Ethel Merman

You'll never prove you're too good for a job by not doing your best.

— Ethel Merman

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

— Ethel Merman

At a flea market I always head for the junk jewelry table first.

— Ethel Merman

The only things I read are gossip columns. If I read three pages of a book, I'm out like a light. When…

— Ethel Merman

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

— Ethel Merman

You gotta have a gimmick.

— Ethel Merman

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

— Ethel Merman

My father taught me to read music and play the piano-but not well, even though people have said that I'm a natural…

— Ethel Merman

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

— Ethel Merman

Cole Porter had a worldwide reputation as a sophisticate and hedonist

— Ethel Merman

Broadway has been very good to me. But then, I've been very good to broadway.

— Ethel Merman

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

— Ethel Merman

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

— Ethel Merman

I don't like to read. The only things I read are gossip columns. If someone gives me a book, it had better…

— Ethel Merman

I told her that there was something about Christmas carols that always brought tears to my eyes. I added that I also…

— Ethel Merman

Now what kind of an attitude is that, 'These things happen?' They only happen because this whole country is just full of…

— Ethel Merman

Eisenhower was my war hero and the President I admire and respect most

— Ethel Merman

I have been ambitious to be a somebody from the time I was 5 years old

— Ethel Merman

Cole Porter wrote Anything Goes and four more hits for me

— Ethel Merman

I mentioned that I was thinking of getting out of the business after Call Me Madam. I thought maybe I should become…

— Ethel Merman

If I feel in need of sleep, I just open a book or turn on the television. Both are better than any…

— Ethel Merman

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

— Ethel Merman

My beloved Mom and Pop always rated tops with each other, and that's the way it will always be

— Ethel Merman

I remember Tallulah (Bankhead) telling of going into a public ladies' room and discovering there was no toilet tissue. She looked underneath…

— Ethel Merman

Legend has it that when God created me, he gave me a big distinctive voice, a lot of boldness and no heart.

— Ethel Merman