Monday, January 1, 2018

Dick Cavett Interview


If one pokes around the YouTube universe, you can find several filmed sequences of Edward Gorey being interviewed. All are entertaining and give insights into Mr. Gorey's personality. Of particular interest is the November 30, 1977 interview Mr. Gorey gave on the Dick Cavett show.

Edward Gorey does not appear particularly at ease during the interview, but his recent success on Broadway with Dracula has put him in the spotlight. He often fidgets in his chair and produces several loud, nervous coughs during his half hour chat with Mr. Cavett. It is an interview that is worth viewing however. When given the opportunity to expound on a subject, Mr. Gorey is informative and entertaining, and his hands are fascinating to watch for their expressiveness, especially in repose.

The typescript of the full interview has been published in the book Ascending Peculiarity, but spending the half hour with Edward Gorey in person adds a layer of depth to the interview that is not present in the transcript. While watching the interview, it is easy to see how Edward Gorey could be played successfully on film by actor Jim Parsons. The full interview can be viewed here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cng3K8FGj28&index=4&list=PL5ZxYsLy1tzGBy6dFBLWE6YsBuk4Yzi3E



1 comment:

Jake said...

I came upon this after watching a couple of other Gorey interviews and wondering if anyone else saw Jim Parsons in the role. Glad I'm not alone. Watching him spar with Cavett is a delight.