Shane (1953)

Brandon De Wilde: Joey Starrett

Photos 

Quotes 

• Shane : I gotta be going on.

  Joey : Why, Shane?

  Shane : A man has to be what he is, Joey. Can't break the mould. I tried it and it didn't work for me.

  Joey : We want you, Shane.

  Shane : Joey, there's no living with... with a killing. There's no going back from one. Right or wrong, it's a brand. A brand sticks. There's no going back. Now you run on home to your mother, and tell her... tell her everything's all right. And there aren't any more guns in the valley.

  Joey : Shane...

  [Joey notices that Shane is wounded] 

  Joey : It's bloody! You're hurt!

  Shane : [Shane starts to stroke Joey's hair]  I'm all right, Joey. You go home to your mother and father and grow up to be strong and straight. And, Joey... take care of them, both of them.

  Joey : Yes, Shane.

  [Shane rides off] 

• Marian Starrett : Guns aren't going to be my boy's life!

  Joey : Why do you always have to spoil everything?

  Shane : A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that.

  Marian Starrett : We'd all be much better off if there wasn't a single gun left in this valley - including yours.

• [last lines] 

  Joey : Shane. Shane! Come back! Bye, Shane.

• Shane : You were watchin' me down it for quite a spell, weren't you?

  Joey : Yes I was.

  Shane : You know, I... I like a man who watches things go on around. It means he'll make his mark someday.

• [first lines] 

  Joey : Somebody's comin', Pa!

  Joe Starrett : Well, let him come.

• Joey : Was that him? Was that Wilson?

  Shane : That was him. That was Wilson, all right, and he was fast, fast on the draw.

• Joey : Pa's got things for you to do. And Mother wants you. I know she does!

• Joey : Could you whip him, Pa? Could you whip Shane?

  Joe Starrett : Don't you ask nothin' but questions?

  Joey : But could you?

  Joe Starrett : Ooh, maybe. But there's no call for that, Joey. Shane's on our side.

• Joe Starrett : I know one thing, the only way they're gonna get me outta here is in a pine box.

  Joey : What do you mean, Pa?

  Joe Starrett : Well, I mean son, they'll have to shoot me and carry me out.

  Marian Starrett : Joe, I wish you wouldn't talk like that.

  Joe Starrett : Well, that's the truth! You love this place. We've got our roots down.

• Joe Starrett : That's one thing a married man has got to get used to, is waitin' for women.

  Joey : Hurry up, Ma!

• Joey : I just love Shane!

• Joey : I bet it stings like anything!

• Joey : I wish they'd give me some bullets for this gun.

• Joey : Goodnight, Ma.

  Marian Starrett : Goodnight, Joey.

  Joey : Goodnight, Pa.

  Joe Starrett : Goodnight, son.

  Joey : Goodnight Shane!

• Shane : [dozing under his hat]  Good morning, Joey.

  Joey : How'd you know it was me?

  Shane : Well, I figured the cow couldn't work that latch.

  [Joey grins] 

• Marian Starrett : [after he's been insulted by the homesteaders]  Shane?

  Joey : Shane, I know you ain't afraid.

  Shane : It's a long story, Joe.

  Marian Starrett : I think we know, Shane. Shane, don't just stand there in the rain, you'll catch your death of cold.

• Marian Starrett : Joey, don't get to liking Shane too much.

  Joey : Why not?

  Marian Starrett : I don't want you to.

  Joey : Is there anything wrong with him?

  Marian Starrett : No.

  Joey : Then what, Mother?

  Marian Starrett : He'll be moving on one day, Joey. You'll be upset if you get to liking him too much.

• Joey : [after Shane knocks Joe out cold]  Shane! You hit him with your gun! I *hate* you!

• Shane : Been a long time since I've seen a Jersey cow.

  Joe Starrett : Well, you'll see a lot more: Jerseys and Holsteins and the like. Can I offer you some water?

  Shane : Thanks.

  [as Joey walks away in back of Shane, he cocks the rifle. Shane spins around ready to draw] 

  Joe Starrett : You're a little touchy, aren't ya?

  Marian Starrett : Joey, you know better than to point guns at people.

  Joey : I wasn't pointing at anybody, Mother.

  Shane : You had me snortin', son.

• Joey : [offering his gun for Shane to inspect]  Just wanted you to see my rifle. Bet you can shoot, can't you?

  Shane : Little bit.

• Joey : Can you shoot as good as Shane, Pa?

  Joe Starrett : How do I know? I've never seen him shoot, but I doubt it.

  Joey : He didn't wear his gun today. Why is that, Pa?

  Joe Starrett : Well, he's tradin' at the store, not holding it up.