Zitate

In Hollywood, all the marriages are happy. It's trying to live together afterwards that causes all the problems.

I did a picture in England one winter and it was so cold I almost got married.

The best way to find out about a man is to have lunch with his ex-wife

I had to gain forty pounds for this movie.

I have bursts of being a lady, but it doesn't last long.

(her career-longevity advice) You gotta play mothers. If you don't, you won't get a long career in Hollywood.

[on Fredric March] He was able to do a very emotional scene with tears in his eyes, and pinch my fanny at the same time.

Anna Magnani could act anybody off the stage or screen.

My face was always so made up, it looked as though it had the decorators in.

It's sad that people are so open about their sexuality. Sex is much more fun when you have to sneak around and cover it up.

I think on-stage nudity is disgusting, shameful and damaging to all things American. But if I were 22 with a great body, it would be artistic, tasteful, patriotic and a progressive religious experience.

[on Joanne Woodward] Joanne always made it her business to hold back her career while Paul Newman was on the up and up. And that girl is one helluva talented actress. But she knew what side her bread was buttered on and let Paul become the superstar of the family. The result? They're still happily married today.

[on director George Stevens] George photographs what goes on in the air between people.

[on Anthony Franciosa] I'll never forget the night I brought my Oscar home and Tony took one look at it and I knew my marriage was over.

[on Robert De Niro] Bobby needs someone to watch over him. He doesn't even know enough to wear a coat in the wintertime. When we did Bloody Mama (1970) he didn't even know how much money they were paying him. I found out how little it was and insisted they at least give him some expense money.

[on Oscar Levant] A tortured man who sprayed his loathing on anyone within range.

(on Robert Taylor who was her co-star in Madame P. und ihre Mädchen (1964)) He was the sweetest man to work with. By that I mean he was cooperative and understanding in contrast to most leading men today, who try to either elbow you out of camera range or are off in a corner somewhere practicing 'Method acting'.

[on Marlon Brando in the stage production of Endstation Sehnsucht (1951)] There was an electrical charge and almost an animal scent he projected over the footlights that made it impossible for the audience to think or watch the other performers on the stage. All you could do was feel, the sexual arousal was so complete. I don't believe that quality can be learned; it's just there, primitive and compelling. The only time I experienced a similar reaction was when I saw Elvis Presley perform in Las Vegas.

[on her role in Träumende Lippen (1965)] Can you imagine me using words like "nigger" and "wop"? I've always found something to like in the characters I've played, but not this time. I really hate this woman. She blinds her daughter by accident when she was trying to blind her husband. And when the girl grows up, she beats her. How's that for a role?

[on Norman Mailer] Norman's not capable of sleeping with a starlet and using her and then just saying "That was great, kid. Goodbye." Unlike most men in Hollywood, he's actually a feminist. He sees women as people, not just sex objects. He reveres women. He feels there's kind of respect they must have.

[In a 1980 interview] Jean Arthur was ALWAYS my favorite actress when I was a kid. And I love Bette Davis for a very peculiar reason. Bette Davis is not afraid to stink! There are these careful actresses who look pretty, and they're never bad, they're never great. But Bette Davis goes; she'll take chances. I love to watch her on the set. Sometimes it's awful, but sometimes it's FANTASTIC!

After three times, I realize marriage is not for me. Not for me. I love to get married, you know, but I don't like to be married. You go away on a honeymoon, you have a great time, you come home, they want to come in the house!

Every now and then, when you're onstage, you hear the best sound a player can hear. It's a sound you can't get in movies or in television. It is the sound of a wonderful, deep silence that means you've hit them where they live.