Desert Island Discs

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 or...

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 tra...

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] Favo...

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 B...

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] Fav...

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 Engli...

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 origina...

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...

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...

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 archi...

When he made his film debut in Billy Budd, Terence Stamp was described as "the most beautiful man in the world". His portrayal of Sergeant Troy in Far From the Madding Crowd brought him further fame, yet he has plotted a somewhat lonely and mysterious path through life. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about his early life in the East End of London, and also chooses the eight recor...

Robert Maxwell was born in Czechoslovakia, the son of a peasant farmer. He arrived in Britain in September 1940, one of the remnants of the Czech Army that had escaped from occupied France. He subsequently became an MP and is now recognised as one of Britain's most formidable businessmen, his activities ranging from publishing to managing a first-division football team. In conversation with Michae...

The castaway this week is the actress-singer Elaine Paige who, in conversation with Michael Parkinson, looks back on her career from her debut in the chorus of Hair, through the musicals Jesus Christ Superstar and Grease, to becoming an international star in the part of Eva Peron in Evita. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track:...

The castaway this week is Kenneth Williams who, for 40 years, has occupied a unique place on stage, screen and radio. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his long career which has ranged from working on radio classics like Hancock's Half Hour and Round the Horne to being a regular member of the cast in the Carry On films. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive...

Maya Angelou inherited her love of music from her grandmother, who used to sing to her as a child at the family home in the southern United States. The first volume of her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, was a bestseller, describing her life as singer, actress, stripper, dancer and writer. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she looks back on a remarkable career and chooses eig...

Frances Edmonds accompanied her husband Phil on two tours with the England cricket team and wrote books about the trips. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she talks about the reaction she got from the chauvinistic world of cricketers and cricket writers, and also looks back on her schooldays at an Ursuline convent and at her career as an interpreter. [Taken from the original programme materi...

The actress Susan George began her career as a child appearing in television plays and series; her subsequent film career stretches back some 20 years. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she recalls her roles on stage and screen and also her latest involvement in production and writing. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite trac...

The castaway this week is the Irish writer Edna O'Brien, whose first novel, The Country Girls, was published in 1960 to great acclaim. She's also become well-known for her appearances on radio and television. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she looks back on her career and, in her choice of music, reveals a wide taste ranging from Elvis Presley to Carl Orff. [Taken from the original progra...

"Music is one of my great passions" says Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, "my taste is wide-ranging; from Wagner to Jazz". In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on his career, focusing particularly on running the stately home, organising jazz festivals and being Chairman of English Heritage. He also undergoes the agonising task of narrowing his musical choice to eight records. [Taken from...

In the 1920s, Kitty Godfree established a list of sporting achievements that will never be surpassed: she won two Ladies' Championships at Wimbledon, won six Olympic medals playing tennis, she represented her country at Lacrosse and was a four-times winner of the All-England Badminton Championships. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she looks back over her long life and selects the eight rec...

"The music of Rossini came into my life very early", says actress Joanna Lumley, "I loved him because his music is so happy". In conversation with Michael Parkinson, she recalls her upbringing in the Far East, a convent education and her subsequent theatrical career. She also chooses the other music to accompany Rossini on her sojourn to the desert island. [Taken from the original programme materi...

Peter West is one of our most versatile broadcasters; his television career has ranged from Come Dancing to specialist sports, particularly cricket. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on his career in broadcasting and journalism and, in choosing his records to take to the mythical island, reveals a Catholic taste in music. [Taken from the original programme material for this arc...

The pianist Jacques Loussier has won fame and fortune with a style that blends jazz with the music of J S Bach. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back at a career of some 30 years, and also selects his eight records to take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Brandenburg Concerto No 3 i...

The castaway this week is Lulu, who, in conversation with Michael Parkinson, recalls her upbringing in a Glasgow tenement and her subsequent career as a singer and actress. In choosing her eight records to take to the island, she reveals an admiration for the vocal styles of Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs...

Lord Killanin's career has embraced journalism, the Army, film-making and writing books. He was also, from 1972 to 1980, President of the International Olympic Committee. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he looks back on his varied life and also chooses the eight records to take to the mythical island. [Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Dis...