Fort Apache (1948)

Victor McLaglen: Sgt. Festus Mulcahy

Photos 

Quotes 

• [in the storeroom at Meacham's trading post, the soldiers find boxes marked "Bibles" - Col. Thursday tells the men to open them - when they do, they find kegs of whiskey instead] 

  Sgt. Quincannon : Bibles, sir!

  Lt. Col. Owen Thursday : [Col. Thursday hands a cup to Sgt. Mulcahy]  Sergeant, pour me some scripture.

  [Sgt. Mulcahy dips the cup into a keg and hands it to Col. Thursday. He takes a sip and spits it out] 

  Lt. Col. Owen Thursday : What's in this? Brimstone and sulfur?

  Silas Meacham : You know what it is and I'm entitled to keep it.

  Lt. Col. Owen Thursday : Your license may permit you to keep a medicinal store of whiskey, but this is no whiskey.

  Silas Meacham : Perhaps you're not used to frontier whiskey.

  Lt. Col. Owen Thursday : I don't know... I've tasted most everything.

  [to Sgt. Mulcahy] 

  Lt. Col. Owen Thursday : Sergeant, you a judge of whiskey?

  First Sgt. Festus Mulcahy : [looks around at the others]  Uh, well, sir, some people say I am and some say I'm not, sir.

  Lt. Col. Owen Thursday : [hands him the cup]  Tell me what you make of this.

  First Sgt. Festus Mulcahy : [takes a drink - makes a face at Meacham - takes another drink]  Well, uh, it's better than no whiskey at all, sir.

• [the sergeants are watching Lt. O'Rourke attempt to drill new recruits] 

  RSM Michael O'Rourke : How's the boy doing, Festus?

  First Sgt. Festus Mulcahy : Aw, he's doin' fine, Michael; but, nevertheless, he's an officer and a gentleman... and that's no job for a gentleman.

  RSM Michael O'Rourke : Well, then. Come on.

  [he and the sergeants walk over to Lt. O'Rourke] 

  RSM Michael O'Rourke : Would Lt. O'Rourke please step over to the stables, sir?

• [the four soldiers who've come to escort Lt. O'Rourke to the fort have been invited to have a drink by Col. Thursday] 

  Sgt. Johnny Beaufort : Four bottles of cool beer, Ma.

  First Sgt. Festus Mulcahy : And I'll have the same... with a whiskey chaser.

• Captain Yorke : Lt. O'Rourke, follow me.

  2nd Lt. Michael O'Rourke : But, the troop, sir...

  Captain Yorke : Don't argue. Mulcahy, take over.

  2nd Lt. Michael O'Rourke : Captain Yorke, I refuse...

  First Sgt. Festus Mulcahy : Get outta here, ya skirt! Or I'll put ya across me knee and belt the pants off'ya! Get out now!

  [O'Rourke rides after Yorke as the troopers start laughing] 

  First Sgt. Festus Mulcahy : As you were, men!

  [Draws his sabre] 

• First Sgt. Festus Mulcahy : [after Co. Thursday has told the soldiers to destroy the contraband "whiskey"]  "Destroy it," he says. Well, boys, we've a man's work ahead of us this day.

• [Lt. O'Rourke is being introduced to Philadelphia Thursday] 

  First Sgt. Festus Mulcahy : Ma'am, this is my godson, "Leftenant" O'Rourke. Many's the time he's come to me with a wet nose.

• First Sgt. Festus Mulcahy : Is there any man here from Tipperary?

  [no response] 

  First Sgt. Festus Mulcahy : Is there any man here from Cork?

  [no response] 

  First Sgt. Festus Mulcahy : Is there any man here form County Sligo?

  Tom O'Feeney : Here, sir.

  [steps forward] 

  First Sgt. Festus Mulcahy : [shakes his hand]  You are now an acting corporal.

• RSM Michael O'Rourke : Now boys, you know I'm not a drinking man, but if the Suttler's Store is still open...

  First Sgt. Festus Mulcahy : If it isn't , Michael darlin', I'll kick the door in with me bare fists.

• [Beaufort is addressing a group of new recruits] 

  Sgt. Johnny Beaufort : Gentlemen, this is a horse. You will observe it has no saddle. The reason it has no saddle is because it'll be easier for you to stay on without the saddle. Now, before we progress... did any of you gentlemen have the honor of serving with the Southern arms during the late War Between The States?

  Recruit : Yes, sir. I had the pride, sir, of serving with Bedford Forrest.

  Sgt. Johnny Beaufort : I am proud to shake your hand.

  Recruit : Thank you, sir.

  Sgt. Johnny Beaufort : I hope you have the pleasure of buying me a drink on your next payday.

  Recruit : An honor, sir.

  Sgt. Johnny Beaufort : You are now an acting corporal.

  First Sgt. Festus Mulcahy : Just a minute!

  Sgt. Quincannon : Aw, let him have one.

• RSM Michael O'Rourke : How's the boy doin' Festus?

  First Sgt. Festus Mulcahy : Oh, fine, Michael, but... well... he's an officer and a gentleman, and that's no job for a gentleman.