I was always daydreaming about singing in big productions on Broadway.

Ice cream was my undoing, and six chocolate milk shakes in a row were nothing to me at one time.

Every small town has its dramatic group, its barber-shop quartet, every home has music in one form or another.

During the presidential primaries of 1940, I received a request from the Democratic National Committee to sing God Bless America before the speeches.

There's no second chance on stage, and I was trained to make the most of my first chance.

I must work hard to make my singing above reproach; there must be no faults which hard work would take care of.

My singing is part of me, like my stoutness, or my light hair, or my poor eyesight.

after several months of probation work, standing on my feet some ten to twelve hours a day, I decided that as a nurse I was a pretty good entertainer.

And when all is said and done, there is no greater success in the world than just being happy.

Intelligent analysis of the composer's intention and strict adherence to it automatically ensures sincerity.

I am continually embarrassed by people who point me out as an example of what can be done without training.

I do not like odd things until I can understand them.

The beginning is always today.

My parents are older, and they lead a somewhat sheltered life. It was difficult to talk with them about things that were embarrassing to me, and that I had never spoken to them about

We can choose to be grateful, no matter what.

Strength is for service, not status

The awareness of the all-surpassing importance of social groups is now general property in America.

Something very rare in this day and age is to see performers do something that has never been done before.

A garden is a thing of beauty and a job forever.

And the American people should be made aware of the trend toward the monopolization of the great public information vehicles and the concentration of more and more power in fewer and fewer hands.

Oh, that way madness lies; let me shun that.