Stand by for Action (1942)

Charles Laughton: Rear Admiral Stephen Thomas

Photos 

Quotes 

• Rear Admiral Stephen Thomas : [on the phone]  Yes, Mr. Secretary. No, Mr. Secretary. Yes, Mr. Secretary. Noo, Mr. Secretary.

  [abruptly] 

  Rear Admiral Stephen Thomas : Goodbye, Mr. Secretary.

  [hangs up, and says to his aide] 

  Rear Admiral Stephen Thomas : That's what I like about the telephone - it gives a man a chance to express himself.

• Rear Admiral Stephen Thomas : [on the deck while on their way to Pearl Harbor Admiral Thomas sees another ship in the convoy emitting smoke from its stack]  They should know better than that!

  [looks at the ship through binoculars] 

  Rear Admiral Stephen Thomas : Signal the Glengow to stop making smoke!

  Flag Lieut. Dudley : Aye aye, sir.

  Rear Admiral Stephen Thomas : [to Captain Ludlow]  It's like standing watch over a flock of chickens knowing that a weasel is loose in the barnyard.