KING: Back to back.

MATTHAU: I don't know. The doctor...
 

... KING: In fact, he looks better than he looked in the movie. But in the movie, he had to play an older, sick guy, right?

KEATON: Yes, I think he looked great in the movie. I mean, look at that face. I mean, that's irresistible. To me, that's one of the greatest faces ever on this planet.

KING: Wait a minute, are you telling me that Matthau is to you a kind of sex symbol?

KEATON: Well, of a certain order, yes. To me if sex is -- well, never mind. I don't want to go there.

KING: Explain it -- go there.

KEATON: Well, I cannot go there.

KING: What is it about him that a female would find attractive?

KEATON: Well, first of all, in my way of seeing it, it's his mind. I think he has one of the great minds. I think he's really unique, and I think he's just like authentic, and that I think is really rare.

KING: It's an aphrodisiac, isn't it?

KEATON: It is to me, you know; I think it is to a lot of people.

KING: What was he like to direct?

KEATON: I think Meg was a little bit in love with Walter -- I do. What was he like to direct? I was very, you know, nervous about Walter.

KING: Why?

KEATON: Because he's a man, No. 1, and me directing Walter Matthau is sort of like ludicrous. It's like one of the most absurd things that I can even imagine in life. I remember like about three years ago, I remember Walter and his wife Carol were having dinner at Mr. Chow's, and I remember going My God, I've kind of idolized Walter, I've been a fan for very many years, and so I just watched them. I just looked at them. And if you said to me, you know, that one day I would direct him, I would say there's no possible chance in Hell. So basically, the truth of the matter is I did not direct him. I did nothing. All I would say to him, is I would go in and say, Walter yes, yes, OK, so do you want to do it again?

KING: You mean, you said "Don't do it that way?" You never said it once.

KEATON: I'd say, do you want to try it a little more angry if you feel like it? And he'd do it or not.

KING: OK, what was she like to be a director?

MATTHAU: She'd come over to me and she'd say, when you go to the table on the right -- do whatever you want. (LAUGHTER)

KEATON: No seriously, and the other thing I did with Walter, which I did not do with anybody else in the movie, is I just said, you know, improvise.

KING: You let him have it. You let him go.

KEATON: Totally, because I think that Walter is one of those people that is basically in some way a writer, do you know what I mean?

KING: Yes.

KEATON: I mean, he has a way with words. So I just would say do it this -- your way, and he would fly.

KING: It's a terrific movie. It opens tomorrow. We're going to be showing clips from it. We'll be taking calls.

KEATON: Is it tomorrow?

KING: Yes, tomorrow. It's February 11. You nervous?

KEATON: No, it's the 18th.

KING: They switched it, right?

KEATON: Yes, it's the 18th.

KING: OK. I said tomorrow. It's the 18th.

KEATON: It's the 18th. I am sure.

KING: You're sure? It's a week from tomorrow.

KEATON: Oh yes, I am positive. I'd know.

KING: OK, you would know. You're the director.

KEATON: I hope, yes. Of course.

KING: You've already got spotters all over the country lining up at theaters.

KEATON: Exactly, man.

KING: It opens a week from tomorrow. Here's a scene from a wonderful -- it's more than just a comedy, "Hanging Up." Watch. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "HANGING UP" => COMMERCIAL BREAK) 

KING: We're back with Walter Matthau and Diane Keaton. They star, and Diane also directs, "hanging up," which opens a week from tomorrow, February 18th. The "Hanging Up" part deals with cell phones, which are everywhere in this movie. How many cell phone scenes?

KEATON: Oh, my god. Oh, my god. I mean, god, I...

KING: If you're into cell phones, they're everywhere.

KEATON: Everywhere, absolutely, yes.

KING: How did you get to direct this, because when I saw Nora Ephron production, you think Nora Ephron is a director.

KEATON: Oh, yes. Well, she's the writer and producer along with her sister, and -- Delia. And really what happened was is I read for it as an actress at a reading and...

KING: To play the part you eventually play...

