There comes a day when people begin to say, 'Why doesn't that old duffer retire?' I want to get out while they're still saying Astaire is a hell of a dancer.

When you have a Dancing partner, there's always gonna be a moment where the girl's gonna cry, Ginger didn't do that. But, most every other girl I've worked with have cried because they said "aah, I can't do it" and I have to go "Yes, you can, Shut up!" and they do do it.

I don't want to be the oldest performer in captivity... I don't want to look like a little old man dancing out there.

Oh, God! That boy moves in a very exceptional way. That's the greatest dancer of the century.

I am bit sending messages with my feet. All I ever wanted was not to come up empty. I did it for the dough and the old applause.

And that love that wrinkles your nose touches my foolish heart.

Some people seem to think that good dancers are born, but all the good dancers I have known are taught or trained.