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This soft white wheat (AC Andrew variety) was taken off the land by C. G. Paulgaard Farms as part of this year’s crop in the area. The seeds were planted in May and after the crop was taken off in early September with a yield of 25 bushels per acre, dozens of large round bales sprouted on the land. The bales will be used in the cattle operation at the ranch. ©Provost News Photo.
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A Conversation With Paul Gross
by Writers at The Provost News
On occasion writers at The News may contact people from different places to converse about a variety of topics which may or may not be connected to this area.
Paul Gross
Occupation: actor, writer, director, producer.
Age: ‘Very old’ (age 50 according to a fan website).
Lives at: Toronto and Los Angeles.
You worked hard on the film Passchendaele and starred in it. Did your respect change for the many thousands of Canadian soldiers who served in that campaign as you researched the story?
I had always had a great deal of esteem for the men and boys that served in the Great War, indeed for all our service men and women throughout our military history, so my respect didn’t change in the course of making the movie. But being in conditions that approximated what they endured was astonishing and at least once an hour while we were shooting the battlefield sequences I would think to myself: ‘how did they survive this? What breed of man could survive this?’ So I suppose, to answer your question, the luxury of film making afforded me a tactile understanding of what those men endured.
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Was the film a financial success for you?
You mean did I get rich? No. You don't get rich on Canadian movies. This was a labour of love, one happily undertaken and the money was incidental.
You’ve been busy: Gunless (2010), Eastwick (2009), Passchendaele (2008), The Trojan Horse (2008), Slings & Arrows (2003-2006), H2O (2004), Wilby Wonderful (2004), Men With Brooms (2002), Hamlet (2000), Murder, Most Likely (1999), Alexander The Great (1998), 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (1996), Due South series (1994-1998), Battle of Vimy Ridge (narrator) (1997), Paint Cans (1994), XXXs and 000s (1994), Whale Music (1994), Tales of the City (1993), Buried On Sunday (Northern Extremes) (1993), Aspen Extreme (1993), Gross Misconduct (1993), Married To It (1991), Getting Married in Buffalo Jump (1990), Mars Is Heaven (1990), Cold Comfort (1989), Divided Loyalties (1989), Chasing Rainbows (1988) and Turning to Stone (Concrete Hell) (1985). What was your favourite (above) and why?
That’s an impossible question. At some level I like everything I do, or at least find something about it that redeems the hours spent. Due South was a big part of my life; Passchendaele was possibly the most extraordinarily all-encompassing project, Hamlet is the single greatest role that any actor, if lucky enough, can get to play. I usually pick my jobs based on the challenge and so far I've enjoyed most of what I’ve done.
Can you tell us what you are currently working on?
I’m in LA working on the Warner Brothers lot on a show called Eastwick that airs on the 23rd of September. It’s been a good deal of fun so far — and I play a guy named Darryl Van Horne who has a murky past and strange powers and some people think might be the Devil — it is a wickedly fun part to wander around in.
Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born in Calgary but grew up around the world. My father was a soldier in the Canadian Forces and we bounced around — happily, I might add.
Siblings?
My brother is a computer whiz and will occasionally try and explain to me what it is he does but I have to confess it flies right over my head. He’s a bit of a genius, I think. I’m not.
As a youngster who was your movie or acting hero?
Paul Newman and Spencer Tracy.
Who is now and why?
It’s still Newman and Tracy. Newman because he was the most solid of the movie stars. Tracy because he was the most solid actor.
When you were a boy did you take in the matinees? . . . and then play them out again afterwards with your friends?
Sometimes. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid I remember acting out with pals all over the place. But mostly we acted out WWF wrestling.
How did you get into an acting career?
I stopped doing math in Grade 8 and that forces you into the corner of the arts. I have no visual skill, and lack the patience to be a teacher so acting was really my only option in life.
Where did you go to acting school or study for your profession?
I went to the University of Alberta — a great school for theatre.
What is your goal, or hope as an actor?
I hope only to be allowed to continue doing what I’m doing and to continue enjoying what it is I do.
Are you having fun?
Complete interview and photo in September 9 edition of The Provost News.
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Variety of Activities For ‘Welcome Home Centennial’
• First of Several Planning Meetings Held
The first of several meetings to discuss Provost’s 100th anniversary celebration next summer was held in the town office on Thursday night with 11 people taking part in a two hour session.
The ‘“Welcome Home Centennial” will be staged in town on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 18, 19 and 20.
All of the plans and ideas are preliminary at this stage and events are being looked into. Suggestions to the volunteer group are welcome.
Rest of story in September 9 edition of The Provost News.
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Roof of Provost Medical Centre Being Worked On
Full story in September 9 edition of The Provost News.
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Street Spokesman
This week we ask : "What’s Trickiest About Riding Miniature Horses?"
. . . and we heard answers from Kerry Lakevold, Cody Smith, Megan Wanchuk, Spencer Graling and Bradley Bespalko. Check out the September 9 edition of The Provost News for their answers.
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This, along with many other stories and pictures can be found in this week's edition of The Provost News.
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