Arthur Bannister You've been traveling around the world too much to find out anything about it.
Played by Everett Sloane 
The Lady from Shanghai (1947) · 38 quotes
The Lady from Shanghai (1947) · 38 quotes
2nd most-quoted character in The Lady from Shanghai (1947): in 8 of its 38 quotes
A line from Arthur BannisterMike's got a lot of blarney but he knows how to hurt a man when he gets mad.
More lines from Arthur Bannister
5 quotes Arthur Bannister Arthur Bannister That's the first time anyone ever thought enough of you to call you a shark. If you were a good lawyer, you'd be flattered.
Arthur Bannister [to Michael]
This is one case I've enjoyed losing. I'm coming to see you in the Death House, Michael, every day. Our little visits will be great fun. I'm going to ask for a stay of execution, and I really hope it will be granted. I want you to live as long as possible before you die...I've got an edge. I know you're going to the gas chamber.
Arthur Bannister I knew I'd find you two together. If I hadn't, Elsa, I might have gone on playing it your way. You didn't know that, but you did plan for me to follow you...I presume you think that if you murder me here, your sailor friend will get the blame and you'll be free to spend my money. Well, dear, you aren't the only one who wants me to die. Our good friend, the District Attorney, is just itching to open a letter that I left with him. The letter tells all about you, lover. So you'd be foolish to fire that gun. With these mirrors, it's difficult to tell. You are aiming at me, aren't you? I'm aiming at you, lover. Of course, killing you is killing myself. It's the same thing. But you know, I'm pretty tired of both of us.
Arthur Bannister [to Elsa, as he is dying]
You know, for a smart girl, you make a lot of mistakes. You should have let me live. You're gonna need a good lawyer.
Scenes with Arthur Bannister
2 scenes Arthur Are you independently wealthy?
I'm independent.
Arthur Of money. Before you start that novel Elsa says you're going to write, you'd better learn something. You've been traveling around the world too much to find out anything about it....
I've always found it very sanitary to be broke.
Arthur ...Money cannot bring you health and happiness, etc. Is that it? Without money, I'd be flat on my back in the ward of a county hospital...Each man has his own idea of happiness, of course, but money is what all of us have in common...You call yourself independent. Come around and see me five years from now.
Arthur Your Honor, the District Attorney isn't cross-examining, he's making speeches.
District Attorney
That simply isn't so.
Arthur I move for a declaration of mistrial be sought on the grounds that the jury is being prejudiced.
District Attorney
These are some of the great Bannister's 'trial tactics.' In an appeal for sympathy...
Arthur The District Attorney is beginning to get vicious.
Judge When you two gentlemen get over your argument, tell me who won. Then I'll decide on the objection. [Laughter] Objection sustained.
