Sir Laurence Olivier was fired by Greta Garbo | The Dick Cavett Show

[@geoffjoffy]

Don't you just wish TV chat shows were like this today. Calm polite intelligent conversation.

[@cameronkrause4712]

yes, there was still some respect for actors in those days. Cavett's presentation is so laid back and relaxed it makes you want to keep watching.

[@mikekaatman3194]

They are in Europe.

[@peteyspaletas2023]

Pigs now.💰💰💰

[@LouvonBrockdorff]

it just shows that the population of the world has gone stupidere today, then they where back then.. And today people will only watch stupid talkshow like jimmy fallon and ellen..

[@robertkingston6164]

TV has been supplanted by podcasts and KZbin as the medium for smart, esoteric discussion. To try and compete with the open source Internet and stay relevant, TV has had to dumb itself down

[@hazlitt1]

I met this great man once when I was a student at Central where he also trained, and I was asked to take care of him for the evening when he visited for an anniversary party. Unlike most actors and celebrities, he was as humble in real life, when there were no cameras around, as he is here on national television. When he arrived, I addressed him as ‘Lord’ Olivier, he asked me so politely, please not to call him Lord Olivier, so I said alright ‘Sir’ Laurence, he then, with the most humble voice, smilingly placed his hand on my forearm, and said ‘Please call me Larry’. Like to all great men, titles mean nothing. Titles, like wealth, cannot elevate a man who is already great, nor can poverty or lack of a title, diminish men who already possess Greatness of character.

[@CynthieD]

Thank you for this wonderful remembrance of Olivier!

[@cor-z8m]

What a wonderful story! Thank you! No one like him ever!!

[@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633]

Wonderful! The true greats have humility. It's the mediocrities that are full of themselves.

[@hazlitt1]

@@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633 You are so right. I’ve worked with a whole lot of mediocrities, all puffed up with ego and arrogance. They are not even aware of how ridiculous they appear to those who are astute. Take care Elizabeth.

[@hazlitt1]

@@cor-z8m I was lucky to have had the honour of meeting this great legend and sharing an evening with him. Just lucky.

[@powerWithinUs4055]

Thank you, Cavett for being the intelligent interviewer that brought this history to us. They wanted to come on the Dick Cavett Show. Just think, we could have missed Sir Laurence, Hepburn, Orson, Richard Burton. These segments are history, jeweled history.

[@degsbabe]

Cavett was good. Imagine these greats being interviewed by Norton or 'Chatty man'. They'd have fled. Michael Parkinson was UK's best interviewer.

[@Deanetts]

Carole Very well said!

[@Deanetts]

Durins Bane Yes, Michael was our equivalent.

[@oliwiapurta8612]

And Marlon Brando..

[@Historian212]

And Groucho Marx.

[@zhongwa]

I could listen to Olivier read a phone book and be mesmerized.

[@TheSuperQuail]

But could you listen to Oliver Reed read?

[@TrangPakbaby]

E Leo my goodness isn’t he beautiful? I totally get why Vivien loved this man with all her heart

[@paulhoward6792]

What is a phone book

[@monadarling74]

@@paulhoward6792 😂

[@stephenperretti8847]

@ernest leong... After three years you won't recall your comment nor get my joke... But could he sing "Beachwood 4-5789-"?

[@YOGI-yl4ff]

Wonderful that the guest gets to speak without interruption, now that's an interview! Las Vegas, NV July 3, 2019

[@joe-zj8js]

Cheers also from the 89118

[@MrDaiseymay]

They no longer exist, because the real Stars are no more; SO,, the craft has adjusted to the level of the morons , claiming to be ''Stars''.

[@d.bcooper7819]

I miss Dick Cavett. His style and mannerisms seam to bring an air of ease and comfort that gets his guests to speak openly.

[@m.e.d.7997]

He attracted wonderful guests over the years!

[@bobboscarato1313]

Best talk show besides Johnny Carson's; I remember when Cavett asked Bette Davis "Miss Davis when did you lose your virginity?"; she answered "At 26 when she married her first husband". lol

[@serpentines6356]

@@bobboscarato1313 There used to be a clip of Bette Davis on some talk show (don't remember which one) on how to properly smoke a cigarette. It was so classy, and fun. What a hoot she was!

