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Michael Winner

Sue Lawley's castaway is film director Michael Winner.

Sue Lawley's castaway this week is the film director Michael Winner. Michael Winner is a film-maker, restaurant critic and columnist who has been called Britain's 'Jester Laureate'. He has enjoyed a career spanning 30 years as a director, working with Orson Welles, Marlon Brando and Faye Dunaway as well as being the man behind the controversial Death Wish films starring Charles Bronson. Born in October 1935, the only son of Helen and George Winner, Michael was a shy and sometimes lonely child. Even as a very young boy he knew he wanted to be connected to the movie industry - projecting shadow pictures and devising his own commentary when he was only five years old. At the age of 14 he was given his own showbusiness column in his local paper - which was syndicated across more than two dozen titles. It gave Michael access to some of the biggest stars of the time, including Nat King Cole, Bob Hope, the Marx Brothers.

His first film, This is Belgium, was notable for being largely shot in East Grinstead. He says that while he admires directors who tackle social issues, he always wanted to be part of the glamour of Hollywood, making films that weren't to be taken too seriously and that were just a bit of fun.

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

Favourite track: Charge and Battle by Sir William Walton
Book: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Luxury: Big supply of caviar

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 14 Oct 2005 09:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • William Walton

      Charge and Battle

      Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra

      • Walton: Scenes from Henry V.
      • EMI.

  • Anton Karas

    Harry Lime Theme (The Third Man)

    Performer: Anton Karas.
    • The Third Man.
    • Soundtrack Factory.

  • Dean Martin

    That's Amore

    • The Best of the Capitol Years.
    • Capitol.

  • Billy Fury

    Once Upon A Dream

    • The Best of Billy Fury.
    • K Tel.

  • Tom Jones

    One Day Soon

    • Delilah.
    • Deram.

  • James Blunt

    You're Beautiful

    • Now 61.
    • Now.

  • The Jacksons

    Blame It On The Boogie

    • 25 Years of Rock 'n' Roll.
    • Connoisseur Collection.

  • Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

    1812 Overture

    Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Herbert von Karajan

    • Tchaikovsky:Symphony No 2: 1812 Overture.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.

  • Book Choice

    • The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger

  • Luxury Choice

    • Big supply of caviar

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Michael Winner

Broadcasts

  • Sun 9 Oct 2005 11:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 14 Oct 2005 09:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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