The Letter (1929)

Jeanne Eagels: Leslie Crosbie

Photos 

Quotes 

• Leslie Crosbie : Geoffery, I can't go on any longer. I'm at the end of my tether.

• Leslie Crosbie : [Testifying at her trial]  He flung his arms around me and began to kiss me. His lips were burning. He was like a madman. He kept on talking and talking and he kept on saying he loved me and that he wanted me and he held me so tight that I could hardly breathe. And I felt weaker and weaker and at one time I really thought I was going to faint. And his breathe was so very hot on my face, it made me feel desperately ill. You see he kissed my face, my neck, my hair, my eyes. Suddenly he lifted me, right up, and I felt that he was carrying me. I don't know what happened, really, but, he didn't look at me and he didn't say anything and I didn't look at him. Suddenly, I could see his face and he was all white and his eyes were just burning. And he wasn't a man any longer. He was a savage! And then, it was, that it flashed across my mind that he was carrying me to my bedroom.

• Leslie Crosbie : I've made such a mess of things, haven't I?

• Leslie Crosbie : I know, I know, I know I've been vile. But, I've no excuse to offer. And don't forget this, you brought me out to this filthy place, this god-forsaken place and you kept me here for seven years! Live among a lot of dirty - natives - and dowdy - planters' wives. My youth going. Eating my heart out with loneliness. Trying to make a go of it. And I did try. I did try, for your sake. And what did I get from you? Nothing. Nothing. Your whole life was just wrapped up in Rubber!

• [last lines] 

  Leslie Crosbie : I'll give you something to remember! I, with all my heart and soul, still love the man I killed! Ha-ha. Take that, will you! With all my heart and all my soul, I still love the man I killed!

• Robert Crosbie : Leslie, dear, I think I'll go into Singapore tonight. Exchange this rifle. It's not heavy enough for tigers.

  Leslie Crosbie : Well, don't be long... I'm afraid I'm as nervous as the natives

• Leslie Crosbie : It's torture to see you. It's torture ten times worst not to see you.

• Robert Crosbie : You know, Leslie, it makes me feel awkward and stupid to say some things. I'm not the least clever. But, because I don't say much, don't think I don't appreciate your being out here with me. Only wives like you could make these god-forsaken places bearable, Leslie. Seven years on a rubber plantation - with no company but natives and a lot of dowdy planters wives.

  Leslie Crosbie : Yes, Robert, that ought to be a test for a good wife.

• Leslie Crosbie : Geoffrey, what is that Chinese woman doing in your house?

  Geoffrey Hammond : My dear, what are you talking about?

  Leslie Crosbie : Don't take me for the perfect fool. Don't you think I know that you've been living with a Chinese woman for months!

• Leslie Crosbie : I want to know what you're - doing - with that Chinese woman in your house.

  Geoffrey Hammond : I didn't know there was a China woman about.

  Leslie Crosbie : I have seen her.

  Geoffrey Hammond : What's she like?

  Leslie Crosbie : Common. Vulgar.

  Geoffrey Hammond : You're not paying me a very pretty compliment.

  Leslie Crosbie : Geoffrey, will you swear to me that she is not your mistress.

• Geoffrey Hammond : Leslie, dear, I'm terribly sorry, but the facts are there and you've got to face them. This is the end and you've got to make the best of it.

  Leslie Crosbie : You wouldn't treat a dog like you you're treating me.

  Geoffrey Hammond : Is it my fault if I don't love you? Dammit all, one either loves or one doesn't.

• Leslie Crosbie : It isn't love any longer, it's madness.

• Howard Joyce : Perhaps the terms of the letter are not very clear to your recollection. I'll read it to you, "Robert will be away for the night. I absolutely must see you. I shall expect you at eleven. I am desperate and if you don't come I won't answer for the consequences."

  Leslie Crosbie : Well, I admit that it's all extravagant and emotional. I write like that, you know.

  Howard Joyce : I must be very much mistaken. I've always looked upon you as a very reserved and self-possessed woman.

• Li-Ti : I know white lady thinks too good for Li-Ti's house!

  Leslie Crosbie : Give me my letter, directly.

  Li-Ti : Maybe Li-Ti think her house too good for white lady!

  Leslie Crosbie : It's a horrible place. Why did I ever come here?

  Li-Ti : You come to buy your life!

  Leslie Crosbie : Very well, if I did, let us come to business. It's ten thousand dollars you want, isn't it. Here it is. Here.

• Li-Ti : White lady, very proud. But, not too proud to share same man with Li-Ti.

  Leslie Crosbie : You, Chinese woman, you.

  Li-Ti : I'm a Chinese woman. But, not to Mr. Hammond. Many love names he had for me. Shall I tell you some of them?

  Leslie Crosbie : Stop, please! How he possibly he ever touched a vile, yellow thing like you?

  Li-Ti : It is possible!

• Leslie Crosbie : Give me the letter.

  Li-Ti : [Li-Ti drops the letter on the floor and points at it]  White woman at Chinese woman's feet.

  [Leslie squats down to pick it up while caged Chinese slave women point and laugh] 

• Robert Crosbie : Rubber - that was my business! Working to make money - to give you - the things you wanted!

  Leslie Crosbie : What I want. What I wanted. I'm flesh and blood. What I wanted was love, affection, happiness. But, you took everything for granted. Once you got me out here to this god-forsaken place, all you thought about was rubber. All that was on your mind was Rubber! All day long I was alone. All night, I had to listen to you talk of rubber. Rubber! Rubber! Rubber! Was it any wonder when a man came along and talked to me of love and romance and music, that I fell into his arms? Well, I did.