Battle of the Blondes: Judy Holliday VS Jean Harlow.

Both of these actress died, at the height of their careers. Both actress were great comediennes and I often wonder what great roles they might have had if they had lived longer.

Born Yesterday(1950). A corrupt tycoon brings his showgirl mistress with him to Washington when he tries to buy a Congressman. He hires a journalist to educate his girlfriend, and in the process, she learns just how corrupt her boyfriend is.

The Solid Gold Cadillac(1956). Directed by Richard Quine and written by Abe Burrows, Howard Teichmann and George S. Kaufman. It was adapted from the hit Broadway play of the same name by Teichmann and Kaufman, in which they expose corrupt businessmen. The film stars Judy Holliday and Paul Douglas.

Bombshell(1933). Pre-Code film directed by Victor Fleming and starring Jean Harlow, Lee Tracy, Frank Morgan, C. Aubrey Smith, Mary Forbes and Franchot Tone.

Please click here to view Bombshell(1933) post.

Platinum Blonde(1931). Romantic/comedy, starring Jean Harlow, Robert Williams, and Loretta Young. The film was written by Jo Swerling and directed by Frank Capra.

The story begins when news Reporter Stew Smith, is covering a breach of promise suit filed by chorus girl Gloria Golden, against wealthy Michael Schuyler. Stew, then tricks Mrs. Schuyler into admitting Gloria was paid off, then calls in his story to his editor, Conroy.

That night Stew, talks about the case with reporter Gallagher, who is secretly in love with Stew..

The next day, Stew goes to see Ann, to return Michael's letters, which he took while he was interviewing Gloria and they begin dating.

A month later, Stew and Ann elope. The Schuyler family, are not very happy about the marriage, but Ann promises them that everything will work out. When Stew arrives, he reluctantly agrees to move into the mansion.

Later, at a party for the Spanish ambassador, Stew is bored out of his mind, until.. he sees Gallagher. They are soon joined by rival reporter Bingy Baker, who offers Stew a job, writing a article for Bingy's paper. He then makes the mistake calling Stew, "Cinderella Man," which angers him and he punches him in the nose. The next day, the argument is slapped on the front page of Bingy's newspaper.

On the night, before going to the mayor's reception, Ann leaves without Stew, when he tells her, he can no longer tolerate her friends. Stew then asks Gallagher for help with the play he is writing. She asks Hank and his friends to chaperon. When Ann returns, she orders Stew to throw everyone out, but Stew packs his bags and leaves with his friends. Will Stew return to his wife or will he marry Gallagher?

Video: First of 6.



Jean Harlow, plays the society dame and Loretta Young, plays the reporter. I think it might have made more sense if they switched roles. There are some Pre-Code, sexy love scenes between Williams and Harlow...

The Girl from Missouri(1934). Romantic comedy-drama film starring Jean Harlow and Franchot Tone. The movie was written by Anita Loos and directed by Jack Conway.

Eadie runs away from her and while traveling by train, she tells her friend Kitty that she wants to marry a some one very important.

It does not take her long before she finds a job as one of the chorus girls entertaining at a party at the mansion of wealthy Frank Cousins. She finds away to see Cousins alone, where he wants to give her a expensive gift, but she refuses to accept them until they become engaged.

She is surprised to learn that T.R. Paige had refused to save Cousins from financial ruin. After Eadie leaves Cousins shoots himself. Eadie, then meets T.R. just before the police arrive on the scene.

Eadie goes to visits T.R. and when she says that she wants to marry a rich man, T.R. gives her some money and high tails it for Palm Beach, Florida. Eadie and Kitty, hot on his heels visit T.R.'s office, where Eadie meets Tom T.R.'s son. Eventually, she learns who he is, but it is clear that he is not interested in marriage. Tom gets her alone in his bedroom, but she is able to stop his advances.

Tom, changes his mind and tells his father, that he wants to marry Eadie and T.R. gives his blessing, but after Tom leaves, he calls the district attorney, who comes up with a plan to accuse her of stealing Cousins' jewelry and then has her arrested. When Tom and his father come to see her, she tells Tom that she must have been framed , but Tom does not believe her and breaks up with Eadie.

Her friend Charlie Turner, bails Eadie out. For revenge, she sneaks into T.R.'s stateroom on the ship he and Tom are taking to London. Eadie, wearing only lingerie, hugs T.R just as photographers take his picture.

Heartbroken, Eadie gets drunk and turns to Charlie Turner. Tom arrives just in time, having changed his mind. T.R. wanting to save his reputation, has told the press she was innocent of the theft. Will he now allow the happy couple to marry?