[@catlover34fl]

His performance in Wuthering Heights was unforgettable.

[@patrickleahey4985]

Oliver's modesty and honesty is wonderful.

[@alanjlamando4958]

Who’s Oliver?

[@scotnick59]

YES

[@Wkkbooks]

It's acting!

[@gauravw6947]

@@Wkkbooks It's not acting, it's reality...

[@augmentedkeys5971]

His name is Lawrence Olivier. Not "Oliver." :)

[@ernestkovach3305]

Arguably the greatest actor of all time and yet he is so humble and honest in this interview. A fascinating ,and unpretentious , fellow.

[@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633]

I agree. To borrow a leaf from football, he's the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) of actors.

[@joycegibbs5267]

he speaks so beautifully. Class act, sadly these standards & legends have all gone.

[@SirPeter6464]

To my mind the greatest speaker the English language ever had.

[@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633]

@@SirPeter6464 I agree. And the greatest actor bar none.

[@serpentines6356]

I so appreciate the classiness, the well spoken English. These days creeps want to tear it all down, belittle it, and toss it into the trash bin of history. That's so wrong, and I hope more teachers and parents will encourage the children to appreciate, and read the greats, the great stories, the great art, etc.

[@johnkemp8904]

I remember the equally brilliant Sir John Gielgud reminiscing about his career in his latter years when he said ‘When I was a young actor we wore our best suits to rehearsal and called the leading man “Sir”. These days they wear jeans and call me “John”.

[@christopherdavis9883]

And society with it, unfortunately.

[@lepolhart3242]

What a lovely man. So humble and polite, as well as a great actor.

[@normadesmond6017]

Olivier was a lot of things. But he certainly wasn't humble. He was livid when Vivien Leigh, the love of his life, won an Academy Award before he did!

[@TheStockwell]

@@normadesmond6017 How does humility fit in with what's more like envy or professional jealousy? That said, here's an interesting quote: "Katharine Hepburn told her biographer that Lord Larry, although a huge actor, was a small man, asserting that whenever his wife experienced a towering success -- like an Oscar for Scarlett O'Hara and for Blanche duBois, the two most famous southern belles in cinema history -- he would stress to her the need for her to return to the stage, in Olivier's effort to sabotage Vivien's momentum." Hepburn and Olivier were good friends, by the way. She and Garson Kanin drove Olivier and Leigh to their 1940 wedding in Santa Barbara, California.

[@petergedd9330]

Yes he wasnt a bad actor.

[@normadesmond6017]

he wasn't humble or polite. He once slapped Maggi Smith because she decided on doing a movie instead of beeing on stage with him. He was horrible to Marilyn Monroe during filming the Prince and the Showgirls, when he became aware that she upstaged him big time. And she was the one who was paying the for the movie. But he was very good at playing polite and humble, yes.

[@Justificus]

In another interview with Peter Ustinov, he recounts with humor how a scene in Spartacus went between him and Olivier. Apparently Olivier was fond of taking long dramatic pauses while delivering his lines, and Ustinov having some fun on set, dragged his lines out 3x longer making everyone including the great actor laugh as well. These were wonderful conversations that you rarely see nowdays on television.

[@MrDaiseymay]

ONE OF MY FAVOURITED RECALLS.

[@christopherallen9580]

William Shatner emulated Olivier's dramatic pause technique.

[@davekp6773]

@@christopherallen9580 He did, and many of his detractors use this to be critical of his performance as Kirk. In reality, Shatner was a trained Shakespearean actor, being part of the Ontario Shakespeare fraternity, and his Kirk reflected this.

[@April-gg5xl]

I really enjoy Cavett's interviews he lets the guests speak without interrupting.

[@spenser9908]

Oh look, it's the interviewer critic.

[@ernestkovach3305]

Not always. Here, good job.

[@MrDaiseymay]

QUITE SHOCKING, ISN'T IT ? WHEN YOUR USED TO UTTER CRAP.

[@HEAVYHONEY1]

One of the greatest acting talents ever and he talks with such grace, humor, wisdom, maturity and humility that it just warms the soul to know that with true greatness one can be truly beautiful too.

[@deegeraghty9426]

What a lovely man was Sir Laurence Olivier.

