Big Red Book
Celebrating television's This Is Your Life
The decision to relaunch This Is Your Life proved immensely popular and had wide-ranging implications, as the programme's success in the ratings prompted the show's creator, Ralph Edwards, to visit the production team from Hollywood before reviving his version for US Television.
This second Thames series introduced the familiar Big Red Book, which would become the programme's icon, with its distinctive gold embossed lettering.
The new style book was first seen in a rare two-part tribute featuring British-born entertainer Bob Hope - though ironically, the edition was broadcast in black and white due to a technicians' strike!
A new opening sequence had the four words This Is Your Life springing one word at a time into the screen as the brassy tones of 'Gala Performance' created an air of excitement and mystery around the subject's identity.
And history was made when Eamonn Andrews declared: 'For the first time ever, I'm saying for the second time, This Is Your Life' as Manchester United manager Matt Busby became the show's first subject to be surprised twice.
related pages...
the programme's icon
surprised again!
the iconic titles and theme tunes
the show's fifty year history
The return of This Is Your Life
The Stage previews the new series
Eamonn Andrews: This Is Your Other Life...
TV Times article on Eamonn Andrews
Producer Robert Tyrrell reveals some 'cloak and dagger' tactics
| Bob HOPE | Actor, comedian and entertainer | 18 November 1970 |
| Bob HOPE | 25 November 1970 | |
| Vidal SASSOON | Hairstylist | 2 December 1970 |
| Talbot ROTHWELL | Screenwriter | 9 December 1970 |
| Mike and Bernie WINTERS | Comedy double act | 16 December 1970 |
| Joe BROWN | Singer and musician | 23 December 1970 |
| Patrick CAMPBELL | Journalist and television personality | 30 December 1970 |
| Bobby MOORE | Footballer | 6 January 1971 |
| Robert SOUTTER | Ambulance driver | 13 January 1971 |
| Graham HILL | Racing driver | 20 January 1971 |
| Sandy POWELL | Comedian | 27 January 1971 |
| Edward WOODWARD | Actor | 3 February 1971 |
| Moira LISTER | Actress | 10 February 1971 |
| Dickie HENDERSON | Entertainer | 17 February 1971 |
| Wilfred PICKLES | Actor and radio presenter | 24 February 1971 |
| Kenny BALL | Jazz musician | 3 March 1971 |
| Marjorie PROOPS | Journalist and agony aunt | 10 March 1971 |
| Basil D'OLIVEIRA | Cricketer | 17 March 1971 |
| Clive DUNN | Actor | 24 March 1971 |
| Peter NOONE | Singer and actor | 31 March 1971 |
| Monica DICKENS | Writer | 7 April 1971 |
| Jon PERTWEE | Actor, comedian and entertainer | 14 April 1971 |
| Lionel JEFFRIES | Actor and film director | 21 April 1971 |
| Adam FAITH | Singer and actor | 28 April 1971 |
| Googie WITHERS | Actress | 5 May 1971 |
| Matt BUSBY | Football manager | 12 May 1971 |
Broadcast details
Thames Television production for ITV26 editions | 26 x 30 minutes
Wednesday | 7.00pm
Production team
Created by: Ralph EdwardsProducer: Robert Tyrrell | Directors: Margery Baker, Steve Minchin
Writers: John Sandilands, Jack Crawshaw, John Stapleton, Mary McAnally, Janette Carn, Phil McDonnell, Lawrie Wyman, George Evans
Researchers: Alan Haire, Jack Crawshaw, John Stapleton, Mary McAnally, Janette Carn, Martin Robertson, Sarah Dickinson
Programme Consultants: Tom Brennand, Roy Bottomley | Production Assistant: Mary Ellis | Designer: Nevil Dickin
Production Team: Janette Carn, Jack Crawshaw, Alan Haire, Mary McAnally, Martin Robertson, John Stapleton