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Robert Osborne Quotes

Powerful Robert Osborne for Daily Growth

About Robert Osborne

Robert Osborne (July 19, 1932 – March 6, 2017) was an influential American film historian, actor, and television personality known primarily for his work as the host of Turner Classic Movies (TCM). Born in Wahoo, Nebraska, Osborne moved with his family to California during the Great Depression. His passion for cinema began at a young age while watching films on a small screen in a local drugstore. After serving in the United States Army and studying at Los Angeles City College, he began his career as an actor, appearing in over 100 television shows and films from the late 1950s to the early 1980s. Osborne's love for classic cinema led him to join TCM in 1994, where he became the network's chief film historian and host of the popular program "Primetime Classics." He was instrumental in introducing a new generation of viewers to classic films and their stars through his knowledgeable commentary, anecdotes, and interviews. In addition to his work on TCM, Osborne authored several books on film history, including "Robert Osborne's Hollywood: A Celebration of 100 Years in the Movies" (2003), "50 Fabulous Movie Stars: The Screen Actors Guild's All-Star Tribute" (2004), and "Portrait of a Star: A Biography of Joan Crawford" (2008). Throughout his career, Osborne was recognized for his contributions to film preservation and education. He received the National Association of Television Program Executives Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013 and was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in 2016. Osborne's legacy continues to inspire classic cinema enthusiasts and fans of TCM. His passion for cinema, combined with his ability to bring history to life through engaging storytelling, has left an indelible mark on the world of film.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The movies reflect our dreams and our nightmares, our deepest desires and our secret fears. They enlighten us, they educate us, they inspire us."

This quote by Robert Osborne suggests that films serve as a mirror to our collective psyche, reflecting our shared dreams, aspirations, fears, and hidden anxieties. Through stories on the big screen, we find not only entertainment but also a means of understanding ourselves better and learning about the human condition. Films inspire us to dream bigger, push boundaries, and strive for greatness, while educating us through their portrayals of history, culture, and various social issues. Ultimately, they play an essential role in shaping our perspectives, broadening our horizons, and bringing people together in shared experiences.

"A classic is a film that we want to watch again, even if we've seen it before."

This quote suggests that a "classic" movie is one which holds such an enduring appeal that viewers are compelled to rewatch it despite already knowing the storyline or plot. The classic status of a film signifies its ability to captivate audiences, transcend time, and maintain relevance long after its initial release.

"Movies can unite us in a way little else can. They speak the language of dream and hope to all mankind."

This quote emphasizes the universal, transcendent power of cinema as an art form. Movies have a unique ability to bypass cultural, geographical, and linguistic barriers, communicating shared dreams and aspirations across the globe. By inspiring hope and fostering unity, movies serve as a powerful tool for empathy and understanding among people, bringing us closer together in our collective human experience.

"The greatest thing about old movies is they reflect the times, good or bad, but more importantly, they show how far we've come."

This quote by Robert Osborne emphasizes the significance of classic films in capturing societal nuances and progress over time. Old movies offer a glimpse into the past, reflecting both favorable and challenging periods, yet their real value lies in demonstrating human advancement since they illustrate how far we've collectively evolved from those times. Essentially, old movies act as historical mirrors, allowing us to observe our evolution as a society.

"A good movie is three things - it entertains us, it informs us, and it leaves us thinking long after the end credits have rolled."

Robert Osborne's quote suggests that a good movie should serve multiple purposes beyond mere entertainment. It implies that quality films not only provide enjoyment but also offer insights or education by presenting ideas or stories we may not be familiar with, and leave a lasting impact on viewers long after the story has ended. This is achieved when the film creates a deep emotional response, raises thought-provoking questions, or inspires reflection.

I liked 'The Help,' and I love Viola Davis. But I didn't think that film was a great film; I thought that was a very uneven film. I thought the Southern women were so caricatured that it was kind of like 'Harper Valley PTA' or something like that.

- Robert Osborne

Love, Southern, Very, Viola

I think there's something about traveling in airplanes all the time that's not the healthiest thing in the world for you.

- Robert Osborne

Think, I Think, About, Airplane

One movie I think is just terrific is 'Bernie,' with Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine. That was a great surprise to me - so witty, so entertaining, a true story, and I'm not a great Jack Black fan, but he's great in it. I think it's a gem.

- Robert Osborne

Movie, I Think, Shirley, True Story

When Orson Welles was acting in 'Compulsion,' the director Richard Fleischer let him just take over and direct the courtroom scenes. To be able to see Welles - who knew more about directing than anyone - direct himself and the other actors, it was unbelievable and unforgettable.

- Robert Osborne

Other, About, Direct, None

Lana Turner was adorable and funny. Jimmy Stewart was such a nice person. I quickly realized that if you're not a nice person, you're not going to last in this business. I mean, once your box office starts to drop off, like Veronica Lake, they'll get rid of you fast.

- Robert Osborne

Box, Drop, Quickly, Turner

I think Kennedy being assassinated changed the world. That shot changed everything about America, and made us cynical, made people discontent and angry.

- Robert Osborne

Think, Made, I Think, Discontent

As a kid growing up in a small town in Washington State, my only exposure to New York City was through movies. The town with its towering skyscrapers, fascinating people and teeming energy absolutely captivated me.

