Comments on: “That’s All There Is, There Isn’t Any More”

By: Patricia

Patricia — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:08:29 +0000

Another “save and share”.

Thank you for the insights into Miss Ethel. She starred on Broadway in an adaptation of Edna Ferber’s stories of traveling saleswoman Emma McChesney. However, after Ferber and Kaufmann wrote “The Royal Family”, Ethel didn’t speak to Edna for years. My, they could be a touchy lot those Barrymores.

A favourite role: “Just for You” as the headmistress of a board school where young Natalie Wood (the daughter of widowed producer Bing Crosby) finds acceptance. One of those regal ladies with a heart of gold.

By: Joe aka Mongo

Joe aka Mongo — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:54:23 +0000

Great article Moira. Ethel Barrymore is way up at the top of my list of favorite character actresses. In fact my favorite Barrymore.
Although I enjoy her performances in most of the films you mentioned, there is the film “It’s a Big Country” (1951) in which she plays a person who was not counted when they took a census of the population and just wonderful in another small role.
Also in “The Secret of Convict Lake” is Ann Dvorak as a man hungry dame…what else?
Moira, the images you presented here were also top notch.

By: moirafinnie

moirafinnie — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:51:19 +0000

Oops, Chris, I used "impecunious" twice? Yikes, this is not my week for proofreading and editing. Yes, I've seen The Secret of Convict Lake and loved it, though Ethel's role only allows her flashes of the old fire, imho. A beautifully photographed film by veteran cinematographer Leo Tover, the movie is saddled with an unfortunate title, but any cast that brings Ethel together with as diverse a group as Glenn Ford, (who may not be at his best here), Gene Tierney, Zachary Scott and even Cyril Cusack is worth a look. It's been years since I saw this, but I hope to catch it again. Maybe I should re-think lumping it together with Ethel's unfortunate on-screen appearance with the icky Mario Lanza vehicle, That Midnight Kiss (1949)---though I'm sure that there are many people who like that movie, too. Thanks so much for your comments. I'll try to watch the repetition of those adjectives.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:47:06 +0000

Well done Moira. A great read – as usual. Have you seen “The Secret of Convict Lake?” Then I’ll know at least eomone who has seen it besides me. “Impecunious” twice in the same feature, good for you. I learned several things today. Thanks so much.

By: Al Lowe

Al Lowe — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 09:52:55 +0000

During a 1970s stint in the Army, during which I wrote for the Ft. Dix Post, I used to spend weekends catching up on old movies. I used to visit several of the revival houses; one soldier asked me if those were religious places.
Thats where I first caught Rasputin and the Empress. Years later I bought the video from a catalogue.
It was an experience. It was interesting. Of course, so is being trapped in a cave with bats.
Instead I was trapped in a theater with Barrymores. “I don’t know what those boys were doing,” Ethel reportedly said later.
Thats okay. Neither did they.
But all three made up for it with fine performances later. John in Counsellor-at-law. Lionel in It’s a Wonderful Life. And Ethel in all those films you mentioned.
The three I rewatched most recently was Paradine Case, Portrait of Jennie and Spiral Staircase. Talk about different characterizations! Talk about an actress!
Thanks for the write-up.

By: pancakes barbara

pancakes barbara — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 04:13:29 +0000

What a fabulous article! I loved her response to Kazan.

By: moirafinnie

moirafinnie — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:24:22 +0000

Hi YancySkancy, For technical reasons that are beyond my ken to explain, some references to some of Ethel's films (Moonrise, Portrait of Jennie & The Red Danube, for example) were excised from my text. Some of these films are among those in which Ethel Barrymore cast her spell most artfully, and I thank you for reminding me to include some allusions to her finest work. I have added back a brief reference to the compellingly romantic Portrait of Jennie. One of the more interesting theories that I've read over time from fans of that film are that perhaps Ethel was Jennie herself, surviving that cataclysmic storm and grown old waiting for Joseph Cotten to catch up with her in time. Not something that occurred to me when I read Robert Nathan's book as a girl or when I enjoyed the movie, but an indication of the hold that the film can have on the imagination of its viewers, even today. As always, thanks for your pertinent comment.

By: YancySkancy

YancySkancy — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:00:08 +0000

Fine article. I read a good bio of the Barrymore clan several years ago; quite a fascinating bunch.

One performance of Ethel’s you didn’t mention is her spinster art dealer in “Portrait of Jennie,” a wonderfully subtle piece of work in a beautiful film.