Douglas Fairbanks Jr. - Early Hollywood's Golden Child

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. had a unique life experience. The child of cinematic royalty, he was the son of actor Douglas Fairbanks and stepson to silent star and pioneer Mary Pickford. Fairbanks Jr. grew up in the shadow of his titan parents but went on to carve his own path as a talented actor during the Talkie era through the Studio era. Hear Douglas' memories of early Hollywood in this archival interview with TCM from 1995.
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[@JSB1882]

t was nice to see a long interview with him. He was a very knowledgeable man who knew everyone. The interviewer didn't even scratch the surface with him. I met him one time and he truly was the most charming man. It's a long story but he could have blown me off and ignored me, but he was genuinely interested in me. Later he sent me an autographed photo of himself, which I love. I truly believed he sat at his desk and cut out some cardboard to back the photo and typed out the envelope.

[@krisbishop7279]

That's amazing, i would have loved to have met him. It sounds like he made a lot of time for you, that will last with you forever. They don't make stars like him anymore.

[@Hummingbirds2023]

Oh wow!! Lucky you! 💋

[@ralphshelley9586]

Met him off ParkAve NYC in 1984:. Dressed like a king and gave off a nice vibe with staff. Both getting takeout. Beverly asills there too.

[@Myplop]

Lovely man and absolutely gorgeous in his day, shame about the rude interviewer

[@ronhaworth5471]

Amazing recall.A great historian in addition to his acting.

[@Pdjohnners]

Fascinating. What an elegant man.

[@bejoyful]

Embarrassing that a person like Mr. Fairbanks, cultured, charming, intelligent and experienced in life was interviewed by a person who appears ignorant and ought to have done her research.

[@dennisleecleven3209]

She also skips over all of his films after "Little Caesar" and skips to his very late 30s films in 1938 or so. No mention of "Union Depot", "One Night at Susie's" and the several he made with Loretta Young. The interviewer brings up a general idea and then asks him to talk about it. Can't TCM find a more educated person to interview people?

[@BillyAlabama]

Mr. Fairbank’s graciousness fortunately overcomes the poor skills of the interviewer.

[@gailjarvis2592]

Who let a failing sixth grader "interview" this historic great? You're seeing more and more of this. Education in America. Gone man, gone.

[@Hummingbirds2023]

LMAO that is so true it’s funny!!!!

[@Laura-ef1mb]

Yeah, the person that chose the interviewer was even worse, that's scary.

[@Chutney1luv]

Exactly, you are right! This is really embarrassing to the failing 6th grader!!😂😂😂

[@daniellecomeau2996]

The format is screwy. The interviewer seems to be far away and yelling questions. What a shame. Fairbanks is very gracious. I would have been annoyed by the end.

[@MovieJon]

The interviewer was never meant to be heard. She prompts him to speak, the soundbytes of which were then used in TCM's "Word of Mouth" features. But, yes, it's annoying to watch in this format and I almost always find her way too blunt, short and curt - even if she wasn't truly that way IRL. :-[

[@rumplestilskin5776]

Douglas Fairbanks, Jr was a real class act, he would've never shown his annoyance with what was a classless form of interviewing.

[@deedeetackable]

Just found this interview and was delighted to see Mr Fairbanks. Years ago, 1972, I was working as an intern for the Senate in DC. Looked up in the gallery and saw the most handsome man in a solid white suit. It was August, I was 18! It was Mr Fairbanks! His presence was noticed by everyone! I wish I had been closer to the gallery! Would have loved to see him closer. One of this old ladies fondest memories!

[@dkphillips1654]

Love him. Not crazy about interviewer. "Were they really that good?" Distressing.

[@sorceress1986]

You ever been to a live Q&A and there's a person who opens their mouth and you already feel sorry for the presenter? She's that person.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

@@sorceress1986 Saw Norman Jewison speak in Toronto, SRO, I remember because I was standing. He opened it up afterward to Q&A, lasted 2 or 3 questions as people who couldn't speak English tried to sell him a script, or those who could ignored his response to answer their own question - they talked over NORMAN frikkin' JEWISON!!!

[@dolcevitausa6448]

Too bad they did not get someone better to interview these stars...

[@jameskorner6611]

Class act

[@maryroseart]

His autobiography 'The Salad Days' is a great read! It's interesting that here he almost sounds like he has a British accent.

