A biography for Ethel Mermanhasn’t been written yet.
“Eisenhower was my war hero and the President I admire and respect most.”
“I preferred delivering my performance in person. I liked to be in control. You couldn't be in films.”
“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 take a breath when I have to.”
“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.”
“Who's happy these days?”
“Christmas carols always brought tears to my eyes. I also cry at weddings. I should have cried at a couple of my own.”
“My beloved Mom and Pop always rated tops with each other, and that's the way it will always be.”
“Legend has it that when God created me, he gave me a big distinctive voice, a lot of boldness and no heart.”
“I can never remember being afraid of an audience. If the audience could do better, they'd be up here on stage and I'd be out there watching them.”
“I'll admit - I was honored to be on the cover of Time.”
“Once I had all the attention, all I had to do was deliver.”
“Broadway has been very good to me. But then, I've been very good to broadway.”
“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 attend surprisingly few shows. The type of theater that is popular today just doesn't appeal to me.”
“I have been ambitious to be a somebody from the time I was 5 years old.”
“Mom and Pop were proud of my popularity, but from their point of view, show business was no way to make a living.”
“I work as often as I want and yet I'm free as a bird.”
“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.”