Interview with Douglas Gresham at the C.S. Lewis Symposium

An interview between Dr. Don King and Douglas Gresham.

Biography:
Doug Gresham is an American & British stage and voice-over actor, biographer, film producer, and executive record producer.

He is the last surviving member of the C. S. Lewis family. He is manager of the Lewis estate and executive producer of the three Narnia films. He recently announced a long-term agreement with Netflix, which will produce films and series based on Lewis’ novels beginning in 2019.

Living in Malta, Doug Gresham makes very limited public speaking appearances.

Gresham was born in New York City, the son of writers William Lindsay Gresham and Joy Davidman. William Gresham was the author of Nightmare Alley, the classic of American noir literature, while Joy Davidman was best known for her book Smoke on the Mountain, about the Ten Commandments. The couple was divorced in 1954, and Joy moved to England with her two sons.

Gresham's mother had become friends with C. S. Lewis through correspondence, and the friendship blossomed, eventually leading to marriage in 1956. Gresham's mother died of cancer in 1960, and Lewis continued to raise Douglas and his elder brother David, who is deceased. (Lewis had adopted the boys when he married). Douglas Gresham is a Christian, as were Lewis and his mother.

[calebbowling]

What a powerful life lesson, this man, in one sentence, changed my entire perspective on how I am to live and deal with the many struggles and pains in my life, thank you dearly Mr. Gresham, you have no idea the impact you have had on this near 20 year old man. I heard your voice on the narnia radio theatre my entire life growing up, even up to this day I listen to them as I lay my head down. Having you and your stepfathers influence in my life has mad eme a better man, a better christian, and a better friend. You have helped me see the connection between scripture and life, and how even in fiction, you can praise God and teach both young and old the many truths of life. I am so thankful for you and your family

[nicolesudjono]

Hearing him speaking about Cs Lewis and Tolkien warms me. I love their friendship and they both helped each other for the books they made. Douglas is so blessed to know them both, hope and wishing him well

[mortalclown]

I'll just come out and say it: what a crush I've had on D.G. for decades. What a bright compelling soul he is.

Terrific interview.

[nancycrabtree]

Oh my, how beautifully, masterfully and humbly Doug has managed, for lack of a better word, the legacy of one of the most important authors ever. Doug’s hugely generous soul has not disappeared into the shadows because of this, but shines ever so brightly and delightfully.

[pennyclark]

Hi This is fascinating. I am pleased that I have taken the time to listen to this. Well done to Douglas.

[paulheffron]

I just watched the movie "Shadowlands" last night and this interview showed up. This is a very honest and humble man who has a lot to say about what Christ can do to transform a human life. I couldn't help but notice that he is wearing a watch on each of his wrists. I like what he said about the inability to run one's own life. His style of dress and his boots even add to his charm and character.

[julieshambaugh]

Lovely and life affirming interview with a wise and strong Christian man. May I presume to write that C.S. Lewis would be very pleased. Blessings on Douglas Gresham, his wife and their wonderful and charitable works.

[chrishutchison]

How wonderful to rediscover Doug after all these decades.
Many fond memories of working together during our time at ABCTV in Perth, Western Australia.
Always the consummate professional but more importantly a jolly good fellow!

[ddod]

What an incredible life, Mr. Gresham. Thank you for your generosity in sharing with us. Blessings in Christ to you.

[AnnaMaledonPictureBookAuthor]

That was brilliant. Douglas Gresham is a fascinating man to listen to and I do agree with him about the Americans and the British. They react and praise differently and they like slightly different things in books. I'm also a free-flowing Christian without a church. It used to bother me that I couldn't find one I felt was true, but now I'm fine with it, I don't belong to any.

Here is a little trivia about Joy - her family had Polish and Russian roots, and Jewish too. And they were quite strict and she did exceptionally well at school and entered university at a young age.

[juliawilson]

My life with my brother was very similar. People can't understand unless they lived with someone with extreme mental health difficulties. A healthy sibling can be marginalized because the chaos management is priority.

[PleaseNThankYou]

I want to tell you that my grandchildren of my second child, are avid readers of the NARNIA stories and their beautiful mother reads these family style. Its very nice to be able to share the real authors lifetime stories as well. Thank you for sharing your life with Jack Lewis. He left you a legacy and that is special. Not all parents leave such a life profile behind for their children. Worth so much more than any amount of a financial inheritance. Memories.

[bellabb]

Douglas, you are a fine personality, more than likely because of the influence around you growing up & your experiences. It is obvious you are a man of God!
I love listening to you tell your stories & thank you for sharing.

[blisstickmystic]

How sublime to have a childhood with CS Lewis

[learnenglishwithauntyjeanp]

After many years I am re-reading a book written by his mother. It's called 'Smoke on the Mountain', written before her marriage, as Joy Davidson.
. It is a short, sharp commentary on the 10 Commandments and is almost uncanny because it is so relevant to our current world situation it could have been written yesterday. . She was such a gifted writer and may be it would be a good idea to reprint it. Her son is truly following in his mother's footsteps as well as those of his step-father.

[annchovey]

Douglas, I don’t think it was Jack holding your hand. It was the Holy Spirit.

[deborrastrom]

My grandfather Was a well known writer in his day & wrote : Paradise Lost at around age 11 & was of the temperament of this gentleman. He reminds me of him soo much! He ❤❤ was my favorite mentor & relative & deep thinker > next to CS Lewis. MR.Greshim's eyes light up talking about God /Jesus/ his mom & Jack, as it should be with those we cherish & have lost. He brings a deeper realistic view of Lewis that makes all he has written even more profound.

[joyceanthony-huff]

The supernatural experience Douglas had with God at age 10 when he was about to lose his mother was similar to something that happened to me when I was 29. God showed up! Douglas said his mother lived another four years until he was able to make it without her. God understood a sorrowful 10-year-old boy's heartbreak and stepped in. He did the same for me when I was 29.

[geoffchurchman]

You telling that story about your mother I had a similar experience when my mother died.

[cynthiawebster]

Till We Have Faces is a book I read 30 years ago and there are still vivid images that come to my mind. I must get it out again and see what awaits me.
Thank you for this wonderful interview and finding this connection to the life of one of my favourite authors.