John Barrymore. Actor of Stage and Screen. Sherlock Holmes. by Travis Simpkins

John Barrymore. Actor of Stage and Screen. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of

John Barrymore

John Sidney Blyth

(1882 - 1942)

"The Great Profile"

Actor of Stage and Screen

Member of the

Drew and Barrymore theatrical families

by Travis Simpkins

John Barrymore

For more info, please visit:

imdb.com/JohnBarrymore

 

John Barrymore. Actor of Stage and Screen. Sherlock Holmes. by Travis Simpkins

Twentieth Century (1934): John Barrymore and Carole Lombard

     Directed by Howard Hawks, Twentieth Century (1934) is credited as being one of the first "Screwball Comedies." It received a "dismal reception" upon it's release, but has since become an undisputed comedy Classic. Full of rapid-fire humor, the plot focuses on a theater producer's tumultuous relationship with his young female protege. John Barrymore and Carole Lombard are excellent in the lead roles.

Twentieth Century. 1934: Carole Lombard

Twentieth Century. 1934: Carole Lombard and John Barrymore

Twentieth Century. 1934: Carole Lombard

Twentieth Century. 1934: Carole Lombard and John Barrymore

Twentieth Century. 1934: Carole Lombard and John Barrymore

Twentieth Century. 1934: Carole Lombard and John Barrymore

Twentieth Century. 1934: Carole Lombard and John Barrymore

Twentieth Century. 1934: Carole Lombard and John Barrymore

Twentieth Century. 1934: Carole Lombard and John Barrymore

Svengali (1931): John Barrymore and Marian Marsh

     Ripe with great sets, harking back to the German Expressionistic era in film, Svengali (1931) is expertly shot, wonderful to look at and still holds up after eighty years. Full of psychological intensity, the film is both hypnotic and unnerving. Marian Marsh is perfectly innocent and graceful as Trilby, the victim to Svengali's mind control. John Barrymore, ever the artist, is especially great in this early talkie role. Svengali is a tragically under-appreciated masterpiece.

Svengali. 1931: John Barrymore and Marian Marsh

     "There are more things in heaven and earth, than are dreamt of in your philosophy," are the words Svengali (played by the brilliant John Barrymore) deliver to one who questions his power. Svengali is a composer and music instructor, living in Paris, who uses mind control through hypnosis to control those he wishes to benefit from.

Svengali. 1931: John Barrymore

     Looking to borrow money from his artist friends, Svengali stumbles across pretty young model Trilby (played by the adorable Marian Marsh) in their dwelling.

Svengali. 1931: Marian Marsh

     Svengali has an immediate physical attraction to her, and is dismayed that Trilby in falling in love with one of the painters instead.

Svengali. 1931: John Barrymore and Marian Marsh

     Complaining of a headache one day, Trilby agrees to let Svengali cure her.

Svengali. 1931: John Barrymore and Marian Marsh

      He uses his powers to hypnotize her, making her receptive only to him.

Svengali. 1931: John Barrymore

      She breaks off the relationship she had with the artist (who fears she might have committed suicide, due to the nature of the note she left him) and follows Svengali on tour. They play the biggest, best Opera houses in Europe and are a huge success.

Svengali. 1931: John Barrymore and Marian Marsh

     When their tour brings them back around to Paris, the artist goes to the show, curious to see if Svengali has changed. To his dismay, he discovers Trilby is not only alive, but is being manipulated and controlled by Svengali. He vows to put a stop to it and follows them wherever they go. Meanwhile, Svengali's health is failing, and the weaker his physical condition the less control he has over Trilby's mind, leaving hope that she may be released from his hypnotic hold...

Svengali. 1931: Marian Marsh

Svengali. 1931: John Barrymore

Svengali. 1931: John Barrymore and Marian Marsh

Grand Hotel (1932): Greta Garbo, John Barrymore and Joan Crawford

     One of the greatest early sound films, Grand Hotel (1932) also developed techniques that would contribute to the process of set manipulation and production within a film. The hotel lobby scenes featured a three hundred and sixty degree desk, adding a revolving vantage point around the action, giving the film a less stagy feel. The dialogue is sharp and elegant, and the format of the film became so well known, that any movie featuring a group of characters in a busy place with overlapping stories is called a "Grand Hotel Theme." The cast is all excellent, including Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Joan Crawford, Wallace Beery and Lionel Barrymore. 

     The Grand Hotel in Berlin, where "People come and go. Nothing ever happens.":

     A group of strangers find their lives overlapping briefly in the corridors, rooms, lobby and bar. These folks include Baron Felix von Geigern (John Barrymore), a broke aristocrat, and part-time jewel thief. Otto Kringenlein (Lionel Barrymore), a terminally ill man, who, having just found out he will die soon, plans to live out his remaining days squandering his savings in the lap of luxury. Flaemmchen (Joan Crawford), a stenographer and part-time model... 

Grand Hotel. 1932: Joan Crawford and John Barrymore

     General Director Preysing (Wallace Beery), who is at the Hotel on business... 

Grand Hotel. 1932

     and Russian ballet dancer, Grusinskaya (Greta Garbo)...

Grand Hotel. 1932: Greta Garbo

     who has grown despondent with her life and career... 

Grand Hotel. 1932: Greta Garbo and John Barrymore

     but finds new love with the Baron... 

Grand Hotel. 1932: Greta Garbo and John Barrymore

     Friendships develop... 

Grand Hotel. 1932: Joan Crawford

     and conflicts arise and the stories intertwine and unfold...

Grand Hotel. 1932: John Barrymore