"The Girl From Missouri" is worth seeing though it's not as wonderful as her earlier films, "Red Dust", "Red-Headed Woman" and "Dinner at Eight". It does have some great supporting actors, Lionel Barrymore and Patsy Kelly. If you are a Jean Harlow fan this film is fun from start to finish.

Pawsome Pet Pictures: Jean Harlow

Pre-Code: Dinner at Eight (1933).

Dinner at Eight(1933). Pre-Code drama. Directed by George Cukor. Cast: Billie Burke, Lionel Barrymore, Madge Evans, and Jean Harlow.

The story begins, One week before Millicent Jordan's next big society dinner, she is proud to learn that Lord and Lady Ferncliffe, who she and her husband Oliver, had met in England the year before, have accepted her dinner invitation. Millicent, is oblivious to her families lack of concern about her dinner party, while she is on a man hunt, looking for an "extra man" for her single female guest, former actress Carlotta Vance.

Oliver, is worried that someone is secretly trying to buy out the company stock. Carlotta, a woman from his past, visits him at his office and wants to sell her stock in the Jordan Shipping Line. She asks Oliver to buy it from her, but .. he does not have the money. Oliver, is then visited by Dan Packard, who he asks to take over some of his stocks until his business improves. Dan agrees, then goes home to tell his, gold digger wife Kitty that the Jordan Line, is a valuable asset and he plans on taking it over.

Unknown to Dan, Oliver asks Millicent invite the Packard's, to her dinner party to win Dan over. The tacky, social climber Kitty, accepts the invitation but Dan refuses to go, believing he is to good for the Jordans.



He quickly changes his mind when he finds out the Ferncliffes, the richest couple in England will be there. Another of Millicent's invited guests, will be Dr. Wayne Talbot, who has been having a affair with Kitty.

Millicent, calls Larry Renault, a faded silent movie star and extends a last-minute invitation, unaware that Paula is in love with him. At Paula's urging, Larry, divorce three times and a alcoholic, accepts the invitation, but tells Paula to forget him and return to Ernest. Paula, refuses to take Larry seriously.

Later, Larry is visited by his agent, Max Kane, who breaks the news to Larry that the plays new producer, Jo Stengel, wants another actor in the lead but will cast Larry, in a bit part. Larry, agrees to think over the offer, then sends a bellboy to pawn off a few of his possessions for a bottle of alcohol.

The next day, Dr. Talbot is caught by his wife Lucy talking with Kitty, on the telephone and confesses that he is addicted to women and needs help. Talbot, then rushes to see Oliver, who is at the Doctor's office with chest pains. When he returns home, Oliver tries to explain to Millicent, that he needs his rest, but.. she is too hysterical to hear because, the Ferncliffes have cancelled and are on their way to Florida. Paula, too, is turned away by her upset mother and has to face Ernest alone.

Later, Angry Kitty reveals to Dan, that she is having an affair. When threatened with divorce, Kitty tells her husband that, if he wants his Cabinet appointment, he must back down from his takeover of Oliver's line and treat her with more respect.

Just before he leaves for the dinner, Larry is visited by Max and Jo Stengel and drunkenly puts Stengel down for insulting him with his offer. After Max blames him for ruining his last career chance and the hotel management kicks him out, What is Larry to do and what will happen next at the ill-fated big society dinner?

Loved the all-star cast. Loved Jean Harlow's, clothes and her wonderful performance as the wife of Wallace Beery. John Barrymore, is also wonderful performing as the once famous actor from the silent era, who cannot accept the fact that his career is over. To me the film is just a perfect time capsule back in time: the depression, the transition from silents to talkies. And... I just loved the gorgeous sets.

Madge Evans (July 1, 1909 – April 26, 1981). Was featured in print ads as the 'Fairy Soap girl' as an infant. She made her professional debut at the age of six months, posing for artist's models. When she was four years old, Evans was featured in a series of child plays produced by William A. Brady. She worked at the old Long Island, New York movie studio. Her success was immediate, so much so that her mother loaned her daughter's name to a hat company. Evans posed in a mother and child tableau with Anita Stewart, then 16, for an Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company calendar, and as the little mountain girl in, Heidi of the Alps.

As a child film actress Evans had a wonderful career performing in many films. In 1914 aged 5 she performed in, Seven Sisters. In 1915 she also performed in the film, Alias Jimmy Valentine. At 14 she was the star of the film, On the Banks of the Wabash(1923). She co-starred with Richard Barthelmess in Classmates(1924). She was working on stage when she signed with Metro Goldwyn Mayer in 1927.

