"I don't know if high society is different in other cities, but in Hollywood, important people can't stand to be invited someplace that isn't full of other important people. They don't mind a few unfamous people being present because they make good listeners."

"The quality of one's emotional life changes over the years, doesn't it? But the basic instincts and desires, greed and hope, seem to remain constant. In the larger scope of things, there's a sense of fulfillment to living a creative life. So I guess that's what keeps me going."

"In the course of American history, great steps are taken by ordinary people, and ordinary people are not perfect."

"If military movies were automatically successful we'd make nothing but military movies. But seriously, patriotism is one thing that all Americans have in common."

"All my life I've had the privilege to make my living with my imagination, and the most important thing has been to see my creative life grow. I was educated to do that and have lived accordingly."

"I do not have a sense of humor of any recognizable sort."