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 :

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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.