20 episodes

David Frost was the 20th century’s most prolific interviewer, a master of conversation with a remarkable talent for getting people to open up and spill their souls. Many of his conversations, however, have been lost—until now. Presented by his son, broadcaster Wilfred Frost, in Season One of “The Frost Tapes,” we resurrected interviews covering topics that had astounding relevance with current events in 2020. In Season Two, we’re joining David as he interviews the greatest entertainers of the 20th/21st centuries: Elton John, Elizabeth Taylor, Muhhamad Ali, the Beatles, and more. You can’t hear these interviews anywhere else.

The Frost Tapes Wilfred Frost, David Paradine Productions Ltd

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.8 • 86 Ratings

David Frost was the 20th century’s most prolific interviewer, a master of conversation with a remarkable talent for getting people to open up and spill their souls. Many of his conversations, however, have been lost—until now. Presented by his son, broadcaster Wilfred Frost, in Season One of “The Frost Tapes,” we resurrected interviews covering topics that had astounding relevance with current events in 2020. In Season Two, we’re joining David as he interviews the greatest entertainers of the 20th/21st centuries: Elton John, Elizabeth Taylor, Muhhamad Ali, the Beatles, and more. You can’t hear these interviews anywhere else.

    Episode 9: The Beatles

    Episode 9: The Beatles

    Paul McCartney’s working class roots. The story of George Harrison’s first guitar. John Lennon’s love of Hamburg. Ringo Starr’s big break. (And Pete Best’s not-so-big break.) This… is the story of the world’s greatest band, told to the world’s greatest interviewer.

    • 1 hr
    Episode 8: Muhammad Ali

    Episode 8: Muhammad Ali

    Ten rounds: that’s how many times David Frost would go toe-to-toe with Muhammad Ali. From his days as a young heavyweight champion … to his political activism … to his days as an entertainer, these intimate interviews trace how a simple Kentucky kid became “The Greatest.”

    • 41 min
    Episode 7: Lauren Bacall

    Episode 7: Lauren Bacall

    The dame of Hollywood’s golden age, Lauren Bacall was known for much more than just her so-called "look.” David Frost talks to Bacall about her big break, the eternal problems facing Hollywood, and what she learned from her famous marriage with Humphrey Bogart.

    • 44 min
    Episode 6: Michael Caine

    Episode 6: Michael Caine

    One of the most prolific actors of our time, Michael Caine survived the Blitz of London in WW2 as a child, fought in the Korean War himself and then spent years struggling to make it as an actor. Here’s the story of how a plain-spoken cockney boy became one of the world's greatest headliners.

    • 48 min
    Episode 5: Jane Fonda

    Episode 5: Jane Fonda

    David Frost would interview prime ministers and presidents, sultans and singers. But his first interview ever was with Jane Fonda. She'd always have a special place in Frost's life. As their stars rose during the 1970s, he’d discuss her controversial political activism, her acting career, and her philosophy of what made somebody truly successful.

    • 42 min
    Episode 4: Sammy Davis Jr.

    Episode 4: Sammy Davis Jr.

    David Frost did thousands of interviews during his lifetime. But his favorite person to talk to was the singer, dancer, actor, comedian, and impressionist: Sammy Davis Jr. These interviews—many of which have been lost for more than 50 years—show exactly why Sammy was simply known as “Mister Show Business.”

    • 42 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
86 Ratings

86 Ratings

PeterE65 ,

Great find from Times

Great article in today’s Times made me binge series 1. Great presentation obviously runs in the Frost family and is a great homage to Wilf’s Dad. Shame that the current PM and his acolytes can’t face such rapier like questions today but is great to hear David Frost in his pomp and us an excellent background to understanding modern America. Brilliant find!

Hereheresohere ,

Constant interjections

The wonderful interviews are ruined by the host constantly reminding us it was his ‘dad’. Just stop interjecting and let the interviews be heard. As an archive of Frost this would be great, his sons constant unnecessary interjections annoys.

Anklemania ,

Sensationally good

This is a truly wonderful and timely series of podcasts. Beautifully produced and researched, Wilfred Frost deftly weaves together these archive gems. What’s remarkable is - as Frost Jr observes - how much resonates with today’s fractured US landscape, on race and women and culture wars. What’s striking however is how civilised the discourse usually is: opponents allow each other the time to speak and respectfully hear each other out, and answer in a way that is substantive and illuminating. No doubt this says much about David Frost’s style - my god he’s good - but it also underlines how debased things have become these past four years. Weirdly though I find this comparison cause for optimism: a divided America is nothing new, and indeed arguably the tensions currently on display are those that are absolutely embedded in the “American experiment”. Things got better then, and surely we have to believe that they will get better now - the whole point of democracy is that it can respond to a fever and apply the necessary remedy before things get out of hand.

Recommended!

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