The Oklahoma Kid (1939)

James Cagney: Jim Kincaid

Photos 

Quotes 

• The Oklahoma Kid : Listen, I learned this about human nature when I was but so high, and that is: that the strong take away from the weak, and the smart take it away from the strong.

• [referring to his gun] 

  The Oklahoma Kid : This is the only law that I know is worth a hoot in this part of the country. The only law.

• Jane Hardwick : Jim... what are you going to do?

  The Oklahoma Kid : I've got a date with McCord!

  Judge Hardwick : Now listen son, I know just how you feel...

  The Oklahoma Kid : Well then in that case you won't hold me up with a lotta talk, will you?

  Jane Hardwick : Haven't you done enough?

  The Oklahoma Kid : I haven't done anything! Except kill a lotta ki-yotes in self defense... if you wanna put it in law talk.

• The Oklahoma Kid : I don't take to this itch for plowing up new empires. That's all.

  Judge Hardwick : But, why not?

  The Oklahoma Kid : I'll tell you why not. Now, look. In the first place, The white people steal the land from the Indians, right?

  Judge Hardwick : They get paid for it, don't they?

  The Oklahoma Kid : Paid for? Yeah. A measly dollar and 44 cents a acre, price agreed at the point of a gun. Then the immigrants sweat and strain and break their hearts carving out a civilization. Fine. Great! Then, when they get it all pretty and prosperous, along come the grafters and land-grabbers and politicians and with one hand skim off the cream and with the other scoop up the gravy.

• Whip McCord : I want that Indian money.

  The Oklahoma Kid : Well, go and get it from the Indians.

• The Oklahoma Kid : [singing]  I don't want to play in your yard, I don't like you anymore, You'll be sorry when you see me, Sliding down our cellar door. You can't holler down our rain barrel, You can't climb our apple tree, Oh, I don't want to play in your yard, For you aren't as good to me.

• The Oklahoma Kid : Beautiful night, isn't it.

  Jane Hardwick : Yes, it is.

  The Oklahoma Kid : Just feel that air. Feel that air. Go on.

  Jane Hardwick : What?

  The Oklahoma Kid : Feel that air. It's like velvet, isn't it?

  Jane Hardwick : What's the matter with you?

• Judge Hardwick : Those people are going out to there to build a new empire.

  The Oklahoma Kid : Fine. Let 'em have it.

  Judge Hardwick : You mean to say you got no feeling for the country? No pride in seeing a civilization carved out of a wilderness? What sort of an American are you?

  The Oklahoma Kid : I like the country fine. As for civilization, I got nothing particular against it. I can take it or leave it alone.

• Jane Hardwick : I just mean, if you're empire building...

  The Oklahoma Kid : Who said anything about empire building?

  Jane Hardwick : Well, I just mean, its a difficult thing to do for yourself. In a Empire, you've got to have people. For people, you've got to have children. And for children...

• The Oklahoma Kid : I hear there's a lot of new territory out Arizona way.

  Jane Hardwick : Oklahoma's practically new. Couldn't you just stay here?

• The Oklahoma Kid : Women are crazy.

  Jane Hardwick : That's why they fall in love with the wrong man. But, they do.

• Jane Hardwick : Where are you going, Jim?

  The Oklahoma Kid : Oh, chasing the moon.

• The Oklahoma Kid : I'm no kind of a man for a woman to tie her bonnet to.