Quotes By Ethel Merman

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

Christmas carols always brought tears to my eyes. I also cry at weddings. I should have cried at a couple of my own.

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.

Mom and Pop were proud of my popularity, but from their point of view, show business was no way to make a living.

Cole Porter had a worldwide reputation as a sophisticate and hedonist.

You gotta have a gimmick.

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

Music, in the past few years... anything singable or understandable is square.

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.

Everything's coming up roses - for me.

I work as often as I want and yet I'm free as a bird.

I've made a wonderful living playing that theatrical character - the professional brassy dame.

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

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.

Mom claimed that I could carry a tune at 2 or 3 years of age. Maybe she was a little prejudiced.

Cole Porter wrote Anything Goes and four more hits for me.

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

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

As far as dramas are concerned, it's considered passe for playwrights to turn out anything the average person can understand.

There's such a thing as theater discipline. One player doesn't appropriate another's inventions.

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

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?

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

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

In my case, things have pretty much been handed to me.

I take a breath when I have to.

When you are in deep conflict about something, sometimes the most trivial thing can tip the scales.

I've never suffered stage fright. That fascinates people.