David Niven on Desert Island Discs 1977 with Roy Plomely

Great interview with David Niven which I have expanded with some extra music (see below). Hope everyone likes it? Please leave some comments if you so wish.

Around the World in Eighty Days/Victor Young
The Third Man/Anton Karas
The Charge of the Light Brigade/Max Steiner
Seperate Tables/Vic Diamone
Sunset Boulevard/Franz Waxman
Casion Royale/Burt Bacharach
The Guns of Navarone/Dimitri Tiomkin

[victoriaclark]

The Moons a Balloon and Bring on the Empty Horses are amazing autobiographies, they tell you how many of the Hollywood "Legends" really were.

[helenalldridge]

If someone said to me who would you like to go out for a meal with it would be David Niven. Real gentleman and very classy. I know I'd have an interesting night xxx😊

[DarrenCrowhurst-hh]

Thank you for this upload of one of my favourite people and my favourite radio show. Your additional music was enchanting and perfectly suitable.

[markhayward]

David Niven should have won an Oscar for "Around The World In 80 Days". The film (a rather baggy travelogue overstuffed with cameos) is carried by his commanding performance as Phineas Fogg. The Oscar he did win for "Separate Tables" (and a performance of no more than 15 minutes) was less deserved, i think. It was a consolation prize for having missed out previously.

This interview with Roy Plomley plays to Niven's strengths as a self-deprecating, charming raconteur. A quintessential English gent of a type that was already uncommon in his lifetime

[HaydnGuite]

For me, he's the Vincent Van Gogh of the acting profession. This man was hugely talented and always bought to his work a fabulous performance. For me, he'll always be Sir Charles Lytton in the first Pink Panther film. Thanks for the memories Mr Niven ❤ 😊

[davidbrims]

David Niven’s son said the older his father got the anecdotes, tall tales, got better and better.

[danielmontana]

I think it’s right by just films around the world in 80 days such an entertaining film, just makes you feel better about life and the last of the Golden days of Hollywood . Where are today’s David Niven or Errol Flynn “s

[minik]

Still enjoy his movies. A classy, witty man.

[SpiritintheSky.]

Around 1980 I had the good fortune to meet Mr Niven very briefly when I was working at London (Heathrow) Airport. But, unfortunately, I was caught somewhat off guard by his arrival and he gave me a quizzical look, no doubt with good reason. Ever since, I've regretted not being more alert (as he would have expected of me from his military days). It wasn't a mistake I would have made a second time!
For the record, he was a frequent user of Terminal One, where he was held in the greatest esteem by the porters.

[owengreene]

David wasn't a good actor, which he freely atmitted. But what a charming man. And yes, he would be top of my list to invite for a drink

[wilfredwilde]

When war broke out he was living in a bungalow in Hollywood with Errol Flynn.
He dropped everything to serve in the war and Flynn stating he had me allegiance to England stayed .
He served in the SOE and used to train in Richmond Park using Pembroke Lodge as the HQ.
I think he was a Lt Col by the end of the war .
He tried for the RAF first but his eyesight let him down .
The papers got wind of it and the headline for the A lister read “ Niven snubs Army for RAF “
He was a brave man and had a great life and to the person who says he wasn’t a good actor just watch “ A matter of life and death “

[tancreddehauteville]

Brilliant actor during Hollywood's golden age. Should have played Bond - he was ideal for the role, but unfortunately around 10-15 years too old.