I was never a villain on the stage. I always played strong, sympathetic types. My first stage role with a speaking part, believe it or not, was as a priest. It wasn't until I began acting in films that the producers and directors saw me primarily as a bizarre villain.

I can see now that I should have been strong enough to conquer myself.

For me, half the joy of achieving has been the struggle and the fight, the pitting myself against the world and all its competition - and winning.

No, I was not born with a monocle in my eye.

I think the motion picture industry is a stupid business and I despise acting the scenes in short snatches, one at a time. I hate this film work. I am disgusted with myself. On the stage I could never play a part unless I felt it with all my heart and soul.

My birth neither shook the German Empire nor caused much of an upheaval in the home. It pleased mother, caused father a certain amount of pride and my elder brother the usual fraternal jealousy of a hitherto only son.

I used to think then that I was Bohemian, but I know now that I am not. I prefer order and precision to untidiness and looseness.