Barrymore began his prolific career on stage and built a reputation as a serious actor before transitioning to film, copping an Oscar nod for directing Madame X (1929) and winning the statuette for his brilliant performance in A Free Soul (1931). Known for playing lovable grumps, he starred in numerous movies throughout the 1930s and '40s, including Grand Hotel (1932), Dinner at Eight (1933), You Can't Take It with You (1938) and a series of Doctor Kildare films. But he's perhaps best remembered for his portrayal of villainous miser Mr. Potter in director Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life (1946).
On Nov. 15, 1954, Barrymore died of a heart attack at age 76.
You Can't Take It with YouIn this Frank Capra classic, Tony (James Stewart) and Alice (Jean Arthur) meet and fall in love. But things are far from rosy: He's the son of a millionaire, and she and her wacky family live in a house that's in the way of the senior Kirby's construction project. Will an office building literally... Read More
The Little ColonelWhen a Southern belle (Evelyn Venable) married a Yankee (John Lodge), her father (Lionel Barrymore), a former Confederate colonel, promptly disowned her. Now, years, later, the couple's only daughter (Shirley Temple) visits the family plantation to meet her grandfather and heal old wounds. But will... Read More
Biograph ShortsA comprehensive sampling of silent shorts created for the Biograph movie company by director D.W. Griffith celebrates some of Hollywood's earliest stars, from Lionel Barrymore and Lillian Gish to "America's Sweetheart" Mary Pickford. Selections include "Those Awful Hats" (1909), "The Unchanging Sea"... Read More
Dr. Kildare's Strange CaseLew Ayres reprises his role as Dr. Kildare, an intern who studies under the experienced Dr. Gillespie (Lionel Barrymore). This time around, Dr. Kildare tries to salvage the reputation of Dr. Lane (Shepperd Strudwick), a brain surgeon who lost several patients on the operating table. Finally, Dr.... Read More
The Secret of Dr. KildareThe third in a string of films about an altruistic young physician finds Dr. James Kildare (Lew Ayres) caring for his testy but lovable mentor (Lionel Barrymore) when the going gets rough. Saddled with the dual responsibility of finding a cure for pneumonia and helping a wealthy patient (Helen... Read More
Key Largo (1948) | NR | |
It's a Wonderful Life (1946) | NR | |
Duel in the Sun (1946) | NR | |
Since You Went Away (1944) | NR | |
Lady Be Good (1941) | NR | |
Dr. Kildare's Strange Case (1940) | NR | |
The Secret of Dr. Kildare (1939) | NR | |
You Can't Take It with You (1938) | NR | |
Captains Courageous (1937) | NR | |
Camille (1936) | NR | |
The Little Colonel (1935) | PG | |
David Copperfield (1935) | NR | |
Treasure Island (1934) | NR | |
Night Flight (1933) | NR | |
Dinner at Eight (1933) | NR | |
Grand Hotel (1932) | NR | |
NR | ||
A Free Soul (1931) | NR | |
Mata Hari (1931) | NR | |
The Divorcee / A Free Soul (1930) | NR | |
Sadie Thompson (1928) | UR | |
The Bells (1926) | NR | |
America (1924) | NR | |
NR | ||
Biograph Shorts (1908) | NR | |
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