With a cheery delicacy she divided my obsessions into three categories: acceptable, unacceptable, and hilarious.

Be so good they can't ignore you.

I loved doing 'Pennies from Heaven.' Because you have to understand that I'd been doing comedy for 15 to 20 years, and suddenly along came the opportunity to do this beautiful film. It was so emotional to me. I loved it. I don't think it was a good career move, but I have no regrets about doing it.

All I've ever wanted was an honest week's pay for an honest day's work.

Your only guidepost is your own instinct and judicious editing. In my stand-up act I learned that in the first 10 minutes I could say anything and it would get a laugh. Then I'd better deliver. In the movie it's the same thing. You get a lot of laughs when people first sit down and then the story better kick in. Many years in front of an audience, I would hope, give me a sense of what works.

The self-prepared dinner is a great time killer for lonely people and as much time should be spent on it as possible.

Rebelliousness really is the province of young people-that kind of iconoclasm.