'Eva Marie Saint: Live From the TCM Classic Film Festival,' TV review
By David Hinckley
Eva Marie Saint's conversation with Robert Osborne on TCM Monday night reminds us that sometimes show business and Hollywood can be just plain fun.
Saint talks with Osborne to kick off a night-long celebration that includes three of her best-known films: "On the Waterfront," which will air at 9 p.m.; "Raintree County," 12:20 a.m.; and "North by Northwest," 3:30 a.m.
It's a shame the times may not be convenient, but that's why the Lord made DVRs.
At 89, Saint remains charming and quick of mind. She jokes with Osborne, an old friend, and beyond recounting her own impressive career has delightful anecdotes about the directors and stars with whom she has worked, from Alfred Hitchcock and Elia Kazan to Paul Newman and Cary Grant.
When she was co-starring with Newman in "Exodus," she recalls, director Otto Preminger didn't like the way a kissing scene looked, so he came over and kissed Saint himself, to show how it should be done.
"And all the time I was looking at Paul," says Saint. "Uh-huh. As if Otto Preminger is going to show Paul Newman how to kiss."
Marlon Brando and Eva Marie Saint in a scene from the 1954 film "On the Waterfront"
She talks about how she enjoyed working with Brando on "Waterfront," and turns diplomatic when Osborne asks why happened with him later.
"I think he lost the joy of acting," she says.
She also recalls inviting Montgomery Clift to a get-acquainted lunch while they were working together in "Raintree County." They were both so shy that they ended up eating in virtual silence.
On the whole, though, this is an hour of good memories. No affairs, no drugs, no rehab. Just the movies.
Which turn out to be plenty.
dhinckley@nydailynews.com