Dazzling the Screen Lionel Barrymore

American actor Lionel Barrymore was an actor of the stage, screen, and radio as well as a film director. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal in the film “A Free Soul." He was known to modern audiences for his portrayal of Mr. Potter in the Frank Capra Christmas classic “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Barrymore died in 1954 at the age of 76.

Director Clarence Brown directed the 1931 American pre-Code drama “A Free Soul." It starred Lionel Barrymore, Norma Shearer, Leslie Howard, James Gleason, and Clark Gable. The film became famous for Barrymore’s climatic courtroom monologue and won him the Academy Award for Best Actor.

The storyline revolves around a young woman named Jan (Norma Shearer), who is torn between her love for a criminal, Ace Wilfong (Clark Gable), and her relationship with her father, Stephen Ashe (Lionel Barrymore), a successful defense lawyer.

Director George Cukor directed the 1936 American romantic tragedy "Camille." The film is based on the 1848 novel and 1852 play “La Dame aux Camelias” by Alexandre Dumas. It starred Greta Garbo, Robert Taylor, Lionel Barrymore, and others.

The storyline revolves around Armand Duval (Robert Taylor), a young man who falls in love with Marguerite Gautier (Greta Garbo) who begins to question her current lifestyle and considers leaving the Baron de Varville (Henry Daniell) for him, despite his father’s (Monsieur Duval, Lionel Barrymore) objections to their relationship.

Director Edmund Goulding directed the 1932 American pre-Code drama “Grand Hotel” by MGM. It is based on the 1930 play by William A. Drake adapted from the 1929 novel Menshen im Hotel by Vicki Baum. The film starred John Barrymore, Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, Lionel Barrymore, among others.

The storyline follows a group of individuals staying at a luxurious Berlin hotel. Lionel Barrymore portrays Otto Kringelein, a dying accountant who decides to spend his final days indulging in luxury at the hotel, showcasing a poignant character arc throughout the story.

Director Frank Capra directed the 1946 American Christmas fantasy drama “It’s a Wonderful Life." It was based on the short story and booklet “The Greatest Gift” by Philip Van Doren Stern. It starred James Steward and Donna Reed.

The storyline of this Christmas classic revolves around George Bailey (James Stewart) who has given up his personal dreams to help others in his community and whose intended suicide on Christmas Eve brings about the intervention of this guardian angel, Clarence Odbody (Henry Travers), who shows George all the lives he touched and what the world would be like if he had not existed. Lionel Barrymore portrays Henry F. Potter, the main antagonist in the film depicted as a greedy and unscrupulous banker who opposes the protagonist, George Bailey.

Director John Huston directed the 1948 American film noir crime drama “Key Largo." The film starred Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson, Lauren Bacall, Lionel Barrymore, and others. The film was adapted from the 1939 play of the same name by Maxwell Anderson. This was the fourth and final film with both Bogie and Bacall.

The storyline revolves around war veteran Frank McCloud (Humphrey Bogart), who travels to Key Largo, Florida, to visit and pay respects to the family of his war buddy who was killed in action. There he meets the father of his friend James Temple (Lionel Barrymore) and his widow Nora Temple (Lauren Bacall), who own and operate a local hotel. Shortly after his arrival, Frank notices one of the hotel's guests is a notorious gangster, Johnny Rocco (Edward G. Robinson), and eventually realizes that he and his men have taken control of the place, holding everyone there hostage.

Director Raoul Walsh directed the 1928 American silent drama “Sadie Thompson." It was based on the 1921 short story “Rain” by W. Somerset Maugham and the 1929 play. The film starred Gloria Swanson, Lionel Barrymore, and Raoul Walsh. (pictured above)

The storyline revolves around a young woman named Sadie (Gloria Swanson) who arrives on Pago Pago Island and is met with disapproval from the island community. Alfred Davidson (Lionel Barrymore), a missionary, tries to save her.

Director Tay Garnett directed the 1945 American drama “The Valley of Decision." It was adapted from the 1942 novel of the same name by Marcia Davenport. The film starred Greer Garson, Gregory Peck, and Lionel Barrymore, among others.

Set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the storyline revolves around Paul Scott (Gregory Peck), a wealthy Pittsburgh steel magnate’s son, who falls in love with his family’s maid, Mary Rafferty (Greer Garson), and the struggles they face due to their different social classes. Lionel Barrymore portrays Patrick "Pat" Rafferty, the father of Mary, who has been physically injured because of the steel magnate and severely opposes her new romance.