Just look at this - Sir Ralph Richardson turning the tables Russell Harty on a 1978 television programme. Within a few minutes Richardson has taken over the show, got the audience on his side, reduced his interrogator to a stammering wreck and settled down contentedly to stonewall any questions. All done with steely charm and intelligence.
Kenneth Tynan, in Show People: Profiles in Entertainment (1980), said that this appearance on a prime-time chat show was among Richardson's finest performances. Tynan was right - it's an extraordinary smoke and mirrors act in which he gives nothing away. He was at the time of this recording appearing on stage in Pinter's No Man's Land - the subject of a yesterday's blog - and has some fascinating and eloquent thoughts on acting.
Here's Part 1, Part 2, Part 3. Part 4
© London Weekend Television
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