Told ya I'd be back:new LB radio pic

Found a new to me pic of Mr B from a history of radio book today :

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He gets only this mention, odd considering his fame on film and radio. But it's always good to see a new picture! I neglected to get the book name, but it was a 1950s history. I'll get the name the next time I go there.

As a reminder, you can click right on the audio tidbits page for Mr B performing on radio with a variety of people. Also, brother John is there!

Enjoy! 

FYI: I died

No, really, I did. July 4 I had a massive heart attack and 3 cardiac arrests. From that day  I've spent 59 days in 4 different hospitals. No, I had no warning and did not have heart trouble prior.

But I mean wow.... I'm still managing the fallout physically and mentally. And, I'm encouraging everyone to get regular checkups! Don't be foolish and cavalier about health  if you can manage. I was fortunate to have decent insurance and a safe job. Hopefully I'll be back in December at work.

In the meantime, I wish all the best end of the year. More Lionel to come, promise!

Lionel in Sadie Thompson 

Another film find from LOC: "Let's go to the Movies" 1948

AMPAS produced, this is a 9 minute short on film, "the 1st of a series of motion pictures about motion pictures".

Let's go to the Movies 1948
You can see Mary Pickford, what seems to be Henry Walthall, Chaplin kinetoscope, clips of film audiences, Jolson footage in Jazz Singer, Great Train Robbery footage, as well as Griffith clips, John Barrymore as Richard III in 1929's Show of Shows, and interestingly, a shot of a Key Largo theater marquee--with Bogart, Bacall, and--Robinson.

It's interesting how they show some shots of non-USA theaters, as well. 1948 was a really busy period in Hollywood, so it's not like when they show "little old Hollywood" it's a realistic assessment. The publishing info shows Teaching Film Custodians : Instructional Films, 1948. It is downloadable!

Screengrab--check out the film title!

NEW! WEIRD! Shorts and unused clips of Barrymores from British Pathe

British Pathe online, my friends! Y'all should give it a look for many, many items, but here's some Barrymore specific ones!

Carl Carlisle impersonates famous people, including Lionel Barrymore, in 1943.

Carlisle: Carl Carlisle impersonations
 He also does one from the Florida Club, 1940, in London, also of LB and others:
Florida Club, Carlisle impersonations

There's also a silent clip of Ethel Barrymore's funeral in 1959:
 Funeral:  Ethel Barrymore funeral

A 1939 news report of kids finger painting--checl out the close up of Eleanor Roosevelt and (possibly Lionel!) John Barrymore, according to the narrator. Since Eleanor Roosevelt may not have been fond of Lionel, it's probably Jack... Jack was better known probably too:
1939 kids' paintings, w/ a Barrymore

Bonus footage of the 1947 Oscars! Check out all the peoples, including Mr. B. Harold Russell received his award for The Best Years of Our Lives. Lionel Barrymore presents an award on stage to Anne Baxter (about 37 seconds in--Mr. B looks VERY snazzy!):
1947 Oscars footage, silent

Ethel Barrymore Colt was filmed rehearsing for her stage debut in "Scandals", 1932. She speaks of uncle John's early musical comedy on stage:
Ethel Barrymore Colt stage debut rehearsal


Annnd... Elaine Barrie!
 Elaine wants a divorce from Jack, 1937:  Elaine wants a break

Happy 141st, Mr B!

Excuse the jpg blog... Long story!

It's Lionel-eve!

April has proven to be a bit of a lion, in terms of drama! I apologize to Mr. B in the great hereafter, but I'm sure he understands. On this eve of Lionel, I present some images of the Man Hisself, more recently acquired. Inspired by Bob Fells of SFT on Facebook, I may try my hand at stringing images from some of his lost films, like The Barrier, together. That, and actually buy the few films of his easily available that I haven't seen, like The Bad Man.

Happy Lionel Eve!

Children of the Whirlwind.  He did shy so well given his other, more aggressive parts. 

The Voice of Bugle Ann, a much underrated & underviewed film. 

Enemies of women.... Oh, this one would be fun!

Below is him with long-term MGM coworker Wallace Beery. I've seen Mr. B and Beery in at least 2 films together, and well...Beery was always well typecast as a boor.

From The Barrier, one of his lost ones I really wish could be found! That's HB Walthall far right. 

The First of Lionel, 2019

Today commences the First of the fortnight of Lionel, April 12, the false date he cheerfully gave to his autobiography-helper, Cameron Shipp. Twas a base lie, and Mr. B knew it--his actual birthdate is April 28, 1878.

For this First of Lionel, then, I offer some pics from films in which Mr. B took on some real makeup, as opposed to his usual "as is and barefaced" look in the great majority of his films. Enjoy, be astonished, and sometimes just LOL at these get-ups. There are more, but here's the wide-ranging sampling!**

**You can also see some early makeup at this post here: LB's makeup in some early roles

In Decameron Nights, as Saladin (a lost film)

In "The Claw" on Broadway, here with soon to be second wife Irene Fenwick; 1st wife Doris Rankin was also in it! LB swore the makeup was the same, but his physical expressiveness and mannerisms changed to show age.

In the 2nd act of "The Copperhead" on Broadway, his biggest stage role

A posed shot from his notorious "Macbeth" on Broadway

Program cover from "Peter Ibbetson" on Bway, LB at bottom, if it's not obvious.

The Stranger's Return--old man beard, really young looking left hand!

The Devil Doll, still. Not exactly make up, but...(flash on edge my error in taking the pic!)

The glorious Rasputin and the Empress with brother John. Amusing anecdotes in LB's bio

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