Whaddaya Know?

August 20, 2009

David Thewlis in Life is Sweet

David Thewlis in Life is Sweet

bob

Bob from London

When I first noticed actor David Thewlis in Mike Leigh’s Life is Sweet (see it if you can find it), I knew there was something about him I liked. Until recently I thought it was because he resembled Bob, a guy I met in London to whom I was a little attracted.

I’ve seen many films that Thewlis has been in and have always liked his performance when I do. Even Naked. (another good, but disturbing film to watch)

boy_in_the_striped_pyjamas_xl_05--film-A

A scene from The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

I knew he played the Nazi father in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and I knew he’d do it well because he is a good actor. It can’t be easy playing someone as hated as a Nazi, especially one who sent so many people to their deaths. I cannot say that I liked the film (I didn’t like the book), but I liked his performance.  He plays a loving but preoccupied (and naive) father who is also a Nazi death camp commandant. 

Grandpa Green walking in Elgin

Grandpa Green walking in Elgin

In one scene he talks to his children about how they like life at their new home. I kept on looking at the character he played and was sure I’d seen that face before. Yeah, it was David Thewlis, but I finally knew who he reminded me of. No, it wasn’t Bob.

He resembled another man — one of the all time favorite men in my life: Grandpa Green. Of course it is the haircut, and the set of the lips and the chin. Maybe the nose too. I imagine the photo of my grandfather is from around the time of World War II. I’ll have to watch the Harry Potter films again to see if I see Grandpa in Lupin (Hmm, another werewolf).

By Dona | Posted in celebrities, family | Tagged , | Comments (4)

Grandma and Grandpa Green (and Chubby) February 1972

May 7, 2008

On Christmas 1971 my grandparents were given a tape recorder. They lived about 7 hours away from the rest of their family and used the tape recorder to send greetings to their children and their families. Here is one we received February 1972.

Grandpa’s introduction:

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Me and my Shadow
Grandma and Chubby (their beagle)

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Grandpa thanking us for his birthday gifts

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Grandma’s turn to talk

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Skip to My Lou
Grandma and Chubby

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Are You Taping this? Stop!
Grandma

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Hee Haw
Grandpa

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Grandma again

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Millie and the poker game
Grandpa

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When we’re coming to town and other topics
Grandma

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There’s a Rainbow on my Shoulder (?)
Grandma and Chubby

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On Top of Old Smokey
Grandma and Chubby

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Goodbye
Grandma and Grandpa

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By Dona | Posted in family | Tagged , , | Comments (3)

Thoughts of Grandpa Green

January 8, 2008

Grandpa GreenLast week I started to scan and upload to Flickr a collection of photographs I took from my mom’s house this summer. I know only one person in the batch I uploaded – my grandfather, seen right.

I cannot say how old he was in this photo. I thought it might be his graduation photo, but then I realized I have his wedding photo, and he looks a bit older here.

I’ve written extensively about my Grandpa Green, how he helped shape my character and helped foster a love of reading. And even how he wrote a poem about me when I was born. There really isn’t much more to say.

He was a quiet man who liked to read, play solitaire, drink beer and golf. He was a crossword puzzle wizard. He hated salads (said they made his nose wiggle) and wore a folded tissue under his wristwatch (to keep the ticks off, he said). I loved him. He was only 63 when he died – possibly an indirect result of his dislike of salad. I was 16.

By Dona | Posted in family | Tagged , , | Comment (1)