She was 28 years old and about to have a great run over the next few years in films like "What's Up, Doc?", "Blazing Saddles", "Young Frankenstein", and "Paper Moon."
@pete smyth "Youthful puppy fat" at 27? Hardly. More like she was pressured to lose weight to make those films, despite what she said here. Studios had actresses (and some actors) on diet pills, smoking cigarettes, etc., to keep their weight down. The website Taste of Cinema describes Kahn as having "had a bit of a weight problem." www.tasteofcinema.com/2015/20-famous-actors-who-disappeared-after-their-prime/2/ According to her biography, she was self-conscious about her weight all her life.
I was thinking the same thing, about her beauty, that it got better with age. In fact, just about four years later than this appearance here, she would appear in one of my all-time favorite comedies, _Young Frankenstein._ I came to appreciate many years later just how beautiful she was in that, how she has captured that classic beauty of the old silver screen. When she died, Saturday Night Live honored her with a memorial message, along with a segment of one of her appearances on the show. She did a crazy song, something to do with a frog, and she'd sing in a croaky voice. It's funny to see how much she meant to me, a person I never met, because of how happy I was, sitting in a darkened theater, watching that movie.
One of my fondest '90's memories: I'd become acquainted in '94 with a guy from CA producing his first independent movie in NYC. After it was "in the can", but still in post-production, I was invited to an informal screening of a rough cut at the cinematographer's West Village apartment. Afterward, as people drifted off, I was left with my producer friend and his girl, the cinematographer and his girl, Liev Schrieber (who was just starting out in movies and was in this particular indie) and...Madeline Kahn (who had joined, having just worked with Liev on another film in NYC, "Mixed Nuts"). I was a young, green, and star-struck - loved her in every Mel Brooks movie, etc and just thought she was great. Somehow, I was invited to join that small group for dinner. No one else had, so as we walked on the sidewalk to the restaurant, I introduced myself to Madeline. When she replied with, "Hi Bob, I'm Madeline", I couldn't help but blurt out, "I know." I had wanted to tell her how much I loved her work, but her smile faded briefly and she said, "Yes, I know you know, Bob, but I still have to say, 'Hi, I'm Madeline.'" I was immediately deflated. At dinner, she was pleasant, though more quiet than I would have imagined. She clearly did not need "star" attention. After dinner and a couple bottles of wine, somehow, some way, Liev and I spontaneously riffed our version of "dueling Brando's" (from SNL), which produced an obviously genuine belly-laugh from Madeline Kahn. After all the laughter she'd given me, I was elated at that. She asked me who my agent was (which was funny, because it was my secret dream to have been an actor). I answered that I was a lawyer. A confused look went through her eyes and she said, "You're a lawyer? I thought you must be an actor, you're so handsome." I remember clearly how bummed I was that morning at the kitchen sink in 1999 when I heard over the radio that she died. Great lady. I really liked meeting her.
A beautiful and brilliant comedian. She steals every scene she is appears in. She is too unique and intellectually smart to lower herself to be part of a group that thinks alike.
Reading the comments, I agree with everyone else. Her intelligence, her talent, her beauty, love it all. But that voice! Instantly recognizable, sing-songy, just one more reason to love and miss her.
This aired 53 years ago and still so much of it is true today - the pressure to fit into cliques, the objectification of women as a plaything for men, the expectations of intelligent people. Just absolute brilliance from an awesome, intelligent, talented Madeline Kahn. And Kudos for Dick Cavett to let her expound on so much.
I totally understand what she’s trying to say. I never felt like I fit in - clothes, hair, body shape- to what was considered cool, the latest trend. What a talented lady
People were more genuine in some ways back in the 60's and 70 's. There was still artifice (like what she described with the beatniks) but people had to interact face to face and really deal with each other as human beings to get by. Today we can hide behind our screens and texts and barely have direct human contact at all. It's kinda scary actually.
Totally agree, I just wish fondness for the past wasn’t so often taken as “the world today sucks”. I grew up in the 70s and 80s and it wasn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
I loved her takedown of beatnik girls and how shallow the whole hippie esthetic eventually proved to be. She spoke for me: I learned pretty young that there was no point in me trying to be fashionable. My look is innately unfashionable. I have the power to thwart trends by adopting them. She was hilariously on the money.
She speaks with refreshing candour and authenticity, yet you feel there is a crackling tension between her and the host and elements in the audience, making for riveting television. You see the host struggling not to patronise her as she tacitly calls, with her sincerity, for a human and fully-engaged response from him. Yet he allows her full room to speak at length uninterrupted which is mark of the best interviewers. Madeline Kahn is revealed here as a truly insightful, thoughtful and brave woman - her early death was a tragic loss for all of us
It’s not that odd really, I empathize with her completely. You just don’t fit it... AND might I add you are always very conspicuous, in that people notice that you don’t fit in. There is almost a sense of ... clumsiness to everything you do ... I’m not sure if I get cross to you on that point. But it’s honest to god what I feel.
