Melvyn Bragg
Birthday: Born in 1939-10-06 in Carlisle, UK
Deathday: Alive
Melvyn Bragg, Baron Bragg, CH, HonFRS, FRSL, FBA (born 6 October 1939), is an English broadcaster, author and parliamentarian. He is best known for his work with ITV as editor and presenter of The South Bank Show (1978–2010), and for the BBC Radio 4 documentary series In Our Time. Earlier in his career, Bragg worked for the BBC in various roles including presenter, a connection that resumed in 1988 when he began to host Start the Week on Radio 4. After his ennoblement in 1998, he switched to presenting the new In Our Time, an academic discussion radio programme, which has run to over 900 broadcast editions and is a popular podcast. He was Chancellor of the University of Leeds from 1999 until 2017. Description above from the Wikipedia article Melvyn Bragg, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
TV Credits
The Adventure of English
Character:
The history of the English language presented by Melvyn Bragg; from its modest beginnings around 500 AD as a minor Germanic dialect to its rise as a global language....
Believe Nothing
Character: Self
Believe Nothing is a British ITV sitcom starring Rik Mayall as Quadruple Professor Adonis Cnut, the cleverest man in Britain, and Oxford's leading moral philosopher. He is paid huge amounts of money for his views consulted by the government but he's bored and wants adventure so he joins the shadowy organization The Council which controls everything going on in the world. Starring alongside Mayall is Michael Maloney as Brian Albumen, Cnut's faithful servant, and Emily Bruni as Dr. Hannah Awkward ...
The South Bank Show
Character: Self - Presenter
The South Bank Show is a television arts magazine show that was produced by ITV between 1978 and 2010. A new series began on Sky Arts from 27 May 2012. Presented by Melvyn Bragg, the show aims to bring both high art and popular culture to a mass audience....
An Audience with...
Character: Self
An Audience with... is a British entertainment television show produced by London Weekend Television, in which a host, usually a singer or comedian, performs for an invited audience of celebrity guests, interspersed with questions from the audience, in a light hearted revue/tribute style....
The Modern World: Ten Great Writers
Character: Self
This documentary series uses drama and commentary to shed light on the lives and works of Joseph Conrad, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, T. S. Eliot, Henrik Ibsen, James Joyce, Franz Kafka, Thomas Mann, Luigi Pirandello, Marcel Proust and Virginia Woolf....
Great Performances
Character: Self
The best in the performing arts from across America and around the world including a diverse programming portfolio of classical music, opera, popular song, musical theater, dance, drama, and performance documentaries....
Movie Credits
Hockney at the Tate
Character: Self
To mark his fiftieth birthday in 1988, London's Tate Gallery staged a major retrospective of his work. Melvyn Bragg joined David Hockney for an exclusive private view of the exhibition and they were filmed discussing pictures from all stages of Hockney's remarkable career....
From the West Down to the East: Billy Bragg on The South Bank Show, March 1985
Character: Self - Presenter
London Weekend Television. Hosted by Melvyn Bragg. First screened in the UK on 31st March 1985....
Sir Norbert Smith: A Life
Character: Interviewer
A mockumentary charting the life and career of the fictitious British actor Sir Norbert Smith....
David Hockney: A Celebration
Character: Self
An intimate portrait of David Hockney, featuring interviews with the artist - one of Britain's most beloved painters - in London and Normandy, and exclusive new footage of a master at work....
David Hockney: In Normandy
Character: self
The celebrated British artist discusses his life and work with Melvyn Bragg in his Normandy studio, revealing his influences, inspirations and plans to keep on painting....
David Hockney: In London
Character: Self
Filmed in his London studio, David Hockney sits down with Melvyn Bragg to discuss his remarkable life and career, illustrated by a wide range of his vibrant and joyous artworks....
Francis Bacon
Character:
Francis Bacon revolutionised figurative painting in the 20th century. The English painter unmasked his subjects in a provocative and ruthless manner. Deformed bodies, grimacing faces and the materiality of colour make us aware of brutality and sexuality, existential abysses and the fears of existence. Author Melvyn Bragg accompanies the painter throughout his day. This begins in his London atelier, leads us on to his favourite pub and ends up in gambling club in Soho....
