Somerset Maugham interview (1955)

Filmed at Somerset Maugham’s villa at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat on the Mediterranean, this program features the author and playwright in a far-ranging 1955 conversation with British critic and journalist Alan Pryce-Jones.
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Collected Short Stories: geni.us/Usx3V
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Maugham speaks about a recent trip to the Far East; the writing of Of Human Bondage; his time as a medical student at St. Thomas Hospital; his view of Moby-Dick, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and Leaves of Grass as the best American books; his challenges in writing both plays and fiction and his reasons for ceasing to write for the stage; his admiration for Rudyard Kipling, whose imperialist notions Maugham acknowledges to be outmoded; and his views on Sinclair Lewis, Voltaire, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Proust, French Impressionism, opera, and creative writing schools. He also discuses The Razor’s Edge.
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[@ManufacturingIntellect]

Check out these Maugham books on Amazon! The Razor's Edge: geni.us/MLzX The Secret Lives of Somerset Maugham: geni.us/uEr8O Collected Short Stories: geni.us/Usx3V Join us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/ManufacturingIntellect Donate Crypto! commerce.coinbase.com/checkout/868d67d2-1628-44a8-b8dc-8f9616d62259 Get Two Books FREE with a Free Audible Trial: amzn.to/313yfLe Checking out the affiliate links above helps me bring even more high quality videos to you by earning me a small commission on your purchase. If you have any suggestions for future content, make sure to subscribe on the Patreon page. Thank you for your support!

[@kasenronin7009]

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[@zachariahforrest3339]

@Kasen Ronin Instablaster =)

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[@zachariahforrest3339]

@Kasen Ronin happy to help =)

[@miapdx503]

I learned to read when I was four. By the time I was ten, twelve, I was reading everything by Maugham, and Daphne Demaurier, (I may have misspelled.) Their literature lifted me above my dismal circumstances. They blotted out my loneliness. Literature can be life changing.

[@user-vf2tm8if2f]

I agree. As a very lonely child books were my dearest companions and have continued to bring comfort. 0:04

[@johndean958]

Well said. Thankyou . John (Australia)

[@antonius_006]

When I was 45, I thought that I knew everything. In the next 10 years, I learned more than in the previous 45 years.

[@tattoofthesun]

What a treasure to have on KZbin. Thank you for posting. Back when things like this made you feel good

[@socratesthalassos7500]

Maugham is a writer I can read and reread. A brilliant observer of humanity

[@jubalcalif9100]

I heartily concur ! I just finished a paperback collection of his short stories and enjoyed them so very much.

[@JOHN-tk6vl]

His stories never grow old.

[@krisquigley4497]

Of Human Bondage is one of those books I have thought about throughout the years. Wicked brilliant.

[@robertguildford]

The clarity of speech in the British patrician classes is something to be admired.

[@rheinhartsilvento2576]

It is indeed.

[@harbinger2838]

The noted and brillian French short-story writer Guy de Maupassant claimed that Sommerset Maugham was the best short story writer that existed. Quite a compliment.

[@scotnick59]

Known as the world's greatest story-teller

[@richardsleep2045]

"I didn't mind him saying our writers are crap, but it's a bit much saying our cocktails are warm after he drunk all mine" - too funny.

[@ProfessorTime]

Maugham hints at the end that he hasn't long to live and he died later that year. So glad they got to him in time. Great interview.

[@nourishthenewyou3251]

This interview was 1955 - I thought Maugham died in 1965. ? It was a wonderful interview to watch and listen to, I accidentally stumbled cross it.

[@user-ld1dy3yc8j]

He died in 1965

[@akmzahidulislam3289]

One of my early loves. A great writer, so much happy to see him talk about himself. Love you Maugham. World should have honoured you much more. The Nobel prize committee was scared of your 'popularity' only to disqualify you. What a shame!

