I have plenty of invitations to go places, lots to do. If I'm not working, I go to have my hair taken care of and work at needlepoint.

- Ethel Merman

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

- Ethel Merman

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.

- Ethel Merman

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

- Ethel Merman

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

- Ethel Merman

When I'm asked how to succeed in show business, I always say I haven't the foggiest.

- Ethel Merman

Who's happy these days?

- Ethel Merman

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

- Ethel Merman

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

- Ethel Merman

I preferred delivering my performance in person. I liked to be in control. You couldn't be in films.

- Ethel Merman

I wouldn't trust any man as far as you can throw a piano.

- Ethel Merman

I have been ambitious to be a somebody from the time I was 5 years old.

- Ethel Merman

I Got Rhythm really put me on the map.

- Ethel Merman

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.

- Ethel Merman

I attend surprisingly few shows. The type of theater that is popular today just doesn't appeal to me.

- Ethel Merman

I am known to be able to take care of myself when I become angry. I don't mince words.

- Ethel Merman

Cole Porter had a worldwide reputation as a sophisticate and hedonist.

- Ethel Merman

Any audience that gets a laugh out of me gets it while I'm facing them.

- Ethel Merman

Cole Porter wrote Anything Goes and four more hits for me.

- Ethel Merman

There's such a thing as theater discipline. One player doesn't appropriate another's inventions.

- Ethel Merman