Lionel Barrymore Movies
Like his younger brother John, American actor Lionel Barrymore wanted more than anything to be an artist. But a member of the celebrated Barrymore family was expected to enter the family trade, so Lionel reluctantly launched an acting career. Not as attractive as John or sister Ethel, he was most effectively cast in character roles - villains, military officers, fathers - even in his youth. Unable to save what he earned, Barrymore was "reduced" to appearing in films for the Biograph Company in 1911, where he was directed by the great D.W. Griffith and where he was permitted to write a few film stories himself, which to Lionel was far more satisfying than playacting. His stage career was boosted when cast in 1917 as Colonel Ibbetson in Peter Ibbetson, which led to his most celebrated role, Milt Shanks in The Copperhead; even late in life, he could always count on being asked to recite his climactic Copperhead soliloquy, which never failed to bring down the house. Moving on to film, Barrymore was signed to what would be a 25-year hitch with MGM and begged the MGM heads to be allowed to direct; he showed only moderate talent in this field, and was most often hired to guide those films in which MGM wanted to "punish" its more rebellious talent. Resigning himself to acting again in 1931, he managed to cop an Academy Award for his bravura performance as a drunken defense attorney in A Free Soul (1931), the first in an increasingly prestigious series of movie character parts. In 1937, Barrymore was crippled by arthritis, and for the rest of his career was confined to a wheelchair. The actor became more popular than ever as he reached his sixtieth birthday, principally as a result of his annual radio appearance as Scrooge in A Christmas Carol and his continuing role as Dr. Gillespie in MGM's Dr. Kildare film series. Barrymore was aware that venerability and talent are not often the same thing, but he'd become somewhat lazy (if one can call a sixtyish wheelchair-bound man who showed up on time and appeared in at least three films per year "lazy") and settled into repeating his "old curmudgeon with a heart of gold" performance, save for the occasional topnotch part in such films as It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and Down to the Sea in Ships (1949). Denied access to television work by his MGM contract, Barrymore nonetheless remained active in radio (he'd starred in the long-running series Mayor of the Town), and at one point conducted a talk program from his own home; additionally, the actor continued pursuing his hobbies of writing, composing music, painting and engraving until arthritis overcame him. On the day of his death, he was preparing for his weekly performance on radio's Hallmark Playhouse; that evening, the program offered a glowing tribute to Barrymore, never once alluding to the fact that he'd spent a lifetime in a profession he openly despised. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1927
The whole cast looks like they're enjoying themselves in this spoof on crime melodramas. A series of thefts are being committed nightly at the thirteenth hour (i.e., 1 A.M.), the latest resulting in a murder, and detective Matt Gray (Charles Delaney) is convinced he can find the perpetrator with the help of his trusty German shepherd. Along the way he meets Mary Lyle (Jacquelin Gadson), who is the secretary for Professor Leroy (Lionel Barrymore). Leroy is offering a reward to whoever solves the crimes, and it doesn't take much brainpower to realize that the professor himself is the crook -- and this fact is revealed in the first couple of reels anyhow. The fun is in watching Matt and his dog wander through the Leroy's house, trying to nab him and save Mary from his clutches. The house is loaded with trap doors, arms that mysteriously grab people from behind curtains, and other such silly/creepy stuff. Matt, of course, wins out over his superiors in capturing the professor and he wins the girl, too. While Lionel Barrymore does a fine turn as the professor, the best acting in the film is done by the dog, billed as Napoleon in the credits. He seems almost human and earns a load of sympathy. Character comedienne Polly Moran, playing the part of a newspaperwoman, is unfortunately pretty much wasted. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lionel Barrymore, Jacqueline Gadsden, (more)
- 1926
Another of Raoul Walsh's "lost" silent films, Lucky Lady stars Gretta Niessen as the title character. Convent-bred to assume her position of nobility when the time comes, Princess Antoinette (Niessen) plays hooky from school one day to attend a theatrical performance. Here she meets a handsome young American (William Collier Jr.), and it's love at first sight. Meanwhile, in the Princess' home country, the Prime Minister (Marc MacDermott) plots to quell a rebellion by arranging a marriage between Antoinette and the Grand Duke (Lionel Barrymore). Assuming that the young American is a spy for the rebels, the Prime Minister does his best to break up the Princess' romance, but love wins out over politics in the end. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lionel Barrymore, Greta Nissen, (more)
