Frank Bough has been described as "the most unassailable performer on British television". In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on his 25 years with the BBC, working on, amongst others, Sportsnight, Grandstand, Nationwide, and recently, Breakfast Time. He also 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: Violin Concerto in B Minor by Edward Elgar Book:...
Apr 26, 1987•32 min
Michael Bogdanov's colourful, and sometimes controversial, career has included running a pub, a prosecution for his interpretation of Howard Brenton's Romans in Britain, associate directorship of the National Theatre since 1980 and the founding, last year, of the English Shakespeare Company. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his views on the theatre and also chooses the eight records he would take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this a...
Apr 19, 1987•32 min
Julian Critchley is the Conservative MP for Aldershot and he's also a journalist and writer. In conversation with Michael Parkinson he talks about his dual career and about his recreations, which include reading military history and looking at churches. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: September Song by Walter Huston Book: An Omelette and a Glass of Wine by Elizabeth David Luxury: Case of wine
Apr 12, 1987•31 min
The castaway this week is the actor Anthony Andrews who, in 1981, won international acclaim for his portrayal of the doomed Sebastian Flyte in the television production of Brideshead Revisited. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his roles on the stage, on television and in films, and he also 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: For Unto Us A...
Apr 05, 1987•32 min
The castaway this week is the former Ryder Cup golfer Peter Alliss, who has become one of the game's best-known commentators. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his life and career. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Pomp and Circumstance March No 1 in D Major by Edward Elgar Book: A History of the English-Speaking Peoples by Sir Winston Churchill Luxury: Sand-yacht
Mar 29, 1987•33 min
A tribute to David Penhaligon, the Cornish Liberal MP who was killed in a road accident at the end of last year. In a conversation with Michael Parkinson recorded just a few weeks before his death, he talks about his life and work and also 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: Maple Leaf Rag by Joshua Rifkin Book: A cricketing Almanac Luxury: 30 foot of steel...
Mar 22, 1987•31 min
The castaway this week is the actress Dora Bryan whose career, spanning more than 50 years, has ranged from musicals to Shakespeare, review to restoration comedy and from farce to tragedy. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she recalls her long career. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Where Or When by Erroll Garner Book: Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome Luxury: Stuffed dog
Mar 15, 1987•30 min
Johnny Mathis has been making very popular records for some 30 years. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his childhood in a poor part of San Francisco, his great success as an athlete, the difficult decision he made to become a singer instead and the trials and tribulations of touring. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Lujon (Slow Hot Wind) by Henry Mancini and his Orchestra Book: Gone With the Wind by Ma...
Mar 08, 1987•30 min
The castaway this week is the Chairman of the Stock Exchange Sir Nicholas Goodison. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he reflects on his career in the City and talks about his involvement in opera and the fine arts. He also 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: Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings by Benjamin Britten Book: Oxford English Dictionary (all vo...
Mar 01, 1987•34 min
Ken Russell has directed many films, including Women in Love, The Music Lovers, The Boyfriend and Gothic, his latest. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his childhood in Southampton, going to naval college, life in the Merchant Navy, making amateur film which led to him working on Monitor for BBC television, and his eventual move into the making of feature films. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Das Lied...
Feb 22, 1987•34 min
The castaway this week is Sir Michael Hordern who, in conversation with Michael Parkinson, recalls a distinguished acting career spanning 50 years. He also 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: Symphony No 9 by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: A History of the English-Speaking Peoples by Sir Winston Churchill Luxury: Elm tree
Feb 15, 1987•36 min
Comedienne, musician and playwright are just three of the talents of Victoria Wood. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she outlines her career to date from its humble beginnings with the Rochdale Youth Theatre to having her own show on television. She also 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: African Ripples by Fats Waller Book: The collected works by Art...
Feb 08, 1987•30 min
Peter Fluck and Roger Law are the creators of the successful satirical television series Spitting Image. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, they recall how they first met at art school in Cambridge, their days as freelance illustrators, how they made three-dimensional caricatures, which they photographed, and their eventual animation of the models for television. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Cello Suite No 6 In...
Feb 01, 1987•34 min
The castaway this week is Baroness Ryder of Warsaw, who, in 1953, formed the Sue Ryder Foundation to provide homes and domiciliary care for the sick and disabled in many parts of the world. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she recalls her early career with the wartime Special Operations Executive in Poland and traces the history of the Foundation up to the present day. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Ave Maria b...
Jan 25, 1987•31 min
As an actor, Jeremy Lloyd made his name playing the part of the archetypal English 'upper-class twit'. As a writer, his most recent success has been 'Allo 'Allo! In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his life and career and also 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: Indoor Games Near Newbury by Sir John Betjeman Book: Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K...