He was a terrific interviewer if he liked you. Totally charming. But If he didn't like you, you would certainly feel it. This was a terrific interview because you can tell that despite her oddness, he really likes her.
I love Madeline as an actress, to see her so young and vulnerable on this show makes me love her more. Such a tough industry she's in and she ended up a classic!
One of the most underrated comedians in all time. I love her performances in Whats Up Doc and High Anxiety. Beautiful woman, physically and intellectually. Personally I find her 10 times more attractive than many thin as a stick "models"
It’s nearing the end of 2020 and here I am chilling out watching the brilliant Madeline Khan talking with the equally brilliant Dick Cavett who I have just discovered here in the UK from the wonderful RUclips service Madeline will always shine. RIP you funny, beautiful, intelligent and so bloody talented human being. You are missed ❤️
Me being born after her death never sat right with me. I feel like we have some sort of mental connection, almost like I knew her. I love her so much I wish she was still here💔
She was talking about how movements turned into fashion, and in fact that co-opting and commercialization of various movements by corporations looking to profit off them was part of what killed the movements. Women's Lib was not confined to the hippies, and spanned age groups, classes, and races; it transcended fashion (not all were bra-burners, for example). I don't know if you're old enough to remember it, but I am. I'm not saying there wasn't judgment, but there's judgment in most movements; certainly in current ones.
The modern feminism movement is the same; there is much judgement. And, of course, movements do get turned into fashion. My Grandmother loathed the women's lib/feminism movents. She was convinced that it was all started by lazy men. She also felt that any broad who fell for it, was the epitome of ignorance, and acting against self-interest. I wish that I had gotten her rant on the topic recorded; it was a speech to behold.
From what she said about beatnicks and feminists I remembered the quote from "The idiot" by F. Dostoyevsky: " Some of our young ladies have only to crop their hair, put on blue spectacles, and dub themselves nihilists, to persuade themselves at once that they have immediately gained “convictions” of their own". Yes, every -ism movement either grows from idiocy or is taken over by it. The Bell Curve on intelligence explains it. That is also the great dilemma with universal "democratic" vote.
@Boston Guy Yawn. I had no intention of getting into politics, but nobody deserves Trump. All the dopes who think he is the answer are asking the wrong question.
I miss Madeline too. She was brilliant. Btw, because I'm a survivor of TBI (traumatic brain injury), I experienced years of aphasia while rebuilding my brain and my life. I love Madeline's comedic take on 'aphasia'. But, truly, I wish more people understood what this word means and its implications. Then perhaps TBI survivors would be spared the pain and embarrassment of being considered slow and dumb. We're not. We just need a little empathy and understanding.
I nearly didn't meet Madeline Kahn once... in Central Park... I looked up & there she was. Quick intake of breath... do I acknowledge her? Will she feel impinged upon? Then I smiled at her. And she smiled back... looking sublime. All that in the space of about 10 seconds. What a darling!
@@caveatemp I swear, I just adore her! This inspired me to watch her interview with Dick Cavett, in which she disses political correctness years ahead of her time. She plays the drooling guys for fools while keeping her ultra-feminine center: ruclips.net/video/WvLsCZn59lI/видео.html
that was always something they used against the feminists of Kahn's day: "Why are you so serious?" The women would respond, "Nobody says that to someone protesting the Viet Nam war."
I think Dick Cavett was patronizing to her here. Making jokes in response to her thoughtful comments. She was ahead of her time in her observations of a “woman’s place.”
@@pougiebear66 No, he was respectful, allowing her to speak at length without interrupting. He had to inject his _schtick_ now and then, to be a bit of a smart aleck; the guest can't have complete control, and he was attempting to be occasionally humorous (even if his comments came across as a put down; Cavett had license to do so with his guests, as do many other "funny" talk show hosts), to move things along. Madeleine even said he made her feel comfortable. She knew he was not insulting her.
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 From a mad keen 77yo Aussie fan,in the middle of the Corona virus,in lovely Melbourne,Australia. What a brilliant actor .
Madeline Kahn is so adorable and funny and intelligent and honest and beautiful and vulnerable and lovely. Her singing "I'm tired " in Blazing Saddles is still the funniest thing I've ever seen. What an amazing and incredibly talented woman. I loved her in everything she did. What a truly beautiful woman inside and out.
Intelligent person, and a fine, fine comic actor. First-rate; like, Keaton-level (both of 'em!). Cavett is sometimes just purposely obtuse. C'mon: it's not hard: she was talking about how many movements, even if you agree, are more about the surface bullshit than the actual stated goals or beliefs or commitments. Utterly simple point: surface hypocrisy versus stated beliefs. Like, what almost all people are like--groups, too. And the position of not being able to belong but wanting to belong--Khan was making such a core point about human beings.