Vivienne Westwood
Character: Self
Profile of fashion designer, Vivienne Westwood....
Life Beyond the Box: Norman Stanley Fletcher
Character: Himself
Spoof documentary looking at the life of Normal Stanley Fletcher, the star of 1970s sitcom Porridge played by Ronnie Barker. Featuring fictional footage and interviews with the character's family, friends and associates, the film documents Fletcher's chequered career....
Bernard and the Genie
Character: Himself
Bernard Bottle, a mild mannered art buyer, is fired by his greedy boss, abandoned by his girlfriend and discovers a genie in an old bottle. The genie immediately embraces the modern world and helps Bernard on the side....
J.M.W. Turner: Turner at the Tate
Character: Presenter
The works of Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851), one of the best known English Romantic artists, still play a leading role in the art market to this day. Since 1987 the majority of his pictures have been exhibited at the Clore Gallery, a separate building of Tate Britain. Daniel Wiles visits the gallery to explore the life and works of this eccentric artist, and also talks to countless experts and artists in an attempt to establish what it is about William Turner’s pictures that still fas...
Versus: The Life and Films of Ken Loach
Character: Self - Editor and Presenter, South Bank Show
A surprisingly candid behind-the-scenes account of the career of Ken Loach, one of Britain’s most celebrated and controversial filmmakers, as he prepares to release his final major film I, Daniel Blake....
The South Bank Show: John Cleese
Character:
John Cleese is interviewed by Melvyn Bragg in this 1986 episode of The South Bank Show (1978). Cleese speaks of his comedy background, writing for That Was the Week That Was, At Last the 1948 Show and The Frost Report, all which led to Monty Python's Flying Circus, and of Fawlty Towers, which was co-written with his then wife, Connie Booth....
The South Bank Show: Terry Gilliam
Character:
Terry Gilliam is interviewed by Melvyn Bragg in this 1991 episode of The South Bank Show (1978). Gilliam speaks of his history with the British comedy group Monty Python and is joined by Michael Palin in discussing his films including Jabberwocky, Time Bandits, Brazil, The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen and The Fisher King....
The South Bank Show: Spamalot
Character:
Eric Idle is interviewed by Melvyn Bragg in this 2006 episode of The South Bank Show (1978). The surviving members of Monty Python discuss the huge success of Spamalot on Broadway and Eric Idle discusses the history of the musical....
Art Matters
Character: Self
Join Melvyn Bragg for an insightful journey into why “Art Matters,” With a career spanning over 60 years, Bragg passionately advocates for the importance of the arts as he reflects on his early experiences and engages with influential figures from the artistic world....
The Making of Sgt. Pepper
Character: Self - Presenter
This was an official documentary shown on television featuring George Martin taking us through the album tracks and Paul, George and Ringo giving us their memories of the sessions. The Making Of Sgt. Pepper was transmitted in the UK on ITV on 14th June 1992 and featured separate interviews with Paul (filmed on 9th April 1992), George (12th April) and Ringo (19th April). The show also features George Martin playing some unreleased Sgt. Pepper's recordings directly off the original studio 4-track ...
Muse of Fire
Character: Self
Funny, passionate, exciting, and smart: ‘Muse Of Fire’ will change the way you feel about Shakespeare forever. This unique feature documentary follows two actors, Giles Terera and Dan Poole, as they travel the world to find out everything they can about tackling the greatest writer of them all. Together they have directed and produced an inspiring film that aims to demystify and illuminate Shakespeare’s work for everyone: from actors, directors and students of all disciplines, right through to ...
Afro-Cuban All-Stars at the Salon of Dreams
Character: Self
This documentary, shot entirely on location in Havana, includes many band members' insights into this revival, and features performance footage of an All-Stars' concert at the city's Salon of Dreams....
The South Bank Show: Terence Davies
Character: Interviewer
Television documentary about British film director Terence Davies and his film "The Long Day Closes."...
Bernardo Bertolucci and the Making of 'The Last Emperor'
Character: Presenter
Documentary about the making of the film first presented on the British television series "The South Bank Show"....
