TCM shows a short about how Mitchum made TCM Host Robert Osbourne absolutely squirm with his one-word answers. Came here for a more expressive Mitchum.
Met him in Tokyo in 1974 when he was filming, The Yakuza, drank sake with him. I thought he would have wanted some scotch and water, however, he smiled and said, When in Rome...thank you. Cool guy in his 50s, and I was 24 trying to be cool. I had been a script advisor for a film starring David Niven, called, Paper Tiger. My job was to teach the Japanese boy actor, Ando, his lines in English for the film. Through connections, I ended up meeting Mitchum and Takakura Ken. Also a super cool man with a lot of class. Great memory. Down the road, I ended up being an actor based in Japan doing a lot of TV and some films.
Great story Victor...loved how you said you were trying to be cool...what else could you have done in the presence of such a cool and charismatic man like Robert Mitchum. He was the real deal.
Love David Niven, "Paper Tiger" one of the worst movies ever made, thanks for the Bob Mitchum confirmation story, genuine and sincere through and through. Trivia: How many movies did he do with Deborah Kerr? The oddest but most perfect paring.
I was in the Navy and in New York City in port for 4 days and was in the audience for this taping.!!!! I remember it well.!!! Something i will remember for the rest of my life.!!!!
How bizarre it must be to think that here we are 48 years later watching this on something called RU-vid. Was this your first time seeing the broadcast version?
This is a great explanation of why those 'stars' like Mitchum, were stars. They lived a life before acting. So they saw life and knew life. Now famous people are famous from age 6 on youtube, and all they have to talk about is clothes and hits and followers, and its SO dull. And interviews are never unscripted & uncontrolled like this. Great stuff
Well they weren't always selling a book or promoting a film. Can only speak for Ireland and to a lesser extent the UK. When you went to a party in someone's house often after some libations you were expected to do a turn. Play an instument,sing recite a poem maybe tell a few jokes or even a wee conjuring or card trick. I speak of generations born pre 1940 or so. They were there on tv shows often because they actually wanted to be there. Maybe in the knowledge that fans would appreciate them giving them a real glimpse into their lives. Just my tuppence worth.
@@JamesHenderson-wk4hd When Mitchum was asked about the slaughter of six million Jews, the actor replied, “So the Jews say,” He added. “I don’t know. People dispute that.” After a series of questions and answers, Mitchum was quoted as offering the following statement: “How do you say trust me in Jewish? F- you.” Then, it was onwards to a string of recollections about Jewish friends he’d had growing up, including Mel Blumberg, whose uncle, a rabbi, would tell stories about the angels climbing Jacob’s Ladder only to piss on the sinners below. To be fair, in the course of the same interview, Mitchum was also deeply dismissive of blacks, the Irish, and women.
in my pathetic youth, I didn't really take much notice of the old school actors but boy, I worship them now. So down-to-earth and REAL. He was soo handsome too. Old Hollywood was magical.
Sorry--but this guy uses the sleepwalker image, to avoid his many flaws as a person...remember, it is better to watch how people actually behave, in comparison to what they say about themselves....Dick could not really penetrate what Mitchum was hiding behind.
@@curbozerboomer1773 nah just accept that he’s naturally a cool charismatic sleepwalker ever, if he’s showing his true self idk but he’s showing enough anyway
It took me a long time to see the casual, genuine style of Mitchum's performances. Almost the opposite of Burt Lancaster's intense ways, I sometimes felt he was phoning it in but missed the nuances of a man completely comfortable in his own skin, reacting at his own pace in such a natural way. Off screen, the same natural unpretentious cool, that you either had or didn't. He did. Had his flaws but as major Hollywood actors go, Mitch was a man in full.
I lived in Santa Barbara in 1974. So did Mitchum. During the phony gas crisis of that year when tankers were anchored behind Catalina to drive the prices up lines were long at the gas pump. I was waiting in a line. There was also a line on the opposite side of the pumps. Mitchum was in that line. He looked at me and said, "Long line." I said, "Sure is." That was my entire conversation with Mitchum. Pretty snappy exchange, right?