"Cavett is sometimes just purposely obtuse." You should see him now. He did an interview of Raquel Welch at a showing of the Three Musketeers and Raquel kept trying to steer the interview back to the movies and Dick never got it. It was really annoying. I liked him back then.
So many years ago and still relevant. Cancel culture continues. Any group that would reject this woman is not worth belonging to. She was a masterpiece. What was G-d thinking of taking her from us too soon? Loved her.
My Grandfather taught me many years ago. "Its better to be thought of as a fool; then to opening your mouth and remove all doubt". I have always loved Madeline. She was always very kind funny and witty. She was perfect in every Mel Brooks movie she was in. Her comedic timing and delivery was unrivaled. I miss her very much!
Wow. Just wow. I can't believe how prescient she was, how sensitive and earnest her analysis was. I feel like she was going through a lot in her revelations. It feels like her career was tinged with trauma, as if her whole experience in life led to vocalization. Clearly she took comedy intensely seriously. And we laugh to this day, as a result. But here, there's a connection to something else in her testimony. Appearance, yes, but as she said, she felt safe to express it.
What a fun interview that was. I have to admit, I was not aware of who she was until _Blazing Saddles._ But it was _Young Frankenstein_ that endeared her to me. Had I seen this interview back when it was originally broadcast--and I might have; I watched his show all the time--I wouldn't have known at the time why she was on the show. She was fun.
I have at different times in my life, identified with Madeleine. An actor friend compared me to her favorably once. I really appreciate that. We look alike a little bit. I am 60 now, and I STILL relate to this woman's philosophy.
Madeline Kahn was the first woman I fell in love with...at age 4...watching her sing a duet with Grover from Sesame Street...I would watch every episode hoping it would be the one where she would sing...
it's so funny and absolutely spot-on ironic and telling of the era how much condescension she's receiving from both Dick cavett and the audience - the odd giggles about how she she's speaking as if she's not making sense, the way that they tease her like they don't know what they asked anymore when she's very clearly answering their question....
I get that there's often incongruence from the reactions in the audience when there's a comedian speaking, because people expect that they should be laughing or that the person is being funny, but it still seems very telling.
How cool! By the broadcast date, they must have been both leaving to do their respective Broadway shows: Mr. Jones in Company and Ms. Kahn in Two by Two.
I know exactly how she feels......I had the same feeling about the blondes of the late 60's...with their perfect hair and blue eyes. Madeline was fabulous !!
Notice as she begins to discuss “movements” she shortly moves to “fitting in” and “fashions”. There are few individuals in America. Group affiliation - tribes, really - is more our speed. Smart person. This perspective has been muted in 21st century America.
I wish she were still her to give us her thinking of 2020 femnists, who have expanded their conformist demands to universities, spb 78. Universities are supposed to be bastions of free speech.
@@coreycox2345 While I agree to you to an extent, I’d argue that the conformity derives less from a specific group than it does from American culture. In some respects, that seems to be Kahn’s point, too (though she doesn’t explicitly state it). She was as uncomfortable with feminists as she was with beatniks or with people (men, especially) who felt her role as a woman was to be a “plaything”. So I don’t think it’s reducible to a “campus feminist” phenomenon. I think it’s America. I think we breed conformity as a culture. It’s what we do.
spb 78 It probably changed with the advent of social media. Just pulling a name out of the air, someone like Madonna was considered a “trendsetter” back in the height of her 80s fame, because influencing trends was more of a tangential result of a bigger project (i.e. pop music and videos and concerts tours). Influencing trends wasn’t so much a direct goal as much as it was a side effect of other goals, as with so many other entertainment stars. With the internet and social media, the bigger goal of creating music or movies or really anything can be taken out of the equation and its direct to “Hey wear this because see how good it looks on my Instagram”.
“do i have an opening that this man might fit”? my favorite line. and i watched the history of the world when i was 13. not to mention young frankenstein or blazing saddles. i fell in love with her as soon as i hit puberty. what a woman. the funniest on earth.
She was genuinely funny and smart. She's irreplaceable.
I always thought Madeline was the funniest woman in the movies. I miss her.
@Sativa Rommola 100% she steals Young Frankenstein with, what, less than 15 minutes?
@@shanecadden7914 What... there were other people in Young Frankenstein?
@Jermaine Passed away from cancer (ovarian I believe) in 1999.
She was hilarious in High Anxiety.
@@chrisbanion It took me a minute or so but now I remember Gene Wilder and Gene Hackman were in it too!
She was 28 years old and about to have a great run over the next few years in films like "What's Up, Doc?", "Blazing Saddles", "Young Frankenstein", and "Paper Moon."
_Young Frankenstein_ is my favourite comic film. Everything about it was 10/10.
