Quotes

When I see a good western . . . I just sit there. I was thrilled with Red River (1948), because I believed in it, [John Wayne] was so good, I believed in him.

[advice to young actors] Go ahead and learn how to act, but don't get caught at it.

I never made a movie I would not take my family to see.

[in 1964] I'm too old not to be a religious fella. It appears we are losing something a lot of people made a lot of sacrifices for.

I'm an American, first and last and always. I served in the trenches for nine months during World War I and I haven't regretted it until the last two or three years. It's the lefties, that's what. Everyone in this country ought to have a chance, Jew, Protestant, and . . . .. I'm sure all this trouble with the Negroes is caused by just a few of them. I've known many Negroes, many of them; they, they . . .

I'd rather do television than movies because there aren't any long layoffs between working days. You make a movie and then wait around for another good part. Not in television. You go to work five days a week for most of the year. That's what I like. By Sunday night I can hardly wait to get started on Monday morning. It's a shame most people don't feel the same way about their jobs.

Boy, let me tell you, there's no risque stuff in my show. No sir, I won't allow it. In a TV series, you're going right into the living room, and families are watching you. It sure burns me up to see some of the stuff they let get by on other shows.

Heck, I never wanted anything out of this business except a good living. Never wanted to be a star, or a glamorous figure. Just wanted to be good at what I was doing.

[on "The King of Jazz"] When I went to the preview I sneezed and missed myself.