Ethel Merman
Ethel Merman
Ethel Mermanwas an American actress and singer. Known primarily for her voice and roles in musical theatre, she has been called "the undisputed First Lady of the musical comedy stage."...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionStage Actress
Date of Birth16 January 1908
CityAstoria, NY
CountryUnited States of America
Ethel Merman quotes about
player discipline invention
There's such a thing as theater discipline. One player doesn't appropriate another's inventions
broadway very-good has-beens
Broadway has been very good to me. But then, I've been very good to broadway.
christmas wedding couple
Christmas carols always brought tears to my eyes. I also cry at weddings. I should have cried at a couple of my own.
mistake my-mistakes one-thing
I wouldn't change one thing about my professional life, and I make it a point not to dwell on my mistakes
long notes i-can
I can hold a note as long as the Chase National Bank.
breathing breaths
I take a breath when I have to.
conflict corny sometimes
When you are in deep conflict about something, sometimes the most trivial thing can tip the scales.
father play piano
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
two tissues toilets
I remember Tallulah (Bankhead) telling of going into a public ladies' room and discovering there was no toilet tissue. She looked underneath the booth and said to the lady in the next stall, 'I beg your pardon, do you happen to have any toilet tissue in there?' The lady said no. So Tallulah said, 'Well, then, dahling, do you have two fives for a ten?'
remember stage audience
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.
being-yourself love-your-children one-thing
Be yourself -- it's the one thing you can do better than anyone else.
anything-goes four
Cole Porter wrote Anything Goes and four more hits for me
talent right-time happened
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
film persons performances
I preferred delivering my performance in person. I liked to be in control. You couldn't be in films.