Jack the Ripper (1988)

Michael Caine: Inspector Frederick Abberline

Photos 

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Quotes 

• [Chief Superintendent Arnold is complaining to Abberline about the press reports] 

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : I'm not responsible for the papers!

  DCS Arnold : No, you're responsible to me! And I want this case closed, Inspector!

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : Yes, and why is that, Chief Superintendent? Mary Nicholls was a shilling whore. She wasn't killed for money, she didn't have any, her neighbours don't remember any enemies, and according to the doctor, she wasn't even sexually assaulted, yet somebody tore her to pieces in the streets!

  DCS Arnold : So find him.

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : Do you want the killer, or will anybody do?

• [Abberline and Godley enter Whitechapel Police Station] 

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : Be it ever so humble...

  Sgt. George Godley : There's no place like home.

• [Sergeant Godley asks for Inspector Spratling] 

  Inspector Spratling : You've found him! Who are you?

  Sgt. George Godley : Sergeant Godley, Sir. Scotland Yard.

  Inspector Spratling : Scotland Yard. Ho ho. Well, well, well, a real detective from Scotland Yard, come to tell us how to do our jobs, Kerby. Sergeant Godley, is it? Dear oh dear, sergeants round here make the tea.

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : [Appearing from the office behind Spratling]  What do Inspectors do?

  Inspector Spratling : Abberline!

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : We'll need a clean office, George, that one's filthy.

  [Spots Sergeant Kerby] 

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : Sergeant Kerby, is it? George takes sugar in his tea, I don't.

• [Sergeant Godley wakes up a hungover Chief Inspector Abberline] 

  Sgt. George Godley : Chief Superintendent Arnold wants to see you.

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : Arnold? Does he know where I am?

  Sgt. George Godley : No, but he's about the only policeman in Scotland Yard who doesn't!

• [Godley and Abberline are in a cab heading for Bucks Row] 

  Sgt. George Godley : So what else did Old Bootface have to say?

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : Detective Chief Superintendent Arnold thinks I need a rest.

  Sgt. George Godley : Rest? I've never heard it called that before!

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : Anyway, I like Whitechapel.

  Sgt. George Godley : Oh good, cause one day they'll send you back here, permanently, end of a brilliant career.

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : Don't start, George, not now.

  Sgt. George Godley : L Well, why do you do it, Fred? We all like a drink now and again, but give you a bottle and...

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : Alright, George, you've had your say.

• [Godley is scuffling with a pub customer, when Abberline walks up] 

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : Who is he?

  Sgt. George Godley : I don't know, but I'm taking him in.

  [looking at Abberline] 

  Sgt. George Godley : Wait a minute, how long have you been out here?

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : Well, I looked in, but you seemed to be doing alright.

  Sgt. George Godley : Oh, thanks!

  [Godley pulls the man upright] 

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : [grining]  Hello, Billy boy!

  Billy White, Pimp : I didn't know he was one of yours, Mr Abberline, honest, I didn't!

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : But you're one of mine, aren't you Billy?

  Billy White, Pimp : I don't know nothing, honest, Mr. Abberline. I'd tell you if I did, wouldn't I?

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : Yes, you'd tell me. Let him go, George. We'll pick him up tomorrow if we need him

  [Godley releases Billy, who walks off with a nasty look on his face] 

  Sgt. George Godley : [walking in the oposite direction]  One of your snouts?

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : [walking alongside Godley]  Like his father before him.

  [looking behind him] 

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : Nothing changes!

• Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : Get this mob off the streets, Lusk, or I'll run you in so fast for incitement to riot you'll skin your feet!

• George Lusk : The name's Lusk, George Lusk. Chairman of the...

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : Chairman of the so-called Vigilante committee. I wondered when you were going to show your face!

  George Lusk : I'll show you more than a face, Abberline! I'll show you a hundred armed men!

• Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : [the first meeting with George Lusk]  Unplug your ears, Lusk, because I'm going to tell you something! I grew up with these people! They matter to me, I know what matters to you! It's written all over your face: "POWER"! So take my advice and go home! The Revolution may not start this week!

• Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : You told me to bring you "Jack the Ripper" - you sign that bit of paper, and I will... Tonight!

• Sgt. George Godley : [after Abberline's rant against Lusk]  That was a bit harsh, wasn't it?

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : Only a bit? I must be losing my touch!

• Sgt. George Godley : I'm going to get them when this is over!

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : No, you're not, George.

  Sgt. George Godley : Why not?

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : Because I am!

• Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : [after waking up in jail with a hangover]  Get me a razor!

• Sir Charles Warren : [Gathering his ceremonial hat and sword]  Lord Mayor of London's parade today; annual farce.

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : Well, the people enjoy it, sir. It's a public holiday.

  Sir Charles Warren : They wouldn't enjoy it if they had to march through the streets dressed like a turkey.

• Sgt. George Godley : Inquest tomorrow? How can we present evidence by tomorrow?

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : We can't!

  Sgt. George Godley : You mean we're not meant to?

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : I don't know yet, but something stinks, and it's not just this place!

• Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : What we need now, George, is the best man in the country on madness!

• Robert James Lees : I had a vision. It was horrible.

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : [skeptically]  And what did you see this time?

  Robert James Lees : [nervously]  A tall man out there in the yard. I saw the blood... everything... but it was too late.

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : [sarcastically]  That's the trouble with the spirit world, isn't it? Always telling you after the event but never before,

• Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : [to reporter]  One spark and the whole east end of London goes up just like that

  [snaps his finger] 

• Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : [referring to the killer]  He's playing with us, George. Some people are so damn cocky they think they can't be caught.

  Sgt. George Godley : What's the motive? There's still no motive.

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : There's got to be a motive. There's never been a murder without one.

• Sgt. George Godley : [angered by the sarcasm of Kirby and Spratling]  I'm going to get them when this is over.

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : Oh, no, you're not.

  Sgt. George Godley : Why not?

  Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : Because I am!

• Chief Insp. Frederick Abberline : If the dead woman is a mystery, than the killer must be.