John Huston on 'The African Queen' and Casting a Young Marilyn Monroe | The Dick Cavett Show

[@jimw.4161]

"I'm a motion picture man." Greatest understatement in the history of television. That's like Picasso saying, "Well, I paint pictures." Tolstoy saying, "I write books." or Beethoven saying, "I write music." Mr. Houston is in that esteemed company. Motion picture man, indeed.

[@LariskiAgard]

"I'm an oilman, ladies and gentlemen"

[@moorbilt]

My son, C.W.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Indubitably !

[@quintbromley2112]

One of those guys you could listen to for hours and still want more: contemplative, honest and infinitely fascinating.

[@Architectureguy]

That scene with Jack in "Chinatown" where he's eating the fish is just mesmerizing. His voice, the way he uses it, as you said, it made me sorry the scene ended. I wanted more!

[@quintbromley2112]

@@Architectureguy Such a great scene. Polanski knew what he was doing by utilizing Houston there.

[@NewWorldDAO]

@@Architectureguy ​ SOS. I need you to make a video and tell the truth. Tell them the world is fake and you guys have been terrorizing me my entire life!

[@lemorab1]

@@Architectureguy "You may THINK you know what you're dealing with, Mr. Gitts, but believe me, you don't." Oh, Jake, you should've taken him at his word.

[@jubalcalif9100]

I heartily concur !

[@brianhilliard2260]

His obituary said...."When he met someone, anyone, he would greet that person as if he waited his entire life to meet them"

[@katarzynamariamuszynska2811]

John huston talking about Bogart very nicely and respectfully

[@AmericasChoice]

I have never heard or read of Huston disparaging any actor who has appeared in any of his films. He had to much dignity to do that, even if some of them potentially deserved it.

[@leonardodalongisland]

The second greatest night of my life; Lauren Bacall talked about Bogart-to me from the back of the limo I was driving.

[@jubalcalif9100]

They were great friends. John Huston gave the eulogy at Bogie's funeral.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Love these 70s interviews with truly iconic personalities !! Thanks for sharing with us to enjoy !!

[@larrywuzhere3866]

I love seeing these old interviews that are completely new to me. I’ve been a fan of Huston and Bogie for a long time so this was a great treat. Thank you for posting!

[@davidrenton]

just been rewatching all their stuff recently, great movies, 1 of the best partnerships ever to exist

[@WOMENOFTROY]

What a legendary man. Such a fascinating 20th century figure.

[@leonardodalongisland]

Such a fascinating all-time Human.

[@Ax18NY]

What a remarkable man. They don't make them like John Huston anymore.

[@ironduke2000]

What they've been making since is, for the most part, remarkably unremarkable.

[@jubalcalif9100]

As I do when I take off my hat, you make a good point !!

[@lorettabrecht3844]

He gives the impression that he could really make you feel good about yourself, and he seems easy to talk to.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Indubitably !

[@davidrenton]

Huston without doubt aside from being one of the greatest directors, as one of the greatest voices. He is the American , Richard Burton in that respect

[@Jenjenilou]

For me (a Brit) I love listing to Orson Welles. His voice is like melted chocolate.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Indeed! Like Percy Helton, his voice was legendary !!

[@commanderkeen3787]

Most people don't know Daniel Day Lewis modeled his performance in "There Will Be Blood" on John Huston

[@blodgettshouseofinsanity]

I realized it right away when I heard his voice, but yes most people wouldn’t. John Huston had one of the greatest voices of all time

[@twomindz79]

Absolutely. Hear john say " I'm a motion picture man " . Just like Daniel Playview.

[@lemorab1]

@@blodgettshouseofinsanity Evelyn Keyes spoke of his "honeyed, caramel tones." Perfect description.

[@calin7017]

@@blodgettshouseofinsanity Michael Caine said "it was as if God was speaking after a bad night out"

[@dirtyunclehubert]

daniels voice tho was just hustons speech melody and his voice was more hissing to underline his deceiving character

[@Fordham1969]

He's concise and to the point with his answers to the extreme. It can be annoying when an interviewee goes off on one meandering tangent after another but in his case I found myself yearning for a bit more elaboration. I suspect Cavett might have as well.

