Columbo (TV Series)

A Matter of Honor (1976)

Ricardo Montalban: Luis Montoya

Photos 

Quotes 

• Commandant Sanchez : I hope you understand, Luis, that, uh, the lieutenant here is here as my guest. He has no official status.

  Luis Montoya : So inquisitive. I find him amusing.

• Luis Montoya : You see, my cows are very aggressive, Lieutenant. That's why they breed such brave bulls.

• Lt. Columbo : Actually, I thought if I got the chance I'd like to come out here one more time before I left. I'm fascinated by everything out here, but I don't want to be a pest.

  Luis Montoya : Oh, not at all, Lieutenant. You're welcome here anytime.

  Lt. Columbo : Well, thank you very much, sir. I've been fascinated by everything I've seen out here and I still think there's a lot to learn.

• Lt. Columbo : [referring to bullfighting]  I don't know how you fight those things to make a living.

  Luis Montoya : It's more than a living, Lieutenant. It's a way of life.

  Lt. Columbo : I'll tell you the truth, uh, I don't think I would enjoy watching a man kill an animal like that, as big and as mean as he is.

  Luis Montoya : Perhaps you do enjoy the spectacle of two men in the prize ring beating each other senseless, or murdering an innocent deer with a rifle, or catching a fish with another one which is still alive. Our culture is different than yours, Lieutenant. No better or worse, perhaps, but, uh, different.

• Lt. Columbo : May I ask you a personal question, sir?

  Luis Montoya : Oh, by all means.

  Lt. Columbo : Did you injure your leg in the bullring?

  Luis Montoya : [nodding]  On the Plaza Del Toros, Mexico. It was the wound that ended my career. And, ironically, it wasn't even the bull I was supposed to fight. You see, I was appearing mano a mano with a young matador who froze, and the bull gored him. I jumped to his rescue, and I, too, was gored. Badly. Here. They tried to take me to the infirmary along with the young matador, but I refused to go. Despite the blood flowing from my wound, I stayed in the ring and I did one of the best faenas of my career. I killed the bull with one thrust. The people loved it! They stood up and gave me an electrifying ovation. Two ears and a tail! That was my last fight.

  Lt. Columbo : Well, that must have taken a lot of courage, sir.

• Commandant Sanchez : A bull like Marinaro, how much he worth?

  Luis Montoya : $8,000 - more with inflation.

  Lt. Columbo : Seems like a valuable piece of property to destroy without permission.

• Luis Montoya : I am sorry, Lieutenant. I have tried to be gracious; I have answered all your questions; my courtesy has been rewarded with accusation. I must ask you to leave my house and not return.

• Luis Montoya : [losing control before Columbo]  If you understood the first thing about bullfighting, you would not question Hector's death.

• Luis Montoya : There are no buts.