Born Lionel Herbert Blythe in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 28th April 1878, Lionel Barrymore was a trailblazer in the world of motion pictures. Hailing from the famous Barrymore acting clan, headed by Maurice Barrymore and Georgiana Drew, Lionel was the first Barrymore to grace the silver screen. He made his debut in 1908's "The Paris Hat," years before his famous brother John Barrymore ventured into films.
The Silent Era and Film Formats
In the early 20th century, silent films were primarily shot on 35mm film stock, a format that has its roots in still photography. These films were often accompanied by live music to set the mood, as they of course didn’t have any soundtracks attached to the film. Lionel worked for the old Biograph studios, a pioneer in the use of 35mm film, and directed several silent motion pictures, some featuring a young John Gilbert. Notable silent films in Lionel's career include "The Copperhead" (1920) and "Sadie Thompson" (1928).
At Digital Converters, we specialise in converting these old film formats such as 8mm and 16mm film to digital formats. Whether it's cine film to digital or VHS to DVD, we ensure that the magic of the silent era can be relived in today's digital age.
Transition to Sound and Acclaim
Lionel Barrymore transitioned seamlessly to sound films, winning an Academy Award for his role in the early talkie "A Free Soul" (1931). However, he is perhaps best remembered for his roles as Dr. Gillespie in the Doctor Kildare series, the mean Mr. Potter in "It's A Wonderful Life" (1946), and his sympathetic role in "Key Largo" (1948), alongside Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.
Personal Life and Other Pursuits
From 1940 onwards, Lionel was confined to a wheelchair due to a hip accident and severe arthritis. He was married twice: first to Doris Rankin (divorced), and then to Irene Fenwick (until her death). Tragically, he had two young daughters who both died as infants. Apart from acting, Lionel was also a composer of classical music pieces, a painter, and a writer. His autobiography, "We Barrymores," was published in 1951.
Legacy
Lionel Barrymore passed away from a heart attack on 15th November 1954 in Van Nuys, California. His contributions to both silent and sound films remain a significant part of cinematic history.
Lionel Barrymore’s Silent Movies
Mysterious Island, The (1929) …. Count Andre Dakkar
River Woman, The (1928) …. Bill Lefty
West of Zanzibar (1928) …. Mr. Crane
Alias Jimmy Valentine (1928) …. Doyle
Road House (1928) …. Henry Grayson
Lion and the Mouse, The (1928) …. John Ryder
Drums of Love (1928) …. Duke Cathos de Alvia aka Sentimental Tommy (1928) (USA)
Sadie Thompson (1928) …. Alfred Davidson
Thirteenth Hour, The (1927) …. Professor Leroy
Body and Soul (1927) …. Dr. Leyden
Women Love Diamonds (1927) …. Hugo Harlan
Show, The (1927) …. The Greek
Temptress, The (1926) …. Canterac
Bells, The (1926) …. Mathias
Lucky Lady, The (1926) …. Count Ferranzo
Paris at Midnight (1926) …. Vautrin
Wife Tamers (1926) …. Mr. Barry
Barrier, The (1926) …. Stark Bennett
Brooding Eyes (1926) …. Slim Jim Carey
Frau mit dem schlechten Ruf, Die (1925) aka Woman Who Did, The (1925) (UK)
Splendid Road, The (1925) …. Dan Clehollis
Fifty-Fifty (1925) …. Frederick Harmon
Wrongdoers, The (1925) …. Daniel Abbott
Children of the Whirlwind (1925) …. Joe Ellison
Girl Who Wouldn’t Work, The (1925) …. Gordon Kent
Man of Iron, A (1925) …. Philip Durban aka Iron Man, The (1925)
Wedding Women (1924)
I Am the Man (1924) …. James McQuade
Meddling Women (1924) …. Edwin Ainsworth/John Wells
Decameron Nights (1924) …. Saladin Dekameron-Nächte (1925) (Germany)
America (1924) …. Captain Walter Butler aka Love and Sacrifice (1924) (UK)
Eternal City, The (1923) …. Baron Bonelli
Unseeing Eyes (1923) …. Conrad Dean
Enemies of Women (1923) …. Prince Lubimoff
Face in the Fog, The (1922) …. Boston Blackie Dawson
Boomerang Bill (1922) …. Boomerang Bill
Jim the Penman (1921) …. Jaames Ralston
Great Adventure, The (1921) …. Priam Farll
Devil’s Garden, The (1920) …. William Dale
Master Mind, The (1920) …. Henry Allen aka Sinners Three (1920) (USA)
