tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post3237507879311558492..comments2024-02-05T21:23:49.249-08:00Comments on Lady Eve's Reel Life: Platinum Blonde and BeyondThe Lady Evehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-47229942072121815452011-03-04T20:58:00.055-08:002011-03-04T20:58:00.055-08:00Brian...you might try to watch or record "Pla...Brian...you might try to watch or record "Platinum Blonde" when it airs on TCM on March 29 - I hope you have the chance. Would like to mention sources that provided info/insight for this post: Bombshell by David Stenn, a Capra biography, The Catastrophe of Success by McBride...Thalberg by Flamini was also helpful (not to mention many Internet resources).The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-22682041406303509232011-03-04T17:02:12.634-08:002011-03-04T17:02:12.634-08:00Marvelous post. Great details on a film that I sad...Marvelous post. Great details on a film that I sadly have not seen. I love Harlow in Red-Headed Woman and am a fan of Loretta Young. I haven't seen many of Young's earlier works, so this one sounds like I would enjoy it very much. Thank you for the post!Classicfilmboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01278928051994100842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-71692182478585212472011-03-03T10:44:49.311-08:002011-03-03T10:44:49.311-08:00Dawn - I wish there had been more clips to post. T...Dawn - I wish there had been more clips to post. There are two others at YouTube, one is a bit with Williams and a butler on puttering - in English plus English subtitles for some reason, and it ends abruptly. The other is of Harlow and Williams getting cute with each other as husband & wife, but it has Spanish subtitles...The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-51574287371391377532011-03-03T08:09:56.256-08:002011-03-03T08:09:56.256-08:00The Lady Eve, What a wonderful review. I'm re...The Lady Eve, What a wonderful review. I'm really looking forward to watching the Jean Harlow, films on TCM this month. I have only seen a handful of her films. So, it will be a real treat for me. Thank you, for posting the movie clip. You know me.. I love a good movie clip. :)Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476174860119487509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-51340429601085561212011-03-02T22:40:27.389-08:002011-03-02T22:40:27.389-08:00Kevin - Thanks for joining the conversation. I rea...Kevin - Thanks for joining the conversation. I realized, reading your comments, that I have a developed an interest in those who have delivered astouding performances and...disappeared. The first of such actors about whom I wrote was Robert Walker who turned in the performance of his life in Hitchcock's "Strangers on a Train" - and then was gone just as the film opened. His career was far more developed than Robert Williams who was just breaking out with "Platinum Blonde." In both cases, there is something of "what might have been" that intrigues me. And yet, in the end, one has to accept that what might have been never was and that the reputation of the performer in question rests on what they have left behind.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-86242891771996690562011-03-02T12:51:05.587-08:002011-03-02T12:51:05.587-08:00What a wonderful article and clip. I definitely ha...What a wonderful article and clip. I definitely have to catch this one and thank you for pointing out when it will be on TCM this month. <br /><br />Very interesting about leading man Robert Williams. It always surprises me to hear about actors like this with minimal screen credits. <br /><br />A while ago I was watching "Tarzan Escapes" (1936) and wondered about an actor named John Buckler who is the film's male lead (after Johnny W. of course). He didn't seem familiar to me and I wondered what else he was in. I was surprised to learn it was his last film, and he was killed in a car accident that year. He was only 30.<br /><br />The one-film appearance I've always wondered about Leonard Ceeley, who plays Mr. Whitmore in "A Day at the Races" (1937). This was his only major screen credit yet he died in 1977. IMDB lists an appearance on the television show "Believe It or Not" in 1950 as his only post "A Day at the Races" screen credit. I wonder what happened there?Kevin Deanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-25543621081787378462011-03-01T21:17:49.572-08:002011-03-01T21:17:49.572-08:00Motorcycle Boy - Yes, Harlow was a kind of iconic ...Motorcycle Boy - Yes, Harlow was a kind of iconic cinematic vision of the '30s (tho what the toxic concoction that made her platinum did to her hair is scary). So many became super-blonde in her wake. Even Bette Davis in her early days. You (and the doctor) might like this anecdote: I was at an event, the 50th anniversary of Coit Tower, years ago and Loretta Young was there (she wasn't expected but created quite a stir). I was with a group that was introduced (en masse) to her. She was around 70 at the time and wearing a scarf wrapped close to her head so that her hair wasn't visible. All I remember is that face - surrounded by kleig lights, flashbulbs and TV cameras. Even at 70 she was absolutely stunning, Madonna-like. Will never forget it.<br />Edgar - so glad you stumbled upon my blog - if you watch TCM you can catch up on Harlow's filmography - the channel is spotlighting her as "star of the month" for March. And thanks...The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-1580337108713646072011-03-01T03:51:44.816-08:002011-03-01T03:51:44.816-08:00I only know Jean Harlow from 'The Public Enemy...I only know Jean Harlow from 'The Public Enemy' a movie in which he isn't featured that prominently, but still gives an okay performance.