Twentieth Century (1934) |
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| Director(s) | Howard Hawks |
| Producer(s) | Howard Hawks, Harry Cohn (uncredited) |
| Top Genres | Comedy, Romance |
| Top Topics | Romance (Comic), Screwball Comedy |
Featured Cast of Twentieth Century See More »
John Barrymore
(as Oscar Jaffe)
Carole Lombard
(as Lily Garland aka Mildr...)
Walter Connolly
(as Oliver Webb)
Roscoe Karns
(as Owen O'Malley)
Charles Lane
(as Max Jacobs aka Max Man...)
Etienne Girardot
(as Mathew J. Clark)
Edgar Kennedy
(as Oscar McGonigle)
Herman Bing
(as Beard #1)
Twentieth Century Overview:
Twentieth Century (1934) was a Comedy - Romance Film directed by Howard Hawks and produced by Howard Hawks and Harry Cohn.
SYNOPSIS
Here's another whip-smart comedy from Hawks-Hecht-MacArthur, the His Girl Friday (1940) team. Theater producer Barrymore molds Lombard into a Broadway smash, but their hectic life leads her to the saner climes of Hollywood where she becomes an even bigger star. Without his former wife, Barrymore can't get a show together and he's on the run from Chicago to New York aboard the famous Twentieth Century Limited. As luck and romantic farce demand, Lombard's on the same train with her new beau, slow-witted football star Karns. After much hilarious wheedling, wooing, door-slamming, and conniving, Lombard's ready once again for the Great White Way. Barrymore at his best, and a terrific warm-up for even bigger things from the creators.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
Twentieth Century was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2011.
Twentieth Century BlogHub Articles:
Silver Screen Standards: Twentieth Century (1934)
Silver Screen Standards: Twentieth Century (1934) Although it’s not as widely celebrated today as Bringing Up Baby (1938), director Howard Hawks’ Twentieth Century (1934) is another go-for-broke screwball comedy with protagonists who are all bonkers. This earlier picture stars John Barrymore ... Read full article
Silver Screen Standards: Twentieth Century (1934)
Silver Screen Standards: Twentieth Century (1934) Although it’s not as widely celebrated today as Bringing Up Baby (1938), director Howard Hawks’ Twentieth Century (1934) is another go-for-broke screwball comedy with protagonists who are all bonkers. This earlier picture stars John Barrymore ... Read full article
Of 2020 and "Twentieth Century"
At times we weren't certain we'd reach 2021, but indeed we have, which gives us plenty of reason to smile, just as Carole Lombard is doing above. But as 2020 further retreats in our figurative rear-view mirror, let's look back at a response to one of her most memorable movies, indeed the one that pu... Read full article
Twentieth Century (1934, Howard Hawks)
Even with its way too abrupt finish, Twentieth Century is rare delight. Would it be more successful if the ending hadn’t wasted Carole Lombard? Yes, but also because it would’ve given lead John Barrymore more Lombard to act opposite and Barrymore’s best opposite Lombard. He’s... Read full article
Twentieth Century (1934, Howard Hawks)
Even with its way too abrupt finish, Twentieth Century is rare delight. Would it be more successful if the ending hadn’t wasted Carole Lombard? Yes, but also because it would’ve given lead John Barrymore more Lombard to act opposite and Barrymore’s best opposite Lombard. He’s... Read full article
See More Twentieth Century Articles
Twentieth Century Quotes:
Max Jacobs: It's the truth, whether you know it or not.
Oscar Jaffe: Owen, take this creature who came to me as an office boy as Max Mendlebaum and who is now Max Jacobs for some mysterious reason and throw him into the street.
Lily Garland, aka Mildred Plotka: Who cares about your respect? I'm too big to be respected. The men I've known have understood that.
George Smith: Men you've known? Jaffe, you mean.
Lily Garland, aka Mildred Plotka: Yes, Jaffe. He'll tell you what I am: A first-class passenger entitled to privileges.
George Smith: Oh, an artist!
Lily Garland, aka Mildred Plotka: You're darned tooting I am!