Why Burt Lancaster Dropped Out of College and Joined the Circus | The Dick Cavett Show

[@ddburrows988]

I had the absolute pleasure to meet the man at a shoot for a public service announcement. He was a very respectful, kind and gentle man, and when he walked into the room he filled it with a breathtaking charisma I had never experienced from anyone before or since.

[@MrAnthonyVance]

I am not surprised to hear about your brief encounter with Burt and how he kept everyone under a spell. Such wonderful actor!

[@johnstrawb3521]

Incredible actor, as well. The Train is in my Top 100, all-time, all languages. It's a pity he and Yvonne De Carlo had no chemistry in Criss Cross. An otherwise superb film.

[@alvilla9659]

@@johnstrawb3521 they supposedly had charisma off screen if you know what i mean

[@rachelled6763]

Oh my yes...what a stunning looking, eloquent man at any age. You can see and feel his charisma oozing off the screen. How lucky you are to have met him.

[@skylinerunner1695]

That sounds awesome. Tell us more about that day please

[@GeorgeSmith1066]

I find it absolutely incredible that I can sit here late at night and summon legends like Burt Lancaster to entertain me with stories of their amazing lives.

[@hugh-johnfleming289]

YooToob is a f___ed up mess but it does have its share of graces ...

[@SaundersE5]

Yes it’s pretty great

[@hombre1965]

We can summon the heroes of old and listen to their tales. And no matter how many times we call on them to repeat themselves, they never seem to mind.

[@jackjude]

Yes, there are many great things about modern life :)

[@dgsevenyseven]

Thank you. Legend. The Swimmer brought me here.

[@ianrichardson8990]

It's great that Burt Lancaster interviews are starting to surface at last, and this is the best I've seen. For a long time they were as rare as hen's teeth. Thanks for finding and sharing it.

[@skylinerunner1695]

So true. He didn't do many.

[@herronslegs]

Gorgeous

[@jamesdrynan]

Thank goodness for Cavett, who had interviews with so many talented people who are gone now. Lancaster was a superb actor and amazing athlete. He and his circus partner, Nick Cravat, were lifelong friends. They starred in nine films together, doing their own stunts. My personal favorite was " The Crimson Pirate. " His portrayal of a cruel and ruthless critic in " Sweet smell of Success " was brilliant.

[@skylinerunner1695]

And thank goodness Cavett had the chance to buy all the tapes of his show back from the network before they disposed of them!

[@seanfaherty]

Ohhh yeah

[@hyacinthlynch843]

A great actor and a great storyteller. Love Burt Lancaster.

[@allanb52]

What a genuine man, full of humility and you can believe every interesting story. I always liked Burt.

[@XX-gy7ue]

BURT LANCASTER WAS NOT ONLY A GREAT STAR , HE WAS A BRILLIANT MAN !

[@FIREBRAND38]

Your caps lock seems to be stuck.

[@brucemcclary3260]

Burt Lancaster wasn’t anything like most of todays men,it’s a shame his masculine attitude is now thought of as toxic

[@joehopfield]

As an old gymnast, my coach at UCLA new Burt Lancaster around the time of this interview, this is absolutely riveting. I've never heard gymnastics and high bar in particular described more elegantly or perfectly.

[@mcd3379]

He was a great actor and he lived an incredible life. Burt Lancaster deserved all of his success - and earnt it all.

[@kamuelalee]

Lancaster was all class, all humor, and all legend. Love to see his full interview with Cavett, thanks for posting.

[@geoffjoffy]

A great actor and so modest. A lot of movie actors today could learn a lot from his modesty.

[@brianfischer149]

This is one of the best interviews I've ever seen and I'm 57 years old. I think I could listen to Lancaster's stories all day ! My favorite movie with him in it is " Run Silent Run Deep " !

[@salvationbordercountry3800]

Lancaster was such a terrific actor and an amazing person. An excellent interview. Dick Cavett had an exceptional talent which always made for a show that shined above all others.

[@diannewallace4829]

It almost breaks my heart see tapes like this one. It reminds me of the way people used to be. The youngsters today have no idea what they have missed..

[@malcolmcurran6248]

I share the same ineffable heartache for the way people used to be and the frustrating impossibility of conveying how people actually were to the younger generation. Burt Lancaster in this remarkable interview somehow captures the essence of what's missing today almost elliptically through the details, tone and manner of his storytelling which has been lost. I've noticed that so many young people struggle to even know how to tell a simple story. Everything begins with " It was like..." I suspect it has much to do with with having gone from an age where words needed to be matched with one's more focused experience and not substituted and supplanted by images alone. And to think that so many of these irreplaceable interviews were lost when ABC reused the video tapes to tape over to save money.

