Christopher Hitchens interviews Jessica Mitford (1988)

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  • Опубліковано 28 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 181

  • @richardlouis1284
    @richardlouis1284 2 роки тому +51

    This is gold. Hitchens is sorely missed.

  • @eashton42
    @eashton42 6 років тому +51

    This video is in my "Favorites" folder on here, and I absolutely cherish it. I could listen to Ms. Mitford tell stories all day and night.

    • @paulinesuggitt5430
      @paulinesuggitt5430 4 роки тому +6

      Totally agree utterly fabulous, funny, articulate, intelligent a total class act with impeccable manners.

    • @louduva9849
      @louduva9849 2 роки тому

      Why?!

  • @manusha1349
    @manusha1349 Рік тому +16

    Absolute JOY listening to these two Legends! The iconic Ms Mitford and the unforgettable Christopher Hitchens ❤

  • @ilovestrongheroines1999
    @ilovestrongheroines1999 4 роки тому +48

    I was assigned this for class, didn't anticipate listening in full and enjoying myself so much. What a delight Mitford was! Glad this was made available online.

    • @Vingul
      @Vingul 2 роки тому +2

      Should've been assigned Diana (Mitford) Mosley's Desert Island Discs interview instead ;-)

    • @1984isnotamanual
      @1984isnotamanual 10 місяців тому

      You should read Hitchens as well

  • @univerzaltruth6481
    @univerzaltruth6481 3 роки тому +26

    The love of two magnificent writers here. Music to the ears to listen to beautifully spoken English from intelligent minds. 🥰

  • @zaker721
    @zaker721 9 років тому +38

    Ooooh I love Decca Mitford! I remember when she came into Tipperary Irish Imports on College Ave (long since gone) and I met her thee. TOO cool!!! Loved her.

    • @lemorab1
      @lemorab1 7 років тому +4

      I used to live across the street from Tipperary, for 24 years. That era in the mid-eighties was the best one on that stretch of College. I met Jessica up the street at Bott's Ice Cream in about 1975. She lived on Regent Street, not far from there.

  • @roviannematovu3756
    @roviannematovu3756 2 роки тому +13

    This is also comedy gold - The English at their best - a masterclass of wit & intelligence & the beautiful turn of the English language. Unique. We were robbed by Hitchens' early death.

  • @elizabethblackwell6242
    @elizabethblackwell6242 4 роки тому +28

    One of the reasons YT is a great service to humanity. Thank you for the upload.

    • @nev7711
      @nev7711 4 роки тому +1

      Totally true Elizabeth. I hope it doesn't change, but it will. Let's enjoy it.

    • @nev7711
      @nev7711 Рік тому +1

      It's my access to so many brilliant resources.

  • @KarensOpinionsMayDiffer
    @KarensOpinionsMayDiffer 2 роки тому +10

    I’m just learning about Jessica Mitford, but I have adored Christopher for ages. Oh how I miss his intellect and wit. 💝

  • @helendeacon7637
    @helendeacon7637 Рік тому +3

    Magnificent interview! Thank you!

  • @sy_trilogy6655
    @sy_trilogy6655 4 роки тому +35

    I loved listening to BOTH of them. I've heard many of Hitches' presentations on UA-cam, and I taught The American Way of Death. I loved hearing Christopher Hitchens laughing - a first for me. Thank you.

  • @davidbooth3285
    @davidbooth3285 7 років тому +23

    That was an hour very well spent! Great humour!!

  • @ohmyblindman
    @ohmyblindman 4 роки тому +22

    Man, these Mitford sisters were something, can't imagine anything like them happening today.

  • @georgealderson4424
    @georgealderson4424 5 років тому +7

    A fascinating glmpse not only of the delightful and amusing JM but of history of her past and of her present and of her family relatonships

  • @christopherconnor5436
    @christopherconnor5436 2 роки тому +5

    This is such a riotous and utterly fascinating look at the early changes to the funeral industry that have helped create the mess it is today. Pure British wit interrogating a true British Wit. Oh and she almost took a shot at offing Hitler himself during the late 1930's, for which the discussion of that kernel alone makes this a worthwhile interview to enjoy.

