Never So Few (1959)

Steve McQueen: Bill Ringa

Photos 

Quotes 

• Cpl. Bill Ringa : Excuse me for saying so, sir... but you look terrible.

  Capt. Tom Reynolds : Inside of my mouth tastes like the outside of a crocodile.

  Cpl. Bill Ringa : Well, there's some toothpaste in here, sir. You can use it on your finger for washing your teeth. I've got some water for rinsing out your mouth. But I'd like to caution the captain against drinking that water. It has a tendency to cause ulcers. Now, for swallowing, I suggest the gin, sir.

• Capt. Tom Reynolds : [Ringa has helped repel the Japanese ambush on the camp]  You're pretty good with a mortar. Where'd you learn it?

  Cpl. Bill Ringa : I didn't. I was just trying to find something to shoot 'em with.

• Capt. Tom Reynolds : [to Ringa, after Capt. De Mortimer has been killed]  I'm giving you a field commission: Second Lieutenant. You let it change your ways, and you're a damned fool.

  Cpl. Bill Ringa : Yeah. A meat-headed Second Lieutenant. William Lewis Ringa, a gentleman, by act of Congress. I'm just sorry it had to happen this way. But I'll tell you one thing: I'd give you the shirt off my back.

  Capt. Tom Reynolds : You already did, remember?

• Capt. Tom Reynolds : Where's the colonel?

  Cpl. Bill Ringa : Well, he's locked in a military mission. He said he'd meet you at headquarters at zero - at zero eight hundred in the morning, sir.

  Capt. Tom Reynolds : What's he expect us to do till zero eight hundred in the morning? Play a fast game of jacks?

  Cpl. Bill Ringa : Well, he suggested the captain use the time to adjust himself to civilization. You know, girls, booze.

• Capt. Tom Reynolds : You ever seen any combat?

  Cpl. Bill Ringa : Oh, here and there, sir. A little bit.

  Capt. Danny De Mortimer : Well, where and where, a little bit?

  Cpl. Bill Ringa : New York City, mostly. I've seen action in Williamsburg, Hell's Kitchen, Yorkville, Weehawken. Well, of course, that's in New Jersey. You know, the funny part about it is, since I've joined the Army and the war started, I've led a comparatively sheltered life.

• Cpl. Bill Ringa : You got more weapons here than a bank dick.

  Capt. Danny De Mortimer : Yeah, we put no trust in slingshots.