Dark Passage (1947)

Houseley Stevenson: Dr. Walter Coley

Photos 

Quotes 

• Vincent Parry : I hope I'm not a coward when you start in.

  Dr. Walter Coley : We're all cowards. There's no such thing as courage. There's only fear, the fear of getting hurt. And the fear of dying. That's why human beings live so long.

  Dr. Walter Coley : [getting a towel ready to put over Vincent's face]  You won't feel any pain with this. I'm gonna' give you some shots that'll freeze your face.

  Dr. Walter Coley : [placing towel over Vincent's face]  Now... just close your eyes. Got a fine anesthetic. Used it in the last war. It's in your bloodstream now...

• Vincent Parry : Will it take long?

  Dr. Walter Coley : Ninety minutes. No more, no less.

  Vincent Parry : Oh, I thought it took longer than that.

  Vincent Parry : [alarmed to see the doctor sharpening a straight razor]  Hey...

  Dr. Walter Coley : Yes?

  Vincent Parry : You're not going to operate on me with that, are you?

  Dr. Walter Coley : [chuckles softly]  Oh, no. Before I can start on you, you have to be shaved clean, and close.

  Dr. Walter Coley : I perfected my own special technique twelve years ago - before I was kicked out of the Medical Association. My method is based partly on calling a spade a spade. I don't monkey around. Have you got the money?

  Vincent Parry : Yeah, you want it now?

  Dr. Walter Coley : Sam said you could afford two hundred... put it on the table there.

• [Vincent meets a discredited plastic surgeon] 

  Dr. Walter Coley : Ever see any botched plastic jobs? If a man like me didn't like a fellow... he could surely fix him up for life. Make him look like a bulldog, or a monkey. I'll make you look as if you've lived.

  Vincent Parry : I have, Doc.

• [after operating on Vicent Perry, Dr.coley says goodbye] 

  Dr. Walter Coley : The artist in me wishes he could see what a nice job I've done, but I never will. Goodbye, and good luck.