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Neil Simon

Sue Lawley's castaway is playwright Neil Simon.

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is one of America's most successful playwrights. Since he opened Come Blow Your Horn on Broadway in 1961, Neil Simon has written at least a play a year, and they include Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple, Plaza Suite, Lost in Yonkers, as well as the hit musicals Sweet Charity and They're Playing Our Song.

He'll be telling Sue Lawley about his childhood in the Bronx, his days in the army, and how as one of New York's most famous literary sons, he now spends most of his time in Los Angeles.

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

Favourite track: A Foggy Day by Fred Astaire
Book: How To Swim
Luxury: Large harmonica

Available now

40 minutes

Last on

Fri 15 Mar 1996 09:05
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Frank Loesser

    Fugue For Tin Horns (from Guys and Dolls)

    Artist: The Original Broadway Cast Of Guys And Dolls

    • Guys And Dolls Original Broadway Cast.
    • MCA.

  • Columbia Jazz Band

    Rhapsody in Blue

    Artist: Tilson Thomas

    • Classic Gershwin.
    • CBS.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Fred Astaire

      A Foggy Day

      • Fred Astaire Sings.
      • MCA.

  • Rex Harrison

    I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face from My Fair Lady

    • My Fair Lady - Original Soundtrack.
    • CBS.

  • Louis Armstrong

    What A Wonderful World

    • The Ultimate Collection.
    • Bluebird.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Serenade No. 13 in G major 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik'

    Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Conductor: Herbert von Karajan

    • Eine Kleine Nachtmusik K 525.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.

  • Giacomo Puccini

    Un bel di vedremo (One fine day) (from Madama Butterfly)

    Soloist: Luciano Pavarotti Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonica Conductor: Herbert von Karajan

    • Madame Butterfly.
    • Decca.

  • Peggy Lee

    Is That All There Is?

    • Peggy Lee: The Capitol Years.
    • Capitol Records.

  • Book Choice

    • How To Swim

  • Luxury Choice

    • Large harmonica

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Neil Simon

Broadcasts

  • Sun 14 May 1995 12:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 19 May 1995 09:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 15 Mar 1996 09:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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