Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Actor and advocator, known for his popular stage and screen performances.
On the island
Eight records
It was written by a dear friend of mine, Alec Templeton, the sightless pianist here, whom I got to know so well when I was over in America in the 50s and 60s.
The most wonderful, I think, part of Harawa is where the choirs sing farewell mini harp.
I remember hearing him when I was quite a teenager. I went to a Sunday League concert at Stratford, Stratford Empire, I think it was, and this wonderful young man came on and sang and he claimed your attention.
I want to include Andre Prebin, because he conducted the orchestra of the film.
And This Is My BelovedFavourite
I've never forgotten it. I've never heard a lady's voice that I like more.
Pavane pour une infante défunte
Rabel's music I adore, and this is one, it's a sad tune, but... When I get nostalgic, I enjoy sad tune
Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream
My last record is, I think, a wonderful piece of piano playing, done by my friend Beno Mazevi.
In conversation
Presenter asks
0:57Could you endure loneliness on this island?
Oh yes, I think I could. Probably wouldn't like a lot of it, but I quite enjoy my own company. I'm not bored.
Presenter asks
1:15Is there any one thing you can think of that you'd be particularly happy to have got away from?
Yes, I think so. Rules and regulations, law, acts of parliament and so forth.
Presenter asks
5:16Was there any theatrical talent in the family apart from you?
No, not theatrical. My grandfather Holloway was a singer.
Presenter asks
5:34What was your first job?
Oh, I was in an office. And it was at Everett. Nutter and Jetta boot policies in King's Court. I wouldn't go as an office boy. They called it the junior clerk. Yeah, but it still meant I would took the governor's head out to be ironed.
The keepsakes
The book
A book with all the musical plays of the past century with the original casts
I'm so interested in musical players of the class and their original cast. People say, I wonder who played so-and-so. If you can say so-and-so, I love it.
The luxury
It would be a luxury as well as a necessity. I would have to attend to my manicure and my pediture, so I would like a nice manicure and pedicures.
Presenter asks
6:35What happened when you came out of the army at the end of the war?
Well, then, of course, I was. In the wilderness, didn't know what to do. And then one of my greatest friends in the profession, Leslie Henson, said, come into our show. We were open in the Wintergarden Theatre in Drury Lane, and there was a show called Kitchen Time. And he said, I'll get you into the chorus. Well, that was good enough for me to start with.
Presenter asks
17:18Could you look after yourself on the island?
I suppose I thought I'd have to learn something. I'm not a handy with my hand at all. I couldn't even mend the lock or put a window in or anything.
“I quite enjoy my own company. I'm not bored.”
“I was born within the sound of bow bells.”
“I've never forgotten it. I've never heard a lady's voice that I like more.”