Desert Island Discs

Sue Lawley's guest this week is the journalist Anthony Howard. He's worked on The New Statesman, The Observer and The Sunday Times, where as Obituaries Editor, he turned a previously dead-end job into a highly competitive art form. A regular television commentator, he probably inherited his gift for oratory from his father, a parson who gave stirring sermons.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: The Toasting Song (from La Traviata - Act One) by Giuseppe Verdi Book: Dictionary of National Biography Luxury: Camp bed

Sue Lawley's guest this week is the artistic director of the Rambert Dance Company Christopher Bruce. As a child he was sent to dance lessons to strengthen his legs after polio had left them severely weakened. Ten years later he was the star of Ballet Rambert. Not content with being dubbed 'the Nureyev of contemporary dance' he went on to become one of the great choreographers, working all over the world before returning to the company as Director in 1994.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] Favourite track: Piano Concerto No.2 by Sergei Rachmaninov Book: Teach yourself French Luxury: Suncream

This week the castaway on Desert Island Discs is Michael Green. As Chairman of Carlton Communications he is one of the most powerful men in British television and the driving force behind digital TV. 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: Jersualem by Vangelis Book: The Complete Works by Sigmund Freud Luxury: Digital TV

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

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

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

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)

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

"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

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