Daily Dialogue — October 16, 2013

“Ah, little lad, you’re staring at my fingers. Would you like me to tell you the little story of right-hand/left-hand? The story of good and evil? H-A-T-E! It was with this left hand that old brother Cain struck the blow that laid his brother low. L-O-V-E! You see these fingers, dear hearts? These fingers has veins that run straight to the soul of man. The right hand, friends, the hand of love. Now watch, and I’ll show you the story of life. Those fingers, dear hearts, is always a-warring and a-tugging, one agin t’other. Now watch ‘em! Old brother left hand, left hand he’s a fighting, and it looks like love’s a goner. But wait a minute! Hot dog, love’s a winning! Yessirree! It’s love that’s won, and old left hand hate is down for the count!”

— The Night of the Hunter (1955), screenplay by James Agee, novel by Davis Grubb

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week is psychotic, suggested by JasperLamarCrab.

Trivia: Dutch-born American serial killer Harry Powers (nee Herman Drenth) was the inspiration for the Preacher.

Dialogue On Dialogue: Robert Mitchum is superb in this role of a psychotic who uses religion to fight back his inner demons, but ultimately to no avail. A truly frightening film.