@@scaryharryflanagan70 It was the end of an era in which SB still had strong remnants of it's old traditions as a somewhat relaxed seaside town. Huge change occurred in a few years. In 1973 downtown State street was still full of stores selling things people needed. Ice cream cones were sold in front of a drug store for a nickel a dip. Over a few years the street quickly morphed into rows of boutique shops full of useless things at outrageous prices. Many of the old guard were forced out of their stores by huge rent increases. Real estate prices grew by multiples. I bought a four unit apartment building for $64,000. A few years later each unit was worth $64,000. I had an opportunity to buy thirty acres of vacant land in Montecito for $600,000 but couldn't afford it. That land was later divided into one-acre plots that sold for one million each. The first house I bought in 1973 for $72,000 is now valued at over two million. It's still a nice place with great weather but no longer the relaxed city it once was. I believe SB changed more in that short period of the 1970's than most. It now strikes me as an LA suburb, but a nice LA suburb if you can afford it.
I was probably 9 or 10 years old when this aired. Had I seen it, it would have gone completely over my head but what I regret is that television talk shows are no longer about intelligent adult level conversations. We get it, then as now, many of the guests are on for a "plugging tour" of their latest project, but the human pace of the interview and the respect not only for the guest but also that Dick Cavett respects the intelligence of his audience.
Mitchum had an uncanny ability to memorize dialogue in next to no time. A force to be reckoned with on all levels of the craft. Those masquerading as film actors today couldn't hold a candle to this giant.
Robert Mitchum along with Humphrey Bogart is my favorite actor from Hollywood's Golden Age. He had this laid-back intensity both on and off screen. He looks so passive and indifferent to what's going on but was clearly highly intelligent and articulate (apparently had a photographic memory) and oozed cool and confidence and unique presence.
@@markharrison2544 He said some things to interviews which I don't think he really meant, and that was later in his career. Drinking, which he denies here in this interview, sadly got the better of him as well.
@@jackwoods535 There are some good series now, I don't watch any of them though. I don't feel the same watching current stuff than watching the classics. Sorry.
My God, they don't make them like this anymore...ROBERT MITCHUM. I love his honesty, how gentle, fascinating, quite, naughty, and dynamic he was. WOW !
No, they don't make them like that anymore. They can't. The war opened up already great people and killed far too many. Check out Lee Marvin another smart mofo.
@@patricias5122. I think he was exaggerating to get a little bit of a laugh when he said he hit the horse, Patricia. Apparently, what he actually did was… Extremely firmly - grab that rebellious horses head with both his hands… As roughly as he needed to… But did not hurt the horse… And told the wonderful creature… “HEY. I really need this job. Straighten out!” Or words to that effect. 🐎 🐴 ❤ James Cagney will always be my other favorite… But Robert Mitchum sure is very very very high on my list. . Incomparable REAL man! And could sing, too! Really well indeed. Wrote a little bit of highly decent, legitimately good, entertaining rockabilly music, also. The real deal. I mean… The Real Deal. - Not to mention… The amount of… Pretty legitimate horror… That he had to endure as a kid… And he came out on top. I really can’t find words for what massive respect I have for him. Just like James Cagney’s TOUGH, tough, super-testing childhood! . 🏆 🌟 ☘️ Anyway… Stay well and safe, Virginia Hammer & Midlantic Theatre Company, Newark, NJ
Bob Mitchum was very intelligent and had a sensitive tender side. I read a letter he sent a fellow actor. He was one of the best with foreign accents esp Irish. Beautiful singing voice..very musically inclined. So many false impressions from writers and public because he was genuine to himself no false airs. I married a man very similar.
Oh my goodness, he was the epitome of COOL. Loved Robert Mitchem. Loved his movies. Cape Fear, Night of the Hunter just to name a few fabulous performances.. He was so versatile, always gave strong quality performances. Great interview. Bob is missed but not forgotten. xx
Mitchum is indeed an almost universally highly rated talent. The term underrated is as annoying as the use of the word literally and though I know what you are trying to say - you mean he deserved a larger audience. I suggest you just go ahead and say that.
Kicks his feet out in front of his knees each step. Vic Morrow used to do that also. I often wondered if Vic developed that stride by studying Mitchum.
