House of Wax (1953)

Roy Roberts: Matthew Burke

Photos 

Quotes 

• Matthew Burke : You ever thought of what would happen if we had a fire here? In the cellar, there are six barrels of wax. Wax is paraffin based. It's highly inflammable. This place would go up like a paint factory.

  Prof. Henry Jarrod : Burn? Burn all of my people? You think I'm a murderer?

  Matthew Burke : Stop dreaming, will you? These dummies are insured for $25,000. That's $12,500 for each of us. You wouldn't need Wallace, you'd have enough to begin again.

  Prof. Henry Jarrod : No, I'd rather die myself than see my friends destroyed; I won't let you do it, and I'll kill you if you try!

  Matthew Burke : Don't be stupid! All you have to do is strike a match, and the thing is done.

  [Lights the fire and begins to scorch the wax museum] 

• Matthew Burke : Who cares a hang about history and wax.

  Prof. Henry Jarrod : There are people in the world who love beauty.

  Matthew Burke : But, more who want sensation, shock!

  Prof. Henry Jarrod : Morbidly curious, huh, I won't cater to that.

• Matthew Burke : You're a great artist. A genius sculptor. But, I'm just a common, ordinary businessman, and I want a quick return on my investment. I've got $20,000 sunk in this historic peep show.

• Matthew Burke : A man has to be a little nuts to be a good showman. The sooner I'm out of it, the better.

• Matthew Burke : Such is life. No matter how much we lose, we must still go on living.

• Matthew Burke : Where would you like to go, baby? Atlantic City?

  Cathy Gray : No. Niagara Falls. We can get the license in Buffalo.

  Matthew Burke : License?

  Cathy Gray : Yeah, you know, legitimate.