for this alone (and is at least a whole lot better than the rather similar The Black Bird [1975]).
Lorre is one of those characters you have to love. Good or bad guy. I haven’t seen that Lom film and sadly say I don’t have it in the collection. I do have the Black Bird and it’s somewhat of a disappointment.
I do have the Black Bird and it’s somewhat of a disappointment.
That’s something of an understatement!
LOL
One of the most perfect name-calling insults of all time, especially with Lorre delivering it: “You bloated idiot!” And I noticed you mentioned the word ‘Cairo’ again…hmmm. I’m still betting that I hear this in an upcoming post: “Live from humid sands of Egypt, it’s Books We Rely On!”
Cairo did come to mind when I settled on Peter. Falcon is one of my all time faves among so many. I have always told my family it was the one movie prop I always wanted. Now that it hit the market last year I know it’s a little steep for my budget. Lorre was and still is a treasure in films.
I think my own favorite Lorre/Greenstreet number is The Mask of Dimitrios.
Solid film. I fondly recall discovering their collaborations on late night tv.
Egads, I just looked at the price of that Falcon statue on-line; a little steep! Back in the early 1990s, my brother bought one at a movie store in Hollywood for around $20, and it was VERY authentic. Now, I wish I’d bought one for myself!
When it sold at auction i was kind of hoping to find it under the Christmas tree that year:-)