tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post6824660575340076789..comments2024-03-24T21:42:48.278-04:00Comments on Another Old Movie Blog: Twentieth Century (1934)Jacqueline T. Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-11447101997538051962009-05-09T07:44:00.000-04:002009-05-09T07:44:00.000-04:00Anon, we are here to serve your movie needs. Slee...Anon, we are here to serve your movie needs. Sleep tight.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-64442248084394488402009-05-09T00:44:00.000-04:002009-05-09T00:44:00.000-04:00your review saved me from spending a sleepless nig...your review saved me from spending a sleepless night compulsing about which movie and actress the pin jabbing scene appeared. i had thought it was Stage Door with Katherine Hepburn and the cala lillies, but saw it a few hours ago and the scene wasn't there. a half and hour google search produced your review. problem solved. question answered. sleep now possible.........Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-31961620572937066712009-01-14T16:47:00.000-05:002009-01-14T16:47:00.000-05:00Hi, Judy, thanks for stopping by. I've not read t...Hi, Judy, thanks for stopping by. I've not read the Harvey book, I hope I can take a look at it sometime. Thanks for the background. I do know that the Hecht/MacArthur play was revived a couple times, and that it was turned into a musical in the late '70s. I don't remember much about that, except that the delightful Imogene Coca played the nutty reformer who plasters "repent" over everything. I never saw it, but I remember their performing at the Tony Awards. I guess if they can turn Hildy into a woman, they can turn the reformer guy into a woman, too.<BR/><BR/>Nice comparison with "The Front Page". As you say, lots of similarities.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-46758545040366096182009-01-14T15:54:00.000-05:002009-01-14T15:54:00.000-05:00Popping back to say I definitely agree about Hawks...Popping back to say I definitely agree about Hawks films growing on you - with most of those I've seen, I find bits sticking in my mind afterwards and have to go back and see them again. <BR/><BR/>I've just read the commentary on 'Twentieth Century' in 'Romantic Comedy in Hollywood: From Lubitsch to Sturges' by James Harvey, which mentions that Lombard said she learnt a lot from Barrymore - she said 'he taught me to 'let go', to abandon myself to my part'. <BR/><BR/>I was also interested to see the book mention that Ben Hecht and Charles McArthur adapted the movie from their hit play, as with 'The Front Page' - the book says: 'Twentieth Century' is on the same model, in fact - in a theatrical instead of a newspaper setting. Just as in 'The Front Page', an unscrupulous and flamboyant boss is trying to reclaim an errant protegee.' <BR/><BR/>I suppose the similarity with 'His Girl Friday' is even more striking because it's a man/woman love relationship as well as a working one - wonder if Hawks was remembering 'Twentieth Century' at all when deciding to turn Hildy into a woman?!<BR/><BR/>Enjoying everybody's comments.<BR/>JudyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-87975308243167436222009-01-14T12:38:00.000-05:002009-01-14T12:38:00.000-05:00Hi, MovieMan, thanks for visiting. I think you're...Hi, MovieMan, thanks for visiting. I think you're right that Hawks, being subtle, improves upon repeated viewing. There's a lot to take in, lots of stuf going on, particularly in a movie like this. Far from being a one-note gag, there's a lot to glean from the film. It's funny how we have, as you say, films that grab us right off the bat, then somehow get tired of, and other films stick with us in a more enduring way even if they don't initially blow us away.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-50648370618826328692009-01-14T12:22:00.000-05:002009-01-14T12:22:00.000-05:00I saw this film a few weeks ago, and I liked it bu...I saw this film a few weeks ago, and I liked it but didn't consider it one of my favorite Hawks. Since then I've seen one or two Barrymore films and while enjoying them, I find myself unexpectedly longing for his portrayal of Jaffe, complete with the circles around his eyes, the messed-up hair, the hilariously debauched, fuming posture, the wallowing in glorious ham.<BR/><BR/>For me, Hawks films are like an excellent subtle dish or, to switch metaphors, a complex song whose appeal grows with repeated listening. Most Hawks films do not blow me away on first viewing (Air Force is one of the few exceptions) - I tend to enjoy them but think "what's the big deal?" Then, as they stew in my memory, and are revisited, they grow and grow in esteem, soon outstripping movies which initially gripped me (like the junk food or catchy pop song I may love on first experiencing, then get tired of).<BR/><BR/>I'm itching to see this movie again, and am thrilled you included that great clip.Joel Bockohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-12932484188723712902009-01-13T17:46:00.000-05:002009-01-13T17:46:00.000-05:00Thank you so much for your comments. You're right...Thank you so much for your comments. You're right about their competing in hamminess, which gave the film so much energy and so much heart. They must have had a wonderful time making the film. Hawk's version of Lombard as Lily is an interesting.