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Betsy Blair

Sue Lawley's castaway is actress Betsy Blair.

Sue Lawley's castaway this week is Betsy Blair. She was an actress in Hollywood during its heyday and is best known for her role in Marty, the Oscar-winning tale of a shy butcher and lonely teacher who, against the advice of friends and family, fall in love. She was barely 16 when she began her career as a dancer and it was while she was on her way to an early audition that she met Gene Kelly. She was still a teenager and he was 12 years her senior, but they were married and the couple set up home in one of Hollywood's most glamorous addresses - Rodeo Drive. They were known for throwing open their doors on Saturday night for star-studded parties; their guests included Tyrone Power, Judy Garland and Greta Garbo.

After 16 years, the marriage broke up and Betsy moved first to France then England where she met and married Karel Reisz, director of The French Lieutenant's Woman. She embraced a career in European films, working with celebrated directors including Juan Antonio Bardem and Michelangelo Antonioni. Her 1955 film Marty was shown again as one of the classic films at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

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

Favourite track: There's a Boat dat's Leaving Soon for New York by George Gershwin
Book: Reading Lyrics - American Songs 1900-1975
Luxury: An ice cream maker

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 17 Jun 2005 09:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • George Gershwin

      There's a boat dat's leavin' (from Porgy and Bess)

      Soloist: John W Bubbles Orchestra: The RCA Victor Orchestra Conductor: Skitch Henderson

      • Gershwin: Porgy and Bess.
      • RCA.

  • Fred Astaire

    Let's Face the Music and Dance

    • Cheek to Cheek.
    • Conifer.

  • Frank Sinatra

    I Could Write a Book

    • Adventures of the Heart.
    • Fontana.

  • Lena Horne

    Love

    • Portrait of a Stylist.
    • Harmony Collection.

  • Jimmy Durante

    Make Someone Happy

    • As Time Goes By - Jimmy Durante.
    • Warner.

  • Yves Montand

    Quand in Soldat

    • Les Feuilles mortes.
    • Parlophone.

  • Gene Kelly

    I Got Rhythm

    • Gene Kelly.
    • DΓ©jΓ  vu.

  • Astrud Gilberto

    The Girl From Ipanema

    • That Old Devil Called Love.
    • Universal Music TV.

  • Book Choice

    • Reading Lyrics - American Songs 1900-1975

  • Luxury Choice

    • An ice cream maker

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Betsy Blair

Broadcasts

  • Sun 12 Jun 2005 11:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 17 Jun 2005 09:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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