Clint Eastwood Interview 1974 Brian Linehan's City Lights

In this interview from 1974, Clint Eastwood talks about his career as an actor and director: the 1958 film Ambush at Cimarron Pass was "almost the picture that made me decide to quit," the TV series Rawhide, acting as an "emotional art," women in film, film critic Judith Crist, the film critic community, actress Inger Stevens and his films A Fistful of Dollars, Paint Your Wagon, Play Misty For Me and The Beguiled.
From 1974 to 2000, Canada’s Brian Linehan conducted thousands of in-depth interviews with the greatest actors and directors from over 60 years of film history. His programs City Lights and Linehan have not been seen since they first aired and are now available for the first time for licensing. Linehan, a stylishly gifted broadcaster, meticulously did all his own research and that, coupled with his knowledge and passion about film and filmmaking, puts him in a class all by himself.
With 20,000 hours of music footage spanning 90 years and thousands of hours of in-depth interviews with the 20th century’s icons of Film and Television, Politics, Comedy, Literature, Art, Science, Fashion and Sports, Reelin’ In The Years Productions is now the World’s Premier Source For Footage Of Musical Artists, Entertainers & History Makers.
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Note: these clips are available on KZbin for producers, directors, researchers and clearance companies for potential use in their projects. Our website on the screen is to protect the footage from being used without our consent and so industry professionals can find us to properly license the footage.
Brian Linehan, who passed away in 2004, left his entire estate to The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation to provide training, work opportunities and promotion for young actors of exceptional talent. All of the income of his Foundation is donated to not-for-profit institutions for that purpose. In the decade since his death, recipients of the Foundation’s support have included extraordinary young actors affiliated with the Canadian Film Centre, The National Screen Institute of Canada, the Stratford Shakespearean Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival, which, since Brian's passing, has preserved and housed Brian's personal archive and tape library.

[@brushymt1]

Clint Eastwood - A humble man, respectful to others. I guess, what's not to admire and respect? A Class Act.

[@NoPrivateProperty]

ask his wife

[@alessandroforti6384]

@@NoPrivateProperty Sandra Locke?

[@FredPickett]

One of the best Entertainers We ever had.

[@TheQuirkyCharacter]

One of the rarest journalists who knew about Clint's intellectual side. . .

[@humanrel]

His voice is very relaxing and ASMR.

[@TheQuirkyCharacter]

It's his manner of pronouncing words with aspiration even where shouldn't be one, phonetically. Absolutely cool.

[@Lewis-pr8cr]

Only Clint could make a turtleneck sweater look badass.

[@Onlinesully]

Lewis 970 A lemon one at that

[@nicetna2010]

I dunno. I'm certainly not taking anything away from Mr. Eastwood, but these days there really is no fashion. Bell bottoms, huge collars, sideburns, etc can all still be worn successfully. The person makes the fashion, so to speak, and not the other way around.

[@jccohen9626]

And Christopher reeves could pull it off too

[@quentinmurphy6120]

@@jccohen9626 21:30

[@jeffmelchior8573]

So could Steve McQueen.

[@Milestonemonger]

I could listen to Clint Eastwood for hours

[@nbassasin8092]

I prefer feel good inc, but to each their own I guess

[@billboys9283]

I love it when an interviewer actually does research and doesn't ask the same tired questions.

[@rachybaby72]

Brian Linehan was so great at researching for his interviews that the interviewees often wondered 'how do you know that?'

[@billboys9283]

@@rachybaby72 Yeah. You know their good questions when the interviewee says that

[@knownpleasures]

He’s doing his best to read his mind as well , inside the head of a famous movie star and his work process.

[@robertgauthier640]

Eastwood is a national treasure

[@Milestonemonger]

Thank you, Maggie (former Mrs Eastwood) for encouraging Clint not to quit the business. Imagine how dull life would have been without Clint Eastwood in it.

[@claudiocorleone7856]

I wonder what Clint would have done if he quit acting? Imagine going to a dealership and this man is selling a car? Or a construction site etc.

[@journey95far49]

Clint Eastwood is a legend

[@jamesmack3314]

Easily

[@IreneGee-gn7bl]

Clint was very modest and humble in how he transformed from an actor to an iconic Legendary filmmaker. He is a Renaissance Man with the Spirit of the Energizer Bunny forever 🥰

[@MrAdvance2go]

Clint Eastwood is unique to Hollywood, to filmmaking. No other person has been such a megastar AND a highly regarded director for decades!!!!