Jan 18, 1987•31 min
The Rt Hon James Prior MP manages to combine his parliamentary work with being the Chairman of the General Electric Company. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls organising a pig club at school during the war and talks about his career in farming and the eventual emergence of politics as his overriding interest. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]
Jan 11, 1987•35 min
The son of Italian immigrants, Antony Benedetto started singing competitively with his brother and earned a living as a singing waiter in restaurants in New York while at art school. After singing in American military bands during the Second World War, he returned to New York, where he had his first hit with Because of You in 1951. Since then he has established himself as one of the most popular jazz singers of his generation and has worked with Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Woody Herman among...
Jan 04, 1987•33 min
Benny Green makes a living as a columnist, broadcaster, lyricist, novelist, etc. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his childhood in London, life on the road as a saxophonist, the transition to writing and reading 123 editions of Wisden. He also 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: An Evening with Johnny Mercer by Johnny Mercer Book: A Quartet o...
Dec 14, 1986•35 min
Jackie Collins lives in Beverley Hills, California, and writes novels, all of which appear in the bestseller lists, and many have been filmed. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she talks about her childhood in England, joining her sister Joan in Hollywood at the age of 15, her brief acting career, and her writing. She also selects 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 t...
Dec 07, 1986•33 min
Nigel Hawthorne is now very well-known as Secretary to the Cabinet in the television series Yes, Prime Minister. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his childhood in South Africa, dropping out of Cape Town University to become an actor, the move to England, the Theatre Royal, Stratford East with Joan Littlewood and eventual fame. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Her Holle Rache (The Magic Flute) by Wo...
Nov 30, 1986•33 min
John Ridgway's adventures first became public when, in 1966, he rowed across the Atlantic with Chay Blyth. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls canoeing down the Amazon, sailing twice round the world, as well as exploits in Peru and the Himalayas, and he talks about his School of Adventure in Scotland. He also 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: ...
Nov 23, 1986•34 min
Hal Prince has just produced the musical The Phantom of the Opera in London. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his life in the theatre which he began as a stage manager in New York for the legendary George Abbott. He went on to produce West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret and the musicals of Stephen Sondheim. He also 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...
Nov 16, 1986•32 min
Kingsley Amis won the 1986 Booker Prize for his novel The Old Devils. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his childhood in South London, the success of his first published novel Lucky Jim, which he wrote when a lecturer at Swansea University, and his subsequent career as a don at Cambridge and then as a full-time novelist. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Runnin' Wild by Wild Bill Davison Book: Oxford...
Nov 09, 1986•36 min
Jeremy Irons first achieved international recognition as an actor for his performance in Brideshead Revisited on television. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his childhood on the Isle of Wight, his London debut in Godspell, his appearances with the Royal Shakespeare Company and his films, which include The French Lieutenant's Woman, Swann In Love and The Mission. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Ir...
Nov 02, 1986•32 min
Albert and Michel Roux each have their own restaurants, which are among the best in this country. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, they talk about their upbringing in France and their period as pastry cooks in the British Embassy in Paris. Then Albert became commis de cuisine to Lady Astor, and Michel chef to the Rothschilds, before they opened a restaurant together in England. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: No...
Oct 26, 1986•35 min
Phil Edmonds, the cricketer, "has the reputation for being awkward and arrogant, mainly because he is awkward and arrogant", wrote his wife. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his childhood in Zambia, public school in England, Cambridge University, playing cricket for Middlesex and the controversies that abound in his career. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Suite No 3 in D - Air On A G String by Joh...
Oct 19, 1986•34 min
Sir Fred Hoyle has been described as "unquestionably one of the most gifted astronomers and mathematicians of our times", and "the maverick genius of British science". In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his upbringing in Yorkshire and talks about his career as a scientist and as a writer - he has produced some 15 novels, a pantomime and the libretto for an opera. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: String Q...
Oct 12, 1986•36 min
Sir Ian McGregor was suddenly thrust into the spotlight when he was asked to create a more efficient steel industry in this country. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his upbringing in Scotland, his move to America to further his career, and the problems he faced in managing first the steel, and then the coal industries in Britain. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: The Hebrides - Overture (Fingles Ca...
Oct 05, 1986•37 min
Richard Condon has written 23 novels since becoming a full-time writer at the age of 42. These include The Manchurian Candidate and Prizzi's Honour. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his upbringing in Manhattan, his career in the film world where he ended up as a publicity executive for Walt Disney, and his escape into writing. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Baubles, Bangles and Beads by Peggy Lee...
Sep 28, 1986•34 min
Suzi Quatro is an enormous success in her first acting role in the theatre, the lead in Annie Get Your Gun. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she talks about her upbringing in Detroit, where she played bongos in her father's band, her all-girl rock band, her great success in England as a leather-clad rocker with a string of hit records and her acting ambitions. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: When I Fall In Love ...
Sep 21, 1986•32 min