[@ildertonmann4086]

Cavett was an excellent interviewer, I have an LP of him interviewing Groucho, he asks the sort of questions the man in the street wants to ask and he listens. He had a great subject here, the greatest actor of all time.

[@quattrodinotte]

I've heard that the greatest actor of all time is actually Chinese.

[@stephenperretti8847]

@entionden... The Warner Oland?

[@BjørjaBear]

Being European, Cavett was completely unknown to me until very recently. Clearly a master of his trade, and how good is to see an interviewer letting the interviewee get the space to talk? These days the interviewer seems to think he is the attraction and the person being interviewed a prop...

[@lynnturman8157]

In America in the 70s, he was as popular as Johnny Carson.

[@dbcopper10]

Sad that it is impossible for a studio audience to be that quiet and respectful today.

[@crazycatfish183]

Just amazing how open and honest he is. Seen a lot of his interviews lately and you ask him a question, then he gives you the answer. Theres a great one where he talks about Monroe. Perhaps its because he is wise and had a love of his craft is he knows when he has had failings. You just cant imagine any modern day film star show that amount of frankness and moist would have their PR intervening and storming out. It reminds me how great some of the TV used to be and the best interviewers let their guests talk instead of playing stupid games. They are already interesting enough.

[@stevehinnenkamp5625]

Who could imagine this captivating actor so famous for his interpretations of brooding, tragic characters would be so open to answer questions in a breezy way when interviewed by the right person? Absolutely marvelous!

[@Jfk3434]

Hilarious imitation of Sam Goldwynn too

[@markhughes7927]

What a truly lovely host Dick Cavett is - draws people out so well

[@bradhill1099]

I am fascinated by this man. He is so elegant, yet unassuming. He has genuine humility, but unbelievable talent. He is a treasure to the world. I could listen to him recite Shakespeare for hours, and feel genuinely uplifted, and edified. Once in a life talent, and a sterling gentleman.

[@mattdeans9873]

When I was an actor, Olivier was my absolute idol.

[@jeremypearson6852]

My voice coach said Olivier is the greatest narrator he’s ever heard. Everything seems so effortless.

[@SirPeter6464]

His reading of World at War is as good as anything I have ever heard. It remains the ultimate TV history series.

[@Mamadukee1]

​@@SirPeter6464correct 😊

[@thehouseofcm]

Doing that Sam Goldwyn voice brought him to life in ways that anything written about him could not. I really got a good idea of what kind of man he was from those seconds, amazing.

[@lenwilson3707]

Exactly Charles. A REAL actor comes Alive when he is 'doing' someone else. It happens right before your eyes.

[@jamesanthony5681]

Dick Cavett was very good, and like his old boss, Jack Paar, who told him years earlier, "kid, don't make it an interview and have a clip board and be like David Frost and ask 'what was your greatest role or game?' Make it a conversation." Cavett listened and let the other person speak. Good god, who does THAT anymore? It helps to be intelligent and witty, like he was with Orson Welles, in responding to Orson's contention that there were a lot of big words being used by today's (1970) young people: "there is a great deal of veracity in what you're saying." Orson laughed, of course. As only Orson can.

[@craigmelissa12]

Dick Cavett is simply the best interviewer ever. If anyone wants to learn how to lose their self-importance and actually just get to the soul of the interviewee than watch the master. Carson, Letterman (especially), Leno and all the current talking heads should have and should pay attention.

[@shiwooify]

I remember seeing him on a talk show answering questions from the audience, and someone asked him what was it like to be married to a sex symbol (his wife was Carrie Nye) and without missing a beat he said "You'll have to ask her" lmao! I work in advertising, and years ago I thought I heard his voice just outside my office! I whipped my door open to take a look and there he was! I startled him! he was talking to a producer whose office was next to mine. He apologized bc he thought he was too loud (he wasn't) I managed to get my act together to assure him he was fine and I slunk out of sight. I regret not saying how much I enjoyed his show!

[@mrpeel3239]

Olivier never stopped honing his craft.

[@KeithDec25]

From the last gasps of the Golden Age of Interviewing on the television THANKS FOR POSTING

[@talmadge1926]

I am truly grateful that I saw Olivier in several productions in the 60s. " London Assurance" a Restoration comedy. and "The Seagull" by Ibsen. Almost impossible to imagine two roles more polarized. Of course he triumphed in both. He quite simply riveted the attention of the audience. The dramatic stage never had a better ambassador.