Copperhead, The (1920) …. Milt Shanks
National Red Cross Pageant (1917)
Millionaire’s Double, The (1917) …. Bide Bennington
His Father’s Son (1917) …. J. Dabney Barro
End of the Tour, The (1917) …. Bron Bennett
Brand of Cowardice, The (1916) …. Cyril Hamilton
Upheaval, The (1916) …. Jim Gordon
Quitter, The (1916/I) …. Happy Jack Lewis
Dorian’s Divorce (1916) …. Richard Dorian
Yellow Streak, A (1915/I) …. Barry Dale
Dora Thorne (1915) …. Lord Earle
Flaming Sword, The (1915) …. Steve
Romance of Elaine, The (1915) …. Marcus Del Mar/Mr. X
Curious Conduct of Judge Legarde, The (1915) …. Judge Randolph Legarde aka Valley of Night, The (1919) (USA: reissue title)
Modern Magdalen, A (1915) …. Lindsay
Wildfire (1915) …. John Keefe
Under the Gaslight (1914) …. William Byke
Exploits of Elaine, The (1914)
Seats of the Mighty, The (1914) …. Monsieur Doltaire
Span of Life, The (1914) …. Richard Blunt
Woman in Black, The (1914/I) …. Robert Crane
Power of the Press, The (1914) …. Steve Carson
Men and Women (1914) …. Stephen Rodman aka Robert Stevens
Brute Force (1914) aka In Prehistoric Days (1914) aka Primitive Man, The (1914) (USA) aka Wars of the Primal Tribes (1914)
Battle at Elderbush Gulch, The (1914) aka Battle of Elderbush Gulch, The (1914)
Strongheart (1914) …. Billy Saunders
Judith of Bethulia (1914) …. Extra aka Her Condoned Sin (1914) (USA)
Classmates (1914) …. Dumble
House of Discord, The (1913)
All for Science (1913) …. In Detective Agency
So Runs the Way (1913)
Stolen Treaty, The (1913) …. The Japanese Diplomat
Strong Man’s Burden, The (1913) …. John
Crook and the Girl, The (1913) …. The Nephew
Work Habit, The (1913) …. The Father
Indian’s Loyalty, An (1913) …. The Cattle Buyer
I Was Meant for You (1913) …. Lavina’s Father
Under the Shadow of the Law (1913) …. Charles Darnton, the Employer
Mirror, The (1913) …. Daisy’s Father
Pa Says (1913)
Enemy’s Baby, The (1913) …. Ben Brown
Gamble with Death, A (1913) …. Jim Benton, the Bartender
In Diplomatic Circles (1913) …. The Japanese Ambassador
Almost a Wild Man (1913) …. In Audience
Switch Tower, The (1913) …. First Counterfeiter
Death’s Marathon (1913) …. The Financial Backer
Well, The (1913) …. The Farmer
Red Hicks Defies the World (1913) …. The Referee
Timely Interception, A (1913) …. The Farmer’s Brother
Ranchero’s Revenge, The (1913) …. The Ranchero
Just Gold (1913) …. First Brother
Yaqui Cur, The (1913) …. The Easterner
House of Darkness, The (1913) …. The Doctor
Wanderer, The (1913/II) …. The Male Lover
Lady and the Mouse, The (1913) …. The Young Woman’s Father
Misunderstood Boy, A (1913) …. The Father
Little Tease, The (1913) …. In Bar
Perfidy of Mary, The (1913) …. Mary’s Father
Sheriff’s Baby, The (1913) …. Third Bandit
Fate (1913) …. Father, Loving Family
Near to Earth (1913) …. Gato
Unwelcome Guest, The (1913) …. At Auction
Girl’s Stratagem, A (1913)
Wrong Bottle, The (1913) …. The Father
Love in an Apartment Hotel (1913) …. In Hotel Lobby
Massacre, The (1913)
Chance Deception, A (1913) …. A Policeman
Oil and Water (1913) …. In First Audience/In Second Audience/Visitor
Tender Hearted Boy, The (1913)
Adventure in the Autumn Woods, An (1913) …. The Father
Telephone Girl and the Lady, The (1913) …. The Desk Sergeant
Three Friends (1913) …. Second Friend
God Within, The (1912) …. The Woman of the Camp’s Lover
Cry for Help, A (1912) …. The Bum
Burglar’s Dilemma, The (1912) …. The Householder
My Hero (1912)
New York Hat, The (1912) …. Preacher Bolton (minister)
Brutality (1912) …. At Wedding
Informer, The (1912) …. Union Soldier
My Baby (1912) …. At Table
Gold and Glitter (1912) …. The Lover
Heredity (1912) …. Woodsman
Musketeers of Pig Alley, The (1912) …. The Musician’s Friend
Painted Lady, The (1912) …. At Ice Cream Festival
One She Loved, The (1912) …. The Neighbor
Chief’s Blanket, The (1912) …. The Young Man
So Near, Yet So Far (1912) …. In Club
Friends (1912) …. Grizzley Fallon, Dandy Jack’s Friend
Unseen Enemy, An (1912) (uncredited)
Home Folks (1912)
Miser’s Heart, The (1911) …. Jules, the Thief
Battle, The (1911) …. Wagon Driver
Fighting Blood (1911)
Paris Hat, The (1908)
