Skyscraper Souls (1932)

Warren William: David Dwight

Photos 

Quotes 

• David 'Dave' Dwight : Hello, Ham old egg! How are ya?

  'Ham' Hamilton : [as they shake hands]  Fine.

  David 'Dave' Dwight : How's your wife?

  'Ham' Hamilton : Splendid. She's in Egypt, digging up ruins.

  David 'Dave' Dwight : Oh, she seems to like ruins,

  [looks down at Hamilton's feet] 

  David 'Dave' Dwight : especially with spats on.

• 'Ham' Hamilton : I'll come to your funeral.

  David 'Dave' Dwight : Be sure I'm in the casket before you bring any lilies.

  'Ham' Hamilton : I'll bring thistles.

• Ella Dwight : You know, Dwight, when we were first married, I thought it was going to be a great success.

  David 'Dave' Dwight : It *is* a success, Ella. You're an ideal wife.

  Ella Dwight : Then, why didn't we hit it off?

  David 'Dave' Dwight : Ohh, we didn't go about it in the right way. A man and wife should never live in the same house. When we lived in two houses, we got along much better. When we lived in two cities, we became quite fond of each other. Now that we live in two continents, we're probably the happiest married couple in the world.

• David 'Dave' Dwight : Well, I'll tell you, Sarah, I'm a peculiar man. I have to be free, or I'd stifle. Marriage is a possessive arrangement. I don't see how people stand it!

• 'Ham' Hamilton : How many millions do I have to make for you before I gain your confidence?

  David 'Dave' Dwight : Hamilton, I've got what I want - I own this building now. It's mine.

  'Ham' Hamilton : You seem kinda' crazy about it.

  David 'Dave' Dwight : Why wouldn't I be? They laughed at me when I said I wanted a hundred-story building. They said it wouldn't hold together. But I had the courage and the vision and it's MINE and I own it! It goes halfway to hell and right up to heaven and it's beautiful!

  'Ham' Hamilton : I'll admit it's an achievement, but...

  David 'Dave' Dwight : [Cutting him off]  You bet it is. I've achieved something big. Something worthwhile. Feel it under, it's solid! Even the fiercest storm can't budge it! It bends, but it won't break, and it stands here defiant!... Hamilton, did you ever stop to think, a million men sweated to build it: mines, quarries, factories, forests... Men gave their LIVES to it! I hate to tell you how many men dropped off these girders while they were going up. But it was worth it - nothing's created without pain and suffering! A child is born, a cause is won, a building is built!

  David 'Dave' Dwight : [pauses a moment to look closely at Hamilton, who seems bemused]  Say, you don't know what I'm talking about, do you?

  'Ham' Hamilton : Sounds kind of crazy to me.

  David 'Dave' Dwight : [Chuckles]  Well, that's the difference between a man who makes money for the sake of having money - and a man like me. You crook!