Compulsion (1959)

Diane Varsi: Ruth Evans

Photos 

Quotes 

• Ruth Evans : What is it, Judd? You seem so sad.

  Judd Steiner : That's a sentimental term. There's no such thing as sadness. Only the reality of things happening.

• Judd Steiner : If we use Plato's system, you see, all children would be wards of the state and assured of being educated correctly.

  Ruth Evans : Wouldn't that be terribly sad and impersonal? Children do have feelings and emotions, don't they?

  Judd Steiner : Of course they do, but for whom? Why should it be their parents? They didn't choose them. I certainly didn't choose mine. It's pure biological accident.

• Ruth Evans : He wants to take me out to Hegewisch Park.

  Sid Brooks : Well, if you're an ornithologist, I guess that's the best place to go - to find various species of birds. Should be a very entertaining afternoon for you, watching Judd and all the other strange birds.

  Ruth Evans : Oh, stop it, Sid. Judd isn't as strange as you're making him out to be. And I really don't think he's that different from any other boy.

  Sid Brooks : Yeah, I guess he isn't. But...

  Ruth Evans : What?

  Sid Brooks : Well, you know, the birds, the genius I.Q., graduate school at 19 - I just don't get the feeling he's gonna challenge Dempsey for the title.

  Ruth Evans : Just because he can speak about something besides sex - you, Artie and all the rest of you seem to think he's some kind of freak.

  Sid Brooks : Look, honey, for all I know, he's another Casanova. I just don't think I'm gonna have to worry about you at Hegewisch Park.

• Judd Steiner : It's the place where I discovered the Kirtland's warbler. I was the first person to find one in 60 years. Of course, it doesn't exactly compare with Red Grange running 97 yards for a touchdown.

  Ruth Evans : I think it does. I think it's fascinating.

• Judd Steiner : Are you afraid of me?

  Ruth Evans : I'm afraid for you, Judd! I'm afraid for you.

• Sid Brooks : I don't understand you, Ruth. He tries to rape you and you defend him.

  Ruth Evans : I know. It's difficult to understand; but, see, you weren't there. You didn't see him like I did, Sid. If you did, you'd have some compassion or sympathy for him, believe me.

  Sid Brooks : Sympathy? Ruth, you sound as though you're sorry he didn't go through with it.

  [Ruth slaps Sid] 

  Sid Brooks : I hope they hang him. I hope he hangs till the rope rots.

• Jonathan Wilk : Did Judd give any demonstration that - he liked you as a woman?

  Ruth Evans : He kissed me.

  Jonathan Wilk : That's all? No further advances?

  Ruth Evans : There were, but they stopped.