Captain Gaskell quotes from China Seas (1935)

China Doll

Well, I-I understand congratulations are in order. I'd like to be the first to wish you the best. You'll need it.

Captain Gaskell

Someday you'll say something nice and never forgive yourself.

Captain Gaskell

Who's in there?

China Doll

It's China Doll, the gal that drives men mad.

Captain Gaskell

What the devil are you doing aboard?

China Doll

Nothing laddie. Just showering dewdrops off the body beautiful.

Captain Gaskell

I'll be over as soon as I get through. Anything you want?

China Doll

Anything I... ? Toots, I got everything.

Captain Gaskell

Now wait a minute, Dolly. You and I are friends. We've had a lot of fun together and as far as I'm concerned, you're a number one girl in the archipelago. But, I don't remember making any vows to you, nor do I recall asking for any.

China Doll

Don't you get polite at me! When you start talkin' with your high hat on I - I know you mean it and - and it scares me. Say, who do you think you are anyway? If I had a nickels worth of pride, I'd...

Captain Gaskell

If that's the way you feel about it, I'm not standing in your way.

China Doll

That's just the soup I'm in, I don't feel that way at all. You - you dog!

Captain Gaskell

Now, that's more like it.

Captain Gaskell

You don't like my behavior ashore or aboard ship, you can get a new boy. In fact, I wish you would!

Ha! You wouldn't go if you could.

Captain Gaskell

Wouldn't I? I'm so close to being back to England now, I can hear Big Ben chiming.

I've heard that from men for 50 years. It's only the weak ones that sneak out of the China Seas. It's the bullheads like you that stay on.

Captain Gaskell

What have you got in your mouth?

Chewing tobacco, sir.

Captain Gaskell

Its bad enough to have a ship that looks like this and a Captain that looks like me, without having a Chief Officer who looks like you!

Captain Gaskell

Get on your horse, we're shoving off.

China Doll

Say, why are you so anxious to get me out of your sight? Is that hunk of caviar makin' the round trip?

Captain Gaskell

What hunk of caviar?

China Doll

That redhead Russian princess that was on board from Singapore.

Captain Gaskell

She isn't a Russian and she isn't a princess and I have my doubts about her hair color.

China Doll

All right, toots, you - you win. I hope you have a good trip. Goodbye.

Captain Gaskell

All right. All right. If you've got your ticket and a job, I don't suppose I can...

China Doll

Blimey! [Jumps into Gaskell's arms]

China Doll

Okay, toots. I know you ain't got much time to fool around with passengers.

Captain Gaskell

It's your own fault. You wanted to be one.

China Doll

Except, maybe, that English dame?

Captain Gaskell

You're becoming very observant.

China Doll

I saw her when she came aboard. She looked like she was smellin' a dead fish or somethin'.

Captain Gaskell

If I'd had a more definite tie, I might have behaved a bit more decently.

China Doll

Say, if you ain't decent, boyfriend, you'll do until somethin' decent comes along.

Captain Gaskell

Out here maybe. But, anywhere else in the world, we'd both be a little bit soiled.

China Doll

How's it, toots? Well, come on and play dumb it you want. I just came in to tell you, I'm not gonna come around and pester you anymore. Look, I'm takin' all my cigarettes. You know, its moonlight outside. Gee, it's pretty. Ain't it funny we always fight when its moonlight and make up when its rainin'? Its about time for the rainy season, ain't it, toots? Aw, come on out of the trenches. I'm not gonna throw any bombs. I'm harmless.

Captain Gaskell

Yes, of course, you're as harmless as a revolutionary.

China Doll

Well, anyway, it won't be so lonely while Jamesy is aboard.

Captain Gaskell

I hate to hear you talk like that Dolly.

China Doll

Well, a gal's got to do the best she can with what's around.

Captain Gaskell

You owe yourself more than that.

China Doll

The trouble is boyfriend, there ain't any male Mrs. Barclays. So charming. So refined.

Captain Gaskell

Well, the real trouble is, there aren't enough female Mrs. Barclays.

Captain Gaskell

Now, lets quit good friends instead of like a couple of cab drivers after a drunken brawl.

China Doll

Yeah, I guess that's the way it ought to be done. But, I ain't been brought up to do the right thing, like that English dame. All I can say is what's down inside of me. And I don't care how long you been carryin' the torch for her - you can't quit me any more than I can quit you! And you can kiss a stack of cookbooks on that!

Captain Gaskell

Well, anyway, it'll be quieter in England.

Wait till you get there - if you ever do.

Captain Gaskell

What's to keep me?

Well, I've been trying it for 30 years. But, there's something about this place. From my window, I can see the whole harbor of Hong Kong. Big ships coming. Big ships going. The China I know. The China - I've helped to make. On quiet nights, off in the hills, I can hear the sound of distant firing. They were at it when I came. And they'll be at it after I've gone. More guns won't stop them. Too many of them. And the only things they respect are courage and honor. Yes, and England's power! England's place here can never be any greater than the men who represent her.