for more Van Heflin quotes:Click Here

1. I often come across a script I would like to do, but when it comes down to brass tacks I find the producer won’t allow enough practice time.
2. I don’t think it’s fair to a family to uproot them simply because it’s profitable for you to do so.
3. My predecessors in this business of acting were fully convinced their work would never be recorded, except in the form of reviews or paintings.
4. I’ve never played the same part twice.
5. Acting is a creative business.
6. I don’t believe in letting the advertising business get a stranglehold on the entertainment industry.
7. As an actor, you’re not working every day and sometimes not for long periods of time.
8. Acting is wonderful. I love it.
9. I don’t want to fall into any single category. I don’t want to be known for portraying drunks or heavies or saints.
10. I’m absolutely an amoeba. It’s my survival value.
11. I don’t want to work too hard any more.
12. Let’s face it. I’m not a personality or the handsome actor type. When you have those God-given assets, you don’t have to worry if your acting leaves something to be desired. You can just play yourself on the screen and the public comes flocking to your pictures.
13. I think television will do the same thing to radio that talkies did to silent movies.
14. You must remember that I won an Oscar for my role Johnny Eager. Then I went into the Army. But before I did, I was rushed into three other pictures to capitalize on the first.
15. You have to be careful of the pictures you make. You should ask, Will it have universal appeal, will it have an appeal at home?
16. I get $100,000 a picture and if I don’t work, that means that’s $100,000 I don’t make.
17. I always like to get back to the stage when I find something I want to do.
18. People will always want to get together in groups at plays and have the contagious thing of someone laughing with them.
19. A contract player has to do what he’s told, and play the parts others pick out for him. As far as the studio is concerned he’s just part of the stable.
20. Sometimes I wish I had remained in little theater.