George M. Cohan had auditioned an actor for a role but elected to dismiss him. "I hate that rat. Remind me never to hire him again," Cohan said as the door closed, "unless we need him."

[For his musical George Washington Jr., George M. Cohan wrote a song called "You're a Grand Old Rag" -- a title inspired by a Gettysburg veteran's offhand remark. When the name prompted a public protest, Cohan changed the name to "You're a Grand Old Flag."]