How the West Was Won (1962)

Karl Malden: Zebulon Prescott

Photos 

Quotes 

• Zebulon Prescott : O Lord, without consulting with Thee, we have sent thy way some souls whose evil ways passeth all understanding. We ask Thee humbly to receive them... whether you want them or not! Amen.

• Parson Alec Harvey : The laddie's health the reason you're heading west?

  Zebulon Prescott : Partly, only partly. Mostly our trouble east was rocks. I had me a farm where some years I'd raise a hundred bushels of rocks to the acre.

  Rebecca Prescott : Now, Zebulon, you hadn't oughta lie to the man like that.

  Zebulon Prescott : Wife, I'm a god fearin soul and I tell the truth as I see it. Now I never used a plow, I'd blast out the furrows with gunpowder. And then one morning, I hauled the bucket up from out of the well and so help me the bucket was full of rocks. Rocks! I just stood there, right still, tryin' not to blaspheme, and I said to myself, "You've got a son that's ailin, you've got a twenty year old daughter what won't take to herself a husband, there she sits over there, moonin as usual, and you've got another daughter who just don't seem quite right in the head". Lilith! Now, I remind you sir, I'm still standin' there, holding a bucket full of rocks, and starin into a bleak old age. So I made me a vow right then and there, I said, "If I can find a man with five hundred dollars, who likes rocks, then there's going to be another fool ownin this farm. Well sir, the Lord provided such a man, and here I am.

  Rebecca Prescott : He ain't told you one word of truth, Mr. Harvey. We had the best farm in the township.

  Zebulon Prescott : Yeah, Rockville Township it was. Stone County.