Strategic Air Command (1955)

James Stewart: Lt. Col. Robert 'Dutch' Holland

Photos 

Quotes 

• Sergeant : [Seeing General Hawkes speaking to the men on the flight line while smoking a cigar, whispering to Holland]  Sir, that cigar. Doesn't the general know that the aircraft might explode?

  Lt. Col. Robert 'Dutch' Holland : It wouldn't dare.

• Sgt. Bible : Got married a while back.

  Lt. Col. Robert 'Dutch' Holland : Fine. Any kids?

  Sgt. Bible : Sure have - one on the ramp, one in the hangar.

• Lt. Col. Robert 'Dutch' Holland : Sally?

  Sally Holland : Yes?

  Lt. Col. Robert 'Dutch' Holland : I've got something to tell you. Now, it's pretty personal, but I think it's gonna make you very happy.

  Sally Holland : What is it?

  Lt. Col. Robert 'Dutch' Holland : You're going to have a baby.

  Sally Holland : Well, how do you know?

  Lt. Col. Robert 'Dutch' Holland : I met the stork at 40,000 feet. Then I met Doc Baxter and he congratulated me.

• Lt. Col. Robert 'Dutch' Holland : Honey, you know, I used to think the old B-24 was a lot of airplane. Do you realize that one B-36, with an A-bomb, can do the job of a thousand World War II bombers and 10,000 crew members? Now, just look at the responsibility that places on everybody that even goes near one of these airplanes.

• Lt. Col. Robert 'Dutch' Holland : [after the crew on his orientation flight pull a gag on him]  You know, when I was a kid, somebody sold me the key to the pitcher's box. Looks Like I just bought it again.

• Duty Officer : We had a phony one time. Fella got on the base with a pass that showed the picture of an orangutan. They had us all on the carpet for that one.

  Lt. Col. Robert 'Dutch' Holland : [Nodding his head]  No orangutans allowed.

• Lt. Col. Robert 'Dutch' Holland : You angry with me?

  Sally Holland : No, darling. I'm just confused.

  Lt. Col. Robert 'Dutch' Holland : Why?

  Sally Holland : Well, I don't know whether to fix you breakfast or dinner.

• Lt. Col. Rocky Samford : [Meeting Dutch Holland at the Air Force base gate]  I'm sorry you had so much trouble here, but a uniform would help, you know.

  Lt. Col. Robert 'Dutch' Holland : [In his civilian clothes]  Yeah, well I left in such a hurry my old one was the wrong color. Like millions of other WWII veterans, Dutch Holland has been recalled for service during the Korean War. The film is set in the early 1950's. Dutch holland's wry quip at the gate refers to the birth of the USAF. The Air Force was part of the Army Department during WWII, but became a separate service on 18 September 1947, under the National Security Act of 1947. Dutch Holland's old Army green uniforms wouldn't be accepted and Dutch hasn't had time to get new Air Force blue uniforms to replace his old Army green ones. Dutch Holland's wry comment to Lt. Col. Samford acknowledges that fact.

• Lt. Col. Robert 'Dutch' Holland : [to Sally]  We've got a job to do. Now, if we start scheduling flights to fit the birthrate - do you realize there are fifteen hundred babies born a month in SAC?

  Sally Holland : And do you realize you're beginning to sound more like General Hawkes every day?

• Duty Officer : Are you Dutch Holland, the baseball player?

  Lt. Col. Robert 'Dutch' Holland : I was.

  Duty Officer : I've been reading about you. You don't look much like your picture.

  Lt. Col. Robert 'Dutch' Holland : [Pointing at the captain's ID badge]  Oh? Well you don't look much like your picture either, captain.

• Lt. Col. Robert 'Dutch' Holland : [after Sally has had their baby]  What'd you name her?

  Sally Holland : Just what you said - Hope.

  Lt. Col. Robert 'Dutch' Holland : Hope? Hope - I said Hope?

  Sally Holland : Well, yes, that's what you said in your telegram.

  [She reaches for and reads the telegram] 

  Sally Holland : Can't think of any name but Hope. Everything fine.

  Lt. Col. Robert 'Dutch' Holland : [Pointing to the telegram]  Uh huh... no, honey. You see, I said 'Can't think of any name, but hope everything fine.

  [They both laugh] 

• Lt. Col. Robert 'Dutch' Holland : [On the phone]  Well, what are you doing here?

  Sally Holland : What do you think I'm doing? I came to be with you. Oh, I've missed you. I'm your bride of five months - remember me?

  Lt. Col. Robert 'Dutch' Holland : Yes, dear, I know, but..

  Sally Holland : Well, I just didn't see any sense in sitting around and waiting, so here I am. Don't you want me?