A flamboyant Broadway impresario (John Barrymore) who has fallen on hard times tries to get his former lover (Carole Lombard), now a Hollywood diva, to return and resurrect his failing career.In December 2011, Twentieth Century was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the United States Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. In its induction, the Registry said that the "sophisticated farce about the tempestuous romance of an egocentric impresario and the star he creates did not fare well on its release, but has come to be recognized as one of the era's finest film comedies, one that gave John Barrymore his last great film role and Carole Lombard her first." John Barrymore was a great actor, as were many in his family (I am partial to Lionel). Lombard was great in her own right, too. This film is okay. Not amazing, definitely not my favorite from Howard Hawks. But it does have some historical value, as pointed out by the National Film Registry. Anyone who wants to see this, I would not stop them.

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

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.

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.