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About Steve :: Person :: Profiles Interview

Larry King at the release of L.A. Story 1991

This covers L.A. Story, the Gulf War USO tour, and questions from the audience

CNN
Larry King Live
February 6, 1991
Steve Martin

BY LARRY KING;
Comedian and actor Steve Martin talks about his latest film, "L.A. Story", and discusses his movie career.

KING: In times of crisis, America has always turned to Hollywood for relief. No one knows the dichotomy of this better than our next guest, Steve Martin. Three months ago, Steve and his lovely wife went on a morale boosting tour of Saudi Arabia and now he is home and, starting this Friday, will give audiences a dose of romance, laughs, and a happy ending in a wonderful new movie that I saw this past Monday here at the Motion Picture Theater building in Washington called L.A. Story. Steve wrote this film. And he guests with us in Los Angeles, and he's our first non war guest in three weeks.

You are the first, Steve, so you should be complimented that we have our first diversion here from the Persian Gulf. But I wonder what your thoughts are before we discuss the movie since you were there, now?

STEVE MARTIN: Sorry?

KING: In other words, how you feel now

Mr. MARTIN: Oh, oh, oh

KING: that you were there where these guys are now shooting at each other?

Mr. MARTIN: Well, obviously, I have a little more of a personal feeling about it, having been there and having met so many soldiers, both men and women, and having shook hands with them. And you always wonder what those people are doing now, and if they were hurt. But you get, when you step back from it And I'm just another citizen who's hearing about it on the news like everyone else, so other than those specific feelings, you know, I think I feel the same as everybody.

KING: Are you glad you went?

Mr. MARTIN: Oh, it was fantastic. It was probably more exciting for me than the soldiers. I mean, I came away with an incredible experience because I'd never been around anything military in my life. It was extremely impressive, I must say. The level of competence seemed incredibly high.

KING: L.A. Story is a wonderful movie. It is funny, it is tender, it is romantic, it is hysterical it has the world's best talking billboard. You wrote it, it's obviously your theme piece. Why didn't you direct it?

Mr. MARTIN: Well, I like having a director come in with a vision, and I think this director, Mick Jackson, had a vision for the picture and I think he brought something so magical and stylish and mysterious and delivered the screenplay with the same tone that it was written. And I like being able just to worry about two things, rather than three things the acting and the writing, and not the directing.

KING: Can you take us back to the germ of this idea?

Mr. MARTIN: Well, 'germ' is a good expression for it maybe 'virus.' It took I met my wife about seven years ago and we You know, she just brought something into my life. And it's not really now a story about me and my wife, but it is a story about how romance can change you. And one of the themes I thought of was, you know, when people are in relationships and they're unhappy they tend to blame themselves. And then when you meet the right person for you and they don't blame you for what you are. You just you realize before, 'Oh, I realize, it was just the relationship was wrong before. It wasn't my fault, or it wasn't her fault.' And when you meet someone right, everything seems calm and that's essentially what the story is about.

KING: Correct, and that works, and it could have been Sioux Falls, Idaho, or Glen Cove, Long Island. But you also focused it not only around the city, but titled it around the city. Why?

Mr. MARTIN: Right, well, I've lived here for a long time, many years. And this kind of story, as you know I mean, the audience doesn't because they haven't seen it yet it's sort of magical and mysterious and it just wouldn't work in any other city. The same events couldn't have happened. You couldn't have a talking freeway sign. You couldn't get the humor that I think runs throughout the movie, like trying to get a reservation in a restaurant, if you remember that scene, or running into a girl whose dream is to be a spokesmodel. I mean, these are really California Los Angeles ideas. And it just seems so The story is so tied to Los Angeles that, if you took Los Angeles away, it wouldn't be as funny and it wouldn't be as magical.

KING: And you will never be able to order decaffeinated coffee again

Mr. MARTIN: Yes.

KING: in quite the same way, after you see this film. When you write a film and star in it and then you watch it and it's all done and the film is the director's product

Mr. MARTIN: Uh huh.

KING: how are you watching it? Are you watching it saying, 'Did I do that well?' or are you watching it saying, 'How does this sound?'

Mr. MARTIN: Well, you're mainly trying to combat your nausea, you know. I mean, all week you have a picture opening that's basically what you feel. I think it's linked to anxiety or stage fright or something.

KING: [laughs] So you're sick.

Mr. MARTIN: Every time I look at it, it's different, and it changes according to how the audience is that's watching it. And it's just like live performing in a strange way. You get the same strange feelings of fear and But I love the movie so I feel good about it, but you still can't get over that.

KING: How good are you at forecasting? How well will it do?

Mr. MARTIN: Impossible. I've never been able to forecast accurately and the business hasn't either, show business. So I think it's a kind of movie that it will get good word of mouth, I have a feeling. And that's really what sells a picture like this because it's slightly different and, from the times I've seen it, it seems to be funny. The audience I'm not trying to brag, but they do laugh a lot through the movie.