While working for MGM in the 1930s, she performed in the film, Dinner at Eight (1933), Broadway to Hollywood (1933), Hell Below (1933), and David Copperfield (1935). In 1933, she starred with James Cagney in the film, The Mayor of Hell. Other well know movies in which she performed in: Beauty for Sale (1933), Grand Canary (1934), What Every Woman Knows (1934)and Pennies From Heaven (1936).

Star of the Month: Jean Harlow.

Dinner at Eight (1933). Cast: Marie Dressler, John Barrymore, Jean Harlow. Dir: George Cukor. A romantic comedy, about a study of people during the Great Depression. The movie focuses on how wealthy people deal with the loss of money and prestige and relationships between men and women involving power, blind love, selfishness, and unselfishness.

The Girl From Missouri (1934). Cast: Jean Harlow, Franchot Tone, Lionel Barrymore. Dir: Jack Conway. Eadie runs away from her home in Missouri, where her stepfather had her working as a dance partner. On the train, she tells her man-hungry friend Kitty, that she has ideals and plans to marry a somebody so she can accomplish something worthwhile.

Platinum Blonde (1931). Cast: Robert Williams, Loretta Young, Jean Harlow. Dir: Frank Capra. A young woman from a very rich family impulsively marries a reporter, but each assumes the other is the one whose lifestyle must change.

The Beast of the City (1932). Cast: Walter Huston, Jean Harlow, Wallace Ford. Dir: Charles Brabin. Police Chief Jim Fitzpatrick ruthlessly goes after organized crime and is prepared to use brutal and violent methods to fight it.

Wife VS. Secretary(1936).

Wife vs Secretary(1936),is a comedy film directed and co-produced by Clarence Brown. Cast: Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Myrna Loy and James Stewart, in one of his first memorable roles. The film was the fifth of six collaborations between Gable and Harlow and the fourth of seven between Gable and Loy.

The story begins when, Magazine publisher Van Stanhope gives his wife a diamond bracelet for their third wedding anniversary. However, Van's secretary, "Whitey", is thought by Van's mother to be a temptation to Van. As well as.. Whitey's boyfriend Dave, who also is not too happy about her relationship with her boss. When Van has to be very secretive to buy J. D. Underwood's weekly, for fear that his rival will buy it out from under him, which causes problems between Van and his wife.

When Van returns from his business meeting with Underwood, he tells Linda that he has been at the club all day, but Linda knows that he has been out with Whitey, who was helping him get ready for his meeting with Underwood. At a skating party, Linda hears from one of the wives that Van and Whitey are most likely having an affair. Linda and Van, get into an argument about it on their way home.

Van plans a trip for himself and Linda, but when he learns that Underwood is at a conference in Havana, changes his plans. Whitey learns of important information about the rival paper, which Van decides that it is best to bring her along to Havana to close the deal. While celebrating the successful closing of the deal, Linda calls and Whitey answers the phone and now she also believes that they are having an affair.



Van returns to New York only to have Linda asking for a divorce. Broken hearted, he asks Whitey to join him on a trip to Bermuda as a friend. Realizing that Van will never love her as much as he loves Linda, she goes to see Linda on the boat to Europe, telling her that she would be a fool to let him go. Will Linda decide to reconcile with Van?

This is one of the, fluffy romantically fun, dramatic classic movies.

Pre- Code: Bombshell(1933).

Bombshell(1933). Directed by Victor Fleming. Cast: Jean Harlow, Lee Tracy, Frank Morgan, C. Aubrey Smith, Mary Forbes and Franchot Tone.

The story begins, when movie star Lola Burns, wakes up to face the day with the demands of her eccentric family, her maid and her studio's publicity department. Lola, soon finds out the Hays Office, wants her to re shoot scenes from her last film. During the day's shooting, Marquis Hugo, Lola's current lover, who Space had tried to keep off the set, begins an argument with Brogan.

That night at the Cocoa Nut Grove nightclub, Space arranges for Hugo to be arrested for immigration violations, but convinces Lola that he had nothing to do with it. When Lola reads the newspaper headline about Hugo's arrest, she telephones Brogan, asking him for a loan for his bail. Lola, then writes a letter to the studio demanding that Space be fired. Space rushes to her house, telling her that it was a publicity stunt and he brought a writer from the Ladies Home Companion to interview her. Lola asks the studio to ignore her letter, then gives a interview to the reporter. The reporter suggests that she might happier if she had children. Lola, loves the the idea of motherhood and tells Brogan, that she wants to marry and have children. Brogan, thinks it would be better if Lola were to adopt a baby on a thirty-day trial basis. Lola, picks out a baby boy from orphanage.

