Happy Birthday once again, Mr. B!

 So what a year, huh? Not as dramatic as quite a few of Lionel Barrymore's life (2 world wars, a pandemic, etc etc), but still special for us now. So to celebrate, I'm throwing back to some of the earliest film publicity sightings of young Lionel, from Biograph, etc. Enjoy!

1914 magazine portrait

Not as early, but an adorable article "by" LaMarr on screen lovers.

There are biograph bulletins from several other of his earliest films, including his first confirmed one, The Battle, but they aren't featuring the birthday boy.  See Films of, 1911-12, to check out the screen grabs from The Battle.

In any event, enjoy these little tidbits, then wander over to the Films of and flip through all the years done so  far. I've done research on years yet to be posted, but I'm waiting for a chance to breathe!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. BARRYMORE!

An appreciation post: Sadie Thompson, 1927. - rowr-

And all that implies! I love this film and the story behind it. Gloria Swanson is the queen of early cinema moxie. Read her bio and check out the making of this film. I was able to look at her materials at the Ransom Center in Austin over a few visits, and if anything, I'm even more impressed. The direction by Raoul Walsh (also co-starring) is flawless, the performances are uniformly excellent, and they got away with a LOT. It's still available, albeit with about 6 missing minutes at the end. Mr. B is simply at his intense, silent-film loquacious best, his eyes really working to communicate very complex emotions. There's also some humor, pathos, edginess, and a little few surprises. The story by Somerset Maugham is indeed good, though I find that the film does it justice and more.

Mr. B as Alfred Davidson, "reformer" and righteous dude, is among his best, IMO. The between-scenes pics I've found communicate just how tired he seemed to be, though now and then he does smile and goof with Swanson. The set of stills from the collection is pretty huge. There's a lot to take in about the film!

So to celebrate a film coming up on 100,here are some of my favorite images from the film and still collection. Enjoy! And go watch the film, it's on YT and elsewhere! You won't regret it, unless you're a "reformer". :)

Need I remind you it's Mr B's birthday month? April 28th approacheth! (No, it wasn't April 14, he straight out lied in his biography.)

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!

It has been a right minute, but health and life and this pandemic thing has really cut into my blogging capabilities. Not to mention, Texas was hammered by a winter storm, during which I spent 2 nights in a hospital. So things have been fraught!

But, this is a significant day for the Irish, Irish-lovers, and Irishesque, of which I am one.  I'm kind of glad the marches are off for today, because there's only so much one can take of stereotypes... Some information out there actually calls Lionel "Irish-American", though I don't think he'd necessarily have said that given dad's very much Englishness (irishamericanjourney.com, I'm looking at you).

So here is some completely unrelated Irish pictures with a Barrymore leaning, including the following ruin of a castle:

Barrymore Castle in Castlelyons Parish (tyvm pinterest)

There are "Earls of Barrymore" from what is now Cork, though unrelated to Lionel and family. It's quite possible earlier ancestors at least were aware of the earls!

And in the same parish, a Barrymore mausoleum--happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy crossing-over anniversary, Mr. B

 For this year, I offer a bemusing item: the first fifteen pages of Mr B's novel "Mr. Cantonwine". It's not an easy read, and he's rather self - indulgent, but some of the characters are really interesting. Does make you wonder who or what they were modeling!

Enjoy, wonder, and recall the man behind all the shenanigans, Lionel Barrymore. 

I haven't died (again)...Life's just been Barry-busy

 Sorry about that.

I have finally been up to researching Mr. B again, and have found some rather nice little items lately! His death anniversary is coming up Nov 15th, so look for material to appear "magically" around that time. In the meantime, I hope both of you are well and staying safe. Mr. B lost one of his baby girls during the Spanish flue epidemic in the teens--he knew something about illness and tragedy. So be good, stay safe, wash your hands!

 

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!!