KING: It is more than funny. It's also a terrific film. You ought to be very proud of it beyond just the comedy level.

Mr. MARTIN: Well, I am, and thank you very much. I think it's a major step for me as a performer and writer.

KING: It absolutely is.

Mr. MARTIN: The other screenplay I wrote was Roxanne. I feel like this is the next step in that development.

KING: What could possibly follow those two? Steve Martin is our guest. The film is L.A. Story. It opens Friday. You're going to love it. We'll take your calls for Steve after this. Don't go away.

[Clip from 'L.A. Story,' courtesy of Tri Star Pictures]

Mr. MARTIN: Yes, yes, she's going away with him.

SARAH JESSICA PARKER: So go away with me.

Mr. MARTIN: I can't. Don't you see, I would just be using you to get even with her for going away with someone else.

Ms. PARKER: I don't mind.

Mr. MARTIN: Let's go.

Ms. PARKER: Great!

[Commercial break]

KING: It really seems strange to be hosting this program and not talking about the Persian Gulf, but if you're going to break from it and we all need diversion, as President Bush said last week, 'Life goes on' We played the Super Bowl. We need our films, and there is no one better than Steve Martin. The film is L.A. Story. It opens nationwide Friday.

We'll go to your calls. Kansas City, Missouri, hello.

7th CALLER: [Kansas City, Missouri] Hey, Larry.

KING: I can't hear you.

7th CALLER: How're you guys doing?

Mr. MARTIN: Doing pretty good, I think.

KING: I still can't hear you, but I hear you somewhere off in the remote desert. Go ahead.

7th CALLER: OK. Last time, Steve, you were on Larry King Live I tried and had convinced you to tell my mom to go see My Blue Heaven. Remember?

Mr. MARTIN: [laughs] Right.

7th CALLER: OK, well, she went and well, she thinks you're a real handsome guy, but she didn't like the movie.

Mr. MARTIN: Well, she'll like this one.

7th CALLER: You think so

Mr. MARTIN: And I'll be doing movies for the rest of my life. She can go to those until she finds one she likes.

KING: OK, and I wish I could hear both of you, but I'm sure you're having a great conversation.

Mr. MARTIN: Who can't you hear, Larry?

KING: I don't know what happened, but you're not in my ear anymore, Steve, you're somewhere off in the distance yonder

Mr. MARTIN: I'm not in your pants, am I?

KING: I'll tell you what, I'm going to take a break and come back and straighten this out, and then we'll take more calls for Steve Martin. The film is L.A. Story. It opens Friday. We'll be right back.

[Clip from 'L.A. Story,' courtesy of Tri Star Pictures]

Mr. MARTIN: Hey! Hey! Hey! It's time for the wa the wa the wacky weekend weather!

We'll just have some sun and here's some snow and possibly 72 and snow!

[Commercial break]

KING: I think we have everything straightened away. The film is L.A. Story. The star and writer is Steve Martin. His wife, Victoria Tennant, is the costar.

Back to the calls. Winnipeg, Canada, hello.

8th CALLER: [Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada] Hello, Steve, let's get small! [Mr. Martin laughs] And also, I'd like to mention or ask a question. How come you don't do standup comedy any more?

Mr. MARTIN: Well, I quit about 10 years ago. I had done it all my life and I'd taken it to the last measure that I could do it, and I really wanted to get into movies. And standup comedy is not something you can put down and pick back up again. You just you have to be constantly doing it in order to stay sharp. So I just let it go.

KING: Do you miss it?

Mr. MARTIN: No, I like what I'm doing. It's I can't say it's similar, but once a year when we release these movies you get to see it with an audience. So it's like you film a movie and then, nine months later, you see if it was funny or not pretty strange.

KING: Yes, but you're hearing the laughter in a different way than standing on a stage and getting that immediate

Mr. MARTIN: Right.

KING: response, right?

Mr. MARTIN: But I get plenty of response. I mean, I'm not wanting for that. Movies give it to you, they really do.

KING: Pasadena, California for Steve Martin hello.

9th CALLER: [Pasadena, California] Yes, Steve, I'd like to know which character you identify most with: 'The Jerk,' or this new character you're playing in your recent movie? And would you really take the remote control?

Mr. MARTIN: Would I really take the remote control?

KING: I don't understand that part.

Mr. MARTIN: I don't get that, either, but No, I don't know

KING: What do you mean, sir?

Mr. MARTIN: I'll just say, 'No.'

KING: [laughs] OK. No, he will not take the remote control.

Mr. MARTIN: Yes

KING: OK.

Mr. MARTIN: I identify, obviously, with this L.A. Story character because that's the most recent. And I'd hate to say I identify with 'The Jerk.'