When Space, is asked by reporters, if the rumor that Lola is pregnant is true, he runs over to the Burns's house where he learns about the adoption. Space, makes arrangements for reporters as well as Hugo and his lawyer, to meet at Lola's house at the same time that the orphanage women is there. While Lola, tells the orphanage women that she would make a good mother, her chances are ruined by the return of her drunken brother and the fight between Brogan and Hugo.

Heartbroken, Lola announces she is through with being an actress and drops out of sight. But, later is found in a desert resort by Space. While vacationing Lola, is romanced by Gifford Middleton, who does not know she is a famous actress. Lola accepts his marriage proposal. Just as her meeting with the Middletons begins, Lola's father and brother, arrive at the resort. The Middletons, are shocked and appalled with their behavior and that Lola is the actress that all the scandal is about and Gifford, decides to break off their engagement. Heartbroken, by the rejection, Lola tells Space she is returning to Hollywood, not knowing that the Middletons are stage actors who were hired by Space. Back at the movie studio, Lola overhears the Middletons arguing about their acting careers outside her dressing room. Now, that she knows the truth what will she do?

Harlow is in her prime, in this very funny comedy with lots of quick, very risque (pre-Code) very funny, one liners. I absolutely loved the costumes in this film.

Fun Facts:

The movie was originally written with a parody of Clara Bow in mind.

Shirley Ross' film debut.

Shirley Ross (January 7, 1913 — March 9, 1975). Her film career began in 1933 and the following year she introduced the melody of the song "Blue Moon" for the film, Manhattan Melodrama, only with different lyrics. Ross first became known performing with, Bing Crosby in the film, Waikiki Wedding (1937). In The Big Broadcast of 1938 she sang "Thanks for the Memory" with Bob Hope. She re-teamed with Hope the following year to sing "Two Sleepy People" in the film, Thanks for the Memory(1938).

Ross also introduced, "The Lady's in Love with You" from the film, Some Like It Hot (1939)featuring Bob Hope, which is not the 1959 comedy starring Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, and Tony Curtis, although both films share the same name.

Star of the Month: Jean Harlow.

Wife vs Secretary(1936). Comedy film directed and co-produced by Clarence Brown. Cast: Clark Gable as a successful businessman, Jean Harlow as his secretary, and Myrna Loy as his wife, supported by May Robson as his mother and James Stewart, in one of his first memorable roles, as the secretary's boyfriend. The film was the fifth of six collaborations between Gable and Harlow and the fourth of seven between Gable and Loy.

Red Dust(1932). Romantic drama film directed by Victor Fleming. The picture is the second of six movies Clark Gable and Jean Harlow made together and was produced during the Pre-Code era of Hollywood.

Hold Your Man(1933). Romantic drama film directed by an uncredited Sam Wood. Cast: Jean Harlow and Clark Gable, the third of their six films together. The screenplay by Anita Loos and Howard Emmett Rogers was based on a story by Loos.

China Seas(1935). Adventure film starring Clark Gable as a brave sea captain, Jean Harlow as his brassy girlfriend, and Wallace Beery as an extremely suspicious-looking character. The oceangoing epic also features Lewis Stone and Rosalind Russell, while humorist Robert Benchley memorably portrays a character reeling drunk from one end of the film to the other. The lavish MGM epic was written by James Kevin McGuinness and Jules Furthman from the book by Crosbie Garstin, and directed by Tay Garnett. This is one of only four sound films with Beery in which he didn't receive top billing.

The Secret Six(1931). A fast-paced 1931 Pre-Code crime film starring Wallace Beery as "Slaughterhouse Scorpio", a character very loosely based on Al Capone, and featuring Lewis Stone, Johnny Mack Brown, Jean Harlow, Clark Gable, Marjorie Rambeau and Ralph Bellamy. The film was written by Frances Marion and directed by George W. Hill for MGM.

Saratoga(1937). Written by Anita Loos and directed by Jack Conway. The movie stars Clark Gable and Jean Harlow in their sixth and final film collaboration. When filming was 90% completed, Harlow collapsed on the set and died about a week later, reportedly of uremic poisoning. MGM wanted to reshoot the movie with Virginia Bruce or Jean Arthur. However, Harlow fans complained, so the remaining scenes were filmed with Mary Dees doubling for the camera and Paula Winslowe supplying Harlow's voice. The supporting cast includes Lionel Barrymore, Frank Morgan, Walter Pidgeon, Hattie McDaniel, and Margaret Hamilton. The film would be Harlow's final movie and, unsurprisingly, Harlow's fans turned out in droves, making Saratoga MGM's biggest moneymaker of 1937.

