Quotes

Dialogue

Geisler: Ever act? Barton: ...Huh? No, I'm— Geisler: We need Indians for a Norman Steele western. Barton: I'm a writer. Ted O— Geisler: Think about it, Fink. Writers come and go; we always need Indians.

Dialogue

Barton: Have you read the Bible, Pete? Pete: Holy Bible? Barton: Yeah. Pete: Yeah, I think so. Anyway, I've heard about it.

Dialogue

Charlie: I could tell you some stories... Barton: Sure you could and yet many writers do everything in their power to insulate themselves from the common man, from where they live, from where they trade, from where they fight and love and converse and...So naturally their work suffers and regresses into empty formalism and... well I'm spouting off again, but to put it in your language, the theatre becomes as phony as a three-dollar bill! Charlie: Well I guess that's a tragedy right there!

Dialogue

Mastrionotti: What do you do, Fink? Barton: I write. Deutsch: Oh yeah? What kind of write? Barton: Well, as a matter of fact I write for the pictures. Mastrionotti: Big fuckin' deal. Deutsch: You want my partner to kiss your ass? Mastrionotti: Would that be good enough for you? Barton: No, I - I didn't mean to sound... Deutsch: What did you mean? Barton: I - I've got respect for - for working guys, like you... Mastrionotti: Jesus! Ain't that a load off!

Dialogue

Mastrionotti: Started in Kansas City. Couple of housewives. Deutsch: Couple days ago we see the same M.O. out in Los Feliz. Mastrionotti: Doctor. Ear, nose and throat man. Deutsch: All of which he's now missin'. Mastrionotti: Well, some of his throat was there. Deutsch: Physician, heal thyself. Mastrionotti: Good luck with no fuckin' head. Deutsch: Anyway.

Dialogue

Geisler: Look, you confused? You need guidance? Talk to another writer. Barton: Who? Geisler: Jesus, throw a rock in here, you'll hit one. And do me a favor, Fink: throw it hard.

Dialogue

Deutsch: [questioning Fink about Mundt] What else? Barton: Trying to think. Nothing, really. He... he said he liked Jack Oakie pictures. Mastrionotti: You know, ordinarily we say anything you might remember could be helpful. But I'll be frank with you, Fink. That is not helpful. Deutsch: Notice how he's not writing it down?

Dialogue

Barton: I'm sorry if I let you down. Jack: You didn't let me down Fink, or even Lou. We don't live or die by what you scribble. You let Ben Geisler down. He liked you, trusted you... and that's why he's gone, he's fired. That man had a heart as big as the all outdoors and you fucked him.