A Video Biography of "Jack": John Barrymore (1882-1942)

[Starring “Jack”: See the 1920 Silent Picture Classic of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Video) for Free, and Without Commercial Interrruptions; Also Fedora and A Star is Born Times Two (Plus: “Jack’s” Wittiest Sayings)]

Re-posted by N.S.


John Barrymore: 1965 Biography of One of Hollywood's Greatest Actors

This episode of David L. Wolper Production’s “Biography" profiles actor John Barrymore. It begins with a montage of memorable Barrymore moments from various films (0:09). He applies makeup backstage (1:07). “He was called the greatest American actor of his time — of all time.” Title sequence from 1:23.

An illustration of his face in profile (1:56) introduces our hero, John Barrymore. For more than a century, his family lived on and for the stage (2:30). From 2:39 to 3:07, scenes from various stage productions—including what appears to be blackface (3:01).

One of the leading actors of this time was Maurice Barrymore (3:08). His wife, Georgina Drew (3:17) was “a member of a legendary theatrical family.” They are parents to John Barrymore. Childhood portraits of John Barrymore and his siblings from 3:25. The young Barrymores dreamed of playing piano and painting.

Barrymore as a young man from 3:59. His somber artwork (4:18) may reflect his mental torment. His sister, Ethel, and brother, Lionel, are actors (4:33). At 21, John joins them (4:48).

Lionel introduces John to silent films (5:06), calling them “his most important discovery in an unremitting campaign against hard work.” John plays Raffles, gentleman jewel thief (5:27). After a brawl scene (5:43), Raffles jumps ship (5:58), evading gunfire (6:05). Swimming onshore, he gives his stolen jewels a kiss (6:09). At 6:30, his classic portrayal of Dr. Jekyll: a painful transformation into Hyde.

At 42, he falls in love with Michael Strange (7:29). They divorce after a quarrelsome marriage (7:32).

Barrymore returns to the theatre, playing demanding Shakespearean roles. A poster promotes “THE TRAGEDY OF RICHARD III” (7:49); another promoting “TRAGEDY OF HAMLET” (7:52). From 8:12, photos of wild-eyed Barrymore playing Hamlet, dramatic lighting. He performs the famous “To be, or not to be” soliloquy in a voiceover.

He returns to Hollywood. At 9:16, Barrymore as English dandy, Beau Brummell. Footage of the glittering Hollywood Boulevard at night, the flashing signs of El Capitan and Hotel Christie (9:37). From 9:40, a montage of musicians playing, revelers dancing, couples romancing—and abundant alcohol—representing the careless indulgence of the Roaring Twenties.

Barrymore temporarily escapes to the sea, near Southern California (9:55), playing with seals (10:12). From 10:38, Barrymore sailing with pet monkey, Clementine—the contents of his diary express hope for love.

In May of 1925, he meets Dolores Costello [while married to Blanche Marie Louise Oelrichs, aka Michael Strange] (11:03). They star together in “The Sea Beast” (11:18). Barrymore marries Costello [sveral years later, after divorcing Blanche] (11:53).

Barrymore in “Don Juan” from 12:16. High-action fencing including stunts (12:19). In the early 1930s, Barrymore begins to play grotesque villains. Barrymore plays the sinister Svengali (12:59), opposite young scene partner, Marian Marsh. Their story of unrequited love (13:37) perhaps reflecting Barrymore’s personal fears.

In “The Mad Genius,” Barrymore relays a life-long nightmare of nearly reaching heartbreaking happiness—just before being dragged ruthlessly down by a great claw (14:29). Barrymore drinks heavily and struggles emotionally (15:39). He brawls with actress Carole Lombard in madcap comedy, “Twentieth Century” (15:55).

In 1935, another divorce. Merely a year later, Barrymore meets 19-year-old Elaine Barrie (17:12). Barrie acts (17:34) in “How to Undress in Front of Your Husband” (17:39). At 18:07, they are together at a park, just married. Barrymore calls her “Madame Barrymore,” a name he hopes she’ll “have for a lifetime.” In less than a month, they begin to quarrel.

Spotlights at 18:51. It’s Barrymore’s imprint ceremony at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. His famous left-side profile is imprinted into the wet concrete by Sid Grauman (19:01). He wipes off his face (19:11).

Barrymore at an NBC radio studio (19:15), recording for Rudy Vallée’s show with Jane Withers. Too shaky to stand, he plays a cruel satirization of himself.

Barrymore is backstage at the theatre to play Hamlet once again (20:13). In an interview filmed the night before the Broadway opening, he seems incoherent, even drunk. (20:20). At 21:67, he shows off the “Barrymore Profile,” or “as much of it as is left” (21:46).

From 22:11, an overlay of young Barrymore over footage of an empty theatre, revealing a stage lit by a single spotlight, illuminating an actor not there. Barrymore as Hamlet in voiceover, as the curtains close (23:29) to dramatic timpani fanfare. On May 29, 1942, at the age of 60, John Barrymore is dead (23:40)