[@franknberry6397]

I remember he planned to do his Autobiography in 3 parts. Sadly he only got 2 parts done.

[@keithwaites9991]

Like his dad, he was a chronic Anglophile

[@unowen-nh9ov]

@@franknberry6397 Ditto Peter O'Toole, would LOVE to have read how much of his hellraiser movie star years he recalled, apparently he got Audrey Hepburn tipsy on set & urinated in a sink in front of Katharine Hepburn! + was great friends with Richard Burton, what a pair! @ least we can still enjoy their movies.

[@franknberry6397]

@@unowen-nh9ov Yes you are absolutely correct. O'Toole had 3 planned as well. Only got done 2. Would've been a great read I am sure. The first two are supposed to be excellent.

[@samspencer582]

@@franknberry6397 It is really sad that we can´t read the third autobiography. It would have been so awesome to read it. I have the both he wrote. I haven´t still read them yet. Are they good? I know this is a stupid question, because I know they are good.

[@akrenwinkle]

It doesn't show here, but Mr. Fairbanks had the bluest eyes this side of Santa Claus. I got face to face with him, I was going into an elevator, he was coming out. This was at NBC's 30 Rock building, long ago.

[@marijooneill8015]

I always thought he was absolutely gorgeous. My favorite movie was The Corsican Brothers-he played twins one good one bad. Man such a great looking guy

[@andriamsimpsonrussell]

The interviewer asking Douglas Fairbanks Jr. if the Barrymores "were REALLY that good?" is an asinine question!! I just watched an interview Drew Barrymore gave with Anderson Cooper for 60 minutes and Drew explained that Barrymore history on the stage goes as far back as the 1640s which is verifiable if anyone knew ANYTHING about early film and stage and actually did the research. I love watching Lionel, Ethel and John Barrymore & have done the research that proves just how far back the Barrymore name has been on the stage. It's amazing! Drew has a lot of shoes to fill.

[@Chutney1luv]

Why on God's given earth is this interviewer interviewing across the football field? Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was a very handsome young man and an amazing actor. My grandmother had a severe crush on him! ❤🎬

[@markallen8226]

One of nature's gentlemen.

[@macvoutie]

The interviewer on these things seems distant at times and not involved enough. Also distant in the sense of her microphone . Hearing the questions is as necessary as hearing the answers.

[@jillroberts7551]

Can't understand why she's this disembodied voice from a galaxy far far away. She also sounds like some kid who stumbled into the studio. Jeez.

[@ajaxfilms]

Great actor and personality...too bad about the interviewer.

[@MsBackstager]

Such a dashing and charming gent.

[@GeoStrum3]

My father worked for a woman who was once a nanny for DF jr. She was able to save him from drowning in a bathtub. When he made an appearance somewhere I wanted to ask him if he remembered but didn’t get the chance to ask.

[@lotjames3765]

you can tell from his class that he was a real Anglophile

[@lisalasoya2898]

It's funny, once I visited the Hollywood Cemetery in Hollywood, CA where you were buried and all of a sudden a bunch of geese, doves & beautiful birds sled on the little water ravine directing your tomb stone. Quickly, I believed you'd gone to heaven your a legion in my book.

[@dukesir1865]

I am willing to bet this interview was never meant to be viewed in full, and the interviewer wasnt meant for us to hear. I am sure the purpose of this interview was not to be presented on its' own but to be cut up in pieces so the presenters could have a bunch of quotes and soundbites of the actor that could be pasted into smaller features to be shown to fill time between films on TCM. Probably interspersed with film clips and comments from other actors and filmmakers.

[@MrXerxes415]

this fellow is epic

[@deborahreardon4875]

What an elegant gentleman.

[@sandrashevey8252]

Garbo the closed set not only the closed set but the screened off set. Drapes/curtains protected Garbo within the shooting area. She could countenance no distractions. Anyone whom she spied on the set observing was asked to leave. She would stop production until they had left.

[@thomashanks1033]

hello, how are you doing. I hope you are safe and in good health. Looking for a new friend and i saw your pic here. I hope you don't mind thank you.

[@SoulsurferWhit32]

True (as others mention) the interviewer & sound come through poorly...but I'm just thankful someone at TCM got him in for an interview. He is able to kinda float through the interview well and tells several stories, sharing cool details that I haven't really seen/heard elsewhere. Very pleasant-seeming chap!