BenjWarrant I feel the same about Blazing saddles
Yeah this a lot less heavy than she was in What's Up Doc but still heavier than in Blazing Saddles.
Howard! Howard Bannister!
@pete smyth "Youthful puppy fat" at 27? Hardly. More like she was pressured to lose weight to make those films, despite what she said here. Studios had actresses (and some actors) on diet pills, smoking cigarettes, etc., to keep their weight down. The website Taste of Cinema describes Kahn as having "had a bit of a weight problem." www.tasteofcinema.com/2015/20-famous-actors-who-disappeared-after-their-prime/2/ According to her biography, she was self-conscious about her weight all her life.
Taken too soon. She actually became more beautiful as she aged. Extremely talented funny lady...
I was thinking the same thing, about her beauty, that it got better with age. In fact, just about four years later than this appearance here, she would appear in one of my all-time favorite comedies, _Young Frankenstein._ I came to appreciate many years later just how beautiful she was in that, how she has captured that classic beauty of the old silver screen. When she died, Saturday Night Live honored her with a memorial message, along with a segment of one of her appearances on the show. She did a crazy song, something to do with a frog, and she'd sing in a croaky voice.
It's funny to see how much she meant to me, a person I never met, because of how happy I was, sitting in a darkened theater, watching that movie.
damn shame, taken too early, very good in the movies👍
True
@@alricthered226 "Ain't Got No Home", originally by Clarence 'Frogman' Henry.
@@jrcarter9175:Thank you !
I love that Madeline Kahn, one of the most talented comedic actresses ever, didn't feel she fit in. Ode to the oddballs
Less than 3?
@@SonnyGTA That's a heart.
What comedian does?!
Talk about underrated. Brilliant comic actress.
One of the all time funny people on the planet with an ineffable charm.
Underrated? She's an icon.
@@jamezkpal2361 They don't talk about her the way they do Lucille and Carol and Ellen.
@@viralbuthow000 she never had her own TV show.
@@jamezkpal2361 exactly
One of my fondest '90's memories: I'd become acquainted in '94 with a guy from CA producing his first independent movie in NYC. After it was "in the can", but still in post-production, I was invited to an informal screening of a rough cut at the cinematographer's West Village apartment. Afterward, as people drifted off, I was left with my producer friend and his girl, the cinematographer and his girl, Liev Schrieber (who was just starting out in movies and was in this particular indie) and...Madeline Kahn (who had joined, having just worked with Liev on another film in NYC, "Mixed Nuts"). I was a young, green, and star-struck - loved her in every Mel Brooks movie, etc and just thought she was great. Somehow, I was invited to join that small group for dinner. No one else had, so as we walked on the sidewalk to the restaurant, I introduced myself to Madeline. When she replied with, "Hi Bob, I'm Madeline", I couldn't help but blurt out, "I know." I had wanted to tell her how much I loved her work, but her smile faded briefly and she said, "Yes, I know you know, Bob, but I still have to say, 'Hi, I'm Madeline.'" I was immediately deflated. At dinner, she was pleasant, though more quiet than I would have imagined. She clearly did not need "star" attention. After dinner and a couple bottles of wine, somehow, some way, Liev and I spontaneously riffed our version of "dueling Brando's" (from SNL), which produced an obviously genuine belly-laugh from Madeline Kahn. After all the laughter she'd given me, I was elated at that. She asked me who my agent was (which was funny, because it was my secret dream to have been an actor). I answered that I was a lawyer. A confused look went through her eyes and she said, "You're a lawyer? I thought you must be an actor, you're so handsome."
I remember clearly how bummed I was that morning at the kitchen sink in 1999 when I heard over the radio that she died. Great lady. I really liked meeting her.
SO SHE DIED THE NEXT DAY????????? SAD AND A WASTE...SHE WAS SO FUNNY IN "BLAZING SADDLES"........
@@jimrick6632 No, as I said, the film and dinner were in '94. She died in '99.
@@2012ouroboros SORRY I MISSED THAT...BUT I AGREE SHE DIED WAY TO SOON..THANKS FOR YOUR STORY....
Great anecdote, thanks for sharing...I loved her work too.
Great story. Loved her a lot.
A beautiful and brilliant comedian. She steals every scene she is appears in. She is too unique and intellectually smart to lower herself to be part of a group that thinks alike.
Not only was she smart and funny, but she was also absolutely beautiful.
Why do people think she's weird or whatever? She just has a brain and something interesting to say. I think she's great.
Exactly. She actually thinks for herself, which is a rare thing then as now.
In 1970 if you were a woman with a brain and something interesting to say, people thought you were weird.
You're defending something that doesn't need defending.
Madeline Kahn, Terri Garr, Gilda Radner were some of the brightest lights of joy, humor, and love. Who else?
