STOP THE WORLD - IT'S ANTHONY NEWLEY
In a special series to mark his 75th birthday (24th September 2006), BBC Radio 2 delves into the complex life and career of a legendary British entertainer.
Listen again to the most recent part on our Documentaries page
Newley fan Jonathan Ross shares his own passion for the boy from Hackney in the East End of London. Newley earned fame and fortune around the world, but was, despite his many accomplishments, strangely dissatisfied with his life.
Jonathan says: "For the next four weeks on Radio 2, we're celebrating the career of a man, I think was a genius. So take your seats for Stop The World, It's Anthony Newley."
Anthony Newley (1931-1999) was an amazing mixture of talents - actor, singer, songwriter, recording star, musical star of the West End and Broadway, and film star.
The series will include a previously unbroadcast Newley interview, and rare recordings from across his career.
Programme 1 - the Pop Star (8 September)
Celebrates Newley's 139 weeks on the UK charts in the late 50s and early 60s including his two number one records - Why? And Do You Mind? - and his
re-working of folk songs like 'Strawberry Fair' and 'Pop Goes The Weasel.'
Programme 2 - the Musical Star (15 September)
How Newley took the West End and Broadway by storm as the co-writer and star of two classic 60s musicals - 'Stop The World - I Want To Get Off' and 'The Roar of the Greasepaint - the Smell of the Crowd' featuring songs that have become standards like What Kind of Fool Am I?, Once In A Lifetime, On A Beautiful Day Like Today, and Who Can I Turn To?.
Programme 3 - the Film Star (22 September)
A child star as the 'Artful Dodger' in David Lean's 1948 classic 'Oliver Twist', Newley became a regular in 50s British films before later going to Hollywood in 'Dr Dolittle' and directing his own epic, 'Can Hieronymous Merkin and Mercy Humppe Ever Find True Happiness'.
Programme 4 - the Entertainer (29 September)
The Las Vegas years when Newley earned millions and the adulation of fellow performers like Sammy Davis Jr, Liza Minelli and Tony Bennett before returning to Britain in the early 90s, almost forgotten. What is Newley's legacy and how should he be remembered?
The series will climax in a special edition of Friday Night is Music Night on 29th September presented by Michael Ball, showcasing all the songs and music strongly associated with Anthony Newley.
