How David Niven Tricked Waiters To Eat Cheap | The Dick Cavett Show

Academy Award winner British actor David Niven discusses some of the misdeeds he undertook in his adult life as well as the impressions that he came from a wealthy family.
Date aired - February 15th 1972 - David Niven
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Dick Cavett has been nominated for eleven Emmy awards (the most recent in 2012 for the HBO special, Mel Brooks and Dick Cavett Together Again), and won three. Spanning five decades, Dick Cavett’s television career has defined excellence in the interview format. He started at ABC in 1968, and also enjoyed success on PBS, USA, and CNBC.
His most recent television successes were the September 2014 PBS special, Dick Cavett’s Watergate, followed April 2015 by Dick Cavett’s Vietnam. He has appeared in movies, tv specials, tv commercials, and several Broadway plays. He starred in an off-Broadway production ofHellman v. McCarthy in 2014 and reprised the role at Theatre 40 in LA February 2015.
Cavett has published four books beginning with Cavett (1974) and Eye on Cavett (1983), co-authored with Christopher Porterfield. His two recent books -- Talk Show: Confrontations, Pointed Commentary, and Off-Screen Secrets (2010) and Brief Encounters: Conversations, Magic moments, and Assorted Hijinks(October 2014) are both collections of his online opinion column, written for The New York Times since 2007. Additionally, he has written for The New Yorker, TV Guide, Vanity Fair, and elsewhere.
#thedickcavettshow #DavidNiven #DickCavett

[@TheDickCavettShow]

What's your favourite moment from the Dick Cavett Show?

[@TypeO666]

All of them are very favorites 😌

[@coolal19]

Too many to reduce it down to just one.

[@doninvictoria]

THIS interview -- keep 'em coming!

[@anne1181]

The Katharine Hepburn interviews.

[@MrVideovibes]

I saw Cavett interview Lee Van Cleef in the late 60's when he had become famous for his roles in Spaghetti Westerns. I would love to see that one again. Loved the Niven interview.

[@minhearg8331]

If it's still in print, Niven's autobiography "The Moon is a Balloon" is a great read.

[@larschristensen9367]

- and “ Bring on the empty horses” . Both biographies great read 👍

[@huepix]

They were talking about Nigel Bruce. I read his brothers, Robert Bruces autobiography. It's almost unbelievable. Amazing life.

[@michaeljames4904]

It’s abridged but there’s an audiobook with Niv himself reading!

[@4Stanzas]

Realy interesting book.

[@pauljohnbodie5631]

The peach tree story is in that book.

[@casserinetoussaint9719]

Niven was the host for the 1974 Academy Awards. Remember streaking? Some idiot dashed by in the buff. Niven calmly said, "Nothing like someone showing off their inadequacies." Suave.

[@goodolzimm5827]

I always respected the grace and dignity of David Niven.

[@hanselmansell7555]

At the hight of his career this man jacked it all in to go and fight nazis in WW2, absolute legend!

[@grogery1570]

...and after the war he was hit with a tax bill for his war time movie residuals so he finished up paying about 3 times his war time income for the privilege of risking his life!!

[@hanselmansell7555]

@@grogery1570 wow, that's harsh! And he managed to salvage his career after, my uncle worked for him in the sevs, lovely bloke 😊

[@franksantos3418]

One of my favorite actors. This man may not have grown up wealthy. But their still isn’t many actors that have/had more class then him. A true gentleman.

[@fuferito]

Niven's childhood recollections are moving and disturbing enough; of poverty, of losing his father during the Great War, and being hated by his stepfather who totally dominated Niven's mother. But, most disturbing of all is the random laughter from some individuals in the audience.

[@imperatorrm]

I've just read about David Niven's childhood on his Wikipedia page. Perhaps his definition of poverty isn't very similar to mine.

