Desert Island Discs: Archive 1981-1985

The actor Anthony Hopkins has recently returned to this country after 10 years in California.

In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his upbringing in South Wales, his rapid rise to fame, the unhappiness that caused him to go to America, and his success in the films The Elephant Man and Mutiny on the Bounty.

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

Favourite track: Myfanwy by Treorchy Male Choir

Michael Elkins was, for many years, the BBC correspondent in Jerusalem. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he recalls his childhood in New York, where he became a pool-room hustler, his screen-writing career in Hollywood, and he talks about his active role in helping to set up a Jewish state in Palestine.

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

Favourite track: Spring by Antonio Vivaldi

Elly Ameling's career as a singer took off when she won the first prizes in two competitions. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she explains why she devotes most of her time to singing lieder and has only appeared in one opera. She also talks about her occasional forays into cabaret and she 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: It Don't Mean A Thing by Ellington

Julie Walters had a variety of jobs, including nursing, before she took up acting. An early London appearance was the result of Funny Peculiar, transferring from the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool.

In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about her work with Victoria Wood, about her huge success in both the play and film of Educating Rita, and she 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: I Get Along Without You Very Well by Carly Simon

Madhur Jaffrey is an actress who has now become as well-known as a writer and broadcaster on Indian and Far Eastern cooking. In conversation with Roy Plomley, she talks about the films she has made with James Ivory, including Heat and Dust. She also recalls how she came to be a cookery expert, and she 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: Violin Concerto - 1st Movement by Roque Cordero

John Harvey-Jones, who is Chairman of the giant company Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), began his career in the Royal Navy and was a lieutenant-commander by the time he moved into industry at the age of 33. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he describes his rapid rise from trainee work study officer at ICI with not even one 'O' Level to being appointed Chairman.

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

Favourite track: Symphony No 1 in B Flat by Boyce

Tom Stoppard, the playwright, began his career as a journalist on a local newspaper in Bristol. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his writing, which has been mainly for the theatre and has included several free translations of plays including Rough Crossing; now in the repertoire of the National Theatre.

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

Favourite track: Careless Love by Bessie Smith

Sir Michael Tippett, who celebrated his 80th birthday three days ago, has come to be regarded as one of the foremost composers of this century. As he tells Roy Plomley, other than a period as Director of Music at Morley College, he has allowed very little to distract him from composition. His output includes four symphonies, four operas, four string quartets and several concertos.

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

Favourite track: Vespro Della Beata Vergine by Claudio Monteverdi

Ray Cooney, who is the Artistic Director of the very successful Theatre of Comedy, began his career as an actor. Before long, he started directing plays and then writing them, usually in collaboration with John Chapman. These include Charlie Girl, Not Now, Darling and his latest, Two Into One. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he talks about his varied career 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]

Sir John Burgh is the Director-General of the British Council, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. In conversation with Roy Plomley, he recalls how he worked his way from an aircraft factory, through the Board of Trade, the Colonial Office, the Cabinet think tank and other Civil Service appointments to his present position, 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: Le Nozze Di Figaro Act 2 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart