HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Mr. B! 1878-1954

...but an eternal in the heart of stage and screen fans.

Here it is already, the anniversary of the eldest Blythe/Barrymore's birth in Philadelphia, PA. As I've noted elsewhere on this blog, he was a wee cutie:

Lionel aged about 2 or 3

He remained relatively youthful-looking well into his thirties and even forties. I think a lot had to do with his own ability to masquerade!

With dad Maurice and little brother John, about age 19

About 23, 24

About 9 or so

In his first year of marriage to Irene Fenwick. She made him happy, seems.

And 1919, during The Jest on B'way

As time went on, he mixed old roles with young ones, or progression roles:

The Copperhead on stage, from the playscript

Also The Copperhead on stage, last scene

The Claw on B'way, with both wives!

Last act of The Claw, with Irene Fenwick

But for many, this picture right above is how they remember Lionel Barrymore-- as Scrooge at Christmas, as Dr. Gillespie, as Mr Potter. And it's not that they're wrong! But it's a partial appreciation of a very, very long career.

I'd encourage people interested to poke around this blog and the interwebs for more on this versatile, dynamic, mercurial man. Perhaps a peek at the YouTube post of a clip of Enemies of Women, an over the top romantic drama. You can look at what Mr. B could wreak, shirtless even, here courtesy Bob Fells of Silent Films Today on Facebook: ENEMIES OF WOMEN

I wish everyone safety, security, happiness, and hand sanitizer.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. B!!

 

Well, I got nothing...pre-birthday update

Good quarantine week whatever, wherever you are!  I have to admit, between working from home, trying to eat well, and tending to the cats and dogs, it's been a bit hectic. In past years I've worked form April 12 to April 28 to post LB-relevant content, since he lied to his ghost writer/ collaborator in his biography. He was born April 28, 1878. Yes, I can prove it.  Why did he lie? Who knows?

But I will post something on Mr. B's birthday coming up here. A bonus that came out recently is that Enemies of Women is online to view, or at least many reels are. The infamous duel scene sure is!  I posted about that in my last entry here. Enjoyably over the top.

On a personal note, my cousin, a nurse, battled through COVID-19 herself and named it probably the most devastating thing she's gone through. So please... be safe out there!

Now this is where we may have started out in quarantine...

And this is where we may end up...

But let's hope that safely, in short order, we will be more in the mode of...

I mean, we can hope, right?

I am pretty certain no one has wondered where either Dr. Kildare or Dr. Gillespie is at this time, but if you were wondering...

Well, I'm wishing everyone a safe, healthy, and sane time. Eat well, be kind, and wash your hands!!

1923-- ENEMIES OF WOMEN online!

More woot! In a goal for my deisre to watch more Lionel, SFToday once more helps out--recently posted was a link to an ongoing restoration of 1923's ENEMIES OF WOMEN, with Himself as a dissolute Russian prince. OMG... y'all check it our on YouTube! And get a look at some spectacular costumes.... It looks very good so far, nice job Library of Congress! Click on link below and scroll down to the work in progress. (link updated April 2021) 

Screengrab above!

Scroll down for Enemies of Women

Resolution: watch more Lionel

Happy new year all, and most of all happy film watching! I'm starting the year with THE WASHINGTON MASQUERADE, the film of the stage play The Claw, in which Mr B starred with his then and future wives (seriously).

It's a quick film, reminiscent of A FREE SOUL, but with a generally lesser supporting cast. Mr B also does little chewing of scenery (bar opening scene!) and there are fine, delicate, even somewhat tender moments. It's enjoyable watching him play a more modulated, quiet character. The finale took me aback, I admit.

This is also the film where Mr B purportedly broke a hand banging it on a table during the opening scene. I buy it :)

The film really makes me wish I could have seen the play, especially given the scandal that ensued leading to his divorce from Doris Rankin.

Best line from another actor: "you're a little man, and very badly dressed " Cue amused Barrymore brow elevation.

Early scene of Jefferson Keane returning triumphantly 

Merry Barrymoring! 

As winter descends... Happy all-holidays

Well, a decade and a difficult year (for me) is almost over. I've not much profound to write  so I'll share some of my favorite Lionel Barrymore pics (and a few with brother John), some colorized and Santafied by yours truly. I wish you all peace, joy, love, and happiness this coming year and always.

In AMERICA 

IN BODY AND SOUL 

Lionel in The Show, Jack in Jekyll & Hyde 

The boys in Arsene Lupin

In Sadie Thompson.  One of my absolute fave films and images

In the second filming of The Mysterious Island

You can enjoy Mr B in a holiday mood under the Audio Tidbits section of this blog.

And Happy New Year!
Sam

Tomorrow and tomorrow... Anniversary of Mr. B's death

Fellow readers, I am ashamed of my lack of work on the blog, but I promise I had very valid medical reasons: I died twice in the ER. So, though I'm still here, I remember with a different feel Mr B's death this day in 1954.

A little office decor... 

I have not sought out his death certificate, though others have noted heart issues. Story goes he was watching TV with the Wheelers when he began having trouble breathing. At the hospital, he lapsed into a coma, dying November 15th. The funeral appeared well - attended, and the paeans were extensive for someone audiences tended to take for granted (some are in the audio page here). Indeed, Mr B had finished a Hallmark radio show the week before he died, and had been in a car crash not long before that, worrying sister Ethel.

Other than in It's a Wonderful Life, much of Mr B's work goes unseen and unknown to more recent audiences, though the range and level of his work across a good 40,50 years is undeniable. From stage to early film to his voice over of Father Time for an animated TV special, Our Mr. Sun, he was there and instigated innovations on stage and screen.

So thanks again, Mr Barrymore, and nod down fondly on us from beyond.

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 :

.

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!