[@signalenergie]

Absolutely.

[@geofflepper3207]

Orson Welles, Woody Allen, Mae West, etc. There have been others.

[@MrAdvance2go]

@@geofflepper3207 are you trying to be funny?

[@Canada_Dominium]

@@MrAdvance2go Eastwood is not the only respected actor-director.

[@davephillips433]

@@geofflepper3207woody Allen? When was the last time he made a big movie? Eastwood has a far superior work record.

[@jeff6660]

I was in Paint Your Wagon as an extra it was a great summer of fun that I will never forget. I was also side man to Elvis in the film Double Trouble as a member of his band. Another memory I will always treasure. I am even on the cover of the DVD with Elvis, I am the guy with the guitar and black hair.

[@arthurbishop3173]

@Dirk Diggler People are such assholes...pathetic, at least be funny if you're gonna be a keyboard koward.

[@IrradiatedGhoulie]

Greg Estes says the little man behind his keyboard

me me me me me me look at me mememem

[@Milestonemonger]

You lucky dog 🤩

[@musiccollector]

Wow. How lucky can you be! Being in the presence of two legends! I even have the "Double Trouble" LP.

[@robertsaladino]

Clint has been the same person for the past 40 yrs.... Really one of kind....

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

"Talk themselves out of what may come out of their instincts" ...good insight

[@t18amgr]

God he was such a good looking bastard. Bless.

[@justgivemethetruth]

Brian Lineman is an excellent interviewer. I had never heard of him before. I also sadly found out that he died in 2004.

[@rachybaby72]

As a kid, I always looked forward to watching his show, whether or not I knew who his guest was. He was so thorough and unique with his interviews. Martin Short (SCTV & SNL) spoofs him.

[@musiccollector]

I used to watch him all the time. On CTV, I believe. CFCN,

[@johnunkerman]

@@musiccollector me too. Brian was the best. One of a kind. BTW, regarding sctv.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKCZhJmip956iqMsi=8MCpwmVAWbC8r_dR

[@Milestonemonger]

I'm impressed with the interviewer, he's intelligent and respectful

[@barblessable]

Eastwood , served his apprenticeship in B movies and was a popular co-star in Rawhide ,that series had a more realistic style than the other westerns on TV back then , Clint absorbed everything he experienced and started to direct . The fact is he is a seasoned actor and great director who chooses good stories to shoot with a wide variety of subjects long may he continue.

[@noodles74]

He smiles a lot, but don't think I've ever heard him laugh out loud.

[@7_slices]

He’s not an idiot that’s why

[@jimnewcombe7584]

He chuckles in Thunderbolt and Lightfoot at the mention of racoon shit. That's the only time he's ever laughed, according to unwritten biographies

[@heldig5617]

Watch Don Rickles with him.

[@Canada_Dominium]

@@7_slices Laughter is a normal human act.

[@Mrleejunman]

There's a behind the scenes video of Kelly's heroes with don rickles joking and Clint laughs out loud at his joke .

[@anthonythompson9741]

Thanks for this! An intelligent and knowledgeable interviewer asking questions of an intelligent actor. The kind of interview very rarely seen on American television!

[@fifthbusiness1678]

The interviewer is Canadian. His interviews were generally held in Toronto, although this one was held New Orleans I believe.

[@wally1452]

This guy is one of the few very good interviewers who knows his stuff, lets the actor talk...he plainly is getting into Clint's work, etc, and not there to salve his ego or recognition. There was a great interviewer I think on AMC or possibly TCM that was doing 1 hour talks with all the great stars...and I see him in my mind but cannot recall his name. Great stuff here, one learns with intelligent, humble people. Clint sure had his head on straight and probably the longest running actor and director in history...& he never seemed in love with himself.

[@archmccallgreenockscotland]

Been my idol of sorts since my teens im 62 now , such an icon and so many great films

[@alukuhito]

Brian Linehan is a genius. Where did he even come up with his viewpoint? He was so knowledgeable and confident and truly interested in his interviewees. I wonder where he drew inspiration from.

[@davidbernardi3410]

He was inspired by Brock Lineahan, his cousin.

[@alukuhito]

@@davidbernardi3410 Brock was amazing. Truly an inspiration for all. A lot of today's interviewers should take note.

