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Desert Island Discs — Personal Journals
Desert Island Discs

Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Copyright: © (C) BBC 2023

Latest Episodes:

Stubby Kaye Feb 04, 1984

Show notes

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.

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

Favourite track: New York, New York by Liza Minelli Book: Diary Luxury: Hard hat

HRH Princess Michael of Kent Jan 28, 1984

Show notes

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 Discs]

Favourite track: Violin Concerto No 3 in G by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Book: Histories by Herodotus Luxury: Cat

Quentin Crewe Jan 21, 1984

Show notes

Quentin Crewe has always been an enthusiastic traveller and even the onset of muscular dystrophy has not curbed him. His other great interest is in food. He has paid for both of these enthusiasms by journalism and by writing books about them. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his fascinating life and his travels, which have included a journey across the Sahara with his wheelchair.

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

Favourite track: Violin Concerto No.1 in G Minor - 3rd Movement by Max Bruch Book: Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable Luxury: Potter's wheel

David Gower Jan 14, 1984

Show notes

The cricketer David Gower, who is to be the captain of Leicestershire next season, is thought by many to be one of the world's most exciting batsmen. He is in New Zealand with the England team, of which he is the vice captain, for the test series.

In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his career 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: Piano Concerto No 5 In E Flat by Ludwig van Beethoven Book: Compendium of wines Luxury: Video cassettes of Rumpole of the Bailey

Bertice Reading Jan 07, 1984

Show notes

Bertice Reading's career took off when she won a talent contest and for the prize sang with the Lionel Hampton Band for a week. Later, she started to act and was in the first production of Sandy Wilson's musical Valmouth. In both America and Europe she appeared in cabaret and musicals, and she was a great success here in the musical One Mo' Time.

In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her career and 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: The War of the Worlds - Epilogue by Jeff Wayne Book: The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran Luxury: King-size, brass bed with a feather mattress

M M Kaye Dec 31, 1983

Show notes

The novelist MM Kaye was born and has spent much of her life in India, and this experience has provided the background to several of her novels, including The Far Pavilions. She has also written a series of thrillers set in other places around the world to which she has been sent with her soldier husband. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her adventurous life and 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: Julie's Theme by Lanning Book: Indian Tales by Rudyard Kipling Luxury: Writer's kit

James Stewart Dec 17, 1983

Show notes

James Stewart, with his inimitable slow drawl and gangly walk, has been making films since 1935, from The Philadelphia Story to The Far Country and Mr Hobbs Takes a Vacation. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his long career 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]

Book: Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe Luxury: Family photo album

John Piper Dec 10, 1983

Show notes

The artist John Piper is a man of many talents. Not only is he a distinguished painter, but also he is particularly interested in tapestry and stained glass, and he has done windows for cathedrals at Coventry and Liverpool.

In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about the many facets of his life, especially his designs for many of the operas of Benjamin Britten, 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: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini by Sergei Rachmaninov Book: The complete works by William Blake Luxury: Pianola

Marvin Hamlisch Dec 03, 1983

Show notes

Marvin Hamlisch got into the Juilliard School of Music at the age of seven and he has been successful ever since. His two hit musicals - Chorus Line and They're Playing our Song - and his scores for over 20 films have won him many awards, including three Academy Awards in a single night. His most recent musical, Jean Seberg, opened at the National Theatre in 1983.

In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his career 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: Everything's Coming Up Roses by Rosalind Russell Book: Phone book Luxury: Picture of mother when she was 17

Thomas Keneally Nov 26, 1983

Show notes

Thomas Keneally, the Australian writer, won the Booker Prize last year with Schindler's Ark after being on the shortlist twice. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his writing, about his years in a Catholic seminary and as a teacher, 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: The Four Seasons - Winter by Antonio Vivaldi Book: Oxford Book of Twentieth-Century English Verse by Philip Larkin Luxury: Collection of Times crosswords

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