Free Thinking

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Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

The ideas shaping our lives today - with artists and thinkers in debates and interviews.

The ideas shaping our lives today - with leading artists and thinkers in extended interview and debate.

Free Thinking: Being Blonde

Being Blonde

BBC Radio 4 - Free Thinking, Being Blonde

Matthew Sweet and Professor Lynda Nead explore links between Diana Dors and Ruth Ellis.

Matthew Sweet discusses attitudes to British blondeness in with art historian Lynda Nead, film critics Phuong Le and Christina Newland, and philosopher Heather Widdows.

What links “the British Marilyn” Diana Dors, the last women to be hanged in Britain Ruth Ellis,  the artist Pauline Boty and the soap and film star Barbara Windsor?   Professor Lynda Nead is giving a series of lectures this Autumn exploring Blondes, attitudes to desire and technological changes in film-making.  She joins presenter Matthew Sweet alongside film critics Phuong Le and Christina Newland, and philosopher Heather Widdows. 

Producer Luke Mulhall 

The Paul Mellon Lectures run from on 5 Wednesday nights at the V&A Museum between 18 October to 15 November 2023 
https://www.paul-mellon-centre.ac.uk/whats-on/forthcoming/paul-mellon-lectures-2023/event-group 

You can find a host of Free Thinking episodes exploring film stars including Marlene Dietrich, Asta Nielson and Audrey Hepburn all available to download as Arts & Ideas podcasts and on BBC Sounds.

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