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for May 19 3 1
55
All about
Barrymore!
Answering your questions about Jack, the man, and John, the actor
By Bradford Nelson
Barrymore revels his role of ' ' Svengali,' ' the grotesque gentleman who eats little Trilby girls!
DOLORES COSTELLO BARRYMORE calls him "Winkie." Scolds him for being late to appointments. And fusses with him when he does not take his top coat, knowing that he catches cold easily.
He has been called "America's foremost actor." This pleases him. He declares it obviates the necessity of further effort. Admits he is inclined to overact and sometimes does so atrociously. Points out the fact that he was connected with what was probably the worst picture ever made. Played in it and had much to do with the making of it. Declares that it is some distinction to be intimately associated with the world's worst picture.
Admits he is a most indolent person. Wanted to be an artist in his youth. Points with pride that he sold a macabre drawing "The Hangman" to Andrew Carnegie for $10.00. Also admits he was fired by Arthur Brisbane when he was a newspaper illustrator. Still has a "creative urge" in spite of his laziness.
Often flies into a rage at the studio. Seems pleased and sometimes amused over his exhibitions of bad temper. He once astonished the wife of an important film magnate who was visiting the studio with a greeting that left her breathless for weeks. Yet to a property boy or
a studio hand he may display the manners of a Chesterfield.
Selects his leading women carefully. But when it comes to the love scenes he loses all interest. During a big love scene in a picture his thoughts wander and he remembers that fishing is a much more entertaining business.
Says that if it had not been for talking pictures he would be in the rubber business. Whatever that means. Says that before the talkies came the film industry was the Sick Man of the West. Declares that now the business is all right but a lot of people in pictures are still bum actors.
Actors have not advanced as rapidly as motion picture technicians, according to Barrymore. Says that on the "Svengali" set they have cameras that do everything but read the paper. They turn somersaults, shoot up in the air, slide or gallop, chase him, or let him chase them.
Likes to portray character roles. Because they are more fun. But he welcomed the opportunity to play the modern inebriate in "The Man From Blankley's." His one objection to character roles is make-up (Con't. on page 90)
Jack Barry more— the Bad Boy of the American theatre, as he looks when lounging in the gardens of his Beverly Hills home.