BBC HARDtalk - Debbie Reynolds, Actress (14/4/10)

Jonathan Charles speaks to the late Debbie Reynolds in an interview from 2010.

Singin' in the Rain is one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful film musicals ever made, but commercial success was not the story of one its stars - Debbie Reynolds.

Reynolds was bankrupted twice, had three failed marriages and her Hollywood career had faltered since her early fame. Jonathan Charles asked her how at 78 she was still able to keep the show on the road.

First Broadcast on Wed 14 Apr 2010

[shipsterellaships]

I hope to someday be half as composed, dignified, and gracious as Debbie Reynolds. She's pure class.
I can't imagine being grilled on a relationship that ended 40 years ago for a quarter of the interview. And WHY does he keep going back to her lack of money at various times in her life?
Seriously, the only thing worse than his questions are his degrading statements. Maybe it's the brand, but this interviewer doesn't know better than to talk over the person he's interviewing? A lesser interviewee would have been left floundering by his lack of ability to do his job respectfully.
I looked this guy up. He's fluent in French and German. Too bad he isn't familiar with human decency.

[constantreader]

This woman was pure elegance and class, and handled the typical brit hardcore interview with aplomb. Go Debbie.

[christineknowles]

What a beautiful, very natural, strong principled, humorous, sweet natured lady! Especially in the presence of this blunt & tough interviewer!

[kjsalomonsen]

Wasn't she something. There will never be another like her.

[zsofiaagnesnagy]

She was actually wise in many ways and such a classy person. She was so right in saying that she can understand leaving a wife but cannot understand leaving the kids (referring to E.F, first husband). I can only agree with her view.

[TNDC]

I have to say I thought Debbie Reyolds showed great strength and dignity here to tolerate the negative and overly critical energy spilling out of Jonathan Charles. It was offensive to me to watch anyone be subjected to this kind of judgemental interviewer. It is simply not his prerogative!!!. Thank God this woman had the positive energy to rise above it; funny it just proves her claims to strength in the face of adversity made in the same interview ;) Debbie have a lovely day wherever you are and thank you for your great drive and sense of humour ;););)

[superbird]

Beautiful and wonderful actress. Lovely lady. ❤

[nathelondon]

Class, sheer class. The last of the Hollywood greats.

[centaureg]

I guess the Hard part of "Hardtalk" is that Debbie Reynolds has to put up with such a bad interviewer.

[Ma_Ba]

She had a philosophical sense of humor. I liked that she joked that despite the principled stand she took against cigarette sponsor, which hurt her financially, it would've just been more money for the bad husband to run through. I also liked that she saw that life was no more hard for her than for others. Very accepting good character traits.

[stephenfermoyle]

dont like how aggressive he is with her HONESTLY

[cybernaut_ev]

Debbie was patient with this interviewer because in the beginning, he wouldn't let her finish her point. He'd suddenly ask another question. Which shows he wasn't paying attention.

[aislingwalsh]

Couldn`t agree more with everything she says, especially about todays films. Debbie was a classy, witty, gorgeous, hardworking and humble lady with a huge heart. I think she is better-looking than Elizabeth Taylor and it`s upsetting that her marriages ended in disater. Also, what a role-model for not wanting cigarettes advertised on her show, she had great morals. It`s sad that we don`t get stars like her now, she was a hollywood legend and I hope she is resting peacefully in paradise. <3 xxx

[noviceprepper]

charming and funny person. rest in peace Mary Frances

[maredove]

wow she was such a Role model
Rip Debbie

[carolabruzzo]

Debbie Reynolds is a lady an accomplished actress, a real star!

[carriehollingston]

SHE WAS A VERY ELEGANT WOMAN rip debbie

[Readyteddygo]

So intelligent, articulate and interesting.

[MJW]

A very intelligent, funny, multi-talented woman...a triple threat (singing, dancing, acting). This guy is a dreadful interviewer. He sees nothing in the fact that she supported herself, her family, 3 husbands and 5 children at a time when women had 2nd citizen status. She was amazing and her films are iconic....Jonathan Charles you wasted a wonderful opportunity.

[kerstindahlqvist]

Most celebrities who have had tough Times life fell sorry for themselves. Debbie Reynolds can joke about her sorrows.