[@richardcheatham9490]

Dad and I would wait for the bookmobile to pull up in front of our house in Jefferson Parish back in the early fifties. He saw how interested I was in all those uniformly sized blue bound biographies and subsequently took great pleasure in giving me 30 Great Short Stories of W. S. Maugham and The Razor's Edge. I still sense his hand guiding me back to Maugham as I discover unread stories upon my shelves. And the recollected letters and paint scheme on the bookmobile become more distinct over time as well.

[@fritula6200]

Just beautiful!

[@richardcheatham9490]

Thank you and попутного вам ветра.

[@jeanf8998]

How beautiful. Thx

[@ozzieh9344]

The 2 greatest novels that impacted my life: Of Human Bondage and The Razor’s Edge. Unbelievable insight into the human condition and probably the most incredible insight into what love and life is really really all about.

[@jubalcalif9100]

You speak the truth, Kemo Sabe !

[@thomashogan4908]

How I love Maugham. I have read, and taught him all my life. What a wonderful artist, so full of human nature's highs and lows. Thank you.

[@tomthevlog4251]

av

[@jubalcalif9100]

I certainly have a notion to second THAT emotion ! I've read a lot of his short stories and the novel "The Razor's Edge". Enjoyed them greatly !

[@jduill]

I have had a bookshop for 20 years, i have read 100s of books, the sanitorium in my opinion is his masterpiece. The best book i have ever read.

[@Ericwest1000]

Wonderful, just wonderful for this opportunity to see and hear Somerset Maugham in such a convivial conversation!

[@johndean958]

Thankyou for this video. I enjoyed it absolutely. An amazing rare glimpse of an interesting man with so much to offer John (Australia).

[@TheMonapower]

Everyone should read Of Human Bondage....at least twice

[@globalspiritualrevolutionmedia]

The 1946 Movie ‘The Razors Edge’ Adapted From Maugham’s Book.

[@hdholl9696]

Alan Pryce-Jones's accent: how very, very posh. That's how language becomes music.

[@soulstice99]

“I was withdrawn and unhappy, and rejected most overtures of sympathy over my stuttering and shyness."

[@paulrevere2379]

He answers questions as a man who has already thought deeply about all the questions and has already considered each from half a dozen different angles, amazing.

[@fritula6200]

Yes, that's probably why he is a writer.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Indubitably ! Wonderfully intelligent, thoughtful, articulate & perceptive gentleman.

[@eduardoserrano4191]

thanks Mr.Maugham for all the great enyojable times you make me spent

[@shidehmuler7917]

I was only 2 years old at that time. I've studied English and American Literature and history and civilization at SORBONNE UNIVERSITY in Paris in the 80s. I regret that the Academy didn't include S.M works . I loved the documentary. THANKS FOR SHARING.

[@ksbalaji1287]

Thank you. Maugham was, in my opinion, the greatest short story writer of all time.

[@maureenleigh4724]

I SO AGREE!

[@Bezao3003]

What a delicious interview!

[@lilisobeski2033]

Interesting. Mr Maugham once wrote about himself "I'm the first among the writers of the second line".He is so classy in his humbleness.

[@sheiladesoysa3157]

One of the greatest writers in my opinion. I can re read any of his books anytime.

[@outrez]

Brilliant. Simply brilliant.

[@soniacoutinho699]

My favourite author ever.

[@lordferretington7003]

Grateful that this video gets published as I’m reading “Of Human Bondage.”

[@mountainmanws]

I just finished The Razor's Edge.

[@user-vl8dx3jz3z]

I childhood I adored all his books especialy of human bondage)) saw myself in Philip

[@normadesmond6017]

His novels and short stories made me love reading.

[@jubalcalif9100]

You clearly have excellent taste in literature.

[@hcskipbittenbender2943]

I first read Maugham when first working in the tropics. Now 45 years on I have returned to his short stories. His short stories frequently address the expatriate experience. I have always felt a stranger in a strange land despite living in Hawaii for 35 years.

[@pattidort5953]

Where are you originally from?

[@pattidort5953]

You have a German sounding name

[@arunrajt7562]

"I look upon myself as a slave of accidents"

[@ivanbeshkov1718]

I learned English reading and enjoying his plays.

[@dancingrabbit5842]

Thank you so much for posting this. Wm Somerset Maugham is one of my favorite authors.

[@jubalcalif9100]

I could not agree more.

[@CareggiStudio]

This is Magic. Thanks for sharing.

[@acetate909]

The accent distinction between the classes was very pronounced back then. There are certainly traces of this today, but it's become less obvious over the years. I believe the practice of non-reginal dialect among the media has been a large part of this change. Anyway, great chat. I've always liked Maugham. "The ability to quote is a serviceable subtition for wit" ~ W. Somerset Maugham.

[@formercanadiancitizen4756]

Haha, love that quote

[@baliksupper6043]

Great to see the back of that awful accent.

[@stephendouglas4870]

Completely agree, more especially the Times journalist - Maugham himself doesn't sound so self-consciously 'upper class'; but also, the society started to change dramatically right after the mid-sixties. It's not fashionable anymore to sound 'aristocratic', and studies of the Queen's accent show that she has come down to earth by each passing decade. With rock stars, footballers and film actors (e.g., Michael Caine) rising to the top, it's a trend to sound you're from a more 'ordinary' background - even if you have to fake it!

[@sirhumphreyappleby8399]

@Stephen Douglas whereas now rather than pronouncing the words they’re using, or using the language to its full potential, most people just slosh their way through conversations, unaware of most words beyond monosyllables, often speaking more like Jamaican gangsters than Englishmen.

[@stephendouglas4870]

@@sirhumphreyappleby8399 That's true as well. Note the increasing acceptance of the horrible 'glottal stop', i.e., the letter 't' is disappearing into a lazier abrupt gap - 'wa'er' (water) - even among some BBC speakers.

[@louduva9849]

So he was 91 here? And he died the year of filming? Wow. Sharp as a tack.

[@louduva9849]

@Keith Jones I'm sorry to hear that, lad. Enjoy the time you have.

[@ashnomics]

He is a legend. Lives forever in memory and through his books!

[@nohaylamujer]

This interview is from 1958. Pryce-Jones was born in 1908 and he says he's 50 in the interview.

[@rheinhartsilvento2576]

No, he's 83 here. It's 1958, and he died in 1965 at 91.

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

This was absolutely brilliant! Thank you for posting it. Willie still does not receive the credit he deserves. Then and now, I believe that is because his work has, without exception, a beginning, a middle and an end. His plays should be performed far, far more than they are.

[@patriciawond4382]

Agree...

[@formercanadiancitizen4756]

Great interview, a young writer could gain much from watching this and of course reading his work

[@jubalcalif9100]

I agree 100 per cent.

[@tonygareth221]

I’ve only got into older music and books a few years ago and the razors edge (book & movie) is how I discovered Maugham. I enjoy him

[@paulsolon6229]

A good interview. The questioner was smart short and sweet. And the author seems to be a quite lovely man.

[@LakeConstan]

No biographer or memoir-writer I've read has described him as a lovely man. His nephew, to whom he was quite close, describes a man brimming with unhappiness and self-hatred who was also avaricious and cynical

[@paulsolon6229]

@@LakeConstan thank you for info, I had no idea, and stand corrected

[@jamilibrahim884]

Plain or ordinary folks never leave a mark

[@jubalcalif9100]

Well said and well put. The interviewer does a wonderfully effective job. I could listen to the two of them all day long. Thoughtful questions and fascinating replies !

[@paulsolon6229]

@@LakeConstan shows you how much I know then

[@robertstone8852]

excellent interview, good questions to!

[@JSDesignHK]

This is a gem, but if one reads the credits carefully, the copyright date is ‘MCMLX’ (1960) and indeed Maugham and Pryce-Jones look younger than they did if one views photographs of them taken in 1965.

[@joestanford1080]

Also, he refers to Hemingway in the present tense, suggesting that he was still alive as of this recording.

[@JSDesignHK]

@@joestanford1080 precisely.