Catherine O'Hara, Andrea Martin. Madeline was a delight. Gone too soon. Indeed.
Tina Fey
Frank you hit it on the head. I miss all of them.
If we're going with women, don't forget Diane Keaton and Cloris Leachman! Both hilarious.
Lily Tomlin, Rita Moreno, Marilu Henner
Reading the comments, I agree with everyone else. Her intelligence, her talent, her beauty, love it all. But that voice! Instantly recognizable, sing-songy, just one more reason to love and miss her.
Hands down, the best comedic actress of her generation. RIP Madeleine.
This aired 53 years ago and still so much of it is true today - the pressure to fit into cliques, the objectification of women as a plaything for men, the expectations of intelligent people. Just absolute brilliance from an awesome, intelligent, talented Madeline Kahn. And Kudos for Dick Cavett to let her expound on so much.
Her being a speech therapist makes total sense. She always knew exactly what to say, and how to say it.
@@Datanditto You don't really know what you're talking about.
@@blackringsociety Sit down, son.
@@DatandittoYes. It can be. There is speech and language
She is is one of the rewards of living long enough to see the arc of her work. What a woman.
I totally understand what she’s trying to say. I never felt like I fit in - clothes, hair, body shape- to what was considered cool, the latest trend.
What a talented lady
She's so real, so refreshing compared to the no-talent dullards who make the headlines today.
People were more genuine in some ways back in the 60's and 70 's. There was still artifice (like what she described with the beatniks) but people had to interact face to face and really deal with each other as human beings to get by. Today we can hide behind our screens and texts and barely have direct human contact at all. It's kinda scary actually.
@@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017 Time of huge social change & it showed.
@@unowen-nh9ov It didn't turn out so well.. and now here we are..
I have such a love of the past. I just find it fascinating to watch old clips; like being in a time machine.
I agree!
Totally agree, I just wish fondness for the past wasn’t so often taken as “the world today sucks”. I grew up in the 70s and 80s and it wasn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Well it’s a total cross gender, offended, BLM shitshow now. It’s horrible.
Jeff Davin you didn’t pay attention then. Hugely superior to the shitshow now.
I be been thinking that too because of COVID; but These clips are so interesting and entertaining! She was brilliant!
What a Woman navigating through those times and still being able to show her fire. She is timeless. Thank you Madeline for all the great memories.
What a fantastic woman! She's absolutely honest, but with really interesting, meaningful things to say. I enjoyed every second of what she had to say.
Me too :-)
Young Frankenstein is one of the best films ever made!
It’s my favourite comedy movie with some of my favourite actors. Including Marty Feldman and Gene Wilder.
Blazing Saddles is one of the best films ever made!
She was ahead of her time in recognizing gatekeeping and reverse gatekeeping
I loved her takedown of beatnik girls and how shallow the whole hippie esthetic eventually proved to be. She spoke for me: I learned pretty young that there was no point in me trying to be fashionable. My look is innately unfashionable. I have the power to thwart trends by adopting them. She was hilariously on the money.
What was most brilliant was the separation of the appearance of intellect from actual intellect.
I loved it too. I couldn't stand those beatniks and all of these so-called freedom movements that followed were restrictive.
That's quite a phrase, "the power to thwart trends by adopting them". I like it!
It’s called comedy. 🤦🏻♂️
She speaks with refreshing candour and authenticity, yet you feel there is a crackling tension between her and the host and elements in the audience, making for riveting television. You see the host struggling not to patronise her as she tacitly calls, with her sincerity, for a human and fully-engaged response from him. Yet he allows her full room to speak at length uninterrupted which is mark of the best interviewers. Madeline Kahn is revealed here as a truly insightful, thoughtful and brave woman - her early death was a tragic loss for all of us
Madeline Kahn was priceless. This is a great clip. Rest in peace, dear, sweet , talented girl.
Her comedic work with Mel Brooks is legendary
Agreed also her part in Paper Moon
Oddly enough I understood her. Always loved her .. a Real Woman !
It’s not that odd really, I empathize with her completely. You just don’t fit it... AND might I add you are always very conspicuous, in that people notice that you don’t fit in. There is almost a sense of ... clumsiness to everything you do ... I’m not sure if I get cross to you on that point. But it’s honest to god what I feel.
These Cavett interviews are so much better than talk shows today. She was a wonderful talented beautiful actress & comedien. R.i.p.
He was a terrific interviewer if he liked you. Totally charming. But If he didn't like you, you would certainly feel it. This was a terrific interview because you can tell that despite her oddness, he really likes her.
Graham Norton, Conan O'Brien and Sean Evans are probably the best talk show hosts today. They let the celeb in question have their moment.
I love Madeline as an actress, to see her so young and vulnerable on this show makes me love her more. Such a tough industry she's in and she ended up a classic!
Her comedic timing was impeccable. It's what seperated her from the rest.
