John Wayne: Rock

In Harm's Way

Rock

Captain Rockwell Torrey: What is Vicki Marlowe's secret?
Commander Egan Powell: Well, it's not what it says in here. Vicki Marlowe's secret is that she's making a half a million bucks a year and she still collects alimony from me, in my present reduced circumstances. Well, anyway... I have the satisfaction of knowing that all of her pictures have been stinkers since I stopped writing them. Rockwell, my boy, never, I repeat never marry a movie actress.
Captain Rockwell Torrey: You married three of them.
Commander Egan Powell: I know. It was like eating peanuts. Once I started, I couldn't stop.

Captain Rockwell Torrey: A fast ship going in harm's way - a lousy situation, Commander Eddington.
Commander Paul Eddington: Lousy!

Rear Admiral Rock Torrey: All battles are fought by scared men who'd rather be someplace else.
Commander Egan Powell: Does that include admirals?
Rear Admiral Rock Torrey: Yes.

Captain Rockwell Torrey: Get a message off to Pearl. "Have taken two torpedoes." Fill in our position. "Extent of damage unknown. Will advise."
Commander Burke: And break radio silence, sir?
Captain Rockwell Torrey: Burke, don't you think the Japanese know by now where we are?

Admiral Kimmel: It is my duty to inform you that you have been relieved of your command, pending the findings of a court of inquiry.
Captain Torrey: I don't understand, sir.
Admiral Kimmel: You weren't zig-zagging when you took the two torpedoes.
Captain Torrey: I was stretching my fuel, sir.
Admiral Kimmel: If you didn't have fuel to complete your mission, why didn't you turn back for Pearl?
Captain Torrey: My mission was to intercept and engage an enemy of greatly superior strength, sir. I could only take that one way: that my group was expendable.
Admiral Kimmel: I doubt if a court of inquiry will accept that. Captain, you're about to be caught in a vacuum between a peacetime Navy and a wartime Navy. Six months from now, they'll be making admirals out of captains who exhibit some guts. But right now, they're only reacting to the Pearl Harbor disaster, and punishment is order-of-the-day. Of course, you don't have to abide by what a court of inquiry decides. You can ask for general court-martial, get yourself a couple of crack sea lawyers, and make a fight of it.
Captain Torrey: I wouldn't care to do that, sir.
Admiral Kimmel: Why not?
Captain Torrey: Second-generation Navy, Admiral.
Admiral Kimmel: I see. I don't plan to ask for court-martial either, Captain, and I've lost a fleet. So I expect we'll both just take what they give us, and trust it will be a useful job somewhere.
Captain Torrey: Yes, sir.
Admiral Kimmel: Good luck.
Captain Torrey: Good luck to you, sir.

Col. Gregory: Sir, I can't put up all of my men unless we get at least five more transports.
Rear Admiral Rock Torrey: Well, aren't there any more R4D's on Tulabonne?
Col. Gregory: Yes, but they're held in reserve.
Captain Paul Eddington: Reserve! What... for?
Col. Gregory: That's the way Admiral Broderick has things organized.
Captain Paul Eddington: What happens if an R4D conks out?
Col. Gregory: Tulabonne sends us a spare until we get it fixed.
Captain Paul Eddington: Five of 'em just conked out, Gregg.
Commander Egan Powell: Let's relay the sad news to Broderick!
Rear Admiral Rock Torrey: Mr. Canfil, you seem to have fallen in among thieves!
Clayton Canfil, Australian Coastwatcher: It does seem so, Admiral, I'm very happy to say!

Nurse Lieutenant Maggie Haynes: Hey, that's quite a knife you carry.
Captain Rock Torrey: Yeah. Can opener, screwdriver, punch, straight blade - even a skinning blade.
Nurse Lieutenant Maggie Haynes: Oh, that is useful. What do you skin?
Captain Rock Torrey: Lieutenant nurses who pull my leg.

Captain Rockwell Torrey: Paul, you're forcing me to throw my weight at you. Fish, or cut bait. Get on your feet or take your troubles elsewhere. I've got a ship to run.

Rear Admiral Rock Torrey: Just how far can I go in dealing with Admiral Broderick, sir?
CINCPAC II: Well. Ya can't kill 'im.

Captain Rockwell Torrey: In case it slipped your mind, it's gunnery stations at 0830.

Captain Rockwell Torrey: We both know what's eating you, Paul. You can't wash it out with booze.

Captain Rockwell Torrey: If you can hold a razor in that hand, you might shave before you come topside.
Commander Paul Eddington: Aye, aye, Father Torrey.

Captain Rockwell Torrey: Well, I'm... flying under... false colors, Miss Haynes. I don't know my son. I've been divorced for many years and he's been raised by his mother and family. I didn't even know he was in the Navy.

Captain Rockwell Torrey: Ever hear the name 'Cunliffe'?
Nurse Lieutenant Maggie Haynes: It's one of those expensive New England names, isn't it?
Captain Rockwell Torrey: Well, she was a Cunliffe, Jere's mother. I met her at a Navy ball, 1917. She was beautiful. I don't know why she married me - I was just an ensign.
Nurse Lieutenant Maggie Haynes: I bet you were something when you were an ensign.
Captain Rockwell Torrey: Fell over my feet most of the time. But when I came back from the war, I had a son, and the Cunliffes had great plans for me. I was to resign my commission in the Navy, and do something useful... the stock market. They sat around with teacups on their laps, and ticker tape coming out of their ears, and I said no. It was quite a scene. Then, Athalie - that was her name, Athalie - said, 'Rockwell, I will not become a camp follower. Whenever you are not busy boating with the Navy, feel free to come visit us.' And that's the way it was; I visited. Then I was assigned to duty in the Philippines, and that ended it.
Nurse Lieutenant Maggie Haynes: You left out one small detail. You were terribly in love with her.

Clayton Canfil, Australian Coastwatcher: There's a way to find out what the Japs are up to; but I'll have to do it myself. I used to run a plantation on Gavabutu; I know that island like the back of my hand. Have one of your subs put me ashore there and in two weeks, I'll be able to tell you just what our little yellow brothers are up to.
Rear Admiral Rock Torrey: All right, Mr. Canfil; but be careful, we can't afford to lose you.
Clayton Canfil, Australian Coastwatcher: [Grinning] I'm not planning on getting lost, Admiral.