  • @rdo1231
    @rdo1231 4 роки тому +12

    loved this! thank you for posting

    • @cavaliermama56
      @cavaliermama56 11 місяців тому

      It is fun to hear her dissect American business.

  • @gabeblackburn8036
    @gabeblackburn8036 2 роки тому +6

    I read the American way of death in high school and had a profound change on the way I have you things in general. Such a great book.

  • @jozefserf2024
    @jozefserf2024 4 місяці тому +3

    He obviously hadn't heard of Banking Usury.
    Or if he had, he wisely kept quiet about it.

  • @samsa419
    @samsa419 12 років тому +8

    Jessica& hitch inspirational humanists.we Miss u both.

  • @DexterDexter123
    @DexterDexter123 2 роки тому +4

    Hitch is adorable when he rates someone.

  • @annnee6818
    @annnee6818 6 років тому +25

    Dang, Hitch is so young in that photo...

    • @pkspalding
      @pkspalding 5 років тому +2

      Ann Nee that photo isn't from '88, or even the 80's. More likely late 60's.

    • @Johnconno
      @Johnconno 4 роки тому

      Oh to be in England, now that England's here...

    • @KaarinaKimdaly
      @KaarinaKimdaly 11 місяців тому +1

      He was handsome, cerebrally intelligent and erudite. Too bad he is drinking from an OF glass here.

  • @jackduffy1817
    @jackduffy1817 7 років тому +6

    I have decided to place my comments befor reading the other peoples comments from now on, Because other people's comments usualy tick me off, And cloud my thoughts. I think I will be following Christifor Hichens writings for awhile, And commending the works of Jessica Mittford. Soldier of fortune. Over and Out.

  • @Hoganply
    @Hoganply 11 років тому +12

    Wow! I looked at the running time (1:00:53) and thought "I'll save this for later" but ended up watching to the end. How fascinating and wonderfully jocular she is. Delightful woman indeed.

  • @pkspalding
    @pkspalding 5 років тому +11

    Decca was awesome and very, very funny.

  • @jessicabridges4876
    @jessicabridges4876 Рік тому +4

    Her obituary in the Washington Post was so wild, I clipped it from the paper and to this day have it in my jewelry box.

  • @clemdane
    @clemdane 2 роки тому +4

    Before everyone, including the New York Public Library, totally lost their minds...

  • @davidddr5645
    @davidddr5645 Рік тому +1

    Absolutely delightful!

  • @clarkewi
    @clarkewi 2 роки тому +4

    An amazing document.

  • @deliriumtremens940
    @deliriumtremens940 11 років тому +8

    Great interview. Thanks for sharing.

  • @teeniebeenie8774
    @teeniebeenie8774 8 років тому +6

    she was my hero in college, exposing the funeral industry and the horrors of chemicals on our earth.
    bless u ma'm...

  • @SIMKINETICS
    @SIMKINETICS 11 років тому +33

    Ever the gentleman, Hitchens suppresses his laughter at Jessica's sardonic quips, respecting that she's the center of his interview. The imagined cartoon of his real inner-self might be one of Christopher doubling over in hysterical fits as she keeps him off guard! Hitchens brought the dignity of decorum to his ruthless exposure of bullshit, thereby making his message credible as from a neutral, respectable source. Together with Jessica, they make their intellectual version of 'Allen & Burns', funny & incisive! ...but no cigar!

    • @boxer12350
      @boxer12350 7 років тому +7

      SIMKINETICS what?

    • @SIMKINETICS
      @SIMKINETICS 7 років тому +2

      en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burns_and_Allen Josh Cohen

    • @clockwork9827
      @clockwork9827 3 роки тому +2

      @@boxer12350 agree. woolly thinking

    • @Dante-vf4sd
      @Dante-vf4sd 2 роки тому +1

      He was full of B.S and was never neutral

  • @kimono7350
    @kimono7350 9 років тому +27

    now, THIS is a very likeable member of that family😜💕!

    • @Johnconno
      @Johnconno 7 років тому +3

      Comparatively...

    • @user-cy5yc9ih8h
      @user-cy5yc9ih8h 4 роки тому +3

      I like Diana

    • @paulinesuggitt5430
      @paulinesuggitt5430 4 роки тому +7

      They are all very likeable and intelligent with impeccable manners . They varied in their political ideologies but were civilised enough to respect those differences.
      Shame so many people nowadays descend into hatred and political tribalism towards anyone disagreeing with another's point of view.

