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!!

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!