New Books Network Twentieth Century
Feb 2, 2026
A rollicking look at a 1934 screwball comedy propelled like a runaway train. They revel in John Barrymore’s audacious, over-the-top performance and the film’s hammy theatrical energy. Conversation highlights include the director-as-god persona, the creation and control of a star, iconic comic set pieces, and how tragedy and comedy collide in showbiz chaos.
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Barrymore Drives The Film
- John Barrymore's Oscar Jaffe is the film's emotional and comic engine, carrying relentless intensity for the whole runtime.
- Mike Takla argues the movie wouldn't work without Barrymore's unleashed Shakespearean energy.
Director As God
- Oscar Jaffe exemplifies the director-as-God archetype who micromanages every gesture and prop for artistic effect.
- Dan Moran highlights Jaffe's exaggerated directions and spectacles, like demanding chalk at midnight, as central to his character.
Praise By Specific Moments
- When praising a near-perfect work, focus on specific standout moments rather than general admiration.
- Mike Takla and Dan Moran zero in on Barrymore's entrance and comic beats to explain the film's power.
