Katharine Hepburn rearranges the furniture on Dick Cavett

[BarbraLovesYou]

I think she is just wonderful!

And this kind of attention to detail is very similar to Barbra Streisand's notorious reputation for adjusting lighting, cam, colors and furniture too! These are of the most talented women in entertainment history - legends in their own time - and they know how to present themselves.

I respect people like Katharine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand... for they do not make these "adjustments" to be annoying, but, to create the best possible quality of work! Love it!

[jb0579]

I don't get whu people think this is "cute" or "funny". I find it rude and condescending. If I were Cavett, I would have been irritated. Look at Letterman - could you imagine HIM re-arranging his set for ANYONE? Not in a million years.He'd tell them to piss off. You don't go as a guest of someone and then dismantle the set and bitch about it. You act cordial and do your 10-15 minutes and leave.  I just find it utterly rediculous that she'd come on and act a fool like this. Am i wrong?

[gizmokeeper]

put a rug over it... I'll BRING one!

[jckfmsincty]

Cavett was so eager and accommodating for this interview with the publicity shy Kate. As a result, perhaps, Hepburn comes off as a bit of a narcissistic bore and she didn't reveal much about what made her tick. She seemed uncomfortable, stilted and, almost, prickly. Bette Davis was far more spontaneous and enjoyable with her Cavett interviews. But, Davis was filmed in front of an audience. I don't think Hepburn ever enjoyed her public.

[yahwhous]

@jckfmsincty I watched the Davis interview with Cavett and I completely agree. Hepburn comes off as egotistical, demanding and disrespectful to the crew. Though Cavett idolozes her, and considers her as among his best guests (along with Groucho) I think the interview was disappointing. She's a great actress but comes off as a closed and somewhat nasty person. Davis, though known as difficult, showed ego mixed with self effacement and was utterly charming.

[evangar]

Nobody answers in this business.

[droverk]

diva? this kind of kidding around is hepburn, all the time, on and off stage (but always on). it leaves plenty of space for counter-wit by the attacked person, who is expected not to fall down. you have to be a bit tough. charming and funny, an electric atmosphere.

[DShank]

I actually don't think that this is 'Diva' behavior @ all as some would say. I think it's more to do with generational tastes and what-nots. My great grandmother always talked of how tacky she thought the 70s were and did so in the same manner. That was just her sense of humor, and I thought it was the best. I mean it's Katharine Hepburn though - your favorite actresses's favorite actress, and for good reason too.

[BestPlaymateEver]

I love these behind the scenes things because it shows how everything you see on TV is fake, even the reality programs. Her "relaxed" style was really choreography staged for effect.

[janetleigh100]

This is classic Kate! It's the reason we love her.

[Hunterunc]

Late in life Kate admitted to being self-involved and pretentious as a young woman, but who cares? Look at the lasting art she created? The comparison to Streisand is a good one. Both are brilliantly talented, charismatic women who know themselves well and how best to present themselves.

[JAMIAWALA]

Hepburn is so amazing. I was critical of her earlier. But, now having seen her old classic movies and knowing about her fascinating life has made me a complete fan.. I wished she had wrked with Bette Davis when both were in their prime, it would have been one hellof a film.

[dacket1128]

She's not wearing Socks with sandals - she's Irish-American, for heaven's sake! Those are real live, honest-to-goodness, butt-white Irish-American feet. She was fantastic.

[kcdrew69]

Katharine Hepburn. What an incredibly beautiful and talented pain in the ass.

[youvebeenthunderstru]

I'm not sure there's many people with as much intelligence interwoven into them as Dick Cavett.

[peregrinusnoctis]

Oh, but they truly were so different! Why not love them both? Bennett (to my mind) was more adept at screwball comedy (and physical roles), and Hepburn (to my mind) was more adept at the dramatic roles. Both were stunning, however, and both were possessed of great talents.

[Bluaero03]

Ha ha ha... NAIL IT DOWN! NAIL IT DOWN!

[4thattempt85]

Whose idea was that carpet? :-)

No one else in history has been so critical and bossy while being so lovely and charming.

[globalman]

I remember when this was aired and cancelled everything to watch. It was the event of the television season, this private no audience 2 day interview. Of course with Dick, he was one of the most intelligent and talented moderators ever. I was riveted to the Tele. Her intelligence and wit and ability to express herself was exhilirating. And in such clear and correct english. Something rare these days in the usa.

[80stimeagain]

wait! why does she want to put her feet up ?

[makeitrocklikeitrolz]

Kate was one of a kind, just hilarious. Dick was in the palm of her hands as were many others. I really appreciated her work; she nailed many performances and like my grandmother, she had few if any cut cards. Her frankness was refreshing and hilarious. R.I.P. Kate.

