John Gielgud on The Roots of Lillian Gish
Interview with John Gielgud
Conducted by James Grissom
1991
The birth of cinema has at its center the beautiful Lillian Gish, and I was never able to forget this during all the times we worked together, and I still think upon it when we're talking or having dinner. I can't quite believe that I am with her; that she is so unassuming and sweet a woman, given the power she has had over the creative and visual imagination of this planet.
Lillian defended the cinema from all aspersions, and as spiritual and as committed a Christian as she is, she truly believes that film--particularly silent film--is superior to Scripture in communicating to people. Film is the universal language, the protective center of consciousness.
I do not agree on many things Lillian espouses, but I love her, and I know that she loves me. Her concern is real, and she is the only person on the face of the earth I honestly believe when she tells me that she's praying for me.
Who knows what the roots of Lillian Gish are, but the bud is goodness.
© 2014 James Grissom
I happened to be looking for something about somebody
ReplyDeleteAnd discovered this website
The beauty and poetry of the pictures
The poetry and the beauty of the prose
Have taken me
I hope one day my words have that
I hope one day my prose can do this
Thank you for this and that
Thank you