Interview with Jane Leeves
What was the first film you saw?
A double bill of James Bonds at the local fleapit in East Grinstead: they were Diamonds are Forever and Thunderball.
What’s your favourite film?
Lawrence of Arabia. It’s a perfect film – David Lean always uses the screen like a canvas. I saw it on the telly when I was little and that’s what inspired me to become an actor.
What was the last film you walked out of?
The Thomas Crown Affair. I hear it got better at the end, but I thought the sex scenes were childish, staged and strained.
What was the most erotic movie moment?
The scene between Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange when he takes her on the kitchen table in The Postman Always Rings Twice. It’s just so raw and yet there’s no nudity.
What’s the most annoying habit in a cinema?
People who natter incessantly, vocalising every reaction and repeating the dialogue. It’s a product of the TV generation.
What’s your favourite snatch of dialogue?
In The Sound of Music where the mother superior says: “Go back to the von Trapps” and Maria says, “I can’t face it”. Then the Mother Superior says, “What is it you can’t face, Maria?”. It sounds incredibly like she’s saying something rude. Or Marlon Brando in Mutiny on the Bounty where he says, “I feel the cheese may be tainted.” Or in Breakfast at Tiffany’s where she gets the plans mixed up for her knitting and says, “I think I may be knitting a ranch house.”
When did you last snog in the cinema?
I don’t think I’ve really snogged anyone, but I went to the movies with my husband recently and we had a little smooch and snuggle before Being John Malkovich started.
Which actor would you most like to be?
Peter O’Toole. He’s so fearless as an actor. You never know what you’re going to get with him but it’s always out there.
Which actress?
Meryl Streep. I’d say that doubly now I’ve worked with her. There’s nothing she can’t do. I hate her!
What was the last time you hid under your seat?
In Silence of the Lambs. You never knew what was around the corner. It was gory when she went into that warehouse. I’d read the book and knew she was going to find that head in a jar.
Last time you cried?
I cry when I watch myself because I just think “yikes”. And I bawled my eyes out watching Music of the Heart because it’s such an inspiring little movie.
Do Niles and Daphne ever get it together?
Yes. We’ve just done a couple of episodes where Daphne has found out that Niles has had a crush on her for years and years. She’s engaged but is developing feelings for Niles. It all gets incredibly complicated and lovely.