Knock on Any Door

Knock on Any Door is a 1949 American courtroom trial film noir about an attorney who defends a hoodlum of murder, using the oppressiveness of the slums to appeal to the court.

Directed by Nicholas Ray. Written by John Monks Jr. and Daniel Taradash, based on the 1947 novel of the same name by Willard Motley.

It will shock you but it will hold you spellbound to the end!

Andrew Morton

• In every man's life, there are pinpoints of time that govern his destiny.

• Oh, sure, sure. I know—there must be some mistake. And poor Nick is innocent, and what a heel I am to be sitting here playing chess when he needs me. Well, you're wrong, honey. If he's innocent, this is the first time.

• I can still teach you a few, kid. You're just a tin-horn thug, and you always will be. You haven't got the guts to be anything else!

• Until we do away with the type of neighborhood that produced this boy, ten will spring up to take his place, a hundred, a thousand. Until we wipe out the slums and rebuild 'em, knock on any door and you may find Nick Romano.

Nick Romano

Mickey Knox as Vito
John Derek as Nick Romano

• Live fast, die young, have a good-looking corpse.
  • Sometimes misquoted: "Live fast, die young, leave a good-looking corpse."

• You wanna do something for me? Remember me in your prayers.

• What I used to say still goes. Live fast, die young... and have a good-looking corpse.

Other

• Sunshine Jackson: How can a guy be happy and broke at the same time?

Dialogue

Andrew Morton: There have been very few miracles since the 13th century.

Susan Perry: Oh, if I were as cynical as you, I'd hang myself.

Andrew Morton: I'd be too cynical to trust the rope.

---

Nick Romano: Hi, Sunshine. What you look so happy about?

Sunshine: How can a guy be happy and broke at the same time?

---

Dist. Atty. Kerman: Was there a floor show that night at the bar?

Butch: Just a dancer—a little dame... lady.

Dist. Atty. Kerman: Was the little lady blond or brunette?

Butch: You think I was lookin' at her hair? Huh?

Cast

• Humphrey Bogart - Andrew Morton
• John Derek - Nick Romano
• George Macready - Dist. Atty. Kerman
• Allene Roberts - Emma
• Candy Toxton - Adele Morton (credited as Susan Perry)
• Mickey Knox - Vito
• Barry Kelley - Judge Drake

External links

• Knock on Any Door quotes at the Internet Movie Database
• Knock on Any Door at Rotten Tomatoes
• "Knock on Any Door 1949 - 10 Best Quotes". God Loves Movies Too. YouTube. November 27, 2019