Four years ago, something terrible happened here. We did nothing…

Four years ago, something terrible happened here. We did nothing about it. Nothing! The whole town fell into a sort of settled melancholy, and all the people in it closed their eyes, and held their tongues, and failed the test with a whimper. And now something terrible’s going to happen again. And, in a way, we’re lucky because we’ve been given a second chance.

Doc T.R. Velie Jr.

Other Bad Day at Black Rock Quotes

First, I sell ‘em a piece of land. Do you think they farm it? They do not. They dig for gold. They rip off the topsoil of ten winding hills, then sprint in here all fog-heaved with excitement, lugging nuggets - big, bright, and shiny. Is it gold? It is not. Do they quit? They do not. Then they decide to farm, farm in a country so dry that you have to prime a man before he can spit. Before you can say ‘Fat Sam,’ they’re stalled, stranded, and starving. They become weevil-brained and buttsprung. So - I bury ‘em. But why bore you with my triumphs? - View Quote Details on First, I sell ‘em a piece of land. Do you…
[to Macreedy] These rooms here is for us cowboys…when I’m in town. And I’m in town, as any fool can see. - View Quote Details on [to Macreedy] These rooms here is for us cowboys…when I’m…
Pete Wirth: [to Liz, on the phone] I might as well be dead. Yeah, I told him everything…I’m asking you because I need your help. You’d be saving two lives, Liz: Macreedy’s and mine, if that means anything to you. - View Quote Details on Pete Wirth: [to Liz, on the phone] I might as…
I wanna know everything he does, Pete. Phone calls, mail…In the meantime, I’ll crowd him a little, see if he’s got any iron in his blood. - View Quote Details on I wanna know everything he does, Pete. Phone calls, mail…In…
Coley Trimble: Well, if it’s not Macreedy, the world’s champion roadhog…You ought to be more careful, man - all that one-arm driving…It’s a threat to life and limb…You could get yourself killed that way, nosin’ all over the countryside. - View Quote Details on Coley Trimble: Well, if it’s not Macreedy, the world’s champion…
You’re not Sheriff any more. You’re so pathetic you just lost a job. - View Quote Details on You’re not Sheriff any more. You’re so pathetic you just…
Send a wire to Nick Gandi in Los Angeles. Tell him to find out everything he can about John J. Macreedy…Tell him I want to know fast. Don’t get too nervous too fast, Hector…you’re as jumpy as a stall horse…And while you wait I’ll talk to him. - View Quote Details on Send a wire to Nick Gandi in Los Angeles. Tell…
You want to register a complaint, boy? To register a complaint, you’ve got to have evidence, boy. You got evidence? - View Quote Details on You want to register a complaint, boy? To register a…
Mr. Hastings: Nobody told me the train was stopping…It’s the first time the Streamliner has stopped here in four years. - View Quote Details on Mr. Hastings: Nobody told me the train was stopping…It’s the…
Pete Wirth: You’re mighty quick to kill - and he’s not an animal. - View Quote Details on Pete Wirth: You’re mighty quick to kill - and he’s…