smenkare27 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I had the priveledge of playing John Barrymore in "I hate Hamlet" and the audio recording of this and other Shakespeare monolgues done by The Great Profile helped immensely. I think that this sort of unabashed in your face Shakespeare is refreshing in an era where everything is so understated! There are a couple of LPs of Barrymore performing Shakespeare--usually available on e-bay--check them out!

MoontideJM (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I would love to see the footage of him doing this in the 50s, since he died in 1942.

deepseadirt (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Shakespearean performances were common by American actors in the 19th century, minus British accents and no television or radio. JB as boy knew a lot of the old actors such as Edwin Booth through his grandmother Mrs Drew who ran a Philly theater and Richard Mansfield who was a friend of JB's father Maurice. The style of Shakespearean actor was florid and in your face unpretentious. It was a time when old actors could play Romeo etc.

davewatcher (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I am reminded of the comedian Emo Phillips

bchfront (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Dear cbeg: Your message received. Of course, I don't usually know about it's having been shown until "after the fact", because that's how ASCAP operates on these things -- however, I would think by your dropping a line to "programming" or Osborne directly and inquiring, you might get satisfaction. As I said, it's been years since I saw this, but I do remember "Lady Luck" because, the whole cast participated,and there's a cutaway to Barrymore, "cutting-up" as only he could! All best. R.J.

cbeg (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Please let me know when it being shown again. I never got to see the last 15 minutes or so. Besides, I want to hear "Lady Luck" one more time!

bchfront (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

"The Show of Shows" actually shows-up on TCM more-often than you would suspect. I can tell you this first-hand, because whenever its' on, we get royalties on it. It doesn't show-up now as frequently as it once-did on our ASCAP -survey, but Turner still runs-it some. You just have to look for it! R.J.

cbeg (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Hi, Faustwriter! It's from the '29 Warner Bros. extravaganza "Show of Shows." I think it's one of Barrymore's finest Shakespearean film performances. I first saw it at the Libr. of Congress back in the early 80's; TCM ran it about 15 years ago. Glad you enjoyed it!

faustwriter (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

where on earth did you come up with this? it's brilliant. i thought the only footage of Barrymore as Richard was his piece from a TV show in the 50's. it's amazing that this even exists. thank you very much for putting it up.

blackwingy (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Fantastic-thanks for posting it.