One of the most underrated comedians in all time. I love her performances in Whats Up Doc and High Anxiety. Beautiful woman, physically and intellectually. Personally I find her 10 times more attractive than many thin as a stick "models"
That's nuts. She's great but thin is beautiful.
@@oppothumbs1 so is slightly chubby !
Add "Young Frankenstein" and " Paper Moon" to your list ...YF maybe her best.
Don't think she was underrated at all. Millions recognized her immense talent.
Actually...BLAZING SADDLES was here comedic eye opener performance that stood out. Fucking brilliant
It’s nearing the end of 2020 and here I am chilling out watching the brilliant Madeline Khan talking with the equally brilliant Dick Cavett who I have just discovered here in the UK from the wonderful RUclips service Madeline will always shine. RIP you funny, beautiful, intelligent and so bloody talented human being. You are missed ❤️
Isn`t it fascinating how the most brilliant comedic actors always are interesting and intelligent people...
Comedy is really, really hard. To do it well you have to be incredibly smart.
Me being born after her death never sat right with me. I feel like we have some sort of mental connection, almost like I knew her. I love her so much I wish she was still here💔
I was born in 1996 so pretty close to her death, and I feel the same way 🥺
People laughing out of nervousness to hear someone say such simple and honest things.
She is SO funny. Can you imagine having her as a guest at a dinner party ? RIP Madeline.
And let's observe that Madeline is also talking about how part of the Women's Lib movement was ... judgment by other women.
She was talking about how movements turned into fashion, and in fact that co-opting and commercialization of various movements by corporations looking to profit off them was part of what killed the movements. Women's Lib was not confined to the hippies, and spanned age groups, classes, and races; it transcended fashion (not all were bra-burners, for example). I don't know if you're old enough to remember it, but I am. I'm not saying there wasn't judgment, but there's judgment in most movements; certainly in current ones.
The modern feminism movement is the same; there is much judgement. And, of course, movements do get turned into fashion.
My Grandmother loathed the women's lib/feminism movents. She was convinced that it was all started by lazy men. She also felt that any broad who fell for it, was the epitome of ignorance, and acting against self-interest. I wish that I had gotten her rant on the topic recorded; it was a speech to behold.
From what she said about beatnicks and feminists I remembered the quote from "The idiot" by F. Dostoyevsky:
" Some of our young ladies have only to crop their hair, put on blue spectacles, and dub themselves nihilists, to persuade themselves at once that they have immediately gained “convictions” of their own".
Yes, every -ism movement either grows from idiocy or is taken over by it. The Bell Curve on intelligence explains it. That is also the great dilemma with universal "democratic" vote.
No. She is saying that any movement insists that members adopt a look. Like MAGA clowns and their red hats.
@Boston Guy Yawn. I had no intention of getting into politics, but nobody deserves Trump. All the dopes who think he is the answer are asking the wrong question.
What a supremely talented and lovely human being. Taken from this planet much too soon.
Madeline Kahn is the greatest.
Please also post the Edward Gorey interview from 1977!
"I think everyone has moments of aphasia, do you know what that is? I don't." How I miss this person.
I miss Madeline too. She was brilliant. Btw, because I'm a survivor of TBI (traumatic brain injury), I experienced years of aphasia while rebuilding my brain and my life. I love Madeline's comedic take on 'aphasia'. But, truly, I wish more people understood what this word means and its implications. Then perhaps TBI survivors would be spared the pain and embarrassment of being considered slow and dumb. We're not. We just need a little empathy and understanding.
Holy cow this woman. What a sincere, and charming genius
I nearly didn't meet Madeline Kahn once... in Central Park... I looked up & there she was. Quick intake of breath... do I acknowledge her? Will she feel impinged upon? Then I smiled at her. And she smiled back... looking sublime. All that in the space of about 10 seconds. What a darling!
Amazing!
"Ooooh...Sweet mystery of life...at last I've found yooouu!"
"Not the hair!...Don't touch the hair!"
taffeta, darling!
Lol, OMG, I do those bits all the time when I'm teaching! I'm 54, but younger people who don't know MK still think it's hilarious.
@@fullercrowley "Let's face it, I'm tired!"
Oh, and who can forget Eunice in What's Up Doc?
@@caveatemp I swear, I just adore her! This inspired me to watch her interview with Dick Cavett, in which she disses political correctness years ahead of her time. She plays the drooling guys for fools while keeping her ultra-feminine center: ruclips.net/video/WvLsCZn59lI/видео.html
I've always hated the idea that in order to be taken seriously, or have serious ideas, that one needs to be glum. She's spot on! Beautiful person!
that was always something they used against the feminists of Kahn's day: "Why are you so serious?" The women would respond, "Nobody says that to someone protesting the Viet Nam war."
Beautiful. Mel Brooks was a genius for casting her in Young Frankenstein. Could anyone have been more perfect? Love her.
