Wonderful interview with legendary author Eudora Welty on The Dick Cavett Show from 1979. Part one of two episodes that aired on consecutive days. I also have the second episode on youtube.
One of my college professors, B.C. Hall, went to Mississippi to see Miss Welty back in the day, and he brought her a watermelon. And she said, "I thank you kindly."
I absolutely agree. I've watched this a couple of times, and didn't realize until today that it's a two part interview. "Many Pearls" has posted Part 2 as well!
Jackson, MS. native here (now living in Washington State)...if ya don't know, you can visit Eudora's home, which is now a museum, in the Belhaven neighborhood of Jackson. Beautiful home, gorgeous neighborhood with Belhaven College as the centerpiece. Absolutely worth the visit if you ever get the chance.
I paused the video and grabbed a Eudora short story book before I listened to the interview. Had no idea she was going to read excerpts (I know, what would authors do?). Was an unexpected pleasure reading along with this Southern treasure.
Thank you so much for posting this! The more I read Miss Eudora's writing, the more I want to know about her. I stumbled upon the Welty at Home virtual book club (from the official Welty House and Garden) bc of my love for Faulkner. They were reading THE SOUND AND THE FURY, bc they alternate between Welty and one of her many beloved fellow authors. During that time, the Welty House tweeted about Medgar Evers and her story "Where is the Voice Coming From?" for Mr. Evers' assassination anniversary. That got me interested in her character, and I stuck around for their next reading which was Welty's THE WIDE NET.
I love these old Cavett shows where he gives time to his guests to really respond to his questions and really engage. Modern chat shows are a hideous dumbed down competition between host and guest …. Each trying desperately to sound funnier than the other by telling evermore banal anecdotes. Strange times
FYI--People who say Cavett likes the sound of his own voice too much are those who have difficulty comprehending what he is saying. Next life, try to graduate high school.
I pity you, if that is all you took away from this wonderful interview and reading. If you want the world to be brighter, it starts with kindness to yourself and others. So I hope you learn to see the beauty of this author and in yourself.
