cover image Twentieth Century

Twentieth Century

Ben Hecht, Ken Ludwig. La Theatre Works, $25.95 (0pp) ISBN 978-1-58081-330-3

This recording of LA Theatre Works' 2004 production of the 1932 screwball comedy recreates the theatergoing experience with sound effects and a tittering and applauding audience. But the atmosphere doesn't remedy the one-dimensional characters or corny dialogue. On the Twentieth Century Limited from Chicago to New York, egomaniacal producer Oscar Jaffe (Jeff Perry) lures his one-time star and lover Lily Garland (played by Nancy Bell) back to play Mary Magdalene in a play he has decided to mount after a bible-thumping passenger (a very amusing Brent Hinkley) offers to finance the production, providing he gets to star as Christ. From long experience, Lily can't believe Jaffe has backing: ""I swear on my mother's grave!"" he shouts. ""Your mother isn't dead,"" says Lily. ""That's not the point!"" shouts Jaffe. While Perry's shouting becomes tedious, Harris plays his assistant with a low-toned sarcasm that creates a good comic character. For fans of screwball period comedies, this release is an essential audio as an example of its period and genre. But, some slapstick visuals might make it better seen than heard.