<br /><br />I'm glad I stumbled on your blog because of all the references to these movies I have yet to see. this article alone is a great starting point.edgarchaputhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03874108948902089501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-24627720302605539162011-02-28T21:05:47.457-08:002011-02-28T21:05:47.457-08:00great post EVE..lots of background secrets and inf...great post EVE..lots of background secrets and info...thanx for the "shout out" to LORETTA YOUNG...one of my fave actresses, who did a lot of pre-code "nasties" that were light years away from THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER (which I love)doctor sabelotodohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17753057330165133638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-85764562948600340752011-02-28T20:49:45.770-08:002011-02-28T20:49:45.770-08:00An exellent write up, Eve - really informative and...An exellent write up, Eve - really informative and entertaining. I think Harlow's platinum blonde hair really was a perfect fit for the silver screen of those days. The black and white photography and lighting really made her seem to glow - she looked incandescent. I've never seen the film "Platinum Blonde" but that was an evocative clip and Williams came off considerably more natural in his acting than many others of that era (I'd like to see more of him). I loved all the details on Loretta Young who I've always found to have a somewhat angelic presence on screen - she was a classic beauty in a much more timeless way than Harlow, who was VERY much the 1930's in looks and demeanor. Your article had so many details, I'll have to read it again.Motorcycle Boynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-26668101248344459962011-02-28T20:23:29.808-08:002011-02-28T20:23:29.808-08:00Becky - Yes, that was a sexy little scene, wasn...Becky - Yes, that was a sexy little scene, wasn't it? Apparently Zwillman the mobster (who met a terrible fate years later) also gave Harry Cohn an enormous cash loan when Harlow's 2-picture deal was cut. I remember Loretta's entrances on her TV show, too...she was famous for them.<br />VP - I agree. If I'm not mistaken, the use of teenage girls as leading ladies in film started with silents and had something to do with the lighting (apparently leading men didn't need to look as dewy as their co-stars). Carole Lombard was also very young when she became a leading lady.<br />John - Some thought Williams could have developed the career of a better-looking Spencer Tracy. He's fortunate, tho, that he had the lead in a Capra/Harlow film - otherwise he'd be entirely forgotten. I agree that Harlow and Young were more suited to each other's roles - except no one would've believed a plot in which the leading man was oblivious to a blonde bombshell like Harlow - and at that point in her career, no studio was going to put her in anything but slinky, low-cut dresses. By the time she made "Red-Headed Woman" for MGM, Thalberg figured out how to capitalize on her allure and celebrity but also showcase her comedic ability. Worked like a charm.<br />FlickChick - Harlow (luckily) was a star long enough to create a lasting impression through several certifiably classic movies. But still - she was just 26, 8 yrs. younger than Robert Williams, when she died.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-74867192151751567032011-02-28T17:21:30.798-08:002011-02-28T17:21:30.798-08:00You are so right about Robert Williams. This film ...You are so right about Robert Williams. This film is a testament to his talent. But, I love Harlow madly (once she hit her stride) and can't wait for the new book!FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-8284891639500083712011-02-28T14:57:09.066-08:002011-02-28T14:57:09.066-08:00A wonderful article Patty with much information I ...A wonderful article Patty with much information I was personally unaware of about Harlow. Robert Williams was good here and it would have been interesting to see how his career would have went had he not died so suddenly. A sad loss. My biggest problem with PLATINUM BLONDE is Harlow and Young should have reversed roles. Harlow comes across as unsophisticated and common while Young's character is a class act. I actually thought Harlow was much better in RED HEADED WOMAN as the callous Lil' Andrews. It fit her demeanor. I agree with VP1955 that both ladies were so young at the time for the sophisticated film.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01808503055317962289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-6953667002003535912011-02-28T14:50:08.639-08:002011-02-28T14:50:08.639-08:00It's amazing that Jean and Loretta had such ma...It's amazing that Jean and Loretta had such mature adult lead roles in this sophisticated film, while in real life they were 20 and 18 respectively.VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-59023771053831694812011-02-28T10:28:32.733-08:002011-02-28T10:28:32.733-08:00Whew -- definitely pre-code, very steamy clip! As...Whew -- definitely pre-code, very steamy clip! As I was reading your article, I was wondering who Williams was, too. What a shame. And Harlow -- well, I didn't know she had help from the mob in her career! She wasn't the first, that's for sure, and probably not the last.<br /><br />Reading about Loretta Young made me remember her TV show, where she would throw open the double doors and sweep through in a gorgeous gown every episode. I always loved her.<br /><br />Your background information on Capra, Riskin, Harlow, all of the people involved, was fascinating. Excellent and very entertaining piece of writing, Eve!ClassicBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03591715859057540467noreply@blogger.com