The random Barrymore sighting for Nov 15

 Yes, it's been a very long hot minute, and life has changed a whole lot... But, in spite of my business/busyness, I find the Barrymore have a way of appearing in my life out of the blue. 

Today's vision was courtesy the film shelves at a Half Price Books in San Antonio, TX. 

 

As follows! 

Really, quite a good price for this special edition of a humungously star-studded film, the first to win best picture Oscar while winning nothing else. I do think Joan Crawford had a good shout for supporting, but really, it was an unprecedented kind of film, probably the first major star show that wasn't a variety one off like Your Show of Shows, etc. 

And honestly, it is really quite good. Everyone is very solid and it's funny and sad and bemusing. John and Greta are gorgeous. Lionel is underplaying brilliantly. 

Give it a glance. Do it for Lionel, particularly today.

Belated post!

 So unlike past years, I have missed a significant Mr B moment (his birthday), but I will claim overstress, a death in the family, and life as causes. It has been physically and emotionally difficult and I was reminded how much Lionel Barrymore accomplished AFTER he began to act from a wheelchair. 

So, to celebrate the man's bday again, let's revisit some of his best post-wheelchair parts!

 Radio, as Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. He performed this pre-wheelchair, but he continued on nearly until.he died. Really excellent voice acting

 

 

As Dr. Leonard Gillespie of the Kildare film series. Mostly B filler films, some of them were deeply intense! An excellent part for him.

 

Duel in the Sun, an interesting and unusually complex part for him in his older years. He quite literally was dragged along the ground for a scene! The film itself is high drama and over the top, but old pros Barrymore and Lillian Gish redeem it some.

The other one I would add is Down to the Sea in Ships, but he actually uses crutches in this.  It's adventure but quite wonderfully acted. Dean Stockwell is unusually brilliant. One could argue for On Borrowed Time and You Can't Take it With You (also on crutches).

 

YCTIWY

Down to the Sea in Ships

 

On Borrowed Time

 

 

Happy May (almost!)
 

April photo dump!

 Being Mr. B's birthday month, I offer some pics from "2000 Movies: the 1940s". They're all over and don't include all his films or even all his best ones, but here they are! Note the physical changes in Mr. B over the decade, too. 

See you soon for birthday wishes! 

 

This is a very good film, with great performances all around.

Dark this film was, indeed!

One I still need to see.

Quite a good entry.

Van isn't great, but he was hot property. Haven't seen these final three yet!