For years, I have been fascinated by actor Ethel [Ethel Mae Blythe] Barrymore. For some reason, I thought she was born in England, like her brothers Lionel and John. Maybe it was because she was such good personal friends with Winston Churchill. The fact is, Ethel Barrymore was born in Philadelphia, Pa. on August 15, 1879 and she died in Los Angeles, California on June 18, 1959 just about two months before her 80th birthday. She was married to Russell Colt (of Colt gun fame) between 1909 and 1923 (divorced) and had three children. She never remarried, being a strict Catholic, but as says, it wasn't just religion that precluded remarriage; she was, after all, the mother of three children and did not receive any kind of compensation from Russell Colt (at her own request); there was just simply no time for romance.
You can find out everything you need to know about Ethel Barrymore by going here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethel_Barrymore
I have been lucky to find not one, but TWO books on Ethel Barrymore:
[1] Memories by Ethel Barrymore (Harper Brothers., 1955, illustrated with many black and white photos)
[2] Ethel Barrymore: A Portrait by Mary Virginia Fox (Reilly & Lee, 1970, no photos)
Among my favourites with Ethel's participation is Portrait of Jennie with Joseph Cotten [1948]; The Spiral Staircase [1946] with George Brent; The Paradine Case [1947]. It seems strange that Ethel Barrymore didn't play more substantial roles, but perhaps I just don't know about them. Any thoughts?
