Original version

BBC Radio 4 Extra

Frankly Speaking

Factual: Life Stories

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media: Arts

Probing interviews with some of the arts and entertainment world's most notable figures.

Frankly Speaking: Maurice Chevalier

Maurice Chevalier

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Frankly Speaking, Maurice Chevalier

The French entertainer talks frankly about his career.

The French entertainer talks frankly about his career. Extract of the BBC Home Service's pioneering interview series. From May 1963.

French entertainer Maurice Chevalier is interviewed about his life and career by Penelope Mortimer, Colin MacInnes and Carl Wildman.

Sadly the full programme from 1963 no longer exists, but this is a long extract. Then in his 70s, he speaks openly about how much he owes to English vaudeville and music hall. Chevalier reveals his use of the then new-fangled stage microphone, touches on his working class roots, his adored mother and two bouts of depression.  He's also questioned about his stage persona as the sophisticated, romantic, Frenchman versus the real Chevalier.    

Launched in 1952 on the BBC Home Service, Frankly Speaking was a novel, ground breaking series. Unrehearsed and unscripted, the traditional interviewee/interviewer pairing was initially jettisoned for three interviewers firing direct questions - straight to the point.  
Early critics described it as 'unkempt', 'an inquisition' and described the guest as prey being cornered, quarry being pursued - with calls to axe the unscripted interview.  But the format won out and eventually won over its detractors. 

Unknown or very inexperienced broadcasters were employed as interviewers, notably John Freeman, John Betjeman, Malcolm Muggeridge, Harold Hobson, Penelope Mortimer, Elizabeth Beresford and Katherine Whitehorn.  

Only about 40 of the original 100 programmes survive.  

First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in 1963.

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Frankly Speaking

Maurice Chevalier

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 Extra

About BBC Radio 4 Extra