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.
- Ethel Merman
Book, Like, Read, Columns
At a flea market I always head for the junk jewelry table first.
- Ethel Merman
Head, Always, Market, Flea
As far as dramas are concerned, it's considered passe for playwrights to turn out anything the average person can understand.
- Ethel Merman
Average, Concerned, Playwrights
Mom claimed that I could carry a tune at 2 or 3 years of age. Maybe she was a little prejudiced.
- Ethel Merman
Maybe, Could, Claimed, Prejudiced
I attend surprisingly few shows. The type of theater that is popular today just doesn't appeal to me.
- Ethel Merman
Attend, Appeal, Type, Surprisingly
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.
- Ethel Merman
Lucky, Show, Wrote, Gershwin
I Got Rhythm really put me on the map.
- Ethel Merman
Me, Rhythm, Got, Map
At one time I smoked, but in 1959 I couldn't think of anything else to give up for Lent so I stopped - and I haven't had a cigarette since.
- Ethel Merman
Think, Give, Easter, Lent
My beloved Mom and Pop always rated tops with each other, and that's the way it will always be.
- Ethel Merman
Always, Other, Pop, Rated
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.
- Ethel Merman
Myself, Right Place, Pat, Right Time
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.
- Ethel Merman
Audience, Here, Could, Being Afraid
I was born in my parents' bedroom on January 16. The World Almanac says it was 1909. I say it was 1912. But what difference does it make as long as I feel 33?
- Ethel Merman
Born, Feel, I Was Born, January
I've made a wonderful living playing that theatrical character - the professional brassy dame.
- Ethel Merman
Character, Made, Theatrical, Dame
I've never suffered stage fright. That fascinates people.
- Ethel Merman
Never, Fright, Stage Fright, Fascinates
Everything's coming up roses - for me.
- Ethel Merman
Me, Valentine's Day, Up, Roses
Legend has it that when God created me, he gave me a big distinctive voice, a lot of boldness and no heart.
- Ethel Merman
Voice, Legend, Big, Boldness
Cole Porter wrote Anything Goes and four more hits for me.
- Ethel Merman
Goes, Four, Hits, Porter
Cole Porter had a worldwide reputation as a sophisticate and hedonist.
- Ethel Merman
Had, Cole Porter, Worldwide, Porter
I've never cooked. I can't do much more in the kitchen than make a cup of tea and some toast.
- Ethel Merman
More, Some, Cooked, Kitchen
Any audience that gets a laugh out of me gets it while I'm facing them.
- Ethel Merman
Me, Audience, Facing, Laugh
If I feel in need of sleep, I just open a book or turn on the television. Both are better than any sleeping pill.
- Ethel Merman
Book, Television, Need, Open
When you are in deep conflict about something, sometimes the most trivial thing can tip the scales.
- Ethel Merman
Deep, Sometimes, About, Tip
In my case, things have pretty much been handed to me.
- Ethel Merman
Pretty, Been, Things, Case
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.
- Ethel Merman
Star, Movie, Broadway, Movie Star
I preferred delivering my performance in person. I liked to be in control. You couldn't be in films.
- Ethel Merman
Person, Delivering, Films, Preferred
There's such a thing as theater discipline. One player doesn't appropriate another's inventions.
- Ethel Merman
Inventions, Appropriate, Such A Thing
I wouldn't trust any man as far as you can throw a piano.
- Ethel Merman
Trust, Piano, Throw, As Far As
The slapdash way producers used to assemble a show seems a little unbelievable when we talk about them now.
- Ethel Merman
Show, Unbelievable, About, Producers
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.
- Ethel Merman
Work, Go, Plenty, Invitations
Eisenhower was my war hero and the President I admire and respect most.
- Ethel Merman
War, Admire, Most, Eisenhower
Always give them the old fire, even when you feel like a squashed cake of ice.
- Ethel Merman
Give, Always, Like, Squashed
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.
- Ethel Merman
Want, Been, Advantage, Linked
Christmas carols always brought tears to my eyes. I also cry at weddings. I should have cried at a couple of my own.
- Ethel Merman
Wedding, Always, Couple, Cried
Mom and Pop were proud of my popularity, but from their point of view, show business was no way to make a living.
- Ethel Merman
Business, Proud, Living, Popularity
Of my four marriages, the one to Bob Levitt is the only one I don't regret.
- Ethel Merman
Regret, Four, Marriages, Bob
My career at Warner Brothers consisted of one musical short subject. I was running around in a bear skin. Very chic.
- Ethel Merman
Career, Very, Musical, Bear
Music, in the past few years... anything singable or understandable is square.
- Ethel Merman
Music, In The Past, Square, Past Few Years
I take a breath when I have to.
- Ethel Merman
Take, Breath
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.
- Ethel Merman
Play, Read, Though, Musician
When I'm asked how to succeed in show business, I always say I haven't the foggiest.
- Ethel Merman
Business, Always, Show, Asked
I'll admit - I was honored to be on the cover of Time.
- Ethel Merman
Time, Admit, Cover, Honored
I wouldn't change one thing about my professional life, and I make it a point not to dwell on my mistakes.
- Ethel Merman
Change, One Thing, About, Point
Once I had all the attention, all I had to do was deliver.
- Ethel Merman
Attention, Once, Had, Deliver
I have been ambitious to be a somebody from the time I was 5 years old.
- Ethel Merman
Time, Old, Been, Ambitious
I work as often as I want and yet I'm free as a bird.
- Ethel Merman
Work, Bird, Want, Often
Broadway has been very good to me. But then, I've been very good to broadway.
- Ethel Merman
Me, Been, Very, Broadway
You gotta have a gimmick.
- Ethel Merman
You, Gimmick, Gotta
I am known to be able to take care of myself when I become angry. I don't mince words.
- Ethel Merman
Myself, Angry, Words, Mince
I can hold a note as long as the Chase National Bank.
- Ethel Merman
Bank, Chase, Note, National
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