Main content

Arthur Hailey

Michael Parkinson's castaway is novelist Arthur Hailey.

Arthur Hailey's novels, which include Hotel and Airport, have made him one of the world's best-selling authors. He was born in England, but emigrated; first to Canada after wartime service in the RAF, and then to the Bahamas. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he talks about the many jobs he had before becoming a full-time writer, about the television play with which he made the breakthrough and about his working methods.

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

Favourite track: Piano Concerto No 2 in B Flat by Johannes Brahms
Book: Webster's International Dictionary
Luxury: Hot water

Available now

40 minutes

Last on

Fri 11 Apr 1986 09:05
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

Jane Glover

Next

Bobby Robson

See all episodes from Desert Island Discs

Music Played

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Johannes Brahms

      Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major

      Soloist: Rudolf Serkin Orchestra: Philadelphia Orchestra

  • Vera Lynn

    I'll Be Seeing You

    • The Special Magic of Vera Lynn.

  • AntonΓ­n DvoΕ™Γ΅k

    Symphony No. 9 in E minor 'From the New World'

    Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Rafael Kubelik

  • MGM Studio Orchestra

    Somewhere My Love (Lara's Theme)

    • Doctor Zhivago.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Horn Concerto No. 4 In E flat major

    Soloist: Dennis Brain Orchestra: Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Herbert von Karajan

  • Al Martino

    My Foolish Heart

    • The Very Best Of.

  • Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

    Symphony No. 5 in E minor

    Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Riccardo Chailly

  • Monica Sinclair & The Williams Singers

    Merrie England

    Artist: Michael Collins & Orchestra

    • Merrie England.

  • Book Choice

    • Webster's International Dictionary

  • Luxury Choice

    • Hot water

Credits

Presenter Michael Parkinson
Interviewed Guest Arthur Hailey

Broadcasts

  • Sun 6 Apr 1986 12:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 11 Apr 1986 09:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

Featured in...

The Desert Island Discs podcast

The Desert Island Discs podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes.

Listen to over 2,000 programmes

Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.

Articles

Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.

Podcast