[TheThroney]

@makeitrocklikeitrolz just thought id ask but.. but what are you referring to by 'few if any cut cards'? like when they yell cut during a scene thats not done right? and was your grandmother an actress?

[theburt83]

@makeitrocklikeitrolz "I want to put my feet on it" Can't anyone see that it's a pathetic but nonetheless arrogant show of power? Why would it be so important to have people who are actually working change a damn table because she wants to put her feet on it? Hello? It's a show of power. And D.C. commenting "Yeah, it's a hell of a good idea"... I don't get if it's ironic condescension or plain condescension. "Put your feet on it? Why didn't I think of it?! The woman's a genius!"

[KatharineBrowne123]

my mum named me after this woman!

[ParkerAllen2]

It never ceases to amaze me what some people have in their personal archives. I don't know where someone would get a piece of footage like this but it's great. As close as you can get to a couple minutes with the real Katharine Hepburn. Thanks for posting.

[stewf]

@ParkerAllen2 Not my personal archive. Just in the extras of the Dick Cavett DVD linked in the description.

[gottamatch]

What abseloutely fabulous footage. Makes me appreciate what a tough lady she was even more. I have no doubt that if there were brown paint and a brush, Ms Hepburn WOULD have painted it then and there!

Her perfection reminds me of Barbra Streisand, especially when she's talking about all the colours and how the focus should be on the talent. Barbra would say something like that!

Sheer genius.

Thank you for sharing!

[karalyeva1985]

She was a very strong-minded, independent woman whose personality sometimes came off as brusque and harsh. But she got what she wanted, and that is how she succeeded in becoming who she became. These people know and deeply honor that. Notice how nobody on the set seems to be annoyed at her. She was (and still is) EXTRAORDINARILY respected in the acting world and for her contributions to women's causes.

[xvt4]

exactly!! of all the oldtime stars you'd want to have a coffee with...i bet she could tell you some great stories about carey grant and humphrey bogart on all sorts of equally wonderful people!!

[djbulldognyc]

She led a pretty charmed life. She had beauty and talent, came from "good stock" and money. Early biographies paint her to be sort of saint-like. More recent ones portray her as more self involved and pretentious than her image revealed. I think the truth is probably somewhere in between. I think she was fantastic in Bringing Up Baby" and "Suddenly last Summer". I once knew her sister in CT and they sounded just alike.

[hardtimesincountry]

So funny - Katharine Hepburn's got a great sense of humour, completely poker-faced You can see how she enjoys bossing those stage hands around.

"That carpet - if anyone can survive that carpet - put a rug over it!"

It certainly takes someone like Dick Cavett to stay calm. They're both cool!

[caprico74]

Part 1:

"There is no sin, but theft and everything else is a variation of it. To lie is to deprive someone of his/her right to the truth."(may not be the exact quote, but it's from The Kite Runner). If she would be uncomfortable without a foot rest, then why should she have to sit through an interview, that she is giving them, uncomfortable?! She didn't demand that someone else move the table and clear it... she did it. And she offered to bring a rug to them to improve the look of the set.

[biggerdouchebagjones]

Dick looks so scared. lol.

[fidesverita]

I know she's one of the greatest actresses of all time... but i still think she was rather arrogant. It's funny because we now look back and see her as a "classic" actress only because we all reminisce about old hollywood... but during her time, everyone found her rude!

No need to give people the thumbs down. I respect her as an actress but I'd have to agree with the others...

[cindyinnew]

She might come off as bossy, but she was actually very self deprecating. She just knew what she needed to be comfortable and she knew her opinion might improve the set. She was just such a broad. A real gal's gal. I love her.

[tallulahdarling]

This is an amazing clip. She's quite potty but wonderful.

[theginachannel]

I remember seeing the interview(s?) when they first aired, but I've never seen this bit. What a delight. Thanx.

[drkglass01]

She is funny.

Nice socks with sandals look.

[bashbrannigan]

I saw this live. At one point Cavett asks if she regrets never having acted with John Wayne since they were both major stars with long careers. She floored Cavett by saying "Well, neither of us is dead yet!"

[9worries]

It was Olivier.

[charlexington]

Fascinating! I've never seen a clip that really showed Kate as she really was. If she weren't who she is I think I'd find her rude and boring. But she could do anything she wanted as long as I could watch and listen.

[PW140282]

The original prima donna!

[outinsider]

Oh Kate, nothing is right unless it has your own personal touch! I love it and you!

[seabisquick]

Well, she is right about the carpet. Reminds me of the carpet we had in our bathroom about the time this aired. Ick, orange!

[barfingonall4s]

If she were alive today, she'd be great on that home show Trading Spaces.

[kelseyann4]

Haha that was great. She always knew what she wanted.....I love that demanding quality about her.