[@bloodgrss]

I think your memory is a bit frayed (as is mine these days!). He was in both Uncle Vayna and The Three Sisters in the 60's, but not The Seagull. And they are all by Anton Chekhov, not Ibsen. And the only Restoration comedies were Love for Love and The Recruiting Officer. But, nevertheless, you were indeed fortunate to see him in anything in those far off days...

[@serpentines6356]

@@bloodgrss What a treat to see him in real life. Wow! I can totally imagine the immense presence he must have given onstage! 👍

[@bloodgrss]

@@serpentines6356 Yes-he certainly had that!

[@GSTARRAW777]

So sad this type of class has disappeared from Hollywood.

[@piedro132]

Humble man, true class, much better actor than todays loud and vulger action hero types. Hats off for this gentleman

[@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633]

Except for Keanu Reeves.

[@viborgvee8399]

I can’t stand these constant comparisons with today’s this that and the other. Far more annoying than today’s action heroes.

[@nondescript2892]

​@@viborgvee8399totally agree...they all seem to have some nostalgia for the dear dead past that never was...better this, better that..that's how facism starts really...one need not look further than the maga nonsense

[@skyarcher9692]

I am a programmer. I was fired from my first job at the age of 27. I was not good enough. It took about two years of small daily nervous breakdowns, painful headaches to get to position to relax a bit. Now, 13 years later, I am decent at what I do.

[@zeldasmith6154]

Small daily nervous breakdowns. I identify totally.

[@BrenB125]

Read the Psalms. Great when one needs help.

[@jimmaloney3738]

Fair Play..... Keep up the good work 👍. Life's not easy

[@johnmercury2272]

"Is it safe?" was one of his best lines.

[@wiseonwords]

No, it wasn't. "Marathon Man" was a mediocre film.

[@wolfganghasenmaier8350]

It outed Dr. Mengele as what he was: An extreme coward who mistreated helpless people.

[@eileenhetherington3704]

​​@@wiseonwordshahaha what? One of the best thrillers ever made. You are not a movie critic, don't quit your day job. From Wikipedia:"It was a critical and box office success, with Olivier earning an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Szell, the film's antagonist. The film was a financial and critical success. Olivier's performance was particularly praised. Rotten Tomatoes gives the film an approval rating of 83% based on 46 reviews, with an average rating of 7.4/10. The consensus reads, "Marathon Man runs the gamut from patient mystery to pulse-pounding thriller, aided by Laurence Olivier's coldly terrifying performance and a brainy script by William Goldman."

[@michaelmelen9062]

Sir Laurence was quite up to par eleven days prior. On Jan 13, 1973, I saw him with Constance Cummings, Denis Quilley, and I forget the fourth actor's name in Long Day's Journey into Night, at the Old Vic. It took me a while to understand what I was seeing, as he wasn't "emoting". I've been foolish at every age, but especially so at age 19. We left the theatre completely drained emotionally and yet buoyant at the same time. Thoroughly memorable.

[@emilyseal3207]

SO jealous. I would give anything to go back in time and see performances at the Old Vic. American theatre right now is atrocious. Social engineered nightmare. Completely.

[@singingindark12]

Wish he was still alive and acting for films... This man Lord Olivier was more than legend and beautiful..

[@MrDavey2010]

Sir Larry was magnificent. I wish I’d seen him on stage in his prime.

[@Tav57]

Such a great interview. Olivier was so personally forthcoming to Cavett, which he often wasn’t in interviews.

[@63bplumb]

Watching this I'm 66. He just identified himself as 65. Yet it is easy to see him as older and wiser and such a great craftsman. There WERE men like this on this Earth. Sadly no more.

[@wolfganghasenmaier8350]

There are.

[@63bplumb]

@@wolfganghasenmaier8350 Oh?

[@Hollowshape]

That Sam Goldwyn voice is incredible.

[@nickritchie2154]

I'd never heard Goldwyn's voice before, so I had to see if you were right, and holy CRAP you totally were! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGichKh3h9qdmJI (33 seconds in is when he starts speaking)

[@kamuelalee]

Amazing...course it's Olivier!

