The Day the Hot Line Got Hot (1968)

George Chakiris: Eric Ericson

Quotes 

• Natasha : Eric, how did you get this way?

  Eric Ericson : What way?

  Natasha : So smart.

  Eric Ericson : My father was a mathematics professor.

  Natasha : But this not lying at all. Where did that come from? IBM?

  Eric Ericson : No, from my father. "Truth", he said, "is what it's all about; life, love, everything".

  Natasha : But within limits, Eric.

  Eric Ericson : No, that's just the point; once you begin to lie, even little lies, you open the door and they come swarming in on you - half the miseries of the world - crime, ignorance, spies, wars. Take wars - do you know one war, Natasha, the wasn't based on lies? Outright lies?

  Natasha : But you can't live that way; not one person alone. You can't.

  Eric Ericson : I won't say it's easy. In fact, as my father was about to die - I was at his side - he said "Eric, I take it back - you must learn to lie, you can't live that way".

  Natasha : You see?

  Eric Ericson : But when I think of the trouble that people who do lie get into... No!