    • @MrCooll971
      @MrCooll971 3 роки тому +4

      @@paulinesuggitt5430 LOL they never talked again for the rest of their lives...

    • @hannamccarthyh
      @hannamccarthyh 3 роки тому +2

      Aw, Debo was lovely too.

  • @paulwhitmore6335
    @paulwhitmore6335 2 місяці тому

    He’s really good on the other side of the interviews as well

  • @dpagain2167
    @dpagain2167 2 місяці тому +1

    In all the interviews of Ms. Mitford, I have never heard her asked about Esmond Romilly.
    I feel that perhaps there is an agreement with all interviewers never to ask that question.
    I can only assume it is a subject too painful for her to speak about in public.

  • @vagrantwanderer5810
    @vagrantwanderer5810 7 років тому +16

    Very interesting and great wit from two classy Brits.

    • @Johnconno
      @Johnconno 7 років тому

      Yeah, CLASS Brits.

    • @citizen1163
      @citizen1163 4 роки тому +1

      @@Johnconno Most countries have a class system. Harder to get out of the Indian class/caste system than for Brits out of their class.

    • @Johnconno
      @Johnconno 4 роки тому

      @@citizen1163 Yeah, I can tell that from the interview...

  • @lovepet4565
    @lovepet4565 3 роки тому +6

    I love Mitford ladies so much my
    Mom was of their gen yrt American but same class
    And had same hair style clothes
    But these ladies were alot wilder more creative and wayyyy more exciting of a life
    It was the classical self taught childhood

    • @Marcel_Audubon
      @Marcel_Audubon 2 роки тому

      dimwitted comment - ever hear of Unity Mitford??? she was Hitler's cum dump in the '30s

  • @drutgat2
    @drutgat2 2 роки тому +2

    Love Jessica Mitford.

  • @S_Edward_Burns_ArtsEditor
    @S_Edward_Burns_ArtsEditor Рік тому +1

    My thanks. Carry on! -Seb!

  • @system1912
    @system1912 4 роки тому +22

    Skip all the bollocks 4:10

    • @sararichardson737
      @sararichardson737 3 роки тому +10

      Thank you mate, a service to humanity and all that. Cheers

  • @magicpony9
    @magicpony9 12 років тому +4

    I've always loved this interview - I think you can hear CH giggling:)

  • @pattismithurs9023
    @pattismithurs9023 Рік тому +1

    OH, not to be missed! Thanks to the poster.

  •  4 роки тому +2

    Love the plummy accent!!!

  • @theRiver_joan
    @theRiver_joan 12 років тому +4

    And you think it would be different if the roads were privatised? There is only so much room, for so many roads to a particular place. Its a ridiculous analogy.

  • @jacksun23
    @jacksun23 3 роки тому +4

    Mememistress Mitford killin them softly as smooth as Dave Chappelle. Shine on u crazy diamond

  • @rampartrod
    @rampartrod 4 роки тому +7

    jessica was the best mitford by far

    • @darwinism14
      @darwinism14 2 роки тому +3

      Yes, she begged Churchill to imprison HER OWN sister. What an example of grace.

    • @hazeshi6779
      @hazeshi6779 Рік тому

      ... spotted a fascist...

    • @deanedge5988
      @deanedge5988 Рік тому

      @@darwinism14 that was Nancy you ignoramus

    • @thenablade858
      @thenablade858 4 місяці тому

      @@darwinism14 Good. Diana’s lucky that Jessica didn’t suggest offing her like Unity tried (and failed miserably) to off herself.

  • @ombr7657
    @ombr7657 3 роки тому +1

    Excellent

  • @blacktoothmag
    @blacktoothmag 12 років тому +3

    It was something UA-cam randomized on there - One of those ads that you have no control over. I just found it ironic and entertaining that it happened to be a commercial for Scientology.

  • @blacktoothmag
    @blacktoothmag 12 років тому +8

    A scientology commercial before a Hitchens interview... oh irony.

