Dillinger (1973)

Ben Johnson: Melvin Purvis

Photos 

Quotes 

• Samuel Cowley : Can't touch Dillinger, no federal offense; he doesn't deserve to be there. I don't want anyone up there I can't legally shoot!

  Melvin Purvis : Shoot Dillinger and we'll figure out a way to make it legal.

• Melvin Purvis : [about "Handsome Jack" Klutas]  I knew I'd never take him alive... I didn't try too hard, neither.

• Billie Frechette : [about Dillinger]  You'll never get him.

  Melvin Purvis : Yes, I'll get him.

• [Pretty Boy Floyd has been shot trying to escape the FBI] 

  Melvin Purvis : Are you Pretty Boy Floyd?

  Pretty Boy Floyd : [gasping in pain]  I'm. Charles. Arthur. Floyd

  Melvin Purvis : This is for Kansas City, boy.

  Pretty Boy Floyd : [in more pain]  I wasn't in on that... I swear.

  Melvin Purvis : You shouldn't be lying when you're so close to your maker.

  Pretty Boy Floyd : [fading rapidly]  You must be Purvis.

  Melvin Purvis : That's right.

  Pretty Boy Floyd : I'm. Glad. It. Was. You.

  [dies] 

• Melvin Purvis : On June 17,1933, five of my finest men were ambushed escorting convicted bank robber Frank Nash to the Federal penitentiary. My men died like dogs in the gutter, and I swore personal vengeance. Mister Hoover told me he wanted these rats that did it exterminated, and that was my only job. Charles Arthur "Pretty Boy" Floyd. George "Machine Gun" Kelly". Lester "Baby Face" Nelson. Wilbur Underhill, "The Tri-state Terror". "Handsome Jack" Klutas. And, of course John Dillinger.

• Melvin Purvis : [about his Monte Cristos]  Do you know who gave me these cigars, Sam?

  Samuel Cowley : No.

  Melvin Purvis : Ray Caffrey gave them to me right before he got his head blown off in Kansas City. They were for my birthday. And I intend to smoke one of these over each of those men's dead bodies.

• John Dillinger : [Dillinger phones Purvis after escaping from prison]  I always felt that, uh, well, I always felt that we oughtta talk occasionally.

  Melvin Purvis : Good, good, I like to hear from you.

  John Dillinger : I understand that, uh, I understand that you been, uh, that you got me on driving a stolen car across state lines. Is that right? Federal offense, that's what the papers said.

  Melvin Purvis : That's right, kid. Not much for a man of your ability.

  John Dillinger : [growing angry]  How'd you like the crash out!

  Melvin Purvis : Liked it fine, Johnny.

  John Dillinger : Yeah, it was great, wasn't it?!

  Melvin Purvis : I've always wanted it that way. It gives me a chance . . .

  John Dillinger : How many men you got on me now, Melvin?!

  Melvin Purvis : Two, Johnny. Two good ones.

  John Dillinger : You and J. Edgar Hoover, huh?

  Melvin Purvis : That's right, kid.

  John Dillinger : Well that's fine, that's fine, Melvin. I like a man with confidence.

  Melvin Purvis : Call whenever you like.

  John Dillinger : Sure been nice talkin' to you.

  Melvin Purvis : You can reverse the charges if you need, kid.

  John Dillinger : [hangs up the phone and yells into the receiver]  Bye! Son of a bitch.