I had always loved John Ford's pictures. And I came to love him, too, but I was frightened to death working for him. He used the shock treatment while directing me.

We never had a bathtub. Mom would bathe me in the wooden or tin washtub in the kitchen, or in a big lard can.

I could always open shows, perform through the middle, and close shows.

I am an isolationist.

I don't care to dress up except when it is necessary or good for my business.

Whenever I played Columbus, Ohio, I dropped in to see my close friend, a medium who had mysterious powers. Her Indian guide was Mohawk.

Mom was the greatest influence of my childhood. She wanted to save me from the vice, lust, and drinking that was all about me.