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-35849848199329132232009-01-13T17:20:00.000-05:002009-01-13T17:20:00.000-05:00I've just watched this movie, which must be one of...I've just watched this movie, which must be one of the greatest screwballs there is, and very much enjoyed both your reviews. I wouldn't have realised the iconic quality of the train, so thanks to Jacqueline for pointing that out. I love the way Barrymore hams it up so shamelessly and yet gives the feeling that there is someone worth caring about underneath, hence the fierce loyalty of his sidekicks who are always quitting without actually going anywhere! I also enjoyed the way that he and Lombard seem to compete in hamminess - the scene where they are both sitting there in the carriage throwing rival fits of hysterics is especially enjoyable. <BR/><BR/>There's some interesting background in Hawks section of 'The Men Who Made the Movies' by Richard Schickel about the making of this film. Hawks says "he (Barrymore) said, 'Just why do you think I could play this?' And I said, 'Well, you're the biggest ham in the world and there is no reason why you can't play this thing because this is the story of the next greatest ham.' He said, 'All right. When do we start?'"<BR/>The same book has quite a bit about the casting of Lombard and how she grew into the part - very interesting, but, although this may be unfair, my initial reaction is to be a bit suspicious because the story Hawks tells is rather similar to the way Lily is turned into a great actress in the movie, although there is no pin involved!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-4715028368304060292009-01-12T16:45:00.000-05:002009-01-12T16:45:00.000-05:00Thank you, Ed. I loved your review, especially th...Thank you, Ed. I loved your review, especially the way you put:<BR/><BR/>"As a consequence, there's a self-consciousness in his performance that adds a meta-layer to the film: it's perfectly possible to laugh at Jaffe's absurd histrionics and still realize that Jaffe himself takes all of this seriously."<BR/><BR/>And your analysis of the partnership of Lombard and Barrymore is terrific. Great review.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-87656298682109756552009-01-12T16:26:00.000-05:002009-01-12T16:26:00.000-05:00Thanks for the great post Jacqueline. This is inde...Thanks for the great post Jacqueline. This is indeed an amazing film, and you do a great job of discussing its unique, ebullient humor and the self-conscious performances of both Barrymore and Lombard. I especially appreciate all the background you provide on Barrymore himself, which brings a whole new context to his role here. <BR/><BR/>My own <A HREF="http://seul-le-cinema.blogspot.com/2008/11/1123-twentieth-century.html" REL="nofollow">review</A> of this film predates the blog-a-thon, so I won't be writing about it again in the next couple of weeks, but I'm really happy to see such a literate take on this classic.<BR/><BR/>I hope to see lots more great posts like this from you and anyone else who's interested in Hawks.Ed Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18014222247676090467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-84679548540997113592009-01-12T13:47:00.000-05:002009-01-12T13:47:00.000-05:00I'll meet you in the dining car with an innocent l...I'll meet you in the dining car with an innocent look on my face.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-6250573387478951792009-01-12T13:01:00.000-05:002009-01-12T13:01:00.000-05:00Thanks for the book recommendation, & also the...Thanks for the book recommendation, & also the train ride recommendation-- that's more or less in or corner of the world. Should I ever ride that train & find a "repent" sticker on my back, I'll know what happened.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15687192784861682991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-48488095149555805312009-01-12T12:47:00.000-05:002009-01-12T12:47:00.000-05:00Thanks, John. If you're interested in trains and ...Thanks, John. If you're interested in trains and you've not read it, a good book on the history and description of different railroads is "The American Passenger Train" by Mike Schafer with Joe Welsh and Kevin Holland (MBI Publishing 2001). The authors recommend that the closest thing we have today to a train the style of The 20th Century Limited and similar trains of the era is the "Coast Starlight" that runs between Seattle and Los Angeles. I haven't taken it yet myself, but I'd love to one day. And maybe plaster "Repent" stickers on the backs of people. (Okay, maybe not that.)Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-43862680564052543642009-01-12T10:02:00.000-05:002009-01-12T10:02:00.000-05:00I echo Raquelle's comments-- I've also bee...I echo Raquelle's comments-- I've also been meaning to see this & now I'm really intrigued. What a scene in the video clip. “We’re not people, we’re lithographs” Great-- & Barrymore's description of the Magdalene scenario is as good as advertised. Excellent post, as usual. & I love old train info, so that was an added treat.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15687192784861682991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-81739176536656041142009-01-12T10:00:00.000-05:002009-01-12T10:00:00.000-05:00Thanks for stopping by, Raquelle. I hope you get ...Thanks for stopping by, Raquelle. I hope you get a chance to see "Twentieth Century" soon. It really is one of the best of the screwball comedies. There's a lot of social commentary in the script, but you could do a line by line analysis and be at it all day. It's chock full of movie-watching goodness.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7092350404895325373.post-24789183883257645202009-01-12T09:28:00.000-05:002009-01-12T09:28:00.000-05:00I've put off watching this movie many times. I eve...I've put off watching this movie many times. I even missed an opportunity to see it on the big screen a few months ago. I guess I just needed your excellent review (and maybe a sharp pin) to get me on it!<BR/><BR/>And thanks for providing that information about The 20th Century train. That's very useful.Raquel Stecherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02687110907002450794noreply@blogger.com