The Painted Desert (1931)

William Boyd: Bill Holbrook

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Quotes 

• Bill Holbrook : Mary Ellen, look out there across the desert. As far as you can see, way off there in the distance... you see those big lonesome pinnacles? When I was a little boy, I used to lie out there evenings, watching the shadows pass over 'em. I used to imagine they were all sorts of things... dragons fighting... giants lying there sleeping... and great big monsters that might come down after it got dark and get me.

  Mary Ellen Cameron : [giggle]  I know. I used to think that way, too.

  Bill Holbrook : You got over it, though.

  Mary Ellen Cameron : Over it? Sure! As soon as I knew what they really was - just big rocks.

  Bill Holbrook : But before that, you were a little bit afraid of them, weren't you?

  Mary Ellen Cameron : Yes, I was.

  Bill Holbrook : Well, it's just like that with folks. A way off in the distance of your mind there's a terrible man called Cash Holbrook. To you, he's been one of those awful monsters you used to imagine. But I've been up close to him - in the daylight - and to me, he's been a kind man... and mighty good.