Peereddi I was totally surprised at how great this film.You could feel your paranoia rise as the film went on and as you gradually learned the details of the real situation.

WillSushyMedia This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

Bessie Smyth Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

Marva-nova Amazing worth wacthing. So good. Biased but well made with many good points.

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.

gavin6942 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.

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

Petri Pelkonen 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.