I do everything the man does, only backwards and in high heels!

I had been making films for almost ten years, and the head men at RKO thought of me only in terms of musicals. I found no fault with that, except I just couldn't stand being typed or pigeonholed as only a singing and dancing girl. I wanted to extend my range.

I made my last motion picture in March 1965 for Magna Pictures. 'Harlow,' based on the life of actress Jean Harlow... I didn't know at the time that 'Harlow' would be my last motion picture.

If I've learned any one lesson from life, it's this: If you don't stand for something, you will stand for anything.

Part of the joy of dancing is conversation. Trouble is, some men can't talk and dance at the same time.

The most important thing in anyone's life is to be giving something. The quality I can give is fun, joy and happiness. This is my gift.

Over the years, myths were built up about my relationship with Fred Astaire. The general public thought he was a Svengali, who snapped his fingers for his little Trilby to obey; in their eyes, my career was his creation.