@@glenbellefonte9620 "j walkin "When Chuck Norris falls into the water, he doesn't get wet-the water gets Chuck Norrised" kinda thing?"🤣🤣 Thank you sir that brought a smile to this old face. It had been a while since there was a Chuck Norris "joke". I think the beauty of Mr. Norris, was his appreciative of the creative things fans would attribute to his on screen persona. Bearing that in mind and showing his sense of humor and appreciation, I believe, some years ago, he posted all the, then, witty comments on line. I know this is about Mr. Mitchum, but like Mr. Mitchum it seems Mr. Norris does not seek public recognition and nor suffers fools either.
@@davekinghorn9567 It's been along time, since the movie accident, that I anyone had mentioned Vic Morrow. He had that quiet, but firm understated screen persona. And his walk, I'll go with your questioning thought, but yessir, he had a unique, cool stride that was unmistakable. I think his motion was more from the waist down, and I had always though of it as the "shuffle strut". It's been so long, since I've watched anything, Combat etc, that I'll have to take a look see. I thought Mr. Mitchum's gait included a manner in which he moved his upper torso and shoulders with the chest sticking out. Oh, another "cool" strider...Denzel Washington,lol. Have a great day.
I have always thought and still do that this gentleman, and I stress the term gentleman, was the sexiest man alive. Thanks for coming our way, and leaving your work and image behind Mr. Mitchum; we won't see the likes of you again.
I never paid much attention to Robert Mitchum's work until "The Winds of War". I had adored Herman Wouk's novel, and when I first heard that Robert Mitchum had been cast in the role of Victor "Pug" Henry, I thought well that's going to be a disaster. What were they thinking? But by the end of the first episode of The Winds of War, I was awed by Mitchum's performance. To this day, I watch that series at least twice a year, and individual episodes from it far more frequently, all because I love Robert Mitchum as Pug Henry. I enjoyed this interview very much. Dick Cavett did a great job, drawing out good stories from a man I assumed would be reticent and difficult to engage. Robert Mitchum got into the flow of the hour and made it well worth watching.
Robert Mitchum! Coolest walk, stride, gait in the business! Even as cool as the Duke, maybe more in my mind! Truly as man for all seasons, a man after my own heart. He and Robert Ryan remind me of an uncle I had, my favorite uncle.
Great interview...you tell this guy is one sharp fellow, despite the fact that he didn't graduate from high school. When speaking about his Blackfoot ancestors, he speaks about their "proclivity for peregrination" in a very natural way...not searching for words. Such a well-spoken guy. RIP Bob Mitchum.
2 class acts here. Cavett is a great interviewer, just making conversation. Robert Mitchum an absolute legend. "I have vices enough". Witty and cool man. Great to see him in this way. Thanks for posting.
Years ago my father was staying at the Beverly Hills Hotel and by chance had the opportunity to meet Robert Mitchum over drinks. My father enjoyed Mitchums company as the man was polite and humorous. Somehow the conversation turned philosophical. Mitchum was asked by my father what his pleasures were in life. Robert Mitchum replied: "The three B's. Beef, Booze and Broads."
RM had another astounding talent that assisted him in his roles. He had a photographic memory so precise that he could speed read pages of dialogue and be ready to roll😎👌
Bob Mitchum had a life like few men either in or out of Hollywood. Thrown out of schools, riding the rails across the country , etc. but he, along with his brother and sister, became such wise & talented people. A truly amazing life.
Mr Mitchum might have regretted a few dud movies over the years but, when he was onscreen, he always had your attention, regardless of the merits of the script. Watch him with Gregory Peck in the original _Cape Fear,_ to my mind a rather better movie than the remake.
Humboles Good thoughts👍 Cape Fear, the original, hands down better than the remake. Mr. Mitchum, as many actors spoke of the films, the roles, that left little or nothing to be desired. Although he made not have taken himself "painted up' for a living:), like another actor whose name escapes me at the momemt, he took pride in doing a good job and getting his check at the end.. Maybe that is a combination from back then, work hard, give "a honest day's work for an honest day's paid". That sense of self discipline and work ethic seems to be missing these days, even before the Covid outbreak.
I have enjoyed every Mitchum movie I have ever seen. A natural actor as I think i remember him saying life is acting, everybody’s an actor. I wish there were more movies to watch. He was definitely buzzed in that relaxed style, maybe a doobie before the interview. very smooth dude.
