Jailhouse Rock (1957)
Mickey Shaughnessy: Hunk Houghton
Photos
Quotes
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Vince Everett : Hey, what are you, man? Some kind of an animal?
Hunk Houghton : That's right, buddy. I'm an animal in a jungle and I got a motto: "Do unto others as they would do unto you, only do it first."
Vince Everett : Yeah. That's right. Do it first.
Hunk Houghton : And it's just as bad on the outside. Worse. Remember that.
Vince Everett : I don't aim to forget it.
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Hunk Houghton : Trampin' on me is one thing, sonny.
[takes off his jacket]
Hunk Houghton : Hurtin' a little girl like Peggy is another.
Vince Everett : Now just don't you get no ideas, Hunk.
Hunk Houghton : There comes a time when you gotta take a hand in things, and that time is now.
Vince Everett : Don't push me, Hunk.
Hunk Houghton : [roles up his sleeves] I'm gonna beat the hell outta you.
Vince Everett : Don't try it. You're talkin' crazy, man.
Hunk Houghton : You know you got it comin', son.
Vince Everett : I said don't try...
[Hunk hits him]
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Hunk Houghton : That's all the sympathy I'll give you. Pity's a commodity in here. You buy it and sell it just like anything else.
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Hunk Houghton : [to the mail clerks] Hurry up, fellas. I gotta count my fan mail.
Hunk Houghton : [starts reading the envelopes] Vince Everett. Everett. Everett.
Hunk Houghton : [calls the mail clerks over] Hey, you birds, come here. How would you like to make 5 cartons a piece?
Mail Clerk #1 : Five? Who do you want us to murder?
Hunk Houghton : This is the easiest money you'll ever make as long as you live. All's you gotta do is to keep your mouth shut. I mean, about the mail. I made a mistake and I gave the kid the best spot in the show. Naturally, if any word of this gets out all this mail's for Vince Everett, it makes me look bad. Follow? I mean me, the professional singer.
Mail Clerk #1 : I, uh... I see.
Hunk Houghton : If within a week the words not around, you get the cigarettes.
Mail Clerk #2 : Yeah, but it's Everett's mail. Who's gonna keep him quiet?
Hunk Houghton : If I know the warden, Everett will never get it.
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Vince Everett : I didn't see you applauding. You didn't like me?
Hunk Houghton : You've come a long way since cellblock 21.
Vince Everett : Yeah, and it's been a tough road to hoe.
Hunk Houghton : Oh, I don't know. You haven't hardly touched the ground at all.
Vince Everett : What do you mean by that crack?
Hunk Houghton : You walked most of the way on other people.
Vince Everett : Ah, you're just gettin' bitter, old buddy.
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Vince Everett : I'm broke. I'll never accumulate any cigarettes.
Hunk Houghton : The State pays you 18 cents a day and that's a start.
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Hunk Houghton : I can't have my cell mate walkin' around lookin' like a bum. I got a reputation to live up to.
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Hunk Houghton : You just do what I say when I say it. That's the basis of my organization.
Vince Everett : No, thanks.
Hunk Houghton : Huh?
Vince Everett : I'll take my chances.
Hunk Houghton : Suit yourself.
Vince Everett : Thanks anyway, though.
Hunk Houghton : It's no skin off my behind.
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Hunk Houghton : I was singin' country music before the words were invented. And I was on stage with the best of 'em. Eddy Arnold. Roy Acuff.
Vince Everett : Did you make good money?
Hunk Houghton : I made two bills a week. I was swimmin' in gravy in those days.
Vince Everett : Okay, get on to the sad part.
Hunk Houghton : A woman and a bank did it. She got used to bonded bourbon. I robbed a bank.
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Hunk Houghton : You will never make a guitar player. You got not rhythm in your bones!
Vince Everett : Well, I never heard of anybody payin' money to hear a guitar player.
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Hunk Houghton : You know, I got a spot for you in the show. I'll teach you a new tune.
Vince Everett : I don't know. What's the percentage in singing for a bunch of cons?
Hunk Houghton : Experience, you lunkhead! That's the percentage.
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Vince Everett : How come you're willing to give me 50% of your earnings? I mean, like you said, you're the one who's got the experience and the name.
Hunk Houghton : One simple reason: I got faith in your possibilities. Sure, you're never gonna command the dough I can. But, with training, you'll do all right. Besides, I need a *young* man to appeal to the kids. I'm levelin' with you, boy. Alone, son, you'd be like a lamb in a pack of wolves.
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Hunk Houghton : It's a lesson to remember: without money, you might as well be dead.
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Vince Everett : Hey, how'd you know about the record company?
Hunk Houghton : Oh, I got to keep up with the activities of a partner.
Peggy Van Alden : You've got more partners than a square dance.
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Hunk Houghton : That's a pretty little thing!
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Vince Everett : You old stud, how 'bout a drink?
Hunk Houghton : Sing it to me in the key of G.
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Vince Everett : How 'bout that drink now?
Hunk Houghton : You can pour me a gourd full!
Vince Everett : "Uncle Mathew Abundant Bourbon." You know how old this bourbon is?
Hunk Houghton : How old?
Vince Everett : Twelve - years old.
Hunk Houghton : Heaven's above!
[takes a sip]
Hunk Houghton : Ahh. Oh, that's like an angel dancing over the tip of your tongue. It seems a shame to even digest this bourbon.
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Vince Everett : The times have changed and styles have changed. You might fall flat on your face, boy.
Hunk Houghton : I might get lucky like you, too.
Vince Everett : I tried your style. Just like you taught me. Boy, I laid a bomb.
Hunk Houghton : But you ain't me. Look, boy, all's I need is one good break and you can get it for me.
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Hunk Houghton : How'd you expect me to follow that three ring circus you put on?
Vince Everett : Ah, you couldn't have followed a juggler.
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Vince Everett : It's been a long time, Hunk. Music changes every six months. You gotta change with it.
Hunk Houghton : I was in show business when you were runnin' around in wet pants and I'll be in it when they can't even remember your name.
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Hunk Houghton : You know, a punk like you is liable to get lucky enough to make a million dollars a year.
Vince Everett : That's just what I intend to do.
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Hunk Houghton : You're gonna have the most expensive flunky in show business.
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Hunk Houghton : What are you doin' here today, Peg?
Peggy Van Alden : I guess I like punishment.
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Hunk Houghton : Get up and fight you yellow punk!
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Vince Everett : [Vince has just been placed in his cell, and sees his cellmate Hunk sitting facing away at a small desk attached to the wall, making notes. Vince sits on the jailhouse floor, back against the bars, looking toward Hunk] My name's Vince Everett.
Hunk Houghton : [still facing away] You know my name.
Vince Everett : Glad to know you.
Hunk Houghton : Yeah...
[turns around to face Vince]
Hunk Houghton : ... you're not through processing.
Vince Everett : Not yet.
Hunk Houghton : What about your haircut?
Vince Everett : What about it?
Hunk Houghton : Do you want a good one, or a fresh fish special?
Vince Everett : Fresh fish...
Hunk Houghton : [testily] Fresh fish special... they hack it up. A good one will cost you three packs of cigarettes.
Vince Everett : I haven't got three packs.
Hunk Houghton : You got any money?
Vince Everett : Nope. Spent it all on my lawyer.