ActionScript 2.0 :: Assign The Return Value Of A Function?

I was just curious if you HAVE to assign the return value of a function to something in order to preform operations on it.

Code:
something.getClip().onRelease = function() {
//
}

Thats probably illegal right? It's illegal in C++, but theres usually a way to get around it like.. (getFocusClip()).onRelease. Or should I just forget it and do it the right way:

Code:
var tempClip:MovieClip = something.getClip();
tempClip.onRelease = function() {
//
}