- 1926
MGM's silent programmers were often more elaborate than the "A" product from most other studios, and The Barrier was no exception. Norman Kerry plays a Virginian blueblood who comes to the North Woods. Here he falls in love with Marceline Day, the daughter of Henry B. Walthall. Only she's not really Walthall's daughter, but instead the offspring of evil Lionel Barrymore. The Rex Beach story upon which The Barrier was based ended on a sorrowful note; not so this 1926 film version, which in addition to sending the audience home happy also featured a whale of an ice-floe finale. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Norman Kerry, Henry B. Walthall, (more)
- 1926
Paris at Midnight was freely adapted from Pere Goriot, a novel by Honore de Balzac. Lionel Barrymore stars as the "Robin Hood of Paris," who robs from the rich and keeps it all for himself. When his best friend dies in a shabby boarding house, Barrymore promises to look after the friend's libertine daughters Jetta Goudal and Mary Brian. Though Goudal is pretty much a lost cause, Barrymore is able to guide Brian to a happy and virtuous marriage with starving artist Edmund Burns. Surely the Balzac original was not as simplistic as Paris at Midnight. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lionel Barrymore, Mary Brian, (more)
The play The Bells (based on the French Le Juif Polonais) was brought to the screen in 1926. Lionel Barrymore plays a merchant who murders a Jewish entrepreneur and appropriates the dead man's fortune. Though no evidence exists to convict him, Barrymore cannot escape his own conscience due to the intervention of a mentalist. Whenever he hears the pealing of church bells, Barrymore is haunted by images of his crime and his victim. Of interest is the appearance of Boris Karloff, in Caligariesque makeup as the mesmerist. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1926
The Temptress was Greta Garbo's second American film, and while it may strike modern viewers as excessively melodramatic, Garbo is always worth watching. The star plays Elena, the wife of Monsieur Canterac (Lionel Barrymore) -- and the mistress of rich Parisian banker Monsieur Fontenoy (Marc MacDermott). When the banker's Argentine friend Robledo (Antonio Moreno), a dynamic young engineer, pays a visit to Paris, the fickle Elena immediately falls in love with him. Upon learning that Fontenoy has lost his fortune, Elena dumps him and returns to her husband, whereupon the banker kills himself. Evidently not content with ruining one life, Elena heads to Argentina and goes to work on Robledo, leading to a bloody whip duel between Robledo and his rival Manos Duros (Roy D'Arcy). Inevitably, Elena drives Robledo to perdition and indirectly causes the destruction of the magnificent dam upon which he has worked all his life. Banished from Argentina, she returns to Paris, where she spends the rest of her days as a seedy streetwalker. At least, that was the ending of the European version of The Temptress. The American version incredibly ends happily, five years after the above-described events, as Robledo and the reformed Elena triumphantly supervise the opening of his now-repaired dam! Initially, the film's director was Garbo's mentor-lover, the brilliant Mauritz Stiller, but he was replaced halfway through by the competent but uninspired Fred Niblo -- and the finished picture shows this division of interests all too clearly. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Greta Garbo, Antonio Moreno, (more)
- 1926
Lionel Barrymore was at a low career ebb when he agreed to appear in the independently produced Brooding Eyes. Barrymore emulates his brother John in the role of Slim Jim Carey, the "black sheep" of an aristocratic British family. A professional blackmailer, Carey suddenly and mysteriously disappears from sight, prompting his partner in crime Pat Calaghan (Montagu Love) to take over Carey's operation. Part of Calaghan's game plan is to claim an earldom which was to have been inherited by his "late" partner. But Carey, who is still alive, squashes Calaghan's scheme by showing up in his ancestral home as the family butler. In this guise, he prevents Calaghan from getting his slimy hands on the mistress of the manor, Maria De Costa (Alma Bennett) -- who is actually Carey's long-estranged daughter. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lionel Barrymore, Robert Ellis, (more)
- 1925
