Twentieth Century (1934)

A maniacal Broadway director (John Barrymore) transforms a lingerie model (Carole Lombard) from an amateur actress to one of the theatre's most popular actresses. But as the years pass, the director's possessive egomania drives her to Hollywood and the movies. Based on the play NAPOLEON OF BROADWAY by Charles Bruce Millholland which was later adapted for the stage by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur (who also did the screenplay) under its present title and directed by Howard Hawks (RED RIVER). One of the most admired of the 1930's screwball comedies, it quickly wore out its welcome for me. The first half hour is entertaining enough but it soon descends into high pitched hysteria with Barrymore's over the top hamming and Lombard's shrill shrieking which left me more exhausted, not amused. It's a minority opinion as the film's reputation is stellar. In 1978, it was turned into a Broadway musical. With Walter Connolly, Roscoe Karns and Etienne Girardot.