[@user-rz8bu6vl8x]

Love his voice ❤

[@zabritorres5079]

I am tryin to remember the TCM that is about a dinner party at a chateaux where one woman sleeps in a mechanical bed that unbeknownst to her slides into the room next store. It had a father / son relationship. A Russian roulette scene that was very good.

[@honeysuckle61usa]

Such a charming, elegant man.

[@lorrainem.swartzentruber3077]

I had a crush on him when I watched Sinbad as a child.

[@classiccomedycinemaprogram1640]

I love these interviews😊

[@rbriggs89]

Awesome

[@Hummingbirds2023]

I love this man, not only is he the handsomest man that ever lived, he is charming and interesting and the best dressed man! Oh I would loved to kiss him!! 💕💋💋

[@Chutney1luv]

Exactly, but you have to stand in line. There will be a million women standing in front of you; including me!! 😅

[@Hummingbirds2023]

@@Chutney1luv I have NO Doubt! He was amazing

[@jacobtennyson9213]

Son of the co-founder of United Artists.

[@Chutney1luv]

Along with Mary Pickford! Both were geniuses! 🏆🏆🏆🏆

[@jacobtennyson9213]

@@Chutney1luv And Douglas Fairbanks.

[@user-rh2io7gm1l]

@@jacobtennyson9213 Don't forget Charlie Chaplin and D.W. Griffith. Those four co-founded UA.

[@JayveeSonata]

I've watched several of these TCM interviews. The stars are always interesting and gracious - - but the interviewer is APPALLING. It seems like she's shouting questions from a different room, her voice sounds like a twelve-year-old, and she's not exactly adept at doing interviews...or knowing much about Hollywood history.

[@georgebelli4403]

Love Doug Jr in his early 30s tough guy roles at Warners Union Depot Love is a Racket Life of Jimmy Dolan etc

[@eltf1]

Just watched "Rage of Paris" on Prime. Excellent movie. DF Jr doesn't disappoint!!

[@BlackPantherStudios]

Great TCM video

[@Laura-ef1mb]

God, he was good looking too.

[@deerhoda7574]

Studding gentleman.

[@jeffneis553]

Sounds like shes talking from inside a tin can. Douglas Jr. A real gentleman and actor.

[@cm9439]

This interviewer is dismal. What a shame. Mr. Fairbanks makes it worth watching.

[@pgronemeier]

I agree with the other commenters. The interviewer SUCKED! If this was a fly-by-night company I might understand. But TCM? Horrible!

[@-elchoya9832]

20:20,lionel barrymore wasnt in that film

[@veritas6335]

Who came up with THIS format? Someone shouting at him from offstage? This is poorly produced and certainly could have been staged as a pleasant conversation between Mr Fairbanks and his interviewer instead of this awkward business of some unseen person shouting questions at him offscreen. Mr Fairbanks tolerates it with grace but clearly wasn't happy about it.

[@sandradaniels7662]

I truly hate the interviewers technique, she is loud& shrill. She isn't paying attention to his answers.

[@maryoleary5044]

Wow! Stunning Hollywood Class ACTOR! But why such a dreadful, harsh questioner?

[@Ru_Xi]

Painful to watch how appaling the interviewer is in contrast with the class, grace and culture of Mr. Fairbanks.

[@eltf1]

Don't like her voice, but I thought she rates a B grade. I don't doubt that she knew the answers, but asked questions that led the dialogue. Or not, lol

[@CGV_CTown23]

TCM should be ashamed for letting this person do this interview. These questions are a waste of time.

[@stevendaniel8126]

He mumbles and slurs his speech so very much, it's easy to miss his point.

[@barbarak2836]

That must be his age (he was 86 here); he was usually very articulate and spoke very clearly.

[@ronniedelahoussayechauvin6717]

Marketing Fraud

[@gingermurray]

Doug was in pictures because of who his father was. He was attractive but not beautiful. He had talent, but he wasn’t in league with Gable, Bogart, Fonda, Cooper etc..Charming man interviewed by an idiot. A pro would have gotten more out of Doug. His answers were short, too short. That’s her fault cuz she didn’t know what she was doing and she didn’t do her research on him. Ask him about his long love affair with Marlena Dietrich for crying out loud 🙄

[@steplumpkin5432]

SEEN IT, SO MANY TIMES, NEVER GET TIRED OF IT!!!!!!!! THANKS 20MILL. UPLOADER.