Bernardo [to Tony]
When I get through with you, you will be like a fish after skinning.
Played by George Chakiris 
West Side Story (1961) · 58 quotes
West Side Story (1961) · 58 quotes
3rd most-quoted character in West Side Story (1961): in 13 of its 58 quotes
Most scenes with: Anita (6), Maria (2), Tony (2)
Look, every one of you hates every one of us, and we hate you right back. Let's get at it.
More lines from Bernardo
2 quotes Bernardo Bernardo [to Tony]
Afraid, pretty boy? Afraid, gutless? Afraid, chicken?...You yellow-bellied chicken...Pollack.
Scenes with Bernardo
10 scenes
You hoodlums don't own these streets. And I've had all the rough-house I can put up with around here. You want to kill each other? Kill each other, but you ain't gonna do it on my beat. Are there any questions?
Bernardo Yes, sir. Would you mind translating that into Spanish?
Get your friends out of here, Bernardo - and stay out - please.
Bernardo OK Sharks, vamonos.
Boy, as if this neighborhood wasn't crummy enough. Now look, fellas. Fellas? Look, let's be reasonable, huh? If I don't get a little law and order around here, I get busted down to a traffic corner. And your friend don't like traffic corners. So that means you're gonna start makin' nice with the PRs [Puerto Ricans] from now on. I said nice - GET IT! 'Cause if you don't, and I catch any of ya doing any more brawlin' in my territory, I'm gonna personally beat the living crud out of each and every one of yas and see that you go to the can and rot there. Say goodbye to the nice boys, Krupke.
Krupke
Goodbye boys.
My brother is a silly watchdog.
Bernardo Ah, my sister is a precious jewel.
What am I, cut glass?
Bernardo Get your hands off, American...Stay away from my sister.
Sister?
Bernardo Couldn't you see he's one of them?
No. I saw only him.
Bernardo There's only one thing they want from a Puerto Rican girl.
That's a lie!
Later, Tony.
Get away.
Stay out of this, Chino. [To Maria] Don't listen.
Bernardo She will listen to her brother before she listens to you.
Bernardo Now I will not say these things to spoil your evening or to hear myself talk. I am here longer than you, Maria...Someday, when you're an old married woman with five children, then you can tell me what to do. Right now, it's the other way around. Now go to bed.
[To Maria]
He's the old married woman. [To Bernardo] You know, she has a mother. Also a father.
Bernardo They do not know this country any better than she does.
And you do not know it at all. Girls here are free to have fun. She is in America now.
Bernardo Puerto Rico is in America now.
Sometimes I don't know which is thicker. Your skull or your accent.
I mind your nose and your head broken...Sure. They used Maria as an excuse to start World War III.
Bernardo It is more than that.
More than what? She was only dancing.
Bernardo With an American. He was really a Pollack.
Says the Spic.
Bernardo You are not so cute.
Rosalia That Tony is.
Consuelo And he works.
As a delivery boy.
And what are you?
An assistant.
Bernardo Si. And Chino makes half of what the Pollack makes.
Oh, here comes the whole commercial. 'Your mother's a Pole. Your father's a Swede. But you were born here. That's all that you need. You are an American.' When I think of how I thought it would be for us here, we came like children, believing, trusting.
Girls
[singing]
I like to be in America, OK by me in America, Everything free in America
Bernardo For a small fee in America.
Buying on credit is so nice.
Bernardo One look at us and they charge twice.
Rosalia I'll have my own washing machine.
Indio
What will you have, though, to keep clean?
Girl
[singing]
Industry boom in America.
Boys
Twelve in a room in America.
Lots of new housing with more space.
Bernardo Lots of doors slamming in our face.
I'll get the terrace apartment.
Bernardo Better get rid of your accent.
Life can be bright in America.
Boys
If you can fight in America.
Girls
Life is all right in America.
Boys
If you're all white in America.
Girls
Here you are free and you have pride.
Boys
Long as you stay on your own side.
Girls
Free to be anything you choose.
Boys
Free to wait tables and shine shoes.
We challenge you to a rumble. All out, once and for all. Accept?
Bernardo On what terms?
Whatever terms you're callin'? You crossed the line once too often.
Bernardo You started it.
Who jumped Baby John this afternoon?
Bernardo Who jumped me the first day I moved here?
Who asked you to move here?
Bottles, knives, guns. What a coop full of chickens?
Who are you calling chicken?
Bernardo Every dog knows his own.
I'm calling you all chicken. Big tough buddy-boys gotta throw bricks, huh? Afraid you're getting close? Afraid to slug it out? Afraid to use plain skin? How about a fair fight if you've got the guts to risk that? Best man from each gang will slug it out.
[sings]
Puerto Rico, my heart's devotion,
Let it sink back in the ocean.
Always the hurricanes blowing,
Always the population growing
And the money owing,
And the sunlight streaming
And the natives steaming.
I like the island of Manhattan,
Smoke on your pipe and put that in!
Girls
[sings]
I like to be in America,
OK by me in America,
Everything free in America!
Bernardo [sings]
For a small fee in America.
Bernardo [sings]
One look at us and they charge twice.
