The Mad Genius (1931)

Donald Cook: Fedor Ivanoff

Quotes 

• Nana Carlova : How can we forget Tsarakov?

  Fedor Ivanoff : Sometimes I almost think I could admire him... for the very power that should make me despise him. Like some ignorant savage before a hideous god. Wanting to run, but staying to worship. With his face in the mud.

• Fedor Ivanoff : [refusing to get ready to go on the stage for the final act]  I know now. You've always tried to keep us apart. That's why she left me in Paris. You made her. You forced her to leave me. I was crazy to ever give her up. I was crazy to trust you all this time. I was weak. But I'm not weak any longer. I tell you I'm not going on. I'm through.

  Vladimar Ivan Tsarakov : [getting very angry]  Now listen to me. For fifteen years I've devoted my entire life to you. I've poured my soul, my brain, into you. I've sacrificed everything in the world. *Everything*. Do you hear? For your career. I've lied... I've cheated... I've crushed... I've even crushed myself. So that you should appear greater than I. I thought I'd given you strength enough to rise above everything. You haven't risen, you've fallen. You're not strong. You're weak. But all of me is in you still. All the strength I've poured into that weak soul. So you can't fail me now. If you fail me now, I'll kill you. I'll kill you. Now, get on your clothes for the next act. Don't you understand? It's the climax of our great career and all our work! You young fool! You can be a flame that will dazzle the world. Come on.