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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Tis the month of Lionel! (and a new find)

April commences the Month of Lionel, given his lie to his biographer that he was born April 12, when it's actually April 28, 1878.  No, I have no idea why he did that, other than an occasionally puckish humor.

I'm trying to think of some novel stuff for the blog, though it's kind of busy in work/life. However, I did finally acquire something I've had my eye on for a while:

This is a 1922 Canadian Tobacco Products Corp Card (#13 of 100 it seems), which I got from eBay for a nice price. The image below is apparently from the same shoot. He had just appeared in Boomerang Bill and was all kinds of handsome. I can generally figure out what the card said. Given the age, it's in quite good shape on the front.

So keep an eye out here for the lovely month of Lionel, and I'll try to provide some entertainment, or at least information.

Happy April!