MovieChat Forums > You Can't Take It with You (1938) Discussion > Mr. Potter as a good guy?!

Mr. Potter as a good guy?!

posted 16 years ago by DolphENDO
7 replies | jump to latest

I realize the subject sounds terribly naive, but I was just amazed with the performance Lionel Barrymore gave in this film. I had only seen one movie of his before, which was "It's a Wonderful Life", and Barrymore played the part of Henry F. Potter so very well that I never even bothered to separate the character from the actor! I am sure I am not alone here!

But still, watching Lionel Barrymore playing the grandfather, a good guy, in this movie was really cool. I am definitely going to browse for more of Lionel's movies in the future.

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[–] Errington_92 14 years ago

I can understand why you were amazed, his character in this film was the complete opposite of Henry Potter. At one point during the film I thought to myself who's worse, Henry Potter or Tony Kirby.

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[–] novastar_6 14 years ago

It had been several years since I'd seen It's a Wonderful Life and didn't even remember Lionel Barrymore was in it. He has played several good guys, he was great in The Devil Doll where he gets revenge on the men who sent him to prison for their crimes, On Borrowed Time as a grandpa who traps death in a tree, and of course all the Dr. Gillepsie movies where he's very funny.

[–] PillowRock 14 years ago

See Lionel Barrymore in Key Largo, where he also has a whole group of great playmates. In that case you're looking at a cast of Barrymore, Bogart, Bacall, Edward G. Robinson ...... and Clair Trevor was the one who won an Oscar, if I'm remembering right, for Supporting Actress.

[–] PussyCrusher_Principal 14 years ago

The first thing I remember seeing Lionel Barrymore in was It's A Wonderful Life, and he was soooo good in the Mr. Potter role. Since then, he has mostly played good guys in the films I've seen. I understand the op's POV, though,especially if YCTIWY was the only the 2nd LB movie, after IAWL. Check him out in more things, he's really great! Also, good call, novastar: just saw 'The Devil Doll'; great performance, great film!

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[–] bradford-1 13 years ago

If possible, try to find a recording of Barrymore playing Scrooge on radio in A CHRISTMAS CAROL. He did the role on different shows every year. Just using his voice, he was able to convey the transformation from hateful miser to lovable soul.
PS: I think the "Campbell Playhouse" version (Dec. 24, 1939) w/Orson Welles as narrator, is the most available.
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[–] hka-3 11 years ago

I came to this board just to find this topic. This film was on tonight and it was funny to see Mr. Potter helping George Bailey.

[–] bradford-1 10 years ago

Barrymore was one of the most prolific character actors of his time, even after he was confined to a wheelchair. He was also a painter, cartoonist and composer. He was the first of his family to work in films, back when the "flickers" were considered to be beneath most stage performers. He even directed a few movies in the 1920s. He steals RASPUTIN AND THE EMPRESS away from Ethel & John in the only film the three made together.
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