[@Njesrah79]

THE BADASS MAN WHO EVER WALK ON AND STILL WALKING ON THIS PLANET.I JUST HOPE I WILL MEET HIM ONE DAY!

[@alukuhito]

He's just an actor. He PLAYS the badass. He isn't an actual one.

[@stephencarter7266]

This guy is getting over. If you look at those 1950s beefcake photos, there is no way this guy never sat on the old "casting couch".

[@johnramirez1654]

Clint is so awesome ❤

[@aamirali891]

Marvellous Mr. Clint Eastwood.

[@herbkaplan9273]

Aamir Ali 7

[@eTaraNTino]

Oh my God Clint Eastwood Jesus he’s so GOD DAMN beautiful! Damn! God now I know why the MOM’s were CRAZY FOR THIS GUY! Rocks, a baby, yellow turtleneck… oh my God how did I not see this before? Maybe because I was TEN

[@tillzenn]

What glorious content “Reeling” holds. We who love content wish there was more made public but we also understand that selling content is your core business. As my generation ages we watch as Content ages too. Certainly, it’s yours to sell or eat but it sure makes our lives richer when you release it. At some point, the audience dies and everything from Johnny Carson to Film Noir to SCTV becomes irrelevant ( and unseen). Please release more of your vaults before we’re gone. Thanks

[@devinmichaelroberts9954]

He's exactly at the half way point in his life right here. 44 years old.

[@helencampbell9203]

He looks good for 44

[@bwaters735]

Too Much sun

[@gavinburns9516]

Helen Cambell 44 isn't exactly old

[@chrisg9615]

He looked old then

[@jamesmack3314]

@@chrisg9615 no

[@nca1668]

My god, he’s so beautiful 😍 😍😍 His face is mesmerizing to watch. This guy likes watching him too.

[@nca1668]

I mean that guy! I’m all female 👄

[@jamesmack3314]

@@nca1668 sure sure…sure you are🤔 It’s ok to be gay these days😁

[@tomdalton4293]

Clint or Brian?

[@conorhulgraine]

what a man

[@Grumpyfrump]

I like watching Clint out of character. He's just as cool.

[@DJ-jn3on]

Amazing to think Clint's 91 now. I haven't enjoyed everything he's done, but for the most part, I have. :)

[@OEKIE77]

MANY HAPPY RETURNS , Mister CLINT EASTWOOD !!!

[@CoolMikey81]

You will never see actors like this again..shame

[@helencampbell9203]

It is a shame. Clint was outstanding as the laid back, quietly spoken, tough, ruthless and violent cowboy. Loved him as Dirty Harry too.

[@Canada_Dominium]

@@helencampbell9203 When did Eastwood play someone who was violent for the sake of violence?

[@pasqualedilorenzo9089]

What a great interviewer !!!

[@felixthelmocevallosmorales41]

Brian Richard Linehan (September 3, 1944 - June 4, 2004) was a Canadian television host from Hamilton, Ontario, best known for his celebrity interviews on the longrunning talk show City Lights.

[@jamesmack3314]

Clint definitely never had a problem getting a date....

[@nomiddlenamenmn427]

Agree. Sounds like he had trouble not having multiple dates on the same date.

[@jamesmack3314]

@@nomiddlenamenmn427 guys a stud Hell I got a bit of a man crush on him😂

[@alukuhito]

I'm sure he had a lot of trouble, considering he was married. There were probably chances, but he was shackled.

[@jamesmack3314]

@@alukuhito Back then it was much more acceptable to have side affairs and no one was calling you out or posting lurid gossip and rumors it was all kept under the radar and they respected peoples privacy but believe me I think if you read his biography he certainly made plenty of successful dalliances

[@alukuhito]

@@jamesmack3314 "Acceptable" doesn't mean "proper". Affairs are for the lowest of the low. If he was having affairs, then shame on him. Even just one is a shame. Anyway, there were plenty of people in the 60s and 70s who did not accept affairs, despite all the trashy hippy influence going on at the time in western countries, particulary the USA.

[@musiccollector]

Unequivocally, my most favorite actor, ever.

[@garyhartnett5212]

He's so cool....................................

[@Milestonemonger]

"The story is everything, without the story there's no use putting all these peripheral components together without the center". This is why Clint Eastwood is one of the most influential filmmaker in the history of cinema. He gets it.

