Details
Movie Description
In TWENTIETH CENTURY, Oscar Jaffe (John Barrymore), a temperamental Broadway producer with a history of success and an ego to match, turns his tyrannical energies on young starlet Mildred Plotka (Carole Lombard). Before long she's renamed Lily Garland and has become the toast of the town, amid a tempestuous romantic relationship with Jaffe. Years and several successful plays later, Lily leaves for Hollywood, and Jaffe's plays begin to flop. After a disastrous show in Chicago, Jaffe encounters Lily on a train and tries everything to get her to return to Broadway, but Lily doesn't want anything to do with her former mentor. A dazzling showcase for the skills of Barrymore and Lombard and one of the first screwball comedies, TWENTIETH CENTURY boasts rapid-fire dialogue, entertainingly oddball supporting characters, and terrific writing. The film is adapted from the Hecht-MacArthur play NAPOLEON OF BROADWAY, which is based loosely on the life of producer David Merrick.
Synopsis
Oscar Jaffe (John Barrymore), a tyrannical Broadway producer, makes a star of shy Mildred Plotka (Carole Lombard), renaming her Lily Garland and beginning a stormy romance with her. After a series of hit shows Lily leaves Jaffe and heads for Hollywood. Jaffe's shows begin to decline and he has one flop after another. The bickering pair meet accidentally on the Twentieth Century Limited train bound for New York, and Jaffe must do whatever it takes to get Lily to come back to him. TWENTIETH CENTURY is a breathless screwball comedy featuring brilliant performances from Barrymore and Lombard.
Film Notes
DVD Features:
Region (unknown)
Keep Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Mono - English
Subtitles - Japanese - Optional
Subtitles - English - Closed Captioned
Theatrical release: May 11, 1934.
The film is based on the play NAPOLEON OF BROADWAY, based loosely on legendary producer David Merrick; it was produced for the stage by George Abbott and Philip Dunning.
Most of the backstage theatrical scenes in the film were staged by Broadway veteran Barrymore.
The film was remade into the musical ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY.
Industry Reviews
"[T]hough the insults and argot reach exhilarating heights, the comedy is about possession more than romance, and the acid ending reflects a bracing sophistication."
Entertainment Weekly - Edward Karam (02/25/2005)
"[A] classic screwball comedy that made Carole Lombard a star and gave John Barrymore his greatest screen role."
USA Today - Mike Clark (02/25/2005)
Quotations
"I close the iron door on you!"--Oscar Jaffe (John Barrymore)
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