Whit Sterling When you see her, you'll understand better.
3rd most-quoted character in Out of the Past (1947): in 14 of its 67 quotes
Most scenes with: Jeff Bailey/Jeff Markham (7), Kathie Moffat (2)
A dame with a rod is like a guy with a knitting needle.
More lines from Whit Sterling
5 quotes Whit Sterling Whit Sterling My feelings? About ten years ago, I hid them somewhere and haven't been able to find them.
Whit Sterling [to Jeff]
You'll never be happy until you square yourself.
Whit Sterling [to Kathie]
You dirty little phony. Go on lie some more. Tell me how you handled things for me in San Francisco. Tell me it was all Joe's idea. Go on, Kathie, show me how you're gonna squirm your way out this time. What a sucker you must think I am. I took you back when you came whimpering and crawling. I should have kicked your teeth in. No, I'm not going to. Not now Kathie. We're gonna let the law push you around...You're going to take the rap and play along. You're gonna make every exact move I tell ya. If you don't, I'll kill ya. And I'll promise you one thing. It won't be quick. I'll break you first. You won't be able to answer a telephone or open a door without thinking: 'This is it.' And when it comes, it still won't be quick. And it won't be pretty. You can take your choice.
Whit Sterling [to Jeff]
Look I crossed you once. I know better than to try a second time.
Scenes with Whit Sterling
8 scenes Whit You just sit and stay inside yourself. You wait for me to talk. I like that.
I never found out much listening to myself.
Whit I just want her back. When you see her, you'll understand better.
Maybe she's just an impulsive girl?
Whit So we'll let it go at that.
I can let it all go.
Whit Even $5,000 now, and 5 when you bring her back...and expenses.
Now that should have been the first thing you said.
Whit Find her Jeff. Bring her back.
Why me?
Whit Well, I know a lot of smart guys and a few honest ones. And you're both.
And what happens to her?
Whit I won't touch her.
Whit my friend, there's a million dames in this world. They all look like her.
Whit No they don't. So she was here.
According to all available evidence, she was.
Whit Maybe you should have sent Stephanos. Could you find one dame in a million, Joe?
Joe And one with forty grand.
Whit Picked up some nerves.
I don't need a crack like that any more than I need your dough, which is what I've been telling you. I missed her. The dame caught a boat south.
Whit Where?
Look, I got along before this job. I ate good and I grew as big as you did and if there's something you don't like you can say so.
Whit I just asked where.
Chile, Guatemala...
Whit I'm sorry. You missed her and you feel bad. I shouldn't have joked about it.
I'll give you back your $5,000 and turn the job over to Stephanos.
Whit You're on. I fire people, but nobody quits me. You started this and you'll end it. Besides, Joe couldn't find a prayer in the Bible. You'll find her. Take it easy. Take your time.
Things are mixed up.
Whit Bailey mix 'em?
I can't talk on the phone. We're trying to get a plane.
Whit But you're bringing me something.
No Whit. I can't explain now darling.
You take the frame off me. You pin the Eels murder on Joe.
Whit Sure, sure.
I get a modest settlement, say, oh, say $50,000. That should be enough for me to spend my waning years in Mazatlan. Not Acapulco, because I'd keep thinking about you Kathie, up there in the women's prison in Tehatchapie. It won't be too bad. Hills all around you. Plenty of sun. You make me nervous. You'd be happier if you let the cops have her Whit. That's what you'll have to do. Somebody's got to take the rap for Fisher's murder. It's not going to be me.
Whit Wait a minute. I'm not framing any woman.
When did you reform? I wouldn't try it, Whit, you're out of shape. Besides, it's not a frame. She shot him.
He was going to kill you.
You see Whit, self-defense. A cinch to beat. She might not even have to do time.
I'll say you killed him. They'll believe me.
Do you believe her? Go on Kathie, tell him about Joe. Last time I saw him, he was in the East Walker River.
I didn't send him after Jeff. It was his own idea.
Whit [to Jeff]
Did you kill him?
He slipped and fell. When I got there, it was too late. That's a mean river.
Whit He was trailin' you?
Well, you don't go fishing with a .45 in your hand.
Whit You know San Francisco, don't you?
Yeah, I was there once at a party.
Whit Then you get around.
Like the monkey and the weasel.