When celebrities die, I just kind of accept it and enjoy their legacy and their past works, but there is something so special about her. I miss her.
Love these old clips, keep em coming
I think Dick Cavett was patronizing to her here. Making jokes in response to her thoughtful comments. She was ahead of her time in her observations of a “woman’s place.”
Yeah but she is going outside the show format just a bit. And also, whether she admits it or not, she is performing a bit here.
Dick was being a Dick...
@@pougiebear66 No, he was respectful, allowing her to speak at length without interrupting. He had to inject his _schtick_ now and then, to be a bit of a smart aleck; the guest can't have complete control, and he was attempting to be occasionally humorous (even if his comments came across as a put down; Cavett had license to do so with his guests, as do many other "funny" talk show hosts), to move things along. Madeleine even said he made her feel comfortable. She knew he was not insulting her.
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
From a mad keen 77yo Aussie fan,in the middle of the Corona virus,in lovely Melbourne,Australia.
What a brilliant actor .
For me she was the funniest woman on film. She ticked my funny bone like no other.
Paper moon was incredible, it needs a criterion BLURAY release
She is an absolute gem-as one would say! Very funny!
Edit: If anyone ever suggests that women aren’t funny show them this!
Madeline Kahn is so adorable and funny and intelligent and honest and beautiful and vulnerable and lovely. Her singing "I'm tired " in Blazing Saddles is still the funniest thing I've ever seen. What an amazing and incredibly talented woman. I loved her in everything she did. What a truly beautiful woman inside and out.
She’s not a wabbit!!
The fellow guest was engaged and actually listening, Cavett's just sat there waiting to anticipate the word from the sponsors
What a beautiful discussion on what it means to be authentic.
Intelligent person, and a fine, fine comic actor. First-rate; like, Keaton-level (both of 'em!). Cavett is sometimes just purposely obtuse. C'mon: it's not hard: she was talking about how many movements, even if you agree, are more about the surface bullshit than the actual stated goals or beliefs or commitments. Utterly simple point: surface hypocrisy versus stated beliefs. Like, what almost all people are like--groups, too. And the position of not being able to belong but wanting to belong--Khan was making such a core point about human beings.
"Cavett is sometimes just purposely obtuse."
You should see him now. He did an interview of Raquel Welch at a showing of the Three Musketeers and Raquel kept trying to steer the interview back to the movies and Dick never got it. It was really annoying.
I liked him back then.
@strontiumXnitrate
Well that was a mindless post.
@@EthelredHardrede-nz8yv Look at his RUclips page. Apparently his one and only interest: terror of feminism.
@@tarnopol
What can be expected of men that fear women?
omg I could listen to her talk all day. She was so talented and funny and smart.
I love Madeline Kahn. Fantastic comedic actress.
What a wonderful interview. She was a lovely actress.
wow i don't think i've ever seen her out of character. she seems fun to hang out with even when she's not performing!
@4:46 I can't not hear her say "twru!" when she says "true".
Nearly 21 years later, how much I still miss her.
She was brilliant in Blazing Saddles .. her Marlene Dietrich impression was priceless
I recently watched Blazing Saddles again. Madeline Kahn stole the show in a very limited role. Hilarious!
The most adorable woman ever.
I think you missed the point of everything she was saying.
@@meanmutton,
Trolling? Sad.
Born in Revere , Mass. and grew up there on Shirley Ave.
I can hear that Boston accent come out with certain words she saids. 😁😍
This is the type of woman I've been looking for my whole life. Sadly, They are basically non-existent.
Because what this post needed was input from an incel apparently. Yawn.
She's making perfect sense. I just adore her.
So many years ago and still relevant. Cancel culture continues. Any group that would reject this woman is not worth belonging to. She was a masterpiece. What was G-d thinking of taking her from us too soon?
Loved her.
My Grandfather taught me many years ago. "Its better to be thought of as a fool; then to opening your mouth and remove all doubt". I have always loved Madeline. She was always very kind funny and witty. She was perfect in every Mel Brooks movie she was in. Her comedic timing and delivery was unrivaled. I miss her very much!
That saying has no relevance here
She really is great, refreshing, honest, no pretense. Superb, singer, actress, etc..
Dick is a good host. Loved him!
Brilliant, tender, funny and totally captivating Madeline was. I especially liked her in "Paper Moon." Her short monologue just ripped my hear out.
I had such a crush on her when I was a teen. She was a beauty and she became even prettier as she got older. Gone much too soon.
Wow. Just wow. I can't believe how prescient she was, how sensitive and earnest her analysis was. I feel like she was going through a lot in her revelations. It feels like her career was tinged with trauma, as if her whole experience in life led to vocalization. Clearly she took comedy intensely seriously. And we laugh to this day, as a result. But here, there's a connection to something else in her testimony. Appearance, yes, but as she said, she felt safe to express it.
