"
I've been as bad an influence on American literature as anyone I can think of.""Another man whose social life has ruined him."
"Feed the lettuce to the bunny and eat the bunny."
"People always say things like, Oh, well, he was suffering so much that he was better off dying. But that's not true. You're always better off living."
"I haven't any sort of plans for the future but I reckon things will work out in some manner."
The Thin Man (1929):
“How do you feel?”
“Terrible. I must have gone to bed sober.” (Nora & Nick)
“She keeps trying and you’ve got to be careful or you’ll find yourself believing her, not because she seems to be telling the truth, but simply because you’re tired of disbelieving her.” (Nick Charles)
“You got types?” (Nora)
“Only you, darling--lanky brunettes with wicked jaws.” (Nick)
The Maltese Falcon (1930):
"Samuel Spade’s jaw was long and bony, his chin a jutting v under the more flexible v of his mouth. His nostrils curved back to make another, smaller v. His yellow-grey eyes were horizontal. The v motif was picked up again by thickish brows rising outward from twin creases above a hooked nose, and his pale brown hair grew down-from high flat temples-in a point on his forehead. He looked rather pleasantly like a blonde satan." (Description of Spade)
“Our conversations have not been such that I am anxious to continue them in private.” (Cairo)
“The cheaper the crook, the gaudier the patter.” (Spade)
19 comments:
Those are some great quotations!
great quotes.
Great quotations, yes, but do you think a modern writer could get away with the V descriptions (from The Maltese Falcon) today?
I'm about to start "The maltese falcon." I"ve read others by Hammett and really enjoyed them.
Nice post. Col quotes. Also see you're listening to The Best of Julie London. Fabulous CD featuring my all time favorite torch singer.
Charles, You will not be disappointed.
Bish, I grew up on Julie's Dixie McCall character from Emergency! Thanks to Ray over at the Broken Trails blog I'm now a card carrying fan of her music as well. "Come On A My House" is my current favorite song.
Great quotes and I'm ashamed to say I haven't read Hammett yet. I'm a big fan of the Thin Man movies though. I just love how they spit those lines back and forth faster than a speeding bullet. :) I think you're right about the v's, they probably wouldn't fly in today's market.
I'm not familiar with his work outside the film adaptation of The Maltese Falcon (which was great), but I enjoyed reading these.
As a former vegetarian, I must admit to getting the biggest kick out of the bunny one. ;)
Sandra, I think I'm as surprised by you saying you haven't read Hammett as you were by me saying I don't read (other than Hemingway/Chandler) a book twice:) Like Charles you are in for a heck of a treat.
Sarah, seeing your comment reminds me I have to finish my flash for The Clarity of Night. I'm almost done but having difficulty with the last two lines.
Many years ago I would read my brothers' Hammett books and I think its time to revisit them.
I'm still not as familiar with Hammett as I should be - I've a great foilo edition of his Continental Op stories.
DAVID - I admire anyone who can do a flash piece - just too short for me.
Archavist, I'm working on my novel and finding just the opposite problem. Stretching and adding filler is a tough chore!
OMG David! As if Hammett weren't great enough, reminding me of Emergency's Dixie sends me straight into reverie over the incomparable Randolph Mantooth!
Randolph Mantooth! Ha! Clare you always crack me up!
well, that blew my skirt up so much, I can't see a thing! Smashing!
Paul, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Wonderful quotes from a writer who did more to influence my style of writing than any other writer I can think of.
Brian, He seemed to write so
effortlessly. I wonder if it was harder for him than we realize and that's one of the reasons he stopped writing? I might check into buying a bio on Hammett.
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