

Desert Island Discs
BBC Radio 4
Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 9, 1987 • 33min
Frances Edmonds
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 material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Panis Angelicus by César Franck
Book: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Luxury: Bollinger '69

Aug 2, 1987 • 29min
Maya Angelou
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 eight records she would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Jul 26, 1987 • 36min
Kenneth Williams
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 edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: 1st Movement from Spring Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven
Book: The Golden Treasury by Francis Palgrave
Luxury: Crate of Cologne

Jul 12, 1987 • 33min
Elaine Paige
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: Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles
Book: The complete works by Charles Dickens
Luxury: Piano

Jul 5, 1987 • 33min
Robert Maxwell
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 Michael Parkinson, he recalls his remarkable career.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Summertime (from Porgy & Bess) by George Gershwin
Book: A book on Plato
Luxury: Chess computer game

Jun 28, 1987 • 30min
Terence Stamp
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 records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Music In The World Of Islam by Trad
Book: The Joy of Cooking
Luxury: Duvet

Apr 26, 1987 • 32min
Frank Bough
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 archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Violin Concerto in B Minor by Edward Elgar
Book: Barclays World of Cricket by Jim Swanton
Luxury: Contact lenses

Apr 19, 1987 • 32min
Michael Bogdanov
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 records he would take to the mythical island.[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: Rocky Road To Dublin by The Dubliners
Book: Pocket Wine Book 1987 by Hugh Johnson
Luxury: 50-pound jar of Marmite

Apr 12, 1987 • 31min
Julian Critchley
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: An Omelette and a Glass of Wine by Elizabeth David
Luxury: Case of wine

Apr 5, 1987 • 32min
Anthony Andrews
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 original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]Favourite track: For Unto Us A Child Is Born by George Frideric Handel
Book: The complete works by Oscar Wilde
Luxury: Piano