[@manofthehour6856]

Dick Cavett is practically the psychologist to the stars. He asks such penetrating questions and keeps the conversation going, but never tramples on it the way many "interviewers" do, espeicially these days. And it's not done in a manipulative to embarass or humiliate the guest, but merely glean interesting information about them. Mr. Cavett has such a great inquisitiveness (but not intrusiveness) and curiosity where he simply is interested in what motivates and forms people. I wish The Dick Cavett Show had been in its prime when I had been old enough to know and appreciate the guests, and even better, understand what they were talking about. Thank goodness for youtube and this channel! Not only is David Niven the consumate racconeur, but the history he shares regarding his Father's death in Dardenelles in 1915 really spotlights how real War is, even ones so long ago, and how we do forget. I'm not going to lie, my knowledge of WWI is minimal, but when they emphasize that 60,000 people were killed in one day, it shows that ignorance (of history at least) is not bliss because those who do not learn from it are doomed to repeat it.

[@jimfiggerty833]

"The Moon's a Balloon" , one of the few books I've read twice.

[@jamesdrynan]

Cavett had a way of asking the most provocative questions of his guests. As a result,you gained an insight into these people above and beyond the dreary dreck of other hosts.

[@rafflesxyz4800]

Exactly right, and he did it so comfortably too.

[@killerjoe5628]

Well Niven really couldn't give a boring answer with that accent. He could have read the ingredients on a can of pork 'n beans and had the audience completely captivated.

[@ianlivingston5802]

Favorite David Niven Film A Matter of Life and Death.

[@angloaust1575]

At least he came back to britain for ww2 and served in military

[@ClevorBelmont]

The ease with which he falls into storytelling. It’s the mark of intellect and class. Cavett ranked Sir David as one of his favorite guests and you can see why.

[@preciousfox4740]

True class isn't about wealth or noble birth, it's a matter of heart.

[@robnewton3368]

Ive heard it say a movie could be made of David Niven’s life.

[@glamourdazeshorts]

Epic actor interviewed by an epic host

[@markmarsh27]

I could listen to these stories FOREVER! .... Hollywood AIN'T what it used to be.

[@maxbeale8186]

Love this, please upload some more David Niven videos

[@photonotavailable7936]

I loved David Niven in Around the World in 80 Days (1956).

[@lindybeige]

It's very difficult for a raconteur to get the audience laughing and maintain the momentum, when the interviewer talks so slowly and with such little animation.

[@barkebaat]

Hi Lindy ! Best wishes from a Norwegian woodworker

[@Min-xm8tp]

Well said, always found Dick Cavett's interviews to be either slow or him talking about himself.

[@sdwriter2626]

@Richard Riley Dick Cavett is a master interviewer. His work has been acclaimed for half a century, and his talent and charm drew a cadre of amazing guests. And you are?

[@adamhickey396]

With respect, I'd argue different. I feel in all the Dick Cavett interview's I've watched, that he gives his guest time to give an answer with little interruption. There are plenty of times in his interviews where it is clear that the guest, who is giving a very interesting an in-depth answer or anecdote, is in danger of overrunning on the allotted commercial times. I much prefer Cavett's style of interview in contrast to many of the interviewers today, such as Jimmy Fallon, Steven Colbert, James Corden, James Kimmel or Alan Carr because he does not interrupt or even talk over those being interviews whilst they are giving their answers. His Richard Burton interviews, by example, are some of the best interviews I have ever seen, alongside his first Orson Welles interview. I'd argue that Cavett knew, unlike many of these "interviewers" today, that the show is about the guest, not about him. The guests, especially back then, oozed with charisma and presence. The likes of David Niven are so witty by nature that they would not need Cavett to warm up the audience. They are naturally able to do it themselves.

[@jimmycakes7158]

Liiiuunnndddyyyyy

[@gwine9087]

One of the most interesting actors ever.

[@johnwilliams2479]

Nivens two books so funny The Moons a Baloon and Bring on the Empty Horses, hilarious

[@levieenrose7646]

David Niven was a true gentleman, a wonderful actor and great storyteller. Today's actors are no way near his calibre.