  • @joeziahbabb
    @joeziahbabb 12 років тому +1

    Maybe they wouldn't be so crappy, I wonder if you have ever used a toll road and how nice the road is kept + low amounts of traffic.
    Not many argue for local roads to be privately owned, many subdivisions are actually privately owned by a cooperative which charges fees to the neighborhood.
    Sometimes these fees are not required but as the road becomes degraded people to campaigns to raise money from residents who are understandably tired of crappy roads.

  • @VHelander
    @VHelander 12 років тому +6

    Well those goverment owned roads could be better if you accepted tax increases. Money doesnt just appear from the sky, yet with the private ones the cash is paid directly.
    Cutting down goverment expenditures is a bad way of dealing with infrastructure.

  • @NolanHawkeyeAnthony
    @NolanHawkeyeAnthony Рік тому +3

    The Milford’s and Mosley are highly misunderstood. They loved Britain and wanted the best for it

  • @silvergalaxie
    @silvergalaxie 2 роки тому +1

    no film, darn

  • @livrowland171
    @livrowland171 2 роки тому

    Shouldn't it be pronounced 'ons' and rebels? 'Hon' as an abbreviation for 'honourable', in forms of address is usually said that way?

  • @orion8835
    @orion8835 9 років тому +3

    The Hon. Decca Freeman-Mitford= hilarious.

  • @theRiver_joan
    @theRiver_joan 12 років тому +2

    Or the U.S, i believe we also charge people for living on a property...
    As for the USSR, and Cuba, their troubles had nothing to do with property taxation, anyone with even a linear knowledge of history knows that the down fall of Stalanism, which should be differentiated from communism, was much more complex than that.

  • @VictorFr0st
    @VictorFr0st 12 років тому +8

    6:05
    "The things I've learned are numberless but I'll mention one or two"
    I see you Hitch, I see you

  • @hlysnan6418
    @hlysnan6418 2 роки тому +3

    This gushing over Jesse Jackson has not aged well...

    • @irenemax3574
      @irenemax3574 2 роки тому +3

      1988 was the year Jesse Jackson sold his soul, but it took a couple of years for people to realise that.

  • @thomasspicer4130
    @thomasspicer4130 Рік тому

    Racism not discussed gosh times have changed!

  • @annamaedevlin1713
    @annamaedevlin1713 2 роки тому +1

    If you try to understand this true CHAMPION, you can only realize PROPAGANDA takes hold!

  • @monklast9752
    @monklast9752 4 роки тому +2

    I adore her.

  • @Wanamaker1946
    @Wanamaker1946 2 місяці тому

    This Dame was able to do good works due to her Good Name and her infamy from her sister’s stunts. No one else could’ve rung up Bennet Serf or the other dame who was a noted Writer at the time.

  •  7 років тому +6

    It still shows that Lord Redesdale reared his daughters to be free thinkers ( whatever their creed!)

  • @franj1
    @franj1 6 місяців тому

    Jessica deserted her family and her sisters said that her parents were never the same. She was a selfish person

    • @glen7318
      @glen7318 6 місяців тому

      how did she desert her family?

    • @thenablade858
      @thenablade858 4 місяці тому

      ‘Selfish’ because she was estranged from her sisters? Grow up. They’re not entitled to her presence and she didn’t owe them anything. She was also close to her mother later in life.

  • @TheEthanwashere
    @TheEthanwashere  11 років тому +1

    So is every post-WW2 president essentially.

  • @briandelaney9710
    @briandelaney9710 Рік тому

    Interesting he never asked her about Stalin

  • @redshark618
    @redshark618 12 років тому +2

    Hahahaha!!!! The last joke is hilarious!!!!!

    • @ericklynch8846
      @ericklynch8846 4 роки тому

      Wonderful lady
      Met her estranged sister at a wedding
      In the late 70s
      Diana was absolutely beautiful, like
      Margaret of Argyle , never faded with age

  • @theRiver_joan
    @theRiver_joan 12 років тому +4

    are you joking? Your comparing taxation to the mafia?
    The wheel chair analogy is also completely fallacious. The government never forced anyone to use public roads, it is simply a neccesity of society brought about by a change in society and a demand for a better means of transportation.

