Jailhouse Rock (1957) · 19 quotes
2nd most-quoted character in Jailhouse Rock (1957): in 10 of its 19 quotes
Most scenes with: Vince Everett (9), Peggy (3)
Hunk You will never make a guitar player. You got no rhythm in your bones!
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.
Hunk You know, I got a spot for you in the show. I'll teach you a new tune.
I don't know. What's the percentage in singin' for a bunch of cons?
Hunk Experience, you lunkhead! That's the percentage.
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?
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.
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.
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 It's a lesson to remember. Without money, you might as well be dead.
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.
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'.
Yeah. That's right. Do it first.
Hunk And it's just as bad on the outside. Worse. Remember that.
I don't aim to forget it.
Hey, how'd you know about the record company?
Hunk Oh, I got to keep up with the activities of a partner.
You've got more partners than a square dance.
Hunk Yeah, I taught the boy plenty.
You'll find out just how well you taught him. Good night.
Hunk That's a pretty little thing.
Hunk Well, you made it, huh boy? I've been readin' about it and I feel proud of ya.
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.
You know everythng, don't ya?
Hunk I feel good. What's your plans for me, boy?
Well, I ain't exactly got any, Hunk.
Hunk You got no plans for Hunk, your old partner?
Well, what do ya want to do?
Hunk I want a spot on that TV show.
Times have changed. Styles have changed. You might fall flat on your face, boy.
Hunk I might get lucky like you, too.
I tried your style, just like you taught me. Boy, I laid a bomb.
Hunk But you ain't me.
Well, I guess I owe you that much, but I don't know how it's gonna work out, Hunk.
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?
Ah, you couldn't have followed a juggler.
Hunk Naturally, I haven't got your talent.
That's right. You haven't. So what are you gonna do?
Hunk I don't see where that's any of your business.
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.
Fine, but not with me.
He has adapted very quickly.
Hunk Well, there's not much oxygen up there where he is, and a man gets light-headed.
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?
I guess I like punishment.
We got an offer for the label, Peg. It's just too good to turn down.
An offer? What kind of an offer?
To sell out to Geneva Records. [raises his hand] Wait a minute. Wait'll you hear the deal. Seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars, a capital gain. That's 225,000 in cold cash for you, after taxes.
But, Vince, I don't wanna sell out.
I'm afraid you got not choice, kid. I own...
I know. Sixty percent.
That's the way the mop flops. You'd think I was tryin' to rob you. After all, you're getting practically a quarter of a million dollars.
Dollars? Dollars? Is that the beginning and the end of the world for you? Is there no emotion left in you but the lust for money?
Emotion? What emotion? It's strictly business between you and me. You said that.
I don't care what I said. We started this thing together. We nursed it and brought it up, you and I. It may just be a ledger page to you and Mr. Shores... but to me it's part of my life! Oh, go ahead and sell it! I don't care what you do! [goes away crying]
Hunk It's not just the record company that's botherin' her.
Hunk Trampin' on me is one thing, sonny. [takes off his jacket] Hurtin' a little girl like Peggy is another.
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.
Don't push me, Hunk.
Hunk I'm gonna beat the hell outta you.
Don't try it. You're talkin' crazy, man.
Hunk You know you got it comin', son.
I said don't try...
[Hunk hits him]