[@lilianarociobutroncordova9610]

​@@malcolmcurran6248What?????😮😮😮😮😮😢😢😢😢😢

[@malcolmcurran6248]

@@lilianarociobutroncordova9610Yes a real pity. But it wasn't an age of as much cheap easy duplication like now. We're either spoiled or very privileged. A single Xerox copy in 1970 cost 10 cents and the minimum wage was about $1.65 an hour. There was an incredible one of three Cavett did with Orson Welles this one in the summer or early Fall of 1970 where he read long passage from Saint Exupery's Wind, Sand and Stars and openly refered to the Nixon administration as taking on 'the incipient airs of the police state"... think it ran two nights...no trace of it to be found. And it wouldn't be because the powers that be got rid of it but more absurdly it was to save a few bucks! And Cavett's programs have become unique touchstones for the history of that time. Yes a pity.

[@johnhanselman6371]

Burt Lancaster is gone but not forgotten.

[@Danmark30]

What an elegant and intelligent man. He has charisma and a big presence!

[@paulkitt2376]

Burt is one of the best. I have never seen him talk so expansively this is why cavett is the best interviewer ever.

[@nataliacaetano6326]

He was a gorgeous man...that waltz scene in The Leopard was timeless...😎👏🏻😊

[@calcecini]

Yes indeed, and the moment after the waltz, when Alain Delon and Claudia Cardinale walk away together , and the camera rests on Lancaster’s face as he watches them and in one glance you can see everything that he is thinking… great actor.

[@nataliacaetano6326]

@@calcecini that's true!!!

[@MsBenlane]

@@calcecini i read the book which is wonderful. the description of the prince fits lancaster to a t. he was perfect casting. he grew up in an italian immigrant neighborhood

[@waynej2608]

I love The Leopard. It wasn't appreciated here in the states, as much as it should have, at the time. Glad that it has been gaining more respect, since then. Claudia Cardinale is gorgeous!

[@ORagnar]

Great actor, as well. He was supremely articulate.

[@alvaropelayo8084]

I don't get tired of watching Burt Lancaster in From Here to Eternity, Run Silent Run Deep with the King Clark Gable, The Train, The Professionals, Atlantic City. He was really a giant of the screen, God bless him.

[@benjaminglover1570]

The Train is a seriously overlooked film.

[@coerfjoe1]

The 2 Lancaster films I could not do without were two films displaying his athleticism 17 years apart: "The Jim Thorpe-All American," when he was 39 and "The Swimmer," when he was 58. I read a biography of him in the 80s but it fell short of my expectations. This clip is marvelous capturing his mind and almost photographic memory. I believe he was one of the rarest individuals who was able to create his future. He is rather shy here, compared to his achievements. I hope he realized his impact on the young, male underdogs struck by his self-confident physique and inquisitive intellect.

[@johnstrawb3521]

@Pit O'Maley Good lord, Lancaster in The Swimmer is perfect. Btw, if you haven't seen his athleticism to great purpose in The Train (1964), I think you'll enjoy it.

[@skylinerunner1695]

Great choice with those two films, bro. And you're right about his fine example of confidence and mind. He did a lesser film called Scorpio (1973) which shows him grab a bar and hoist himself up a wall with what was clearly an old trapeze move. It was a brief moment but it demonstrated his technique and continued upper body strength at age 60.

[@herronslegs]

The film the swimmer wonderful acting

[@knownpleasures]

He was 55 during The Swimmer

[@lilianarociobutroncordova9610]

​@@skylinerunner1695 Scorpio!!!! Correct.... I'm going to look It Up.

[@stephengiese7549]

He is exact in his speaking. Seen a lot of his work. He takes time to explain whatever. I love his wry smile with that mustache😀

[@lloydbraun6026]

I can watch The Train over and over.

[@tommcconville677]

Burt Lancaster was a true Renaissance man as well as a superb actor. You'll never see anyone in movies today who even comes close to him.

[@gmoke]

Burt Lancaster was not only talented and athletic, he was smart as well. His first Hollywood contract guaranteed he could become a producer as well as an actor. Reportedly, he could do giant swings on the bars into his 60s.

[@skylinerunner1695]

That is correct. You can see him do a move in a movie called Scorpio (1973) where he hoists his body up a wall demonstrating an old trapeze technique and clear upper body strength age 60.

