Ben Hecht Quotes

A collection of quotes by Ben Hecht.

Ben Hecht was an acclaimed American screenwriter, playwright, and novelist, born on February 28, 1894, in New York City. Hecht's writing career began as a journalist, working for various Chicago newspapers. His hard-hitting investigative reporting gained him recognition and propelled him into becoming a highly sought-after writer in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s.

Hecht earned great acclaim as a screenwriter, known for his sharp dialogue and powerful storytelling. He collaborated with legendary filmmaker, director, and producer, Howard Hawks, on critically acclaimed films like "Scarface" (1932) and "His Girl Friday" (1940). He also wrote screenplays for other iconic films such as "Gone with the Wind" (1939), "Notorious" (1946), and "Spellbound" (1945). He received two Academy Awards for Best Writing during his career.

Aside from his successful screenwriting career, Hecht was also an accomplished playwright and novelist. His play, "The Front Page" (1928), co-written with Charles MacArthur, is still considered a classic of American theater. Hecht also authored several novels, including "Count Bruga" (1926) and "Gaily, Gaily" (1963).

Known for his quick wit and larger-than-life personality, Hecht became a prominent figure in Hollywood's golden age. He was an outspoken critic on issues ranging from politics to religion and played an active role in Zionist causes. Ben Hecht passed away on April 18, 1964, leaving behind a rich legacy as one of Hollywood's most talented and groundbreaking writers.

Love is the magician that pulls man out of his own hat.

Love is the magician that pulls man out of his own hat.

Love is a hole in the heart.

Love is a hole in the heart.

Movies are one of the bad habits that corrupted our century.

Movies are one of the bad habits that corrupted our century. Of their many sins, I offer as the worst their effect on the intellectual side of the nation. It is chiefly from that viewpoint I write of them -- as an eruption of trash that has lamed the American mind and retarded Americans from becoming a cultured people.

Film / Filmmaking / Movies

Hollywood held this double lure for me, tremendous sums of m

Hollywood held this double lure for me, tremendous sums of money for work that required no more effort than a game of pinochle.

Much more frequent in Hollywood than the emergence of Cinder

Much more frequent in Hollywood than the emergence of Cinderella is her sudden vanishing. At our party, even in those glowing days, the clock was always striking twelve for someone at the height of greatness; and there was never a prince to fetch her back to the happy scene.

I discovered early in my movie work that a movie is never an

I discovered early in my movie work that a movie is never any better than the stupidest man connected with it. There are times when this distinction may be given to the writer or director. Most often it belongs to the producer.

Film / Filmmaking / Movies

In moderating, not satisfying desires, lies peace.

In moderating, not satisfying desires, lies peace.

When you overpay small people you frighten them. They know t

When you overpay small people you frighten them. They know that their merits or activities entitle them to no such sums as they are receiving. As a result their boss soars out of economic into magic significance. He becomes a source of blessings rather than wages. Criticism is sacrilege, doubt is heresy.

I know that a man who shows me his wealth is like the beggar

I know that a man who shows me his wealth is like the beggar who shows me his poverty; they are both looking for alms from me, the rich man for the alms of my envy, the poor man for the alms of my guilt.

In the court of the movie Owner, none criticized, none doubt

In the court of the movie Owner, none criticized, none doubted. And none dared speak of art. In the Owner's mind art was a synonym for bankruptcy. The movie Owners are the only troupe in the history of entertainment that has never been seduced by the adventure of the entertainment world.

Trying to determine what is going on in the world by reading

Trying to determine what is going on in the world by reading newspapers is like trying to tell the time by watching the second hand of a clock.

I'm a Hollywood writer, so I put on my sports jacket and tak

I'm a Hollywood writer, so I put on my sports jacket and take off my brain.