Irene Dunne

I couldn't advise others to try such a long distance marriage, but for us it works perfectly. We are three thousand miles apart, it is true, but the big thing is that we each have our careers without interference from the other. My husband can't leave his practice and I can't leave Hollywood, but neither of us has any thought of giving up either the career or each other. Some day we shall again live in our 'honeymoon' apartment - but in the meantime, for us, this is the best possible way.

— Irene Dunne

Like many New Englanders - he was a neighbor of Calvin Coolidge's in Northampton - he finds life a serious business. But he's never - well - heavy about it.

— Irene Dunne

Fans hate a hypocrite. I believe they detect the real you behind every role and if they are led to believe you are something you pretend you aren't, they resent it.

— Irene Dunne

I don't give my phone number to strangers. It's Plaza 5048.

— Irene Dunne

You have no idea how it feels to know that you've cut someone to the quick. I'll never do it again, never, never.

— Irene Dunne

Tackling one thing at a time, I have managed better than I would have thought possible.

— Irene Dunne

Usually marriages break up because people won't take the trouble to get through the middle breakfasts. It's no trick to get through the first breakfasts, when love is new and there are bows on the eggs. And once the middle breakfasts are over the last breakfasts, when plenty of allowances have been made on both sides and an understanding friendship and deep love have been established, are a joy forever.

— Irene Dunne

Ever since my United Nations work, for instance, they've been saying that I've gone into politics. The United Nations is a nonpolitical body.

— Irene Dunne

That's the kind of stuff you are offered today. Scripts that have you mixed up with young men. I find them utterly revolting. Of course WE never had to do nude scenes. I'm glad, too, because I'm susceptible to pneumonia.

— Irene Dunne

I'll never have to write my memoirs now after reading this. She had six husbands, at least six lovers - why, my life is so dull compared to hers! I've had one husband, one daughter, one house and no lovers.

— Irene Dunne

How do I remain what is called "normal"? Because for me it's the natural thing to do, and therefore easier than doing something else.

— Irene Dunne

There seems to be a general impression that to be known as normal in Hollywood is akin to being labeled as rare animal in a zoo.

— Irene Dunne

Strange as it may seem to those who have read much of the screwball side of Hollywood life, I have never had to fight against an impulse to jump into a swimming-pool while dressed for the opera.

— Irene Dunne

Never on any golf course have I been approached by a policeman who said, "Lady, you can't play with an ordinary golf ball. You're movie star. You'll have to use a coconut for a ball.

— Irene Dunne

Surely it isn't entirely normal to see fingers pointing at you as a rare species, the only one in captivity!

— Irene Dunne

Any young girl aspiring to a theatrical career held Florenz Ziegfeld in a awe.

— Irene Dunne

When I found myself riding in a lift with the great showman, I was too much too frightened even to look at him, much less get off at the same floor.

— Irene Dunne

Our home in Louisville, Kentucky, where I was born on December 20, was one of great happiness.

— Irene Dunne

Father drove fifty miles each evening behind his spanking team of horses to keep his date with the Southern girl - carefully chaperoned by FOUR maiden aunts.

— Irene Dunne

No triumph of either my stage or screen career has ever rivalled the excitement of trips down the Mississippi on the river boats with my father.

— Irene Dunne

Mother, an accomplished musician, taught me to play the piano as a very small girl.

— Irene Dunne

Music was as natural as breathing in our house.

— Irene Dunne

Nothing can replace the excitement, the magic and yes the glamour of a Ziegfeld show. To see the great showman sitting in the second row busily writing his telegrams is a thrill no actress can forget.

— Irene Dunne

The glamour of Hollywood has never worn thin for me.

— Irene Dunne

Ever since the first day I arrived in this town, the general impression has been that I'm like a queen holding court on chosen days.

— Irene Dunne

People have also said that I can't be used as a fair example of Hollywood living since I keep my private life so completely separate from my career.

— Irene Dunne

It's not possible to forget pictures. Anyone who works in them thinks of them constantly.

— Irene Dunne

It doesn't hurt any of us to remember that Hollywood isn't at all impressed by anyone who has the fantastic illusion that the town must revolve around him.

— Irene Dunne

You may laugh of the idea of the good will of others in Hollywood, but it's no laughing matter if you don't have it.

— Irene Dunne

They aren't interested in the fact that whenever they kick up dirt, the dirt rubs off on every one of us.

— Irene Dunne

Hollywood is fond of gushing chit-chat as any other town.

— Irene Dunne

One of the choicest occupations here is ripping reputations into pieces.

— Irene Dunne

Parading about in the latest gowns and making dull platitudes for an entire evening doesn't constitute social success in my book.

— Irene Dunne

You'll be much better equipped for a long life in pictures if you have a sound theatrical background.

— Irene Dunne

In addition to actual dramatic training and experience, I'd want as much education as possible.

— Irene Dunne

No education is ever wasted and everything you learn is helpful in acting.

— Irene Dunne

Languages, literature, art, music, history: are all self-evident helps - and even mathematics and sciences, by training memory and demanding the analytical approach, are helpful by indirection.

— Irene Dunne

This is an amazing business, creative and mechanical at the same time.

— Irene Dunne

If I arrived in Hollywood today, I would keep reminding myself not to try to make a big impression.

— Irene Dunne

If I began today, I would certainly remember that by becoming a movie actress one automatically becomes vulnerable in the matter of gossip.

— Irene Dunne

There are worse things in life than being called a lady.

— Irene Dunne

I always demanded respect. I came prepared and expected others to do the same.

— Irene Dunne

I did all my fighting before the film started. I fought for the best director, the best lighting man. I was always conscious of how I looked.

— Irene Dunne

I had great cameramen like Rudolph Mate and Hal Mohr. They'd take an hour to light the proper closeup of me.

— Irene Dunne

Extremism of the right or the left is dangerous.

— Irene Dunne

That's why there are so few women stars today. Pornography has taken away the mystery.

— Irene Dunne

Now don't you dare call me normal. I was never a Pollyanna. There was always a lot of Theodora in me.

— Irene Dunne