Big Red Book

Celebrating television's This Is Your Life

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THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Ray Milland, actor, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews outside Thames Television's Euston Road Studios.

Ray, who was born Alfred Reginald Jones in Neath, Wales, worked as a miner at the local colliery before joining the Household Cavalry, having learnt to ride while working on his uncle's horse-breeding farm as a youth. After leaving the Army in 1928, he found work as an extra in several British film productions before being spotted by an American producer who invited him to Hollywood for a screen test.

This led to a nine-month contract with MGM and then a seven-year deal with Paramount, where he remained for almost 20 years. He starred in such films as The Major and the Minor, The Big Clock, and the 1945 Billy Wilder drama The Lost Weekend, which won him the Academy Award for Best Actor. After leaving Paramount, Ray began directing and later moved into television.

"If I'd known this was happening... I'd have worn a hairpiece!"

programme details...

• Edition No: 416
• Subject No: 413
• Broadcast date: Wed 19 Nov 1975
• Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
• Recorded: Wed 15 Oct 1975
• Venue: Euston Road Studios
• Series: 16
• Edition: 2
• Code name: Sunshine

on the guest list...

• Mal - wife
• Danny - son
• Vicky - daughter
• Beryl - sister
• Enid - sister
• Reginald - nephew
• Courtney - nephew
• Levi Bowater
• Ben Johns
• Fred Herrett
• Bill Powell
• Estelle Brody
• Janet Hoffman
• Jan Sterling
• Lowell - son-in-law
• Travis - grandson
• Michael - nephew
Filmed tributes:
• Dorothy Lamour
• Bob Hope
• Frankie Howerd

related appearances...

• Bob Hope - Nov 1970
• Frankie Howard - Oct 1976
• Anna Neagle - Mar 1983

production team...

• Researchers: Marilyn Gaunt, Maurice Leonard
• Writers: Tom Brennand, Roy Bottomley
• Director: Royston Mayoh
• Executive Producer: Jack Andrews
• Producer: Jack Crawshaw

• names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

The Glamorous Life

Hollywood in the spotlight

Bob Hope

Screenshots of Ray Milland This Is Your Life