Quotes

When I graduated from Santa Monica High in 1927, I was voted the girl most likely to succeed. I didn't realize it would take so long.

Onward and Upward - Avanti!

[on her comeback as the elderly Rose in Titanic (1997)] I think that's the important thing. If you're full of love, admiration, appreciation of the beautiful things there are in this life, you have it made, really. And I have it made.

[on receiving the Ralph Morgan Award for her years of service] I'm very, very grateful. I've had a wonderful life of giving and sharing.

[on celebrating her 100th birthday on July 4, 2010] I would say I don't notice any difference between 100 and, say, 90. You're still frail, feeble and full of you-know-what.

[on Claude Rains in The Invisible Man (1933)] Claude Rains was what was known as an actor's actor. No quarter was asked and none given. A scene stealer? Whenever possible, yes. But with James Whale again you didn't worry much. One way or another, you ended up in the position Whale wanted you in. And since Claude spent the entire film wrapped in bandages, you couldn't blame him for trying.

[on James Cagney] Cagney was wonderful. Jimmy and I worked together getting the Guild going - he was one of the stalwart liberals then. And that whole Warner Brothers stock company of Irishmen were always having a good time. They were darling men, funny and amusing to be with.

[on not signing with Paramount in retrospect during a 1988 interview] I think it would have made all the difference. I might have gone on in films. I think of the ones that started out with me, the same place same station - Bette Davis, Ginger Rogers, Olivia de Havilland. I would have liked to have won an Academy Award, to have acted in one or two of the things they've all done. So that part I regret. But I have to think of what went with it, for them, the many marriages, problems with children, career difficulties - I wouldn't trade any of their lives for mine. I'm very blessed, I think. I've had a happy, fulfilled life.