[@Kevon420]

Robin Williams should’ve played Goldwyn in a film.

[@marygoodson4920]

It's the worst American accent ever! Doesn't sound like anyone real anywhere! Olivier was a great actor, but his accents were the absolute worst!

[@Hollowshape]

@@marygoodson4920 have you heard Goldwyn's voice? It sounds EXACTLY like him.

[@caliden3785]

This is when actors honed thier craft and were actual stars......

[@jamesmcinnis208]

"actual"

[@j1st633]

Great interview.

[@davidstevens3934]

65! He looks better than me at 38!!!

[@justgivemethetruth]

nice to see a polite intelligent balanced actor without a toxic ego.

[@briangreen6602]

At what point did interesting talks shows like this, get lost to 6 mins interviews of promotional shows that we have today ?

[@HR-rl4ke]

I couldn't agree more!!!! Thank god for you tube!!!

[@gonufc]

When people only went on because someone wrote in the contract that they had to do promotional media. I just want to see an honest conversation of people simply invited for an interview at any time- not just when there's something to sell. No pre-rehearsed, pre-interviewed, choreographed appearances where the host has to fake laugh at a story they've been told already and tinkered with and likely had a part in editing to make it appropriate for the show (or channel). It's practically pointless every time now- they have a little story and joke to tell all the interviewers as they do he circuit.

[@danner909]

Brian Green The promo interviews were in full force on many shows at that time, too. Cavett was as unique then as he is now. .

[@MrSean03839]

In the 1980's.

[@briangreen6602]

@Luke James Parky was great. Watched his Peter Sellers interview the other day, and seems a world away from today's stuff with personal highs and lows.

[@elizabethhestevold1340]

Great interview 👍🇩🇰🇱🇷🇬🇧Both very gifted individuals.

[@PaddyPawsRescue]

Cavett is like the anti-Fallon

[@SpiritMQ]

And way better and more witty... I find this manner of interviewing more attractive than the ones these days in my times...

[@krisscanlon4051]

I heard Jimmy right about now is asking Kesha about her TikTok account whilst beatboxing

[@acron21k]

and the anti-kimmel.

[@jaygreenberg4979]

Way better then Fallon who laughs at anything

[@terry4137]

Thank god!

[@JohnAnderson-kl9pl]

What an honest man. That's so rare these days.

[@margaretstokely9016]

I love him in "The Divorce of Lady X", he was very funny and dear. Pride and Prejudice' 'Wuthering Heights" i love it when he yells, no one can yell like Olivier.

[@jesusggrimaldo6955]

Sir Laurence Olivier" was the Greatest Actor in History of Theatre and Cinema... and listening to him so very humble and human is the cherry on the cake... thats what Greatness is all about...that the new generations need to learn... I admire Laurence Olivier ( RIP)🙏

[@loganstolberg2743]

Theatre yes, cinema definitely not at all one bit. Brando owns that distinction and I don’t need to tell you. Look at how every1 talks about him compared to Olivier.

[@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633]

@@loganstolberg2743 No, cinema definitely every bit. I never had the good fortune to see him at the theatre. I only saw him on film. I was swept away by his Heathcliff, Hamlet, and Richard the Third. Come on. You're American for sure.

[@44032]

A nice, down to earth discussion. Sometimes, perhaps when he didn't know or respect the interviewer, he'd put on a 'performance' during the interview to get through it. he performed here, imitating Goldwyn but the overall tone was that of a real discussion of his career.

[@dcny69]

Wow he’s voice change was unnerving. What a great character.

[@elizabethharttley4073]

How fun to see LO telling stories and being funny. Mr. Cavett is brilliant

[@paulmurgatroyd6372]

When you see people like Olivier examine and dissect their roles in such detail, then see modern actors mostly talking inane drivel, it just goes to show why modern movies have gone downhill so badly.

[@Mamadukee1]

A wonderful actor ,wonderful human being, and what a voice !!!!!!!😁🇬🇧

[@digigroovestudios]

The way Mr. Olivier switches automatically to an American accent is so brilliant. Master Class..

[@thehair1474]

Olivier was probably the greatest stage actor EVER.

