A biography for Ethel Mermanhasn’t been written yet.
“In my case, things have pretty much been handed to me.”
“When I'm asked how to succeed in show business, I always say I haven't the foggiest.”
“I Got Rhythm really put me on the map.”
“I am known to be able to take care of myself when I become angry. I don't mince words.”
“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 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?”
“Of my four marriages, the one to Bob Levitt is the only one I don't regret.”
“As far as dramas are concerned, it's considered passe for playwrights to turn out anything the average person can understand.”
“Mom claimed that I could carry a tune at 2 or 3 years of age. Maybe she was a little prejudiced.”
“I wouldn't change one thing about my professional life, and I make it a point not to dwell on my mistakes.”
“I've made a wonderful living playing that theatrical character - the professional brassy dame.”
“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.”
“Everything's coming up roses - for me.”
“Cole Porter had a worldwide reputation as a sophisticate and hedonist.”
“Music, in the past few years... anything singable or understandable is square.”
“My career at Warner Brothers consisted of one musical short subject. I was running around in a bear skin. Very chic.”
“I can hold a note as long as the Chase National Bank.”
“Any audience that gets a laugh out of me gets it while I'm facing them.”
“You gotta have a gimmick.”
“Cole Porter wrote Anything Goes and four more hits for me.”