KING: This is a kind of a personal statement, but do you expect people to compare you with Woody Allen and his films when they watch a Steve Martin movie?

Mr. MARTIN: I consider that a compliment, to be compared to Woody Allen, because I think he's one of the greatest American filmmakers. I think that this movie is similar only in the sense that it's set in L.A. to, say, Manhattan, or something like that, and similar to Annie Hall in the sense that it's loaded with gags.

KING: And it's a personal statement, isn't it, a very personal statement?

Mr. MARTIN: Yes, yes, it is.

KING: So now we have four similarities. [laughs]

Mr. MARTIN: I wish I could, but I can't

KING: Oakland, California with Steve Martin hello.

10th CALLER: [Oakland, California] Yes, Mr. Martin, my question is: Would you ever consider acting in something non comedy?

Mr. MARTIN: Sure. In fact, I have done it. I did a movie about eight years ago called Pennies From Heaven. I have an upcoming movie with Larry Kasden, in which I play a serious dramatic role, and I really enjoy it.

KING: How different is it?

Mr. MARTIN: It's not that different. I think You know, I try to play comedy straight, in a strange way. I mean, you always have to find the same truth in the comedy as you do in a drama. So I think they're very similar.

KING: That's right, you have to believe the part. The character has to speak the line. You don't say it funny, right? You have to just be him.

Mr. MARTIN: Well, you have to You have to say it funny sometimes. You have to take that little extra reach that you might not do in a drama.

KING: Your body movement is that natural?

Mr. MARTIN: No, it's artificial.

KING: [laughs] I mean, have you got to work at that, or did you always have that

Mr. MARTIN: No, I kind of always did that. I really started it doing standup starting moving around like that. I'm doing it right now, it's just below frame.

KING: [laughs] OK, the idea it's good to laugh again; it's been three weeks since we've laughed on this show the idea of having the billboard communicate to an individual

Mr. MARTIN: Well, there's a When you say 'billboard,' it's not quite right. In California they have these digital freeway signs that are on the freeway and they're supposed to tell you how the traffic is doing whether it's crowded, whether you should get off, or whether it's clear. And so I was sitting on the freeway one time and I looked at this sign and I started thinking, 'What if it started talking to me?' And a large part of the movie came from that idea. It played sort of a guru for me in Los Angeles.

KING: The audience maybe won't understand this, but do you know that that billboard, or what have you, becomes a person in that film?

Mr. MARTIN: Yes, I think it does.

KING: It does. I mean, we get to like it.

Mr. MARTIN: Yes, I think you can feel it has a little heart

KING: Yeah, we care about it.

Mr. MARTIN: even if it's electronic.

KING: Nutley, New Jersey for Steve Martin hello

Mr. MARTIN: 'Nutley'?

KING: Nutley.

11th CALLER: [Nutley, New Jersey] Yes, Steve, you play five string banjo quite well. I also play five string. I want to know if you still play and, if not, why not?

Mr. MARTIN: I play in the living room. I play in the living room, but I don't play it live or professionally any more. I just I played it OK, but wasn't that good. [laughs]

KING: You mentioned something earlier I want to enlarge upon, if we can. Why do you like filmmaking so much that it became the total career?

Mr. MARTIN: Well, there's something new every day. With standup, you tend the changes come very slowly. I find that it's really hard to find a good standup premise. And with movies, the story is there to serve you and we have new jokes and new ideas all the time, and then you finish it and it's over with and you move on to something else. And I just I like the feeling of that.

KING: Do you like also the decision making process of what goes in, what doesn't go in, what's left out

Mr. MARTIN: Yes, I like collaborating with people. I think, you know, a lot of actors think they want to keep the other actor down. They don't want to get a person who's that good, you know, because it might be competition.

KING: Yes.

Mr. MARTIN: But, I think, myself and a lot of most actors want to work with someone who's really good because it's like playing tennis with someone who's better than you. You tend to rise to the occasion. And that's why I like working with good people.

KING: The film L.A. Story only runs an hour and 40 minutes. Was this by design? Did you say, 'We're going to keep this tight'?

Mr. MARTIN: Well, tight, yes. And that's actually a standard length for a movie. Movies can be an hour and a half, they can be two hours, they can be two hours and 20 minutes. But for comedies, that's the general length.

KING: If it means something, I wanted more.

Mr. MARTIN: Oh, good.

KING: L.A. Story is the film. Steve Martin is the coexecutive producer, the star, along with his wife, and the writer. We'll be back with some more calls for Steve Martin. The film opens Friday.

Carl Bernstein will be with us tomorrow night, and the Iranian Deputy Ambassador to the U.N. will be here Friday. Don't go away.

[Clip from 'L.A. Story,' courtesy of Tri Star Pictures]

PATRICK STEWART: Let us make this easier. Suppose you get a reservation, and let us suppose you come down to the restaurant and we honor it. What do you think you might order?