[@-xirx-]

I always loved Nigel Bruce and his hilarious acting

[@steveoshow4832]

The irony within this brilliant interview snippet where for once Niven remains mostly serious because he was asked searching questions was that his stepfather, Sir Thomas Comyn Platt actually was his biological father. Evidently he acknowledged this in the last year of his life.

[@mchoffner8497]

60, 000 people dead in one day...for nothing.

[@clivecowlard7098]

More like 60,000 casualties of whom 20,000 were dead

[@honeybeebadger]

Lt Col Niven was total class RIP

[@rinkadink66]

David Niven is the definition of a charming man...

[@davidwhite4874]

I thought he was weirdly stilted in this interview.

[@rinkadink66]

@@davidwhite4874 yes, he looks preoccupied with something.. maybe just tiered..

[@Dr.Pepper001]

Niven's role in _Separate Tables_ was outstanding. If you haven't seen it, please do. It's on KZbin.

[@tomhaskett5161]

Yes, and Deborah Kerr as the downtrodden woman.

[@berosmith9041]

People like Niven don't exist anymore.

[@NGMonocrom]

That peach story is hilarious!

[@soroushbahrami438]

I'd love to see the full interview. Does anyone know where I can find it?

[@aloysiussnailchaser272]

The restaurant trick is pretty well known. A guy I worked with certainly did it when he was broke & living in London. This would have been early 1970s.

[@Mpayne1472]

I sat in his boarding school chair

[@st.charlesstreet9876]

Always admired David Niven as a great actor and wonderful person. So sad that he had a tragic childhood. But So Glad that he came to fame the way he did. MGBY David!

[@karenokeane6461]

Dick Cavett was an exceptional interviewer. He could draw out the most interesting and in-depth conversations from luminaries of his day.

[@JIMuser-vh3Zxx]

What a charming man David was indeed and this interview really is very wonderfully conducted and the connection between them is very good

[@sarahjones-jf4pr]

Jim Jaadugar absolutely charming?...........I am absolutely convinced a lot of U.K people did not feel this way, as well as a handful of restaurant owners .

[@michaelcullen5308]

"Why were so many men killed (in the First World War)" must be one of the most stupid questions I've ever heard an interviewer ask.

[@garyspence2128]

Is that because you're so very smart?? Or did you serve in that war? And most people don't have a clue about a war that took place a century ago, except from what they saw in Wonder Woman! Sorry, Sherlock...

[@medievalhistorybuff]

@@garyspence2128 What a bizarre reply.

[@luccadukka]

Probably confusing to him because America “only” lost 2000000 ish. The uk lost about 1.5 million. Remember this interview is getting on for 50 years old. The information and access to information was worlds apart from what we have now. It might as well of been 500 years ago to what we now have at our fingertips.

[@garyspence2128]

@@medievalhistorybuff Do you mean my comment, or Mr. Cullen's? I understand what Cavett was inquiring about. My problem w/Cullen was his tone of "That's the worst question evah". Hear that all the time these days. Everyone overstates things. A teacher of mine once said: There are no bad or dumb questions. Now the answers may be shaky or wrong, but it's imperative to ask if you want to learn. I got cheeky with Cullen, but Dick Cavett was one of the best at his job. Much of life is bizarre, so I'll take your remark as a compliment...this time, young man! Ciao..

[@j_freed]

A man thinks it’s a stupid question if he doesn’t want to think analytically. Eg. To what extent were the engagements and the fatalities tragic and unnecessary. It’s certainly true in the second world war there were capricious strategic decisions that probably killed millions of those dead soldiers. We lost two men in our family. Just from dumb, egotistical lunatic leadership.

