Star in the Night (1945)

Donald Woods: Hitchhiker

Photos 

Quotes 

• Nick Catapoli : Is no Merry Christmas for me. I may be only fella in the whole world who don't like it. I hate Christmas.

  Hitchhiker : What's the matter with it?

  Nick Catapoli : What's the matter with it. All year, everybody is stingy, is mean, squeeze the money - all of a sudden, it come Christmas; everybody smiles, got a false face. Not Nick - I'm no phony. Why everybody gotta change, just because it Christmas, huh?

  Hitchhiker : Because we can't get away from it. Because the true meaning of Christmas is peace, and brotherhood, and love. Seems to me that's a remedy for all the world's troubles.

• [last lines] 

  Nick Catapoli : [reaching to shake hands]  ... Merry Christmas.

  Hitchhiker : Merry Christmas, Nick.

  [he leaves, turning at the door to smile; Nick watches him go, then looks at the nativity scene in his calendar as he hears the visiting choir sing "Silent Night" from one of the cabins; he looks out the window at the cowboys visiting the newborn baby in his shed, as a tear rolls down his face] 

• Nick Catapoli : Shame on you for bein' such a fool.

  Hitchhiker : You're wrong, Nick. You only believe what you see. But what does that prove? Nobody sees the stars in the daytime - that's no sign they aren't there. Everybody's been rubbin' you the wrong way, that's all. Say, I've been running up against all kinds - bad ones, and good ones. And the good ones make a man forget all the others.

• Hitchhiker : I thought maybe I might step inside and warm up a bit. Maybe you could spare a hot cup of coffee?

  Nick Catapoli : Is no flop joint. I don't have no business for the free lunch.

  Hitchhiker : Oh. Well, I thought tonight, everybody'd want to show a little goodwill.

  Nick Catapoli : Goodwill? What are you talkin', goodwill? Is no such thing. You see that sign? It cost me plenty money - even second-hand cash. I can't buy 'em with goodwill; I can't buy nothin' with goodwill. See?

  Hitchhiker : OK.

• Nick Catapoli : [giving him a coat]  You gonna be cold - you better put this on.

  Hitchhiker : [stunned]  But it's yours!

  Nick Catapoli : Is old; he never fit me too good - I gonna throw him away anyhow.