Murder on a Bridle Path (1936)

Helen Broderick: Hildegarde Withers

Quotes 

• Hildegarde Withers : How long have you worked around here?

  'High-Pockets' : About three months, Ma'am... not countin' the week I was in jail.

  Hildegarde Withers : What were you doing in jail?

  'High-Pockets' : Shootin' craps.

  Hildegarde Withers : No, I mean what did they put you in jail for?

  'High-Pockets' : Shootin' craps.

• Police Insp. Oscar Piper : [In frustration]  Well, I'm a speckled ape!

  Hildegarde Withers : [Dryly]  This is no time for a confession, Oscar.

• Police Insp. Oscar Piper : Hildegarde, this may be what the French call a crime of passion.

  Hildegarde Withers : Oscar, don't you think we ought to try to keep this case clean?

• Hildegarde Withers : [to Eddie]  I have a great deal of influence with Inspector Piper. We roomed together in college.

• Police Insp. Oscar Piper : [as Hildegarde tries to get into the police car with Oscar]  Well, where do you think you're goin'? What are you always following me for?

  Hildegarde Withers : I don't know, Oscar. I guess it's because you always bring out the mother in me.

• Hildegarde Withers : You're a good boy, High Pockets, and I think you'll go far.

  'High-Pockets' : Yes, Ma'am, how far should I go?

• Police Insp. Oscar Piper : [Seeing Hildegarde going through a pair of empty pants]  Are you sure you were never married?

  Hildegarde Withers : There's a time and place to be funny.

• Hildegarde Withers : How can you find out if a man has false teeth?

  Police Insp. Oscar Piper : Get 'im mad enough to bite yuh.

• Police Insp. Oscar Piper : I don't see why I always have to miss my breakfast for these accidents!

  Hildegarde Withers : [Arriving on the scene to hear Oscar's complaint]  I had an uncle who thought the World War would have been an accident.

• Hildegarde Withers : You're a fine fellow, High Pockets.

  'High-Pockets' : Yes, Ma'am, I sure am.

  Hildegarde Withers : And I know I can trust you to keep quiet about all you told me, understand?

  'High-Pockets' : Yes, Ma'am, Miss Withers, when I keeps quiet, I keeps quiet aaalll over.

• Hildegarde Withers : [Going into the old, dark Gregg Mansion]  This place would be great for an embalmers' convention!