The Horse Soldiers (1959)

William Holden: Maj. Henry Kendall

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Quotes 

• Major Kendall : I don't understand a man like Miles giving up that easily.

  Col. John Marlowe : Maybe losing that arm took some of the fight out of him.

  Major Kendall : No... the man I knew could lose both arms and still try to kick you to death.

• Major Kendall : [to Marlowe]  As usual, I'm just presenting the grim facts. Colonel Secord doesn't seem to understand that the coffee tastes better when the latrines are dug downstream instead of upstream. How do you like *your* coffee, Colonel?

• [after Marlowe gets slapped] 

  Major Kendall : I suggest you see a doctor.

• Major Kendall : How are Susan amd the kids?

  Col. Jonathan Miles, CSA : Oh, they're fine. They're in Vicksburg. I suspect you'll be seeing them soon.

  Major Kendall : [pats Miles'leg]  Nice try, Jonathan.

• Col. John Marlowe : [offers his hand to Kendall]  I don't blame you if you... slap it away. Shake hands?

  [they shake] 

  Col. John Marlowe : So long, Croaker.

  Major Kendall : Take care, Section Hand. And if you should run into another doctor...

  Col. John Marlowe : Yeah, I know... tree moss.

• Major Kendall : Look here, colonel, I didn't ask to be assigned to this mission...

• Major Kendall : Now come off it Colonel, even you were born.

• Major Kendall : [pushing Hannah and Lukey into the room]  Why don't you ask them what they think your chances are of blowing up Newton Station and heading to Baton Rouge?

• Col. John Marlowe : [during firefight]  I didn't want this. I tried to avoid a fight!

  Major Kendall : That's why I took up medicine.

• Col. John Marlowe : [entering the hospital]  Kendall, what's Mitchell's name doing on the sick list?

  Otis 'Hoppy' Hopkins : Please wait your turn - the doctor will be with you shortly.

  Col. John Marlowe : [indicating Hopkins]  What's this?

  Major Kendall : Hopkins, my assistant.

  Col. John Marlowe : Is he going along?

  Major Kendall : He's a good man, I need him.

• Major Kendall : That's a pretty primitive outlook; medically speaking, that is.

  Col. John Marlowe : Well, doctor, war isn't exactly a civilized business.

• Col. John Marlowe : [grabbing Sgt. Mitchell by the arm]  Come on, Mitch, I've got some whiskey in my locker...

  Major Kendall : [forces Sgt. Mitchell back on the bed]  He's staying here and those are my orders!

  Col. John Marlowe : You've read the whole book, haven't you?

• Major Kendall : [preparing to fight]  What are the rules gonna be, Colonel?

  Col. John Marlowe : Make up your own.

  Major Kendall : [hits Marlow in the jaw as he is taking off his blouse]  You said no rules.

• Col. John Marlowe : The Major seems to be out of uniform. Where are your sidearms, Kendall?

  Major Kendall : If you check the book, Colonel, you'll see that a Regimental Surgeon doesn't wear one.

  Col. John Marlowe : [Angrily, to Gen Hurlburt]  First you cut out our artillery, then the wagons, and now you want to saddle us with a medical unit!

• Major Kendall : How old are you?

  Soldier : Thirty-two, sir.

  Major Kendall : Stand with that group over there.

• Col. John Marlowe : [immediately after Dunker's death]  If, if, maybe, perhaps... what's the matter, Medicine Man...

  Major Kendall : [throws whiskey in Marlowe's face]  Alright, section hand, I've had you! Strip your blouse.

  Col. John Marlowe : [Wipes his face]  I think you're right.

  [Calls out] 

  Col. John Marlowe : Orderly! Horses!