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Celebrating television's This Is Your Life

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THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Rupert Davies, actor, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews while filming a scene for the television programme Maigret at the BBC Television Centre.

Rupert, who was born in Liverpool, served with the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy during the Second World War. In August 1940, while on a mine-laying mission in the Scheldt Estuary, he was captured and interned in the Stalag Luft III prison camp, where he began taking part in theatrical activities, entertaining his fellow prisoners.

After the war, Rupert pursued an acting career working with Birmingham Rep and the Old Vic theatre companies. His big break came when he landed the role that made him a household name – that of French detective Maigret in the BBC’s television series adapted from the best-selling novels by Georges Simenon.

programme details...

• Edition No: 196
• Subject No: 197
• Broadcast date: Tue 2 Oct 1962
• Broadcast time: 7.55-8.25pm
• Recorded: Mon 24 Sep 1962 8.30pm
• Venue: BBC Television Theatre
• Series: 8
• Edition: 1

on the guest list...

• Dorothy Tutin
• Lt Cdr Gordon Melville
• Capt James Rowland-Hill
• August Seybold
• Robert Laumans
• Orville Spenst
• Jessica - wife
• Andrew Cruickshank
• Donald Pleasence
• Brian Matthew
• Andrew Osborn
• Gareth Slack
• Rinty the dog
• Helen Shingler
• Ewen Solon
• Neville Jason
• Timothy – son
• Hogan – son
• Mrs Davies - mother
Filmed tributes:
• Georges Simenon
• Régine Simenon

related appearances...

• Harry Day - Nov 1961
• Stratford Johns - Oct 1963
• Talbot Rothwell - Dec 1970
• Peter Butterworth - Mar 1975

production team...

• Director: Yvonne Littlewood
• Producer: T Leslie Jackson

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

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Photographs of Rupert Davies This Is Your Life