In Their Own Words

In a selection of interviews ranging from 1958 to 1987, Bette Davis talks about visiting England; her career as a star; the film studio's attempts to change her name and image, and the Hollywood film system.

Interviews include: Profile, BBC TV (first broadcast 12 September 1958); Bette Davis at the NFT, BBC TV (first broadcast 17 December 1972); Kaleidoscope, BBC Radio (first broadcast 11 September 1974); Parkinson, BBC TV (18 October 1975); Nine Five, BBC TV (first broadcast 31 October 1975); Woman's Hour, BBC Radio (first broadcast 12 September 1979); Arena, BBC TV (first broadcast 2 November 1983).

Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary.

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In interviews ranging from 1972 to 2000, Brian Clough talks about 'the real Brian Clough' - how he is perceived by other people; his bluntness and forceful opinions, and what makes him a good football manager. He also discusses the prospect of becoming an MP; his dream job; football hysteria and hooliganism; his childhood and mother's death; and being imitated by Mike Yarwood. In addition, he considers what people may say about him after his death; buying football players and having managerial ability, as well as sport on TV; leaving Nottingham Forest, and his very public falling out with Peter Taylor.

Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary.

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In interviews ranging from 1975 to 1990, Margaret Thatcher talks about being a woman in politics; managing men and women; her response to the media attacks she received in the early days of her career, and the importance of wearing the right clothes. She also recalls her memories of home, including working in her father's grocery shop; the radio and TV programmes she enjoyed (including The Two Ronnies) and following sports like cricket and tennis.

Also mentioned are her first meeting with her future husband Denis; her worries about her son Mark when he went missing in the Sahara desert; her interest in science, and her love of porcelain and sculpture. Lastly, she discusses her stamina and her worst moment as Prime Minister (during the Falklands War).

Interviews include: Jimmy Young, BBC Radio 2 (first broadcast 19 February 1975); Pete Murray's Late Show, BBC Radio 2 (first broadcast 7 March 1982); Radio interview for Central Office of Information, BBC Radio (first broadcast 13 December 1985); Favourite Things, BBC One (26 July 1987); Wogan, BBC One (first broadcast 12 January 1990); Woman's Hour, BBC Radio 4 (first broadcast 17 May 1990).

Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary.

©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

In interviews ranging from 1960 to 1972, Noël Coward talks about being a legend; whether he is a cynical writer; his early days in acting and about his early reputation for upsetting fellow actors on stage. He also discusses acting with Laurence Olivier; his affection for the Navy; his film-making; his knighthood, and writing 'Private Lives' for his friend Gertrude Lawrence.

Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary.

©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

In interviews ranging from 1968 to 2009, Paul McCartney talks about touring the UK with Wings (which was then a new band); a mid-70s offer to re-form the Beatles; the early days of the Beatles, and their final break-up. He also discusses his solo albums; receiving the freedom of the City of Liverpool; Christmas with his family; his love of music, and his career since the break-up of the Beatles up to 2009.

Interviews include: The World at One, BBC Radio 4 (first broadcast 24 March 1968); Woman's Hour, BBC Radio 4 (first broadcast 24 February 1972); archive interview, BBC Radio (first broadcast 1 June 1972); Insight, BBC Radio 1 (11 April 1976); Rock On, BBC Radio 1 (first broadcast 23 December 1978); archive interview, BBC Radio (first broadcast 18 April1982); The World at One, BBC Radio 4 (first broadcast 28 November 1984); archive interview, BBC Radio (first broadcast 15 December 1985); archive interview, BBC Radio (first broadcast 12 May 1989); archive interview, BBC Radio (first broadcast 15 December 1982); Parkinson Meets Paul McCartney, BBC 1 (first broadcast 3 December 1999); Sold on Song, BBC Radio 2 (first broadcast 17 September 2005); Johnnie Walker's Sounds of the Seventies, BBC Radio 2 (first broadcast 30 August 2009).

Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary.

©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

In interviews ranging from 1972 to 1989, Roald Dahl talks about writing for children; his medical inventions to aid his ailing son and wife (the actress Patricia Neal) when they were seriously ill, and writing his short stories. He also covers his school days; military service; writing for films (including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) and the link between cruelty and laughter.

These archive recordings, many of which have not been heard since they were first transmitted, open a window into the past and shine a light on the one of the icons of our time.

Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary.

©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

In interviews ranging from 1963 to 2009, Shirley Bassey talks about her childhood in Tiger Bay; being a tomboy, and how she began her singing career. As well as clothes, concerts and controversially performing in Sun City (South Africa) she also talks in detail about her long career in show business.

Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary.

©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd