Movies: Great Performances: Class Is In Session

Dench: I know there is!

HAVE YOU ACTUALLY SEEN ANY OF THESE PEOPLE?

Dench: Yes, of course! And I think, Why can't I do that?

LIKE WHO?

Dench: A lot of people! Especially playing the parts that I've played. I go, "Damn, that's something I missed there." I saw the understudy rehearsal of the play I'm doing the other day, and a very young girl played my part. Well, that put me to the pin of my collar, I tell you. I thought, Christ! She'll never be on for me. She hits the notes. Oh, I gave her a really hard time. How dare she!

ARE THERE ANY ROLES EACH OF YOU HAVE PLAYED THAT THE OTHER WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE DONE?

[Both look at each other, then at a painting of Elizabeth I on the wall behind them]

Dench: We've both played that big girl.

WHAT DID YOU PICK UP FROM EACH OTHER'S VERSION?

Both together: I wish I'd done it like her. [Laugh]

Dench: Actually, I thought, Yes, that's exactly how I was as a younger woman. I may look like an old bag now, but that's exactly what I was like.

NOW FOR TWO IMPORTANT QUESTIONS. JUDI, YOU PLAY M IN THE JAMES BOND FILMS, AND PART OF YOUR CELL-PHONE NUMBER IS 007 ...

Dench: It certainly is. But it was a total accident!

CATE, THIS YEAR YOU'VE KISSED BRAD PITT, GEORGE CLOONEY AND BILL NIGHY. WHO'S BEST?

Blanchett: Bill. [Giggles] But they were all good.