Torrid Zone (1940)

Frank Puglia: Rodriguez

Photos 

Quotes 

• Police Chief Juan Rodriguez : [arguing with Case on the phone]  After a good night's sleep a man doesn't mind being shot, but during siesta?

  [a pause while he listens] 

  Police Chief Juan Rodriguez : All right, all right! Si, senor. We... we give him a permanent siesta - we shoot him right away.

• Police Chief Juan Rodriguez : Rosario, you no longer have to worry about eating. We are going to shoot you.

  Rosario 'Rosie' La Mata : Sooner or later everybody dies. It's too bad I am sooner.

• Mr. Steve Case : [after hearing Rosario has escaped]  Don't tell me that Donley dame had her mob down here there and rescued her too?

  Police Chief Juan Rodriguez : Oh, she's safe under key and lock.

  Mr. Steve Case : She better be, and she's out of town on that boat, or you'll be on the next one, medals and all!

  Police Chief Juan Rodriguez : Mr. Case, I must remind you I was elected by the people.

  Mr. Steve Case : Yes, and they're finally wise to you. Bet those brass buttons the next time they go to the polls, they'll throw you right out of office.

  Police Chief Juan Rodriguez : Mr. Case, I don't believe in a Third Term.

• Police Chief Juan Rodriguez : Mr. Case, we did not shoot Rosario.

  Wally Davis : You didn't shoot him? Why not?

  Police Chief Juan Rodriguez : Because he... he escaped.

  Wally Davis : Well, that's a good reason.

  Mr. Steve Case : Whoever made you Chief of Police - you can't handle a simple job like shooting a man.

  Police Chief Juan Rodriguez : Mr. Case, Rosario's men stormed the jail yard - 18, maybe 20 of them. But don't worry, I have clues. I shall capture him again, easily, within several months.

  Wally Davis : Why don't you wait till he dies of old age.

• Steve Case : [on the phone with the Chief of Police]  Quit pampering that hoodlum. Take him out and shoot him today.

  Rodriguez : But, Señor, it is not sunrise... Sí, Señor, there is no law about sunrise. It is just a custom. After a good night's sleep, a man doesn't mind being shot. But during siesta... All right, all right, sí, Señor. We give him a permanent siesta. We shoot him right away.

• Rodriguez : After this, when you see things, make sure that you are right before you are wrong.

• Rodriguez : Señorita Donley, but this is impossible. My clues say that you are in Panama.

  Lee Donley : Then why don't you look there?