[@nadiazahroon6573]

One of the nicest people ever. I have never heard him say anything mean about actors.

[@SunOnMyStubble]

Nadia Zahroon He just provides insight into what it was like working with people like Marilyn Monroe but without being bitchy. He gives a well rounded view of his time as an actor- the good and the bad, so that's what makes him so interesting.

[@SoerenBruunJensen]

I like this style of talkshow, where the conversation is the focus. I heard an interview with Dick Cavett in a podcast ‘The Hillarious World of Depression’. Dick had an anxiety attack right before this interview. And he felt out of control and shaky during this interview he admitted. He didn’t want to see the show himself until Marlon Brando forced him to see it. Dick had a shock of how convincing his facade was. Marlon called it the autopilot. In fact both Marlon, Lawrence and Dick suffered from depression from time to time.

[@cathryncampbell8555]

Yes, Cavett's depressive problems are evident in the first few questions, where he asks Olivier about failures in the latter's early career. The negative questions did not deter Olivier from answering in an eloquent manner -- which is unlike the attitude many modern actors might have to such a line of questions.

[@tonynesbit9673]

The no 1 englishmanof all time,a great actor/man who was married to one of the prettiest women of all time.

[@nataliacaetano6326]

YESSS!!!BRING MORE SIR LARRY!!!! I'm lovin it...😍

[@parinikasharma317]

He's so handsome and so cute simultaneously!

[@todd3563]

There's something about the host not sitting behind a big desk that makes the interview more intimate

[@finch45lear]

Mr. Cavett always brought out the very best in his guests. Such intelligent and so interesting questions.

[@fanboy2015]

Love listening to the way he tells stories.

[@sandrakenney567]

I loved Laurance Olivier. My favourite film he was in was Withering Heights .The music By Mario Lanzo.beautiful.he was my idle although he was 40 years older then me.he was a great actor and will never be forgotten. Rest in peace Laurence Amen🙏🕊🕊🕊🕊🕊🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋

[@Jacky-b5c]

I’d love to know how he felt about the film ending vs the book’s ending.

[@marclaw4511]

Larry was great,modest and so funny.He adapted from theatre to the big screen perfectly.

[@magnusheridersson4338]

Olivier's impression of Goldwyn wasn't slimey enough.

[@MalteWilsen]

I still can't believe how this nobleman could turn into the monster Szell.

[@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633]

huh?

[@MalteWilsen]

@@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633 Watch Marathon Man

[@weveri6]

Interesting that Olivier said he feels the characters he plays, noting "Long Day's Journey into Night", which he had done not long before before this interview was taped. This is the opposite of what an actor friend of mine, and others as well, thought about Olivier. The release of the film "Sleuth" was probably the occasion for this interview. Some of the talk here is part of Olivier lore - the bits about Sam Goldwyn were probably told at innumerable dinner parties. By this time in his life, Olivier seemed relaxed enough not to be in character, to be "on". Curious physical touch: the crossing of the ankles. Various physical conditions were draining Olivier of his physical vitality, which may account for that weak position. He left a film legacy that the other greats of English acting of that time - Gielgud, Richardson, Redgrave - couldn't begin to match. Alec Guinness, however, left much for following generations to consider. A special life, a special career. Aren't we reminded of how we miss Dick Cavett?

[@bloodgrss]

At his best (which was usually when he talked and tried to inject his 'impish' humor least) yes. Those 'sins' were too far in evidence at times. But he WAS a saint in that regard compared to the late un-lamented Charlie Rose...

[@bloodgrss]

@jimdandy8686 Yes, I know. How sad...

[@Bootmahoy88]

True, these kind of talk shows don't exist in present time anymore, but thanks to YoutUbe and other platforms we can still enjoy them and derive great satisfaction from them. Well, at least I do. I watched Cavett obsessively when it was on the air. His ability to stimulate conversation, even with the most resistant and obtuse guests, is still unmatched in my opinion. .

[@73reider]

That golden Voice, Modest, Funny, self effacing, England`s finest Actor, Only Brando could match him on Film.

[@loganstolberg2743]

Brando outmatched him in film what are you talking about?

[@73reider]

@@loganstolberg2743 Brando matched Olivier In terms of Acting ability i mean. I am Brando`s greatest admirer i can assure you.

