John Barrymore

Barrymore cites

Wikipedia John Barrymore 2015 update///

IMDB Grand Hotel 1938 and Playmates 1941 posters

cbb///johnbarrymore///ihatehamlet

http://www.meredy.com/barrymorejohntriv.html , < just some extra info

Playmates was John's last show he ever did. It was the prime example of how bad his alcoholism got to him. It was slandered as the worst Barrymore show ever done. It was a musical comedy, where John portrayed a Shakespeare ham name, John Barrymore. It disgraced his title as a serious tragedian. And him playing himself on disgraced any respect he had left.

Artifact: Sobered Performance

John Barrymore in Marie Antoinette 1938

it's no secret that john had a alcoholic problem. Although at one point during his peek he was rewarded with amazing roles for being sober. Not a weird concept, stay sober get the gig. Drink and your out of the show. This was a deciding factor to see if he could continue his peak or let alcohol get the better of him. We now know the winner, Alcohol.

Artifact: Poster for Grand Hotel

Grand Hotel 1932

Grand Hotel was John's most famous film ever done. I believe this is where he totally peaked film wise. Not only did it star him, but it stared his older brother Lionel Barrymore. It won an Oscar for best picture in 1932. One description of it is, "A group of very different individuals staying at a luxurious hotel in Berlin deal with each of their respective dramas."

Artifact: Card with Maurice Barrymore

Maurice Barrymore, John's Father

Maurice was very important to John and his career. Maurice gave John his first major stage role when John was starting out at the age of 18. Maurice went on to become an amazing play writer and actor. until he became insane and was diagnosed with syphilis. Maurice also mentored John into becoming an amazing actor. Without Maurice, John might of tried to continue his study in visual art and not acting.

Artifact: Drawing by John Singer

Barrymore, drawn by John Singer, 1923

This drawing of John was done excellently by John Singer and put into the files of Barrymore portraits. From what I can decipher of the note written at the bottom it says, "To my friend John Barrymore...?" Then the date of the drawing. The drawing has intense detail of his face and shadowing. I think its interesting that he had friends when he talks about how professional he is.

Artifact: Hamlet Painting

Barrymore as Hamlet 1922

This painting of John as hamlet was made in 1922 as listed above. Once again right around the rise of his acting. His portrayal of Hamlet, in Shakespeare's Hamlet, earned him the title of the greatest tragedian of his time. He was acclaimed for his acting in Hamlet so much that it opened doors to new shows and film. He definitely set the bar high for actor playing Hamlet in the future.