Introduction"Twentieth Century" is a timeless screwball comedy movie from 1934 directed by Howard Hawks. The movie stars John Barrymore and Carole Lombard, 2 popular stars of the time. The film is set predominantly on the 20th Century Limited, a luxurious train traveling from Chicago to New York.
Plot SynopsisThe movie begins with the egotistical Broadway director Oscar Jaffe (John Barrymore), who changes a lingerie model, Mildred Plotka (Carole Lombard), into the remarkable phase star Lily Garland. As Jaffe roots out Mildred from obscurity, he molds her presence to the limelight. The 2 quickly ended up being romantically involved however their relationship turns troubled due to Jaffe's overbearing and manipulative nature, driving Lily to desert him and the stage.
Lily leaves for Hollywood where she gets enormous success as a movie starlet while Jaffe, on the other hand, produces flop after flop. Desperate and insolvent, Jaffe boards the Twentieth Century Limited train intending to encourage Lily, who takes place to be on the same train, to go back to the phase under his management.
Main CharactersJohn Barrymore plays Oscar Jaffe, whose epic personality and manipulative tactics control the movie. His flamboyant nature and theatricality offer the film with humorous minutes, as he attempts to gain back control over his star starlet and his sinking theatre company.
Carole Lombard represents Lily Garland/Mildred Plotka remarkably, highlighting her improvement from an naïve underwear model to a successful motion picture starlet. Her character battles versus the control applied by Jaffe, contributing to the comical tension in the movie.
Themes"Twentieth Century" is heavy with styles of control, ego, and theatricality. It uses review on the vanity of the program service industry as portrayed through the character of Jaffe. The movie also explores the struggles for power and independence through the character of Lily. The comedic conflict occurs mostly from the selfish, ego-centric desires of Jaffe and Lily's consequent disobedience.
Reception and LegacyUpon its release, "Twentieth Century" received combined reviews. Nevertheless, in retrospect, it is thought about a leader in the category of screwball comedy for its fast-paced dialogue and depiction of battle of the sexes. It strengthened the credibilities of Lombard and Barrymore as adept actors in the comedy category. Today, the film is held in high regard for its contribution to the screwball comedy genre.
Conclusion"Twentieth Century" is a farcical, fast-paced screwball funny that delves into the complexities of program company, outrageous egotism, manipulation, and control. Barrymore's and Lombard's stellar efficiencies, integrated with Hawks' direction, the fast, snappy discussions, and the comical stress, make the movie a classic comedy gem. Jaffe's desperate attempts to manipulate Lily back to the phase and Lily's defiance forms the core of the plot, making it an unforgettable screwball romp. Overall, it uses an interesting peek into the world of Broadway and Hollywood during the 1930s.
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