Richard Burton was amazing; a superior intellect. Went great with Dick as they're both so damned smart. Can't think of any modern interviews being so illuminating.
If you want to act like a gentleman, there are two people to emulate: Christopher Lee, and of course, David Niven. Refined, but humble. Brave, but discreet. Experienced, but not a braggard. Lover to, and respecter of, women, but not a pushover. Extremely well-spoke, but no snobby.
Lately I’ve been reading books by Ben McIntyre and Damien Lewis (not the actor) on the WWII British Commandos and SAS, incredible brave soldiers who went behind enemy lines to conduct sabotage and was surprised to read that David Niven was one of them. Very impressive résumé.
Fabulous interview! I've loved Niven's acting ever since I was a little kid nor was I old enough to stay up to watch Dick Cavett when this aired. BTW, Yes We Have No Bananas is on Spotify.
Back in the day I was too cool to watch the Dick Cavett Show! Watching these now I realize I missed out on how the entertainment industry REALLY worked and still does! Some of the stars just blurt it out, others are more "gracious"!
Cont from above. Heart of gold and ending up a stint is the classic lie snd excuse for such! He is s bragging about something he should be greatly ashamed of!!!
I loved his story about getting the german iron cross in normandy. The way he explained everything was just so perfectly british lol. He referred to german artillery fire as "rudeness" lol. This man was truly awesome.
He was 14 in 1924. Maybe I misunderstood but he seemed to be talking about the miniskirt? However, that came out in the 1960s. I read David Niven's autobiography and I've never felt so close to a person from their book. It is written in such a charming, personal and friendly way that when I finished it I honestly felt like I'd lost a friend.
My father was born in 1902. When I started using mini skirts, in the sixties, he said to me : I am not scandalized, my sisters used to wear it in the twenties.
What a cool 😎 guy. Would have loved to hang out with him back in the day. I think the best part he ever played was in the Guns of Naverone 1960. If you haven't seen it watch immediately
Such a gentleman, so many people said he really was, it wasn't just an act. His first wife was lovely, again everyone said so, but she was killed in an accident only weeks after joining him in Hollywood in1946. His second one, Hjordis, the Swede he talks about here, was, again by many accounts, an absolute monster who his friends hated and who made his life a miserr, to such an extent that she may, though nobody knows, have destroyed his nerves to such an extent that it made him vulnerable to the disease that killed him aged 73 in 1983. Roger Moore, for example, openly detested her. Yet NIven never divorced her, which remains a mystery.
I have got 2 movie DVDS of David Niven with Gregory Peck Anthony Quinn Stanley Baker Anthony Quayle James Darren and James Robertsons Justice in The Guns Of Naverone with Telly Savalas Elliott Gould Stephanie Powers Roger Moore and Anthony Valentine are both German Officers I am dedicating these movie DVDS to my old school friends who are both sisters as I hope to see them both again very soon to Chris and Hester from Billyxxxxx
David Niven was born in 1910 so when he was 15, it would have been 1925, the mini skirt didn't appear until 1964 so his friend Nessie couldn't have been wearing a mini skirt when he first met her. Just saying.
@@TrilobitesRTasty I know that skirts got shorter in the swinging 20s, women wore bobs and all that, but in my mind the mini-skirt introduced by the British designer, Mary Quant, which are way above the knee, wouldn't have yet been in fashion. But suppose it's a question of perception and for women in the 20s I suppose any length above the ankle to just under the knee would have been considered "mini".
I think he was relating the shorter flapper dresses to the modern audience of the early ‘70’s. Flapper skirts would have been the equivalent of the current fashion of miniskirts.
It’s been legal to have sex at 16 in uk for many many years. Prostitution is complicated under English Law, over simply put it is “legal” to be one but you have to pay tax [!!!] but it is not legal to search one out and approach one on the street for the aim of sex. Some of us [male and female] here would have appreciated being protected by an older age limit in the 60s and 80s!!
This was in a time where certain subjects were not discussed, David was circumspect otherwise the audience would have died of embarrassment and he wouldn't get any more work in the US
I think Niv is fibbing/embellishing the 'Nessie' story. He implies she now lives in America and is a grandmother, but then says he'd not seen her since he was 19. The book- 'The Moon is a Balloon' is brilliant and I'll re-read it soon, having seen this. It doesn't bother me at all that parts of it are probably fictional. That's how these old time actors got on. Errol Flynn used to tell people that he was a professional boxer etc...
@@MsMesem Yeah but I got the impression he made it up. I got the same impression when I read the book. I think he may have met or spoke to someone like this. He might have even briefly known someone. But the rest about Nessie is made up. To be honest, I don't even know why I'm commenting! It doesn't detract from my fondness for him. I loved his book and I'm a big fan. He's an actor! They're all rogues and bullshit artists. Any raconteur worth their salt should lie if it entertains.
I thought that initially. However the one thing he doesn’t mention, and that is self evident when you look at pictures of him as a young man is that he is a good looking bloke. He is also very charming, with a certain amount of mischief in him! If you consider that then it’s easy to see why he might attract an older woman at 17. He certainly didn’t struggle for female company in Hollywood, did he? His descriptions of army life and his life as a star seem accurate. He even talks about his own petulance. I’m not sure why he would lie about this.
