John Mortimer: Rumpole, Pornography and Things He Defends But Doesn't Enjoy | Parkinson on BBC
By The Michael Parkinson Channel
Community Score: 50% | 18.5K views | 2mo
0 community ratings: null thumbs up, null thumbs down
John Mortimer grew up hearing divorce cases instead of bedtime stories. His father, a blind barrister who also went deaf and eventually couldn't stand up, was absolutely irresistible to judges. No judge could refuse a man who couldn't see, hear or rise to his feet. He specialized in divorce and wills. In this conversation with Michael Parkinson, Mortimer talks about the origins of Rumpole, about being so nervous as a young assistant director that he said "quiet please" too softly for anyone to hear, about writing 48 film scripts that were never made and considering this rather good business, and about working with Billy Wilder, who liked to pace up and down waving a hunting crop while his writers typed. He also talks about defending obscenity cases, pornography and the principle of free speech. At Scotland Yard blue movie screenings, he takes his glasses off. He is very short-sighted. He considers this an adequate solution. Legendary talk show host Sir Michael Parkinson's official Y
Tags: michael parkinson, british talk show, a-list celebrities, hollywood stars, political figures, insightful conversations, witty banter, unforgettable moments
More from The Michael Parkinson Channel
- He Couldn’t Stop Laughing! Robin Williams Destroys the Interview | Parkinson — Score: 50%
- Robbie Williams on Leaving Take That and Going Out for a Year | Parkinson on BBC — Score: 50%
- Cilla Black Bought Her Mum a Posh House. Her Mum Wanted a Bus Stop | Parkinson on BBC — Score: 50%
- Dame Edna Returns With Something to Say About Barry Humphries | Parkinson on BBC — Score: 50%
- The Suit. The Man. The Legend. | Billy Connolly in Crushed Velvet | Parkinson on BBC — Score: 50%
- Hefner's Monopoly Board and Sinatra's Sunglasses | George Axelrod | Parkinson on BBC — Score: 50%