Twentieth Century (1934) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A domineering producer repeatedly turns ambition, romance, and deception into attempts to regain artistic control.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Forging A Broadway Star

Oscar discovers an unknown model and transforms her through relentless training. Their first play succeeds, and Oscar's apology restores their personal and professional partnership.

Key Events

• Oscar Casts Unknown Model — Oscar casts an unknown lingerie model despite objections from his assistants. Characters: Oscar Jaffe, Oliver Webb, Owen O'Malley Location: Broadway rehearsal space
• Intensive Stage Training — Oscar subjects his discovery to intensive training for the new production. Characters: Oscar Jaffe, Oliver Webb, Owen O'Malley Location: Theater rehearsal room
• A New Stage Star — The transformed actress becomes a major success and the play triumphs. Characters: Oscar Jaffe, Oliver Webb, Owen O'Malley Location: Broadway theater
• Oscar Wins Her Back — Oscar apologizes after opening night and restores their intimate partnership. Characters: Oscar Jaffe Location: Actress's dressing room

Control Behind The Curtain

The partnership produces several hits but becomes publicly notorious for violent emotional battles. Oscar's jealousy and secret surveillance finally drive his star away.

Key Events

• Three Years Of Hits — The partnership produces three more successful plays and gains public notoriety. Characters: Oscar Jaffe, Oliver Webb, Owen O'Malley Location: Broadway production offices
• The Partnership Breaks — Oscar's jealousy and control cause the actress to seek separation. Characters: Oscar Jaffe Location: Private residence
• A Promise Of Trust — Oscar promises to become less controlling and persuades her to stay. Characters: Oscar Jaffe Location: Private residence
• Secret Surveillance Begins — Oscar secretly arranges surveillance and telephone tapping to monitor her. Characters: Oscar Jaffe Location: New York City
• Hollywood Departure — The actress discovers the surveillance and leaves for Hollywood. Characters: Oscar Jaffe Location: New York City

A Producer In Freefall

Oscar's productions collapse without his former star, leaving him exposed to debt and possible imprisonment. He disguises himself to escape aboard the 20th Century Limited.

Key Events

• Oscar's Productions Collapse — Without his former star, Oscar produces repeated failures and faces debt. Characters: Oscar Jaffe, Oliver Webb, Owen O'Malley Location: Broadway theater
• Disguised Train Escape — To avoid imprisonment for debt, Oscar disguises himself and boards the train. Characters: Oscar Jaffe Location: 20th Century Limited

Schemes On The Limited

Oscar unexpectedly encounters his former partner and her boyfriend on the train. He breaks up the couple and presents a Passion Play as a route back to success.

Key Events

• Unexpected Train Reunion — Oscar unexpectedly encounters his former partner traveling with George. Characters: Oscar Jaffe, George Smith Location: 20th Century Limited
• Oscar Targets George — Oscar reveals his past relationship to persuade George to leave. Characters: Oscar Jaffe, George Smith Location: Train compartment
• The Passion Play Proposal — Oscar pitches a Passion Play designed to restore his career. Characters: Oscar Jaffe Location: Train compartment
• A Rival Producer Beckons — The actress plans to sign with Oscar's former employee and rival producer. Characters: Oscar Jaffe, Max Jacobs Location: 20th Century Limited
• Oliver Finds A Backer — Oliver believes he has found financial backing for Oscar's production. Characters: Oscar Jaffe, Oliver Webb Location: Train corridor

The Contract Trap

Oliver's supposed financier proves unreliable, and a train scuffle leaves Oscar slightly wounded. Oscar exploits the incident by faking death to obtain the contract, then resumes controlling behavior at rehearsal.

Key Events

• The Supposed Backer Revealed — Oliver fails to realize that the supposed backer escaped from an asylum. Characters: Oscar Jaffe, Oliver Webb Location: Train compartment
• The Train Scuffle — Oscar is slightly wounded during a scuffle with the supposed backer. Characters: Oscar Jaffe, Oliver Webb Location: 20th Century Limited
• The False Deathbed Scheme — Oscar pretends to be dying and secures a signed production contract. Characters: Oscar Jaffe Location: Train compartment
• Domination Returns — At rehearsal, Oscar immediately resumes his domineering behavior. Characters: Oscar Jaffe Location: Passion Play rehearsal room

Story Breakdown

• Star Discovery — Oscar builds a stage career from an unknown performer.
  • Bold Casting — Oscar chooses an unknown model despite objections from his assistants.
  • Relentless Training — He transforms her through intensive theatrical preparation.
• Broadway Triumph — The first production succeeds and creates a powerful partnership.
  • Opening Night — The new actress and Oscar's play achieve a major triumph.
  • Romantic Reunion — Oscar apologizes and restores their intimate relationship.
• Control Crisis — Oscar's jealousy undermines the partnership he created.
  • Repeated Successes — The partnership produces three additional hit plays.
  • Secret Surveillance — Oscar secretly monitors her after promising to change.
• Hollywood Separation — The actress leaves, while Oscar's professional world collapses.
  • Westward Departure — She leaves for Hollywood after discovering the surveillance.
  • Production Failures — Oscar produces flops and faces imprisonment for debt.
• Trainboard Maneuvers — The 20th Century Limited becomes the setting for Oscar's comeback scheme.
  • Unexpected Reunion — Oscar encounters his former partner and George aboard the train.
  • Romance Disruption — Oscar manipulates George into ending the relationship.
• Contract Deception — Oscar combines theatrical fantasy and fraud to secure a new production.
  • Passion Play Pitch — Oscar presents a dramatic role as a career-saving opportunity.
  • False Deathbed — He pretends to be dying and obtains the signed contract.
• Control Reclaimed — The apparent professional recovery reproduces the original abusive pattern.
  • Train Conflict — A scuffle leaves Oscar slightly wounded and enables his deception.
  • Domineering Rehearsal — Oscar resumes controlling behavior at the first rehearsal.

Directed by

Howard Hawks

Key Cast

• John Barrymore — Oscar Jaffe
• Carole Lombard — Lily Garland, formerly Mildred Plotka
• Walter Connolly — Oliver Webb
• Roscoe Karns — Owen O'Malley
• Ralph Forbes — George Smith