[@jamesfarrington9030]

Few people today can interview an actor.

[@jillianslowaterbanks7234]

Clint Eastwood is the reason Bad has more than one meaning. There are Legends of acting and then there are Icons. Mr. Eastwood & Mr. Wayne are Icons.

[@DLBlckwl]

Clint's answers to this loaded question were awesome!! 18:51 Especially at 19:28.

[@johnmilner7603]

Clint and Steve McQueen are the coolest.

[@AlexDeLarge77]

Clint is just the man. End of.

[@Marita940]

So gorgeous

[@leecurtis6354]

I luv him!

[@judysanchez6329]

I was 22 yrs at the time Of this interview!! Wow What a men ? No Wonder. He had a lot of Woman .

[@diazfilms]

Love Mr Eastwood

[@sandydunes6998]

We love those movies!!

[@killerbing11]

Very insightful.

[@brdski_2238]

Very handsome

[@IrradiatedGhoulie]

Damn he's gorgeous

[@helencampbell9203]

Certainly was very good looking in his day. They don't make men like that any more.

[@AutisticGamer2K5]

It sucks that there won't be another man like him

[@JasonKavetis]

Clint put the 'C' in cool.

[@jessicakennedy7607]

and the OOL

[@DrVonChilla]

Without a doubt, THE greatest movie star in 100 years of cinema.....

[@bwaters735]

DrVonChilla lets not get carried away. I can think of ten others who eat his lunch every time.

[@bwaters735]

Crazy Canuck brando, newman, pacino, deniro, nicholson, day lewis, hoffman, hopkins, hackman.

[@williamcarter361]

@@bwaters735 He did say Movie star, not greatest actor.

[@clinteastwood_1834]

Clinteastwood Love 🤠🤠💪☠️👍🤎🐎

[@gregwalker1913]

I love how Clint talks about percentage instead of a single one million dollar payout. Most of his films made money so Clint made money. He took the risk and it paid off.

[@steadfastandyxxxx9369]

Clint Eastwood. Top dog.

[@liamreidy1175]

When I was a kid Clint was the coolest man alive......

[@jamesmack3314]

No doubt

[@musiccollector]

He still is.

[@kamuelalee]

At the height of his Superstardom.

[@Milestonemonger]

Clint Eastwood is soulful, calm, deliberate and serene And oooohhhh so sexy

[@Kayem967]

He was answering questions in the seventies about equality and feminism that would be valid and difficult to answer as well now.

[@jakespur6094]

Still looking for the 1983 interview with Ann-Margret

[@amarilloaristocrat8435]

This was Clint Eastwood at 44 years of age.

[@lmc2664]

He looked a bit older than 44 but still a very good looking man :)

[@bwaters735]

lmc2664 too much sun

[@helencampbell9203]

@@drott150 I don't think he looks older than 44. He looks better than a lot if men I know who are trn years younger. Clint isn't grey here, has a lot of hair and no beer gut .

[@helencampbell9203]

@@drott150Agreed. I didn't think the sun damaged skin spoilt him though. He had so many other attractive assets.

[@jamesmack3314]

44...magnum!?

[@ukaszjozwiak9468]

1:08 Oh my God ... He is laughing ... First time in my life I see him laughing ...

[@diemari487]

I Was Born 2 Decades Or More At The Time This Interview Was Televised

[@drott150]

Is that a giant ashtray on the table in front of them? lol Oh, the world of 1974. I actually miss it. If only I could go back to it, except this time as an adult.

[@NoosaHeads]

Been watching Clint movies since 1964. Don't think I've ever seen a dud.

[@1060michaelg]

This interviewer has GOT to be the inspiration for Martin Short's SCTV interviewer "Brock Linehan"...watch it and you will see.

[@stockinettestitch]

He is.

[@1060michaelg]

@@stockinettestitch LOL--I knew it!! Thanks for the confirmation!

[@stockinettestitch]

1060michaelg Here’s (hopefully) a link to a piece I just read about him in: www.steynonline.com/10396/remembering-brian-linehan-for-some-reason

[@1060michaelg]

@@stockinettestitch Thanks for that great little article! Man, a town of several hundred thousand and it can only support ONE used bookstore? I'd HANG MYSELF...or leave like she did. Yeah, that makes more sense. Jeez, Martin Short looks EXACTLY like the photo of Brock---a great homage. Also, great scene from ZOOLANDER. Take care!!