KEATON: To play the part that I eventually played in. And Nora was, you know, toying with the idea of directing it, and then she decided, you know, not to. And then they thought, oh, well, maybe Diane can direct it. And then they thought, well, maybe she could act in it. And so, that's what happened basically.

KING: Did you like directing yourself?

KEATON: No, no, I did not like it, no.

KING: Your friend Woody did a lot of it, didn't he?

KEATON: Well, that's because, you know, he's a genius. And I personally thank you very much. You know, I don't want to do it again, no.

KING: Why did you see him right away as this character?

KEATON: Because look at him. I mean, give me a break. I mean, his body of work.

KING: Explain the father.

KEATON: Well, you know, I think the father is one of those guys that really basically has an obsession with his wife. And he really -- he really didn't...

KING: Who he's not with.

KEATON: Who he's not with. And he just has this compulsion about her, which I think just is -- it's misplaced, and for some reason, he's unable to really kind of connect with his...

KING: Daughters.

KEATON: Daughters. Do you feel that way, Walter?

MATTHAU: Yes.

KING: And they love him. The daughters -- they grow more to love him.

KEATON: Well, I think Meg Ryan...

KING: Loves him.

KEATON: ... in particular does, yes.

KING: You got a performance out of -- I mean, Lisa Kudrow -- I said Kudrow. It's Kudrow, right? Is terrific.

KEATON: Yes, yes.

KING: You're terrific. You got a performance out of Meg Ryan...

KEATON: Yes.

KING: ... like an Academy Award. She was unbelievable.

KEATON: Oh, she shines, I think. Yes.

KING: What she's like to direct?

KEATON: Oh, she's the greatest. And the thing that was really adorable about her was that she had this thing about Walter, and so that every time Walter would do a scene, she just -- she couldn't get through it without laughing. I mean, because it was just like she was so charmed by him and thrown by him. And it brought out something, I think, really vulnerable and adorable and really winning about her.

KING: Oh yes.

KEATON: And I think she literally loved him.

KING: You worked with her before in the...

MATTHAU: Yes.

KING: ... in the Einstein movie. I remember that. You were very good. Walter Matthau and Diane Keaton, what careers both of them have, Academy Awards in both homes. And they're both in "Hanging Up." It opens a week from tomorrow. Here's another scene. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "HANGING UP" => COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KING: We're back with Walter Matthau and Diane Keaton. Some of Mr. Matthau's films include "The Odd Couple," "The Sunshine Boys," "Grumpy Old Men," "Grumpier Old Men," "Odd Couple II," and of course now, "Hanging Up." Diane Keaton, who won the best actress award for "Annie Hall," also nominated for "Reds" and for "Marvin's Room." Is this your first directing?

KEATON: No, I directed a feature before this called "Unstrung Heroes."

KING: How did it do?

KEATON: It did not well.

KING: So then you had less confidence?(LAUGHTER)You had less confidence, did you not?  

KEATON: Less confidence?

KING: Did you?

KEATON: No, I mean, it did -- it didn't make money. But it did critically...

KING: But you liked the movie? Yes.

KEATON: OK. Did I like the movie?

KING: Yes.

KEATON: Yes, I liked the movie because I liked what it's about, because in a certain sense it's about family as well. And it's also about the notion that documentation is key, which is that, you know, saving the past is really important.

KING: Walter, how do you find a role? I mean, how do you find a character?

MATTHAU: You've got to get lucky.

KING: Scripts are lucky, right? You have got to get a lucky script.

MATTHAU: You have got to get lucky. I worked on the stage most of my life -- no, not most of my life. Most of the beginning of my life.

KING: I saw you in "The Odd Couple," one of the great performances.

MATTHAU: 1964 .

KING: You and Art Carney.

MATTHAU: Yes. And...

KING: The stage was good background for you?

MATTHAU: The stage was excellent background ,because you are there alone, open. Your guts are laid bare before the audience, and...

KING: No one can help you.

MATTHAU: No one can help you. And if you don't have that thing called presence, whatever it may be, you just don't show up, you don't come out.

KING: And you bring that to film, too?

MATTHAU: Well, I don't know about that. That depends on the director. I had a hunch about Keaton here. I think...

KING: What was the hunch?