[@stormythelowcountrykitty8463]

Makes sense. In 65 he was likely not in great shape.

[@nohaylamujer]

This interview is from 1958. Pryce-Jones was born in 1908 and he says he's 50 in the interview.

[@pmayer65]

Tremendous. I first book one of his books, almost by accident when I was 18. I'm now 55 and still enjoy re-reading them all. I've also just read an interview with photographer David Bailey, who once met Maugham, and said he was one of the nicest men he ever met. Which is something, as he (Bailey) seemed to dislike most people!

[@shashichandra1]

The stuttering and stammering that Maugham changed into clubfoot in Of human bondage. He is one of my most admired writers. In Chennai,India, it was a common see in 1960s people carrying a Maugham novel.

[@tammat8625]

Is that when he blocks on words?

[@mikejohnson599]

my favorite author life is fine while im reading maugham

[@albertandmarthafried-casso5202]

This a great interview, because of Maugham's charm and humility. Calling himself a "great writer of the second rank" indeed! He is consistently interesting as an interviewee in this piece. You can find much of the same charm in his novels, although some deal with topics that are not delightful. To say that he does not speak of Ideas, as one commenter here did, overlooks his works. The Razor's Edge, for example, tackles theodicy and aspects of Hinduism in ways that make them accessible -- not turgid the way some attempt at philosophy in fiction end up being . As someone said (not me) "Maugham is the baugham!"

[@jubalcalif9100]

Thank you for a refreshingly insightful comment !

[@carolking6355]

Such a wonderful interview with one of my favourite authors. I started reading him when I was 16, many, many years ago. I enjoyed everything I read. I was very thrilled when 30 years ago I was staying at Raffles Hotel in Singapore. There was a small alcove off the main lobby with a desk and chair, it had a sign up that it was where Somerset Maugham wrote many of his books.the hotel had been recently completely renovated so whether they were original items I didn’t enquire. I liked to think they were. He was such a lovely man I am sure he would have been a lovely doctor. He had such a brilliant mind as well as a pleasant manner.

[@michelez715]

First time I've heard Maugham described as a "lovely man"! Never, in any biography I've read, has anyone who knew him described him thus. Quite the opposite, in fact!

[@carolking6355]

@@michelez715 Oh dear, I was thinking back over 60 years to when I enjoyed his books so much. I mainly read biographies now but not his. In fact since my husband died last year I can’t concentrate enough to read. Can you tell me in a few words why not? I suppose I assumed back then that such a great writer for me was lovely as he entertained me so much.

[@carolking6355]

@@michelez715 hello again. I decided to rewatch this after your critical comment. I still see him as a lovely person. Honest and to me very likeable. Biographers have their own opinions. Just as I have mine and you have yours. Orphaned young must have had a profound affect on his life as he still stutters badly. My opinion hasn’t changed. I think he had a brilliant mind and was a lovely person. I wonder how people will see you after you have gone. There is a Scottish saying which in my old age I can’t remember verbatim. Oh that we could see ourselves as others see us. Have a wee think.

[@dreamdiction]

@@carolking6355 O wad some Pow'r the giftie gie us; To see oursels as ithers see us! (Oh, would some Power give us the gift; To see ourselves as others see us!) The great Scots poet Robbie Burns wrote these words in the final stanza of To A Louse : On Seeing One On A Lady's Bonnet, At Church.

[@jamilibrahim884]

Tact and honesty don't go together.

[@franknrstein]

just fell in love with Maugham while reading "Mr Maugham Himself", a collection of semi-autobiographical (Doubleday, NY, 1954)

[@suginami123]

He was a qualified medical doctor.

[@lexistenceestailleurs]

"Of Human Bondage" is one of my favourite books...

[@nabarajbastola9153]

So nice to watch my most favourite writer, thank you so much for uploading this rare video (Noel Bastola).

[@58christiansful]

Supremely interesting - the best long Maugham interview on the net.

[@jravindranath8345]

A fascinating writer. I like his Of Human Bondage and the Razor's Edge a lot.