[@Berniewahlbrinck]

True!

[@commanderkeen3787]

The reason for his concise responses is his deteriorating health, it made it more difficult for him to speak at length and it's obvious here. As a lifelong smoker, Huston had developed lung and breathing issues. You can hear his labored breathing between sentences. His daughter Angelica Huston said before interviews and on set while directing his later films, he would go everywhere with an oxygen tank. He was embarrassed about it so he had a tendency to hide it

[@jefolson6989]

He's the opposite of Orson Welles who,when asked a questions answers for 20 minutes. Huston answers only what he's asked. " What did you use for leeches?" "Leeches."

[@AlvahGoldbrook]

It only works if you have a REALLY LISTENING and erudite and respectful interviewer like Dick Cavett. I'm so grateful for KZbin to have the Cavett interviews made available.

[@dalehood1846]

with a cigar in his hand while he talks.

[@Andrew_Erickson]

Just imagine if talk shows today were the same quality.

[@chrisr7597]

People being themselves just speaking candidly.... sad these days some jellyfish would get offended by everything. If they couldn't find a reason they'd just make one up.

[@brown22sugar25]

Podcasts have taken over this form of candid and relaxed conversation while talk shows are over the top clown acts

[@NewWorldDAO]

@@brown22sugar25 ​ SOS. I need you to make a video and tell the truth. Tell them the world is fake and you guys have been terrorizing me my entire life!

[@RubyMarkLindMilly]

"I'm a motion picture man" amen to that 👍 one of the greats

[@jubalcalif9100]

Right On !!

[@NeonRadarMusic]

I've heard that Daniel Day-Lewis based his performance in There Will Be Blood on Huston, and I can't unsee it now.

[@davidrenton]

on no, look what u did, i see it now

[@jubalcalif9100]

True !

[@kamuelalee]

John Huston, my favorite Old Hollywood director.

[@SamL12345]

Legendary director! Also want to shout out his amazing performance in Chinatown.

[@philiphalpenny3783]

Yes...the way he hisses the word 'anything' still gives me chills.

[@aniket385]

Just find the girl , mr gittes

[@jubalcalif9100]

Yes! He was always memorable as an actor.

[@jomama5186]

Two extremely charming men having a conversation.

[@jamesdrynan]

A giant of a man! Alphonso Bedoya gave the iconic " stinkin' badges! " line. Such a brilliant director and actor.

[@twomindz79]

Yep he was.

[@howardwaxman2514]

Treasure of the Sierra Madre is among the greatest movies ever. John Huston directed Walter Huston his father and one of the finest actors! The film is a faithful enactment of B.Traven’s wonderful novel!

[@jamesdrynan]

Certainly is a great movie with a truly ironic ending. A young Robert Blake, too.​@@howardwaxman2514

[@jackzaccardi1896]

This clip of Huston is amazing.

[@jubalcalif9100]

It is indeed !

[@pauldavis7318]

He seems like such a kind and gracious guy, which feels weird to me at first having only seen him act in Chinatown as an utter monster, save for his brief appearance in Treasure of the Sierra Madre

[@jubalcalif9100]

Well said and well put.

[@jadezee6316]

Bogart DID NOT campaign for the Oscar....and like Huston said was not part of the "scene"...preferring to stay home with friends and especially on his boat......but!....he certainly DID want to win that Oscar and was very, very happy when he did!

[@yardarm5]

.. always the voice for me/ beyond generations

[@patrickashby15]

More please of this fabulous interview please

[@AB-vd8rt]

Lovely baritone voice coupled with an astounding artistic sensibility coupled with an astounding director's leadership style… all wrapped up in an extraordinary intellectual mind. Huston is the Hemingway of American cinema

[@dungeoneering1974]

What a voice. I was 8 when the Hobbit cartoon aired, his voice always sounds like Gandalf to me.

