There is a strange sort of reasoning in Hollywood that musicals are less worthy of Academy consideration than dramas. It's a form of snobbism, the same sort that perpetuates the idea that drama is more deserving of Awards than comedy.

I still find it almost impossible to relax for more than one day at a time.

It fit into my scheme of things for many reasons. At the time it was true that male dancers were looked down upon, and it was true that a lot of the male dancers were effeminate. But what I was really trying to do was develop something that would be American.

When they do let them sustain on screen from head to toe, though, then you know they must think the person is a good dancer.

When Ginger Rogers danced with Astaire, it was the only time in the movies when you looked at the man, not the woman.

I took it as it came and it happened to be very nice.

I love rhythmic dancing - I'm not derogating it at all. It's just that sometimes you want to whisper, "I adore you." And for that you need strings and woodwinds.