John Steinbeck: Voice of America
Character: Host/Narrator
Melvyn Bragg travels from Oklahoma to California to examine the enduring legacy of the Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck....
The South Bank Show: The French Lieutenant's Woman
Character: Self - Presenter
1981 episode of London Weekend Television's The South Bank Show examines the film and features interviews with novelist John Fowles, screenwriter Harold Pinter, and director Karel Reisz...
An Interview with Dennis Potter
Character: Interviewer
Dennis Potter a television dramatist talks about his work, politics and his fears for both....
The Tall Guy
Character: Himself
An American actor in England tries to find love and work....
The South Bank Show: Bob Fosse
Character: Self
Interview with director/choreographer Bob Fosse, first shown on British television....
The South Bank Show: William Golding
Character: Host
Interview with the British author, William Golding....
The South Bank Show: Michael Powell
Character: Host
Documentary about British film director Michael Powell...
David Lean: A Life in Film
Character: Narrator
A documentary video that profiles the life of David Lean, the director of Doctor Zhivago and Lawrence of Arabia....
Tennessee Williams: Orpheus of the American Stage
Character: Self
A study of Tennessee Williams's life and work as a whole, ranging from his youth in Mississippi and in St. Louis to success and acclaim, followed by the final difficult years. Includes some of the most celebrated scenes from film adaptations of Williams' work, among them extracts of A Streetcar Named Desire (1951),Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), Night of the Iguana, The (1964), and Suddenly, Last Summer (1993) (TV). Contains footage of Williams being interviewed, including conversations with David...
Ingmar Bergman at 60
Character: Host
Documentary about the Swedish film director, produced for the UK television program "The South Bank."...
Countertenors
Character: Presenter
An LWT South Bank Show, presented by Melvyn Bragg, exploring the phenomenon of countertenor singing. With its unique, soaring beauty, the high male voice is today enjoying a huge resurgence in popularity. Heirs to the celebrated castrati of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, today's countertenors produce their voices by wholly natural means. In this programme international stars Michael Chance, Andreas Scholl and James Bowman, as well as popstar Jimmy Somerville, shed light on the appeal...
R.E.M.
Character: Presenter
A documentary on the band...
The South Bank Show: Roman Polanski
Character: Host
A documentary first presented on the South Bank Show in 1980 about the career of film director Roman Polanski....
The South Bank Show: 'Local Hero'
Character: Host
A documentary about the making of Bill Forsyth's 1983 film "Local Hero."...
Whose Doctor Who
Character: Presenter
Melvyn Bragg presents this 1977 documentary about Doctor Who from BBC2's 'The Lively Arts' strand, featuring extensive behind-the-scenes coverage of the making of The Talons of Weng-Chiang and looking back at the history of the programme and its psychological impact on the viewers, particularly children....
Keppel Road: The Life and Music of the Bee Gees
Character: Self
This documentary traces the lives of Gibb brothers and takes a look through their memories, creating some of the greatest hits in the world as the Bee Gees. Including interviews, archive footage, and new versions of classic songs - all recorded in the lead up to the release of their 'Still Waters' album in 1997....
Roy Lichtenstein
Character: Himself
In this documentary Roy Lichtenstein is interviewed and discusses his life and art work, what influenced him, where his ideas came from, how his art adapted and how and why it changed over time. He discusses the Pop Art movement, a bit, mostly how he was one of a number of artists making art that was then called Pop Art. Also interesting is Lichtenstein tells what different art critics have said about different phases of his art and he shares his personal reactions to their statements. Additiona...
The Most Dangerous Man in Tudor England
Character: Himself - Presenter
Melvyn Bragg explores the dramatic story of William Tyndale and his mission to translate the Bible into English, which made him a threat to the authority of the church and state....
In from the Cold? A Portrait of Richard Burton
Character: Self
Tony Palmer's award-winning feature-length documentary profile of Richard Burton....
The Who: The Kids Are Alright
Character:
Through concert performances and interviews, this film offers us a comprehensive look at the British pioneer rock group, The Who. It captures their zany craziness and outrageous antics from the initial formation of the group in 1964 to 1978. It notably features the band's last performance with long-term drummer Keith Moon, filmed at Shepperton Studios in May 1978, three months before his death....