[Gittes pretends to seek a nursing home for his father] Jake Gittes: Do you accept people of the Jewish persuasion? Mr. Palmer: I'm sorry, we do not. Jake Gittes: Don't apologize - neither does Dad.
Jake Gittes: Maid's night off? Evelyn Mulwray: Why? Jake Gittes: What do you mean, why? Nobody's here, that's why. Evelyn Mulwray: I gave everyone the night off. Jake Gittes: Easy. It's an innocent question. Evelyn Mulwray: No question from you is in...
Lt. Escobar: You must really think I'm stupid, don't you Gittes. Jake Gittes: I don't think about it that much but, gimme a day or two and I'll get back to yuh. Now I'd like to go home. Lt. Escobar: I want the other pictures, Gittes. Jake Gittes: Wha...
Jake Gittes: You're dumber than you think I think you are.
[Lunch is served; it's fish] Noah Cross: I hope you don't mind. I believe they should be served with the head. Jake Gittes: Fine... long as you don't serve the chicken that way.
Jake Gittes: Have you ever heard the expression "Let sleeping dogs lie"? Sometimes you're better off not knowing.
Lt. Escobar: [pointing to a graffito on the wall] Isn't that your phone number? Jake Gittes: Is it? I forget. I don't call myself that often.
[a woman identifying herself as Evelyn Mulwray is hiring Gittes] Jake Gittes: What makes you certain that your husband is, um, involved with someone? Mrs. Mulwray: A wife can tell. Jake Gittes: Mrs. Mulwray, do you love your husband? Mrs. Mulwray: Ye...
Evelyn Mulwray: Hollis seems to think you're an innocent man. Jake Gittes: Well, I've been accused of a lot of things before, Mrs. Mulwray, but never that.
[Evelyn Mulwray drives while Gittes reads an obituary from the newspaper] Jake Gittes: A memorial service was held at the Mar Vista Inn today for Jasper Lamar Crabb. He passed away two weeks ago. Evelyn Mulwray: Why is that unusual? Jake Gittes: He p...
[first lines] Jake Gittes: All right, Curly. Enough's enough. You can't eat the Venetian blinds. I just had them installed on Wednesday.
Noah Cross: Katherine! I, I'm your grandfather, my dear. I'm your grandfather. Evelyn Mulwray: [pushes Katherine into the car] Katherine, get in the car. [to her butler] Evelyn Mulwray: Go on. No no, go on. [to Curly] Evelyn Mulwray: I'll follow you....
Jake Gittes: May I speak frankly, Mrs. Mulwray. Evelyn Mulwray: You may if you can, Mr. Gittes.
Noah Cross: Either you bring the water to L.A. or you bring L.A. to the water.
Jake Gittes: Hello, Claude. Where'd you get the midget?
Jake Gittes: How do you like them apples?
[Evelyn Mulwray has just been killed] Lt. Escobar: Go home, Jake. I'm doing you a favor!
Jake Gittes: Let me explain something to you, Walsh. This business requires a certain amount of finesse.
