Desert Island Discs

Latest Episodes:

Richard Dreyfuss May 09, 1999

Show notes

Sue Lawley's guest this week is Richard Dreyfuss. He was already the youngest actor ever to win an Oscar when he starred in the phenomenally successful Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Too many drugs and too much drink threatened his career until in 1982 he had a terrible car smash which brought him to his senses. Today, with a dozen more hit films under his belt he's fulfilling a lifelong ambition to appear on the London stage.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: 4th Movement of the Thunderstorm by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens Luxury: Books delivered to the island on a regular basis

Helen Bamber May 02, 1999

Show notes

Sue Lawley's guest this week is Helen Bamber. In 1945, at the age of 20, she travelled to Belsen with the Jewish Relief agency. There she learnt how important it is to listen to those who have suffered. It was a lesson she continued to practice in her work with Amnesty International, and later with the Medical Foundation for the Victims of Torture which she set up in 1985.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Song of the Birds by Cant Del Ocells Book: Poet for Poet by Richard McCain Luxury: Radio to listen to the World Service

Stan Tracey Apr 25, 1999

Show notes

Sue Lawley's guest this week is the jazz musician Stan Tracey. He's been at the heart of the British Jazz scene since the 1960s when he was resident pianist at Ronnie Scotts. It was at that time he wrote what has been called the greatest of all British jazz albums - his Under Milk Wood suite.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Mood Indigo by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra Book: Crazy Like A Fox by S J Perelman Luxury: Film: Oh Mister Porter

Ken Loach Apr 18, 1999

Show notes

Sue Lawley's guest this week is the film director Ken Loach. Probably best known for his film Kes, his recent film, My Name Is Joe has just won the award for best actor at Cannes. He learnt his craft in television in the 1960s, quickly attracting attention with Up the Junction and Cathy Come Home, which prompted the setting up of the homeless charity Shelter.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Opening of the 4th Movement by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: Golden Treasury of English Songs and Lyrics by Francis Palgrave Luxury: Radio (for football results)

Paco Peña Apr 11, 1999

Show notes

This week the castaway on Desert Island Discs is the flamenco guitarist Paco Peña. Celebrated thoughout the world for his authentic performances, he was born into a poor family in Southern Spain where music, singing and dancing was part of everyday life. Today, he is regarded as one of the world's foremost traditional Flamenco players. In conversation with Sue Lawley, he talks about his life and work and chooses eight records to take to the mythical island.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Portro de Rabia y Miel by Camaron de la Isla Book: An Anthology of Poetry - 'Las Mil Mejores Poesia' Dela Lengua Castellana by Jose Bergua Luxury: Virtual reality module

Richard Dunwoody Apr 04, 1999

Show notes

"Sue Lawley's guest this week is the jockey Richard Dunwoody. He's been champion jockey three times and has won the Grand National twice. Now he's hot on the heels of Peter Scudamore's record for the most wins ever. He chooses eight records to take to the mythical island.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Clare Island by The Saw Doctors Book: The Lord of the Rings by J R R Tolkien Luxury: An endless supply of ice-cream

Luise Rainer Mar 28, 1999

Show notes

Sue Lawley's guest this week is the actress Luise Rainer who recently appeared in the film The Gambler. In 1936 she won the first of two Oscars for her telephone scene in the film The Great Zeigfeld. Despite her success, she felt uncomfortable in Hollywood and made her friends among the European expatriate community, including Schoenburg, Einstein and Thomas Mann.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: The Creation by Franz Joseph Haydn Book: The Proper Study of Mankind by Isaiah Berlin Luxury: To be missed by the people she loves

Rt Hon Mo Mowlam MP Mar 21, 1999

Show notes

Sue Lawley's castaway is Northern Ireland secretary Mo Mowlam.

Favourite track: Chicago by Frank Sinatra Book: The collected works by Seamus Heaney Luxury: A globe

Fay Maschler Mar 14, 1999

Show notes

Sue Lawley's guest this week is the award-winning restaurant critic Fay Maschler. Twenty-seven years after she won a competition to write a column for the Evening Standard, she is still eating out three times a week, comparing caramel crackling and moue of mousse, on our behalf. She chooses eight records to take to the mythical island.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Goldberg Variations Nos. 1 and 2 by Johann Sebastian Bach Book: Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons Luxury: A huge supply of ouzo

Richard Curtis Feb 28, 1999

Show notes

Sue Lawley's castaway is scriptwriter & Comic Relief founder Richard Curtis.

Favourite track: And I Love Her by The Beatles Book: Guinness Book of Pop Luxury: Pizza Express in Notting Hill