Big Red Book
Celebrating television's This Is Your Life
The new series of This Is Your Life saw the appointment of a new producer - Malcolm Morris, who would steer the programme on and off for the next 20 years.
The ITV listings magazine TV Times celebrated the new series launch with an article looking back at some unexpected moments of the last two series - under the guidance of the previous producer, Robert Tyrell.
The show went global, with two surprises taking place overseas within weeks of each other as the director of an exclusive fashion house in Paris was surprised in the French capital.
And for the first time in the programme's history, the production team travelled beyond Europe - 4000 miles to the Bush country of Southern Kenya - to surprise the co-founder of the Flying Doctors Service.
The brightly coloured intimate sets used in the early Thames series, with their cloth-covered round tables and floral arrangements, often looked cramped. And it wasn't unusual to see guests smoking and drinking on those editions.
New producer Malcolm Morris reviewed the series in another TV Times article.
related pages...
the producers who steered the programme's success
the studio look and locations
the show's fifty year history
Producer Robert Tyrrell reveals some 'cloak and dagger' tactics
New producer Malcolm Morris reveals more behind-the-scenes secrets
| George BEST | Footballer | 17 November 1971 |
| Alfred MARKS | Actor and comedian | 24 November 1971 |
| Rolf HARRIS | Artist and entertainer | 1 December 1971 |
| Don WHILLANS | Rock climber and mountaineer | 8 December 1971 |
| Sacha DISTEL | Singer and guitarist | 15 December 1971 |
| Les DAWSON | Comedian | 22 December 1971 |
| Doris HARE | Actress | 29 December 1971 |
| Keith MICHELL | Actor | 5 January 1972 |
| David FROST | Broadcaster, journalist and entertainer | 12 January 1972 |
| Barry JOHN | Rugby union player | 19 January 1972 |
| Michael FLANDERS | Actor, broadcaster, writer and performer | 26 January 1972 |
| Charlie WILLIAMS | Comedian | 2 February 1972 |
| Ginette SPANIER | Fashion house director | 9 February 1972 |
| Hughie GREEN | Television presenter and actor | 16 February 1972 |
| Tom COURTENAY | Actor | 23 February 1972 |
| Hylda BAKER | Comedienne and actress | 1 March 1972 |
| Gordon BANKS | Football goalkeeper | 8 March 1972 |
| Alan RUDKIN | Boxer | 15 March 1972 |
| Michael WOOD | Doctor | 22 March 1972 |
| Graham KERR | Television chef | 29 March 1972 |
| Pauline COLLINS | Actress | 5 April 1972 |
| Ray ILLINGWORTH | Cricketer | 12 April 1972 |
| Patricia HAYES | Actress | 19 April 1972 |
| Nosher POWELL | Stuntman, actor and former boxer | 26 April 1972 |
| Richard BRIERS | Actor | 3 May 1972 |
| LULU | Singer and actress | 10 May 1972 |
Broadcast details
Thames Television production for ITV26 editions | 26 x 30 minutes
Wednesday | 7.00pm
Production team
Created by: Ralph EdwardsProducer: Malcolm Morris | Directors: Margery Baker, Steve Minchin
Writers: John Sandilands, Jack Crawshaw, Ian Black, Martin Robertson
Researchers: Jack Crawshaw, Alan Haire, Sarah Dickinson, Ian Black, David McFarlane, Valerie Brayden, Martin Robertson
Programme Consultants: Tom Brennand, Roy Bottomley | Production Assistant: Maggi Ricketts | Designer: Sylva Nadolny
Film Director: Royston Mayoh | Film Editor: Tom Adams
Production Team: Ian Black, Valerie Brayden, Jack Crawshaw, Sarah Dickinson, Alan Haire, David McFarlane, Martin Robertson