City for Conquest (1940)

James Cagney: Danny Kenny

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Quotes 

• Danny Kenny : [Startled, after getting bussed on the cheek from Eddie]  Say, what am I... a French general getting a medal or somethin'?

• Peggy Nash : You know, Danny, someday I'd love to take a long ocean trip.

  Danny Kenny : We can do that on our honeymoon. We can take a cruise down to Atlantic City. Eh, I think I can get the boss to give me a week off.

  Peggy Nash : No, no. I mean far away. Europe... South America... traveling on big ships. Seeing the world from a front seat. Oh, Danny, if I'm successful, I can go anywhere.

  Danny Kenny : Aw, get off that express and take a local.

• Eddie Kenny : Danny, you're still pretty set on that kid, aren't you?

  Danny Kenny : You ought to know. She's a part of me by now. Like my right arm. Everything was going along so good until that sharpie came along and gave her a fancy line of gab.

• Peggy Nash : Danny, I just know I could be a great dancer. Maybe... maybe even up there someday up on Broadway in a big show. My name in bright lights.

  Danny Kenny : What do you want that for? We can be happy together without all that noise and fancy stuff.

  Peggy Nash : Together?

  Danny Kenny : Yeah, sure. Married. Why not?

  Peggy Nash : Well, I wasn't exactly thinking about that just yet.

• Eddie Kenny : Danny, I know Peggy and I certainly know you well. I can't exactly explain this to you, but call it applause, call it ambition, call it whatever you like, but it would take a lot more than a man to come between you two. You see, Danny, when she rubs her eyes open in the morning, she sees her name up in bright lights "Peggy Nash, Dancer." And all day long she keeps moving those lights around in different theatres and different cities. At night, she goes to sleep with the music of applause in her ears. And Danny, she can't see you and she can't hear you because she's blinded by those lights and deafen by that applause.

  Danny Kenny : It's like you nailed it, Ed. But, whatever it is, I'm not going to let it take her away from me.

• Peggy Nash : Danny, sometimes I don't understand you. Everybody in New York wants to do something... be somebody. Except you.

  Danny Kenny : Aw, I just want to be happy.

  Peggy Nash : But you've got to have ambition. You can't drive around this town on one foot. You've got to run like the rest or you'll be left behind.

  Danny Kenny : I didn't know you wanted it, Peggy. I'd do anything, ya know, if you just told me you wanted it.

  Peggy Nash : Oh, Danny, I guess we want different things.

  Danny Kenny : Yeah, maybe you're right.

• Scotty MacPherson : What is it? Money or a dame?

  Danny Kenny : Both. Now look, Scotty, I don't want to waste your time or my own. I'll take a few quick fights, but I've got to get some real dough.

  Scotty MacPherson : I think you've got the wrong number. Now look, Danny, I don't know what reasons you've got, but I've only got one reason to back you. I want a champion. So, get this straight. If you're gonna fight for me, you're gonna fight my way. Is that clear?

• Peggy Nash : [Crying]  Please leave me alone. Why did you have to come here now?

  Danny Kenny : Because I was crazy to see ya. I wouldn't hurt you, Peggy. I'd cut my arm off first.

• Danny Kenny : [to Scotty, after beaten badly after a fight]  You aint' sore at me, are you? I did the best I could, but I just couldn't see him. Couldn't find him.

• Scotty MacPherson : Danny, I want to stop the fight. Let's stop the fight. I never should have let you into this.

  Danny Kenny : No, no, no, Scotty! Don't do that to me! Don't do that to me! All I need is one shot at this guy. Scotty, promise me something. Promise me you won't throw in the towel, hear? Promise me that. I gotta win. I gotta beat this guy!

• Danny Kenny : Well, look, kid. Here's the way I feel about it. Your business is like any other business. You either do it, or you don't. You're either a main eventer or a four-round preliminary boy. Look, down on Forsyth Street, you used to play by the hour, and I'd listen. And you'd tell me about those big shot composers who really took it on the chin and really went through the mill. Beethoven, who got the toughest break of all. Lost his hearing. He didn't quit, he didn't lay down. He just moved in and kept right on punching.

  Eddie Kenny : Yes, but then what? You work, you tear your heart out, and in the end, nobody's interested. Nobody wants to hear it. They're only interested after you're dead a hundred years.

  Danny Kenny : Ed, that's an alibi. That's an alibi used by guys who are afraid they can't deliver. But you can do it, and if it's good, they listen. They gotta listen!

• Danny Kenny : The doctor didn't say nothing. Just routine talk. What are you trying to do, kidding me? Why don't you tell the truth? I know it and you know it. I'm as blind as a bat.

  'Mutt' : Take it easy, Danny. Take it easy. Don't lose your head. This is only the first round. You got a long fight in front of ya.

  Danny Kenny : Yeah, I know. Left hand out and keep moving.

• Danny Kenny : Don't like that tear-jerking sob stuff. "One of life's little tragedies." I don't want nobody crying over me. I don't want no benefits. I'm on my own, and I got no complaints.