Dr. Vitus Werdegast quotes from The Black Cat (1934)

Werdegast

It is perhaps the narcotic. Hyoscine affects certain people very oddly. One cannot be sure. Sometimes, these cases take strange forms. The victim becomes in a sense, 'mediumistic,' a vehicle for all the intangible forces in operation around her.

Peter

Sounds like a lot of supernatural baloney to me.

Werdegast

Supernatural, perhaps - baloney, perhaps not! There are many things under the sun.

Poelzig

I shall show you your rooms.

Peter

It's strange about the cat. Joan seemed so curiously affected when you killed it.

Werdegast

That was coincidence, I think. However, certain ancient books say that the Black Cat is the living embodiment of Evil. And if that Evil enters into the nearest living thing, it is...

Poelzig

The Black Cat does not die. Those same books, if I'm not mistaken, teach that the Black Cat is deathless. Deathless as Evil. It is the origin of the common superstition. You know, the cat with nine lives.

Dr. Vitus Werdegast

After all, better to be frightened than to be crushed.

Dr. Vitus Werdegast

I beg your indulgence my friend. Eighteen years ago, I left a girl so like your lovely wife to go to war...She was my wife. Have you ever heard of Kurgaal? It is a prison below Amsk...Many men have gone there. Few have returned. I have returned. After fifteen years, I have returned.

Dr. Vitus Werdegast

It has been a long time Hjalmar. The years have been kind to you.

Dr. Vitus Werdegast

You sold Marmorus to the Russians. You scurried away in the night and left us to die. Is it to be wondered that you should choose this place to build your house? A masterpiece of construction built upon the ruins of the masterpiece of destruction — a masterpiece of murder. [laughs hideously] The murderer of 10,000 men returns to the place of his crime. Those who died were fortunate. I was taken prisoner at Kurgaal. Kurgaal, where the soul is killed, slowly. Fifteen years I've rotted in the darkness. But not to kill you, but to kill your soul — slowly. Where is my wife, Karen, and my daughter?

Dr. Vitus Werdegast

It is indeed hard to describe. It's hard to describe his life — or death. It may well be an atmosphere of death. This place was built upon the ruins of the same Ft. Marmorus that our unfortunate friend, the driver, described so vividly. Herr Poelzig commanded Marmorus during the last years of the war. He is perhaps sentimental about this spot.

Dr. Vitus Werdegast

Superstitious, perhaps... Baloney, perhaps not. There are many things under the sun.

Dr. Vitus Werdegast

We must bide our time until others aren't involved. This place is so undermined with dynamite that the slightest mistake by one of us would cause the destruction of all. Until I tell you different, you are his servant, not mine.

Dr. Vitus Werdegast

How does it feel to hang on your own embalming rack, Hjalmar?

Dr. Vitus Werdegast

It's the red switch, isn't it Hjalmar? The red switch ignites the dynamite. (He activates one of the large switches.) Five minutes and Marmaros, you and I, and your rotten cult will be no more...

Dr. Vitus Werdegast

It has been a good game.

Werdegast

You told Karen I had been killed...I mean you always wanted her. In the days at Salzburg before the war, always from the first time you saw her...You wanted Karen and induced her to go to America with you. I traced the two of you there, and to Spain, and to South America and finally here. Where is she?

Poelzig

Vitus, you are mad!

Poelzig

And this was the entrance to the gun turrets. Don't you recognize it?

Werdegast

I can still sense death in the air.

Poelzig

There is still death in the air. It is just as much undermined [with dynamite] today as ever. And this is the old chart room for the long-range guns. The guns are gone, but the charts are still here.

Poelzig

Now you see, Vitus, I have cared for her tenderly and well. You will find her almost as beautiful as when you last saw her. She died two years after the war.

Werdegast

How?

Poelzig

Of pneumonia. She was never very strong, you know.

Werdegast

And, and the child, our daughter?

Poelzig

Dead.

Werdegast

And why is she...Why is she like this?

Poelzig

Is she not beautiful? I wanted to have her beauty - always. I loved her too, Vitus.

Werdegast

Lies. All lies Hjalmar. You killed her. You killed her as I'm about to kill you!
[A black cat enters, paralyzing Werdegast with fear]

Poelzig

You're interested?

Werdegast

Maybe.

Poelzig

I thought so. Well I'm not. Only spiritually.

Werdegast

Spiritually?

Poelzig

Tonight, it is the dark of the moon. We shall gather and...You had better come Vitus. The ceremony will interest you.

Werdegast

Don't pretend Hjalmar. There was nothing spiritual in your eyes when you looked at that girl. You plan to keep her here.

Poelzig

Perhaps.

Werdegast

I intend to let her go.

Poelzig

Is that a challenge Vitus?

Werdegast

Yes, if you dare to fight it out alone.

Poelzig

Do you dare play chess with me for her?

Werdegast

Yes. I will even play you chess for her - provided if I win, they are free to go.

Poelzig

You won't win, Vitus.

Werdegast

We are all in danger. Poelzig is a mad beast, I know. I know, I've seen the proof. He took Karen my wife and murdered her. And murdered my child.

Joan

And you let him live?

Werdegast

I wait my time. It shall be soon, very soon. Until then, I must do his bidding. That is why even my servant obeys him. Did you ever hear of Satanism, the worship of the devil, of evil? Poelzig is the great modern priest of this ancient cult, and tonight, the dark of the moon, the rites of Lucifer are celebrated. If I am not mistaken, he intends you to play a part in that ritual! A very important part. There child. Be brave, no matter how hopeless it all seems. Be brave.

Werdegast

Karen is dead.

Joan

No! I mean Karen, your daughter. Madame Poelzig.

Werdegast

What do you mean?

Joan

She's alive, here in this house! She's Poelzig's wife!
The "Black Mass" recited by Boris Karloff[edit]