Tom was vain. He had to prove to himself that he was still attractive to women.
7 seconds sound clip from the The Big Heat (1953) movie soundboard.
You can hear this line at 00:15:19.011 in the Blu-ray version of the movie.
Quote context
[...]
- I suppose that woman told you about their relationship?
- She said your husband was in good health and very cheerful, and that you'd agreed to divorce him.
- She's a liar. Tom never wanted a divorce. And he wasn't a well man.
- I have no choice now except to tell you about Tom and myself.
- In the years we were married, there were four Lucy Chapmans. Four that I found out about.
- Tom was vain. He had to prove to himself that he was still attractive to women.
- Maybe he did boast to that woman that he was in good health. What else would you expect him to do?
- I wish this visit hadn't been necessary.
- A wealthy policeman would be a novelty.
[...]