"I turned down some movies that were quite good. mainly on the basis of taste"

In the provided quote by Dick Van Dyke, "I denied some movies that were rather great. primarily on the basis of taste", the star exposes an intriguing element of his career decision-making process. On the surface, it appears that Van Dyke acknowledges having been used functions in movies he personally thought about to be of high quality. By utilizing the expression "rather great", he implies that these projects were potentially successful, beneficial both creatively and commercially, or most likely to appeal to a broad audience. Nevertheless, in spite of this acknowledgment, he decided against participating in these films. This leads us to explore the core of his thinking: taste.

The principle of "taste" in this context describes Van Dyke's personal choices, worths, and perhaps creative requirements. Taste is a naturally subjective requirement. What Van Dyke likes or meaningful may not line up with the more standard or generally accepted procedures of a movie's merit. His choices reflect an adherence to an individual values or artistic integrity, suggesting a prioritization of individual alignment over external validation or monetary gain.

Additionally, the quote sheds light on the typically complicated and deeply personal nature of decision-making within the show business. It highlights the internal conflicts artists may deal with when balancing individual beliefs and profession chances. For Van Dyke, denying functions was not always about the unbiased quality of the job but rather how those chances aligned, or did not line up, with his individual vision and values.

By making decisions "on the basis of taste", Van Dyke highlights an artist's pursuit of credibility and personal fulfillment. This method may compromise certain opportunities for critical recognition or ticket office success for the sake of protecting personal stability and ensuring that his work remains consistent with his own tastes and values. This honest discovery provides a peek into the personal values that often affect public professions, emphasizing the role of private taste in an artist's journey.