On the Twentieth Century

'On the Twentieth Century' is a musical comedy book and stage production based on the 1932 film 'Twentieth Century'. The story takes place aboard a luxury train traveling from Chicago to New York City in the 1930s. The plot centers on Oscar Jaffee, a Broadway producer facing financial ruin, and his former protégé turned Hollywood star Lily Garland. Their complex relationship and professional ambitions drive the narrative during the 16-hour train journey. Betty Comden, along with collaborator Adolph Green, crafted a script that balances classic screwball comedy with musical theatre elements. The work captures the glamour and urgency of 1930s show business while highlighting the power dynamics between art and commerce. The text explores themes of ego, ambition, and the intersection of theatre and film during a transformative period in American entertainment history. Through its setting on a moving train, it presents ideas about transition and reinvention in both personal and professional spheres.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Betty Comden's overall work: Readers highlight Comden's skill at crafting witty, sophisticated dialogue and lyrics that hold up decades later. Theater enthusiasts praise her ability to balance humor with emotional depth, particularly in "On the Town" and "Wonderful Town." What readers liked: - Sharp, intelligent humor that avoids dated references - Complex female characters unusual for the era - Integration of songs that advance plot naturally - Tight collaboration with Green creating seamless scripts What readers disliked: - Some find the pacing slow by modern standards - Period-specific cultural references can be hard to follow - Secondary characters sometimes feel underdeveloped Online ratings: Goodreads: "On the Town" (book) - 4.1/5 (127 ratings) "Betty & Adolph: A Bio" - 3.9/5 (84 ratings) Reader quote: "Their lyrics have a conversational quality that makes them feel fresh even today. The characters speak like real people, not stock types." - Theater historian review on Broadway World

Merrily We Roll Along by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth This musical follows the reverse-chronological story of a successful Broadway composer and his friends through the entertainment industry from 1976 to 1957.

Kiss Me, Kate by Bella and Samuel Spewack This backstage musical combines Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew with the behind-the-scenes drama of a theater production.

42nd Street by Michael Stewart The story chronicles a Broadway musical's journey from auditions to opening night, focusing on an understudy who becomes a star.

Applause by Betty Comden and Adolph Green This musical adaptation of All About Eve depicts the backstage politics and relationships in the theater world through the lens of an aging Broadway star and her ambitious understudy.

Stage Door by Edna Ferber, George S. Kaufman The play follows aspiring actresses living in a theatrical boarding house as they navigate the complexities of Broadway and Hollywood in the 1930s.

🎭 Betty Comden wrote this musical comedy with her longtime collaborator Adolph Green, continuing their successful partnership that spanned over 60 years on Broadway and in Hollywood. 🚂 The musical is set aboard the luxurious 20th Century Limited train, which was a real-life express passenger service that ran between New York City and Chicago from 1902 to 1967. ⭐ The show's original 1978 Broadway production starred Madeline Kahn and John Cullum, with Kahn later being replaced by Judy Kaye during the run. 🎪 The plot was adapted from the 1934 Howard Hawks film "Twentieth Century," which starred John Barrymore and Carole Lombard as the feuding theatrical couple. 🏆 The original Broadway production received five Tony Awards, including Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical, cementing its place in musical theater history.