The only way to enjoy anything in this life is to earn it first.Collection: Work
You know, there's nothing damnable about being a strong woman. The world needs strong women. There are a lot of strong women you do not see who are guiding, helping, mothering strong men. They want to remain unseen. It's kind of nice to be able to play a strong woman who is seen.Collection: Women
The most important thing in anyone's life is to be giving something. The quality I can give is fun and joy and happiness. This is my gift.Collection: Happiness
When two people love each other, they don't look at each other, they look in the same direction.Collection: Love
Sure, jets are fast and economical, but, oh my, what fun we've lost and what leisure we've sacrificed in the race to efficiency. Somehow, stepping onto a plane and zooming across the United States in a matter of hours doesn't hold a candle to the dear, old-fashioned train ride.
My mother told me I was dancing before I was born. She could feel my toes tapping wildly inside her for months.
Over the years, myths were built up about my relationship with Fred Astaire. The general public thought he was a Svengali, who snapped his fingers for his little Trilby to obey; in their eyes, my career was his creation.
Part of the joy of dancing is conversation. Trouble is, some men can't talk and dance at the same time.
I traveled with my mother, Lela, and there was never enough money. I always had to roll down my silk stockings and carry a doll when we bought train tickets so I could go half-fare. If we had $3, we always figured how to tip for the trunks and still eat.
I won't go to movies with permissiveness, four-letter words, or violence. Show me 'E.T.' and 'Chariots of Fire' instead. That's entertainment, not exploitation of the human body.
I don't disagree with seeing a Rubens of a nude body, but I don't believe in a nude body in action. With Rubens, thank goodness, they aren't in action.
'Flying Down to Rio' established RKO as a leader in musical film production throughout the 1930s. The film helped to rescue the studio from its financial straits and it gave a real boost to my movie career.
While I was making my solo films, RKO was busily trying to get me and Fred Astaire back together. The studio wanted to capitalize on the success of 'Flying Down to Rio' and realized that the pairing of Rogers and Astaire had moneymaking potential.
I had been making films for almost ten years, and the head men at RKO thought of me only in terms of musicals. I found no fault with that, except I just couldn't stand being typed or pigeonholed as only a singing and dancing girl. I wanted to extend my range.
I made my last motion picture in March 1965 for Magna Pictures. 'Harlow,' based on the life of actress Jean Harlow... I didn't know at the time that 'Harlow' would be my last motion picture.
My faith in humanity leads me to believe that people are looking for something more elevating than the sordid details of the intimate aspects of one's personal life.
Perhaps I am old-fashioned, but black and white films still hold an affectionate place in my heart; they have an incomparable mystique and mood.
At the age of ten, I thought if a boy kissed you on the lips, you would have a baby, and I surely wasn't the only youngster who believed that!
I enjoy sports, and love being involved in any outdoor sport from volleyball to softball. I'm not being immodest when I say I'm a natural athlete.
I believe in dressing for the occasion. There's a time for sweater, sneakers and Levis and a time for the full-dress jazz.
You bring out a lot of your own thoughts and attitudes when acting. I think a great deal of it has to do with the inner you.
Rhythm is born in all of us. To be a desirable dancing partner, you don't have to do all the intricate fancy steps that happen to be in vogue. All you have to do is be a good average dancer, and anybody who spends the time and effort can accomplish this.
Like most actors, I've always been grateful for Chinese restaurants; they were often the only places that stayed open late enough for performers to get hot food after the show.
During my seven-year contract with RKO, there were seven different studio presidents, from David O. Selznick to Charles W. Koerner. You literally had to check the name on the door so as not to call the new boss by the former boss's name.
There's a verse in the Bible: 'Those who are barren have more children than those who give birth.' There are young people all over the world who come to me for advice and love. I have all the children I can handle.
I do everything the man does, only backwards and in high heels!Collection: Inspirational
You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything.Collection: Fall
There's nothing a man can do, that I can't do better and in heelsCollection: Men
The most important thing in anyone's life is to be giving something. The quality I can give is fun, joy and happiness. This is my gift.Collection: Fun
When you're happy, you don't count the years.Collection: Years
I believe in living each day as it comes, to the best of my ability. When it's done, I put it away, remembering that there will be a tomorrow to take it's place. If I have any philosophy, that's it. To me it's not a fatalistic attitude.Collection: Attitude
I don't care what the critics say. My fabulous mom will give me a good review if nobody else does.Collection: Mom
Girls can do everything men can do...just backwards and in heelsCollection: Girl
If I've learned any one lesson from life, it's this: If you don't stand for something, you will stand for anything.Collection: Principles
I've got enough nerve to do anything!Collection: Nerves
I did everything he did but backwards & in high heels.Collection: Inspirational
Intelligence, adaptability and talent. And by talent I mean the capacity for hard work. Lots of girls come here with little but good looks. Beauty is a valuable asset, but it is not the whole cheese.Collection: Girl
Beauty is a valuable asset, but it is not the whole cheese.Collection: Cheese