Edmond O'Brien: Johnny Midnight

Quotes 

• [first lines] 

  Johnny Midnight : [Narration]  People often say there's no biz like show biz. Now if they're talking about Broadway, I agree. Hollywood's another matter. As far as I'm concerned, mostly "biz" and not much "show." But Hyer Studios were making a movie of a play I'd produced and the head man, Henryk Hyer, had suggested I supervise the filming, so I was on my way to Hollywood courtesy of the studio. Not a bad deal, even if they did ruin the play. At any rate, it was a convenient coverup. My real reason for going was to see a beautiful girl named Nina Wylie. Like people say, there's no biz like show biz... unless it's girl biz.

• Johnny Midnight : [Dream sequence. Johnny comes up behind a beautiful woman]  Hi, doll.

  Nina Wylie : Don't get fresh. I'm waiting for someone.

  Johnny Midnight : A guy?

  Nina Wylie : A guy.

  Johnny Midnight : I'll take him out with a right.

  Nina Wylie : Not this guy.

  Johnny Midnight : Oh, tough, huh?

  Nina Wylie : Very.

  Johnny Midnight : Drop a name,. Who is he?

  Nina Wylie : Johnny Midnight.

  Johnny Midnight : [Johnny steps in front of woman]  Hi, doll. Guess who?

  Nina Wylie : Lover.

• Woman on Airplane : Mr. Midnight, Mr. Midnight! You're Johnny Midnight and I know it. It's right here in this gossip column. You've come to see that girl!

  Johnny Midnight : I don't know what you're taking about.

  Woman on Airplane : Okay, mister, okay, for you I'm gonna fix it that you and that girl have bad luck. I'm puttin' the whammy on ya!

• Johnny Midnight : [Narration]  It took awhile to find Gobo. We turned him up on the backlot, that bizarre world of settings: western towns, city streets, medieval courtyards. A land of fantasy where buildings are merely facades, front doors opening onto nothing. Typical of Hollywood - just phony front, no real solidity.