[@jadezee6316]

a rare man.....responsible for some of the greatest movies ever made.....and his father wasnt so bad an actor.....got along well with the actors especially if they were big drinkers....

[@parsonj39]

True. I enjoy old Walter onscreen. And I love John's role in Chinatown.

[@scotnick59]

What a beautiful, mesmorizing speaking voice had Mr. Huston!

[@jubalcalif9100]

My sentiments exactly! I rate his voice right up there with Percy Helton's! Such power! Such vigor!

[@Rayoscope]

Cavett is gamely trying to play it off and not show it; but he's really quite intimidated by Huston - not that I blame him. You get the sneaking suspicion that Huston doesn't have a helluva lot of respect for Cavett. A particularly awkward, uncomfortable interview.

[@kamillgran9408]

Absolutely a master of his craft. One of the greatest directors in history of cinema with amazing in every genre. Today’s directors like Trentino would do well to learn from this man’s work.

[@cicolasnage5684]

At least spell the name right before you criticize. And Tarantino has made some modern classics.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Trentino ? Not familiar with him. Is he the one who wants to make a musical remake of 1952's "Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla" ??

[@jimw.4161]

Mr. John Houston is the very definition of Renaissance Man. He did it all - and he did it his way. They just don't make men like John Houston anymore. He was one of the very greatest. We won't see his likes again. Alas......

[@SergeGolikov]

His autobiography "An Open Book" is a marvellous read, especially his account of trying to get to his date during a London blitz in WWII 🍷

[@jimw.4161]

@@SergeGolikov A very interesting man, indeed! 👍

[@jamesp8569]

Lovely interview. I wish there was more. I recall Michael Caine received some very simple acting advice from Houston, when in The Man Who Would Be King. Caine couldn't fathom out how to play his character and after a few days Houston took him aside and said, play him as a dishonest man, Michael. Simple, but beautifully effective - especially when you see the end result.

[@IFStravinsky]

That's not quite what Caine. I believe what Huston told him was, "You can speak faster, Michael. He's an honest man."

[@jamesp8569]

@@IFStravinsky I think Caine gives multiple versions of his account. The version I've seen is from his book about making movies - an actor's take. The joy of a good story!

[@kennethbrady]

Hey Dick, thank you very much for that brilliant, loving and reverential intro to John Huston. You're a first rate cat.

[@deniswilliams2212]

Incredible what a incredible experience to listen to him

[@jubalcalif9100]

You got that right !

[@spb7883]

Another remarkable fact about Huston: for as many great films as he’d made by the time of this appearance, that very year in 1972 saw the release of perhaps his greatest late work: “Fat City”, one of the 70s’ great films.

[@twomindz79]

Stacey Keach. So under rated ! Good film too .

[@parsonj39]

Glad to know; never heard of it.

[@jonisafreak3]

One of the best boxing movies of all time.

[@jubalcalif9100]

"Fat City" reminded me of my own short lived boxing career. They told me I had a killer rabbit punch. Problem is, they wouldn't let my punch rabbits....

[@laurapearson3370]

My favourite director ever

[@DanielRivera-cp2oq]

Wow you could tell he really loved BOGART❤️

[@jubalcalif9100]

Indeed. They were best friends. Huston gave the eulogy at Bogie's funeral.

[@bradthorson1782]

Wish they would show the film excerpts in these interviews with directors.

[@twomindz79]

My favourite JH story is the fight with Errol Flynn in late 40's. Hollywood party in suits and both guys go to the garden and duke it out for an hour ! Both ended up in hospital.

[@lemorab1]

It was the early 1940's, just after Flynn finished "Gentleman Jim," in the back garden at David O. Selznick's house.

[@twomindz79]

@@lemorab1 1945

[@jubalcalif9100]

I think I read about that. Weren't they fighting over Olivia de Havilland ??