Amazing Robert Mitchum had never seen "Night of the Hunter", one of the best films of his career, if not the best. What a remarkable, handsome actor. 💜
Robert Mitchum played in over 100 movies... I loved his movies... I loved his voice... One of the best acters there ever was... Married over 30 years... (2019)
I remember this show as a kid and I gotta: this guy is the 70’s equivalent of a good podcast. Ask a question, let them talk and take the conversation where they choose.
Dock Cavett really proves himself here. Mitchum oozes so much self-empowerment and sex appeal, savvy and cool, it’s amazing how calm and restrained Cavett is with his irascible star. He’s almost like an intuitive wrangler with a sensitive, wild, unpredictable horse.
I watched his movie Ryan Daughter on VCR in Pakistan when I was 17 was so imoressed with his personality and always remembered him .. Today seeing this interview was blessing .. Great Great gentleman, sounds so gently but sexy and very intelligent and thoughtful in conversation Men of those era were really MEN
You have to watch this a couple times and know Mr. Mitchums persona a bit, but he leaves Dick Cavett in the dust. His humor is mostly his own and by the time someone figures that out, he's around the next turn with a slight smirk just throwin down breadcrumbs. he finally loosens up a little after his medicine kicked in. What a great man that cat was.
Totally disagree I'd say Dick was equally if not more witty and talented than most of the people he talked with. He fed them their lines and got them to open up. We all know most of the stories these actors tells are mostly fabrications, it's not uncommon to find half a dozen actors over the years telling variations of the same story, and just changing names and giving no specific information. They are acting and often playing up to the publics perception of them
When the current world annoys me, I return to these great interviews. Robert Mitchell was an icon among icon. I won't mention what the current crop are.
I had seen some old movies staring Robert Mitchum...I always thought he was a very talented actor.... after watching this interview ....I didn't know he was so damn cool and so intelligent.
I love the story of when he did Saturday Night Live in the 80's, and all he asked for was a bottle of tequila and $2,000 dollars in cash. Everybody waited for him, and as he arrived and he said hi to everyone, he stood silently. Someone approaches him and hands him an envelope with the money requested and the bottle, and he says abruptly "OK, what do you need me to do?" lol
Fabulous interviewer . No wonder Dick has the reputation of being THE best ever . He had the unique ability to first get the subject relaxed and he could do this with one or two right questions. He made them feel good about themselves. Then and only then would he start the real interview.
First saw him in Thunder Road with my father when I was about 14. In retrospect he was a major influence on me growing up. He defines cool. Wish I could have known him IRL.
I miss this kind of articulate intelligent conversation on television and Mitchum is a particularly compelling interviewee and of course Cavett was a gifted interviewer
It's just nice to watch these old interviews with these massive movie stars - and they really were as massive as the great composers were in their era (everyone's heard of them and always will - and might never know why!). The reason for me is because it's just satisfying to find out that they're more intelligent and interesting and complicated in real life than they were in their movies. Nowadays, it is absolutely the other way around. And most of today's movies stink, so figure that one out.
Reminds me of my late father. A great actor, personality and a true gent. He gave the oomph to every picture he was in. Fascinating man, who was out there in the real world. There will indeed never be another Bob.
The great thing about this guy is, he well and truly lived a life full of freedom and adventure before Hollywood got a hold of him. By that time his life experiences were well and truly set in stone and no one could make a deceitful move on him. UK
He’s so well read and not full of himself comfortable in his own skin I feel a part of the conversation and Mitchum is a Big deal a major Hollywood star…he’s so impressive …DC makes for good conversation.
That was awesome. One of the best interviews I've ever seen. What a cool man. From the time he walked in. Such confidence. Great job by Dick Cavett too. I didn't want it to end.
I didn't see it like that at all . He hated giving interviews . I always thought him a shy person and the awkward persona he gives off in interviews is just a manifestation of this . Poor Dick was walking on eggshells all during the interview seemingly terrified of offending him .I like some of the stuff Mitchum says others I don't get him at all and neither did Dick and most other interviewers I've seen him with .
