Twelve O'Clock High (1949)

Dean Jagger: Maj. Stovall

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Quotes 

• Major Stovall : That is not why I am drunk tonight. I got drunk because I am confused. I was thinking, which is a thing a man should not do, and all at once I couldn't remember what any of them looked like. I, I couldn't see their faces, Bishop, Cobb, Wilson, Zimmy, all of them. All of you. They all looked alike, just one face. And it was very young. It confused me. I think I shall stay drunk until I'm not confused anymore.

• General Savage : [on stalling the transfer paperwork]  There can be trouble in this.

  Major Stovall : I don't think so, sir. I never heard of a jury convicting the lawyer.

• General Savage : [after Stovall is caught stowing away on a B-17]  Did you get anything?

  Major Stovall : My glasses were frosted over some, but I think I got a piece of one.

  General Savage : Ours or theirs?

• General Savage : You been drinking, Major?

  Major Stovall : I have. It's the first time I've been drunk in twenty years. But it may not be the last.

• General Savage : How'd you happen to get into paperwork?

  Major Stovall : They didn't give me any choice. See, I'm a... I'm a retread. I had my shot at combat first war. I kinda wanted to get into this one, but I guess they figured I was too old for anything but a desk. Maybe they were right.