MATTHAU: I thought immediately that she would be one of these absolutely brilliant, crazy, wild, impossible character.

KING: And?

MATTHAU: She was. (LAUGHTER)

KING: All four?

MATTHAU: She was. It was a joy coming to work, because she was fresh. She was unique. She was clean, pure. There wasn't any "craparini" about her.

KING: "Craparini."

MATTHAU: Yeah.

KING: So did you have any disputes during the film?

MATTHAU: Yes.

KING: Over?

MATTHAU: Who got to use the bathroom. (LAUGHTER)

KING: By the way, do you defer to the aged and the fact...

KEATON: Defer...(LAUGHTER)

KING: What -- was is it a cold bathroom, is that it?

KEATON: Oh my God, no, I don't think so. I mean, maybe.

MATTHAU: The women's bathroom had paper towels.

KING: And the men's?

MATTHAU: None.

KING: No towels in the men's room?

MATTHAU: No towels in the men's room.

KING: What production company -- who produced this movie?

MATTHAU: I am not giving out any further information.

KEATON: Columbia Sony.

KING: Columbia Sony had no towels in the men's bathroom?

MATTHAU: I saw a guy running out with a whole box of towels. I had to assume at this time that this guy was so cheap he was stealing towels. Reminded me of a time a guy said, you know, this guy is so cheap, he has his pockets lined with rubber so he steals soup. (LAUGHTER)

KING: We'll be right back with Walter Matthau and Diane Keaton. The film is "Hanging Up." Here's another scene. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "HANGING UP")

KING: We're back. Is there going to be a big premiere?

KEATON: We are having a premier.

KING: I mean red carpet, the whole bit, the lights, the paparazzi?

KEATON: I suppose, yes. I know we're having one.

KING: Are you going to go, Walter.

MATTHAU: I'll see how I am feeling that night.

KING: if you feel OK you'll go, though, right?

MATTHAU: Yes.

KING: You deserve the plaudits of the crowd.

MATTHAU: Yes, I am a little too old now to need the plaudits of the crowd.

KING: You don't need that anymore?

MATTHAU: I don't think so.

KING: How did you get him to sing? I know he sang in "Hello Dolly."

KEATON: Yes.

KING: And he sang once on stage, you're told.

MATTHAU: Yes, in "The Liar."

KING: Yes, in "The Liar." Quick song, though, right?

MATTHAU (singing): (UNINTELLIGIBLE). (LAUGHTER)

KING: You never made it that time?

MATTHAU: No, because I was the fourth Venetian God. The other three Gods were opera singers and Laymond Agel (ph) listened to me sing, and he said, try mouthing. (LAUGHTER) 

MATTHAU: Which I did, and it worked.

KING: You just moved your lips.

MATTHAU: So for 10 days, I moved my lips. Not a sound came out of me. KING: How'd you get him to sing in this?

MATTHAU: I did one thing.

KING: He sings the whole end of the movie.

KEATON: Because that song meant a lot to me.

KING: "Once Upon a Time."

KEATON: Yes, I love that song. That sound is so profound for me. And it was something I wanted in the movie at all times always anyway. And anyway, I just said, you know, sing it, right, Walter? And then he sang it.

MATTHAU: Yes, I said, I'll never be able to sing it, because I have to listen to something, and it has to be very beautiful. I said this sounds like one of them dumb songs...

KING: It's not a dumb song.

MATTHAU: ... from the '30s,'40s.

KING: It sounds like a Cole Porter kind of song.

MATTHAU: Well, I've always been embarrassed by popular music and popular lyrics.

KING: Really?

MATTHAU: Yes.

KEATON: Mozart.

MATTHAU: I was a Mozart fan when I was 6, Mozart, Rossini, Beethoven, and it holds true today. If I hear -- if I turn on the radio and I hear popular music, I turn it off.

KING: So when you had to sing "Once Upon a Time," it was sort of like...

MATTHAU: Well, I am beginning to understand now the attraction to popular singers, the crooners. I am beginning to understand what people like when they listen to these...

KING: At age 80, you are now beginning to understand, like, Sinatra? (LAUGHTER)

MATTHAU: Yes.