[@williamneumyer7147]

Good for Willie, not letting his stammer deter him from agreeing to this interview. I understand that he was very self-conscious about it when he was young, e.g., when he did not himself telephone D. H. Lawrence in Mexico.

[@paulshelton9380]

This is amazing. THANK YOU.

[@candacejourdan6041]

Loved this interview! Thanks so very much!

[@jackladd4332]

How lovely, many thanks.

[@5G_TEDDY_7]

Great sharing, hats off

[@vveditor]

Thank you for sharing this video. Amazing writer.

[@pratibhasingh7684]

Beautiful ! Thank you !

[@8nansky528]

I ADORE READING

[@lexistenceestailleurs]

Thank you so much!!!

[@fatfrreddy1414]

A Lovely surprise..I've read most his books and seen many of his filmed versions..The moon and the sixpence,Quartet and Trio being among my favourites available on y-t.. what a great guy..thanks to all concerned in making this interview available..

[@EarlEBird-fz6yr]

Currently reading Of Human Bondage, a fantastic man and author. Thank you for sharing this wonderful and inspiring interview.

[@patriciawond4382]

Thanks for posting

[@Mrrossj01]

The "Razor's Edge" is currently posted in a very good copy on KZbin. Gene Tierney. Tyrone Power. Herbert Marshall. Clifton Webb.

[@kilburnhall]

I think the Bill Murray version sans 1984 touched me the most. That was the year of my divorce from a woman who was a lot like Isabel and I was longing for a Sophie to come into my life. Bill Murray was a mediocre actor, great comedian but Razor's Edge was his best film.

[@jeanf8998]

I don’t think any cast of actors can beat that team! Remarkable movie

[@lonestar1637]

Remarkable. Thank you.

[@Michael-cj7no]

Thank you for posting this interview. The Razor's Edge. Just brilliant and inspiring.

[@theelegantcouplesbookrevie8734]

The Man! The Legend!

[@pendleburyable]

Great,Patrick Leigh Fermor had a Wonderfull story about his visit there.

[@shelbynamels973]

Found this interview completely by accident, but I want to take this unexpected opportunity to give a shout-out to another British author, Philip Kerr. His Bernie Gunther thriller "The Other Side Of Silence: is set in this location, and a fictionalized figure of Maugham plays a central role in the book.

[@geraldkstein3556]

I found this interview because I am reading The Other Side Of Silence. Its very sad that Kerr is no longer with us and for me this is the last of Bernie Gunther. Still i now have the works of W.S.M to look foward to!

[@ankitm3439]

Love a bit of Kerr."Genre" fiction with more to say than most Booker winners.I should give SM a try also

[@jenniechen24]

I love this interview, helping me to know this great writer . I think he is like Strickland in the novel of "The Moon and Sixpence", who paniting for his strong desire, he wrote for his pleasure! Great man !

[@deirdre108]

Yes, very enjoyable novel, Strickland being the stand in for Gaughan.

[@user-ld1dy3yc8j]

Maugham was born and died in the same life span as Winston Churchill. 1874-1965.

[@helenapereira8547]

OF HUMAN BONDAGE: the best novel I have ever read

[@goimond3947]

Ah! "The Book Bag" is a pretty interesting read!

[@candacejourdan6041]

Ahh! St. John Cap Ferret -- truly my favorite spot on earth!

[@paulsolon6229]

Prettiest place I think I have ever seen

[@candacejourdan6041]

@@paulsolon6229 For sure! Me too! ❤ 🌞 ❤

[@paulsolon6229]

@@candacejourdan6041 in 1987 I saw cap ferrat-living in Nice, training, riding to Italy for lunch and back to nice. Never forgot it.

[@candacejourdan6041]

@@paulsolon6229 What an incredible/special experience in your life, Paul! Such a time truly could never be forgotten! You were so blessed - makes me happy for you 😊!

[@paulsolon6229]

@@candacejourdan6041 yes, that time was fine I see now. Did you live in south of France?

