Grandpa - Harry Davenport, 1866-1949

Harry’s is a face you might recall seeing, but can’t remember where.  If you’re a classic film fan it might be easier because he had a significant career in the movies of the 1930s and 1940s.   He was almost always cast as a cantankerous old grandpa, a doctor or a judge.  He was a well-respected competent actor with a brilliant sense of comedic timing.  Sadly, I was only 8 years old when he died and because of fractures in the family, my contact with him had been limited.  When my father died in 1969, I came into possession of a lot of family memorabilia and was surprised to find the real story of the family.  Up until then, I had believed my grandfather’s role as Dr. Meade in “Gone With The Wind” was his claim to fame.  That was hardly the case since in total he made over 150 movies and had a distinguished 70-year career in the theater.   He was one of nine children and most of his siblings had careers in the theater as well.  
 
And, just in case you’re curious, never at any time in my life have I experienced even the slightest desire to act.  As a matter of fact, I have an aversion to the theater and don’t even like to go see plays.   I suppose I’m like my Great-Aunt Fanny (yesterday’s blip), but instead of birds, I have a theater phobia.