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Desert Island Discs

Castaway guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Desert Island Discs: Neil Simon

14/05/1995

Neil Simon

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Neil Simon

Sue Lawley's castaway is playwright Neil Simon

Sue Lawley's castaway is playwright Neil Simon.

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is one of America's most successful playwrights. Since he opened Come Blow Your Horn on Broadway in 1961, Neil Simon has written at least a play a year, and they include Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple, Plaza Suite, Lost in Yonkers, as well as the hit musicals Sweet Charity and They're Playing Our Song.

He'll be telling Sue Lawley about his childhood in the Bronx, his days in the army, and how as one of New York's most famous literary sons, he now spends most of his time in Los Angeles.

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

Favourite track: A Foggy Day by Fred Astaire
Book: How To Swim
Luxury: Large harmonica

BBC Radio 4

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

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics, as broadcast on BBC Radio 4 from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics. Over 900 programmes, as broadcast from 1946 – 2004.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: Rockefeller and Britannica

Rockefeller and Britannica

BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, Rockefeller and Britannica

The factors causing difficulties for Encyclopedia Britannia and the Rockefeller Centre.

With the Encyclopaedia Britannica and the Rockefeller Centre both experiencing financial difficulties, Alistair Cooke looks at the problems faced by both institutions.

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