“I think all I really have is sincerity, That’s what has carried me through the change from silents to talkies. My voice has been criticized, brutally sometimes, and I think I’ve gotten by only because I am sincere.” – Janet Gaynor
Source: Robbin Coons in 1932.
“Urged by my parents, I gave up a business career and moved to Hollywood, determined to try for a place in motion pictures. I was fortunate enough to get work as an extra and soon was playing ‘bits.’ From these I graduated to comedy leads and later to leading romantic roles.” — Janet Gaynor
Source: Frank Grosjean (1931)
“I was just a conventional little girl from Philadelphia who wanted to have fun, but my stepfather put me into extra work, then got me some bit parts for $50 a week, and Fox called me to do a test for ‘The Johnstown Flood.’ And after the test, they signed me to a five-year contract.” — Janet Gaynor
Source: Rex Reed (1980)
“Naturally, I was thrilled but being the first year, the Academy Awards had no background or tradition, and it naturally didn’t mean what it does now. Had I known then what it would come to mean in the next few years, I’m sure I’d have been overwhelmed. At the time, I think I was more thrilled over meeting Douglas Fairbanks.” — Janet Gaynor
“I don’t believe that black is black or white white. Which makes everything confusing. I don’t believe in people any longer, not as I did. I know, now, that I can count my real friends on the fingers of one hand – and have some fingers to spare.” — Janet Gaynor
Source: Gladys Hall (1933)
Photographer: William Mortensen
“None of us see ourselves as others see us. To me and my mirror I may be a great tragedienne, but if the people visualize me as something else, my job is to continue.” — Janet Gaynor
“Janet Gaynor and I were always receiving wedding-anniversary presents in the mail, care of the studio. The fans didn’t even know what date our anniversary fell on, which is logical, since we were never married.” — Charles Farrell
“I don’t mind it when they write that I’ve grown up. Of course, I’m grown up. Anyone who saw Seventh Heaven [1927] should understand that I must be grown up by this time. But I really make an honest effort at sincerity – both on the screen and off – and if my efforts are not entirely successful, it’s not because I don’t try.” – Janet Gaynor in 1935.