Mary Hale (Marguerite de la Motte) hates her job in a department store, and when wealthy Gordon Kent (Lionel Barrymore) comes around, she flirts with him and is fired. Because she is mad at her fiancé, William Norworth (Forrest Stanley), Mary takes off in Kent's car and she doesn't come home until the early hours. Her father (Henry Walthall) is furious and slaps her, so she leaves home. Kent offers to let her stay in his apartment, while he sleeps at the club. Her brief stay is interrupted by the presence of chorus girl Greta Verlaine, Kent's mistress (Lilyan Tashman). She kicks Mary out. Hale shows up looking for his daughter, and mistakenly shoots and kills Greta. To keep Mary away from scandal, Kent confesses to the crime, but Hale finally comes forth and admits he killed Greta. Kent spends his fortune to defend Hale, who is finally freed after three jury disagreements. The now penniless Kent settles down, weds Mary, and starts life again as a working man. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lionel Barrymore, Marguerite de la Motte, (more)
- 1925
This horse racing meller was based on the play by George V. Hobart and George Broadhurst. Claire Barrington (Aileen Pringle) wants to see her sister, Myrtle (Edna Murphy), make a fortuitous marriage to Ralph Woodhurst (Antrim Short). Woodhurst's father opposes horse racing, so Claire keeps it a secret that she is owner of the Duffy stables and Wildfire, a very fast horse. The stables' former owner, John Duffy (Lawford Davidson), plans to win Claire anyway he can, even if it means calling in the notes on the stables. Claire, however, loves Garrison (Holmes E. Herbert), who finally shows up after a five-year absence. Garrison, believing that Duffy -- a longtime enemy -- still owns the stables, buys a horse of his own, Jackdaw, the only horse who can beat Wildfire. The Duffy stables are set on fire and Claire believes Garrison did it. Jockey Chappie Raster (Arthur Bryson) is engaged to ride Wildfire in an important race and Duffy plots to have him throw it. Claire foils Duffy's scheme by keeping him away from Raster's view, and Wildfire wins. Duffy, of course, is responsible for the stable fire, so Claire and Garrison are reconciled. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Aileen Pringle, Edna Murphy, (more)
- 1925
Johnny Walker stars in this routine, independently made crime drama. After serving a stretch in jail, Larry Brainerd (Walker) returns to his old gang to tell them that he plans to go straight. This doesn't sit well with his former colleagues, and they call him a coward. As if this humiliation isn't enough, a sleazy detective is soon attempting to frame him for a murder. Brainerd takes refuge with an artist friend and proves his value to him by arranging to have his paintings sold and saving his brother from one of the crooks' schemes. Maggie (Marguerite de la Motte) is one of the gang who was involved in the game, and Brainerd's actions earn her admiration. As a result, she decides to reform. She proves her love for Brainerd by helping him land the other gang members in jail. The story was written by LeRoy F. Scott, who was well known for his crook tales. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1925
In spite of the presence of Lionel Barrymore, this old-fashioned drama was nothing more than mediocre program fare. Daniel Abbott (Barrymore) is a druggist and philanthropist. One day, while visiting court with his adopted son, Jimmy (Tom Brown), he finds a certain Mrs. Warren being charged with attempted suicide. He brings her, and her baby, Helen, home with him. But Abbott also has a secret life -- he is the Robin Hood-like head of a gang that steals from the rich and gives to the poor. Helen grows into a young lady (Anne Cornwall) and receives unwanted advances from tenement owner Sylvester Doane (Henry Sedley). Doane happens to be the next man Abbott plans to rob. Jimmy (played as a young man by Henry Hull) finds out about his father's secret life and dashes to Doane's house in order to stop the robbery. He is found holding the purloined jewels and is himself jailed as a robber. Abbott kills the evil Doane, but is also fatally shot. Jimmy and Helen eventually wind up together. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1925
Produced and directed by Whitman Bennett, this minor society melodrama features Mildred Harris as Claire Bowdoin, whose blue-collar mother (Dorothy Kingdon) is arranging for her to marry handsome Prince Novokian (Jean del Val). The prince, alas, is grabbed instead by a certain Miss Callahan (Winifred Barry), the daughter of a wealthy chocolate manufacturer (J. Moy Bennett). Down but far from out, Claire accepts a marriage of convenience to steel magnate Philip Durban (Lionel Barrymore), only to discover that she is falling in love with her husband and he with her. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lionel Barrymore, Mildred Harris, (more)
