Samuel Goldwyn (1879-1974) was a Polish-born American film pioneer, a legendary producer who helped build Hollywood by co-founding early studios (like the one that became MGM), creating independent production power, and bringing classics like The Best Years of Our Lives to screen, famous for his artistic drive, business acumen, and humorous malapropisms (Goldwynisms).

He had a colorful way of expressing his thoughts and feelings. For example, after being told that a book he had purchased for filming, The Well of Loneliness, couldn’t be filmed because it was about lesbians, he reportedly replied: “That’s all right, we’ll make them Hungarians.” The same story was told about the 1934 rights to The Children’s Hour with the response “That’s okay; we’ll turn them into Armenians.”His letters and memos are collectors’ items.

* * *

Here are some of his most quoted observations:

I’m willing to admit that I may not always be right, but I am never wrong.

Include me out.

Give me a smart idiot over a stupid genius any day.

Any man who goes to a psychiatrist ought to have his head examined.

I never liked you, and I always will.

A wide screen just makes a bad film twice as bad.

If I look confused it is because I am thinking.

If I could drop dead right now, I’d be the happiest man alive.

Don’t pay any attention to the critics — don’t even ignore them.

Spare no expense to save money on this one.

Color television! Bah! I won’t believe it until I see it in black and white.

I read part of it all the way through.

A bachelor’s life is no life for a single man.

Why should people go out and pay money to see bad films when they can stay at home and see bad television for nothing?

Pictures are for entertainment, messages should be delivered by Western Union.

You’ve got to take the bitter with the sour.

A hospital is no place to be sick.

This music won’t do. There’s not enough sarcasm in it.

Please write music like Wagner, only louder.

Go see it and see for yourself why you shouldn’t go see it.

Television has raised writing to a new low.

Our comedies are not to be laughed at.

I never put on a pair of shoes until I’ve worn them at least five years.

That’s the trouble with directors. Always biting the hand that lays the golden egg.

Ill give you a definite maybe.

A verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.

We want a story that starts out with an earthquake and works its way up to a climax.

I don’t want any yes-men around me. I want everybody to tell me the truth even if it costs them their job.

I don’t think anyone should write their autobiography until after they’re dead.

I’ll take fifty percent efficiency to get one hundred percent loyalty.

Let’s have some new clichés.

If Roosevelt were alive today, he’d turn over in his grave.

Give me a couple of years, and I’ll make that actress an overnight success.

It’s more than magnificent – it’s mediocre.

Don’t worry about the war. It’s all over but the shooting.

Samuel Goldwyn

Here I am paying big money to you writers and what for? All you do is change the words.Share this Quote
Samuel Goldwyn

God makes stars. I just produce them.Share this Quote
Samuel Goldwyn

Too caustic? To hell with the costs, we’ll make the picture anyway.

If people don’t want to go to the picture, nobody can stop them.

I had a monumental idea this morning, but I didn’t like it.

We’re overpaying him, but he’s worth it.

For your information, I would like to ask a question.

The scene is dull. Tell him to put more life into his dying.

It’s absolutely impossible, but it has possibilities.