Donald Crisp

I have been looking through the archives and found this about Donald
crisp:

The Mail on Sunday (UK) this weekend are claiming that Donald Crisp was
a
devious hoaxer who lied about his birthplace of Aberfeldy, Scotland.
Rather
than the venerable Scot he played in X hundred movies, they claim he
was in
fact a cockney from the Bow Bells in London. Great story, but if true
why would
anyone attempt to pass themselves off as Scottish particularly during
the
silent era? Did he foresee great success ahead as a character actor?
Has anyone
heard his 'Welsh' accent in How Green Was My Valley? OK not a silent,
but come
on what is the point in passing yourself off as Scottish when it held
no
particular bonus back in 1909?

So if any of you are out there that took part in this thread.

I can actually confirm for you that he was a true cockney. Why he
pretended he was scottish I will never know.

Take care
Blue

> I can actually confirm for you that he was a true cockney. Why he
> pretended he was scottish I will never know.
>
> Take care
> Blue
>
>


Could be he was ashamed of his humble roots and birthplace. Those were very
snobbish times.

David Niven was another who went through life claiming he was a Scot and
had been born in Scotland, actually after he died it was revealed that he
had been born in London, England. His main Scottish connection seemed to
have been that he served in a Highland regiment during the war. (You do
not have to be Scottish to serve in Scottish regiments in the UK).

Singer Rod Stewart is usually referred to as a Scot. He too was born in
London.

There always has always been a certain mystique to the Scots who seem to
have a natural ability for leadership and organization. They usually seem
to appear in the upper level of executives in large British companies.

Old British joke :-

A Scottish businessman made his first trip to England for a business
conference - on his return his friends asked - "... and what did you of the
English?". He replied "Oh, I didn't meet any. I was just dealing with
management."

Dave in Toronto (Of Welsh descent)