The Great Profile (1940)

The Great Profile Poster

An alcoholic film star attempts a comeback. Director Walter Lang's 1940 comedy stars John Barrymore, Mary Beth Hughes, Anne Baxter, John Payne, Lionel Atwill and Edward Brophy.

Introduction
"The Great Profile" is a black-and-white comedy-drama film released in 1940, directed by Walter Lang and produced by 20th Century Fox. Inspired by the life of popular stage and movie actor John Barrymore, it details a gripping narrative of a fallen star seeking redemption. The lead function is played by John Barrymore himself, supported by an impressive cast consisting of Mary Beth Hughes, Gregory Ratoff, and John Payne.

Plot Synopsis
John Barrymore represents an exaggerated variation of himself in the motion picture, playing an actor called Evans Garrick who was when a celebrated profile on phase and movie. The story begins with Garrick's profession failure, worsened by his recurring alcoholism, which exists with a hidden sense of humor. Garrick's miseries lead to him being fired from his theatre production agreement, which triggers his faithful and supportive assistant, Boris Mefoofsky (Gregory Ratoff), to craft a scheme to salvage his profession.

Following Garrick's dismissal, he is deceived into thinking that he has been awarded a career-resurrecting role in a dynamic new play, composed by an approaching playwright Sylvia Bruce (Mary Beth Hughes), who is, in fact, a short story writer. Sylvia partner with Mefoofsky despite her romantic involvement with paper columnist Richard Lansing (John Payne).

Critical Moments and Climax
The drama intensifies as Garrick, unaware of Lansing's relationship with Sylvia, falls for her, leading to a complicated love triangle. However, the defining turning point in the plot comes when Garrick discovers that the function he had actually been looking forward to doesn't exist. It was merely a developed story by Mefoofsky and Sylvia to secure his ego and sober him up.

In the climax of the film, Garrick understands that he has ended up being a laughing stock however turns things around by paradoxically playing in addition to the ruse. Garrick utilizes the situation's absurdity itself to reengage with the audience and make his return, slotting it into his intoxicated rehearsals and participating in the audience's laughter. A crucial lesson Garrick finds out is the need for flexibility and self-improvement in the tumultuous world of acting and star.

Conclusion
"The Great Profile" ends on a high note with Garrick restoring his lost status, regard, and appeal while likewise resolving the love triangle by with dignity going back and unifying Sylvia with Lansing. This twist brings an unanticipated but satisfying near the narrative journey, underscoring themes of redemption, strength, and self-realization.

Summarizing
"The Great Profile" is a poignant, informative, and decorated representation of the realities of Hollywood and the American theatre industry in the 1940s. The movie amasses interest by poking humor at itself and the movie industry, along with outstanding performances by John Barrymore and the supporting cast. Despite the humor, the movie is a touching expedition of ego, fame, failure, and redemption linked within the life of a star actor.

Top Cast

  • John Barrymore (small)
    John Barrymore
    Evans Garrick
  • Mary Beth Hughes (small)
    Mary Beth Hughes
    Sylvia Manners
  • Gregory Ratoff (small)
    Gregory Ratoff
    Boris Mefoofsky
  • John Payne (small)
    John Payne
    Richard Lansing
  • Anne Baxter (small)
    Anne Baxter
    Mary Maxwell
  • Lionel Atwill (small)
    Lionel Atwill
    Dr. Bruce
  • Edward Brophy (small)
    Edward Brophy
    Sylvester
  • Willie Fung (small)
    Willie Fung
    Confucius
  • Joan Valerie (small)
    Joan Valerie
    Understudy
  • Charles Lane (small)
    Charles Lane
    Director
  • Dorothy Dearing
    Debutante