Friends before is right.
3 seconds sound clip from the At War with the Army (1950) movie soundboard.
You can hear this line at 00:23:14 in the DVD version of the movie.
Quote context
[...]
- And what did I promise your mother?
- That no one would harm a hair on my head.
- Oh quiet pea-head. Just because we were friends before...
- I have a responsibility and you're part of it.
- I'm warning you, you're driving me crazy. That's no drive, that's a short putt.
- Ah what do you want? Special privileges?
- No, I just want to remember you as the best man at my wedding.
[...]