[@vicalexander3179]

I've enjoyed all your interviews. This one with John Huston is wonderful. I liked your interviews with Marlon Brando, Gloria Swanson, and Janice Joplin -- Victor Alexander, an independent filmmaker. I liked John Huston's movies The Man Who Would Be King starring Sir Sean Connery and Sir Michael Cain; and of course his movie Moby Dick starring Gregor Peck, African Queen starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn, who won four Academy Awards.

[@TrystonL7]

The Man Who Would Be King is the best picture I can think of, and the best picture Huston ever did, my opinion.

[@AmericasChoice]

Huston's favorite project, he had wanted to do it for almost 40 years at that point. The film is great, but not his best IMHO

[@elektroman3187]

Daniel Day-Lewis was given tapes of John Huston for There Will be Blood so he could use John's voice and mannerisms and recreate them in Daniel Plainview. I'm watching this now and realizing what a great job he did...

[@ZulcanPrime]

I just bought a collection of Bluray discs with Bogart and Bacall. Two were directed by John Huston. The Misfits is one of my favorite JHs films. Unfortunately, Clark Gable and Marylin Monroe died a year apart after the movie in the early 1960s.

[@twomindz79]

And Monty clift shortly after too . In 1966.

[@lemorab1]

They died almost two years apart. Gable died in November, 1960, and Marilyn died in early August, 1962.

[@jasonsgroovemachine]

I know the go to for people to narrate your life is usually Morgan Freeman, but not for me. I want John Huston.

[@ronmackinnon9374]

He narrated Douglas MacArthur's life in the documentary series, 'American Caesar.'

[@andrewfrancis7272]

He wasn't the most natural talk show guest, but John Huston and his wonderful voice and experiences is talk show heaven. Clint Eastwood did a fair approximation of Huston in his film, 'White Hunter Black Heart'.

[@yousefmohammedayub1798]

"You've got a nasty reputation. I like that.'- Noah Cross. Its hard not to think of him unother than Noah Cross in Chinatown.

[@Remiel_Plainview]

TWBB is my favourite movie ever and I always wondered how John Huston sounded like. I was always curious but never had the Chance to hear his voice until now... And Jesus Christ, he sounds exactly like Daniel Plainview ( I mean Daniel Plainview sounds exactly like John 😅).

[@mortalclown3812]

When I was a kid, I heard Huston talk about killing elephants and could not bear to see his face for ages afterwards. (I've just loved those animals - and whales - since I was small.) Anyway, about ten years ago, I saw a documentary about the making of 'The African Queen' where his son said it was all a lie, that he never killed one. Others even went on to explain that he thought it was a 'sin' to kill one of them. It's a pity that 'White Hunter, Black Heart' wasn't made into a better film.

[@ianburnett55]

"Ladies and gentlemen if I say I'm a motion picture man,...you will agree." 🙂

[@VintageSixPiece]

Every time I hear John Huston's voice, I think of Gandalf the Grey from the animated movie titled "The Hobbit."

[@Setebos]

Or the Lawgiver from "Battle for the Planet of the Apes".

[@john.premose]

Exactly! Me too. That's literally the only thing I know him for

[@ronmackinnon9374]

I think of his narrating the series about Douglas MacArthur, 'American Caesar.'

[@jackzaccardi1896]

I would have loved to have met Huston and Bogart.

[@Scaldwell9]

No nonsense old school interview. Short but concise answers. Bet he has some stories to tell

[@SergeantSarcasm1]

I read on imdb that Albert Finney was doing a vocal impression of John Huston as Daddy Warbucks in Annie (1982) so I just had to see if there were any good interviews on here. I've never been more thrilled- and Finney was doing a spot on impression.

[@dramares]

"You see, I'm an oil man - I mean a picture man, rather."

[@peterfeltham5612]

Seems to be such a decent man,besides being a great Director.

[@joliecide]

A great American filmmaker in the vein of the masters, John Ford and Orson Welles.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Yes indeed. I rate him right up there with Ed Wood Jr and William Beaudine !