Mr. MARTIN: Well I might like to have the duck.

ACTOR: You can't have the duck!

Mr. STEWART: You can't have the duck!

Mr. MARTIN: Why?

Mr. STEWART: Do you think, with a financial statement like this, you can have the duck?

[Commercial break]

KING: Our guest in Los Angeles is Steve Martin. His film L.A. Story opens this Friday at theaters all over the United States and Canada. Victoria Tennant costars with him in the movie.

Any particular reason why you chose to make the lead character a weatherperson on television?

Mr. MARTIN: Well, if you see the movie you know that there's a whole plot that centers around the weather and how the weather the changes in the weather really affect the end of the movie. And I thought there was some kind of First, I thought there was something funny about being a weatherman in Los Angeles because there's really nothing to report. It's the same thing every day and you could do one report a week and you'd be fine.

KING: In fact, he tapes his weather.

Mr. MARTIN: But rather than do that, they do a report every day and they sort of have to jazz it up a little bit to make it that interesting.

KING: Steve Martin is

Mr. MARTIN: By the way, I want to mention the other people in the movie: Marilu Henner, and Sara Jessica Parker, Richard E. Grant. And there's a lot of Kevin Pollak a lot of very good people in the movie.

KING: In fact, Woody Harrelson is in it, isn't he?

Mr. MARTIN: Yes, he is. A lot of little cameos: Chevy Chase and Rick Moranis and, you know

KING: Washington, D.C., hello.

12th CALLER: [Washington, D.C.] Hi. I just wanted to ask: You know, your wife seems to be close with you. How is that working relationship going? How is your wife involved in your career?

Mr. MARTIN: Well, obviously, I really enjoy working with my wife. We know each other, we get along well, and it makes work a lot easier. I recommend it. [laughs]

KING: There's no minus side to that?

Mr. MARTIN: No. No, not at all. I mean, you see each other more and you have a communication. And, of course, acting with her, we know each other so there's no problems no ego problems.

KING: Did you meet

Mr. MARTIN: As long as she stays in her place, you know.

KING: [laughs] Did you meet making a film?

Mr. MARTIN: Yes, we did. All of Me.

KING: Oh, that wonderful All of Me. The classic

Mr. MARTIN: I did your show, actually, with Lily Tomlin

KING: The radio show.

Mr. MARTIN: the radio show, yes.

KING: That was hysterical.

Mr. MARTIN: That was really fun.

KING: That was a night to remember, when that guy called in

Mr. MARTIN: Yeah, what's happened? What's happened?

KING: [laughs] Are you now writing a film, another one?

Mr. MARTIN: A little bit, but I'm really gearing up to do several films this year: the Larry Casen movie, Father of the Bride

KING: That's the serious one, right?

Mr. MARTIN: Yes, and a movie with Meg Ryan in the summer.

KING: Did you say Father of the Bride?

Mr. MARTIN: Yes.

KING: They're remaking Father of the Bride?

Mr. MARTIN: You can call it a remake. I think of it as a modernization.

KING: And you're playing the Spencer Tracy part?

Mr. MARTIN: No, I'm playing the Elizabeth Taylor part I mean a modernization.

KING: [laughs] I set you up pretty good for that! All right

Mr. MARTIN: Yeah, you did, it's brilliant.

KING: Brilliant. Denver, Colorado last call for Steve Martin quickly.

13th CALLER: [Denver, Colorado] Yeah, I made it! OK, Larry, good to talk to you and, Steve, great to talk to you, too. I wanted to ask you, Steve, every time you were on Saturday Night Live it seems like it was a classic. What about maybe situation comedy or some kind of a television series maybe in the future?

KING: Would you do a regular television show?

Mr. MARTIN: Well, I like doing movies right now. I mean, you know, I can't rule it out in the future, but I'm a movie guy right now because you get nice long lunch.

KING: [laughs] Hey, thanks for being with us, movie guy!

Mr. MARTIN: Thanks a lot. I appreciate you having me on.

KING: Thank you, Steve, and say hello to Victoria.

Mr. MARTIN: By the way, how did I do?

KING: You were terrific!

Mr. MARTIN: Oh, thanks!

KING: We had a little stilting start on that pause at the beginning, but you

Mr. MARTIN: But that's live television and it was very exciting.

KING: One never knows, does one? And it's a great film, and I mean that. Thanks, Steve.

Mr. MARTIN: Thanks a lot.

KING: The film L.A. Story opens Friday.

We'll be back tomorrow night and Carl Bernstein will be with us. He spent a lot of time in Baghdad. And on Friday night, we'll meet the Iranian Deputy Ambassador to the U.N. CNN continues its 24 hour coverage of the Persian Gulf and everything else going on in the world. Thanks for joining us, and good night.

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