The Sting (1973)

Ray Walston: J.J. Singleton

Photos 

Quotes 

• [Figuring out which con to pull on Lonnegan] 

  J.J. Singleton : I dunno know what to do with this guy, Henry. He's an Irishman who doesn't drink, doesn't smoke, and doesn't chase dames. He's a grand knight in the Knights of Columbus, and he only goes out to play faro. Sometimes plays 15 or 20 hours at a time, just him against the house.

  Henry Gondorff : Roulette? Craps?

  J.J. Singleton : He won't touch 'em. The croupier at Gilman's says he never plays anything he can't win.

  Henry Gondorff : Sports?

  J.J. Singleton : Likes to be seen with fighters sometimes, but he doesn't go to the fights or bet on 'em.

  Henry Gondorff : Jesus. Does he do anything where he's not alone?

  J.J. Singleton : Just poker. And he cheats. Pretty good at it, too.

• Eddie Niles : With no fix, we're gonna need a con with a sure-fire blow-off.

  J.J. Singleton : I think we ought to play this guy on the payoff. It's the tightest game we've got and it's not all over the papers yet.

  Kid Twist : Lonnegan is a fast egg, J.J. He's not going to sit still for a standard play.

  Eddie Niles : So what does that leave us? We can't con the payoff to a banker.

  Henry Gondorff : We'll use the wire. Haven't known a poker player yet who didn't wanna bet the ponies.

  Eddie Niles : The wire's been out of date for ten years.

  Henry Gondorff : That's why he won't know it.

  J.J. Singleton : I'm not sure I know it.

  Henry Gondorff : It'll take two of us working the inside. Any objections to Hooker as second man?

  [getting no objections] 

  Henry Gondorff : All right, we'll give Lonnegan the hook on the train and play him here. J.J., you think I can get in that poker game?

  J.J. Singleton : All you gotta do is show up with a lot of money and look like a sucker.

  Henry Gondorff : I also gotta win.

  [having been told Snyder was snooping around] 

  Henry Gondorff : Oh, by the way, any of you guys been passing bad money lately?

  [to Billie] 

  Henry Gondorff : If he comes in again, stall him so I can get a look at him.

• Kid Twist : [pretending to be painters in order to access a Western Union office]  We'll hurry so we don't keep you out of your office for too long.

  Western Union Executive : Well, why can't I work with you in here?

  J.J. Singleton : Look, pal, we got to cover the floor, the furniture, everything, so we don't spill on nothin'. Now, if you want to sit in here with a tarp over your head, you're welcome to it.