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Barrymore's Prophecy on Movies & TV
15 Sep
Summary
- Lionel Barrymore feared TV would replace theaters nearly 100 years ago.
- The Barrymore family has a complex legacy of hedonism and addiction.
- Drew Barrymore aims to break family addiction cycles for her children.
In the early 20th century, long before widespread digital streaming, entertainers voiced concerns about technological advancements impacting their industry. Actor Lionel Barrymore, in 1928, predicted that movies would evolve to include sound and color, eventually leading to television's dominance and the potential demise of live theaters.
These apprehensions are detailed in Gary Berman's "100 Years of Laughter: American Comedy in the Twentieth Century." Barrymore's foresight captured the anxieties of an era adjusting to new media, much like today's discussions about artificial intelligence.
Lionel Barrymore, part of a renowned acting family that includes his siblings John and Ethel, and his grand-niece Drew Barrymore, achieved significant success, including an Oscar for "A Free Soul" and a memorable role in "It's a Wonderful Life."
More recently, Drew Barrymore has spoken about her family's struggles with addiction, viewing her sobriety as a way to break a generational chain. She expressed a profound sense of responsibility to honor the Barrymore name while forging a healthier path for her children and future descendants.
