157 Lionel Barrymore Movies, Ranked Best to Worst

A holiday classic, It's a Wonderful Life is a feel-good movie that centers around a man, George Bailey, who broken down by the troubles of life wishes that he was never born. An angel appears to show him how the life of the people around him would have been if that was true and how he is loved by all.

This Academy award-winning film features Tony Kirby, son of the snobbish Kirby family and his fiancée, stenographer Alice Sycamore, who hails from a friendly, eccentric family. When the two families meet, the pretentious Kirbys makes their disapproval very clear. Kirby Sr. is buying all properties to expand his business for the biggest possible deal, but Alice’s Grandpa Vanderof is holding out, adding to the existing clash. 

During the 1920s, a spoilt young man onboard an ocean liner falls into the sea by accident due to a prank. Luckily, he is picked up by a fishing boat. Now, he has no option but to adapt to the ways of the fishermen, if he wants to survive.  

Key Largo is an action crime drama film which tells the story of Army veteran, Frank McCloud, who arrives at the Hotel Largo in Key Largo, Florida, in order to visit his deceased war comrade’s family, who owns the hotel. He sees that a gangster has been running things, but soon, a hurricane approaches as well. 

Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ is an adventure romantic drama film which tells the story of Ben-Hur, a wealthy young Jewish prince, who is a friend fo the powerful Roman tribune, Messala. Ben-Hur’s life gets ugly when an accident and a false accusation leads him to getting arrested falsely. Instead of helping him, Messala, who has now become arrogant and corrupt, makes sure that Be-Hur is jailed and separated from the rest of his family.  

The happiness of Millicent Jordan knows no bounds when she receives word that Lord and Lady Ferncliffe, the richest couple in England, have accepted an invitation to their dinner party. However, meanwhile, her husband Oliver is struggling with his health, and he is also worried because someone is trying to buy up the stock in his shipping business. He decides to get help from Dan Packard, a businessman, and asks his wife to invite him to the party as well, against her wishes.

This film revolves around the stories of a few individuals who are completely different from each other. The only thing common about them is that they are staying at the same hotel in Berlin.

Marguerite Gautier is a well-known courtesan living in 19th century Paris. When she is looking for her new client Baron de Varville, she mistakes another man named Armand to be the Baron. Although she finds him quite charming, she later accepts the Baron without hesitation. She begins living a lavish life, but over time, her health continues to decline, and she finds herself trying to choose between Armand and the wealthy baron.

Aging Captain Bering Joy is about to be replaced by First Mate, Dan Lunceford. In order to prove the ship’s owners wrong, Bering goes on one last whaling mission and brings his grandson Jed along with him. Though he initially resents Dan, disaster during the voyage forces the rivals to unite.  

Davey Fenwick leaves his mining village to study, hoping that he can return one day to support the miners against the owners. However, things don’t go as expected, when he falls for a woman named Jenny, who gets him to marry her and return home before finishing his college. He begins to work as a local schoolteacher, but he is unhappy with his life, as well as the plight of the miners. Eventually, he decides to take action.  

While on a visit to the isolated estate of his wealthy client, lawyer Richard Grant finds that his daughter is all set to marry the wealthy client. Knowing that he is a womanizer and much older to his daughter, Grant first tries to dissuade her and when he fails, murders the other man, making it appear like a suicide. But will he really be able to get away? 

Manuel Robledo falls in love with the mysterious Elena at a masquerade ball and gives her a ring, but finds out the next day that she is married to his friend Marques De Torre Bianca. Heartbroken, he leaves but fate brings the three together again with tragic consequences, in Argentina. 

The elite society of Paris is intimidated by a bold thief known by the name of Arsene Lupin, who continues to rob them of their precious possessions. The scandal creates a fear in the city. But Detective Guerchard of French Police is certain of the mysterious thief’s identity, and is also confident of how he is going to apprehend the thief.

Idealist Richard Miller, when chosen as the valedictorian of his high school, decides to express his anti-capitalist thoughts in his speech. But as his father gets the wind of it, he stops Richard in time. His girl, Muriel, is forbidden by her father from meeting him. Heartbroken, he ends up drinking in local bar. Will he find a reason to smile again?

The Road to Glory is a war drama film, which takes us to France, during the time of the First World War. It tells the story of a love triangle, which develops between a French commander who cares more for strategy than his soldiers, a free-thinking officer who is appalled by the decisions of his superior, and a nurse with whom both men fall in love.   

