The Missourians (1950)

Paul Hurst: John X. Finn

Quotes 

• Mayor Grant McDowall : We don't want foreigners around here, especially those with crime in their blood. If you don't approve, why don't you back home to the old country?

  John X. Finn : Maybe he likes it here, like your folks did when they come over here from Ireland.

  Bill Blades : Why don't you listen to him? He's makin' sense.

  John X. Finn : This is the United States - where every man has a chance to prove himself, whether he's a saint or a sinner - whether he was born in Texas or Timbuktu.

• John X. Finn : Slow down a little. This is a good town. You're all are good men. Steve Kovacs is bad; you're going to have to do away with him. Someday, your new church is going to be finished and you can all gather together in there and pray. The fact that you just lynched Steve Kovacs isn't going to bear down on your conscience much, 'cause he took some money that belonged to somebody else and all you took was a man's life.

• [last lines] 

  Bill Blades : Well, they can't say you're not the best-dressed lawyer in Texas, John.

  John X. Finn : I'd take that as a nasty crack if you wasn't our leadin' citizen and if it wasn't for you, we wouldn't have a church opening to go to.

  Steve Kovacs : Or a town that finally gave me a chance.

  Bill Blades : It takes more than one man to make a town a decent for folks to live in, Steve. It takes all the people.

  John X. Finn : Well, come on, let's get out of here.

  Bill Blades : Now wait a minute. Someone's got to ride ahead and warn the congregation about that suit. I'll see you in church!