We Americans have always considered Hollywood, at best, a sinkhole of depraved venality. And, of course, it is. It is not a Protective Monastery of Aesthetic Truth. It is a place where everything is incredibly expensive.

Quote by David Mamet

Topics: Hollywood Quotes

Policemen so cherish their status as keepers of the peace and protectors of the public...

Policemen so cherish their status as keepers of the peace and protectors of the public...

A good film script should be able to do completely without dialogue.

A good film script should be able to do completely without dialogue.

A dramatic experience concerned with the mundane may inform but it cannot release; and one...

A dramatic experience concerned with the mundane may inform but it cannot release; and one...

The product of the artist has become less important than the fact of the artist....

The product of the artist has become less important than the fact of the artist....

I always thought the real violence in Hollywood isn't what's on the screen. It's what...

I always thought the real violence in Hollywood isn't what's on the screen. It's what...

Policemen so cherish their status as keepers of the peace and protectors of the public...

Policemen so cherish their status as keepers of the peace and protectors of the public...

In a world we find terrifying, we ratify that which doesn't threaten us.

In a world we find terrifying, we ratify that which doesn't threaten us.

Always tell the truth - it's the easiest thing to remember.

Always tell the truth - it's the easiest thing to remember.

Life in the movie business is like the beginning of a new love affair: it's...

Life in the movie business is like the beginning of a new love affair: it's...

People may or may not say what they mean... but they always say something designed...

People may or may not say what they mean... but they always say something designed...

Films have degenerated to their original operation as carnival amusement - they offer not drama...

Films have degenerated to their original operation as carnival amusement - they offer not drama...

Films have degenerated to their original operation as carnival amusement - they offer not drama...

Films have degenerated to their original operation as carnival amusement - they offer not drama...

The surprise is half the battle. Many things are half the battle, losing is half...

The surprise is half the battle. Many things are half the battle, losing is half...

I hate vacations. There's nothing to do.

I hate vacations. There's nothing to do.

I grew up in a tough neighborhood and we used to say you can get...

I grew up in a tough neighborhood and we used to say you can get...

It's only words... unless they're true.

It's only words... unless they're true.

Every reiteration of the idea that nothing matters debases the human spirit.

Every reiteration of the idea that nothing matters debases the human spirit.

Right now I think censorship is necessary; the things they're doing and saying in films...

Right now I think censorship is necessary; the things they're doing and saying in films...

Assassination is the extreme form of censorship.

Assassination is the extreme form of censorship.

By placing discretion in the hands of an official to grant or deny a license,...

By placing discretion in the hands of an official to grant or deny a license,...