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Dames Judi and Maggie were interviewed by A. J.
Hammer
Watch
the WMP Video Clip of their Interview
( 5:00 Minutes )
 
 
 
 
 
A
Special Thanks to Sharon for bringing this to my attention
Transcript of the Interview
HAMMER: Well,
tonight in yet another show biz sit down, Dame Maggie Smith and Dame Judi
Dench, two actresses who are legends in their own time. A whole new
generation has also become fans. Dame Maggie Smith of course for her role
in the Harry Potter series and Dame Judi Dench for hers in the James Bond
franchise. They are starring together in a beautiful really terrific new
movie called "Ladies in Lavender." It is being showcased at this year`s
Tribeca film festival, as a matter of fact tomorrow in New York City.
Joining us live here in the headline prime studios in New York City, Dames
Maggie Smith, Judi Dench. Is that what I call you, do I call you dame
Maggie? I don`t want to mess this up here. I`m already flustered by the
fact that you`re here.
MAGGIE SMITH: Drop the dame.
HAMMER: Maggie and Judi?
JUDI DENCH: Absolutely.
HAMMER: And if I seem to be gushing, I apologize. I normally don`t do that
but I`m just thrilled that you guys are joining us. I understand you
enjoyed hanging out with Lassie back in the green room. (INAUDIBLE)
DENCH: But it`s the family.
HAMMER: And are you enjoying the fact, do you enjoy the fact that Lassie
gets to fly first class and gets all this --
SMITH: It`s outrageous.
HAMMER: Are you guys being accorded the respect that you deserve as you
walk through the streets of New York?
SMITH: Not so much as Lassie is clearly.
HAMMER: Are the New York City rats steering clear of you guys?
SMITH: The rats?
HAMMER: Because they should. We have rats here in New York City, not here
in the studio.
DENCH: We haven`t had time to encounter the rats.
SMITH: We haven`t been anywhere. They let us out to come here.
HAMMER: The reason you`re here of course "Ladies in Lavender" will be
screening tomorrow at the Tribeca film festival. You guys have to be
absolutely proud of this movie. It`s as I mentioned, beautiful, terrific,
the story of you two playing sisters who - it`s in the 1930s. And a young
man just washes up on a beach. You guys come to his rescue and the drama
and hilarity ensues. It is really quite touching. Before we talk about it,
we`re going to take a look at this clip. Check it out.
You guys were perfectly cast as sisters in this movie. I know you`ve been
on stage and screen before together and you`ve been friends for a long
time. How long have you been friends?
DENCH: 50 years. We were just children when we met.
HAMMER: You guys pretty much the time you each got into acting. It was in
the 1950s, early 1950s or so.
DENCH: Yes.
HAMMER: And is this first time you`re playing sisters?
SMITH: Yes. This is the first time.
HAMMER: It was absolutely ideal. And you`re only 19 days apart in actual
age. Your birthdays are both in December.
SMITH: Yes. But she`s Sagittarius and I`m Capricorn.
HAMMER: Just a little bit older.
SMITH: I didn`t say that.
HAMMER: Just a couple of days. Such a sweet movie. And what it really
showed -- from where I sit, longing and desire can happen at any age to
anybody.
DENCH: Absolutely. Yes.
HAMMER: What did you take away from it?
DENCH: Yes, I think that that`s true. And especially with these two led
quite curious lives in the `30s, when all those young men had been killed
in the first world war. And they`re very, very much -- you know, they`re
isolated in this place. And not much has ever happened to them.
HAMMER: Well, you two have always had the great luxury, I believe, you
certainly have chosen terrific art house or films that are more about the
craft than they are about big blockbuster numbers at the box office.
However, you have done some huge blockbusters as well. You`re both
involved with two huge franchises which I got to ask you about for a
second. Of course we all know Maggie Smith from "Harry Potter and the
Sorcerer`s Stone" and you`re getting set for the next one?
SMITH: We`ve just finished one. I`m trying to remember what it`s called.
HAMMER: "The Goblet of Fire."
SMITH: Yes, I get them all confused. "The Goblet of Fire," we finished
that one. I don`t know what the -- what`s the next one?
HAMMER: After that, we`ll all have to wait and see. And, of course, Judi
as M, you`ve been M now in four of the James Bond films. And there`s all
this buzz about the James Bond franchise, because it`s going to be
changing hands in terms of who owns the rights and who is going to be the
next bond? First of all, have you signed on for the next film?
DENCH: I haven`t signed it, but I`ve been asked about it, which is very
nice indeed.
HAMMER: And there are a lot of names being tossed around as to who James
would be? Do you have any ideas? Can you clue us in a little bit?
DENCH: I have no idea. They haven`t told me yet. So I actually don`t know.
HAMMER: Do you know actor Daniel Craig is one of the names that`s been
tossed around?
DENCH: I do know him.
HAMMER: You think he`d do a good job for that?
DENCH: Do I what?
HAMMER: Do you think he`d be good for the role.
DENCH: Well, actually there are lots that have been named. (INAUDIBLE) has
been up for it.
HAMMER: We`ll have to ask you more during the commercial break and another
time. But Dames Maggie Smith and Judi Dench, it`s a pleasure having you
here. Thanks for joining us. And of course, good luck with "Ladies in
Lavender" screening tomorrow at the Tribeca film festival.
SMITH: Thank you.
DENCH: Thank you very much.
HAMMER: My pleasure.
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