I'm starting a new project. My aunt has a suitcase of her father's papers. Her father was Hollywood actor Paul Morgan Genge, best known for his role as Mike in the movie Bullit (1968). My aunt has been meaning to go through his papers for decades now. What is our responsibility to the legacy of our parents? What of value and to whom might we find? My aunt has asked me to help her with the latter question in the months following her diagnosis of stage four pancreatic cancer. I told her I would help her and document the process on my blog. Sometimes all we need is a deadline to get a project moving. Today was the first step. Taking out and opening the suitcase. The next step is sorting through and organizing the papers--letters, manuscripts, published writings, notebooks, daily calendars, random notes, among other things.
Great project. Now I know who to leave my writings to when the time comes.
ReplyDeleteFascinating project. Trust there may be a historical society that wants the original documents as well.
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ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI have been doing some research on the life and career of actor Paul Genge 1913-1988).I particularly enjoyed his performance in the FBI Story (1959) with James Stewart. I have started a Facebook Page;
https://www.facebook.com/Paul-Morgan-Genge-1913-1988-1565713663731889/
to help chronicle some of the highlights of his career in Televison and motion pictures. I am aware that he started off on Broadway in 1936 appearing opposite Leslie Howard and Olivia De Havilland in HAMLET. His first television appearance was at age 40 in a 1953 episode of MAN AGAINST CRIME.I have often wandered why he left acting when he did (His last role was in a 1975 episode of Sandburg's Lincoln with Hal Holbrook) , as he had a unique presence in each of the roles he portrayed. Although he was always a supporting actor and often had no lines he worked with some of the best known actors of the period (James Stewart, Cary Grant, Dana Andrews) on films that are now classics that define the golden age of Hollywood. I would love to see what you uncover in his suitcase, as I would love to learn more about his life and career.
Best.
Sincerely,
Jacob Hall.