Vintage original 6.5 x 8.5 in. US double-weight matte photograph from the 1920's historical adventure drama, THE BELOVED ROGUE, released in 1927 by Warner Bros. and directed by Alan Crosland.
 
The image depicts the legendary John Barrymore, showing his renowend profile to full advantage as François Villon, in his lifetime the most renowned poet in France, who is also a prankster, an occasional criminal, and an ardent patriot. It is in very fine condition.
 
*"The Beloved Rogue is a 1927 American silent romantic adventure film, loosely based on the life of the 15th century French poet, François Villon. The film was directed by Alan Crosland for United Artists. François Villon is played by John Barrymore, and other cast members include Conrad Veidt as King Louis XIand Marceline Day as Charlotte de Vauxcelles. The story had been filmed in 1920 as If I Were King with William Farnum. The film was later re-made in the sound era again reverting to its original title If I Were King (1938) with Ronald Colman. And as an operetta, The Vagabond King (1930), and again in 1956.
 
According to "Hazard of the Game", an episode of the Thames documentary Hollywood, Paul Malvern, John Barrymore's stunt double, insisted on extensively testing a stunt involving a catapult and a net with sandbags before performing it, because he had doubts about the initial mathematics used for coordinating the stunt.
 
John Barrymore viewed the premiere of the film with a large picture palace audience. Unknown to the audience, he was standing at the back of the movie house. Barrymore apparently was discontented or bemused or perhaps being self-effacingly charming regarding his own performance stating "what a ham".
 
The only surviving domestic print of "The Beloved Rogue" was found in John Barrymore's former mansion by its subsequent occupant, Edgar Bergen, who donated it to the American Film Institute. It was subsequently preserved by the Library of Congress."
*(source: Wikipedia)
 
*"François Villon, poet and ardent patriot, is selected by the mob as the king of fools for All Fools' Day. When he makes a witty jest at the expense of the Duke of Burgundy, Louis XI banishes him from Paris. He steals a wagon loaded with food, distributes it to the poor, and is accidentally thrown into the rooms of Charlotte, the king's ward, who is to be forced into marriage with one of the duke's men. When captured, Villon plays on the king's superstition and becomes a court favorite. Charlotte is kidnaped by Burgundy's men, and Villon, who unmasks the schemes perpetrated against the king, follows them and is subjected to torture. In disguise, the king, with his warriors, rescues Villon and Charlotte and consents to their marriage."
*(source: AFI Catalog of Feature Films)
 
YM3RB