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!!