@@garethcraddock9971 exactly right, raconteurs develop their tales in similar fashion to how observational comics develop routines. They seek the captivation of an audience, anything that detracts from that is dropped or altered. Truth only serves as inspiration, and they’ll stretch it as far as credulity allows.
The morals behind these comments are the reason our world is is in the mess it is! This man should be hugely ashamed of what he is bragging about! Then like minded people compliment and lift him up! Child prostitution is certainly NOT cute, fun, admirable, nor sexy! Shame on you for trying to make it so!! Disgusting!
No one is bigging up child abuse. Try to open up to seeing things as they are (flawed) and not using the information to justify your self righteous drivel.
The Queen of Tonga story was racist and the way Cavett handled it, for the time, was expertly controlled. Still, wanted to hear every word out of that trickster Nivens voice.
What's been your favourite interview with David Niven on the Dick Cavett Show so far?
This one is superb-Cavett’s dry wit works well with Niv’s broader humor.
Richard Burton was amazing; a superior intellect. Went great with Dick as they're both so damned smart. Can't think of any modern interviews being so illuminating.
@@garethcraddock9971 Thanks! I will look for that interview.
This one because he's healthy. The 1981 one makes me sad.
The complete episode you haven't posted so far
I saw it then; show it to me now
David Niven was such an eloquent speaker. I remember reading a couple of his books back in the day. The man had an amazing life. 👍
David Niven is a class act and it’s always a pleasure to hear him speak. Bless him, plus our mate Dick
If you want to act like a gentleman, there are two people to emulate: Christopher Lee, and of course, David Niven. Refined, but humble. Brave, but discreet. Experienced, but not a braggard. Lover to, and respecter of, women, but not a pushover. Extremely well-spoke, but no snobby.
I'd add Roger Moore to the list, but otherwise spot on
Well said.
Lately I’ve been reading books by Ben McIntyre and Damien Lewis (not the actor) on the WWII British Commandos and SAS, incredible brave soldiers who went behind enemy lines to conduct sabotage and was surprised to read that David Niven was one of them. Very impressive résumé.
Fabulous interview! I've loved Niven's acting ever since I was a little kid nor was I old enough to stay up to watch Dick Cavett when this aired. BTW, Yes We Have No Bananas is on Spotify.
I love David Niven, such a great man.
A master class in how to interview a celebrity and get the best out of them
I love David Niven. What a great actor and writer!
Back in the day I was too cool to watch the Dick Cavett Show!
Watching these now I realize I missed out on how the entertainment industry REALLY worked and still does!
Some of the stars just blurt it out, others are more "gracious"!
Nessy sounds like such a lovely woman. I'm so glad she got what she wanted out of life.
Cont from above. Heart of gold and ending up a stint is the classic lie snd excuse for such! He is s bragging about something he should be greatly ashamed of!!!
@@oksills What are you on about? What should Niven be ashamed of exactly?
We’re are these actors today ? Interesting and just unique yet normal people. Talented yet tangible .
I loved his story about getting the german iron cross in normandy. The way he explained everything was just so perfectly british lol. He referred to german artillery fire as "rudeness" lol. This man was truly awesome.
He was 14 in 1924. Maybe I misunderstood but he seemed to be talking about the miniskirt? However, that came out in the 1960s.
I read David Niven's autobiography and I've never felt so close to a person from their book. It is written in such a charming, personal and friendly way that when I finished it I honestly felt like I'd lost a friend.
Those flapper fashions were quite racy at the time, much shorter than the preceding fashion - they showed their calves & even their knees!
My father was born in 1902. When I started using mini skirts, in the sixties, he said to me : I am not scandalized, my sisters used to wear it in the twenties.
What a cool 😎 guy. Would have loved to hang out with him back in the day. I think the best part he ever played was in the Guns of Naverone 1960. If you haven't seen it watch immediately
See him in an early role as Raffles, the gentleman jewel thief. Loved it. He was a card.
His role in 'Separate Tables' was his best in terms of acting.
(4:14) '...an 'ore with an 'art of gold.' Yup, that's cockney.
Such a gentleman, so many people said he really was, it wasn't just an act.
His first wife was lovely, again everyone said so, but she was killed in an accident only weeks after joining him in Hollywood in1946. His second one, Hjordis, the Swede he talks about here, was, again by many accounts, an absolute monster who his friends hated and who made his life a miserr, to such an extent that she may, though nobody knows, have destroyed his nerves to such an extent that it made him vulnerable to the disease that killed him aged 73 in 1983. Roger Moore, for example, openly detested her. Yet NIven never divorced her, which remains a mystery.
I have got 2 movie DVDS of
David Niven with
Gregory Peck Anthony Quinn
Stanley Baker Anthony Quayle
James Darren and
James Robertsons Justice in
The Guns Of Naverone
with Telly Savalas Elliott Gould
Stephanie Powers
Roger Moore
and Anthony Valentine
are both German Officers
I am dedicating these movie DVDS to my old school friends who are both sisters as I hope to see them both again very soon to Chris and Hester from Billyxxxxx
I have that book, "Bring On the Empty Horses".