[@dougarchbold1489]

The best interview that Cavett has ever done. Why are there not more Cavett interviews of Lancaster. Just brilliant!

[@jamesporter5630]

Burt Lancaster was a force on screen. Most watching this clip would agree whole heartedly with that statement. If you have discovered Dick Cavett and you are cycling through his programs, great. You have made a marvelous discovery. Now, go find 2 or 10 of the Lancaster films mentioned in the introduction. (Rainmaker, Elmer Gantry, Judgement at Nuremberg…) You will not be disappointed. And, you will understand fully what Cavett meant when he promised his viewers a real movie star.

[@JC-bf9zm]

I would at to that list one of Lancaster's lesser known films, The Swimmer. I watched it over a year ago and it still haunts me. So ethereal, so sad but simultaneously beautiful, so well acted, like nothing you see these days.

[@jamesporter5630]

@@JC-bf9zm I agree. The Swimmer enjoyed a large number of airings on broadcast TV throughout the years. Lancaster’s ability (and courage), to portray the main character’s mental struggles is testament to his acting ability.

[@fractuss]

@@JC-bf9zm We watched that movie in junior high school.

[@johnnyangel9163]

People forget he played the tortured alcoholic in Come Back Little Sheba. Brutal!In a way he was the most redeemable character in the film although Shirley Booth was fantastic .

[@christoph404]

every time Lancaster laughs....that very distinctive laugh.....I just think of the brilliant impersonation that Frank Gorshin used to do of him!!!

[@waynej2608]

Gorshin had Burt down, to a tee. "Fine, just fine", and then the laugh. Great stuff.

[@gregcruse4647]

Now that is what a star should look like

[@highpsi11]

I never noticed Burt's New York accent before - maybe he altered it in movies. He was a special actor: handsome, fit, and with a gentle, sincere, serious quality that was so attractive.

[@johntheball]

Burt is my hero....what a life to walk thru with that face, physique, and voice and confidence....

[@robatsea2009]

A great background into Lancaster's early days. That athleticism and circus training was put to good use in a number of his action-oriented movies, where he didn't need doubling.

[@ronmackinnon9374]

Good thing he made the right call about that lion!

[@johnnyangel9163]

East Harlem boy!

[@calcecini]

Thank you so much! If there is more to this interview I hope you’ll post it in due course. Lancaster was really something special.

[@Ross-lu6sq]

More please! Legend! A FIVE DECADE career! One of the best ever...

[@waynej2608]

Absolutely.

[@malafakka8530]

The first interview with a Lancaster that I have seen on KZbin. Very good. I wish there was more.

[@mootpointjones8488]

Lancaster looks very relaxed. He often played very intense characters during his film career.

[@Susie_Floozie]

Burt mentions his partner Nick. Nick Cravat appears in two of Lancaster's rollicking early films, THE CRIMSON PIRATE and THE FLAME AND THE ARROW. Nick played a mute character because of his strong Brooklyn accent. Onscreen he and Burt pull off the most breathtaking stunts with flawless timing. Lancaster's stuntwork in the opening of THE CRIMSON PIRATE is absolutely gobsmacking, and when he pauses to break the fourth wall and address the audience, he makes me weak in the knees. What a man.

[@skylinerunner1695]

Their stealth long-pole sequence in Flame and the Arrow is brilliant, not to mention Burt's full out trapeze routine on the castle wall flag poles at the end of the film.

[@juerv1]

Nick Cravat: a legend of his own. He had incredible, supernatural physical strength. Look at what he does in THE FLAME AND THE ARROW.

[@christopherstilley7756]

How many times have I seen Burt Lancaster in the movies..but can't think of a time I ever saw him interviewed.

[@sharksport01]

He kept his personal life very private, probably because he was bisexual.

[@Mickey-1994]

He was fruity.

[@maxthepupp]

Burt Lancaster was, and is, a freakin' STAR! What a filmography. I don't think he gets enough love.

[@somethingyousaid5059]

I saw him recently in a movie called "The Swimmer". It was good. He was good in it.

[@geneobrien8907]

A great film!

[@cliftonwebb3295]

He was more than good. He was excellent and the film was original and fantastically brilliant

[@mikephalen3162]

That film is criminally underrated. A fantastic work of art.

[@nicholasjanke3476]

Interesting film. Burt Lancaster is excellent as the mentally disturbed man who's totally in his own world.

[@ronmackinnon9374]

Based on a John Cheever story. Directed by Frank Perry. It was about a man in mid-life crisis, before that term had come into common use.

[@mikefullwood356]

One of the absolute Greats, always watchable and believable....