KING: Now you've got it figured out that maybe he moves people?

MATTHAU: He's very good.

KING: And by the way, you did a great job with that song. You know why? Because he interpreted that lyric great, right?

KEATON: Exactly.

KING: I mean, he sings this song in this movie, I mean, you just sit there and collapse -- it just -- what a great idea. You're idea, right?

KEATON: Well, it was my idea to have Walter sing that song, yes.

KING: You haven't seen the movie yet, have you?

MATTHAU: No.

KING: Are you excited about seeing it?

MATTHAU: Yes, one of the few I am excited about.

KING: Because you don't like movies either, right?

MATTHAU: Generally speaking.

KING: I remember when you were evil. What was that? You were a bad guy. "Seven Days in May?" No,

KEATON: I don't know.

MATTHAU: "Fail Safe?"

KEATON: "Fail Safe." You were like a fascist.

MATTHAU: I was.

KING: That's right. That was a tough movie.

MATTHAU: Based on Herman Kahn, who thought we ought to drop the atom bomb.

KING: Tomorrow.

MATTHAU: Kill 40 million. They retaliate. Kill 30 million, with 10 million up.

KING: That's what he says in the movie -- "We're 10 million ahead." It's worth it. That's some role. Walter Matthau, with Diane Keaton, the film is "Hanging Up." It opens a week from tomorrow, Friday the 18th. We're going to include your phone calls. Here's another scene. Don't go away. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "HANGING UP" => COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KING: As we have said at the start, this is a wonderful movie, a terrific comedy, and as you could tell from some of the clips we have shown, a lot more than a comedy. Walter Matthau and Diane Keaton, they both star in it. Diane also directs it. And Lisa Kudrow and Meg Ryan are also in it, with incredible performances all the way down the line. Even the little parts are perfect.

KEATON: Good.

KING: Did you ever direct?

MATTHAU: Yes.

KING: What?

 MATTHAU: I directed something called "Gangster Story," 1958, '59. I was doing a movie during the week with Elvis Presley, it was called "King Creole."

KING: You were in "King Creole"?

MATTHAU: I was Maxie Fields, bad guy.

KING: And then you also directed on the side?

MATTHAU: Then I directed on the weekends, because there was a doctor -- he was a cardiovascular surgeon and he wanted to get into show business badly, and he used to send me a play every week, and he was then -- he became a government -- a coach for kids who were dropping out of college...

KING: And you did a play he wrote?

MATTHAU: I did a picture that he wrote.

KING: Whatever happened to it?

MATTHAU: It was shown a couple of times. It was dreadful.

KING: You were a good director?

MATTHAU: No.

KING: Let's take a call, San Carlos, California, hello.

CALLER: Good afternoon. And it's a pleasure to talk to all three of you. Mr. Matthau, I would like to ask you a question, how is it being you? I mean -- what I mean is, are you cracking up your family and friends as you do us your fans? Because it's unbelievable. I can't imagine not laughing to anything you say.

KING: Are you funny at dinner?

MATTHAU: No.

KING: No. Are you funny playing cards?

MATTHAU: No.

KING: No. So you're only -- you're a funny -- you're not funny. You act funny.

MATTHAU: Right.

KING: Do you agree with that?

KEATON: No.

KING: No.

KEATON: I think he's hilarious.

KING: You're hilarious even when the story isn't hilarious, the nude guy in the lobby. MATTHAU: I can't do standup, wish I could. I have nothing but the greatest admiration and respect for those people who can stand up, tell jokes, tell stories, and get away with it.

KING: I got to ask you about Warren Beatty, because I know how well you work with him.  

KEATON: Yes, of course.

KING: I did a little switch there.

KEATON: Yes, that's fine, whatever.

KING: What did you make of him thinking of running for president?

KEATON: I don't know. Did you think he was serious? I couldn't tell.

KING: Well, you never know with Warren.

KEATON: Did you talk to him about it?

KING: One hundred and twenty two times.

KEATON: And what did he say?

