films from 1927 to 1937? what do you think?

I thought the same. This film seemed to me overrated. Sure, it's the first screwball comedy and whatnot, blah blah blah, but that kind of thing is mostly of historical interest nowadays. I find it hard to believe that anyone can watch this film for entertainment nowadays, as any of the other comedies you mentioned can be watched.

The era mentioned is when my favourite films were made.
Everyone has different tastes, I don't understand why someone would start a thread bashing this film.
You don't like it-fine. Why the negativity? Move on.





Yes, sir, I'm going to do nothing like she's never been done before!

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To answer to Veikko-Suvanto (You're propably from Finland, Im too hi!xd) I found this movie very entertaining, and of course historically interesting, because the fact is this is the first screwball. Good performances too! 8/10

And also, I love movies from 1927-1937! even earlier ones. I don't find the sound that important, they're old, it's not their fault that time has destroyed their sounds. Of course this doesn't mean that everyone should now love these films, no, but to me this doesn't matter, put subtitles on :P Acting, camerawork, lighting, direction can still be amazing! One of the greatest horror movies in american history were made in that era. Tod Browning's Freaks!

"I never said all actors are cattle; what I said was all actors should be treated like cattle"

While I agree with you regarding the issue of inferior sound quality in many early-years "talkies," I consider that to mainly be a significant concern in 1929-1931 films, with sound quality having become quite reliable after around that point. This movie's audio quality doesn't bother me in the least, and, in fact, I find it to have good and clear sound.

As for the quality of this movie itself, I love "Twentieth Century," and consider it one of the most genuinely hilarious movies of its or any other era. In fact, I think I personally enjoy it far more than the preferred 1930s movies that you listed. It definitely warrants a 5-star rating. I really don't understand why many people don't seem to "get" its humour, or what's so terrific and side-splittingly funny about it. "Twentieth Century" is over-the-top because it wants and is supposed to be, as it's a story of two divas (originally just one, though Lombard's character evolves into one, as the movie progresses).

I love, love, love old movies, with my personal favourites being from the Silents of particularly the early mid 1920s onward, through "talkies" of into the mid-'40s (but, decidedly, with a preference for Silents, and movies of the first two-thirds of the '30s). Of that date spread, I'm not an enthusiast of movies from 1929 and 1930 or so, as sound then was often really bad, and dialogue very stilted and stagey, with a mastery of good "timing" having not yet come about that "worked" on film. But, by 1931-1932, I consider Hollywood to have finally gotten the kinks pretty well worked out.

I don't find anything about this movie to be either grating or irritating. The only aspect of it that doesn't really do anything for me is the parts involving the little old man, which I thought detracted from the overall hilarious rhythm of the Barrymore-Lombard storyline. Barrymore absolutely "makes" this movie: There's no question, whatsoever, about that. But, I find Lombard to have held her own impressively, too. By no means do I agree with you about anything about her performance having been "horrible."

Of the several movies you personally listed, I lost interest in re-watching those years ago (not that anything's at all wrong with either of them - and I agree they're all entertaining), while "Twentieth Century" is an absolute treat that I happily remain interested in viewing, and always very much enjoy, again and again. I totally "get" it.

I find this movie to hold up magnificently to modern day viewing, and to remain absolutely fresh and refreshing. It hasn't become dated at all, over time.

Some of the early talkies have a weakness/tinniness about their sound due to the rudimentary technology available to make them at the time, but I don't think films made in 1934 succumb to this. In fact I would say by about 1932 or 1933 most films with decent budgets have sound that remains adequate for modern viewing (especially if their soundtracks are presented uncompressed).

As for the film, obviously a lot of enjoyment of movies comes down to personal preference and individual tastes and whatnot, but this is one of my favorite comedies of the 30s. Barrymore and Lombard are magnificent as two people who are always acting -- "hams," as it were. Barrymore in particular turns in one of the great comedic performances I can think of. The supporting cast is good too. I find the story of Jaffe's desperate attempts to win Lily Garland back very funny and all the performances pitch-perfect.

Love the films from this era, but mostly the ones made pre-July 1, 1934, i.e. the pre-Code films. A few favorites: Three on a Match, Baby Face, 42nd Street, Female, Trouble in Paradise. Like 20th Century, these films had so much energy, etc., but mostly knowing, worldly-wise dialogue delivered rapid-fire.