[@misterE-1989]

Favorite actor of all time.

[@skylinerunner1695]

Good taste

[@raftfan]

My buddy the late Mickey Knox considered Burt his closest Hollywood friend when he started in the business (check out Mickey as the killer Skinner in I WALK ALONE). As with Kirk Douglas, Mickey said that Burt could be difficult to work with, but was always kind and considerate with his fans, never refusing to sign an autograph. Pure class.

[@OnlyThe1Son]

wow, finally.. been waiting years for Burts interview... cant wait for the next ones...

[@Sulu-sw3zo]

I loved _'The Swimmer',_ saw it in my teens back in the 1980's. Great film.

[@paulmaloney2383]

He is a very engaging, articulate man with a flair for storytelling, you don't get to see interviews like that any more

[@Kurtiscott]

Please post more of this interview. Great stuff

[@zovalentine7305]

My mom was on PTA w/his wife Norma @ Bellagio Road School; went to their home for son's birthday; fond memories of pinata, pony, glee-filled romping w/dozens of children on fairytale estate grounds 🤗❤

[@skylinerunner1695]

That's awesome! Any more you can share?

[@johnneilamore6581]

Burt looks very much like a theatrical here , but a likeable and modest demeanour..a charming person , really , unexpectidely so

[@brahilly]

Such a presence. A true Hollywood giant and screen legend.

[@JohnNiemsMusic]

I can still remember the movie Trapeze which I saw as a kid in 1956! Burt did many of the stunts in it too! He was certainly right for the part.

[@bluecolor1600]

One of my alltime favorite actors ever! What screen presence, charisma and brilliance in his acting! Outstanding movie legend and such a great man!!👏👏❤️

[@robertcatesby8420]

Really good actor, a great star and a terrific man.

[@michaeltootikian4402]

Burt Lancaster one of the all time greats

[@youknow6968]

The greats of modern age, the memories they gave us, we are thankful, stay blessed, wherever you are.

[@sunestjern3749]

Burt Lancaster is one of the best actors of all times absolute! I never get tired of watching my favorite movies of his like the LAW MAN and the SCALP HUNTERS just to mention a few, what a man!

[@skylinerunner1695]

Ulzana's Raid

[@sunestjern3749]

@@skylinerunner1695 just to mention a few! 👍😁😊

[@skylinerunner1695]

@@sunestjern3749 Yeah. It would take us a while to list them all 😀

[@sunestjern3749]

@@skylinerunner1695 Absolutely!

[@countryman5329]

I wonder, does anyone else out there watch these great old interviews with a deep ache of sadness for a simpler world lost in time?

[@sinestatus]

Watching his hands moving is mesmerizing.

[@williamphillips6049]

He does powerful, brave, crazy show off type characters and in real life seems like a big shy kid.

[@destroygaryfunky7053]

How refreshing is it to hear an entertainer speak without beginning every sentence with"And I'm like,......RIP Burt,.....a gifted actor,.....an icon actually.

[@skylinerunner1695]

or the dreaded 'so...'

[@bobwallace1880]

I lived in a small town in Texas (Smithville) in the 1950's. Mr. Lancaster came to Smithville to see 3 men who had been in the circus with him. They worked at a local barbeque joint. It caused a sensation in our little town. But think about a man who traveled such a long way to see old friends. A real gentleman.

[@Psychonolfi]

I could listen to him talk for days. What a treat!

[@lynnturman8157]

Don't know about you but I always found interviews that ended with sudden & violent decapitation just so incredibly heartwarming.

[@skylinerunner1695]

Yeah it warms the heart and sets you up for the day like nothing else. 😀

[@wildbillharding]

Ha!

[@MsBenlane]

what a wonderful storyteller i wish he had written a book. wonderful actor.

[@skylinerunner1695]

Yes, an account of his life in his own words would have been fantastic.

[@steviemoon4472]

fantastic person and of course a magnificent actor , God bless him !!!!

[@swatguy6237]

Just listening to him speak……..class….personified.

[@paulccrimmins]

Wow! What a fascinating life he had

[@ebonymanley26]

Great actor so handsome one of my favorites.

[@docraineyIII]

Burt! The coolest actor ever to tease our imaginations.

[@matthewmehegan3475]

He always looked like he knew something we didn't.

[@skylinerunner1695]

Well put.

[@elisabethvalade9866]

Am pretty sure he did.

[@DwightStJohn-w1l]

@@elisabethvalade9866 Made "Scorpio" and got permission from the White House to film it. Was nervous it would be interpreted too literally. Time proves him right.