- 1925
This typically overblown Frank Lloyd-directed western takes place in the days of the California Gold Rush. Anna Q. Nilsson stars as Sandra De Hault, who heads to California in the company of three orphaned children she has adopted along the way. Taking up residence in a squalid shack, Sandra falls in with slimy saloon-owner Buck Lockwell (George Bancroft). Feeling that she's now damaged goods, she refuses to marry Stanton Holliday (Robert Frazer), the "nice boy" with whom she eventually falls in love. But Stanton rescues Sandra from her surroundings with a well-aimed sock at Buck's chin. Lionel Barrymore, then in a career slump, plays the thankless role of a philosophical gambler. The Splendid Road was based on a novel by Vingie E. Roe. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anna Q. Nilsson, Robert W. Frazer, (more)
- 1924
Lionel Barrymore stars as an evil political boss in this heavy drama. James McQuade (Barrymore) is infatuated with Julia Calvert (Seena Owen), who is engaged to district attorney Daniel Harrington (Gaston Glass). To get her away from Harrington, McQuade frames her father for a crime. The only way Julia can save her father from doing time is to leave Harrington and wed McQuade. She agrees, but it's clear that she doesn't love her new husband. McQuade grows ever more suspicious and enlists the help of his brother, Robert (Martin J. Faust), to catch Julia, who he is convinced is still seeing Harrington. Actually, Robert is the one who is chasing after Julia, and when McQuade catches them together, he shoots him. Corinne Stratton, a chorus girl (Flora LeBreton), is accused of Robert's murder, but then McQuade discovers that she is his own daughter. He has the trial postponed for one day, then takes poison after writing a letter confessing that he is the murderer. With his death, Harrington and Julia are reunited, while Corinne is free to marry her sweetheart, Billy Gray (Joseph Striker). ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lionel Barrymore, Seena Owen, (more)
- 1924
During the 1920s, it was a common occurrence for British filmmakers to lense their productions in Germany, and vice versa. Thus it was that Herbert Wilcox travelled to Deutschland to film his lavish Decameron Nights. The film was based on a play by McLoughlin and Lawrence, which in turn was adapted from the spicy tales of Giovanni Boccaccio. Hollywood's Lionel Barrymore plays a sultan whose son falls hopelessly in love with a Moslem princess. Also in the cast is Werner Krauss, of Cabinet of Dr. Caligari fame. Decameron Nights was more or less remade in 1953, with Louis Jourdan and Joan Fontaine in the leads. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Werner Krauss, Lionel Barrymore, (more)
- 1924
This video contains two abridged version films: America, in which a Boston patriot and the daughter of a Tory fall in love during the Revolutionary War; and the silent film, The Fall of Babylon, which is one of the stories told in D. W. Griffith's Intolerance. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- 1924
This epic tale about the American Revolution broke the bank for filmmaker D.W. Griffith. Robert W. Chambers loosely adapted his novel, The Reckoning, which focuses on the battles in New York state. Griffith however, found it necessary to add a romance, so Chambers obligingly added one for him. Captain Walter Butler (Lionel Barrymore), a supporter of the king, goads the Iroquois Indians into attacking settlers who are loyal to the Revolution. Nathan Holden (Neil Hamilton) is a dispatch rider for the Boston Committee on Public Safety, and a patriot. While on a mission in Virginia he meets Nancy (Carol Dempster), the daughter of Justice Montague, a Tory (Erville Alderson). The Montagues are on hand in Lexington for the ride of Paul Revere (Harry O'Neill)--one of the highlights of the film. Nancy's brother, Charles (Charles Mack) sides with the rebels and dies during the fighting at Bunker Hill. Nancy and her father go to visit relatives in the Mohawk Valley; Holden meanwhile is with Washington (Arthur Dewey) at Valley Forge. He is sent North with Morgan's raiders to quell the Indian uprising and discovers that Montague has naively betrothed Nancy to the evil Captain Butler. When Montague finds out that Butler is responsible for the massacres it is too late. Holden overhears Butler's plan for another attack and he goes to sound the alarm, even though he must leave Nancy in the lustful clutches of Butler. But the Indians insist on attacking immediately, saving Nancy from Butler's grasp. Morgan's raiders come to the rescue, killing Butler and halting the massacre. Montague finally realizes Holden's worth and approves of a match between him and Nancy. This picture cost nearly a million dollars, got mixed reviews, and did not make its money back. Griffith made one more picture--Isn't Life Wonderful--as an independent. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Neil Hamilton, Erville Alderson, (more)