Please click here to read Jean Harlow and Clark Gable movie reviews and videos..

Star of the Month: Jean Harlow.

Public Enemy, The (1931). An Irish-American street punk tries to make it big in the world of organized crime. Cast: James Cagney, Jean Harlow, Edward Woods, Joan Blondell Dir: William A. Wellman

Bombshell (1933). A glamorous film star rebels against the studio, her pushy press agent and a family of hangers-on.Cast: Jean Harlow, Lee Tracy, Frank Morgan, Franchot Tone Dir: Victor Fleming.

Libeled Lady (1936). When an heiress sues a newspaper, the editor hires a reporter to compromise her. Cast: Jean Harlow, William Powell, Myrna Loy, Spencer Tracy Dir: Jack Conway

Please click here to view Libeled Lady(1936) movie review.

Reckless (1935). A theatrical star gets in over her head when she marries a drunken millionaire.Cast: Jean Harlow, William Powell, Franchot Tone, May Robson Dir: Victor Fleming.

Personal Property (1937). The bailiff charged with disposing of a financially strapped widow's estate pretends to be her butler. Cast: Jean Harlow, Robert Taylor, Reginald Owen, Una O'Connor Dir: W. S. Van Dyke II.

Pre-Code: Red Headed Woman (1932).

Red Headed Woman (1932). Film of the Pre-Code era, based on a novel by Katherine Brush. Directed by Jack Conway. Cast: Jean Harlow, Chester Morris, Lewis Stone, Leila Hyams, Una Merkel, Henry Stephenson, May Robson, Charles Boyer and Harvey Clark.

The story begins when Lilian Andrews, will do anything to seduce her wealthy boss, William Legendre Jr. and break up his marriage. His wife Irene, soon after the divorce finds that she does not want to live without him and tries to get back with Bill, only to find he has married Lil.

Lil, is not happy because she is shunned by Bill's father, Will Legendre Sr., because of her low class behavior. When Charles B. Gaerste, a coal tycoon visits the family, Lil thinks she has found a way into the higher social circles. She seduces him, into throwing a party for her. Things are looking good for Lil, until her hairdresser Sally, informs her that all the guests have left early to attend a party for Irene.

She decides to move to New York City, without her husband. Will finds Lil's handkerchief at Gaerste's place and shows his evidence to his son, who hires a detective, who finds out that she having two affairs. One with Charles and the other with his French chauffeur, Albert. Bill shows Charles the photographs. When Lil learns that Charles has found out about her, she returns to Bill, only to find that he has gone back to Irene. She shoots him, but he survives, will he have her arrested?

Fun Fact:

Jean Harlow's first line is "Who says gentlemen prefer blonde's?" which was written by Anita Loos for the movie who's most famous work was the musical comedy, Gentlemen Prefer Blonde's (1953).

No matter what type of role Jean Harlow played, it seems like she loved acting. Una Merkel, gives a wonderful performance as her roommate and look for Charles Boyer, in his small role. This film is very good example of a pre-code film.

Leila Hyams (1 May 1905 – 4 December 1977) . Her short film career began in silent films, and ended in the mid 1930s.

Her parents were vaudeville comedy performers John Hyams and Leila McIntyre, Hyams performed on-stage with her parents as a child. As a teenager she worked as a model and become well known after appearing in a successful series of newspaper advertisements. This success led her to Hollywood.

She made her first film in 1924, and with her blond hair, she was cast in many supporting roles. She proved herself in her small roles and over time she came to be taken seriously as an actress.

Her first first talkie was the film, Alias Jimmy Valentine (1928) opposite William Haines, Lionel Barrymore and Karl Dane. The following year she performed in the murder mystery, The Thirteenth Chair, a role that allowed her to showcase her dramatic abilities. The quality of her parts continued to improve, like her performance in the film, The Big House (1930) and in the film, Surrender (1931).

She is maybe best remembered for two early 1930s horror movies, Freaks (1932) and in the film, Island of Lost Souls (1933).

She also performed in the once controversial Jean Harlow film, Red-Headed Woman (1932), the musical comedy, The Big Broadcast (1932) and the film, Ruggles of Red Gap (1935) .