[@robinrobinrobinledford2104]

Hey ty for sharing... Bosto

[@brucejackson4219]

What an interesting 5***** interview: I've always more than merely enjoyed reading his short stories. As far as giving me pleasure in his tales I group him with H G Wells, A J Cronin, Borges and Conan Doyle.

[@caroledrury1411]

Brilliant man. Loved Razor’s Edge. A lovely interview. Wish I knew the year?

[@PacificCorpUK]

This interview is from 1960, not 1965. Maugham died in 1965 and was already demented by then. The credits indicate MCMLX.

[@dukadarodear2176]

That's a terrible word there "demented" especially in this case but you're no doubt telling it as it was. My friends and I will slip into demention but nobody will even notice.

[@nohaylamujer]

This interview is from 1958. Pryce-Jones was born in 1908 and he says he's 50 in the interview.

[@PacificCorpUK]

@@dukadarodear2176 demented means "suffering from dementia". It is a medical term which WSM would have used himself as a doctor.

[@celsius7972]

28:24 The small print at the bottom has the date in roman numerals. *MCMLX=1960* is the date of production.

[@roberthuff3122]

‘…to enjoy myself.’ 😂😂😂😂😂

[@ekoyesart6107]

Good 👍❤️

[@tiffany5064]

Que delícia de conversa ! Estou lendo todos os Seus livros e amando .Eu ainda não superei servidão humana(Of Human Bondage)

[@greggoryrice7046]

Brilliant novelist.

[@FIFAGAMEFC]

GREAT

[@gmail7894]

Looks like people were smarter back then, and wiser...🙂

[@baliksupper6043]

Don’t bet on it.

[@paulsolon6229]

I Don’t think smarter Less angry, I agree

[@shelbynamels973]

No, they just sent out a former Times literature editor to do the interview, not Access Hollywood.

[@louisgonzalez8846]

Smarter, wiser, and had better taste.!!!!

[@neiljohnson9686]

-Phone rings- “Peter, it’s mom “ “Please be Somerset Maugham, please be Somerset Maugham “

[@Vmvmvmvmvn]

This channel is full of jams.

[@lilisobeski2033]

Gems, sir. With due respect.

[@keithm257]

@@lilisobeski2033 yet when i saw this vid i said to myself 'that's my jam'

[@louisgonzalez8846]

Full of jams, and marmalade.!!!

[@GoodMrDawes]

Class

[@smcc5785]

Interesting but I couldn't stop thinking Harry Enfield was doing the interview

[@serdarzzt]

corrected English subtitles in Subscene

[@robertwilson123]

First, the accent of the interviewer Alan Pryce - Jones is so of the period, stamping his class and pushy intellectualism.... I realise now where Peter Sellers got one of his "critics forum" radio characters from... Hilarious. Maughans interview here is entirely top level... We really know nothing about the man.. Only the books and authors he's read. It's an entertaining piece but in no way informs us about Maugham. As Maugham says himself his life is littered with mistakes... And some expansion of those would have been most interesting.

[@steveshare4188]

He died at the end of 1965 and by all accounts was severely demented for the last year or so--this interview is clearly from several years earlier, likely the mid 50s.

[@nohaylamujer]

This interview is from 1958. Pryce-Jones was born in 1908 and he says he's 50 in the interview.

[@Nigelzenig]

The blurb says he acknowledges Kipling’s notions of imperialism are outmoded. I wish he had said that exactly. But what he says is that Kipling’s stories are unfortunately unread because his imperialism is out of fashion. I don’t think this is exactly the same.

[@avoidbeing]

really stretching the bounds of phrasing to find his sympathies for Kiplings imperialism?

[@shelbynamels973]

A horse apiece, as my good bud Charlie Berens would say. I was just really surprised that these notions had already taken hold in 1960. I thought it would take another generation of wokesters before the author of 'White Man's Burden" would fall into disfavor.

[@nohaylamujer]

This interview is from 1958. Pryce-Jones was born in 1908 and he says he's 50 in the interview.