I take a breath when I have to.

I was lucky enough to have the songs in my first show written by George and Ira Gershwin. Then Cole Porter wrote five shows for me.

I wasn't straining at the bit to become a movie star any more than I had plotted to get out of vaudeville and into Broadway musicals.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Of my four marriages, the one to Bob Levitt is the only one I don't regret.

Once I had all the attention, all I had to do was deliver.

The slapdash way producers used to assemble a show seems a little unbelievable when we talk about them now.