A Man Called Adam (1966)

Ossie Davis: Nelson Davis

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Quotes 

• Nelson Davis : Stop it, Claudia. Stop it! How long do you intend to go on punishing yourself like this? You're not responsible.

  Claudia Ferguson : How can you say that, Nelson? I fell in love with a beautiful, sensitive man. A hurt man. A man who hits back. Who never let's anybody step on him. He was proud. And what did I do? I lectured him. 'Adam, you can't do this. Adam, you mustn't do that.' I would rather he fought on that street corner and died.

  Nelson Davis : Claudia!

  Claudia Ferguson : Yes, died! Instead he stood there and did nothing. Because of me. He loves me. And he gave up his manhood for me. Oh... he was always talking about what he was doing to me. Dear God! What did I do to him? What did I do to him?

• Nelson Davis : I have been an Adam watcher since before I care to remember. There's a lot more - not to forgive.

  Claudia Ferguson : Then why do you?

  Nelson Davis : I didn't say I did. But, after all these years, I'm still hung up on the guy. Call it: Genius. You know what it is that really makes an actor, a performer, a star? That - excitement, that quality of personal danger. Well, like any minute he might explode. Well, he might and, then, he might not. And some of us who love him - well, all we can do is sit around and wait. That's all we can do. He's always been arrogant. Ever since he was a kid.

• Nelson Davis : He can't love anybody. He just wants to rack you up like a pool ball.