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Tallulah Bankhead Quotes

Powerful Tallulah Bankhead for Daily Growth

About Tallulah Bankhead

Tallulah Bankhead (February 31, 1902 – December 12, 1968) was an American stage and film actress renowned for her vivacious personality, distinctive voice, and witty one-liners. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, she was the daughter of the famous stage actor, Sidney Bankhead, and Adelaide Alberta "Addie" Bankhead, a former Shakespearean actress turned playwright. Tallulah's flamboyant lifestyle, scandalous affairs, and sharp wit made her one of Hollywood's most notorious figures during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Bankhead's acting career began on the stage in 1920s New York, where she quickly gained recognition for her electrifying performances. She made her film debut in 1931 with "Tarnished Lady." However, it was her portrayal of an alcoholic actress in Alfred Hitchcock's "Lifeboat" (1944) that brought her critical acclaim and cemented her status as a Hollywood icon. Throughout her career, Bankhead's performances were characterized by her unique Southern drawl, intense emotionality, and sharp comedic timing. Some of her most memorable roles include Blanche DuBois in "A Streetcar Named Desire" on Broadway (1951), for which she received a Tony Award nomination, and the title role in the film version of "Die, Die, My Darling" (1945). Despite her success, Bankhead struggled with alcoholism throughout her life. She was open about her struggles and used her wit to poke fun at her addiction, famously saying, "I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy." Her courage in facing her demons and her unapologetic approach to her lifestyle made her an enduring symbol of the complexities and contradictions inherent in Hollywood's Golden Age. Tallulah Bankhead passed away in 1968 at the age of 66 due to complications from a stroke. Her legacy continues to inspire actresses and entertainers with her boldness, charisma, and unforgettable spirit.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy."

This quote by Tallulah Bankhead reflects her preference for living life to its fullest, enjoying experiences, and engaging with people, as opposed to undergoing a procedure like a frontal lobotomy that would significantly alter one's personality or mental state. In essence, she values the ability to think, feel, and act freely over any artificial means of tranquility or change in perception.

"I'm not as good-looking as I was, but I'm still marvelous."

This quote by Tallulah Bankhead reflects her self-perception and confidence. She acknowledges that she may not be as physically attractive as she once was, but she maintains a positive outlook, asserting that she is still exceptional or "marvelous." It showcases her charisma and resilience, demonstrating that beauty and attractiveness are not just skin deep, but can also stem from one's personality and spirit.

"If you can't say anything nice about somebody, don't say anything at all - but if you must talk about them because they somehow baited you into it, for heaven's sake, make up something kind!"

Tallulah Bankhead's quote emphasizes the importance of speaking positively or refraining from speech altogether when discussing others. When one feels compelled to talk about someone who may have provoked them, she suggests offering a kind remark instead of resorting to negativity. The wisdom lies in recognizing the potential impact of words, and choosing to use them constructively rather than damagingly.

"I'd rather have a passport full of visas than a vault full of cash."

This quote expresses the preference of the speaker, Tallulah Bankhead, for experiences and adventure over material wealth. Having a "passport full of visas" suggests visiting many different countries, experiencing diverse cultures, and broadening one's horizons, which are priceless experiences compared to accumulating physical money in a vault. This perspective highlights the value of personal growth, exploration, and understanding of the world, as opposed to merely amassing financial resources.

"I've been on more diets than Elizabeth Taylor has had husbands."

This quote by Tallulah Bankhead humorously highlights her history of frequent diet attempts, comparable to Elizabeth Taylor's multiple marriages. It suggests a pattern of trying different approaches (diets or marriages) multiple times without lasting success.

Television could perform a great service in mass education, but there's no indication its sponsors have anything like this on their minds.

- Tallulah Bankhead

Education, Television, Like, Sponsors

I have three phobias which, could I mute them, would make my life as slick as a sonnet, but as dull as ditch water: I hate to go to bed, I hate to get up, and I hate to be alone.

- Tallulah Bankhead

My Life, Bed, Which, Sonnet

Here's a rule I recommend: Never practice two vices at once.

- Tallulah Bankhead

Practice, Never, Here, Vices

If I had to live my life again, I'd make the same mistakes, only sooner.

- Tallulah Bankhead

Funny, My Life, Sooner, Same Mistakes

The only thing I regret about my past is the length of it. If I had to live my life again I'd make all the same mistakes - only sooner.

- Tallulah Bankhead

Regret, My Life, Sooner, Same Mistakes

I did what I could to inflate the rumor I was on my way to stardom. What I was on my way to, by any mathematical standards known to man, was oblivion, by way of obscurity.

- Tallulah Bankhead

Could, Oblivion, Any, Obscurity

Acting is a form of confusion.

- Tallulah Bankhead

Acting, Form, Confusion

They used to photograph Shirley Temple through gauze. They should photograph me through linoleum.

- Tallulah Bankhead

Through, Photograph, Shirley, Temple

It's one of the tragic ironies of the theatre that only one man in it can count on steady work - the night watchman.

- Tallulah Bankhead

Work, Night, Count, Tragic

I read Shakespeare and the Bible, and I can shoot dice. That's what I call a liberal education.

- Tallulah Bankhead

Education, Bible, Call, Shoot

I have been absolutely hag-ridden with ambition. If I could wish to have anything in the world it would be to be free of ambition.

- Tallulah Bankhead

Anything, Been, Could, If I Could

I'll come and make love to you at five o'clock. If I'm late start without me.

- Tallulah Bankhead

Love, Start, Come, Five

(On seeing a former lover for the first time in years) I thought I told you to wait in the car.

- Tallulah Bankhead

Thought, Wait, Lover, Former

Only good girls keep diaries. Bad girls don't have time.

- Tallulah Bankhead

Bad, Keep, Good Girls, Bad Girls

It's the good girls who keep diaries; the bad girls never have the time.

- Tallulah Bankhead

Never, Bad, Good Girls, Bad Girls

I'm as pure as the driven slush.

- Tallulah Bankhead

Slush, Pure, Driven

My heart is as pure as the driven slush.

- Tallulah Bankhead

Heart, Driven, Pure, Slush

There is less in this than meets the eye.

- Tallulah Bankhead

Eye, Less, Than, Meets

The less I behave like Whistler's mother the night before, the more I look like her the morning after.

- Tallulah Bankhead

More, Like, Before, Behave

I've been called many things, but never an intellectual.

- Tallulah Bankhead

Never, Been, Things, Intellectual

Nobody can be exactly me. Sometimes even I have trouble doing it.

- Tallulah Bankhead

Doing, Sometimes, Even, Trouble

Nobody can be exactly like me. Even I have trouble doing it.

- Tallulah Bankhead

Doing, Like, Even, Trouble

Acting is a form of confession.

- Tallulah Bankhead

Acting, Form, Confession

If you really want to help the American theater, don't be an actress, dahling. Be an audience.

- Tallulah Bankhead

Help, Audience, Actress, Theater

I'd rather be strongly wrong than weakly right.

- Tallulah Bankhead

Right, Rather, Than, Strongly

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