Giles Family
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The Giles family is a fictional British family created by cartoonist Carl Giles at the end of World War II, appearing first on 5 August 1945.[1] During the war, much of Giles's work had been cartoons featuring Hitler, Mussolini, and the typical British Tommy, but he felt the need to expand after the war, hence the family. The format was a single daily cartoon and was published in the Daily Express and Sunday Express from 1945 until 1991. An annual collection was published each Christmas.
The family is better off working class and usually seen living in a semi detached house. The scenes depicted comment on a topic of the day. They are patriotic but suspicious of authority.
The ages of the family stay the same throughout the 46 year run of the cartoons but the home reflects the changing fashions and standard of living.
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[edit] Characters
The Giles family consist of the following characters
- Grandma. The head of the family (despite what father may think). Seen using such things as skis, a motorbike, a hangglider, and a Sinclair C5, to get around on, this woman is a fierce battle axe, whom you cross at your peril!
- Father. Grandma's son. Foolishly considers himself to be the head of the family. He works, but it's never revealed where. Is passionate about boats, betting and hiding from the younger, louder members of the family. Would do anything for a quiet life. Isn't going to get a quiet life!
- Mother. The real power behind the dynasty as it is she who organises everyone else. And their meals. People (mostly) tend to do as she tells them.
- George. The family's oldest son, is a bookworm and will very rarely be seen without one in his hands. Smokes a Sherlock Holmes style pipe and wears a beret and sandals. Absent in later cartoons.
- He is married to the skinny bespectacled Vera who is constantly suffering from a cold. They have one baby son, George Jr.
- Ann, eldest daughter and the twins. The twins are Ann's children by an absent G.I. father.
- Carol, blond daughter, always seen reading a magazine and lounging about.
- Ernie, the younger son of the family. It's said that nine times out of ten he's the cause of any trouble. The tenth time he's asleep! A smaller version of his Dad in looks and attitude.
- Bridget, the youngest daughter of the family. Has never been in any trouble. Correction, believes wholeheartedly in the so called 11th commandment "Thou shalt not get caught". So far she hasn't!
- Grandma's Parrot.
- The dog a shaggy mongrel .
- Second dog a collie.
- A black cat.
- Larry, the mop-haired child from next door
[edit] Notes
There is a statue of the Giles family in Queen Street in Ipswich, England.
Grandma made a cameo appearance in the DC Comics publication Superman: True Brit.
[edit] References
1 Blain, Max. "Cartoon collection scoops originals from the hilarious world of Giles: Laughter Box", Canterbury Adscene (UK local newspaper), 3 March, 2006, pp. 6–7.
[edit] External links
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