As a young man, Lionel Barrymore studied art in Paris with the intention of becoming an illustrator. But when he returned to America his brother, John, persuaded him to return to the stage also. A Barrymore must belong to the theatre. As an actor, he soon found that the screen offered him opportunities, but the role of director made its appeal to him and he directed several pictures including "Madame X," "The Rogue Song" and "Ten Cents a Dance."
He intended to abandon acting and go on directing until he was offered the part of the lawyer father in the Norma Shearer picture, "A Free Soul." This part brought him the award of the Academy of Motion Picture Afts and Sciences for the
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