Drum Beat (1954)

Alan Ladd: Johnny MacKay

Photos 

Quotes 

• Dr. Thomas : Don't you feel like a murderer?

  Johnny MacKay : No, sir.

  Dr. Thomas : Shouldn't you?

  Johnny MacKay : I've never shot anyone without cause. My job is to protect the wagon train. When somebody shoots at my people, I shoot back.

• Johnny MacKay : Have you met Captain Jack yet?

  Dr. Thomas : I look forward to the pleasure.

  Johnny MacKay : That's one thing it won't be.

  Mr. Dyar : You can say that in spades!

• Nellie Grant : Have you ever seen Indians bite the dust?

  Johnny MacKay : They don't really bite it, Miss. They hit it.

• Johnny MacKay : [narrating]  And thus ended the killing in the Modoc country, and the peace began among our people that lives to this day. A peace that wasn't won by just wanting it, but cost plenty - but left scars. But it showed the country something we had to learn and remember - that among the Indians, as amongst our people, the good in heart outnumber the bad, and they will offer their lives to prove it.

• Johnny MacKay : More killing means more war, Jack.

  Kintpuash, aka Captain Jack : Then there will be war.

  Johnny MacKay : War is no good. In war one side wins. In peace, both sides win.

• Bill Satterwhite : Peace is going to be awfully hard to get.

  Johnny MacKay : That's your business... not mine!

  Bill Satterwhite : Bill, I need your help. Don't go running off half wild killin' Modocs. Only one got Lily.

  Johnny MacKay : You think she was worth only one of them devils? You dish out your peace, Johnny. I'll dish out my end!

• [discussing Captain Jack] 

  President Ulysses S. Grant : What kind of man is he?

  Johnny MacKay : Well, some people say he's got a little white blood in him because of his white eye... but I think it's mostly bad blood.

• Kintpuash, aka Captain Jack : Red man think he go to good place when he die. Good hunting... good shooting... no white man. None! You're not like preacher who talk about Pearly Gates. You got sense. You tell me, Johnny, you believe there is a place like this?

  Johnny MacKay : Yes, I believe that, Jack, except I think it's open for all of us when we die. I think they, uh, even let white men in.

  Kintpuash, aka Captain Jack : If I see that it's for red man only up there, maybe someday I tell them, "You let Johnny McKay in. He good fighter!"

  Johnny MacKay : Thanks, Jack. Maybe I'll see you up there. Goodbye... and good luck... and good hunting.

• Johnny MacKay : You think they're bluffin'?

  Manok : We find out if they start shootin'.

• Nancy Meek : Johnny, I just learned something.

  Johnny MacKay : Yes?

  Nancy Meek : Why women in the West seem happier than those back East.

  Johnny MacKay : Red women or white?

  Nancy Meek : Both. It's knowing they're needed. If a woman's needed - if she knows she's wanted... I'm going to stay. I think I can be needed here. I hope I will be.

• Johnny MacKay : We could have saved a lot of lives, Jack, if you hadn't have grabbed country that wasn't yours.

• Johnny MacKay : [while waiting to see President Grant at the White House, MacKay talks to the man sitting next to him]  Have you met the President?

  [the man nods, MacKay moves closer to him] 

  Johnny MacKay : What's he like?

  Jesse Grant : Plain as a mud fence. Smokes like a chimney and... drinks now and then, too. I'd say he fits better in some tent than... this place.

  Johnny MacKay : What are you, a missionary?

  Jesse Grant : Me?

  [chuckles] 

  Johnny MacKay : You don't act like you like our President.

  Jesse Grant : You're wrong there, son.

  [pauses] 

  Jesse Grant : I'm his father.