How a fake insult launched the career of a legendary screwball comedy icon
In short: When Carole Lombard struggled to find the right energy for her role in the 1934 classic Twentieth Century, director Howard Hawks fabricated a story about her co-star John Barrymore insulting her. The resulting outburst of profanity and vigor defined her performance and cemented her status as a comedic star.
Released in 1934, Twentieth Century is widely regarded as a foundational prototype for the screwball comedy genre. Directed by Howard Hawks, the film captures the chaotic, rapid-fire romance between an egomaniacal Broadway impresario, Oscar Jaffe, and his protégée, Lily Garland. While the film is now celebrated for its sharp dialogue and slapstick energy, its initial reception was notably dismal, with box office performance described as a disappointment.
The production process was fraught with uncertainty. Columbia Pictures executives were initially skeptical of casting Carole Lombard, considering several other prominent actresses before Hawks insisted on her potential. During filming, Hawks found Lombard’s performance too stoic and restrained. To break her out of this pattern, he lied to her, claiming Barrymore had made a disparaging remark about her. The tactic worked perfectly; Lombard’s explosive, profanity-laced reaction provided the unforgettable energy Hawks needed to drive the film's frantic pace.
The film’s script, adapted by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur from their own 1932 Broadway play, faced scrutiny from the Hays Office over its religious themes, specifically the use of a Passion Play for comedic effect. Despite these hurdles and the film's poor commercial start, its reputation grew over time. In 2011, the Library of Congress selected Twentieth Century for preservation in the National Film Registry, recognizing it as one of the finest comedies of its era. It remains a testament to the collaborative, if unconventional, methods that defined the golden age of Hollywood.
The legacy of the story extends beyond the original film. The narrative, which originated from an unproduced play by Charles Bruce Millholland, has been adapted multiple times, including a 1978 Broadway musical and a 1953 television adaptation. While the original film was once feared to be too obscure for audiences unfamiliar with the 20th Century Limited train, it has since secured its place in cinematic history, marking John Barrymore’s final great film role and the breakthrough that launched Lombard’s career.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Twentieth Century (film)
- Also: Wikidata — Twentieth Century · CC0
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