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James M. Cain Quotes (1892-1977)
Writer, Novelist
About James M. Cain
James Mallahan Cain (July 1, 1892 β October 27, 1977) was an American novelist, journalist and screenwriter. He is considered a progenitor of the hardboiled school of American crime fiction.
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βIf you have to do it, you can do it.β
βWe're the friendliest enemies that ever were.β
βI loved her like a rabbit loves a rattlesnake.β
βWe only have two kinds of weather in California, magnificent and unusual.β
βRestaurant, hey. That's what I've got. Whole goddam country lives selling hot dogs to each other.β
βHe was enthusiastic about everything, but when she came in with the pie he grew positively lyrical.β
βA receptionist is a lazy dame that canβt do anything on earth, and wants to sit out front where everybody can watch her do it.β
βShe was a little given to rehearsing things in her mind, and having imaginary triumphs over people who had upset her in one way and another.β
βBy nine, Mildred was powdered, puffed, perfumed, and patted to that state of semi-transparency that a woman seems to achieve when she is really dressed to go out.β
β"... Walter, the time has come.""What do you mean, Phyllis?""For me to meet my bridegroom. The only one I ever loved. One night I'll drop off the stern of the ship. Then, little by little I'll feel his icy fingers creeping into my heart."β
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James M. Cain on Rape
βWhen she tired, I loosened up a little, to let her blow. Yes, it was rape, but only technical, brother, only technical. Above the waist, maybe she was worried about the sacrilegio, but from the waist down she wanted me, bad. There couldnβt be any doubt about that.β
About James M. Cain
James Mallahan Cain (July 1, 1892 β October 27, 1977) was an American novelist, journalist and screenwriter. He is considered a progenitor of the hardboiled school of American crime fiction.