Sir Michael Balcon, Daniel Day-Lewis's Grandad was a Brummie and went to George Dixon Grammar School for Boys in City Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham and used the name of his old school for his 'Everyman Copper' PC George Dixon in the Ealing Studios film: 'The Blue Lamp' in the 1950's and for 'Dixon of Dock Green' the BBC TV first Cop Show in Black and White TV in the 1960's and early 1970's until Jack Warner, the actor playing PC George Dixon became too old to play the part of a Policeman.....Great Birmingham History from Keith Bracey: 'Blogging 'bout Bromwicham'!

I bet you didn't know that three-time Oscar winner is linked to Birmingham through his maternal Grandfather Sir Michael Balcon, father to Daniel's mother the late Jill Balcon? Sir Michael Balcon, the former Head of the Ealing Studios, which was a serious rival to the big Hollywood Studios in the 1930's through to the 1950's with such great films as 'The Lavender Hill Mob', 'Whiskey Galore', 'Kind Hearts and Coronets', Arnold Ridley's 'Ghost Train', Ridley was Private Godfrey in 'Dad's Army', 'The Man in the White Suit' and other great British comedies...the phrase 'Ealing Comedy' was in current usage then..... Sir Michael attended Birmingham's George Dixon Grammar School for Boys in City Road, Edgbaston from 1906 when the school opened until 1913 when he left and played for the School's former pupil's Rugby Club The Old Dixonians Rugby Football Club which celebrates its centenary 1913-2013 this year. Jill Balcon re-established links with her Father's Old School about 6 or 7 years ago when she visited the now inner city comprehensive school to encourage young actors and Drama Students at George Dixon......So Irish-domiciled Daniel Day-Lewis, this morning's 'Triple-Oscar' winner's Grandad is a Brummie and went to school in the city........ who would have thought it......? Balcon also used the name of his old school as the name for his 'Everyman Copper' PC George Dixon in his 1950's Ealing Film: 'The Blue Lamp' where Jack Warner, playing PC Dixon is shot dead by a very young Hoodlum, played by Rank starlet Dirk Bogarde (remember him?). PC George Dixon was reincarnated to appear in the first 'Police Procedural' Cop Show: 'Dixon of Dock Green' on the BBC which was a prime-time ratings winner throughout the 1960's and 70's on British Black and White TV on Saturday evenings.....Great Brummie History!!!!!