[@kamillgran9408]

The movies this man made! Mind boggling.

[@Prellium]

What an interesting ma, n I could listen for hours.

[@audreydaleski1067]

Laughten is so wonderful.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Laughten ? Not familiar with the name. Isn't he the director who wants to make a musical remake of the classic 1966 comedy "The Ghost and Mr Chicken"? I'd love to see what kind of dance number they could come up with based on the iconic phrase "Attaboy, Luther!"

[@jamesfahy3963]

He lived i a manor house near craughwell in east county Galway. “St .Clerans ‘‘twas not a castle. A mansion by Irish standards. Some of “The mackintosh man “ was filmed there.

[@ronmackinnon9374]

One of the stage plays Huston mentions having directed, 'A Passenger to Bali,' was from 1940, written by Ellis St. Joseph (just FYI).

[@boztos6025]

When the US was, in most regards, a much better place.

[@ljqbeqyxt]

He’s done so much he has almost nothing more to say 😧 that’s a life

[@JSB1882]

It's strange to think Bogart wasn't that long in the grave when this was recorded like 15 years. Huston directed my favorite film, "The Misfits".

[@saifonlawrence2044]

A real legend !!

[@Miumiu0404]

John Huston is definitely one of the most interesting men to have ever lived.

[@jefolson6989]

For a great thrill watch his acceptance speech for the AFI lifetime achievement award.

[@llongdong]

I like that 19 and 80s remake of "Man from the South" that old man Houston acted in as Carlos. TV show, it was. When the gal shows her mangled hand at the end, it's as traumatising as a show gets.

[@25two]

My favorite guy in California. Leaches are the nicest organisms on the planet. I am a fisherman and can attest to this.

[@25two]

Houston was the greatest director and if he was alive today, he would be making movies about the hurricanes in Florida.

[@johnsewell6593]

Dick Cavett was probably the most intelligent of all the "talkie folks", and that includes Carson and Winchell and Merv(ughh)- Edward R.Murrow and the rest of them. All you have to do is watch his shows. I've always loved the fact thst he focused on one guest - there was never a rush , and Cavett was always well prepared. Personality wise , I must say that Carson is my number one but when it comes to unadultered intelligent conversation......its Cavett all the way.

[@Berniewahlbrinck]

Terrific interview! However, having read Hepburn's "The Making of the African Queen: Or How I Went to Africa with Bogart, Bacall and Huston and Almost Lost My Mind" I have a hunch she might not agree to everything Huston says ...

[@davidbrandel1311]

The future, Mr. Gittes, the future!

[@unit3surgeryhims]

Bandits were plentiful 😂❤😂❤

[@joncarroll2040]

The only actor whose life was as epic as John Huston's was Christopher Lee...which is fitting since they both played Tolkien wizards.

[@idipped2521]

I'll always remember him as the voice of Gandalf in The Hobbit 1977

[@jasondyck4093]

Who have made a great Captain Ahab among other things

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

He made Moby Dick!

[@spactick]

I wished Cavett had spent more time talking about his making of 'The Treasure of The Sierra Madre' (my favorite film of all time). From what little I've read about the making of it, it too could have made an interesting book and film

[@ericg1100]

I havent seen it, whys it your favorite?

[@spactick]

@@ericg1100 You haven't seen it? I'm jealous, seriously it's got everything. Great story by B. Traven, location (Mexico), direction (John Houston), acting (Humphrey Bogart), musical score (Max Steiner) and the ending is one of THE classic endings in the history of cinema that has been used repeatedly by such directors as Stanley Kubrick, George Lucas etc; It's my over-the-top favorite film of all time, Watch it and get back to me I'd love to hear your comments

[@ericg1100]

@@spactick nice ill check it out. Im almost completely unfamiliar w John Huston besides his acting in a few movies

[@AmericasChoice]

After some of the rushes were sent back to Hollywood the studio was ready to kill Huston for running over budget and overtime. They hated it, and was on the verge of stopping production more than once....

