Twentieth Century

(Howard Hawks, US 1934, 91 min., 35mm)

Broadway impresario Oscar Jeffe (John Barrymore) takes an unknown lingerie model named Mildred Plotka (Carole Lombard) and makes her the star of his latest play, despite the grave misgivings of everyone else, including his two assistants Oliver Webb (Walter Connolly) and Owen O’Malley (Roscoe Karns). Through intensive training, Oscar transforms Mildred into the actress “Lily Garland,” and both she and the play are a resounding success. On opening night, Oscar goes to Mildred’s dressing room to apologize for his behavior towards her—and just as planned, the two become lovers, but not without complications.