Twilightfa Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.

ChanFamous I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

SeeQuant Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

Sarita Rafferty There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

JLRVancouver "Twentieth Century" pre-code 'screwball' comedy sees ingénue 'Lily Garland' (nee 'Mildred Plotke', played by Carole Lombard) play off against melodramatic director Oscar Jaffe (John Barrymore). Much of the film takes place on the train Twentieth Century Limited (hence the title), as Jaffe tries to con Garland into being the leading lady in his play about Mary Magdalene. The dialogue is fast and generally clever and Barrymore is great as the aging auteur who saw his parade of hit plays dry up when he lost Garland to Hollywood. Lombard is beautiful and her 'Lily Garland' character allows her to run the theatrical gamut from frightened neophyte to diva. The supporting cast is fine and the shenanigans on the train generally comic. All in all, a fun film but (IMO) not one of the era's top-tier comedies.

wes-connors Bombastic Broadway producer John Barrymore (as Oscar "OJ" Jaffe) turns untalented underwear model Carole Lombard (as Mildred Plotka) into a star actress, then takes her to bed. After getting too big for her britches, Ms. Lombard (as Lily Garland) leaves Mr. Barrymore and makes it bigger. When Barrymore's career falters, he plots to get Lombard back. It happens in madcap fashion, aboard the "Twentieth Century" train...This is a classic "art imitates life" plot, very well adapted by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur. Barrymore delivers one of his finest late career performances; certainly, it helps that the role seems tailor made for the star. Lombard increased her worth considerably and Howard Hawks directs it skillfully. They receive wonderful support from the crew at Columbia. Surprisingly, this film was not a big favorite with organizations giving out awards in the 1930s. Although Barrymore was often great, many in the film industry did not think he was trying and considered his stage performances the real Barrymore. However, the actor had long ago mastered the different ways to present his theatrics on film. This characterization was worthy of a "Best Actor" nomination – they would have called it, "An Oscar for his Oscar." In hindsight, "Twentieth Century" looks increasingly like it was - one of the best.********* Twentieth Century (5/3/34) Howard Hawks ~ John Barrymore, Carole Lombard, Walter Connolly, Roscoe Karns

VictusMortuus Off the top of my head, Jerry Lewis, Steve Martin, Bill Murray, Don Knox, Lucille Ball, Bettie White, Alan Alda, Werner Klemperer, Jackie Gleason, Art Carny, Dick van Dyke, Carl Reiner, Larry Linville, Carol Burnette, JIM CARREY, etc. etc. have all derived their comedic style from this performance by the GREAT Barrymore. You don't have to be a genius to know that Black Sabbath had a tremendous influence on Heavy Metal Music. This performance by Barrymore set a stage. I forgot Billy Crystal. You do schtick, the audience knows it, you still do the schtick and get away with it. I loved the fact he was having so much fun that Carol Lombard finally got with it. His side kicks were far superior to R2D2, and C3PO.

nomoons11 Wow this one was a total surprise. What a fantastic treat for a quiet night of film viewing. Don't let the decade spoil you off of watching this comedy gem.Basic premise is a very talented/successful Broadway Producer finds a very untalented model turned actress. He sees something in her and decides to push her to her abilities that she doesn't know she has. He pushes and pushes and finally...she and her personality...spring to life. She becomes successful and highly praised for her performances but his grip on her is so tight...she decides she's had enough and leaves...for the dreaded...Hollywood.Fast forward a few years and many of his plays have failed miserably since she departed but a chance meeting on a New York bound train...The Twentieth Century...turns into a chance to get his career...and her...back in his life.By the end of this film you are laughing so much you forget that this was made back in 1933. Proves that old stuff can easily rival new comedies. The main point in this film is the acting performances. I can't tell you how great John Barrymore and Carole Lombard are this. He is so over the top it's hysterical. He acts his way through this like the theater trained actor that he is. Carole Lombard is so funny as the nothing turned to diva it rivals any performance she's ever done by a country mile.What you'll get in the end, if you think about it, is the characters played by Barrymore and Lombard...are one in the same. The end scene is so drop dead funny but also poetic. She fights him in the end again about how to act on the stage and when you take it into account...she's turned into him...Overly Dramatic and over the top.An absolutely wonderful film.