Jailhouse Rock 1957 quotes

Hunk

Don't worry about me, sonny. I'll get along...One flop ain't a man's whole life. How'd you expect me to follow that three ring circus you put on?

Vince

Ah, you couldn't have followed a juggler.

Hunk

Naturally, I haven't got your talent.

Vince

That's right. You haven't. So what are you gonna do?

Hunk

I don't see where that's any of your business.

Vince

Now look, Hunk. I'm gonna be honest with ya. I'm not gonna put the breaks on my career now. I don't want you as part of my troupe. You're not good enough. It's been a long time, Hunk. Music changes every six months. You gotta change with it.

Hunk

I was in show business when you were runnin' around in wet pants and I'll be in it when they can't even remember your name.

Vince

Fine, but not with me.

Hunk

It's a lesson to remember. Without money, you might as well be dead.

Vince

Yeah.

Hunk

That's all the sympathy you'll get from me. Pity's a commodity. In here, you buy it and sell it just like anything else.

Vince

Hey, what are you, man? Some kind of an animal?

Hunk

That's right, buddy. I'm an animal in a jungle, and I got a motto: 'Do unto others as they would do unto you, only do it first'.

Vince

Yeah. That's right. Do it first.

Hunk

And it's just as bad on the outside. Worse. Remember that.

Vince

I don't aim to forget it.

Hunk

Trampin' on me is one thing, sonny. [takes off his jacket] Hurtin' a little girl like Peggy is another.

Vince

Now just don't you get no ideas, Hunk.

Hunk

There comes a time when you gotta take a hand in things, and that time is now.

Vince

Don't push me, Hunk.

Hunk

I'm gonna beat the hell outta you.

Vince

Don't try it. You're talkin' crazy, man.

Hunk

You know you got it comin', son.

Vince

I said don't try...
[Hunk hits him]

Hunk

We'd be a natural together, both ex-cons. The publicity would be sensational. Look, you get out in six months. I follow you 12 months later. Whaddya say, boy?

Vince

You mean we sing together?

Hunk

Together or alone, it makes no difference. We hire a couple of other acts - we got our own show. We play the circuit and we roll.

Vince

I don't know anything about how to get any bookings.

Hunk

Let me worry about the business end. Here - I made a contract for us. We split everything right down the middle.

Vince

Hey. How come you're willin' to give me 50% of your earnings? I mean, uh, like you said, you're the one who's got the experience and the name.

Hunk

One simple reason: I got faith in your possibilities. Sure, you're never gonna command the dough I can. But, with training, you'll do all right. Besides, I need a young man to appeal to the kids. I'm levelin' with ya, boy. Alone, son, you'd be like a lamb in a pack of wolves. Go ahead.
[Vince signs]

Hunk

Well, you made it, huh boy? I've been readin' about it and I feel proud of ya.

Vince

Yeah, I've been lucky so far.

Hunk

Lucky? Talent. I knowed you had it the minute you opened up your mouth. Now you're goin' on the TV.

Vince

You know everythng, don't ya?

Hunk

I feel good. What's your plans for me, boy?

Vince

Well, I ain't exactly got any, Hunk.

Hunk

You got no plans for Hunk, your old partner?

Vince

Well, what do ya want to do?

Hunk

I want a spot on that TV show.

Vince

Times have changed. Styles have changed. You might fall flat on your face, boy.

Hunk

I might get lucky like you, too.

Vince

I tried your style, just like you taught me. Boy, I laid a bomb.

Hunk

But you ain't me.

Vince

Well, I guess I owe you that much, but I don't know how it's gonna work out, Hunk.

Hunk

You know, I got a spot for you in the show. I'll teach you a new tune.

Vince

I don't know. What's the percentage in singin' for a bunch of cons?

Hunk

Experience, you lunkhead! That's the percentage.

Hunk

You will never make a guitar player. You got no rhythm in your bones!

Vince

Well, I never heard of anybody payin' money to hear a guitar player.

Hunk

Well, don't pay any attention to me. I was only in the business for 10 years. That's all.

Listen, Sonny. You don't own that song. It's a published tune. Anyone can record it.

Vince

You turned it down. You said you didn't like it.

We simply didn't want to record it with an unknown.

Vince

What about my arrangement?

So see your lawyer. You can't copyright an arrangement.

Vince

You're a thievin' rat! [goes after him]

Now you listen to me, sonny.

Vince

Don't "sonny" me, you louse! [slaps him a couple times and throws him back in his chair] Crawl back under your rock, you snake!

Peggy

I didn't think you were very good, Vince.

Vince

I'm no worse than a lot of 'em.

Peggy

And no better.

Vince

OK, you're used to the top talent. What are you wasting your time working me over for?

Peggy

I like the way you swing a guitar.

Vince

Well, I guess I did get a lot of wrist action into it, didn't I? Well, that's all she wrote. My musical career started and ended with one song.

Peggy

I don't know why. Not until you've given yourself every chance.

Vince

But if they won't listen to me, I can't hold a gun on 'em.

Peggy

Did you ever listen to yourself?

Vince

How can I listen to myself when I'm singing?

Peggy

Make a tape recording. Maybe when you hear yourself, you can discover what's wrong.

Peggy

He has adapted very quickly.

Hunk

Well, there's not much oxygen up there where he is, and a man gets light-headed.

Peggy

Most actors when they become stars go through a brief period of being modest.

Hunk

Not our boy. He became a heel overnight. What are you doing here today, Peg?

Peggy

I guess I like punishment.

Peggy

Tell me what you see?

Vince

About five-four, weigh 115, pretty well stacked.

Peggy

Well, I'm glad you find me pleasing.

Vince

I don't find you nothin'. I'm a singer.

Peggy

Well, I'm afraid I misunderstood. If you buy me a fresh drink, I'll tell you about the figures.

Vince

Buy your own drink.

Peggy

Well, you finally got your sensation. I hope you're satisfied.

Vince

Get off my back, kid. I ain't in the mood.

Peggy

You insulted my father, my mother and me and that's just unforgivable!

Vince

Well, what do you expect? I come out, have a little beer, the first thing you know some old broad's pushin' me in the corner with some stupid question.

Peggy

They were just trying to bring you into the conversation.

Vince

They can shelve their conversation. I'm not even sure they were talkin' English.
...

Peggy

I think I'm gonna just hate you.

Vince

Uh-uh, You ain't gonna hate me. I ain't gonna let you hate me.

Peggy

How dare you think such cheap tactics would work with me!

Vince

That ain't tactics, honey. It's just the beast in me.

Vince

How's your headache?

Sherry

I'm coming all unglued.
[they continue to kiss]

Vince

Hey, how'd you know about the record company?

Hunk

Oh, I got to keep up with the activities of a partner.

Peggy

You've got more partners than a square dance.

Hunk

Yeah, I taught the boy plenty.

Peggy

You'll find out just how well you taught him. Good night.

Hunk

That's a pretty little thing.

Vince

I want to introduce you to a new member of the troupe....Laury's a real cool little singer. I'm takin' her to New York with me.

Peggy

Oh! In that case, I don't think I'll go.

Vince

Oh! Were you planning to go? What for?

Peggy

No reason I can think of now.

Vince

Got nothin' to do with the record business.

Peggy

Of course not.

Vince

It's just like you said that night in Joplin - 'You and me, it's strictly business.'

Peggy

Let's keep it that way. Let me know when you want to cut another record, Pard.