- Robert Osborne

City, Small, Through, Skyscrapers

There's a lot of movies that aren't all about Christmas, or where Christmas isn't the focus, but have that spirit of Christmas in them. I love that sequence in 'Auntie Mame,' where she's in the department store, sewing at Macy's, and she doesn't know how to do anything but fill out a form as 'cash on delivery!'

- Robert Osborne

Love, Focus, About, Department Store

You see a Clint Eastwood movie, and you might not know if it's from Universal or Warner Bros. or another studio. He has affiliations with so many studios now, but there was a time when you'd just look at a movie and think, 'Oh, that's a Warner Bros. film.'

- Robert Osborne

Studio, Eastwood, Clint, Warner Bros

The weird thing with 'Kismet' is that Vincente Minnelli didn't know what to do with a Cinemascope camera for that film - so he never moved it! It's like in the old days when sound first came in and was so complicated that the camera just sat there. There are hardly any close-ups in 'Kismet,' so everything's at a bit of a distance.

- Robert Osborne

Distance, Weird Thing, Moved, Camera

I was shaped by the heroes in the films I saw, which you always want to emulate and be like. I wanted to be like Alan Ladd, Gary Cooper, Jimmy Stewart.

- Robert Osborne

Always, Which, Films, Alan

There's an excellent movie we have on TCM called 'It Happened on Fifth Avenue,' which was originally going to be directed by Frank Capra... but just before he was going to start working on it, he came across this story called 'The Greatest Gift.' And that turned into 'It's a Wonderful Life.'

- Robert Osborne

Gift, Movie, Frank, Greatest Gift

I always knew I was going to be successful in some way with films. I don't know why. I had no particular talent, but I always knew I was going to be sitting in a dining room with Lucille Ball and at a cocktail party with Bette Davis.

- Robert Osborne

Why, Some, Had, Sitting

In a business like the movie business, you're going to have a lot of people competing. Somebody is always coming behind them who wants their job. Being an actor is like being in quicksand: whatever you do, it disappears very quickly. You have to keep reminding people.

- Robert Osborne

Behind, Movie, Very, Disappears

For some reason, the movies in the '40s have the best personalities: Jimmy Stewart, Gary Cooper, Betty Grable, Gene Tierney, and all those people. For some reason, I seem to gravitate more toward the '40s, and I don't necessarily know why. I just love the people.

- Robert Osborne

Love, Reason, Some, Personalities

I'd worked for, during one period, for a PR firm, and for a while Rock Hudson was a client of ours, so I knew him well, and I knew when he had AIDS, that he had AIDS, but I would not write about that.

- Robert Osborne

About, Had, While, Client

If they didn't have an Oscar for people to shoot for, all they'd do is be making 'Dumb And Dumber' again and again.

- Robert Osborne

Making, Again, Oscar, Dumber

I used to write stories a lot because you had to fill your hours some other way than watching television. So my imagination was vivid, and I used to write a lot of stories. I wrote a novel, which I still have, which is so awful.

- Robert Osborne

Some, Other, Awful, Vivid

I think that no matter whether you're Quentin Tarantino or any other kind of a rebel, or whatever, everyone who makes movies still wants to win an Academy Award, because it's like the Pulitzer Prize or the Congressional Medal of Honor.

- Robert Osborne

Rebel, Other, Congressional, Pulitzer

I would be surprised if they gave Meryl Streep her third Oscar for a film as light as 'Julie and Julia,' although, of course, Katharine Hepburn's third Oscar came with a very light performance from her in 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.'

- Robert Osborne

Very, Meryl, Julie, Surprised

I still think of Columbia as one Rita Hayworth movie a year, or maybe one a year directed by Frank Capra in the '30s. To see how many really outstanding movies Columbia made, and all together, is kind of eye-opening.

- Robert Osborne

Year, Movie, Frank, Rita

The British 'A Night to Remember' is so beautifully done and so well-constructed.

- Robert Osborne

Remember, Night, British, Beautifully

There comes a time when even icons, if they choose to do so, should be allowed to enjoy life out of the spotlight.

- Robert Osborne

Enjoy Life, Enjoy, Allowed, Icons

I'm very enthusiastic about the Academy Awards because if there were no Oscars, we wouldn't have as many good movies as we do have.

- Robert Osborne

Very, About, Good Movies, Enthusiastic

Doris Day started performing at a young age, had a tough road to success, and once she achieved it delivered the goods 100 percent and brilliantly, always making difficult work look as easy as breathing.

- Robert Osborne

Young, Had, Goods, Young Age

Seeing New York in the movies is what made me want to live in Manhattan one day. I eventually got my wish, and the city has never disappointed me.

- Robert Osborne

City, New, Made, Disappointed

For a lot of filmmakers, their first goal is to be successful and make some money. But once people start doing that, the real goal is then to win an Academy Award. Because when they do, they know that their obit is going to start out, 'Academy Award winner so-and-so.'

- Robert Osborne

Doing, Some, Academy Award, Filmmakers

I love to be able to meet people who are successful, and I love them not because they're successful, but usually people who are successful have qualities that make them interesting to be around.

- Robert Osborne

Love, Interesting, Them, Qualities

'The Hollywood Reporter' was always in. You always got great tables. You always got great seats at screenings. You always got treated well if you were at the paper.

- Robert Osborne

Hollywood, Always, Treated, Seats

My folks were busy. My dad was a teacher, and it was during the Second World War, and my mother was working. So I got my stories from films and books. I read a lot, and I love to read to this day.

- Robert Osborne

Love, Dad, World War, Folks

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