- 1924
Lionel Barrymore has a dual role in this play-within-a picture. Grace Ainsworth (Sigrid Holmquist) wants to return to her career as an opera singer, and her mother-in-law (Ida Darling) supports her. Grace's husband, Edwin (Barrymore), wants her to stay at home and to convince her, he relates the story of his latest play about a man (Barrymore again) who allows his wife (Holmquist) to return to the stage. Edwin comes to believe that Grace is in love with Harold Chase, a manager (Hugh Thompson), and the couple separates. Edwin has an affair with a dancer, Madeline (Dagmar Godowsky), and he winds up in a fight with her dancing partner, Vincenti (Antonio D'Alagy), which causes him to lose his memory. Madeline takes him to Dr. Giani (William Bechtel), who notices his resemblance to John Wells, a bootlegger who has just died from alcohol poisoning. Wells' body is identified as Ainsworth, while Edwin is convinced that he is Wells. Grace marries Chase just before Edwin gets his memory back. He returns to his wife, but the jealous Madeline kills him. Edwin's wife and mother take this improbable story to heart and decide that it's better for Grace to stay at home. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lionel Barrymore, Sigrid Holmquist, (more)
- 1923
Running five reels, Famous Players' The Lady of Quality was a faithful adaptation of the same-named theatrical drama. Repeating her stage role of Clorinda was the magnificent Cecilia Loftus, while Geraldine O'Brien, House Peters, Hal Clarendon, Peter Lang and Dave Wall offered excellent support. The plot, which was considered old-fashioned even in 1913, charts the progress of the heroine from cradle to grave, devoting special attention to that "one wrong step" which threatens to destroy her reputation. The final portion of the story gives way to melodrama, as the desperate Clorinda tries to hide the body of the man she has murdered. Running 75 minutes or so, The Lady of Quality was cinematically unininspired, but nonetheless lauded by chi-chi critics as a "prestige" item. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Virginia Valli, Lionel Barrymore, (more)
- 1923
This predictable Northwest melodrama was one of the first made by William Randolph Hearst's film company, Cosmopolitan, for the Goldwyn studios. It was adapted from a story that appeared in Hearst's International Magazine and much of it was shot on-location in the Columbia Valley and around Quebec City. Lionel Barrymore, who had appeared in a prior Hearst film, Enemies of Women, stars for the producer again as pilot Conrad Dean, who is given the task of flying Miriam Helston (Seena Owen) up to the gold country to find her brother, Dick (Walter Miller). Dick, who is reopening his father's rich mines, has been kidnapped by a gang of outlaws headed by the vicious Laird (Louis Wolheim). Dean's plane is forced to land in the middle of nowhere and when he goes for help he becomes lost in a blizzard. Miriam goes looking for him and becomes snowblind (the original title of the picture was actually "Snowblind"). In this condition, she is found by Laird, who forces her to agree to marry him. While they are out searching for a priest, Dean goes looking for them in his airplane. He shows up in time to save Miriam from what is surely a fate worse than death. Dean and Miriam return to New York, where they are happily united. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lionel Barrymore, Seena Owen, (more)
- 1923
This epic production was the last film that producer and newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst produced for Paramount (after that, his production company, Cosmopolitan, went over to Goldwyn, which later merged with MGM). It was based on a novel by Vicenti Blasco Ibanez, who also wrote The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. In addition to lavish sets by Joseph Urban, the cast and crew also filmed on-location in Paris and Monte Carlo. Russian Prince Lubimoff (Lionel Barrymore) thinks only of his wealth and his own gratification. After fighting a duel, he has to flee from the ire of the Czar, and Duchess Alicia (Alma Rubens) helps him to get out of the country. While he is staying at his villa in Monte Carlo, World War I breaks out, but neither he nor his associates even consider going to fight. Lubimoff, who won't even acknowledge that he is in love with Alicia, is incensed when he finds her embracing a young man. Without realizing that it is her 16-year-old son, Lubimoff and his friends form a group called "Enemies of Women." Because of the war, the feudal estates are lost, and Alicia's son dies just before he is about to enter into a duel. Lubimoff, who has finally realized that the world does not revolve around him, goes to fight and uses the money he has left to help the downtrodden. On the front lines, he meets Alicia, who has become a Red Cross nurse, and they are united. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lionel Barrymore, Alma Rubens, (more)