[@DenkyManner]

Were there more genuine characters in the old days? Everyone seemed different and distinctly themselves. Larger than life, legendary even while sitting right next to you, not merely famous.

[@jamescampbell6737]

Seems like nice guy,,first time ever seen him on chat show,sort of guy enjoy having pint with,,jcvw

[@Chrysaphius86]

Man, men do not often sound like this anymore.

[@BENJ1969]

My film as arts teacher was justifiably gaga over Huston films. I only then fully understood how many of the films I grew up loving were his, and why.

[@mjau65]

Amazing career! Starting with The Maltese Falcon and ending with The Dead. And Fat City somewhere inbetween.

[@ronmackinnon9374]

'somewhere in between' indeed. It was released in 1972, same year as this interview.

[@johnloving9401]

There was a time when bandits couldn't cross our border?

[@audreydaleski1067]

Bogey was great and had the greatest motivator in Huston.

[@audreydaleski1067]

When I saw merril Streep in the deer hunter I knew she was going big.

[@AntonioBarsanio]

Back then the norm was to interview big names, today? There are no big nimes like these legends anymore.

[@triofan9]

@@AntonioBarsanio funny in this video you don’t address his race like you do in the other video. What a shock

[@triofan9]

@@AntonioBarsanio do you judge this man by his race like you do Mohammad Ali in your other comments on this channel?

[@triofan9]

@@AntonioBarsanio You’re not judging this man by his race like you did Mohammed Ali in your other comments. What a surprise.

[@christophergerety1263]

Huston is blowing smoke figuratively and literally here. Bogart said the leeches were rubber.

[@brainbaskerville3341]

he was great in china town clever casting great man

[@pendleburyable]

The greats never bullshite on for entertainment,no need.

[@weps8983]

'Drainage ! Drainage, Eli, you boy'

[@paulkindlon5496]

The one and only

[@andrewcowin3815]

One of those guys ya gotta wonder: was he nuts? Or, was he so confident in his abilities, due to his many experiences and successes, that he understood the risks he took in his remarkable life. I'm going with the latter.

[@nyccolm]

Bloody stupid questions to ask when you’ve got John Houston sitting in front of you!!!! Good lord.

[@AmericasChoice]

Classic Cavett.....so many wasted opportunities.

[@Cuenta-c5x]

He would have been an amazing optimus prime and darth vader. AMAZING VOICE!!!

[@paulmcgrath3248]

One of these day s I'll go over there and differentiate between the two islands ,and make a movie .

[@deecee784]

From everything that I have heard or read about John Huston, this is a man who lived his life to the fullest, and did it well. P.S. I have been told by a friend in the intelligence community that Houston's film "The Kremlin Letter" is probably one of ten most accurate movies about actual and real field intelligence operations ever made. It's hard to find but well worth the watch. If you get the version with "the candle scene" you have watched the uncut version, which was considered too dark and brutal for television.

[@larrywuzhere3866]

Thanks for sharing

[@Marcel_Audubon]

One of the 10 most accurate?? lol 🤣😂🤣 your friend is a regular Roger Ebert

[@NewWorldDAO]

@@larrywuzhere3866 ​ SOS. I need you to make a video and tell the truth. Tell them the world is fake and you guys have been terrorizing me my entire life!

[@NewWorldDAO]

@@larrywuzhere3866 ​ SOS. I need you to make a video and tell the truth. Tell them the world is fake and you guys have been terrorizing me my entire life!

[@ronmackinnon9374]

Saw that on the Encore channel in the '90s. Liked it. Can't remember if that scene was included though.

[@wallaceb9120]

Smoking on set...OMG!!

[@jamescampbell6737]

Bet you Houston and Ford had great conversations if ever together,,two great directors, and throw Alfred hitchcock in to really liven up the conversations,,jcvw

[@tr7b410]

The word raconteur comes to mind.

[@mjcruiser4238]

He certainly was “a motion picture man”