[@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633]

@@loganstolberg2743 Not for me.

[@flenif2247]

He gave such a hammy performance next to MM in "The Prince & The Showgirl". She was spectacular

[@jacqudace]

He was the director. It was a monumental feat for him to get any performance out of her, she was so troubled. I recommend a clip on KZbin of him discussing this with Parkinson. He was amazingly honest about her issues.

[@flenif2247]

@@jacqudace actions speak louder than words. At the end if the day - she gave a very good performance and he did NOT. And he can say whatever he wants about her because she's dead. My take is that she was "difficult " fir him to work with only because she wouldn't tailor her performance to his desires. She ignored him and did it her way. He had a big ego because he thought he was such a great actor who need advise her. Case closed.

[@ofthedifference]

@@flenif2247 You spoke with such authority about their interactions - to do that clearly infers that you worked on the set with them. He WAS a great actor, it is too bad that you have not overcome your open disdain of him to allow you to see that. One could assume the same thing about you that you said about him: you can say whatever you want to about him because he no longer existed when you said that. I disagree with you; I loved his performance. Your use of the statement "Case closed." suggests a "my way or the highway" type of closed mind that is most unfortunate for you as you travel through life.

[@debbyalder4089]

@@ofthedifference We can all disagree, these days people often have such a mean way of disagreeing ! I myself loved Sir Laurence in everything he did. He was one of the few that could make me understand Shakespeare. Unfortunately there are particular “stars” fans that are almost as extreme as the stars themselves and that can have very polarising expressed views. I think MM is one and another example is Princess Diana. It can be almost sacrilegious to discuss their human side or their flaws. I think you expressed your self fairly and reasonably.

[@rishwiz9]

Oh! I envy those people in the studio that day, got to witness the Master giving a snippet of his greatness.

[@westfield90]

I truly loved celebrities of days gone by.

[@autoad]

The difference between shows like Dick Cavett and shows of today is this; today, shows speak down to the audience. Then, the shows spoke up to the audience. They treated the audience with respect, intelligence and integrity. Today, the programs are lowbrow, common, and superficial.

[@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633]

You are so right!

[@Fiona-hp4mw]

Really like Dick Cavett. An interviewer with class and intelligence. Love Olivier !

[@Babel2.0]

What a wonderful and candid person!

[@lindaross783]

Ive only cried twice when an actor died. Alan Rickman and Sir Laurence Olivier who always took my breath away.

[@Jeremy-y1t]

Rickman was a vile anti-Semite.

[@m.e.d.7997]

He and Vivien Leigh would have had beautiful children.

[@chrismill9896]

Maybe, but as mad as fruitcakes.

[@quinnmorlotti]

chris mill, what a disgusting thing to say

[@gb2096]

@charis morlotti I thought it was pretty funny 😂 I absolutely adore Viv and Larry but they were as crazy as a soup sandwich

[@m.e.d.7997]

@@gb2096 They??

[@gb2096]

@Muffie1174 Well yeah they both had their fair share of quirks haha

[@RONALD511]

Sir Laurence Olivier...A living legend

[@ernestkovach3305]

Great job as Healthcliffe in Bronte 's Wuthering Heights.

[@Jacky-b5c]

Best show ever on TV. But I couldn’t watch it much as it was on late and no recording technology back then. I’m really pleased these are on You Tube.

[@maryetuk7628]

Brilliant. What an amusing and glorious man. 😍

[@IntrepidFraidyCat]

I saw a PBS American Masters program on Cavett. I've loved him ever since.

[@mickybovars]

For a couple of years I used to run a hotel in Brighton, England, called the Royal Crescent. This was in the early 80's and Sir Ralph and his family had often stayed. The first and last time I met him was when he unusually didn't arrive on his motorbike, but in his Mercedes. Carmichael, the Concierge, had phoned me and informed me that Sir Ralph was arriving. I walked out of the front door looking for him, to find that he was parked across on Marine Parade, a busy road which runs along the Brighton seafront. I welcomed him and he asked a few questions, testing me, I think. We were standing, not on the pavement, but in the actual road. When I asked him if he thought we should get off the road, he asked me "My boy, do you not know who I am?", as if his fame was going to prevent him from being run over. And he brought a painting. The painting was a picture of the parrot in a cage. I was told by the hotel's staff that someone at the hotel had, on a previous visit, let the parrot out. And it had gone!

