Twentieth Century
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Movie Reviews of Twentieth Century
Movie Review: Seminal Screwball Classic Ages a Bit But Still Has Barrymore and Lombard in Peak Form
Summary: 4 Stars
Master filmmaker Howard Hawks' sure hand at outrageous, character-driven farce is what maneuvers this seminal 1934 screwball comedy into its acknowledged status as a film classic. More than anything else here, he appears responsible for the transformation of Carole Lombard's screen persona from uncertain glamour girl to first-class comedy pro, as she vividly portrays Mildred Plotka, a struggling actress nurtured by Oscar Jaffe, an egomaniacal Broadway impresario. Through his Svengali-like techniques, he has changed the former Mildred into Lily Garland and a major star, but his obsessive behavior leads to her departure to Hollywood for film success and his tailspin into a series of stage flops. By chance, they are both on the Twentieth Century en route from Chicago to New York, and the frenetic plot settles into Oscar's excessive attempts to re-sign Lily to another contract. Screenwriters Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, already famous for their fast-talking "The Front Page", apply the same kinetic energy to this broadly theatrical farce.
Even though not all the comedy bits work (for instance, the rich asylum escapee's placing "Repent" stickers everywhere), the feverish pitch never lets up, and the cast is very game for the shenanigans. Precariously dangling himself at the edge of caricature, John Barrymore is in peak form in a ham-fisted turn as Jaffe. Whether drawing the chalk lines for Lily to follow or repeatedly caught in fake-suicide attempts, Barrymore seems to relish every moment in what was to be his last first-class starring role. On the other hand, Lombard blooms with her performance here, as she matches toe to toe with Barrymore. Their chemistry, which only hints at a romantic relationship, seems to be the prototype for all persistently contentious movie couples thereafter. Familiar character actors Roscoe Karns and Walter Connolly breezily play Jaffe's exasperated assistants. The print and audio transfers are surprisingly clean on the 2005 DVD considering the film's age. The only extras are trailers for three vintage films Sony was releasing at the same time.
Movie Review: "The sorrows of life are the joys of art."
Summary: 4 Stars
"She's marvelous, just as I thought. Fire, passion, everything," John Barrymore's maniacal producer character dramatically declares, speaking of Lily Garland (the woman played by Carole Lombard). "The gold is all there, but we must mine it." And mine it he does. That's the plot of this film---transforming "a shop girl from a talented amateur to a smashing Great White Way success adored by the public and press"---which is based on a play; and it very much feels like a play, with John Barrymore's bellowing theatrical voice seemingly reaching for imaginary balconies. One might be inclined to call Barrymore's portrayal herein over-acting; in which case, if you're so inlined toward this view, you'll rather dislike this film. But if you're a John Barrymore fan; or if you're one who relishes screwball antics (perhaps with a helping of the theatrics of a Norma Desmond playing beyond the camera) then you ought delight in this film.
"Twentieth Century" (the name of a train---which Barrymore's character utilizes to return to New York after having been run out of town in Chicago) is all Lombard and the aforementioned dramatic lead, with delicious sidekick foils played by Walter Connolly and Roscoe Karns; one of which Barrymore's Jaffe character fires three times over the proceedings herein (the first time in this manner: "I've had enough of your treachery. Get out! From now on, I close the iron door on you"). If you liked the back and forth romantic antagonism of "Bringing Up Baby," "The Awful Truth, and/or "Moonlighting," and found the performance of Walter Matthau in "The Sunshine Boys" to be rich, and eccentrically entertaining, then this film might be your cup of tea. Cheers
Movie Review: Screwball comedy at it's best
Summary: 4 Stars
Like the other reviewers, I don't like the DVD transfer. It could be a lot better. However, it's good enough to view the film and enjoy it. Director Howard Hawks has done a marvelous job of mixing the elements and producing a witty and sometimes hectic comedy. John Barrymore is strictly over the top here, somewhat like Jack Nicholson in the first Batman. This film benefits greatly from being a "pre-code." If the production had occured later, this film would be a waste. As it is, the adult humor shines through and helps carry the film. This also permits Miss Lombard the luxury of wearing some provocative gowns which keeps the male interest going.
The film starts slowly, introducing and building a plot line (there's a plot to screwball comedies?) until we finally get to the train, the Twentieth Century. After that, the nut jobs started coming out of the woodwork and I began laughing till the end of the film. This is a great pre-code screwball comedy. It's a must for Carole Lombard fans and Howard Hawks fans, despite the low grade transfer to DVD.
Movie Review: Superb overacting
Summary: 4 Stars
There's a great Monty Python sketch where actors are taken to the hospital and treated for overacting. The cast of this movie certainly enjoy themselves delivering some of the most hammy, overdone, yet hilarious scenes ever committed to film.
John Barrymore is so far over the top as the theater producer Oscar Jaffe that he defines the pretentious, ultra-sensitive "artiste" for all time. My wife believes he inspired Kramer from the Seinfeld show with his wild hair, theatrical entrances and exits and his exaggerated hand movements and spasms.
Carole Lombard as Mildred Plotka, whom he reinvents as the golden star Lily Garland, almost matches him, blow for blow. The plot is unimportant and quickly becomes incoherent -- but it doesn't matter. This is an exercise in wit and satire that has lost none of its bite nearly 80 years after it was made.
Movie Review: Barrymore Without a Net
Summary: 4 Stars
John Barrymore's over-the-top reading of egomaniacal producer Oscar Jaffe is absolutely brilliant in Howard Hawks' screwball farce. You basically just sit back in awe as Barrymore improvises a variety of histrionics, facial contortions, animal noises, etc. At times I thought he was in the throes of the DTs. If you are to find fault with the film is that the story struck me as being a little thin, despite being adapted from a stage play by Charles McArthur and Ben Hecht. Also, I thought Carole Lombard, lovely as she is as the former lingeree salesgirl turned toast-of-Broadway, came off as a little shrill. It seems like she was trying to go toe-to-toe with Barrymore but didn't have the comiedic chops to work with. Falls short of classic status but deinitely should be checked out for Barrymore's performance.