@@paacer I felt exactly the same way. I've never seen Dick Cavett so nervous, and Mitchum seemed a bit affected at times. He also was offended by Cavett's off color comment about "making Ryan's daughter" . I love both these guys, but this wasn't my favorite Cavett interview.
@@traceyarnaud8433 Not to be rude or contrary,but I didn't see it that way..From observing Dick Cavett.(in the last 10 yrs or so)from my perspective he often looked slightly nervous(and even uncomfortable at times) some of this I feel was his approach to the Job..By perhaps looking a little unsure of himself,might (he hoped) make his Guests feel more comfortable?(and willing to relax and open up possibly? .And as for Robert Mitchum,(A fantastic Actor) he just did his thing&in some respects he came a cross as if he couldn't give a Royal f##k for all of the Celeb BS,etc .But was aware that he was contracted to play his role in the Proceedings! .So I most def enjoyed the interview! But naturally I respect ur opinion!
@@jerryoshea3116 I hear you, and Dick Cavett is my all time favorite interviewer. I also really loved Mitchum as an actor and a personality. Then I compare some of my favorite interviews he did with Richard Burton and Janis Joplin, and they just flowed so comfortably. Of course it could just be my take on it, and personality and other factors could have affected things, but those were great to watch!
@@traceyarnaud8433 No of course,and we all are entitled to our interpretation. . I sent the Vid to my Brother(in London) and he described Mitchum as "Stroppy" which I thought was a bit strong(I disagree with him) me he was refreshingly unpretentious &down to earth..He was not full.of the typical Actor/Thespian phony presentation..(u never know which face ur seeing? a force of habit&brought on by how they make their living)..But ur right the Richard Burton interview was interesting...He came a cross as a decent man👍
One of my favorite movies of ALL is "Farewell My Lovely", a Raymond Chandler story BUT tho a noir, shot in a painterly style in BRILLIANT COLOR. It stars Mr. Mitchum & was YET IN HIS FUTURE when this talk was taped. He was a solid, SOLID something. He NEVER made a bad movie, was never known to make a foolish move.
Farewell My Lovely is one of my favorite films, I saw it when it first came out in a theater in Hollywood. I think it's one of the greatest film Noir movies of all time and yet it never seems to be playing except rarely at film Noir festivals. It's truly great
I was working as an assistant propman when Rober Mitchum came to Montreal to film some scenes for War & Remembrance in the 1980"s. Now, after more than 45 years of working in the business, it is the only time I have ever felt starstruck. I knew my place and never said a word to the man, it was awesome just to be in the same room and experience his presents.
He is’ a scarey guy, a hard guy to interveiw, but I loved him since I was 12. There was a “man”,,.. after my own heart!❤. Handsome, handsome,. Doesnt care what anyone thinks!👍. What a terrific actor….
Robert Mitchum is one of my all-time favorite actor. Same age as my father, died at the same age. I grew up watching RM's movies. He's an icon, a legend. I'll always love him. I think he got arrested for cannabis and that makes him even more cool to me. Montréal fan.
Forget the stars Dick is fantastic at what he does so so relaxed and always always gets the best out of the star that is a talent in itself as we all know hence he is as famous as those he interviews a great great man in himslef so lets give him all the credit he deserves !!!!!!!!!!!
He might have been in a few clunkers, but Robert was always worth watching on the big screen. His roles with Deborah Kerr seemed to be his best though.
Scared me silly when I saw it for the second time already a grandmother. I saw it as a young child and I did not understand why he was a bad man. Until the end. I think I was about 7..I saw it on television.
You can tell Mr. Cavitt was really nervous interviewing him but I think they had a pretty good chemistry and at the end I think it got better as Dick loosened up a little and you could feel Mitchum opening up more... One thing about Mr. Cavitt that I admire is he always respected everybody he interviewed and had a reverence about his approach with that respect... he never seemed to cross that line with anyone he interviewed. When I was younger I did not appreciate him nearly as much as I do now. We all loved Johnny of course but I simply think that Cavitt's interviews are just better then anybody else's. These interviews really aged well and I think are among the very best examples of any interview from anyone ever.
The Yakuza. If you have not, then watch this, then watch Kill Bill. The Yakuza was a really seminal film that broke cultural barriers far ahead of its time. And a brilliant, gripping movie too.
