Orson Welles : "I think Robinson is one of the best movie actors of all time."

Peter Bogdanovich : "Was the Billy House character in 'The Stranger', the druggist who played checkers, based on your experience somewhere?"

Welles : "No, I invented him.  He was mostly written on the set.  Had great trouble with Eddie Robinson - he went to the front office about it."

Bogdanovich : "Why?"

Welles : "You know, I'm a star and who is this fellow Billy House?"

Bogdanovich : "That was the best stuff in the picture, I thought."

Welles : "So maybe Eddie was right.  It's the only stuff I really liked..."