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Lionel Barrymore in
It's a Wonderful Life |
In a previous blog, I detailed my listening habits on my drive to work. One of the old-time radio shows I would listen to was the Story of Dr. Kildare with Lew Ayres and Lionel Barrymore, both recreating their roles from the film series. Barrymore was a member of the famous acting family with brother John and sister Ethel. He was confined to a wheelchair due to a broken hip and arthritis, but that did not stop him from continuing his acting career. His character Dr. Gillespie was a crochety old coot, lovable but crusty, always advising the young Dr. Kildare on difficult patients and cases. He is probably best known today for his role as Mr. Potter, the autocratic banker who attempts to dominate Jimmy Stewart in It's a Wonderful Life. Barrymore's distinctive vocal style inspired numerous imitations in animated cartoons when a curmudgeon was needed.
