John Hurt has built up a tremendous reputation as an actor, particularly for his performances in The Elephant Man, The Naked Civil Servant and Champions. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his career, including his role in the new film version of 1984, and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Bean Dubh Ab Ghleanna by Paddy Moloney Book: The com...
Sep 29, 1984•35 min
Alfred Eisenstadt gave up being a belt-and-button salesman in 1929 to become a professional photographer, concentrating on what is now called 'photojournalism'. Six years later, he moved from Europe to America, where he joined the new Life Magazine for which he has worked ever since. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes some of the many stories he has covered, including the rise of Nazism, crossing the Atlantic in a Zeppelin and Marilyn Monroe, and he chooses the eight records he would...
Sep 22, 1984•35 min
Gerry Cottle's latest circus is a fast-moving show with no ring-master and no animals, but it is very popular. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he recalls how he ran away from school to join a circus, how he made the jump from being a juggler to being a circus owner who toured many countries, and chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: American Pie by Don McLean ...
Sep 15, 1984•37 min
Catherine Cookson is a very successful writer with 61 novels, all in print, to her name. But she was brought up in very poor circumstances on Tyneside by her mother, leaving school at the age of 13. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her days 'in service', about how she came to run a workhouse laundry, how eventually she became a full-time novelist, and she chooses the eight records she would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive...
Sep 08, 1984•38 min
George Abbott, who is 97 years old, has just directed a revival of his musical On Your Toes. He began his career as an actor, but before long he was also writing plays and staging them. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his remarkable career and some of his hit shows, including Call Me Madam, The Pajama Game and Damn Yankees. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Falling In Love With Love by Ellen Hanley &...
Sep 01, 1984•31 min
The writer Ved Mehta unfortunately lost his sight at the age of four: "Most blind people in India at that time were beggars, or stayed with their relations like wounded animals." He describes to Roy Plomley how, in spite of tremendous odds, he gained an education at Oxford University and Harvard, and went on to become a staff writer for the New Yorker, and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of De...
Aug 25, 1984•37 min
Willie Rushton is a cartoonist, actor, writer and a regular member of quiz game panels. He tells Roy Plomley about how he came to be one of the founders of Private Eye, about the early days of the TV programme That Was the Week That Was, and he chooses eight records he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plan by Sam Browne Book: Anthology by G.K. Chesterton ...
Aug 18, 1984•32 min
Ron Goodwin has composed the scores for many films, including Where Eagles Dare, 633 Squadron and Monte Carlo or Bust, but he started his career in an insurance office. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes how his apprenticeship with a music publisher enabled him to become a composer and later a conductor, and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: T...
Aug 11, 1984•35 min
Gayatri Devi, the Maharani of Jaipur, was brought up in the sumptuous Palace of Cooch Behar with its staff of 500. She tells Roy Plomley how she shot her first panther at the age of 12, how she became the third wife of the Maharaja of Jaipur, and how, with his encouragement, she won a seat in the Parliament of India. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: As Time Goes By by Andy Williams and his Orchestra Book: Omnibus of boo...
Aug 04, 1984•34 min
Sir Alfred Ayer, the philosopher who was for many years the Wykeham Professor of Logic at Oxford University, is perhaps best known for Language, Truth and Logic, a book he wrote when he was only 25, and Philosophy in the Twentieth Century. He talks to Roy Plomley about the life of an academic and chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: The Italian Girl In Algiers ...
Jul 28, 1984•34 min
Natalia Makarova is starring in a revival of the musical On Your Toes, but she trained as a classical ballet dancer at the Kirov School in Leningrad. She tells Roy Plomley about her defection to the West during a tour with the Kirov Ballet in 1970, about her work with the American Ballet Theatre and the Royal Ballet and she chooses the eight records she would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track:...
Jul 21, 1984•35 min
The pianist Vlado Perlemuter, who was born 80 years ago in Lithuania, has spent most of his life in Paris, where he taught at the Conservatoire between concert tours. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he recalls some of the many musicians and composers he knew, including Cortot, Faure, Ravel and Dukas. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Brandenburg Concerto No 3 in G Major by Johann Sebastian Bach Book: Complete plays by ...
Jul 14, 1984•36 min
Lord Rothschild has spent much of his life as Assistant Director of the Research Department of Zoology at Cambridge University, but that has not prevented him from taking active roles in industry, heading the government's think tank and writing several books. He talks about the many facets of his career to Roy Plomley, and chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: G...
Jul 07, 1984•36 min
Zubin Mehta is the Musical Director of the New York and the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestras. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his upbringing in India, where his father ran the Bombay Symphony Orchestra, his studies at the Vienna Academy which eventually led to him becoming conductor of the Montreal and Los Angeles orchestras, and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island...
Jun 30, 1984•36 min
Hugh Johnson's career was spawned when he became a member of the Wine and Food Society at Cambridge University. He soon made a name for himself as a writer on wine and produced the best-selling World Atlas of Wine in 1971. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his interest in wine, about his other great enthusiasm - gardening - and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Di...
