I have noticed thru my life that people who seem perpetually aggravated tend to loosen up greatly when presented with watching slapstick type humor.
You should get some "Three Stooges" type DVDs. I think your H would crack up a bit by himself in private. You could then slowly work your way into the scene with some popcorn. A good laugh may give him some energy mixed with a good mood and then who knows? My grandfather was also a very stoic man but if you watched the "Flintstones" with him (one on one)he would be slapping his knee and laughing whenever Fred or Barney got smacked or something. Maybe it had something to do with him seeing someone he could associate with get beaten.
