The Key (1958)

Oscar Homolka: Captain Van Dam

Quotes 

• Captain Van Dam : My dear fellow, war is nothing noble or sensible about it. It's simply an epidemic of madness and anyone who takes part in it is a lunatic and a murderer.

• Captain Van Dam : In this work, one must learn how to live with fear.

  Captain David Ross : You mean you're afraid too sometimes?

  Captain Van Dam : Yeah. But, I believe in God. Let me tell you something. There are two kinds of fear. In the one, no matter how great your talent, you pray to God, and then you struggle desperately, even super-humanly, to survive. With the other, you're so frozen, so paralyzed, that you cannot move, and accept the death blow without a quit, almost with thanks. That is the dangerous fear.

• Captain Van Dam : You see, my friend, there's only one enemy who really matters. The enemy within yourself.

• Captain Van Dam : Above all, no drink and no bad women. Drink will destroy your judgement. And that kind of woman will bring you - bad luck.

• Captain Van Dam : In times like these, it is much harder to command, than be commanded.

• [first lines] 

  Captain Chris Ford : Say, can you tell me where Cmdr. Wadlow's office is?

  Captain Van Dam : Has America come into the war?

• Captain Van Dam : What's the story?

  Captain David Ross : We've got a dance skirt with a cigar in number one hold and a load of high explosives.

• Captain Van Dam : Did he give you the key?

  Captain David Ross : Yes.

  Captain Van Dam : Well, have a good time - as long as it last.