A recently divorced New Yorker leaves the city to join her 85 years old grandfather at his Iowa farm. Although he welcomes her, a number of distant relatives, who have been living on the farm since long, are not at all happy to see her and become especially alarmed when the old man starts showing preference to her.  

After her father is executed for shooting his wife and her lover, a half Native-American girl named Pearl, is sent to live with distant relatives in Texas. Although she is welcomed, she is met with hostility from the ranch-owner. She soon attracts the attention of Lewt, son of the ranch owner, who is lustful and unruly, but despite this, Pearl finds herself drawn physically to him as well.

Judge Hardy, who wishes to be re-elected, faces opposition from town’s people as he takes objection to the construction of an aqueduct. On home-front, his elder daughter returns after separating from husband, and younger daughter, who is dating the aqueduct-project’s engineer, wants to know the reason for his objection to project. The town’s powerful people and local newspaper publisher, demand Hardy’s impeachment. 

Jim Lane is a test pilot, who lives a very dangerous life. During one of his flights, he is forced to make an emergency landing on a farmer’s field in Kansas. The farm belongs to the Barton family, and he meets and falls for their daughter Ann Barton. They impulsively decide to get married and to live in New York. However, Ann is upset by the fact that Jim always puts his work before her. She also begins to fear that she will become a widow, due to the dangerous nature of his work. 

Navy, Blue and Gold is a sports drama film, which tells the story of three young men, who share a common fondness for football. They become roommates at a US Naval Academy. However, one of them is hiding his identity as the son of an unfairly disgraced ex-Navy soldier.  

In order to infiltrate a gang, a FBI agent helps the leader of the group to escape from prison in order to gain his trust.  

Following Chicago’s great fire, Daniel Pardway starts a store which he builds in a huge departmental store. After his wife’s death, Daniel raises his children and provides them with everything. Later, when his children are grown-up, he wishes that his sons would take over the business. But when he finds them either uninterested or incapable of the responsibility, Daniel is left heartbroken.

Stephen Ashe is an alcoholic lawyer who defends a notorious gambler named Ace who was the accused in a murder case. Meanwhile, his daughter Jan Ashe, who has just broken her engagement to polo player Dwight Winthrop finds herself attracted to Ace, and they begin a relationship. Stephen obviously doesn’t approve of this relationship and tries to break it off.

Brash young American athlete Lee Sheridan wins a scholarship to Cardinal College, Oxford University. But his bragging nature immediately alienates everyone including Paul Beaumont and the Dean. Things get complicated when he falls in love with Paul’s sister Molly and unwittingly ends up being expelled from college. 

Eadie Chapman leaves Missouri to find a wealthy man to marry. Later she garners the attention of Frank Cousins and he offers her expensive gifts. Frank commits suicide due to bankruptcy and Eadie, a suspect is rescued by T.R. When T.R.’s son falls in love with Eadie, T.R. turns on Eadie. 

Right after the USA enters World War II, reporter John Royer secures the release of and enlists the help of his friend Carnaghan to smuggle much-needed rubber out of Japanese controlled Malaya. With a dangerous Japanese commander Tomura in pursuit, Royer and Carnaghan involve an old associate The Dutchman to help them.

Desperate to cure her hemophilic son Prince Alexei, Czarina Alexandra, resorts to the healer and mystic Rasputin to save him. Although it seems that Rasputin is initially curing the Prince, he conspires to bring about the downfall of the Russian Empire under Czar Nicholas II. Only Prince Paul Chegodieff stands in his way. 

The Christmas Party is a short drama film, which tells the story of Jackie, who is willing to throw a Christmas party for his friends on his football team. However, he is unsure how to begin working on it, and therefore, has to take help.

Mata Hari is a drama film which takes us to the time of the First World War, and revolves around a German spy in Paris named Mata Hari. She seduces a Russian general named Rubin, and is now after Lieutenant Rosanov, a young officer, hoping to get her hands on certain secret documents in his possession. However, the secret police is looking for her as well, and only waiting for enough evidence for an arrest.

Barbara is a beautiful taxi dancer at a city dance hall. One day, she is hired by wealthy Bradley Carlton, who later invites her to dinner and agrees to give a job to her unemployed neighbor Eddie when she asks for it. Later she realizes that she is in love with Eddie and decides to quit her job to marry him. But is Eddie the right person for her? 

