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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:

Sir Hugh Greene Nov 19, 1983

Show notes

Sir Hugh Greene began his career as a foreign correspondent. During the war, he joined the BBC and was in charge of wartime broadcasts to Germany. After a variety of jobs, including that of Head of Emergency Information Services in Malaya conducting psychological warfare against the Communist guerrillas in the jungle, he was appointed Director-General of the BBC.

In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his fascinating 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 Discs]

Favourite track: Forefathers by Edmund Blunden Book: The Penguin Complete Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Luxury: Portable typewriter and lots of paper

Sir Peter Hall Nov 12, 1983

Show notes

Sir Peter Hall was appointed Director of the National Theatre in 1973. Before that, he ran the Royal Shakespeare Company and he was responsible for setting up their London base at the Aldwych. In spite of this heavy administrative responsibility, he has always found time to produce many plays and operas, including this year's Ring Cycle at Bayreuth. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his amazingly active 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 Discs]

Favourite track: The Man That Got Away by Judy Garland Book: The New Grove Dictionary of Music & Musicians Luxury: Photograph of children

Shirley MacLaine Nov 05, 1983

Show notes

Shirley Maclaine began her career as a singer and dancer in the chorus of a Broadway musical. Success came quickly when, as an understudy, she had to take over a leading role in The Pajama Game, and she went on to make many successful films including The Apartment, Sweet Charity and The Turning Point. She regularly tours the world with her own song and dance show. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her life and chooses 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: If My Friends Could See Me Now by Shirley MacLaine Book: Dictionary and Hexalingual thesaurus Luxury: Blank paper

Sir Ranulph Fiennes Oct 29, 1983

Show notes

Sir Ranulph Fiennes has had many adventures since he was removed from the SAS for the illegal use of explosives, but without a doubt his greatest exploit was the Transglobe Expedition. Swamps, deserts and arctic ice fields were just some of the many hazards he encountered on the first round-the-world journey via the two poles.

In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes some of his exploits 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: The Oxford Book of Quotations Luxury: Tube of Antisan cream

Linda Esther Gray Oct 22, 1983

Show notes

Linda Esther Gray, the Scots soprano, made her operatic debut as Mimi in La Boheme with Glyndebourne Touring Opera in 1972, and she went on to win the Kathleen Ferrier Memorial Scholarship and the John Christie Award. But her first big success was as Isolde with the Welsh National Opera in 1978. She also tackles the role of Brunhilde in Valkyrie with the English National Opera.

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: Die Walkure Act 3 by Richard Wagner Book: Anthology of poetry Luxury: Garlic, chocolate and wine

Topol Oct 15, 1983

Show notes

Topol began his acting career almost by accident while he was doing his army service in Israel. He had wanted to be a printer and live on a kibbutz. His success as Tevye in the musical The Fiddler on the Roof, both in London and in the film, brought him international acclaim and he has gone on to make many more films, but he still returns regularly to Israel to work.

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: Those Were The Nights by Esther Ofarim With Orchestra Book: Great Treasury of Western Thought by Mortimer J Adler Luxury: Artist's kit

Mollie Harris Oct 08, 1983

Show notes

Mollie Harris was brought up in Oxfordshire and her books of reminiscences about life in the country are very popular. For the past thirteen years she has been a regular member of the cast of The Archers, in which she takes the part of Martha Woodford.

In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her fascinating 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: What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong Book: The five-volume works by Anthony Wood Luxury: Union Jack

Rosemary Sutcliff Oct 01, 1983

Show notes

Rosemary Sutcliff began her career as a painter of miniatures and some of her work was shown at the Royal Academy. Since turning to writing, she has produced 43 books, most of which are historical novels for children. She particularly enjoys setting them in Roman Britain.

In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her career, about the difficulties caused by arthritis since she was a child and she 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: The Lark Ascending by Ralph Vaughan Williams Book: Kim by Rudyard Kipling Luxury: Flowers delivered daily by bottle

Ian Richardson Sep 24, 1983

Show notes

Ian Richardson has spent much of his acting career with the Royal Shakespeare Company. But, in recent years, he has made an impact on television in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, Eyeless in Gaza and with his portrayal of Montgomery in Churchill and the Generals. 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: Henry V Suite - The Agincourt Song by William Walton Book: Book of quotations Luxury: Large supply of paper and pencils

Lionel Hampton Sep 17, 1983

Show notes

Lionel Hampton is one of the legendary figures of the jazz world. For most of his career, he has led his own bands, although for a while he did play with Benny Goodman. His main instrument is the vibraharp, but there is always a second drum kit on stage for him to perform on, and he also plays the piano and sings.

In conversation with Roy Plomley, this versatile musician 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]

Favourite track: Memories Of You by Louis Armstrong Book: Science and Health, with a Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy Luxury: Tape recorder

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