Phantom Lady (1944)

Thomas Gomez: Inspector Burgess

Photos 

Quotes 

• Inspector Burgess : We used to talk about the criminal type. Criminal type my eye. It's not how a man looks, it's how his mind works that makes him a killer.

  Jack Marlow : Oh, come on, Inspector. You mean that all great murderers have been... insane?

  Inspector Burgess : You bet your sweet life. You think the Borgias were normal? Dr. Crippen... there was a saint and devil rolled into one. Landru the Bluebeard. Jack the Ripper. Our own gangsters... Legs Diamond, Baby Face Nelson, Dillinger. Paranoiacs all of them. Well, someday we'll have sense enough to train the mind as we train the body... from birth. Then they won't need men like me, and that'll be all right, too. What sort of job is this, anyway? Hunting down a madman.

• Inspector Burgess : [questioning]  You're a very neat dresser, Mr. Henderson.

  Detective - Tom : [taunting]  Yes, everything goes together. It's an art.

  Inspector Burgess : That's a nice tie you're wearing.

  Scott Henderson : [upset]  Tie?

  Detective - Tom : Pretty taste. Expensive. I wish I could afford it.

  Scott Henderson : Say, what are you trying to do to me? Marcella's dead! Gimme a break. What's the difference whether my tie is OK or not?

  Inspector Burgess : It makes a great deal of difference, Mr. Henderson.

  Scott Henderson : Why?

  Inspector Burgess : Your wife was strangled with one of your ties.

  Detective - Chewing Gum : Yeah. Knotted so tight, it had to be cut loose with a knife.

• Inspector Burgess : No, no, the fact remains that none of you could have committed these murders.

  Jack Marlow : Why not?

  Inspector Burgess : You're all too normal.

  Jack Marlow : Oh. The murderer must be normal enough. He's just clever, that's all.

  Inspector Burgess : Yes, all of them are; diabolically clever.

  Jack Marlow : Who?

  Inspector Burgess : Paranoiacs.

  Jack Marlow : That's simply your opinion. A psychiatrist might disagree.

  Inspector Burgess : No, I've met paranoiacs before. They all have incredible egos. Abnormal cunning. A contempt for life.

  Jack Marlow : You make him sound unbeatable.

• Carol Richman : How did you get in here?

  Inspector Burgess : Your landlady. Remember me? I'm a tired police inspector named Burgess.

  Carol Richman : If you're looking for Mr. Henderson, you'll find him just where you put him.

  Inspector Burgess : Oh, come on now. That's nonsense and you know it. My job was done when I turned him over to the DA.

  Carol Richman : It's so easy to be smug and wear a badge on your mind, isn't it? You must feel very proud of yourself.

• Inspector Burgess : Why did you follow him?

  Carol Richman : [indignantly]  Maybe I needed the exercise.

  Inspector Burgess : Try Central Park next time. The air's better.