In the 1967 movie In the Heat of the Night (which was based upon the eponymous 1965 book), Philadelphia Police Detective Virgil Tibbs has been arrested (just for being Black and from out of town) by the local Police Chief William Gillespie (played by Rod Steiger) who is very prejudiced. When Tibbs claims to be a police detective, the Chief whips the comment and question “So you say you are a cop. You, a [N-word], are a cop! So, Boy, what do they call you up there in Philadelphia?”
Virgil’s response is delivered in a long-suffering but very assertive manner intended to put this small-town cop in his place: “They call me MR. Tibbs!”
Bill is not impressed by this response. He continues to hold Tibbs in the local jail, while he sends a telegram to the Philadelphia Police Chief, fully expecting to received a complete denial in response. The reply stuns him.
“Virgil Tibbs is a senior detective in our department. MR. Tibbs is our leading expert in resolving murders. Since he already is there, I suggest that you make appropriate use of his talents.”
rekam Premium Member 4 months ago
LOL
Ermine Notyours 4 months ago
I am a rock. I am an island…
Michael Jones 4 months ago
isn’t Fred the wood tick
fencie 4 months ago
I know a horse with no name.
Ellis97 4 months ago
I wonder if the grass blades have names, too.
Jody H. Premium Member 4 months ago
Mr. Tibbs has been around for awhile, but I wonder how many of the readers of this strip know the origin of the quote….
Aladar30 Premium Member 4 months ago
Poor Verne.
KEA 4 months ago
Reacher, just Reacher
christelisbetty 4 months ago
….and they call the wind Mariah.
Stephen Gilberg 4 months ago
Verne meets Virgil.
brooklyn51 4 months ago
Didn’t we learn this from watching Pocahontas?
jasperthump Premium Member 4 months ago
Oh this comic hits home…..I name all sorts of inanimate objects…from nightlights to snowblowers… and every one of my dog’s toys.
Uncle $crooge 4 months ago
And his best friends call him “Nancy”.
Strawberry King 4 months ago
Great In the Heat of The Night reference!
brianpesci 4 months ago
RIP Sidney Poitier
chief tommy 4 months ago
heat of the night !!!
rgcviper 4 months ago
Some people call me Maurice … [two whistles]
“Joker”, Steve Miller Band
SrTechWriter 4 months ago
In the 1967 movie In the Heat of the Night (which was based upon the eponymous 1965 book), Philadelphia Police Detective Virgil Tibbs has been arrested (just for being Black and from out of town) by the local Police Chief William Gillespie (played by Rod Steiger) who is very prejudiced. When Tibbs claims to be a police detective, the Chief whips the comment and question “So you say you are a cop. You, a [N-word], are a cop! So, Boy, what do they call you up there in Philadelphia?”
Virgil’s response is delivered in a long-suffering but very assertive manner intended to put this small-town cop in his place: “They call me MR. Tibbs!”
Bill is not impressed by this response. He continues to hold Tibbs in the local jail, while he sends a telegram to the Philadelphia Police Chief, fully expecting to received a complete denial in response. The reply stuns him.
“Virgil Tibbs is a senior detective in our department. MR. Tibbs is our leading expert in resolving murders. Since he already is there, I suggest that you make appropriate use of his talents.”