[@drcmac]

First time in my long life of 50 years that I have ever watched an interview with David Niven. Surprisingly he appears rather down-to-earth in this interview. He is also somewhat slightly nervous in this interview, touching his face with his finger often, a sign of nervousness. Perhaps not so much nervous with Dick Cavett, but the audience, maybe. Interesting to see that he was not as posh here as the image he projected in his public persona.

[@markcostello5120]

It's also supposed to be a sign of someone lying.

[@jillosler9353]

If you look closely he has a cold sore on his lip - which he is either touching or trying to hide.

[@Jonsson474]

It’s obviously his sore lip that is annoying him.

[@stephenreeds3632]

I'm just reading Sheridan Morley's biography of him. He was a v different person to Moon's a balloon.

[@hensonlaura]

He was born into the aristocracy, so is still HUMAN.

[@Philo68]

“I say! The bare faced cheek of the devil Holmes!”. Watson was an awesome character. I hope he enjoyed that peach!

[@chrisgay9623]

Please post Cavett's 1981 interview with Niven. Very funny, as I recall it.

[@williamewing5509]

I have got movie DVDS of David Niven with Gregory Peck Anthony Quinn Anthony Quayle James Darren and James Robertsons Justice in The Guns Of Naverone and with Telly Savalas Anthony Valentine Elliott Gould Stephanie Powers and Roger Moore as a German Officer in Escape from Athena as I am dedicating these movie DVDS to my old school friends who are both sisters as I hope to see them both again very soon to Chris and Hester from Billyxxxxx

[@VeillonBusinessConsu]

David Niven was a classy man.

[@ProfoundConfusion]

Classy? He was a fucking criminal. I waited tables to get through college. I was young & poor but, like all servers, I had to pay the bill when a thief like David Niven skipped out or switched his bill. If Niven was "classy" he would have bought a loaf of bread & a jar of peanut butter for his 10 cents in 1945, instead of stealing from restaurants....Or he could have got a job waiting tables.

[@AxelQC]

You bring a cockroach in your bag, ask for the salad last, and then put the cockroach in the salad.

[@mediterraneandiet2483]

I cannot even imagine surviving 1 day on the western front in World War 1.

[@cymro6537]

Such a great raconteur; so suave and debonair 👍

[@jameshudson169]

david niven: how is a man at the same time the worst and the best at telling stories?

[@ML-gk5eg]

Explain

[@jameshudson169]

@@ML-gk5eg are you kidding me? he's akward. he comes off childish. he comes off like he doesn't QUITE know he's the stories going. yes, he's delightful!

[@berekhalfhand4775]

@@jameshudson169 He would not have wanted to spoil sales of his own books that were likely newly published, having to be very careful not to tell too many (or the best) of his stories? He also enjoyed a drink.

[@jameshudson169]

i don't think going on the dick cavett show has a CHANCE of ruining the sales of your book. do you have an example of an interview where he DOESN'T come across as akward? i'll check parkinson.

[@jameshudson169]

@@berekhalfhand4775 yeah, he's smoother on parkinson. me thinks. maybe he's tipsy here.

[@kenj.8897]

What a hard childhood he had , i felt so sorry for him hearing that part of his life , i hope he was a happy man , he made so many people happy watching him .

[@michaellusk2856]

Cavett was the best. End of discussion.

[@queenslander954]

Who’s discussing it ?

[@1990pommie]

as a combat trained commando whoe actualy was, terminating permantly germans in ww11.? david is skilled in terminating easily those who threaten him.

[@scottprice4813]

The definition of “ Gentleman” that was Niven .

[@angloaust1575]

Unfortunately playing silly games in house with lights off caused death of his first wife!

[@johnwilliams2479]

Yes they were playing hide n seek, Tyrone Powell played a part in it, Nivens wife blind folded and opened the wrong door it had no stairs , she fell in to the basement

[@brianpeters7847]

He's a good writer too

[@starababa1985]

In the film "Pursuit to Algiers", Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson sings a fine rendition of "Loch Lomond". At the conclusion you can see that Basil Rathbone is appreciative.

