The Killers (1946)

Vince Barnett: Charleston

Quotes 

• Jim Reardon : How well did you know the Swede?

  Charleston : Me? Mister, I guess me and the Swede were about as close as two guys can get. For nearly two years we weren't more than eight and a half feet apart. That's how big the cell was.

• Jim Reardon : When was the last time you saw him?

  Charleston : Mister, did you say 'when?'

  Jim Reardon : Yes.

  Charleston : Mister, when it comes to dates, 1492 is the only one I can remember.

• Charleston : Charleston don't talk, see. Even if he's worked over head to foot by experts.

  [takes a drink] 

  Charleston : Charleston never talks.

  Jim Reardon : Good enough. You know what happened to the Swede?

  Charleston : I know plenty, mister. Plenty. Only I ain't tellin'.

  [takes a drink] 

  Charleston : Old Charleston's the little monkey with his hands over his mouth.

• Charleston : If it's as big as you claim, it's not going to be any easy pickins. Nothing that big ever is. And that's what I want from here on in. Easy pickins.

  'Dum-Dum' Clarke : It'd go just as hard with you if you were taken for stickin' up a shine parlor.

  Charleston : Yes, that's right, but the chances of being taken aren't as many. I don't know. Maybe - Maybe I'm just gettin' old. It's like you were saying before the Swede come in. I've done a lot of time. I've spent almost half my life in stir, and I don't intend to spend any more.