Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV Series)

Vicious Circle (1957)

George Macready: Vincent Williams

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Quotes 

• Vincent Williams : People with rash ideas must be put away for their own good.

  Manny Coe : I don't get it.

  Vincent Williams : Really, Manny. Come now, you're not that naïve.

  Manny Coe : But she loves me, Mr. Williams.

  Vincent Williams : That's the beauty of it. To triumph over that little impediment of love. And after it's done, Manny, think of the elation. Free from emotional annoyances.

• Vincent Williams : I'm afraid your Betty is the kind of woman who would wait 20 years for you to get out of prison, moral and repentant.

  Manny Coe : I just can't believe she'd tell on me.

  Vincent Williams : I assure you, she did. Always beware the woman who loves you. Most often, they want to run your life. And I think that if anyone was to run your life, I'd be better qualified.

• Vincent Williams : I asked you here tonight to talk about you, Manny. You please me very much. And when one of my boys pleases me, he's always rewarded.

• Vincent Williams : It's a pity there are so many strange people in the world. I really don't understand them.

  Manny Coe : There's nothing wrong with Betty.

  Vincent Williams : Didn't you know? I'm afraid Betty doesn't like me. She even says I'm a crook. There's a rumor she's starting a purity campaign against our kind of people.

• Vincent Williams : Yes, there's the technical difficulty. This is no ordinary job. It has to be done expertly. It's some time since I was a technician, but the talent hasn't left me. Let's see. I have it. New Year's Eve is just a few days off.

  Manny Coe : New Year's Eve?

  Vincent Williams : The noise, the confusion, the gaiety at the end of an old year and the start of a new. The end of an old life, and the start of a new one.

  [He lies down on the sofa] 

  Vincent Williams : Your new life. Until the new year. Good-bye, Manny.

  [He holds out his hand. Manny shakes his hand briefly, but Vincent continues to hold Manny's hand until Manny pulls away] 

• Vincent Williams : A very impressive funeral. I don't quite know why, but I always feel more alive when someone else has died.

  Manny Coe : I know what you mean.

  Vincent Williams : Of course you do, Manny. You've proven it to me, time and again. But this last job - Betty - ah, that was a real masterpiece. You rose decidedly in my estimation. Getting her to run in front of a car. Very clever. No bullet wounds, no suspicion. Completely clean. Commendable.

  Manny Coe : Thank you, Mr. Williams.

  Vincent Williams : From now on, it might be "Vincent." Don't you think?

  Manny Coe : Yeah. Vincent!

  Vincent Williams : [Vincent lifts his glass]  To Manny Coe, new assistant in Vincent Williams Enterprises.

  Manny Coe : I'll drink to that. To the future, Vincent. To the future.

• Vincent Williams : Hello, Georgie.

  Georgie : Hello, Mr. Williams.

  Vincent Williams : Having a good time?

  Georgie : Swell. Thanks for inviting me. I didn't have anything decent to wear...

  Vincent Williams : Well, we'll have to see to it that you get some new clothes. Won't we?

  Georgie : Yes, Mr. Williams. Boy, it's sure funny, isn't it? If I had clothes and dough and a car like Mr. Coe, I'd be enjoying myself, having a swell time.

  Vincent Williams : [Vincent looks over to the bar, where he sees Manny. Manny is talking with a woman, who has her arms around him]  You're a very observant boy, Georgie. By the way, I thought you handled that camera store job very intelligently.

  Georgie : Yes, Mr. Williams.

  Vincent Williams : [Vincent puts his hand on Georgie's shoulder]  I think a gray herringbone tweed would look very nice on you.

  [Vincent walks away. Georgie smiles triumphantly] 

• Vincent Williams : What's the matter, Manny?

  Manny Coe : Nothing, Vincent.

  Vincent Williams : Why are you leaving?

  Manny Coe : [Surprised]  What?

  Vincent Williams : [Vincent takes him by the arm and leads him toward the door]  Oh, Manny. I'm sorry the Johnson job didn't turn out to be the success we anticipated.

  Manny Coe : I can't understand what happened. I planned every detail. I thought I hadn't overlooked anything.

  Vincent Williams : Perhaps you need a vacation.

  Manny Coe : Oh no. No, I'm sure I'll be all right by tomorrow night.

  Vincent Williams : Get a good night's sleep.

  Manny Coe : Thank you, Vincent. Good night.

  [He walks toward the door, where he sees Georgie] 

  Georgie : Leaving, Mr. Coe?

  [Georgie grins] 

  Manny Coe : [Looking disgusted]  Yeah.