Quotes By Ethel Merman

My career at Warner Brothers consisted of one musical short subject. I was running around in a bear skin. Very chic.

Broadway has been very good to me. But then, I've been very good to broadway.

If I feel in need of sleep, I just open a book or turn on the television. Both are better than any sleeping pill.

At a flea market I always head for the junk jewelry table first.

I wouldn't trust any man as far as you can throw a piano.

When I'm asked how to succeed in show business, I always say I haven't the foggiest.

I Got Rhythm really put me on the map.

Once I had all the attention, all I had to do was deliver.

I am known to be able to take care of myself when I become angry. I don't mince words.

I wasn't straining at the bit to become a movie star any more than I had plotted to get out of vaudeville and into Broadway musicals.

I've never cooked. I can't do much more in the kitchen than make a cup of tea and some toast.

I don't like to read. The only things I read are gossip columns. If someone gives me a book, it had better have lots of pictures.

My beloved Mom and Pop always rated tops with each other, and that's the way it will always be.

I was lucky enough to have the songs in my first show written by George and Ira Gershwin. Then Cole Porter wrote five shows for me.

I can never remember being afraid of an audience. If the audience could do better, they'd be up here on stage and I'd be out there watching them.

You gotta have a gimmick.

I attend surprisingly few shows. The type of theater that is popular today just doesn't appeal to me.

I'll pat myself on the back and admit I have talent. Beyond that, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.

Eisenhower was my war hero and the President I admire and respect most.

Everything's coming up roses - for me.

I wouldn't change one thing about my professional life, and I make it a point not to dwell on my mistakes.

I preferred delivering my performance in person. I liked to be in control. You couldn't be in films.

I have plenty of invitations to go places, lots to do. If I'm not working, I go to have my hair taken care of and work at needlepoint.

Legend has it that when God created me, he gave me a big distinctive voice, a lot of boldness and no heart.

There have been people who have tried to take advantage of me. They want to be linked to me just because I'm Ethel Merman.

Always give them the old fire, even when you feel like a squashed cake of ice.

My father taught me to read music and play the piano-but not well, even though people have said that I'm a natural musician.

I have been ambitious to be a somebody from the time I was 5 years old.

I'll admit - I was honored to be on the cover of Time.

Any audience that gets a laugh out of me gets it while I'm facing them.