Reel Life
This Is Your Life Reel Life feature
Daniel Angel This Is Your Life Daniel Angel This Is Your Life Daniel ANGEL

10 February 1958

The film producer - who contracted polio while serving with the Royal Artillery during the Second World War - was already on the stage of the BBC Television Theatre when Eamonn surprised him. He had been led to believe that the subject was to be the actor Kenneth More - who turned up to pay his tribute to Daniel, while comedian Bud Flanagan sent a filmed message.

     
     
  This Is Your Life Big Red Book Anthony KIMMINS

20 March 1961

The film director, playwright, screenwriter, producer and actor - who wrote and directed many of George Formby's best comedies and served in the Royal Navy during both World Wars - was surprised by Eamonn outside the BBC Television Theatre.
His tribute includes a filmed message from actress and singer Evelyn Laye.

     
     
  This Is Your Life Big Red Book Harold FRENCH

27 May 1970

Eamonn surprised the former stage matinee idol who became a successful film director at Thames Television's Euston Road Studios.
Among those paying tribute to Harold - best known for directing the 1940s British films Secret Mission and My Brother Jonathan - are actors Richard Todd and Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

     
     
John Schlesinger This Is Your Life John Schlesinger This Is Your Life John SCHLESINGER

19 November 1980

The Oscar winning film director, who began his career with the BBC, was surprised by Eamonn in London's Covent Garden.
His show includes tributes from the stars of his latest film, Yanks – Richard Gere and Vanessa Redgrave, as well as stars from his earlier work – actors Alan Bates and, in a rare television appearance, Julie Christie.

     
     
Lord Brabourne This Is Your Life Lord Brabourne This Is Your Life Lord BRABOURNE

17 October 1990

During a gala evening for what Thames Television billed as their 501st This Is Your Life, Michael surprised the Oscar nominated film producer at London's Old Brewery, in front of an audience of past subjects.
Lord Brabourne was greeted by actor Peter Ustinov and director Franco Zefferelli, while Michael read aloud a written message from HRH Prince Charles.

     
     
Sydney Samuelson This Is Your Life Sydney Samuelson This Is Your Life Sydney SAMUELSON

15 June 1994

Michael enlisted the help of Richard Attenborough to surprise the UK's first British Film Commissioner and founder of Samuelson's Film Services – the industry's provider of film equipment - at London's Museum of Moving Image.
Among those paying tribute are film director Martin Scorsese and theatre director Peter Brook.

     
     
Freddie Young This Is Your Life Freddie Young This Is Your Life Freddie YOUNG

11 October 1996

One of Britain's most distinguished and influential cinematographers was surprised - at the age of 93 - by Michael at the Odeon cinema in London's Leicester Square at an unveiling of a blue plaque in his honour by actor Peter O'Toole.
Tributes came from, among others, actors Omar Sharif and Rod Steiger and film producer David Puttnam.

     
     
Michael Winner This Is Your Life Michael Winner This Is Your Life Michael WINNER

17 October 2001

The film director turned food critic was surprised by Michael, appropriately, in a central London restaurant. Guests include Chef Marco Pierre White and actors Joan Collins and Michael Caine, and the show includes an emotional tribute to Michael's work with the foundation of the Police Memorial Trust.

     
     
Elmer Bernstein This Is Your Life Elmer Bernstein This Is Your Life Elmer BERNSTEIN

6 February 2003

The American composer - responsible for hundreds of film and television scores and nominated for fourteen Oscars - was surprised by Michael at London's Royal Albert Hall following a concert held to celebrate his 80th birthday year.
His guests include Hollywood film star Charlton Heston, lyricist Don Black and composer John Williams.

     
     
Vic Armstrong This Is Your Life Vic Armstrong This Is Your Life Vic ARMSTRONG

26 June 2003

Michael arranged a hair-raising stunt at Pinewood Studios in order to surprise the well respected Stunt Coordinator and Action Unit director. Vic has worked on some of the biggest movies ever made and is notable for the action sequences of several James Bond films. His show includes tributes from Harrison Ford, Pierce Brosnan and Bond producers Barbara Broccolli and Michael Wilson.

     

* the pre-1970 subjects were surprised by a different coloured book - see the Big Red Book feature for full details