Slander (1957)

Steve Cochran: H.R. Manley

Quotes 

• H.R. Manley : Mother, do you realize what I have done? Do you have any conception of the size of my accomplishment? In less than two short years, I have built up the biggest newsstand circulation of any magazine in America. And you ask me to walk away from it because of a few stupid remarks on a television program?

  Mrs. Manley : You don't really think it's really one TV program? Why, this has been going on for nearly two years... ever since you started the magazine. You have been constantly rebuffed... constantly attacked. And it makes me feel ashamed. I don't want to be ashamed of my son.

  H.R. Manley : Mother, you have nothing to be ashamed of. I am giving the people of this country something they... something they not only want but something they need. I'm giving them the truth. Every month more than 5 million of them walk up to their newsstands. They're not bribed... they're not threatened. They come because they want what I have to sell.

  Mrs. Manley : That same argument could be advanced by the people who sell opium to the Chinese persons.

  H.R. Manley : The truth is not an opiate. The truth never really hurt anyone.

  Mrs. Manley : It didn't do Governor Chetnam's daughter much good.

  H.R. Manley : Governor Chetnam's daughter did not attempt suicide because of anything I said about her. She did it because neurotic, sick, weak people are always attempting to find an excuse to... to dramatize themselves in the eyes of the world. If she hadn't used me, she would have found another. Some day she will find another excuse. Will I be at fault then?

  Mrs. Manley : I'm no prophet. I can't predict what will happen. But I do know what has happened.

• H.R. Manley : Nothing you have said alters the basic issue... which is the truth.

  Connie Martin : Mr. Manley, do you have any children?

  H.R. Manley : Unfortunately, no. But I can tell you one thing, Mrs. Martin, if I had children, I certainly wouldn't want them going around thinking their... their current TV hero is a god, when the fact is he's a convicted felon.

• H.R. Manley : [after the little boy leaves]  'That's a fine man. Fine boy. That's a new wrinkle. Never before have I had anyone bring in a small boy to plead a case.

  Seth Jackson : If you print that story on Scott Martin, you'll be ruining a family. I thought I'd show you a sample of what you would be ruining.

  H.R. Manley : The truth never ruined anyone. It's a rotten world full of rotten people. The sooner that boy realizes it, the better for him. Why should he go through life believing his father is a Galahad when you and I know he is nothing but an ex-convict who cut up a defenseless, innocent man in an attempt to rob him.

  Seth Jackson : You've taken the trouble to dig back through Scott Martin's life to the place where he did that terrible thing at 19. Between then and now he has done a lot of other things. They're all pretty good.

  Seth Jackson : If you set that music, I'm sure you'll enjoy quite a sale at the record shops.