After all the Puritans came to America to escape from persecution and then turned around and started persecuting other people. So I understand that conflict that we have related to play and pleasure and sexuality. And I think what has made my life worthwhile is trying to deal with some of those questions.

You really don't create an authoritarian society unless you control the personal choices including the sexual choices of the people.

I think that sexual oppression and dictatorship go hand in hand.

I feel saddened when people who have major friendships or marriages wind up on the outs. Because I think you lose a little piece of yourself.

It's good to be selfish. But not so self-centered that you never listen to other people.

I looked back on the roaring Twenties, with its jazz, 'Great Gatsby' and the pre-Code films as a party I had somehow managed to miss.

My parents are wonderful people and they instilled in me an idealism for which I'm grateful.