[@hosonimilano4838]

Legend cowboy movie..

[@joedellaselva1251]

Brian Linehan...oh brother come on!

[@wordpressobsessed9067]

Gotta love the crazy 1974 hairdos.

[@Canada_Dominium]

Clint's looks okay. Today we have some whacked-out stuff.

[@leslieMClass80]

❤️

[@BlackGypsyCharm]

Hugh jackmans dad

[@brencronin5424]

BlackGypsyCharm yeah I know what you mean.he'd have been a fucking great wolverine

[@CoolMikey81]

Yes Lol

[@Canada_Dominium]

The classic 70s Han Solo lid. Chicks still dig it!

[@natedoggg2002]

Damn Clint Eastwood really looked like Wolverine back in the day lol!

[@billyshears1273]

natedoggg2002 👏👏😂😂😂

[@Kayem967]

I was watching the wolverine, and put on KZbin while the ad break was on. I clicked on this random Clint Eastwood interview, and I thought to myself, he would have played wolverine really well. Then I scrolled down and saw your comment. Amused me.

[@nca1668]

Ahem, Wolverine looks like him!! 😉

[@hemprope4326]

I'm just fascinated by the camera quality. In 1974, a camera like that would've costed thousands and it would've been huge. In 1999, that would've been an affordable family VHS camcorder that was able to be held in a single hand. Amazing how technology works.

[@musiccollector]

My thoughts, exactly.

[@davidr4523]

Terrible dresser, boring off screen personality but one of the best looking men of all times. Also an actor with tremendous screen presence.

[@rickrick5041]

No desks and no notes, all in his head

[@mikekerr]

I cannot be the only one who thinks that Clint is here sounds so much like Ted Bundy! Much love, Clint

[@penguinegg01]

Brian Linehan. His hair. My mum had a similar style.

[@paulcolbourne9112]

Its funny that the criticisms aren't remembered and neither are the critics themselves. They have a job to do and they can serve a useful purpose but they can also be a pointless interference to art. Eastwood had endured because of his past work and because he continued to be relevant. It speaks louder and longer than any critic's writing. The masses will decide what's most relevant without being guided, shamed, ridiculed and re-educated from the voices on high. They can also support the worst garbage if it's strategically marketed by a billion dollar industry. Critics today are more politically and ideologically motivated by extreme bias than ever before. Somewhere in the middle of all that, a decent movie is occasionally made and even seen.

[@krisscanlon4051]

Martin Short will take you to places you didn't think you'd go lol obsessed with C list interviewers

[@davidallen508]

I wish he had been cast opposite Debbie Reynolds in “The Unsinkable Molly Brown”.

[@archmccallgreenockscotland]

Never ruffled .

[@DLBlckwl]

1:09 Wow. What would not have been.

[@john-vn7dr]

If you want to see Clint laugh out loud watch him with Don Rickles

[@beyazdublaj9694]

How can he hold his eyebrows like that?i realized i do that when i wanna do but when in public or someone asks me question my eyebrows went like a bow and it loses it's all toughness.

[@plasticweapon]

they're styled.

[@W67w]

Who was more handsome, Sean Connery or Clint Eastwood?

[@jamesmack3314]

Clint easily

[@thomasnorman9536]

Thomas Norman was handsome in the 70s 80s 90s

[@justgivemethetruth]

Back in the old days when Clint only used to talk to footstools.

[@nostoevsky]

Clint Eastwood is so hot

[@denismurray868]

clint is the best stop pushin him

[@ellenmathews7426]

I agree blue gypsy

[@winasoking4448]

Brian looks like a oompa loompa

[@jamesfarrington9030]

For most of his career he stayed out of Hollywood. Same with Charles Bronson.

[@jimnewcombe7584]

He proves himself a very considerable actor by answering with a straight face to a man who has a hairstyle like a warthog's warehouse of abandoned dreams

[@Milestonemonger]

Lol 😂

[@fifthbusiness1678]

Ah ... you focus on looks rather than what the person is saying/asking. Sign of high intelligence. Just listen to the questions, the research that when into them, and perhaps learn something about what makes a good interview.

[@Canada_Dominium]

Okay Jim the Hippie

[@knownpleasures]

Michael j fox saw this and used his name in Back to the Future!

[@EinSofQuester]

Holy fuck. What happened to Brian's hair.