    • @jmeekselectric
      @jmeekselectric 7 років тому +3

      Joseph molina You can't break things down like that for Communist. Remember that these people actually believe that Marxism brings about utopia.

    • @kittiesshortie5011
      @kittiesshortie5011 3 роки тому

      She was a complete phony . Loved attention but never really wanted to live like the hoi polloi.

    • @donnnick
      @donnnick 3 роки тому

      The social contract is the only contract that pinheads have been convinced is a binding document, the fact that no one has seen the thing let alone signed it is of no relevance to those who revere the chains. The public roads the fire department blah blah blah they all were here long before the federal income tax in 1913. So you are going to have to justify coercion another way, well the thing about coercion is whether you justify it or not it’s still happening. consent is the difference between theft and charity, rape and love making, and the government is the only organization that while claiming a monopoly on legal violence also is completely indifferent to consent. It is disgusting that you have obviously spent very little time pondering your own liberty and the “authorities” whom you’ve been given yet speak with a condescending tone and mentions the roads, which is the number one thing people who don’t have a clue that there’s a boot on their throat and a red white and blue dick up their ass mention. At least be honestly stupid. How can the us military build 14 more jets this year, who would buy the $300 plungers if they didn’t have your tax money?

  • @Templedelagloire
    @Templedelagloire 11 років тому

    imagine waiting 4 minutes! :O

  • @Silly.Old.Sisyphus
    @Silly.Old.Sisyphus 2 місяці тому

    Privileged upbringing young sisters seeking excitement - one going for Fascism and the other to Communism. Perhaps this explains a lot about the psychological basis of politics.

  • @WilliamGarland
    @WilliamGarland 12 років тому

    Well! That's horribly rude to Mr. Cronen.

  • @Woodsen
    @Woodsen 12 років тому

    i see. the irony... - hitchens would have loved it. thanks for the answer!

  • @joeziahbabb
    @joeziahbabb 12 років тому +1

    see section 'whos money do you steal to pay for a home to be built?'

  • @aardjazz
    @aardjazz 11 років тому +1

    that was extremely funny :P

  • @VHelander
    @VHelander 12 років тому +1

    I guess you rather had individuals owning roads, and after every 1-2miles you'd pay em for the up keep. Most likely ending up spending lot of time at toll booths.

  • @jimterry6150
    @jimterry6150 8 років тому +2

    Witty and intelligent lady, but Kitchens is my hero.

  • @puccini4530
    @puccini4530 Рік тому

    Effusive commenters here must be easily impressed. I found it boring and particularly disappointing for me, as a Hitchens fan. I found the range of subjects to be thin on interest, and the audience questions banal. Jessica Mitford's final couple of anecdotes were quite humorous. Clearly, she'd adore Biden's Socialism.

  • @Charmagh110
    @Charmagh110 Рік тому

    25:35

  • @manthasagittarius1
    @manthasagittarius1 12 років тому

    You can -- isn't it delightful?

  • @Woodsen
    @Woodsen 12 років тому +1

    scientology commercial? where?

  • @joachimweiss7946
    @joachimweiss7946 Рік тому

    “Comrades!”🤮

  • @kittiesshortie5011
    @kittiesshortie5011 3 роки тому +3

    She was a huge phoney and a terrible mother ( according to her surviving son - the other one was run over by a bus due to her neglect). She loved attention and showing off. Not such a great person.

  • @allend2749
    @allend2749 2 роки тому +2

    i hate smart people because they always try to act smart and thereby impressing you with their intelligence. That is really all they care about. Not the subject they are talking about.

    • @torsion2
      @torsion2 Рік тому +5

      that is a roundabout way of saying that you are thick

  •  7 років тому +2

    I am a fan of C. Hitchens, who had a superior intelligence, but he is so NARCISSISTIC!

    • @jmeekselectric
      @jmeekselectric 7 років тому

      JP VOGEL is your first name Josh?

    • @charliefoxtrotsky4104
      @charliefoxtrotsky4104 5 років тому

      lets forgive him his narcissism when its very probably justified....he's a fucking rock star. a commie but a rock star nonetheless

  • @mikeorclem
    @mikeorclem Рік тому

    this woman is clueless...

  • @rytmen
    @rytmen 11 років тому +2

    ewh i dont have patience for this woman