KING: I'll think about it. I'll be honest, I'll call you a week from Tuesday. How about Thursday at 4:00? I didn't get you Thursday at 4:00, I'll get you Friday at 6:00.

KEATON: Yes. Exactly. I don't know. I mean...

KING: Did you ever work with Warren?

MATTHAU: No, but I like the basketball guy, the guy who is running for president, the basketball...

KING: Bill Bradley.

KEATON: Bill Bradley, yes.

KING: The basketball guy, see, you threw me.

... KING: Diane what are you going to do next?

KEATON: I don't know.

KING: You're not -- nothing's shaking?

KEATON: Oh, no, no, no, I have a million things shaking, but I don't know. I don't know what I am going to do, I don't know which one.

KING: How much do you like directing?

KEATON: I love it, I absolutely love it.

KING: Because you're in charge?

KEATON: Not just that. I really like the whole aspect of it. I like the editing, I like the preparing of it, I like the visual aspect of it, I like the shooting, I like the camera, but most of all I love the actors, and which is what I am.

KING: So you're an actors' director?

KEATON: Well, I don't know about that, I mean, but I do know that I love the actors, because to me, when the actors come on the set, it just lifts everything up. It just makes it. I mean, that's when the magic happens, at least...

KING: Now, how did you get over the hurdle of being so impressed by Mr. Matthau?

KEATON: I think when you're in -- you know, when you're there and you're shooting, you have to do it and there he is, and you just have to say, OK, I guess we're going to do it -- I know, don't I sound just so articulate about the matter? What do you think, Walter, I mean...  

MATTHAU: Well, I listened to you every time you spoke and...

KING: Did you do what she said?

MATTHAU: Most of the time I did what she said, but speaking against her for one minute...  

KEATON: Of course.

KING: Yes.

MATTHAU: ... I thought if she didn't tell me what she told me, I would have gotten it by myself.

KING: Ah.

KEATON: I think that's true.

KING: You do?

KEATON: Yes, it is.

MATTHAU: But now in thinking about it, maybe I wouldn't have gotten it by myself.

... KING: Welcome back to LARRY KING LIVE with Walter Matthau and Diane Keaton. The film is "Hanging Up"; it opens a week from tomorrow.

KING: Seventy-five. Wouldn't you like to direct both of them?

KEATON: Yes, I think it would be one of the most exciting things ever.

KING: You ought to do something again together. You ought to...

KEATON: Yes.

KING: ... the two of you. Yes, you ought to. We'll be right back with more of Walter Matthau and Diane Keaton. The film is "Hanging Up." Bruce Willis tomorrow night. Don't go away.COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KING: We're back with Matthau and Keaton. The film opens a week from tomorrow. We go to Berwyn, Pennsylvania. Hello.

CALLER: Hello. This question is for Diane Keaton.

KING: Go.

CALLER: Hello?

KING: Yes, go ahead.

CALLER: This question is for Diane Keaton. Your intern, Cam Mason (ph), was my son. But I did call to ask you whether you think people make analogies between this movie being about a trio of women and "First Wives Club" being about a trio of women.

KING: And she said her son was your intern. Kim (ph) Mason -- was that the name you said? She said -- anyway, what about the similarity, "First Wives Club" and this?

KEATON: I heard nothing. Well, I think the similarity is -- is -- I don't know what to say.

KING: Was there -- except they're three women.

KEATON: I mean, I think that yes, it's three women. But there's also a father and the situation is very different. I think the one is about seeking revenge and the other is about really -- it's really centered on Meg's story basically with her, you know, situation with Walter.

KING: Meg and Walter are the thing.

KEATON: Yes, yes, yes.

KING: You're the players around them, right?

KEATON: Yes.

KING: How did this -- did you like the script right away?

KEATON: I loved the script, because I mean, frankly, it's like what Walter said. I just think that Nora and Delia know how to write, you know? And when you're an actor, you need those words, and they can write. And it's a beautiful, beautiful thing when you can write. And it's sort of like -- you know, you just read it and you know. And it was very important.

KING: It's nothing like saying lines that are well-written, right?

MATTHAU: Lines are it, but I didn't know that when I first got into movies. I didn't want to get near the movies, because the quality of the lines in the play...