[@bretthess6376]

"And all for nothing." Well, that sums up war fairly accurately.

[@chipseal9403]

If there is no transcendent ultimate authority that over arches all of us, then everything is lost in principle. Strict secularism is therefore the kiss of death for the rule of law, and this is because the rule of law is dependent on transcendent authority. Not a “transcendent” place-holder civic god, but rather a God with authority. I am talking about the living God, the triune Creator-God, the God of Abraham, the God who speaks, the God who is there. I am speaking about the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[@simoneastwood3779]

David Niven's memory and recall of detail is truly remarkable!

[@samanthacreighton4062]

His biography is fascinating. So much trauma yet self effacing wit

[@Gannooch]

have nothing against the other celebs that were on this show but is this channel ever going to show the Dick Cavett shows where he interviews Jackie Gleason or Art Carney? How about any Honeymooners actors that were part of the main cast? These are rarities much like the other videos around here.

[@Gannooch]

have nothing against the other celebs that were on this show but is this channel ever going to show the Dick Cavett shows where he interviews Art Carney or Jackie Gleason? I don’t have Decades.

[@dnorfed]

A marvellous man, with many great stories, you could even see him deeply thinking of how a comment should be spoke, many memories, the biography, “ the moons a balloon “

[@simonrolph3882]

A time whe actors acted and not pontificated about politics.

[@RIXRADvidz]

Cavett was the intellectual's entertainer, for the rest of us. He Just Drones ON and ON and is so Dreary and just drags out his questions and comes in with a very uncomfortable twist. Never was a Cavett fan. Guess I'm still not.

[@wotdoesthisbuttondo]

David should've been grateful his father in law sent him to boarding school as it probably gave him the discipline to become a great actor and the success he became.

[@grayj7441]

Wonderful the great ole British actors

[@OGRE_HATES_NERDS]

i thought the hospitle is free in camada

[@edwardmclaughlin7935]

He tricked waiters to eat cheap what?

[@Hoscitt]

Well that certainly took a turn

[@22grena]

Fake story

[@PMMM9]

How cute, he’s an admitted plagiarist and thief.

[@j_freed]

A man who cannot admit his criminality is yet more the criminal.

[@bathroomsexmurder]

Found the puritan

[@CARRJ142]

[@dalebaker9109]

An absolutely superb actor, he always looked really old, even in his 20’s he was like 55, so never looked young enough to be a romantic lead.

[@namelessgames1608]

hello

[@paulkirton8945]

As he got older David's stories grew further from the truth.

[@montgomeryclift2480]

I also didn't believe the restaurant story, but it doesn't matter I could listening to him for hours. And nevertheless, he had also a lot of true storys to tell.

[@archenema6792]

This channel is deleting comments about how foul and evil this conversation was, and the behavior it promotes. That's why there are so few comments still up.

[@MrSkyrimfan]

What?

[@ML-gk5eg]

Yep and any negative comments regarding DN

[@MrSkyrimfan]

@@ML-gk5eg Utter tripe.

[@ML-gk5eg]

@@MrSkyrimfan How so? Have you placed negative but justified comments on here and not got them deleted? Thanks.

[@bathroomsexmurder]

You have a warped morality

[@johnny-vu6rl]

What a disgusting thing to do. God I hate rich people.

[@oliverholmes-gunning5372]

what part of "I was broke at the time" did you fail to catch? I'm not necessarily condoning it, but he certainly wasn't rich.

[@johnny-vu6rl]

@@oliverholmes-gunning5372 oh okay, I didn’t watch the video

[@jackclements2163]

@@johnny-vu6rl ...are you fking joking? You post a comment without even WATCHING the damned video?

[@geofftayloruk]

@@jackclements2163 That exchange was comedy gold ;D

[@bathroomsexmurder]

​@@johnny-vu6rlyea u seem like the type to form an opinion about something you know nothing about