I Was... - David Lean's Boy Star

Andrew McGibbon analyses great artists at a significant time in their careers but from the perspective of someone who worked for them, inspired them, employed them or even did their job for them while no one was looking. John Howard Davies played Oliver Twist in David Lean's 1948 black and white classic. For the eight-year old boy on a film set for the first time in his life, surrounded by the likes of Alec Guinness, Robert Newton and Anthony Newley it was an exciting and dizzying break from the privations of a post war childhood. Nevertheless the fame that followed the success of the film did not suit John and he struggled for many years afterward to adjust. With authentic insights into the making of the film, fresh views on the legendary actors John reveals a fascination and respect for David Lean that led him to chose a similar career path to his mentor - that of a director and producer of some of the BBC's most classic comedies in the seventies. Featuring contributions from producer Ronald Neame and biographer Kevin Brownlow. Producers: Andrew McGibbon and Nick Romero A Curtains For Radio production for BBC Radio 4.