Born in August, 1911 (just 3 days after Robert Taylor, who also had a centenary last year), my grandfather and Ty Power were very much of the same generation. With Ty being born in 1914, only 3 years separated him from my grandfather, so they would have been roughly the same age and wearing the same kinds of fashions during those "golden years."
Though Ty died in 1958, he was still very much a household name when I was growing up in the 60's. I remember conversations around my grandparents' dinner table, wherein the "grown-ups" would talk about how people were always telling my grandfather he resembled Tyrone Power. Of course, in those days, I had no idea who Power, but when I got into classic films and discovered Mr. Power for myself, I immediately thought he bore an uncanny resemblance to my beloved "Pap" (who wore a suit and hat pretty much every day during my growing-up years). Suddenly, those conversations--which were locked in the long-term memory part of my brain---came flooding back, and I remembered the way my grandfather would just sit and smile silently as the others at the table talked about his resemblance to Power. I even asked my parents if they remembered the comparisons and if they thought Pap looked a bit like Ty Power; their answer was "yes" on both counts.
Most of the photos I have of my grandfather are from the 70's and 80's...after he had lost his hair. Since Ty died at 44 and never had a chance to age and lose his hair, the resemblance between the men is in their younger years...especially when they are wearing hats.
Another shot of Ty with a hat
And here is my hat-wearing grandfather in early 1940.
I wish I had snapshots of my grandparents from these years, but, unfortunately, my family wasn't good about keeping things and passing them down to the next generation. However, I do have my grandparents' home movies from the 40's and 50's, and I am able to capture shots. Most of the time, though, Pap was the one operating the camera, so while there are plenty of scenes with my dad, grandmother, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, there are very few with him. This one, though---from Easter 1940---I think captures quite well the resemblance between him and Tyrone Power. What do y'all think? Do you see the resemblance?
Because I look at Ty Power and see (and remember) my beloved grandfather, I can't help but love him. He will forever and always serve to bring my precious Pap to mind, and for that reason alone, he will always have a very special place in my heart.
What a lovely post and I'm happy to agree, there is a definite resemblance.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great Sunday.
Oh, how fun that you can see the resemblance too, Paul. Really, I can NEVER look at Ty Power without seeing my grandfather. And in the movie "The Long Gray Line" (which I intend to review soon), they age Power to about 75 years...he's gray and with a mustache. I actually tear up when I see him that way, as in his final 5 years of life, my grandfather wore a mustache...which, of course, was gray. They grayed Ty's hair instead of making him bald (like my grandfather was in his 60's and 70's), but when he had his hat on in the film, all I saw was my grandfather. It is always a deja-vu moment for me.
DeleteThat is beautiful tribute to your grandfather and Tyrone Power, Patti. Thank you very much for sharing your memories and this precious private photo!
ReplyDeleteOh, you are very welcome, Irene. I'm glad you enjoyed the story and the photo.
DeleteI so love this post, and the connection between the two. That is something special, and I can see how you would think of your grandfather whenever Tyrone Power comes on. And they do indeed look alike!
ReplyDeleteOh, Deb, I'm glad you can see the resemblance as well. I was watching "Blood and Sand" the other night and was quite freaking out at how much they resembled each other. I don't always like Power's characters, as they are often womanizers, but I always have a soft spot for the man himself.
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