best movie i've ever seen.

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Twentieth Century (1934)*** (out of 4)Screwball comedy has John Barrymore playing a play producer who makes a star out of Lily Garland (Carole Lombard) but she leaves him after three years of fights. Soon after she's a major star in Hollywood while he's broke and luck would have it that the two end up on the same train and he'll stop at nothing to sign her for his next play. TWENTIETH CENTURY is a film I really enjoyed, although I didn't love it as much as many people do. Perhaps this is just do to my thinking that Howard Hawks wasn't always the perfect person for comedy. Yes, I know many consider him a master of the genre but I've never fully bought into his comedy skills. With that said, there's no question that the two leads do a remarkable job with their performances and it's their work that makes this film as special as it is. I think Barrymore was downright superb in the part of the producer. Much like the director, when one thinks of Barrymore they don't think of comedy but he actually does a very good job in his over-the-top way. I really enjoyed how far out there the actor was willing to go for a laugh and I think he delivered especially with his line delivery. Lombard is also exceptionally good here and I thought she handled both sides of her character about as good as you could hope for. I really enjoyed her early scenes where she's playing the weak pre-star who is getting pushed around by Barrymore. She's also superb when it comes time for her to be the diva and give the orders. The two really do have a wonderful chemistry together and contain a spark that sets the film off. Both Roscoe Karns and Walter Connolly are also very good as is Etienne Girardot as the crazy man going around putting stickers all over the train. The dialogue is extremely fast and I thought the entire cast did a good job at delivering it. TWENTIETH CENTURY is considered a masterpiece by many and while I wouldn't go that far, there's still no question that it contains charm, laughs and two great performances.

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.

Here is yet another classic film that, up to now, I have never seen. John Barrymore was not noted for his comic performances, yet he is so damn funny here your sides ache from laughing. Carole Lombard had her first great comic performance in this laugh-a-minute film, which highlights the love-hate relationship between a Broadway producer and his greatest female star. There are also some great character people in this, like Walter Connely and Charles Lane, billed here as Charles Levison. This comedy is based on a stage play, but the dialouge goes by so fast that you hardly notice this fact. This film is considered by many to be the first "screwball" comedy. It was made for a depression-era audience, yet it's comedy resonates well today. A must-see.

Broadway director Oscar Jaffe has found a new talent to his play.This woman, a lingerie model called Mildred Plotka doesn't seem to know how to act.So Mr. Jaffe only has to have some patience and teach her.She has re-named her Lily Garland and he uses a pin to make her scream.And soon she is a great actress, and Jaffe is in love with her.But he becomes too jealous and they break up.Then we are in a train called Twentieth Century and he tries to win her back.This is some great comedy from the sound era, and you really can hear it.The actors really SPEAK their lines.John Barrymore sure does make himself heard as Oscar Jaffe.He is over-dramatic in every word that comes out of his mouth.Then there's the lovely Carole Lombard, who doesn't keep quiet as Lily Garland.In my country, Finland this movie is a real rarity.Before last Sunday (Oct 11) it was shown in 1971.I'm glad I saw this early screwball comedy.The passion play thing is funny.The religious nut plasters the train with religious stickers and claims to finance the play.Step on this train with lots of laughs.