[@lunhil12]

Brilliant. I wish we still had quality talk shows like this.

[@susanf.7737]

The Entertainer is, for me, one of his best films.

[@AmericasChoice]

One of his very favorites, too.

[@davidwhyberd7612]

Sir Laurence was brilliant as Archie Rice. I saw Max Wall in the play and met him at a party. He was superb in the role, and a great entertainer himself, so he was ideal for the part. He became a superb actor himself. He was a nice man to talk too and one of the greats of the music hall. It was interesting how Sir Laurence made Archie such a real and tragic man. It was just great acting and one of my favourite films of his.

[@terry4137]

So nice to be able to hear an interviewer not talking f politics!

[@tubularbill]

Olivier the greatest of them all and possibly the humblest

[@kitty6720]

One of the greats...

[@michealcurrie8272]

Mr. Dick Cavett is the best. Thank you.

[@pedroheberle6665]

What a wonderful man he seems, sir Laurence.

[@indieshack4476]

Olivier is a wonderful interviewee, Cavett a great interviewer. Early Olivier film performances were dreadfully over-acted, as were Richardson's and Gielgud's but all three were capable of great things later on.

[@Poetic_Justice1962]

They all toned it down to personal, intimate acting thanks to the camera.

[@foxyshabazz]

I think it took a while for Olivier to realise that his theatre style just didn't work in movies (not a huge fan of his Shakespeare pictures, they seem awfully stagey to me). His later roles were indeed wonderful, though.

[@ronnienose8608]

@@foxyshabazz I do think he's good as 'Hamlet,' great athleticism, and he was the first to bring Shakespeare to the masses. He still is the greatest Shakespearean actor, and yes he was a bit stagey in the early days but later on he was capable of conveying so much with just a look. A great man who should've won more Oscars than he did, especially in films such as 'Marathon Man,' 'Sleuth,' and 'The Entertainer.'

[@davidwhyberd7612]

In the early days of talkies, actors were experienced stage actors, but had no experience of film acting. That is why films made into the early thirties were very stagey. Nowadays, drama schools teach stage and television technique.

[@mdqquinn2513]

As LO himself said, the great parts need some seasoning and maybe in youth they tried too hard & overcompensated?

[@BjørjaBear]

In some ways it is illuminating to see this interview with Olivier and compare to the interview with Burton. There is a tension in Burton that comes across very well. Olivier seems more vain and happy go lucky. At times I think Richard Burton fits his namesake Richard Francis Burton...

[@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633]

Vain, Olivier. No, he seems down to earth and humble.

[@bennyjazzful]

GOD---What an actor. From a mad keen 75yo Aussie fan.

[@Isleofskye]

Are you still with us ? Just checking...

[@robinghosh8891]

We really are mesmerized by Laurence Lord Olivier

[@NxDoyle]

I think you wrote this purely to style Olivier's name that way. Why, I don't know. But there's nothing else of note in your comment, beyond speaking on our behalf with regard to being mesmerized. I enjoy the segments, sure, but I don't feel as if I'm in a trance. Oh, and just for shits & giggles, you missed a comma. It would be styled 'Laurence, Lord Olivier', mesmerized or no.

[@robinghosh8891]

@@NxDoyle Sir to inform you that no other Actor either living or dead ,or since Shakespeare's time has achieved such Greatness in Acting......so in the total area of his range of roles Sir Laurence has dominated in the 20th century... I am totally mesmerised....

[@peezebeuponyou3774]

@@NxDoyle Did Olivier upset you at some point in your life? You sound fairly bitter about something or other.

[@yellowburger]

I love the way he lifts his crossed feet up like a little kid. It's so unconscious and endearing. Watch from 7:56.

[@justinakavanagh3058]

I went back to look. It's endearing isn't it, so real.

[@ctb3078]

He is wonderful. Such a pity his contemporaries Leslie Howard and Robert Donat had their life cut short.

[@bloodgrss]

Yes; and that Donat was so ill and so self-doubting during his whole life...

[@pixl8me]

Rebecca, the book and original film. Clever, suspenseful.