The Ipcress File (1965)

Nigel Green: Major Dalby

Photos 

Quotes 

• Palmer : The fellow whose job I'm taking, will he show me the ropes?

  Major Dalby : Maybe - if you're in touch with the spirit world.

  Palmer : I beg your pardon?

  Major Dalby : He was shot this morning.

• Raid Inspector : It looks as if all this has been laid on for nothing. That's not good enough.

  Major Dalby : According to Central Clearing House, this operation was timed to start at 2.25. You started at 2.35. *That*'s not good enough!

• Major Dalby : The next time you use CC1 authority, just you make sure you have it!

  Palmer : You know, it's funny... If Radcliffe had been here, I'd have been... a hero.

  Major Dalby : He wasn't. And you're not.

• Major Dalby : The Americans have put a tail on Palmer.

  Colonel Ross : How very tiresome of them.

• Major Dalby : [at the armorers]  Give him your gun. Issue him with a Colt .32.

  Murray : [hands Palmer a revolver]  Do you know how to use this?

  Palmer : Colt .32? Yes. I'd sooner have my automatic...

  Major Dalby : [sternly]  You'll use the Colt.

  Palmer : I'll use the Colt.

• Major Dalby : [of Palmer's dossier]  It isn't usual to read a B107 to its subject, Palmer; but I'm gonna put you straight. "Insubordinate. Insolent. A trickster. Perhaps with criminal tendencies."

  Palmer : Yes, that's a pretty fair appraisal - sir.

  Major Dalby : Good. That last quality might be useful. But if I have any trouble with you, Palmer, I shall *bite* you, Palmer, and I shall bite you so hard you'll go right back to where Ross found you!

• [Palmer and Dalby are attending a performance of a military band playing Mozart] 

  Palmer : Very neat. Must we sit through any more of this torture? I've got a lot of things to do.

  Major Dalby : I think they're playing very well.

  Palmer : Tell me who wins.

  [gets up and leaves] 

• Major Dalby : Spare us the jokes, Palmer, I don't have Colonel Ross's sense of humour.

  Palmer : Yes, I will miss that, sir.

• Major Dalby : Congratulations, Palmer. You've just killed an American agent.

• Major Dalby : A word in your shell-like ear: If there's anything to be reported to Ross, *I* report it. Understand?

  Palmer : Yes, sir.

• Major Dalby : And we still have to find Radcliffe, gentlemen. That means more legwork and fewer inspired hunches.