The Secret Heart is a 1946 drama film, which tells the story of Larry Adams, a brilliant pianist, who commits suicide burdened by his unpaid debts. His wife devotes her life to paying off his debts as well as raising his two children. However, Penny, who is unable to get over her father’s death, starts questioning everything concerning him. 

Marya Kalish finds herself in a predicament. She needs to travel to St. Petersburg to visit her dying father, but to travel, she needs a yellow ticket, something which is required for a single woman to travel alone, but the ticket also suggests that she might be a sex worker. When a British reporter finds out about her plight, he decides to write about it, but it gets him in trouble with the police.  

Carol is the young daughter of a horse breeder. She is engaged to Martley Madison, but complications arise because her father owes a lot of money to a crooked gambler named Duke Bradley, who takes a liking to her.

During her second divorce hearing, singer Dixie Donegan recounts to Judge Murdock, the ups and downs of her marriage to composer Eddie Crane. After initially working together, falling in love, and getting married the two separated due to differences. They got married a second time to each other only to realize that they want different things, again. 

Young Mollie Harding’s dying mother writes a letter requesting Preacher Bolton to use the money she has left to buy a ‘little finery’ for her daughter who is denied such things by her miser father. Pastor buys Mollie a fancy New York hat that she yearned for, which results in gossip and malicious rumors. Will the things be set right for Mollie?  

During the Revolutionary War of 1770s, brutal British Captain Walter Butler takes help of the Native Americans to attack the settlers supporting the revolution. Young patriot Nathan Holden, the express rider of Lexington, Massachusetts, falls in love with aristocratic Nancy Montague, the daughter of uncompromising Tory judge Montague, who disapproves of Nathan. In such adversative conditions, the couple needs to strive hard to unite. 

The Massacre is a short western war film which revolves around the massacre of an Indian village, and the retaliation that follows.

While on their way to visit their uncle in the Wild West, Sally and her sister have brought two puppies. Also traveling with them are Melissa, her husband, her newborn baby, and others. When a tribe of Native-Americans attacks them, the settlers try to fight them off. 

During the 1930s, a French air-mail company from South America is owned by Riviere who insists on continuing the night fights, though the heavy rains, fog and darkness over treacherous Andes peaks make it risky for the pilots. But when a young boy in Rio-de-Janeiro needs an urgent medical delivery of polio serum, the perilous night flight is the only available lifesaver. 

Dr. James Kildare’s mentor, Dr. Gillespie, assigns him to a street clinic to gain realistic experience and stations Nurse Mary to spy on him. Kildare is called to take a bullet out of wounded Nick Lewett. Despite recognizing Nick as a murder suspect, Kildare believes in his claims of innocence and besotted with Nick’s sister Rosalie, decides to help her find real murderer.

Dr. James Kildare is getting married to Nurse Mary Lamont, the preparations for which are keeping them busy. Then a tragedy strikes leaving Kildare so devastated that he has no wish to practice medicine. His mentor, Dr. Gillespie, calls him to help with a famous conductor’s hearing problem. Kildare's successful resolution of the issue, encourages him to return to medicine. 

When Dr. Kildare finds professional ice-skater Frances Marlowe in an auto-accident, he performs an emergency operation to save her from dying of internal bleeding. Afterwards when she is unable to walk, she sues Kildare for malpractice. Though hospital administration suggests an out-of-court settlement, Kildare decides to fight the case. Now, his reputation as doctor hinges on how he diagnoses her case in court. 

The Miser’s Heart is a crime drama thriller short film which tells the story of an old miser who has hidden away his wealth. Thieves try to steal the money from him, but he refuses to open the safe for them. Therefore they threaten to kill a girl living in his building.  

Railroad owner Jim Knox wants to increase his profits, and he wants the land surrounding the railroad as well. Steve Logan, a young Harvard graduate, who is supposed to fight for the rights of the farmers, pretends to join Knox. This disappoints the people of the town, as well as Maggie, the woman who loves Steve.  

When the Japanese invade a farming village and the men of the Tan family appease the invaders to be on the safe side, a courageous young woman named Jade is determined to oppose. She learns to read and fight to build up a resistance, which in turn inspires the entire village to follow suit.

This is a silent short film about two business partners pursuing the same woman. One of them is fond of gambling while the other is more dependable. Charmed by the former, the woman marries him. But when he starts acquiring gambling debts and decides to commit suicide, it is his partner who races to the office to stop him. But will he make it?   

