Quotes

Most people seem to think I'm the kind of guy who shaves with a blowtorch. Actually I'm bookish and worrisome.

[on being a director] It's the best job in the picture business because when you're a director, you're God. And you know that's the best job in town.

Life is to be lived within the limits of your knowledge and within the concept of what you would like to see yourself to be.

[speaking in 1983] Tits and sand - that's what we used to call sex and violence in Hollywood.

I don't know why Airport (1970) was nominated for any Oscars - it's the biggest piece of junk ever.

We're all forgotten sooner or later. But not films. That's all the memorial we should need or hope for.

I woke up one day a star. It was terrifying. Then I worked hard toward becoming a good actor.

[advice to actor Bruce Davison, on the set of Ulzana's Raid (1972)] You try to please the director, and the cameraman and the soundman, and you're acting and acting and acting and by the time you come to your close-up, you've shot your wad. It's like making love to a woman: you can't try to come all at once, son. A bit of a tit here, a bit of an inner thigh there, and you have a performance!

[upon being offered Ben-Hur (1959)] I don't want to make this film. It's a piece of crap.

If I'm working with frightened people, I do tend to dominate them. I'm no doll, that's for sure.

[on Kirk Douglas] Kirk would be the first to admit that he's difficult to work with - and I would be the second.

[in 1976] Whether you like it or not, when you're 62 you are fulfilled.

[in 1985] If anyone should have gotten AIDS from an active sex life, it is me.

[on Montgomery Clift] He had so much power, so much concentration. Clift was a complicated man, there's no question about it. He was a very sweet man, Monty, very emotional.

[on Kirk Douglas] We both came from, sort of, well, shall we say, humble beginnings. We were both young, brash, cocky, arrogant. We knew everything, were highly opinionated. We were invincible. Nobody liked us.

In my opinion, Shirley Booth is the finest actress I have ever worked with.

[on working with Montgomery Clift on From Here to Eternity (1953)] The only time I was ever really afraid as an actor was that first scene with Clift. It was my scene, understand: I was the sergeant, I gave the orders, he was just a private under me. Well, when we started, I couldn't stop my knees from shaking. I thought they might have to stop because my trembling would show. I was afraid he was going to blow me right off the screen.

Genius is a pretty dangerous thing to have. Genius is too erratic. It's better just to be talented.

[on Go Tell the Spartans (1978)] One of the best scripts I've read and certainly the best I've had for myself in a few years.

You have to fight against being an antique.

[In 1984 about his career] When I think of my least favorite, I think of Rope of Sand (1949). I did that thing under great duress. I hated it.

I judge a restaurant by the bread and by the coffee.

My former wife is a truly wonderful person.

I always try to improve, to find new ways of expressing myself, to keep looking for truth and originality.

I found marriage somewhat stifling. I don't know that I am the kind of man who ought to be married.

The most real thing on my face is my eyes.