It's pretty good.
Pity he was Straight.A handsome and Gentlemanly man.
Is this channel ever going to show Dick Cavett shows where he interviews Jackie Gleason and/or Art Carney? I don’t have the Decades channel.
David Niven was born in 1910 so when he was 15, it would have been 1925, the mini skirt didn't appear until 1964 so his friend Nessie couldn't have been wearing a mini skirt when he first met her. Just saying.
Perhaps the women in the profession wore them at that time…sort of.
@@TrilobitesRTasty I know that skirts got shorter in the swinging 20s, women wore bobs and all that, but in my mind the mini-skirt introduced by the British designer, Mary Quant, which are way above the knee, wouldn't have yet been in fashion. But suppose it's a question of perception and for women in the 20s I suppose any length above the ankle to just under the knee would have been considered "mini".
I think he was relating the shorter flapper dresses to the modern audience of the early ‘70’s. Flapper skirts would have been the equivalent of the current fashion of miniskirts.
When David Niven was 14 it would have been the 1920’s
40 years before mini skirts of the 60’s ….
Recollections may vary David
👍
Back when interviewers let guests talk and people who made movies were actually interesting people and not hollow shills.
It’s been legal to have sex at 16 in uk for many many years. Prostitution is complicated under English Law, over simply put it is “legal” to be one but you have to pay tax [!!!] but it is not legal to search one out and approach one on the street for the aim of sex. Some of us [male and female] here would have appreciated being protected by an older age limit in the 60s and 80s!!
This guy the interviewer reminds me of skavlan. Some interviews amazing and some terrible.
Most of Niven's stories were inventions or borrowings but he told them well and meant no harm.
Randy Newman relapse… 😂
A wonderful story ruined by an immature audience
Uncomfortable Americans...
This was in a time where certain subjects were not discussed, David was circumspect otherwise the audience would have died of embarrassment and he wouldn't get any more work in the US
wasnt he a great dancer
He was not at all known for that, maybe you're thinking of Fred Astaire!
nice story, but david really, when you were 14 there wasn't a hint of a mini skirt! dude, c'mon
He meant the flapper skirts of the 20s which were mini skirts to them back then.
Flapper fashion.
I think Niv is fibbing/embellishing the 'Nessie' story. He implies she now lives in America and is a grandmother, but then says he'd not seen her since he was 19. The book- 'The Moon is a Balloon' is brilliant and I'll re-read it soon, having seen this. It doesn't bother me at all that parts of it are probably fictional. That's how these old time actors got on. Errol Flynn used to tell people that he was a professional boxer etc...
Not seeing and not knowing are two différent things.
@@MsMesem Yeah but I got the impression he made it up. I got the same impression when I read the book. I think he may have met or spoke to someone like this. He might have even briefly known someone. But the rest about Nessie is made up. To be honest, I don't even know why I'm commenting! It doesn't detract from my fondness for him. I loved his book and I'm a big fan. He's an actor! They're all rogues and bullshit artists. Any raconteur worth their salt should lie if it entertains.
I thought that initially.
However the one thing he doesn’t mention, and that is self evident when you look at pictures of him as a young man is that he is a good looking bloke.
He is also very charming, with a certain amount of mischief in him! If you consider that then it’s easy to see why he might attract an older woman at 17.
He certainly didn’t struggle for female company in Hollywood, did he?
His descriptions of army life and his life as a star seem accurate. He even talks about his own petulance. I’m not sure why he would lie about this.
@@neilhayz1555 It was just my impression. It doesn't lessen my admiration of him; why let the truth get in the way of a good yarn?
@@garethcraddock9971 exactly right, raconteurs develop their tales in similar fashion to how observational comics develop routines. They seek the captivation of an audience, anything that detracts from that is dropped or altered. Truth only serves as inspiration, and they’ll stretch it as far as credulity allows.
The morals behind these comments are the reason our world is is in the mess it is! This man should be hugely ashamed of what he is bragging about! Then like minded people compliment and lift him up! Child prostitution is certainly NOT cute, fun, admirable, nor sexy! Shame on you for trying to make it so!!
Disgusting!
No one is bigging up child abuse. Try to open up to seeing things as they are (flawed) and not using the information to justify your self righteous drivel.
The world was messed up long before this interview and it still is and still will be long after all of us are long gone and turned into dust.
Oh grow up. Don't apply your woke bollocks to past attitudes. He was 14 and she was 17, who was abusing who?
The age of consent in Britain is 16.
Niven was 14, the girl was 17.
@@MrAnperm You really feel this IS worth commenting on?
The Queen of Tonga story was racist and the way Cavett handled it, for the time, was expertly controlled. Still, wanted to hear every word out of that trickster Nivens voice.
😂😂😂😂😂
He made a lot of stuff up. Knowing that, I couldn't enjoy listening to him or reading his book.