TCM Classic Film Festival 2015: Red Carpet Interviews

Peter Fonda (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/WireImage)

Can you speak a little bit about your father Henry Fonda’s legacy and movies as history?
Peter Fonda: I think movies as history are tremendously important. I believe that more should be done to restore and make old movies in the best shape possible because it’s such a history and young people don’t get as much of a chance to see this kind of a show or some of the other films that will be shown over the next couple of days. It’s great that Turner Classic Movies is putting this on. I don’t know how many young people will be coming here.

Oh, tons!

What do you think makes a film a classic?
PF: Well, story. Then the way it’s directed and photographed, and of course, the way it’s acted. If those things are all up there, then that movies lasts. We still love to see Citizen Kane, The Grapes of Wrath, Gone With The Wind.

What are some of your favorite classic films?
PF: One of my favorite films I’ll be presenting tonight and one of my favorite of my dad’s films, My Darling Clementine, is also one of my favorite westerns. I’ll also be presenting Young Mr. Lincoln. This is going to sound totally off the wall, but I really love Duck Soup, which got lost until 1962 and now it’s on one of AFI’s 100 Years. . .100 Movies lists. I love it. I love those others too, but Duck Soup, whew!