As a young burglar is about to enter their house, a jealous brother strikes down his sibling dead. Then he calls the police, and eventually the burglar is charged with the murder. Now the burglar thinks of a way to prove his innocence.

When a young man suffering from mental disorders suddenly goes on a killing spree, Dr Gillespie is called in to investigate.

This short drama film revolves around a patient in a mental asylum who gets calmed after he hears the piano playing. However, shortly afterwards, he attempts to break free, and is successful. He manages to elude all his pursuers, and comes to a house where a young wife is home alone.

Lone Star is a 1952 black-and-white Western film that tells the story of Devereaux Burke, a cattleman from Texas, who has to help the President of the US, to prevent the Republic of Texas from signing a treaty with Mexico. 

Jeff Keane is an attorney who is nominated and elected to the US Senate, after he is able to successfully free a wrongfully convicted boy from prison. He soon meets a socialite named Consuela, and gets married to her eventually. However, his life turns upside down when he realizes that Consuela is heavily in debt. She urges Jeff to resign and join a law firm of the corrupt Alan Hinsdale.

This is a short drama film about two sisters being raised under a strict father, who forbids them to use makeup. While the elder one adheres to all his rules, the younger one happily ignores them. Without makeup, the older one is almost ostracized, feeling lonely until one young man starts paying special attention to her. But who is he? 

Right Cross is a 1950 sports drama film, which revolves around a Mexican boxer fighting to retain his crown as well as win enough money to marry the girl he likes.

Roy is a homicidal maniac who is being put away for murder, but Dr Gillespie gets him committed to an asylum instead. Sometime later, Roy’s ex-fiancee, is thinking of getting married to another man, a soldier. She goes to the doctor to ask for advice about Roy.  

Three Men in White is a drama comedy film which revolves around two young doctors Red and Lee who are competing to be the assistant of Dr Gillespie.  Therefore, they are given a test. Lee’s task is a small girl who falls ill whenever she has a candy, while Red’s task is a girl’s mother who is suffering from arthritis.

Main Street to Broadway is a musical romance film which tells the story of a playwright going through bad times, who meets a country girl, who is returning home after giving up her aspirations of becoming an actress. Hoping to find inspiration from her, he decides to follow her to her small town.  

Between Two Women is a drama film which tells the story of Red, who is being chased by his girlfriend, who wants to get married soon, although he is not interested in marriage.  Meanwhile, he is also trying to help a nightclub singer with a psychological disorder which doesn’t allow her to eat.

The White Caps is a silent drama short film which revolves around two members of a vigilante group, known as the ‘The White Caps, who decide to confront a man, who abuses his wife physically and verbally.

In this short adventure film, a primitive tribe is shown to be attacked by apemen as well as menaced by several prehistoric monsters.

An old soldier who is a staunch patriot, brings up his children with rigid military training and conducts his household with strict discipline. When his oldest boy wishes to go out and meet his sweetheart, his father commands him to stay at home. In addition, he threatens the boy that if he leaves the house, he should leave for good. The boy decides to leave anyway.

After learning that her father’s estate is in danger, Princess Emanuella decides to save him by getting married to Duke Cathos de Alvia. However, Cathos is a hunchback, and she actually loves Leonardo, his attractive younger brother. Cathos eventually finds out about their affair, and he stabs both his wife and his brother to death.

After winning a beauty contest, Elvira Plunkett, with her mother and besotted manager, Elmer Butts, travels to Hollywood. During the journey, they meet film-star Larry Mitchell who takes a liking to Elvira and assists her around Hollywood. Trying to help Elvira, Elmer blunders through movie sets, but manages to get a part for himself. Finally, which lucky guy will win Elvira’s heart?

Amalie works hard to fit in a superficial world. However, her life gets turned upside down after her rich father loses his fortune. She soon meets a street dancer, who is quite different, and helps her in becoming her true self.

Friends is a short silent romantic film which tells the story of two friends who are gold miners who get involved with a beautiful girl who lives above their mining camp.  

This historical fiction based on Samuel Hopkins Adams 1934 novel - The Gorgeous Hussy - centres around Peggy Eaton, an inn keeper’s daughter, who works her way up and gains influence in the White House during the tenure of President Andrew Jackson. The friendship generates huge controversy and results in trouble for both.

A telephone operator hears a robbery being committed in a jewelry store over the phone,  and she tries her best to prevent it. She is eventually forced to go in search for help.