(When asked for suggestions on how to judge acting) "I have three tests. First, which dominates, the character or the actor? With very few exceptions it should be the character. Second, on film - as opposed to stage - we're pretty much playing basic emotions - love, anger, fear, pity. So the trick is whether you can come up with any fresh choices to present these common emotions. Third - and this is the quality that separates the great ones from the good ones - I look for a 'joy of performing' quality. Who had that quality? As much as anyone, 'Jimmy Cagney' ." "The (Academy Awards) ceremonies are a two-hour meat parade, a public display with contrived suspense for economic reasons." "There is no question you get pumped up by the recognition. Then a self-loathing sets in when you realise you're enjoying it." [on psychoanalysis] "Four visits. I kept laughing. I couldn't get serious. If it helps you, it helps you. If standing on your head on the roof helps you, it helps you - if you think so." "Directors are supposed to help the audience. Good directors don't direct actors." "Bette Davis is my bloody idol. I admire her more than any other film star." "I became an actor to escape my own personality. Acting is the most therapeutic thing in the world. I think all the courage that I may lack personally, I have as an actor." "I have nothing against Oscar. I know what he stands for and it's terrific. And I think when people used to hang around and pat each other on the back over a drink and dinner it was wonderful. But when it became an international hoopla, where careers lived and died on whether or not you did or didn't get an Oscar, then it got out of hand." "Actors are the world's oldest, underprivileged minority - looked upon as nothing but buffoons, one step above thieves and charlatans. These award ceremonies simply compound the image for me."