The Kentuckian (1955)
Burt Lancaster: Big Eli Wakefield
Photos
Quotes
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Big Eli Wakefield : The way to start off new is to shuck off what's old.
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Big Eli Wakefield : It ain't we don't like people - we like room more. Room to stretch in, room to see and hunt... and where you set your foot no foot's been set before. That's what ails Kentucky now; a man can't hardly move without he nudges up agin' a neighbor.
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[first lines]
Little Eli Wakefield : How long now, Pa? How many more days?
Big Eli Wakefield : We ain't much more than started!
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Little Eli Wakefield : But won't you tell me something more about Texas?
Big Eli Wakefield : Well, it's a place for the likes of us. No people there much, no neighbors to crowd ya, only wild game to see and to shoot at. And when you take a breathe, it's got a clean taste to it, like nobody ain't never used it before.
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Big Eli Wakefield : Well, the egg ain't hatched yet, but we sure got a hen settin'.
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Big Eli Wakefield : I overdone my fun and so poked my paw in the bear trap.
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Big Eli Wakefield : I'm trying to be a right father to you. I'm trying to think what kind of man you'll grow up to be.
Little Eli Wakefield : What kind of man are you coming to be? That's the worst of all!
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Big Eli Wakefield : You got to take things for what they are.
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Big Eli Wakefield : Bodine, for once you've gone too far!
Stan Bodine : I go where I please, Wakefield!
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Big Eli Wakefield : [referring to Fletcher] He's a windbag but high educated and mighty high.
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Big Eli Wakefield : Look, we're much obliged - more than I can say.
Hannah Bolen : Eli, you're playin' the fool.
Big Eli Wakefield : Maybe my own kind of fool then.
Big Eli Wakefield : [to Little Eli] Let's go, boy.
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[last lines]
Big Eli Wakefield : No, Hannah, don't leave us. We're goin' to Texas. We're goin' to live it bold.