Watching so many old shows because of COVID and across this gem! I remember an SNL she hosted and she was fabulous!
This is so relevant today. Amazing.
Madeleine was super intelligent with such kindness as to not browbeat others less fortunate. Beautiful lady, beautiful voice and beautifully funny.
This was taped 8 days before I was born. Certainly a different world in many ways.
What a fun interview that was.
I have to admit, I was not aware of who she was until _Blazing Saddles._ But it was _Young Frankenstein_ that endeared her to me. Had I seen this interview back when it was originally broadcast--and I might have; I watched his show all the time--I wouldn't have known at the time why she was on the show. She was fun.
Didn't realize I could love her more than I already do without meeting her.
I have at different times in my life, identified with Madeleine. An actor friend compared me to her favorably once. I really appreciate that. We look alike a little bit. I am 60 now, and I STILL relate to this woman's philosophy.
My fav comedy actress. Unique.
Madeline Kahn was the first woman I fell in love with...at age 4...watching her sing a duet with Grover from Sesame Street...I would watch every episode hoping it would be the one where she would sing...
Oh, I LOVE that duet!
Adorable Madeline Kahn. Sorely missed. R.I.P.
Man she was the ultimate package! Loved this interview.
9:45 “I probably don’t fit into any group. I’ll have to just do it on my own.”
In other words, the "tolerant" and "enlightened" people are some of the most intolerant and uninformed you'd ever have the misfortune of meeting.
They're narrow and cliquish, like other groups... just smaller. Mainstream society is no less snobby.
it's so funny and absolutely spot-on ironic and telling of the era how much condescension she's receiving from both Dick cavett and the audience - the odd giggles about how she she's speaking as if she's not making sense, the way that they tease her like they don't know what they asked anymore when she's very clearly answering their question....
I get that there's often incongruence from the reactions in the audience when there's a comedian speaking, because people expect that they should be laughing or that the person is being funny, but it still seems very telling.
M. Khan. What an original. We surely miss the courage and forthrightness of that generation of celebrities.
How cool! By the broadcast date, they must have been both leaving to do their respective Broadway shows: Mr. Jones in Company and Ms. Kahn in Two by Two.
I know exactly how she feels......I had the same feeling about the blondes of the late 60's...with their perfect hair and blue eyes. Madeline was fabulous !!
Notice as she begins to discuss “movements” she shortly moves to “fitting in” and “fashions”.
There are few individuals in America. Group affiliation - tribes, really - is more our speed.
Smart person. This perspective has been muted in 21st century America.
indeed, lotsa followers. even the influencers follow to lead.
@@geinikan1kan Agreed. I’m old enough to remember when “influencers” were called “trend setters”. Wonder why the name changed.
I wish she were still her to give us her thinking of 2020 femnists, who have expanded their conformist demands to universities, spb 78. Universities are supposed to be bastions of free speech.
@@coreycox2345 While I agree to you to an extent, I’d argue that the conformity derives less from a specific group than it does from American culture. In some respects, that seems to be Kahn’s point, too (though she doesn’t explicitly state it). She was as uncomfortable with feminists as she was with beatniks or with people (men, especially) who felt her role as a woman was to be a “plaything”. So I don’t think it’s reducible to a “campus feminist” phenomenon. I think it’s America. I think we breed conformity as a culture. It’s what we do.
spb 78 It probably changed with the advent of social media. Just pulling a name out of the air, someone like Madonna was considered a “trendsetter” back in the height of her 80s fame, because influencing trends was more of a tangential result of a bigger project (i.e. pop music and videos and concerts tours). Influencing trends wasn’t so much a direct goal as much as it was a side effect of other goals, as with so many other entertainment stars. With the internet and social media, the bigger goal of creating music or movies or really anything can be taken out of the equation and its direct to “Hey wear this because see how good it looks on my Instagram”.
“do i have an opening that this man might fit”? my favorite line. and i watched the history of the world when i was 13. not to mention young frankenstein or blazing saddles. i fell in love with her as soon as i hit puberty. what a woman. the funniest on earth.
Yes. I hated her. I hated her SOOOO, MUCH, FLAMES....FLAMES, ON THE SIDE'A'MY'FACE....Breathing breaths, heaving breaths.....😔🤩♥️
Lookin at your subscriptions, and obviously you enjoyed perhaps one of the greatest films ever, your a helluva guy.
I was looking for this comment.
Sooo awesome-Mrs. White!
'Flames .. Flames.. at the side of my head...' shes great. GENUINELY Funny.
Gorgeous here. Hair color! Her natural speaking voice and hint of her New York accent. Youthful.
This is absolutely amazing to look at and hear.
She totally knows what time it is... Stunning women.
woman** not women.
Please show the Sal Mineo episodes