I guess like most people I'm a bargain-hunter. I love a bargain. I found out there's two prices on everything. There's the Rodeo Drive price and there's the same merchandise down the street.

I was born and raised during Depression Years when we were on County relief and we all went out and we hustled. we worked. I worked in a restaurant, I washed dishes.

I feel that if entertainment is that important, the media, then it's my duty, not only to mankind but to God, to fulfill the promise that I carry on this work. If someone, for instance, can forget their pains and their ills and their strife by watching any performer then I think this work is worthwhile.

Why don't I just step out and slip into something more spectacular?

My whole trick is to keep the tune well out in front. If I play Tchaikovsky, I play his melodies and skip his spiritual struggle.

People in show business who are interested in politics, like Ronald Reagan, fare so well because they do know the magic of dealing with the public. This is something that can't be taught in a book. If they can produce after they've won over the public. If you can live up to your ballyhoo, you've got it made.

You can have either the Resurrection or you can have Liberace. But you can't have both.