The BBC’s long running radio programme, DESERT ISLAND DISCS, welcomed ALFRED HITCHCOCK in 1959.

Sadly, only 8 minutes of the Hitchcock episode survives.

“Desert Island Discs” has been running on BBC Radio since 1942. Each guest chooses 8 favorite recordings  to take with them if they were stranded on a desert island. Hitchcock’s musical choice is listed on the BBC website and was mainly classical.

One that he chose was Gounod’s ‘Funeral March of a Marionette’ which became the theme for his TV series, “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”.

When asked by presenter, Roy Plomley, about his next film, the director said,

“I’m planning a psychological film. It’s called PSYCHO and it’s in the nature of, shall we say, a rather gentle horror picture.!”

Roy also asked if Hitchcock would make a brief appearance in the film:

“Oh, I always make a brief appearance, but now, of course in America, one’s visage is so familiar now, that I have to get into the picture and out as quickly as possible, so as not to spoil the story.”

Hitchcock was also asked which of his films was his favorite:

“My favorite is, I think,SHADOW OF A DOUBT because this film  combined many elements – the element of suspense, the element of the local atmosphere of a small town, and quite an amount of characters.”

‘Castaways’ on the program get to choose one book and one luxury item to take with them to the mythical island. Hitchcock chose as his book, “Household Management ” by Mrs. Beaton , written in 1861.

His luxury item  was a Continental Railway Timetable.

Sadly, most of the 40s and 50s editions of Desert Island Discs haven’t survived but I’m planning to listen to at least two – Bebe Daniels and Tallulah Bankhead.