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Want to support this channel and help us preserve old films? Visit Visit our website 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 (11:03). They star together in “The Sea Beast” (11:18). Barrymore marries Costello (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) This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
