HILDA ON GEORGE - QUOTE...UNQUOTE

Hilda Barrow's thoughts on her movie sound pioneer brother, George Groves. Hilda was interviewed between 1995-6 whilst campaigning for recognition of George's achievements. She was 92 years old.

George Groves and sister Hilda Barrow pictured in Las Vegas c.1974

George As A Lather Boy In His Dad's Barber's Shop

He and cousin Charlie used to be lather boys. In those days they used to shave the men with a razor. So that the men would be ready to be shaved, they had what they called a lather boy to lather the faces ready for shaving. Both George and Charlie were not tall enough to stand up and reach the men's faces, so they had to stand on boxes.

There was great rivalry again between the two of them to see who could put the most lather on the faces. Whether the men liked having their faces plastered with lather like the boys did, I don't know, but the boys got great fun out of it!

George Playing The French Horn At Bell Labs

He played the French horn. He was adept at playing the cello; he could play most instruments but the French horn played the perfect note. So that was the first thing that was filmed.

They [Bell Labs] filmed George playing the French horn synchronising the sound and the film on disc and that was the first breakthrough.

Hilda Tells Of Her Brother George's Death In 1976

He had numerous heart attacks and had a pacemaker and he was very proud of that pacemaker and he used to get his friends to put their hand on his chest to feel that pacemaker. But in the end he had a very severe heart attack and that was it. The end of a really marvellous life.

He'd brought sound to the silent screen and made so many people famous. Warner Bros. became famous and Al Jolson became famous for all the pictures that he made.

Hilda On Her Campaign To Honour Her Brother George

I had a nice letter from them [British Film Institute] and they agreed that George should be honoured. I've been working on this for two years and I want something done while I am still alive.

I hope I'm still alive. I'm fighting to have him honoured while I am still alive.

The Realisation Of Hilda's Campaign To Honour George

Three years ago I decided that George should be honoured and today is the culmination of those three years. I feel that it's been such a wonderful day and the highlight of my life to feel that he has been so honoured.

(interviewed at the reception after the plaque unveiling at George's birthplace on 22/6/1996)

NEXT PAGE - George Groves Photo-Albums