Twentieth Century (1934) | |
| Director(s) | Howard Hawks |
| Producer(s) | Howard Hawks, Harry Cohn (executive uncredited) |
| Top Genres | Comedy, Romance |
| Top Topics | Romance (Comic), Screwball Comedy |
Featured Cast:
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.
BlogHub Articles:
“Twentieth Century” (1934) - Egos on the Express: A High-Speed Clash of Broadway Giants
By Stephen Reginald on Mar 16, 2026 From Classic Movie Man“Twentieth Century” (1934) - Egos on the Express: A High-Speed Clash of Broadway Giants Directed by the legendary Howard Hawks, Twentieth Century (1934) is a seminal screwball comedy that captures the high-octane, ego-driven world of Broadway. The story follows Oscar Jaffe, a flambo... Read full article
Silver Screen Standards: Twentieth Century (1934)
By Jennifer Garlen on Jan 10, 2023 From Classic Movie Hub BlogSilver 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 and ... Read full article
Silver Screen Standards: Twentieth Century (1934)
By Jennifer Garlen on Jan 10, 2023 From Classic Movie Hub BlogSilver 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 and ... Read full article
Of 2020 and "Twentieth Century"
By carole_and_co on Jan 1, 2021 From Carole & Co.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)
By Andrew Wickliffe on Aug 14, 2019 From The Stop ButtonEven 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
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Quotes from
Oscar Jaffe: There's a message I want to go with those gardenias: "To my little madonna of the snows... " No, wait a minute. We won't use that this time.
Oscar Jaffe: You amoeba.
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.
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Facts about
After filming had ended, John Barrymore gave Carole Lombard an autographed photo inscribed, "To the finest actress I have worked with, bar none."
John Barrymore once said that the role of Oscar was "a role that comes once in a lifetime" and even deemed this his favorite of all the movies he appeared in.
read more facts about Twentieth Century...