- 1923
Bruno, a tramp (Richard Bennett), takes in a waif, David, who is later adopted by a man whose daughter, Roma, wants a playmate. The children grow up (to be played by Bert Lytell and Barbara LaMarr), and when World War I breaks out, David and Bruno enlist. David is reported dead and Roma, who is a talented sculptor, goes to Rome with the aid of Baron Bonelli (Lionel Barrymore). David is not actually dead, however, and he returns home. He joins the Fascist movement and becomes Mussolini's right hand man in fighting the Reds. David finds Roma and, believing she is the mistress of Bonelli, denounces her. She swears it's not true, however, and they make up. What neither of them have realized is that Bonelli is the power behind the Reds and they are plotting to kidnap David. David kills Bonelli and leads his Fascisti fellowmen to vanquish the Reds. Roma tries to take the blame for Bonelli's death, but David refuses to let her. He is pardoned for the good he has done Italy, and the childhood sweethearts are now joined together as adults. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barbara La Marr, Lionel Barrymore, (more)
- 1922
Although Lionel Barrymore was miscast as a gunman, he overcame this drawback by giving the role of Boomerang Bill an intensely human quality. The story opens with a young man about to leave the world of the straight and narrow. A detective approaches him and points out a broken-down soul -Boomerang Bill -- and uses his tale to convince the youth that crime does not pay. Bill was a gunman, but when he saved pretty Annie (Marguerite Marsh -- sister of Mae Marsh) from the unwanted attentions of gangster Tony the Wop (Matthew Betts), he fell in love. Because of his feelings for Annie, he decided to go straight. But when her mother (Margaret Seddon) needed to go to the country for her health, Bill did one last heist to get up the needed funds. Tony was responsible for his capture, and Bill went to prison. Annie loyally offered to wait for him, but when her mother's illness continued, he let her go so she could marry a man who would support both her and her mother. When Bill got out of prison he went to see Annie, but as he peered through the window, he saw her happy with her mother and baby. So he went off to spend the rest of his days with a little Chinese girl who once cared for him. The story to this crime drama was based on the book by Jack Boyle, who wrote the Boston Blackie stories. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lionel Barrymore, Marguerite Marsh, (more)
- 1922
Writer Jack Boyle created a timely adventure for the character of Boston Blackie Dawson in this mystery (at least it was timely in 1922) -- here the reformed crook gets tangled up in the affairs of a Grand Duchess who has escaped from Soviet Russia with some of the Romanoff jewels. A blind beggar gives Blackie (Lionel Barrymore) the jewels, which are wanted by the United States government. He knows that he is also being followed by a gang of terrorists who want to get their hands on the gems. Until he can get them to their rightful owner, he places the jewels in a safe that's wired with electricity. Petrus (Louis Wolheim) and his associate trace the booty to Blackie's home and a vicious fight breaks out. But when Petrus tries to open the safe, he is electrocuted. The crooks are rounded up and Blackie returns the valuables to Grand Duchess Tatiana (Seena Owen). ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lionel Barrymore, Seena Owen, (more)
- 1921
Lionel Barrymore stars in this melodrama, based on the play by Sir James L. Young. Jim Ralston (Barrymore) is a country bank clerk who has a talent for forging signatures. He's in love with Nina Bronson (Doris Rankin, Barrymore's real life wife) and saves her father (Ned Burton) from financial ruin by forging a check. Baron Hartfeld, the check's owner (Anders Randolf), catches him, but instead of prosecuting, he decides that Jim could be of use. As a result, Ralston winds up in charge of a gang of forgers. He also destroys Nina's romance with Louis Percival (Douglas MacPherson) through a series of forged notes. Jim then marries Nina and their daughter Louise grows up to become engaged to the son of an English banker who is about to be victimized by Jim's gang. Then Percival and Nina discover the forgeries that caused their misunderstanding. Jim realizes it is the end for him, so he takes his gang out on a yacht and sinks it, killing everyone aboard. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lionel Barrymore, Doris Rankin, (more)
