Stranger on the Third Floor 1940 quotes

So now you believe both murders were committed by the same man, eh?

Yes, I do.

Um... maybe you're right. As you pointed out, there are certain similarities between the two crimes. But you missed one. Perhaps the most important. Both murders were discovered by the same man - you.

What are you driving at?

Tell me, has there ever been any insanity in your family?

Listen, I'm as sane as you are. And if you think I had anything to do with it, you're crazy.

Jane

I guess I'm just being silly.

Michael

It's becoming.

Martin

Who is that citizen?

It's my next door neighbor.

Martin

He looks as though his mind could stand a little laundering.

Did you ever want to kill a man?

Martin

My son, there's murder in every intelligent man's heart.

He's no man. He's a worm - the kind you ought to jump on with heavy boots.

Martin

You'll have to do an awful lot of jumping. The Earth is covered with 'em.

It'd be a real pleasure to cut his throat.

Martin

Say, you're not kidding. Put down that knife!

But what if she's right? He didn't do it and they give him the chair?

Martin

Suppose they do? What difference does it make? There's too many people in the world anyway.

What's the use of talking to you? You think everything's a joke.

Martin

My son, it is. If it weren't, life wouldn't be worth living.

The Judge

Juror number two! The jury will pay strict attention to the evidence.

I'm sorry, your honor. I was up all night with a terrible toothache.

The Judge

Well, that's too bad. But it's your duty to stay awake. And try and follow the evidence with as much intelligence as you've got!
[the spectators snicker]

The Stranger

They send you to take me back?

Jane

No. Who?

The Stranger

Don't you know? The people who lock you up.

Jane

Oh, no. Of course not.

The Stranger

How do I know I can trust you?

Jane

Well, they... they, they wouldn't send a woman, would they?

The Stranger

No. [laughs] No, they... they wouldn't send a woman. [laughs, then continues dispassionately] The only person who ever was kind to me was a woman. She's dead now.

Jane

Oh... Why? Why do they want to lock you up?

The Stranger

Oh, so they can hurt me. They... they put you in a shirt with, uh... long sleeves and... they pour ice water on you.

The Stranger

Come along... and I'll see that nothing happens to you.

The Stranger

I want a couple of hamburgers, and I'd like them raw.