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Celebrating television's This Is Your Life

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THIS IS YOUR LIFE – Leonard Sachs, actor, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews after finishing a business meeting in Belgravia, London.

Leonard, who was born in South Africa, first performed at university before being persuaded by the actor Peter Ridgeway to move to the UK, where he learnt his craft in repertory theatre in Bournemouth, Windsor and Glasgow. In 1936, he co-founded, with Ridgeway, the Players' Theatre in London, which aimed to continue the tradition of presenting music hall entertainment.

After serving with the Royal Artillery during the Second World War, Leonard returned to the Players', where having developed the role of chairman, he became a household name when the concept appeared on BBC television in 1952 as The Good Old Days, while at the same time acting in many television plays and series, notably The Glittering Prizes.

"Oh no! Really? How ridiculous!"

programme details...

• Edition No: 460
• Subject No: 457
• Broadcast date: Wed 9 Mar 1977
• Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
• Recorded: Wed 2 Mar 1977
• Venue: Euston Road Studios
• Series: 17
• Edition: 20
• Code name: Variety

on the guest list...

• members of the Players' Theatre - in audience
• Mike Hall
• Betty Lawrence
• Gervase Farjeon
• Violetta Farjeon
• Joan Sterndale Bennett
• Mary Sterndale Bennett
• Denis Martin
• Reggie Woolley
• Don Gemmell
• Eleanor Summerfield - wife
• Robin - son
• Toby - son
• Teddy Sachs
• Ann Murphy
• Patricia Hayes
• Jean Anderson
• Clarry Stringer
• Joan Shepherd
• Patrick Barr
• Theo Sachs - cousin
• Albert Adam - in audience
• Alice Adam - in audience
• Barney Colehan
• Josie - cousin
Filmed tributes:
• Tom Conti
• Peter Ustinov

related appearances...

• Hattie Jacques - Feb 1963
• Patricia Hayes - Apr 1972
• Peter Ustinov - Nov 1977
• Bill Owen - Jan 1981
• Jean Anderson - Jan 1985

production team...

• Researcher: Debbie Gaunt
• Writers: Tom Brennand, Roy Bottomley
• Directors: Royston Mayoh, Terry Yarwood
• Producer: Jack Crawshaw

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

That's Entertainment

there's no business like it

Mr Crawshaw ... This is your nightmare

Daily Telegraph interview with producer Jack Crawshaw

Jean Anderson

Patricia Hayes

Peter Ustinov

Screenshots of Leonard Sachs This Is Your Life