Voice in the Mirror (1958)

Walter Matthau: Dr. Leon Karnes

Photos 

Quotes 

• Dr. Leon Karnes : Why does Ellen keep bringing you around here? What does she expect a few cc's of vitamins to do?

  Jim Burton : Ellen's a girl that lives by faith.

  Dr. Leon Karnes : And you?

  [he scoffs] 

  Jim Burton : I miss your bedside manner, Leon.

  Dr. Leon Karnes : Well make a payment on the bill and I'll see what I can do.

  Dr. Leon Karnes : I didn't mean that. Boy, what you do to me. You know I'm really a very nice fella. You should hear me on the phone at three o'clock in the morning soothing some poor old hypochondriac; gentle, kindly, understanding. But you?

  Dr. Leon Karnes : The Case history of the two Jim Burtons. Hey, do you know you've been coming to see me for over six years now? Your first visit was with Ellen. The two of you were wondering if she might be pregnant.

  [-?-] 

  Dr. Leon Karnes : was quite sure. After that the usual things; a little sinus trouble, head colds, in-grown toenail. Then a few years ago, the first Jim Burton went away. And the other one - brother; hospitals, sanitariums, rest homes, all down the drain. Chronic Alcoholism.

  Dr. Leon Karnes : Prognosis? There's an old Spanish proverb; the only cure for the drunkard is death.

  Jim Burton : Those Spaniards have a way with words.

  Dr. Leon Karnes : The proverb is true. Alright, why even bother trying to figure you out?

  Jim Burton : And do you still have that other chart? Isn't there a page or two somewhere on someone called Laura Burton? Just a few modest entries. Born, lived and died, all in three years - with a fancy Latin phrase explaining why.

  Dr. Leon Karnes : Ellen lost a child too but she didn't become a drunk.

  Jim Burton : She didn't have to; I gave her a new child to look after. A little boy. Me.

  Dr. Leon Karnes : If it hadn't been Laura's death, you'd have found another excuse.

  Jim Burton : Oh, can the lecture.

  Dr. Leon Karnes : One day, you would have broken a shoelace and that would have been your excuse. You were drinking before the child died.

  Jim Burton : I earned my own living. I didn't steal from my wife's purse and could have stopped drinking any time I wanted to.