May 12, 1984•35 min
Rosalind Plowright, the soprano, began singing professionally with the Glyndebourne Touring Opera Company, but her career did not really take off until she won a competition in Sofia in 1979. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she describes her rise to international recognition, she talks about her role in Verdi's The Sicilian Vespers for the English National Opera and she chooses the eight records she would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive...
May 05, 1984•34 min
Leo McKern tried various careers like engineering and art before he decided to become an actor. Although he now concentrates mainly on films and television, he did several seasons at the Old Vic and the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre after the war. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his career and not forgetting his characterisation of Rumpole of the Bailey. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Serenade For Teno...
Apr 28, 1984•37 min
David Lodge, who has written several successful novels, including Changing Places and The British Museum is Falling Down, is Professor of Modern Literature at Birmingham University. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his work, which also includes writing revues for the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Enigma...
Apr 21, 1984•33 min
Lucy Irvine has experienced the reality of life on a desert island, although for her year-long sojourn she did have a companion. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about the terrible problems she encountered, particularly the lack of water, and she chooses the eight records she would take if she were to be castaway again. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: All By Myself by Big Bill Broonzy Book: Language Made Pla...
Apr 14, 1984•36 min
Christopher Reeve is probably best-known for his film performances as Superman and Clark Kent, but he has made several other films, including Deathtrap and The Bostonians, and he has appeared on stage many times, particularly in the United States. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his many activities, which include being a professionally qualified pilot. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Imagine by John Le...
Apr 07, 1984•42 min
Paul Tortelier was born in Paris, where his first job at the age of 12 was playing the cello in a cinema orchestra. Although he was a prize-winning student at the Conservatoire in 1930, it was some years before his career took off. In conversation with Roy Plomley, this internationally-famous soloist and teacher talks about his colourful life and chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island D...
Mar 31, 1984•35 min
'Honest' Ed Mirvish is a Canadian high-school drop-out who became a multi-millionaire by running a discount house selling goods at bargain prices. When he was offered the run-down Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto at a bargain price he could not refuse, and before long it was paying its way. His latest venture was to buy the Old Vic in London, which he has restored beautifully. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his various enterprises. [Taken from the original programme material ...
Mar 24, 1984•32 min
Michael Quinn is the Head Chef at the Ritz Hotel; the first British Chef in the history of the hotel. His ambition was always to be a cook, so as soon as he left school he became an apprentice cook in Leeds, winning within five years a competition for the 1966 Top Apprentice Chef of Great Britain. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes how he worked his way to the top via Claridge's and two country hotels, and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from...
Mar 17, 1984•34 min
Don McCullin has won an enormous reputation for his photographic coverage of the many wars which have torn the world apart in the last 20 years. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his exceedingly dangerous career and about his travels, which have even taken him to a desert island, and, in light of this experience, he chooses the eight records he would like to have for a prolonged island sojourn. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island D...
Mar 10, 1984•35 min
Gerald Priestland began his career in the news department of the BBC, becoming in 1954 the foreign correspondent in India. Many years later, he was appointed Religious Affairs Correspondent and he was responsible for the very popular radio series Priestland's Progress. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his career, including his move into television, and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive e...
Mar 03, 1984•37 min
Michael York began his acting career with the National Youth Theatre, but his big break came when he successfully auditioned for the National Theatre at the Old Vic. He has appeared in many films, including Accident, Cabaret and Conduct Unbecoming. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Clarinet Concerto in A by Wolfgang Amade...
Feb 25, 1984•32 min
Woody Herman played saxophone and clarinet with various bands until 1936, when the Isham Jones Band in which he was working broke up and he organised a group of his own with the key players. Since then he has led many bands, most of which have been called 'herds'. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island, but he does not include his most famous, Woodchopper's Ball. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of D...
Feb 18, 1984•33 min
Lord Elwyn-Jones began his career as a barrister, combining it with that of a Labour Member of Parliament from 1945. He was Counsel for the Prosecution at the Nuremberg War Crimes Trial and later he was appointed Lord Chancellor and Speaker of the House of Lords. In conversation with Roy Plomley about his eventful life, he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: S...
Feb 11, 1984•37 min
The American actor Stubby Kaye worked in vaudeville before he made his name in the musical Guys and Dolls, on Broadway and in London, as Nicely-Nicely. When it was filmed, nobody else could be considered for the part. He went on to make several more film musicals, including Li'l Abner and Sweet Charity. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his career which includes some work in this country where he now lives, and he chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island. [Ta...
Feb 04, 1984•31 min
Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent was born in Czechoslovakia but she was educated mainly in Australia. She came to England specifically to study interior design and eventually set up her own design company. Her marriage to Prince Michael of Kent was in 1978. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her fascinating life and chooses the eight records that she would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island ...
Jan 28, 1984•35 min