KING: Much better?

MATTHAU: Much higher level, much higher level. I turned down -- it was a small part but it was a picture called "From Here to Eternity." And I was supposed to play the husband of...

KING: Deborah Kerr?

MATTHAU: Deborah Kerr.

KING: Good part.

MATTHAU: I didn't think it was much. But just to...KING: James Jones, good book.

MATTHAU: But just to read the script I thought it was terrible.

KING: But you won a lot of awards.

MATTHAU: I didn't -- I didn't do it.

KING: I know. I saw it. We all saw it. You weren't in it.

MATTHAU: Yes. I was not in it.

KING: Ever -- anything else -- did you ever regret turning down anything?

MATTHAU: Probably, but I can't think of it right offhand.

KING: You?

KEATON: Every -- not really, no.

KING: No, never turned down anything that became a smash that you said, I should have done that?

KEATON: No, no, not really. I mean, I basically took most of the opportunities that came my way. Believe me, I mean, yes.

KING: How's Woody, by the way, you talk to him in a while?

KEATON: He's good.

KING: Yes. Is he going to live in London?

KEATON: Since when, I mean, this is news to me.

KING: There was a thing I read in the paper that he's doing a movie over there and he may live there.

KEATON: I don't think so. That's a surprise.

KING: No. You were always very supportive of him, right?

KEATON: Well, you know, I mean, Woody is my friend, yes.

KING: Yes. Did you ever work for Woody?

MATTHAU: No.

KING: That would be an interesting...

KEATON: Yes.

MATTHAU: No, I'm a big fan.

KING: We'll be back with our remaining moments with Walter Matthau and Diane Keaton. And here's Diane in a scene from "First Wives Club." (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE FIRST WIVES CLUB")

KING: We're back with our remaining moments. Don't forget, next Tuesday night, the Republican debate in South Carolina, I'll be the moderator, it airs at 9:00 Eastern and we'll be live with the three candidates, that's next Tuesday night.

... KING: Why are you an actor?

KEATON: I think that in some way it's the same -- you want the adventure, which you're never going to really have in your life. But when you're acting, it's like your life takes on a kind of dimension that it doesn't in your ordinary -- I mean, and also you get to act with these extraordinary people, like you know, the chance of acting with Walter, or with Meryl Streep, or with Meg, or with Lisa, or all the people that I have had the good fortune to act with, that has been an exciting adventure for me and it has been a moving part of my life.

KING: And you also get to run a magazine if you want to.

KEATON: Yes, exactly.

KING: Which you do in this film, right?

KEATON: Yes, exactly.

KING: Or be a revolutionary.

KEATON: Exactly, yes. And that's really -- stretches your life. It makes it, you know, valuable.

KING: Did you ever take it home with you, Walter, where you would come home at night and still be in the part?

MATTHAU: I don't think so. I think when the day is over, it's over.

KING: Because some actors do, do it -- method actors.

MATTHAU: Well, I used to do it on the stage. We'd finish around 11:00, get all my makeup off and sit around smoking until midnight.

KING: And still feeling in the part?

MATTHAU: And then going out and having a good veal cutlet with some scalloped potatoes.  

KING: What does that have to do with staying in the part?

MATTHAU: Well, I'm trying to tell you that I forgot about the part.

KING: Ah, I see. Thank you, Walter, it's an honor not only to always have you with us, but to have you with us.

MATTHAU: Thank you.

KING: And you're great in this movie. And, Diane..

KEATON: Yes?

KING: You're the best.

KEATON: Thank you.

KING: This is a -- you should be very proud of this work.

KEATON: OK.

KING: I am not kidding. It's a great movie.

KEATON: Thank you.

KING: And you should be very proud...

MATTHAU: Thank you, sir.

KEATON: Thank you, Larry.

KING: ... to be back and alive. And the "Enquirer" was wrong. Jack Lemmon called in. Both of you are as of this time with us.

MATTHAU: Right.

KING: Walter Matthau and Diane Keaton, again the tabloids were wrong, go figure. Anyway, well, of course, this could be a tape couldn't it? No. People called in.