April 13, 2015 /

“I have played in nine films,’ said Ernest Thesiger, ‘and I am very cross about it…”

1935: From left to right, actors Ernest Thesiger (1879 - 1961), Colin Clive (1898 - 1937), Boris Karloff (1887 - 1969) and Elsa Lanchester (1902 - 1986) Photo via John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images
1935: From left to right, actors Ernest Thesiger (1879 – 1961), Colin Clive (1898 – 1937), Boris Karloff (1887 – 1969) and Elsa Lanchester (1902 – 1986) Photo via John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images

‘There’s no organization in British films,’ Mr. Thesiger continued brusquely as though he had just discovered this alarming fact. ‘Every minute of my life is organized, so I begrudge the idle hours of sitting around the set.’

Now, I remember reading, in his book of memoirs, that Mr. Thesiger has a habit of electrifying his fellow travelers by taking out his crochet work in railway carriages; so, I could not refrain from saying, in a small voice, ‘Why didn’t you take your crochet work with you?’

‘But I always worked on the set,’ he declared without a blush.

‘What did they say?’ I demanded excitedly.

‘Unprintable,’ he sighed.

‘Please, please tell me,’ I begged.

‘————–,’ he answered.

‘Unprintable,’ I agreed.

Excerpt from: Oswell Blakeston, Close Up, July-December, 1930

via Ernest Thesiger The Actor, and for a whole, delicious, exploration of this fabulous character please check out this site dedicated to the life and work of Ernest Frederic Graham Thesiger: ErnestThesiger.org

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CategoriesArt Blogging Books Culture Design Entertainment Film History Hollywood London Memoir Movies Photography Truth & Rumors Uncategorized

TagsErnest Thesiger Ernest Thesiger as Doctor Septimus Pretorius I have played in nine films and I am very cross about it You know him from The Bride of Frankenstein

3 Comments

  1. First Night Design
    April 13, 2015

    Thesiger was worth his weight in needlecraft!

  2. annabelletroy
    April 13, 2015

    I was wondering that, too–why he didn’t crochet or engage in some other pastime to fill in the waiting? Guess I now know why he didn’t crochet…

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