Citas

[on Hollywood] It was like an expensive, beautifully-run fan club. You didn't need to carry money. Your face was your credit card--all over the world.

I was like a kept woman during my twenty-one years at MGM.

I didn't demand any vetoes over the films I didn't like, as they do today. I asked nicely and discovered a secret that has stayed with me for my entire career -- that a request spoken softly usually brings results and demands rarely do.

I was called to [Louis B. Mayer]'s office to discuss a long-term contract he wanted me to sign. He told me he had been impressed by my work at other studios and that he felt I would be an asset to MGM. He peered at me over his glasses and suggested I tell him about myself. I started by saying I came from New Brunswick. "That's in Canada", I added. "I know where New Brunswick is", said Mayer rather snippy. "Where in New Brunswick were you born?" "Saint John", I replied. Mayer jumped to his feet and thumped on his desk. "Young man", he shouted, "you can't influence me with lies like that. Who told you to say you came from Saint John?" Finally I quietened him down and convinced him I really was from Saint John. I had to tell him where half-a-dozen streets and buildings were that he remembered. But I left his office with a contract for much more money than I expected and we were friends until the day he died.

Maybe it was better never to become red hot. I'd seen performers like that and they never lasted long. Maybe a long glow is the best way. At Metro I was never considered big enough to squire around Norma Shearer or Joan Crawford or Greta Garbo. Well, I outlasted them all at MGM, didn't I? It takes a lot of work to appear easy going and I tried to avoid being stuffy.

[on Greer Garson] A great lady, I think. We never had a bad word between us.