[@elisabethvalade9866]

@@DwightStJohn-w1l You've got me, there...

[@Joedirtt]

Eloquence at its finest.. just the fact that he stops and listens carefully to Dicks questions is just amazing. We overlook these small things but how grand they are, when we notice them.

[@fifthbusiness1678]

Fascinating voice. Never knew he was from NY!

[@skylinerunner1695]

New Yawk thru and thru

[@pablopaul6371]

Great interview Burt really shows his Irish roots with the mustache and I can hear it in his accent also

[@shadow-Sun]

Burt lancaster , proper Hollywood Legend .

[@Thom3748]

Lancaster was part of my life growing up in the 50s and 60s. He projected an image as a man’s man, and lived that image to a great degree when he was younger. I miss his performances. The sweet smell of success was a terrific movie. Still think about that from time to time.

[@DigitalRackGear]

We are blessed to see this. Fantastic to hear about circus life.

[@DrCrabfingers]

Great interview...

[@srvuk]

One of my favourite actors.

[@johnmccann8319]

He was a GREAT actor.Gentleman.Storyteller and great human being.

[@johnblowes600]

Could listen to him for hours ….great stuff

[@billycharles]

Lancaster is a legend. He’s always always superb

[@fernmann7]

The biggest

[@dangelo1369]

Some trivia: Burt Lancaster was related to the comedian Ernie Kovacs by marriage. Kovacs daughter, Kippie (1949-2001) married Burt Lancaster’s son, Bill (1947-1997). They had a daughter, Keigh Lancaster (1966-2017) Trivia: Bill Lancaster became an actor and writer. One of his scripts was “The Bad News Bears” based on his father’s experience as his Little league coach as a child.

[@Joez86]

Burt was the man. Brilliant

[@chrisjones2224]

Grew up in the 1970s in 🇬🇧 Burt Lancaster was a giant of Hollywood, a true household name, I didn't think I could admire him more,,and yet here I am, in awe.

[@wokeybrokey8006]

what a super interesting guy, I always liked him as an actor, but this shows what a charming interesting guy.

[@maxpower6765]

Always liked his films. Seems like a normal dude Cheers 🥇🏆

[@dr.science9505]

Burt was ALWAYS entertaining.

[@tygrlili]

I’ve always loved Burt Lancaster. One of my first crushes….

[@skylinerunner1695]

You and a million others 😀

[@francisalanwormald6328]

AT 85 I was always drawn to this real star & man...he was a true ICON!!!

[@nibsvkh]

Criss Cross…one of the all time great film noir classics!

[@MsBenlane]

yes and with the great dan duryea.

[@skylinerunner1695]

A brilliant film

[@nhmooytis7058]

Burt was a fantastic actor! My fave role of his was JJ Hunsecker in The Sweet Smell of Success. Also all class.

[@skylinerunner1695]

You're a cookie full of arsenic 😀

[@SteveBrant55]

What a wonderful interview! I expected this to be about his films and instead it was about this time in the circus. What a thrilling chapter in his life! Also... I loved him in 7 Days in May and also Jim Thorpe: All American... two films Cavett did not mention.

[@Johnny-ip4mk]

Dick got much pleasure in interviewing himself. It’s a shame none of his guests ever told him to shut up.

[@Baz-Ten]

Interviewers of celebs *all* do this to a lesser degree. It must be a formula to test a stars ego!

[@mLi75]

Welcome back. great stuff

[@568843daw]

Burt Lancaster made a living at his chosen career. He made money just like anyone in a career would do. He had a great agent that got him fabulous parts and he did his job. This interview was fabulous in that it demonstrated how ridiculous the press was even back then. His reaction to the tedious and banal questions was excellent.

[@paulbfields8284]

I believe I have been good at seeing the character in actors through the character in their performance.. Lancaster is just what I would’ve expected.. straight through, no dancing around and right to the point. Such a fabulous actor

[@nicholasjanke3476]

One of Burt Lancaster's fellow circus performers played the monster on the airplane in the one Twilight Zone episode. He's also in the Crimson Pirate.

[@theironclads]

Yes, that's Nick Cravat. They were boyhood pals in NYC.

[@nicke5403]

What an eloquent and intellectual actor he was - fantastic!

[@brazkdidiyabrak1785]

I love every single movie of burt lancaster a true star and legend.

[@jimgarrison7340]

If you haven't seen Burt in "Elmer Gantry" you are missing one of the greatest performances of all time. He got the 1960 Academy for it.

[@joycefolsom130]

Such a good actor.