Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Playwright and television writer best known for the series 'Dixon of Duck Green'.
On the island
Eight records
The keepsakes
The luxury
Not recorded.
In conversation
Presenter asks
0:00What was it your very first ambition to be?
Oh, a writer.
Presenter asks
0:30What sort of jobs [did you try]?
Oh, I was a vehicle builder, a capstan operator, a bakelite moulder, a shoe shop assistant.
Presenter asks
1:09Was [the Blue Lamp] the stabilising influence you were looking for, you think?
Uh no, not really. Um I don't know whether I'd ever gone on with it, but I went into the army, I got called up, the war broke out. I think the army settled me down because it was a job you couldn't ask for your cards, you couldn't walk out on.
Presenter asks
2:20Were you thinking of yourself as a propaganda writer? Were you writing as a protest?
Uh well yes, I think I was to some extent and I think also that… my work was marred to some extent by this. It had a lot of good qualities I think but… I think it was a bit too much obvious propaganda in it.
Presenter asks
5:39Is it possible to live up to your income without losing touch with the people you write about?
Well, I'm glad you made that qualification, Roy. … I'm rather relieved to find that It wasn't difficult to get on terms with them again. I haven't really got out of touch with these people.
“I'm the only man I think has been called up twice for the army.”
“He's the only policeman who's ever come back from his own funeral. He was reborn.”
“I don't think I could write away from my roots.”